in_o nature_n impossible_a to_o perform_v and_o senseless_a to_o require_v to_o prove_v any_o thing_n concern_v the_o essence_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n per_fw-la causas_fw-la by_o argument_n à _fw-la priori_fw-la suppose_v cause_n precedent_n to_o the_o essence_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n so_o then_o the_o grecanick_n or_o philosophical_a postulatum_fw-la proceed_v from_o ignorance_n and_o want_n of_o learning_n and_o be_v at_o best_a disingenuous_a and_o theoretical_o absurd_a 2._o again_o second_o concern_v the_o judaical_a or_o semeiotical_a postulatum_fw-la after_o numerous_a or_o rather_o innumerable_a attestation_n by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n notorious_o know_v and_o by_o themselves_o acknowledge_v or_o sufficient_o and_o authentical_o prove_v or_o deliver_v down_o by_o uncontrollable_a and_o irreproveable_a tradition_n yet_o still_o to_o demand_v and_o require_v more_o sign_n sign_n of_o their_o own_o election_n accompany_v with_o circumstance_n of_o their_o own_o prescription_n be_v not_o this_o to_o tempt_v and_o limit_v the_o almighty_a to_o make_v themselves_o arbiter_n of_o the_o emanation_n of_o his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n to_o suppose_v that_o those_o aught_o to_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o their_o wanton_a curiosity_n be_v it_o not_o to_o expect_v that_o god_n himself_o shall_v lackey_n after_o they_o to_o make_v he_o a_o doer_n of_o trick_n at_o their_o senseless_a and_o impudent_a demand_n be_v not_o this_o a_o asinine_a and_o a_o impious_a stupidity_n a_o composition_n of_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a absurdity_n which_o be_v imaginable_a now_o therefore_o that_o this_o be_v and_o be_v and_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n must_v ever_o now_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o jewish_a or_o semeiotical_a postulatum_fw-la be_v also_o plain_a and_o evident_a in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v far_o more_o and_o more_o considerable_a sign_n and_o wonder_n than_o before_o or_o since_o that_o time_n be_v ever_o wrought_v since_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o all_o this_o will_v not_o content_v they_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o require_v a_o sign_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v better_a interpret_v by_o their_o practice_n and_o behaviour_n to_o our_o saviour_n than_o by_o the_o dictionary_n and_o of_o this_o their_o behaviour_n i_o shall_v only_o produce_v two_o or_o three_o instance_n in_o the_o six_o of_o john_n we_o find_v that_o christ_n feed_v 5000_o man_n with_o five_o loaf_n and_o two_o fish_n and_o when_o they_o have_v see_v the_o miracle_n they_o be_v so_o take_v with_o it_o that_o they_o 15._o say_v that_o he_o be_v that_o prophet_n which_o shall_v come_v and_o they_o will_v have_v take_v he_o by_o force_n and_o make_v he_o a_o king_n but_o the_o very_a next_o day_n these_o very_a man_n that_o have_v see_v and_o feel_v and_o taste_v of_o the_o miracle_n because_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o follow_v he_o for_o the_o loaf_n take_v a_o miff_n at_o he_o they_o pirk_v up_o themselves_o and_o come_v bold_o and_o malepert_o to_o he_o 30._o say_v 〈◊〉_d what_o sign_n show_v thou_o that_o we_o may_v see_v and_o believe_v what_o do_v thou_o work_v as_o if_o the_o former_a miracle_n have_v not_o be_v now_o a_o sign_n when_o christ_n hang_v upon_o the_o cross_n 40,41,42_o the_o noble_a and_o the_o mighty_a the_o grave_a and_o wise_a among_o they_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o the_o scribe_n and_o the_o elder_n come_v and_o offer_v he_o a_o bargain_n if_o he_o will_v then_o just_a then_o come_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n they_o will_v believe_v but_o our_o lord_n christ_n have_v just_a than_o something_o else_o to_o do_v in_o the_o eight_o of_o mark_n the_o pharisee_n come_v forth_o 16,29,30_o and_o begin_v to_o question_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o cavil_v and_o dispute_v with_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d require_v a_o sign_n seek_v of_o he_o a_o sign_n from_o heaven_n tempt_v he_o they_o will_v have_v and_o that_o present_o upon_o the_o spot_n a_o sign_n not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o that_o which_o be_v proper_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 48._o not_o from_o wind_n or_o sea_n or_o earth_n but_o from_o heaven_n not_o that_o they_o intend_v to_o be_v his_o disciple_n but_o for_o a_o trial_n of_o his_o skill_n and_o ability_n be_v not_o this_o a_o gallant_a and_o a_o wise_a a_o noble_a and_o a_o worthy_a postulatum_fw-la can_v