control_v in_o nothing_o we_o say_v or_o do_v etc._n etc._n be_v ever_o intend_v for_o the_o felicity_n of_o a_o intellectual_a and_o rational_a be_v the_o soul_n of_o a_o brute_n will_v have_v serve_v all_o the_o end_n that_o some_o man_n propound_v to_o themselves_o but_o sure_o the_o bestow_n of_o a_o immortal_a spirit_n on_o we_o aught_o to_o instruct_v we_o that_o blessedness_n consist_v in_o something_o else_o than_o gaud_n trifle_n grandeur_n airy_a title_n and_o the_o like_a and_o he_o who_o can_v want_v these_o thing_n without_o think_v himself_o miserable_a at_o once_o reproach_v his_o maker_n as_o if_o he_o have_v create_v he_o for_o nothing_o more_o worthy_a and_o degrade_n and_o dishonour_v himself_o by_o intimate_v that_o such_o gratification_n be_v suitable_a to_o he_o 6._o the_o advantage_n which_o good_a man_n receive_v by_o affliction_n do_v ample_o compensate_a their_o feel_n of_o they_o they_o hereby_o both_o discern_v their_o sincerity_n themselves_o and_o 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foundation_n leave_v for_o the_o beget_n and_o maintain_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n towards_o he_o for_o if_o he_o regard_v not_o what_o we_o do_v instead_o of_o have_v provide_v due_a mean_n for_o our_o fear_v and_o love_v of_o he_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o under_o a_o unavoidable_a temptation_n of_o act_v towards_o with_o he_o with_o slight_a and_o contempt_n 3_o if_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o address_n to_o god_n out_o of_o hope_n of_o assistance_n or_o the_o thank_n he_o for_o the_o benefit_n we_o partake_v of_o and_o yet_o the_o chief_a of_o natural_a religion_n consist_v in_o these_o who_o will_v pray_v to_o god_n to_o be_v deliver_v when_o in_o strait_n or_o praise_v he_o when_o he_o have_v escape_v his_o entanglement_n if_o god_n no_o way_n interest_n himself_o in_o we_o and_o our_o affair_n 4_o if_o god_n govern_v not_o the_o world_n it_o be_v either_o because_o he_o can_v or_o because_o he_o will_v not_o to_o say_v the_o first_o be_v to_o represent_v he_o contemptible_a for_o his_o weakness_n and_o beside_o he_o that_o make_v the_o world_n can_v be_v suppose_v unable_a to_o rule_v it_o to_o affirm_v the_o second_o be_v to_o bestow_v omnipotency_n upon_o he_o in_o vain_a and_o to_o impeach_v every_o one_o of_o his_o perfection_n because_o of_o a_o faileur_n in_o their_o most_o natural_a and_o agreeable_a effect_n 5_o god_n be_v sovereign_a of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o he_o must_v needs_o govern_v it_o through_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o product_n of_o his_o will_n and_o power_n he_o have_v a_o incontestable_a dominion_n over_o they_o now_o we_o can_v fasten_v a_o great_a reproach_n upon_o a_o sovereign_n than_o that_o he_o throw_v off_o all_o the_o care_n and_o gubernation_n of_o his_o subject_n 6_o we_o see_v effect_n in_o the_o world_n which_o can_v proceed_v from_o no_o cause_n but_o god_n and_o discovery_n make_v to_o it_o which_o he_o alone_o 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they_o upon_o divine_a testimony_n but_o it_o ought_v further_o to_o inquire_v what_o inducement_n and_o media_n there_o be_v in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v also_o know_v and_o demonstrate_v and_o as_o this_o be_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o reason_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o have_v foundation_n in_o natural_a light_n so_o especial_o in_o and_o about_o such_o principle_n of_o it_o as_o be_v necessary_o pre-supposed_n to_o faith_n of_o which_o kind_n be_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o all_o our_o religion_n be_v in_o a_o eminent_a manner_n build_v upon_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o some_o part_n of_o it_o know_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o the_o bible_n and_o according_o among_o such_o as_o own_o that_o book_n for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o need_v no_o other_o bottom_n to_o erect_v our_o faith_n upon_o nor_o any_o other_o measure_n to_o regulate_v our_o debate_n and_o 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gassendus_fw-la ezekius_fw-la vogelsangius_fw-la derkennis_fw-la doctor_n parker_n and_o other_o against_o it_o i_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o little_o better_a than_o a_o sophism_n and_o to_o maintain_v a_o article_n of_o such_o import_n by_o a_o medium_fw-la either_o weak_a or_o fallacious_a be_v to_o betray_v the_o first_o fundamental_a of_o religion_n i_o know_v no_o idea_n formal_o innate_a what_o we_o common_o call_v so_o be_v the_o result_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o reason_n the_o notion_n of_o god_n be_v not_o otherwise_o inbred_a then_o that_o the_o soul_n be_v furnish_v with_o such_o a_o natural_a sagacity_n that_o upon_o the_o exercise_n of_o her_o rational_a power_n she_o be_v infallible_o lead_v to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o this_o be_v first_o effect_v by_o she_o look_v inward_o upon_o herself_o and_o she_o own_o act_n and_o we_o be_v with_o facility_n and_o by_o a_o short_a way_n of_o argumentation_n conduct_v thence_o to_o the_o existence_n 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it_o and_o how_o it_o know_v which_o we_o ourselves_o do_v not_o 3_o dly_a our_o nature_n be_v such_o that_o assoon_o as_o we_o come_v to_o have_v the_o use_n of_o our_o intellectual_a faculty_n we_o be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v some_o thing_n good_a and_o other_o thing_n evil._n there_o be_v a_o unalterable_a congruity_n betwixt_o some_o act_n and_o our_o reasonable_a soul_n and_o a_o unchangeable_a incongruity_n betwixt_o they_o and_o other_o now_o this_o plain_o sway_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n for_o all_o distinction_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n relate_v to_o a_o law_n under_o the_o sanction_n of_o which_o we_o be_v and_o all_o law_n suppose_v a_o superior_a who_o have_v right_o to_o command_v we_o and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o universal_a independent_a supreme_a but_o god_n 4_o lie_n we_o find_v ourselves_o possess_v of_o a_o faculty_n necessary_o reflect_v on_o its_o own_o act_n and_o pass_v a_o judgement_n upon_o itself_o in_o all_o it_o do_v which_o be_v a_o further_a conviction_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n for_o it_o imply_v a_o supreme_a judge_n to_o who_o we_o be_v accountable_a 5_o lie_n we_o find_v that_o we_o be_v furnish_v with_o faculty_n of_o vast_a appetite_n and_o desire_n and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n that_o can_v satisfy_v our_o crave_n and_o by_o consequence_n there_o must_v be_v some_o supreme_a good_a adequate_a and_o proportionate_a to_o the_o long_n of_o our_o soul_n which_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o god_n this_o be_v his_o mean_v who_o say_v of_o the_o heathen_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n they_o nod_v after_o a_o summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la it_o be_v to_o put_v a_o slur_n upon_o nature_n to_o suppose_v that_o she_o have_v put_v those_o propension_n and_o inclination_n into_o we_o only_o to_o delude_v and_o abuse_v we_o 6_o lie_n we_o find_v the_o
sense_n and_o the_o mystical_a that_o they_o do_v both_o together_o make_v up_o one_o entire_a complete_a sense_n of_o the_o place_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o in_o all_o proposition_n which_o admit_v a_o literal_a and_o a_o mystical_a sense_n though_o there_o be_v but_o one_o explicite_fw-la enunciation_n yet_o there_o be_v two_o implicit_o and_o if_o any_o have_v a_o mind_n upon_o this_o account_n to_o distinguish_v betwixt_o the_o literal_a sense_n and_o the_o mystical_a they_o may_v for_o i_o nor_o will_v i_o quarrel_v with_o they_o but_o to_o assign_v a_o plurality_n of_o coordinate_a or_o ambiguous_a sense_n to_o one_o and_o the_o same_o text_n i._n be_v the_o height_n of_o madness_n invent_v only_o to_o reproach_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o expound_v of_o it_o mare_n and_o be_v indeed_o repugnant_a not_o only_o to_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o end_n of_o god_n reveal_v the_o word_n which_o be_v to_o instruct_v we_o in_o faith_n and_o obedience_n for_o wheresoever_o there_o be_v a_o multiplicity_n of_o disparate_a sense_n we_o can_v never_o be_v sure_a that_o we_o have_v attain_v to_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o any_o one_o proposition_n now_o when_o we_o inquire_v into_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o asseâ—t_v its_o be_v intelligible_a we_o always_o distinguish_v betwixt_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o the_o object_n and_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o subject_a actual_o to_o understand_v it_o the_o easiness_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v understand_v in_o respect_n of_o itself_o and_o our_o disposedness_n to_o understand_v it_o right_n be_v thing_n vast_o distant_a the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n may_v be_v in_o itself_o facile_a and_o plain_a though_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n it_o remain_v dark_a and_o obscure_a to_o those_o who_o have_v shut_v their_o eye_n or_o that_o have_v their_o understanding_n defile_v 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perspicuity_n but_o a_o manifestation_n of_o our_o weakness_n corruption_n and_o folly_n beside_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o plainness_n of_o the_o scripture_n &_o its_o easiness_n to_o be_v understand_v we_o always_o put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o scripture_n text_n relate_v to_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n &_o manner_n which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o such_o of_o who_o sense_n we_o may_v be_v safe_o ignorant_a the_o doctrine_n they_o refer_v to_o have_v no_o indispensable_a connexion_n with_o salvation_n the_o whole_a will_n and_o mind_n of_o god_n as_o to_o all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v know_v in_o order_n to_o our_o duty_n and_o happiness_n be_v reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n without_o any_o such_o ambiguity_n or_o obscurity_n as_o shall_v hinder_v it_o from_o be_v understand_v though_o god_n in_o his_o sovereign_a wisdom_n have_v in_o many_o thing_n who_o simple_a ignorance_n do_v not_o interpose_v with_o salvation_n leave_v many_o hard_a and_o 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evidence_n in_o the_o plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n of_o their_o revelation_n that_o every_o one_o who_o read_v the_o bible_n without_o prejudice_n and_o a_o perverse_a mind_n may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o such_o doctrine_n be_v there_o propose_v nor_o be_v it_o any_o argument_n that_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n where_o such_o article_n be_v reveal_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v because_o some_o out_o of_o prejudice_n or_o perverseness_n have_v wrest_v they_o to_o a_o corrupt_a sense_n see_v god_n do_v not_o indite_v the_o bible_n for_o the_o froward_a and_o captious_a but_o for_o such_o who_o will_v read_v it_o with_o a_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a mind_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n for_o as_o aristotle_n say_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o self_n evident_a principle_n be_v not_o evident_a to_o all_o man_n but_o only_o to_o such_o who_o have_v find_v and_o undepraved_a understanding_n topic._n 6._o cap._n 4._o so_o it_o be_v no_o impeachment_n of_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o religion_n that_o man_n who_o have_v their_o mind_n defile_v and_o darken_v by_o lust_n infect_v with_o evil_a opinion_n and_o fill_v with_o prejudices_fw-la do_v not_o believe_v and_o acknowledge_v they_o and_o by_o the_o way_n while_o all_o truth_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v be_v easy_a and_o plain_a and_o while_o we_o be_v indispensable_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o receive_v whatsoever_o be_v so_o a_o enumeration_n of_o fundamental_a truth_n be_v neither_o necessary_a nor_o useful_a and_o possible_o not_o safe_a now_o as_o all_o doctrine_n necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v so_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o be_v easy_a enough_o to_o be_v so_o so_o be_v understand_v they_o be_v as_o well_o the_o standard_n and_o measure_n by_o which_o dark_a and_o obscure_a text_n be_v to_o be_v interpret_v as_o the_o key_n to_o the_o open_n of_o they_o as_o curve_v line_n be_v best_a discern_v when_o apply_v to_o straight_o so_o be_v heterodox_n sense_n impose_v on_o obscure_a text_n of_o scripture_n best_o perceive_v when_o examine_v by_o their_o habitude_n to_o necessary_a and_o plain_a truth_n whatsoever_o bear_v not_o a_o symmetry_n with_o the_o foundation_n can_v be_v no_o superstruction_n of_o god_n and_o whatsoever_o notion_n either_o formal_o or_o virtual_o direct_o or_o consequential_o interfere'_v with_o a_o fundamental_a truth_n though_o never_o so_o many_o text_n be_v press_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o we_o maybe_o sure_a both_o of_o its_o falsity_n and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o wrest_a and_o mistake_v but_o though_o the_o scripture_n be_v most_o plain_a in_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n yet_o no_o one_o text_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v in_o itself_o unintelligible_a dialogue_n for_o as_o dr._n more_o say_v to_o affirm_v that_o the_o holy_a writ_n be_v in_o it_o elf_n unintelligible_a be_v equivalent_a to_o the_o pronounce_v it_o nonsense_n or_o to_o aver_v that_o such_o and_o such_o book_n or_o passage_n of_o it_o be_v never_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o man_n be_v to_o insinuate_v as_o if_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n do_v not_o only_o play_v with_o the_o child_n of_o man_n but_o even_o fool_n with_o they_o mons._n wolzogen_n therefore_o in_o his_o late_a book_n de_fw-fr interpret_v scripturarum_fw-la have_v not_o only_o in_o this_o matter_n shameful_o betray_v the_o protestant_a cause_n but_o reflect_v reproach_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n there_o be_v something_n say_v he_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o we_o can_v understand_v 174._o not_o through_o any_o defect_n or_o fault_n of_o our_o mind_n or_o through_o the_o sublimity_n &_o majesty_n of_o the_o doctrine_n themselves_o but_o through_o the_o frame_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v reveal_v if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o
