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world_n though_o man_n will_v take_v no_o warn_v by_o never_o so_o many_o example_n but_o have_v need_n of_o continual_a advice_n and_o exhortation_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o commission_n of_o they_o be_v there_o the_o less_o certainty_n in_o the_o mathematics_n because_o euclid_n apollonius_n and_o innumerable_a other_o of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n have_v put_v forth_o book_n and_o system_n of_o mathematics_n in_o several_a form_n and_o method_n when_o many_o write_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o excellency_n and_o vsefulness_n of_o it_o not_o that_o they_o be_v dissatisfy_v in_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v by_o other_o but_o that_o they_o think_v more_o may_v be_v say_v or_o that_o some_o thing_n may_v be_v prove_v more_o clear_o in_o another_o method_n with_o more_o advantage_n to_o some_o capacity_n and_o with_o great_a probability_n of_o remove_v the_o scruple_n of_o some_o men._n it_o be_v undoubted_o very_o fit_a that_o all_o 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withal_o as_o steadfast_a a_o belief_n and_o as_o awful_a apprehension_n of_o reveal_v religion_n which_o he_o endeavour_v to_o establish_v and_o propagate_v not_o only_o by_o his_o own_o write_n but_o by_o the_o labour_n of_o other_o which_o he_o engage_v and_o reward_v by_o his_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n 2._o but_o man_n do_v not_o always_o live_v answerable_o to_o what_o they_o profess_v to_o believe_v it_o be_v hearty_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o occasion_n give_v for_o this_o objection_n for_o though_o it_o be_v very_o inconsiderable_a in_o itself_o yet_o it_o do_v i_o believe_v the_o most_o mischief_n of_o any_o because_o man_n natural_o govern_v themselves_o more_o by_o the_o example_n than_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o other_o or_o even_o than_o by_o their_o own_o reason_n but_o if_o we_o will_v judge_v aright_o the_o example_n of_o one_o man_n who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n aught_o to_o be_v of_o more_o weight_n with_o we_o than_o the_o example_n of_o never_o so_o many_o who_o live_v contrary_a to_o their_o profession_n because_o when_o man_n profess_v one_o thing_n and_o act_v another_o their_o action_n be_v sure_o as_o little_a to_o be_v regard_v as_o their_o profession_n and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v their_o profession_n against_o their_o action_n why_o shall_v we_o regard_v their_o example_n against_o their_o avow_a principle_n and_o profession_n it_o be_v in_o all_o other_o case_n esteem_v a_o good_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n when_o man_n confess_v it_o against_o themselves_o and_o the_o motive_n and_o temptation_n be_v visible_a by_o which_o they_o be_v lead_v aside_o from_o their_o own_o declare_a faith_n and_o judgement_n this_o pleasure_n or_o that_o profit_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o which_o every_o man_n can_v point_v to_o but_o when_o he_o who_o live_v conformable_o to_o his_o principle_n deny_v himself_o when_o he_o lose_v and_o suffer_v by_o it_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o great_a earnest_n whereas_o the_o other_o be_v apparent_o bribe_v to_o forsake_v that_o in_o practice_n which_o notwithstanding_o they_o can_v but_o own_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o principle_n this_o be_v a_o old_a prejudice_n against_o philosophy_n that_o the_o philosopher_n do_v not_o observe_v their_o own_o precept_n but_o it_o be_v reject_v by_o wise_a man_n as_o no_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o vsefulness_n of_o philosophy_n it_o be_v a_o great_a objection_n against_o the_o man_n but_o sure_o it_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o thing_n themselves_o that_o they_o be_v disregard_v by_o those_o who_o understand_v their_o worth_n and_o pretend_v to_o have_v a_o due_a value_n and_o esteem_v for_o they_o and_o whoever_o renounce_v the_o faith_n or_o take_v up_o principle_n of_o irreligion_n because_o of_o any_o ill_a practice_n of_o other_o too_o plain_o declare_v either_o that_o in_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n he_o never_o have_v any_o or_o that_o he_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o part_v with_o his_o religion_n all_o man_n make_v some_o pretence_n to_o reason_n and_o those_o man_n most_o of_o all_o who_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o decry_v religion_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o many_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v it_o do_v not_o always_o live_v up_o to_o its_o rule_n and_o instruction_n but_o they_o do_v not_o consider_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o man_n general_o act_v as_o much_o against_o reason_n as_o against_o relgion_n and_o that_o therefore_o this_o objection_n if_o it_o can_v signify_v any_o thing_n must_v banish_v all_o reason_n and_o good_a sense_n out_o of_o the_o world_n if_o there_o be_v no_o true_a religion_n because_o so_o few_o practice_n it_o as_o they_o ought_v there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a reason_n neither_o because_o the_o life_n of_o so_o many_o man_n contradict_v it_o and_o some_o perhaps_o will_v be_v content_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o true_a religion_n rather_o than_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o true_a reason_n because_o than_o they_o must_v be_v no_o long_o allow_v to_o be_v able_a to_o reason_n against_o religion_n but_o if_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n than_o the_o same_o religion_n may_v be_v true_a and_o false_a at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o may_v be_v true_a in_o one_o age_n and_o false_a in_o another_o or_o true_a in_o one_o country_n and_o false_a in_o the_o next_o and_o must_v be_v more_o or_o less_o true_a or_o false_a in_o the_o same_o proportion_n as_o the_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o its_o professor_n be_v more_o or_o less_o virtuous_a or_o vicious_a indeed_o this_o be_v so_o unreasonable_a and_o unjust_a a_o prejudice_n against_o religion_n though_o it_o be_v grow_v a_o very_a common_a one_o that_o methinks_v every_o man_n shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o especial_o man_n of_o reason_n
worought_v to_o confirm_v any_o sound_n and_o useful_a doctrine_n the_o confession_n of_o the_o false_a god_n when_o they_o be_v adjure_v by_o christian_n p._n 401._o chap._n iu._n the_o defect_n in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n in_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o theology_n of_o the_o heathen_n absurd_a p._n 403._o their_o religious_a worship_n wicked_a and_o impious_a p._n 405._o humane_a sacrifice_n customary_a in_o all_o heathen_a nation_n p._n 406._o no_o body_n of_o law_n nor_o rule_n of_o good_a life_n propose_v by_o their_o oracle_n p._n 402._o but_o idolatry_n and_o wickedness_n approve_v and_o recommend_v by_o they_o ibid._n chap._n v._o of_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_n the_o heathen_a philosophy_n very_o defective_a and_o erroneous_a p._n 411._o whatever_o there_o be_v of_o excellency_n in_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v owe_v to_o revelation_n p._n 423._o if_o the_o heathen_a philosophy_n have_v be_v as_o certain_a and_o as_o excellent_a as_o it_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v yet_o there_o have_v be_v great_a need_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n p._n 429_o chap._n vi_o the_o novelty_n and_o defect_n in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n p._n 436._o chap._n vii_o the_o want_n both_o of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n in_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n p._n 439_o chap._n viii_o the_o alcoran_n be_v false_a absurd_a and_o immoral_a p._n 441_o chap._n ix_o of_o mahomet_n that_o he_o be_v lustful_a proud_a and_o cruel_a appear_v from_o the_o alcoran_n itself_o p._n 443_o part_n iu_o chap._n i._n that_o there_o be_v as_o great_a certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o there_o be_v of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n p._n 447_o chap._n ii_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n the_o scripture_n consider_v 1._o as_o historical_o true_a 2._o as_o to_o their_o doctrine_n which_o concern_v eternal_a salvation_n p._n 451_o 452._o from_o both_o these_o consideration_n it_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v infallible_o true_a p._n 455._o in_o many_o case_n there_o be_v as_o much_o cause_n to_o believe_v what_o we_o know_v from_o other_o as_o what_o we_o see_v and_o experience_n ourselves_o p._n 456._o and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o present_a case_n concern_v the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n p._n 460._o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o of_o humane_a testimony_n in_o this_o case_n compare_v p._n 462._o the_o certainty_n of_o both_o ultimate_o resolve_v into_o the_o divine_a veracity_n etc._n etc._n ibid._n a_o objection_n from_o joh._n xx_o 29._o answer_v p._n 467._o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n evident_a even_o to_o a_o demonstration_n p._n 470_o new_o publish_a christian_a thought_n for_o every_o day_n in_o the_o month_n with_o reflection_n upon_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o which_o be_v add_v prayer_n for_o every_o morning_n and_o evening_n price_n 1_o s._n a_o course_n of_o lecture_n upon_o the_o church_n catechism_n by_o thomas_n bray_n d._n d._n the_o three_o edition_n price_n 5_o s._n very_o proper_a to_o be_v read_v in_o family_n a_o minister_n counsel_n to_o the_o youth_n of_o his_o parish_n when_o arrive_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n recommend_v to_o the_o society_n in_o and_o about_o london_n by_o francis_n bragge_n vicar_n of_o hitchin_n hertfordshire_n price_n 2_o s._n the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n book_n i._n part_n i._n in_o discourse_v of_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o shall_v use_v this_o method_n i._o i_o shall_v show_v that_o from_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n ii_o i_o shall_v inquire_v into_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n by_o which_o this_o revelation_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v deliver_v and_o preserve_v in_o the_o world_n iii_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o from_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v that_o divine_a revelation_n iv_o that_o no_o other_o book_n or_o doctrine_n whatsoever_o can_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n v._o i_o shall_v from_o hence_o give_v a_o resolution_n of_o our_o faith_n by_o show_v that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o we_o have_v for_o the_o be_v of_o god_n himself_o because_o it_o follow_v from_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n both_o that_o there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v that_o divine_a revelation_n vi_o have_v do_v this_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o last_o place_n endeavour_v to_o clear_v such_o point_n as_o be_v common_o think_v most_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o shall_v propose_v some_o consideration_n which_o may_v serve_v to_o remove_v such_o objection_n and_o obviate_v such_o cavil_n as_o be_v usual_o raise_v against_o the_o holy_a scripture_n chap._n i._o that_o from_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o shall_v show_v how_o reasonable_a and_o necessary_a it_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o mankind_n and_o i_o shall_v insist_v the_o rather_o upon_o this_o because_o it_o be_v not_o usual_o so_o much_o consider_v in_o this_o controversy_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v for_o if_o it_o be_v it_o certain_o will_v go_v very_o far_o towards_o the_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n since_o if_o it_o be_v once_o make_v appear_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v that_o revelation_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n there_o be_v no_o other_o which_o can_v bear_v any_o competition_n with_o that_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n my_o first_o business_n therefore_o shall_v be_v to_o show_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o state_n of_o mankind_n that_o in_o all_o reason_n we_o can_v but_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o evident_a to_o natural_a reason_n than_o that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o beginning_n some_o first_o principle_n of_o be_v from_o whence_o all_o other_o being_n proceed_v and_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o imagine_v that_o that_o wonderful_a variety_n of_o being_n in_o the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o sea_n which_o all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n be_v not_o able_a in_o any_o measure_n to_o understand_v or_o thorough_o to_o search_v into_o shall_v yet_o be_v produce_v and_o continue_v for_o so_o many_o thousand_o year_n together_o without_o any_o wisdom_n or_o contrivance_n that_o a_o unaccountable_a concourse_n of_o atom_n which_o can_v never_o build_v the_o least_o house_n or_o cottage_n shall_v yet_o build_v and_o sustain_v the_o wonderful_a fabric_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o when_o the_o very_a line_n in_o a_o globe_n or_o sphere_n can_v be_v make_v without_o art_n the_o world_n itself_o which_o that_o be_v but_o a_o imperfect_a imitation_n of_o shall_v be_v make_v without_o it_o and_o that_o less_o skill_n shall_v be_v require_v to_o the_o form_n of_o a_o man_n than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o picture_n that_o chance_n shall_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o the_o order_n and_o fortune_n of_o all_o the_o constancy_n and_o regularity_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o that_o the_o very_a faculty_n of_o reason_n and_o understanding_n in_o all_o mankind_n shall_v have_v their_o original_a from_o that_o which_o have_v no_o sense_n or_o knowledge_n but_o be_v mere_a ignorance_n and_o stupidity_n this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v reason_n and_o philosophy_n that_o it_o be_v downright_a folly_n and_o contradiction_n from_o a_o be_v therefore_o of_o infinite_a perfection_n must_v proceed_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v beside_o with_o all_o their_o perfection_n and_o excellency_n and_o among_o other_o the_o virtue_n and_o excellency_n of_o wisdom_n justice_n mercy_n and_o truth_n must_v be_v derive_v from_o he_o as_o the_o author_n of_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o which_o the_o creature_n be_v capable_a and_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o the_o creator_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v infinite_o more_o just_a more_o wise_a and_o good_a and_o holy_a than_o any_o creature_n can_v be_v will_v not_o at_o last_o reward_v the_o good_a and_o punish_v the_o wicked_a for_o shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n do_v right_o
principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o religion_n but_o when_o miracle_n be_v perform_v which_o both_o for_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o their_o performance_n have_v all_o the_o credibility_n that_o any_o miracle_n can_v have_v if_o it_o be_v real_o wrought_v by_o god_n immediate_a power_n to_o confirm_v a_o revelation_n if_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o prophecy_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v by_o the_o miracle_n if_o they_o be_v do_v public_o before_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o that_o often_o and_o by_o many_o man_n successive_o for_o divers_a age_n together_o and_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o design_n if_o neither_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o nor_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v attest_v by_o they_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o have_v any_o deceit_n or_o defect_n in_o they_o but_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o divine_a and_o most_o worthy_a of_o god_n in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v that_o we_o can_v have_v for_o the_o be_v of_o god_n himself_o for_o if_o these_o miracle_n and_o this_o religion_n be_v not_o from_o god_n we_o must_v suppose_v either_o that_o god_n can_v or_o that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o reveal_v himself_o by_o miracle_n to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o distinguish_v his_o own_o revelation_n from_o imposture_n both_o which_o supposition_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n contrary_a to_o god_n omnipotence_n because_o he_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o can_v exceed_v the_o power_n of_o all_o finite_a being_n and_o contrary_a to_o his_o honour_n and_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n because_o these_o require_v both_o that_o he_o shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o by_o miracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a which_o be_v his_o revelation_n but_o if_o he_o both_o can_v and_o will_v put_v such_o a_o distinction_n between_o false_a miracle_n and_o true_a as_o that_o man_n shall_v not_o except_o it_o be_v by_o their_o own_o fault_n be_v seduce_v by_o false_a miracle_n than_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n concern_v which_o nothing_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v either_o impious_a or_o false_a must_v be_v the_o true_a religion_n for_o we_o have_v see_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n and_o that_o this_o religion_n must_v be_v reveal_v by_o miracle_n and_o we_o have_v the_o goodness_n and_o truth_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n engage_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o false_a miracle_n without_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o that_o religion_n which_o both_o by_o its_o miracle_n and_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n appear_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o be_v so_o must_v certain_o be_v true_a because_o the_o goodness_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v that_o mankind_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o consequence_n shall_v not_o be_v deceive_v without_o their_o own_o fault_n or_o neglect_v by_o imposture_n vent_v under_o his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o ascribe_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n to_o belzebub_n be_v so_o heinous_a above_o all_o other_o crime_n this_o be_v to_o reject_v the_o utmost_a mean_n that_o can_v be_v use_v for_o man_n salvation_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o deny_v the_o attribute_n and_o very_a be_v of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v that_o though_o miracle_n be_v a_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a mean_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v consider_v alone_o but_o in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o proof_n and_o that_o they_o must_v necessary_o be_v true_a miracle_n or_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o establish_v the_o true_a religion_n when_o the_o religion_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o they_o be_v wrought_v can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v false_a either_o by_o any_o defect_n in_o the_o miracle_n or_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n but_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o truth_n because_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n and_o all_o other_o proof_n to_o concur_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o discover_v it_o to_o be_v so_o 3._o how_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v commit_v to_o write_v that_o they_o may_v be_v preserve_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n and_o deliver_v down_o to_o posterity_n and_o that_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a providence_n shall_v be_v concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n for_o whatever_o have_v be_v say_v by_o some_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o conveyance_n of_o doctrine_n beyond_o that_o of_o write_v be_v so_o notorious_o fanciful_a and_o strain_a that_o it_o deserve_v no_o serious_a answer_n for_o till_o man_n shall_v think_v it_o safe_a to_o make_v will_n and_o bequeath_v and_o purchase_v estate_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n rather_o than_o by_o instrument_n in_o write_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o deny_v that_o this_o be_v the_o best_a and_o secure_a way_n of_o conveyance_n that_o can_v be_v take_v so_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n declare_v and_o so_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o world_n find_v it_o to_o be_v in_o thing_n which_o man_n take_v all_o possible_a care_n about_o and_o it_o be_v too_o manifest_a and_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o man_n be_v more_o solicitous_a about_o thing_n temporal_a than_o about_o eternal_a which_o afford_v too_o evident_a a_o confutation_n of_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n upon_o this_o ground_n that_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o be_v thing_n upon_o which_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o mankind_n depend_v now_o go_v write_v it_o before_o they_o in_o a_o table_n and_o note_v it_o in_o a_o book_n that_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o isa_n thirty_o 8._o 4._o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o a_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n because_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v not_o at_o all_o reveal_v himself_o to_o mankind_n we_o can_v suppose_v that_o he_o will_v suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v long_o under_o a_o state_n of_o corruption_n and_o ignorance_n without_o take_v some_o care_n to_o remedy_v it_o by_o put_v man_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o know_v and_o practise_v the_o duty_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n 5._o another_o requisite_a of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v full_o promulge_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n for_o the_o general_a good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n that_o it_o may_v attain_v the_o end_n for_o which_o a_o revelation_n must_v be_v design_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n part_n ii_o from_z what_o have_v be_v already_o discourse_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v requisite_a in_o a_o divine_a revelation_n i._o antiquity_n ii_o promulgation_n iii_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n in_o proof_n of_o its_o authority_n iv_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o divine_a revelation_n must_v be_v righteous_a and_o holy_a consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o suitable_a to_o their_o condition_n to_o who_o it_o be_v make_v and_o every_o way_n such_o as_o may_v answer_v the_o design_n of_o a_o revelation_n chap._n i._n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n that_o god_n will_v not_o so_o whole_o neglect_v mankind_n as_o to_o take_v no_o care_n to_o discover_v and_o reveal_v his_o will_n and_o commandment_n to_o the_o world_n so_o when_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o order_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o he_o will_v defer_v it_o so_o long_o before_o he_o make_v know_v his_o will_n as_o till_o the_o date_n of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n among_o the_o heathen_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o some_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v much_o the_o ancient_a book_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v that_o the_o work_n in_o this_o kind_n or_o indeed_o in_o any_o other_o of_o any_o heathen_a author_n can_v be_v compare_v with_o
