Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n great_a scripture_n word_n 4,462 5 4.0959 3 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A33547 An enquiry into the nature, necessity, and evidence of Christian faith. Part I. Of faith in general, and of the belief of a deity by J.C. Cockburn, John, 1652-1729. 1696 (1696) Wing C4810; ESTC R24209 50,203 73

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

also_o satisfy_v man_n mind_n in_o some_o measure_n about_o the_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a dispensation_n of_o it_o which_o not_o be_v common_o handle_v we_o have_v the_o more_o large_o insist_v on_o in_o the_o three_o and_o last_o part_n shall_v be_v consider_v that_o faith_n which_o be_v found_v upon_o revelation_n which_o also_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o set_v in_o its_o true_a light_n both_o these_o part_n shall_v follow_v very_o soon_o if_o it_o please_v god_n to_o assist_v we_o and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v that_o all_o of_o they_o may_v prove_v useful_a to_o the_o design_n propose_v by_o help_v to_o clear_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v of_o the_o great_a importance_n essay_n i._n faith_n be_v and_o have_v be_v the_o perpetual_a standard_n of_o righteousness_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n 1._o as_o all_o author_n whether_o historian_n or_o philosopher_n have_v their_o peculiar_a phrase_n and_o way_n of_o speak_v so_o faith_n be_v a_o word_n and_o term_v proper_a to_o sacred_a scripture_n it_o never_o occur_v to_o we_o in_o the_o read_n of_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n in_o that_o sense_n in_o which_o we_o meet_v with_o it_o almost_o in_o every_o leaf_n of_o the_o holy_a bible_n st._n paul_n as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o other_o apostle_n he_o discourse_v often_o and_o very_o much_o of_o faith_n so_o in_o three_o several_a epistle_n he_o assert_n that_o the_o justice_n shall_v live_v by_o faith_n and_o in_o one_o of_o they_o he_o preface_v it_o with_o a_o as_o it_o be_v write_v testify_v by_o this_o that_o it_o be_v no_o new_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o what_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o according_o we_o find_v the_o same_o very_a word_n in_o the_o prophet_n habakkuk_n chap._n 2._o 4._o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o this_o be_v a_o scripture_n maxim_n of_o certain_a and_o perpetual_a verity_n under_o every_o dispensation_n as_o well_o the_o former_a as_o the_o present_a 2._o by_o the_o just_a be_v to_o be_v understand_v the_o good_a holy_a and_o righteous_a in_o opposition_n to_o the_o wicked_a and_o ungodly_a and_o to_o live_v comprehend_v and_o must_v be_v extend_v to_o the_o whole_a tract_n and_o course_n of_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n for_o to_o restrain_v it_o to_o any_o single_a or_o individual_a act_n which_o have_v not_o a_o universal_a influence_n upon_o the_o whole_a man_n and_o all_o its_o motion_n be_v to_o make_v the_o scripture_n and_o inspirer_n of_o it_o speak_v very_o improper_o he_o be_v not_o say_v to_o live_v in_o a_o place_n who_o lodge_v there_o a_o night_n or_o two_o but_o who_o have_v his_o constant_a residence_n and_o abide_v in_o it_o nor_o can_v he_o be_v say_v proper_o to_o live_v by_o any_o art_n or_o science_n who_o now_o and_o then_o perhaps_o divert_v himself_o with_o it_o but_o only_o he_o who_o make_v it_o his_o profession_n aim_n and_o study_v who_o constant_o exercise_v it_o and_o subsist_v by_o it_o so_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o just_o live_v by_o faith_n the_o meaning_n be_v and_o must_v be_v that_o they_o always_o walk_v by_o faith_n they_o order_n and_o frame_v their_o whole_a life_n and_o conversation_n according_a to_o it_o it_o be_v the_o principle_n by_o which_o they_o be_v actuate_v and_o which_o produce_v all_o that_o they_o do_v as_o the_o soul_n and_o spirit_n give_v life_n to_o the_o body_n excite_v direct_v and_o determine_v the_o action_n of_o the_o whole_a man_n so_o