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which_o
some_o bold_a and_o presumptuous_a man_n as_o void_a for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o all_o honest_a and_o sober_a moral_n as_o they_o be_v of_o sound_a learning_n and_o philosophy_n be_v equal_o debauch_v and_o corrupt_v in_o their_o understanding_n and_o in_o their_o behaviour_n and_o practice_n be_v wont_a as_o it_o be_v triumphant_o to_o propose_v even_o in_o place_n of_o public_a resort_n as_o well_o as_o in_o their_o ordinary_a conversation_n in_o this_o sceptical_a and_o atheistical_a age_n against_o a_o creation_n against_o the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o ever_o bless_a and_o adorable_a trinity_n and_o of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o last_o against_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o resurrection_n and_o the_o like_a will_v vanish_v and_o disappear_v and_o all_o those_o truth_n whether_o natural_a or_o reveal_v which_o they_o with_o equal_a rashness_n and_o impiety_n have_v pronounce_v impossible_a 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of_o the_o habitableness_n of_o the_o planet_n and_o of_o the_o opinion_n that_o every_o fix_a star_n be_v a_o sun_n at_o a_o almost_o immense_a distance_n from_o the_o earth_n and_o from_o one_o another_o and_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v may_v have_v be_v endow_v with_o different_a power_n activity_n quality_n impression_n motion_n and_o operation_n and_o matter_n make_v capable_a of_o other_o far_o different_a modification_n and_o determination_n of_o particular_a motion_n from_o which_o may_v have_v be_v derive_v inconceivable_o great_a variety_n of_o other_o natural_a production_n and_o here_o it_o may_v be_v necessary_a to_o interpose_v that_o god_n do_v no_o more_o than_o what_o he_o first_o will_n his_o power_n be_v direct_v by_o his_o wisdom_n and_o divine_a pleasure_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o it_o which_o consideration_n shall_v just_o satisfy_v we_o about_o the_o late_a creation_n of_o this_o visible_a world_n in_o which_o we_o breathe_v to_o call_v 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shall_v have_v do_v and_o with_o equal_a impudence_n and_o impiety_n limit_v his_o will_n for_o suppose_v for_o argument_n sake_n that_o the_o world_n have_v be_v create_v forty_o or_o fifty_o thousand_o year_n before_o or_o if_o they_o will_v so_o many_o miriads_o and_o million_o of_o year_n and_o that_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o chinese_n chaldean_n and_o egyptian_n which_o latter_a be_v preserve_v out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o manetho_n a_o priest_n of_o that_o country_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o prolemaeus_n philadelphus_n by_o julius_n africanus_n and_o out_o of_o he_o by_o eusebius_n and_o georgius_n syncellus_n be_v not_o fabulous_a and_o proceed_v not_o from_o a_o vain_a affectation_n of_o antiquity_n but_o have_v some_o ground_n in_o nature_n and_o history_n yet_o consider_v the_o eternal_a power_n of_o the_o godhead_n the_o same_o question_n may_v as_o well_o be_v put_v and_o it_o may_v be_v put_v thousand_o of_o year_n hence_o if_o the_o present_a 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and_o that_o no_o
reason_n ought_v to_o be_v demand_v of_o his_o divine_a will_n and_o pleasure_n and_o of_o his_o action_n ad_fw-la extra_fw-la as_o the_o school-phrase_n be_v for_o want_v of_o this_o consideration_n also_o other_o there_o be_v and_o the_o platonist_n especial_o who_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o advance_v the_o divine_a goodness_n do_v real_o and_o in_o effect_n destroy_v it_o whilst_o they_o make_v the_o emanation_n of_o it_o physical_a and_o necessary_a which_o be_v most_o arbitrary_a and_o free_a and_o the_o pure_a result_v of_o his_o will_n the_o power_n of_o moral_a agent_n be_v at_o their_o own_o disposal_n to_o use_v when_o and_o how_o they_o please_v and_o by_o this_o they_o be_v discriminate_v from_o natural_a who_o act_n according_a to_o their_o utmost_a strength_n and_o vigour_n unless_o their_o activity_n be_v hinder_v by_o a_o miracle_n and_o from_o brute_n bird_n and_o other_o animal_n who_o be_v devoy_v of_o reason_n and_o follow_v their_o innate_a instinct_n motion_n 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make_v good_a his_o word_n