Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	church_n	religion_n	true_a	7,548	5	5.1593	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80008	The hinge of faith and religion or, a proof of the deity against atheists and profane persons, by reason, and the testimony of Holy Scripture: the divinity of which is demonstrated, / by L. Cappel, Doctour and Professour in Divinity ; translated out of French by Philip Marinel, M.A. and fellow of Pembroke-College in Oxford.; Piuot de la foy et religion. English	Cappel, Louis, 1585-1658.; Marinel, Philip.	1660 (1660)	Wing C482; Thomason E1845_2; Thomason E2265_1; ESTC R209659	84,739	200

separate_v and_o alienate_v through_o his_o injustice_n pollution_n and_o perverseness_n which_o do_v incline_v he_o to_o deny_v this_o providence_n which_o he_o fear_v as_o his_o judg._n and_o in_o this_o infidelity_n of_o man_n god_n will_v not_o leave_v himself_o without_o a_o witness_n but_o have_v lively_o engrave_v and_o imprint_v himself_o in_o his_o work_n so_o that_o man_n maugre_o himself_o be_v force_v in_o those_o thing_n to_o acknowledge_v this_o deity_n and_o this_o be_v to_o convince_v man_n of_o his_o error_n and_o to_o make_v good_a the_o justice_n of_o his_o proceed_n and_o the_o righteousness_n of_o his_o judgement_n against_o their_o impiety_n and_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v appear_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o testimony_n against_o which_o nothing_o which_o be_v considerable_a can_v be_v object_v as_o be_v a_o testimony_n not_o only_o humane_a or_o proceed_v from_o the_o fancy_n or_o will_v of_o man_n but_o in_o effect_v a_o divine_a one_o as_o be_v the_o mere_a motion_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o wherein_o this_o proverb_n be_v verify_v vox_fw-la populi_n vox_fw-la dei_fw-la but_o let_v we_o pass_v from_o this_o humane_a testimony_n to_o that_o which_o be_v direct_o divine_a chap._n xiii_o the_o last_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o divinity_n of_o which_o be_v prove_v against_o the_o atheist_n above_o all_o these_o proof_n and_o reason_n which_o have_v be_v bring_v heretofore_o against_o atheism_n be_v that_o which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o teach_v and_o inculcate_v to_o we_o nothing_o else_o than_o a_o only_o true_a god_n maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n what_o he_o be_v his_o virtue_n his_o perfection_n his_o propriety_n and_o attribute_n his_o work_n as_o well_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o his_o govern_n of_o it_o as_o also_o those_o of_o man_n redemption_n his_o counsel_n design_n the_o decree_n of_o his_o will_n concern_v humane_a kind_n the_o salvation_n of_o the_o one_o the_o condemnation_n of_o the_o other_o also_o the_o honour_n respect_n service_n and_o adoration_n which_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o pay_v unto_o he_o and_o which_o he_o do_v also_o require_v of_o we_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o fear_v or_o to_o expect_v and_o hope_v from_o he_o in_o sum_n the_o true_a and_o only_o mean_v to_o be_v perfect_o and_o eternal_o happy_a which_o be_v that_o which_o all_o man_n do_v natural_o desire_v and_o wish_v for_o and_o at_o which_o all_o their_o action_n do_v aim_v so_o that_o if_o these_o sacred_a book_n be_v true_a and_o not_o forge_v and_o invent_v by_o the_o artifice_n or_o malice_n of_o wily_a and_o deceitful_a man_n it_o be_v evident_a and_o not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v there_o describe_v to_o we_o to_o which_o the_o atheist_n reply_v nothing_o but_o this_o who_o say_v they_o will_v warrant_v we_o that_o what_o those_o writer_n say_v be_v true_a and_o that_o their_o design_n have_v not_o be_v to_o impose_v upon_o our_o belief_n and_o deceive_v we_o moses_n say_v they_o say_v very_o much_o but_o prove_v nothing_o intimate_v that_o he_o be_v a_o tale-teller_n and_o that_o he_o will_v be_v believe_v upon_o his_o bare_a word_n and_o one_o of_o they_o have_v say_v that_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n to_o give_v the_o more_o weight_n to_o his_o doctrine_n have_v call_v himself_o but_o false_o the_o son_n of_o god_n yea_o god_n himself_o those_o person_n imagine_v and_o will_v have_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o these_o divine_a writer_n be_v such_o as_o numa_n pompilius_n who_o do_v attribute_v his_o book_n and_o law_n to_o the_o deity_n of_o