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and_o stick_v to_o it_o only_o by_o a_o spirit_n of_o faction_n or_o interest_n the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v upon_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a argument_n it_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o no_o weak_a reason_n to_o support_v it_o it_o need_v but_o appear_v naked_a and_o such_o as_o it_o come_v from_o heaven_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o difficulty_n if_o any_o one_o who_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o and_o love_v not_o truth_n but_o only_o the_o worldly_a advantage_n that_o attend_v it_o seem_v to_o be_v afraid_a for_o religion_n it_o will_v never_o want_v more_o able_a defender_n who_o will_v be_v devote_v to_o it_o out_o of_o a_o principle_n worthy_a of_o so_o holy_a a_o doctrine_n they_o will_v never_o be_v afraid_a as_o long_o as_o religion_n be_v only_o assault_v with_o reason_n and_o argument_n chap._n vii_o that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o make_v any_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n 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do_v when_o any_o objection_n be_v raise_v against_o christianity_n be_v to_o see_v whether_o that_o objection_n direct_o show_v that_o the_o proof_n thereof_o be_v false_a though_o nothing_o can_v be_v answer_v to_o that_o difficulty_n if_o those_o that_o raise_v it_o can_v reply_v to_o the_o direct_a proof_n of_o christianity_n that_o difficulty_n do_v not_o weaken_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o proof_n and_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v be_v that_o the_o objection_n be_v about_o a_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v or_o that_o the_o christian_a theology_n be_v not_o perfect_o know_v to_o we_o wherefore_o the_o incredulous_a act_n not_o wise_o when_o they_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o of_o some_o difficulty_n though_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o confute_v the_o proof_n on_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v now_o i_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n can_v destroy_v those_o proof_n
and_o if_o unbeliever_n will_v mind_v it_o they_o may_v observe_v that_o most_o of_o their_o objection_n have_v no_o relation_n to_o they_o that_o observation_n be_v of_o very_o great_a moment_n when_o the_o question_n be_v about_o some_o fact_n which_o happen_v many_o century_n ago_o and_o be_v attest_v by_o some_o historian_n who_o knowledge_n and_o sincerity_n have_v be_v well_o prove_v although_o one_o may_v raise_v some_o difficulty_n with_o respect_n to_o some_o circumstance_n which_o can_v be_v now_o easy_o resolve_v yet_o if_o those_o difficulty_n destroy_v not_o the_o direct_a proof_n we_o have_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o historian_n and_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n they_o have_v of_o what_o they_o relate_v they_o ought_v not_o to_o make_v we_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n to_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o query_n which_o may_v be_v make_v about_o a_o relation_n one_o shall_v have_v be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o whatever_o it_o contain_v and_o 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be_v impossible_a to_o satisfy_v in_o few_o word_n those_o to_o who_o all_o those_o proposition_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v unknown_a because_o they_o ought_v to_o examine_v they_o one_o after_o another_o notwithstanding_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v several_a time_n that_o some_o man_n who_o have_v some_o difficulty_n about_o religion_n will_v have_v their_o objection_n present_o resolve_v without_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o what_o i_o say_v though_o that_o resolution_n necessary_o suppose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o several_a other_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o satisfy_v they_o without_o instruct_v they_o in_o those_o thing_n and_o because_o they_o grow_v present_o weary_a with_o a_o long_a discourse_n it_o be_v a_o difficult_a matter_n to_o make_v they_o sensible_a of_o their_o mistake_n though_o it_o be_v their_o fault_n if_o they_o retire_v without_o be_v well_o please_v with_o those_o to_o who_o they_o propose_v 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they_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o those_o who_o propose_v any_o difficulty_n about_o a_o article_n of_o religion_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v without_o the_o help_n of_o some_o other_o and_o be_v angry_a because_o they_o be_v not_o answer_v in_o a_o word_n some_o who_o want_v not_o wit_n and_o doubt_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o reject_v it_o because_o they_o find_v some_o difficulty_n in_o it_o do_v most_o time_n make_v a_o most_o unreasonable_a supposition_n without_o be_v sensible_a of_o it_o viz._n that_o whatever_o they_o do_v not_o distinct_o comprehend_v be_v not_o true_a as_o if_o human_a knowledge_n ought_v necessary_o to_o comprehend_v whatever_o exist_v or_o be_v do_v in_o nature_n i_o can_v easy_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n which_o our_o knowledge_n can_v attain_v to_o but_o it_o will_v suffice_v to_o observe_v here_o that_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o unbeliever_n which_o i_o mention_v just_a now_o be_v a_o mere_a supposition_n they_o be_v please_v to_o make_v because_o they_o imagine_v it_o raise_v they_o above_o what_o they_o be_v i_o maintain_v that_o this_o proposition_n can_v be_v deny_v viz._n that_o there_o may_v real_o be_v some_o thing_n the_o modus_fw-la or_o manner_n of_o which_o humane_a nature_n can_v know_v at_o present_a though_o it_o study_v for_o it_o never_o so_o much_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o i_o do_v not_o say_v there_o may_v be_v some_o thing_n contrary_a to_o our_o distinct_a notion_n which_o be_v impossible_a but_o only_o that_o it_o may_v be_v we_o have_v not_o the_o knowledge_n that_o be_v require_v or_o the_o mean_n of_o acquire_v it_o to_o know_v some_o thing_n which_o notwithstanding_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o what_o we_o certain_o know_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v that_o distinction_n because_o several_a people_n who_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o it_o confound_v thing_n that_o be_v extreme_o different_a we_o can_v believe_v what_o be_v real_o contrary_a to_o our_o clear_a notion_n but_o we_o believe_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n though_o we_o know_v not_o how_o they_o come_v to_o pass_v most_o unbeliever_n be_v common_o guilty_a of_o another_o fault_n which_o be_v less_o excusable_a than_o the_o former_a instead_o of_o be_v in_o such_o a_o disposition_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o such_o as_o seek_v after_o truth_n they_o act_n like_o man_n who_o only_o strive_v to_o get_v the_o better_a without_o inquire_v who_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o in_o the_o wrong_n they_o wrangle_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v and_o if_o those_o with_o who_o they_o dispute_v do_v it_o unsuccessful_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o take_v advantage_n of_o it_o as_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n depend_v upon_o that_o they_o will_v not_o show_v those_o who_o do_v not_o defend_v religion_n well_o what_o mistake_v they_o be_v guilty_a of_o but_o only_a labour_n to_o make_v advantage_n of_o it_o that_o they_o may_v the_o more_o easy_o triumph_v over_o they_o but_o when_o the_o question_n be_v concern_v a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n about_o which_o no_o man_n can_v deceive_v other_o without_o do_v himself_o a_o great_a prejudice_n and_o when_o truth_n be_v equal_o advantageous_a to_o every_o body_n man_n shall_v only_o labour_v to_o find_v it_o out_o and_o instead_o of_o insult_v those_o who_o can_v show_v the_o way_n to_o it_o they_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o put_v they_o in_o the_o right_a way_n the_o spirit_n of_o dispute_n be_v altogether_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n and_o a_o heathen_a philosopher_n say_v well_o 10._o well_o arist_n lib._n 1._o de_fw-la coelo_fw-la c._n 10._o that_o those_o who_o will_v right_o judge_v of_o truth_n aught_o to_o be_v arbitrator_n not_o party_n assoon_o as_o one_o have_v put_v on_o the_o character_n of_o a_o adversary_n he_o think_v no_o more_o of_o truth_n but_o of_o the_o glory_n which_o may_v be_v get_v by_o triumph_v over_o he_o who_o he_o have_v assault_v he_o be_v only_a intent_n upon_o his_o adversary_n way_n of_o reason_v to_o take_v he_o up_o upon_o all_o occasion_n but_o not_o to_o endeavour_v to_o find_v out_o a_o better_a he_o consider_v no_o long_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n as_o the_o subject_n of_o his_o enquiry_n but_o of_o his_o censure_n he_o view_v it_o on_o every_o side_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o it_o not_o to_o know_v what_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o be_v a_o ill_a disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o unbeliever_n themselves_o can_v deny_v it_o after_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o man_n who_o shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o clear_a and_o beautiful_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o only_o open_v they_o to_o see_v what_o be_v obscure_a and_o difficult_a in_o it_o that_o they_o
a_o treatise_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o incredulity_n wherein_o be_v examine_v the_o general_a motive_n and_o occasion_n which_o dispose_v unbeliever_n to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n with_o two_o letter_n contain_v a_o direct_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n translate_v fròm_v the_o french_a of_o mounseur_fw-fr le_z clerc_n london_n print_v for_o awnsham_n and_o john_n churchill_n at_o the_o black_a swan_n in_o pater-noster-row_n mdcxcvii_o the_o translator_n preface_n mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n be_v a_o person_n so_o well_o know_v to_o all_o the_o learned_a world_n that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v think_v less_o arrogant_a than_o superfluous_a for_o i_o to_o give_v any_o character_n of_o his_o capacity_n or_o his_o write_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o transgress_v either_o way_n in_o recommend_v the_o follow_a treatise_n for_o setting_z aside_o all_o personal_a consideration_n the_o subject_a of_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o justify_v my_o undertake_n the_o study_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n be_v so_o natural_a to_o man_n that_o some_o will_v make_v this_o inclination_n to_o pass_v for_o the_o only_a essential_a distinction_n of_o our_o species_n from_o all_o other_o animal_n but_o the_o study_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o high_a importance_n since_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o be_v not_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o the_o sect_n pretend_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o only_a person_n enjoy_v that_o happiness_n be_v find_v to_o be_v different_a from_o one_o another_o in_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n this_o diversity_n join_v to_o the_o great_a number_n of_o party_n that_o lay_v their_o claim_n to_o genuine_a christianity_n exclusive_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n seem_v to_o render_v the_o discovery_n of_o the_o truth_n very_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a and_o indeed_o thousand_o of_o well-meaning_a people_n have_v upon_o this_o very_a account_n give_v up_o themselves_o to_o scepticism_n and_o indifference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n or_o which_o be_v as_o bad_a be_v content_a to_o be_v implicit_o lead_v by_o their_o teacher_n now_o that_o person_n deserve_v best_a of_o the_o world_n who_o not_o only_o make_v the_o truth_n plain_a and_o intelligible_a separate_v it_o from_o all_o the_o false_a notion_n with_o which_o it_o be_v so_o mix_v and_o overrun_v sometime_o as_o to_o endanger_v the_o entire_a ruin_n thereof_o but_o who_o likewise_o establish_v such_o a_o excellent_a method_n that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v most_o certain_a he_o be_v on_o the_o right_a side_n without_o be_v oblige_v to_o undergo_v the_o endless_a labour_n of_o examine_v every_o religion_n successive_o how_o far_o our_o author_n have_v contribute_v to_o do_v mankind_n this_o desirable_a piece_n of_o service_n the_o reader_n must_v determine_v for_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o lead_v his_o judgement_n and_o though_o mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n be_v so_o modest_a as_o to_o think_v his_o own_o performance_n inferior_a to_o that_o of_o grotius_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a i_o must_v affirm_v and_o that_o with_o all_o imaginable_a impartiality_n that_o in_o my_o opinion_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n to_o be_v make_v between_o they_o for_o be_v it_o for_o nothing_o else_o but_o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n reason_n be_v obvious_a to_o man_n of_o all_o condition_n whereas_o most_o of_o the_o other_o book_n be_v not_o intelligible_a but_o to_o profound_a scholar_n as_o if_o these_o only_o have_v a_o right_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o understand_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o religion_n this_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o decide_v the_o controversy_n but_o what_o be_v more_o notwithstanding_o the_o extraordinary_a talent_n of_o grotius_n he_o be_v not_o near_o so_o great_a a_o master_n of_o the_o oriental_a language_n nor_o so_o acute_a and_o solid_a a_o philosopher_n nor_o yet_o superior_a in_o philology_n or_o history_n to_o speak_v nothing_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o writing_n after_o he_o but_o let_v mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n book_n speak_v for_o its_o author_n as_o for_o my_o version_n i_o shall_v detain_v the_o reader_n with_o any_o apology_n because_o it_o be_v not_o more_o correct_v or_o polite_a if_o it_o be_v faithful_a and_o intelligible_a which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o those_o who_o sincere_o study_v for_o truth_n and_o if_o i_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o satisfy_v they_o i_o care_v not_o much_o for_o the_o displeasure_n of_o other_o to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v some_o year_n since_o i_o first_o form_v a_o design_n of_o write_v upon_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o small_a piece_n which_o i_o publish_v at_o present_a and_o have_v my_o other_o occupation_n pure_o depend_v upon_o my_o own_o choice_n this_o have_v be_v perform_v long_o ago_o but_o be_v necessary_o engage_v in_o some_o other_o thing_n i_o be_v force_v to_o put_v it_o off_o till_o now_o at_o length_n have_v finish_v my_o latin_a write_n upon_o the_o pentateuch_n i_o happy_o become_v master_n of_o time_n enough_o to_o turn_v my_o application_n upon_o this_o subject_a i_o can_v free_o say_v that_o i_o never_o think_v of_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n without_o extreme_a satisfaction_n for_o after_o what_o manner_n soever_o i_o can_v consider_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o always_o appear_v to_o i_o ground_v upon_o the_o firm_a proof_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o perfect_o conformable_a to_o sound_v reason_n or_o to_o say_v all_o in_o one_o word_n worthy_a the_o creator_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n nor_o do_v i_o in_o my_o whole_a life_n labour_n with_o more_o ardour_n and_o delight_n than_o i_o do_v in_o compose_v this_o work_n wherein_o i_o have_v i_o think_v evident_o make_v out_o that_o unbeliever_n act_v against_o all_o good_a sense_n in_o refuse_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o if_o they_o consider_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v they_o must_v necessary_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o whether_o i_o be_o mistake_v or_o not_o that_o the_o world_n shall_v judge_n if_o this_o book_n have_v the_o good_a luck_n to_o meet_v with_o that_o reception_n in_o french_a which_z several_z other_o of_o this_o kind_n have_v have_v i_o may_v one_o time_n or_o other_o put_v it_o into_o latin_a and_o in_o my_o annotation_n upon_o it_o confirm_v all_o