great_a zeal_n for_o religion_n shall_v not_o just_o render_v it_o suspect_v to_o unbeliever_n p._n 131._o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o incredulous_a be_v in_o the_o wrong_n for_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o interest_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o many_o people_n devotion_n p._n 143._o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o division_n which_o reign_v among_o christian_n be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v not_o be_v true_a p._n 165._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o incredulous_a object_n in_o vain_a that_o christianity_n be_v so_o little_o know_v and_o so_o ill_o observe_v in_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v can_v be_v so_o useful_a to_o mankind_n as_o a_o religion_n reveal_v from_o heaven_n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v p._n 180._o chap._n 6._o that_o unbeliever_n can_v conclude_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o divine_n of_o their_o acquaintance_n make_v bad_a answer_n to_o their_o objection_n against_o it_o or_o because_o they_o maintain_v some_o false_a tenet_n as_o true_a and_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n p._n 199._o chap._n 7._o that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o bring_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o into_o doubt_n p._n 234._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o second_o part._n p._n 277._o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 282._o letter_n 1._o wherein_o be_v prove_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o testimony_n they_o render_v to_o christ_n resurrection_n p._n 283._o letter_n 2._o show_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o prove_v that_o from_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o person_n true_o send_v of_o god_n p._n 307._o errata_fw-la page_n 18._o line_n 23._o read_v angusta_fw-la p._n 23._o l._n 8._o deal_n and._n of_o incredulity_n the_o preface_n contain_v the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n i_o can_v determine_v whether_o during_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n more_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o christian_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n than_o there_o may_v have_v be_v for_o these_o two_o hundred_o year_n past_a but_o that_o we_o have_v few_o remain_v of_o the_o precedent_a age_n than_o of_o the_o last_o two_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o teacher_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o their_o follower_n whilst_o paganism_n be_v still_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n labour_v more_o in_o confute_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n than_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o think_v if_o they_o can_v once_o convince_v the_o heathen_n of_o the_o falsity_n of_o their_o own_o opinion_n that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n then_o to_o make_v they_o christian_n and_o this_o i_o can_v most_o easy_o show_v be_v it_o at_o all_o useful_a to_o my_o design_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o paganism_n be_v abolish_v in_o europe_n and_o christianity_n become_v the_o govern_n religion_n the_o teacher_n of_o it_o then_o left_a paganism_n to_o attack_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o of_o the_o mahometans_n both_o which_o be_v yet_o in_o be_v among_o we_o but_o beside_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o mahometan_a and_o rabbinic_n doctrine_n doubt_v notwithstanding_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o peremptory_o judge_v it_o not_o true_a without_o set_v up_o any_o other_o religion_n in_o its_o place_n now_o to_o reduce_v these_o a_o new_a method_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a it_o be_v agree_v therefore_o to_o prove_v direct_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o insist_v upon_o the_o confutation_n of_o other_o persuasion_n and_o it_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o of_o that_o immediate_o precede_v it_o that_o this_o matter_n be_v never_o manage_v with_o better_a success_n the_o heathen_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o mahometans_n be_v not_o ill_o confute_v before_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v far_o from_o be_v ever_o so_o well_o prove_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n nevertheless_o that_o there_o be_v still_o one_o thing_n behind_o which_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o writer_n upon_o this_o subject_a have_v either_o not_o touch_v at_o all_o or_o but_o very_o slight_o i_o mean_v the_o secret_a motive_n and_o general_a reason_n which_o the_o incredulous_a have_v of_o not_o believe_v christianity_n to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v their_o internal_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n do_v so_o strong_o incline_v they_o to_o reject_v all_o the_o reason_n offer_v they_o though_o they_o be_v not_o aware_a themselves_o of_o the_o motive_n by_o which_o they_o do_v this_o that_o all_o speak_n to_o they_o be_v in_o vain_a before_o the_o vnreasonableness_n of_o this_o disposition_n be_v make_v evident_a just_o as_o if_o any_o shall_v plead_v a_o good_a cause_n before_o prepossess_v judge_n without_o endeavour_v to_o cure_v they_o first_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o must_v needs_o make_v they_o look_v upon_o that_o thing_n as_o false_a whereupon_o all_o the_o reason_n allege_v be_v ground_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o pleader_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n though_o never_o so_o just_a will_v expose_v themselves_o to_o be_v cast_v or_o condemn_v this_o have_v be_v notwithstanding_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o champion_n of_o christianity_n they_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o well_o enough_o but_o their_o reason_n appear_v weak_a to_o the_o incredulous_a consider_v the_o disposition_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o whereof_o they_o know_v nothing_o themselves_o what_o be_v unreasonable_a therefore_o in_o this_o disposition_n must_v be_v discover_v and_o lay_v so_o clear_o before_o they_o that_o they_o may_v perceive_v how_o it_o impose_v upon_o the_o light_n of_o their_o understanding_n this_o be_v what_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v teach_v we_o when_o he_o say_v that_o every_o one_o that_o do_v evil_a hate_v the_o light_n 3.20_o joh._n 3.20_o neither_o come_v to_o the_o light_n lest_o his_o deed_n shall_v be_v reprove_v which_o signify_v that_o unbeliever_n can_v look_v upon_o that_o as_o true_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o maxim_n by_o which_o they_o have_v long_o govern_v themselves_o and_o to_o the_o habit_n they_o have_v be_v contract_v for_o many_o year_n on_o the_o contrary_n he_o say_v that_o he_o that_o do_v truth_n come_v to_o the_o light_n 21._o ver._n 21._o that_o his_o deed_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o such_o as_o be_v dispose_v to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v easy_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o say_v elsewhere_o that_o if_o any_o will_v do_v his_o will_n 7.17_o joh._n 7.17_o he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o of_o himself_o beside_o the_o disposition_n wherein_o those_o may_v be_v who_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n and_o which_o deceive_v they_o without_o their_o perceive_v of_o it_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a general_a reason_n draw_v from_o without_o that_o help_n to_o lead_v they_o into_o error_n these_o reason_n must_v by_o all_o mean_n be_v explode_v because_o they_o be_v to_o they_o so_o many_o prejudices_fw-la whereby_o they_o determine_v the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o they_o whilst_o they_o think_v they_o good_a all_o the_o proof_n imaginable_a can_v make_v no_o impression_n upon_o they_o because_o they_o never_o fail_v of_o oppose_v to_o they_o these_o reason_n which_o conclude_v to_o be_v solid_a they_o can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n embrace_v christianity_n there_o be_v a_o world_n of_o people_n for_o example_n who_o discover_v several_a of_o those_o doctrine_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v false_a judge_v of_o the_o rest_n by_o these_o and_o reject_v the_o good_a with_o the_o bad_a they_o be_v tell_v of_o a_o thousand_o lie_a miracle_n to_o who_o those_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v join_v but_o find_v the_o modern_a miracle_n to_o be_v imposture_n they_o give_v no_o great_a credit_n to_o those_o upon_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o mind_n that_o these_o miracle_n be_v not_o more_o certain_a one_o than_o another_o all_o the_o consequence_n draw_v from_o those_o of_o christ_n appear_v to_o they_o as_o build_v upon_o a_o rot_a foundation_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n therefore_o but_o as_o a_o totter_a fabric_n it_o must_v be_v show_v the_o incredulous_a then_o that_o those_o reason_n draw_v from_o without_o which_o
it_o will_v appear_v to_o he_o and_o the_o more_o conformable_a to_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o mankind_n by_o little_a and_o little_o will_v the_o desire_n of_o see_v his_o enemy_n cure_v of_o so_o great_a a_o imperfection_n increase_n and_o he_o will_v insensible_o rid_v himself_o of_o it_o to_o show_v they_o a_o good_a example_n at_o length_n instead_o of_o longing_n to_o revenge_v himself_o upon_o his_o enemy_n instead_o of_o make_v imprecation_n against_o they_o he_o will_v ardent_o wish_v they_o may_v become_v better_a man_n and_o will_v beg_v it_o of_o god_n in_o his_o prayer_n nay_o he_o will_v on_o his_o side_n as_o much_o as_o possible_a contribute_v towards_o it_o and_o after_o pray_v god_n as_o he_o do_v for_o himself_o that_o his_o enemy_n may_v become_v more_o virtuous_a he_o will_v wish_v they_o all_o that_o god_n be_v wont_a to_o bestow_v and_o more_o as_o much_o as_o he_o will_v desire_v it_o for_o himself_o now_o this_o it_o be_v to_o love_v our_o enemy_n for_o we_o can_v love_v they_o above_o ourselves_o and_o the_o gospel_n require_v no_o more_o it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o these_o thought_n be_v most_o reasonable_a and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v all_o mankind_n have_v the_o like_a idea_n and_o as_o man_n so_o dispose_v will_v very_o easy_o comprehend_v the_o possibility_n of_o love_v our_o enemy_n they_o will_v be_v far_o from_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n upon_o the_o score_n of_o this_o precept_n all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v to_o this_o be_v that_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o religion_n of_o christ_n do_v it_o not_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o its_o moral_n which_o be_v beyond_o contradiction_n very_o good_a and_o ground_v upon_o the_o clear_a light_n of_o reason_n but_o because_o it_o contain_v in_o their_o opinion_n incredible_a mystery_n and_o suppose_v miracle_n that_o have_v no_o probability_n two_o thing_n we_o must_v remark_n then_o that_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o the_o difficulty_n they_o pretend_v of_o believe_v the_o mystery_n and_o miracle_n of_o religion_n or_o whether_o the_o dislike_n of_o its_o moral_a precept_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o their_o incredulity_n the_o first_o be_v if_o they_o do_v believe_v many_o thing_n as_o incomprehensible_a or_o perplex_v and_o the_o second_o if_o the_o maxim_n of_o their_o moral_n be_v as_o reasonable_a as_o those_o of_o the_o gospel_n or_o if_o they_o be_v not_o plain_o opposite_a to_o it_o if_o it_o happen_v that_o upon_o all_o other_o account_v they_o ready_o believe_v thing_n they_o do_v not_o comprehend_v and_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o conduct_n be_v more_o than_o the_o gospel_n admit_v do_v they_o not_o give_v we_o just_a occasion_n to_o suspect_v that_o their_o ill_a habit_n be_v the_o secret_a but_o true_a cause_n of_o their_o disbelief_n of_o the_o gospel_n whatever_o they_o pretend_v there_o be_v nothing_o so_o common_a as_o to_o see_v unbeliever_n strong_o persuade_v of_o judiciary_n astrology_n and_o believe_v that_o magician_n can_v do_v several_a thing_n beyond_o the_o power_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n two_o great_a minister_n of_o state_n for_o example_n who_o action_n will_v not_o let_v we_o think_v that_o religion_n be_v one_o of_o their_o great_a virtue_n be_v both_o accuse_v of_o believe_v the_o prediction_n of_o astrologer_n and_o one_o of_o they_o of_o persuade_v himself_o that_o a_o man_n who_o vomit_v several_a sort_n of_o liquor_n do_v it_o by_o the_o help_n of_o magic_n cardinal_n richlieu_n say_v a_o historian_n consult_v beside_o astrology_n all_o kind_n of_o divination_n even_o silly_a woman_n who_o knowledge_n consist_v in_o vapour_n that_o make_v they_o foretell_v by_o chance_n some_o fortuitous_a event_n he_o be_v so_o credulous_a as_o to_o attribute_v to_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o devil_n the_o art_n of_o throw_v out_o at_o the_o mouth_n all_o sort_n of_o liquor_n after_o have_v first_o drink_v water_n as_o be_v do_v by_o a_o italian_a mountebank_n mazarin_n who_o be_v not_o yet_o a_o cardinal_n have_v at_o so_o simple_a a_o discourse_n burst_v out_o a_o laugh_v have_v like_a to_o lose_v his_o favour_n by_o it_o for_o the_o cardinal_n be_v provoke_v at_o this_o mirth_n whereby_o he_o think_v mazarin_n jeer_v he_o say_v ironical_o to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o monsieur_n mazarin_n who_o have_v a_o profound_a and_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o every_o thing_n mazarin_n very_o submissive_o reply_v that_o give_v the_o fifty_o pistol_n which_o the_o mountebank_n demand_v for_o teach_v his_o secret_n it_o may_v be_v see_v whether_o the_o devil_n have_v any_o hand_n in_o it_o mazarin_n himself_o look_v upon_o all_o divination_n as_o foppery_n except_o astrology_n which_o he_o strong_o fancy_v though_o he_o feign_v the_o contrary_n when_o madam_n mancini_n his_o sister_n die_v and_o afterward_o the_o duchess_n of_o mercaeur_n his_o niece_n according_a to_o the_o prediction_n of_o a_o astrologer_n at_o rome_n give_v in_o write_v a_o great_a while_n before_o he_o become_v extraordinary_a sad_a and_o melancholy_a not_o out_o of_o tenderness_n to_o his_o relation_n but_o because_o this_o same_o astrologer_n have_v fix_v the_o term_n of_o his_o own_o death_n to_o a_o time_n that_o be_v very_o near_o he_o lose_v his_o appetite_n upon_o it_o and_o sleep_v not_o for_o many_o night_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v also_o know_v that_o the_o emperor_n julian_n who_o can_v not_o believe_v the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v extreme_o addict_v to_o the_o augury_n and_o presage_n draw_v from_o the_o entrails_n of_o victim_n and_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v blame_v he_o for_o it_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o be_v as_o hard_o to_o be_v credit_v consider_v in_o themselves_o as_o the_o mystery_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o the_o incredulous_a believe_v they_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o refuse_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o gospel_n because_o these_o opinion_n do_v not_o regard_v the_o manner_n of_o any_o person_n be_v live_v and_o be_v not_o at_o all_o incompatible_a as_o the_o christian_a moral_n be_v with_o their_o ill_a habit_n moreover_o if_o the_o unbeliever_n will_v strict_o examine_v themselves_o and_o compare_v their_o conduct_n with_o that_o which_o the_o gospel_n prescribe_v i_o will_v own_v myself_o much_o deceive_v if_o they_o find_v it_o proof_n against_o the_o rigour_n of_o its_o precept_n julian_n of_o who_o i_o be_v speak_v have_v many_o excellent_a quality_n which_o he_o need_v not_o to_o quit_v by_o any_o mean_n have_v he_o remain_v still_o a_o christian_n and_o several_a bad_a one_o he_o have_v likewise_o which_o he_o must_v have_v rid_v himself_o of_o will_v he_o follow_v the_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n at_o least_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v so_o injurious_a to_o the_o christian_n as_o he_o be_v which_o appear_v by_o many_o of_o his_o letter_n from_o all_o this_o i_o conclude_v that_o notwithstanding_o whatever_o can_v be_v say_v the_o disposition_n of_o a_o person_n do_v exceed_o contribute_v to_o make_v he_o receive_v or_o reject_v christianity_n and_o that_o unbeliever_n ought_v to_o examine_v themselves_o hereupon_o to_o see_v whether_o this_o whereof_o we_o accuse_v they_o be_v not_o true_a chap._n ii_o that_o pride_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o assent_n be_v not_o grant_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n pride_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o a_o strong_a and_o lively_a persuasion_n that_o christianity_n be_v true_a not_o only_o because_o the_o gospel_n condemn_v it_o as_o it_o do_v all_o other_o passion_n contrary_a to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n but_o also_o because_o those_o affect_v with_o it_o find_v themselves_o dispose_v by_o a_o particular_a effect_n of_o this_o vice_n to_o reject_v unexamined_a the_o proof_n allege_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v what_o i_o design_n to_o show_v after_o i_o have_v first_o describe_v pride_n and_o its_o contrary_a virtue_n humility_n lest_o what_o i_o be_o to_o say_v concern_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o well_o understand_v pride_n be_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o a_o disposition_n of_o mind_n that_o make_v a_o man_n imagine_v he_o possess_v more_o knowledge_n endowment_n or_o virtue_n than_o he_o true_o do_v and_o that_o by_o consequence_n he_o shall_v be_v more_o honour_a and_o esteem_v than_o he_o deserve_v the_o proud_a can_v without_o vexation_n bear_v that_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o shall_v be_v deny_v to_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v not_o refuse_v to_o other_o person_n they_o have_v not_o only_o a_o high_a idea_n of_o themselves_o but_o likewise_o despise_v other_o who_o they_o be_v easy_o persuade_v have_v not_o the_o same_o good_a quality_n nor_o any_o thing_n worthy_a of_o that_o esteem_n which_o
their_o own_o opinion_n and_o not_o upon_o those_o who_o design_n only_o to_o defend_v the_o christian_a religion_n none_o can_v without_o injustice_n impute_v to_o its_o founder_n all_o that_o have_v be_v since_o build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n they_o first_o lay_v as_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v appear_v more_o at_o large_a in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o work_n the_o three_o proposition_n concern_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o revelation_n its_o perpetual_a subsistence_n and_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o its_o expression_n do_v suppose_v that_o the_o design_n of_o god_n be_v to_o teach_v man_n his_o will_n mathematical_o which_o be_v a_o supposition_n contrary_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o mankind_n a_o state_n of_o liberty_n wherein_o law_n and_o not_o demonstration_n be_v propose_v to_o they_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v appoint_v reward_n and_o punishment_n he_o can_v not_o lead_v man_n to_o virtue_n nor_o avert_v they_o from_o vice_n otherwise_o than_o by_o law_n whereof_o the_o sense_n can_v not_o be_v more_o clear_a and_o yet_o the_o justice_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o be_v never_o mathematical_o demonstrate_v if_o all_o mankind_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o revelation_n and_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o by_o mathematical_a proof_n no_o body_n than_o can_v resist_v it_o there_o can_v be_v consequent_o no_o punishment_n for_o the_o guilty_a because_o none_o will_v be_v guilty_a nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o more_o reward_n for_o what_o recompense_n can_v a_o man_n expect_v for_o assent_v to_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n it_o will_v be_v demand_v perhaps_o why_o god_n shall_v govern_v man_n after_o this_o manner_n and_o not_o mathematical_o as_o some_o unbeliever_n will_v have_v he_o but_o i_o be_o not_o bind_v to_o account_v for_o god_n bounty_n which_o he_o diversify_v as_o he_o please_v for_o reason_n unknown_a to_o we_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o prove_v he_o can_v be_v accuse_v of_o injustice_n and_o this_o i_o be_o persuade_v i_o can_v perfect_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v short_a the_o divine_a law_n be_v proportionated_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n whatever_o they_o may_v say_v who_o have_v not_o study_v they_o as_o they_o ought_v it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a truth_n agree_v upon_o by_o all_o christian_a divine_n that_o god_n do_v not_o damn_v any_o person_n bare_o for_o violate_v his_o law_n but_o for_o not_o leave_v his_o ill_a habit_n that_o be_v the_o man_n be_v own_o fault_n i_o shall_v insist_v no_o long_o upon_o this_o lest_o i_o digress_v too_o far_o from_o the_o subject_a i_o treat_v of_o in_o this_o chapter_n what_o i_o conclude_v from_o all_o i_o have_v say_v be_v that_o unbeliever_n do_v frequent_o take_v ill-grounded_a prejudices_fw-la for_o clear_a principle_n from_o which_o they_o hasty_o judge_v of_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n i_o have_v allege_v plain_a example_n of_o it_o and_o can_v have_v bring_v several_a more_o but_o those_o cite_v by_o i_o may_v suffice_v to_o make_v a_o reasonable_a man_n take_v care_n of_o pass_v such_o precipitant_a conclusion_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o require_v in_o this_o place_n and_o which_o the_o most_o incredulous_a man_n living_n can_v without_o extreme_a folly_n refuse_v i_o now_o i_o be_o persuade_v if_o unbeliever_n will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o look_v back_o upon_o the_o first_o proposition_n which_o they_o build_v upon_o that_o they_o shall_v perceive_v a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n pass_v for_o axiom_n and_o then_o they_o will_v quick_o acknowledge_v how_o little_a solidity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o