word_n which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v compare_v spiritual_a thing_n with_o spiritual_a and_o as_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o regulate_v all_o my_o conception_n by_o scripture_n and_o reason_n so_o whatever_o proposition_n shall_v be_v make_v appear_v to_o lie_v in_o a_o repugnancy_n to_o these_o i_o be_o ready_a open_o to_o retract_v it_o if_o any_o shall_v attaque_fw-la these_o discourse_n with_o revile_v &_o reproachful_a language_n i_o do_v declare_v beforehand_o that_o i_o reckon_v myself_o supersede_v from_o reply_v i_o will_v combat_v no_o man_n at_o these_o weapon_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o a_o reputation_n 〈◊〉_d any_o to_o rail_v how_o much_o in_o fashion_n soever_o it_o be_v though_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o in_o fine_a language_n how_o often_o mr._n sherlock_n have_v contradict_v himself_o and_o by_o what_o falsification_n he_o have_v impose_v principle_n on_o the_o nonconformist_n which_o they_o never_o hold_v how_o he_o treat_v the_o sacred_a writer_n with_o as_o much_o contempt_n as_o he_o do_v t._n w._n and_o burlesques_n the_o scripture_n no_o less_o than_o other_o have_v do_v virgil_n poem_n how_o he_o have_v renounce_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o borrow_v his_o gloss_n on_o the_o bible_n as_o well_o as_o his_o dogmatical_a notion_n from_o the_o socinian_o how_o illogical_a he_o be_v in_o all_o his_o deduction_n and_o slander_v his_o adversary_n by_o undue_a inference_n shall_v have_v be_v the_o theme_n and_o argument_n of_o this_o preface_n and_o according_o i_o have_v digest_v material_n for_o it_o but_o the_o book_n be_v swell_v to_o too_o great_a a_o bulk_n already_o and_o there_o be_v other_o engage_v against_o the_o same_o author_n within_o who_o province_n these_o thing_n must_v needs_o lie_v as_o have_v undertake_v the_o arraignment_n of_o his_o whole_a discourse_n i_o do_v wave_n the_o prosecution_n of_o they_o all_o at_o this_o time_n and_o shall_v detain_v the_o reader_n no_o long_o than_o to_o tell_v he_o that_o since_o the_o print_n off_o the_o first_o chapter_n which_o treat_v of_o the_o interest_n of_o reason_n in_o religion_n there_o be_v come_v to_o my_o hand_n a_o treatise_n of_o humane_a reason_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o ill_a thing_n though_o as_o it_o often_o happen_v they_o be_v well_o say_v i_o know_v not_o a_o opinion_n more_o pernicious_a in_o its_o consequence_n than_o that_o man_n may_v be_v as_o safe_a in_o the_o event_n by_o embrace_v turcism_n as_o christianity_n and_o as_o secure_v of_o happiness_n in_o their_o error_n as_o other_o be_v in_o the_o truth_n which_o they_o do_v espouse_v shall_v person_n conspire_v to_o overthrow_v all_o revelation_n they_o can_v not_o fall_v upon_o a_o method_n more_o likely_a to_o effect_v it_o than_o by_o endeavour_v to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o there_o be_v thing_n equal_o as_o strange_a in_o the_o bible_n as_o in_o the_o alcoran_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o our_o reason_n may_v serve_v we_o if_o due_o attend_v to_o and_o pursue_v to_o discern_v that_o this_o or_o that_o religion_n be_v false_a nor_o be_v we_o therefore_o to_o be_v judge_v innocent_a because_o we_o neglect_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o in_o make_v the_o discovery_n no_o man_n can_v embrace_v a_o false_a religion_n but_o by_o a_o criminal_a deviation_n from_o reason_n and_o who_o will_v admit_v one_o transgression_n to_o take_v sanctuary_n in_o another_o that_o whole_a treatise_n proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a hypothesis_n namely_o that_o as_o man_n belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v owe_v to_o the_o conduct_n of_o reason_n so_o they_o may_v disbelieve_v it_o by_o the_o same_o guidance_n corrupt_a ratiocination_n be_v recommend_v by_o the_o name_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o be_v once_o clothe_v with_o this_o livery_n every_o foolery_n as_o well_o as_o abomination_n appeal_v to_o they_o if_o not_o for_o its_o justification_n at_o least_o for_o its_o be_v but_o a_o venial_a offence_n no_o man_n cease_v to_o be_v a_o offender_n in_o moral_n nor_o do_v he_o therefore_o deserve_v pardon_n because_o he_o have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o his_o judgement_n in_o what_o he_o do_v though_o no_o man_n can_v choose_v or_o prosecute_v what_o his_o understanding_n continue_v to_o represent_v to_o he_o as_o evil_a yet_o its_o failâ—ur_n in_o point_n of_o duty_n neither_o alter_v the_o essential_a nature_n of_o thing_n nor_o make_v his_o condition_n more_o safe_a for_o act_v under_o the_o conduct_n of_o it_o some_o man_n will_v have_v no_o restraint_n lay_v upon_o their_o understand_n because_o they_o will_v submit_v to_o none_o in_o their_o life_n and_o they_o will_v have_v their_o corrupt_a ratiocination_n in_o doctrinal_n as_o venial_a as_o they_o seem_v in_o reference_n to_o manner_n to_o presume_v the_o gratify_n of_o their_o lust_n to_o be_v it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o for_o the_o undeceive_v such_o as_o be_v already_o imbue_v with_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o and_o for_o the_o prevent_n other_o from_o be_v â—ainâ—ed_v and_o inveigle_v some_o one_o or_o other_o will_v bring_v the_o whole_a under_o a_o examen_fw-la in_o the_o interim_n i_o shall_v adventure_v to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v as_o weak_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o reason_n which_o occur_v in_o it_o as_o it_o be_v pernicious_a in_o its_o tendency_n farewell_n the_o content_n chap._n i._o of_o the_o interest_n and_o use_v of_o reason_n in_o religion_n introduction_n 1._o motive_n influence_v to_o the_o handle_n of_o this_o subject_n 2._o the_o import_n of_o reason_n 3._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o religion_n 4._o the_o serviceableness_n of_o reason_n in_o demonstrate_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o topic_n on_o which_o it_o proceed_v 5._o it_o be_v usefulness_n in_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o several_a media_n which_o it_o make_v use_v of_o to_o this_o purpose_n 6.7_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o emerge_v from_o its_o divine_a original_a 8._o our_o belief_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n divine_a and_o infallible_a see_v build_v upon_o media_n that_o be_v so_o 9_o the_o serviceableness_n of_o reason_n in_o our_o attain_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o measure_n which_o we_o be_v herein_o to_o be_v guide_v by_o 10._o of_o scripture-consequence_n and_o the_o usefulness_n of_o reason_n in_o make_v the_o deduction_n 11._o what_o appertain_v to_o reason_n in_o reference_n to_o doctrine_n which_o beside_o the_o foundation_n they_o have_v in_o revelation_n have_v also_o evidence_n in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n this_o exemplify_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o providence_n 12._o the_o concernment_n of_o reason_n in_o defend_v the_o whole_a of_o religion_n from_o the_o clamour_n and_o objection_n of_o gainsayer_n 13._o nothing_o contradictious_a to_o right_a reason_n to_o be_v admit_v as_o a_o mystery_n of_o faith_n many_o thing_n obtrude_v for_o principle_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v not_o so_o the_o prejudice_n do_v religion_n by_o mistake_a philosophy_n pursue_v and_o declare_v in_o various_a instance_n 14._o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o import_n and_o use_v of_o scripture_n metaphor_n the_o inducement_n upon_o which_o some_o man_n endeavour_v to_o discharge_v all_o dispute_n in_o and_o about_o religion_n the_o ground_n of_o their_o quarrel_v at_o metaphor_n with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o my_o discourse_v this_o theme_n 1._o no_o form_n of_o speech_n use_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o what_o be_v proportion_v to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v make_v use_n of_o the_o bible_n adorn_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o figurative_a expression_n some_o fancy_n more_o trope_n in_o the_o bible_n than_o there_o be_v mr._n sherlock_n among_o other_o guilty_a of_o this_o 2._o the_o nature_n of_o a_o metaphor_n what_o trope_n it_o have_v affinity_n with_o the_o rule_n and_o line_n by_o which_o it_o be_v distinguish_v from_o they_o 3._o the_o reason_n why_o god_n who_o do_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o infinite_a sapience_n have_v so_o often_o adopt_v metaphorical_a term_n to_o declare_v himself_o and_o the_o thing_n of_o his_o kingdom_n in_o and_o by_o 4._o when_o a_o expression_n be_v to_o be_v account_v metaphorical_a 5._o how_o to_o attain_v the_o true_a conception_n that_o be_v lock_v up_o under_o metaphor_n 6._o a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o use_n of_o other_o common_a metaphor_n with_o a_o account_n of_o their_o usefulness_n and_o the_o measure_n that_o be_v to_o be_v attend_v to_o in_o the_o usurpation_n of_o they_o 7._o the_o nonconformist_n injurious_o charge_v for_o their_o usage_n of_o metaphor_n the_o contempt_n throw_v upon_o they_o fall_v often_o with_o the_o same_o weight_n upon_o the_o holy_a ghost_n none_o so_o guilty_a of_o turn_v religion_n into_o
sensual_a appetite_n clog_v and_o hinder_v by_o the_o distemperature_n of_o indispose_a organ_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o prepossession_n and_o anticipation_n of_o infancy_n the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n with_o the_o deceit_n and_o imposition_n we_o be_v liable_a to_o by_o the_o delusion_n of_o external_a object_n for_o such_o the_o world_n be_v fill_v with_o since_o disorder_v and_o confusion_n arrest_v it_o however_o reason_n consider_v thus_o namely_o as_o denote_v the_o rational_a faculty_n though_o even_o corrupt_v by_o the_o fall_n be_v first_o that_o which_o dispose_v and_o adapt_v we_o for_o converse_v with_o object_n of_o revelation_n as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n have_v be_v useless_a to_o we_o have_v we_o not_o enjoy_v a_o organ_n suit_v to_o receive_v the_o impression_n of_o its_o beam_n so_o all_o supernatural_a revelation_n have_v be_v both_o impertinent_a and_o superfluous_a be_v we_o not_o endow_v with_o faculty_n fit_v to_o converse_v with_o it_o god_n in_o all_o his_o transaction_n with_o we_o suppose_v we_o rational_a and_o he_o be_v a_o degree_n worse_o than_o a_o enthusiast_n who_o affirm's_n that_o the_o way_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n be_v first_o to_o be_v a_o brute_n revelation_n do_v not_o cassate_fw-it they_fw-mi use_n of_o our_o intellectual_a power_n but_o suppose_v they_o and_o by_o enrich_v they_o with_o discovery_n which_o they_o can_v not_o by_o their_o own_o search_n have_v arrive_v at_o it_o perfect_v they_o and_o they_o plain_o acquiesce_v that_o these_o be_v the_o thing_n they_o seek_v for_o but_o can_v not_o find_v there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o thing_n in_o divine_a revelation_n that_o overthrow'_v the_o rational_a faculty_n or_o cross_v it_o in_o its_o regular_a and_o due_a exercise_n there_o be_v a_o spirit_n in_o man_n and_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o almighty_a give_v they_o understanding_n job_n 32.8_o for_o as_o austin_n say_v possâ—_n recipere_fw-la fidem_fw-la est_fw-la naturae_fw-la licet_fw-la actu_fw-la credere_fw-la sit_fw-la gratiae_n de_fw-fr praedest_fw-la sanct._n cap._n 5._o both_o external_a revelation_n and_o internal_a illumination_n presuppose_v we_o to_o be_v rational_a and_o through_o the_o want_n of_o a_o faculty_n that_o be_v so_o brute_n be_v incapable_a both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o second_o reason_n take_v for_o the_o intellectual_a faculty_n or_o the_o principle_n of_o apprehension_n judgement_n and_o ratiocination_n be_v both_o the_o instrument_n whereby_o we_o certain_o discern_v the_o ground_n and_o motive_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o vital_a principle_n of_o the_o act_n itself_o faith_n be_v not_o only_o a_o elicit_v act_n of_o our_o mind_n but_o beside_o there_o can_v be_v no_o act_n of_o faith_n without_o a_o previous_a exercise_n of_o our_o intellect_n about_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v faith_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o unwavering_a assent_n to_o some_o doctrine_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n our_o reason_n must_v be_v antecedent_o persuade_v that_o the_o testimony_n be_v divine_a before_o it_o can_v assent_v to_o the_o doctrine_n upon_o the_o authority_n and_o veracity_n of_o the_o revealer_n though_o in_o many_o thing_n we_o can_v give_v no_o reason_n for_o what_o be_v believe_v distinct_a from_o divine_a testimony_n yet_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v always_o able_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n for_o the_o authenticness_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o testimony_n for_o as_o austin_n say_v quod_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la aliquid_fw-la rationi_fw-la debemus_fw-la quod_fw-la autem_fw-la credimus_fw-la auctoritati_fw-la lib._n de_fw-fr utilit_fw-la credendi_fw-la cap._n xi_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o assent_n to_o such_o and_o such_o doctrine_n but_o it_o be_v by_o the_o mean_n and_o exercise_n of_o our_o intellectual_a faculty_n that_o we_o come_v to_o understand_v such_o a_o declaration_n to_o proceed_v from_o god_n and_o that_o these_o thing_n be_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o proposition_n thus_o the_o understanding_n of_o man_n be_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n resolve_v we_o in_o the_o authenticness_n and_o sense_n of_o revelation_n though_o faith_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o credit_n only_o of_o the_o revealer_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v that_o of_o maximus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v i_o neglect_v the_o scripture_n whence_o shall_v i_o have_v knowledge_n shall_v i_o relinquish_v reason_n how_o shall_v i_o have_v faith_n second_o reason_n be_v take_v metonymical_o for_o common_a maxim_n or_o principle_n who_o truth_n be_v inviolable_a and_o these_o be_v 1._o such_o as_o be_v so_o connate_a to_o sense_n and_o reason_n that_o upon_o their_o bare_a representation_n they_o be_v universal_o assent_v to_o these_o principle_n be_v not_o borrow_v from_o reason_n as_o their_o first_o spring_n and_o original_a but_o have_v their_o root_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o essence_n of_o thing_n be_v only_o discern_v by_o the_o rational_a mind_n and_o intellect_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o we_o be_v bring_v forth_o with_o a_o list_n and_o scroll_n of_o axiom_n 〈◊〉_d imprint_v upon_o our_o faculty_n 〈◊〉_d that_o we_o be_v furnish_v with_o such_o power_n upon_o the_o first_o exercise_n of_o which_o about_o