be_v first_o call_v christian_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o colossian_n and_o laodicea_n to_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n direct_v particular_a letter_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o s._n john_n perish_v by_o a_o earthquake_n of_o god_n forsake_v the_o levantine_n church_n of_o the_o sea_n sudden_a break_n of_o its_o sandy_a girdle_n and_o overwhelm_a city_n or_o country_n of_o the_o many_o thousand_o which_o perish_v upon_o the_o second_o terrible_a eruption_n of_o fire_n from_o mount_n vesuvius_n or_o the_o like_a judgement_n great_a enough_o for_o a_o epocha_n 1631._o we_o be_v not_o to_o afflict_v their_o misery_n by_o charge_v a_o great_a guilt_n upon_o their_o person_n and_o memory_n then_o on_o other_o man_n but_o rather_o with_o the_o apostle_n stand_v and_o behold_v the_o severity_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o which_o fall_v and_o adore_v his_o goodness_n to_o we_o who_o be_v not_o thus_o surprise_v in_o our_o wickedness_n or_o visit_v with_o some_o strange_a affliction_n which_o may_v make_v we_o infamous_a as_o well_o as_o miserable_a and_o encourage_v uncharitable_a man_n to_o clap_v 23._o their_o hand_n at_o we_o and_o to_o hiss_v we_o out_o of_o our_o place_n second_o neither_o be_v any_o such_o extraordinary_a judgement_n in_o destitution_n of_o any_o other_o evidence_n to_o be_v receive_v as_o conclusive_a argument_n of_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o cause_n civil_a or_o sacred_a doctrine_n and_o cause_n change_v colour_n and_o appearance_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o multitude_n according_a as_o heaven_n shine_v more_o or_o less_o upon_o they_o by_o success_n our_o history_n make_v mention_n of_o a_o very_a hot_a contest_v about_o the_o marriage_n of_o priest_n whether_o be_v more_o acceptable_a with_o god_n they_o which_o vow_v single_a 133._o life_n or_o they_o which_o be_v marry_v at_o last_o the_o contender_n agree_v to_o remit_v the_o controversy_n to_o the_o debate_n of_o a_o synod_n where_o they_o which_o assert_v the_o marriage_n 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penny_n and_o of_o late_a si_fw-la quid_fw-la humaniâ—ùs_fw-la acciderit_fw-la any_o distemper_n incident_a to_o humanity_n have_v befall_v person_n in_o attendance_n on_o the_o public_a service_n they_o have_v be_v rash_o urge_v as_o caveat_n from_o heaven_n against_o the_o very_a prayer_n and_o thus_o in_o common_a life_n where_o man_n be_v at_o variance_n and_o see_v the_o rod_n of_o god_n lie_v upon_o the_o back_n of_o their_o adversary_n they_o be_v ready_a to_o say_v god_n have_v espouse_v their_o cause_n and_o avenge_v their_o quarrel_n and_o so_o to_o kill_v their_o brother_n with_o god_n sword_n and_o make_v he_o a_o party_n in_o all_o their_o petty_a quarrel_n and_o animosity_n against_o all_o such_o unclean_a proof_n which_o like_o the_o crab_n go_v backward_o from_o event_n to_o rule_n i_o offer_v these_o consideration_n 1._o as_o god_n in_o his_o word_n have_v record_v some_o action_n of_o very_o eminent_a person_n as_o the_o equivocate_a of_o abraham_n with_o abimelech_n 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force_v to_o know_v themselves_o by_o the_o title_n of_o victus_fw-la dei_fw-la populus_fw-la god_n hereby_o make_v trial_n whether_o we_o will_v believe_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o live_a creature_n to_o move_v in_o the_o wheel_n whilst_o they_o describe_v such_o involve_a and_o perplex_v circle_n and_o motion_n whether_o we_o love_v truth_n and_o virtue_n or_o rather_o their_o fortune_n and_o felicity_n beside_o the_o divine_a relation_n and_o light_n of_o righteousness_n and_o truth_n never_o make_v such_o clear_a report_n of_o themselves_o as_o when_o they_o break_v out_o and_o shine_v forth_o at_o last_o through_o all_o the_o cloud_n of_o persecution_n and_o heresy_n god_n often_o permit_v they_o for_o a_o time_n to_o be_v obscure_v withal_o 2._o prodigious_a evil_n upon_o its_o adversary_n be_v a_o plea_n which_o almost_o any_o cause_n be_v able_a to_o enter_v for_o itself_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o the_o israelite_n