nature_n who_o perfection_n lie_v in_o virtue_n and_o if_o the_o priest_n at_o any_o time_n talk_v of_o the_o ghost_n below_o and_o a_o life_n after_o this_o it_o be_v only_o to_o keep_v man_n to_o their_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a rite_n whereby_o the_o use_n of_o this_o doctrine_n be_v lose_v to_o the_o credulous_a multitude_n and_o its_o belief_n to_o the_o quick_a sight_v who_o suspect_v it_o present_o of_o priest-craft_n before_o our_o saviour_n time_n the_o doctrine_n of_o a_o future_a state_n though_o it_o be_v not_o whole_o hide_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o clear_o know_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o imperfect_a view_n of_o reason_n or_o perhaps_o the_o decay_a remain_v of_o a_o ancient_a tradition_n which_o rather_o seem_v to_o float_v on_o man_n fancy_n than_o sink_v deep_a into_o their_o heart_n it_o be_v something_o they_o know_v not_o what_o between_o be_v and_o not_o be_v something_o in_o man_n they_o imagine_v may_v escape_v the_o grave_a but_o a_o a_o perfect_a 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to_o piety_n over_o all_o that_o can_v tempt_v or_o deter_v man_n from_o it_o the_o philosopher_n indeed_o show_v the_o beauty_n of_o virtue_n they_o set_v she_o off_o so_o as_o draw_v man_n eye_n and_o approbation_n to_o she_o but_o leave_v she_o unendow_v very_o few_o be_v willing_a to_o espouse_v she_o the_o generality_n can_v not_o refuse_v she_o their_o esteem_n and_o commendation_n but_o still_o turn_v their_o back_n on_o she_o and_o forsake_v she_o as_o a_o match_n not_o for_o their_o turn_n but_o now_o there_o be_v put_v into_o the_o scale_n on_o her_o side_n a_o exceed_a and_o immortal_a weight_n of_o glory_n interest_n be_v come_v about_o to_o she_o and_o virtue_n now_o be_v visible_o the_o most_o enrich_a purchase_n and_o by_o much_o the_o best_a bergain_n that_o she_o be_v the_o perfection_n and_o excellency_n of_o our_o nature_n that_o she_o be_v herself_o a_o reward_n and_o will_v recommend_v our_o name_n to_o future_a age_n be_v not_o all_o that_o can_v now_o be_v say_v for_o she_o it_o be_v not_o strange_a that_o the_o learned_a heathen_n satisfy_v not_o many_o with_o such_o airy_a commendation_n it_o have_v another_o relish_n and_o efficacy_n to_o persuade_v man_n that_o if_o they_o live_v well_o here_o they_o shall_v be_v happy_a hereafter_o open_v their_o eye_n upon_o the_o endless_a unspeakable_a joy_n of_o another_o life_n and_o their_o heart_n will_v find_v something_o solid_a and_o powerful_a to_o move_v they_o the_o view_n of_o heaven_n and_o hell_n will_v cast_v a_o slight_a upon_o the_o short_a pleasure_n and_o pain_n of_o this_o present_a state_n and_o give_v attraction_n and_o encouragement_n to_o virtue_n which_o reason_n and_o interest_n and_o the_o care_n of_o ourselves_o can_v but_o allow_v and_o prefer_v upon_o this_o foundation_n and_o upon_o this_o only_a morality_n stand_v firm_a and_o may_v defy_v all_o competition_n this_o make_v it_o more_o than_o a_o name_n a_o substantial_a good_a worth_a all_o our_o aim_n and_o endeavour_n and_o thus_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v deliver_v it_o to_o we_o 5._o to_o these_o i_o must_v add_v one_o advantage_n more_o we_o have_v by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o assistance_n if_o we_o do_v what_o we_o can_v he_o will_v give_v we_o his_o spirit_n to_o help_v we_o to_o do_v what_o and_o how_o we_o shall_v it_o will_v be_v idle_a for_o we_o who_o know_v not_o how_o our_o own_o spirit_n move_v and_o act_v we_o to_o ask_v in_o what_o manner_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n shall_v work_v upon_o we_o the_o wisdom_n that_o accompany_v that_o spirit_n know_v better_a than_o we_o how_o we_o be_v make_v and_o how_o to_o work_v upon_o we_o if_o a_o wise_a man_n know_v how_o to_o prevail_v on_o his_o child_n to_o bring_v he_o to_o what_o he_o desire_v can_v we_o suspect_v that_o the_o spirit_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n shall_v fail_v in_o it_o though_o we_o perceive_v or_o comprehend_v not_o the_o way_n of_o his_o operation_n christ_n have_v promise_v it_o who_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a and_o we_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o performance_n it_o be_v not_o requisite_a on_o this_o occasion_n for_o the_o inhance_a of_o this_o benefit_n to_o enlarge_v on_o the_o frailty_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o