that_o i_o say_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a apologist_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o too_o of_o the_o most_o consider_v heathen_n as_o the_o incomparable_a grotius_n have_v do_v in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o be_o far_o indeed_o from_o equal_v my_o work_n to_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o flatter_v myself_o with_o the_o same_o success_n as_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o public_a but_o if_o man_n have_v regard_v only_o to_o the_o intention_n of_o those_o that_o write_v i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o none_o in_o the_o world_n have_v better_a than_o i_o nor_o be_v more_o convince_v of_o the_o goodness_n of_o that_o cause_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o defend_v john_n le_fw-fr clerc_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o preface_n or_o the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n pag._n 1._o part_n i._n of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o spring_n from_o the_o inward_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n of_o unbeliever_n chap._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o unjust_a to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o disposition_n a_o man_n find_v in_o himself_o p._n 9_o chap._n 2._o that_o pride_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o assent_n be_v refuse_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 27._o chap._n 3._o that_o what_o hinder_v unbeliever_n from_o yield_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o christianity_n partly_o consist_v perhaps_o in_o mere_a prejudices_fw-la which_o all_o the_o while_n may_v be_v false_a p._n 45._o chap._n 4._o that_o many_o be_v unbeliever_n only_o because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o reason_v well_o p._n 63._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o neglect_v of_o search_v into_o truth_n be_v often_o the_o cause_n of_o incredulity_n p._n 75._o chap._n 6._o that_o laziness_n keep_v many_o people_n in_o ignorance_n doubt_n and_o infidelity_n p._n 93._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o first_o part._n p._n 107._o part_n ii_o of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o occasion_n give_v unbeliever_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o entire_o to_o reject_v it_o chap._n 1._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v in_o doubt_n because_o several_a embrace_v it_o more_o out_o of_o credulity_n than_o upon_o good_a reason_n p._n 110._o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o immorality_n or_o ignorance_n of_o those_o who_o sometime_o express_v the_o
the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v distinct_o report_v the_o reason_n of_o such_o as_o defend_v it_o nor_o tell_v what_o they_o except_v against_o in_o every_o one_o of_o they_o this_o be_v what_o they_o shall_v examine_v themselves_o about_o and_o without_o which_o they_o must_v confess_v they_o do_v pronounce_v a_o hasty_a sentence_n nor_o can_v they_o without_o injustice_n refuse_v to_o examine_v once_o again_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n all_o the_o book_n that_o have_v be_v see_v and_o all_o the_o discourse_n we_o can_v hear_v upon_o this_o subject_a contain_v only_o some_o loose_a difficulty_n which_o seem_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o exact_a and_o methodical_a examination_n these_o difficulty_n can_v be_v more_o sufficient_a to_o inform_v those_o who_o will_v judge_n solid_o of_o so_o great_a a_o affair_n than_o the_o objection_n of_o one_o of_o the_o party_n be_v to_o inform_v equitable_a judge_n we_o have_v therefore_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o those_o who_o declare_v themselves_o against_o the_o christian_a religion_n after_o resolve_v out_o of_o vanity_n against_o the_o common_a sentiment_n continue_v to_o reject_v they_o by_o the_o same_o principle_n i_o confess_v they_o may_v have_v and_o that_o they_o actual_o have_v other_o motive_n for_o it_o be_v very_o rare_a that_o in_o a_o judgement_n which_o be_v make_v of_o a_o subject_a so_o full_a as_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o all_o its_o consequence_n there_o shall_v not_o enter_v motive_n of_o divers_a sort_n but_o i_o maintain_v that_o the_o particular_a one_o of_o pride_n i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o be_v find_v among_o the_o rest_n i_o will_v say_v here_o that_o the_o other_o motive_n whatever_o they_o may_v be_v be_v not_o better_a than_o this_o i_o shall_v prove_v it_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o work_n for_o it_o be_v enough_o now_o to_o show_v that_o vanity_n be_v concern_v in_o it_o another_o thing_n whereby_o it_o may_v be_v know_v what_o great_a influence_n pride_n have_v upon_o a_o judgement_n make_v of_o any_o subject_a be_v that_o after_o have_v embrace_v a_o opinion_n that_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v it_o be_v presume_v that_o this_o opinion_n unexamined_a must_v serve_v as_o a_o infallible_a rule_n to_o judge_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n mathematician_n have_v their_o axiom_n their_o definition_n and_o their_o supposition_n which_o they_o do_v not_o demonstrate_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o own_o great_a clearness_n and_o plainness_n which_o put_v they_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o doubt_n they_o have_v reason_n to_o suppose_v they_o therefore_o without_o prove_v they_o but_o to_o suppose_v most_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a not_o to_o say_v false_a thing_n and_o to_o make_v use_n of_o those_o supposition_n as_o principle_n be_v absurd_a to_o expect_v this_o method_n shall_v be_v approve_v of_o and_o to_o treat_v scornful_o those_o who_o reject_v it_o be_v so_o sensible_a a_o mark_n of_o their_o be_v govern_v by_o vanity_n that_o i_o do_v not_o know_v a_o great_a proof_n can_v be_v give_v of_o it_o the_o jew_n for_o example_n when_o the_o gospel_n begin_v to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n think_v they_o have_v a_o right_a to_o suppose_v as_o indisputable_a the_o eternal_a duration_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o observe_v it_o in_o order_n to_o become_v acceptable_a to_o god_n that_o to_o demand_v a_o proof_n of_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o gain_v their_o hatred_n the_o greek_a philosopher_n likewise_o of_o that_o time_n look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o so_o know_v and_o upon_o their_o opinion_n as_o so_o well_o establish_v that_o every_o thing_n be_v false_a in_o their_o judgement_n which_o contradict_v they_o the_o least_o in_o the_o world_n nevertheless_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o particular_a principle_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_a philosopher_n compare_v to_o christianity_n be_v not_o even_o probable_a as_o i_o can_v show_v if_o those_o i_o have_v to_o do_v with_o doubt_v of_o it_o so_o the_o jew_n those_o blind_a guide_n of_o the_o blind_a and_o the_o greek_n conceit_v of_o a_o thousand_o chimera_n conclude_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v false_a out_o of_o mere_a vanity_n those_o who_o be_v educate_v among_o christian_n be_v get_v into_o the_o same_o fancy_n shall_v take_v heed_n they_o do_v not_o commit_v the_o like_a fault_n unless_o they_o will_v be_v voluntary_o deceive_v let_v they_o examine_v then_o whither_o in_o the_o judgement_n they_o form_n of_o christianity_n they_o suppose_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v clear_a and_o incontestable_a they_o reproach_n christian_n with_o make_v supposition_n without_o proof_n let_v they_o not_o be_v guilty_a therefore_o themselves_o of_o what_o they_o object_n to_o other_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o if_o they_o go_v back_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o then_o reduce_v they_o to_o certain_a proposition_n they_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o their_o have_v build_v upon_o the_o most_o obscure_a and_o incomprehensible_a principle_n that_o ever_o be_v to_o suppose_v for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o substance_n in_o the_o world_n compound_v of_o extension_n and_o thought_n and_o which_o modify_v itself_o as_o we_o see_v the_o universe_n be_v without_o have_v any_o supreme_a intelligence_n distinct_a from_o the_o universe_n itself_o concern_v about_o it_o to_o suppose_v i_o say_v so_o strange_a a_o proposition_n without_o demonstrate_v it_o be_v certain_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o peremptory_a manner_n of_o say_v such_o obscure_a thing_n serve_v they_o for_o evidence_n or_o demonstration_n when_o i_o say_v to_o demonstrate_v i_o understand_v as_o mathematician_n do_v what_o leave_v no_o doubt_n nor_o difficulty_n behind_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o who_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o the_o demonstration_n otherwise_o they_o must_v not_o talk_v of_o demonstrate_v unless_o they_o will_v impose_v upon_o the_o weak_a by_o this_o word_n let_v the_o write_n of_o those_o be_v read_v over_o and_o over_o who_o maintain_v the_o proposition_n i_o have_v mention_v and_o ground_n themselves_o upon_o it_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o all_o religion_n which_o equal_v the_o obscure_n of_o this_o principle_n there_o be_v notwithstanding_o some_o people_n who_o utter_v it_o as_o a_o incontestable_a truth_n and_o judge_v thereby_o of_o whatever_o the_o christian_n say_v concern_v god_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o providence_n if_o these_o people_n will_v diligent_o examine_v themselves_o i_o be_o much_o deceive_v if_o they_o do_v not_o discover_v that_o one_o of_o the_o great_a reason_n which_o bring_v they_o to_o think_v this_o a_o clear_a principle_n be_v their_o value_v themselves_o upon_o defend_v a_o opinion_n remote_a from_o vulgar_a notion_n and_o of_o admit_v rather_o the_o most_o obscure_a thing_n imaginable_a than_o they_o shall_v mix_v again_o with_o the_o crowd_n from_o which_o they_o endeavour_v hereby_o to_o distinguish_v themselves_o as_o credulity_n and_o superstition_n add_v to_o their_o object_n as_o it_o be_v a_o false_a light_n which_o serve_v they_o instead_o of_o evidence_n so_o pride_n make_v a_o geometrical_a principle_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o itself_o unintelligible_a there_o be_v other_o person_n to_o who_o this_o dogmatical_a and_o peremptory_a air_n be_v so_o displease_v that_o they_o equal_o condemn_v such_o as_o stick_v to_o the_o vulgar_a opinion_n and_o those_o who_o forsake_v what_o be_v common_o receive_v endeavour_v to_o establish_v new_a principle_n they_o think_v that_o see_v there_o be_v difficulty_n every_o where_o and_o those_o sometime_o insurmountable_a the_o sure_a way_n be_v to_o affirm_v nothing_o and_o to_o reject_v all_o without_o establish_v any_o thing_n i_o will_v not_o undertake_v to_o confute_v this_o principle_n here_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o although_o this_o way_n seem_v very_o different_a from_o that_o whereof_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v it_o be_v probable_a nevertheless_o that_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o like_a disposition_n of_o mind_n it_o be_v not_o much_o less_o agreeable_a to_o humane_a pride_n to_o consider_v itself_o secure_v from_o popular_a error_n by_o doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n than_o by_o establish_v principle_n contrary_a to_o those_o that_o be_v common_o receive_v some_o look_n upon_o other_o man_n as_o the_o sport_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o the_o prey_n to_o speak_v so_o of_o a_o thousand_o chimaera_n whilst_o under_o the_o shelter_n of_o doubt_n they_o think_v themselves_o safe_a from_o the_o danger_n of_o error_n it_o may_v be_v say_v nevertheless_o by_o some_o man_n that_o not_o pride_n but_o the_o mere_a impossibility_n of_o discover_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v a_o very_a mortify_a thing_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o doubt_n i_o will_v say_v that_o
their_o own_o opinion_n and_o not_o upon_o those_o who_o design_n only_o to_o defend_v the_o christian_a religion_n none_o can_v without_o injustice_n impute_v to_o its_o founder_n all_o that_o have_v be_v since_o build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n they_o first_o lay_v as_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v appear_v more_o at_o large_a in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o work_n the_o three_o proposition_n concern_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o revelation_n its_o perpetual_a subsistence_n and_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o its_o expression_n do_v suppose_v that_o the_o design_n of_o god_n be_v to_o teach_v man_n his_o will_n mathematical_o which_o be_v a_o supposition_n contrary_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o mankind_n a_o state_n of_o liberty_n wherein_o law_n and_o not_o demonstration_n be_v propose_v to_o they_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v appoint_v reward_n and_o punishment_n he_o can_v not_o lead_v man_n to_o virtue_n nor_o avert_v they_o from_o vice_n otherwise_o than_o by_o law_n whereof_o the_o sense_n can_v not_o be_v more_o clear_a and_o yet_o the_o justice_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o be_v never_o mathematical_o demonstrate_v if_o all_o mankind_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o revelation_n and_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o by_o mathematical_a proof_n no_o body_n than_o can_v resist_v it_o there_o can_v be_v consequent_o no_o punishment_n for_o the_o guilty_a because_o none_o will_v be_v guilty_a nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o more_o reward_n for_o what_o recompense_n can_v a_o man_n expect_v for_o assent_v to_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n it_o will_v be_v demand_v perhaps_o why_o god_n shall_v govern_v man_n after_o this_o manner_n and_o not_o mathematical_o as_o some_o unbeliever_n will_v have_v he_o but_o i_o be_o not_o bind_v to_o account_v for_o god_n bounty_n which_o he_o diversify_v as_o he_o please_v for_o reason_n unknown_a to_o we_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o prove_v he_o can_v be_v accuse_v of_o injustice_n and_o this_o i_o be_o persuade_v i_o can_v perfect_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v short_a the_o divine_a law_n be_v proportionated_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n whatever_o they_o may_v say_v who_o have_v not_o study_v they_o as_o they_o ought_v it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a truth_n agree_v upon_o by_o all_o christian_a divine_n that_o god_n do_v not_o damn_v any_o person_n bare_o for_o violate_v his_o law_n but_o for_o not_o leave_v his_o ill_a habit_n that_o be_v the_o man_n be_v own_o fault_n i_o shall_v insist_v no_o long_o upon_o this_o lest_o i_o digress_v too_o far_o from_o the_o subject_a i_o treat_v of_o in_o this_o chapter_n what_o i_o conclude_v from_o all_o i_o have_v say_v be_v that_o unbeliever_n do_v frequent_o take_v ill-grounded_a prejudices_fw-la for_o clear_a principle_n from_o which_o they_o hasty_o judge_v of_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n i_o have_v allege_v plain_a example_n of_o it_o and_o can_v have_v bring_v several_a more_o but_o those_o cite_v by_o i_o may_v suffice_v to_o make_v a_o reasonable_a man_n take_v care_n of_o pass_v such_o precipitant_a conclusion_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o require_v in_o this_o place_n and_o which_o the_o most_o incredulous_a man_n living_n can_v without_o extreme_a folly_n refuse_v i_o now_o i_o be_o persuade_v if_o unbeliever_n will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o look_v back_o upon_o the_o first_o proposition_n which_o they_o build_v upon_o that_o they_o shall_v perceive_v a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n pass_v for_o axiom_n and_o then_o they_o will_v quick_o acknowledge_v how_o little_a solidity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o their_o other_o principle_n chap._n iu._n that_o many_o be_v unbeliever_n because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o reason_v right_o in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n i_o suppose_v that_o unbeliever_n do_v not_o reason_n well_o and_o that_o without_o perceive_v it_o they_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v by_o their_o passion_n or_o prejudices_fw-la but_o i_o