fall_v twice_o before_o the_o benjamite_n though_o engage_v in_o a_o war_n seldom_o 10._o unprosperous_a intend_v only_o ut_fw-la vindicte_fw-la publica_fw-la we_o â—inde_v the_o heathen_n often_o mention_v the_o judgement_n which_o be_v fall_v the_o contemptores_fw-la deorum_fw-la &_o religionis_fw-la among_o they_o and_o herodotus_n tell_v 37._o we_o that_o several_a barbarian_n as_o he_o style_v they_o adventure_v to_o rush_v rude_o upon_o the_o temple_n of_o minerva_n have_v the_o irreligion_n of_o the_o attempt_n avenge_v upon_o they_o by_o a_o fire_n from_o heaven_n a_o event_n to_o which_o i_o incline_v to_o entitle_v the_o especial_a agency_n of_o the_o devil_n among_o who_o stranger_n work_v the_o cause_v of_o fire_n to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n be_v especial_o instanced_a in_o rev._n 13._o 13._o to_o maintain_v thereby_o a_o reverence_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o his_o altar_n and_o rite_n and_o perhaps_o to_o imitate_v the_o fire_n which_o come_v forth_o from_o god_n under_o the_o old_a law_n to_o avenge_v the_o 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the_o language_n of_o plutarch_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o great_a oracle_n of_o truth_n to_o resolve_v we_o in_o the_o emergent_a doubt_n of_o life_n and_o it_o be_v especial_o because_o man_n be_v under_o a_o quick_a sense_n how_o exact_a a_o eye_n be_v requisite_a to_o discern_v how_o near_o any_o of_o these_o rule_n touch_v the_o building_n any_o cause_n or_o doctrine_n of_o who_o evenness_n there_o may_v be_v a_o doubt_n and_o that_o this_o method_n of_o knowledge_n engage_v they_o to_o dig_v for_o understanding_n and_o require_v they_o to_o a_o industrious_a use_n of_o themselves_o in_o the_o acquist_n of_o true_a resolution_n in_o a_o case_n and_o perhaps_o may_v detain_v they_o some_o time_n but_o in_o the_o place_n of_o candidate_n and_o probationer_n for_o truth_n that_o they_o be_v so_o easy_o incline_v to_o attend_v to_o the_o suppose_v intimation_n of_o a_o revelation_n some_o strange_a prodigy_n or_o prophecy_n a_o mighty_a impulse_n which_o give_v they_o
the_o air_n forerunner_n of_o plague_n and_o war_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o 1653._o far_o receive_v he_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o euâ—ebius_n style_v the_o portenta_fw-la precede_v the_o overthrow_n of_o jerusalem_n god_n visible_a sermon_n of_o repentance_n that_o as_o we_o be_v inform_v he_o write_v a_o just_a treatise_n lose_v in_o his_o life-time_n concern_v prodigy_n or_o divine_a foremarning_n betoken_v blood_n to_o all_o which_o testimony_n my_o answer_n shall_v be_v first_o more_o general_n that_o it_o be_v â—o_o wonder_n to_o see_v this_o opinion_n credit_v by_o some_o great_a name_n in_o regard_n that_o as_o in_o heresy_n populus_fw-la sequitur_fw-la doctiores_fw-la the_o people_n usual_o follow_v the_o learned_a as_o be_v in_o a_o matter_n more_o abstract_a and_o subtle_a more_o apt_a to_o believe_v then_o to_o judge_v so_o in_o superstition_n doctiores_fw-la sequuntur_fw-la populum_fw-la the_o learned_a be_v not_o seldom_o observe_v to_o follow_v the_o people_n because_o easy_o surprise_v into_o a_o opinion_n that_o can_v enter_v so_o valuable_a a_o plea_n for_o itself_o as_o common_a consent_n this_o notion_n of_o presage_n by_o prodigy_n be_v so_o popular_a and_o catholic_a wise_a man_n in_o their_o first_o and_o unwary_a year_n when_o they_o be_v discipuli_fw-la plebis_fw-la may_v entertain_v conceit_n thereof_o which_o shall_v plead_v prescription_n against_o the_o strong_a reason_n to_o dispossess_v they_o as_o iron_n in_o a_o great_a and_o more_o massy_a body_n sequitur_fw-la naturam_fw-la communem_fw-la follow_v the_o law_n of_o common_a nature_n in_o all_o heavy_a body_n and_o move_v to_o the_o earth_n but_o in_o small_a piece_n sequitur_fw-la naturam_fw-la privatam_fw-la it_o follow_v its_o own_o private_a nature_n and_o direct_v itself_o to_o the_o loadstone_n thus_o learned_a man_n where_o they_o be_v press_v by_o the_o force_n and_o weight_n of_o education_n and_o a_o common_a prejudice_n general_o follow_v common_a nature_n in_o man_n which_o incline_v to_o embrace_v