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endeavour_v in_o this_o treatise_n seven_o grant_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v general_o acknowledge_v all_o christian_n we_o ought_v to_o exercise_v our_o reason_n in_o search_v these_o sacred_a book_n look_v into_o the_o grammar_n of_o the_o scripture_n or_o the_o form_n of_o expression_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o logic_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o scope_n context_n and_o consent_v thereof_o compare_v scripture_n with_o scripture_n and_o interpret_n the_o more_o obscure_a place_n by_o the_o clear_a according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n that_o so_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o thing_n that_o differ_v ephes_n 5.17_o 1_o thes_n 5.21_o act_n 17.11_o heb._n 5.14_o which_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o every_o true_a christian_a as_o have_v be_v prove_v in_o the_o twelve_o chapter_n of_o this_o treatise_n in_o which_o respect_n we_o hold_v that_o 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come_v far_o short_a and_o be_v abuse_v in_o reference_n to_o divine_a thing_n have_v in_o the_o chapter_n immediate_o go_v before_o mention_v divers_a particular_n wherein_o humane_a reason_n and_o knowledge_n be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o christianity_n we_o shall_v now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n tell_v you_o particular_o and_o plain_o wherein_o humane_a reason_n and_o knowledge_n come_v far_o short_a in_o matter_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a sum_v up_o in_o a_o little_a room_n what_o have_v be_v more_o large_o set_v forth_o on_o this_o subject_n both_o in_o this_o and_o other_o treatise_n reason_n treatise_n the_o defect_n that_o be_v in_o man_n reason_n first_o then_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o justification_n of_o sinner_n by_o his_o righteousness_n can_v be_v find_v out_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n it_o never_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o natural_a man_n to_o 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take_v up_o or_o apprehend_v there_o be_v a_o wonderful_a depth_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o
the_o galatian_n have_v many_o notable_a say_n touch_v faith_n and_o reason_n in_o this_o case_n of_o believe_v the_o gospel_n say_v he_o we_o must_v silence_v reason_n which_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o faith_n which_o also_o in_o temptation_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n lean_v not_o to_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n for_o thereof_o it_o be_v utter_o ignorant_a but_o to_o her_o own_o righteousness_n now_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o law_n and_o reason_n join_v together_o faith_n lose_v her_o virginity_n for_o nothing_o fight_v more_o strong_o against_o faith_n then_o the_o law_n and_o reason_n the_o gospel_n lead_v we_o beyond_o and_o above_o the_o light_n of_o the_o law_n and_o reason_n into_o the_o deep_a secret_n of_o faith_n where_o the_o law_n and_o reason_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v again_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v reason_n reason_n will_v tell_v you_o that_o such_o thing_n as_o god_n have_v promise_v be_v impossible_a foolish_a weak_a absurd_a thing_n what_o more_o absurd_a 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〈◊〉_d reason_v be_v very_o emphatical_a quo_fw-la vocabulo_fw-la 5._o vocabulo_fw-la estius_n in_o 2_o cor._n 10.4_o 5._o significantur_fw-la non_fw-la qualescunque_fw-la cogitationes_fw-la sed_fw-la quae_fw-la fiunt_fw-la ratiocinando_fw-la &_o disceptando_fw-la dum_fw-la adhibito_fw-la judicio_fw-la rationis_fw-la animus_n examinat_fw-la aliquid_fw-la &_o de_fw-la eo_fw-la pronuntiat_fw-la sit_fw-la ne_fw-la verum_fw-la a_o falsum_fw-la bonum_fw-la a_o malum_fw-la here_o we_o may_v see_v plain_o that_o our_o reason_n must_v be_v conquer_v and_o captivate_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o else_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a faith_n indeed_o reason_n and_o faith_n may_v well_o walk_v together_o provide_v that_o reason_n give_v faith_n the_o upperhand_n we_o must_v not_o say_v they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o a_o noble_a writer_n who_o make_v great_a use_n of_o reason_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n religio_fw-la religion_n morney_n de_fw-fr 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a_o seasonable_a discourse_n of_o the_o right_a use_n and_o abuse_v of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n by_o philologus_n ratio_fw-la recta_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la lumine_fw-la spiritus_fw-la sancti_fw-la directa_fw-la london_n print_v for_o thomas_n passenger_n at_o the_o three_o bibles_n on_o london-bridge_n 1676._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a and_o virtuous_a lady_n the_o lady_n marchioness_n of_o worcester_z madam_n it_o be_v true_o observe_v that_o worldly_a greatness_n without_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o vigour_n of_o vice_n have_v both_o mind_n and_o mean_n to_o be_v uncontrollable_o vicious_a but_o nobility_n join_v with_o virtue_n render_v the_o person_n true_o honourable_a the_o true_a stamp_n of_o nobility_n