whether_o we_o will_v believe_v or_o no_o if_o we_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v infidel_n and_o sceptic_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o much_o conviction_n which_o christianity_n afford_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o its_o mystery_n and_o doctrine_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o promise_n if_o we_o throw_v in_o our_o scruple_n and_o doubt_n and_o distrust_v his_o word_n we_o shall_v one_o day_n be_v convince_v and_o ashamed_a of_o such_o irrational_a infidelity_n his_o word_n shall_v infallible_o be_v effect_v veracity_n be_v as_o essential_a to_o god_n as_o necessary_a existence_n and_o if_o god_n can_v but_o be_v he_o can_v be_v otherwise_o than_o just_a and_o true_a if_o we_o believe_v not_o yet_o he_o abide_v faithful_a he_o can_v deny_v himself_o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o remove_v from_o god_n whatsoever_o savour_v of_o imperfection_n as_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o idea_n which_o we_o have_v of_o he_o who_o be_v a_o be_v infinite_o and_o 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because_o he_o be_v omniscient_a and_o know_v the_o secret_a thought_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o all_o thing_n be_v naked_a and_o open_a before_o he_o there_o be_v a_o utter_a impossibility_n of_o error_n in_o the_o divine_a understanding_n our_o sickness_n flow_v from_o illness_n of_o temper_n natural_a decay_n of_o animal_n and_o vital_a spirit_n and_o taint_v and_o vitiate_a blood_n and_o other_o humour_n and_o death_n be_v the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o a_o frail_a and_o brittle_a constitution_n the_o curious_a machine_n of_o the_o body_n be_v quite_o wear_v out_o by_o age_n at_o last_o fall_v into_o piece_n though_o otherwise_o never_o so_o careful_o preserve_v from_o the_o disorder_n of_o intemperance_n or_o the_o mischief_n of_o chance_n or_o the_o assault_n of_o violence_n all_o which_o imperfection_n the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n do_v whole_o exclude_v and_o remove_v 2._o by_o this_o we_o be_v to_o exclude_v whatever_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n or_o a_o repugnancy_n in_o its_o nature_n as_o that_o the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o respect_n and_o that_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v shall_v now_o be_v make_v not_o to_o have_v be_v thing_n may_v not_o have_v be_v before_o they_o be_v but_o when_o once_o they_o have_v be_v they_o can_v but_o be_v which_o only_o be_v a_o necessity_n by_o way_n of_o supposition_n whatever_o then_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o a_o thing_n be_v therefore_o impossible_a because_o otherwise_o the_o thing_n will_v be_v the_o same_o and_o not_o the_o same_o the_o essence_n will_v remain_v entire_a and_o yet_o be_v destroy_v at_o the_o same_o time_n which_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o manifest_a contradiction_n power_n therefore_o in_o the_o essential_a notion_n of_o it_o be_v no_o way_n extensible_a either_o to_o the_o do_v or_o reconcile_n real_a and_o perfect_a 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unpardonable_a piece_n of_o arrogance_n be_v it_o for_o a_o man_n to_o think_v his_o reason_n able_a to_o comprehend_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n when_o there_o be_v such_o a_o infinite_a disproportion_n between_o they_o and_o call_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o divine_a revelation_n and_o measure_n all_o by_o this_o crooked_a and_o deceitful_a rule_n whether_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o fancy_n or_o not_o it_o be_v a_o most_o rational_a and_o infallible_a ground_n of_o faith_n that_o god_n who_o have_v reveal_v these_o mystery_n can_v utter_v a_o falsehood_n it_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o demonstration_n if_o god_n have_v once_o say_v it_o there_o be_v some_o monster_n in_o the_o world_n who_o lust_n and_o debauchery_n have_v suggest_v to_o they_o doubt_n about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o attribute_n and_o a_o consciousness_n of_o their_o guilt_n have_v make_v they_o wish_v that_o there_o be_v none_o no_o one_o be_v ever_o find_v who_o 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twelve_o 4_o 5._o say_v our_o b._n saviour_n to_o his_o