faith_n be_v the_o soul_n life_n and_o spirit_n of_o a_o just_a or_o righteous_a man_n the_o first_o and_o great_a principle_n of_o his_o motion_n the_o chief_a rule_n and_o director_n of_o his_o action_n that_o which_o quicken_v his_o hope_n awaken_v his_o fear_n excite_v and_o curb_v his_o passion_n and_o which_o push_v he_o forward_o to_o all_o that_o be_v suitable_a to_o his_o rank_n quality_n and_o other_o circumstance_n in_o which_o he_o stand_v in_o a_o word_n to_o live_v by_o faith_n must_v be_v to_o think_v speak_v and_o act_n by_o it_o for_o life_n comprehend_v all_o this_o and_o he_o who_o do_v thus_o live_v by_o faith_n be_v true_o just_a good_a holy_a and_o righteous_a for_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o just_o do_v live_v by_o faith_n it_o be_v also_o true_a that_o they_o who_o live_v by_o faith_n be_v iust._n as_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n render_v a_o man_n learned_a and_o wise_a so_o faith_n make_v one_o just_a and_o righteous_a and_o this_o righteousness_n increase_v according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o our_o faith_n for_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o faith_n as_o of_o life_n there_o be_v weak_a and_o strong_a imperfect_a and_o perfect_a in_o both_o 3._o now_o that_o it_o be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o just_a to_o live_v by_o faith_n but_o that_o they_o do_v so_o under_o the_o law_n and_o before_o it_o do_v further_a appear_v from_o what_o the_o apostle_n write_v in_o the_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n where_o by_o a_o long_a enumeration_n of_o particular_a instance_n he_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o righteous_a even_o up_o to_o abel_n that_o be_v ever_o since_o the_o fall_n do_v walk_v by_o faith_n and_o that_o faith_n be_v the_o source_n and_o spring_n of_o both_o their_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a action_n and_o he_o may_v have_v ascend_v high_a and_o show_v that_o even_o in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n faith_n be_v appoint_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o righteousness_n for_o that_o command_n which_o be_v give_v to_o our_o first_o parent_n about_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o garden_n be_v to_o exercise_v their_o faith_n as_o their_o transgression_n be_v a_o failure_n of_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o of_o obedience_n st._n paul_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n and_o in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o that_o to_o the_o roman_n pursue_v the_o same_o truth_n against_o the_o bigoted_a jew_n and_o judaize_v christian_n for_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n in_o expect_v to_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n he_o show_v clear_o that_o before_o the_o law_n be_v in_o be_v man_n be_v account_v just_o and_o righteous_a before_o god_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o therefore_o that_o faith_n be_v the_o permanent_a and_o perpetual_a standard_n or_o rule_n both_o for_o measure_v man_n righteousness_n and_o for_o obtain_v their_o justification_n because_o abraham_n be_v a_o eminent_a example_n of_o faith_n therefore_o he_o be_v not_o only_o repute_v righteous_a but_o have_v the_o peculiar_a honour_n to_o be_v call_v the_o friend_n of_o god_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o all_o succeed_a generation_n and_o all_o who_o believe_v and_o live_v by_o faith_n be_v style_v the_o child_n of_o abraham_n and_o heir_n of_o his_o honour_n and_o privilege_n upon_o which_o account_n they_o be_v also_o name_v the_o child_n of_o god_n the_o holy_a seed_n the_o righteous_a generation_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o son_n of_o belial_n the_o wicked_a and_o reprobate_n who_o be_v brand_v with_o the_o character_n of_o unbeliever_n child_n of_o unbelief_n person_n without_o faith_n as_o the_o original_a bear_n which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v on_o this_o head_n but_o it_o sufficient_o