and_o honour_n be_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n who_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o be_v value_v by_o the_o grandeur_n of_o their_o outward_a estate_n or_o title_n as_o by_o their_o inward_a goodness_n virtue_n and_o 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interest_n and_o happiness_n which_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o you_o be_v sensible_a of_o consist_v in_o be_v true_o serious_a and_o religious_a this_o be_v the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n to_o fear_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n eccles_n 12.13_o the_o serious_a practice_n of_o religion_n be_v that_o which_o every_o considerate_a person_n after_o all_o his_o other_o disquisition_n will_v find_v to_o be_v his_o chief_a interest_n and_o that_o which_o do_v deserve_v his_o utmost_a care_n and_o diligence_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o man_n or_o as_o the_o septuagint_n read_v it_o this_o be_v all_o this_o indeed_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o man_n as_o be_v most_o profitable_a and_o advantageous_a to_o he_o go_v on_o madam_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o add_v virtue_n to_o virtue_n that_o your_o last_o day_n and_o last_o work_n may_v be_v your_o best_a day_n and_o best_a work_n and_o that_o you_o may_v practical_o confute_v the_o 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other_o persecute_v emperor_n devise_v most_o exquisite_a torment_n to_o be_v inflict_v on_o the_o poor_a christian_n and_o put_v thousand_o of_o they_o to_o a_o cruel_a death_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o christianity_n prevail_v and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v enlarge_v which_o be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n and_o demonstration_n even_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o reason_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v most_o divine_a and_o powerful_a and_o not_o worldly_a weak_a and_o carnal_a that_o this_o jesus_n who_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o little_a country_n of_o judaea_n subdue_v by_o the_o roman_n of_o poor_a parent_n in_o a_o sorry_a village_n destitute_a of_o friend_n and_o of_o all_o worldly_a help_n and_o advantage_n shall_v give_v law_n to_o and_o conquer_v the_o world_n by_o his_o gospel_n or_o the_o word_n of_o his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o this_o wonderful_a and_o will_v you_o know_v what_o he_o 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orator_n this_o will_v be_v more_o pedantic_a in_o he_o then_o in_o a_o person_n more_o inferior_a though_o the_o scripture_n seem_v to_o be_v plain_a in_o word_n and_o phrase_n yet_o it_o be_v great_a in_o power_n no_o writing_n of_o man_n be_v they_o never_o so_o well_o set_v forth_o with_o wit_n learning_n and_o ornament_n of_o rhetoric_n can_v so_o enlighten_v the_o mind_n move_v the_o will_n pierce_v the_o heart_n and_o stir_v up_o the_o affection_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n do_v nor_o do_v the_o scripture_n want_v eloquence_n if_o the_o matter_n be_v well_o weigh_v no_o other_o writing_n can_v equalise_v they_o the_o song_n of_o moses_n the_o beginning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n and_o other_o portion_n of_o scripture_n in_o variety_n and_o force_n of_o divine_a eloquence_n do_v far_o exceed_v and_o transcendall_n other_o author_n greek_a or_o latin_a that_o be_v extant_a though_o never_o so_o excellent_o indict_v and_o pen_v yet_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o discern_v that_o the_o one_o be_v write_v by_o a_o divine_a the_o other_o by_o a_o humane_a spirit_n six_o the_o wonderful_a powerful_a effect_n of_o this_o doctrine_n more_o than_o any_o other_o do_v clear_o demonstrate_v even_o to_o a_o eye_n of_o reason_n the_o divine_a authority_n thereof_o for_o it_o inlighten_v the_o understanding_n discover_v clear_o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o creature_n convert_v the_o soul_n convince_v the_o gainsayer_n terrifi_v the_o conscience_n of_o a_o sinner_n quicken_v and_o revive_v the_o wound_a spirit_n manife_v the_o thought_n of_o the_o heart_n man_n cast_v down_o strong_a hold_n and_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n and_o remain_v invincible_a notwithstanding_o all_o the_o opposition_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n for_o though_o the_o nature_n thereof_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o will_n and_o wisdom_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o world_n yet_o still_o it_o have_v prevail_v and_o overcome_v the_o enemy_n that_o have_v oppose_v this_o doctrine_n be_v many_o and_o mighty_a and_o subtle_a the_o devil_n the_o roman_a emperor_n the_o learned_a philosopher_n the_o zealous_a jew_n and_o the_o common_a people_n be_v stir_v up_o by_o they_o have_v with_o incredible_a fury_n and_o falsehood_n and_o vigilancy_n endeavour_v the_o utter_a abolition_n of_o it_o but_o can_v never_o do_v it_o this_o doctrine_n conquer_v where_o it_o come_v either_o it_o convert_v or_o destroy_v its_o adversary_n and_o what_o manner_n of_o person_n be_v they_o who_o god_n choose_v as_o his_o herald_n and_o ambassador_n to_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n be_v they_o great_a and_o many_o be_v they_o learn_v and_o