subjection_n be_v in_o truth_n past_o all_o rational_a denial_n whence_o come_v that_o inherent_a distinction_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a every_o man_n be_v bear_v with_o and_o which_o nothing_o humane_a can_v either_o alter_v or_o abrogate_v but_o with_o reference_n to_o god_n authority_n over_o he_o what_o be_v that_o we_o call_v conscience_n in_o every_o man_n but_o god_n vicegerent_n here_o below_o and_o the_o vicar-general_a of_o his_o supreme_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n epicurus_n perceive_v that_o if_o he_o once_o admit_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o that_o we_o call_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o a_o inherent_a distinction_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n in_o man_n providence_n from_o thence_o will_v necessary_o be_v imply_v positive_o deny_v it_o say_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n nor_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n and_o maintain_v this_o hypothesis_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o naked_a essence_n of_o thing_n that_o discriminate_v they_o but_o that_o all_o difference_n of_o thing_n come_v from_o custom_n and_o positive_a law_n first_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v that_o epicurus_n by_o this_o doctrine_n render_v himself_o unworthy_a of_o all_o debate_n and_o discourse_n because_o he_o deny_v common_a experience_n and_o what_o every_o man_n may_v know_v to_o be_v true_a from_o his_o own_o breast_n without_o far_a information_n and_o there_o need_v no_o other_o demonstration_n than_o a_o appeal_n to_o all_o impartial_a reason_n in_o the_o case_n aristotle_n say_v and_o upon_o good_a ground_n that_o no_o dispute_n ought_v to_o be_v admit_v against_o experience_n because_o if_o i_o once_o bring_v that_o into_o question_n i_o disclaim_v all_o ground_n of_o certainty_n and_o therefore_o among_o all_o wise_a man_n thing_n of_o common_a experience_n be_v still_o exclude_v and_o set_v aside_o from_o all_o debate_n and_o dispute_v how_o great_a stress_n soever_o the_o epicurean_o lay_v upon_o this_o principle_n and_o they_o lie_v very_o great_a upon_o it_o both_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n in_o themselves_o consider_v and_o from_o common_a experience_n it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v equal_o false_a and_o pernicious_a the_o law_n of_o nature_n i_o call_v the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n show_v good_a or_o evil_a to_o be_v in_o some_o thing_n by_o their_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n with_o the_o rational_a nature_n and_o so_o consequent_o to_o be_v command_v and_o forbid_v by_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n god_n himself_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o definition_n will_v appear_v very_o evident_a for_o first_o a_o natural_a law_n must_v needs_o be_v seat_v in_o the_o rational_a faculty_n as_o be_v the_o superior_a part_n of_o man_n nothing_o can_v true_o or_o proper_o be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o rule_n or_o a_o law_n to_o a_o rational_a be_v arise_v from_o itself_o but_o the_o genuine_a dictate_v of_o reason_n second_o whatsoever_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o be_v in_o itself_o good_a by_o its_o agreement_n to_o that_o judgement_n my_o reason_n make_v of_o what_o be_v so_o i_o must_v needs_o think_v that_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o must_v needs_o think_v myself_o under_o obligation_n to_o it_o from_o god_n under_o obligation_n to_o it_o i_o must_v be_v because_o of_o my_o own_o judgement_n about_o it_o and_o that_o judgement_n must_v needs_o oblige_v i_o as_o a_o law_n give_v to_o i_o from_o god_n because_o it_o be_v he_o make_v i_o with_o a_o faculty_n so_o judge_v and_o be_v in_o truth_n himself_o the_o author_n of_o this_o judgement_n by_o create_v the_o faculty_n that_o necessary_o make_v it_o whatever_o judgement_n god_n make_v a_o man_n with_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o law_n from_o god_n give_v to_o he_o and_o he_o can_v never_o depart_v from_o it_o without_o offend_v he_o that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o place_v it_o within_o he_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o his_o be_v whatever_o judgement_n god_n make_v i_o with_o concern_v myself_o and_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v his_o judgement_n and_o what_o be_v god_n judgement_n be_v a_o law_n to_o i_o and_o i_o can_v never_o oppose_v it_o without_o sin_n be_v in_o my_o own_o existence_n make_v with_o a_o necessary_a subjection_n unto_o he_o now_o i_o say_v that_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n mankind_n necessary_o make_v such_o a_o distinction_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v they_o determine_v some_o action_n and_o some_o thing_n to_o be_v in_o themselves_o intrinsical_o good_a and_o other_o intrinsical_o evil_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o as_o they_o stand_v relate_v to_o the_o rational_a judgement_n abstract_v from_o all_o collateral_a consideration_n whatever_o and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v give_v of_o that_o more_o than_o of_o the_o faculty_n of_o reason_n itself_o that_o man_n be_v create_v by_o god_n with_o a_o faculty_n so_o judge_v he_o that_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o this_o natural_a law_n must_v obliterate_v the_o judgement_n of_o reason_n by_o which_o every_o man_n become_v a_o necessary_a and_o unrepealable_a law_n to_o himself_o in_o his_o opinion_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v effect_n to_o deny_v a_o man_n to_o be_v rational_a to_o make_v all_o thing_n alike_o to_o he_o as_o to_o the_o good_a or_o evil_n of_o they_o because_o the_o faculty_n we_o call_v reason_n exist_v in_o every_o man_n with_o such_o a_o innate_a distinction_n no_o man_n use_v his_o reason_n can_v think_v falsehood_n and_o truth_n equal_o good_a in_o themselves_o justice_n and_o injustice_n mercy_n and_o cruelty_n be_v distinguish_v by_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o our_o being_n and_o can_v never_o be_v equal_a competitor_n to_o a_o rational_a approbation_n a_o man_n may_v well_o say_v that_o the_o determination_n that_o man_n make_v upon_o the_o plain_a demonstration_n depend_v not_o upon_o the_o intrinsic_a certainty_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n as_o to_o say_v their_o determination_n about_o good_a and_o evil_n do_v not_o so_o for_o the_o one_o lie_n every_o jot_n as_o connate_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n as_o the_o other_o a_o corrupt_a vicious_a man_n have_v the_o judgement_n of_o all_o unblass_v reason_n against_o he_o as_o much_o as_o a_o false_a conclusion_n in_o mathematics_n and_o a_o virtuous_a man_n for_o he_o as_o much_o as_o the_o most_o evident_a demonstrable_a truth_n no_o man_n of_o untainted_a intellectual_n can_v equal_o esteem_v a_o religious_a socrates_n and_o a_o profane_a caligula_n and_o a_o sensual_a sardanapalus_n and_o a_o virtuous_a cato_n many_o thing_n appear_v to_o we_o in_o themselves_o intrinsical_o good_a and_o so_o oblige_v we_o from_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o those_o primary_n statute_n of_o nature_n and_o no_o positive_a law_n can_v alter_v or_o supersede_n the_o obligation_n that_o child_n shall_v obey_v their_o parent_n and_o not_o parent_n the_o child_n have_v no_o indifferency_n in_o it_o nor_o can_v the_o obligation_n be_v remove_v or_o invert_v by_o any_o custom_n or_o positive_a law_n that_o the_o deity_n shall_v be_v venerate_v be_v a_o statute_n of_o nature_n epicurus_n himself_o confess_v we_o be_v to_o venerate_v the_o deity_n for_o its_o excellency_n but_o upon_o what_o ground_n i_o will_v know_v if_o upon_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o natural_a light_n and_o a_o obligation_n arise_v from_o the_o innate_a dictate_v of_o reason_n he_o must_v then_o admit_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o by_o so_o do_v it_o be_v certain_a he_o destroy_v his_o own_o doctrine_n and_o will_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v a_o providence_n if_o bare_o upon_o positive_a law_n he_o fall_v under_o this_o horrible_a absurdity_n to_o make_v it_o at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o man_n for_o so_o be_v all_o thing_n that_o depend_v mere_o upon_o positive_a law_n whether_o the_o deity_n shall_v be_v so_o venerate_v or_o no._n if_o the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o such_o a_o be_v be_v establish_v by_o natural_a light_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o veneration_n of_o he_o be_v so_o too_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o establish_v but_o make_v to_o be_v indifferent_a to_o believe_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o be_v or_o no_o man_n may_v then_o by_o their_o own_o pleasure_n make_v and_o unmake_v their_o god_n as_o they_o do_v their_o picture_n and_o statue_n when_o we_o be_v tell_v we_o must_v venerate_v the_o deity_n for_o its_o excellency_n we_o be_v tell_v that_o which_o be_v true_a but_o as_o epicurus_n do_v circumstantiate_v this_o doctrine_n it_o be_v not_o like_a to_o produce_v much_o religion_n for_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o all_o natural_a law_n and_o make_v all_o thing_n in_o themselves_o indifferent_a and_o also_o deny_v all_o providence_n and_o any_o future_a estate_n after_o this_o lâ—fe_n by_o which_o all_o
reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v exclude_v so_o that_o the_o epicurean_a religion_n be_v in_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o it_o whole_o precarious_a and_o depend_v upon_o the_o pleasure_n of_o man_n or_o else_o destructive_a to_o itself_o and_o its_o own_o principle_n the_o deity_n be_v to_o be_v venerate_v for_o its_o excellency_n say_v the_o epicurean_o that_o be_v if_o man_n please_v to_o make_v law_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o indifferent_a if_o they_o say_v it_o be_v not_o indifferent_a but_o that_o we_o be_v oblige_v so_o to_o do_v by_o a_o natural_a determination_n of_o reason_n that_o be_v a_o acknowledge_a of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o therein_o a_o admission_n of_o providence_n to_o say_v the_o deity_n must_v be_v venerate_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o say_v that_o all_o action_n and_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o indifferent_a be_v plain_o to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o state_v rule_n for_o this_o veneration_n far_o than_o positive_a law_n make_v they_o and_o that_o a_o man_n may_v practice_v any_o thing_n the_o very_o worst_a of_o thing_n suppose_v positive_a law_n not_o to_o forbid_v they_o and_o yet_o be_v a_o religious_a venerator_fw-la of_o the_o deity_n the_o admission_n of_o which_o be_v loathsome_a to_o all_o mankind_n to_o say_v that_o a_o man_n must_v venerate_v the_o deity_n and_o yet_o to_o annex_v no_o reward_n to_o the_o do_v of_o it_o nor_o any_o punishment_n to_o the_o not_o do_v of_o it_o here_o nor_o hereafter_o be_v to_o prepare_v man_n to_o be_v religious_a by_o tell_v they_o before_o hand_n if_o they_o be_v so_o it_o shall_v be_v no_o whit_n the_o better_a for_o they_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v one_o jot_n the_o worse_o this_o notion_n of_o epicurus_n which_o yet_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o his_o divinity_n so_o circumstantiate_v seem_v to_o i_o so_o weak_a a_o attempt_n towards_o any_o thing_n of_o religion_n that_o i_o rather_o think_v of_o he_o as_o cicero_n do_v that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n perfect_o without_o any_o religion_n and_o have_v no_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n at_o all_o for_o so_o say_v he_o of_o he_o in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr nat._n dear_a verius_fw-la est_fw-la igitur_fw-la illud_fw-la nimirum_fw-la quod_fw-la familiaris_fw-la omnium_fw-la nostrum_fw-la posidonius_n disseruit_fw-la in_o libro_fw-la quinto_fw-la de_fw-fr natura_fw-la deorum_fw-la nullos_fw-la esse_fw-la deos_fw-la epicuro_fw-la videri_fw-la quaeque_fw-la be_v de_fw-la diis_fw-la immortalibus_fw-la dixerit_fw-la invidiae_fw-la detestandae_fw-la gratia_fw-la dixisse_fw-la two_o thing_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o all_o age_n have_v have_v experience_n do_v evident_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o this_o position_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o alike_o to_o mankind_n till_o custom_n and_o positive_a law_n make_v a_o difference_n first_o we_o find_v man_n pass_v a_o judgement_n upon_o themselves_o in_o the_o closet_n of_o their_o own_o breast_n accuse_v and_o excuse_v themselves_o about_o matter_n no_o way_n connizable_a and_o no_o way_n determine_v by_o any_o positive_a law_n but_o mere_o guide_v herein_o by_o the_o unavoidable_a evidence_n that_o their_o own_o reason_n give_v in_o concern_v the_o good_a or_o evil_n of_o thing_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n this_o truth_n have_v be_v establish_v for_o as_o cicero_n say_v true_o time_n wear_v out_o error_n of_o opinion_n but_o confirm_v all_o natural_a truth_n every_o man_n own_o reason_n carry_v a_o innate_a condemnation_n in_o it_o to_o some_o thing_n as_o evil_n and_o a_o approbation_n of_o other_o as_o good_a and_o this_o no_o way_n found_v in_o custom_n or_o law_n of_o time_n or_o place_n but_o in_o the_o very_a faculty_n of_o reason_n itself_o and_o be_v neither_o create_v nor_o can_v be_v abrogate_a by_o any_o thing_n humane_a for_o as_o philo_n say_v well_o lex_fw-la mentiri_fw-la nescia_fw-la est_fw-la recta_fw-la ratio_fw-la quae_fw-la lex_fw-la non_fw-la ab_fw-la hoc_fw-la aut_fw-la ab_fw-la illo_fw-la mortali_fw-la mortalis_fw-la non_fw-la in_o chartis_fw-la aut_fw-la columnis_fw-la exanimis_fw-la exanima_fw-la sed_fw-la corrumpi_fw-la nescia_fw-la quip_n ab_fw-la immortali_fw-la natura_fw-la insculpta_fw-la in_o immortali_fw-la intellectu_fw-la if_o there_o be_v no_o law_n but_o positive_a and_o what_o have_v their_o rise_n among_o man_n be_v man_n under_o no_o obligation_n to_o the_o natural_a light_n of_o their_o own_o being_n how_o can_v we_o conceive_v rational_a creature_n to_o make_v a_o conscience_n to_o themselves_o about_o thing_n no_o way_n determine_v by_o any_o such_o positive_a law_n what_o man_n law_n reach_v not_o no_o man_n can_v be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o conscience_n about_o if_o there_o be_v no_o superior_a law_n of_o god_n because_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o can_v be_v no_o offence_n and_o so_o no_o foundation_n of_o gild_n nor_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o custom_n can_v be_v the_o foundation_n of_o such_o conscience_n in_o man_n and_o of_o that_o different_a judgement_n they_o make_v to_o themselves_o of_o thing_n from_o whence_o that_o conscience_n arise_v because_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o man_n go_v in_o these_o natural_a determination_n be_v general_o the_o same_o and_o agree_v to_o by_o all_o and_o it_o be_v high_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v the_o whole_a world_n shall_v every_v where_o agree_v in_o a_o custom_n of_o judge_a thing_n to_o be_v otherwise_o then_o indeed_o they_o be_v and_o subject_n themselves_o in_o their_o own_o breast_n to_o such_o a_o eroneous_a judgement_n and_o that_o the_o constant_a determination_n of_o the_o public_a reason_n of_o the_o world_n that_o some_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o good_a and_o other_o be_v in_o themselves_o evil_a be_v at_o first_o found_v in_o a_o mistake_n and_o that_o that_o mistake_v become_v customary_a and_o universal_a this_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o carry_v the_o utmost_a of_o improbability_n in_o it_o and_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v mankind_n be_v not_o reasonable_a and_o to_o put_v the_o fool_n upon_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o the_o determination_n of_o our_o reason_n about_o the_o good_a or_o evil_n of_o thing_n be_v at_o the_o present_a justify_v to_o we_o to_o be_v pure_a and_o abstract_v from_o all_o bias_n either_o from_o custom_n or_o from_o positive_a law_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o the_o most_o genuine_a judgement_n of_o reason_n itself_o in_o its_o judge_n of_o they_o and_o he_o that_o will_v say_v that_o we_o be_v no_o way_n certain_a but_o that_o our_o best_a judgement_n about_o good_a and_o evil_n may_v be_v for_o aught_o we_o know_v ground_v upon_o custom_n &_o so_o mistake_v may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o all_o other_o judgement_n be_v so_o too_o and_o so_o in_o effect_n say_v we_o be_v no_o way_n sure_a but_o that_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o world_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o great_a customary_a mistake_n second_o there_o be_v natural_a law_n by_o which_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o difference_v prove_v to_o be_v previous_a to_o all_o positive_a law_n because_o all_o positive_a law_n appear_v plain_o to_o have_v their_o rise_n from_o those_o primary_n law_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o suppose_v they_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o nature_n law_n have_v be_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o all_o positive_a law_n every_o where_n how_o different_a soever_o positive_a law_n have_v be_v among_o themselves_o in_o other_o thing_n yet_o the_o grand_a maxim_n of_o nature_n found_v upon_o that_o innate_a distinction_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a man_n be_v bear_v withal_o have_v be_v universal_o admit_v by_o all_o legislator_n general_a effect_n we_o say_v must_v have_v general_a cause_n and_o that_o general_a consent_n we_o find_v in_o all_o positive_a law_n to_o such_o natural_a maxim_n do_v evident_o declare_v such_o maxim_n to_o be_v the_o universal_a sentiment_n of_o mankind_n and_o those_o original_a law_n annex_v to_o the_o being_n of_o man_n in_o their_o first_o frame_n and_o constitution_n by_o which_o thing_n in_o themselves_o be_v primary_o discriminate_v antecedent_o to_o all_o positive_a law_n and_o from_o whence_o all_o positive_a law_n have_v their_o subsequent_a rise_n shall_v this_o epicurean_a doctrine_n be_v admit_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v original_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n alike_o till_o difference_v by_o positive_a law_n or_o custom_n three_o thing_n will_v evident_o result_v from_o it_o the_o first_o ruinous_a to_o all_o policy_n the_o second_o to_o all_o religion_n and_o the_o three_o destructive_a to_o both_o first_o no_o man_n that_o think_v all_o thing_n original_o indifferent_a and_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o all_o the_o action_n of_o it_o as_o to_o good_a or_o evil_n to_o be_v rasa_fw-la tabula_fw-la can_v ever_o be_v oblige_v far_a than_o force_v or_o his_o own_o interest_n prevail_v
