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have_v not_o much_o mind_n or_o leisure_n or_o opportunity_n to_o read_v book_n to_o hear_v these_o thing_n in_o conversation_n and_o not_o know_v ready_o what_o answer_v to_o make_v to_o they_o to_o be_v somewhat_o stagger_v in_o their_o belief_n thereby_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v such_o who_o loose_a and_o licentious_a way_n of_o live_v make_v they_o easy_a to_o receive_v without_o examination_n any_o notion_n that_o may_v give_v they_o ease_n or_o encouragement_n in_o sin_n for_o these_o reason_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o especial_o because_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n proper_o belong_v to_o the_o subject_a i_o be_o now_o upon_o and_o because_o i_o have_v some_o time_n leave_v for_o it_o to_o
time_n can_v have_v no_o possible_a doubt_n of_o their_o supernatural_a assistance_n they_o that_o hear_v they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n which_o they_o have_v never_o learn_v can_v not_o but_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n that_o give_v they_o this_o utterance_n 2.4_o act_n 2.4_o because_o nothing_o else_o can_v give_v it_o so_o that_o this_o be_v not_o only_o as_o their_o other_o miracle_n be_v a_o proof_n of_o inspiration_n but_o likewise_o a_o instance_n and_o example_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o a_o inward_a and_o invisible_a inspiration_n by_o a_o inspiration_n that_o be_v as_o i_o may_v say_v outward_a and_o visible_a by_o a_o inspiration_n that_o be_v discernible_a even_o by_o the_o bodily_a sense_n of_o all_o those_o that_o be_v present_a but_o be_v it_o so_o perhaps_o the_o infidel_n will_v say_v that_o they_o that_o see_v the_o miracle_n which_o the_o apostle_n be_v report_v to_o have_v do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n have_v reason_n enough_o to_o believe_v their_o testimony_n concern_v he_o and_o as_o well_o that_o which_o they_o have_v leave_v in_o write_v as_o that_o which_o they_o give_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n yet_o what_o be_v this_o to_o we_o that_o live_v now_o for_o we_o neither_o see_v the_o miracle_n that_o they_o wrought_v nor_o hear_v they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n neither_o have_v we_o any_o assurance_n that_o they_o ever_o do_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o but_o only_o from_o themselves_o they_o indeed_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o do_v a_o great_a many_o wonderful_a thing_n such_o as_o we_o be_v willing_a enough_o to_o grant_v can_v not_o be_v do_v but_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o confirmation_n of_o their_o testimony_n concern_v jesus_n but_o we_o see_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v this_o their_o testimony_n concern_v themselves_o than_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v their_o other_o testimony_n concern_v he_o so_o that_o this_o can_v in_o reason_n be_v reckon_v a_o proof_n or_o confirmation_n of_o that_o nay_o rather_o we_o think_v they_o be_v less_o credible_a witness_n in_o their_o own_o case_n than_o they_o be_v in_o he_o so_o that_o to_o we_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n grant_v it_o to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o no_o more_o authority_n than_o their_o write_n it_o consider_v only_o with_o respect_n to_o their_o natural_a and_o moral_a capacity_n and_o qualification_n can_v give_v to_o it_o because_o that_o seal_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v affix_v thereto_o by_o god_n be_v now_o by_o length_n of_o time_n quite_o wear_v off_o or_o at_o least_o the_o impression_n thereof_o be_v now_o so_o deface_v that_o we_o can_v distinguish_v who_o seal_v it_o be_v or_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o true_a seal_n or_o a_o counterfeit_a one_o and_o that_o this_o seal_n be_v ever_o affix_v to_o their_o testimony_n be_v testify_v only_o by_o those_o same_o witness_n who_o the_o testimony_n its_o self_n be_v to_o this_o objection_n therefore_o which_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v have_v some_o appearance_n of_o weight_n and_o reason_n in_o it_o i_o answer_v 1._o by_o deny_v the_o ground_n it_o be_v build_v upon_o viz._n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n we_o have_v of_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o their_o testimony_n concern_v jesus_n for_o beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o epistle_n and_o in_o the_o act_n witness_v their_o own_o miracle_n we_o have_v likewise_o the_o testimony_n of_o all_o the_o other_o christian_a writer_n who_o book_n be_v preserve_v that_o live_v in_o or_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n