disciple_n be_v not_o afraid_a of_o they_o who_o kill_v the_o body_n and_o after_o that_o have_v no_o more_o that_o they_o can_v do_v but_o i_o will_v forewarn_v you_o who_o you_o shall_v fear_v fear_v he_o who_o after_o he_o have_v kill_v have_v power_n to_o cast_v into_o hell_n yea_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o fear_v he_o and_o with_o this_o argument_n the_o heroic_a woman_n encourage_v her_o young_a son_n to_o endure_v the_o torment_n and_o cruelty_n of_o antiochus_n as_o his_o six_o brother_n have_v do_v before_o he_o rather_o than_o save_v his_o life_n by_o violation_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n i_o beseech_v thou_o my_o son_n look_v upon_o the_o heaven_n and_o upon_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o that_o be_v therein_o and_o consider_v that_o god_n have_v make_v they_o of_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o and_o so_o be_v mankind_n make_v likewise_o fear_v not_o this_o tormentor_n but_o be_v worthy_a of_o thy_o brethren_n take_v thy_o death_n that_o i_o may_v receive_v thou_o again_o in_o mercy_n with_o thy_o brethren_n as_o you_o may_v read_v the_o tragical_a history_n in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o maccabee_n chap._n seven_o whosoever_o reflect_v serious_o 37._o on_o god_n infinite_a power_n will_v never_o presumptuous_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v draw_v on_o he_o his_o displeasure_n and_o upon_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o his_o guilt_n will_v be_v restless_a till_o by_o repentance_n and_o a_o good_a life_n he_o be_v reinstate_v in_o the_o love_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n 3._o that_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o weakness_n and_o defect_n shall_v teach_v we_o humility_n and_o modesty_n in_o our_o inquiry_n into_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v as_o great_a reason_n for_o we_o to_o submit_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o reveal_v truth_n of_o scripture_n as_o our_o will_n to_o its_o command_n he_o who_o religious_o adore_v and_o believe_v a_o god_n and_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v a_o be_v 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found_v on_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n and_o his_o govern_n power_n which_o render_v it_o undeniable_o necessary_a nothing_o perplex_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n more_o than_o to_o see_v righteous_a and_o virtuous_a man_n oftentimes_o afflict_v and_o oppress_v and_o the_o wicked_a and_o dissolute_a prosperous_a and_o triumphant_a no_o phaenomenon_n whatever_o which_o they_o pretend_v may_v be_v solve_v and_o account_v for_o by_o their_o several_a hypothesis_n without_o intere_v a_o deity_n at_o all_o in_o their_o solution_n trouble_v they_o so_o much_o as_o this_o these_o difficulty_n be_v great_a and_o perplex_v and_o disagreeable_a as_o they_o think_v to_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o reason_n equity_n and_o justice_n imprint_v upon_o their_o mind_n so_o that_o in_o the_o tumultuous_a work_n of_o their_o thought_n they_o begin_v to_o question_v whether_o god_n for_o such_o a_o supreme_a be_v they_o can_v not_o they_o dare_v not_o deny_v have_v any_o thing_n to_o 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be_v pity_v perchance_o and_o man_n weep_v over_o their_o grave_n and_o celebrate_v their_o memory_n with_o anniversary_n oration_n and_o speak_v great_a thing_n in_o praise_n of_o their_o courage_n and_o virtue_n which_o no_o opposition_n no_o trouble_n whatever_o no_o not_o death_n itself_o can_v tire_v out_o and_o overcome_v this_o be_v all_o the_o reward_n which_o they_o have_v in_o this_o world_n and_o certain_o in_o itself_o a_o very_a poor_a one_o though_o just_o due_a to_o their_o name_n and_o memory_n but_o while_o they_o live_v oftentimes_o they_o be_v destitute_a afflict_a torment_a want_v the_o conveniency_n of_o life_n expose_v to_o extreme_a poverty_n and_o to_o cruel_a mock_n and_o scourge_n wander_v about_o in_o desert_n and_o mountain_n and_o retire_v to_o den_n and_o cave_n for_o shelter_n and_o outlaw_v by_o sanguinary_a edict_n from_o the_o society_n of_o mankind_n and_o at_o other_o time_n condemn_v to_o the_o flame_n or_o to_o wild_a beast_n in_o their_o amphitheatre_n or_o to_o gibbet_n