society_n and_o therefore_o move_v in_o judgement_n secundum_fw-la viam_fw-la tâ—rrae_fw-la but_o in_o matter_n out_o of_o vulgar_a ken_n and_o where_o they_o can_v be_v tempt_v by_o a_o common_a agreement_n they_o move_v secundum_fw-la viam_fw-la consilii_fw-la and_o perive_v the_o dictate_v of_o their_o own_o private_a light_n and_o understanding_n even_o wise_a man_n in_o many_o instance_n hold_v aâ—â—â—_n &_o focos_fw-la their_o faith_n and_o their_o estate_n by_o the_o same_o tenure_n tradition_n from_o ancestor_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v receive_v their_o judgement_n tanquam_fw-la ex_fw-la gathedâ—â—â—_n as_o engagement_n to_o consider_v not_o always_o tanquam_fw-la ex_fw-la triple_a as_o obligation_n to_o believe_v i_o proceed_v next_o to_o a_o more_o distinct_a and_o particular_a answer_n to_o the_o several_a authority_n allege_v and_o first_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n the_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n where_o in_o god_n have_v threaten_v to_o issue_v out_o a_o speedy_a arrest_n upon_o person_n deep_o indebt_v to_o he_o without_o so_o much_o as_o warn_v they_o by_o any_o lesser_a judgement_n and_o sign_n of_o vengeance_n to_o agree_v with_o he_o â—â—ile_v in_o the_o waâ—_n do_v sufficient_o resolve_v i_o of_o the_o vanity_n of_o that_o forementioned_a assertion_n of_o herodotus_n yet_o because_o it_o be_v deliveâ—'â—â—poâ—â—he_v â—eemiâ—g_a faitâ—_n of_o a_o great_a experience_n and_o our_o advebâ—aries_n build_v so_o much_o upon_o 〈◊〉_d i_o return_v to_o it_o 〈…〉_z it_o be_v a_o conclusion_n which_o procee_v upon_o the_o â—redit_n of_o a_o single_a instance_n that_o of_o the_o people_n of_o chios_n there_o mention_v who_o final_a desolation_n be_v usher_v by_o two_o very_a affect_a example_n one_o that_o of_o a_o hundred_o young_a man_n who_o they_o send_v to_o delphos_n two_o only_o return_v the_o rest_n be_v consume_v by_o pestilence_n another_o but_o a_o little_a aftei_fw-la the_o same_o time_n the_o roof_n of_o the_o schol-house_n fall_v so_o sudden_o that_o of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o child_n but_o one_o escape_v with_o life_n of_o wâ—ich_a he_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d these_o sign_n god_n foreshow_v their_o approach_a fate_n withal_o now_o with_o this_o so_o shallow_a and_o contract_v a_o foundation_n he_o venture_v the_o build_n of_o his_o catholic_n assertion_n quoties_fw-la ingentes_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o thing_n not_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o because_o where_o man_n be_v very_o fond_a of_o a_o assume_v principle_n any_o single_a example_n which_o speak_v favour_n for_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o attend_v unto_o than_o a_o hundred_o which_o disparage_n and_o refute_v it_o beside_o one_o affirmative_a especial_o if_o plausible_a as_o this_o be_v do_v far_o moie_v affect_v and_o engage_v our_o mind_n than_o many_o more_o evident_a negative_n because_o they_o be_v infinite_a disperse_v our_o sight_n and_o deliver_v we_o to_o uncertainty_n 2._o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n at_o all_o to_o meet_v with_o such_o a_o assertion_n among_o heathen_n and_o any_o little_a accident_n blow_v out_o by_o a_o superstitious_a fancy_n into_o thâ—_n show_v and_o appâ—â—â—â—nce_n of_o strange_a omen_n if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o they_o look_v upon_o their_o god_n as_o a_o kind_n of_o fairy_n which_o will_v throw_v firebrand_n and_o fury_n about_o the_o house_n for_o the_o omission_n of_o some_o petty_a criticism_n in_o their_o rite_n and_o that_o therefore_o they_o give_v forth_o frequent_a intimation_n of_o these_o impotency_n and_o distaste_v they_o think_v they_o be_v lose_v with_o a_o trifle_n and_o win_v again_o to_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o they_o by_o pay_v they_o the_o homage_n of_o a_o little_a crouch_v and_o circumstantial_a devotion_n 2._o the_o hope_n and_o fortune_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v lay_v up_o general_o in_o this_o fel._n world_n and_o therefore_o their_o fear_n in_o reference_n to_o it_o be_v easy_o 