that_o be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v some_o way_n to_o discern_v mere_a pretender_n to_o inspiration_n from_o those_o who_o be_v true_o and_o divine_o inspire_v and_o this_o be_v necessary_o imply_v in_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o make_v any_o trial_n if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o discern_v between_o pretend_a and_o real_a inspiration_n now_o the_o handle_n of_o this_o will_v give_v occasion_n to_o two_o very_a material_a inquiry_n and_o useful_a to_o be_v resolve_v i._o how_o we_o may_v discern_v between_o true_a and_o counterfeit_a doctrine_n those_o which_o real_o be_v from_o god_n and_o those_o which_o only_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o ii_o to_o who_o this_o judgement_n of_o discern_v do_v appertain_v i._o how_o we_o may_v discern_v between_o true_a and_o counterfeit_a doctrine_n and_o revelation_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o follow_a proposition_n 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assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n before_o we_o can_v know_v that_o he_o have_v make_v any_o revelation_n of_o himself_o and_o we_o must_v know_v that_o his_o word_n be_v true_a otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o revelation_n which_o he_o make_v to_o we_o and_o we_o must_v believe_v his_o authority_n over_o we_o and_o that_o he_o will_v reward_v our_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n and_o punish_v our_o breach_n of_o they_o otherwise_o there_o will_v neither_o be_v sufficient_a obligation_n nor_o encouragement_n to_o obedience_n these_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v true_a and_o natural_o know_v to_o we_o antecedent_o to_o all_o supernatural_a revelation_n otherwise_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_v signify_v nothing_o to_o we_o nor_o be_v of_o any_o force_n with_o we_o 3._o all_o reason_v about_o divine_a revelation_n must_v necessary_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o be_v by_o 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he_o give_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o ver_fw-la 5._o because_o he_o have_v speak_v unto_o you_o to_o turn_v you_o away_o from_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n which_o bring_v you_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n here_o be_v a_o case_n wherein_o a_o false_a prophet_n be_v suppose_v to_o work_v a_o true_a miracle_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o his_o doctrine_n which_o in_o other_o case_n the_o scripture_n make_v the_o sign_n of_o a_o true_a prophet_n but_o yet_o in_o this_o case_n he_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v as_o a_o impostor_n because_o the_o doctrine_n he_o teach_v will_v draw_v man_n off_o from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n who_o be_v natural_o know_v and_o have_v manifest_v himself_o to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o so_o miraculous_a a_o manner_n by_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n so_o that_o a_o miracle_n be_v not_o enough_o to_o give_v credit_n to_o a_o
and_o above_o all_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o excellent_a rule_n and_o precept_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n let_v we_o hearty_o obey_v that_o doctrine_n which_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v we_o who_o enjoy_v the_o protestant_a religion_n have_v all_o the_o mean_n and_o advantage_n of_o understand_v the_o will_n of_o god_n free_a liberty_n and_o full_a scope_n of_o inquire_v into_o it_o and_o inform_v ourselves_o concern_v it_o we_o have_v all_o the_o opportunity_n we_o can_v wish_v of_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n lie_v open_a to_o we_o and_o his_o law_n be_v continual_o before_o our_o eye_n his_o word_n be_v nigh_o unto_o we_o in_o our_o mouth_n and_o in_o our_o heart_n that_o be_v we_o may_v read_v it_o and_o meditate_v upon_o it_o that_o we_o may_v do_v it_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n be_v put_v into_o our_o hand_n so_o that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n it_o be_v 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be_v lose_v in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o perish_v in_o the_o very_a road_n to_o salvation_n but_o if_o we_o will_v in_o good_a earnest_n apply_v ourselves_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o obedience_n of_o god_n holy_a law_n his_o grace_n will_v never_o be_v want_v to_o we_o to_o so_o good_a a_o purpose_n i_o have_v not_o time_n to_o recommend_v religion_n to_o you_o at_o large_a with_o all_o its_o advantage_n i_o will_v comprise_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v in_o a_o few_o word_n and_o mind_n they_o at_o your_o peril_n let_v that_o which_o be_v our_o great_a concernment_n be_v our_o great_a