which_o contingent_a truth_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n whence_o thou_o reason_n that_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v be_v know_v but_o by_o the_o relation_n of_o another_o or_o by_o the_o perception_n of_o the_o outward_a sense_n because_o there_o be_v natural_o in_o our_o soul_n no_o idea_n of_o contingent_a truth_n such_o as_o be_v concern_v necessary_a truth_n to_o wit_n that_o god_n be_v and_o thaâ—_n the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n and_o since_o iâ—_n may_v without_o absurdity_n be_v say_v that_o god_n can_v make_v a_o contingent_a truth_n to_o become_v a_o necessary_a truth_n neither_o can_v god_n reveal_v contingent_a truth_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o as_o contingent_a truth_n be_v reveal_v but_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v not_o reveal_v but_o by_o the_o outward_a sense_n from_o whence_o thou_o conclude_v that_o man_n be_v not_o even_o oblige_v to_o believe_v god_n produce_v any_o revelation_n â—n_o the_o soul_n concern_v matter_n of_o fact_n whether_o of_o a_o â—hing_n do_v or_o to_o be_v do_v unless_o there_o be_v add_v some_o miracle_n obvious_a to_o the_o outward_a sense_n by_o which_o the_o soul_n may_v be_v ascertain_v that_o that_o revelation_n come_v from_o god_n and_o this_o thou_o endeavour_v also_o to_o prove_v from_o the_o scripture_n rome_n 10._o where_o the_o apostle_n say_v faith_n come_v by_o hear_v and_o because_o the_o apostle_n speak_v afterward_o of_o those_o who_o be_v â—ent_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n thence_o thou_o conclude_v that_o to_o be_v speak_v of_o outward_a preach_v by_o â—he_n ministry_n of_o man_n and_o since_o the_o apostle_n use_v question_n say_v how_o shall_v they_o believe_v unless_o â—hey_n hear_v thou_o gather_v from_o the_o induction_n and_o connexion_n of_o the_o text_n that_o the_o apostle_n treat_v â—nly_o of_o outward_a hear_n thence_o conclude_v that_o without_o outward_a hear_n faith_n can_v be_v produce_v â—nd_v therefore_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o immediate_a revelation_n by_o the_o simple_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o mind_n â—nless_a there_o be_v somewhat_o propose_v to_o the_o outward_a sense_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o a_o direct_a answer_n to_o this_o argument_n some_o thing_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v premise_v first_o then_o that_o be_v false_o suppose_v that_o the_o â—ence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n consist_v in_o the_o historical_a faith_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o birth_n â—eath_n life_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o christ_n that_o faith_n and_o historical_a knowledge_n be_v indeed_o a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o not_o such_o a_o essential_a part_n as_o that_o without_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v consist_v but_o a_o integrall_a part_n which_o go_v to_o the_o complete_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o the_o hand_n or_o foot_n of_o a_o man_n be_v integrall_a part_n of_o a_o man_n without_o which_o nevertheless_o a_o man_n may_v exist_v but_o not_o a_o entire_a and_o complete_a man._n second_o if_o by_o immediate_a revelation_n be_v understand_v such_o a_o revelation_n of_o god_n as_o beget_v in_o our_o soul_n a_o historical_a faith_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n without_o the_o mean_n oâ—_n the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o do_v not_o for_o such_o a_o revelalation_n as_o common_o give_v or_o to_o be_v expect_v by_o uâ—_n or_o any_o other_o christian_n for_o albeit_o many_o other_o evangelical_n truth_n be_v manifest_v to_o we_o by_o the_o immediate_a manifestation_n of_o god_n not_o use_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o mean_n yet_o the_o historical_a knowledge_n oâ—_n christ_n be_v not_o common_o manifest_v to_o we_o nor_o tâ—_n any_o other_o but_o by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o thâ—_n mean_v and_o that_o by_o way_n of_o a_o material_a object_n eveâ—_n as_o when_o we_o see_v the_o person_n of_o peter_n or_o paul_n by_o thâ—_n help_v of_o the_o sun_n light_n that_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n reâ—veals_v the_o person_n of_o peter_n or_o paul_n to_o our_o