do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n suppose_v that_o they_o may_v be_v reclaim_v by_o argument_n when_o they_o be_v show_v that_o they_o follow_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a sense_n but_o there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o kind_n of_o unbeliever_n and_o some_o of_o they_o those_o i_o mean_v who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o chapter_n be_v unbeliever_n upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o because_o they_o can_v reason_v well_o as_o i_o shall_v present_o demonstrate_v but_o we_o must_v remark_n before_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n consist_v in_o doctrine_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o prove_v both_o these_o we_o must_v make_v long_o reason_n and_o allege_v many_o proof_n depend_v upon_o one_o another_o thus_o to_o perceive_v the_o force_n of_o those_o reason_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o must_v be_v capable_a not_o only_o of_o understand_v every_o proposition_n or_o every_o argument_n by_o itself_o but_o likewise_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o discussion_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v by_o examine_v the_o connection_n of_o the_o reason_n and_o the_o relation_n which_o a_o great_a number_n of_o idea_n have_v towards_o one_o another_o but_o there_o be_v a_o world_n of_o people_n who_o entertain_v a_o good_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o and_o be_v not_o capable_a nevertheless_o of_o this_o examination_n nor_o to_o consider_v distinct_o so_o great_a a_o collection_n of_o such_o compound_v and_o perplex_v idea_n i_o shall_v be_v immediate_o tell_v no_o doubt_n that_o if_o this_o be_v so_o i_o do_v but_o lose_v my_o time_n in_o reason_v with_o they_o since_o i_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a to_o know_v the_o solidity_n of_o a_o argument_n yet_o two_o thing_n oblige_v i_o to_o do_v it_o whereof_o the_o first_o and_o principal_n be_v that_o what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v upon_o this_o subject_n may_v contribute_v to_o keep_v those_o who_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n from_o be_v seduce_v by_o the_o example_n of_o this_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n a_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n who_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n true_a know_v not_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o so_o perfect_o and_o be_v not_o so_o much_o confirm_v in_o their_o belief_n but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v tempt_v by_o the_o example_n of_o those_o unbeliever_n who_o reason_n little_a they_o be_v of_o all_o quality_n and_o condition_n and_o the_o haughty_a air_n whereby_o they_o reject_v revelation_n be_v not_o sometime_o less_o dangerous_a that_o the_o most_o specious_a sophistry_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o may_v happen_v that_o such_o as_o be_v not_o master_n of_o the_o true_a method_n of_o reason_v may_v notwithstanding_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o leave_v their_o ignorance_n and_o of_o make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o their_o understanding_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a to_o convince_v this_o sort_n of_o people_n that_o they_o be_v only_a unbeliever_n because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o govern_v their_o thought_n but_o i_o grant_v that_o those_o who_o be_v grow_v old_a in_o this_o kind_n of_o ignorance_n and_o who_o presumption_n be_v increase_v by_o their_o age_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n incurable_a go_v to_o work_v with_o they_o how_o you_o will_v especial_o if_o any_o immorality_n be_v join_v to_o this_o want_n of_o judgement_n which_o never_o fail_v scarce_o to_o happen_v nor_o be_v it_o for_o such_o that_o we_o write_v as_o book_n of_o physic_n be_v not_o write_v about_o incurable_a disease_n to_o be_v persuade_v ourselves_o that_o there_o be_v in_o effect_n some_o people_n who_o for_o want_n of_o know_v how_o to_o reason_n refuse_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o gospel_n we_o need_v only_o reflect_v a_o little_a upon_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o upon_o what_o we_o know_v of_o many_o unbeliever_n which_o live_v among_o christian_n such_o as_o undertake_v to_o convert_v the_o indian_n and_o the_o other_o idolater_n of_o asia_n america_n and_o africa_n after_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o learn_v their_o language_n be_v force_v to_o take_v much_o more_o when_o they_o will_v by_o reason_v persuade_v they_o of_o the_o falsity_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o monk_n may_v long_o enough_o make_v all_o imaginable_a effort_n to_o become_v intelligible_a to_o those_o ignorant_a people_n and_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o their_o idolatry_n and_o the_o opinion_n whereupon_o it_o be_v build_v but_o although_o this_o thing_n be_v so_o plain_a yet_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o they_o who_o can_v be_v make_v to_o understand_v it_o and_o few_o that_o conceive_v the_o reason_n upon_o which_o christianity_n be_v ground_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o i_o speak_v here_o of_o the_o mean_n which_o the_o missionary_n have_v choose_v
like_a manner_n people_n who_o desire_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v indulge_v those_o desire_n without_o call_v into_o question_n all_o the_o while_n the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o second_o place_n the_o manner_n of_o most_o christian_n be_v contrary_a to_o their_o persuasion_n not_o that_o they_o perceive_v not_o this_o opposition_n well_o enough_o and_o condemn_v it_o too_o when_o they_o think_v of_o it_o but_o the_o method_n of_o live_v general_o receive_v and_o that_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o their_o passion_n carry_v it_o over_o the_o judgement_n they_o make_v of_o themselves_o in_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o we_o may_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o by_o the_o example_n already_o allege_v and_o by_o thousand_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n in_o short_a it_o can_v be_v hence_o conclude_v that_o we_o must_v judge_n of_o religion_n according_a to_o our_o inclination_n nor_o that_o we_o may_v accommodate_v it_o rather_o to_o our_o manner_n of_o live_v than_o continue_v to_o believe_v what_o we_o do_v not_o obey_v who_o will_v maintain_v that_o a_o prince_n will_v do_v better_o in_o change_v the_o law_n according_a to_o his_o present_a passion_n than_o to_o let_v they_o subsist_v and_o break_v they_o every_o hour_n no_o body_n for_o if_o he_o observe_v not_o the_o law_n as_o he_o shall_v he_o leave_v they_o their_o authority_n however_o with_o respect_n to_o his_o subject_n and_o such_o other_o prince_n as_o be_v willing_a to_o observe_v they_o which_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o society_n what_o disorder_n will_v it_o cause_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n if_o a_o adulterous_a prince_n lest_o he_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o contemn_v their_o authority_n will_v abrogate_v all_o those_o law_n prohibit_v adultery_n 31._o herodot_n l._n 3._o c._n 31._o it_o be_v say_v that_o cambyses_n the_o son_n of_o cyrus_n be_v in_o love_n with_o his_o sister_n and_o desirous_a of_o marry_v she_o inquire_v of_o the_o royal_a judge_n who_o be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o the_o law_n among_o the_o persian_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o a_o brother_n to_o have_v his_o sister_n to_o wife_n they_o answer_v he_o that_o there_o be_v no_o law_n which_o permit_v it_o but_o that_o there_o be_v another_o law_n that_o permit_v the_o king_n of_o persia_n to_o do_v whatever_o they_o please_v upon_o this_o answer_n cambyses_n marry_v his_o sister_n and_o the_o persian_n have_v not_o from_o that_o time_n scruple_v to_o imitate_v their_o king_n in_o this_o practice_n it_o have_v questionless_a be_v less_o criminal_a and_o much_o less_o hurtful_a to_o the_o society_n if_o cambyses_n have_v marry_v his_o sister_n without_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o and_o not_o endeavour_v to_o cover_v his_o incest_n by_o authority_n of_o law_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v then_o which_o carriage_n be_v most_o dangerous_a and_o unblamable_a that_o of_o such_o as_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v divine_a or_o that_o of_o the_o incredulous_a who_o reject_v the_o divinity_n of_o these_o law_n because_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o obey_v they_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o latter_a be_v much_o worse_a than_o the_o former_a suppose_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v beneficial_a to_o society_n which_o can_v be_v doubt_v as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n so_o whatever_o be_v the_o conduct_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n unbeliever_n can_v however_o excuse_v themselves_o because_o other_o do_v not_o act_v coherent_o see_v they_o neglect_v to_o understand_v what_o import_v they_o most_o to_o know_v the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n be_v doubtless_o in_o the_o wrong_n herein_o and_o they_o deny_v it_o not_o themselves_o but_o the_o incredulous_a be_v much_o more_o to_o blame_v than_o they_o if_o the_o latter_a will_v examine_v themselves_o they_o may_v discover_v perhaps_o some_o other_o source_n of_o this_o negligence_n in_o their_o own_o person_n and_o it_o be_v that_o general_o they_o be_v not_o very_o solicitous_a about_o know_v the_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v some_o people_n so_o much_o take_v up_o with_o the_o present_a and_o have_v so_o good_a a_o opinion_n of_o themselves_o that_o they_o shut_v their_o eye_n and_o ear_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o discourse_n or_o example_n which_o may_v convince_v they_o that_o they_o have_v reason_n not_o to_o be_v well_o satisfy_v with_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n although_o they_o seem_v sometime_o to_o love_v the_o truth_n yet_o if_o it_o be_v well_o remark_v it_o will_v appear_v that_o they_o love_v nothing_o but_o their_o passion_n and_o be_v careful_a only_a how_o to_o indulge_v these_o for_o they_o receive_v no_o more_o of_o the_o truth_n but_o what_o be_v not_o incompatible_a with_o their_o desire_n thus_o prince_n and_o person_n of_o great_a quality_n can_v bear_v that_o such_o as_o be_v about_o they_o shall_v ingenuous_o acquaint_v they_o with_o what_o be_v say_v of_o they_o and_o tell_v beside_o their_o own_o thought_n of_o the_o matter_n if_o any_o be_v a_o little_a too_o sincere_a he_o be_v quick_o banish_v from_o their_o presence_n it_o be_v just_a so_o with_o many_o private_a person_n who_o take_v none_o for_o their_o friend_n but_o such_o as_o flatter_v they_o and_o help_v to_o keep_v they_o up_o in_o the_o good_a opinion_n they_o have_v conceive_v of_o themselves_o prince_n and_o private_a man_n do_v equal_o drive_v out_o of_o their_o mind_n all_o thought_n that_o may_v trouble_v their_o repose_n and_o hinder_v they_o from_o quiet_o enjoy_v what_o they_o love_v they_o can_v say_v therefore_o that_o they_o be_v such_o mighty_a lover_n of_o truth_n who_o care_n for_o know_v no_o more_o of_o it_o than_o what_o be_v please_v to_o they_o and_o it_o may_v probable_o happen_v that_o many_o unbeliever_n deal_v after_o this_o manner_n with_o religion_n neglect_v to_o understand_v what_o may_v convince_v they_o out_o of_o a_o secret_a averseness_n they_o have_v of_o search_v into_o such_o truth_n as_o they_o can_v discover_v without_o extreme_o disquiet_v themselves_o so_o s._n paul_n reason_v before_o felix_n of_o justice_n 24.25_o act_n 24.25_o temperance_n and_o future_a judgement_n this_o tremble_a governor_n be_v quick_o weary_a of_o hear_v he_o and_o put_v he_o off_o till_o another_o time_n have_v s._n paul_n entertain_v he_o with_o some_o other_o discourse_n he_o will_v have_v hear_v he_o it_o may_v be_v as_o long_o as_o he_o please_v but_o the_o virtue_n whereof_o this_o apostle_n begin_v to_o speak_v to_o he_o be_v too_o opposite_a to_o his_o manner_n to_o obtain_v a_o long_a audience_n from_o he_o it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o this_o disposition_n be_v entire_o against_o all_o good_a sense_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v equal_o blame_v flattery_n and_o flatterer_n it_o be_v general_o agree_v upon_o likewise_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o remote_a from_o wisdom_n than_o wilful_o to_o continue_v ignorant_a of_o what_o be_v disadvantageous_a to_o we_o for_o without_o know_v it_o we_o can_v never_o bring_v a_o remedy_n against_o it_o and_o our_o ignorance_n about_o it_o change_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o contribute_v not_o seldom_o to_o render_v our_o condition_n worse_o the_o incredulous_a therefore_o ought_v to_o look_v to_o it_o and_o not_o fear_v to_o hazard_v their_o repose_n in_o the_o search_n of_o disquiet_v truth_n they_o ought_v to_o beware_v of_o that_o ill_n regulate_v self-love_n which_o flatter_v our_o present_a passion_n and_o avoid_v every_o thing_n that_o may_v mix_v some_o bitterness_n with_o the_o sweetness_n we_o taste_v in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o they_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o their_o negligence_n of_o inform_v themselves_o about_o the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n proceed_v in_o great_a part_n from_o this_o dangerous_a disposition_n and_o they_o will_v agree_v to_o it_o no_o doubt_n be_v they_o capable_a of_o examine_v themselves_o do_v we_o see_v unbeliever_n use_v much_o application_n in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n without_o omit_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o their_o thorough_a information_n and_o yet_o not_o quit_v their_o infidelity_n we_o shall_v perhaps_o be_v tempt_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o right_n see_v they_o do_v not_o conclude_v but_o after_o a_o long_a and_o requisite_a discussion_n but_o we_o see_v not_o one_o of_o they_o so_o dispose_v and_o they_o be_v all_o content_v with_o a_o very_a superficial_a knowledge_n of_o religion_n without_o endeavour_v to_o penetrate_v into_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o which_o give_v we_o occasion_n to_o confirm_v ourselves_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o be_v persuade_v that_o their_o infidelity_n proceed_v as_o i_o have_v prove_v from_o their_o neglect_n of_o due_a instruction_n chap._n vi_o
