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rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o canie_n with_o a_o pretence_n of_o show_v the_o way_n to_o a_o bless_a immortality_n which_o may_v be_v a_o most_o probable_a reason_n why_o philosophy_n and_o idolatry_n do_v increase_v so_o much_o together_o as_o they_o do_v for_o 8._o though_o right_a reason_n full_o improve_v will_v have_v overthrow_v all_o those_o curse_a and_o idolatrous_a practice_n among_o the_o heathen_n yet_o reason_n only_o discern_v some_o general_a notion_n without_o their_o particular_a application_n and_o improvement_n do_v only_o dispose_v the_o most_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o people_n to_o a_o more_o ready_a entertainment_n of_o the_o most_o gross_a idolatry_n for_o hereby_o they_o discern_v the_o necessity_n of_o some_o kind_n of_o worship_n but_o can_v not_o find_v out_o the_o right_a way_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o they_o greedy_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v commend_v to_o they_o by_o such_o who_o do_v withal_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o the_o common_a sentiment_n 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receive_v notion_n
and_o what_o be_v not_o suitable_a be_v reject_v as_o monstrous_a and_o anomalous_a so_o it_o be_v in_o their_o history_n wherein_o they_o have_v some_o fabulous_a hypothesis_n they_o take_v for_o grant_v without_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o and_o to_o these_o they_o suit_n whatever_o light_n they_o gain_v in_o after_o time_n of_o the_o state_n of_o foreign_a nation_n which_o have_v make_v truth_n and_o antiquity_n wrestle_v so_o much_o with_o the_o corruption_n which_o eat_v into_o they_o through_o the_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n of_o the_o greek_n hence_o they_o have_v always_o suit_v the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n with_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o own_o and_o where_o nothing_o can_v serve_v out_o of_o their_o own_o history_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_n of_o other_o nation_n they_o who_o be_v never_o backward_o at_o fiction_n have_v make_v a_o founder_n of_o they_o suitable_a to_o their_o own_o language_n the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n useful_a or_o beneficial_a to_o mankind_n but_o they_o have_v make_v shift_n to_o find_v the_o author_n of_o it_o among_o themselves_o if_o we_o inquire_v after_o the_o original_n of_o agriculture_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o ceres_n and_o triptolemus_n if_o of_o pasturage_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o a_o arcadian_a pan_n if_o of_o wine_n we_o present_o hear_v of_o a_o libre_fw-la pater_fw-la if_o of_o iron_n instrument_n than_o who_o but_o vulcan_n if_o of_o music_n none_o like_o to_o apollo_n if_o we_o press_v they_o then_o with_o the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n they_o be_v as_o well_o provide_v here_o if_o we_o inquire_v a_o account_n of_o europe_n asia_n or_o lybia_n for_o the_o first_o we_o be_v tell_v a_o fine_a story_n of_o cadmus_n his_o sister_n for_o the_o second_o of_o promethâ—us_n his_o mother_n of_o that_o name_n and_o for_o the_o three_o of_o a_o daughter_n of_o epaphus_n if_o we_o be_v yet_o so_o curious_a as_o to_o know_v the_o original_n of_o particular_a country_n then_o italia_n must_v find_v its_o name_n from_o a_o calf_n of_o hercules_n because_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o greek_a will_v signify_v some_o such_o thing_n sardinia_n and_o africa_n must_v be_v from_o sardo_n and_o afer_n two_o son_n of_o hercules_n but_o yet_o if_o these_o will_v not_o serve_v hercules_n shall_v not_o want_v for_o child_n to_o people_n the_o world_n for_o we_o hear_v of_o scythes_n galatas_n lydus_n some_o other_o son_n of_o he_o that_o give_v name_n to_o scythia_n lydia_n galatia_n with_o the_o same_o probability_n that_o media_n have_v its_o name_n from_o medea_n and_o spain_n and_o lusitania_n from_o pan_n and_o lusus_fw-la two_o companione_fw-la of_o bacchus_n if_o persia_n want_v a_o founder_n they_o have_v one_o perseus_n a_o argive_a ready_a for_o it_o if_o syria_n babylonia_n and_o arabia_n want_v reason_n of_o their_o name_n the_o prodigal_a greek_n will_v give_v apollo_n three_o son_n syrus_n babylon_n and_o arab_n rather_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v heretical_a acephalist_n this_o vanity_n of_o they_o be_v universal_a not_o confine_v to_o any_o place_n or_o age_n but_o as_o any_o nation_n or_o people_n come_v into_o their_o knowledge_n their_o god_n be_v not_o so_o decrepit_a but_o they_o may_v father_n one_o son_n more_o upon_o they_o rather_o than_o any_o nation_n shall_v be_v filia_fw-la populi_fw-la and_o want_v a_o father_n only_o the_o grave_a athenian_n think_v scorn_v to_o have_v any_o father_n assign_v they_o their_o only_a ambition_n be_v to_o be_v account_v aborigines_n &_o genuini_fw-la terrae_fw-la to_o be_v the_o elder_a son_n of_o their_o teem_v mother_n the_o earth_n and_o to_o have_v be_v bear_v by_o the_o same_o aequivocal_a generation_n that_o mouse_n and_o frog_n be_v from_o the_o impregnated_a slime_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v we_o not_o like_a to_o have_v a_o wonderful_a account_n of_o ancient_a time_n from_o those_o who_o can_v arrogate_v to_o 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do_v not_o full_o believe_v the_o story_n he_o tell_v but_o take_v they_o upon_o trust_v himself_o and_o so_o deliver_v they_o to_o the_o world_n some_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o herodotus_n that_o he_o call_v his_o book_n of_o history_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o muse_n on_o purpose_n to_o tell_v his_o reader_n they_o must_v not_o look_v for_o mere_a history_n in_o he_o but_o a_o mixture_n of_o such_o relation_n which_o though_o not_o true_a may_v yet_o please_v and_o entertain_v his_o reader_n though_o other_o think_v they_o be_v not_o so_o inscribe_v by_o himself_o but_o the_o name_n be_v give_v to_o they_o by_o the_o greek_n from_o the_o admiration_n his_o history_n have_v among_o they_o however_o this_o be_v this_o we_o be_v certain_a that_o herodotus_n be_v not_o first_o suspect_v of_o falsehood_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n but_o even_o among_o the_o greek_n themselves_o there_o have_v be_v find_v some_o that_o will_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a that_o charge_n against_o he_o for_o so_o suidas_n tell_v we_o of_o one_o harpocration_n aelius_n who_o write_v a_o book_n on_o purpose_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o herodotus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d plutarch_n his_o book_n be_v well_o know_v of_o the_o spite_n or_o malignity_n of_o herodotus_n but_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o be_v sufficient_o know_v likewise_o because_o herodotus_n have_v give_v no_o very_o favourable_a character_n of_o plutarch_n country_n strabo_n likewise_o seem_v to_o accuse_v herodotus_n much_o of_o nugacity_n and_o mix_v prodigious_a fable_n with_o his_o 17._o history_n but_o i_o confess_v observe_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o plutarch_n insist_o against_o herodotus_n i_o be_o very_o prone_a to_o think_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o great_a pique_n in_o some_o of_o the_o greek_a writer_n against_o herodotus_n be_v that_o he_o tell_v too_o many_o tale_n out_o of_o school_n and_o have_v discover_v too_o much_o of_o the_o infancy_n of_o greece_n and_o how_o much_o the_o grecian_n borrow_v of_o the_o egyptian_a superstition_n which_o plutarch_n express_o speak_v of_o that_o herodotus_n be_v too_o much_o lead_v aside_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o therefore_o herodotus_n may_v not_o be_v much_o 857._o too_o blame_v in_o the_o thing_n which_o the_o grecian_n most_o charge_v he_o with_o yet_o those_o who_o favour_v he_o most_o can_v excuse_v his_o palpable_a mistake_n in_o some_o thing_n and_o ignorance_n in_o other_o josephus_n think_v he_o be_v deceive_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n in_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o state_n of_o their_o affair_n of_o which_o jos._n 3_o scaliger_n give_v many_o account_n either_o say_v he_o the_o person_n who_o give_v he_o his_o intelligence_n be_v ignorant_a themselves_o or_o else_o like_o true_a egyptian_n they_o be_v cunning_a enough_o but_o impose_v upon_o herodotus_n be_v a_o stranger_n and_o unacquainted_a with_o their_o artifices_fw-la or_o else_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v his_o interpreter_n or_o be_v deceive_v by_o he_o or_o last_o herodotus_n may_v have_v so_o much_o of_o a_o grecian_a in_o he_o as_o to_o adulterate_a the_o true_a history_n with_o some_o fable_n of_o his_o own_o wherefore_o he_o rather_o adhere_v to_o manetho_n then_o herodotus_n as_o to_o the_o egyptian_a history_n who_o yet_o elsewhere_o i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o what_o constancy_n to_o himself_o vouchsafe_v he_o this_o high_a elogium_fw-la that_o he_o be_v scrinium_fw-la originum_fw-la graecarum_fw-la &_o barbararum_fw-la auctor_fw-la à _fw-la doctis_fw-la nunquam_fw-la deponendus_fw-la 157â—_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o very_o useful_a history_n may_v be_v fetch_v out_o of_o he_o yet_o who_o can_v excuse_v his_o 11._o ignorance_n when_o he_o not_o only_o deny_v there_o be_v a_o ocean_n compass_v the_o land_n but_o condemn_v the_o geographer_n for_o assert_v 4_o it_o unless_o this_o may_v be_v
so_o great_a uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n so_o much_o partiality_n and_o inconsistency_n with_o each_o other_o it_o remain_v now_o that_o i_o proceed_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o credibility_n of_o that_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n which_o be_v report_v in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n which_o will_v be_v the_o second_o part_n of_o our_o task_n book_n ii_o chap._n i._n the_o certainty_n of_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n several_a hypothesis_n lay_v down_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o preserve_v the_o ancient_a history_n of_o the_o world_n in_o some_o certain_a record_n from_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o mere_a tradition_n or_o constant_a revelation_n the_o second_o concern_v the_o certainty_n that_o the_o record_n under_o moses_n his_o name_n be_v undoubted_o he_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n inquire_v into_o in_o general_a and_o prove_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a by_o universal_a consent_n and_o settle_v a_o commonwealth_n upon_o his_o law_n the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o imposture_n as_o to_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n demonstrate_v the_o plea_n to_o the_o contrary_a large_o answer_v have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a 1_o time_n give_v by_o those_o nation_n who_o have_v make_v the_o great_a pretence_n to_o learning_n and_o antiquity_n in_o the_o world_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o evince_v the_o credibility_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o account_n which_o be_v give_v we_o in_o sacred_a screpture_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v premise_v these_o follow_a hypothesis_n it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o a_o account_n of_o thing_n so_o concern_v and_o remarkable_a shall_v not_o be_v always_o leave_v to_o the_o 1._o uncertainty_n of_o a_o oral_a tradition_n but_o shall_v be_v timely_o enter_v into_o certain_a record_n to_o be_v preserve_v to_o the_o memory_n of_o posterity_n for_o it_o be_v of_o concernment_n to_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o the_o establishment_n of_o belief_n as_o to_o future_a thing_n to_o be_v full_o settle_v in_o the_o belief_n that_o all_o thing_n past_a be_v manage_v by_o divine_a providence_n there_o must_v be_v some_o certain_a record_n of_o former_a age_n or_o else_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n will_v be_v perpetual_o hover_v in_o the_o great_a uncertainty_n especial_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o mutual_a dependence_n and_o concatenation_n of_o one_o thing_n with_o another_o as_o there_o be_v in_o all_o the_o scripture-history_n for_o take_v away_o but_o any_o one_o of_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a history_n all_o the_o superstructure_n will_v be_v exceed_o weaken_v if_o it_o do_v not_o fall_v quite_o to_o the_o ground_n for_o man_n obligation_n to_o obedience_n unto_o god_n do_v necessary_o suppose_v his_o original_n to_o be_v from_o he_o his_o harken_v to_o any_o proposal_n of_o favour_n from_o god_n do_v suppose_v his_o apostasy_n and_o fall_n god_n design_v to_o show_v mercy_n and_o favour_n to_o fall_v man_n do_v suppose_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o way_n whereby_o the_o great_a creator_n must_v reveal_v himself_o as_o to_o the_o condition_n on_o which_o fall_v man_n may_v expect_v a_o recovery_n the_o reveal_n of_o these_o condition_n in_o such_o a_o way_n whereon_o a_o suspicious_a because_o guilty_a creature_n may_v firm_o rely_v do_v suppose_v so_o certain_a a_o record_v of_o they_o as_o may_v be_v least_o liable_a to_o any_o suspicion_n of_o imposture_n or_o deceit_n for_o although_o nothing_o else_o be_v in_o its_o self_n necessary_a from_o god_n to_o man_n in_o order_n to_o his_o salvation_n but_o the_o bare_a reveal_n in_o a_o certain_a way_n the_o term_n on_o which_o he_o must_v expect_v it_o yet_o consider_v the_o unbounded_a nature_n of_o divine_a goodness_n respect_v not_o only_o the_o good_a of_o some_o particular_a person_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a society_n of_o mankind_n it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o such_o a_o revelation_n shall_v be_v so_o propound_v as_o may_v be_v with_o equal_a certainty_n convey_v to_o the_o community_n of_o mankind_n which_o can_v not_o with_o any_o such_o evidence_n of_o credibility_n be_v do_v by_o private_a and_o particular_a revelation_n which_o give_v satisfaction_n only_o to_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o the_o partaker_n of_o they_o as_o by_o a_o public_a record_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n by_o such_o a_o person_n who_o be_v enable_v to_o give_v the_o world_n all_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n that_o what_o he_o do_v be_v not_o of_o any_o private_a design_n of_o his_o own_o head_n but_o that_o he_o be_v depute_v to_o it_o by_o no_o less_o than_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o it_o stand_v to_o the_o high_a reason_n that_o where_o divine_a revelation_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o certain_a require_v of_o assent_n the_o matter_n to_o be_v believe_v shall_v have_v a_o certain_a uniform_a conveyance_n to_o man_n mind_n rather_o than_o that_o perpetual_o new_a revelation_n shall_v be_v require_v for_o the_o make_v know_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v once_o record_v be_v not_o liable_a to_o so_o many_o imposture_n as_o the_o other_o way_n may_v have_v be_v under_o pretend_a revelation_n for_o than_o man_n be_v not_o put_v to_o a_o continual_a trial_n of_o every_o person_n pretend_v divine_a revelation_n as_o to_o the_o evidence_n which_o he_o bring_v of_o divine_a authority_n but_o the_o great_a matter_n of_o concernment_n be_v already_o record_v and_o attest_v by_o all_o rational_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n their_o mind_n therein_o rest_v satisfy_v without_o be_v under_o a_o continual_a hesitancy_n lest_o the_o revelation_n of_o one_o shall_v contradict_v another_o for_o suppose_v that_o god_n have_v leave_v the_o matter_n of_o divine_a 2._o revelation_n unrecord_v at_o all_o but_o leave_v they_o to_o be_v discover_v in_o every_o age_n by_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n by_o such_o a_o multitude_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o inform_v the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n we_o can_v but_o conceive_v that_o a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o croak_a enthusiast_n will_v be_v continual_o pretend_v commission_n from_o heaven_n by_o which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n will_v be_v leave_v in_o continual_a distraction_n because_o they_o will_v have_v no_o certain_a infallible_a rule_n give_v they_o whereby_o to_o difference_n the_o good_a and_o evil_a spirit_n from_o each_o other_o but_o now_o suppose_v god_n to_o inspire_v some_o particular_a person_n not_o only_o to_o reveal_v but_o to_o record_v divine_a truth_n than_o what_o ever_o evidence_n can_v be_v bring_v attest_v a_o divine_a revelation_n in_o they_o will_v likewise_o prove_v the_o undoubted_a certainty_n and_o infallibility_n of_o those_o write_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o person_n employ_v by_o a_o god_n of_o truth_n shall_v make_v it_o their_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n which_o give_v we_o a_o rational_a account_n why_o the_o wise_a god_n do_v not_o suffer_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n to_o lie_v still_o unrecord_v but_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o a_o person_n to_o record_v it_o who_o give_v abundant_a evidence_n to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o act_v no_o private_a design_n but_o be_v peculiar_o employ_v by_o god_n himself_o for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o as_o will_v appear_v afterward_o beside_o we_o find_v by_o our_o former_a discourse_n how_o liable_a the_o most_o certain_a tradition_n be_v to_o be_v corrupt_v in_o progress_n of_o time_n where_o there_o be_v no_o stand_a record_n though_o it_o be_v at_o first_o deliver_v by_o person_n of_o undoubted_a credit_n for_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o old_a world_n the_o flood_n and_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o with_o the_o nature_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v at_o first_o spread_v over_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o its_o first_o plantation_n yet_o we_o see_v how_o soon_o for_o want_n of_o certain_a conveyance_n all_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n be_v corrupt_v and_o abuse_v into_o the_o great_a idolatry_n which_o may_v be_v less_o wonder_v at_o have_v it_o be_v only_o in_o those_o part_n which_o be_v further_a remote_a from_o the_o seat_n of_o those_o grand_a transaction_n but_o thus_o we_o find_v it_o be_v even_o among_o those_o family_n who_o have_v the_o near_a residence_n to_o the_o place_n of_o they_o and_o among_o those_o person_n who_o be_v not_o far_o off_o in_o a_o lineal_a descent_n from_o the_o person_n main_o concern_v in_o they_o as_o be_v most_o evident_a in_o the_o family_n out_o of_o which_o abraham_n come_v who_o be_v himself_o the_o ten_o from_o noah_n yet_o of_o they_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o
who_o it_o be_v very_o frequent_a who_o worship_v the_o devil_n instead_o of_o go_n 2._o because_o of_o the_o general_a dispersion_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o they_o we_o can_v otherwise_o conceive_v but_o that_o record_n contain_v so_o weighty_a and_o important_a thing_n will_v be_v transcribe_v by_o all_o those_o church_n which_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o we_o see_v how_o far_o curiosity_n will_v carry_v man_n as_o to_o the_o care_n of_o transcribe_v ancient_a mss._n of_o old_a author_n which_o contain_v only_o some_o history_n of_o thing_n past_o that_o be_v of_o no_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o can_v we_o then_o imagine_v those_o who_o venture_v estate_n and_o life_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n will_v not_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o authentic_a instrument_n whereby_o they_o be_v reveal_v in_o a_o certain_a way_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o beside_o this_o for_o a_o long_a time_n the_o original_n themselves_o of_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o church_n which_o make_v tertullian_n in_o his_o time_n appeal_v to_o they_o age_fw-la jam_fw-la qui_fw-la voles_fw-fr curiositatem_fw-la melius_fw-la exercere_fw-la in_o negotio_fw-la salutis_fw-la tuus_fw-la 36._o percurre_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la apud_fw-la quasipsae_fw-la adhuc_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la suis_fw-la locis_fw-la praesidentur_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la authenticae_fw-la corum_fw-la literae_fw-la recitantur_fw-la sonantes_fw-la vocem_fw-la &_o representantes_fw-la faciem_fw-la uniuscujusque_fw-la now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o in_o that_o time_n the_o scripture_n can_v be_v corrupt_v when_o in_o some_o of_o the_o church_n the_o original_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v preserve_v in_o a_o continual_a succession_n of_o person_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o from_o these_o original_n so_o many_o copy_n be_v transcribe_v as_o be_v convey_v almost_o all_o the_o world_n over_o through_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o copy_n shall_v be_v corrupt_v in_o one_o church_n when_o it_o will_v so_o speedy_o be_v discover_v by_o another_o especial_o consider_v these_o three_o circumstance_n 1._o the_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o copy_n wh_z ch_z will_v speedy_o be_v take_v both_o consider_v the_o moment_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o easiness_n of_o do_v it_o god_n probable_o for_o that_o very_a end_n not_o load_v the_o world_n with_o pandâ—cts_n and_o code_o of_o his_o law_n but_o contrive_v the_o whole_a instrument_n of_o man_n salvation_n in_o so_o narrow_a a_o compass_n that_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o preserve_v and_o transcribe_v by_o such_o who_o be_v passionate_a admirer_n of_o the_o scripture_n 2._o the_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a man_n who_o soon_o spring_v up_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o great_a care_n be_v to_o explain_v and_o vindicate_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v that_o all_o these_o watchman_n shall_v be_v asleep_a together_o when_o the_o â—vil_a one_o come_v to_o sow_v his_o tare_n which_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o in_o the_o write_n of_o all_o these_o learned_a man_n which_o be_v very_o many_o and_o voluminous_a so_o much_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v insert_v that_o have_v there_o be_v corruption_n in_o the_o copy_n themselves_o yet_o compare_v they_o with_o those_o write_n the_o corruption_n will_v be_v soon_o discover_v 3._o the_o great_a veneration_n which_o all_o christian_n have_v of_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o place_v the_o hope_n of_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v these_o will_v suffer_v any_o material_a alteration_n to_o creep_v into_o these_o record_n without_o their_o observe_n and_o discover_v it_o can_v we_o now_o think_v when_o all_o person_n be_v so_o exceed_o careful_a of_o their_o deed_n and_o the_o record_n whereon_o their_o estate_n depend_v that_o the_o christian_n who_o value_v not_o this_o world_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o to_o come_v shall_v suffer_v the_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o that_o to_o be_v lose_v corrupt_a or_o imbezzele_v away_o especial_o consider_v what_o care_n and_o industry_n be_v use_v by_o many_o primitive_a christian_n to_o compare_v copy_n together_o as_o be_v evident_a in_o pantaenus_n who_o bring_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o matthew_n out_o of_o the_o indies_n to_o alexandria_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o in_o pamphilus_n and_o the_o library_n he_o errect_v at_o caesarâ—a_n but_o especial_o in_o origen_n admirable_a hexapla_n which_o be_v main_o intend_v for_o this_o end_n 3._o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v a_o corruption_n of_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n because_o of_o the_o great_a difference_n which_o be_v all_o along_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n between_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v divine_a so_o that_o if_o one_o party_n of_o they_o have_v foist_v in_o or_o take_v out_o any_o thing_n another_o party_n be_v ready_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o tell_v the_o world_n of_o it_o and_o this_o may_v be_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o god_n in_o his_o wise_a providence_n may_v permit_v such_o a_o increase_n of_o heresy_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n viz._n that_o thereby_o christian_n may_v be_v force_v to_o stand_v upon_o their_o guard_n and_o to_o have_v a_o special_a eye_n to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v always_o the_o great_a eyesore_n of_o heretic_n and_o from_o this_o great_a wariness_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v so_o long_o abroad_o before_o they_o find_v general_a entertainment_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n because_o in_o those_o epistle_n which_o be_v doubt_v for_o some_o tâ—me_n there_o be_v some_o passage_n which_o seem_v to_o favour_v some_o of_o the_o heresy_n then_o abroad_o but_o when_o upon_o severe_a enquiry_n they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v what_o they_o pretend_v they_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n 4._o because_o of_o the_o agreement_n between_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n appear_v with_o their_o full_a accomplishment_n in_o the_o new_a which_o we_o have_v so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v the_o new_a shall_v be_v corrupt_v unless_o the_o old_a be_v too_o which_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v the_o great_a conservator_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v all_o along_o the_o most_o inveterate_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_n so_o that_o we_o can_v at_o all_o conceive_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n much_o less_o that_o the_o true_a copy_n shall_v be_v lose_v and_o a_o new_a one_o forge_v suppose_v then_o that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o authentic_a record_n preserve_v and_o hand_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o care_n of_o all_o christian_a 5â—_n church_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n what_o necessity_n can_v we_o imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v work_v new_a miracle_n to_o confirm_v that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v convey_v down_o in_o a_o certain_a uninterrupted_a way_n to_o we_o as_o be_v seâ—led_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a in_o the_o first_o promulgation_n and_o pen_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o reason_n why_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n need_v not_o now_o be_v seal_v by_o new_a miracle_n 2._o another_o may_v be_v because_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n have_v appoint_v other_o thing_n to_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o his_o people_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n such_o be_v outward_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v set_v apart_o to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n towards_o we_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a promise_n contain_v in_o it_o in_o reference_n to_o pardon_v of_o sin_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o inward_o god_n have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n to_o be_v as_o a_o witness_n within_o they_o that_o by_o its_o work_n and_o strengthen_v grace_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o believer_n it_o may_v confirm_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n of_o scripture_n when_o they_o find_v the_o counter_a part_n of_o they_o write_v in_o their_o heart_n by_o the_o singer_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n it_o can_v then_o be_v with_o any_o reason_n at_o all_o suppose_a