the_o nymph_n aegeria_n with_o who_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v familiar_a conversation_n or_o as_o mahcm_v who_o say_v that_o he_o receive_v his_o alcoran_n from_o the_o angel_n gabriel_n it_o be_v not_o my_o design_n to_o proceed_v very_o far_o in_o this_o point_n &_o to_o prove_v at_o large_a against_o such_o person_n the_o divinity_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v too_o large_a a_o subject_n for_o the_o narrow_a bound_n of_o this_o small_a treatrse_n beside_o it_o will_v be_v actum_fw-la agere_fw-la since_o that_o all_o those_o of_o the_o holy_a father_n of_o the_o church_n or_o learned_a divine_n which_o have_v live_v since_o these_o 200_o year_n which_o have_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n against_o the_o heathenish_a and_o other_o sect_n which_o have_v be_v raise_v since_o have_v ever_o begin_v this_o way_n this_o be_v the_o very_a basis_n hinge_v and_o foundation_n of_o true_a religion_n which_o be_v whether_o on_o purpose_n or_o not_o i_o know_v not_o base_o betray_v to_o the_o atheist_n by_o those_o who_o pretend_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v no_o authority_n over_o we_o but_o only_o as_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o the_o church_n give_v it_o that_o power_n and_o validity_n for_o set_v aside_o the_o scripture_n these_o person_n who_o call_v themselves_o the_o church_n can_v demonstrate_v their_o pretend_a infallibility_n nor_o prove_v and_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v believe_v upon_o their_o bare_a word_n whatever_o they_o say_v as_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v to_o profane_a person_n upon_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o by_o themselves_o i_o will_v only_o for_o the_o end_n of_o this_o small_a treatise_n bring_v some_o general_a consideration_n by_o which_o one_o may_v see_v the_o foolishness_n and_o vanity_n of_o this_o frivolous_a exception_n of_o the_o atheist_n and_o of_o their_o false_a accusation_n in_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o dream_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n without_o certain_a ground_n of_o truth_n there_o be_v then_o 4_o principal_a thing_n which_o show_v the_o impertinency_n of_o this_o exception_n 1._o the_o quality_n and_o condition_n 2._o the_o number_n and_o diversity_n 3._o the_o scope_n &_o end_n of_o these_o sacred_a writer_n and_o final_o the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v these_o thing_n be_v well_o consider_v it_o will_v appear_v that_o those_o thing_n which_o those_o man_n have_v write_v be_v not_o tale_n and_o deceit_n and_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v feign_v to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v they_o i_o will_v speak_v of_o these_o four_o thing_n very_o brief_o leave_v those_o thing_n for_o any_o man_n to_o amplify_v upon_o as_o to_o the_o first_o those_o that_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o deceive_v and_o make_v fable_n and_o forgery_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n subtle_a cunning_a wary_a and_o knavish_a person_n and_o withal_o of_o a_o low_a or_o mean_a condition_n but_o great_a and_o high_a spirit_n magnanimous_a and_o heroical_a soul_n king_n great_a prince_n and_o monarch_n person_n of_o rare_a and_o exquisite_a learning_n and_o of_o sublime_a wisdom_n never_o stoop_v to_o so_o low_a and_o unworthy_a a_o employment_n as_o that_o of_o juggler_n &_o deceiver_n and_o those_o that_o be_v rude_a ignorant_a &_o illiterate_a and_o of_o too_o low_a and_o abject_a condition_n be_v not_o fit_a or_o able_a to_o invent_v such_o thing_n and_o to_o give_v so_o much_o colour_n to_o their_o forgery_n as_o to_o make_v they_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o receive_v for_o currant_n now_o among_o the_o sacred_a writer_n there_o be_v some_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n there_o be_v king_n and_o prince_n great_a captain_n and_o conqueror_n and_o emment_n person_n in_o dignity_n and_o authority_n in_o learning_n and_o incomparable_a wisdom_n you_o have_v there_o a_o joshuah_n one_o of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o eminent_a captain_n and_o conqueror_n that_o ever_o be_v you_o have_v there_o david_n one_o of_o the_o brave_a most_o generous_a and_o glorious_a king_n and_o most_o eminent_a for_o his_o valour_n battle_n feat_n of_o arm_n and_o victory_n that_o ever_o