of_o fancy_n or_o conception_n his_o action_n and_o understanding_n must_v needs_o as_o much_o transcend_v we_o as_o do_v his_o essence_n his_o way_n be_v not_o as_o our_o way_n nor_o his_o thought_n as_o our_o thought_n isa._n lv_o 8._o 2._o this_o hypothesis_n of_o they_o that_o nothing_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o be_v clear_v up_o to_o the_o understanding_n by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o do_v whole_o take_v away_o the_o blessedness_n and_o rewardableness_n annex_v to_o faith_n one_o necessary_a condition_n to_o make_v any_o action_n capable_a of_o reward_n or_o commendation_n be_v that_o it_o flow_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o liberty_n and_o herein_o man_n who_o be_v endow_v with_o reason_n the_o only_a true_a foundation_n of_o it_o have_v the_o preeminence_n above_o all_o other_o creature_n that_o act_n only_o by_o instinct_n or_o the_o force_n of_o appetite_n or_o by_o necessity_n of_o xxxvii_o nature_n he_o become_v hereby_o as_o it_o be_v lord_n of_o himself_o and_o can_v act_v or_o not_o act_v according_a as_o he_o be_v guide_v by_o counsel_n and_o rational_a motive_n or_o mere_o as_o it_o please_v he_o and_o according_a either_o to_o the_o right_n or_o ill_a use_n of_o this_o liberty_n he_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v whether_o he_o have_v deserve_v well_o or_o no._n that_o crystal_n shoot_v out_o into_o curious_a and_o exact_o regular_a figure_n that_o the_o flake_n of_o snow_n be_v hexagonal_a and_o ten_o thousand_o other_o rarity_n of_o nature_n be_v not_o to_o the_o commendation_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o they_o show_v admirable_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o first_o contriver_n of_o they_o the_o artist_n not_o the_o pendulum_n be_v praise_v though_o it_o measure_v time_n so_o exact_o and_o perform_v all_o its_o various_a motion_n without_o any_o interruption_n or_o inequality_n because_o this_o necesssary_o arise_v from_o a_o due_a proportion_n of_o weight_n and_o wheel_n and_o from_o a_o just_a adaptation_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o it_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o a_o man_n that_o he_o act_v free_o and_o consequent_o that_o he_o be_v virtuous_a out_o of_o choice_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o allurement_n and_o inclination_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o like_a be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o several_a assent_n of_o the_o mind_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v in_o themselves_o so_o clear_a and_o evident_a that_o we_o can_v not_o but_o assent_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o if_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o argument_n derive_v from_o sense_n or_o nature_n where_o then_o will_v be_v the_o blessedness_n of_o faith_n our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o 29._o which_o belong_v to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o see_v and_o yet_o have_v believe_v when_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o a_o thing_n than_o we_o know_v it_o and_o he_o must_v be_v very_o stupid_a and_o very_a pertinacious_a that_o â—ill_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o evidence_n and_o conviction_n of_o a_o demonstration_n how_o ridiculous_a will_v it_o be_v to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n and_o heap_v up_o argument_n against_o clear_a evidence_n and_o pretend_v dissatisfaction_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o great_a certainty_n as_o science_n afford_v if_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o notion_n where_o be_v that_o obedience_n of_o faith_n the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n mention_n where_o will_v be_v our_o submission_n and_o humility_n for_o a_o trial_n of_o which_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o many_o mystery_n be_v now_o propose_v by_o god_n which_o hereafter_o as_o a_o reward_n of_o our_o faith_n shall_v be_v more_o clear_o make_v out_o to_o we_o and_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v one_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o glory_n that_o shall_v attend_v the_o bless_a in_o the_o other_o world_n when_o we_o shall_v be_v divest_v of_o those_o circumstance_n that_o now_o hinder_v the_o exertion_n of_o reason_n when_o our_o understanding_n shall_v be_v enlighten_v and_o our_o capacity_n enlarge_v and_o our_o thought_n heighten_v and_o exalt_v not_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o the_o most_o refine_a and_o raise_v intellect_n ever_o to_o attain_v to_o a_o full_a and_o comprehensive_a knowledge_n of_o they_o for_o the_o angel_n those_o glorious_a spirit_n who_o attend_v the_o throne_n and_o be_v continual_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n humble_o vail_v their_o face_n and_o adore_v but_o that_o what_o we_o now_o know_v by_o faith_n and_o revelation_n only_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o somewhat_o clear_a insight_n into_o and_o be_v as_o full_o