a_o opinion_n do_v and_o be_v sufficient_o deride_v and_o refute_v by_o pomponatius_n himself_o now_o than_o it_o be_v a_o acknowledge_a principle_n in_o nature_n that_o every_o thing_n continue_v in_o the_o course_n it_o be_v in_o till_o something_o more_o powerful_a put_v it_o out_o if_o then_o such_o thing_n have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o have_v be_v real_a alteration_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o sun_n stand_v still_o in_o the_o time_n of_o joshua_n then_o there_o must_v be_v something_o above_o matter_n and_o motion_n and_o consequent_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n of_o the_o several_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o contradict_v moses_n with_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o they_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o world_n consonant_n to_o moses_n prove_v from_o the_o jonick_a philosophy_n of_o thales_n and_o the_o italic_a of_o pythagoras_n the_o pythagorick_a cabbala_n rather_o egyptian_a then_o mosaic_a of_o the_o fluid_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o material_a principle_n of_o the_o universe_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n assert_v by_o ocellus_n lucanus_n and_o aristotle_n the_o weakness_n of_o the_o foundation_n on_o which_o that_o opinion_n be_v build_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o form_v principle_n of_o philosophy_n the_o possibility_n of_o creation_n prove_v no_o argue_v from_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n against_o its_o beginning_n show_v from_o maimonides_n the_o platonist_n argument_n from_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n answer_v of_o the_o stoical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n whether_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o text_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o plato_n and_o pythagoras_n concern_v the_o praeexistence_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o contradiction_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n of_o the_o atomical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o world_n can_v not_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n prove_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o motion_n of_o epicurus_n his_o atom_n and_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o universe_n especial_o the_o production_n and_o nature_n of_o animal_n of_o the_o cartesian_a hypothesis_n that_o it_o can_v salve_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n without_o a_o deity_n give_v motion_n to_o matter_n the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n be_v thus_o establish_v in_o 1_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n we_o now_o come_v to_o erect_v our_o supper_n structure_n upon_o they_o by_o assert_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o account_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v give_v we_o in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n which_o begin_v with_o the_o world_n its_o self_n lead_v we_o to_o a_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o right_a understanding_n of_o which_o have_v very_o great_a influence_n upon_o our_o belief_n of_o all_o that_o follow_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o although_o we_o shall_v assert_v with_o epicurus_n the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n if_o yet_o with_o he_o we_o add_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n all_o that_o part_n of_o religion_n which_o lie_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v unavoidable_o destroy_v all_o that_o be_v leave_v be_v only_o a_o kind_n of_o veneration_n of_o a_o bâ—ing_n more_o excellent_a than_o our_o own_o which_o reach_v not_o to_o the_o government_n of_o man_n life_n and_o so_o will_v have_v no_o force_n at_o all_o upon_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v only_o allure_v by_o hope_n or_o awe_v by_o fear_n to_o that_o which_o of_o their_o choice_n they_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o be_v free_v from_o beside_o what_o expression_n of_o gratitude_n can_v be_v leave_v to_o god_n for_o his_o goodness_n if_o he_o interpose_v not_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n what_o dependence_n can_v there_o be_v on_o divine_a goodness_n if_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o manifest_v in_o the_o world_n what_o apprehension_n can_v we_o have_v of_o god_n infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n if_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v discernible_a in_o the_o be_v of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o the_o opinion_n of_o epicurus_n destroy_v religion_n so_o do_v that_o of_o aristotle_n which_o attribute_n eternity_n to_o the_o universe_n and_o a_o necessary_a emanation_n of_o it_o from_o the_o first_o cause_n as_o light_n come_v from_o the_o sun_n for_o if_o so_o as_o maimonides_n well_o observe_v the_o whole_a religion_n of_o moses_n be_v overthrow_v all_o his_o miracle_n be_v but_o 25._o imposture_n all_o the_o hope_n which_o be_v ground_v on_o the_o promise_v of_o god_n be_v vain_a and_o fruitless_a for_o if_o the_o world_n do_v of_o necessity_n exist_v than_o god_n be_v no_o free_a agent_n and_o if_o so_o then_o all_o institute_v religion_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o expectation_n of_o reward_n or_o fear_v of_o punishment_n from_o he_o who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v in_o the_o world_n but_o to_o set_v the_o great_a wheel_n of_o the_o heaven_n go_v so_o much_o be_v it_o our_o concernment_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o true_a original_a of_o the_o world_n and_o on_o what_o evidence_n of_o reason_n those_o opinion_n be_v build_v which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o that_o account_n give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o very_a entrance_n of_o the_o bâ—oks_n of_o moses_n wherein_o we_o read_v the_o true_a origine_fw-la of_o the_o world_n to_o have_v be_v by_o a_o production_n of_o it_o by_o the_o omnipotent_a will_n and_o word_n of_o god_n this_o be_v then_o the_o plain_a assertion_n of_o moses_n we_o come_v to_o compare_v it_o in_o point_n of_o reason_n with_o all_o those_o several_a hypothesis_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o it_o which_o have_v be_v embrace_v in_o several_a age_n by_o the_o philosopher_n of_o great_a esteem_n in_o the_o world_n which_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o four_o 1._o such_o as_o suppose_v the_o world_n to_o have_v exi_v as_o it_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n 2._o such_o as_o attribute_v the_o formation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v to_o god_n but_o withal_o assert_v the_o praeexistence_n and_o eternity_n of_o matter_n 3._o such_o as_o deny_v any_o eternity_n to_o the_o world_n but_o assert_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n 4._o such_o as_o endeavour_v to_o explain_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n and_o all_o appearance_n of_o nature_n mere_o by_o the_o mechanical_a law_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o matter_n i_o begin_v with_o those_o who_o assert_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n as_o 2._o it_o be_v among_o who_o aristotle_n have_v bear_v the_o great_a name_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v arrogate_a this_o opinion_n to_o himself_o for_o when_o he_o inquire_v into_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o have_v writ-before_a he_o he_o say_v of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 10._o all_o the_o philosopher_n assert_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v though_o some_o one_o way_n some_o another_o and_o be_v this_o true_a which_o aristotle-saith_a it_o will_v be_v the_o strong_a prejudice_n against_o his_o opinion_n for_o if_o the_o world_n have_v be_v eternal_a how_o shall_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o elder_a philosopher_n shall_v so_o ready_o and_o unanimous_o embrace_v that_o opinion_n which_o assert_v the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n be_v it_o not_o a_o strong_a presumption_n of_o the_o novity_n of_o the_o universe_n that_o all_o nation_n to_o who_o the_o philosopher_n resort_v have_v memorial_n leave_v among_o they_o of_o the_o first_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o when_o the_o humour_n of_o philosophize_v begin_v to_o take_v the_o greek_n about_o the_o xl._o olympiad_n when_o we_o may_v suppose_v thales_n to_o flourish_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n be_v no_o matter_n of_o dispute_n but_o take_v that_o for_o grant_v the_o enquiry_n be_v out_o of_o what_o material_a principle_n the_o universe_n be_v form_v of_o which_o thales_n thus_o deliver_v his_o opinion_n in_o tully_n aquam_fw-la 25._o dixit_fw-la esse_fw-la initium_fw-la rerum_fw-la deum_fw-la autem_fw-la eam_fw-la mentem_fw-la quae_fw-la ex_fw-la aqua_fw-la cuncta_fw-la fingeret_fw-la wherein_o he_o plain_o distinguish_v the_o efficient_a from_o the_o material_a cause_n of_o the_o world_n the_o prime_a efficient_a be_v god_n the_o material_a principle_n water_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o some_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o first_o
condition_n of_o our_o soul_n 3._o the_o scripture_n discover_v to_o we_o the_o only_a way_n of_o please_a god_n and_o enjoy_v his_o favour_n that_o clear_o reveal_v the_o way_n which_o man_n may_v have_v seek_v for_o to_o all_o eternity_n without_o particular_a revelation_n whereby_o sin_n may_v be_v pardon_v and_o whatever_o we_o do_v may_v be_v acceptable_a unto_o god_n it_o show_v we_o that_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n be_v through_o christ_n who_o he_o have_v make_v a_o propitiation_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o who_o alone_o be_v the_o true_a and_o live_a way_n whereby_o we_o may_v draw_v near_o to_o god_n with_o a_o true_a heart_n in_o full_a assurance_n of_o faith_n have_v our_o heart_n sprinkle_v from_o a_o evil_a conscience_n through_o christ_n we_o understand_v the_o term_n on_o which_o god_n will_v show_v favour_n and_o grace_n to_o the_o world_n and_o by_o he_o we_o have_v ground_n of_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d access_n with_o freedom_n and_o boldness_n unto_o god_n on_o his_o account_n we_o may_v hope_v not_o only_o for_o grace_n so_o subdue_v our_o sin_n resist_v temptation_n conquer_v the_o devil_n and_o the_o world_n but_o have_v fight_v this_o good_a fight_n and_o finish_v our_o course_n by_o patient_a continuance_n in_o well_o do_v we_o may_v just_o look_v for_o glory_n honour_n and_o immortality_n and_o that_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o those_o who_o wait_v in_o faith_n holiness_n and_o humility_n for_o the_o appearance_n of_o christ_n from_o heaven_n now_o what_o thing_n can_v there_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n for_o man_n to_o know_v or_o god_n to_o reveal_v than_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o our_o self_n the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o only_a way_n to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n and_o enjoy_v everlasting_a bliss_n the_o scripture_n discover_v not_o only_a matter_n of_o importance_n 2._o but_o of_o the_o great_a depth_n and_o mysteriousness_n there_o be_v many_o wonderful_a thing_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n thing_n we_o may_v admire_v but_o be_v never_o able_a to_o comprehend_v such_o be_v the_o eternal_a purpose_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n on_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o be_v all_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n for_o we_o to_o understand_v and_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v and_o yet_o may_v be_v unsearchable_a to_o our_o reason_n as_o to_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o they_o what_o certain_a ground_n our_o faith_n stand_v on_o as_o to_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v already_o show_v and_o therefore_o i_o forbear_v insist_v on_o 3._o they_o the_o scripture_n comprehend_v matter_n of_o the_o most_o universal_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n though_o many_o thing_n do_v much_o exceed_v our_o apprehension_n yet_o other_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o our_o nature_n as_o origen_n bid_v celsus_n see_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 135._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o agreeableness_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o which_o prevail_v most_o upon_o all_o candid_a and_o ingenuous_a auditor_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o as_o socrates_n say_v of_o heraclitus_n his_o book_n what_o he_o understand_v be_v excellent_a and_o therefore_o he_o suppose_v that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v be_v so_o too_o so_o ought_v we_o to_o say_v of_o the_o scripture_n if_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v within_o our_o capacity_n be_v so_o suitable_a to_o our_o nature_n and_o reason_n those_o can_v contradict_v our_o reason_n which_o yet_o be_v above_o they_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o they_o be_v yet_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o satisfaction_n 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revelation_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n as_o the_o matter_n themselves_o be_v of_o a_o excellent_a nature_n so_o be_v the_o manner_n wherein_o they_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n 2._o and_o that_o 1._o in_o a_o clear_a and_o perspicuous_a manner_n not_o but_o there_o may_v be_v still_o some_o passage_n which_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v as_o be_v either_o prophetical_a or_o consist_v of_o ambiguous_a phrase_n or_o contain_v matter_n above_o our_o comprehension_n but_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o term_n of_o man_n salvation_n be_v deliver_v with_o the_o great_a evidence_n and_o perspicuiry_n who_o can_v understand_v what_o these_o thing_n mean_v what_o do_v the_o lord_n require_v of_o thou_o but_o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n that_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n that_o without_o holiness_n none_o shall_v see_v the_o lord_n that_o unless_o we_o 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understand_v they_o if_o our_o gospel_n be_v hide_v it_o be_v 4._o hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v in_o who_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v the_o mind_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v not_o lest_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n shall_v shine_v unto_o they_o sure_a lot_n door_n be_v visible_a enough_o if_o it_o be_v a_o judgement_n for_o the_o man_n of_o sodom_n not_o to_o see_v it_o and_o the_o scripture_n than_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a enough_o if_o it_o be_v so_o great_a a_o judgement_n not_o to_o understand_v they_o 2._o in_o a_o powerful_a and_o authoritative_a manner_n as_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n do_v not_o so_o much_o beg_v acceptance_n as_o command_v it_o in_o that_o the_o expression_n wherein_o our_o duty_n be_v concern_v be_v such_o as_o awe_v man_n conscience_n and_o pierce_v to_o their_o heart_n and_o to_o their_o secret_a thought_n all_o thing_n be_v open_a 13._o and_o naked_a before_o this_o 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of_o that_o god_n who_o reveal_v it_o who_o authority_n extend_v over_o the_o soul_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o its_o most_o secret_a and_o hide_a recess_n 3._o in_o a_o pure_a and_o unmixed_a manner_n in_o all_o other_o write_n how_o good_a soever_o we_o have_v a_o great_a mixture_n of_o dross_n and_o gold_n together_o here_o be_v nothing_o but_o pure_a gold_n diamond_n without_o flaw_n sun_n without_o spot_n the_o most_o current_a coin_n of_o the_o world_n have_v their_o alloyes_n of_o base_a metal_n there_o be_v no_o such_o mixture_n in_o divine_a truth_n as_o they_o all_o come_v from_o the_o same_o author_n so_o they_o all_o have_v the_o same_o purity_n there_o be_v a_o urim_n and_o thumim_n upon_o the_o whole_a scripture_n light_n and_o perfection_n in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o in_o the_o philosopher_n we_o may_v meet_v it_o may_v be_v with_o some_o scatter_a fragment_n of_o pure_a metal_n amid_o abundance_n of_o dross_n and_o impure_a oar_n here_o we_o have_v whole_a 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choice_n of_o man_n of_o all_o rank_n to_o be_v enditer_n of_o his_o oracle_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v it_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o state_n policy_n or_o particular_a interest_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o his_o word_n which_o person_n of_o such_o different_a interest_n can_v not_o have_v agree_v in_o as_o they_o do_v we_o have_v moses_n david_n solomon_n person_n of_o royal_a rank_n and_o quality_n and_o can_v it_o be_v any_o mean_a thing_n which_o these_o think_v it_o their_o glory_n to_o be_v penner_n of_o we_o have_v isaiah_n daniel_n and_o other_o person_n of_o the_o high_a education_n and_o accomplishment_n and_o can_v it_o be_v any_o trivial_a thing_n which_o these_o employ_v themselves_o in_o we_o have_v amos_n other_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o new_a of_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o all_o these_o join_v in_o consort_n together_o when_o god_n tune_v their_o spirit_n all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o strain_n of_o divine_a truth_n and_o give_v light_a and_o harmony_n to_o each_o other_o 3._o by_o person_n in_o different_a place_n and_o condition_n some_o in_o prosperity_n in_o their_o own_o country_n some_o under_o banishment_n and_o adversity_n yet_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o substance_n of_o doctrine_n of_o which_o no_o alteration_n we_o see_v be_v make_v either_o for_o the_o flattery_n of_o those_o in_o power_n or_o for_o avoid_v misery_n and_o calamity_n and_o under_o all_o the_o different_a dispensation_n before_o under_o and_o after_o the_o law_n though_o the_o management_n of_o thing_n be_v different_a yet_o the_o doctrine_n and_o design_n be_v for_o substance_n the_o same_o in_o all_o all_o the_o different_a dispensation_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o common_a principle_n of_o religion_n the_o same_o ground_n of_o acceptance_n with_o god_n and_o obligation_n to_o duty_n be_v common_a to_o all_o though_o the_o peculiar_a instance_n wherein_o god_n be_v serve_v may_v be_v different_a according_a to_o the_o age_n of_o growth_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o that_o this_o great_a uniformity_n consider_v in_o these_o circumstance_n be_v a_o argument_n that_o these_o thing_n come_v original_o from_o the_o same_o spirit_n though_o convey_v through_o different_a instrument_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o world_n 5._o in_o a_o persuasive_a and_o convince_a manner_n and_o that_o these_o way_n 1._o bring_v divine_a truth_n down_o to_o our_o capacity_n clothing_n spiritual_a matter_n in_o familiar_a expression_n and_o similitude_n that_o so_o they_o may_v have_v the_o easy_a admission_n into_o our_o mind_n 2._o propound_v thing_n as_o our_o interest_n which_o be_v our_o duty_n thence_o god_n so_o frequent_o in_o scripture_n recommend_v our_o duty_n to_o we_o under_o all_o those_o motive_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o have_v the_o great_a force_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o annex_v gracious_a promise_n to_o our_o performance_n of_o they_o and_o those_o of_o the_o most_o weighty_a and_o concern_v thing_n of_o grace_n favour_n protection_n deliverance_n audience_n of_o prayer_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o be_v these_o will_v not_o prevail_v with_o man_n what_o motive_n will_v 3._o court_v we_o to_o obedience_n when_o he_o may_v not_o only_o command_v we_o to_o obey_v but_o punish_v present_o for_o disobedience_n hence_o be_v all_o those_o most_o pathetical_a and_o affectionate_a strain_n we_o read_v in_o scripture_n o_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o heart_n within_o they_o that_o they_o will_v fear_v i_o and_o keep_v all_o my_o commandment_n always_o that_o it_o may_v go_v well_o with_o they_o and_o with_o their_o child_n after_o 29._o they_o wo_n unto_o thou_o o_o jerusalem_n will_v thou_o not_o be_v make_v clean_o when_o shall_v it_o once_o be_v turn_v you_o turn_v you_o from_o your_o evil_a way_n s._n for_o why_o will_v you_o die_v o_o hâ—use_n of_o israel_n how_o shall_v i_o give_v thou_o up_o ephraim_n how_o shall_v i_o deliver_v thou_o israel_n how_o shall_v i_o make_v thou_o as_o admah_n how_o shall_v i_o set_v thou_o as_o zâ—boim_n i_o heart_n be_v turn_v within_o i_o my_o repenting_n be_v kindle_v together_o o_o jerusalem_n jerusalem_n how_o often_o will_v i_o have_v gather_v thy_o 37_o child_n together_o as_o a_o hen_n gather_v her_o chicken_n under_o her_o wing_n and_o you_o will_v not_o what_o majesty_n and_o yet_o what_o sweetness_n and_o condescension_n be_v there_o in_o these_o expression_n what_o obstinacy_n and_o rebellion_n be_v it_o in_o man_n for_o they_o to_o stand_v out_o against_o god_n when_o he_o thus_o come_v down_o from_o his_o throne_n of_o majesty_n and_o woo_v rebellious_a sinner_n to_o return_v unto_o he_o that_o they_o may_v be_v pardon_v such_o a_o matchless_a and_o unparallelled_a strain_n of_o rhetoric_n be_v there_o in_o the_o scripture_n far_o above_o the_o art_n and_o insinuation_n of_o the_o most_o admire_a orator_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o peculiar_a excellency_n of_o the_o manner_n wherein_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o thus_o we_o have_v consider_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v a_o discovery_n of_o god_n mind_n to_o the_o world_n the_o scripture_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o as_o a_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v give_v for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o life_n 2._o of_o man_n and_o therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o the_o encouragement_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o 1._o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n require_v which_o be_v most_o become_a god_n to_o require_v most_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o perform_v 1._o most_o become_v god_n to_o require_v as_o they_o be_v most_o suitable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o imitation_n of_o which_o in_o our_o action_n be_v the_o
