of_o the_o thing_n produce_v as_o for_o instance_n moses_n be_v say_v to_o have_v turn_v his_o rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n and_o then_o the_o water_n into_o blood_n and_o then_o to_o have_v bring_v up_o frog_n out_o of_o the_o river_n and_o be_v not_o the_o magician_n say_v to_o have_v do_v so_o too_o where_o then_o be_v the_o difference_n in_o the_o work_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a difference_n in_o they_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n in_o the_o power_n which_o produce_v they_o and_o so_o why_o may_v not_o all_o be_v conclude_v a_o imposture_n and_o consequent_o no_o substantial_a evidence_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n this_o now_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n how_o we_o may_v know_v and_o discern_v a_o true_a miracle_n from_o a_o pretend_a one_o 1._o for_o the_o clear_n whereof_o it_o be_v first_o grant_v that_o they_o be_v not_o distinguishable_a by_o the_o visible_a quality_n of_o the_o work_n themselves_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o some_o particular_a instance_n as_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o dead_a the_o giving_z eye_n to_o one_o that_o be_v bear_v blind_a the_o multiplication_n of_o a_o few_o loaf_n and_o the_o like_a in_o those_o case_n the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o work_v show_v the_o singer_n of_o god_n for_o none_o but_o a_o almighty_a power_n can_v produce_v they_o nor_o can_v any_o create_v sinite_fw-la power_n pretend_v ever_o to_o have_v do_v the_o like_a but_o where_o one_o wonder_n resemble_v another_o and_o seem_v to_o answer_v another_o there_o 2._o second_o the_o difference_n be_v discoverable_a chiesly_n from_o the_o necessity_n and_o tendency_n of_o the_o operation_n indeed_o their_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o production_n may_v go_v a_o great_a way_n to_o show_v the_o singer_n of_o god_n or_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n but_o i_o conceive_v a_o true_a miracle_n may_v be_v most_o easy_o and_o best_o distinguish_v from_o a_o false_a one_o 1._o by_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o reason_n which_o make_v a_o miracle_n necessary_a 2._o by_o the_o end_n and_o scope_n to_o which_o it_o tend_v 1._o first_o when_o there_o be_v a_o true_a necessity_n for_o miracle_n as_o 1._o when_o a_o man_n pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n with_o special_a authority_n and_o commission_n for_o some_o extraordinary_a service_n in_o that_o case_n a_o miracle_n be_v necessary_a to_o give_v evidence_n of_o his_o commission_n and_o that_o he_o may_v be_v believe_v such_o extraordinary_a power_n must_v be_v back_v with_o extraordinary_a work_n to_o attest_v it_o for_o otherwise_o people_n can_v not_o have_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o own_o it_o and_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o require_v man_n submission_n and_o not_o justify_v or_o set_v his_o seal_n to_o that_o authority_n which_o he_o bind_v they_o to_o submit_v unto_o but_o to_o leave_v they_o in_o a_o state_n of_o gild_n for_o reject_v that_o which_o he_o give_v they_o not_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o receive_v 2._o miracle_n be_v necessary_a when_o extraordinary_a alteration_n be_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o world_n as_o when_o a_o solemn_a peculiar_a form_n of_o divine_a worship_n be_v to_o be_v first_o set_v up_o or_o when_o a_o peculiar_a form_n that_o be_v establish_v by_o miracle_n be_v to_o be_v remove_v and_o take_v down_o to_o make_v room_n for_o a_o different_a form_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v of_o such_o vast_a importance_n that_o in_o case_n of_o this_o nature_n man_n can_v be_v deceive_v without_o run_v the_o great_a hazard_n and_o nothing_o under_o a_o miracle_n can_v keep_v they_o from_o be_v impose_v on_o now_o when_o in_o these_o necessary_a case_n sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v show_v we_o may_v conclude_v they_o to_o be_v divine_a miracle_n but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o need_n at_o all_o of_o extraordinary_a operation_n upon_o these_o account_n such_o as_o be_v pretend_v aught_o to_o pass_v for_o work_n diabolical_a because_o god_n be_v not_o wont_a as_o they_o say_v to_o set_v his_o seal_n to_o a_o blank_a nor_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o his_o majesty_n and_o wisdom_n to_o use_v his_o omnipotence_n in_o vain_a 2._o true_a miracle_n may_v be_v distinguish_v from_o false_a one_o by_o their_o scope_n and_o tendency_n the_o work_n of_o god_n be_v glorious_a not_o only_o for_o those_o signature_n of_o power_n they_o carry_v with_o they_o but_o also_o for_o that_o admirable_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n which_o be_v discernible_a in_o they_o all_o because_o they_o always_o drive_v at_o the_o best_a and_o most_o important_a end_n and_o so_o we_o must_v reckon_v such_o miracle_n divine_a as_o tend_v to_o confirm_v truth_n which_o come_v by_o divine_a