appear_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o according_a to_o the_o peculiar_a dialect_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n faith_n and_o holiness_n believe_v and_o to_o be_v just_o or_o to_o live_v righteous_o be_v use_v indifferent_o as_o reciprocal_a phrase_n which_o import_n or_o infer_v one_o another_o and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o dialect_n be_v because_o according_a to_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n which_o actuate_v a_o a_o good_a or_o just_a man_n and_o that_o the_o goodness_n or_o righteousness_n which_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n be_v only_o the_o effect_n or_o expression_n of_o that_o faith_n which_o natural_o and_o inseparable_o follow_v it_o as_o the_o light_n do_v the_o sun_n now_o before_o i_o proceed_v further_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o make_v a_o little_a pause_v and_o it_o may_v be_v convenient_a to_o represent_v here_o the_o obligation_n which_o lie_v upon_o all_o who_o own_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n to_o entertain_v those_o phrase_n and_o expression_n with_o respect_n and_o reverence_n 4._o they_o ought_v to_o esteem_v they_o not_o only_o sacred_a but_o exact_v and_o just_a and_o the_o fit_a to_o convey_v true_a notion_n into_o our_o mind_n a_o wise_a man_n can_v express_v his_o own_o thought_n best_o and_o sure_o none_o can_v be_v suppose_v more_o qualify_v to_o know_v the_o most_o apposite_a word_n
a_fw-la enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n necessity_n and_o evidence_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o several_a essay_n part_n i._o of_o faith_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n by_o i._n c._n d._n d._n vigilo_n credo_fw-la &_o clamo_fw-la loquor_fw-la london_n print_v for_o william_n keblewhite_n at_o the_o swan_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdc_o xcvi_o the_o content_n of_o this_o first_o part._n introduction_n show_v the_o occasion_n and_o design_n of_o the_o follow_a essay_n p._n 1._o essay_n i._n faith_n be_v and_o have_v be_v the_o perpetual_a standard_n of_o righteousness_n from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 6._o 1._o i'faith_o proper_a to_o scripture_n and_o require_v under_o the_o dispensation_n of_o both_o testament_n ibid._n 2._o what_o to_o live_v by_o faith_n p._n 7._o 3._o all_o the_o righteous_a upward_o to_o adam_n live_v by_o faith_n p._n 8._o 4._o it_o be_v great_a insolence_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o term_n and_o phrase_n by_o which_o the_o principle_n of_o scripture_n be_v set_v forth_o p._n 9_o essay_n ii_o of_o faith_n as_o oppose_v to_o doubt_v p._n 11._o 1._o the_o mean_v of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v inquire_v after_o ibid._n 2._o common_a definition_n and_o distinction_n of_o faith_n not_o consider_v nor_o any_o new_a definition_n offer_v ibid._n 3._o faith_n first_o oppose_v to_o doubt_v imply_v a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a which_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o just_a man_n p._n 13._o 4._o of_o the_o influence_n which_o this_o faith_n have_v upon_o action_n as_o to_o the_o render_v they_o good_a or_o evil_a p._n 14._o 5._o this_o faith_n no_o light_a persuasion_n but_o the_o effect_n of_o serious_a enquiry_n and_o deliberation_n ib._n 6._o it_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o a_o good_a life_n p._n 16._o essay_n iii_o of_o faith_n as_o oppose_v to_o atheism_n and_o how_o a_o belief_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v necessary_a to_o determine_v the_o certain_a rule_n of_o moral_a action_n p._n 17._o 1._o faith_n be_v a_o belief_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n ibid._n 2._o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o belief_n for_o know_v the_o first_o and_o great_a rule_n of_o moral_a action_n ibid._n 3._o righteousness_n according_a to_o scripture_n be_v to_o act_v with_o a_o continual_a regard_n to_o god_n p._n 18._o 4._o these_o divine_n be_v very_o censurable_a