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that_o '_o tâ—ere_o no_o wonder_n to_o find_v they_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n of_o gentilism_n speak_v in_o favour_n sometime_o for_o some_o of_o the_o doctrine_n thereof_o the_o main_a trunk_n and_o body_n of_o the_o gentile_a superstition_n be_v indeed_o hewâ—_n down_o in_o their_o mind_n but_o still_a there_o be_v some_o small_a root_n and_o fibre_n remain_v which_o be_v observe_v to_o spring_v up_o ever_o and_o anon_o and_o trouble_v their_o write_n but_o however_o we_o shall_v i_o believe_v seldom_o find_v they_o express_v any_o great_a regard_n to_o this_o grand_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gentile_a theology_n as_o for_o tertullian_n howsoever_o he_o may_v seem_v like_o some_o carve_a image_n about_o house_n to_o support_v and_o grace_v our_o adversary_n build_v yet_o he_o will_v prove_v in_o truth_n to_o be_v like_o they_o bare_o force_v and_o fasten_v on_o and_o to_o lend_v no_o strength_n at_o all_o thereunto_o for_o 1._o the_o father_n write_v to_o the_o heathen_n there_o may_v lawful_o discourse_v with_o they_o exit_fw-la hypothesi_fw-la ethâ—icae_fw-la theologiae_n for_o they_o regard_v those_o mighty_a vulcâ—nos_n as_o the_o court_n of_o pluto_n and_o a_o kind_n of_o testimony_n or_o fit_a emblem_n of_o the_o fire_n and_o vengeance_n in_o another_o state_n 2._o he_o style_v these_o fire_n eruption_n but_o testimonium_fw-la &_o exemplum_fw-la a_o testimony_n and_o example_n of_o the_o divine_a judgement_n which_o in_o a_o lax_n sense_n he_o may_v well_o do_v these_o seem_v to_o be_v set_v forth_o by_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n as_o glass_n and_o picture_n to_o convey_v to_o the_o dull_a world_n some_o weak_a image_n of_o the_o horror_n of_o those_o everlasting_a burn_n in_o another_o world_n 3._o these_o durable_a fire_n be_v allege_v not_o as_o any_o sign_n of_o a_o everlasting_a burn_a but_o as_o the_o best_a argument_n nature_n afford_v to_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o such_o a_o burn_a against_o the_o son_n of_o nature_n who_o think_v a_o fire_n which_o consume_v not_o to_o be_v a_o great_a contradiction_n and_o to_o a_o like_a
of_o shame_n or_o fear_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o public_a justice_n neglect_v to_o rub_v off_o that_o rust_n which_o be_v grow_v upon_o the_o iron_n age_n it_o may_v quick_o be_v expect_v that_o god_n shall_v do_v his_o own_o work_n 15._o himself_o assert_v his_o own_o righteousness_n by_o throw_v it_o into_o the_o fire_n of_o some_o terrible_a judgement_n to_o refine_v and_o purify_v it_o so_o also_o such_o monstrous_a doctrine_n as_o these_o grow_v bold_a and_o public_a be_v a_o presage_n of_o some_o great_a distemper_n grow_v upon_o the_o common_a body_n that_o there_o be_v some_o inward_a and_o extraordinary_a call_v to_o a_o office_n which_o owe_v a_o account_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o reality_n soley_n to_o that_o spirit_n which_o feel_v they_o that_o only_a christ_n in_o person_n be_v the_o lawful_a and_o rightful_a governor_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o magistracy_n stand_v not_o with_o christian_a liberty_n that_o nullus_fw-la est_fw-la dominus_fw-la civilis_fw-la dum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o peccato_fw-la mortali_fw-la where_o the_o magistrate_n will_v not_o reform_v the_o church_n the_o people_n may_v every_o such_o doctrine_n as_o dull_a and_o wooden_a as_o it_o may_v seem_v contain_v like_o the_o trojane_n horse_n arm_a man_n in_o the_o belly_n of_o it_o 2._o extraordinary_a eclipse_n of_o the_o superior_a luminary_n the_o governor_n 24._o in_o church_n and_o state_n either_o as_o to_o the_o light_n of_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n or_o respect_n and_o reverence_n before_o the_o people_n before_o god_n petty_a day_n of_o judgement_n in_o a_o state_n the_o sun_n usual_o be_v turn_v into_o darkness_n and_o the_o moon_n into_o blood_n there_o be_v great_a contempt_n throw_v upon_o the_o person_n or_o government_n of_o the_o ruler_n by_o libel_n and_o seditious_a speech_n and_o his_o chief_a minister_n be_v require_v as_o sacrifice_n