the_o want_n of_o a_o little_a quiet_a whereof_o they_o deprive_v themselves_o for_o some_o small_a time_n but_o methinks_v a_o short_a term_n of_o carelessness_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v of_o so_o great_a value_n with_o a_o man_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o make_v he_o quit_v it_o be_v there_o any_o in_o the_o world_n who_o can_v live_v in_o this_o eternal_a indifference_n for_o all_o that_o require_v application_n if_o any_o leave_v this_o laziness_n for_o other_o thing_n what_o reason_n can_v he_o bring_v for_o not_o quit_v it_o in_o order_n to_o discover_v his_o own_o state_n as_o to_o religion_n if_o indeed_o after_o take_v much_o pain_n to_o no_o purpose_n a_o man_n can_v not_o enjoy_v his_o former_a quiet_n he_o may_v plead_v very_o plausible_o in_o defence_n of_o this_o carriage_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a after_o fatigue_v himself_o a_o little_a his_o repose_n be_v but_o the_o more_o pleasant_a and_o so_o the_o lazy_a shall_v by_o this_o principle_n at_o least_o be_v at_o the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v religion_n but_o now_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v certain_o true_a as_o we_o maintain_v a_o more_o deplorable_a state_n can_v not_o well_o be_v conceive_v in_o this_o life_n than_o that_o of_o the_o lazy_a gentleman_n we_o have_v describe_v for_o what_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o lamentable_a than_o to_o precipitate_v one_o self_n into_o eternal_a misery_n rather_o than_o take_v the_o pain_n of_o learning_n the_o mean_n to_o avoid_v it_o that_o man_n can_v not_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o lazy_a person_n who_o will_v not_o rise_v at_o night_n for_o fear_n of_o break_v his_o repose_n though_o the_o house_n be_v on_o fire_n no_o he_o will_v be_v take_v for_o a_o fool_n or_o a_o madman_n we_o see_v by_o these_o example_n very_o clear_o how_o unreasonable_a that_o spiritual_a laziness_n be_v which_o keep_v man_n from_o examine_v religion_n we_o perceive_v the_o dangerous_a consequence_n of_o it_o or_o at_o least_o the_o misery_n that_o may_v proceed_v from_o it_o nevertheless_o there_o have_v be_v former_o man_n of_o this_o character_n and_o there_o be_v now_o even_o among_o christian_n such_o be_v those_o jew_n of_o thessalonica_n 17.4_o act_n 17.4_o whereof_o very_a few_o be_v the_o better_a for_o s._n paul_n preach_v because_o they_o will_v not_o examine_v what_o he_o say_v and_o whereof_o the_o most_o part_n very_o zealous_a in_o all_o other_o thing_n raise_v a_o commotion_n in_o the_o town_n against_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o s._n luke_n this_o appear_v by_o the_o opposition_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o same_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o berea_n another_o city_n of_o macedonia_n to_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n these_o say_v the_o historian_n be_v more_o noble_a than_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n in_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o all_o readiness_n of_o mind_n and_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o therefore_o many_o of_o they_o believe_v if_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n have_v love_n enough_o for_o the_o truth_n to_o do_v as_o much_o they_o will_v not_o have_v be_v less_o ready_a to_o receive_v their_o reason_n who_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o '_o they_o but_o the_o laziness_n that_o detain_v they_o in_o judaisme_n join_v to_o their_o other_o passion_n keep_v they_o from_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o consequent_o they_o acknowledge_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o present_a jew_n who_o live_v among_o the_o christian_n and_o perhaps_o a_o part_n of_o the_o mahometan_n may_v neglect_v the_o examen_fw-la of_o christianity_n out_o of_o divers_a principle_n such_o as_o those_o we_o have_v describe_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n but_o i_o be_o very_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o they_o mix_v with_o they_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o that_o laziness_n we_o be_v treat_v of_o in_o this_o chapter_n they_o be_v out_o of_o love_n with_o all_o meditation_n and_o discussion_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v a_o better_a proof_n of_o it_o than_o that_o they_o vouchsafe_v not_o even_o to_o examine_v why_o they_o give_v credit_n to_o judaisme_n or_o mahometanism_n be_v altogether_o busy_a about_o sensible_a object_n and_o the_o care_n of_o life_n they_o can_v without_o reluctancy_n think_v serious_o and_o attentive_o of_o any_o other_o subject_a they_o may_v be_v compare_v to_o people_n extreme_o weary_a after_o walk_v a_o great_a way_n on_o foot_n but_o desire_v to_o take_v a_o long_o walk_v to_o refresh_v and_o divert_v themselves_o they_o will_v not_o hearken_v be_v sure_a to_o such_o a_o proposition_n but_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o the_o pleasure_n of_o repose_n they_o will_v think_v of_o no_o other_o thing_n except_o quiet_o enjoy_v their_o rest_n thus_o such_o as_o be_v busy_a about_o the_o affair_n of_o life_n and_o fatigue_v with_o the_o perpetual_a care_n they_o occasion_n be_v lazy_a as_o to_o all_o other_o thing_n christianity_n be_v at_o this_o time_n divide_v into_o several_a sect_n whereof_o some_o must_v necessary_o be_v in_o a_o error_n may_v we_o not_o therefore_o place_n in_o the_o number_n of_o the_o lazy_a those_o person_n who_o full_a of_o all_o other_o thing_n but_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n have_v never_o careful_o examine_v which_o of_o these_o sect_n be_v most_o conformable_a to_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o own_o that_o divers_a other_o motive_n may_v lead_v they_o to_o remain_v without_o know_v why_o themselves_o in_o that_o party_n wherein_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v bear_v and_o to_o condemn_v all_o other_o without_o vouchsafe_v to_o examine_v their_o tenet_n but_o if_o you_o remark_n it_o well_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o one_o of_o the_o principle_n which_o occasion_n this_o conduct_n be_v a_o certain_a lazy_a aversion_n to_o the_o trouble_v of_o search_v after_o the_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o may_v proceed_v yet_o further_o see_v there_o be_v people_n who_o condemn_v not_o only_o their_o native_a religion_n without_o have_v ever_o sufficient_o study_v it_o but_o likewise_o all_o other_o religion_n though_o still_o less_o know_v to_o they_o because_o first_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o they_o have_v discover_v some_o falsity_n therein_o they_o conclude_v next_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o so_o can_v never_o resolve_v upon_o serious_o or_o thorough_o examine_v the_o truth_n after_o have_v find_v out_o as_o they_o think_v that_o the_o able_a man_n they_o know_v teach_v a_o false_a doctrine_n for_o a_o gospel-truth_n they_o judge_v by_o this_o sample_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o own_o country_n as_o well_o as_o of_o all_o other_o and_o that_o laziness_n which_o keep_v they_o as_o it_o be_v enchant_v make_v they_o think_v it_o more_o convenient_a to_o condemn_v all_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n than_o to_o engage_v in_o a_o solicitous_a enquiry_n after_o the_o true_a principle_n of_o christianity_n i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o danger_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o laziness_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o person_n who_o disagree_v to_o it_o but_o when_o they_o will_v actual_o get_v quit_v of_o this_o passion_n they_o find_v themselves_o so_o much_o prejudice_v in_o favour_n of_o it_o that_o they_o have_v need_n of_o their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o be_v cure_v or_o to_o form_v a_o opposite_a habit._n beside_o all_o i_o have_v hitherto_o say_v we_o ought_v to_o reflect_v upon_o the_o pleasure_n of_o be_v in_o a_o contrary_a disposition_n to_o this_o idle_a temper_n which_o be_v not_o only_o infinite_o more_o satisfactory_a but_o likewise_o much_o more_o reasonable_a and_o it_o may_v happen_v that_o the_o love_n of_o truth_n will_v be_v prefer_v to_o a_o shameful_a quiet_n worthy_a of_o beast_n then_o men._n let_v we_o imagine_v now_o such_o a_o lazy_a person_n as_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o and_o let_v we_o compare_v his_o condition_n to_o that_o of_o a_o man_n who_o mind_n be_v accustom_a to_o enquiry_n find_v no_o repose_n except_v in_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n the_o first_o have_v perceive_v some_o false_a doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v he_o as_o a_o true_a one_o for_o we_o may_v grant_v this_o to_o several_a of_o the_o lazy_a unbeliever_n he_o reject_v this_o doctrine_n and_o whatever_o else_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v true_a concern_v religion_n without_o consider_v that_o important_a truth_n may_v be_v mix_v with_o falsehood_n in_o the_o theology_n of_o his_o country_n or_o that_o there_o may_v be_v people_n perhaps_o elsewhere_o exempt_v from_o those_o error_n that_o be_v teach_v he_o or_o final_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o christianity_n may_v have_v be_v misunderstand_v common_a sense_n will_v teach_v a_o man_n to_o suspend_v his_o judgement_n at_o least_o till_o he_o have_v examine_v these_o three_o
head_n but_o for_o this_o there_o be_v more_o caution_n and_o moderation_n requisite_a than_o unbeliever_n common_o have_v who_o look_v upon_o such_o a_o examen_fw-la to_o be_v impossible_a choose_v rather_o to_o deny_v all_o at_o once_o this_o be_v just_a as_o if_o any_o reader_n because_o he_o have_v discover_v by_o chance_n a_o error_n in_o some_o historian_n will_v immediate_o conclude_v without_o read_v any_o further_a that_o the_o whole_a be_v pure_a romance_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o a_o true_a history_n notwithstanding_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o hasty_a judgement_n unbeliever_n seem_v to_o live_v in_o as_o profound_a a_o tranquillity_n as_o a_o man_n can_v do_v who_o know_v by_o mathematical_a demonstration_n that_o all_o religion_n be_v false_a they_o appear_v to_o have_v so_o great_a a_o indifference_n for_o truth_n in_o this_o respect_n as_o if_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o to_o know_v it_o they_o be_v ready_a while_o in_o this_o disposition_n to_o do_v whatever_o may_v render_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o life_n more_o please_v nor_o will_v they_o hear_v a_o word_n of_o examine_v and_o they_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o those_o pleasure_n as_o far_o as_o they_o judge_v it_o possible_a without_o do_v they_o any_o harm_n it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o this_o opinion_n open_v a_o door_n to_o numberless_a secret_a crime_n and_o give_v encouragement_n in_o public_a to_o all_o that_o can_v be_v practise_v with_o safety_n i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o it_o that_o such_o people_n be_v bad_a friend_n bad_a subject_n or_o bad_a citizen_n because_o they_o sacrifice_v every_o thing_n to_o their_o pleasure_n i_o shall_v only_o remark_n that_o be_v no_o way_n certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n or_o that_o god_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v of_o any_o religion_n they_o can_v enjoy_v no_o other_o quiet_n but_o what_o must_v be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o most_o notorious_a folly_n imaginable_a they_o be_v according_a to_o their_o own_o judgement_n every_o moment_n in_o a_o condition_n of_o part_v for_o ever_o with_o what_o they_o love_v and_o which_o to_o acquire_v or_o preserve_v have_v frequent_o occasion_v they_o infinite_a trouble_n this_o loss_n may_v happen_v by_o a_o thousand_o unforeseen_a accident_n and_o at_o last_o it_o be_v sure_a to_o come_v unavoidable_o by_o death_n beyond_o which_o they_o expect_v nothing_o nevertheless_o they_o live_v secure_o they_o behave_v themselves_o much_o worse_o than_o a_o man_n will_v do_v who_o be_v serious_o tell_v that_o he_o be_v condemn_v to_o death_n but_o that_o there_o be_v mean_n of_o escape_v it_o if_o he_o will_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o know_v they_o and_o yet_o will_v think_v of_o nothing_o but_o divert_v himself_o without_o vouchsafe_v to_o give_v attention_n to_o what_o be_v say_v to_o he_o though_o with_o the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v his_o life_n in_o case_n those_o adviser_n who_o he_o will_v not_o believe_v speak_v truth_n if_o what_o christianity_n tell_v we_o be_v indeed_o true_a there_o be_v pain_n infinite_o surpass_v death_n to_o be_v fear_v by_o such_o as_o reject_v it_o and_o yet_o unbeliever_n who_o have_v no_o certainty_n that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a rest_v secure_o in_o their_o infidelity_n and_o lazine_n without_o inform_v themselves_o any_o further_a in_o good_a truth_n such_o as_o live_v in_o this_o disposition_n and_o who_o imagine_v themselves_o exalt_v above_o the_o vulgar_a be_v not_o in_o this_o respect_n much_o elevate_v above_o the_o brute_n which_o be_v only_o concern_v about_o the_o present_a now_o on_o the_o contrary_a let_v we_o suppose_v a_o man_n who_o have_v well_o study_v the_o principle_n of_o true_a christianity_n satisfy_v in_o himself_o with_o the_o truth_n he_o have_v discover_v he_o observe_v the_o precept_n they_o enjoin_v he_o with_o all_o tranquillity_n in_o this_o life_n and_o after_o death_n he_o expect_v the_o reward_n of_o his_o faith_n with_o a_o contentment_n of_o mind_n that_o can_v be_v equal_v the_o most_o refine_a reason_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n wherein_o man_n must_v necessary_o live_v with_o one_o another_o require_v nothing_o of_o he_o but_o he_o obey_v it_o without_o hesitate_v and_o whatever_o befall_v he_o he_o look_v upon_o death_n only_o as_o a_o passage_n to_o a_o much_o better_a life_n than_o this_o i_o dare_v affirm_v something_o beyond_o all_o this_o and_o it_o be_v that_o suppose_v this_o man_n deceive_v yet_o his_o condition_n will_v be_v infinite_o more_o desirable_a than_o that_o of_o such_o as_o refuse_v to_o examine_v religion_n reject_v it_o nevertheless_o with_o the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v themselves_o for_o ever_o and_o be_v withal_o in_o a_o perpetual_a fear_n if_o not_o quite_o bewitch_v with_o their_o incredulity_n and_o laziness_n of_o lose_v for_o ever_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o it_o be_v therefore_o infinite_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o sure_a both_o for_o this_o and_o the_o other_o life_n if_o there_o be_v one_o to_o search_v after_o truth_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o proof_n of_o religion_n than_o to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o most_o extravagant_a carelessness_n imaginable_a this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o desire_v shall_v be_v grant_v i_o here_o and_o that_o can_v be_v deny_v i_o by_o any_o without_o act_v against_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o common_a sense_n those_o who_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v careful_o to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o see_v whether_o this_o laziness_n i_o have_v describe_v be_v not_o at_o least_o in_o some_o part_n the_o cause_n of_o their_o incredulity_n this_o examination_n be_v of_o the_o utmost_a importance_n there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v lose_v by_o make_v of_o it_o and_o you_o risk_v all_o by_o neglect_v it_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o first_o part._n i_o have_v describe_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n those_o disposition_n and_o motive_n contrary_a to_o reason_n which_o may_v bring_v unbeliever_n to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n although_o i_o have_v consider_v these_o different_a disposition_n one_o after_o another_o and_o have_v distinguish_v they_o by_o particular_a character_n i_o be_o not_o of_o opinion_n however_o that_o they_o act_n separately_z upon_o any_o or_o that_o there_o be_v unbeliever_n who_o may_v be_v reproach_v only_o with_o one_o of_o these_o fault_n there_o be_v not_o any_o questionless_a that_o be_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n guilty_a of_o several_a of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v more_o culpable_a in_o one_o than_o in_o another_o immorality_n make_v one_o a_o infidel_n in_o another_o it_o be_v pride_n that_o chief_o oppose_v itself_o to_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n you_o see_v some_o blind_v by_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o they_o take_v for_o undoubted_a maxim_n there_o be_v other_o who_o do_v not_o reason_n well_o or_o neglect_v inform_v themselves_o of_o what_o they_o shall_v learn_v or_o who_o laziness_n keep_v from_o enter_v upon_o a_o discussion_n which_o to_o they_o appear_v too_o tedious_a and_o painful_a and_o perhaps_o there_o be_v those_o in_o who_o all_o these_o fault_n may_v meet_v in_o some_o degree_n though_o but_o one_o of_o they_o may_v be_v their_o predominant_a passion_n there_o be_v likewise_o infinite_a variety_n in_o man_n genius_n and_o understanding_n with_o respect_n to_o their_o good_a or_o bad_a quality_n and_o their_o different_a conjunction_n do_v we_o meet_v with_o unbeliever_n who_o can_v say_v that_o they_o renounce_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o follow_v the_o most_o conformable_a principle_n to_o sound_a reason_n and_o to_o live_v in_o a_o more_o regular_a manner_n or_o more_o useful_a to_o society_n and_o can_v we_o meet_v with_o any_o of_o they_o exempt_v from_o the_o fault_n i_o have_v describe_v it_o may_v then_o be_v just_o say_v that_o my_o enumeration_n of_o the_o internal_a motive_n of_o incredulity_n be_v not_o sufficient_a but_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o unbeliever_n in_o who_o several_a of_o these_o defect_n be_v not_o remarkable_a and_o i_o take_v their_o own_o conscience_n to_o witness_v they_o be_v herein_o to_o do_v justice_n to_o themselves_o for_o such_o as_o exhort_v they_o as_o i_o do_v get_v nothing_o by_o it_o but_o only_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o perform_v their_o duty_n nor_o can_v the_o unbeliever_n lose_v any_o thing_n by_o examine_v if_o they_o be_v not_o in_o some_o of_o those_o condition_n by_o i_o describe_v if_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o own_v themselves_o in_o the_o wrong_n what_o risk_a can_v they_o run_v by_o reform_v and_o if_o after_o a_o serious_a discussion_n they_o find_v i_o deceive_v they_o will_v have_v reason_n to_o be_v more_o satisfy_v with_o their_o own_o conduct_n the_o time_n they_o shall_v lay_v out_o