weakness_n of_o our_o constitution_n how_o liable_a to_o mistake_n how_o apt_a to_o go_v astray_o and_o how_o easy_o to_o be_v turn_v out_o of_o the_o path_n of_o virtue_n if_o any_o one_o need_v go_v beyond_o himself_o and_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n in_o this_o point_n if_o he_o feel_v not_o his_o own_o error_n and_o passion_n always_o tempt_v and_o often_o prevail_a against_o the_o strict_a rule_n of_o his_o duty_n he_o need_v but_o look_v abroad_o into_o any_o age_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v convince_v to_o a_o man_n under_o the_o difficulty_n of_o his_o nature_n beset_v with_o temptation_n and_o hedge_v in_o with_o prevail_a custom_n it_o be_v no_o small_a encouragement_n to_o set_v himself_o serious_o 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the_o epistle_n be_v write_v upon_o several_a occasion_n and_o he_o that_o will_v read_v they_o as_o he_o ought_v must_v observe_v what_o it_o be_v in_o they_o be_v principal_o aim_v at_o find_v what_o be_v the_o argument_n in_o hand_n and_o how_o manage_v if_o he_o will_v understand_v they_o right_o and_o profit_n by_o they_o the_o observe_v of_o this_o will_v best_o help_v we_o to_o the_o true_a meaning_n and_o mind_n of_o the_o writer_n for_o that_o be_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o believe_v and_o not_o scatter_v sentence_n in_o scripture-language_n accommodate_v to_o our_o notion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la we_o must_v look_v into_o the_o drift_n of_o the_o discourse_n observe_v the_o coherence_n and_o connexion_n of_o the_o part_n and_o see_v how_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o itself_o and_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n if_o we_o will_v conceive_v it_o right_n we_o must_v not_o cull_v out_o as_o best_a suit_n our_o system_n here_o and_o there_o a_o period_n or_o a_o verse_n as_o if_o they_o be_v all_o distinct_a and_o independent_a aphorism_n and_o make_v these_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n unless_o god_n have_v make_v they_o so_o there_o be_v many_o truth_n in_o the_o bible_n which_o a_o good_a christian_a may_v be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o and_o so_o not_o believe_v which_o perhaps_o some_o lay_v great_a stress_n on_o and_o call_v fundamental_a article_n because_o they_o be_v the_o distinguish_a point_n of_o their_o communion_n the_o epistle_n most_o of_o they_o carry_v on_o a_o thread_n of_o argument_n which_o in_o the_o stile_n they_o be_v write_v can_v every_v where_o be_v observe_v without_o great_a attention_n and_o to_o consider_v the_o text_n as_o they_o stand_v and_o bear_v a_o part_n
true_a god_n our_o saviour_n find_v the_o world_n but_o the_o clear_a revelation_n he_o bring_v with_o he_o dissipate_v this_o darkness_n make_v the_o one_o invisible_a true_a god_n know_v to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o with_o such_o evidence_n and_o energy_n that_o polytheism_n and_o idolatry_n have_v no_o where_o be_v able_a to_o withstand_v it_o but_o where_o ever_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o truth_n he_o deliver_v and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v come_v those_o mist_n have_v be_v dispel_v and_o in_o effect_n we_o see_v that_o since_o our_o saviour_n time_n the_o belief_n of_o one_o god_n have_v prevail_v and_o spread_v itself_o over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o even_o to_o the_o light_n that_o the_o messiah_n bring_v into_o the_o world_n with_o he_o we_o must_v ascribe_v the_o own_n and_o profession_n of_o one_o god_n which_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n have_v derive_v and_o borrow_v from_o it_o so_o that_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v certain_o and_o manifest_o true_a of_o our_o saviour_n what_o st._n john_n say_v of_o he_o i_o john_n iii_o 8._o for_o this_o purpose_n the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_v that_o he_o may_v destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n this_o light_n the_o world_n need_v and_o this_o light_n it_o receive_v from_o he_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o he_o eternal_a invisible_a not_o like_a to_o any_o visible_a object_n nor_o to_o be_v represent_v by_o they_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v whether_o the_o revelation_n to_o the_o patriarch_n by_o moses_n do_v not_o teach_v this_o and_o why_o that_o be_v not_o enough_o the_o