that_o when_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v already_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a that_o new_a miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v in_o the_o church_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o so_o chrysostome_n full_o express_v himself_o concern_v miracle_n speak_v of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a eton._n church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d miracle_n be_v very_o useful_a then_o and_o not_o at_o all_o useful_a now_o for_o now_o we_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o speak_v from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o which_o that_o excellent_a author_n there_o full_o manifest_v in_o a_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n why_o miracle_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v not_o now_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n st._n austin_n speak_v where_o he_o discourse_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n accepimus_fw-la majores_fw-la nostros_fw-la visibilia_fw-la miracula_fw-la secutos_fw-la esse_fw-la 25._o per_fw-la quos_fw-la id_fw-la actum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la necessaria_fw-la non_fw-la essent_fw-la posteris_fw-la because_o the_o world_n believe_v by_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v at_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n therefore_o miracle_n be_v no_o long_o necessary_a for_o we_o can_v conceive_v how_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v at_o first_o induce_v to_o believe_v without_o manifest_a and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n for_o as_o chrysostome_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o if_o the_o world_n shall_v believe_v without_o miracle_n which_o the_o poet_n dante_n be_v have_v well_o express_v in_o the_o twenty_o four_o canto_n of_o paradise_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v there_o bring_v in_o ask_v the_o poet_n upon_o what_o account_n he_o take_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o answer_n be_v probatio_fw-la quae_fw-la verum_fw-la hoc_fw-la mihi_fw-la recludit_fw-la sunt_fw-la opera_fw-la quae_fw-la secuta_fw-la sunt_fw-la ad_fw-la quae_fw-la natura_fw-la non_fw-la candefecit_fw-la ferrum_fw-la unquam_fw-la aut_fw-la percussit_fw-la incudem_fw-la i_o e._n the_o evidence_n of_o that_o be_v the_o divine_a power_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v in_o those_o who_o deliver_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n and_o when_o the_o apostle_n catechise_v he_o further_o how_o he_o know_v those_o miracle_n be_v such_o as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v viz._n that_o they_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a his_o answer_n be_v si_fw-mi orbis_fw-la terrae_fw-la seize_v convertit_fw-la ad_fw-la christianismum_fw-la inquiebam_fw-la ego_fw-la sine_fw-la miraculis_fw-la hoc_fw-la unum_fw-la est_fw-la tale_n ut_fw-la reliqua_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la ejus_fw-la cente_fw-la sima_fw-la pars_fw-la i_o e._n if_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n without_o miracle_n this_o will_v be_v so_o great_a a_o miracle_n that_o other_o be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o it_o i_o conclude_v this_o then_o with_o that_o know_a saying_n of_o st._n austin_n quisquis_fw-la adhuc_fw-la prodigia_fw-la ut_fw-la credat_fw-la inquirit_fw-la magnum_fw-la est_fw-la ipse_fw-la prodigium_fw-la qui_fw-la mundo_fw-la credente_fw-la 8._o non_fw-la credit_n he_o that_o seek_v for_o miracle_n still_o to_o induce_v he_o to_o faith_n when_o the_o world_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o need_v not_o seek_v for_o prodigy_n abroad_o he_o want_v only_o a_o look_a glass_n to_o discover_v one_o for_o as_o he_o go_v on_o unde_fw-la temporibus_fw-la erudit_fw-la be_v &_o omne_fw-la quod_fw-la fieri_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la respuentibus_fw-la sine_fw-la ullis_fw-la miraculis_fw-la nimium_fw-la mirabiliter_fw-la incredibiliter_fw-la credidit_fw-la mundus_fw-la whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o so_o learned_a and_o wary_a a_o age_n as_o that_o be_v which_o the_o apostle_n preach_v in_o the_o world_n without_o miracle_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o believe_v thing_n so_o strange_o incredible_a as_o those_o be_v which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n preach_v so_o that_o by_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o miracle_n be_v to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o make_v that_o appear_v credible_a which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v seem_v incredible_a but_o to_o what_o end_n now_o when_o this_o divine_a testimony_n be_v believe_v in_o the_o world_n shall_v miracle_n be_v continue_v among_o those_o who_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v divine_a the_o miracle_n wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v true_a and_o the_o scripture_n which_o contain_v both_o to_o be_v the_o undoubted_a word_n of_o god_n to_o what_o purpose_n then_o the_o huge_a outery_n of_o miracle_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v unless_o it_o be_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o ambition_n that_o church_n be_v of_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o he_o who_o come_n be_v after_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n and_o with_o all_o deceivableness_n 10._o of_o unrighteousness_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v for_o have_v they_o receive_v the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o will_v have_v believe_v it_o on_o the_o account_n of_o those_o miracle_n and_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o be_v wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o not_o have_v go_v about_o by_o their_o juggle_n and_o imposture_n in_o stead_n of_o bring_v man_n to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o make_v they_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o miracle_n when_o they_o see_v so_o many_o counterfeit_n have_v we_o not_o great_a assurance_n the_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o other_o design_n and_o interest_n then_o popish_a priest_n be_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o now_o any_o such_o necessity_n of_o miracle_n as_o there_o be_v then_o when_o a_o divine_a testimony_n reveal_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v confirm_v by_o they_o those_o miracle_n can_v be_v divine_a which_o be_v do_v now_o for_o 2._o the_o confirmation_n of_o any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o that_o divine_a testimony_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o uncontrolled_a divine_a miracle_n the_o case_n be_v not_o the_o same_o now_o which_o be_v before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n for_o than_o though_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n yet_o though_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n do_v null_a the_o obligation_n of_o that_o law_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o divine_a because_o god_n do_v not_o intend_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n to_o be_v perpetual_a and_o there_o be_v many_o prophecy_n which_o can_v not_o have_v their_o accomplishment_n but_o under_o a_o new_a state_n but_o now_o under_o the_o gospel_n god_n have_v declare_v this_o to_o be_v the_o last_o revelation_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o son_n that_o now_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v accomplish_v and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o new_a respect_n only_o the_o various_a condition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n without_o any_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o any_o further_a revelation_n of_o god_n mind_n and_o will_n to_o the_o world_n so_o that_o now_o the_o scripture_n be_v our_o adequate_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o according_a to_o which_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v all_o pretender_n to_o inspiration_n or_o miracle_n and_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n we_o be_v to_o proceed_v in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v propound_v to_o we_o to_o believe_v by_o any_o person_n upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o under_o the_o law_n after_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o law_n its_o self_n by_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n the_o rule_n of_o judge_v all_o pretender_n to_o miracle_n be_v by_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n if_o there_o arise_v 3._o among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o the_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v whereof_o he_o speak_v to_o thou_o say_v let_v we_o go_v after_o other_o god_n which_o thou_o have_v not_o know_v and_o let_v we_o serve_v they_o thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o your_o soul._n whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o after_o the_o true_a doctrine_n be_v confirm_v by_o divine_a miracle_n god_n may_v give_v the_o devil_n or_o false_a prophet_n power_n to_o work_v if_o not_o real_a miracle_n yet_o such_o as_o man_n can_v judge_v by_o the_o thing_n themselves_o whether_o they_o be_v real_a or_o no_o and_o
sarcastical_o answer_v the_o argument_n from_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o man_n quasi_fw-la verò_fw-la quidquam_fw-la sit_fw-la tam_fw-la valdè_fw-la quam_fw-la nihil_fw-la sapere_fw-la vulgar_a as_o though_o nothing_o man_n do_v more_o general_o agree_v in_o then_o in_o be_v fool_n yet_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o ground_n of_o that_o scoff_n be_v from_o the_o several_a manner_n of_o divination_n then_o in_o use_n so_o it_o can_v be_v think_v to_o be_v a_o general_a impeachment_n of_o humane_a nature_n in_o a_o thing_n so_o consequent_a upon_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n which_o as_o himself_o elsewhere_o prove_v be_v as_o clear_v from_o reason_n as_o from_o that_o testimonium_fw-la gentium_fw-la in_o hac_fw-la una_fw-la re_fw-la non_fw-la dissidentium_fw-la as_o the_o christian_a cicero_n lactantius_n speak_v the_o consent_n of_o nation_n 2._o which_o scarce_o agree_v in_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o which_o we_o now_o infer_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o god_n may_v make_v know_v his_o mind_n in_o a_o way_n infallible_a though_o not_o immediate_a for_o in_o case_n of_o inspiration_n of_o mere_a man_n it_o be_v not_o they_o so_o much_o which_o speak_v as_o god_n by_o they_o and_o in_o case_n that_o god_n himself_o shall_v speak_v through_o the_o vail_n of_o humane_a nature_n the_o testimony_n must_v needs_o be_v infallible_a though_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o divinity_n be_v not_o visible_a those_o evidence_n whereby_o a_o divine_a testimony_n may_v be_v know_v must_v be_v such_o as_o may_v not_o leave_v man_n mind_n in_o suspense_n but_o be_v 4._o of_o their_o own_o nature_n convince_a proof_n of_o it_o for_o although_o as_o to_o the_o event_n some_o may_v doubt_v and_o other_o disbelieve_v the_o testimony_n so_o prove_v yet_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o our_o purpose_n that_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n suppose_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o we_o speak_v of_o they_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o eviction_n that_o the_o testimony_n attest_v by_o they_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a i_o know_v it_o be_v a_o great_a dispute_n among_o many_o whether_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v usual_o call_v the_o common_a motive_n of_o faith_n do_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n only_o induce_v a_o probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n as_o probable_a which_o they_o be_v join_v with_o or_o else_o be_v they_o sufficient_a for_o the_o produce_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o doctrine_n as_o true_a i_o grant_v they_o be_v not_o demonstrative_a so_o as_o to_o enforce_v assent_n for_o we_o see_v the_o contrary_a by_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o unprejudiced_a mind_n to_o establish_v a_o firm_a assent_n upon_o be_v a_o thing_n not_o easy_a to_o be_v grant_v chief_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o a_o obligation_n to_o believe_v do_v lie_v upon_o every_o one_o to_o who_o these_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v sufficient_o discover_v and_o otherwise_o of_o all_o sin_n the_o sin_n of_o unbelief_n as_o to_o god_n reveal_v his_o mind_n be_v the_o most_o excusable_a and_o pardonable_a sin_n nay_o it_o will_v be_v little_o less_o than_o a_o part_n of_o prudence_n because_o what_o can_v it_o be_v account_v but_o temerity_n and_o imprudence_n in_o any_o to_o believe_v a_o doctrine_n as_o true_a only_a upon_o probable_a inducement_n and_o what_o can_v it_o be_v but_o wisdom_n to_o withhold_v assent_n upon_o a_o mere_a verisimilitude_n consider_v what_o the_o lyric_a poet_n have_v long_o since_o true_o tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o a_o falsehood_n may_v frequent_o seem_v true_o to_o common_a understanding_n then_o truth_n its_o self_n and_o as_o menander_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o a_o mere_a verisimilitude_n may_v have_v more_o force_n on_o vulgar_a mind_n than_o truth_n have_v if_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o evidence_n give_v sufficient_a to_o carry_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n beyond_o mere_a probability_n what_o sin_n can_v it_o be_v in_o those_o to_o disbelieve_v who_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v as_o true_a what_o be_v only_o discover_v as_o probable_a i_o can_v therefore_o see_v how_o a_o obligation_n to_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v consistent_a with_o their_o opinion_n who_o make_v the_o utmost_a which_o any_o outward_a evidence_n can_v extend_v to_o to_o be_v only_o the_o bare_a credibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n attest_v by_o they_o i_o can_v very_o well_o satisfy_v myself_o with_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n why_o the_o more_o subtle_a wit_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v essert_v this_o for_o if_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v produce_v by_o all_o motive_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o a_o probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n than_o here_o come_v in_o the_o fair_a pretence_n for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n for_o otherwise_o they_o tell_v we_o we_o can_v have_v no_o foundation_n for_o a_o divine_a faith_n for_o how_o can_v that_o be_v a_o foundation_n for_o divine_a faith_n which_o can_v reach_v no_o high_o than_o a_o moral_a inducement_n and_o beget_v only_o a_o probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o on_o what_o account_n those_o who_o disow_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o proposal_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n shall_v yet_o consent_v with_o those_o of_o it_o in_o a_o hypothesis_n take_v up_o in_o probability_n mere_o out_o of_o subserviency_n to_o that_o most_o advantageous_a piece_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n be_v not_o easy_a to_o resolve_v unless_o the_o overfondness_n of_o some_o upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o school_n more_o than_o of_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o it_o for_o how_o agreeable_a can_v that_o opinion_n be_v to_o the_o gospel_n which_o so_o evident_o put_v the_o most_o defensive_a weapon_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o unbelief_n for_o doubtless_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o rational_a person_n a_o mere_a probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n where_o a_o assent_n to_o it_o as_o true_a be_v require_v can_v never_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o my_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v according_a to_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n induce_v i_o to_o believe_v and_o these_o argument_n do_v only_o prove_v a_o probability_n of_o divine_a testimony_n my_o assent_n can_v be_v no_o strong_a than_o to_o a_o thing_n mere_o probable_a which_o be_v that_o it_o may_v be_v or_o not_o be_v true_a which_o be_v not_o proper_o assent_v but_o a_o suspending_a our_o judgement_n till_o some_o convince_a argument_n be_v produce_v on_o either_o side_n and_o therefore_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n those_o who_o see_v all_o the_o miracle_n which_o christ_n do_v can_v not_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n but_o only_o to_o have_v a_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o his_o person_n and_o doctrine_n as_o a_o thing_n which_o though_o not_o evidence_v to_o be_v true_a by_o what_o he_o do_v yet_o it_o be_v very_o pious_o credible_a but_o they_o must_v have_v a_o care_n withal_o of_o venture_v their_o belief_n too_o far_o only_o on_o such_o moral_a inducement_n as_o miracel_n be_v for_o fear_v they_o shall_v go_v far_o than_o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n will_v carry_v they_o have_v not_o this_o opinion_n now_o think_v we_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a way_n to_o have_v convert_v the_o world_n upon_o the_o preach_a of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n when_o christ_n say_v though_o you_o believe_v not_o i_o believe_v the_o work_n 38._o that_o you_o may_v know_v and_o believe_v that_o the_o father_n be_v in_o i_o and_o i_o in_o he_o nay_o say_v this_o opinion_n that_o be_v more_o than_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v though_o we_o see_v thy_o work_n we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v thy_o testimony_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o certain_o true_a but_o we_o will_v do_v all_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v we_o will_v entertain_v a_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o thy_o person_n and_o doctrine_n and_o wait_v for_o somewhat_o else_o but_o we_o do_v not_o well_o know_v what_o to_o persuade_v we_o to_o believe_v when_o the_o apostle_n preach_v the_o danger_n of_o unbelief_n because_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v confirm_v by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n 4._o and_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n what_o a_o fair_a answer_n do_v this_o opinion_n put_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o infidel_n that_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o sign_n and_o wonder_n they_o be_v never_o bind_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n
of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o the_o soul_n it_o cheerful_o embrace_v that_o truth_n which_o be_v reveal_v and_o cordial_o yield_v up_o its_o self_n in_o obedience_n to_o it_o this_o be_v the_o divine_a faith_n which_o the_o scripture_n acquaint_v we_o with_o and_o not_o such_o a_o one_o as_o mere_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o as_o to_o the_o production_n of_o this_o faith_n i_o acknowledge_v mere_a rational_a evidence_n to_o be_v insufficient_a because_o they_o proceed_v in_o 2d_o very_o different_a way_n the_o one_o be_v to_o satisfy_v man_n mind_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n the_o other_o be_v to_o bring_v they_o effectual_o to_o adhere_v unto_o it_o the_o assert_v of_o the_o one_o therefore_o do_v no_o more_o tend_v to_o destroy_v the_o other_o than_o the_o say_n that_o a_o telescope_n will_v help_v we_o to_o discover_v very_o much_o of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n do_v imply_v that_o a_o blind_a man_n may_v see_v they_o if_o he_o make_v but_o use_v of_o they_o although_o therefore_o the_o natural_a man_n can_v saving_o apprehend_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v so_o much_o rational_a evidence_n go_v along_o with_o divine_a revelation_n that_o suppose_v reason_n to_o be_v pure_a and_o not_o corrupt_v and_o steep_v in_o sense_n as_o now_o it_o be_v it_o will_v discover_v spiritual_a evidence_n to_o be_v the_o most_o real_a and_o convince_a evidence_n thus_o far_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o where_o there_o be_v any_o infallible_a testimony_n there_o be_v sufficient_a rational_a evidence_n go_v along_o with_o it_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v from_o god_n chap._n ix_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n from_o miracle_n the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n appear_v from_o god_n and_o providence_n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n by_o they_o god_n alone_o can_v real_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n the_o devil_n power_n of_o work_a miracle_n consider_v of_o simon_n magus_n apollonius_n the_o cure_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o aesculapius_n at_o rome_n etc._n etc._n god_n never_o work_v miracle_n but_o for_o some_o particular_a end_n the_o particular_a reason_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ._n the_o repeal_n the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o miracle_n why_o christ_n check_v the_o pharisee_n for_o demand_v a_o sign_n when_o himself_o appeal_v to_o his_o miracle_n the_o power_n of_o christ_n miracle_n on_o many_o who_o do_v not_o thorough_o believe_v christ_n miracle_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n because_o the_o prediction_n be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o why_o john_n baptist_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n christ_n miracle_n necessary_a for_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n kingdom_n of_o the_o daemoniack_n and_o lunatic_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o power_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n over_o they_o large_o prove_v by_o several_a testimony_n the_o evidence_n thence_o of_o a_o divine_a power_n in_o christ._n of_o counterfeit_a dispossession_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v among_o infidel_n of_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o the_o propagation_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o prove_v from_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o publisher_n and_o the_o success_n of_o the_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n know_v the_o hazard_n of_o their_o employment_n before_o they_o enter_v on_o it_o the_o boldness_n and_o resolution_n of_o the_o apostle_n notwithstanding_o this_o compare_v with_o heathen_a philosopher_n no_o motive_n can_v carry_v the_o apostle_n through_o their_o employment_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n not_o seek_v the_o honour_n profit_n or_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n the_o apostle_n evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n lie_v in_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n and_o resurrection_n that_o attest_v by_o themselves_o their_o sufficiency_n thence_o for_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n contrariety_n of_o it_o to_o natural_a inclination_n strange_a success_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o it_o come_v not_o with_o humane_a power_n no_o christian_a emperor_n till_o the_o gospel_n universal_o preach_v the_o weakness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o instrument_n which_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o all_o which_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v prove_v of_o all_o rational_a evidence_n which_o tend_v to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n there_o can_v be_v none_o great_a than_o 5._o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n for_o confirmation_n that_o the_o testimony_n which_o be_v reveal_v be_v infallible_a the_o possibility_n of_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n can_v be_v question_v by_o any_o who_o assert_v a_o deity_n and_o a_o providence_n for_o by_o the_o same_o power_n that_o thing_n be_v either_o at_o first_o produce_v or_o be_v still_o conserve_v which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o the_o other_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v alter_v and_o thing_n cause_v which_o be_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o inferior_a cause_n for_o though_o that_o be_v a_o immutable_a law_n of_o nature_n as_o to_o physical_a being_n that_o every_o thing_n remain_v in_o the_o course_n and_o order_n wherein_o it_o be_v set_v at_o the_o creation_n yet_o that_o only_o hold_v till_o the_o same_o power_n which_o set_v it_o in_o that_o order_n shall_v otherwise_o dispose_v of_o it_o grant_v then_o the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n the_o subject_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v that_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n which_o will_v appear_v from_o these_o follow_a consideration_n god_n alone_o can_v real_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n i_o speak_v 1._o not_o of_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v apt_a only_o to_o raise_v admiration_n in_o we_o because_o of_o our_o unacquaintedness_n with_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o or_o manner_n of_o their_o production_n which_o be_v thence_o call_v wonder_n much_o less_o of_o mere_a juggle_v and_o imposture_n whereby_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n be_v deceive_v but_o i_o speak_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v in_o themselves_o either_o contrary_n to_o or_o above_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n i._n e._n that_o order_n which_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o universe_n the_o devil_n no_o question_n may_v and_o do_v often_o deceive_v the_o world_n and_o may_v by_o the_o subtlety_n and_o agility_n of_o his_o nature_n perform_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v amuse_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o sometime_o put_v they_o to_o it_o to_o find_v a_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o real_a miracle_n if_o they_o only_o make_v their_o sense_n judge_n of_o they_o and_o such_o kind_n of_o wonder_n though_o they_o be_v but_o spare_o do_v and_o with_o a_o kind_n of_o secrecy_n as_o though_o they_o be_v consult_v with_o catiline_n about_o the_o burn_a rome_n yet_o the_o devil_n will_v have_v some_o especial_o when_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n be_v ascendant_n to_o keep_v up_o his_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n or_o else_o when_o he_o be_v like_a to_o be_v dispossess_v and_o throw_v out_o of_o all_o he_o than_o try_v his_o utmost_a to_o keep_v as_o many_o to_o he_o as_o may_v be_v thus_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n appear_v in_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n he_o then_o conjure_v up_o all_o the_o infernal_a power_n to_o do_v something_o parallel_v to_o keep_v possession_n of_o his_o idolatrous_a temple_n as_o long_o as_o he_o can_v thus_o we_o find_v simon_n magus_n dog_v the_o apostle_n as_o it_o be_v at_o the_o heel_n that_o by_o his_o magic_n he_o may_v stagger_v the_o faith_n of_o people_n concern_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n after_o he_o apollonius_n appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n but_o his_o wonder_n be_v such_o pitiful_a thing_n compare_v with_o those_o wrought_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n that_o it_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o malice_n in_o hierocles_n to_o mention_v he_o in_o competition_n with_o christ._n but_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o considerable_a then_o either_o of_o these_o be_v the_o cure_n of_o a_o blind_a man_n by_o vespasian_n in_o egypt_n 7._o mention_v by_o tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o palpable_a imitation_n of_o our_o saviour_n cure_v the_o blind_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o man_n tell_v vespasian_n restituturum_fw-la oculos_fw-la si_fw-la inspuisset_fw-la that_o he_o shall_v receive_v his_o sight_n by_o his_o spittle_n so_o spartianus_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o woman_n that_o be_v cure_v of_o her_o blindness_n by_o kiss_v the_o knee_n of_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n and_o boxhornius_n have_v produce_v a_o old_a fable_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o
be_v convert_v from_o plato_n to_o christ_n and_o then_o find_v that_o true_a which_o he_o speak_v of_o in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n that_o after_o all_o his_o inquiry_n into_o philosophy_n speak_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o find_v this_o at_o last_o to_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a par._n and_o profitable_a philosophy_n and_o when_o trypho_n after_o deride_v he_o as_o a_o man_n of_o very_o easy_a faith_n who_o will_v leave_v the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n for_o that_o of_o christ_n for_o it_o seem_v by_o he_o the_o jew_n than_o have_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o the_o state_n of_o platonist_n then_o christian_n justin_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v move_v with_o such_o reproach_n that_o he_o tell_v he_o he_o will_v undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v to_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o christian_n do_v not_o give_v credit_n to_o empty_a fable_n and_o unprovable_a assertion_n but_o to_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o be_v full_a of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n and_o power_n and_o flourish_v with_o grace_n the_o prove_v of_o which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o that_o discourse_n at_o alexandria_n we_o meet_v with_o a_o succession_n of_o excellent_a person_n all_o which_o be_v not_o only_a embracer_n themselves_o but_o defender_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o set_v aside_o there_o abilius_n justus_n cerdo_n eumenes_n marcus_n celadion_n agrippinus_n julianus_n demetrius_n and_o other_o who_o flourish_v about_o the_o second_o century_n i_o shall_v only_o fix_v on_o those_o person_n who_o be_v famous_a enquirer_n after_o truth_n and_o note_v for_o excellency_n in_o heathen_a learning_n yet_o these_o person_n after_o all_o their_o inquiry_n find_v nothing_o to_o fix_v on_o but_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o value_v no_o other_o discovery_n of_o truth_n in_o comparison_n with_o that_o such_o be_v pantaenus_n who_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v a_o excellent_a stoic_a before_o he_o become_v a_o christian_a and_o be_v after_o so_o eminent_a a_o one_o that_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o apostle_n he_o wenâ—_n into_o india_n to_o convert_v the_o inhabitant_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o at_o his_o return_n be_v make_v rector_n of_o the_o school_n at_o alexandria_n which_o as_o the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o be_v much_o frequent_v by_o such_o who_o be_v 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d well_o skill_v in_o humane_a as_o well_o as_o divine_a learning_n how_o excellent_a pantaenus_n be_v in_o 20._o humane_a learning_n may_v appear_v in_o that_o origen_n and_o hierome_n both_o make_v his_o example_n their_o plea_n for_o the_o study_v of_o it_o after_o he_o succeed_v clemens_n alexandrinus_n pantaenus_n his_o scholar_n a_o person_n of_o great_a depth_n of_o learning_n and_o exquisite_o skill_v in_o all_o heathen_a antiquity_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o remain_a write_n the_o learning_n of_o origen_n be_v sufficient_o know_v which_o be_v in_o such_o great_a reputation_n in_o his_o own_o time_n that_o not_o only_a christian_n 18._o but_o philosopher_n flock_v to_o his_o lecture_n at_o alexandria_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o wherein_o he_o read_v the_o mathematics_n and_o other_o part_n of_o philosophy_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o same_o author_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o philosopher_n do_v dedicate_v their_o book_n to_o he_o and_o sometime_o choose_v he_o as_o arbitrator_n between_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o dispute_n and_o porphyry_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o christian_n vouchsafe_v a_o high_a encomium_fw-la of_o origen_n for_o his_o excellent_a learning_n in_o origen_n time_n heraclas_n a_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n for_o five_o year_n together_o frequent_v the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o put_v on_o the_o philosophic_a pallium_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 20._o be_v very_o conversant_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o grecian_a learning_n beside_o these_o we_o read_v of_o pierius_n and_o achillas_n two_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 35._o as_o nicephorus_n callistus_n speak_v person_n well_o skill_v in_o the_o grecian_a learning_n and_o philosophy_n if_o from_o alexandria_n we_o go_v to_o caesarea_n there_o we_o not_o only_o meet_v with_o a_o school_n of_o learning_n among_o the_o christian_n but_o with_o person_n very_o eminent_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n such_o be_v the_o famous_a pamphilus_n and_o eusebius_n so_o great_a a_o admirer_n of_o he_o that_o ever_o since_o he_o be_v call_v eusebius_n pamphili_n at_o antioch_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o nicephorus_n 35._o speak_v a_o person_n verse_v in_o all_o kind_n of_o ingenuous_a literature_n anatclius_fw-la bishop_n of_o laodicea_n one_o verse_v in_o geometry_n astronomy_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o philosophy_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o 36._o christ._n thus_o we_o see_v how_o in_o those_o early_a day_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n what_o excellent_a person_n many_o of_o those_o be_v who_o be_v zealous_a professor_n of_o christianity_n and_o concern_v those_o of_o the_o latin_a church_n i_o shall_v only_o mention_v that_o speech_n of_o st._n austin_n who_o be_v himself_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o a_o star_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n among_o they_o nun_n aspicimus_fw-la quanto_fw-la auro_fw-la &_o argento_fw-la &_o uâ—ste_fw-la sâ—ffarcinatus_fw-la exierit_fw-la de_fw-fr 40._o aegypto_n cyprian's_n doctor_a suavissimus_fw-la &_o martyr_n beatissimus_fw-la quanto_fw-la lactantius_n quanto_fw-la victorinus_n optatus_n hilarius_n ut_fw-la de_fw-fr vivis_fw-la taceam_fw-la quanto_fw-la innumerabiles_fw-la graeci_fw-la quod_fw-la prio_fw-la ipse_fw-la fidelissimus_fw-la dei_fw-la servus_n moses_n fecerat_fw-la de_fw-la quo_fw-la scriptum_n est_fw-la quod_fw-la eruditus_fw-la fuerit_fw-la omni_fw-la sapientia_fw-la aegyptiorum_n to_o who_o catalogue_n of_o learned_a person_n among_o the_o latin_a christian_n tertullian_n arnobius_n and_o several_a other_o may_v be_v deserve_o add_v but_o as_o st._n austin_n there_o well_o observe_v though_o the_o israclite_n go_v rich_a out_o of_o egypt_n yet_o it_o be_v their_o eat_v the_o passover_n which_o save_v they_o from_o destruction_n so_o though_o these_o be_v accomplish_v with_o those_o perfection_n and_o riches_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o ornament_n of_o learning_n yet_o it_o be_v their_o eat_v the_o true_a passover_n which_o be_v christ_n by_o their_o adhere_n to_o his_o doctrine_n be_v that_o which_o will_v be_v of_o more_o advantage_n to_o they_o than_o all_o their_o accomplishment_n will_v be_v now_o then_o since_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o find_v not_o only_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o person_n of_o great_a integrity_n and_o sobriety_n in_o their_o life_n embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o so_o many_o person_n that_o be_v curious_a enquirer_n after_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n we_o can_v certain_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o distrust_v such_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v receive_v in_o so_o unanimous_a a_o manner_n by_o person_n as_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o as_o fearful_a of_o be_v deceive_v in_o reference_n to_o they_o as_o any_o now_o in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v 2._o as_o this_o testimony_n be_v receive_v by_o person_n inquisitive_a after_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n so_o the_o doctrine_n convey_v by_o it_o be_v a_o 19_o matter_n of_o the_o high_a moment_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o person_n ordinary_o inquisitive_a about_o other_o thing_n will_v be_v more_o then_o ordinary_o so_o about_o this_o because_o their_o eternal_a welfare_n and_o happiness_n do_v depend_v upon_o it_o all_o person_n that_o be_v true_o religious_a must_v at_o least_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v person_n very_o inquisitive_a after_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o their_o soul_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v dislodge_v from_o their_o body_n and_o if_o we_o do_v but_o grant_v this_o can_v we_o in_o any_o reason_n think_v that_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o person_n in_o so_o many_o age_n shall_v continue_v venture_v their_o soul_n upon_o a_o testimony_n which_o they_o have_v no_o assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o and_o that_o none_o of_o all_o these_o person_n though_o man_n otherwise_o rational_a and_o judicious_a shall_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o that_o doctrine_n they_o go_v upon_o if_o at_o least_o any_o upon_o consideration_n of_o it_o can_v imagine_v it_o to_o be_v so_o it_o be_v not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o general_a presumption_n of_o humane_a nature_n concern_v divine_a providence_n and_o the_o care_n god_n take_v of_o the_o welfare_n of_o man_n to_o suffer_v so_o many_o person_n who_o sincere_o desire_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o the_o way_n which_o be_v most_o please_a to_o he_o to_o go_v on_o in_o such_o a_o continual_a delusion_n and_o never_o have_v it_o at_o all_o discover_v to_o they_o if_o all_o than_o who_o
