can_v commit_v any_o sin_n provide_v they_o do_v but_o follow_v their_o own_o natural_a inclination_n according_a to_o he_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o when_o a_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o such_o a_o strange_a piece_n of_o self-denial_n as_o not_o to_o comply_v with_o his_o own_o natural_a appetite_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o as_o in_o this_o case_n that_o forbid_v he_o so_o to_o do_v thus_o p._n 260._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o no_o action_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n by_o the_o mere_a light_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v count_v sin_n praeter_fw-la illas_fw-la à _fw-la quibus_fw-la vel_fw-la omnium_fw-la hominum_fw-la natura_fw-la abhorret_fw-la vel_fw-la in_o certis_fw-la hominibus_fw-la illas_fw-la quae_fw-la ipsorum_fw-la naturae_fw-la sunt_fw-la contrariae_fw-la where_o by_o nature_n he_o mean_v nothing_o but_o natural_a affection_n appetite_n and_o inclination_n but_o certain_o a_o man_n must_v have_v a_o new_a nature_n and_o a_o new_a bible_n give_v he_o before_o this_o will_v pass_v either_o for_o reason_n or_o religion_n but_o then_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o that_o place_n before_o cite_v some_o say_v that_o st._n paul_n there_o do_v not_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o person_n but_o in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n bring_v up_o under_o such_o master_n who_o do_v not_o understand_v covet_v as_o it_o include_v the_o inward_a act_n only_o to_o be_v a_o sin_n other_o say_v that_o sin_n be_v know_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n before_o the_o give_v of_o moses_n his_o law_n thus_o theophylact_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n how_o be_v the_o deluge_n bring_v upon_o the_o world_n and_o why_o be_v the_o sodomite_n destroy_v by_o fire_n if_o lust_n be_v not_o know_v to_o be_v a_o sin_n before_o the_o law_n so_o that_o the_o law_n do_v not_o first_o make_v lust_n to_o be_v a_o sin_n but_o do_v more_o express_o declare_v it_o to_o be_v so_o he_o quote_v indeed_o several_a other_o place_n of_o scripture_n but_o to_o as_o little_a purpose_n p._n 254._o si_fw-mi pietatis_fw-la officia_fw-la specialia_fw-la etc._n etc._n if_o the_o special_a office_n of_o piety_n be_v know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n than_o there_o must_v be_v some_o certain_a foundation_n from_o whence_o they_o may_v be_v draw_v here_o he_o mention_n three_o 1._o natural_a instinct_n 2._o the_o sanctity_n of_o god_n 3._o divine_a power_n or_o dominion_n as_o for_o the_o first_o natural_a instinct_n this_o indeed_o he_o say_v be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o humane_a action_n to_o they_o who_o live_v under_o the_o gospel_n but_o according_a to_o his_o principle_n it_o must_v be_v to_o they_o who_o only_o enjoy_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n nor_o second_o say_v he_o can_v the_o sanctity_n of_o god_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o action_n but_o the_o reason_n he_o there_o give_v be_v a_o very_a strange_a one_o and_o very_o odd_o express_v viz._n because_o god_n act_v nothing_o but_o by_o instinct_n of_o his_o nature_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n holy_a in_o god_n but_o what_o his_o nature_n desire_v but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o god_n sometime_o act_n as_o a_o absolute_a sovereign_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o these_o case_n his_o action_n be_v not_o in_o all_o particular_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o we_o second_o it_o seem_v a_o irreverend_a way_n of_o speak_v to_o say_v that_o god_n act_v out_o of_o instinct_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v common_o and_o proper_o attribute_v to_o mere_a animal_n yet_o grant_v the_o expression_n in_o sano_fw-la sensu_fw-la it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o god_n do_v daily_o alter_v the_o determination_n of_o his_o will_n concern_v the_o same_o object_n three_o yet_o this_o we_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o action_n