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that_o the_o thing_n be_v unlawful_a in_o itself_o to_o a_o good_a christian._n leave_v other_o nevertheless_o their_o liberty_n in_o this_o point_n it_o must_v at_o least_o be_v grant_v inconvenient_a for_o if_o you_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o lutheran_n for_o instance_n though_o you_o agree_v with_o those_o of_o your_o communion_n but_o in_o the_o main_a article_n yet_o their_o adversary_n will_v not_o fail_v upon_o occasion_n to_o charge_v you_o with_o those_o other_o matter_n wherein_o you_o dissent_v and_o shall_v you_o then_o declare_v your_o judgement_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o lutheran_n will_v not_o only_o be_v much_o offend_v but_o be_v apt_a also_o to_o call_v your_o sincerity_n in_o question_n about_o every_o thing_n beside_o which_o be_v the_o know_a temper_n of_o most_o sect_n the_o only_a religious_a title_n therefore_o that_o i_o shall_v ever_o own_o for_o my_o part_n be_v that_o most_o glorious_a one_o of_o be_v a_o christian._n a_o word_n or_o two_o more_o i_o must_v add_v
christianity_n not_o mysterious_a or_o a_o treatise_n show_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o gospel_n contrary_a to_o reason_n nor_o above_o it_o and_o that_o no_o christian_a doctrine_n can_v be_v proper_o call_v a_o mystery_n by_o john_n toland_n the_o second_o edition_n enlarge_v we_o need_v not_o desire_v a_o better_a evidence_n that_o any_o man_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n than_o to_o hear_v he_o declare_v against_o reason_n and_o thereby_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o reason_n be_v against_o he_o archbishop_n tillotson_n london_n print_v for_o sam._n buckley_n at_o the_o dolphin_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdcxcvi_o the_o preface_n i_o believe_v all_o man_n will_v ready_o allow_v that_o none_o shall_v speak_v with_o more_o freedom_n and_o assurance_n than_o he_o that_o defend_v or_o illustrate_v the_o truth_n but_o if_o we_o credit_v the_o history_n of_o former_a time_n or_o due_o consider_v what_o pass_v in_o the_o present_a we_o shall_v 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never_o so_o true_a and_o beneficial_a if_o it_o but_o very_o slight_o differ_v from_o what_o be_v receive_v by_o any_o party_n or_o that_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n but_o he_o be_v either_o force_v to_o keep_v perpetual_a silence_n or_o to_o propose_v his_o sentiment_n to_o the_o world_n by_o way_n of_o paradox_n under_o a_o borrow_a or_o fictitious_a name_n to_o mention_v the_o least_o part_n of_o the_o inconvenience_n they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o who_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o act_v more_o aboveboard_n be_v too_o melancholy_a a_o theme_n and_o visible_a enough_o to_o be_v lament_v by_o all_o that_o be_v true_o generous_a and_o virtuous_a the_o pravity_n of_o most_o man_n disposition_n and_o the_o ambition_n of_o particular_a person_n make_v this_o matter_n seem_v less_o strange_a in_o politic_a and_o secular_a affair_n and_o yet_o a_o man_n may_v not_o only_o make_v new_a discovery_n and_o improvement_n in_o law_n or_o physic_n and_o in_o the_o other_o art_n and_o science_n impunible_o but_o also_o for_o so_o do_v be_v deserve_o encourage_v and_o reward_v but_o wonderful_a that_o the_o sacred_a name_n of_o religion_n which_o sound_v nothing_o but_o sanctity_n peace_n and_o integrity_n shall_v be_v so_o universal_o abuse_v to_o patronize_v ambition_n impiety_n and_o contention_n and_o that_o what_o be_v our_o bigh_a interest_n perfect_o to_o understand_v shall_v for_o reason_n afterward_o to_o be_v lay_v open_a both_o be_v maintain_v to_o be_v obscure_a and_o very_o industrious_o make_v so_o nay_o it_o be_v come_v to_o this_o that_o truth_n meet_v no_o where_o with_o strong_a opposition_n