to_o man_n of_o one_o persuasion_n whenever_o man_n in_o order_n to_o the_o sound_n of_o any_o science_n lay_v down_o position_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v if_o such_o principle_n be_v beyond_o the_o first_o and_o common_a rudiment_n of_o every_o man_n reason_n though_o in_o themselves_o never_o so_o true_a yet_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o debate_v and_o admit_v questionable_a in_o all_o reason_n about_o that_o very_a science_n not_o to_o admit_v some_o universal_a maxim_n be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v mankind_n certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o to_o admit_v any_o particular_a man_n opinion_n as_o indisputable_a principle_n be_v the_o way_n to_o enslave_v the_o world_n to_o every_o party_n the_o scripture_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o christian_n but_o not_o of_o men._n the_o first_o of_o christian_a religion_n but_o not_o of_o all_o science_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o begin_v their_o proof_n against_o all_o antiscriptural_a 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to_o he_o as_o his_o rational_a be_v call_v for_o and_o he_o himself_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o to_o arrive_v at_o this_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n without_o revelation_n natural_a divinity_n if_o due_o pursue_v point_v man_n direct_o to_o supernatural_a from_o a_o sense_n of_o its_o own_o deficiency_n and_o our_o natural_a light_n show_v we_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n from_o its_o own_o imperfect_a discovery_n and_o by_o direct_v we_o to_o many_o daty_n in_o general_a which_o without_o revelation_n we_o know_v not_o well_o how_o to_o perform_v my_o natural_a light_n tell_v i_o of_o a_o sapreme_a and_o perfect_a be_v that_o make_v i_o but_o give_v i_o no_o distinct_a or_o satisfy_a information_n about_o he_o my_o natural_a light_n enjoin_v i_o to_o worship_v he_o but_o can_v sufficien_o direct_v i_o in_o the_o way_n of_o it_o my_o natural_a light_n tell_v i_o i_o be_o upon_o ill_a term_n with_o god_n and_o bid_v i_o be_v my_o near_a concern_v endeavour_v a_o 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to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n upon_o all_o occasion_n with_o what_o patience_n and_o meekness_n be_v we_o teach_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o indeed_o it_o be_v such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o make_v a_o man_n perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v to_o every_o good_a work_n bring_v man_n to_o the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v the_o nobless_a principle_n of_o suffer_v and_o the_o comfortable_a way_n of_o die_v now_o how_o can_v we_o better-judge_n of_o a_o law_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a mission_n than_o by_o its_o nature_n the_o great_a tendency_n of_o it_o and_o the_o influence_n it_o have_v upon_o humane_a life_n and_o when_o we_o find_v so_o holy_a and_o excellent_a a_o design_n as_o appear_v throughout_o this_o whole_a book_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o complete_n the_o happiness_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o way_n so_o correspond_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o that_o divinity_n we_o be_v bear_v with_o what_o can_v we_o 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in_o themselves_o moral_o good_a and_o moral_o evil._n no_o man_n reason_n determine_v about_o the_o positive_a use_n of_o any_o such_o outward_a medium_n of_o worship_n nor_o can_v assure_v i_o of_o god_n distinguish_a acceptance_n in_o any_o of_o they_o and_o to_o be_v upon_o certain_a ground_n of_o acceptance_n with_o god_n be_v the_o chief_a thing_n in_o all_o our_o worship_n nor_o be_v any_o man_n by_o nature_n a_o clear_a and_o certain_a law_n to_o himself_o about_o such_o thing_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v because_o there_o be_v no_o intrinsical_o religious_a good_a as_o to_o matter_n of_o worship_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o all_o such_o goodness_n result_v pure_o from_o institution_n god_n have_v not_o sanctify_v any_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n to_o his_o service_n in_o such_o a_o way_n by_o any_o unalterable_a obligation_n arise_v from_o the_o rational_a nature_n no_o such_o external_n medium_n of_o worship_n be_v found_v in_o reason_n but_o all_o in_o institution_n it_o be_v true_a the_o light_n of_o nature_n will_v direct_v i_o to_o that_o behaviour_n of_o myself_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o worship_n which_o i_o think_v most_o decent_a and_o reverent_a but_o for_o any_o external_n medium_n of_o worship_n the_o light_n of_o nature_n will_v give_v i_o no_o certain_a direction_n at_o all_o if_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o worship_n as_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n it_o have_v be_v declare_v necessary_a that_o some_o shall_v be_v we_o must_v then_o both_o for_o the_o choice_n and_o the_o use_v of_o such_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o guide_v and_o steer_v by_o revelation_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v every_o man_n own_o reason_n be_v impregnate_v with_o obligation_n to_o a_o further_a degree_n of_o worship_n and_o divine_a homage_n than_o reason_n itself_o be_v able_a to_o be_v a_o safe_a and_o a_o 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will_v prove_v altogether_o useless_a and_o fruitless_a first_o in_o a_o right_a manner_n to_o give_v to_o god_n the_o honour_n due_a from_o we_o to_o he_o and_o second_o to_o provide_v sufficient_o for_o our_o own_o welfare_n by_o a_o acceptance_n with_o he_o for_o the_o first_o how_o can_v we_o honour_n god_n with_o the_o honour_n due_a to_o he_o unless_o we_o have_v a_o right_a knowledge_n of_o he_o and_o such_o a_o discovery_n of_o his_o be_v as_o may_v full_o inform_v and_o ascertain_v our_o mind_n about_o he_o which_o we_o never_o can_v have_v nor_o to_o this_o day_n the_o world_n never_o have_v without_o revelation_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o honour_n god_n as_o we_o ought_v unless_o according_a to_o our_o measure_n we_o know_v he_o as_o in_o truth_n he_o be_v and_o it_o be_v equal_o impossible_a to_o know_v what_o god_n be_v unless_o it_o be_v tell_v we_o by_o himself_o it_o be_v not_o simple_o sufficient_a to_o capacitate_v i_o for_o a_o due_a address_n to_o the_o deity_n to_o know_v in_o the_o general_a that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a wisdom_n and_o justice_n and_o power_n above_o i_o that_o some_o way_n or_o other_o exist_v which_o be_v all_o my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o but_o i_o must_v have_v some_o direct_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o that_o be_v wherein_o all_o those_o attribute_n do_v exist_v upon_o which_o as_o the_o object_n of_o my_o worship_n my_o mind_n may_v terminate_v and_o without_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o form_v a_o idol_n to_o myself_o in_o the_o room_n of_o that_o be_v and_o then_o apply_v those_o attribute_n to_o it._n to_o which_o fatal_a mistake_n and_o idolatrous_a delusion_n the_o world_n have_v by_o nature_n no_o certain_a account_n what_o god_n be_v not_o after_o what_o manner_n the_o deity_n do_v exist_v in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v too_o apparent_o subject_a second_o how_o can_v we_o sufficient_o provide_v for_o our_o own_o welfare_n unless_o we_o can_v be_v safe_o assure_v of_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o total_a removal_n of_o natural_a guilt_n and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v so_o assure_v unless_o we_o know_v the_o term_n of_o god_n forgiveness_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n to_o he_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a satisfy_a account_n give_v we_o by_o any_o dictate_v of_o nature_n nor_o can_v they_o ever_o be_v find_v out_o until_o they_o be_v tell_v we_o from_o above_o man_n must_v needs_o make_v strange_a prayer_n and_o have_v very_o wild_a and_o uncertain_a meditation_n about_o god_n and_o their_o own_o condition_n that_o be_v benight_a with_o ignorance_n in_o such_o thing_n prayer_n and_o whatever_o else_o be_v itself_o a_o part_n of_o natural_a worship_n will_v be_v very_o lame_o perform_v without_o some_o revelation_n to_o guide_v it_o the_o pagan_a devotion_n be_v a_o medley_n of_o strange_a sentiment_n found_v in_o horrible_a ignorance_n of_o god_n and_o of_o their_o own_o condition_n and_o the_o way_n of_o man_n 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needs_o make_v he_o turn_v aside_o and_o hide_v himself_o from_o his_o own_o eye_n it_o be_v evil_a and_o gild_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o shame_n so_o far_o we_o may_v go_v in_o the_o negative_a what_o we_o now_o be_v be_v not_o what_o we_o first_o be_v but_o how_o come_v the_o change_n have_v any_o ill_a genius_n since_o take_v up_o its_o abode_n in_o humane_a nature_n and_o impose_v upon_o it_o act_v it_o to_o all_o this_o evil_n we_o see_v be_v the_o world_n under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o any_o evil_a spirit_n or_o be_v mankind_n degenerate_v by_o any_o necessary_a decay_n in_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n or_o be_v man_n own_n will_v the_o great_a root_n of_o evil_n come_v it_o from_o a_o create_a freedom_n have_v man_n wilful_o deface_v themselves_o if_o they_o have_v when_o be_v it_o do_v what_o be_v the_o first_o occasion_n of_o do_v it_o be_v it_o do_v all_o at_o once_o and_o have_v it_o ever_o since_o come_v by_o descent_n and_o be_v entail_v by_o a_o 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perfect_a