conviction_n shall_v stick_v so_o fast_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o will_v fain_o pull_v out_o those_o pierce_a arrow_n but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a power_n in_o they_o then_o they_o be_v mnster_n of_o and_o they_o can_v stand_v against_o the_o force_n whereby_o they_o come_v upon_o they_o nor_o find_v any_o salve_n to_o cure_v the_o wound_n which_o be_v make_v within_o they_o but_o by_o those_o weapon_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o wicked_a person_n under_o conflict_n of_o conscience_n can_v ease_v themselves_o by_o direct_a atheism_n or_o find_v reason_n to_o cast_v off_o such_o conviction_n by_o discern_v any_o invalidity_n in_o the_o testimony_n whereon_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n depend_v it_o be_v a_o certain_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v abundant_a truth_n in_o that_o testimony_n when_o man_n will_v fain_o persuade_v themselves_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_a and_o yet_o can_v 5._o the_o truth_n of_o this_o consent_n appear_v from_o the_o unanimity_n of_o it_o among_o those_o person_n who_o have_v yet_o strange_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o in_o many_o controversy_n in_o religion_n we_o see_v thereby_o this_o unanimity_n be_v no_o force_a or_o design_v thing_n because_o we_o see_v the_o person_n agree_v in_o this_o do_v very_o much_o disagree_v from_o each_o other_o in_o other_o thing_n and_o the_o same_o ground_n and_o reason_n whereon_o they_o disagree_v as_o to_o other_o thing_n will_v have_v hold_v as_o to_o these_o too_o be_v there_o not_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n then_o of_o those_o they_o fall_v out_o about_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o become_v a_o question_n among_o those_o who_o differ_v so_o much_o about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n whether_o the_o scripture_n its_o self_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n although_o the_o very_a account_n on_o which_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v so_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o no_o mean_a controversy_n all_o the_o divide_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n do_v yet_o full_o agree_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o he_o do_v many_o great_a miracle_n that_o he_o die_v on_o the_o cross_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a now_o these_o contain_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o therefore_o the_o multitude_n of_o other_o controversy_n in_o the_o world_n ought_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o weaken_v our_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o man_n of_o weak_a judgement_n and_o atheistical_a spirit_n preâ—end_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o strong_a confirmation_n of_o it_o when_o we_o see_v person_n which_o so_o peevish_o quarrel_v with_o each_o other_o about_o some_o inferior_a and_o less_o weighty_a part_n of_o religion_n do_v yet_o unanimous_o consent_v in_o the_o principal_a foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o such_o whereon_o the_o necessity_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n as_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n do_v more_o immediate_o depend_v and_o this_o may_v be_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o the_o infinite_o wise_a god_n may_v suffer_v such_o lamentable_a contention_n and_o division_n to_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o thereby_o inquisitive_a person_n may_v see_v that_o if_o religion_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a design_n of_o some_o few_o politic_a person_n the_o quarrelsome_a world_n where_o it_o be_v not_o hold_v in_o by_o force_n will_v never_o have_v consent_v so_o long_o in_o the_o own_n such_o common_a principle_n which_o all_o the_o other_o controversy_n be_v build_v upon_o and_o although_o it_o be_v continual_o see_v that_o in_o divide_a party_n one_o be_v apt_a to_o run_v from_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o other_o and_o man_n general_o think_v they_o can_v never_o run_v far_o enough_o from_o they_o who_o error_n they_o have_v discover_v that_o yet_o this_o principle_n have_v not_o carry_v any_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n out_o of_o their_o indignation_n against_o those_o great_a corruption_n which_o have_v creep_v into_o the_o world_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o disow_v the_o foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n must_v be_v â—artly_o impute_v to_o the_o signal_n hand_n of_o divine_a providence_n and_o partly_o to_o those_o strong_a evidence_n which_o there_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o testimony_n which_o convey_v to_o uâ—_n the_o foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n thus_o we_o see_v now_o how_o great_a and_o uncontrolled_a this_o consent_n be_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n deliver_v down_o from_o the_o eye-witness_n of_o they_o concern_v the_o action_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o authentical_a record_n of_o they_o and_o what_o a_o sure_a foundation_n there_o be_v for_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o so_o universal_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n thus_o far_o we_o have_v now_o manifest_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o miracle_n 20._o of_o christ_n in_o order_n to_o the_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o propagate_v it_o in_o the_o world_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v be_v the_o admirable_a success_n which_o the_o gospel_n meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n upon_o its_o be_v preach_v to_o it_o of_o whâ—ch_n no_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v unless_o the_o action_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v most_o undoubted_o true_a that_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n have_v very_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a success_n upon_o its_o first_o preach_v have_v be_v partly_o discover_v already_o and_o be_v withal_o so_o plain_a from_o the_o long_a continuance_n of_o it_o in_o these_o european_a part_n that_o none_o any_o way_n conversant_a in_o the_o history_n of_o former_a age_n can_v have_v any_o ground_n to_o question_v it_o but_o that_o this_o strange_a and_o admirable_a success_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v a_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o it_o will_v appear_v from_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n its_o self_n be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o the_o world_n 2._o that_o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o be_v so_o much_o oppose_v by_o all_o worldly_a power_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n its_o self_n be_v so_o opposite_a to_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o the_o world_n the_o doctrine_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o as_o to_o its_o credenda_fw-la or_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o as_o to_o its_o agenda_fw-la or_o matter_n of_o life_n and_o practice_n both_o these_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o world_n the_o former_a seem_v hard_a and_o incredible_a the_o latter_a harsh_a and_o impossible_a 1._o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v by_o the_o world_n be_v not_o such_o thing_n which_o we_o may_v imagine_v the_o vulgar_a sort_n of_o man_n will_v be_v very_o forward_o to_o run_v after_o nor_o very_o greedy_a to_o embrace_v 1._o because_o contrary_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o education_n and_o the_o religion_n they_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o 1._o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v very_o tenacious_a of_o those_o principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la which_o be_v suck_v in_o in_o the_o time_n of_o infancy_n there_o be_v some_o religion_n one_o will_v think_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o rational_a man_n shall_v believe_v they_o but_o only_o on_o this_o account_n because_o they_o be_v breed_v up_o under_o they_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a advantage_n any_o religion_n have_v against_o another_o that_o it_o come_v to_o speak_v first_o and_o thereby_o insinuate_v such_o a_o apprehension_n of_o its_o self_n to_o the_o mind_n that_o it_o be_v very_o hard_o remove_v it_o afterward_o the_o understanding_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v communis_fw-la juris_fw-la and_o therefore_o primi_fw-la sunt_fw-la possidentis_fw-la when_o a_o opinion_n have_v once_o get_v possession_n of_o the_o mind_n it_o usual_o keep_v out_o whatever_o come_v to_o disturb_v it_o now_o we_o can_v otherwise_o conceive_v but_o all_o those_o person_n who_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o under_o paganism_n and_o the_o most_o gross_a idolatry_n must_v needs_o have_v a_o very_a potent_a prejudice_n against_o such_o a_o doctrine_n which_o be_v whole_o irreconcilable_a with_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v be_v devote_v to_o now_o the_o strong_a the_o prejudice_n be_v which_o be_v convey_v into_o man_n mind_n by_o the_o force_n of_o education_n the_o great_a strength_n and_o power_n must_v there_o needs_o be_v in_o
aut_fw-la sine_fw-la deo_fw-la corum_fw-la tantas_fw-la animorum_fw-la ficri_fw-la conversiones_fw-la ut_fw-la cum_fw-la carnisices_fw-la unci_fw-la aliique_fw-la innumeri_fw-la cruciatus_fw-la quemadmodum_fw-la diximus_fw-la impendeant_fw-la credituris_fw-la uâ—luti_fw-la quadam_fw-la dulcedine_fw-la atque_fw-la omnium_fw-la virtutum_fw-la amore_fw-la correpti_fw-la cognitas_fw-la accipiant_fw-la rationes_fw-la atque_fw-la mundi_fw-la omnibus_fw-la rebus_fw-la praeponant_fw-la amicitias_fw-la christi_fw-la that_o no_o fear_n penalty_n or_o torment_n be_v able_a to_o mâ—ke_v a_o christian_a alter_v his_o profession_n but_o he_o will_v rather_o bid_v adieu_o to_o his_o life_n then_o to_o his_o saviour_n this_o origen_n likewise_o frequent_o take_v notice_n of_o when_o celsus_n 110._o have_v object_v the_o novelty_n of_o christianity_n the_o more_o wonderful_a it_o be_v say_v origen_n that_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n it_o shall_v so_o large_o spread_v its_o self_n in_o the_o world_n for_o if_o the_o cure_n of_o man_n body_n be_v not_o wrought_v without_o divine_a providence_n how_o much_o less_o the_o cure_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o soul_n which_o have_v be_v convert_v at_o once_o to_o humanity_n and_o christianity_n especial_o when_o all_o the_o pour_v of_o the_o world_n be_v from_o the_o first_o engage_v to_o hinder_v the_o progress_n of_o this_o doctrine_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o opposition_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n of_o god_n prevail_v as_o not_o be_v able_a to_o be_v stop_v by_o man_n and_o become_v master_n over_o all_o its_o enemy_n and_o not_o only_o spread_v its_o self_n quite_o through_o greece_n but_o through_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o convert_v a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o soul_n to_o the_o true_a worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n thus_o we_o have_v now_o manifest_v from_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n what_o evidence_n there_o be_v of_o a_o divine_a power_n accompany_v of_o it_o and_o how_o useful_a the_o first_o miracle_n be_v in_o order_n to_o it_o chap._n x._o the_o difference_n of_o true_a miracle_n from_o false_a the_o unreasonableness_n of_o reject_v the_o evidence_n from_o miracle_n because_o of_o imposture_n that_o there_o be_v certain_a rule_n of_o distinguish_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a and_o divine_a from_o diabolical_a prove_v from_o god_n intention_n in_o give_v a_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n the_o inconvenience_n of_o take_v away_o the_o rational_a ground_n of_o faith_n and_o place_v it_o on_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o that_o for_o resolve_v the_o question_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o pretend_a miracle_n of_o impostor_n and_o false_a christ_n as_o barchochelas_n david_n el-david_n and_o other_o the_o rule_n whereby_o to_o judge_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a 1._o true_o divine_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n no_o miracle_n necessary_a for_o the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n prove_v from_o the_o evidence_n that_o the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v 2._o no_o miracle_n divine_a which_o contradict_v divine_a revelation_n of_o popish_a miracle_n 3._o divine_a miracle_n leave_v divine_a effect_n on_o those_o who_o believe_v they_o of_o the_o miracle_n of_o simon_n magus_n 4._o divine_a miracle_n tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n power_n in_o the_o world_n the_o antipathy_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o devil_n design_n in_o the_o world_n 5._o the_o distinction_n of_o true_a miracle_n from_o other_o from_o the_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o operation_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n compare_v with_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_a go_n 6._o god_n make_v it_o evident_a to_o all_o impartial_a judgement_n that_o divine_a miracle_n exceed_v create_v power_n this_o manifest_v from_o the_o unparallelled_a miracle_n of_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n from_o all_o which_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v manifest_v as_o to_o the_o person_n who_o god_n employ_v to_o teach_v the_o world_n have_v thus_o far_o state_v the_o case_n wherein_o miracle_n may_v 1_o just_o be_v expect_v as_o a_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o the_o person_n who_o god_n employ_v by_o way_n of_o peculiar_a message_n to_o the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o discourse_n manifest_v the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o only_a remain_a question_n concern_v this_o subject_n be_v how_o we_o may_v certain_o distinguish_v true_a and_o real_a miracle_n from_o such_o as_o be_v only_o pretend_v and_o counterfeit_a for_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o there_o have_v be_v imposture_n and_o delusion_n in_o the_o world_n as_o real_a miracle_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n will_v be_v whole_o to_o seek_v when_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n as_o a_o argument_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o those_o person_n who_o do_v they_o unless_o a_o way_n be_v find_v out_o to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o each_o other_o but_o if_o we_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o unless_o man_n through_o weakness_n of_o judgement_n or_o incogitancy_n deceive_v themselves_o they_o may_v have_v certain_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o miracle_n than_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o want_v as_o to_o the_o establishment_n of_o their_o mind_n in_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o they_o there_o have_v be_v nothing_o which_o have_v make_v man_n of_o better_a affection_n than_o understanding_n so_o ready_a to_o suspect_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o evidence_n from_o miracle_n concern_v divine_a testimony_n as_o the_o multitude_n of_o imposture_n in_o the_o world_n under_o the_o name_n of_o miracle_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n its_o self_n tell_v we_o we_o must_v not_o hearken_v to_o such_o as_o come_v with_o lie_v wonder_n but_o may_v we_o not_o therefore_o safe_o rely_v on_o such_o miracle_n which_o we_o have_v certain_a evidence_n can_v not_o be_v wrought_v but_o by_o divine_a power_n because_o forsooth_o the_o devil_n may_v sometime_o abuse_v the_o ignorance_n and_o credulity_n of_o unwary_a man_n or_o be_v it_o because_o the_o scripture_n forbid_v we_o to_o believe_v such_o as_o shall_v come_v with_o a_o pretence_n of_o miracle_n therefore_o we_o can_v rely_v on_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n himself_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v because_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o must_v not_o believe_v every_o spirit_n therefore_o we_o must_v believe_v none_o at_o all_o or_o because_o we_o must_v not_o entertain_v any_o other_o doctrine_n beside_o the_o gospel_n therefore_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o for_o the_o ground_n whereby_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n be_v divine_a and_o therefore_o his_o doctrine_n true_a be_v because_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o such_o miracle_n as_o he_o do_v now_o if_o that_o argument_n be_v insufficient_a which_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o great_a evidence_n of_o christ_n be_v send_v from_o god_n we_o can_v give_v ourselves_o a_o sufficient_a account_n in_o point_n of_o evidence_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a but_o the_o only_a rational_a pretence_n of_o any_o scruple_n in_o this_o case_n must_v be_v a_o suppose_a uncertainty_n in_o our_o rule_n of_o judge_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o note_n of_o difference_n whereby_o to_o know_v divine_a miracle_n from_o delusion_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o imposture_n of_o the_o devil_n i_o must_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v a_o apparent_a insufficiency_n in_o the_o evidence_n from_o miracle_n but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o certain_a rule_n of_o proceed_v in_o this_o case_n we_o be_v to_o blame_v nothing_o but_o our_o incredulity_n if_o we_o be_v not_o satisfy_v by_o they_o for_o the_o full_a clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v first_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o may_v be_v certain_a evidence_n find_v out_o whereby_o we_o may_v know_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a and_o divine_a from_o diabolical_a and_o second_o inquire_v into_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o main_a note_n of_o difference_n between_o they_o first_o that_o there_o may_v be_v certain_a evidence_n whereby_o to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o miracle_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o difference_n ex_fw-la parte_fw-la râ—i_fw-la between_o miracle_n and_o those_o call_v wonder_n as_o that_o the_o one_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o create_a agent_n and_o the_o other_o do_v not_o for_o this_o leave_v the_o enquir_a as_o far_o to_o
seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o ever_o for_o grant_v that_o a_o divine_a power_n be_v see_v in_o one_o and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v still_o dissatisfy_v unless_o it_o can_v be_v make_v evident_a to_o he_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v from_o divine_a power_n and_o other_o can_v be_v now_o the_o main_a distinction_n be_v place_v here_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n abstract_o consider_v and_o not_o as_o they_o bear_v any_o evidence_n to_o our_o understanding_n in_o stead_n of_o resolve_v doubt_n it_o increase_v more_o for_o as_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o magician_n rod_n turn_v into_o scrpent_n as_o well_o as_o moses_n his_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v this_o yield_v to_o any_o spectator_n to_o tell_v he_o that_o in_o the_o one_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a power_n and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o some_o evidence_n from_o the_o thing_n that_o the_o one_o be_v a_o mere_a imposture_n and_o the_o other_o a_o real_a alteration_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o i_o take_v it_o then_o for_o grant_v that_o no_o general_a discourse_n concern_v the_o formal_a difference_n of_o miracle_n and_o wonder_n consider_v in_o themselves_o can_v afford_v any_o rational_a satisfaction_n to_o a_o inquisitive_a mind_n that_o which_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o give_v it_o must_v be_v something_o which_o may_v be_v discern_v by_o any_o judicious_a and_o considerative_a person_n and_o that_o god_n never_o give_v to_o any_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n but_o he_o give_v some_o such_o ground_n of_o satisfaction_n concern_v they_o will_v appear_v upon_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o from_o god_n intention_n in_o give_v to_o any_o this_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n we_o have_v large_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o end_n of_o true_a miracle_n be_v to_o be_v a_o confirmation_n to_o the_o world_n of_o the_o divine_a commission_n of_o the_o person_n who_o have_v it_o and_o that_o the_o testimony_n be_v divine_a which_o be_v confirm_v by_o it_o now_o if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o know_v when_o miracle_n be_v true_a or_o false_a this_o power_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n at_o all_o for_o man_n be_v as_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o therefore_o if_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o person_n bring_v it_o as_o a_o evidence_n of_o it_o they_o must_v have_v some_o assurance_n that_o these_o miracle_n can_v not_o come_v from_o any_o but_o a_o divine_a power_n 2._o from_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n which_o if_o we_o own_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v permit_v the_o devil_n who_o only_a design_n be_v to_o ruin_v mankind_n to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o world_n so_o far_o as_o to_o have_v his_o lie_a wonder_n pass_v uncontrolled_a which_o they_o must_v do_v if_o nothing_o can_v be_v find_v out_o as_o a_o certain_a difference_n between_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v only_o of_o diabolical_a and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o divine_a power_n if_o then_o it_o may_v be_v discover_v that_o there_o be_v a_o malignant_a spirit_n which_o act_n in_o the_o world_n and_o do_v produce_v strange_a thing_n either_o we_o must_v impute_v all_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o which_o must_v be_v to_o attribute_v to_o he_o a_o infinite_a power_n or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a which_o cross_v this_o malignant_a spirit_n in_o his_o design_n and_o if_o so_o we_o can_v imagine_v he_o shall_v suffer_v he_o to_o usurp_v so_o much_o tyranny_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o to_o make_v those_o thing_n pass_v in_o the_o more_o sober_a and_o inquisitive_a part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o divine_a miracle_n which_o be_v only_a counterfeit_n and_o imposture_n if_o then_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v so_o deep_o engage_v in_o the_o discover_v the_o design_n of_o satan_n there_o must_v be_v some_o mean_n of_o this_o discovery_n and_o that_o mean_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v no_o other_o in_o this_o case_n but_o some_o rational_a and_o satisfactory_a evidence_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v when_o strange_a and_o miraculous_a thing_n be_v do_v by_o satan_n to_o deceive_v man_n and_o when_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n but_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a say_v some_o that_o miracle_n shall_v be_v 2._o any_o ground_n on_o which_o to_o believe_v a_o testimony_n divine_a when_o christ_n himself_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n and_o shall_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n in_o 24._o so_o much_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o shall_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect_a and_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o come_n of_o antichrist_n will_v be_v with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n how_o then_o can_v 9_o we_o fix_v on_o miracle_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a testimony_n when_o we_o see_v they_o be_v common_a to_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n and_o may_v seal_v indifferent_o either_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o do_v no_o small_a disservice_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o upon_o such_o weak_a and_o frivolous_a pretence_n they_o give_v so_o great_a a_o advantage_n to_o infidelity_n as_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o validity_n of_o that_o which_o yield_v so_o ample_a a_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o if_o once_o the_o rational_a ground_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o whole_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v lay_v on_o thing_n not_o only_o deride_v by_o man_n of_o atheistical_a spirit_n but_o in_o themselves_o such_o as_o can_v be_v discern_v or_o judge_v of_o by_o any_o but_o themselves_o upon_o what_o ground_n can_v we_o proceed_v to_o convince_v a_o unbeliever_n that_o the_o doctrine_n which_o we_o believe_v be_v true_a if_o they_o tell_v he_o that_o as_o light_v and_o fire_n manifest_v themselves_o so_o do_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o those_o who_o believe_v it_o it_o will_v be_v soon_o reply_v that_o self-evidence_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n can_v imply_v nothing_o but_o either_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o mind_n concern_v the_o thing_n propound_v or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o thing_n it_o self_n that_o none_o who_o free_o use_v their_o reason_n can_v deny_v it_o the_o first_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n to_o any_o other_o person_n any_o further_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o person_n who_o declare_v it_o to_o have_v such_o self-evidence_n to_o he_o do_v extend_v its_o self_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o other_o and_o to_o one_o self_n it_o seem_v a_o strange_a way_n of_o argue_v i_o believe_v the_o scripture_n because_o they_o be_v true_a and_o they_o be_v true_a because_o i_o believe_v they_o for_o self-evidence_n imply_v so_o much_o if_o by_o it_o be_v mean_v the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a but_o if_o by_o self-evidence_n be_v further_a mean_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o matter_n propound_v that_o all_o who_o do_v consider_v it_o must_v believe_v it_o i_o then_o further_o inquire_v whether_o this_o evidence_n do_v lie_v in_o the_o nâ—ked_a proposal_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o the_o understanding_n and_o if_o so_o than_o every_o one_o who_o assent_v to_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n must_v likewise_o assent_v to_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o whether_o do_v the_o evidence_n lie_v not_o in_o the_o naked_a proposal_n but_o in_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v then_o 1._o the_o self-evidence_n be_v take_v off_o from_o the_o write_a word_n which_o be_v the_o object_n and_o remove_v to_o a_o quite_o different_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n 2._o whether_o then_o any_o person_n who_o want_v this_o efficacious_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v or_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v god_n word_n if_o they_o be_v bind_v the_o duty_n must_v be_v propound_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n but_o if_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n lie_v on_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n than_o such_o as_o want_v this_o can_v have_v none_o at_o all_o but_o if_o â—astly_a by_o this_o self-evidence_n be_v mean_v
who_o it_o be_v very_o frequent_a who_o worship_v the_o devil_n instead_o of_o go_n 2._o because_o of_o the_o general_a dispersion_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o they_o we_o can_v otherwise_o conceive_v but_o that_o record_n contain_v so_o weighty_a and_o important_a thing_n will_v be_v transcribe_v by_o all_o those_o church_n which_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o we_o see_v how_o far_o curiosity_n will_v carry_v man_n as_o to_o the_o care_n of_o transcribe_v ancient_a mss._n of_o old_a author_n which_o contain_v only_o some_o history_n of_o thing_n past_o that_o be_v of_o no_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o can_v we_o then_o imagine_v those_o who_o venture_v estate_n and_o life_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n will_v not_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o authentic_a instrument_n whereby_o they_o be_v reveal_v in_o a_o certain_a way_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o beside_o this_o for_o a_o long_a time_n the_o original_n themselves_o of_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o church_n which_o make_v tertullian_n in_o his_o time_n appeal_v to_o they_o age_fw-la jam_fw-la qui_fw-la voles_fw-fr curiositatem_fw-la melius_fw-la exercere_fw-la in_o negotio_fw-la salutis_fw-la tuus_fw-la 36._o percurre_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la apud_fw-la quasipsae_fw-la adhuc_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la suis_fw-la locis_fw-la praesidentur_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la authenticae_fw-la corum_fw-la literae_fw-la recitantur_fw-la sonantes_fw-la vocem_fw-la &_o representantes_fw-la faciem_fw-la uniuscujusque_fw-la now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o in_o that_o time_n the_o scripture_n can_v be_v corrupt_v when_o in_o some_o of_o the_o church_n the_o original_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v preserve_v in_o a_o continual_a succession_n of_o person_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o from_o these_o original_n so_o many_o copy_n be_v transcribe_v as_o be_v convey_v almost_o all_o the_o world_n over_o through_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o copy_n shall_v be_v corrupt_v in_o one_o church_n when_o it_o will_v so_o speedy_o be_v discover_v by_o another_o especial_o consider_v these_o three_o circumstance_n 1._o the_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o copy_n wh_z ch_z will_v speedy_o be_v take_v both_o consider_v the_o moment_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o easiness_n of_o do_v it_o god_n probable_o for_o that_o very_a end_n not_o load_v the_o world_n with_o pandâ—cts_n and_o code_o of_o his_o law_n but_o contrive_v the_o whole_a instrument_n of_o man_n salvation_n in_o so_o narrow_a a_o compass_n that_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o preserve_v and_o transcribe_v by_o such_o who_o be_v passionate_a admirer_n of_o the_o scripture_n 2._o the_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a man_n who_o soon_o spring_v up_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o great_a care_n be_v to_o explain_v and_o vindicate_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v that_o all_o these_o watchman_n shall_v be_v asleep_a together_o when_o the_o â—vil_a one_o come_v to_o sow_v his_o tare_n which_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o in_o the_o write_n of_o all_o these_o learned_a man_n which_o be_v very_o many_o and_o voluminous_a so_o much_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v insert_v that_o have_v there_o be_v corruption_n in_o the_o copy_n themselves_o yet_o compare_v they_o with_o those_o write_n the_o corruption_n will_v be_v soon_o discover_v 3._o the_o great_a veneration_n which_o all_o christian_n have_v of_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o place_v the_o hope_n of_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v these_o will_v suffer_v any_o material_a alteration_n to_o creep_v into_o these_o record_n without_o their_o observe_n and_o discover_v it_o can_v we_o now_o think_v when_o all_o person_n be_v so_o exceed_o careful_a of_o their_o deed_n and_o the_o record_n whereon_o their_o estate_n depend_v that_o the_o christian_n who_o value_v not_o this_o world_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o to_o come_v shall_v suffer_v the_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o that_o to_o be_v lose_v corrupt_a or_o imbezzele_v away_o especial_o consider_v what_o care_n and_o industry_n be_v use_v by_o many_o primitive_a christian_n to_o compare_v copy_n together_o as_o be_v evident_a in_o pantaenus_n who_o bring_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o matthew_n out_o of_o the_o indies_n to_o alexandria_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o in_o pamphilus_n and_o the_o library_n he_o errect_v at_o caesarâ—a_n but_o especial_o in_o origen_n admirable_a hexapla_n which_o be_v main_o intend_v for_o this_o end_n 3._o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v a_o corruption_n of_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n because_o of_o the_o great_a difference_n which_o be_v all_o along_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n between_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v divine_a so_o that_o if_o one_o party_n of_o they_o have_v foist_v in_o or_o take_v out_o any_o thing_n another_o party_n be_v ready_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o tell_v the_o world_n of_o it_o and_o this_o may_v be_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o god_n in_o his_o wise_a providence_n may_v permit_v such_o a_o increase_n of_o heresy_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n viz._n that_o thereby_o christian_n may_v be_v force_v to_o stand_v upon_o their_o guard_n and_o to_o have_v a_o special_a eye_n to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v always_o the_o great_a eyesore_n of_o heretic_n and_o from_o this_o great_a wariness_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v so_o long_o abroad_o before_o they_o find_v general_a entertainment_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n because_o in_o those_o epistle_n which_o be_v doubt_v for_o some_o tâ—me_n there_o be_v some_o passage_n which_o seem_v to_o favour_v some_o of_o the_o heresy_n then_o abroad_o but_o when_o upon_o severe_a enquiry_n they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v what_o they_o pretend_v they_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n 4._o because_o of_o the_o agreement_n between_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n appear_v with_o their_o full_a accomplishment_n in_o the_o new_a which_o we_o have_v so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v the_o new_a shall_v be_v corrupt_v unless_o the_o old_a be_v too_o which_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v the_o great_a conservator_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v all_o along_o the_o most_o inveterate_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_n so_o that_o we_o can_v at_o all_o conceive_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n much_o less_o that_o the_o true_a copy_n shall_v be_v lose_v and_o a_o new_a one_o forge_v suppose_v then_o that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o authentic_a record_n preserve_v and_o hand_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o care_n of_o all_o christian_a 5â—_n church_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n what_o necessity_n can_v we_o imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v work_v new_a miracle_n to_o confirm_v that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v convey_v down_o in_o a_o certain_a uninterrupted_a way_n to_o we_o as_o be_v seâ—led_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a in_o the_o first_o promulgation_n and_o pen_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o reason_n why_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n need_v not_o now_o be_v seal_v by_o new_a miracle_n 2._o another_o may_v be_v because_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n have_v appoint_v other_o thing_n to_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o his_o people_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n such_o be_v outward_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v set_v apart_o to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n towards_o we_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a promise_n contain_v in_o it_o in_o reference_n to_o pardon_v of_o sin_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o inward_o god_n have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n to_o be_v as_o a_o witness_n within_o they_o that_o by_o its_o work_n and_o strengthen_v grace_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o believer_n it_o may_v confirm_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n of_o scripture_n when_o they_o find_v the_o counter_a part_n of_o they_o write_v in_o their_o heart_n by_o the_o singer_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n it_o can_v then_o be_v with_o any_o reason_n at_o all_o suppose_a