witness_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o this_o testimony_n not_o only_o give_v as_o it_o be_v in_o secret_a in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v proselyte_n of_o such_o as_o they_o find_v to_o be_v easy_a and_o credulous_a but_o in_o the_o most_o public_a manner_n in_o those_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o they_o present_v to_o magistrate_n and_o publish_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o which_o for_o proof_n that_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n they_o appeal_v to_o all_o the_o history_n and_o record_n of_o the_o apostle_n time_n then_o extant_a in_o which_o they_o challenge_v any_o that_o can_v do_v it_o to_o contradict_v their_o testimony_n in_o which_o they_o testify_v that_o the_o same_o miraculous_a power_n do_v still_o continue_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v sometime_o exert_v often_o enough_o and_o open_o enough_o to_o prove_v its_o be_v though_o not_o so_o frequent_o as_o it_o have_v be_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o when_o there_o be_v more_o need_n of_o show_v it_o viz._n at_o their_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n now_o these_o thing_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a the_o first_o christian_n in_o the_o circumstance_n they_o be_v then_o in_o will_v not_o have_v dare_v to_o affirm_v and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v false_a they_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v disprove_v and_o they_o will_v most_o certain_o have_v be_v at_o least_o bold_o deny_v and_o contradict_v by_o the_o profess_a adversary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o they_o do_v not_o deny_v or_o contradict_v they_o do_v not_o offer_v to_o disprove_v the_o report_n that_o be_v then_o general_o believe_v of_o the_o miracle_n that_o have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o this_o that_o there_o be_v good_a evidence_n from_o antiquity_n still_o remain_v that_o several_a even_o of_o those_o who_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o oppose_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n do_v yet_o express_o own_o that_o great_a and_o mighty_a work_n have_v indeed_o be_v do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o master_n but_o than_o they_o have_v be_v do_v they_o say_v and_o that_o be_v all_o they_o can_v say_v in_o the_o case_n by_o magic_a art_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o devil_n just_a as_o the_o jew_n have_v say_v before_o of_o our_o saviour_n mat._n 12.24_o this_o fellow_n do_v not_o cast_v out_o devil_n but_o by_o beelzebub_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o devil_n i_o shall_v not_o stay_v now_o to_o show_v how_o groundless_a as_o well_o as_o malicious_a this_o suggestion_n be_v with_o reference_n both_o to_o our_o lord_n miracle_n and_o to_o they_o because_o i_o suppose_v i_o shall_v have_v a_o better_a occasion_n to_o do_v it_o hereafter_o in_o my_o next_o discourse_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o my_o present_a purpose_n if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o be_v grant_v viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v do_v many_o miracle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o confirm_v their_o testimony_n concern_v he_o and_o that_o they_o do_v so_o can_v i_o say_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v because_o it_o be_v witness_v not_o only_o by_o themselves_o but_o by_o all_o the_o christian_a writer_n of_o those_o or_o the_o succeed_a time_n and_o be_v not_o deny_v nay_o be_v grant_v even_o by_o their_o adversary_n and_o opposer_n but_o 2._o if_o we_o have_v not_o so_o good_a proof_n of_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o apostle_n if_o there_o be_v no_o witness_n thereof_o but_o themselves_o i_o say_v however_o that_o their_o testimony_n alone_o will_v be_v very_o credible_a nay_o indeed_o the_o thing_n testify_v by_o they_o must_v i_o think_v necessary_o have_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o we_o although_o there_o have_v be_v no_o history_n or_o record_n at_o all_o of_o it_o transmit_v to_o our_o time_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o without_o the_o light_n of_o history_n we_o can_v have_v know_v that_o they_o do_v just_o those_o very_a miracle_n which_o be_v record_v but_o i_o say_v that_o without_o this_o we_o may_v have_v know_v in_o general_a that_o they_o do_v do_v miracle_n or_o that_o they_o be_v assist_v by_o a_o supernatural_a power_n this_o i_o say_v we_o may_v have_v be_v sure_a of_o by_o the_o permanent_a effect_n of_o such_o a_o power_n continue_v after_o their_o time_n and_o testify_v by_o all_o historian_n