where_o and_o in_o what_o measure_n he_o please_v so_o that_o holy_a man_n partaker_n of_o the_o same_o spirit_n in_o several_a degree_n may_v err_v and_o mistake_v in_o some_o thing_n and_o dissent_v one_o from_o another_o in_o matter_n that_o be_v not_o fundamental_a and_o thus_o we_o have_v give_v you_o some_o rule_n to_o prevent_v mistake_v touch_v the_o inward_a testimony_n and_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o now_o to_o reflect_v a_o little_a yet_o without_o any_o rankor_n or_o bitterness_n against_o the_o person_n of_o man_n upon_o their_o opinion_n that_o derogate_a from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o divine_a revelation_n and_o set_v up_o reason_n as_o a_o judge_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o so_o resolve_v their_o faith_n final_o into_o reason_n chap._n xv._o brief_o show_v when_o reason_n be_v right_o use_v and_o when_o abuse_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o spirit_n testimony_n in_o the_o scripture_n no_o discreet_a rational_a man_n will_v deny_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o judge_a matter_n civil_a and_o religious_a in_o the_o sense_n former_o declare_v and_o prove_v if_o you_o will_v show_v yourself_o a_o man_n and_o not_o a_o beast_n a_o judicious_a understanding_n christian_n and_o not_o a_o child_n in_o knowledge_n and_o judgement_n than_o you_o must_v make_v use_n of_o your_o reason_n in_o examine_v those_o matter_n that_o be_v propound_v to_o you_o whether_o civil_a or_o religious_a but_o yet_o if_o you_o admit_v reason_n to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n or_o standard_n to_o measure_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n by_o and_o to_o judge_v of_o and_o comprehend_v the_o most_o divine_a supernatural_a doctrine_n and_o truth_n of_o christ_n than_o you_o ascribe_v too_o much_o to_o reason_n and_o too_o little_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o faith_n eye_n have_v not_o see_v nor_o ear_n hear_v say_v the_o apostle_n neither_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n the_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o they_o that_o love_v he_o and_o as_o none_o know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o even_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 2.9_o 11._o the_o rational_a creature_n be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o thing_n mere_o rational_a but_o the_o spiritual_a man_n only_o in_o who_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v can_v right_o and_o spiritual_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o thing_n that_o be_v mere_o spiritual_a and_o supernatural_a and_o therefore_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n that_o we_o confound_v not_o the_o spirit_n and_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o our_o natural_a reason_n nor_o prejudice_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o ascribe_v too_o much_o to_o reason_n as_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o take_v from_o reason_n that_o which_o be_v due_a to_o she_o in_o reference_n to_o divine_a matter_n first_o then_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o reason_n be_v the_o eye_n of_o man_n soul_n or_o that_o organ_n which_o let_v into_o his_o soul_n that_o divine_a light_n and_o testimony_n of_o god_n which_o beget_v faith_n and_o upon_o which_o faith_n do_v rest_v itself_o and_o into_o which_o it_o be_v final_o resolve_v reason_n be_v not_o the_o object_n on_o which_o our_o faith_n rest_v but_o that_o faculty_n which_o be_v sanctify_v take_v in_o the_o light_n of_o faith_n which_o lead_v we_o to_o christ_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v heavenly_a and_o supernatural_a the_o judgement_n and_o determination_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n inspire_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v that_o wherein_o we_o final_o rest_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o the_o light_n of_o divine_a understanding_n and_o reason_n sanctify_v be_v that_o whereby_o a_o christian_a judge_v of_o spiritual_a thing_n god_n in_o his_o word_n speak_v to_o reasonable_a creature_n not_o to_o brute_n beast_n who_o by_o way_n of_o discourse_n weigh_v what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v the_o text_n and_o compare_v scripture_n with_o scripture_n do_v come_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o will_n and_o mind_n of_o god_n therefore_o we_o be_v command_v as_o man_n that_o have_v reason_n in_o we_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n and_o to_o judge_v what_o the_o apostle_n say_v these_o be_v act_n of_o reason_n and_o judgement_n by_o the_o help_n whereof_o we_o be_v enable_v to_o give_v a_o sober_a rational_a account_n of_o our_o own_o faith_n and_o to_o convince_v the_o adversary_n and_o gainsayers_a if_o you_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o a_o adversary_n that_o hate_v the_o christian_a religion_n how_o can_v you_o think_v to_o persuade_v he_o to_o christianity_n unless_o you_o show_v he_o a_o reason_n as_o indeed_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o wise_a and_o most_o rational_a religion_n if_o you_o say_v your_o church_n be_v the_o true_a church_n you_o must_v give_v a_o reason_n for_o it_o or_o else_o no_o discreet_a man_n will_v believe_v you_o see_v many_o pretend_v to_o the_o true_a church_n that_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o it_o if_o you_o urge_v a_o scripture_n for_o your_o opinion_n sober_a man_n will_v rational_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o your_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n or_o not_o and_z according_o will_v embrace_v or_o reject_v your_o opinion_n it_o concern_v every_o man_n as_o he_o tender_v the_o peace_n and_o salvation_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n to_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n and_o see_v there_o be_v so_o many_o opinion_n and_o such_o variety_n of_o persuasion_n in_o the_o world_n touch_v matter_n of_o religion_n we_o ought_v to_o consider_v which_o persuasion_n have_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a ground_n for_o it_o that_o we_o may_v with_o peace_n and_o safety_n venture_v our_o soul_n upon_o it_o now_o this_o we_o can_v well_o do_v unless_o we_o make_v use_v of_o our_o reason_n in_o compare_v one_o thing_n with_o another_o that_o we_o may_v embrace_v the_o truth_n and_o reject_v error_n second_o though_o there_o be_v mystery_n of_o faith_n which_o reason_n can_v comprehend_v yea_o in_o their_o proper_a nature_n they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a say_v reason_n and_o exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la omne_fw-la fiunt_fw-la say_v faith_n the_o dead_a can_v return_v again_o to_o life_n say_v reason_n thy_o dead_a bone_n shall_v live_v again_o and_o this_o mortality_n shall_v put_v on_o immortality_n say_v faith_n yet_o the_o rational_a soul_n of_o man_n be_v overpower_v and_o act_v by_o a_o high_a principle_n even_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n see_v the_o great_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v these_o and_o all_o other_o divine_a supernatural_a mystery_n and_o truth_n because_o the_o scripture_n reveal_v they_o to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o from_o god_n be_v it_o not_o meet_v and_o reasonable_a and_o well_o become_v we_o that_o be_v rational_a creature_n to_o believe_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o his_o word_n though_o what_o he_o speak_v seem_v never_o so_o unreasonable_a never_o so_o contrary_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n yet_o reason_n will_v tell_v we_o this_o that_o all_o that_o god_n speak_v for_o from_o this_o pure_a fountain_n can_v proceed_v nothing_o but_o pure_a stream_n be_v true_a and_o good_a divine_a and_o heavenly_a whatever_o our_o corruption_n say_v to_o the_o contrary_a so_o then_o our_o faith_n must_v be_v resolve_v into_o the_o divine_a truth_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o our_o reason_n captivate_v and_o subject_v unto_o this_o high_a principle_n to_o believe_v what_o we_o find_v reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v reveal_v and_o come_v from_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n that_o can_v lie_v three_o as_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v all_o that_o god_n speak_v in_o general_a as_o be_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n so_o i_o have_v reason_n also_o to_o believe_v in_o particular_a that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o scripture_n be_v god_n reveal_v mind_n and_o will_n nor_o be_v it_o sufficient_a to_o a_o wellgrounded_n faith_n for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v he_o believe_v all_o that_o god_n reveal_v to_o be_v true_a but_o he_o must_v also_o believe_v that_o the_o mystery_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v for_o his_o salvation_n it_o be_v true_a according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o our_o divine_n that_o faith_n may_v right_o be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o firm_a assent_n without_o evidence_n of_o many_o thing_n in_o themselves_o which_o we_o do_v believe_v but_o yet_o the_o medium_n by_o force_n whereof_o we_o be_v draw_v to_o believe_v must_v be_v evident_a unto_o we_o as_o now_o if_o i_o be_v ask_v by_o a_o enemy_n
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
be_v bear_v like_o a_o wild_a ass_n colt_n in_o the_o hebrew_n there_o be_v a_o elegant_a paranomosia_n vain_a man_n or_o as_o the_o word_n may_v be_v render_v hollow_a or_o empty_a man_n though_o he_o be_v foolish_a and_o ignorant_a will_v seem_v to_o be_v wise_a and_o rational_a if_o he_o know_v how_o doubtless_o god_n will_v curse_v and_o blast_v that_o profane_a wit_n and_o knowledge_n which_o despise_v the_o simplicity_n of_o christ_n gospel_n and_o will_v not_o captivate_v itself_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n four_o when_o the_o reason_n or_o rational_a argumentation_n of_o man_n be_v unreasonable_o and_o excessive_o use_v in_o divine_a thing_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n not_o require_v it_o then_o be_v such_o reason_n dangerous_a hence_o some_o of_o the_o father_n be_v just_o censure_v and_o the_o schoolman_n much_o more_o for_o mix_v and_o adulterate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o philosopher_n which_o be_v no_o better_a than_o paralogism_n and_o imposture_n if_o mix_v with_o and_o add_v to_o the_o pure_a word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o great_a and_o glorious_a mystery_n of_o christ_n five_o then_o do_v man_n abuse_v their_o humane_a reason_n and_o knowledge_n when_o they_o use_v needless_a subtlety_n quirk_n and_o quidditty_n in_o debate_v the_o great_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o shall_v rather_o be_v humble_o believe_v admire_a and_o adore_v then_o subtle_o dispute_v even_o among_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o and_o in_o all_o religion_n they_o have_v have_v some_o sacred_a mystery_n and_o secret_n that_o be_v to_o be_v adore_v and_o not_o curious_o pry_v into_o and_o dispute_v by_o the_o subtle_a reason_n of_o man_n and_o whoever_o do_v profane_o dispute_v thereof_o be_v severe_o punish_v six_o and_o last_o man_n reason_n be_v abuse_v and_o pervert_v and_o prove_v to_o be_v of_o dangerous_a consequence_n when_o it_o be_v make_v not_o only_o a_o instrument_n but_o a_o judge_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n some_o there_o be_v that_o seem_v to_o depress_v reason_n too_o much_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o socinian_o exalt_v it_o too_o high_a for_o they_o make_v it_o not_o only_o a_o instrument_n but_o a_o judge_n and_o thereupon_o reject_v and_o contemn_v the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n because_o they_o can_v fathom_v and_o comprehend_v they_o by_o their_o reason_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v some_o that_o say_v religio_fw-la est_fw-la summa_fw-la ratio_fw-la and_o there_o be_v great_a learned_a man_n that_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o certain_o if_o we_o can_v by_o reason_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v any_o religion_n at_o all_o we_o may_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n prove_v the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o this_o treatise_n but_o yet_o man_n reason_n be_v but_o a_o weak_a glimmer_a uncertain_a thing_n in_o comparison_n of_o faith_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 nor_o must_v we_o confound_v the_o instrument_n and_o the_o judge_n holy_a truth_n scripture_n truth_n and_o mystery_n they_o be_v divine_a and_o supernatural_a though_o hammer_v out_o and_o improve_v by_o reason_n as_o the_o smith_n that_o take_v golden_a plate_n and_o beat_v it_o into_o what_o shape_n he_o please_v his_o hammer_n do_v not_o make_v it_o to_o be_v gold_n for_o so_o it_o be_v before_o but_o only_a gold_n of_o such_o a_o shape_n so_o reason_n do_v not_o make_v a_o truth_n divine_a or_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o it_o but_o only_o hold_v it_o forth_o and_o declare_v it_o in_o such_o a_o way_n or_o method_n it_o be_v with_o faith_n and_o reason_n say_v a_o learned_a man_n as_o with_o the_o mould_n that_o be_v at_o the_o root_n of_o a_o barren_a fruitless_a tree_n take_v the_o mould_n out_o and_o throw_v in_o dung_n or_o other_o compost_n and_o then_o put_v the_o mould_n in_o again_o and_o it_o will_v much_o help_v the_o tree_n which_o hinder_v it_o before_o thus_o lay_v aside_o reason_n at_o first_o and_o receive_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n by_o faith_n and_o afterward_o improve_v faith_n by_o reason_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v of_o excellent_a use_n to_o a_o christian_n divine_a truth_n be_v not_o found_v on_o reason_n but_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o reason_n may_v help_v to_o bear_v they_o up_o as_o you_o see_v the_o elm_n or_o wall_n bear_v up_o the_o vine_n but_o the_o elm_n or_o wall_n do_v not_o bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n only_o the_o vine_n do_v that_o as_o long_o therefore_o as_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n but_o rule_v and_o square_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n but_o when_o man_n reason_n be_v make_v the_o rule_n and_o divine_a mystery_n be_v vassalize_v and_o subject_v thereunto_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v preposterous_a and_o dangerous_a and_o therefore_o to_o be_v abhor_v and_o avoid_v by_o all_o sober_a christian_n who_o faith_n shall_v not_o stand_v in_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o reason_n but_o in_o the_o demonstration_n and_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n finis_fw-la book_n sell_v by_o thomas_n passenger_n at_o the_o three_o bibles_n on_o london-bridge_n a_o french_a and_o english_a dictionary_n compose_v by_o mr._n randolph_n cotgrave_n folio_n a_o mirror_n or_o looking-glass_n for_o saint_n and_o sinner_n show_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n on_o the_o one_o and_o his_o mercy_n towards_o the_o other_o set_a forth_o in_o some_o thousand_o of_o example_n by_o sam._n clark_n late_a minister_n of_o bennet-finck_n london_n in_o two_o volume_n in_o folio_n royal_a and_o practical_a chemistry_n by_o oswaldus_n crollius_n and_o john_n hartman_n faithful_o render_v into_o english_a folio_n price_n 10._o s._n god_n revenge_n against_o murder_n by_o john_n reynolds_n contain_v thirty_o tragical_a story_n digest_v into_o six_o book_n new_o reprint_v folio_n price_n 10_o s._n lord_n bacon_n natural_a history_n folio_n price_n 8_o s._n sandy_n travel_n contain_v a_o description_n of_o the_o turkish_a empire_n of_o egypt_n and_o the_o holy_a land_n of_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o italy_n and_o island_n adjoin_v folio_n price_n 8_o s._n markham_n masterpiece_n roman_n antiquity_n by_o tho._n godwin_n quarto_fw-la price_n 2_o s._n 6_o d._n the_o famous_a history_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n in_o three_o book_n quarto_fw-la price_n 3_o s._n valentine_n and_o orson_n price_n 18_o d._n etymologicum_n parvum_fw-la by_o francis_n gregory_n octavo_fw-la price_n 3_o s._n chemical_a essay_n by_o john_n begumis_n price_n 1_o s._n 8_o d._n spiritual_a antidote_n against_o sinful_a contagion_n by_o tho._n doolittle_n price_n 18_o d._n pool_n dialogue_n betwixt_o a_o papist_n and_o a_o protestant_n twelve_o price_n bind_v 1_o s._n monasticon_fw-la favershamiense_n or_o a_o description_n of_o the_o abbey_n of_o faversham_n octavo_fw-la price_n bind_v 18_o d._n the_o christian_n crown_n of_o glory_n or_o holiness_n the_o way_n to_o happiness_n octavo_fw-la price_n bind_v 18_o d._n the_o path_n way_n to_o health_n price_n bind_v 18_o d._n the_o complete_a academy_n or_o nursery_n of_o compliment_n bind_v 1_o s._n the_o book_n of_o knowledge_n in_o three_o part_n price_n 10_o d._n the_o book_n of_o palmistry_n in_o octavo_fw-la price_n bind_v 18_o d._n the_o wise_a virgin_n be_v a_o narrative_a of_o god_n deal_v with_o martha_n hatfield_n price_n bind_v 18_o d._n the_o pilgrim_n port_n or_o the_o weary_a man_n rest_n in_o the_o grave_a in_o twelves_o price_n bind_v 1_o s._n the_o famous_a history_n of_o the_o five_o wise_a philosopher_n contain_v the_o life_n of_o jehosaphat_n son_n of_o avenerio_n emperor_n of_o corma_n and_o his_o wonderful_a conversion_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o great_a assize_n by_o sam._n smith_n the_o delectable_a history_n of_o amadis_n de_fw-fr gaul_n the_o pleasant_a history_n of_o paladine_n of_o england_n the_o bear-baiting_n of_o woman_n the_o history_n of_o friar_n bacon_n and_o friar_n bungy_n new_a conceit_a letter_n the_o jovial_a garland_n contain_v all_o the_o new_a song_n that_o be_v now_o use_v the_o penitent_a prodigal_n or_o a_o gracious_a reproof_n for_o pharisaical_a saint_n by_o j._n h._n the_o christian_n best_a exercise_n in_o the_o worst_a of_o time_n by_o j._n h._n scarborough_n spa_n be_v a_o description_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o virtue_n of_o the_o spa_n of_o scarborough_n in_o yorkshire_n by_o doctor_n witty_a the_o french_a schoolmaster_n farnabies_n epigram_n newtons_n art_n of_o logic_n newtons_n art_n of_o rhetoric_n the_o famous_a history_n of_o don_n bellianis_n of_o greece_n in_o three_o part_n be_v now_o complete_a the_o famous_a history_n of_o