the_o testimony_n and_o reason_n 2._o of_o simplicius_n and_o hierocles_n be_v as_o large_a and_o clear_a in_o it_o as_o the_o other_o with_o expression_n much_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 258._o man_n nature_n lie_v between_o those_o being_n which_o perpetual_o contemplate_v gâ—a_n and_o those_o which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o it_o it_o sometime_o ascend_v to_o those_o and_o sometime_o descend_v to_o these_o according_a as_o it_o observe_v or_o reject_v the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o so_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o will_n be_v liable_a to_o take_v upon_o it_o the_o siâ—_n ilituâ—e_v of_o god_n or_o a_o beâ—â—st_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o whoever_o thorough_o consider_v this_o will_v easy_o understand_v how_o man_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o own_o evil_n and_o become_v unhappy_a and_o miserable_a through_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o self_n will_v which_o he_o bring_v in_o by_o way_n of_o explication_n of_o that_o true_o golden_a pythagorean_n verse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d man_n be_v grow_v miserable_a through_o their_o ownfault_n and_o afterward_o hierocles_n excellent_o describe_v the_o nature_n of_o evil_n in_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d both_o our_o natural_a and_o contract_a pravity_n be_v nothing_o elsâ—_n but_o the_o unnatural_a motion_n of_o our_o free_a will_n according_a to_o which_o say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o dare_v to_o contradict_v the_o law_n of_o god_n â—et_o be_v sensible_a how_o much_o we_o injure_v ourselves_o when_o we_o â—o_o it_o and_o only_o look_v at_o this_o that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o cast_v off_o the_o reins_o of_o 〈◊〉_d law_n from_o our_o neck_n and_o he_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a abuse_n of_o liberty_n to_o offend_v god_n â—â—en_o we_o either_o do_v what_o he_o forbid_v or_o neglect_v what_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o on_o both_o side_n man_n bring_v misery_n upon_o themselves_o by_o transgress_v the_o divine_a law_n both_o by_o not_o do_v what_o they_o be_v command_v and_o by_o do_v what_o they_o be_v forbid_v so_o that_o he_o tul_o ascribe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o he_o call_v it_o the_o irregular_a motion_n of_o the_o will_n of_o man_n which_o we_o have_v already_o show_v to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o soul_n recovery_n from_o this_o condition_n in_o order_n to_o her_o felicity_n we_o have_v these_o philosopher_n 3._o express_v their_o consent_n with_o the_o scripture_n porphyrius_n as_o st._n austin_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr regressu_fw-la 33._o animae_fw-la do_v acknowledge_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o way_n of_o recover_a soul_n which_o shall_v be_v universal_a cum_fw-la autem_fw-la dicit_fw-la porphyrius_n nondum_fw-la receptam_fw-la unam_fw-la quandam_fw-la sectam_fw-la quae_fw-la universalem_fw-la viam_fw-la animae_fw-la contineat_fw-la liberandae_fw-la nondumque_fw-la in_o svam_fw-la notitiam_fw-la eandem_fw-la viam_fw-la historiali_fw-la cognition_n perlatam_fw-la proculdubio_fw-la confitetur_fw-la esse_fw-la aliquam_fw-la sed_fw-la nondum_fw-la in_o svam_fw-la venisse_fw-la notitiam_fw-la but_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o purgation_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o order_n to_o its_o felicity_n be_v so_o large_o and_o full_o discourse_v of_o by_o all_o the_o platonist_n and_o pythagorean_n that_o it_o will_v be_v needless_a to_o insist_v upon_o it_o thus_o far_o then_o we_o find_v the_o account_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a in_o scripture_n to_o be_v embrace_v by_o the_o sublimest_n of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n as_o most_o rational_a and_o satisfactory_a which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v neither_o do_v we_o sin_v only_o the_o main_a of_o this_o account_n acknowledge_v as_o rational_a but_o we_o may_v trace_v some_o not_o obscure_a 17._o footstep_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n which_o concern_v the_o fall_n of_o man_n among_o the_o heathen_n such_o as_o the_o devil_n envy_v of_o man_n happiness_n his_o disguise_a himself_o under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n and_o man_n be_v throw_v out_o of_o paradise_n upon_o his_o fall_n 1._o the_o devil_n envy_v the_o happiness_n of_o man_n it_o have_v be_v true_o observe_v by_o a_o learned_a man_n that_o the_o original_n of_o that_o evil_n very_a ancient_a opinion_n among_o the_o heathen_a de_fw-fr inuidia_fw-la daemonis_fw-la have_v its_o rise_n from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n which_o he_o have_v make_v out_o so_o full_o that_o i_o shall_v the_o less_o need_n to_o prove_v it_o and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o undoubted_a tradition_n of_o some_o malignant_a spirit_n which_o envy_v the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o mankind_n appear_v by_o that_o ample_a testimony_n of_o 〈◊〉_d in_o his_o dio_fw-mi mention_v by_o the_o same_o author_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d plutarch_n be_v much_o trouble_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o apparition_n which_o brutus_n and_o dio_n who_o be_v learned_a and_o philosophical_a man_n be_v haunt_v withal_o and_o doubt_v he_o can_v give_v no_o just_a account_n of_o it_o unless_o he_o embrace_v that_o very_o ancient_a tradition_n which_o yet_o seem_v absurd_a and_o incredible_a viz._n that_o there_o be_v certain_a wicked_a and_o malignant_a daemon_n which_o envy_v good_a man_n and_o withstand_v their_o enterprise_n by_o raise_v fear_n and_o trouble_n to_o they_o that_o so_o they_o may_v hinder_v they_o in_o their_o pursuit_n of_o virtue_n lest_o if_o they_o continue_v steadfast_a and_o unmovable_a in_o good_a they_o shall_v be_v at_o last_o partaker_n of_o great_a felicity_n than_o they_o enjoy_v there_o be_v then_o so_o ancient_a a_o tradition_n of_o such_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o learned_a man_n mention_v have_v more_o full_o show_v in_o his_o note_n on_o this_o place_n of_o plutarch_n give_v a_o great_a confirmation_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o the_o scripture_n report_v concern_v the_o devil_n be_v so_o great_a a_o instrument_n in_o procure_v the_o fall_n of_o man_n to_o he_o therefore_o i_o refer_v the_o inquisitive_a reader_n and_o shall_v only_o add_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o he_o cite_v that_o of_o xenocrates_n in_o plutarch_n de_fw-fr i_o side_n &_o osiride_n where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o calamity_n of_o life_n and_o misfortune_n man_n meet_v with_o do_v not_o 361._o agree_v with_o that_o veneration_n which_o we_o have_v for_o the_o deity_n and_o good_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o air_n some_o great_a and_o potent_a being_n which_o be_v of_o a_o surly_a and_o malignant_a nature_n and_o rejoice_v to_o do_v man_n all_o the_o mischief_n they_o can_v jamblichus_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o porphyrius_n concern_v the_o egyptian_a mystery_n undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n 105._o of_o these_o evil_a spirit_n or_o daemon_n and_o that_o from_o they_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a in_o the_o world_n be_v for_o thus_o he_o speak_v as_o he_o be_v translate_v by_o ficinus_fw-la si_fw-la verum_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la de_fw-fr idolis_fw-la dicebamus_fw-la improbisque_fw-la daemonibus_fw-la hinc_fw-la sane_fw-la exoritur_fw-la multiplex_fw-la origo_fw-la malorum_fw-la simulant_fw-la enim_fw-la deorum_fw-la praesentiam_fw-la daemonumque_fw-la bonorum_fw-la ideoque_fw-la 〈◊〉_d suum_fw-la jubent_fw-la esse_fw-la justum_fw-la ut_fw-la ipsi_fw-la videantur_fw-la boni_fw-la sicil_n 〈◊〉_d dii_n quoniam_fw-la vero_fw-la natura_fw-la sunt_fw-la mali_fw-la rogati_fw-la mala_fw-la infer_v libenter_fw-la inferunt_fw-la atque_fw-la nobis_fw-la ad_fw-la injusta_fw-la conducunt_fw-la he_o sunt_fw-la omnino_fw-la qui_fw-la &_o in_fw-la oraculis_fw-la mentiuntur_fw-la &_o fallunt_fw-la &_o turpia_fw-la consulunt_fw-la atque_fw-la peragunt_fw-la by_o which_o we_o see_v he_o acknowledge_v some_o spirit_n whoâ—e_v nature_n be_v wicked_a and_o help_v man_n to_o do_v evil_a and_o that_o these_o very_a spirit_n may_v sometime_o command_v that_o which_o be_v good_a lest_o they_o shall_v be_v suspect_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v of_o a_o wicked_a and_o malignant_a nature_n which_o only_o design_v the_o ruin_n of_o man_n by_o which_o we_o have_v a_o good_a account_n of_o whatever_o be_v commendable_a deliver_v by_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n which_o yet_o may_v come_v from_o the_o devil_n still_o by_o this_o confession_n of_o jamblichus_n himself_o for_o the_o devil_n appear_v under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n it_o be_v very_o probable_o conjecture_v that_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o 2._o prince_n of_o those_o who_o contend_v with_o saturn_n be_v by_o that_o enigmatical_a writer_n pherâ—cydes_n syrius_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d celsus_n who_o have_v so_o little_a skill_n in_o antiquity_n as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n be_v as_o to_o many_o passage_n of_o it_o take_v out_o
will_n unto_o the_o true_a prophet_n the_o grand_a question_n propound_v how_o it_o may_v be_v know_v when_o prediction_n express_v god_n decree_n and_o when_o only_o the_o series_n of_o cause_n for_o the_o first_o several_a rule_n lay_v down_o 1._o when_o the_o prediction_n be_v confirm_v by_o a_o present_a miracle_n 2._o when_o the_o thing_n foretell_v exceed_v the_o probability_n of_o second_o cause_n 3._o when_o confirm_v by_o god_n oath_n 4._o when_o the_o blessing_n foretold_v be_v pure_o spiritual_a three_o rule_n for_o interpret_n the_o prophecy_n which_o respect_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n under_o the_o gospel_n 5._o when_o all_o circumstance_n be_v foretell_v 6._o when_o many_o prophet_n in_o several_a age_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o prediction_n prediction_n do_v not_o express_v god_n unalterable_a purpose_n when_o they_o only_o contain_v commination_n of_o judgement_n or_o be_v prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n the_o case_n of_o the_o ninivites_n hezekiah_n and_o other_o open_v of_o repentance_n in_o god_n what_o it_o imply_v the_o jewish_a objection_n â—bout_o prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n answer_v in_o what_o case_n miracle_n be_v expect_v from_o the_o prophet_n when_o they_o be_v to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n instance_a in_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n elijah_n elishah_n and_o of_o moses_n himself_o who_o divine_a authority_n that_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o miracle_n be_v demonstrate_v against_o the_o modern_a jew_n and_o their_o pretence_n answer_v p._n 177_o chap._n vii_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n discuss_v the_o second_o case_n wherein_o miracle_n may_v be_v expect_v when_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v and_o another_o way_n of_o worship_n establish_v in_o stead_n of_o it_o the_o possibility_n in_o general_n of_o a_o repeal_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n assert_v the_o particular_a case_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n dispute_v against_o the_o jew_n the_o matter_n of_o that_o law_n prove_v not_o to_o be_v immutable_o obligatory_a because_o the_o ceremonial_a precept_n be_v require_v not_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o some_o further_a end_n that_o prove_v from_o maimonides_n his_o confession_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n frequent_o dispense_v with_o while_n the_o law_n be_v in_o force_n of_o the_o passover_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o several_a other_o instance_n it_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o repeal_v such_o a_o establish_a law_n abravanels_n argument_n answer_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n compare_v with_o the_o gospel_n whether_o god_n have_v ever_o declare_v he_o will_v never_o repeal_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n of_o add_v to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o expression_n seem_v to_o imply_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n reason_n assign_v why_o those_o expression_n be_v use_v though_o perpetuity_n be_v not_o employ_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n not_o build_v upon_o immutable_a reason_n because_o many_o particular_a precept_n be_v found_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n as_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o zabii_n many_o ceremonial_a precept_n thence_o deduce_v out_o of_o maimonides_n and_o because_o such_o a_o state_n of_o thing_n be_v foretell_v with_o which_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n will_v be_v inconsistent_a that_o large_o discover_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n chap._n viii_o general_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n the_o great_a prejudice_n against_o our_o saviour_n among_o jew_n and_o heathen_n be_v the_o meaness_n of_o his_o appearance_n the_o difference_n of_o the_o miracle_n at_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n some_o general_a hypothesis_n to_o clear_v the_o subserviency_n of_o miracle_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n 1._o that_o where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n but_o authority_n the_o only_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o revealer_n to_o be_v infallible_a thing_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n what_o that_o be_v and_o on_o what_o it_o depend_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n the_o existence_n of_o god_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o certainty_n the_o certainty_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n prove_v from_o the_o same_o principle_n our_o knowledge_n of_o any_o thing_n suppose_v something_o incomprehensible_a the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n as_o great_a as_o that_o of_o knowledge_n the_o ground_n of_o it_o strong_a the_o consistency_n of_o rational_a evidence_n with_o faith_n yet_o object_n of_o faith_n exceed_v reason_n the_o absurdity_n follow_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o that_o which_o be_v call_v reason_n philosophical_a dictate_v no_o standard_n of_o reason_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o ubiquity_n etc._n etc._n why_o reject_v as_o contrary_a to_o reason_n the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n in_o matter_n above_o reason_n which_o be_v infallible_a testimony_n that_o there_o be_v way_n to_o know_v which_o be_v infallible_a prove_v 2._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n the_o most_o infallible_a the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n into_o god_n veracity_n as_o its_o formal_a object_n 3._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n may_v be_v know_v though_o god_n speak_v not_o immediate_o of_o inspiration_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o divination_n among_o the_o heathen_n 4._o hyp._n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n must_v be_v clear_a and_o certain_a of_o the_o common_a motive_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o obligation_n to_o faith_n arise_v from_o they_o the_o original_n of_o infidelity_n chap._n ix_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n from_o miracle_n the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n appear_v from_o god_n and_o providence_n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n by_o they_o god_n alone_o can_v real_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n the_o devil_n power_n of_o work_a miracle_n consider_v of_o simon_n magus_n apollonius_n the_o cure_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o aeseulapius_n at_o rome_n etc._n etc._n god_n never_o work_v miracle_n but_o for_o some_o particular_a end_n the_o particular_a reason_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ._n the_o repeal_n the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o miracle_n why_o christ_n check_v the_o pharisee_n for_o demand_v a_o sign_n when_o himself_o appeal_v to_o his_o miracle_n the_o power_n of_o christ_n miracle_n on_o many_o who_o do_v not_o thorough_o belieuâ—_v christ_n miracle_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n because_o the_o prediction_n be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o why_o john_n baptist_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n christ_n miracle_n necessary_a for_o the_o everthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n kingdom_n of_o the_o daemoniaek_n and_o lunatic_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o power_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n over_o they_o large_o prove_v by_o several_a testimony_n the_o evidence_n thence_o of_o a_o divine_a power_n in_o christ._n of_o counterfeit_a dispossession_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v among_o infidel_n of_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o the_o propagation_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o prove_v from_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o publisher_n and_o the_o success_n of_o the_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n know_v the_o hazard_n of_o their_o employment_n before_o they_o enter_v on_o it_o the_o boldness_n and_o resolution_n of_o the_o apostle_n notwithstanding_o this_o compare_v with_o heathen_a philosopher_n no_o motive_n can_v carry_v the_o apostle_n through_o their_o employment_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n not_o seek_v the_o honour_n profit_n or_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n the_o apostle_n evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n lie_v in_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n and_o resurrection_n that_o attest_v by_o themselves_o their_o sufficiency_n thence_o for_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n contrariety_n of_o it_o to_o natural_a inclination_n strange_a success_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o it_o come_v not_o with_o humane_a power_n no_o christian_a emperor_n till_o the_o gospel_n universal_o preach_v the_o weakness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o instrument_n which_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o all_o which_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v prove_v pag._n 252_o chap._n x._o the_o difference_n of_o true_a miracle_n from_o false_a the_o unreasonableness_n of_o reject_v the_o evidence_n from_o miracle_n because_o of_o imposture_n that_o there_o be_v certain_a rule_n of_o distinguish_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a and_o divine_a from_o diabolical_a prove_v from_o god_n intention_n in_o give_v a_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n the_o inconvenience_n of_o take_v
away_o the_o rational_a ground_n of_o faith_n and_o place_v it_o on_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o that_o for_o resolve_v the_o question_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o pretend_a miracle_n of_o impostor_n and_o false_a christ_n as_o barchochebas_n david_n el_fw-es david_n and_o other_o the_o rule_n whereby_o to_o judge_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a 1._o true_o divine_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n no_o miracle_n necessary_a for_o the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n prove_v from_o the_o evidence_n that_o the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v 2._o no_o miracle_n divine_a which_o contradict_v divine_a revelation_n of_o popish_a miracle_n 3._o divine_a miracle_n leave_v divine_a effect_n on_o those_o who_o believe_v they_o of_o the_o miracle_n of_o simon_n magus_n 4._o divine_a miracle_n tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n power_n in_o the_o world_n the_o antipathy_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o devil_n design_n in_o the_o world_n 5._o the_o distinction_n of_o true_a miracle_n from_o other_o from_o the_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o operation_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n compare_v with_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_a go_n 6._o god_n make_v it_o evident_a to_o all_o impartial_a judgement_n that_o divine_a miracle_n exceed_v create_v power_n this_o manifest_v from_o the_o unparallelled_a miracle_n of_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n from_o all_o which_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v manifest_v as_o to_o the_o person_n who_o god_n employ_v to_o teach_v the_o world_n pag._n 334_o book_n iii_o chap._n i._o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o principle_n of_o all_o religion_n lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o they_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n rational_o deduce_v the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n why_o moses_n do_v not_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o suppose_v it_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n very_o consonant_a to_o reason_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o idea_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n how_o we_o can_v form_v a_o idea_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v how_o far_o such_o a_o idea_n argue_v existence_n the_o great_a unreasonableness_n of_o atheism_n demonstrate_v of_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o aristotelian_a and_o epicurean_a atheist_n the_o atheist_n pretence_n examine_v and_o refute_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n whereby_o we_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n of_o universal_a consent_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o that_o to_o prove_v a_o deity_n and_o immortality_n of_o soul_n of_o necessity_n of_o existence_n employ_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o how_o far_o that_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o order_n of_o the_o world_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o part_n of_o it_o and_o especial_o of_o man_n body_n a_o argument_n of_o a_o deity_n some_o high_a principle_n prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n than_o matter_n and_o motion_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o possibility_n of_o its_o subsist_v after_o death_n strange_a appearance_n in_o nature_n not_o solvable_a by_o the_o power_n of_o imagination_n pag._n 360_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n of_o the_o several_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o contradict_v moses_n with_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o they_o the_o ancïent_a tradition_n of_o the_o world_n consonant_n to_o moses_n prove_v from_o the_o fonick_a philosophy_n of_o thales_n and_o the_o italic_a of_o pythagoras_n the_o pythagorick_a cabbala_n rather_o egyptian_a then_o mosaic_a of_o the_o fluid_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o material_a principle_n of_o the_o universe_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n assert_v by_o ocellus_n lucanus_n and_o aristotle_n the_o weakness_n of_o the_o foundation_n on_o which_o that_o opinion_n be_v build_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o form_v principle_n of_o philosophy_n the_o possibility_n of_o creation_n prove_v no_o argue_v from_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n against_o its_o beginning_n show_v from_o maimonides_n the_o platonist_n argument_n from_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n answer_v of_o the_o stoical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n whether_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o text_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o plato_n and_o pythagoras_n concern_v the_o praeexistence_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o contradiction_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n of_o the_o atomical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o world_n can_v not_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n prove_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o motion_n of_o epicurus_n his_o atom_n and_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o universe_n especial_o the_o production_n and_o nature_n of_o animal_n of_o the_o cartesian_a hypothesis_n that_o it_o can_v salve_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n without_o a_o deity_n give_v motion_n to_o matter_n pag._n 421_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil._n of_o the_o be_v of_o providence_n epicurus_n his_o argument_n against_o it_o refute_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o providence_n in_o order_n to_o religion_n providence_n prove_v from_o a_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o nature_n the_o great_a objection_n against_o providence_n propound_v the_o first_o concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n do_v not_o charge_n god_n with_o man_n fault_n god_n power_n to_o govern_v man_n by_o law_n though_o he_o give_v no_o particular_a reason_n of_o every_o positive_a precept_n the_o reason_n of_o god_n create_v man_n with_o freedom_n of_o will_n large_o show_v from_o simplicius_n and_o the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a god_n permit_v the_o fall_n make_v he_o not_o the_o author_n of_o it_o the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a compare_v with_o that_o of_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o ascribe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o a_o evil_a principle_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o persian_n egyptian_n and_o other_o about_o it_o of_o manichaism_n the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a greek_a philosopher_n of_o pythagoras_n plato_n the_o stoic_n the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a not_o from_o the_o necessity_n of_o matter_n the_o remainder_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n among_o the_o heathen_n of_o the_o malignity_n of_o daemon_n providence_n vindicate_v as_o to_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o good_a and_o impunity_n of_o bad_a man_n a_o account_n of_o both_o from_o natural_a light_n manifest_v by_o seneca_n plutarch_n and_o other_o pag._n 470_o chap._n iv._o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o nation_n all_o mankind_n derive_v from_o adam_n if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a the_o contrary_a supposition_n a_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n the_o possibility_n of_o a_o universal_a deluge_n prove_v the_o flood_n universal_a as_o to_o mankind_n whether_o universal_a as_o to_o the_o earth_n and_o animal_n no_o necessity_n of_o assert_v either_o yet_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v without_o creation_n of_o new_a water_n of_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o deep_a the_o proportion_n which_o the_o height_n of_o mountain_n bear_v to_o the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n no_o mountain_n much_o above_o three_o mile_n perpendicular_a of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o fountain_n the_o opinion_n of_o aristotle_n and_o other_o concern_v it_o discuss_v the_o true_a account_n of_o they_o from_o the_o vapour_n arise_v from_o the_o mass_n of_o subterraneous_a water_n of_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n for_o receive_v the_o animal_n from_o buteo_n and_o other_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o deluge_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a nation_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o nation_n from_o noah_n posterity_n of_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o assyrian_a empire_n the_o multiplication_n of_o mankind_n after_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o lxx_o of_o the_o time_n between_o the_o flood_n and_o abraham_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o it_o of_o the_o pretence_n of_o such_o nation_n who_o call_v themselves_o aborigines_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o first_o plantation_n of_o greece_n the_o common_a opinion_n propound_v and_o
he_o tell_v we_o himself_o court_v the_o egyptian_a mystery_n for_o compass_v his_o oedipus_n shall_v have_v find_v some_o better_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o assertion_n of_o this_o nature_n then_o mere_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n the_o hebrew_n book_n juchasin_n and_o some_o arabic_a writer_n not_o one_o of_o all_o which_o do_v mention_v the_o thing_n they_o be_v bring_v for_o viz._n that_o manetho_n be_v elder_a than_o alexander_n all_o the_o business_n be_v they_o quote_v he_o as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n but_o what_o then_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n juchasim_n be_v abraham_n zacuth_n a_o jew_n of_o salamancha_n who_o write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1502._o and_o this_o book_n be_v first_o print_v at_o constantinople_n 1556._o may_v not_o this_o man_n then_o well_o mention_n manetho_n as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n if_o he_o flourish_v above_o 1600_o year_n before_o he_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n and_o what_o if_o some_o arabic_a writer_n mention_v he_o be_v they_o of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n and_o credit_n themselves_o that_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n manetho_n live_v in_o alexander_n time_n to_o be_v praise_v by_o they_o it_o will_v be_v well_o if_o kircber_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n who_o think_v the_o world_n be_v grow_v to_o so_o great_a stupidity_n as_o to_o believe_v every_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o jewel_n which_o be_v far_o fetch_v will_v first_o assert_v and_o vindicate_v the_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o their_o arabic_a author_n such_o as_o gelaldinus_n abenephi_fw-la and_o many_o other_o before_o they_o expect_v we_o shall_v part_v with_o our_o more_o authentic_a record_n of_o history_n for_o those_o fabulous_a relation_n which_o they_o be_v so_o full_o fraught_v withal_o be_v it_o here_o any_o part_n of_o my_o present_a business_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n so_o to_o lay_v open_a the_o ignorance_n falsity_n and_o fabulousness_n of_o those_o arabian_n who_o that_o author_n rely_v so_o much_o upon_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v free_v from_o a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n who_o make_v use_v of_o their_o testimony_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a time_n without_o a_o caveat_n i_o know_v none_o fit_a to_o believe_v these_o arabic_a writer_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n but_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o concoct_v the_o rabbin_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n of_o who_o origen_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v as_o grotius_n true_o 24_o say_v pessimi_fw-la historiae_fw-la magistri_fw-la nam_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la patria_fw-la expulsi_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnis_fw-la apud_fw-la illos_fw-la historia_fw-la crassis_fw-la erroribus_fw-la &_o fabulis_fw-la est_fw-la inquinata_fw-la quibus_fw-la &_o proinde_fw-la nihil_fw-la credendum_fw-la est_fw-la nisi_fw-la aliunde_fw-la testes_fw-la accederunt_fw-la and_o as_o is._n caubason_n pass_v this_o sharp_a but_o due_a censure_n upon_o they_o rabbinis_fw-la ubi_fw-la de_fw-la lingna_fw-la 8._o hebraica_n agitur_fw-la &_o vocis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la proprietate_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquo_fw-la talmudico_fw-la instituto_fw-la meritò_fw-la à _fw-la christianis_fw-la tribui_fw-la non_fw-la parum_fw-la nbi_fw-la verò_fw-la à _fw-la verbis_fw-la venitur_fw-la ad_fw-la res_fw-la aut_fw-la ad_fw-la historiam_fw-la vel_fw-la rerum_fw-la antiquarum_fw-la veteris_fw-la populi_fw-la explicationem_fw-la nisi_fw-la falli_fw-la &_o decipi_fw-la volumus_fw-la nihil_fw-la admodum_fw-la esse_fw-la illis_fw-la fidei_fw-la habendum_fw-la sexcentis_fw-la argumentis_fw-la hoc_fw-la facilè_fw-la probarem_fw-la si_fw-la id_fw-la nunc_fw-la agerem_fw-la and_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o ancient_a rite_n as_o well_o as_o history_n joseph_n scaliger_n have_v give_v this_o verdict_n of_o they_o manifesta_fw-la est_fw-la judaeorum_n inscitia_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la usu_fw-la veterum_fw-la rituum_fw-la etiam_fw-la corum_fw-la 6._o cognitionem_fw-la amiserunt_fw-la &_o multa_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la sacra_fw-la &_o historiam_fw-la pertinent_a longè_fw-la meliùs_fw-la nos_fw-la teneamus_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsi_fw-la the_o same_o which_o these_o very_a learned_a person_n say_v of_o rabbinical_a may_v with_o as_o much_o truth_n be_v say_v of_o these_o arabic_a writer_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a history_n which_o i_o have_v here_o insert_v to_o show_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o have_v think_v the_o testimony_n of_o either_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n so_o inconsiderable_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o future_a discourse_n which_o be_v historical_a and_o that_o of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n little_a relief_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v from_o either_o of_o they_o in_o order_n thereto_o but_o to_o return_v to_o kircher_n it_o be_v free_o grant_v that_o josephus_n a_o author_n of_o credit_n and_o age_n sufficient_a to_o give_v his_o opinion_n in_o this_o case_n do_v very_o frequent_o cite_v manetho_n in_o his_o egyptian_a history_n particular_o in_o his_o learned_a book_n against_o appion_n but_o where_o he_o do_v give_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o manetho_n be_v elder_n than_o alexander_n i_o be_o yet_o to_o seek_v but_o kircher_n will_v not_o yet_o leave_v the_o matter_n so_o but_o undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o mistake_n which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o manetho_n beside_o and_o both_o egyptian_n mention_v by_o suidas_n one_o a_o mendesian_n who_o write_v of_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o egyptian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o kind_n of_o perfume_n use_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n the_o other_o a_o diospolitan_a who_o write_v some_o physiological_a and_o astronomical_a treatise_n who_o work_n he_o hear_v be_v preserve_v in_o the_o duke_n of_o florenee_n his_o library_n and_o this_o be_v he_o say_v he_o who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n who_o many_o by_o the_o aequivocation_n of_o the_o name_n have_v confound_v with_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n be_v it_o possible_a so_o learned_a a_o jesuite_n shall_v discover_v so_o little_a judgement_n in_o so_o few_o word_n for_o first_o who_o ever_o assert_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o dynastye_n to_o have_v live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n yet_o second_o if_o that_o manetho_n who_o suidas_n there_o speak_v of_o live_v in_o augustus_n his_o time_n according_a to_o kircher_n than_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o dynastye_n do_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o look_v into_o suidas_n that_o he_o there_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n for_o these_o be_v his_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o he_o here_o speak_v of_o manetho_n sebennyta_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o dynastye_n though_o he_o may_v write_v other_o thing_n beside_o of_o which_o suidas_n there_o speak_v but_o kircher_n very_o wise_o in_o translate_n suidas_n his_o word_n leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o decide_v the_o controversy_n and_o make_v it_o clear_a that_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n of_o who_o we_o have_v be_v discourse_v thus_o it_o still_o appear_v that_o this_o manetho_n be_v no_o elder_a than_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v now_o for_o berosus_n although_o the_o chaldean_n have_v occasion_n 10._o enough_o give_v they_o before_o this_o time_n to_o produce_v their_o antiquity_n by_o the_o jew_n converse_v with_o they_o in_o babylon_n yet_o we_o find_v this_o author_n the_o first_o who_o dare_v adventure_v they_o abroad_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o greek_z now_o that_o this_o berosus_n publish_v his_o history_n after_o the_o time_n mention_v i_o thus_o prove_v tatianus_n assyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o write_v the_o chaldaic_a history_n in_o three_o book_n and_o dedicate_v they_o to_o antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o tatianus_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o paris_n steph._n edition_n of_o tatianus_n as_o well_o as_o the_o basil_n it_o be_v thus_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o three_o from_o alexander_n in_o the_o other_o to_o the_o three_o from_o seleucus_n now_o if_o we_o reckon_v the_o three_o so_o as_o to_o take_v the_o person_n from_o who_o we_o reckon_v in_o for_o the_o first_o according_a to_o the_o read_n in_o eusebius_n it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o other_o read_v it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n soter_n for_o seleucus_n succeed_v alexander_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n antiochus_n soter_n seleucus_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d antiochus_n soter_n but_o according_a to_o either_o of_o these_o reading_n 392._o our_o purpose_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v for_o antiochus_n soter_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o syria_n in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o ptol._n philadelphus_n in_o egypt_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d succeed_v he_o in_o the_o 22._o year_n of_o philadelphus_n