revelation_n for_o as_o such_o truth_n can_v be_v confirm_v but_o by_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n that_o reveal_v they_o so_o neither_o will_v they_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o father_n of_o lie_n the_o devil_n do_v it_o lie_v in_o his_o power_n to_o work_v a_o miracle_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o they_o because_o nothing_o be_v more_o cross_a than_o truth_n be_v to_o his_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n 2._o such_o miracle_n be_v to_o be_v account_v divine_a as_o tend_v to_o draw_v people_n off_o from_o the_o practice_n and_o love_n of_o sin_n for_o as_o such_o miracle_n be_v glorious_a manifestation_n of_o the_o holiness_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n so_o they_o serve_v to_o transform_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n into_o the_o divine_a image_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v wrought_v only_o by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n 3._o such_o miracle_n as_o tend_v to_o preserve_v the_o true_a worship_n of_o one_o god_n by_o act_n of_o singular_a love_n and_o reverence_n and_o with_o a_o entire_a resignation_n of_o heart_n and_o soul_n because_o this_o be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o god_n whole_a oeconomy_n and_o that_o which_o all_o imposture_n hitherto_o have_v be_v intend_v to_o defeat_v and_o bassâ—le_n 4._o in_o short_a those_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o to_o be_v true_a divine_a miracle_n which_o tend_v to_o the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o the_o devil_n power_n and_o work_n these_o can_v possible_o be_v think_v diabolical_a operation_n for_o if_o satan_n rise_v up_o against_o himself_o and_o be_v divide_v he_o can_v stand_v but_o have_v a_o end_n mark_v 3._o 26._o all_o these_o thing_n carry_v their_o own_o light_n with_o they_o and_o by_o that_o light_n we_o may_v very_o easy_o discern_v and_o distinguish_v true_a miracle_n from_o those_o imposture_n which_o have_v go_v under_o that_o name_n in_o all_o time_n both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a next_o after_o moses_n jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o only_a person_n public_o own_v to_o have_v come_v from_o god_n upon_o a_o extraordinary_a message_n to_o the_o world_n and_o in_o regard_n he_o intend_v to_o repeal_v the_o moysaicall_a ordinance_n and_o instead_o thereof_o to_o enact_v more_o spiritual_a law_n it_o be_v necessary_a for_o he_o to_o work_v miracle_n to_o show_v his_o authority_n for_o the_o sound_n of_o his_o church_n as_o moses_n have_v show_v his_o for_o building_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o these_o be_v the_o noble_a end_n of_o all_o christ_n miracle_n to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n that_o how_o mysterious_a soever_o some_o of_o they_o may_v seem_v they_o may_v be_v believe_v for_o which_o reason_n he_o do_v no_o one_o miracle_n before_o he_o begin_v to_o preach_v to_o reclaim_v mankind_n from_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o immorality_n or_o whatever_o be_v contrary_a to_o god_n nature_n or_o reproachfel_v to_o their_o own_o to_o establish_v piety_n and_o honesty_n in_o the_o world_n to_o teach_v man_n to_o lead_v sober_a righteous_a and_o godly_a life_n in_o this_o world_n to_o direct_v they_o how_o to_o worship_v the_o only_a true_a god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n and_o to_o deliver_v not_o only_o the_o body_n but_o the_o soul_n of_o all_o people_n from_o the_o tyranny_n and_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o business_n be_v to_o captivate_v all_o mankind_n that_o they_o may_v walk_v on_o still_o in_o darkness_n and_o blindness_n of_o heart_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n and_o end_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n his_o miracle_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o those_o reason_n have_v be_v once_o answer_v and_o the_o end_n sufficient_o serve_v by_o himself_o and_o his_o first_o disciple_n there_o be_v no_o further_a need_n of_o miracle_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o sign_n and_o wonder_n have_v be_v show_v suppose_v they_o be_v real_o effect_v either_o by_o some_o pagan_n immediate_o follow_v the_o time_n of_o christ_n or_o by_o some_o romanist_n in_o latter_a age_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v divine_a operation_n but_o so_o many_o working_n of_o satan_n and_o his_o instrument_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o justify_v or_o give_v credit_n to_o their_o way_n