subject_n they_o treat_v of_o and_o some_o fragment_n 3._o those_o that_o be_v extant_a either_o confess_v their_o ignorance_n of_o elder_a time_n or_o plain_o discover_v it_o of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v thucydides_n and_o plutarch_n several_a evidence_n of_o the_o grecian_n ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a original_n of_o nation_n of_o herodotus_n and_o his_o mistake_n the_o greek_n ignorance_n in_o geography_n discover_v and_o thence_o their_o insufficiency_n as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o ancient_a history_n page_n 56_o chap._n v._o the_o general_a uncertainty_n of_o heathen_a chronology_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n further_o prove_v from_o the_o uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n in_o their_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n that_o discover_v by_o the_o uncertain_a form_n of_o their_o year_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o different_a form_n of_o the_o egyptian_a year_n the_o first_o of_o thirty_o day_n the_o second_o of_o four_o month_n of_o both_o instance_n give_v in_o the_o egyptian_a history_n of_o the_o chaldaean_a account_n and_o the_o first_o dynastye_n mention_v by_o berosus_n how_o they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o probability_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n of_o manetho_n reason_n of_o account_v they_o fabulous_a because_o not_o attest_v by_o any_o credible_a authority_n and_o reject_v by_o the_o best_a historian_n the_o opinion_n of_o scaliger_n and_o vossius_fw-la concern_v their_o be_v cotemporary_a propound_v and_o reject_v with_o reason_n against_o it_o of_o the_o ancient_a division_n of_o egypt_n into_o nomi_n or_o province_n and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o against_o vossius_fw-la and_o kircher_n page_n 73_o chap._n vi_o the_o uncertain_a epocha_n of_o heathen_a chronology_n a_o account_n give_v of_o the_o defect_n of_o chronology_n in_o the_o â—ldest_a time_n of_o the_o solar_a year_n among_o the_o egyptian_n the_o original_n of_o the_o epact_n the_o antiquity_n of_o intercalation_n among_o they_o of_o the_o several_a canicular_a year_n the_o difference_n between_o scaliger_n and_o petavius_n consider_v the_o certain_a epocha_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n no_o elder_a than_o nabonasser_n of_o the_o grecian_a account_n the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o heroical_a age_n of_o greece_n of_o the_o ancient_a grecian_a kingdom_n the_o beginning_n of_o the_o olympiad_n the_o uncertain_a origines_fw-la of_o the_o western_a nation_n of_o the_o latin_a dynastye_n the_o different_a palilia_n of_o rome_n the_o uncertain_a reckon_a ab._n v._o c._n of_o imposture_n as_o to_o ancient_a history_n of_o annius_n inghiramius_n and_o other_o of_o the_o character_n use_v by_o heathen_a priest_n no_o sacred_a character_n among_o the_o fews_n the_o partiality_n and_o inconsistency_n of_o heathen_a bistory_n with_o each_o other_o from_o all_o which_o the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o they_o as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n be_v clear_o demonstrate_v page_n 89_o book_n ii_o chap._n i._n the_o certainty_n of_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n several_a hypothesis_n lay_v down_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o preserve_v the_o ancient_a history_n of_o the_o world_n in_o some_o certain_a record_n from_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o mere_a tradition_n or_o constant_a revelation_n the_o second_o concern_v the_o certainty_n that_o the_o record_n under_o moses_n his_o name_n be_v undoubted_o he_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n inquire_v into_o in_o general_a and_o prove_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a by_o universal_a consent_n and_o settle_v a_o commonwealth_n upon_o his_o law_n the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o imposture_n as_o to_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n demonstrate_v the_o plea_n to_o the_o contrary_a large_o answer_v page_n 107_o chap._n ii_o moses_n his_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o write_v the_o three_o hypothesis_n concern_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o moses_n his_o history_n that_o gradual_o prove_v first_o moses_n his_o knowledge_n clear_v by_o his_o education_n and_o experience_n and_o certain_a information_n his_o education_n in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o egypt_n what_o that_o be_v the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n inquire_v into_o the_o convenience_n for_o it_o of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n moses_n reckon_v among_o they_o for_o his_o knowledge_n the_o mathematical_a natural_a divine_a and_o moral_a learning_n of_o egypt_n their_o political_a wisdom_n most_o considerable_a the_o advantage_n of_o moses_n above_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n as_o to_o wisdom_n and_o reason_n moses_n himself_o a_o eye_n witness_n of_o most_o of_o his_o history_n the_o certain_a uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o other_o part_n among_o the_o fews_n manifest_v by_o rational_a evidence_n p._n 119_o chap._n iii_o moses_n his_o fidelity_n and_o integrity_n prove_v moses_n consider_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o as_o a_o lawgiver_n his_o fidelity_n in_o both_o prove_v clear_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v no_o intent_n to_o deceive_v in_o his_o history_n freedom_n from_o private_a interest_n impartiality_n in_o his_o relation_n plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n of_o stile_n as_o a_o lawgiver_n be_v come_v arm_v with_o divine_a authority_n which_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n be_v fix_v on_o to_o be_v full_o prove_v from_o his_o action_n and_o write_n the_o power_n of_o miracle_n the_o great_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n two_o grand_a question_n propound_v in_o what_o case_n miracle_n may_v be_v expect_v and_o how_o know_v to_o be_v true_a no_o necessity_n of_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n in_o a_o church_n two_o case_n alone_o wherein_o they_o may_v be_v expect_v when_o any_o thing_n come_v as_o a_o law_n from_o god_n and_o when_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v the_o necessity_n of_o miracle_n in_o those_o case_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n assert_v objection_n answer_v no_o use_n of_o miracle_n when_o the_o doctrine_n be_v settle_v and_o own_a by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o revelation_n no_o need_n of_o miracle_n in_o reformation_n of_o a_o church_n pag._n 134_o chap._n iu_o the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o prophet_n succeed_v moses_n in_o order_n of_o prophet_n to_o succeed_v moses_n by_o god_n own_o appointment_n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o original_n and_o institution_n of_o they_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n the_o occasion_n of_o their_o first_o institution_n the_o place_n of_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o tendency_n of_o the_o institution_n there_o to_o a_o prophetical_a office_n of_o the_o music_n use_v in_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o roman_a assamâ—nta_n and_o the_o greek_a hymn_n in_o their_o solemn_a worship_n the_o two_o sort_n of_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n lieger_n and_o extraordinary_a ordinary_a prophet_n take_v out_o of_o the_o school_n prove_v by_o amos_n and_o saul_n pag._n 149_o chap._n v._o the_o trial_n of_o prophetical_a doctrine_n rule_n of_o try_v prophet_n establish_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o punishment_n of_o pretender_n the_o several_a sort_n of_o false_a prophet_n the_o case_n of_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n discuss_v the_o trial_n of_o false_a prophet_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n the_o particular_a rule_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o prophet_n be_v judge_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n not_o foretell_v future_a contingency_n but_o have_v immediate_a divine_a revelation_n several_a principle_n lay_v down_o for_o clear_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prophet_n 1._o that_o immediate_a dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o divine_a revelation_n several_a ground_n for_o divine_a revelation_n from_o natural_a light_n 2._o what_o ever_o be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n can_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n 3._o no_o divine_a revelation_n do_v contradict_v a_o divine_a positive_a law_n without_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n to_o repeal_v that_o law_n 4._o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o prophet_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n but_o by_o the_o intention_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o the_o prophetical_a office_n a_o kind_n of_o chancery_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n pag._n 165_o chap._n vi_o the_o trial_n of_o prophetical_a prediction_n and_o miracle_n the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o the_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o prophetical_a prediction_n from_o jerem._n 18._o 7_o 8_o etc._n etc._n some_o general_n hypothese_v premise_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o it_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o ground_n why_o prediction_n be_v account_v a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n three_o consectary_n draw_v thence_o the_o second_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n the_o three_o be_v that_o god_n do_v not_o always_o reveal_v the_o internal_a purpose_n of_o his_o
real_a learning_n or_o truth_n at_o all_o in_o they_o for_o this_o though_o he_o be_v sharp_o censure_v by_o strabo_n in_o his_o first_o book_n who_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v the_o geography_n of_o homer_n from_o the_o exception_n of_o eratosthenes_n yet_o himself_n can_v but_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v a_o â—very_n great_a mixture_n of_o fable_n in_o all_o their_o poet_n which_o be_v say_v he_o partly_o to_o delight_v the_o people_n and_o partly_o to_o awe_v they_o for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v always_o desirous_a of_o novelty_n such_o thing_n do_v huge_o please_v the_o natural_a humour_n of_o weak_a people_n especial_o if_o there_o be_v something_o in_o they_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a it_o increase_v the_o delight_n in_o hear_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o draw_v they_o on_o to_o a_o desire_n of_o hear_v more_o of_o it_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n say_v he_o be_v child_n first_o bring_v on_o to_o learning_n and_o all_o ignorant_a person_n be_v keep_v in_o awe_n nay_o and_o the_o more_o learned_a themselves_o partly_o for_o want_n of_o reason_n and_o judgement_n and_o partly_o from_o the_o remainder_n of_o those_o impression_n which_o these_o thing_n make_v upon_o they_o when_o they_o be_v child_n can_v shake_v off_o that_o former_a credulity_n which_o they_o have_v as_o to_o these_o thing_n by_o which_o discourse_n of_o strabo_n though_o intend_v whole_o by_o he_o in_o vindication_n of_o poetic_a fable_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a what_o great_a disservice_n have_v be_v do_v to_o truth_n by_o they_o by_o reason_n they_o have_v no_o other_o record_n to_o preserve_v their_o ancient_a history_n but_o these_o fabulous_a writer_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v a_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n together_o which_o strabo_n contend_v for_o yet_o what_o way_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a from_o the_o false_a when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o certain_a record_n and_o beside_o he_o himself_o acknowledge_v how_o hard_a a_o matter_n it_o be_v even_o for_o wise_a man_n to_o excuss_v those_o fabulous_a narration_n out_o of_o their_o mind_n which_o be_v insinuate_v into_o they_o by_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o prejudice_n custom_n and_o education_n can_v work_v upon_o they_o grant_v then_o there_o may_v be_v some_o truth_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o fabulous_a narration_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v be_v gild_v over_o with_o some_o please_a tale_n as_o himself_o 3._o compare_v it_o yet_o how_o shall_v those_o come_v to_o know_v that_o it_o be_v only_o gild_a that_o never_o see_v any_o pure_a metal_n and_o do_v always_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v what_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v have_v there_o be_v any_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o touchstone_n to_o have_v difference_v between_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o way_n for_o a_o separation_n of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v none_o such_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o fabulous_a narration_n of_o poet_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v truth_n more_o pleasant_a by_o their_o fiction_n have_v so_o adulterate_v it_o that_o we_o can_v find_v any_o credibility_n at_o all_o in_o their_o narration_n of_o elder_a time_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n have_v have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o conveyance_n but_o through_o their_o fiction_n but_o though_o poet_n may_v be_v allow_v their_o liberty_n for_o represent_v thing_n with_o the_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o palate_n 5_o of_o their_o reader_n yet_o we_o may_v just_o expect_v when_o man_n profess_v to_o be_v historical_a they_o shall_v deliver_v we_o nothing_o but_o what_o upon_o strict_a examination_n may_v prove_v undoubted_a truth_n yet_o even_o this_o be_v the_o greek_n far_o from_o for_o strabo_n himself_o confess_v of_o their_o elder_a historian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o first_o historian_n both_o of_o persen_n 1._o and_o thing_n be_v fabulous_a diodorus_n particular_o instance_v in_o their_o elder_a historian_n as_o cadmus_n milesius_n hecataeus_n and_o hellanicus_n and_o condemn_v they_o for_o fabulousness_n strabo_n condemn_v damastes_n sigeensis_fw-la for_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n and_o wonder_n at_o eratosthenes_n for_o make_v use_n of_o he_o yet_o this_o man_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n among_o they_o and_o his_o testimony_n use_v by_o author_n of_o good_a credit_n as_o diony_n 5._o halycarnassius_fw-la plutarch_n and_o other_o nay_o pliny_n profess_v to_o follow_v he_o and_o so_o he_o do_v aristeus_n procennesius_fw-la in_o his_o arimaspia_n which_o may_v render_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o history_n very_o suspicious_a with_o who_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o credibility_n to_o any_o story_n that_o he_o find_v it_o in_o some_o greek_a author_n strabo_n reckon_v damastes_n with_o euëmerus_fw-la messenius_n and_o antiphanes_n bergeus_fw-la which_o latter_a be_v so_o note_v a_o liar_n that_o from_o he_o as_o stephanus_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v as_o a_o proverb_n for_o to_o speak_v never_o a_o word_n of_o truth_n aristeus_n proconnesius_n live_v 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o write_v a_o history_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n in_o three_o book_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sir_n john_n maridevil_n of_o greece_n from_o his_o story_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n with_o one_o eye_n in_o their_o forehead_n and_o their_o continual_a fight_v with_o the_o gryphens_n for_o gold_n yet_o the_o story_n be_v take_v upon_o trust_n by_o herodotus_n pliny_n and_o many_o other_o though_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o who_o have_v visit_v those_o northern_a climate_n do_v sufficient_o refute_v these_o folly_n strabo_n say_v of_o this_o aristeus_n that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o inferior_a to_o none_o for_o juggle_a which_o cenfure_n be_v probable_o occasion_v by_o â—3_n the_o common_a story_n of_o he_o that_o he_o can_v let_v his_o soul_n out_o of_o his_o body_n when_o he_o please_v and_o bring_v it_o again_o yet_o this_o juggler_n do_v celsus_n pitch_v on_o to_o confront_v with_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o herocles_n do_v on_o apollinus_n so_o much_o have_v those_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o reason_n who_o have_v fight_v to_o oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o further_a what_o credit_n can_v we_o give_v to_o those_o historian_n who_o have_v strive_v to_o confute_v each_o other_o and_o lay_v open_a 6._o one_o another_o falsehood_n to_o the_o world_n where_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o such_o dissonancy_n in_o the_o sacred_a history_n of_o scripture_n do_v the_o writer_n of_o one_o book_n discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o another_o do_v not_o all_o the_o part_n so_o exact_o agree_v that_o the_o most_o probable_a suspicion_n can_v ever_o fall_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o infidel_n be_v that_o they_o be_v all_o write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n which_o yet_o the_o series_n of_o time_n manifest_v to_o have_v be_v impossible_a but_o now_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o ancient_a greek_a historian_n we_o need_v no_o other_o testimony_n than_o themselves_o to_o take_v away_o their_o credibility_n the_o genealogy_n of_o hesiod_n be_v correct_v by_o acusiddus_fw-la acusiddus_fw-la be_v condemn_v by_o hellanicus_n hellanicus_n accuse_v of_o falsehood_n by_o ephorus_n ephorus_n by_o timaeus_n timaeus_n by_o such_o who_o follow_v he_o as_o josephus_n full_o show_v where_o must_v we_o then_o fix_v our_o belief_n upon_o all_o in_o 1._o common_a that_o be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o believe_v contradiction_n for_o they_o condemn_v one_o another_o of_o falsehood_n must_v we_o believe_v one_o and_o reject_v the_o rest_n but_o what_o evidence_n do_v that_o one_o give_v why_o he_o shall_v be_v credit_v more_o than_o the_o rest_n and_o which_o be_v a_o most_o irrefragable_a argument_n against_o the_o grecian_a history_n their_o elder_a historian_n be_v ackowledge_v to_o be_v the_o most_o fabulous_a for_o our_o only_a recourse_n for_o decide_v the_o controversy_n among_o the_o young_a historian_n must_v be_v to_o the_o elder_a and_o here_o we_o be_v further_a to_o seek_v then_o ever_o for_o the_o first_o age_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v poetical_a and_o to_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o truth_n in_o they_o so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o any_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o ancient_a time_n among_o the_o greek_a historian_n which_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o evident_a when_o we_o add_v this_o that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o extant_a of_o those_o historian_n who_o do_v carry_v the_o great_a name_n for_o antiquity_n the_o high_a antiquity_n of_o the_o greek_a historian_n do_v not_o much_o exceed_v the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o cambyses_n as_o vossius_fw-la have_v 7._o full_o demonstrate_v in_o his_o learned_a book_n de_fw-fr historiâ—is_fw-la graecis_fw-la and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v spare_v particular_a inquiry_n into_o their_o
serve_v other_o go_n how_o unlikely_a then_o be_v it_o that_o this_o tradition_n 2._o shall_v be_v afterward_o preserve_v entire_a when_o the_o people_n god_n have_v peculiar_o choose_v to_o himself_o be_v so_o mix_v among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o so_o prone_a to_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o and_o that_o even_o after_o god_n have_v give_v they_o a_o write_a law_n attest_v with_o the_o great_a miracle_n what_o will_v they_o have_v do_v then_o have_v they_o never_o be_v bring_v forth_o of_o egypt_n by_o such_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o have_v no_o certain_a record_n leave_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o former_a age_n thus_o we_o see_v how_o much_o it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o so_o memorable_a thing_n shall_v be_v digest_v into_o sacred_a record_n we_o have_v as_o great_a certainty_n that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o record_n go_v under_o his_o name_n as_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o matter_n of_o 2._o fact_n do_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v two_o very_a distinct_a question_n to_o be_v think_v of_o concern_v a_o divine_a revelation_n to_o any_o person_n at_o a_o considerable_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o and_o those_o be_v what_o evidence_n can_v be_v give_v that_o the_o matter_n record_v be_v of_o a_o true_a divine_a revelation_n and_o what_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o such_o thing_n be_v record_v by_o such_o person_n they_o who_o do_v not_o careful_o distinguish_v between_o these_o two_o question_n will_v soon_o run_v themselves_o into_o a_o inextricable_a labyrinth_n when_o they_o either_o seek_v to_o understand_v themselves_o or_o explain_v to_o other_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o they_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o first_o step_n in_o order_n to_o which_o must_v be_v the_o prove_v the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n that_o such_o person_n be_v real_o existent_a and_o do_v either_o do_v or_o record_v the_o thing_n we_o speak_v of_o after_o this_o succeed_v the_o other_o to_o prove_v not_o only_o the_o real_a existence_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o that_o the_o person_n who_o record_v the_o thing_n be_v assist_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n then_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o to_o doubt_v but_o those_o record_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v that_o which_o at_o present_a we_o inquire_v after_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o record_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n be_v undoubted_o he_o and_o here_o it_o will_v be_v most_o unreasonable_a for_o any_o to_o seek_v for_o further_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n of_o it_o than_o the_o matter_n to_o be_v prove_v be_v capable_a of_o but_o if_o they_o shall_v i_o suppose_v we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o folly_n of_o such_o a_o demand_n and_o that_o on_o these_o account_n 1._o whoever_o yet_o undertake_v to_o bring_v matter_n of_o fact_n into_o mathematical_a demonstration_n or_o think_v he_o have_v ground_n to_o 1._o question_v the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o prove_v in_o a_o mathematical_a way_n to_o he_o who_o will_v ever_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o archimedes_n be_v kill_v at_o syracuse_n by_o any_o of_o the_o demonstration_n he_o be_v then_o about_o or_o that_o euclid_n be_v the_o undoubted_a author_n of_o the_o geometry_n under_o his_o name_n or_o do_v man_n question_v these_o thing_n for_o want_n of_o such_o demonstration_n yet_o this_o be_v all_o we_o at_o present_a desire_n but_o the_o same_o liberty_n here_o which_o be_v use_v in_o any_o thing_n of_o a_o like_a nature_n 2._o i_o demand_v of_o the_o person_n who_o deny_v this_o moral_a certainty_n to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o a_o assent_n whether_o he_o do_v question_v 2._o every_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n which_o he_o be_v not_o present_a at_o the_o do_v of_o himself_o if_o he_o be_v peremptory_o resolve_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o see_v he_o be_v fit_a for_o nothing_o but_o a_o voyage_n to_o anticyrae_n or_o to_o be_v sound_o purge_v with_o hellebore_n to_o free_v he_o from_o those_o cloudy_a humour_n that_o make_v he_o suspect_v the_o whole_a world_n to_o be_v a_o imposture_n but_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o man_n so_o destitute_a of_o reason_n as_o â—o_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o he_o do_v not_o see_v himself_o if_o he_o do_v then_o firm_o believe_v any_o thing_n there_o must_v be_v suppose_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o induce_v he_o to_o such_o a_o belief_n and_o then_o what_o ground_n can_v there_o be_v to_o question_v the_o certainty_n of_o such_o thing_n which_o have_v as_o great_a evidence_n as_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n have_v which_o he_o most_o firm_o believe_v and_o this_o be_v all_o we_o desire_v from_o he_o 3._o do_v we_o not_o see_v that_o the_o most_o concern_v and_o weighty_a 3._o action_n of_o man_n life_n be_v