it_o choose_v but_o move_v he_o to_o a_o compliance_n this_o move_v he_o indeed_o to_o comply_v so_o far_o with_o his_o own_o design_n as_o to_o promise_v they_o a_o sign_n the_o sign_n of_o the_o prophet_n jonas_n that_o irrefragable_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o his_o gospel_n which_o shall_v render_v they_o inexcusable_a but_o though_o he_o be_v meek_a and_o lowly_a of_o heart_n the_o soft_a and_o gentle_a lamb_n of_o god_n so_o that_o he_o snffer_v himself_o to_o be_v accuse_v condemn_a buffet_v and_o spit_v upon_o and_o yet_o hold_v his_o peace_n as_o a_o lamb_n that_o be_v dumb_a so_o open_v he_o not_o his_o mouth_n yet_o the_o nobleness_n and_o ingenuity_n of_o this_o postulatum_fw-la kindle_v a_o fire_n within_o he_o so_o that_o he_o speak_v with_o his_o tongue_n this_o move_v he_o to_o scorn_v and_o indignation_n so_o that_o in_o effect_n he_o call_v they_o bastard_n for_o for_o their_o labour_n tell_v they_o that_o they_o be_v no_z sons_z of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n but_o a_o wicked_a and_o adulterous_a generation_n 39_o and_o that_o no_o sign_n shall_v be_v give_v they_o but_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o prophet_n jonas_n i_o suppose_v i_o shall_v need_v to_o say_v no_o more_o concern_v the_o absurdity_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o jewish_a or_o semeiotical_a postulatum_fw-la and_o i_o have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o former_a part_n of_o my_o undertake_n which_o be_v to_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o comtemner_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la 2._o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o which_o be_v the_o last_o part_n of_o what_o i_o have_v propound_v viz._n to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o christian_n or_o for_o preacher_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o upon_o two_o consideration_n 1._o propter_fw-la veritatis_fw-la evidentiam_fw-la 2._o propter_fw-la virtutis_fw-la excellentiam_fw-la the_o former_a of_o which_o be_v imply_v if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n it_o can_v not_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n the_o late_a be_v express_v for_o it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n be_v so_o great_a that_o whosoever_o due_o consider_v it_o will_v certain_o believe_v the_o gospel_n the_o virtue_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o great_a that_o whosoever_o true_o believe_v the_o gospel_n shall_v infallible_o be_v save_v 1._o first_o i_o be_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o because_o it_o be_v here_o only_o imply_v and_o because_o i_o have_v antiscript_n former_o employ_v my_o poor_a endeavour_n upon_o that_o argument_n i_o shall_v only_o brief_o touch_v upon_o it_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n though_o they_o be_v inexplicable_a and_o inconceivable_a yet_o be_v they_o not_o incredible_a though_o incomprehensible_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o unaccountable_a nor_o be_v the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n so_o severe_a upon_o the_o understanding_n of_o his_o follower_n as_o to_o exact_v a_o belief_n without_o a_o sufficient_a proof_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o he_o deliver_v though_o he_o will_v not_o offer_v at_o the_o grecanick_n way_n which_o he_o know_v to_o be_v impossible_a to_o grant_v to_o be_v absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o require_v yet_o he_o will_v afford_v it_o that_o demonstration_n whereof_o it_o be_v capable_a a_o demonstration_n proper_o so_o call_v accommodate_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o all_o mankind_n jew_n and_o gentile_n greek_n and_o barbarian_n noble_a and_o ignoble_a learned_a and_o unlearned_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o that_o refuse_v to_o gratify_v the_o impudent_a scribe_n and_o pharisee_n in_o their_o way_n will_v not_o leave_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n undemonstrate_v in_o his_o own_o and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o mystery_n which_o he_o deliver_v this_o be_v the_o analemma_n catholicon_n the_o common_a the_o universal_a the_o comprehensive_a demonstration_n he_o that_o make_v himself_o the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o the_o jew_n express_v it_o that_o say_v he_o be_v one_o with_o god_n i_o and_o the_o father_n be_v one_o that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o father_n 14.11_o and_o
