necessity_n in_o persecution_n in_o distress_n for_o christ_n sake_n for_o when_o i_o be_o weak_a then_o be_o i_o strong_a nay_o he_o pretend_v that_o all_o those_o who_o be_v animate_v with_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o he_o be_v can_v forbear_v pious_o rejoice_v in_o their_o suffering_n but_o the_o fruit_n say_v he_o of_o the_o spirit_n be_v loâ—â—_n joy_n peace_n long_o suffer_v gentleness_n goodness_n faitâ—_n meekness_n temperance_n gal._n 5._o 22._o that_o be_v the_o trâ—â—_n character_n of_o a_o christian_n and_o the_o apostle_n desigâ—_n in_o preach_v be_v to_o plant_v these_o virtue_n in_o the_o mindâ—_n of_o man_n but_o let_v we_o see_v further_o some_o other_o mark_n of_o the_o joyfulness_n and_o confidence_n of_o st._n paul_n he_o express_v himself_o after_o this_o manner_n in_o some_o of_o his_o epistle_n 2_o cor._n 4._o 8_o 9_o 10._o we_o be_v trouble_v on_o every_o side_n yet_o not_o distress_v we_o be_v perplex_v but_o not_o in_o despair_n persecute_v but_o not_o forsake_v cast_v down_o but_o not_o destroy_v always_o bear_v about_o in_o the_o body_n the_o die_a of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n that_o the_o life_n also_o of_o jesus_n may_v be_v mde_v manifest_a in_o our_o body_n and_o in_o another_o place_n yea_o and_o if_o i_o be_v offer_v upon_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o your_o faith_n i_o rejoice_v with_o you_o â—ll_v for_o the_o same_o cause_n also_o do_v you_o rejoice_v with_o i_o phil._n 2._o â—7_n from_o whence_o can_v proceed_v those_o motion_n of_o joy_n which_o st._n paul_n so_o natural_o express_v which_o no_o art_n can_v imitate_v which_o run_v through_o all_o his_o epistle_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o spring_v from_o a_o heart_n which_o not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v its_o inward_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n open_v and_o â—nlarges_v itself_o and_o break_v forth_o into_o these_o lively_a â—xpressions_n of_o joy_n certain_o such_o sentiment_n as_o these_o can_v never_o spring_v from_o nature_n for_o nature_n send_v forth_o sigh_n â—nd_v groan_n under_o her_o suffering_n the_o stoic_n who_o â—ndeavoured_v to_o stifle_v her_o innocent_a complaint_n preâ—ended_v that_o a_o man_n may_v overcome_v himself_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o preserve_v his_o mind_n serene_a and_o calm_a in_o â—he_n midst_n of_o torment_n but_o the_o stoic_n never_o go_v â—o_o far_o as_o to_o believe_v that_o joy_n can_v spring_v out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o bitterness_n of_o affliction_n none_o but_o the_o christian_n can_v ever_o find_v unspeakable_a joy_n and_o comâ—ort_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o sorrow_n who_o be_v that_o â—aul_n then_o that_o have_v thought_n so_o elevate_v only_o a_o impostor_n if_o we_o will_v believe_v the_o incredulous_a by_o â—hat_n strength_n or_o power_n do_v he_o so_o much_o surpass_v the_o virtue_n of_o the_o stoic_n by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o great_a imposture_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o can_v any_o one_o real_o be_v persuade_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n for_o my_o part_n the_o only_a difficulty_n i_o find_v in_o all_o this_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o the_o proud_a pretended_a patron_n of_o humane_a reason_n shall_v be_v so_o â—nreasonable_a and_o extravagant_a chap._n xii_o wherein_o we_o further_o examine_v the_o epistle_n of_o st_n paul_n the_o three_o thing_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v that_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o continual_a repetition_n of_o the_o death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o at_o least_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o essential_o belong_v to_o they_o so_o that_o although_o the_o four_o gospel_n shall_v be_v lose_v still_o the_o substance_n and_o essential_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o st._n paul_n now_o this_o appear_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o almost_o every_o one_o of_o his_o epistle_n concern_v his_o son_n say_v he_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n chap._n 1._o v._n 4._o which_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n according_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o holiness_n by_o the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o this_o appear_v yet_o more_o express_o in_o several_a other_o place_n as_o in_o the_o 15._o chap._n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n v_o 3_o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8._o for_o i_o deliver_v unto_o you_o first_o of_o all_o that_o which_o i_o also_o receive_v how_o that_o christ_n die_v for_o our_o sin_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o he_o be_v bury_v and_o that_o he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o thâ—â—_n he_o be_v see_v of_o cephas_n then_o of_o the_o twelve_o after_o thâ—â—_n he_o be_v see_v of_o above_o five_o hundred_o brethren_n at_o once_o of_o who_o the_o great_a part_n remain_v unto_o this_o present_a but_o soâ—â—_n be_v fall_v a_o sleep_n after_o that_o he_o be_v see_v of_o james_n thâ—â—_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o last_o of_o all_o he_o be_v see_v of_o 〈◊〉_d also_o as_o of_o one_o bear_v out_o of_o due_a time_n so_o bold_o do_v this_o apostle_n speak_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ._n he_o do_v not_o only_o say_v in_o general_a term_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v see_v after_o his_o resurrection_n but_o in_o particular_a that_o he_o be_v see_v of_o cephas_n of_o james_n of_o the_o other_o apostle_n and_o of_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v see_v by_o five_o hundred_o brethren_n at_o once_o of_o who_o the_o great_a part_n be_v then_o live_v who_o he_o appeal_v to_o as_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v and_o who_o may_v easy_o have_v contradict_v he_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a but_o if_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o people_n real_o see_v jesus_n christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n that_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v never_o be_v false_a for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o five_o hundred_o three_o hundred_o nay_o fifty_o person_n shall_v maugre_o all_o punishment_n conspire_v together_o to_o maintain_v a_o fiction_n but_o if_o such_o a_o number_n of_o person_n neither_o see_v nor_o certify_v they_o have_v see_v christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n how_o shall_v st._n paul_n have_v presume_v to_o write_v this_o to_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o person_n who_o see_v and_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n must_v have_v know_v the_o certainty_n of_o it_o how_o dare_v he_o name_v those_o who_o he_o pretend_v that_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o after_o his_o resurrection_n how_o great_a be_v his_o boldness_n to_o assign_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o witness_n of_o that_o truth_n and_o to_o affirm_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v still_o live_v how_o come_v he_o to_o speak_v of_o it_o slight_o by_o the_o way_n or_o only_o as_o a_o thing_n universal_o know_v he_o tell_v it_o but_o not_o with_o any_o turn_n of_o wit_n or_o fineness_n of_o expression_n which_o impostor_n use_v to_o varnish_v over_o a_o specious_a lie_n who_o use_v the_o more_o art_n and_o insinuation_n the_o more_o incredible_a the_o thing_n be_v they_o will_v induce_v man_n to_o believe_v but_o why_o shall_v not_o he_o bold_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n since_o as_o he_o pretend_v the_o holy_a ghost_n evident_o bare_a record_n of_o it_o in_o a_o word_n st._n paul_n speak_v in_o his_o epistle_n of_o miraculous_a gift_n as_o of_o a_o thing_n universal_o know_v he_o call_v they_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o sometime_o only_a the_o holy_a ghost_n he_o that_o shall_v attempt_v to_o cut_v off_o from_o his_o epistle_n every_o place_n wherein_o he_o menâ—ions_v they_o will_v certain_o take_v away_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o they_o to_o one_o say_v he_o be_v give_v â—he_n spirit_n the_o gift_n of_o wisdom_n to_o another_o the_o gift_n of_o knowledge_n by_o the_o same_o spirit_n to_o another_o faith_n by_o the_o same_o spirit_n to_o another_o the_o gift_n of_o heal_v by_o the_o same_o spirit_n to_o another_o the_o work_n of_o miracle_n to_o another_o prophecy_n to_o another_o discern_v of_o spirit_n to_o another_o divers_a kind_n of_o tongue_n but_o all_o these_o work_v that_o one_o and_o the_o self_n same_o spirit_n divide_v to_o every_o man_n several_o as_o he_o will_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o you_o see_v how_o st._n paul_n cursory_o mention_n this_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o uncontested_a experience_n mean_a while_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o we_o have_v not_o to_o do_v with_o one_o single_a gift_n but_o several_a miraculous_a gift_n in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o artifice_n or_o illusion_n for_o though_o it_o may_v be_v pretend_v that_o some_o certain_a people_n have_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o although_o those_o very_a people_n shall_v
christ_n into_o heaven_n and_o how_o can_v any_o man_n reasonable_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o according_a to_o the_o regular_a course_n of_o second_o cause_n to_o see_v a_o man_n that_o have_v be_v crucify_v and_o lay_v in_o a_o sepulchre_n where_o a_o watch_n be_v appoint_v to_o guard_v he_o rise_v out_o of_o that_o sepulchre_n again_o appear_v alive_a to_o several_a man_n that_o touch_v and_o handle_v he_o and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n certain_o that_o very_a ascension_n of_o jesus_n christ_n can_v but_o convince_v the_o most_o suspicious_a and_o scrupulous_a person_n that_o it_o be_v a_o event_n pure_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a for_o otherwise_o our_o incredulous_a adversary_n may_v imagine_v since_o they_o be_v everlasting_o raise_v doubt_n that_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n christ_n may_v have_v be_v take_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n before_o the_o breath_n be_v go_v out_o of_o it_o that_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n who_o be_v his_o disciple_n though_o he_o dare_v not_o own_v it_o public_o may_v have_v dress_v his_o body_n and_o recover_v he_o out_o of_o his_o swoon_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o remedy_n he_o give_v he_o that_o he_o may_v have_v lay_v another_o counterfeit_a dead-body_n in_o his_o place_n and_o bury_v it_o and_o that_o afterward_o jes_n christ_n may_v have_v private_o show_v himself_o to_o his_o disciple_n not_o dare_v to_o appear_v in_o public_a for_o fear_v of_o fall_v a_o second_o time_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o suffer_v a_o true_a and_o real_a death_n instead_o of_o that_o imaginary_a one_o he_o have_v suffer_v before_o but_o this_o fiction_n be_v absurd_a and_o incredible_a and_o that_o for_o several_a reason_n first_o because_o the_o evangelist_n relate_v that_o christ_n have_v his_o side_n pierce_v with_o the_o lance_n of_o a_o soldier_n which_o thing_n alone_o be_v enough_o to_o give_v he_o his_o death_n second_o it_o be_v very_o improbable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o jewish_a sanhedrin_n who_o have_v condemn_v he_o to_o die_v nay_o who_o have_v take_v such_o care_n to_o set_v a_o watch_n over_o his_o sepulchre_n shall_v yet_o suffer_v his_o body_n to_o be_v take_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n before_o the_o breath_n be_v go_v out_o of_o it_o last_o because_o it_o can_v never_o be_v suppose_v that_o a_o man_n who_o hang_v several_a hour_n together_o on_o a_o cross_n shall_v yet_o escape_v death_n and_o show_v himself_o not_o long_o after_o safe_a and_o sound_a to_o his_o disciple_n but_o that_o which_o will_v immediate_o remove_v all_o these_o doubt_n be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n not_o only_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a but_o also_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o disciple_n and_o this_o be_v so_o sensible_a and_o evident_a a_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o respect_n so_o that_o it_o may_v very_o well_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chief_o depend_v upon_o that_o important_a inquiry_n whether_o the_o disciple_n design_v to_o impose_v upon_o we_o by_o relate_v to_o we_o a_o false_a event_n which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o now_o if_o we_o can_v clear_o prove_v the_o contrary_a we_o shall_v invincible_o demonstrate_v the_o certain_a truth_n of_o our_o faith_n let_v we_o therefore_o in_o order_n to_o it_o close_o stick_v to_o the_o examination_n of_o that_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o most_o essential_a and_o the_o most_o important_a that_o ever_o be_v and_o endeavour_v to_o discover_v whether_o it_o be_v possible_a we_o shall_v have_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o those_o man_n which_o can_v not_o deceive_v themselves_o if_o we_o will_v suppose_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n deceive_v we_o in_o their_o relation_n of_o a_o fictitious_a event_n we_o must_v also_o necessary_o suppose_v these_o three_o thing_n 1._o that_o their_o illusion_n or_o 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execute_v upon_o a_o scaffold_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o will_v grant_v you_o if_o you_o will_v that_o peter_n with_o some_o other_o disciple_n may_v have_v take_v away_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n christ_n out_o of_o the_o sepulchre_n either_o by_o trick_v the_o watch_n or_o take_v the_o advantage_n of_o their_o sleep_n or_o last_o by_o bribe_v they_o with_o money_n i_o will_v grant_v you_o too_o if_o you_o will_v they_o may_v have_v easy_o persuade_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o disciple_n who_o be_v too_o credulous_a and_o too_o eager_a in_o swallow_v of_o novelty_n that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v appear_v to_o they_o indeed_o and_o that_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a i_o will_v grant_v you_o likewise_o that_o the_o other_o disciple_n may_v have_v imagine_v thereupon_o they_o have_v see_v some_o vision_n or_o think_v they_o have_v see_v he_o in_o several_a place_n and_o on_o several_a occasion_n but_o then_o i_o ask_v how_o they_o can_v have_v all_o agree_v together_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o ascension_n by_o what_o charm_n or_o cunning_n can_v peter_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n have_v make_v they_o see_v that_o which_o they_o never_o see_v or_o hear_v a_o man_n speak_v who_o they_o real_o never_o hear_v by_o what_o machine_n can_v they_o have_v cause_v the_o cloud_n to_o descend_v or_o by_o what_o sort_n of_o enchantment_n can_v they_o have_v produce_v two_o man_n in_o white_a raiment_n tell_v they_o you_o man_n of_o galilee_n why_o stand_v you_o gaze_v up_o into_o heaven_n this_o same_o jesus_n which_o be_v take_v up_o from_o you_o into_o heaven_n shall_v so_o come_v in_o like_a manner_n as_o you_o have_v see_v he_o go_v up_o into_o heaven_n act_v 1._o 11._o by_o what_o secret_a power_n can_v they_o have_v so_o deep_o imprint_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o disciple_n the_o word_n which_o jesus_n christ_n speak_v to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n the_o reproach_n he_o make_v they_o of_o their_o infidelity_n his_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o they_o his_o forbid_v they_o to_o depart_v from_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o command_v he_o give_v they_o to_o baptise_v all_o nation_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n i_o say_v how_o can_v they_o have_v do_v all_o this_o if_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v but_o the_o witty_a conceit_n of_o their_o imagination_n and_o fancy_n certain_o tho_o st._n peter_n or_o some_o other_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v have_v form_v to_o himself_o the_o design_n and_o plan_n of_o so_o signal_n a_o cheat_n and_o though_o he_o shall_v have_v set_v down_o in_o write_v all_o the_o article_n one_o by_o one_o which_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o make_v other_o man_n believe_v against_o the_o plain_a truth_n yet_o he_o can_v never_o have_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o propose_v any_o such_o thing_n to_o those_o man_n who_o be_v prepossess_v with_o the_o opinion_n that_o lie_v be_v a_o great_a sin_n but_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n on_o the_o contrary_a a_o great_a virtue_n nay_o it_o be_v even_o impossible_a it_o shall_v ever_o come_v into_o his_o head_n to_o frame_v so_o signal_n a_o imposture_n upon_o so_o sad_a and_o sorrowful_a a_o event_n as_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n neither_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o his_o mind_n or_o his_o thought_n be_v any_o way_n bend_v upon_o any_o such_o design_n and_o though_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v induce_v out_o of_o a_o spirit_n of_o revenge_n to_o invent_v such_o a_o lie_n to_o discredit_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v he_o shall_v have_v be_v so_o very_o silly_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o disciple_n will_v consent_v to_o that_o imposture_n or_o be_v willing_a to_o maintain_v it_o
three_o year_n or_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a as_o long_o as_o his_o office_n last_v wrought_v more_o surprise_v miracle_n than_o have_v be_v either_o see_v or_o know_v since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n be_v firm_o to_o believe_v that_o christ_n work_v those_o miracle_n which_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o circumstantial_o repeat_v in_o it_o and_o so_o inseparable_a from_o the_o other_o part_n and_o accident_n of_o his_o life_n it_o must_v not_o then_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n embrace_v christianity_n without_o inquire_v in_o the_o least_o into_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n for_o that_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n neither_o must_v we_o say_v that_o they_o believe_v those_o miracle_n without_o a_o due_a examination_n of_o they_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o indeed_o require_v no_o very_a great_a examination_n but_o they_o can_v not_o avoid_v examine_v they_o have_v they_o endeavour_v it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o whole_o leave_v to_o my_o choice_n either_o to_o know_v or_o not_o to_o know_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o place_n which_o i_o inhabit_v neither_o do_v it_o whole_o depend_v upon_o i_o to_o believe_v or_o not_o to_o believe_v certain_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v contradictory_n to_o public_a knowledge_n and_o though_o a_o man_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n or_o otherwise_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v i_o believe_v he_o have_v raise_v a_o dead_a man_n to_o life_n again_o in_o a_o village_n a_o few_o mile_n distant_a from_o the_o place_n i_o dwell_v in_o who_o i_o may_v have_v both_o see_v and_o know_v after_o his_o resurrection_n or_o if_o i_o have_v not_o see_v he_o myself_o many_o other_o have_v both_o see_v and_o know_v and_o many_o go_v to_o see_v i_o say_v all_o this_o be_v no_o more_o leave_v to_o my_o choice_n to_o know_v or_o not_o to_o know_v than_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o my_o choice_n to_o be_v mad_a or_o in_o my_o sense_n for_o the_o better_a apprehend_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v make_v this_o supposition_n what_o if_o we_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o christ_n do_v all_o those_o miracle_n the_o gospel_n relate_v have_v go_v up_o to_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o reach_v thither_o just_a at_o the_o evening_n of_o that_o day_n of_o pentecost_n on_o which_o st._n peter_n convert_v so_o many_o people_n by_o convince_a they_o that_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n i_o dare_v maintain_v first_o that_o we_o can_v not_o have_v forbear_v examine_v such_o thing_n which_o make_v so_o great_a a_o noise_n then_o second_o i_o affirm_v that_o however_o willing_a we_o may_v have_v be_v to_o delude_v and_o impose_v upon_o ourselves_o we_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o much_o as_o twenty_o four_o hour_n at_o jerusalem_n without_o know_v very_o distinct_o the_o certain_a truth_n of_o all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o will_v have_v be_v no_o very_o great_a trouble_n for_o we_o to_o have_v inquire_v how_o lazarus_n do_v and_o his_o two_o sister_n mary_n and_o martha_n and_o though_o by_o chance_n they_o may_v have_v be_v all_o three_o dead_a to_o have_v desire_v to_o speak_v with_o their_o friend_n and_o relation_n or_o with_o those_o that_o have_v see_v lazarus_n and_o eat_v with_o he_o both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n in_o like_a manner_n we_o may_v have_v easy_o speak_v with_o the_o friend_n and_o relation_n of_o jairus_n and_o with_o those_o too_o of_o other_o people_n who_o christ_n have_v heal_v or_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a in_o the_o different_a part_n of_o judea_n and_o galilee_n and_o that_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o easy_a because_o commerce_n be_v much_o more_o stir_v between_o the_o metropolis_n of_o judea_n and_o the_o other_o city_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n than_o between_o the_o metropolis_n and_o the_o other_o city_n of_o the_o other_o province_n the_o jew_n be_v wont_a to_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n at_o least_o on_o every_o solemn_a feast-day_n nay_o far_o we_o may_v have_v inquire_v about_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o those_o wonderful_a prodigy_n which_o as_o the_o gospel_n tell_v we_o attend_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o since_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o several_a thousand_o witness_n shall_v have_v be_v impose_v upon_o concern_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o evident_a and_o sensible_a matter_n of_o fact_n so_o in_o like_a manner_n it_o will_v have_v be_v absolute_o impossible_a we_o shall_v have_v become_v christian_n only_o for_o twenty_o four_o hour_n after_o we_o have_v leave_v jerusalem_n suppose_v those_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v be_v utter_o false_a i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v attend_v with_o such_o wonderful_a circumstance_n as_o the_o evangelist_n dare_v not_o have_v presume_v to_o invent_v have_v they_o be_v utter_o false_a neither_o have_v the_o power_n to_o forge_v or_o make_v one_o single_a person_n believe_v they_o have_v they_o design_v to_o impose_v upon_o man_n belief_n there_o remain_v only_o for_o our_o full_a conviction_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o show_v that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v forge_v they_o have_v it_o be_v whole_o leave_v to_o their_o choice_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o allege_v that_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n according_a to_o the_o recital_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v attend_v with_o such_o circumstance_n and_o so_o many_o strange_a event_n that_o it_o be_v inconceivable_a the_o disciple_n shall_v take_v any_o pleasure_n in_o invent_v they_o such_o be_v for_o example_n the_o tempt_a of_o our_o saviour_n a_o strange_a and_o most_o scandalous_a passage_n indeed_o to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o full_o acquaint_v with_o the_o true_a mystery_n of_o it_o since_o it_o represent_v christ_n to_o we_o as_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o sport_v himself_o with_o his_o weakness_n though_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o overcome_v his_o virtue_n one_o while_o place_v he_o upon_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n whence_o he_o advise_v he_o to_o cast_v himself_o down_o another_o while_n upon_o a_o exceed_a high_a mountain_n from_o whence_o he_o show_v he_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o they_o now_o to_o see_v a_o man_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o satan_n will_v be_v a_o sight_n that_o will_v shock_v we_o to_o see_v a_o just_a man_n will_v be_v a_o object_n more_o terrible_a but_o to_o see_v a_o prophet_n himself_o will_v be_v a_o wonder_n that_o will_v create_v horror_n in_o we_o what_o must_v it_o be_v then_o to_o see_v a_o divine_a person_n in_o his_o clutch_n or_o rather_o one_o that_o be_v both_o god_n and_o man_n one_o that_o be_v call_v by_o way_n of_o eminence_n the_o just_a the_o holy_a the_o man_n without_o sin_n or_o blemish_n the_o great_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n in_o â—ine_o the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o he_o must_v necessary_o be_v much_o mistake_v that_o can_v imagine_v that_o such_o thought_n as_o these_o can_v have_v natural_o offer_v themselves_o to_o any_o man_n mind_n much_o less_o to_o the_o mind_n of_o ignorant_a people_n who_o judge_n of_o thing_n by_o the_o prejudices_fw-la they_o be_v general_o possess_v with_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o christ_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n as_o surround_v with_o angel_n who_o minister_v unto_o he_o after_o his_o temptation_n but_o yet_o that_o circumstance_n be_v so_o far_o from_o remove_v that_o which_o may_v seem_v offensive_a and_o surprise_v in_o that_o event_n that_o it_o rather_o make_v it_o the_o more_o strange_a and_o incomprehensible_a nothing_o so_o ill_o befit_v a_o man_n who_o be_v but_o just_a now_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o carry_v about_o by_o he_o wherever_o he_o please_v as_o to_o be_v immediate_o after_o wait_v upon_o by_o angel_n add_v to_o this_o the_o unite_n of_o so_o many_o mean_a circumstance_n with_o so_o many_o glorious_a one_o that_o occur_v in_o his_o nativity_n in_o his_o life_n and_o in_o his_o death_n to_o instance_n in_o christ_n lie_v in_o a_o manger_n whilst_o he_o be_v praise_v by_o the_o host_n of_o heaven_n his_o have_n not_o a_o hole_n wherein_o to_o lay_v his_o head_n whilst_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o command_v the_o fish_n of_o the_o sea_n to_o bring_v he_o money_n to_o pay_v tribute_n to_o those_o who_o ask_v it_o of_o he_o his_o show_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o fear_n nay_o even_o apparent_a weakness_n whilst_o he_o shake_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n and_o make_v the_o earth_n tremble_v and_o the_o sky_n to_o become_v dark_a his_o beg_n of_o his_o father_n that_o the_o cup_n of_o his_o suffering_n may_v pass_v away_o from_o
