these_o qualification_n as_o we_o have_v also_o see_v take_v away_o all_o cause_n of_o suspicion_n that_o the_o prophet_n either_o be_v deceive_v or_o have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v other_o in_o their_o prophecy_n and_o beside_o that_o either_o by_o prediction_n or_o miracle_n they_o give_v such_o evidence_n of_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n as_o can_v possible_o come_v from_o none_o but_o god_n and_o therefore_o in_o motive_n of_o credibility_n a_o word_n of_o prophecy_n do_v far_o exceed_v a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n because_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o air_n may_v deceive_v we_o with_o something_o like_o it_o or_o the_o pretend_a hearer_n of_o it_o be_v it_o may_v be_v themselves_o deceive_v or_o have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v other_o since_o than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o we_o have_v large_o prove_v be_v a_o sort_n of_o prophet_n that_o most_o eminent_o have_v all_o the_o qualification_n requisite_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o both_o by_o prediction_n and_o miracle_n give_v thâ—_n clear_a evidence_n that_o ever_o the_o world_n have_v of_o it_o we_o have_v the_o high_a reason_n whereof_o a_o revelation_n be_v capable_a most_o firm_o to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n that_o they_o have_v teach_v we_o what_o though_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n be_v as_o without_o controversy_n it_o be_v very_o great_a yet_o the_o theist_n of_o our_o age_n have_v no_o reason_n on_o that_o account_n to_o disbelieve_v it_o for_o though_o perhaps_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o our_o religion_n shall_v befriend_v our_o reason_n yet_o not_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v it_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o divine_a revelation_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o divine_a intellect_n be_v infinite_a and_o we_o finite_a although_o therefore_o without_o a_o experiment_n or_o other_o demonstration_n there_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o obligation_n on_o we_o firm_o to_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n in_o philosophy_n yet_o be_v we_o not_o permit_v to_o be_v such_o virtuosâ—_n in_o religion_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o thing_n in_o themselves_o uncapable_a of_o a_o demonstration_n be_v reveal_v with_o a_o command_n to_o believe_v and_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o make_v they_o a_o râ—morâ—_n to_o our_o belief_n for_o as_o after_o all_o our_o search_n into_o nature_n and_o great_a discovery_n of_o thing_n therein_o we_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v there_o may_v be_v more_o in_o her_o dark_a bosom_n than_o we_o can_v discover_v and_o we_o on_o that_o account_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o nature_n so_o also_o in_o thing_n reveal_v if_o after_o all_o our_o hard_a study_n we_o can_v comprehend_v they_o we_o thereupon_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o they_o because_o god_n who_o have_v make_v may_v also_o reveal_v thing_n that_o pass_v our_o understanding_n if_o therefore_o there_o be_v evidence_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v the_o understanding_n as_o in_o the_o case_n now_o before_o we_o there_o be_v that_o the_o revelation_n come_v from_o god_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n on_o the_o account_n of_o its_o mystery_n to_o reject_v it_o and_o indeed_o the_o mystery_n of_o christianity_n be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v just_a occasion_n of_o unbelief_n as_o that_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o strengthen_v our_o faith_n in_o it_o for_o the_o gospel_n teach_v we_o to_o glorify_v god_n in_o 20._o our_o spirit_n as_o well_o as_o body_n it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a and_o convenient_a that_o it_o shall_v require_v we_o to_o honour_v he_o by_o the_o submission_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o indemonstrable_v revelation_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o obedience_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n unto_o his_o law_n and_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v fit_v for_o we_o to_o obey_v the_o divine_a law_n though_o our_o will_n reluct_v never_o so_o much_o against_o it_o so_o also_o be_v it_o for_o we_o to_o believe_v whatever_o god_n have_v reveal_v think_v never_o so_o improbable_a to_o our_o understanding_n for_o unless_o we_o do_v so_o we_o shall_v undoubted_o fall_v short_a of_o our_o duty_n which_o in_o this_o case_n without_o dispute_n be_v to_o tread_v in_o the_o step_n of_o our_o father_n abraham_n who_o give_v glory_n to_o god_n by_o be_v so_o strong_a in_o faith_n as_o to_o believe_v that_o that_o be_v impossible_a in_o nature_n and_o therefore_o incredible_a unto_o reason_n if_o we_o will_v believe_v no_o more_o than_o what_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v true_a our_o assent_n be_v not_o faith_n but_o science_n for_o it_o be_v not_o build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o god_n testimony_n but_o on_o demonstration_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n testify_v and_o so_o it_o honour_v not_o god_n at_o all_o because_o it_o receive_v not_o the_o truth_n for_o his_o sake_n but_o he_o for_o the_o truth_n sake_n and_o so_o it_o pay_v no_o respect_n to_o his_o word_n but_o only_o to_o our_o own_o ratiocination_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o mind_n assent_v to_o testimony_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n and_o the_o divine_a prerogative_n extend_v itself_o to_o the_o whole_a man_n that_o religion_n that_o become_v god_n and_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o man_n must_v have_v something_o in_o it_o to_o exercise_v this_o his_o innate_a power_n about_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n the_o mystery_n of_o christianity_n ought_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o motive_n to_o believe_v rather_o than_o to_o reject_v it_o for_o be_v there_o no_o mystery_n in_o it_o we_o shall_v have_v some_o reason_n to_o entertain_v a_o temptation_n to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v not_o of_o god_n because_o whatsoever_o else_o we_o be_v assure_v there_o be_v have_v something_o in_o it_o that_o exceed_v the_o reach_n of_o our_o reason_n yea_o and_o conjecture_n too_o for_o if_o we_o contemplate_v the_o work_n of_o creation_n thing_n that_o we_o daily_o see_v and_o handle_v which_o â—eem_v to_o lie_v level_a with_o our_o understanding_n yet_o after_o our_o most_o accurate_a researche_n into_o their_o nature_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o most_o pierce_a judgement_n or_o profound_a reason_n be_v not_o able_a to_o solve_v all_o the_o phaenomena_n or_o attain_v to_o a_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o who_o be_v there_o that_o observe_v well_o the_o dispensation_n of_o divine_a providence_n but_o may_v therein_o find_v such_o riddle_n as_o his_o reason_n can_v unfold_v such_o mystery_n as_o baffle_v his_o understanding_n and_o confound_v his_o curiosity_n in_o his_o inquire_n after_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o the_o end_n and_o reason_n of_o god_n proceed_n with_o man_n although_o always_o most_o just_a and_o righteous_a yet_o very_o often_o be_v so_o secret_a and_o hide_a as_o that_o they_o convince_v we_o his_o judgement_n be_v unsearchable_a and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o and_o from_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n result_v a_o natural_a religion_n the_o chief_a principle_n whereof_o we_o know_v be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v infinite_a in_o all_o perfection_n this_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o conscience_n yet_o reason_n can_v fathom_v the_o depth_n of_o it_o for_o it_o have_v only_o a_o negative_a conception_n of_o infinity_o and_o whatever_o there_o be_v that_o it_o have_v no_o conception_n of_o do_v undoubted_o surpass_v its_o reach_n and_o comprehension_n so_o that_o natural_a theology_n as_o well_o as_o reveal_v have_v its_o mystery_n if_o therefore_o christianity_n have_v none_o how_o unlike_a will_v it_o be_v to_o all_o thing_n else_o in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v god_n for_o their_o author_n how_o just_a a_o prejudice_n will_v this_o be_v to_o the_o reception_n of_o it_o as_o divine_a truth_n and_o revelation_n who_o will_v believe_v it_o to_o be_v of_o god_n when_o he_o see_v nothing_o that_o surpass_v man_n in_o it_o how_o decent_a then_o and_o useful_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o christianity_n since_o they_o make_v it_o like_v to_o all_o thing_n else_o of_o god_n make_v they_o beautify_v and_o adorn_v it_o with_o fair_a character_n than_o otherwise_o it_o will_v have_v of_o god_n image_n on_o it_o and_o the_o fair_a the_o character_n of_o his_o image_n be_v upon_o it_o the_o more_o legible_a be_v his_o truth_n in_o it_o for_o infiniteness_n of_o truth_n be_v inseparable_a from_o right_a reason_n idea_n of_o deity_n and_o where_o there_o be_v infiniteness_n of_o truth_n there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o a_o lie_n mistake_v or_o deceit_n and_o where_o these_o be_v exclude_v there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o hesitance_n or_o doubt_v but_o the_o strong_a reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v since_o therefore_o our_o christian_a faith_n have_v the_o impression_n of_o god_n image_n on_o it_o and_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n reveal_v it_o it_o be_v most_o high_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v it_o sect._n 5._o
and_o since_o such_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o we_o have_v most_o firm_o to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v teach_v we_o such_o also_o we_o have_v most_o steadfast_o to_o hope_v in_o the_o promise_n that_o they_o have_v make_v we_o for_o hope_n be_v the_o expectation_n and_o wait_v of_o faith_n arise_v out_o of_o it_o and_o have_v itâ—_n growth_n with_o it_o although_o the_o object_n of_o hope_n be_v some_o difficultly_a attainable_a future_a good_a thing_n yet_o faith_n receive_v the_o promise_n of_o it_o put_v we_o upon_o expect_v and_o wait_v for_o it_o if_o therefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v also_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o hope_v for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v not_o like_o our_o golden_a dream_n which_o vanish_v when_o we_o awake_v but_o it_o be_v such_o a_o expectation_n of_o good_a thing_n not_o see_v as_o will_v endure_v the_o test_n of_o the_o severe_a reason_n for_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o promise_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o these_o promise_n make_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v little_a or_o nothing_o else_o but_o declaration_n of_o what_o god_n will_v do_v for_o the_o good_a of_o man_n and_o since_o they_o declare_v his_o purpose_n they_o open_v to_o we_o a_o part_n of_o that_o external_a law_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v set_v for_o himself_o to_o work_v by_o they_o therefore_o be_v and_o must_v needs_o be_v as_o immutable_a as_o that_o law_n and_o that_o law_n be_v as_o immutable_a as_o god_n himself_o because_o it_o be_v his_o external_a wisdom_n and_o herein_o there_o can_v be_v no_o variableness_n or_o shadow_n of_o turn_v because_o 13._o his_o understanding_n be_v infinite_a on_o this_o account_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v that_o st._n paul_n insinuate_v it_o as_o possible_a for_o god_n to_o deny_v himself_o as_o to_o fail_v of_o perform_v his_o promise_n in_o they_o therefore_o we_o may_v have_v hope_n without_o despair_n and_o confidence_n without_o diffidence_n obj._n but_o hereunto_o some_o perhaps_o suspend_v their_o assent_n because_o as_o they_o think_v their_o experience_n confute_v the_o christian_n faith_n the_o apostle_n teach_v we_o that_o 8._o godliness_n be_v profitable_a unto_o all_o thing_n have_v promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o â—ow_o be_v and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v but_o we_o find_v that_o all_o thing_n come_v alike_o to_o all_o there_o be_v no_o more_o care_n take_v of_o the_o most_o pious_a christian_a than_o of_o the_o lewd_a among_o man_n we_o can_v therefore_o believe_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o think_v it_o safe_a to_o put_v our_o trust_n in_o they_o if_o they_o deceive_v our_o expectation_n in_o thing_n that_o fall_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o experience_n what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o give_v credit_n or_o to_o take_v heed_n unto_o they_o in_o those_o that_o do_v not_o anâ—_n if_o our_o expectation_n have_v be_v deceive_v it_o be_v most_o rational_a as_o well_o as_o pious_a to_o resolve_v the_o deceit_n not_o into_o god_n promise_n but_o into_o our_o own_o misunderstand_a of_o they_o but_o such_o usual_o be_v the_o peevish_a worldly-mindedness_a of_o those_o that_o be_v use_v to_o make_v such_o as_o this_o objection_n as_o that_o they_o take_v the_o dirt_n of_o their_o own_o ignorance_n and_o misapprehension_n and_o throw_v it_o in_o the_o face_n of_o god_n promise_n for_o very_o easy_a it_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o this_o and_o all_o such_o like_a objection_n be_v found_v upon_o a_o opinion_n that_o god_n promise_n concern_v the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v do_v import_n that_o those_o who_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o they_o shall_v enjoy_v such_o a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o worldly_a prosperity_n as_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v afflict_v like_o other_o folk_n but_o this_o certain_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n for_o affliction_n and_o trouble_n be_v so_o inseparable_o annex_v to_o christian_a piety_n as_o that_o if_o any_o man_n will_v 27._o come_v after_o christ_n he_o must_v deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v he_o and_o unless_o he_o do_v so_o he_o can_v be_v his_o disciple_n it_o seem_v therefore_o that_o those_o grim_a duty_n of_o self-denial_n and_o mature_a resolution_n of_o bear_v the_o cross_n be_v so_o essential_o unite_v to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o christianity_n as_o there_o be_v no_o be_v a_o good_a christian_n without_o they_o impossible_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v design_v to_o evacuate_v the_o necessity_n or_o frustrate_v the_o use_n of_o these_o essential_a part_n of_o christianity_n and_o for_o this_o cause_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a if_o not_o certain_a that_o the_o importance_n of_o its_o promise_n concern_v thing_n temporal_a be_v that_o they_o who_o seek_v those_o that_o be_v eternal_a shall_v have_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o such_o destract_a care_n about_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n as_o render_v they_o unable_a acceptable_o to_o mind_v the_o concern_v of_o the_o other_o that_o this_o be_v the_o design_n and_o scope_n of_o they_o we_o have_v methinks_v a_o demonstration_n in_o that_o grand_a promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v 33._o be_v add_v to_o they_o that_o seek_v first_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o his_o righteousness_n for_o be_v a_o part_n of_o his_o sermon_n on_o the_o mount_n wherein_o he_o give_v his_o disciple_n a_o abstract_n of_o christian_a philosophy_n it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o standard_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o other_o promise_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n in_o our_o interpretation_n of_o they_o and_o if_o so_o than_o the_o design_n and_o intendment_n of_o they_o all_o must_v needs_o be_v not_o to_o raise_v our_o hope_n to_o a_o expectation_n of_o freedom_n from_o affliction_n but_o to_o keep_v our_o soul_n from_o sink_v into_o dispondence_n and_o distrust_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o provide_v for_o we_o for_o this_o manifest_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n now_o under_o consideration_n and_o that_o be_v as_o ample_a as_o any_o or_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o pronounce_v by_o our_o lord_n own_o mouth_n when_o he_o be_v deliver_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o his_o practical_a doctrine_n may_v most_o just_o be_v think_v to_o show_v we_o their_o importance_n and_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v so_o to_o do_v i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o the_o experience_n of_o good_a christian_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o what_o though_o they_o be_v sometime_o reduce_v to_o such_o strait_o and_o difficulty_n as_o a_o natural_a man_n can_v see_v no_o way_n out_o of_o yet_o even_o than_o their_o trust_n in_o the_o promise_n do_v buoy_v up_o their_o hope_n that_o they_o shall_v find_v away_o to_o escape_v and_o i_o dare_v i_o say_v appeal_v to_o their_o experience_n whether_o or_o no_o divine_a providence_n if_o on_o a_o impartial_a scrutiny_n they_o can_v find_v that_o they_o themselves_o have_v omit_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o promise_n have_v not_o so_o far_o fulfil_v they_o as_o to_o let_v they_o see_v that_o god_n so_o care_v for_o they_o as_o in_o due_a time_n to_o do_v it_o and_o if_o they_o can_v say_v but_o that_o though_o in_o this_o sea_n of_o trouble_n god_n promise_v of_o temporal_a blessing_n do_v not_o keep_v they_o from_o storm_n yet_o they_o cast_v out_o such_o a_o anchor_n oâ—_n hope_v unto_o they_o as_o secure_v they_o from_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o billow_n of_o sorrow_n or_o split_v upon_o the_o rock_n of_o desperation_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o they_o sufficient_o do_v the_o work_n for_o which_o they_o be_v intend_v and_o if_o so_o they_o do_v there_o certain_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o stagger_v at_o the_o promise_v of_o god_n through_o unbelief_n but_o much_o rather_o to_o give_v he_o glory_n by_o be_v therein_o strong_a in_o faith_n especial_o consider_v moreover_o that_o the_o great_a inducement_n we_o have_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n viz_o the_o miracle_n that_o be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v it_o do_v also_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o infallible_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o its_o promise_n for_o blessedness_n we_o know_v be_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o all_o that_o they_o can_v import_n or_o we_o can_v hope_v ro_o enjoy_v and_o that_o this_o we_o shall_v have_v if_o we_o be_v not_o offend_v in_o christ_n be_v his_o own_o inference_n from_o his_o miracle_n and_o that_o the_o premise_n will_v very_o well_o bear_v the_o conclusion_n will_v be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o who_o impartial_o consider_v that_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n or_o at_o least_o some_o of_o they_o
can_v admit_v of_o no_o demonstration_n but_o that_o of_o the_o spirit_n and_o this_o indeed_o be_v make_v à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la yet_o not_o from_o the_o constant_a and_o ordinary_a phaenomena_n of_o nature_n but_o from_o thing_n novel_a and_o anomalous_a such_o as_o prediction_n and_o miracle_n purposely_o design_v for_o that_o end_n and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n of_o prove_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v divine_a far_o more_o decent_a and_o proper_a than_o any_o other_o because_o it_o become_v the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o conciliate_n authority_n to_o his_o word_n by_o make_v 5._o our_o faith_n to_o stand_v not_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o on_o the_o power_n of_o god_n now_o to_o show_v that_o this_o demonstration_n be_v abundant_o make_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o this_o treatise_n which_o be_v write_v on_o a_o occasion_n of_o a_o command_n lay_v on_o i_o by_o your_o lordship_n be_v by_o i_o humble_o offer_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o your_o lordship_n view_n and_o have_v attain_v thereunto_o your_o lordship_n it_o seem_v be_v please_v to_o condescend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o read_v over_o as_o much_o as_o your_o lordship_n time_n will_v give_v leave_n and_o then_o to_o return_v it_o with_o many_o thanks_o to_o i_o for_o my_o good_a pain_n as_o your_o lordship_n be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o wise_o place_v on_o so_o worthy_a a_o theme_n together_o with_o such_o other_o expression_n of_o your_o lordship_n approbation_n as_o neither_o i_o do_v expect_v nor_o as_o i_o fear_v do_v the_o treatise_n deserve_v but_o i_o submit_v to_o your_o lordship_n judgement_n and_o have_v i_o not_o so_o do_v this_o treatise_n have_v be_v bury_v in_o obscurity_n with_o its_o author_n but_o have_v that_o encouragement_n i_o think_v myself_o sufficient_o arm_v against_o all_o elation_n or_o dejection_n of_o mind_n at_o the_o various_a censure_n that_o may_v possible_o be_v pass_v upon_o it_o if_o it_o shall_v come_v abroad_o because_o i_o neither_o know_v nor_o be_o like_a to_o mâ—et_v with_o any_o more_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o such_o matter_n or_o impartial_a in_o judge_v than_o your_o lordship_n hereupon_o i_o give_v my_o consent_n to_o its_o be_v make_v public_a and_o for_o its_o free_a passage_n among_o man_n in_o this_o decline_a age_n of_o christianity_n i_o be_o humble_o bold_a to_o let_v the_o world_n know_v that_o your_o lordship_n be_v thus_o far_o concern_v therein_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o contend_v for_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n god_n be_v thank_v most_o excellent_o establish_v and_o most_o merciful_o preserve_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n whereof_o also_o your_o lordship_n very_o deserve_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a minister_n with_o all_o humble_a confidence_n i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o for_o so_o do_v your_o lordship_n will_v either_o not_o be_v offend_v at_o or_o will_v easy_o pardon_v your_o lordship_n very_a much_o oblige_v in_o all_o duty_n and_o humble_a observance_n w._n h._n to_o the_o reader_n in_o this_o treatise_n you_o will_v find_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n put_v together_o in_o one_o proposition_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v not_o either_o that_o our_o bless_a lord_n jesus_n be_v no_o more_o nor_o no_o other_o than_o a_o prophet_n or_o that_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n have_v no_o high_a a_o degree_n than_o the_o apostle_n have_v of_o immediate_a illumination_n for_o be_v hypostatical_o unite_v to_o the_o divine_a it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v it_o have_v such_o communication_n of_o knowledge_n therefrom_o as_o be_v vouchsase_v to_o no_o other_o man_n whatever_o but_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n have_v gracious_o be_v please_v to_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o make_v of_o a_o woman_n make_v under_o the_o law_n to_o redeem_v they_o that_o be_v under_o the_o law_n find_v it_o expedient_a in_o order_n to_o this_o end_n for_o he_o to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o to_o inspire_v his_o apostle_n with_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n that_o so_o he_o do_v lie_v we_o know_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n whoever_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v of_o god_n do_v in_o a_o sort_n suppose_v it_o and_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v for_o whatever_o religion_n be_v divine_a must_v needs_o be_v either_o natural_a or_o reveal_v if_o reveal_v than_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o be_v prophet_n because_o prophecy_n be_v the_o only_a way_n whereby_o reveal_v truth_n either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v dispense_v unto_o we_o for_o very_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o the_o positive_a truth_n of_o god_n beside_o or_o above_o what_o be_v natural_a can_v no_o way_n be_v make_v know_v unto_o we_o but_o by_o a_o free_a influx_n of_o the_o divine_a mind_n upon_o we_o since_o therefore_o as_o all_o agree_v that_o though_o christianity_n do_v most_o high_o