so_o far_o as_o either_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o divine_a revelation_n it_o be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o to_o be_v so_o but_o in_o the_o three_o placo_fw-la he_o resolve_v all_o into_o the_o absolute_a power_n and_o dominion_n of_o god_n that_o nothing_o be_v just_a and_o good_a but_o that_o only_a which_o he_o command_v and_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o he_o do_v so_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o very_a next_o sentence_n p._n 255._o as_o if_o something_o from_o within_o have_v whisper_v better_a thing_n to_o he_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n indeed_o may_v command_v any_o thing_n madò_fw-la dei_fw-la naturae_fw-la non_fw-la sit_fw-la contrarium_fw-la ut_fw-la talia_fw-la siant_fw-la etc._n etc._n provide_v it_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o his_o nature_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v this_o indeed_o be_v a_o very_a pious_a and_o prudent_a a_o true_a and_o rational_a assertion_n but_o than_o it_o contradict_v the_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a chapter_n some_o thing_n indeed_o may_v be_v more_o evident_o and_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n as_o not_o to_o love_v or_o not_o to_o obey_v he_o but_o then_o to_o forbid_v all_o due_a resemblance_n of_o himself_o all_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n and_o to_o command_v all_o filthiness_n both_o of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n in_o rational_a creature_n this_o certain_o be_v also_o contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n he_o than_o proceed_v as_o he_o say_v to_o examine_v the_o principal_a part_n both_o of_o natural_a and_o christian_a religion_n in_o order_n to_o see_v whether_o there_o lie_v any_o obligation_n upon_o we_o to_o they_o but_o mere_o by_o the_o divine_a command_n and_o here_o i_o grant_v that_o those_o truth_n and_o those_o duty_n viz._n the_o belief_n of_o a_o trinity_n and_o faith_n in_o christ_n that_o depend_v mere_o upon_o divine_a revelation_n can_v be_v know_v to_o be_v such_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n but_o then_o the_o reason_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o those_o other_o moral_a duty_n which_o christianity_n do_v not_o first_o reveal_v but_o only_o further_a illustrate_a and_o confirm_v to_o we_o nor_o shall_v i_o here_o follow_v he_o through_o all_o the_o part_n of_o natural_a religion_n which_o he_o there_o instance_n in_o i_o shall_v only_o pitch_v upon_o one_o which_o yet_o seem_v of_o the_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n that_o of_o justice._n this_o he_o say_v can_v be_v recommend_v to_o we_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n because_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o nature_n deum_fw-la neminem_fw-la injuriâ_fw-la afficere_fw-la that_o god_n do_v no_o body_n any_o wrong_n for_o he_o say_v that_o if_o that_o be_v injury_n when_o we_o hurt_v those_o who_o have_v not_o deserve_v any_o such_o thing_n at_o our_o hand_n quid_fw-la infant_n in_fw-la deum_fw-la peccaverunt_fw-la wherein_o have_v infant_n sin_v against_o god_n who_o yet_o many_o time_n be_v grievous_o afflict_v by_o he_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o i_o before_o premise_v this_o that_o god_n sometime_o act_n as_o a_o sovereign_n or_o lord_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o this_o case_n some_o action_n may_v be_v injurious_a or_o unjust_a in_o man_n which_o be_v not_o so_o in_o god_n 2._o the_o consideration_n of_o original_a sin_n may_v give_v easy_a solution_n to_o what_o he_o there_o urge_v but_o because_o he_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v any_o such_o thing_n i_o shall_v not_o therefore_o here_o insist_v upon_o it_o 3._o it_o be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o divine_a justice_n to_o inflict_v very_o high_a degree_n of_o affliction_n on_o rational_a creature_n provide_v that_o the_o mercy_n they_o enjoy_v be_v more_o than_o the_o misery_n they_o undergo_v and_o he_o will_v never_o prove_v that_o god_n ever_o inflict_v such_o misery_n