their_o other_o principle_n chap._n iu._n that_o many_o be_v unbeliever_n because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o reason_v right_o in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n i_o suppose_v that_o unbeliever_n do_v not_o reason_n well_o and_o that_o without_o perceive_v it_o they_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v by_o their_o passion_n or_o prejudices_fw-la but_o i_o do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n suppose_v that_o they_o may_v be_v reclaim_v by_o argument_n when_o they_o be_v show_v that_o they_o follow_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a sense_n but_o there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o kind_n of_o unbeliever_n and_o some_o of_o they_o those_o i_o mean_v who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o chapter_n be_v unbeliever_n upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o because_o they_o can_v reason_v well_o as_o i_o shall_v present_o demonstrate_v but_o we_o must_v remark_n before_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n consist_v in_o doctrine_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o prove_v both_o these_o we_o must_v make_v long_o reason_n and_o allege_v many_o proof_n depend_v upon_o one_o another_o thus_o to_o perceive_v the_o force_n of_o those_o reason_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o must_v be_v capable_a not_o only_o of_o understand_v every_o proposition_n or_o every_o argument_n by_o itself_o but_o likewise_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o discussion_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v by_o examine_v the_o connection_n of_o the_o reason_n and_o the_o relation_n which_o a_o great_a number_n of_o idea_n have_v towards_o one_o another_o but_o there_o be_v a_o world_n of_o people_n who_o entertain_v a_o good_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o and_o be_v not_o capable_a nevertheless_o of_o this_o examination_n nor_o to_o consider_v distinct_o so_o great_a a_o collection_n of_o such_o compound_v and_o perplex_v idea_n i_o shall_v be_v immediate_o tell_v no_o doubt_n that_o if_o this_o be_v so_o i_o do_v but_o lose_v my_o time_n in_o reason_v with_o they_o since_o i_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a to_o know_v the_o solidity_n of_o a_o argument_n yet_o two_o thing_n oblige_v i_o to_o do_v it_o whereof_o the_o first_o and_o principal_n be_v that_o what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v upon_o this_o subject_n may_v contribute_v to_o keep_v those_o who_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n from_o be_v seduce_v by_o the_o example_n of_o this_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n a_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n who_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n true_a know_v not_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o so_o perfect_o and_o be_v not_o so_o much_o confirm_v in_o their_o belief_n but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v tempt_v by_o the_o example_n of_o those_o unbeliever_n who_o reason_n little_a they_o be_v of_o all_o quality_n and_o condition_n and_o the_o haughty_a air_n whereby_o they_o reject_v revelation_n be_v not_o sometime_o less_o dangerous_a that_o the_o most_o specious_a sophistry_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o may_v happen_v that_o such_o as_o be_v not_o master_n of_o the_o true_a method_n of_o reason_v may_v notwithstanding_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o leave_v their_o ignorance_n and_o of_o make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o their_o understanding_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a to_o convince_v this_o sort_n of_o people_n that_o they_o be_v only_a unbeliever_n because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o govern_v their_o thought_n but_o i_o grant_v that_o those_o who_o be_v grow_v old_a in_o this_o kind_n of_o ignorance_n and_o who_o presumption_n be_v increase_v by_o their_o age_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n incurable_a go_v to_o work_v with_o they_o how_o you_o will_v especial_o if_o any_o immorality_n be_v join_v to_o this_o want_n of_o judgement_n which_o never_o fail_v scarce_o to_o happen_v nor_o be_v it_o for_o such_o that_o we_o write_v as_o book_n of_o physic_n be_v not_o write_v about_o incurable_a disease_n to_o be_v persuade_v ourselves_o that_o there_o be_v in_o effect_n some_o people_n who_o for_o want_n of_o know_v how_o to_o reason_n refuse_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o gospel_n we_o need_v only_o reflect_v a_o little_a upon_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o upon_o what_o we_o know_v of_o many_o unbeliever_n which_o live_v among_o christian_n such_o as_o undertake_v to_o convert_v the_o indian_n and_o the_o other_o idolater_n of_o asia_n america_n and_o africa_n after_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o learn_v their_o language_n be_v force_v to_o take_v much_o more_o when_o they_o will_v by_o reason_v persuade_v they_o of_o the_o falsity_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o monk_n may_v long_o enough_o make_v all_o imaginable_a effort_n to_o become_v intelligible_a to_o those_o ignorant_a people_n and_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o their_o idolatry_n and_o the_o opinion_n whereupon_o it_o be_v build_v but_o although_o this_o thing_n be_v so_o plain_a yet_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o they_o who_o can_v be_v make_v to_o understand_v it_o and_o few_o that_o conceive_v the_o reason_n upon_o which_o christianity_n be_v ground_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o i_o speak_v here_o of_o the_o mean_n which_o the_o missionary_n have_v choose_v
to_o employ_v in_o their_o conversion_n rather_o than_o reason_n this_o make_v nothing_o to_o my_o design_n i_o shall_v only_o remark_n that_o the_o difficulty_n of_o bring_v those_o idolatrous_a nation_n to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n proceed_v not_o from_o any_o insidelity_n peculiar_a to_o they_o from_o the_o people_n of_o europe_n they_o be_v upon_o the_o contrary_a the_o most_o credulous_a people_n in_o the_o world_n and_o very_o serious_o embrace_v a_o great_a number_n of_o incredible_a thing_n whereof_o their_o theology_n be_v make_v up_o their_o incredulity_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o gospel_n proceed_v from_o their_o not_o reason_v almost_o at_o all_o except_o about_o thing_n relate_v to_o life_n and_o that_o nothing_o ever_o enter_v into_o their_o mind_n except_v from_o experience_n or_o education_n they_o be_v not_o man_n that_o meditate_v and_o be_v capable_a of_o attentive_o consider_v abstract_v idea_n nor_o of_o compare_v they_o with_o one_o another_o to_o draw_v some_o consequence_n from_o they_o so_o for_o want_n of_o meet_v a_o little_a reason_n in_o these_o people_n one_o be_v extreme_o puzzle_v how_o to_o get_v they_o to_o change_v their_o opinion_n this_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o mahometan_n since_o we_o know_v that_o their_o divine_n do_v sometime_o write_v with_o subtlety_n and_o sense_n enough_o against_o some_o of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o missionary_n will_v have_v they_o embrace_v nor_o can_v we_o treat_v they_o as_o infidel_n that_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n out_o of_o a_o spirit_n of_o scepticism_n for_o they_o be_v every_o thing_n rather_o than_o pyrrhonian_n see_v they_o most_o hearty_o believe_v all_o the_o alcoran_n nevertheless_o although_o they_o have_v sense_n enough_o as_o i_o say_v to_o make_v objection_n against_o some_o doctrine_n that_o be_v preach_v to_o they_o yet_o they_o have_v not_o enough_o to_o examine_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o own_o religion_n and_o to_o see_v upon_o what_o it_o be_v ground_v they_o do_v so_n much_o as_o understand_v what_o be_v say_v to_o they_o upon_o that_o head_n nor_o the_o reason_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o if_o the_o missionary_n now_o and_o then_o convert_v some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o from_o any_o reason_n they_o allege_v but_o in_o gain_v their_o love_n and_o esteem_v by_o some_o other_o way_n the_o jew_n be_v much_o in_o the_o same_o condition_n as_o it_o may_v be_v see_v by_o the_o book_n they_o have_v write_v to_o establish_v their_o own_o opinion_n or_o to_o confute_v those_o of_o the_o christian_n this_o may_v be_v easy_o discover_v also_o by_o any_o that_o discourse_n with_o they_o upon_o these_o subject_n but_o between_o they_o and_o the_o mahometan_n there_o be_v this_o difference_n that_o the_o latter_a give_v credit_n to_o a_o book_n full_a of_o impertinency_n and_o falsehood_n whereas_o the_o jew_n ground_n their_o persuasion_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o contain_v a_o true_a revelation_n and_o yet_o they_o can_v reason_v little_o better_o than_o the_o mahometan_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a obstacle_n to_o their_o conversion_n whilst_o they_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o some_o rabbin_n though_o without_o any_o foundation_n they_o be_v proof_n against_o the_o strong_a reason_n the_o christian_n can_v oppose_v to_o they_o because_o from_o their_o infancy_n they_o be_v wont_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o rabbin_n tell_v they_o and_o be_v never_o teach_v to_o reason_n just_o otherwise_o if_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o pursue_v a_o argument_n and_o of_o distinguish_v a_o good_a from_o a_o ill_a consequence_n it_o will_v then_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n it_o shall_v be_v only_o needful_a as_o some_o christian_a divine_n have_v late_o do_v to_o put_v they_o upon_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o divine_a mission_n of_o moses_n as_o they_o will_v prove_v it_o to_o a_o heathen_a they_o design_v to_o proselyte_n to_o judaisme_n for_o if_o they_o bring_v any_o solid_a proof_n for_o this_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v easy_o make_v evident_a that_o these_o same_o reason_n be_v incomparable_o strong_a in_o favour_n of_o the_o divine_a mission_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n than_o in_o favour_n of_o that_o of_o moses_n as_o it_o have_v be_v show_v in_o the_o book_n who_o title_n you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o margin_n judaeo_n limborch_fw-mi amica_fw-la collat_n cum_fw-la erudit_fw-la judaeo_n now_o then_o to_o convince_v the_o jew_n and_o other_o infidel_n by_o reason_n they_o must_v be_v first_o teach_v the_o art_n of_o methodical_o digest_v their_o thought_n and_o be_v accustom_v to_o reason_n stric_o upon_o other_o head_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o the_o proof_n upon_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v found_v but_o this_o be_v what_o all_o the_o missionary_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v especial_o to_o those_o insidel_n who_o be_v advance_v in_o year_n it_o be_v injustice_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v only_o among_o infidel_n that_o man_n be_v find_v uncapable_a of_o discern_v the_o goodness_n of_o a_o argument_n and_o who_o upon_o this_o account_n reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v unbeliever_n among_o christian_n themselves_o who_o be_v not_o only_o such_o out_o of_o some_o disposition_n engage_v they_o against_o the_o gospel_n but_o likewise_o out_o of_o downright_a stupidity_n and_o for_o want_v of_o understand_v the_o reason_n whereupon_o christianity_n be_v ground_v there_o be_v some_o people_n who_o from_o their_o childhood_n have_v be_v bring_v up_o to_o some_o trade_n or_o other_o constant_a business_n without_o any_o care_n take_v about_o the_o form_n of_o their_o mind_n or_o even_o of_o instruct_v they_o in_o religion_n and_o who_o be_v moreover_o of_o a_o genius_n not_o very_o proper_a for_o conceive_v of_o thing_n reveal_v though_o haughty_a and_o presumptuous_a have_v grow_v to_o a_o full_a age_n without_o any_o far_a instruction_n or_o be_v cure_v of_o their_o pride_n these_o be_v rare_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n nay_o they_o frequent_o reject_v it_o entire_o or_o at_o least_o in_o part_n not_o only_o because_o they_o know_v not_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o but_o also_o because_o they_o understand_v they_o not_o when_o they_o hear_v they_o from_o those_o that_o do_v know_v they_o these_o unpolished_a and_o ignorant_a creature_n imagine_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a but_o what_o they_o perceive_v by_o their_o sense_n or_o what_o they_o have_v find_v by_o their_o own_o experience_n to_o be_v possible_a or_o in_o a_o word_n what_o they_o find_v conformable_a to_o their_o passion_n thus_o neither_o the_o speculative_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n nor_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o nor_o yet_o the_o history_n of_o those_o who_o teach_v it_o be_v within_o the_o verge_n of_o their_o knowledge_n they_o refuse_v to_o believe_v they_o rather_o out_o of_o brutality_n and_o stupidity_n than_o as_o deceive_v by_o captious_a reason_n if_o they_o reject_v it_o not_o altogether_o it_o be_v certain_a however_o that_o they_o retain_v only_o what_o be_v most_o please_a to_o they_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n that_o they_o be_v not_o persuade_v of_o it_o from_o reason_v and_o knowledge_n because_o the_o proof_n which_o confirm_v a_o part_n of_o it_o be_v the_o same_o that_o show_v the_o whole_a religion_n to_o be_v true_a it_o be_v not_o only_a among_o people_n take_v up_o with_o trade_n and_o business_n that_o this_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n be_v to_o be_v find_v for_o there_o be_v more_o of_o they_o perhaps_o among_o such_o as_o aspire_v to_o great_a preferment_n among_o soldier_n and_o person_n of_o quality_n it_o may_v be_v say_v indeed_o that_o person_n of_o these_o rank_n have_v have_v a_o better_a education_n than_o other_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n and_o those_o employment_n to_o which_o they_o be_v design_v but_o in_o very_a truth_n it_o be_v as_o common_a a_o thing_n to_o hear_v they_o reason_n as_o wretched_o about_o religion_n as_o the_o most_o ignorant_a among_o the_o populace_n when_o once_o they_o be_v grow_v old_a in_o their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o christianity_n than_o their_o natural_a vanity_n increase_v with_o their_o age_n render_v they_o more_o obstinate_a and_o not_o seldom_o make_v they_o altogether_o inaccessible_a to_o truth_n you_o propose_v the_o most_o cogent_a argument_n to_o they_o in_o vain_a for_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o mere_a sophism_n though_o they_o know_v not_o wherein_o sophistry_n differ_v from_o solid_a reason_v i_o shall_v be_v tell_v perhaps_o that_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v not_o so_o ignorant_a of_o the_o art_n of_o think_v as_o i_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v see_v they_o reason_v not_o so_o
the_o want_n of_o a_o little_a quiet_a whereof_o they_o deprive_v themselves_o for_o some_o small_a time_n but_o methinks_v a_o short_a term_n of_o carelessness_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v of_o so_o great_a value_n with_o a_o man_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o make_v he_o quit_v it_o be_v there_o any_o in_o the_o world_n who_o can_v live_v in_o this_o eternal_a indifference_n for_o all_o that_o require_v application_n if_o any_o leave_v this_o laziness_n for_o other_o thing_n what_o reason_n can_v he_o bring_v for_o not_o quit_v it_o in_o order_n to_o discover_v his_o own_o state_n as_o to_o religion_n if_o indeed_o after_o take_v much_o pain_n to_o no_o purpose_n a_o man_n can_v not_o enjoy_v his_o former_a quiet_n he_o may_v plead_v very_o plausible_o in_o defence_n of_o this_o carriage_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a after_o fatigue_v himself_o a_o little_a his_o repose_n be_v but_o the_o more_o pleasant_a and_o so_o the_o lazy_a shall_v by_o this_o principle_n at_o least_o be_v at_o the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v religion_n but_o now_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v certain_o true_a as_o we_o maintain_v a_o more_o deplorable_a state_n can_v not_o well_o be_v conceive_v in_o this_o life_n than_o that_o of_o the_o lazy_a gentleman_n we_o have_v describe_v for_o what_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o lamentable_a than_o to_o precipitate_v one_o self_n into_o eternal_a misery_n rather_o than_o take_v the_o pain_n of_o learning_n the_o mean_n to_o avoid_v it_o that_o man_n can_v not_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o lazy_a person_n who_o will_v not_o rise_v at_o night_n for_o fear_n of_o break_v his_o repose_n though_o the_o house_n be_v on_o fire_n no_o he_o will_v be_v take_v for_o a_o fool_n or_o a_o madman_n we_o see_v by_o these_o example_n very_o clear_o how_o unreasonable_a that_o spiritual_a laziness_n be_v which_o keep_v man_n from_o examine_v religion_n we_o perceive_v the_o dangerous_a consequence_n of_o it_o or_o at_o least_o the_o misery_n that_o may_v proceed_v from_o it_o nevertheless_o there_o have_v be_v former_o man_n of_o this_o character_n and_o there_o be_v now_o even_o among_o christian_n such_o be_v those_o jew_n of_o thessalonica_n 17.4_o act_n 17.4_o whereof_o very_a few_o be_v the_o better_a for_o s._n paul_n preach_v because_o they_o will_v not_o examine_v what_o he_o say_v and_o whereof_o the_o most_o part_n very_o zealous_a in_o all_o other_o thing_n raise_v a_o commotion_n in_o the_o town_n against_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o s._n luke_n this_o appear_v by_o the_o opposition_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o same_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o berea_n another_o city_n of_o macedonia_n to_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n these_o say_v the_o historian_n be_v more_o noble_a than_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n in_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o all_o readiness_n of_o mind_n and_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o therefore_o many_o of_o they_o believe_v if_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n have_v love_n enough_o for_o the_o truth_n to_o do_v as_o much_o they_o will_v not_o have_v be_v less_o ready_a to_o receive_v their_o reason_n who_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o '_o they_o but_o the_o laziness_n that_o detain_v they_o in_o judaisme_n join_v to_o their_o other_o passion_n keep_v they_o from_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o consequent_o they_o acknowledge_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o present_a jew_n who_o live_v among_o the_o christian_n and_o perhaps_o a_o part_n of_o the_o mahometan_n may_v neglect_v the_o examen_fw-la of_o christianity_n out_o of_o divers_a principle_n such_o as_o those_o we_o have_v describe_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n but_o i_o be_o very_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o they_o mix_v with_o they_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o that_o laziness_n we_o be_v treat_v of_o in_o this_o chapter_n they_o be_v out_o of_o love_n with_o all_o meditation_n and_o discussion_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v a_o better_a proof_n of_o it_o than_o that_o they_o vouchsafe_v not_o even_o to_o examine_v why_o they_o give_v credit_n to_o judaisme_n or_o mahometanism_n be_v altogether_o busy_a about_o sensible_a object_n and_o the_o care_n of_o life_n they_o can_v without_o reluctancy_n think_v serious_o and_o attentive_o of_o any_o other_o subject_a they_o may_v be_v compare_v to_o people_n extreme_o weary_a after_o walk_v a_o great_a way_n on_o foot_n but_o desire_v to_o take_v a_o long_o walk_v to_o refresh_v and_o divert_v themselves_o they_o will_v not_o hearken_v be_v sure_a to_o such_o a_o proposition_n but_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o the_o pleasure_n of_o repose_n they_o will_v think_v of_o no_o other_o thing_n except_o quiet_o enjoy_v their_o rest_n thus_o such_o as_o be_v busy_a about_o the_o affair_n of_o life_n and_o fatigue_v with_o the_o perpetual_a care_n they_o occasion_n be_v lazy_a as_o to_o all_o other_o thing_n christianity_n be_v at_o this_o time_n divide_v into_o several_a sect_n whereof_o some_o must_v necessary_o be_v in_o a_o error_n may_v we_o not_o therefore_o place_n in_o the_o number_n of_o the_o lazy_a those_o person_n who_o full_a of_o all_o other_o thing_n but_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n have_v never_o careful_o examine_v which_o of_o these_o sect_n be_v most_o conformable_a to_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o own_o that_o divers_a other_o motive_n may_v lead_v they_o to_o remain_v without_o know_v why_o themselves_o in_o that_o party_n wherein_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v bear_v and_o to_o condemn_v all_o other_o without_o vouchsafe_v to_o examine_v their_o tenet_n but_o if_o you_o remark_n it_o well_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o one_o of_o the_o principle_n which_o occasion_n this_o conduct_n be_v a_o certain_a lazy_a aversion_n to_o the_o trouble_v of_o search_v after_o the_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o may_v proceed_v yet_o further_o see_v there_o be_v people_n who_o condemn_v not_o only_o their_o native_a religion_n without_o have_v ever_o sufficient_o study_v it_o but_o likewise_o all_o other_o religion_n though_o still_o less_o know_v to_o they_o because_o first_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o they_o have_v discover_v some_o falsity_n therein_o they_o conclude_v next_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o so_o can_v never_o resolve_v upon_o serious_o or_o thorough_o examine_v the_o truth_n after_o have_v find_v out_o as_o they_o think_v that_o the_o able_a man_n they_o know_v teach_v a_o false_a doctrine_n for_o a_o gospel-truth_n they_o judge_v by_o this_o sample_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o own_o country_n as_o well_o as_o of_o all_o other_o and_o that_o laziness_n which_o keep_v they_o as_o it_o be_v enchant_v make_v they_o think_v it_o more_o convenient_a to_o condemn_v all_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n than_o to_o engage_v in_o a_o solicitous_a enquiry_n after_o the_o true_a principle_n of_o christianity_n i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o danger_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o laziness_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o person_n who_o disagree_v to_o it_o but_o when_o they_o will_v actual_o get_v quit_v of_o this_o passion_n they_o find_v themselves_o so_o much_o prejudice_v in_o favour_n of_o it_o that_o they_o have_v need_n of_o their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o be_v cure_v or_o to_o form_v a_o opposite_a habit._n beside_o all_o i_o have_v hitherto_o say_v we_o ought_v to_o reflect_v upon_o the_o pleasure_n of_o be_v in_o a_o contrary_a disposition_n to_o this_o idle_a temper_n which_o be_v not_o only_o infinite_o more_o satisfactory_a but_o likewise_o much_o more_o reasonable_a and_o it_o may_v happen_v that_o the_o love_n of_o truth_n will_v be_v prefer_v to_o a_o shameful_a quiet_n worthy_a of_o beast_n then_o men._n let_v we_o imagine_v now_o such_o a_o lazy_a person_n as_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o and_o let_v we_o compare_v his_o condition_n to_o that_o of_o a_o man_n who_o mind_n be_v accustom_a to_o enquiry_n find_v no_o repose_n except_v in_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n the_o first_o have_v perceive_v some_o false_a doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v he_o as_o a_o true_a one_o for_o we_o may_v grant_v this_o to_o several_a of_o the_o lazy_a unbeliever_n he_o reject_v this_o doctrine_n and_o whatever_o else_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v true_a concern_v religion_n without_o consider_v that_o important_a truth_n may_v be_v mix_v with_o falsehood_n in_o the_o theology_n of_o his_o country_n or_o that_o there_o may_v be_v people_n perhaps_o elsewhere_o exempt_v from_o those_o error_n that_o be_v teach_v he_o or_o final_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o christianity_n may_v have_v be_v misunderstand_v common_a sense_n will_v teach_v a_o man_n to_o suspend_v his_o judgement_n at_o least_o till_o he_o have_v examine_v these_o three_o