from_o they_o in_o africa_n beside_o the_o christian_n live_v in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o congo_n and_o angola_n the_o island_n upon_o the_o western_a coast_n be_v inhabit_v by_o christian_n and_o the_o vast_a kingdom_n of_o habassia_n or_o abassinia_n suppose_v to_o be_v as_o big_a as_o germany_n france_n spain_n and_o italy_n take_v together_o according_a to_o mr._n brerewood_n computation_n be_v possess_v by_o christian_n and_o till_o less_o than_o two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o nubia_n a_o country_n of_o a_o great_a extent_n lie_v between_o the_o aequator_fw-la and_o the_o northern_a tropic_n continue_a as_o it_o be_v believe_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o asia_n he_o say_v most_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o russia_n the_o country_n of_o circassia_n and_o mengrelia_n georgia_n and_o mount_n libanus_n be_v inhabit_v only_o by_o christian_n beside_o the_o dispersion_n of_o they_o into_o other_o part_n under_o the_o denomination_n of_o nestorian_n jacobite_n maronites_n and_o armenian_n the_o last_o of_o which_o be_v a_o people_n exceed_o addict_v to_o traffic_n 24._o traffic_n brerewood_n enquir_n c._n 24._o and_o have_v great_a privilege_n grant_v they_o by_o the_o turk_n and_o other_o mahometan_n they_o be_v find_v in_o multitude_n in_o most_o city_n of_o great_a trade_n and_o be_v more_o disperse_v than_o any_o other_o nation_n but_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o jacobite_n be_v report_v to_o be_v disperse_v into_o forty_o kingdom_n in_o the_o promontory_n extend_v itself_o into_o the_o indian_a sea_n be_v the_o christian_n of_o saint_n thomas_n so_o call_v because_o first_o convert_v by_o he_o who_o be_v believe_v to_o lie_v bury_v at_o maliapour_n and_o they_o have_v continue_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o his_o time_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o in_o mengrelia_n and_o other_o country_n the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v much_o corrupt_v and_o their_o practice_n very_o different_a from_o the_o profession_n of_o christian_n but_o however_o they_o retain_v the_o gospel_n among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v every_o man_n be_v own_o fault_n if_o he_o make_v not_o a_o good_a use_n of_o those_o mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n have_v afford_v he_o of_o late_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o malayan_a tongue_n and_o grotius_n his_o excellent_a book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o arabic_a have_v be_v translate_v and_o print_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o honourable_a mr._n boyle_n and_o the_o first_o disperse_v over_o all_o the_o east-indies_n where_o the_o malayan_a language_n be_v use_v and_o the_o latter_a into_o all_o the_o country_n where_o arabic_a be_v speak_v he_o also_o contribute_v to_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v make_v by_o the_o turkish_a company_n in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o turk_n in_o america_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o christian_n be_v sufficient_o numerous_a and_o have_v sufficient_a opportunity_n to_o instruct_v the_o native_n if_o they_o be_v but_o as_o careful_a to_o improve_v they_o to_o so_o good_a a_o end_n rather_o than_o in_o pursuit_n of_o their_o own_o gain_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o before_o the_o flood_n revelation_n be_v so_o frequent_a and_o the_o life_n of_o man_n so_o long_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o duty_n require_v towards_o he_o and_o in_o the_o first_o age_n after_o the_o flood_n god_n will_n reveal_v to_o noah_n and_o the_o precept_n give_v to_o he_o at_o his_o come_n out_o of_o the_o ark_n must_v be_v well_o know_v to_o all_o the_o survive_a world_n and_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o remembrance_n of_o they_o begin_v to_o decay_v and_o man_n to_o fall_v into_o idolatry_n abraham_n and_o the_o other_o patriarch_n be_v send_v into_o divers_a country_n to_o proclaim_v god_n commandment_n and_o to_o testify_v against_o the_o impiety_n of_o idolater_n wherever_o they_o come_v for_o to_o publish_v the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n and_o make_v it_o general_o know_v in_o the_o world_n god_n be_v please_v to_o choose_v to_o himself_o a_o peculiar_a people_n and_o to_o send_v they_o first_o out_o of_o mesopotamia_n into_o canaan_n and_o upon_o occasion_n back_o again_o into_o mesopotamia_n and_o then_o several_a time_n into_o egypt_n and_o from_o thence_o after_o they_o have_v dwell_v there_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n into_o canaan_n again_o at_o what_o time_n he_o appoint_v they_o law_n admirable_o fit_v and_o contrive_v for_o the_o receive_n of_o stranger_n and_o proselyte_n after_o many_o signal_n victory_n and_o after_o other_o captivity_n they_o be_v carry_v away_o captive_a to_o babylon_n and_o be_v still_o deliver_v and_o restore_v by_o a_o wonderful_a and_o miraculous_a providence_n and_o have_v vast_a number_n of_o proselyte_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n and_o many_o footstep_n and_o remainder_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v find_v in_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o when_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o jew_n for_o their_o sin_n in_o reject_v the_o messiah_n they_o be_v reject_v by_o he_o from_o be_v his_o people_n they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o world_n for_o a_o testimony_n to_o all_o nation_n that_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n deliver_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o what_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o they_o since_o they_o continue_v to_o maintain_v and_o assert_v those_o very_a book_n which_o plain_o foretell_v all_o that_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n that_o have_v befall_v they_o for_o their_o infidelity_n and_o disobedience_n they_o be_v a_o stand_a evidence_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n bear_v that_o curse_n which_o their_o forefather_n so_o many_o age_n ago_o imprecate_v upon_o themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n when_o they_o cause_v christ_n to_o be_v crucify_v and_o the_o gospel_n have_v by_o its_o own_o power_n and_o evidence_n manifest_v itself_o to_o all_o people_n disperse_v over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v that_o the_o mahometan_n own_v so_o much_o of_o the_o religion_n reveal_v both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n afford_v some_o kind_n of_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o those_o vast_a dominion_n of_o which_o they_o be_v possess_v all_o the_o most_o remarkable_a dispensation_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o several_a change_n in_o the_o world_n have_v have_v a_o particular_a influence_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n cyrus_n alexander_n the_o great_a divers_a of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o of_o latter_a time_n tamerlain_n and_o several_a other_o prince_n be_v great_a favourer_n of_o it_o and_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o the_o most_o unlikely_a accident_n have_v contribute_v towards_o the_o promotion_n of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o which_o have_v be_v say_v great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v unbeliever_n let_v it_o be_v consider_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n but_o have_v great_a opportunity_n of_o be_v convert_v and_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v produce_v concern_v the_o chinese_n and_o the_o american_n themselves_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v be_v preach_v among_o they_o though_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v lose_v through_o their_o own_o fault_n before_o the_o late_a discovery_n of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n so_o in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n that_o be_v at_o the_o most_o fit_a season_n he_o reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o it_o god_n who_o be_v infinite_o gracious_a to_o all_o and_o know_v the_o heart_n and_o disposition_n 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for_o what_o book_n be_v there_o without_o they_o or_o what_o book_n of_o the_o same_o bigness_n and_o of_o any_o antiquity_n have_v so_o few_o various_a lection_n as_o the_o bible_n and_o what_o book_n can_v be_v transcribe_v or_o print_v but_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o have_v mistake_v make_v in_o it_o iu._n no_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n and_o other_o version_n or_o between_o the_o several_a version_n themselves_o be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v ever_o different_a in_o any_o thing_n material_a from_o what_o it_o be_v now_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n 8._o septuagint_n id._n prolegom_n ix_o s_o â—2_n &_o x._o s_o 8._o as_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v from_o st._n jerom_n and_o other_o be_v in_o many_o place_n rather_o a_o comment_n or_o paraphrase_n than_o a_o strict_a version_n and_o give_v the_o sense_n rather_o than_o the_o word_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n many_o time_n there_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o difference_n where_o there_o be_v none_o for_o want_v of_o a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o original_a as_o 46._o as_o pocock_n append._n ad_fw-la porâ—_n mos_fw-la c._n 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o pear_n praef._n ad_fw-la septuag_n edit_fw-la cantab_n be_v voss_n de_fw-fr lxx_o interpret_v walt_n proleg_n ix_o 46._o dr_n pocock_n have_v show_v in_o divers_a instance_n and_o bp_o pearson_n in_o other_o beside_o what_o have_v be_v write_v by_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la to_o this_o purpose_n and_o one_o very_o skilful_a in_o the_o oriental_a tongue_n have_v undertake_v to_o show_v the_o agreement_n between_o hebrew_a and_z and_o the_o septuagint_n throughout_o and_o have_v make_v a_o considerable_a progress_n in_o the_o work_n as_o bishop_n walton_n inform_v we_o other_o difference_n proceed_v from_o the_o mistake_v of_o transcriber_n as_o it_o must_v needs_o happen_v in_o book_n of_o which_o so_o many_o copy_n have_v be_v take_v in_o all_o age_n and_o from_o the_o rashness_n of_o critic_n in_o make_v unnecessary_a alteration_n or_o by_o insert_v into_o the_o text_n such_o note_n as_o be_v at_o first_o place_v only_o for_o explication_n in_o the_o margin_n in_o some_o thing_n of_o less_o consequence_n the_o translator_n may_v be_v mistake_v or_o they_o may_v follow_v a_o different_a copy_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v great_o confirm_v from_o the_o citation_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n the_o copy_n which_o they_o make_v use_v of_o have_v no_o such_o variation_n from_o those_o we_o now_o use_v as_o to_o be_v of_o any_o ill_a consequence_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o to_o the_o imputation_n that_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o jew_n by_o some_o of_o the_o father_n that_o they_o have_v corrupt_v the_o scripture_n in_o such_o place_n as_o according_a to_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o ancestor_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o they_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o version_n of_o aquila_n symmachus_n and_o theodosian_a who_o be_v all_o either_o profess_a jew_n or_o judaize_v heretic_n design_v their_o translation_n to_o countenance_v their_o own_o error_n especial_o aquila_n who_o undertake_v his_o version_n purposely_o to_o oppose_v that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n for_o it_o be_v now_o general_o agree_v that_o the_o jew_n never_o deserve_v the_o censure_n of_o have_v corrupt_v the_o hebrew_n text_n though_o they_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o and_o where_o there_o be_v various_a readins_n choose_v to_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v most_o favourable_a to_o their_o own_o pretence_n though_o it_o be_v in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o forefather_n as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n philo_z in_o a_o discourse_n cite_v 6._o cite_v euseb_n praepar_fw-la evang._n lib._n viij_o c._n 6._o by_o eusebius_n who_o thereby_o own_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o say_v that_o for_o the_o space_n of_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o word_n alter_v in_o the_o law_n but_o that_o the_o jew_n will_v choose_v to_o die_v never_o so_o many_o death_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v consent_v to_o any_o thing_n in_o prejudice_n of_o it_o and_o i._n and_o contra_fw-la apion_n lib._n i._n josephus_n declare_v of_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n that_o it_o have_v suffer_v no_o alteration_n from_o the_o begin_n down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n 38._o time_n antiqu._n eccl._n orient_a epist_n 38._o morinus_n himself_o whatever_o he_o have_v elsewhere_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a declare_v in_o a_o letter_n to_o dr_n comber_n dean_n of_o carlisle_n that_o he_o suppose_v no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o jewish_a copy_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o any_o copy_n of_o the_o samaritan_n which_o he_o in_o his_o write_n so_o high_o magnify_v it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o verse_n and_o word_n and_o letter_n and_o the_o observe_v which_o be_v the_o middle_a letter_n of_o every_o book_n can_v signify_v little_a to_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n entire_a because_o there_o may_v be_v the_o same_o number_n of_o verse_n and_o word_n and_o letter_n in_o different_a book_n and_o the_o same_o number_n of_o letter_n may_v make_v up_o different_a word_n and_o the_o same_o word_n diverse_o place_v and_o apply_v may_v express_v a_o very_a different_a sense_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o charm_n in_o a_o word_n that_o stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o book_n to_o keep_v all_o the_o rest_n in_o their_o proper_a place_n but_o this_o scrupulous_a and_o even_o superstitious_a diligence_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o little_a thing_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o their_o constant_a study_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o great_a value_n and_o reverence_n they_o have_v for_o it_o so_o that_o they_o will_v neither_o corrupt_v it_o themselves_o nor_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o other_o but_o be_v careful_a and_o zealous_a to_o preserve_v every_o ever_o letter_n and_o tittle_n and_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o from_o josephus_n they_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o it_o that_o he_o think_v he_o can_v not_o full_o enough_o express_v their_o skill_n and_o accuracy_n but_o by_o say_v that_o they_o know_v it_o better_o than_o their_o own_o name_n v._o it_o be_v evident_a and_o confess_v by_o the_o critic_n that_o neither_o by_o these_o nor_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n any_o such_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o several_a copy_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o to_o prejudice_v the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o religion_n or_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n all_o relate_v to_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v eager_o debate_v by_o contend_a party_n who_o yet_o agree_v in_o this_o whatever_o they_o differ_v in_o beside_o that_o the_o various_a lection_n do_v not_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o render_v they_o ineffectual_a to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n inasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o various_a lection_n take_v together_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n nor_o to_o any_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n 2._o salvation_n non_fw-la minus_fw-la ex_fw-la ijs_fw-la quae_fw-la supra_fw-la disputata_fw-la sunt_fw-la planum_fw-la est_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la statim_fw-la libri_fw-la primi_fw-la initio_fw-la monuimus_fw-la &_o saepius_fw-la toto_fw-la opere_fw-la inculcavimus_fw-la plerasque_fw-la omnes_fw-la quae_fw-la observari_fw-la &_o deprehendi_fw-la in_o sacris_fw-la libris_fw-la possunt_fw-la varias_fw-la lectiones_fw-la levissimi_fw-la esse_fw-la ac_fw-la pene_fw-la nullius_fw-la momenti_fw-la ut_fw-la parum_fw-la admodum_fw-la intersit_fw-la aut_fw-la vero_fw-la perinde_v omnino_fw-la sit_fw-la utram_fw-la sequaris_fw-la sive_fw-la hanc_fw-la sive_fw-la illam_fw-la ludovic_n cappel_n crit._n sacr._n lib._n 6._o c._n 2._o ludovicus_n cappellus_n who_o have_v study_v this_o subject_n as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n and_o be_v as_o well_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o it_o after_o the_o strict_a examination_n he_o can_v make_v find_v that_o the_o thing_n relate_v either_o to_o faith_n or_o practice_n be_v plain_o contain_v in_o all_o copy_n whatever_o difference_n there_o be_v in_o lesser_a thing_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o chronology_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o alteration_n or_o the_o omission_n or_o addition_n of_o a_o letter_n or_o in_o the_o name_n of_o man_n or_o of_o city_n or_o country_n but_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o disperse_v throughout_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o can_v receive_v no_o damage_n nor_o alteration_n unless_o the_o whole_a scripture_n shall_v have_v be_v change_v wherefore_o not_o only_o the_o most_o learned_a protestant_n but_o 2._o but_o
unbelief_n the_o evil_a spirit_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o his_o son_n mark_v ix_o 23.24_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o christ_n miracle_n require_v that_o those_o who_o be_v cure_a by_o he_o shall_v believe_v in_o he_o for_o they_o be_v wrought_v with_o a_o design_n to_o convince_v man_n that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v come_v not_o so_o much_o to_o cure_v their_o body_n as_o to_o save_v their_o soul_n and_o he_o forgive_v their_o sin_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o heal_v they_o of_o their_o disease_n mark_v two_o 5._o and_o since_o faith_n be_v so_o necessary_a a_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v as_o requisite_a that_o christ_n shall_v teach_v this_o as_o any_o other_o doctrine_n but_o how_o can_v he_o do_v it_o more_o proper_o and_o more_o effectual_o than_o by_o require_v faith_n in_o those_o who_o come_v to_o be_v heal_v if_o they_o will_v partake_v of_o his_o mercy_n they_o must_v qualify_v themselves_o for_o it_o by_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o great_a prophet_n and_o messiah_n who_o be_v then_o so_o much_o expect_v and_o of_o who_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o he_o shall_v make_v the_o blind_a to_o see_v and_o the_o lame_a to_o walk_v and_o the_o deaf_a to_o hear_v etc._n etc._n luke_n seven_o 22._o isa_n xxxv_o 5._o and_o unless_o their_o bodily_a cure_n do_v conduce_v to_o the_o cure_n of_o their_o soul_n by_o faith_n and_o repentance_n it_o will_v be_v but_o ill_o bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o therefore_o with_o great_a reason_n may_v be_v deny_v they_o and_o upon_o this_o account_n we_o find_v our_o bless_a saviour_n both_o require_v faith_n in_o some_o and_o reward_v it_o in_o other_o to_o who_o his_o miraculous_a power_n be_v extend_v luke_n viij_o 48._o xviii_o 42._o and_o st._n paul_n perceive_v that_o the_o cripple_n at_o lystra_n have_v faith_n to_o be_v heal_v immediate_o heal_v he_o without_o be_v ask_v to_o do_v it_o act_n fourteen_o 9_o 2._o faith_n in_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v require_v of_o man_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n though_o miracle_n be_v cease_v and_o if_o this_o be_v reasonable_a now_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v fit_v then_o that_o those_o who_o come_v to_o christ_n shall_v believe_v in_o he_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o have_v be_v certify_v that_o he_o have_v do_v upon_o other_o for_o miracle_n when_o they_o be_v full_o attest_v be_v as_o sufficient_a a_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o if_o we_o have_v see_v they_o do_v and_o to_o manifest_v that_o they_o be_v so_o our_o saviour_n may_v require_v belief_n in_o his_o former_a miracle_n of_o those_o who_o expect_v any_o advantage_n from_o such_o as_o they_o desire_v he_o to_o do_v if_o they_o will_v give_v no_o credit_n to_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v so_o notorious_a and_o so_o abundant_o testify_v by_o multitude_n who_o see_v they_o do_v how_o shall_v other_o believe_v in_o time_n to_o come_v when_o no_o more_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o conviction_n of_o unbeliever_n may_v no_o man_n be_v require_v to_o believe_v unless_o he_o see_v the_o miracle_n himself_o then_o how_o shall_v the_o the_o church_n subsist_v in_o future_a age_n when_o miracle_n will_v be_v no_o long_o wrought_v but_o be_v for_o great_a reason_n to_o be_v withhold_v we_o must_v now_o believe_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v then_o do_v and_o why_o therefore_o shall_v they_o not_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o they_o who_o live_v at_o the_o very_a time_n and_o in_o the_o same_o country_n where_o they_o be_v wrought_v though_o they_o have_v never_o see_v they_o our_o saviour_n in_o these_o instance_n may_v introduce_v that_o method_n and_o establish_v the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o those_o mean_n and_o motive_n whereby_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v produce_v in_o man_n of_o all_o succeed_a age_n and_o may_v hereby_o signify_v and_o declare_v that_o he_o require_v the_o same_o faith_n of_o we_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o that_o he_o will_v do_v if_o we_o have_v see_v and_o experience_v his_o miraculous_a power_n ourselves_o chap._n xxix_o of_o the_o cease_v of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n prophecy_n be_v general_o of_o more_o concernment_n and_o afford_v great_a evidence_n and_o conviction_n in_o future_a age_n than_o when_o they_o be_v first_o deliver_v for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o delivery_n but_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n which_o give_v evidence_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o doctrine_n the_o event_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n be_v a_o stand_a argument_n to_o all_o age_n and_o the_o length_n of_o time_n add_v to_o its_o force_n and_o efficacy_n and_o therefore_o when_o all_o that_o god_n see_v requisite_a to_o be_v foretell_v be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n there_o can_v no_o long_o be_v any_o need_n of_o new_a prophecy_n which_o will_v be_v of_o less_o authority_n than_o the_o ancient_a one_o inasmuch_o as_o their_o antiquity_n be_v the_o thing_n chief_o to_o be_v regard_v in_o prophecy_n for_o if_o to_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o divine_a prescience_n the_o long_a thing_n be_v foretell_v before_o they_o come_v to_o pass_v the_o better_a must_v the_o argument_n need_v be_v he_o therefore_o that_o require_v new_a prophecy_n to_o confirm_v the_o old_a little_a consider_v the_o nature_n of_o prophecy_n and_o wherein_o the_o evidence_n and_o use_v of_o they_o lie_v but_o in_o great_a wisdom_n and_o caution_n will_v give_v no_o credit_n to_o the_o best_a evidence_n unless_o there_o be_v something_o less_o evident_a to_o prove_v it_o by_o the_o chief_a enquiry_n then_o seem_v to_o be_v concern_v the_o cessation_n of_o miracle_n but_o from_o what_o have_v be_v elsewhere_o say_v the_o reason_n may_v appear_v why_o the_o miraculous_a power_n which_o the_o apostle_n receive_v by_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a continuance_n in_o the_o church_n but_o be_v to_o cease_v in_o future_a age_n for_o the_o cause_n and_o end_v of_o the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o be_v witness_n to_o christ_n and_o when_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v sufficient_o testify_v there_o can_v be_v no_o long_o need_v of_o such_o a_o power_n which_o be_v give_v to_o enable_v man_n to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o it_o for_o what_o be_v once_o effectual_o prove_v by_o sufficient_a witness_n be_v for_o ever_o prove_v and_o needs_o no_o after_o evidence_n if_o this_o proof_n be_v preserve_v and_o transmit_v down_o to_o posterity_n the_o power_n of_o miracle_n continue_v till_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v preach_v not_o only_o in_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o all_o judea_n and_o in_o samaria_n but_o unto_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o declare_a intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o bestow_v it_o act_n i_o 8._o and_o when_o the_o gospel_n have_v stand_v at_o the_o trial_n and_o conquer_v all_o the_o opposition_n that_o can_v be_v make_v against_o it_o by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n and_o apostate_n themselves_o when_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v for_o several_a age_n before_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o have_v extort_a a_o confession_n from_o the_o devil_n themselves_o of_o the_o divine_a power_n by_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v when_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n in_o which_o these_o miracle_n be_v record_v have_v be_v disperse_v in_o all_o nation_n and_o language_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v lose_v whence_o once_o the_o gospel_n be_v thus_o divulge_v and_o attest_v to_o the_o world_n it_o can_v not_o be_v necessary_a that_o this_o miraculous_a power_n shall_v be_v any_o long_o continue_v because_o this_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n and_o design_n why_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v to_o awaken_v man_n attention_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v reveal_v and_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o if_o then_o it_o be_v inquire_v why_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n which_o be_v at_o first_o bestow_v upon_o the_o church_n be_v not_o continue_v to_o it_o in_o all_o succeed_a age_n the_o plain_a answer_n be_v because_o this_o power_n be_v bestow_v for_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n by_o convince_a man_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o authority_n and_o therefore_o when_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n have_v be_v give_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o that_o religion_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o these_o gift_n be_v bestow_v the_o reason_n for_o the_o bestow_n