befriend_v natural_a theology_n yet_o itself_o if_o it_o be_v of_o god_n be_v reveal_v it_o must_v be_v conclude_v that_o christ_n the_o author_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o be_v prophet_n yet_o among_o the_o many_o good_a book_n that_o have_v either_o heretofore_o or_o late_o be_v write_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n i_o have_v neither_o see_v nor_o ever_o hear_v of_o any_o purposely_o write_v and_o direct_o design_v to_o make_v good_a this_o principle_n i_o can_v not_o but_o somewhat_o wonder_v at_o it_o and_o wish_v it_o be_v well_o do_v and_o this_o my_o desire_n do_v at_o length_n vent_v itself_o in_o a_o sermon_n on_o the_o text_n you_o find_v prefix_v to_o this_o treatise_n and_o this_o sermon_n i_o resolve_v on_o a_o occasion_n give_v i_o by_o a_o person_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n to_o transcribe_v and_o enlarge_v in_o that_o method_n which_o be_v there_o propose_v and_o you_o will_v find_v here_o observe_v from_o this_o undertake_n the_o slenderness_n of_o my_o acquaintance_n with_o oriental_a language_n and_o learning_n do_v a_o long_a time_n deter_v i_o but_o consider_v that_o beside_o my_o own_o satisfaction_n and_o diversion_n from_o less_o please_a employment_n i_o write_v it_o only_o for_o his_o lordship_n perusal_n who_o i_o know_v have_v goodness_n enough_o to_o pardon_v my_o defect_n as_o well_o as_o learning_n to_o discover_v they_o i_o reassume_v my_o former_a resolution_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o i_o look_v more_o narrow_o than_o former_o i_o have_v do_v into_o those_o book_n which_o i_o have_v that_o be_v likely_a to_o acquaint_v i_o with_o the_o custom_n and_o method_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o trial_n of_o prophet_n and_o by_o so_o do_v have_v i_o hope_v find_v and_o pitch_v upon_o the_o principal_a mean_n and_o method_n observe_v by_o that_o people_n in_o that_o affair_n and_o this_o way_n of_o procedure_v even_o before_o i_o have_v that_o idea_n of_o it_o which_o you_o will_v find_v in_o this_o treatise_n i_o do_v conjecture_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o rational_a because_o it_o be_v not_o only_o project_v but_o practise_v and_o that_o as_o far_o as_o we_o find_v without_o control_n for_o many_o age_n among_o god_n peculiar_a people_n and_o that_o i_o be_v not_o mistake_v in_o this_o conjecture_n the_o five_o chapter_n of_o this_o treatise_n do_v i_o hope_v make_v manifest_a by_o show_v the_o strength_n and_o force_n of_o the_o precede_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n now_o if_o any_o man_n ask_v what_o degree_n of_o prophecy_n it_o be_v which_o i_o ascribe_v unto_o they_o he_o may_v be_v please_v to_o know_v his_o curiosity_n exceed_v i_o yet_o for_o a_o answer_n i_o refer_v he_o to_o that_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n wherein_o he_o tell_v the_o jew_n that_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n will_v raise_v up_o unto_o thou_o a_o prophet_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o of_o thy_o brethren_n like_v 5._o unto_o i_o unto_o he_o shall_v you_o hearken_v this_o 22._o prophecy_n i_o find_v by_o st._n peter_n apply_v to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o particular_a and_o by_o st._n stephen_n 37._o to_o the_o evangelical_n state_n in_o general_a and_o from_o thence_o perhaps_o we_o may_v gather_v not_o only_o that_o this_o prediction_n do_v more_o especial_o pertain_v to_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o also_o that_o it_o speak_v not_o of_o one_o single_a person_n only_o but_o of_o a_o order_n of_o prophet_n like_v unto_o moses_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v most_o eminent_o fulfil_v in_o christ_n yet_o be_v it_o also_o accomplish_a in_o those_o that_o he_o send_v as_o the_o father_n have_v send_v he_o viz._n the_o 21._o apostle_n whether_o
moses_n which_o promise_v petrus_n galatinus_n 22._o prove_v the_o ancient_a jew_n themselves_o understand_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o mâ—ssiah_n and_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n affirm_v that_o our_o jesus_n be_v that_o prophet_n and_o christ_n himself_o give_v such_o evidence_n of_o it_o as_o that_o his_o disciple_n think_v he_o a_o prophet_n mighty_a 19_o in_o deed_n and_o word_n before_o god_n and_o all_o the_o people_n i._n e._n that_o god_n do_v demonstrate_v and_o the_o people_n do_v confess_v that_o he_o be_v a_o great_a prophet_n and_o that_o they_o do_v so_o be_v manifest_a for_o the_o jew_n themselves_o who_o heart_n be_v not_o subdue_v to_o his_o doctrine_n do_v yet_o believe_v that_o of_o a_o truth_n he_o be_v that_o prophet_n that_o shall_v 14._o come_v into_o the_o world_n the_o samaritan_n woman_n also_o perceive_v that_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o the_o man_n of_o samaria_n 19_o believe_v and_o know_v as_o much_o namely_o that_o indeed_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n a_o part_n 2d_o of_o who_o office_n as_o they_o think_v be_v to_o tell_v they_o all_o thing_n and_o so_o to_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o then_o for_o the_o apostle_n we_o do_v not_o only_o read_v that_o god_n by_o his_o spirit_n 10_o reveal_v thing_n unto_o they_o but_o moreover_o we_o find_v it_o record_v that_o he_o do_v it_o in_o this_o manner_n our_o bless_a lord_n jesus_n christ_n promise_v his_o disciple_n to_o send_v they_o a_o comforter_n and_o that_o when_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o 13._o truth_n shall_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n which_o it_o seem_v fell_a out_o according_o for_o when_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n be_v full_o come_v the_o apostle_n be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n and_o sudden_o there_o come_v a_o sound_n from_o heaven_n as_o of_o a_o rush_v mighty_a wind_n and_o it_o fill_v all_o the_o house_n where_o they_o be_v sit_v and_o there_o appear_v to_o they_o cleave_a tongue_n like_v as_o of_o fire_n and_o it_o sit_v upon_o each_o of_o they_o and_o they_o be_v all_o fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o begin_v to_o speak_v with_o other_o tongue_n etc._n as_o the_o spirit_n give_v they_o utterance_n nor_o do_v they_o then_o receive_v only_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n but_o that_o also_o of_o prophecy_n for_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n by_o the_o prophet_n joel_n that_o he_o will_v pour_v out_o his_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n and_o that_o their_o son_n 28._o and_o daughter_n shall_v prophesy_v etc._n etc._n the_o importance_n of_o which_o promise_n be_v that_o in_o the_o day_n a_o little_a before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o great_a and_o unusual_a a_o effusion_n of_o his_o spirit_n upon_o pâ—rsons_n of_o all_o sort_n as_o that_o those_o who_o be_v not_o bring_v up_o in_o the_o school_n of_o prophet_n shall_v yet_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n or_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n this_o prediction_n of_o joel_n be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o most_o auspicious_a descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o for_o st._n peter_n affirm_v this_o be_v that_o 16._o which_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n joel_n it_o seem_v then_o the_o mystery_n of_o christ_n which_o in_o other_o age_n be_v not_o make_v know_v unto_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o now_o it_o be_v be_v reveal_v unto_o his_o holy_a apostle_n and_o prophet_n by_o the_o spirit_n 5._o it_o be_v therefore_o manifest_a there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n make_v of_o our_o assertion_n if_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o on_o this_o account_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v that_o among_o those_o who_o believe_v the_o scripture_n it_o seem_v a_o hypothesis_n rather_o take_v for_o grant_v than_o otherwise_o prove_v by_o any_o but_o because_o our_o age_n be_v inquisitive_a and_o somewhat_o too_o apt_a to_o derogate_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o sacred_a pandect_n because_o also_o since_o those_o part_n thereof_o which_o make_v mention_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v drop_n from_o their_o mouth_n and_o pen_n to_o allege_v text_n from_o thence_o be_v but_o to_o produce_v their_o own_o testimony_n concern_v themselves_o and_o therefore_o whatever_o truth_n there_o may_v be_v there_o certain_o be_v but_o little_a force_n in_o that_o way_n of_o argue_v unless_o it_o be_v to_o those_o that_o already_o be_v well_o persuade_v of_o their_o authority_n for_o these_o reason_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a ascribe_v no_o more_o authority_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n than_o be_v usual_o give_v to_o other_o write_n far_o inferior_a and_o argue_v only_o from_o reason_n and_o testimony_n that_o can_v be_v suspect_v of_o partiality_n by_o the_o help_n thereof_o together_o with_o god_n blessing_n i_o doubt_v not_o to_o prove_v these_o five_o particular_n 1._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n 3._o that_o for_o the_o trial_n of_o pretender_n to_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n they_o have_v certain_a rule_n note_n and_o sign_n whereby_o to_o judge_n of_o they_o 4._o that_n if_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v try_v thereby_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o they_o be_v prophet_n 5._o that_o this_o way_n of_o prove_v they_o be_v so_o be_v very_o sufficient_a and_o rational_a chap._n ii_o of_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o that_o there_o be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n may_v certain_o best_o be_v learn_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o prophecy_n before_o define_v from_o which_o definition_n of_o prophecy_n we_o may_v gather_v this_o of_o a_o prophet_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n who_o by_o the_o influence_n of_o god_n upon_o his_o rational_a faculty_n do_v attain_v to_o such_o knowledge_n as_o by_o his_o natural_a ability_n will_v in_o one_o respect_n or_o other_o be_v unattainable_a in_o which_o description_n it_o concern_v we_o at_o present_a to_o observe_v only_o that_o it_o be_v not_o prediction_n but_o influence_n from_o god_n which_o constitute_v a_o prophet_n at_o least_o such_o a_o one_o as_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o and_o that_o this_o be_v no_o new_a notion_n adapt_v to_o our_o present_a undertake_n be_v evident_a enough_o by_o the_o word_n of_o a_o late_a author_n who_o principle_n be_v think_v most_o unlucky_o of_o any_o to_o undermine_v such_o foundation_n as_o we_o be_v now_o lay_v yet_o he_o express_v himself_o in_o these_o word_n although_o there_o be_v many_o signification_n in_o scripture_n of_o the_o word_n prophet_n yet_o be_v that_o the_o most_o frequent_a in_o which_o it_o be_v take_v for_o he_o to_o who_o god_n speak_v immediate_o that_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o say_v from_o he_o to_o some_o other_o man_n or_o to_o the_o people_n god_n speak_v to_o man_n immediate_o he_o himself_o say_v be_v to_o be_v interpret_v 36._o that_o way_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v without_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n by_o which_o god_n make_v they_o to_o understand_v his_o will._n hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o his_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o we_o a_o prophet_n be_v a_o person_n on_o who_o understanding_n god_n have_v immediate_a influence_n how_o else_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v make_v he_o immediate_o to_o understand_v his_o will_n and_o sure_o it_o can_v seem_v strange_a to_o any_o that_o there_o have_v or_o may_v have_v be_v such_o man_n in_o the_o world_n the_o power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n together_o with_o the_o capacity_n of_o man_n soul_n be_v enough_o to_o remove_v all_o suspicion_n of_o its_o impossibility_n he_o that_o make_v the_o mind_n shall_v not_o he_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v man_n knowledge_n and_o he_o that_o be_v make_v on_o purpose_n to_o know_v god_n and_o give_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o handiwork_n shall_v not_o he_o be_v think_v capable_a of_o learning_n from_o such_o a_o teacher_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o show_n of_o reason_n to_o doubt_v the_o possibility_n of_o prophecy_n especial_o consider_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n how_o wide_a soever_o their_o difference_n be_v in_o other_o matter_n do_v yet_o agree_v in_o this_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v or_o have_v be_v such_o prophet_n in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v so_o manifest_a and_o vulgar_o know_v to_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o christian_n jew_n and_o turk_n as_o that_o among_o all_o that_o have_v hear_v of_o christ_n moses_n or_o mahomet_n all_o necessity_n of_o prove_v it_o be_v perfect_o forestalled_n and_o that_o the_o heathen_n also_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n be_v evident_a by_o what_o they_o have_v report_v of_o some_o of_o their_o lawgiver_n viz._n
future_a whether_o by_o dream_n or_o otherwise_o beside_o those_o of_o prophecy_n be_v like_a to_o chaff_n for_o as_o in_o that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o few_o grain_n of_o wheat_n so_o say_v they_o perhaps_o there_o be_v in_o these_o some_o small_a measure_n of_o truth_n mix_v with_o much_o more_o mistake_n and_o falsehood_n but_o prophecy_n be_v a_o thing_n pure_a have_v no_o more_o mixture_n than_o wheat_n well_o zer_n winnow_v have_v with_o chaff_n hereby_o than_o they_o distinguish_v the_o prediction_n of_o prophet_n from_o those_o of_o soothsayer_n astrologer_n etc._n etc._n who_o prognostication_n be_v very_o much_o unlike_o the_o prediction_n of_o true_a sup_v prophet_n for_o of_o necessity_n say_v my_o author_n they_o have_v falsehood_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n in_o they_o this_o we_o always_o see_v and_o they_o themselves_o that_o profess_v these_o art_n confirm_v it_o to_o we_o because_o they_o make_v it_o matter_n of_o glory_n to_o themselves_o that_o their_o lie_n be_v not_o so_o many_o as_o another_o of_n the_o same_o profession_n but_o that_o any_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v speak_v truth_n in_o each_o of_o his_o prediction_n be_v impossible_a nor_o indeed_o do_v the_o skilful_a therein_o arrogate_v that_o to_o themselves_o for_o when_o something_o come_v to_o pass_v which_o look_v but_o like_o a_o accomplishment_n they_o account_v thâ—_n foreteller_n excellent_a and_o enroll_v he_o among_o man_n of_o illustrious_a fame_n who_o history_n celebrate_v and_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o what_o isaiah_n say_v to_o 13._o babylon_n let_v now_o the_o astrologer_n the_o stargazer_n the_o monthly_a prognosticator_n stand_v up_o and_o save_v thou_o from_o these_o thing_n that_o shall_v come_v upon_o thou_o let_v they_o try_v if_o they_o can_v foretell_v these_o thing_n that_o thou_o may_v escape_v from_o they_o the_o challenge_n imply_v that_o they_o can_v and_o r._n albo_n it_o seem_v give_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o viz._n because_o 3_o all_o such_o art_n or_o whatsoever_o else_o some_o be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o be_v found_v in_o fancy_n they_o be_v creature_n of_o imagination_n that_o have_v a_o be_v in_o nothing_o but_o man_n conceit_n they_o be_v found_v on_o no_o demonstrable_a hypothesis_n and_o be_v therefore_o vanity_n as_o be_v also_o abundant_o demonstrate_v by_o a_o learned_a writer_n 17._o of_o our_o own_o and_o true_o the_o thing_n from_o whence_o these_o foreteller_n pretend_v to_o deduce_v their_o judgement_n be_v certain_o so_o remote_a intricate_a and_o various_a as_o that_o it_o seem_v impossible_a for_o any_o to_o arrive_v at_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o they_o how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o their_o prognostication_n to_o be_v certain_a prediction_n they_o can_v be_v but_o conjecture_n and_o conjecture_n we_o know_v especial_o in_o such_o case_n be_v very_o often_o whole_o false_a very_o rare_o if_o ever_o whole_o true_a but_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o prophet_n say_v our_o author_n be_v very_o much_o otherwise_o viz._n always_o true_a but_o never_o false_a it_o can_v be_v find_v throughout_o all_o age_n that_o ever_o any_o thing_n either_o much_o or_o little_a of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o the_o prophet_n unless_o the_o condition_n be_v alter_v ever_o yet_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o the_o ibid._n prediction_n of_o god_n prophet_n be_v full_o answer_v by_o the_o event_n and_o thereby_o the_o jew_n know_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n because_o such_o certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o future_a contingence_n be_v no_o way_n attainable_a without_o it_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v like_a it_o be_v that_o among_o all_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o try_v prophet_n this_o be_v account_v the_o most_o demonstrative_a of_o miracle_n sect._n 4._o but_o beside_o these_o ordinary_a the_o jew_n have_v some_o extraordinary_a mean_n of_o discern_v the_o truth_n of_o man_n pretension_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n viz._n miracle_n not_o only_o the_o vulgar_a but_o more_o than_o a_o few_o of_o the_o better_a sort_n among_o the_o jew_n wâ—re_v of_o opinion_n they_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v any_o pretender_n to_o prophecy_n till_o he_o have_v do_v a_o miracle_n equal_a to_o some_o of_o those_o of_o moses_n or_o have_v disturb_v the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n as_o elijah_n do_v in_o raise_v the_o widow_n son_n but_o zer_n this_o rule_n say_v maimonides_n have_v nothing_o of_o truth_n in_o it_o and_o indeed_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v it_o have_v not_o much_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o order_n of_o prophet_n be_v at_o first_o found_v by_o miracle_n for_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o moses_n the_o first_o of_o that_o order_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n on_o purpose_n to_o 9_o convince_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n that_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n have_v appear_v unto_o he_o yet_o that_o great_a r._n maimonides_n out_o of_o design_n i_o suppose_v to_o derogate_v from_o the_o belief_n of_o chriâ—tianity_n be_v not_o ashamed_a 1._o to_o say_v the_o israelite_n do_v not_o believe_v moses_n our_o master_n because_o of_o the_o miracle_n he_o wrought_v and_o elsewhere_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o elias_n elisha_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n do_v not_o their_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v thâ—ir_a zer_n prophecy_n but_o to_o supply_v their_o own_o and_o other_o necessity_n but_o it_o seem_v at_o another_o time_n he_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n for_o he_o express_o affirm_v that_o a_o prophet_n may_v be_v send_v to_o the_o common_a people_n or_o to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o city_n or_o kingdom_n to_o prepare_v and_o warn_v they_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v unto_o they_o or_o to_o dehort_v they_o from_o the_o wicked_a work_n that_o be_v in_o their_o hand_n but_o when_o god_n so_o send_v he_o he_o gives_z he_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n that_o the_o people_n 11._o may_v know_v god_n have_v true_o send_v he_o and_o in_o the_o next_o section_n he_o say_v but_o we_o believe_v not_o every_o one_o that_o show_v a_o sign_n or_o do_v a_o miracle_n to_o be_v a_o prophet_n unless_o from_o the_o beginning_n we_o have_v know_v he_o to_o be_v sit_v for_o prophecy_n that_o in_o his_o wisdom_n and_o his_o work_n he_o have_v excel_v his_o contemporary_n and_o have_v walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o prophecy_n in_o holiness_n and_o separation_n from_o other_o then_o if_o such_o a_o one_o shall_v come_v and_o do_v a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o shall_v sâ—y_v that_o god_n have_v send_v he_o than_o it_o be_v command_v that_o we_o shall_v hear_v he_o as_o it_o be_v say_v you_o shall_v hear_v he_o these_o his_o concession_n although_o 15._o they_o speak_v he_o somewhat_o unconstant_a to_o himself_o yet_o we_o have_v no_o great_a reason_n to_o thank_v he_o for_o because_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n in_o holy_a scripture_n do_v extort_v they_o from_o he_o thus_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v send_v to_o bethel_n give_v they_o a_o sign_n that_o his_o word_n be_v what_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v thus_o in_o the_o 3._o fire-ordeal_a trial_n between_o elijah_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o baal_n elijah_n obtain_v fire_n to_o fall_v upon_o the_o sacrifice_n 14._o and_o consume_v it_o thus_o also_o elisha_n to_o demonstrate_v his_o calling_n to_o succeed_v elijah_n divide_v the_o water_n of_o jordan_n with_o elijah_n mantle_n by_o which_o example_n we_o learn_v that_o though_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o ordinary_a trial_n of_o prophet_n be_v make_v by_o prediction_n yet_o in_o some_o case_n extraordinary_a they_o be_v by_o miracle_n to_o make_v proof_n of_o their_o mission_n to_o teach_v and_o do_v what_o they_o do_v chap._n iu._n the_o application_n of_o the_o foregoing_a discourse_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n sect._n 1_o have_v thus_o clear_v the_o ground_n and_o lay_v the_o foundation_n we_o be_v next_o to_o erect_v the_o superstructure_n i._n e._n to_o show_v that_o by_o all_o these_o mean_n of_o probation_n viz._n both_o by_o the_o probable_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n both_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n we_o be_v to_o take_v they_o as_o they_o lie_v in_o order_n and_o so_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o condition_n whereon_o among_o the_o jew_n pretender_n to_o prophecy_n be_v admit_v to_o a_o trial_n by_o what_o we_o have_v already_o discuss_v out_o of_o maimonides_n it_o appear_v that_o pretender_n to_o prophecy_n even_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v not_o admit_v to_o a_o trial_n but_o upon_o condition_n of_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n they_o be_v in_o no_o point_n allow_v to_o teach_v a_o perpetual_a variation_n from_o it_o unless_o they_o give_v as_o great_a or_o great_a evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n by_o they_o to_o change_v
