Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n faith_n matter_n 4,045 5 5.7347 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A38007 A farther enquiry into several remarkable texts of the Old and New Testament which contain some difficulty in them with a probable resolution of them / by John Edwards ... Edwards, John, 1637-1716. 1692 (1692) Wing E206; ESTC R37315 201,474 386

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

dialogue_n or_o interrogation_n which_o savour_v of_o a_o mind_n dispose_v to_o bicker_a and_o contend_v the_o old_a academic_n who_o imitate_v plato_n and_o socrates_n their_o first_o founder_n use_v a_o problematick_a way_n of_o philosophize_v and_o make_v a_o trade_n of_o dispute_v pro_fw-la and_o con_n and_o be_v unsufferable_o litigious_a so_o that_o socrates_n philosophy_n seem_v to_o bear_v the_o character_n of_o his_o xantippe_n i._n e._n to_o be_v clamorous_a and_o brawl_a the_o stoic_n and_o cynic_n who_o be_v the_o stiff_a and_o most_o peremptory_a sort_n of_o man_n yet_o be_v give_v to_o snarl_v and_o contradict_v it_o be_v observe_v of_o the_o stoic_n by_o a_o stoicos_fw-la a_o plutarch_n adv_fw-la stoicos_fw-la grave_a man_n that_o they_o be_v so_o give_v to_o contradiction_n that_o they_o exercise_v it_o on_o themselves_o they_o oftentimes_o run_v from_o their_o own_o notion_n and_o he_o write_v a_o 〈◊〉_d a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d treatise_n on_o purpose_n to_o show_v the_o repugnancy_n of_o these_o man_n especial_o his_o work_n there_o be_v to_o run_v through_o all_o chrysippus_n write_n which_o be_v many_o and_o to_o show_v how_o he_o confute_v himself_o and_o speak_v contradictory_n who_o know_v not_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o stoic_n be_v full_a of_o singular_a strain_n wonder_n nice_a say_n and_o riddle_n and_o lucian_n very_o witty_o jeer_v they_o on_o this_o account_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n they_o affect_v to_o maintain_v paradox_n to_o weather_n out_o difficult_a case_n and_o to_o dissent_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n but_o the_o aristotelian_o of_o which_o tribe_n there_o be_v plenty_n in_o greece_n be_v the_o most_o dispute_a people_n of_o all_o they_o be_v never_o at_o a_o nonplus_n but_o have_v always_o something_o to_o say_v the_o great_a stagirite_n who_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o they_o set_v up_o in_o the_o world_n by_o refute_v the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o that_o go_v before_o he_o like_o one_o of_o the_o race_n of_o the_o ottoman_n he_o think_v he_o can_v not_o reign_v safe_o except_o in_o the_o first_o place_n he_o slay_v all_o his_o brethren_n philosopher_n and_o he_o can_v not_o but_o look_v for_o the_o same_o fate_n himself_o and_o so_o it_o happen_v for_o he_o be_v deal_v with_o after_o the_o same_o rate_n that_o he_o treat_v his_o predecessor_n and_o competitor_n and_o as_o for_o the_o new_a academic_n they_o dispute_v of_o course_n and_o be_v for_o and_o against_o all_o thing_n nay_o they_o hold_v a_o universal_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o incomprehension_n or_o as_o some_o of_o they_o style_v it_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o utter_a suspension_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v they_o hold_v nothing_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v dubitation_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o their_o philosophy_n as_o of_o des_n cartes_n his_o this_o be_v call_v by_o other_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o according_a to_o sextus_n empiricus_n be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d equilibrum_fw-la between_o believe_v and_o dissent_v falshood_n and_o truth_n be_v equal_o probable_a for_o which_o lucian_n deserve_o deride_v the_o philosopher_n in_o his_o balance_n where_o he_o bring_v they_o in_o weigh_v truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o make_v they_o of_o equal_a poise_n at_o last_o out_o of_o the_o different_a dispute_n and_o contention_n of_o philosopher_n spring_v up_o the_o sceptic_n those_o schismatic_n in_o philosophy_n who_o hold_v no_o communion_n at_o all_o with_o the_o assembly_n of_o philosopher_n but_o doubt_v of_o or_o deny_v whatever_o they_o say_v indeed_o these_o sceptic_n be_v but_o a_o bold_a sort_n of_o academic_n or_o we_o may_v say_v these_o set_v up_o first_o the_o doctrine_n of_o indifferency_n and_o acatalepsy_n and_o the_o other_o improve_v it_o their_o assertion_n be_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v define_v and_o determine_v concern_v any_o object_n that_o to_o incline_v to_o one_o part_n or_o other_o or_o to_o affirm_v or_o deny_v any_o