care_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o do_v it_o to_o fear_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n consider_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o the_o reward_n of_o piety_n arid_a virtue_n nothing_o can_v be_v wise_a and_o consider_v the_o mighty_a assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n which_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o afford_v to_o we_o and_o the_o unspeakable_a satisfaction_n and_o delight_n which_o be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o the_o do_n of_o our_o duty_n nothing_o can_v be_v easy_o nothing_o will_v give_v we_o that_o pleasure_n while_o we_o live_v nothing_o can_v minister_v that_o true_a and_o solid_a comfort_n to_o we_o when_o we_o come_v to_o die_v there_o be_v probable_o no_v such_o way_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v happy_a in_o this_o world_n to_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v no_o way_n but_o this_o to_o escape_v the_o intolerable_a and_o endless_a misery_n of_o another_o world_n now_o god_n grant_v that_o we_o may_v all_o know_v and_o do_v in_o this_o our_o day_n the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o our_o peace_n for_o his_o mercy_n sake_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o kingston_n upon_o thames_n july_n 21._o 1681._o to_o the_o right_n worshipful_a and_o my_o honour_a friend_n joseph_n reeve_n esq_n high_a sheriff_n of_o the_o county_n of_o surrey_z sir_n when_o i_o have_v perform_v the_o service_n which_o you_o be_v please_v to_o call_v i_o to_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o this_o sermon_n i_o have_v no_o thought_n of_o make_v it_o more_o public_a and_o yet_o in_o this_o also_o i_o be_v the_o more_o easy_o induce_v to_o comply_v with_o your_o desire_n because_o of_o the_o suitableness_n of_o the_o argument_n to_o the_o age_n in_o which_o we_o live_v wherein_o as_o man_n have_v run_v into_o the_o wild_a extremity_n in_o other_o thing_n so_o particular_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o oath_n some_o make_v conscience_n of_o take_v any_o oath_n at_o all_o and_o too_o many_o none_o at_o all_o of_o break_v they_o to_o convince_v the_o great_a mistake_n of_o the_o one_o extreme_a and_o to_o check_v the_o grow_a evil_a and_o mischief_n of_o the_o other_o be_v the_o chief_a design_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a if_o by_o god_n blessing_n it_o may_v prove_v any-wise_a serviceable_a i_o be_o sir_n your_o very_a faithful_a and_o humble_a servant_n jo._n tillotson_n the_o lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o kingston_n upon_o thames_n july_n 21._o 1681._o heb._n vi_o 16._o and_o a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o support_n of_o humane_a society_n in_o nothing_o appear_v more_o evident_o than_o in_o this_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o peace_n and_o justice_n among_o man_n depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o sense_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n for_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o any_o man_n that_o do_v not_o believe_v a_o god_n shall_v make_v the_o least_o conscience_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o solemn_a appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o say_v so_o that_o whoever_o promote_v atheism_n and_o infidelity_n do_v the_o most_o destructive_a thing_n imaginable_a to_o human_a society_n because_o he_o take_v away_o the_o reverence_n and_o obligation_n of_o oath_n and_o whenever_o that_o be_v general_o cast_v off_o human_a society_n must_v disband_v and_o all_o thing_n run_v into_o disorder_n the_o just_a sense_n whereof_o make_v david_n cry_v out_o to_o god_n with_o so_o much_o earnestness_n as_o if_o the_o world_n have_v be_v crack_v and_o the_o frame_n of_o it_o ready_a to_o break_v in_o piece_n psal_n 12._o help_v lord_n for_o the_o righteous_a man_n cease_v and_o the_o faithful_a fail_n from_o among_o the_o child_n of_o man_n intimate_v that_o when_o faith_n fail_v from_o among_o man_n nothing_o but_o a_o particular_a and_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n can_v preserve_v the_o world_n from_o fall_v into_o confusion_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n give_v this_o as_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o 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nature_n and_o obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v the_o utmost_a security_n that_o one_o man_n can_v give_v to_o another_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v the_o strong_a tie_n of_o fideility_n the_o sure_a ground_n of_o judicial_a proceed_n and_o the_o most_o firm_a and_o sacred_a bond_n that_o can_v be_v lay_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o administration_n of_o public_a justice_n upon_o judge_n and_o jury_n and_o witness_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o have_v pitch_v upon_o these_o word_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n declare_v to_o we_o the_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n of_o oath_n among_o man_n a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n be_v to_o they_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n he_o have_v say_v before_o