be_v see_v you_o have_v there_o solomon_n the_o most_o rich_a magnificent_a illustrious_a and_o wise_a king_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n you_o have_v daniel_n the_o first_o and_o chief_a officer_n in_o the_o court_n of_o the_o great_a monarchy_n in_o the_o world_n in_o who_o there_o be_v find_v more_o of_o true_a high_a and_o sublime_a wisdom_n then_o in_o all_o those_o wise_a man_n of_o that_o nation_n and_o monarchy_n in_o which_o he_o be_v a_o officer_n you_o have_v mordecai_n and_o nehemiah_n great_a and_o mighty_a person_n and_o of_o the_o chief_a in_o the_o court_n of_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n which_o relate_v unto_o we_o their_o own_o history_n you_o have_v job_n a_o great_a rich_a and_o mighty_a person_n in_o his_o time_n yet_o great_a in_o in_o goodness_n patience_n

none_o because_o they_o so_o ardent_o wish_v that_o it_o be_v so_o and_o that_o this_o their_o so_o vehement_a desire_n make_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o most_o weak_a reason_n for_o good_a and_o solid_a demonstration_n as_o to_o authority_n one_o sometime_o may_v believe_v a_o thing_n upon_o the_o mere_a respect_n that_o he_o have_v to_o the_o person_n that_o say_v it_o and_o that_o either_o because_o such_o person_n be_v sufficient_a and_o able_a and_o that_o he_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v so_o or_o because_o of_o that_o eminent_a power_n and_o authority_n in_o which_o they_o be_v which_o have_v only_a place_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o one_o care_n not_o much_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o not_o and_o where_o he_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o man_n have_v be_v induce_v to_o believe_v a_o deity_n and_o providence_n by_o the_o bare_a authority_n and_o respect_n that_o some_o person_n have_v which_o have_v no_o ground_n or_o reason_n for_o what_o they_o say_v for_o who_o be_v he_o that_o hathso_o universal_o be_v know_v to_o be_v of_o such_o sufficiency_n knowledge_n and_o ability_n as_o to_o persuade_v man_n only_o by_o the_o bare_a respect_n they_o have_v of_o he_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n so_o great_a and_o that_o do_v so_o much_o concern_v they_o for_o beside_o that_o aristotle_n or_o plato_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a and_o learn_a philosopher_n that_o ever_o be_v be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o know_v by_o name_n to_o the_o thousandst_a part_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o none_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o deity_n will_v confess_v that_o he_o believe_v it_o because_o such_o a_o one_o say_v it_o but_o only_o because_o he_o have_v a_o inward_a persuasion_n of_o this_o truth_n by_o some_o reason_n which_o he_o know_v and_o understand_v well_o himself_o although_o very_o often_o time_n he_o can_v express_v they_o and_o as_o for_o eminency_n and_o dignity_n there_o be_v never_o yet_o any_o that_o have_v rule_v over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o who_o may_v have_v have_v the_o power_n to_o command_v or_o persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v a_o deity_n beside_o that_o the_o belief_n which_o proceed_v this_o way_n aught_o to_o be_v of_o thing_n which_o we_o care_v not_o much_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o not_o which_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o deity_n and_o providence_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o important_a or_o that_o do_v more_o high_o concern_v man_n but_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o this_o opinion_n have_v spread_v itself_o by_o tradition_n from_o father_n to_o child_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o be_v come_v to_o we_o now_o it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o the_o first_o man_n adam_n have_v teach_v this_o truth_n to_o his_o child_n and_o they_o to_o they_o etc._n etc._n and_o by_o these_o mean_v this_o truth_n have_v be_v believe_v over_o all_o the_o world_n but_o first_o although_o he_o have_v so_o teach_v his_o posterity_n we_o may_v not_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o all_o have_v believe_v he_o for_o there_o have_v always_o be_v wicked_a one_o that_o have_v not_o care_v for_o their_o father_n admonition_n and_o those_o also_o have_v not_o take_v pain_n to_o make_v their_o child_n to_o believe_v it_o so_o that_o