than_o from_o many_o of_o those_o that_o raise_v the_o loud_a cry_n about_o it_o and_o will_v be_v take_v for_o no_o less_o than_o the_o only_a dispenser_n of_o the_o favour_n and_o oracle_n of_o heaven_n if_o any_o have_v the_o firmness_n to_o touch_v the_o minute_a thing_n that_o bring_v they_o gain_n or_o credit_n he_o be_v present_o pursue_v with_o the_o 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sword_n with_o they_o and_o attacking_z they_o only_o with_o the_o weapon_n they_o prescribe_v i_o the_o true_a christian_a can_v no_o more_o be_v offend_v when_o he_o find_v i_o employ_v reason_n not_o to_o enervate_v or_o perplex_v but_o to_o confirm_v and_o elucidate_v revelation_n unless_o he_o be_v apprehensive_a i_o shall_v render_v it_o too_o clear_a to_o myself_o or_o too_o familiar_a to_o other_o which_o be_v absurdity_n no_o body_n will_v own_v i_o hope_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o use_v of_o reason_n be_v not_o so_o dangerous_a in_o religion_n as_o it_o be_v common_o represent_v and_o that_o too_o by_o such_o as_o mighty_o extol_v it_o when_o it_o seem_v to_o favour_v they_o yet_o vouchsafe_v it_o not_o a_o hear_n when_o it_o make_v against_o they_o but_o oppose_v its_o own_o authority_n to_o itself_o these_o be_v high_a privilege_n indeed_o and_o the_o sure_a mean_n of_o have_v always_o the_o better_a of_o the_o dispute_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v devise_v that_o the_o mistake_a unbeliever_n may_v not_o say_v i_o serve_v a_o hypothesis_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o my_o faith_n like_o some_o who_o first_o imagine_v or_o receive_v a_o opinion_n and_o then_o study_v proof_n to_o establish_v it_o i_o solemn_o declare_v the_o thing_n be_v much_o otherwise_o and_o that_o i_o hold_v nothing_o as_o a_o article_n of_o my_o religion_n but_o what_o the_o high_a evidence_n force_v i_o to_o embrace_v for_o be_v educate_v from_o my_o cradle_n in_o the_o gross_a superstition_n and_o idolatry_n god_n be_v please_v to_o make_v my_o own_o reason_n and_o such_o as_o make_v use_v of_o they_o the_o happy_a instrument_n of_o my_o conversion_n thus_o i_o have_v be_v very_o early_o accustom_a to_o examination_n and_o enquiry_n and_o teach_v not_o to_o captivate_v my_o understanding_n no_o more_o than_o my_o sense_n to_o any_o man_n or_o society_n whatsoever_o now_o the_o best_a method_n i_o think_v of_o communicate_v to_o other_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o by_o which_o a_o man_n have_v learn_v it_o himself_o that_o the_o well-meaning_a christian_a may_v not_o suspect_v as_o it_o fall_v out_o very_o ordinary_o that_o i_o aim_v at_o more_o than_o i_o declare_v and_o cunning_o disguise_v some_o bad_a principle_n under_o the_o fair_a pretence_n of_o defend_v the_o true_a religion_n i_o assure_v he_o that_o i_o write_v with_o all_o the_o sincerity_n and_o simplicity_n imaginable_a be_v as_o thorough_o convince_v of_o what_o i_o maintain_v as_o i_o can_v be_v of_o any_o thing_n if_o any_o good_a man_n shall_v after_o this_o protestation_n persist_v to_o think_v hard_o of_o i_o it_o must_v needs_o proceed_v from_o violent_a prepossession_n for_o very_o few_o can_v be_v find_v that_o be_v not_o deep_o engage_v in_o some_o of_o one_o sort_n or_o another_o for_o which_o a_o due_a allowance_n must_v be_v make_v how_o fond_a be_v we_o all_o apt_a to_o be_v of_o what_o we_o learn_v in_o our_o youth_n as_o the_o sight_n or_o remembrance_n of_o the_o place_n where_o we_o pass_v that_o agreeable_a time_n do_v strange_o affect_v we_o a_o mother_n be_v more_o charm_v with_o the_o lisp_a half-formed_a word_n of_o her_o prattle_a infant_n than_o with_o the_o best_a language_n and_o most_o solid_a discourse_n that_o any_o upstart_n but_o of_o yesterday_o shall_v pretend_v to_o overthrow_v what_o cost_v the_o ancient_n so_o much_o time_n and_o breath_n to_o establish_v and_o themselves_o so_o great_a pain_n and_o charge_n to_o learn_v be_v of_o hard_a digestion_n to_o some_o and_o when_o other_o be_v but_o pray_v to_o explain_v their_o term_n which_o common_o signify_v nothing_o or_o what_o they_o must_v be_v ashamed_a to_o own_o that_o will_v never_o be_v think_v in_o a_o error_n they_o be_v uneasy_a as_o a_o extravagant_a merchant_n to_o examine_v his_o account_n and_o it_o be_v well_o if_o they_o can_v restrain_v their_o passion_n not_o only_o a_o few_o man_n
