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the_o matter_n in_o hand_n 1._o first_o such_o as_o have_v be_v do_v without_o any_o concurrence_n or_o instrumentality_n of_o second_o cause_n nay_o such_o as_o can_v never_o have_v be_v do_v by_o any_o limit_a power_n as_o the_o give_a sight_n to_o those_o who_o be_v bear_v without_o eye_n the_o make_v the_o sun_n to_o go_v back_o or_o to_o stand_v still_o the_o raise_v of_o the_o dead_a to_o life_n again_o and_o the_o multiply_a a_o few_o loaf_n and_o fish_n to_o satisfy_v five_o thousand_o people_n 2._o such_o effect_n as_o perhaps_o may_v have_v be_v do_v in_o time_n by_o the_o help_n of_o natural_a mean_n but_o yet_o never_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v wrought_v on_o a_o sudden_a by_o their_o use_n and_o application_n as_o the_o heal_n of_o the_o leprosy_n in_o a_o moment_n the_o instantaneous_a remove_n
tenderness_n all_o this_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o that_o great_a benignity_n which_o be_v necessary_o include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n who_o boundless_a perfection_n argue_v he_o to_o be_v a_o most_o desirable_a good_a a_o most_o adorable_a and_o charm_a object_n of_o our_o affection_n most_o bountiful_a benign_a merciful_a gracious_a long-suffering_a tender-hearted_a ready_a to_o bestow_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v capable_a the_o great_a felicity_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o enjoy_v or_o desire_v 9_o once_o more_o from_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v absolute_o and_o eminent_o perfect_a we_o must_v conceive_v he_o to_o be_v a_o god_n of_o perfect_a equity_n and_o justice_n always_o act_v according_a to_o the_o eternal_a rule_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o quality_n of_o thing_n there_o be_v some_o principle_n of_o righteousness_n so_o natural_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o appear_v as_o soon_o as_o humane_a common_a reason_n begin_v to_o work_v and_o these_o be_v such_o perfection_n in_o we_o as_o set_v we_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o sublunary_a world_n and_o indeed_o make_v we_o excel_v one_o another_o so_o that_o the_o righteous_a be_v more_o valuable_a than_o his_o neighbour_n what_o difference_n soever_o may_v be_v otherwise_o in_o their_o outward_a circumstance_n and_o fortune_n these_o principle_n can_v not_o come_v but_o from_o the_o common_a author_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o their_o extraction_n show_v he_o to_o be_v most_o exact_a himself_o in_o the_o government_n and_o disposal_n of_o his_o creature_n in_o who_o all_o iniquity_n be_v a_o great_a desect_v to_o say_v no_o worse_o because_o it_o proceed_v either_o from_o want_n of_o due_a knowledge_n or_o from_o want_n of_o honest_a intention_n both_o which_o be_v imperfection_n in_o our_o nature_n nay_o reproach_n and_o scandal_n to_o it_o therefore_o that_o most_o perfect_a nature_n which_o preside_v over_o all_o must_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v most_o righteous_a towards_o all_o that_o be_v under_o his_o care_n and_o power_n so_o that_o as_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o unreasonable_a fear_n from_o his_o omnipotence_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o great_a goodness_n and_o benignity_n so_o neither_o be_v there_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o presumption_n from_o his_o benignity_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o great_a justice_n because_o as_o he_o have_v give_v we_o equal_a law_n so_o he_o will_v give_v upon_o we_o very_o equal_a judgement_n and_o render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o work_n rom._n 2._o 6._o the_o sum_n be_v if_o people_n will_v right_o understand_v and_o consider_v what_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n import_v they_o can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o most_o lovely_a and_o desirable_a be_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o instead_o of_o deny_v his_o existence_n will_v be_v glad_a that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v over_o they_o so_o transcendent_o perfect_a so_o proper_a and_o suitable_a for_o they_o in_o this_o their_o imperfect_a state_n that_o suppose_v he_o do_v not_o exist_v all_o mankind_n all_o good_a man_n to_o be_v sure_a will_v have_v reason_n to_o wish_v he_o do_v therefore_o before_o i_o enter_v upon_o treat_v of_o god_n existence_n i_o think_v it_o needful_a for_o i_o by_o way_n of_o preparation_n to_o show_v what_o the_o word_n god_n mean_v according_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n in_o general_a a_o be_v or_o nature_n that_o be_v eminent_o and_o absolute_o