cause_v the_o christian_n in_o their_o apology_n to_o press_v earnest_o for_o a_o fair_a and_o impartial_a hear_v of_o their_o cause_n beseech_v their_o enemy_n that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o injurious_a to_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o themselves_o as_o to_o despise_v and_o condemn_v what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v they_o be_v desirous_a to_o undergo_v any_o trial_n if_o they_o may_v but_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v hear_v 6._o yet_o many_o who_o do_v not_o actual_o become_v christian_n have_v more_o favourable_a and_o just_a thought_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n severo_fw-la religion_n ael_n lamprid._n in_o alex._n severo_fw-la alexander_n severus_n have_v the_o effigy_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o chapel_n and_o have_v design_v to_o erect_v a_o temple_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o he_o and_o to_o insert_v his_o name_n among_o the_o heathen_a go_n as_o it_o be_v report_v that_o adrian_n likewise_o with_o the_o same_o intention_n have_v command_v temple_n to_o be_v build_v without_o image_n in_o all_o city_n but_o be_v dissuade_v by_o some_o who_o consult_v the_o oracle_n about_o it_o which_o give_v out_o that_o all_o man_n will_v then_o become_v christian_n and_o the_o other_o temple_n will_v soon_o be_v forsake_v this_o which_o be_v relate_v concern_v adrian_n have_v be_v by_o some_o suppose_a to_o be_v a_o mistake_n because_o the_o father_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o ael_n lampridius_n or_o rather_o spartianus_n who_o mention_n it_o be_v a_o heathen_a may_v perhaps_o have_v it_o from_o the_o gentile_n for_o it_o be_v only_o in_o adrian_n intention_n to_o set_v up_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n which_o may_v be_v unknown_a by_o the_o christian_n of_o his_o time_n the_o design_n be_v lay_v aside_o upon_o consult_v the_o oracle_n it_o be_v certain_o report_v in_o the_o historian_n time_n as_o he_o declare_v and_o yet_o this_o objection_n lie_v as_o well_o against_o the_o report_n as_o against_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o a_o report_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v be_v mention_v by_o no_o christian_a writer_n though_o there_o have_v be_v no_o truth_n in_o it_o 11_o it_o euseb_n hist_o lib_n vii_o c._n 11_o aemilianus_n the_o perfect_a of_o egypt_n ask_v dionysius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n when_o he_o be_v bring_v before_o he_o why_o if_o he_o who_o the_o christian_n worship_v be_v god_n they_o can_v not_o worship_v he_o with_o the_o other_o god_n many_o admire_v the_o doctrine_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n who_o can_v not_o free_v themselves_o from_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o their_o education_n they_o will_v have_v be_v willing_a to_o have_v it_o take_v in_o among_o other_o but_o can_v not_o bring_v themselves_o to_o relinquish_v all_o their_o old_a religion_n for_o it_o the_o calumny_n raise_v against_o the_o christian_n have_v cause_v the_o popular_a odium_n and_o rage_n against_o they_o but_o they_o be_v vindicated_n by_o 13._o by_o plin._n lib._n x._o epist_n 97._o just_a mar._n apol._n 2._o eus_n hist_o lib._n iu._n c._n 8_o 9_o 13._o pliny_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o trajan_n by_o serenius_fw-la granianuâ—_n proconsul_n of_o asia_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o adrian_n by_z adrian_z himself_z in_o his_o rescript_n by_o antoninus_n pius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o common_a council_n or_o the_o community_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o asia_n though_o some_o ascribe_v this_o epistle_n to_o m._n antoninus_n not_o to_o mention_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o senate_n of_o rome_n dial._n rome_n just_a martyr_n dial._n trypho_n the_o jew_n likewise_o free_v they_o from_o the_o crime_n common_o lay_v against_o they_o and_o own_v the_o excellency_n of_o their_o precept_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o those_o crime_n which_o have_v be_v wont_a to_o be_v object_v against_o the_o christian_n by_o their_o former_a adversary_n be_v not_o mention_v by_o julian_n in_o discourse_n write_v to_o oppose_v they_o who_o 305._o who_o epist_n 49._o &_o fragm_n epist_n p._n 305._o elsewhere_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o so_o much_o to_o their_o commendation_n as_o show_v the_o mighty_a force_n of_o truth_n which_o can_v extort_v it_o from_o he_o but_o the_o fear_n and_o shame_n of_o man_n hinder_v divers_a from_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n who_o have_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o thing_n than_o to_o approve_v of_o their_o own_o 11._o own_o aug._n civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n vi_o c._n 11._o seneca_n expose_v the_o heathen_a worship_n and_o express_v himself_o with_o bitterness_n against_o the_o the_o jew_n but_o be_v able_a to_o find_v nothing_o to_o blame_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n nor_o dare_v to_o commend_v it_o for_o fear_n of_o give_v offence_n to_o the_o heathen_n he_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o at_o all_o these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n though_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o difficult_a to_o be_v account_v for_o than_o the_o notion_n and_o action_n of_o man_n it_o be_v as_o hard_a to_o give_v a_o account_n how_o lycurg_n how_o senec._n de_fw-fr ira._n lib._n i._o c._n 25._o plut._n in_o lycurg_n seneca_n and_o plutarch_n shall_v allow_v of_o the_o murder_v or_o starve_v of_o poor_a infant_n as_o they_o certain_o do_v as_o why_o they_o be_v not_o christian_n no_o phaenomena_n in_o nature_n can_v be_v more_o variable_a and_o uncertain_a in_o their_o cause_n than_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o man_n which_o differ_v according_a to_o their_o temper_n and_o capacity_n and_o circumstance_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o we_o can_v find_v out_o any_o probable_a solution_n and_o have_v several_a to_o offer_v which_o may_v take_v place_n according_a to_o several_a case_n but_o the_o write_n of_o such_o as_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n be_v very_o slight_a and_o frivolous_a contain_v a_o confession_n for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o which_o our_o faith_n be_v establish_v and_o raise_v only_o some_o weak_a cavil_n which_o never_o come_v up_o to_o the_o main_a cause_n or_o undertake_v to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o miracle_n upon_o which_o our_o religion_n be_v establish_v and_o then_o let_v any_o man_n judge_v what_o reason_n they_o can_v have_v for_o their_o infidelity_n and_o indeed_o the_o prevail_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n under_o all_o manner_n of_o disadvantage_n as_o to_o humane_a mean_n show_v that_o the_o adversary_n of_o it_o have_v little_a to_o say_v against_o it_o for_o they_o must_v be_v but_o poor_a argument_n which_o can_v not_o dissuade_v man_n from_o become_a christian_n when_o they_o must_v incur_v all_o the_o danger_n and_o suffering_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v so_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o heathen_a writer_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v frequent_o cite_v by_o st._n jerom_n and_o st._n austin_n and_o other_o author_n of_o their_o time_n as_o common_o know_v and_o probable_o they_o be_v extant_a long_o after_o so_o that_o their_o argument_n be_v baffle_v and_o destroy_v long_o before_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o they_o have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n enough_o to_o do_v all_o the_o mischief_n that_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o their_o write_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o far_o lose_v but_o that_o we_o still_o know_v their_o principal_a argument_n which_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v not_o conceal_v but_o have_v give_v they_o their_o full_a force_n and_o common_o in_o their_o own_o word_n origen_n be_v so_o careful_a to_o omit_v nothing_o considerable_a which_o celsus_n have_v allege_v that_o he_o be_v often_o force_v to_o make_v apology_n for_o mention_v the_o same_o thing_n over_o again_o rather_o than_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o let_v any_o thing_n pass_v which_o be_v material_a that_o his_o adversary_n have_v say_v without_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o 43._o it_o ambr._n lib._n 2._o epist_n 11._o aug._n epist_n 43._o and_o some_o piece_n be_v preserve_v entire_a as_o the_o petition_n of_o symmachus_n among_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n ambrose_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o maximus_n madaurensis_fw-la among_o those_o of_o st._n austin_n the_o argument_n of_o julian_n be_v set_v down_o at_o large_a by_o st._n cyril_n and_o we_o learn_v from_o praefat_fw-la from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vid._n spanhem_n in_o julian_n oper_n praefat_fw-la st._n chrisostom_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v neglect_v and_o despise_v by_o the_o gentile_n themselves_o and_o be_v scarce_o to_o be_v find_v but_o among_o the_o christian_n before_o the_o edict_n of_o theodosius_n junior_n to_o prohibit_v they_o there_o
be_v a_o long_a succession_n of_o philosopher_n and_o sophist_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o school_fw-mi of_o platonist_n which_o continue_v at_o athens_n for_o some_o age_n will_v revive_v or_o reinforce_v any_o argument_n that_o have_v be_v use_v by_o their_o predecessor_n in_o opposition_n to_o christianity_n proclus_n and_o damascius_n who_o be_v of_o this_o school_n live_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o six_o age_n and_o the_o write_n of_o damascius_n be_v extant_a lxxvii_o extant_a phot._n cod_n clxxxi_o ccxlii_o lxxvii_o in_o photius_n time_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o nine_o age_n the_o history_n of_o eunapius_n be_v then_o likewise_o extant_a and_o be_v hist_o be_v voss_n de_fw-fr graec._n hist_o say_v to_o be_v preserve_v at_o venice_n we_o have_v the_o abridgement_n of_o it_o by_o zosimus_n and_o a_o sufficient_a specimen_fw-la of_o his_o malicious_a invective_n in_o his_o other_o write_n and_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o these_o and_o many_o other_o book_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o be_v now_o lose_v continue_v much_o long_o than_o any_o account_n which_o we_o have_v now_o remain_v of_o they_o mention_n of_o about_o thirty_o answer_n 10._o answer_n holstein_n de_fw-fr vit._n &_o script_n porphyt_n c._n 10._o which_o be_v write_v to_o porphyry_n by_o several_a author_n not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v now_o to_o be_v find_v when_o the_o world_n be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o insufficieny_n of_o his_o objection_n the_o answer_n to_o his_o book_n be_v as_o little_o regard_v as_o the_o book_n themselves_o but_o undergo_v the_o same_o fate_n with_o they_o the_o jew_n who_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n before_o but_o especial_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v in_o vast_a number_n be_v spread_v all_o over_o the_o world_n and_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v the_o great_a opportunity_n to_o detect_v any_o falsehood_n in_o it_o and_o have_v never_o omit_v any_o advantage_n of_o improve_n and_o enforce_v the_o argument_n against_o it_o and_o and_o therefore_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o retain_v any_o thing_n considerable_a which_o have_v be_v object_v by_o their_o forefather_n or_o by_o the_o heathen_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v the_o jew_n have_v be_v a_o perpetual_a restless_a enemy_n in_o all_o part_n and_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o nothing_o material_a in_o this_o case_n will_v escape_v their_o observation_n but_o out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a many_o thing_n have_v be_v allege_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o own_o and_o other_o nation_n in_o confirmation_n of_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o the_o unbelief_n therefore_o both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n of_o those_o age_n be_v no_o material_a objection_n nor_o altogether_o so_o unaccountable_a as_o the_o unbelief_n of_o too_o many_o now_o who_o be_v bear_v among_o christian_n and_o have_v have_v their_o education_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o truth_n be_v example_n be_v always_o the_o weak_a argument_n in_o any_o case_n and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n or_o authority_n against_o the_o clear_a rational_a evidence_n chap._n xxxi_o that_o the_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o suffer_v for_o they_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o christian_a religion_n do_v infinite_o surpass_v all_o other_o in_o the_o number_n of_o its_o martyr_n of_o both_o sex_n of_o every_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o rank_a and_o condition_n mistake_v ignorant_a zealot_n may_v often_o have_v suffer_v for_o other_o religion_n but_o man_n of_o the_o high_a station_n and_o worth_n and_o inferior_a to_o none_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o every_o thing_n that_o the_o world_n esteem_v excellent_a have_v renounce_v all_o and_o upon_o choice_n and_o after_o a_o full_a consideration_n of_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n have_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gospel_n tyrant_n of_o the_o great_a power_n and_o cruelty_n have_v make_v it_o their_o aim_n and_o ambition_n by_o all_o sort_n of_o torture_n to_o extirpate_v the_o christian_a religion_n they_o esteem_v their_o persecution_n matter_n of_o triumph_n and_o a_o fit_a subject_n for_o the_o 280._o the_o gâ—uter_n inscript_n p._n 238_o 280._o inscription_n of_o monument_n erect_v to_o their_o memory_n but_o the_o invincible_a patience_n and_o glorious_a suffering_n of_o the_o christian_n prevail_v against_o all_o the_o rage_n and_o force_n of_o their_o enemy_n if_o the_o martyrology_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v compare_v there_o will_v soon_o appear_v so_o manifest_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o christian_a martyr_n and_o the_o sufferer_n for_o other_o religion_n that_o nothing_o will_v be_v needful_a to_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_n but_o remember_v with_o who_o i_o have_v to_o deal_v i_o be_o resolve_v to_o take_v every_o thing_n at_o the_o low_a and_o argue_v with_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o term_n let_v we_o for_o a_o while_o set_v aside_o whatever_o of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v say_v in_o preference_n of_o the_o christian_a martyr_n and_o suppose_v the_o number_n and_o zeal_n of_o the_o martyr_n for_o so_o we_o must_v call_v they_o at_o present_a of_o other_o religion_n to_o have_v be_v as_o great_a as_o can_v be_v imagine_v yet_o the_o cause_n itself_o make_v a_o plain_a difference_n between_o they_o a_o ignorant_a zeal_n in_o a_o wrong_n cause_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o any_o cause_n which_o be_v maintain_v and_o promote_v by_o such_o a_o zeal_n as_o be_v reasonable_a and_o proceed_v upon_o sure_a ground_n indeed_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a and_o very_o strange_a if_o that_o which_o be_v true_a shall_v be_v ever_o the_o less_o certain_a or_o the_o less_o to_o be_v regard_v and_o esteem_v because_o there_o may_v be_v other_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a of_o which_o some_o man_n be_v as_o firm_o persuade_v and_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v for_o they_o as_o any_o one_o can_v be_v for_o the_o truth_n itself_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o wise_a thing_n that_o many_o have_v to_o pretend_v against_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v baptize_v that_o there_o be_v many_o imposture_n in_o the_o world_n and_o none_o be_v without_o its_o zealot_n to_o appear_v in_o vindication_n of_o it_o i_o be_o confident_a no_o man_n ever_o part_v with_o any_o thing_n but_o his_o religion_n upon_o so_o weak_a a_o pretence_n a_o false_a religion_n be_v not_o the_o only_a thing_n for_o which_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o have_v a_o undeserved_a value_n but_o their_o country_n their_o friend_n and_o themselves_o they_o be_v common_o as_o much_o mistake_v in_o and_o do_v as_o high_o overprize_v be_v there_o then_o no_o real_a difference_n or_o solid_a worth_n in_o any_o of_o these_o some_o of_o the_o most_o unlikely_a country_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v admire_v by_o the_o native_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o garden_n of_o eden_n and_o the_o place_n of_o paradise_n though_o there_o be_v nothing_o easy_a than_o to_o make_v a_o distinction_n concern_v different_a country_n and_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o elysium_n of_o the_o heathen_n or_o mahomet_n paradise_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o between_o the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o especial_o if_o it_o be_v of_o any_o moment_n and_o consequence_n to_o they_o for_o which_o man_n have_v not_o show_v themselves_o passionate_o concern_v and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o more_o infallible_a in_o religion_n than_o in_o other_o thing_n or_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o less_o in_o earnest_n about_o it_o as_o not_o to_o discover_v the_o same_o frailty_n and_o the_o same_o affection_n which_o be_v visible_a in_o all_o the_o other_o action_n and_o business_n of_o their_o life_n it_o be_v often_o see_v in_o most_o case_n that_o some_o be_v as_o earnest_n and_o zealous_a in_o a_o false_a cause_n as_o other_o be_v in_o a_o true_a but_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o falsehood_n and_o truth_n when_o two_o man_n of_o opposite_a party_n be_v equal_o confident_a of_o the_o goodness_n of_o their_o cause_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o but_o one_o of_o they_o can_v be_v in_o the_o right_a and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o one_o of_o they_o must_v be_v at_o least_o so_o far_o in_o the_o right_n as_o he_o contradict_v the_o other_o because_o as_o the_o two_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n can_v be_v both_o true_a so_o they_o can_v be_v both_o false_a if_o then_o a_o confident_a and_o zealous_a
other_o and_o as_o all_o obliquity_n suppose_v rectitude_n from_o which_o it_o decline_v so_o vice_n suppose_v virtue_n and_o error_n suppose_v truth_n and_o error_n in_o religion_n must_v suppose_v truth_n in_o religion_n for_o whatever_o be_v contrary_a to_o any_o thing_n necessary_o imply_v the_o be_v of_o that_o to_o which_o it_o be_v contrary_a and_o that_o which_o be_v not_o can_v have_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o it_o nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o it_o be_v that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o virtue_n there_o can_v be_v no_o vice_n if_o no_o truth_n there_o can_v be_v no_o error_n and_o unless_o there_o be_v truth_n and_o excellency_n in_o religion_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o heresy_n or_o schism_n which_o be_v other_o word_n for_o error_n and_o vice_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o it_o have_v be_v already_o observe_v that_o the_o worst_a heresy_n give_v a_o occasion_n to_o the_o clear_v those_o point_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v dispute_v against_o and_o so_o must_v be_v far_o from_o invalidate_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o because_o these_o be_v thing_n which_o some_o will_v not_o understand_v or_o may_v be_v unwilling_a to_o acknowledge_v and_o it_o be_v general_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o sure_a argument_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o any_o cause_n when_o those_o that_o maintain_v it_o be_v not_o agree_v about_o it_o among_o themselves_o let_v we_o consider_v 1._o that_o all_o party_n be_v agree_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a 2._o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o beside_o in_o which_o man_n have_v not_o disagree_v as_o well_o as_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n 1._o all_o party_n be_v agree_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n even_o hypocrite_n and_o impostor_n so_o far_o own_o religion_n as_o to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o counterfeit_n for_o no_o man_n counterfeit_v that_o which_o be_v not_o no_o nor_o that_o which_o have_v no_o worth_n nor_o excellency_n in_o it_o no_o man_n will_v be_v at_o much_o pain_n to_o be_v think_v a_o atheist_n or_o a_o infidel_n who_o be_v not_o such_o and_o no_o man_n will_v endeavour_v to_o be_v think_v vicious_a unless_o he_o be_v so_o indeed_o there_o be_v few_o pretender_n to_o the_o shame_n and_o infamy_n which_o in_o age_n have_v be_v inseparable_a from_o irreligion_n but_o it_o be_v the_o natural_a sense_n which_o man_n have_v of_o religion_n that_o give_v it_o so_o great_a credit_n and_o honour_n in_o a_o wicked_a world_n that_o even_o the_o shadow_n and_o counterfeit_n of_o it_o have_v sometime_o too_o much_o prevail_v but_o far_o all_o sect_n and_o party_n of_o christian_n be_v agree_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o only_a difference_n among_o they_o be_v concern_v particular_a doctrine_n and_o opinion_n that_o be_v concern_v the_o true_a mean_v and_o explication_n of_o it_o and_o no_o man_n dispute_v about_o the_o mean_v of_o that_o which_o they_o do_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n suppose_v to_o be_v when_o any_o point_n or_o clause_n of_o a_o law_n be_v in_o dispute_n it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a from_o thence_o to_o conclude_v that_o no_o such_o law_n be_v ever_o make_v because_o all_o party_n must_v agree_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o law_n or_o else_o there_o can_v be_v no_o dispute_n about_o it_o and_o when_o difference_n arise_v in_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n because_o there_o can_v be_v difference_n about_o nothing_o and_o man_n will_v never_o differ_v about_o religion_n if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a or_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o to_o be_v so_o but_o christian_n be_v not_o only_o agree_v in_o the_o main_a that_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_a but_o they_o be_v likewise_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o fundamental_a article_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n this_o be_v the_o ancient_a rule_n and_o measure_v lay_v down_o by_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n of_o the_o catholic_n doctrine_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v that_o it_o have_v be_v believe_v in_o all_o age_n in_o all_o place_n and_o in_o all_o church_n and_o the_o excellent_a archbishop_n usher_n who_o judgement_n in_o the_o case_n may_v safe_o be_v rely_v upon_o have_v 1624._o have_v brief_a declaration_n of_o the_o universality_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n profess_v therein_o deliver_v in_o a_o sermon_n before_o the_o king_n the_o 20_o of_o june_n 1624._o declare_v that_o if_o at_o this_o day_n we_o shall_v take_v a_o survey_n of_o the_o several_a etc._n several_a this_o passage_n be_v produce_v by_o dr._n potter_n and_o defend_v by_o mr._n â—hillingworth_a chap._n 4._o §._o 44_o etc._n etc._n profession_n of_o christianiny_o that_o have_v any_o large_a spread_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o roman_a and_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o our_o quarter_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o aethiopian_n in_o the_o south_n of_o the_o grecian_n and_o other_o christian_n in_o the_o eastern_a part_n and_o shall_v put_v by_o the_o point_n wherein_o they_o differ_v from_o one_o another_o and_o gather_v into_o one_o body_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o article_n wherein_o they_o all_o do_v general_o agree_v we_o shall_v find_v that_o in_o those_o proposition_n which_o without_o all_o controversy_n be_v so_o universal_o receive_v in_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n so_o much_o truth_n be_v contain_v as_o be_v join_v with_o holy_a obedience_n may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o bring_v a_o man_n unto_o everlasting_a salvation_n neither_o have_v we_o cause_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o as_o many_o as_o do_v walk_v according_a to_o this_o rule_n neither_o overthrow_v that_o which_o they_o have_v build_v by_o superinduce_v any_o damnable_a heresy_n thereupon_o nor_o otherwise_o vitiate_a their_o holy_a faith_n with_o a_o lewd_a and_o wicked_a conversation_n peace_n shall_v be_v upon_o they_o and_o mercy_n and_o upon_o the_o israel_n of_o god_n and_o he_o afterward_o say_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o papist_n in_o ireland_n that_o he_o have_v sometime_o treat_v with_o those_o of_o the_o opposite_a party_n and_o move_v they_o that_o howsoever_o in_o other_o thing_n we_o do_v differ_v one_o from_o another_o yet_o we_o shall_v join_v together_o in_o teach_v those_o main_a point_n the_o knowledge_n whereof_o be_v so_o necessary_a unto_o salvation_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n whereof_o there_o be_v no_o controversy_n betwixt_o we_o and_o as_o to_o particular_a controversy_n though_o one_o will_v imagine_v that_o wise_a man_n of_o all_o other_o shall_v be_v least_o apt_a to_o fall_v out_o about_o word_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o old_a observation_n that_o when_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n disagree_v in_o opinion_n the_o difference_n be_v common_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o express_v themselves_o or_o however_o it_o be_v general_o about_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o existence_n not_o about_o the_o existence_n itself_o of_o thing_n thus_o what_o be_v better_o know_v by_o all_o than_o the_o sun_n and_o yet_o what_o dispute_n have_v there_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v concern_v its_o light_n and_o motion_n and_o distance_n and_o dimension_n but_o it_o ought_v likewise_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o controversy_n in_o religion_n such_o as_o be_v otherwise_o good_a man_n be_v wont_v many_o time_n to_o be_v little_a favourable_a in_o represent_v the_o opinion_n of_o their_o adversary_n and_o if_o man_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o explain_v themselves_o and_o be_v not_o provoke_v and_o exasperate_v beyond_o their_o own_o calm_a thought_n and_o temper_v the_o difference_n in_o religion_n will_v not_o be_v near_o so_o great_a nor_o so_o many_o as_o they_o now_o appear_v to_o be_v it_o so_o happen_v in_o all_o case_n that_o difference_n be_v widen_v by_o eager_a and_o contentious_a debate_n man_n speak_v more_o than_o they_o design_v and_o then_o resolve_v to_o defend_v what_o they_o have_v say_v so_o that_o dispute_v become_v endless_a and_o be_v draw_v out_o into_o particular_n without_o number_n which_o be_v never_o at_o first_o think_v of_o many_o book_n of_o controversy_n be_v half_o take_v up_o in_o ask_v cross_a question_n which_o perhaps_o neither_o of_o the_o party_n can_v answer_v to_o satisfaction_n nor_o do_v they_o often_o seem_v to_o design_n any_o thing_n far_o than_o to_o puzzle_v one_o another_o and_o to_o be_v as_o captious_a and_o as_o troublesome_a as_o they_o can_v but_o this_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o subject_a but_o to_o the_o perverseness_n of_o man_n and_o those_o who_o upon_o every_o occasion_n fall_v into_o so_o great_a heat_n and_o contention_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o