thing_n be_v unphilosophical_a and_o that_o all_o be_v mere_a appearance_n only_o pyrrhonism_n be_v a_o calumny_n to_o the_o whole_a profession_n of_o philosopher_n a_o baffle_n of_o all_o science_n and_o argument_n they_o profess_v a_o liberty_n of_o enquiry_n and_o as_o they_o think_v fit_a reject_v the_o argument_n of_o all_o man_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o liberty_n some_o of_o these_o pretender_n to_o philosophic_a modesty_n and_o self-denial_n reason_v themselves_o out_o of_o their_o sense_n some_o philosopher_n deny_v motion_n whilst_o their_o tongue_n wag_v nay_o there_o be_v a_o odd_a fellow_n anaxagoras_n they_o call_v he_o who_o profess_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o any_o one_o who_o say_v snow_n be_v white_a for_o he_o be_v please_v to_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v as_o black_a as_o soot_n now_o certain_o tully_n word_n prove_v true_a 3._o true_a nihil_fw-la tam_fw-la absurdum_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la dixerit_fw-la aliquis_fw-la philosophorum_fw-la de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n l._n 3._o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o absurd_a but_o one_o philosopher_n or_o other_o assert_v it_o and_o that_o brief_a character_n which_o tertullian_n give_v of_o the_o philosopher_n be_v verify_v that_o 3._o that_o quidvis_fw-la struere_fw-la ac_fw-la destruere_fw-la eruditi_fw-la de_fw-fr anim._n c._n 3._o they_o have_v a_o gift_n of_o set_v up_o or_o pull_v down_o what_o they_o please_v this_o be_v the_o best_a of_o it_o see_v nothing_o be_v assert_v by_o any_o of_o they_o but_o some_o one_o will_v stand_v and_o oppose_v it_o by_o this_o mean_v falshood_n be_v oppose_v as_o well_o as_o truth_n but_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v attribute_v to_o any_o good_a design_n in_o they_o but_o it_o proceed_v whole_o from_o their_o love_n of_o dispute_n and_o quarrel_a this_o be_v that_o which_o a_o observe_a historian_n take_v notice_n of_o concern_v the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o grecian_n 2._o grecian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d diodor._fw-la sic._n l._n 2._o if_o any_o one_o say_v he_o examine_v the_o most_o famous_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n he_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o very_o much_o disagree_v with_o one_o another_o and_o in_o the_o great_a point_n be_v clear_o contradictory_n this_o theodoret_n express_v in_o few_o word_n say_v 1_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr cur._n graec._n affect_v serm._n 1_o among_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n be_v always_o a_o great_a contention_n and_o a_o implacable_a fight_n of_o word_n and_o he_o that_o will_v consult_v the_o 14_o and_o 15_o book_n of_o eusebius_n evangelic_n preparation_n shall_v find_v this_o abundant_o prove_v viz._n that_o the_o gentile_a philosopher_n all_o fight_n with_o one_o another_o and_o there_o be_v no_o consent_n and_o harmony_n among_o they_o but_o if_o we_o have_v all_o the_o book_n and_o write_n of_o the_o philosopher_n which_o diogenes_n laertius_n particular_o mention_n we_o shall_v see_v this_o much_o more_o evidence_v but_o see_v now_o how_o christianity_n run_v counter_a to_o all_o this_o it_o open_o declare_v against_o dispute_n and_o wrangling_n and_o enjoin_v we_o to_o speak_v all_o the_o same_o thing_n i._n e._n to_o agree_v in_o all_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n but_o that_o all_o be_v perfect_o join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o same_o judgement_n i._n e._n that_o we_o believe_v approve_v of_o and_o profess_v the_o same_o necessary_a truth_n the_o same_o apostle_n bid_v we_o avoid_v foolish_a and_o unlearned_a question_n know_v that_o they_o gender_n strife_n and_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n must_v not_o strive_v some_o have_v observe_v that_o when_o the_o pharisee_n seek_v out_o our_o saviour_n to_o wrangle_v and_o contend_v with_o he_o about_o what_o he_o have_v do_v *_o he_o slip_v aside_o in_o the_o throng_n and_o purposely_o evade_v they_o †_o the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o put_v a_o period_n to_o contest_v and_o debate_n which_o it_o happy_o effect_v by_o take_v away_o the_o occasion_n of_o all_o uncertainty_n the_o apostle_n assign_v this_o to_o be_v the_o end_n of_o christ_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n and_o give_v gift_n to_o man_n and_o constitute_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n 4._o ephes._n 4._o that_o we_o henceforth_o be_v no_o more_o child_n toss_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o ●light_n of_o man_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v to_o which_o belong_v the_o vain_a deceit_n in_o the_o text_n but_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o love_n i._n e._n agree_v together_o unanimous_o to_o profess_v and_o maintain_v the_o same_o thing_n we_o may_v grow_v up_o unto_o he_o in_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o head_n even_o christ._n this_o be_v the_o noble_a design_n of_o