visiuâ—_a faculty_n immediate_o yet_o not_o without_o the_o medium_n of_o that_o person_n concur_v as_o a_o matterial_a object_n to_o produce_v that_o sight_n while_o the_o light_n of_o thâ—_n sun_n concur_v as_o the_o formal_a object_n of_o that_o vision_n 〈◊〉_d sight_n so_o that_o when_o we_o live_o and_o spiritual_o know_v the_o history_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n 〈◊〉_d the_o flesh_n the_o inward_a revelation_n or_o illumination_n 〈◊〉_d god_n which_o be_v like_o the_o sun_n light_n proceed_v from_o the_o divine_a sun_n do_v shine_v into_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o by_o its_o influence_n move_v the_o mind_n to_o assent_v unto_o the_o historical_a truth_n of_o christ_n birth_n life_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o read_n or_o hear_v the_o scripture_n or_o meditate_v therein_o three_o nevertheless_o we_o do_v firm_o assert_v that_o god_n can_v most_o easy_o clear_o and_o certain_o manifest_v to_o our_o mind_n the_o historical_a truth_n of_o christ_n birth_n etc._n etc._n when_o it_o so_o please_v he_o even_o without_o the_o scripture_n or_o any_o other_o outward_a mean_v and_o because_o this_o argument_n seem_v to_o be_v form_v against_o the_o possibility_n of_o such_o a_o revelation_n therefore_o i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o discuse_v it_o but_o first_o thou_o may_v mind_v that_o the_o prophet_n who_o foretell_v christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n and_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n and_o afterward_o to_o suffer_v death_n do_v know_v these_o truth_n of_o fact_n by_o the_o inward_a inspiration_n of_o god_n without_o outward_a mean_n for_o which_o see_v 1_o peter_n 1.10_o 11._o now_o that_o which_o have_v be_v may_v be_v four_o this_o argument_n do_v at_o most_o conclude_v that_o we_o can_v know_v natural_o any_o truth_n of_o fact_n but_o by_o the_o relation_n of_o another_o without_o we_o or_o by_o the_o perception_n of_o the_o outward_a sense_n because_o there_o be_v natural_o in_o our_o mind_n no_o idea_n concern_v contingent_a truth_n and_o every_o truth_n of_o fact_n be_v a_o contingent_a truth_n as_o there_o be_v of_o necessary_a truth_n this_o then_o prove_v that_o we_o can_v natural_o know_v any_o contingent_a truth_n but_o by_o the_o relation_n of_o another_o or_o perception_n of_o the_o outward_a sense_n but_o that_o hinder_v not_o but_o we_o may_v know_v a_o contingent_a truth_n by_o a_o supernatural_a knowledge_n god_n supply_v the_o place_n of_o a_o outward_a relator_n who_o be_v so_o true_a that_o he_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v believe_v sith_o god_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o truth_n five_o when_o god_n do_v make_v know_v unto_o man_n any_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o divine_a immediate_a revelation_n or_o inspiration_n god_n speak_v as_o to_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o inward_a man_n or_o as_o by_o his_o finger_n write_v it_o therein_o two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o such_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n 1._o tòmateriale_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o thing_n reveal_v which_o be_v contingent_a 2._o toformale_a the_o form_n or_o mode_n how_o the_o revelation_n be_v make_v which_o form_n be_v a_o inward_a divine_a and_o supernatural_a revelation_n which_o be_v the_o voice_n or_o speech_n of_o god_n inward_o speak_v to_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o inward_a man_n or_o mind_n of_o man_n or_o a_o divine_a write_v supernatural_o imprint_v therein_o now_o as_o to_o the_o material_a part_n or_o the_o thing_n and_o matter_n reveal_v this_o be_v indeed_o a_o contingent_a truth_n and_o of_o itself_o be_v not_o manifest_a to_o the_o mind_n but_o because_o of_o the_o form_n that_o be_v because_o of_o the_o divine_a mode_n and_o supernatural_a inward_a operation_n the_o matter_n be_v know_v to_o be_v true_a for_o that_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a inward_a operation_n which_o the_o mind_n do_v feel_v and_o perceive_v in_o itself_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n speak_v unto_o man_n which_o by_o its_o nature_n and_o specific_a property_n be_v as_o clear_o distinguish_v and_o understand_v to_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n as_o the_o