demure_a pretender_n to_o humane_a reason_n and_o moral_a virtue_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o reveal_v religion_n we_o be_v fall_v into_o a_o age_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o have_v show_v so_o great_a a_o forwardness_n to_o be_v no_o long_o christian_n that_o they_o have_v catch_v at_o all_o the_o little_a cavil_n and_o pretence_n against_o religion_n and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o more_o out_o of_o charity_n to_o their_o own_o soul_n than_o for_o any_o credit_n religion_n can_v have_v of_o they_o it_o be_v great_a pity_n but_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o wish_n for_o they_o both_o think_v and_o live_v so_o ill_o that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n for_o the_o goodness_n of_o any_o cause_n that_o they_o be_v against_o it_o it_o be_v urge_v as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o christian_a riligion_n by_o tertullian_n that_o it_o be_v haved_z and_o persecute_v by_o nero_n the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o i_o be_o confident_a it_o will_v be_v but_o small_a reputation_n to_o it_o in_o any_o age_n if_o such_o man_n shall_v be_v find_v of_o it_o they_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o thing_n they_o understand_v not_o and_o be_v wont_a to_o talk_v with_o as_o much_o confidence_n against_o any_o point_n of_o religion_n as_o if_o they_o have_v all_o the_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n in_o their_o keep_n when_o common_o they_o know_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v for_o that_o against_o which_o they_o dispute_v they_o seem_v to_o imagine_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n beside_o religion_n that_o have_v any_o difficulty_n in_o it_o but_o this_o show_v how_o little_o they_o have_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o which_o multitude_n of_o objection_n and_o difficulty_n meet_v a_o observe_a man_n in_o every_o thought_n and_o after_o all_o religion_n have_v but_o one_o fault_n as_o they_o account_v it_o which_o they_o have_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v in_o it_o and_o that_o be_v that_o it_o be_v too_o good_a and_o virtuous_a for_o they_o for_o when_o they_o have_v say_v all_o they_o can_v this_o be_v their_o great_a quarrel_n against_o it_o and_o as_o it_o have_v be_v true_o observe_v no_o charity_n less_o than_o that_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o despise_v will_v have_v much_o care_n or_o consideration_n for_o they_o thus_o have_v some_o man_n dishonour_v religion_n by_o their_o life_n some_o by_o a_o affectation_n of_o novelty_n some_o by_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o book_n relate_v true_a miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o other_o by_o forge_v false_a one_o some_o again_o by_o their_o too_o eager_a and_o imprudent_a dispute_n and_o contention_n about_o religion_n whilst_o from_o hence_o other_o have_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o ridicule_n it_o and_o to_o dispute_v against_o it_o but_o so_o as_o to_o expose_v themselves_o whilst_o they_o will_v expose_v religion_n and_o thus_o have_v the_o clear_a and_o most_o necessary_a truth_n be_v obscure_v and_o despise_v whilst_o it_o have_v be_v betray_v by_o the_o vanity_n and_o quarrel_n of_o its_o friend_n to_o the_o scorn_n and_o weakness_n of_o its_o enemy_n however_o in_o all_o their_o opposition_n and_o contradiction_n to_o reveal_v religion_n i_o find_v it_o assert_v by_o these_o man_n that_o atheism_n be_v so_o absurd_a a_o thing_n that_o they_o question_v whether_o there_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v a_o atheist_n in_o the_o world_n i_o have_v therefore_o here_o prove_v from_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o that_o this_o religion_n be_v as_o certain_o true_a as_o it_o be_v that_o god_n himself_o exist_v which_o be_v the_o plain_a truth_n and_o the_o most_o universal_o acknowledge_v of_o any_o thing_n whatsoever_o and_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o true_a or_o certain_a but_o something_o may_v be_v allege_v against_o it_o i_o shall_v beside_o discourse_v upon_o such_o head_n as_o have_v be_v most_o except_v against_o in_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o vindicate_v it_o against_o all_o cavil_n though_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o particular_a objection_n which_o be_v both_o a_o needless_a and_o indeed_o a_o endless_a labour_n for_o there_o be_v no_o end_n of_o cavil_n but_o if_o the_o truth_n be_v well_o and_o full_o explain_v any_o objection_n may_v receive_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o doctrine_n against_o which_o it_o be_v urge_v by_o apply_v it_o to_o particular_a difficulty_n as_o one_o right_a line_n be_v enough_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o the_o variation_n from_o it_o to_o be_v crooked_a it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o cavil_v and_o find_v fault_n with_o any_o thing_n and_o to_o start_v objection_n and_o ask_v question_n be_v even_o to_o a_o proverb_n esteem_v the_o worst_a sign_n that_o can_v be_v of_o a_o great_a wit_n or_o a_o sound_a judgement_n man_n be_v unwilling_a to_o believe_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a which_o contradict_v their_o vice_n and_o the_o weak_a argument_n with_o strong_a inclination_n to_o a_o cause_n will_v prove_v or_o disprove_v whatever_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n it_o shall_v but_o let_v man_n first_o practice_v the_o virtue_n the_o moral_a virtue_n which_o our_o religion_n enjoin_v and_o then_o let_v they_o disprove_v it_o if_o they_o can_v nay_o let_v they_o disprove_v it_o now_o if_o they_o can_v for_o it_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n of_o their_o favour_n but_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n let_v they_o have_v a_o care_n of_o mistake_v vice_n for_o argument_n and_o every_o profane_a jest_n for_o a_o demonstration_n i_o wish_v they_o will_v consider_v whether_o the_o concern_v they_o have_v to_o set_v up_o natural_a against_o reveal_v religion_n proceed_v not_o from_o hence_o that_o by_o natural_a religion_n they_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o just_a what_o they_o please_v themselves_o or_o what_o they_o judge_v convenient_a in_o every_o case_n or_o occasion_n whereas_o reveal_v religion_n be_v a_o fix_a and_o determine_v thing_n and_o prescribe_v certain_a rule_n and_o law_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n the_o plain_a truth_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v that_o they_o be_v for_o a_o religion_n of_o their_o own_o contrivance_n which_o they_o may_v alter_v as_o they_o see_v sit_v but_o not_o for_o one_o of_o divine_a revelation_n which_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o change_n but_o must_v always_o continue_v the_o same_o whatever_o they_o can_v do_v unless_o that_o be_v the_o case_n there_o will_v be_v little_a occasion_n to_o trouble_v they_o with_o book_n of_o this_o kind_n for_o the_o argument_n bring_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v indeed_o so_o weak_a and_o insignificant_a that_o they_o rather_o make_v for_o it_o and_o it_o may_v well_o be_v say_v as_o m._n paschal_n relate_v by_o one_o of_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n to_o his_o companion_n if_o you_o continue_v to_o dispute_v at_o this_o rate_n you_o will_v certain_o make_v i_o a_o christian_n i_o shall_v venture_v at_o least_o to_o say_v of_o this_o treatise_n in_o the_o like_a manner_n as_o he_o do_v of_o his_o that_o if_o these_o man_n will_v be_v please_v to_o spend_v but_o a_o little_a of_o that_o time_n which_o be_v so_o often_o worse_o employ_v in_o the_o perusal_n of_o what_o be_v here_o offer_v i_o hope_v that_o something_o they_o may_v meet_v withal_o which_o may_v satisfy_v their_o doubt_n and_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n but_o though_o they_o shall_v despise_v whatever_o can_v be_v say_v to_o they_o yet_o there_o be_v other_o beside_o the_o profess_a adversary_n of_o reveal_v religion_n to_o who_o a_o treatise_n of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v serviceable_a the_o truth_n be_v notwistand_v the_o great_a plainness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o can_v but_o think_v that_o ignorance_n be_v one_o chief_a cause_n why_o it_o be_v so_o little_o value_v and_o esteem_v and_o its_o doctrine_n so_o little_o obey_v a_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n content_v themselves_o with_o a_o very_a slight_a and_o imperfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v and_o be_v able_a to_o give_v but_o very_o little_a reason_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o profess_v it_o rather_o as_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n than_o of_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o because_o they_o find_v it_o contradict_v their_o sensual_a desire_n they_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v as_o little_a of_o it_o as_o may_v be_v and_o when_o they_o hear_v other_o cavil_v and_o trifle_n with_o it_o partly_o out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o from_o inclination_n they_o take_v every_o idle_a objection_n if_o it_o be_v but_o bold_a enough_o for_o a_o unanswerable_a
moses_n time_n or_o after_o it_o p._n 206._o of_o what_o consequence_n the_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v towards_o the_o prove_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n p._n 214._o chap._n vii_o of_o joshua_n and_o the_o judge_n and_o of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n under_o their_o government_n joshua_n the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n under_o his_o name_n p._n 215._o the_o book_n of_o judge_n write_v by_o samuel_n p._n 216._o the_o water_n of_o jordan_n divide_v p._n 217._o the_o male_n circumcise_a at_o the_o first_o come_v into_o canaan_n and_o thereby_o disable_v for_o war_n contrary_a to_o all_o humane_a policy_n p._n 219._o the_o wall_n of_o jericho_n throw_v down_o and_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v they_o ib._n the_o integrity_n of_o joshua_n p._n 220._o of_o eli_n p._n 221._o of_o samuel_n p._n 222._o chap._n viii_o of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n under_o their_o king_n from_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n a_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n prophet_n in_o the_o kingdom_n both_o of_o israel_n and_o judah_n p._n 223_o chap._n ix_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o their_o write_n the_o kind_n of_o prophecy_n among_o the_o jew_n p._n 224._o the_o freedom_n and_o courage_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o reverence_n pay_v to_o they_o even_o by_o bad_a prince_n p._n 226._o they_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o confirmation_n of_o their_o prophecy_n p._n 227._o many_o of_o their_o prophecy_n fulfil_v during_o their_o own_o life_n p._n 228._o their_o prophecy_n commit_v to_o writing_n ibid._n they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n be_v careful_o preserve_v during_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n p._n 229._o the_o book_n of_o the_o former_a and_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n the_o book_n of_o samuel_n by_o who_o write_v p._n 231._o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n and_o of_o king_n by_o who_o write_v ibid._n of_o the_o psalm_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n comprehend_v the_o whole_a old_a testament_n p._n 233._o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n sufficient_o understand_v by_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o return_v from_o babylon_n ibid._n the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v afterward_o p._n 235._o chap._n x._o of_o the_o prohecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n josiah_n prophesy_v of_o by_o name_n long_o before_o his_o birth_n the_o circumstance_n of_o that_o prophecy_n p._n 236._o the_o fulfil_n of_o elijah_n prophecy_n p._n 238._o the_o confession_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n p._n 240._o divers_a other_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n ibid._n cyrus_n prophesy_v of_o by_o name_n long_o before_o his_o birth_n p._n 241._o jeremiah_n prophecy_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n p._n 243._o the_o contradiction_n which_o be_v then_o think_v to_o be_v betwixt_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n and_o ezekiel_n a_o manifest_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o they_o both_o p._n 245._o other_o plain_a prophecy_n fulfil_v p._n 247._o these_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n manifest_o true_a p._n 249_o chap._n xi_o of_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o each_o other_o and_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n prove_v the_o new_a and_o the_o new_a again_o prove_v the_o old_a as_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o essect_v p._n 252._o chap._n xii_o of_o the_o person_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n our_o bless_a saviour_n undeniable_a innocence_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n p._n 257._o judas_n himself_o give_v testimony_n to_o it_o p._n 259._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n fulfil_v in_o he_o p._n 265._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v his_o life_n fulfil_v p._n 277._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v his_o death_n fulfil_v p._n 280._o and_o those_o concern_v his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n p._n 286_o chap._n xiii_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n our_o saviour_n foretell_v the_o treachery_n of_o judas_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o death_n p._n 287._o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n with_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o and_o the_o prodigy_n attend_v it_o ibid._n his_o miracle_n verify_v the_o prophecy_n which_o have_v be_v concern_v the_o messiah_n p._n 290_o chap._n fourteen_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n prophesy_v of_o and_o typify_v p._n 293._o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n can_v not_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o it_o p._n 295._o they_o will_v not_o deceive_v other_o p._n 306._o they_o allege_v such_o circumstance_n as_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o deceive_v p._n 307_o chap._n xv._o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n the_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o sufficient_a understanding_n to_o know_v what_o they_o testify_v p._n 312._o they_o have_v sufficient_a mean_n and_o opportunity_n to_o know_v it_o p._n 313._o they_o be_v man_n of_o integrity_n and_o true_o declare_v what_o they_o know_v for_o they_o have_v no_o worldy_a interest_n to_o serve_v by_o their_o testimony_n but_o suffer_v by_o it_o and_o have_v a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o suffering_n p._n 315._o there_o be_v peculiar_a mark_n of_o sincerity_n in_o all_o their_o write_n p._n 319_o chap._n xvi_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n of_o their_o prophecy_n p._n 328._o of_o their_o miracle_n p._n 330._o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o p._n 331._o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n communicate_v by_o they_o to_o other_o p._n 336._o their_o supernatural_a courage_n and_o resolution_n p._n 342._o this_o likewise_o be_v communicate_v to_o their_o follower_n p._n 351_o chap._n xvii_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n and_o death_n contain_v so_o notorious_a and_o public_a circumstance_n that_o it_o be_v a_o appeal_n to_o that_o age_n whether_o the_o thing_n relate_v be_v true_a or_o not_o p._n 354._o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v explicatory_a and_o consequential_a to_o the_o gospel_n or_o history_n of_o christ_n and_o beside_o these_o likewise_o contain_v many_o memorable_a and_o public_a matter_n of_o fact_n p._n 361._o the_o gospel_n and_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n cite_v by_o author_n contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n and_o own_a for_o genuine_a both_o by_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n p._n 363._o many_o of_o the_o eye-witness_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n live_v to_o a_o great_a age_n p._n 364._o the_o chief_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v testify_v in_o apology_n write_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n ibid._n chap._n xviii_o of_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o christian_a religion_n teach_v a_o universal_a righteousness_n both_o towards_o god_n and_o man_n p._n 368._o the_o scripture_n propound_v to_o we_o the_o only_a true_a principle_n of_o holiness_n p._n 370._o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v the_o most_o effectual_a motive_n to_o obedience_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n p._n 372._o it_o afferd_v the_o great_a help_n and_o assistance_n to_o a_o holy_a life_n p._n 374._o it_o express_v the_o great_a compassion_n and_o condescension_n to_o our_o infirmity_n p._n 374._o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v ever_o have_v great_a effect_n towards_o the_o reformation_n and_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n p._n 376._o the_o high_a mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o mere_o speculative_a but_o have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o practice_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n among_o man_n p._n 382_o part_n iii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o divine_a revelation_n but_o that_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n p._n 385._o chap._n i._n the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o pretence_n of_o the_o egyptian_n to_o antiquity_n examine_v p._n 387._o of_o the_o chaldaean_n ibid._n of_o the_o chinese_n p._n 389._o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o defect_n in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o heathen_a religion_n never_o extant_a in_o book_n to_o be_v public_o read_v p._n 392._o every_o country_n have_v its_o peculiar_a deity_n they_o prevail_v only_o by_o the_o temporal_a power_n though_o the_o heathen_n more_o in_o number_n yet_o the_o religion_n of_o christian_n more_o promulge_v p._n 392_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_n p._n 394._o that_o they_o be_v uncertain_a and_o ambiguous_a p._n 396._o but_o they_o can_v not_o be_v all_o counterfeit_n p._n 398._o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n gradual_a p._n 399._o their_o miracle_n never_o
therefore_o whatsoever_o he_o do_v or_o write_v as_o by_o his_o direction_n and_o command_n be_v real_o so_o for_o if_o there_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o miracle_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o work_v perform_v by_o moses_n be_v such_o and_o therefore_o the_o only_a enquiry_n will_v be_v whether_o they_o be_v real_o perform_v by_o he_o since_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o think_v that_o god_n may_v not_o upon_o great_a reason_n alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o prove_v suppose_v only_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o moses_n and_o that_o the_o jewish_a law_n be_v give_v by_o he_o that_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n and_o stand_v confirm_v by_o all_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n to_o have_v be_v wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o deliver_v the_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n be_v affirm_v by_o the_o best_a heathen_a author_n as_o diodorus_n siculus_n strabo_n and_o other_o and_o be_v never_o yet_o that_o i_o have_v hear_v of_o question_v by_o any_o man_n for_o those_o who_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v that_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n which_o contain_v it_o yet_o confess_v that_o the_o law_n itself_o be_v of_o his_o prescribe_v but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v question_v whether_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o a_o man_n who_o give_v they_o their_o law_n how_o absurd_a be_v it_o to_o imagine_v that_o a_o new_a and_o burdensome_a law_n which_o at_o first_o be_v so_o very_o uneasy_a to_o they_o and_o which_o nothing_o but_o a_o full_a persunsion_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n can_v ever_o have_v make_v they_o so_o zealous_a for_o shall_v be_v receive_v by_o any_o nation_n mere_o upon_o a_o feign_a and_o groundless_a report_n that_o moses_n have_v at_o some_o time_n or_o other_o deliver_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o in_o such_o circumstance_n if_o there_o never_o have_v be_v such_o a_o man_n or_o such_o a_o lawgiver_n in_o the_o world_n can_v any_o one_o or_o more_o man_n persuade_v a_o whole_a nation_n to_o this_o or_o can_v a_o whole_a nation_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v their_o posterity_n with_o a_o belief_n of_o it_o what_o mighty_a charm_n can_v there_o be_v in_o a_o name_n never_o hear_v of_o before_o and_o in_o a_o story_n new_o invent_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v present_o grow_v fond_a of_o it_o they_o must_v consider_v humane_a nature_n very_o little_a who_o can_v fancy_n any_o thing_n so_o unnatural_a i_o shall_v therefore_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o moses_n and_o that_o the_o jewish_a law_n be_v give_v by_o he_o and_o if_o it_o be_v once_o prove_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o miracle_n relate_v of_o he_o be_v indeed_o perform_v as_o they_o be_v relate_v to_o have_v be_v no_o rational_a man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o a_o almighty_a power_n i_o shall_v now_o therefore_o consider_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n bare_o as_o national_a record_v not_o as_o write_v by_o a_o inspire_a author_n for_o it_o will_v appear_v from_o they_o consider_v only_o as_o a_o account_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o moses_n be_v a_o person_n inspire_v and_o assist_v by_o god_n and_o both_o write_v and_o do_v all_o by_o god_n express_a will_n and_o appointment_n and_o if_o we_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n in_o this_o matter_n when_o they_o be_v consider_v but_o as_o national_a record_v it_o must_v be_v upon_o one_o of_o these_o account_n either_o 1._o because_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o they_o as_o they_o be_v there_o relate_v to_o have_v be_v do_v be_v not_o at_o first_o sufficient_o attest_v or_o 2._o because_o the_o record_n themselves_o be_v seign_v and_o therefore_o the_o relation_n there_o set_v down_o be_v not_o to_o be_v depend_v upon_o for_o if_o the_o miracle_n be_v sufficient_o attest_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n then_o if_o the_o history_n be_v true_a the_o miracle_n must_v be_v so_o too_o 1._o the_o miracle_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o they_o be_v there_o relate_v to_o have_v be_v do_v be_v at_o first_o sufficient_o attest_v the_o permission_n of_o polygamy_n among_o the_o israelite_n for_o the_o increase_n of_o that_o people_n the_o peculiar_a fruitfulness_n of_o the_o climate_n of_o egypt_n where_o the_o woman_n be_v observe_v to_o bring_v forth_o often_o two_o or_o three_o sometime_o more_o child_n at_o a_o birth_n the_o long_a life_n of_o mankind_n in_o those_o age_n and_o above_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n that_o he_o will_v bless_v and_o multiply_v his_o posterity_n in_o isaac_n line_n gen._n xxii_o 17._o cause_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n to_o be_v exceed_o numerous_a in_o a_o few_o generation_n after_o they_o come_v into_o aeygpt_n a_o syrian_a ready_a to_o perish_v be_v their_o father_n and_o he_o go_v down_o into_o aeygpt_n and_o sojourn_v there_o with_o a_o few_o and_o become_v there_o a_o nation_n great_a mighty_a and_o populous_a deut._n xxvi_o 5._o the_o fighting-man_n from_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_a that_o be_v number_v in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o sinai_n in_o the_o second_o year_n after_o they_o come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n be_v six_o hundred_o thousand_o and_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o beside_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n num._n i._n 1_o 46_o 47._o and_o the_o male_n of_o the_o levite_n that_o be_v number_v from_o thirty_o year_n old_a to_o fifty_o be_v egtht_v thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fourscore_o num._n four_o 47_o 48._o and_o the_o number_n of_o male_n from_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_a which_o be_v take_v in_o the_o plain_n of_o moab_n be_v six_o hundred_o thousand_o and_o a_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o beside_o the_o levite_n and_o those_o that_o be_v number_v of_o they_o be_v twenty_o and_o three_o thousand_o all_o male_n from_o a_o month_n old_a and_o upward_a and_o not_o a_o man_n of_o these_o be_v number_v before_o in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o sinai_n chap._n xxvi_o 51_o 62_o 64._o and_o those_o of_o the_o other_o sex_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v about_o the_o same_o number_n when_o both_o these_o account_n be_v take_v in_o all_o reckon_v man_n woman_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n the_o number_n be_v compute_v at_o three_o million_o and_o all_o this_o people_n the_o parent_n and_o the_o child_n who_o as_o they_o die_v grow_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n be_v conduct_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o by_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v continual_o in_o their_o sight_n god_n take_v he_o a_o nation_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o another_o nation_n by_o temptation_n by_o sign_n and_o by_o wonder_n and_o by_o war_n and_o by_o a_o mighty_a hand_n and_o by_o a_o stretched-out_a arm_n and_o by_o great_a terror_n deut._n four_o 34._o they_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o there_o be_v miracle_n wrought_v to_o procure_v their_o deliverance_n out_o of_o egypt_n these_o be_v public_a and_o notorious_a both_o to_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o egyptian_n the_o magician_n be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v the_o like_a with_o their_o enchantment_n but_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v this_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n exod._n viij_o 19_o and_o they_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o of_o such_o mighty_a consequence_n that_o they_o can_v not_o fail_v of_o be_v particular_o take_v notice_n of_o when_o two_o nation_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o the_o effect_n and_o event_n of_o they_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n have_v be_v witness_n of_o ten_o plague_n inflict_v successive_o upon_o the_o egyptian_n in_o the_o most_o remarkable_a manner_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o procure_v their_o deliverance_n and_o when_o pharaoh_n pursue_v they_o as_o they_o be_v go_v away_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o escape_v from_o he_o but_o by_o miracle_n the_o people_n be_v in_o the_o great_a consternation_n they_o wish_v themselves_o again_o in_o egypt_n and_o make_v such_o expostulation_n with_o moses_n as_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n in_o that_o condition_n to_o make_v and_o such_o as_o show_v that_o upon_o the_o first_o opportunity_n they_o will_v have_v be_v ready_a â—o_o deliver_v up_o moses_n to_o secure_v themselves_o and_o malâ—â—_n their_o peace_n with_o pharaoh_n and_o they_o say_v unto_o moses_n because_o there_o be_v no_o grave_n in_o egypt_n have_v thou_o take_v we_o away_o to_o die_v in_o â—he_n wilderness_n wherefore_o have_v thou_o deal_v thus_o with_o we_o to_o carry_v we_o forth_o out_o of_o egypt_n be_v not_o â—his_v