perfect_a and_o in_o particular_a a_o be_v that_o be_v unmake_v independent_a everliving_a a_o spiritual_a be_v subsist_v of_o himself_o discern_v understand_a and_o know_v all_o thing_n able_a to_o do_v whatsoever_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o nature_n a_o inexhaustible_a fountain_n of_o love_n and_o goodness_n that_o to_o communicate_v his_o goodness_n and_o to_o display_v his_o nature_n make_v the_o universe_n and_o ever_o since_o the_o creation_n have_v govern_v all_o thing_n inspect_v the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n provide_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a world_n order_v every_o thing_n after_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a manner_n take_v a_o more_o particular_a care_n of_o mankind_n consult_v for_o our_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n give_v we_o law_n dispose_v of_o our_o fortune_n exercise_v discipline_n over_o we_o in_o order_n to_o that_o great_a end_n and_o throughout_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o providence_n show_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o infinite_a mind_n that_o be_v perfect_o wise_a beneficent_a powerful_a merciful_a compassionate_a kind_a righteous_a in_o all_o his_o way_n and_o holy_a in_o all_o his_o work_n psalm_n 145._o 17._o this_o be_v a_o particular_a and_o true_a though_o a_o imperfect_a description_n of_o the_o deity_n i_o have_v be_v the_o more_o critical_a in_o draw_v it_o because_o it_o be_v a_o very_a rational_a description_n that_o which_o be_v rational_o deduce_v out_o of_o this_o common_a principle_n that_o by_o god_n be_v understand_v a_o most_o perfect_a be_v and_o that_o too_o which_o be_v fair_o intelligible_a by_o a_o rational_a soul_n for_o every_o man_n understand_v what_o knowledge_n mean_v what_o wisdom_n mean_v what_o goodness_n mean_v what_o power_n love_n and_o righteousness_n do_v mean_v all_o these_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a perfection_n be_v very_o intelligible_a no_o soon_o be_v they_o mention_v but_o we_o form_v a_o conception_n of_o they_o in_o our_o mind_n we_o apprehend_v present_o what_o they_o signify_v when_o they_o be_v speak_v of_o a_o creature_n we_o easy_o know_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o understanding_n wise_a just_a and_o good_a man._n and_o when_o we_o discover_v considerable_a degree_n and_o measure_n of_o these_o perfection_n in_o any_o person_n the_o apprehension_n of_o they_o do_v so_o affect_v our_o mind_n that_o we_o can_v but_o admire_v reverence_n esteem_v and_o love_v such_o a_o person_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o perfection_n and_o how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v think_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v in_o our_o mind_n a_o conception_n of_o a_o be_v that_o be_v eminent_o and_o absolute_o perfect_a in_o all_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a virtue_n why_o can_v we_o know_v what_o such_o a_o be_v mean_n nay_o rather_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o not_o to_o adore_v venerate_a and_o love_v such_o a_o be_v above_o all_o thing_n i_o urge_v this_o because_o some_o that_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o or_o wish_v at_o least_o there_o be_v no_o deity_n do_v offer_v this_o in_o favour_n of_o their_o insidelity_n that_o there_o be_v no_o idea_n of_o god_n meaning_n that_o as_o we_o have_v not_o of_o that_o suppose_a transeendent_n be_v any_o material_a representation_n strike_v and_o press_v upon_o our_o outward_a sense_n so_o neither_o have_v we_o any_o conception_n in_o our_o mind_n answerable_a to_o such_o a_o transcendent_a be_v and_o hence_o they_o sancy_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v incomprehensible_a there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n or_o that_o those_o perfection_n which_o we_o call_v the_o attribute_n of_o god_n be_v no_o reality_n but_o honorary_a title_n bestow_v upon_o a_o imaginary_a be_v out_o of_o a_o goundless_a fear_n now_o in_o this_o they_o be_v as_o weak_a logician_n and_o philosopher_n as_o they_o be_v bad_a divine_n for_o they_o go_v upon_o two_o principle_n here_o both_o which_o be_v utter_o false_a 1._o the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n or_o knowledge_n no_o conception_n or_o thought_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o fall_v under_o the_o cognisance_n of_o our_o bodily_a sense_n for_o there_o be_v many_o truth_n in_o philosophy_n which_o can_v have_v no_o corporeal_a representation_n to_o affect_v the_o eye_n or_o the_o ear_n nor_o that_o inward_a sensitive_a part_n the_o fancy_n that_o be_v common_a to_o man_n and_o to_o 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universal_a