which_o account_n we_o may_v just_o reject_v all_o those_o pretend_a succession_n of_o king_n hâ—re_v in_o britain_n from_o gomer_n to_o brute_n as_o fabulous_a and_o it_o will_v be_v the_o less_o wonder_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o in_o those_o then_o account_v barbarous_a nation_n when_o even_o among_o those_o who_o be_v the_o planter_n of_o knowledge_n and_o civility_n among_o other_o the_o account_n of_o their_o ancient_a time_n be_v so_o dark_a confuse_a and_o uncertain_a as_o it_o will_v sufficient_o appear_v to_o any_o that_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o examine_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o two_o first_o dynastye_n among_o the_o latin_n the_o first_o before_o aeneas_n his_o come_n into_o italy_n and_o the_o second_o of_o the_o aeneadae_n after_o and_o certain_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o question_v the_o account_n of_o time_n before_o if_o in_o the_o three_o dynasty_a when_o the_o succession_n seem_v so_o clear_a and_o so_o certain_a a_o epocha_n as_o the_o build_n of_o rome_n to_o deduce_v their_o account_n from_o their_o chronology_n be_v uncertain_a which_o i_o shall_v brief_o speak_v to_o for_o although_o porcius_n cato_n have_v in_o dionysius_n the_o honour_n of_o find_v out_o the_o first_o palilia_n of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v the_o feast_n observe_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o god_n pales_n in_o the_o time_n of_o which_o the_o foundation_n of_o rome_n be_v lay_v yet_o there_o appear_v no_o great_a certainty_n in_o his_o undertake_n for_o therein_o he_o be_v after_o contradict_v by_o the_o learned_a roman_a varro_n dionysius_n tell_v we_o that_o cato_n find_v by_o the_o censor_n table_n the_o exact_a time_n from_o the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o king_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o city_n be_v take_v by_o the_o gaul_n from_o which_o time_n to_o his_o own_o he_o can_v not_o miss_v of_o it_o from_o the_o fasti_fw-la consulares_fw-la so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o cato_n may_v have_v a_o certain_a account_n of_o time_n from_o the_o regifugium_fw-la to_o the_o time_n he_o write_v his_o origines_fw-la but_o what_o certainty_n cato_n can_v have_v from_o the_o first_o palilia_n of_o the_o city_n to_o the_o expulsion_n of_o tarquin_n we_o can_v understand_v for_o the_o succession_n of_o king_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o uncertain_a unless_o it_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o some_o public_a monument_n or_o certain_a record_n or_o some_o public_a action_n certain_o know_v to_o have_v fall_v out_o precise_o in_o such_o a_o year_n of_o their_o several_a reign_n now_o none_o of_o these_o do_v occur_v in_o the_o roman_a history_n in_o all_o that_o interval_n from_o the_o palilia_n to_o the_o regifugium_fw-la so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o whole_a interval_n but_o the_o time_n of_o every_o particular_a king_n reign_n be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o therefore_o varro_n be_v destitute_a of_o any_o demonstration_n of_o that_o time_n have_v recourse_n to_o l._n tarrutius_fw-la firmanus_n to_o see_v if_o by_o his_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n he_o can_v certain_o find_v out_o the_o first_o palilia_n of_o rome_n his_o answer_n be_v that_o he_o find_v that_o the_o city_n be_v build_v in_o the_o time_n of_o a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v in_o the_o three_o year_n of_o the_o six_o olympiad_n according_a to_o which_o account_n varro_n proceed_v and_o thence_o arise_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o palilia_n catoniana_n and_o varroniana_n the_o latter_a fall_v out_o in_o the_o 23_o of_o iphitus_n the_o other_o in_o the_o 24._o but_o if_o we_o believe_v joseph_n scaliger_n there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n at_o the_o time_n affirm_v by_o tarrutius_fw-la but_o yet_o 388._o grant_v a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n then_o what_o certainty_n can_v we_o have_v of_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o several_a king_n afterward_o without_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certain_a computation_n ab_fw-la urbe_fw-la condita_fw-la if_o then_o the_o roman_n who_o have_v so_o great_a advantage_n of_o know_v time_n and_o be_v withal_o so_o inquisitive_a concern_v the_o build_n of_o their_o city_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o no_o very_o remote_a distacne_n can_v attain_v to_o no_o absolute_a certainty_n without_o it_o what_o certainty_n can_v we_o expect_v as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o far_o ancient_a time_n either_o from_o they_o or_o other_o when_o they_o have_v no_o censor_n table_n nor_o fasti_fw-la consulares_fw-la to_o be_v guide_v by_o and_o thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o show_v the_o great_a uncertainty_n of_o heathen_a chronology_n as_o to_o the_o give_v a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n and_o yet_o be_v it_o only_o a_o uncertainty_n as_o to_o chronology_n we_o may_v better_o bear_v with_o it_o for_o the_o mistake_n mere_o in_o 5._o computation_n of_o time_n be_v not_o so_o dangerous_a any_o further_a than_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o history_n depend_v on_o the_o computation_n as_o in_o point_n of_o antiquity_n if_o we_o be_v but_o certain_a that_o the_o person_n and_o action_n relate_v of_o they_o be_v such_o as_o they_o be_v report_v to_o be_v but_o that_o which_o add_v much_o to_o the_o confusion_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o heathen_a history_n be_v the_o frequency_n of_o imposture_n which_o be_v more_o hard_a to_o be_v discover_v in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o authentic_a history_n of_o those_o time_n extant_a which_o have_v both_o give_v occasion_n to_o variety_n of_o imposture_n and_o much_o hinder_v their_o discovery_n for_o the_o curiosity_n of_o man_n lead_v they_o back_o into_o a_o search_n after_o ancient_a time_n it_o make_v they_o exceed_o credulous_a in_o embrace_v whatever_o pretend_v to_o give_v they_o any_o conduct_n through_o those_o dark_a and_o obscure_a path_n of_o ancient_a history_n and_o the_o world_n have_v never_o be_v want_v of_o such_o as_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o abuse_v the_o simple_a credulity_n of_o well-meaning_a but_o less_o wary_a man_n but_o those_o age_n have_v be_v most_o feracious_a in_o the_o production_n of_o such_o person_n which_o have_v pretend_v to_o more_o learning_n than_o they_o have_v the_o pretence_n of_o learning_n make_v such_o person_n appear_v and_o the_o want_n of_o it_o make_v they_o not_o be_v discover_v thus_o it_o be_v not_o only_o of_o old_a among_o the_o chaldean_a and_o egyptian_a priest_n and_o the_o grecian_a poet_n and_o historian_n of_o who_o we_o have_v speak_v already_o but_o even_o among_o those_o who_o may_v have_v learn_v more_o truth_n from_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v then_o to_o think_v it_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o their_o lie_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a disparagement_n offer_v to_o truth_n then_o to_o defend_v it_o with_o any_o thing_n but_o itself_o nothing_o lay_v truth_n so_o open_a to_o suspicion_n as_o when_o falsehood_n come_v to_o be_v its_o advocate_n and_o a_o false_a testimony_n discover_v do_v more_o prejudice_n to_o a_o good_a cause_n than_o it_o can_v any_o way_n advantage_v it_o be_v it_o not_o discover_v and_o therefore_o their_o labour_n have_v be_v as_o serviceable_a to_o the_o world_n who_o have_v discover_v impostor_n as_o those_o who_o have_v direct_o maintain_v truth_n against_o its_o open_a opposer_n those_o be_v so_o much_o more_o dangerous_a in_o that_o they_o appear_v in_o the_o disguise_n of_o truth_n and_o therefore_o be_v with_o more_o difficulty_n discover_v such_o a_o one_o be_v that_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la that_o appear_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o twilight_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n between_o the_o former_a darkness_n of_o barbarism_n and_o the_o approach_a light_n of_o knowledge_n i_o mean_v annius_n viterbiensis_n who_o like_o hannibal_n in_o pass_v the_o alps_o not_o find_v a_o way_n ready_a to_o his_o mind_n set_v himself_o to_o burn_v the_o wood_n and_o fire_v the_o rock_n and_o dissolve_v they_o with_o vinegar_n to_o make_v a_o passage_n through_o they_o so_o annius_n be_v beset_v in_o those_o snowy_a and_o gray-headed_a alps_n of_o ancient_a history_n and_o find_v no_o way_n clear_a for_o he_o according_a to_o his_o fancy_n he_o labour_v to_o burn_v down_o all_o certain_a record_n to_o eat_v through_o the_o credit_n of_o undoubted_a author_n to_o make_v a_o more_o free_a passage_n for_o his_o own_o history_n which_o he_o deduce_v suitable_o to_o scripture_n from_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o elder_a historian_n to_o which_o purpose_n a_o new_a berosus_n manetho_n philo_n metasthenes_n as_o he_o mistake_v for_o megasthenes_n and_o xenophon_n must_v put_v on_o a_o grave_a disguise_n and_o walk_v abroad_o the_o world_n with_o a_o mantle_n of_o antiquity_n about_o their_o shoulder_n although_o they_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o airy_a phantasm_n cover_v over_o with_o the_o cowl_n of_o the_o monk_n of_o viterbo_n for_o be_v himself_o somewhat_o more_o verse_v in_o the_o history_n of_o those_o elder_a time_n then_o general_o person_n be_v
convince_v they_o of_o that_o which_o they_o believe_v already_o for_o we_o never_o read_v among_o all_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o be_v lapse_v so_o far_o as_o total_o to_o reject_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v to_o alter_v the_o constitution_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n although_o they_o do_v enormous_o offend_v against_o the_o precept_n of_o it_o and_o that_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v main_o concern_v as_o be_v most_o plain_a in_o their_o frequent_a and_o gross_a idolatry_n which_o we_o be_v not_o so_o to_o understand_v as_o though_o they_o whole_o cast_v off_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n but_o they_o superinduce_v as_o the_o samaritan_n do_v the_o worship_n of_o heathen_a idol_n with_o that_o of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n but_o when_o the_o revolt_n grow_v so_o great_a and_o dangerous_a that_o it_o be_v ready_a to_o swallow_v up_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n unless_o some_o apparent_a evidence_n be_v give_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o those_o heathen_a mixture_n and_o further_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o establish_a religion_n it_o please_v god_n sometime_o to_o send_v his_o prophet_n on_o this_o peculiar_a message_n to_o the_o main_a instrument_n of_o this_o revolt_n as_o be_v most_o conspicuous_a in_o that_o dangerous_a design_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la when_o he_o out_o of_o a_o politic_a end_n set_v up_o his_o two_o calf_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o therein_o it_o be_v the_o more_o dangerous_a in_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o design_v not_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o worship_n itself_o but_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o in_o dan_n and_o bethel_n for_o his_o interest_n lie_v not_o in_o draw_v of_o the_o people_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o from_o his_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o 27._o design_n of_o cantonize_a the_o kingdom_n and_o take_v the_o great_a share_n to_o himself_o now_o that_o god_n may_v confirm_v his_o people_n faith_n in_o this_o dangerous_a juncture_n of_o time_n he_o send_v a_o prophet_n to_o bethel_n who_o by_o the_o work_n of_o present_a miracle_n there_o viz._n the_o rent_v the_o altar_n and_o wither_v of_o jeroboam_n hand_n do_v manifest_a to_o they_o that_o these_o altar_n be_v displease_v to_o god_n 2._o and_o that_o the_o true_a place_n of_o worship_n be_v at_o jerusalem_n so_o in_o that_o famous_a fire-ordeal_a for_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n between_o 38._o god_n and_o baal_n upon_o mount_n carmel_n by_o elijah_n god_n be_v please_v in_o a_o miraculous_a way_n to_o give_v the_o most_o pregnant_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n by_o cause_v a_o fire_n to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o consume_v the_o sacrifice_n by_o which_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n be_v confound_v and_o the_o people_n confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n for_o present_o upon_o the_o sight_n of_o this_o miracle_n the_o people_n fall_v on_o their_o face_n and_o say_v the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n whereby_o we_o plain_o 39_o see_v what_o clear_a evidence_n be_v give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v attest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n thus_o the_o widow_n of_o sarepta_n which_o be_v in_o the_o country_n of_o zidon_n be_v bring_v to_o believe_v elijah_n to_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n by_o his_o raise_n up_o her_o son_n to_o life_n and_o the_o woman_n say_v to_o elijah_n now_o by_o this_o i_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o 24._o thy_o mouth_n be_v truth_n so_o we_o see_v how_o naaman_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o true_a god_n by_o his_o miraculous_a cure_n in_o jordan_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o elisha_n behold_v now_o i_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o 15._o all_o the_o earth_n but_o in_o israel_n by_o which_o instance_n it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o either_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o these_o person_n be_v build_v upon_o weak_a and_o insufficient_a ground_n or_o that_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v a_o evident_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v establish_v by_o they_o for_o this_o we_o see_v be_v the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o god_n do_v improve_v any_o of_o his_o prophet_n to_o work_v miracle_n viz._n to_o be_v as_o a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v reveal_v by_o he_o so_o that_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v not_o mere_o a_o motive_n of_o credibility_n or_o a_o probable_a inducement_n to_o remove_v prejudice_n from_o the_o person_n as_o many_o of_o our_o divine_n speak_v but_o it_o do_v contain_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n to_o common_a sense_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o they_o and_o thus_o we_o assert_v it_o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o moses_n the_o truth_n of_o who_o message_n be_v attest_v both_o among_o the_o 16._o egyptian_n and_o the_o israelite_n by_o that_o power_n of_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v but_o herein_o we_o have_v the_o great_a patron_n of_o moses_n our_o great_a enemy_n viz_o the_o present_a jew_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o enmity_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v attest_v by_o unparallelled_a miracle_n be_v grow_v very_o shy_a of_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o thence_o in_o so_o much_o that_o their_o great_a dr._n maimonides_n lay_v down_o this_o for_o a_o confident_a maxim_n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o israelite_n do_v not_o believe_v in_o moses_n our_o master_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v do_v they_o not_o the_o more_o shame_n for_o they_o and_o if_o they_o do_v the_o more_o shame_n for_o this_o great_a rabbi_n thus_o to_o bely_v they_o but_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v for_o it_o be_v because_o there_o may_v remain_v some_o suspicion_n in_o one_o mind_n that_o all_o miracle_n may_v be_v wrought_v by_o a_o power_n of_o magic_n or_o incantation_n say_v you_o so_o what_o when_o moses_n confound_v all_o the_o magician_n in_o egypt_n and_o make_v themselves_o who_o be_v the_o most_o cunning_a in_o these_o thing_n confess_v it_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o at_o last_o give_v out_o as_o not_o able_a to_o stand_v before_o moses_n may_v one_o still_o suspect_v all_o this_o to_o be_v do_v by_o a_o magical_a power_n credat_fw-la judaeus_fw-la apella_n non_fw-la ego_fw-la this_o be_v much_o like_o what_o another_o of_o their_o doctor_n say_v who_o they_o call_v the_o divine_a philosopher_n that_o elisha_n his_o raise_v the_o child_n 18._o to_o life_n and_o cure_v naaman_n leprosy_n and_o daniel_n escape_v the_o lion_n and_o jonas_n out_o of_o the_o whale_n belly_n may_v all_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o star_n or_o by_o pythonisme_n very_o probable_a but_o it_o be_v most_o true_a which_o vortius_n there_o observe_v of_o the_o jew_n nibil_n non_fw-la nugacissimi_fw-la mortalium_fw-la fingunt_fw-la ne_fw-la cogantur_fw-la agnoscere_fw-la virtute_fw-la ac_fw-la digito_fw-la quasi_fw-la ipsius_fw-la dei_fw-la jesum_fw-la nostrum_fw-la effecisse_fw-la miracula_fw-la sua_fw-la all_o their_o design_n in_o this_o be_v only_o to_o elevate_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o to_o derogate_v all_o they_o can_v from_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o hence_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o nothing_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o be_v do_v as_o miracle_n the_o mere_a recital_n of_o the_o tetragrammaton_fw-gr will_n work_v wonder_n &_o that_o by_o this_o jeremiah_n and_o our_o saviour_n do_v all_o their_o miracle_n it_o be_v well_o yet_o that_o he_o do_v more_o than_o one_o of_o their_o own_o prophet_n have_v do_v before_o he_o but_o where_o i_o wonder_v do_v we_o read_v that_o ever_o the_o pronounce_v of_o four_o letter_n raise_v one_o from_o the_o dead_a who_o have_v lie_v four_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n or_o by_o what_o power_n do_v christ_n raise_v himself_o from_o the_o dead_a which_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o can_v his_o dead_a body_n pronounce_v the_o tetragrammaton_fw-gr to_o awaken_v its_o self_n with_o but_o maimonides_n further_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o miracle_n which_o moses_n wrought_v among_o the_o israelite_n be_v mere_o for_o necessity_n and_o not_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o divine_a commission_n for_o which_o he_o instance_v in_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n the_o rain_v of_o manna_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o corah_n and_o his_o complice_n but_o set_v aside_o that_o these_o two_o latter_a be_v the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n and_o not_o miracle_n do_v by_o moses_n yet_o it_o be_v evidence_n that_o the_o intent_n of_o they_o be_v to_o manifest_v a_o divine_a
by_o reason_n of_o the_o large_a diffusion_n of_o a_o spirit_n of_o holiness_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o bell_n of_o horse_n and_o that_o the_o pot_n in_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v 20._o be_v as_o bowl_n before_o the_o altar_n i._n e._n that_o when_o the_o levitical_a service_n shall_v be_v lay_v aside_o and_o that_o holiness_n which_o be_v that_o appropriate_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o instrument_n of_o the_o temple_n shall_v be_v discern_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v most_o remote_a from_o it_o that_o a_o priesthood_n after_o another_o order_n than_o that_o of_o aaron_n shall_v be_v establish_v viz._n after_o the_o order_n of_o melchisedek_n 6._o and_o that_o he_o that_o be_v the_o priest_n after_o this_o order_n shall_v judge_v among_o the_o heathen_a and_o wound_v the_o head_n over_o many_o country_n that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o power_n the_o people_n shall_v not_o be_v fright_v to_o obedience_n with_o thunderclap_n and_o earthquake_n 3._o as_o at_o mount_n sinai_n but_o shall_v come_v and_o yield_v themselves_o as_o a_o freewill_n offer_v unto_o he_o and_o yet_o their_o number_n be_v as_o great_a as_o the_o drop_n of_o the_o dew_n which_o distil_v in_o the_o morning_n that_o god_n out_o of_o other_o nation_n will_v take_v unto_o himself_o for_o priest_n and_o for_o levite_n that_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n 1._o shall_v speedy_o come_v that_o the_o messenger_n of_o the_o covenant_n shall_v come_v into_o his_o temple_n nay_o that_o seventy_o week_n be_v determine_v upon_o thy_o people_n and_o upon_o thy_o holy_a city_n that_o then_o the_o vision_n and_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v seal_v up_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n 27._o and_o oblation_n shall_v be_v cause_v to_o cease_v that_o the_o city_n and_o the_o sanctuary_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o the_o end_n thereof_o shall_v be_v with_o a_o flood_n and_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o war_n desolation_n be_v determine_v that_o after_o three_o score_n and_o two_o week_n messiah_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o but_o not_o for_o himself_o that_o by_o he_o transgression_n shall_v be_v finish_v and_o reconciliation_n for_o iniquity_n shall_v be_v make_v and_o everlasting_a righteousness_n shall_v be_v bring_v in_o and_o lest_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v only_o a_o high_a advance_n of_o the_o levitical_a worship_n and_o the_o way_n of_o external_a ceremony_n god_n express_o say_v that_o he_o will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o with_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n that_o i_o make_v 32._o with_o their_o father_n in_o the_o day_n i_o take_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n which_o my_o covenant_n they_o break_v although_o i_o be_v a_o husband_n to_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n but_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o covenant_n that_o i_o will_v make_v with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n after_o those_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n i_o will_v put_v my_o law_n in_o their_o inward_a part_n and_o write_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n and_o will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n can_v any_o one_o that_o now_o consider_v serious_o the_o state_n of_o thing_n thus_o describe_v as_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v ever_o imagine_v that_o the_o levitical_a service_n be_v ever_o calculate_v for_o this_o state_n be_v god_n worship_n to_o be_v confine_v to_o his_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n when_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v come_v to_o serve_v he_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n to_o make_v a_o atonement_n there_o when_o a_o order_n of_o priesthood_n different_a from_o the_o aaronical_a shall_v be_v set_v up_o must_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n only_o attend_v at_o the_o temple_n when_o god_n will_v take_v priest_n and_o levite_n out_o of_o all_o nation_n that_o serve_v he_o what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o magnificence_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o temple_n when_o both_o city_n and_o sanctuary_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o that_o must_v be_v within_o few_o prophetical_a week_n after_o the_o messiah_n be_v cut_v off_o and_o must_v the_o covenant_n god_n make_v with_o the_o israelite_n continue_v for_o ever_o when_o god_n express_o say_v he_o will_v make_v a_o new_a one_o and_o that_o not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n which_o he_o make_v with_o they_o then_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a then_o as_o nothing_o can_v well_o be_v more_o that_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n such_o a_o state_n of_o religion_n be_v describe_v and_o promise_v with_o which_o the_o levitical_a worship_n will_v be_v inconsistent_a and_o so_o that_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v not_o at_o first_o establish_v upon_o a_o immutable_a reason_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v chap._n viii_o general_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n the_o great_a prejudice_n against_o our_o saviour_n among_o jew_n and_o heathen_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o his_o appearance_n the_o difference_n of_o the_o miracle_n at_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n some_o general_a hypothesis_n to_o clear_v the_o subserviency_n of_o miracle_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n 1._o that_o where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n but_o authority_n the_o only_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o revealer_n to_o be_v infallible_a thing_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n what_o that_o be_v and_o on_o what_o it_o depend_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n the_o existence_n of_o god_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o certainty_n the_o certainty_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n prove_v from_o the_o same_o principle_n our_o knowladge_n of_o any_o thing_n suppose_v something_o incomprehensible_a the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n as_o great_a as_o that_o of_o knowledge_n the_o ground_n of_o it_o strong_a the_o consistency_n of_o rational_a evidence_n with_o faith_n yet_o object_n of_o faith_n exceed_v reason_n the_o absurdity_n follow_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o that_o which_o be_v call_v reason_n philosophical_a dictate_v no_o standard_n of_o reason_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o ubiquity_n etc._n etc._n why_o reject_v as_o contrary_a to_o reason_n the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n in_o matter_n above_o reason_n which_o be_v infallible_a testimony_n that_o there_o be_v way_n to_o know_v which_o be_v infallible_a prove_v 2._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n the_o most_o infallible_a the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n into_o god_n veracity_n as_o its_o formal_a object_n 3._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n may_v be_v know_v though_o god_n speak_v not_o immediate_o of_o inspiration_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o divination_n among_o the_o heathen_n 4._o hyp._n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n must_v be_v clear_a and_o certain_a of_o the_o common_a motive_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o obligation_n to_o faith_n arise_v from_o they_o the_o original_n of_o infidelity_n have_v now_o clear_v that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o repeal_n i_o come_v to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o 1_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v give_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n to_o repeal_v it_o i_o shall_v not_o to_o prevent_v too_o large_a a_o excursion_n insist_v on_o any_o other_o evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o promise_a mâ—ssias_n but_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o present_a debate_n concern_v the_o evidence_n which_o arise_v from_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n as_o our_o saviour_n have_v in_o order_n to_o his_o establish_v that_o doctrine_n which_o he_o come_v to_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n the_o great_a stumbling-block_n in_o reference_n to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n among_o both_o the_o jew_n and_o learned_a heathen_n be_v the_o meanness_n of_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n not_o come_v attend_v with_o that_o state_n and_o magnificence_n which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v inseparable_a from_o so_o great_a a_o person_n the_o jew_n have_v their_o sense_n so_o possess_v with_o the_o thundering_n and_o lightning_n on_o mount_n sinai_n that_o they_o can_v not_o imagine_v the_o structure_n of_o their_o ceremonial_a worship_n can_v be_v take_v down_o with_o less_o noise_n and_o terror_n than_o it_o be_v erect_v with_o and_o withal_o collect_v all_o those_o passage_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o seem_v to_o foretell_v such_o glorious_a thing_n of_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o â—ither_o refer_v to_o his_o second_o come_v or_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o a_o spiritual_a sense_n they_o have_v their_o mind_n oppress_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o present_a calamity_n apply_v they_o whole_o to_o a_o external_a greatness_n whereby_o
they_o may_v be_v deliver_v from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o the_o roman_a power_n the_o heathen_n as_o appear_v by_o celsus_n and_o other_o think_v it_o very_o strange_a that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n with_o so_o little_a grandeur_n and_o have_v no_o great_a train_n than_o twelve_o such_o obscure_a person_n as_o the_o apostle_n be_v for_o say_v celsus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o sun_n which_o enlighten_v all_o other_o thing_n dâ—th_v 2._o first_o discover_v himself_o so_o it_o be_v fit_v the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v do_v when_o he_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n and_o so_o we_o say_v he_o do_v to_o all_o such_o who_o mind_n be_v not_o blind_v through_o obstinacy_n and_o wilful_a ignorance_n for_o although_o this_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n be_v please_v for_o the_o better_a carry_v on_o his_o design_n in_o the_o world_n to_o wrap_v up_o himself_o in_o a_o cloud_n yet_o his_o glory_n can_v not_o be_v confine_v within_o it_o but_o do_v break_v through_o that_o dark_a vail_n of_o his_o humane_a nature_n and_o do_v discover_v its_o self_n in_o a_o most_o clear_a and_o convince_a manner_n his_o appearance_n indeed_o be_v not_o like_o those_o upon_o mount_n sinai_n because_o his_o design_n be_v not_o to_o amuse_v man_n with_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o majesty_n and_o to_o terrify_v they_o from_o idolatry_n which_o be_v a_o great_a reason_n of_o those_o dreadful_a phaenomena_fw-la at_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n but_o he_o come_v to_o draw_v all_o man_n to_o he_o by_o the_o power_n and_o energy_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o therefore_o afford_v they_o all_o rational_a conviction_n in_o order_n to_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o quality_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v considerable_a as_o well_o as_o the_o greatness_n of_o they_o the_o intent_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o do_v good_a and_o thereby_o to_o bring_v the_o world_n off_o from_o its_o sin_n and_o folly_n to_o the_o embrace_v of_o that_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o he_o come_v to_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n 2._o now_o that_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n in_o our_o saviour_n have_v the_o great_a subserviency_n to_o the_o give_v full_a and_o convince_a evidence_n that_o he_o be_v the_o person_n he_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v and_o that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v thereby_o so_o clear_o attest_v that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o obstinacy_n which_o can_v withhold_v assent_n will_v appear_v by_o these_o follow_a hypothesis_n which_o i_o lay_v down_o in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v it_o where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v not_o on_o the_o evidence_n of_o 1._o the_o thing_n themselves_o but_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o that_o reveal_v it_o there_o the_o only_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v true_a be_v to_o prove_v the_o testimony_n of_o he_o that_o reveal_v it_o to_o be_v infallible_a several_a thing_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v prove_v for_o the_o clear_n this_o proposition_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n that_o a_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n its_o self_n by_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n i_o understand_v so_o clear_a and_o distinct_a a_o perception_n of_o it_o that_o every_o one_o who_o have_v the_o use_n of_o his_o rational_a faculty_n can_v but_o upon_o the_o first_o apprehension_n of_o the_o term_n yield_v a_o certain_a assent_n to_o it_o as_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o a_o part_n that_o if_o we_o take_v away_o equal_a thing_n from_o equal_a the_o remainder_n must_v be_v equal_a now_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o as_o to_o all_o these_o common_a notice_n of_o humane_a nature_n which_o carry_v such_o evidence_n with_o they_o the_o certainty_n of_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o proposition_n as_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o mind_n abstract_v from_o the_o thing_n themselves_o for_o these_o do_v not_o suppose_v the_o existence_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n or_o no_o as_o whole_a or_o part_n the_o understanding_n be_v assure_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o whole_a carry_v more_o in_o its_o representation_n then_o that_o of_o a_o part_n do_v this_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n of_o the_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n of_o mathematical_a truth_n not_o as_o some_o imagine_v because_o man_n have_v no_o interest_n or_o design_n in_o those_o thing_n and_o therefore_o they_o never_o question_v they_o but_o because_o they_o proceed_v not_o upon_o sensible_a but_o abstract_a matter_n which_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o so_o many_o doubt_n as_o the_o other_o be_v for_o that_o a_o triangle_n have_v three_o angle_n no_o man_n question_n but_o whether_o such_o sensible_a part_n of_o matter_n make_v a_o triangle_n may_v be_v very_o questionable_a now_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o being_n or_o the_o certainty_n of_o existence_n of_o thing_n can_v be_v so_o certain_a as_o mathematical_a demonstration_n appear_v from_o hence_o because_o the_o manner_n of_o conveyance_n of_o these_o thing_n to_o my_o mind_n can_v be_v so_o clear_a and_o certain_a as_o in_o pure_o intellectual_a operation_n abstract_v from_o existent_a matter_n for_o the_o high_a evidence_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o thing_n must_v be_v either_o the_o judgement_n of_o sense_n or_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o the_o mind_n now_o proceed_v in_o a_o mere_a natural_a way_n there_o can_v be_v no_o infallible_a certainty_n in_o either_o of_o these_o for_o the_o perception_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o existence_n of_o thing_n be_v cause_v so_o much_o through_o those_o idea_n or_o phantasm_n which_o be_v convey_v to_o the_o understanding_n through_o the_o impression_n of_o sense_n if_o these_o may_v be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v fallacious_a i_o may_v well_o question_v the_o certainty_n of_o that_o which_o i_o be_o certain_a i_o have_v be_v deceive_v by_o suppose_v than_o i_o shall_v question_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v convey_v in_o a_o uncertain_a way_n to_o my_o mind_n i_o may_v soon_o out-go_v even_o pyrrho_n himself_o in_o real_a scepticism_n neither_o can_v i_o conceive_v how_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o any_o thing_n though_o not_o come_v through_o the_o sense_n do_v necessary_o infer_v the_o existence_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o it_o only_o imply_v a_o non-repugnancy_n of_o it_o to_o our_o natural_a faculty_n and_o consequent_o the_o bare_a possibility_n of_o it_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v a_o clear_a perception_n of_o any_o thing_n any_o long_a than_o it_o exist_v nay_o then_o we_o know_v it_o to_o exist_v for_o existence_n or_o nonexistence_n be_v all_o one_o to_o the_o understanding_n while_o it_o be_v not_o assure_v of_o either_o and_o it_o be_v withal_o evident_a that_o thing_n imaginary_a may_v clear_o affect_v the_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o real_a for_o i_o may_v have_v as_o real_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o a_o phoenix_n in_o my_o mind_n as_o of_o a_o partridge_n do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o the_o one_o be_v real_o existent_a as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o assign_v a_o certain_a difference_n between_o imagination_n and_o pure_a intellection_n in_o such_o thing_n which_o though_o not_o actual_o existent_a yet_o imply_v no_o repugnancy_n at_o all_o to_o the_o faculty_n of_o man_n mind_n it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o there_o can_v be_v so_o great_a certainty_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o thing_n as_o there_o may_v be_v of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n and_o if_o that_o principle_n be_v suppose_v as_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o physical_a certainty_n as_o to_o the_o be_v of_o thing_n viz._n that_o there_o 3_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v infinite_o good_a will_v not_o suffer_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o be_v deceive_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o without_o which_o supposition_n we_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o operation_n of_o the_o mind_n because_o we_o can_v know_v but_o we_o be_v so_o make_v that_o we_o may_v be_v then_o most_o deceive_v when_o we_o think_v our_o self_n most_o sure_o if_o this_o principle_n i_o say_v be_v suppose_v as_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o certain_a knowledge_n then_o from_o it_o i_o infer_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v very_o much_o advantageous_a to_o our_o certainty_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o certainty_n lie_v in_o the_o necessary_a existence_n 1._o of_o a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a so_o that_o unless_o i_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n i_o can_v be_v assure_v that_o i_o know_v any_o thing_n in_o a_o certain_a manner_n and_o if_o i_o know_v there_o be_v a_o