attribute_n the_o term_n of_o our_o pardon_n must_v come_v from_o god_n it_o be_v not_o in_o man_n to_o find_v out_o how_o god_n shall_v forgive_v he_o or_o to_o to_o chalk_n out_o the_o track_n of_o divine_a justice_n and_o mercy_n towards_o himself_o nor_o will_v his_o guilt_n be_v remove_v nor_o his_o thought_n be_v at_o rest_n till_o he_o know_v god_n mind_n about_o it_o nothing_o can_v assure_v we_o of_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n but_o what_o be_v from_o heaven_n appoint_v as_o the_o mean_n of_o it_o no_o natural_a knowledge_n can_v give_v we_o any_o certain_a direction_n about_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v it_o shall_v if_o humane_a nature_n have_v no_o absolute_a security_n in_o itself_o of_o its_o first_o state_n how_o can_v we_o expect_v it_o shall_v restore_v itself_o when_o once_o degenerate_v what_o do_v not_o remain_v perfect_a when_o it_o be_v so_o be_v much_o more_o unlikely_a to_o recover_v again_o out_o of_o imperfection_n to_o be_v so_o every_o man_n may_v know_v he_o be_v degenerate_v from_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o so_o may_v reasonable_o collect_v from_o what_o he_o once_o be_v but_o no_o man_n can_v reason_v himself_o into_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o recovery_n the_o whole_a world_n have_v subscribe_v to_o their_o own_o apostasy_n but_o can_v never_o agree_v upon_o any_o certain_a remedy_n how_o miserable_o have_v mankind_n tire_v themselves_o and_o to_o how_o little_a purpose_n in_o find_v out_o what_o will_v appease_v divine_a anger_n and_o compensate_a for_o their_o disobedience_n no_o man_n ever_o yet_o worsâ—_n ip_v any_o god_n but_o he_o make_v some_o offer_n to_o he_o in_o hope_n that_o may_v indemnisie_v he_o and_o be_v take_v in_o lieu_n of_o his_o own_o punishment_n man_n have_v at_o a_o venture_n offer_v up_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o sacrifice_n have_v try_v all_o experiment_n victimis_fw-la &_o lavacris_fw-la and_o by_o all_o other_o mean_v their_o best_a guess_n can_v suggest_v to_o they_o to_o obliterate_v their_o own_o gild_n and_o to_o procure_v d_o uâ—â—e_a favour_n but_o never_o be_v upon_o any_o suâ—er_a ground_n than_o their_o own_o vain_a fancy_n for_o acceptance_n agaâ—hias_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o the_o persian_a war_n that_o the_o persian_n be_v wont_a to_o solemnize_v a_o great_a holiday_n once_o a_o year_n which_o they_o call_v the_o death_n of_o vice_n in_o which_o as_o a_o eminent_a piece_n of_o devotion_n they_o slay_v multitude_n of_o serpent_n &_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o wild_a beast_n and_o thereby_o think_v they_o shall_v execute_v all_o their_o corruption_n &_o safe_o bury_v their_o sin_n the_o philosopher_n abound_v with_o remedy_n foâ—_n this_o epidemical_a disease_n some_o thought_n to_o cure_v the_o evil_a of_o the_o world_n in_o a_o moral_a way_n some_o in_o a_o way_n mathematical_a and_o some_o by_o religious_a ceremony_n but_o alas_o the_o right_a way_n of_o do_v it_o have_v lie_v hide_v from_o 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have_v notice_n sufficient_a that_o it_o be_v so_o not_o man_n end_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v any_o way_n advantage_v by_o a_o revelation_n as_o such_o unless_o i_o be_v first_o assure_v that_o it_o be_v such_o how_o general_a soever_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n have_v be_v and_o man_n belief_n of_o those_o pretence_n yet_o no_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n but_o the_o bible_n alone_o have_v in_o any_o age_n be_v accompany_v with_o such_o a_o rational_a justification_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o expect_v a_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v to_o ascertain_v we_o that_o it_o be_v so_o and_o of_o this_o the_o fact_n be_v sufficient_o evident_a all_o pretension_n that_o way_n have_v be_v either_o recommend_v to_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o man_n bare_a word_n or_o else_o have_v obtain_v a_o reception_n by_o mean_n visible_o capable_a of_o delusion_n and_o imposture_n what_o reasonable_a assurance_n have_v the_o heathen_a world_n of_o a_o divinity_n in_o their_o oracle_n which_o yet_o make_v the_o most_o probable_a pretention_n of_o any_o thing_n among_o they_o to_o it_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n that_o the_o response_n of_o those_o oracle_n be_v give_v by_o person_n visible_a and_o see_v when_o they_o do_v it_o in_o some_o of_o they_o by_o young_a virgin_n which_o they_o suppose_v they_o to_o receive_v in_o a_o strange_a obscene_a way_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v mention_v and_o in_o other_o of_o they_o by_o a_o man_n who_o they_o call_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o that_o speak_v under_o the_o oracle_n out_o of_o the_o cavern_n of_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o vapour_n of_o which_o they_o suppose_v he_o inspire_v and_o to_o become_v a_o enthusiast_n that_o those_o oracle_n for_o the_o most_o part_n utter_v thing_n doubtful_a and_o un-intelligible_a be_v evident_a and_o sometime_o contrary_a to_o truth_n as_o we_o may_v see_v plain_o set_v down_o in_o thucydides_n and_o other_o author_n of_o their_o own_o and_o which_o never_o come_v to_o pass_v one_o instance_n of_o which_o be_v single_o sufficient_a to_o confute_v their_o divinity_n no_o almanac_n maker_n write_v with_o less_o certainty_n of_o the_o wether_n than_o they_o general_o pronounce_v about_o future_a event_n and_o the_o best_a excuse_n their_o great_a adorer_n make_v then_o for_o they_o be_v that_o those_o daemon_n that_o inspire_v the_o prediction_n do_v not_o themselves_o know_v thing_n future_a otherwise_o then_o by_o their_o inspection_n of_o the_o star_n and_o so_o can_v collect_v from_o thence_o but_o uncertain_a conjecture_n plutarch_n after_o all_o the_o pain_n he_o have_v take_v to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o right_a account_n of_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o those_o oracle_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o after_o cease_v and_o spend_v much_o time_n in_o discourse_v
whether_o the_o daemon_n that_o first_o cause_v they_o be_v not_o mortal_a and_o perishable_a or_o whether_o they_o remove_v not_o their_o place_n and_o change_v their_o abode_n and_o many_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n at_o last_o conclude_v with_o this_o excellent_a philosophy_n that_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o those_o oracle_n be_v that_o the_o earth_n in_o some_o place_n be_v endue_v with_o certain_a prophetic_a virtue_n which_o come_v by_o exhalation_n to_o be_v mingle_v with_o and_o insinuate_v into_o soul_n fit_v to_o receive_v those_o inspiration_n and_o so_o cause_n in_o they_o enthusiasm_n and_o prediction_n of_o future_a thing_n and_o at_o last_o that_o virtue_n in_o the_o subterranean_a cavern_n be_v spend_v and_o evaporate_n and_o so_o the_o oracular_a spirit_n cease_v what_o ground_n have_v the_o heathen_a for_o all_o that_o religion_n they_o take_v from_o their_o poet_n but_o their_o own_o word_n that_o they_o be_v inspire_v what_o other_o evidence_n have_v the_o roman_n at_o first_o for_o their_o religion_n but_o that_o numa_n pompilius_n tell_v they_o hâ—_n converse_v with_o a_o goddess_n and_o receive_v it_o from_o she_o what_o have_v the_o turk_n to_o this_o day_n to_o assure_v they_o that_o mahomet_n be_v a_o prophet_n 〈◊〉_d and_o converse_v with_o god_n and_o the_o anâ—â—_n 〈…〉_o beside_o his_o own_o bare_a â—ord_n he_o 〈…〉_o claim_v work_v of_o mâ—â—acles_n anâ—_n aâ—â—â—â—_n hâ—mself_n send_v from_o heâ—â—â—â—_n to_o conveâ—â—â—_n 〈…〉_o with_o his_o sword_n a_o reâ—â—â—â—tion_n from_o 〈…〉_o to_o be_v accompany_v and_o â—â—nnot_v 〈…〉_o to_o be_v otherwâ—â—eâ—_n with_o such_o plan_n and_o 〈◊〉_d evidence_n as_o be_v â—â—ed_v to_o all_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n though_o 〈◊〉_d prevail_v nâ—t_v to_o a_o universal_a conviction_n such_o as_o will_v abundant_o jusâ—â—fie_v it_o 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o strict_a scrutiny_n or_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n however_o it_o be_v judge_v or_o by_o perverse_a and_o corrupt_a man_n the_o biâ—le_n be_v not_o only_o sâ—â—h_v for_o the_o matter_n out_o as_o that_o we_o make_v appeal_v to_o the_o most_o genuine_a issue_n of_o every_o â—â—ns_n reason_n whether_o the_o justice_n helmess_n and_o gâ—oâ—â—s_n of_o god_n be_v not_o very_o transparent_a in_o it_o but_o in_o its_o gradual_a conveyance_n to_o the_o world_n at_o â—â—veâ—â—al_a time_n and_o in_o distant_a age_n and_o place_n have_v be_v visible_o accompany_v with_o open_a and_o apparent_a evidence_n of_o god_n infinite_a and_o almighty_a power_n such_o and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n visible_a as_o no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o itself_o can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o and_o such_o as_o the_o fact_n of_o they_o its_o worst_a enemy_n not_o a_o celsus_n nor_o a_o julian_n do_v ever_o assume_v impudence_n enough_o to_o deny_v and_o indeed_o be_v eminent_o and_o singular_o justify_v to_o we_o as_o in_o particular_n shall_v be_v show_v hereafter_o by_o a_o concurrence_n of_o all_o those_o evidence_n from_o whence_o a_o rational_a satisfaction_n about_o a_o law_n supernatural_a and_o divine_a aught_o final_o to_o result_v five_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o must_v be_v without_o any_o visible_a defect_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o father_n that_o upon_o god_n