always_o will_v be_v prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o gospel_n and_o a_o imagination_n in_o some_o person_n that_o minister_n and_o christian_n ought_v to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o be_v so_o deplorable_o manifest_a that_o i_o need_v not_o insist_v upon_o either_o the_o proof_n or_o declaration_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v and_o have_v be_v always_o so_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o unhappy_a complaint_n of_o the_o present_a age_n but_o have_v be_v of_o every_o age_n and_o generation_n since_o the_o first_o promulgation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v so_o we_o have_v a_o infallible_a assurance_n from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o the_o latter_a day_n shall_v be_v time_n of_o infidelity_n and_o departure_n from_o the_o faith_n that_o there_o will_v be_v scoffer_n at_o the_o gospel_n 18._o and_o cruel_a mocker_n we_o have_v the_o assurance_n of_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n st._n peter_n and_o st._n jude._n that_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n shall_v come_v to_o judge_v the_o world_n 18.8_o he_o shall_v hardly_o find_v faith_n on_o the_o earth_n we_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n himself_o brief_o and_o summary_o our_o lord_n christ_n in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o gospel_n declare_v and_o suppose_v that_o many_o will_v be_v offend_v at_o he_o 8.38_o that_o they_o will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o he_o and_o of_o his_o word_n both_o of_o his_o person_n and_o of_o his_o gospel_n our_o apostle_n declare_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v not_o ashamed_a 8,12,16_o exhort_v timothy_n not_o to_o be_v ashamed_a commend_v epaphroditus_n that_o he_o be_v not_o ashamed_a 16._o st._n peter_n exhort_v those_o that_o suffer_v for_o the_o gospel_n not_o to_o be_v ashamed_a if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o imagination_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v ashamed_a to_o what_o end_n be_v all_o these_o declaration_n commendation_n exhortation_n concern_v being_n not_o ashamed_a 2._o i_o pass_v therefore_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n propound_v to_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o special_a object_n of_o these_o prejudices_fw-la or_o what_o be_v those_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n whereof_o in_o a_o especial_a manner_n it_o be_v imagine_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v ashamed_a though_o the_o whole_a system_n of_o the_o gospel_n lie_v under_o prejudices_fw-la yet_o not_o all_o part_n of_o it_o alike_o some_o more_o than_o other_o and_o some_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o other_o the_o whole_a gospel_n be_v general_o dividable_a into_o 1._o historical_a narration_n 2._o moral_a institution_n and_o motive_n 3._o dogmatical_a mystery_n these_o be_v deliver_v sometime_o distinct_o and_o several_o and_o sometime_o they_o be_v combine_v and_o mix_v together_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o marry_o that_o joseph_n be_v his_o repute_a father_n the_o manner_n of_o his_o life_n and_o of_o his_o death_n his_o action_n and_o his_o teach_n be_v matter_n mere_o historical_a that_o this_o repute_a son_n of_o joseph_n be_v indeed_o the_o son_n of_o god_n conceive_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n and_o the_o like_a have_v in_o they_o a_o combination_n of_o the_o mystery_n together_o with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o stand_v not_o to_o show_v how_o the_o morality_n be_v sometime_o simple_o deliver_v and_o sometime_o in_o combination_n with_o the_o mysterious_a part_n of_o the_o gospel_n 1._o now_o concern_v those_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v mere_o and_o simple_o historical_a and_o moral_a i_o suppose_v they_o can_v be_v here_o intend_v because_o that_o to_o such_o person_n as_o the_o roman_n be_v man_n pretend_v to_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n they_o afford_v no_o colour_n for_o a_o imagination_n that_o a_o minister_n or_o christian_n ought_v to_o be_v ashamed_a suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v there_o deliver_v whereof_o antiscripturist_n i_o have_v speak_v heretofore_o what_o be_v there_o in_o the_o birth_n or_o life_n or_o death_n the_o conversation_n or_o action_n ordinary_a or_o extraordinary_a of_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n whereof_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o philosopher_n a_o christian_n ought_v to_o be_v ashamed_a be_v it_o the_o meanness_n of_o christ_n nativity_n that_o he_o be_v the_o repute_a son_n of_o joseph_n who_o be_v of_o a_o mean_a and_o despicable_a occupation_n be_v it_o that_o he_o live_v a_o ambulatory_a kind_n of_o life_n teach_n and_o dispute_v concern_v