it_o be_v conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o this_o science_n be_v only_o a_o chimaera_n no_o body_n dare_v maintain_v it_o but_o it_o be_v just_a thus_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o such_o as_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o a_o false_a zeal_n the_o incredulous_a object_n further_o that_o since_o those_o who_o show_v the_o great_a zeal_n observe_v not_o the_o most_o important_a precept_n of_o this_o religion_n it_o be_v at_o lest_o a_o sign_n that_o they_o be_v not_o themselves_o persuade_v of_o its_o truth_n for_o otherwise_o say_v they_o they_o will_v not_o quit_v the_o best_a part_n of_o it_o seeing_z if_o the_o speculative_a doctrine_n be_v true_a what_o concern_v practice_n be_v not_o less_o so_o but_o if_o the_o most_o zealous_a be_v not_o persuade_v of_o their_o religion_n what_o may_v be_v judge_v of_o its_o proof_n this_o be_v certain_o a_o prejudice_n that_o be_v very_o difficult_o conquer_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o have_v more_o regard_n to_o what_o be_v say_v than_o to_o what_o be_v do_v and_o who_o look_v upon_o man_n moral_n as_o the_o character_n of_o their_o belief_n every_o person_n have_v not_o strength_n of_o thought_n enough_o to_o consider_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o themselves_o without_o any_o respect_n to_o the_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v obey_v or_o to_o the_o judgement_n that_o christian_n seem_v to_o make_v of_o they_o by_o their_o conduct_n but_o at_o bottom_n this_o be_v a_o ill-grounded_a prejudice_n from_o which_o no_o consequence_n can_v be_v infer_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o it_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o follow_a remark_n first_o of_o all_o we_o may_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v some_o of_o those_o zealot_n in_o show_n for_o a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n who_o be_v not_o in_o effect_n persuade_v of_o any_o of_o they_o and_o who_o make_v use_v of_o the_o cloak_n of_o religion_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o multitude_n the_o better_a to_o carry_v on_o their_o affair_n in_o the_o world_n but_o do_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a by_o no_o mean_n since_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o man_n may_v be_v deceive_v as_o well_o as_o other_o they_o be_v not_o always_o such_o as_o make_v the_o great_a noise_n about_o a_o art_n that_o best_o understand_v it_o and_o if_o all_o the_o discourse_n of_o these_o people_n be_v well_o examine_v it_o may_v be_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v beauty_n to_o which_o they_o be_v utter_a stranger_n there_o may_v be_v also_o remark_v in_o their_o disposition_n some_o invincible_a obstacle_n to_o the_o sincere_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v entire_o contrary_a to_o those_o disposition_n the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o people_n believe_v for_o example_n that_o force_n must_v be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o establish_v truth_n and_o that_o the_o magistrate_n who_o favour_v they_o aught_o to_o use_v those_o hardly_o that_o be_v not_o of_o their_o sentiment_n nay_o they_o maintain_v that_o without_o this_o christianity_n be_v lose_v and_o that_o all_o other_o religion_n shall_v triumph_v over_o it_o all_o have_v be_v still_o pagan_a according_a to_o they_o if_o constantine_n and_o the_o other_o succeed_a christian_a emperor_n have_v not_o employ_v their_o authority_n to_o destroy_v heathenism_n now_o what_o other_o thing_n can_v such_o discourse_n mean_v but_o that_o they_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o true_a proof_n of_o christianity_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o charity_n and_o moderation_n which_o be_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o the_o gospel_n those_o who_o have_v well_o studyâ—d_v these_o proof_n and_o careful_o examine_v all_o the_o part_n whereof_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v make_v up_o find_v it_o so_o well_o ground_v its_o promise_n so_o become_v god_n and_o man_n and_o its_o precept_n so_o useful_a to_o humane_a society_n that_o to_o make_v it_o whole_o triumph_v over_o error_n it_o be_v enough_o in_o their_o judgement_n to_o obtain_v a_o liberty_n of_o preach_v it_o and_o that_o such_o as_o profess_v it_o may_v incur_v no_o danger_n for_o so_o do_v in_o a_o word_n that_o it_o may_v oppose_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n with_o equal_a arms._n these_o person_n animate_v with_o that_o spirit_n of_o moderation_n whereof_o i_o speak_v and_o equal_o press_v all_o the_o part_n of_o christianity_n do_v not_o contradict_v by_o their_o action_n the_o doctrine_n they_o profess_v with_o their_o mouth_n if_o religion_n therefore_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o from_o the_o conduct_n and_o discourse_n of_o its_o professor_n regard_v aught_o to_o be_v have_v rather_o to_o these_o man_n than_o to_o other_o second_o i_o have_v show_v elsewhere_o that_o since_o man_n do_v not_o always_o act_v according_a to_o their_o knowledge_n but_o most_o frequent_o follow_v the_o movement_n of_o their_o passion_n their_o sentiment_n must_v not_o be_v always_o conclude_v from_o their_o carriage_n this_o be_v so_o it_o may_v probable_o happen_v that_o certain_a zealot_n may_v act_v very_o disagreeable_o to_o their_o profession_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_n of_o their_o persuasion_n from_o their_o manner_n we_o must_v confess_v however_o that_o if_o in_o those_o zealot_n there_o appear_v a_o continual_a series_n of_o action_n contrary_a to_o the_o clear_a command_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o inveterate_a habit_n of_o walk_a contrary_n to_o what_o must_v be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o essential_a part_n of_o christianity_n than_o we_o have_v great_a occasion_n to_o suspect_v they_o of_o hypocrisy_n and_o a_o design_n of_o cover_v their_o infidelity_n with_o a_o show_n of_o zeal_n for_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a but_o that_o a_o strong_a and_o sincere_a belief_n shall_v at_o length_n eradicate_v out_o of_o the_o heart_n all_o habit_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o it_o but_o the_o most_o ingenuous_a man_n may_v act_v sometime_o against_o their_o persuasion_n by_o surprise_n or_o the_o sudden_a motion_n of_o a_o violent_a passion_n three_o as_o it_o will_v be_v injustice_n to_o judge_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o law_n of_o any_o government_n from_o the_o way_n how_o they_o be_v observe_v so_o it_o will_v be_v very_o ill_o reason_v to_o condemn_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o such_o as_o profess_v it_o obey_v it_o not_o there_o may_v be_v most_o excellent_a law_n and_o acknowledge_v too_o for_o such_o yet_o not_o always_o strict_o observe_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o interest_n and_o passion_n of_o those_o who_o break_v they_o as_o it_o may_v be_v remark_v in_o all_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v just_a so_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n what_o cause_v this_o contradiction_n between_o the_o sentiment_n and_o carriage_n of_o man_n beside_o the_o reason_n already_o allege_v be_v perhaps_o because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o apply_v the_o general_a law_n to_o the_o particular_a case_n which_o happen_v every_o day_n and_o that_o they_o mistake_v the_o most_o prohibit_v action_n for_o exception_n to_o the_o rule_n 26._o arrian_n upon_o epictetus_n l._n 3._o c._n 26._o a_o famous_a philosopher_n say_v that_o most_o of_o man_n error_n proceed_v from_o their_o not_o know_v how_o to_o apply_v general_a to_o particular_a idea_n if_o we_o consider_v it_o near_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n occasion_n at_o least_o in_o part_n the_o violation_n of_o many_o law_n which_o be_v all_o the_o while_n think_v just_a and_o wellgrounded_n zeal_n accompany_v with_o very_o great_a ignorance_n and_o the_o great_a as_o the_o ignorance_n be_v grosser_n furnish_v the_o incredulous_a likewise_o with_o another_o pretence_n of_o look_v upon_o religion_n as_o a_o blind_a persuasion_n mere_o build_v upon_o the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o in_o all_o religion_n such_o as_o have_v least_o examine_v thing_n and_o that_o be_v the_o less_o discern_a appear_v frequent_o the_o hot_a in_o defence_n of_o the_o party_n with_o which_o they_o be_v engage_v the_o furious_a zeal_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o mahometans_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o the_o pagan_a populace_n be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o i_o need_v bring_v no_o example_n of_o it_o in_o those_o sect_n also_o into_o which_o christianity_n be_v at_o present_a divide_v the_o heat_n wherewith_o the_o ignorant_a multitude_n defend_v their_o sentiment_n and_o endeavour_v to_o propagate_v they_o be_v but_o too_o common_a this_o blind_a zeal_n have_v so_o often_o break_v out_o and_o have_v make_v use_n of_o such_o ill_a method_n to_o advance_v each_o party_n that_o there_o be_v no_o sect_n but_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o but_o if_o this_o false_a zeal_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o consequence_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o heathen_n
violate_v as_o all_o other_o be_v especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o those_o reward_n and_o punishment_n concern_v another_o life_n man_n though_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n look_v upon_o they_o as_o remote_a and_o be_v so_o affect_v with_o outward_a object_n which_o work_n upon_o their_o sense_n or_o imagination_n that_o the_o present_a time_n prevail_v over_o the_o future_a beside_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o persuasion_n though_o persuasion_n itself_o be_v most_o true_a no_o body_n doubt_v of_o some_o considerable_a fact_n of_o ancient_a history_n for_o example_n that_o cesar_n overcome_v pompey_n however_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n between_o the_o degree_n of_o this_o persuasion_n and_o the_o degree_n of_o that_o whereby_o every_o body_n be_v persuade_v of_o what_o he_o see_v though_o those_o who_o have_v read_v the_o roman_a author_n that_o be_v contemporary_a and_o those_o who_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o the_o next_o century_n doubt_v not_o at_o all_o of_o cesar_n victory_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o persuasion_n arise_v from_o what_o we_o have_v see_v be_v strong_a and_o more_o lively_a the_o christian_n who_o believe_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o be_v sometime_o move_v with_o it_o be_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n i_o just_a now_o allege_v more_o move_v with_o the_o present_a pleasure_n of_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o some_o passion_n and_o so_o this_o last_o motion_n overcome_v the_o other_o jesus_n christ_n foresee_v that_o disorder_n and_o say_v that_o few_o man_n will_v observe_v his_o commandment_n and_o many_o break_v they_o 2._o they_o part_n ii_o chap._n 2._o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v elsewhere_o but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v why_o do_v not_o god_n make_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o sensible_a to_o man_n as_o what_o they_o see_v why_o do_v they_o not_o see_v if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o paradise_n and_o hell_n open_v good_a man_n in_o the_o one_o and_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o other_o i_o answer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v so_o those_o who_o obey_v god_n not_o only_o because_o of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n but_o out_o of_o thankfulness_n and_o because_o they_o be_v convince_v that_o his_o law_n be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a can_v not_o be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o who_o obey_v only_o out_o of_o fear_n and_o wish_v that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o let_v they_o satisfy_v their_o passion_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v make_v sensible_a every_o body_n will_v pay_v to_o god_n the_o same_o outward_a obedience_n beside_o though_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o observe_v as_o it_o shall_v be_v and_o that_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o manner_n of_o christian_n and_o heathen_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o christianity_n have_v several_a great_a advantage_n above_o paganism_n first_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o a_o commonwealth_n that_o have_v good_a law_n which_o teach_v exact_o to_o distinguish_v good_a from_o evil_a and_o a_o commonwealth_n the_o law_n whereof_o approve_v or_o suffer_v some_o crime_n which_o be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o society_n in_o the_o former_a good_a law_n keep_v at_o least_o part_n of_o the_o citizen_n to_o their_o duty_n and_o hinder_v other_o from_o run_v themselves_o into_o great_a excess_n but_o in_o the_o other_o the_o lawgiver_n let_v we_o loose_v all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o put_v no_o bound_n to_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n give_v up_o themselves_o to_o they_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v in_o several_a respect_n of_o christianity_n and_o paganism_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o allege_v two_o example_n indeed_o the_o notion_n of_o justice_n and_o charity_n which_o the_o gospel_n have_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n have_v not_o be_v so_o effectual_a as_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v but_o however_o those_o notion_n be_v the_o reason_n why_o a_o horrible_a custom_n practise_v among_o the_o roman_n have_v be_v condemn_v they_o take_v great_a pleasure_n in_o see_v man_n kill_v one_o another_o or_o fight_v with_o wild_a beast_n so_o cruel_a a_o diversion_n last_v during_o many_o age_n at_o rome_n nor_o be_v the_o humanity_n of_o the_o roman_a people_n so_o much_o boast_v of_o by_o their_o historian_n so_o much_o boast_v of_o by_o their_o historian_n offend_v at_o it_o in_o the_o least_o the_o same_o people_n as_o well_o as_o the_o grecian_n be_v so_o horrible_o addict_v to_o fornication_n and_o sodomy_n that_o they_o never_o imagine_v there_o be_v any_o harm_n it_o it_o provide_v it_o may_v not_o prejudice_v their_o temporal_a interest_n those_o who_o will_v read_v their_o comical_a and_o satirical_a poet_n will_v not_o only_o see_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o also_o the_o sad_a consequence_n of_o those_o debauchery_n among_o christian_n one_o of_o they_o have_v be_v always_o detest_v and_o not_o so_o common_a and_o the_o other_o have_v not_o be_v so_o great_a as_o among_o the_o heathen_n because_o they_o be_v both_o condemn_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o heathen_n give_v up_o themselves_o to_o a_o thousand_o infamous_a debauchery_n not_o only_o without_o be_v punish_v for_o it_o but_o also_o without_o feel_v any_o remorse_n of_o conscience_n because_o they_o know_v not_o that_o they_o be_v unlawful_a hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o never_o give_v over_o their_o lewdness_n but_o when_o the_o body_n be_v wear_v out_o can_v no_o long_o answer_v the_o disorder_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o that_o they_o never_o show_v any_o sorrow_n for_o it_o whereby_o youth_n may_v be_v deter_v from_o it_o all_o that_o old_a man_n can_v say_v to_o young_a man_n be_v to_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o flesh_n only_o as_o much_o as_o they_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o welfare_n of_o their_o family_n but_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o knowledge_n man_n have_v of_o do_v evil_a when_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o lewdness_n be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o bridle_n which_o stop_v a_o great_a many_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o pleasure_n and_o a_o leaven_n which_o often_o work_v repentance_n and_o excite_v man_n to_o deter_v other_o from_o do_v the_o like_a i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o justice_n be_v much_o better_o administer_v among_o christian_n than_o elsewhere_o but_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o their_o civil_a and_o political_a law_n be_v better_a what_o may_v be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o it_o be_v because_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v settle_v the_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a which_o be_v uncertain_a among_o other_o nation_n or_o rather_o have_v introduce_v they_o anew_o from_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o who_o do_v evil_a dare_v not_o assert_v it_o and_o that_o many_o crime_n be_v not_o daily_o commit_v which_o otherwise_o will_v be_v commit_v open_o to_o live_v somewhat_o modest_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o roman_n one_o need_v to_o have_v be_v well_o breed_v up_o or_o to_o have_v learned_a philosophy_n nor_o do_v this_o hinder_v they_o from_o do_v several_a unjust_a thing_n which_o excess_n only_o can_v make_v infamous_a but_o among_o christian_n man_n learn_v whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o law_n that_o condemn_v they_o and_o no_o body_n will_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o say_v that_o the_o least_o unjustice_n be_v allow_v they_o prince_n abuse_v not_o their_o authority_n as_o they_o do_v in_o paganism_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o subject_n enjoy_v more_o quiet_o and_o safe_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o labour_n especial_o in_o the_o place_n where_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v great_a than_o in_o other_o chap._n vi_o that_o unbeliever_n can_v conclude_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v false_a because_o the_o divine_n who_o they_o know_v answer_v not_o their_o objection_n well_o or_o maintain_v some_o false_a doctrine_n as_o true_a one_o and_o as_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n if_o i_o say_v in_o general_a that_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a thing_n that_o lead_v man_n into_o incredulity_n who_o have_v wit_n and_o judgement_n enough_o be_v the_o weak_a answer_n which_o be_v often_o return_v to_o their_o objection_n and_o the_o absurd_a doctrine_n which_o be_v maintain_v against_o they_o as_o true_a one_o no_o christian_a society_n will_v contradict_v i_o because_o they_o accuse_v one_o another_o of_o very_a great_a error_n thus_o without_o name_v any_o in_o particular_a i_o leave_v to_o every_o one_o the_o liberty_n of_o make_v such_o application_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n difficult_a to_o apprehend_v in_o