to_o appease_v some_o popular_a fury_n and_o discontent_n 3._o earthquake_n in_o divers_a place_n i_o mean_v a_o great_a many_o commotion_n and_o petty_a tumult_n among_o the_o populacy_n these_o argue_v high_a dissatisfaction_n such_o frequent_a break_n out_o in_o the_o body_n politic_a argue_v many_o noxious_a and_o dangerous_a humour_n therein_o which_o without_o the_o wise_a interpose_v of_o state-physitian_n presage_v ruin_n to_o the_o whole_a these_o and_o more_o sign_n not_o proper_a for_o this_o place_n be_v there_o which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o the_o mind_n that_o have_v wisdom_n as_o for_o folly_n it_o will_v not_o receive_v instruction_n though_o one_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a second_o we_o be_v further_o tell_v that_o by_o remove_v of_o the_o receive_a 2._o opinion_n of_o prodigy_n and_o sign_n we_o remove_v a_o main_a pillar_n whereupon_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o divine_a providence_n of_o a_o god_n concern_v in_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o we_o hereby_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o atheism_n and_o few_o pillour_n under_o the_o elbow_n of_o secure_a and_o sleepy_a wickedness_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v rather_o the_o way_n to_o make_v man_n atheist_n to_o tell_v they_o these_o answer_n be_v god_n sign_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o see_v seldom_o or_o never_o come_v to_o pass_v all_o argument_n bring_v in_o defence_n of_o a_o truth_n man_n be_v willing_a to_o free_v their_o mind_n of_o if_o they_o do_v not_o full_o prove_v do_v huge_o weaken_v and_o disparage_v it_o like_o weak_a physic_n which_o if_o it_o drive_v not_o forth_o the_o ill_a humour_n do_v by_o accident_n exasperate_v it_o and_o make_v the_o patient_a worse_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o way_n safe_a to_o trust_v so_o great_a and_o important_a a_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n with_o so_o feeble_a and_o airy_a a_o proof_n as_o this_o be_v if_o a_o atheist_n can_v believe_v that_o the_o world_n come_v by_o chance_n into_o all_o this_o beauty_n and_o elegant_a order_n and_o the_o several_a sphere_n of_o being_n to_o maintain_v so_o grateful_a a_o harmony_n in_o their_o motion_n without_o some_o great_a intelligence_n to_o give_v law_n and_o measure_n to_o they_o he_o will_v more_o easy_o persuade_v himself_o that_o thing_n run_v by_o chance_n sometime_o into_o discord_n monstrousness_n and_o deformity_n three_o it_o be_v further_o object_v that_o all_o the_o common_a and_o more_o 3._o familiar_a method_n of_o action_n appoint_v the_o creature_n give_v so_o excellent_a a_o account_n of_o themselves_o to_o a_o wise_a and_o considerate_a mind_n it_o can_v ready_o be_v conceive_v to_o what_o end_n any_o of_o these_o extraordinary_n in_o nature_n can_v minister_v but_o to_o that_o of_o divination_n of_o event_n future_a though_o this_o be_v a_o most_o inconsequent_a and_o presumptuous_a reason_n sol._n thing_n must_v be_v for_o this_o end_n for_o i_o know_v no_o other_o that_o they_o can_v serve_v yet_o because_o where_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n reach_v not_o the_o true_a cause_n or_o proper_a end_n of_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v easy_o tempt_v to_o take_v up_o in_o such_o vain_a and_o cheap_a resolve_n as_o a_o superstitious_a multitude_n or_o a_o guilty_a fear_n may_v tender_v to_o it_o and_o because_o most_o man_n be_v such_o gloriae_fw-la animalia_fw-la as_o like_a proteus_n to_o shift_v into_o any_o odd_a shape_n and_o form_n of_o opinion_n and_o conceit_n to_o free_v themselves_o when_o hold_v with_o the_o knot_n of_o any_o difficult_a and_o perplex_a phaenomenon_n lay_v before_o they_o i_o shall_v therefore_o propose_v those_o high_a and_o more_o excellent_a end_n of_o these_o irregular_a accident_n which_o may_v satisfy_v man_n mind_n and_o as_o a_o real_a diamond_n do_v its_o counterfeit_n most_o effectual_o detect_v and_o disparage_v that_o little_a and_o mean_a end_n which_o vulgar_a opinion_n make_v they_o servant_n to_o that_o of_o a_o unnecessary_a and_o often_o hurtful_a