and_o satisfactory_o convince_v of_o as_o for_o instance_n that_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o one_o undivided_a essence_n as_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o manner_n of_o their_o several_a subsistence_n 3._o it_o reflect_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o god_n who_o may_v if_o he_o please_v propose_v these_o thing_n to_o we_o and_o command_v we_o to_o believe_v they_o for_o that_o god_n may_v do_v this_o who_o can_v question_v or_o deny_v that_o we_o be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o give_v up_o our_o judgement_n and_o understanding_n as_o our_o will_n to_o his_o will_n to_o assent_v to_o any_o speculation_n or_o truth_n of_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o he_o as_o to_o any_o mode_n of_o institute_v worship_n command_v by_o he_o or_o any_o precept_n of_o morality_n and_o that_o i_o be_o not_o to_o object_n and_o throw_v in_o my_o little_a conjecture_n and_o probability_n because_o it_o be_v not_o altogether_o or_o in_o the_o least_o evident_a to_o my_o reason_n when_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n render_v it_o impossible_a that_o it_o shall_v or_o if_o it_o do_v not_o yet_o his_o command_n shall_v be_v enough_o to_o force_v my_o assent_n now_o to_o fancy_v that_o nothing_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v credible_a but_o what_o can_v be_v make_v out_o and_o clear_v up_o to_o the_o understanding_n by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o destroy_v this_o supposition_n which_o have_v its_o certainty_n from_o and_o be_v support_v by_o several_a of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o god_n be_v both_o infinite_a and_o therefore_o he_o know_v more_o and_o can_v do_v more_o than_o what_o we_o possible_o can_v conceive_v otherwise_o we_o must_v equal_v our_o little_a knowledge_n which_o we_o chief_o derive_v from_o the_o image_n and_o representation_n of_o thing_n in_o our_o mind_n and_o which_o every_o contemptible_a insect_n and_o vegetable_a be_v too_o big_a for_o with_o his_o and_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n we_o must_v fancy_v our_o power_n equal_a too_o which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o irrational_a pride_n and_o madness_n like_o that_o of_o the_o apostate_n angel_n and_o by_o consequence_n throw_v off_o our_o dependence_n upon_o he_o and_o deny_v to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o his_o law_n because_o they_o do_v as_o much_o cross_v our_o vicious_a and_o corrupt_a inclination_n as_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n do_v our_o narrow_a conception_n and_o sentiment_n a_o infinite_a understanding_n only_o can_v full_o comprehend_v a_o infinite_a perfection_n such_o a_o proportion_n between_o the_o faculty_n and_o the_o object_n be_v altogether_o necessary_a for_o if_o it_o can_v be_v comprehend_v by_o a_o finite_a intellect_n it_o will_v immediate_o cease_v to_o be_v infinite_a how_o insufferable_a then_o be_v such_o a_o insolence_n how_o vain_a and_o foolish_a be_v such_o imagination_n and_o every_o high_a thing_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v extravagant_a fancy_n and_o conceit_n that_o get_v into_o the_o brain_n that_o exalt_v themselves_o against_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v captivate_v and_o make_v subject_n upon_o the_o high_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o obedience_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o will_v appear_v by_o descend_v to_o the_o 2._o second_o particular_a i_o propose_v to_o make_v good_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v its_o mystery_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o we_o can_v reject_v without_o do_v violence_n to_o our_o faculty_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o reject_v and_o disbelieve_v they_o must_v be_v unreasonable_a now_o the_o ground_n be_v chief_o these_o two_o 1._o that_o we_o believe_v and_o admit_v the_o divine_a revelation_n 2._o that_o we_o yield_v obedience_n and_o submit_v our_o understanding_n and_o all_o the_o power_n of_o our_o mind_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n 1._o that_o we_o believe_v and_o admit_v divine_a revelation_n because_o god_n be_v of_o infinite_a veracity_n and_o to_o deceive_v be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o nature_n there_o be_v a_o utter_a impossibility_n in_o it_o now_o if_o we_o repose_v so_o much_o trust_v and_o confidence_n in_o a_o friend_n because_o we_o have_v try_v he_o and_o know_v that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o great_a integrity_n and_o that_o he_o