this_o pretend_a tradition_n have_v be_v in_o many_o place_n interrupt_v and_o neglect_v so_o that_o we_o must_v confess_v that_o this_o universal_a belief_n of_o a_o deity_n have_v another_o cause_n then_o tradition_n or_o mere_a institution_n add_v to_o it_o that_o this_o thing_n be_v of_o too_o much_o concernment_n to_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o our_o father_n which_o indeed_o may_v give_v a_o occasion_n to_o seek_v after_o this_o truth_n and_o incline_v our_o mind_n to_o believe_v it_o but_o can_v be_v the_o only_a true_a ground_n of_o so_o firmly-inherent_a a_o belief_n second_o as_o to_o those_o against_o who_o we_o dispute_v which_o hold_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n how_o can_v they_o keep_v still_o to_o this_o proposition_n viz_o that_o the_o world_n be_v eternal_a object_n that_o this_o opinion_n have_v its_o rise_n from_o mere_a tradition_n for_o i_o will_v ask_v they_o whether_o they_o think_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v eternal_a as_o well_o as_o the_o world_n or_o whether_o it_o have_v have_v some_o beginning_n again_o if_o this_o opinion_n be_v eternal_a i_o will_v ask_v whether_o it_o be_v general_o receive_v among_o all_o man_n or_o receive_v of_o some_o only_o if_o they_o say_v that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v universal_a it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o therefore_o a_o true_a opinion_n and_o they_o consequent_o false_a if_o this_o opinion_n have_v not_o be_v universal_a but_o yet_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n receive_v among_o some_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v at_o least_o as_o true_a a_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v since_o it_o have_v have_v follower_n and_o have_v be_v receive_v from_o all_o eternity_n as_o well_o as_o they_o but_o these_o two_o opinion_n be_v contrary_a one_o to_o another_o they_o can_v both_o be_v equal_o true_a nor_o consequent_o equal_o eternal_a and_o so_o necessary_o the_o one_o be_v true_a and_o the_o other_o false_a the_o one_o prior_n the_o other_o posterior_n truth_n be_v always_o before_o falsehood_n which_o be_v a_o disguise_n of_o truth_n and_o a_o aberration_n from_o it_o here_o then_o will_v they_o say_v that_o their_o opinion_n be_v the_o first_o and_o eternal_a the_o other_o have_v follow_v long_a time_n after_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o it_o follow_v that_o all_o man_n universal_o in_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o age_n have_v constant_o hold_v this_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n how_o then_o be_v it_o come_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o hold_v the_o contrary_a to_o that_o which_o they_o have_v always_o hold_v and_o believe_v and_o how_o can_v any_o one_o imagine_v that_o he_o can_v persuade_v this_o to_o any_o one_o yea_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o man_n shall_v now_o hold_v a_o contrary_a opinion_n but_o that_o they_o have_v acknowledge_v by_o strong_a reason_n that_o the_o other_o opinion_n be_v false_a so_o then_o we_o can_v conclude_v neither_o according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n nor_o accord_v to_o we_o that_o this_o universal_a belief_n of_o the_o deity_n be_v a_o mere_a tradition_n and_o proceed_v from_o institution_n but_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v conclude_v that_o it_o proceed_v from_o that_o man_n have_v unanswerable_a argument_n for_o it_o upon_o which_o both_o it_o and_o its_o evidence_n be_v ground_v but_o the_o atheist_n will_v willing_o reply_v that_o those_o argument_n be_v but_o captious_a and_o weak_a &_o have_v no_o solidity_n in_o they_o but_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v so_o for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o a_o mere_a phantasm_n or_o shadow_n without_o any_o real_a solidity_n shall_v have_v deceive_v all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o that_o so_o constant_o since_o so_o many_o age_n that_o there_o have_v be_v none_o find_v among_o so_o many_o man_n that_o have_v demonstrate_v as_o yet_o the_o pretend_a vanity_n and_o weakness_n of_o these_o argument_n be_v it_o possible_a that_o none_o have_v be_v find_v among_o so_o many_o wonderfully-learned_n man_n of_o which_o history_n make_v mention_n that_o have_v evidence_v the_o pretend_a falsehood_n of_o this_o opinion_n and_o demonstrate_v