friend_n how_o can_v he_o possible_o use_v he_o more_o barbarous_o than_o to_o feast_v upon_o his_o live_a flesh_n and_o blood_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a wonder_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o shall_v ever_o enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o put_v upon_o our_o saviour_n word_n so_o easy_o capable_a of_o a_o more_o convenient_a sense_n and_o so_o necessary_o require_v it_o a_o meaning_n so_o plain_o contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o sense_n and_o even_o to_o humanity_n itself_o have_v the_o ancient_a christian_n own_v any_o such_o doctrine_n we_o shall_v have_v hear_v of_o it_o from_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o religion_n in_o every_o page_n of_o their_o write_n and_o they_o will_v have_v desire_v no_o great_a advantage_n against_o the_o christian_n than_o to_o have_v be_v able_a to_o hit_v they_o in_o the_o tooth_n with_o their_o feast_n upon_o the_o natural_a flesh_n and_o blood_n of_o their_o lord_n and_o their_o god_n and_o their_o best_a friend_n what_o endless_a triumph_n will_v they_o have_v make_v upon_o this_o subject_a and_o with_o what_o confidence_n will_v they_o have_v set_v the_o cruelty_n use_v by_o christian_n in_o their_o sacrament_n against_o their_o god_n saturn_n eat_n his_o own_o child_n and_o all_o the_o cruel_a and_o bloody_a rite_n of_o their_o idolatry_n but_o that_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v then_o object_v by_o the_o heathen_n to_o the_o christian_n be_v to_o a_o wise_a man_n instead_o of_o a_o thousand_o demonstration_n that_o no_o such_o doctrine_n be_v then_o believe_v 3._o it_o be_v scandalous_a also_o upon_o account_n of_o the_o cruel_a and_o bloody_a consequence_n of_o this_o doctrine_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o plain_a law_n of_o christianity_n and_o to_o one_o great_a end_n and_o design_n of_o this_o sacrament_n which_o be_v to_o unite_v christian_n in_o the_o most_o perfect_a love_n and_o charity_n to_o one_o another_o whereas_o this_o doctrine_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o most_o barbarous_a and_o bloody_a tragedy_n that_o ever_o be_v act_v in_o the_o world_n for_o this_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o great_a burn_a article_n and_o as_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a as_o it_o be_v more_o christian_n have_v be_v murder_v for_o the_o denial_n of_o it_o than_o perhaps_o for_o all_o the_o other_o article_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o i_o think_v it_o may_v general_o pass_v for_o a_o true_a observation_n that_o all_o sect_n be_v common_o most_o hot_a and_o furious_a for_o those_o thing_n for_o which_o there_o be_v least_o reason_n for_o what_o man_n want_v of_o reason_n for_o their_o opinion_n they_o usual_o supply_v and_o make_v up_o in_o rage_n and_o it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o need_v to_o use_v this_o severity_n upon_o this_o occasion_n for_o nothing_o but_o the_o cruel_a fear_n of_o death_n can_v in_o probability_n have_v drive_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n into_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o senseless_a a_o doctrine_n o_o bless_a saviour_n i_o thou_o best_a friend_n and_o great_a lover_n of_o mankind_n who_o can_v imagine_v thou_o do_v ever_o intend_v that_o man_n shall_v kill_v one_o another_o for_o not_o be_v able_a to_o believe_v contrary_a to_o their_o sense_n for_o be_v unwilling_a to_o think_v that_o thou_o shall_v make_v one_o of_o the_o most_o horrid_a and_o barbarous_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v a_o main_a duty_n and_o principal_a mystery_n of_o thy_o religion_n for_o not_o flatter_v the_o pride_n and_o presumption_n of_o the_o priest_n who_o say_v he_o can_v make_v god_n and_o for_o not_o comply_v with_o the_o folly_n and_o stupidity_n of_o the_o people_n who_o be_v make_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o can_v eat_v he_o 4._o upon_o account_n of_o the_o danger_n of_o idolatry_n which_o they_o be_v certain_o guilty_a of_o if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v not_o true_a and_o such_o a_o change_n as_o they_o pretend_v be_v not_o make_v in_o the_o sacrament_n for_o if_o it_o be_v not_o than_o they_o worship_v a_o creature_n instead_o of_o the_o creator_n god_n bless_v for_o ever_o but_o such_o a_o change_n i_o have_v show_v to_o be_v impossible_a or_o if_o it_o can_v be_v yet_o they_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v