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one_o of_o the_o art_n of_o design_v priest_n who_o by_o this_o device_n endeavour_v to_o enslave_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o make_v they_o think_v and_o act_n just_a as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o thus_o many_o man_n have_v reason_v themselves_o first_o into_o socinianism_n and_o then_o which_o be_v but_o one_o remove_n from_o the_o former_a into_o deism_n or_o at_o least_o into_o a_o coldness_n and_o indifferency_n to_o all_o reveal_v religion_n they_o think_v it_o be_v to_o impose_v upon_o they_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o believe_v or_o practise_v any_o thing_n unless_o they_o can_v see_v a_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o and_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o they_o owe_v god_n so_o much_o service_n as_o to_o submit_v to_o those_o law_n which_o seem_v to_o they_o to_o have_v no_o other_o ground_n but_o his_o arbitrary_a will_n and_o pleasure_n upon_o this_o account_n they_o reject_v the_o use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n the_o
and_o from_o thence_o proceed_v to_o explain_v what_o be_v more_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a and_o if_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v once_o prove_v that_o of_o the_o old_a must_v follow_v as_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n because_o the_o former_a give_v testimony_n to_o the_o latter_a and_o most_o of_o the_o argument_n which_o prove_v the_o one_o may_v be_v easy_o apply_v to_o the_o other_o mr._n n._n allow_v the_o history_n of_o the_o n._n testament_n to_o be_v exact_a and_o true_a relation_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o suppose_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o inspiration_n to_o write_v a_o true_a history_n etc._n history_n fr._n p._n 231_o etc._n etc._n engl._n p._n 28._o etc._n etc._n he_o grant_v likewise_o that_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o yet_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v no_o need_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n for_o write_v their_o epistle_n 113._o epistle_n fr._n p._n 282_o 283._o eng._n p._n 112_o 113._o but_o all_o this_o while_n he_o take_v no_o notice_n that_o these_o write_n be_v design_v by_o god_n for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n and_o instruction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n to_o all_o age_n which_o one_o thing_n if_o it_o be_v make_v out_o will_v prove_v their_o divine_a original_a and_o sufficient_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o write_n pure_o humane_a where_o providence_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v have_v such_o a_o extraordinary_a hand_n in_o the_o composure_n since_o it_o neither_o can_v be_v pretend_v that_o the_o author_n be_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n of_o god_n in_o publish_v his_o will_n nor_o that_o their_o work_n be_v design_v for_o so_o general_a a_o use_n as_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n give_v a_o definition_n of_o a_o inspire_a write_n and_o then_o prove_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_o such_o a_o inspire_a write_v i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o book_n that_o be_v write_v by_o the_o incitation_n direction_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n and_o design_v by_o he_o for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n of_o the_o church_n the_o proof_n of_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o new-testament-writing_n i_o shall_v comprise_v in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n i._o god_n design_v to_o provide_v a_o mean_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n ii_o this_n can_v not_o be_v do_v so_o well_o in_o any_o ordinary_a way_n or_o humane_a mean_n as_o by_o commit_v this_o doctrine_n to_o write_v iii_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v make_v use_n of_o this_o way_n than_o any_o other_o because_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o mean_n before_o for_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n iv_o he_o have_v actual_o make_v use_n of_o no_o other_o way_n for_o the_o convey_n down_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v v._o the_o apostle_n themselves_o design_v their_o write_n for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n of_o the_o church_n and_o look_v upon_o they_o of_o equal_a authority_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v in_o the_o jewish_a vi_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n look_v upon_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o the_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o think_v the_o make_v out_o these_o proposition_n some_o of_o which_o need_v very_o little_a proof_n will_v full_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n contain_v in_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o when_o