which_o we_o ourselves_o upon_o good_a ground_n be_v able_a to_o charge_n with_o fail_v and_o imperfection_n whatever_o claim_v from_o he_o and_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o his_o name_n must_v have_v nothing_o in_o it_o unlike_o he_o or_o unworthy_a of_o he_o a_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n must_v be_v above_o any_o just_a and_o reasonable_a exception_n or_o it_o natural_o become_v its_o own_o executioner_n if_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reâ—son_n it_o be_v find_v guilty_a of_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n or_o of_o any_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o be_v but_o equal_a to_o reject_v it_o as_o a_o spurious_a and_o fictitious_a delusion_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v right_o say_v of_o st._n austin_n to_o st._n jerome_n si_fw-mi mendacium_fw-la aliquod_fw-la in_o scripture_n vel_fw-la levissimum_fw-la admittatur_fw-la scripturâ—â—_n authoritatem_fw-la omnem_fw-la moâ—_n labefactari_fw-la ac_fw-la convelli_fw-la if_o we_o admit_v the_o least_o falshhod_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n we_o ruin_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a all_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o revelation_n have_v upon_o this_o account_n visible_o betray_v themselves_o and_o reveal_v to_o we_o their_o own_o original_n no_o one_o but_o the_o bible_n can_v the_o world_n produce_v that_o will_v not_o some_o way_n or_o other_o disclose_v its_o own_o shame_n and_o that_o fall_v not_o under_o some_o nay_o many_a just_a and_o reasonable_a exception_n it_o be_v this_o book_n alone_o in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o a_o flaw_n to_o be_v find_v it_o be_v only_o this_o divine_a law_n that_o be_v perfect_a the_o bible_n consist_v of_o three_o part_n the_o doctrinal_a the_o historical_a and_o the_o prophetical_a let_v the_o most_o acute_a anti_n scripturist_n live_a produce_v any_o one_o doctrine_n out_o of_o the_o bible_n that_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n seem_v corrupt_a and_o unsound_a let_v he_o show_v any_o one_o prophecy_n relate_v to_o thing_n past_a not_o due_o fulfil_v let_v he_o upon_o good_a and_o sufficient_a historical_a authority_n palpable_o disprove_v any_o one_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o we_o i_o yield_v he_o the_o cause_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v as_o in_o fact_n it_o never_o have_v be_v and_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v never_o can_v be_v if_o a_o book_n contain_v so_o much_o variety_n of_o history_n far_o beyond_o any_o other_o book_n extant_a for_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o year_n it_o a_o book_n pronounce_v with_o that_o positive_a certainty_n about_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o future_a event_n in_o so_o many_o several_a age_n and_o relate_v to_o so_o many_o several_a person_n and_o place_n contain_v in_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n of_o it_o direction_n and_o rule_n for_o the_o whoâ—â—_n business_n of_o â—ens_n duty_n â—o_o god_n and_o towards_o each_o other_o iâ—_n this_o book_n have_v not_o a_o â—â—â—un_n to_o be_v sound_a in_o it_o if_o it_o be_v proof_n against_o all_o exception_n if_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o truth_n in_o it_o in_o all_o these_o respect_n what_o more_o invincible_a evidence_n can_v there_o be_v give_v to_o its_o divinity_n who_o but_o god_n himself_o can_v have_v indict_v in_o hâ—a_n â—ock_n 〈◊〉_d who_o but_o a_o man_n wilful_a and_o absurd_a can_v withstand_v such_o a_o conviction_n it_o be_v the_o bâ—â—le_a and_o it_o be_v that_o book_n alone_o upon_o every_o page_n of_o which_o that_o image_n and_o superscription_n of_o god_n be_v engraven_v truâ—_n itself_o it_o be_v a_o â—oâ—â—_n 〈◊〉_d in_o its_o â—niverâ—â—â—_n triumph_n over_o all_o 〈◊〉_d where_o be_v 〈◊〉_d a_o book_n to_o be_v â—ound_v 〈◊〉_d of_o any_o considerable_a subject_n much_o 〈…〉_o a_o â—auâ—â—â—â—_n this_o â—â—â—t_a câ—â—â—â—â—_n 〈…〉_o â—â—â—â—tonâ—â—_n judgement_n of_o mankind_n 〈…〉_o worst_a enemy_n to_o find_v 〈…〉_o pâ—oâ—ucts_v be_v bring_v forth_o in_o 〈…〉_o fail_v and_o imperfect_a nâ—â—â—â—â—â—_n 〈…〉_o the_o wise_a or_o mâ—n_z 〈…〉_o bind_v of_o this_o we_o be_v experimental_o â—â—â—â—ed_v by_o all_o history_n philosophy_n and_o all_o 〈…〉_o this_o holy_a 〈…〉_o legitimate_a off_o spring_n of_o god_n and_o thâ—t_v which_o only_o contain_v his_o mind_n authoritative_o reveal_v and_o make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n so_o it_o have_v single_o appertinent_a to_o it_o all_o those_o requisite_n necessary_a to_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o without_o which_o no_o such_o thing_n can_v rational_o be_v suppose_v these_o thing_n be_v so_o he_o that_o reject_v the_o bible_n will_v find_v he_o be_v avoidable_o obâ—â—â—ed_v either_o to_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o revelation_n aâ—_n all_o and_o consequent_o to_o give_v some_o good_a answer_n to_o what_o have_v be_v urge_v for_o the_o reasonable_a supposal_n of_o it_o and_o some_o tolleâ—â—â—â—â—_n account_v hâ—w_o mankind_n when_o we_o consider_v god_n goodness_n and_o our_o own_o necessity_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v leave_v without_o it_o or_o else_o to_o proâ—â—â—ce_v somewhat_o that_o with_o more_o justâ—â—â—_n and_o better_a evidence_n can_v put_v in_o a_o claim_n to_o it_o be_v mâ—â—â—l_o more_o become_v the_o greatness_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o more_o suitable_a and_o use_v â—l_a to_o man_n the_o first_o i_o dare_v say_v will_v be_v find_v a_o task_n utter_o impracticable_a if_o unprejudiced_a reason_n may_v be_v judge_n and_o with_o what_o success_n the_o latter_a iâ—_n like_o 〈◊〉_d procee_v and_o how_o visible_o absurd_a it_o will_v renâ—eâ—_n its_o undertaker_n will_v soon_o be_v determine_v by_o every_o sober_a mind_n when_o it_o plain_o appâ—â—â—s_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o so_o many_o thing_n which_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o must_v all_o necessary_o accompany_v a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o without_o which_o it_o
have_v and_o in_o its_o own_o antiquity_n answer_v that_o antiquity_n we_o may_v just_o expect_v to_o accompany_v god_n first_o revelation_n the_o bible_n i_o say_v upon_o this_o account_n have_v a_o singular_a evidence_n give_v in_o to_o its_o credibility_n and_o its_o antiquity_n do_v strong_o affirm_v its_o divine_a authority_n second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v point_v we_o to_o its_o divinity_n because_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o first_o written_a account_n the_o world_n have_v of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o cheat_n that_o the_o first_o eminent_a record_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o not_o only_o a_o lie_n but_o the_o worst_a of_o lie_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a and_o destructive_a falsehood_n for_o so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o law_n upon_o the_o world_n in_o god_n name_n without_o his_o authority_n that_o ever_o be_v publish_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n consist_v with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o be_v original_o cheat_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n to_o suffer_v a_o public_a open_a counterfeit_n of_o his_o name_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o high_a degree_n first_o to_o possess_v the_o world_n and_o take_v the_o precedence_n of_o all_o truth_n to_o permit_v the_o devil_n to_o publish_v a_o systeme_n of_o lie_n and_o erect_v a_o monument_n of_o falsehood_n before_o there_o be_v any_o write_a record_n of_o truth_n we_o must_v needs_o suppose_v god_n care_n of_o man_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o his_o own_o honour_n to_o engage_v he_o to_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o god_n shall_v first_o establish_v his_o own_o truth_n to_o which_o mankind_n may_v still_o have_v a_o recourse_n and_o by_o which_o as_o a_o standard_n all_o delusion_n and_o false_a pretension_n may_v be_v try_v it_o be_v as_o one_o say_v well_o very_o absurd_a to_o think_v god_n shall_v permit_v the_o devil_n to_o set_v up_o a_o chapel_n before_o he_o have_v build_v a_o church_n if_o the_o bible_n be_v original_o compose_v by_o impostor_n and_o be_v not_o a_o divine_a book_n it_o will_v then_o undeniable_o follow_v that_o the_o most_o primitive_a and_o ancient_a account_n we_o have_v of_o religion_n be_v connterfeit_a and_o that_o in_o the_o early_o notice_n we_o have_v of_o god_n of_o the_o world_n original_a man_n fall_n and_o the_o way_n of_o his_o recovery_n for_o we_o have_v none_o so_o early_o as_o what_o the_o bible_n give_v we_o of_o any_o of_o these_o and_o of_o some_o of_o they_o no_o other_o the_o world_n be_v deceive_v and_o abuse_v and_o that_o god_n suffer_v the_o devil_n in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o before_o any_o thing_n be_v public_o extant_a from_o he_o to_o contradict_v it_o in_o his_o name_n and_o with_o pretence_n of_o his_o authority_n to_o abuse_v and_o deceive_v mankind_n with_o a_o false_a and_o delusive_a account_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n they_o be_v most_o concern_v to_o know_v and_o upon_o the_o right_a knowledge_n of_o which_o their_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n do_v unavoidable_o depend_v this_o very_a one_o consideration_n will_v prevail_v much_o upon_o every_o impartial_a judgement_n who_o can_v believe_v the_o