1_o king_n xiii_o 2._o and_o this_o be_v foretell_v by_o a_o prophet_n who_o come_v out_o of_o judah_n purposely_o to_o denounce_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o altar_n and_o upon_o the_o altar_n itself_o which_o jeroboam_n have_v new_o set_v up_o at_o bethel_n when_o jeroboam_n stand_v by_o the_o altar_n to_o burn_v incense_n and_o his_o prediction_n at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v confirm_v by_o two_o miracle_n one_o wrought_v upon_o jeroboam_n himself_o by_o dry_v up_o his_o hand_n which_o he_o stretch_v forth_o against_o the_o prophet_n and_o which_o by_o the_o prophet_n prayer_n be_v restore_v again_o whole_a to_o he_o as_o it_o be_v before_o the_o other_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v upon_o the_o altar_n by_o rend_v it_o and_o pour_v out_o the_o ash_n from_o it_o and_o a_o prophecy_n deliver_v in_o the_o presence_n and_o to_o the_o face_n of_o a_o enrage_a prince_n against_o the_o religion_n of_o his_o own_o set_n up_o to_o secure_v to_o himself_o the_o kingdom_n he_o so_o late_o become_v possess_v of_o at_o the_o very_a time_n when_o he_o be_v offer_v incense_n upon_o his_o new_a altar_n and_o this_o prophecy_n confirm_v by_o a_o immediate_a judgement_n both_o upon_o the_o king_n himself_o and_o his_o altar_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o so_o numerous_a a_o appearance_n as_o must_v be_v present_a on_o so_o solemn_a a_o occasion_n and_o these_o enemy_n to_o the_o prophet_n who_o come_v from_o judah_n and_o to_o his_o religion_n a_o prophecy_n thus_o deliver_v have_v all_o the_o circumstance_n to_o make_v it_o remarkable_a and_o notorious_a in_o all_o the_o tribe_n both_o of_o israel_n and_o judah_n then_o at_o hostility_n with_o each_o other_o that_o can_v almost_o be_v conceive_v and_o yet_o the_o strange_a death_n of_o the_o prophet_n of_o judah_n for_o transgress_v by_o his_o own_o confession_n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o he_o and_o his_o sepulchre_n with_o its_o title_n or_o inscription_n still_o remain_v at_o bethel_n when_o josiah_n demolish_v the_o altar_n there_o give_v a_o further_a confirmation_n to_o it_o the_o fulfil_n of_o this_o prophecy_n by_o josiah_n be_v no_o less_o remarkable_a 2_o king_n xxiii_o 15._o josiah_n be_v the_o son_n of_o a_o very_a wicked_a king_n and_o bear_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o people_n be_v exceed_o corrupt_v by_o the_o idolatry_n of_o his_o grandfather_n manasses_n and_o his_o son_n likewise_o prove_v wicked_a so_o that_o he_o be_v so_o singular_a in_o his_o piety_n and_o so_o wonderful_a a_o example_n of_o it_o that_o no_o man_n of_o his_o own_o age_n can_v have_v imagine_v that_o of_o he_o which_o have_v be_v for_n retell_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n ago_o in_o all_o humane_a appearance_n this_o be_v a_o very_a unlikely_a time_n to_o see_v that_o prophecy_n fulfil_v and_o that_o which_o have_v be_v wonderful_a in_o any_o age_n be_v much_o more_o wonderful_a in_o this_o and_o in_o so_o wicked_a a_o age_n this_o good_a king_n set_v about_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n very_o young_a to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n the_o deliverance_n of_o judah_n at_o jehoshaphat_n prayer_n be_v foretell_v by_o jahaziel_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o be_v accomplish_v according_o by_o their_o enemy_n destroy_v one_o another_o 2_o chron._n xx_o elijah_n foretell_v that_o the_o dog_n shall_v lick_v ahab_n blood_n in_o jezreel_n where_o they_o have_v lick_v the_o blood_n of_o naboth_n which_o as_o 10._o as_o joseph_n antiquit._n l._n 8._o c._n 10._o josephus_n say_v be_v object_v by_o zedekiah_n one_o of_o the_o false_a prophet_n against_o micaiah_n who_o foretell_v that_o ahab_n shall_v be_v slay_v at_o ramoth-gilead_a but_o he_o be_v bring_v home_o in_o his_o chariot_n from_o ramoth-gilead_a to_o samaria_n and_o there_o the_o dog_n lick_v his_o blood_n in_o jezreel_n 1_o king_n xxii_o 38._o so_o that_o both_o the_o prophecy_n of_o elijah_n and_o michaiah_n be_v fulfil_v and_o when_o one_o prophet_n seem_v contrary_a to_o another_o one_o foretell_v the_o principal_a thing_n and_o another_o some_o accidental_a circumstance_n which_o those_o that_o be_v present_a and_o most_o concern_v in_o the_o action_n can_v not_o imagine_v till_o it_o happen_v and_o false_a prophet_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n watch_v the_o event_n to_o take_v all_o advantage_n from_o it_o against_o the_o true_a prophet_n and_o can_v find_v none_o nothing_o more_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o prophecy_n the_o same_o prophet_n foretell_v the_o like_a judgement_n upon_o jezabel_n and_o that_o the_o house_n of_o ahab_n shall_v be_v like_o the_o house_n of_o jereboam_n and_o like_o the_o house_n of_o baasha_n the_o destruction_n of_o both_o which_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o other_o prophet_n and_o their_o prophecy_n fulfil_v as_o this_o of_o elijah_n also_o be_v elijah_n by_o a_o write_v send_v to_o jehoram_n king_n of_o judah_n foretell_v his_o death_n and_o the_o strange_a manner_n of_o it_o viz._n that_o after_o the_o loss_n of_o his_o child_n and_o his_o wife_n and_o all_o his_o good_n he_o shall_v be_v afflict_v in_o his_o bowel_n and_o that_o his_o bowel_n shall_v fall_v out_o by_o degree_n 2_o chron._n xxi_o 12._o the_o same_o prophet_n not_o only_o foretell_v the_o death_n of_o ahaziah_n but_o cause_v fire_n twice_o to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v send_v to_o apprehend_v he_o 2_o king_n i_o and_o at_o his_o prayer_n fire_v descend_v from_o heaven_n and_o consume_v the_o sacrifice_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o baal_n prophet_n be_v four_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o to_o who_o elijah_n who_o be_v the_o only_a prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n there_o present_a have_v make_v this_o proposal_n the_o god_n that_o answer_v by_o fire_n let_v he_o be_v god_n and_o when_o baal_n notwithstanding_o all_o their_o hideous_a cry_n and_o the_o cut_n themselves_o do_v not_o hear_v they_o then_o upon_o elijah_n prayer_n the_o fire_n of_o the_o lord_n fall_v and_o consume_v the_o burn_a sacrifice_n and_o the_o wood_n and_o the_o stone_n and_o the_o dust_n and_o lick_v up_o the_o water_n that_o be_v in_o the_o trench_n 1_o king_n xviii_o 38._o which_o be_v the_o same_o miracle_n repeat_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o idolater_n who_o be_v so_o enrage_v and_o provoke_v against_o the_o prophet_n elijah_n that_o have_v be_v before_o wrought_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n leu._n ix_o 24._o and_o of_o david_n 1_o chron._n xxi_o 26._o and_o at_o the_o dedication_n of_o solomon_n temple_n 2_o chron._n seven_o 1._o 10._o 1._o cyril_n contra_fw-la julian_n l._n 10._o and_o this_o miracle_n of_o elijah_n in_o bring_v down_o fire_n from_o heaven_n to_o consume_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o that_o of_o moses_n in_o like_a manner_n be_v both_o confess_v to_o be_v true_a by_o julian_n the_o apostate_n himself_o the_o miraculous_a cure_n of_o naaman_n leprosy_n must_v be_v notorious_a throughout_o the_o kingdom_n both_o of_o syria_n and_o israel_n 2_o king_n v._o the_o wonderful_a deliverance_n of_o the_o israelite_n when_o the_o syrian_n hear_v a_o noise_n of_o horse_n and_o chariot_n and_o therefore_o raise_v the_o siege_n of_o samaria_n and_o the_o plenty_n which_o follow_v be_v foretell_v by_o elisha_n with_o a_o judgement_n upon_o that_o lord_n who_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o prediction_n the_o same_o prophet_n foretell_v the_o death_n of_o benhadad_n king_n of_o syria_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v neither_o recover_v of_o his_o sickness_n nor_o die_v a_o natural_a death_n and_o the_o reign_n of_o hazael_n who_o succeed_v he_o be_v describe_v in_o such_o true_a and_o dreadful_a character_n that_o hazael_n think_v it_o impossible_a for_o he_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o cruelty_n 2_o king_n seven_o viij_o the_o leprosy_n inflict_v upon_o vzziah_n for_o presume_v to_o burn_v incense_n unto_o the_o lord_n which_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o priest_n only_o to_o do_v be_v a_o permanent_a miracle_n for_o his_o leprosy_n continue_v till_o his_o death_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n he_o live_v separately_z and_o his_o son_n from_o that_o time_n have_v the_o administration_n of_o affair_n 2_o king_n xv_o 5._o and_o this_o miracle_n of_o the_o leprosy_n be_v accompany_v with_o a_o terrible_a earthquake_n mention_v zech._n fourteen_o 5._o amos_n i._n 1._o and_o the_o 11._o the_o joseph_n antiquit._fw-la l._n 9_o c._n 11._o ruin_n which_o be_v cause_v by_o the_o earthquake_n remain_v as_o a_o perpetual_a memorial_n of_o the_o judgement_n a_o hundred_o fourscore_o and_o five_o thousand_o of_o the_o assyrian_n be_v slay_v by_o a_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o one_o night_n 2_o king_n nineteeen_o 35._o and_o this_o deliverance_n be_v foretell_v by_o isaiah_n when_o the_o assyrian_n be_v in_o
to_o crucify_v he_o yet_o his_o life_n be_v in_o his_o own_o power_n which_o he_o resign_v in_o the_o word_n of_o another_o psalm_n ps_n xxxi_o 5._o and_o he_o cause_v another_o prophesy_n to_o be_v fulfil_v by_o die_v at_o that_o very_a point_n of_o time_n which_o if_o his_o death_n have_v be_v defer_v a_o little_o long_a have_v not_o be_v fulfil_v for_o the_o soldier_n break_v the_o leg_n of_o the_o two_o other_o that_o be_v crucify_v with_o they_o but_o find_v he_o deâ—d_n they_o break_v not_o his_o leg_n though_o one_o of_o they_o suspect_v that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v so_o soon_o dead_a pierce_v his_o side_n to_o try_v whether_o he_o be_v real_o dead_a or_o not_o by_o which_o that_o scripture_n be_v fulfil_v which_o say_v they_o shall_v look_v on_o he_o who_o they_o pierce_v joh._n nineteeen_o 34._o zach._n twelve_o 10._o which_o pearson_n which_o see_v bp._n pearson_n text_n the_o ancient_a jew_n interpret_v of_o the_o messiah_n the_o liii_o chapter_n of_o isaiah_n be_v a_o clear_a description_n of_o our_o saviour_n passion_n almost_o in_o every_o circumstance_n of_o it_o he_o be_v despise_v and_o reject_v of_o man_n a_o man_n of_o sorrow_n and_o acquaint_v with_o grief_n he_o be_v wound_v for_o our_o transgression_n and_o bruise_a for_o our_o iniquity_n he_o be_v oppress_v and_o he_o be_v afflict_v yet_o he_o open_v not_o his_o mouth_n he_o be_v bring_v as_o a_o lamb_n to_o the_o slaughter_n and_o as_o a_o sheep_n before_o her_o shearer_n be_v dumb_a so_o he_o open_v not_o his_o mouth_n his_o silence_n be_v take_v special_a notice_n of_o by_o pilate_n himself_o and_o his_o meekness_n towards_o judas_n his_o most_o ungrateful_a disciple_n be_v wonderful_a beyond_o all_o example_n he_o make_v his_o grave_n with_o the_o rich_a in_o his_o death_n though_o he_o die_v in_o that_o shameful_a manner_n under_o the_o imputation_n of_o so_o much_o wickedness_n yet_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n a_o honourable_a counsellor_n be_v suffer_v by_o pilate_n to_o bury_v he_o which_o he_o do_v in_o his_o own_o new_a tomb._n he_o be_v number_v with_o the_o transgressor_n and_o in_o that_o sense_n make_v his_o grave_n also_o with_o the_o wicked_a be_v crucify_v between_o two_o thief_n and_o so_o be_v not_o only_o repute_v a_o malefactor_n and_o undergo_v the_o punishment_n of_o transgressor_n but_o be_v execute_v at_o the_o very_a time_n and_o place_n with_o they_o and_o bury_v when_o they_o be_v he_o make_v intercession_n for_o the_o transgressor_n for_o the_o penitent_a thief_n in_o particular_a who_o he_o promise_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v with_o he_o that_o day_n in_o paradise_n and_o for_o his_o persecutor_n themselves_o pray_v that_o they_o may_v be_v forgive_v the_o prophecy_n of_o this_o chapter_n be_v so_o very_o plain_o and_o direct_o fulfil_v that_o i_o have_v know_v a_o child_n apply_v they_o to_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n one_o of_o the_o most_o glorious_a character_n by_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v their_o prince_n and_o king_n and_o this_o lead_v the_o jew_n into_o that_o fatal_a mistake_n of_o a_o temporal_a messiah_n for_o messiah_n or_o anoint_v signify_v king_n as_o well_o as_o prophet_n or_o priest_n in_o which_o three_o office_n unction_n be_v use_v and_o they_o be_v all_o unite_a in_o our_o saviour_n who_o be_v the_o messiah_n anoint_v and_o inaugurate_v by_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o he_o in_o a_o visible_a shape_n and_o with_o a_o distinct_a and_o audible_a voice_n declare_v he_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o all_o the_o world_n may_v know_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o title_n be_v fix_v upon_o his_o cross_n in_o three_o several_a language_n the_o most_o vulgar_a tongue_n then_o in_o the_o world_n that_o no_o nation_n may_v be_v ignorant_a that_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o crucify_v for_o pilate_n will_v not_o alter_v the_o inscription_n but_o though_o they_o have_v fright_v he_o before_o by_o observe_v to_o he_o that_o it_o be_v treason_n against_o caesar_n to_o call_v any_o one_o king_n beside_o he_o yet_o when_o they_o will_v now_o have_v have_v he_o change_v the_o inscription_n and_o have_v write_v only_o that_o he_o say_v i_o be_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n pilate_n give_v a_o short_a and_o resolute_a answer_n what_o i_o have_v write_v i_o have_v write_v how_o much_o soever_o it_o be_v at_o his_o peril_n to_o provoke_v a_o malicious_a people_n in_o a_o point_n wherein_o they_o think_v the_o honour_n and_o safety_n of_o their_o nation_n so_o much_o concern_v and_o in_o a_o point_n which_o can_v not_o but_o be_v exceed_o tender_a to_o so_o jealous_a a_o emperor_n as_o tiberius_n but_o pilate_n have_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v carry_v too_o far_o already_o against_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o have_v show_v great_a aversion_n to_o their_o proceed_n in_o the_o whole_a management_n of_o his_o trial_n and_o the_o same_o providence_n which_o have_v order_v every_o circumstance_n to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o conviction_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n now_o so_o dispose_v this_o remarkable_a particular_a that_o the_o last_o period_n of_o his_o life_n in_o opposition_n to_o all_o the_o spite_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v adorn_v and_o dignify_v with_o his_o true_a title_n and_o character_n under_o which_o he_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n in_o capital_a letter_n upon_o his_o cross_n thus_o be_v the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n and_o life_n and_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n exact_o fulfil_v in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n which_o be_v so_o many_o that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v fulfil_v by_o chance_n and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o they_o depend_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o word_n and_o action_n of_o other_o and_o even_o of_o his_o worst_a enemy_n that_o it_o can_v proceed_v from_o no_o design_n or_o contrivance_n of_o he_o or_o his_o disciple_n they_o be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o by_o the_o malice_n chief_o of_o his_o enemy_n and_o according_a to_o the_o interpretation_n which_o they_o themselves_o be_v wont_a to_o give_v of_o they_o iv_o his_o resurrection_n likewise_o and_o ascension_n be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o express_a prophecy_n as_o the_o apostle_n prove_v to_o the_o face_n of_o his_o crucifier_n act._n two_o and_o these_o be_v such_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n as_o depend_v upon_o the_o sole_a will_n and_o power_n of_o almighty_n god_n and_o yet_o as_o certain_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o the_o birth_n and_o life_n and_o death_n of_o christ_n do_v as_o shall_v be_v prove_v in_o due_a place_n chap._n xiii_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v prophesy_v of_o by_o all_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v before_o he_o so_o he_o be_v himself_o the_o great_a prophet_n that_o be_v to_o come_v and_o be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o be_v in_o the_o world_n expect_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o he_o fulfil_v that_o prediction_n by_o the_o many_o eminent_a prophecy_n which_o he_o speak_v he_o foretell_v the_o treachery_n of_o judas_n and_o know_v from_o the_o beginning_n who_o it_o be_v that_o shall_v betray_v he_o he_o foretell_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o death_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v by_o crucifixion_n though_o the_o jew_n often_o seek_v opportunity_n to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n private_o and_o that_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o punishment_n which_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o inflict_v but_o if_o they_o have_v kill_v he_o themselves_o and_o have_v not_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o roman_a judicature_n they_o will_v have_v do_v it_o by_o ston_a as_o they_o murder_v st._n stephen_n he_o foretell_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o suffering_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v deliver_v unto_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o unto_o the_o scribe_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v condemn_v he_o to_o death_n and_o shall_v deliver_v he_o to_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v mock_v he_o and_o shall_v scourge_v he_o and_o shall_v spit_v upon_o he_o and_o shall_v kill_v he_o and_o that_o he_o will_v rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n mark_v x._o 33_o 34._o which_o his_o enemy_n take_v such_o notice_n of_o that_o they_o use_v all_o their_o vain_a endeavour_n to_o prevent_v it_o he_o assure_v his_o disciple_n that_o his_o gospel_n shall_v be_v preach_v over_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o that_o one_o particular_a action_n which_o they_o be_v offend_v at_o of_o the_o woman_n who_o anoint_v his_o head_n shall_v never_o be_v omit_v wheresoever_o it_o shall_v be_v preach_v matt._n xxvi_o 13._o he_o declare_v that_o his_o religion_n shall_v prevail_v against_o all_o the_o opposition_n which_o it_o will_v meet_v withal_o and_o continue_v to_o
c._n 18._o lib._n v._o c._n 7._o quadratus_n have_v this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o it_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n to_o the_o time_n of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o of_o irenaeus_n ii_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v according_a to_o a_o express_a promise_n of_o christ_n to_o they_o that_o after_o his_o ascension_n they_o shall_v do_v even_o great_a work_n than_o he_o have_v do_v himself_o john_n fourteen_o 12._o that_o be_v they_o shall_v do_v work_n that_o will_v be_v more_o eminent_a and_o observable_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n though_o not_o more_o excellent_a and_o divine_a for_o nothing_o can_v be_v great_a in_o that_o sense_n than_o to_o raise_v a_o man_n from_o the_o dead_a which_o promise_n be_v fulfil_v to_o they_o at_o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n when_o man_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v make_v witness_n to_o it_o for_o they_o be_v command_v by_o our_o saviour_n not_o to_o depart_v from_o jerusalem_n but_o to_o wait_v for_o this_o promise_n and_o he_o assure_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v baptize_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o many_o day_n after_o his_o be_v take_v up_o from_o they_o into_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v receive_v power_n after_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v come_v upon_o they_o and_o shall_v be_v witness_n unto_o he_o both_o in_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o all_o judaea_n and_o in_o samaria_n and_o unto_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n act_v i_o 4_o 5_o 8._o and_o this_o miraculous_a power_n be_v visible_o bestow_v not_o only_o upon_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o but_o upon_o the_o 643._o the_o monstrabatur_fw-la locus_fw-la ubi_fw-la super_fw-la centum_fw-la viginti_fw-la credentium_fw-la animas_fw-la spiritus_fw-la sanctus_fw-la descendisset_fw-la hieron_n epitaph_n paulae_n vid._n dr._n light_n exercit_fw-la on_o act._n two_o 1._o p._n 643._o hundred_o and_o twenty_o mention_v act_v i_o 15._o i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v effectual_o qualify_v to_o be_v witness_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v concern_v christ_n and_o that_o they_o can_v neither_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o it_o nor_o can_v propose_v any_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o by_o deceive_v other_o and_o that_o if_o they_o have_v design_v any_o deceit_n they_o allege_v such_o circumstance_n as_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o have_v past_o undiscovered_a all_o which_o will_v be_v exceed_o confirm_v by_o consider_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n which_o the_o apostle_n receive_v by_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o this_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n i_o shall_v therefore_o show_v how_o the_o apostle_n be_v enable_v by_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o to_o become_v witness_n to_o christ_n 1._o by_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o wrought_v themselves_o 2._o by_o that_o power_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o they_o to_o other_o of_o work_v miracle_n 3._o by_o their_o supernatural_a resolution_n courage_n and_o patience_n under_o their_o suffering_n i._o the_o apostle_n be_v enable_v to_o become_v witness_n to_o christ_n by_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o wrought_v themselves_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n qualify_v they_o most_o effectual_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n and_o other_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n for_o they_o can_v neither_o deceive_v nor_o be_v deceive_v in_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n which_o be_v bestow_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v a_o assurance_n to_o themselves_o and_o a_o evidence_n to_o other_o that_o it_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n in_o which_o they_o be_v engage_v and_o his_o truth_n which_o they_o deliver_v they_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o undoubted_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n they_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o they_o be_v real_a miracle_n which_o they_o wrought_v or_o not_o they_o must_v needs_o know_v whether_o their_o own_o pretence_n be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o whether_o they_o can_v speak_v the_o language_n and_o do_v the_o wonder_n which_o the_o world_n believe_v they_o to_o do_v and_o speak_v and_o they_o can_v not_o but_o know_v by_o what_o power_n and_o mean_n they_o be_v enable_v to_o perform_v all_o their_o miraculous_a work_n and_o these_o work_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o do_v in_o that_o manner_n that_o they_o can_v impose_v upon_o no_o man_n by_o they_o they_o can_v not_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o they_o speak_v all_o kind_n of_o language_n if_o they_o do_v not_o speak_v they_o nor_o that_o they_o cure_v all_o sort_n of_o disease_n if_o they_o have_v not_o cure_v they_o nothing_o be_v more_o easy_a than_o for_o a_o man_n to_o know_v a_o language_n that_o he_o understand_v when_o he_o hear_v it_o or_o than_o for_o man_n that_o be_v sick_a to_o know_v that_o they_o be_v recover_v when_o they_o feel_v themselves_o well_o and_o the_o manner_n oâ—_n their_o perform_v these_o miracle_n be_v the_o most_o public_a and_o notorious_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n and_o the_o person_n on_o who_o they_o be_v wrought_v our_o saviour_n have_v be_v crucify_v at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n who_o be_v meet_v together_o from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n at_o that_o solemnity_n and_o but_o fifty_o day_n after_o at_o the_o next_o solemn_a festival_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o very_a same_o city_n where_o he_o have_v be_v crucify_a in_o the_o presence_n of_o multitude_n of_o people_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o language_n which_o come_v to_o keep_v the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n the_o apostle_n declare_v to_o they_o in_o all_o their_o several_a tongue_n that_o this_o same_o jesus_n be_v by_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o they_o be_v impower_v by_o he_o to_o speak_v all_o those_o language_n the_o apostle_n be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n take_v notice_n of_o to_o be_v gallilean_n man_n of_o low_a birth_n and_o of_o new_a education_n st._n john_n in_o particular_a be_v know_v to_o the_o high_a priest_n himself_o and_o the_o rest_n be_v all_o know_v to_o many_o that_o hear_v they_o their_o parentage_n and_o place_n of_o abide_v and_o manner_n of_o life_n may_v easy_o be_v inquire_v into_o for_o they_o be_v no_o stranger_n nor_o in_o a_o far_a country_n and_o from_o all_o these_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v capable_a of_o speak_v any_o of_o these_o language_n but_o by_o inspiration_n and_o to_o speak_v all_o language_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o no_o man_n ever_o can_v hope_v to_o arrive_v at_o by_o study_n or_o conversation_n though_o he_o shall_v make_v it_o the_o whole_a business_n of_o his_o life_n and_o therefore_o this_o can_v least_o of_o all_o be_v suspect_v of_o man_n of_o mean_a employment_n and_o who_o get_v their_o livelihood_n by_o their_o daily_a labour_n and_o industry_n the_o miracle_n which_o the_o apostle_n wrought_v be_v likewise_o in_o the_o most_o public_a place_n of_o the_o city_n and_o in_o the_o most_o public_a manner_n upon_o person_n who_o have_v be_v most_o remarkable_a and_o general_o take_v notice_n of_o for_o their_o infirmity_n st._n peter_n by_o pronounce_v only_o these_o word_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n of_o nazareth_n rise_v up_o and_o walk_v cure_v a_o man_n of_o above_o forty_o year_n of_o age_n who_o be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v lame_a from_o his_o birth_n and_o be_v carry_v and_o lay_v daily_o at_o one_o of_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o temple_n where_o there_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v the_o great_a resort_n of_o people_n to_o ask_v a_o alm_n of_o they_o that_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n and_o this_o man_n be_v immediate_o cure_v go_v with_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n john_n into_o the_o temple_n and_o all_o the_o people_n see_v he_o walk_v and_o praise_v god_n and_o they_o know_v that_o it_o be_v he_o which_o sit_v for_o alm_n at_o the_o beautiful_a gate_n of_o the_o temple_n act_v three_o 9_o 10._o and_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o jew_n inquire_v into_o the_o matter_n and_o upon_o examination_n when_o they_o see_v the_o boldness_n of_o peter_n and_o john_n and_o perceive_v that_o they_o be_v unlearned_a and_o ignorant_a man_n they_o marvel_v and_o they_o take_v knowledge_n of_o they_o that_o they_o have_v be_v with_o jesus_n and_o behold_v the_o man_n which_o be_v heal_v stand_v with_o they_o they_o can_v say_v nothing_o against_o it_o but_o confess_v among_o themselves_o that_o indeed_o a_o notable_a miracle_n have_v be_v do_v by_o they_o be_v manifest_a to_o all_o they_o that_o dwell_v in_o jerusalem_n and_o we_o can_v deny_v it_o act_n four_o 13_o 14_o 16._o by_o this_o and_o other_o evident_a and_o public_a miracle_n the_o miraculous_a power_n of_o the_o apostle_n