heathen_a as_o well_o as_o christian_a of_o all_o age_n ever_o since_o and_o which_o be_v even_o still_o extant_a and_o visible_a for_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v now_o christian_n we_o see_v and_o know_v and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v so_o for_o many_o age_n pass_v we_o be_v as_o sure_a as_o we_o be_v that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o age_n pass_v before_o our_o own_o and_o look_v back_o to_o see_v when_o and_o how_o it_o come_v to_o be_v so_o we_o learn_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o history_n jewish_a pagan_a and_o christian_n that_o christianity_n have_v its_o beginning_n in_o judea_n just_a at_o that_o time_n in_o which_o the_o sacred_a history_n
stand_v revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v persuade_v by_o this_o mean_n if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n i_o add_v nor_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o will_n i_o suppose_v sufficient_o appear_v if_o these_o follow_a thing_n be_v consider_v 1._o that_o we_o can_v have_v better_a or_o strong_a motive_n to_o obedience_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n than_o be_v already_o offer_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o persuade_v we_o 2._o that_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n already_o give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v such_o as_o can_v be_v fair_o except_v against_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n thereof_o that_o can_v be_v offer_v but_o what_o be_v liable_a to_o cavil_n and_o unreasonable_a exception_n 3._o that_o if_o god_n shall_v gratify_v all_o man_n in_o this_o request_n the_o abundance_n and_o commonness_n of_o the_o miracle_n that_o must_v then_o be_v wrought_v will_v go_v near_o to_o destroy_v the_o efficacy_n and_o persuasiveness_n thereof_o and_o last_o that_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o experience_n that_o new_a miracle_n have_v be_v general_o unsuccessful_a upon_o those_o who_o have_v not_o hearken_v to_o nor_o be_v convince_v by_o a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will._n 1._o i_o say_v we_o can_v possible_o have_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o strong_a motive_n to_o obedience_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n than_o those_o which_o be_v already_o offer_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o persuade_v we_o for_o there_o we_o have_v life_n and_o death_n set_v before_o we_o blessing_n and_o curse_v on_o one_o hand_n the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n all_o the_o evil_n that_o we_o can_v just_o dread_a the_o wrath_n of_o he_o who_o be_v a_o consume_a fire_n who_o often_o punish_v transgressor_n with_a remarkable_a judgement_n in_o this_o life_n and_o have_v threaten_v to_o all_o impenitent_a sinner_n eternal_a torment_n in_o the_o next_o now_o if_o a_o new_a revelation_n be_v to_o be_v make_v and_o we_o ourselves_o be_v to_o contrive_v the_o matter_n of_o it_o what_o strong_a motive_n than_o these_o can_v we_o think_v of_o or_o if_o one_o shall_v come_v from_o the_o dead_a to_o preach_v to_o we_o if_o lazarus_n be_v send_v on_o purpose_n to_o persuade_v we_o what_o can_v he_o offer_v more_o towards_o it_o can_v he_o give_v we_o assurance_n of_o any_o thing_n better_o or_o more_o desirable_a than_o of_o god_n readiness_n to_o forgive_v we_o upon_o our_o repentance_n and_o of_o complete_a and_o perfect_a happiness_n both_o of_o body_n and_o soul_n to_o all_o eternity_n if_o we_o do_v repent_v or_o can_v he_o threaten_v any_o thing_n more_o like_a to_o deter_v we_o from_o sin_n than_o intolerable_a and_o everlasting_a misery_n if_o not_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v he_o be_v send_v to_o we_o or_o indeed_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v there_o be_v any_o new_a revelation_n at_o all_o for_o these_o thing_n be_v already_o promise_v and_o threaten_v clear_o enough_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n life_n and_o immortality_n be_v already_o full_o bring_v to_o light_n by_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o the_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o happiness_n and_o if_o the_o dread_a of_o everlasting_a and_o intolerable_a torment_n will_v not_o persuade_v we_o nothing_o certain_o will_n or_o can_v persuade_v we_o all_o that_o i_o think_v can_v in_o any_o new_a revelation_n be_v add_v to_o that_o encouragement_n that_o be_v already_o give_v we_o in_o scripture_n to_o virtue_n and_o godliness_n or_o to_o that_o discouragement_n that_o be_v therein_o give_v as_o to_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n will_v be_v a_o assurance_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v