ancient_a christian_n 22._o have_v so_o dispatch_v these_o adequate_a idea_n and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o real_a essence_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o main_a point_n upon_o which_o the_o whole_a controversy_n chief_o depend_v for_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o or_o no_o christianity_n be_v mysterious_a it_o ought_v to_o be_v natural_o decide_v by_o the_o new_a testament_n wherein_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v original_o contain_v i_o heartiâ—…y_v desire_v to_o put_v the_o case_n upon_o this_o issue_n i_o appeal_v to_o this_o tribunal_n for_o do_v i_o not_o infinite_o prefer_v the_o truth_n i_o learn_v from_o these_o sacred_a record_n to_o all_o other_o consideration_n i_o shall_v never_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mystery_n in_o christianity_n the_o scripture_n have_v engage_v i_o in_o this_o error_n if_o it_o be_v one_o and_o i_o will_v soon_o be_v repute_v heterodox_n with_o these_o only_a on_o my_o side_n than_o to_o pass_v for_o orthodox_n with_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o have_v they_o against_o i_o 23._o now_o by_o search_v the_o scripture_n i_o find_v some_o of_o the_o evangelic_n doctrine_n call_v mystery_n in_o a_o more_o general_a or_o in_o a_o more_o particular_a sense_n they_o be_v more_o general_o so_o call_v with_o respect_n to_o all_o mankind_n for_o be_v certain_a matter_n of_o fact_n only_o know_v to_o god_n and_o lodge_v in_o his_o decree_n or_o such_o event_n as_o be_v quite_o lose_v and_o forget_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o person_n though_o never_o so_o wise_a or_o learned_a to_o discover_v they_o for_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v none_o but_o the_o spirit_n of_o 11._o god_n as_o none_o can_v find_v out_o the_o secret_a thought_n of_o man_n till_o he_o tell_v they_o himself_o such_o revelation_n then_o of_o god_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v call_v mystery_n not_o from_o any_o present_a inconceivableness_n or_o obscurity_n but_o with_o respect_n to_o what_o they_o be_v before_o this_o revelation_n as_o that_o be_v call_v our_o task_n which_o we_o long_o since_o perform_v 24._o if_o any_o shall_v question_v this_o let_v he_o hear_v the_o apostle_n paul_n declare_v for_o himself_o and_o his_o fellow-labourer_n in_o the_o gospel_n we_o speak_v say_v he_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n hide_v in_o a_o mystery_n which_o god_n ordain_v before_o the_o world_n for_o our_o glory_n which_o none_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n know_v etc._n etc._n and_o to_o show_v 8._o that_o this_o divine_a wisdom_n be_v a_o mystery_n for_o want_n of_o reveal_v information_n he_o present_o subjoin_v eye_n have_v not_o see_v nor_o ear_n hear_v neither_o have_v 10._o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n the_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o they_o that_o love_v he_o but_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o to_o we_o by_o his_o spirit_n the_o most_o perspicacious_a philosopher_n be_v not_o able_a to_o foretell_v the_o come_v of_o christ_n to_o discover_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n nor_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o they_o happen_v now_o and_o then_o to_o say_v something_o like_o the_o truth_n they_o