answer_n be_v obvious_a that_o however_o clear_o the_o knowledge_n of_o one_o invisible_a god_n maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v reveal_v to_o they_o yet_o that_o revelation_n be_v shut_v up_o in_o a_o little_a corner_n of_o the_o world_n among_o a_o people_n by_o that_o very_a law_n which_o they_o receive_v with_o it_o exclude_v from_o a_o commerce_n and_o communication_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n the_o gentile_a world_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o several_a age_n before_o can_v have_v no_o attestation_n of_o the_o miracle_n on_o which_o the_o hebrew_n build_v their_o faith_n but_o from_o the_o jew_n themselves_o a_o people_n not_o know_v to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n contemn_v and_o think_v vile_o of_o by_o those_o nation_n that_o do_v know_v they_o and_o therefore_o very_o unfit_a and_o unable_a to_o propagate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o one_o god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o diffuse_v it_o through_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o strength_n and_o force_n of_o that_o ancient_a revelation_n upon_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v it_o but_o our_o saviour_n when_o he_o come_v throw_v down_o this_o wall_n of_o partition_n and_o do_v not_o confine_v his_o miracle_n or_o message_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n or_o the_o worshipper_n at_o jerusalem_n but_o he_o himself_o preach_v at_o samaria_n and_o do_v miracle_n in_o the_o border_n of_o tyre_n and_o sydon_n and_o before_o multitude_n of_o people_n gather_v from_o all_o quarter_n and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n send_v his_o apostle_n among_o the_o nation_n accompany_v with_o miracle_n which_o be_v do_v in_o all_o part_n so_o frequent_o and_o before_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o all_o sort_n in_o broad_a daylight_n that_o as_o i_o have_v often_o observe_v the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n have_v never_o dare_v to_o deny_v they_o no_o not_o julian_n himself_o who_o neither_o want_v skill_n nor_o power_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n nor_o will_v have_v fail_v to_o have_v proclaim_v and_o expose_v it_o if_o he_o can_v have_v detect_v any_o falsehood_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o find_v the_o least_o ground_n to_o question_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n publish_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o number_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o follower_n by_o the_o power_n and_o force_v of_o truth_n bear_v down_o this_o mighty_a and_o accomplish_a emperor_n and_o all_o his_o part_n in_o his_o own_o dominion_n he_o dare_v not_o deny_v so_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v grant_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n and_o mission_n unavoidable_o follow_v notwithstanding_o whatsoever_o artful_a suggestion_n his_o wit_n can_v invent_v or_o malice_n shall_v offer_v to_o the_o contrary_n 2._o next_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o one_o god_n maker_n of_o all_o thing_n a_o clear_a knowledge_n of_o their_o duty_n be_v want_v to_o mankind_n this_o part_n of_o knowledge_n though_o cultivate_v with_o some_o care_n by_o some_o of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n yet_o get_v little_a foot_n among_o the_o people_n all_o man_n indeed_o under_o pain_n of_o displease_v the_o god_n be_v to_o frequent_v the_o temple_n every_o one_o go_v to_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o service_n but_o the_o priest_n make_v it_o not_o their_o business_n to_o teach_v they_o virtue_n if_o they_o be_v diligent_a in_o their_o observation_n and_o ceremony_n punctual_a in_o their_o feast_n and_o solemnity_n and_o the_o trick_n of_o religion_n the_o holy_a tribe_n assure_v they_o the_o god_n be_v please_v and_o they_o look_v no_o far_o few_o go_v to_o the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o their_o duty_n and_o to_o know_v what_o be_v good_a and_o evil_a in_o their_o action_n the_o priest_n sell_v the_o better_a pennyworth_n and_o therefore_o have_v all_o the_o custom_n lustration_n and_o procession_n be_v much_o easy_a than_o a_o clean_a conscience_n and_o a_o steady_a course_n of_o virtue_n and_o a_o expiatory_a sacrifice_n that_o atone_v for_o the_o want_n of_o it_o be_v much_o more_o convenient_a than_o a_o