they_o be_v make_v out_o such_o consequence_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o they_o as_o will_v silence_v most_o of_o the_o cavil_n and_o objection_n which_o the_o author_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o some_o other_o have_v raise_v against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o scripture_n i._o the_o first_o proposition_n to_o be_v prove_v be_v this_o god_n design_v to_o provide_v a_o mean_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n this_o proposition_n i_o think_v any_o christian_n will_v take_v for_o grant_v and_o my_o design_n at_o present_a be_v not_o to_o dispute_v with_o infidel_n but_o to_o lay_v down_o those_o principle_n upon_o which_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v build_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v presuppose_v because_o the_o author_n i_o be_o to_o deal_v with_o profess_v the_o belief_n of_o christianity_n and_o yet_o have_v raise_v objection_n against_o a_o great_a many_o of_o those_o write_n which_o christian_n have_v all_o along_o look_v upon_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n i_o say_v therefore_o that_o no_o christian_n can_v doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n for_o every_o christian_a believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o last_o and_o most_o perfect_a revelation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o afford_v to_o the_o world_n he_o believe_v that_o christ_n will_v be_v with_o his_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n 16.18_o mat._n 28.20_o 16.18_o and_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o i._n e._n it_o shall_v never_o be_v so_o far_o weaken_v as_o that_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n shall_v cease_v or_o the_o church_n be_v perfect_o deprive_v of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o save_a truth_n nothing_o further_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o illustrate_v this_o proposition_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o ii_o proposition_n god_n can_v not_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o christianity_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n or_o by_o any_o humane_a mean_n so_o well_o as_o by_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o to_o after_o age_n by_o write_v i_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o prescribe_v to_o god_n almighty_a what_o method_n he_o shall_v use_v to_o discover_v his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n or_o confine_v he_o to_o any_o one_o way_n of_o do_v it_o but_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o a_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n commit_v to_o write_v be_v liable_a to_o less_o inconvenience_n and_o difficulty_n than_o any_o other_o way_n of_o convey_v down_o divine_a truth_n whereas_o all_o other_o way_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v of_o transmit_v divine_a revelation_n be_v encumber_v with_o so_o many_o difficulty_n that_o without_o a_o constant_a series_n of_o miracle_n they_o can_v never_o attain_v their_o end_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v make_v choice_n of_o any_o such_o method_n to_o reveal_v his_o will_n by_o for_o this_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v down_o for_o a_o certain_a truth_n that_o god_n never_o work_v more_o miracle_n than_o needs_o must_v nor_o ever_o suspend_v or_o overbear_v the_o force_n of_o natural_a agent_n without_o evident_a necessity_n but_o always_o use_v second_o cause_n and_o humane_a mean_n as_o far_o as_o they_o will_v go_v and_o therefore_o that_o method_n which_o offer_v least_o violence_n to_o nature_n be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v make_v choice_n of_o by_o god_n some_o man_n indeed_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n can_v show_v itself_o without_o a_o constant_a series_n of_o miracle_n but_o they_o that_o consider_v thing_n more_o exact_o rather_o judge_v that_o a_o continue_a succession_n of_o miracle_n will_v real_o be_v a_o reproach_n to_o god_n ordinary_a providence_n for_o often_o to_o interrupt_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n that_o first_o contrive_v it_o we_o can_v imagine_v but_o two_o way_n of_o god_n communicate_v his_o will_n to_o several_a successive_a age_n without_o the_o help_n of_o write_v either_o oral_a tradition_n or_o make_v a_o particular_a revelation_n to_o every_o single_a person_n or_o at_o least_o to_o all_o those_o who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v other_o in_o their_o duty_n now_o both_o these_o way_n be_v liable_a to_o such_o difficulty_n and_o do_v suppose_v so_o many_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o god_n power_n to_o prevent_v those_o error_n which_o must_v of_o necessity_n attend_v they_o consider_v the_o present_a state_n of_o humane_a nature_n as_o be_v not_o suitable_a to_o the_o method_n which_o god_n use_v in_o govern_v the_o world_n i_o shall_v not_o pursue_v this_o matter_n any_o further_a nor_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o inconvenience_n to_o which_o both_o these_o method_n be_v obnoxious_a and_o to_o correct_v which_o a_o constant_a interposition_n of_o miracle_n will_v be_v necessary_a the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o former_a have_v be_v abundant_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o faith_n the_o dr._n tillotson_n