wise_a be_v they_o potent_a and_o mighty_a in_o the_o world_n no_o no_o they_o be_v in_o number_n but_o few_o in_o outward_a appearance_n simple_a rude_a poor_a and_o weak_a despise_v of_o man_n thing_n that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n by_o these_o god_n have_v confound_v thing_n that_o be_v and_o through_o their_o preach_v the_o cross_n of_o christ_n have_v subdue_v many_o nation_n to_o himself_o in_o a_o little_a time_n a_o great_a part_n of_o this_o habitable_a world_n be_v convert_v and_o bring_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o paul_n fill_v all_o place_n from_o jerusalem_n to_o illyricum_n with_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o gospel_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v forget_v that_o the_o jew_n though_o waste_v with_o many_o and_o great_a slaughter_v and_o though_o they_o have_v and_o still_o have_v a_o desperate_a enmity_n against_o christ_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n yet_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v always_o remain_v safe_a and_o entire_a in_o their_o custody_n even_o when_o the_o hebrew_n language_n do_v lie_v almost_o unknown_a and_o have_v perish_v altogether_o have_v not_o god_n provide_v for_o the_o true_a religion_n by_o the_o care_n of_o those_o jew_n so_o that_o will_v they_o will_v they_o they_o shall_v be_v instrumental_a
of_o the_o christian_a religion_n why_o i_o believe_v the_o incarnation_n death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n i_o answer_v because_o god_n word_n testify_v of_o they_o as_o thing_n most_o certain_a and_o true_a if_o he_o ask_v i_o further_o how_o know_v you_o that_o god_n have_v reveal_v these_o thing_n i_o answer_v by_o infallible_a sign_n and_o testimony_n from_o heaven_n beyond_o all_o humane_a power_n as_o have_v be_v show_v chap._n 12._o of_o this_o treatise_n by_o which_o man_n reason_n may_v be_v convince_v that_o those_o writing_n be_v of_o god_n and_o so_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o a_o christian_n have_v more_o reason_n for_o his_o religion_n then_o any_o other_o whether_o jew_n or_o turk_n or_o heathen_a four_o though_o in_o these_o respect_n that_o have_v be_v mention_v our_o reason_n may_v be_v of_o very_o good_a use_n in_o reference_n to_o spiritual_a and_o divine_a thing_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o make_v our_o reason_n the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o matter_n that_o be_v beyond_o our_o reason_n as_o for_o example_n there_o be_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n as_o the_o scripture_n assure_v we_o matth._n 28.19_o 1_o john_n 5.7_o shall_v i_o now_o reject_v this_o great_a mystery_n because_o it_o correspond_v not_o with_o the_o dictate_v of_o my_o reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o say_v with_o those_o self-willed_a socinian_o that_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o reason_n that_o three_o shall_v be_v one_o god_n therefore_o i_o will_v not_o believe_v this_o great_a truth_n but_o only_o interpret_v it_o thus_o that_o these_o three_o agree_v in_o one_o and_o be_v one_o by_o consent_n of_o mind_n and_o will_n for_o so_o a_o thousand_o man_n may_v be_v one_o and_o again_o if_o because_o i_o can_v conceive_v or_o comprehend_v by_o my_o reason_n how_o christ_n and_o his_o father_n can_v be_v one_o in_o substance_n and_o essence_n therefore_o i_o will_v find_v out_o another_o interpretation_n which_o may_v agree_v with_o my_o reason_n though_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n true_o this_o be_v to_o set_v reason_n in_o the_o chair_n or_o throne_n above_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n or_o divine_a testimony_n shall_v vail_v bonnet_n to_o our_o sense_n and_o reason_n and_o not_o we_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n in_o his_o word_n now_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o curious_a proud_a wit_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v any_o thing_n be_v it_o never_o so_o sublime_a and_o mysterious_a unless_o forsooth_o it_o be_v make_v evident_a to_o their_o shallow_a understanding_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o consult_v with_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n about_o the_o chief_a article_n of_o faith_n and_o according_o expound_v they_o or_o rather_o pervert_v they_o deny_v and_o reject_v the_o person_n and_o office_n of_o christ_n the_o doctrine_n of_o satisfaction_n and_o propitiation_n by_o christ_n the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o same_o individual_a body_n the_o absolute_a decree_n of_o god_n and_o other_o mystery_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o so_o at_o length_n god_n leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o vain_a reason_n and_o the_o wicked_a imagination_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n they_o become_v mere_a atheist_n indeed_o every_o christian_a as_o have_v be_v say_v aught_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o he_o but_o we_o must_v put_v a_o difference_n between_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o our_o believe_v and_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n believe_v i_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n that_o christ_n be_v consubstantial_a and_o coessential_a with_o the_o father_n that_o he_o be_v incarnate_a