strict_a and_o holy_a life_n no_o wonder_n then_o that_o religion_n be_v every_o where_o distinguish_v from_o and_o prefer_v to_o virtue_n and_o that_o it_o be_v dangerous_a heresy_n and_o profaneness_n to_o think_v the_o contrary_n so_o much_o virtue_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o hold_v society_n together_o and_o to_o contribute_v to_o the_o quiet_a of_o government_n the_o civil_a law_n of_o commonwealth_n teach_v and_o force_v upon_o man_n that_o live_v under_o magistrate_n but_o these_o law_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n make_v by_o such_o who_o have_v no_o other_o aim_n but_o their_o own_o power_n reach_v no_o far_a than_o those_o thing_n that_o will_v serve_v to_o tie_v man_n together_o in_o subjection_n or_o at_o most_o be_v direct_o to_o conduce_v to_o the_o prosperity_n and_o temporal_a happiness_n of_o any_o people_n but_o natural_a religion_n in_o its_o full_a extent_n be_v no_o where_o that_o i_o know_v take_v care_n of_o by_o the_o force_n of_o natural_a reason_n it_o shall_v seem_v by_o the_o little_a that_o have_v hitherto_o be_v do_v in_o it_o that_o it_o be_v too_o hard_a a_o thing_n for_o unassisted_a reason_n to_o establish_v morality_n in_o all_o its_o part_n upon_o its_o true_a foundation_n with_o a_o clear_a and_o convince_a light_n and_o it_o be_v at_o lest_o a_o sure_a and_o short_a way_n to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o mass_n of_o mankind_n that_o one_o manifest_o send_v from_o god_n and_o come_v with_o visible_a authority_n from_o he_o shall_v as_o a_o king_n and_o lawmaker_n tell_v they_o their_o duty_n and_o require_v their_o obedience_n than_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o long_a and_o sometime_o intricate_a deduction_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v make_v out_o to_o they_o which_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n have_v neither_o leisure_n to_o weigh_v nor_o for_o want_v of_o education_n and_o use_v skill_n to_o judge_n of_o we_o see_v how_o unsuccessful_a in_o this_o the_o attempt_n of_o philosopher_n be_v before_o our_o saviour_n time_n how_o short_a their_o several_a system_n come_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o a_o true_a and_o complete_a morality_n be_v very_o visible_a and_o if_o since_o that_o the_o christian_a philosopher_n have_v much_o outdo_v they_o yet_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o first_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o have_v add_v be_v owe_v to_o revelation_n though_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v hear_v and_o consider_v they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o such_o as_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v contradict_v every_o one_o may_v observe_v a_o great_a many_o truth_n which_o he_o receive_v at_o first_o from_o other_o and_o ready_o assent_v to_o as_o consonant_a to_o reason_n which_o he_o will_v have_v find_v it_o hard_o and_o perhaps_o beyond_o his_o strength_n to_o have_v discover_v himself_o native_a and_o original_a truth_n be_v not_o so_o easy_o wrought_v out_o of_o the_o mine_n as_o we_o who_o have_v it_o deliver_v ready_a dug_n and_o fashion_v into_o our_o hand_n be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v and_o how_o often_o at_o fifty_o or_o threescore_o year_n
in_o that_o be_v to_o view_v they_o in_o their_o due_a light_n and_o the_o way_n to_o get_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o they_o they_o be_v write_v to_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o true_a christian_n already_o and_o so_o can_v not_o be_v design_v to_o teach_v they_o the_o fundamental_a article_n and_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v write_v to_o all_o that_o be_v at_o rome_n belove_v of_o god_n call_v to_o be_v saint_n who_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o through_o the_o world_n chap._n 1._o 7_o 8._o to_o who_o st._n paul_n first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v he_o show_v chap_n i._n 2._o 4._o etc._n etc._n unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n to_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n call_v to_o be_v saint_n with_o all_o they_o that_o in_o every_o place_n call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n both_o they_o and_o we_o i_o thank_v my_o god_n always_o on_o your_o behalf_n for_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n which_o be_v give_v you_o by_o jesus_n christ_n