he_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o so_o well_o have_v prepare_v himself_o for_o death_n as_o to_o have_v institute_v a_o sacrament_n for_o a_o commemoration_n of_o it_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n his_o complain_n that_o his_o heavenly_a father_n have_v forsake_v he_o whilst_o he_o promise_v heaven_n to_o a_o thief_n that_o glorify_v he_o upon_o the_o cross_n a_o hundred_o other_o mysterious_a contrariety_n there_o be_v which_o divine_a providence_n inspire_v the_o evangelist_n to_o write_v against_o their_o profess_a opinion_n against_o the_o bias_n of_o their_o passion_n and_o their_o natural_a idea_n that_o their_o gospel_n may_v have_v a_o more_o extraordinary_a and_o more_o divine_a character_n but_o these_o be_v not_o the_o circumstance_n i_o mean_v when_o i_o speak_v of_o such_o extraordinary_a one_o in_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o disciple_n will_v not_o have_v forge_v if_o they_o can_v by_o they_o i_o mean_v all_o the_o sensible_a and_o extraordinary_a miracle_n which_o christ_n himself_o wrought_v and_o his_o disciple_n have_v relate_v to_o we_o and_o these_o i_o say_v the_o disciple_n will_v not_o invent_v have_v they_o be_v false_a which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o two_o invincible_a argument_n first_o that_o by_o their_o relate_v they_o and_o above_o all_o their_o mention_v both_o place_n and_o person_n as_o it_o appear_v they_o have_v do_v they_o manifest_o engage_v themselves_o both_o to_o maintain_v and_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o certain_o they_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v call_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o they_o who_o so_o very_o well_o knâ—w_v how_o difficult_a it_o have_v be_v for_o they_o to_o escape_v free_a when_o their_o master_n himself_o be_v put_v to_o death_n they_o know_v they_o shall_v be_v compel_v to_o maintain_v what_o they_o have_v thus_o affirm_v and_o they_o know_v also_o they_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o defend_v their_o imposture_n if_o they_o shall_v by_o chance_n be_v confront_v with_o the_o witness_n they_o mention_v and_o all_o this_o be_v no_o very_o hard_a thing_n for_o any_o one_o to_o foresee_v a_o man_n though_o not_o over-wise_a may_v easy_o presage_v these_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o he_o be_v in_o his_o sense_n to_o make_v he_o cautious_a of_o advance_v such_o matter_n as_o he_o think_v himself_o incapable_a to_o maintain_v the_o falsehood_n of_o which_o will_v be_v present_o discover_v by_o the_o very_a witness_n he_o mention_n by_o the_o place_n he_o set_v down_o and_o the_o other_o circumstance_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n he_o thus_o expose_v to_o public_a view_n 2._o the_o second_o argument_n which_o prove_v that_o the_o evangelist_n will_v never_o have_v forge_v the_o like_a matter_n of_o fact_n suppose_v they_o have_v be_v altogether_o false_a be_v that_o by_o counterfeit_v they_o they_o necessary_o render_v themselves_o liable_a to_o be_v put_v to_o a_o great_a confusion_n when_o they_o shall_v find_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o perform_v the_o very_a same_o miracle_n for_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a for_o any_o one_o to_o say_v to_o they_o thus_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o your_o master_n have_v wrought_v so_o many_o strange_a miracle_n sure_o he_o have_v also_o give_v you_o power_n to_o do_v the_o like_v yourselves_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o first_o thing_n they_o teach_v be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v send_v they_o abroad_o with_o power_n to_o perform_v the_o very_a same_o work_v he_o have_v do_v it_o be_v no_o time_n therefore_o to_o use_v shift_n or_o stand_v doubt_v and_o shuffle_n they_o be_v oblige_v either_o to_o suppress_v what_o they_o know_v concern_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o to_o perform_v the_o same_o themselves_o christ_n himself_o when_o he_o send_v they_o to_o preach_v in_o the_o different_a part_n of_o judea_n command_v they_o say_v heal_n the_o sick_a cleanse_v the_o leper_n raise_v the_o dead_a cast_v out_o devil_n free_o you_o have_v receive_v free_o give_v matth._n 10._o 8._o and_o these_o be_v the_o character_n he_o give_v of_o the_o call_n of_o his_o disciple_n and_o these_o sign_n shall_v follow_v they_o that_o believe_v in_o my_o name_n shall_v they_o cast_v out_o devil_n they_o shall_v speak_v with_o new_a tongue_n they_o shall_v take_v up_o serpent_n and_o if_o they_o drink_v any_o deadly_a thing_n it_o shall_v not_o hurt_v they_o they_o shall_v lay_v hand_n on_o the_o sick_a and_o they_o shall_v recover_v etc._n etc._n and_o they_o go_v forth_o and_o preach_v every_o where_o the_o lord_n work_v with_o they_o and_o comfirm_v the_o word_n with_o sign_n etc._n etc._n mark_v 16._o 17_o 18_o 20._o thus_o it_o appear_v they_o can_v not_o well_o relate_v what_o jesus_n christ_n have_v do_v without_o at_o the_o same_o time_n publish_v what_o they_o themselves_o be_v oblige_v to_o perform_v for_o the_o further_a confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o they_o do_v not_o relate_v the_o least_o miracle_n without_o at_o the_o same_o time_n affirm_v they_o be_v able_a to_o do_v the_o like_a it_o must_v therefore_o certain_o be_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n either_o that_o those_o man_n have_v utter_o lose_v their_o reason_n or_o that_o they_o sincere_o believe_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v they_o think_v they_o to_o be_v false_a they_o will_v neither_o have_v engage_v themselves_o to_o maintain_v a_o unwarrantable_a fiction_n by_o set_v down_o so_o many_o circumstance_n more_o than_o sufficient_a to_o discover_v the_o real_a truth_n of_o it_o nor_o have_v render_v themselves_o liable_a to_o shame_n and_o confusion_n by_o relate_v such_o miracle_n they_o be_v not_o able_a so_o much_o as_o to_o imitate_v at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o they_o profess_v themselves_o absolute_o capable_a of_o do_v every_o thing_n their_o master_n himself_o have_v do_v thus_o it_o appear_v to_o we_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v such_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o the_o disciple_n have_v neither_o the_o boldness_n the_o power_n nor_o the_o will_n to_o counterfeit_v suppose_v they_o never_o have_v be_v do_v and_o i_o think_v this_o enough_o to_o convince_v we_o in_o this_o respect_n and_o to_o make_v we_o look_v upon_o those_o miracle_n which_o have_v illustrate_v the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o a_o centre_n of_o truth_n that_o will_v infallible_o persuade_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christanity_n we_o profess_v chap._n iii_o the_o second_o centre_n of_o truth_n a_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v speak_v of_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o come_v now_o to_o his_o resurrection_n a_o event_n which_o ought_v chief_o to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o connexion_n it_o have_v with_o those_o miracle_n for_o if_o this_o resurrection_n be_v true_a without_o dispute_v those_o miracle_n be_v so_o too_o and_o if_o those_o miracle_n be_v true_a one_o can_v easy_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n now_o to_o take_v away_o all_o scruple_n that_o may_v arise_v in_o our_o mind_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v but_o reflect_v a_o while_n upon_o christ_n himself_o upon_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n who_o use_v all_o possible_a care_n and_o precaution_n to_o prevent_v so_o much_o as_o a_o report_n after_o his_o death_n that_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o watch_n appoint_v to_o guard_v his_o sepulchre_n upon_o the_o procedure_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o discourse_n of_o all_o the_o disciple_n in_o general_a and_o last_o upon_o that_o ready_a disposition_n of_o mind_n find_v in_o a_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n to_o embrace_v christianity_n aâ—_n jerusalem_n a_o few_o week_n after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o at_o a_o time_n when_o nothing_o can_v be_v easy_a than_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n as_o for_o jesus_n christ_n the_o evangelist_n unanimous_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o have_v several_a time_n foretell_v his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n to_o his_o disciple_n nay_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o those_o very_a prediction_n be_v oftentimes_o intermix_v either_o with_o such_o circumstance_n as_o do_v not_o easy_o of_o themselves_o enter_v into_o any_o man_n mind_n or_o with_o those_o which_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o relation_n one_o with_o another_o which_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v be_v the_o imaginary_a conceit_n of_o a_o pleasant_a fancy_n that_o delight_n in_o the_o invention_n of_o fable_n it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o the_o evangelist_n shall_v have_v invent_v the_o discourse_n of_o jesus_n christ_n with_o st._n peter_n concern_v the_o suffering_n that_o shall_v certain_o besall_n he_o at_o his_o go_v
neither_o be_v it_o because_o of_o his_o extraordinary_a piety_n for_o moses_n call_v the_o meek_a of_o man_n be_v without_o doubt_n in_o that_o equal_a to_o he_o it_o be_v then_o because_o of_o the_o advantage_n he_o enjoy_v both_o in_o see_v and_o hear_v the_o messiah_n but_o how_o come_v our_o saviour_n to_o add_v that_o the_o least_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v great_a than_o he_o must_v we_o understand_v by_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o kingdom_n of_o which_o john_n himself_o say_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n be_v it_o not_o rather_o because_o john_n see_v none_o of_o all_o the_o wonder_n of_o that_o kingdom_n which_o the_o least_o of_o christ_n disciple_n have_v see_v which_o indeed_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o our_o saviour_n tell_v they_o bless_a be_v your_o eye_n for_o they_o see_v and_o your_o ear_n for_o they_o hear_v for_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o many_o prophet_n and_o righteous_a man_n have_v desire_v to_o see_v those_o thing_n which_o you_o see_v and_o have_v not_o see_v they_o and_o to_o hear_v those_o thing_n which_o you_o hear_v and_o have_v not_o hear_v they_o matth._n 13._o 16_o 17._o now_o all_o this_o evident_o suppose_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o all_o the_o other_o marvellous_a event_n which_o serve_v for_o a_o confirmation_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n what_o he_o also_o say_v himself_o concern_v blasphemy_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v altogether_o strange_a and_o very_a surprise_v nay_o the_o very_a name_n he_o give_v to_o that_o sin_n imply_v something_o in_o itself_o singular_a and_o extraordinary_a for_o no_o body_n before_o he_o ever_o express_v himself_o after_o this_o manner_n man_n be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o sin_v against_o god_n be_v a_o very_a great_a crime_n but_o they_o have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n much_o less_o be_v they_o satisfy_v if_o there_o be_v any_o harm_n in_o blaspheme_v against_o he_o this_o unusual_a language_n necessary_o proceed_v from_o a_o new_a revelation_n and_o from_o new_a and_o different_a object_n not_o see_v or_o hear_v of_o before_o for_o the_o jew_n know_v not_o what_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v if_o we_o take_v that_o word_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o evangelist_n nay_o there_o be_v some_o of_o they_o who_o though_o convert_v to_o the_o gopsel_n of_o christ_n yet_o still_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o that_o expression_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n if_o we_o will_v but_o consult_v the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o therein_o the_o gospel_n the_o act_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o those_o great_a and_o extraordinary_a man_n they_o will_v present_o inform_v we_o that_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v be_v understand_v in_o most_o of_o those_o place_n the_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n impart_v to_o the_o man_n of_o those_o day_n and_o that_o to_o blaspheme_n against_o he_o be_v downright_a blasphemy_n against_o that_o divine_a and_o glorious_a principle_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o the_o perfection_n and_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o give_v such_o power_n unto_o men._n so_o that_o there_o be_v first_o in_o that_o text_n such_o a_o obscurity_n as_o prove_v that_o the_o evangelist_n can_v not_o have_v think_v of_o invent_v it_o have_v not_o christ_n himself_o real_o utter_v these_o very_a word_n and_o second_o it_o undeniable_o suppose_v the_o miraculous_a matter_n of_o fact_n the_o pharisee_n be_v wont_a to_o ascribe_v to_o the_o power_n of_o belzebub_n wherein_o indeed_o chief_o consist_v the_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o like_a manner_n this_o text_n except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n john_n 3._o 5._o imply_v a_o very_a puzzle_v difficulty_n because_o it_o be_v not_o usual_a former_o for_o man_n to_o express_v themselves_o after_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n indeed_o to_o understand_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o that_o text_n but_o it_o be_v yet_o far_o more_o difficult_a to_o invent_v it_o and_o all_o the_o doctor_n in_o the_o world_n may_v put_v their_o head_n together_o and_o yet_o never_o be_v able_a to_o invent_v the_o like_a text._n above_o all_o it_o be_v not_o natural_a for_o the_o jew_n to_o invent_v any_o such_o thing_n because_o they_o have_v no_o such_o object_n among_o they_o as_o can_v fill_v up_o their_o mind_n with_o any_o such_o idea_n when_o we_o suppose_v the_o baptism_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n confer_v upon_o christ_n disciple_n we_o may_v then_o easy_o comprehend_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o that_o mysterious_a but_o very_o remarkable_a expression_n we_o may_v also_o add_v to_o this_o text_n that_o other_o which_o mention_n the_o baptism_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o fire_n in_o like_a manner_n it_o please_v god_n in_o his_o wisdom_n that_o they_o who_o relate_v to_o we_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n shall_v tell_v we_o also_o some_o thing_n which_o we_o can_v at_o first_o view_n easy_o comprehend_v though_o they_o have_v a_o true_a and_o reasonable_a meaning_n on_o purpose_n to_o make_v we_o understand_v that_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a those_o obscure_a and_o difficult_a say_n ascribe_v to_o he_o by_o they_o shall_v come_v of_o themselves_o into_o their_o thought_n have_v not_o he_o real_o speak_v they_o so_o consequent_o it_o can_v never_o be_v suppose_v that_o those_o man_n shall_v have_v forge_v the_o history_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n or_o their_o discourse_n with_o he_o after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a as_o for_o instance_n these_o word_n which_o he_o speak_v to_o mary_n touch_v i_o not_o for_o i_o be_o not_o yet_o ascend_v to_o my_o father_n john_n 20._o 17._o we_o can_v make_v almost_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o such_o remark_n as_o these_o which_o though_o they_o can_v come_v up_o to_o a_o evident_a demonstration_n yet_o be_v very_o proper_a to_o make_v we_o sensible_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o disciple_n will_v further_o appear_v by_o the_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n with_o which_o their_o narrative_n be_v fill_v some_o whereof_o be_v so_o singular_a that_o they_o can_v easy_o enter_v into_o any_o man_n mind_n and_o other_o so_o unbecoming_a their_o master_n or_o disadvantageous_a to_o themselves_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o probability_n they_o can_v have_v any_o desire_n to_o forge_v they_o other_o be_v so_o inseparable_o unite_v with_o those_o event_n which_o must_v necessary_o have_v be_v well_o know_v that_o they_o dare_v not_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o forge_v they_o against_o the_o public_a knowledge_n every_o body_n must_v have_v have_v of_o they_o as_o we_o have_v already_o prove_v at_o large_a but_o last_o it_o be_v not_o our_o present_a design_n to_o insist_v pure_o upon_o probable_a reason_n though_o never_o so_o probable_a and_o sufficient_a of_o themselves_o to_o form_v a_o true_a and_o perfect_a demonstration_n when_o join_v together_o i_o therefore_o proceed_v to_o that_o which_o be_v in_o itself_o whole_o demonstrative_a now_o the_o whole_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n depend_v upon_o this_o argument_n namely_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n sincere_o believe_v his_o miracle_n resurrection_n ascension_n and_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v most_o certain_o true_a we_o have_v already_o give_v a_o invincible_a proof_n of_o the_o consequence_n of_o this_o argument_n by_o show_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o disciple_n shall_v have_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o all_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o though_o they_o may_v have_v be_v deceive_v in_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o his_o resurrection_n that_o though_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o his_o resurrection_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o his_o ascension_n and_o that_o though_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v deceive_v in_o his_o ascension_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o be_v so_o too_o in_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n that_o they_o know_v by_o inward_a sense_n and_o continual_a experience_n i_o prove_v also_o the_o principle_n of_o this_o argument_n viz._n that_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n sincere_o believe_v all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o the_o same_o gradation_n i_o say_v then_o that_o the_o disciple_n can_v not_o impose_v upon_o man_n as_o to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n not_o only_o because_o they_o assert_v they_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o their_o own_o