himself_o with_o a_o halter_n or_o some_o such_o thing_n and_o his_o fall_a headlong_o from_o the_o place_n where_o he_o hang_v and_o thereby_o burst_v asunder_o some_o indeed_o tell_v we_o that_o that_o which_o dispatch_v he_o be_v his_o fall_n from_o a_o precipice_n for_o be_v melancholic_a and_o vex_v he_o take_v the_o course_n which_o such_o person_n be_v common_o wont_a to_o do_v i._n e._n he_o throw_v himself_o down_o from_o a_o rock_n or_o some_o such_o place_n and_o so_o end_v his_o life_n and_o upon_o this_o fall_n his_o bowel_n gush_v out_o the_o critic_n who_o run_v this_o way_n the_o chief_a whereof_o be_v pricaeus_n vossius_fw-la and_o dr._n hammond_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v our_o of_o several_a writer_n that_o person_n overwhelm_v with_o grief_n and_o despair_n choose_v this_o way_n of_o die_v viz._n cast_v themselves_o down_o from_o some_o precipice_n this_o be_v free_o grant_v and_o moreover_o no_o man_n i_o believe_v will_v question_v that_o upon_o this_o precipitate_v themselves_o their_o bowel_n be_v break_v this_o be_v no_o wonder_n but_o it_o will_v be_v one_o indeed_o if_o their_o member_n be_v not_o break_v and_o shatter_v with_o such_o a_o descent_n well_o but_o than_o what_o shall_v we_o do_v with_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d how_o can_v judas_n go_v and_o hang_v himself_o and_o also_o throw_v himself_o down_o from_o a_o rock_n or_o craggy_a hill_n or_o some_o place_n of_o this_o kind_n i_o suppose_v no_o man_n will_v say_v he_o do_v this_o before_o he_o hang_v himself_o and_o i_o scarce_o think_v any_o man_n will_v say_v he_o do_v it_o after_o neither_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o do_v it_o at_o the_o very_a time_n when_o he_o cast_v himself_o down_o therefore_o i_o conclude_v that_o he_o do_v it_o not_o at_o all_o but_o the_o abovesaid_a critic_n evade_v this_o by_o understand_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o another_o sense_n whole_o one_o of_o they_o interpret_v it_o of_o melancholy_a suffocation_n only_o as_o you_o have_v hear_v and_o the_o other_o tell_v we_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v as_o much_o as_o mori_fw-la cupere_fw-la or_o mori_fw-la velle_fw-la to_o be_v w●●ry_a of_o life_n and_o from_o a_o consciousness_n of_o gild_n to_o be_v restless_a till_o we_o be_v rid_v of_o it_o but_o this_o great_a and_o worthy_a writer_n assign_v a_o sense_n of_o this_o word_n which_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o and_o he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v to_o show_v that_o this_o word_n be_v take_v so_o in_o any_o author_n a_o great_a oversight_n certain_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n these_o profess_a and_o resolve_v critic_n have_v all_o of_o they_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o this-fate_n they_o deliver_v thing_n without_o any_o ground_n be_v warm_a in_o the_o notion_n they_o have_v take_v up_o and_o have_v a_o great_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n they_o think_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o vouch_v the_o matter_n or_o be_v in_o prosecution_n of_o father_n notion_n depend_v on_o it_o they_o whole_o forget_v to_o establish_v what_o they_o have_v assert_v as_o for_o the_o rise_v of_o this_o mistake_n in_o these_o learned_a man_n i_o conceive_v it_o be_v from_o this_o that_o they_o find_v in_o author_n who_o they_o plentiful_o quote_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o discontent_a and_o melancholic_a person_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o their_o day_n by_o throw_v themselves_o down_o from_o precipice_n and_o they_o take_v judas_n to_o be_v such_o a_o one_o in_o the_o high_a degree_n conclude_v that_o he_o dispatch_v himself_o after_o this_o manner_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o his_o fall_a headlong_o mention_v by_o st._n luke_n especial_o when_o they_o read_v that_o all_o his_o bowel_n gush_v out_o they_o think_v there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o affirm_v that_o this_o be_v cause_v by_o his_o fall_n from_o some_o high_a place_n but_o all_o this_o be_v mere_a conjecture_n and_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o support_v it_o for_o if_o judas_n have_v procure_v his_o death_n by_o throw_v himself_o