a_o unreasonable_a humour_n it_o importune_v almighty_a power_n and_o wisdom_n without_o any_o necessity_n to_o change_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n or_o at_o least_o to_o act_v beside_o it_o and_o what_o affront_n more_o petulant_a and_o saucy_a can_v we_o easy_o offer_v to_o divine_a majesty_n it_o be_v also_o absurd_a as_o well_o as_o wicked_a for_o suppose_v a_o man_n in_o this_o age_n shall_v real_o work_v a_o miracle_n if_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n may_v not_o be_v receive_v on_o testimony_n then_o neither_o may_v that_o how_o then_o shall_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v convey_v to_o all_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o it_o why_o they_o themselves_o must_v both_o see_v it_o do_v and_o use_v all_o mean_n possible_a to_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v such_o as_o no_o man_n can_v do_v the_o like_a by_o his_o natural_a power_n but_o that_o it_o require_v the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n 37._o it_o seem_v then_o if_o what_o one_o say_v be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n be_v of_o concern_v as_o christian_a religion_n be_v to_o all_o people_n in_o all_o age_n and_o place_n of_o the_o world_n there_o must_v be_v almost_o as_o many_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o confirm_v this_o say_n as_o there_o be_v single_a person_n how_o else_o shall_v each_o person_n concern_v therein_o see_v one_o do_v and_o than_o miracle_n will_v be_v no_o wonder_n they_o will_v change_v their_o nature_n and_o lose_v their_o efficacy_n and_o beside_o that_o every_o one_o must_v then_o be_v a_o diligent_a searcher_n into_o nature_n how_o else_o can_v he_o use_v all_o mean_n possible_a to_o consider_v whether_o the_o pretend_a miracle_n be_v such_o as_o no_o man_n can_v do_v the_o like_a by_o his_o natural_a power_n no_o say_v the_o author_n that_o be_v needless_a herein_o also_o they_o must_v have_v recourse_n to_o god_n lieutenant_n it_o seem_v then_o at_o last_o ibid._n they_o must_v be_v assure_v by_o testimony_n but_o why_o may_v not_o the_o testimony_n or_o tradition_n of_o the_o holy_a catholic_a church_n strengthen_v by_o the_o concession_n and_o suffrage_n of_o its_o enemy_n be_v believe_v as_o well_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n lieutenant_n but_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o hereby_o it_o be_v plain_a enough_o that_o this_o author_n and_o his_o follower_n seek_v not_o for_o truth_n and_o certainty_n but_o to_o palliate_v their_o atheism_n or_o infidelity_n and_o pity_v it_o be_v that_o their_o suggestion_n shall_v disturb_v any_o one_o reliance_n on_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n the_o house_n and_o church_n of_o the_o live_a god_n by_o who_o testimony_n and_o tradition_n we_o be_v so_o very_o well_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n miracle_n as_o that_o we_o have_v little_a or_o no_o reason_n to_o envy_v either_o the_o jew_n or_o gentile_n who_o eye_n be_v bless_v with_o the_o sight_n of_o they_o for_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v their_o eye_n then_o serve_v they_o be_v it_o not_o to_o convey_v those_o their_o credential_n to_o their_o understanding_n yes_o doubtless_o they_o therein_o have_v little_a other_o benefit_n by_o the_o use_n of_o they_o and_o be_v not_o this_o abundant_o supply_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o well_o consider_v will_v be_v find_v as_o incapable_a of_o deception_n as_o our_o sense_n for_o aught_o i_o know_v my_o eye_n may_v as_o soon_o be_v deceive_v in_o a_o object_n of_o sight_n as_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o this_o its_o tradition_n however_o if_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o do_v miracle_n it_o certain_o be_v a_o miracle_n that_o the_o world_n shall_v receive_v their_o report_n without_o they_o and_o a_o lie_a wonder_n much_o more_o incredible_a than_o what_o we_o plead_v for_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n throughout_o all_o age_n shall_v so_o confident_o believe_v and_o teach_v that_o they_o do_v they_o although_o therefore_o the_o sight_n of_o miracle_n may_v perhaps_o make_v deep_a impression_n on_o the_o fancy_n and_o affection_n yet_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v full_a out_o as_o convince_a to_o our_o reason_n and_o judgement_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v many_o and_o great_a miracle_n chap._n v._o the_o strength_n and_o force_n of_o the_o precede_a argument_n nothing_o now_o therefore_o remain_v of_o my_o promise_n but_o the_o last_o part_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o way_n of_o prove_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n be_v very_o sufficient_a and_o rational_a and_o this_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v on_o the_o account_n both_o of_o its_o removal_n of_o all_o suspicion_n that_o they_o be_v not_o and_o of_o its_o positive_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v all_o just_a suspicion_n that_o they_o be_v no_o prophet_n must_v be_v found_v on_o a_o probability_n either_o that_o they_o pretend_v not_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n or_o if_o they_o do_v that_o they_o therein_o be_v deceive_v or_o else_o that_o they_o have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v other_o but_o by_o the_o precede_a argument_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o neither_o of_o these_o be_v true_a for_o 1._o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a for_o man_n to_o have_v the_o antecedent_n or_o concomitant_n and_o consequent_n of_o prophecy_n and_o to_o use_v they_o as_o they_o do_v â—n_v order_n to_o the_o propagation_n of_o doctrine_n and_o yet_o not_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o it_o have_v their_o mouth_n be_v perfect_o silent_a their_o action_n will_v have_v declare_v plain_o to_o what_o they_o pretend_v their_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o man_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o they_o make_v evidence_n of_o that_o wisdom_n fortitude_n and_o virtue_n which_o attend_v the_o prophet_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o function_n and_o for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o their_o mission_n to_o teach_v it_o they_o foretell_v future_a contingence_n and_o wrought_v many_o and_o great_a miracle_n and_o how_o can_v all_o this_o be_v without_o a_o pretence_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o the_o office_n of_o prophet_n and_o if_o this_o be_v evident_a by_o their_o action_n without_o their_o word_n much_o more_o so_o be_v it_o in_o conjunction_n with_o they_o for_o as_o a_o man_n action_n may_v either_o enervate_a or_o strengthen_v the_o credibility_n of_o his_o protestation_n and_o pretension_n so_o his_o word_n protestation_n or_o declaration_n may_v very_o much_o illustrate_v the_o purport_n of_o his_o action_n they_o remove_v all_o doubt_n that_o otherwise_o may_v be_v make_v concern_v they_o since_o than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o only_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o the_o prophetic_a office_n but_o do_v also_o say_v that_o they_o be_v prophet_n 5._o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o they_o take_v themselves_o or_o at_o least_o pretend_a to_o be_v so_o 2._o and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o take_v themselves_o to_o be_v prophet_n will_v hence_o also_o be_v evident_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v hardly_o possible_a without_o enthusiasm_n the_o spirit_n of_o divination_n or_o some_o such_o other_o fantastic_a delusion_n but_o enthusiast_n or_o diviner_n it_o be_v evident_a they_o be_v not_o because_o they_o be_v wise_a man_n of_o sound_a mind_n and_o discern_a intellect_n which_o be_v so_o great_a preservative_n against_o the_o delusion_n of_o enthusiasm_n and_o defec_fw-la divination_n as_o that_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o plutarch_n prudence_n do_v repel_v and_o oftentimes_o extinguish_v they_o hereof_o he_o insinuate_v a_o reason_n viz._n because_o prudence_n do_v cherish_v that_o modesty_n and_o sobriety_n which_o be_v destructive_a to_o those_o calenture_n and_o inflammation_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o be_v of_o they_o and_o these_o usual_o be_v therein_o so_o great_a and_o fervent_a as_o that_o during_o the_o prevalence_n of_o enthusiasm_n or_o divination_n man_n have_v not_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n nor_o indeed_o can_v they_o because_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o such_o as_o partake_v not_o of_o reason_n they_o can_v rise_v no_o high_o than_o the_o fancy_n where_o dwell_v like_o storm_n and_o tempest_n in_o the_o middle_a region_n of_o the_o air_n they_o do_v disturb_v and_o disorder_v the_o phantasm_n and_o present_v they_o tumultuous_o to_o the_o understanding_n and_o by_o so_o do_v they_o do_v eclipse_v its_o light_n and_o hinder_v its_o influence_n in_o so_o much_o that_o either_o as_o maimonides_n say_v nothing_o 37._o of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n can_v pass_v fâ—rth_o into_o art_n or_o else_o at_o least_o it_o can_v pass_v no_o true_a judgement_n on_o thing_n so_o represent_v to_o it_o hence_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o writer_n concern_v they_o viz._n 4._o heathen_n and_o jew_n as_o
their_o fault_n if_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v benefit_n by_o they_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v so_o sufficient_o attest_v as_o that_o be_v it_o not_o for_o prejudice_n or_o laziness_n inadvertence_n or_o one_o such_o vice_n or_o other_o i_o very_o think_v there_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o be_v any_o consider_a man_n in_o the_o world_n but_o either_o he_o be_v or_o may_v thereby_o have_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o so_o bless_v by_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o that_o his_o mind_n shall_v no_o long_o be_v blind_v with_o superstition_n or_o fluctuate_v in_o uncertainty_n but_o shall_v know_v assure_o where_o to_o have_v the_o most_o perfect_a object_n of_o all_o his_o faculty_n how_o great_a then_o i_o say_v be_v the_o goodness_n of_o these_o miracle_n that_o confirm_v such_o a_o treasure_n unto_o we_o how_o plain_o do_v it_o show_v their_o descent_n from_o the_o essential_a and_o eternal_a goodness_n viz._n god_n himself_o for_o who_o but_o a_o almighty_a goodness_n can_v be_v author_n of_o such_o production_n such_o unparalleled_a instance_n of_o love_n and_o kindness_n such_o inimitable_a beneficence_n so_o immense_a and_o immix_v a_o goodness_n from_o who_o can_v it_o come_v but_o from_o god_n who_o be_v love_n and_o goodness_n itself_o in_o my_o apprehension_n therefore_o the_o goodness_n of_o these_o miracle_n show_v as_o plain_o that_o they_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o testimony_n to_o his_o word_n as_o the_o image_n and_o superscription_n on_o the_o money_n do_v that_o the_o coin_n be_v caesar_n let_v we_o then_o lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o viz_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v take_v upon_o they_o the_o office_n of_o prophet_n and_o that_o have_v the_o antecedent_n to_o or_o concomitant_a attendant_n on_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n they_o therein_o neither_o be_v deceive_v nor_o have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v other_o and_o by_o their_o prediction_n exact_o accomplish_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v such_o certain_a foreknowledge_n as_o no_o man_n by_o any_o art_n or_o science_n whatever_o can_v possible_o have_v of_o god_n eternal_a purpose_n concern_v future_a contingence_n and_o beside_o this_o supernatural_a knowledge_n to_o confirm_v their_o doctrine_n or_o demonstrate_v their_o mission_n from_o god_n to_o teach_v it_o they_o wrought_v such_o miracle_n as_o in_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o the_o incomparableness_n of_o their_o number_n greatness_n and_o goodness_n do_v most_o evident_o and_o eminent_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o do_v they_o be_v teacher_n of_o such_o a_o excellent_a wisdom_n as_o the_o world_n know_v not_o before_o be_v therein_o inspire_v by_o god_n and_o so_o prophet_n chap._n vi_o some_o use_n that_o may_v be_v make_v of_o this_o doctrine_n thus_o have_v we_o pass_v through_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o propose_a method_n and_o in_o so_o do_v have_v i_o hope_v find_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o assertion_n sufficient_o evince_v and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v than_o thence_o sure_o we_o may_v see_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o insufficiency_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christian_a faith_n hope_n and_o practice_n sect._n 1_o 1._o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v not_o of_o so_o base_a and_o low_a a_o extraction_n as_o to_o spring_v from_o a_o opinion_n of_o ghost_n or_o ignorance_n of_o 12._o second_o cause_n devotion_n towards_o what_o man_n fear_v or_o the_o mistake_n of_o thing_n casual_a for_o prognostic_n but_o it_o be_v a_o heavenborn_a thing_n it_o descend_v from_o the_o father_n of_o light_n it_o derive_v its_o pedigree_n from_o god_n himself_o and_o have_v the_o image_n not_o only_o of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n but_o likewise_o of_o his_o dominion_n and_o lordship_n enstamp_v upon_o it_o in_o so_o much_o that_o it_o bring_v its_o own_o obligation_n along_o with_o it_o and_o make_v it_o not_o only_o convenient_a but_o necessary_a not_o only_a prudence_n in_o we_o but_o duty_n to_o receive_v it_o for_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n do_v not_o only_o teach_v it_o by_o god_n commandment_n and_o direrection_n ibid._n but_o also_o in_o so_o do_v they_o lay_v the_o high_a obligation_n that_o can_v be_v on_o all_o to_o receive_v it_o god_n we_o know_v be_v the_o supreme_a lord_n the_o fountain_n of_o all_o just_a authority_n be_v in_o he_o as_o therefore_o watâ—rs_n drink_n sweet_a out_o of_o a_o fountain_n so_o those_o law_n that_o come_v as_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n do_v immediate_o from_o god_n have_v the_o high_a majesty_n and_o authority_n enstamp_v upon_o they_o for_o this_o cause_n the_o jew_n when_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o any_o man_n call_v to_o the_o prophetic_a office_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v and_o bind_v to_o obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n except_o idolatry_n yea_o though_o he_o require_v the_o omission_n of_o the_o affirmative_a or_o the_o do_n of_o the_o negative_a precept_n of_o their_o law_n notwithstanding_o their_o mighty_a zeal_n for_o their_o law_n and_o the_o profound_a reverence_n they_o have_v for_o moses_n their_o master_n yet_o they_o judge_v it_o their_o indispensable_a duty_n in_o all_o thing_n to_o obey_v the_o prophet_n and_o whosoever_o will_v not_o they_o hold_v worthy_a and_o guilty_a of_o death_n by_o the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o heaven_n this_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o their_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o talmud_n where_o they_o say_v in_o all_o thing_n except_o idolatry_n if_o a_o prophet_n zâ—r_n say_v unto_o thou_o transgress_v the_o law_n thou_o shall_v obey_v he_o and_o good_a reason_n too_o for_o a_o prophet_n be_v 36._o god_n spokesman_n to_o the_o people_n his_o herald_n to_o proclaim_v his_o law_n there_o be_v good_a reason_n he_o shall_v be_v hear_v and_o attend_v to_o whosoever_o else_o be_v neglect_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n come_v immediate_o from_o god_n be_v clothe_v with_o his_o authority_n and_o if_o where_o the_o word_n of_o a_o king_n be_v there_o be_v power_n much_o more_o methinks_v be_v there_o where_o the_o word_n of_o he_o be_v by_o who_o king_n reign_n have_v not_o this_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n numa_n pompilius_n and_o other_o ancient_a lawgiver_n among_o the_o heathen_n have_v be_v very_o foolish_a as_o well_o as_o false_a in_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v their_o law_n from_o the_o god_n but_o man_n natural_a reason_n tell_v they_o that_o the_o high_a authority_n of_o man_n be_v far_o inferior_a to_o that_o of_o god_n this_o politic_a pretence_n be_v think_v a_o very_a effectual_a engine_n to_o make_v man_n obedient_a to_o their_o law_n and_o this_o engine_n we_o see_v be_v to_o stand_v upon_o the_o ground_n that_o god_n above_o all_o be_v to_o be_v obey_v since_o than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n those_o be_v no_o good_a subject_n unto_o god_n yea_o they_o be_v worse_o than_o jew_n or_o heathen_n that_o deny_v the_o religion_n that_o they_o have_v teach_v we_o to_o have_v power_n of_o bind_v we_o to_o receive_v it_o obj._n yet_o the_o leviathan_n will_v have_v it_o in_o and_o of_o itself_o to_o have_v none_o for_o it_o faith_n express_o the_o precept_n repent_v be_v baptise_a keep_v the_o commandment_n believe_v the_o gospel_n come_v unto_o i_o sell_v all_o that_o thou_o have_v give_v it_o to_o the_o poor_a and_o follow_v i_o be_v not_o command_n but_o invitation_n and_o calling_n of_o mâ—n_z to_o christianity_n like_o that_o of_o isaiah_n ho_o every_o man_n 1_o that_o thirst_v come_v you_o to_o the_o water_n come_v and_o 42._o buy_v wine_n and_o milk_n without_o money_n ans_fw-fr the_o difference_n between_o precept_n and_o command_n especial_o in_o point_n of_o obligation_n i_o be_o hardly_o so_o subtle_a as_o to_o understand_v i_o have_v read_v indeed_o that_o the_o jew_n put_v a_o difference_n between_o law_n statute_n and_o judgement_n but_o hardly_o ever_o that_o either_o they_o oâ—_n the_o gentile_n find_v any_o between_o precept_n and_o command_n but_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n too_o trivial_a to_o be_v debate_v whether_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o profound_a piâ—ce_n of_o subtlety_n or_o a_o contradiction_n i_o shall_v not_o now_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o determine_v but_o let_v it_o pass_v as_o a_o specimen_fw-la of_o that_o extraordinary_a wit_n which_o the_o treatise_n of_o human_a reason_n observe_v in_o that_o author_n we_o shall_v inquire_v why_o he_o â—aith_v so_o viz._n why_o he_o â—aith_v that_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o its_o calling_n of_o man_n to_o christianity_n have_v not_o the_o obligation_n of_o command_n in_o they_o his_o reason_n be_v
down_o from_o its_o first_o and_o proper_a state_n to_o another_o far_o inferior_a hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o 30._o light_n of_o nature_n discover_v our_o fall_a condition_n herein_o i_o say_v where_o can_v reason_n without_o revelation_n find_v a_o promise_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n make_v unto_o we_o the_o vast_a volume_n of_o the_o creation_n do_v not_o afford_v it_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n do_v not_o contain_v it_o where_o then_o will_v it_o look_v for_o it_o or_o can_v it_o possible_o find_v it_o here_o then_o this_o suppose_a infallible_a guide_n be_v at_o a_o stand_n it_o can_v carry_v we_o one_o step_n far_o it_o be_v at_o such_o a_o loss_n as_o that_o it_o can_v tell_v we_o what_o to_o do_v or_o which_o way_n to_o go_v that_o we_o may_v gâ—t_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o promise_n of_o salvation_n without_o which_o we_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o at_o all_o adventure_n and_o so_o our_o wander_n be_v like_a to_o be_v very_o tedious_a and_o troublesome_a indeed_o object_n but_o what_o if_o they_o be_v the_o matter_n be_v not_o much_o for_o those_o who_o commit_v themselves_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o their_o own_o understand_n if_o they_o do_v commit_v themselves_o whole_o to_o it_o be_v as_o safe_a on_o the_o left_a hand_n as_o on_o the_o right_n as_o secure_v of_o happiness_n in_o their_o error_n as_o other_o be_v who_o 65._o be_v otherwise_o guide_v even_o in_o the_o truth_n which_o they_o happen_v to_o fall_v into_o behold_v hâ—re_o the_o power_n of_o reason_n how_o broad_a it_o make_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o how_o wide_o its_o gate_n it_o throw_v it_o open_a and_o take_v it_o on_o every_o side_n no_o matter_n with_o what_o it_o approach_v it_o error_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n if_o it_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o our_o own_o understanding_n will_v let_v we_o into_o it_o what_o scrupulous_a coxcomb_n than_o be_v those_o who_o ask_v with_o the_o tremble_a jailor_n sir_n what_o must_v we_o do_v to_o be_v save_v can_v they_o not_o whole_o commit_v themselves_o to_o their_o own_o understanding_n and_o then_o they_o will_v be_v save_v right_a or_o wrong_n what_o though_o we_o be_v turk_n jew_n heathen_n or_o atheist_n in_o our_o persuasion_n it_o be_v no_o matter_n if_o we_o therein_o whole_o commit_v ourselves_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n we_o be_v as_o secure_v of_o happiness_n in_o our_o error_n as_o other_o be_v who_o be_v guide_v even_o in_o the_o ibid._n truth_n which_o they_o happen_v to_o fall_v into_o for_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o perish_v but_o from_o disobedience_n without_o which_o every_o man_n may_v often_o err_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n be_v not_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n especial_o every_o particular_a one_o but_o to_o endeavour_v the_o find_v it_o he_o command_v no_o more_o but_o to_o search_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v say_v be_v not_o every_o particular_a truth_n for_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o can_v be_v the_o interpretation_n but_o whether_o you_o find_v or_o no_o the_o truth_n which_o you_o search_v for_o you_o shall_v find_v the_o 66._o reward_n of_o search_v which_o be_v happiness_n so_o that_o if_o your_o understanding_n search_v and_o you_o do_v commit_v yourselves_o whole_o to_o the_o guidance_n oâ—_n it_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o perish_v from_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n even_o of_o god_n himself_o much_o less_o from_o error_n well_o little_a do_v we_o think_v what_o a_o amulet_n we_o carry_v about_o with_o we_o and_o little_o do_v we_o know_v till_o this_o treatise_n tell_v we_o that_o such_o be_v the_o force_n and_o virtue_n of_o our_o understanding_n as_o that_o if_o it_o do_v what_o it_o may_v the_o most_o venomous_a error_n can_v hurt_v we_o if_o it_o do_v but_o search_n we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v the_o reward_n of_o search_v which_o be_v happiness_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o very_a comfortable_a speculation_n but_o it_o fall_v out_o somewhat_o unlucky_o that_o he_o who_o acquaint_v we_o with_o it_o as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v speak_v without-book_a for_o the_o promise_n be_v not_o make_v to_o search_v but_o to_o seek_v i._n e._n to_o prayer_n and_o devotion_n 7._o not_o to_o study_v and_o enquiry_n after_o truth_n in_o opinion_n it_o do_v therefore_o give_v we_o no_o reason_n to_o think_v either_o that_o happiness_n be_v the_o reward_n of_o such_o search_a or_o that_o we_o shall_v ever_o find_v it_o thereby_o no_o though_o we_o commit_v ourselves_o whole_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o our_o understanding_n therein_o for_o if_o on_o those_o term_n man_n may_v attain_v to_o salvation_n i_o can_v understand_v that_o st._n paul_n the_o apostle_n be_v ever_o a_o whit_n secure_a of_o happiness_n than_o saul_n the_o persecutor_n for_o he_o very_o think_v with_o himself_o that_o he_o ought_v 9_o to_o do_v many_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n this_o be_v the_o guidance_n of_o his_o understanding_n and_o he_o whole_o commit_v himself_o to_o it_o for_o even_o then_o he_o live_v in_o all_o good_a conscience_n why_o then_o be_v 1._o not_o he_o as_o safe_a on_o the_o left_a hand_n as_o on_o the_o right_a i._o e._n while_o a_o pesecutor_n as_o when_o a_o eminent_a believer_n if_o he_o be_v why_o do_v he_o magnify_v the_o mercy_n etc._n of_o god_n in_o his_o conversion_n if_o he_o be_v not_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o now_o controvert_v and_o grand_a assertion_n in_o this_o treatise_n that_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o we_o conclude_v that_o since_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v our_o own_o reason_n a_o sufficient_a guide_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n sect._n 4._o hence_o also_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v whatsoever_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v undoubted_o teach_v we_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n most_o manifest_o be_v because_o they_o 21._o be_v prophet_n and_o be_v prophet_n they_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o god_n can_v lie_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n for_o such_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n as_o that_o st._n peter_n prefer_v it_o before_o the_o voice_n which_o he_o himself_o hear_v 19_o from_o heaven_n when_o he_o be_v with_o jesus_n in_o the_o holy_a mount_n but_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o sure_a than_o such_o a_o voice_n no_o not_o in_o itself_o consider_v absolute_o but_o unto_o we_o god_n be_v truth_n and_o in_o he_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o lie_v or_o shadow_n of_o falsehood_n all_o thing_n therefore_o that_o come_v from_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v equal_o sure_a and_o certain_a infallible_a and_o true_a in_o themselves_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o one_o thing_n may_v have_v great_a evidence_n of_o its_o descent_n and_o more_o apparent_a credential_n of_o its_o mission_n from_o he_o than_o another_o have_v as_o for_o example_n st._n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v both_o send_v from_o god_n but_o both_o do_v not_o give_v equal_a evidence_n of_o their_o mission_n from_o he_o st._n john_n do_v no_o miracle_n but_o our_o saviour_n 36._o wrought_v many_o and_o the_o work_n that_o he_o do_v do_v bear_v witness_n of_o he_o that_o the_o father_n send_v he_o and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o person_n so_o may_v it_o be_v in_o several_a way_n of_o revelation_n and_o so_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v in_o those_o that_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n and_o a_o word_n of_o prophecy_n the_o question_n be_v not_o which_o be_v most_o true_a consider_v as_o in_o itself_o for_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o comparison_n between_o they_o but_o which_o of_o the_o two_o be_v most_o sure_a as_o to_o we_o i_o e._n which_o of_o they_o give_v we_o the_o fair_a credential_n of_o its_o come_n from_o god_n st._n peter_n decide_v the_o question_n the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n and_o for_o this_o his_o decision_n he_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o it_o seem_v that_o in_o those_o day_n it_o be_v and_o perhaps_o still_o be_v a_o receive_a opinion_n that_o the_o bath_n kol_n filia_fw-la vocis_fw-la such_o as_o st._n peter_n speak_v of_o be_v inferior_a to_o the_o very_o low_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n not_o in_o its_o truth_n as_o in_o itself_o consider_v but_o in_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o other_o hereof_o maimonides_n insinuate_v this_o reason_n viz._n because_o it_o 42._o may_v happen_v to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o prepare_v for_o prophecy_n there_o be_v as_o we_o have_v show_v divers_a qualification_n antecedent_o or_o concomitant_o necessary_a to_o fit_a man_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o