religion_n which_o be_v see_v in_o the_o world_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o these_o be_v most_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la against_o some_o christian_a society_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o show_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o involve_v all_o christianity_n in_o general_n first_o unbeliever_n can_v suppose_v without_o examination_n as_o they_o do_v on_o this_o occasion_n that_o the_o notion_n man_n have_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o their_o country_n or_o that_o of_o some_o divine_n who_o they_o have_v read_v be_v real_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o its_o founder_n some_o alteration_n may_v have_v by_o degree_n creep_v into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o they_o know_v and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o body_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o contrary_a without_o go_v to_o the_o source_n to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o stream_n which_o be_v say_v to_o flow_v from_o it_o that_o be_v without_o read_v the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o compare_v their_o doctrine_n with_o that_o which_o be_v now_o pretend_a to_o be_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o founder_n of_o christianity_n this_o unbeliever_n be_v necessary_o oblige_v to_o do_v before_o they_o affirm_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v false_a else_o they_o will_v imitate_v corrupt_a judge_n who_o vouchsafe_v not_o to_o examine_v the_o instrument_n of_o a_o suit_n in_o law_n but_o give_v their_o sentence_n at_o the_o first_o report_n of_o it_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o if_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o the_o abovementioned_a place_n will_v undertake_v that_o examination_n they_o will_v present_o see_v that_o most_o of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o dislike_v be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatever_o christian_n think_v now_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o they_o the_o same_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v observe_v every_o where_o and_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o judge_n of_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n that_o be_v common_o receive_v where_o they_o live_v or_o which_o be_v worse_o to_o condemn_v it_o from_o hear_v a_o silly_a preacher_n who_o represent_v it_o quite_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v yet_o there_o be_v many_o people_n who_o entertain_v no_o favourable_a thought_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o explication_n thereof_o which_o they_o hear_v from_o the_o pulpit_n which_o be_v but_o too_o often_o ill_o provide_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n speak_v there_o be_v so_o far_o from_o bear_v a_o severe_a examination_n of_o judicious_a man_n that_o they_o can_v scarce_o be_v allow_v in_o the_o conversation_n of_o any_o person_n not_o altogether_o destitute_a of_o common_a sense_n that_o sort_n of_o discourse_n can_v without_o great_a injustice_n be_v confound_v with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n though_o there_o be_v some_o who_o affect_v to_o give_v they_o that_o name_n as_o if_o such_o preacher_n be_v inspire_v apostle_n and_o authorise_a with_o miracle_n they_o shall_v have_v a_o great_a respect_n for_o the_o gospel_n than_o to_o call_v such_o meditation_n by_o the_o same_o name_n with_o the_o discourse_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n i_o have_v not_o make_v this_o remark_n be_v it_o not_o that_o such_o expression_n give_v occasion_n to_o unbeliever_n to_o despise_v christianity_n which_o deserve_v as_o much_o to_o be_v admire_v by_o the_o most_o penetrate_a and_o solid_a wit_n as_o many_o sermon_n deserve_v to_o be_v despise_v by_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o illiterate_a person_n as_o no_o body_n can_v bear_v the_o injustice_n of_o that_o man_n who_o shall_v judge_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o author_n by_o the_o discourse_n of_o another_o who_o perhaps_o understand_v they_o not_o and_o who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o explain_v they_o otherwise_o and_o then_o pretend_v he_o may_v with_o reason_n vent_v his_o explication_n as_o infallible_a so_o unbeliever_n can_v ascribe_v to_o the_o apostle_n the_o opinion_n which_o they_o hear_v preach_v as_o apostolical_a doctrine_n before_o they_o have_v careful_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n unless_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o most_o unjust_a of_o men._n second_o unbeliever_n be_v guilty_a of_o another_o fault_n which_o be_v not_o much_o less_o than_o the_o forego_n when_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o false_a doctrine_n which_o they_o have_v read_v in_o the_o write_n of_o some_o divine_n or_o hear_v they_o preach_v they_o reject_v all_o christianity_n for_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o many_o truth_n may_v be_v mix_v with_o lie_n and_o as_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o a_o book_n contain_v nothing_o but_o truth_n because_o some_o few_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o it_o so_o it_o can_v be_v affirm_v that_o every_o thing_n in_o it_o be_v false_a because_o some_o lie_n have_v be_v find_v in_o it_o be_v there_o for_o example_n any_o profane_a history_n either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a without_o a_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n yet_o no_o body_n say_v that_o history_n contain_v nothing_o that_o be_v true_a and_o certain_a they_o endeavour_v only_o to_o distinguish_v what_o be_v true_a from_o what_o be_v false_a the_o like_a aught_o to_o be_v practise_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o explication_n of_o christian_n doctrine_n which_o we_o read_v or_o hear_v we_o ought_v neither_o whole_o to_o reject_v they_o nor_o embrace_v they_o because_o there_o may_v be_v a_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n we_o ought_v as_o i_o say_v before_o to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o founder_n of_o christianity_n and_o judge_v by_o those_o write_n of_o religion_n itself_o and_o of_o what_o be_v true_a in_o the_o opinion_n of_o modern_a divine_n this_o be_v if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o the_o touchstone_n by_o which_o only_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v be_v know_v three_o unbeliever_n undoubted_o know_v that_o a_o truth_n change_v not_o its_o nature_n for_o be_v ill_o defend_v we_o see_v every_o day_n very_o good_a cause_n ill_o plead_v by_o some_o lawyer_n who_o understand_v not_o their_o profession_n nay_o it_o be_v confess_v among_o all_o christian_n that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o book_n who_o author_n be_v real_o engage_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o truth_n but_o they_o do_v it_o so_o ill_a that_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v condemn_v if_o it_o have_v no_o better_a support_n many_o people_n for_o example_n who_o have_v not_o study_v well_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o see_v no_o character_n of_o divinity_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o can_v convince_v a_o unbeliever_n of_o it_o but_o nevertheless_o they_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v divine_a with_o as_o great_a a_o certainty_n as_o if_o they_o perceive_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o because_o they_o be_v say_v they_o inward_o persuade_v of_o it_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n without_o know_v why_o that_o be_v the_o cant_n of_o a_o perfect_a fanatic_a who_o equal_v without_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o alcoran_n and_o all_o the_o false_a religion_n the_o follower_n whereof_o may_v all_o say_v as_o he_o do_v that_o they_o be_v persuade_v of_o it_o by_o a_o secret_a and_o inward_a operation_n of_o god_n upon_o their_o heart_n but_o the_o apostle_n never_o say_v any_o such_o thing_n all_o their_o preach_a consist_v in_o some_o fact_n and_o in_o good_a reason_n attend_v with_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n they_o have_v and_o it_o be_v by_o such_o mean_v they_o pretend_v to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o their_o doctrine_n so_o that_o we_o shall_v wrong_v they_o very_o much_o shall_v we_o believe_v that_o they_o teach_v their_o doctrine_n can_v not_o be_v embrace_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n but_o by_o a_o mere_a enthusiasm_n other_o to_o do_v the_o christian_a religion_n a_o great_a honour_n ascribe_v to_o the_o apostle_n a_o art_n which_o they_o themselves_o serious_o etc._n serious_o 1_o cor._n 1.17_o &_o 11.4_o 13_o etc._n etc._n say_v they_o have_v not_o they_o set_v forth_o their_o style_n as_o a_o admirable_a pattern_n of_o eloquence_n which_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o grecian_n and_o roman_n what_o follow_v from_o thence_o unbeliever_n read_v the_o write_n of_o those_o holy_a man_n to_o seek_v what_o they_o be_v tell_v be_v contain_v in_o they_o and_o because_o they_o do_v find_v it_o they_o fancy_v that_o those_o who_o say_v so_o design_v to_o deceive_v they_o and_o thereupon_o be_v exasperate_v against_o they_o who_o ground_v in_o part_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n upon_o their_o wonderful_a style_n they_o whole_o reject_v it_o they_o can_v not_o be_v
to_o wish_v for_o miracle_n as_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o yet_o establish_v three_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o to_o require_v new_a miracle_n from_o god_n with_o and_o show_v of_o reason_n man_n shall_v have_v make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o the_o mean_v they_o have_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n so_o that_o after_o a_o careful_a and_o impartial_a examination_n they_o can_v not_o be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o thing_n they_o inquire_v after_o but_o must_v doubt_v still_o of_o it_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v be_v in_o a_o manner_n oblige_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o goodness_n to_o help_v man_n incredulity_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o who_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o doubt_v of_o the_o mission_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n not_o out_o of_o obstinacy_n but_o because_o the_o proof_n thereof_o be_v unknown_a to_o they_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o see_v many_o miracle_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n but_o let_v we_o suppose_v some_o man_n of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a disposition_n who_o perform_v not_o the_o duty_n which_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n teach_v we_o who_o have_v no_o love_n for_o the_o truth_n who_o be_v full_a of_o a_o thousand_o ill-grounded_a prejudices_fw-la and_o blind_v with_o unruly_a passion_n who_o have_v examine_v nothing_o but_o doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n out_o of_o a_o voluntary_a perverseness_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o inclination_n can_v such_o man_n complain_v because_o god_n work_v no_o miracle_n in_o their_o behalf_n will_v they_o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o new_a favour_n for_o have_v despise_v those_o which_o they_o have_v already_o receive_v from_o he_o if_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n will_v but_o examine_v themselves_o by_o this_o picture_n they_o may_v easy_o find_v out_o the_o answer_n we_o can_v return_v to_o they_o four_o i_o affirm_v that_o miracle_n will_v be_v of_o no_o use_n to_o such_o men._n the_o unbelieve_a jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n of_o what_o i_o say_v see_v that_o be_v not_o able_a to_o deny_v his_o miraculous_a work_n they_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o devil_n the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n will_v never_o want_v shift_n to_o bring_v into_o question_n miracle_n wrought_v in_o their_o presence_n see_v they_o have_v find_v out_o several_a to_o hinder_v we_o from_o draw_v any_o consequence_n from_o those_o of_o christ_n suppose_v they_o be_v true_a but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v speak_v in_o my_o second_o letter_n at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o discourse_n therefore_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n have_v more_o reason_n to_o work_v no_o miracle_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n than_o to_o work_v any_o and_o such_o be_v the_o method_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o see_v some_o obstinate_a man_n who_o require_v from_o he_o some_o miracle_n he_o wrought_v none_o because_o he_o see_v they_o will_v not_o make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o they_o than_o of_o other_o divine_a grace_n and_o will_v but_o thereby_o increase_v their_o gild_n the_o evangelist_n observe_v 6.5_o observe_v mat._n 13.58_o mark_v 6.5_o that_o be_v come_v to_o nazareth_n he_o do_v not_o many_o mighty_a work_n there_o because_o of_o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o town_n some_o unbelieve_a teacher_n have_v require_v of_o he_o a_o miracle_n more_o than_o once_o 16.1_o once_o mat._n 12.38_o &_o 16.1_o he_o deny_v they_o and_o refer_v they_o to_o that_o of_o his_o resurrection_n whereof_o notwithstanding_o they_o never_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v eye-witness_n wherefore_o he_o sometime_o ask_v those_o who_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v cure_v their_o disease_n whether_o they_o believe_v etc._n believe_v mat._n 9.29_o etc._n etc._n he_o can_v do_v it_o to_o teach_v they_o that_o none_o deserve_v a_o new_a grace_n but_o he_o that_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o other_o it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n to_o expect_v or_o demand_v a_o cure_n from_o he_o have_v they_o not_o certain_o know_v by_o other_o example_n or_o some_o good_a reason_n that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o those_o who_o suppose_v that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n shall_v incline_v he_o to_o deal_v otherwise_o with_o unbeliever_n suppose_v at_o once_o two_o thing_n most_o absurd_a and_o altogether_o unworthy_a of_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o reason_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n ought_v to_o have_v no_o respect_n to_o the_o use_v man_n have_v make_v of_o his_o favour_n but_o that_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v their_o unbelief_n whatever_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o may_v be_v the_o more_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o grant_v they_o new_a grace_n so_o change_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v please_v doubt_v of_o revelation_n whereby_o the_o conduct_n of_o god_n will_v depend_v upon_o the_o will_n and_o humour_n of_o men._n the_o second_o absurdity_n that_o follow_v from_o thence_o be_v that_o god_n will_v be_v oblige_v out_o of_o his_o goodness_n to_o satisfy_v as_o many_o party_n as_o there_o be_v unbeliever_n in_o the_o world_n and_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o own_o humour_n and_o method_n for_o every_o one_o of_o they_o will_v see_v some_o miracle_n and_o as_o it_o be_v put_v the_o divine_a providence_n to_o a_o trial_n without_o mind_v what_o it_o may_v have_v do_v at_o other_o time_n or_o in_o other_o place_n if_o any_o can_v brook_v those_o consequence_n which_o necessary_o follow_v from_o the_o unbeliever_n objection_n there_o be_v no_o need_n we_o shall_v long_o dispute_v with_o he_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o god_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o work_v miracle_n now_o because_o he_o wrought_v some_o former_o in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o modern_a miracle_n be_v not_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o ill_a custom_n as_o well_o as_o in_o those_o where_o they_o be_v believe_v which_o be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o incredulous_a and_o it_o be_v this_o several_a people_n who_o maintain_v some_o doctrine_n of_o no_o great_a moment_n and_o certainty_n with_o too_o great_a a_o heat_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v to_o magnify_v their_o zeal_n that_o if_o the_o opinion_n of_o their_o adversary_n be_v true_a the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v lose_v that_o one_o can_v be_v sure_a of_o nothing_o and_o such_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n their_o adversary_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o sometime_o prove_v it_o so_o clear_o that_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n can_v be_v maintain_v without_o obstinacy_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o three_o party_n and_o perform_v only_o the_o part_n of_o spectator_n of_o those_o quarrel_n conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a than_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o see_v so_o well_o confute_v and_o those_o who_o have_v exaggerated_a too_o much_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o opinion_n can_v hinder_v the_o unbeliever_n from_o draw_v such_o a_o consequence_n against_o they_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o example_n of_o that_o ill_a manner_n of_o dispute_v but_o i_o shall_v allege_v only_o one_o which_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v man_n sensible_a of_o what_o i_o say_v there_o have_v be_v many_o dispute_n in_o this_o age_n about_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o jewish_a vowel_n some_o have_v maintain_v that_o they_o be_v invent_v by_o the_o masorethe_n some_o century_n after_o christ_n other_o have_v pretend_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o they_o be_v at_o least_o as_o ancient_a as_o esdras_n and_o consequent_o ground_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o latter_a to_o stir_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a all_o christendom_n against_o their_o adversary_n exclaim_v after_o a_o tragical_a manner_n that_o this_o dispute_n be_v about_o no_o less_o a_o thing_n than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a bible_n which_o be_v destroy_v by_o those_o who_o assert_v the_o novelty_n of_o the_o vowel_n but_o ludovicus_n cappellus_n have_v show_v in_o his_o arcanum_n punctationis_fw-la and_o its_o defence_n with_o as_o much_o evidence_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o masorethe_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o vowel_n the_o most_o learned_a critic_n have_v embrace_v his_o opinion_n and_o look_v upon_o those_o who_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a as_o obstinate_a person_n the_o same_o happen_v with_o respect_n to_o another_o dispute_n which_o that_o learned_a man_n have_v concern_v the_o various_a readins_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n he_o prove_v that_o
find_v fault_n as_o if_o they_o be_v sorry_a to_o be_v convince_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n contain_v nothing_o that_o clash_v with_o right_a reason_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o shall_v be_v dispose_v as_o those_o who_o search_v a_o truth_n necessary_a to_o they_o and_o think_v rather_o to_o discover_v it_o themselves_o than_o to_o find_v some_o falsity_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o who_o will_v lead_v they_o to_o it_o and_o to_o who_o it_o be_v not_o perhaps_o well_o know_v if_o those_o to_o who_o they_o make_v their_o application_n to_o resolve_v their_o doubt_n do_v not_o satisfy_v they_o they_o ought_v to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o divine_n or_o read_v the_o write_n of_o another_o party_n which_o perhaps_o will_v afford_v they_o great_a satisfaction_n nay_o if_o no_o body_n do_v altogether_o satisfy_v they_o they_o will_v not_o be_v less_o bind_v to_o seek_v the_o truth_n and_o have_v know_v it_o in_o part_n they_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o go_v far_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o take_v care_v not_o to_o part_v with_o what_o seem_v to_o they_o certain_a because_o they_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o rest_n this_o common_a sense_n will_v require_v from_o unbeliever_n if_o christianity_n be_v now_o in_o so_o deplorable_a a_o condition_n that_o of_o all_o the_o sect_n whereof_o it_o be_v make_v up_o none_o know_v it_o in_o its_o whole_a extent_n or_o can_v defend_v it_o as_o they_o ought_v but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n we_o be_v not_o reduce_v to_o that_o extremity_n the_o method_n of_o reason_v about_o religion_n as_o about_o all_o other_o thing_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o explain_v the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v bring_v in_o the_o last_o century_n and_o in_o this_o by_o some_o christian_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o perfection_n as_o they_o never_o attain_v to_o before_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n have_v reason_n to_o thank_v god_n for_o show_v they_o clear_v a_o live_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o the_o miracle_n that_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n and_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n they_o have_v of_o the_o history_n of_o its_o first_o founder_n if_o we_o have_v not_o the_o same_o advantage_n we_o have_v at_o least_o reason_n to_o give_v he_o our_o thanks_o for_o teach_v we_o that_o though_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v without_o much_o reason_v or_o eloquence_n for_o the_o reason_n i_o have_v allege_v yet_o the_o more_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reason_n well_o the_o better_a we_o may_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o art_n of_o write_v according_a to_o the_o rule_v ground_v on_o reason_n may_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o set_v all_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o their_o due_a light_n the_o suspicion_n which_o those_o talent_n may_v have_v raise_v concern_v its_o first_o founder_n have_v no_o room_n leave_v with_o respect_n to_o those_o who_o write_v now_o there_o can_v be_v no_o better_a service_n do_v to_o religion_n than_o by_o inquire_v into_o its_o proof_n with_o all_o the_o exactness_n that_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o set_v before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o reader_n what_o have_v be_v discover_v with_o all_o the_o ornament_n of_o true_a eloquence_n those_o who_o know_v the_o history_n of_o past_a age_n be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o in_o many_o of_o they_o false_a reason_n and_o great_a ignorance_n be_v the_o best_a talent_n of_o the_o interpreter_n of_o religion_n so_o that_o a_o man_n who_o read_v they_o be_v almost_o to_o part_v with_o reason_n and_o common_a sense_n god_n be_v thank_v we_o be_v no_o more_o in_o such_o a_o darkness_n may_v the_o increase_v more_o and_o more_o the_o light_n we_o enjoy_v by_o his_o grace_n finis_fw-la two_o letter_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n advertisement_n when_o i_o begin_v the_o forego_v discourse_n i_o think_v it_o not_o necessary_a to_o add_v any_o direct_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o as_o i_o go_v on_o i_o perceive_v that_o this_o work_n will_v not_o be_v complete_a enough_o if_o i_o prove_v it_o not_o at_o least_o in_o few_o word_n what_o i_o have_v say_v concern_v incredulity_n be_v design_v only_o to_o remove_v the_o general_a obstacle_n which_o hinder_v