voice_n of_o peter_n of_o james_n be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o such_o man_n for_o every_o be_v as_o a_o be_v be_v knowable_a and_o that_o by_o its_o own_o specific_a nature_n or_o property_n proceed_v from_o its_o nature_n and_o have_v its_o proper_a idea_n by_o which_o its_o distinguishable_a from_o every_o other_o thing_n if_o so_o be_v its_o idea_n be_v stir_v up_o in_o we_o and_o clear_o propose_v to_o we_o six_o now_o as_o some_o being_n be_v natural_a some_o supernatural_a so_o some_o idea_n be_v natural_a some_o supernatural_a and_o as_o when_o any_o natural_a idea_n be_v excite_v in_o we_o we_o clear_o know_v it_o so_o also_o when_o a_o supernatural_a idea_n be_v raise_v we_o clear_o know_v that_o whereof_o it_o be_v the_o idea_n but_o the_o voice_n of_o
any_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a idea_n which_o be_v clear_o perceive_v in_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v a_o manifest_a token_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o divine_a revelation_n but_o either_o a_o false_a imagination_n or_o the_o wicked_a sugestion_n of_o some_o evil_a spirit_n but_o to_o proceed_v if_o we_o will_v hear_v the_o scripture_n as_o all_o christian_n ought_v it_o testify_v to_o we_o that_o god_n have_v declare_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n even_o concern_v contingent_a truth_n to_o come_v in_o the_o prophet_n as_o that_o of_o the_o first_o to_o the_o heb_n 〈…〉_z do_v evident_o declare_v god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o diverse_a manner_n speak_v to_o our_o father_n in_o the_o prophet_n yea_o let_v we_o hear_v the_o prophet_n themselves_o hosea_n chap_n 1._o say_v plain_o that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v make_v in_o he_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o heb._n habakuk_n also_o say_v as_o he_o be_v stand_v on_o his_o watch_n to_o see_v what_o jehovah_n will_v speak_v in_o he_o and_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o the_o most_o heavenly_a revelation_n be_v by_o inward_a illustration_n and_o inspiration_n in_o the_o very_a mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o it_o be_v strange_a how_o any_o that_o believe_v the_o scripture_n shall_v doubt_v of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o happen_v at_o any_o time_n such_o revelation_n be_v make_v in_o the_o natural_a imagination_n of_o the_o prophet_n or_o any_o of_o their_o inward_a natural_a sense_n than_o it_o may_v be_v confess_v they_o can_v not_o be_v infallible_o certain_a they_o come_v from_o god_n unless_o they_o also_o feel_v god_n in_o the_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a sense_n by_o which_o they_o do_v most_o near_o approach_v to_o he_o from_o these_o superior_a and_o most_o inward_a sense_n work_v upon_o the_o low_a and_o less_o noble_a faculty_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o which_o ever_o way_n the_o prophet_n be_v certain_a that_o they_o be_v inspire_v of_o god_n even_o when_o they_o foretell_v contingent_a truth_n to_o come_v it_o be_v without_o doubt_n they_o be_v most_o certain_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v divin_o inspire_v and_o that_o frequent_o without_o any_o outward_a miracle_n for_o john_n the_o baptist_n do_v no_o miracle_n and_o many_o prophesy_v where_o there_o appear_v no_o miracle_n as_o in_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v often_o observe_v and_o we_o also_o by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o same_o divine_a spirit_n by_o which_o the_o prophet_n prophesy_v do_v believe_v their_o word_n and_o writing_n to_o be_v divine_a concern_v contingent_a truth_n as_o well_o past_a as_o to_o come_v else_o that_o faith_n by_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n will_v not_o be_v divine_a but_o mere_o humane_a and_o thence_o we_o need_v no_o outward_a miracle_n to_o move_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o much_o less_o be_v they_o necessary_a to_o the_o prophet_n who_o write_v they_o for_o we_o see_v in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o prophet_n where_o they_o declare_v prophecy_n as_o reveal_v to_o they_o of_o god_n there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n mention_v of_o any_o outward_a miracle_n as_o that_o by_o which_o alone_o they_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o