such_o thing_n without_o any_o harangue_n of_o discourse_n or_o previous_a ratiocination_n we_o can_v without_o do_v violence_n to_o our_o rational_a nature_n but_o pay_v they_o a_o assent_n those_o truth_n whether_o logical_a moral_a physical_a or_o mathematical_a whether_o general_n because_o of_o their_o universal_a influence_n upon_o all_o discipline_n or_o particular_a from_o their_o be_v confine_v in_o their_o use_n to_o some_o one_o science_n be_v just_o style_v natural_a be_v found_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n the_o essence_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o intrinsical_a rectitude_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n these_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o measure_n of_o all_o science_n knowledge_n and_o discourse_n be_v in_o themselves_o certain_a and_o incontestable_a nor_o be_v there_o any_o other_o proof_n to_o be_v assign_v of_o they_o beside_o their_o consonancy_n to_o the_o rational_a faculty_n to_o which_o they_o be_v central_o co-unit_a and_o forasmuch_o as_o all_o man_n partake_v of_o the_o same_o reasonable_a nature_n the_o certainty_n of_o these_o principle_n be_v universal_a what_o be_v disconvenient_a to_o the_o essential_a nature_n of_o one_o man_n be_v so_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o another_o nor_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o dissent_v from_o they_o without_o do_v contempt_n to_o our_o faculty_n of_o this_o sort_n be_v these_o that_o a_o thing_n can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v and_o not_o be_v that_o every_o effect_n suppose_v its_o cause_n and_o many_o such_o like_a nor_o do_v theology_n borrow_v these_o from_o philosophy_n but_o they_o be_v pre-supposed_n to_o both_o and_o science_n as_o well_o as_o faith_n build_v upon_o they_o 2_o dly_z there_o be_v other_o who_o truth_n and_o certainty_n be_v not_o understand_v nor_o do_v they_o win_v our_o assent_n upon_o their_o first_o and_o naked_a representation_n but_o they_o be_v discover_v by_o a_o chain_n of_o ratiocination_n and_o their_o verity_n establish_v by_o a_o harangue_n of_o induction_n these_o be_v style_v acquire_v principle_n be_v by_o a_o industrious_a exercise_n of_o the_o discursive_a faculty_n raise_v and_o superstruct_v upon_o the_o former_a nor_o be_v they_o less_o true_a than_o the_o other_o though_o more_o remote_a from_o the_o first_o view_n of_o our_o understanding_n whatsoever_o be_v right_o deduce_v from_o unquestionable_a premise_n have_v the_o same_o stamp_n of_o truth_n upon_o it_o that_o the_o principle_n have_v from_o which_o it_o be_v infer_v where_o there_o be_v a_o just_a connexion_n between_o conclusion_n and_o principle_n the_o latter_a can_v be_v deny_v without_o question_v the_o former_a from_o which_o they_o be_v fetch_v it_o the_o deduction_n of_o these_o by_o regular_a trayn_n of_o argumentation_n be_v the_o work_n of_o a_o philosopher_n and_o these_o be_v systematical_o digest_v constitute_v philosophy_n so_o far_o then_o as_o philosophy_n include_v only_a conclusion_n due_o infer_v from_o unquestionable_a principle_n so_o far_o there_o be_v not_o only_o a_o friendly_a alliance_n between_o it_o and_o divinity_n but_o a_o wonderful_a subserviency_n in_o it_o to_o faith_n nor_o be_v any_o thing_n true_a in_o philosophy_n that_o be_v not_o so_o in_o theology_n for_o as_o aristotle_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whatsoever_o be_v true_a must_v be_v consentaneous_a to_o all_o that_o be_v so_o lib._n 1._o prior._n analyt_v cap._n 32._o and_o as_o he_o add_v elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o truth_n be_v consentient_a to_o truth_n lib._n 1._o ethic._n cap._n 8._o what_o our_o soul_n in_o the_o regular_a exercise_n of_o reason_n instruct_v we_o in_o be_v as_o much_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n to_o we_o as_o any_o revelation_n he_o vouchsafe_v we_o
〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d excellent_o de_n baptism_n cont_n donat._n lib._n 2_o cap_n 6._o let_v we_o not_o say_v he_o bring_v our_o deceitful_a balance_n where_o we_o weigh_v what_o will_v and_o do_v as_o we_o will_v say_v according_a to_o our_o fancy_n behold_v this_o be_v heavy_a or_o behold_v this_o be_v light_a but_o let_v we_o bring_v the_o divine_a balance_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o weigh_v thing_n or_o rather_o not_o weigh_v they_o but_o learn_v and_o take_v notice_n what_o the_o lord_n himself_o have_v weigh_v i_o rather_o choose_v to_o fix_v the_o import_n of_o religion_n thus_o by_o its_o reference_n to_o its_o rule_n than_o by_o a_o enumeration_n of_o particular_n first_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o whatever_o be_v the_o concernment_n of_o reason_n in_o religion_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o invent_v or_o introduce_v any_o new_a doctrine_n nor_o to_o propose_v or_o institute_v any_o new_a media_n of_o worship_n nor_o to_o obtrude_v and_o force_v upon_o we_o any_o new_a moral_a duty_n nothing_o magisterial_a do_v here_o belong_v to_o it_o its_o high_a preferment_n be_v to_o minister_v second_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o scripture_n but_o what_o we_o be_v under_o the_o sanction_n of_o and_o as_o it_o be_v occasional_o make_v know_v we_o be_v to_o pay_v a_o rational_a subjection_n to_o it_o though_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o bible_n be_v not_o alike_o necessary_a yet_o every_o thing_n in_o it_o be_v alike_o true_a and_o our_o concernment_n lie_v more_o or_o less_o in_o it_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o the_o bible_n and_o therefore_o the_o import_n and_o meaning_n of_o those_o term_n can_v be_v no_o otherways_o decide_v but_o by_o their_o habitude_n to_o their_o measure_n for_o this_o end_n do_v god_n give_v forth_o the_o scripture_n that_o it_o may_v be_v the_o foundation_n and_o standard_n of_o religion_n and_o thence_o therefore_o be_v we_o to_o learn_v its_o law_n and_o constitution_n the_o instruct_v mankind_n in_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a to_o his_o present_a or_o future_a happiness_n be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o his_o vouchsafe_v the_o world_n a_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o foresee_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o such_o a_o end_n the_o respect_n and_o veneration_n which_o we_o pay_v to_o his_o sapience_n &_o goodness_n oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v adapt_v and_o proportion_v the_o mean_n thereunto_o now_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o such_o as_o beside_o their_o be_v make_v know_v by_o revelation_n and_o believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o divine_a testimony_n have_v also_o a_o foundation_n in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o there_o be_v natural_a medium_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v prove_v these_o be_v common_o call_v mix_v but_o i_o think_v amiss_o see_v they_o be_v not_o make_v up_o of_o dissimilar_v part_n nor_o have_v they_o object_n complicate_v of_o different_a nature_n be_v only_o discover_v by_o different_a light_n prove_v by_o different_a media_n and_o assent_v to_o as_o well_o upon_o motive_n of_o reason_n as_o divine_a authority_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v the_o be_v and_o attribute_n of_o god_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o certainty_n of_o providence_n the_o existence_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a 2_o dly_z such_o as_o have_v no_o foundation_n at_o all_o in_o nature_n by_o which_o they_o can_v have_v be_v find_v out_o or_o know_v but_o we_o be_v sole_o indebt_v to_o supernatural_a revelation_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o they_o their_o object_n have_v their_o source_n and_o rise_v only_o from_o the_o will_n of_o god_n a_o supernatural_a revelation_n be_v absolute_o expedient_a to_o promulge_v they_o and_o these_o also_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o there_o be_v some_o doctrine_n which_o though_o our_o understanding_n by_o natural_a medium_n can_v never_o have_v discover_v yet_o be_v once_o reveal_v our_o mind_n can_v by_o argument_n draw_v from_o reason_n facilitate_v the_o apprehension_n of_o they_o and_o confirm_v itself_o in_o their_o belief_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o divine_a justice_n in_o order_n to_o the_o exercise_v of_o forgiveness_n to_o penitent_a sinner_n 2._o there_o be_v other_o which_o as_o reason_n can_v never_o have_v discover_v so_o when_o reveal_v it_o can_v neither_o comprehend_v they_o nor_o produce_v any_o medium_fw-la in_o nature_n by_o which_o either_o the_o existence_n of_o their_o object_n can_v be_v demonstrate_v or_o their_o truth_n illustrate_v of_o this_o kind_n be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n etc._n i_o know_v that_o there_o be_v many_o divine_n who_o though_o they_o confess_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n can_v never_o at_o first_o have_v be_v discover_v by_o reason_n yet_o be_v once_o reveal_v they_o contend_v that_o reason_n can_v only_o illustrate_v but_o demonstrate_v it_o but_o upon_o the_o best_a inquiry_n into_o their_o argument_n i_o find_v most_o of_o they_o palpable_o fallacious_a and_o other_o of_o they_o so_o disproportionate_a to_o what_o they_o be_v bring_v that_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o afford_v some_o saint_n adumbration_n of_o it_o i_o ready_o grant_v that_o this_o and_o the_o other_o mystery_n be_v by_o a_o clear_a and_o necessary_a connexion_n unite_v with_o other_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n which_o reason_n enlighten_v by_o revelation_n can_v give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o for_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v a_o necessary_a connexion_n with_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n by_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n by_o the_o incarnation_n of_o a_o infinite_a person_n have_v the_o like_a connexion_n with_o the_o necessity_n of_o satisfy_v divine_a justice_n in_o oâ—der_n to_o the_o dispense_v of_o pardon_n to_o repent_v offender_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o satisfy_v divine_a justice_n for_o the_o end_v aforesaid_a have_v a_o necessary_a connexion_n with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v both_o full_o confess_v and_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o reason_n thus_o though_o all_o the_o object_n of_o faith_n have_v not_o a_o immediate_a correspondence_n with_o the_o object_n of_o reason_n yet_o these_o very_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n which_o lie_v remote_a from_o the_o territory_n of_o reason_n and_o seem_v to_o have_v least_o affinity_n with_o its_o light_n be_v necessary_o and_o clear_o connect_v with_o those_o other_o principle_n of_o faith_n which_o when_o once_o discover_v reason_v both_o approve_v of_o and_o can_v rational_o confirm_v itself_o in_o as_o two_o neighbour_a kingdom_n be_v join_v together_o though_o some_o of_o their_o province_n touch_v not_o one_o another_o so_o by_o those_o object_n of_o faith_n which_o have_v a_o clear_a connexion_n with_o object_n of_o reason_n there_o be_v a_o mediate_a connexion_n between_o reason_n and_o those_o object_n of_o faith_n that_o lie_v far_o off_o i_o need_v not_o add_v that_o the_o most_o mysterious_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v necessary_o connect_v with_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o bibles_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o reason_n be_v so_o far_o from_o reject_v that_o it_o can_v demonstrate_v it_o §_o 5_o have_v settle_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o term_n namely_o what_o we_o understand_v both_o by_o reason_n and_o religion_n we_o be_v next_o particular_o to_o inquire_v of_o what_o significancy_n and_o use_v reason_n be_v in_o religion_n that_o so_o we_o may_v give_v to_o reason_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v reason_n and_o yet_o reserve_v to_o faith_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v faith_n and_o whereas_o we_o have_v say_v that_o 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of_o the_o bible_n the_o ancient_a heathen_n reproach_v the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o they_o ground_v all_o their_o doctrine_n upon_o mere_a belief_n that_o their_o religion_n consist_v in_o sola_fw-la ratione_fw-la credendi_fw-la and_o that_o their_o simple_a faith_n be_v all_o they_o have_v to_o trust_v to_o the_o christian_n complain_v of_o the_o charge_n as_o a_o gross_a and_o impudent_a calumny_n appeal_v to_o reason_n for_o proof_n of_o their_o belief_n and_o offer_v to_o join_v issue_n with_o they_o upon_o that_o title_n and_o as_o they_o that_o owe_v their_o belief_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o report_n principle_n of_o education_n or_o the_o felicity_n of_o their_o birth_n and_o the_o clime_n where_o they_o be_v bear_v receive_v the_o scripture_n upon_o no_o better_a motive_n than_o the_o turk_n do_v the_o alcoran_n so_o if_o pretend_a inspiration_n may_v pass_v for_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o every_o bold_a pretender_n will_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o we_o expose_v ourselves_o not_o only_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o every_o groundless_a imagination_n but_o of_o innumerable_a contradiction_n for_o not_o only_o the_o gross_a folly_n but_o doctrine_n palpable_o repugnant_a both_o to_o reason_n and_o one_o another_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o enthusiast_n and_o pretend_a inspirato_n i_o ready_o grant_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o such_o person_n can_v have_v of_o its_o divinity_n but_o 1_o st_z the_o holy_a ghost_n convince_v no_o man_n as_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n without_o enlighten_v his_o mind_n in_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o its_o proceed_n from_o god_n be_v evidence_v and_o establish_v there_o be_v no_o conviction_n beget_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n otherwise_o than_o by_o 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manner_n that_o such_o a_o person_n come_v to_o discover_v they_o for_o shall_v he_o have_v arrive_v at_o the_o discern_v they_o by_o any_o other_o mean_a they_o have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o significancy_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o a_o adversary_n 3._o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o a_o distinct_a person_n in_o the_o deity_n be_v not_o a_o principle_n demonstrable_a by_o reason_n see_v then_o it_o be_v by_o the_o scripture_n alone_o that_o we_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n as_o a_o distinct_a person_n in_o the_o godhead_n therefore_o his_o