down_o from_o a_o precipice_n as_o melancholist_n have_v be_v wont_a to_o do_v then_o sure_o instead_o of_o burst_v asunder_o and_o his_o bowel_n gush_v out_o we_o shall_v rather_o hear_v of_o break_a bone_n and_o limb_n which_o be_v the_o most_o usual_a consequence_n and_o natural_a effect_n of_o such_o a_o precipitation_n for_o these_o commentator_n speak_v only_o of_o such_o so_o trachin_n so_o i●_n trachin_n sophocles_n express_v lichas_n throw_v himself_n from_o a_o rock_n into_o the_o sea_n and_o so_o precipitation_n be_v general_o describe_v in_o author_n wherefore_o see_v we_o read_v of_o something_o else_o which_o be_v not_o common_o mention_v as_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o great_a fall_n we_o may_v be_v induce_v to_o infer_v that_o some_o other_o thing_n be_v intend_v and_o mean_v beside_o there_o be_v nothing_o here_o mention_v nay_o there_o be_v nothing_o imply_v or_o hint_v concern_v iudas_n dispatch_v himself_n from_o a_o precipice_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o it_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o heinsius_n for_o we_o must_v make_v use_n of_o one_o critic_n to_o confute_v another_o that_o praeceps_fw-la be_v not_o the_o genuine_a or_o primary_n import_n of_o this_o word_n but_o that_o it_o ought_v rather_o to_o be_v interpret_v pronus_fw-la however_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o invalidate_v the_o aforesaid_a opinion_n that_o we_o can_v infer_v from_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o volutnary_a precipitation_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o author_n contend_v for_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v join_v here_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d show_v that_o judas_n do_v not_o throw_v himself_o down_o but_o that_o he_o be_v altogether_o passive_a as_o to_o this_o thing_n and_o consequent_o that_o this_o place_n of_o st._n luke_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o wilful_a fling_v himself_o down_o from_o the_o brow_n of_o a_o hill_n or_o the_o top_n of_o a_o rock_n as_o the_o old_a melancholic_a desperado_n use_v to_o do_v the_o truth_n be_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v of_o a_o ambiguous_a use_n and_o may_v be_v render_v not_o only_a praeceps_fw-la but_o pronus_fw-la and_o it_o be_v likely_a this_o latin_a word_n come_v from_o that_o greek_a one_o and_o so_o we_o may_v take_v it_o here_o for_o i_o be_o for_o interpret_n word_n in_o their_o great_a latitude_n because_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o shall_v find_v out_o the_o full_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o judas_n do_v not_o cast_v himself_o from_o a_o precipice_n yet_o he_o be_v precipitate_v and_o he_o be_v in_o a_o prone_a posture_n both_o these_o but_o the_o latter_a especial_o seem_v to_o be_v signify_v here_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v in_o a_o prone_a posture_n lean_v forward_o bend_v downward_o that_o be_v the_o primary_n denotation_n of_o the_o word_n he_o fall_v to_o the_o earth_n and_o this_o decline_a posture_n that_o he_o be_v in_o contribute_v to_o it_o this_o word_n than_o give_v we_o some_o light_n into_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n it_o fair_o intimate_v to_o we_o that_o after_o he_o have_v immerse_v himself_o in_o most_o profound_a grief_n and_o anguish_n of_o mind_n whereby_o he_o choke_v and_o stifle_v his_o ●_z he_o hang_v himself_o i._n e._n he_o wilful_o intercept_v his_o breath_n by_o strangle_v himself_o for_o this_o prone_a situation_n this_o bend_n of_o his_o head_n and_o face_n and_o this_o press_v down_o of_o his_o whole_a body_n be_v cause_v by_o this_o way_n of_o dispatch_v himself_o this_o give_v we_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o perplex_a and_o despair_a wretch_n end_v his_o life_n with_o a_o halter_n for_o this_o be_v the_o very_a posture_n which_o his_o hang_a himself_o put_v he_o into_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v with_o his_o face_n downward_o or_o forward_o stoop_v and_o decline_v with_o his_o head_n be_v as_o fit_o and_o proper_o say_v of_o such_o a_o person_n viz._n one_o that_o hang_v himself_o as_o can_v have_v be_v and_o according_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v render_v sus●ensus_fw-la by_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a which_o version_n although_o it_o do_v not_o take_v in_o the_o full_a extent_n and_o latitude_n of_o the_o word_n yet_o it_o confirm_v the_o inrerpretation_n which_o i_o be_o now_o insist_v upon_o viz._n that_o hang_v and_o not_o voluntary_a precipitaition_n be_v here_o mean_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o allege_v the_o greek_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d use_v by_o st._n matthew_n which_o signify_v this_o particular_a way_n of_o die_v and_o