always_o as_o remarkable_a a_o difference_n make_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n between_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n in_o this_o world_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o scripture_n there_o will_v be_v by_o his_o righteous_a judgement_n in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o a_o good_a assurance_n give_v we_o of_o this_o by_o some_o new_a revelation_n confirm_v by_o our_o own_o constant_a observation_n that_o it_o be_v always_o well_o with_o the_o righteous_a and_o ill_a with_o the_o wicked_a in_o this_o world_n we_o may_v think_v perhaps_o will_v do_v much_o more_o towards_o the_o reformation_n of_o mankind_n than_o only_o those_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o future_a happiness_n or_o misery_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o scripture_n have_v do_v or_o be_v ever_o like_a to_o do_v and_o this_o indeed_o may_v be_v but_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o a_o new_a revelation_n to_o this_o effect_n will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n and_o will_v frustrate_v the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o send_v we_o into_o this_o world_n which_o be_v to_o prove_v and_o try_v we_o to_o see_v whether_o we_o love_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n whether_o we_o can_v believe_v he_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o see_v and_o whether_o we_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o prefer_v a_o great_a future_a good_n before_o a_o less_o that_o be_v present_a a_o bless_a and_o glorious_a immortality_n after_o this_o life_n before_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v but_o for_o a_o season_n for_o if_o the_o reward_n of_o virtue_n and_o the_o punishment_n of_o vice_n be_v always_o visible_a and_o present_a there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o faith_n in_o god_n which_o be_v a_o firm_a belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o promise_n and_o threaten_n though_o we_o do_v not_o see_v a_o present_a performance_n of_o they_o 11.1_o heb._n 11.1_o faith_n as_o the_o apostle_n define_v it_o be_v the_o substance_n or_o loc._n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hom._n in_o loc._n confident_a expectation_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o the_o evidence_n or_o 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d conviction_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v and_o if_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n both_o of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o the_o next_o be_v the_o certain_a portion_n of_o virtue_n and_o all_o the_o evil_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v suffer_v both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o in_o the_o other_o be_v the_o certain_a and_o never-failing_a consequence_n of_o sin_n there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o a_o virtuous_a and_o wise_a choice_n nay_o indeed_o there_o will_v be_v hardly_o matter_n for_o choice_n at_o all_o for_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o a_o creature_n that_o have_v understanding_n and_o a_o power_n of_o choose_v and_o refuse_v shall_v know_o choose_v all_o misery_n rather_o than_o all_o happiness_n such_o a_o revelation_n as_o this_o be_v therefore_o so_o evident_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o with_o the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o send_v we_o into_o this_o world_n can_v be_v expect_v and_o i_o say_v that_o bate_v this_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o add_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n revelation_n from_o whence_o therefore_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o such_o as_o be_v not_o persuade_v by_o the_o gospel_n motive_n to_o repentance_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v persuade_v by_o any_o such_o motive_n as_o consistent_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o virtue_n can_v be_v offer_v to_o they_o and_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o any_o true_a divine_a revelation_n shall_v ever_o offer_v any_o motive_n to_o persuade_v we_o that_o be_v not_o such_o but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o though_o better_a or_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n can_v be_v offer_v by_o any_o new_a revelation_n than_o be_v offer_v already_o in_o holy_a scripture_n yet_o we_o may_v by_o a_o new_a revelation_n have_v better_a assurance_n give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n motive_n and_o that_o if_o we_o have_v it_o be_v very_o like_a 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