but_o thus_o much_o in_o this_o place_n shall_v suffice_v all_o particular_n have_v be_v large_o insist_v upon_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n and_o since_o as_o sure_a as_o there_o be_v a_o god_n there_o must_v be_v a_o reveal_v religion_n if_o any_o man_n will_v dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n let_v he_o instance_n in_o any_o other_o religion_n that_o can_v make_v a_o better_a plea_n and_o have_v more_o certainty_n that_o it_o come_v from_o god_n let_v he_o produce_v any_o other_o religion_n that_o have_v more_o visible_a character_n of_o divinity_n in_o it_o and_o we_o will_v not_o scruple_n to_o be_v of_o it_o but_o if_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o show_v any_o such_o as_o have_v be_v prove_v than_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o this_o since_o there_o must_v be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n and_o if_o that_o religion_n which_o have_v more_o evidence_n for_o it_o than_o any_o other_o religion_n can_v be_v pretend_v to_o have_v and_o all_o that_o it_o can_v be_v requisite_a for_o it_o to_o have_v suppose_v it_o true_a and_o which_o it_o be_v therefore_o impossible_a to_o discover_v to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o be_v so_o if_o this_o religion_n be_v not_o true_a god_n must_v be_v want_v to_o mankind_n in_o what_o concern_v their_o eternal_a interest_n and_o happiness_n he_o must_v be_v want_v to_o himself_o and_o to_o his_o own_o attribute_n of_o goodness_n justice_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o he_o that_o upon_o a_o due_a examination_n of_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o motive_n to_o it_o will_v not_o be_v a_o christian_n can_v be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o atheist_n if_o he_o discern_v the_o consequence_n of_o thing_n and_o will_v hold_v to_o his_o own_o principle_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o medium_fw-la if_o we_o right_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o as_o sure_a as_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a the_o gospel_n be_v reveal_v by_o he_o chap._n ii_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n have_v prove_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o last_o place_n upon_o these_o principle_n give_v a_o resolution_n of_o our_o faith_n which_o be_v a_o subject_n that_o have_v cause_v such_o unnecessary_a and_o unhappy_a dispute_n among_o christian_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n for_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n this_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o controversy_n as_o indeed_o it_o can_v not_o then_o and_o ought_v not_o now_o to_o be_v 1._o consider_v the_o scripture_n only_o as_o a_o history_n contain_v the_o action_n and_o doctrine_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o have_v the_o great_a humane_a testimony_n that_o can_v be_v of_o man_n who_o have_v all_o the_o opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n etc._n etc._n which_o give_v evidence_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o doctrine_n as_o reveal_v from_o god_n and_o who_o can_v have_v no_o interest_n to_o deceive_v other_o but_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o danger_n and_o infamy_n and_o torment_n by_o bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n whereas_o imposture_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v invent_v not_o to_o incur_v such_o suffering_n but_o to_o avoid_v they_o or_o to_o obtain_v the_o advantage_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n and_o so_o this_o testimony_n amount_v to_o a_o moral_a certainty_n or_o as_o it_o be_v proper_o enough_o call_v by_o some_o to_o a_o moral_a infallibility_n because_o it_o imply_v a_o moral_a impossibility_n of_o our_o be_v deceive_v by_o it_o such_o a_o certainty_n it_o be_v as_o that_o nothing_o with_o any_o reason_n can_v be_v object_v against_o it_o we_o can_v have_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v and_o suffer_v and_o teach_v what_o the_o scripture_n relate_v of_o they_o in_o jerusalem_n antioch_n etc._n etc._n as_o that_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o place_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o we_o have_v that_o much_o better_o attest_v than_o this_o for_o many_o man_n have_v die_v in_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o ii_o this_o testimony_n be_v consider_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n testify_v as_o it_o concern_v eternal_a salvation_n which_o be_v of_o the_o great_a concernment_n to_o all_o mankind_n it_o appear_v that_o god_n veracity_n and_o goodness_n be_v engage_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v deceive_v inevitable_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o consequence_n so_o that_o this_o moral_a infallibility_n become_v hereby_o absolute_a infallibility_n and_o that_o which_o be_v before_o but_o humane_a faith_n become_v divine_a be_v ground_v not_o upon_o humane_a testimony_n but_o upon_o the_o divine_a attribute_n which_o do_v attest_v and_o confirm_v that_o humane_a testimony_n and_o so_o divine_a testimony_n be_v the_o ultimate_a ground_n why_o i_o believe_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v no_o particular_a reveal_v testimony_n indeed_o but_o that_o which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o it_o viz._n the_o constant_a attestation_n of_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n for_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n to_o let_v man_n be_v deceive_v without_o any_o possible_a help_n or_o remedy_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o importance_n and_o so_o we_o have_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n absolute_o infallible_a because_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n that_o god_n do_v confirm_v this_o humane_a testimony_n by_o his_o own_o iii_o the_o argument_n than_o proceed_v thus_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v false_a it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o discover_v they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n of_o almighty_a god_n to_o suffer_v a_o deceit_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o pass_v upon_o mankind_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o a_o discovery_n therefore_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v not_o false_a here_o be_v 1._o the_o object_n or_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v viz._n that_o the_o revelation_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n be_v from_o god_n 2._o the_o motive_n or_o evidence_n to_o induce_v our_o belief_n viz._n humane_a testimony_n 3._o a_o confirmation_n of_o that_o testimony_n or_o the_o formal_a principle_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o belief_n viz._n the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o truth_n the_o object_n therefore_o or_o thing_n believe_v be_v the_o same_o to_o we_o that_o it_o be_v to_o those_o who_o see_v the_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o scripture_n stand_v confirm_v viz._n the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o our_o belief_n be_v the_o same_o that_o they_o be_v viz._n the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o truth_n whereby_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v miracle_n to_o be_v wrought_v in_o his_o own_o name_n according_a to_o prophecy_n former_o deliver_v and_o with_o all_o other_o circumstance_n of_o credibility_n only_o to_o confirm_v a_o lye_n the_o only_a difference_n then_o between_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n in_o we_o and_o in_o the_o christian_n who_o be_v convert_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v this_o that_o though_o we_o believe_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n and_o reason_n with_o they_o yet_o we_o have_v not_o the_o same_o immediate_a motive_n or_o evidence_n to_o induce_v our_o belief_n or_o to_o satisfy_v we_o in_o these_o reason_n and_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v upon_o these_o ground_n that_o be_v to_o satisfy_v and_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v final_o resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o be_v as_o well_o certify_v to_o we_o as_o his_o divine_a attribute_n can_v render_v it_o for_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o this_o from_o what_o their_o own_o sense_n receive_v but_o we_o have_v our_o assurance_n of_o it_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o the_o question_n therefore_o will_v be_v whether_o the_o motive_n and_o argument_n for_o this_o belief_n in_o we_o or_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o become_v assure_v that_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o as_o sufficient_a to_o produce_v a_o divine_a faith_n in_o we_o and_o to_o establish_v our_o faith_n upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o the_o motive_n and_o argument_n which_o those_o have_v who_o live_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o see_v their_o miracle_n can_v be_v to_o produce_v that_o faith_n in_o they_o which_o resolve_v itself_o into_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o this_o enquiry_n will_v depend_v upon_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o whether_o
and_o such_o prophecy_n deliver_v as_o give_v to_o the_o scripture_n the_o full_a evidence_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n if_o therefore_o it_o be_v inquire_v why_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o answer_n be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n which_o concur_v with_o all_o other_o circumstance_n requisite_a in_o a_o revelation_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v how_o we_o know_v that_o these_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v true_a and_o effectual_a and_o not_o feign_v or_o insufficient_a i_o answer_v because_o we_o have_v they_o so_o relate_v and_o attest_v that_o consider_v bare_o as_o matter_n of_o fact_n they_o have_v all_o the_o credibility_n that_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o therefore_o may_v as_o safe_o be_v rely_v upon_o as_o any_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v ourselves_o see_v or_o hear_v if_o it_o be_v further_o urge_v that_o for_o all_o this_o i_o may_v be_v deceive_v since_o all_o man_n be_v fallible_a and_o no_o man_n be_v infallible_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o rome_n who_o never_o see_v it_o though_o no_o man_n neither_o can_v any_o more_o doubt_n of_o it_o than_o he_o can_v doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o london_n who_o live_v in_o it_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o bare_a possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o all_o humane_a evidence_n but_o yet_o i_o deny_v that_o we_o can_v possible_o be_v deceive_v in_o this_o case_n because_o though_o the_o evidence_n itself_o be_v humane_a yet_o the_o thing_n which_o it_o concern_v be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o god_n will_v never_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o be_v thus_o long_o impose_v upon_o in_o they_o without_o all_o possibility_n of_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n so_o that_o here_o we_o resolve_v our_o faith_n into_o the_o divine_a authority_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o same_o miracle_n by_o reason_n whereof_o the_o eye_n witness_n of_o they_o do_v resolve_v they_o into_o it_o but_o they_o believe_v these_o miracle_n as_o see_v by_o themselves_o and_o we_o believe_v they_o as_o see_v and_o witness_v by_o other_o but_o both_o they_o and_o we_o believe_v they_o as_o the_o work_n of_o god_n himself_o it_o may_v have_v be_v allege_v if_o we_o have_v see_v those_o miracle_n that_o we_o may_v possible_o be_v decive_v and_o so_o indeed_o we_o may_v if_o we_o can_v not_o have_v secure_o rely_v upon_o god_n truth_n and_o goodness_n that_o they_o be_v design_v by_o he_o to_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v and_o we_o may_v with_o equal_a security_n rely_v upon_o the_o same_o truth_n and_o goodness_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o history_n of_o they_o as_o we_o can_v have_v do_v for_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o they_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v though_o they_o have_v be_v perform_v in_o our_o sight_n since_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a to_o find_v out_o any_o deceit_n in_o the_o account_n give_v of_o they_o as_o it_o will_v have_v be_v for_o we_o to_o find_v any_o in_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o performance_n humane_a testimony_n be_v the_o conveyance_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o deliver_v the_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n down_o to_o we_o and_o we_o who_o can_v neither_o see_v the_o miracle_n nor_o hear_v the_o doctrine_n at_o the_o first_o hand_n have_v at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o they_o ascertain_v by_o a_o continue_a successive_a testimony_n till_o we_o arrive_v at_o such_o as_o be_v immediate_a witness_n of_o they_o now_o those_o that_o see_v and_o hear_v all_o thing_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n can_v not_o esteem_v their_o sense_n infallible_a but_o they_o notwithstanding_o believe_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n to_o be_v so_o of_o who_o yet_o their_o sense_n only_o can_v give_v they_o mean_n of_o assurance_n that_o they_o be_v infallible_a they_o know_v their_o sense_n may_v deceive_v they_o or_o that_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v concern_v the_o object_n of_o sense_n but_o nevertheless_o they_o believe_v that_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o deceive_v they_o upon_o this_o only_a ground_n that_o their_o sense_n or_o their_o reason_n by_o deduction_n from_o sense_n tell_v they_o so_o there_o be_v not_o one_o man_n of_o they_o perhaps_o but_o have_v often_o observe_v his_o sense_n misrepresent_v object_n to_o he_o and_o yet_o in_o this_o case_n upon_o the_o sole_a testimony_n of_o their_o sense_n they_o ground_v a_o infallible_a faith_n because_o though_o their_o sense_n have_v misrepresent_v object_n yet_o it_o be_v in_o a_o wrong_a medium_n at_o a_o undue_a distance_n or_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o indisposition_n of_o the_o sense_n itself_o and_o still_o their_o sense_n or_o rather_o their_o reason_n by_o the_o help_n of_o their_o sense_n discover_v that_o their_o sense_n have_v lead_v they_o into_o mistake_n but_o in_o the_o present_a case_n when_o the_o object_n be_v place_v in_o open_a and_o frequent_a view_n to_o the_o great_a advantage_n when_o it_o be_v public_a and_o expose_v to_o multitude_n when_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o opinion_n concern_v it_o and_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v of_o infinite_a importance_n here_o they_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o god_n who_o frame_v their_o sense_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v so_o hurtful_a to_o they_o as_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v be_v deceive_v by_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n in_o the_o testimony_n which_o descend_v to_o we_o from_o former_a age_n we_o see_v with_o other_o man_n eye_n and_o hear_v with_o other_o man_n ear_n and_o though_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o may_v often_o fail_v we_o and_o be_v subject_a to_o a_o double_a inconveniency_n through_o the_o incapacity_n and_o unfaithfulness_n of_o witness_n yet_o as_o in_o the_o former_a case_n so_o here_o when_o all_o circumstance_n be_v weigh_v and_o consider_v and_o after_o the_o utmost_a trial_n no_o reason_n can_v be_v find_v to_o withhold_v our_o assent_n but_o all_o thing_n stand_v undisprove_v and_o no_o just_a scruple_n appear_v but_o only_o a_o bare_a possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v and_o this_o arise_v not_o from_o any_o defect_n but_o that_o of_o humane_a nature_n itself_o here_o god_n goodness_n and_o his_o truth_n must_v needs_o interpose_v to_o take_v away_o that_o only_a impediment_n which_o otherwise_o must_v unavoidable_o hinder_v any_o thing_n from_o ever_o be_v know_v to_o be_v infallible_a the_o only_a certainty_n which_o we_o can_v have_v that_o our_o sense_n be_v true_a be_v this_o that_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v deceive_v where_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o medium_n and_o distance_n of_o the_o object_n and_o all_o other_o circumstance_n be_v right_o qualify_v because_o that_o will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o his_o attribute_n of_o justice_n goodness_n and_o truth_n but_o it_o will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o these_o attribute_n not_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o body_n for_o they_o will_v be_v provide_v for_o as_o well_o though_o our_o sense_n be_v delude_v we_o shall_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o taste_v just_a as_o we_o do_v now_o though_o we_o be_v never_o so_o much_o deceive_v in_o these_o sensation_n therefore_o the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n be_v engage_v not_o to_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o respect_n to_o our_o soul_n not_o in_o regard_n to_o our_o body_n and_o if_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n that_o our_o sense_n do_v not_o deceive_v we_o but_o because_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v such_o a_o cheat_n to_o be_v put_v upon_o we_o as_o we_o be_v intelligent_a and_o rational_a being_n we_o have_v the_o same_o and_o much_o great_a reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o lie_v under_o such_o a_o delusion_n in_o reference_n to_o our_o eternal_a interest_n if_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v our_o mind_n unavoidable_o to_o lie_v under_o a_o temporal_a delusion_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n have_v we_o not_o much_o more_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o unavoidable_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o any_o mean_n whatsoever_o in_o reference_n to_o our_o eternal_a interest_n for_o in_o this_o case_n to_o be_v deceive_v be_v to_o be_v destroy_v and_o to_o suffer_v it_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n worse_o than_o if_o he_o shall_v suffer_v all_o mankind_n at_o once_o not_o only_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o their_o sense_n but_o to_o be_v poison_v by_o that_o deceit_n and_o therefore_o the_o special_a providence_n and_o particular_a care_n of_o god_n must_v be_v concern_v to_o prevent_v it_o
we_o can_v know_v nothing_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o we_o know_v the_o proposition_n which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v though_o we_o can_v make_v good_a the_o proof_n of_o it_o in_o the_o way_n of_o natural_a reason_v but_o only_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o revealer_n which_o be_v of_o itself_o sufficient_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v instead_o of_o all_o other_o reason_n to_o we_o 2._o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v fit_v and_o accommodate_v to_o former_a age_n and_o be_v more_o proper_a and_o useful_a for_o they_o than_o if_o they_o have_v be_v write_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o be_v less_o obscure_a and_o difficult_a we_o may_v well_o imagine_v that_o many_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v have_v be_v more_o peculiar_o adapt_v to_o their_o use_n and_o advantage_n for_o who_o they_o be_v immediate_o design_v and_o the_o learning_n and_o wisdom_n of_o ancient_a time_n consist_v in_o parable_n and_o proverb_n and_o obscure_a form_n of_o speech_n in_o prophecy_n in_o subtle_a and_o dark_a parable_n and_o in_o the_o secret_n of_o grave_a sentence_n eccl._n thirty-nine_o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o it_o be_v foretell_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o particular_a that_o he_o shall_v speak_v in_o parable_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a excellency_n i_o will_v open_v my_o mouth_n in_o a_o parable_n i_o will_v utter_v dark_a say_n of_o old_a ps_n lxxviii_o 2._o matt._n xiii_o 35._o this_o be_v in_o ancient_a time_n the_o language_n of_o court_n and_o the_o proper_a way_n of_o address_n to_o king_n nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o woman_n of_o tekoa_n come_v to_o david_n with_o a_o parable_n 2_o sam._n twelve_o 1._o fourteen_o 4._o and_o jehoash_n king_n of_o israel_n send_v a_o message_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n to_o amaziah_n king_n of_o judah_n 2_o king_n fourteen_o 9_o and_o cyrus_n 141._o cyrus_n â—eâ—odot_n lib._n i_o c._n 141._o answer_v the_o petition_n of_o two_o nation_n at_o once_o to_o he_o in_o a_o short_a parable_n to_o understand_v a_o proverb_n and_o the_o interpretation_n the_o word_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o their_o dark_a say_n be_v the_o best_a description_n that_o solomon_n himself_o can_v give_v of_o wisdom_n prov._n i_o 6._o and_o â—_o and_o joseph_n antiqu._n lib._n viij_o c._n 2._o â—_o solomon_n and_o hiram_n be_v relate_v by_o josephus_n to_o have_v propound_v problem_n and_o riddle_n or_o parable_n to_o each_o other_o upon_o condition_n of_o a_o forfeiture_n to_o be_v pay_v by_o he_o who_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o riddle_n send_v he_o this_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o now_o as_o a_o strange_a correspondence_n between_o king_n but_o than_o it_o be_v otherwise_o think_v of_o many_o of_o their_o epâ—â—â—â—s_n be_v preserve_v as_o he_o tell_v we_o to_o his_o time_n at_o tyre_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n who_o testimony_n he_o produce_v think_v it_o deserve_v their_o particular_a observation_n this_o custom_n of_o propound_v riddle_n be_v as_o old_a as_o sampson_n time_n judg._n fourteen_o 12._o and_o example_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o herodotus_n etc._n herodotus_n vid._n athenae_n lib._n x._o c_o 15._o etc._n etc._n and_o other_o author_n whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a that_o homer_n die_v of_o grief_n because_o he_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o riddle_n of_o the_o fisher_n it_o show_v that_o riddle_n be_v in_o great_a request_n among_o the_o ancient_a greek_n for_o otherwise_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o ground_n either_o for_o the_o truth_n or_o fiction_n of_o such_o a_o story_n plutarch_n relate_v it_o as_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o homer_n death_n and_o when_o homer_n when_o herod_n &_o plut._n in_o vit._n homer_n herodotus_n deny_v this_o he_o own_v the_o report_n and_o by_o the_o verse_n which_o he_o say_v homer_n speak_v upon_o this_o occasion_n it_o appear_v what_o opinion_n homer_n have_v of_o this_o sort_n of_o wit._n hesiod_n be_v by_o xi_o by_o quintil._n institut_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n xi_o quintilian_n think_v the_o author_n of_o the_o fable_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o aesop_n however_o this_o make_v it_o probable_a that_o he_o do_v write_v fable_n and_o perhaps_o there_o be_v few_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o note_n in_o those_o time_n who_o do_v not_o mythology_n be_v in_o the_o high_a esteem_n among_o the_o ancient_n and_o indeed_o all_o the_o ancient_a learning_n be_v of_o this_o kind_n the_o egyptian_n who_o be_v in_o great_a reputation_n for_o learning_n deliver_v their_o notion_n in_o hieroglyphic_n as_o if_o they_o have_v resolve_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o the_o philosopher_n of_o old_a pythagoras_n heraclitus_n etc._n etc._n great_o affect_v obscurity_n socrates_n himself_o and_o plato_n and_o aristotle_n purposely_o conceal_v their_o meaning_n in_o many_o case_n from_o vulgar_a capacity_n and_o thucydides_n take_v the_o same_o course_n in_o â—is_n history_n and_o be_v obscure_a out_o of_o design_n as_o marcellinus_n have_v observe_v in_o his_o life_n the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o most_o part_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o most_o plain_a and_o the_o most_o easy_o intelligible_a of_o any_o write_n of_o ancient_a time_n and_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v more_o obvious_a but_o they_o must_v have_v be_v contemptible_a and_o useless_a to_o those_o for_o who_o they_o be_v immediate_o design_v the_o precept_n and_o exhortation_n be_v always_o plain_a and_o obvious_a and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o other_o thing_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o exception_n to_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n that_o it_o be_v necessary_a according_a to_o the_o learning_n and_o custom_n of_o ancient_a time_n the_o parable_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v explain_v to_o we_o and_o there_o can_v now_o be_v no_o pretence_n of_o obscurity_n in_o they_o and_o in_o his_o discourse_n with_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o they_o be_v not_o explain_v he_o allude_v to_o those_o proverb_n and_o custom_n which_o be_v best_a know_v and_o most_o in_o use_n among_o they_o to_o who_o upon_o any_o occasion_n he_o speak_v that_o thereby_o all_o who_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v and_o be_v not_o by_o their_o sin_n hinder_v from_o attend_v to_o what_o they_o hear_v may_v be_v the_o more_o affect_v with_o they_o and_o the_o better_o incline_v to_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o his_o instruction_n when_o they_o hear_v he_o make_v use_n of_o such_o allusion_n as_o they_o know_v according_a to_o the_o way_n of_o teach_v among_o they_o have_v some_o excellent_a hide_a meaning_n which_o they_o will_v be_v very_o desirous_a to_o become_v acquaint_v withal_o 3._o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v obscure_a to_o we_o be_v not_o obscure_a in_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v 1._o because_o the_o obscurity_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v rather_o in_o the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o speech_n than_o in_o the_o notion_n themselves_o so_o that_o that_o may_v be_v clear_a at_o first_o which_o be_v obscure_a to_o we_o who_o be_v but_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o phrase_n and_o idiom_n of_o the_o language_n and_o the_o eloquence_n of_o those_o time_n and_o country_n for_o the_o fashion_n of_o speech_n vary_v as_o much_o as_o those_o of_o the_o garb_n and_o habit_n and_o the_o eloquence_n and_o way_n of_o expression_n be_v as_o different_a as_o the_o dialect_v and_o language_n of_o divers_a age_n and_o nation_n 2._o the_o name_n of_o animal_n of_o flower_n and_o plant_n and_o mineral_n be_v very_o liable_a to_o be_v mistake_v and_o especial_o whatever_o be_v peculiar_a to_o any_o country_n must_v needs_o be_v difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o foreigner_n who_o have_v no_o such_o thing_n among_o they_o and_o perhaps_o want_v word_n to_o express_v their_o nature_n and_o can_v scarce_o have_v a_o true_a and_o exact_a notion_n of_o they_o the_o precise_a value_n of_o coin_n and_o proportion_n of_o weight_n and_o measure_n use_v so_o long_o ago_o and_o in_o country_n so_o far_o from_o we_o can_v hardly_o now_o be_v know_v and_o must_v necessary_o admit_v of_o great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n there_o be_v much_o uncertainty_n about_o these_o in_o all_o ancient_a history_n but_o the_o great_a antiquity_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n above_o other_o may_v make_v we_o reasonable_o expect_v to_o find_v many_o more_o such_o difficulty_n in_o it_o and_o the_o different_a name_n of_o the_o same_o person_n and_o of_o the_o same_o place_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v another_o occasion_n of_o obscurity_n the_o name_n coin_n weight_n and_o measure_n and_o habit_n of_o ancient_a time_n afford_v the_o great_a work_n for_o critic_n which_o be_v so_o well_o know_v when_o the_o author_n who_o mention_v they_o write_v that_o it_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o they_o to_o explain_v they_o these_o be_v difficulty_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o they_o can_v not_o