first_o religion_n shall_v be_v the_o worst_a when_o true_a religion_n must_v needs_o be_v as_o old_a as_o the_o world_n and_o the_o early_o notion_n of_o god_n the_o false_a when_o we_o must_v needs_o think_v it_o reasonable_a that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n or_o that_o the_o first_o book_n we_o sin_v write_v shall_v contain_v the_o high_a imposture_n in_o point_n of_o religion_n and_o more_o dishonour_n god_n and_o abuse_v the_o world_n than_o any_o or_o all_o the_o book_n write_v since_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n beyond_o all_o compass_n of_o credit_n that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v false_a information_n to_o be_v give_v in_o his_o own_o name_n of_o himself_o 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and_o sanctity_n in_o those_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o very_o many_o of_o they_o give_v the_o high_a testimony_n to_o their_o integrity_n in_o become_a martyr_n in_o justification_n of_o what_o themselves_o write_v for_o the_o second_o the_o various_a quality_n and_o condition_n of_o these_o writer_n seem_v much_o to_o secure_v we_o against_o so_o vile_a a_o design_n as_o this_o book_n must_v needs_o be_v compose_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n some_o of_o they_o be_v king_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a quality_n before_o they_o write_v and_o not_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o baseness_n and_o meanness_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o work_n and_o also_o man_n of_o deep_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n other_o of_o they_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o most_o of_o the_o
of_o and_o if_o so_o these_o two_o thing_n will_v follow_v upon_o it_o first_o that_o he_o that_o reject_v the_o bible_n oblige_v himself_o to_o believe_v no_o other_o book_n without_o apparent_a disingenuity_n second_o he_o that_o do_v credit_v the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n with_o the_o same_o credit_n wherewith_o he_o credit_n other_o author_n and_o suppose_v they_o be_v man_n of_o common_a honesty_n that_o will_v not_o know_o write_v a_o untruth_n can_v then_o refuse_v to_o receive_v it_o as_o a_o book_n divine_a and_o infallible_a upon_o as_o good_a term_n of_o credibility_n as_o he_o believe_v any_o the_o best_a humane_a author_n in_o its_o kind_a to_o be_v true_a because_o they_o themselves_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v so_o which_o be_v it_o otherwise_o without_o most_o impudent_a falsehood_n they_o can_v not_o do_v that_o god_n himself_o inspire_v they_o to_o write_v it_o that_o it_o be_v no_o product_n of_o their_o own_o but_o that_o every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v the_o genuine_a dictate_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n we_o shall_v find_v a_o further_o and_o more_o unquestionable_a ground_n of_o satisfaction_n and_o a_o divine_a witness_n give_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o write_n to_o assure_v we_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a doubt_n they_o be_v write_v by_o man_n that_o do_v not_o deceive_v we_o but_o such_o as_o be_v entrust_v by_o himself_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o that_o be_v the_o miracle_n that_o be_v wrought_v and_o which_o visible_o accompany_v their_o first_o publication_n in_o the_o discourse_n of_o which_o after_o a_o due_a sort_n these_o three_o thing_n will_v natural_o fall_v under_o consideration_n first_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o miracle_n in_o general_n what_o proper_o it_o be_v second_o what_o evidence_n we_o have_v for_o the_o fact_n of_o those_o miracle_n we_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v justify_v by_o three_o whether_o 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the_o bible_n we_o be_v much_o ease_v of_o the_o labour_n of_o proof_n from_o a_o general_n concession_n and_o it_o be_v of_o great_a remark_n that_o the_o warm_a adversary_n the_o scripture_n have_v meet_v with_o have_v never_o deny_v the_o fact_n of_o those_o miracle_n plead_v in_o their_o behalf_n but_o endeavour_v to_o invalidate_v their_o testimony_n some_o other_o way_n neither_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o find_v often_o mention_v in_o heathen_a story_n nor_o of_o christ_n be_v deny_v by_o any_o in_o point_n of_o fact_n but_o both_o father_v upon_o egyptian_a magic_a those_o of_o moses_n by_o the_o heathen_n heretofore_o as_o we_o find_v in_o pliny_n and_o apuleius_n pliny_n say_v there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a magic_n depend_v upon_o moses_n and_o the_o cabala_n though_o he_o may_v have_v remember_v that_o never_o any_o law_n so_o positive_o forbid_v magic_a as_o do_v that_o which_o moses_n deliver_v and_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n by_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o heathen_n since_o the_o jew_n affirm_v that_o all_o that_o our_o saviour_n do_v be_v do_v by_o a_o magical_a skill_n he_o first_o learn_v in_o egypt_n and_o bring_v with_o he_o from_o thence_o and_o julian_n the_o heathen_a say_v that_o peter_n and_o paul_n be_v the_o most_o expeâ—t_a man_n in_o magic_n that_o ever_o live_v and_o that_o â—hrist_n himself_o write_v a_o boâ—k_n of_o that_o profession_n and_o dedicate_v it_o to_o they_o two_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n be_v not_o only_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n but_o express_o both_o by_o celsus_n and_o julian_n two_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a malicious_a and_o industrious_a adversary_n that_o ever_o oppose_v the_o christian-profession_n and_o this_o we_o may_v see_v in_o origin_n second_o book_n against_o celsus_n of_o who_o wâ—â—kâ—_n there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v but_o what_o be_v there_o repeat_v and_o cyâ—ill's_v six_o book_n against_o juâ—ian_n and_o â—n_o truth_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o that_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o christian-church_n be_v in_o fact_n so_o many_o so_o eminent_a so_o visible_a last_v so_o long_o for_o in_o the_o church_n for_o three_o hundred_o year_n in_o some_o measure_n they_o last_v and_o the_o relation_n of_o they_o have_v descend_v down_o to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o constant_a uninterrupted_a write_v and_o unwritten_a tradition_n that_o no_o man_n have_v yet_o assume_v impudence_n enough_o public_o to_o gainsay_v they_o for_o the_o three_o whether_o miracle_n simple_o in_o themselves_o be_v always_o a_o unquestionable_a proof_n of_o that_o doctrine_n they_o be_v bâ—â—ugâ—t_v to_o confirm_v and_o a_o infallible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n that_o work_v they_o i_o answer_v in_o the_o general_a they_o be_v not_o if_o the_o doctrine_n be_v no_o way_n destructive_a to_o those_o natural_a noâ—â—ons_n of_o god_n we_o be_v bear_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o evident_o to_o our_o reason_n dishonourable_a to_o h_n m_o tend_v to_o seduce_v we_o from_o he_o and_o opposite_a to_o that_o natural_a duty_n we_o owe_v he_o they_o be_v but_o if_o otherwise_o if_o they_o come_v in_o direct_a competition_n with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n they_o be_v not_o no_o miracle_n whatever_o can_v or_o aught_o to_o oblige_v i_o to_o what_o my_o judgement_n dissent_v from_o as_o sinful_a and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o it_o be_v previous_a to_o all_o law_n so_o it_o be_v a_o unrepealeable_a law_n because_o it_o be_v so_o perfect_o the_o result_n of_o my_o reasonable_a self_n that_o shall_v god_n contradict_v it_o he_o will_v cease_v to_o deal_v with_o i_o as_o a_o rational_a be_v which_o be_v not_o upon_o any_o account_n to_o be_v think_v second_o it_o be_v not_o against_o reason_n to_o suppose_v a_o possibility_n that_o god_n may_v in_o some_o case_n exert_v a_o supernatural_a power_n by_o ill_a instrument_n for_o trial_n as_o well_o as_o establishment_n god_n have_v no_o where_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o do_v nor_o do_v our_o own_o faculty_n recoil_v against_o it_o and_o adjudge_v it_o unreasonable_a that_o god_n shall_v exercise_v the_o world_n with_o such_o a_o trial_n if_o he_o afford_v mean_n sufficient_a to_o oppose_v and_o resist_v it_o such_o who_o deny_v this_o latter_a and_o say_v that_o a_o supernatural_a power_n in_o a_o way_n miraculous_a be_v never_o exert_v but_o to_o confirm_v and_o establish_v a_o divine_a truth_n that_o it_o be_v a_o impeachment_n of_o divine_a justice_n and_o most_o unreasonable_a to_o think_v the_o contrary_a that_o although_o many_o thing_n may_v be_v bâ—ought_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o devil_n and_o ill_a man_n that_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n wondrous_a miranda_fw-la and_o miraâ—itia_n and_o utter_o beyond_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o reason_n to_o conceive_v how_o by_o any_o natural_a power_n they_o shall_v be_v effect_v yet_o they_o be_v not_o miracula_fw-la they_o be_v still_o either_o natural_a effect_n proceed_v from_o natural_a cause_n though_o secret_a and_o occult_a or_o else_o delusion_n some_o way_n or_o other_o upon_o we_o from_o the_o opinion_n of_o such_o i_o dissent_v and_o that_o upon_o these_o four_o ground_n first_o that_o which_o they_o say_v do_v no_o way_n answer_v that_o end_n for_o which_o they_o themselves_o intend_v it_o second_o it_o be_v against_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n three_o it_o be_v against_o great_a evidence_n of_o history_n and_o fouthly_a because_o the_o admission_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v no_o way_n destructive_a to_o those_o natural_a nation_n we_o have_v of_o god_n aâ—trâ—butes_n and_o his_o providential_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n fi_n st_o what_o they_o say_v do_v not_o answer_v that_o end_n for_o which_o they_o themselves_o intend_v it_o for_o if_o god_n suffer_v the_o devil_n to_o exert_v a_o natural_a power_n in_o