that_o in_o every_o thing_n you_o be_v enrich_v by_o he_o in_o all_o utterance_n and_o in_o all_o knowledge_n even_o as_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n be_v confirm_v in_o you_o so_o that_o you_o come_v behind_o in_o no_o gift_n wait_v for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n and_o so_o likewise_o the_o second_o be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o corinth_n with_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o achaia_n chap._n i._n 1._o his_o next_o be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n that_o to_o the_o ephesian_n be_v to_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v at_o ephesus_n and_o to_o the_o faithful_a in_o christ_n jesus_n so_o likewise_o to_o the_o saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n in_o christ_n at_o colosse_n who_o have_v faith_n in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o love_n to_o the_o saint_n to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o thessalonian_n to_o timothy_n his_o son_n in_o the_o faith_n to_o titus_n his_o own_o son_n after_o the_o common_a faith_n to_o philemon_n his_o dear_o belove_a and_o fellow-labourer_n and_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n call_v those_o he_o write_v to_o holy_a brethren_n partaker_n of_o the_o heavenly_a call_v chap._n iii_o 1._o from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o those_o who_o st._n paul_n write_v to_o be_v brethren_n saint_n faithful_a in_o the_o church_n and_o so_o christian_n already_o and_o therefore_o want_v not_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n without_o a_o belief_n of_o which_o they_o can_v not_o be_v save_v nor_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o send_n of_o such_o fundamental_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v to_o any_o of_o they_o to_o such_o also_o st._n peter_n write_v as_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o each_o of_o his_o epistle_n nor_o be_v it_o hard_o to_o observe_v the_o like_a in_o st._n james_n and_o st._n john_n epistle_n and_o st._n jude_n direct_v his_o thus_o to_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v by_o god_n the_o father_n and_o preserve_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o call_v the_o epistle_n therefore_o be_v all_o write_v to_o those_o who_o be_v already_o believer_n and_o christian_n the_o occasion_n and_o end_n of_o write_v they_o can_v not_o be_v to_o instruct_v they_o in_o that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v they_o christian_n this_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o know_v and_o believe_v already_o or_o else_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v christian_n and_o believer_n and_o they_o be_v write_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n and_o without_o those_o occasion_n have_v not_o be_v write_v and_o so_o can_v be_v think_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n though_o they_o resolve_v doubt_n and_o reform_v mistake_n be_v of_o great_a advantage_n to_o our_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o the_o great_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v drop_v here_o and_o there_o and_o scatter_v up_o and_o down_o in_o most_o of_o they_o but_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o epistle_n we_o be_v to_o learn_v what_o be_v the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n where_o they_o be_v promiscuous_o and_o without_o distinction_n mix_v with_o other_o truth_n in_o discourse_n that_o be_v though_o for_o edification_n indeed_o yet_o only_o occasional_a we_o shall_v find_v and_o discern_v those_o great_a and_o necessary_a point_n best_a in_o the_o preach_a of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apple_n to_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o stranger_n and_o ignorant_a of_o the_o faith_n to_o bring_v they_o in_o and_o convert_v they_o to_o it_o and_o what_o that_o be_v we_o have_v see_v already_o out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o the_o act_n where_o they_o be_v plain_o lay_v down_o so_o that_o no_o body_n can_v mistake_v they_o the_o epistle_n to_o particular_a church_n beside_o the_o main_a argument_n of_o each_o of_o they_o which_o be_v some_o present_a concernment_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n to_o which_o they_o several_o be_v address_v do_v in_o many_o place_n explan_n the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o