how_o weak_a and_o vain_a those_o argument_n be_v on_o which_o this_o our_o opinion_n be_v ground_v and_o by_o these_o mean_v free_a the_o world_n from_o the_o check_n and_o terror_n which_o the_o conscience_n of_o their_o crime_n cause_n in_o they_o when_o they_o consider_v and_o perceive_v that_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a providence_n this_o doubtless_o will_v have_v find_v place_n enough_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o man_n but_o it_o may_v be_v it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o epicurus_n and_o his_o follower_n and_o some_o other_o afore_o he_o have_v do_v this_o teach_v atheism_n and_o the_o reason_n that_o may_v persuade_v to_o it_o now_o those_o person_n have_v indeed_o have_v wit_n enough_o and_o very_o good_a reason_n to_o jeer_v at_o all_o the_o vain_a superstition_n foolish_a and_o extravagant_a opinion_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_a at_o the_o impertinent_a and_o fabulous_a story_n that_o they_o make_v of_o their_o god_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o and_o at_o the_o false_a imagination_n they_o have_v of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o dead_a in_o hell_n or_o in_o the_o elysian_a field_n but_o it_o will_v not_o be_v find_v nor_o confess_v that_o they_o have_v strong_a and_o solid_a reason_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n and_o those_o profane_a one_o of_o our_o day_n who_o think_v they_o have_v refine_v atheism_n

to_o the_o height_n will_v be_v find_v as_o short_a in_o their_o argument_n if_o they_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o be_v estecm_v and_o count_v excellent_a wit_n be_v not_o so_o much_o because_o of_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o argument_n as_o because_o nothing_o be_v either_o too_o hot_a or_o too_o cold_a for_o they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o absurdity_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o great_a which_o they_o do_v not_o easy_o swallow_v like_v to_o the_o strong_a stomach_n of_o ostrich_n which_o do_v digest_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v give_v they_o and_o here_o we_o shall_v enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o their_o pretend_a reason_n and_o compare_v they_o and_o we_o which_o we_o have_v bring_v against_o they_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o judgement_n give_v which_o be_v the_o most_o solid_a and_o firm_a but_o this_o will_v engage_v we_o to_o another_o treatise_n whereupon_o we_o 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a_o deity_n for_o christianism_n have_v abolish_v the_o paganism_n in_o a_o very_a considerable_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v once_o more_o universal_a than_o it_o be_v now_o and_o the_o mahometan_a jenish_a and_o christian_a religion_n all_o of_o which_o hold_n there_o be_v one_o only_a god_n compare_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n which_o yet_o remain_v plunge_v in_o heathenish_a idolatry_n do_v almost_o or_o it_o may_v be_v altogether_o comprehend_v the_o half_a of_o those_o man_n which_o be_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n now_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o only_a god_n so_o as_o the_o christian_n mahometan_n and_o jew_n do_v hold_v it_o be_v far_o more_o contrary_a to_o atheism_n than_o the_o pagan_a idolatry_n how_o be_v it_o then_o if_o atheistical_a opinion_n be_v true_a that_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n christian_n and_o mahometan_n have_v so_o much_o prevail_v over_o that_o of_o the_o heathen_a which_o come_v much_o near_a to_o atheism_n 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govern_v the_o world_n and_o render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o what_o he_o have_v do_v how_o come_v it_o then_o to_o pass_v that_o the_o opinion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o one_o only_a god_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o heathenish_a idolatry_n and_o superstition_n and_o do_v yet_o maintain_v itself_o against_o so_o many_o atheist_n as_o be_v at_o this_o day_n since_o that_o we_o arm_v and_o defend_v ourselves_o as_o much_o as_o we_o can_v against_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o fear_v and_o dread_v three_o the_o heathenish_a idolatry_n and_o superstition_n be_v a_o alteration_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o