holy_a spirit_n endow_v the_o apostle_n i_o find_v our_o author_n be_v very_o industrious_a to_o lessen_v the_o apostolical_a gift_n as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v and_o to_o represent_v they_o very_o little_a above_o their_o natural_a faculty_n he_o endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o their_o mind_n consist_v chief_o in_o refresh_v their_o memory_n 70._o memory_n fr._n p._n 254_o 257._o en._n p._n 66._o 70._o and_o bring_v to_o their_o remembrance_n what_o christ_n have_v say_v unto_o they_o he_o do_v indeed_o say_v 67._o say_v fr._n 255._o en._n p._n 67._o that_o sometime_o the_o holy_a spirit_n make_v they_o understand_v by_o extraordinary_a revelation_n that_o which_o christ_n have_v say_v unto_o they_o whilst_o he_o be_v with_o they_o but_o which_o they_o then_o understand_v not_o and_o that_o they_o have_v many_o immediate_a revelation_n and_o divers_a heavenly_a vision_n 62._o vision_n fr._n p._n 252._o eng._n 62._o and_o in_o another_o place_n 70._o place_n fr._n 257._o eng._n p._n 70._o that_o perhaps_o the_o spirit_n open_v their_o mind_n after_o a_o manner_n we_o comprehend_v not_o but_o while_o he_o set_v out_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o best_a light_n and_o with_o the_o great_a force_n he_o can_v he_o pass_v over_o the_o evidence_n for_o it_o very_o slight_o and_o look_n upon_o their_o immemediate_v inspiration_n to_o have_v be_v so_o extraordinary_a and_o to_o have_v happen_v so_o seldom_o that_o he_o do_v not_o stick_v roundly_o to_o declare_v sup_n declare_v ubi_fw-la sup_n that_o their_o infallibility_n consist_v in_o relate_v faithful_o what_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v he_o likewise_o endeavour_v to_o show_v etc._n show_v fr._n p._n 240._o etc._n etc._n eng._n p._n 42_o etc._n etc._n that_o they_o have_v not_o a_o extraordinary_a assistance_n when_o they_o be_v summon_v before_o the_o secular_a power_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o he_o make_v this_o another_o argument_n against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o person_n in_o those_o time_n who_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o as_o inspire_v 74._o inspire_v fr._n p._n 248_o 249._o 259._o eng._n p._n 57_o 74._o that_o they_o confer_v with_o one_o another_o and_o submit_v to_o one_o another_o judgement_n and_o do_v not_o come_v to_o a_o conclusion_n concern_v any_o matter_n in_o questino_fw-la till_o after_o long_a deliberation_n and_o consultation_n with_o each_o other_o with_o many_o other_o cavil_n of_o less_o weight_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o and_o for_o the_o clear_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v show_v i._n how_o far_o we_o may_v allow_v what_o he_o say_v to_o be_v true_a and_o in_o what_o case_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o speak_v or_o act_v by_o inspiration_n ii_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o except_v those_o case_n the_o apostle_n write_v and_o speak_v by_o the_o particular_a assistance_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n iii_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v not_o consist_v only_o or_o chief_o in_o improve_n their_o natural_a faculty_n or_o strengthen_v and_o refresh_v their_o memory_n iv_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o they_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a assistance_n when_o they_o be_v summon_v before_o magistrate_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o vindicate_v their_o behaviour_n under_o those_o circumstance_n from_o the_o unbecoming_a reflection_n which_o mr._n n._n have_v make_v upon_o it_o v._o i_o shall_v vindicate_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o inspire_v person_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o objection_n which_o he_o advance_v against_o it_o i._o as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o inquiry_n what_o be_v the_o case_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o act_n or_o speak_v by_o inspiration_n i_o conceive_v we_o may_v allow_v they_o to_o be_v these_o follow_v 1._o where_o they_o treat_v of_o the_o common_a occurrence_n of_o life_n and_o such_o thing_n as_o have_v no_o relation_n at_o all_o to_o divine_a truth_n as_o when_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o his_o design_n to_o take_v rome_n 15.24_o rome_n rom._n 15.24_o in_o his_o way_n to_o spain_n and_o to_o call_v at_o 1.16_o at_o 2_o cor._n 1.16_o corinth_n as_o he_o go_v into_o macedonia_n but_o yet_o it_o appear_v he_o be_v uncertain_a