curiosity_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o time_n reserve_v soley_n in_o god_n power_n and_o counsel_n first_o then._n they_o serve_v to_o awaken_v more_o gross_a and_o heavy_a mind_n into_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o be_v providence_n and_o greatness_n of_o god_n 1_o of_o his_o be_v one_o account_n why_o atheist_n live_v in_o a_o constant_a neglect_n 3._o and_o inobservance_n of_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n be_v this_o all_o thing_n continue_v as_o they_o be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o constant_a and_o even_a harmony_n which_o nature_n make_v lull_v man_n into_o a_o dull_a and_o sleepy_a inadvertency_n whereas_o some_o harshness_n and_o discord_n now_o and_o then_o in_o the_o part_n thereof_o new_a and_o unwonted_a occurrence_n be_v apt_a to_o awaken_v their_o dull_a and_o sleepy_a mind_n into_o a_o sense_n of_o some_o mighty_a power_n which_o run_v through_o the_o world_n and_o command_v the_o force_n of_o nature_n which_o way_n he_o please_v since_o we_o lose_v the_o favour_n of_o god_n we_o be_v great_o propense_a to_o loose_v the_o â—eme_n of_o he_o for_o if_o he_o observe_v a_o constant_a method_n in_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n the_o god_n of_o nature_n shall_v be_v lose_v and_o forget_v in_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n if_o as_o in_o the_o work_n of_o providence_n he_o proceed_v by_o no_o rule_a case_n never_o prescribe_v to_o himself_o than_o he_o shall_v be_v eclypse_v in_o chance_n and_o fortune_n and_o therefore_o perhaps_o sometime_o he_o act_v so_o accountable_o and_o consonant_o to_o our_o notion_n in_o the_o work_n of_o his_o providence_n that_o man_n be_v force_v to_o say_v very_o there_o be_v a_o god_n which_o judge_v in_o the_o earthâ—_n and_o sometime_o so_o irregular_o in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n 11._o that_o man_n be_v force_v to_o cry_v out_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n be_v the_o work_n in_o nature_n always_o lay_v out_o by_o the_o line_n of_o a_o even_o and_o every_o way_n immutable_a law_n and_o order_n man_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v though_o they_o can_v not_o make_v sense_n of_o that_o thought_n that_o all_o be_v do_v by_o nature_n and_o shall_v monster_n comet_n earthquake_n etc._n etc._n turn_v quotidian_a man_n will_v be_v tempt_v to_o conclude_v the_o world_n a_o great_a lottery_n and_o all_o effect_n owe_v soli_fw-la fortuito_fw-la causarum_fw-la concursui_fw-la whereas_o a_o wise_a intermixture_n of_o some_o irregularity_n put_v man_n upon_o reflection_n and_o give_v they_o to_o understand_v that_o nature_n ill_a shape_a letter_n at_o one_o time_n be_v a_o assurance_n that_o she_o can_v not_o write_v so_o fair_o and_o even_o as_o general_o have_v she_o not_o some_o great_a master_n to_o guide_v her_o hand_n and_o bind_v in_o the_o power_n of_o some_o cause_n apt_a to_o exorbitate_fw-la and_o fly_v out_o 2._o of_o his_o providence_n shall_v not_o river_n sometime_o stand_v and_o spring_n fail_v man_n will_v not_o be_v so_o full_o assuâ—ed_v that_o it_o be_v god_n who_o send_v the_o 10._o spring_n into_o the_o valley_n that_o it_o be_v he_o who_o water_v the_o hill_n shall_v there_o
figure_n and_o dimension_n it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o ignorance_n fingere_fw-la simul_fw-la &_o credere_fw-la 2._o religion_n seem_v much_o concern_v in_o such_o relation_n now_o man_n like_a jacob_n will_v be_v ready_a to_o venture_v upon_o a_o lie_n for_o a_o great_a blessing_n the_o advancement_n of_o religion_n beside_o as_o atheism_n give_v all_o event_n to_o the_o second_o so_o superstition_n religion_n scare_v out_o of_o its_o wit_n give_v all_o sole_o to_o the_o first_o cause_n and_o be_v therefore_o quick_o persuade_v to_o fill_v out_o its_o relation_n with_o all_o the_o example_n of_o wonderful_a and_o extraordinary_a that_o effect_n may_v appear_v the_o more_o worthy_a of_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n moreover_o blind_a and_o ignorant_a fear_n of_o god_n make_v the_o mind_n impressive_a to_o any_o kind_n of_o religious_a legend_n never_o be_v the_o world_n more_o