speak_v as_o heraclitus_n plato_n and_o socrates_n do_v and_o thereby_o give_v scope_n for_o the_o arian_n heresy_n more_o especial_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o origen_n borrow_v his_o divinity_n from_o plato_n and_o that_o corrupt_a he_o as_o ga●d●ntius_n prove_v in_o several_a particular_n it_o be_v from_o his_o follow_v of_o plato_n that_o he_o propagate_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o cease_n of_o hell_n torment_v though_o this_o i_o must_v say_v we_o learn_v rather_o from_o other_o father_n than_o from_o the_o work_n of_o origen_n himself_n but_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v so_o many_o father_n and_o to_o think_v that_o they_o represent_v he_o false_o especial_o when_o we_o know_v that_o origen_n be_v a_o great_a platonist_n and_o in_o other_o thing_n follow_v his_o step_n so_o likewise_o he_o borrow_v the_o preexistence_n of_o soul_n from_o plato_n school_n and_o therefore_o one_o say_v right_o 9_o right_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d harmenopul_n de_fw-fr sect._n 9_o he_o teach_v according_a to_o the_o greek_n mean_v the_o platonist_n that_o soul_n do_v exist_v before_o their_o body_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v well_o know_v origen_n justin_n clemens_n and_o other_o father_n be_v platonic_a philosopher_n before_o they_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o bring_v some_o of_o their_o philosophical_a error_n into_o christianity_n i_o need_v not_o tell_v you_o that_o the_o church_n in_o its_o first_o time_n explain_v and_o defend_v its_o principle_n of_o religion_n by_o the_o way_n of_o plato_n philosophy_n beside_o that_o i_o may_v suggest_v this_o which_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n that_o platonism_n of_o all_o the_o sect_n of_o philosophy_n come_v near_o to_o christianity_n hence_o the_o platonist_n who_o read_v the_o first_o verse_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o st._n john_n gospel_n say_v that_o barbarian_a have_v steal_v from_o his_o master_n yea_o i_o can_v add_v what_o clemens_n of_o alexandria_n in_o his_o stromata_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o make_v the_o christian_a divinity_n as_o like_v gentile_a philosophy_n as_o they_o well_o can_v and_o they_o cause_v the_o holy_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o approach_v to_o the_o receive_a notion_n of_o philosopher_n and_o make_v the_o holy_a scripture_n speak_v platonism_n that_o they_o may_v by_o that_o mean_n gain_v proselyte_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o appeal_v to_o you_o now_o upon_o these_o thing_n whether_o these_o good_a man_n be_v not_o in_o danger_n of_o be_v spoil_v through_o philosophy_n second_o leave_v the_o platonist_n i_o come_v to_o examine_v the_o false_a and_o pernicious_a principle_n of_o the_o epicurean_o with_o who_o we_o be_v 18._o be_v act_n 17._o 18._o inform_v our_o apostle_n encounter_v their_o philosophical_a deceit_n be_v such_o as_o these_o 1._o they_o hold_v that_o chance_n and_o fortune_n be_v the_o rise_n of_o this_o world_n and_o of_o all_o thing_n in_o it_o that_o the_o world_n be_v not_o make_v or_o create_v by_o a_o understanding_n be_v but_o commence_v by_o a_o strong_a juncto_fw-la of_o atom_n which_o club_a together_o though_o without_o counsel_n and_o intelligence_n to_o erect_v this_o great_a and_o stately_a fabric_n these_o man_n have_v no_o notion_n at_o all_o of_o a_o creation_n for_o their_o old_a saw_n be_v epicuro_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d laert._n in_o epicuro_n nothing_o be_v make_v of_o nothing_o and_o therefore_o according_a to_o their_o master_n democritus_n and_o epieurus_n they_o agree_v to_o give_v the_o world_n its_o date_n from_o those_o caper_a democrito_n caper_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d laert._n in_o democrito_n atom_n as_o if_o that_o will_v solve_v the_o business_n but_o indeed_o according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n it_o have_v no_o date_n at_o all_o for_o all_o this_o atomick_a bustle_n be_v from_o eternity_n as_o the_o platonist_n hold_v the_o world_n be_v eternal_a by_o necessity_n so_o the_o epicurean_o assert_v its_o eternity_n but_o say_v it_o be_v by_o chance_n the_o world_n according_a to_o they_o be_v a_o strange_a by-blow_n of_o nature_n beget_v by_o mere_a fortune_n these_o be_v the_o wild_a conceit_n they_o take_v up_o rather_o than_o they_o will_v be_v behold_v to_o god_n for_o the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v rather_o than_o they_o will_v acknowledge_v a_o