upon_o this_o disquisition_n can_v be_v count_v lose_v or_o vain_o spend_v see_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n be_v the_o most_o important_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n must_v at_o all_o time_n necessary_o produce_v joy_n satisfaction_n and_o tranquillity_n or_o augment_v they_o if_o enjoy_v already_o the_o second_o part._n of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o occasion_n give_v unbeliever_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o entire_o to_o reject_v it_o chap._n i._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v in_o question_n because_o some_o embrace_v it_o more_o from_o credulity_n than_o reason_n although_o as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v there_o be_v no_o unbeliever_n but_o be_v in_o some_o unblamable_a disposition_n which_o incline_v he_o to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v however_o that_o there_o be_v many_o other_o thing_n whereof_o they_o can_v be_v accuse_v but_o which_o nevertheless_o confirm_v they_o in_o these_o disposition_n it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o be_v ill_o do_v of_o they_o to_o forsake_v the_o truth_n upon_o any_o account_n whatsoever_o but_o they_o be_v not_o much_o less_o to_o be_v blame_v who_o furnish_v they_o with_o the_o occasion_n of_o do_v so_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o show_v the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o in_o this_o second_o part_n where_o grant_v to_o unbeliever_n that_o many_o of_o they_o who_o profess_v christianity_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n in_o several_a thing_n i_o shall_v demonstrate_v that_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a and_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o attribute_v to_o the_o first_o teacher_n of_o it_o those_o fault_n which_o we_o remark_n at_o this_o day_n in_o some_o of_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o their_o disciple_n the_o occasion_n which_o the_o latter_a give_v unbeliever_n to_o conceive_v a_o ill_a opinion_n of_o religion_n proceed_v either_o from_o the_o person_n or_o from_o the_o thing_n themselves_o i_o shall_v forthwith_o examine_v those_o which_o the_o person_n give_v and_o afterward_o such_o as_o proceed_v from_o thing_n one_o of_o the_o most_o general_a and_o common_a scandal_n which_o occasion_n the_o obstinacy_n of_o unbeliever_n be_v that_o they_o see_v a_o world_n of_o people_n who_o be_v christian_n not_o from_o reason_n and_o understanding_n but_o from_o their_o education_n and_o out_o of_o mere_a credulity_n if_o these_o have_v be_v bear_v in_o asia_n they_o will_v without_o change_v their_o disposition_n be_v idolater_n or_o mahometan_n and_o as_o zealous_o embrace_v the_o idle_a dream_n of_o the_o brahmin_n or_o the_o error_n of_o mahomet_n as_o they_o believe_v in_o europe_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v true_a they_o receive_v fable_n that_o be_v manifest_o ridiculous_a with_o no_o less_o respect_n than_o the_o most_o certain_a history_n and_o they_o believe_v not_o less_o the_o most_o pernicious_a doctrine_n and_o the_o most_o contrary_a to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n than_o the_o holy_a and_o most_o useful_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o object_n lay_v open_a by_o the_o teacher_n of_o religion_n to_o their_o understanding_n which_o determine_v these_o to_o believe_v they_o true_a or_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o with_o respect_n but_o it_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o speak_v to_o they_o well_o or_o ill-grounded_a and_o a_o certain_a credulity_n careful_o cherish_v in_o their_o mind_n because_o of_o the_o advantage_n draw_v by_o some_o from_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n deceive_v by_o a_o faint_a resemblance_n they_o call_v their_o credulity_n by_o the_o name_n of_o faith_n and_o maintain_v that_o those_o want_v it_o who_o believe_v not_o as_o they_o do_v all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o by_o their_o preacher_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o have_v not_o such_o a_o disposition_n as_o the_o gospel_n require_v of_o man_n see_v it_o promise_v salvation_n only_o to_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n if_o any_o person_n reason_n about_o religion_n and_o say_v that_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v know_v nor_o prove_v without_o reason_v present_o these_o people_n who_o neither_o know_v the_o proof_n nor_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o but_o very_o confuse_o be_v sure_a to_o suspect_v he_o of_o irreligion_n especial_o if_o he_o forsake_v any_o of_o the_o common_a sentiment_n the_o falsity_n whereof_o he_o may_v have_v discover_v by_o his_o application_n and_o study_n these_o people_n so_o much_o persuade_v if_o you_o believe_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n can_v believe_v many_o time_n that_o a_o man_n who_o know_v how_o to_o reason_v well_o shall_v embrace_v it_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o they_o be_v alarm_v at_o the_o least_o examination_n of_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o hear_v these_o discourse_n and_o behold_v this_o conduct_n so_o visible_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n laugh_v at_o this_o pretend_a faith_n and_o draw_v from_o it_o this_o unhappy_a consequence_n that_o the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v receive_v so_o credulous_o be_v either_o false_a or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v extreme_o suspect_v thus_o the_o heathen_n former_o hear_v the_o christian_n say_v that_o they_o need_v only_o to_o believe_v in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v and_o not_o understand_v what_o this_o mean_v 6._o mean_v origen_n count_v cell_n l._n 1_o &_o 6._o laugh_v in_o like_a manner_n at_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o if_o none_o can_v receive_v it_o but_o credulous_a person_n and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o reason_v and_o indeed_o if_o it_o have_v for_o a_o main_a principle_n this_o doctrine_n that_o people_n must_v embrace_v it_o without_o know_v why_o and_o that_o such_o as_o shall_v thus_o believe_v it_o shall_v be_v save_v if_o they_o have_v maintain_v this_o i_o 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the_o same_o thing_n to_o a_o divine_a there_o be_v no_o wrangle_a shift_n nor_o chichanery_n that_o he_o have_v not_o recourse_n to_o rather_o than_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n and_o his_o pretend_a learning_n contribute_v often_o to_o render_v the_o clear_a truth_n obscure_a to_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n if_o you_o will_v represent_v to_o he_o the_o example_n of_o one_o among_o the_o vulgar_a who_o have_v be_v convince_v by_o your_o reason_n he_o will_v treat_v he_o immediate_o as_o a_o ignorant_a or_o fickle_a fellow_n although_o he_o have_v much_o more_o sense_n and_o integrity_n than_o himself_o this_o be_v what_o jesus_n christ_n remark_v when_o he_o say_v i_o thank_v thou_o o_o father_n 12.25_o mat._n 12.25_o because_o thou_o have_v hide_v these_o thing_n from_o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a and_o have_v reveal_v they_o unto_o babe_n but_o some_o will_v press_v upon_o i_o hard_o it_o may_v be_v and_o ask_v what_o i_o think_v of_o that_o great_a number_n of_o people_n who_o 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the_o mahometans_n the_o jew_n and_o some_o of_o the_o christian_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o true_a christianity_n give_v it_o no_o approbation_n so_o that_o if_o the_o falsity_n of_o these_o religion_n or_o sect_n may_v be_v hence_o conclude_v yet_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o we_o can_v reason_v against_o christianity_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n i_o have_v already_o show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n that_o it_o require_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o blind_a obedience_n from_o such_o as_o embrace_v it_o and_o that_o it_o express_o condemn_v the_o furious_a zeal_n which_o flow_v from_o this_o spring_n one_o of_o christ_n apostle_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o zeal_n for_o god_n 1.14_o rom._n 10.2_o gal._n 1.14_o add_v that_o it_o be_v without_o knowledge_n and_o blame_v it_o exceed_o another_o say_v to_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v 3.14_o jam._n 3.14_o if_o you_o have_v bitter_a zeal_n and_o strife_n in_o your_o heart_n glory_v not_o and_o lie_v not_o 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yet_o worse_a be_v that_o most_o of_o those_o sect_n mutual_o condemn_v one_o another_o each_o of_o they_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n for_o such_o as_o embrace_v not_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v i_o need_v not_o enter_v upon_o particular_n or_o bring_v distinct_a proof_n of_o these_o division_n and_o anathemas_n for_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n but_o too_o well_o know_v to_o all_o the_o world_n from_o hence_o unbeliever_n take_v a_o occasion_n of_o say_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v like_o all_o other_o and_o that_o if_o it_o have_v come_v from_o heaven_n as_o it_o be_v say_v to_o do_v christian_n will_v be_v better_o agree_v than_o they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o same_o god_n say_v they_o who_o give_v it_o to_o man_n will_v take_v care_n to_o prevent_v those_o division_n that_o extreme_o lessen_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o apple_n of_o discord_n which_o no_o soon_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n 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may_v pretend_v to_o some_o force_n they_o can_v say_v that_o this_o promise_v not_o be_v perform_v it_o be_v a_o sign_n it_o do_v not_o proceed_v from_o god_n but_o matter_n be_v quite_o contrary_a jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n consider_v the_o disposition_n of_o man_n and_o foresee_v likewise_o future_a event_n have_v clear_o prophesy_v of_o the_o division_n that_o shall_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n suppose_v you_o say_v jesus_n christ_n that_o i_o be_o come_v to_o give_v peace_n on_o earth_n 12.51_o luke_n 12.51_o i_o tell_v you_o nay_o but_o rather_o division_n for_o from_o henceforth_o there_o shall_v be_v five_o in_o one_o house_n divide_v three_o against_o two_o and_o two_o against_o three_o etc._n etc._n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n among_o you_o 11.19_o 1_o cor._n 11.19_o say_v st._n paul_n that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v also_o make_v manifest_a among_o you_o here_o be_v express_v word_n signify_v that_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n 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one_o towards_o another_o every_o one_o know_v this_o christ_n however_o know_v so_o perfect_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n that_o he_o see_v very_o well_o the_o new_a command_n of_o love_v one_o another_o which_o he_o leave_v his_o disciple_n shall_v not_o be_v well_o obey_v and_o that_o his_o doctrine_n as_o peaceable_a as_o it_o be_v will_v frequent_o serve_v for_o a_o pretence_n to_o the_o passion_n of_o man_n in_o occasion_v infinite_a broil_n so_o that_o if_o his_o design_n be_v to_o be_v explain_v by_o the_o event_n it_o may_v be_v certain_o say_v he_o come_v to_o bring_v division_n on_o the_o earth_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o those_o word_n i_o cite_v a_o little_a above_o but_o what_o some_o will_v say_v do_v it_o not_o seem_v a_o thing_n become_v god_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n and_o for_o the_o good_a of_o man_n to_o prevent_v its_o produce_v any_o disorder_n not_o even_o by_o accident_n no_o sure_o god_n ought_v not_o to_o intervene_v by_o the_o extraordinary_a 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order_n to_o join_v it_o those_o who_o love_v the_o truth_n and_o keep_v to_o it_o out_o of_o choice_n and_o knowledge_n will_v be_v confound_v with_o those_o who_o shall_v embrace_v it_o without_o know_v why_o and_o who_o be_v as_o ready_a to_o embrace_v a_o error_n be_v they_o teach_v it_o the_o constant_a profession_n of_o the_o truth_n can_v not_o expect_v any_o reward_n since_o it_o will_v not_o be_v in_o any_o one_o power_n to_o forsake_v it_o in_o a_o word_n it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a to_o propose_v any_o law_n at_o all_o to_o man_n since_o it_o can_v not_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o violate_v they_o for_o god_n according_a to_o our_o adversary_n supposition_n will_v prevent_v this_o by_o his_o omnipotency_n but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o a_o wise_a legislator_n who_o foresee_v that_o his_o law_n may_v be_v ill_o understand_v or_o cause_n division_n shall_v he_o express_v they_o obscure_o will_v take_v care_n to_o use_v very_o clear_a expression_n and_o that_o god_n who_o foresee_v all_o thing_n aught_o by_o consequence_n to_o express_v his_o will_n in_o so_o clear_a a_o manner_n as_o to_o prevent_v all_o the_o dispute_n which_o we_o see_v now_o among_o christian_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o god_n have_v express_v himself_o plain_o enough_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n especial_o about_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v hope_v and_o do_v to_o obtain_v salvation_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o dispute_n about_o necessary_n if_o man_n do_v content_v themselves_o with_o the_o scripture-notion_n what_o make_v division_n spring_v among_o christian_n be_v the_o addition_n and_o ill-drawn_a consequence_n and_o not_o the_o text_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n such_o as_o look_v in_o it_o only_o for_o the_o truth_n they_o easy_o find_v this_o and_o be_v never_o deceive_v about_o any_o thing_n essential_a but_o those_o who_o will_v find_v therein_o what_o vain_a subtlety_n and_o humane_a interest_n or_o passion_n have_v add_v to_o it_o be_v apt_a i_o confess_v to_o be_v deceive_v every_o moment_n in_o a_o word_n to_o all_o sincere_a person_n who_o love_v the_o truth_n preferable_o to_o every_o other_o thing_n the_o gospel_n be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n and_o can_v occasion_v any_o considerable_a dispute_n but_o to_o man_n govern_v by_o their_o passion_n and_o conceit_v of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la the_o most_o evident_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v obscure_a there_o be_v no_o law_n so_o clear_a but_o a_o wrangler_n may_v raise_v a_o thousand_o difficulty_n about_o it_o and_o if_o a_o legislator_n shall_v not_o pass_v for_o a_o wise_a man_n except_o he_o express_o prevent_v all_o possible_a difficulty_n and_o mark_v all_o the_o case_n wherein_o ill-disposed_a person_n will_v abuse_v his_o law_n there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o legislator_n to_o who_o any_o wisdom_n can_v be_v attribute_v none_o ever_o undertake_v to_o perform_v such_o a_o thing_n because_o than_o they_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o write_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o volume_n to_o which_o something_o new_a must_v be_v add_v every_o moment_n since_o there_o may_v happen_v infinite_a case_n every_o day_n therefore_o if_o god_n have_v design_v to_o prevent_v all_o those_o controversy_n already_o move_v or_o that_o shall_v hereafter_o arise_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o revelation_n and_o reject_v by_o name_n all_o possible_a error_n he_o must_v have_v make_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o volume_n that_o to_o use_v st._n john_n expression_n the_o world_n can_v not_o contain_v they_o and_o their_o multitude_n will_v render_v they_o useless_a for_o proof_n that_o the_o clear_a law_n and_o the_o most_o proper_a to_o prevent_v all_o sort_n of_o disorder_n become_v obscure_a to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o dispose_v to_o observe_v they_o we_o need_v only_o call_v to_o mind_n what_o be_v already_o say_v of_o the_o charity_n to_o be_v use_v towards_o those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o error_n about_o any_o article_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o speak_v more_o clear_o or_o effectual_o upon_o this_o head_n than_o the_o apostle_n have_v do_v and_o nevertheless_o the_o most_o part_n of_o christian_n practise_v at_o this_o time_n what_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v say_v just_o the_o contrary_n thus_o they_o dispute_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o revelation_n rather_o because_o they_o be_v blind_v by_o prejudices_fw-la and_o willing_a to_o dispute_v than_o because_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o obscure_a with_o regard_n to_o necessary_a doctrine_n and_o god_n be_v not_o oblige_v by_o any_o mean_n to_o condemn_v express_o all_o possible_a error_n to_o prevent_v dispute_n as_o i_o have_v now_o show_v the_o division_n that_o be_v among_o christians_n shall_v not_o hinder_v the_o incredulous_a