and_o cross_n or_o to_o wrack_n and_o wheel_n and_o such_o like_a cruel_a death_n with_o all_o possible_a ignominy_n as_o well_o as_o torment_v do_v not_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n make_v it_o necessary_a that_o there_o be_v a_o distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n hereafter_o according_a as_o every_o one_o deserve_v can_v the_o government_n of_o a_o most_o holy_a and_o alwise_a god_n be_v suppose_v imperfect_a and_o defective_a in_o so_o necessary_a a_o part_n of_o it_o as_o be_v distributive_a justice_n can_v god_n be_v think_v to_o give_v law_n on_o purpose_n that_o they_o may_v be_v break_v and_o to_o reward_v the_o breaker_n of_o they_o and_o to_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o those_o who_o conscientious_o obey_v they_o this_o most_o certain_o evince_v that_o there_o must_v be_v another_o life_n after_o this_o wherein_o god_n will_v vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o his_o justice_n and_o providence_n which_o now_o seem_o suffer_v and_o do_v himself_o right_a in_o the_o 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the_o judgement_n of_o sense_n be_v certain_a that_o be_v when_o nothing_o requisite_a to_o make_v the_o sensation_n perfect_a be_v want_v yet_o the_o sceptic_a have_v call_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o both_o upon_o this_o foolish_a pretence_n that_o for_o aught_o he_o know_v and_o can_v be_v thorough_o convince_v of_o all_o this_o mathematical_a evidence_n may_v be_v a_o fatal_a and_o settle_a delusion_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v most_o deceive_v when_o he_o think_v himself_o most_o assure_v that_o the_o collection_n and_o inference_n of_o what_o we_o call_v reason_n may_v be_v false_a and_o deceitful_a that_o the_o impression_n which_o material_a object_n make_v upon_o the_o fancy_n may_v be_v only_o chimerical_a that_o when_o we_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o discourse_n we_o may_v but_o only_o think_v so_o that_o we_o have_v as_o little_a certainty_n of_o thing_n when_o we_o be_v awake_a and_o be_v very_o attentive_a and_o serious_a as_o when_o 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semblance_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o too_o without_o any_o help_n or_o mean_n of_o discover_v our_o be_v convince_v of_o our_o mistake_n or_o at_o least_o shall_v leave_v we_o to_o such_o great_a incertainty_n that_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o rule_n to_o distinguish_v between_o and_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v give_v we_o reason_n and_o sense_n for_o no_o other_o end_n or_o use_v but_o to_o deceive_v we_o at_o least_o to_o perplex_v and_o distract_v we_o with_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n whether_o we_o understand_v and_o see_v when_o we_o both_o understand_v and_o see_v the_o certainty_n and_o clearness_n of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n as_o also_o of_o such_o proposition_n as_o be_v say_v to_o be_v aeternae_fw-la veritatis_fw-la arise_v hence_o because_o it_o be_v conversant_a about_o thing_n abstract_v from_o matter_n or_o rather_o to_o speak_v more_o clear_o and_o distinct_o it_o be_v found_v in_o the_o 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we_o
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within_o he_o of_o act_v or_o not_o act_v as_o he_o please_v whether_o he_o do_v not_o deliberate_a with_o himself_o whether_o he_o have_v best_o do_v it_o or_o no_o and_o when_o after_o some_o demur_n and_o debate_n he_o have_v determine_v his_o will_n of_o his_o own_o accord_n which_o before_o be_v indifferent_a either_o to_o this_o or_o that_o whether_o he_o do_v not_o consult_v about_o the_o mean_n to_o bring_v about_o his_o design_n and_o upon_o a_o survey_n of_o several_a make_v choice_n of_o such_o as_o he_o judge_v most_o proper_a and_o effectual_a in_o these_o and_o the_o like_a case_n we_o can_v have_v no_o mathematical_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n yet_o we_o can_v rational_o doubt_v of_o the_o verity_n of_o their_o proof_n though_o the_o evidence_n and_o assurance_n be_v only_o moral_a yet_o it_o be_v such_o as_o will_v persuade_v any_o man_n who_o be_v free_a from_o unjust_a and_o irrational_a prejudice_n beside_o upon_o this_o kind_n of_o assurance_n christian_n 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