far_o apart_o as_o that_o not_o only_o the_o eâ—pressions_n which_o drop_v from_o my_o pen_n but_o sometime_o also_o the_o very_a argument_n of_o discourse_n be_v utter_o flee_v my_o memory_n i_o can_v therefore_o but_o suspect_n there_o may_v be_v some_o ungrateful_a but_o i_o hope_v not_o nauseous_a repetition_n in_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v my_o design_n not_o be_v auram_fw-la captare_fw-la but_o if_o not_o to_o convince_v gainsayer_n whereof_o i_o fear_v this_o age_n have_v more_o than_o some_o former_a have_v have_v yet_o to_o make_v the_o weak_a steadfast_a in_o faith_n and_o joyful_a through_o hope_n root_v in_o charity_n and_o resolute_a in_o obedience_n i_o be_v not_o very_o solicitous_a to_o avoid_v they_o but_o my_o chief_a care_n be_v to_o speak_v as_o clear_o and_o to_o argue_v as_o strong_o as_o i_o can_v and_o if_o by_o so_o do_v i_o have_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v not_o injurious_a but_o serviceable_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o that_o i_o have_v much_o reason_n to_o believe_v be_v as_o it_o still_o be_v in_o we_o if_o i_o say_v i_o have_v cast_v but_o two_o mite_n into_o this_o corban_n i_o trust_v that_o god_n and_o all_o good_a man_n will_v accept_v of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o think_v i_o need_v no_o apology_n at_o least_o shall_v make_v none_o for_o write_v this_o treatise_n the_o content_n chap._n i._n it_o be_v certain_a the_o mind_n do_v assent_v and_o that_o to_o testimony_n the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n what_o why_o so_o call_v the_o nature_n of_o prophecy_n what_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n what_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n prove_v by_o scripture_n the_o method_n of_o prove_v it_o otherwise_o propose_v chap._n ii_o of_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o that_o there_o be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n deduce_v from_o the_o definition_n of_o prophecy_n assent_v to_o by_o mr._n hobbs_n it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o all_o mâ—n_z receive_v it_o that_o moses_n be_v a_o prophet_n prove_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n he_o promise_v in_o his_o law_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n prove_v by_o deut._n 18._o 15._o the_o certainty_n that_o there_o be_v so_o thence_o deduce_v chap._n iii_o the_o trial_n of_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o condition_n on_o which_o man_n be_v admit_v to_o a_o trial_n sect._n 1_o these_o transcribe_v out_o of_o maimonides_n the_o first_o of_o they_o impertinent_a to_o our_o purpose_n the_o second_o except_v against_o the_o original_n of_o oral_a tradition_n the_o improbability_n of_o it_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o concern_v alteration_n to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o write_a law_n of_o moses_n it_o be_v not_o immutable_a a_o objection_n out_o of_o maimonides_n another_o objection_n moses_n himself_o and_o the_o prophet_n teach_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v change_v a_o objection_n the_o antecedent_n or_o concomitant_n of_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n sect._n 2_o these_o reduce_v to_o six_o head_n the_o jew_n maxim_n that_o prophecy_n rest_v on_o none_o but_o the_o wise_a the_o strong_a and_o the_o rich_a we_o christian_n may_v well_o except_v against_o it_o be_v not_o universal_o true_a by_o their_o own_o concession_n yet_o may_v it_o be_v admit_v on_o two_o condition_n the_o prophet_n wisdom_n consist_v not_o in_o humane_a learning_n acquire_v by_o study_n but_o in_o prudence_n and_o knowledge_n supernatural_a their_o strength_n consist_v in_o courage_n or_o fortitude_n and_o their_o riches_n in_o contentment_n and_o all_o probity_n of_o manner_n of_o prophetic_a prediction_n sect._n 3_o the_o warrant_n the_o jew_n have_v thereby_o to_o make_v trial_n of_o man_n pretence_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n the_o difficulty_n thereof_o from_o jer._n 18._o 7_o etc._n etc._n how_o unfolded_a the_o jew_n sense_n of_o jer._n 23_o 28._o the_o vanity_n of_o astrology_n of_o miracle_n sect._n 4_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o to_o expect_v they_o from_o all_o the_o prophet_n that_o moses_n and_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n wrought_v miracle_n to_o confirm_v their_o prophecy_n be_v both_o deny_v and_o grant_v by_o maimonides_n prove_v by_o scripture_n chap._n iu._n the_o application_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n sect._n 1_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v deny_v a_o fair_a trial_n the_o jew_n only_o be_v oblige_v to_o observe_v the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n yet_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o to_o the_o design_n and_o meaning_n of_o it_o do_v most_o excellent_o establish_v it_o among_o the_o gentile_n demonstrate_v out_o of_o maimonides_n and_o abravanels_n account_n of_o it_o compare_v with_o christian_a doctrine_n they_o themselves_o conform_v to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o teach_v the_o jew_n so_o to_o do_v of_o their_o wisdom_n sect._n 2_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o excellent_a intellectual_n supernatural_a knowledge_n be_v more_o especial_o inquire_v after_o by_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o trial_n of_o prophet_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v such_o knowledge_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o also_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o degree_n or_o measure_n christian_a theology_n more_o excellent_a than_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o in_o a_o threefold_a reference_n viz._n 1_o to_o faith_n the_o object_n whereof_o be_v more_o clear_o reveal_v by_o chriâ—tianity_n than_o it_o be_v by_o judaisme_n 2_o to_o hope_n 3_o to_o practice_n the_o burdensomness_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n which_o be_v fulfil_v by_o christ_n a_o objection_n from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o keep_v that_o law_n so_o fill_v up_o propose_v the_o mitigation_n of_o the_o law_n by_o the_o gospel_n in_o four_o particular_n the_o motive_n we_o have_v to_o obey_v the_o gospel_n the_o assistance_n it_o give_v we_o in_o well-doing_n from_o all_o which_o the_o excellency_n of_o christianity_n to_o judaisme_n be_v conclude_v much_o more_o do_v it_o excel_v the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o in_o respect_n 1_o of_o the_o general_n nature_n 2_o of_o the_o object_n 3_o of_o ehe_fw-ge end_n and_o scope_n of_o wisdom_n from_o all_o which_o the_o transcendent_a wisdom_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v demonstrate_v of_o their_o fortitude_n sect._n 3_o the_o great_a degeneracy_n â—f_o the_o jew_n their_o preposterous_a zeal_n for_o their_o religion_n their_o malice_n against_o all_o that_o observe_v not_o their_o tradition_n christ_n detect_v the_o shortness_n and_o vanity_n thereof_o the_o horridness_n of_o the_o gentile_n condition_n the_o fortitude_n of_o the_o apostle_n thence_o deduce_v of_o the_o prophetic_a riches_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n sect._n 4_o that_o they_o be_v rich_a prove_v by_o the_o design_a end_n of_o their_o doctrine_n by_o their_o deportment_n among_o man_n distinct_o of_o our_o saviour_n of_o the_o apostle_n from_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o follower_n and_o from_o the_o silence_n of_o their_o adversary_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n sect._n 5_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o prediction_n of_o its_o forerunner_n and_o of_o its_o approach_n and_o consummation_n all_o exact_o accomplish_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n foretell_v accomplish_v error_n and_o division_n among_o christian_n foretell_v and_o apparent_o accomplish_v yea_o the_o mean_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o production_n viz._n the_o addiction_n and_o design_n the_o artifices_fw-la and_o cunning_a of_o seducer_n together_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o speciousness_n of_o their_o pretence_n all_o foretold_a and_o fulfil_v prove_v at_o large_a of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n sect._n 6_o that_o they_o real_o wrought_v many_o and_o great_a miracle_n prove_v 1_o by_o reason_n 2_o by_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n the_o great_a credibility_n of_o this_o tradition_n 3_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o adversary_n of_o all_o sort_n a_o objection_n the_o answer_n they_o be_v not_o do_v by_o enchantment_n prove_v 1_o by_o reason_n 2_o by_o the_o continuance_n of_o miracle_n in_o the_o church_n for_o several_a age_n attest_v by_o the_o father_n the_o evident_a certainty_n both_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v miracle_n and_o that_o not_o by_o enchantment_n thence_o deduce_v a_o objection_n out_o of_o hobbs_n against_o the_o credibility_n of_o miracle_n ans_fw-fr 1_o that_o miracle_n have_v be_v do_v may_v be_v believe_v upon_o testimony_n 2_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o demand_v the_o do_v of_o miracle_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o have_v be_v some_o do_v 3_o it_o be_v wicked_a and_o absurd_a so_o to_o do_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n
that_o they_o receive_v their_o law_n from_o the_o god_n as_o numa_n pompilius_n from_o egeria_n minos_n from_o jupiter_n lycurgus_n flor._n from_o apollo_n zaleucus_n locrus_n from_o minerva_n 29._o jupiter_n also_o and_o lachesis_n have_v their_o distinct_a prophet_n and_o prophetess_n there_o be_v as_o well_o as_o prophet_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o reputation_n of_o sibyl_n among_o they_o and_o that_o their_o philosopher_n have_v such_o a_o notion_n as_o we_o be_v of_o prophecy_n appear_v by_o the_o opinion_n of_o pla_z to_o concern_v divination_n wherein_o he_o agree_v with_o the_o stoic_n who_o hold_v it_o a_o effect_n of_o divine_a instinct_n and_o inflation_n and_o long_o i_o think_v it_o be_v before_o they_o that_o the_o zabian_o believe_v man_n have_v this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n from_o all_o this_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o notiâ—â—_n of_o a_o prophet_n be_v entertain_v by_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n turk_n and_o christian_n and_o therefore_o sure_o since_o all_o own_o it_o it_o be_v very_a consonant_n to_o reason_n if_o any_o of_o our_o modern_a scoffer_n think_v otherwise_o i_o desire_v they_o to_o know_v that_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o scornful_a be_v no_o infallible_a chair_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v they_o wise_a than_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o especial_o consider_v our_o second_o assertion_n that_o there_o actual_o be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n which_o assertion_n appear_v more_o than_o probable_a not_o by_o the_o jew_n only_o but_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o heathen_n concern_v moses_n who_o the_o egyptian_n think_v to_o 1._o be_v a_o man_n wonderful_n and_o divine_a and_o good_a reason_n they_o have_v for_o so_o think_v as_o be_v manifest_a by_o his_o conquest_n of_o janne_n and_o jambres_n their_o most_o renown_a magician_n and_o also_o by_o the_o plague_n which_o according_a to_o his_o word_n be_v bring_v upon_o egypt_n all_o 8._o which_o be_v attest_v by_o eumenius_n nor_o do_v the_o have_fw-mi then_v represent_v he_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v michael_n to_o have_v be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n justice_n only_o but_o they_o also_o speak_v of_o he_o as_o those_o do_v of_o gabriel_n that_o he_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n mercy_n to_o they_o for_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o moses_n be_v author_n of_o so_o many_o useful_a invention_n among_o the_o egyptian_n as_o that_o he_o gain_v not_o only_o the_o love_n of_o the_o people_n but_o also_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o 27._o priest_n for_o they_o name_v he_o mercury_n and_o give_v he_o equal_a honour_n with_o their_o god_n which_o testimony_n be_v the_o more_o credible_a because_o diodorus_n among_o many_o other_o high_a commendation_n of_o moses_n which_o he_o profess_v to_o have_v have_v from_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v call_v god_n not_o that_o corhorâ—_n moses_n pretend_v to_o be_v so_o but_o because_o say_v he_o man_n think_v his_o mind_n be_v whole_o admirable_a and_o divine_a all_o which_o methinks_v can_v amount_v to_o no_o less_o than_o a_o competent_a evidence_n their_o thought_n be_v well_o enough_o express_v by_o chalcidius_n his_o word_n of_o moses_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v most_o wise_a as_o be_v enliven_v not_o with_o man_n wisdom_n but_o as_o it_o be_v report_v with_o divine_a inspiration_n 1â—_n and_o if_o so_o then_o sure_o moses_n be_v they_o think_v he_o at_o least_o a_o prophet_n and_o in_o this_o their_o judgement_n of_o he_o it_o be_v very_o notorious_a that_o the_o jew_n christian_n and_o mahometan_n do_v concur_v with_o they_o so_o that_o in_o effect_n we_o have_v all_o mankind_n give_v its_o suffrage_n to_o this_o truth_n insomuch_o that_o if_o any_o please_v to_o deny_v it_o they_o seem_v to_o undermine_v their_o own_o credit_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n for_o unless_o they_o have_v a_o charter_n of_o credibility_n peculiar_o grant_v to_o they_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v they_o wherein_o they_o make_v all_o man_n else_o fool_n or_o liar_n we_o shall_v therefore_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o moses_n be_v a_o prophet_n next_o than_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o this_o moses_n the_o prophet_n be_v the_o jew_n lawgiver_n hereof_o i_o know_v none_o that_o make_v a_o doubt_n if_o there_o be_v they_o may_v easy_o 15._o be_v satisfy_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o witness_n from_o among_o the_o gentile_n to_o prove_v it_o all_o then_o that_o remain_v to_o be_v far_o observe_v be_v that_o this_o moses_n the_o prophet_n do_v promise_n in_o his_o law_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o lord_n thy_o god_n say_v he_o will_v raise_v up_o unto_o thou_o a_o prophet_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o of_o thy_o brethren_n like_v unto_o i_o which_o promise_n i_o confess_v be_v most_o complete_o fulfil_v in_o christ_n the_o supreme_a prophet_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o that_o hinder_v not_o its_o be_v first_o to_o be_v fulfil_v by_o some_o other_o prophet_n or_o rather_o order_n of_o prophet_n who_o before_o the_o come_n of_o messiah_n be_v short_o to_o succeed_v moses_n in_o the_o prophetic_a part_n of_o his_o office_n whoever_o methinks_v consider_v all_o circumstance_n must_v needs_o conceive_v that_o it_o be_v so_o for_o it_o be_v at_o first_o give_v and_o afterward_o renew_v on_o such_o occasion_n as_o require_v its_o speedy_a accomplishment_n for_o moses_n have_v conduct_v the_o israelite_n almost_o to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v command_v to_o gather_v the_o people_n together_o in_o horeb_n and_o they_o come_v near_o and_o stand_v under_o the_o mountain_n and_o the_o mountain_n burn_v with_o fire_n 11._o unto_o the_o midst_n of_o heaven_n with_o darkness_n cloud_n and_o thick_a darkness_n and_o all_o the_o people_n see_v the_o thundering_n and_o lightning_n and_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o trumpet_n and_o the_o mountain_n smoke_v and_o when_o the_o people_n see_v it_o they_o remove_v and_o stand_v afar_o off_o and_o they_o say_v unto_o moses_n 19_o speak_v thou_o with_o we_o and_o we_o will_v hear_v but_o let_v not_o god_n speak_v with_o we_o lest_o we_o die_v whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o request_v that_o god_n will_v speak_v no_o more_o immediate_o at_o least_o not_o so_o terrible_o unto_o they_o but_o that_o for_o the_o future_a he_o will_v please_v to_o use_v the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n 17._o and_o such_o like_a prophet_n in_o reveal_v his_o will_n unto_o they_o this_o their_o request_n the_o lord_n approve_v of_o and_o condescend_v to_o their_o infirmity_n he_o give_v this_o promise_n in_o answer_n to_o it_o viz._n that_o he_o will_v raise_v they_o up_o a_o prophet_n from_o among_o their_o brethren_n like_v unto_o moses_n and_o will_v put_v his_o word_n in_o his_o mouth_n and_o he_o 18._o shall_v speak_v unto_o they_o all_o that_o the_o lord_n shall_v command_v he_o this_o be_v the_o first_o occasion_n of_o this_o promise_n afterward_o moses_n admonish_v they_o to_o beware_v of_o learning_n 9_o to_o do_v after_o the_o abomination_n of_o those_o nation_n which_o be_v cast_v out_o to_o let_v they_o in_o among_o which_o abomination_n 14._o harken_v to_o observer_n of_o time_n and_o to_o diviner_n be_v one_o this_o than_o be_v forbid_v to_o the_o jew_n by_o which_o prohibition_n doubtless_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o restraint_n lay_v upon_o their_o curiosity_n and_o desire_n of_o know_v future_a contingence_n which_o be_v very_o great_a almost_o in_o all_o man_n as_o that_o without_o something_o in_o lieu_n of_o divination_n etc._n etc._n it_o will_v have_v 1._o be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o have_v keep_v they_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o due_a obedience_n to_o their_o law_n but_o either_o they_o will_v have_v think_v there_o be_v nothing_o divine_a in_o it_o or_o else_o they_o will_v have_v fall_v into_o some_o heathenish_a abomination_n or_o else_o they_o will_v have_v institute_v something_o else_o somewhat_o like_o it_o among_o themselves_o now_o to_o show_v they_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o so_o do_v moses_n call_v to_o mind_v the_o promise_n that_o god_n have_v make_v they_o to_o raise_v they_o up_o a_o prophet_n like_o unto_o he_o unto_o which_o promise_n he_o subjoin_v the_o mean_n of_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o pretension_n to_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n 22._o now_o to_o i_o it_o seem_v strange_a that_o this_o promise_n at_o first_o make_v and_o afterward_o renew_v on_o those_o solemn_a and_o important_a occasion_n and_o attend_v with_o these_o circumstance_n shall_v have_v no_o reference_n at_o all_o to_o some_o prophet_n or_o order_n of_o prophet_n that_o shall_v short_o succeed_v moses_n when_o the_o people_n be_v afraid_a they_o shall_v die_v and_o beg_v as_o it_o be_v for_o their_o life_n that_o god_n will_v speak_v no_o more_o immediate_o unto_o they_o but_o that_o he_o will_v use_v the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n be_v
it_o as_o moses_n at_o first_o do_v to_o establish_v it_o whether_o or_o no_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n on_o the_o account_n hereof_o be_v just_o deny_v the_o benefit_n of_o a_o fair_a trial_n we_o ourselves_o may_v perceive_v by_o these_o follow_a observation_n 1._o there_o be_v two_o thing_n considerable_a in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n viz._n the_o external_n and_o the_o internal_a part_n of_o of_o it_o the_o former_a be_v the_o letter_n or_o the_o word_n wherein_o it_o be_v express_v the_o latter_a be_v the_o sense_n and_o mean_v the_o scope_n design_n and_o end_v of_o it_o the_o one_o be_v the_o shell_n the_o other_o the_o kernel_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o one_o it_o be_v civil_a or_o positive_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o other_o natural_a as_o positive_a it_o can_v oblige_v only_o that_o people_n to_o who_o it_o be_v give_v and_o therefore_o the_o literal_a observation_n of_o it_o among_o the_o gentile_n be_v no_o way_n necessary_a nor_o be_v it_o so_o esteem_v by_o the_o jew_n '_o themselves_z as_o appear_v by_o the_o proselyte_n of_o their_o gate_n who_o be_v neither_o circumcise_v nor_o do_v they_o conform_v to_o the_o rite_n and_o ordinance_n of_o that_o law_n according_a to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o the_o seven_o precept_n of_o noâ—h_n wâ—re_v think_v sufficient_a for_o they_o they_o wâ—re_v oblige_v to_o no_o more_o if_o thâ—n_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o pose_v no_o more_o than_o these_o upon_o the_o gentile_n and_o dissuade_v not_o the_o jew_n from_o literal_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n they_o can_v not_o be_v judge_v false_a prophet_n on_o the_o account_n of_o subvert_v it_o next_o then_o observe_v 2._o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o dâ—troying_v the_o law_n as_o that_o they_o do_v most_o excellent_o fulfil_v and_o establish_v it_o among_o the_o gentile_n as_o to_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v the_o scope_n design_n and_o end_v of_o it_o what_o be_v natural_a in_o the_o law_n say_v irenaeus_n 27._o the_o lord_n bathe_v extend_v and_o fulfil_v and_o again_o all_o the_o natural_a precept_n be_v common_a to_o we_o with_o they_o viz._n the_o jew_n among_o they_o they_o have_v their_o beginning_n and_o their_o rise_n among_o we_o they_o receive_v their_o increase_n and_o adimpletion_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a law_n as_o to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o it_o if_o that_o be_v moral_a and_o pure_o natural_a be_v not_o only_o not_o abolish_v but_o extend_v and_o improve_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n among_o we_o gentile_n in_o order_n to_o the_o demonstration_n hereof_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o observe_v out_o of_o mâ—imonides_n that_o the_o general_a intention_n of_o the_o law_n be_v a_o double_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o wellbeing_a 3._o viz._n of_o the_o body_n and_o of_o tâ—e_v soul_n all_o and_o every_o of_o the_o precept_n tend_v either_o to_o the_o one_o or_o to_o the_o other_o to_o demonstrate_v 23._o the_o truth_n whereof_o he_o reduce_v the_o precept_n 35._o of_o their_o whole_a law_n to_o 14_o class_n and_o then_o render_v the_o reason_n of_o each_o one_o distinct_o by_o which_o account_n of_o his_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o design_a end_n of_o 6._o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o teach_v sound_a doctrine_n a_o to_o establish_v religion_n both_o the_o inward_a grace_n b_o and_o the_o outward_a exercise_n of_o it_o c_o and_o together_o herewith_o a_o great_a part_n of_o its_o design_n be_v to_o cohibit_v idolatry_n d_o to_o extirpate_v vice_n e_o to_o promote_v virtue_n f_o especial_o charity_n g_o and_o justice_n both_o commutative_a h_z and_o distributive_a i_o by_o the_o promotion_n of_o these_o thing_n it_o teach_v and_o direct_v man_n towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o wellbeing_a both_o of_o body_n and_o soul_n whereunto_o it_o be_v ultimate_o design_v and_o intend_v now_o whâ—thâ—r_n or_o no_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o at_o least_o pretend_v by_o the_o same_o mean_n to_o direct_v man_n to_o the_o obtainment_n of_o the_o