good_a and_o evil_n happiness_n and_o unhappiness_n in_o the_o synagogue_n and_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o street_n and_o market_n and_o in_o the_o wilderness_n every_o where_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o last_o be_v it_o because_o of_o the_o occasion_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n because_o he_o be_v condemn_v and_o execute_v by_o his_o countryman_n upon_o a_o accusation_n of_o corrupt_v the_o people_n and_o make_v a_o innovation_n in_o religion_n upon_o pretence_n of_o hold_v intercourse_n with_o god_n every_o one_o of_o these_o circumstance_n have_v be_v coincident_a in_o socrates_n long_o before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o sophroniscus_n as_o poor_a a_o man_n as_o joseph_n a_o carver_n of_o image_n in_o stone_n his_o mother_n be_v a_o midwife_n his_o conversation_n be_v ambulatory_a discourse_v and_o reason_v at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n in_o academia_n in_o lycaeo_n in_o foro_n in_o place_n of_o walk_v and_o of_o public_a exercise_n when_o he_o eat_v or_o drink_v or_o play_v in_o the_o camp_n the_o market_n or_o the_o prison_n with_o all_o the_o man_n he_o meet_v withal_o concern_v virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o the_o summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la concern_v wisdom_n and_o folly_n apologia_fw-la and_o he_o have_v be_v condemn_v and_o execute_v by_o the_o athenian_n upon_o the_o very_a same_o pretence_n which_o be_v object_v against_o our_o saviour_n yet_o all_o these_o disadvantage_n have_v not_o hinder_v socrates_n at_o that_o time_n after_o about_o 500_o year_n from_o the_o admiration_n and_o almost_o adoration_n of_o all_o man_n pretend_v to_o philosophy_n and_o wisdom_n not_o only_o among_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o gentile_a world_n but_o even_o among_o the_o roman_n also_o and_o therefore_o the_o mere_a historical_a part_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v minister_v no_o colour_n of_o suspicion_n why_o a_o minister_n or_o a_o christian_n shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o 2._o moreover_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v mere_o practical_a and_o moral_a the_o precept_n concern_v piety_n and_o justice_n and_o temperance_n in_o all_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o they_o and_o the_o motive_n to_o they_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o gospel_n infinite_o excel_v the_o institution_n of_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n all_o that_o they_o can_v object_v against_o it_o be_v its_o too_o great_a purity_n and_o holiness_n that_o it_o put_v a_o violence_n and_o stretch_v upon_o humane_a nature_n cause_v man_n to_o strain_v after_o degree_n of_o purity_n and_o sanctity_n unpracticable_a and_o unattainable_a it_o excel_v all_o the_o precept_n and_o institutes_n of_o the_o jew_n christ_n make_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d even_o of_o the_o moral_a law_n of_o moses_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christian_n must_v exceed_v the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n 20._o and_o the_o apostle_n compare_v the_o entire_a system_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a and_o christian_a oeconomy_n in_o reference_n to_o christian_a duty_n and_o the_o motive_n to_o they_o 6._o just_o pronounce_v that_o the_o christian_n have_v receive_v a_o better_a covenant_n found_v upon_o better_a promise_n 3._o it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o the_o peculiar_a and_o special_a object_n of_o those_o prejudicate_v imagination_n whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o minister_n and_o christian_n ought_v to_o be_v ashamed_a be_v the_o article_n of_o mere_a belief_n dogmatical_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n at_o the_o expense_n of_o your_o time_n and_o patience_n in_o a_o long_a discourse_n to_o tell_v you_o what_o be_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o suppose_v that_o in_o compliance_n with_o the_o barbarity_n of_o late_a time_n you_o have_v neglect_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o your_o catechism_n and_o have_v need_v that_o one_o shall_v teach_v you_o what_o be_v the_o first_o element_n of_o christianity_n my_o design_n engage_v i_o no_o further_o than_o only_o to_o name_v they_o and_o that_o also_o very_o brief_o in_o the_o two_o first_o chapter_n to_o the_o corinthian_n we_o find_v our_o apostle_n handle_v this_o argument_n large_o and_o ex_fw-la professo_fw-la and_o there_o he_o reduce_v the_o whole_a mystery_n to_o two_o word_n namely_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n he_o tell_v they_o