christ_n as_o one_o that_o supply_v all_o his_o want_n and_o necessity_n he_o be_v therefore_o oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o unusual_a and_o surprise_a expression_n first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n i._n 13._o be_v christ_n divide_v be_v paul_n crucify_v for_o you_o or_o be_v you_o baptize_v in_o the_o name_n of_o paul_n a_o singular_a and_o uncommon_a piece_n of_o humility_n since_o man_n be_v not_o by_o nature_n displease_v and_o disquiet_v at_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o pay_v they_o too_o much_o honour_n chap._n ii_o 4._o and_o my_o speech_n and_o my_o preach_n be_v not_o with_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n but_o in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n it_o be_v beneath_o a_o king_n to_o study_v how_o to_o adorn_v his_o discourse_n and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o charm_n of_o eloquence_n when_o he_o go_v about_o to_o speak_v to_o his_o subject_n to_o who_o he_o show_v mercy_n and_o prescribe_v obedience_n such_o a_o way_n of_o deal_n will_v be_v much_o more_o beneath_o the_o holy_a ghost_n wherefore_o paul_n oppose_v the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o serve_v he_o to_o confirm_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o eloquence_n of_o the_o man_n of_o his_o age_n which_o he_o absolute_o contemn_v and_o despise_v for_o the_o latter_a may_v but_o the_o former_a can_v be_v suspect_v chap._n iii_o 5._o who_o then_o be_v paul_n and_o who_o be_v apollo_n but_o minister_n by_o who_o you_o believe_v those_o man_n be_v not_o like_o simon_n magus_n cerinthus_n sâ—turninus_n basilides_n menander_n etc._n etc._n who_o positive_o affirm_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n the_o word_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o who_o strive_v to_o excel_v one_o another_o in_o extravagant_a vanity_n chap._n iu._n 11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o even_o unto_o this_o present_a hour_n we_o both_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n and_o be_v naked_a and_o be_v buffet_v and_o have_v no_o certain_a dwell_n place_n and_o labour_n work_v with_o our_o own_o hand_n be_v revile_v we_o bless_v be_v persecute_v we_o suffer_v it_o be_v defame_v we_o entreat_v we_o be_v make_v as_o the_o filth_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v the_o offscouring_a of_o all_o thing_n unto_o this_o day_n i_o write_v not_o these_o thing_n to_o shame_v you_o but_o as_o my_o belove_a son_n i_o warn_v you_o do_v paul_n imagine_v he_o can_v easy_o impose_v upon_o those_o he_o write_v this_o epistle_n to_o in_o those_o matter_n which_o must_v have_v be_v so_o public_o know_v or_o do_v he_o think_v he_o can_v incite_v they_o to_o emulate_v his_o patience_n by_o such_o narration_n as_o every_o body_n know_v to_o be_v utter_o false_a verse_n 19_o 20._o but_o i_o will_v come_v to_o you_o short_o if_o the_o lord_n will_v and_o will_v know_v not_o the_o speech_n of_o they_o which_o be_v puff_v up_o but_o the_o power_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v not_o in_o word_n but_o in_o power_n by_o these_o word_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n justify_v in_o those_o day_n the_o mission_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o indeed_o what_o can_v be_v less_o liable_a to_o suspicion_n than_o such_o a_o mark_n and_o sign_n of_o they_o chap._n v._o 5._o to_o deliver_v such_o a_o one_o unto_o satan_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o apostle_n testify_v of_o the_o gospel_n by_o their_o work_n and_o not_o their_o word_n only_o verse_n 11._o if_o any_o man_n that_o be_v call_v a_o brother_n be_v a_o fornicator_n or_o covetous_a or_o a_o idolater_n or_o a_o railer_n or_o a_o drunkard_n or_o a_o extortioner_n with_o such_o a_o one_o do_v not_o eat_v what_o strange_a severity_n be_v this_o what_o amaze_a and_o wonderful_a effect_n what_o surprise_v change_n in_o man_n be_v produce_v by_o the_o gospel_n believe_v it_o if_o you_o can_v after_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o this_o be_v a_o society_n of_o deceitful_a impostor_n as_o it_o must_v need_n be_v confess_v suppose_v their_o testimony_n false_a chap._n vi_o 9_o 10_o 11._o be_v not_o deceive_v neither_o fornicator_n nor_o idolater_n nor_o adulterer_n nor_o effeminate_a nor_o abuser_n of_o themselves_o with_o mankind_n etc._n etc._n shall_v inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o such_o be_v some_o of_o you_o but_o you_o be_v wash_v but_o you_o be_v sanctify_v but_o you_o be_v justify_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n etc._n etc._n have_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n be_v a_o mere_a imposture_n how_o can_v he_o have_v sanctify_a mankind_n and_o what_o can_v be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o deceive_a man_n to_o make_v they_o righteous_a in_o make_v a_o false_a belief_n serve_v to_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o virtue_n for_o such_o notion_n as_o these_o our_o incredulous_a adversary_n must_v necessary_o entertain_v chap._n xii_o 28_o 29_o 30._o and_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n second_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n after_o that_o miracle_n than_o gift_n of_o heal_a help_n government_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n be_v all_o apostle_n be_v all_o prophet_n be_v all_o teacher_n be_v all_o worker_n of_o miracle_n have_v all_o the_o gift_n of_o heal_v do_v all_o speak_v with_o tongue_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n by_o this_o enumeration_n of_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n suppose_v they_o to_o have_v be_v very_o common_a in_o the_o church_n as_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n public_o know_v be_v he_o then_o out_o of_o his_o sense_n to_o talk_v thus_o we_o have_v see_v man_n who_o false_o boast_v they_o can_v work_v many_o miracle_n but_o we_o never_o hear_v of_o any_o that_o pretend_v to_o make_v a_o numerous_a society_n believe_v that_o they_o also_o can_v work_v miracle_n when_o they_o have_v not_o indeed_o the_o power_n to_o perform_v any_o verse_n 31._o but_o covet_v earnest_o the_o best_a gift_n and_o yet_o show_v i_o unto_o you_o a_o more_o excellent_a way_n he_o prefer_v charity_n before_o miracle_n themselves_o and_o all_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n how_o different_a then_o be_v his_o opinion_n from_o the_o vanity_n ambition_n and_o superstition_n of_o the_o world_n chap._n fourteen_o 24_o 25._o but_o if_o all_o prophesy_n and_o there_o come_v in_o one_o that_o believe_v not_o or_o one_o unlearned_a he_o be_v convince_v of_o all_o he_o be_v judge_v of_o all_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o secret_n of_o his_o heart_n make_v manifest_a and_o so_o fall_v down_o on_o his_o face_n he_o will_v worship_v god_n and_o report_n that_o god_n be_v in_o you_o of_o a_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o know_v the_o secret_n of_o man_n heart_n which_o this_o same_o author_n speak_v of_o in_o another_o place_n say_v though_o i_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o understand_v all_o mystery_n etc._n etc._n be_v there_o ever_o any_o seducer_n see_v who_o to_o prove_v their_o mission_n pretend_v themselves_o able_a to_o know_v the_o secret_n of_o man_n heart_n how_o come_v this_o author_n then_o to_o speak_v of_o it_o cursory_o and_o as_o a_o thing_n general_o know_v to_o they_o all_o chap._n xv._n 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17_o 19_o but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a then_o be_v christ_n not_o rise_v and_o if_o christ_n be_v not_o rise_v then_o be_v our_o preach_v vain_a and_o your_o faith_n be_v vain_a also_o yea_o and_o we_o be_v find_v false_a witness_n of_o god_n because_o we_o have_v testify_v of_o god_n that_o he_o raise_v up_o christ_n who_o he_o raise_v not_o up_o if_o so_o be_v that_o the_o dead_a rise_v not_o etc._n etc._n and_o if_o christ_n be_v not_o raise_v your_o faith_n be_v vain_a you_o be_v yet_o in_o your_o sin_n then_o they_o also_o which_o be_v fall_v a_o sleep_n in_o christ_n be_v perish_v if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n in_o christ_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a nothing_o can_v better_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o persuasion_n of_o our_o apostle_n than_o these_o word_n for_o i_o pray_v observe_v after_o what_o manner_n he_o relate_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o man_n who_o think_v there_o be_v no_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a he_o seem_v very_o much_o surprise_v to_o see_v they_o prepossess_v with_o any_o such_o opinion_n after_o what_o they_o have_v know_v of_o christ_n be_v resurrection_n of_o their_o happiness_n that_o sleep_v in_o he_o and_o the_o affliction_n they_o endure_v in_o this_o life_n which_o they_o can_v not_o endure_v without_o some_o reason_n some_o hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o future_a happiness_n verse_n 32._o if_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n
shell_n and_o bark_n if_o i_o may_v so_o say_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o examine_v all_o those_o argument_n that_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o external_a testimony_n which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n give_v of_o it_o and_o by_o consider_v their_o natural_a capacity_n the_o discovery_n that_o be_v make_v to_o they_o their_o prejudices_fw-la the_o peculiar_a frame_n of_o their_o mind_n their_o martyrdom_n and_o the_o reason_n that_o induce_v they_o to_o suffer_v it_o etc._n etc._n and_o all_o this_o before_o we_o proceed_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new-testament_n ii_o we_o shall_v consider_v these_o write_n themselves_o and_o inquire_v whether_o they_o be_v forge_v or_o not_o we_o shall_v examine_v the_o subject-matter_n of_o they_o and_o endeavour_n both_o to_o defend_v they_o against_o the_o suspicion_n of_o the_o incredulous_a by_o show_v that_o they_o contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v certain_o true_a and_o to_o evince_v the_o divinity_n of_o they_o by_o the_o character_n of_o those_o thing_n they_o contain_v iii_o and_o last_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o very_a substance_n and_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n by_o discover_v the_o excellence_n use_n advantage_n the_o end_n genius_n and_o in_o general_a all_o the_o beauty_n which_o be_v proper_a and_o natural_a to_o it_o and_o this_o be_v what_o we_o design_v to_o treat_v of_o in_o the_o follow_a section_n whereof_o this_o second_o part_n be_v compose_v but_o since_o our_o adversary_n by_o their_o prejudices_fw-la may_v be_v incline_v to_o fear_v lest_o we_o shall_v impose_v upon_o they_o by_o make_v they_o believe_v such_o doctrine_n as_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o reason_n and_o since_o it_o be_v much_o for_o our_o advantage_n to_o remove_v all_o such_o suspicion_n we_o will_v for_o a_o while_o doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n with_o they_o and_o raise_v ourselves_o by_o degree_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o establish_v christianity_n itself_o admit_v of_o nothing_o for_o truth_n but_o so_o far_o as_o appear_v evident_a chap._n i._n where_o we_o shall_v inquire_v whence_o the_o christian_n have_v their_o original_a and_o what_o their_o profession_n be_v by_o look_v back_o into_o the_o first_o age_n wherein_o they_o appear_v in_o order_n to_o which_o we_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v now_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n and_o there_o have_v not_o always_o be_v such_o from_o this_o i_o gather_v that_o i_o must_v look_v back_o into_o past_a age_n to_o find_v out_o the_o original_a of_o my_o religion_n in_o this_o search_n i_o pass_v therefore_o from_o age_n to_o age_n till_o i_o come_v to_o constantine_n without_o be_v able_a to_o clear_v this_o doubt_n but_o here_o we_o must_v make_v a_o little_a stop_n the_o prosperity_n of_o this_o prince_n give_v at_o first_o some_o occasion_n of_o suspicion_n and_o we_o easy_o mistrust_v a_o man_n who_o be_v master_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o world_n seem_v probable_o to_o have_v establish_v the_o christian_a religion_n therein_o either_o by_o force_n or_o policy_n look_v perhaps_o upon_o it_o as_o more_o proper_a than_o that_o of_o the_o heathen_n to_o carry_v on_o his_o design_n yet_o that_o suspicion_n soon_o vanish_v since_o we_o be_v assure_v there_o be_v christian_n in_o the_o world_n before_o constantine_n time_n all_o the_o heathen_a writer_n who_o live_v before_o he_o speak_v of_o they_o and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n be_v whole_o employ_v in_o describe_v their_o suffering_n but_o suppose_v that_o these_o historian_n live_v in_o the_o day_n of_o constantine_n or_o after_o he_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v either_o lose_v the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n themselves_o or_o have_v imagine_v that_o the_o man_n of_o their_o age_n have_v lose_v they_o when_o they_o give_v they_o the_o history_n of_o the_o christian_n church_n down_o from_o the_o apostle_n to_o constantine_n if_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o have_v not_o be_v christian_n in_o the_o world_n before_o that_o prince_n and_o therefore_o this_o must_v be_v too_o extravagant_a a_o suspicion_n to_o be_v entertain_v long_o but_o here_o be_v something_o still_o more_o observable_a viz._n that_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n the_o christian_n who_o live_v before_o constantine_n be_v then_o possess_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n and_o on_o the_o other_o that_o those_o very_a christian_n be_v so_o strong_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n of_o his_o miracle_n of_o the_o pour_v out_o the_o holy_a spirit_n on_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o all_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o establish_v the_o christian_a religion_n that_o they_o hardly_o speak_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o their_o book_n be_v full_a of_o they_o and_o their_o doctrine_n be_v altogether_o build_v upon_o this_o foundation_n and_o therefore_o if_o constantine_n invent_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o establish_v christianity_n he_o must_v not_o only_o have_v forge_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n but_o also_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n justin_n iraeneus_n athenagoras_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n tertullian_n origen_n and_o in_o general_a of_o all_o the_o father_n who_o live_v before_o he_o because_o every_o one_o of_o their_o write_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o shall_v we_o go_v up_o a_o little_a high_o than_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n we_o shall_v hear_v of_o christian_n that_o be_v afflict_v during_o the_o three_o first_o century_n of_o the_o church_n and_o persecute_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o punish_v with_o most_o barbarous_a and_o new_a invent_v torment_n they_o be_v put_v to_o death_n upon_o wheel_n and_o scaffold_n torture_v by_o fire_n their_o flesh_n tear_v with_o pincer_n their_o body_n be_v mangle_v by_o cut_v off_o limb_n one_o after_o another_o they_o be_v throw_v into_o river_n and_o cast_v into_o the_o sea_n and_o expose_v to_o wild_a beast_n wrap_v up_o in_o garment_n dip_v in_o sulphur_n to_o serve_v for_o torch_n and_o set_v up_o to_o light_a passenger_n in_o their_o way_n in_o fine_a it_o be_v never_o know_v that_o man_n so_o universal_o agree_v in_o any_o one_o thing_n as_o in_o their_o design_n of_o torment_v the_o christian_n in_o so_o much_o that_o the_o ordinary_a people_n who_o have_v general_o some_o compassion_n for_o the_o great_a malefactor_n upon_o the_o scaffold_n conduct_v the_o christian_n to_o the_o place_n of_o execution_n with_o acclamation_n of_o joy_n certain_o it_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o restrain_v one_o curiosity_n so_o much_o as_o not_o to_o desire_v a_o more_o particular_a knowledge_n of_o a_o people_n persecute_v by_o the_o world_n with_o so_o much_o rage_n and_o malice_n for_o to_o see_v the_o whole_a world_n so_o strange_o incense_v against_o one_o sect_n of_o man_n one_o will_v easy_o think_v they_o the_o common_a enemy_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o the_o offspring_n of_o hell_n itself_o bear_v for_o a_o common_a plague_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n apolog._n what_o then_o be_v the_o great_a crime_n these_o christian_n be_v guilty_a of_o they_o be_v accuse_v of_o impiety_n murder_n and_o incest_n it_o be_v pretend_v that_o they_o violate_v the_o respect_n due_a to_o the_o god_n that_o they_o murder_v their_o own_o child_n which_o they_o scruple_v not_o to_o eat_v up_o after_o have_v kill_v they_o and_o last_o that_o they_o lie_v promiscuous_o together_o the_o brother_n with_o the_o sister_n and_o the_o son_n with_o the_o mother_n but_o first_o of_o all_o there_o be_v little_a likelihood_n that_o the_o christian_n shall_v suffer_v death_n and_o torment_n worse_o than_o death_n itself_o in_o defence_n of_o a_o religion_n which_o engage_v they_o to_o the_o commission_n of_o such_o infamous_a action_n that_o steadfast_a constancy_n they_o show_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o torment_n and_o which_o their_o enemy_n themselves_o acknowledge_v suit_n very_o ill_o with_o the_o voluptuousness_n and_o enormity_n they_o be_v accuse_v of_o beside_o be_v they_o question_v concern_v these_o crime_n which_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o clear_v themselves_o of_o they_o will_v produce_v in_o their_o behalf_n the_o apology_n of_o justin_n athenagoras_n and_o tertullian_n wherein_o they_o earnest_o desire_v the_o senate_n and_o roman_a emperor_n that_o they_o will_v make_v a_o strict_a enquiry_n into_o their_o life_n and_o inflict_v upon_o they_o such_o torment_n as_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n if_o possible_o more_o cruel_a than_o those_o they_o have_v already_o endure_v if_o they_o be_v real_o guilty_a of_o what_o they_o be_v accuse_v they_o will_v show_v we_o likewise_o a_o letter_n from_o pliny_n to_o trajan_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o authentic_a monument_n of_o their_o innocence_n since_o pliny_n there_o inform_v
in_o imitation_n of_o those_o primitive_a christian_n that_o the_o apostle_n deceive_v polycarp_n and_o clemens_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o disciple_n be_v a_o thing_n much_o less_o to_o be_v suspect_v because_o they_o themselves_o stick_v not_o to_o boast_v of_o their_o be_v able_a to_o work_v miracle_n heal_v all_o kind_n of_o disease_n speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o impart_v to_o other_o those_o gift_n they_o call_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o clemens_n polycarp_n etc._n etc._n shall_v have_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o this_o respect_n especial_o to_o â—uch_v a_o degree_n as_o to_o suffer_v death_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o religion_n found_v on_o so_o many_o imposture_n but_o whence_o appear_v it_o that_o the_o apostle_n boast_v of_o a_o power_n to_o work_v miracle_n and_o impart_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o appear_v not_o only_o from_o their_o own_o epistle_n which_o can_v be_v forge_v as_o we_o shall_v prove_v by_o and_o by_o but_o also_o from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o in_o fine_a it_o be_v manifest_a of_o itself_o for_o as_o we_o can_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o alexander_n the_o great_a without_o overthrow_v the_o common_a opinion_n that_o he_o subvert_v the_o empire_n of_o darius_n and_o the_o macedonian_n subdue_v all_o asia_n under_o his_o conduct_n because_o one_o matter_n of_o fact_n depend_v upon_o the_o other_o so_o we_o can_v acknowledge_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n without_o believe_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o resurrection_n his_o pour_v out_o the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n impart_v to_o those_o that_o believe_v for_o take_v away_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n wherein_o will_v the_o divinity_n of_o it_o consist_v wherein_o will_v lie_v the_o strength_n promise_n and_o essential_o of_o it_o since_o therefore_o clemens_n and_o polycarp_n suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n it_o follow_v also_o that_o they_o die_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o just_o now_o mention_v so_o that_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v very_o palpable_a and_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a for_o clemens_n and_o polycarp_n who_o live_v and_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n to_o know_v certain_o whether_o they_o real_o have_v the_o pretend_a gift_n of_o divers_a tongue_n of_o heal_v all_o sort_n of_o disease_n and_o of_o communicate_v these_o extraordinary_a gift_n to_o other_o so_o as_o to_o render_v they_o frequent_v in_o the_o church_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o its_o possible_a to_o call_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o in_o question_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n however_o fruitful_a in_o imagination_n can_v hardly_o raise_v here_o a_o doubt_n of_o a_o moment_n continuance_n for_o shall_v i_o fancy_v they_o may_v have_v give_v i_o a_o false_a relation_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o clemens_n of_o polycarp_n and_o the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n this_o thought_n soon_o vanish_v when_o i_o consider_v the_o number_n quality_n and_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o can_v we_o think_v that_o the_o sucessour_n of_o clemens_n and_o polycarp_n will_v have_v suffer_v a_o real_a martyrdom_n in_o imitation_n of_o one_o that_o be_v but_o imaginary_a will_v they_o so_o courageous_o have_v imitate_v a_o fictitious_a martyrdom_n of_o their_o own_o invention_n and_o shall_v i_o imagine_v clemens_n and_o polycarp_n be_v impose_v on_o by_o the_o apostle_n i_o be_o soon_o convince_v of_o the_o contrary_a since_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o we_o have_v now_o before_o we_o be_v matter_n of_o experience_n so_o evident_a in_o themselves_o that_o we_o can_v be_v mistake_v in_o they_o last_o shall_v i_o doubt_v whether_o the_o apostle_n endeavour_v to_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o i_o be_o make_v to_o understand_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o christianity_n without_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n can_v never_o have_v establish_v the_o christian_a religion_n unless_o they_o have_v first_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o this_o will_v be_v far_o see_v by_o what_o we_o shall_v offer_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n may_v we_o not_o know_v what_o the_o profess_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n say_v of_o they_o for_o it_o seem_v unjust_a to_o hearken_v to_o that_o only_a which_o the_o christian_n allege_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o own_o cause_n this_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n we_o find_v porphirius_fw-la celsus_n and_o julian_n surname_v the_o apostate_n maintain_v that_o jesus_n christ_n do_v no_o miracle_n at_o all_o but_o by_o a_o magic_a power_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o fantom_n which_o appear_v to_o the_o disciple_n instead_o of_o jesus_n christ_n rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a whereupon_o i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o make_v some_o few_o reflection_n it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o those_o who_o be_v far_o more_o exasperate_v against_o the_o christian_n than_o the_o incredulous_a of_o these_o ime_n be_v and_o who_o live_v in_o a_o time_n near_o to_o that_o â—f_n the_o apostle_n may_v have_v easy_o know_v the_o truthâ—r_a â—r_z falsehood_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n i_o say_v it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o those_o man_n dare_v not_o in_o the_o least_o call_v â—ny_n of_o they_o in_o question_n but_o be_v force_v to_o have_v â—ecourse_n to_o ghost_n and_o a_o magic_a power_n to_o avoid_v â—eing_v perplex_v with_o they_o it_o be_v also_o worth_a our_o while_n to_o observe_v that_o celsus_n himself_o who_o ever_o before_o question_v magician_n be_v at_o length_n force_v to_o ascribe_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o a_o magic_a power_n â—s_a origen_n himself_o upbraid_v he_o in_o some_o part_n of_o his_o work_n thus_o it_o immediate_o appear_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v man_n of_o very_a good_a sense_n and_o very_o honest_a and_o sincere_a principle_n too_o that_o part_n of_o they_o live_v in_o a_o time_n so_o very_o near_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n in_o who_o day_n all_o those_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v that_o they_o must_v necessary_o have_v know_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o suffer_v death_n to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o religion_n found_v upon_o all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o last_o that_o their_o enemy_n themselves_o dare_v not_o presume_v entire_o to_o call_v any_o of_o they_o in_o question_n but_o i_o will_v not_o yield_v myself_o conquer_v for_o all_o that_o but_o rather_o raise_v myself_o a_o little_a high_o and_o stop_v for_o a_o while_n at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n which_o be_v the_o time_n wherein_o st._n john_n 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there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n be_v also_o tax_v it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v publish_v in_o this_o age_n a_o book_n full_a of_o excellent_a precept_n of_o morality_n intermix_v with_o several_a fictitious_a action_n which_o book_n he_o will_v have_v the_o world_n receive_v as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o some_o divine_a and_o extraordinary_a man_n who_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o age_n raise_v up_o several_a man_n from_o the_o dead_a heal_v all_o sort_n of_o disease_n calm_v the_o wind_n and_o tempest_n of_o the_o sea_n give_v authority_n to_o several_a of_o his_o disciple_n to_o work_v many_o strange_a miracle_n be_v at_o length_n seize_v and_o put_v to_o death_n in_o germany_n and_o who_o disciple_n who_o bear_v such_o and_o such_o name_n and_o be_v bear_v in_o such_o and_o such_o a_o country_n come_v afterward_o into_o france_n disperse_v themselves_o throughout_o the_o other_o part_n of_o europe_n preach_v his_o doctrine_n and_o at_o length_n die_v all_o unanimous_o in_o defence_n of_o it_o what_o think_v you_o of_o this_o tale_n and_o how_o will_v it_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o world_n but_o as_o a_o system_n only_o of_o many_o evident_a and_o palpable_a falsity_n what_o think_v you_o those_o person_n will_v say_v of_o it_o who_o shall_v be_v thus_o accuse_v of_o so_o dreadful_a a_o parricide_n they_o will_v certain_o reply_v that_o that_o fictitious_a book_n be_v purposely_o design_v to_o blast_v their_o reputation_n but_o it_o appear_v the_o jew_n never_o attempt_v to_o clear_v themselves_o after_o that_o manner_n they_o confess_v there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o their_o father_n put_v he_o to_o death_n neither_o do_v they_o deny_v the_o least_o circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n ministry_n or_o death_n except_v those_o which_o may_v probable_o make_v he_o pass_v for_o the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o we_o