a_o sermon_n of_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n preach_v before_o a_o learned_a audience_n by_o tho._n smith_n fellow_n of_o st._n mary_n magdalen_n college_n in_o oxon._n london_n print_v by_o tho._n roycroft_n for_o ric._n davis_n bookseller_n in_o oxford_n 1675._o imprimatur_fw-la sept._n 7_o h._n 1674._o c._n smith_n r._n p._n d._n episc_n lond._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la dome_v nobilissimo_fw-la viro_fw-la d._n roberto_n boyle_n verae_fw-la ac_fw-la solidae_fw-la pietatis_fw-la summae_fw-la eruditionis_fw-la instaurandae_fw-la sanioris_fw-la philosophiae_fw-la optimè_fw-la de_fw-la literis_fw-la tam_fw-la sacris_fw-la quam_fw-la humanioribus_fw-la merendi_fw-la famâ_fw-la longè_fw-la celeberrimo_fw-la magno_fw-la aevi_fw-la exemplo_fw-la &_o ornamento_fw-la t._n s._n hanc_fw-la concionem_fw-la unà _fw-la cum_fw-la appendice_fw-la coram_fw-la academicis_fw-la oxoniensibus_fw-la solenni_fw-la s._n marci_n evangelistae_fw-la festo_fw-la in_o sacello_fw-la collegii_fw-la b._n mariae_fw-la magdalenae_fw-la superiori_fw-la anno_fw-la habitam_fw-la in_o debitae_fw-la observantiae_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lubens_fw-la merito_fw-la dedicat_fw-la consecrátque_fw-la errata_fw-la p._n 7._o l._n 10._o 〈◊〉_d p._n 15._o l._n 13._o belief_n p._n 17._o l._n 7._o the_o ordin_fw-fr l._n 23._o ingenious_a p._n 21._o l._n 24._o for_o its_o read_v he_o p._n 26._o l._n 10_o reveal_v p._n 28._o l._n 15._o when_o p._n 34._o l._n 14._o belong_v p._n 42._o l._n 5._o for_o i_o read_v we_o p._n 45._o l._n 12_o the_o only_a p._n 48._o l._n 24._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o appendix_n refer_v to_o page_n 47._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o a_o learned_a audience_n 1_o tim_n iii_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o 16._o verse_n without_o controversy_n great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n how_o much_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n tend_v to_o the_o improvement_n of_o reason_n and_o learning_n how_o it_o have_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n a_o better_a and_o more_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o ourselves_o how_o it_o have_v advance_v the_o common_a notice_n of_o nature_n and_o have_v chase_v away_o with_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n those_o thick_a shade_n of_o error_n that_o have_v darken_v the_o understanding_n and_o have_v remove_v all_o those_o prejudices_fw-la that_o be_v take_v up_o from_o sense_n and_o a_o very_a partial_a and_o deceitful_a observation_n of_o thing_n may_v be_v full_o demonstrate_v by_o compare_v the_o former_a estate_n of_o mankind_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n with_o the_o present_a wherever_o it_o be_v receive_v in_o its_o truth_n and_o power_n man_n before_o be_v lead_v by_o opinion_n and_o conjecture_n and_o fancy_v only_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o another_o world_n they_o have_v fear_n upon_o they_o indeed_o of_o a_o divine_a justice_n that_o will_v revenge_v the_o violation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n either_o here_o or_o hereafter_o and_o a_o reflection_n upon_o the_o strange_a traverse_n and_o difficulty_n of_o life_n have_v teach_v they_o to_o expect_v another_o life_n after_o this_o but_o their_o eye_n be_v dim_v however_o and_o they_o can_v not_o see_v far_o into_o futurity_n they_o can_v have_v no_o clear_a deduction_n of_o particular_a truth_n for_o want_n of_o a_o right_a knowledge_n of_o true_a and_o certain_a principle_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v so_o inconstant_a and_o waver_a and_o know_v not_o well_o where_o or_o what_o to_o fix_v on_o but_o christ_n by_o his_o appearance_n and_o manifest_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o we_o 10._o have_v bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_v through_o the_o gospel_n and_o child_n and_o person_n of_o a_o ordinary_a reach_n and_o capacity_n may_v now_o easy_o apprehend_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n the_o misery_n we_o be_v in_o by_o sin_n the_o mean_n of_o our_o recovery_n from_o this_o woeful_a estate_n of_o life_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o like_a which_o before_o those_o great_a philosopher_n notwithstanding_o all_o their_o vaunt_n and_o quest_n after_o learning_n notwithstanding_o they_o set_v up_o school_n and_o be_v ambitious_a to_o give_v name_n to_o sect_n have_v but_o a_o very_a imperfect_a knowledge_n of_o but_o while_o these_o truth_n be_v receive_v by_o those_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v teach_v and_o to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o conviction_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v add_v to_o give_v all_o possible_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o understanding_n other_o who_o be_v resolve_v before_o hand_n not_o to_o be_v convince_v who_o have_v rather_o remain_v in_o their_o ignorance_n and_o idolatry_n and_o their_o sin_n then_o be_v convert_v to_o a_o new_a religion_n and_o reduce_v to_o such_o strictness_n of_o life_n as_o that_o require_v from_o their_o debauchery_n and_o brutish_a pleasure_n who_o have_v rather_o fall_v down_o before_o a_o statue_n or_o a_o picture_n because_o their_o father_n have_v do_v so_o before_o they_o and_o because_o it_o be_v the_o establish_a religion_n of_o their_o country_n than_o acknowledge_v and_o adore_v a_o crucify_a saviour_n reject_v it_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n