build_v on_o no_o other_o foundation_n than_o this_o moral_a certainty_n yet_o man_n do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o rely_v upon_o as_o be_v most_o evident_a in_o all_o title_n to_o estate_n derive_v from_o ancestor_n either_o by_o donation_n or_o purchase_n in_o all_o trade_n which_o go_v upon_o the_o moral_a certainty_n that_o there_o be_v such_o place_n as_o the_o indies_n or_o france_n or_o spain_n etc._n etc._n in_o all_o journeying_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o that_o i_o be_o go_v to_o and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n thither_o for_o these_o we_o have_v but_o this_o moral_a certainty_n for_o the_o contrary_a to_o both_o these_o be_v possible_a and_o the_o affirmative_n be_v indemonstrable_a in_o eat_v and_o drink_v there_o be_v a_o possibility_n of_o be_v poison_v by_o every_o bit_n of_o meat_n or_o drop_n of_o drink_n do_v we_o therefore_o continual_o doubt_v whether_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o or_o no_o chief_o this_o be_v see_v in_o all_o natural_a affection_n and_o piety_n in_o child_n towards_o parent_n which_o undoubted_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o can_v be_v witness_n of_o themselves_o viz._n their_o come_n out_o of_o their_o mother_n womb_n and_o do_v any_o one_o think_v this_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o question_v his_o mother_n because_o the_o contrary_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v demonstrate_v to_o he_o in_o short_a then_o either_o we_o must_v destroy_v all_o historical_a faith_n out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o believe_v nothing_o though_o never_o so_o much_o attest_v but_o what_o we_o see_v ourselves_o or_o else_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o a_o moral_a certainty_n be_v a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o undoubted_a assent_n not_o such_o a_o one_o cui_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la subesse_fw-la falsum_fw-la but_o such_o a_o one_o cui_fw-la non_fw-la subest_fw-la dubium_fw-la i._n e._n a_o assent_n undoubted_a though_o not_o infallible_a by_o which_o we_o see_v what_o little_a reason_n the_o atheist_n on_o one_o side_n can_v have_v to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o history_n of_o it_o and_o what_o little_a ground_n the_o papist_n on_o the_o other_o side_n have_v to_o make_v a_o pretence_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o infallibility_n as_o to_o the_o proposal_n of_o such_o thing_n where_o moral_a certainty_n be_v sufficient_a that_o be_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o fâ—ct_n which_o i_o now_o come_v to_o prove_v as_o to_o the_o subject_n in_o hand_n 4._o viz._n that_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n be_v undoubted_o he_o which_o i_o prove_v by_o a_o twofold_a argument_n 1._o a_o universal_a consent_n of_o person_n who_o be_v best_a able_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n 2._o the_o settle_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n upon_o the_o law_n deliver_v by_o moses_n 1._o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o person_n most_o capable_a of_o judge_v in_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n i_o know_v nothing_o the_o most_o scrupulous_a and_o inquisitive_a mind_n can_v possible_o desire_v in_o order_n to_o satisfaction_n concern_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n beyond_o a_o universal_a consent_n of_o such_o person_n who_o have_v a_o great_a capacity_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o then_o we_o can_v have_v and_o those_o be_v all_o such_o person_n who_o have_v live_v near_a those_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n be_v do_v and_o have_v best_a understand_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v do_v can_v we_o possible_o conceive_v that_o among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o exceed_o prone_a to_o transgress_v the_o law_n
though_o with_o all_o imaginable_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v undoubted_o he_o especial_o when_o they_o be_v engage_v to_o the_o observation_n of_o some_o law_n or_o custom_n already_o by_o which_o their_o commonwealth_n have_v be_v establish_v and_o with_o all_o these_o law_n of_o moses_n seem_v so_o much_o against_o the_o interest_n and_o good_a husbandry_n of_o a_o nation_n as_o all_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n think_v who_o for_o that_o accuse_v they_o to_o be_v a_o iâ—le_n and_o slothful_a people_n as_o they_o judge_v by_o their_o rest_a whole_o one_o day_n in_o seven_o the_o great_a and_o many_o solemn_a feast_n they_o have_v the_o repair_n of_o all_o the_o male_n to_o jerusalem_n thrice_o a_o year_n the_o sabbatical_a year_n year_n of_o jubilee_n etc._n etc._n these_o thing_n be_v apparent_o against_o the_o interest_n of_o such_o a_o nation_n who_o great_a subsistence_n be_v upon_o pasturage_n and_o agriculture_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a these_o law_n respect_v not_o the_o outward_a interest_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o so_o can_v not_o be_v the_o contrivance_n of_o any_o politician_n among_o they_o but_o do_v immediate_o aim_v at_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o god_n who_o they_o serve_v for_o who_o they_o be_v to_o part_v even_o with_o their_o civil_a interest_n the_o do_v of_o which_o by_o a_o people_n general_o take_v notice_n of_o for_o a_o particular_a love_n of_o their_o own_o concernment_n be_v a_o impregnable_a argument_n these_o law_n can_v not_o take_v place_n among_o they_o have_v they_o not_o be_v give_v by_o moses_n at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o unsettlement_n and_o that_o their_o future_a settlement_n do_v depend_v upon_o their_o present_a observation_n of_o they_o which_o be_v a_o evidence_n too_o that_o they_o can_v be_v of_o no_o less_o than_o divine_a original_n which_o be_v more_o than_o i_o be_v to_o prove_v at_o present_a 4._o be_v not_o these_o write_n undoubted_o moses's_fw-fr 7._o whence_o shall_v the_o neighbour_n nation_n about_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n retain_v so_o venerable_a a_o opinion_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o moses_n the_o egyptian_n account_v he_o one_o of_o their_o priest_n which_o note_v the_o esteem_n they_o have_v of_o his_o learning_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o testimony_n produce_v out_o of_o chaeremon_n and_o manâ—tho_n by_o josephus_n sublim_fw-la diodorus_n siculus_n speak_v of_o he_o with_o great_a respect_n among_o the_o famous_a legislatour_n and_o so_o do_v strabo_n who_o speak_v in_o commendation_n of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o the_o testimony_n of_o longinus_n be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o moses_n be_v no_o man_n of_o any_o vulgar_a wit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chalcidius_n call_v he_o sapientissimus_fw-la moses_n although_o i_o must_v not_o dissemble_v that_o chalcidius_n have_v be_v i_o think_v undeserved_o reckon_v among_o heathen_a writer_n though_o he_o comment_v on_o plato_n timaeus_n 45._o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o he_o be_v a_o christian_a platonist_n which_o may_v more_o probable_o make_v vaninus_n call_v he_o circumforaneum_fw-la blateronem_fw-la but_o though_o we_o exempt_v chalcidius_n out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o heathen_n who_o have_v bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o moses_n yet_o there_o be_v number_n enough_o beside_o he_o produce_v by_o justin_n martyr_n cyrill_n and_o 2._o other_o who_o evidence_n be_v clear_a and_o full_a to_o make_v we_o undoubted_o believe_v that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v so_o universal_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n concern_v the_o write_n and_o law_n of_o moses_n have_v they_o not_o be_v certain_o he_o and_o convey_v down_o in_o a_o continual_a succession_n from_o his_o time_n to_o our_o present_a age_n which_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o clear_a if_o we_o consider_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o national_a constitution_n and_o setlement_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v depend_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o law_n and_o write_n of_o moses_n can_v we_o have_v more_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n as_o solon_n lyâ—urgus_n and_o numa_n and_o that_o the_o law_n bear_v their_o name_n be_v they_o than_o the_o history_n of_o the_o several_a commonwealth_n of_o athâ—ns_n sparta_n and_o rome_n who_o be_v govern_v by_o those_o law_n when_o write_n be_v not_o of_o general_a concernment_n they_o may_v be_v more_o easy_o counterfeit_v but_o when_o they_o concern_v the_o right_n privilege_n and_o government_n of_o a_o nation_n there_o will_v be_v enough_o who_o interest_n will_v lead_v they_o to_o prevent_v imposture_n it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o forge_v a_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la and_o to_o invent_v law_n man_n caution_n and_o prudence_n be_v never_o so_o quick_a sight_v as_o in_o matter_n which_o concern_v their_o estate_n and_o freehold_n the_o general_a interest_n lie_v contrary_a to_o such_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o they_o will_v prevent_v their_o obtain_n among_o they_o now_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v incorporate_v into_o the_o very_a republic_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o subsistence_n and_o government_n depend_v upon_o they_o their_o religion_n and_o law_n be_v so_o interweave_v one_o with_o the_o other_o that_o one_o can_v be_v break_v off_o from_o the_o other_o their_o right_n to_o their_o temporal_a possession_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n depend_v on_o their_o own_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n who_o give_v they_o to_o they_o and_o on_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n record_v by_o moses_n concern_v the_o promise_n make_v to_o the_o patriarch_n so_o that_o on_o that_o account_n it_o be_v impossible_a those_o law_n shall_v be_v counterfeit_a on_o which_o the_o welfare_n of_o a_o nation_n depend_v and_o according_a to_o which_o they_o be_v govern_v ever_o since_o they_o be_v a_o nation_n so_o that_o i_o shall_v now_o take_v it_o to_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o write_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n be_v undoubted_o he_o for_o none_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o law_n to_o have_v be_v he_o can_v have_v the_o face_n to_o deny_v the_o history_n there_o be_v so_o necessary_a a_o connexion_n between_o they_o and_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o general_a and_o very_a necessary_a introduction_n to_o that_o which_o sollow_v chap._n ii_o moses_n his_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o write_v the_o three_o hypothesis_n concern_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o moses_n his_o history_n that_o gradual_o prove_v first_o moses_n his_o knowledge_n clear_v by_o his_o education_n and_o experience_n and_o certain_a information_n his_o education_n in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o egypt_n what_o that_o be_v the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n inquire_v into_o the_o convenience_n for_o it_o of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n moses_n reckon_v among_o they_o for_o his_o knowledge_n the_o mathematical_a natural_a divine_a and_o moral_a learning_n of_o egypt_n their_o political_a wisdom_n most_o considerable_a the_o advantage_n of_o moses_n above_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n as_o to_o wisdom_n and_o reason_n moses_n himself_o a_o eye-witness_n of_o most_o of_o his_o history_n the_o certain_a uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o other_o part_n among_o the_o jew_n manifest_v by_o rational_a evidence_n have_v thus_o far_o clear_v our_o way_n we_o come_v to_o the_o three_o 3._o hypothesis_n which_o be_v there_o be_v as_o manifest_v proof_n of_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o history_n record_v by_o moses_n as_o any_o can_v be_v give_v concern_v any_o thing_n which_o we_o yield_v the_o firm_a assent_n unto_o here_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o we_o proceed_v in_o a_o way_n of_o rational_a evidence_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n as_o to_o which_o if_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o impartial_a person_n the_o argument_n produce_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o convince_v a_o unbiased_a mind_n it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o every_o rangle_a atheist_n will_v sit_v down_o content_v with_o they_o for_o usual_o person_n of_o that_o inclination_n rather_o than_o judgement_n be_v more_o resolve_v against_o light_n then_o inquisitive_a after_o it_o and_o rather_o seek_v to_o stop_v the_o chink_n at_o which_o any_o light_n may_v come_v in_o then_o open_a the_o window_n for_o the_o free_a and_o cheerful_a entertainment_n of_o it_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o without_o offer_v manifest_a violence_n to_o his_o own_o faculty_n and_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o be_v one_o whole_o forsake_v of_o his_o own_o reason_n which_o will_v be_v satisfactory_o do_v if_o we_o can_v clear_v these_o thing_n first_o that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a moses_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n he_o
now_o if_o we_o prove_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o interest_n to_o deceive_v in_o his_o history_n and_o have_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o his_o law_n we_o shall_v abundant_o evince_v the_o undoubted_a fidelity_n of_o moses_n in_o every_o thing_n record_v by_o he_o we_o begin_v then_o with_o his_o fidelity_n as_o a_o historian_n and_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n to_o deceive_v and_o be_v deceive_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o any_o person_n where_o we_o can_v discern_v some_o peculiar_a interest_n that_o may_v have_v a_o strong_a bias_n upon_o he_o then_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o moral_n then_o in_o natural_n for_o in_o natural_n we_o see_v that_o every_o thing_n will_v leave_v its_o proper_a interest_n to_o preserve_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o nature_n but_o in_o moral_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o desert_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n to_o set_v up_o a_o peculiar_a interest_n against_o it_o it_o be_v the_o true_a description_n of_o a_o politician_n that_o he_o be_v one_o who_o make_v himself_o the_o centre_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n his_o circumference_n that_o he_o regard_v not_o how_o much_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v abuse_v if_o any_o advantage_n do_v accrue_v to_o himself_o by_o it_o where_o we_o see_v it_o then_o the_o design_n of_o any_o person_n to_o advance_v himself_o or_o his_o posterity_n or_o to_o set_v up_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o history_n he_o write_v we_o may_v have_v just_a cause_n to_o suspect_v his_o partiality_n because_o we_o then_o find_v a_o sufficient_a inducement_n for_o such_o a_o one_o to_o leave_v the_o common_a road_n of_o truth_n and_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o path_n of_o deceit_n but_o we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o suspect_v any_o such_o partiality_n in_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o clear_a than_o that_o he_o be_v free_a from_o the_o ambitious_a design_n of_o advance_v himself_o and_o his_o posterity_n who_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a honour_n he_o enjoy_v himself_o be_v content_a to_o leave_v his_o posterity_n in_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o attendance_n upon_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o as_o little_o have_v we_o ground_n to_o think_v he_o intend_v to_o flatter_v that_o nation_n which_o he_o so_o lively_a describe_v that_o one_o will_v think_v he_o have_v rather_o a_o interest_n to_o set_v forth_o the_o frowardness_n unbelief_n unthankfulness_n and_o disobedience_n of_o a_o nation_n towards_o a_o gracious_a god_n than_o any_o way_n to_o enhance_v their_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n or_o to_o ingratiate_v himself_o with_o they_o by_o write_v this_o history_n of_o they_o nay_o and_o he_o set_v forth_o so_o exact_o the_o lesser_a fail_n and_o grosser_n enormity_n of_o all_o the_o ancestor_n of_o this_o nation_n who_o act_n he_o record_v that_o any_o impartial_a reader_n will_v soon_o acquit_v he_o of_o a_o design_n of_o flattery_n when_o after_o he_o have_v record_v those_o fault_n he_o seek_v not_o to_o extenuate_v they_o or_o bring_v any_o excuse_n or_o pretence_n to_o palliate_v they_o so_o that_o any_o observe_a reader_n may_v easy_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o be_v carry_v on_o by_o a_o high_a design_n than_o the_o common_a people_n of_o historian_n be_v and_o that_o his_o drift_n and_o scope_n be_v to_o exalt_v the_o goodness_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n towards_o a_o rebellious_a and_o obstinate_a people_n of_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a nor_o more_o lively_a demonstration_n than_o the_o history_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o their_o come_n forth_o of_o egypt_n to_o their_o utter_a ruin_n and_o desolation_n and_o moses_n tell_v they_o as_o from_o god_n himself_o it_o be_v neither_o for_o their_o number_n nor_o their_o goodness_n that_o god_n set_v his_o love_n upon_o they_o but_o he_o love_v they_o because_o he_o love_v they_o i._n e._n no_o other_o account_n be_v to_o be_v give_v 8._o of_o his_o gracious_a deal_n with_o they_o but_o the_o freeness_n of_o his_o own_o bonnty_n and_o the_o exuberancy_n of_o his_o goodness_n towards_o they_o nay_o have_v we_o not_o cause_n to_o admire_v the_o ingenuity_n as_o well_o as_o veracity_n of_o this_o excellent_a personage_n who_o not_o only_o lay_v so_o notorious_a a_o blot_n upon_o the_o stock_n of_o his_o own_o family_n levi_n record_v so_o punctual_o the_o inhumanity_n and_o cruelty_n of_o he_o and_o simeon_n in_o their_o deal_n with_o the_o shechemite_n 7._o but_o likewise_o insert_v that_o curse_n which_o be_v leave_v upon_o their_o memory_n for_o it_o by_o their_o own_o father_n at_o his_o decease_n and_o that_o he_o may_v not_o leave_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o partiality_n behind_o he_o he_o have_v not_o do_v as_o the_o statuary_n do_v who_o engrave_v his_o own_o name_n so_o artificial_o in_o the_o statue_n of_o jupiter_n that_o one_o shall_v continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o other_o but_o what_o the_o other_o intend_v for_o the_o praise_n of_o his_o skill_n moses_n have_v do_v for_o his_o ingenuity_n that_o he_o have_v so_o interweave_v the_o history_n of_o his_o own_o fail_n and_o disobedience_n with_o those_o of_o the_o nation_n that_o his_o spot_n be_v like_a to_o continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o whole_a web_n of_o his_o history_n be_v like_a to_o do_v have_v it_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o his_o design_n to_o have_v his_o memory_n preserve_v with_o a_o superstitious_a veneration_n among_o the_o jew_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o have_v leave_v out_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v in_o the_o least_o entrench_v upon_o his_o reputation_n but_o we_o find_v he_o very_o secure_a and_o careless_a in_o that_o particular_a nay_o on_o the_o other_o side_n very_o studious_a and_o industrious_a in_o depress_v the_o honour_n and_o desert_n of_o man_n and_o advance_v the_o power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o all_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o a_o affect_a strain_n of_o rhetoric_n who_o proper_a work_n be_v impetrare_fw-la fidem_fw-la mendacio_fw-la and_o as_o tully_n somewhere_o confess_v to_o make_v thing_n seem_v otherwise_o then_o they_o be_v but_o with_o that_o innate_a simplicity_n and_o plainness_n and_o yet_o withal_o with_o that_o imperatoria_fw-la brevit_fw-la as_o that_o majesty_n and_o authority_n that_o it_o be_v thereby_o evident_a he_o seek_v not_o to_o court_v acceptance_n but_o to_o demand_v belief_n nor_o have_v any_o such_o pitiful_a design_n of_o please_v his_o reader_n with_o some_o affect_a phrase_n but_o think_v that_o truth_n itself_o have_v presence_n enough_o with_o it_o to_o command_v the_o submission_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o it_o especial_o when_o all_o these_o be_v deliver_v by_o such_o a_o one_o 2._o who_o come_v sufficient_o arm_v with_o all_o motive_n of_o credibility_n and_o inducement_n to_o assent_v by_o that_o evidence_n which_o he_o give_v that_o he_o be_v no_o pretender_n to_o divine_a revelation_n but_o be_v real_o employ_v as_o a_o peculiar_a instrument_n of_o state_n under_o the_o god_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o if_o it_o be_v make_v clear_a than_o all_o our_o further_a doubt_n must_v present_o cease_v and_o all_o impertinent_a dispute_n be_v silence_v when_o the_o supreme_a majesty_n appear_v impowr_v any_o person_n to_o dictate_v to_o the_o world_n the_o law_n they_o must_v be_v govern_v by_o for_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v repugnant_a to_o our_o rational_a faculty_n that_o be_v that_o god_n shall_v dictate_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a or_o that_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v prescribe_v any_o law_n but_o such_o as_o be_v most_o just_a and_o reasonable_a if_o we_o suppose_v a_o god_n we_o can_v question_v veracity_n to_o be_v one_o of_o his_o chief_a attribute_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o god_n of_o truth_n shall_v employ_v any_o to_o reveal_v any_o thing_n as_o from_o he_o but_o what_o be_v undoubted_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o most_o gross_a and_o unreasonable_a incredulity_n to_o distrust_v the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o come_v to_o we_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n because_o thereby_o we_o show_v our_o distrust_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n himself_o all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v then_o be_v only_o reasonable_a satisfactisn_a concern_v the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o person_n who_o word_n we_o be_v to_o credit_v and_o this_o our_o gracious_a god_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o deny_v man_n that_o he_o have_v give_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o it_o imply_v no_o incongruity_n at_o all_o to_o any_o notion_n of_o