same_o end_n i_o dare_v leave_n to_o any_o ingenuous_a jâ—w_n to_o judge_v i_o be_o confident_o persuade_v that_o whoever_o do_v impartial_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o precept_n will_v think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n do_v establish_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o to_o the_o scope_n and_o end_n of_o it_o but_o now_o mention_v for_o the_o foundation_n of_o that_o law_n or_o the_o article_n of_o the_o jewish_a faith_n according_a to_o abravanel_n recension_n of_o they_o be_v thirteen_o in_o number_n viz._n the_o existence_n and_o unity_n the_o spirituality_n eternity_n and_o omniscience_n of_o god_n that_o he_o only_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v the_o be_v of_o prophecy_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n that_o his_o law_n be_v from_o heaven_n and_o be_v never_o to_o be_v extirpate_v god_n future_a judgement_n the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o 1._o the_o dead_a now_o manifest_v it_o be_v that_o the_o be_v and_o attribute_n of_o god_n that_o he_o only_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v his_o fâ—ture_n judgement_n the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a be_v more_o clear_o reveal_v by_o the_o gospel_n than_o they_o be_v by_o the_o law_n yea_o the_o be_v of_o prophecy_n and_o the_o precedence_n of_o moses_n to_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n the_o descent_n of_o his_o law_n from_o heaven_n and_o its_o non-extirpation_n as_o to_o the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o it_o be_v at_o least_o as_o plain_o assert_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o ever_o they_o be_v by_o moses_n or_o the_o succeed_a prophet_n the_o jew_n therefore_o can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o they_o teach_v sound_a doctrine_n and_o then_o for_o the_o religion_n that_o they_o have_v establish_v among_o we_o it_o apparent_o be_v as_o one_o say_v a_o excellent_a 238._o endowment_n of_o mind_n continual_o flourish_v from_o due_a piety_n towards_o god_n with_o a_o ardent_a study_n of_o the_o eternal_a beauty_n and_o a_o imitation_n of_o it_o and_o this_o it_o be_v not_o only_o in_o the_o inward_a operation_n but_o also_o in_o the_o outward_a exercise_n of_o it_o for_o the_o christian_a worship_n of_o god_n tend_v to_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o his_o glory_n by_o make_v we_o like_o unto_o he_o it_o consist_v not_o in_o mystical_a oblation_n sacrifice_n and_o purification_n but_o in_o direct_a and_o strenuous_a strive_v after_o that_o holiness_n and_o purity_n which_o perhaps_o be_v shadow_v thereby_o that_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a devotion_n which_o be_v hardly_o discernible_a in_o the_o carnal_a ordinance_n of_o the_o law_n be_v open_o and_o clear_o propose_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o gospel_n insomuch_o that_o among_o christian_n there_o be_v hardly_o any_o so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o know_v they_o ought_v to_o pursue_v it_o in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o together_o herewith_o it_o do_v not_o only_o as_o the_o law_n restrain_v man_n from_o idolatry_n but_o it_o utter_o destroy_v it_o and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o effectual_a to_o extirpate_v vice_n and_o promote_v virtue_n than_o such_o a_o religion_n and_o beside_o that_o the_o gospel_n give_v we_o the_o severe_a precept_n and_o strong_a motive_n that_o can_v be_v to_o avoid_v all_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n of_o live_v and_o to_o follow_v holiness_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n it_o assert_v the_o high_a necessity_n of_o charity_n which_o will_v certain_o uphold_v justice_n and_o equity_n and_o indeed_o the_o most_o elevate_a virtue_n of_o all_o sort_n apparent_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o the_o gospel_n do_v most_o high_o establish_v the_o law_n as_o to_o the_o general_a intention_n of_o it_o viz._n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o wellbeing_a both_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o man_n in_o their_o respective_a society_n what_o then_o though_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v not_o so_o zealous_a for_o obedience_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n as_o to_o the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o it_o be_v they_o therefore_o transgressor_n of_o the_o law_n no_o sure_o for_o they_o therein_o have_v the_o example_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o warrant_v they_o in_o so_o be_v sore_n which_o of_o they_o be_v there_o that_o have_v not_o more_o regard_n to_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v than_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n of_o mâ—sâ—s_n how_o severe_o do_v they_o reprehend_v the_o moral_a vice_n forbid_v and_o constant_o inculcate_v the_o duty_n of_o morality_n that_o lie_v hide_v under_o it_o yea_o so_o contemptuous_o do_v they_o seem_v to_o speak_v of_o
he_o but_o by_o make_v câ—r_n thyself_o fit_a to_o receive_v from_o he_o for_o the_o pythagorean_n say_v thou_o shall_v best_o honour_v god_n when_o thou_o make_v thy_o mind_n like_a unto_o he_o if_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a there_o can_v be_v no_o law_n so_fw-mi subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n as_o the_o moral_a law_n be_v and_o consequent_o none_o so_o good_a and_o excellent_a as_o that_o be_v because_o none_o so_o apt_a to_o promote_v the_o supreme_a end_n of_o all_o law_n whatever_o viz._n the_o glory_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o subject_n yet_o so_o brutish_o wicked_a be_v the_o jewish_a rabbi_n as_o that_o they_o make_v it_o void_a and_o of_o none_o effect_v not_o only_o its_o precept_n be_v neglect_v and_o slight_v in_o comparison_n with_o their_o ceremonial_a performance_n but_o it_o be_v very_o native_a sense_n and_o mean_v be_v almost_o whole_o cloud_v and_o eclipse_v by_o their_o false_a gloss_n vain_a interpretation_n and_o tradition_n wherefore_o one_o end_n of_o christ_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n it_o seem_v 17._o be_v to_o â—ulsill_a the_o law_n i._n e._n not_o only_o to_o do_v but_o also_o to_o teach_v and_o declare_v what_o the_o law_n require_v whâ—t_o wâ—s_v natural_a in_o the_o law_n as_o be_v before_o observe_v out_o of_o irenâ—eus_n the_o lord_n bathe_v not_o only_o destroy_v but_o also_o extend_v and_o â—illed_v up_o those_o that_o desire_v to_o know_v wherein_o this_o extension_n or_o adimpletion_n of_o the_o law_n do_v consi_v may_v learn_v it_o from_o the_o same_o father_n who_o tell_v 27._o we_o it_o be_v in_o require_v abstinence_n not_o only_o from_o all_o evil_a work_n but_o also_o from_o the_o very_a desire_n of_o they_o it_o seem_v then_o the_o moral_a law_n as_o it_o be_v now_o constitute_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o obedience_n be_v so_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a as_o that_o it_o reach_v the_o faculty_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o well_o as_o the_o work_n word_n and_o gesture_n of_o our_o body_n strict_o forbid_v the_o thought_n or_o assent_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o the_o very_o feeble_a inclination_n of_o our_o will_n and_o affection_n to_o sin_n as_o well_o as_o the_o outward_a perpetration_n of_o it_o and_o how_o much_o this_o exceed_v the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n i._n e._n of_o the_o strict_a professor_n among_o the_o jew_n our_o saviour_n 5._o himself_o have_v demonstrate_v in_o divers_a instance_n the_o prohibition_n of_o murder_n they_o restrain_v to_o shed_v 33._o of_o blood_n but_o chrisâ—â—xtended_v even_o to_o immoderate_a anger_n that_o of_o adultery_n they_o restrain_v to_o the_o external_n commission_n of_o folly_n but_o christ_n extend_v even_o to_o the_o very_a eructation_n of_o concupiscence_n the_o prohibition_n 28._o of_o take_v god_n name_n in_o vain_a they_o restrain_v to_o perjury_n but_o christ_n extend_v to_o all_o manner_n of_o vain_a and_o false_a swear_v etc._n etc._n there_o be_v therefore_o nothing_o 34._o more_o evident_a than_o that_o the_o moral_a law_n as_o establish_v by_o the_o gospel_n be_v far_o more_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a more_o extend_v and_o comprehensive_a than_o it_o be_v as_o expound_v by_o the_o jewish_a tradition_n and_o rabbi_n and_o indeed_o they_o do_v rather_o explode_v the_o law_n than_o expound_v it_o for_o if_o the_o be_v of_o sin_n consist_v in_o consent_n as_o it_o apparent_o do_v in_o most_o case_n a_o man_n may_v be_v guilty_a almost_o of_o all_o sin_n and_o yet_o according_a to_o they_o be_v no_o sinner_n because_o no_o transgressor_n of_o the_o law_n according_a to_o their_o exposition_n of_o it_o but_o as_o christ_n have_v now_o restore_v it_o to_o its_o primitive_a sense_n and_o mean_v it_o be_v we_o see_v so_o transcendent_o holy_a and_o immaculate_o pure_a as_o that_o the_o way_n of_o our_o â—_z as_o well_o as_o work_n of_o our_o hand_n and_o word_n of_o our_o mouth_n be_v or_o may_v be_v unclean_a and_o impure_a before_o it_o this_o then_o be_v the_o prime_a rule_n of_o our_o practice_n hereunto_o the_o gospel_n require_v most_o absolute_o perfect_a unsinning_a obedience_n insomuch_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v humble_a for_o our_o imperfection_n as_o well_o as_o penitent_a for_o our_o more_o grievous_a transgression_n and_o all_o this_o must_v spring_v from_o faith_n that_o work_v by_o love_n for_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a 2_o to_o please_v god_n and_o without_o charity_n faith_n be_v nothing_o worth_a obj._n but_o here_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o keep_v the_o law_n thus_o expound_v it_o be_v rather_o fit_a for_o adam_n in_o innocence_n than_o for_o any_o of_o his_o fallen_n posterity_n be_v there_o no_o depravity_n in_o our_o nature_n or_o â—_z in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v wicked_o it_o may_v perhaps_o with_o justice_n and_o equity_n be_v impose_v on_o we_o but_o since_o as_o chriâ—t_n and_o his_o apostle_n themselves_o teach_v we_o all_o have_v siâ—ned_v and_o can_v live_v without_o sin_n it_o be_v rather_o apt_a to_o increase_v our_o damnation_n than_o to_o promote_v our_o salvation_n it_o be_v therefore_o very_o unbecoming_a that_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n whereunto_o they_o pretend_v in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o speak_v more_o zeal_n than_o wisdom_n to_o require_v impossibility_n answ_n this_o objection_n have_v something_a of_o truth_n and_o reason_n in_o it_o even_o tempt_v i_o to_o wish_v it_o be_v find_v in_o the_o mouth_n only_o of_o humble_a and_o â—ober_a enquirer_n after_o truth_n but_o experience_n have_v teach_v i_o that_o our_o semi-atheist_n think_v to_o serve_v their_o lust_n by_o it_o for_o since_o gradual_o perfect_a obedience_n be_v impossible_a and_o no_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o impossibility_n they_o say_v and_o perhaps_o will_v swear_v it_o too_o it_o be_v senseless_a folly_n and_o brutish_a inadvertency_n to_o trouble_v our_o head_n about_o it_o either_o by_o repent_v what_o we_o have_v not_o do_v according_a to_o the_o law_n or_o by_o take_v care_n for_o the_o future_a to_o walk_v by_o it_o but_o let_v they_o not_o be_v too_o haâ—â—y_a in_o their_o conclusion_n or_o too_o confident_a in_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o argument_n for_o it_o be_v but_o a_o piece_n of_o sophistry_n it_o divide_v what_o ought_v to_o be_v join_v viz._n the_o law_n and_o its_o exposition_n from_o the_o mitigation_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gospel_n take_v in_o this_o and_o the_o argument_n will_v be_v find_v very_o inconclusive_a on_o their_o part_n but_o demonstrative_a on_o we_o for_o though_o it_o be_v confess_v we_o find_v the_o law_n extend_v and_o far_o more_o comprehensive_o expound_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n than_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v it_o ever_o be_v by_o moses_n or_o the_o prophet_n much_o more_o by_o the_o jewish_a â—_z and_o rabbiâ—s_n yet_o withal_o we_o find_v it_o so_o qualify_a and_o mitigate_v its_o rigour_n and_o severity_n so_o allay_v as_o that_o the_o evangelical_n constitution_n of_o it_o be_v far_o more_o eligible_a than_o the_o legal_a it_o dâ—monstratâ—s_v far_o great_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n than_o ever_o it_o do_v either_o in_o the_o time_n of_o man_n innocence_n or_o afterward_o under_o the_o moysaicall_a dispensation_n for_o first_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o the_o law_n be_v not_o now_o establish_v as_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o at_o first_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o man_n innocence_n nor_o be_v it_o now_o yoke_v with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o positive_a precept_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n for_o beside_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o due_a use_n of_o his_o sacrament_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o think_v of_o any_o thing_n enjoin_v by_o the_o gospel_n but_o what_o be_v reducible_a to_o the_o moral_a law_n which_o law_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o twofold_a use_n viz._n either_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o also_o as_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n be_v both_o establish_v and_o abolish_v by_o the_o gospel_n for_o although_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n and_o manner_n the_o gospel_n be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v void_a the_o law_n as_o that_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n do_v so_o apparent_o establish_v it_o yet_o as_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n whereby_o to_o obtain_v salvation_n the_o gospel_n do_v abolish_v it_o for_o in_o that_o it_o establish_v a_o new_a covenant_n it_o make_v the_o first_o old_a insomuch_o 13._o that_o that_o complete_a and_o gradual_a perfect_a obedience_n which_o in_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n to_o adam_n in_o innocence_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o eternal_a life_n although_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o a_o indispensable_a condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n for_o second_o though_o the_o gospel_n require_v perfect_a obedience_n yet_o it_o accept_v sincere_a which_o be_v such_o
endanger_v so_o great_a a_o loss_n for_o so_o small_a pleasure_n or_o profit_n as_o seem_v to_o be_v have_v thereby_o for_o in_o the_o tract_n but_o now_o mention_v we_o find_v that_o those_o only_o of_o the_o israelite_n who_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n or_o the_o descent_n of_o their_o law_n from_o god_n or_o the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n or_o those_o that_o read_v heretical_a book_n or_o pretend_v to_o cure_v disease_n by_o enchantment_n or_o expound_v the_o name_n jehovah_n 24._o in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n these_o i_o say_v and_o these_o only_a of_o all_o the_o israelite_n shall_v be_v exclude_v from_o eternal_a life_n and_o be_v not_o the_o people_n very_o much_o oblige_v to_o their_o rabbi_n for_o remove_v the_o cherubim_n and_o flame_a sword_n which_o keep_v the_o way_n of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n against_o all_o other_o unhallowed_a sinner_n yes_o very_o that_o they_o be_v especial_o consider_v that_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v so_o ill-advised_n as_o to_o hazard_v this_o their_o right_n to_o heaven_n yet_o have_v they_o no_o cause_n to_o despair_v of_o its_o recovery_n for_o either_o by_o repentance_n in_o this_o life_n or_o by_o a_o twelve_o month_n penance_n in_o purgatory_n and_o the_o prayer_n of_o survivor_n the_o exemption_n sup_v may_v be_v take_v â—ff_n and_o they_o recover_v their_o portion_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o what_o more_o likely_a than_o these_o tradition_n to_o evacuate_v the_o commandment_n when_o a_o rewaâ—d_n be_v sâ—â—ured_v to_o all_o who_o will_v work_v when_o eternal_a happiness_n be_v entail_v upon_o all_o who_o will_v regard_v the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n or_o take_v care_n to_o follow_v it_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o antigonus_n socensis_n forbid_v his_o disciple_n to_o serve_v god_n on_o condition_n of_o receive_v reward_n and_o require_v they_o to_o do_v it_o without_o any_o such_o expectation_n it_o be_v also_o true_a that_o for_o this_o he_o be_v applaud_v by_o divers_a of_o their_o seraphic_a rabbi_n yet_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o be_v fatal_a to_o the_o truth_n in_o some_o and_o of_o no_o force_n on_o the_o practice_n of_o most_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n divers_a of_o their_o wise_a man_n that_o like_v his_o opinion_n yet_o blame_v the_o publication_n of_o it_o they_o therefore_o think_v it_o better_a to_o permit_v the_o vulgar_a to_o enjoy_v their_o opinion_n that_o good_a be_v to_o be_v do_v for_o hope_n of_o a_o reward_n and_o evil_a to_o be_v câ—eâ—â—â—_n eschew_v for_o fear_n of_o punishment_n but_o since_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o a_o portion_n in_o heaven_n they_o have_v not_o much_o reason_n to_o fear_v the_o torment_n of_o hell_n for_o if_o their_o tradition_n be_v true_a it_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a matter_n for_o they_o to_o keep_v the_o law_n the_o precept_n whereof_o they_o distinguish_v into_o two_o sort_n whereof_o they_o call_v the_o one_o command_v the_o other_o pâ—â—hibitions_n the_o command_v they_o say_v aâ—e_v two_o hundrâ—d_o forty_o eight_o just_o so_o many_o as_o according_a to_o the_o anatomy_n of_o the_o rabbi_n there_o be_v member_n in_o a_o man_n body_n but_o the_o prohibition_n be_v three_o hundred_o sixty_o five_o viz._n as_o many_o as_o there_o be_v day_n in_o the_o year_n or_o as_o they_o say_v there_o be_v vein_n in_o the_o body_n of_o a_o man_n and_o therefore_o say_v thâ—y_n if_o any_o one_o member_n of_o a_o man_n body_n do_v every_o day_n fulfil_v one_o of_o the_o command_n and_o omit_v one_o of_o the_o thing_n prohibit_v it_o will_v thence_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o not_o only_o the_o decalogue_n but_o the_o whole_a law_n of_o moses_n shall_v be_v by_o they_o most_o excellent_o keep_v every_o year_n throughout_o all_o age_n though_o perhaps_o we_o christian_n ibid._n may_v laugh_v at_o and_o despise_v this_o their_o obedience_n yet_o it_o seem_v they_o thereby_o do_v supererrogate_v as_o well_o as_o obey_v for_o abravanel_n assure_v we_o it_o be_v a_o approve_a opinion_n of_o their_o wise_a man_n that_o whosoever_o of_o the_o israelite_n do_v any_o one_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v in_o his_o power_n he_o shall_v thereby_o merit_v the_o chief_a reward_n i._n e._n the_o life_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v sup_v and_o what_o more_o apt_a than_o such_o a_o persuasion_n to_o make_v man_n partial_a and_o languid_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o moral_a virtue_n and_o so_o indeed_o we_o find_v they_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o most_o devout_a and_o strict_a sect_n among_o they_o do_v either_o degenerate_a into_o formality_n or_o else_o evaporate_v in_o hypocrisy_n it_o be_v dry_a and_o sapless_a dead_a and_o lifeless_a a_o mere_a contexture_n of_o ceremony_n and_o external_n performance_n a_o sceleton_n or_o at_o best_o but_o a_o carcase_n without_o any_o heat_n or_o life_n of_o divine_a love_n in_o it_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n without_o the_o power_n a_o show_n of_o piety_n a_o device_n to_o seem_v religious_a without_o be_v so_o a_o mere_a bodily_a kind_n of_o drudgery_n and_o servility_n yet_o be_v they_o as_o confident_a of_o its_o goodness_n and_o as_o fond_o proud_a of_o the_o advantage_n they_o think_v they_o have_v thereby_o as_o if_o in_o very_a deed_n it_o have_v bâ—en_n that_o which_o be_v require_v by_o god_n and_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n support_v by_o prophet_n and_o profess_a by_o their_o forefather_n throughout_o all_o precede_a generation_n and_o so_o obstinate_o do_v they_o adhere_v to_o it_o as_o that_o the_o severe_a calamity_n of_o war_n can_v not_o make_v they_o cease_v from_o it_o for_o josephus_n report_v that_o when_o pompey_n be_v get_v into_o their_o city_n and_o aristobulus_n his_o faction_n have_v take_v sanctuary_n in_o the_o temple_n with_o a_o resolution_n to_o defend_v it_o they_o will_v not_o oppose_v his_o raise_n of_o bulwark_n or_o tower_n or_o plant_v his_o engine_n against_o it_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n because_o as_o they_o think_v their_o law_n allow_v they_o not_o to_o resist_v a_o enemy_n upon_o the_o sabbath_n day_n unless_o he_o be_v actual_o â—â—ghting_v against_o they_o the_o most_o imminent_a and_o threaten_a preparation_n for_o war_n be_v not_o in_o their_o judgement_n sufficient_a to_o warrant_v their_o work_n or_o act_n of_o hostility_n on_o that_o day_n yea_o such_o be_v their_o zeal_n for_o their_o traditionary_a religion_n as_o that_o when_o the_o roman_n have_v take_v the_o temple_n and_o be_v kill_v whosoever_o they_o meet_v therein_o yet_o it_o be_v one_o of_o their_o day_n of_o fast_v survivor_n will_v not_o desist_v from_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o neither_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n nor_o the_o dreadful_a fight_n of_o dead_a and_o die_a multitude_n can_v affright_v they_o from_o act_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o judge_v it_o better_a to_o die_v than_o to_o forsake_v their_o altar_n or_o omit_v any_o thing_n prescribe_v by_o their_o law_n they_o be_v ready_a to_o suffer_v 8._o whatever_o the_o conqueror_n think_v fit_a to_o inflict_v and_o again_o afterward_o when_o pontius_n pilate_n have_v bring_v the_o effigy_n of_o caesar_n into_o the_o city_n they_o grow_v so_o troublesome_a with_o their_o importunity_n to_o have_v it_o remove_v as_o that_o pilate_n threaten_v they_o with_o death_n if_o they_o will_v not_o depart_v and_o be_v quiet_a whereupon_o cast_v themseluâ—s_o down_o before_o he_o and_o make_v bare_a their_o throat_n they_o sayâ—d_v unto_o he_o they_o can_v soon_o endure_v death_n with_o pleasure_n than_o dare_v to_o suffer_v the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o law_n to_o be_v 4._o scâ—ssed_v at_o since_o than_o their_o zeal_n for_o their_o religion_n be_v thus_o preposterous_a and_o servant_n it_o seem_v to_o i_o more_o than_o probable_a that_o they_o be_v apt_a thereby_o to_o be_v transport_v into_o fury_n and_o madness_n at_o reason_n and_o dâ—monstrations_n make_v by_o private_a man_n of_o its_o shortness_n and_o vanity_n yea_o that_o they_o can_v not_o with_o patience_n bear_v those_o that_o do_v but_o so_o much_o as_o gentle_o suggest_v it_o as_o appear_v yet_o more_o probable_a by_o the_o explication_n their_o gemara_n giuâ—s_v of_o epicure_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v those_o who_o contemn_v the_o disciple_n of_o their_o wise_a man_n and_o for_o that_o cause_n if_o they_o be_v israelites_n they_o shall_v lose_v their_o portion_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v 24._o what_o then_o think_v you_o think_v they_o of_o those_o who_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o cast_v contempt_n on_o the_o dogmata_fw-la and_o tradition_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n themselves_o be_v they_o not_o look_v on_o as_o blasphemer_n oâ—_n god_n and_o enemy_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n yes_o doubtless_o that_o they_o be_v for_o since_o the_o jew_n be_v thorough_o instruct_v not_o only_o to_o attribute_v a_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n to_o the_o tradition_n of_o their_o elder_n but_o also_o to_o believe_v that_o