without_o ever_o examine_v the_o weight_n of_o the_o argument_n that_o will_v have_v enforce_v they_o upon_o their_o belief_n they_o can_v not_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n but_o acknowledge_v the_o happy_a and_o glorious_a change_n that_o christianity_n have_v wrought_v in_o the_o world_n how_o much_o it_o exceed_v and_o go_v beyond_o all_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a lawgiver_n and_o founder_n of_o republic_n how_o it_o not_o only_o lay_v down_o rule_n for_o the_o right_a order_n of_o life_n but_o furnish_v its_o votary_n with_o a_o power_n to_o practice_v they_o not_o only_o show_v we_o a_o way_n to_o walk_v in_o but_o take_v we_o by_o the_o hand_n and_o lead_v we_o in_o it_o but_o the_o difficulty_n it_o seem_v that_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o conceive_v some_o of_o its_o mystery_n offend_v they_o this_o be_v their_o pretence_n and_o their_o plea_n for_o their_o infidelity_n they_o will_v have_v demonstration_n for_o every_o thing_n they_o will_v be_v teach_v and_o convince_v by_o syllogism_n their_o pride_n and_o their_o self-conceit_n and_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v of_o their_o own_o learning_n will_v not_o permit_v they_o to_o believe_v they_o make_v their_o understanding_n the_o measure_n of_o all_o truth_n and_o what_o do_v not_o suit_n with_o those_o narrow_a and_o low_a principle_n they_o have_v take_v up_o be_v scornful_o reject_v by_o they_o the_o jew_n say_v the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 22_o 23._o require_v a_o sign_n and_o the_o greek_n seek_v after_o wisdom_n but_o we_o preach_v christ_n crucify_v unto_o the_o jew_n a_o stumbling-block_n and_o to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n but_o how_o irrational_a be_v the_o demand_n of_o both_o for_o what_o great_a sign_n can_v there_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n than_o the_o fulfil_n of_o all_o the_o prophecy_n in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n even_o to_o the_o minute_n circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n and_o death_n and_o those_o mighty_a miracle_n that_o show_v forth_o themselves_o in_o he_o what_o great_a wisdom_n can_v the_o philosopher_n pretend_v to_o or_o desire_n than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n as_o it_o be_v call_v 1_o cor._n 11._o 7._o than_o those_o clear_a discovery_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o essential_a perfection_n of_o the_o godhead_n than_o the_o admirable_a contrivance_n of_o the_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n by_o the_o suffering_n and_o death_n of_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n than_o the_o way_n and_o mean_n of_o recover_v the_o dignity_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o of_o live_v here_o like_o man_n and_o of_o live_v hereafter_o like_o angel_n such_o a_o wisdom_n as_o will_v not_o only_o gratify_v our_o earnest_a desire_n and_o pursuit_n after_o knowledge_n but_o will_v make_v we_o happy_a too_o for_o ever_o their_o weak_a and_o blear_a eye_n can_v not_o endure_v such_o a_o great_a light_n that_o break_v in_o upon_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v desirous_a to_o retire_v into_o the_o shade_n they_o can_v not_o full_o conceive_v and_o comprehend_v they_o they_o seem_v therefore_o foolish_a and_o impossible_a notion_n that_o be_v owe_v whole_o to_o a_o ungoverned_a imagination_n and_o hereupon_o 1628._o they_o proceed_v to_o calumniate_v the_o christian_n as_o a_o company_n of_o well-meaning_a and_o honest_a and_o good-natured_a but_o very_o simple_a and_o over-credulous_a people_n who_o take_v all_o thing_n upon_o trust_n without_o inquire_v into_o their_o truth_n and_o certainty_n for_o such_o be_v the_o slanderous_a accusation_n of_o 121._o celsus_n 〈◊〉_d lucian_n and_o evangelica_n hierocles_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o learned_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n they_o
confirm_v with_o their_o blood_n but_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o st._n 3._o polycarp_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n that_o be_v by_o their_o fraudulent_a device_n model_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n according_a to_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o lust_n who_o set_v up_o a_o new_a religion_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n of_o christ_n never_o know_v or_o be_v acquaint_v with_o and_o endeavour_v to_o destroy_v the_o faith_n of_o christianity_n and_o think_v in_o the_o mean_a while_o they_o have_v reason_n on_o their_o side_n for_o so_o do_v and_o how_o far_o by_o their_o art_n and_o subtlety_n and_o plausible_a insinuation_n by_o this_o their_o slight_a and_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v for_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o however_o blanch_v over_o and_o disguise_v with_o show_n of_o sober_a reason_n they_o have_v prevail_v upon_o this_o age_n be_v too_o sad_a to_o 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