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 seriousness_n in_o religion_n be_v commendable_a in_o all_o person_n and_o at_o all_o time_n but_o more_o especial_o in_o person_n of_o your_o rank_n and_o quality_n at_o this_o time_n and_o in_o this_o nation_n wherein_o alas_o atheism_n scepticism_n drollery_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o profaneness_n abound_v among_o those_o that_o will_v be_v think_v to_o excel_v all_o other_o in_o wit_n and_o courage_n and_o gallantry_n and_o who_o shall_v give_v a_o far_o better_a example_n to_o their_o inferior_n this_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n which_o now_o abound_v have_v be_v partly_o occasion_v by_o the_o uncharitable_a unchristian_a heat_n and_o animosity_n of_o man_n of_o contrary_a opinion_n and_o sentiment_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n together_o with_o those_o great_a scandal_n which_o we_o can_v never_o sufficient_o lament_v that_o have_v be_v give_v by_o some_o professor_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o these_o nation_n hence_o man_n of_o proud_a spirit_n and_o corrupt_a principle_n have_v take_v occasion_n to_o doubt_n and_o question_v all_o kind_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o look_v on_o it_o only_o as_o a_o political_a device_n and_o invention_n which_o do_v no_o further_o oblige_v than_o the_o humane_a law_n of_o several_a country_n do_v authorise_v it_o but_o though_o these_o common_a scandal_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n yet_o the_o true_a ground_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o such_o man_n prejudice_n and_o scepticism_n be_v the_o strictness_n and_o purity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o of_o all_o religion_n be_v the_o most_o holy_a and_o spiritual_a and_o which_o they_o find_v lay_v too_o great_a a_o restraint_n upon_o their_o exorbitant_a lust_n and_o carnal_a passion_n to_o be_v good_a in_o bad_a time_n to_o be_v virtuous_a and_o pious_a in_o a_o age_n wherein_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n be_v so_o general_o countenance_v and_o practise_v this_o madam_n add_v a_o great_a lustre_n to_o your_o goodness_n and_o virtue_n and_o indeed_o your_o great_a 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 atheist_n of_o our_o time_n who_o walk_v and_o talk_v and_o live_v and_o die_v as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o the_o world_n no_o certainty_n no_o seriousness_n in_o religion_n these_o person_n be_v under_o a_o judicial_a blindness_n desperate_o rebel_a not_o only_o against_o the_o light_n of_o gospel-revelation_n but_o against_o that_o light_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v in_o they_o god_n have_v give_v they_o reason_n and_o understanding_n eye_n that_o they_o may_v see_v heart_n that_o they_o may_v understand_v but_o they_o wilful_o shut_v their_o eye_n against_o that_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o so_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n it_o be_v take_v from_o they_o and_o they_o give_v up_o to_o blindness_n of_o mind_n and_o hardness_n of_o heart_n and_o to_o the_o great_a spiritual_a plague_n and_o judgement_n it_o be_v to_o be_v admire_v see_v there_o be_v such_o convince_a reason_n and_o demonstration_n even_o from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n against_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o such_o creature_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o these_o atheist_n and_o sceptic_n when_o certain_o there_o be_v none_o such_o in_o hell_n for_o the_o devil_n themselves_o believe_v and_o tremble_v so_o that_o in_o this_o respect_n they_o be_v worse_o than_o the_o devil_n and_o though_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o wit_n of_o the_o time_n yet_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o of_o opinion_n with_o the_o noble_a mirandula_n that_o there_o be_v no_o atheist_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v in_o his_o wit_n the_o rational_a soul_n of_o such_o monster_n be_v sink_v down_o into_o mere_a sensuality_n and_o brutishness_n plutarch_n that_o grave_a moralist_n lib._n de_fw-la superstit_fw-la style_v irreligion_n a_o kind_n of_o stupor_n whereby_o man_n be_v as_o it_o be_v deprive_v of_o their_o sense_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o exceed_o improper_a thing_n to_o ascribe_v true_a reason_n to_o those_o who_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v and_o adore_v the_o deity_n and_o cicero_n that_o wise_a philosopher_n and_o orator_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n lib._n 2._o say_v he_o can_v hardly_o think_v that_o man_n to_o be_v in_o his_o right_a mind_n who_o be_v destitute_a of_o religion_n and_o again_o why_o shall_v any_o one_o stile_n such_o a_o one_o a_o man_n who_o by_o what_o he_o see_v in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o convince_v of_o a_o deity_n and_o a_o providence_n and_o of_o the_o adoration_n which_o he_o owe_v to_o that_o deity_n and_o the_o satirist_n 15._o satirist_n juv._n sat._n 15._o speak_v of_o religion_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o divine_a thing_n say_v separate_a hoc_fw-la nos_fw-la a_fw-la grege_fw-la multorum_fw-la atque_fw-la ideo_fw-la venerabile_fw-la soli_fw-la sortiti_fw-la ingenium_fw-la divinorumque_fw-la capaces_fw-la it_o be_v this_o which_o do_v distinguish_v we_o from_o brute_n creature_n that_o we_o have_v soul_n capable_a of_o divine_a impression_n so_o that_o such_o person_n have_v no_o just_a pretence_n to_o reason_n who_o renounce_v religion_n or_o turn_v it_o into_o mere_a scepticism_n but_o however_o some_o man_n for_o a_o little_a time_n may_v offer_v violence_n to_o their_o reason_n and_o conscience_n whilst_o they_o prosper_v in_o this_o world_n yet_o when_o they_o be_v once_o alarm_v by_o a_o violent_a sickness_n or_o some_o other_o great_a affliction_n which_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o they_o shall_v be_v expose_v unto_o then_o will_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o of_o eternal_a wrath_n and_o punishment_n seize_v upon_o they_o with_o so_o much_o the_o great_a force_n and_o power_n which_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o shake_v off_o he_o sunt_fw-la qui_fw-la trepidant_fw-la &_o ad_fw-la omne_fw-la fulgura_fw-la pallent_fw-la we_o may_v true_o say_v of_o the_o atheist_n of_o our_o time_n as_o plato_n do_v of_o tyrant_n if_o any_o person_n can_v but_o see_v thorough_o into_o their_o soul_n he_o shall_v find_v they_o all_o their_o life_n full_a of_o fear_n guilt_n and_o torment_n pectus_fw-la inuste_fw-la deformant_fw-la maculae_fw-la vitiisque_fw-la inolevit_fw-la imago_fw-la do_v now_o say_v a_o excellent_a author_n the_o conquest_n of_o passion_n forgive_a of_o injury_n do_v good_a self-denial_n humility_n patience_n under_o cross_n which_o be_v the_o real_a expression_n of_o piety_n speak_v nothing_o more_o noble_a and_o generous_a than_o a_o luxurious_a malicious_a proud_a and_o impatient_a spirit_n be_v there_o nothing_o more_o become_v and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o exemplary_a piety_n and_o a_o holy_a well-ordered_a conversation_n than_o in_o the_o lightness_n and_o vanity_n not_o to_o say_v rudeness_n and_o debauchery_n of_o those_o who_o the_o world_n account_v the_o great_a gallant_n be_v there_o nothing_o more_o graceful_a and_o please_a in_o the_o sweetness_n candour_n and_o ingenuity_n of_o a_o true_o christian_a temper_n and_o disposition_n than_o in_o the_o revengeful_a implacable_a spirit_n of_o such_o who_o honour_n be_v feed_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o
make_v our_o peace_n hereupon_o some_o courtier_n be_v send_v to_o divert_v sir_n francis_n ah_o say_v he_o while_o we_o laugh_v all_o thing_n be_v serious_a round_n about_o we_o god_n be_v serious_a when_o he_o preserve_v we_o and_o have_v patience_n towards_o we_o christ_n be_v serious_a when_o he_o die_v for_o we_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v serious_a when_o he_o strive_v with_o we_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v serious_a when_o it_o be_v read_v before_o we_o sacrament_n be_v serious_a when_o they_o be_v administer_v unto_o we_o the_o whole_a creation_n be_v serious_a in_o serve_v god_n and_o we_o they_o be_v serious_a in_o heaven_n and_o hell_n and_o shall_v a_o man_n that_o have_v one_o foot_n in_o his_o grave_a jest_n and_o laugh_v sir_n philip_n sidney_n his_o son-in-law_n that_o brave_a accomplish_a knight_n who_o queen_n elizabeth_n call_v her_o philip_n and_o the_o prince_n of_o aurange_a his_o master_n who_o death_n be_v lament_v in_o verse_n by_o the_o then_o king_n of_o france_n and_o scotland_n and_o by_o the_o two_o famous_a university_n of_o oxford_n and_o cambridge_n repent_v at_o his_o death_n of_o write_v his_o pembrokes_n arcadia_n and_o will_v have_v commit_v it_o to_o the_o flame_n himself_o to_o prevent_v the_o kindle_v of_o unlawful_a heat_n in_o the_o youthful_a reader_n of_o it_o leave_v this_o farewell_n among_o his_o friend_n above_o all_o thing_n govern_v your_o will_n and_o affection_n by_o the_o will_n and_o word_n of_o god_n in_o i_o behold_v the_o end_n of_o this_o world_n and_o all_o its_o vanity_n sir_n john_n mason_n privy_a counsellor_n to_o several_a prince_n upon_o his_o deathbed_n speak_v thus_o to_o some_o of_o his_o friend_n i_o have_v see_v five_o prince_n and_o be_v privy_a counsellor_n to_o four_o of_o they_o i_o have_v observe_v the_o most_o remarkable_a occurrence_n in_o foreign_a part_n and_o be_v present_a at_o most_o transaction_n for_o thirty_o year_n together_o and_o i_o have_v learn_v this_o after_o so_o many_o year_n experience_n that_o seriousness_n be_v the_o great_a wisdom_n temperance_n the_o best_a physic_n a_o good_a conscience_n be_v the_o best_a estate_n and_o be_v i_o to_o live_v again_o i_o will_v change_v the_o court_n for_o a_o cloister_n my_o privy_a counsellor_n employment_n for_o a_o hermit_n be_v retirement_n and_o the_o whole_a life_n i_o live_v in_o the_o palace_n for_o one_o hour_n enjoyment_n of_o god_n in_o the_o chapel_n all_o thing_n else_o forsake_v i_o beside_o my_o god_n and_o my_o duty_n the_o lord_n henry_n howard_n that_o learned_a earl_n of_o northampton_n be_v trouble_v with_o atheistical_a thought_n and_o suggestion_n put_v they_o all_o off_o with_o this_o consideration_n viz._n if_o i_o can_v give_v any_o account_n how_o myself_o or_o any_o thing_n else_o have_v a_o be_v without_o god_n how_o there_o come_v so_o uniform_a and_o so_o constant_a a_o consent_n of_o mankind_n of_o all_o age_n temper_n and_o education_n otherwise_o differ_v so_o much_o in_o their_o apprehension_n about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o religion_n i_o can_v then_o be_v a_o atheist_n and_o when_o it_o be_v urge_v that_o religion_n be_v a_o state-policy_n to_o keep_v man_n in_o awe_n he_o reply_v that_o can_v not_o be_v true_a for_o the_o great_a politician_n have_v soon_o or_o late_a feel_v the_o power_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o grievous_a lash_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o the_o dreadfulness_n of_o their_o apprehension_n about_o that_o state_n wherein_o they_o must_v live_v for_o ever_o cardinal_n richlieu_n that_o great_a politician_n after_o he_o have_v govern_v the_o affair_n of_o europe_n many_o year_n together_o confess_v to_o peter_n du_fw-fr moulin_n a_o learned_a minister_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o france_n that_o be_v force_v upon_o many_o irregularity_n in_o his_o life_n time_n by_o that_o which_o they_o call_v reason_n of_o state_n he_o can_v not_o tell_v how_o to_o satsifie_v his_o conscience_n for_o several_a thing_n and_o therefore_o have_v many_o temptation_n to_o doubt_n and_o disbelieve_v a_o god_n another_o world_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o by_o that_o distrust_n to_o relieve_v his_o ache_a heart_n but_o in_o vain_a for_o so_o strong_a say_v he_o be_v the_o apprehension_n of_o god_n in_o his_o soul_n so_o clear_a the_o impression_n of_o a_o deity_n upon_o the_o frame_n of_o the_o world_n so_o unanimous_a the_o consent_n of_o mankind_n so_o powerful_a the_o conviction_n of_o his_o conscience_n that_o he_o can_v not_o but_o taste_v the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o so_o live_v as_o one_o that_o must_v die_v and_o so_o die_v as_o one_o that_o must_v live_v for_o ever_o and_o be_v ask_v one_o day_n why_o he_o be_v so_o sad_a he_o answer_v mounseur_fw-fr mounseur_fw-fr the_o soul_n be_v a_o serious_a thing_n it_o must_v be_v either_o sad_a here_o for_o a_o moment_n or_o be_v sad_a for_o ever_o cardinal_n mazarine_n his_o successor_n who_o have_v for_o several_a year_n manage_v the_o crown_n of_o france_n and_o the_o great_a affair_n of_o christendom_n discourse_v one_o day_n with_o a_o sorbon_n doctor_n concern_v the_o soul_n immortality_n and_o man_n eternal_a estate_n he_o weep_v repeat_v that_o emperor_n say_v o_o my_o poor_a soul_n whither_o will_v thou_o go_v and_o immediate_o call_v for_o his_o confessor_n he_o vow_v ten_o hour_n of_o the_o day_n for_o devotion_n seven_o for_o rest_n four_o for_o repast_n and_o but_o three_o for_o business_n say_v one_o day_n to_o the_o queen_n mother_n madam_n your_o favour_n have_v undo_v i_o and_o be_v i_o to_o live_v again_o i_o will_v be_v a_o capuchin_n rather_o than_o a_o courtier_n salmasius_n that_o great_a scholar_n who_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o his_o time_n never_o mention_v without_o some_o title_n of_o praise_n and_o commendation_n leave_v this_o world_n with_o these_o word_n in_o his_o mouth_n oh_o i_o have_v lose_v a_o world_n of_o time_n that_o most_o precious_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n whereof_o have_v i_o but_o one_o year_n long_o to_o live_v it_o shall_v be_v spend_v in_o david_n be_v psalm_n and_o paul_n be_v epistle_n oh_o sir_n speak_v to_o his_o friend_n that_o be_v about_o he_o mind_v the_o world_n less_o and_o god_n more_o all_o the_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n without_o piety_n and_o the_o true_a fear_n of_o god_n be_v nothing_o worth_a the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v wisdom_n and_o to_o depart_v from_o evil_n that_o be_v understanding_n the_o learned_a grotius_n after_o many_o public_a embassy_n and_o employment_n manage_v and_o perform_v by_o he_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o and_o after_o his_o many_o elaborate_a write_n in_o divinity_n and_o other_o science_n have_v take_v a_o exact_a survey_n of_o the_o hebrew_n greek_a and_o latin_a learning_n conclude_v his_o life_n with_o this_o protestation_n that_o he_o will_v give_v all_o his_o learning_n and_o honour_n for_o the_o plain_a integrity_n and_o harmless_a innocency_n of_o jean_n vrick_n who_o be_v a_o devout_a poor_a man_n that_o spend_v eight_o hour_n of_o his_o time_n in_o prayer_n eight_o in_o labour_n and_o but_o eight_o in_o sleep_n and_o other_o necessary_n and_o complain_v to_o one_o that_o admire_v his_o astonish_a labour_n and_o industry_n he_o utter_v these_o word_n ah_o vitam_fw-la perdidi_fw-la operosè_fw-la nihil_fw-la agendo_fw-la and_o to_o another_o friend_n that_o desire_v he_o according_a to_o his_o great_a wisdom_n and_o learning_n to_o show_v he_o brief_o what_o he_o shall_v do_v he_o give_v he_o only_o this_o direction_n be_v serious_a person_n of_o great_a estate_n and_o dignity_n in_o this_o world_n must_v expect_v nevertheless_o to_o meet_v with_o great_a cross_n and_o disappointment_n of_o which_o doubtless_o your_o honour_n have_v have_v and_o will_v have_v more_o and_o more_o experience_n in_o this_o vale_n of_o tear_n now_o as_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n do_v abundant_o furnish_v we_o with_o ground_n and_o motive_n of_o patience_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o will_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o every_o condition_n and_o under_o every_o dispensation_n so_o there_o be_v divers_a heathen_a moralist_n who_o have_v from_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o moral_a prudence_n propound_v many_o excellent_a argument_n and_o consideration_n to_o persuade_v we_o thereunto_o especial_o epictetus_n who_o though_o lame_a and_o old_a sickly_a and_o deform_a poor_a and_o under_o servitude_n be_v a_o slave_n to_o epaphroditus_n one_o of_o the_o roman_a courtier_n yet_o be_v he_o a_o excellent_a philosopher_n and_o a_o man_n of_o a_o most_o noble_a and_o generous_a spirit_n some_o of_o who_o excellent_a say_n to_o this_o purpose_n i_o shall_v here_o recite_v this_o wise_a moralist_n speak_v of_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o murmur_v at_o any_o cross_a event_n whatsoever_o have_v this_o passage_n dissertat_fw-la lib._n 3