they_o but_o astronomer_n by_o the_o help_n of_o their_o optic_a tube_n and_o telescope_n do_v easy_o discern_v the_o just_a magnitude_n of_o they_o so_o the_o jew_n ordinary_o think_v there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o those_o type_n and_o shadow_n than_o be_v visible_o represent_v to_o they_o but_o such_o as_o have_v the_o help_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n the_o best_a telescope_n to_o discern_v the_o daystar_n from_o on_o high_a with_o can_v easy_o look_v through_o those_o prospective_n into_o the_o most_o glorious_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ._n these_o type_n be_v like_o triangular_a prisme_n that_o must_v be_v set_v in_o a_o due_a light_n and_o posture_n before_o they_o can_v represent_v that_o great_a variety_n of_o spiritual_a mystery_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o now_o the_o great_a office_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o administer_v this_o light_n to_o the_o people_n and_o to_o direct_v they_o in_o those_o excellent_a piece_n of_o perspective_n wherein_o by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o prophetic_a glass_n they_o may_v see_v the_o son_n of_o god_n full_o represent_v to_o their_o view_n beside_o this_o the_o prophetical_a office_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o chancery_n to_o the_o mosaic_a law_n wherein_o the_o prophet_n do_v interpret_v the_o pandect_n of_o the_o law_n ex_fw-la aequo_fw-la &_o bono_fw-mi and_o frequent_o show_v in_o what_o case_n god_n do_v dispense_v with_o the_o outward_a letter_n of_o it_o to_o exalt_v the_o more_o the_o inward_a sense_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o hence_o the_o prophet_n seem_v many_o time_n to_o speak_v contemptible_o of_o the_o outward_a prescribe_a 23._o ceremony_n when_o their_o intent_n be_v not_o to_o condemn_v the_o observation_n of_o they_o but_o to_o tell_v the_o people_n there_o be_v great_a thing_n which_o god_n look_v at_o than_o the_o outward_a observation_n of_o some_o ceremonial_a precept_n and_o that_o god_n will_v never_o accept_v of_o that_o by_o way_n of_o commutation_n for_o real_a and_o internal_a goodness_n hence_o the_o prophet_n by_o their_o own_o practice_n do_v frequent_o show_v that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o so_o indispensable_o oblige_v man_n but_o that_o god_n will_v accept_v of_o those_o action_n which_o be_v perform_v without_o the_o regularity_n require_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o thus_o he_o do_v of_o sacrifice_v upon_o high_a place_n not_o only_o before_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n but_o sometime_o after_o as_o he_o accept_v of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o elijah_n on_o mount_n carmel_n 38._o even_o when_o high_a place_n be_v for_o bid_v which_o the_o jew_n be_v become_v so_o sensible_a of_o that_o they_o grant_v that_o a_o true_a prophet_n may_v sometime_o command_v something_o to_o be_v do_v in_o violation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o he_o do_v not_o draw_v people_n to_o idolatry_n 7._o nor_o destroy_v the_o obligation_n of_o moses_n his_o law_n but_o this_o they_o restrain_v to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d something_o do_v in_o case_n of_o necessity_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o pass_v into_o a_o precedent_n or_o a_o perpetual_a law_n and_o therefore_o their_o rule_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o prophet_n be_v to_o be_v hearken_v to_o in_o every_o thing_n he_o command_v in_o a_o case_n of_o necessity_n but_o by_o this_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o prophet_n be_v not_o to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o by_o the_o end_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o thus_o much_o i_o suppose_v will_v make_v it_o clear_v what_o rule_v the_o people_n have_v to_o try_v the_o prophet_n doctrine_n by_o without_o miracle_n chap._n vi_o the_o trial_n of_o prophetical_a prediction_n and_o miracle_n the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o the_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o prophetical_a prediction_n from_o jerem._n 18._o 7_o 8_o etc._n etc._n some_o general_a hypothesis_n premise_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o it_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o ground_n why_o prediction_n be_v account_v a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n three_o consectary_n draw_v thence_o the_o second_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n the_o three_o be_v that_o god_n do_v not_o always_o reveal_v the_o internal_a purpose_n of_o his_o will_n unto_o the_o true_a prophet_n the_o grand_a question_n propound_v â—ow_o it_o may_v be_v know_v when_o prediction_n express_v god_n decree_n and_o when_o only_o the_o series_n of_o cause_n for_o the_o first_o several_a rule_n lay_v down_o 1._o when_o the_o prediction_n be_v confirm_v by_o â—_o present_a miracle_n 2._o when_o the_o thing_n foretell_v exceed_v the_o probability_n of_o second_o cause_n 3._o when_o confirm_v by_o god_n oath_n 4._o when_o the_o blessing_n foretold_v be_v pure_o spiritual_a three_o rule_n for_o interpret_n the_o prophecy_n which_o respect_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n under_o the_o gospel_n 5._o when_o all_o circumstance_n be_v foretell_v 6._o when_o many_o prophet_n in_o several_a age_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o prediction_n prediction_n do_v not_o express_v god_n unalterable_a purpose_n when_o they_o only_o contain_v commination_n of_o judgement_n or_o be_v prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n the_o case_n of_o the_o ninivites_n hezekiah_n and_o other_o open_v of_o repentance_n in_o god_n what_o it_o imply_v the_o jewish_a objection_n about_o prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n answer_v in_o what_o case_n miracle_n be_v expect_v from_o the_o prophet_n when_o they_o be_v to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n instance_a in_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n elijah_n elishah_n and_o of_o moses_n himself_o who_o divine_a authority_n that_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o miracle_n be_v demonstrate_v against_o the_o modern_a jew_n and_o their_o pretence_n answer_v the_o next_o thing_n which_o the_o rule_n of_o trial_n concern_v be_v 1_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o prophet_n concern_v which_o god_n himself_o have_v lay_v down_o this_o general_a rule_n deut._n 18._o 22._o when_o a_o prophet_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o thing_n follow_v not_o nor_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v but_o the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v it_o presumptuous_o thou_o shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a of_o he_o grotius_n understand_v this_o place_n of_o the_o prophet_n tell_v the_o people_n he_o will_v do_v some_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v his_o doctrine_n but_o say_v he_o if_o those_o miracle_n be_v not_o do_v as_o he_o say_v it_o be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o a_o false_a prophet_n it_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v so_o for_o than_o his_o own_o mouth_n tell_v he_o he_o be_v a_o lie_a prophet_n but_o these_o word_n seem_v to_o refer_v rather_o to_o something_o future_a then_o present_a and_o be_v therefore_o general_o understand_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o prediction_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o very_o difficult_a trial_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o goodness_n or_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n so_o frequent_o interpose_v between_o the_o prediction_n and_o the_o event_n that_o place_n which_o make_v it_o so_o difficult_a to_o discern_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o prediction_n by_o the_o event_n be_v jerem._n 18._o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10._o at_o what_o instant_n i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o nation_n and_o concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o pluck_v up_o and_o to_o pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v it_o if_o that_o nation_n against_o who_o i_o have_v pronounce_v turn_v from_o evil_n i_o will_v repent_v of_o the_o evil_n i_o have_v think_v to_o do_v unto_o they_o and_o at_o what_o instant_n i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o nation_n and_o concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o build_v and_o to_o plant_v it_o if_o it_o do_v evil_a in_o my_o sight_n that_o it_o obey_v not_o my_o voice_n then_o will_v i_o repent_v of_o the_o good_a wherewith_o i_o say_v i_o will_v benefit_v they_o by_o which_o place_n it_o seem_v clear_a that_o even_o after_o the_o prediction_n of_o prophet_n god_n do_v reserve_v a_o liberty_n to_o himself_o either_o to_o repent_v of_o the_o evil_a or_o the_o good_a that_o be_v foretell_v concern_v any_o people_n how_o then_o can_v the_o fidelity_n of_o a_o prophet_n be_v discover_v by_o the_o event_n when_o god_n may_v alter_v the_o event_n and_o yet_o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o true_a prophet_n this_o be_v a_o case_n very_o intricate_a and_o obscure_a will_v call_v for_o the_o more_o diligence_n in_o the_o unfolding_n of_o it_o in_o order_n to_o which_o we_o shall_v first_o premise_v some_o general_a hypothesis_n and_o then_o come_v to_o the_o particular_a resolution_n of_o it_o the_o general_a hypothesis_n will_v be_v concern_v the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o god_n reveal_v future_a contingency_n to_o the_o prophet_n without_o which_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o
convince_v they_o of_o that_o which_o they_o believe_v already_o for_o we_o never_o read_v among_o all_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o be_v lapse_v so_o far_o as_o total_o to_o reject_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v to_o alter_v the_o constitution_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n although_o they_o do_v enormous_o offend_v against_o the_o precept_n of_o it_o and_o that_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v main_o concern_v as_o be_v most_o plain_a in_o their_o frequent_a and_o gross_a idolatry_n which_o we_o be_v not_o so_o to_o understand_v as_o though_o they_o whole_o cast_v off_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n but_o they_o superinduce_v as_o the_o samaritan_n do_v the_o worship_n of_o heathen_a idol_n with_o that_o of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n but_o when_o the_o revolt_n grow_v so_o great_a and_o dangerous_a that_o it_o be_v ready_a to_o swallow_v up_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n unless_o some_o apparent_a evidence_n be_v give_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o those_o heathen_a mixture_n and_o further_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o establish_a religion_n it_o please_v god_n sometime_o to_o send_v his_o prophet_n on_o this_o peculiar_a message_n to_o the_o main_a instrument_n of_o this_o revolt_n as_o be_v most_o conspicuous_a in_o that_o dangerous_a design_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la when_o he_o out_o of_o a_o politic_a end_n set_v up_o his_o two_o calf_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o therein_o it_o be_v the_o more_o dangerous_a in_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o design_v not_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o worship_n itself_o but_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o in_o dan_n and_o bethel_n for_o his_o interest_n lie_v not_o in_o draw_v of_o the_o people_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o from_o his_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o 27._o design_n of_o cantonize_a the_o kingdom_n and_o take_v the_o great_a share_n to_o himself_o now_o that_o god_n may_v confirm_v his_o people_n faith_n in_o this_o dangerous_a juncture_n of_o time_n he_o send_v a_o prophet_n to_o bethel_n who_o by_o the_o work_n of_o present_a miracle_n there_o viz._n the_o rent_v the_o altar_n and_o wither_v of_o jeroboam_n hand_n do_v manifest_a to_o they_o that_o these_o altar_n be_v displease_v to_o god_n 2._o and_o that_o the_o true_a place_n of_o worship_n be_v at_o jerusalem_n so_o in_o that_o famous_a fire-ordeal_a for_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n between_o 38._o god_n and_o baal_n upon_o mount_n carmel_n by_o elijah_n god_n be_v please_v in_o a_o miraculous_a way_n to_o give_v the_o most_o pregnant_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n by_o cause_v a_o fire_n to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o consume_v the_o sacrifice_n by_o which_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n be_v confound_v and_o the_o people_n confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n for_o present_o upon_o the_o sight_n of_o this_o miracle_n the_o people_n fall_v on_o their_o face_n and_o say_v the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n whereby_o we_o plain_o 39_o see_v what_o clear_a evidence_n be_v give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v attest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n thus_o the_o widow_n of_o sarepta_n which_o be_v in_o the_o country_n of_o zidon_n be_v bring_v to_o believe_v elijah_n to_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n by_o his_o raise_n up_o her_o son_n to_o life_n and_o the_o woman_n say_v to_o elijah_n now_o by_o this_o i_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o 24._o thy_o mouth_n be_v truth_n so_o we_o see_v how_o naaman_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o true_a god_n by_o his_o miraculous_a cure_n in_o jordan_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o elisha_n behold_v now_o i_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o 15._o all_o the_o earth_n but_o in_o israel_n by_o which_o instance_n it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o either_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o these_o person_n be_v build_v upon_o weak_a and_o insufficient_a ground_n or_o that_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v a_o evident_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v establish_v by_o they_o for_o this_o we_o see_v be_v the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o god_n do_v improve_v any_o of_o his_o prophet_n to_o work_v miracle_n viz._n to_o be_v as_o a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v reveal_v by_o he_o so_o that_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v not_o mere_o a_o motive_n of_o credibility_n or_o a_o probable_a inducement_n to_o remove_v prejudice_n from_o the_o person_n as_o many_o of_o our_o divine_n speak_v but_o it_o do_v contain_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n to_o common_a sense_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o they_o and_o thus_o we_o assert_v it_o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o moses_n the_o truth_n of_o who_o message_n be_v attest_v both_o among_o the_o 16._o egyptian_n and_o the_o israelite_n by_o that_o power_n of_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v but_o herein_o we_o have_v the_o great_a patron_n of_o moses_n our_o great_a enemy_n viz_o the_o present_a jew_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o enmity_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v attest_v by_o unparallelled_a miracle_n be_v grow_v very_o shy_a of_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o thence_o in_o so_o much_o that_o their_o great_a dr._n maimonides_n lay_v down_o this_o for_o a_o confident_a maxim_n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o israelite_n do_v not_o believe_v in_o moses_n our_o master_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v do_v they_o not_o the_o more_o shame_n for_o they_o and_o if_o they_o do_v the_o more_o shame_n for_o this_o great_a rabbi_n thus_o to_o bely_v they_o but_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v for_o it_o be_v because_o there_o may_v remain_v some_o suspicion_n in_o one_o mind_n that_o all_o miracle_n may_v be_v wrought_v by_o a_o power_n of_o magic_n or_o incantation_n say_v you_o so_o what_o when_o moses_n confound_v all_o the_o magician_n in_o egypt_n and_o make_v themselves_o who_o be_v the_o most_o cunning_a in_o these_o thing_n confess_v it_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o at_o last_o give_v out_o as_o not_o able_a to_o stand_v before_o moses_n may_v one_o still_o suspect_v all_o this_o to_o be_v do_v by_o a_o magical_a power_n credat_fw-la judaeus_fw-la apella_n non_fw-la ego_fw-la this_o be_v much_o like_o what_o another_o of_o their_o doctor_n say_v who_o they_o call_v the_o divine_a philosopher_n that_o elisha_n his_o raise_v the_o child_n 18._o to_o life_n and_o cure_v naaman_n leprosy_n and_o daniel_n escape_v the_o lion_n and_o jonas_n out_o of_o the_o whale_n belly_n may_v all_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o star_n or_o by_o pythonisme_n very_o probable_a but_o it_o be_v most_o true_a which_o vortius_n there_o observe_v of_o the_o jew_n nibil_n non_fw-la nugacissimi_fw-la mortalium_fw-la fingunt_fw-la ne_fw-la cogantur_fw-la agnoscere_fw-la virtute_fw-la ac_fw-la digito_fw-la quasi_fw-la ipsius_fw-la dei_fw-la jesum_fw-la nostrum_fw-la effecisse_fw-la miracula_fw-la sua_fw-la all_o their_o design_n in_o this_o be_v only_o to_o elevate_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o to_o derogate_v all_o they_o can_v from_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o hence_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o nothing_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o be_v do_v as_o miracle_n the_o mere_a recital_n of_o the_o tetragrammaton_fw-gr will_n work_v wonder_n &_o that_o by_o this_o jeremiah_n and_o our_o saviour_n do_v all_o their_o miracle_n it_o be_v well_o yet_o that_o he_o do_v more_o than_o one_o of_o their_o own_o prophet_n have_v do_v before_o he_o but_o where_o i_o wonder_v do_v we_o read_v that_o ever_o the_o pronounce_v of_o four_o letter_n raise_v one_o from_o the_o dead_a who_o have_v lie_v four_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n or_o by_o what_o power_n do_v christ_n raise_v himself_o from_o the_o dead_a which_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o can_v his_o dead_a body_n pronounce_v the_o tetragrammaton_fw-gr to_o awaken_v its_o self_n with_o but_o maimonides_n further_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o miracle_n which_o moses_n wrought_v among_o the_o israelite_n be_v mere_o for_o necessity_n and_o not_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o divine_a commission_n for_o which_o he_o instance_v in_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n the_o rain_v of_o manna_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o corah_n and_o his_o complice_n but_o set_v aside_o that_o these_o two_o latter_a be_v the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n and_o not_o miracle_n do_v by_o moses_n yet_o it_o be_v evidence_n that_o the_o intent_n of_o they_o be_v to_o manifest_v a_o divine_a
their_o genuine_a follower_n they_o instead_o of_o the_o common_a and_o rude_a name_n of_o impostor_n give_v they_o a_o more_o civil_a title_n of_o philosopher_n and_o look_v upon_o their_o doctrine_n as_o a_o sublime_a kind_n of_o philosophy_n non_fw-la utique_fw-la divinum_fw-la negotium_fw-la existimant_fw-la sed_fw-la make_fw-mi be_v philosophiae_fw-la genus_fw-la as_o tertullian_n 46._o tell_v we_o because_o the_o philosopher_n pretend_v so_o much_o to_o moral_a virtue_n which_o they_o see_v the_o christian_n so_o excellent_a in_o but_o as_o tertullian_n there_o reply_v nomen_fw-la hoc_fw-la philosophorum_fw-la daemonia_fw-la non_fw-la fugat_fw-la the_o devil_n be_v never_o afraid_a of_o a_o philosopher_n beard_n nor_o be_v disease_n cure_v by_o the_o touch_n of_o a_o philosophic_a pallium_fw-la there_o be_v something_o more_o divine_a in_o christian_n then_o in_o the_o grave_a philosopher_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o life_n and_o the_o divine_a power_n which_o be_v see_v in_o they_o but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o their_o doctrine_n it_o be_v a_o true_a character_n give_v of_o both_o by_o that_o same_o excellent_a writer_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o his_o time_n veritatem_fw-la philosophi_fw-la quidem_fw-la affâ—ctant_fw-la possident_fw-la autem_fw-la christiani_n what_o the_o philosopher_n desire_v only_o the_o christian_n enjoy_v 4._o which_o be_v truth_n and_o as_o he_o elsewhere_o more_o full_o speak_v mimicè_fw-la philosophi_fw-la affectant_fw-la veritatem_fw-la &_o affectando_fw-la corrum_fw-la punt_n ut_fw-la qui_fw-la gloriam_fw-la captant_fw-la christianieam_fw-la necessariò_fw-la appetunt_fw-la 46._o &_o integri_fw-la praestant_fw-la ut_fw-la qui_fw-la saluti_fw-la suae_fw-la curant_fw-la truth_n be_v the_o philosopher_n mistress_n which_o by_o court_v he_o vitiate_v and_o corrupt_v look_v at_o nothing_o but_o his_o own_o glory_n but_o truth_n be_v the_o christian_n matron_n who_o direction_n he_o observe_v and_o follow_v because_o he_o regard_v no_o glory_n but_o that_o to_o come_v and_o to_o let_v they_o further_o see_v what_o a_o difference_n there_o be_v between_o a_o christian_a and_o a_o philosopher_n he_o conclude_v that_o discourse_n with_o these_o word_n quid_fw-la adeo_fw-la simile_n philosophus_fw-la &_o christianus_n graeciae_fw-la discipulus_fw-la et_fw-la coeli_fw-la famae_fw-la negotiator_fw-la et_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la verborum_fw-la et_fw-fr factorum_fw-la operator_fw-la rerum_fw-la aedificator_n et_fw-la destructor_n amicus_fw-la et_fw-fr inimicus_fw-la erroris_fw-la veritatis_fw-la interpolator_n et_fw-la integrator_fw-la furator_fw-la ejus_fw-la et_fw-la custos_fw-la as_o much_o distance_n say_v he_o as_o there_o be_v between_o greece_n and_o heaven_n between_o applause_n and_o eternal_a glory_n between_o word_n and_o thing_n between_o building_n and_o destroy_v between_o truth_n and_o error_n between_o a_o plagiary_n and_o corrupter_n of_o truth_n and_o a_o preserver_n and_o advancer_n of_o it_o so_o much_o be_v there_o between_o a_o philosopher_n and_o a_o christian._n the_o heathen_n may_v suspect_v indeed_o some_o kind_n of_o affinity_n between_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o ancient_a sophist_n of_o greece_n because_o of_o their_o frequent_a go_v from_o place_n to_o place_n and_o pretend_v a_o kind_n of_o enthusiasm_n as_o they_o do_v but_o as_o much_o difference_n as_o there_o be_v between_o a_o knight_n errant_a and_o hercules_n between_o a_o mountebank_n and_o hypocrates_n that_o and_o much_o great_a there_o be_v between_o a_o greek_a sophist_n and_o a_o apostle_n socrates_n in_o plato_n euthydemus_n have_v excellent_o discover_v the_o vanity_n and_o futility_n of_o those_o person_n under_o the_o person_n of_o euthydemus_n and_o dionysodorus_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o his_o protagoras_n their_o intent_n be_v only_o like_o the_o retiaries_n in_o the_o roman_a spectacle_n to_o catch_v their_o adversary_n in_o a_o net_n to_o entangle_v they_o with_o some_o captious_a question_n or_o other_o but_o how_o vast_o different_a from_o this_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o abhor_v those_o endless_a contention_n which_o then_o be_v in_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o come_v to_o show_v they_o that_o truth_n which_o be_v reveal_v with_o a_o intent_n of_o make_v they_o better_a man_n we_o see_v the_o apostle_n be_v not_o carry_v forth_o by_o any_o mean_a 12._o and_o vulgar_a motive_n neither_o do_v they_o drive_v on_o any_o private_a end_n of_o their_o own_o all_o that_o they_o mind_v be_v the_o promote_a of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v nay_o they_o account_v no_o hazard_n comparable_a with_o the_o advantage_n which_o the_o world_n enjoy_v through_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o show_v a_o true_o noble_a and_o generous_a spirit_n in_o they_o which_o will_v not_o be_v hinder_v from_o do_v the_o world_n good_a though_o they_o find_v so_o bad_a entertainment_n from_o it_o yea_o they_o rejoice_v in_o their_o great_a suffering_n which_o they_o undergo_v in_o so_o good_a a_o cause_n wherein_o those_o primitive_a christian_n who_o be_v the_o genuine_a follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v so_o far_o imitate_v they_o that_o etiam_fw-la damnati_fw-la gratias_fw-la agunt_fw-la they_o give_v the_o judge_n 46._o thanks_o that_o they_o think_v they_o worthy_a to_o lose_v their_o life_n in_o a_o cause_n which_o they_o have_v reason_n to_o triumph_v in_o though_o they_o die_v for_o it_o and_o when_o any_o of_o they_o be_v apprehend_v they_o discover_v so_o little_a fear_n of_o punishment_n ut_fw-la unum_fw-la solummodo_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la ante_fw-la suerint_fw-la paeniteret_fw-la that_o nothing_o trouble_v they_o so_o much_o as_o that_o they_o have_v be_v christian_n no_o soon_o as_o one_o of_o fellix_fw-la their_o number_n speak_v and_o when_o the_o heathen_n usual_o scoff_v at_o they_o and_o call_v they_o sarmentitii_fw-la and_o semaxii_fw-la because_o they_o be_v burn_v upon_o the_o cross_n one_o of_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o rest_n answer_v hic_fw-la est_fw-la habitus_fw-la victoriae_fw-la nostrae_fw-la haec_fw-la palmata_fw-la vestis_fw-la tali_fw-la curru_fw-la triumphamus_fw-la the_o cross_n be_v only_o 50._o their_o triumphant_a chariot_n which_o carry_v they_o soon_o to_o heaven_n now_o this_o courage_n and_o resolution_n of_o spirit_n which_o be_v see_v in_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n make_v all_o serious_a and_o inquisitive_a person_n look_v more_o narrow_o into_o those_o thing_n which_o make_v man_n slight_a so_o much_o the_o common_a bugbear_n of_o humane_a nature_n suffering_n and_o death_n quis_fw-la enim_fw-la non_fw-la contemplatione_fw-la ejus_fw-la concutitur_fw-la adrequirendum_fw-la â—_o quid_fw-la intus_fw-la in_o re_fw-la sit_fw-la quis_fw-la non_fw-la ubi_fw-la requisivit_fw-la accedit_fw-la ubi_fw-la accessit_fw-la patiexoptat_fw-la these_o suffering_n make_v man_n inquire_v this_o enquiry_n make_v they_o believe_v that_o belief_n make_v they_o as_o willing_a to_o suffer_v themselves_o as_o they_o have_v see_v other_o do_v it_o before_o they_o thus_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v true_a in_o they_o 〈◊〉_d qâ—â—que_fw-la crudelitas_fw-la illecebra_fw-la magis_fw-la est_fw-la sectae_fw-la plures_fw-la â—fficimur_fw-la quâ—â—ties_fw-la metimur_fw-la a_o vobis_fw-la semen_fw-mi est_fw-la sanguis_fw-la christianorum_fw-la the_o cruelty_n of_o their_o â—_z do_v but_o increase_v their_o number_n the_o harvest_n of_o their_o pretend_a justice_n be_v but_o the_o seedtime_n of_o christianity_n and_o no_o seed_n be_v so_o fruitful_a as_o that_o which_o be_v steep_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o martyr_n thence_o justin_n martyr_v ingenuous_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o while_o he_o be_v a_o platonic_a philosopher_n he_o deride_v and_o scoff_v at_o the_o christian_n but_o when_o he_o consider_v their_o great_a courage_n and_o constancy_n in_o die_v for_o their_o profession_n he_o can_v not_o think_v those_o can_v possible_o be_v man_n wicked_a and_o voluptuous_a who_o when_o offer_v of_o life_n be_v make_v they_o will_v rather_o choose_v death_n then_o deny_v christ._n by_o which_o he_o find_v plain_o that_o there_o be_v a_o high_a spirit_n in_o christianity_n then_o can_v be_v obtain_v by_o the_o sublime_a notion_n and_o speculation_n of_o plato_n and_o that_o a_o poor_a ignorant_a christian_n will_v do_v and_o suffer_v more_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n then_o any_o of_o the_o academy_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o master_n plato_n now_o since_o all_o man_n natural_o abhor_v suffering_n what_o be_v it_o which_o shall_v so_o powerful_o alter_v the_o nature_n and_o disposition_n of_o christian_n above_o all_o other_o person_n that_o they_o alone_o shall_v seem_v in_o that_o to_o have_v forget_v humanity_n that_o not_o only_o with_o patience_n but_o with_o joy_n they_o endure_v torment_n and_o abode_n the_o flame_n what!_o be_v they_o all_o possess_v with_o a_o far_o more_o than_o stoical_a apathy_n that_o no_o sense_n oâ—_n pain_n can_v work_v at_o all_o upon_o they_o or_o be_v they_o all_o besot_v and_o infatuate_v person_n that_o do_v not_o know_v what_o it_o be_v they_o undergo_v â—t_z be_v true_a some_o of_o the_o