upon_o infant_n but_o that_o if_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o election_n they_o will_v rather_o choose_v to_o undergo_v they_o than_o their_o own_o annihilation_n but_o he_o lay_v great_a stress_n upon_o that_o action_n of_o the_o israelite_n rob_v of_o the_o egyptian_n which_o be_v do_v by_o god_n command_n or_o allowance_n and_o therefore_o be_v no_o sin_n therefore_o nothing_o be_v just_a or_o unjust_a in_o itself_o but_o only_o as_o god_n command_v or_o forbid_v it_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o some_o say_v that_o god_n herein_o act_v as_o the_o universal_a creator_n and_o original_a proprietor_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o here_o transfer_v the_o property_n as_o he_o just_o may_v from_o the_o egyptian_n to_o the_o israelite_n other_o say_v that_o as_o sovereign_a legislator_n he_o dispense_v with_o the_o law_n in_o this_o particular_a yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v hence_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o good_a or_o evil_n but_o with_o respect_n to_o god_n positive_a command_n for_o i_o humble_o conceive_v there_o be_v some_o other_o rationes_fw-la boni_fw-la &_o mali_fw-la more_o sacred_a and_o indispensable_a than_o those_o of_o property_n if_o the_o reader_n here_o object_n that_o my_o style_n
hence_o be_v a_o great_a presumption_n at_o least_o of_o the_o falseness_n of_o such_o principle_n see_v truth_n always_o lie_v so_o plain_a and_o easy_a especial_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n so_o consistent_a with_o our_o natural_a apprehension_n and_o with_o all_o other_o truth_n both_o natural_a and_o reveal_v that_o it_o stand_v not_o in_o need_n of_o such_o perplex_a way_n and_o method_n for_o its_o own_o defence_n nor_o be_v mr._n hobbs_n the_o only_a man_n that_o have_v make_v false_a representation_n of_o human_a nature_n there_o be_v also_o some_o foreign_a philosopher_n who_o have_v be_v very_o obnoxious_a in_o this_o particular_a cuperus_n in_o his_o arcana_fw-la atheismi_fw-la 9_o &_o 10._o cb_n 2._o lib._n deny_v all_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o all_o natural_a difference_n betwixt_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o in_o his_o proem_n p._n 2_o 3._o he_o make_v natural_a reason_n to_o be_v ratiocinatio_fw-la ex_fw-la innatis_fw-la homini_fw-la affectibus_fw-la &_o passionibus_fw-la legitimè_fw-la deducta_fw-la and_o this_o far_a account_n he_o give_v of_o these_o affection_n p._n 3._o affectus_fw-la &_o passiones_fw-la jesu_fw-la christi_fw-la mandatis_fw-la contrarias_fw-la sive_fw-la quae_fw-la nos_fw-la ad_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la ipse_fw-la prohibuit_fw-la sectanda_fw-la stimulant_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la &_o suâ_fw-la naturâ_fw-la non_fw-la esse_fw-la malas_fw-la nec_fw-la expeccato_n originali_fw-la maláve_fw-la consuetudine_fw-la ortas_fw-la existimo_fw-la these_o seem_v but_o bad_a principle_n for_o human_a nature_n to_o proceed_v upon_o and_o as_o for_o right_a reason_n rectam_fw-la &_o sanam_fw-la rationem_fw-la appello_fw-la ratiocinationes_fw-la ex_fw-la claris_fw-la &_o apud_fw-la neminem_fw-la controversis_fw-la sacrae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la sensibus_fw-la vel_fw-la ex_fw-la expressis_fw-la verbis_fw-la in_o scripturâ_fw-la contentis_fw-la vel_fw-la per_fw-la legitimam_fw-la consequentiam_fw-la elicitas_fw-la this_o indeed_o be_v true_a but_o right_a reason_n in_o the_o just_a and_o full_a nature_n of_o it_o be_v of_o large_a extent_n than_o argue_v mere_o from_o scripture_n and_o p._n poiret_n in_o his_o cogit_fw-la ration_n de_fw-fr deo_fw-la lib._n 3._o cap._n 10._o make_v all_o the_o reason_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n to_o depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o divine_a decree_n and_o that_o nothing_o be_v in_o itself_o either_o good_a or_o evil_n but_o only_o as_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v it_o so_o and_o may_v also_o if_o he_o have_v so_o please_v have_v make_v it_o quite_o otherwise_o these_o i_o shall_v make_v some_o short_a reflection_n upon_o and_o leave_v the_o