society_n be_v also_o endow_v with_o a_o power_n to_o maintain_v itself_o in_o peace_n and_o purity_n which_o can_v be_v without_o some_o way_n or_o other_o to_o decide_v controversy_n and_o remove_v scandal_n now_o this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n when_o such_o difference_n arise_v in_o the_o society_n either_o that_o the_o lesser_a number_n shall_v acquiesce_v in_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o great_a for_o parson_n major_a jus_o habet_fw-la universitatis_fw-la the_o great_a part_n have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a or_o else_o which_o indeed_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n there_o must_v be_v a_o subordination_n of_o power_n in_o congregation_n and_o a_o right_a of_o appeal_n grant_v to_o a_o injure_a person_n from_o the_o low_a and_o subordinate_a power_n to_o the_o high_a and_o superior_a and_o in_o order_n to_o a_o redress_n of_o wrong_n and_o end_a controversy_n our_o reason_n will_v tell_v we_o that_o appeal_n must_v not_o be_v infinite_a but_o there_o must_v be_v some_o power_n or_o other_o from_o whence_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o appeal_n and_o true_o it_o be_v against_o the_o natural_a reason_n and_o right_n of_o every_o man_n for_o any_o particular_a society_n under_o what_o denomination_n soever_o so_o to_o engross_v all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n into_o their_o own_o hand_n that_o no_o liberty_n of_o appeal_n for_o redress_n can_v be_v make_v from_o they_o this_o be_v to_o usurp_v upon_o and_o invade_v the_o civil_a and_o religious_a right_n of_o christian_n for_o it_o leave_v man_n under_o a_o causeless_a censure_n without_o any_o authorative_a vindication_n of_o they_o from_o it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o much_o better_a in_o this_o case_n and_o more_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n to_o have_v matter_n in_o controversy_n either_o as_o to_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n judicious_o debate_v and_o determine_v in_o a_o grave_n pious_a assembly_n or_o synod_n than_o by_o two_o or_o three_o man_n who_o perhaps_o by_o their_o part_n or_o popular_a interest_n without_o any_o sufficient_a ground_n from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n can_v easy_o sway_v those_o society_n or_o congregation_n that_o be_v of_o their_o particular_a opinion_n and_o so_o be_v it_o right_n or_o wrong_n the_o suppose_a offender_n must_v be_v determine_v by_o it_o shall_v it_o be_v think_v rational_a and_o fit_a that_o every_o particular_a society_n though_o consist_v but_o of_o a_o few_o person_n shall_v have_v power_n over_o its_o own_o member_n to_o determine_v controversy_n arise_v between_o they_o but_o yet_o if_o one_o or_o many_o of_o these_o particular_a society_n shall_v err_v and_o go_v astray_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o authorative_n power_n leave_v for_o decide_v what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n sure_o if_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o wise_a governor_n of_o his_o church_n have_v make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o case_n of_o particular_a person_n he_o have_v also_o make_v sufficient_a provision_n in_o a_o rational_a way_n for_o the_o case_n of_o particular_a society_n thus_o we_o have_v brief_o show_v what_o use_n may_v be_v make_v of_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a society_n we_o shall_v now_o brief_o declare_v how_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o supreme_a be_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v immortal_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o only_a true_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o point_v you_o may_v find_v prove_v at_o large_a by_o reason_n in_o the_o learned_a book_n of_o lessius_fw-la morney_n grotius_n and_o sir_n charles_n woseley_n a_o gentleman_n so_o well_o qualify_v and_o employ_v that_o i_o can_v hearty_o wish_v that_o our_o english_a gentry_n will_v imitate_v he_o chap._n ix_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n there_o be_v no_o nation_n so_o barbarous_a say_v the_o heathen_a orator_n deorum_fw-la orator_n cicero_n de_fw-fr natura_fw-la deorum_fw-la no_o people_n so_o savage_a in_o who_o there_o rest_v not_o this_o persuasion_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n even_o those_o nation_n which_o in_o other_o respect_n seem_v very_o little_a to_o differ_v from_o bruit_n beast_n yet_o keep_v up_o and_o maintain_v a_o kind_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n and_o have_v some_o sense_n of_o the_o eternal_a godhead_n impress_v upon_o their_o heart_n yea_o idolatry_n itself_o be_v a_o substantial_a proof_n of_o this_o persuasion_n for_o how_o willing_o do_v man_n abase_v himself_o to_o honour_v other_o creature_n above_o himself_o when_o he_o will_v rather_o worship_v a_o block_n or_o a_o stone_n than_o to_o have_v no_o god_n at_o all_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o this_o imprint_v persuasion_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v of_o great_a force_n and_o impossible_a to_o be_v quite_o oblitegated_a and_o raze_v out_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o man._n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o eternal_a deity_n there_o be_v two_o way_n namely_o by_o faith_n and_o by_o reason_n faith_n indeed_o be_v the_o much_o better_a and_o near_a way_n for_o our_o reason_n be_v much_o weaken_v and_o deprave_a and_o god_n himself_o who_o be_v the_o supreme_a be_v be_v infinite_o above_o our_o reason_n no_o man_n can_v make_v a_o perfect_a demonstration_n by_o his_o reason_n in_o natural_a thing_n he_o can_v full_o demonstrate_v that_o his_o father_n be_v his_o father_n or_o that_o he_o be_v his_o son_n so_o that_o in_o these_o and_o the_o like_a thing_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o some_o faith_n or_o belief_n if_o a_o man_n tell_v you_o that_o he_o have_v see_v such_o or_o such_o a_o place_n he_o can_v make_v no_o demonstrative_a reason_n of_o it_o for_o the_o circumstance_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o demonstration_n in_o this_o case_n there_o must_v be_v belief_n and_o much_o more_o in_o religious_a and_o divine_a matter_n howbeit_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n so_o far_o as_o it_o reach_v for_o it_o be_v but_o a_o inferior_a derivative_a light_n like_o the_o light_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o star_n will_v prove_v unto_o we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o supreme_a be_v the_o creature_n afford_v argument_n and_o our_o reason_n gather_v by_o the_o force_n of_o those_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n first_o it_o may_v be_v clear_o prove_v and_o make_v evident_a to_o our_o reason_n by_o the_o frame_n of_o this_o great_a universe_n even_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o eye_n see_v and_o the_o ear_n hear_v rom._n 1.20_o suppose_v a_o man_n forty_o year_n old_a who_o have_v never_o see_v the_o beauty_n of_o this_o world_n before_o shall_v now_o behold_v it_o will_v not_o the_o sight_n thereof_o make_v he_o wonder_v and_o inquire_v after_o the_o maker_n and_o contriver_n of_o it_o and_o force_v he_o to_o conclude_v that_o man_n be_v not_o able_a to_o perform_v such_o a_o great_a and_o glorious_a work_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v effect_v by_o one_o that_o be_v infinite_o wise_a and_o better_a and_o more_o able_a than_o man_n and_o who_o shall_v that_o be_v but_o god_n himself_o who_o can_v cause_v such_o a_o consent_n and_o agreement_n among_o the_o creature_n so_o different_a and_o contrary_a one_o to_o another_o hot_a and_o cold_a moist_a and_o dry_a but_o this_o wise_a and_o sovereign_a commander_n as_o in_o a_o musical_a instrument_n on_o which_o be_v twenty_o dissonant_n string_n whence_o come_v the_o harmony_n but_o from_o some_o excellent_a skilful_a musician_n that_o have_v the_o tune_n of_o it_o whence_o come_v the_o fit_a and_o compose_v of_o one_o thing_n to_o another_o but_o from_o this_o wise_a god_n as_o we_o say_v he_o be_v a_o artist_n that_o fit_v the_o wheel_n of_o a_o watch_n one_o to_o another_o and_o it_o be_v the_o skill_n of_o a_o joiner_n or_o smith_n which_o make_v curious_a tool_n and_o work_n one_o fit_v to_o another_o the_o sheath_n to_o the_o knife_n and_o the_o scabbard_n to_o the_o sword_n whence_o come_v the_o dependence_n of_o the_o creature_n one_o upon_o another_o and_o their_o mutual_a help_n and_o assistance_n one_o of_o another_o but_o from_o god_n beast_n nourish_v man_n the_o grass_n nourish_v they_o and_o the_o influence_n or_o dew_n of_o heaven_n make_v the_o grass_n to_o grow_v and_o all_o from_o god_n hos_fw-la 2.21_o these_o thing_n can_v no_o more_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o accident_n than_o a_o multitude_n of_o letter_n cast_v together_o by_o chance_n can_v without_o the_o art_n of_o man_n make_v a_o poem_n or_o history_n and_o therefore_o they_o direct_v we_o even_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n to_o a_o supreme_a providence_n second_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o original_a of_o all_o thing_n whence_o be_v this_o original_a but_o of_o god_n as_o for_o man_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v make_v by_o god_n for_o the_o father_n that_o
creature_n we_o may_v rational_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a power_n and_o governor_n thereof_o which_o be_v god_n what_o shall_v i_o say_v further_o on_o this_o subject_n if_o enough_o be_v not_o already_o say_v methinks_v this_o shall_v convince_v and_o satisfy_v the_o reason_n of_o any_o man_n live_v if_o he_o have_v but_o a_o spark_n of_o reason_n leave_v in_o he_o that_o all_o nation_n general_o in_o every_o age_n time_n and_o place_n of_o the_o world_n have_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n the_o heathen_n themselves_o can_v not_o endure_v they_o that_o deny_v a_o supreme_a divine_a power_n for_o this_o cause_n they_o put_v to_o death_n that_o great_a philosopher_n socrates_n and_o other_o as_o suppose_v they_o guilty_a of_o this_o horrid_a crime_n the_o nation_n that_o have_v no_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n do_v at_o this_o day_n adore_v stock_n stones_z brute_n beast_n and_o the_o base_a creature_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v have_v no_o deity_n no_o religion_n at_o all_o they_o be_v zealous_a and_o forward_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o their_o idol_n which_o show_v that_o though_o they_o acknowledge_v not_o the_o true_a god_n yet_o they_o understand_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a be_v to_o who_o divine_a worship_n be_v due_a and_o as_o for_o such_o as_o have_v even_o study_v and_o endeavour_v to_o gratify_v the_o devil_n to_o the_o utmost_a by_o become_v mere_a atheist_n they_o can_v never_o so_o blot_v this_o fundamental_a truth_n and_o principle_n out_o of_o their_o conscience_n but_o that_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n have_v affright_v they_o and_o be_v a_o terror_n to_o they_o so_o then_o the_o universality_n of_o this_o persuasion_n in_o all_o place_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o eternal_a deity_n in_o as_o much_o as_o there_o be_v no_o history_n that_o show_v the_o manner_n and_o and_o custom_n of_o any_o people_n or_o country_n but_o it_o likewise_o show_v their_o religion_n yea_o all_o both_o new_a and_o ancient_a commonwealth_n have_v always_o something_o or_o other_o which_o they_o worship_v and_o call_v in_o their_o language_n god_n but_o as_o touch_v atheism_n we_o can_v easy_o show_v and_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o show_v it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v already_o do_v in_o the_o write_n of_o other_o the_o very_a time_n and_o place_n and_o person_n when_o and_o where_o and_o by_o who_o it_o be_v first_o forge_v which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n against_o it_o such_o a_o argument_n as_o may_v for_o ever_o silence_v the_o atheist_n of_o our_o time_n which_o be_v as_o so_o many_o wild_a beast_n fit_a to_o be_v destroy_v it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v some_o wicked_a wretch_n that_o do_v desperate_o harden_v their_o own_o heart_n and_o drown_v themselves_o over_o head_n and_o ear_n in_o sensual_a delight_n and_o pleasure_n but_o yet_o if_o god_n put_v his_o bridle_n into_o their_o mouth_n which_o he_o will_v do_v at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o those_o spark_n and_o notion_n which_o god_n have_v implant_v in_o every_o man_n soul_n shall_v break_v forth_o and_o appear_v and_o the_o darkness_n shall_v not_o always_o obscure_a the_o light_n in_o these_o three_o case_n especial_o this_o principle_n will_v show_v itself_o even_o in_o those_o atheistical_a spirit_n that_o have_v endeavour_v to_o suppress_v and_o extinguish_v it_o first_o when_o they_o be_v surround_v and_o compass_v about_o with_o difficulty_n and_o danger_n and_o must_v needs_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n unless_o they_o be_v preserve_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n then_o though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o wicked_a and_o atheistical_a before_o yet_o now_o as_o the_o tragedian_n observe_v they_o will_v fall_v down_o on_o their_o knee_n and_o pray_v to_o a_o deity_n they_o will_v cry_v peccavi_fw-la and_o confess_v there_o be_v a_o god_n indeed_o there_o be_v a_o controversy_n betwixt_o the_o stoic_n and_o peripatetic_n the_o stoic_n hold_v that_o man_n have_v no_o passion_n in_o he_o but_o the_o peripatetic_n be_v of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n now_o it_o fall_v out_o upon_o a_o time_n that_o when_o a_o stoic_a and_o a_o peripatetic_a be_v sail_v together_o in_o one_o ship_n there_o arise_v upon_o a_o sudden_a a_o great_a tempest_n the_o stoic_a begin_n to_o look_v pale_a and_o the_o peripatetic_a observe_v it_o argue_v thus_o against_o he_o thou_o look_v pale_a stoic_a and_o therefore_o thou_o be_v not_o without_o passion_n he_o can_v not_o free_v himself_o of_o fear_n when_o he_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v cast_v away_o so_o although_o the_o atheist_n in_o his_o jollity_n among_o his_o companion_n belch_v forth_o sometime_o that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n yet_o in_o his_o distress_n he_o be_v enforce_v to_o grant_v a_o deity_n second_o this_o principle_n will_v manifest_v itself_o even_o in_o atheist_n when_o they_o be_v oppress_v with_o sickness_n and_o bodily_a distemper_n as_o there_o be_v a_o atheist_n call_v diogenes_n who_o be_v much_o afflict_v with_o the_o pain_n of_o the_o strangury_n detest_v his_o former_a opinion_n and_o three_o when_o old_a age_n come_v upon_o they_o they_o grow_v more_o wise_a and_o sober_a so_o we_o read_v of_o one_o shafalus_n in_o plato_n who_o say_v to_o socrates_n that_o whilst_o he_o be_v a_o young_a man_n he_o never_o think_v that_o there_o be_v any_o styx_n but_o now_o in_o his_o old_a age_n he_o come_v to_o doubt_v and_o question_n what_o if_o there_o be_v one_o this_o indeed_o may_v confute_v all_o atheist_n as_o a_o manifest_a unanswerable_a argument_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n because_o the_o great_a atheist_n that_o deny_v he_o in_o their_o life_n have_v acknowledge_v and_o approve_v he_o in_o their_o death_n pherecydes_n a_o assyrian_a be_v merry_o dispose_v at_o a_o banquet_n among_o his_o friend_n brag_v how_o long_o he_o have_v live_v and_o have_v never_o do_v sacrifice_n to_o any_o god_n but_o his_o end_n be_v miserable_a for_o he_o be_v devour_v of_o louse_n diagoras_n for_o his_o damnable_a opinion_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n meles_n in_o revenge_n of_o his_o atheism_n lucian_n that_o scoff_a atheist_n go_v to_o supper_n abroad_o and_o have_v leave_v his_o dog_n fast_o bind_v as_o he_o go_v when_o he_o return_v home_o have_v rail_v against_o god_n and_o his_o word_n his_o dog_n break_v loose_a fall_v upon_o he_o and_o tear_v he_o in_o piece_n machiavelli_n rot_v in_o the_o prison_n at_o florence_n as_o the_o italian_n write_v appian_n scoff_v at_o religion_n and_o chief_o at_o circumcision_n have_v a_o ulcer_n in_o the_o same_o part_n of_o his_o body_n as_o josephus_n report_v julian_n the_o apostata_fw-la be_v pierce_v in_o the_o bowel_n with_o a_o arrow_n from_o heaven_n pull_v out_o the_o arrow_n and_o receive_v the_o blood_n that_o come_v out_o of_o the_o wound_n cast_v it_o into_o the_o air_n say_v vicisti_fw-la galilaee_n and_o so_o die_v rage_v many_o other_o beside_o these_o may_v be_v mention_v who_o though_o they_o act_v like_o atheist_n in_o their_o life_n yet_o justify_v god_n in_o their_o death_n chap._n x._o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n prove_v by_o reason_n as_o it_o have_v be_v already_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v a_o eternal_a god_n or_o supreme_a be_v so_o it_o may_v be_v evince_v by_o reason_n that_o man_n soul_n be_v immortal_a and_o indeed_o the_o one_o of_o these_o depend_v upon_o and_o bear_v witness_n to_o the_o other_o the_o spiritualness_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o that_o it_o may_v and_o do_v subsist_v without_o the_o body_n be_v clear_o hold_v forth_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n gen._n 2.7_o eccles_n 12.7_o matth._n 10.28_o luke_n 16.22_o 23._o and_o 23.43_o rom._n 8.10_o 11._o 2_o cor._n 5.6_o 7_o 8._o phil._n 1.21_o 23._o heb_fw-mi 12.23_o rev._n 6.9_o 10_o 11._o into_o which_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o christian_a must_v be_v final_o resolve_v but_o beside_o this_o divine_a testimony_n we_o have_v also_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n first_o then_o let_v we_o consider_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n when_o it_o understand_v any_o thing_n it_o abstract_n from_o that_o which_o it_o understand_v all_o quantity_n quality_n place_n and_o time_n change_v it_o into_o a_o more_o immaterial_a and_o intelligible_a nature_n as_o the_o stomach_n when_o it_o receive_v meat_n change_v the_o outward_a accident_n of_o the_o nourishment_n into_o its_o own_o nature_n whereby_o it_o become_v flesh_n and_o blood_n so_o the_o soul_n when_o it_o conceive_v any_o thing_n separate_v it_o from_o the_o gross_a matter_n and_o conceive_v it_o universal_o in_o the_o mind_n or_o understanding_n if_o a_o man_n look_v on_o a_o horse_n he_o see_v he_o of_o