be_v the_o great_a seal_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n therefore_o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n so_o frequent_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o themselves_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o jesus_n say_v peter_n have_v god_n raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o all_o be_v witness_n and_o again_o and_o kill_v the_o prince_n of_o life_n who_o 32._o god_n have_v raise_v up_o from_o the_o dead_a whereof_o we_o be_v witness_n and_o both_o peter_n and_o john_n to_o the_o sanhedrin_n for_o we_o can_v 15._o but_o speak_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o the_o 20._o whole_a college_n of_o apostle_n afterward_o and_o we_o be_v his_o witness_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o so_o be_v also_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o god_n 32._o have_v give_v to_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o in_o which_o word_n they_o give_v they_o that_o twofold_a rational_a evidence_n which_o do_v manifest_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v for_o they_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o themselves_o be_v witness_n of_o and_o withal_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v true_a by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o and_o upon_o believer_n afterward_o we_o read_v the_o sum_n oâ—_n the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o the_o manner_n use_v by_o they_o to_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o word_n of_o peter_n to_o cernâ—lius_n and_o his_o company_n how_o god_n anoint_v jesus_n of_o nazareth_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o power_n who_o go_v about_o do_v good_a and_o heal_v all_o that_o be_v 42._o oppress_v of_o the_o devil_n for_o god_n be_v with_o he_o and_o we_o be_v witness_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v both_o in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o jerusalem_n who_o they_o stew_n and_o hang_v on_o a_o tree_n him_n god_n raise_v up_o the_o three_o day_n and_o show_v he_o open_o not_o to_o all_o the_o people_n but_o unto_o witness_n choose_v before_o of_o god_n even_o to_o we_o who_o do_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o he_o after_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o he_o command_v we_o to_o â—reach_v unto_o the_o people_n that_o it_o be_v be_v which_o be_v ordain_v of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o quick_a and_o dead_a by_o all_o which_o we_o see_v what_o care_n god_n be_v please_v to_o take_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o world_n in_o point_n of_o rational_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v discover_v concern_v our_o saviour_n christ_n because_o he_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o person_n to_o be_v the_o preacher_n and_o writer_n of_o these_o thing_n who_o be_v the_o best_a able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o world_n about_o they_o viz._n such_o as_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o they_o now_o in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v it_o more_o full_o evident_a what_o 14._o strength_n there_o be_v in_o this_o testimony_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n we_o shall_v more_o full_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n which_o attend_v it_o in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v sufficient_o manifest_v if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evident_o prove_v in_o the_o high_a way_n it_o be_v capable_a 1._o of_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o be_v so_o interweave_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n of_o christ_n that_o if_o the_o relation_n concern_v christ_n be_v true_a his_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a for_o if_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n bear_v at_o bethlehem_n who_o do_v so_o many_o miracle_n and_o at_o last_o suffer_v the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o after_o he_o have_v lie_v three_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a what_o reason_n imaginable_a can_v i_o have_v to_o question_v but_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o person_n be_v certain_o divine_a and_o consequent_o what_o ever_o he_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n we_o must_v likewise_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n which_o come_v attest_v with_o such_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n which_o he_o have_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n no_o prince_n can_v think_v he_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o refuse_v audience_n to_o a_o ambassador_n when_o he_o find_v his_o credential_n such_o as_o he_o may_v rely_v upon_o although_o himself_o do_v not_o see_v the_o seal_n of_o they_o much_o less_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o we_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v christ_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o those_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v the_o great_a evidence_n which_o can_v be_v give_v to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n 2._o be_v the_o attest_v of_o it_o by_o those_o person_n who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n whereon_o the_o firm_a assent_n be_v build_v as_o to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o although_o we_o conceive_v we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o story_n as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v convey_v only_o in_o a_o general_a way_n by_o a_o uncertain_a fame_n and_o tradition_n yet_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v attest_v by_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o credible_a person_n who_o profess_v themselves_o the_o cye-witness_n of_o it_o it_o be_v account_v a_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o distrust_v any_o long_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o especial_o in_o these_o two_o case_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n they_o bear_v witness_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o they_o may_v easy_o and_o clear_o perceive_v 2._o when_o many_o witness_n exact_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o testimony_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n itself_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o may_v be_v full_o perceive_v by_o those_o who_o see_v it_o i._n e._n if_o it_o be_v a_o common_a object_n of_o sense_n and_o thus_o it_o certain_o be_v as_o to_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ._n for_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o mankind_n and_o they_o have_v as_o great_a evidence_n that_o they_o converse_v with_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n as_o we_o can_v have_v that_o we_o converse_v one_o with_o another_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v real_a and_o visible_a miracle_n they_o can_v be_v no_o illusion_n of_o sense_n nor_o deceit_n of_o their_o eye_n the_o man_n who_o be_v bear_v blind_a and_o cure_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v blind_a through_o all_o the_o country_n and_o his_o cure_n be_v after_o as_o public_a as_o his_o blindness_n before_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o 26._o christ_n at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o be_v do_v when_o christ_n raise_v up_o the_o dead_a man_n at_o naim_n it_o be_v before_o much_o people_n and_o such_o 12._o person_n in_o probability_n who_o be_v many_o of_o they_o present_a at_o his_o death_n but_o least_o there_o may_v be_v any_o suspicion_n as_o to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o dead_a the_o case_n be_v plain_a and_o beyond_o all_o dispute_n in_o lazarus_n who_o have_v be_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o person_n thereabouts_o dead_a four_o day_n here_o can_v be_v no_o deceit_n at_o all_o 39_o when_o the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o and_o lazarus_n come_v forth_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o they_o all_o and_o yet_o further_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o plain_a object_n of_o sense_n do_v in_o presence_n of_o his_o great_a adversary_n the_o soldier_n themselves_o be_v sufficient_a witness_n of_o his_o be_v real_o dead_a when_o they_o come_v to_o break_v his_o bone_n and_o spare_v he_o because_o they_o see_v he_o be_v dead_a already_o at_o his_o resurrection_n the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o from_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o no_o body_n find_v therein_o although_o the_o sepulchre_n be_v guard_v by_o soldier_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n all_o so_o fearful_a that_o they_o be_v disperse_v up_o and_o down_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o real_a body_n which_o he_o rise_v withal_o and_o no_o aerial_a vehicle_n appear_v by_o thomas_n his_o serupulosity_n and_o unbelief_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v unless_o â—e_n may_v put_v his_o hand_n into_o the_o hole_n of_o his_o side_n and_o see_v 27._o
venture_v their_o life_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o write_v concern_v he_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o preach_v concern_v our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 2._o the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v evident_a in_o their_o manner_n of_o 16._o report_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o deliver_v for_o if_o ever_o there_o may_v be_v any_o thing_n gather_v from_o the_o manner_n of_o expression_n or_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d concern_v the_o particular_a temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o person_n from_o who_o it_o come_v we_o may_v certain_o read_v the_o great_a fidelity_n in_o the_o apostle_n from_o the_o peculiar_a manner_n of_o their_o express_a themselves_o to_o the_o world_n which_o they_o do_v 1._o with_o the_o great_a impartiality_n not_o declare_v only_o what_o be_v glorious_a and_o admirable_a to_o the_o world_n but_o what_o they_o know_v will_v be_v account_v foolishness_n by_o it_o they_o who_o have_v seek_v only_o to_o have_v be_v admire_v for_o the_o rare_a discovery_n which_o they_o bring_v to_o the_o world_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o conceal_v any_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v account_v ridiculous_a but_o the_o apostle_n fix_v themselves_o most_o on_o what_o be_v most_o contemptible_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n and_o what_o they_o be_v most_o mock_v and_o deride_v for_o that_o they_o delight_v most_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o which_o be_v the_o cross_n of_o christ._n paul_n be_v so_o much_o in_o love_n with_o this_o which_o be_v a_o stumble_a block_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o foolishness_n to_o the_o greek_n that_o he_o value_v the_o knowledge_n of_o nothing_o else_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v nay_o 14._o he_o elsewhere_o say_v god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v glory_n save_v in_o the_o cross_n of_o christ._n what_o now_o shall_v be_v the_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o that_o most_o which_o be_v most_o despicable_a to_o the_o world_n have_v not_o they_o see_v far_o â—reater_a truth_n and_o excellency_n in_o it_o then_o in_o the_o most_o sublime_a speculation_n concern_v god_n or_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n or_o any_o other_o heathen_a philosopher_n that_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n to_o believe_v in_o one_o who_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o strange_a doctrine_n to_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n but_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o endeavour_v to_o have_v suit_v their_o doctrine_n to_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n what_o rare_a person_n may_v they_o have_v be_v account_v among_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n have_v they_o only_o in_o general_a term_n discourse_v of_o the_o benignity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o divine_a goodness_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o bring_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o a_o near_a participation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o perfect_a idea_n of_o true_a goodness_n and_o the_o express_a image_n of_o the_o person_n of_o god_n and_o the_o resplendency_n of_o his_o glory_n have_v veil_v himself_o in_o humane_a nature_n and_o have_v everywhere_o scatter_v such_o beam_n of_o light_n and_o goodness_n as_o warm_v and_o invigorate_v the_o freeze_a spirit_n of_o man_n with_o high_a sentiment_n of_o god_n and_o themselves_o and_o raise_v they_o up_o above_o the_o feculency_n of_o this_o terrestrial_a matter_n to_o breath_n in_o a_o free_a air_n and_o converse_v with_o more_o noble_a object_n and_o by_o degree_n to_o fit_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n for_o those_o more_o pure_a illapse_n of_o real_a goodness_n which_o may_v always_o satisfy_v the_o soul_n desire_n and_o yet_o always_o keep_v they_o up_o till_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v sun_v its_o self_n to_o all_o eternity_n under_o the_o immediate_a beam_n of_o light_n and_o love_n and_o that_o after_o this_o incarnate_a deity_n have_v spread_v abroad_o the_o wing_n of_o his_o love_n for_o a_o while_n upon_o this_o low_a world_n till_o by_o his_o gentle_a heat_n and_o incubation_n he_o have_v quicken_v the_o more_o pliable_a world_n to_o some_o degree_n of_o a_o divine_a life_n he_o then_o retreat_v himself_o back_o again_o into_o the_o superior_a world_n and_o put_v off_o that_o vail_n by_o which_o he_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o those_o who_o be_v here_o confine_v to_o the_o prison_n of_o their_o body_n thus_o i_o say_v have_v the_o apostle_n mind_v applause_n among_o the_o admire_a philosopher_n of_o the_o heathen_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o they_o to_o have_v make_v some_o considerable_a addition_n to_o their_o high_a speculation_n and_o have_v leave_v out_o any_o thing_n which_o may_v seem_v so_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a as_o the_o death_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o the_o main_a thing_n which_o they_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n be_v the_o vanity_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n without_o christ_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o all_o man_n believe_v in_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n indeed_o discover_v very_o much_o infinite_o more_o than_o ever_o the_o most_o lofty_a pl_z tonist_n can_v do_v concern_v the_o goodness_n and_o love_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n but_o that_o wherein_o they_o manifest_v the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n be_v that_o he_o give_v his_o 16._o only_a beget_v son_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o that_o herein_o be_v the_o love_n 8._o of_o god_n manifest_v that_o while_o we_o be_v yet_o sinner_n christ_n die_v for_o we_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o great_a truth_n and_o worthy_a of_o all_o 15._o acceptation_n that_o jesus_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n they_o never_o dream_v of_o any_o divine_a goodness_n which_o shall_v make_v man_n happy_a without_o christ_n no_o it_o be_v their_o design_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n to_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o in_o and_o through_o jesus_n christ_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o shall_v think_v otherwise_o unless_o plato_n know_v more_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n than_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o plotinus_n then_o saint_n paul_n can_v we_o think_v now_o that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v hazard_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o own_o wit_n so_o much_o as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o world_n and_o be_v account_v babbler_n and_o fool_n and_o madman_n for_o preach_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n to_o be_v only_o by_o a_o person_n crucify_v between_o two_o thief_n at_o jerusalem_n have_v they_o not_o be_v convince_v not_o only_o of_o the_o truth_n but_o importance_n of_o it_o and_o that_o it_o concern_v man_n as_o much_o to_o believe_v it_o as_o it_o do_v to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n do_v saint_n paul_n preach_v ever_o the_o less_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o soberness_n because_o he_o be_v tell_v to_o his_o face_n that_o his_o learning_n have_v make_v he_o mad_a but_o if_o he_o be_v beside_o himself_o it_o be_v for_o christ_n and_o what_o wonder_n be_v it_o if_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o apostle_n shall_v make_v he_o willing_a to_o lose_v his_o reputation_n for_o he_o see_v christ_n make_v himself_o of_o no_o reputation_n that_o he_o may_v be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o do_v we_o good_a we_o see_v the_o apostle_n be_v not_o ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n because_o they_o know_v it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o neither_o in_o their_o preach_n or_o their_o write_n will_v they_o omit_v any_o of_o those_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n death_n which_o may_v be_v account_v the_o most_o dishonourable_a to_o his_o person_n which_o be_v certain_o as_o great_a a_o evidence_n of_o their_o sidelity_n as_o can_v be_v expect_v which_o make_v origen_n say_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n write_v all_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o candour_n and_o cels._n love_n of_o truth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n those_o passage_n of_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n which_o will_v be_v account_v most_o foolish_a and_o ridiculous_a 2._o with_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o speech_n such_o who_o design_n be_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o some_o cunning_o devise_v fable_n love_v as_o much_o ambiguity_n as_o ever_o apollo_n do_v in_o his_o most_o wind_a oracle_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v ambage_n nexâ_fw-la delphico_n mos_fw-la est_fw-la dco_o arcana_fw-la tegere_fw-la servius_n tell_v we_o that_o jupiter_n ammon_n be_v therefore_o picture_v id_fw-la with_o rams-horn_n because_o his_o answer_n
have_v as_o many_o turn_n and_o wind_n as_o they_o have_v but_o the_o horn_n which_o moses_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v picture_v with_o do_v only_o note_v light_n and_o perspicuity_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o note_v the_o send_v forth_o of_o ray_n of_o light_n like_o a_o horn_n and_o yet_o moses_n himself_o be_v veil_v in_o comparison_n of_o the_o openness_n and_o plainness_n of_o speech_n which_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n impostor_n cast_v a_o mist_n of_o many_o dark_a and_o cloudy_a word_n before_o they_o but_o when_o they_o be_v once_o bring_v into_o the_o open_a light_n their_o vizard_n fall_v off_o and_o their_o deformity_n appear_v such_o person_n delight_v in_o soar_v quite_o out_o of_o the_o apprehension_n of_o those_o who_o follow_v they_o and_o never_o think_v themselves_o better_a recompense_v for_o their_o pain_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o admire_v and_o least_o understand_v but_o never_o be_v christianity_n more_o dishonour_v then_o when_o man_n bring_v it_o from_o its_o native_a simplicity_n and_o plainness_n into_o a_o company_n of_o cloudy_a and_o insignificant_a expression_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v man_n better_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o devil_n design_n by_o such_o obscure_a term_n to_o make_v way_n for_o a_o mystery_n to_o be_v advance_v but_o it_o be_v of_o iniquity_n and_o soon_o after_o we_o see_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o in_o another_o oracle_n set_v up_o at_o rome_n instead_o of_o delphos_n and_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o it_o be_v the_o obscurity_n suppose_v in_o scripture_n what!_o darkness_n come_v by_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n or_o be_v the_o sun_n at_o last_o grow_v so_o beggarly_a that_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o borrow_v light_n of_o the_o earth_n must_v the_o scripture_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o church_n for_o its_o clearness_n and_o christ_n himself_o not_o speak_v intelligible_o unless_o the_o popâ—_n be_v his_o interpreter_n do_v christ_n reveal_v to_o the_o world_n the_o way_n to_o salvation_n and_o yet_o leave_v man_n to_o seâ—k_v which_o be_v it_o till_o a_o guide_n never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o scripture_n come_v to_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o it_o what_o strange_a witness_n be_v the_o apostle_n if_o they_o do_v noâ—_n speak_v the_o truth_n with_o plainness_n how_o have_v man_n be_v to_o sâ—â—k_a as_o â—o_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o all_o evidence_n and_o perspicuity_n who_o must_v we_o believe_v in_o this_o case_n the_o apostle_n or_o the_o roman_a oracle_n the_o apostle_n they_o tell_v we_o they_o speak_v 4._o with_o all_o plainness_n of_o speech_n and_o for_o that_o end_n purposely_o lay_v aside_o all_o excellency_n of_o word_n and_o humane_a wisdom_n that_o man_n may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o their_o mâ—aning_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v hide_v to_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v lose_v and_o who_o eye_n be_v blind_v by_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n that_o the_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o they_o be_v a_o light_n to_o direct_v we_o in_o our_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o a_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o and_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a property_n of_o light_a to_o be_v obscure_a and_o of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v crooked_a but_o it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a from_o the_o apostle_n own_o affirmation_n that_o they_o lay_v aside_o all_o affect_a obscurity_n ambiguous_a expression_n and_o philosophical_a term_n whereby_o the_o world_n may_v have_v be_v to_o seek_v for_o what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v but_o it_o be_v likewise_o clear_a from_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v and_o the_o design_n of_o their_o preach_n of_o it_o what_o need_v rhetoric_n in_o plain_a truth_n or_o affect_a phrase_n in_o give_v evidence_n how_o incongruous_a will_v obscure_v expression_n have_v be_v to_o the_o design_n of_o save_a soul_n by_o the_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v for_o if_o they_o have_v industrious_o speak_v in_o their_o preach_n above_o the_o capacity_n of_o those_o they_o speak_v to_o they_o can_v never_o have_v convert_v a_o soul_n without_o a_o miracle_n for_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o conversion_n must_v be_v by_o the_o understanding_n and_o how_o can_v that_o work_n upon_o the_o understanding_n which_o be_v so_o much_o above_o it_o but_o say_v the_o apostle_n we_o preach_v not_o ourselves_o but_o christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n and_o ourselves_o your_o servant_n for_o jesus_n sake_n if_o they_o have_v seek_v themselves_o or_o their_o own_o credit_n and_o reputation_n there_o may_v 5._o have_v be_v some_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v use_v the_o way_n of_o the_o sophist_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o by_o declamatory_n speech_n to_o have_v inhancee_v their_o esteem_n among_o the_o uâ—lgar_a but_o the_o apostle_n disow_v and_o reject_v all_o these_o vulgar_a artifices_fw-la of_o mean_a and_o low-spirited_a man_n they_o lay_v aside_o all_o those_o entice_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o way_n of_o the_o heathen_a sophist_n and_o declare_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n with_o spiritual_a evidence_n 4._o they_o handle_v not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n deceitful_o but_o by_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n commend_v themselves_o to_o every_o man_n 2._o conscience_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n now_o what_o can_v be_v so_o suitable_a to_o such_o a_o design_n as_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o what_o they_o speak_v we_o find_v in_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o origen_n 135._o speak_v nothing_o that_o be_v spurious_a or_o counterfeit_a nothing_o savour_v of_o the_o cunning_a craftiness_n of_o such_o as_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v and_o say_v he_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v that_o man_n never_o breed_v up_o in_o the_o sophistry_n of_o the_o greeks_n nor_o experience_v in_o the_o rhetorical_a insinuation_n use_v among_o they_o can_v ever_o be_v able_a so_o sudden_o to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o embrace_v that_o which_o have_v be_v a_o figment_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o apostle_n speak_v like_a man_n very_o confident_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v and_o not_o like_o such_o who_o be_v fain_o to_o fetch_v in_o the_o help_n of_o all_o their_o topic_n to_o find_v out_o some_o probable_a argument_n to_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o which_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o which_o be_v most_o common_o the_o case_n of_o the_o great_a orator_n among_o the_o heathen_n we_o find_v no_o pedantic_a flourish_n no_o slatter_a insinuation_n no_o affect_a cadencye_n no_o such_o great_a care_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o fall_v of_o word_n in_o the_o several_a sentence_n which_o make_v up_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o that_o which_o be_v account_v eloquence_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n these_o thing_n be_v too_o mean_v a_o prey_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o quarry_n upon_o every_o thing_n in_o they_o be_v grave_a and_o serious_a every_o word_n have_v its_o due_a weight_n every_o sentence_n brimful_a of_o spiritual_a matter_n their_o whole_a discourse_n most_o become_v the_o majesty_n and_o authority_n of_o that_o spirit_n which_o they_o speak_v by_o and_o therein_o be_v see_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o choice_n he_o make_v of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o propagate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v not_o such_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o great_a repute_n and_o fame_n in_o the_o world_n may_v easy_o draw_v whole_a multitude_n to_o embrace_v their_o dictate_v but_o that_o there_o may_v not_o be_v the_o least_o foundation_n for_o a_o implicit_a faith_n they_o be_v of_o so_o mean_a rank_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n that_o in_o all_o probability_n their_o name_n have_v never_o be_v hard_o of_o have_v not_o their_o doctrine_n make_v they_o famous_a to_o this_o purpose_n origen_n excellent_o speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o be_o of_o opinion_n say_v he_o that_o jesus_n do_v purposely_o make_v use_n of_o such_o preacher_n of_o his_o doctrine_n that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o place_n for_o suspicion_n that_o they_o come_v instruct_v with_o the_o art_n of_o sophistry_n but_o that_o it_o be_v clear_o manifest_a to_o all_o that_o will_v consider_v it_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o design_n in_o those_o who_o discover_v so_o much_o simplicity_n in_o their_o write_n and_o that_o they_o have_v a_o more_o divine_a power_n which_o be_v more_o efficacious_a than_o the_o great_a volubility_n of_o expression_n or_o ornament_n of_o speech_n or_o the_o artifices_fw-la which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o