do_v but_o divine_a at_o best_a and_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a of_o their_o opinion_n it_o be_v a_o most_o delightful_a thing_n to_o consider_v what_o pain_n the_o inquire_a heathen_n be_v often_o at_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n for_o what_o depend_v not_o in_o the_o least_o upon_o any_o principle_n in_o their_o philosophy_n but_o be_v a_o historical_a fact_n communicable_a by_o god_n alone_o or_o such_o as_o have_v undoubted_a memoir_n concern_v it_o of_o this_o i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o to_o add_v the_o follow_a example_n 25._o the_o same_o experience_n that_o teach_v the_o gentile_n their_o mortal_a condition_n acquaint_v they_o also_o with_o the_o frailty_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o the_o numberless_a calamity_n constant_o attend_v they_o they_o can_v not_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o species_n of_o man_n come_v in_o such_o deplorable_a circumstance_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o infinite_o good_a and_o merciful_a deity_n and_o so_o be_v incline_v to_o impute_v all_o to_o the_o wickedness_n of_o adult_n person_n till_o they_o perceive_v that_o death_n and_o misfortune_n do_v not_o spare_v innocent_a child_n more_o than_o robber_n and_o pirate_n at_o last_o they_o imagine_v a_o pre-existent_a state_n wherein_o the_o soul_n act_v separately_z like_o angel_n may_v have_v contract_v some_o extraordinary_a gild_n and_o so_o for_o punishment_n be_v thrust_v into_o the_o body_n which_o they_o sometime_o compare_v to_o a_o prison_n but_o often_o to_o a_o 〈◊〉_d grave_a this_o be_v likewise_o the_o origin_n of_o transmigration_n though_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o sin_n of_o this_o world_n become_v as_o much_o concern_v in_o that_o opinion_n as_o those_o of_o the_o other_o but_o nothing_o be_v more_o ingenious_a than_o the_o account_n which_o cebes_n the_o theban_a give_v we_o of_o the_o matter_n in_o his_o most_o excellent_a portraiture_n of_o humane_a life_n he_o feign_v 1689._o imposture_n sit_v in_o a_o throne_n at_o the_o gate_n of_o life_n in_o the_o shape_n of_o a_o most_o beautiful_a lady_n hold_v a_o cup_n in_o her_o hand_n she_o oblige_o present_v it_o to_o all_o that_o be_v on_o their_o journey_n to_o this_o world_n and_o these_o as_o civil_o accept_v it_o but_o the_o draught_n prove_v ignorance_n and_o error_n whence_o proceed_v all_o the_o disorder_n and_o misery_n of_o their_o life_n 26._o this_o point_n be_v a_o great_a mystery_n to_o these_o honest_a philosopher_n who_o have_v only_o fancy_n to_o guide_v they_o and_o can_v not_o pretend_v to_o instruction_n from_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n but_o the_o thing_n be_v now_o no_o mystery_n to_o we_o that_o have_v the_o mind_n of_o 16._o christ._n we_o know_v that_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n become_v also_o the_o first_o sinner_n and_o mortal_a and_o that_o so_o the_o whole_a race_n propagate_v from_o he_o can_v be_v natural_o no_o better_o than_o he_o be_v by_o one_o man_n sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o 12._o death_n by_o sin_n 27._o but_o some_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v more_o particular_o call_v mystery_n because_o they_o be_v hide_v from_o god_n peculiar_a people_n under_o the_o mosaic_a oeconomy_n not_o that_o they_o know_v nothing_o concern_v they_o for_o the_o law_n have_v a_o shadow_n of_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v but_o they_o 1._o be_v not_o clear_o and_o full_o reveal_v till_o the_o new_a testament_n time_n be_v veil_v before_o by_o various_a typical_a representation_n ceremony_n and_o figurative_a expression_n christ_n tell_v his_o disciple_n many_o prophet_n and_o king_n have_v desire_v to_o see_v those_o thing_n which_o you_o see_v and_o 24._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 