testimony_n in_o the_o heart_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v allow_v as_o a_o previous_a evidence_n of_o its_o divinity_n to_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n when_o we_o can_v otherwise_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o holy_a ghost_n but_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o argue_v circular_o and_o absurd_o i_o know_v the_o papist_n to_o be_v even_o with_o the_o protestant_n for_o the_o circle_n we_o charge_v on_o they_o in_o their_o prove_v the_o church_n by_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o church_n do_v pretend_v to_o fasten_v the_o same_o way_n of_o circular_a argumentation_n upon_o we_o in_o that_o we_o prove_v the_o spirit_n by_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o spirit_n whereas_o even_o those_o protestant_n who_o contend_v that_o the_o spirit_n and_o scripture_n do_v mutual_o prove_v one_o another_o may_v easy_o acquit_v themselves_o from_o a_o circle_n see_v whatever_o proof_n the_o scripture_n and_o spirit_n mutual_o minister_v to_o one_o another_o it_o be_v in_o diverso_fw-la genere_fw-la the_o scripture_n prove_v the_o spirit_n either_o in_o way_n of_o witness_n by_o plain_o testify_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o be_v as_o the_o divine_a spirit_n or_o objective_o and_o by_o way_n of_o argument_n bring_v into_o light_n such_o truth_n as_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o proceed_v from_o none_o other_o save_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o then_o the_o spirit_n prove_v the_o scripture_n not_o in_o way_n of_o a_o naked_a witness_n nor_o in_o way_n of_o argument_n but_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o efficient_a cause_n elevate_a and_o prepare_v our_o understanding_n to_o discern_v the_o lineament_n character_n and_o signature_n of_o divinity_n which_o god_n have_v impress_v upon_o the_o scripture_n which_o through_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v upon_o our_o mind_n we_o many_o time_n do_v not_o at_o all_o discern_v much_o less_o do_v we_o at_o any_o time_n discern_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o it_o or_o else_o by_o give_v efficacy_n to_o scripture_n truth_n in_o and_o upon_o our_o heart_n and_o conscience_n so_o that_o the_o word_n arrive_v with_o we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n 2.4_o we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o effectual_a work_v of_o his_o power_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o spiritual_a sense_n and_o taste_v of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o this_o spiritual_a gust_n that_o i_o may_v use_v origen_n phrase_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o divine_a thing_n and_o more_o convince_v than_o any_o demonstration_n for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o god_n himself_o be_v best_a know_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o a_o intellectual_a touch_n as_o the_o philosopher_n say_v plotin_n but_o as_o i_o have_v say_v already_o this_o be_v no_o convince_a proof_n to_o a_o adversary_n nor_o do_v the_o evidence_n of_o it_o reach_v further_o than_o the_o party_n immediate_o concern_v and_o therefore_o our_o recourse_n must_v be_v to_o argument_n of_o another_o nature_n in_o brief_a when_o we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o such_o as_o either_o question_n or_o deny_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o be_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o ratiocination_n from_o common_a principle_n receive_v among_o mankind_n and_o by_o topic_n that_o lie_v even_o and_o proportionated_a to_o intellectual_a nature_n and_o here_o reason_n be_v just_o magnify_v as_o huge_o subservient_fw-fr to_o religion_n in_o that_o it_o demonstrate_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o which_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o all_o particular_a article_n and_o duty_n of_o religion_n be_v ground_v not_o do_v i_o doubt_v but_o that_o reason_n can_v acquit_v itself_o in_o this_o undertake_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o that_o be_v not_o wilful_o obstinate_a and_o for_o such_o i_o know_v no_o mean_n either_o sufficient_a or_o intend_v by_o god_n to_o satisfy_v they_o many_o great_a man_n both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a as_o well_o at_o home_n as_o abroad_o have_v already_o labour_v and_o to_o good_a purpose_n in_o this_o theme_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v much_o add_v by_o any_o to_o what_o be_v already_o say_v much_o less_o be_o i_o likely_a to_o do_v it_o neither_o be_v it_o my_o intention_n to_o treat_v this_o subject_a at_o large_a but_o rather_o to_o touch_v at_o the_o head_n of_o argument_n than_o handle_v they_o and_o i_o suppose_v this_o will_v sufficient_o answer_v my_o design_n which_o be_v to_o vindicate_v the_o nonconformist_n from_o the_o aspersion_n late_o cast_v upon_o they_o as_o if_o they_o be_v defamer_n of_o reason_n disclaim_v it_o from_o all_o concern_v in_o religion_n and_o deserve_v to_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o reproach_n which_o julian_n slanderous_o fasten_v upon_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o they_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o their_o faith_n but_o that_o their_o wisdom_n be_v only_o to_o believe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o method_n i_o shall_v here_o confine_v myself_o to_o shall_v be_v first_o to_o justify_v the_o necessity_n of_o some_o supernatural_a revelation_n in_o order_n to_o
that_o we_o need_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o man_n or_o church_n to_o convince_v we_o who_o they_o be_v but_o they_o carry_v a_o demonstrative_a assurance_n of_o their_o author_n in_o themselves_o the_o like_a evidence_n may_v be_v just_o expect_v to_o attend_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o we_o find_v to_o accompany_v his_o work_n and_o indeed_o god_n end_v in_o revelation_n be_v more_o noble_a than_o his_o end_n in_o creation_n and_o the_o world_n be_v more_o liable_a to_o be_v impose_v on_o in_o that_o matter_n than_o in_o this_o it_o be_v but_o rational_a to_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v leave_v at_o least_o as_o conspicuous_a and_o glorious_a impression_n and_o character_n of_o himself_o upon_o his_o word_n as_o upon_o the_o work_v of_o his_o hand_n and_o if_o man_n in_o the_o write_n of_o book_n do_v not_o only_o leave_v on_o they_o such_o a_o impression_n of_o reason_n that_o we_o may_v know_v they_o to_o be_v the_o product_n of_o rational_a creature_n but_o withal_o according_a to_o their_o several_a degree_n of_o accomplishment_n either_o as_o to_o eminency_n of_o knowledge_n heavenliness_n of_o mind_n elegancy_n of_o stile_n etc._n etc._n do_v imprint_v on_o they_o those_o footstep_n of_o their_o several_a qualification_n that_o we_o can_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o very_a frame_n of_o the_o writing_n discover_v its_o individual_a author_n it_o may_v be_v just_o expect_v that_o what_o proceed_v immediate_o by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n shall_v carry_v something_o in_o it_o correspondent_a to_o the_o wisdom_n holiness_n power_n omniscience_n and_o goodness_n of_o he_o from_o who_o it_o flow_v and_o yet_o let_v i_o premise_v that_o as_o we_o do_v not_o build_v our_o assurance_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o manufacture_n of_o god_n upon_o every_o petty_a phaenomenon_n which_o like_o the_o image_n of_o foam_n that_o apelles_n strike_v upon_o his_o table_n by_o a_o hasty_a cast_n of_o his_o pencil_n some_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o disport_n of_o matter_n in_o the_o fortuitous_a encounter_n of_o one_o particle_n with_o a_o other_o but_o we_o raise_v our_o persuasion_n on_o the_o curious_a fabric_n of_o the_o noble_a piece_n and_o the_o harmonious_a structure_n of_o the_o universal_a machine_n in_o like_a manner_n we_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o every_o verse_n and_o chapter_n as_o in_o the_o complex_fw-la of_o the_o whole_a and_o in_o the_o principal_a part_n branch_n and_o section_n of_o it_o the_o intrinsic_a evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a revelation_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o several_a head_n the_o first_o topick_n regard_v the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o here_o the_o plain_a and_o convince_a enlighten_v of_o we_o about_o natural_a truth_n of_o which_o we_o be_v at_o best_a doubtful_a be_v one_o internal_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o bring_n into_o light_n such_o thing_n as_o we_o can_v never_o have_v think_v of_o which_o yet_o be_v discover_v have_v that_o admirable_a connexion_n with_o all_o true_a reason_n that_o we_o be_v ravish_v with_o the_o glory_n of_o truth_n that_o shine_v in_o they_o be_v a_o second_o the_o purity_n and_o fullness_n of_o scripture-precept_n command_v every_o virtue_n forbid_v every_o vice_n and_o enjoin_v nothing_o either_o superfluous_a or_o burdensome_a be_v a_o three_o the_o greatness_n and_o spirituality_n of_o the_o scripture-promise_n where_o we_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o happiness_n so_o describe_v and_o state_v the_o direction_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o so_o full_a and_o clear_a the_o ground_n of_o its_o certainty_n so_o many_o and_o incontestable_a and_o the_o whole_a so_o frame_v as_o to_o be_v both_o a_o powerful_a inducement_n to_o a_o alacrous_a and_o uniform_a obedience_n and_o a_o powerful_a antidote_n against_o all_o temptation_n to_o sin_n and_o sensuality_n make_v a_o four_o the_o quality_n of_o scripture_n prophecy_n and_o the_o event_n still_o answer_v the_o prediction_n be_v another_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o nature_n and_o exactness_n of_o scripture_n history_n relate_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a weight_n &_o with_o the_o great_a truth_n be_v another_o evidence_n arise_v from_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o alone_o inform_v we_o of_o many_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o no_o other_o write_n either_o have_v or_o can_v and_o as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o thing_n be_v indispensable_o necessary_a so_o be_v examine_v as_o they_o be_v record_v in_o the_o bible_n we_o find_v the_o account_n of_o they_o rational_a and_o satisfactory_a what_o other_o nation_n have_v only_o faint_a glimpse_n of_o in_o fabulous_a story_n of_o those_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o exact_a and_o authentic_a record_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o date_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o what_o book_n can_v vie_v with_o it_o as_o to_o antiquity_n of_o content_n as_o all_o ethnic_a history_n be_v latter_a than_o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n so_o most_o of_o they_o be_v traduction_n from_o thence_o and_o be_v but_o part_n of_o the_o mosaic_a story_n corrupt_v and_o debase_v with_o egyptian_a be_v grecian_a fable_n where_o have_v we_o such_o a_o exact_a and_o full_a display_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la and_o several_a period_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o original_a of_o nation_n as_o the_o two_o first_o and_o ten_o chapt._n of_o genesis_n do_v afford_v we_o yea_o in_o the_o narration_n of_o such_o thing_n whereof_o we_o have_v also_o some_o register_n in_o humane_a record_n it_o be_v not_o difficult_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v peculiar_a character_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o scripture_n difference_v it_o from_o all_o write_n of_o mere_a humane_a original_a and_o manifest_v it_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a extract_n the_o second_o head_n of_o argument_n by_o which_o evidence_n be_v give_v to_o the_o divine_a original_a of_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o character_n impress_v on_o it_o respect_v the_o form_n of_o it_o or_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o thing_n be_v deliver_v and_o treat_v and_o here_o the_o majestic_a authority_n that_o it_o dictate_v to_o mankind_n in_o be_v huge_o remarkable_a in_o no_o other_o writing_n whatsoever_o be_v there_o that_o sovereignty_n of_o command_v usurp_v that_o the_o scripture_n assume_v it_o alone_o treat_v with_o we_o in_o a_o way_n of_o supremacy_n majesty_n and_o authority_n become_v he_o in_o who_o name_n it_o pretend_v to_o speak_v whatever_o else_o have_v lay_v claym_v to_o the_o be_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n to_o mankind_n do_v by_o its_o sneak_v creep_a flatter_a way_n of_o address_n evident_o betray_v the_o meanness_n of_o its_o original_a 2_o dly_z the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v plain_o breath_n of_o god_n with_o what_o brevity_n without_o darkness_n with_o what_o simplicity_n without_o corruption_n with_o what_o gravity_n without_o affectation_n with_o what_o eloquence_n without_o meretricious_a ornament_n with_o what_o plainness_n without_o flatness_n or_o sordidness_n with_o what_o condescension_n to_o our_o capacity_n without_o unsuitableness_n to_o the_o subject_a matter_n be_v the_o scripture_n write_v when_o the_o holy_a inspirer_n of_o the_o sacred_a penman_n stoop_v most_o to_o our_o capacity_n he_o even_o then_o retain_v a_o prerogative_n in_o his_o style_n above_o what_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o mere_o humane_a write_n there_o be_v that_o succinctness_n prespicuity_n plenitude_n and_o majesty_n in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture-law_n that_o sweetness_n and_o spirituality_n in_o promise_n that_o austerity_n in_o commination_n that_o wonderful_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d force_n and_o emotion_n in_o expostulation_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d meet_v accommodation_n of_o word_n unto_o thing_n through_o the_o whole_a bible_n that_o no_o humane_a write_n can_v equal_v if_o there_o be_v at_o any_o time_n obscurity_n in_o the_o scripture-stile_n it_o be_v either_o from_o the_o sublimity_n of_o the_o matter_n declare_v which_o no_o word_n though_o never_o so_o easy_a in_o themselves_o can_v help_v we_o to_o adequate_a notion_n of_o or_o it_o be_v from_o some_o reference_n to_o ancient_a custom_n and_o story_n which_o make_v the_o expression_n easy_a to_o the_o age_n and_o person_n first_o concern_v in_o they_o though_o they_o may_v be_v dark_a to_o we_o through_o our_o unacquaintedness_n with_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v both_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o and_o the_o key_n to_o they_o or_o else_o it_o be_v because_o they_o regard_v futurity_n which_o it_o be_v neither_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n nor_o the_o interest_n of_o primitive_a believer_n to_o have_v have_v plain_o foretell_v and_o as_o the_o fulfil_n of_o they_o will_v give_v convince_v light_n about_o they_o so_o