full_a examination_n thereof_o to_o some_o able_a pen._n i_o have_v not_o have_v recourse_n to_o scripture_n to_o prove_v my_o assertion_n because_o my_o design_n here_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o man_n as_o guide_v rather_o by_o reason_n than_o revelation_n and_o because_o those_o i_o have_v here_o to_o deal_v with_o do_v more_o especial_o appeal_v thereto_o yet_o here_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o strange_a humour_n of_o some_o man_n who_o reject_v some_o thing_n for_o those_o very_a reason_n for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o receive_v they_o thus_o when_o they_o be_v urge_v with_o scripture_n they_o look_v upon_o that_o only_a as_o something_o that_o will_v impose_v upon_o their_o understanding_n and_o oblige_v they_o to_o a_o blind_a obedience_n as_o if_o it_o design_v only_o to_o erect_v a_o arbitrary_a government_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n without_o give_v any_o reason_n of_o its_o command_n but_o though_o they_o will_v not_o give_v these_o write_n the_o credit_n and_o authority_n just_o due_a to_o they_o upon_o account_n of_o their_o divine_a revelation_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v unreasonable_a to_o reject_v they_o and_o the_o thing_n therein_o contain_v before_o they_o have_v inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n and_o credibility_n of_o they_o which_o if_o they_o vouchsase_v to_o do_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v in_o another_o case_n if_o you_o believe_v not_o i_o yet_o believe_v my_o work_n so_o here_o though_o they_o believe_v not_o the_o scripture_n for_o their_o authority_n yet_o they_o will_v at_o least_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o reason_n contain_v in_o '_o they_o thus_o a_o learned_a prelate_n of_o our_o church_n though_o sacred_a author_n have_v little_a authority_n with_o atheist_n speak_v as_o mere_a witness_n yet_o when_o their_o testimony_n be_v attend_v also_o with_o the_o high_a reason_n those_o reason_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v and_o answer_v though_o the_o author_n be_v reject_v nor_o do_v i_o here_o insist_v much_o upon_o the_o authority_n even_o of_o heathen_a author_n be_v willing_a so_o far_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o humour_n of_o some_o of_o the_o present_a age_n as_o only_o to_o appeal_v to_o man_n unprejudiced_a reason_n whether_o what_o be_v here_o humble_o propose_v to_o consideration_n be_v true_a or_o no_o for_o if_o what_o be_v write_v by_o any_o one_o be_v not_o in_o itself_o reasonable_a i_o know_v no_o authority_n great_a enough_o to_o make_v it_o so_o only_o if_o any_o think_v that_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o such_o author_n may_v add_v any_o strength_n to_o the_o thing_n here_o handle_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o who_o have_v be_v but_o moderate_o conversant_a in_o those_o writer_n may_v easy_o furnish_v themselves_o with_o such_o authority_n from_o their_o own_o read_n and_o observation_n i_o shall_v here_o advertise_v the_o reader_n one_o thing_n further_o that_o whereas_o i_o have_v frequent_a occasion_n of_o make_v use_n of_o these_o word_n vice_n and_o virtue_n i_o there_o take_v they_o according_a to_o the_o acceptation_n of_o our_o old_a english_a dictionary_n and_o in_o the_o sense_n wherein_o the_o ancient_a moral_a philosopher_n former_o take_v they_o that_o be_v to_o signify_v much_o what_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o good_a and_o evil_a sin_n and_o duty_n as_o suppose_v they_o found_v upon_o something_o more_o six_o and_o certain_a than_o the_o custom_n of_o country_n or_o the_o mode_n and_o fashion_n of_o those_o with_o who_o we_o do_v converse_v i_o shall_v have_v count_v this_o a_o needless_a advertisement_n but_o that_o i_o find_v the_o ingenious_a author_n of_o the_o essay_n of_o human_a understanding_n p._n 158_o 159_o etc._n etc._n tell_v we_o that_o the_o measure_n of_o what_o be_v every_o where_o call_v and_o esteem_v virtue_n and_o vice_n be_v his_o approbation_n or_o dislike_n praise_n or_o blame_v which_o by_o a_o secret_a and_o tacit_a consent_n establish_v