paul_n say_v we_o use_v great_a plainness_n of_o speech_n and_o 13._o not_o as_o moses_n who_o put_v a_o veil_n over_o his_o face_n and_o then_o express_o add_v that_o this_o veil_n be_v take_v away_o in_o 14._o christ_n which_o can_v not_o be_v true_o affirm_v be_v the_o thing_n reveal_v still_o inconceivable_a for_o i_o know_v no_o difference_n between_o not_o hear_v of_o a_o thing_n at_o all_o and_o not_o comprehend_v it_o when_o you_o do_v in_o another_o place_n paul_n have_v these_o remarkable_a word_n the_o preach_v of_o jesus_n christ_n according_a to_o the_o revelation_n 26._o of_o the_o mystery_n which_o be_v keep_v secret_a since_o the_o world_n begin_v but_o now_o be_v make_v manifest_a and_o by_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o prophet_n according_a to_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o everlasting_a god_n make_v know_a to_o all_o nation_n for_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n 28._o these_o passage_n alone_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o assertion_n contain_v in_o n_o o_fw-it 6_o and_o 7_o of_o this_o section_n viz._n first_o that_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v certain_a thing_n in_o their_o own_o nature_n intelligible_a enough_o but_o call_v mystery_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o veil_n under_o which_o they_o be_v former_o hide_v second_o that_o under_o the_o gospel_n this_o veil_n be_v whole_o remove_v from_o which_o three_o follow_v the_o promise_a conclusion_n that_o such_o doctrine_n can_v now_o proper_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o mystery_n 29._o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o hot_a stickler_n for_o the_o father_n do_v cite_v their_o authority_n only_o where_o they_o think_v it_o make_v for_o they_o and_o slight_a or_o suppress_v it_o when_o not_o favourable_a to_o their_o cause_n lest_o it_o shall_v be_v malicious_o insinuate_v that_o i_o serve_v the_o holy_a scripture_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n i_o shall_v here_o transcribe_v all_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o the_o
must_v be_v reject_v as_o counterfeit_v and_o false_a for_o as_o such_o can_v bear_v the_o test_n of_o moral_a certitude_n so_o they_o contradict_v the_o very_a design_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v always_o wrought_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o unbelieving_a but_o the_o papist_n alone_o must_v be_v the_o witness_n of_o their_o own_o miracle_n and_o never_o the_o heretic_n they_o will_v convert_v by_o they_o nor_o be_v their_o practice_n less_o ridiculous_a in_o confirm_v one_o miracle_n by_o another_o as_o that_o of_o transubstantiation_n by_o several_a more_o 76._o from_o all_o this_o lay_v together_o it_o follow_v that_o nothing_o contrary_a to_o reason_n whether_o you_o consider_v the_o action_n or_o design_n be_v miraculous_a but_o there_o be_v a_o good_a old_a distinction_n that_o serve_v all_o turn_n though_o miracle_n be_v not_o contrary_a to_o reason_n say_v one_o yet_o they_o be_v sure_o above_o it_o in_o what_o sense_n pray_v which_o be_v above_o reason_n the_o thing_n or_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v answer_v the_o last_o i_o suppose_v the_o objector_n think_v i_o mean_v by_o miracle_n some_o philosophical_a experiment_n or_o some_o phenomenon_n that_o surprise_v only_o by_o its_o rarity_n can_v i_o tell_v how_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v i_o believe_v i_o may_v do_v as_o much_o myself_o but_o what_o may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v this_o or_o that_o way_n perform_v be_v no_o miracle_n at_o all_o it_o suffice_v therefore_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o action_n be_v demonstrate_v and_o the_o possibility_n of_o it_o to_o any_o be_v able_a to_o govern_v nature_n