a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o existence_n of_o god._n by_o edward_n pell_v d._n d._n rector_n of_o petworth_n in_o sussex_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleet_n street_n mdcxcvi_o the_o content_n the_o introduction_n page_n 1_o chap._n 1._o concern_v the_o notion_n of_o god_n in_o general_a viz._n a_o be_v that_o be_v eminent_o and_o absolute_o perfect_a what_o such_o perfection_n mean_v a_o more_o particular_a notion_n of_o god_n draw_v out_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v independent_a eternal_a spiritual_n intelligent_a omnipotent_a perfect_o good_a and_o righteous_a this_o idea_n of_o god_n be_v intelligible_a and_o rational_a 7_o chap._n ii_o the_o existence_n of_o this_o most_o perfect_a be_v prove_v by_o four_o great_a argument_n first_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o first_o independent_a cause_n the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o motion_n and_o life_n the_o world_n not_o eternal_a but_o make_v by_o a_o deity_n 37_o chap._n iii_o second_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n even_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n and_o modern_a idolater_n touch_v one_o supreme_a numon_n the_o singularity_n of_o a_o few_o atheist_n of_o old_a not_o to_o be_v value_v this_o consent_n proceed_v not_o from_o mere_a tradition_n nor_o fear_v nor_o state-polity_n nor_o common_a compact_n but_o from_o a_o principle_n in_o humane_a nature_n derive_v from_o the_o great_a author_n of_o it_o no_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o idolatry_n 54_o chap._n iu_o three_o extraordinary_a occurrence_n as_o first_o miracle_n three_o sort_n of_o true_a miracle_n these_o argument_n of_o a_o god_n true_a miracle_n have_v be_v rea_o do_v the_o credibility_n of_o those_o do_v by_o moses_n and_o jesus_n christ_n of_o strange_a work_n do_v by_o idolater_n a_o distinction_n between_o miracle_n in_o appearance_n and_o miracle_n divine_a 107_o chap._n v._o then_o prediction_n of_o future_a contingent_a event_n such_o prediction_n there_o have_v be_v some_o relate_n to_o the_o ancient_a empire_n other_o to_o jesus_n christ_n other_o to_o some_o memorable_a event_n after_o christ_n ascension_n 161_o chap._n vi_o a_o four_o argument_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v take_v from_o the_o admirable_a state_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o first_o of_o the_o excellent_a order_n into_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v digest_v their_o commodious_a situation_n their_o mutual_a relation_n and_o the_o permanency_n of_o they_o in_o their_o nature_n and_o operation_n all_o this_o can_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o chance_n but_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n the_o senseless_a conceit_n of_o sceptic_n with_o a_o confutation_n of_o they_o 191_o chap._n vii_o a_o second_o thing_n observable_a in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o universe_n be_v the_o beauty_n of_o its_o part_n their_o multitude_n splendour_n variety_n together_o with_o the_o comeliness_n of_o their_o frame_n the_o pretence_n of_o sceptic_n answer_v concern_v the_o operation_n of_o plastic_a nature_n 257_o chap._n viii_o the_o three_o be_v the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o this_o visible_a word_n first_o as_o to_o their_o end_n and_o tendency_n the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n in_o their_o nature_n and_o motion_n of_o the_o air_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o their_o saltness_n of_o spring_n and_o mountain_n and_o of_o all_o the_o furniture_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o useful_a structure_n of_o thing_n in_o order_n to_o their_o end_n particular_o of_o tree_n and_o animal_n of_o natrition_n and_o sensation_n in_o animal_n and_o of_o the_o fabrication_n of_o their_o part_n in_o order_n thereunto_o the_o evasion_n of_o sceptic_n concern_v the_o uses_n of_o thing_n answer_v 285_o chap._n ix_o the_o four_o be_v the_o resemblance_n of_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n which_o appear_v even_o in_o irrational_a creature_n the_o constant_a regularity_n of_o they_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o operation_n and_o the_o seem_a sagacity_n of_o they_o as_o to_o their_o ends._n this_o a_o clear_a argument_n of_o a_o deity_n because_o of_o themselves_o they_o design_v no_o end_n nor_o do_v they_o understand_v the_o reason_n or_o tendency_n of_o mean_n nor_o do_v they_o deliberate_v about_o the_o choice_n of_o mean_n this_o too_o be_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n the_o shift_n of_o atheist_n as_o to_o this_o consider_v also_o 352_o chap._n x._o the_o five_o be_v the_o ample_a provision_n which_o be_v make_v for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o needy_a creature_n for_o their_o formation_n and_o production_n and_o for_o their_o preservation_n afterward_o from_o outward_a assault_n and_o untimely_a death_n proper_a food_n provide_v in_o all_o climate_n and_o suitable_a to_o all_o condition_n and_o temper_n proper_a remedy_n for_o all_o endemial_a disease_n 385_o chap._n xi_o the_o six_o be_v the_o admirable_a frame_n of_o human_a nature_n the_o excellence_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n in_o its_o nature_n and_o faculty_n which_o be_v prove_v at_o large_a to_o be_v a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n the_o evasion_n of_o sceptic_n consider_v the_o conclusion_n 