the_o utmost_a pitch_n of_o prosperity_n and_o glory_n this_o jesus_n himself_o be_v seize_v and_o nail_v on_o a_o cross_n where_o he_o suffer_v a_o most_o infamous_a death_n infamous_a in_o the_o esteem_n of_o all_o nation_n but_o more_o particular_o accurse_v in_o the_o jewish_a law_n what_o a_o mighty_a thunder_n bolt_n must_v this_o have_v be_v to_o such_o man_n who_o have_v feed_v their_o fancy_n with_o such_o charm_a hope_n they_o be_v long_o since_o persuade_v that_o the_o messiah_n will_v make_v his_o appearance_n in_o a_o very_a glorious_a state_n that_o he_o will_v overthrow_v at_o his_o come_v the_o empire_n of_o cesar_n together_o with_o all_o the_o roman_a grandeur_n and_o thereby_o make_v the_o jew_n absolute_a master_n of_o the_o world_n all_o these_o thing_n they_o impatient_o expect_v from_o jesus_n and_o yet_o this_o jesus_n be_v dishonour_v by_o a_o infamous_a punishment_n he_o be_v compel_v to_o endure_v the_o jew_n themselves_o not_o only_o sacrifice_v he_o but_o 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another_o of_o a_o dropsy_n a_o three_o disease_v with_o a_o issue_n of_o blood_n that_o he_o cast_v out_o many_o devil_n raise_v the_o dead_a to_o life_n appease_v the_o stormy_a wind_n and_o tempest_n and_o at_o several_a time_n wonderful_o feed_v many_o thousand_o in_o the_o wilderness_n these_o miracle_n be_v very_o numerous_a indeed_o seem_v very_o much_o different_a from_o one_o another_o and_o can_v proceed_v but_o from_o a_o divine_a power_n to_o this_o we_o must_v further_o add_v that_o they_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o can_v not_o be_v conceal_v from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o man_n that_o they_o must_v necessary_o have_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o witness_n so_o that_o have_v the_o apostle_n pure_o invent_v they_o they_o may_v soon_o have_v be_v contradict_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n and_o yet_o it_o seem_v the_o most_o inveterate_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n dare_v not_o altogether_o deny_v the_o evidence_n of_o they_o because_o they_o accuse_v 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those_o two_o constant_a and_o perpetual_a witness_n of_o his_o action_n must_v needs_o have_v know_v it_o and_o and_o if_o they_o do_v certain_o know_v it_o whence_o can_v then_o proceed_v the_o repentance_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o despair_n of_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o use_v any_o evasion_n in_o the_o history_n of_o judas_n which_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o a_o thing_n public_o know_v to_o the_o world_n this_o man_n say_v st._n peter_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o act_n verse_n 18_o purchase_v a_o field_n with_o the_o reward_n of_o iniquity_n and_o fall_v headlong_o burst_v asunder_o in_o the_o midst_n and_o all_o his_o bowel_n gush_v out_o and_o it_o be_v know_v unto_o all_o the_o dweller_n at_o jerusalem_n insomuch_o as_o that_o field_n be_v call_v in_o their_o proper_a tongue_n aceldama_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o field_n of_o blood_n be_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v more_o particular_a in_o any_o thing_n and_o can_v the_o author_n of_o the_o act_n be_v so_o foolish_a to_o imagine_v he_o can_v invent_v all_o these_o circumstance_n and_o make_v st._n peter_n utter_v they_o without_o make_v he_o ridiculous_a and_o himself_o liable_a to_o be_v contradict_v in_o like_a manner_n the_o evangelist_n tell_v we_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n they_o say_v that_o at_o his_o death_n there_o be_v a_o great_a darkness_n and_o a_o dreadful_a earthquake_n that_o the_o rock_n burst_v and_o the_o vail_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v in_o twain_o from_o the_o top_n to_o the_o bottom_n if_o all_o this_o be_v mere_a invention_n those_o writer_n show_v but_o little_a reason_n in_o choose_v such_o strange_a circumstance_n to_o impose_v upon_o man_n belief_n be_v it_o such_o a_o easy_a matter_n to_o persuade_v all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o on_o the_o day_n jesus_n christ_n be_v crucify_v the_o vail_n of_o the_o temple_n rend_v in_o twain_o and_o several_a other_o notable_a prodigy_n be_v see_v be_v it_o not_o a_o pretty_a way_n of_o get_v credit_n among_o man_n and_o those_o man_n too_o who_o relate_v such_o strange_a thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o every_o one_o and_o so_o soon_o after_o they_o must_v have_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v can_v they_o gain_v over_o to_o their_o side_n so_o many_o thousand_o people_n as_o to_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o evangelist_n relate_v that_o the_o stone_n of_o his_o sepulchre_n be_v seal_v and_o a_o watch_n set_v over_o it_o that_o the_o soldier_n say_v the_o next_o day_n that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n come_v by_o night_n and_o steal_v away_o his_o body_n whilst_o they_o sleep_v etc._n etc._n if_o you_o doubt_v whether_o the_o soldier_n be_v suborn_v by_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o give_v out_o that_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v be_v steal_v away_o by_o his_o disciple_n st._n matthew_n will_v inform_v you_o of_o it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o will_v infallible_o clear_v all_o your_o doubt_n now_o say_v he_o some_o of_o the_o watch_n come_v into_o the_o city_n and_o show_v unto_o the_o chief_a priest_n all_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v and_o when_o they_o be_v assemble_v with_o the_o elder_n and_o have_v take_v council_n they_o give_v large_a money_n unto_o the_o soldier_n say_v say_v you_o his_o disciple_n come_v by_o night_n and_o steal_v he_o away_o while_o we_o sleep_v and_o if_o this_o come_v to_o the_o governors_n ear_n we_o will_v persuade_v he_o and_o secure_v you_o so_o they_o take_v the_o money_n and_o do_v as_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o this_o say_n be_v common_o report_v among_o the_o jew_n unto_o this_o day_n chap._n 28._o v._n 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15._o here_o the_o evangelist_n be_v far_o from_o design_v to_o deceive_v the_o public_a in_o those_o thing_n he_o pretend_v be_v public_o know_v it_o be_v therefore_o to_o be_v 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holy_a ghost_n but_o perhaps_o it_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o christian_a church_n found_v at_o jerusalem_n if_o so_o then_o must_v the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o live_v in_o different_a time_n and_o in_o different_a place_n have_v conspire_v together_o to_o deceive_v we_o in_o this_o respect_n and_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n and_o all_o other_o profess_a enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n as_o well_o ancient_a as_o modern_a who_o never_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n must_v utter_o have_v lose_v their_o reason_n in_o a_o word_n suppose_v the_o book_n of_o act_n compose_v long_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v when_o there_o can_v be_v no_o long_o any_o flourish_a church_n in_o that_o city_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o point_n gain_v for_o it_o be_v true_a still_o that_o the_o apostle_n set_v down_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o speak_v of_o and_o that_o their_o epistle_n be_v fill_v with_o 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which_o the_o christian_n look_v upon_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o reject_v the_o messiah_n but_o since_o my_o design_n be_v not_o to_o leave_v the_o reader_n the_o least_o shadow_n of_o a_o doubt_n i_o promise_v to_o prove_v by_o and_o by_o that_o the_o apostle_n both_o receive_v and_o impart_v many_o miraculous_a gift_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n till_o the_o method_n i_o have_v prescribe_v to_o myself_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o enter_v upon_o that_o subject_n i_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o make_v some_o few_o reflection_n concern_v the_o success_n of_o the_o apostle_n preach_v which_o be_v that_o essential_a head_n to_o which_o all_o other_o matter_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o act_n relate_v chap._n x._o wherein_o we_o shall_v take_v into_o consideration_n what_o success_n the_o preach_v of_o the_o apostle_n have_v this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v relate_v with_o very_o remarkable_a circumstannce_n as_o i._o that_o those_o man_n who_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v fisherman_n that_o be_v gross_a and_o ignorant_a people_n of_o no_o appearance_n or_o authority_n in_o the_o world_n ii_o that_o those_o man_n go_v about_o preach_v that_o they_o have_v see_v jesus_n christ_n rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o have_v long_o before_o be_v eye-witness_n to_o his_o miracle_n iii_o that_o they_o offend_v by_o their_o preach_v all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n and_o expose_v their_o person_n to_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o danger_n and_o misfortune_n iv._o that_o they_o suffer_v they_o with_o patience_n or_o rather_o with_o joy_n v._o that_o the_o success_n of_o their_o preach_n be_v so_o swift_a and_o sudden_a as_o be_v almost_o inconceivable_a in_o all_o this_o st._n luke_n have_v tell_v we_o nothing_o but_o what_o our_o own_o reason_n will_v tell_v we_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o they_o be_v man_n of_o no_o extraordinary_a birth_n or_o credit_n in_o the_o world_n that_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n since_o no_o body_n have_v ever_o say_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o contrary_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o those_o man_n ought_v to_o have_v testify_v that_o they_o have_v see_v jesus_n christ_n work_v many_o miracle_n see_v he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n because_o they_o will_v never_o have_v convert_v so_o many_o nation_n as_o they_o do_v have_v they_o only_o say_v they_o know_v all_o those_o thing_n by_o hear_v say_v and_o beside_o that_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n inform_v we_o that_o that_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o their_o preach_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n persecute_v these_o man_n for_o as_o much_o as_o policy_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o all_o new_a sect_n and_o the_o people_n themselves_o be_v always_o jealous_a of_o their_o religion_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v neither_o but_o that_o the_o apostle_n very_o courageous_o suffer_v the_o effect_n of_o that_o persecution_n because_o have_v they_o recant_v or_o draw_v back_o for_o fear_n of_o punishment_n their_o design_n will_v have_v miscarry_v in_o its_o very_a beginning_n last_o who_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o success_n of_o their_o preach_n be_v very_o swift_a and_o sudden_a in_o as_o much_o as_o in_o a_o short_a time_n there_o be_v several_a church_n establish_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v never_o contest_v and_o therefore_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o st._n luke_n tell_v we_o all_o these_o thing_n the_o book_n of_o act_n inform_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v so_o which_o utter_o destroy_v the_o suspicion_n we_o may_v entertain_v that_o they_o be_v all_o forge_v or_o invent_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o can_v consider_v all_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n nor_o unite_v they_o together_o and_o observe_v the_o proportion_n they_o have_v one_o with_o another_o without_o present_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o so_o plain_o prove_v and_o establish_v chap._n xi_o wherein_o we_o shall_v examine_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n though_o the_o ancient_n have_v not_o unanimous_o receive_v the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n though_o clemens_n polycarp_n and_o barnabas_n have_v make_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v write_v to_o some_o church_n that_o be_v to_o whole_a society_n who_o for_o a_o long_a while_n preserve_v the_o original_n of_o they_o to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v not_o forge_v it_o be_v then_o our_o concern_n to_o see_v whether_o we_o can_v find_v therein_o any_o character_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o religion_n we_o can_v read_v st._n paul_n epistle_n without_o observe_v therein_o i._o the_o piety_n and_o charity_n of_o that_o apostle_n ii_o his_o impartiality_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o world_n iii_o his_o courage_n in_o endure_a affliction_n which_o instead_o of_o dishearten_v rather_o overjoy_v he_o iv._o a_o continual_a repetition_n of_o the_o testimony_n which_o the_o apostle_n bear_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o lord_n v._o such_o thing_n which_o manifest_o denote_v that_o st._n paul_n have_v receive_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o that_o those_o that_o then_o believe_v very_o frequent_o receive_v they_o the_o piety_n of_o that_o apostle_n so_o various_o discover_v itself_o in_o his_o write_n that_o we_o can_v think_v it_o dissemble_v without_o offer_v violence_n to_o our_o understanding_n for_o though_o a_o man_n shall_v constrain_v himself_o upon_o some_o occasion_n yet_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v after_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n during_o a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o life_n in_o all_o his_o action_n in_o all_o his_o word_n in_o his_o manner_n of_o tell_v of_o thing_n which_o often_o discover_v the_o bottom_n of_o the_o heart_n than_o the_o thing_n he_o speak_v of_o i_o know_v very_o well_o hypocrisy_n cover_v itself_o with_o the_o external_a show_n of_o virtue_n but_o real_o there_o be_v yet_o something_o which_o i_o can_v express_v a_o simple_a and_o natural_a air_n in_o true_a virtue_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o hypocrisy_n or_o rather_o hypocrisy_n be_v neither_o so_o subtle_a nor_o clear_v sight_v but_o that_o it_o discover_v itself_o on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o nay_o often_o it_o let_v drop_v a_o wordwhich_v unmasque_n it_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n however_o i_o be_o willing_a the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n shall_v be_v strict_o examine_v to_o see_v whether_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v very_o natural_a and_o sincere_a can_v be_v find_v
be_v clear_o explain_v by_o their_o event_n neither_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n bear_v the_o least_o record_n of_o mahomet_n whereas_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o of_o a_o messiah_n that_o be_v to_o unite_v the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o to_o carry_v the_o covenant_n of_o god_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n mahomet_n establish_v himself_o in_o the_o world_n by_o force_n and_o violence_n but_o jesus_n christ_n only_o by_o patience_n and_o suffering_n the_o former_a be_v environ_v with_o soldier_n the_o latter_a be_v attend_v with_o martyr_n the_o one_o put_v man_n to_o death_n but_o the_o other_o receive_v death_n for_o our_o sake_n mahomet_n ambition_n who_o establish_v such_o a_o flourish_a empire_n be_v present_o see_v in_o the_o success_n he_o have_v in_o his_o undertake_n but_o jesus_n christ_n be_v far_o from_o self_n interest_n or_o ambition_n since_o he_o withdraw_v himself_o when_o they_o will_v have_v make_v he_o king_n and_o declare_v his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n instead_o of_o encourage_v the_o carnal_a prejudices_fw-la of_o his_o disciple_n he_o take_v care_n to_o undeceive_v they_o and_o to_o foretell_v all_o the_o evil_n they_o be_v to_o expect_v and_o though_o any_o shall_v presume_v open_o to_o dispute_v all_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n still_o they_o appear_v by_o the_o end_n and_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o design_n of_o which_o be_v to_o sanctify_v the_o heart_n and_o calm_v the_o disorderly_a passion_n of_o the_o soul_n mahomet_n invent_v such_o a_o religion_n which_o agree_v only_o with_o corrupt_a reason_n and_o the_o loose_a inordinate_a desire_n of_o the_o heart_n he_o make_v the_o scandal_n of_o the_o cross_n to_o give_v place_n to_o the_o magnificence_n and_o grandeur_n of_o the_o world_n he_o take_v away_o the_o most_o spiritual_a and_o difficult_a matter_n of_o morality_n to_o fill_v the_o mind_n of_o his_o disciple_n with_o carnal_a and_o sensual_a idea_n but_o not_o so_o do_v our_o saviour_n act_n who_o propose_v his_o cross_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o a_o astonish_a paradox_n and_o a_o continual_a cause_n of_o mortification_n and_o repentance_n mahomet_n establish_v his_o religion_n by_o the_o help_n of_o ignorance_n and_o darkness_n by_o suppress_v such_o book_n as_o may_v have_v enlighten_v man_n understanding_n and_o by_o require_v a_o blind_a submission_n from_o they_o jesus_n christ_n on_o the_o contrary_n will_v not_o have_v they_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n but_o as_o they_o find_v it_o conformable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n search_v the_o scripture_n say_v he_o for_o in_o they_o you_o think_v you_o have_v eternal_a life_n john_n 5._o 39_o mahomet_n establish_v himself_o in_o the_o world_n by_o dissemble_v and_o disguise_v his_o thought_n he_o promise_v in_o the_o begin_n a_o toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n carry_v it_o fair_a to_o the_o christian_n but_o afterwasd_n do_v his_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o extirpate_v they_o utter_o but_o jesus_n christ_n declare_v at_o first_o his_o intention_n and_o design_n which_o be_v to_o save_v mankind_n and_o overthrow_v superstition_n itself_o nor_o he_o nor_o his_o disciple_n use_v any_o policy_n or_o circumvention_n in_o this_o respect_n mahomet_n die_v but_o never_o rise_v nor_o pretend_v to_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a thereby_o to_o show_v he_o be_v approve_v of_o god_n jesus_n christ_n die_v but_o it_o be_v believe_v he_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o who_o have_v see_v he_o after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o testify_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o all_o the_o world_n at_o the_o expense_n of_o their_o life_n and_o effusion_n of_o their_o blood_n mahomet_n religion_n be_v invent_v maintain_v and_o support_v by_o policy_n but_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v at_o first_o offensive_a to_o all_o the_o prince_n upon_o earth_n and_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o world_n notwithstanding_o all_o their_o endeavour_n to_o the_o contrary_n mahomets_n religion_n appear_v at_o first_o view_n to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o triumph_n of_o humane_a industry_n and_o covetousness_n but_o the_o religion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n show_v that_o of_o integrity_n and_o justice_n in_o their_o full_a perfection_n and_o natural_a religion_n in_o that_o proper_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n that_o be_v restore_v to_o it_o by_o charity_n mahomet_n lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o particular_a monarchy_n and_o establish_v such_o law_n as_o human_o speak_v be_v serviceable_a only_o in_o those_o place_n wherein_o he_o have_v settle_v his_o dominion_n but_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v we_o new_a principle_n of_o union_n and_o intelligence_n very_o useful_a to_o the_o good_a of_o public_a society_n in_o general_n and_o very_o fit_a to_o cement_v the_o union_n of_o all_o man_n together_o by_o make_v the_o spirit_n of_o charity_n reign_v in_o the_o world_n the_o come_n of_o mahomet_n do_v not_o sanctify_v mankind_n but_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v attend_v with_o a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o person_n who_o all_o renounce_v the_o world_n mere_o by_o the_o faith_n they_o have_v in_o he_o it_o be_v not_o mahomet_n but_o jesus_n christ_n who_o exact_o fulfil_v the_o oracle_n concern_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n because_o mahomet_n derive_v all_o his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n from_o jesus_n christ_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v last_o temporal_a prosperity_n be_v the_o true_a character_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o mahomet_n and_o it_o may_v be_v very_o well_o affirm_v that_o mahomet_n be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o all_o those_o who_o enjoy_v the_o great_a prosperity_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v all_o tyrant_n wicked_a and_o unjust_a man_n be_v the_o favourite_n of_o god_n but_o the_o character_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v patience_n self-denial_n innocence_n and_o a_o simplicity_n of_o manner_n and_o certain_o he_o be_v approve_v of_o god_n if_o god_n approve_v of_o virtuous_a patient_a humble_a and_o charitable_a man_n it_o concern_v now_o the_o incredulous_a to_o answer_v all_o these_o difference_n if_o they_o will_v have_v we_o allow_v of_o this_o comparison_n for_o otherwise_o we_o shall_v ever_o reject_v it_o as_o be_v very_o ridiculous_a and_o extravagant_a chap._n xv._n where_o we_o further_o examine_v the_o objection_n of_o the_o incredulous_a the_o incredulous_a be_v apt_a to_o raise_v as_o many_o suspicion_n against_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o against_o his_o person_n because_o of_o all_o those_o proof_n which_o establish_v his_o religion_n there_o be_v none_o that_o can_v move_v the_o sense_n so_o much_o as_o that_o take_v from_o true_a miracle_n i._o then_o they_o object_n that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n may_v have_v heal_v two_o or_o three_o people_n either_o by_o chance_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o second_o cause_n and_o that_o that_o good_a success_n may_v have_v get_v he_o afterward_o the_o name_n of_o a_o prophet_n through_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o people_n who_o be_v wont_a to_o ascribe_v to_o supernatural_a cause_n every_o thing_n that_o be_v unknown_a to_o they_o we_o answer_v that_o we_o have_v here_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o miracle_n all_o of_o different_a kind_n evident_a and_o sensible_a miracle_n in_o their_o nature_n unimitable_a and_o above_o all_o imposture_n such_o be_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a heal_v the_o blind_a the_o lame_a and_o the_o sick_a of_o the_o palsy_n etc._n etc._n ii_o they_o pretend_v that_o he_o may_v perhaps_o have_v suborn_v witness_n to_o testify_v some_o fabulous_a miracle_n but_o how_o can_v this_o be_v since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v neither_o money_n to_o give_v nor_o dignity_n to_o promise_v and_o as_o for_o cunning_a politic_a nicety_n riches_n and_o credit_n they_o be_v only_o among_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n and_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n his_o implacable_a enemy_n who_o take_v all_o opportunity_n to_o prejudice_v he_o because_o he_o public_o censure_v their_o hypocrisy_n upon_o all_o occasion_n iii_o they_o object_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v so_o prudent_a as_o to_o work_v his_o miracle_n only_o before_o three_o of_o his_o choose_a disciple_n viz._n peter_n james_n and_o john_n now_o say_v they_o who_o know_v but_o that_o those_o three_o disciple_n to_o flatter_v the_o ambition_n of_o their_o master_n may_v have_v attest_v certain_a miracle_n as_o true_a which_o be_v not_o real_o so_o to_o remove_v this_o suspicion_n we_o need_v only_o reflect_v upon_o the_o many_o miracle_n jesus_n christ_n wrought_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o other_o disciple_n he_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a the_o son_n of_o the_o widow_n of_o naim_n as_o he_o be_v a_o carry_v to_o be_v inter_v he_o raise_v lazarus_n from_o the_o grave_n in_o