moreover_o the_o falseness_n of_o this_o argument_n do_v appear_v in_o that_o the_o scripture_n do_v declare_v many_o contingent_a truth_n to_o have_v be_v reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n in_o dream_n now_o as_o natural_a and_o wicked_a man_n do_v not_o see_v what_o they_o dream_v by_o a_o real_a perception_n of_o the_o outward_a sense_n but_o by_o inward_a idea_n which_o be_v present_v to_o the_o mind_n and_o perceive_v by_o it_o so_o it_o be_v also_o in_o divine_a revelation_n of_o this_o nature_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a example_n in_o joseph_n the_o husband_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n who_o when_o he_o observe_v his_o wife_n with_o child_n be_v tell_v in_o a_o dream_n that_o she_o have_v conceive_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n now_o i_o will_v know_v to_o which_o of_o joseph_n outward_a sense_n be_v this_o reveal_v or_o what_o miracle_n have_v he_o to_o induce_v he_o to_o believe_v which_o can_v neither_o be_v prove_v so_o as_o to_o make_v a_o infallible_a application_n to_o mary_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o which_o be_v against_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n do_v choke_v his_o reason_n the_o scripture_n mention_n no_o miracle_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o yet_o no_o doubt_n joseph_n have_v high_o sin_v have_v he_o not_o believe_v this_o revelation_n and_o not_o withstand_v reject_v his_o wife_n as_o a_o adulteress_n but_o if_o thou_o say_v that_o according_a to_o thy_o hypothesis_n there_o must_v have_v be_v a_o miracle_n that_o be_v only_o to_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o how_o false_a this_o hypothesis_n be_v the_o apostle_n show_v clear_o corinth_n 2.14_o the_o natural_a or_o animal_n man_n know_v not_o receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n now_o divine_a revelation_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n and_o if_o either_o chief_o or_o only_o those_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o outward_a sense_n it_o will_v contradict_v the_o apostle_n for_o natural_a man_n yea_o the_o most_o wicked_a have_v the_o use_n of_o the_o outward_a sense_n as_o true_a and_o exact_a as_o the_o most_o godly_a and_o whereas_o the_o apostle_n add_v for_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v it_o put_v the_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o question_n for_o thence_o it_o abundant_o appear_v that_o this_o discern_v be_v not_o by_o the_o outward_a sense_n according_a to_o the_o follow_a verse_n for_o the_o apostle_n say_v the_o spiritual_a man_n judge_v all_o thing_n this_o than_o must_v be_v do_v by_o some_o sense_n or_o property_n peculiar_a to_o the_o spiritual_a man_n and_o in_o which_o he_o excel_v the_o natural_a man_n which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o outward_a sense_n as_o all_o do_v know_v therefore_o the_o perception_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n can_v be_v by_o the_o outward_a sense_n either_o as_o the_o chief_a or_o only_a mean_n as_o be_v false_o contend_v for_o now_o as_o to_o these_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 10._o that_o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v zuinglius_fw-la observe_v well_o that_o the_o apostle_n intend_v not_o to_o affirm_v faith_n to_o come_v by_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o outward_a word_n neither_o do_v the_o follow_a word_n prove_v it_o how_o shall_v they_o believe_v unless_o they_o hear_v and_o how_o shall_v they_o hear_v without_o a_o preacher_n and_o how_o shall_v they_o preach_v unless_o they_o be_v send_v for_o the_o apostle_n use_v these_o word_n not_o as_o his_o argument_n but_o as_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v form_v as_o the_o same_o apostle_n use_v in_o other_o place_n to_o which_o objection_n he_o answer_v in_o the_o same_o chapter_n as_o appear_v verse_n 18._o but_o i_o say_v have_v they_o not_o all_o hear_v yes_o true_o their_o voice_n go_v into_o all_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v of_o the_o father_n and_o son_n or_o the_o father_n in_o the_o word_n which_o word_n be_v not_o only_o near_o we_o but_o according_a to_o the_o same_o apostle_n in_o the_o same_o chapter_n in_o our_o mouth_n and_o in_o our_o heart_n but_o further_o thou_o can_v conclude_v