be_v without_o abundance_n of_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n and_o herein_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n appear_v that_o to_o such_o a_o people_n and_o in_o such_o a_o age_n he_o give_v a_o law_n so_o admirable_o proper_a and_o well_o contrive_v to_o preserve_v the_o life_n and_o substance_n of_o religion_n under_o the_o veil_n of_o ceremony_n and_o to_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o come_n of_o his_o son_n when_o it_o be_v to_o be_v of_o no_o long_a continuance_n the_o law_n be_v give_v by_o moses_n but_o grace_n and_o truth_n come_v by_o jesus_n christ_n joh._n i._n 17._o that_o be_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n or_o substance_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v prefigure_v by_o the_o law_n chap._n xvi_o of_o the_o cessation_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n our_o saviour_n be_v the_o great_a prophet_n who_o be_v to_o come_v as_o moses_n have_v foretell_v and_o who_o be_v expect_v at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o come_n and_o it_o be_v likewise_o expect_v that_o that_o prophet_n shall_v work_v miracle_n as_o moses_n have_v do_v who_o he_o be_v to_o be_v like_a and_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o lawgiver_n as_o moses_n have_v be_v the_o jew_n have_v a_o general_a expectation_n that_o the_o messiah_n will_v manifest_v himself_o by_o miracle_n joh._n seven_o 31._o miracle_n have_v not_o be_v for_o a_o long_a time_n wrought_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n but_o it_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o know_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v revive_v by_o he_o the_o 36._o the_o maiman_n more_n nevoch_n part_n 2._o c._n 36._o rabbin_n still_o teach_v that_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n be_v to_o return_v at_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o god_n express_a promise_n and_o the_o samaritan_n themselves_o have_v this_o notion_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o he_o be_v to_o give_v full_a instruction_n in_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n joh._n four_o 25._o and_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n and_o life_n and_o death_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o prove_v he_o the_o true_a messiah_n be_v literal_o fulfil_v in_o our_o saviour_n and_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o his_o kingdom_n have_v be_v explain_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n so_o that_o it_o be_v full_o prove_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n by_o the_o accomplishment_n in_o he_o of_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n we_o ought_v to_o rest_v satisfy_v in_o his_o authority_n both_o for_o the_o cessation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o for_o any_o explication_n which_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n have_v give_v we_o of_o it_o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o we_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v against_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o their_o law_n be_v to_o cease_v when_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v the_o gospel_n be_v so_o far_o from_o contain_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n that_o it_o be_v the_o fulfil_v and_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o the_o moral_a precept_n be_v improve_v and_o advance_v and_o the_o ceremonial_a and_o ritual_a part_n be_v not_o proper_o abrogate_a and_o abolish_v but_o it_o continue_v for_o as_o long_a time_n as_o it_o be_v design_v to_o do_v and_o then_o expire_v of_o itself_o it_o serve_v these_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v institute_v and_o afterward_o must_v of_o consequence_n cease_v the_o ceremonial_a worship_n therefore_o be_v permit_v to_o the_o jew_n who_o become_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o their_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o then_o it_o be_v no_o long_o practicable_a but_o must_v of_o necessity_n cease_v and_o the_o cessation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n when_o once_o it_o have_v its_o period_n and_o accomplishment_n be_v as_o much_o the_o will_n of_o the_o legislator_n at_o its_o first_o institution_n as_o its_o former_a obligation_n can_v be_v the_o jewish_a law_n be_v figurative_a and_o typical_a it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v to_o cease_v of_o course_n when_o the_o thing_n prefigure_v and_o typify_v by_o it_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v when_o the_o messiah_n shall_v come_v for_o then_o the_o type_n and_o figure_n be_v fulfil_v can_v be_v of_o no_o long_o use_v nor_o the_o law_n which_o enjoin_v they_o of_o any_o long_a continuance_n when_o once_o this_o principal_a reason_n of_o it_o cease_v and_o all_o other_o end_v design_v by_o it_o may_v be_v better_o attain_v without_o it_o by_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n and_o this_o law_n be_v so_o contrive_v as_o not_o only_o to_o expire_v upon_o the_o fulfil_n of_o it_o by_o the_o messiah_n but_o to_o become_v impracticable_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v observe_v afterward_o i_o shall_v therefore_o prove_v the_o cessation_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n i._o because_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v in_o who_o it_o be_v fulfil_v ii_o because_o it_o be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n that_o the_o law_n shall_v cease_v upon_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n iii_o because_o after_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o be_v to_o become_v impracticable_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v observe_v 1._o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v in_o who_o the_o law_n be_v fulfil_v as_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v prefigure_v in_o the_o various_a type_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v therefore_o to_o receive_v their_o accomplishment_n in_o he_o so_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o messiah_n since_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n have_v be_v all_o fulfil_v in_o he_o this_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v at_o large_a and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o zechariah_n and_o malachy_n be_v so_o very_o plain_o and_o undeniable_o fulfil_v that_o stessia_n that_o munster_n de_fw-fr stessia_n some_o of_o the_o jew_n to_o evade_v they_o have_v be_v force_v to_o say_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n though_o he_o do_v not_o yet_o appear_v but_o that_o he_o be_v see_v at_o rome_n and_o have_v ever_o since_o lie_v conceal_v as_o moses_n do_v in_o the_o house_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o that_o the_o time_n will_v come_v when_o he_o shall_v require_v the_o dismission_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o pope_n as_o moses_n demand_v of_o pharaoh_n the_o dismission_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n but_o they_o say_v that_o he_o defer_v the_o manifestation_n of_o himself_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n have_v make_v many_o solemn_a humiliation_n to_o implore_v his_o help_n and_o hasten_v his_o come_n particular_o a._n d._n mdii_o they_o appoint_v a_o public_a humiliation_n for_o young_a and_o old_a man_n woman_n and_o child_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o nigh_o a_o whole_a year_n together_o dialog_n together_o just_a martyr_n dialog_n trypho_n do_v not_o deny_v that_o christ_n be_v bear_v and_o may_v be_v somewhere_o unknown_a but_o say_v that_o he_o can_v not_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v christ_n nor_o work_v miracle_n till_o elias_n have_v anoint_v he_o and_o manifest_v he_o to_o the_o world_n ib._n world_n muâ—ster_n ib._n other_o have_v say_v that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v a_o three_o temple_n and_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o last_o the_o messiah_n will_v come_v only_o because_o abraham_n call_v the_o place_n where_o the_o temple_n stand_v a_o mountain_n isaaâ—_n a_o field_n and_o jacob_n a_o house_n some_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o their_o sin_n hinder_v his_o come_n some_o again_o think_v that_o they_o be_v neither_o sinful_a enough_o nor_o righteous_a enough_o for_o say_v they_o he_o must_v come_v in_o a_o generation_n altogether_o sinful_a or_o altogether_o righteous_a the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n week_n be_v so_o punctual_o in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n fulfil_v that_o not_o only_a limborch_n only_a joseph_n antiqu_n judiac_n lib._n x._o c._n 12._o secundum_fw-la scriptum_n judai_n apud_fw-la limborch_n josephus_n and_o the_o modern_a jew_n apply_v it_o to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o titus_n but_o 3._o but_o lud._n viu._n de_fw-fr ver_fw-la fid._n lib._n 3._o some_o of_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o computation_n to_o be_v true_a and_o to_o agree_v exact_o with_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n have_v even_o dare_v to_o say_v that_o daniel_n himself_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o account_n other_o have_v confess_v that_o all_o the_o term_n of_o time_n assign_v for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v past_a and_o that_o now_o their_o only_a hope_n of_o deliverance_n and_o redemption_n be_v to_o be_v place_v in_o their_o repentance_n and_o other_o lay_v a_o curse_n upon_o such_o as_o presume_v to_o fix_v any_o particular_a time_n for_o the_o
unwilling_a to_o find_v the_o christian_a religion_n true_a which_o put_v such_o a_o check_n to_o all_o licentiousness_n and_o to_o their_o belove_a and_o long_o accustom_a vice_n vice_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o make_v a_o strong_a defence_n and_o a_o eager_a plea_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v difficult_a for_o it_o to_o discover_v when_o it_o have_v such_o a_o number_n of_o such_o subtle_a and_o devote_a advocate_n in_o this_o conjuncture_n of_o time_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n appear_v and_o he_o appear_v in_o a_o mean_a and_o low_a condition_n despise_v by_o his_o own_o people_n who_o soon_o become_v as_o much_o despise_v themselves_o by_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o prince_n of_o peace_n be_v bear_v in_o a_o time_n of_o settle_a and_o universal_a peace_n when_o man_n have_v most_o leisure_n and_o opportunity_n to_o examine_v and_o consider_v thing_n and_o when_o by_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n under_o augustus_n in_o its_o full_a power_n and_o extent_n there_o be_v a_o open_a and_o free_a correspondence_n between_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o follower_n by_o this_o mean_n may_v find_v a_o like_a admittance_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o all_o country_n but_o to_o be_v alike_o hate_v and_o persecute_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o religion_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o to_o make_v advantage_n of_o any_o trouble_n and_o confusion_n in_o the_o empire_n as_o that_o of_o mahomet_n afterward_o do_v but_o to_o recommend_v itself_o by_o its_o own_o worth_n and_o efficacy_n to_o the_o most_o serious_a and_o impartial_a mind_n and_o under_o all_o these_o disadvantage_n it_o soon_o make_v its_o way_n into_o the_o emperor_n court_n where_o craft_n and_o luxury_n and_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o contrary_a to_o the_o purity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n reign_v st._n paul_n have_v his_o proselyte_n in_o caesar_n household_n and_o his_o bond_n in_o christ_n be_v manifest_a in_o all_o the_o palace_n and_o in_o all_o other_o place_n at_o rome_n phil._n i._n 13._o four_o 22._o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n approve_v itself_o to_o the_o most_o prejudice_v judgement_n it_o stand_v all_o the_o trial_n and_o conquer_a all_o opposition_n that_o wit_n and_o learning_n and_o vice_n itself_o can_v make_v for_o by_o the_o leave_n of_o the_o atheist_n and_o deist_n of_o our_o own_o age_n the_o christian_a religion_n find_v the_o subtle_a and_o most_o dangerous_a adversary_n at_o its_o first_o propagation_n the_o epicurean_o and_o the_o stoic_n encounter_v st._n paul_n at_o athens_n and_o these_o last_o especial_o be_v inferior_a to_o no_o other_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n either_o for_o their_o obstinacy_n in_o adhere_v to_o their_o own_o opinion_n or_o for_o their_o art_n and_o skill_n in_o disputation_n and_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o several_a apology_n make_v afterward_o in_o vindication_n of_o our_o religion_n that_o all_o be_v at_o the_o very_a first_o allege_v against_o it_o which_o can_v with_o any_o pretence_n or_o colour_n be_v object_v thus_o be_v christ_n bear_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n when_o all_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v his_o come_n be_v fulfil_v and_o when_o the_o world_n be_v in_o expectation_n of_o he_o and_o have_v such_o general_a notice_n of_o his_o come_n in_o a_o time_n the_o most_o unlikely_a for_o a_o imposture_n to_o pass_v undiscovered_a and_o therefore_o the_o most_o seasonable_a for_o truth_n to_o manifest_v itself_o since_o that_o must_v needs_o be_v true_a which_o neither_o learning_n nor_o prejudice_n nor_o vice_n nor_o interest_n can_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a the_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n and_o the_o conversion_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o such_o number_n of_o man_n in_o such_o a_o age_n recommend_v the_o gospel_n to_o we_o with_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o any_o juncture_n of_o time_n can_v give_v chap._n xxii_o of_o the_o last_o day_n and_o of_o the_o last_o day_n or_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n by_o the_o last_o day_n in_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v mean_v either_o the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o world_n or_o the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n and_o government_n or_o the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n which_o be_v the_o last_o day_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n of_o salvation_n vouchsafe_v to_o mankind_n i._o the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o world_n be_v seldom_o mention_v direct_o and_o in_o express_a term_n but_o under_o such_o resemblance_n as_o be_v fit_a to_o represent_v they_o in_o the_o description_n of_o other_o event_n for_o it_o be_v a_o know_a thing_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o their_o whole_a dispensation_n be_v typical_a whatever_o happen_v to_o they_o under_o their_o law_n and_o government_n must_v afterward_o be_v fulfil_v in_o a_o more_o eminent_a manner_n under_o the_o oeconomy_n and_o dispensation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o the_o last_o day_n of_o jerusalem_n must_v be_v typical_a of_o the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o jewish_a dispensation_n be_v only_o a_o type_n of_o the_o final_a destruction_n of_o the_o world_n at_o the_o consummation_n of_o all_o thing_n when_o christ_n shall_v deliver_v up_o the_o kingdom_n to_o god_n even_o the_o father_n 1_o cor._n xv_o 24._o for_o which_o reason_n our_o saviour_n make_v use_v of_o such_o word_n matt._n xxiv_o as_o be_v applicable_a to_o both_o of_o these_o event_n and_o oftentimes_o more_o fit_o to_o the_o last_o judgement_n that_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n it_o may_v appear_v that_o the_o rest_n remain_v still_o to_o be_v accomplish_v at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n but_o there_o be_v likewise_o such_o expression_n use_v as_o evident_o show_v that_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o thing_n immediate_o design_v in_o the_o prophecy_n this_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v several_a verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n then_o let_v they_o which_o be_v in_o judea_n flee_v into_o the_o mountain_n ver_fw-la 16._o and_o that_o with_o the_o great_a haste_n for_o let_v he_o which_o be_v on_o the_o house_n top_v not_o come_v down_o to_o take_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o his_o house_n v._o 17._o neither_o let_v he_o which_o be_v in_o the_o field_n return_v back_o to_o take_v his_o clothes_n v._o 18._o but_o the_o condition_n of_o such_o will_v be_v very_o miserable_a who_o shall_v be_v unfit_a for_o flight_n and_o woe_n unto_o they_o that_o be_v with_o child_n and_o to_o they_o that_o give_v suck_v in_o those_o day_n v._o 19_o but_o pray_v you_o that_o your_o flight_n be_v not_o in_o the_o winter_n neither_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n v._o 20._o there_o will_v be_v no_o fly_v from_o the_o general_a destruction_n of_o the_o world_n but_o the_o disciple_n be_v here_o warn_v to_o fly_v from_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o escape_v into_o the_o mountain_n and_o they_o be_v command_v to_o pray_v that_o their_o flight_n may_v be_v hinder_v neither_o by_o the_o season_n of_o the_o year_n nor_o by_o the_o sabbath_n on_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v permit_v to_o travel_v but_o a_o very_a little_a way_n which_o suppose_v that_o the_o world_n be_v to_o last_o after_o the_o tribulation_n there_o speak_v of_o and_o that_o therefore_o the_o final_a destruction_n of_o this_o material_a world_n be_v not_o the_o thing_n there_o immediate_o mean_v and_o except_o those_o day_n shall_v be_v shorten_v there_o shall_v no_o flesh_n be_v save_v but_o for_o the_o elect_v sake_n those_o day_n shall_v be_v shorten_v v._o 22._o if_o this_o destruction_n shall_v have_v rage_v long_o in_o that_o manner_n no_o man_n of_o the_o jew_n can_v have_v survive_v it_o but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v so_o abate_v and_o so_o soon_o over_o that_o the_o convert_v jew_n may_v be_v preserve_v from_o it_o which_o promise_n be_v very_o remarkable_o and_o wonderful_o fullfil_v to_o the_o christian_n at_o the_o siege_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o make_v their_o escape_n into_o the_o mountain_n and_o retire_v to_o pella_n for_o wheresoever_o the_o carcase_n be_v there_o will_v the_o eagle_n be_v gather_v together_o ver_fw-la 28._o which_o be_v a_o plain_a allusion_n to_o the_o roman_a eagle_n or_o the_o standard_n of_o their_o army_n immediate_o after_o the_o tribulation_n of_o those_o day_n shall_v the_o sun_n be_v darken_v and_o the_o moon_n shall_v not_o give_v her_o light_n and_o the_o star_n shall_v fall_v from_o heaven_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o heaven_n shall_v be_v shake_v ver_fw-la 29._o this_o be_v in_o some_o respect_n literal_o fulfil_v at_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o prophet_n by_o these_o figure_n to_o describe_v the_o destruction_n of_o nation_n and_o the_o false_a teacher_n be_v style_v by_o st._n judas_n ver_fw-la 13._o wander_a
and_o who_o shall_v betray_v he_o and_o he_o say_v therefore_o say_v i_o unto_o you_o that_o no_o man_n can_v come_v unto_o i_o except_o it_o be_v give_v unto_o he_o of_o my_o father_n john_n vi_fw-la 64_o 65._o so_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v style_v a_o divine_a faith_n not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o object_n but_o of_o its_o efficient_a cause_n in_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n we_o must_v proceed_v upon_o the_o same_o principle_n of_o reason_n by_o which_o we_o proceed_v in_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o other_o truth_n but_o reason_n when_o it_o come_v up_o to_o the_o evidence_n even_o of_o demonstration_n though_o it_o satisfy_v the_o understanding_n yet_o do_v not_o necessary_o gain_v that_o firm_a and_o last_a assent_n of_o the_o will_n which_o be_v require_v in_o faith_n but_o when_o the_o thing_n prove_v to_o be_v true_a be_v unacceptable_a against_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o will_n and_o against_o the_o former_a opinion_n and_o persuasion_n of_o the_o understanding_n the_o present_a conviction_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v soon_o stifle_v and_o overpower_v by_o the_o prevail_a force_n of_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n which_o carry_v the_o mind_n off_o to_o other_o and_o contrary_a object_n which_o it_o have_v be_v wont_a to_o think_v of_o and_o believe_v thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o academic_n and_o sceptic_n they_o can_v not_o but_o have_v the_o same_o sense_n of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n and_o other_o clear_a truth_n which_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n have_v whilst_o they_o think_v of_o they_o and_o attend_v strict_o to_o they_o but_o by_o a_o constant_a practice_n to_o amuse_v themselves_o with_o subtlety_n they_o have_v wrought_v themselves_o to_o a_o persuasion_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v true_a and_o this_o general_a and_o habitual_a opinion_n soon_o stifle_v the_o evidence_n of_o any_o particular_a truth_n which_o can_v be_v represent_v never_o so_o clear_o to_o their_o mind_n to_o as_o many_o therefore_o as_o lay_v under_o long_a and_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la by_o reason_n of_o their_o former_a opinion_n and_o of_o their_o pride_n and_o vanity_n in_o contend_v for_o they_o or_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o of_o those_o lust_n which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a power_n of_o grace_n be_v necessary_a to_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o faith_n or_o else_o though_o they_o believe_v for_o the_o present_a at_o the_o sight_n of_o some_o miracle_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o last_a or_o wellgrounded_n faith_n john_n two_o 23_o 24._o and_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o faith_n be_v deny_v to_o some_o for_o their_o sin_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n nor_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o be_v convert_v john_n twelve_o 40._o so_o that_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o worldly_a wisdom_n may_v still_o continue_v unbeliever_n and_o not_o submit_v to_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o gospel_n because_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o contrary_a to_o their_o habitual_a thought_n and_o inclination_n there_o be_v something_o necessary_a to_o convert_v the_o will_n and_o affection_n and_o to_o subdue_v the_o former_a habit_n which_o have_v be_v root_v in_o their_o mind_n by_o frequent_a act_n and_o length_n of_o time_n and_o which_o be_v too_o strong_a for_o any_o conviction_n of_o the_o understanding_n that_o consist_v but_o in_o transient_a act_n and_o be_v soon_o lose_v and_o vanish_v through_o the_o prevail_a contrary_a habit_n both_o of_o the_o understanding_n and_o will_v and_o affection_n and_o therefore_o faith_n must_v necessary_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o grace_n as_o well_o as_o of_o reason_n and_o where_o because_o of_o former_a sin_n and_o provocation_n this_o grace_n be_v not_o vouchsafe_v there_o can_v be_v no_o faith_n though_o there_o may_v be_v some_o transient_a conviction_n of_o mind_n some_o faint_a glimmering_n which_o be_v soon_o damp_a and_o extinguish_v be_v overpower_v by_o former_a contrary_a persuasion_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n those_o who_o have_v less_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n but_o be_v not_o under_o the_o power_n of_o habitual_a lust_n and_o passion_n and_o therefore_o be_v more_o easy_o persuade_v to_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o truth_n whereof_o they_o be_v once_o convince_v be_v likewise_o the_o more_o easy_o convert_v the_o cause_n why_o the_o word_n become_v unfruitful_a and_o so_o little_o prevail_v with_o many_o man_n be_v in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o sower_n declare_v to_o be_v either_o inconsiderate_a negligence_n and_o ignorance_n and_o the_o advantage_n take_v from_o thence_o by_o satan_n or_o want_v of_o constancy_n in_o time_n of_o tribulation_n and_o persecution_n or_o the_o care_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o riches_n and_o the_o lust_n of_o other_o thing_n matth._n xiii_o 18._o mark_v four_o 9_o it_o be_v next_o to_o a_o impossibility_n for_o a_o rich_a man_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n or_o to_o become_v a_o christian_n they_o be_v not_o natural_a so_o much_o as_o moral_a accomplishment_n not_o so_o much_o part_n and_o learning_n as_o a_o honest_a and_o humble_a mind_n which_o be_v the_o requisite_a qualification_n for_o man_n to_o become_v christian_n because_o as_o god_n the_o more_o free_o bestow_v his_o grace_n upon_o man_n thus_o qualify_v so_o they_o be_v the_o better_o dispose_v to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o it_o whereas_o other_o though_o they_o want_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o grace_n yet_o have_v less_o vouchsafe_v to_o they_o for_o god_n resist_v the_o proud_a but_o give_v grace_n to_o the_o humble_a thus_o much_o in_o the_o general_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o unbelief_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n i._o since_o there_o be_v so_o great_a evidence_n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o true_a christ_n it_o may_v seem_v a_o wonderful_a and_o almost_o a_o incredible_a thing_n that_o the_o jew_n shall_v so_o general_o reject_v he_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n which_o they_o have_v above_o other_o nation_n of_o be_v convert_v but_o 1._o the_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n be_v convert_v in_o vast_a number_n beside_o the_o shepherd_n simon_n and_o anna_n the_o prophetess_n acknowledge_v and_o adore_v our_o saviour_n in_o his_o infancy_n as_o the_o true_a messiah_n luke_n two_o 25_o 36._o and_o it_o be_v probable_o hebr._n probable_o buxtorf_n de_fw-fr abbreu._n hebr._n suppose_v that_o this_o be_v rabban_n simeon_n the_o son_n of_o hillel_n and_o father_n of_o gamaliel_n the_o title_n of_o rabban_n be_v the_o high_a of_o all_o title_n signify_v a_o prince_n rather_o than_o a_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n as_o rabbi_n do_v and_o there_o be_v but_o seven_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o hillel_n who_o be_v dignify_v with_o it_o nicodemus_n joseph_n of_o arimathea_n and_o many_o other_o of_o note_n and_o eminency_n receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n about_o three_o thousand_o be_v convert_v at_o one_o time_n act_v two_o 41._o great_a number_n be_v convert_v not_o only_o of_o the_o people_n but_o of_o the_o priest_n also_o act_n vi_fw-la 7._o all_o that_o dwell_v at_o lydda_n and_o saron_n act_v ix_o 35._o many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o religious_a proselyte_n follow_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n act_v xiii_o 43._o at_o iconium_n a_o great_a multitude_n of_o the_o jew_n believe_v act_v fourteen_o 1._o crispus_n chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n believe_v on_o the_o lord_n with_o all_o his_o house_n act_v xviii_o 8._o and_o sosâ—henes_n another_o chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n act_v xviii_o 19_o 1_o cor._n i_o 1._o apollo_n a_o eloquent_a man_n and_o mighty_a in_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o christian_a act_n xviii_o 24._o many_o thousand_o or_o myriad_o in_o the_o greek_a act_n xxi_o 20._o and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o which_o be_v seal_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o forty_o and_o four_o thousand_o of_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n rev._n seven_o 4._o the_o people_n be_v general_o well-disposed_a to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o when_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o ruler_n will_v have_v persecute_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o be_v often_o force_v to_o desist_v for_o fear_n of_o the_o people_n and_o if_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o depart_v 18._o depart_v euseb_n hist_o lib._n v._o c._n 18._o from_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o space_n of_o twelve_o year_n as_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o number_n of_o convert_v in_o all_o that_o time_n must_v needs_o be_v extreme_o great_a the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n flourish_v exceed_o from_o the_o beginning_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n be_v of_o