419_o a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o existence_n of_o god._n the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n consider_v as_o rational_a being_n be_v make_v up_o of_o such_o faculty_n that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o capable_a of_o religion_n that_o be_v sit_v and_o qualify_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v vast_o superior_a to_o they_o and_o to_o know_v and_o worship_n that_o high_o be_v in_o some_o agreeable_a sort_n and_o measure_n but_o they_o be_v moreover_o general_o incline_v to_o religion_n prone_a to_o it_o and_o please_v with_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o be_v suitable_a and_o correspondent_a to_o their_o faculty_n so_o that_o in_o all_o age_n and_o in_o all_o nation_n people_n have_v profess_v some_o kind_n of_o religion_n or_o other_o nay_o even_o barbarous_a people_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v be_v want_v in_o religious_a performance_n have_v abound_v in_o great_a variety_n of_o supersition_n and_o before_o they_o will_v be_v atheist_n have_v be_v downright_a idolater_n adore_v a_o plurality_n of_o god_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v own_v no_o deity_n at_o all_o which_o show_v that_o religion_n be_v in_o some_o sense_n natural_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o that_o the_o corruption_n which_o be_v in_o man_n practice_n proceed_v from_o a_o defect_n of_o light_n in_o their_o understanding_n from_o those_o many_o ignorances_n and_n error_n wherewith_o they_o be_v possess_v be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o true_a religion_n will_v be_v the_o great_a profession_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v especial_o three_o great_a error_n which_o have_v strange_o misguide_v and_o corrupt_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o man_n and_o consequent_o have_v take_v off_o that_o power_n and_o influence_n which_o otherwise_o religion_n will_v have_v have_v over_o they_o even_o from_o natural_a conscience_n and_o these_o relate_v either_o to_o the_o be_v of_o god_n or_o to_o his_o nature_n or_o to_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o judiciary_n power_n over_o it_o 1._o first_o some_o reject_v all_o belief_n of_o god_n be_v or_o at_o least_o question_n very_o much_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n and_o so_o of_o course_n conceive_v religion_n to_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a but_o humane_a institution_n a_o piece_n of_o state-policy_n devise_v and_o set_v up_o by_o cunning_a man_n for_o the_o better_a keep_n of_o human_a society_n in_o order_n and_o peace_n to_o such_o man_n religion_n must_v needs_o seem_v a_o indifferent_a matter_n not_o worth_a their_o time_n or_o pain_n to_o concern_v themselves_o much_o about_o nor_o to_o care_n whether_o this_o or_o that_o mode_n of_o religion_n be_v profess_v because_o they_o look_v upon_o all_o religion_n as_o a_o artifice_n a_o invention_n that_o be_v alterable_a at_o pleasure_n as_o the_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o civil_a policy_n require_v 2._o second_o some_o acknowledge_v the_o be_v of_o god_n together_o with_o the_o inward_a necessity_n reasonableness_n and_o excellency_n of_o religion_n in_o general_a but_o yet_o be_v much_o mistake_v as_o to_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o their_o way_n of_o worship_v god_n because_o they_o be_v great_o mistake_v in_o their_o notion_n of_o his_o nature_n for_o they_o apprehend_v he_o to_o be_v not_o such_o as_o he_o real_o be_v but_o such_o a_o one_o as_o they_o will_v have_v he_o be_v either_o a_o very_a tame_a and_o gentle_a be_v that_o be_v easy_o please_v with_o formal_a profession_n of_o respect_n or_o a_o very_a partial_a be_v that_o be_v kind_a only_a to_o one_o sect_n of_o people_n or_o a_o arbitrary_a austere_a and_o rigid_a be_v that_o seek_v to_o hurt_v and_o delight_v in_o
and_o profession_n that_o in_o fact_n they_o be_v a_o reproach_n to_o they_o especial_o since_o they_o have_v be_v do_v in_o prejudice_n to_o that_o grave_a and_o holy_a religion_n which_o the_o lord_n jesus_n confirm_v and_o be_v so_o manifest_o intend_v for_o the_o promote_a and_o encouragement_n of_o superstition_n vice_n and_o downright_a idolatry_n i_o have_v now_o end_v this_o point_n concern_v miracle_n have_v discourse_v the_o more_o large_o upon_o it_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o may_v demonstrate_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n and_o likewise_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o christianity_n the_o truth_n whereof_o undeniable_o appear_v from_o this_o single_a argument_n that_o jesus_n christ_n confirm_v all_o his_o law_n and_o doctrine_n by_o true_a miracle_n for_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o moreover_o that_o jesus_n christ_n come_v from_o god_n and_o that_o the_o testimony_n which_o his_o 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creature_n man_n or_o angel_n have_v
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