one_o of_o these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o have_v allege_v by_o which_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o divine_a inspiration_n both_o of_o the_o bible_n in_o general_n and_o of_o most_o of_o the_o particular_a book_n in_o it_o so_o if_o there_o be_v any_o book_n receive_v into_o the_o canon_n where_o any_o of_o these_o be_v want_v they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v narrative_n of_o thing_n do_v among_o man_n and_o most_o of_o those_o be_v bear_v witness_v to_o in_o such_o other_o book_n as_o have_v all_o the_o foregoing_a character_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o of_o they_o that_o be_v not_o testify_v to_o yet_o we_o have_v all_o desirable_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o person_n divine_o inspire_v and_o though_o all_o the_o precede_a signature_n do_v not_o occur_v in_o they_o yet_o some_o one_o or_o more_o by_o which_o they_o manifest_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o god_n do_v and_o in_o none_o of_o they_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o have_v produce_v upon_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v easy_a by_o the_o precede_a mark_n to_o discharge_v from_o all_o interest_n in_o divine_a inspiration_n a_o vast_a number_n of_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o a_o share_n in_o it_o by_o such_o i_o mean_v not_o only_o the_o sibylline_a write_n the_o prophecy_n of_o enoch_n the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n to_o abgarus_n the_o gospel_n of_o nicodemus_n james_n and_o andrew_n the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o revelation_n of_o paul_n his_o epistle_n to_o seneca_n and_o the_o laodicean_n the_o missal_n of_o matthew_n mark_n peter_n etc._n etc._n but_o all_o those_o book_n which_o be_v common_o style_v apocryphal_a §_o 7._o beside_o the_o character_n impress_v on_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o the_o divine_a inspiration_n of_o it_o be_v plain_o evidence_v there_o be_v many_o external_n motive_n by_o which_o the_o same_o may_v be_v further_o demonstrate_v and_o here_o may_v be_v plead_v the_o quality_n of_o the_o penman_n their_o candour_n sincerity_n inability_n of_o be_v the_o immediate_a author_n of_o such_o a_o contrivance_n that_o they_o have_v no_o base_a nor_o secular_a end_n that_o they_o be_v impartial_a in_o lay_v open_a their_o fail_n and_o that_o they_o always_o father_n the_o whole_a upon_o god_n 2_o the_o antiquity_n of_o scripture_n record_v at_o least_o some_o part_n of_o they_o to_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v consonant_a and_o upon_o which_o they_o superstruct_v 3_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o bible_n through_o so_o many_o age_n when_o so_o many_o of_o wit_n power_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n have_v set_v themselves_o against_o it_o 4_o it_o be_v spread_v success_n and_o entertainment_n in_o the_o world_n with_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o propagation_n without_o force_n of_o arm_n or_o aft_n of_o eloquence_n 5_o the_o effect_n it_o have_v wrought_v in_o great_a sudden_a &_o last_a change_n that_o it_o have_v produce_v in_o man_n principled_a in_o their_o judgement_n prepossess_v with_o education_n and_o prejudice_v by_o lust_n against_o it_o 6_o the_o attestation_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v god_n seal_v to_o authorise_v the_o person_n in_o who_o behalf_n they_o be_v wrought_v and_o doctrine_n to_o which_o they_o be_v annex_v for_o a_o miracle_n be_v a_o extraordinary_a work_n transcendent_a to_o the_o power_n and_o capacity_n of_o natural_a agent_n it_o be_v either_o the_o alter_n and_o stop_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o produce_v some_o effect_n above_o its_o law_n and_o power_n a_o miracle_n be_v a_o operation_n of_o god_n in_o nature_n either_o without_o interposure_n of_o a_o second_o cause_n or_o above_o its_o ability_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v the_o production_n of_o something_o out_o of_o nothing_o either_o as_o to_o matter_n or_o manner_n of_o production_n now_o such_o work_n be_v the_o immediate_a effect_n of_o almighty_a power_n it_o be_v the_o peculiar_a title_n of_o god_n to_o do_v wonder_n and_o he_o only_o can_v do_v wonderful_a thing_n be_v there_o not_o some_o thing_n impossible_a to_o natural_a agent_n there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o a_o real_a miracle_n and_o be_v there_o not_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o only_o think_v to_o be_v impossibles_fw-fr in_o nature_n we_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v delude_v by_o a_o appear_a one_o effect_n exceed_v the_o line_n of_o ordinary_a operation_n may_v be_v produce_v by_o a_o combination_n of_o material_a agent_n and_o satan_n may_v wonderful_o ape_n a_o miracle_n by_o the_o impression_n he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v upon_o matter_n but_o every_o true_a miracle_n be_v the_o product_n of_o a_o power_n that_o be_v infinite_a as_o god_n alone_o can_v work_v miracle_n so_o he_o never_o exert_v his_o power_n in_o the_o production_n of_o any_o but_o in_o order_n to_o humane_a instruction_n the_o devil_n love_v to_o be_v act_v his_o power_n to_o fill_v man_n with_o amazement_n and_o to_o make_v they_o wonder_n but_o god_n reserve_v his_o power_n to_o seal_v some_o portant_fw-la truth_n to_o relieve_v man_n in_o some_o urgent_a straight_a or_o to_o affright_v they_o from_o some_o destructive_a practice_n miraculous_a work_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a attestation_n that_o god_n can_v give_v either_o to_o person_n or_o thing_n and_o be_v usual_o his_o seal_n to_o some_o great_a truth_n god_n be_v a_o spirit_n &_o can_v be_v see_v to_o give_v testimony_n yea_o shall_v he_o assume_v a_o shape_n and_o in_o that_o declare_v himself_o there_o will_v be_v still_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o lyableness_n to_o exception_n and_o therefore_o one_o of_o the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o god_n can_v give_v to_o person_n doctrine_n or_o cause_n be_v by_o the_o effect_n of_o some_o such_o work_n as_o be_v only_o possible_a for_o a_o almighty_a power_n to_o produce_v hence_o those_o ancient_a impostor_n that_o usurp_v the_o title_n of_o prophet_n either_o among_o the_o jew_n christian_n or_o heathen_n pretend_v to_o miracle_n and_o sign_n know_v that_o without_o that_o counterfeit_a seal_n their_o doctrine_n will_v never_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o people_n and_o the_o better_a to_o ape_n a_o miracle_n the_o great_a part_n of_o pretender_n to_o enthusiasm_n be_v in_o all_o age_n magician_n true_a miracle_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o god_n immediate_a power_n the_o notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n do_v not_o admit_v we_o to_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v lend_v his_o omnipotency_n to_o confirm_v a_o falsehood_n for_o this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o induce_v man_n into_o error_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o therefore_o while_o i_o believe_v god_n to_o be_v true_a and_o good_a i_o will_v never_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v lend_v his_o power_n to_o impostor_n to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v mankind_n yea_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o divine_a truth_n and_o justice_n so_o to_o do_v yet_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o his_o wisdom_n in_o that_o he_o shall_v hereby_o not_o only_o weaken_v but_o whole_o take_v off_o all_o the_o evidence_n that_o himself_o can_v give_v to_o truth_n by_o miraculous_a operation_n for_o if_o god_n can_v exert_v his_o power_n in_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o falsity_n in_o one_o case_n what_o security_n can_v we_o have_v that_o he_o may_v not_o do_v so_o in_o another_o to_o say_v that_o god_n do_v never_o work_v a_o miracle_n for_o our_o trial_n in_o reference_n to_o a_o false_a doctrine_n till_o he_o have_v unquestionable_o confirm_v his_o own_o truth_n before_o and_o that_o the_o have_v a_o establish_a rule_n to_o examine_v after_o doctrine_n by_o be_v enough_o to_o preserve_v we_o from_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o error_n though_o it_o shall_v come_v back_v with_o the_o attestation_n of_o miraculous_a work_n i_o affirm_v that_o this_o plea_n be_v not_o sufficient_a and_o and_o that_o there_o be_v objection_n to_o the_o contrary_n which_o it_o do_v not_o resolve_v for_o first_o as_o primitive_a revelation_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o receive_v confirmation_n from_o its_o consonancy_n to_o any_o revelation_n former_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v itself_o the_o first_o so_o after_o revelation_n that_o be_v either_o real_o or_o according_a to_o the_o best_a judgement_n that_o we_o can_v make_v new_a be_v as_o little_a tryable_a by_o their_o congruency_n to_o what_o go_v before_o and_o if_o we_o allow_v miracle_n to_o be_v a_o authentic_a attestation_n in_o such_o case_n i_o see_v not_o how_o we_o can_v admit_v they_o to_o be_v fallacious_a in_o any_o second_o the_o ancient_a portion_n of_o scripture_n be_v the_o mosaic_a write_n now_o antecedent_o to_o the_o give_v forth_o of_o these_o as_o the_o standard_n of_o after_o doctrine_n idolatry_n superstition_n and_o error_n have_v great_o overspread_v the_o world_n i_o will_v therefore_o ask_v if_o god_n
express_a and_o explicit_a authority_n of_o god_n upon_o it_o for_o whosoever_o explicit_o reveal_n the_o thing_n define_v reveal_v in_o effect_n all_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v enumerate_v concern_v it_o while_o the_o scripture_n for_o example_n assure_v we_o that_o christ_n be_v a_o man_n it_o do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n assure_v we_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rational_a creature_n and_o by_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n it_o do_v in_o effect_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o angel_n and_o however_o some_o late_a papist_n talk_v in_o this_o matter_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o other_o that_o they_o may_v shift_v the_o protestant_a argument_n which_o they_o can_v answer_v yet_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o most_o learned_a that_o ever_o espouse_v the_o roman_a cause_n be_v at_o a_o agreement_n with_o we_o in_o this_o point_n that_o be_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n soto_n say_v bellarmine_n which_o god_n have_v either_o reveal_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n or_o which_o may_v be_v evident_o infer_v from_o thence_o smiglesius_fw-la against_o mascorovius_fw-la proclaim_v it_o ridiculous_a to_o think_v otherwise_o that_o be_v not_o only_o a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o be_v express_o reveal_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o whatsoever_o can_v be_v evident_o deduce_v thence_o though_o one_o of_o the_o proposition_n go_v to_o the_o deducement_n of_o it_o have_v its_o certainty_n only_o in_o natural_a light_n say_v canus_n and_o whereas_o they_o say_v that_o conclusio_fw-la sequitur_fw-la debiliorem_fw-la partem_fw-la the_o conclusion_n receive_v it_o specification_n and_o be_v denominate_v from_o the_o weak_a proposition_n i_o reply_v 1_o be_v that_o logical_a maxim_n to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o universal_a latitude_n which_o they_o affix_v to_o it_o they_o be_v yet_o so_o far_o from_o gain_v any_o thing_n thereby_o that_o their_o whole_a cause_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v supplant_v for_o if_o both_o proposition_n be_v evident_o true_a their_o dogm_n must_v be_v evident_o false_a see_v the_o conclusion_n that_o lie_v in_o repugnancy_n to_o they_o be_v our_o enemy_n be_v judge_n deduce_v from_o true_a proposition_n god_n be_v as_o much_o the_o author_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n in_o its_o regular_a exercise_n as_o of_o scripture_n hierocl_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v persuade_v by_o god_n and_o to_o be_v persuade_v by_o right_a reason_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n 2._o that_o proposition_n in_o a_o philosophical_a sense_n be_v the_o weak_a which_o be_v remote_a from_o self_n evidence_n and_o therefore_o where_o there_o be_v two_o premise_n whereof_o the_o one_o have_v no_o other_o evidence_n but_o what_o it_o borrow_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o infallible_a revealer_n the_o other_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n hauâ—ng_v â—ts_n evidence_n from_o a_o light_n reside_v in_o itself_o and_o from_o its_o congruity_n to_o the_o essential_a rectitude_n of_o our_o intellectual_a faculty_n if_o the_o conclusion_n follow_v the_o fortune_n of_o the_o weak_a proposition_n it_o must_v be_v a_o conclusion_n of_o faith_n and_o not_o of_o science_n for_o though_o the_o certitude_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o only_o equal_a but_o transcendent_a to_o the_o certitude_n of_o reason_n sense_n and_o experience_n 2_o pet._n 1.16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o yet_o the_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o sense_n be_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o object_n assent_v to_o &_o the_o habitude_n it_o stand_v in_o to_o we_o beyond_o the_o evidence_n of_o faith_n 2_o cor._n 5._o â—_o 1_o 1_o cor._n 13.12_o nor_o do_v the_o school_n man_n only_o allow_v a_o proposition_n ground_v on_o a_o axiom_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o a_o proposition_n found_v only_o on_o revelation_n but_o withal_o not_o a_o few_o of_o the_o learned_a romanist_n both_o schoolman_n and_o other_o will_v have_v the_o former_a to_o be_v also_o more_o certain_a at_o lest_o quo_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la than_o the_o latter_a see_v bellarm_n lib._n 3._o the_o justify_v cap._n 2._o durand_n in_o 3._o d._n 23._o quest_n 7._o compt._n tom._n poster_n disp_n 9_o 3._o the_o forementioned_a logical_a axiom_n refer_v only_o to_o the_o quantity_n and_o quality_n of_o the_o premise_n and_o not_o to_o any_o other_o affection_n incident_a to_o they_o if_o one_o of_o the_o premise_n be_v negative_a the_o conclusion_n in_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o allege_a maxim_n must_v be_v negative_a also_o or_o if_o one_o of_o the_o proposition_n be_v a_o particular_a nothing_o beyond_o a_o particular_a can_v be_v conclude_v though_o the_o other_o be_v a_o universal_a and_o howsoever_o in_o some_o case_n it_o may_v hold_v further_o yet_o this_o and_o no_o