mystery_n our_o faith_n stand_v upon_o this_o twofold_a bottom_n first_o that_o the_o be_v understanding_n and_o power_n of_o god_n do_v infinite_o transcend_v we_o and_o therefore_o he_o may_v reveal_v to_o we_o matter_n above_o our_o reach_n and_o capacity_n second_o that_o whatever_o god_n do_v reveal_v be_v undoubted_o true_a though_o we_o may_v not_o full_o understand_v it_o for_o this_o be_v a_o most_o undoubted_a principle_n that_o god_n can_v and_o will_v not_o deceive_v any_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o reveal_v to_o man_n thus_o our_o first_o supposition_n be_v clear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n that_o a_o doctrine_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o the_o second_o be_v that_o in_o matter_n who_o truth_n depend_v not_o on_o 2._o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o infallible_a testimony_n be_v the_o full_a demonstration_n of_o they_o for_o these_o thing_n not_o be_v of_o mathematical_a evidence_n there_o must_v be_v some_o other_o way_n find_v out_o for_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o in_o all_o those_o thing_n who_o truth_n depend_v on_o testimony_n the_o more_o creditable_a the_o testimony_n be_v the_o high_a evidence_n be_v give_v to_o they_o but_o that_o testimony_n which_o may_v deceive_v can_v give_v so_o pregnant_a a_o evidence_n as_o that_o which_o can_v for_o then_o all_o imaginable_a objection_n be_v take_v off_o this_o be_v so_o clear_a that_o it_o need_v no_o further_a proof_n and_o therefore_o the_o three_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v certain_a way_n whereby_o to_o know_v that_o a_o testimony_n deliver_v be_v infallible_a and_o that_o be_v full_o prove_v by_o 3._o these_o two_o argument_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v to_o believe_v it_o now_o how_o can_v that_o be_v a_o duty_n in_o they_o to_o believe_v which_o they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n to_o be_v believe_v or_o no._n 2._o because_o god_n will_v condemn_v the_o world_n for_o unbelief_n in_o which_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n proceed_n do_v necessary_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o induce_v they_o to_o believe_v which_o can_v not_o be_v unless_o there_o be_v some_o certain_a way_n suppose_v whereby_o a_o testimony_n may_v be_v know_v to_o be_v infallible_a these_o three_o thing_n now_o be_v suppose_v viz._n that_o a_o doctrine_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o evidonce_n of_o reason_n that_o the_o great_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o doctrine_n be_v its_o be_v deliver_v by_o infallible_a testimony_n and_o that_o there_o be_v certain_a way_n whereby_o a_o testimony_n may_v be_v know_v to_o be_v infallible_a our_o first_o principle_n be_v full_o confirm_v which_o be_v that_o where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n of_o reason_n but_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o that_o reveal_v it_o the_o only_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v true_a be_v to_o prove_v the_o testimony_n of_o he_o that_o reveal_v it_o to_o be_v infallible_a the_o next_o principle_n or_o hypothesis_n which_o i_o lay_v down_o be_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a evidence_n that_o a_o testimony_n be_v infallible_a 2._o then_o that_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n himself_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o depend_v upon_o a_o common_a notion_n of_o humane_a nature_n which_o be_v the_o veracity_n of_o god_n in_o whatever_o way_n he_o discover_v himself_o to_o man_n and_o therefore_o the_o ultimate_a resolution_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o its_o formal_a object_n must_v be_v alone_o into_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n reveal_v thing_n unto_o we_o for_o the_o principium_fw-la certitudinis_fw-la or_o foundation_n of_o all_o certain_a assent_n can_v be_v fetch_v no_o high_o neither_o will_v it_o stand_v any_o low_a than_o the_o infallible_a verity_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o principium_fw-la patefactionis_fw-la or_o the_o ground_n of_o discovery_n of_o spiritual_a truth_n to_o our_o mind_n must_v be_v resolve_v into_o divine_a testimony_n or_o revelation_n these_o two_o than_o not_o take_v asunder_o but_o joint_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v have_v reveal_v these_o thing_n be_v the_o only_a certain_a foundation_n for_o a_o divine_a faith_n to_o rest_v its_o self_n upon_o but_o now_o the_o particular_a exercise_n of_o a_o divine_a faith_n lie_v in_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o such_o a_o particular_a thing_n as_o divine_o reveal_v and_o herein_o lie_v not_o so_o much_o the_o testimony_n as_o the_o peculiar_a energy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o incline_v the_o soul_n to_o believe_v peculiar_a object_n of_o faith_n as_o of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o call_v the_o formal_a object_n or_o the_o ratio_fw-la propter_fw-la quam_fw-la credimus_fw-la be_v the_o general_a infallibility_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n for_o in_o a_o matter_n concern_v divine_a revelation_n there_o be_v two_o great_a question_n to_o be_v resolve_v the_o first_o be_v why_o i_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n with_o a_o firm_a assent_n the_o answer_n to_o that_o be_v because_o i_o be_o assure_v that_o what_o ever_o god_n speak_v be_v true_a the_o other_o be_v upon_o what_o ground_n do_v i_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a testimony_n the_o resolution_n of_o which_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v understand_v must_v be_v fetch_v from_o those_o rational_a evidence_n whereby_o a_o divine_a testimony_n must_v be_v distinguish_v from_o one_o mere_o humane_a and_o fallible_a for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o its_o work_n upon_o the_o mind_n do_v not_o carry_v it_o on_o by_o a_o brutish_a impulse_n but_o draw_v it_o by_o a_o spiritual_a discovery_n of_o such_o strong_a and_o persuasive_a ground_n to_o assent_v to_o what_o be_v reveal_v that_o the_o mind_n do_v ready_o give_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o that_o which_o it_o see_v such_o convince_a reason_n to_o believe_v now_o the_o strong_a reason_n to_o believe_v be_v the_o manifestation_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n so_o clear_o discover_v to_o a_o true_a believer_n that_o he_o not_o only_o firm_o assent_v to_o the_o general_a foundation_n of_o faith_n the_o veracity_n of_o god_n but_o to_o the_o particular_a object_n propound_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o this_o latter_a question_n be_v not_o here_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o discourse_n our_o proposition_n only_o concern_v the_o general_a foundation_n of_o faith_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o rational_a and_o evident_a as_o no_o principle_n in_o nature_n can_v be_v more_o for_o if_o the_o testimony_n on_o which_o i_o be_o to_o rely_v be_v only_a god_n and_o i_o be_v assure_v from_o natural_a reason_n that_o his_o testimony_n can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o infallible_a wherein_o do_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n fall_v short_a of_o that_o in_o any_o mathematical_a demonstration_n upon_o which_o account_n a_o divine_a testimony_n have_v be_v regard_v with_o so_o much_o veneration_n among_o all_o who_o have_v own_v a_o deity_n although_o they_o have_v be_v unacquainted_a with_o any_o certain_a way_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o any_o reject_v such_o a_o testimony_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v either_o because_o they_o believe_v not_o a_o deity_n or_o else_o that_o the_o particular_a testimony_n produce_v be_v mere_a fraud_n and_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o no_o divine_a testimony_n as_o it_o be_v give_v out_o to_o be_v but_o the_o principle_n still_o remain_v indisputable_a that_o on_o supposition_n the_o testimony_n be_v what_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v there_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o although_o it_o come_v not_o in_o such_o a_o way_n of_o probation_n as_o their_o science_n proceed_v in_o from_o which_o principle_n arise_v that_o speech_n of_o tully_n which_o he_o have_v translate_v cicer._n out_o of_o plato_n timaeus_n ac_fw-la difficillimum_fw-la factu_fw-la à _fw-la diis_fw-la ortis_fw-la sidem_fw-la non_fw-la haberâ—_n quanquam_fw-la nec_fw-la argumentis_fw-la nec_fw-la rationibus_fw-la certis_fw-la eorum_fw-la oratio_fw-la confirmetur_fw-la by_o which_o we_o see_v what_o a_o presumption_n there_o be_v of_o truth_n where_o there_o be_v any_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o no_o doubt_n upon_o the_o advantage_n of_o this_o principle_n it_o be_v the_o devil_n gain_v so_o great_a credit_n to_o his_o oracle_n for_o therein_o he_o do_v the_o most_o imitate_v divine_a revelation_n from_o hence_o then_o we_o see_v what_o a_o firm_a bottom_n faith_n in_o the_o general_n stand_v upon_o which_o be_v nothing_o short_a of_o a_o infallible_a divine_a testimony_n other_o thing_n may_v conduce_v by_o way_n of_o subserviency_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o this_o but_o nothing_o
as_o a_o certain_a truth_n and_o therefore_o they_o hope_v the_o danger_n be_v not_o so_o great_a in_o neglect_v the_o salvation_n promise_v by_o the_o gospel_n i_o can_v conceive_v that_o man_n otherwise_o learned_a and_o sober_a 11._o shall_v with_o so_o much_o confidence_n assert_v that_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v insufficient_a to_o prove_v a_o doctrine_n true_a unless_o it_o be_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o find_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o strong_a evidence_n many_o person_n continue_v in_o unbelief_n for_o say_v they_o if_o these_o argument_n be_v scientifical_a and_o demonstrative_a as_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n attest_v by_o they_o than_o all_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v propound_v must_v certain_o believe_v but_o this_o be_v very_o easy_o answer_v for_o we_o speak_v not_o of_o internal_a but_o outward_a evidence_n not_o of_o that_o in_o the_o subject_n but_o of_o the_o object_n or_o more_o full_o of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o not_o the_o event_n in_o we_o for_o doubtless_o there_o may_v be_v undoubted_a truth_n and_o evidence_n in_o many_o thing_n which_o some_o person_n either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o understand_v if_o epicurus_n shall_v contend_v still_o that_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n be_v no_o big_a than_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v will_v it_o hence_o follow_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o rational_a demonstration_n of_o the_o contrary_a nay_o if_o the_o way_n of_o demonstration_n be_v offer_v he_o and_o telescope_n put_v into_o his_o hand_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o maintain_v his_o credit_n and_o therefore_o his_o opinion_n and_o will_v not_o use_v the_o telescope_n or_o suspect_v still_o they_o be_v intend_v only_o to_o deceive_v his_o sight_n what_o possible_a way_n will_v there_o be_v of_o convince_a such_o a_o person_n though_o the_o thing_n be_v in_o its_o self_n demonstrable_a now_o if_o the_o strength_n of_o prejudice_n or_o maintain_v of_o credit_n can_v prevail_v so_o much_o in_o matter_n of_o mathematical_a evidence_n to_o withhold_v assent_n what_o power_n may_v we_o think_v a_o corrupt_a interest_n may_v have_v upon_o the_o understanding_n as_o to_o the_o argument_n which_o tend_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v so_o repugnant_a to_o that_o carnal_a interest_n which_o the_o heart_n be_v already_o devote_a to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n have_v himself_o give_v we_o so_o full_a a_o account_n of_o the_o original_n and_o cause_n of_o unbelief_n in_o the_o person_n he_o converse_v with_o that_o that_o may_v yield_v we_o a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o objection_n he_o tell_v we_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v not_o want_v of_o light_n nay_o there_o be_v light_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v any_o but_o that_o those_o to_o who_o the_o light_n come_v love_v darkness_n rather_o than_o it_o because_o their_o deed_n be_v evil_a that_o they_o can_v 19_o not_o believe_v while_o they_o receive_v honour_v one_o of_o another_o and_o seek_v not_o the_o honour_n which_o be_v of_o god_n only_o i._n e._n that_o they_o 44._o be_v so_o greedy_a of_o applause_n from_o each_o other_o that_o they_o will_v not_o impartial_o search_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o do_v touch_v their_o sore_n so_o to_o the_o quick_a that_o they_o have_v rather_o have_v they_o fester_v upon_o they_o then_o go_v to_o the_o trouble_n of_o so_o sharp_a a_o cure_n that_o the_o reason_n so_o few_o follow_v he_o be_v because_o the_o way_n be_v narrow_a and_o the_o gate_n straight_o which_o man_n must_v go_v in_o at_o and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n so_o few_o of_o the_o rich_a 14._o and_o proud_a pharisee_n can_v get_v in_o at_o it_o they_o be_v partly_o so_o swell_v with_o a_o high_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o and_o partly_o so_o load_v with_o their_o riches_n that_o they_o think_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o they_o to_o think_v of_o go_v in_o at_o so_o straight_o a_o gate_n while_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o part_v with_o neither_o that_o the_o final_a ground_n of_o the_o rejection_n of_o any_o be_v not_o want_v of_o evidence_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o believe_v nor_o want_v of_o readiness_n in_o christ_n to_o receive_v they_o if_o they_o do_v but_o it_o be_v a_o peevish_a wilful_a obstinate_a malicious_a spirit_n that_o they_o will_v not_o come_v 40._o to_o christ_n nor_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n for_o those_o import_n the_o same_o but_o when_o the_o most_o convince_a miracle_n be_v use_v they_o will_v rather_o attribute_v they_o to_o the_o prince_n of_o devil_n 24._o then_o to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o though_o our_o saviour_n present_o by_o rational_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n do_v prove_v the_o contrary_a to_o their_o face_n yet_o we_o see_v thereby_o it_o be_v a_o resolution_n not_o to_o be_v convince_v or_o yield_v to_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v now_o from_o this_o very_a instance_n of_o our_o saviour_n proceed_n with_o the_o pharisee_n by_o rational_a argument_n i_o demand_v whether_o these_o argument_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o divine_a assent_n to_o that_o truth_n that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o his_o miracle_n by_o any_o diabolical_a but_o by_o divine_a power_n or_o no_o if_o they_o be_v than_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o rational_a evidence_n may_v be_v a_o foundation_n for_o divine_a faith_n or_o that_o some_o motive_n to_o believe_v may_v be_v so_o strong_a as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o doctrine_n if_o these_o argument_n be_v not_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o what_o our_o saviour_n speak_v then_o well_o fare_v the_o pharisee_n it_o seem_v they_o say_v nothing_o but_o what_o may_v be_v thus_o far_o justify_v that_o the_o contrary_a to_o it_o can_v not_o be_v demonstrate_v and_o if_o the_o evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v so_o great_a as_o some_o suppose_v that_o the_o pharisee_n can_v not_o but_o be_v convince_v that_o they_o be_v divine_a but_o out_o of_o their_o malice_n and_o envy_n they_o utter_v this_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o keep_v the_o people_n from_o follow_v christ_n then_o we_o hence_o infer_v two_o thing_n first_o how_o strong_a a_o evidence_n there_o be_v in_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n when_o it_o convince_v his_o most_o resolute_a enemy_n that_o they_o be_v divine_a second_o what_o power_n a_o corrupt_a will_n may_v have_v over_o a_o convince_a understanding_n for_o although_o the_o will_n may_v not_o hinder_v conviction_n yet_o it_o may_v soon_o stifle_v it_o by_o suggest_v those_o thing_n to_o the_o mind_n which_o may_v divert_v it_o from_o those_o conviction_n of_o truth_n and_o seek_v to_o find_v out_o any_o way_n to_o disgrace_v it_o it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o discover_v in_o all_o those_o instance_n wherein_o the_o unbelief_n of_o man_n be_v discover_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o the_o person_n guilty_a of_o it_o do_v not_o proceed_v like_o rational_a man_n or_o such_o as_o desire_a truth_n but_o be_v whole_o carry_v away_o through_o passion_n interest_n prejudice_n disaffection_n or_o some_o other_o cause_n of_o that_o nature_n which_o may_v give_v we_o a_o sufficient_a account_n why_o those_o person_n do_v not_o believe_v although_o there_o may_v be_v clear_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o it_o but_o although_o i_o assert_v that_o these_o rational_a evidence_n be_v sufficient_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o come_v to_o manifest_v yet_o i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o understand_v that_o i_o thereby_o resolve_v all_o religion_n into_o a_o mere_a act_n of_o reason_n and_o knowledge_n and_o that_o no_o more_o power_n be_v require_v in_o the_o understanding_n to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n then_o to_o believe_v a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n which_o be_v another_o objection_n some_o lay_n in_o the_o way_n of_o this_o opinion_n but_o it_o isâ—_n ot_fw-mi difficult_a get_n over_o it_o for_o the_o sufficiency_n which_o i_o attribute_v to_o rational_a evidence_n be_v not_o absolute_a and_o simple_a but_o in_o svo_fw-la genere_fw-la as_o a_o objective_a evidence_n notwithstanding_o this_o the_o whole_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o its_o peculiar_a energy_n and_o way_n of_o operation_n upon_o the_o soul_n be_v leave_v entire_a to_o its_o self_n but_o then_o when_o the_o spirit_n work_v as_o to_o the_o plant_n of_o a_o true_o divine_a faith_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o it_o only_o persuade_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n but_o withal_o represent_v the_o truth_n reveal_v by_o that_o testimony_n with_o all_o that_o excellency_n and_o suitableness_n that_o there_o be_v in_o they_o that_o by_o the_o most_o agreeable_a yet_o effectual_a influence_n
ignes_fw-la theophylact_fw-mi be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n suppose_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o dead_a man_n become_v daemon_n and_o thence_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o daemoniack_n 28_o among_o the_o tomb_n but_o it_o be_v far_o more_o probable_a which_o grotius_n conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o soul_n of_o dead_a man_n do_v hover_v up_o and_o down_o about_o their_o body_n and_o that_o these_o be_v so_o long_o under_o the_o devil_n power_n which_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n believe_v and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o pythonisse_fw-la raise_v samuel_n on_o which_o account_n the_o devil_n to_o favour_v a_o opinion_n so_o advantageous_a to_o their_o interest_n may_v appear_v with_o great_a terror_n and_o fury_n about_o their_o bury_a place_n as_o we_o see_v they_o do_v in_o those_o possess_a person_n but_o on_o whatever_o account_n it_o be_v we_o find_v it_o evident_a that_o about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n appearance_n and_o some_o time_n after_o the_o true_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v very_o frequent_a whether_o it_o be_v that_o the_o devil_n by_o such_o frequent_a possession_n of_o person_n and_o make_v they_o do_v such_o strange_a thing_n may_v thereby_o endeavour_v to_o invalidate_v the_o evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v probable_a the_o pharisee_n raise_v their_o calumny_n that_o christ_n do_v miracle_n by_o belzebub_n because_o they_o see_v so_o many_o strange_a appearance_n cause_v by_o possess_v person_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v through_o the_o admirable_a providence_n of_o god_n which_o may_v give_v satan_n the_o great_a liberty_n at_o that_o time_n on_o purpose_n to_o heighten_v the_o glory_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o dispossess_v of_o he_o and_o thereby_o to_o give_v the_o high_a rational_a evidence_n that_o his_o power_n be_v of_o god_n which_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n and_o hence_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v so_o much_o triumph_n and_o as_o it_o be_v insult_v over_o the_o devil_n where_o ever_o they_o find_v 5._o he_o make_v he_o to_o remove_v his_o lodging_n from_o possess_a person_n by_o a_o writ_n of_o ejection_n from_o the_o name_n of_o christ._n thence_o origen_n rational_o conclude_v that_o christ_n have_v his_o power_n give_v he_o from_o above_o because_o at_o his_o very_a name_n the_o devil_n forsake_v the_o body_n which_o they_o have_v possess_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o and_o he_o elsewhere_o tell_v we_o that_o even_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o christian_n without_o any_o ceremony_n but_o mere_o by_o their_o prayer_n do_v ordinary_o eject_v the_o devil_n out_o of_o man_n body_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 7._o ordinary_a christian_n say_v he_o most_o common_o do_v this_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n by_o its_o word_n thereby_o discover_v the_o contemptibleness_n and_o infirmity_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o in_o order_n to_o their_o ejection_n they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o want_v any_o learned_a or_o experience_a christian._n and_o for_o this_o they_o appeal_v to_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o as_o appear_v not_o only_o by_o the_o challenge_n of_o tertullian_n already_o mention_v but_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o almost_o all_o of_o they_o who_o have_v write_v against_o the_o heathen_n in_o vindication_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n thence_o minutius_n felix_n haec_fw-la omne_fw-la sciunt_fw-la plerique_fw-la pars_fw-la vestrum_fw-la ipsos_fw-la ouz_n daemonas_fw-la de_fw-la semetipsis_fw-la confiteri_fw-la quoties_fw-la à _fw-la nobis_fw-la torment_n be_v verborum_fw-la &_o orationis_fw-la incendiis_fw-la de_fw-la coâ—poribus_fw-la exiguntur_fw-la ipse_fw-la saturnus_n &_o serapis_n et_fw-fr jupiter_n et_fw-la quiequid_fw-la daemonum_fw-la colitis_fw-la victi_fw-la dolore_fw-la quod_fw-la sunt_fw-la eloquuntur_fw-la nec_fw-la utique_fw-la in_o turpitudinem_fw-la svi_fw-la nonnullis_fw-la praesertim_fw-la vestrum_fw-la assistentibâ—s_fw-la mentiuntur_fw-la ipsis_fw-la testibus_fw-la eos_fw-la esse_fw-la daemonas_fw-la de_fw-la se_fw-la verum_fw-la confitentibus_fw-la credit_n adjuratienim_fw-la per_fw-la deum_fw-la verum_fw-la et_fw-la solum_fw-la inviti_fw-la miseri_fw-la corporibus_fw-la inhorrescunt_fw-la et_fw-la vel_fw-la exiliunt_fw-la statim_fw-la vel_fw-la evanesount_n gradatim_fw-la prout_fw-la fides_fw-la patientis_fw-la adjuvat_fw-la aut_fw-la gratia_fw-la curantis_fw-la aspirat_fw-la can_v we_o now_o think_v the_o devil_n shall_v not_o only_o forsake_v his_o tyranny_n over_o the_o body_n of_o man_n but_o let_v go_v so_o advantageous_a a_o pillar_n of_o his_o tyranny_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o idolatroius_fw-la worship_n as_o the_o conceal_n himself_o be_v have_v he_o not_o be_v force_v to_o it_o by_o a_o power_n far_o great_a than_o his_o own_o so_o cyprian_n ad_fw-la demetrianum_n appeal_v to_o he_o be_v the_o proconsul_n of_o africa_n about_o the_o same_o thing_n who_o have_v write_v sharp_o against_o the_o christian_n for_o speak_v of_o the_o devil_n who_o they_o worship_v in_o their_o idol_n o_o si_fw-la audire_fw-la eos_fw-la velles_fw-fr et_fw-la 12._o videre_fw-la quando_fw-la à _fw-la nobis_fw-la adjurantur_fw-la et_fw-la torquentur_fw-la spiritualibus_fw-la flagris_fw-la et_fw-la verborum_fw-la tormentis_fw-la de_fw-la obsessis_fw-la corporibus_fw-la ejiciuntur_fw-la quando_fw-la ejulantes_fw-la et_fw-la gemente_n voce_fw-la humana_fw-la et_fw-la potestate_fw-la divina_fw-la flagella_fw-la et_fw-la verbera_fw-la sentientes_fw-la venturum_fw-la judicium_fw-la confitentur_fw-la veni_fw-la et_fw-la cognosce_fw-la vera_fw-la esse_fw-la quae_fw-la dicimus_fw-la and_o a_o little_a after_o videbis_fw-la sub_fw-la manu_fw-la nostra_fw-la stare_v vinctos_fw-la et_fw-la tremere_fw-la captivos_fw-la quos_fw-la tu_fw-la suspicis_fw-la et_fw-la veneraris_fw-la ut_fw-la dominos_fw-la do_v ever_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a magician_n of_o which_o there_o be_v good_a store_n extort_v such_o thing_n from_o the_o devil_n as_o the_o christian_n do_v mere_o by_o their_o prayer_n and_o invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n do_v they_o ever_o make_v they_o confess_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v not_o only_o in_o possess_a body_n but_o in_o their_o temple_n too_o that_o be_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o their_o ephesian_a letter_n or_o any_o of_o their_o magical_a incantation_n do_v the_o devil_n ever_o dread_a so_o much_o the_o name_n of_o socrates_n or_o aristides_n as_o they_o do_v that_o of_o god_n and_o of_o christ_n of_o which_o lactantius_n thus_o speak_v quo_fw-la audito_fw-la 〈◊〉_d tremunt_fw-la exclamant_fw-la et_fw-la urise_fw-la verberarique_fw-la testantur_fw-la et_fw-la interrogati_fw-la qui_fw-la sint_fw-la quando_fw-la venerint_fw-la quando_fw-la in_o hominem_fw-la irrepserint_fw-la confitentur_fw-la sic_fw-la extorti_fw-la et_fw-la excruciati_fw-la virtate_fw-la divininuminis_fw-la exulant_fw-la propter_fw-la haec_fw-la verbera_fw-la et_fw-la minas_fw-la sanctos_fw-la et_fw-la justos_fw-la viros_fw-la semper_fw-la oderunt_fw-la and_o even_o apollo_n himself_o at_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n tremble_v as_o much_o as_o ever_o the_o pythian_a prophetess_n do_v in_o her_o great_a fury_n so_o prudentius_n tell_v we_o torquetur_fw-la apollo_n nomine_fw-la percussus_fw-la christi_fw-la nec_fw-la fulmina_fw-la verbi_fw-la apothâ—os_fw-la ferre_n potest_fw-la agitant_fw-la miserum_fw-la tot_fw-la verbera_fw-la linguae_fw-la quot_fw-la laudata_fw-la dei_fw-la resonant_n miracula_fw-la christi_fw-la to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v what_o firmicus_n say_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n ecce_fw-la daemon_n est_fw-la quem_fw-la colis_fw-la cum_fw-la dei_fw-la et_fw-la christi_fw-la ejus_fw-la nomen_fw-la audierit_fw-la contremiseit_n et_fw-la ut_fw-la interrogantibus_fw-la nob_n be_v respondeat_fw-la relig_n trepidantia_fw-la verba_fw-la vix_fw-la se_fw-la colligit_fw-la adhaerens_fw-la homini_fw-la laceratur_fw-la uritur_fw-la vapulat_fw-la et_fw-la statim_fw-la de_fw-fr commissis_fw-la sceleribus_fw-la confitetur_fw-la by_o which_o testimony_n it_o appear_v what_o power_n over_o satan_n when_o he_o be_v in_o his_o kingdom_n the_o christian_n by_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n have_v not_o as_o though_o the_o bare_a name_n of_o christ_n have_v so_o great_a a_o efficacy_n in_o the_o ejection_n of_o devil_n as_o origen_n seemâ—_n to_o be_v of_o opinion_n in_o a_o discourse_n about_o the_o efficacy_n of_o name_n unworthy_a of_o so_o great_a a_o philosopher_n but_o that_o god_n câ—ls_n may_v manifest_v to_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n that_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o name_n he_o do_v give_v a_o power_n to_o such_o as_o make_v use_v of_o it_o of_o work_a miracle_n by_o it_o and_o thence_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n that_o some_o who_o be_v not_o thorough_o christian_n but_o yet_o profess_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o what_o they_o do_v be_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n have_v a_o power_n of_o cast_v out_o devil_n and_o do_v many_o wonderful_a thing_n through_o his_o name_n by_o these_o and_o many_o other_o testimony_n which_o may_v be_v 6._o produce_v out_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n we_o find_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n to_o his_o disciple_n when_o he_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o they_o and_o these_o sign_n shall_v follow_v
17._o they_o that_o believe_v in_o my_o name_n shall_v they_o cast_v out_o devil_n etc._n etc._n this_o power_n then_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v a_o twofold_a argument_n in_o it_o both_o as_o it_o be_v a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o christ_n when_o his_o name_n so_o long_o after_o his_o ascension_n have_v so_o great_a a_o command_n over_o all_o the_o infernal_a spirit_n and_o that_o so_o evident_o that_o at_o that_o time_n when_o the_o christian_n do_v as_o it_o be_v tyrannize_v over_o satan_n so_o in_o his_o own_o territory_n yet_o then_o the_o great_a of_o his_o magician_n have_v no_o power_n to_o hurt_v the_o body_n of_o the_o christian_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n origen_n take_v much_o notice_n of_o for_o when_o celsus_n say_v from_o diogenes_n aegyptius_n that_o magic_n can_v only_o hurt_v ignorant_a and_o wicked_a man_n and_o have_v no_o power_n over_o philosopher_n origen_n reply_v first_o that_o philosophy_n be_v no_o such_o charm_n against_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n as_o appear_v by_o maeragenes_n who_o write_v the_o story_n of_o apollonius_n tyaneus_n the_o famous_a magician_n and_o philosopher_n who_o therein_o mention_n how_o euphrates_n and_o a_o epicurean_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o vulgar_a philosopher_n be_v catch_v by_o the_o magic_n of_o apollonius_n and_o although_o philostratus_n disow_v this_o history_n of_o maeragenes_n as_o fabulous_a yet_o he_o that_o think_v philostratus_n for_o that_o to_o be_v of_o any_o great_a credit_n be_v much_o deceive_v of_o who_o lud._n vives_n give_v this_o true_a character_n that_o he_o do_v magna_fw-la homeri_fw-la mendacia_fw-la majoribus_fw-la mendaciis_fw-la 5._o corrigere_fw-la mend_v one_o hole_n and_o make_v three_o but_o say_v origen_n as_o to_o the_o christian_n this_o be_v undoubted_o true_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 302._o this_o say_v he_o we_o be_v most_o certain_a of_o and_o have_v find_v it_o by_o experience_n true_a that_o those_o who_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n do_v worship_n god_n over_o all_o through_o jesus_n and_o do_v live_v according_a to_o the_o gospel_n be_v constant_a in_o their_o solemn_a prayer_n night_n and_o day_n be_v not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o power_n of_o any_o magic_a or_o devil_n whatsoever_o now_o than_o if_o the_o devil_n who_o have_v then_o so_o much_o power_n over_o other_o have_v none_o upon_o the_o true_a follower_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o in_o stead_n of_o that_o they_o have_v so_o great_a a_o command_a power_n over_o the_o devil_n even_o in_o thing_n which_o tend_v most_o to_o his_o disadvantage_n not_o only_a dislodging_n he_o out_o of_o body_n â—â—t_v out_o of_o his_o idolatrous_a temple_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a then_o that_o this_o power_n which_o be_v so_o efficacious_a for_o the_o overthrow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n must_v needs_o be_v far_o great_a than_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n be_v for_o it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a maxim_n in_o natural_a reason_n that_o whatever_o be_v put_v out_o of_o its_o former_a place_n by_o force_n and_o violence_n be_v extrude_v by_o something_o strong_a than_o its_o self_n for_o if_o the_o force_n on_o either_o side_n be_v equal_a there_o can_v be_v no_o dispossess_v sing_v of_o either_o if_o any_o thing_n then_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o its_o former_a possession_n unwilling_o it_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n there_o be_v some_o power_n great_a than_o his_o who_o be_v dispossess_v now_o we_o can_v conceive_v if_o there_o be_v such_o malignant_a spirit_n as_o by_o many_o undeniable_a proof_n it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v willing_o quit_v their_o possession_n to_o such_o a_o doctrine_n which_o tend_v to_o the_o unavoidable_a ruin_n of_o their_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n if_o then_o the_o power_n of_o this_o doctrine_n have_v overthrow_v the_o devil_n kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n wherever_o it_o have_v be_v true_o entertain_v it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o this_o power_n be_v far_o above_o the_o power_n of_o any_o damn_a spirit_n now_o what_o folly_n and_o madness_n be_v it_o in_o the_o heathen_n to_o worship_v those_o for_o god_n which_o they_o can_v not_o but_o see_v if_o they_o will_v open_v their_o eye_n be_v under_o so_o great_a slavery_n to_o a_o power_n above_o they_o which_o can_v make_v they_o confess_v what_o be_v most_o to_o their_o disadvantage_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o their_o great_a adorer_n neither_o ought_v the_o many_o counterfeit_n and_o imposture_n which_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n in_o this_o kind_n since_o the_o establishment_n of_o 7._o christian_a religion_n among_o the_o advancer_n of_o particular_a interest_n and_o design_n make_v we_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n for_o first_o it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o the_o strong_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o religion_n ought_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o the_o age_n of_o its_o first_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n if_o then_o the_o evidence_n be_v undoubted_a as_o to_o those_o first_o time_n we_o ought_v to_o embrace_v our_o religion_n as_o true_a whatever_o the_o imposture_n have_v be_v among_o those_o who_o have_v apparent_o go_v aside_o from_o that_o purity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o have_v so_o great_a power_n then_o second_o if_o all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o this_o kind_n of_o eject_v devil_n where_o christianity_n be_v own_v be_v acknowledge_v for_o imposture_n one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n must_v be_v suppose_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o either_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o real_a possession_n by_o the_o devil_n or_o else_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o dispossess_v he_o if_o the_o first_o than_o hereby_o will_v be_v see_v a_o confirmation_n of_o our_o former_a argument_n that_o where_o christianity_n be_v own_v by_o the_o power_n of_o that_o the_o devil_n be_v more_o curb_v and_o restrain_v then_o where_o it_o be_v not_o or_o else_o be_v much_o overrun_v with_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n of_o the_o latter_a the_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o 10._o century_n to_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o 16._o current_n be_v a_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o first_o all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o place_n where_o paganism_n or_o gross_a idolatry_n do_v yet_o reign_v will_v bring_v in_o their_o creditable_a testimony_n how_o tyrannical_a the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v yet_o among_o they_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o then_o where_o careful_a endeavour_n have_v be_v use_v for_o retrive_v the_o ancient_a pâ—rity_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o worship_n we_o ought_v to_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o power_n of_o he_o who_o be_v strong_a than_o satan_n who_o wherever_o he_o come_v to_o dwell_v do_v dispossess_v he_o of_o his_o former_a habitation_n if_o the_o second_o then_o be_v entertain_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o conclude_v all_o thing_n as_o imposture_n which_o be_v account_v dispossession_n of_o satan_n viz._n that_o he_o never_o be_v real_o dispossess_v than_o it_o must_v either_o be_v say_v that_o where_o he_o be_v once_o seize_v there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o eject_v he_o which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o devil_n have_v a_o absolute_a and_o infinite_a power_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o power_n great_a than_o he_o which_o be_v to_o own_v he_o for_o god_n or_o else_o that_o god_n suffer_v he_o to_o tyrannize_v where_o and_o how_o he_o will_v which_o be_v contrary_a to_o divine_a providence_n and_o the_o care_n god_n take_v of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n or_o else_o last_o that_o those_o person_n who_o pretend_v to_o do_v it_o be_v not_o such_o person_n who_o be_v arm_v so_o much_o with_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n nor_o possess_v with_o such_o a_o due_a spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o have_v command_v over_o these_o infernal_a spirit_n and_o this_o in_o the_o case_n pretend_v by_o the_o great_a juggler_n and_o impostor_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n the_o popish_a priest_n have_v be_v so_o notorious_a that_o none_o of_o their_o own_o party_n of_o any_o great_a faith_n or_o credit_n will_v stand_v to_o vouch_v they_o and_o we_o have_v this_o impregnable_a argument_n against_o all_o such_o imposture_n that_o the_o matter_n which_o they_o by_o such_o action_n will_v give_v a_o evidence_n to_o be_v so_o vast_o different_a from_o if_o not_o in_o some_o thing_n diametrical_o opposite_a to_o the_o first_o delivery_n and_o design_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o way_n use_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o