as_o to_o that_o resolution_n 16.7_o resolution_n v._o 1_o cor._n 16.7_o and_o do_v not_o actual_o 17._o actual_o v._o 2_o cor._n 17._o make_v it_o good_a many_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n may_v be_v allege_v 19_o allege_v v._o 1_o cor._n 1.16_o r._n joh._n 6.19_o act._n 19_o hitherto_o we_o may_v refer_v slip_v of_o memory_n in_o matter_n of_o no_o consequence_n some_o example_n of_o which_o there_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o in_o the_o n._n testament_n 7.16_o testament_n v._o mat._n 27.9_o act._n 7.16_o 2._o such_o thing_n as_o be_v matter_n only_o of_o humane_a prudence_n be_v of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n in_o themselves_o and_o consequent_o not_o the_o proper_a subject_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n for_o matter_n of_o prudence_n i._n e._n where_o god_n have_v give_v man_n not_o fix_v rule_n but_o leave_v they_o at_o liberty_n to_o determine_v for_o themselves_o according_a as_o their_o circumstance_n shall_v direct_v as_o they_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a subject_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n so_o neither_o be_v they_o of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n such_o be_v the_o case_n of_o marry_a person_n where_o one_o party_n be_v a_o vnbeliever_n which_o st._n paul_n consider_v 7.12_o consider_v 1_o cor._n 7.12_o and_o resolve_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o humane_a prudence_n and_o therefore_o tell_v we_o before_o hand_n that_o it_o be_v he_o that_o speak_v not_o the_o lord_n take_v his_o measure_n from_o the_o general_a law_n of_o christian_a charity_n for_o as_o to_o this_o case_n i_o look_v upon_o mr._n thorndike'_v 117._o thorndike'_v law_n of_o the_o church_n p._n 117._o opinion_n as_o the_o most_o probable_a which_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n look_v upon_o marriage_n make_v by_o person_n before_o they_o be_v christian_n to_o lay_v no_o strict_a obligation_n upon_o the_o party_n than_o the_o law_n which_o they_o be_v under_o when_o the_o marriage_n be_v contract_v design_v to_o lay_v upon_o they_o so_o that_o if_o two_o person_n who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n marry_v and_o afterward_o one_o of_o they_o turn_v christian_a this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o alter_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o marriage_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o convert_v party_n from_o what_o they_o be_v before_o nor_o in_o a_o marriage_n contract_v by_o subject_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n under_o the_o state_n of_o heathenism_n be_v the_o convert_v party_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o embrace_a christianity_n afterward_o oblige_v anew_o by_o the_o strict_a tie_n of_o the_o christian_a law_n concern_v marriage_n but_o only_o by_o those_o which_o the_o roman_a law_n require_v upon_o which_o term_n the_o marriage_n be_v make_v at_o first_o and_o so_o may_v upon_o just_a occasion_n take_v advantage_n of_o the_o privilege_n which_o the_o roman_a law_n permit_v of_o be_v divorce_v for_o other_o cause_n beside_o that_o which_o be_v allow_v by_o our_o saviour_n now_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o a_o marriage_n contract_v under_o a_o state_n of_o heathenism_n i_o conceive_v to_o be_v this_o because_o heathen_a marriage_n be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n indissoluble_a as_o christian_a marriage_n be_v but_o the_o party_n have_v reserve_v to_o themselves_o a_o liberty_n to_o part_v from_o each_o other_o in_o such_o case_n as_o the_o law_n of_o each_o country_n allow_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o marriage-contract_n still_o continue_v the_o same_o after_o the_o conversion_n of_o either_o party_n which_o it_o do_v before_o i.e._n dissoluble_a unless_o the_o believe_a party_n can_v persuade_v the_o unbelieving_a to_o oblige_v himself_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o those_o strict_a law_n of_o matrimony_n which_o be_v enjoin_v by_o christ_n without_o which_o mutual_a consent_n the_o marriage_n continue_v the_o same_o it_o be_v before_o while_o both_o party_n be_v unbeliever_n and_o consequent_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o reach_v this_o case_n be_v applicable_a only_o to_o those_o marriage_n which_o be_v make_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o at_o lest_o which_o be_v make_v christian_n by_o a_o after-act_n and_o mutual_a consent_n of_o the_o party_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o christian_a law_n in_o this_o particular_a this_o opinion_n seem_v to_o be_v countenance_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o 15._o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n 7.15_o chapter_n 1_o cor._n 7.15_o if_o the_o vnbeliever_n depart_v a_o brother_n or_o sister_n be_v not_o under_o bondage_n in_o such_o case_n the_o most_o natural_a sense_n of_o which_o word_n be_v