system_n of_o divinity_n which_o raise_v great_a difficulty_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o read_v or_o hear_v talk_v of_o they_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o man_n of_o sagacity_n and_o penetration_n propose_v some_o doubt_n to_o divine_n nay_o according_a to_o the_o supposition_n of_o every_o christian_a society_n viz._n that_o all_o other_o err_v in_o something_o it_o can_v be_v wonder_v at_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o unbeliever_n offer_v some_o objection_n to_o divine_n which_o they_o can_v resolve_v according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n or_o which_o they_o resolve_v by_o contradict_v themselves_o divine_n upbraid_v one_o another_o with_o it_o let_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n not_o altogether_o ignorant_a observe_v in_o the_o society_n in_o which_o he_o be_v bear_v that_o the_o manner_n after_o which_o some_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v explain_v be_v subject_a to_o great_a difficulty_n or_o be_v altogether_o false_a let_v we_o 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better_a it_o be_v know_v when_o man_n know_v nothing_o better_o about_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n and_o have_v not_o penetration_n and_o learning_n enough_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n of_o themselves_o they_o can_v hardly_o forbear_v doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n because_o they_o present_o suspect_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o divinity_n which_o they_o have_v not_o examine_v be_v not_o better_o and_o observe_v that_o the_o same_o doctrine_n whereof_o they_o have_v find_v out_o the_o falsity_n be_v account_v as_o essential_a as_o other_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v again_o that_o a_o man_n take_v up_o with_o other_o business_n and_o who_o have_v no_o time_n to_o spare_v for_o such_o a_o examination_n as_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o come_v to_o read_v book_n of_o controversy_n write_v by_o ingenious_a man_n of_o both_o side_n he_o will_v often_o perceive_v that_o both_o party_n attack_v very_o well_o and_o defend_v themselves_o ill_a that_o man_n will_v conclude_v from_o thence_o and_o often_o with_o reason_n that_o both_o party_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n the_o more_o he_o hear_v they_o one_o after_o another_o the_o more_o he_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o and_o at_o last_o he_o will_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a because_o he_o have_v not_o part_n enough_o to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n if_o we_o add_v that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o external_a and_o internal_a motive_n which_o make_v he_o incline_v to_o unbelief_n as_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o that_o man_n will_v get_v into_o a_o scepticism_n almost_o incurable_a or_o into_o a_o formal_a unbelief_n out_o of_o which_o he_o will_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o extricate_v himself_o what_o i_o have_v propose_v as_o supposition_n be_v real_o to_o be_v find_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o people_n in_o italy_n france_n spain_n and_o germany_n for_o i_o must_v tell_v it_o and_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o conceal_v that_o i_o do_v follow_v the_o particular_a opinion_n which_o prevail_v in_o those_o place_n there_o be_v i_o say_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n in_o the_o same_o case_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v they_o see_v some_o opinion_n manifest_o false_a establish_v in_o those_o vast_a country_n by_o a_o public_a authority_n if_o they_o offer_v any_o objection_n they_o be_v pitiful_o resolve_v and_o than_o if_o they_o dare_v reply_v any_o thing_n they_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o censure_n and_o threaten_n not_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v send_v to_o the_o inquisition_n and_o burn_v if_o they_o grow_v obstinate_a nevertheless_o divine_v maintain_v those_o doctrine_n though_o evident_o false_a with_o great_a heat_n they_o make_v use_v of_o all_o their_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o prove_v they_o many_o layman_n who_o want_v not_o penetration_n but_o know_v no_o better_o think_v that_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o because_o they_o distinct_o apprehend_v the_o falsity_n of_o what_o be_v say_v they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o religion_n be_v not_o true_a other_o add_v to_o their_o meditation_n the_o read_n of_o some_o controversial_a book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n and_o protestant_n author_n and_o they_o see_v that_o the_o latter_a altogether_o destroy_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o right_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v false_a and_o the_o utmost_a endeavour_n of_o their_o teacher_n can_v free_v they_o from_o that_o opinion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o often_o find_v some_o book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n author_n who_o attack_z well_o enough_o some_o particular_a opinion_n of_o certain_a protestant_n and_o those_o protestant_n be_v as_o unlucky_a in_o defend_v their_o own_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v successful_a in_o assault_v those_o of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n they_o also_o think_v that_o those_o protestant_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o because_o their_o examination_n reach_v not_o to_o all_o the_o sect_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o confound_v they_o one_o with_o another_o and_o condemn_v they_o alike_o so_o that_o at_o last_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v no_o where_o beside_o other_o motive_n which_o may_v confirm_v they_o in_o those_o thought_n and_o which_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v they_o see_v two_o thing_n which_o affect_v they_o so_o much_o that_o they_o retain_v their_o opinion_n for_o ever_o if_o no_o better_a book_n come_v into_o their_o hand_n or_o if_o no_o body_n free_v they_o from_o the_o doubt_n they_o be_v in_o the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o divine_n to_o maintain_v those_o doctrine_n those_o who_o assert_v they_o with_o heat_n and_o declaim_v with_o the_o great_a violence_n against_o other_o christian_a society_n be_v prefer_v and_o get_v the_o most_o considerable_a dignity_n of_o the_o party_n they_o be_v in_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o any_o one_o seem_v to_o be_v modest_a and_o think_v himself_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o be_v moderate_a towards_o those_o who_o be_v call_v heretic_n or_o heterodox_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o much_o favour_v if_o he_o be_v not_o exclude_v for_o ever_o from_o all_o sort_n of_o employment_n and_o ruin_v not_o himself_o in_o some_o place_n that_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v altogether_o undo_v and_o almost_o every_o where_n if_o any_o intimate_v that_o he_o approve_v not_o all_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o party_n he_o be_v in_o though_o he_o do_v it_o never_o so_o modest_o they_o show_v he_o no_o pity_n he_o must_v suffer_v whatever_o hatred_n and_o cruelty_n can_v do_v when_o they_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n the_o second_o thing_n that_o confirm_v unbeliever_n in_o their_o disposition_n be_v that_o divine_n will_v be_v judge_n and_o party_n in_o controvert_v doctrine_n against_o the_o clear_a principle_n of_o equity_n though_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o favour_v one_o of_o the_o party_n though_o their_o decision_n be_v never_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o unsatisfactory_a they_o must_v be_v submit_v to_o because_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o good_a and_o solid_a nay_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v the_o book_n of_o their_o adversary_n ought-not_a to_o be_v read_v or_o those_o who_o read_v they_o aught_o to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n of_o not_o approve_v their_o argument_n otherwise_o they_o must_v undergo_v the_o condemnation_n of_o their_o party_n unbeliever_n who_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o several_a particular_a doctrine_n and_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n and_o by_o unjust_a and_o violent_a mean_n conclude_v that_o divine_n and_o consequent_o all_o christian_n be_v factious_a people_n and_o enemy_n to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o other_o
religion_n which_o be_v see_v in_o the_o world_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o these_o be_v most_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la against_o some_o christian_a society_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o show_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o involve_v all_o christianity_n in_o general_n first_o unbeliever_n can_v suppose_v without_o examination_n as_o they_o do_v on_o this_o occasion_n that_o the_o notion_n man_n have_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o their_o country_n or_o that_o of_o some_o divine_n who_o they_o have_v read_v be_v real_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o its_o founder_n some_o alteration_n may_v have_v by_o degree_n creep_v into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o they_o know_v and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o body_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o contrary_a without_o go_v to_o the_o source_n to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o stream_n which_o be_v say_v to_o flow_v from_o it_o that_o be_v without_o read_v the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o compare_v their_o doctrine_n with_o that_o which_o be_v now_o pretend_a to_o be_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o founder_n of_o christianity_n this_o unbeliever_n be_v necessary_o oblige_v to_o do_v before_o they_o affirm_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v false_a else_o they_o will_v imitate_v corrupt_a judge_n who_o vouchsafe_v not_o to_o examine_v the_o instrument_n of_o a_o suit_n in_o law_n but_o give_v their_o sentence_n at_o the_o first_o report_n of_o it_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o if_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o the_o abovementioned_a place_n will_v undertake_v that_o examination_n they_o will_v present_o see_v that_o most_o of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o dislike_v be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatever_o christian_n think_v now_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o they_o the_o same_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v observe_v 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blame_v for_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o boast_v of_o their_o eloquence_n but_o see_v they_o say_v quite_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v a_o great_a piece_n of_o injustice_n to_o condemn_v they_o as_o impostor_n upon_o the_o assertion_n of_o those_o who_o ascribe_v to_o they_o what_o they_o never_o have_v nor_o pretend_v to_o have_v the_o true_a character_n of_o the_o apostle_n style_v to_o say_v so_o by_o the_o by_o be_v this_o first_o it_o be_v simple_a and_o plain_a such_o as_o be_v the_o style_n of_o those_o who_o propose_v some_o thing_n of_o which_o they_o be_v full_o persuade_v second_o it_o be_v a_o style_n without_o any_o ornament_n of_o rhetoric_n whether_o it_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o word_n or_o the_o disposition_n if_o a_o thousand_o sublime_a stroke_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o it_o they_o come_v from_o the_o thing_n they_o say_v which_o be_v very_o sublime_a not_o from_o the_o word_n or_o order_n three_o we_o must_v add_v to_o it_o that_o providence_n undoubted_o watch_v over_o their_o manner_n of_o writing_n that_o they_o shall_v always_o say_v truth_n and_o lest_o if_o they_o have_v express_v themselves_o ill_o they_o shall_v be_v misunderstand_v by_o their_o reader_n but_o this_o be_v not_o a_o fit_a place_n to_o treat_v of_o that_o subject_a i_o only_o make_v those_o remark_n to_o hinder_v unbeliever_n from_o take_v advantage_n at_o the_o ill_a rhetoric_n of_o some_o defender_n of_o christianity_n who_o contradict_v the_o apostle_n without_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o it_o be_v manifest_a in_o general_n that_o the_o defect_n of_o those_o who_o defend_v truth_n ought_v not_o to_o prejudice_v it_o and_o i_o declare_v as_o to_o myself_o that_o i_o do_v desire_n at_o all_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o any_o thing_n but_o when_o it_o have_v be_v examine_v and_o compare_v with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o that_o any_o of_o my_o thought_n shall_v be_v ascribe_v to_o they_o but_o when_o they_o have_v be_v find_v in_o their_o work_n if_o i_o have_v be_v mistake_v in_o any_o thing_n i_o desire_v those_o mistake_v may_v be_v ascribe_v to_o i_o and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o the_o religion_n i_o vindicate_v there_o be_v no_o need_n i_o shall_v say_v here_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v no_o temporal_a interest_n to_o move_v they_o to_o preach_v such_o a_o doctrine_n i_o have_v already_o say_v so_o elsewhere_o and_o i_o will_v prove_v it_o more_o at_o large_a in_o my_o first_o letter_n at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o discourse_n i_o will_v not_o repent_v neither_o that_o they_o pretend_v not_o their_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v receive_v with_o any_o examination_n because_o i_o have_v prove_v it_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o this_o second_o part._n so_o that_o if_o self-interest_n and_o ambition_n be_v often_o the_o reason_n why_o divine_n maintain_v now_o some_o opinion_n and_o after_o a_o manner_n unbecoming_a christianity_n it_o be_v their_o fault_n not_o the_o apostle_n who_o can_v be_v charge_v with_o no_o such_o thing_n after_o those_o general_a observation_n i_o must_v set_v down_o some_o particular_a example_n of_o false_a doctrine_n which_o hinder_v unbeliever_n from_o believe_v the_o gospel_n it_o be_v but_o too_o true_a that_o one_o may_v write_v large_a volume_n about_o that_o matter_n but_o i_o shall_v be_v content_v to_o allege_v three_o or_o four_o example_n of_o doctrine_n which_o offend_v unbeliever_n and_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v some_o people_n now_o who_o pretend_v that_o we_o ought_v scarce_o to_o make_v use_n of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o maintain_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v its_o divinity_n without_o know_v why_o that_o when_o the_o question_n be_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o revelation_n or_o the_o book_n which_o contain_v it_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o reason_n neither_o to_o discover_v it_o and_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v even_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o contrary_a to_o reason_n rather_o than_o forsake_v the_o literal_a sense_n they_o be_v so_o full_a of_o this_o thought_n viz._n that_o reason_n may_v overthrow_v all_o divinity_n if_o those_o who_o apply_v themselves_o to_o it_o be_v allow_v to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o and_o if_o they_o see_v any_o body_n who_o reason_n better_a than_o ordinary_a divine_n do_v or_o have_v any_o principle_n somewhat_o different_a from_o they_o which_o he_o have_v embrace_v by_o use_v his_o reason_n they_o slander_v he_o as_o a_o dangerous_a man_n because_o he_o venture_v to_o