belief_n and_o without_o the_o help_n of_o reason_n whatever_o external_n profession_n and_o compliance_n it_o may_v bring_v a_o few_o timorous_a person_n to_o it_o can_v alone_o work_v upon_o the_o understanding_n and_o conscience_n to_o receive_v a_o opinion_n which_o be_v not_o in_o itself_o evident_a or_o probable_a rather_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o hate_v a_o opinion_n that_o be_v bring_v with_o the_o terrible_a pomp_n of_o sword_n and_o fire_n witness_v all_o the_o unsuccessful_a attempt_n of_o prince_n who_o instead_o of_o propagate_a their_o religion_n have_v still_o do_v it_o hurt_v by_o sanguinary_a method_n the_o difficulty_n here_o will_v have_v be_v far_o great_a nay_o insuperable_a to_o force_v all_o the_o people_n in_o the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o thing_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n and_o ease_n of_o their_o own_o mind_n to_o make_v they_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o almighty_a be_v over_o they_o that_o observe_v all_o their_o 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force_n of_o this_o argument_n the_o infidel_n of_o our_o age_n have_v these_o two_o thing_n to_o say_v 1._o first_o that_o no_o true_a miracle_n or_o supernatural_a work_n have_v be_v ever_o wrought_v 2._o and_o second_o that_o the_o wonder_n we_o read_v of_o be_v no_o more_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n existence_n than_o they_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o idolatry_n because_o idolater_n themselves_o have_v pretend_v to_o miracle_n these_o two_o subterfuge_n and_o shift_n must_v be_v now_o consider_v in_o their_o order_n 1._o first_o they_o will_v allow_v of_o no_o high_a miracle_n than_o what_o have_v be_v find_v here_o in_o nature_n when_o some_o unusual_a thing_n have_v happen_v the_o natural_a cause_n whereof_o can_v not_o be_v well_o assign_v as_o for_o supernatural_a effect_n they_o be_v fable_n in_o the_o account_n of_o these_o man_n because_o they_o can_v admit_v of_o such_o effect_n without_o admit_v of_o a_o supernatural_a power_n to_o produce_v they_o 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the_o jew_n and_o their_o religion_n none_o will_v have_v discover_v the_o imposture_n have_v they_o not_o be_v satisfy_v that_o what_o moses_n have_v write_v be_v true_a the_o honour_n of_o have_v such_o great_a thing_n do_v for_o they_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v think_v too_o much_o for_o a_o despise_a hate_a people_n to_o have_v go_v away_o with_o 2._o but_o second_o instead_o of_o contradict_v moses_n history_n the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o greek_n do_v own_o his_o greatness_n insomuch_o that_o the_o old_a egyptian_n will_v have_v appropriate_v he_o to_o themselves_o pretend_v that_o he_o be_v of_o egyptian_a parentage_n and_o a_o priest_n of_o heliopolis_n by_o name_n ozarsiph_n change_v his_o name_n afterward_o to_o moses_n some_o indeed_o of_o the_o other_o heathen_n as_o apuleius_n and_o numenius_n the_o pythagorean_n reckon_v he_o among_o the_o old_a magician_n and_o in_o particular_a among_o janne_n and_o jambres_n 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to_o say_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v all_o along_o so_o many_o stark_a fool_n a_o character_n which_o we_o think_v more_o peculiar_o belong_v to_o those_o who_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n consider_v what_o a_o difficult_a and_o hazardous_a office_n the_o first_o preacher_n of_o christianity_n have_v to_o discharge_v how_o think_v you_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o undertake_v it_o with_o such_o readiness_n to_o perform_v it_o with_o such_o vigour_n and_o to_o go_v through_o it_o with_o such_o constancy_n and_o cheerfulness_n notwithstanding_o so_o much_o opposition_n have_v they_o not_o be_v abundant_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n by_o miracle_n which_o they_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n and_o consider_v what_o vast_a importance_n the_o christian_a religion_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v of_o and_o how_o direct_o opposite_a it_o be_v to_o the_o natural_a inclination_n of_o corrupt_a mankind_n 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of_o a_o god_n existence_n than_o it_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o idolatry_n because_o idolater_n themselves_o have_v pretend_v to_o miracle_n to_o vouch_v for_o their_o religion_n and_o consider_v how_o inconsistent_a and_o impossible_a it_o will_v be_v for_o a_o deity_n to_o act_v for_o and_o against_o itself_o too_o therefore_o man_n of_o atheistical_a mind_n conclude_v that_o those_o