wise_a omnipotent_a be_v that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o rather_o than_o they_o will_v own_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o world_n beginning_n and_o that_o by_o a_o power_n divine_a as_o for_o their_o notion_n it_o be_v so_o poor_a and_o precarious_a that_o no_o man_n of_o any_o consistency_n of_o thought_n can_v give_v credit_n to_o it_o so_o excellent_a order_n and_o composition_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o can_v never_o arise_v from_o a_o fortuitous_a confluence_n from_o a_o casual_a jumble_v of_o matter_n and_o motion_n without_o any_o guide_n but_o must_v needs_o be_v conclude_v to_o be_v the_o contrivance_n of_o infinite_a and_o superlative_a wisdom_n that_o thin_a and_o subtle_a particle_n blind_o tilt_v against_o one_o another_o without_o any_o mover_n to_o set_v they_o on_o work_n shall_v at_o last_o jump_v into_o so_o exact_a a_o order_n be_v a_o assertion_n unworthy_a even_o of_o a_o rational_a pagan_n and_o fit_v only_o for_o such_o a_o christian_a philosopher_n as_o he_o of_o malmsbury_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o monstrous_a absurdity_n which_o follow_v upon_o assert_v the_o eternal_a existence_n of_o matter_n nay_o not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o utter_a impossibility_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o for_o what_o be_v make_v can_v be_v from_o eternity_n i._n e._n can_v it_o be_v without_o a_o beginning_n for_o its_o be_v make_v necessary_o suppose_v one_o that_o make_v it_o to_o have_v be_v before_o it_o and_o if_o he_o be_v before_o it_o than_o it_o be_v not_o from_o eternity_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o have_v the_o priority_n of_o eternity_n but_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o this_o epicurean_a doctrine_n be_v confront_v by_o the_o christian_a philosophy_n through_o faith_n we_o understand_v that_o the_o world_n be_v frame_v by_o the_o word_n of_o ●od_n so_o that_o thing_n which_o be_v see_v be_v not_o make_v of_o thing_n which_o do_v appear_v heb._n 11._o 3._o and_o as_o the_o same_o inspired_a author_n argue_v in_o another_o place_n every_o house_n be_v build_v by_o some_o ma●_n but_o he_o that_o build_v all_o thing_n be_v god_n heb._n 3_o ●_o as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v as_o great_a reason_n nay_o great_a to_o be_v persuade_v that_o this_o vast_a structure_n of_o the_o universe_n be_v build_v and_o erect_v by_o a_o divine_a hand_n than_o that_o we_o shall_v believe_v that_o the_o stately_a habitation_n and_o palace_n which_o we_o see_v be_v make_v by_o some_o artist_n the_o world_n be_v the_o fabric_n of_o divinity_n the_o temple_n of_o god_n mundi_fw-la magnum_fw-la &_o versatile_a templum_n so_o far_o lucretius_n go_v but_o we_o may_v go_v far_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a system_fw-la contrive_v by_o a_o alwise_a and_o omnipotent_a be_v it_o be_v a_o temple_n make_v by_o god_n and_o dedicate_v to_o he_o as_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n so_o it_o have_v its_o beginning_n of_o exist_v from_o god_n in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o beginning_n therefore_o the_o world_n be_v not_o from_o eternity_n god_n create_v therefore_o it_o be_v not_o by_o chance_n 2._o as_o the_o epicurean_o affirm_v the_o world_n be_v by_o chance_n so_o consistent_o enough_o with_o that_o principle_n they_o hold_v it_o be_v leave_v to_o shift_v for_o itself_o and_o true_o this_o be_v no_o absurd_a consequence_n from_o the_o former_a assertion_n for_o if_o the_o world_n make_v itself_o it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v think_v to_o look_v after_o itself_o these_o man_n in_o their_o most_o sober_a determination_n will_v not_o suffer_v god_n to_o intermeddle_v with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n they_o complemented_a the_o godhead_n out_o of_o its_o jurisdiction_n over_o mankind_n and_o thing_n here_o below_o by_o say_v he_o shall_v not_o give_v himself_o the_o trouble_n of_o have_v any_o resentment_n of_o thing_n on_o earth_n and_o take_v care_n of_o human_a affair_n epicurus_n his_o god_n as_o 4._o as_o de_fw-fr benefic_n l._n 4._o seneca_n describe_v he_o be_v reserve_v and_o careless_a he_o turn_v his_o back_n on_o the_o world_n and_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o he_o either_o do_v something_o else_o or_o be_v whole_o idle_a and_o therefore_o he_o afterward_o call_v such_o god_n as_o these_o d●os_fw-la these_o surda_fw-la numina_fw-la inefficaces_fw-la d●os_fw-la deaf_a deity_n god_n of_o no_o virtue_n and_o power_n thus_o tully_n tell_v we_o of_o those_o philosopher_n who_o alteri_fw-la who_o qui_fw-la deum_fw-la