the_o flesh_n and_o forforsake_v the_o good_a of_o this_o world_n which_o a_o man_n will_v not_o do_v if_o he_o have_v not_o the_o hope_n of_o immortality_n in_o which_o he_o find_v the_o recompense_n of_o his_o loss_n yea_o this_o very_a persuasion_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n make_v some_o heathen_n willing_o suffer_v death_n for_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o country_n if_o our_o last_o end_n be_v only_o in_o this_o life_n than_o all_o that_o we_o do_v shall_v be_v for_o this_o last_o end_n to_o aim_v at_o it_o to_o procure_v it_o and_o never_o to_o cross_v it_o doubtless_o it_o be_v great_a folly_n and_o madness_n in_o man_n to_o undergo_v so_o many_o hard_a thing_n as_o they_o do_v if_o they_o have_v not_o a_o persuasion_n in_o their_o heart_n of_o this_o immortality_n and_o if_o their_o hope_n be_v only_o in_o this_o life_n of_o all_o man_n they_o shall_v be_v most_o miserable_a but_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o soul_n be_v immortal_a and_o they_o find_v that_o this_o world_n wherein_o they_o now_o converse_v be_v too_o sterile_a and_o empty_a to_o fill_v the_o vastness_n and_o limit_v the_o desire_n thereof_o it_o must_v be_v the_o possession_n of_o a_o immortal_a infinite_a immutable_a good_a that_o must_v satisfy_v their_o understanding_n and_o will_n both_o which_o faculty_n aim_v at_o the_o chief_a and_o high_a object_n the_o understanding_n be_v carry_v ad_fw-la summam_fw-la causam_fw-la to_o the_o first_o of_o truth_n and_o the_o will_n ad_fw-la summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la to_o the_o last_o of_o end_n and_o therefore_o he_o only_o which_o be_v the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o can_v satisfy_v the_o vast_a desire_n of_o the_o soul_n six_o upon_o this_o ground_n the_o soul_n must_v needs_o be_v immortal_a because_o god_n be_v just_a a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n at_o all_o as_o to_o say_v that_o god_n be_v unjust_a now_o than_o god_n be_v the_o just_a judge_n of_o all_o it_o behoove_v he_o to_o punish_v the_o wicked_a and_o to_o reward_v the_o just_a but_o if_o god_n do_v not_o this_o in_o another_o life_n he_o shall_v never_o do_v it_o for_o in_o this_o life_n the_o wicked_a flourish_n and_o the_o just_a be_v oppress_v therefore_o as_o god_n be_v just_a there_o remain_v another_o life_n after_o this_o wherein_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o just_a shall_v be_v reward_v and_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v punish_v if_o the_o soul_n be_v mortal_a forasmuch_o as_o in_o this_o world_n wicked_a man_n prosper_v in_o their_o wickdeness_n and_o good_a man_n as_o to_o their_o outward_a be_v perish_v in_o a_o way_n of_o righteousness_n how_o shall_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n who_o be_v the_o supreme_a be_v and_o who_o way_n be_v way_n of_o righteousness_n be_v vindicate_v seven_o it_o may_v satisfy_v the_o reason_n of_o any_o man_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v immortal_a since_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a consent_n and_o agreement_n of_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o one_o or_o other_o kind_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o some_o deity_n which_o be_v raise_v out_o of_o this_o hope_n that_o that_o god_n who_o they_o worship_v will_v reward_v their_o piety_n if_o not_o here_o yet_o in_o another_o life_n nulla_fw-la gens_fw-la adeò_fw-la extra_fw-la leges_fw-la est_fw-la projecta_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la aliquos_fw-la deos_fw-la credat_fw-la say_v seneca_n hence_o proceed_v those_o fiction_n of_o the_o poet_n touch_v the_o elysian_a field_n or_o place_n of_o happiness_n for_o man_n of_o honest_a and_o well_o order_v life_n and_o place_n of_o torment_n for_o the_o wicked_a and_o irreligious_a it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o visible_a character_n of_o a_o a_o deity_n imprint_v in_o the_o soul_n a_o irresistible_a principle_n in_o man_n nature_n that_o must_v constrain_v it_o unto_o those_o sundry_a religious_a ceremony_n observe_v among_o all_o nation_n wherein_o even_o in_o place_n of_o idolatry_n some_o be_v so_o irksome_a and_o repugnant_a to_o nature_n and_o other_o so_o void_a of_o reason_n as_o that_o nothing_o but_o a_o firm_a and_o deep_a persuasion_n of_o a_o divine_a judgement_n and_o of_o their_o own_o immortality_n can_v ever_o have_v impose_v they_o upon_o their_o conscience_n and_o beside_o this_o consent_n of_o man_n unto_o religion_n in_o general_n we_o find_v it_o also_o unto_o this_o one_o part_n thereof_o namely_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n all_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a repute_a philosopher_n for_o learning_n and_o honesty_n and_o even_o barbarian_n infidel_n and_o savage_a people_n have_v discern_v it_o by_o the_o glimmering_n of_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n chap._n xi_o the_o verity_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n evince_v by_o reason_n the_o light_n of_o reason_n be_v of_o excellent_a use_n to_o convince_v heathen_n and_o infidel_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v no_o religion_n at_o this_o day_n profess_v throughout_o the_o world_n that_o have_v so_o much_o reason_n in_o it_o and_o for_o it_o as_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o way_n of_o cleanse_v and_o expiate_a sin_n by_o christ_n the_o dignity_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o person_n of_o the_o mediator_n the_o exactness_n of_o divine_a justice_n which_o require_v satisfaction_n the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n prescribe_v and_o appoint_v by_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o excellent_a doctrine_n and_o instruction_n thereof_o the_o exemplary_a life_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n how_o many_o thing_n in_o our_o religion_n be_v witness_v to_o and_o approve_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o rational_a and_o learned_a heathen_n and_o how_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o julian_n porphyry_n and_o other_o be_v once_o christian_n and_o come_v to_o renounce_v the_o same_o mere_o through_o pride_n and_o discontent_n if_o these_o and_o other_o thing_n relate_v to_o our_o religion_n be_v but_o due_o weigh_v it_o will_v appear_v even_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v much_o truth_n and_o excellency_n therein_o and_o that_o other_o religion_n be_v but_o fictitious_a and_o vain_a have_v no_o rational_a consistence_n in_o they_o but_o we_o will_v handle_v this_o matter_n more_o particular_o though_o with_o as_o much_o brevity_n as_o possible_o we_o can_v first_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n prove_v it_o to_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n prima_fw-la sunt_fw-la vera_fw-la verum_fw-la est_fw-la prius_fw-la that_o be_v most_o true_a which_o be_v most_o ancient_a see_v the_o true_a religion_n be_v the_o way_n whereby_o man_n must_v come_v to_o god_n and_o have_v communion_n with_o he_o and_o be_v copula_fw-la relationis_fw-la between_o god_n and_o man_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o man_n be_v as_o for_o the_o write_n of_o most_o of_o the_o heathen_n unless_o it_o be_v those_o that_o be_v forge_v and_o suppositious_a they_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o in_o comparison_n of_o moses_n the_o lawgiver_n under_o god_n to_o the_o jew_n even_o orpheus_n the_o first_o heathen_a poet_n be_v eight_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n as_o strabo_n plutarch_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n testify_v the_o most_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o heathen_n begin_v in_o solon_n time_n which_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n the_o roman_n have_v their_o religion_n from_o the_o grecian_n and_o the_o grecian_n from_o caecrop_a a_o egyptian_a and_o the_o carthaginian_n have_v they_o from_o cadmus_n a_o phoenician_n now_o these_o two_o country_n egypt_n and_o phoenicia_n with_o the_o mediterranean_a sea_n do_v compass_n about_o judaea_n and_o therefore_o any_o man_n that_o be_v rational_a may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o all_o their_o religion_n come_v from_o the_o jew_n this_o be_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v by_o several_a writer_n of_o we_o and_o particular_o by_o mr._n gale_n in_o his_o late_a book_n so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a for_o i_o to_o enlarge_v upon_o this_o subject_n when_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o greece_n ask_v their_o god_n whence_o the_o knowledge_n of_o art_n and_o science_n shall_v come_v they_o receive_v this_o answer_n solus_fw-la utique_fw-la chaldaeus_n sapiens_fw-la and_o orpheus_n their_o ancient_a poet_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o god_n be_v angry_a he_o destroy_v the_o world_n commit_v the_o truth_n uni_fw-la chaldaeo_n and_o plato_n in_o his_o epimenides_n refer_v all_o uni_fw-la barbaro_n if_o it_o be_v demand_v who_o this_o chaldean_a this_o barbarian_a shall_v be_v the_o egyptian_n call_v he_o theut_n which_o signify_v a_o stranger_n meaning_n abraham_n for_o so_o origen_n against_o celsus_n and_o josephus_n against_o appian_n say_v plain_o that_o when_o the_o heathen_a nation_n use_v to_o conjure_v they_o will_v make_v use_n of_o abraham_n name_n say_v per_fw-la deum_fw-la abraham_n well_o then_o if_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v ancient_a we_o
must_v needs_o be_v so_o too_o for_o we_o be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o evangelical_o consider_v their_o type_n sacrifice_n prophecy_n and_o ordinance_n refer_v to_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o very_a substance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o moysaicall_a law_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n what_o be_v it_o else_o but_o evangelium_fw-la reconditum_fw-la a_o veil_a gospel_n and_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n what_o be_v it_o but_o lex_fw-la revelata_fw-la the_o law_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n reveal_v and_o thus_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o most_o ancient_a second_o if_o we_o look_v at_o the_o mean_n and_o way_n of_o atonement_n and_o propitiation_n hold_v forth_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o must_v needs_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o most_o wise_a and_o reasonable_a of_o any_o religion_n the_o eternal_a god_n or_o supreme_a be_v as_o he_o be_v full_a of_o love_n and_o mercy_n so_o he_o be_v just_a and_o righteous_a his_o justice_n be_v infinite_a as_o himself_o be_v he_o will_v so_o show_v mercy_n as_o that_o he_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v infinite_o just_a towards_o the_o the_o offender_n and_o therefore_o in_o reason_n there_o must_v be_v some_o way_n or_o mean_n of_o satisfaction_n and_o atonement_n find_v out_o or_o else_o god_n and_o man_n be_v separarate_v by_o sin_n can_v not_o be_v reunite_v the_o wise_a sort_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v convince_v by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n that_o man_n be_v alienate_v from_o god_n and_o not_o able_a of_o himself_o to_o come_v to_o god_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o darkness_n and_o ignorance_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o some_o way_n or_o mean_n of_o cleanse_v and_o atonement_n hence_o come_v the_o multitude_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o oblation_n especial_o when_o any_o great_a plague_n or_o judgement_n be_v upon_o they_o but_o now_o that_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n shall_v be_v this_o way_n or_o mean_n by_o give_v up_o himself_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n of_o this_o they_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a be_v it_o so_o that_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n offend_v by_o sin_n be_v infinite_a then_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o this_o infinite_a justice_n shall_v have_v infinite_a reparation_n and_o satisfaction_n which_o neither_o angel_n nor_o man_n be_v but_o finite_a creature_n can_v give_v to_o the_o infinite_a god_n and_o therefore_o unless_o the_o mediator_n or_o days-man_n that_o take_v up_o the_o difference_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v himself_o the_o infinite_a god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n such_o a_o infinite_a satisfaction_n can_v be_v give_v this_o way_n or_o mean_n be_v contrive_v and_o find_v out_o only_o by_o the_o wise_a infinite_a god_n and_o clear_o hold_v forth_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o in_o no_o other_o religion_n beside_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v even_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n the_o best_a and_o safe_a and_o true_a religion_n as_o that_o which_o vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o great_a god_n and_o give_v true_a peace_n and_o security_n to_o man_n three_o the_o glorious_a miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n may_v convince_v any_o man_n reason_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n not_o only_o josephus_n and_o other_o jew_n beside_o he_o but_o also_o divers_a heathen_a author_n and_o some_o of_o christ_n great_a adversary_n do_v acknowledge_v his_o miracle_n julian_n the_o apostata_fw-la as_o great_a a_o enemy_n as_o he_o be_v confess_v that_o jesus_n cure_v the_o blind_a and_o the_o lame_a and_o deliver_v some_o from_o devil_n that_o be_v possess_v in_o bethsaida_n and_o bethany_n pilate_n himself_o in_o a_o letter_n of_o he_o to_o the_o emperor_n tiberius_n witness_v that_o jesus_n give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a cleanse_v the_o leper_n heal_v they_o that_o be_v disease_v deliver_v they_o that_o be_v possess_v from_o devil_n overrule_v the_o water_n raise_v the_o dead_a and_z rise_v again_o himself_o from_o the_o dead_a after_o three_o day_n hereupon_o tertullian_n bid_v the_o senate_n and_o people_n of_o rome_n read_v their_o own_o commentary_n and_o search_v their_o record_n where_o they_o shall_v find_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n which_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o be_v true_a and_o real_a tertullian_n himself_o in_o this_o case_n may_v have_v be_v easy_o convict_v of_o lie_v and_o forgery_n these_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v wrought_v not_o in_o one_o or_o two_o place_n but_o in_o many_o not_o in_o a_o corner_n but_o in_o the_o open_a view_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v attend_v with_o such_o majesty_n and_o power_n that_o there_o be_v thousand_o that_o will_v rather_o die_v on_o a_o rack_n than_o deny_v or_o gainsay_v the_o same_o jesus_n wrought_v great_a miracle_n say_v josephus_n and_o although_o he_o be_v crucify_a and_o put_v to_o death_n yet_o his_o disciple_n forsake_v he_o not_o but_o do_v cleave_v unto_o he_o and_o as_o he_o himself_o wrought_v many_o miracle_n when_o he_o be_v upon_o earth_n so_o his_o disciple_n after_o he_o be_v go_v from_o they_o by_o his_o power_n and_o virtue_n do_v likewise_o effect_v such_o miracle_n as_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o the_o fame_n of_o they_o and_o be_v a_o special_a mean_n to_o convert_v whole_a kingdom_n to_o christ_n if_o any_o be_v so_o absurd_a and_o impudent_a as_o to_o deny_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n than_o i_o will_v ask_v of_o they_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o a_o great_a and_o strange_a miracle_n that_o so_o many_o nation_n and_o in_o they_o so_o many_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n shall_v follow_v and_o adore_v a_o poor_a contemptible_a man_n without_o miracle_n and_o shall_v be_v willing_a to_o die_v for_o he_o even_o for_o he_o that_o die_v a_o curse_a ignominious_a death_n upon_o the_o cross_n if_o his_o miracle_n be_v not_o great_a and_o far_o surmount_v the_o nature_n and_o capacity_n of_o a_o mere_a man_n if_o they_o be_v not_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a can_v any_o sober_a man_n imagine_v that_o so_o many_o thousand_o will_v be_v so_o far_o convince_v and_o persuade_v by_o they_o as_o to_o die_v joyful_o and_o triumphant_o for_o the_o name_n and_o honour_n of_o this_o jesus_n be_v it_o a_o miracle_n to_o work_v upon_o a_o man_n by_o touch_v he_o and_o much_o more_o without_o touch_v he_o and_o most_o of_o all_o without_o see_v he_o then_o what_o a_o miracle_n be_v it_o to_o work_v powerful_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o whole_a nation_n a_o far_o off_o without_o once_o see_v they_o and_o to_o touch_v they_o without_o come_v at_o they_o and_o to_o convert_v and_o draw_v they_o to_o himself_o without_o touch_v they_o with_o his_o hand_n yea_o but_o say_v some_o very_o absurd_o and_o irrational_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v miracle_n by_o the_o help_n of_o magic_n let_v such_o vain_a man_n resolve_v we_o if_o ever_o they_o know_v or_o hear_v of_o a_o magician_n that_o wrought_v such_o miracle_n and_o come_v with_o such_o power_n and_o efficacy_n upon_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n after_o his_o death_n as_o jesus_n do_v and_o as_o for_o his_o apostle_n what_o gain_n or_o advantage_n can_v they_o get_v by_o exercise_v this_o magic_n no_o considerate_a man_n will_v attempt_v any_o great_a matter_n but_o for_o some_o end_n or_o other_o now_o what_o profit_n what_o preferment_n what_o honour_n in_o this_o world_n get_v they_o by_o it_o nay_o do_v it_o not_o procure_v they_o much_o hatred_n danger_n imprisonment_n torment_n and_o at_o last_o death_n itself_o magician_n usual_o hide_v themselves_o and_o conceal_v their_o art_n when_o they_o be_v pursue_v for_o it_o but_o do_v the_o apostle_n do_v so_o what_o a_o strange_a kind_n of_o magic_n be_v this_o that_o will_v needs_o be_v know_v and_o exercise_v even_o in_o despite_n of_o the_o rage_n of_o ruler_n and_o people_n yea_o of_o death_n itself_o doubtless_o it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o as_o in_o moses_n time_n god_n so_o order_v in_o his_o wise_a providence_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v many_o great_a magician_n in_o egypt_n that_o he_o may_v make_v his_o own_o power_n the_o more_o evident_a so_o in_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n there_o be_v great_a store_n of_o they_o in_o judaea_n rome_n and_o other_o place_n that_o a_o difference_n may_v be_v put_v between_o the_o illusion_n of_o satan_n and_o the_o miraculous_a work_n of_o god_n pliny_n report_v that_o there_o be_v never_o more_o magician_n in_o the_o world_n than_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o nero_n which_o be_v the_o time_n of_o spread_v the_o gospel_n by_o christ_n apostle_n neither_o be_v the_o vanity_n of_o that_o art_n as_o he_o say_v ever_o more_o apparent_o know_v than_o at_o that_o time_n if_o therefore_o this_o art_n of_o magic_n do_v never_o