the_o incredulous_a from_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a it_o will_v seem_v that_o i_o be_v content_v to_o make_v part_n of_o that_o way_n smooth_a which_o may_v lead_v they_o to_o heaven_n without_o care_v to_o guide_v they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o therefore_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o add_v these_o two_o letter_n one_o of_o which_o be_v publish_v about_o ten_o year_n ago_o but_o it_o will_v be_v find_v here_o large_a more_o correct_v and_o in_o a_o better_a order_n than_o it_o be_v before_o as_o for_o the_o other_o it_o be_v almost_o but_o a_o extract_n by_o way_n of_o a_o letter_n of_o a_o chapter_n of_o a_o latin_a book_n wherein_o i_o have_v treat_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o spirit_n which_o be_v make_v public_a above_o these_o three_o year_n letter_n i._n wherein_o be_v prove_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o testimony_n they_o bear_v to_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n 1._o sir_n you_o desire_v that_o i_o prove_v to_o you_o in_o few_o word_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o you_o may_v use_v my_o proof_n to_o cure_v some_o gentleman_n of_o your_o acquaintance_n who_o be_v fall_v into_o infidelity_n i_o can_v refer_v you_o to_o other_o who_o have_v successful_o treat_v of_o that_o matter_n but_o because_o most_o of_o they_o have_v enlarge_v very_o much_o upon_o it_o i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o tell_v you_o more_o brief_o what_o i_o think_v proper_a to_o convince_v your_o friend_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n the_o most_o common_a reproach_n unbeliever_n cast_v upon_o we_o be_v that_o we_o be_v full_a of_o prejudices_fw-la which_o hinder_v we_o from_o undeceive_v ourselves_o we_o say_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o they_o and_o we_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v common_o their_o ill_a disposition_n which_o raise_v some_o difficulty_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o beside_o we_o upbraid_v they_o with_o suppose_v a_o thousand_o uncertain_a thing_n in_o their_o reason_n as_o if_o they_o be_v certain_a and_o they_o fail_v not_o in_o their_o turn_n to_o accuse_v we_o of_o the_o same_o fault_n it_o be_v not_o just_a that_o either_o of_o we_o shall_v suppose_v our_o prejudices_fw-la as_o principle_n that_o be_v either_o demonstrate_v or_o that_o want_v no_o demonstration_n let_v we_o therefore_o act_v on_o both_o side_n as_o if_o we_o have_v embrace_v no_o party_n and_o let_v we_o say_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v ground_v upon_o some_o principle_n grant_v on_o both_o side_n 2._o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o there_o be_v certain_a character_n whereby_o we_o may_v often_o know_v whether_o a_o fact_n be_v true_a or_o not_o and_o distinguish_v a_o false_a history_n from_o a_o true_a one_o if_o this_o be_v not_o grant_v man_n must_v be_v sceptic_n or_o rather_o mad_a man_n for_o one_o can_v without_o be_v stark_o mad_a doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o history_n but_o another_o thing_n must_v be_v also_o grant_v which_o be_v not_o less_o certain_a viz._n that_o to_o know_v the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o a_o fact_n several_a circumstance_n of_o thing_n time_n place_n and_o person_n must_v be_v present_a to_o the_o mind_n without_o which_o one_o can_v judge_v solid_o of_o that_o fact_n and_o by_o which_o one_o may_v most_o certain_o determine_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a those_o who_o know_v those_o circumstance_n and_o have_v examine_v they_o at_o their_o leisure_n may_v certain_o give_v their_o judgement_n about_o the_o fact_n in_o question_n but_o they_o can_v convince_v other_o without_o have_v instruct_v they_o before_o and_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o same_o circumstance_n for_o example_n those_o who_o have_v read_v the_o roman_a history_n can_v doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o julius_n cesar_n who_o make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n because_o the_o multitude_n of_o contemporary_a historian_n and_o of_o the_o follow_a age_n who_o attest_v the_o same_o thing_n the_o series_n of_o the_o time_n and_o history_n inscription_n medal_n and_o the_o air_n of_o sincerity_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perceive_v in_o all_o those_o thing_n do_v not_o allow_v they_o to_o doubt_v of_o it_o but_o if_o a_o man_n be_v ignorant_a of_o all_o these_o reason_n which_o we_o have_v to_o believe_v the_o fact_n i_o have_v mention_v and_o will_v doubt_v of_o they_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o free_v he_o from_o his_o doubt_n without_o
prove_v the_o apostle_n sincerity_n they_o be_v content_v to_o offer_v some_o objection_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n and_o so_o confine_v themselves_o to_o the_o second_o way_n of_o know_v the_o falsity_n of_o a_o fact_n which_o consist_v in_o discover_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n absolute_o impossible_a but_o i_o shall_v speak_v of_o this_o in_o another_o letter_n wherein_o i_o shall_v explain_v the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o letter_n ii_o wherein_o be_v show_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o conclude_v from_o those_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v true_o send_v of_o god_n 1._o sir_n i_o promise_v you_o to_o discourse_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n and_o i_o must_v perform_v my_o promise_n see_v without_o it_o i_o shall_v but_o half_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o general_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v true_a and_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n we_o must_v be_v also_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o this_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o miracle_n of_o those_o who_o first_o preach_v they_o that_o be_v the_o seal_n whereby_o we_o clear_o discover_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o the_o same_o god_n who_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o give_v to_o nature_n the_o law_n according_a to_o which_o natural_a cause_n act_v they_o have_v often_o desire_v he_o to_o suspend_v the_o effect_n of_o those_o law_n though_o unavoidable_a at_o their_o prayer_n they_o be_v suspend_v and_o the_o contrary_a of_o what_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n have_v observe_v hitherto_o and_o of_o what_o we_o still_o see_v happen_v then_o that_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n not_o only_o of_o their_o doctrine_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n and_o design_n of_o the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n as_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v if_o it_o be_v mere_o consider_v in_o itself_o but_o also_o of_o their_o have_v a_o express_a order_n from_o god_n to_o publish_v it_o among_o men._n wherefore_o i_o will_v show_v first_o what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o how_o true_a miracle_n may_v be_v distinguish_v from_o false_a one_o second_o i_o will_v inquire_v into_o the_o author_n of_o they_o and_o what_o consequence_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o they_o last_o i_o shall_v say_v something_o concern_v the_o extent_n of_o miracle_n and_o their_o different_a kind_n i_o will_v show_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o i_o shall_v answer_v some_o objection_n of_o unbeliever_n 2._o to_o look_v upon_o a_o extraordinary_a effect_n as_o a_o miracle_n and_o draw_v any_o consequence_n from_o it_o first_o it_o must_v be_v a_o thing_n above_o the_o power_n of_o men._n second_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v above_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n or_o corporeal_a cause_n and_o above_o the_o strength_n of_o humane_a soul_n for_o nature_n or_o natural_a cause_n and_o the_o order_n or_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o man_n other_o body_n and_o the_o law_n according_a to_o which_o they_o constant_o act_v without_o be_v able_a to_o violate_v they_o three_o he_o in_o who_o behalf_n that_o thing_n be_v do_v aught_o to_o know_v it_o beforehand_o or_o at_o least_o it_o must_v happen_v when_o he_o want_v it_o i_o shall_v examine_v those_o three_o thing_n one_o after_o another_o for_o the_o whole_a strength_n of_o the_o proof_n which_o can_v be_v fetch_v from_o miracle_n depend_v upon_o it_o 3._o there_o be_v some_o divine_n who_o maintain_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v only_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n and_o consequent_o that_o god_n only_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o above_o the_o power_n of_o man_n but_o also_o above_o that_o of_o all_o other_o creature_n i_o shall_v speak_v of_o that_o hereafter_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o observe_v here_o that_o nothing_o which_o man_n be_v able_a to_o do_v can_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o miraculous_a thing_n wherefore_o to_o be_v sure_a whether_o what_o be_v vent_v as_o a_o miracle_n be_v real_o so_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v be_v whether_o man_n can_v do_v it_o for_o if_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o above_o the_o power_n of_o man_n there_o will_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o god_n power_n or_o of_o some_o other_o intelligent_a be_v thus_o if_o a_o man_n show_v a_o usual_a skill_n in_o swim_v and_o boast_v of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o miraculous_a thing_n he_o may_v be_v just_o account_v a_o impostor_n because_o one_o may_v by_o use_n get_v a_o skill_n in_o swim_v which_o seem_v wonderful_a to_o those_o who_o have_v it_o not_o but_o if_o any_o body_n walk_v upon_o the_o water_n as_o upon_o the_o land_n without_o sink_v in_o the_o least_o it_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v that_o he_o do_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o all_o the_o strength_n and_o skill_n of_o man_n provide_v he_o have_v nothing_o under_o his_o foot_n that_o may_v be_v see_v or_o elsewhere_o to_o uphold_v he_o every_o one_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a relation_n of_o gravity_n between_o humane_a body_n and_o water_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n allow_v not_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v stand_v upon_o the_o water_n so_o that_o if_o it_o appear_v that_o any_o body_n walk_v upon_o the_o water_n as_o upon_o the_o land_n without_o have_v under_o his_o foot_n or_o elsewhere_o any_o thing_n to_o hold_v he_o so_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o a_o power_n great_a than_o that_o of_o man_n act_v in_o his_o behalf_n 4._o but_o because_o there_o be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o natural_a cause_n which_o man_n make_v use_v of_o to_o produce_v some_o effect_n which_o they_o themselves_o can_v produce_v by_o their_o mere_a skill_n and_o strength_n a_o thing_n to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o miraculous_a ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o other_o natural_a cause_n such_o as_o be_v the_o body_n which_o surround_v we_o for_o example_n great_a weight_n which_o will_v present_o sink_v if_o they_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o water_n will_v lie_v upon_o it_o without_o sink_v if_o a_o body_n much_o light_a than_o water_n as_o wood_n be_v put_v between_o the_o water_n and_o those_o weight_n there_o be_v nothing_o miraculous_a in_o that_o because_o it_o be_v do_v by_o a_o corporeal_a and_o know_a cause_n but_o it_o can_v not_o be_v deny_v to_o be_v a_o miraculous_a thing_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v walk_v upon_o the_o water_n as_o i_o have_v say_v when_o a_o learned_a physician_n cure_v a_o sick_a person_n with_o some_o remedy_n after_o he_o have_v spend_v a_o long_a time_n in_o study_v the_o nature_n of_o disease_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o remedy_n that_o cure_n be_v not_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o miracle_n it_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o natural_a effect_n of_o the_o remedy_n which_o have_v be_v well_o apply_v but_o if_o we_o shall_v see_v a_o man_n who_o only_o by_o touch_v all_o sort_n of_o sick_a person_n or_o by_o speak_v to_o they_o without_o use_v any_o sensible_a remedy_n cure_v they_o upon_o the_o spot_n that_o effect_n can_v be_v ascribe_v only_o to_o some_o supernatural_a cause_n some_o 6._o some_o spinosa_n in_o tract_n theologico-polit_a cap._n 6._o unbeliever_n have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o character_n of_o miracle_n uncertain_a by_o say_v that_o we_o know_v not_o so_o perfect_o natural_a cause_n and_o their_o effect_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v what_o they_o can_v produce_v from_o what_o be_v above_o their_o strength_n nay_o they_o pretend_v that_o what_o be_v call_v miraculous_a shall_v only_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a or_o rare_a accident_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o natural_a cause_n which_o be_v not_o well_o know_v but_o though_o it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o we_o be_v very_o far_o from_o have_v a_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o natural_a cause_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o less_o certain_a that_o we_o know_v most_o certain_o some_o thing_n by_o experience_n especial_o when_o that_o experience_n be_v common_a and_o easy_a for_o example_n we_o perfect_o know_v that_o no_o man_n can_v stand_v upon_o the_o water_n so_o as_o to_o touch_v it_o only_o with_o the_o sole_a of_o his_o foot_n without_o use_v the_o help_n of_o any_o other_o body_n for_o it_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o it_o may_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n happen_v sometime_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o some_o natural_a cause_n which_o we_o know_v not_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o such_o a_o conjecture_n can_v only_o be_v
they_o pretend_v to_o be_v their_o own_o due_a the_o too_o good_a opinion_n any_o conceive_v of_o himself_o be_v ever_o accompany_v with_o a_o contempt_n of_o other_o and_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v equal_o apparent_a outward_o those_o who_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v blind_v with_o this_o passion_n believe_v not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v no_o good_a quality_n except_o in_o their_o own_o person_n and_o in_o such_o as_o admire_v they_o but_o they_o also_o abhor_v all_o that_o to_o they_o appear_v ordinary_a and_o think_v they_o shall_v debase_v themselves_o have_v they_o any_o thought_n that_o be_v common_a to_o several_a other_o such_o be_v for_o example_n the_o ancient_a stoic_n who_o imagine_v they_o have_v more_o knowledge_n than_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o that_o they_o be_v above_o those_o weakness_n remarkable_a in_o other_o men._n they_o look_v upon_o those_o with_o scorn_n and_o pity_n if_o their_o principle_n will_v permit_v they_o to_o have_v any_o who_o be_v not_o persuade_v of_o their_o doctrine_n they_o trouble_v themselves_o little_a with_o the_o sentiment_n of_o other_o which_o they_o consider_v as_o idle_a dream_n and_o never_o speak_v of_o the_o most_o ordinary_a thing_n but_o in_o strange_a term_n pain_n be_v not_o a_o evil_a pleasure_n be_v not_o a_o good_a all_o virtue_n be_v equal_a there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o vice_n their_o sage_n only_o have_v common_a sense_n all_o other_o be_v fool_n they_o utter_v a_o thousand_o paradox_n of_o this_o nature_n only_o to_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o the_o vulgar_a who_o have_v idea_n very_o opposite_a to_o these_o on_o the_o contrary_a humility_n which_o be_v the_o same_o virtue_n the_o heathen_n call_v modesty_n consist_v in_o have_v no_o other_o sentiment_n of_o ourselves_o but_o what_o be_v proportion_v to_o our_o good_a quality_n and_o not_o to_o pretend_v to_o honour_n that_o be_v not_o due_a to_o we_o nay_o this_o virtue_n go_v yet_o further_o and_o those_o who_o we_o may_v call_v humble_a patient_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v debase_v much_o below_o their_o merit_n as_o those_o who_o have_v this_o virtue_n esteem_v not_o themselves_o more_o than_o they_o ought_v so_o they_o be_v far_o from_o despise_v other_o and_o willing_a to_o do_v they_o all_o the_o justice_n they_o can_v reasonable_o wish_v nor_o be_v they_o vex_v to_o see_v people_n that_o be_v their_o inferior_n in_o many_o respect_v exalt_v above_o they_o and_o more_o consider_v than_o they_o deserve_v this_o virtue_n may_v be_v remarkable_o see_v in_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o perfect_o know_v the_o error_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o the_o defect_n of_o their_o philosophy_n do_v not_o reject_v however_o all_o that_o it_o teach_v to_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o the_o pagan_a philosopher_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o ready_o approve_v all_o that_o be_v good_a in_o it_o and_o be_v transport_v to_o discover_v a_o conformity_n between_o the_o notion_n of_o those_o sage_n admire_v by_o the_o multitude_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o even_o confess_v with_o great_a sincerity_n that_o the_o heathen_a author_n do_v much_o surpass_v in_o eloquence_n the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n in_o his_o stromates_n and_o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelic_n preparation_n can_v furnish_v a_o thousand_o proof_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o many_o other_o ecclesiastical_a author_n who_o i_o need_v not_o cite_v such_o therefore_o as_o reject_v sentiment_n general_o receive_v or_o at_o least_o receive_v by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o person_n shall_v take_v care_n that_o the_o love_n of_o singularity_n rather_o than_o a_o demonstration_n that_o other_o be_v mistake_v have_v make_v they_o quit_v the_o beat_a road._n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o those_o who_o embrace_v a_o certain_a opinion_n be_v not_o a_o good_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v no_o cogent_a argument_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v false_a because_o many_o people_n believe_v it_o it_o be_v certain_a notwithstanding_o that_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o crowd_n a_o man_n frequent_o reject_v what_o he_o believe_v true_a for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o it_o be_v a_o vulgar_a notion_n a_o vain_a spirit_n can_v bear_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v equal_v in_o any_o thing_n to_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o person_n who_o knowledge_n he_o believe_v inferior_a to_o his_o own_o and_o who_o mean_a inclination_n aim_v at_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v common_a i_o be_o persuade_v that_o several_a be_v unbeliever_n because_o at_o least_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v extreme_o common_a they_o think_v it_o noble_a to_o be_v indeceive_v concern_v vulgar_a opinion_n and_o to_o look_v upon_o other_o as_o people_n that_o feed_v themselves_o upon_o chimera_n a_o man_n thus_o conceit_v of_o himself_o think_v he_o be_v elevate_v far_o above_o the_o credulous_a multitude_n which_o be_v lead_v rather_o by_o custom_n than_o guide_v by_o reason_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o pleasant_a say_v a_o epicurean_a poet_n as_o to_o live_v in_o the_o exalt_a temple_n of_o wisdom_n where_o you_o may_v enjoy_v a_o perpetual_a calm_a and_o whence_o you_o may_v look_v down_o upon_o other_o man_n wander_v and_o scatter_a in_o their_o different_a way_n of_o live_v nil_fw-la dulcius_fw-la est_fw-la benè_fw-la quam_fw-la munita_fw-la tenere_fw-la edita_fw-la doctrinâ_fw-la sapientum_fw-la templa_fw-la serena_fw-la despicere_fw-la unde_fw-la queo_fw-la alios_fw-la passimque_fw-la videre_fw-la errare_fw-la atque_fw-la viam_fw-la palantes_fw-la quaerere_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la but_o at_o bottom_n one_o expose_v himself_o as_o i_o have_v say_v already_o as_o much_o to_o deception_n by_o contemn_v whatever_o the_o vulgar_a esteem_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o this_o as_o by_o blind_o embrace_v all_o that_o the_o multitude_n authorise_v neither_o its_o aprrobation_n nor_o its_o hatred_n be_v the_o proper_a mark_n of_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n if_o there_o have_v be_v chimera_n general_o receive_v there_o have_v be_v also_o as_o many_o ridiculous_a notion_n countenance_v by_o a_o small_a number_n of_o people_n who_o imagine_v themselves_o more_o know_v than_o other_o therefore_o when_o any_o find_v himself_o incline_v to_o forsake_v vulgar_a sentiment_n he_o ought_v to_o take_v heed_n that_o he_o be_v not_o impose_v upon_o by_o the_o agreeable_a thought_n of_o be_v exempt_v from_o those_o error_n wherein_o he_o see_v other_o engage_v this_o may_v be_v as_o well_o the_o delusion_n of_o a_o secret_a pride_n as_o the_o effect_n of_o uncommon_a knowledge_n it_o be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o dangerous_a to_o fall_v out_o of_o vanity_n into_o any_o singular_a thought_n as_o that_o when_o once_o a_o man_n be_v govern_v by_o this_o principle_n it_o be_v the_o hard_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o make_v he_o change_v his_o mind_n the_o same_o passion_n that_o lead_v he_o into_o it_o confirm_v he_o in_o it_o insensible_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o pleasure_n wherewith_o it_o fill_v those_o who_o will_v be_v blind_v by_o it_o represent_v they_o as_o i_o say_v to_o themselves_o as_o person_n high_o elevate_v above_o the_o vulgar_a beside_o all_o this_o vain_a people_n imagine_v they_o be_v more_o clear-sighted_a than_o other_o easy_o believe_v themselves_o never_o mistake_v and_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o man_n have_v not_o the_o necessary_a sagacity_n for_o discover_v the_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o when_o any_o whereof_o they_o have_v not_o so_o good_a a_o opinion_n as_o of_o themselves_o propose_v to_o they_o sentiment_n contrary_a to_o their_o own_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o give_v he_o the_o hear_v the_o first_o thought_n that_o offer_v itself_o then_o to_o their_o mind_n or_o if_o you_o please_v the_o sentiment_n that_o be_v awake_v in_o their_o heart_n be_v that_o if_o this_o man_n speak_v the_o truth_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o a_o person_n who_o they_o despise_v and_o not_o as_o they_o think_v without_o reason_n shall_v have_v more_o penetration_n and_o a_o sound_a judgement_n than_o themselves_o but_o this_o be_v what_o they_o can_v never_o agree_v to_o for_o so_o they_o must_v entire_o change_v the_o please_a idea_n they_o hitherto_o entertain_v of_o themselves_o and_o other_o they_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o allow_v those_o who_o they_o always_o believe_v much_o their_o inferior_n a_o more_o considerable_a rank_n in_o their_o esteem_n than_o themselves_o and_o in_o certain_a regard_v acknowledge_v their_o superiority_n i_o shall_v illustrate_v this_o truth_n by_o some_o example_n let_v we_o take_v a_o jewish_a doctor_n and_z if_o you_o will_v of_o the_o sacerdotal_a race_n suppose_v he_o to_o have_v study_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n with_o great_a application_n and_o the_o tradition_n currant_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n add_v