do_v necessary_o presuppose_v it_o as_o its_o ground_n and_o basis_n and_o this_o alteration_n as_o i_o say_v just_a now_o be_v wonderful_o more_o accommodate_v to_o our_o fleshly_a and_o sensual_a corruption_n than_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o only_a god_n it_o be_v therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v so_o universal_o receive_v and_o so_o deep_o root_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n the_o heathenish_a idolatry_n and_o superstition_n which_o please_v the_o flesh_n have_v spread_v itself_o also_o so_o much_o as_o it_o have_v but_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v not_o a_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n of_o atheism_n it_o be_v quite_o contrary_a and_o this_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n do_v not_o please_v the_o flesh_n as_o atheism_n do_v therefore_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n can_v not_o have_v so_o universal_o win_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n but_o by_o its_o own_o proper_a strength_n and_o virtue_n which_o consist_v in_o truth_n which_o be_v strong_a than_o all_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o and_o the_o atheist_n will_v never_o give_v a_o pertinent_a reason_n of_o it_o why_o if_o atheism_n be_v true_a it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v as_o its_o contrary_a but_o contrariwise_o and_o almost_o every_o where_o even_o among_o the_o heathen_a it_o have_v be_v abhor_v and_o detest_a of_o all_o as_o to_o those_o other_o enormity_n of_o whoredom_n theft_n and_o the_o sin_n against_o nature_n and_o the_o like_a beside_o that_o the_o most_o honest_a person_n in_o every_o nation_n have_v acknowledge_v in_o these_o action_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o filthiness_n and_o injustice_n when_o they_o have_v speak_v of_o they_o in_o good_a earnest_n though_o the_o corrupt_a and_o base_a pleasure_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o deprave_a sense_n of_o their_o lust_n have_v so_o blind_v their_o understanding_n that_o they_o let_v themselves_o loose_a to_o all_o these_o vice_n without_o any_o great_a remorse_n it_o be_v not_o of_o these_o error_n as_o of_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n for_o these_o vice_n please_v and_o entice_v sensuality_n and_o therefore_o man_n be_v easy_o persuade_v to_o they_o but_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v whole_o repugnant_a to_o sensuality_n which_o will_v persuade_v itself_o the_o contrary_n if_o it_o can_v and_o nevertheless_o this_o opinion_n have_v force_v man_n understanding_n to_o assent_v to_o it_o which_o can_v not_o be_v do_v but_o by_o the_o mere_a strength_n of_o truth_n itself_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v before_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a that_o this_o so_o universal_a and_o constant_a consent_n of_o all_o man_n who_o hold_v and_o believe_v even_o in_o spite_n of_o themselves_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n be_v a_o indubitable_a argument_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o a_o evidence_n of_o the_o deprivation_n of_o man_n by_o which_o he_o be_v fall_v from_o his_o first_o nature_n and_o principle_n by_o which_o he_o be_v join_v and_o unite_v to_o god_n unto_o who_o he_o be_v conformable_a in_o truth_n justice_n and_o holiness_n as_o one_o create_v to_o his_o own_o image_n and_o from_o which_o he_o be_v now_o

which_o real_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o this_o be_v evident_a because_o they_o do_v note_v all_o the_o crcumstance_n and_o particularity_n which_o be_v observe_v in_o true_a history_n and_o by_o which_o we_o be_v wont_v to_o discern_v romance_n and_o poetical_a fiction_n from_o true_a narration_n they_o will_v have_v we_o to_o hold_v and_o believe_v those_o narration_n for_o very_a truth_n and_o thing_n which_o have_v real_o and_o certain_o happen_v to_o what_o end_n shall_v this_o be_v if_o their_o narration_n be_v but_o dream_n do_v those_o good_a writer_n that_o will_v instruct_v and_o profit_v use_v such_o mean_n in_o no_o wise_a and_o although_o one_o will_v write_v some_o moralize_v romance_n to_o instruct_v man_n yet_o will_v not_o he_o publish_v it_o for_o a_o true_a history_n beside_o that_o we_o have_v note_v before_o that_o these_o sacred_a history_n have_v none_o of_o the_o stile_n and_o garb_n of_o romance_n