that_o wise_o by_o proper_a accommodation_n to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o those_o they_o be_v write_v to_o the_o better_a to_o make_v they_o imbibe_n the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o the_o more_o easy_o to_o comprehend_v the_o method_n reason_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o great_a work_n of_o salvation_n thus_o we_o see_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n adoption_n a_o custom_n well_o know_v among_o those_o of_o rome_n be_v much_o make_v use_n of_o to_o explain_v to_o they_o the_o grace_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n in_o give_v they_o eternal_a life_n to_o help_v they_o to_o conceive_v how_o they_o become_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o to_o assure_v they_o of_o a_o share_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o heir_n to_o a_o inheritance_n whereas_o the_o set_n out_o and_o confirm_v the_o christian_a faith_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o they_o be_v by_o allusion_n and_o argument_n from_o the_o ceremony_n sacrifice_n and_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o reference_n to_o the_o record_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o as_o for_o the_o general_a epistle_n they_o we_o may_v see_v regard_v the_o state_n and_o exigency_n and_o some_o peculiarity_n of_o those_o time_n these_o holy_a writer_n inspire_v from_o above_o write_v nothing_o but_o truth_n and_o in_o most_o place_n very_o weighty_a truth_n to_o we_o now_o for_o the_o expound_v clear_v and_o confirm_v of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o establish_v those_o in_o it_o who_o have_v embrace_v it_o but_o yet_o every_o sentence_n of_o they_o must_v not_o be_v take_v up_o and_o look_v on_o as_o a_o fundamental_a article_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n without_o a_o explicit_a belief_n whereof_o no_o body_n can_v be_v a_o member_n of_o christ_n church_n here_o nor_o be_v admit_v into_o his_o eternal_a kingdom_n hereafter_o if_o all_o or_o most_o of_o the_o truth_n declare_v in_o the_o epistle_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o believe_v as_o fundamental_a article_n what_o then_o become_v of_o those_o christian_n who_o be_v fall_v asleep_o as_o st._n paul_n witness_n in_o his_o first_o to_o the_o corinthian_n many_o be_v before_o these_o thing_n in_o the_o epistle_n be_v reveal_v to_o they_o most_o of_o the_o epistle_n not_o be_v write_v till_o above_o twenty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n ascension_n and_o some_o after_o thirty_o but_o far_o therefore_o to_o those_o who_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o say_v may_v those_o truth_n deliver_v in_o the_o epistle_n which_o be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o preach_a of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o be_v therefore_o by_o this_o account_v not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v believe_v or_o disbelieved_a without_o any_o danger_n may_v a_o christian_n safe_o question_v or_o doubt_v of_o they_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o law_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o covenant_n of_o free_a grace_n god_n alone_o can_v appoint_v what_o shall_v be_v necessary_o believe_v by_o every_o one_o who_o he_o will_v justify_v what_o be_v the_o faith_n which_o he_o will_v accept_v and_o account_v for_o righteousness_n depend_v whole_o on_o his_o good_a pleasure_n for_o it_o be_v of_o grace_n and_o not_o of_o right_n that_o this_o faith_n be_v accept_v and_o therefore_o he_o alone_o can_v set_v the_o measure_n of_o it_o and_o what_o he_o have_v so_o appoint_v and_o declare_v be_v alone_o necessary_a no_o body_n can_v add_v to_o these_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n nor_o make_v any_o other_o necessary_a but_o what_o god_n himself_o have_v make_v and_o declare_v to_o be_v so_o and_o what_o these_o be_v which_o god_n require_v of_o those_o who_o will_v enter_v into_o and_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o