it_o to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o thing_n by_o any_o real_a miracle_n for_o so_o it_o will_v invalidate_v the_o great_a force_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o same_o argument_n shall_v be_v use_v for_o the_o prove_v of_o that_o which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o impartial_a person_n be_v not_o deliver_v when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctriâ—e_n of_o christ_n be_v confirm_v by_o so_o many_o and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n but_o hereby_o we_o see_v what_o unconceivable_a prejudice_n have_v be_v do_v to_o the_o true_a primitive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o what_o stumbling-block_n have_v be_v lay_v in_o the_o way_n of_o considerative_a person_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o embrace_v the_o true_o christian_a faith_n by_o those_o who_o will_v be_v think_v the_o infallible_a director_n of_o man_n in_o it_o by_o make_v use_n of_o the_o broad-seal_a of_o heaven_n set_v only_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o confirm_v their_o unwritten_a and_o superstitious_a way_n of_o worship_n for_o if_o i_o once_o see_v that_o which_o i_o look_v on_o as_o a_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o divine_a power_n bring_v to_o attest_v any_o thing_n direct_o contrary_a to_o divine_a revelation_n i_o must_v either_o conclude_v that_o god_n may_v contradict_v himself_o by_o seal_v both_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n which_o be_v both_o blasphemous_a and_o impossible_a or_o that_o that_o society_n of_o man_n which_o own_o such_o thing_n be_v not_o at_o all_o tender_a of_o the_o honour_n of_o christain_n doctrine_n but_o seek_v to_o set_v up_o a_o interest_n contrary_a to_o it_o and_o matter_n not_o what_o disadvantage_n be_v do_v to_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n by_o such_o unworthy_a pretence_n and_o which_o of_o these_o two_o be_v more_o rational_a and_o true_a let_v every_o one_o conscience_n judge_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v much_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n to_o have_v all_o such_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n discover_v which_o do_v so_o much_o disservice_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o be_v such_o secret_a fomenter_n of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n but_o how_o far_o that_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o they_o which_o believe_v in_o his_o name_n shall_v cast_v out_o devil_n and_o do_v many_o miracle_n may_v extend_v 17._o even_o in_o these_o last_o age_n of_o the_o world_n to_o such_o generous_a and_o primitive-spirited_n christian_n who_o out_o of_o a_o great_a and_o deep_a sense_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o tenderness_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v go_v among_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n to_o convert_v they_o only_o to_o christ_n and_o not_o to_o a_o secular_a interest_n under_o pretence_n of_o a_o infallible_a head_n be_v not_o here_o a_o place_n full_o to_o inquire_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n why_o god_n may_v not_o yet_o for_o the_o conviction_n of_o infidel_n employ_v such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n although_o there_o be_v not_o such_o necessity_n of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v some_o evidence_n of_o the_o power_n of_o christianity_n now_o which_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a then_o as_o the_o overthrow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n in_o the_o world_n the_o prevail_a of_o christianity_n notwithstanding_o force_v use_v against_o it_o the_o recovery_n of_o it_o from_o amid_o all_o the_o corruption_n which_o be_v mix_v with_o it_o the_o consent_n of_o those_o party_n in_o the_o common_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n which_o yet_o disagree_v froâ—_n each_o other_o with_o great_a bitterness_n of_o spirit_n though_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o of_o that_o necessity_n now_o when_o the_o scripture_n be_v conuâ—yed_v to_o we_o in_o a_o certain_a uninterrupted_a manner_n yet_o god_n may_v please_v out_o of_o his_o abundant_a provision_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o employ_v good_a man_n to_o do_v something_o which_o may_v manifest_v the_o power_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v above_o the_o â—_z who_o they_o worship_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v far_o soon_o believe_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o xaverius_n and_o his_o brethren_n employ_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o infidel_n than_o lipsius_n his_o virgo_fw-la hallensis_n and_o asprecollis_n can_v it_o but_o be_v make_v evident_a to_o i_o that_o the_o design_n of_o those_o person_n have_v more_o of_o christianity_n than_o popery_n in_o it_o that_o be_v that_o they_o go_v more_o upon_o a_o design_n to_o bring_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o infidel_n to_o heaven_n then_o to_o enlarge_v the_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n but_o whatever_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n or_o the_o design_n of_o those_o person_n be_v we_o have_v certain_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n 8._o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n whereby_o christianity_n be_v first_o propagate_v and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n overthrow_v in_o the_o world_n christ_n thereby_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o his_o power_n be_v great_a than_o the_o devil_n who_o have_v possession_n because_o he_o overcome_v he_o take_v from_o he_o all_o his_o armour_n wherein_o he_o trust_v 22._o and_o divide_v his_o spoil_n i_o e._n dispossess_v he_o of_o man_n body_n and_o his_o idolatrous_a temple_n silence_v his_o oracle_n nonplus_v his_o magician_n and_o at_o last_o when_o christianity_n have_v overcome_v by_o suffering_n wrest_v the_o worldly_a power_n and_o empire_n out_o of_o the_o devil_n hand_n and_o employ_v it_o against_o himself_o neither_o may_v we_o think_v because_o since_o that_o time_n the_o devil_n have_v get_v some_o ground_n in_o the_o world_n again_o by_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o mahometism_n &_o the_o general_a corruption_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o therefore_o the_o other_o be_v no_o argument_n of_o divine_a power_n because_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o tie_v to_o any_o particular_a place_n because_o such_o a_o fall_v away_o have_v be_v foretell_v in_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o be_v prove_v by_o it_o and_o because_o god_n himself_o have_v threaten_v that_o those_o who_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v up_o to_o strong_a de'usion_n do_v not_o this_o then_o in_o stead_n of_o abate_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n confirm_v it_o more_o and_o that_o nothing_o be_v fall_v out_o in_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o what_o be_v foretell_v by_o those_o who_o god_n employ_v in_o the_o convert_n of_o it_o but_o we_o be_v neither_o without_o some_o fair_a hope_n even_o from_o that_o divine_a revelation_n which_o be_v seal_v by_o uncontrolled_a evidence_n that_o there_o may_v be_v yet_o a_o time_n to_o come_v when_o christ_n will_v recover_v his_o church_n to_o their_o pristine_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n but_o withal_o i_o think_v we_o be_v not_o to_o measure_v the_o future_a felicity_n of_o the_o church_n by_o outward_a splendour_n and_o greatness_n which_o too_o many_o so_o strong_o fancy_v but_o by_o a_o recovery_n of_o that_o true_a spirit_n of_o christianity_n which_o breathe_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n whatever_o the_o outward_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v for_o if_o worldly_a greatness_n and_o ease_n and_o riches_n be_v the_o first_o impairer_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v how_o the_o restore_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o its_o true_a glory_n can_v be_v by_o the_o advance_n of_o that_o which_o give_v so_o great_a a_o occasion_n to_o pride_n and_o sensuality_n which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o design_n of_o christian_a religion_n unless_o we_o suppose_v man_n free_a from_o those_o corruption_n which_o continual_a experience_n still_o tell_v the_o world_n the_o ruler_n as_o well_o as_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a society_n be_v subject_a to_o neither_o may_v that_o be_v wonder_v at_o when_o such_o uneveness_n of_o part_n be_v now_o discover_v in_o the_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o sun_n himself_o be_v find_v to_o have_v his_o maculae_fw-la as_o though_o the_o sun_n have_v a_o purple_a fever_n or_o as_o kiroher_n express_v it_o ipse_fw-la phoebus_n qui_fw-la rerum_fw-la omnium_fw-la in_o universo_fw-it naturae_fw-la theatro_fw-la aspectabilium_fw-la longè_fw-la pulcherrimus_fw-la omnium_fw-la opinion_n 2._o est_fw-la habitus_fw-la hoc_fw-la seculo_fw-la tandem_fw-la fumosa_fw-la fancy_n ac_fw-la infecto_fw-la vultu_fw-la maculis_fw-la prodiit_fw-la diceres_fw-la eum_fw-la variolis_fw-la laborare_fw-la senescentem_fw-la i_o speak_v not_o this_o as_o though_o a_o outward_a flourish_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o its_o purity_n for_o then_o the_o way_n to_o refine_v it_o be_v to_o throw_v it_o into_o the_o flame_n of_o persecution_n but_o that_o
the_o advancement_n of_o the_o flourish_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o mere_o by_o outward_a pomp_n and_o grandeur_n and_o that_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o state_n of_o outward_a difficulty_n which_o the_o experience_n oâ—_n the_o primitive_a church_n give_v a_o irrefragable_a demonstration_n of_o thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n conjoin_v with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o overthrow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o that_o great_a antichrist_n the_o devil_n who_o have_v usurp_v so_o much_o tyranny_n over_o the_o world_n the_o last_o reason_n why_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v so_o necessary_a 9_o for_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v because_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v propagate_v over_o the_o world_n without_o any_o other_o rational_a evidence_n than_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o now_o the_o admirable_a success_n which_o this_o doctrine_n find_v in_o the_o world_n consider_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o do_v make_v it_o clear_v what_o certainty_n there_o be_v that_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v be_v true_a and_o they_o be_v certain_a evidence_n that_o the_o doctrine_n attest_v by_o they_o be_v from_o god_n now_o this_o will_v appear_v from_o these_o two_o thing_n that_o no_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v why_o the_o apostle_n shall_v undertake_v to_o publish_v such_o a_o doctrine_n unless_o they_o have_v 1._o be_v undoubted_o certain_a that_o the_o doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o they_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o persuade_v other_o to_o believe_v it_o that_o no_o satisfactory_a account_n can_v be_v give_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o propagation_n why_o it_o shall_v meet_v with_o so_o great_a acceptance_n in_o the_o world_n have_v there_o 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as_o other_o man_n in_o the_o world_n do_v which_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o beside_o his_o wit_n as_o to_o question_v if_o he_o have_v but_o patience_n and_o understanding_n enough_o to_o read_v and_o consider_v those_o admirable_a write_n of_o they_o which_o be_v convey_v to_o we_o by_o as_o certain_a uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v and_o by_o that_o time_n he_o will_v see_v cause_n to_o alter_v his_o judgement_n and_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o mad_a but_o speak_v the_o word_n of_o the_o great_a truth_n and_o soberness_n these_o thing_n suppose_v i_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o prove_v of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n which_o will_v be_v do_v by_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o but_o know_v how_o hazardous_a a_o employment_n the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v to_o they_o second_o that_o no_o motive_n can_v be_v conceive_v sufficient_a for_o they_o to_o undertake_v such_o a_o employment_n but_o the_o infallible_a truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v three_o that_o the_o great_a assurance_n they_o have_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n be_v by_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ._n first_o that_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o but_o understand_v the_o hazard_n of_o their_o employment_n notwithstanding_o which_o they_o cheerful_o undertake_v it_o that_o man_n arm_v with_o no_o external_a power_n nor_o cry_v up_o for_o their_o wit_n and_o learning_n and_o carry_v a_o doctrine_n with_o they_o so_o contraâ—y_o to_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o the_o world_n have_v nothing_o in_o it_o to_o recommend_v it_o to_o mankind_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o part_v with_o the_o religion_n they_o own_v and_o be_v settle_v by_o their_o law_n and_o to_o embrace_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o call_v they_o off_o from_o all_o the_o thing_n they_o love_v in_o this_o world_n and_o to_o prepare_v themselves_o by_o mortification_n &_o self-denial_n for_o another_o world_n be_v a_o thing_n to_o humane_a reason_n incredible_a unless_o we_o suppose_v they_o act_v by_o a_o high_a spirit_n than_o mankind_n be_v ordinary_o act_v by_o for_o what_o be_v there_o so_o desirable_a in_o continual_a reproach_n &_o contumely_n what_o delight_n be_v there_o in_o rack_n and_o prison_n what_o agreeableness_n in_o flame_n and_o martyrdom_n to_o make_v man_n undergo_v some_o nay_o all_o of_o these_o rather_o than_o disow_v that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o come_v to_o publish_v yet_o these_o do_v the_o apostle_n cheerful_o undergo_v in_o order_n to_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o deliver_v to_o it_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o though_o they_o do_v foresee_v they_o they_o be_v not_o discourage_v from_o this_o undertake_n by_o it_o i_o confess_v when_o man_n be_v upon_o hope_n of_o profit_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n engage_v upon_o a_o design_n which_o they_o promise_v themselves_o impunity_n in_o have_v power_n on_o their_o side_n though_o afterward_o thing_n shall_v fall_v out_o contrary_a to_o their_o expectation_n such_o person_n may_v die_v in_o such_o a_o cause_n because_o they_o must_v and_o some_o may_v carry_v it_o out_o with_o more_o resolution_n partly_o through_o a_o innate_a fortitude_n of_o spirit_n heighten_v with_o the_o advantage_n of_o religion_n or_o a_o enthusiastic_a temper_n but_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v that_o such_o person_n will_v have_v undertake_v so_o hazardous_a a_o employment_n if_o beforehand_o they_o have_v foresee_v what_o they_o must_v have_v undergo_v for_o it_o but_o now_o the_o apostle_n do_v foreknow_v that_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n nay_o death_n its_o self_n must_v be_v undergo_v in_o a_o violent_a manner_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v yet_o not_o withstand_v all_o this_o they_o go_v bold_o and_o with_o resolution_n on_o with_o their_o work_n and_o give_v not_o over_o because_o of_o any_o hardship_n and_o persecution_n they_o meet_v withal_o one_o of_o the_o chies_a of_o they_o s._n peter_n and_o as_o forward_o as_o any_o in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n have_v the_o very_a manner_n of_o his_o death_n foretell_v he_o by_o christ_n himself_o 19_o before_o his_o ascension_n yet_o soon_o after_o we_o find_v he_o preach_v christ_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o those_o who_o have_v crucify_v he_o and_o tell_v they_o to_o their_o face_n the_o greatness_n of_o their_o sin_n in_o it_o and_o appeal_n to_o the_o miracle_n which_o christ_n have_v do_v among_o they_o and_o bid_v they_o repent_v and_o believe_v in_o he_o who_o they_o have_v crucify_v if_o ever_o they_o will_v be_v save_v and_o this_o he_o do_v 5._o not_o only_o among_o the_o people_n who_o give_v their_o consent_n to_o the_o crucify_a of_o christ_n but_o soon_o after_o be_v conventedâ—ogether_o â—ogether_z with_o john_n before_o the_o court_n of_o sanbedrin_n probable_o the_o very_a same_o which_o not_o long_o before_o have_v sentence_v christ_n to_o death_n for_o a_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o they_o with_o what_o incredible_a boldness_n do_v he_o to_o their_o face_n tell_v they_o of_o their_o murder_a 12._o christ_n and_o withal_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o salvation_n but_o by_o he_o who_o they_o have_v crucify_v be_v it_o know_v unto_o you_o all_o say_v peter_n to_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n that_o by_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o you_o have_v crucify_v who_o god_n raise_v from_o the_o dead_a even_o by_o he_o do_v this_o man_n stand_v here_o before_o you_o whole_a neither_o be_v there_o salvation_n in_o any_o other_o for_o there_o be_v none_o other_o name_n under_o heaven_n give_v among_o man_n whereby_o we_o must_v be_v save_v what_o
be_v the_o great_a seal_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n therefore_o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n so_o frequent_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o themselves_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o jesus_n say_v peter_n have_v god_n raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o all_o be_v witness_n and_o again_o and_o kill_v the_o prince_n of_o life_n who_o 32._o god_n have_v raise_v up_o from_o the_o dead_a whereof_o we_o be_v witness_n and_o both_o peter_n and_o john_n to_o the_o sanhedrin_n for_o we_o can_v 15._o but_o speak_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o the_o 20._o whole_a college_n of_o apostle_n afterward_o and_o we_o be_v his_o witness_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o so_o be_v also_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o god_n 32._o have_v give_v to_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o in_o which_o word_n they_o give_v they_o that_o twofold_a rational_a evidence_n which_o do_v manifest_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v for_o they_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o themselves_o be_v witness_n of_o and_o withal_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v true_a by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o and_o upon_o believer_n afterward_o we_o read_v the_o sum_n oâ—_n the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o the_o manner_n use_v by_o they_o to_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o word_n of_o peter_n to_o cernâ—lius_n and_o his_o company_n how_o god_n anoint_v jesus_n of_o nazareth_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o power_n who_o go_v about_o do_v good_a and_o heal_v all_o that_o be_v 42._o oppress_v of_o the_o devil_n for_o god_n be_v with_o he_o and_o we_o be_v witness_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v both_o in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o jerusalem_n who_o they_o stew_n and_o hang_v on_o a_o tree_n him_n god_n raise_v up_o the_o three_o day_n and_o show_v he_o open_o not_o to_o all_o the_o people_n but_o unto_o witness_n choose_v before_o of_o god_n even_o to_o we_o who_o do_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o he_o after_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o he_o command_v we_o to_o â—reach_v unto_o the_o people_n that_o it_o be_v be_v which_o be_v ordain_v of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o quick_a and_o dead_a by_o all_o which_o we_o see_v what_o care_n god_n be_v please_v to_o take_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o world_n in_o point_n of_o rational_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v discover_v concern_v our_o saviour_n christ_n because_o he_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o person_n to_o be_v the_o preacher_n and_o writer_n of_o these_o thing_n who_o be_v the_o best_a able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o world_n about_o they_o viz._n such_o as_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o they_o now_o in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v it_o more_o full_o evident_a what_o 14._o strength_n there_o be_v in_o this_o testimony_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n we_o shall_v more_o full_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n which_o attend_v it_o in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v sufficient_o manifest_v if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evident_o prove_v in_o the_o high_a way_n it_o be_v capable_a 1._o of_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o be_v so_o interweave_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n of_o christ_n that_o if_o the_o relation_n concern_v christ_n be_v true_a his_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a for_o if_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n bear_v at_o bethlehem_n who_o do_v so_o many_o miracle_n and_o at_o last_o suffer_v the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o after_o he_o have_v lie_v three_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a what_o reason_n imaginable_a can_v i_o have_v to_o question_v but_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o person_n be_v certain_o divine_a and_o consequent_o what_o ever_o he_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n we_o must_v likewise_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n which_o come_v attest_v with_o such_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n which_o he_o have_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n no_o prince_n can_v think_v he_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o refuse_v audience_n to_o a_o ambassador_n when_o he_o find_v his_o credential_n such_o as_o he_o may_v rely_v upon_o although_o himself_o do_v not_o see_v the_o seal_n of_o they_o much_o less_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o we_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v christ_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o those_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v the_o great_a evidence_n which_o can_v be_v give_v to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n 2._o be_v the_o attest_v of_o it_o by_o those_o person_n who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n whereon_o the_o firm_a assent_n be_v build_v as_o to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o although_o we_o conceive_v we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o story_n as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v convey_v only_o in_o a_o general_a way_n by_o a_o uncertain_a fame_n and_o tradition_n yet_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v attest_v by_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o credible_a person_n who_o profess_v themselves_o the_o cye-witness_n of_o it_o it_o be_v account_v a_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o distrust_v any_o long_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o especial_o in_o these_o two_o case_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n they_o bear_v witness_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o they_o may_v easy_o and_o clear_o perceive_v 2._o when_o many_o witness_n exact_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o testimony_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n itself_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o may_v be_v full_o perceive_v by_o those_o who_o see_v it_o i._n e._n if_o it_o be_v a_o common_a object_n of_o sense_n and_o thus_o it_o certain_o be_v as_o to_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ._n for_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o mankind_n and_o they_o have_v as_o great_a evidence_n that_o they_o converse_v with_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n as_o we_o can_v have_v that_o we_o converse_v one_o with_o another_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v real_a and_o visible_a miracle_n they_o can_v be_v no_o illusion_n of_o sense_n nor_o deceit_n of_o their_o eye_n the_o man_n who_o be_v bear_v blind_a and_o cure_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v blind_a through_o all_o the_o country_n and_o his_o cure_n be_v after_o as_o public_a as_o his_o blindness_n before_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o 26._o christ_n at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o be_v do_v when_o christ_n raise_v up_o the_o dead_a man_n at_o naim_n it_o be_v before_o much_o people_n and_o such_o 12._o person_n in_o probability_n who_o be_v many_o of_o they_o present_a at_o his_o death_n but_o least_o there_o may_v be_v any_o suspicion_n as_o to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o dead_a the_o case_n be_v plain_a and_o beyond_o all_o dispute_n in_o lazarus_n who_o have_v be_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o person_n thereabouts_o dead_a four_o day_n here_o can_v be_v no_o deceit_n at_o all_o 39_o when_o the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o and_o lazarus_n come_v forth_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o they_o all_o and_o yet_o further_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o plain_a object_n of_o sense_n do_v in_o presence_n of_o his_o great_a adversary_n the_o soldier_n themselves_o be_v sufficient_a witness_n of_o his_o be_v real_o dead_a when_o they_o come_v to_o break_v his_o bone_n and_o spare_v he_o because_o they_o see_v he_o be_v dead_a already_o at_o his_o resurrection_n the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o from_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o no_o body_n find_v therein_o although_o the_o sepulchre_n be_v guard_v by_o soldier_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n all_o so_o fearful_a that_o they_o be_v disperse_v up_o and_o down_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o real_a body_n which_o he_o rise_v withal_o and_o no_o aerial_a vehicle_n appear_v by_o thomas_n his_o serupulosity_n and_o unbelief_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v unless_o â—e_n may_v put_v his_o hand_n into_o the_o hole_n of_o his_o side_n and_o see_v 27._o
in_o his_o hand_n the_o â—rint_n of_o the_o nail_n now_o our_o saviour_n condeseend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o satisfy_v the_o incredulity_n of_o thomas_n have_v make_v it_o thereby_o evident_a that_o the_o body_n which_o our_o saviour_n rise_v from_o the_o grave_n with_o be_v the_o same_o individual_a body_n which_o before_o be_v crucify_v and_o bury_v in_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o we_o sin_v all_o the_o apostle_n together_o upon_o our_o saviour_n appearance_n to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n so_o far_o from_o be_v credulous_a in_o embrace_v a_o phantasm_n instead_o of_o christ_n that_o they_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v either_o a_o mere_a phantasm_n or_o a_o evil_a spirit_n which_o appear_v among_o they_o upon_o which_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v terrify_v 37._o and_o affright_v and_o suppose_v they_o have_v see_v a_o spirit_n which_o our_o saviour_n can_v not_o beat_v they_o off_o from_o but_o by_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o sense_n handle_v i_o and_o see_v for_o a_o spirit_n 39_o have_v not_o flesh_n and_o bone_n as_o you_o see_v i_o have_v and_o afterward_o more_o full_o to_o convince_v they_o he_o do_v eat_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o now_o the_o more_o suspicious_a and_o incredulous_a the_o apostle_n themselves_o 43._o at_o first_o be_v the_o great_a evidence_n be_v it_o how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o any_o design_n of_o abuse_v the_o world_n in_o what_o they_o after_o preach_v unto_o it_o and_o what_o strong_a conviction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n its_o self_n which_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v such_o scrupulous_a and_o suspicious_a person_n 2._o when_o many_o witness_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o testimony_n nothing_o can_v disparage_v more_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o testimony_n than_o the_o counter_a witness_n of_o such_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o same_o action_n but_o when_o all_o the_o witness_n full_o agree_v not_o only_o in_o the_o substance_n but_o in_o all_o material_a circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n what_o ground_n or_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o suspect_v a_o forgery_n or_o design_n in_o it_o especial_o when_o the_o person_n can_v by_o any_o fear_n or_o threaten_n be_v bring_v to_o vary_v from_o each_o other_o in_o it_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n we_o find_v no_o real_a dissent_n at_o all_o mention_v either_o as_o to_o the_o birth_n miracle_n life_n death_n or_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n all_o the_o witness_n attest_v the_o same_o thing_n though_o write_v in_o different_a place_n and_o upon_o different_a occasion_n no_o alteration_n in_o any_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n out_o of_o any_o design_n of_o please_a or_o gratify_v any_o person_n by_o it_o most_o of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n not_o only_o his_o apostle_n but_o the_o people_n and_o his_o very_a enemy_n be_v witness_n of_o who_o posterity_n to_o this_o day_n dare_v not_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o strange_a work_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o he_o and_o for_o his_o resurrection_n it_o will_v be_v very_o strange_a that_o five_o hundred_o person_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n or_o death_n can_v bring_v any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o have_v there_o not_o be_v the_o great_a certainty_n in_o it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v such_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v give_v by_o eye-witness_n but_o either_o from_o question_v their_o knowledge_n 3._o of_o the_o thing_n they_o speak_v of_o or_o their_o fidelity_n in_o report_v they_o now_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o doubt_n either_o of_o these_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o person_n who_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o world_n concern_v the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n for_o first_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v intimate_o conversant_a both_o with_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v 1._o choose_v and_o train_v up_o for_o that_o very_a end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v sufficient_o qualify_v to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n concern_v himself_o after_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o according_o they_o follow_v he_o up_o and_o down_o wheresoever_o he_o go_v they_o be_v with_o he_o in_o his_o solitude_n and_o retirement_n and_o have_v thereby_o occasion_n to_o observe_v all_o his_o action_n and_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o unspotted_a innocency_n of_o his_o life_n some_o of_o his_o disciple_n be_v with_o he_o in_o his_o transfiguration_n other_o in_o his_o agony_n and_o bloody_a sweat_n they_o hear_v the_o expression_n which_o come_v from_o his_o mouth_n in_o all_o which_o he_o discover_v a_o wonderful_a submission_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o a_o great_a readiness_n of_o mind_n to_o suffer_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o world_n now_o therefore_o the_o first_o thing_n can_v at_o all_o be_v question_v their_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v neither_o second_o be_v there_o any_o reasâ—n_n to_o suspect_v their_o fidelity_n 1_o in_o report_v what_o they_o know_v for_o 1._o the_o truth_n of_o this_o doctrine_n wrought_v so_o far_o upon_o they_o that_o they_o part_v with_o all_o their_o worldly_a subsistence_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o although_o their_o riches_n be_v not_o great_a yet_o their_o way_n of_o subsistence_n in_o the_o world_n be_v necessary_a they_o leave_v their_o house_n their_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o all_o for_o christ_n and_o that_o not_o to_o gain_v any_o high_a preferment_n in_o this_o world_n which_o have_v they_o do_v it_o will_v have_v render_v their_o design_n suspicious_a to_o the_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a world_n but_o they_o let_v go_v at_o least_o a_o quiet_a and_o easy_a life_n for_o one_o most_o troublesome_a and_o dangerous_a so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o how_o much_o they_o part_v withal_o but_o how_o free_o they_o do_v it_o and_o with_o what_o cheerfulness_n they_o undergo_v disgrace_n persecution_n nay_o death_n its_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gospel_n now_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o ever_o man_n be_v so_o prodigal_a of_o their_o ease_n and_o life_n as_o to_o throw_v both_o of_o they_o away_o upon_o a_o thing_n which_o themselves_o be_v not_o full_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o have_v be_v the_o high_a folly_n imaginable_a to_o have_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o they_o as_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v be_v because_o all_o their_o hope_n and_o happiness_n depend_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v and_o as_o tertullian_n observe_v non_fw-la fas_fw-la est_fw-la ulli_fw-la de_fw-fr suâ_fw-la religione_fw-la mentiri_fw-la for_o say_v he_o he_o that_o say_v he_o worship_v any_o thing_n be_v side_n what_o he_o do_v he_o deny_v what_o he_o do_v worship_n and_o transfer_v his_o worship_n upon_o another_o and_o thereby_o do_v not_o worship_n that_o which_o he_o thus_o deny_v beside_o what_o probability_n be_v there_o man_n shall_v lie_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o tell_v they_o that_o those_o which_o do_v so_o shall_v not_o receive_v the_o reward_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o those_o who_o cordial_o adhere_v unto_o it_o nay_o they_o declare_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o most_o miserable_a of_o all_o person_n if_o their_o hope_n be_v only_o in_o this_o present_a life_n can_v we_o now_o 19_o think_v that_o any_o who_o have_v the_o common_a reason_n of_o man_n will_v part_v with_o all_o the_o contentment_n of_o this_o world_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o continual_a hazard_n and_o at_o last_o undergo_v death_n its_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o something_o which_o be_v mere_o the_o fiction_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n what_o shall_v make_v they_o so_o sedulous_a and_o industrious_a in_o preach_v such_o thing_n that_o they_o can_v say_v necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o yea_o woe_n be_v unto_o they_o if_o they_o preach_v not_o the_o 16._o gospel_n when_o yet_o they_o see_v so_o many_o woe_n attend_v they_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o it_o have_v there_o not_o be_v some_o more_o powerful_a attractive_a in_o the_o beauty_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v than_o any_o can_v be_v in_o the_o ease_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o this_o present_a world_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o apostle_n manifest_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o no_o other_o witness_n be_v ever_o yet_o willing_a to_o hazard_v they_o and_o therefore_o origen_n deserve_o 127_o condemn_v celsus_n of_o a_o ridiculous_a impertinency_n when_o he_o will_v parallel_v the_o relation_n of_o herodotus_n and_o pindarus_n concern_v aristeus_n proconnesius_n with_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v christ_n for_o faith_n he_o do_v either_o of_o those_o two_o