and_o as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n say_n and_o sentence_n of_o which_o the_o sacred_a book_n be_v full_a will_v the_o atheist_n say_v that_o they_o be_v paradox_n wild_a and_o extravagant_a opinion_n if_o it_o be_v so_o i_o will_v ask_v they_o to_o what_o good_a end_n can_v such_o thing_n have_v be_v forge_v and_o invent_v for_o we_o have_v show_v heretofore_o that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v invent_v to_o any_o ill_a intent_n or_o pernicious_a design_n if_o they_o be_v mere_a invention_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o reality_n in_o they_o to_o what_o good_a end_n can_v they_o have_v be_v invent_v moreover_o these_o sacred_a author_n do_v propose_v these_o doctrine_n that_o man_n may_v steadfast_o believe_v they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v hold_v for_o undoubted_a truth_n can_v there_o be_v any_o good_a or_o reasonable_a end_n in_o this_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o effect_n but_o extravagancy_n will_v they_o say_v that_o these_o person_n be_v willing_a to_o win_v man_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o virtue_n justice_n temperance_n fortitude_n truth_n faithfulness_n friendship_n charity_n patience_n honour_n respect_n obedience_n observation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o humane_a society_n etc._n etc._n do_v think_v that_o the_o persuasion_n though_o a_o false_a one_o of_o a_o god_n creator_n and_o governor_n of_o this_o universe_n judge_n avenger_n and_o remuneratour_n of_o the_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o that_o the_o example_n though_o but_o fictitious_a and_o false_a of_o vice_n and_o virtue_n which_o be_v reward_v or_o punish_v by_o a_o providence_n will_v be_v a_o powerful_a motive_n to_o induce_v man_n to_o attain_v this_o end_n and_o that_o this_o be_v it_o which_o have_v make_v they_o to_o invent_v this_o opinion_n of_o a_o providence_n with_o all_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o and_o to_o compile_v all_o these_o story_n to_o patronize_v vice_n and_o virtue_n almost_o as_o horace_n do_v pretend_v in_o that_o epistle_n which_o begin_v trojani_n belli_fw-la scriptorem_fw-la maxim_n l●lli_n that_o homer_n in_o his_o iliad_n and_o odyssea_n do_v tell_v we_o all_o these_o fine_a tale_n and_o story_n to_o serve_v as_o moral_a document_n unto_o all_o man_n it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n such_o as_o he_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o sacred_a write_n be_v the_o true_a and_o only_a mean_n and_o the_o most_o strong_a and_o efficacious_a motive_n to_o induce_v man_n to_o true_a virtue_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o truely-faithfull_a under_o both_o the_o testament_n in_o comparison_n of_o which_o the_o most_o splendid_a virtue_n of_o the_o heathen_a be_v but_o dross_n and_o dung_n as_o a_o exact_a comparison_n of_o they_o will_v easy_o verify_v and_o the_o first_o christian_a father_n that_o have_v write_v against_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o heathen_a show_v this_o evident_o as_o tertullian_n minutius_n felix_n and_o other_o but_o it_o be_v also_o very_o true_a that_o if_o this_o persuasion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o providence_n such_o 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have_v and_o yet_o have_v this_o persuasion_n for_o we_o have_v show_v heretofore_o that_o all_o man_n in_o all_o age_n be_v persuade_v there_o be_v a_o deity_n and_o a_o providence_n there_o be_v also_o too_o manifest_a and_o palpable_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o fable_n and_o poetical_a fiction_n of_o homer_n and_o the_o narration_n of_o holy_a writ_n it_o be_v not_o homer_n intention_n if_o his_o design_n be_v such_o as_o horace_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v viz._n to_o instruct_v and_o please_v man_n by_o his_o fable_n that_o we_o shall_v take_v his_o fable_n for_o truth_n nor_o have_v he_o divulge_v these_o fiction_n for_o true_a history_n but_o compose_v only_o a_o fine_a moralize_v romance_n but_o as_o we_o have_v say_v the_o sacred_a writer_n do_v tell_v we_o their_o history_n as_o certain_a and_o indubitable_a thing_n and_o as_o to_o the_o false_a deity_n of_o homer_n and_o to_o all_o those_o thing_n he_o tell_v of_o they_o i_o think_v that_o there_o be_v none_o of_o the_o 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