so_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o the_o eloquence_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o philosopher_n shall_v prevail_v on_o some_o very_a few_o person_n but_o that_o the_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a language_n of_o the_o apostle_n shall_v convert_v such_o multitude_n from_o intemperance_n to_o sobriety_n from_o injustice_n to_o fair_a deal_n from_o cowardice_n to_o the_o high_a constancy_n yea_o so_o great_a as_o to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o virtue_n how_o can_v we_o but_o admire_v so_o divine_a a_o power_n as_o be_v see_v in_o it_o and_o therefore_o say_v he_o we_o conclude_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o difficult_a for_o corrupt_v nature_n to_o be_v change_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n lactantius_n excellent_o manifest_v that_o philosophy_n can_v never_o do_v so_o much_o good_a in_o the_o world_n as_o 25._o christianity_n do_v because_o that_o be_v not_o suit_v at_o all_o to_o common_a capacity_n and_o do_v require_v so_o much_o skill_n in_o the_o art_n to_o prepare_v man_n for_o it_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a all_o shall_v be_v well_o skill_v in_o which_o yet_o be_v as_o capable_a of_o be_v happy_a as_o any_o other_o be_v and_o how_o inefficacious_a the_o precept_n of_o philosophy_n be_v appear_v by_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o who_o be_v far_o from_o have_v command_n by_o they_o over_o their_o masterless_a passion_n and_o be_v fain_o sometime_o to_o confess_v that_o nature_n be_v too_o headstrong_a to_o be_v keep_v in_o by_o such_o weak_a reins_o as_o the_o precept_n of_o philosophy_n be_v but_o say_v he_o what_o great_a command_n divine_a precept_n have_v upon_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n daily_a experience_n show_v dam_fw-la mihi_fw-la virum_fw-la qui_fw-la sit_fw-la iracundus_fw-la maledicus_fw-la effrenatus_fw-la 26._o paucissimis_fw-la dei_fw-la verbis_fw-la tam_fw-la placidum_fw-la quam_fw-la ovem_fw-la reddam_fw-la dam_fw-la cupidum_fw-la avarum_fw-la tenacem_fw-la jam_fw-la tibi_fw-la eum_fw-la liberalem_fw-la dabo_fw-la &_o pecuniam_fw-la svam_fw-la plenis_fw-la manibus_fw-la largientem_fw-la dam_fw-la timidum_fw-la doloris_fw-la ac_fw-la mortis_fw-la jam_fw-la cruces_fw-la &_o ignes_fw-la taurum_fw-la contemnet_fw-la dam_fw-la libidinosum_fw-la adulterum_fw-la ganeonem_fw-la jam_fw-la sobrium_fw-la castum_fw-la â—ontinentem_fw-la videbis_fw-la dam_fw-la crudelem_fw-la &_o sanguinis_fw-la appetentem_fw-la jam_fw-la in_o veram_fw-la clementiam_fw-la furor_fw-la ille_fw-la mutabitur_fw-la dam_fw-la injustum_fw-la insipientem_fw-la peccatorem_fw-la continuo_fw-la &_o aequus_fw-la &_o prudens_fw-la &_o innocens_fw-la crit_fw-fr in_o which_o word_n that_o elegant_a writer_n do_v by_o a_o rhetorical_a scheme_n set_v out_o the_o remarkable_a alteration_n which_o be_v in_o any_o who_o become_v true_a christian_n that_o although_o they_o be_v passionate_a covetous_a fearful_a lustful_a cruel_a unjust_a vicious_a yet_o upon_o their_o be_v christian_n they_o become_v mild_a liberal_a courageous_a temperate_a merciful_a just_a and_o unblameable_a which_o never_o any_o be_v bring_v to_o by_o mere_a philosophy_n which_o rather_o teach_v the_o art_n of_o conceal_v vice_n then_o of_o heal_v they_o but_o now_o when_o christianity_n be_v so_o effectual_a in_o the_o cure_n of_o those_o distemper_n which_o philosophy_n give_v over_o as_o beyond_o its_o skill_n and_o power_n when_o it_o cure_v they_o with_o so_o great_a success_n and_o that_o not_o in_o a_o paracelsian_a way_n for_o they_o to_o relapse_n afterward_o with_o great_a violence_n but_o it_o do_v so_o thorough_o unsettle_v the_o foam_n morbi_fw-la that_o it_o shall_v never_o gather_v to_o so_o great_a a_o head_n again_o do_v not_o this_o argue_v a_o power_n more_o than_o philosophical_a and_o that_o can_v be_v no_o less_o than_o divine_a power_n which_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o reform_v the_o world_n and_o to_o promote_v true_a goodness_n in_o it_o thus_o we_o have_v consider_v the_o contrariety_n of_o the_o doctrine_n 24._o of_o christ_n to_o man_n natural_a inclination_n and_o yet_o the_o strange_a success_n it_o have_v in_o the_o world_n which_o in_o the_o last_o place_n will_v appear_v yet_o more_o strange_a when_o we_o add_v the_o almost_o continual_a opposition_n it_o meet_v with_o from_o worldly_a power_n and_o policy_n have_v it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o cunning_o devise_v fable_n or_o any_o mere_a contrivance_n of_o impostor_n to_o have_v prevail_v in_o the_o world_n when_o the_o most_o potent_a and_o subtle_a person_n bend_v their_o whole_a wit_n and_o design_n for_o suppress_v it_o whatever_o it_o be_v in_o other_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o some_o of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n as_o julian_n and_o dioclesian_n that_o it_o be_v their_o master-design_n to_o root_v out_o and_o abolish_v christianity_n and_o be_v it_o only_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o christian_n which_o make_v these_o person_n give_v over_o their_o work_n in_o despair_n of_o accomplish_v it_o if_o the_o christian_n be_v such_o subtle_a man_n whence_o come_v all_o their_o enemy_n to_o agree_v in_o one_o common_a calumny_n that_o they_o be_v a_o company_n of_o poor_a weak_a ignorant_a inconsiderable_a man_n and_o if_o they_o be_v so_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o by_o all_o their_o power_n and_o wisdom_n they_o can_v never_o exterminate_v these_o person_n but_o as_o they_o cut_v they_o down_o they_o grow_v up_o the_o fast_a and_o multiply_v by_o their_o substraction_n of_o they_o there_o be_v something_o then_o certain_o peculiar_a in_o christianity_n from_o all_o other_o doctrine_n that_o it_o not_o only_o be_v not_o advance_v by_o any_o civil_a power_n but_o it_o get_v ground_n by_o the_o opposition_n it_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o observable_a circumstance_n that_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n who_o act_v as_o emperor_n for_o christianity_n viz._n constantine_n for_o otherwise_o i_o know_v what_o may_v be_v say_v for_o philippus_n do_v not_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n till_o christianity_n have_v spread_v its_o self_n over_o most_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n god_n thereby_o let_v we_o see_v that_o though_o the_o civil_a power_n when_o become_v christian_n may_v be_v very_o useful_a for_o protect_a christianity_n yet_o that_o he_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n at_o all_o of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o abroad_o in_o the_o world_n but_o we_o see_v it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o in_o that_o religion_n which_o have_v mars_n its_o ascendant_n viz._n mahometism_n for_o like_o paracelsus_n his_o daemon_n it_o always_o sit_v upon_o the_o pummel_n of_o the_o sword_n and_o make_v its_o way_n in_o the_o world_n mere_o by_o force_n and_o violence_n and_o as_o its_o first_o constitution_n have_v much_o of_o blood_n in_o it_o so_o by_o it_o have_v it_o be_v feed_v and_o nourish_v ever_o since_o but_o it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o never_o thrive_v better_a than_o in_o the_o most_o barren_a place_n nor_o triumph_v more_o than_o when_o it_o suffer_v most_o nor_o spread_v its_o self_n further_o than_o when_o it_o encounter_v the_o great_a opposition_n because_o therein_o be_v see_v the_o great_a force_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n that_o it_o bear_v up_o man_n spirit_n under_o the_o great_a misery_n of_o life_n and_o make_v they_o with_o cheerfulness_n to_o undergo_v the_o most_o exquisite_a torment_n which_o the_o cruelty_n of_o tyrant_n can_v invent_v the_o stoic_n and_o epicurean_o boast_n that_o their_o wise_a man_n will_v be_v happy_a in_o the_o bull_n of_o phalaris_n be_v but_o empty_a and_o thrasonical_a word_n which_o none_o will_v venture_v the_o truth_n of_o by_o a_o experiment_n upon_o themselves_o it_o be_v the_o christian_a alone_o and_o not_o the_o epicurean_a that_o can_v true_o say_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o torment_n suave_fw-la est_fw-la &_o nihil_fw-la curo_fw-la and_o may_v just_o alter_v a_o little_a of_o that_o common_a say_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o say_v non_fw-la magna_fw-la lâ—quimur_fw-la sed_fw-la patimur_fw-la as_o well_o as_o vivimus_fw-la the_o christian_n do_v not_o speak_v great_a thing_n but_o do_v and_o suffer_v they_o and_o this_o gain_v not_o only_o great_a reputation_n of_o integrity_n to_o themselves_o but_o much_o advance_v the_o honour_n of_o their_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n when_o it_o be_v so_o apparent_o see_v that_o no_o force_n or_o power_n be_v able_a to_o withstand_v it_o will_v not_o this_o at_o least_o persuade_v you_o that_o our_o religion_n be_v true_a and_o srom_o god_n say_v arâ—â—bius_n quod_fw-la cum_fw-la genera_fw-la poenarum_fw-la tanta_fw-la sint_fw-la à _fw-la vobis_fw-la proposita_fw-la â—_o religionis_fw-la huius_fw-la sequentibus_fw-la leges_fw-la augeatur_fw-la res_fw-la magis_fw-la &_o contra_fw-la omnes_fw-la minas_fw-la atque_fw-la interdicta_fw-la formidinum_fw-la animosius_fw-la populus_fw-la obnitatur_fw-la &_o ad_fw-la credendi_fw-la studium_fw-la prohibitionis_fw-la ipsius_fw-la stimulis_fw-la â—xcitetur_fw-la itane_n istud_fw-la non_fw-la divinum_fw-la &_o sacrum_fw-la est_fw-la
seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o ever_o for_o grant_v that_o a_o divine_a power_n be_v see_v in_o one_o and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v still_o dissatisfy_v unless_o it_o can_v be_v make_v evident_a to_o he_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v from_o divine_a power_n and_o other_o can_v be_v now_o the_o main_a distinction_n be_v place_v here_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n abstract_o consider_v and_o not_o as_o they_o bear_v any_o evidence_n to_o our_o understanding_n in_o stead_n of_o resolve_v doubt_n it_o increase_v more_o for_o as_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o magician_n rod_n turn_v into_o scrpent_n as_o well_o as_o moses_n his_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v this_o yield_v to_o any_o spectator_n to_o tell_v he_o that_o in_o the_o one_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a power_n and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o some_o evidence_n from_o the_o thing_n that_o the_o one_o be_v a_o mere_a imposture_n and_o the_o other_o a_o real_a alteration_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o i_o take_v it_o then_o for_o grant_v that_o no_o general_a discourse_n concern_v the_o formal_a difference_n of_o miracle_n and_o wonder_n consider_v in_o themselves_o can_v afford_v any_o rational_a satisfaction_n to_o a_o inquisitive_a mind_n that_o which_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o give_v it_o must_v be_v something_o which_o may_v be_v discern_v by_o any_o judicious_a and_o considerative_a person_n and_o that_o god_n never_o give_v to_o any_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n but_o he_o give_v some_o such_o ground_n of_o satisfaction_n concern_v they_o will_v appear_v upon_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o from_o god_n intention_n in_o give_v to_o any_o this_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n we_o have_v large_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o end_n of_o true_a miracle_n be_v to_o be_v a_o confirmation_n to_o the_o world_n of_o the_o divine_a commission_n of_o the_o person_n who_o have_v it_o and_o that_o the_o testimony_n be_v divine_a which_o be_v confirm_v by_o it_o now_o if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o know_v when_o miracle_n be_v true_a or_o false_a this_o power_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n at_o all_o for_o man_n be_v as_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o therefore_o if_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o person_n bring_v it_o as_o a_o evidence_n of_o it_o they_o must_v have_v some_o assurance_n that_o these_o miracle_n can_v not_o come_v from_o any_o but_o a_o divine_a power_n 2._o from_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n which_o if_o we_o own_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v permit_v the_o devil_n who_o only_a design_n be_v to_o ruin_v mankind_n to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o world_n so_o far_o as_o to_o have_v his_o lie_a wonder_n pass_v uncontrolled_a which_o they_o must_v do_v if_o nothing_o can_v be_v find_v out_o as_o a_o certain_a difference_n between_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v only_o of_o diabolical_a and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o divine_a power_n if_o then_o it_o may_v be_v discover_v that_o there_o be_v a_o malignant_a spirit_n which_o act_n in_o the_o world_n and_o do_v produce_v strange_a thing_n either_o we_o must_v impute_v all_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o which_o must_v be_v to_o attribute_v to_o he_o a_o infinite_a power_n or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a which_o cross_v this_o malignant_a spirit_n in_o his_o design_n and_o if_o so_o we_o can_v imagine_v he_o shall_v suffer_v he_o to_o usurp_v so_o much_o tyranny_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o to_o make_v those_o thing_n pass_v in_o the_o more_o sober_a and_o inquisitive_a part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o divine_a miracle_n which_o be_v only_a counterfeit_n and_o imposture_n if_o then_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v so_o deep_o engage_v in_o the_o discover_v the_o design_n of_o satan_n there_o must_v be_v some_o mean_n of_o this_o discovery_n and_o that_o mean_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v no_o other_o in_o this_o case_n but_o some_o rational_a and_o satisfactory_a evidence_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v when_o strange_a and_o miraculous_a thing_n be_v do_v by_o satan_n to_o deceive_v man_n and_o when_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n but_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a say_v some_o that_o miracle_n shall_v be_v 2._o any_o ground_n on_o which_o to_o believe_v a_o testimony_n divine_a when_o christ_n himself_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n and_o shall_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n in_o 24._o so_o much_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o shall_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect_a and_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o come_n of_o antichrist_n will_v be_v with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n how_o then_o can_v 9_o we_o fix_v on_o miracle_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a testimony_n when_o we_o see_v they_o be_v common_a to_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n and_o may_v seal_v indifferent_o either_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o do_v no_o small_a disservice_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o upon_o such_o weak_a and_o frivolous_a pretence_n they_o give_v so_o great_a a_o advantage_n to_o infidelity_n as_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o validity_n of_o that_o which_o yield_v so_o ample_a a_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o if_o once_o the_o rational_a ground_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o whole_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v lay_v on_o thing_n not_o only_o deride_v by_o man_n of_o atheistical_a spirit_n but_o in_o themselves_o such_o as_o can_v be_v discern_v or_o judge_v of_o by_o any_o but_o themselves_o upon_o what_o ground_n can_v we_o proceed_v to_o convince_v a_o unbeliever_n that_o the_o doctrine_n which_o we_o believe_v be_v true_a if_o they_o tell_v he_o that_o as_o light_v and_o fire_n manifest_v themselves_o so_o do_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o those_o who_o believe_v it_o it_o will_v be_v soon_o reply_v that_o self-evidence_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n can_v imply_v nothing_o but_o either_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o mind_n concern_v the_o thing_n propound_v or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o thing_n it_o self_n that_o none_o who_o free_o use_v their_o reason_n can_v deny_v it_o the_o first_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n to_o any_o other_o person_n any_o further_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o person_n who_o declare_v it_o to_o have_v such_o self-evidence_n to_o he_o do_v extend_v its_o self_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o other_o and_o to_o one_o self_n it_o seem_v a_o strange_a way_n of_o argue_v i_o believe_v the_o scripture_n because_o they_o be_v true_a and_o they_o be_v true_a because_o i_o believe_v they_o for_o self-evidence_n imply_v so_o much_o if_o by_o it_o be_v mean_v the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a but_o if_o by_o self-evidence_n be_v further_a mean_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o matter_n propound_v that_o all_o who_o do_v consider_v it_o must_v believe_v it_o i_o then_o further_o inquire_v whether_o this_o evidence_n do_v lie_v in_o the_o nâ—ked_a proposal_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o the_o understanding_n and_o if_o so_o than_o every_o one_o who_o assent_v to_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n must_v likewise_o assent_v to_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o whether_o do_v the_o evidence_n lie_v not_o in_o the_o naked_a proposal_n but_o in_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v then_o 1._o the_o self-evidence_n be_v take_v off_o from_o the_o write_a word_n which_o be_v the_o object_n and_o remove_v to_o a_o quite_o different_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n 2._o whether_o then_o any_o person_n who_o want_v this_o efficacious_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v or_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v god_n word_n if_o they_o be_v bind_v the_o duty_n must_v be_v propound_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n but_o if_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n lie_v on_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n than_o such_o as_o want_v this_o can_v have_v none_o at_o all_o but_o if_o â—astly_a by_o this_o self-evidence_n be_v mean_v