well_o enough_o with_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a but_o here_o that_o a_o man_n die_v a_o death_n proper_a only_o to_o slave_n that_o he_o rise_v again_o and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o can_v not_o easy_o enter_v of_o itself_o into_o any_o man_n mind_n there_o a_o senator_n make_v use_v of_o a_o lie_n to_o free_v the_o senate_n from_o the_o accusation_n of_o have_v murder_v their_o king_n but_o here_o we_o find_v man_n who_o expose_v themselves_o to_o death_n and_o to_o torment_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a more_o insufferable_a than_o death_n itself_o to_o bear_v witness_n of_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o truth_n there_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v a_o cunning_a man_n who_o soften_v a_o multitude_n enrage_v for_o the_o murder_n of_o their_o king_n by_o impose_v upon_o their_o beleif_n but_o here_o we_o have_v only_o simple_a and_o ignorant_a person_n who_o by_o their_o testimony_n convince_v even_o the_o most_o obstinate_a among_o the_o learned_a and_o engage_v they_o also_o to_o suffer_v martyrdom_n there_o a_o single_a person_n bare_o affirm_v without_o any_o proof_n that_o romulus_n have_v appear_v to_o he_o here_o we_o have_v such_o witness_n as_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o the_o most_o real_a and_o sensible_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n viz._n the_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n confer_v upon_o they_o and_o which_o they_o themselves_o frequent_o impart_v to_o other_o but_o last_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o we_o see_v now_o a_o day_n certain_a enthusiast_n and_o quaker_n pretend_v themselves_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o reveal_v to_o they_o as_o they_o say_v both_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v and_o believe_v whereas_o all_o man_n of_o sense_n know_v very_o well_o they_o do_v but_o dream_v all_o this_o while_n and_o perhaps_o too_o the_o disciple_n may_v have_v false_o pretend_v they_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o will_v soon_o be_v see_v how_o wretched_o foolish_a and_o trivial_a this_o same_o objection_n be_v if_o it_o be_v only_o consider_v that_o though_o these_o enthusiast_n vain_o boast_v of_o their_o be_v divine_o inspire_v yet_o they_o pretend_v not_o to_o confirm_v their_o doctrine_n by_o work_v any_o miracle_n or_o speak_v strange_a language_n etc._n etc._n they_o think_v themselves_o inspire_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n only_o and_o since_o they_o common_o speak_v in_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o they_o have_v continual_o before_o their_o eye_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o wonder_v at_o their_o take_n for_o a_o inspiration_n a_o continual_a repetition_n of_o that_o they_o have_v so_o often_o read_v over_o but_o the_o apostle_n not_o only_o pretend_v themselves_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o they_o may_v not_o advance_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v orthodox_n and_o conformable_a to_o the_o 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on_o a_o sudden_a so_o courageous_a as_o to_o attempt_v the_o take_v away_o the_o dead_a body_n of_o one_o from_o who_o they_o have_v so_o late_o flee_v while_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a beside_o how_o can_v those_o soldier_n have_v report_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o do_v without_o manifest_o contradict_v themselves_o for_o if_o they_o be_v asleep_a how_o do_v they_o know_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n have_v take_v away_o his_o body_n but_o why_o do_v not_o the_o sanhedrin_n for_o their_o own_o honour_n and_o the_o respect_n they_o bear_v to_o the_o truth_n put_v all_o those_o soldier_n to_o the_o rack_n and_o if_o that_o thought_n come_v not_o present_o into_o their_o head_n be_v it_o not_o natural_a to_o think_v they_o will_v have_v do_v it_o when_o they_o find_v awhile_o after_o all_o jerusalem_n inclinable_a to_o believe_v in_o that_o crucify_a man_n and_o that_o about_o six_o thousand_o soul_n have_v already_o believe_v in_o he_o in_o one_o day_n and_o that_o too_o but_o 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call_v he_o my_o lord_n and_o my_o god_n john_n 20._o 28._o the_o disciple_n ask_v he_o whether_o he_o will_v at_o that_o time_n restore_v the_o kingdom_n unto_o israel_n but_o he_o answer_v they_o that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o they_o to_o know_v the_o time_n and_o season_n which_o the_o father_n only_o have_v in_o his_o power_n last_o the_o evangelist_n give_v we_o no_o less_o the_o history_n of_o jesus_n christ_n rise_v from_o the_o dead_a than_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n live_v and_o converse_v before_o his_o death_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o we_o affirm_v we_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o believe_v one_o as_o the_o other_o for_o indeed_o why_o do_v we_o believe_v there_o be_v ever_o any_o such_o person_n as_o jesus_n christ_n we_o believe_v it_o certain_o because_o it_o be_v in_o humane_a speak_n moral_o impossible_a that_o so_o many_o person_n shall_v unanimous_o tell_v we_o they_o have_v see_v he_o that_o they_o discourse_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o he_o nay_o see_v he_o 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as_o worldly-minded_n in_o those_o day_n as_o they_o be_v now_o so_o that_o methinks_v it_o appear_v hitherto_o very_o clear_o that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v neither_o capable_a of_o deceive_v themselves_o nor_o of_o be_v deceive_v by_o other_o as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n they_o testify_v it_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n i_o have_v almost_o say_v impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n which_o they_o relate_v because_o they_o so_o exact_o set_v down_o the_o circumstance_n the_o name_n place_n and_o the_o person_n themselves_o nay_o they_o pretend_v they_o themselves_o be_v send_v by_o their_o master_n into_o all_o the_o part_n of_o judea_n to_o work_v there_o the_o very_a same_o miracle_n they_o attest_v but_o though_o they_o shall_v have_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o deceive_v themselves_o in_o his_o 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at_o any_o rate_n whatever_o out_o of_o mere_a complaisance_n to_o he_o such_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n such_o the_o frame_n and_o temper_v of_o their_o heart_n that_o they_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o falsity_n unless_o cover_v with_o a_o specious_a show_n of_o truth_n so_o that_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v so_o evident_o false_a that_o every_o body_n must_v necessary_o be_v sensible_a of_o it_o we_o have_v no_o thought_n of_o attempt_v to_o make_v other_o believe_v it_o as_o for_o instance_n it_o will_v never_o come_v into_o my_o head_n to_o make_v other_o man_n believe_v that_o i_o have_v wing_n and_o that_o i_o fly_v etc._n etc._n we_o may_v here_o repeat_v what_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n either_o the_o disciple_n look_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n before_o his_o death_n as_o the_o promise_a messiah_n or_o else_o they_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o such_o if_o they_o consider_v he_o as_o the_o promise_a messiah_n they_o then_o 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sanctify_v mankind_n but_o what_o man_n be_v his_o thought_n never_o so_o confuse_v and_o irregular_a be_v his_o reason_n never_o so_o corrupt_a can_v yet_o imagine_v that_o so_o many_o mean-spirited_n simple_a and_o humble_a man_n as_o the_o disciple_n be_v shall_v immediate_o become_v the_o most_o lie_v notorious_a cheat_n out_o of_o no_o other_o design_n then_o to_o involve_v themselves_o in_o ruin_n if_o some_o of_o they_o be_v false_a and_o other_o sincere_a and_o if_o the_o latter_a be_v at_o all_o impose_v upon_o by_o the_o former_a which_o be_v the_o most_o our_o incredulous_a adversary_n can_v imagine_v yet_o even_o then_o i_o assert_v that_o such_o a_o cheat_n can_v not_o have_v be_v carry_v on_o by_o they_o for_o suppose_v peter_n never_o so_o smooth_a and_o eloquent_a never_o so_o adroit_fw-fr at_o dissemble_v and_o insinuation_n yet_o how_o can_v he_o possible_o persuade_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o person_n to_o believe_v against_o their_o sense_n that_o they_o have_v see_v that_o which_o they_o real_o never_o see_v or_o handle_v that_o which_o they_o have_v never_o handle_v that_o jesus_n christ_n after_o have_v give_v they_o many_o precept_n and_o large_a instruction_n which_o he_o leave_v very_o deep_o imprint_v in_o their_o mind_n ascend_v into_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n but_o shall_v i_o grant_v he_o may_v have_v persuade_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n yet_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o can_v persuade_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o ascension_n have_v st._n peter_n but_o so_o much_o as_o propose_v it_o to_o they_o who_o he_o design_v to_o delude_v it_o will_v have_v be_v for_o that_o very_a reason_n impossible_a but_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v find_v out_o his_o design_n to_o cheat_v they_o but_o he_o will_v not_o sure_o presume_v to_o propose_v to_o they_o the_o joint_a contrivance_n of_o such_o a_o fabulous_a story_n nor_o will_v he_o have_v find_v though_o he_o have_v be_v bold_a enough_o to_o have_v propose_v it_o any_o that_o will_v have_v assist_v he_o in_o so_o senseless_a a_o design_n much_o less_o maintain_v his_o extravagance_n and_o least_o of_o all_o expose_v themselves_o to_o a_o thousand_o torment_n on_o purpose_n to_o maintain_v it_o 2._o but_o second_o i_o observe_v that_o such_o a_o imposture_n will_v have_v be_v of_o no_o manner_n of_o use_n to_o they_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o have_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n to_o satisfy_v any_o reasonable_a man_n how_o needless_a and_o useless_a it_o will_v be_v to_o advance_v it_o it_o be_v true_a there_o have_v be_v in_o all_o age_n and_o country_n such_o man_n as_o will_v have_v be_v very_o willing_a for_o their_o own_o advantage_n to_o make_v other_o believe_v improbable_a story_n and_o fiction_n have_v the_o thing_n be_v but_o practicable_a but_o because_o they_o can_v not_o effect_v it_o without_o such_o a_o mutual_a concert_n among_o several_a person_n to_o maintain_v it_o as_o 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christ_n against_o the_o real_a truth_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o inward_a sense_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n will_v have_v be_v altogether_o as_o useless_a and_o needless_a because_o it_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o appear_v that_o the_o disciple_n can_v propose_v to_o themselves_o any_o reasonable_a design_n in_o maintain_v such_o a_o incredible_a story_n 3._o nay_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n not_o only_o whole_o useless_a but_o as_o we_o observe_v in_o the_o three_o place_n such_o a_o one_o as_o man_n doubt_n usual_o design_n or_o contrive_v it_o can_v not_o enter_v into_o any_o one_o man_n mind_n much_o less_o into_o that_o of_o so_o many_o different_a man_n at_o once_o to_o fancy_v that_o they_o can_v persuade_v other_o man_n to_o credit_v such_o a_o impudent_a lie_n as_o that_o must_v have_v be_v or_o to_o dare_v undertake_v to_o make_v other_o believe_v it_o to_o think_v in_o the_o least_o that_o they_o can_v succeed_v in_o so_o strange_a a_o design_n or_o that_o other_o will_v have_v act_v in_o it_o joint_o with_o they_o to_o imagine_v that_o they_o can_v be_v able_a to_o endure_v the_o most_o rigorous_a torment_n and_o the_o severe_a and_o most_o cruel_a affliction_n or_o that_o the_o cheat_n which_o they_o unanimous_o have_v agree_v on_o will_v have_v be_v both_o believe_v and_o approve_v of_o throughout_o the_o world_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o that_o man_n shall_v repent_v and_o become_v holy_a and_o righteous_a out_o of_o a_o respect_n and_o reverence_n they_o boâ—e_n to_o a_o impostor_n and_o that_o virtue_n and_o piety_n shall_v have_v be_v establish_v in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a cheat._n to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o consider_v this_o design_n of_o they_o another_o way_n it_o be_v not_o can_v be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o any_o
mankind_n or_o at_o least_o those_o country_n where_o all_o those_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v i_o answer_v first_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o stifle_v or_o conceal_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o they_o convert_v a_o infinite_a number_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n second_o there_o be_v several_a external_a cause_n which_o very_o much_o contribute_v towards_o the_o weaken_n the_o impression_n they_o will_v otherwise_o have_v make_v upon_o mankind_n for_o first_o the_o elder_n among_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v to_o persuade_v the_o people_n that_o all_o those_o miracle_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o product_n of_o some_o magic_a power_n or_o a_o kind_n of_o compact_n with_o the_o devil_n second_o those_o that_o be_v in_o power_n be_v so_o much_o exasperate_v against_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n that_o whosoever_o resolve_v to_o embrace_v his_o doctrine_n 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and_o extravagant_a to_o draw_v any_o further_a consequence_n from_o a_o principle_n which_o prove_v more_o than_o enough_o already_o it_o be_v true_a the_o heathen_a writer_n say_v little_a or_o nothing_o concern_v jesus_n christ_n for_o they_o hardly_o know_v his_o name_n suetonius_n speak_v of_o he_o after_o this_o manner_n judaei_n tumultuati_fw-la sunt_fw-la cresto_n impulsore_fw-la but_o what_o then_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o suetonius_n hardly_o know_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o person_n as_o christ_n or_o that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o call_v christus_fw-la the_o heathen_a author_n you_o see_v relate_v not_o how_o several_a christian_a church_n be_v in_o a_o small_a time_n settle_v at_o rome_n at_o corinth_n at_o ephesus_n at_o sardis_n at_o smirna_n at_o philippi_n at_o thessalonica_n etc._n etc._n but_o must_v it_o follow_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n certain_o if_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a this_o be_v undoubted_o true_a i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o miracle_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v all_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o may_v be_v doubt_v of_o yet_o we_o may_v at_o least_o affirm_v that_o the_o establishment_n of_o those_o christian_a church_n compose_v of_o such_o man_n as_o believe_v all_o those_o thing_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n very_o important_a and_o remarkable_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o mention_v by_o the_o historian_n of_o that_o age_n therefore_o the_o objection_n go_v too_o far_o it_o prove_v too_o much_o and_o so_o consequent_o prove_v nothing_o second_o i_o say_v that_o the_o historian_n of_o those_o time_n have_v so_o ignorant_o treat_v of_o the_o jewish_a affair_n that_o we_o need_v not_o wonder_v they_o appear_v so_o little_o instruct_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o concern_v the_o christian_n who_o they_o suppose_v to_o have_v be_v a_o sect_n 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accuse_v they_o of_o have_v embrace_v christianity_n a_o crime_n which_o be_v so_o severe_o punish_v in_o those_o day_n that_o it_o will_v unavoidable_o have_v bring_v upon_o they_o certain_a death_n and_o ruin_n or_o at_o least_o after_o their_o death_n shame_n and_o infamy_n upon_o their_o family_n but_o three_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v why_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v power_n to_o heal_v the_o sick_a and_o raise_v the_o dead_a do_v not_o raise_v all_o the_o dead_a to_o life_n again_o nor_o heal_v all_o the_o sick_a that_o be_v in_o judea_n because_o then_o all_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v force_v in_o spite_n of_o themselves_o to_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n we_o answer_v that_o this_o question_n be_v much_o like_o what_o the_o murderer_n of_o jesus_n christ_n say_v to_o he_o upon_o the_o cross_n he_o save_v other_o let_v he_o save_v himself_o let_v he_o come_v
down_o from_o the_o cross_n and_o we_o will_v believe_v in_o he_o nay_o it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v say_v if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n why_o do_v he_o not_o show_v and_o manifest_v himself_o after_o a_o sensible_a manner_n by_o speak_v to_o man_n immediate_o from_o the_o high_a heaven_n and_o than_o they_o will_v all_o be_v force_v in_o spite_n of_o themselves_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o but_o god_n do_v not_o desire_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o against_o our_o own_o inclination_n and_o consequent_o he_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o manifest_v himself_o as_o we_o in_o our_o extravagant_a desire_n will_v have_v he_o but_o as_o it_o seem_v best_a to_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n have_v christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n raise_v all_o the_o dead_a they_o find_v to_o life_n again_o we_o shall_v then_o contrary_a to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o almighty_a have_v have_v no_o other_o faith_n but_o what_o depend_v entire_o upon_o our_o sense_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o heal_v 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and_o choose_v rather_o to_o believe_v our_o own_o sense_n and_o i_o dare_v affirm_v without_o beg_v any_o excuse_n for_o the_o boldness_n of_o my_o assertion_n that_o there_o never_o be_v nor_o never_o will_v be_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n against_o which_o we_o may_v not_o raise_v several_a plausible_a objection_n and_o considerable_a difficulty_n that_o be_v mere_o speculative_a some_o be_v daily_o raise_v against_o the_o flux_n and_o reflux_n of_o the_o sea_n against_o the_o attraction_n of_o the_o loadstone_n with_o iron_n the_o source_n or_o head_n of_o the_o river_n nile_n against_o comet_n and_o meteor_n nay_o even_o against_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n we_o ready_o grant_v the_o incredulous_a that_o several_a considerable_a difficulty_n may_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n as_o we_o see_v there_o be_v no_o less_o considerable_a one_o daily_o raise_v even_o against_o the_o mystery_n and_o secret_a operation_n of_o nature_n but_o i_o still_o affirm_v that_o we_o must_v renounce_v the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n if_o we_o prefer_v any_o difficulty_n of_o mere_a speculation_n before_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v take_v from_o undeniable_a matter_n of_o fact_n though_o we_o shall_v argue_v only_o upon_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n it_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o compare_v the_o obscurity_n which_o cause_n those_o difficulty_n with_o the_o evidence_n which_o clear_v they_o that_o the_o latter_a will_v gain_v more_o upon_o our_o belief_n than_o the_o former_a and_o this_o truth_n we_o think_v we_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o our_o first_o part_n of_o this_o work_n but_o though_o we_o shall_v meet_v with_o nothing_o else_o but_o difficulty_n in_o those_o natural_a principle_n without_o any_o light_n at_o all_o to_o clear_v they_o yet_o ought_v we_o to_o banish_v all_o scruple_n and_o doubt_n that_o arise_v mere_o from_o speculation_n the_o better_a to_o embrace_v the_o opinion_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o undeniable_a matter_n of_o fact_n unless_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o absurdity_n not_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o which_o be_v whole_o contrary_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n but_o have_v thus_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o essential_o of_o our_o religion_n namely_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o remain_v only_o that_o we_o make_v man_n further_o sensible_a of_o they_o by_o lay_v down_o a_o few_o short_a remark_n which_o we_o shall_v make_v on_o several_a place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o whole_a purport_n shall_v be_v either_o to_o persuade_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v real_o teach_v all_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o sincere_o believe_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o declare_v or_o else_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o from_o those_o three_o principle_n be_v form_v the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n some_o reflection_n on_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o s._n matthew_n chapt_n ii_o 1._o now_o when_o jesus_n be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n of_o judea_n behold_v there_o come_v wiseman_n etc._n etc._n those_o wiseman_n be_v of_o all_o nation_n the_o first_o that_o come_v to_o pay_v their_o homage_n to_o jesus_n christ_n the_o priest_n and_o elder_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v consult_v concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n free_o own_v he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n and_o be_v quite_o of_o another_o opinion_n than_o the_o modern_a jew_n who_o pervert_v the_o mean_v of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o micah_n chap._n 5._o as_o to_o what_o concern_v we_o we_o affirm_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o wiseman_n can_v not_o be_v false_o invent_v i._o because_o it_o agree_v admirable_o with_o the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n numb_a 24._o 17._o where_o he_o cry_v out_o i_o shall_v sâ—e_v he_o but_o not_o now_o i_o shall_v behold_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o there_o shall_v come_v a_o star_n out_o of_o jacob_n and_o a_o sceptre_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o israel_n a_o star_n of_o the_o wiseman_n indeed_o and_o a_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n ii_o the_o evangelist_n can_v not_o have_v make_v the_o whole_a city_n of_o jerusalem_n believe_v that_o they_o be_v trouble_v and_o astonish_v at_o the_o come_v of_o those_o wiseman_n and_o much_o less_o persuade_v the_o inhabitant_n against_o their_o own_o public_a knowledge_n that_o herod_n have_v so_o barbarouf_o shed_v so_o much_o innocent_a blood_n iii_o herod_n must_v necessary_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o the_o christ_n or_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n because_o thither_o he_o send_v direct_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o execrable_a fury_n iu._n and_o last_o joseph_n flee_v into_o egypt_n and_o be_v afraid_a to_o return_v again_o into_o judea_n when_o he_o hear_v that_o archelaus_n reign_v in_o the_o room_n of_o his_o father_n herod_n a_o circumstance_n that_o wonderful_o agree_v with_o all_o the_o rest_n chapt._n iii_o 1._o in_o those_o day_n come_v john_n the_o baptist_n in_o this_o chapter_n john_n foretell_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o these_o word_n o_o generation_n of_o viper_n who_o have_v warn_v you_o to_o fly_v from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v and_o now_o also_o the_o axe_n be_v lay_v to_o the_o root_n of_o the_o tree_n therefore_o every_o tree_n which_o bring_v not_o forth_o good_a fruit_n be_v hew_v down_o and_o cast_v into_o the_o fire_n etc._n etc._n he_o foretell_v also_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o apostle_n in_o these_o word_n i_o indeed_o baptize_v you_o with_o water_n unto_o repentance_n but_o he_o that_o