sort_n of_o christian_n under_o the_o gospel_n st._n jerom_n call_v it_o a_o book_n full_a of_o idle_a dream_n the_o papist_n themselves_o though_o they_o have_v admit_v many_o other_o book_n that_o we_o reckon_v apocryphal_a into_o their_o canon_n yet_o have_v still_o reject_v this_o and_o bellarmine_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n speak_v with_o great_a contempt_n of_o this_o whole_a book_n and_o call_v the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v a_o writer_n of_o romance_n second_o there_o be_v many_o very_a good_a and_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o there_o be_v no_o where_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o least_o mention_n not_o by_o esdras_n himself_o though_o he_o give_v we_o a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o he_o himself_o do_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a but_o so_o eminent_a a_o thing_n as_o god_n inspire_v one_o man_n to_o write_v over_o again_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o so_o many_o have_v be_v inspire_v to_o write_v before_o will_v have_v be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o record_v nor_o be_v it_o credible_a but_o that_o so_o great_a a_o judgement_n upon_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o total_a loss_n of_o their_o law_n will_v have_v be_v distinct_o mention_v when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v so_o very_o particular_a in_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o lossâ—s_v the_o jew_n underweâ—â—_n at_o that_o time_n of_o all_o the_o ruin_n make_v by_o the_o babylonian_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o all_o the_o spoil_n they_o carry_v into_o babylon_n from_o thence_o second_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v multitude_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o religious_a jew_n especial_o the_o priest_n of_o who_o there_o be_v many_o hundred_o who_o have_v a_o constant_a use_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o people_n also_o dâ—d_v general_o possess_v themselves_o of_o it_o after_o that_o eminent_a danger_n it_o have_v undergo_v and_o the_o recovery_n of_o â—â—â—n_n the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o jâ—siah_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o all_o the_o copy_n can_v be_v destroy_v those_o that_o probable_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o jeremiah_n gedalich_n and_o many_o other_o who_o stay_v behind_o and_o accept_v their_o liberty_n to_o continue_v still_o in_o judea_n and_o those_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o daniel_n ezekiel_n and_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o they_o in_o the_o first_o captivity_n to_o babylon_n long_o before_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o all_o those_o which_o be_v probable_o keep_v by_o many_o of_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n after_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o we_o no_o where_n find_v that_o the_o babylonian_n make_v it_o any_o part_n of_o their_o business_n in_o particular_a to_o destroy_v and_o extirpate_v their_o law_n and_o when_o antiochus_n do_v afterward_o with_o all_o his_o might_n endeavour_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o copy_n that_o be_v extant_a in_o good_a man_n hand_n he_o be_v no_o way_n able_a to_o effect_v it_o three_o it_o appear_v the_o jew_n have_v the_o scripture_n with_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n both_o from_o daniel_n prophecy_n who_o prophesy_v there_o and_o also_o from_o other_o historical_a evidence_n first_o from_o his_o prophecy_n for_o we_o find_v he_o in_o the_o 9_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n quote_v several_a time_n particular_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o chapter_n he_o say_v he_o understand_v by_o book_n the_o number_n of_o year_n whereof_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n that_o he_o will_v accomplish_v seventy_o year_n in_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o those_o book_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n itself_o with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o record_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n wherein_o be_v to_o be_v find_v the_o time_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v bring_v thither_o which_o daniel_n compare_v together_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o end_n of_o jâ—remies_n seventy_o year_n and_o of_o the_o captivity_n the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o arise_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o have_v be_v four_o distinct_a captivity_n and_o four_o several_a king_n of_o judah_n carry_v into_o babylon_n at_o four_o several_a time_n first_o manasses_n than_o jehojakim_n and_o with_o he_o among_o other_o daniel_n himself_o three_o jeconias_n and_o with_o he_o ezekiel_n and_o mordecai_n and_o last_o zedekias_n when_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v destroy_v and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n very_o easy_a to_o know_v from_o which_o of_o these_o captivity_n to_o reckon_v the_o seventy_o â—aâ—s_n ezekiel_n seem_v to_o begin_v it_o eleven_o year_n before_o the_o city_n be_v destroy_v when_o jeâ—â—onias_n be_v carry_v away_o thither_o for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o our_o be_v in_o captivity_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n in_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o the_o month_n in_o the_o fourteen_o year_n after_o that_o the_o city_n be_v smite_v and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o jecenias_n use_v these_o word_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v in_o babel_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n by_o which_o he_o seem_v to_o begin_v the_o seventy_o year_n from_o thence_o but_o in_o other_o place_n be_v very_o express_v that_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v from_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o so_o it_o appear_v the_o captivity_n mention_v by_o ezekiel_n be_v not_o that_o by_o which_o the_o seventy_o â—ears_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v nor_o be_v the_o prophecy_n utter_v by_o jeremy_n to_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v captivate_v with_o jeconias_n to_o commence_v when_o utter_v nor_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o last_o captivity_n of_o zedekiah_n all_o which_o daniel_n consider_v and_o by_o compare_v these_o prophecy_n together_o find_v the_o exact_a time_n from_o whence_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v second_o from_o historical_a evidence_n for_o josephus_n say_v the_o reason_n why_o cyrus_n set_v on_o foot_n the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o restore_v of_o the_o jew_n to_o their_o country_n be_v his_o read_v the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n which_o be_v write_v â—10_n year_n before_o his_o time_n wherein_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v in_o god_n name_n that_o cyrus_n shall_v be_v raise_v up_o for_o that_o very_a purpose_n upon_o read_v of_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n he_o save_v cyrus_n be_v ravish_v with_o admiration_n of_o god_n and_o surprise_v with_o a_o ardent_a zeal_n to_o bring_v about_o what_o be_v so_o long_o before_o write_v and_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o sight_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o engage_v cyrus_n to_o what_o he_o do_v for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o most_o absurd_o impolitic_a and_o against_o all_o ordinary_a rule_n of_o discretion_n to_o restore_v such_o a_o people_n and_o rebuild_v such_o a_o place_n that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o terrible_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o especial_o when_o as_o josephus_n say_v there_o go_v out_o of_o babylon_n at_o their_o return_n of_o those_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n there_o captivate_v four_o million_o six_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o eight_o thousand_o person_n that_o be_v above_o twelve_o year_n old_a beside_o four_o thousand_o and_o seventy_o levite_n and_o of_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n together_o forty_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o forty_o and_o two_o beside_o also_o some_o hundred_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n that_o be_v porter_n singer_n and_o other_o sacred_a servitor_n four_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o zerubbabel_n joshuah_n haggai_n and_o so_o many_o other_o of_o they_o will_v have_v so_o labour_v as_o they_o do_v to_o return_v out_o of_o babylon_n toâ—e-build_a their_o temple_n and_o restore_v their_o ancient_a worship_n if_o the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o great_a rule_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o have_v be_v whole_o lâ—st_o and_o extinguish_v nay_o it_o appear_v evident_o in_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n that_o those_o jew_n that_o firstâ—etâ—â—â—ed_v into_o judaea_n before_o esdras_n come_v out_o of_o babylon_n bring_v the_o law_n out_o of_o babylon_n with_o they_o for_o in_o the_o six_o of_o esdras_n it_o be_v there_o say_v they_o set_v the_o priest_n in_o their_o division_n and_o the_o levite_n in_o their_o corpse_n and_o settle_v the_o worship_n oâ—the_v temple_n