who_o recommend_v morality_n upon_o other_o principle_n more_o and_o often_o than_o this_o p._n 19_o essay_n iu._n the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v most_o evident_a p._n 21._o 1._o it_o do_v not_o require_v learning_n or_o great_a travel_n to_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n p._n 22._o 2._o some_o truth_n more_o obvious_a than_o mathematical_a demonstration_n and_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v more_o evident_a than_o the_o proposition_n of_o euclid_n p._n 23._o 3._o whether_o there_o be_v real_a atheist_n the_o cause_n of_o atheism_n consider_v p._n 24._o first_o cause_n of_o atheism_n viciousness_n p._n 25._o a_o second_o cause_n of_o atheism_n the_o be_v rebute_v by_o difficulty_n ibid._n a_o three_o cause_n of_o atheism_n want_v of_o consideration_n p._n 26._o essay_n v._n evidence_n of_o a_o deity_n in_o man_n p._n 27._o 1._o the_o outward_a figure_n of_o man_n body_n consider_v ibid._n 2._o the_o inward_a frame_n p._n 28._o 3._o life_n and_o sense_n with_o the_o organ_n of_o they_o ibid._n 4._o the_o internal_a and_o intellectual_a faculty_n p._n 32._o 5._o the_o method_n of_o nourish_v the_o body_n p._n 33._o 6._o the_o manner_n of_o its_o generation_n p._n 34._o 7._o of_o the_o useful_a dependence_n of_o some_o outward_a member_n upon_o our_o will_n and_o how_o ready_o they_o answer_v our_o thought_n p._n 38._o essay_n vi._n evidence_n of_o a_o deity_n in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 37._o 1._o all_o other_o thing_n as_o well_o as_o man_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o man_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n have_v one_o author_n or_o cause_n ibid._n 2._o contrivance_n and_o design_n in_o in_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o celestial_a orb_n p._n 38._o 3._o in_o vegetable_n and_o animal_n p._n 39_o 4._o locust_n and_o caterpillar_n consider_v p._n 40._o 5._o the_o disorder_n and_o irregularity_n occasion_v by_o man_n no_o reproach_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n p._n 41._o 6._o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o ask_v more_o evidence_n for_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n than_o what_o we_o have_v p._n 43._o 7._o god_n eternity_n obvious_a his_o omnipotency_n appear_v in_o the_o immensity_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 44._o 8._o his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n in_o the_o very_a disposal_n of_o mere_a matter_n or_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o earth_n p._n 45._o 9_o in_o the_o variety_n and_o virtue_n of_o plant_n p._n 46._o 10._o in_o the_o diversity_n of_o animal_n p._n 50._o 11._o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o convince_v they_o who_o resist_v these_o evidence_n p._n 52._o essay_n vii_o of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o atheism_n p._n 53._o 1._o two_o sort_n of_o demonstration_n a_o deity_n demonstrable_a by_o both_o of_o they_o ibid._n 2._o the_o existence_n of_o god_n prove_v by_o the_o first_o ibid._n 3._o the_o objection_n of_o atheist_n do_v strengthen_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n the_o first_o objection_n state_v p._n 54._o 4._o the_o answer_n to_o it_o p._n 55._o 5._o a_o second_o objection_n p._n 59_o 6._o the_o answer_n p._n 60._o 7_o a_o three_o objection_n p._n 62._o 8._o the_o answer_n p._n 63._o 9_o a_o four_o objection_n with_o the_o answer_n p._n 64._o 10._o a_o deity_n prove_v by_o the_o other_o kind_n of_o demonstration_n ex_fw-la absurdo_fw-la p._n 65._o the_o conclusion_n p._n 68_o a_fw-la enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n necessity_n and_o evidence_n of_o christian_a faith_n introduction_n show_v the_o occasion_n and_o design_n of_o the_o follow_a essay_n as_o certain_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v the_o fair_a appearance_n of_o any_o and_o come_v to_o we_o with_o all_o the_o mark_n of_o truth_n be_v stamp_v with_o character_n true_o divine_a and_o carry_v along_o with_o it_o authentic_a testimony_n both_o from_o