have_v as_o many_o turn_n and_o wind_n as_o they_o have_v but_o the_o horn_n which_o moses_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v picture_v with_o do_v only_o note_v light_n and_o perspicuity_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o note_v the_o send_v forth_o of_o ray_n of_o light_n like_o a_o horn_n and_o yet_o moses_n himself_o be_v veil_v in_o comparison_n of_o the_o openness_n and_o plainness_n of_o speech_n which_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n impostor_n cast_v a_o mist_n of_o many_o dark_a and_o cloudy_a word_n before_o they_o but_o when_o they_o be_v once_o bring_v into_o the_o open_a light_n their_o vizard_n fall_v off_o and_o their_o deformity_n appear_v such_o person_n delight_v in_o soar_v quite_o out_o of_o the_o apprehension_n of_o those_o who_o follow_v they_o and_o never_o think_v themselves_o better_a recompense_v for_o their_o pain_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o admire_v and_o least_o understand_v but_o never_o be_v christianity_n more_o dishonour_v then_o when_o man_n bring_v it_o from_o its_o native_a simplicity_n and_o plainness_n into_o a_o company_n of_o cloudy_a and_o insignificant_a expression_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v man_n better_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o devil_n design_n by_o such_o obscure_a term_n to_o make_v way_n for_o a_o mystery_n to_o be_v advance_v but_o it_o be_v of_o iniquity_n and_o soon_o after_o we_o see_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o in_o another_o oracle_n set_v up_o at_o rome_n instead_o of_o delphos_n and_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o it_o be_v the_o obscurity_n suppose_v in_o scripture_n what!_o darkness_n come_v by_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n or_o be_v the_o sun_n at_o last_o grow_v so_o beggarly_a that_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o borrow_v light_n of_o the_o earth_n must_v the_o scripture_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o church_n for_o its_o clearness_n and_o christ_n himself_o not_o speak_v intelligible_o unless_o the_o popâ—_n be_v his_o interpreter_n do_v christ_n reveal_v to_o the_o world_n the_o way_n to_o salvation_n and_o yet_o leave_v man_n to_o seâ—k_v which_o be_v it_o till_o a_o guide_n never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o scripture_n come_v to_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o it_o what_o strange_a witness_n be_v the_o apostle_n if_o they_o do_v noâ—_n speak_v the_o truth_n with_o plainness_n how_o have_v man_n be_v to_o sâ—â—k_a as_o â—o_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o all_o evidence_n and_o perspicuity_n who_o must_v we_o believe_v in_o this_o case_n the_o apostle_n or_o the_o roman_a oracle_n the_o apostle_n they_o tell_v we_o they_o speak_v 4._o with_o all_o plainness_n of_o speech_n and_o for_o that_o end_n purposely_o lay_v aside_o all_o excellency_n of_o word_n and_o humane_a wisdom_n that_o man_n may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o their_o mâ—aning_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v hide_v to_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v lose_v and_o who_o eye_n be_v blind_v by_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n that_o the_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o they_o be_v a_o light_n to_o direct_v we_o in_o our_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o a_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o and_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a property_n of_o light_a to_o be_v obscure_a and_o of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v crooked_a but_o it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a from_o the_o apostle_n own_o affirmation_n that_o they_o lay_v aside_o all_o affect_a obscurity_n ambiguous_a expression_n and_o philosophical_a term_n whereby_o the_o world_n may_v have_v be_v to_o seek_v for_o what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v but_o it_o be_v likewise_o clear_a from_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v and_o the_o design_n of_o their_o preach_n of_o it_o what_o need_v rhetoric_n in_o plain_a truth_n or_o affect_a phrase_n in_o give_v evidence_n how_o incongruous_a will_v obscure_v expression_n have_v be_v to_o the_o design_n of_o save_a soul_n by_o the_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v for_o if_o they_o have_v industrious_o speak_v in_o their_o preach_n above_o the_o capacity_n of_o those_o they_o speak_v to_o they_o can_v never_o have_v convert_v a_o soul_n without_o a_o miracle_n for_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o conversion_n must_v be_v by_o the_o understanding_n and_o how_o can_v that_o work_n upon_o the_o understanding_n which_o be_v so_o much_o above_o it_o but_o say_v the_o apostle_n we_o preach_v not_o ourselves_o but_o christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n and_o ourselves_o your_o servant_n for_o jesus_n sake_n if_o they_o have_v seek_v themselves_o or_o their_o own_o credit_n and_o reputation_n there_o may_v 5._o have_v be_v some_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v use_v the_o way_n of_o the_o sophist_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o by_o declamatory_n speech_n to_o have_v inhancee_v their_o esteem_n among_o the_o uâ—lgar_a but_o the_o apostle_n disow_v and_o reject_v all_o these_o vulgar_a artifices_fw-la of_o mean_a and_o low-spirited_a man_n they_o lay_v aside_o all_o those_o entice_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o way_n of_o the_o heathen_a sophist_n and_o declare_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n with_o spiritual_a evidence_n 4._o they_o handle_v not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n deceitful_o but_o by_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n commend_v themselves_o to_o every_o man_n 2._o conscience_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n now_o what_o can_v be_v so_o suitable_a to_o such_o a_o design_n as_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o what_o they_o speak_v we_o find_v in_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o origen_n 135._o speak_v nothing_o that_o be_v spurious_a or_o counterfeit_a nothing_o savour_v of_o the_o cunning_a craftiness_n of_o such_o as_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v and_o say_v he_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v that_o man_n never_o breed_v up_o in_o the_o sophistry_n of_o the_o greeks_n nor_o experience_v in_o the_o rhetorical_a insinuation_n use_v among_o they_o can_v ever_o be_v able_a so_o sudden_o to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o embrace_v that_o which_o have_v be_v a_o figment_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o apostle_n speak_v like_a man_n very_o confident_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v and_o not_o like_o such_o who_o be_v fain_o to_o fetch_v in_o the_o help_n of_o all_o their_o topic_n to_o find_v out_o some_o probable_a argument_n to_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o which_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o which_o be_v most_o common_o the_o case_n of_o the_o great_a orator_n among_o the_o heathen_n we_o find_v no_o pedantic_a flourish_n no_o slatter_a insinuation_n no_o affect_a cadencye_n no_o such_o great_a care_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o fall_v of_o word_n in_o the_o several_a sentence_n which_o make_v up_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o that_o which_o be_v account_v eloquence_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n these_o thing_n be_v too_o mean_v a_o prey_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o quarry_n upon_o every_o thing_n in_o they_o be_v grave_a and_o serious_a every_o word_n have_v its_o due_a weight_n every_o sentence_n brimful_a of_o spiritual_a matter_n their_o whole_a discourse_n most_o become_v the_o majesty_n and_o authority_n of_o that_o spirit_n which_o they_o speak_v by_o and_o therein_o be_v see_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o choice_n he_o make_v of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o propagate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v not_o such_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o great_a repute_n and_o fame_n in_o the_o world_n may_v easy_o draw_v whole_a multitude_n to_o embrace_v their_o dictate_v but_o that_o there_o may_v not_o be_v the_o least_o foundation_n for_o a_o implicit_a faith_n they_o be_v of_o so_o mean_a rank_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n that_o in_o all_o probability_n their_o name_n have_v never_o be_v hard_o of_o have_v not_o their_o doctrine_n make_v they_o famous_a to_o this_o purpose_n origen_n excellent_o speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o be_o of_o opinion_n say_v he_o that_o jesus_n do_v purposely_o make_v use_n of_o such_o preacher_n of_o his_o doctrine_n that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o place_n for_o suspicion_n that_o they_o come_v instruct_v with_o the_o art_n of_o sophistry_n but_o that_o it_o be_v clear_o manifest_a to_o all_o that_o will_v consider_v it_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o design_n in_o those_o who_o discover_v so_o much_o simplicity_n in_o their_o write_n and_o that_o they_o have_v a_o more_o divine_a power_n which_o be_v more_o efficacious_a than_o the_o great_a volubility_n of_o expression_n or_o ornament_n of_o speech_n or_o the_o artifices_fw-la which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o
grecian_a composition_n 3._o the_o apostle_n deliver_v their_o doctrine_n with_o the_o great_a openness_n and_o freedom_n of_o spirit_n they_o do_v not_o give_v out_o one_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n and_o another_o to_o their_o private_a disciple_n but_o with_o great_a freedom_n and_o boldness_n declare_v their_o doctrine_n in_o the_o most_o public_a place_n and_o before_o their_o great_a enemy_n they_o know_v they_o be_v look_v on_o as_o deceiver_n by_o the_o world_n but_o yet_o they_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v true_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v 8._o the_o usual_a requital_n good_a man_n have_v from_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v look_v on_o as_o the_o great_a deceiver_n of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v so_o with_o other_o they_o have_v much_o less_o cause_n to_o wonder_v at_o it_o when_o even_o he_o who_o by_o one_o prophet_n be_v style_v the_o desire_n of_o nation_n be_v 63._o by_o another_o say_v to_o be_v despise_v and_o reject_v of_o man_n and_o when_o christ_n be_v in_o the_o world_n he_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o deceiver_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o his_o disciple_n be_v account_v such_o although_o they_o manifest_v their_o veracity_n by_o their_o open_a carriage_n and_o free_a speak_v to_o the_o face_n of_o their_o great_a adversary_n the_o apostle_n neither_o fear_v the_o jew_n skill_n in_o their_o law_n nor_o the_o wisdom_n and_o subtlety_n of_o the_o greek_n saint_n paul_n preach_v christ_n open_o among_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o synagogue_n and_o among_o the_o athenian_n he_o encounter_v the_o epicurean_o and_o stoic_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o jesus_n and_o the_o resurrection_n 18._o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v any_o thing_n of_o deceiver_n in_o they_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n they_o relate_v concern_v christ_n they_o will_v not_o certain_o have_v speak_v with_o so_o much_o confidence_n concern_v christ_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v his_o murderer_n but_o we_o see_v they_o appeal_v to_o themselves_o as_o to_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v wrought_v among_o they_o and_o for_o his_o resurrection_n they_o be_v ready_a to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o that_o his_o body_n be_v go_v be_v evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v take_v it_o away_o be_v impossible_a consider_v what_o a_o guard_n of_o soldier_n they_o have_v set_v upon_o it_o and_o how_o timorous_a and_o fearful_a the_o apostle_n be_v that_o they_o flee_v upon_o christ_n be_v apprehend_v now_o what_o can_v it_o be_v can_v make_v such_o fearful_a person_n afterward_o so_o courageous_a and_o resolute_a as_o they_o be_v have_v there_o not_o be_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a power_n to_o convince_v and_o encourage_v they_o 4._o the_o apostle_n deliver_v their_o testimony_n with_o the_o great_a particularity_n as_o to_o all_o circumstance_n they_o do_v not_o change_v or_o alter_v any_o of_o they_o upon_o different_a examination_n before_o several_a person_n they_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o great_a constancy_n to_o themselves_o and_o uniformity_n with_o each_o other_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n we_o find_v the_o apostle_n very_o yield_v and_o condescend_v but_o as_o to_o any_o thing_n which_o concern_v their_o testimony_n most_o constant_a and_o resolve_v have_v the_o gospel_n be_v some_o cunning_o contrive_v fancy_n it_o have_v be_v impossible_a but_o so_o many_o different_a person_n in_o such_o different_a place_n and_o under_o such_o different_a condition_n will_v have_v vary_a as_o to_o some_o material_a circumstance_n of_o it_o or_o else_o they_o will_v have_v be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o have_v deliver_v it_o in_o general_a term_n without_o insist_v much_o on_o such_o particular_a circumstance_n which_o if_o they_o have_v be_v false_a may_v have_v be_v very_o easy_o disprove_v but_o with_o what_o particular_a enumeration_n of_o circumstance_n do_v the_o apostle_n preach_v christ_n to_o the_o world_n peter_n tell_v the_o jew_n that_o it_o be_v jesus_n 22._o of_o nazareth_n who_o he_o preach_v and_o lest_o they_o shall_v think_v it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o person_n who_o rise_v again_o with_o great_a boldness_n and_o freedom_n of_o spirit_n he_o say_v to_o they_o therefore_o let_v all_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n know_v assure_o that_o god_n have_v make_v that_o same_o 36._o jesus_n who_o you_o have_v crucify_v both_o lord_n and_o christ._n yea_o that_o same_o individual_a person_n who_o be_v conversant_a in_o the_o world_n and_o die_v upon_o the_o cross_n be_v now_o become_v a_o prince_n and_o saviour_n to_o 32._o give_v repentance_n to_o israel_n and_o remission_n of_o sin_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n who_o have_v be_v so_o able_a to_o disprove_v they_o or_o so_o ready_a to_o do_v it_o as_o those_o person_n who_o have_v crucify_v he_o for_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o those_o who_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o his_o death_n will_v endeavour_v by_o all_o possible_a mean_n to_o disprove_v his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a for_o what_o a_o case_n be_v they_o like_v to_o be_v in_o if_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n so_o confident_o preach_v be_v true_a if_o christ_n have_v all_o power_n now_o in_o his_o hand_n and_o there_o be_v salvation_n in_o no_o other_o name_n but_o only_o in_o his_o who_o they_o have_v crucify_v they_o be_v like_a to_o be_v in_o a_o most_o desperate_a condition_n therefore_o if_o any_o man_n can_v be_v suppose_v inquisitive_a after_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o circumstance_n no_o doubt_n these_o be_v and_o if_o they_o can_v have_v find_v the_o least_o flaw_n in_o their_o testimony_n the_o world_n will_v soon_o have_v ring_v of_o it_o and_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v then_o so_o much_o disperse_v abroad_o will_v have_v divulge_v it_o into_o all_o part_n the_o apostle_n will_v have_v be_v tell_v of_o it_o as_o they_o preach_v christ_n in_o the_o synagogue_n and_o can_v we_o in_o any_o reason_n think_v but_o those_o jew_n who_o persecute_v paul_n as_o he_o preach_v in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o asia_n and_o afterward_o impeach_v he_o so_o open_o at_o jerusalem_n will_v there_o inquire_v into_o all_o the_o circumstance_n concern_v christ_n and_o all_o the_o other_o jew_n will_v write_v to_o their_o friend_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o those_o strange_a thing_n which_o be_v tell_v they_o open_o in_o all_o place_n in_o their_o synagogue_n by_o man_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n and_o language_n concern_v one_o jesus_n who_o be_v crucify_v and_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a have_v there_o be_v now_o any_o so_o much_o as_o plausible_a pretext_n that_o any_o of_o these_o circumstance_n be_v not_o true_a can_v we_o think_v but_o that_o a_o people_n so_o unmeasureable_o give_v to_o their_o own_o way_n and_o tradition_n will_v in_o all_o place_n have_v vent_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v have_v tend_v to_o the_o disparagement_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o we_o see_v malice_n its_o self_n can_v not_o find_v any_o flaw_n in_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n for_o if_o it_o have_v we_o shall_v certain_o have_v hear_v of_o it_o either_o from_o the_o jew_n or_o from_o the_o great_a opposer_n of_o christianity_n among_o the_o heathen_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v curious_a and_o inquisitive_a person_n such_o as_o celsus_n julian_n hierocles_n and_o porphyry_n be_v what_o reason_n can_v we_o have_v then_o in_o the_o least_o to_o suspect_v such_o a_o testimony_n which_o pass_v so_o uncontrolled_a in_o that_o time_n when_o it_o be_v alone_o capable_a of_o be_v disprove_v and_o man_n interest_n and_o design_n will_v put_v they_o so_o much_o upon_o it_o the_o strength_n of_o which_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o next_o proposition_n which_o be_v no_o testimony_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v against_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n thus_o 4._o attest_v but_o from_o such_o person_n who_o have_v great_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n attest_v and_o manifest_v great_a fidelity_n in_o report_v they_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o suppose_v any_o person_n at_o that_o time_n have_v contradict_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v our_o saviour_n yet_o there_o have_v be_v no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o have_v hearken_v to_o their_o testimony_n in_o opposition_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o on_o these_o account_n 1._o the_o apostle_n witness_v the_o affirmative_a which_o be_v more_o capable_a of_o be_v attest_v then_o any_o negative_a can_v be_v 2._o the_o apostle_n be_v more_o conversant_a with_o christ_n then_o any_o other_o person_n be_v because_o they_o be_v choose_v for_o that_o very_a end_n by_o he_o to_o be_v constant_o with_o he_o can_v any_o therefore_o be_v more_o capable_a of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o particular_n concern_v christ_n
have_v believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o salvation_n have_v be_v deceive_v either_o we_o must_v deny_v altogether_o a_o divine_a providence_n or_o say_v the_o devil_n have_v more_o power_n to_o deceive_v man_n then_o god_n to_o direct_v they_o which_o be_v worse_o than_o the_o former_a or_o else_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o as_o either_o god_n or_o devil_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o chance_n and_o fortune_n and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v still_o more_o inexplicable_a why_o such_o multitude_n of_o rational_a and_o serious_a man_n and_o the_o most_o inquisitive_a part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o to_o such_o thing_n shall_v all_o be_v so_o possess_v with_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o the_o more_o profane_a wicked_a and_o ignorant_a any_o person_n be_v the_o more_o prone_a they_o be_v to_o mock_v and_o deride_v they_o if_o such_o man_n than_o see_v more_o into_o truth_n and_o reason_n then_o the_o sober_a and_o judicious_a part_n of_o mankind_n let_v we_o bid_v adieu_o to_o humanity_n and_o adore_v the_o brute_n since_o we_o admire_v their_o judgement_n most_o who_o come_v the_o near_a to_o they_o 3._o the_o multitude_n of_o these_o person_n thus_o consent_v in_o this_o testimony_n can_v have_v no_o other_o engagement_n to_o this_o consent_n but_o only_o their_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n convey_v by_o it_o because_o those_o who_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o this_o thing_n be_v such_o person_n who_o other_o design_n and_o interest_n in_o this_o world_n differ_v as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n do_v if_o it_o have_v be_v only_o a_o consent_n of_o jew_n there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o probable_a pretence_n to_o have_v suspect_v a_o matter_n of_o interest_n in_o it_o but_o as_o to_o this_o thing_n we_o find_v the_o jew_n divide_v among_o themselves_o about_o it_o and_o the_o stiff_a denier_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o do_v yet_o inviolable_o preserve_v those_o sacred_a record_n among_o they_o from_o which_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v undoubted_o prove_v have_v the_o christian_a religion_n be_v enforce_v upon_o the_o world_n by_o the_o roman_a emperor_n at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o first_o promulgation_n there_o will_v have_v be_v some_o suspicion_n of_o particular_a design_n in_o it_o but_o it_o come_v with_o no_o other_o strength_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o own_o truth_n yet_o it_o find_v sudden_a and_o strange_a entertainment_n among_o person_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n in_o a_o short_a time_n it_o have_v eat_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o make_v so_o large_a a_o spread_v therein_o that_o it_o make_v tertullian_n say_v hesterni_fw-la sumus_fw-la &_o vestra_fw-la omne_fw-la implevimus_fw-la urbes_fw-la insulas_fw-la castella_fw-la municipia_fw-la conciliabula_fw-la castraipsa_fw-la tribus_fw-la decurias_fw-la 36._o palatium_fw-la senatum_fw-la forum_n sola_fw-la vobis_fw-la relinquimus_fw-la templa_fw-la we_o have_v but_o new_o appear_v say_v he_o &_o yet_o we_o have_v fill_v all_o place_n with_o our_o company_n but_o only_o your_o temple_n and_o before_o speak_v of_o the_o heathen_n obsessam_fw-la vociferantur_fw-la civitatem_fw-la in_fw-la agris_fw-la in_fw-la castellis_fw-la in_fw-la insulis_fw-la christianos_n omnem_fw-la sexum_fw-la aetatem_fw-la conditionem_fw-la etiam_fw-la dignitatem_fw-la transgredi_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la nomen_fw-la 3._o quasi_fw-la detrimento_fw-la moerent_fw-la all_o sort_n and_o condition_n of_o man_n in_o all_o place_n be_v sudden_o become_v christian_n what_o common_a tie_n can_v there_o be_v now_o to_o unite_v all_o these_o person_n together_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v first_o preach_v to_o they_o by_o such_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o christ_n action_n and_o have_v leave_v sacred_a record_n behind_o they_o contain_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o those_o admirable_a instruction_n which_o be_v their_o only_a certain_a guide_n in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n 4._o because_o many_o person_n do_v join_v in_o this_o consent_n with_o true_a christian_n who_o yet_o can_v hearty_o with_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o true_a such_o be_v all_o those_o person_n who_o be_v sensual_a in_o their_o life_n and_o walk_v not_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o dare_v not_o question_n or_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o such_o who_o can_v hearty_o wish_v there_o be_v no_o future_a state_n nor_o judgement_n to_o come_v that_o they_o may_v indulge_v themselves_o in_o this_o world_n without_o fear_n of_o another_o yet_o their_o conscience_n be_v so_o far_o convince_v of_o and_o awe_v by_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o they_o raise_v many_o perplexity_n and_o anxiety_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o they_o will_v most_o willing_o be_v rid_v of_o which_o they_o can_v never_o thorough_o be_v till_o instead_o of_o have_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n they_o come_v to_o live_v the_o life_n of_o christian_n and_o become_v experimental_o acquaint_v with_o the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n and_o withal_o we_o find_v that_o the_o more_o man_n have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o practice_n of_o christianity_n the_o great_a evidence_n they_o have_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o be_v more_o full_o and_o rational_o persuade_v of_o it_o to_o such_o i_o grant_v there_o be_v such_o powerful_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o effectual_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n upon_o their_o soul_n that_o all_o other_o argument_n as_o to_o their_o own_o satisfaction_n may_v fall_v short_a of_o these_o as_o to_o which_o those_o verse_n of_o the_o poet_n dante_n be_v render_v into_o latin_a by_o f._n s._n be_v very_o pertinent_a and_o significant_a for_o when_o he_o have_v introduce_v the_o apostle_n peter_n ask_v he_o what_o it_o be_v which_o his_o faith_n be_v found_v on_o he_o answer_v deinde_fw-la exivit_fw-la ex_fw-la luce_fw-fr profundâ_fw-la quae_fw-la illic_fw-la splendebat_fw-la pretiosa_fw-la gemma_fw-la super_fw-la quam_fw-la omnis_fw-la virtus_fw-la fundatur_fw-la i_o e._n that_o god_n be_v please_v by_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o discover_v that_o divine_a truth_n to_o the_o world_n whereon_o our_o faith_n do_v stand_v as_o on_o its_o sure_a foundation_n but_o when_o the_o apostle_n go_v on_o to_o inquire_v how_o he_o know_v this_o come_v at_o first_o from_o god_n his_o answer_n to_o that_o be_v larga_fw-la pluvia_fw-la spiritûs_fw-la sancti_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la diffusa_fw-la super_fw-la veteres_fw-la &_o super_fw-la novas_fw-la membranas_fw-la est_fw-la syllogismus_fw-la ille_fw-la qui_fw-la eam_fw-la mihi_fw-la conclusit_fw-la adâ—ò_fw-la acutè_fw-la ut_fw-la prae_fw-la illâ_fw-la demonstratione_fw-la omnis_fw-la demonstratio_fw-la alia_fw-la mihi_fw-la videatur_fw-la obtusa_fw-la i_o e._n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v so_o full_o discover_v its_o self_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n that_o all_o other_o argument_n be_v but_o dull_a and_o heavy_a if_o compare_v with_o this_o it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v so_o to_o a_o true_o enlighten_v conscience_n which_o discover_v so_o much_o beauty_n and_o glory_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o ravish_v the_o soul_n although_o it_o be_v unable_a to_o give_v so_o full_a a_o account_n of_o this_o unto_o other_o who_o want_v the_o eye_n to_o see_v that_o beauty_n with_o which_o a_o heart_n true_o gracious_a have_v we_o see_v ordinary_o in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o attraction_n of_o beauty_n be_v a_o unaccountable_a thing_n and_o one_o may_v discern_v that_o which_o ravish_v he_o which_o another_o look_v on_o as_o mean_v and_o ordinary_a and_o why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v much_o more_o thus_o in_o divine_a object_n which_o want_v spiritual_a eye_n to_o discover_v they_o therefore_o i_o grant_v that_o good_a man_n enjoy_v that_o satisfaction_n to_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o other_o can_v attain_v to_o but_o yet_o i_o say_v that_o such_o do_v likewise_o see_v the_o most_o strong_a rational_a and_o convince_a evidence_n which_o do_v induce_v they_o to_o believe_v which_o evidence_n be_v then_o most_o convince_a when_o it_o be_v second_v by_o the_o peculiar_a energy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o soul_n of_o true_a believer_n but_o yet_o we_o see_v that_o the_o power_n and_o force_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v so_o great_a even_o upon_o such_o mind_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o mould_v into_o the_o fashion_n of_o true_a goodness_n that_o it_o may_v awe_v with_o its_o light_n and_o clearness_n where_o it_o do_v not_o soften_v and_o alter_v by_o its_o heat_n and_o influence_n now_o whence_o can_v it_o be_v that_o such_o
they_o which_o be_v sanctify_v by_o faith_n in_o christ._n and_o the_o efficacy_n of_o this_o doctrine_n in_o order_n to_o these_o great_a â—nds_n be_v abundant_o see_v in_o the_o preach_n of_o that_o apostle_n who_o be_v so_o instrumental_a in_o convert_v the_o world_n to_o piety_n and_o sobriety_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n what_o strange_a person_n be_v the_o corinthian_n before_o they_o become_v christian_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n have_v enumerate_v many_o of_o the_o vile_a person_n of_o the_o world_n he_o present_o add_v and_o such_o be_v some_o of_o you_o but_o you_o be_v wash_v but_o you_o be_v sanctify_v but_o 11._o you_o be_v justify_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o our_o god_n the_o more_o dangerous_a the_o distemper_n be_v the_o more_o malignant_a its_o nature_n the_o more_o inveterate_a its_o continuance_n the_o great_a the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o remedy_n which_o work_v a_o cure_n of_o it_o the_o power_n of_o grace_n be_v the_o more_o see_v in_o conversion_n the_o great_a the_o sin_n have_v be_v before_o it_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n in_o comparison_n to_o remove_v a_o disease_n at_o its_o first_o onset_n of_o what_o it_o be_v to_o cure_v it_o when_o it_o become_v chronical_a the_o power_n of_o the_o gospel_n wrought_v upon_o all_o sort_n and_o kind_n of_o person_n to_o manifest_v to_o the_o world_n there_o be_v no_o distemper_n of_o man_n soul_n so_o great_a but_o there_o be_v a_o possibility_n of_o a_o remedy_n for_o it_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o pregnant_a and_o visible_a instance_n be_v give_v of_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o it_o for_o they_o themselves_o show_v of_o we_o say_v the_o apostle_n what_o manner_n of_o enter_v in_o we_o have_v among_o you_o and_o how_o you_o turn_v to_o god_n from_o idol_n to_o serve_v the_o live_n and_o true_a 10._o god_n and_o to_o wait_v for_o his_o son_n from_o heaven_n who_o he_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a even_o jesus_n which_o deliver_v we_o from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v now_o that_o which_o manifest_v the_o exceed_a great_a power_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v that_o it_o not_o only_o turn_v man_n from_o one_o way_n of_o worship_n to_o another_o which_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a difficulty_n but_o that_o it_o turn_v man_n together_o with_o that_o from_o their_o lust_n and_o sensuality_n to_o a_o holy_a and_o unblameable_a life_n for_o be_v more_o in_o love_n with_o their_o sin_n then_o with_o their_o opinion_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o great_a power_n which_o draw_v man_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o habitual_a sin_n then_o that_o which_o only_o make_v they_o change_v their_o opinion_n or_o alter_v the_o way_n of_o worship_n they_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o this_o be_v that_o which_o origen_n throughout_o his_o book_n against_o celsus_n triumph_v in_o as_o the_o most_o signal_n evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n that_o it_o wrought_v so_o great_a a_o alteration_n on_o all_o that_o true_o embrace_v it_o that_o of_o vicious_a debauch_a and_o dissolute_a it_o make_v they_o temperate_a sober_a and_o religious_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 21._o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n do_v convert_v the_o most_o wicked_a person_n who_o embrace_v it_o from_o all_o their_o debauchery_n to_o a_o life_n most_o suitable_a to_o nature_n and_o reason_n and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o virtue_n therefore_o certain_o the_o gospel_n can_v not_o want_v that_o commendation_n among_o all_o ingenuous_a moralist_n that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a instrument_n in_o the_o world_n to_o reform_v the_o life_n of_o man_n and_o to_o promote_v real_a goodness_n in_o it_o when_o they_o can_v not_o but_o take_v notice_n of_o so_o many_o person_n continual_o so_o bring_v off_o from_o their_o folly_n and_o vain_a conversation_n to_o a_o life_n serious_a sober_a and_o unblameable_a nay_o and_o some_o of_o the_o christian_n be_v of_o so_o much_o integrity_n and_o goodness_n that_o their_o great_a enemy_n be_v force_v to_o say_v that_o their_o only_a fault_n be_v that_o they_o be_v christian_n bone_fw-la vir_fw-la cajus_n sejus_n tantum_fw-la quod_fw-la christianus_n a_o very_a good_a man_n only_o a_o christian._n but_o one_o will_v think_v this_o shall_v have_v make_v they_o have_v a_o high_a opinion_n of_o christianity_n when_o it_o do_v so_o sudden_o make_v so_o many_o good_a man_n in_o the_o world_n especial_o when_o this_o power_n be_v so_o manifest_a on_o such_o person_n who_o be_v suppose_v uncapable_a of_o be_v reform_v by_o philosophy_n young_a illiterate_a and_o mean-spirited_n person_n therefore_o it_o may_v be_v just_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n that_o this_o alteration_n be_v wrought_v within_o they_o but_o by_o that_o divine_a power_n which_o be_v able_a to_o tame_v the_o most_o unruly_a to_o instruct_v the_o most_o ignorant_a to_o raise_v up_o the_o most_o sordid_a person_n to_o such_o a_o generous_a temper_n as_o to_o slight_v the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n in_o comparison_n with_o those_o to_o come_v and_o so_o remarkable_a be_v the_o difference_n of_o life_n then_o between_o those_o who_o be_v christian_n and_o those_o who_o be_v not_o as_o there_o be_v still_o between_o true_a christian_n and_o mere_a pretender_n that_o origen_n dare_v celsus_n to_o compare_v they_o in_o point_n of_o morality_n with_o any_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n 128._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v disciple_v to_o christ_n be_v compare_v with_o other_o society_n shine_v among_o they_o like_o light_n in_o the_o world_n for_o who_o can_v but_o confess_v that_o even_o the_o worse_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n exceed_v the_o best_a of_o the_o popular_a assembly_n for_o as_o he_o go_v on_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o athens_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a because_o it_o seek_v to_o approve_v its_o sell_v to_o god_n but_o the_o popular_a assemby_n at_o athens_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d seditious_a and_o quarrelsome_a and_o in_o nothing_o comparable_a to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n there_o so_o it_o be_v if_o we_o compare_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o alexandria_n with_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o people_n there_o so_o that_o any_o candid_a enquirer_n after_o truth_n will_v exceed_o wonder_v how_o such_o fair_a island_n shall_v appear_v nante_n in_o gurgite_fw-la vasto_fw-la in_o the_o midst_n of_o such_o a_o sea_n of_o wickedness_n as_o be_v in_o those_o city_n how_o these_o church_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v plant_v in_o such_o rude_a and_o profane_a place_n so_o the_o same_o author_n go_v on_o to_o compare_v the_o church_n senate_n with_o that_o of_o the_o city_n the_o church_n officer_n with_o they_o and_o appeal_v to_o themselves_o that_o even_o those_o among_o they_o who_o be_v most_o lukewarm_a in_o their_o office_n do_v yet_o far_o exceed_v all_o the_o city_n magistrate_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o virtue_n from_o whence_o he_o rational_o conclude_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o how_o can_v it_o but_o be_v most_o rational_a to_o adore_v the_o divinity_n of_o jesus_n who_o be_v able_a to_o accomplish_v such_o great_a thing_n and_o that_o not_o upon_o one_o or_o two_o but_o upon_o such_o great_a multitude_n as_o be_v then_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n we_o read_v of_o one_o phoedon_n and_o one_o polemon_n bring_v from_o their_o debauchery_n by_o socrates_n and_o xenocrates_n but_o what_o be_v these_o compare_v with_o those_o who_o be_v turn_v from_o their_o sin_n to_o god_n by_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 50._o etc._n etc._n the_o twelve_o apostle_n be_v but_o the_o first_o fruit_n of_o that_o plentiful_a harvest_n of_o convert_n which_o follow_v afterward_o and_o although_o celsus_n like_o a_o epicurean_a seem_v to_o deny_v the_o possibility_n 150._o of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o conversion_n because_o customary_a sin_n become_v a_o second_o nature_n that_o no_o punishment_n can_v reform_v they_o yet_o say_v origen_n herein_o he_o not_o only_o contradict_v we_o christian_n but_o all_o such_o as_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o own_v any_o generous_a principle_n of_o philosophy_n and_o do_v not_o despair_v of_o recover_a virtue_n as_o a_o thing_n feasible_a by_o humane_a nature_n and_o give_v instance_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la to_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o the_o ancient_a hero_n hercules_n and_o ulysses_n from_o the_o two_o philosopher_n socrates_n and_o musonius_n and_o the_o two_o famous_a convert_n to_o philosophy_n phoedon_n and_o polemon_n but_o yet_o say_v he_o these_o be_v not_o