itself_o in_o the_o several_a society_n tribe_n and_o club_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n so_o that_o virtue_n be_v every_o where_o that_o which_o be_v think_v praiseworthy_a and_o nothing_o else_o but_o that_o which_o have_v the_o allowance_n of_o public_a esteem_n be_v virtue_n and_o here_o he_o quote_v cicero_n tusc._n lib._n 2._o nihil_fw-la habet_fw-la natura_fw-la praestantius_fw-la quam_fw-la honestatem_fw-la quam_fw-la laudem_fw-la quam_fw-la dignitatem_fw-la quam_fw-la decus_fw-la which_o he_o say_v be_v all_o name_n for_o the_o same_o thing_n but_o here_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o he_o put_v honesty_n in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o praise_v viz._n such_o as_o be_v consequent_a hereupon_o quam_fw-la dignitatem_fw-la that_o be_v that_o dignity_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o great_a ornament_n of_o a_o man._n the_o same_o author_n of_o that_o essay_n have_v much_o better_o explain_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o old_a heathen_a philosopher_n upon_o this_o subject_a p._n 17._o if_o one_o of_o those_o have_v be_v ask_v here_o i_o suppose_v the_o question_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v propound_v as_o before_o why_o a_o man_n must_v keep_v his_o word_n but_o rather_o thus_o why_o a_o man_n shall_v not_o break_v his_o word_n he_o will_v have_v answer_v because_o it_o be_v dishonest_a below_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o man_n and_o opposite_a to_o virtue_n the_o high_a perfection_n of_o human_a nature_n by_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o man_n i_o suppose_v be_v here_o mean_v the_o same_o that_o tully_n mean_v by_o he_o that_o be_v the_o dignity_n of_o human_a nature_n consider_v in_o itself_o not_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o accidental_o good_a or_o bad_a opinion_n that_o man_n may_v entertain_v of_o it_o but_o he_o further_o tell_v we_o p._n 159._o that_o the_o exhortation_n of_o inspire_a teacher_n have_v not_o fear_v to_o appeal_v to_o common_a repute_n whatsoever_o thing_n be_v lovely_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v of_o good_a report_n if_o there_o be_v any_o virtue_n if_o there_o be_v any_o praise_n etc._n etc._n phil._n 4._o 8._o but_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o here_o appeal_v to_o common_a repute_n absolute_o but_o with_o a_o certain_a restriction_n and_o limitation_n that_o man_n do_v not_o confound_v the_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a whatever_o thing_n be_v of_o good_a report_n with_o this_o proviso_n that_o there_o be_v any_o virtue_n or_o any_o such_o praise_n as_o be_v virtutis_fw-la come_v than_o we_o be_v to_o think_v on_o
communication_n of_o divine_a grace_n to_o christian_n now_o under_o the_o gospel_n 2._o suppose_v that_o god_n always_o make_v use_n of_o these_o imaginary_a representation_n in_o the_o conveyance_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o prophet_n will_v it_o therefore_o follow_v ad_fw-la prophetizandum_fw-la non_fw-la esse_fw-la opus_fw-la perfectiore_fw-la ment_fw-la sed_fw-la vividiore_fw-la imaginatione_fw-la will_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o do_v tantùm_fw-la per_fw-la imaginationem_fw-la percipere_fw-la will_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o do_v non_fw-la nisi_fw-la open_a imaginationis_fw-la percipere_fw-la though_o god_n in_o the_o wise_a method_n of_o his_o providence_n do_v make_v use_n of_o second_o cause_n will_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o the_o whole_a causality_n must_v be_v ascribe_v to_o they_o can_v the_o fancy_n alone_o or_o the_o fancy_n and_o understanding_n together_o right_o judge_v of_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o those_o representation_n without_o the_o further_a assistance_n of_o divine_a illumination_n to_o assert_v either_o of_o these_o will_v argue_v he_o either_o a_o bad_a philosopher_n or_o a_o worse_a divine_a so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o conceive_v how_o these_o imaginary_a representation_n without_o a_o more_o immediate_a interpretation_n of_o their_o