reason_n about_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n such_o a_o character_n be_v always_o attend_v with_o hatred_n and_o stir_v ill-affected_a person_n against_o those_o who_o receive_v it_o from_o heaven_n and_o if_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o divine_a to_o live_v quiet_o with_o a_o man_n who_o endeavour_n to_o reason_n well_o and_o ground_n the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o undeniable_a principle_n other_o will_v have_v we_o humble_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o decision_n of_o those_o who_o profession_n it_o be_v public_o to_o explain_v religion_n without_o mistrust_v they_o or_o reason_v at_o all_o because_o we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o on_o they_o as_o infallible_a though_o we_o have_v no_o proof_n of_o it_o they_o think_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o most_o christian_n to_o examine_v those_o doctrine_n and_o their_o best_a way_n be_v as_o they_o say_v blind_o to_o follow_v their_o guide_n such_o discourse_n which_o be_v common_o to_o be_v hear_v from_o the_o pulpit_n and_o elsewhere_o have_v make_v long_o ago_o a_o great_a many_o unbeliever_n for_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o come_v then_o into_o one_o mind_n be_v that_o those_o who_o speak_v at_o this_o rate_n be_v not_o very_o sure_a of_o what_o they_o say_v and_o design_n to_o deceive_v other_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o though_o never_o so_o false_a and_o absurd_a but_o what_o may_v be_v maintain_v by_o the_o same_o principle_n if_o we_o be_v tell_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o our_o ordinary_a affair_n we_o will_v real_o think_v that_o those_o who_o say_v so_o design_n to_o deceive_v we_o if_o they_o will_v sell_v something_o to_o we_o and_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o we_o must_v not_o examine_v it_o we_o will_v present_o suspect_v that_o they_o design_v to_o cheat_v we_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o thing_n we_o have_v no_o other_o guide_n but_o reason_n to_o distinguish_v a_o false_a religion_n from_o a_o true_a one_o beside_o it_o be_v only_o by_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n we_o can_v find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n wherein_o we_o know_v the_o revelation_n be_v nevertheless_o those_o man_n will_v have_v we_o to_o read_v those_o book_n with_o a_o unlimited_a credulity_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v whatever_o we_o be_v tell_v though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o contrary_a to_o all_o our_o notion_n they_o be_v afraid_a as_o soon_o as_o they_o hear_v of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v only_o for_o reason_n and_o who_o insignificant_a word_n and_o a_o ill-grounded_a authority_n can_v satisfy_v unbeliever_n conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v a_o design_n upon_o they_o and_o that_o divine_v very_o well_o perceive_v that_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o will_v introduce_v can_v be_v maintain_v see_v they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v examine_v and_o because_o that_o strange_a doctrine_n be_v cry_v up_o as_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n those_o who_o have_v not_o careful_o read_v the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n fancy_n that_o they_o have_v teach_v it_o and_o involve_v they_o in_o the_o same_o suspicious_a with_o some_o modern_a divine_n when_o divine_n have_v teach_v principle_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n they_o preach_v transubstantiation_n and_o other_o such_o doctrine_n to_o credulous_a man_n which_o they_o insinuate_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o maxim_n of_o not_o reason_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o unbeliever_n fail_v not_o to_o perceive_v the_o falsity_n of_o those_o doctrine_n and_o persist_v the_o more_o in_o their_o thought_n concern_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o they_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o apostle_n teach_v we_o not_o where_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o use_v our_o reason_n to_o examine_v whether_o religion_n be_v true_a or_o not_o or_o to_o know_v the_o sense_n of_o their_o word_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o suppose_v every_o where_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o examine_v what_o they_o say_v and_o not_o believe_v it_o before_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o they_o say_v nothing_o but_o truth_n they_o also_o suppose_v that_o we_o be_v rational_a creature_n and_o able_a to_o put_v a_o good_a sense_n upon_o their_o word_n by_o observe_v all_o the_o rule_n that_o be_v make_v
to_o wish_v for_o miracle_n as_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o yet_o establish_v three_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o to_o require_v new_a miracle_n from_o god_n with_o and_o show_v of_o reason_n man_n shall_v have_v make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o the_o mean_v they_o have_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n so_o that_o after_o a_o careful_a and_o impartial_a examination_n they_o can_v not_o be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o thing_n they_o inquire_v after_o but_o must_v doubt_v still_o of_o it_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v be_v in_o a_o manner_n oblige_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o goodness_n to_o help_v man_n incredulity_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o who_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o doubt_v of_o the_o mission_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n not_o out_o of_o obstinacy_n but_o because_o the_o proof_n thereof_o be_v unknown_a to_o they_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o see_v many_o miracle_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n but_o let_v we_o suppose_v some_o man_n of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a disposition_n who_o perform_v not_o the_o duty_n which_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n teach_v we_o who_o have_v no_o love_n for_o the_o truth_n who_o be_v full_a of_o a_o thousand_o ill-grounded_a prejudices_fw-la and_o blind_v with_o unruly_a passion_n who_o have_v examine_v nothing_o but_o doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n out_o of_o a_o voluntary_a perverseness_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o inclination_n can_v such_o man_n complain_v because_o god_n work_v no_o miracle_n in_o their_o behalf_n will_v they_o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o new_a favour_n for_o have_v despise_v those_o which_o they_o have_v already_o receive_v from_o he_o if_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n will_v but_o examine_v themselves_o by_o this_o picture_n they_o may_v easy_o find_v out_o the_o answer_n we_o can_v return_v to_o they_o four_o i_o affirm_v that_o miracle_n will_v be_v of_o no_o use_n to_o such_o men._n the_o unbelieve_a jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n of_o what_o i_o say_v see_v that_o be_v not_o able_a to_o deny_v his_o miraculous_a work_n they_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o devil_n the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n will_v never_o want_v shift_n to_o bring_v into_o question_n miracle_n wrought_v in_o their_o presence_n see_v they_o have_v find_v out_o several_a to_o hinder_v we_o from_o draw_v any_o consequence_n from_o those_o of_o christ_n suppose_v they_o be_v true_a but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v speak_v in_o my_o second_o letter_n at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o discourse_n therefore_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n have_v more_o reason_n to_o work_v no_o miracle_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n than_o to_o work_v any_o and_o such_o be_v the_o method_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o see_v some_o obstinate_a man_n who_o require_v from_o he_o some_o miracle_n he_o wrought_v none_o because_o he_o see_v they_o will_v not_o make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o they_o than_o of_o other_o divine_a grace_n and_o will_v but_o thereby_o increase_v their_o gild_n the_o evangelist_n observe_v 6.5_o observe_v mat._n 13.58_o mark_v 6.5_o that_o be_v come_v to_o nazareth_n he_o do_v not_o many_o mighty_a work_n there_o because_o of_o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o town_n some_o unbelieve_a teacher_n have_v require_v of_o he_o a_o miracle_n more_o than_o once_o 16.1_o once_o mat._n 12.38_o &_o 16.1_o he_o deny_v they_o and_o refer_v they_o to_o that_o of_o his_o resurrection_n whereof_o notwithstanding_o they_o never_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v eye-witness_n wherefore_o he_o sometime_o ask_v those_o who_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v cure_v their_o disease_n whether_o they_o believe_v etc._n believe_v mat._n 9.29_o etc._n etc._n he_o can_v do_v it_o to_o teach_v they_o that_o none_o deserve_v a_o new_a grace_n but_o he_o that_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o other_o it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n to_o expect_v or_o demand_v a_o cure_n from_o he_o have_v they_o not_o certain_o know_v by_o other_o example_n or_o some_o good_a reason_n that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o those_o who_o suppose_v that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n shall_v incline_v he_o to_o deal_v otherwise_o with_o unbeliever_n suppose_v at_o once_o two_o thing_n most_o absurd_a and_o altogether_o unworthy_a of_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o reason_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n ought_v to_o have_v no_o respect_n to_o the_o use_v man_n have_v make_v of_o his_o favour_n but_o that_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v their_o unbelief_n whatever_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o may_v be_v the_o more_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o grant_v they_o new_a grace_n so_o change_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v please_v doubt_v of_o revelation_n whereby_o the_o conduct_n of_o god_n will_v depend_v upon_o the_o will_n and_o humour_n of_o men._n the_o second_o absurdity_n that_o follow_v from_o thence_o be_v that_o god_n will_v be_v oblige_v out_o of_o his_o goodness_n to_o satisfy_v as_o many_o party_n as_o there_o be_v unbeliever_n in_o the_o world_n and_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o own_o humour_n and_o method_n for_o every_o one_o of_o they_o will_v see_v some_o miracle_n and_o as_o it_o be_v put_v the_o divine_a providence_n to_o a_o trial_n without_o mind_v what_o it_o may_v have_v do_v at_o other_o time_n or_o in_o other_o place_n if_o any_o can_v brook_v those_o consequence_n which_o necessary_o follow_v from_o the_o unbeliever_n objection_n there_o be_v no_o need_n we_o shall_v long_o dispute_v with_o he_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o god_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o work_v miracle_n now_o because_o he_o wrought_v some_o former_o in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o modern_a miracle_n be_v not_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o ill_a custom_n as_o well_o as_o in_o those_o where_o they_o be_v believe_v which_o be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o incredulous_a and_o it_o be_v this_o several_a people_n who_o maintain_v some_o doctrine_n of_o no_o great_a moment_n and_o certainty_n with_o too_o great_a a_o heat_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v to_o magnify_v their_o zeal_n that_o if_o the_o opinion_n of_o their_o adversary_n be_v true_a the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v lose_v that_o one_o can_v be_v sure_a of_o nothing_o and_o such_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n their_o adversary_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o sometime_o prove_v it_o so_o clear_o that_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n can_v be_v maintain_v without_o obstinacy_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o three_o party_n and_o perform_v only_o the_o part_n of_o spectator_n of_o those_o quarrel_n conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a than_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o see_v so_o well_o confute_v and_o those_o who_o have_v exaggerated_a too_o much_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o opinion_n can_v hinder_v the_o unbeliever_n from_o draw_v such_o a_o consequence_n against_o they_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o example_n of_o that_o ill_a manner_n of_o dispute_v but_o i_o shall_v allege_v only_o one_o which_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v man_n sensible_a of_o what_o i_o say_v there_o have_v be_v many_o dispute_n in_o this_o age_n about_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o jewish_a vowel_n some_o have_v maintain_v that_o they_o be_v invent_v by_o the_o masorethe_n some_o century_n after_o christ_n other_o have_v pretend_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o they_o be_v at_o least_o as_o ancient_a as_o esdras_n and_o consequent_o ground_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o latter_a to_o stir_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a all_o christendom_n against_o their_o adversary_n exclaim_v after_o a_o tragical_a manner_n that_o this_o dispute_n be_v about_o no_o less_o a_o thing_n than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a bible_n which_o be_v destroy_v by_o those_o who_o assert_v the_o novelty_n of_o the_o vowel_n but_o ludovicus_n cappellus_n have_v show_v in_o his_o arcanum_n punctationis_fw-la and_o its_o defence_n with_o as_o much_o evidence_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o masorethe_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o vowel_n the_o most_o learned_a critic_n have_v embrace_v his_o opinion_n and_o look_v upon_o those_o who_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a as_o obstinate_a person_n the_o same_o happen_v with_o respect_n to_o another_o dispute_n which_o that_o learned_a man_n have_v concern_v the_o various_a readins_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n he_o prove_v that_o