true_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o philo_n style_v it_o a_o region_n of_o lie_n and_o fallacy_n then_o in_o the_o more_o dark_a and_o rude_a time_n of_o gentilism_n and_o popery_n when_o a_o ignorant_a devotion_n towards_o god_n have_v make_v religion_n almost_o nothing_o but_o a_o continue_a history_n of_o prodigy_n apparition_n miracle_n voice_n from_o the_o cloud_n and_o the_o like_a and_o therefore_o the_o lord_n bacon_n advise_v a_o just_a history_n of_o prodiges_fw-la to_o direct_v 29._o to_o the_o true_a interpretation_n of_o nature_n and_o knowledge_n of_o cause_n give_v in_o this_o prudent_a caveat_n maximè_fw-la habenda_fw-la sunt_fw-la pro_fw-la suspectis_fw-la quae_fw-la pendent_fw-la quomodocunque_fw-la à _fw-la religione_fw-la ut_fw-la prodigia_fw-la livii_n etc._n etc._n superstition_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o viper_n bite_v off_o that_o head_n weaken_v and_o soften_v that_o faculty_n of_o reason_n by_o which_o it_o do_v at_o first_o conceive_v and_o make_v it_o receptive_a of_o any_o odd_a fancy_n and_o impression_n 3._o the_o strength_n of_o these_o relation_n like_o that_o of_o nisus_n in_o the_o poet_n lie_v general_o in_o the_o weak_a hair_n of_o some_o single_a or_o double_a testimony_n now_o as_o there_o be_v little_a reason_n to_o conceive_v a_o whole_a nation_n concern_v in_o the_o vision_n of_o one_o or_o two_o private_a person_n if_o they_o be_v true_a god_n sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o be_v intend_v as_o lesson_n to_o a_o nation_n or_o posterity_n be_v general_o attest_v by_o number_n so_o as_o little_a reason_n to_o hang_v the_o weight_n of_o so_o serious_a a_o faith_n and_o great_a affection_n in_o religion_n upon_o so_o slender_a a_o wire_n as_o the_o testimony_n of_o one_o perhaps_o two_o or_o three_o man_n in_o such_o matter_n be_v the_o roman_n of_o old_a though_o as_o apt_a to_o swallow_v such_o prodigious_a story_n as_o any_o yet_o use_v to_o chew_v they_o fiâ—st_v by_o a_o serious_a examination_n sometime_o by_o the_o public_a magistrate_n make_v of_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o attestour_n and_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o livy_n prodigious_a accident_n sometime_o past_a by_o without_o any_o religious_a regard_n viz._n where_o the_o testimony_n appear_v incompetent_a and_o this_o lest_o what_o be_v intend_v a_o devotion_n to_o their_o deity_n may_v chance_v to_o prove_v a_o mockery_n 4._o some_o man_n seem_v even_o natural_o fabularum_fw-la proci_fw-la the_o very_a courter_n of_o fable_n and_o legend_n either_o out_o of_o a_o native_a vanity_n and_o emptiness_n of_o mind_n whereby_o like_o the_o chameleon_n they_o be_v better_o please_v with_o 16._o airy_a then_o substantial_a nourishment_n or_o a_o mean_a kind_n of_o ambition_n of_o be_v look_v at_o and_o stare_v upon_o by_o the_o rude_a multitude_n who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n will_v neglect_v they_o if_o their_o book_n and_o discourse_n be_v not_o somewhat_o antic_a and_o extraordinary_a hence_o the_o man_n can_v scarce_o relate_v any_o matter_n especial_o if_o go_v a_o little_a off_o from_o common_a and_o quotidian_a but_o it_o must_v look_v big_a and_o borrow_v somewhat_o of_o a_o romance_n very_o observable_a therefore_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o relation_n of_o any_o great_a wonder_n in_o sacred_a writ_n wherein_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o most_o glorious_a display_v of_o the_o divine_a power_n deliver_v in_o that_o simplicity_n and_o coolness_n of_o style_n in_o that_o lax_n and_o general_a way_n with_o as_o little_a of_o ecstacy_n and_o emotion_n of_o mind_n appear_v in_o the_o relatour_n as_o if_o some_o vulgar_a and_o quotidian_a occurrence_n have_v fall_v before_o he_o that_o so_o there_o may_v not_o appear_v any_o symptom_n of_o that_o common_a itch_n in_o man_n to_o tell_v strange_a story_n or_o any_o affectation_n of_o strangeness_n and_o the_o common_a wonder_n or_o a_o great_a solicitousness_n to_o raise_v the_o esteem_n of_o that_o cause_n or_o party_n to_o which_o they_o be_v a_o honourable_a testimony_n from_o heaven_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n