the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n as_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n london_n print_v for_o awnsham_n and_o john_n churchil_n at_o the_o black_a swan_n in_o pater-noster-row_n 1695._o the_o preface_n the_o little_a satisfaction_n and_o consistency_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o most_o of_o the_o system_n of_o divinity_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o make_v i_o betake_v myself_o to_o the_o sole_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o which_o they_o all_o appeal_v for_o the_o understanding_n the_o christian_a religion_n what_o from_o thence_o by_o a_o attentive_a and_o unbiased_a search_n i_o have_v receive_v reader_n i_o here_o deliver_v to_o thou_o if_o by_o this_o my_o labour_n thou_o receive_v any_o light_n or_o confirmation_n in_o the_o truth_n join_v with_o i_o in_o thanks_o to_o the_o father_n of_o light_n for_o his_o condescension_n to_o our_o understand_n if_o upon_o a_o fair_a and_o unprejudiced_a examination_n thou_o find_v i_o have_v mistake_v the_o sense_n and_o tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o beseech_v thou_o as_o a_o true_a christian_a in_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v that_o of_o charity_n and_o in_o the_o word_n of_o sobriety_n set_v i_o right_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n errata_fw-la page_n 35._o line_n 22._o read_v on_o the._n p._n 62._o l._n 26._o r._n bethesda_n p._n 63._o l._n 26._o r._n little_a of_o any_o thing_n p._n 64._o ult_n r._n it_o be_v p._n 65._o l._n 6._o r._n they_o at_o jerusalem_n ibid._n l._n 10_o r._n ing_z in_o that_o place_n p._n 67._o l._n 17._o r._n that_o remain_v p._n 69._o l._n 23._o r._n a_o king_n or_o rather_o messiah_n the_o king_n p._n 75._o l._n 6._o deal_n these_o ibid._n l._n 14._o r._n nor_o 〈◊〉_d p._n 112._o l._n 4._o r._n bethesda_n p._n 161._o l._n 2._o r._n and_o of_o p._n 165._o l._n 20._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d present_a world_n p._n 194._o l._n 11._o r._n avail_v not_o devil_n p._n 217._o l._n 11._o r._n in_o his_o sermon_n in_o the._n p._n 263._o l._n â—_o r._n before_o observe_v p._n 264._o l._n 24._o r._n custom_n p._n 271._o l._n 2._o r._n apophthegm_n ibid._n l._n 24._o r._n themselves_z and_o deduce_v p._n 282._o l._n 〈◊〉_d r._n no_o touch_n of_o p._n 284._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d confusion_n p._n 287._o l._n 17._o r._n life_n and._n p._n 295._o l._n 22._o r._n the_o apostle_n p._n 203._o l._n 20._o r._n treatise_n p._n 304._o l._n 4._o â—_o abstract_n ibid._n l._n 14._o read_v they_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n as_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o one_o who_o read_v the_o new_a testament_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o redemption_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o adam_n fall_n to_o understand_v therefore_o what_o we_o be_v restore_v to_o by_o jesus_n christ_n we_o must_v consider_v what_o the_o scripture_n show_v we_o lose_v by_o adam_n this_o i_o think_v worthy_a of_o a_o diligent_a and_o unbiased_a search_n since_o i_o find_v the_o two_o extreme_n that_o man_n run_v into_o on_o this_o point_n either_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n shake_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n or_o on_o the_o other_o make_v christianity_n almost_o nothing_o for_o whilst_o some_o man_n will_v have_v all_o adam_n posterity_n doom_v to_o eternal_a infinite_a punishment_n for_o the_o transgression_n of_o adam_n who_o million_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o and_o no_o one_o have_v authorize_v to_o transact_v for_o he_o or_o be_v his_o representative_a this_o seem_v to_o other_o so_o little_o consistent_a with_o the_o justice_n or_o goodness_n of_o the_o great_a and_o infinite_a god_n that_o they_o think_v there_o be_v no_o redemption_n necessary_a and_o consequent_o that_o there_o be_v none_o rather_o than_o admit_v of_o it_o upon_o a_o supposition_n so_o derogatory_n to_o the_o honour_n and_o attribute_n of_o that_o infinite_a be_v and_o so_o make_v jesus_n christ_n nothing_o but_o the_o restorer_n and_o preacher_n of_o pure_a natural_a religion_n thereby_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o indeed_o both_o side_n will_v be_v suspect_v to_o have_v trespass_v this_o way_n against_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n by_o any_o one_o who_o do_v but_o take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o collection_n of_o write_n design_v by_o god_n for_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o illiterate_a bulk_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o general_o and_o in_o necessary_a point_n to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o plain_a direct_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n