come_v after_o i_o be_v mighty_a than_o i_o etc._n etc._n he_o shall_v baptize_v you_o with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n last_o john_n see_v the_o holy_a ghost_n descend_v upon_o jesus_n under_o such_o a_o form_n as_o true_o denote_v the_o gentleness_n and_o mildness_n his_o life_n be_v to_o be_v attend_v with_o and_o he_o hear_v that_o voice_n from_o heaven_n this_o be_v my_o belove_a son_n etc._n etc._n these_o three_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v a_o necessary_a connexion_n with_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n if_o they_o be_v true_a as_o they_o will_v evident_o appear_v to_o be_v to_o all_o who_o shall_v serious_o consider_v and_o reflect_v upon_o they_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o suspect_v the_o evangelist_n of_o have_v forge_v that_o prediction_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o he_o make_v jesus_n christ_n himself_o utter_v because_o that_o gospel_n be_v compile_v long_o before_o that_o event_n it_o will_v be_v as_o little_a to_o the_o purpose_n to_o pretend_v that_o that_o other_o prediction_n of_o the_o baptism_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n be_v falsl_o insert_v into_o the_o history_n of_o john_n the_o baptist._n for_o what_o likelihood_n be_v there_o that_o the_o disciple_n shall_v have_v make_v john_n the_o baptist_n utter_v such_o a_o prediction_n have_v they_o see_v nothing_o like_o it_o and_o if_o they_o be_v true_o baptize_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n why_o shall_v any_o body_n refuse_v to_o believe_v that_o st._n john_n the_o baptist_n foretell_v it_o chapt._n iu._n 1._o then_o be_v jesus_n lead_v up_o of_o the_o spirit_n into_o the_o wilderness_n etc._n etc._n have_v the_o evangelist_n propose_v any_o other_o method_n to_o themselves_o in_o all_o their_o write_n but_o to_o speak_v the_o plain_a truth_n they_o will_v never_o have_v represent_v christ_n to_o we_o as_o be_v deliver_v into_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o be_v tempt_v of_o he_o who_o set_v he_o one_o while_n upon_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o another_o while_n upon_o a_o exceed_a high_a mountain_n in_o all_o this_o relation_n we_o have_v certain_o a_o most_o undeniable_a mark_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n verse_n 19_o and_o he_o say_v unto_o they_o follow_v i_o and_o i_o will_v make_v you_o fisher_n of_o man_n who_o be_v this_o that_o without_o riches_n arm_n and_o authority_n nay_o without_o any_o assistance_n from_o man_n pretend_v to_o convert_v ordinary_a fisher_n into_o fisher_n of_o man_n how_o come_v any_o such_o thought_n into_o his_o mind_n what_o a_o strange_a design_n be_v this_o what_o a_o rash_a undertake_n nay_o what_o confidence_n join_v to_o so_o great_a a_o weakness_n for_o jesus_n christ_n to_o fortel_n and_o execute_v that_o project_n he_o must_v not_o only_o have_v be_v absolute_a master_n of_o his_o disciple_n to_o convert_v they_o so_o wonderful_o but_o also_o of_o their_o mind_n to_o enlighten_v they_o of_o their_o heart_n to_o make_v they_o less_o sensible_a of_o all_o worldly_a object_n he_o must_v have_v be_v a_o absolute_a master_n of_o suturity_n to_o foretell_v it_o of_o time_n present_a to_o dispose_v of_o it_o of_o those_o man_n inclination_n who_o he_o be_v thus_o to_o change_v of_o their_o resistance_n and_o continual_a struggle_n and_o opposition_n against_o he_o nay_o he_o must_v have_v be_v absolute_a master_n of_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o his_o name_n in_o a_o word_n of_o all_o event_n and_o juncture_n whatsoever_o verse_n 24._o and_o his_o fame_n go_v throughout_o all_o syria_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o evangelist_n can_v never_o have_v make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v become_v famous_a for_o his_o miracle_n have_v he_o real_o neither_o wrought_v nor_o pretend_v to_o work_v any_o miracle_n beside_o herein_o be_v jesus_n christ_n distinguish_v from_o john_n the_o baptist_n that_o the_o former_a wrought_v many_o notable_a wonder_n and_o sign_n but_o the_o latter_a be_v famous_a only_o for_o the_o innocency_n of_o his_o life_n and_o purity_n of_o his_o manner_n and_o if_o jesus_n christ_n pass_v for_o a_o person_n who_o real_o do_v several_a miracle_n it_o remain_v only_o for_o we_o to_o know_v whether_o those_o miracle_n be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o that_o sole_o depend_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o witness_n that_o see_v they_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n themselves_o and_o the_o enemy_n that_o so_o firm_o oppose_v they_o etc._n etc._n chap._n v._o 1._o and_o see_v the_o multitude_n he_o go_v up_o into_o a_o mountain_n etc._n etc._n and_o he_o open_v his_o mouth_n and_o teach_v they_o etc._n etc._n i_o shall_v not_o say_v any_o thing_n concern_v that_o excellent_a sermon_n which_o jesus_n christ_n preach_v on_o the_o mount_n we_o need_v only_o read_v it_o over_o to_o be_v satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v a_o abstract_n of_o the_o most_o sound_a pure_a and_o spiritual_a the_o most_o impartial_a sublime_a and_o surprise_v doctrine_n that_o ever_o be_v think_v of_o read_v it_o therefore_o i_o say_v and_o you_o will_v as_o much_o be_v surprise_v at_o his_o doctrine_n as_o the_o multitude_n that_o hear_v it_o chap._n viii_o 1._o when_o he_o be_v come_v down_o from_o the_o mountain_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o chapter_n we_o read_v of_o the_o cleanse_n of_o leper_n of_o heal_v sick_a person_n that_o be_v absent_a and_o far_o off_o by_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o word_n of_o his_o calm_v the_o storm_n and_o tempest_n of_o the_o sea_n of_o his_o cast_a devil_n out_o of_o those_o that_o be_v possess_v of_o the_o consternation_n the_o gadarenes_n be_v in_o at_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o herd_n of_o swine_n and_o their_o surprise_n to_o see_v those_o heal_v that_o be_v possess_v with_o devil_n all_o which_o be_v such_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o evangelist_n can_v not_o have_v be_v persuade_v of_o by_o a_o mere_a illusion_n nor_o the_o disciple_n make_v other_o believe_v against_o their_o own_o public_a knowledge_n verse_n 11._o and_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o many_o shall_v come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o west_n etc._n etc._n who_o be_v it_o that_o have_v thus_o enlighten_v the_o mind_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o to_o make_v he_o so_o clear_o foretell_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n verse_n 22._o but_o jesus_n say_v unto_o he_o follow_v i_o and_o let_v the_o dead_a bury_v their_o dead_a this_o be_v certain_o the_o expression_n of_o a_o man_n that_o have_v so_o deep_o reflect_v upon_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v true_o persuade_v of_o the_o misery_n and_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n for_o do_v ever_o any_o man_n but_o he_o speak_v after_o this_o manner_n verse_n 34._o and_o behold_v the_o whole_a city_n come_v out_o to_o meet_v jesus_n and_o when_o they_o see_v he_o they_o beseech_v he_o that_o he_o will_v depart_v out_o of_o their_o coast_n here_o be_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o witness_n who_o may_v have_v easy_o convince_v the_o evangelist_n have_v that_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v false_a chap._n ix_o 1._o and_o he_o enter_v into_o a_o ship_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o chapter_n jesus_n christ_n call_v matthew_n from_o the_o receipt_n of_o custom_n heal_v a_o woman_n that_o be_v disease_v with_o a_o issue_n of_o blood_n twelve_o year_n restore_v sight_n to_o two_o blind_a man_n raise_v a_o young_a girl_n to_o life_n again_o and_o heal_v one_o that_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o devil_n now_o matthew_n who_o compile_v the_o history_n of_o all_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o who_o no_o interest_n whatsoever_o can_v have_v oblige_v to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o his_o own_o repose_n can_v not_o but_o know_v certain_o what_o force_n or_o secret_a power_n have_v compel_v he_o to_o follow_v christ_n and_o jairus_n know_v very_o well_o whether_o or_o no_o his_o daughter_n have_v be_v raise_v to_o liâ—e_z again_o his_o friend_n and_o relation_n have_v be_v inform_v of_o it_o the_o neighbour_n and_o minstrel_n who_o be_v already_o come_v to_o solemnize_v her_o funeral_n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o in_o a_o word_n the_o blind_a the_o lame_a and_o the_o sick_a of_o that_o town_n can_v not_o but_o tell_v whether_o they_o real_o experience_v that_o heal_a virtue_n which_o proceed_v from_o his_o very_a garment_n but_o who_o can_v suppose_v that_o so_o many_o person_n shall_v have_v know_v the_o certain_a truth_n of_o that_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o yet_o that_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o shall_v not_o have_v know_v it_o and_o suppose_v they_o know_v it_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a they_o can_v have_v so_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o impose_v upon_o all_o the_o world_n at_o the_o expense_n of_o their_o life_n and_o against_o their_o own_o temporal_a interest_n verse_n 5._o for_o whether_o be_v
spiritual_a benefit_n than_o any_o miraculous_a gift_n although_o the_o latter_a be_v more_o transcendent_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n than_o the_o former_a verse_n 41_o 42._o and_o jesus_n answer_v and_o say_v unto_o she_o martha_n martha_n thou_o be_v careful_a and_o trouble_v about_o many_o thing_n but_o one_o thing_n be_v needful_a and_o mary_n have_v choose_v that_o good_a part_n which_o shall_v not_o be_v take_v away_o from_o she_o do_v ever_o a_o deceiver_n or_o a_o man_n who_o mind_n be_v set_v upon_o this_o world_n express_v himself_o after_o this_o manner_n chap._n xi_o 27_o 28._o and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v a_o certain_a woman_n of_o the_o company_n lift_v up_o her_o voice_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o bless_a be_v the_o womb_n that_o bear_v thou_o and_o the_o pap_n which_o thou_o have_v suck_v but_o he_o say_v yea_o rather_o bless_v be_v they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o keep_v it_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o flatter_v christ_n for_o he_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o himself_o nor_o take_v any_o pleasure_n in_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o other_o man_n inordinate_a desire_n have_v his_o whole_a heart_n fix_v upon_o god_n his_o eye_n his_o ear_n be_v bend_v whole_o upon_o his_o service_n and_o his_o sole_a felicity_n consist_v in_o see_v his_o father_n fear_v and_o adore_v nothing_o can_v be_v pleasant_a nothing_o acceptable_a to_o he_o but_o true_a piety_n and_o that_o because_o god_n be_v the_o centre_n of_o all_o his_o action_n and_o the_o love_n of_o he_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o spring_n that_o give_v motion_n to_o all_o his_o desire_n and_o affection_n so_o great_a be_v his_o behaviour_n and_o so_o sublime_a his_o thought_n verse_n 40_o 41._o you_o fool_n do_v not_o he_o that_o make_v that_o which_o be_v without_o make_v that_o which_o be_v within_o also_o but_o rather_o give_v alm_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o you_o have_v and_o behold_v all_o thing_n be_v clean_a unto_o you_o the_o pharisee_n contend_v only_o for_o outward_a and_o corporeal_a purity_n but_o christ_n for_o that_o which_o be_v spiritual_a and_o internal_a which_o think_v you_o of_o the_o two_o know_v best_o the_o genius_n of_o true_a religion_n chap._n xii_o but_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o man_n who_o make_v i_o a_o judge_n or_o a_o divider_n over_o you_o christ_n utter_o renounce_v all_o the_o care_n and_o business_n of_o this_o world_n and_o will_v scarce_o hear_v they_o mention_v so_o strange_o have_v he_o wean_v his_o thought_n from_o the_o world_n verse_n 30_o 31._o for_o all_o these_o thing_n do_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n seek_v after_o and_o your_o father_n know_v that_o you_o have_v need_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o rather_o seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v add_v unto_o you_o christ_n design_v to_o form_v a_o society_n that_o shall_v whole_o consist_v of_o such_o person_n as_o be_v utter_o to_o renounce_v the_o world_n and_o not_o busy_a their_o thought_n about_o temporal_a concern_v such_o as_o be_v to_o lose_v all_o their_o possession_n and_o suffer_v all_o kind_n of_o punishment_n to_o be_v number_v among_o his_o follower_n do_v ever_o yet_o such_o a_o great_a and_o extraordinary_a design_n enter_v into_o any_o man_n mind_n chap._n fourteen_o 33._o so_o likewise_o whosoever_o he_o be_v of_o you_o that_o forsake_v not_o all_o that_o he_o have_v he_o can_v be_v my_o disciple_n a_o strange_a and_o terrible_a declaration_n indeed_o which_o do_v not_o at_o all_o become_v a_o flatter_a impostor_n chap._n xxiv_o 48_o 49_o 50_o 51_o 52_o 53_o and_o you_o be_v witness_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o behold_v i_o send_v the_o promise_n of_o my_o father_n but_o tarry_v you_o in_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n until_o you_o be_v endue_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a and_o he_o lead_v they_o out_o as_o far_o as_o to_o bethany_n and_o he_o lift_v up_o his_o hand_n and_o bless_a they_o and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v while_o he_o bless_v they_o he_o be_v part_v from_o they_o and_o carry_v up_o into_o heaven_n and_o they_o worship_v he_o and_o return_v to_o jerusalem_n with_o great_a joy_n and_o be_v continual_o in_o the_o temple_n praise_v and_o bless_v god_n in_o these_o word_n we_o find_v four_o several_a thing_n worthy_a of_o our_o reflection_n 1._o the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 2._o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n 3._o the_o joy_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o 4._o their_o continual_a assiduity_n in_o praise_v god_n how_o can_v st._n luke_n have_v make_v his_o brethren_n believe_v that_o chrict_a have_v promise_v they_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o he_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n that_o the_o disciple_n be_v exceed_o joyful_a and_o continue_v daily_o in_o the_o temple_n praise_v and_o blessing_n god_n and_o if_o he_o can_v persuade_v none_o of_o they_o to_o believe_v it_o what_o can_v be_v his_o design_n in_o write_v it_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o all_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o defence_n of_o such_o a_o incredible_a fiction_n st._n john_n chap._n i._n 8_o 9_o he_o be_v not_o that_o light_n but_o be_v send_v to_o â—ear_v witness_n of_o that_o light_n that_o be_v the_o true_a light_n which_o lighten_v every_o man_n that_o come_v into_o the_o world_n john_n be_v original_o but_o a_o fisherman_n who_o then_o can_v have_v infuse_v these_o sublime_a notion_n into_o his_o mind_n verse_n 14._o and_o we_o behold_v his_o glory_n the_o glory_n as_o of_o the_o â—nly_o beget_v of_o the_o father_n full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n there_o plain_o appear_v in_o this_o discourse_n the_o steadfast_a persuasion_n of_o a_o man_n who_o have_v see_v with_o his_o eye_n what_o he_o testify_v and_o the_o fullness_n of_o a_o understanding_n that_o be_v true_o convince_v of_o what_o he_o assert_v nay_o the_o persuasion_n of_o a_o author_n that_o think_v no_o expression_n can_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o utter_v what_o he_o think_v and_o who_o unite_a together_o several_a idea_n different_a from_o one_o another_o because_o a_o single_a idea_n can_v not_o perfect_o represent_v what_o he_o will_v say_v the_o word_n glory_n be_v not_o sufficient_a of_o itself_o and_o therefore_o he_o further_o add_v a_o glory_n full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n chap._n iii_o 7._o marvel_v not_o that_o i_o say_v unto_o thou_o you_o must_v be_v bear_v again_o what_o can_v be_v more_o extraordinary_a than_o this_o discourse_n and_o how_o strange_o persuade_v be_v he_o that_o speak_v it_o that_o we_o must_v be_v entire_o change_v before_o we_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n verse_n 13._o and_o no_o man_n have_v ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n even_o the_o son_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n certain_o this_o man_n speak_v not_o like_o other_o man_n whatever_o he_o say_v here_o seem_v either_o to_o be_v very_o extravagant_o blasphemous_a or_o something_o above_o the_o sublimest_n thought_n of_o men._n if_o then_o the_o purity_n of_o his_o manner_n his_o holiness_n of_o life_n his_o short_a clear_a expressive_a precept_n that_o seem_v to_o savour_v of_o nothing_o but_o piety_n and_o true_a holiness_n together_o with_o the_o surprise_v and_o wonderful_a effect_n of_o the_o gospel_n force_v we_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o expression_n as_o blasphemous_a we_o can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o believe_v the_o latter_a to_o be_v so_o too_o verse_n 31._o he_o that_o be_v of_o the_o earth_n be_v earthly_a and_o speak_v of_o the_o earth_n he_o that_o come_v from_o heaven_n be_v above_o all_o though_o john_n the_o baptist_n have_v not_o say_v this_o we_o may_v have_v know_v christ_n by_o his_o own_o word_n to_o have_v be_v the_o lord_n of_o life_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n chap._n iu._n but_o whosoever_o drink_v of_o the_o water_n that_o i_o shall_v give_v shall_v never_o thirst_v but_o the_o water_n that_o i_o shall_v give_v he_o shall_v be_v in_o he_o a_o well_o of_o water_n spring_v up_o into_o everlasting_a life_n these_o expression_n be_v something_o more_o than_o humane_a have_v christ_n think_v like_o other_o man_n he_o will_v certain_o have_v express_v himself_o so_o too_o but_o he_o think_v no_o otherwise_o upon_o earthly_a thing_n than_o as_o they_o serve_v to_o make_v we_o understand_v those_o that_o be_v spiritual_a what_o ever_o he_o meet_v with_o he_o make_v use_v of_o only_a for_o that_o design_n he_o seem_v to_o live_v here_o upon_o earth_n for_o no_o other_o purpose_n than_o to_o guide_v we_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n to_z fishermen_z he_o speak_v of_o become_a fisher_n of_o men._n to_o those_o who_o value_v themselves_o upon_o their_o birth_n he_o speak_v of_o be_v bear_v again_o when_o they_o speak_v
uncircumcision_n but_o a_o new_a creature_n great_a indeed_o be_v his_o faith_n for_o he_o will_v not_o subscribe_v to_o their_o maxim_n who_o constrain_v the_o faithful_a to_o be_v circumcise_a though_o he_o may_v have_v thereby_o avoid_v a_o sharp_a persecution_n but_o he_o show_v we_o that_o the_o circumcision_n of_o the_o heart_n only_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n that_o none_o but_o the_o new_a creature_n can_v be_v for_o the_o future_a agreeable_a to_o he_o a_o circumcision_n indeed_o infinite_o more_o painful_a than_o the_o first_o and_o a_o new_a creature_n establish_v upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o world_n the_o pleasure_n of_o which_o be_v so_o dear_a to_o we_o certain_o it_o be_v impossible_a this_o doctrine_n so_o spiritual_a so_o holy_a and_o so_o necessary_a in_o itself_o shall_v have_v proceed_v only_o from_o flesh_n and_o blood_n epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n chap._n iii_o 17_o 18_o 19_o that_o you_o be_v root_v and_o ground_v in_o love_n may_v be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v with_o all_o saint_n what_o be_v the_o breadth_n and_o length_n and_o depth_n and_o height_n and_o to_o know_v the_o love_n of_o christ_n which_o pass_v all_o knowledge_n etc._n etc._n have_v the_o apostle_n be_v such_o deceiver_n as_o the_o incredulous_a will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v what_o mean_v those_o transport_v of_o admiration_n as_o often_o as_o they_o reflect_v on_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o every_o page_n of_o this_o book_n be_v full_a of_o be_v they_o then_o deceive_v no_o sure_o because_o they_o can_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o such_o certain_a matter_n of_o fact_n have_v they_o then_o a_o mind_n to_o deceive_v other_o people_n that_o can_v not_o be_v neither_o because_o their_o write_n seem_v to_o be_v design_v only_o to_o induce_v man_n to_o fear_v god_n chap_n iu_o 24_o 25._o and_o that_o you_o put_v on_o the_o new_a man_n which_o after_o god_n be_v create_v in_o righteousness_n and_o true_a holiness_n wherefore_o put_v away_o lie_v speak_v every_o man_n truth_n with_o his_o neighbour_n etc._n etc._n a_o strange_a and_o surprise_a discourse_n indeed_o but_o which_o will_v have_v be_v much_o more_o astonish_a shall_v it_o have_v be_v utter_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o impostor_n epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n chap._n i._n 29._o for_o unto_o you_o it_o be_v give_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o christ_n not_o only_o to_o believe_v on_o he_o but_o also_o to_o suffer_v for_o his_o sake_n the_o stoic_n who_o have_v so_o much_o distinguish_v and_o raise_v themselves_o above_o all_o other_o man_n by_o their_o sublime_a morality_n have_v ever_o imagine_v that_o the_o wise_a man_n may_v very_o well_o preserve_v a_o tranquil_a and_o sedate_v mind_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o affliction_n and_o they_o be_v so_o much_o intoxicate_v with_o pride_n that_o they_o be_v altogether_o insensible_a of_o any_o pain_n or_o torment_n but_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n go_v yet_o high_a they_o look_v upon_o the_o most_o cruel_a suffering_n as_o upon_o so_o many_o benefit_n and_o so_o many_o cause_n of_o joy_n and_o peace_n and_o ineffable_a consolation_n and_o comfort_n they_o cry_v out_o i_o rejoice_v in_o my_o suffering_n etc._n etc._n i_o delight_v in_o stripe_n in_o affliction_n etc._n etc._n nay_o more_o than_o this_o they_o return_v thanks_o to_o god_n for_o have_v be_v think_v worthy_a to_o suffer_v for_o his_o name_n be_v sake_n their_o affliction_n give_v rise_v to_o their_o gratitude_n and_o all_o this_o because_o they_o be_v support_v by_o a_o divine_a hand_n and_o be_v most_o certain_a to_o obtain_v a_o everlasting_a reward_n a_o strange_a thing_n indeed_o that_o this_o certainty_n only_o shall_v be_v absolute_o requisite_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n the_o apostle_n can_v never_o have_v entertain_v any_o false_a hope_n of_o reward_n because_o their_o hope_n be_v ground_v on_o what_o they_o have_v see_v and_o on_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o god_n they_o have_v both_o receive_v and_o often_o impart_v to_o other_o we_o can_v then_o doubt_v but_o that_o they_o have_v the_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a reward_n in_o prospect_n unless_o we_o will_v be_v wilful_o blind_a and_o ignorant_a so_o blind_a must_v the_o incredulous_a be_v who_o wilful_o shut_v their_o eye_n and_o refuse_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o so_o evident_a a_o truth_n