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 promise_v his_o subject_n and_o follower_n why_o instead_o of_o great_a matter_n that_o they_o may_v expect_v in_o this_o life_n he_o tell_v they_o plain_o what_o great_a affliction_n and_o tribulation_n they_o must_v endure_v for_o his_o sake_n if_o they_o will_v follow_v he_o and_o be_v his_o disciple_n indeed_o they_o must_v expect_v to_o be_v persecute_v reproach_v scourge_v imprison_v and_o put_v to_o death_n whereas_o other_o king_n and_o monarch_n promise_v great_a dignity_n and_o preferment_n in_o the_o world_n to_o their_o follower_n this_o king_n on_o the_o contrary_a by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n draw_v the_o nation_n to_o he_o other_o monarch_n conquer_v by_o kill_v their_o enemy_n this_o king_n conquer_a by_o die_v for_o his_o enemy_n the_o death_n other_o monarch_n be_v the_o decay_n and_o ruin_n of_o their_o kingdom_n and_o conquest_n but_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n have_v establish_v and_o enlarge_v his_o kingdom_n and_o be_v the_o life_n and_o happiness_n of_o his_o subject_n who_o see_v not_o therefore_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n a_o humane_a weakness_n in_o the_o greatness_n of_o worldly_a empire_n and_o a_o divine_a power_n in_o the_o weakness_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n when_o he_o die_v and_o be_v bury_v his_o kingdom_n seem_v to_o die_v and_o to_o be_v bury_v with_o he_o a_o few_o poor_a despise_a follower_n he_o have_v and_o these_o be_v at_o their_o wit_n end_v when_o their_o lord_n and_o master_n be_v crucify_a and_o lay_v in_o the_o grave_a well_o but_o at_o length_n they_o open_v their_o mouth_n and_o bold_o teach_v man_n to_o believe_v on_o jesus_n who_o be_v crucify_a and_o bury_v but_o be_v now_o rise_v again_o and_o to_o suffer_v for_o his_o sake_n and_o if_o they_o be_v forbid_v they_o will_v rather_o die_v than_o not_o preach_v and_o own_o this_o crucify_a jesus_n hereupon_o they_o be_v accuse_v and_o bring_v before_o magistrate_n where_o they_o own_o their_o crime_n as_o their_o adversary_n term_v it_o and_o be_v not_o ashamed_a of_o it_o and_o be_v not_o this_o admirable_a other_o malefactor_n be_v torment_v to_o make_v they_o confess_v their_o fault_n and_o these_o be_v torment_v to_o make_v they_o conceal_v it_o those_o hold_v their_o peace_n to_o save_v their_o life_n &_o these_o die_n for_o speak_v and_o yet_o by_o this_o strange_a way_n and_o mean_n christ_n that_o be_v crucify_v spread_v his_o kingdom_n and_o fill_v the_o whole_a world_n with_o it_o out_o of_o weakness_n he_o bring_v forth_o strength_n and_o out_o of_o death_n he_o bring_v forth_o life_n and_o who_o can_v thus_o draw_v one_o contrary_a out_o of_o another_o who_o can_v thus_o overcome_v by_o yield_v who_o can_v thus_o trample_v upon_o and_o triumph_v over_o his_o enemy_n by_o die_v but_o jesus_n in_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n be_v and_o who_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n but_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a whilst_o he_o live_v upon_o earth_n he_o be_v despise_v and_o reject_v but_o after_o his_o death_n he_o be_v worship_v as_o god_n even_o to_o this_o day_n and_o his_o true_a follower_n will_v rather_o die_v a_o thousand_o death_n than_o deny_v his_o eternal_a godhead_n and_o kingdom_n and_o may_v not_o this_o one_o consideration_n if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o touch_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n wherein_o it_o far_o excel_v the_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n serve_v to_o convince_v any_o sober_a rational_a man_n of_o the_o verity_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n six_o what_o strange_a conversion_n and_o change_n have_v be_v wrought_v by_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o famous_a man_n for_o learning_n and_o part_n how_o be_v they_o wrought_v upon_o and_o convert_v by_o the_o plain_a preach_v of_o weak_a simple_a man_n even_o by_o the_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v as_o the_o world_n count_v it_o that_o so_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o excellency_n of_o this_o jesus_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n may_v the_o more_o appear_v paul_n before_o his_o conversion_n be_v count_v a_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o be_v in_o great_a reputation_n so_o that_o porphyry_n the_o famous_a philosopher_n say_v of_o he_o that_o it_o be_v great_a pity_n such_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v a_o christian_n yet_o when_o paul_n have_v receive_v the_o great_a authority_n and_o rage_v most_o against_o the_o gospel_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v wonderful_o convert_v and_o turn_v quite_o another_o way_n and_o be_v glad_a to_o tread_v many_o a_o weary_a step_n and_o to_o endure_v many_o great_a difficulty_n for_o the_o gospel_n sake_n origen_n also_o a_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n in_o philosophy_n and_o the_o art_n be_v convert_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v content_a to_o be_v a_o poor_a catechist_n in_o alexandria_n and_o be_v every_o day_n in_o danger_n of_o death_n when_o he_o may_v have_v be_v with_o his_o fellow_n plotinus_n in_o great_a authority_n and_o favour_n have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o his_o christian_a profession_n sure_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v some_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a power_n that_o do_v thus_o prevail_v upon_o these_o man_n and_o upon_o many_o other_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n that_o may_v be_v mention_v never_o be_v there_o such_o wonderful_a conversion_n in_o any_o religion_n as_o in_o this_o never_o such_o sound_a repentance_n and_o reformation_n never_o such_o true_a justice_n fortitude_n and_o constancy_n in_o affliction_n even_o to_o death_n and_o martyrdom_n as_o in_o this_o so_o that_o it_o be_v common_o say_v of_o the_o christian_n soli_n christiani_n mortis_fw-la contemptores_fw-la seven_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o it_o have_v be_v so_o much_o oppose_v and_o persecute_v from_o time_n to_o time_n by_o the_o rage_n and_o cruelty_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n as_o it_o be_v common_o say_v of_o that_o monster_n nero_n a_o persecutor_n of_o christian_n that_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o good_a and_o excellent_a thing_n which_o so_o wicked_a a_o man_n hate_v the_o more_o wicked_a and_o ungodly_a man_n be_v the_o more_o they_o hate_v that_o which_o be_v divine_a and_o which_o most_o resemble_v the_o holy_a god_n now_o no_o religion_n or_o profession_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o desperate_o hate_v and_o persecute_v by_o wicked_a ungodly_a wretch_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o the_o more_o it_o have_v be_v oppose_v and_o trample_v upon_o by_o they_o the_o more_o it_o have_v prevail_v and_o flourish_v even_o in_o despite_n of_o their_o rage_n and_o malice_n what_o a_o miserable_a end_n do_v befall_v herod_n and_o other_o great_a persecutor_n of_o this_o religion_n many_o of_o which_o do_v vindicate_v christ_n and_o his_o truth_n at_o and_o by_o their_o death_n when_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n be_v heavy_a upon_o they_o though_o they_o have_v rage_v against_o he_o in_o their_o life_n time_n and_o do_v whatever_o they_o can_v to_o root_v out_o his_o kingdom_n and_o people_n nay_o satan_n himself_o the_o great_a persecutor_n of_o all_o have_v witness_v for_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o himself_o all_o the_o art_n magic_n which_o he_o invent_v can_v never_o conjure_v or_o call_v up_o christ_n plotinus_n and_o apollonius_n and_o other_o great_a magician_n that_o raise_v up_o the_o image_n of_o jupiter_n and_o other_o heathen_a god_n though_o they_o assay_v with_o all_o their_o skill_n and_o power_n to_o bring_v up_o the_o image_n of_o christ_n yet_o can_v they_o never_o effect_v it_o for_o christ_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o their_o power_n be_v infinite_o above_o they_o it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o the_o heathen_n that_o at_o the_o birth_n and_o death_n of_o
this_o jesus_n their_o idol-god_n fall_v down_o and_o their_o oracle_n at_o delphos_n dodon_n and_o other_o place_n be_v strike_v dumb_a insomuch_o as_o porphyry_n himself_o confess_v and_o bewail_v that_o since_o the_o time_n that_o jesus_n be_v worship_v they_o have_v have_v no_o benefit_n at_o all_o by_o any_o of_o their_o god_n the_o voice_n that_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o air_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n caesar_n about_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n death_n command_v the_o master_n of_o the_o ship_n to_o cry_v aloud_o that_o the_o great_a god_n pan_n be_v dead_a upon_o which_o follow_v great_a screeching_n and_o lamentation_n in_o the_o air_n we_o find_v mention_v in_o divers_a credible_a author_n lactantius_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o the_o heathen_n offer_v sacrifice_n to_o their_o god_n the_o very_a presence_n of_o a_o christian_a will_v dash_v and_o spoil_v their_o mystery_n and_o thereupon_o come_v that_o speech_n which_o we_o read_v in_o lucian_n if_o there_o be_v any_o christian_n here_o let_v he_o depart_v hence_o this_o jesus_n have_v make_v such_o work_n among_o the_o idol-god_n that_o augustine_n cry_v out_o where_o be_v your_o god_n where_o be_v your_o prophet_n where_o be_v your_o oracle_n where_o be_v your_o sacrifice_n be_v they_o not_o cease_v if_o christ_n the_o ark_n of_o god_n come_v in_o place_n dagon_n the_o great_a idol_n must_v needs_o fall_v down_o now_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v three_o great_a enemy_n in_o the_o world_n heathen_n jew_n and_o mahumetan_n against_o who_o religion_n or_o rather_o superstition_n we_o will_v speak_v a_o few_o word_n to_o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n and_o absurdity_n thereof_o and_o first_o idolatry_n first_o i._o reason_n against_o the_o heathenish_a idolatry_n touch_v the_o heathen_a god_n we_o have_v this_o to_o say_v against_o they_o in_o a_o way_n of_o reason_n which_o may_v be_v much_o more_o enlarge_v that_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v vain_a and_o even_o ridiculous_a since_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o their_o own_o learned_a writer_n these_o god_n or_o rather_o devil_n do_v command_v image_n to_o be_v erect_v to_o they_o and_o tell_v the_o fashion_n that_o they_o be_v of_o and_o be_v not_o this_o absurd_a and_o unbecoming_a the_o majesty_n of_o a_o deity_n see_v the_o true_a and_o infinite_a god_n who_o dwell_v in_o the_o light_a inaccessible_a can_v be_v resemble_v by_o any_o shape_n what_o do_v these_o dunghil-god_n of_o they_o chief_o command_n and_o forbid_v but_o outward_a corporeal_a thing_n whereas_o the_o true_a god_n be_v a_o holy_a glorious_a spirit_n who_o command_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n and_o chief_o require_v spiritual_a worship_n and_o obedience_n these_o god_n of_o they_o be_v not_o of_o universal_a use_n nor_o be_v they_o good_a for_o all_o thing_n one_o forsooth_o be_v good_a for_o medicine_n and_o another_o for_o wisdom_n and_o another_o for_o war_n whereas_o the_o true_a god_n be_v a_o universal_a perfect_a good_a the_o religion_n of_o these_o heathen_a god_n consist_v only_o in_o offer_v frankincense_n and_o spice_n and_o outward_a oblation_n which_o can_v never_o cleanse_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n from_o its_o spot_n and_o defilement_n and_o therefore_o when_o cyril_n tell_v julian_n the_o apostata_fw-la that_o sin_n defile_v the_o soul_n and_o that_o outward_a and_o bodily_a thing_n can_v never_o wash_v away_o the_o inward_a filthiness_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o spirit_n this_o make_v julian_n stagger_v for_o he_o can_v not_o tell_v how_o to_o answer_v it_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v further_o be_v not_o the_o parent_n birth_n and_o manner_n of_o these_o goodly_a deity_n particular_o set_v down_o by_o their_o own_o poet_n and_o philosopher_n and_o by_o divers_a of_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o our_o own_o modern_a writer_n and_o be_v it_o not_o ridiculous_a for_o any_o man_n to_o believe_v that_o these_o be_v true_a god_n nay_o true_o they_o be_v not_o only_a man_n who_o the_o heathen_n worship_v but_o wicked_a man_n the_o worst_a and_o vile_a of_o man_n give_v up_o to_o whoredom_n and_o drunkenness_n and_o cruelty_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n yea_o they_o be_v devil_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n that_o appear_v in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n and_o command_v themselves_o to_o be_v worship_v so_o absurd_a and_o irrational_a be_v some_o of_o these_o poor_a heathen_n that_o they_o do_v not_o only_a worship_n wicked_a man_n and_o devil_n but_o even_o beast_n also_o a_o ox_n a_o dog_n a_o crocodile_n yea_o onion_n and_o garlic_n o_o monstrous_a folly_n and_o madness_n how_o do_v the_o devil_n bewitch_v they_o what_o horrid_a cruelty_n do_v he_o exercise_v upon_o they_o command_v they_o to_o sacrifice_v man_n and_o woman_n to_o he_o when_o he_o be_v grievous_o offend_v with_o they_o as_o he_o do_v at_o this_o day_n in_o some_o heathenish_a country_n but_o when_o he_o be_v more_o mild_a and_o gentle_a then_o forsooth_o he_o must_v have_v stage-play_n music_n dance_v and_o the_o like_a pastime_n to_o make_v he_o merry_a behold_v here_o the_o vanity_n and_o brutishness_n of_o the_o heathenish_a idolatry_n second_o as_o for_o the_o jew_n religion_n jew_n ii_o against_o the_o jewish_a religion_n they_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a in_o their_o enmity_n against_o christ_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o they_o as_o well_o as_o by_o we_o though_o they_o do_v not_o right_o and_o spiritual_o understand_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o veil_n which_o be_v upon_o their_o heart_n to_o this_o day_n so_o blind_a and_o so_o delude_v they_o be_v as_o to_o hold_v that_o the_o true_a messiah_n be_v yet_o to_o come_v that_o jesus_n be_v not_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o when_o the_o messiah_n first_o come_v he_o shall_v be_v great_a in_o the_o world_n and_o have_v a_o princely_a court_n and_o attendant_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v subdue_v all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n now_o true_o these_o be_v but_o vain_a dream_n and_o fancy_n of_o they_o and_o quite_o contrary_a to_o scripture_n and_o reason_n in_o jacob_n prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n gen._n 49.10_o we_o read_v that_o the_o sceptre_n be_v not_o to_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n till_o shiloh_n come_v by_o which_o shiloh_n be_v mean_v the_o true_a messiah_n but_o the_o sceptre_n be_v then_o new_o depart_v when_o jesus_n come_v and_o therefore_o he_o be_v the_o true_a shiloh_n or_o messiah_n the_o sceptre_n as_o be_v well_o know_v be_v in_o judah_n till_o the_o captivity_n and_o after_o the_o captivity_n it_o continue_v till_o aristobulus_n and_o hircanus_n who_o contend_v for_o it_o be_v both_o of_o they_o dispossess_v of_o it_o and_o herod_n a_o idumaean_a and_o a_o stranger_n be_v invest_v with_o the_o royal_a dignity_n and_o then_o come_v christ_n as_o be_v long_o before_o prophesy_v after_o who_o come_v the_o jew_n be_v disperse_v and_o scatter_v throughout_o the_o earth_n so_o that_o now_o there_o be_v no_o distinct_a tribe_n of_o judah_n but_o they_o be_v all_o mingle_a one_o with_o another_o the_o roman_a emperor_n still_o labour_v to_o root_v out_o the_o jew_n and_o especial_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n which_o make_v they_o to_o confound_v their_o genealogy_n that_o the_o seventy_o week_n refer_v to_o the_o come_n of_o the_o true_a messiah_n dan._n 9.24_o be_v long_o since_o determine_v he_o that_o run_v may_v read_v it_o and_o yet_o the_o messiah_n not_o come_v if_o we_o will_v believe_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n in_o their_o talmud_n we_o read_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o hillel_n who_o they_o high_o esteem_v perceive_v the_o first_o seven_o week_n in_o daniel_n to_o fall_v out_o so_o just_o they_o look_v for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o those_o day_n be_v long_o before_o the_o full_a time_n because_o they_o have_v read_v in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n that_o the_o lord_n will_v shorten_v those_o day_n and_o immediate_o before_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o saviour_n we_o find_v that_o there_o be_v a_o general_a expectation_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o continual_a send_n to_o john_n baptist_n to_o know_v whether_o he_o himself_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o they_o must_v expect_v another_o and_o about_o this_o time_n also_o which_o may_v be_v a_o further_a proof_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v there_o be_v more_o false_a christ_n and_o deceiver_n such_o as_o judas_n theudas_n gaulonite_n barcosba_n as_o the_o scripture_n and_o josephus_n with_o other_o writer_n bear_v witness_v than_o be_v ever_o before_o or_o since_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n hag._n 2.10_o be_v great_a than_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o first_o be_v it_o not_o by_o the_o come_n and_o
subtlety_n of_o antiochus_n nero_n dioclesian_n julian_n the_o apostate_n and_o other_o cruel_a and_o subtle_a persecutor_n and_o notwithstanding_o that_o egyptian_a darkness_n of_o popery_n error_n and_o ignorance_n which_o overspread_v the_o world_n for_o some_o hundred_o year_n since_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n during_o which_o time_n these_o sacred_a write_n be_v lay_v aside_o and_o contemn_v and_o blind_a ignorance_n extol_v as_o the_o mother_n of_o devotion_n five_o the_o very_a style_n of_o the_o scripture_n argue_v the_o divine_a authority_n thereof_o by_o the_o style_n we_o do_v not_o understand_v the_o external_a superficies_n of_o word_n and_o phrase_n but_o the_o whole_a order_n contexture_n and_o frame_n thereof_o which_o fit_o agree_v to_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o speaker_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n treat_v of_o and_o be_v excellent_o and_o wise_o temper_v according_a to_o the_o capacity_n and_o condition_n of_o they_o for_o who_o sake_n it_o be_v write_v indeed_o every_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n almost_o have_v a_o peculiar_a style_n god_n make_v use_n of_o their_o several_a faculty_n and_o ability_n isaiah_n be_v eloquent_a and_o sweet_a david_n affectionate_a solomon_n accurate_a jeremiah_n vehement_a and_o more_o rough_a and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o several_a apostle_n and_o evangelist_n that_o their_o style_n be_v somewhat_o different_a but_o all_o of_o they_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a the_o majesty_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o style_n appear_v in_o that_o majestic_a title_n and_o dignity_n which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v just_o challenge_v to_o himself_o the_o which_o import_v independency_n of_o nature_n and_o essence_n supereminency_n of_o power_n and_o sovereignty_n and_o excellency_n both_o of_o property_n and_o work_n and_o be_v further_o display_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o teach_v which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n command_v promise_a and_o threaten_a thing_n above_o sense_n and_o reason_n in_o this_o book_n there_o be_v hide_a mystery_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n such_o as_o exceed_v all_o humane_a capacity_n reveal_v &_o unfold_v without_o argumentation_n or_o rhetorical_a motive_n of_o persuasion_n and_o we_o be_v require_v to_o understand_v and_o believe_v they_o rely_v only_o upon_o the_o truth_n and_o credit_n of_o the_o revealer_n god_n the_o great_a and_o absolute_a sovereign_n require_v in_o his_o word_n such_o and_o such_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v such_o and_o such_o duty_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o son_n of_o man_n with_o great_a strictness_n and_o severity_n and_o yet_o bring_v no_o argument_n to_o persuade_v or_o confirm_v the_o equity_n of_o these_o command_n but_o only_o the_o will_n of_o the_o commander_n which_o though_o it_o become_v not_o man_n to_o do_v yet_o it_o well_o become_v the_o majesty_n of_o god_n in_o this_o book_n also_o promise_n be_v make_v of_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v whereof_o there_o be_v no_o humane_a probability_n nor_o reason_n give_v to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o performance_n thereof_o but_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o and_o i_o will_v do_v it_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o threaten_v also_o the_o like_a majesty_n and_o sovereign_a authority_n may_v be_v observe_v throughout_o the_o scripture_n which_o you_o shall_v not_o meet_v with_o in_o mere_a humane_a writing_n god_n command_v and_o threaten_v without_o respect_n of_o person_n be_v they_o what_o they_o will_v be_v it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o he_o he_o prescribe_v his_o law_n to_o all_o man_n magistrate_n and_o ruler_n scholar_n and_o soldier_n to_o whole_a kingdom_n and_o state_n command_v and_o require_v what_o be_v distasteful_a to_o their_o fleshly_a nature_n and_o interest_n and_o forbid_v what_o they_o approve_v and_o commend_v promise_v they_o not_o earthly_a honour_n and_o riches_n but_o life_n eternal_a if_o they_o be_v obedient_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o threaten_v they_o not_o with_o rack_n or_o gibbet_n but_o with_o eternal_a death_n and_o torment_n if_o they_o disobey_v neither_o let_v any_o man_n be_v offend_v with_o the_o low_a and_o humble_a manner_n of_o speech_n use_v in_o holy_a scripture_n for_o it_o be_v pen_v for_o the_o use_n and_o benefit_n of_o the_o unlearned_a as_o well_o as_o the_o learned_a for_o those_o of_o weak_a part_n as_o well_o as_o for_o those_o of_o strong_a part_n and_o ability_n and_o though_o the_o phrase_n or_o manner_n of_o speech_n be_v plain_a yet_o the_o matter_n be_v high_a and_o excellent_a profound_a and_o unutterable_a plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n do_v best_a become_v the_o truth_n a_o pearl_n need_v no_o paint_n true_a beauty_n need_v not_o a_o whorish_a dress_n to_o set_v it_o forth_o nor_o need_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n to_o be_v support_v or_o underpropt_v with_o foreign_a aid_n for_o it_o be_v of_o itself_o sufficient_a to_o uphold_v and_o sustain_v itself_o it_o become_v not_o the_o majesty_n of_o a_o prince_n to_o play_v the_o 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