heaven_n and_o earth_n so_o they_o who_o have_v the_o keep_n of_o it_o have_v for_o near_o these_o 1700_o year_n teach_v that_o faith_n be_v a_o very_a considerable_a part_n of_o it_o and_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o obtain_v all_o those_o advantage_n which_o be_v promise_v by_o it_o but_o now_o there_o be_v a_o set_a of_o man_n who_o pretend_v new_a discovery_n they_o decry_v faith_n as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v former_o magnify_v and_o turn_v the_o thing_n propose_v to_o be_v believe_v into_o ridicule_n some_o of_o they_o run_v down_o faith_n by_o expose_v the_o clergy_n who_o require_v it_o as_o ignorant_a and_o foolish_a a_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o be_v easy_o impose_v upon_o or_o who_o to_o keep_v up_o their_o trade_n study_v to_o impose_v on_o other_o amuse_v they_o with_o mysterious_a nonsense_n other_o essay_n to_o prove_v that_o faith_n be_v impossible_a where_o reason_n rule_v and_o be_v use_v and_o therefore_o that_o believe_a proceed_v from_o a_o defect_n of_o reason_n and_o consequent_o unworthy_a of_o those_o who_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v man_n that_o be_v reasonable_a creature_n a_o three_o sort_n examine_v the_o several_a point_n of_o faith_n as_o they_o be_v set_v forth_o in_o system_n and_o confession_n and_o do_v either_o dwindle_v they_o away_o into_o nothing_o or_o render_v they_o very_o absurd_a that_o be_v impossible_a or_o no_o way_n worthy_a to_o be_v believe_v this_o controversy_n be_v of_o the_o high_a importance_n all_o aught_o to_o be_v inquisitive_a into_o it_o and_o earnest_a to_o know_v on_o what_o side_n truth_n lie_v not_o to_o satisfy_v a_o idle_a curiosity_n but_o to_o discover_v the_o certain_a and_o solid_a foundation_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n on_o which_o they_o may_v build_v their_o peace_n and_o comfort_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o present_a life_n and_o joyful_a hope_n in_o reference_n to_o that_o which_o may_v be_v hereafter_o upon_o this_o account_n i_o resolve_v on_o this_o enquiry_n and_o to_o proceed_v in_o it_o with_o all_o the_o care_n that_o become_v a_o lover_n of_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o so_o very_o great_a moment_n who_o ought_v not_o to_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v bias_v by_o his_o former_a sentiment_n nor_o to_o be_v carry_v off_o by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o to_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o fondness_n for_o opinion_n mere_o because_o they_o be_v new_a or_o old_a singular_a or_o common_a my_o first_o aim_n be_v to_o satisfy_v myself_o and_o now_o i_o propose_v the_o give_v true_a information_n to_o other_o and_o for_o that_o end_n shall_v lay_v all_o thing_n candid_o before_o they_o
impose_v as_o little_a on_o they_o as_o on_o myself_o who_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o be_v deceive_v and_o i_o be_o confident_a that_o he_o who_o be_v attentive_a and_o willing_a to_o be_v inform_v shall_v receive_v plain_a and_o full_a conviction_n to_o try_v this_o matter_n i_o do_v not_o find_v it_o proper_a to_o appeal_v to_o the_o universal_a doctrine_n either_o of_o the_o present_a or_o primitive_a church_n the_o father_n may_v be_v think_v as_o partial_a and_o incompetent_a judge_n as_o the_o modern_a divine_n authority_n have_v no_o weight_n with_o the_o patron_n of_o incredulity_n they_o laugh_v at_o this_o method_n and_o judge_v it_o as_o unreasonable_a as_o if_o one_o will_v consult_v old_a bigoted_a aristotelian_o about_o the_o new_a philosophy_n i_o know_v their_o regard_n to_o the_o scripture_n be_v much_o the_o same_o as_o what_o they_o have_v to_o other_o book_n they_o read_v and_o examine_v it_o with_o the_o same_o boldness_n and_o freedom_n and_o very_o often_o with_o less_o modesty_n than_o human_a write_n because_o its_o assertion_n be_v plain_a and_o otherwise_o unanswerable_a therefore_o to_o shelter_v themselves_o and_o to_o defend_v their_o opinion_n they_o disow_v its_o authority_n and_o cry_v