wonderful_a work_n which_o have_v go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o divine_a miracle_n have_v be_v real_o nothing_o but_o art_n and_o imposture_n now_o for_o the_o solving_a of_o this_o seem_a difficulty_n i_o shall_v consider_v two_o thing_n 1._o first_o matter_n of_o fact_n 2._o second_o the_o weakness_n of_o these_o man_n reason_v from_o it_o 1._o first_o then_o that_o i_o may_v carry_v a_o fair_a and_o impartial_a hand_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o many_o strange_a and_o extraordinary_a thing_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o man_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n for_o moses_n himself_o tell_v we_o what_o the_o magician_n do_v in_o egypt_n beâ—ore_o his_o own_o face_n jesus_n christ_n tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o many_o false_a teacher_n will_v come_v in_o a_o little_a time_n with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n to_o deceive_v if_o it_o have_v be_v possible_a the_o very_a elect._n to_o verify_v that_o prediction_n divers_a ecclesiastical_a writer_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o wonder_v do_v by_o simon_n magus_n and_o his_o follower_n soon_o after_o the_o lord_n '_o be_v ascension_n into_o heaven_n other_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o blind_a and_o the_o lame_a be_v cure_v by_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n vespasian_n and_o of_o a_o whetstone_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o by_o a_o razor_n at_o the_o command_n of_o accius_n navius_n and_o of_o several_a prodigious_a thing_n do_v by_o apollmius_n tyanaeus_n who_o the_o pagan_n match_v with_o jesus_n christ_n for_o do_v miracle_n and_o every_o body_n know_v what_o account_n of_o miracle_n have_v be_v give_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o deâ—ence_n of_o that_o part_n of_o their_o religion_n wherein_o they_o have_v most_o scandalous_o depart_v from_o true_a primitive_a christianity_n consider_v therefore_o what_o a_o heap_n of_o story_n there_o be_v whereof_o some_o be_v relate_v by_o sacred_a writer_n and_o some_o other_o by_o man_n of_o probity_n and_o temper_v though_o abundance_n of_o fiction_n have_v be_v vend_v among_o they_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v that_o many_o wonderful_a work_n have_v be_v do_v by_o idolater_n but_o then_o second_o this_o can_v be_v no_o plea_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o idolatry_n because_o how_o wonderful_a soever_o those_o work_n have_v seem_v they_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o divine_a miracle_n we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o miracle_n in_o appearance_n and_o miracle_n in_o reality_n by_o miracle_n in_o appearance_n which_o shall_v rather_o be_v call_v wonder_n and_o sign_n i_o understand_v not_o mere_a imposture_n or_o delusion_n of_o man_n outward_n sense_n but_o such_o real_a effect_n as_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o extraordinary_a and_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n when_o indeed_o they_o be_v not_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v be_v clear_a from_o deut._n 13._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5._o where_o god_n himself_o give_v the_o jew_n this_o caution_n if_o there_o arise_v among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o the_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v whereeof_o he_o speak_v to_o thou_o save_v let_v we_o go_v after_o other_o god_n which_o thou_o have_v not_o know_v and_o let_v we_o serve_v they_o thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o your_o soul_n you_o shall_v walk_v after_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n and_o fear_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o obey_v his_o voice_n and_o you_o shall_v serve_v he_o and_o cleave_v unto_o he_o and_o that_o prophet_n or_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n we_o can_v conceive_v that_o when_o god_n have_v any_o where_o establish_v his_o true_a worship_n he_o will_v lift_v up_o his_o own_o hand_n to_o draw_v people_n away_o from_o it_o to_o idolatry_n and_o therefore_o when_o sign_n or_o wonder_n be_v show_v to_o that_o end_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a they_o be_v not_o divine_a miracle_n or_o effect_n that_o be_v altogether_o supernatural_a and_o yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o such_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v as_o be_v counterfeiting_n of_o god_n hand_n and_o seem_v to_o carry_v the_o signature_n of_o his_o power_n for_o otherwise_o there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o reason_n for_o that_o charge_n give_v to_o the_o jew_n that_o