more_o be_v the_o intendment_n of_o the_o first_o establisher_n of_o it_o nor_o indeed_o be_v it_o admittable_a in_o the_o full_a latitude_n which_o the_o term_n seem_v to_o bear_v see_v of_o two_o proposition_n whereof_o the_o one_o only_o be_v true_a there_o may_v follow_v sometime_o a_o conclusion_n that_o be_v true_a though_o the_o other_o proposition_n be_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n palpable_o false_a but_o ere_o i_o undertake_v the_o probation_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o two_o or_o three_o thing_n must_v be_v necessary_o premise_v 1._o that_o all_o fundamental_a article_n be_v contain_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o so_o many_o letter_n and_o syllable_n in_o the_o scripture_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n necessary_a in_o order_n to_o our_o assent_n to_o they_o but_o that_o we_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o the_o enunciation_n in_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v term_n and_o phrase_n make_v use_v of_o to_o declare_v they_o unto_o the_o edification_n of_o believer_n &_o to_o secure_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n from_o undue_a apprehension_n of_o they_o that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o scripture_n but_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v needful_a in_o the_o explain_n of_o all_o divine_a truth_n yea_o all_o moral_a duty_n for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n and_o that_o the_o father_n be_v this_o one_o god_n and_o that_o the_o son_n be_v so_o also_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n likewise_o be_v declare_v in_o many_o express_a testimony_n in_o the_o bible_n but_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o doctrine_n and_o in_o the_o application_n of_o it_o to_o the_o faith_n and_o edification_n of_o believer_n namely_o how_o god_n be_v one_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o essence_n how_o be_v father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n he_o subsist_v in_o these_o three_o distinct_a person_n what_o be_v their_o mutual_a respect_n to_o each_o other_o and_o what_o be_v the_o incommunicable_a property_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o subsistence_n by_o which_o they_o be_v distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o there_o be_v such_o woâ—ds_n and_o phrase_n make_v use_v of_o as_o be_v not_o literal_o and_o syllabical_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o teach_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v there_o reveal_v 2._o that_o these_o very_a fundamental_a article_n may_v be_v also_o confirm_v by_o consequence_n and_o logical_a deduction_n from_o express_v literal_a testimony_n nor_o do_v probation_n of_o this_o nature_n alter_v or_o enervate_v the_o quality_n of_o they_o the_o thing_n be_v in_o itself_o the_o same_o though_o the_o method_n of_o proof_n be_v vary_v for_o example_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v equal_o a_o fundamental_a whether_o we_o prove_v it_o from_o express_a text_n or_o by_o consequence_n from_o literal_a testimony_n or_o by_o its_o connexion_n with_o the_o whole_a systeme_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o oeconomy_n of_o redemption_n etc._n etc._n 3._o that_o though_o all_o fundamental_o be_v in_o terminis_fw-la express_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o yet_o these_o very_a truth_n do_v include_v other_o in_o they_o which_o can_v be_v prove_v but_o by_o consequence_n for_o instance_n that_o god_n be_v a_o spâ—rit_n be_v reveal_v in_o so_o many_o letter_n and_o syllable_n in_o the_o bible_n but_o that_o therefore_o he_o have_v not_o hand_n nor_o foot_n nor_o any_o corporeal_a member_n can_v only_o be_v conclude_v by_o way_n of_o consequence_n in_o lâ—ke_a manner_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n be_v express_o teach_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n predicable_a of_o the_o word_n incarnate_a which_o can_v be_v otherwise_o demonstrate_v but_o by_o consequence_n and_o by_o borrow_v some_o proposition_n or_o other_o from_o principle_n of_o natural_a light_n now_o these_o thing_n be_v premise_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o argue_v from_o express_a scripture-truths_n by_o deduction_n of_o conclusion_n which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o mention_v in_o the_o bible_n in_o letter_n and_o syllable_n be_v
yet_o there_o in_o effect_n and_o be_v according_o intend_v may_v brief_o be_v thus_o justify_v 1._o in_o that_o to_o preclude_v this_o be_v to_o render_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o no_o significancy_n to_o any_o particular_a person_n see_v be_v by_o this_o method_n alone_o that_o general_a precept_n promise_n and_o commination_n be_v applicable_a to_o single_a individual_n nor_o can_v any_o one_o universal_a direction_n be_v otherwise_o bring_v down_o to_o a_o particular_a case_n 2._o god_n in_o instruct_v we_o how_o we_o be_v to_o demean_v ourselves_o towards_o his_o word_n do_v it_o in_o term_n and_o phrase_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o such_o as_o discourse_v ratiocinate_v and_o deduce_v conclusion_n from_o acknowledge_a principle_n see_v rom._n 3.28_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d therefore_o we_o conclude_v rom._n 6.11_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d likewise_o reckon_v you_o also_o yourselves_o 1_o cor._n 2.13_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d compare_v spiritual_a thing_n with_o spiritual_a act._n 17.11_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o search_v the_o scripture_n namely_o whether_o the_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n deduce_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n have_v foundation_n in_o they_o yea_o or_o not_o 1_o thes._n 5.21_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d prove_v all_o thing_n hence_o we_o be_v enjoin_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d right_o to_o divide_v the_o word_n of_o truth_n 2_o tim._n 2.15_o and_o to_o prophesy_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n rom._n 12.6_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o convince_v by_o argument_n and_o demonstration_n gainsayer_n and_o it_o be_v say_v of_o paul_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o reason_v with_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n act_n 17.2_o and_o of_o apollo_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o mighty_o in_o the_o way_n of_o ratiocination_n convince_v the_o jew_n demonstrate_v by_o the_o scripture_n that_o jesus_n be_v christ_n act_v 18.28_o nor_o be_v it_o possible_a by_o any_o text_n of_o the_o old-testament_n for_o the_o apostle_n to_o prove_v jesus_n of_o nazareth_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n but_o by_o argumentation_n &_o train_n of_o deduction_n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n or_o method_n by_o which_o this_o can_v be_v do_v but_o by_o show_v from_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n that_o to_o whosoever_o such_o property_n character_n etc._n etc._n agree_v such_o a_o one_o behove_v to_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o then_o evince_v from_o history_n and_o experience_n that_o all_o these_o characterism_n centre_v in_o and_o agree_v to_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o in_o this_o way_n the_o apostle_n proceed_v in_o their_o deal_n with_o the_o jew_n by_o produce_v place_n out_o of_o their_o own_o scripture_n where_o the_o property_n signature_n characteristical_a note_n of_o the_o person_n nature_n office_n and_o work_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v foretell_v and_o describe_v and_o by_o which_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n be_v guide_v to_o he_o and_o on_o which_o the_o world_n be_v bind_v to_o receive_v he_o and_o then_o in_o show_v that_o all_o these_o agree_v to_o be_v verify_v of_o and_o meet_v in_o our_o lord_n jesus_n as_o their_o centre_n they_o conclude_v that_o he_o be_v infallible_o the_o person_n concern_v who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v unto_o the_o father_n and_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o 2d_o argument_n in_o proof_n of_o that_o we_o have_v undertake_v to_o justify_v namely_o the_o method_n which_o the_o inspire_a writer_n observe_v in_o the_o conviction_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n there_o can_v be_v no_o fallacy_n where_o we_o act_v conformable_o to_o such_o a_o pattern_n nor_o can_v that_o be_v disclaim_v as_o sophistical_a in_o other_o which_o we_o find_v practise_v by_o the_o sacred_a penman_n without_o impeach_v both_o the_o wisdom_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n by_o who_o they_o be_v inspire_v to_o allow_v it_o to_o have_v be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o argue_v by_o consequence_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o deny_v it_o to_o other_o be_v to_o be_v perverse_a partial_a and_o humoursome_a and_o to_o lodge_v it_o as_o a_o accusation_n on_o they_o that_o they_o mistake_v in_o the_o course_n they_o steer_v be_v not_o only_o to_o justify_v the_o jew_n in_o their_o unbelief_n and_o the_o heathen_a in_o their_o idolatry_n but_o to_o blaspheme_v the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o who_o they_o be_v act_v and_o conduct_v in_o what_o they_o do_v now_o that_o this_o be_v the_o method_n which_o the_o apostle_n observe_v in_o their_o demonstrate_v many_o of_o the_o chief_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n may_v be_v make_v good_a by_o many_o instance_n scatter_v up_o and_o down_o the_o new-testament_n see_v act_n 9.22_o act_n 18.28_o act_n 15.8_o 9_o act_n 17.16.17_o act_n 2.16_o 17_o 18._o act_n 3.22_o 23._o rom._n 1.20_o rom._n 3.9_o to_o 21._o gal._n 3.10_o 1_o cor._n 15.4_o 5_o 6_o 7._o joh._n 1.33_o 34._o in_o all_o these_o place_n not_o to_o name_v more_o nor_o to_o urge_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o who_o this_o way_n of_o procedure_n manifest_v itself_o in_o every_o chapter_n and_o paragraph_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o they_o not_o only_o argue_v by_o consequence_n but_o that_o if_o their_o argument_n be_v digest_v into_o syllogism_n there_o will_v be_v only_o one_o proposition_n find_v that_o be_v of_o revelation_n the_o other_o be_v assume_v either_o from_o reason_n or_o sense_n beside_o the_o attestation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o have_v also_o the_o example_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n to_o convince_v we_o not_o only_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n but_o to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o of_o account_v all_o that_o for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o can_v by_o any_o train_n of_o natural_a deduction_n be_v conclude_v from_o it_o if_o man_n be_v not_o resolve_v to_o be_v obstinate_a this_o alone_o be_v enough_o to_o issue_v the_o debate_n and_o to_o advance_v what_o we_o be_v plead_v for_o beyond_o all_o jurisdiction_n of_o be_v gainsay_v it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o argumentation_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o he_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o his_o person_n mat._n 22.44_o 45._o the_o quality_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o office_n john_n 5.39_o 45_o 46._o john_n 10.25_o 37_o 38._o luke_n 7.20_o 21_o 22._o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n luke_n 24_o 26.27_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a in_o general_n mat._n 22.31_o 32._o all_o his_o reason_n in_o the_o forecited_a place_n shall_v they_o be_v reduce_v into_o a_o logical_a form_n will_v be_v find_v to_o bear_v upon_o one_o only_a scripture_n premiss_a the_o other_o be_v constant_o either_o a_o proposition_n draw_v from_o natural_a light_n or_o from_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o to_o affirm_v that_o the_o ratiocination_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n though_o they_o join_v one_o premise_v from_o reason_n or_o experience_n to_o another_o from_o scripture_n be_v nevertheless_o conclusive_a because_o the_o proposition_n from_o reason_n by_o their_o very_a use_v of_o it_o become_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o infallible_a authority_n they_o be_v clothe_v with_o a_o part_n of_o divine_a revelation_n i_o say_v to_o affirm_v this_o be_v ridiculous_a and_o impertinent_a for_o have_v they_o intend_v to_o have_v immediate_o concern_v their_o authority_n in_o what_o they_o say_v argumentation_n from_o a_o acknowledge_a scripture_n truth_n have_v be_v both_o needless_a and_o superfluous_a where_o the_o whole_a evidence_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o immediate_a speaker_n a_o naked_a assertion_n be_v not_o only_o sufficient_a but_o most_o become_v let_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o person_n be_v what_o it_o will_v yet_o so_o far_o as_o in_o transact_v with_o other_o he_o recurr_v to_o argument_n either_o from_o reason_n or_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o other_o so_o far_o in_o that_o instance_n he_o plain_o decline_v his_o authority_n nor_o do_v all_o these_o with_o who_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n deal_v in_o way_n of_o argumentation_n acknowledge_v any_o such_o authority_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o whatsoever_o they_o say_v in_o such_o a_o case_n become_v immediate_o a_o part_n of_o divine_a revelation_n to_o have_v belong_v to_o they_o when_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n confess_v christ_n in_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o prove_v the_o resurrection_n to_o have_v say_v well_o marc._n 12.28_o luke_n 20.39_o they_o do_v not_o thereby_o intend_v the_o acknowledgement_n of_o christ_n as_o a_o prophet_n send_v from_o god_n or_o that_o any_o authority_n upon_o that_o account_n reside_v in_o he_o for_o that_o they_o disclaim_v but_o it_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n exod._n