accomplishment_n of_o these_o prediction_n for_o the_o primitive_a seducer_n be_v man_n of_o so_o profligate_v a_o conscience_n and_o lewd_a a_o addiction_n as_o that_o they_o serve_v not_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o their_o own_o belly_n though_o they_o profess_v friendship_n 18._o yet_o they_o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n their_o god_n be_v their_o belly_n their_o glory_n be_v in_o their_o shame_n and_o they_o do_v mind_n earthly_a thing_n whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a 19_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v foretell_v they_o will_v be_v viz._n man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o destitute_a of_o the_o truth_n suppose_v that_o gain_n be_v godliness_n and_o this_o their_o perverse_a â—_o supposition_n do_v doubtless_o dispose_v they_o to_o make_v merchandise_n of_o other_o christian_n insomuch_o that_o they_o seek_v not_o they_o but_o they_o not_o their_o spiritual_a good_a and_o welfare_n but_o their_o worldly_a wealth_n and_o temporal_a interest_n that_o so_o they_o may_v make_v advantage_n to_o themselves_o thereby_o this_o be_v their_o design_n in_o order_n hereunto_o they_o seem_v wise_o to_o have_v consider_v that_o their_o power_n be_v only_o persuasive_a not_o coercive_a it_o will_v be_v their_o best_a way_n to_o adapt_v a_o religion_n to_o the_o humour_n and_o vice_n of_o man_n according_o we_o find_v that_o the_o contemplative_a and_o studious_a they_o allure_v with_o great_a swell_a word_n of_o vanity_n about_o no_o man_n know_v what_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o age_n which_o 1._o they_o divide_v into_o a_o ogdoad_n a_o decad_n and_o a_o dodecad_n wherein_o there_o be_v as_o the_o apostle_n say_v fables_n and_o endless_a genealogy_n which_o minister_v question_n 19_o rather_o than_o godly_a edify_n which_o be_v in_o faith_n the_o fiction_n of_o which_o fable_n and_o genealogy_n they_o steal_v out_o of_o antiphanes_n his_o theogony_n so_o likewise_o they_o do_v divers_a of_o their_o precept_n out_o of_o heathen_a philosophy_n for_o their_o practical_a divinity_n consist_v in_o the_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n the_o commandment_n and_o doctrine_n 20._o of_o man_n touch_v not_o 〈◊〉_d not_o handle_v not_o tertullian_n therefore_o say_v of_o the_o heretic_n that_o they_o have_v bring_v forth_o a_o stoical_a platonical_a and_o dialectical_a 8._o christianity_n herewith_o they_o entertain_v the_o studious_a but_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o number_n in_o comparison_n with_o the_o more_o ignorant_a and_o vicious_a they_o find_v it_o expedient_a to_o allow_v of_o the_o vice_n as_o well_o as_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o according_o so_o 23._o they_o do_v for_o they_o hold_v the_o use_n of_o all_o lust_n indifferent_a and_o herein_o their_o practice_n be_v agreeable_a to_o their_o opinion_n for_o it_o be_v a_o shame_n even_o to_o speak_v of_o those_o thing_n 12._o which_o be_v do_v of_o they_o in_o secret_a and_o so_o infectious_o wicked_a it_o seem_v they_o be_v as_o that_o they_o persuade_v other_o to_o be_v as_o bad_a as_o themselves_o thence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o ephesian_n be_v in_o some_o danger_n of_o be_v deceive_v with_o vain_a word_n into_o a_o opinion_n that_o fornication_n and_o all_o uncleanness_n avarice_n and_o filthiness_n obscene_a and_o foolish_a talk_n and_o jest_n be_v thing_n 6_o lawful_a or_o at_o most_o but_o venial_a sin_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o to_o allure_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o rigorous_a and_o austere_a they_o pretend_v to_o great_a mortification_n and_o severity_n of_o live_v other_o christian_n indulge_v themselves_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o meat_n without_o distinction_n but_o these_o be_v more_o mortify_v than_o so_o they_o do_v forbid_v to_o marry_v and_o command_v to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n the_o appetite_n of_o 3_o the_o flesh_n be_v so_o hateful_a and_o impure_a in_o their_o sight_n as_o that_o they_o think_v marriage_n and_o the_o better_a â—orts_n of_o meat_n too_o great_a a_o indulgence_n to_o they_o yâ—a_o such_o be_v their_o zeal_n against_o they_o as_o that_o some_o of_o they_o say_v marriage_n be_v of_o the_o devil_n and_o many_o of_o they_o abstain_v from_o all_o live_a creature_n and_o by_o this_o pretence_n of_o perfect_a continence_n they_o seduce_v many_o and_o no_o wonder_n â—3_n since_o they_o be_v such_o mortified_a man_n who_o will_v not_o take_v they_o for_o saint_n with_o these_o bait_n do_v these_o cunning_a angler_n fish_n for_o christian_n from_o among_o the_o gentile_n almost_o of_o all_o sort_n and_o all_o inclination_n the_o jewish_a christian_n who_o be_v yet_o zealous_a of_o 20._o the_o law_n they_o entice_v by_o assert_v a_o necessity_n of_o circumcision_n and_o keep_v their_o law_n for_o they_o teach_v the_o brethren_n and_o say_v except_o you_o be_v circumcise_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n and_o keep_v the_o law_n you_o can_v be_v save_v by_o this_o part_n of_o their_o doctrine_n they_o 24._o do_v conciliate_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n and_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o those_o that_o believe_v who_o partly_o for_o fear_n of_o prosecution_n from_o their_o unbelieve_a countryman_n and_o partly_o out_o of_o love_n to_o their_o old_a religion_n be_v very_o apt_a to_o swallow_v their_o poison_n whereunto_o also_o they_o add_v several_a ingredient_n of_o most_o damnable_a heresy_n for_o even_o in_o st._n john_n time_n many_o deceiver_n be_v enter_v into_o the_o world_n who_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n but_o because_o 7._o 30._o other_o think_v he_o be_v they_o make_v a_o high_a profession_n of_o he_o that_o by_o the_o sweetness_n of_o his_o name_n they_o may_v reach_v out_o this_o their_o bitter_a poison_n unto_o they_o which_o poison_n they_o sweeten_v with_o pretence_n it_o be_v very_o wholesome_a and_o useful_a to_o purge_v the_o soul_n from_o the_o dregs_n of_o ignorance_n and_o error_n to_o enlighten_v the_o mind_n and_o inform_v the_o understanding_n for_o their_o profane_a and_o vain_a babble_n they_o have_v the_o confidence_n 21._o to_o call_v science_n and_o to_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o and_o from_o a_o pretend_a excellency_n of_o knowledge_n they_o lay_v peculiar_a claim_n to_o the_o title_n of_o gnostic_n know_v man_n as_o if_o none_o no_o not_o st._n paul_n or_o st._n peter_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n can_v plead_v a_o equality_n to_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o knowledge_n for_o they_o boast_v that_o 9_o they_o know_v more_o than_o all_o man_n else_o and_o knowledge_n we_o know_v be_v a_o thing_n so_o invite_v as_o that_o it_o have_v no_o enemy_n but_o the_o ignorant_a and_o scarce_o any_o so_o sottish_a as_o not_o to_o desire_v it_o insomuch_o that_o it_o be_v a_o temptation_n even_o to_o eve_n in_o innocence_n when_o doubtless_o her_o knowledge_n be_v complete_o suit_v to_o her_o innocence_n yet_o even_o then_o â—he_v judge_v the_o forbid_a 6._o fruit_n desirable_a because_o it_o will_v make_v one_o wise_a we_o be_v true_a have_v lose_v her_o innocence_n but_o not_o the_o desire_n after_o knowledge_n no_o marvel_n then_o if_o with_o this_o pretence_n they_o allure_v many_o especial_o consider_v that_o though_o their_o wisdom_n be_v earthly_a sensual_a devilish_a yet_o they_o pretend_v it_o be_v from_o above_o it_o come_v not_o of_o blood_n or_o of_o the_o will_n of_o the_o flesh_n or_o of_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n for_o as_o the_o devil_n in_o tempt_v our_o bless_a saviour_n hide_v his_o lie_n under_o text_n of_o holy_a scripture_n so_o say_v irenaeus_n do_v all_o heretic_n what_o though_o as_o polycarp_n observe_v they_o wrest_v the_o word_n of_o phil_n god_n according_a to_o their_o own_o lust_n yâ—t_v it_o appear_v thereby_o they_o father_v their_o lie_n upon_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n from_o who_o also_o as_o they_o pretend_v their_o fable_n sometime_o descend_v by_o tradition_n and_o sometime_o by_o revelation_n when_o they_o be_v urge_v and_o baffle_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o fall_v foul_a upon_o they_o and_o accuse_v they_o of_o such_o depravation_n insufficience_n variety_n and_o obscurity_n as_o that_o the_o truth_n can_v not_o therein_o be_v find_v by_o any_o that_o know_v not_o tradition_n and_o by_o tradition_n they_o understand_v not_o as_o other_o do_v that_o which_o every_o where_o always_o and_o by_o all_o christian_n 3._o be_v believe_v but_o a_o more_o secret_a delivery_n of_o truth_n down_o from_o one_o to_o another_o not_o by_o write_v but_o by_o 2._o word_n of_o mouth_n thus_o it_o seem_v they_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v their_o doctrine_n not_o from_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o therefore_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n they_o be_v neither_o for_o paul_n nor_o apollo_n no_o nor_o yet_o for_o cephas_n but_o for_o 12._o christ_n as_o if_o christ_n have_v transmit_v such_o doctrine_n to_o they_o as_o he_o withhold_v
from_o other_o or_o at_o least_o such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v but_o obscure_o reveal_v to_o other_o by_o holy_a scripture_n be_v plain_o make_v know_v to_o they_o by_o tradition_n but_o beside_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o tradition_n they_o or_o at_o least_o some_o of_o they_o pretend_v revelation_n in_o behalf_n of_o their_o idle_a fable_n as_o irenaeus_n make_v evident_a by_o the_o example_n of_o one_o marcus_n and_o other_o gnostic_n who_o as_o they_o give_v out_o do_v not_o only_o prophesy_v themselves_o but_o have_v power_n to_o communicate_v the_o gift_n thereof_o to_o other_o and_o according_o as_o they_o boast_v and_o their_o disciple_n believe_v so_o they_o do_v to_o divers_a especial_o of_o the_o weak_a sex_n and_o by_o this_o pretence_n they_o deceive_v and_o draw_v many_o after_o they_o 9_o and_o no_o wonder_n if_o they_o do_v so_o for_o all_o man_n take_v prophet_n to_o be_v holy_a man_n of_o god_n who_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o who_o so_o profligate_v from_o all_o religion_n as_o to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v such_o and_o yet_o refuse_v to_o be_v lead_v by_o or_o partake_v of_o their_o spirit_n by_o this_o pretence_n therefore_o how_o false_a and_o fabulous_a soever_o their_o doctrine_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n in_o it_o and_o of_o obedience_n to_o it_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n and_o this_o foundation_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o firm_a and_o immovable_a able_a to_o bear_v whatever_o superstructure_n shall_v be_v lay_v upon_o it_o yea_o also_o and_o to_o beat_v off_o whatever_o assault_n shall_v be_v make_v against_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o improbability_n of_o some_o doctrine_n and_o severity_n of_o some_o order_n still_o receive_v and_o defend_v because_o at_o first_o found_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o pretend_a vision_n and_o revelation_n all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o ground_n wherein_o to_o lay_v this_o foundation_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o be_v of_o sharp_a deep_a and_o strong_a discourse_n be_v not_o apt_a to_o receive_v it_o but_o man_n of_o shallow_a apprehension_n and_o weak_a intellectual_n be_v fit_a and_o most_o prepare_v for_o it_o this_o those_o builder_n of_o babel_n the_o primitive_a seducer_n seem_v wise_o to_o have_v consider_v for_o s._n peter_n insinuate_v they_o be_v unstable_a soul_n who_o they_o beguile_v 6._o and_o s._n paul_n more_o express_o say_v they_o be_v the_o simple_a who_o heart_n they_o deceive_v they_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n lade_v with_o sin_n and_o lead_v away_o with_o divers_a lust_n thus_o those_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o irenaeus_n tell_v we_o of_o other_o who_o a_o little_a after_o they_o be_v most_o busy_a with_o woman_n especial_o those_o that_o be_v of_o great_a quality_n and_o most_o famous_a for_o worldly_a eod_a grandieur_fw-fr and_o riches_n these_o they_o most_o frequent_o seek_v to_o impose_v upon_o and_o allure_v by_o flattery_n but_o lest_o their_o deceiveableness_n of_o unrighteousness_n viz._n their_o artifices_fw-la of_o deceit_n shall_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o secure_v the_o foundation_n they_o come_v also_o as_o it_o be_v foretell_v they_o will_v with_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n for_o we_o read_v of_o simon_n the_o samaritan_n the_o founder_n of_o heresy_n and_o father_n 30._o of_o heretic_n that_o he_o use_v sorcery_n and_o bewitch_v the_o people_n of_o samaria_n give_v out_o that_o he_o himself_o be_v some_o great_a one_o to_o who_o they_o all_o give_v heed_n from_o the_o least_o to_o the_o great_a say_v this_o man_n be_v the_o great_a power_n of_o god_n 10._o yet_o as_o great_a as_o he_o be_v he_o at_o length_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n subdue_v by_o a_o great_a power_n than_o he_o for_o he_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v yet_o his_o heart_n not_o be_v 21._o right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n but_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v great_a magician_n than_o himself_o he_o greedy_o contend_v against_o they_o that_o he_o may_v seem_v more_o glorious_a than_o they_o to_o this_o end_n he_o desist_v not_o from_o the_o study_n of_o magic_n but_o make_v such_o far_a progress_n in_o it_o as_o that_o he_o provoke_v many_o to_o amazement_n by_o it_o for_o claudius_n caesar_n erect_v a_o statue_n in_o honour_n of_o he_o for_o it_o after_o he_o the_o carpocratian_o 20._o be_v much_o addict_v to_o magic_n and_o enchantment_n that_o they_o may_v entice_v other_o to_o love_v they_o yea_o and_o they_o draw_v devil_n to_o their_o assistance_n that_o by_o many_o delusion_n it_o may_v be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o be_v lord_n and_o master_n of_o who_o they_o please_v thus_o also_o it_o be_v report_v 27._o of_o the_o before_o mention_v marcus_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a great_a proficient_a in_o magical_a imposture_n whereby_o he_o deceive_v many_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n the_o like_a 8._o may_v i_o observe_v concern_v other_o but_o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o in_o this_o respect_n as_o well_o as_o other_o the_o primitive_a seducer_n do_v exact_o fulfil_v the_o prophecy_n that_o go_v before_o of_o they_o and_o from_o thence_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o infer_v that_o they_o who_o utter_v they_o viz._n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n because_o the_o only_a ordinary_a and_o certain_a mark_n of_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n viz._n prediction_n exact_o accomplish_v be_v manifest_o find_v in_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o prediction_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n concern_v seducer_n be_v of_o use_n not_o only_o to_o confirm_v the_o faith_n but_o also_o to_o direct_v the_o judgement_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o what_o teacher_n man_n ought_v to_o follow_v and_o adhere_v to_o it_o will_v not_o be_v unuseful_a for_o we_o to_o make_v trial_n of_o our_o modern_a teacher_n thereby_o which_o if_o we_o shall_v do_v impartial_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o copy_n which_o be_v set_v by_o the_o false_a teacher_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v too_o fair_o transcribe_v by_o too_o many_o especial_o the_o papist_n in_o we_o and_o consequent_o we_o need_v not_o search_v the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n our_o own_o age_n will_v afford_v we_o too_o sure_a and_o sad_a accomplishment_n of_o these_o prediction_n the_o demonstration_n hereof_o i_o do_v once_o intend_v but_o find_v i_o shall_v thereby_o grasp_v at_o matter_n more_o sit_v for_o a_o volume_n than_o a_o section_n i_o shall_v not_o so_o far_o digress_v but_o proceed_v to_o speak_v sect._n 6._o concern_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o here_o my_o business_n will_v be_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o real_o wrought_v many_o and_o great_a miracle_n the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o which_o proposition_n because_o miracle_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n be_v most_o proper_o demonstrable_a only_o by_o testimony_n yet_o reason_n methinks_v prove_v it_o probable_a or_o somewhat_o more_o for_o grant_v it_o be_v on_o all_o side_n that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o manhood_n be_v but_o mean_a in_o the_o world_n his_o parent_n be_v no_o person_n of_o honour_n and_o he_o himself_o have_v but_o a_o mean_a reception_n at_o his_o birth_n nor_o be_v he_o by_o the_o jew_n much_o set_v by_o in_o his_o life_n he_o grow_v up_o as_o a_o root_n out_o of_o a_o dry_a ground_n they_o think_v there_o be_v no_o form_n comeliness_n or_o beauty_n in_o he_o that_o they_o shall_v desire_v he_o they_o will_v see_v no_o such_o blossom_n in_o his_o youth_n as_o promise_v any_o extraordinary_a fruit_n in_o his_o ripe_a age_n wherein_o also_o he_o be_v despise_v and_o reject_v of_o man_n a_o man_n of_o sorrow_n and_o acquaint_v with_o grief_n a_o rock_n of_o offence_n and_o stone_n of_o stumble_v set_v at_o naught_o by_o the_o master-builder_n of_o israel_n reject_v by_o the_o chief_a of_o his_o own_o nation_n pursue_v by_o his_o enemy_n betray_v by_o one_o of_o his_o pretend_a friend_n deny_v by_o another_o and_o suspect_v by_o all_o pursue_v and_o apprehend_v bind_v and_o buffet_v arraign_v and_o spit_v on_o condemn_v and_o crucify_v by_o his_o own_o countryman_n as_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a of_o malefactor_n be_v this_o man_n name_n like_a to_o become_v great_a in_o israel_n and_o famous_a among_o the_o gentile_n yet_o this_o be_v he_o that_o send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n and_o who_o be_v they_o why_o man_n as_o mean_a as_o himself_o person_n of_o obscure_a parentage_n of_o no_o reputation_n for_o wealth_n or_o wisdom_n honour_n or_o authority_n in_o their_o own_o country_n yea_o so_o far_o from_o it_o as_o that_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o be_v a_o fisherman_n and_o other_o as_o rude_a and_o illiterate_a as_o the_o mean_a
detect_v the_o forgery_n in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o silence_n of_o adversary_n seem_v more_o demonstrative_a than_o the_o testimony_n of_o friend_n especial_o consider_v they_o have_v not_o only_o the_o advantage_n of_o time_n and_o place_n but_o also_o provocation_n to_o have_v do_v it_o if_o they_o can_v for_o such_o be_v the_o confidence_n and_o noble_a magnanimity_n of_o those_o that_o first_o avouch_v it_o as_o that_o though_o they_o be_v strip_v of_o all_o succour_n and_o support_v from_o other_o man_n and_o expose_v to_o contempt_n and_o scorn_n curse_n and_o execration_n persecution_n and_o affliction_n stripe_n and_o imprisonment_n in_o short_a to_o all_o manner_n of_o hardship_n and_o death_n itself_o in_o give_v this_o testimony_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o move_v with_o fear_n or_o divert_v from_o it_o but_o they_o do_v constant_o avouch_v it_o and_o often_o appeal_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o their_o implacable_a enemy_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o thus_o st._n peter_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n tell_v the_o man_n of_o israel_n that_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n be_v a_o man_n approve_v of_o god_n among_o they_o by_o miracle_n wonder_n and_o sign_n which_o god_n do_v by_o he_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o 22._o say_v he_o you_o yourselves_o also_o know_v the_o jew_n therefore_o can_v not_o and_o arnobius_n tell_v the_o gentile_n that_o they_o dare_v not_o attempt_v to_o convince_v it_o of_o falsehood_n 1._o the_o reason_n i_o suppose_v be_v because_o as_o origen_n tell_v celsus_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o deny_v that_o the_o miracle_n 2._o report_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n wherein_o the_o christian_n have_v all_o imaginable_a motive_n to_o be_v silent_a and_o their_o enemy_n to_o speak_v yet_o that_o none_o of_o they_o either_o jew_n or_o gentile_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o contradict_v their_o testimony_n how_o strange_a be_v it_o how_o clear_o and_o plain_o do_v it_o speak_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n and_o vindicate_v they_o from_o all_o shadow_n of_o suspicion_n they_o have_v a_o design_n to_o cheat_v the_o world_n into_o belief_n of_o lie_n how_o evident_o do_v it_o show_v the_o triumphant_a force_n of_o truth_n and_o energy_n of_o conviction_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v miracle_n which_o energy_n of_o conviction_n discover_v itself_o by_o concession_n as_o well_o as_o by_o force_a silence_n for_o so_o apparent_o true_a be_v the_o church_n tradition_n in_o this_o particular_a as_o that_o some_o of_o his_o enemy_n have_v add_v their_o suffrage_n to_o she_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v miracle_n the_o jew_n it_o seem_v do_v open_o confess_v it_o in_o their_o jerusalem-talmud_n and_o their_o midras_n cohele_v where_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o grandson_n of_o r._n jehosua_n the_o son_n of_o levi_n have_v swallow_v poison_n be_v recover_v from_o danger_n of_o death_n thereby_o through_o the_o invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n but_o the_o father_n understanding_n by_o what_o mean_v his_o son_n be_v cure_v be_v so_o malicious_o ungrateful_a as_o to_o say_v it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o he_o to_o have_v avodazara_n die_v than_o to_o be_v so_o cure_v whereupon_o his_o ingratitude_n be_v present_o avenge_v by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n to_o this_o story_n they_o add_v another_o the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v that_o r._n elazar_n the_o son_n of_o duma_n be_v bite_v with_o a_o serpent_n be_v heal_v by_o st._n james_n among_o the_o cap._n gentile_n the_o very_o bitter_a of_o the_o christian_n adversary_n do_v acknowledge_v as_o much_o for_o celsus_n protest_v himself_o to_o believe_v the_o story_n of_o christ_n miraculous_a cure_n oâ—_n the_o sick_a and_o raise_v the_o dead_a and_o feed_v the_o multitude_n with_o a_o few_o loaf_n and_o the_o fragment_n that_o remain_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o whatever_o else_o the_o disciple_n report_v as_o he_o think_v to_o amplify_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o miracle_n he_o profess_v to_o believe_v be_v true_a and_o grant_v we_o may_v believe_v they_o be_v do_v it_o seem_v also_o that_o julian_n do_v acknowledge_v 1._o the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a be_v heal_v and_o those_o that_o be_v possess_v with_o devil_n receive_v help_v in_o bethsaida_n and_o bethanie_n and_o to_o enrage_v other_o against_o 6._o christ_n and_o his_o follower_n porphyrius_n undertake_v to_o tell_v they_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o city_n be_v so_o long_o afflict_v with_o sickness_n and_o that_o in_o his_o judgement_n be_v because_o neither_o aesculapius_n nor_o any_o other_o of_o the_o god_n can_v have_v access_n unto_o it_o for_o say_v he_o since_o the_o time_n that_o jesus_n be_v worship_v no_o man_n can_v get_v any_o public_a help_n from_o the_o god_n and_o from_o that_o 12._o gallimalfry_n of_o nonsense_n and_o error_n viz._n the_o alcoran_n we_o may_v gather_v this_o truth_n that_o messiah_n jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a heal_v the_o leprous_a raise_v the_o dead_a and_o teach_v the_o live_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v the_o same_o in_o his_o absence_n if_o then_o 3._o reason_n or_o tradition_n the_o testimony_n of_o friend_n or_o the_o write_n of_o enemy_n will_v satisfy_v we_o have_v one_o will_v think_v enough_o of_o all_o sort_n and_o that_o when_o some_o be_v vomit_v lie_n and_o belch_a blasphemy_n against_o christ_n his_o person_n and_o his_o doctrine_n yet_o even_o then_o they_o confess_v that_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n do_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o take_v to_o be_v miracle_n obj._n but_o here_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v mistake_v it_o be_v of_o old_a object_v they_o be_v not_o real_a and_o true_a miracle_n but_o lie_v wonder_n delusion_n of_o satan_n and_o effect_n of_o magic_n thus_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n 1._o among_o the_o jew_n and_o thus_o also_o many_o among_o the_o gentile_n and_o this_o be_v think_v so_o apparent_a as_o that_o celsus_n himself_o although_o he_o have_v former_o write_v many_o book_n against_o magic_n be_v yet_o in_o a_o sort_n constrain_v to_o retract_v his_o opinion_n and_o confess_v that_o it_o have_v a_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o follower_n for_o have_v grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o report_n that_o such_o and_o such_o wonder_n be_v indeed_o do_v by_o they_o he_o immediate_o subjoin_v a_o comparison_n between_o they_o and_o the_o sleight_n of_o juggler_n who_o promise_v great_a matter_n and_o more_o wonderful_a yet_o be_v they_o but_o such_o as_o they_o learn_v from_o the_o egyptian_n and_o for_o a_o few_o farthing_n will_v show_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o market_n boast_v that_o by_o their_o art_n they_o can_v cast_v out_o devil_n heal_v disease_n recall_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o dead_a prepare_v table_n sumptuous_o furnish_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o dainty_n and_o raise_v ghost_n that_o seem_v to_o move_v though_o in_o truth_n they_o be_v void_a of_o all_o motion_n 1._o ans_fw-fr and_o so_o be_v this_o odious_a comparison_n of_o all_o truth_n and_o probability_n for_o what_o communion_n have_v substance_n with_o shadow_n what_o agreement_n have_v substantial_a change_n with_o bare_a appearance_n can_v celsus_n have_v prove_v that_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v mere_o phaenomena_n of_o fancy_n as_o he_o call_v these_o imposture_n of_o juggler_n which_o he_o base_o compare_v therewith_o he_o have_v say_v something_o to_o the_o purpose_n but_o he_o have_v not_o the_o impudence_n to_o affirm_v that_o nor_o so_o little_a wit_n as_o to_o attempt_v the_o prooâ—â—f_n it_o this_o therefore_o as_o origen_n just_o tell_v he_o be_v not_o the_o part_n of_o a_o disputant_n but_o of_o the_o unlearned_a vulgar_a a_o effect_n of_o passion_n unworthy_a of_o a_o philosopher_n who_o it_o become_v not_o impertinent_o to_o rail_v at_o but_o candid_o to_o examine_v a_o matter_n that_o lie_v bâ—fore_o he_o which_o if_o celsus_n have_v do_v impartial_o he_o will_v without_o doubt_n have_v find_v that_o sweâ—t_a waâ—â—r_n and_o bitter_a may_v be_v send_v forth_o from_o the_o same_o fountain_n as_o well_o as_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o delusion_n of_o enchanter_n from_o the_o same_o cause_n viz._n the_o devil_n malice_n for_o so_o evident_a it_o be_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o all_o man_n as_o that_o it_o be_v almost_o 26._o a_o proverb_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n that_o every_o kingdom_n divide_v against_o itself_o be_v bring_v to_o desolation_n and_o every_o city_n or_o house_n divide_v against_o itself_o shall_v not_o stand_v and_o manifest_v it_o be_v that_o if_o satan_n cast_v out_o satan_n he_o be_v divide_v against_o himself_o how_o then_o shall_v his_o kingdom_n stand_v it_o be_v true_a