or_o inflict_v eternal_a death_n and_o condemnation_n by_o the_o word_n of_o his_o power_n but_o the_o eternal_a god_n nine_o the_o end_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v divine_a namely_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n not_o so_o much_o corporal_n and_o temporal_a as_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a the_o doctrine_n precept_n promise_n prohibition_n narration_n threaten_n punishment_n and_o reward_n thereof_o be_v all_o refer_v final_o and_o ultimate_o to_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o supreme_a be_v and_o chief_a good_a which_o show_v plain_o that_o they_o be_v divine_a and_o from_o above_o and_o to_o speak_v truth_n and_o reason_n what_o be_v more_o equal_a and_o just_a then_o that_o all_o thing_n shall_v return_v thither_o from_o whence_o they_o have_v their_o first_o rise_n and_o original_a for_o of_o he_o and_o through_o he_o and_o to_o he_o be_v all_o thing_n to_o who_o everlasting_a glory_n be_v due_a from_o all_o creature_n rom._n 11.36_o the_o scripture_n plain_o point_v out_o to_o man_n what_o true_a blessedness_n be_v wherein_o it_o consist_v and_o where_o and_o how_o it_o be_v to_o be_v have_v and_o enjoy_v namely_o in_o the_o everlasting_a vision_n and_o fruition_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n which_o man_n may_v attain_v unto_o by_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n in_o who_o god_n be_v reconcile_v and_o well_o please_v and_o this_o be_v a_o firm_a and_o clear_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o what_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o wisdom_n bounty_n mercy_n goodness_n and_o power_n of_o god_n then_o to_o restore_v man_n fall_v and_o to_o make_v he_o partaker_n of_o eternal_a bliss_n and_o happiness_n and_o who_o can_v show_v to_o man_n how_o he_o may_v be_v restore_v and_o admit_v into_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n have_v offend_v his_o glorious_a majesty_n who_o can_v direct_v and_o lead_v he_o in_o the_o way_n to_o true_a bliss_n and_o happiness_n but_o god_n who_o be_v wisdom_n and_o goodness_n itself_o and_o who_o have_v effectual_o do_v it_o in_o and_o by_o his_o son_n the_o essential_a word_n and_o by_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n these_o argument_n and_o demonstration_n whether_o they_o be_v several_o or_o joint_o consider_v by_o we_o do_v as_o strong_o prove_v and_o evince_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o only_a true_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o any_o reason_n can_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v any_o true_a religion_n or_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o in_o matter_n that_o concern_v religion_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o therefore_o may_v serve_v to_o convince_v and_o satisfy_v the_o reason_n of_o any_o sober_a man_n touch_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o law_n of_o christ_n chap._n xiii_o of_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o judge_v of_o controversy_n every_o christian_n shall_v so_o far_o improve_v his_o reason_n as_o not_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n by_o the_o mere_a dictate_v of_o man_n be_v they_o prince_n be_v they_o pope_n be_v they_o counsel_n be_v they_o never_o so_o learned_a or_o pious_a he_o ought_v not_o in_o aliorum_fw-la sententias_fw-la pedibus_fw-la potius_fw-la quam_fw-la cordibus_fw-la ire_n reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o these_o matter_n shall_v go_v before_o and_o make_v way_n for_o his_o practice_n as_o there_o be_v some_o that_o vain_o magnify_v and_o lift_v up_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n above_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o judge_v of_o the_o authority_n and_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n so_o there_o be_v other_o and_z more_z especial_o that_o bestial_a antichristian_a kingdom_n of_o the_o papacy_n that_o will_v transform_v reasonable_a man_n and_o christian_n into_o sensitive_a and_o irrational_a creature_n by_o the_o deceit_n and_o legerdemain_n of_o a_o popish_a implicit_a credulity_n which_o command_v man_n to_o put_v out_o their_o lamp_n to_o pluck_v out_o their_o eye_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n to_o renounce_v their_o sense_n reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o so_o to_o follow_v their_o leader_n blindfold_a wheresoever_o they_o go_v and_o i_o can_v wish_v there_o be_v not_o too_o much_o of_o this_o implicit_a faith_n and_o blind_a devotion_n among_o protestant_n yea_o and_o among_o some_o that_o seem_v more_o forward_o and_o zealous_a than_o other_o at_o least_o for_o a_o party_n the_o rant_a romanist_n tell_v we_o with_o noise_n and_o clamour_n enough_o of_o a_o visible_a supreme_a tribunal_n and_o a_o infallible_a head_n of_o the_o church_n here_o upon_o earth_n who_o be_v to_o regulate_v all_o person_n and_o determine_v all_o controversy_n though_o never_o so_o much_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n other_o of_o they_o more_o prudent_a and_o moderate_a resolve_v the_o final_a judgement_n of_o controversy_n into_o the_o determination_n of_o a_o general_a council_n and_o all_o of_o they_o general_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o church_n hence_o be_v that_o impudent_a say_n of_o bayly_n the_o jesuit_n that_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n he_o will_v believe_v st._n matthew_n no_o more_o than_o titus_n livius_n a_o heathen_a author_n and_o stapleton_n be_v so_o much_o for_o a_o blind_a implicit_a obedience_n in_o contempt_n of_o reason_n that_o he_o tell_v we_o plain_o the_o people_n be_v so_o subject_v to_o the_o sentence_n of_o their_o pastor_n that_o if_o their_o pastor_n err_v in_o any_o thing_n the_o people_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o err_v in_o obedience_n to_o they_o and_o again_o as_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o believe_v christ_n say_v he_o so_o be_v we_o simple_o and_o in_o every_o thing_n to_o believe_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n whether_o it_o teach_v truth_n or_o error_n o_o monstrous_a be_v not_o this_o a_o base_a tyranny_n a_o brutish_a unreasonable_a act_n of_o they_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v white_a which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v black_a that_o to_o be_v true_a which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v false_a there_o be_v some_o indeed_o among_o they_o more_o rational_a and_o sober_a who_o will_v not_o have_v private_a christian_n put_v out_o their_o eye_n but_o make_v use_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o judge_v of_o controversy_n the_o examination_n and_o trial_n of_o doctrine_n concern_v faith_n say_v gerson_n belong_v not_o only_o to_o the_o pope_n and_o council_n but_o to_o every_o christian_a also_o that_o be_v ground_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n because_o every_o christian_a be_v a_o fit_a judge_n of_o that_o which_o he_o know_v and_o the_o say_n of_o panormitan_n another_o of_o their_o doctor_n be_v well_o know_v that_o one_o faithful_a man_n though_o he_o be_v but_o a_o private_a man_n be_v more_o to_o be_v believe_v then_o the_o pope_n or_o a_o whole_a council_n if_o he_o have_v better_a reason_n and_o scripture_n authority_n on_o his_o side_n chrisostome_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a dissension_n among_o christian_n that_o we_o know_v not_o of_o what_o opinion_n to_o be_v of_o nor_o who_o to_o believe_v have_v these_o remarkable_a word_n tell_v i_o have_v thou_o any_o reason_n or_o judgement_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o part_n of_o a_o man_n bare_o to_o receive_v whatsoever_o he_o hear_v but_o if_o thou_o diligent_o mark_v the_o meaning_n thou_o may_v thorough_o know_v that_o which_o be_v good_a when_o thou_o buy_v a_o garment_n though_o thou_o have_v no_o skill_n in_o weave_v yet_o thou_o say_v not_o i_o can_v buy_v it_o they_o deceive_v i_o but_o thou_o do_v what_o thou_o can_v to_o come_v to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o it_o say_v not_o then_o i_o be_o no_o scholar_n and_o will_v be_v no_o judge_n i_o can_v condemn_v no_o opinion_n for_o this_o be_v but_o a_o shift_n and_o a_o cavil_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o not_o use_v it_o for_o these_o thing_n be_v easy_a to_o they_o that_o endeavour_n after_o true_a knowledge_n have_v not_o every_o christian_a a_o reasonable_a soul_n a_o understand_a faculty_n which_o god_n have_v endue_v he_o with_o that_o thereby_o he_o may_v search_v and_o try_v and_o discern_v the_o thing_n that_o differ_v to_o what_o end_n have_v god_n set_v up_o this_o light_n in_o man_n soul_n if_o he_o must_v not_o use_v it_o in_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o try_v doctrine_n but_o must_v give_v way_n to_o sloth_n and_o ignorance_n be_v not_o this_o to_o transform_v man_n into_o a_o beast_n and_o be_v it_o not_o brutish_a ness_n and_o folly_n in_o he_o thus_o to_o
lay_v aside_o his_o reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o to_o be_v whole_o conclude_v by_o humane_a authority_n and_o the_o name_n of_o man_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n as_o in_o other_o point_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o lie_n and_o contradiction_n will_v impose_v upon_o we_o as_o if_o we_o have_v neither_o sense_n nor_o reason_n in_o we_o so_o more_o especial_o in_o the_o point_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o the_o corporal_a carnal_a presence_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v against_o sense_n against_o reason_n and_o against_o faith_n first_o it_o be_v against_o sense_n now_o of_o all_o demonstration_n among_o man_n whereby_o we_o prove_v thing_n of_o this_o kind_n nothing_o be_v more_o firm_a then_o that_o which_o be_v take_v from_o sense_n it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a truth_n in_o divinity_n that_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o sense_n sense_n be_v a_o complete_a judge_n understand_v it_o of_o object_n proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o sense_n otherwise_o we_o say_v the_o eye_n be_v not_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o sound_n nor_o the_o ear_n of_o colour_n thus_o christ_n when_o he_o will_v prove_v that_o he_o have_v a_o true_a and_o real_a body_n he_o send_v his_o disciple_n to_o their_o sense_n a_o spirit_n have_v not_o flesh_n and_o blood_n as_o you_o see_v i_o have_v reach_v hither_o thy_o hand_n and_o thrust_v it_o into_o my_o side_n in_o turn_v water_n into_o wine_n sense_n may_v easy_o judge_v of_o the_o change_n you_o will_v think_v it_o a_o strange_a and_o incredible_a thing_n if_o christ_n shall_v have_v come_v to_o to_o the_o master_n of_o the_o feast_n require_v he_o to_o believe_v it_o be_v wine_n though_o he_o see_v and_o taste_v nothing_o but_o water_n or_o if_o god_n shall_v have_v say_v thus_o to_o moses_n well_o thou_o see_v nothing_o but_o a_o rod_n yet_o thou_o must_v believe_v notwithstanding_o that_o it_o be_v change_v and_o be_v real_o a_o serpent_n so_o in_o this_o case_n of_o the_o sacrament_n when_o all_o the_o sense_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v bread_n which_o we_o see_v and_o touch_v and_o taste_v why_o shall_v any_o man_n be_v so_o foolish_a and_o vain_a as_o to_o say_v with_o the_o papist_n that_o the_o bread_n cease_v to_o be_v true_o bread_n and_o be_v transubstantiate_v into_o the_o very_a body_n of_o christ_n again_o second_o as_o this_o doctrine_n be_v against_o sense_n so_o it_o be_v against_o reason_n namely_o that_o christ_n shall_v be_v in_o heaven_n and_o have_v but_o one_o body_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o have_v ten_o thousand_o body_n on_o earth_n that_o his_o body_n shall_v be_v a_o true_a body_n as_o we_o be_v and_o yet_o without_o circumscription_n and_o other_o inseparable_a property_n of_o a_o true_a body_n that_o the_o substance_n of_o bread_n shall_v be_v abolish_v so_o as_o it_o shall_v remain_v no_o long_o bread_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v the_o very_a quantity_n taste_n whiteness_n substance_n and_o nourish_a virtue_n of_o bread_n if_o you_o ask_v they_o after_o all_o this_o whether_o it_o do_v nourish_v the_o body_n or_o no_o they_o will_v tell_v you_o with_o impudence_n enough_o if_o they_o be_v true_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n that_o it_o do_v not_o nourish_v quite_o contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o experience_n this_o monstruous_a opinion_n of_o they_o be_v so_o irrational_a and_o absurd_a that_o the_o most_o learned_a among_o they_o be_v puzzle_v and_o not_o satisfy_v therewith_o but_o leave_v it_o as_o a_o miracle_n i_o have_v take_v some_o pain_n say_v a_o learned_a judicious_a man_n in_o his_o late_a sermon_n against_o popery_n to_o consider_v other_o religion_n that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o i_o must_v free_o declare_v that_o i_o never_o yet_o in_o any_o of_o they_o meet_v with_o any_o article_n or_o proposition_n impose_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o man_n half_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o hard_a to_o be_v believe_v as_o this_o point_n of_o transubstantiation_n be_v three_o as_o it_o be_v against_o sense_n and_o reason_n so_o it_o be_v against_o faith_n which_o though_o it_o be_v beyond_o sense_n or_o reason_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o contrary_a thereunto_o sense_n and_o reason_n be_v god_n work_n as_o well_o as_o grace_n and_o faith_n now_o one_o work_n of_o god_n do_v not_o destroy_v another_o for_o if_o so_o this_o will_v argue_v imperfection_n in_o the_o workman_n faith_n feed_v on_o christ_n spiritual_o in_o the_o sacrament_n be_v the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v now_o if_o christ_n be_v corporal_o present_a in_o the_o sacrament_n what_o need_v the_o receiver_n feed_v on_o he_o spiritual_o by_o faith_n as_o be_v absent_a what_o need_v he_o do_v this_o in_o remembrance_n of_o he_o till_o he_o come_v let_v we_o in_o this_o and_o other_o thing_n show_v ourselves_o man_n and_o not_o beast_n let_v we_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o our_o sense_n and_o of_o that_o reason_n which_o god_n have_v bestow_v upon_o we_o it_o be_v we_o that_o believe_v and_o act_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n whoever_o require_v the_o same_o of_o we_o these_o be_v our_o act_n if_o therefore_o we_o will_v show_v ourselves_o to_o be_v man_n endue_v with_o reason_n and_o understanding_n we_o must_v examine_v what_o be_v propound_v and_o offer_v to_o we_o that_o so_o we_o may_v assent_v or_o dissent_v upon_o judicious_a ground_n we_o be_v man_n and_o shall_v do_v thing_n as_o man_n we_o be_v christian_n and_o shall_v do_v thing_n as_o christian_n blind_a faith_n and_o blind_a obedience_n shall_v be_v utter_o banish_v out_o of_o christian_a assembly_n nor_o shall_v we_o pin_v our_o faith_n upon_o any_o man_n or_o company_n of_o man_n be_v they_o never_o so_o godly_a and_o learned_a for_o this_o be_v to_o wrong_v god_n and_o to_o set_v man_n in_o his_o throne_n and_o attribute_n that_o to_o man_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o god_n alone_o hereby_o also_o we_o exceed_o prejudice_v and_o wrong_v our_o own_o soul_n and_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o apostasy_n when_o we_o adhere_v to_o a_o opinion_n or_o way_n of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o rational_o and_o know_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v the_o way_n of_o god_n what_o be_v this_o else_o but_o to_o comply_v with_o a_o way_n or_o party_n out_o of_o faction_n and_o partiality_n not_o out_o of_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n which_o therefore_o can_v have_v any_o true_a consistence_n or_o constancy_n in_o it_o they_o rather_o bring_v their_o foot_n then_o their_o heart_n into_o a_o way_n of_o religion_n that_o adhere_v to_o it_o without_o due_a trial_n and_o examination_n herein_o we_o shall_v use_v our_o own_o eye_n and_o judgement_n and_o not_o whole_o trust_v to_o other_o herein_o we_o shall_v diligent_o exercise_v our_o own_o reason_n if_o we_o will_v judicious_o and_o profitable_o receive_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n not_o that_o we_o shall_v judge_v of_o the_o high_a gospel_n mystery_n according_a to_o natural_a corrupt_a reason_n but_o yet_o we_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n and_o judgement_n be_v enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o word_n of_o god_n in_o compare_v one_o thing_n with_o another_o that_o so_o our_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n may_v not_o be_v fluctuate_a and_o uncertain_a but_o steady_a and_o stable_a it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v object_v that_o if_o every_o man_n may_v judge_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n according_a to_o his_o reason_n than_o so_o many_o man_n so_o many_o mind_n which_o will_v breed_v endless_a confusion_n every_o man_n pretend_v to_o reason_n and_o one_o man_n think_v his_o reason_n to_o be_v as_o good_a or_o better_a than_o another_o man_n and_o so_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o order_n no_o settlement_n in_o the_o church_n i_o confess_v there_o be_v much_o danger_n on_o this_o hand_n especial_o where_o people_n be_v run_v headlong_o into_o confusion_n and_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o ecclesiastical_a order_n and_o government_n yet_o this_o shall_v not_o make_v man_n throw_v away_o their_o reason_n and_o believe_v with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n only_o as_o the_o church_n believe_v in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n there_o be_v a_o twofold_a judgement_n a_o judgement_n in_o foro_fw-la externo_fw-la or_o publico_fw-la and_o a_o judgement_n in_o foro_fw-la interno_fw-la or_o privato_fw-la the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v a_o authoritative_a judgement_n belong_v to_o christian_a synod_n and_o counsel_n due_o and_o lawful_o assemble_v where_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n preside_v such_o counsel_n debate_v and_o determine_v matter_n in_o difference_n either_o as_o to_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n have_v be_v of_o excellent_a use_n from_o time_n to_o time_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v belong_v to_o every_o christian_a a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n or_o discern_a a_o rational_a self_n directive_n judgement_n in_o the_o