it_o down_o as_o a_o book_n which_o be_v not_o implicit_o to_o be_v believe_v more_o than_o other_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o some_o attack_v the_o authenticness_n and_o purity_n of_o the_o text_n other_o the_o integrity_n and_o inspiration_n of_o the_o penman_n and_o all_o of_o they_o endeavour_n one_o way_n or_o other_o to_o remove_v the_o only_a sure_a light_n we_o have_v to_o direct_v our_o course_n so_o they_o will_v reason_v we_o into_o a_o fearful_a and_o troublesome_a uncertainty_n and_o they_o make_v our_o condition_n as_o deplorable_a as_o person_n at_o sea_n in_o a_o dark_a tempestuous_a night_n without_o waggoner_n compass_n or_o pilot._n i_o intend_v not_o to_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v admirable_o well_o do_v by_o several_a both_o in_o this_o and_o former_a age_n i_o take_v this_o for_o grant_v but_o if_o this_o be_v too_o great_a a_o postulatum_fw-la it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o business_n to_o suppose_v it_o in_o the_o first_o rank_n of_o book_n which_o it_o may_v claim_v both_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o antiquity_n and_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o the_o author_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n merit_n reverence_n and_o esteem_n at_o least_o as_o much_o as_o plato_n aristotle_n seneca_n epictetus_n confutius_n of_o china_n and_o other_o ancient_n who_o sentiment_n the_o world_n be_v curious_a to_o know_v and_o which_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v employ_v to_o collect_v as_o useful_a to_o mankind_n nay_o i_o be_o willing_a at_o present_a even_o to_o pass_v this_o too_o i_o ask_v only_o which_o can_v be_v just_o deny_v a_o due_a attention_n to_o what_o be_v say_v in_o scripture_n and_o a_o impartial_a and_o unbiased_a consideration_n of_o the_o excellency_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o what_o it_o propose_v for_o then_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n will_v appear_v divine_a and_o true_a and_o worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n for_o it_o shine_v with_o evidence_n as_o the_o light_n which_o prove_v and_o manifest_v itself_o to_o every_o one_o that_o be_v not_o blind_a if_o our_o gospel_n say_v st._n paul_n be_v hide_v it_o be_v hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v etc._n etc._n the_o fine_a picture_n do_v not_o look_v well_o if_o it_o be_v not_o set_v in_o a_o proper_a light_n nor_o do_v the_o gospel_n appear_v reasonable_a when_o it_o be_v not_o due_o represent_v all_o the_o cavil_n and_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o wrong_a view_n of_o it_o represent_v it_o fair_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o agreeable_a its_o imperfection_n be_v beauty_n and_o admirable_a contrivance_n its_o foolishness_n be_v the_o high_a wisdom_n its_o seem_a absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n upon_o examination_n be_v most_o rational_a and_o perfect_o consistent_a its_o faith_n be_v conviction_n and_o demonstration_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v every_o way_n faithful_a and_o true_a and_o worthy_a to_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o perfect_a man_n as_o i_o hope_v to_o make_v appear_v by_o these_o essay_n and_o what_o be_v to_o follow_v hereafter_o which_o i_o desire_v may_v be_v read_v with_o attention_n and_o candour_n and_o according_a to_o the_o method_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v for_o divine_a truth_n be_v in_o this_o like_o the_o proposition_n of_o euclid_n there_o be_v a_o dependency_n among_o they_o the_o first_o must_v be_v receive_v before_o the_o rest_n can_v be_v admit_v but_o though_o what_o be_v prior_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n ought_v to_o be_v first_o consider_v yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o same_o be_v not_o so_o full_o comprehend_v as_o when_o what_o follow_v be_v know_v and_o understand_v thus_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v to_o be_v prove_v before_o a_o providence_n