head_n but_o for_o this_o there_o be_v more_o caution_n and_o moderation_n requisite_a than_o unbeliever_n common_o have_v who_o look_v upon_o such_o a_o examen_fw-la to_o be_v impossible_a choose_v rather_o to_o deny_v all_o at_o once_o this_o be_v just_a as_o if_o any_o reader_n because_o he_o have_v discover_v by_o chance_n a_o error_n in_o some_o historian_n will_v immediate_o conclude_v without_o read_v any_o further_a that_o the_o whole_a be_v pure_a romance_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o a_o true_a history_n notwithstanding_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o hasty_a judgement_n unbeliever_n seem_v to_o live_v in_o as_o profound_a a_o tranquillity_n as_o a_o man_n can_v do_v who_o know_v by_o mathematical_a demonstration_n that_o all_o religion_n be_v false_a they_o appear_v to_o have_v so_o great_a a_o indifference_n for_o truth_n in_o this_o respect_n as_o if_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o to_o know_v it_o they_o be_v ready_a while_o in_o this_o disposition_n to_o do_v whatever_o may_v render_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o life_n more_o please_v nor_o will_v they_o hear_v a_o word_n of_o examine_v and_o they_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o those_o pleasure_n as_o far_o as_o they_o judge_v it_o possible_a without_o do_v they_o any_o harm_n it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o this_o opinion_n open_v a_o door_n to_o numberless_a secret_a crime_n and_o give_v encouragement_n in_o public_a to_o all_o that_o can_v be_v practise_v with_o safety_n i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o it_o that_o such_o people_n be_v bad_a friend_n bad_a subject_n or_o bad_a citizen_n because_o they_o sacrifice_v every_o thing_n to_o their_o pleasure_n i_o shall_v only_o remark_n that_o be_v no_o way_n certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n or_o that_o god_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v of_o any_o religion_n they_o can_v enjoy_v no_o other_o quiet_n but_o what_o must_v be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o most_o notorious_a folly_n imaginable_a they_o be_v according_a to_o their_o own_o judgement_n every_o moment_n in_o a_o condition_n of_o part_v for_o ever_o with_o what_o they_o love_v and_o which_o to_o acquire_v or_o preserve_v have_v frequent_o occasion_v they_o infinite_a trouble_n this_o loss_n may_v happen_v by_o a_o thousand_o unforeseen_a accident_n and_o at_o last_o it_o be_v sure_a to_o come_v unavoidable_o by_o death_n beyond_o which_o they_o expect_v nothing_o nevertheless_o they_o live_v secure_o they_o behave_v themselves_o much_o worse_o than_o a_o man_n will_v do_v who_o be_v serious_o tell_v that_o he_o be_v condemn_v to_o death_n but_o that_o there_o be_v mean_n of_o escape_v it_o if_o he_o will_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o know_v they_o and_o yet_o will_v think_v of_o nothing_o but_o divert_v himself_o without_o vouchsafe_v to_o give_v attention_n to_o what_o be_v say_v to_o he_o though_o with_o the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v his_o life_n in_o case_n those_o adviser_n who_o he_o will_v not_o believe_v speak_v truth_n if_o what_o christianity_n tell_v we_o be_v indeed_o true_a there_o be_v pain_n infinite_o surpass_v death_n to_o be_v fear_v by_o such_o as_o reject_v it_o and_o yet_o unbeliever_n who_o have_v no_o certainty_n that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a rest_v secure_o in_o their_o infidelity_n and_o lazine_n without_o inform_v themselves_o any_o further_a in_o good_a truth_n such_o as_o live_v in_o this_o disposition_n and_o who_o imagine_v themselves_o exalt_v above_o the_o vulgar_a be_v not_o in_o this_o respect_n much_o elevate_v above_o the_o brute_n which_o be_v only_o concern_v about_o the_o present_a now_o on_o the_o contrary_a let_v we_o suppose_v a_o man_n who_o have_v well_o study_v the_o principle_n of_o true_a christianity_n satisfy_v in_o himself_o with_o the_o truth_n he_o have_v discover_v he_o observe_v the_o precept_n they_o enjoin_v he_o with_o all_o tranquillity_n in_o this_o life_n and_o after_o death_n he_o expect_v the_o reward_n of_o his_o faith_n with_o a_o contentment_n of_o mind_n that_o can_v be_v equal_v the_o most_o refine_a reason_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n wherein_o man_n must_v necessary_o live_v with_o one_o another_o require_v nothing_o of_o he_o but_o he_o obey_v it_o without_o hesitate_v and_o whatever_o befall_v he_o he_o look_v upon_o death_n only_o as_o a_o passage_n to_o a_o much_o better_a life_n than_o this_o i_o dare_v affirm_v something_o beyond_o all_o this_o and_o it_o be_v that_o suppose_v this_o man_n deceive_v yet_o his_o condition_n will_v be_v infinite_o more_o desirable_a than_o that_o of_o such_o as_o refuse_v to_o examine_v religion_n reject_v it_o nevertheless_o with_o the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v themselves_o for_o ever_o and_o be_v withal_o in_o a_o perpetual_a fear_n if_o not_o quite_o bewitch_v with_o their_o incredulity_n and_o laziness_n of_o lose_v for_o ever_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o it_o be_v therefore_o infinite_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o sure_a both_o for_o this_o and_o the_o other_o life_n if_o there_o be_v one_o to_o search_v after_o truth_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o proof_n of_o religion_n than_o to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o most_o extravagant_a carelessness_n imaginable_a this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o desire_v shall_v be_v grant_v i_o here_o and_o that_o can_v be_v deny_v i_o by_o any_o without_o act_v against_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o common_a sense_n those_o who_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v careful_o to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o see_v whether_o this_o laziness_n i_o have_v describe_v be_v not_o at_o least_o in_o some_o part_n the_o cause_n of_o their_o incredulity_n this_o examination_n be_v of_o the_o utmost_a importance_n there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v lose_v by_o make_v of_o it_o and_o you_o risk_v all_o by_o neglect_v it_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o first_o part._n i_o have_v describe_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n those_o disposition_n and_o motive_n contrary_a to_o reason_n which_o may_v bring_v unbeliever_n to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n although_o i_o have_v consider_v these_o different_a disposition_n one_o after_o another_o and_o have_v distinguish_v they_o by_o particular_a character_n i_o be_o not_o of_o opinion_n however_o that_o they_o act_n separately_z upon_o any_o or_o that_o there_o be_v unbeliever_n who_o may_v be_v reproach_v only_o with_o one_o of_o these_o fault_n there_o be_v not_o any_o questionless_a that_o be_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n guilty_a of_o several_a of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v more_o culpable_a in_o one_o than_o in_o another_o immorality_n make_v one_o a_o infidel_n in_o another_o it_o be_v pride_n that_o chief_o oppose_v itself_o to_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n you_o see_v some_o blind_v by_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o they_o take_v for_o undoubted_a maxim_n there_o be_v other_o who_o do_v not_o reason_n well_o or_o neglect_v inform_v themselves_o of_o what_o they_o shall_v learn_v or_o who_o laziness_n keep_v from_o enter_v upon_o a_o discussion_n which_o to_o they_o appear_v too_o tedious_a and_o painful_a and_o perhaps_o there_o be_v those_o in_o who_o all_o these_o fault_n may_v meet_v in_o some_o degree_n though_o but_o one_o of_o they_o may_v be_v their_o predominant_a passion_n there_o be_v likewise_o infinite_a variety_n in_o man_n genius_n and_o understanding_n with_o respect_n to_o their_o good_a or_o bad_a quality_n and_o their_o different_a conjunction_n do_v we_o meet_v with_o unbeliever_n who_o can_v say_v that_o they_o renounce_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o follow_v the_o most_o conformable_a principle_n to_o sound_a reason_n and_o to_o live_v in_o a_o more_o regular_a manner_n or_o more_o useful_a to_o society_n and_o can_v we_o meet_v with_o any_o of_o they_o exempt_v from_o the_o fault_n i_o have_v describe_v it_o may_v then_o be_v just_o say_v that_o my_o enumeration_n of_o the_o internal_a motive_n of_o incredulity_n be_v not_o sufficient_a but_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o unbeliever_n in_o who_o several_a of_o these_o defect_n be_v not_o remarkable_a and_o i_o take_v their_o own_o conscience_n to_o witness_v they_o be_v herein_o to_o do_v justice_n to_o themselves_o for_o such_o as_o exhort_v they_o as_o i_o do_v get_v nothing_o by_o it_o but_o only_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o perform_v their_o duty_n nor_o can_v the_o unbeliever_n lose_v any_o thing_n by_o examine_v if_o they_o be_v not_o in_o some_o of_o those_o condition_n by_o i_o describe_v if_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o own_v themselves_o in_o the_o wrong_n what_o risk_a can_v they_o run_v by_o reform_v and_o if_o after_o a_o serious_a discussion_n they_o find_v i_o deceive_v they_o will_v have_v reason_n to_o be_v more_o satisfy_v with_o their_o own_o conduct_n the_o time_n they_o shall_v lay_v out_o
divers_a passage_n in_o the_o gospel_n if_o i_o bear_v witness_n of_o myself_o say_v he_o 5.31_o joh._n 5.31_o my_o witness_n be_v not_o true_a that_o be_v it_o can_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o true_a unless_o there_o be_v some_o other_o proof_n of_o it_o beside_o my_o say_n so_o then_o after_o tell_v that_o john_n baptist_n have_v bear_v he_o witness_v he_o add_v 36._o ver._n 36._o i_o have_v a_o great_a witness_n than_o that_o of_o john_n for_o the_o work_n which_o the_o father_n have_v give_v i_o to_o finish_v the_o same_o work_n that_o i_o do_v bear_v witness_n of_o i_o that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v i_o he_o further_o say_v to_o those_o that_o desire_v he_o to_o declare_v if_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o work_n that_o i_o do_v in_o my_o father_n name_n bear_v witness_n of_o i_o 10.25_o ch._n 10.25_o and_o a_o little_a low_o if_o i_o do_v not_o the_o work_v of_o my_o father_n believe_v i_o not_o 37._o ver._n 37._o but_o if_o i_o do_v though_o you_o believe_v not_o i_o believe_v the_o work_n what_o can_v be_v say_v more_o to_o the_o purpose_n than_o what_o you_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o same_o gospel_n viz._n if_o i_o have_v not_o do_v among_o they_o the_o work_n which_o none_o other_o man_n do_v 15.24_o ch._n 15.24_o they_o have_v not_o have_v sin_n by_o this_o it_o appear_v clear_o that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v not_o require_v assent_n to_o his_o bare_a word_n his_o apostle_n have_v act_v just_a after_o the_o same_o manner_n for_o they_o do_v not_o only_o affirm_v that_o they_o have_v see_v the_o miracle_n of_o their_o master_n or_o that_o he_o have_v speak_v to_o they_o from_o heaven_n after_o his_o ascension_n but_o they_o have_v also_o join_v to_o their_o testimony_n all_o the_o mark_n of_o truth_n that_o can_v be_v possible_o defire_v their_o doctrine_n consider_v in_o itself_o do_v not_o afford_v the_o least_o occasion_n to_o suspect_v imposture_n they_o can_v not_o expect_v any_o temporal_a advantage_n by_o publish_v it_o on_o the_o contrary_n they_o meet_v every_o where_n with_o a_o obstinate_a resistance_n from_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n they_o be_v ill_o use_v every_o moment_n and_o walk_v in_o perpetual_a danger_n in_o a_o word_n many_o of_o they_o suffer_v death_n for_o constant_o persevere_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o accumulate_v proof_n they_o wrought_v miracle_n like_v to_o those_o of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o he_o promise_v they_o they_o shall_v before_o he_o leave_v they_o the_o incredulous_a will_v object_v perhaps_o that_o i_o beg_v the_o question_n by_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v doubt_v of_o but_o my_o design_n be_v not_o now_o to_o infer_v any_o consequence_n from_o these_o fact_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o only_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o preach_v a_o blind_a faith_n or_o obedience_n as_o some_o christian_n do_v at_o this_o time_n one_o of_o they_o exhort_v those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o spirit_n 4.1_o 1_o john_n 4.1_o but_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o may_v false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n another_o advise_v they_o to_o try_v all_o thing_n 5.21_o 1_o thess_n 5.21_o and_o to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v best_a it_o can_v be_v say_v therefore_o that_o such_o as_o cry_v up_o implicit_a faith_n do_v act_n according_a to_o the_o genius_n of_o christianity_n nor_o can_v the_o ridiculous_a pretence_n of_o those_o who_o require_v assent_v to_o their_o say-so_a be_v just_o attribute_v to_o jesus_n christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n it_o may_v be_v demand_v of_o i_o here_o perhaps_o what_o that_o faith_n be_v which_o be_v so_o much_o commend_v in_o the_o write_n of_o christ_n disciple_n this_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a place_n of_o discuss_v this_o subject_a throughtly_a nor_o will_v i_o meddle_v with_o any_o more_o of_o it_o than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o solve_v this_o difficulty_n i'faith_o as_o we_o have_v say_v before_o be_v not_o a_o implicit_a belief_n consist_v first_o in_o assent_v to_o good_a proof_n that_o be_v as_o strong_a proof_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v for_o instance_n a_o man_n affirm_v himself_o to_o be_v send_v of_o god_n he_o preach_v a_o certain_a doctrine_n to_o i_o which_o he_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n immediate_o i_o examine_v this_o doctrine_n in_o itself_o without_o regard_n to_o any_o prejudices_fw-la and_o without_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v conformable_a to_o my_o present_a disposition_n or_o not_o and_o if_o i_o find_v that_o it_o contain_v nothing_o false_a i_o conclude_v it_o may_v possible_o come_v from_o god_n then_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o miracle_n and_o if_o i_o see_v they_o wrought_v or_o if_o i_o find_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o attest_v by_o person_n worthy_a of_o credit_n i_o can_v doubt_v but_o god_n have_v actual_o send_v this_o man._n those_o who_o be_v capable_a of_o make_v this_o examen_fw-la as_o they_o ought_v be_v worthy_a of_o great_a praise_n for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n they_o must_v quit_v all_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o consider_v what_o be_v propose_v to_o they_o not_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o themselves_o but_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o eternal_a law_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n second_o they_o must_v have_v a_o great_a love_n for_o the_o truth_n to_o go_v through_o with_o a_o examination_n who_o consequence_n may_v prove_v very_o opposite_a to_o their_o temporal_a interest_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o work_n there_o be_v time_n and_o place_n when_o a_o man_n can_v declare_v himself_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n without_o expose_v himself_o to_o most_o cruel_a persecution_n and_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o command_v of_o christ_n can_v be_v exact_o observe_v by_o we_o any_o where_o almost_o without_o draw_v upon_o ourselves_o the_o hatred_n and_o contempt_n of_o such_o as_o disobey_v they_o that_o be_v of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o men._n so_o that_o to_o be_v a_o good_a christian_a there_o be_v more_o courage_n and_o resolution_n necessary_a than_o be_v common_o imagine_v nor_o can_v it_o therefore_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o faith_n such_o as_o the_o gospel_n require_v of_o we_o be_v a_o very_a great_a virtue_n it_o be_v also_o deserve_v of_o much_o commendation_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v never_o find_v but_o in_o mind_n well-disposed_a it_o engage_v we_o not_o only_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o who_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o add_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o it_o have_v be_v real_o so_o send_v but_o also_o to_o expect_v great_a thing_n of_o god_n for_o the_o future_a ground_v ourselves_o upon_o the_o proof_n he_o exhibit_v of_o his_o power_n those_o who_o see_v the_o person_n bring_v to_o life_n again_o by_o jesus_n christ_n who_o see_v himself_o after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o who_o can_v not_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o miracle_n be_v oblige_v from_o hence_o to_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o what_o he_o teach_v they_o concern_v the_o general_a resurrection_n of_o all_o men._n i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o no_o reasonable_a man_n will_v look_v upon_o the_o last_o as_o impossible_a if_o he_o hold_v the_o first_o to_o be_v true_a for_o there_o be_v no_o great_a difficulty_n in_o raise_v a_o hundred_o than_o one_o again_o and_o it_o can_v not_o without_o folly_n be_v say_v by_o any_o that_o god_n power_n be_v all_o spend_v upon_o those_o first_o effect_n of_o it_o they_o have_v see_v nevertheless_o man_n be_v accustom_a to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o learn_v from_o their_o own_o experience_n can_v scarce_o be_v persuade_v of_o any_o thing_n without_o see_v some_o example_n of_o it_o he_o must_v be_v a_o person_n of_o discernment_n and_o good_a sense_n who_o draw_v such_o a_o consequence_n as_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o he_o must_v also_o have_v some_o equity_n to_o expect_v for_o the_o future_a such_o great_a thing_n from_o the_o mark_n that_o god_n have_v give_v of_o his_o power_n a_o unjust_a and_o obstinate_a man_n will_v believe_v nothing_o except_o what_o he_o see_v and_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o present_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v therefore_o but_o that_o such_o a_o enlighten_v and_o understand_a faith_n as_o we_o have_v describe_v be_v a_o most_o commendable_a disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o pure_a light_n of_o reason_n but_o here_o i_o foresee_v a_o objection_n viz._n i_o shall_v be_v tell_v that_o i_o have_v describe_v the_o faith_n of_o such_o as_o have_v see_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o not_o their_o faith_n