have_v be_v say_v already_o we_o may_v certain_o gather_v what_o these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v for_z ephesus_z before_o all_o other_o city_n be_v addict_v to_o these_o impious_a study_n not_o only_o alexandro_n only_o in_o alexandro_n plutarch_n but_o other_o very_a credible_a writer_n who_o the_o reader_n may_v consult_v particular_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o people_n of_o this_o place_n be_v in_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a manner_n incline_v to_o and_o conversant_a in_o these_o arts._n this_o be_v so_o common_a and_o notorious_a that_o it_o become_v a_o poverb_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v as_o a_o know_a expression_n to_o signify_v magic_a learning_n as_o several_a etc._n several_a plutarch_n athenaeus_n hesychius_n suidas_n alexander_n ab_fw-la alexandro_n etc._n etc._n ancient_a writer_n testify_v from_o this_o old_a proverbial_a way_n of_o speak_v we_o may_v gather_v what_o st._n luke_n here_o mean_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d viz._n those_o ephesian_a character_n or_o charm_n those_o magical_a note_n and_o rite_n which_o that_o people_n be_v so_o fame_v for_o and_o by_o which_o they_o do_v such_o great_a feat_n or_o seem_v to_o do_v so_o at_o least_o the_o ephesian_n have_v a_o certain_a set_v of_o letter_n and_o word_n which_o they_o use_v in_o enchantment_n and_o they_o never_o fail_v so_o great_o be_v they_o befriend_v by_o the_o author_n of_o they_o the_o christian_n call_v these_o diabolical_a but_o st._n luke_n here_o use_v the_o word_n which_o perhaps_o be_v receive_v at_o ephesus_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o place_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o many_o of_o they_o who_o use_v these_o curious_a art_n be_v now_o weary_a of_o they_o and_o bring_v their_o book_n together_o and_o burn_v they_o before_o all_o men._n when_o they_o come_v to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o 15._o the_o 2_o tim._n 3._o 15._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o soon_o dislike_v those_o ephesian_a letter_n and_o in_o a_o pious_a revenge_n use_v they_o in_o the_o like_a manner_n that_o book_n of_o that_o sort_n use_v to_o be_v deal_v with_o for_o from_o the_o augusto_n the_o liv._o lib._n 39_o sueton._n in_o augusto_n roman_a writer_n and_o other_o we_o be_v inform_v that_o the_o punishment_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v execute_v on_o book_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n be_v burn_v of_o they_o so_o that_o the_o very_a penalty_n here_o voluntary_o inflict_v on_o these_o book_n acquaint_v we_o of_o what_o kind_n they_o be_v that_o which_o particular_o and_o signal_o show_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o destroy_v these_o diabolical_a work_n be_v this_o that_o these_o ephesian_n who_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o devilish_a practice_n and_o be_v magical_a even_o to_o a_o proverb_n that_o these_o i_o say_v be_v reclaim_v from_o these_o damnable_a study_n by_o the_o preach_a of_o st._n paul_n among_o they_o and_o present_o give_v a_o demonstration_n of_o their_o hearty_a repentance_n for_o their_o past_a enormity_n by_o produce_v their_o book_n of_o enchantment_n and_o commit_v they_o to_o the_o flame_n and_o that_o which_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o remarkable_a be_v that_o these_o book_n which_o they_o thus_o consume_v to_o ash_n be_v of_o so_o great_a a_o price_n no_o less_o than_o five_o myriad_o of_o silver_n for_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o greek_a and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v why_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v render_v so_o by_o we_o this_o translation_n be_v more_o exact_a than_o fifty_o thousand_o piece_n of_o silver_n these_o ephesian_n show_v the_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n of_o their_o conversion_n by_o this_o one_o generous_a instance_n by_o part_v with_o that_o which_o cost_v they_o so_o dear_a and_o by_o which_o they_o can_v have_v gain_v so_o much_o so_o much_o for_o this_o notable_a passage_n in_o the_o act_n which_o be_v as_o great_a and_o convince_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n as_o can_v be_v offer_v and_o therefore_o i_o think_v good_a to_o insist_v upon_o it_o i_o may_v go_v on_o and_o let_v you_o see_v out_o of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n that_o conjurer_n be_v not_o able_a to_o play_v their_o magical_a prank_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o holy_a christian_n tertullian_n and_o lactantius_n agree_v that_o the_o heathen_a god_n or_o rather_o their_o priest_n complain_v that_o their_o rite_n