pimple_n any_o the_o most_o trivial_a thing_n with_o a_o word_n speak_v or_o the_o touch_n of_o the_o hand_n upon_o this_o arnobius_n challenge_v the_o most_o famous_a of_o all_o the_o heathen_a magician_n zoroastres_n armenius_n pamphilus_n apollonius_n damigero_fw-la dardanus_n velus_n julianus_n and_o baebulus_fw-la or_o any_o other_o renown_a magician_n to_o give_v power_n to_o any_o one_o to_o make_v the_o dumb_a to_o speak_v the_o deaf_a to_o hear_v the_o blind_a to_o see_v or_o bring_v life_n into_o a_o dead_a body_n or_o if_o this_o be_v too_o hard_a with_o all_o their_o magical_a rite_n and_o incantation_n but_o to_o do_v that_o quod_fw-la à _fw-la rusticis_fw-la christianis_fw-la jussienibus_fw-la factitatum_fw-la est_fw-la nudis_fw-la which_o ordinary_a christian_n do_v by_o their_o mere_a word_n so_o great_a a_o difference_n be_v there_o between_o the_o high_a that_o can_v be_v do_v by_o magic_n and_o the_o least_o that_o be_v do_v by_o the_o name_n and_o power_n of_o christ._n where_o miracle_n be_v true_o divine_a god_n make_v it_o evident_a to_o 6_o all_o impartial_a judgement_n that_o the_o thing_n do_v exceed_v all_o create_a power_n for_o which_o purpose_n we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o though_o imposture_n and_o delusion_n may_v go_v far_o the_o power_n of_o magician_n further_o when_o god_n permit_v they_o yet_o when_o god_n work_v miracle_n to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n he_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o his_o power_n do_v infinite_o exceed_v they_o all_o this_o be_v most_o conspicuous_a in_o the_o case_n of_o moses_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n first_o moses_n he_o begin_v to_o do_v some_o miracle_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o the_o egyptian_n turn_v his_o rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n but_o we_o do_v not_o find_v pharaoh_n at_o all_o amaze_v at_o it_o but_o send_v present_o for_o the_o magician_n to_o do_v the_o same_o who_o do_v it_o whether_o real_o or_o only_o in_o appearance_n be_v not_o material_a to_o our_o purpose_n but_o aaron_n rod_n swallow_v up_o they_o the_o next_o time_n 12_o the_o water_n be_v turn_v into_o blood_n by_o moses_n the_o magician_n they_o do_v so_o too_o after_o this_o moses_n bring_v up_o frog_n upon_o the_o land_n 22._o so_o do_v the_o magician_n so_o that_o here_o now_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o open_o contest_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o his_o people_n between_o 7._o moses_n and_o the_o magician_n and_o they_o try_v for_o victory_n over_o each_o other_o so_o that_o if_o moses_n do_v no_o more_o than_o they_o they_o will_v look_v upon_o he_o but_o as_o a_o magician_n but_o if_o moses_n do_v that_o which_o by_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o these_o magician_n themselves_o can_v be_v only_o by_o divine_a power_n than_o it_o be_v demonstrable_o evident_a that_o his_o power_n be_v as_o far_o above_o the_o power_n of_o magic_a as_o god_n be_v above_o the_o devil_n according_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o very_a next_o miracle_n in_o turn_v the_o dust_n into_o ciniphes_n which_o we_o render_v lice_n the_o magician_n be_v nonplus_v and_o give_v 19_o out_o say_v in_o plain_a term_n this_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o what_o great_a acknowledgement_n can_v there_o be_v of_o divine_a power_n then_o the_o confession_n of_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o contest_v with_o it_o and_o to_o imitate_v it_o as_o much_o as_o possible_a after_o this_o we_o find_v not_o the_o magician_n offer_v to_o contest_v with_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o plague_n of_o boil_v we_o particular_o read_v that_o they_o can_v not_o stand_v before_o 11._o moses_n thus_o we_o see_v in_o the_o case_n of_o moses_n how_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o power_n above_o all_o power_n of_o magic_n which_o do_v appear_v in_o moses_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o case_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n for_o although_o simon_n magus_n apollonius_n or_o other_o may_v do_v some_o small_a thing_n or_o make_v some_o great_a show_n and_o noise_n by_o what_o they_o do_v yet_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o come_v near_o the_o do_v thing_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n which_o our_o saviour_n do_v cure_v the_o bear_v blind_a restore_v the_o dead_a to_o life_n after_o four_o day_n and_o so_o as_o to_o live_v a_o considerable_a time_n after_o or_o in_o the_o manner_n he_o do_v they_o with_o a_o word_n a_o touch_n with_o that_o frequency_n and_o openness_n before_o his_o great_a enemy_n as_o well_o as_o follower_n and_o in_o such_o a_o uncontrolled_a manner_n that_o neither_o jew_n or_o heathen_n ever_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o after_o all_o these_o when_o he_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o grave_n after_o his_o crucifixion_n exact_o according_a to_o his_o own_o prediction_n he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n appear_v frequent_o among_o his_o disciple_n for_o forty_o day_n together_o after_o which_o in_o their_o presence_n he_o ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n and_o soon_o after_o make_v good_a his_o promise_n to_o they_o by_o send_v his_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o they_o by_o which_o they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n wrought_v miracle_n go_v up_o and_o down_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n with_o great_a boldness_n cheerfulness_n and_o constancy_n and_o after_o undergo_a a_o great_a deal_n of_o hardship_n in_o it_o they_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o they_o speak_v with_o their_o blood_n lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o give_v witness_n to_o it_o thus_o abundant_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o good_a man_n have_v god_n give_v the_o high_a rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o have_v reveal_v to_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v finish_v the_o second_o part_n of_o my_o task_n which_o concern_v the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n from_o the_o person_n who_o be_v employ_v to_o deliver_v god_n mind_n to_o the_o world_n and_o therein_o have_v i_o hope_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o both_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v come_v with_o sufficient_a rational_a evidence_n to_o convince_v the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v person_n immediate_o send_v from_o god_n book_n iii_o chap._n i._o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o principle_n of_o all_o religion_n lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o they_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n rational_o deduce_v the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n why_o moses_n do_v not_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o suppose_v it_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n very_o consonant_a to_o reason_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o idea_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n how_o we_o can_v form_v a_o idea_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v how_o far_o such_o a_o idea_n argue_v existence_n the_o great_a unreasonableness_n of_o atheism_n demonstrate_v of_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o aristotelian_a and_o epicurean_a atheist_n the_o atheist_n pretence_n examine_v and_o refute_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n whereby_o we_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n of_o universal_a consent_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o that_o to_o prove_v a_o deity_n and_o immortality_n of_o soul_n of_o necessity_n of_o existence_n employ_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o how_o far_o that_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o order_n of_o the_o world_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o part_n of_o it_o and_o especial_o of_o man_n body_n a_o argument_n of_o a_o deity_n some_o high_a principle_n prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n than_o matter_n and_o motion_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o possibility_n of_o its_o subsist_v after_o death_n strange_a appearance_n in_o nature_n not_o solvable_a by_o the_o power_n of_o imagination_n have_v in_o the_o precedent_a book_n large_o give_v a_o rational_a 1_o account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o person_n who_o god_n employ_v to_o reveal_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o world_n if_o we_o can_v now_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o those_o sacred_a record_n which_o we_o embrace_v as_o divine_o inspire_v contain_v in_o they_o nothing_o unworthy_a of_o so_o great_a a_o name_n or_o unbecoming_a person_n send_v from_o god_n to_o deliver_v there_o will_v be_v nothing_o want_v to_o justify_v our_o religion_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v true_a and_o of_o revelation_n to_o be_v divine_a for_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o come_v to_o we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v unless_o we_o have_v ground_n to_o question_v the_o general_a foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n as_o uncertain_a or_o this_o particular_a way_n of_o religion_n as_o not_o suitable_a to_o those_o general_a foundation_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o
the_o greek_n receive_v from_o the_o barbarian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o put_v it_o into_o epinom_n a_o better_a fashion_n i._n e._n they_o disguise_v it_o alter_z and_o change_v it_o as_o they_o please_v and_o put_v it_o into_o a_o greek_a habit_n that_o it_o may_v never_o be_v suspect_v to_o have_v be_v a_o foreigner_n thence_o tertullian_n speak_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o truth_n and_o freedom_n of_o such_o philosopher_n who_o do_v ingenii_fw-la sitim_fw-la de_fw-la prophetarum_fw-la fonte_fw-la irrigare_fw-la as_o he_o express_v it_o that_o quench_v their_o thirst_n after_o knowledge_n with_o the_o water_n of_o jordan_n though_o they_o do_v not_o like_o 47._o naaman_n cure_v the_o leproâ—ic_n of_o the_o head_n by_o wash_v in_o they_o for_o as_o tertullian_n say_v theâ—_n come_v only_o ex_fw-la negotio_fw-la curiositatis_fw-la more_o to_o please_v the_o i_o tch_n oâ—_n their_o curiosity_n then_o to_o cure_v it_o and_o wherein_o they_o seem_v most_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n their_o difference_n be_v beyond_o their_o agreement_n siquidem_fw-la 2._o vera_fw-la quaeque_fw-la &_o consonantia_fw-la prophetis_fw-la aut_fw-la aliunde_fw-la commendant_fw-la aut_fw-la aliorsum_fw-la subornant_fw-la cum_fw-la maxima_fw-la injuria_fw-la veritatis_fw-la quam_fw-la efficiunt_fw-la aut_fw-la adjuvari_fw-la falsis_fw-la aut_fw-la patrocinari_fw-la whatever_o the_o philosopher_n speak_v agreeable_a to_o the_o scripture_n either_o they_o do_v not_o own_v whence_o they_o have_v it_o or_o turn_v it_o quite_o another_o way_n whereby_o they_o have_v do_v the_o truth_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o injury_n by_o mix_v it_o with_o their_o corruption_n of_o it_o and_o make_v that_o little_a truth_n a_o plea_n for_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o error_n neither_o be_v this_o only_a among_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n but_o the_o primitive_a christian_n begin_v to_o discern_v the_o underhand_a work_n of_o such_o who_o seek_v to_o blend_v philosophy_n and_o christianity_n together_o for_o tertullian_n himself_o take_v great_a notice_n of_o such_o who_o do_v veritatis_fw-la dogmata_fw-la ad_fw-la philosophicas_fw-la sententias_fw-la adulterare_fw-la suborn_v christianity_n to_o maintain_v philosophy_n which_o make_v he_o cry_v out_o viderint_fw-la qui_fw-la stoicum_fw-la &_o platonicum_n &_o dialecticum_fw-la christianismum_fw-la protulerunt_fw-la by_o which_o we_o see_v what_o tamper_n there_o be_v betimes_o rather_o to_o bring_v christianity_n 7._o down_o to_o philosophy_n rather_o than_o to_o make_v philosophy_n truckle_n under_o the_o truth_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o scripture_n whether_o ammonius_n himself_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o school_n of_o alexandria_n may_v be_v guilty_a in_o this_o kind_n be_v not_o here_o a_o place_n to_o inquire_v though_o it_o be_v too_o evident_a in_o the_o write_n of_o some_o that_o they_o rather_o seek_v to_o accommodate_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n then_o to_o reform_v that_o by_o the_o scripture_n but_o i_o say_v however_o it_o be_v with_o those_o who_o be_v christian_n yet_o those_o who_o be_v not_o but_o only_a philosopher_n make_v their_o great_a advantage_n by_o it_o for_o when_o they_o find_v what_o be_v reconcileable_a with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n in_o the_o scripture_n do_v already_o to_o their_o hand_n by_o the_o endeavour_n chief_o of_o ammonius_n and_o origen_n they_o greedy_o embrace_v those_o improvement_n of_o their_o philosophy_n which_o will_v tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o credit_n of_o it_o and_o as_o contemptuous_o reject_v what_o they_o find_v irreconcilable_a with_o the_o dictate_v of_o their_o philosophy_n now_o what_o a_o unreasonable_a thing_n be_v it_o when_o what_o ever_o be_v noble_a and_o excellent_a in_o the_o heathen_a philosophy_n be_v derivative_a from_o 〈◊〉_d scripture_n as_o the_o sacred_a fountain_n of_o it_o that_o the_o meeting_n with_o such_o thing_n shall_v in_o the_o least_o redound_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v original_o derive_v when_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o shall_v be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n to_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o who_o be_v profess_v philosopher_n and_o admirer_n only_o of_o reason_n do_v so_o ready_o embrace_v some_o of_o those_o grand_a truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o which_o we_o need_v no_o other_o instance_n then_o that_o before_o 14._o we_o concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a the_o make_v out_o of_o which_o will_v tend_v to_o the_o clear_v the_o last_o thing_n mention_v concern_v it_o which_o be_v that_o the_o most_o material_a thing_n in_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o and_o this_o honey_n which_o be_v gain_v out_o of_o the_o lion_n mouth_n must_v needs_o taste_v sweet_a than_o any_o other_o do_v for_o it_o be_v a_o weak_a and_o groundless_a mistake_n on_o the_o other_o side_n which_o be_v the_o second_o which_o arise_v from_o meet_v thing_n consonant_a to_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o write_n of_o philosopher_n present_o to_o conclude_v from_o such_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v christian_n as_o it_o be_v say_v some_o have_v late_o do_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o hierocles_n for_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a account_n give_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o grand_a difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v trouble_v with_o when_o these_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o who_o be_v of_o philosophic_a and_o inquisitive_a head_n we_o can_v but_o think_v they_o will_v meet_v with_o acceptation_n among_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o may_v be_v make_v consistent_a with_o their_o former_a speculation_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a we_o have_v already_o behold_v the_o lamentable_a perplexity_n the_o ancient_a philosopher_n be_v in_o about_o it_o what_o maeander_n they_o be_v lose_v in_o for_o want_v of_o a_o clue_n to_o guide_v they_o through_o they_o now_o it_o please_v god_n after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flâ—shâ—o_o â—o_z declare_v to_o the_o world_n the_o only_a way_n for_o the_o recovery_n 〈◊〉_d soul_n and_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n the_o news_n of_o which_o be_v spread_v so_o far_o that_o it_o soon_o get_v among_o the_o philosopher_n can_v not_o but_o make_v they_o more_o inquisitive_a concern_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o when_o they_o have_v search_v what_o the_o philosopher_n have_v former_o discover_v of_o it_o their_o curiosity_n will_v present_o prompt_v they_o to_o see_v what_o account_n of_o thing_n concern_v the_o soul_n of_o 〈◊〉_d deliver_v by_o the_o preacher_n of_o this_o new_a doctrine_n bâ—_n 〈◊〉_d they_o can_v not_o but_o present_o understand_v that_o they_o declare_v all_o man_n soul_n to_o be_v in_o a_o most_o degenerate_a and_o low_a condition_n by_o be_v so_o continual_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a and_o unruly_a passion_n that_o they_o be_v estrange_v from_o god_n and_o prone_a to_o fix_v on_o thing_n very_o unsuitable_a to_o their_o nature_n as_o to_o all_o which_o their_o own_o inward_a sense_n and_o experience_n can_v but_o tell_v they_o that_o these_o thing_n be_v notorious_o true_a and_o therefore_o they_o inquire_v further_o how_o these_o thing_n come_v to_o be_v so_o which_o they_o receive_v a_o full_a account_n of_o in_o scripture_n that_o man_n soul_n be_v at_o first_o create_v pure_a and_o holy_a and_o in_o perfect_a friendship_n with_o god_n that_o god_n deal_v bountiful_o and_o favourable_o with_o man_n only_o expect_v obedience_n to_o his_o law_n that_o man_n be_v a_o free_a agent_n do_v abuse_v his_o liberty_n and_o disobey_v his_o maker_n and_o thence_o come_v the_o true_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o feather_n of_o the_o soul_n whereby_o it_o soar_v up_o to_o heaven_n moult_v away_o and_o the_o soul_n sink_v below_o its_o self_n into_o a_o degenerate_a and_o apostate_n condition_n out_o of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v recover_v without_o some_o extraordinary_a expression_n of_o divine_a favour_n now_o what_o be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o account_n but_o what_o be_v huge_o suitable_a to_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o to_o the_o general_a experience_n of_o the_o world_n as_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v try_v by_o it_o and_o those_o philosopher_n who_o be_v any_o thing_n ingenuous_a and_o lover_n of_o truth_n can_v not_o but_o confess_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o viz._n that_o man_n soul_n be_v in_o a_o very_a degenerate_a condition_n that_o the_o most_o rational_a account_n of_o it_o be_v that_o man_n by_o the_o act_n of_o his_o own_o will_n bring_v himself_o into_o it_o and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o man_n soul_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o recovery_n out_o of_o this_o condition_n as_o to_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n this_o
be_v the_o common_a complaint_n of_o those_o philosopher_n who_o mind_v the_o 1._o government_n of_o themselves_o and_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n especial_o of_o the_o platonâ—sts_n and_o stoic_n seneca_n in_o all_o his_o moral_a discourse_n especial_o in_o his_o epistle_n may_v speak_v sufficient_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o stoic_n how_o much_o they_o lament_v the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o platonist_n all_o complain_n of_o the_o slavery_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o the_o body_n and_o that_o it_o be_v here_o by_o way_n oâ—_n punishment_n for_o something_o which_o be_v do_v before_o which_o make_v i_o somewhat_o incurable_a to_o think_v that_o plato_n know_v more_o of_o the_o lapse_n of_o 〈◊〉_d than_o he_o will_v open_o discover_v and_o for_o that_o end_n disguise_v it_o after_o his_o usual_a manner_n in_o that_o hypothesis_n of_o preexistence_n which_o take_v it_o cabbalistical_o for_o i_o rather_o think_v the_o opinion_n of_o prae_fw-la existence_n be_v so_o to_o be_v take_v then_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n may_v import_v only_o this_o that_o man_n soul_n may_v be_v just_o suppose_v to_o be_v create_v happy_a but_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o man_n soul_n from_o god_n all_o soul_n now_o come_v into_o their_o body_n as_o into_o a_o kind_n of_o prison_n they_o be_v enslave_v to_o the_o brutish_a part_n within_o they_o there_o have_v be_v such_o a_o true_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o soul_n be_v now_o deprive_v of_o her_o chief_a perfection_n in_o this_o her_o low_a and_o degenerate_a condition_n and_o it_o seem_v far_o more_o rational_a to_o i_o to_o interpret_v those_o person_n opinion_n to_o a_o cabbalistical_a or_o a_o allegorical_a sense_n who_o be_v know_v to_o have_v design_o write_v in_o a_o way_n obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a then_o to_o force_v those_o man_n expression_n to_o cabbala_n who_o profess_v to_o write_v a_o plain_a history_n and_o that_o with_o the_o great_a simplicity_n and_o perspicuity_n but_o it_o can_v but_o seem_v very_o strange_a that_o a_o hypothesis_n capable_a of_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o plain_a literal_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n deliver_v by_o a_o person_n who_o use_v great_a artifice_n and_o cunning_a to_o disguise_v his_o opinion_n and_o sueh_a a_o person_n withal_o who_o by_o such_o person_n themselves_o who_o make_v use_v of_o this_o opinion_n to_o that_o end_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v very_o conversant_a with_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n shall_v be_v take_v in_o its_o literal_a sense_n as_o it_o real_o import_v preexistence_n of_o each_o particular_a soul_n in_o the_o gross_a manner_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v make_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o philosophic_a cabbala_n of_o the_o write_n of_o such_o a_o person_n who_o use_v not_o the_o least_o artifice_n to_o disguise_v his_o sense_n nor_o give_v we_o anywhere_o the_o least_o intimation_n that_o he_o leave_v behind_o he_o such_o plait_a picture_n in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n that_o if_o you_o look_v straight_o forward_o you_o may_v see_v a_o literal_a cabbala_n on_o the_o one_o side_n a_o philosophical_a and_o on_o the_o other_o a_o moral_a but_o now_o if_o we_o remove_v the_o cabbala_n from_o moses_n to_o plato_n we_o may_v find_v no_o incongruity_n or_o repugnancy_n at_o all_o either_o as_o to_o plato_n his_o way_n of_o writing_n or_o the_o consonancy_n of_o the_o opinion_n so_o interpret_v to_o the_o plain_a genuine_a sense_n of_o moses_n if_o by_o plato_n his_o opinion_n of_o the_o preexistence_n and_o descent_n of_o soul_n be_v understand_v by_o the_o former_a the_o happy_a state_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o conjunctâ—â—â—_n with_o god_n and_o by_o the_o latter_a the_o low_a and_o degenerate_a condiâ—â—on_n which_o the_o soul_n be_v in_o after_o apostasy_n from_o he_o which_o â—he_v late_a platonist_n be_v so_o large_a and_o eloquent_a in_o express_v porphyry_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o something_n he_o counsel_v man_n to_o do_v have_v these_o word_n but_o if_o we_o can_v do_v they_o let_v we_o at_o least_o do_v that_o which_o be_v so_o much_o lament_v of_o old_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 27._o let_v we_o at_o least_o join_v with_o our_o forefather_n in_o lament_v this_o that_o we_o be_v compound_v of_o such_o disagree_v and_o contrary_a principle_n that_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o preserve_v divine_a pure_a and_o unspotted_a innocency_n and_o hierocles_n full_o express_v his_o sense_n of_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o mankind_n 261._o in_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o most_o of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v bad_a and_o under_o the_o command_n of_o their_o passion_n and_o grow_v impotent_a through_o their_o propensity_n to_o earth_n which_o great_a evil_n they_o have_v bring_v upon_o themselves_o by_o their_o wilful_a apostasy_n from_o god_n and_o withdraw_a themselves_o from_o that_o society_n with_o he_o which_o they_o once_o enjoy_v in_o pure_a light_n which_o departure_n of_o man_n soul_n from_o god_n which_o be_v so_o hurtful_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v evident_a by_o their_o strong_a inclination_n to_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n the_o same_o author_n mention_n with_o much_o approbation_n that_o speech_n of_o heraclitus_n speak_v of_o those_o soul_n which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o i_o can_v better_o render_v then_o undeclinable_o good_a he_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o live_v their_o death_n and_o die_v their_o life_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o man_n be_v now_o fall_v down_o from_o that_o bless_a region_n and_o as_o empedocles_n the_o pythagorean_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o word_n can_v be_v better_a render_v then_o in_o the_o word_n the_o scripture_n use_v concern_v cain_n and_o he_o go_v from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v 〈◊〉_d fugitive_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o under_o continual_a perplexity_n for_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n have_v leave_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v hierocles_n his_o own_o expression_n the_o pleasant_a meadow_n of_o truth_n a_o fit_a description_n 254._o of_o paradise_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d through_o the_o violence_n of_o her_o moult_a or_o deplumation_n she_o come_v into_o this_o earthly_a body_n deprive_v of_o that_o bless_a life_n which_o she_o before_o enjoy_v which_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v very_a consonant_n to_o plato_n senâ—e_a oâ—_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o descent_n of_o soul_n that_o when_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o impotency_n of_o fix_v whole_o â—on_v god_n they_o suffer_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o great_a loss_n and_o a_o deprivation_n of_o former_a perfâ—ctions_n which_o i_o suppose_v be_v meâ—nt_v by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o â—â—uls_n impotency_n of_o fly_v up_o above_o this_o earthly_a world_n than_o they_o lapse_v into_o these_o terrestrial_a and_o mortal_a body_n so_o hierocles_n conclude_v with_o this_o excellent_a and_o divine_a speech_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o therefore_o by_o apostasy_n from_o god_n and_o the_o moult_a of_o those_o feather_n of_o our_o soul_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v raise_v up_o above_o this_o world_n we_o have_v fall_v into_o this_o place_n of_o mortal_n which_o be_v compass_v about_o with_o evil_n so_o by_o the_o cast_n off_o carnal_a affection_n and_o by_o the_o growth_n of_o virtue_n like_o new_a feather_n to_o the_o soul_n we_o shall_v ascend_v to_o the_o place_n of_o pure_a and_o perfect_a good_a and_o to_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o divine_a life_n so_o much_o more_o become_a christian_n do_v these_o excellent_a philosopher_n speak_v of_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o the_o consequent_n of_o it_o than_o some_o who_o will_v be_v account_v the_o follower_n of_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o of_o christ_n who_o make_v it_o so_o much_o of_o their_o business_n to_o extenuate_v the_o fall_n of_o man_n which_o we_o find_v those_o who_o be_v mere_a philosopher_n far_o more_o rational_a and_o ingenuous_a in_o than_o those_o who_o pretend_v so_o high_o to_o reason_n but_o i_o think_v with_o as_o little_a of_o it_o as_o any_o suppose_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n but_o it_o be_v not_o here_o our_o business_n to_o consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o christianity_n but_o only_o of_o such_o who_o pretend_v only_o to_o reason_n have_v yet_o consent_v with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o it_o lie_v in_o a_o apostasy_n from_o 〈◊〉_d and_o have_v lose_v those_o perfection_n which_o they_o have_v before_o that_o man_n will_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o apostasy_n this_o we_o have_v already_o manifest_v at_o large_a from_o