by_o instantaâ—…eously_o extract_v mollify_a mix_v infuse_v consolidate_v etc._n etc._n and_o this_o it_o may_v be_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o thousand_o at_o once_o for_o miracle_n be_v produce_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n though_o above_o its_o ordinary_a operation_n which_o be_v therefore_o supernatural_o assist_v 77._o but_o final_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o my_o book_n i_o maintain_v the_o manner_n as_o well_o as_o the_o thing_n be_v explicable_a but_o of_o what_o of_o miracle_n no_o sure_o but_o of_o those_o doctrine_n in_o confirmation_n whereof_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v this_o i_o stand_v by_o still_o and_o may_v add_v i_o hope_v that_o i_o have_v clear_o prove_v it_o too_o but_o to_o say_v as_o much_o of_o miracle_n will_v be_v to_o make_v they_o no_o miracle_n which_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o impertinence_n of_o this_o objection_n chap._n vi_o when_o why_o and_o by_o who_o be_v mystery_n bring_v into_o christianity_n 78._o the_o end_n of_o the_o law_n be_v 4._o righteousness_n jesus_n christ_n come_v not_o to_o destroy_v but_o to_o fulfil_v 17._o it_o for_o he_o full_o and_o clear_o preach_v the_o pure_a moral_n he_o teach_v that_o reasonable_a worship_n and_o those_o just_a conception_n of_o heaven_n and_o heavenly_a thing_n which_o be_v more_o obscure_o signify_v or_o design_v by_o the_o legal_a observation_n so_o have_v strip_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o external_a type_n and_o ceremony_n which_o make_v it_o difficult_a before_o he_o render_v it_o easy_a and_o obvious_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n his_o disciple_n and_o follower_n keep_v to_o this_o simplicity_n for_o some_o considerable_a time_n though_o very_o early_o divers_a abuse_n begin_v to_o get_v foot_v among_o they_o the_o convert_a jew_n who_o continue_v mighty_a fond_a of_o their_o levitical_a rite_n and_o feast_n will_v willing_o retain_v they_o and_o be_v christian_n too_o thus_o what_o at_o the_o beginning_n be_v but_o only_o tolerate_v in_o weak_a brethren_n become_v afterward_o a_o part_n of_o christianity_n itself_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o apostolic_a prescription_n or_o tradition_n 79._o but_o this_o be_v nothing_o compare_v to_o the_o injury_n do_v to_o religion_n by_o the_o gentile_n who_o as_o they_o be_v proselyte_v in_o great_a number_n than_o the_o jew_n so_o the_o abuse_v they_o introduce_v be_v of_o more_o dangerous_a and_o universal_a influence_n they_o be_v not_o a_o little_a scandalize_v at_o the_o plain_a dress_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o wonderful_a facility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n it_o contain_v have_v be_v accustom_a all_o their_o life_n to_o the_o pompous_a worship_n and_o secret_a mystery_n of_o deity_n without_o number_n the_o christian_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n be_v careful_a to_o remove_v all_o obstacle_n lie_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o gentile_n they_o think_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n of_o gain_v they_o over_o to_o their_o side_n be_v by_o compound_v the_o matter_n which_o lead_v they_o to_o unwarrantable_a compliance_n till_o at_o length_n they_o likewise_o set_v up_o for_o mystery_n yet_o not_o have_v the_o least_o precedent_n for_o any_o ceremony_n from_o the_o gospel_n except_v baptism_n and_o the_o supper_n they_o strange_o disguise_v and_o transform_v these_o by_o add_v to_o they_o the_o pagan_a mystic_a rite_n they_o administer_v they_o with_o the_o strict_a secrecy_n and_o to_o be_v inferior_a to_o their_o aversary_n in_o no_o circumstance_n they_o permit_v none_o to_o assist_v at_o they_o but_o such_o as_o be_v antecedent_o prepare_v or_o initiate_v and_o to_o inspire_v their_o catechuman_n