court_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o in_o reference_n to_o his_o own_o faith_n and_o practice_n he_o shall_v so_o examine_v and_o judge_v of_o the_o thing_n that_o relate_v thereunto_o as_o to_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n rom._n 14.5_o he_o shall_v so_o prove_v all_o thing_n as_o to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a 1_o thes_n 5.21_o thus_o christ_n in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n goodness_n and_o faithfulness_n have_v give_v two_o sort_n of_o judgement_n to_o his_o church_n and_o people_n one_o public_a belong_v to_o a_o assembly_n of_o godly_a pastor_n and_o elder_n for_o of_o that_o which_o the_o prophet_n teach_v let_v the_o prophet_n judge_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o prophet_n the_o other_o be_v a_o more_o private_a personal_a judgement_n which_o concern_v all_o the_o faithful_a who_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o what_o be_v teach_v and_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n in_o both_o these_o judgement_n we_o shall_v remember_v that_o christ_n have_v commit_v nothing_o to_o the_o church_n but_o the_o ministry_n of_o give_v judgement_n for_o as_o touch_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o judgement_n and_o authority_n it_o belong_v only_o to_o he_o counsel_n may_v expound_v and_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o they_o have_v no_o power_n from_o christ_n to_o make_v any_o new_a doctrine_n or_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o every_o christian_n ought_v in_o a_o rational_a way_n to_o judge_v of_o their_o determination_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o not_o yield_v blind_a obedience_n thereunto_o for_o this_o be_v to_o unchristian_a yea_o to_o unman_v himself_o of_o this_o opinion_n be_v all_o the_o protestant_a church_n in_o general_a and_o particular_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 103._o england_n see_v rogers_n on_o 39_o article_n p._n 103._o who_o maintain_v that_o every_o sound_a member_n of_o the_o church_n have_v authority_n from_o christ_n to_o judge_v in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o to_o embrace_v truth_n and_o avoid_v error_n the_o church_n as_o a_o faithful_a witness_n shall_v give_v testimony_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_v the_o word_n nor_o to_o judge_v otherwise_o then_o god_n word_n judge_v general_a counsel_n consist_v of_o man_n that_o be_v not_o infallible_a may_v err_v the_o thing_n therefore_o that_o be_v ordain_v by_o general_a counsel_n do_v so_o far_o bind_v as_o they_o be_v consonant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o no_o further_o for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o ground_v our_o faith_n upon_o they_o but_o only_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n word_n now_o that_o such_o a_o rational_a judgement_n or_o a_o judgement_n in_o foro_fw-la interno_fw-la as_o have_v be_v assert_v belong_v to_o every_o christian_a so_o as_o he_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o make_v use_n of_o his_o reason_n in_o judge_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o determination_n be_v thus_o prove_v and_o demonstrate_v first_o from_o those_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n take_v heed_n that_o no_o man_n deceive_v you_o mat._n 24.4_o prove_v all_o thing_n and_o hold_v that_o which_o be_v good_a 1_o thes_n 5.21_o belove_a believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n 1_o joh._n 4.1_o he_o that_o be_v spiritual_a judge_v all_o thing_n yet_o he_o himself_o be_v judge_v of_o no_o man_n 1_o cor._n 2.15_o which_o text_n together_o with_o many_o other_o that_o may_v be_v allege_v do_v not_o only_o concern_v public_a minister_n but_o also_o private_a christian_n yea_o chief_a they_o as_o be_v most_o in_o danger_n to_o be_v seduce_v second_o this_o have_v be_v also_o the_o approve_a practice_n of_o the_o faithful_a thus_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o try_v the_o spirit_n and_o exercise_v their_o spiritual_a sense_n that_o they_o may_v discern_v thing_n that_o differ_v heb._n 5.14_o the_o berean_o be_v count_v more_o noble_a than_o other_o because_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o try_v paul_n doctrine_n by_o the_o scripture_n though_o he_o speak_v from_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n act_v 17.11_o the_o church_n at_o ephesus_n be_v commend_v for_o try_v they_o that_o say_v they_o be_v apostle_n and_o be_v not_o and_o find_v they_o liar_n and_o deceiver_n after_o trial_n rev._n 2.2_o and_o christ_n tell_v we_o that_o his_o true_a sheep_n will_v follow_v he_o for_o they_o know_v his_o voice_n but_o a_o stranger_n they_o will_v not_o follow_v but_o will_v flee_v from_o he_o joh._n 10.4_o 5._o now_o this_o they_o can_v not_o do_v unless_o they_o do_v exercise_v a_o rational_a judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n three_o every_o christian_n be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o practice_n to_o god_n yea_o he_o shall_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o man_n that_o ask_v he_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n which_o be_v in_o he_o 1_o pet._n 3.15_o but_o how_o can_v he_o do_v this_o rational_o and_o understand_o without_o trial_n and_o examination_n if_o he_o be_v find_v to_o embrace_v whatever_o his_o superior_n shall_v impose_v upon_o he_o true_o then_o the_o blind_a implicit_a faith_n of_o the_o collier_n will_v serve_v well_o enough_o be_v this_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o can_v true_o believe_v unless_o we_o have_v knowledge_n that_o every_o man_n shall_v be_v persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n concern_v the_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v believe_v and_o practice_n and_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n four_o how_o shall_v a_o christian_a cleanse_v his_o heart_n and_o way_n but_o by_o take_v heed_n thereto_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n psal_n 119.9_o how_o shall_v he_o walk_v as_o a_o child_n of_o light_n unless_o the_o word_n be_v a_o lamp_n to_o his_o foot_n and_o a_o light_n to_o his_o path_n psal_n 119.105_o how_o can_v he_o walk_v wise_o and_o circumspect_o as_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v understand_v what_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v ephes_n 5.17_o if_o we_o do_v not_o allow_v he_o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n and_o discern_v in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o so_o he_o may_v try_v spirit_n and_o doctrine_n five_o be_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o private_a christian_n to_o receive_v all_o doctrine_n that_o be_v propose_v to_o he_o by_o his_o superior_n without_o trial_n and_o examination_n then_o can_v not_o he_o be_v just_o charge_v with_o sin_n and_o guilt_n who_o receive_v error_n in_o stead_n of_o truth_n from_o those_o that_o be_v above_o he_o in_o dignity_n and_o authority_n but_o we_o find_v that_o this_o will_v not_o excuse_v he_o if_o the_o blind_a lead_n the_o blind_a both_o shall_v fall_v into_o the_o pit_n luk._n 6.39_o and_o we_o be_v to_o fly_v from_o stranger_n and_o not_o hearken_v to_o the_o word_n of_o those_o prophet_n that_o speak_v the_o vision_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n and_o not_o out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n jer._n 23.16_o we_o must_v not_o believe_v every_o spirit_n but_o beware_v of_o false_a prophet_n and_o seducer_n which_o no_o christian_n can_v avoid_v upon_o good_a ground_n unless_o he_o pass_v a_o rational_a judgement_n upon_o they_o and_o their_o doctrine_n why_o be_v ephraim_n oppress_v and_o break_v in_o judgement_n but_o because_o he_o willing_o walk_v after_o the_o commandment_n of_o his_o ruler_n and_o governor_n corrupt_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o do_v not_o impartial_o examine_v and_o judge_v of_o the_o same_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n hos_fw-la 5.11_o six_o god_n have_v furnish_v a_o christian_a with_o ability_n for_o this_o end_n with_o reason_n as_o man_n he_o have_v a_o reflexive_a faculty_n which_o beast_n have_v not_o he_o have_v a_o rational_a understand_a soul_n which_o be_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o enable_v he_o to_o compare_v one_o thing_n with_o another_o and_o to_o deduce_v genuine_a inference_n and_o conclusion_n from_o such_o premise_n as_o be_v lay_v down_o and_o propound_v and_o then_o further_o god_n have_v not_o only_o give_v his_o people_n the_o light_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o understanding_n as_o rational_a man_n but_o have_v also_o infuse_v into_o they_o a_o principle_n of_o divine_a light_n and_o knowledge_n as_o christian_n to_o search_v and_o try_v the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a god_n have_v give_v they_o a_o spiritual_a unction_n or_o understanding_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v 1_o john_n 2.27_o &_o chap._n 5.20_o that_o they_o may_v know_v he_o who_o be_v truth_n itself_o and_o they_o need_v not_o that_o any_o man_n teach_v they_o but_o as_o this_o anoint_v teach_v they_o which_o be_v truth_n and_o be_v no_o lie_n if_o any_o man_n
be_v prove_v by_o the_o scripture_n but_o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n they_o prove_v and_o evidence_n themselves_o sufficient_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o every_o true_a christian_a by_o their_o own_o light_n manifest_v their_o divine_a original_a they_o be_v primum_fw-la visibile_fw-la not_o like_o colour_n that_o can_v be_v see_v till_o light_v make_v it_o apparent_a but_o like_o light_n itself_o which_o make_v all_o other_o thing_n manifest_a and_o itself_o too_o by_o its_o own_o proper_a quality_n now_o than_o if_o a_o true_a believer_n shall_v be_v ask_v why_o he_o believe_v the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o may_v true_o answer_v thus_o because_o they_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o it_o be_v further_o demand_v how_o he_o can_v assure_v himself_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n he_o may_v answer_v that_o he_o know_v it_o by_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n enlighten_v his_o understanding_n to_o see_v those_o lively_a character_n of_o divine_a truth_n which_o be_v imprint_v upon_o those_o sacred_a volume_n if_o yet_o it_o be_v further_o demand_v how_o he_o know_v whether_o that_o be_v the_o right_a meaning_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o place_n of_o scripture_n he_o may_v likewise_o true_o say_v that_o he_o know_v it_o by_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v diligent_o examine_v and_o compare_v together_o do_v plain_o discover_v to_o the_o humble_a teachable_a soul_n their_o own_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n in_o the_o thing_n which_o concern_v everlasting_a salvation_n and_o thus_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v final_o and_o ultimate_o resolve_v into_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n or_o a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o into_o nothing_o less_o as_o for_o the_o authority_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o judgement_n and_o writing_n of_o the_o godly_a learned_a they_o be_v good_a help_n to_o make_v we_o see_v the_o truth_n but_o no_o cause_n why_o we_o believe_v it_o this_o we_o do_v for_o its_o own_o sake_n not_o for_o their_o say_n or_o determination_n which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o accord_v with_o the_o scripture_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o assent_v thereunto_o though_o we_o shall_v give_v due_a reverence_n to_o the_o assembly_n of_o godly_a judicious_a man_n and_o thorough_o examine_v and_o weigh_v with_o humility_n and_o self-denial_n the_o ground_n of_o our_o dissent_n from_o they_o yet_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o man_n though_o never_o so_o eminent_a for_o learning_n and_o piety_n shall_v not_o command_v our_o assent_n to_o any_o article_n of_o religion_n that_o shall_v be_v propose_v to_o we_o for_o our_o faith_n shall_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o the_o testimony_n and_o demonstration_n of_o his_o spirit_n 1_o cor._n 2.4_o 5._o the_o first_o and_o chief_a ground_n whereon_o be_v build_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n assent_n be_v the_o infallible_a truth_n and_o authority_n of_o divine_a revelation_n because_o god_n have_v say_v it_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v it_o and_o assent_v to_o it_o for_o whatsoever_o god_n say_v be_v true_a now_o this_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n which_o be_v deep_o engrave_v into_o the_o heart_n and_o conscience_n of_o every_o rational_a man_n that_o god_n himself_o be_v so_o infinite_o wise_a that_o he_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o nothing_o nor_o can_v any_o creature_n circumvent_v and_o overreach_v he_o and_o withal_o he_o be_v so_o infinite_o good_a holy_a and_o just_a that_o no_o lie_n or_o untruth_n can_v proceed_v from_o he_o wisdom_n itself_o can_v be_v deceive_v truth_n itself_o can_v deceive_v and_o god_n be_v both_o and_o therefore_o wheresoever_o any_o revelation_n be_v certain_o know_v or_o believe_v to_o be_v of_o god_n there_o the_o reasonable_a creature_n do_v full_o assent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n reveal_v but_o now_o the_o great_a question_n will_v be_v how_o we_o know_v infallible_o that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o what_o we_o find_v write_v therein_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n the_o very_a oracle_n of_o god_n here_o lie_v the_o great_a yea_o the_o irreconcilable_a difference_n between_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o we_o for_o whereas_o we_o maintain_v according_a to_o the_o truth_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v know_v to_o be_v of_o god_n by_o themselves_o and_o by_o their_o own_o light_n and_o power_n they_o hold_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o their_o divine_a authority_n but_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n which_o as_o they_o say_v do_v infallible_o propose_v unto_o we_o what_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o what_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o so_o by_o this_o mean_v our_o faith_n shall_v be_v resolve_v either_o into_o nothing_o at_o all_o for_o they_o differ_v exceed_o about_o the_o church_n representative_a and_o the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o controversy_n here_o on_o earth_n or_o at_o the_o further_a it_o shall_v be_v resolve_v but_o only_o into_o humane_a authority_n and_o so_o shall_v be_v but_o a_o humane_a faith_n that_o circle_n which_o they_o false_o charge_v upon_o we_o 211._o we_o mr._n w._n pemble_n nature_n and_o property_n of_o grace_n and_o faith_n p._n 210_o 211._o they_o themselves_o be_v guilty_a of_o and_o can_v never_o be_v disintangled_n therefrom_o by_o their_o principle_n for_o ask_v a_o romanist_n why_o do_v you_o believe_v that_o the_o pope_n can_v err_v he_o will_v tell_v you_o because_o the_o scripture_n say_v so_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n and_o i_o have_v pray_v that_o thy_o faith_n may_v not_o fail_v and_o the_o like_a text_n of_o scripture_n but_o how_o know_v you_o that_o this_o be_v the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o your_o interpretation_n be_v the_o right_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o these_o place_n to_o this_o he_o answer_v because_o the_o pope_n and_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n say_v so_o or_o as_o some_o of_o they_o hold_v because_o the_o pope_n only_o say_v so_o or_o as_o other_o of_o they_o because_o a_o general_a council_n say_v so_o if_o we_o further_o urge_v he_o yea_o but_o how_o know_v you_o infallible_o that_o the_o pope_n and_o council_n do_v not_o err_v in_o say_v so_o he_o will_v answer_v you_o because_o the_o scripture_n affirm_v they_o can_v err_v for_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n etc._n etc._n and_o thus_o they_o run_v round_o in_o a_o circle_n describe_v circle_n the_o popish_a circle_n describe_v and_o be_v so_o entangle_v that_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o deliver_v themselves_o indeed_o they_o accuse_v we_o with_o open_a mouth_n as_o if_o we_o be_v entangle_v in_o a_o circle_n run_v round_o from_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o spirit_n and_o again_o from_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o scripture_n as_o thus_o how_o know_v you_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o the_o spirit_n reveal_v the_o same_o to_o my_o heart_n and_o conscience_n but_o how_o know_v you_o this_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v true_a by_o the_o scripture_n which_o testify_v that_o the_o secret_a of_o the_o lord_n be_v reveal_v to_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o but_o then_o further_o how_o know_v you_o this_o and_o the_o like_a place_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o know_v it_o by_o the_o spirit_n which_o reveal_v to_o we_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v free_o give_v we_o of_o god_n and_o thus_o they_o pretend_v that_o they_o have_v catch_v we_o in_o a_o circle_n but_o they_o great_o mistake_v we_o though_o we_o do_v not_o mistake_v their_o doctrine_n we_o teach_v indeed_o that_o we_o know_v the_o scripture_n infallible_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n inward_o reveal_v and_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o to_o our_o conscience_n but_o what_o kind_n of_o revelation_n or_o testimony_n be_v this_o it_o be_v not_o any_o inward_a suggestion_n or_o immediate_a inspiration_n different_z from_o those_o revelation_n of_o divine_a truth_n that_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o as_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v by_o a_o second_o private_a immediate_a revelation_n assure_v i_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o former_a revelation_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n we_o have_v no_o warrant_n for_o this_o in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n reveal_v and_o testify_v to_o our_o conscience_n the_o divine_a authority_n and_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o remove_v those_o impediment_n that_o hinder_v as_o namely_o our_o ignorance_n and_o unbelief_n and_o by_o bestow_v upon_o we_o those_o grace_n that_o make_v we_o capable_a of_o