old_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o and_o no_o other_o than_o those_o we_o now_o receive_v nor_o be_v these_o apocryphal_a book_n ever_o otherwise_o reckon_v either_o in_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a church_n than_o as_o humane_a and_o fallible_a write_n till_o the_o late_a assembly_n at_o trent_n be_v please_v to_o declare_v they_o otherwise_o these_o thing_n must_v needs_o seem_v sufficient_a to_o any_o reasonable_a man_n to_o clear_v up_o that_o doubt_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n whether_o we_o have_v not_o less_o in_o our_o bibles_n than_o we_o indeed_o ought_v to_o have_v because_o that_o beside_o what_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v of_o late_o do_v to_o canonize_v these_o apocryphal_a write_n no_o other_o addition_n to_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n attempt_v that_o merit_v the_o least_o consideration_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o doubt_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n and_o that_o be_v how_o we_o may_v be_v reasonable_o secure_v that_o our_o bibles_n contain_v in_o they_o no_o more_o than_o they_o shall_v that_o be_v upon_o what_o ground_n we_o receive_v some_o book_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n the_o epistle_n of_o judas_n the_o 2_o and_o 3_o epistle_n of_o john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_v of_o all_o which_o there_o have_v former_o be_v some_o doubt_n make_v in_o the_o solution_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o show_v what_o be_v most_o probable_o the_o first_o and_o original_a ground_n of_o such_o doubt_n and_o second_o to_o show_v that_o those_o doubt_n than_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o no_o prevalency_n with_o we_o now_o and_o that_o there_o be_v at_o this_o time_n no_o good_a reason_n to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o be_v now_o in_o possession_n of_o it_o all_o the_o doubt_n that_o have_v arisen_a about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v most_o probable_o these_o two_o way_n occasion_v first_o it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o several_a part_n at_o several_a time_n and_o not_o all_o compose_v together_o the_o whole_a become_v not_o public_a but_o by_o many_o step_n and_o degree_n have_v several_a former_a and_o latter_a edition_n that_o be_v some_o part_n that_o be_v first_o write_v be_v copy_v out_o by_o those_o that_o have_v the_o original_n and_o conjoined_a and_o so_o disperse_v and_o other_o part_n still_o add_v as_o they_o be_v write_v and_o become_v public_a now_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o some_o part_n that_o be_v after_o add_v to_o such_o bibles_n as_o first_o come_v out_o may_v be_v at_o first_o question_v and_o doubt_v of_o by_o such_o who_o have_v the_o former_a edition_n and_o be_v not_o full_o inform_v about_o the_o after_o addition_n of_o other_o part_n and_o so_o it_o have_v fall_v out_o in_o the_o publication_n of_o most_o systeme_n of_o humane_a law_n that_o have_v come_v out_o gradual_o and_o by_o part_n and_o not_o in_o a_o full_a and_o entire_a body_n at_o once_o second_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o many_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o those_o first_o time_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o distance_n from_o those_o place_n where_o some_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n first_o become_v public_a may_v be_v for_o a_o considerable_a time_n it_o may_v be_v till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o author_n without_o any_o notice_n of_o they_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n some_o doubt_n about_o such_o part_n may_v arise_v because_o they_o â—ad_v come_v to_o their_o knowledge_n no_o soon_o especial_o if_o any_o such_o part_n seem_v to_o â—avour_n or_o countenance_v any_o particular_a sect_n or_o opinion_n as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n do_v that_o of_o the_o novation_n and_o the_o apocalypse_v that_o of_o the_o chiliast_n and_o this_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n and_o we_o know_v it_o be_v about_o the_o epistle_n that_o the_o doubt_n chief_o be_v be_v at_o any_o time_n question_v especial_o such_o as_o be_v more_o remote_o and_o uncertain_o direct_v to_o the_o scatter_a jew_n as_o that_o of_o st._n james_n that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o that_o of_o st._n peter_n which_o be_v no_o way_n likely_a to_o be_v so_o soon_o or_o so_o common_o know_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o come_v by_o as_o those_o epistle_n send_v to_o rome_n corinth_n and_o ephesus_n and_o those_o great_a and_o public_a city_n from_o whence_o the_o fame_n of_o they_o will_v soon_o spread_v and_o copy_n be_v upon_o much_o easy_a term_n to_o be_v have_v because_o it_o be_v certain_o know_v where_o the_o original_n be_v second_o there_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n from_o any_o question_n that_o be_v make_v heretofore_o to_o raise_v any_o doubt_n now_o about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new-testament_n and_o that_o for_o these_o three_o reason_n first_o because_o these_o book_n in_o question_n be_v most_o general_o receive_v at_o first_o and_o doubt_v of_o only_a by_o some_o and_o those_o such_o who_o have_v least_o information_n about_o they_o and_o this_o be_v very_o evident_a because_o we_o find_v they_o frequent_o quote_v as_o canonical_a scripture_n by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a christian-writer_n in_o those_o age_n next_o the_o apostle_n tertullian_n except_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n have_v in_o his_o work_n quote_v as_o canonical_a scripture_n every_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n we_o now_o receive_v and_o st._n jerome_n speak_v in_o his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la dardanâ—m_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrews_n and_o some_o other_o of_o those_o book_n about_o which_o we_o now_o discourse_v say_v we_o receive_v they_o not_o from_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o time_n but_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o most_o primitive_a writer_n second_o they_o contain_v nothing_o in_o they_o but_o what_o do_v plain_o harmonise_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o be_v general_o witness_v unto_o by_o other_o book_n about_o which_o no_o question_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v and_o of_o this_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n unless_o it_o be_v concern_v the_o revelation_n which_o yet_o contain_v a_o most_o admirable_a though_o mysterious_a agreement_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n and_o divers_a other_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o to_o this_o book_n beside_o that_o the_o suitableness_n of_o event_n thereunto_o and_o the_o notorious_a fulfil_n of_o many_o prophetical_a passage_n in_o it_o have_v put_v its_o divine_a authority_n out_o of_o all_o question_n we_o have_v as_o great_a a_o testimony_n from_o antiquity_n as_o can_v in_o such_o a_o case_n well_o be_v expect_v justin_n martyr_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o apostle_n john_n himself_o in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o tryphon_n cite_v it_o as_o the_o write_n of_o st._n john_n and_o without_o the_o least_o question_n ascribe_v it_o to_o he_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v some_o small_a time_n after_o justin_n and_o be_v the_o scholar_n of_o polycarp_n who_o be_v the_o scholar_n of_o st._n john_n say_v positive_o it_o be_v write_v by_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o that_o he_o be_v well_o assure_v thereof_o from_o some_o most_o probable_o polycarp_n that_o have_v see_v the_o apostle_n john_n himself_o and_o personal_o converse_v with_o he_o lib._n 4._o cap._n 37._o and_o lib._n 5._o and_o â—ertullian_n in_o his_o four_o book_n against_o martion_n say_v though_o martion_n do_v reject_v the_o apocalypse_v as_o none_o of_o st._n john_n be_v yet_o say_v he_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n tracod_n to_o the_o beginning_n will_v establish_v he_o as_o the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a author_n of_o it_o three_o god_n have_v in_o a_o providential_a way_n determine_v this_o matter_n for_o those_o that_o at_o first_o question_v those_o book_n when_o the_o heat_n of_o primitive_a persecution_n be_v somewhat_o abate_v the_o church_n have_v free_a intercourse_n and_o communication_n together_o and_o come_v to_o be_v better_o inform_v receive_v they_o all_o doubt_n about_o they_o be_v now_o vanish_v luthur_n and_o some_o with_o he_o in_o germany_n who_o be_v the_o last_o that_o revive_v any_o doubt_n of_o that_o kind_a upon_o second_o and_o more_o deliberate_a thought_n recant_v their_o error_n all_o christian_n be_v now_o at_o a_o agreement_n about_o they_o the_o supreme_a establishment_n that_o can_v be_v of_o canonical-authority_n even_o the_o roman_a church_n themselves_o receive_v the_o apocalypse_v into_o their_o canon_n although_o many_o passage_n in_o it_o seem_v very_o particular_o direct_v against_o they_o indeed_o the_o heavenly_a lustre_n of_o these_o book_n be_v