and_o bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n that_o jacob_n be_v love_v and_o esau_n reject_v before_o they_o have_v do_v either_o good_a or_o evil_n and_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o my_o belief_n be_v because_o the_o same_o be_v write_v in_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n but_o now_o to_o demonstrate_v and_o evidence_n these_o high_a truth_n and_o mystery_n to_o humane_a reason_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n or_o otherwise_o to_o disbelieve_v they_o this_o be_v a_o course_n destructive_a to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o religion_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v evident_a in_o themselves_o as_o the_o principle_n of_o geometry_n that_o every_o whole_a and_o entire_a thing_n be_v big_a than_o a_o part_n of_o it_o and_o the_o like_a but_o then_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o evident_a in_o themselves_o but_o be_v reveal_v and_o make_v know_v to_o we_o both_o that_o they_o be_v and_o what_o they_o be_v by_o a_o foreign_a medium_n without_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v persuade_v of_o by_o the_o report_n of_o other_o and_o this_o be_v that_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n which_o we_o have_v of_o thing_n that_o be_v believe_v the_o truth_n of_o which_o in_o themselves_o appear_v not_o to_o we_o nor_o be_v see_v of_o we_o and_o in_o this_o respect_n faith_n be_v true_o say_v to_o be_v a_o assent_n without_o evidence_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o revealer_n in_o these_o thing_n our_o reason_n reach_v but_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o such_o thing_n be_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n but_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v hide_v from_o we_o we_o can_v show_v a_o reason_n how_o such_o thing_n shall_v be_v thus_o to_o tie_v our_o faith_n to_o reason_n and_o form_v our_o belief_n by_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n so_o as_o to_o refuse_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n without_o evidence_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o demonstrate_v and_o make_v know_v to_o our_o reason_n argue_v much_o pride_n and_o selfconfidence_n set_v up_o our_o reason_n above_o the_o will_n of_o god_n reason_n god_n against_o subject_v the_o scripture_n to_o reason_n reveal_v and_o arraign_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n at_o the_o bar_n of_o our_o reason_n now_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v but_o to_o be_v reject_v by_o all_o christian_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o ground_n and_o consideration_n first_o because_o our_o reason_n and_o understanding_n be_v but_o weak_a and_o shallow_a in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o nature_n and_o we_o be_v much_o more_o ignorant_a and_o blind_a in_o the_o mystery_n of_o grace_n and_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v divine_a and_o supernatural_a john_n 1.5_o 1_o cor._n 1.19_o 20._o 1_o cor._n 2.11.14_o 1_o cor._n 13.12_o when_o the_o world_n by_o all_o its_o wisdom_n and_o reason_n know_v not_o god_n in_o christ_n it_o please_v god_n say_v the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 1.21_o by_o the_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v to_o save_v they_o that_o believe_v yea_o not_o only_o in_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n but_o in_o the_o most_o eminent_a saint_n there_o be_v still_o much_o blindness_n in_o their_o understanding_n and_o much_o perverseness_n in_o their_o will_n and_o in_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o heart_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n now_o these_o vain_a and_o carnal_a and_o foolish_a reason_n of_o we_o shall_v be_v regulate_v and_o correct_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n man_n reason_n shall_v not_o presume_v to_o regulate_v the_o word_n but_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v regulate_v and_o correct_v man_n reason_n the_o word_n be_v the_o rule_n and_o not_o our_o reason_n for_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v can_v be_v the_o rule_n to_o regulate_v second_o to_o bring_v scripture_n to_o the_o bar_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o so_o make_v reason_n the_o judge_n in_o divine_a mystery_n be_v exceed_v preposterous_a for_o this_o be_v to_o subordinate_a and_o make_v subject_a that_o which_o be_v much_o superior_a to_o that_o which_o be_v far_o inferior_a that_o which_o be_v perfect_a and_o without_o error_n to_o that_o which_o be_v imperfect_a and_o erroneous_a now_o certain_o that_o which_o be_v weak_a and_o corrupt_a be_v not_o fit_a to_o judge_v that_o which_o be_v holy_a and_o perfect_a nor_o be_v that_o which_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n and_o mistake_n as_o man_n reason_n be_v fit_a to_o regulate_v and_o judge_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v all_o light_n and_o all_o truth_n and_o be_v profitable_a for_o doctrine_n for_o reproof_n for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n 2_o tim._n 3.16_o 17._o as_o john_n the_o baptist_n say_v to_o christ_n 28._o christ_n mr._n lyford_n on_o heb._n 5.13_o 14._o cap._n 1._o pag._n 28._o i_o have_v need_n to_o be_v baptize_v of_o thou_o and_o come_v thou_o to_o i_o that_o be_o