be_v external_o profess_v and_o that_o a_o man_n let_v no_o opportunity_n slip_v of_o show_v other_o by_o his_o life_n and_o discourse_n that_o he_o be_v firm_o persuade_v of_o it_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n a_o speculative_a science_n to_o continue_v lock_v up_o in_o the_o memory_n without_o bear_v any_o fruit_n out_o of_o it_o and_o without_o appear_v in_o their_o manner_n of_o live_v who_o be_v convince_v of_o its_o truth_n it_o fill_v they_o with_o a_o certain_a ardour_n for_o the_o observation_n of_o what_o it_o command_v that_o the_o true_a christian_n be_v easy_o perceive_v to_o be_v in_o earnest_n it_o be_v this_o disposition_n that_o be_v call_v zeal_n from_o a_o greek_a word_n which_o signify_v jealousy_n to_o show_v that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v less_o ardour_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o christianity_n than_o a_o bridegroom_n shall_v be_v concern_v to_o preserve_v that_o of_o his_o bride_n this_o zeal_n extend_v general_o to_o all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o to_o all_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o not_o to_o some_o of_o they_o only_o we_o ought_v zealous_o to_o defend_v the_o truth_n we_o learn_v from_o it_o otherwise_o it_o be_v to_o betray_v and_o equal_v it_o to_o falsehood_n nor_o ought_v we_o to_o manifest_v less_o ardour_n in_o observe_v its_o injunction_n see_v this_o be_v not_o less_o essential_a than_o the_o belief_n of_o its_o doctrine_n the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o must_v be_v join_v for_o christianity_n be_v entire_o ruin_v if_o those_o thing_n be_v separate_v which_o the_o author_n of_o it_o have_v unite_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v that_o the_o doctrine_n lead_v we_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o precept_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o for_o this_o end_n and_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o precept_n do_v indispensible_o suppose_v a_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o the_o doctrine_n all_o christian_n be_v agree_v about_o this_o principle_n and_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v very_o express_v about_o it_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n to_o prove_v it_o nevertheless_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o such_o as_o show_v the_o great_a zeal_n for_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o for_o the_o way_n of_o explain_v they_o in_o their_o country_n be_v frequent_o see_v to_o violate_v the_o clear_a precept_n of_o it_o after_o a_o most_o scandalous_a manner_n as_o if_o this_o ardour_n they_o show_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v all_o that_o the_o gospel_n require_v of_o men._n there_o be_v some_o people_n for_o instance_n who_o discourse_n breathe_v nothing_o else_o one_o will_v think_v but_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o of_o propagate_a it_o among_o men._n they_o write_v in_o favour_n of_o it_o they_o defend_v it_o with_o much_o heat_n against_o opposite_a error_n and_o they_o stick_v at_o no_o difficulty_n to_o make_v truth_n triumph_v over_o falsehood_n nay_o they_o expose_v themselves_o sometime_o to_o danger_n for_o this_o with_o a_o surprise_v courage_n but_o these_o very_a same_o people_n who_o seem_v entire_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o defence_n of_o religion_n be_v sometime_o altogether_o intractable_a when_o a_o man_n have_v any_o deal_n with_o they_o selfish_a proud_a deceitful_a slanderer_n uncharitable_a and_o break_v most_o of_o the_o commandment_n regard_v their_o neighbour_n they_o imagine_v themselves_o the_o best_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o ignorant_a or_o corrupt_a multitude_n look_v upon_o they_o as_o in_o effect_n good_a men._n such_o be_v in_o christ_n time_n the_o pharisee_n who_o zeal_n for_o the_o law_n we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o gospel_n where_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o be_v represent_v as_o a_o very_a ill_a sort_n of_o men._n there_o be_v too_o many_o such_o at_o this_o time_n and_o every_o country_n will_v furnish_v frequent_a example_n to_o all_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o make_v their_o observation_n what_o st._n paul_n say_v long_o ago_o to_o the_o hypocritical_a jew_n may_v be_v now_o say_v to_o many_o people_n you_o that_o make_v your_o boast_n of_o the_o law_n 2.23_o rom._n 2.23_o by_o break_v the_o law_n dishonour_n god_n for_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v blaspheme_v among_o the_o gentile_n through_o you_o the_o unbeliever_n who_o take_v notice_n of_o these_o man_n draw_v a_o consequence_n very_o injurious_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v that_o see_v those_o who_o pass_v for_o the_o pillar_n of_o religion_n who_o have_v sometime_o the_o best_a employment_n and_o who_o be_v in_o most_o esteem_v be_v such_o ill_a people_n the_o religion_n itself_o be_v but_o a_o mere_a artifice_n to_o deceive_v the_o simple_a and_o to_o cover_v their_o passion_n under_o a_o pretence_n which_o gain_v they_o respect_n for_o in_o a_o word_n all_o that_o the_o zealous_a do_v if_o you_o believe_v they_o be_v for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o the_o service_n of_o god_n thus_o unbeliever_n come_v to_o imagine_v that_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o christian_a moral_n which_o they_o can_v deny_v be_v only_o a_o fine_a idea_n to_o impose_v the_o more_o easy_o upon_o such_o as_o be_v not_o always_o upon_o their_o guard_n they_o be_v much_o talk_v of_o say_v they_o but_o the_o most_o zealous_a observe_v no_o more_o of_o they_o than_o serve_v their_o turn_n they_o will_v have_v other_o perhaps_o obey_v they_o exact_o that_o they_o may_v get_v by_o it_o but_o as_o for_o themselves_o they_o laugh_v at_o they_o you_o will_v hear_v those_o for_o example_n preach_v charity_n and_o impartiality_n who_o have_v neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o but_o be_v wonderful_o please_v to_o find_v those_o they_o have_v to_o do_v with_o not_o selfish_a or_o uncharitable_a because_o it_o make_v for_o their_o advantage_n this_o be_v what_o unbeliever_n say_v and_o they_o be_v never_o unfurnish_a with_o example_n to_o cite_v about_o all_o the_o christian_a virtue_n whereof_o there_o be_v not_o one_o that_o have_v not_o be_v violate_v by_o some_o zealot_n and_o many_o time_n without_o do_v he_o any_o injury_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o world_n because_o this_o appearance_n of_o zeal_n cover_v all_o defect_n the_o fact_n we_o deny_v not_o and_o we_o may_v add_v further_o that_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v foresee_v it_o by_o exalt_v that_o charity_n which_o be_v principal_o violate_v by_o this_o false_a zeal_n above_o not_o only_a orthodoxy_n but_o even_o the_o high_a knowledge_n and_o the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n itself_o not_o every_o one_o that_o cry_v unto_o i_o lord_n 7.21_o mat._n 7.21_o lord_n say_v jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v who_o make_v profession_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o my_o doctrine_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o do_v the_o will_n of_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n many_o will_v say_v to_o i_o in_o that_o day_n lord_n lord_n have_v we_o not_o prophesy_v in_o thy_o name_n and_o in_o thy_o name_n have_v cast_v out_o devil_n and_o in_o thy_o name_n have_v do_v many_o wonderful_a work_n and_o then_o will_v i_o profess_v unto_o they_o i_o never_o know_v you_o depart_v from_o i_o you_o that_o work_n iniquity_n this_o be_v a_o manifest_a admonition_n which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n give_v to_o his_o disciple_n to_o prevent_v the_o evil_a example_n of_o pretend_a zealot_n make_v any_o impression_n upon_o they_o st._n paul_n likewise_o express_v himself_o upon_o this_o occasion_n in_o such_o emphatical_a term_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o speak_v more_o home_n though_o i_o speak_v say_v he_o 13.1_o 1_o cor._n 13.1_o with_o the_o tongue_n of_o man_n and_o angel_n and_o have_v not_o charity_n i_o be_o become_v as_o a_o sound_a brass_n or_o a_o tinkle_a cymbal_n and_o though_o i_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o understand_v all_o mystery_n and_o all_o knowledge_n and_o though_o i_o have_v all_o faith_n so_o that_o i_o can_v remove_v mountain_n and_o have_v no_o charity_n i_o be_o nothing_o and_o though_o i_o bestow_v all_o my_o good_n to_o feed_v the_o poor_a and_o though_o i_o give_v my_o body_n to_o be_v burn_v and_o have_v not_o charity_n it_o profit_v i_o nothing_o it_o appear_v plain_o hereby_o that_o the_o carriage_n of_o pretend_a zealot_n be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o i_o have_v show_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n this_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o unbeliever_n who_o can_v without_o injustice_n confound_v some_o person_n abuse_v of_o religion_n with_o religion_n itself_o if_o any_o pretend_v to_o have_v very_o much_o study_v a_o certain_a science_n and_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o some_o of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o understand_v nothing_o of_o it_o can_v
the_o mahometans_n the_o jew_n and_o some_o of_o the_o christian_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o true_a christianity_n give_v it_o no_o approbation_n so_o that_o if_o the_o falsity_n of_o these_o religion_n or_o sect_n may_v be_v hence_o conclude_v yet_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o we_o can_v reason_v against_o christianity_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n i_o have_v already_o show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n that_o it_o require_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o blind_a obedience_n from_o such_o as_o embrace_v it_o and_o that_o it_o express_o condemn_v the_o furious_a zeal_n which_o flow_v from_o this_o spring_n one_o of_o christ_n apostle_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o zeal_n for_o god_n 1.14_o rom._n 10.2_o gal._n 1.14_o add_v that_o it_o be_v without_o knowledge_n and_o blame_v it_o exceed_o another_o say_v to_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v 3.14_o jam._n 3.14_o if_o you_o have_v bitter_a zeal_n and_o strife_n in_o your_o heart_n glory_v not_o and_o lie_v not_o against_o the_o truth_n this_o wisdom_n descend_v not_o from_o above_o but_o be_v earthly_a sensual_a devilish_a for_o where_o this_o zeal_n and_o strife_n be_v there_o be_v confusion_n and_o every_o evil_a work_n this_o blind_a zeal_n then_o be_v not_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o can_v be_v reasonable_o attribute_v to_o it_o it_o be_v a_o consequence_n of_o the_o temper_n and_o education_n of_o the_o ignorant_a populace_n who_o instead_o of_o defend_v the_o truth_n by_o its_o proper_a light_n and_o the_o virtue_n it_o do_v produce_v in_o their_o heart_n who_o due_o receive_v it_o defend_v it_o with_o the_o same_o arm_n they_o will_v error_n that_o be_v with_o passion_n and_o fury_n this_o sort_n of_o people_n can_v without_o extreme_a injustice_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o model_n whereby_o to_o judge_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o effect_n of_o christianity_n since_o it_o clear_o condemn_v their_o conduct_n we_o must_v on_o the_o contrary_n cast_v our_o eye_n upon_o the_o understand_a person_n who_o make_v use_v of_o none_o but_o good_a reason_n in_o its_o defence_n and_o that_o to_o procure_v themselves_o love_n and_o respect_n practise_v only_o those_o calm_a and_o peaceable_a virtue_n they_o learn_v from_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o character_n which_o the_o founder_n of_o christianity_n bestow_v upon_o they_o who_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o the_o true_a christian_n the_o wisdom_n that_o be_v from_o above_o say_v the_o same_o apostle_n be_v first_o pure_a then_o peaceable_a gentle_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v entreat_v full_a of_o mercy_n and_o good_a fruit_n without_o partiality_n and_o without_o hypocrisy_n chap._n iii_o that_o unbeliever_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n for_o reject_v the_o christiam_fw-la religion_n because_o interest_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o most_o people_n devotion_n since_o christianity_n have_v flourish_v in_o the_o world_n it_o have_v frequent_o prove_v a_o advantageous_a thing_n to_o show_v great_a zeal_n for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o although_o this_o make_v no_o change_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o truth_n not_o depend_v upon_o the_o interest_n one_o have_v or_o have_v not_o to_o defend_v it_o yet_o the_o incredulous_a be_v sure_a to_o take_v a_o occasion_n from_o hence_o of_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v endeavour_n make_v sometime_o to_o gain_v they_o over_o by_o represent_v to_o they_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o so_o many_o place_n and_o age_n but_o they_o instant_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o those_o man_n do_v make_v a_o profession_n of_o christianity_n since_o they_o will_v be_v great_a getter_n by_o it_o in_o so_o do_v but_o must_v lose_v infinite_o if_o they_o do_v not_o and_o indeed_o we_o must_v confess_v that_o no_o cogent_a conclusion_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o example_n of_o all_o such_o as_o have_v defend_v or_o that_o now_o defend_v the_o christian_a religion_n against_o infidel_n but_o their_o reason_v be_v still_o less_o solid_a as_o i_o shall_v show_v after_o put_v it_o in_o a_o great_a light_n it_o be_v not_o well_o do_v to_o give_v those_o occasion_n of_o say_v that_o the_o defender_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n diminish_v the_o force_n of_o their_o objection_n and_o those_o who_o by_o their_o ill_a carriage_n put_v before_o they_o this_o stone_n of_o offence_n and_o stumble_v deserve_v to_o be_v reproach_v for_o it_o not_o to_o speak_v of_o revenge_v in_o this_o place_n the_o wrong_n they_o do_v to_o christianity_n moreover_o i_o have_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o this_o work_n propose_v to_o myself_o not_o only_o to_o deal_v with_o such_o as_o entire_o reject_v it_o but_o with_o those_o also_o who_o seem_v to_o embrace_v it_o only_o by_o half_n let_v we_o imagine_v then_o a_o cheat_a priest_n people_n but_o too_o much_o know_v in_o all_o christendom_n who_o pretend_v to_o some_o benefice_n if_o he_o have_v none_o already_o or_o aspire_v to_o a_o great_a dignity_n than_o what_o he_o possess_v he_o appear_v humble_a gentle_a moderate_a and_o kind_a he_o speak_v of_o nothing_o but_o disinterestedness_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o all_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o life_n if_o he_o have_v a_o talon_n for_o the_o pulpit_n he_o there_o principal_o show_v his_o zeal_n against_o the_o corrupt_a manner_n of_o the_o time_n nay_o he_o be_v in_o a_o fury_n against_o scandalous_a clergyman_n and_o the_o abuse_v commit_v in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n so_o long_o complain_v of_o and_o not_o yet_o reform_v in_o a_o word_n he_o use_v all_o the_o discourse_n that_o shall_v be_v make_v in_o that_o place_n in_o order_n to_o pass_v for_o a_o honest_a man_n and_o to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o have_v his_o income_n be_v great_a he_o will_v put_v they_o to_o much_o better_a use_v than_o most_o ecclesiastic_n do_v after_o act_v his_o part_n for_o some_o year_n at_o last_o he_o obtain_v his_o end_n that_o be_v a_o dignity_n and_o income_n that_o render_v he_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o church_n but_o than_o it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o he_o quantum_fw-la mutatus_fw-la ab_fw-la illo_fw-la for_o indeed_o he_o be_v not_o long_o to_o be_v know_v he_o be_v forthwith_o haughty_a hard-hearted_a untractable_a and_o passionate_a towards_o all_o such_o as_o he_o think_v his_o inferior_n those_o who_o be_v his_o friend_n before_o and_o upon_o who_o friendship_n too_o he_o value_v himself_o aught_o to_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v with_o he_o if_o he_o now_o vouchsafe_v they_o a_o look_v the_o obligation_n they_o lay_v upon_o he_o while_o he_o continue_v a_o private_a person_n and_o when_o they_o expect_v no_o return_v from_o he_o be_v quite_o lose_v he_o think_v they_o be_v all_o due_a to_o his_o merit_n and_o that_o more_o be_v owe_v he_o but_o as_o for_o himself_o he_o owe_v nothing_o to_o any_o body_n and_o do_v they_o too_o much_o honour_n when_o he_o cold_o receive_v the_o incense_n they_o be_v base_a enough_o to_o offer_v he_o if_o he_o prefer_v any_o man_n he_o must_v be_v some_o blockhead_n or_o flatterer_n people_n that_o have_v no_o idea_n almost_o of_o their_o duty_n and_o that_o be_v ready_a to_o admire_v any_o thing_n the_o bad_a as_o well_o as_o the_o good_a so_o be_v you_o make_v they_o live_v at_o their_o ease_n this_o man_n so_o disintere_v heretofore_o become_v oftentimes_o insatiable_a and_o the_o revenue_n of_o the_o best_a benefice_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v his_o avarice_n he_o procure_v therefore_o as_o many_o as_o he_o can_v and_o have_v never_o too_o many_o if_o he_o be_v natural_o covetous_a all_o that_o he_o preach_v before_o of_o liberality_n be_v quite_o vanish_v all_o the_o invective_n he_o make_v against_o avarice_n be_v lay_v in_o perpetual_a oblivion_n he_o do_v good_a to_o no_o body_n and_o think_v of_o nothing_o but_o lay_v up_o treasure_n if_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v a_o voluptuous_a or_o stately_a person_n he_o consume_v his_o great_a income_n in_o keep_v a_o magnificent_a table_n in_o have_v a_o stately_a train_n and_o live_v as_o the_o proud_a man_n or_o the_o most_o addict_v to_o their_o pleasure_n in_o the_o world_n the_o sordid_a avarice_n of_o the_o one_o be_v a_o frugality_n become_v a_o good_a clergyman_n and_o the_o excessive_a luxury_n of_o the_o other_o be_v but_o a_o expense_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o keep_v up_o his_o rank_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o beget_v respect_n in_o the_o laity_n far_o from_o make_v the_o least_o reformation_n in_o the_o clergy_n that_o depend_v upon_o they_o they_o let_v they_o loose_v to_o all_o the_o ill_a custom_n and_o manner_n to_o which_o they_o be_v subject_a on_o condition_n they_o be_v submissive_a to_o they_o and_o meddle_v not_o with_o their_o particular_a method_n of_o live_v when_o unbeliever_n consider_v such_o a_o
or_o infidel_n from_o give_v they_o the_o hear_n when_o they_o exhort_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v that_o all_o christian_n notwithstanding_o their_o division_n be_v agree_v about_o certain_a article_n by_o the_o examination_n whereof_o unbeliever_n must_v necessary_o begin_v and_o not_o by_o those_o particular_a controversy_n which_o divide_v christian_n all_o christian_n be_v agree_v about_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n about_o revelation_n in_o general_n the_o moral_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n annex_v to_o they_o they_o agree_v likewise_o about_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o divine_a mission_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o resurrection_n and_o last_o judgement_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n they_o undertake_v to_o prove_v first_o when_o they_o deal_v with_o infidel_n or_o unbeliever_n and_o this_o be_v what_o with_o common_a consent_n they_o call_v the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n which_o they_o prove_v all_o with_o like_a reason_n it_o be_v just_a with_o religion_n as_o with_o several_a other_o science_n in_o which_o the_o learned_a be_v not_o less_o divide_v there_o be_v very_o great_a dispute_n for_o example_n among_o the_o physician_n about_o the_o cause_n of_o disease_n the_o virtue_n of_o remedy_n and_o the_o way_n of_o apply_v they_o but_o maugre_o all_o their_o contest_v there_o be_v certain_a thing_n wherein_o in_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o anatomy_n in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o symptom_n of_o disease_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o simple_n and_o in_o chemistry_n there_o be_v a_o thousand_o thing_n whereof_o no_o body_n doubt_n and_o which_o be_v the_o most_o important_a part_n of_o physic_n with_o which_o a_o learner_n of_o this_o science_n must_v first_o begin_v and_o it_o be_v so_o as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v with_o the_o different_a sect_n of_o christianity_n as_o the_o diversity_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o physician_n keep_v none_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o it_o from_o examine_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o art_n so_o the_o difference_n of_o sentiment_n in_o religion_n can_v discourage_v the_o lover_n of_o truth_n and_o indeed_o as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o part_n they_o be_v other_o sort_n of_o motive_n which_o take_v off_o the_o incredulous_a from_o examine_v it_o what_o i_o have_v call_v the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o what_o we_o may_v name_v christianity_n in_o general_n although_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a society_n that_o comprehend_v all_o its_o belief_n within_o those_o idea_n only_o about_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v agree_v yet_o this_o hinder_v not_o but_o that_o those_o idea_n may_v include_v the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o we_o must_v be_v determine_v about_o these_o before_o we_o examine_v any_o particular_a doctrine_n of_o those_o society_n which_o profess_v our_o religion_n this_o be_v also_o what_o i_o undertake_v to_o defend_v in_o this_o work_n and_o from_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n whereof_o depend_v all_o the_o rest_n if_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o instance_n that_o these_o general_a doctrine_n be_v true_a we_o must_v then_o examine_v in_o what_o society_n they_o be_v most_o pure_o teach_v but_o be_v they_o find_v to_o be_v false_a than_o we_o need_v not_o examine_v any_o particular_a sect_n see_v that_o all_o defend_v the_o same_o general_a principle_n if_o they_o be_v not_o true_a than_o all_o the_o sect_n will_v be_v all_o equal_o false_a it_o be_v manifest_a then_o that_o the_o division_n of_o christian_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v any_o prejudice_n against_o christianity_n in_o general_n nor_o hinder_v the_o incredulous_a from_o examine_v it_o nor_o be_v it_o less_o certain_a that_o they_o can_v take_v any_o person_n off_o from_o this_o examen_fw-la that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o embrace_v any_o one_o sect._n the_o division_n indeed_o render_v this_o disquisition_n somewhat_o difficult_a but_o by_o no_o mean_n impossible_a i_o shall_v be_v tell_v no_o doubt_n that_o this_o be_v true_a with_o respect_n to_o man_n of_o letter_n or_o understand_a person_n but_o the_o question_n be_v what_o the_o ignorant_a populace_n must_v do_v in_o these_o division_n as_o they_o be_v common_o judge_v incapable_a of_o this_o disquisition_n so_o the_o sure_a way_n for_o they_o some_o think_v be_v to_o engage_v with_o the_o first_o party_n that_o offer_v itself_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o to_o pass_v for_o a_o good_a christian_a one_o must_v know_v at_o least_o those_o general_a principle_n we_o speak_v of_o if_o there_o be_v people_n so_o stupid_a as_o to_o comprehend_v nothing_o of_o they_o though_o otherwise_o man_n of_o good_a moral_n we_o leave_v the_o disposal_n of_o they_o to_o god_n but_o as_o i_o say_v in_o another_o place_n they_o differ_v very_o little_a from_o the_o savage_n of_o america_n or_o africa_n second_o if_o such_o as_o have_v part_n enough_o to_o comprehend_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o virtue_n enough_o to_o frame_v their_o moral_n according_a to_o this_o model_n be_v not_o able_a however_o to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o those_o difference_n which_o divide_v christian_n it_o be_v not_o very_o difficult_a to_o determine_v what_o they_o must_v do_v both_o in_o equity_n and_o prudence_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_n of_o what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v they_o ought_v neither_o to_o approve_v or_o condemn_v any_o party_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n in_o dispute_n he_o that_o require_v more_o of_o they_o make_v they_o pass_v the_o limit_n of_o their_o understanding_n and_o oblige_v they_o to_o form_v a_o unjust_a and_o hasty_a judgement_n while_o they_o find_v themselves_o uncapable_a to_o receive_v true_a information_n of_o