and_o consequent_o be_v always_o in_o danger_n of_o idolatry_n and_o that_o they_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a that_o such_o a_o change_n be_v make_v be_v evident_a because_o according_a to_o the_o express_a determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n that_o depend_v upon_o the_o mind_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o priest_n which_o can_v certain_o be_v know_v but_o by_o revelation_n which_o be_v not_o pretend_v in_o this_o case_n and_o if_o they_o be_v mistake_v about_o this_o change_n through_o the_o knavery_n or_o crossness_n of_o the_o priest_n who_o will_v not_o make_v god_n but_o when_o he_o think_v fit_a they_o must_v not_o think_v to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o idolatry_n because_o they_o intend_v to_o worship_n god_n and_o not_o a_o creature_n for_o so_o the_o persian_n may_v be_v excuse_v from_o idolatry_n in_o worship_v the_o sun_n because_o they_o intend_v to_o worship_n god_n and_o not_o a_o creature_n and_o so_o indeed_o we_o may_v excuse_v all_o the_o idolatry_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o mistake_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o upon_o that_o mistake_v a_o worship_v of_o something_o as_o god_n which_o be_v not_o god_n ii_o beside_o the_o infinite_a scandal_n of_o this_o doctrine_n upon_o the_o account_n i_o have_v mention_v the_o monstrous_a absurdity_n of_o it_o make_v it_o insupportable_a to_o any_o religion_n i_o be_o very_a well_o assure_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a and_o yet_o i_o can_v see_v that_o the_o foundation_n of_o any_o reveal_v religion_n be_v strong_a enough_o to_o bear_v the_o weight_n of_o so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a absurdity_n as_o this_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n will_v load_v it_o withal_o and_o to_o make_v this_o evident_a i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o those_o gross_a contradiction_n of_o the_o same_o body_n be_v in_o so_o many_o several_a place_n at_o once_o of_o our_o saviour_n give_v away_o himself_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n to_o every_o one_o of_o his_o disciple_n and_o yet_o still_o keep_v himself_o to_o himself_o and_o a_o thousand_o more_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n but_o to_o show_v the_o absurdity_n of_o this_o doctrine_n i_o shall_v only_o ask_v these_o few_o question_n 1._o whether_o any_o man_n have_v or_o ever_o have_v great_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o divine_a revelation_n than_o any_o man_n have_v of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o transubstantiation_n infidelity_n be_v hardly_o possible_a to_o man_n if_o all_o man_n have_v the_o same_o evidence_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o they_o have_v against_o transubstantiation_n that_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o irresistible_a evidence_n of_o sense_n he_o that_o can_v once_o be_v bring_v to_o contradict_v or_o deny_v his_o sense_n be_v at_o a_o end_n of_o certainty_n for_o what_o can_v a_o man_n be_v certain_a of_o if_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o what_o he_o see_v in_o some_o circumstance_n our_o sense_n may_v deceive_v we_o but_o no_o faculty_n deceive_v we_o so_o little_a and_o so_o seldom_o and_o when_o our_o sense_n do_v deceive_v we_o even_o that_o error_n be_v not_o to_o be_v correct_v without_o the_o help_n of_o our_o sense_n 2._o suppose_v this_o doctrine_n have_v be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n in_o the_o very_a same_o word_n that_o it_o be_v decree_v in_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n by_o what_o clear_a evidence_n or_o strong_a argument_n can_v any_o man_n prove_v to_o i_o that_o such_o word_n be_v in_o the_o bible_n than_o i_o can_v prove_v to_o he_o that_o bread_n and_o wine_n after_o consecration_n be_v bread_n and_o wine_n still_o he_o can_v but_o appeal_v to_o my_o eye_n to_o prove_v such_o word_n to_o be_v in_o the_o bible_n and_o with_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o justice_n may_v i_o appeal_v to_o several_a of_o his_o sense_n to_o prove_v to_o he_o that_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n after_o consecration_n be_v bread_n and_o wine_n still_o 3._o whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v make_v that_o a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o shake_v the_o main_a external_a evidence_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o mean_v the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o assurance_n whereof_o do_v at_o first_o depend_v upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o sense_n for_o if_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o who_o say_v they_o see_v they_o be_v deceive_v then_o there_o may_v be_v no_o miracle_n wrought_v and_o consequent_o it_o may_v just_o be_v