from_o all_o coaction_n and_o necessitation_n by_o the_o influence_n of_o any_o principle_n foreign_a to_o it_o now_o all_o these_o be_v impossible_a to_o matter_n because_o that_o act_n always_o according_a to_o the_o swing_n of_o irresistible_a motion_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v court_v and_o solicit_v to_o rest_n when_o under_o the_o forcible_a impulse_n of_o a_o strong_a movent_fw-la 3_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v plain_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n there_o be_v no_o preserve_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n from_o contempt_n no_o due_a mean_n provide_v for_o the_o prevent_a man_n from_o gainful_a sin_n or_o the_o encourage_n of_o they_o to_o hazardous_a duty_n and_o according_o there_o have_v be_v few_o in_o the_o world_n who_o have_v believe_v a_o providence_n but_o they_o have_v likewise_o assert_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n these_o two_o be_v inseparable_o connect_v while_o we_o contemplate_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n we_o find_v prosperity_n for_o the_o most_o part_n attend_v vice_n and_o misery_n the_o companion_n of_o virtue_n good_a man_n be_v usual_o accompany_v with_o cross_n and_o have_v the_o least_o proportion_n of_o present_a thing_n while_o bad_a man_n be_v often_o glut_v with_o success_n and_o swim_v in_o pleasure_n now_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o immortal_a state_n where_o both_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o good_a may_v be_v compensated_a and_o they_o receive_v comfort_n for_o their_o suffering_n and_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o bad_a may_v be_v punish_v and_o they_o receive_v vengeance_n for_o their_o crime_n both_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o well_o as_o justice_n of_o the_o rector_n of_o the_o world_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o censure_v and_o impeachment_n yea_o it_o seem_v the_o better_a of_o the_o two_o whole_o to_o deny_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n than_o to_o think_v that_o he_o shall_v administer_v humane_a affair_n with_o so_o much_o irregularity_n and_o injustice_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v nothing_o can_v administer_v a_o satisfactory_a resolution_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o present_a dispensation_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n judgement_n inflict_v on_o sinner_n in_o this_o life_n can_v full_o clear_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n because_o the_o best_a of_o man_n be_v as_o well_o involve_v in_o they_o as_o the_o worst_a yea_o it_o be_v but_o now_o and_o then_o that_o the_o great_a criminal_n be_v make_v as_o remarkable_a in_o their_o punishment_n as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o their_o life_n beside_o a_o infinite_a eternal_a god_n be_v the_o object_n of_o wicked_a man_n contempt_n and_o it_o be_v his_o law_n who_o live_v for_o ever_o who_o authority_n they_o despise_v nor_o can_v any_o punishment_n be_v 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namely_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a providence_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o truth_n also_o which_o beside_o the_o attestation_n give_v to_o it_o in_o the_o scripture_n have_v evidence_n enough_o in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n i_o confess_v that_o if_o we_o take_v our_o measure_n in_o this_o matter_n from_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o wise_a heathen_a we_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o think_v there_o be_v no_o foundation_n in_o reason_n to_o convince_v we_o otherwise_o but_o that_o all_o thing_n go_v at_o random_n it_o be_v not_o the_o opinion_n of_o epicurus_n alone_o but_o of_o many_o other_o that_o the_o god_n concern_v not_o themselves_o in_o sublunary_a affair_n nor_o do_v the_o poet_n only_o discharge_v god_n from_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o their_o very_a moral_a philosopher_n do_v the_o same_o horace_n deos_fw-la didici_fw-la securum_fw-la agere_fw-la aevum_fw-la and_o lucan_n nunquam_fw-la se_fw-la cura_fw-la deorum_fw-la sic_fw-la premit_fw-la ut_fw-la vestrae_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la vestraeque_fw-la saluti_fw-la fata_fw-la vacent_fw-la be_v not_o worse_o than_o pliny_n irridendum_fw-la curam_fw-la agere_fw-la rerum_fw-la humanarum_fw-la illud_fw-la quicquid_fw-la est_fw-la summum_fw-la and_o senecaes_n deus_fw-la nihil_fw-la agit_fw-fr nec_fw-la illum_fw-la magis_fw-la beneficia_fw-la quam_fw-la injuriae_fw-la tangunt_fw-la even_o many_o of_o they_o that_o own_v some_o kind_n of_o providence_n either_o confine_v it_o to_o heaven_n hold_v it_o unsuitable_a to_o his_o glorious_a nature_n to_o concern_v himself_o about_o frail_a and_o visible_a thing_n but_o that_o he_o govern_v they_o by_o subordinate_a cause_n as_o the_o grand_a signior_n do_v his_o province_n by_o his_o bashaw_n &_o lieutenant_n or_o they_o limit_v it_o to_o effect_n which_o depend_v on_o a_o concatenation_n of_o natural_a cause_n to_o which_o they_o be_v ligue_v by_o train_n and_o connexion_n exclude_v god_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n from_o any_o care_n of_o 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of_o they_o he_o hereby_o testify_v that_o severity_n be_v not_o the_o inclination_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o that_o punishment_n be_v extort_a from_o he_o he_o hereby_o also_o allow_v offender_n time_n as_o well_o as_o inducement_n to_o repentance_n he_o also_o herein_o set_v we_o a_o pattern_n of_o mercy_n and_o forbearance_n and_o teach_v we_o meekness_n and_o lenity_n by_o his_o own_o bounty_n and_o patience_n he_o withal_o give_v assurance_n to_o the_o world_n by_o this_o of_o a_o future_a judgement_n the_o prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a here_o be_v a_o pledge_n of_o their_o punishment_n hereafter_o 2._o bad_a man_n be_v not_o so_o happy_a as_o they_o be_v common_o imagine_v to_o be_v how_o can_v they_o be_v reckon_v happy_a who_o have_v nothing_o succeed_v according_a to_o their_o scope_n and_o mean_v every_o man_n intend_v well_o to_o himself_o but_o it_o be_v the_o perpetual_a infelicity_n of_o the_o wicked_a that_o they_o never_o reach_v the_o mark_n they_o aim_v at_o for_o by_o do_v ill_a they_o
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betwixt_o these_o two_o and_o to_o offer_v some_o measure_n by_o which_o reason_n may_v have_v allot_v all_o that_o belong_v to_o it_o and_o yet_o nothing_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v detract_v from_o faith_n first_o then_o reason_n be_v the_o negative_a measure_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n nothing_o contradictory_n to_o right_a reason_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v as_o a_o mystery_n of_o faith_n what_o right_a reason_n say_v can_v be_v do_v we_o must_v not_o father_n it_o upon_o god_n to_o do_v if_o reason_n be_v object_v against_o any_o scripture_n testimony_n how_o plausible_a and_o subtle_a soever_o it_o seem_v marcellin_n yet_o right_o reason_v it_o can_v be_v but_o only_o deceive_v through_o a_o unbrage_n and_o show_v of_o it_o and_o if_o scripture_n authority_n be_v urge_v against_o a_o undoubted_a and_o evident_a principle_n of_o reason_n he_o that_o do_v so_o press_v not_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o that_o he_o do_v not_o reach_v but_o only_o impose_v his_o own_o sense_n and_o urge_v what_o himself_n phanci_v to_o be_v there_o instead_o of_o what_o indeed_o be_v so_o say_v austin_n these_o two_o light_n though_o different_a yet_o they_o do_v not_o destroy_v one_o another_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o natural_a as_o well_o as_o supernatural_a light_n nor_o can_v he_o bely_v himself_o we_o have_v no_o great_a certainty_n than_o that_o of_o our_o faculty_n for_o by_o that_o alone_o be_v we_o enable_v to_o discern_v a_o divine_a revelation_n from_o humane_a or_o diabolical_a delusion_n shall_v god_n reveal_v such_o doctrine_n as_o contradict_v natural_a truth_n and_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n he_o will_v thereby_o eradicate_v what_o himself_o have_v plant_v in_o our_o soul_n the_o law_n of_o reason_n be_v the_o first_o declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n original_o annex_v to_o and_o communicate_v with_o our_o nature_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o by_o any_o after_o declaration_n he_o shall_v thwart_v his_o first_o beside_o all_o revelation_n be_v to_o instruct_v we_o in_o a_o reasonable_a though_o supernatural_a way_n and_o therefore_o though_o in_o many_o thing_n it_o may_v exceed_v our_o reason_n full_o to_o comprehend_v it_o yet_o in_o all_o thing_n it_o must_v be_v consistent_a with_o our_o reason_n to_o admit_v religion_n to_o contain_v any_o dogm_n repugnant_a to_o right_a reason_n be_v at_o once_o to_o tempt_v man_n to_o look_v upon_o all_o revelation_n as_o a_o romance_n or_o rather_o as_o the_o invention_n of_o distract_a man_n &_o withal_o to_o open_v a_o door_n for_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o figment_n and_o lie_n under_o the_o palliation_n of_o divine_a mystery_n we_o can_v gratify_v the_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n more_o than_o to_o tell_v they_o that_o the_o prime_a article_n of_o our_o belief_n imply_v a_o contradiction_n to_o our_o faculty_n in_o a_o word_n this_o hypothesis_n be_v it_o receive_v will_v make_v we_o renounce_v man_n &_o espouse_v brute_n in_o matter_n of_o the_o chief_a &_o great_a concernment_n for_o without_o debase_v ourselves_o into_o a_o low_a species_n we_o can_v embrace_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v formal_o impossible_a nothing_o but_o man_n entertain_a opinion_n which_o they_o can_v defend_v from_o be_v absurd_a and_o irrational_a can_v have_v sway_v they_o to_o reproach_n reason_n in_o the_o manner_n they_o do_v but_o they_o do_v only_o decline_v the_o weapon_n they_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v wound_v by_o when_o man_n have_v fill_v religion_n with_o opinion_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o natural_a light_n they_o be_v force_v to_o introduce_v a_o suitable_a faith_n namely_o such_o a_o one_o that_o commend_v itself_o from_o believe_v doctrine_n repugnant_a to_o the_o evidence_n and_o principle_n of_o both_o and_o thus_o under_o a_o respect_n that_o be_v plead_v to_o be_v due_a to_o sacred_a mystery_n do_v the_o wild_a fancy_n take_v sanctuary_n and_o mere_o out_o of_o fear_n of_o violate_v that_o regard_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v pay_v to_o object_n of_o faith_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o to_o be_v true_a which_o the_o universal_a reason_n of_o mankind_n give_v the_o lie_n to_o thus_o the_o first_o heretic_n that_o trouble_v the_o christian_a church_n under_o pretence_n of_o teach_v mystery_n overthrow_v common_a sense_n and_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o universal_a uniform_a and_o perpetual_a light_n of_o mankind_n some_o of_o they_o have_v teach_v that_o all_o creature_n be_v natural_o evil_a other_o of_o they_o have_v establish_v two_o sovereign_a god_n one_o good_a and_o another_o bad_a other_o have_v affirm_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a substance_n not_o to_o mention_v a_o thousand_o falsity_n more_o all_o these_o they_o defend_v against_o the_o assault_n of_o the_o orthodox_n by_o pretend_v that_o they_o be_v mystery_n about_o which_o reason_n be_v not_o to_o be_v hearken_v to_o thus_o do_v other_o to_o this_o day_n who_o be_v resolve_v to_o 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it_o not_o in_o the_o chair_n in_o counsel_n of_o faith_n but_o do_v only_o permit_v it_o to_o keep_v the_o door_n and_o hinder_v the_o enter_v of_o contradiction_n and_o irrational_a fancy_n disguise_v under_o the_o name_n of_o sacred_a mystery_n this_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o propose_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o have_v the_o more_o large_o insist_v on_o it_o because_o of_o its_o serviceableness_n against_o the_o corporal_a presence_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o eucharist_n and_o the_o ubiquity_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o divers_a other_o article_n both_o of_o the_o roman_a and_o lutheran_n creed_n what_o the_o universal_a reason_n of_o mankind_n tell_v we_o be_v finite_a commensurable_a and_o impenetrable_a etc._n etc._n they_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v infinite_a immense_a and_o subject_a to_o penetration_n the_o great_a article_n of_o the_o roman_a faith_n viz._n transubstantiation_n must_v needs_o be_v
he_o be_v presuppose_v our_o submit_v to_o the_o ordinance_n and_o institution_n of_o baptism_n be_v a_o visible_a profession_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o we_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o that_o we_o secret_o embrace_v it_o but_o we_o be_v public_o to_o own_o it_o and_o to_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o we_o be_v of_o such_o a_o belief_n as_o baptism_n presuppose_v repentance_n which_o respect_v our_o turn_n to_o god_n as_o our_o end_n and_o faith_n which_o implye'_v our_o own_n christ_n as_o our_o way_n so_o our_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v a_o solemn_a declare_v to_o the_o world_n our_o come_n to_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n through_o the_o sanctification_n influence_n and_o conduct_v of_o the_o spirit_n nor_o be_v our_o naked_a promise_n so_o authentic_a as_o when_o we_o public_o seal_v to_o the_o article_n require_v of_o we_o it_o be_v both_o a_o badge_n and_o symbol_n of_o our_o profession_n and_o a_o bond_n &_o obligation_n upon_o we_o to_o discharge_v the_o duty_n which_o our_o profession_n of_o christianity_n call_v we_o to_o hence_o it_o be_v call_v a_o answer_n towards_o god_n which_o as_o it_o suppose_v the_o demand_n of_o the_o covenant_n so_o it_o proclaym_v our_o undertake_n to_o perform_v they_o 4._o the_o union_n of_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n consist_v in_o a_o joint_a profession_n of_o the_o same_o lord_n faith_n and_o baptism_n there_o do_v therefore_o upon_o a_o person_n submit_v to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o baptism_n such_o a_o relation_n to_o the_o whole_a catholic_n visible_a church_n emerge_n as_o that_o he_o be_v render_v a_o complete_a member_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o consideration_n of_o catholic_n visible_a by_o this_o as_o by_o a_o solemn_a rite_n we_o become_v visible_o separate_v from_o the_o world_n and_o enroll_v among_o those_o who_o have_v consign_v over_o and_o consecrate_v themselves_o unto_o the_o service_n and_o obedience_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n so_o far_o be_v our_o union_n with_o the_o visible_a church_n by_o mean_n of_o baptism_n from_o be_v the_o medium_fw-la of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n that_o it_o be_v our_o dedicate_a ourselves_o to_o christ_n by_o this_o august_n ceremony_n which_o constitute_v we_o complete_a member_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o visible_a second_o as_o to_o the_o argument_n levy_v from_o the_o lord_n supper_n i_o reply_v these_o thing_n 1._o the_o supper_n of_o the_o lord_n though_o a_o sacrament_n of_o union_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v the_o first_o medium_fw-la of_o our_o union_n with_o the_o church_n see_v none_o have_v a_o right_a to_o it_o but_o such_o as_o be_v