first_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n chap._n i._n 4._o for_o our_o gospel_n come_v not_o unto_o you_o in_o word_n only_o but_o also_o in_o power_n and_o in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n etc._n etc._n by_o these_o word_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n continual_o testify_v of_o the_o gospel_n chap._n iii_o 4._o for_o very_o when_o we_o be_v with_o you_o we_o tell_v you_o before_o that_o we_o shall_v suffer_v tribulation_n even_o as_o â—t_a come_v to_o pass_v and_o you_o know_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v prepare_v by_o he_o and_o have_v prepare_v themselves_o nay_o prepare_v their_o successor_n also_o to_o suffer_v patient_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o this_o apostle_n who_o say_v in_o another_o place_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 12._o all_o that_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n shall_v suffer_v persecution_n it_o be_v therefore_o in_o cold_a blood_n with_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o free_a deliberation_n they_o suffer_v such_o torment_n chap._n v._o 27._o i_o charge_v you_o by_o the_o lord_n that_o this_o epistle_n be_v read_v unto_o all_o the_o holy_a brethren_n st._n paul_n fear_v not_o in_o the_o least_o his_o be_v contradict_v or_o convince_v of_o any_o falsity_n he_o have_v advance_v concern_v his_o affliction_n and_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o he_o command_v that_o his_o epistle_n shall_v be_v read_v to_o all_o the_o holy_a brethren_n first_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n chap._n iii_o 16._o and_o without_o controversy_n great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n god_n be_v manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n justify_v in_o the_o spirit_n see_v of_o angel_n preach_v unto_o the_o gentile_n believe_v on_o in_o the_o world_n receive_v up_o into_o glory_n this_o mystery_n can_v be_v invent_v only_o by_o humane_a understanding_n for_o several_a reason_n 1._o because_o it_o be_v so_o great_a and_o sublime_a that_o man_n though_o never_o so_o learned_a and_o quick_a sight_v in_o other_o thing_n yet_o will_v never_o have_v be_v able_a to_o find_v it_o out_o of_o themselves_o bare_o by_o the_o scrutiny_n of_o their_o reason_n 2._o because_o they_o be_v only_o poor_a fisherman_n that_o preach_v it_o 3._o because_o this_o so_o sublime_a and_o magnificent_a object_n proceed_v if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v from_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v condemn_v and_o punish_v with_o the_o most_o rigorous_a punishment_n that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o for_o it_o be_v only_o after_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n that_o the_o disciple_n go_v about_o preach_v every_o where_o the_o wonderful_a work_n of_o god_n 4._o and_o last_o because_o the_o contemplation_n of_o it_o depend_v upon_o experience_n itself_o and_o although_o this_o mystery_n appear_v at_o first_o view_n infinite_o exalt_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o capacity_n yet_o it_o must_v have_v be_v both_o see_v and_o touch_v by_o the_o disciple_n they_o certain_o see_v christ_n and_o behold_v his_o glory_n as_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o only_a son_n of_o god_n full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n that_o flesh_n in_o which_o corporeal_o dwell_v a_o entire_a fullness_n of_o the_o glorious_a godhead_n they_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o extraordinary_a excellence_n of_o his_o mystery_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o holiness_n they_o themselves_o receive_v the_o gift_n of_o that_o same_o spirit_n in_o which_o god_n himself_o be_v justify_v they_o see_v angel_n ascend_v and_o descend_v to_o minister_v unto_o he_o they_o preach_v it_o themselves_o to_o the_o gentile_n and_o so_o compel_v the_o world_n to_o believe_v in_o he_o by_o their_o patience_n and_o preach_v which_o be_v continual_o attend_v with_o the_o demonstration_n of_o that_o spirit_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o miracle_n perform_v by_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n last_o he_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n so_o that_o these_o be_v all_o sure_a and_o certain_a proofsof_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o great_a mystery_n which_o can_v in_o the_o least_o be_v suspect_v second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n chap._n iii_o 15_o 16._o and_o that_o from_o a_o child_n thou_o have_v know_v the_o holy_a scripture_n etc._n etc._n all_o scripture_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n there_o be_v no_o maintain_v false_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n but_o by_o the_o help_n of_o ignorance_n negligence_n and_o a_o blind_a submission_n but_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v suspect_v of_o any_o
such_o defect_n because_o it_o be_v whole_o found_v upon_o instruction_n and_o knowledge_n search_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o they_o you_o think_v you_o have_v eternal_a life_n john_n 5._o 39_o chap._n iu._n 7_o 8_o i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n henceforth_o there_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n st._n paul_n be_v draw_v nigh_o towards_o his_o latter_a end_n and_o the_o word_n of_o a_o die_a man_n be_v always_o to_o be_v regard_v whence_o then_o come_v that_o cheerful_a joy_n the_o apostle_n so_o natural_o express_v in_o this_o occasion_n his_o hope_n have_v they_o be_v of_o this_o world_n must_v have_v be_v soon_o bury_v with_o he_o in_o his_o grave_n and_o his_o happiness_n too_o at_o a_o end_n whence_o then_o derive_v he_o that_o great_a confidence_n which_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v have_v be_v it_o from_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o a_o guilty_a conscience_n which_o reproach_v he_o for_o have_v betray_v the_o synagogue_n blemish_v his_o country_n man_n deceive_v mankind_n testify_v of_o a_o seducer_n and_o forge_v such_o fictitious_a vision_n by_o the_o most_o signal_n imposture_n that_o ever_o be_v let_v any_o one_o believe_v it_o if_o he_o can_v first_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n chap._n i._n 3._o bless_a be_v the_o god_n and_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n which_o according_a to_o his_o abundant_a mercy_n have_v beget_v we_o again_o unto_o a_o lively_a hope_n by_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o dead_a the_o mind_n of_o those_o writer_n be_v so_o full_a of_o the_o salvation_n that_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o that_o they_o be_v never_o weary_a of_o return_v thanks_o to_o god_n for_o it_o chap._n ii_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20._o honour_n all_o man_n love_v the_o brotherhood_n fear_v god_n honour_n the_o king_n servant_n be_v subject_a to_o your_o master_n with_o all_o fear_n not_o only_o to_o the_o good_a and_o gentle_a but_o also_o to_o the_o froward_a etc._n etc._n for_o what_o glory_n be_v it_o if_o when_o you_o be_v buffet_v for_o your_o fault_n you_o shall_v take_v it_o patient_o but_o if_o when_o you_o do_v well_o and_o suffer_v for_o it_o you_o take_v it_o patient_o this_o be_v acceptable_a with_o god_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v a_o strange_a thing_n we_o shall_v be_v desire_v to_o own_o that_o a_o mutual_a agreement_n of_o malice_n and_o falsehood_n which_o real_o be_v a_o wonderful_a agreement_n of_o piety_n charity_n obedience_n and_o righteousness_n paul_n express_v himself_o like_o peter_n and_o peter_n speak_v like_o paul_n they_o both_o act_v and_o suffer_v alike_o nay_o they_o bear_v the_o very_a same_o testimony_n be_v endow_v with_o the_o same_o patience_n practise_v the_o very_a same_o virtue_n and_o discover_v one_o and_o the_o same_o wisdom_n in_o all_o their_o word_n now_o what_o have_v we_o any_o reason_n to_o suspect_v in_o all_o this_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n chap._n i._n 16_o 17_o 18._o for_o we_o have_v not_o follow_v cunning_o devise_v fable_n when_o we_o make_v know_v unto_o you_o the_o power_n and_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o majesty_n for_o he_o receive_v from_o god_n the_o father_n honour_n and_o glory_n when_o there_o come_v such_o a_o voice_n to_o he_o from_o the_o excellent_a glory_n this_o be_v my_o well_o belove_a son_n in_o who_o i_o be_o well_o please_v and_o this_o voice_n which_o come_v from_o heaven_n we_o hear_v when_o we_o be_v with_o he_o in_o the_o holy_a mount_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v a_o witness_n who_o speak_v of_o what_o he_o have_v see_v who_o suffer_v death_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o testimony_n who_o see_v it_o not_o alone_o for_o several_a other_o have_v see_v the_o same_o thing_n who_o speak_v not_o out_o of_o any_o principle_n of_o interest_n or_o conceal_v what_o he_o know_v through_o any_o fear_n or_o apprehension_n of_o death_n and_o who_o for_o all_o that_o do_v his_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o sanctify_v mankind_n and_o bestow_v all_o his_o time_n his_o labour_n and_o his_o life_n in_o advance_v such_o a_o extraordinary_a work_n which_o be_v so_o little_a to_o be_v suspect_v and_o if_o so_o what_o man_n be_v there_o that_o can_v reasonable_o mistrust_v he_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n chap._n i._n 1_o 3._o that_o which_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n which_o we_o have_v hear_v which_o we_o have_v see_v with_o our_o eye_n which_o we_o have_v look_v upon_o and_o our_o hand_n have_v handle_v of_o the_o word_n of_o life_n declare_v we_o unto_o you_o etc._n etc._n if_o you_o shall_v doubt_v whether_o the_o apostle_n do_v real_o go_v about_o testify_v every_o where_o that_o they_o have_v see_v with_o their_o eye_n both_o the_o miracle_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v but_o learn_v it_o from_o their_o epistle_n and_o their_o own_o word_n too_o chap._n ii_o 1._o my_o little_a child_n these_o thing_n write_v i_o unto_o you_o that_o you_o sin_v not_o but_o what_o be_v it_o to_o he_o whether_o man_n sin_v or_o not_o do_v ever_o the_o design_n of_o sanctify_a mankind_n and_o contribute_v to_o their_o salvation_n at_o the_o cost_n of_o one_o blood_n one_o liberty_n one_o life_n enter_v before_o into_o any_o man_n heart_n but_o they_o these_o and_o the_o like_a reflection_n be_v of_o themselves_o sufficient_a to_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o relish_n of_o those_o truth_n and_o incite_v he_o to_o make_v some_o of_o his_o own_o as_o shall_v more_o effectual_o instruct_v and_o convince_v he_o for_o my_o part_n i_o have_v make_v several_a which_o perhaps_o satisfy_v i_o better_o than_o they_o will_v any_o body_n else_o and_o no_o question_n but_o he_o will_v also_o make_v several_a of_o his_o own_o that_o will_v convince_v he_o far_o better_o than_o those_o of_o another_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n let_v we_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o substance_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o christ_n himself_o do_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n for_o after_o have_v consider_v the_o outside_n it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o look_v into_o the_o inward_a part_n of_o the_o building_n section_n iu._n wherein_o we_o shall_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o its_o nature_n and_o property_n several_a portraiture_n in_o which_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v hitherto_o we_o have_v insist_v as_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o shell_n and_o bark_n of_o religion_n we_o have_v examine_v the_o proof_n take_v from_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v the_o first_o that_o offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o mind_n it_o seem_v therefore_o now_o expedient_a we_o shall_v discover_v as_o it_o be_v the_o substance_n and_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n and_o so_o proceed_v to_o those_o other_o proof_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o that_o by_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o its_o beauty_n and_o proper_a excellency_n but_o because_o this_o 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in_o its_o essential_a opposition_n to_o all_o false_a religion_n that_o ever_o be_v iii_o in_o its_o effect_n which_o can_v only_o just_o be_v refer_v to_o a_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a cause_n iv._o in_o the_o purity_n of_o its_o end_n v._o in_o its_o suitableness_n to_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o it_o undertake_v to_o reform_v vi_o in_o the_o relation_n it_o have_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n which_o it_o shall_v advance_v vii_o in_o its_o morality_n viii_o in_o its_o mystery_n ix_o in_o the_o conformity_n of_o its_o mystery_n to_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n x._o in_o that_o exact_a proportion_n it_o bear_v to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n xi_o and_o last_o in_o that_o proportion_n it_o bear_v to_o natural_a religion_n i_o hope_v these_o portraiture_n will_v like_o so_o many_o
degree_n of_o light_n wonderful_o illuminate_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o incredulous_a and_o discover_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o the_o sublimity_n and_o excellency_n of_o it_o i._o portraiture_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o it_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o multitude_n of_o testimony_n give_v in_o favour_n of_o it_o though_o testimony_n be_v somewhat_o foreign_a and_o exterior_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o therefore_o may_v seem_v improper_a to_o discover_v the_o perfection_n of_o it_o yet_o it_o will_v appear_v they_o do_v discover_v it_o if_o we_o but_o careful_o unite_v they_o together_o and_o so_o consider_v well_o their_o joint_a union_n and_o agreement_n we_o can_v but_o have_v a_o very_a great_a idea_n of_o a_o religion_n which_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o nine_o several_a testimony_n each_o whereof_o will_v have_v be_v single_o sufficient_a to_o 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word_n sanctify_v we_o by_o deliver_v we_o from_o our_o sin_n and_o so_o consequent_o supply_v all_o our_o want_n and_o necessity_n the_o six_o be_v that_o even_o of_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n who_o have_v be_v force_v to_o speak_v favourable_o on_o our_o side_n the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n have_v testify_v in_o our_o behalf_n the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o convince_a force_n of_o truth_n have_v oblige_v they_o tacit_o to_o own_o that_o truth_n against_o which_o they_o have_v declare_v themselves_o such_o inveterate_a and_o implacable_a enemy_n the_o ancient_a jew_n believe_v that_o the_o famous_a 11._o prophecy_n jacob_n utter_v upon_o his_o deathbed_n the_o sceptre_n shall_v etc._n etc._n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o messiah_n this_o their_o own_o write_n testify_v and_o their_o talmud_n acknowledge_v that_o that_o man_n of_o sorrow_n and_o acquaint_v with_o grief_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bruise_v for_o our_o iniquity_n and_o from_o 12._o who_o they_o hide_v their_o face_n as_o from_o a_o leper_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n nay_o they_o be_v force_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o extravagant_a fiction_n of_o a_o double_a messiah_n and_o even_o by_o that_o they_o pay_v a_o kind_n of_o homage_n to_o the_o truth_n the_o samaritan_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v short_o to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o discourse_n of_o christ_n with_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n and_o this_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o strong_o persuade_v of_o that_o some_o of_o they_o choose_v rather_o to_o own_o herod_n the_o great_a for_o the_o messiah_n though_o a_o idumaean_a and_o wicked_a prince_n than_o renounce_v a_o opinion_n they_o be_v prepossess_v with_o and_o which_o be_v so_o deep_o root_v in_o their_o mind_n other_o led_z away_o by_o the_o same_o opinion_n cast_v their_o eye_n upon_o one_o agrippa_n descend_v from_o herod_n who_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o roman_a party_n other_o also_o instigate_v by_o the_o same_o hope_n follow_v a_o certain_a robber_n into_o the_o wilderness_n and_o the_o jew_n see_v their_o city_n just_o ready_a to_o be_v lay_v in_o ash_n imagine_v that_o their_o messiah_n be_v just_a upon_o manifest_v himself_o nay_o the_o merciless_a ringleader_n of_o those_o factious_a wretch_n who_o tear_v one_o another_o in_o piece_n during_o the_o devastation_n of_o judea_n so_o obstinate_o seek_v after_o one_o another_o ruin_n only_o because_o they_o expect_v to_o vanquish_v the_o roman_n and_o so_o become_v the_o conqueror_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v to_o fulfil_v ancient_a prophecy_n few_o age_n after_o they_o turn_v to_o one_o barkokebas_n a_o villainous_a robber_n only_o because_o they_o think_v he_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o their_o computation_n of_o the_o year_n of_o his_o come_n josephus_n a_o great_a man_n and_o well_o verse_v in_o the_o scripture_n imagine_v as_o well_o as_o other_o that_o the_o time_n prefix_v for_o his_o come_n be_v accomplish_v or_o if_o he_o do_v not_o real_o think_v so_o himself_o he_o take_v at_o least_o a_o occasion_n from_o that_o opinion_n common_o approve_v of_o in_o the_o east_n to_o ingratiate_v himself_o with_o vespasian_n herod_n the_o great_a himself_o terrify_v and_o amaze_v by_o all_o these_o report_n make_v his_o fearful_a apprehension_n remarkable_a by_o a_o deluge_n of_o blood_n then_o do_v the_o jew_n acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n there_o will_v be_v no_o government_n no_o magistrate_n nor_o any_o commonwealth_n leave_v in_o israel_n but_o 11._o afterward_o the_o necessity_n of_o maintain_v their_o opinion_n against_o we_o make_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o several_a different_a evasion_n not_o many_o age_n after_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n into_o the_o world_n when_o they_o find_v that_o their_o messiah_n do_v not_o appear_v some_o of_o they_o begin_v to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v hide_v himself_o other_o that_o he_o be_v come_v already_o in_o the_o person_n of_o hezekiah_n other_o that_o his_o come_n be_v put_v off_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o cry_a sin_n of_o the_o people_n nay_o they_o go_v on_o to_o that_o degree_n of_o impiety_n and_o irreligion_n as_o to_o pronounce_v they_o curse_a who_o shall_v calculate_v the_o year_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n from_o all_o which_o we_o see_v plain_o that_o by_o these_o their_o confession_n and_o shift_n they_o in_o a_o manner_n bear_v witness_n though_o unwilling_o and_o without_o design_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n as_o for_o the_o heathen_n beside_o the_o authentic_a testimony_n of_o pliny_n the_o young_a 5._o concern_v the_o innocence_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o beside_o that_o of_o tiberius_n concern_v jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o will_v have_v insert_v among_o the_o god_n be_v himself_o astonish_v at_o the_o surprise_a wonder_n which_o he_o have_v hear_v of_o he_o we_o all_o know_v that_o there_o meaux_n have_v
such_o a_o deep_a penetration_n of_o mind_n and_o attempt_v to_o exalt_v man_n above_o himself_o by_o infatuate_a he_o with_o the_o conceit_n of_o his_o own_o wisdom_n but_o god_n who_o know_v best_a what_o remedy_n be_v most_o proper_a for_o we_o have_v give_v we_o a_o religion_n which_o satisfy_v the_o heart_n without_o corrupt_v the_o understanding_n and_o enlarge_v the_o understanding_n without_o corrupt_v the_o heart_n and_o that_o because_o it_o satisfy_v and_o yet_o mortify_v it_o enlighten_v and_o yet_o confound_v the_o understanding_n if_o to_o the_o understanding_n several_a great_a and_o sublime_a truth_n be_v reveal_v it_o have_v not_o therefore_o any_o pretence_n to_o exalt_v itself_o because_o it_o know_v that_o knowledge_n to_o be_v above_o its_o capacity_n and_o owe_v it_o only_o to_o revelation_n if_o the_o heart_n find_v the_o object_n of_o religion_n answerable_a to_o its_o infinite_a desire_n it_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v puff_v up_o by_o they_o because_o those_o object_n destroy_v its_o darling_n passion_n and_o vicious_a inclination_n so_o that_o the_o only_a mean_n to_o enlighten_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n humble_a our_o understanding_n be_v to_o intermix_v some_o obscurity_n with_o the_o light_n of_o revelation_n and_o the_o only_a way_n to_o satisfy_v the_o heart_n and_o prevent_v its_o be_v puff_v up_o be_v to_o qualify_v some_o sorrowful_a and_o mortify_a duty_n with_o the_o extraordinary_a promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n thus_o the_o severity_n of_o christian_a morality_n and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o its_o mystery_n be_v two_o different_a mean_n which_o god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o to_o enlighten_v the_o understanding_n without_o puff_v up_o the_o heart_n and_o to_o satisfy_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o heart_n without_o flatter_a those_o passion_n which_o corrupt_v the_o understanding_n which_o manifest_o show_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v not_o only_o the_o divine_a stamp_n upon_o it_o since_o it_o contain_v the_o true_a manner_n of_o reform_v and_o regulate_v the_o desire_n of_o man_n heart_n but_o also_o that_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o christian_a morality_n and_o the_o difficulty_n of_o its_o mystery_n which_o shock_n the_o incredulous_a most_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n be_v purposely_o make_v use_n of_o by_o god_n in_o his_o eternal_a wisdom_n as_o the_o most_o proper_a mean_n to_o sanctify_v mankind_n which_o be_v the_o grand_a design_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o have_v then_o here_o the_o two_o most_o essential_a and_o most_o important_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n its_o morality_n and_o mystery_n the_o latter_a be_v necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o former_a be_v the_o rule_n of_o those_o duty_n which_o god_n be_v please_v we_o shall_v perform_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o attain_v everlasting_a life_n it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a to_o lay_v down_o here_o at_o large_a what_o doctrine_n or_o precept_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n because_o it_o have_v please_v god_n that_o we_o can_v pretend_v any_o ignorance_n of_o they_o and_o beside_o it_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n we_o be_v now_o treat_v of_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o speak_v here_o only_o of_o christian_a morality_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n in_o general_n as_o for_o the_o morality_n of_o christ_n it_o have_v so_o many_o remarkable_a character_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o reflect_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o without_o immediate_o acknowledge_v its_o divinity_n for_o i._o it_o be_v it_o seem_v a_o paradox_n to_o the_o sense_n to_o the_o heart_n to_o the_o mind_n and_o nature_n of_o man._n it_o be_v never_o before_o hear_v of_o or_o know_v that_o a_o man_n must_v take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o think_v those_o bless_a that_o be_v poor_a in_o spirit_n that_o mourn_n and_o be_v persecute_v for_o righteousness_n sake_n that_o we_o must_v love_v our_o enemy_n and_o pray_v for_o they_o that_o shall_v revile_v and_o persecute_v we_o that_o we_o must_v not_o only_o comfort_v ourselves_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o our_o affliction_n and_o cross_n but_o also_o rejoice_v for_o be_v thus_o afflict_v and_o esteem_v our_o