apostle_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v inspire_v but_o i_o affirm_v again_o that_o that_o very_a thing_n will_v raise_v suspicion_n against_o they_o and_o doubt_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n before_o i_o show_v it_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v to_o say_v that_o i_o do_v blame_v art_n and_o eloquence_n as_o be_v pernicious_a and_o useless_a on_o all_o occasion_n on_o the_o contrary_a those_o that_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o it_o can_v be_v too_o much_o esteem_v that_o be_v those_o who_o use_v it_o to_o vindicate_v and_o clear_a truth_n or_o to_o lead_v man_n to_o virtue_n i_o only_o design_v to_o show_v that_o it_o fall_v out_o better_o that_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v destitute_a of_o it_o let_v we_o suppose_v again_o the_o contrary_a of_o what_o happen_v and_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o leave_v to_o posterity_n the_o life_n discourse_n and_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v man_n of_o great_a eloquence_n and_o perfect_a master_n of_o the_o art_n of_o write_v exact_o and_o methodical_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o their_o write_n as_o well_o as_o their_o discourse_n be_v compose_v with_o great_a exactness_n and_o all_o possible_a elegancy_n i_o will_v tell_v you_o the_o effect_v it_o will_v work_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n especial_o of_o those_o who_o shall_v read_v they_o now_o they_o will_v think_v that_o they_o be_v very_o ingenious_a man_n who_o learning_n and_o eloquence_n have_v move_v they_o to_o propagate_v their_o doctrine_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o get_v reputation_n by_o it_o as_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v that_o it_o be_v plato_n design_n as_o well_o as_o of_o many_o other_o philosopher_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o those_o man_n in_o order_n to_o convince_v other_o not_o only_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o moral_n by_o the_o eloquence_n of_o their_o write_n but_o also_o to_o make_v they_o observe_v so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n out_o of_o a_o more_o powerful_a motive_n 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the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a mark_n of_o its_o divinity_n will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o eloquence_n of_o its_o first_o preacher_n not_o of_o a_o extraordinary_a providence_n it_o will_v have_v be_v say_v at_o most_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a and_o rational_a philosophy_n that_o have_v be_v teach_v till_o that_o time_n but_o by_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o moral_a rule_n they_o will_v have_v doubt_v of_o its_o divinity_n and_o look_v upon_o it_o rather_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o apostle_n meditation_n than_o a_o divine_a revelation_n but_o have_v write_v the_o life_n of_o their_o master_n and_o publish_v his_o discourse_n without_o any_o art_n or_o method_n they_o can_v be_v suspect_v neither_o to_o have_v contrive_v what_o they_o say_v nor_o to_o have_v use_v any_o artifice_n to_o make_v a_o lie_n look_v with_o the_o air_n of_o truth_n their_o great_a simplicity_n which_o appear_v every_o where_o and_o their_o take_a no_o care_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o reader_n be_v evident_a mark_v not_o only_o of_o their_o being_n not_o able_a to_o deceive_v but_o also_o of_o their_o sincerity_n the_o wonderful_a success_n of_o their_o preach_v though_o destitute_a of_o whatever_o raise_v the_o admiration_n of_o the_o orator_n and_o philosopher_n be_v a_o convince_a proof_n of_o their_o be_v favour_v by_o heaven_n 5._o heaven_n 1_o cor._n 2.4_o 5._o my_o speech_n and_o my_o preach_v say_v one_o of_o they_o be_v not_o with_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n but_o in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n to_o wit_n in_o the_o miracle_n that_o your_o faith_n shall_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o those_o circumstance_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o all_o the_o other_o which_o at_o first_o seem_v to_o make_v one_o doubt_n of_o it_o when_o they_o be_v not_o thorough_o examine_v we_o shall_v see_v that_o god_n can_v not_o give_v more_o sensible_a mark_n of_o the_o care_n he_o take_v about_o it_o but_o by_o choose_v those_o who_o ministry_n he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o propagate_v it_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n i_o shall_v not_o undertake_v to_o resolve_v the_o particular_a objection_n which_o unbeliever_n may_v raise_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o answer_n to_o which_o must_v be_v look_v for_o in_o the_o write_n of_o those_o who_o have_v direct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o or_o write_v upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o second_o part._n i_o think_v i_o may_v conclude_v now_o nor_o can_v unbeliever_n accuse_v i_o of_o draw_v a_o consequence_n that_o extend_v far_a than_o the_o proof_n i_o make_v use_v of_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o false_a than_o to_o fancy_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v upon_o mere_a credulity_n that_o the_o ignorance_n or_o corrupt_a manner_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o prejudice_v it_o in_o the_o least_o that_o though_o many_o profess_v it_o out_o of_o interest_n for_o many_o age_n past_a rather_o than_o out_o of_o persuasion_n no_o such_o thing_n can_v be_v suspect_v concern_v its_o first_o founder_n that_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n ought_v not_o to_o make_v one_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v very_o useful_a to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o this_o life_n and_o the_o next_o that_o the_o falsity_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o some_o christian_n now_o must_v not_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o apostle_n last_o that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o god_n revelation_n to_o man_n such_o as_o the_o christian_n represent_v it_o contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o most_o worthy_a of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n if_o unbeliever_n will_v serious_o think_v upon_o what_o i_o have_v say_v concern_v those_o proposition_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o they_o will_v easy_o grant_v they_o and_o then_o they_o may_v find_v without_o any_o difficulty_n a_o answer_n to_o all_o their_o particular_a objection_n as_o soon_o as_o some_o undeniable_a principle_n have_v be_v lay_v down_o which_o influence_n all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a theology_n several_a thing_n which_o before_o seem_v difficult_a cease_v then_o to_o be_v so_o and_o thus_o one_o knowledge_n may_v be_v increase_v every_o day_n on_o the_o contrary_a the_o general_a principle_n of_o religion_n remain_v uncertain_a or_o unknown_a every_o thing_n make_v man_n perplex_v and_o the_o long_o they_o live_v in_o such_o a_o state_n the_o more_o the_o difficulty_n increase_v as_o soon_o as_o man_n have_v learn_v to_o distinguish_v the_o religion_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n from_o what_o be_v teach_v in_o 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and_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v always_o deceive_v in_o all_o the_o miracle_n they_o relate_v if_o the_o question_n be_v about_o a_o small_a number_n of_o miracle_n difficult_a to_o examine_v one_o may_v have_v such_o a_o suspicion_n with_o some_o likelihood_n but_o they_o relate_v so_o many_o and_o of_o so_o many_o sort_n that_o if_o what_o they_o say_v be_v not_o true_a they_o must_v necessary_o have_v be_v deceiver_n for_o example_n they_o can_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o christ_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n which_o they_o constant_o preach_v and_o of_o which_o the_o christian_n make_v from_o the_o beginning_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a article_n of_o their_o faith_n those_o who_o as_o pliny_n relate_v it_o sing_v hymn_n to_o christ_n as_o to_o a_o god_n believe_v without_o doubt_n that_o he_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n if_o we_o read_v only_o st._n luke_n 15._o luke_n luke_n 24._o 1_o cor._n 15._o gospel_n and_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n which_o contain_v several_a particular_a circumstance_n of_o many_o miracle_n of_o christ_n especial_o of_o his_o resurrection_n and_o his_o several_a apparition_n after_o he_o come_v out_o of_o his_o grave_n we_o may_v certain_o know_v that_o those_o who_o speak_v so_o be_v not_o seduce_v and_o that_o if_o what_o they_o say_v be_v not_o true_a they_o must_v necessary_o have_v design_v to_o deceive_v those_o to_o who_o they_o relate_v such_o fact_n but_o i_o have_v undeniable_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v sincere_a man_n and_o consequent_o that_o their_o testimony_n can_v be_v reject_v wherefore_o those_o who_o believe_v it_o not_o accuse_v they_o not_o of_o have_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v neither_o do_v they_o undertake_v to_o overthrow_v the_o argument_n by_o which_o we_o
christ_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o great_a likelihood_n that_o god_n will_v disturb_v the_o order_n of_o nature_n for_o so_o inconsiderable_a matter_n as_o those_o be_v for_o which_o he_o be_v say_v to_o disturb_v it_o every_o day_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o live_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o have_v not_o attentive_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n which_o attend_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v perhaps_o have_v say_v then_o that_o they_o apprehend_v not_o how_o providence_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o christianity_n as_o to_o work_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o miracle_n in_o its_o behalf_n see_v it_o make_v so_o little_a a_o progress_n in_o the_o world_n but_o those_o who_o live_v now_o can_v raise_v the_o like_a objection_n against_o we_o have_v see_v the_o duration_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o it_o have_v not_o produce_v yet_o among_o man_n all_o the_o effect_n it_o shall_v have_v produce_v if_o they_o have_v know_v their_o true_a interest_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n will_v never_o happen_v hereafter_o those_o who_o will_v have_v conjecture_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o contemptible_a sect_n because_o it_o be_v then_o despise_v will_v have_v be_v gross_o mistake_v as_o we_o see_v at_o present_a and_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o the_o time_n past_o aught_o to_o make_v we_o reserve_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o future_a 8._o let_v we_o see_v now_o what_o be_v the_o efficient_a and_o immediate_a cause_n of_o miracle_n we_o have_v see_v already_o that_o they_o be_v neither_o man_n nor_o other_o body_n which_o act_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n it_o must_v be_v therefore_o some_o invisible_a power_n that_o be_v either_o some_o intelligent_a being_n more_o excellent_a than_o we_o though_o they_o be_v create_v or_o else_o god_n himself_o some_o believe_v as_o i_o say_v already_o that_o miracle_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o god_n himself_o wrought_v several_a miracle_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o they_o be_v all_o above_o the_o strength_n of_o all_o other_o creature_n so_o that_o they_o have_v no_o other_o efficient_a and_o immediate_a cause_n but_o god_n himself_o to_o deny_v that_o intelligent_a being_n more_o perfect_a than_o we_o be_v can_v work_v miracle_n we_o shall_v exact_o know_v what_o be_v the_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n and_o distinct_o see_v that_o miracle_n be_v above_o it_o it_o be_v true_a we_o know_v they_o be_v above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o god_n establish_v from_o the_o beginning_n but_o we_o know_v not_o whether_o he_o give_v not_o to_o angel_n the_o power_n of_o alter_v sometime_o that_o order_n though_o it_o be_v original_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n it_o follow_v not_o that_o none_o but_o a_o infinite_a power_n can_v make_v some_o alteration_n in_o it_o if_o the_o power_n which_o establish_v it_o will_v permit_v it_o we_o can_v therefore_o say_v that_o angel_n work_v no_o miracle_n in_o effect_n it_o appear_v from_o sacred_a history_n that_o god_n often_o make_v use_n of_o they_o when_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v but_o i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o it_o because_o it_o belong_v not_o to_o my_o subject_n 9_o it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v ask_v suppose_v angel_n work_v miracle_n first_o how_o one_o may_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v god_n or_o a_o angel_n that_o wrought_v a_o certain_a miracle_n and_o second_o how_o one_o may_v know_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v do_v by_o a_o good_a or_o bad_a angel_n a_o miracle_n be_v not_o of_o a_o nature_n which_o necessary_o require_v a_o cause_n whereof_o the_o power_n be_v infinite_a i_o confess_v we_o see_v no_o character_n in_o it_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v in_o itself_o whereby_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n or_o a_o angel_n but_o the_o more_o we_o see_v a_o thing_n above_o our_o power_n the_o more_o it_o seem_v difficult_a to_o we_o and_o the_o more_o we_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o it_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n for_o example_n to_o foretell_v a_o contingent_a event_n or_o depend_v upon_o man_n will_n and_o which_o be_v to_o happen_v many_o age_n after_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v a_o thing_n above_o the_o knowledge_n of_o create_a intelligent_a being_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o great_a but_o the_o raise_n of_o a_o storm_n though_o the_o air_n be_v not_o dispose_v for_o it_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a thing_n though_o it_o be_v above_o our_o power_n and_o we_o easy_o believe_v that_o angel_n either_o good_a or_o bad_a can_v do_v it_o however_o it_o matter_n little_a to_o know_v whether_o god_n immediate_o wrought_v a_o miracle_n or_o a_o good_a angel_n see_v it_o be_v certain_a good_a angel_n do_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n or_o be_v a_o execution_n of_o his_o order_n whether_o god_n himself_o act_v or_o a_o angel_n it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o respect_n to_o we_o see_v we_o neither_o see_v the_o cause_n that_o work_v nor_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o operation_n as_o for_o the_o other_o question_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o know_v whether_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o a_o good_a or_o a_o bad_a angel_n one_o may_v say_v something_o more_o positive_a truth_n be_v always_o the_o same_o contradict_v not_o itself_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a principle_n to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o pyrrhonian_n wherefore_o the_o miracle_n of_o god_n and_o good_a anglel_n ought_v always_o to_o tend_v to_o the_o confirm_v or_o establish_v some_o doctrine_n agreeable_a to_o truth_n that_o be_v know_v either_o by_o revelation_n or_o reason_n see_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n and_o good_a angel_n always_o love_v the_o truth_n if_o we_o see_v therefore_o that_o a_o miracle_n confirm_v or_o establish_v something_o contrary_a to_o a_o certain_a truth_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o miracle_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o a_o power_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o god_n and_o good_a angel_n thus_o the_o design_n of_o a_o miracle_n discover_v its_o author_n if_o we_o can_v apprehend_v what_o be_v the_o end_n of_o a_o miracle_n we_o can_v give_v no_o certain_a judgement_n about_o it_o nor_o draw_v from_o it_o any_o consequence_n for_o or_o against_o truth_n a_o bad_a angel_n be_v not_o able_a to_o work_v miracle_n which_o favour_n truth_n and_o virtue_n all_o those_o which_o contribute_v to_o it_o aught_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o come_v from_o a_o good_a principle_n on_o the_o contrary_a a_o good_a angel_n be_v not_o able_a to_o act_v for_o lie_n and_o vice_n all_o the_o miracle_n which_o shall_v favour_v either_o of_o they_o aught_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o miracle_n of_o bad_a angel_n this_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n to_o know_v by_o what_o sort_n of_o angel_n a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v suppose_v it_o be_v know_v that_o a_o angel_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o 10._o if_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v examine_v according_a to_o those_o principle_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v wrought_v either_o by_o god_n himself_o or_o good_a angel_n because_o their_o only_a aim_n be_v to_o establish_v or_o settle_v truth_n and_o lead_v man_n to_o virtue_n now_o this_o be_v altogether_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o notion_n one_o may_v form_v of_o a_o power_n which_o delight_v in_o do_v ill_a and_o deceive_a men._n this_o christ_n show_v to_o the_o pharisee_n who_o accuse_v he_o of_o cast_v out_o devil_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n he_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o prince_n of_o demon_n 26._o demon_n mat._n 12.25_o 26._o every_o kingdom_n say_v he_o divide_v against_o itself_o be_v bring_v to_o desolation_n and_o every_o city_n or_o house_n divide_v against_o itself_o shall_v not_o stand_v and_o if_o satan_n cast_v out_o satan_n he_o be_v divide_v against_o himself_o how_o shall_v then_o his_o kingdom_n stand_v that_o be_v a_o convince_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n against_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o extravagant_a as_o to_o ascribe_v they_o to_o a_o ill_a power_n that_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o virtue_n but_o because_o i_o write_v not_o against_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o long_o insist_v upon_o it_o the_o unbeliever_n who_o live_v among_o christian_n be_v not_o more_o persuade_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n than_o of_o god_n and_o deny_v all_o sort_n of_o miracle_n alike_o but_o i_o have_v show_v from_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o they_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o deny_v those_o of_o christ_n 11._o last_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o miracle_n