can_v not_o be_v perform_v so_o long_o as_o any_o christian_n be_v in_o their_o temple_n or_o present_v at_o their_o sacrifice_n the_o astrologer_n and_o soothsayer_n of_o alexandria_n cry_v out_o that_o they_o can_v do_v little_a or_o nothing_o in_o their_o wicked_a art_n till_o athanasius_n that_o good_a father_n be_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o city_n and_o it_o be_v the_o universal_a testimony_n of_o writer_n that_o when_o christianity_n wax_v great_a in_o the_o world_n magic_a dwindle_a and_o grow_v less_o and_o less_o it_o will_v i_o think_v be_v confess_v by_o all_o man_n that_o the_o transaction_n of_o the_o devil_n with_o witch_n and_o person_n of_o a_o resemble_v quality_n be_v neither_o so_o frequent_a nor_o so_o powerful_a as_o they_o have_v be_v heretofore_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n dispel_v these_o work_n of_o darkness_n this_o we_o find_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n micah_n concern_v the_o messiah_n and_o his_o appear_v in_o the_o flesh_n i_o will_v cut_v off_o witchcraft_n out_o of_o thy_o hand_n ch._n 5._o ver_fw-la 12._o and_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n thy_o grave_a image_n also_o will_v i_o cut_v off_o and_o thy_o stand_a image_n out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v no_o more_o worship_v the_o work_n of_o thy_o hand_n which_o remind_v i_o of_o the_o next_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o word_n five_o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n we_o must_v needs_o understand_v idolatry_n and_o polytheism_n than_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o serviceable_a towards_o the_o promote_a his_o kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n i_o grant_v that_o the_o pagan_a priest_n be_v no_o loser_n by_o idolatry_n yea_o that_o they_o be_v gainer_n by_o it_o but_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o infer_v thence_o as_o i_o have_v show_v before_o in_o the_o like_a case_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o it_o be_v not_o set_v up_o and_o manage_v by_o he_o to_o advance_v his_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n therefore_o you_o may_v know_v how_o to_o judge_n of_o that_o gentleman_n doctrine_n who_o say_v that_o essay_n that_o sir_n tho._n p._n b_n essay_n the_o set_n up_o many_o god_n among_o the_o gentile_n be_v only_o for_o the_o priest_n gain_n because_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o worship_n do_v to_o they_o be_v so_o profitable_a to_o they_o whereas_o the_o worship_n of_o one_o god_n will_v not_o have_v bring_v in_o so_o much_o gain_n this_o be_v the_o sole_a cause_n of_o idolatry_n say_v he_o still_o he_o be_v wonderful_o civil_a and_o oblige_a extreme_o courteous_a and_o friendly_a to_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n and_o will_v not_o harbour_v any_o ill_a thought_n of_o he_o either_o as_o to_o the_o pagan_a oracle_n and_o i_o suppose_v as_o to_o sorcery_n and_o magic_n and_o we_o be_v sure_a as_o to_o idolatry_n he_o be_v persuade_v but_o hold_v there_o i_o do_v not_o know_v that_o for_o it_o may_v be_v he_o speak_v not_o his_o inward_a sense_n i_o may_v rather_o say_v he_o tell_v we_o that_o those_o most_o curse_a invention_n and_o design_n of_o that_o hellish_a impostor_n be_v none_o of_o he_o and_o that_o they_o be_v only_o contrive_v by_o the_o covetous_a priest_n to_o get_v a_o penny_n i_o see_v the_o devil_n be_v a_o very_a innocent_a and_o harmless_a creature_n according_a to_o some_o person_n it_o will_v be_v well_o for_o they_o if_o they_o find_v he_o so_o but_o we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v very_o spiteful_a malicious_a and_o destructive_a and_o that_o he_o not_o only_o seek_v for_o but_o make_v use_n of_o all_o occurrence_n and_o opportunity_n to_o endamage_v mankind_n and_o that_o he_o be_v pregnant_a in_o his_o invention_n to_o that_o purpose_n and_o such_o we_o may_v just_o reckon_v these_o to_o be_v which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o therefore_o i_o take_v they_o to_o be_v from_o another_o spring_n than_o what_o some_o imagine_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v proper_o the_o devil_n work_n and_o carry_v his_o mark_n upon_o they_o particular_o as_o to_o idolatry_n or_o polytheism_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v of_o his_o set_n up_o you_o shall_v be_v as_o god_n be_v the_o early_a insinuation_n and_o suggestion_n of_o that_o evil_a spirit_n to_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o paradise_n the_o notion_n of_o be_v god_n strange_o wrought_v upon_o they_o and_o procure_v our_o misery_n this_o be_v the_o first_o temptation_n of_o satan_n and_o be_v the_o first_o