sense_n and_o meaning_n will_v be_v any_o thing_n better_o than_o idle_a show_n and_o insignificant_a appearance_n chap._n iii_o of_o natural_a notion_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o afford_v we_o more_o noble_a or_o more_o useful_a matter_n whereon_o to_o exercise_v our_o speculation_n than_o a_o serious_a enquiry_n into_o the_o respective_a nature_n of_o truth_n &_o goodness_n which_o be_v thing_n of_o so_o great_a excellency_n in_o themselves_o and_o of_o such_o near_a relation_n to_o we_o that_o it_o do_v not_o become_v a_o man_n a_o philosopher_n or_o a_o christian_a to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o either_o it_o be_v observe_v by_o some_o that_o pilate_n immediate_o upon_o his_o propound_v that_o question_n to_o our_o saviour_n what_o be_v truth_n he_o go_v forth_o not_o stay_v sor_n a_o answer_n yet_o providence_n have_v not_o leave_v we_o in_o the_o dark_a in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n we_o have_v the_o certain_a guide_n of_o reason_n and_o revelation_n as_o much_o as_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o impart_v to_o we_o sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v all_o sober_a though_o not_o overcurious_a inquiry_n sufficient_a to_o all_o the_o end_n and_o purpose_n of_o this_o humane_a state_n truth_n indeed_o both_o natural_a and_o reveal_v have_v ever_o since_o its_o first_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n various_o suffer_v by_o the_o ignorance_n of_o some_o and_o the_o malice_n of_o other_o by_o the_o contrary_a and_o eager_a pretence_n of_o opposite_a party_n by_o the_o weakness_n and_o folly_n of_o man_n and_o by_o the_o power_n and_o subtlety_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o especial_o by_o that_o universal_a deluge_n of_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n which_o both_o upon_o a_o natural_a and_o moral_a account_n be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o concern_v of_o truth_n both_o as_o vice_n be_v natural_o destructive_a of_o good_a principle_n and_o also_o as_o wicked_a man_n be_v ready_a to_o believe_v though_o never_o so_o false_a what_o they_o think_v will_v be_v their_o interest_n to_o be_v true_a thus_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o state_n of_o the_o gentile_a world_n in_o the_o first_o age_n we_o shall_v there_o find_v a_o very_a bad_a face_n of_o thing_n for_o not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o grossness_n of_o popular_a error_n and_o the_o no_o less_o impious_a than_o false_a apprehension_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o common_a sort_n the_o most_o exact_a inquiry_n of_o their_o philosopher_n be_v often_o false_a but_o always_o mix_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o uncertainty_n in_o their_o discourse_n have_v common_o a_o contrary_a sect_n and_o company_n of_o man_n that_o whatever_o be_v assert_v by_o one_o be_v many_o time_n with_o as_o much_o vigour_n and_o equal_a probability_n of_o reason_n contradict_v by_o another_o so_o that_o a_o sober_a and_o serious_a enquirer_n after_o truth_n though_o he_o may_v have_v reason_n enough_o not_o to_o profess_v himself_o a_o sceptic_a but_o to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o truth_n yet_o he_o may_v then_o see_v too_o much_o cause_n to_o despair_v of_o ever_o find_v the_o certain_a way_n that_o lead_v to_o it_o among_o so_o many_o by-path_n of_o error_n and_o uncertainty_n and_o even_o now_o in_o the_o christian_a world_n the_o many_o error_n in_o opinion_n and_o the_o more_o fatal_a heresy_n of_o wicked_a practice_n do_v sufficiently-testify_a that_o truth_n do_v not_o enjoy_v such_o a_o undisturbed_a empire_n as_o may_v have_v be_v hope_v and_o wish_v since_o christ_n appearance_n in_o the_o flesh._n now_o among_o all_o these_o disadvantage_n under_o which_o truth_n always_o labour_v and_o even_o still_a labour_n providence_n have_v more_o especial_o provide_v these_o two_o way_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o 1._o by_o natural_a inscription_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n 2._o by_o after_o revelation_n for_o the_o further_a illustration_n