christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n in_o they_o and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v record_v by_o they_o to_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n here_o we_o have_v more_o clear_a reason_n as_o to_o the_o primary_n motive_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o withal_o the_o infallible_a veracity_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o faith_n and_o while_o we_o assert_v such_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n from_o the_o first_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o then_o so_o full_o attest_v by_o such_o uncontrollable_a miracle_n we_o can_v in_o the_o least_o understand_v to_o what_o end_n a_o power_n of_o miracle_n shall_v now_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n especial_o among_o those_o who_o all_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n indeed_o before_o the_o great_a harvest_n of_o convert_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v bring_v in_o both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o the_o church_n sully_v settle_v in_o receive_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n universal_o we_o find_v god_n do_v continue_v this_o power_n among_o they_o but_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o embrace_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n among_o christian_n we_o find_v they_o so_o far_o from_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o power_n that_o they_o reject_v the_o pretender_n to_o it_o such_o as_o the_o donatist_n be_v and_o plead_v upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o we_o do_v now_o against_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o we_o see_v then_o no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o miracle_n to_o be_v continue_v where_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v settle_v as_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o there_o be_v only_o these_o two_o case_n then_o wherein_o miracle_n may_v just_o and_o with_o reason_n be_v expect_v first_o when_o any_o person_n 4._o come_v as_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a commission_n from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n either_o to_o deliver_v some_o peculiar_a message_n or_o to_o do_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a service_n second_o when_o something_o that_o have_v be_v before_o establish_v by_o divine_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v and_o some_o other_o way_n of_o worship_n establish_v in_o stead_n of_o it_o first_o when_o any_o come_v upon_o a_o extraordinary_a message_n to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o name_n of_o and_o by_o commission_n from_o god_n than_o it_o be_v but_o reason_n to_o require_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a evidence_n of_o such_o authority_n because_o of_o the_o main_a importance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o give_v credit_n to_o such_o a_o person_n and_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o be_v guilty_a of_o reject_v that_o divine_a authority_n which_o appear_v in_o he_o and_o in_o this_o case_n we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v require_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n to_o believe_v where_o he_o do_v not_o give_v sufficient_a argument_n for_o faith_n nor_o that_o he_o will_v punish_v person_n for_o such_o a_o fault_n which_o a_o invincible_a ignorance_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o indeed_o god_n do_v not_o use_v to_o necessitate_v faith_n as_o to_o the_o act_n of_o it_o but_o he_o do_v so_o clear_o propound_v the_o object_n of_o it_o with_o all_o argument_n induce_v to_o it_o as_o may_v sufficient_o justify_v a_o believer_n choice_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n and_o prudence_n and_o may_v leave_v all_o unbeliever_n without_o excuse_n i_o can_v see_v what_o account_n a_o man_n can_v give_v to_o himself_o of_o his_o faith_n much_o less_o what_o apology_n he_o can_v make_v to_o other_o for_o it_o unless_o he_o be_v sufficient_o convince_v in_o point_n of_o the_o high_a reason_n that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o believe_v and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o conviction_n there_o must_v be_v some_o clear_a evidence_n give_v that_o what_o be_v speak_v have_v the_o impress_n of_o divine_a authority_n upon_o it_o now_o what_o conviction_n there_o can_v be_v to_o any_o sober_a mind_n concern_v divine_a authority_n in_o any_o person_n without_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n go_v along_o with_o he_o when_o he_o be_v to_o deliver_v some_o new_a doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n to_o be_v believe_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v understand_v for_o although_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o where_o ever_o god_n do_v reveal_v any_o thing_n to_o any_o person_n immediate_o he_o give_v demonstrable_a evidence_n to_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o it_o come_v from_o himself_o yet_o this_o inward_a sense_n can_v be_v no_o ground_n to_o another_o person_n to_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n divine_a because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o act_n of_o another_o sense_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o another_o person_n to_o distinguish_v the_o act_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n from_o strong_a impression_n of_o fancy_n by_o the_o force_n and_o energy_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v those_o who_o say_v they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n object_n i_o answer_v first_o this_o will_v expose_v we_o to_o all_o delusion_n imaginable_a answ._n for_o if_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o they_o say_v so_o 1._o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o which_o say_v so_o and_o none_o be_v more_o confident_a pretender_n to_o this_o then_o the_o great_a deceiver_n as_o the_o experience_n of_o our_o age_n will_v sufficient_o witness_v second_o man_n must_v