and_o yet_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o providence_n and_o such_o a_o view_n of_o it_o as_o we_o may_v have_v by_o reason_n and_o revelation_n do_v not_o only_o mighty_o confirm_v we_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n but_o also_o very_o much_o enlarge_v our_o idea_n of_o he_o what_o may_v be_v know_v by_o nature_n and_o reason_n shall_v be_v propose_v before_o the_o discovery_n of_o revelation_n and_o yet_o the_o light_n of_o revelation_n do_v give_v clear_a conviction_n of_o the_o former_a and_o do_v render_v intelligible_a what_o before_o can_v not_o indeed_o be_v deny_v but_o yet_o be_v not_o well_o understand_v nature_n and_o reason_n may_v be_v compare_v to_o the_o dawning_n of_o the_o morning_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v despise_v but_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o scripture_n resemble_v the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n when_o it_o be_v mount_v the_o horizon_n which_o be_v full_a and_o sufficient_a for_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o our_o present_a state_n we_o shall_v have_v begin_v at_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o so_o spare_v our_o labour_n in_o prove_v a_o deity_n and_o providence_n if_o the_o present_a growth_n of_o atheism_n have_v not_o make_v it_o necessary_a to_o establish_v these_o first_o it_o be_v true_a these_o subject_n have_v of_o late_o be_v excellent_o well-handled_n to_o which_o we_o may_v have_v refer_v but_o that_o will_v have_v be_v to_o build_v upon_o another_o man_n foundation_n all_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o these_o subject_n be_v of_o great_a importance_n and_o therefore_o what_o we_o offer_v about_o they_o aught_o to_o be_v kind_o receive_v both_o by_o those_o who_o doubt_v and_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o the_o one_o may_v be_v confirm_v and_o the_o other_o satisfy_v in_o matter_n that_o so_o near_o concern_v they_o i_o will_v not_o be_v think_v to_o despise_v some_o proof_n and_o argument_n which_o i_o have_v not_o use_v our_o essay_n will_v have_v run_v out_o into_o vast_a volume_n if_o we_o have_v amass_v all_o that_o may_v have_v be_v say_v and_o therefore_o we_o have_v only_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o either_o have_v be_v least_o consider_v by_o other_o or_o which_o may_v be_v of_o most_o common_a use_n we_o do_v not_o write_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v breed_v in_o university_n and_o therefore_o have_v purposely_o wave_v what_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v without_o metaphysical_a notion_n and_o the_o abstruse_a part_n of_o learning_n we_o have_v digest_v our_o inquiry_n about_o faith_n into_o three_o part_n of_o which_o the_o present_a essay_n make_v the_o first_o and_o we_o have_v be_v advise_v to_o publish_v they_o separately_z to_o encourage_v the_o read_n of_o they_o for_o though_o those_o who_o have_v most_o need_v of_o information_n have_v also_o general_o most_v leisure_n to_o read_v yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o they_o be_v also_o least_o willing_a to_o undertake_v the_o read_n of_o what_o require_v many_o hour_n and_o much_o attention_n bulky_a book_n fright_v they_o and_o they_o throw_v they_o by_o as_o too_o great_a interruption_n to_o their_o diversion_n for_o the_o most_o of_o their_o occupation_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o if_o such_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o read_v a_o few_o sheet_n they_o betray_v their_o aversion_n to_o these_o truth_n and_o do_v in_o vain_a pretend_v to_o excuse_v their_o infidelity_n by_o want_n of_o true_a conviction_n the_o second_o part_n be_v whole_o take_v up_o about_o providence_n which_o be_v too_o copious_a a_o subject_a to_o be_v exhaust_v by_o any_o but_o without_o the_o hazard_n of_o be_v vain_a or_o immodest_a i_o may_v say_v that_o there_o be_v at_o least_o some_o thing_n suggest_v which_o may_v both_o persuade_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o providence_n and_o