of_o rambam_n or_o r._n moses_n maimon_n it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n desire_v of_o he_o a_o sign_n and_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v cut_v off_o his_o head_n and_o he_o will_v rise_v again_o which_o he_o cunning_o desire_v to_o avoid_v be_v torment_v which_o the_o king_n be_v resolve_v to_o try_v and_o according_o execute_v he_o but_o i_o suppose_v his_o resurrection_n and_o mahomet_n will_v be_v both_o in_o a_o day_n although_o maimonides_n tell_v we_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n be_v yet_o such_o fool_n as_o to_o expect_v his_o resurrection_n several_a other_o impostor_n maimonides_n dau._n mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n de_fw-fr australi_fw-la region_fw-la one_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o messiah_n because_o he_o cure_v himself_o of_o the_o leprosy_n in_o a_o night_n several_a other_o he_o mention_n in_o spain_n france_n and_o other_o part_n and_o the_o issue_n of_o they_o all_o be_v only_o a_o further_a aggravation_n of_o the_o misery_n and_o captivity_n of_o the_o poor_a jew_n who_o be_v so_o credulous_a in_o follow_v impostor_n and_o yet_o such_o strange_a infidel_n where_o there_o be_v plain_a and_o undoubted_a miracle_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o believe_v in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o the_o true_a messiah_n we_o free_o grant_v then_o that_o many_o pretend_a miracle_n may_v be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n to_o deceive_v man_n with_o but_o do_v it_o hence_o follow_v that_o either_o there_o be_v no_o true_a miracle_n do_v in_o the_o world_n or_o that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a rule_n to_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o as_o origen_n yet_o further_o reply_v to_o celsus_n as_o a_o wolf_n do_v very_o much_o resemble_v a_o dog_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n nor_o a_o turtle_n dove_n and_o a_o pigeon_n so_o that_o which_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o which_o be_v produce_v by_o magic_n but_o as_o he_o argue_v be_v it_o possible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v only_a deceit_n in_o the_o world_n and_o magical_a operation_n and_o can_v there_o be_v no_o true_a miracle_n at_o all_o wrought_v be_v humane_a nature_n only_o capable_a of_o imposture_n or_o can_v none_o work_v miracle_n but_o devil_n where_o there_o be_v a_o worse_o there_o may_v be_v a_o better_a and_o so_o from_o the_o imposture_n &_o counterfeit_n we_o may_v infer_v that_o there_o be_v true_a miracle_n wrought_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n otherwise_o it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v counterfeit_n but_o no_o jewel_n or_o there_o be_v sophism_n and_o paralogism_n but_o no_o legitimate_a demonstration_n if_o then_o there_o be_v such_o deceit_n there_o be_v true_a miracle_n too_o all_o the_o business_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d strict_o and_o severe_o to_o examine_v the_o pretâ—nders_n to_o do_v they_o and_o that_o from_o the_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o those_o that_o do_v they_o and_o from_o the_o effect_n and_o consequent_n of_o they_o whether_o they_o do_v good_a or_o hurt_n in_o the_o world_n whâ—ther_o thâ—y_v correct_v man_n manner_n or_o bring_v man_n to_o goodness_n holiness_n and_o truth_n and_o on_o this_o account_n we_o be_v neither_o to_o reject_v all_o miracle_n nor_o embrace_v all_o pretence_n but_o careful_o and_o prudent_o examine_v the_o rational_a evidence_n whereby_o those_o which_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a may_v be_v know_v from_o such_o which_o be_v counterfeit_a and_o diabolical_a and_o this_o now_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o main_a subject_n of_o this_o chapter_n 4._o viz._n what_o rule_v we_o have_v to_o procee_v by_o in_o judge_a miracle_n to_o be_v true_a or_o false_a which_o may_v be_v these_o follow_v true_o divine_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o some_o 1._o divine_a testimony_n because_o we_o have_v manifest_v by_o all_o the_o precedent_a discourse_n that_o the_o intention_n of_o miracle_n be_v to_o seal_v some_o divine_a revelation_n therefore_o if_o god_n shall_v work_v miracle_n when_o no_o divine_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v confirm_v god_n will_v set_v the_o broad_a seal_n of_o heaven_n to_o a_o blank_a if_o it_o be_v say_v no_o because_o it_o will_v witness_v to_o we_o now_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o testimony_n which_o be_v deliver_v so_o many_o age_n since_o i_o answer_v 1._o the_o truth_n of_o that_o testimony_n be_v sufficient_o seal_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o be_v convey_v down_o in_o a_o certain_a way_n to_o we_o be_v it_o not_o sufficient_a that_o the_o charter_n of_o a_o corporation_n have_v the_o prince_n broad_a seal_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o give_v of_o it_o but_o that_o every_o succâ—ssion_n of_o man_n in_o that_o corporation_n must_v have_v a_o new_a broad_a seal_n or_o else_o they_o ought_v to_o question_v their_o patent_n what_o ground_n can_v there_o be_v for_o that_o when_o the_o original_a seal_n and_o patent_n be_v preserve_v and_o be_v certain_o convey_v down_o from_o age_n to_o age_n so_o i_o say_v it_o be_v as_o to_o we_o god_n grand_a charter_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n to_o the_o world_n through_o jesus_n christ_n be_v seal_v by_o divine_a miracle_n at_o the_o delivery_n of_o it_o to_o the_o world_n the_o original_a patent_n viz._n the_o scripture_n wherein_o this_o charter_n be_v contain_v be_v convey_v in_o a_o most_o certain_a manner_n to_o we_o to_o this_o patent_n the_o seal_n be_v annex_v and_o in_o it_o be_v contain_v those_o undoubted_a miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o it_o so_o that_o a_o new_a seal_n of_o this_o patent_n be_v whole_o needless_a unless_o we_o have_v some_o cause_n of_o suspicion_n that_o the_o original_a patent_n itself_o be_v lose_v or_o the_o first_o seal_v be_v not_o true_a if_o the_o lat_a than_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a if_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v for_o confirmation_n of_o it_o be_v false_a because_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o depend_v so_o much_o on_o the_o verity_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v then_o wrought_v if_o the_o first_o be_v suspect_v viz._n the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o the_o patent_n viz._n the_o scripture_n some_o certain_a ground_n of_o such_o a_o suspicion_n must_v be_v discover_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n especial_o when_o the_o great_a and_o many_o society_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n do_v all_o consent_n unanimous_o in_o the_o contrary_n nay_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o rational_a man_n can_v conceive_v that_o the_o patent_n which_o we_o now_o rely_v upon_o be_v supposititious_a or_o corrupt_v in_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v of_o concernment_n to_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o that_o on_o these_o account_n 1._o from_o the_o watchfulness_n of_o divine_a providence_n for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n can_v we_o conceive_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o rule_v and_o take_v care_n of_o the_o world_n and_o who_o to_o manifest_v his_o signal_n love_n to_o mankind_n shall_v not_o only_o grant_v a_o patent_n of_o mercy_n to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o son_n christ_n and_o then_o seal_v it_o by_o divine_a miracle_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o it_o to_o the_o world_n cause_v it_o by_o person_n employ_v by_o himself_o to_o be_v record_v in_o a_o language_n fit_a for_o its_o disperse_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n all_o which_o i_o here_o suppose_v can_v we_o i_o say_v conceive_v that_o this_o god_n shall_v so_o far_o have_v cast_v off_o his_o care_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n which_o be_v the_o original_a ground_n of_o the_o grant_v itself_o as_o to_o suffer_v any_o wicked_a man_n or_o malignant_a spirit_n to_o corrupt_v or_o alter_v any_o of_o those_o term_n in_o it_o on_o which_o man_n eternal_a salvation_n depend_v much_o less_o whole_o to_o suppress_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o to_o send_v forth_o one_o that_o be_v counterfeit_a and_o supposititious_a instead_o of_o it_o and_o which_o shall_v not_o be_v discover_v by_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o age_n wherein_o that_o corrupt_a copy_n be_v set_v forth_o nor_o by_o any_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a christian_n ever_o since_o they_o who_o can_v give_v any_o the_o least_o entertainment_n to_o so_o wild_a absurd_a and_o irrational_a a_o imagination_n be_v so_o far_o from_o reason_n that_o they_o be_v in_o good_a disposition_n to_o atheism_n and_o next_o to_o the_o suspect_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v corrupt_v they_o may_v rational_o suspect_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o god_n and_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n or_o that_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o spirit_n most_o malignant_a and_o envious_a of_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n which_o be_v a_o suspicion_n only_o become_v those_o heathen_n among_o
not_o to_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o evil_n in_o they_o and_o as_o they_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o evil_n so_o they_o have_v but_o a_o mixture_n of_o punishment_n none_o lie_v under_o so_o great_a misery_n here_o but_o withal_o they_o have_v some_o share_n in_o the_o comfort_n of_o this_o life_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v less_o wonder_n that_o this_o part_n of_o divine_a providence_n which_o concern_v the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n have_v not_o want_v some_o among_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n who_o have_v make_v it_o their_o design_n to_o vindicate_v it_o which_o set_v aside_o what_o simplicius_n on_o epictetus_n and_o many_o other_o have_v do_v be_v full_o perform_v by_o seneca_n in_o his_o tract_n on_o this_o very_a sâ—â—â—â—ct_n â—â—ur_fw-la bonis_fw-la male_a sit_fw-la cum_fw-la sit_fw-la providentia_fw-la as_o muretuâ—â—_n restore_v the_o title_n of_o that_o book_n wherein_o these_o follow_a account_n be_v give_v of_o it_o 1._o god_n bring_v they_o up_o as_o his_o child_n under_o sharp_a discipline_n for_o their_o future_a benefit_n a_o good_a man_n in_o seneca_n language_n be_v discipulus_fw-la dei_fw-la aemulatorque_fw-la &_o vera_fw-la progeny_n which_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v one_o teach_v of_o god_n a_o follower_n of_o 1_o god_n and_o one_o bear_v of_o he_o now_o say_v he_o parens_fw-la ille_fw-la magnificus_fw-la virtutum_fw-la non_fw-la lenis_fw-la exactor_n sicut_fw-la severi_fw-la patres_fw-la durius_fw-la educat_fw-la god_n who_o be_v the_o great_a father_n of_o good_a man_n keep_v they_o under_o discipline_n while_o under_o age_n and_o by_o hardship_n fit_v they_o for_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n thence_o he_o bid_v we_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o different_a indulgence_n of_o father_n and_o mother_n to_o their_o child_n the_o father_n he_o hasten_v they_o to_o school_v suffer_v they_o not_o to_o be_v idle_a on_o their_o playdaye_n make_v they_o toil_n and_o sometime_o cry_v the_o mother_n she_o be_v all_o for_o hold_v they_o in_o her_o lap_n keep_v they_o out_o of_o the_o sun_n and_o from_o catch_v cold_a will_v not_o willing_o have_v they_o either_o cry_n or_o take_v pain_n patrium_fw-la habet_fw-la deus_fw-la adversus_fw-la bonos_fw-es animum_fw-la &_o illos_fw-la fortius_fw-la amat_fw-la god_n bear_v the_o indulgence_n of_o a_o father_n towards_o his_o child_n and_o love_n they_o with_o great_a severity_n 2._o good_a man_n receive_v benefit_n by_o their_o suffering_n quicquid_fw-la evenit_fw-la in_o suum_fw-la colorem_fw-la trahit_fw-la say_v seneca_n of_o a_o good_a man_n which_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v every_o thing_n work_v together_o for_o his_o good_a the_o sea_n lose_v nothing_o say_v he_o of_o its_o saltness_n by_o the_o river_n run_v into_o it_o neither_o do_v a_o good_a man_n by_o the_o current_n of_o his_o suffering_n and_o of_o all_o benefit_n which_o he_o receive_v that_o of_o the_o exercise_n and_o trial_n of_o his_o virtue_n and_o patience_n be_v most_o discernible_a marcet_n sine_fw-la adversario_fw-la virtus_fw-la as_o soon_o as_o carthage_n be_v destroy_v rome_n fall_v to_o luxury_n true_a wrestler_n desire_v to_o have_v some_o to_o try_v their_o strength_n upon_o they_o cui_fw-la non_fw-la industrio_fw-la otium_fw-la poena_fw-la est_fw-la a_o active_a spirit_n hate_v idleness_n and_o cowardice_n for_o etiamsi_fw-la ceciderit_fw-la de_fw-la genus_fw-la pugnat_fw-la though_o his_o leg_n be_v cut_v off_o he_o will_v fight_v on_o his_o knee_n 3._o it_o redound_v to_o god_n honour_n when_o good_a man_n bear_v up_o under_o suffering_n ecce_fw-la par_fw-fr deo_fw-la dignum_fw-la vir_fw-la fortis_fw-la cum_fw-la mala_fw-la fortuna_fw-la compositus_fw-la it_o be_v a_o spectacle_n god_n delight_v to_o see_v a_o good_a man_n combat_n with_o calamity_n god_n do_v in_o seneca_n phrase_n quosdam_fw-la fastidio_fw-la transire_fw-la pass_v they_o by_o in_o a_o slight_a a_o old_a wrestler_n scorn_v to_o contend_v with_o a_o coward_n one_o who_o be_v vinci_fw-la paratus_fw-la ready_a to_o yield_v up_o present_o calamitates_fw-la sub_fw-la jugum_fw-la mittere_fw-la proprium_fw-la magni_fw-la viri_fw-la est_fw-la it_o argue_v a_o noble_a spirit_n to_o be_v able_a to_o subdue_v misery_n 4._o it_o tend_v to_o the_o trial_n and_o increase_n of_o their_o strength_n seneca_n high_o extol_v that_o speech_n of_o the_o philosopher_n demetrius_n nihil_fw-la infelicius_fw-la eo_fw-la cui_fw-la nihil_fw-la unquam_fw-la evenit_fw-la adversi_fw-la non_fw-la licuit_fw-la enim_fw-la illi_fw-la se_fw-la experiri_fw-la he_o be_v the_o most_o unhappy_a man_n who_o never_o know_v what_o misery_n mean_v for_o he_o can_v never_o know_v what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v and_o as_o he_o say_v to_o pass_v one_o life_n away_o sine_fw-la morsu_fw-la animi_fw-la without_o any_o trouble_n it_o be_v ignorare_fw-la rerum_fw-la naturae_fw-la alteram_fw-la partem_fw-la not_o to_o know_v what_o be_v upon_o the_o reverse_n of_o nature_n idem_fw-la licet_fw-la fecerint_fw-la qui_fw-la integri_fw-la revertuntur_fw-la ex_fw-la acie_n magis_fw-la spectatur_fw-la qui_fw-la sancius_fw-la redit_fw-la though_o he_o that_o come_v home_o sound_a may_v fight_v as_o well_o as_o he_o that_o be_v wound_v yet_o the_o wound_a person_n have_v the_o more_o pity_n and_o be_v most_o cry_v up_o for_o his_o valour_n the_o pilot_n be_v see_v in_o a_o tempest_n a_o soldier_n in_o battle_n and_o a_o good_a man_n in_o suffering_n god_n do_v by_o such_o as_o master_n do_v by_o scholar_n qui_fw-la plus_fw-la laboris_fw-la ab_fw-la his_fw-la exigunt_fw-la quibus_fw-la certior_fw-la spes_fw-la est_fw-la who_o set_v the_o best_a wit_n the_o hard_a task_n 5._o god_n exercise_v good_a man_n with_o suffering_n to_o discover_v the_o indifferency_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o man_n value_v so_o much_o in_o the_o world_n when_o he_o deny_v they_o to_o good_a man_n blindness_n will_v be_v hateful_a if_o none_o be_v blind_a but_o such_o who_o eye_n be_v put_v out_o and_o therefore_o appius_n and_o metellus_n be_v blind_a riches_n be_v no_o good_a thing_n therefore_o the_o worst_a as_o well_o as_o the_o best_a have_v they_o nullo_n modo_fw-la magis_fw-la potest_fw-la deus_fw-la concupita_fw-la traducere_fw-la quam_fw-la si_fw-la illa_fw-la ad_fw-la turpissimos_fw-la defert_fw-la ab_fw-la optimis_fw-la abigit_fw-la god_n can_v not_o traduce_v or_o defame_v those_o thing_n more_o which_o man_n desire_v so_o much_o then_o by_o take_v they_o away_o from_o the_o best_a of_o man_n and_o give_v they_o to_o the_o worst_a 6._o that_o they_o may_v be_v example_n to_o other_o of_o patience_n and_o constancy_n for_o as_o seneca_n conclude_v nati_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o exemplar_n they_o be_v bear_v to_o be_v pattern_n to_o other_o if_o to_o these_o thing_n we_o add_v what_o the_o word_n of_o god_n discover_v concern_v the_o nature_n ground_n and_o end_n of_o affliction_n and_o that_o glory_n which_o shall_v be_v reveal_v in_o comparison_n with_o which_o 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introduction_n to_o atheism_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n the_o possibility_n of_o a_o universal_a deluge_n prove_v the_o flood_n universal_a as_o to_o mankind_n whether_o universal_a as_o to_o the_o earth_n and_o animal_n no_o necessity_n of_o assert_v either_o yet_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v without_o creation_n of_o new_a water_n of_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o deep_a the_o proportion_n which_o the_o height_n of_o mountain_n bear_v to_o the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n no_o mountain_n much_o above_o three_o mile_n perpendicular_a of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o fountain_n the_o opinion_n of_o aristotle_n and_o other_o concern_v it_o discuss_v the_o true_a account_n of_o they_o from_o the_o vapour_n arise_v from_o the_o mass_n of_o subterraneous_a water_n of_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n for_o receive_v the_o animal_n from_o buteo_n and_o other_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o deluge_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a nation_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o nation_n from_o noah_n posterity_n of_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o assyrian_a empire_n the_o multiplication_n of_o mankind_n
be_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o to_o suppose_v either_o with_o origen_n and_o other_o to_o have_v be_v the_o geometrical_a cubit_n which_o contain_v six_o ordinary_a cubit_n or_o nine_o foot_n both_o because_o we_o find_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o of_o any_o such_o cubit_n in_o scripture_n and_o because_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o ark_n will_v have_v be_v of_o too_o vast_a a_o proportion_n neither_o yet_o be_v it_o probable_a which_o sir_n w._n rawlegh_n suppose_v that_o this_o cubit_n must_v be_v of_o a_o proportion_n as_o much_o exceed_v we_o as_o the_o stature_n of_o a_o giant_n do_v we_o both_o because_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a evidence_n either_o from_o scripture_n or_o reason_n that_o the_o proportion_n of_o man_n than_o do_v general_o exceed_v what_o be_v now_o and_o beside_o this_o tend_v not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o make_v the_o thing_n more_o plain_a for_o according_a to_o that_o proportion_n we_o must_v then_o have_v imagine_v beast_n to_o have_v be_v as_o well_o as_o man_n for_o the_o horse_n must_v have_v be_v proportionable_o as_o great_a to_o have_v be_v serviceable_a to_o man_n of_o that_o stature_n and_o so_o the_o animal_n will_v have_v take_v up_o as_o much_o more_o room_n in_o the_o ark_n as_o the_o cubit_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v big_a i_o suppose_v then_o that_o moses_n speak_v of_o the_o cubit_n most_o in_o use_n in_o his_o own_o time_n for_o he_o write_v so_o that_o they_o for_o who_o use_n he_o write_v may_v be_v easy_o able_a to_o understand_v he_o now_o this_o cubit_n by_o the_o consent_n of_o writer_n contain_v a_o foot_n and_o a_o half_a in_o length_n according_a to_o which_o proportion_n suppose_v the_o ark_n by_o moses_n his_o description_n to_o have_v 300._o cubit_n in_o length_n 50._o in_o breadth_n and_o 30._o in_o height_n 15._o the_o whole_a capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n according_a to_o the_o computation_n of_o joh._n buteâ—_n come_v to_o 450000._o solid_a cubit_n for_o the_o length_n of_o 300._o cubt_n be_v multiply_v into_o the_o breadth_n of_o 50._o noe._n cubit_n and_o the_o product_n by_o the_o height_n of_o 30._o cubit_n make_v the_o whole_a concavity_n 450000._o which_o matthaeus_n hostus_n reduce_v to_o the_o german_a measure_n make_v the_o longitude_n of_o the_o ark_n to_o 66._o be_v 31._o perch_n 4._o cubit_n 5._o finger_n the_o latitude_n 5_o perch_n 2._o cubit_n and_o 11._o finger_n the_o altitude_n 3_o perch_n 1._o cubit_n 9_o finger_n allow_v to_o every_o perch_n 15._o roman_n foot_n so_o that_o if_o we_o take_v a_o perch_n to_o contain_v 10._o hebrew_n cubit_n which_o exceed_v the_o former_a 11._o finger_n the_o whole_a capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n will_v be_v 450._o cubical_a perch_n and_o as_o he_o say_v hujusmodi_fw-la sane_fw-la aedificii_fw-la amplitudo_fw-la capacissima_fw-la est_fw-la &_o quamlibet_fw-la magno_fw-la animantium_fw-la numero_fw-la haud_fw-la dubie_n sufficere_fw-la pot_n vit_fw-la the_o ark_n of_o so_o large_a a_o capacity_n may_v easy_o contain_v the_o several_a kind_n of_o animal_n in_o it_o which_o will_v be_v easy_o understand_v if_o according_a to_o our_o former_a supposition_n only_o the_o animal_n of_o the_o inhabit_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o ark_n but_o admit_v that_o all_o kind_n of_o animal_n be_v there_o there_o will_v be_v room_n enough_o for_o they_o and_o for_o provision_n for_o they_o for_o which_o sir_n w._n rawlegh_n give_v a_o prudent_a caution_n that_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o take_v animal_n of_o a_o mix_a nature_n as_o mule_n and_o hyaena_n nor_o such_o as_o differ_v in_o size_n and_o shape_n from_o each_o other_o as_o the_o eat_v of_o europe_n and_o ounce_n of_o india_n into_o the_o several_a species_n of_o animal_n sir_n w._n rawlegh_n follow_v buteo_n reckon_v 89._o or_o lest_o any_o be_v omit_v a_o 100_o several_a kind_n of_o beast_n and_o undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v from_o a_o triple_a proportion_n of_o all_o beast_n to_o the_o ox_n wolf_n and_o sheep_n that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a capacity_n for_o they_o in_o the_o ark._n hostus_n allow_v 150._o several_a kind_n of_o animal_n yet_o question_n not_o the_o caepacity_n of_o the_o ark_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o particular_o make_v out_o by_o those_o learned_a author_n especial_o by_o buteo_n that_o i_o shall_v rather_o refer_v the_o reader_n for_o further_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o author_n themselves_o then_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o transcribe_v they_o i_o come_v now_o therefore_o to_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o 8._o certainty_n of_o this_o universal_a deluge_n of_o which_o we_o have_v most_o clear_a and_o concur_v testimony_n of_o most_o ancient_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o which_o purpose_n grotius_n and_o other_o have_v at_o 115._o large_a produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o berosus_n the_o chaldean_a out_o of_o josephus_n concern_v the_o flood_n and_o the_o ark_n in_o which_o noah_n be_v preserve_v of_o abydenus_n out_o of_o cyrill_n and_o eusebius_n concern_v xisuthrus_n or_o noah_n send_v out_o of_o the_o bird_n to_o see_v if_o the_o flood_n be_v assuage_v and_o of_o alexander_n polyhistor_n concern_v the_o preservation_n of_o animal_n in_o the_o ark_n of_o plutarch_n concern_v the_o send_v out_o of_o the_o dove_n of_o lucian_n de_fw-fr dâ—a_fw-fr syria_n concern_v the_o whole_a story_n and_o so_o of_o molon_n and_o nicolaus_n damascenus_n beside_o it_o be_v manifest_v by_o other_o how_o among_o the_o chaldean_n the_o memory_n of_o noah_n be_v preserve_v under_o the_o fable_n of_o oannes_n which_o have_v parâ—_n of_o a_o fish_n and_o part_n of_o a_o man_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o fragment_n of_o apollodorus_n abydenus_n and_o alexander_n polyhistor_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n his_o greek_a chronica_fw-la among_o the_o chinese_n under_o the_o name_n of_o puoncuus_fw-la who_o by_o they_o be_v say_v to_o have_v escape_v alone_o with_o his_o family_n out_o of_o the_o universal_a deluge_n say_v isaac_n vossius_fw-la who_o suppose_v pu_o or_o pi_n to_o be_v only_o a_o prefix_v to_o the_o name_n and_o so_o that_o puoncuus_fw-la be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d martinius_n tell_v we_o de_fw-fr diluvio_fw-la mulâ—a_fw-la est_fw-la apud_fw-la sinicos_fw-la scriptores_fw-la mentio_fw-la that_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o sinick_n history_n speak_v much_o of_o the_o flood_n johannes_n de_fw-fr lactantio_n tell_v out_o of_o lescharbotus_fw-la how_o constant_a the_o tradition_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v among_o the_o indian_n both_o in_o new_a france_n peru_n and_o other_o part_n this_o be_v therefore_o so_o full_o attest_v by_o the_o evident_a and_o apparent_a consent_n of_o so_o many_o writer_n and_o historian_n which_o do_v not_o own_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o shall_v suppose_v this_o sufficient_o prove_v and_o proceed_v to_o the_o main_a thing_n which_o concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o nation_n which_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n of_o which_o there_o be_v this_o strong_a and_o convince_a evidence_n that_o in_o all_o that_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o propagation_n of_o nation_n from_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n there_o be_v some_o remainder_n in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o nation_n to_o justify_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o name_n from_o the_o name_n of_o the_o nation_n themselves_o which_o have_v preserve_v the_o original_a name_n of_o their_o founder_n in_o their_o own_o as_o the_o mede_n from_o madai_n the_o thracian_n from_o thiras_n the_o jonians_n from_o javan_n the_o sidonian_n from_o sidon_n the_o philistine_n from_o pelisthim_n â—the_v arcaean_n arcadian_n elymaean_o assyrian_n lydian_n from_o arki_n arrad_n elam_n 1._o assur_n and_o lud_n and_o many_o other_o produce_v by_o grotius_n montanus_n junius_n and_o especial_o bochartus_fw-la who_o with_o admirable_a industry_n and_o learning_n have_v clear_v all_o this_o part_n of_o sacred_a history_n which_o concern_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v propagate_v from_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n and_o give_v a_o full_a &_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o the_o several_a place_n where_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n seat_v themselves_o after_o the_o deluge_n in_o stead_n of_o that_o therefore_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o pretence_n which_o can_v be_v bring_v against_o it_o which_o be_v chief_o these_o three_o 1._o that_o the_o chaldean_a empire_n seem_v to_o have_v great_a antiquity_n than_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o it_o by_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n 2._o that_o the_o most_o learned_a heathen_a nation_n pretend_v to_o be_v self-originated_n and_o that_o they_o come_v not_o from_o any_o other_o country_n 3._o that_o no_o certain_a account_n be_v give_v from_o whence_o america_n shall_v be_v people_v 1._o the_o history_n of_o the_o assyrian_a empire_n seem_v inconsistent_a 9_o with_o the_o propagation_n
of_o that_o god_n who_o reveal_v it_o who_o authority_n extend_v over_o the_o soul_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o its_o most_o secret_a and_o hide_a recess_n 3._o in_o a_o pure_a and_o unmixed_a manner_n in_o all_o other_o write_n how_o good_a soever_o we_o have_v a_o great_a mixture_n of_o dross_n and_o gold_n together_o here_o be_v nothing_o but_o pure_a gold_n diamond_n without_o flaw_n sun_n without_o spot_n the_o most_o current_a coin_n of_o the_o world_n have_v their_o alloyes_n of_o base_a metal_n there_o be_v no_o such_o mixture_n in_o divine_a truth_n as_o they_o all_o come_v from_o the_o same_o author_n so_o they_o all_o have_v the_o same_o purity_n there_o be_v a_o urim_n and_o thumim_n upon_o the_o whole_a scripture_n light_n and_o perfection_n in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o in_o the_o philosopher_n we_o may_v meet_v it_o may_v be_v with_o some_o scatter_a fragment_n of_o pure_a metal_n amid_o abundance_n of_o dross_n and_o impure_a oar_n here_o we_o have_v whole_a wedge_n of_o gold_n the_o same_o vein_n of_o purity_n and_o holiness_n run_v through_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o scripture_n hence_o it_o be_v call_v the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n here_o have_v be_v no_o huckster_n to_o corrupt_v and_o mix_v their_o own_o invention_n with_o divine_a 13._o truth_n 4_o in_o a_o uniform_a and_o agreeable_a manner_n this_o i_o grant_v be_v not_o 9_o sufficient_a of_o its_o self_n to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v divine_a because_o all_o man_n do_v not_o contradict_v themselves_o in_o their_o write_n but_o yet_o here_o be_v some_o peculiar_a circumstance_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o agreeableness_n of_o the_o part_n of_o scripture_n to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o mere_a humane_a write_n 1._o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v by_o person_n who_o live_v in_o different_a age_n and_o time_n from_o each_o other_o usual_o one_o age_n correct_v another_o fault_n and_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o pity_v the_o ignorance_n of_o our_o predecessor_n when_o it_o may_v be_v our_o posterity_n may_v think_v we_o as_o ignorant_a as_o we_o do_v they_o but_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n we_o read_v not_o one_o age_n condemn_v another_o we_o find_v light_a still_o increase_v in_o the_o series_n of_o time_n in_o scripture_n but_o no_o reflection_n in_o any_o time_n upon_o the_o ignorance_n or_o weakness_n of_o the_o precedent_n the_o dim_a light_n be_v sufficient_a for_o its_o age_n and_o be_v a_o step_n to_o further_a discovery_n quintilian_n give_v it_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a uncertainty_n of_o grammar_n rule_v quia_fw-la non_fw-la analogia_fw-la demissa_fw-la coelo_fw-la formam_fw-la loquendi_fw-la dedit_fw-la that_o which_o he_o 6._o want_v as_o to_o grammar_n we_o have_v as_o to_o divine_a truth_n they_o be_v deliver_v from_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o be_v always_o uniform_a and_o agreeable_a to_o each_o other_o 2._o by_o person_n of_o different_a interest_n in_o the_o world_n god_n make_v 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the_o manner_n wherein_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o thus_o we_o have_v consider_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v a_o discovery_n of_o god_n mind_n to_o the_o world_n the_o scripture_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o as_o a_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v give_v for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o life_n 2._o of_o man_n and_o therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o the_o encouragement_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o 1._o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n require_v which_o be_v most_o become_a god_n to_o require_v most_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o perform_v 1._o most_o become_v god_n to_o require_v as_o they_o be_v most_o suitable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o imitation_n of_o which_o in_o our_o action_n be_v the_o
such_o a_o impress_n of_o god_n authority_n on_o the_o scripture_n that_o any_o who_o consider_v they_o as_o they_o ought_v can_v but_o discern_v i_o still_o further_o inquire_v whether_o this_o impress_n lie_v in_o the_o positive_a assertion_n in_o scripture_n that_o they_o be_v from_o god_n and_o that_o can_v be_v unless_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v to_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o writing_n shall_v pretend_v to_o be_v from_o god_n when_o it_o be_v not_o or_o else_o in_o the_o write_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o then_o let_v it_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o any_o one_o mere_o by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o write_n themselves_o without_o any_o further_a argument_n can_v pronounce_v the_o proverb_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o not_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n and_o ecclesiaste_v to_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o not_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la or_o else_o the_o self-evidence_n must_v be_v in_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n but_o this_o still_o fall_v very_o short_a of_o resolve_v whole_o the_o question_n whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o the_o utmost_a that_o this_o can_v reach_v to_o be_v that_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v of_o so_o high_a and_o excellent_a a_o nature_n that_o we_o can_v conceive_v that_o any_o other_o shall_v be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o but_o god_n himself_o all_o which_o be_v grant_v i_o be_o as_o far_o to_o seek_v as_o ever_o what_o ground_n i_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o those_o particular_a write_n which_o we_o call_v the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o that_o god_n do_v immediate_o employ_v such_o and_o such_o person_n to_o write_v such_o and_o such_o book_n for_o i_o may_v believe_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o yet_o not_o believe_v the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v contain_v to_o be_v a_o divine_a and_o infallible_a testimony_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o many_o excellent_a devotional_a book_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o yet_o further_o if_o the_o only_a ground_n on_o which_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v a_o doctrine_n divine_a be_v the_o self-evidencing_a light_n and_o power_n of_o it_o than_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v the_o same_o ground_n of_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n when_o the_o doctrine_n be_v declare_v without_o write_v by_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o so_o that_o by_o this_o method_n of_o proceed_v the_o ground_n of_o believe_v christ_n to_o be_v send_v as_o the_o mâ—ssias_n send_v from_o god_n must_v be_v whole_o and_o sole_o resolve_v into_o this_o that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o self-evidence_n in_o this_o proposition_n utter_v by_o christ_n i_o be_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v bind_v to_o have_v believe_v he_o send_v from_o god_n for_o light_n manifest_v its_o self_n although_o our_o saviour_n have_v never_o do_v any_o one_o miracle_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o he_o come_v from_o god_n and_o we_o can_v but_o charge_v our_o saviour_n on_o this_o account_n with_o be_v at_o a_o very_a unnecessary_a expense_n upon_o the_o world_n in_o do_v so_o many_o miracle_n when_o the_o bare_a naked_a affirmation_n that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v convince_v the_o whole_a world_n but_o be_v it_o conceivable_a then_o upon_o what_o account_n our_o saviour_n shall_v lay_v so_o much_o force_n on_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o himself_o in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v his_o testimony_n to_o be_v divine_a that_o he_o say_v himself_o that_o he_o have_v a_o great_a witness_n than_o that_o of_o john_n who_o yet_o doubtless_o have_v 36._o self-evidencing_a light_n go_v along_o with_o his_o doctrine_n too_o 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 can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a or_o have_v great_a self-evidence_n in_o it_o then_o that_o our_o saviour_n in_o these_o word_n do_v lay_v the_o evidence_n of_o his_o divine_a testimony_n upon_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v which_o on_o that_o account_n he_o so_o often_o appeal_v to_o on_o this_o very_a reason_n because_o they_o bear_v witness_n of_o he_o and_o if_o 24._o they_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o on_o his_o own_o testimony_n yet_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v he_o for_o his_o work_n sake_n do_v all_o this_o now_o amount_v only_o to_o a_o remove_n of_o prejudices_fw-la from_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n which_o yet_o according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o objection_n we_o be_v consider_v of_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o power_n of_o miracle_n shall_v do_v if_o these_o miracle_n may_v be_v so_o far_o do_v or_o counterfeit_v by_o false_a christ_n that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certain_a evidence_n to_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o which_o the_o objection_n pretend_v and_o be_v the_o great_a thing_n 3_o wherein_o celsus_n the_o epicurean_a triumph_v so_o much_o that_o christ_n shall_v foretell_v that_o other_o shall_v come_v and_o do_v miracle_n cels._n which_o they_o must_v not_o hearken_v to_o and_o thence_o will_v infer_v as_o from_o christ_n own_o confession_n that_o miracle_n have_v in_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nothing_o divine_a but_o what_o may_v be_v do_v by_o wicked_a man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v it_o not_o a_o wretched_a thing_n say_v he_o that_o from_o the_o same_o work_v one_o shall_v be_v account_v a_o god_n and_o other_o deceiver_n whereby_o those_o who_o will_v invalidate_v the_o argument_n from_o miracle_n may_v take_v notice_n how_o fine_o they_o fall_v in_o with_o one_o of_o the_o most_o bitter_a enemy_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n which_o he_o do_v and_o therefore_o origen_n reply_v to_o he_o will_v reach_v they_o too_o for_o say_v he_o our_o saviour_n in_o those_o word_n of_o he_o do_v not_o bid_v man_n beware_v in_o general_a of_o such_o as_o do_v miracle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o bid_v they_o beware_v of_o that_o when_o man_n give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v the_o true_a christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o endeavour_v to_o draw_v christ_n disciple_n from_o he_o by_o some_o mere_a appearance_n in_o stead_n of_o miracle_n therefore_o christ_n be_v evident_o make_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o the_o powerful_a and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v what_o pretence_n of_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o hearken_v to_o any_o who_o give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v christ_n mere_o from_o some_o strange_a wonder_n which_o they_o wrought_v and_o from_o hence_o as_o he_o further_o observe_v may_v be_v just_o infer_v contrary_a to_o what_o celsus_n imagine_v that_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a power_n in_o miracle_n when_o these_o false_a christ_n give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v christ_n mere_o from_o the_o supposal_n that_o they_o have_v this_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n and_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o the_o false_a christ_n which_o have_v appear_v they_o have_v make_v this_o their_o great_a pretence_n that_o they_o do_v many_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o god_n may_v just_o permit_v they_o to_o do_v to_o punish_v the_o great_a infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v in_o christ_n notwithstanding_o those_o frequent_a and_o apparent_a miracle_n which_o he_o do_v which_o do_v infinite_o transcend_v those_o of_o any_o such_o pretender_n such_o among_o the_o jew_n be_v jonathas_n who_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o draw_v many_o of_o the_o people_n into_o the_o wilderness_n of_o cyrene_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d promise_v to_o show_v they_o many_o prodigy_n and_o strange_a appearance_n not_o long_o after_o in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n appear_v that_o famous_a blazing-star_n barchochebas_n who_o not_o only_o portend_v but_o bring_v so_o much_o mischief_n upon_o the_o jew_n his_o pretence_n be_v that_o he_o vomit_v flame_n and_o so_o he_o do_v such_o as_o consume_v himself_o and_o his_o follower_n after_o he_o many_o other_o impostor_n arise_v in_o egypt_n cyprus_n and_o crete_n who_o all_o go_v upon_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o do_v miracle_n in_o latter_a time_n the_o famous_a impostor_n be_v david_n el-david_n who_o story_n be_v thus_o brief_o report_v by_o david_n ganz_n david_n el-david_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o rebel_v against_o 895._o the_o king_n of_o persia_n and_o do_v many_o sign_n and_o prodigy_n before_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n at_o last_o his_o head_n be_v cut_v off_o and_o the_o jew_n fine_v a_o hundred_o talent_n of_o gold_n in_o the_o epistle_n