already_o church-member_n man_n be_v first_o to_o approve_v themselves_o sincere_a christian_n before_o they_o be_v to_o approach_v the_o holy_a table_n only_o those_o that_o have_v fellowship_n with_o god_n in_o christ_n have_v a_o title_n of_o participate_v at_o this_o christian_a eucharistical_a feast_n much_o less_o be_v it_o the_o medium_fw-la of_o our_o political_a union_n with_o christ_n it_o be_v only_o through_o a_o previous_a subjection_n of_o our_o conscience_n to_o his_o authority_n that_o we_o celebrate_v this_o ordinance_n 2._o as_o by_o baptism_n we_o public_o avow_v our_o take_n upon_o we_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n so_o by_o the_o lord_n supper_n we_o ratify_v our_o perseverance_n and_o renew_v our_o engagement_n of_o be_v the_o lord_n by_o come_v to_o his_o table_n we_o proclaim_v ourselves_o of_o his_o famimy_n and_o declare_v our_o resolution_n of_o continue_v to_o be_v his_o follower_n and_o retainer_n it_o be_v a_o profession_n of_o our_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o that_o we_o will_v remain_v constant_a and_o faithful_a in_o it_o 3._o though_o as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v it_o can_v neither_o be_v the_o medium_fw-la of_o our_o union_n with_o the_o church_n nor_o with_o christ_n yet_o it_o be_v both_o a_o symbol_n of_o the_o one_o &_o the_o other_o it_o be_v a_o eminent_a badge_n of_o that_o union_n which_o be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v among_o christian_n our_o eat_n at_o the_o same_o table_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o our_o be_v of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o family_n forasmuch_o as_o we_o all_o eat_v of_o one_o loaf_n that_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o cor._n 10.17_o we_o do_v thereby_o intimate_v that_o we_o be_v one_o body_n and_o member_n of_o the_o same_o christ._n yet_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n do_v this_o lie_n from_o evince_v our_o union_n with_o christ_n to_o be_v by_o mean_n of_o our_o union_n with_o the_o church_n that_o indeed_o nothing_o else_o than_o a_o antecedent_n union_n with_o christ_n can_v give_v we_o a_o right_a to_o partake_v of_o this_o sacred_a supper_n or_o of_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n in_o it_o thus_o the_o reader_n may_v see_v that_o even_o on_o the_o supposition_n that_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n be_v mere_o a_o political_a union_n or_o such_o a_o relation_n only_o as_o be_v between_o a_o prince_n and_o his_o subject_n yet_o that_o it_o be_v immediate_a and_o not_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o a_o antecedent_n relation_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n have_v then_o dispatch_v the_o first_o thing_n which_o i_o lay_v down_o in_o opposition_n to_o mr._n sherlock_n hypothesis_n that_o wherein_o my_o concernment_n next_o lie_v be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o christian_n be_v not_o mere_o political_a and_o if_o i_o be_v but_o able_a to_o acquit_v myself_o in_o this_o undertake_n the_o whole_a of_o mr._n sherlock_n notion_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o union_n of_o christ_n to_o christian_n be_v subvert_v and_o overthrow_v and_o it_o be_v here_o that_o we_o have_v our_o author_n most_o heroic_a adventure_n and_o where_o especial_o he_o seem_v to_o speak_v as_o stand_v on_o his_o tiptoe_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o peculiar_o attend_v to_o in_o opposition_n therefore_o to_o his_o assertion_n that_o the_o union_n of_o christian_n with_o christ_n be_v only_o a_o political_a union_n that_o be_v such_o a_o union_n as_o be_v between_o a_o prince_n and_o his_o subject_n 56._o i_o advance_v this_o antithesis_fw-la that_o a_o political_a relation_n do_v not_o adequate_o express_v that_o oneness_n which_o the_o scripture_n so_o august_o celebrate_v as_o intercede_v betwixt_o christ_n and_o believer_n this_o direct_o contradict_v mr._n sherlock_n three_o and_o four_o conclusion_n which_o indeed_o be_v coincident_a for_o to_o affirm_v that_o the_o union_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o political_a union_n that_o be_v such_o a_o union_n as_o be_v between_o a_o prince_n and_o his_o subject_n 156._o which_o be_v his_o three_o proposition_n and_o to_o say_v that_o our_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o god_n according_a to_o the_o scripture-notion_n 186._o signify_v what_o we_o call_v a_o potical_a union_n which_o be_v his_o four_o be_v according_a to_o the_o best_a understanding_n of_o enunciation_n i_o have_v coincident_a and_o equipollent_a proposition_n now_o in_o discourse_v this_o we_o be_v to_o take_v all_o our_o measure_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o regulate_v our_o conception_n by_o it_o alone_o for_o this_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o christian_n be_v one_o of_o those_o mystery_n which_o no_o idea_n congenite_fw-la with_o we_o nor_o objective_a discovery_n in_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n can_v have_v conduct_v we_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o our_o intellectual_a faculty_n in_o their_o immediate_a exercise_n can_v never_o have_v discern_v nor_o have_v it_o any_o connexion_n with_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o natural_o know_v to_o be_v collect_v and_o deduce_v from_o they_o though_o by_o attend_v to_o revelation_n we_o may_v come_v to_o frame_v a_o intelligible_a notion_n of_o it_o yet_o as_o it_o be_v consider_v in_o itself_o and_o with_o reference_n to_o other_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n on_o which_o it_o depend_v we_o can_v never_o have_v form_v any_o apprehension_n of_o it_o if_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o previous_o declare_v and_o reveal_v it_o now_o the_o first_o argument_n in_o proof_n that_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n be_v more_o than_o political_n shall_v be_v levy_v from_o those_o symbolic_a metaphor_n and_o terrene_a figure_n and_o image_n by_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v please_v to_o express_v it_o i_o have_v in_o the_o before_o go_v chapter_n assign_v this_o as_o one_o reason_n among_o other_o why_o god_n who_o do_v all_o thing_n in_o infinite_a wisdom_n declare_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n under_o earthly_a parable_n and_o symbol_n namely_o that_o spiritual_a thing_n which_o lie_v remote_a from_o our_o understanding_n may_v
but_o to_o rest_v here_o without_o ward_n off_o the_o thrust_v of_o adversary_n be_v to_o tempt_v they_o either_o whole_o to_o throw_v off_o the_o belief_n of_o all_o revelation_n or_o to_o affix_v perverse_a sense_n to_o it_o now_o there_o be_v some_o article_n of_o religion_n which_o may_v not_o only_o be_v defend_v by_o show_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o their_o object_n have_v a_o existence_n but_o by_o explain_v how_o they_o be_v and_o that_o either_o from_o principle_n of_o natural_a light_n or_o from_o the_o account_n that_o the_o scripture_n itself_o give_v of_o the_o mode_n of_o their_o existence_n for_o example_n how_o the_o earth_n can_v be_v people_v in_o so_o little_a a_o time_n as_o the_o mosaic_a history_n do_v tacit_o inform_v we_o when_o all_o mankind_n spring_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o one_o stock_n for_o so_o the_o word_n there_o signify_v and_o proceed_v from_o one_o man_n and_o one_o woman_n as_o their_o original_a progenitor_n 17.16_o how_o a_o ark_n of_o that_o capacity_n which_o the_o scripture_n instruct_v we_o noah_n be_v can_v receive_v into_o it_o all_o kind_n of_o live_a creature_n with_o provision_n of_o aliment_n for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n how_o the_o israelite_n can_v multiply_v to_o such_o a_o number_n in_o egypt_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o two_o hundred_o year_n or_o little_o more_o when_o there_o go_v down_o but_o such_o a_o handful_n thither_o of_o who_o they_o descend_v there_o be_v other_o article_n of_o religion_n which_o we_o can_v only_o show_v from_o revelation_n that_o the_o object_n of_o they_o be_v but_o the_o manner_n and_o way_n how_o they_o exist_v we_o can_v tell_v and_o see_v the_o measure_n of_o faith_n do_v only_o follow_v and_o suit_v the_o measure_n of_o revelation_n we_o be_v therefore_o in_o reference_n to_o such_o thing_n only_o to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v but_o the_o mode_n of_o their_o existence_n be_v to_o be_v no_o article_n of_o our_o creed_n and_o i_o 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of_o revelation_n to_o abstain_v from_o define_v the_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v and_o to_o content_v ourselves_o with_o what_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o tell_v we_o viz._n that_o they_o be_v without_o pry_v into_o the_o mode_n of_o their_o be_v which_o he_o have_v hide_v from_o we_o now_o in_o and_o about_o such_o doctrine_n these_o thing_n appertain_v to_o reason_n first_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o require_v that_o it_o shall_v comprehend_v they_o whatsoever_o god_n have_v say_v be_v to_o be_v assent_v to_o though_o we_o can_v frame_v adequate_a notion_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o nor_o understand_v the_o manner_n how_o it_o shall_v be_v it_o be_v as_o much_o against_o reason_n as_o faith_n to_o think_v to_o fathom_v the_o perfection_n counsel_n and_o work_n of_o god_n see_v reason_n acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v infinite_a and_o itself_o to_o be_v finite_a if_o we_o will_v pretend_v to_o reason_n in_o religion_n we_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v whatever_o god_n have_v say_v to_o be_v true_a this_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n that_o he_o who_o be_v veracious_a can_v lie_v there_o be_v nothing_o more_o consonant_a to_o the_o transcendency_n of_o so_o a_o high_a a_o nature_n as_o that_o of_o god_n than_o that_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v incomprehensible_a nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n more_o agreeable_a to_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n than_o that_o his_o project_n design_n and_o contrivance_n shall_v be_v hold_v past_o find_v out_o it_o be_v both_o unjust_a and_o irrational_a to_o think_v that_o man_n shall_v penetrate_v those_o depth_n and_o abysm_n which_o the_o angel_n desire_v only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o look_v into_o as_o veil_a and_o hide_a from_o sight_n 12._o but_o more_o of_o this_o anon_o 2_o dly_z we_o be_v to_o hold_v ourselves_o assure_v that_o every_o argument_n from_o reason_n repugnant_a to_o a_o doctrine_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o sophism_n though_o may_v be_v we_o can_v discover_v the_o fallacy_n it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o be_v assure_v of_o a_o truth_n and_o another_o to_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v press_v against_o it_o there_o be_v innumerable_a thing_n even_o in_o philosophy_n of_o which_o we_o be_v full_o assure_v and_o yet_o we_o can_v resolve_v all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o attend_v they_o if_o every_o pusle_a objection_n be_v enough_o to_o make_v we_o renounce_v what_o we_o have_v express_v revelation_n for_o by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n we_o must_v disclaim_v many_o a_o natural_a truth_n which_o we_o have_v the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n for_o because_o we_o can_v answer_v all_o the_o objection_n that_o do_v encounter_v they_o it_o be_v the_o way_n to_o introduce_v a_o universal_a scepticsm_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o every_o thing_n the_o knot_n &_o intricacy_n about_o the_o nature_n property_n operation_n and_o modes_n of_o who_o existence_n we_o can_v untie_v what_o a_o man_n have_v embrace_v upon_o just_a and_o weighty_a ground_n he_o be_v not_o to_o desert_v it_o mere_o because_o he_o can_v not_o answer_v every_o objection_n that_o be_v urge_v against_o it_o it_o be_v the_o height_n of_o folly_n and_o madness_n to_o forego_v a_o opinion_n when_o the_o objection_n wherewith_o it_o be_v entangle_v be_v not_o of_o great_a yea_o nor_o of_o the_o same_o importance_n with_o the_o reason_n on_o which_o we_o receive_v it_o 3_o dly_z we_o be_v to_o answer_v the_o objection_n not_o by_o explicate_v how_o the_o thing_n contest_v be_v but_o by_o shew-that_a there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o argument_n that_o prove'_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v and_o this_o be_v do_v by_o show_v that_o what_o be_v style_v a_o principle_n of_o reason_n in_o truth_n and_o reality_n be_v not_o so_o at_o least_o in_o the_o degree_n and_o latitude_n that_o it_o be_v apply_v there_o be_v many_o vulgar_a axiom_n urge_v as_o maxim_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v as_o far_o from_o obtain_v in_o philosophy_n as_o in_o divinity_n there_o be_v other_o which_o though_o they_o hold_v in_o reference_n to_o some_o object_n and_o in_o relation_n to_o some_o agent_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v allow_v with_o respect_n to_o every_o agent_n and_o every_o object_n for_o example_n though_o a_o finite_a agent_n require_v a_o preexistent_a subject_n in_o order_n to_o its_o operation_n yet_o this_o hold_v not_o in_o relation_n to_o a_o infinite_a and_o almighty_a worker_n and_o though_o impenetrability_n may_v be_v affirm_v of_o all_o substance_n that_o be_v corporeal_a yet_o to_o apply_v it_o to_o all_o substance_n universal_o and_o thereupon_o to_o reject_v spirit_n as_o mr._n hobbs_n do_v be_v gross_o to_o prevaricate_v most_o receive_a maxim_n have_v their_o limitation_n nor_o be_v they_o principle_n of_o reason_n far_o then_o as_o they_o be_v circumscribe_v by_o such_o condition_n and_o confinement_n and_o to_o urge_v they_o beyond_o their_o bound_n be_v to_o contradict_v reason_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o hold_v only_o so_o far_o and_o no_o far_o that_o great_a maxim_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o argumentation_n viz._n that_o extrem'_v identify_v to_o a_o middle_a term_n be_v identify_v the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o admit_v more_o than_o one_o or_o two_o limitation_n which_o if_o they_o be_v not_o attend_v to_o all_o our_o syllogise_n be_v but_o mere_a sophistry_n for_o if_o either_o the_o extrem'_v be_v only_o collective_o identify_v to_o the_o medium_fw-la not_o distribute_o or_o if_o they_o be_v one_o with_o it_o inadequate_o only_a and_o not_o adequate_o or_o if_o they_o centre_n in_o the_o middle_a term_n only_o in_o the_o concrete_a and_o not_o in_o the_o abstract_n there_o be_v no_o conclude_v of_o a_o identity_n betwixt_o the_o extreme_n themselves_o and_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o through_o a_o