and_o confirmation_n of_o it_o and_o these_o two_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o two_o pillar_n that_o have_v preserve_v it_o both_o from_o the_o deluge_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o violence_n of_o all_o other_o opposition_n 1._o natural_a inscription_n i_o hope_v i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o desire_v the_o reader_n not_o to_o impose_v any_o such_o gross_a sense_n upon_o this_o word_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o immaterial_a soul_n i_o shall_v here_o therefore_o first_o brief_o explain_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o truth_n of_o first_o inscription_n or_o natural_a notion_n for_o the_o defendant_n have_v always_o leave_v to_o state_n his_o own_o question_n and_o to_o declare_v in_o what_o sense_n he_o undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o it_o this_o i_o the_o rather_o intimate_v because_o some_o man_n will_v put_v such_o a_o sense_n upon_o these_o word_n innate_a imprint_v or_o impress_v frequent_o make_v use_n of_o in_o this_o question_n as_o none_o that_o i_o know_v of_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v first_o i_o do_v not_o here_o assert_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o platonist_n concern_v innate_a idea_n in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n i_o do_v not_o here_o suppose_v the_o soul_n to_o praexi_v nor_o do_v i_o make_v all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v in_o this_o state_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o reminiscence_n or_o recollection_n of_o what_o we_o know_v in_o the_o other_o second_o these_o natural_a notion_n be_v not_o so_o imprint_v upon_o the_o soul_n as_o that_o they_o natural_o and_o necessary_o exert_v themselves_o even_o in_o child_n and_o idiot_n without_o any_o assistance_n from_o the_o outward_a sense_n or_o without_o the_o help_n of_o some_o previous_a cultivation_n for_o thus_o reason_n itself_o which_o yet_o we_o say_v be_v natural_a to_o a_o man_n be_v not_o so_o bear_v with_o he_o but_o that_o it_o require_v some_o supervenient_a assistance_n before_o it_o arrive_v at_o the_o true_a exercise_n of_o itself_o and_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o i_o here_o contend_v for_o if_o these_o notion_n be_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n connatural_a to_o the_o soul_n as_o reason_n itself_o be_v but_o three_o the_o use_n of_o our_o understanding_n be_v first_o suppose_v that_o be_v our_o faculty_n labour_v of_o no_o natural_a defect_n nor_o deprive_v of_o those_o other_o advantage_n that_o god_n and_o nature_n have_v make_v necessary_a thereunto_o than_o our_o soul_n have_v a_o native_a power_n of_o find_v or_o frame_v such_o principle_n or_o proposition_n the_o truth_n or_o knowledge_n whereof_o no_o way_n depend_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n or_o observation_n thus_o know_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o a_o whole_a and_o what_o by_o a_o part_n hence_o natural_o result_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n totum_fw-la est_fw-la majus_fw-la svi_fw-la parte_fw-la without_o be_v any_o way_n oblige_v to_o sense_n for_o it_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v those_o universal_a proposition_n the_o truth_n whereof_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o actual_a existence_n of_o any_o thing_n as_o quicquid_fw-la agit_fw-fr est_fw-fr etc._n etc._n now_o i_o suppose_v we_o may_v easy_o discern_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o proposition_n as_o these_o and_o those_o other_o which_o be_v bring_v by_o some_o to_o vie_v with_o those_o natural_a notion_n viz._n white_n be_v not_o black_a fellowness_n be_v not_o sweetness_n etc._n etc._n i_o shall_v here_o 1._o inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o dr._n parker_n late_a bishop_n of_o oxford_n in_o his_o account_n of_o the_o platonic_a philosophy_n assert_n experimental_a observation_n to_o be_v the_o great_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o truth_n and_o first_o he_o blame_v the_o platonic_a theology_n for_o resolve_v knowledge_n into_o its_o first_o