with_o most_o ardent_a desire_n of_o participation_n they_o give_v out_o that_o what_o be_v so_o industrious_o hide_v be_v 〈◊〉_d tremendous_a and_o unutterable_a mystery_n 80._o thus_o lest_o simplicity_n the_o noble_a ornament_n of_o the_o truth_n shall_v expose_v it_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o unbeliever_n christianity_n be_v put_v upon_o a_o equal_a level_n with_o the_o mystery_n of_o ceres_n or_o the_o orgy_n of_o bacchus_n foolish_a and_o mistake_a care_n as_o if_o the_o most_o impious_a superstition_n can_v be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o name_n of_o christ._n but_o such_o be_v always_o the_o fruit_n of_o prudential_a and_o condescend_v term_n of_o conversion_n in_o religion_n whereby_o the_o number_n and_o not_o the_o sincerity_n of_o professor_n be_v main_o intend_v 81._o when_o once_o the_o philosopher_n think_v it_o their_o interest_n to_o turn_v christian_n matter_n grow_v every_o day_n worse_o and_o worse_o for_o they_o not_o only_o retain_v the_o air_n the_o genius_n and_o sometime_o the_o garb_n of_o their_o several_a sect_n but_o most_o of_o their_o erroneous_a opinion_n too_o and_o while_o they_o pretend_v to_o employ_v their_o philosophy_n in_o defence_n of_o christianity_n they_o so_o confound_v they_o together_o that_o what_o before_o be_v plain_a to_o every_o one_o do_v now_o become_v intelligible_a only_o to_o the_o learned_a who_o make_v it_o still_o less_o evident_a by_o their_o litigious_a dispute_n and_o vain_a subtlety_n we_o must_v not_o forget_v that_o the_o philosopher_n be_v for_o make_v no_o mean_a a_o figure_n among_o the_o christian_n than_o they_o do_v former_o among_o the_o heathen_n but_o this_o be_v what_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o effect_v without_o render_v every_o thing_n abstruse_a by_o term_n or_o otherwise_o and_o so_o make_v themselves_o sole_a master_n of_o the_o interpretation_n 82._o these_o abuse_n become_v almost_o incurable_a when_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n do_v open_o countenance_v the_o christian_a religion_n multitude_n then_o profess_v themselves_o of_o the_o emperor_n persuasion_n only_o to_o make_v their_o court_n and_o mend_v their_o fortune_n by_o it_o or_o to_o preserve_v those_o place_n and_o preferment_n whereof_o they_o be_v already_o possess_v these_o continue_a pagan_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o imagine_v that_o they_o carry_v all_o their_o old_a prejudices_fw-la along_o with_o they_o into_o a_o religion_n which_o they_o pure_o embrace_v out_o of_o politic_a consideration_n and_o so_o it_o constant_o happen_v when_o the_o conscience_n be_v force_v and_o not_o persuade_v which_o be_v a_o while_n after_o the_o case_n of_o these_o heathen_n 83._o the_o zealous_a emperor_n erect_v stately_a church_n and_o convert_v the_o heathen_a temple_n sanctuary_n fane_n or_o chapel_n to_o the_o use_v of_o christian_n after_o a_o previous_a expiation_n and_o place_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o they_o to_o assure_v their_o possession_n to_o christ._n all_o their_o endowment_n with_o the_o benefice_n of_o the_o priest_n flamen_n augur_n and_o the_o whole_a sacred_a tribe_n be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o christian_a clergy_n nay_o their_o very_a habit_n as_o 29._o white_a linen_n stole_n mitre_n and_o the_o like_a be_v retain_v to_o bring_v those_o as_o be_v pretend_v to_o a_o imperceptible_a change_n who_o can_v not_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o christian_a simplicity_n and_o poverty_n but_o indeed_o the_o design_n at_o bottom_n be_v to_o introduce_v the_o riches_n pomp_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o clergy_n which_o immediate_o succeed_v 84._o thing_n be_v in_o this_o condâ—…tion_n and_o the_o rite_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o supper_n be_v very_o