the_o reason_n on_o all_o side_n or_o to_o distinguish_v certain_o which_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n they_o ought_v to_o suspend_v their_o judgement_n about_o controversy_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n authorise_a by_o common_a sense_n not_o to_o judge_n of_o what_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v nor_o can_v we_o believe_v without_o renounce_v common_a sense_n that_o god_n will_v have_v any_o body_n acquiesce_v without_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 14.23_o rom._n 14.23_o that_o whatever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n or_o persuasion_n be_v sin_n that_o be_v that_o before_o we_o resolve_v to_o act_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n for_o this_o be_v what_o he_o there_o treat_v of_o we_o must_v be_v persuade_v that_o we_o be_v in_o the_o right_n but_o this_o we_o can_v be_v unless_o we_o evident_o know_v why_o it_o will_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o god_n may_v be_v please_v with_o this_o cautiousness_n and_o moderation_n but_o that_o man_n will_v not_o bear_v it_o since_o they_o common_o oblige_v those_o that_o live_v in_o the_o same_o society_n with_o they_o to_o declare_v for_o all_o their_o doctrine_n notwithstanding_o whatever_n be_v require_v of_o man_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o keep_v to_o this_o wariness_n whereof_o i_o speak_v because_o they_o be_v lucky_o uncapable_a of_o understand_v such_o controversy_n as_o divide_v christian_n although_o they_o easy_o comprehend_v the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v suit_v to_o all_o sort_n of_o capacity_n that_o be_v not_o quite_o destitute_a of_o their_o reason_a faculty_n about_o what_o make_v no_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n those_o people_n give_v little_a attention_n to_o what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v apply_v themselves_o whole_o to_o what_o they_o comprehend_v thus_o they_o leave_v their_o controversy_n to_o divine_n whilst_o they_o mind_v only_o the_o essential_o of_o christianity_n such_o as_o be_v not_o more_o know_v and_o yet_o venture_v further_o in_o their_o opinion_n and_o act_v according_o do_v judge_n and_o act_v manifest_o against_o common_a prudence_n and_o natural_a equity_n to_o imagine_v that_o god_n will_v have_v any_o regard_v to_o so_o unreasonable_a a_o conduct_n be_v to_o extinguish_v the_o most_o certain_a light_n of_o reason_n or_o religion_n in_o the_o three_o place_n if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o such_o as_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o detail_n of_o controversy_n have_v nevertheless_o a_o little_a more_o knowledge_n than_o those_o i_o have_v describe_v than_o they_o may_v easy_o determine_v themselves_o after_o this_o manner_n without_o run_v any_o risk_a at_o all_o by_o read_v confession_n of_o faith_n they_o may_v learn_v wherein_o all_o party_n in_o christendom_n agree_v and_o take_v that_o for_o the_o foundation_n and_o ground_n of_o religion_n because_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o so_o many_o different_a party_n who_o dispute_v so_o eager_o against_o one_o another_o shall_v agree_v in_o acknowledge_v certain_a head_n as_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n if_o they_o be_v not_o such_o in_o effect_n by_o the_o different_a party_n of_o christendom_n i_o understand_v
system_n of_o divinity_n which_o raise_v great_a difficulty_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o read_v or_o hear_v talk_v of_o they_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o man_n of_o sagacity_n and_o penetration_n propose_v some_o doubt_n to_o divine_n nay_o according_a to_o the_o supposition_n of_o every_o christian_a society_n viz._n that_o all_o other_o err_v in_o something_o it_o can_v be_v wonder_v at_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o unbeliever_n offer_v some_o objection_n to_o divine_n which_o they_o can_v resolve_v according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n or_o which_o they_o resolve_v by_o contradict_v themselves_o divine_n upbraid_v one_o another_o with_o it_o let_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n not_o altogether_o ignorant_a observe_v in_o the_o society_n in_o which_o he_o be_v bear_v that_o the_o manner_n after_o which_o some_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v explain_v be_v subject_a to_o great_a difficulty_n or_o be_v altogether_o false_a let_v we_o suppose_v further_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o his_o country_n be_v very_o learn_v man_n and_o understand_v the_o christian_a religion_n better_o than_o other_o a_o opinion_n common_a enough_o especial_o among_o those_o who_o never_o go_v out_o of_o their_o country_n or_o never_o read_v the_o book_n of_o other_o sect_n when_o they_o perceive_v that_o the_o divine_n who_o they_o consult_v satisfy_v they_o not_o or_o maintain_v palpable_a falsity_n they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n be_v not_o true_a and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v altogether_o false_a if_o it_o happen_v that_o a_o man_n have_v such_o thought_n never_o read_v the_o work_n of_o other_o christian_n who_o be_v free_a from_o the_o error_n he_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o more_o he_o live_v the_o more_o he_o confirm_v himself_o in_o his_o opinion_n because_o as_o soon_o as_o a_o error_n have_v be_v find_v out_o the_o long_a it_o be_v think_v of_o the_o better_a it_o be_v know_v when_o man_n know_v nothing_o better_o about_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n and_o have_v not_o penetration_n and_o learning_n enough_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n of_o themselves_o they_o can_v hardly_o forbear_v doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n because_o they_o present_o suspect_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o divinity_n which_o they_o have_v not_o examine_v be_v not_o better_o and_o observe_v that_o the_o same_o doctrine_n whereof_o they_o have_v find_v out_o the_o falsity_n be_v account_v as_o essential_a as_o other_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v again_o that_o a_o man_n take_v up_o with_o other_o business_n and_o who_o have_v no_o time_n to_o spare_v for_o such_o a_o examination_n as_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o come_v to_o read_v book_n of_o controversy_n write_v by_o ingenious_a man_n of_o both_o side_n he_o will_v often_o perceive_v that_o both_o party_n attack_v very_o well_o and_o defend_v themselves_o ill_a that_o man_n will_v conclude_v from_o thence_o and_o often_o with_o reason_n that_o both_o party_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n the_o more_o he_o hear_v they_o one_o after_o another_o the_o more_o he_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o and_o at_o last_o he_o will_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a because_o he_o have_v not_o part_n enough_o to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n if_o we_o add_v that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o external_a and_o internal_a motive_n which_o make_v he_o incline_v to_o unbelief_n as_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o that_o man_n will_v get_v into_o a_o scepticism_n almost_o incurable_a or_o into_o a_o formal_a unbelief_n out_o of_o which_o he_o will_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o extricate_v himself_o what_o i_o have_v propose_v as_o supposition_n be_v real_o to_o be_v find_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o people_n in_o italy_n france_n spain_n and_o germany_n for_o i_o must_v tell_v it_o and_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o conceal_v that_o i_o do_v follow_v the_o particular_a opinion_n which_o prevail_v in_o those_o place_n there_o be_v i_o say_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n in_o the_o same_o case_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v they_o see_v some_o opinion_n manifest_o false_a establish_v in_o those_o vast_a country_n by_o a_o public_a authority_n if_o they_o offer_v any_o objection_n they_o be_v pitiful_o resolve_v and_o than_o if_o they_o dare_v reply_v any_o thing_n they_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o censure_n and_o threaten_n not_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v send_v to_o the_o inquisition_n and_o burn_v if_o they_o grow_v obstinate_a nevertheless_o divine_v maintain_v those_o doctrine_n though_o evident_o false_a with_o great_a heat_n they_o make_v use_v of_o all_o their_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o prove_v they_o many_o layman_n who_o want_v not_o penetration_n but_o know_v no_o better_o think_v that_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o because_o they_o distinct_o apprehend_v the_o falsity_n of_o what_o be_v say_v they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o religion_n be_v not_o true_a other_o add_v to_o their_o meditation_n the_o read_n of_o some_o controversial_a book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n and_o protestant_n author_n and_o they_o see_v that_o the_o latter_a altogether_o destroy_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o right_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v false_a and_o the_o utmost_a endeavour_n of_o their_o teacher_n can_v free_v they_o from_o that_o opinion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o often_o find_v some_o book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n author_n who_o attack_z well_o enough_o some_o particular_a opinion_n of_o certain_a protestant_n and_o those_o protestant_n be_v as_o unlucky_a in_o defend_v their_o own_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v successful_a in_o assault_v those_o of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n they_o also_o think_v that_o those_o protestant_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o because_o their_o examination_n reach_v not_o to_o all_o the_o sect_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o confound_v they_o one_o with_o another_o and_o condemn_v they_o alike_o so_o that_o at_o last_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v no_o where_o beside_o other_o motive_n which_o may_v confirm_v they_o in_o those_o thought_n and_o which_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v they_o see_v two_o thing_n which_o affect_v they_o so_o much_o that_o they_o retain_v their_o opinion_n for_o ever_o if_o no_o better_a book_n come_v into_o their_o hand_n or_o if_o no_o body_n free_v they_o from_o the_o doubt_n they_o be_v in_o the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o divine_n to_o maintain_v those_o doctrine_n those_o who_o assert_v they_o with_o heat_n and_o declaim_v with_o the_o great_a violence_n against_o other_o christian_a society_n be_v prefer_v and_o get_v the_o most_o considerable_a dignity_n of_o the_o party_n they_o be_v in_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o any_o one_o seem_v to_o be_v modest_a and_o think_v himself_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o be_v moderate_a towards_o those_o who_o be_v call_v heretic_n or_o heterodox_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o much_o favour_v if_o he_o be_v not_o exclude_v for_o ever_o from_o all_o sort_n of_o employment_n and_o ruin_v not_o himself_o in_o some_o place_n that_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v altogether_o undo_v and_o almost_o every_o where_n if_o any_o intimate_v that_o he_o approve_v not_o all_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o party_n he_o be_v in_o though_o he_o do_v it_o never_o so_o modest_o they_o show_v he_o no_o pity_n he_o must_v suffer_v whatever_o hatred_n and_o cruelty_n can_v do_v when_o they_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n the_o second_o thing_n that_o confirm_v unbeliever_n in_o their_o disposition_n be_v that_o divine_n will_v be_v judge_n and_o party_n in_o controvert_v doctrine_n against_o the_o clear_a principle_n of_o equity_n though_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o favour_v one_o of_o the_o party_n though_o their_o decision_n be_v never_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o unsatisfactory_a they_o must_v be_v submit_v to_o because_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o good_a and_o solid_a nay_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v the_o book_n of_o their_o adversary_n ought-not_a to_o be_v read_v or_o those_o who_o read_v they_o aught_o to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n of_o not_o approve_v their_o argument_n otherwise_o they_o must_v undergo_v the_o condemnation_n of_o their_o party_n unbeliever_n who_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o several_a particular_a doctrine_n and_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n and_o by_o unjust_a and_o violent_a mean_n conclude_v that_o divine_n and_o consequent_o all_o christian_n be_v factious_a people_n and_o enemy_n to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o other_o
their_o life_n to_o bring_v other_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o their_o example_n do_v a_o thing_n very_o useful_a to_o the_o society_n it_o be_v therefore_o false_a that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v arbitrary_a law_n and_o no_o commandment_n give_v to_o man_n for_o their_o good_n it_o be_v also_o false_a that_o god_n will_v have_v mystery_n in_o religion_n altogether_o incomprehensible_a only_o to_o humble_v man._n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o real_a presence_n of_o christ_n body_n in_o the_o eucharist_n be_v no_o apostolical_a doctrine_n and_o the_o apostle_n have_v teach_v none_o of_o which_o we_o can_v have_v no_o notion_n not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o confuse_a one_o as_o it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o that_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o have_v a_o exact_a and_o distinct_a idea_n of_o it_o but_o we_o must_v have_v at_o least_o a_o general_a and_o confuse_a notion_n of_o it_o for_o no_o body_n can_v believe_v what_o he_o understand_v not_o at_o all_o see_v to_o believe_v that_o a_o proposition_n be_v true_a be_v to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v perceive_v between_o the_o term_n it_o be_v make_v of_o as_o logician_n teach_v and_o none_o can_v acquiesce_v in_o a_o relation_n that_o be_v not_o perceive_v for_o example_n when_o i_o be_o tell_v the_o dead_a shall_v rise_v i_o understand_v not_o only_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n the_o dead_a and_o to_o rise_v but_o also_o clear_o perceive_v the_o relation_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v between_o those_o two_o thing_n though_o i_o do_v know_v distinct_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o resurrection_n but_o if_o i_o be_v tell_v the_o dead_a shall_v rise_v and_o not_o rise_v at_o the_o same_o time_n without_o any_o equivocation_n in_o the_o word_n dead_a and_o to_o rise_v perceive_v no_o relation_n between_o a_o affirmation_n and_o a_o negation_n i_o can_v not_o believe_v it_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o contradictory_n proposition_n they_o can_v be_v a_o object_n of_o faith_n which_o receive_v nothing_o but_o what_o it_o understand_v at_o least_o in_o some_o measure_n such_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o real_a presence_n which_o contain_v several_a such_o proposition_n when_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v propose_v to_o unbeliever_n as_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o their_o divine_a mission_n they_o fail_v not_o to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o the_o chief_a reason_n they_o allege_v to_o make_v that_o history_n suspect_v be_v the_o false_a miracle_n which_o be_v now_o give_v out_o as_o true_a one_o to_o keep_v people_n in_o their_o duty_n by_o this_o pious_a fraud_n those_o who_o make_v use_v of_o that_o art_n or_o endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v those_o pretend_a miracle_n can_v reply_v nothing_o to_o unbeliever_n without_o condemn_v themselves_o or_o betray_v the_o christian_a religion_n they_o be_v far_o from_o confess_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n they_o bold_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n than_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o modern_a miracle_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o see_v that_o the_o latter_a be_v mere_a imposture_n fancy_v the_o former_a be_v so_o too_o those_o who_o cast_v in_o their_o way_n that_o stumbling-block_n be_v bind_v to_o remove_v it_o and_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n unless_o they_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o man_n of_o no_o judgement_n or_o less_o conscience_n but_o though_o unbeliever_n may_v triumph_v over_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o undertake_v to_o assert_v some_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v maintain_v they_o can_v say_v against_o christian_n in_o general_a that_o the_o miracle_n on_o which_o their_o faith_n be_v ground_v be_v like_o those_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v wrought_v every_o day_n first_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n affect_v not_o to_o work_v miracle_n every_o minute_n and_o out_o of_o ostentation_n such_o as_o be_v those_o that_o be_v now_o talk_v of_o second_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o those_o in_o who_o behalf_n those_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v get_v no_o money_n by_o publish_v they_o abroad_o as_o it_o be_v now_o practise_v by_o those_o to_o who_o those_o church_n belong_v wherein_o they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v wrought_v that_o very_a thing_n viz._n that_o the_o opinion_n of_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o a_o certain_a place_n bring_v wealth_n to_o the_o master_n of_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v one_o right_o suspect_v whatever_o be_v say_v about_o it_o three_o the_o miracle_n on_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v ground_v be_v do_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n among_o who_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o bear_v witness_n to_o those_o miracle_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a those_o who_o have_v examine_v they_o shall_v have_v discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o fear_v such_o a_o discovery_n have_v be_v very_o acceptable_a to_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n but_o now_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v among_o man_n ready_a to_o believe_v any_o thing_n or_o at_o least_o to_o say_v they_o believe_v it_o for_o fear_v of_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o inquisition_n where_o it_o be_v set_v up_o or_o of_o draw_v on_o themselves_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o mob_n which_o sometime_o be_v not_o less_o to_o be_v fead_v than_o that_o dreadful_a tribunal_n to_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o testimony_n of_o another_o be_v wellgrounded_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v the_o liberty_n to_o say_v the_o contrary_a but_o when_o he_o expose_v himself_o to_o danger_n if_o he_o say_v the_o contrary_a his_o testimony_n be_v of_o no_o weight_n beside_o to_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o fact_n one_o ought_v to_o have_v the_o liberty_n of_o examine_v it_o but_o no_o body_n dare_v do_v that_o now_o with_o respect_n to_o modern_a miracle_n in_o the_o place_n wherein_o they_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o true_a thus_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o what_o be_v say_v for_o those_o of_o our_o time_n none_o but_o those_o who_o want_v either_o judgement_n or_o sincerity_n will_v compare_v the_o one_o with_o the_o other_o but_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v here_o that_o unbeliever_n pretend_v to_o take_v advantage_n of_o what_o i_o have_v suppose_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o miracle_n now_o they_o say_v that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v necessary_a now_o there_o be_v none_o neither_o that_o can_v persuade_v we_o that_o there_o be_v any_o former_o because_o the_o only_a reason_n that_o can_v oblige_v god_n to_o work_v miracle_n many_o century_n ago_o be_v the_o incredulity_n of_o man_n which_o can_v not_o be_v cure_v and_o other_o way_n and_o that_o the_o same_o reason_n subsist_v still_o so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v god_n be_v not_o less_o oblige_v to_o work_v miracle_n out_o of_o his_o goodness_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o those_o who_o doubt_v now_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n than_o he_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o answer_n to_o it_o i_o say_v first_o that_o the_o proof_n we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o ancient_a miracle_n make_v they_o as_o it_o be_v sensible_a if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o it_o so_o that_o they_o may_v also_o be_v of_o use_n to_o cure_v our_o doubt_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v work_v miracle_n to_o establish_v the_o christian_a religion_n but_o be_v establish_v they_o be_v no_o long_o necessary_a because_o the_o history_n of_o religion_n preserve_v the_o proof_n of_o those_o that_o be_v do_v at_o its_o first_o establishment_n but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o history_n be_v doubt_v of_o and_o that_o therefore_o new_a miracle_n be_v now_o require_v i_o answer_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o if_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n be_v good_a as_o we_o affirm_v and_o if_o they_o be_v doubt_v of_o only_o out_o of_o a_o ill_a principle_n they_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o god_n goodness_n if_o there_o remain_v no_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n have_v forsake_v we_o and_o deal_v with_o we_o much_o worse_a than_o with_o those_o in_o who_o behalf_n he_o wrought_v miracle_n former_o but_o have_v very_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o history_n to_o be_v true_a they_o ought_v to_o be_v to_o we_o instead_o of_o miracle_n this_o be_v so_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o man_n have_v not_o now_o the_o same_o reason_n