to_o the_o church_n tradition_n concern_v those_o of_o christ_n himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n for_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o he_o who_o grant_v this_o power_n to_o his_o disciple_n shall_v want_v it_o himself_o and_o next_o to_o a_o impossibility_n it_o be_v that_o in_o his_o circumstance_n he_o shall_v never_o make_v use_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o at_o all_o probable_a that_o he_o will_v confer_v it_o on_o his_o mean_a disciple_n in_o private_a capacity_n and_o that_o when_o his_o gospel_n be_v every_o where_o plant_v and_o deny_v or_o withhold_v it_o from_o the_o chief_a of_o his_o follower_n those_o who_o he_o choose_v to_o be_v his_o witness_n and_o founder_n of_o his_o faith_n throughout_o all_o nation_n that_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o oeconomy_n of_o his_o dispensation_n it_o be_v a_o astonishment_n to_o reason_n to_o imagine_v but_o that_o it_o be_v not_o be_v most_o high_o agreeable_a insomuch_o that_o with_o confidence_n we_o may_v conclude_v there_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o fact_n whatever_o although_o of_o a_o far_o less_o distance_n of_o who_o truth_n we_o have_v more_o or_o indeed_o so_o much_o reason_n to_o be_v persuade_v as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o church_n tradition_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v many_o and_o great_a miracle_n yet_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v st._n austin_n that_o he_o who_o still_o require_v prodigy_n that_o he_o may_v believe_v be_v himself_o sup_v a_o great_a prodigy_n it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v there_o be_v more_o than_o a_o few_o such_o prodigy_n in_o our_o age_n for_o a_o admire_a author_n ask_v the_o question_n how_o can_v one_o that_o say_v those_o thing_n he_o say_v or_o teachâ—th_v be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n be_v believe_v unless_o that_o he_o also_o himself_o have_v do_v a_o miracle_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o question_n such_o as_o it_o be_v he_o subjoin_v in_o another_o for_o if_o a_o private_a man_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v without_o a_o miracle_n why_o among_o those_o 3_o that_o teach_v diverse_a thing_n be_v one_o to_o be_v believe_v rather_o than_o another_o because_o there_o be_v other_o motive_n of_o credibility_n beside_o miracle_n why_o else_o shall_v this_o unlucky_a author_n be_v believe_v in_o any_o thing_n he_o say_v that_o be_v different_a from_o other_o but_o whether_o it_o be_v fit_a he_o shall_v or_o no_o i_o shall_v not_o now_o inquire_v but_o only_o observe_v first_o that_o miracle_n have_v be_v do_v may_v be_v believe_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o testimony_n without_o the_o do_n of_o any_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v it_o the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n i_o now_o take_v for_o grant_v and_o so_o also_o i_o may_v this_o observation_n have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o this_o author_n sly_a insinuation_n that_o without_o the_o do_n of_o a_o miracle_n it_o can_v appear_v credible_a that_o ever_o there_o be_v any_o but_o why_o so_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o miracle_n that_o render_v the_o attestation_n of_o it_o incredible_a it_o seem_v not_o for_o the_o same_o author_n else_o where_o define_v a_o miracle_n to_o be_v a_o work_n of_o god_n beside_o his_o operation_n by_o the_o way_n of_o nature_n ordain_v in_o the_o creation_n do_v for_o the_o make_v manifest_a to_o his_o elect_a the_o mission_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a minister_n for_o their_o salvation_n 37._o whether_o a_o miracle_n be_v a_o work_n of_o god_n only_o beside_o and_o not_o also_o above_o his_o operation_n by_o the_o way_n of_o nature_n ordain_v in_o the_o creation_n and_o what_o precious_a one_o this_o author_n elect_n be_v it_o do_v not_o at_o present_a concern_v i_o to_o inquire_v but_o only_o to_o observe_v that_o whosoever_o they_o be_v the_o design_a end_n of_o a_o miracle_n according_a to_o he_o be_v to_o make_v manifest_a unto_o they_o the_o mission_n of_o some_o extraordinary_a minister_n for_o their_o salvation_n be_v it_o so_o that_o this_o as_o in_o part_n at_o least_o it_o undoubted_o be_v the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o real_a and_o true_a miracle_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v of_o this_o author_n how_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v incredible_a can_v make_v manifest_a a_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o the_o mission_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a minister_n although_o not_o hasty_o to_o be_v believe_v yet_o be_v not_o incredible_a but_o a_o miracle_n it_o seem_v be_v how_o then_o can_v it_o make_v it_o manifest_v but_o if_o this_o be_v impossible_a or_o unintelligible_a whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o god_n make_v choice_n of_o such_o a_o thing_n to_o make_v manifest_a another_o do_v this_o author_n think_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n so_o short_a or_o his_o power_n so_o weak_a as_o to_o lay_v and_o effect_v his_o design_n no_o better_o if_o so_o he_o may_v change_v apprehension_n with_o epicurus_n 14._o as_o wretched_a as_o he_o think_v he_o and_o yet_o be_v no_o loose_a by_o the_o bargain_n but_o whatever_o he_o think_v of_o god_n i_o can_v think_v he_o so_o void_a of_o reason_n as_o to_o deny_v that_o that_o which_o make_v manifest_a must_v itself_o be_v more_o manifest_a than_o that_o which_o it_o make_v so_o manifest_a therefore_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v that_o if_o the_o end_n of_o miracle_n be_v to_o make_v manifest_a they_o themselves_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o and_o if_o manifest_a then_o credible_a and_o if_o credible_a why_o may_v they_o not_o be_v do_v before_o credible_a witness_n and_o why_o may_v not_o those_o witness_n report_v they_o true_o to_o other_o credible_a person_n and_o why_o may_v not_o this_o report_n be_v transmit_v to_o posterity_n and_o why_o may_v not_o posterity_n believe_v it_o as_o well_o as_o it_o do_v those_o concern_v alexander_n julius_n câ—â—sar_n &_o c_o what_o impossibility_n immorality_n or_o imprudence_n be_v there_o in_o so_o do_v if_o there_o be_v none_o then_o second_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o demand_v the_o do_v of_o miracle_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o have_v be_v some_o do_v the_o reason_n be_v manifest_a because_o this_o assent_n may_v be_v build_v upon_o another_o foundation_n viz._n testimony_n of_o credible_a witness_n transmit_v or_o deliver_v down_o throughout_o all_o age_n to_o posterity_n the_o sufficiency_n of_o this_o foundation_n to_o bear_v that_o superstructure_n will_v be_v evident_a by_o the_o firm_a assent_n that_o man_n build_v upon_o less_o credible_a testimony_n whereof_o they_o give_v evidence_n in_o almost_o all_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n the_o nobleman_n claim_v his_o peerage_n the_o gentleman_n his_o estate_n the_o merchant_n venture_v his_o money_n and_o the_o traveller_n take_v his_o journey_n the_o honest_a lawyer_n plead_v and_o the_o just_a judge_n pronounce_v sentence_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o testimony_n and_o such_o be_v the_o necessity_n of_o testimony_n as_o that_o the_o child_n can_v learn_v his_o letter_n nor_o the_o scholar_n attain_v his_o knowledge_n in_o the_o science_n nor_o the_o mechanic_n skill_n in_o his_o trade_n nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o ourselves_o know_v our_o own_o name_n without_o assent_v to_o testimony_n yet_o so_o firm_a a_o assent_n do_v we_o yield_v unto_o it_o as_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o ridiculous_a and_o hardly_o accomplish_v than_o persuasion_n of_o we_o out_o of_o our_o name_n most_o firm_a assent_n therefore_o we_o see_v be_v yield_v to_o testimony_n and_o that_o such_o as_o be_v not_o more_o perhaps_o less_o credible_a than_o that_o whereby_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n miracle_n be_v convey_v unto_o we_o for_o it_o have_v not_o antiquity_n universality_n and_o consent_v of_o all_o party_n as_o this_o have_v to_o avouch_v its_o credibility_n most_o firm_a assent_v therefore_o may_v and_o in_o reason_n ought_v to_o be_v give_v to_o it_o for_o where_o there_o be_v certain_a credibility_n in_o the_o matter_n propound_v and_o also_o in_o the_o testimony_n that_o propound_v it_o there_o do_v arise_v upon_o man_n a_o obligation_n to_o believe_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n concern_v converse_n which_o will_v serve_v to_o very_o little_a or_o no_o purpose_n if_o the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n do_v not_o induce_v a_o obligation_n to_o believe_v it_o seem_v therefore_o that_o the_o testimony_n or_o tradition_n whereby_o we_o understand_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v many_o and_o great_a miracle_n we_o not_o only_o may_v but_o also_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v because_o there_o be_v a_o certainty_n of_o credibility_n both_o in_o the_o matter_n propound_v and_o also_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o proposition_n to_o our_o consideration_n and_o if_o this_o render_v it_o a_o duty_n to_o believe_v then_o three_o it_o be_v both_o wicked_a and_o absurd_a to_o demand_v a_o miracle_n to_o induce_v our_o assent_n unto_o it_o it_o be_v wicked_a because_o it_o not_o only_o hinder_v the_o performance_n of_o our_o duty_n but_o also_o mere_o to_o gratify_v
he_o 48._o and_o presume_v that_o none_o have_v they_o haughty_o censure_v the_o people_n who_o know_v not_o or_o profess_o study_v not_o the_o law_n as_o if_o these_o poor_a sergeant_n be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o they_o be_v curse_v but_o this_o 49._o their_o pride_n and_o confidence_n be_v mount_v upon_o ignorance_n for_o nicodemus_n a_o man_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o a_o ruler_n as_o well_o as_o themselves_o he_o though_o fearful_a of_o give_v offence_n and_o incur_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o sanhedrim_n yet_o for_o his_o far_a satisfaction_n go_v to_o jesus_n by_o night_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o 2._o rabbi_n we_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n for_o no_o man_n can_v do_v these_o miracle_n which_o thou_o do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o although_o he_o be_v not_o full_o persuade_v that_o jâ—â—us_n be_v the_o messiah_n or_o that_o prophet_n who_o they_o expect_v to_o come_v before_o he_o yet_o faith_n he_o we_o know_v we_o do_v not_o conjecture_v but_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o certain_a to_o we_o that_o thou_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n hereof_o he_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o miracle_n he_o do_v they_o in_o his_o esteem_n be_v argument_n so_o demonstrative_a and_o necessary_a as_o vanquish_a all_o objection_n and_o make_v that_o his_o conclusion_n but_o a_o just_a trophy_n of_o their_o victory_n so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n or_o the_o vulgar_a rabble_n that_o know_v not_o the_o law_n but_o also_o the_o most_o wise_a and_o learned_a among_o they_o do_v account_v miracle_n undeniable_a argument_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o they_o that_o do_v they_o on_o this_o score_n it_o be_v that_o the_o man_n who_o be_v bear_v blind_a urge_v his_o miraculous_a cure_n with_o great_a evidence_n of_o truth_n before_o the_o pharisee_n to_o who_o he_o declare_v that_o this_o miracle_n have_v such_o a_o influence_n upon_o he_o as_o that_o he_o think_v 17._o he_o that_o do_v it_o a_o prophet_n but_o they_o not_o willing_a to_o think_v so_o too_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v ever_o 18._o be_v blind_a whereupon_o they_o call_v his_o parent_n and_o ask_v they_o three_o question_n viz._n 1._o whether_o that_o be_v their_o son_n 2._o whether_o he_o be_v bear_v blind_a 3._o whether_o they_o know_v how_o this_o pretend_a cure_n 19_o be_v wrought_v or_o by_o who_o to_o the_o two_o first_o they_o answer_v direct_o we_o know_v that_o this_o be_v our_o 20._o son_n and_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v blind_a but_o for_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o three_o they_o refer_v they_o to_o he_o who_o 23._o be_v again_o call_v in_o be_v by_o the_o pharisee_n instruct_v to_o give_v god_n the_o praise_n and_o not_o to_o look_v on_o he_o that_o do_v it_o with_o any_o veneration_n or_o to_o think_v he_o a_o prophet_n as_o he_o have_v say_v he_o do_v no_o say_v they_o 24._o far_o be_v that_o from_o thou_o for_o we_o know_v that_o this_o man_n be_v a_o sinner_n i._n e._n surely_n as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o a_o impostor_n for_o afterward_o they_o institute_n a_o comparison_n 29._o between_o he_o and_o moses_n as_o for_o this_o latter_a they_o say_v we_o know_v that_o god_n speak_v unto_o he_o but_o as_o for_o this_o fellow_n we_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v of_o any_o commission_n he_o have_v from_o god_n as_o moses_n have_v we_o know_v nothing_o hereat_o the_o man_n marvail_v as_o well_o he_o may_v for_o it_o be_v a_o common_a principle_n know_v and_o allow_v among_o they_o that_o 12._o if_o a_o man_n have_v the_o requisite_n to_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n and_o do_v a_o miracle_n to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v send_v he_o than_o it_o be_v the_o command_n of_o god_n that_o man_n shall_v hear_v and_o believe_v he_o and_o good_a reason_n too_o for_o say_v he_o we_o know_v i._n e._n you_o and_o i_o agree_v in_o it_o his_o persuasion_n that_o god_n hear_v not_o sinner_n viz._n such_o impesâ—ors_n asi_fw-la mâ—ortune_n heaven_n to_o seal_v their_o lie_n with_o miracle_n but_o he_o who_o prayer_n of_o that_o nature_n he_o hear_v be_v a_o worshipper_n of_o god_n and_o do_v 31._o his_o will_n he_o be_v on_o ethat_o be_v no_o idolater_n but_o a_o faithful_a servant_n of_o god_n that_o come_v to_o do_v his_o will_n if_o not_o then_o must_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o god_n work_v miracle_n to_o assist_v impostor_n but_o what_o wretch_n so_o profligate_v as_o not_o to_o abhor_v such_o a_o position_n since_o then_o since_o the_o world_n begin_v it_o be_v never_o hear_v that_o any_o man_n open_v the_o eye_n of_o onethat_o be_v bear_v blind_a it_o must_v be_v conclude_v that_o this_o man_n who_o have_v open_v i_o be_v of_o god_n send_v and_o impower_v by_o he_o o_o herwise_o hâ—_n can_v do_v nothing_o of_o this_o nature_n this_o 33._o conclusion_n be_v clear_o deduce_v from_o their_o own_o approve_a principle_n they_o have_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o their_o base_a supply_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o impotent_a opinion_n by_o the_o scorn_v of_o insolence_n and_o rage_n of_o malice_n for_o they_o answer_v and_o say_v thou_o be_v altogether_o bear_v in_o sin_n and_o 34._o do_v thou_o teach_v we_o and_o they_o cast_v he_o out_o a_o clear_a sign_n of_o a_o baffle_a prejudice_n and_o a_o strong_a though_o stifle_v conviction_n that_o miracle_n be_v a_o demonstration_n of_o divine_a power_n and_o commission_n and_o have_v not_o the_o gentile_n be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n antiquity_n have_v be_v extreme_o senseless_a and_o sottish_a in_o feign_v miracle_n as_o i_o be_o tell_v it_o often_o do_v in_o some_o man_n arrival_n at_o crown_n and_o sceptre_n that_o thence_o they_o may_v seem_v preserve_v from_o danger_n and_o advance_v to_o the_o royal_a dignity_n not_o by_o chance_n and_o 31._o fortune_n but_o by_o the_o majesty_n and_o care_n of_o the_o go_n if_o man_n among_o the_o gentile_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n have_v not_o then_o general_o look_v on_o miracle_n as_o demonstration_n of_o divine_a authority_n the_o author_n of_o these_o fiction_n must_v have_v be_v think_v brute_n in_o the_o shape_n of_o man_n rather_o than_o partaker_n of_o a_o reasonable_a nature_n nor_o can_v vespasiâ—n_n have_v obtain_v the_o accession_n of_o authority_n and_o majesty_n as_o suetonius_n say_v he_o do_v by_o his_o miraculous_a cure_n 7._o or_o rather_o the_o fiction_n of_o they_o at_o alexandria_n thus_o than_o we_o see_v that_o all_o man_n every_o where_o jew_n and_o egyptian_n greek_n and_o roman_n and_o all_o other_o gentile_n yea_o that_o god_n himself_o esteem_v miracle_n undeniable_a or_o demonstrative_a proof_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o they_o by_o who_o or_o for_o who_o sake_n they_o be_v do_v all_o therefore_o that_o now_o remain_v will_v be_v to_o show_v 3._o the_o reason_n for_o which_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n deserve_v as_o well_o yea_o better_o than_o any_o to_o be_v account_v and_o that_o this_o they_o do_v will_v be_v make_v apparent_a by_o a_o brief_a survey_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o their_o number_n their_o greatness_n and_o their_o goodness_n a_o miracle_n as_o to_o its_o general_a nature_n be_v define_v 37._o by_o a_o modern_a author_n to_o be_v a_o work_n of_o god_n beside_o his_o operation_n by_o the_o way_n of_o nature_n ordain_v in_o the_o creation_n this_o perhaps_o may_v pass_v without_o exception_n but_o than_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v with_o aquinas_n his_o distinction_n that_o to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a that_o something_o be_v do_v beside_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n in_o some_o one_o particular_a for_o if_o so_o it_o be_v than_o the_o production_n of_o mule_n and_o monster_n yea_o the_o very_a cast_n of_o a_o stone_n upward_o will_v be_v a_o miracle_n because_o each_o of_o these_o thing_n in_o some_o one_o particular_a be_v beside_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n yet_o be_v it_o ridiculous_a to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v miraculous_a the_o schoolman_n therefore_o 4._o conclude_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v beside_o the_o order_n of_o the_o whole_a create_v nature_n and_o consequent_o above_o it_o now_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v such_o work_n be_v so_o apparent_a as_o that_o there_o be_v â—o_o need_v of_o recourse_n to_o god_n lieutenant_n as_o the_o leviathan_n direct_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o doubtful_a case_n as_o that_o by_o their_o ejection_n of_o devil_n it_o be_v evident_a to_o every_o man_n reason_n the_o power_n of_o the_o air_n be_v by_o all_o own_a to_o be_v as_o great_a if_o not_o superior_a to_o all_o other_o power_n in_o nature_n yet_o they_o by_o their_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n cast_v