nothing_o from_o this_o but_o that_o faith_n be_v beget_v by_o outward_a hear_n only_o and_o no_o otherwise_o for_o this_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o thy_o argument_n that_o since_o faith_n can_v be_v without_o outward_a hear_v therefore_o nothing_o can_v be_v certain_o believe_v but_o where_o somewhat_o be_v propose_v to_o the_o outward_a hear_v for_o if_o thou_o acknowledge_v faith_n can_v be_v beget_v any_o otherwise_o then_o by_o hear_v thou_o lose_v the_o strength_n of_o thy_o argument_n and_o if_o that_o argument_n hold_v that_o faith_n come_v only_o by_o outward_a hear_v thou_o destroy_v the_o whole_a hypothesis_n for_o have_v before_o affirm_v that_o outward_a miracle_n be_v sufficient_a to_o render_v one_o certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o revelation_n those_o miracle_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o heal_n of_o the_o sick_a or_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o dead_a will_v avail_v nothing_o because_o those_o as_o for_o most_o part_n all_o miracle_n be_v obvious_a to_o the_o sight_n not_o to_o the_o hear_v and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o by_o outward_a hear_n only_o thou_o can_v conclude_v nothing_o from_o this_o place_n but_o i_o the_o more_o wonder_n thy_o use_n of_o this_o argument_n consider_v the_o discourse_n we_o have_v together_o before_o we_o enter_v upon_o this_o debate_n for_o when_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o certain_a person_n who_o deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o every_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v discern_v by_o the_o outward_a sense_n thou_o condemn_v as_o most_o absurd_a but_o why_o i_o can_v conceive_v since_o there_o be_v no_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o those_o two_o opinion_n the_o one_o say_v there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n concern_v any_o truth_n whether_o they_o be_v necessary_a or_o contingent_a but_o by_o the_o perception_n of_o the_o sense_n the_o other_o affirm_v the_o same_o of_o contingent_a truth_n though_o not_o of_o necessary_a truth_n but_o among_o the_o number_n of_o contingent_a truth_n thou_o esteem_v what_o belong_v to_o christian_a religion_n for_o thou_o reckon_v the_o necessary_a truth_n only_o to_o belong_v to_o natural_a religion_n this_o then_o be_v all_o the_o difference_n that_o that_o other_o person_n say_v there_o be_v no_o certainty_n of_o any_o religion_n neither_o natural_a nor_o christian_n but_o by_o the_o perception_n of_o the_o outward_a sense_n but_o thou_o say_v though_o thou_o esteem_v the_o certainty_n of_o natural_a reâ—iâ—ion_n to_o be_v without_o they_o yet_o not_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o again_o since_o thou_o esteem_v that_o not_o natural_a religion_n but_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n thou_o must_v necessary_o conclude_v that_o thâ—se_a truth_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v only_o know_v and_o believe_v by_o the_o benefit_n 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his_o answer_n in_o write_v which_o he_o then_o promise_v but_o not_o have_v as_o yet_o do_v it_o be_v see_v meet_a to_o be_v publish_v b._n f._n rotterdam_n the_o 28_o of_o march_n 1678._o
the_o possibility_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o inward_a immediate_a revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n towards_o the_o foundation_n and_o ground_n of_o true_a faith_n prove_v in_o a_o letter_n write_v in_o latin_a to_o a_o person_n of_o quality_n in_o holland_n and_o now_o also_o put_v into_o english_a by_o r._n b._n print_a in_o the_o year_n 1686._o advertisement_n to_o the_o reader_n this_o serve_v to_o inform_v thou_o that_o it_o be_v above_o seven_o year_n since_o this_o epistle_n be_v print_v in_o latin_a the_o person_n to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v the_o heer_n paet_v be_v a_o man_n of_o no_o mean_a account_n both_o in_o the_o learned_a and_o politic_a world_n the_o conference_n i_o have_v with_o he_o be_v late_o after_o his_o return_n from_o spain_n where_o he_o have_v be_v ambassador_n from_o the_o unite_a netherlands_o i_o discourse_v with_o he_o on_o the_o same_o subject_n last_o year_n at_o london_n where_o he_o be_v one_o of_o the_o commissioner_n for_o the_o 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