happiness_n and_o glory_n the_o great_a as_o our_o suffering_n be_v increase_v man_n i_o say_v have_v never_o such_o thought_n before_o and_o the_o puradox_n of_o the_o stoic_n be_v nothing_o to_o these_o for_o here_o we_o find_v to_o our_o great_a surprise_n that_o a_o few_o poor_a fisherman_n rustic_a in_o their_o speech_n preach_v such_o maxim_n abroad_o as_o be_v as_o far_o above_o the_o ordinary_a capacity_n of_o the_o understanding_n as_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o affection_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o heart_n ii_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o christian_a morality_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o very_a sad_a and_o mortify_a thing_n for_o it_o curb_v and_o restrain_v all_o our_o passion_n self-love_n repine_v at_o it_o voluptuousness_n can_v endure_v it_o pride_n be_v whole_o humble_v and_o mortify_v by_o it_o and_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o allow_v of_o it_o most_o can_v but_o private_o hate_v it_o when_o ever_o their_o heart_n be_v engage_v in_o any_o passion_n it_o have_v be_v often_o observe_v that_o there_o have_v be_v christian_n in_o all_o age_n who_o attempt_v to_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o by_o put_v such_o gloss_n and_o interpretation_n upon_o it_o as_o be_v more_o conformable_a to_o their_o inclination_n than_o to_o the_o truth_n itself_o and_o by_o endeavour_v to_o extirpate_v it_o at_o least_o indirect_o when_o they_o dare_v not_o attempt_v it_o in_o a_o more_o open_a manner_n but_o let_v no_o man_n imagine_v that_o this_o morality_n be_v offer_v to_o the_o world_n under_o any_o disguise_n christ_n who_o among_o so_o many_o other_o wonderful_a character_n of_o his_o call_v have_v a_o very_a remarkable_a one_o and_o that_o be_v never_o to_o flatter_v the_o loose_a inclination_n of_o man_n plain_o declare_v that_o whosoever_o will_v be_v think_v his_o disciple_n must_v pluck_v out_o his_o eye_n and_o cut_v off_o his_o hand_n must_v hate_v himself_o deny_v himself_o nay_o even_o hate_v his_o own_o soul_n etc._n etc._n expression_n which_o explain_v one_o another_o and_o certify_v we_o that_o the_o pain_n and_o torment_n the_o observer_n of_o his_o morality_n must_v undergo_v be_v like_a unto_o those_o which_o man_n endure_v when_o they_o cut_v off_o their_o arm_n or_o pluck_v out_o their_o eye_n or_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n separate_v from_o themselves_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o all_o this_o like_o the_o cunning_a address_n and_o subtle_a management_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n when_o they_o endeavour_v to_o establish_v new_a doctrine_n and_o it_o evident_o appear_v that_o christ_n alone_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n iii_o the_o better_a to_o comprehend_v this_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o christian_a religion_n depend_v upon_o humility_n as_o their_o chief_a foundation_n for_o if_o we_o pretend_v to_o the_o qualification_n of_o christ_n disciple_n we_o must_v be_v meek_a single_a in_o heart_n poor_a in_o spirit_n weary_a and_o heavy_a lade_v little_a in_o our_o own_o conceit_n lamb_n little_a child_n in_o innocence_n and_o want_n of_o malice_n and_o servant_n of_o other_o men._n christ_n have_v unite_v two_o different_a quality_n before_o not_o easy_o reconcilable_a the_o humility_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o understanding_n charge_v we_o to_o be_v wise_a as_o serpent_n and_o harmless_a as_o dove_n it_o be_v manifest_a this_o union_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o true_a sanctification_n of_o mankind_n a_o secret_a indeed_o man_n have_v not_o yet_o be_v able_a to_o find_v out_o there_o have_v be_v some_o who_o have_v forsake_v their_o interest_n and_o have_v be_v either_o burn_v or_o have_v their_o arm_n and_o hand_n cut_v off_o who_o dare_v encounter_v death_n itself_o support_v by_o pride_n and_o a_o vain_a hope_n of_o glory_n which_o they_o prefer_v before_o all_o thing_n but_o it_o be_v never_o know_v that_o man_n have_v so_o little_a self-love_n as_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n unless_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o can_v make_v their_o name_n immortal_a such_o a_o miracle_n be_v only_o to_o be_v produce_v by_o the_o christian_a morality_n iv._o after_o what_o have_v be_v say_v we_o shall_v have_v less_o reason_n to_o wonder_v that_o this_o morality_n root_v up_o every_o vice_n since_o all_o vice_n proceed_v either_o from_o pride_n or_o voluptuousness_n this_o morality_n then_o which_o subvert_v the_o former_a by_o the_o severe_a mortification_n of_o repentance_n and_o destroy_v the_o latter_a by_o the_o idea_n it_o give_v we_o of_o the_o greatness_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n as_o oppose_v to_o our_o wretchedness_n and_o misery_n i_o say_v this_o morality_n contain_v every_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o extirpate_v our_o vice_n in_o their_o first_o rise_n and_o
consequence_n only_o divine_a wisdom_n be_v also_o please_v that_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v be_v bear_v in_o obscurity_n and_o humiliation_n that_o those_o mean_v outward_a appearance_n be_v offensive_a to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o carnal_a and_o worldly_a mind_a jew_n they_o may_v as_o it_o be_v by_o chance_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o council_n of_o god_n have_v determine_v and_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a cause_n of_o his_o poverty_n and_o humiliation_n of_o the_o meanness_n of_o his_o birth_n and_o the_o vnworthiness_n of_o his_o first_o profession_n the_o choice_n of_o his_o disciple_n etc._n etc._n the_o justice_n of_o god_n act_v in_o concert_n with_o his_o wisdom_n oblige_v he_o to_o speak_v to_o all_o profane_a contemner_n of_o his_o mystery_n in_o a_o obscure_a language_n and_o so_o as_o it_o be_v to_o conceal_v those_o pearl_n from_o they_o lest_o like_o unclean_a beast_n they_o shall_v trample_v they_o under_o their_o foot_n and_o this_o may_v very_o well_o serve_v for_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o denial_n which_o christ_n former_o make_v to_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o those_o time_n of_o signalize_v his_o power_n among_o they_o and_o of_o the_o great_a care_n he_o often_o take_v to_o conceal_v his_o miracle_n from_o they_o for_o this_o cause_n therefore_o speak_v he_o sometime_o in_o parable_n to_o stranger_n but_o he_o always_o very_o clear_o express_v himself_o to_o his_o disciple_n give_v they_o to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o parable_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o as_o for_o they_o they_o have_v the_o privilege_n of_o see_v all_o thing_n open_o neither_o do_v his_o majesty_n suffer_v he_o to_o reveal_v himself_o as_o familiar_o to_o the_o sinful_a man_n as_o he_o will_v to_o the_o innocent_a this_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o wonder_v at_o since_o man_n themselves_o be_v wont_n so_o to_o deal_v with_o one_o another_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o for_o great_a man_n to_o banish_v their_o presence_n those_o who_o have_v incur_v their_o displeasure_n to_o think_v it_o then_o strange_a if_o god_n conceal_v himself_o from_o a_o sinner_n will_v be_v to_o entertain_v a_o more_o unworthy_a idea_n of_o his_o majesty_n than_o that_o of_o a_o earthly_a monarch_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o god_n take_v such_o care_n to_o conceal_v himself_o even_o when_o he_o design_v to_o manifest_v his_o glory_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n he_o show_v himself_o only_o in_o vision_n and_o dream_n or_o when_o hide_a in_o the_o cloud_n and_o ark_n or_o cover_v with_o some_o other_o veil_n on_o this_o account_n also_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o banish_v from_o his_o presence_n all_o those_o as_o be_v defile_v in_o their_o body_n and_o order_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n to_o purify_v themselves_o he_o command_v too_o the_o people_n to_o wash_v their_o garment_n when_o he_o give_v they_o notice_n that_o within_o three_o day_n he_o will_v come_v down_o to_o they_o nothing_o but_o a_o external_a and_o corporeal_a purity_n be_v sufficient_a to_o qualify_v those_o that_o be_v to_o approach_v the_o deity_n manifest_v under_o corporeal_a symbol_n but_o christ_n fulfil_v in_o the_o spirit_n every_o thing_n hide_v in_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n teach_v we_o that_o those_o only_o shall_v see_v god_n who_o shall_v be_v find_v pure_a in_o heart_n so_o that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o wonder_v if_o when_o man_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o gild_n hide_v himself_o from_o god_n the_o almighty_a withdraw_v the_o influence_n of_o his_o glorious_a majesty_n from_o man._n last_o the_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n overshadow_v revelation_n with_o some_o sort_n of_o darkness_n to_o exercise_v our_o faith_n and_o keep_v up_o our_o mind_n in_o vigour_n which_o also_o will_v grow_v sluggish_a if_o not_o stir_v up_o by_o such_o difficulty_n as_o be_v proper_a to_o mystery_n as_o also_o to_o humble_v our_o proud_a and_o haughty_a reason_n which_o be_v immediate_o puff_v up_o with_o its_o own_o knowledge_n to_o make_v we_o submit_v our_o understanding_n to_o he_o since_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v any_o truth_n though_o incredible_a if_o he_o reveal_v they_o as_o also_o to_o sway_v our_o heart_n and_o affection_n which_o ought_v ready_o to_o embrace_v any_o sorrowful_a and_o mortify_a object_n that_o he_o be_v please_v to_o offer_v they_o to_o strip_v our_o pride_n of_o all_o its_o pretence_n and_o to_o dispose_v our_o mind_n that_o we_o must_v necessary_o acknowledge_v every_o benefit_n we_o enjoy_v spring_v from_o he_o and_o that_o too_o so_o much_o the_o more_o because_o we_o thereby_o attain_v to_o life_n eternal_a by_o such_o mean_n and_o object_n as_o be_v above_o our_o capacity_n to_o comprehend_v so_o necessary_a be_v it_o that_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o our_o sufficiency_n be_v of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v rom._n 1._o 16._o to_o this_o principle_n we_o owe_v the_o choice_n of_o those_o person_n which_o god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n the_o nature_n of_o those_o seem_a paradox_n he_o command_v they_o to_o publish_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n the_o silence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o a_o few_o word_n from_o he_o will_v have_v render_v plain_a and_o easy_a to_o our_o understanding_n but_o god_n be_v not_o content_a to_o exercise_v our_o faith_n by_o those_o obscurity_n we_o find_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o divine_a revelation_n he_o further_o permit_v heresy_n schism_n and_o error_n nay_o superstition_n itself_o to_o reign_v among_o we_o that_o those_o who_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a thus_o we_o may_v say_v he_o suffer_v all_o egypt_n to_o be_v cover_v with_o darkness_n the_o more_o eminent_o to_o discover_v his_o wonderful_a protection_n in_o blessing_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o land_n of_o goshen_n with_o the_o light_n of_o his_o truth_n that_o be_v by_o give_v we_o a_o religion_n accompany_v with_o so_o bright_a a_o evidence_n as_o carnal_a and_o worldly_a mind_a man_n can_v never_o comprehend_v because_o their_o reason_n be_v eclipse_v by_o sensuality_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o heart_n produce_v those_o thick_a cloud_n that_o hide_v the_o truth_n from_o their_o sight_n god_n it_o be_v true_a enlighten_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n but_o man_n wilful_o blind_v themselves_o he_o permit_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o to_o confound_v their_o ignorance_n and_o demonstrate_v to_o we_o that_o he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o light_n but_o let_v we_o now_o inquire_v into_o the_o principle_n of_o that_o obscurity_n which_o sole_o spring_v from_o men._n and_o i._o so_o gross_a be_v all_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o sense_n that_o there_o be_v no_o body_n so_o void_a of_o shame_n as_o to_o follow_v they_o open_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o be_v very_o prevalent_a in_o the_o heart_n of_o most_o man_n who_o stick_v not_o to_o say_v i_o never_o see_v the_o like_a i_o can_v willing_o believe_v it_o if_o i_o shall_v but_o see_v it_o who_o ever_o see_v dead_a man_n rise_v again_o from_o their_o grave_n and_o who_o ever_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n or_o go_v down_o into_o the_o pit_n all_o which_o reason_v be_v manifest_o absurd_a for_o can_v there_o be_v any_o great_a folly_n in_o a_o man_n than_o to_o refuse_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o see_v when_o these_o object_n of_o his_o faith_n can_v have_v no_o existence_n be_v they_o not_o invisible_a do_v any_o one_o ever_o see_v the_o time_n past_o long_a before_o he_o live_v or_o the_o future_a long_a after_o his_o death_n do_v he_o ever_o see_v his_o own_o soul_n the_o deity_n etc._n etc._n for_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o time_n past_a and_o the_o future_a the_o object_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o soul_n together_o with_o the_o benefit_n of_o god_n which_o faith_n offer_v to_o our_o consideration_n ii_o we_o be_v accustom_v by_o education_n not_o to_o believe_v any_o thing_n that_o happen_v not_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n we_o confine_v ourselves_o as_o it_o be_v to_o a_o circle_n of_o object_n which_o we_o willing_o admit_v of_o because_o they_o contain_v nothing_o that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o experience_n or_o probability_n so_o that_o the_o custom_n we_o have_v of_o refuse_v to_o give_v our_o assent_n to_o all_o other_o thing_n reach_v even_o unto_o matter_n of_o religion_n inevitable_o cast_v we_o into_o scepticism_n and_o incredulity_n yet_o shall_v we_o but_o thorough_o consider_v those_o object_n which_o fall_v under_o common_a experience_n they_o will_v certain_o appear_v as_o surprise_v and_o incomprehensible_a as_o those_o of_o religion_n if_o you_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o the_o soul_n shall_v outlive_v
the_o ruin_n of_o the_o body_n you_o must_v be_v much_o more_o surprise_v to_o see_v it_o so_o close_o unite_v to_o a_o subject_n so_o different_a from_o its_o perfection_n it_o be_v the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n with_o the_o body_n and_o not_o its_o dissolution_n we_o ought_v to_o admire_v endeavour_v to_o comprehend_v if_o you_o can_v the_o strict_a alliance_n there_o be_v between_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v extend_v that_o take_v up_o space_n that_o be_v confine_v to_o certain_a limit_n that_o act_n upon_o subject_n present_v only_o and_o near_o to_o it_o and_o a_o thing_n that_o have_v neither_o figure_n nor_o extension_n colour_n fluidity_n or_o solidity_n which_o in_o some_o sense_n be_v every_o where_o and_o yet_o have_v no_o part_n to_o take_v up_o any_o space_n which_o reflect_v upon_o the_o time_n past_a and_o the_o future_a upon_o itself_o and_o its_o manner_n of_o act_v in_o such_o a_o wonderful_a way_n as_o must_v necessary_o persuade_v we_o maugre_o all_o our_o reluctancy_n and_o doubt_n that_o we_o have_v a_o spiritual_a and_o immaterial_a substance_n within_o we_o if_o you_o be_v amaze_v when_o you_o be_v teach_v that_o there_o be_v a_o maker_n and_o preserver_n of_o all_o thing_n you_o ought_v rather_o to_o be_v surprise_v to_o think_v you_o have_v live_v so_o long_o in_o the_o world_n without_o put_v these_o question_n to_o yourself_o to_o what_o end_n be_v i_o make_v whence_o have_v i_o my_o be_v what_o will_v at_o last_o become_v of_o i_o and_o who_o be_v thâ—_n author_n of_o all_o that_o i_o behold_v the_o thought_n of_o a_o future_a judgement_n whatsoever_o notion_n you_o may_v have_v of_o its_o accomplishment_n ought_v not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o startle_v you_o who_o ought_v rather_o to_o wonder_v at_o the_o long_a forbearance_n of_o god_n who_o permit_v all_o thing_n that_o he_o may_v one_o day_n judge_v all_o thing_n that_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n that_o appear_v in_o public_a society_n may_v raise_v scruple_n in_o you_o be_v it_o not_o bound_v by_o such_o a_o event_n as_o will_v clear_o justify_v the_o justice_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o follow_v the_o opinion_n of_o incredulous_a man_n one_o will_v say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o extraordinary_a oâ—_n surprise_v in_o the_o world_n whereas_o we_o can_v behold_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o so_o iii_o but_o all_o our_o incredulity_n arise_v principal_o from_o our_o passion_n and_o it_o be_v their_o great_a interest_n to_o create_v in_o we_o a_o aversion_n for_o religion_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o make_v we_o inclinable_a to_o receive_v those_o doubt_n which_o favour_n their_o pretence_n and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o give_v rise_v to_o all_o sort_n of_o difficulty_n man_n be_v incredulous_a mere_o because_o they_o will_v be_v so_o and_o they_o will_v be_v so_o because_o it_o concern_v their_o passion_n to_o have_v it_o so_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o every_o thing_n concur_v by_o accident_n towards_o the_o produce_v so_o miserable_a a_o end_n so_o science_n eloquence_n policy_n etc._n etc._n create_v doubt_n and_o difficulty_n in_o we_o not_o of_o themselves_o but_o through_o our_o ill_a management_n of_o they_o iv._o pride_n of_o all_o the_o passion_n the_o most_o dangerous_a and_o most_o inveterate_a suffer_v we_o not_o to_o remain_v in_o such_o a_o due_a disposition_n of_o mind_n as_o god_n require_v we_o shall_v have_v in_o order_n to_o receive_v his_o revelation_n now_o this_o disposition_n be_v twofold_a 1_o sy_n it_o consist_v in_o our_o ready_o receive_v all_o reveal_v truth_n and_o 2_o lie_v in_o receive_v they_o although_o they_o be_v far_o above_o our_o capacity_n to_o comprehend_v without_o endeavour_v to_o dive_v too_o far_o into_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o council_n of_o god_n to_o have_v then_o a_o right_a belief_n we_o must_v not_o only_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o reveal_v truth_n we_o must_v also_o learn_v how_o to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o ignorance_n of_o those_o 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second_o we_o may_v infer_v from_o thence_o that_o humane_a curiosity_n that_o have_v so_o much_o increase_v the_o number_n of_o theological_a question_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a obstacle_n which_o faith_n be_v with_o much_o struggle_v to_o overcome_v for_o we_o be_v not_o content_a to_o have_v a_o bare_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n we_o yet_o endeavour_v to_o search_v into_o the_o manner_n how_o thing_n be_v do_v whereas_o it_o be_v the_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v do_v which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o conceal_v from_o we_o and_o it_o be_v the_o dark_a side_n we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o with_o profound_a reverence_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o we_o be_v very_o corrupt_a from_o our_o cradle_n and_o that_o nothing_o but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v capable_a to_o deliver_v we_o from_o that_o wretched_a state_n we_o be_v in_o but_o we_o be_v not_o wife_n enough_o to_o fix_v our_o inquiry_n there_o we_o further_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v how_o sin_n 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to_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n for_o it_o will_v be_v unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o a_o nature_n as_o have_v be_v honour_v with_o so_o particular_a a_o union_n to_o the_o deity_n shall_v yet_o have_v be_v for_o ever_o dissolve_v and_o remain_v to_o all_o eternity_n under_o the_o power_n of_o death_n but_o we_o shall_v think_v it_o very_o reasonable_a to_o imagine_v that_o it_o can_v not_o but_o have_v rise_v from_o the_o grave_a into_o which_o it_o have_v be_v please_v to_o descend_v if_o then_o christ_n be_v true_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a can_v our_o incredulous_a reason_n still_o refuse_v to_o believe_v that_o we_o shall_v also_o rise_v again_o but_o how_o can_v that_o reason_n contradict_v a_o truth_n which_o the_o disciple_n see_v they_o behold_v the_o glory_n of_o christ_n both_o in_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o perform_v and_o in_o his_o holiness_n of_o life_n they_o see_v god_n manifest_v in_o the_o flesh_n and_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n they_o perceive_v angel_n come_v down_o towards_o he_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n by_o their_o ministry_n the_o world_n believe_v on_o their_o preach_a and_o last_o they_o see_v christ_n ascend_v into_o heaven_n all_o which_o be_v very_o sensible_a and_o evident_a matter_n of_o fact_n the_o mystery_n then_o of_o the_o incarnation_n though_o the_o hard_a to_o comprehend_v of_o all_o those_o of_o christian_a religion_n imply_v however_o nothing_o contrary_a to_o reason_n but_o we_o must_v except_v the_o most_o holy_a and_o everblessed_n trinity_n another_o mystery_n which_o be_v infinite_o exalt_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o shallow_a capacity_n be_v not_o easy_o reconcilable_a to_o it_o nevertheless_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o the_o sublimity_n of_o its_o nature_n render_v it_o not_o any_o way_n repugnant_a to_o reason_n 1_o sy_n because_o the_o word_n person_n be_v not_o to_o be_v 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the_o revelation_n make_v to_o the_o apostle_n on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n viz._n the_o symbol_n or_o token_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o effect_n or_o gift_n of_o the_o say_v holy_a ghost_n and_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o imagine_v how_o the_o disciple_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o either_o respect_n i_o be_o willing_a however_o for_o once_o to_o suppose_v that_o they_o may_v have_v be_v deceive_v in_o those_o external_a and_o corporeal_a symbol_n that_o they_o may_v fancy_v they_o hear_v a_o mighty_a rush_a wind_n of_o which_o there_o be_v real_o no_o noise_n that_o their_o eye_n be_v dazzle_v they_o may_v have_v take_v that_o for_o fire_n which_o be_v not_o fire_n yet_o this_o supposition_n will_v certain_o be_v a_o little_a too_o extravagant_a for_o though_o the_o apostle_n by_o reason_n of_o some_o imperfection_n in_o their_o organ_n or_o some_o outward_a illusion_n may_v have_v fancy_v that_o they_o see_v fire_n where_o no_o fire_n be_v yet_o 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christ_n do_v no_o manner_n of_o miracle_n it_o will_v produce_v no_o great_a consequence_n so_o long_o as_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v several_a nay_o they_o choose_v for_o that_o very_a end_n the_o sick_a that_o be_v most_o know_v they_o take_v a_o lame_a person_n for_o instance_n that_o be_v public_o know_v to_o all_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o such_o a_o one_o to_o make_v he_o walk_v and_o leap_v before_o all_o the_o people_n of_o that_o great_a and_o flourish_a city_n it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o strange_a thing_n indeed_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v attempt_v to_o show_v false_a miracle_n to_o those_o people_n that_o be_v ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o subtle_a and_o refine_a than_o themselves_o but_o it_o will_v be_v yet_o far_o more_o strange_a that_o after_o have_v preach_v a_o false_a resurrection_n of_o their_o master_n they_o shall_v have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o work_v a_o false_a miracle_n which_o must_v necessary_o have_v be_v 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