persuasion_n do_v not_o determine_v right_o and_o wrong_n true_a and_o false_a the_o remain_a difficulty_n be_v how_o to_o distinguish_v they_o and_o that_o must_v be_v by_o the_o proper_a evidence_n and_o the_o intrinsic_a goodness_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o our_o evidence_n in_o behalf_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n and_o if_o our_o religion_n have_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o what_o we_o assert_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o other_o religion_n have_v not_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o that_o authority_n to_o which_o they_o lay_v claim_v this_o must_v determine_v the_o point_n though_o a_o mahometan_a or_o pagan_n shall_v be_v as_o zealous_a for_o his_o religion_n as_o a_o christian_a can_v be_v it_o be_v common_o and_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o suffer_a but_o the_o cause_n which_o make_v the_o martyr_n and_o if_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n have_v never_o so_o much_o confidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o this_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o ground_n and_o proof_n upon_o which_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n depend_v other_o religion_n may_v have_v their_o zealot_n who_o offer_v themselves_o to_o die_v for_o they_o but_o the_o christian_a religion_n proper_o have_v the_o only_a martyr_n for_o martyr_n be_v witness_n and_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v attest_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n no_o other_o religion_n be_v ever_o propagate_v by_o witness_n who_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o be_v every_o way_n conversant_a in_o what_o they_o witness_v concern_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n no_o religion_n beside_o be_v ever_o preach_v by_o man_n who_o after_o a_o unalterable_a constancy_n under_o all_o kind_n of_o suffering_n at_o last_o die_v for_o assert_v it_o when_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o therefore_o certain_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a or_o else_o they_o will_v never_o have_v suffer_v and_o die_v in_o that_o manner_n for_o it_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v ever_o atto_v from_o its_o first_o propagation_n for_o several_a hundred_o of_o year_n together_o by_o man_n who_o have_v either_o see_v the_o first_o preacher_n themselves_o or_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o other_o who_o have_v see_v they_o or_o have_v wrought_v miracle_n and_o see_v other_o work_v they_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v contain_v in_o book_n which_o be_v write_v at_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o it_o and_o disperse_v into_o all_o country_n in_o all_o language_n among_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o especial_o among_o those_o who_o be_v most_o concern_v and_o most_o able_a and_o desirous_a to_o disprove_v it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a no_o religion_n beside_o have_v by_o so_o weak_a and_o unlikely_a mean_n prevail_v over_o all_o the_o power_n and_o policy_n of_o the_o world_n none_o be_v in_o its_o doctrine_n so_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o so_o worthy_a of_o god_n for_o its_o author_n and_o none_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o with_o so_o clear_a a_o continue_a and_o uninterrupted_a testimony_n through_o all_o age_n and_o convey_v by_o a_o succession_n of_o testimony_n to_o this_o present_a age_n and_o therefore_o no_o other_o religion_n can_v have_v martyr_n who_o can_v die_v in_o confirmation_n of_o such_o a_o testimony_n as_o this_o or_o who_o can_v be_v martyr_n and_o witness_n to_o it_o by_o assure_v the_o world_n at_o their_o death_n that_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o religion_n thus_o testify_v and_o confirm_v for_o which_o they_o die_v it_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a assert_v a_o thing_n bold_o and_o then_o die_v for_o it_o which_o make_v a_o martyr_n but_o the_o qualification_n necessary_a in_o a_o witness_n be_v necessary_a in_o he_o that_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v all_o opportunity_n needful_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o no_o temptation_n to_o speak_v the_o contrary_n which_o qualification_n be_v evident_a in_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o martyr_n who_o testimony_n be_v that_o upon_o which_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v found_v and_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o latter_a age_n be_v additional_a testimony_n which_o without_o the_o former_a will_v be_v insignificant_a but_o suppose_v they_o be_v all_o the_o testimony_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o be_v as_o much_o beyond_o the_o suffering_n in_o behalf_n of_o any_o other_o religion_n as_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v beyond_o the_o evidence_n for_o all_o other_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o zeal_n though_o it_o proceed_v even_o to_o death_n and_o martyrdom_n upon_o which_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n but_o the_o reason_n which_o christian_n have_v for_o their_o zeal_n divers_a nation_n have_v be_v as_o earnest_a assertor_n of_o their_o fabulous_a antiquity_n as_o other_o can_v be_v of_o they_o which_o be_v know_v to_o be_v true_a but_o be_v these_o ever_o the_o less_o or_o those_o ever_o the_o more_o true_a upon_o that_o account_n we_o insist_v upon_o it_o that_o we_o have_v book_n to_o show_v and_o clear_a evidence_n to_o produce_v for_o what_o we_o maintain_v and_o these_o have_v be_v examine_v by_o many_o man_n in_o every_o age_n and_o compare_v with_o what_o be_v to_o be_v allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o contrary_a religion_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n and_o prudence_n have_v choose_v to_o die_v rather_o than_o to_o renounce_v this_o religion_n for_o any_o other_o after_o the_o nice_a and_o most_o impartial_a examination_n they_o can_v make_v whereas_o the_o zealot_n and_o martyr_n for_o the_o religion_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o christianity_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v man_n that_o understand_v nothing_o of_o antiquity_n but_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o history_n of_o their_o several_a religion_n and_o take_v all_o upon_o uncertain_a report_n and_o absurd_a tradition_n without_o any_o proof_n or_o possibility_n of_o it_o and_o even_o against_o manifest_a reason_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o undoubted_a history_n so_o plain_o be_v it_o that_o the_o zeal_n and_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o die_v for_o they_o can_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o enthusiasm_n and_o vain_a notion_n and_o conceit_n of_o some_o zealot_n can_v be_v no_o more_o a_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o human_a reason_n that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o fool_n and_o madman_n in_o the_o world_n chap._n xxxii_o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o have_v prove_v a_o a_o great_a snare_n and_o scandal_n to_o weak_a mind_n nor_o which_o give_v the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n great_a advantage_n as_o they_o think_v against_o it_o than_o the_o dissension_n among_o christian_n and_o the_o different_a sect_n and_o party_n into_o which_o they_o be_v divide_v this_o make_v some_o willing_a to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n on_o any_o side_n when_o they_o see_v equal_a zeal_n and_o equal_a confidence_n in_o man_n of_o all_o persuasion_n that_o contend_v for_o their_o several_a opinion_n but_o st._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o corinthian_n that_o there_o must_v be_v not_o only_a division_n but_o heresy_n also_o and_o not_o only_o that_o they_o must_v be_v but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o without_o their_o use_n and_o expediency_n in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o real_a prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o religion_n that_o they_o do_v indeed_o conduce_v to_o manifest_v the_o excellency_n of_o it_o and_o the_o sincerity_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v it_o for_o there_o must_v be_v also_o heresy_n among_o you_o that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a among_o you_o 1_o cor._n xi_o 19_o from_o whence_o i_o shall_v show_v i._o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v among_o christian_n unless_o god_n shall_v miraculous_o and_o irresistible_o interpose_v to_o prevent_v they_o ii_o that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a nor_o expedient_a that_o god_n shall_v thus_o interpose_v iii_o that_o these_o difference_n how_o great_a and_o how_o many_o soever_o they_o be_v even_o the_o worst_a of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o religion_n i._o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v among_o
which_o induce_v a_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o very_a deceitful_a way_n of_o argue_v because_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o improbable_a that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o true_a revelation_n which_o may_v have_v great_a difficulty_n in_o it_o but_o if_o sufficient_a evidence_n be_v produce_v to_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v indeed_o god_n word_n and_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n on_o the_o contrary_a to_o invalidate_v that_o evidence_n then_o all_o the_o objection_n beside_o that_o can_v be_v raise_v be_v but_o objection_n and_o no_o more_o for_o if_o those_o argument_n by_o which_o our_o religion_n appear_v to_o be_v true_a remain_v still_o in_o their_o full_a force_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n and_o no_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n be_v bring_v that_o they_o be_v insufficient_a we_o ought_v not_o to_o reject_v those_o argument_n and_o the_o conclusion_n deduce_v from_o they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o objection_n but_o to_o reject_v the_o objection_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o argument_n because_o if_o those_o can_v be_v disprove_v all_o the_o which_o can_v be_v think_v of_o must_v proceed_v from_o some_o mistake_n for_o when_o i_o be_o once_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n by_o direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n i_o have_v the_o same_o assurance_n that_o all_o objection_n against_o it_o must_v be_v vain_a and_o false_a which_o i_o have_v that_o that_o thing_n be_v true_a because_o every_o thing_n must_v be_v false_a which_o be_v opposite_a to_o truth_n and_o nothing_o but_o that_o which_o take_v off_o the_o argument_n by_o which_o any_o thing_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a can_v ever_o prove_v it_o false_a but_o all_o objection_n must_v be_v false_a themselves_o or_o insignificant_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v allege_v if_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o against_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v can_v be_v disprove_v that_o be_v if_o the_o thing_n against_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v be_v true_a to_o show_v this_o in_o particular_n if_o a_o man_n muster_v up_o never_o so_o many_o inconsistency_n as_o he_o think_v in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o unless_o he_o be_v as_o well_o assure_v at_o least_o that_o these_o which_o he_o call_v inconsistency_n can_v be_v in_o any_o book_n of_o divine_a revelation_n as_o he_o may_v be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n he_o can_v in_o reason_n reject_v their_o authority_n and_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o this_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v what_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o evidence_n whereby_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v to_o we_o for_o whatever_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o this_o evidence_n can_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o authority_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v frame_v never_o so_o many_o objection_n against_o the_o opinion_n common_o receive_v that_o caesar_n himself_o write_v the_o commentary_n which_o go_v under_o his_o name_n and_o not_o julius_n celsus_n or_o any_o other_o author_n unless_o he_o can_v overthrow_v the_o evidence_n by_o which_o caesar_n appear_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o all_o his_o objection_n will_v never_o amount_v to_o a_o proof_n that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o author_n it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o god_n to_o reveal_v thing_n which_o we_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o to_o enact_v law_n especial_o concern_v the_o right_n and_o ceremony_n enjoin_v a_o people_n so_o many_o age_n past_a the_o reason_n whereof_o we_o may_v not_o be_v full_o to_o understand_v and_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a likewise_o that_o there_o may_v be_v great_a difficulty_n in_o chronology_n and_o that_o the_o text_n may_v in_o divers_a place_n have_v a_o different_a read_n and_o though_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v clear_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o reasonable_a man_n by_o several_a expositor_n yet_o let_v we_o suppose_v at_o present_a to_o gratify_v these_o objector_n and_o this_o will_v gratify_v they_o if_o any_o thing_n can_v do_v it_o that_o the_o law_n be_v utter_o unaccountable_a that_o the_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n be_v no_o way_n adjust_v that_o the_o divers_a readins_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v reconcile_v yet_o what_o do_v all_o this_o prove_v that_o moses_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o egyptian_n be_v not_o witness_n to_o they_o that_o what_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v do_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o our_o saviour_n never_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v not_o descend_v upon_o the_o apostle_n or_o that_o any_o thing_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n repugnant_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n or_o to_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a do_v it_o prove_v any_o thing_n of_o all_o this_o or_o can_v it_o be_v pretend_v to_o prove_v it_o if_o it_o can_v and_o nothing_o be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o it_o can_v then_o all_o the_o evidence_n produce_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n stand_v firm_a notwithstanding_o all_o this_o mighty_a noise_n of_o the_o obscurity_n and_o the_o inconsistency_n and_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o next_o enquiry_n natural_o will_v be_v not_o how_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v from_o god_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o they_o for_o it_o be_v already_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o this_o must_v from_o henceforth_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v till_o it_o can_v be_v disprove_v but_o the_o only_a enquiry_n will_v be_v how_o these_o passage_n be_v to_o be_v explain_v or_o reconcile_v with_o other_o place_n for_o let_v we_o consider_v this_o way_n of_o reason_v which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o other_o thing_n and_o try_v whether_o we_o be_v wont_v to_o reason_n thus_o in_o any_o case_n but_o that_o of_o religion_n and_o whether_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v in_o any_o other_o case_n how_o little_a be_v it_o that_o we_o thorough_o unstand_v in_o natural_a thing_n and_o yet_o how_o seldom_o do_v we_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o they_o because_o we_o may_v puzzle_v and_o perplex_v ourselves_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o they_o for_o instance_n we_o discern_v the_o light_n and_o feel_v the_o warmth_n and_o heat_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o the_o constant_a return_n of_o day_n and_o night_n and_o of_o the_o several_a season_n of_o the_o year_n and_o no_o man_n doubt_v but_o that_o all_o this_o be_v effect_v by_o the_o approach_n or_o withdraw_n of_o the_o sun_n influence_n but_o whoever_o will_v go_v about_o to_o explain_v all_o this_o and_o to_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o it_o will_v find_v it_o a_o very_a hard_a task_n and_o such_o objection_n have_v be_v urge_v against_o every_o hypothesis_n in_o some_o point_n or_o other_o as_o perhaps_o no_o man_n be_v able_a full_o to_o answer_v but_o do_v any_o man_n doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o light_n and_o heat_n as_o day_n and_o night_n though_o he_o can_v be_v satisfy_v whether_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o earth_n move_v or_o do_v man_n doubt_v whether_o they_o can_v see_v or_o not_o till_o they_o can_v demonstrate_v how_o vision_n be_v make_v and_o must_v none_o be_v allow_v to_o see_v but_o mathematician_n or_o do_v man_n refuse_v to_o eat_v till_o they_o be_v satisfy_v how_o and_o after_o what_o manner_n they_o be_v nourish_v yet_o if_o we_o must_v be_v sway_v by_o objection_n which_o do_v not_o come_v up_o to_o the_o main_a point_n nor_o affect_v the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o thing_n but_o only_o fill_v our_o mind_n with_o scruple_n and_o difficulty_n about_o they_o we_o must_v believe_v nothing_o which_o we_o do_v not_o full_o comprehend_v in_o every_o part_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o for_o whatever_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o concern_v it_o that_o may_v it_o seem_v be_v object_v against_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o may_v be_v a_o just_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v doubt_v of_o it_o we_o must_v have_v a_o care_n of_o be_v too_o confident_a that_o we_o move_v before_o we_o can_v give_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o law_n of_o motion_n which_o the_o great_a philosopher_n have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o do_v we_o must_v not_o presume_v to_o eat_v till_o we_o can_v tell_v how_o digestion_n and_o nourishment_n be_v make_v in_o short_a this_o will_v run_v we_o into_o all_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o scepticism_n for_o upon_o these_o principle_n it_o be_v that_o some_o doubt_v whether_o snow_n be_v white_a or_o honey_n sweet_a or_o any_o
who_o be_v not_o as_o singular_a in_o other_o thing_n and_o in_o his_o notion_n of_o religion_n but_o he_o have_v firm_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o concern_v all_o who_o have_v any_o doubt_n about_o these_o thing_n to_o weigh_v the_o objection_n with_o the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v give_v to_o they_o by_o divers_a author_n and_o withal_o to_o observe_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o objection_n and_o how_o far_o they_o affect_v the_o main_a cause_n and_o still_o to_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v at_o every_o man_n be_v own_o peril_n if_o he_o make_v a_o rash_a and_o partial_a judgement_n if_o our_o faith_n can_v be_v of_o no_o benefit_n or_o advantage_n to_o we_o nor_o infidelity_n any_o prejudice_n we_o may_v take_v the_o same_o liberty_n to_o give_v credit_n or_o no_o credit_n to_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o bible_n that_o we_o use_v in_o the_o read_n all_o other_o book_n and_o to_o receive_v or_o reject_v it_o as_o we_o think_v fit_a or_o to_o believe_v only_o just_a so_o much_o as_o lies_z even_o with_o our_o own_o understanding_n and_o notion_n of_o thing_n and_o at_o the_o worst_a this_o will_v be_v but_o folly_n in_o we_o but_o it_o be_v madness_n to_o reject_v our_o own_o happiness_n and_o make_v ourselves_o miserable_a because_o we_o do_v not_o perceive_v the_o reason_n of_o all_o the_o mean_n and_o method_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o use_v to_o make_v we_o happy_a or_o be_v not_o able_a to_o understand_v every_o word_n of_o that_o book_n which_o contain_v the_o term_n of_o our_o salvation_n this_o be_v as_o if_o a_o son_n shall_v choose_v to_o live_v miserable_o rather_o than_o to_o enjoy_v a_o large_a estate_n leave_v he_o by_o his_o father_n because_o he_o do_v not_o perceive_v the_o design_n and_o full_a meaning_n of_o every_o particular_a in_o his_o will_n he_o search_v out_o for_o all_o way_n and_o art_n for_o cavil_v at_o it_o and_o be_v fond_a of_o any_o pretence_n to_o cast_v it_o aside_o as_o counterfeit_n be_v resolve_v never_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v his_o father_n for_o his_o father_n be_v a_o wise_a man_n and_o if_o it_o be_v he_o such_o and_o such_o clause_n will_v not_o be_v in_o it_o since_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n that_o he_o can_v see_v why_o they_o shall_v be_v insert_v several_a thing_n mention_v in_o it_o he_o believe_v be_v mistimed_n the_o bound_n of_o the_o land_n be_v not_o describe_v by_o fit_a name_n beside_o it_o be_v interline_v and_o he_o never_o will_v accept_v of_o such_o a_o estate_n convey_v to_o he_o by_o such_o a_o will_n but_o choose_v rather_o to_o be_v miserable_a all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n this_o will_v be_v such_o peevishness_n and_o perverseness_n as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v meet_v withal_o where_o our_o temporal_a interest_n be_v concern_v but_o too_o many_o be_v too_o forward_o to_o reject_v the_o tender_v and_o despise_v the_o term_n of_o a_o everlasting_a inheritance_n in_o heaven_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o become_v obnoxious_a to_o all_o the_o curse_n threaten_v to_o unbeliever_n because_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n contain_v some_o thing_n which_o may_v afford_v matter_n of_o exception_n and_o cavil_v to_o captious_a men._n god_n have_v send_v his_o prophet_n to_o call_v and_o admonish_v we_o and_o his_o son_n to_o reconcile_v we_o to_o himself_o by_o his_o death_n and_o to_o offer_v we_o eternal_a peace_n and_o happiness_n and_o he_o have_v give_v we_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o it_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v admit_v the_o jew_n have_v assert_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o christian_n assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o not_o to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o not_o without_o any_o prospect_n of_o advantage_n by_o it_o in_o this_o world_n but_o with_o a_o certain_a expectation_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o become_v christian_n when_o in_o this_o world_n christian_n be_v of_o all_o man_n the_o most_o miserable_a and_o be_v support_v only_o by_o the_o steadfast_a hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n after_o this_o life_n and_o all_o thing_n consider_v we_o have_v as_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o we_o have_v not_o only_o that_o any_o other_o book_n be_v compose_v by_o the_o author_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v but_o as_o we_o have_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n else_o in_o the_o world_n now_o what_o do_v these_o man_n how_o do_v they_o receive_v so_o great_a a_o blessing_n why_o they_o overlook_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o search_v up_o and_o down_o for_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a passage_n to_o disprove_v it_o by_o not_o consider_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o nothing_o can_v overthrow_v their_o authority_n but_o that_o which_o can_v invalidate_v the_o evidence_n by_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v it_o will_v be_v the_o high_a folly_n and_o ingratitude_n thus_o to_o despise_v god_n mercy_n and_o care_n over_o we_o if_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n in_o it_o but_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o infinite_a danger_n it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o madness_n for_o what_o mild_a term_n can_v be_v find_v to_o express_v the_o desperate_a folly_n of_o they_o who_o reject_v a_o book_n which_o set_v before_o we_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n forewarn_v we_o upon_o pain_n of_o the_o severe_a effect_n of_o god_n displeasure_n not_o to_o neglect_v they_o it_o be_v madness_n i_o say_v if_o we_o right_o consider_v it_o to_o reject_v such_o a_o book_n and_o at_o once_o both_o to_o affront_v the_o mercy_n and_o despise_v the_o threaten_n of_o the_o infinite_o merciful_a and_o the_o infinite_o great_a and_o powerful_a god_n it_o be_v a_o good_a caution_n to_o the_o atheist_n to_o forbear_v his_o blasphemy_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n for_o fear_v it_o shall_v prove_v true_a that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n at_o last_o and_o then_o it_o will_v be_v a_o dismal_a thing_n after_o all_o his_o profane_a talk_v and_o argue_v to_o be_v call_v before_o that_o god_n who_o he_o have_v so_o often_o deny_v and_o it_o be_v as_o good_a advice_n to_o those_o who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o scripture_n to_o consider_v serious_o whether_o they_o be_v sure_a that_o these_o be_v not_o god_n word_n after_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v against_o they_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_o certain_a of_o this_o the_o name_n and_o title_n which_o they_o bear_v and_o which_o man_n as_o wise_a and_o as_o judicious_a as_o themselves_o think_v to_o belong_v to_o they_o 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