out_o the_o prince_n of_o that_o power_n who_o then_o but_o the_o obstinate_a for_o who_o cure_n god_n himself_o afford_v no_o remedy_n can_v doubt_v whither_o their_o power_n be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n if_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o air_n be_v as_o aquinas_n probable_o conjecture_n the_o supreme_a of_o all_o the_o angel_n 7._o that_o ever_o god_n create_v it_o be_v manifest_v his_o power_n be_v inferior_a to_o none_o in_o the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o create_a nature_n however_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v it_o ever_o be_v and_o still_o be_v so_o account_v among_o all_o jew_n and_o christian_n except_o those_o if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o deny_v his_o be_v and_o as_o for_o the_o heathen_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o they_o think_v it_o divine_a and_o inferior_a to_o none_o yet_o as_o we_o have_v already_o abundant_o prove_v it_o be_v over_o match_v and_o conquer_v by_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n what_o basll_v and_o self_n condemn_v wretch_n then_o must_v those_o need_v be_v who_o will_v not_o own_v it_o to_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n beside_o the_o order_n of_o the_o whole_a create_v nature_n and_o if_o so_o then_o be_v their_o miracle_n the_o seal_n of_o heaven_n to_o ratify_v their_o mission_n from_o thenâ—_n and_o so_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v prophet_n their_o number_n also_o as_o well_o as_o their_o nature_n speak_v they_o worthy_a to_o be_v so_o account_v for_o doubtless_o it_o do_v far_o excee_v that_o of_o those_o wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n the_o jew_n no_o doubt_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o moses_n their_o master_n and_o of_o their_o own_o approve_a prophet_n be_v so_o zealous_a as_o that_o they_o will_v rather_o enlarge_v than_o diminish_v the_o number_n of_o their_o miracle_n yet_o after_o their_o utmost_a diligence_n they_o can_v find_v but_o 76._o for_o moses_n their_o master_n and_o but_o 74_o for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o record_n they_o find_v so_o many_o in_o be_v not_o only_o unknown_a to_o we_o but_o also_o liable_a to_o suspicion_n of_o falsehood_n for_o we_o can_v think_v they_o their_o bible_n because_o the_o number_n therein_o contain_v after_o the_o great_a improvement_n that_o we_o can_v make_v will_v fall_v very_o short_a of_o that_o account_n that_o they_o give_v of_o it_o but_o suppose_v it_o do_v not_o what_o be_v they_o to_o those_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n can_v a_o exact_a account_n be_v take_v of_o all_o that_o they_o do_v i_o dare_v say_v the_o number_n of_o those_o wrought_v by_o christ_n only_o will_v be_v find_v great_a than_o that_o of_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n put_v together_o for_o they_o be_v so_o many_o as_o that_o the_o jew_n themselves_o as_o we_o have_v already_o observe_v make_v 31._o it_o a_o question_n whether_o christ_n the_o messiah_n when_o he_o come_v will_v do_v more_o miracle_n than_o these_o which_o this_o man_n have_v do_v nothing_o but_o amazement_n at_o their_o extraordinary_a multitude_n can_v raise_v such_o a_o question_n among_o they_o which_o facilitate_v belief_n of_o st._n john_n assertion_n there_o be_v also_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o jesus_n do_v beside_o those_o record_v 25._o in_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o which_o be_v they_o shall_v be_v write_v every_o one_o i_o suppose_v that_o even_o the_o world_n itself_o can_v not_o contain_v the_o book_n which_o shall_v be_v write_v his_o supposition_n be_v a_o hyperbole_n the_o plain_a meaning_n whereof_o i_o take_v to_o be_v that_o those_o work_n of_o christ_n who_o memory_n the_o apostle_n in_o this_o his_o history_n have_v commit_v to_o write_v be_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o small_a part_n of_o what_o jesus_n do_v as_o that_o if_o a_o full_a account_n of_o they_o all_o shall_v be_v exact_o take_v and_o describe_v in_o write_v the_o world_n will_v be_v overstocked_a and_o oppress_v with_o book_n on_o that_o subject_a if_o then_o to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n we_o add_v those_o of_o his_o apostle_n we_o shall_v find_v reason_n to_o conclude_v they_o almost_o innumerable_a for_o since_o their_o sound_n go_v into_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o they_o themselves_o into_o almost_o all_o the_o know_a part_n of_o the_o world_n convert_v man_n by_o their_o miracle_n to_o their_o doctrine_n how_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o number_n the_o devil_n be_v then_o in_o possession_n rule_v without_o control_v in_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n and_o the_o world_n be_v then_o asleep_a yea_o dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n and_o think_v you_o that_o a_o few_o miracle_n will_v suffice_v to_o cast_v out_o the_o one_o and_o to_o awake_v and_o raise_v the_o other_o it_o be_v much_o more_o rational_a to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v many_o yea_o so_o exceed_v many_o as_o to_o admit_v of_o no_o comparison_n with_o those_o of_o other_o in_o point_n of_o number_n and_o all_o these_o be_v do_v in_o one_o generation_n for_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v contemporary_n how_o strong_o do_v they_o prove_v and_o how_o clear_o do_v they_o declare_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o they_o that_o do_v they_o if_o judaisine_n be_v credible_a because_o in_o the_o space_n of_o above_o 3000_o year_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n wrought_v 150_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v it_o how_o much_o more_o credible_a be_v christianity_n because_o few_o person_n in_o the_o space_n of_o less_o than_o a_o hundred_o year_n wrought_v incomparable_o more_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o if_o the_o jew_n have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v prophet_n much_o more_o have_v we_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v so_o well_o as_o they_o especial_o consider_v that_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o miracle_n do_v as_o just_o claim_v our_o assent_n thereunto_o as_o their_o number_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o all_o miracle_n be_v work_n of_o god_n beside_o the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o create_a nature_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o power_n they_o be_v all_o equal_a yet_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n one_o may_v be_v great_a because_o remote_a from_o it_o or_o far_o above_o it_o than_o another_o for_o as_o aquinas_n well_o observe_v these_o work_n of_o god_n viz._n miracle_n may_v three_o way_n exceed_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n either_o first_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o fact_n whâ—n_v it_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n by_o any_o mean_n to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v do_v as_o that_o the_o sun_n shall_v go_v back_o or_o that_o a_o man_n body_n shall_v be_v glorify_v these_o be_v thing_n that_o nature_n can_v do_v again_o second_o other_o miracle_n there_o be_v that_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n not_o in_o respect_n of_o that_o which_o be_v do_v but_o in_o respect_n of_o that_o wherein_o it_o be_v so_o as_o the_o raise_v of_o the_o dead_a and_o give_a sight_n unto_o the_o blind_a nature_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o life_n but_o not_o in_o one_o that_o be_v dead_a and_o nature_n may_v give_v sight_n but_o not_o to_o one_o that_o be_v bear_v blind_a last_o another_o sort_n of_o miracle_n there_o be_v which_o do_v indeed_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n but_o neither_o in_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o fact_n nor_o in_o that_o werein_o it_o be_v do_v but_o only_o 8._o in_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v as_o when_o one_o on_o a_o sudden_a by_o the_o divine_a power_n without_o the_o use_n of_o physic_n or_o accustom_a process_n of_o nature_n in_o such_o case_n be_v cure_a of_o a_o fever_n of_o these_o three_o sort_n of_o miracle_n the_o first_o be_v great_a than_o the_o second_o the_o second_o than_o the_o three_o because_o it_o far_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n yet_o so_o as_o that_o each_o sort_v have_v divers_a degree_n of_o advance_v above_o it_o so_o that_o one_o miracle_n may_v be_v great_a than_o another_o not_o only_o of_o another_o but_o also_o of_o the_o same_o sort_n however_o sure_o we_o be_v that_o among_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v instance_n of_o the_o first_o and_o second_o as_o well_o as_o the_o three_o magnitude_n witness_v his_o feed_v the_o multitude_n in_o the_o wilderness_n his_o cast_v out_o of_o devil_n his_o raise_v the_o dead_a and_o give_a sight_n unto_o the_o blind_a etc._n etc._n insomuch_o that_o since_o the_o world_n begin_v it_o be_v never_o hear_v that_o any_o man_n do_v the_o like_a and_o this_o take_v away_o all_o colour_n of_o pretence_n for_o unbelief_n for_o since_o the_o jew_n have_v reason_n to_o believe_v moses_n their_o master_n for_o his_o miracle_n much_o more_o have_v they_o to_o believe_v christ_n for_o his_o because_o the_o
do_v as_o far_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o donation_n of_o blessedness_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o contain_v in_o the_o promise_n by_o they_o therefore_o it_o appear_v that_o all_o thing_n requisite_a thereunto_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o he_o by_o who_o or_o in_o who_o name_n they_o be_v do_v and_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o miracle_n declare_v he_o as_o willing_a as_o able_a to_o bestow_v they_o on_o we_o and_o where_o both_o power_n and_o will_n do_v concur_v to_o make_v man_n bless_v it_o be_v very_o evident_a there_o be_v no_o place_n leave_v for_o diffâ—â—ence_n or_o room_n for_o despair_n since_o then_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n do_v demonstrate_v both_o his_o ability_n and_o willingness_n to_o make_v we_o bless_v and_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v empty_a themselves_o into_o blessedness_n it_o thence_o follow_v that_o on_o that_o account_n we_o may_v and_o in_o reason_n we_o ought_v to_o have_v strong_a confidence_n in_o the_o promise_n but_o here_o perhaps_o some_o will_v say_v no_z because_o the_o performance_n obj._n of_o they_o in_o order_n to_o the_o acquisition_n of_o blessedness_n include_v a_o general_a resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a whiâ—h_n be_v impossible_a because_o if_o some_o man_n have_v not_o be_v nourish_v by_o feed_v on_o the_o flesh_n of_o other_o yet_o sure_o fish_n eat_v man_n and_o man_n eat_v those_o fish_n so_o that_o that_o which_o former_o be_v the_o flesh_n of_o one_o man_n be_v frequent_o take_v into_o the_o substance_n of_o another_o body_n and_o because_o it_o can_v be_v that_o the_o same_o numerical_a matter_n shall_v constitute_v divers_a body_n it_o seem_v impossible_a that_o these_o man_n shall_v have_v a_o resurrection_n ans_fw-fr be_v it_o so_o that_o a_o general_a resurrection_n seem_v incredible_a yet_o ought_v not_o that_o to_o prejudice_v our_o hope_n any_o more_o than_o the_o mystery_n of_o christianity_n do_v our_o faith_n because_o that_o he_o who_o make_v and_o reveal_v thing_n that_o pass_v our_o comprehension_n may_v propose_v the_o like_a to_o our_o hope_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o honour_v he_o by_o the_o submission_n of_o our_o irascible_a faculty_n as_o well_o as_o rational_a it_o ought_v not_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o so_o he_o shall_v but_o why_o shall_v it_o be_v think_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o raise_v the_o dead_a if_o the_o loadstone_n can_v so_o extract_v the_o file_n of_o steel_n out_o of_o dust_n as_o that_o nothing_o thereof_o shall_v be_v lose_v why_o shall_v it_o be_v think_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o gather_v together_o and_o raise_v up_o every_o the_o least_o particle_n of_o each_o man_n body_n wheresoever_o hide_v or_o intermingle_v with_o other_o and_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o a_o contention_n at_o thou_o rsurrection_n among_o the_o cannibal_n or_o other_o for_o their_o respective_a body_n for_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o more_o than_o probable_a that_o infinite_a wisdom_n power_n and_o justice_n will_v so_o order_v the_o matter_n aâ—_n that_o humane_a flesh_n which_o man_n have_v devour_v 20._o shall_v be_v as_o st._n austin_n faith_n restore_v unto_o they_o in_o who_o it_o first_o begin_v to_o be_v man_n flesh_n and_o they_o from_o who_o body_n the_o restitution_n be_v make_v shall_v have_v no_o cause_n to_o be_v trouble_v at_o it_o for_o as_o the_o imperfâ—ctions_n or_o the_o defect_n of_o strength_n and_o nature_n in_o the_o body_n of_o infant_n at_o their_o decease_n shall_v by_o the_o almighty_a power_n and_o wisdom_n be_v supply_v at_o the_o resurrection_n so_o may_v and_o so_o i_o believe_v shall_v they_o nâ—r_n do_v this_o supply_n make_v they_o cease_v any_o more_o to_o be_v the_o same_o body_n than_o the_o cure_n of_o a_o old_a ulcer_n in_o the_o leg_n makâ—s_v it_o cease_v to_o be_v the_o same_o leg_n although_o in_o order_n thereunto_o the_o putrefy_a flesh_n be_v remove_v that_o sound_n may_v be_v restore_v in_o all_o this_o there_o be_v nothing_o impossible_a and_o since_o christianity_n do_v so_o clear_o assert_v a_o future_a resurrection_n and_o we_o have_v so_o much_o reason_n to_o believe_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o probable_a that_o so_o it_o shall_v be_v however_o since_o so_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o truth_n or_o force_n in_o the_o objection_n to_o make_v our_o christian_a hope_n unreasonable_a but_o since_o it_o grasp_v at_o nothing_o that_o be_v real_o impossible_a and_o withal_o be_v so_o well_o found_v on_o promise_n of_o who_o truth_n and_o certainty_n we_o be_v so_o abundant_o assure_v it_o must_v be_v conclude_v to_o be_v very_o rational_a sect._n 6_o last_o since_o it_o be_v thus_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n and_o to_o hope_v in_o the_o promise_v of_o christianity_n it_o be_v also_o very_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o keep_v its_o commandment_n faith_n and_o hope_n be_v so_o great_a engine_n of_o action_n as_o that_o in_o natural_a and_o civil_a affair_n scarce_o any_o man_n omit_v do_v of_o any_o thing_n whereby_o he_o believe_v and_o hope_n to_o obtain_v some_o good_a or_o to_o avoid_v some_o evil_n and_o if_o in_o those_o affair_n all_o the_o world_n think_v it_o reasonable_a for_o faith_n and_o hope_n to_o set_v we_o on_o do_v why_o be_v it_o not_o so_o also_o in_o religious_a since_o therefore_o in_o these_o affair_n we_o have_v as_o we_o have_v see_v very_o fair_a ground_n to_o plant_v these_o engine_n on_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o set_v they_o on_o work_n in_o keep_v the_o commandment_n and_o not_o for_o this_o cause_n only_o but_o especial_o because_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o reveal_v they_o to_o we_o and_o impose_v they_o on_o we_o be_v prophet_n it_o be_v thence_o manifest_a that_o they_o have_v no_o less_o than_o divine_a authority_n enstamp_v upon_o they_o and_o so_o indisputable_o evident_a and_o transcendent_o great_a be_v this_o authority_n as_o that_o the_o whole_a earth_n heathen_n and_o turk_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n and_o christian_n acknowledge_v a_o obligation_n to_o obey_v it_o and_o since_o god_n command_n have_v so_o confess_v a_o obligation_n in_o they_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o part_n of_o the_o synteresis_fw-la or_o habit_n of_o practical_a principle_n wherewith_o nature_n have_v endue_v all_o man_n conscience_n that_o god_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v since_o then_o because_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n the_o precept_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o they_o have_v teach_v we_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o command_v of_o god_n we_o be_v self-condemned_n wretch_n perhaps_o worse_o than_o infidel_n if_o we_o do_v not_o obey_v they_o but_o here_o to_o demonstrate_v at_o once_o both_o the_o nature_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o though_o it_o may_v seem_v a_o digression_n to_o inquire_v whence_o our_o obligation_n to_o obey_v god_n do_v arise_v if_o we_o consult_v the_o philosophical_a rudiment_n concern_v government_n and_o civil_a society_n for_o a_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n we_o shall_v there_o find_v it_o affirm_v that_o the_o obligation_n of_o yield_a god_n obedience_n 7._o lie_v on_o man_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o weakness_n if_o this_o shall_v seem_v hard_a to_o any_o man_n the_o author_n in_o his_o annotation_n desire_v he_o with_o a_o silent_a thought_n to_o consider_v if_o there_o be_v two_o omnipotents_a whether_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v and_o well_o may_v it_o seem_v hard_a since_o it_o admit_v of_o no_o proof_n without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o impossibility_n viz._n that_o there_o may_v be_v two_o omnipotents_a which_o can_v be_v because_o the_o one_o be_v or_o it_o be_v not_o able_a to_o destroy_v the_o other_o if_o it_o be_v than_o the_o other_o be_v not_o omnipotent_a because_o it_o be_v not_o able_a to_o resist_v it_o if_o it_o be_v not_o then_o be_v it_o not_o omnipotent_a because_o there_o be_v something_o which_o it_o can_v do_v so_o that_o the_o be_v of_o two_o omnipotents_a be_v impossible_a let_v a_o man_n therefore_o consider_v his_o argue_v with_o never_o so_o silent_a a_o thought_n he_o shall_v find_v but_o little_a or_o no_o force_n in_o it_o and_o true_o though_o our_o saviour_n admonish_v paul_n who_o at_o that_o time_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o the_o church_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o kick_v against_o the_o prick_n seem_v to_o require_v obedience_n from_o he_o for_o this_o cause_n because_o he_o have_v not_o power_n enough_o to_o resist_v yet_o do_v it_o not_o thence_o follow_v that_o his_o weakness_n be_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o his_o obligation_n to_o yield_v obedience_n because_o there_o may_v be_v many_o motive_n to_o obey_v beside_o the_o basis_n and_o radix_fw-la of_o our_o obligation_n so_o to_o do_v in_o the_o advice_n of_o a_o friend_n there_o be_v no_o obligation_n at_o all_o
doctrine_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o discourse_n of_o physiognomy_n and_o character_n of_o country_n write_a in_o french_a and_o now_o translate_v into_o english_a by_o j._n g._n gent._n of_o the_o inner-temple_n london_n the_o second_o edition_n twelve_o 13._o lux_fw-la mathematica_fw-la excussa_fw-la collisionibus_fw-la jâ—_n wallisii_fw-la &_o tho._n hobbes_n multis_fw-la &_o sulgentissimis_fw-la aucta_fw-la radiis_fw-la authore_fw-la r._n r._n quarto_fw-la 14._o principia_fw-la &_o problemaâ—a_fw-la aliquot_fw-la geometrica_fw-la ante_fw-la desperata_fw-la nunc_fw-la breviter_fw-la explicata_fw-la &_o demonstrata_fw-la autho._n t._n hobbes_n 15._o the_o american_n physician_n treat_v of_o all_o the_o root_n herb_n etc._n etc._n in_o america_n by_o w._n hâ—ghes_n 16._o the_o great_a law_n of_o nature_n about_o self-preservation_n vindicate_v against_o the_o abuse_n in_o mr._n hobbes_n leviathan_n twelve_o 17._o calliopâ—s_n cabinet_n open_v wherein_o all_o gentleman_n may_v be_v inform_v how_o to_o order_v themselves_o for_o feast_n funeral_n and_o all_o heroic_a meeting_n to_o know_v all_o degree_n of_o honour_n and_o how_o all_o degree_n be_v to_o take_v place_n with_o a_o dictionary_n for_o herald-term_n twelve_o 18._o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o dukedom_n of_o modena_n the_o native_a country_n of_o her_o royal_a â—ighness_n the_o duchess_n of_o york_n quarto_fw-la 6_o d._n 19_o brevis_fw-la demonstraâ—io_n prove_v the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o reason_n recommend_v to_o all_o rational_a man_n by_o several_a eminent_a divine_n in_o london_n twelve_o 20._o the_o apophthegm_n or_o witty_a sentence_n of_o sir_n francis_n bacon_n price_n bind_v 6_o d._n 21._o the_o primitive_a institution_n or_o a_o seasonable_a discourse_n of_o catechise_v wherein_o be_v show_v the_o antiquity_n benefit_n and_o necessity_n thereof_o together_o with_o its_o suitablenss_n to_o heal_v the_o present_a distemper_n of_o the_o church_n by_o l._n addison_n d._n d._n 22._o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o jew_n wherein_o be_v contain_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o all_o their_o present_a custom_n secular_a and_o religious_a to_o which_o be_v annex_v a_o discourse_n of_o the_o misâ—a_n talmâ—d_n and_o gemara_n by_o l._n addison_n d._n d._n 23._o homer_n work_n translate_v out_o of_o greek_a into_o english_a by_o tho._n hobbes_n of_o malâ—sbury_n 24._o the_o golden_a rule_n of_o arithmetic_n make_v more_o easy_a than_o be_v common_o find_v in_o our_o book_n of_o arithmetic_n by_o c._n h._n octavo_fw-la 25._o a_o supplement_n or_o 3_o d._n volumn_n to_o mr._n hobbes_n work_n in_o qua._n 26._o the_o ground_n of_o sovereignty_n and_o greatness_n in_o quarto_n 27._o aâ—â—ra_fw-la regis_fw-la or_o the_o present_a state_n of_o â—ondon_n contain_v the_o antiquity_n frame_n wall_n river_n bridge_n gate_n tower_n cathedral_n officer_n court_n custom_n franchise_n etc._n etc._n of_o that_o city_n octavo_fw-la price_n 1_o s._n 28._o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o funeral_n of_o a_o sober_a religious_a man_n find_v drown_v in_o a_o pit_n since_o revise_v and_o enlarge_v by_o the_o author_n 29._o a_o visitation_n sermon_n preach_v at_o chichester_n by_o w_n howell_n qua._n 30._o the_o school_n of_o righteousness_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n by_o his_o grace_n the_o present_a archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n quarto_fw-la price_n 6_o d._n 31._o the_o circumcision_n of_o the_o great_a turk_n son_n and_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o marriage_n of_o his_o daughter_n send_v over_o by_o the_o english_a ambassador_n secretary_n 32._o scarron_n comical_a romance_n or_o a_o facetious_a history_n of_o a_o company_n of_o stage-player_n interweave_v with_o divers_a choice_n novel_n rare_a adventure_n and_o amorous_a intrigue_n write_a in_o french_a by_o the_o famous_a and_o witty_a mounseur_fw-fr scarron_n now_o do_v into_o english_a by_o j._n b._n gent._n fol._n 33._o a_o letter_n about_o liberty_n and_o necessity_n write_v by_o thomas_n hobbes_n of_o malâ—sbury_n to_o the_o duke_n of_o newcastle_n with_o observation_n on_o it_o by_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n 1678._o 34._o a_o modest_a plea_n for_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n wherein_o be_v consider_v the_o original_a antiquity_n necessity_n together_o with_o the_o occasion_n they_o be_v so_o slight_v and_o contemn_v octa._n 1678._o 35._o a_o treatise_n of_o wool_n and_o cattle_n show_v how_o far_o they_o raise_v or_o abate_v the_o value_n of_o land_n in_o england_n quarto_fw-la 36._o a_o excellent_a rationable_a discourse_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n to_o take_v use_v for_o money_n by_o the_o learned_a knight_n sir_n robert_n filmer_n and_o publish_v with_o a_o preface_n to_o it_o by_o sir_n roger_n twisden_n 1678._o 37._o the_o wonder_n of_o the_o peak_n in_o derbyshire_n call_v the_o deviâ—s-arse_n of_o peak_n in_o latin_a and_o english_a octavo_fw-la 1678._o 38._o the_o reflection_n upon_o ancient_n and_o modern_a philosophy_n moral_a and_o natural_a treat_v of_o the_o egyptian_n arabian_n grecian_n roman_n english_a german_n french_a spanish_a italian_a etc._n etc._n philosopher_n and_o their_o philosophy_n with_o the_o use_n to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o 1678._o 39_o decameron_n physiologicum_fw-la or_o ten_o dialogue_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n by_o tho._n hobbes_n of_o malmsbury_n to_o which_o be_v add_v the_o proportion_n of_o straight_a line_n to_o half_a the_o arc_n of_o a_o quadrant_n by_o the_o same_o author_n 1678._o 40._o melpomene_n or_o the_o muse_n delight_n be_v new_a poem_n and_o song_n write_v by_o the_o great_a wit_n of_o our_o present_a age._n 1678._o 41._o clelia_n a_o excellent_a new_a romance_n in_o 5_o part_n in_o fol._n play_v print_v for_o w._n crook_n 1._o white_a devil_n or_o vittoria_n corombâ—na_n 2._o the_o old_a troop_n or_o mounseur_fw-fr raggou_n 3._o catiline_n conspiracy_n by_o â—_o johnson_n 4._o amorous_n gallant_a or_o love_n in_o fashion_n 5._o mock_v duellist_n or_o the_o french_a vallett_n 6._o wrangle_a lover_n or_o the_o invisible_a mistress_n 7._o tom_n essence_n or_o the_o modish_a wife_n 8._o french_a conjurer_n 1678._o 9_o wit_n lead_v by_o the_o nose_n or_o the_o poet_n revenge_n 1678._o 10._o rival_n king_n or_o the_o love_n of_o oroondates_n 1678._o 11._o constant_a nymph_n or_o ramble_a shepherd_n 1678._o 12._o counterfeit_n bridegroom_n or_o defeat_v widow_n 1678._o 13._o tunbridge_n wells_n or_o a_o day_n courtship_n 1678._o 14._o the_o man_n of_o newmarket_n 1678._o book_n print_v for_o w._n crook_n this_o year_n 1679._o 1._o the_o confinement_n a_o poem_n with_o annotation_n upon_o it_o octavo_fw-la price_n 1_o s._n 2._o praxis_fw-la curiae_fw-la admiralitatis_fw-la angliae_fw-la author_n francisâ—_n clark_n edit_n secunda_fw-la twelves_o price_n bind_v 1_o s._n 3._o justify_v of_o faith_n or_o the_o faith_n by_o which_o the_o just_a do_v live_v to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o discourse_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n octavo_fw-la price_n bind_v 1_o s._n 4._o the_o first_o state_n of_o mahumadisme_n or_o a_o account_n of_o the_o author_n and_o doctrine_n of_o that_o imposture_n octavo_fw-la price_n bind_v 2_o â—_o finis_fw-la 1_o cor._n 1._o 22._o rom._n 1._o 22._o mark_v 8._o 11._o viâ—_n grot_n the_o writ_n relig._n lib._n 2._o §._o 21_o col_fw-fr 1._o 26._o â—_o cor._n 2._o 4_o 5._o deut._n 18._o 5._o act._n 3._o 22._o act._n 7._o 37._o joh._n 20._o 21._o de_fw-fr fund_z lâ—g_n cap._n 7._o numb_a 7._o 89._o numb_a 12._o 8._o exod._n 33._o 11._o numb_a 12._o 8._o exod._n 33._o 1_o â—_o numb_a 9_o 8._o deut._n 5._o 30_o 31._o heb._n 2._o 10_o isa_n 11._o 2._o 3_o q._n 11._o â—_o 1._o joh._n 16._o 13._o luk._n 21._o 14_o 15._o chap._n 1._o rev._n 1._o 5._o part._n 4._o §._o 9_o vid._n theodoret_n ser._n dâ—_n fide_fw-la p._n 16_o joh._n 3._o 32_o 33._o act_n 1._o 8._o r._n m._n maimonides_n de_fw-mi fund_z legis_fw-la c._n 2._o sect._n 8._o come_v vorstii_n not_o idem_fw-la c._n 7._o sect._n 2._o mar._n 16._o 15._o luke_n 24._o 45._o act._n 25._o 6._o more_o nâ—voc_n p._n 2._o cap._n 36._o vid._n smith_n disâ—_n of_o prophecy_n cap._n 2._o vid._n rob._n steph._n &_o job_n buxtorf_n lex_fw-la in_fw-it voce_fw-mi 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2_o pet._n 1._o 20._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o let_v loose_a loose_a nic._n creed_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 8_o 9_o 10._o apol._n 2._o deut._n 18._o 18._o de_fw-fr arcanis_fw-la cath_z verit_fw-la l._n 8._o c._n 7._o act_n 3._o 22._o luke_n 24._o 19_o joâ—_n 6._o 14._o jâ—â—_n 4._o 19_o v_o 42._o v._n 2d_o 1_o cor._n 2._o 10_o joh._n 16._o 7_o 13._o act._n 2._o 1._o etc._n etc._n joel_n 2._o 28._o act._n 2._o 16._o â—phâ—s_n 3._o 4_o 5._o hobbâ—s_v leviatâ—an_n p._n 3._o â—_o 36._o luc._n flor._n clem._n alex._n stro._n lib._n 1._o idem_fw-la ibid._n alex._n ab_fw-la alex._n gen_n dier_z lib._n 4._o c._n 17._o id_fw-la lib._n 3._o cap._n 16._o plutarch_n de_fw-fr plac_fw-la phil._n l._n 5._o c._n 1._o maimon_n mor._n nouâ—ch_n p._n 3._o