necessary_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v contradiction_n for_o nothing_o more_o ordinary_a then_o for_o such_o confident_a pretender_n 2._o to_o a_o divine_a spirit_n to_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o person_n in_o a_o little_a time_n contradict_v himself_o and_o must_v we_o still_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o they_o say_v if_o so_o no_o philosopher_n will_v be_v so_o much_o in_o request_n as_o those_o aristotle_n dispute_v against_o in_o his_o metaphysic_n who_o think_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n three_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n at_o last_o will_v be_v but_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n as_o far_o as_o 3_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o believe_v be_v capable_a of_o judge_v of_o it_o for_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o person_n i_o be_o to_o believe_v have_v divine_a authority_n for_o what_o he_o say_v what_o ground_n can_v i_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v so_o must_v i_o take_v his_o bare_a affirmation_n for_o it_o if_o so_o than_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n must_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o divine_a faith_n and_o that_o which_o it_o be_v last_o resolve_v into_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o he_o speak_v when_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n i_o answer_v the_o question_n will_v again_o return_v how_o i_o shall_v know_v he_o speak_v this_o from_o divine_a authority_n and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o progress_n in_o infinitum_fw-la or_o sound_v divine_a faith_n on_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n if_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v divine_a revelation_n mere_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o person_n affirmation_n who_o pretend_v unto_o it_o for_o in_o this_o case_n it_o hold_v good_a non_fw-la apparentis_fw-la &_o non_fw-la existentis_fw-la eadem_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la if_o he_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n induce_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v be_v excuse_v if_o i_o believe_v he_o not_o if_o my_o wilfulness_n and_o laziness_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o unbelief_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o good_a man_n 5._o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n i_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v wonderful_o true_a but_o all_o the_o question_n be_v de_fw-fr modo_fw-la how_o god_n will_v satisfy_v they_o whether_o mere_o by_o inspiration_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n in_o they_o assure_v they_o that_o it_o be_v god_n that_o speak_v in_o such_o person_n or_o by_o give_v they_o rational_a evidence_n convince_a they_o of_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o assert_v the_o former_a way_n we_o run_v into_o these_o inconvenience_n first_o we_o make_v as_o immediate_a a_o revelation_n in_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v as_o in_o 1._o those_o who_o be_v to_o reveal_v divine_a truth_n to_o we_o for_o there_o be_v a_o new_a revelation_n of_o a_o object_n immediate_o to_o the_o mind_n viz._n that_o such_o a_o person_n be_v inspire_v of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v not_o after_o the_o common_a way_n of_o the_o spirit_n illumination_n in_o believer_n which_o be_v by_o enlighten_v the_o faculty_n without_o the_o proposition_n of_o any_o new_a object_n as_o it_o
therein_o shall_v be_v afterward_o confirm_v be_v the_o scripture_n a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n while_o this_o be_v want_v in_o it_o do_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n discharge_v their_o place_n when_o they_o leave_v something_o unrevealed_a to_o we_o be_v this_o a_o duty_n before_o these_o miracle_n or_o no_o if_o it_o be_v what_o need_v miracle_n to_o confirm_v it_o if_o not_o christ_n have_v not_o tell_v we_o all_o necessary_a condition_n of_o salvation_n for_o whatever_o be_v require_v as_o a_o duty_n be_v such_o as_o the_o neglect_n of_o it_o run_v man_n upon_o damnation_n last_o man_n faith_n will_v be_v leave_v at_o continual_a uncertainty_n for_o we_o know_v not_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n when_o we_o have_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v practise_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n for_o if_o god_n may_v still_o make_v new_a article_n of_o say_v or_o constitute_v new_a duty_n by_o fresh_a miracle_n i_o must_v go_v and_o inquire_v what_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o every_o place_n to_o see_v that_o i_o miss_v nothing_o that_o may_v be_v necessary_a for_o i_o in_o order_n to_o my_o happiness_n in_o another_o world_n if_o man_n pretend_v to_o deliver_v any_o doctrine_n contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n than_o it_o be_v not_o only_o necessary_a that_o they_o confirm_v it_o by_o miracle_n but_o they_o must_v manifest_v the_o falsity_n of_o those_o miracle_n on_o which_o that_o doctrine_n be_v believe_v or_o else_o they_o must_v use_v another_o miracle_n to_o prove_v that_o god_n will_v set_v his_o seal_n to_o confirm_v both_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n to_o be_v true_a which_o be_v the_o hard_a task_n of_o all_o have_v need_n be_v prove_v by_o very_o sufficient_a and_o undoubted_a miracle_n such_o as_o may_v be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o believe_v those_o be_v miracle_n and_o be_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o so_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v utter_o destroy_v by_o the_o medium_n produce_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o by_o this_o discourse_n these_o two_o thing_n be_v clear_a first_o that_o no_o pretence_n of_o miracle_n be_v to_o be_v hearken_v to_o when_o the_o doctrine_n we_o be_v to_o believe_v be_v already_o establish_v by_o they_o if_o those_o miracle_n tend_v in_o the_o least_o to_o the_o derogation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v