such_o as_o they_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v have_v in_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o speaker_n who_o use_v they_o according_a to_o the_o language_n of_o that_o time_n and_o country_n wherein_o they_o live_v without_o such_o learned_a artificial_a and_o force_v sense_n of_o they_o as_o be_v seek_v out_o and_o put_v upon_o they_o in_o most_o of_o the_o system_n of_o divinity_n according_a to_o the_o notion_n that_o each_o one_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o to_o one_o that_o thus_o unbiased_a read_v the_o scripture_n what_o adam_n fall_v from_o be_v visible_a be_v the_o state_n of_o perfect_a obedience_n which_o be_v call_v justice_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o word_n which_o in_o the_o original_a signify_v justice_n be_v translate_v righteousness_n and_o by_o this_o fall_n he_o lose_v paradise_n wherein_o be_v tranquillity_n and_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n i._n e._n he_o lose_v bliss_n and_o immortality_n the_o penalty_n annex_v to_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o law_n with_o the_o sentence_n pronounce_v by_o god_n upon_o it_o show_v this_o the_o penalty_n stand_v thus_o gen._n ii_o 17._o in_o the_o day_n that_o thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v how_o be_v this_o execute_v he_o do_v eat_v but_o in_o the_o day_n he_o do_v eat_v he_o do_v not_o actual_o die_v but_o be_v turn_v out_o of_o paradise_n from_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n and_o shut_v out_o for_o ever_o from_o it_o lest_o he_o shall_v take_v thereof_o and_o live_v for_o ever_o this_o show_v that_o the_o state_n of_o paradise_n be_v a_o state_n of_o immortality_n of_o life_n without_o end_n which_o he_o lose_v that_o very_a day_n that_o he_o eat_v his_o life_n begin_v from_o thence_o to_o shorten_v and_o waste_v and_o to_o have_v a_o end_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o his_o actual_a death_n be_v but_o like_o the_o time_n of_o a_o prisoner_n between_o the_o sentence_n past_a and_o the_o execution_n which_o be_v in_o view_n and_o certain_a death_n then_o enter_v and_o show_v his_o face_n which_o before_o be_v shut_v out_o and_o not_o know_v so_o st._n paul_n rom._n v._n 12._o by_o one_o man_n sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o death_n by_o sin_n i._n e._n a_o state_n of_o death_n and_o mortality_n and_o 1_o cor._n xv._n 22._o in_o adam_n all_o die_n i._n e._n by_o reason_n of_o his_o transgression_n all_o man_n be_v mortal_a and_o come_v to_o die_v this_o be_v so_o clear_a in_o these_o cite_a place_n and_o so_o much_o the_o current_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o no_o body_n can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v that_o death_n come_v on_o all_o man_n by_o adam_n sin_n only_o they_o differ_v about_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n death_n for_o some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v a_o state_n of_o gild_n wherein_o not_o only_o he_o but_o all_o his_o posterity_n be_v so_o involve_v that_o every_o one_o descend_v of_o he_o deserve_v endless_a torment_n in_o hell-fire_n i_o shall_v say_v nothing_o more_o here_o how_o far_o in_o the_o apprehension_n of_o man_n this_o consist_v with_o the_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n have_v mention_v it_o above_o but_o it_o seem_v a_o strange_a way_n of_o understand_v a_o law_n which_o require_v the_o plain_a and_o direct_v word_n that_o by_o death_n shall_v be_v mean_v eternal_a life_n in_o misery_n can_v any_o one_o be_v suppose_v by_o a_o law_n that_o say_v for_o felony_n you_o shall_v die_v not_o that_o he_o shall_v lose_v his_o life_n but_o be_v keep_v alive_a in_o perpetual_a exquisite_a torment_n and_o will_v any_o one_o think_v himself_o fair_o deal_v with_o that_o be_v so_o use_v to_o this_o they_o will_v have_v it_o be_v also_o a_o state_n of_o necessary_a sin_v and_o provoke_a god_n in_o every_o action_n that_o man_n do_v a_o yet_o hard_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n death_n than_o the_o other_o god_n say_v that_o in_o the_o day_n that_o thou_o eat_v of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n thou_o shall_v die_v i._n e._n thou_o and_o thy_o posterity_n shall_v be_v ever_o after_o uncapable_a of_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o shall_v be_v sinful_a and_o provoke_a to_o i_o and_o shall_v just_o deserve_v my_o wrath_n and_o