second_o such_o a_o undertake_n will_v prove_v exceed_v difficult_a it_o be_v much_o more_o easy_a to_o believe_v many_o a_o strange_a story_n then_o to_o attempt_v its_o refute_v especial_o where_o the_o scene_n thereof_o be_v lay_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n off_o beside_o very_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o make_v any_o steady_a judgement_n of_o some_o prodigy_n without_o a_o actual_a presence_n to_o they_o such_o be_v the_o water_n of_o pond_n or_o fountain_n turn_v as_o it_o be_v pretend_v into_o blout_n the_o interruption_n of_o the_o current_n of_o river_n some_o spot_n as_o of_o blood_n discover_v upon_o stone_n or_o statue_n etc._n etc._n the_o cause_n of_o which_o appearance_n will_v scarce_o be_v ever_o hit_v by_o person_n which_o stand_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n and_o understand_v not_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o season_n climate_n water_n earth_n when_o and_o where_o the_o event_n fall_v out_o 3._o the_o undertake_n will_v have_v prove_v very_o unserviceable_a to_o our_o main_a purpose_n for_o 1._o our_o design_n be_v not_o the_o disparagement_n of_o the_o person_n of_o our_o adversary_n of_o which_o any_o attempt_n upon_o their_o credit_n will_v have_v be_v indict_v but_o of_o their_o cause_n 2._o a_o solicitous_a enquiry_n into_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n will_v have_v be_v conclude_v a_o tacit_n acknowledgement_n of_o the_o value_n and_o significancy_n of_o they_o if_o they_o shall_v chance_v to_o prove_v truth_n 3._o have_v cut_v off_o the_o neck_n of_o this_o opinion_n those_o precarious_a principle_n it_o hold_v of_o a_o cut_n off_o the_o particular_a head_n monstrous_a relation_n which_o grow_v upon_o it_o will_v be_v needless_a nay_o endless_a for_o other_o will_v quick_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o place_n 4._o we_o have_v as_o tâ—rquinius_n do_v the_o head_n of_o the_o tall_a poppy_n direct_o strike_v at_o the_o credit_n and_o significancy_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o pretend_v prodigy_n comet_n and_o apparition_n 5._o i_o conceive_v that_o more_o word_n will_v have_v be_v but_o lose_v upon_o person_n which_o after_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v have_v a_o great_a devotion_n for_o this_o ancient_a idol_n the_o opinion_n of_o presage_n by_o prodigy_n speculative_a 2._o error_n general_o scorn_v the_o truth_n practical_a error_n â—ate_z it_o but_o it_o be_v the_o usage_n of_o superstition_n and_o enthusiasm_n to_o fear_v it_o because_o in_o the_o two_o former_a self_n only_o but_o in_o the_o latter_a god_n be_v presume_v especial_o concern_v all_o the_o image_n and_o fiction_n of_o the_o braiâ—_n like_o those_o in_o the_o fancy_n of_o poet_n be_v translate_v present_o into_o heaven_n and_o god_n honour_n and_o counsel_n think_v to_o stand_v or_o fall_v with_o they_o 6._o because_o as_o for_o person_n of_o more_o free_a and_o unengage_v minâ—s_n and_o that_o use_v not_o to_o believe_v without_o ask_v themselves_o why_o i_o be_v not_o without_o some_o hope_n that_o what_o have_v be_v already_o discourse_v in_o this_o argument_n may_v suffice_v to_o their_o resolution_n and_o satisfaction_n upon_o all_o which_o account_n i_o do_v not_o conceive_v it_o necessary_a to_o concern_v myself_o in_o any_o solicitous_a inquiry_n into_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o particular_a relation_n or_o a_o tedious_a discovery_n of_o the_o lightness_n and_o insignificancy_n of_o they_o single_o and_o apart_o and_o so_o to_o kill_v this_o superstition_n as_o they_o do_v some_o kind_n of_o vermin_n by_o part_n and_o piece_n after_o all_o that_o have_v be_v already_o say_v before_o i_o conclude_v the_o reader_n task_n and_o my_o own_o i_o conceive_v it_o necessary_a to_o call_v he_o to_o a_o notice_n of_o that_o strong_a and_o almost_o catholic_a propension_n in_o our_o nature_n against_o the_o reproach_n even_o of_o our_o understand_a part_n and_o the_o loud_a voice_n of_o a_o great_a experience_n to_o entertain_v with_o a_o kind_n of_o sacred_a regard_n person_n who_o assume_v to_o themselves_o a_o ability_n to_o