establish_v by_o those_o former_a miracle_n second_o that_o when_o the_o full_a doctrine_n we_o be_v to_o believe_v be_v establish_v by_o miracle_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o new_a miracle_n for_o confirmation_n of_o any_o of_o the_o truth_n therein_o deliver_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o most_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o demand_v miracle_n of_o those_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o deliver_v who_o do_v first_o solemn_o profess_v to_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o second_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o any_o immediate_a commission_n from_o heaven_n but_o do_v nothing_o but_o what_o in_o their_o conscience_n they_o think_v every_o true_a christian_a be_v bind_v to_o do_v much_o more_o all_o magistrate_n and_o minister_n who_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o profess_v which_o be_v in_o their_o place_n to_o reform_v all_o error_n and_o abuse_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o the_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n of_o christianity_n through_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n or_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o most_o unjust_a and_o unreasonable_a demand_n of_o the_o papist_n when_o they_o require_v miracle_n from_o our_o first_o reformer_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n with_o have_v they_o pretend_v to_o have_v come_v with_o a_o immediate_a commission_n from_o heaven_n to_o have_v add_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o have_v be_v some_o plea_n for_o such_o a_o demand_n but_o it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o with_o they_o their_o only_a design_n be_v to_o whip_v the_o buyer_n and_o seller_n out_o of_o the_o temple_n to_o purge_v the_o church_n from_o its_o abuse_n and_o although_o that_o by_o jerome_n be_v think_v to_o be_v one_o of_o our_o saviour_n great_a miracle_n yet_o this_o by_o we_o be_v conceive_v to_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o magistrate_n minister_n and_o private_a christian_n these_o by_o their_o prayer_n minister_n by_o their_o doctrine_n and_o magistrate_n by_o their_o just_a authority_n chap._n iu._n 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 assamenta_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 but_o although_o now_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_v be_v complete_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n 1_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n either_o to_o expect_v new_a revelation_n or_o new_a miracle_n for_o confirm_v the_o old_a yet_o under_o the_o law_n god_n train_v up_o his_o people_n by_o degree_n till_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o new_a supply_n of_o divine_a messenger_n call_v prophet_n to_o prepare_v the_o people_n and_o make_v way_n for_o the_o come_n of_o christ._n as_o to_o who_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v considerable_a first_o those_o prophet_n who_o work_n be_v to_o inform_v the_o people_n of_o their_o duty_n or_o to_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o sin_n or_o to_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v their_o chief_a task_n have_v no_o need_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n or_o commission_n from_o heaven_n by_o the_o work_n of_o miracle_n among_o they_o and_o that_o on_o these_o two_o account_n first_o because_o god_n do_v not_o consummate_v the_o revelation_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n to_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n but_o appoint_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n to_o be_v among_o they_o to_o make_v know_v his_o mind_n unto_o they_o now_o in_o this_o case_n when_o the_o prophetical_a office_n be_v establish_v among_o they_o what_o necessity_n be_v there_o thaâ—_n every_o one_o that_o come_v to_o they_o upon_o a_o errand_n from_o god_n shall_v prove_v his_o testimony_n to_o be_v true_a by_o miracle_n when_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o his_o office_n he_o deliver_v nothing_o dissonant_n from_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n it_o be_v one_o argument_n god_n intend_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n when_o he_o lay_v down_o such_o rule_n in_o his_o law_n for_o tâ—e_v judge_v of_o they_o and_o to_o know_v whether_o they_o be_v true_o inspire_v or_o no_o deut._n 15._o 21_o 22._o and_o in_o that_o same_o place_n god_n do_v promise_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n deut._n 18._o 15_o 18._o a_o prophet_n will_v the_o lord_n god_n raise_v up_o unto_o thou_o like_o unto_o i_o to_o he_o shall_v you_o hearken_v which_o word_n though_o in_o their_o full_a and_o complete_a sense_n they_o do_v relate_v to_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o great_a prophet_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o whoever_o attend_v to_o the_o full_a scope_n of_o the_o word_n will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o immediate_a sense_n of_o they_o do_v relate_v to_o a_o order_n of_o prophet_n which_o shall_v succeed_v moses_n among_o the_o jew_n between_o who_o and_o moses_n there_o will_v be_v a_o great_a similitude_n as_o to_o their_o birth_n call_v and_o doctrine_n though_o not_o a_o just_a equality_n which_o be_v exclude_v deut._n 34._o 10_o 11._o and_o the_o chief_a reason_n why_o it_o be_v say_v there_o that_o the_o other_o prophet_n fall_v so_o much_o short_a of_o moses_n be_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o he_o wrought_v as_o be_v there_o large_o express_v nor_o may_v it_o seem_v strange_a that_o by_o a_o prophet_n shall_v be_v understand_v a_o order_n or_o succession_n of_o prophet_n when_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o most_o protestant_n that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o antichrist_n be_v understand_v a_o rank_n and_o succession_n of_o several_a person_n in_o the_o same_o name_n &_o function_n and_o that_o it_o be_v
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