this_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o assurance_n illuminate_v our_o understanding_n renew_v our_o will_n and_o sanctify_v our_o heart_n and_o affection_n in_o which_o sense_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o we_o a_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o revelation_n open_v the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n that_o we_o may_v see_v by_o a_o spiritual_a light_n the_o excellency_n of_o those_o divine_a mystery_n that_o be_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n ephes_n 1.17_o 18._o now_o this_o doctrine_n of_o we_o be_v no_o such_o circle_n as_o the_o papist_n pretend_v it_o to_o be_v but_o a_o plain_a and_o strait_a way_n for_o a_o sober_a christian_n to_o walk_v in_o thus_o how_o know_v you_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v god_n word_n we_o answer_v by_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o by_o that_o wonderful_a light_n and_o excellency_n of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n that_o shine_v in_o they_o here_o we_o will_v rest_v and_o go_v no_o further_o but_o yet_o if_o we_o be_v ask_v how_o we_o come_v to_o see_v this_o light_n we_o answer_v it_o be_v by_o the_o only_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n give_v we_o eye_n to_o see_v and_o heart_n to_o embrace_v and_o love_v the_o light_n if_o we_o be_v further_o urge_v for_o some_o be_v thus_o importunate_a but_o how_o know_v you_o that_o you_o do_v indeed_o perceive_v such_o a_o heavenly_a light_n as_o you_o speak_v of_o or_o how_o can_v you_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o other_o that_o you_o be_v not_o deceive_v now_o true_o this_o be_v but_o a_o vain_a question_n it_o be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n to_o demand_v a_o reason_n of_o sense_n which_o be_v as_o if_o one_o shall_v ask_v he_o that_o gaze_v on_o the_o sun_n how_o know_v you_o that_o you_o see_v the_o light_n why_o he_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o see_v it_o and_o know_v that_o he_o be_v not_o deceive_v though_o he_o can_v convince_v a_o blind_a man_n of_o it_o and_o if_o in_o case_n he_o that_o be_v blind_a require_v he_o that_o see_v to_o prove_v unto_o he_o by_o sound_a argument_n that_o he_o behold_v such_o a_o object_n he_o demand_v a_o impossible_a thing_n of_o he_o unless_o he_o can_v give_v he_o eye_n to_o see_v it_o some_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a papist_n after_o all_o their_o dispute_v and_o wrangle_v be_v drive_v at_o last_o to_o acknowledge_v this_o inward_a illumination_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n stapleton_n himself_o even_o in_o that_o book_n where_o he_o defend_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n say_v that_o the_o godly_a be_v bring_v to_o faith_n by_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o church_n but_o be_v once_o bring_v and_o enlighten_v with_o the_o light_n of_o divine_a inspiration_n than_o they_o believe_v no_o more_o for_o the_o church_n voice_n but_o because_o of_o the_o heavenly_a light_n and_o again_o in_o the_o last_o book_n that_o ever_o he_o write_v against_o learned_a whitaker_n he_o tell_v we_o plain_o that_o the_o inward_a persuasion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v so_o necessary_a and_o effectual_a for_o the_o believe_v of_o every_o object_n of_o faith_n that_o without_o it_o neither_o can_v any_o thing_n by_o any_o man_n be_v believe_v though_o the_o church_n testify_v with_o it_o a_o thousand_o time_n and_o by_o it_o alone_o any_o matter_n may_v be_v believe_v though_o the_o church_n hold_v her_o peace_n or_o be_v never_o hear_v hereby_o it_o appear_v that_o we_o may_v be_v infallible_o assure_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o the_o authority_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o so_o regard_v by_o we_o as_o the_o papist_n will_v have_v it_o but_o yet_o when_o we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o infidel_n and_o atheist_n that_o scoff_n at_o this_o divine_a light_n and_o inward_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n we_o have_v more_o reason_n on_o our_o side_n as_o have_v be_v show_v at_o large_a to_o convince_v they_o and_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n do_v contain_v the_o word_n and_o law_n of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n than_o any_o other_o religion_n nay_o then_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n as_o for_o the_o inward_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n witness_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o how_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v take_v these_o follow_a rule_n testimony_n rule_n rule_n concern_v the_o spirit_n testimony_n for_o prevent_a mistake_n first_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v assure_o persuade_v the_o conscience_n of_o a_o christian_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n not_o by_o a_o immediate_a vision_n or_o revelation_n under_o which_o pretence_n satan_n transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n have_v delude_v and_o ensnare_v many_o poor_a soul_n but_o by_o enlighten_v the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o behold_v the_o light_n write_v the_o law_n in_o our_o heart_n and_o inward_a part_n as_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o the_o new_a covenant_n seal_v up_o the_o promise_n to_o our_o soul_n and_o cause_v we_o experimental_o to_o feel_v the_o powerful_a effect_n thereof_o second_o this_o divine_a supernatural_a persuasion_n wrought_v in_o believer_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v more_o certain_a and_o more_o satisfactory_a than_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o our_o weak_a imperfect_a reason_n or_o express_v in_o word_n for_o thing_n doubtful_a may_v be_v prove_v but_o as_o for_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o themselves_o most_o clear_a and_o certain_a we_o say_v they_o need_v no_o rational_a proof_n or_o demonstration_n as_o the_o shine_a of_o the_o sun_n which_o discover_v itself_o by_o its_o own_o light_n need_v not_o be_v confirm_v by_o any_o rational_a argument_n to_o he_o that_o have_v his_o eye_n open_a to_o see_v the_o light_n thereof_o three_o it_o be_v such_o a_o testimony_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o be_v certain_a and_o manifest_a to_o he_o that_o have_v the_o spirit_n for_o it_o make_v itself_o evident_a where_o it_o come_v but_o this_o be_v private_a and_o particular_a not_o public_a and_o common_a testify_v only_o to_o he_o who_o be_v endue_v therewith_o but_o not_o convince_a other_o nor_o confirm_a doctrine_n to_o they_o in_o this_o case_n man_n must_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o visible_a stand_a rule_n to_o the_o write_a law_n and_o testimony_n if_o any_o man_n speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o let_v he_o pretend_v never_o so_o much_o to_o the_o inward_a testimony_n and_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n it_o be_v because_o the_o light_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n be_v not_o in_o he_o four_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v sever_v from_o the_o word_n which_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o his_o public_a authentic_a testimony_n nor_o be_v it_o injurious_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o word_n see_v there_o be_v a_o mutual_a relation_n and_o correspondence_n between_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o party_n witness_v and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n witness_v and_o this_o holy_a spirit_n the_o author_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v every_o where_o like_a unto_o and_o do_v every_o where_o agree_v with_o himself_o as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o pair_n of_o indenture_n there_o be_v no_o difference_n at_o all_o between_o they_o but_o the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o one_o be_v also_o mention_v in_o the_o other_o so_o it_o be_v between_o the_o spirit_n reveal_v and_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n five_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n do_v not_o teach_v or_o assure_v all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o the_o letter_n syllable_n and_o word_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v only_o as_o a_o vessel_n to_o carry_v and_o convey_v the_o heavenly_a light_n unto_o we_o but_o it_o do_v seal_v in_o our_o heart_n the_o save_a truth_n contain_v in_o those_o sacred_a write_n into_o what_o language_n soever_o they_o be_v translate_v hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n tell_v the_o corinthian_n that_o they_o be_v the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n write_v not_o with_o ink_n but_o with_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o live_a god_n not_o in_o table_n of_o stone_n but_o in_o the_o fleshly_a table_n of_o the_o heart_n 2_o cor._n 3.3_o six_o and_o last_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v not_o lead_v they_o in_o who_o he_o dwell_v and_o witness_v absolute_o and_o at_o once_o into_o every_o truth_n of_o god_n so_o as_o utter_o to_o dispel_v all_o ignorance_n and_o darkness_n out_o of_o the_o soul_n but_o he_o lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o by_o degree_n john_n 16.12_o 13._o be_v a_o free_a voluntary_a agent_n he_o work_v when_o and_o
far_o thy_o inferior_a so_o may_v our_o reason_n say_v to_o the_o bless_a word_n of_o god_n i_o be_o far_o inferior_a to_o thou_o and_o have_v need_n to_o be_v regulate_v and_o reform_v by_o thou_o and_o come_v thou_o to_o i_o no_o no_o it_o be_v my_o great_a honour_n to_o submit_v myself_o to_o thou_o and_o thy_o divine_a authority_n three_o upon_o this_o ground_n also_o man_n reason_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o judge_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n because_o one_o man_n can_v prove_v infallible_o to_o another_o man_n that_o his_o reason_n be_v the_o right_a reason_n in_o such_o a_o case_n he_o pretend_v reason_n so_o do_v i_o a_o three_o man_n come_v and_o pretend_v to_o as_o much_o reason_n as_o either_o of_o we_o and_o experience_n show_v that_o divers_a man_n yea_o good_a man_n have_v different_a reason_n and_o different_a apprehension_n in_o many_o point_n of_o religion_n nor_o can_v a_o man_n be_v certain_a that_o this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o a_o text_n if_o he_o have_v nothing_o to_o assure_v he_o thereof_o but_o the_o appearance_n and_o probability_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n for_o other_o that_o differ_v from_o he_o think_v they_o have_v and_o may_v real_o have_v as_o much_o or_o more_o reason_n on_o their_o side_n then_o he_o indeed_o if_o we_o compare_v our_o own_o reason_n with_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o other_o man_n which_o have_v decree_v thus_o and_o thus_o then_o must_v we_o give_v the_o pre-eminence_n to_o our_o own_o reason_n when_o a_o clear_a evidence_n be_v propound_v and_o present_v to_o our_o reason_n for_o every_o one_o be_v to_o judge_v for_o himself_o with_o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n and_o discern_a as_o have_v be_v former_o prove_v and_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o absurd_a for_o a_o man_n to_o assent_v to_o a_o lesser_a evidence_n when_o a_o clear_a evidence_n be_v propound_v to_o he_o it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v not_o many_o that_o be_v well_o able_a to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o in_o the_o controversy_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o god_n have_v provide_v spiritual_a guide_n and_o shepherd_n to_o go_v before_o they_o and_o help_v they_o but_o yet_o christian_n must_v not_o resign_v up_o their_o wit_n and_o sense_n to_o follow_v they_o wherever_o they_o go_v if_o they_o will_v lead_v we_o blindfold_a we_o shall_v not_o put_v out_o our_o eye_n to_o follow_v they_o but_o shall_v rational_o and_o impartial_o weigh_v and_o consider_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n do_v such_o a_o godly_a learned_a man_n tell_v you_o that_o this_o be_v firm_a ground_n you_o may_v go_v safe_a upon_o it_o and_o do_v you_o see_v it_o to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o eye_n of_o your_o reason_n enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n then_o you_o may_v follow_v he_o as_o a_o man_n of_o judgement_n and_o understanding_n and_o not_o like_o a_o beast_n that_o be_v lead_v he_o know_v not_o whither_o and_o herein_o you_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o of_o your_o own_o too_o chap._n xvi_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o mere_a rational_a and_o spiritual_a man_n and_o their_o knowledge_n and_o act_n about_o spiritual_a thing_n the_o light_n of_o reason_n shall_v be_v make_v use_n of_o and_o improve_v by_o every_o christian_a in_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o try_v spirit_n and_o doctrine_n yet_o so_o as_o we_o must_v not_o confound_v the_o principle_n knowledge_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n or_o mere_a rational_a man_n with_o the_o principle_n knowledge_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o spiritual_a man_n there_o be_v a_o twofold_a knowledge_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n a_o natural_a or_o rational_a knowledge_n and_o a_o spiritual_a and_o supernatural_a knowledge_n the_o former_a be_v but_o historical_a as_o when_o a_o man_n read_v of_o such_o a_o country_n in_o a_o history_n or_o see_v it_o only_o in_o a_o map_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n but_o be_v never_o there_o himself_o to_o take_v a_o full_a view_n of_o it_o and_o report_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v there_o of_o his_o own_o certain_a knowledge_n the_o latter_a kind_n of_o knowledge_n be_v intuitive_a or_o a_o knowledge_n of_o spiritual_a vision_n behold_v the_o thing_n themselves_o in_o the_o light_n of_o god_n spirit_n distinct_o and_o at_o hand_n no_o creature_n or_o create_v thing_n can_v go_v beyond_o its_o sphere_n or_o comprehend_v that_o which_o be_v beyond_o its_o capacity_n the_o vegetative_a creature_n can_v reach_v so_o far_o as_o the_o sensitive_a nor_o the_o sensitive_a so_o far_o as_o the_o rational_a nor_o can_v the_o mere_a rational_a creature_n comprehend_v that_o which_o the_o spiritual_a man_n do_v such_o as_o be_v alive_a to_o god_n and_o have_v spiritual_a union_n and_o conjunction_n with_o christ_n the_o second_o adam_n the_o quicken_a spirit_n live_v and_o act_v from_o a_o high_a principle_n and_o in_o another_o kind_n then_o mere_a natural_a or_o rational_a man_n do_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n act_v his_o body_n and_o the_o more_o he_o improve_v the_o light_n of_o reason_n the_o more_o rational_a and_o considerate_a he_o be_v in_o his_o act_n and_o operation_n but_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o spiritual_a man_n be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o the_o glorious_a operation_n thereof_o and_o as_o far_o as_o god_n spirit_n be_v above_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n so_o far_o be_v the_o life_n of_o grace_n or_o the_o life_n of_o the_o spiritual_a man_n above_o that_o of_o nature_n it_o be_v true_a say_v luther_n 20._o luther_n luth._o com._n on_o gal._n cap._n 2._o v._n 20._o that_o i_o live_v in_o the_o flesh_n but_o this_o life_n whatever_o it_o be_v i_o esteem_v as_o no_o life_n for_o indeed_o it_o be_v no_o true_a life_n but_o a_o shadow_n of_o life_n under_o that_o which_o another_o live_v that_o be_v to_o say_v christ_n who_o be_v my_o true_a spiritual_a life_n which_o life_n thou_o see_v not_o but_o only_o hear_v and_o i_o feel_v as_o thou_o hear_v the_o wind_n but_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o it_o come_v or_o whither_o it_o go_v even_o so_o thou_o see_v i_o speak_v eat_a walk_a sleep_a and_o do_v other_o thing_n as_o other_o man_n do_v and_o yet_o thou_o see_v not_o my_o true_a life_n this_o spiritual_a life_n which_o far_o transcend_v the_o mere_a natural_a or_o rational_a life_n must_v be_v discern_v spiritual_o the_o spiritual_a man_n have_v a_o white_a stone_n in_o which_o his_o name_n be_v write_v which_o none_o can_v read_v but_o himself_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n a_o heir_n of_o heaven_n therefore_o the_o world_n know_v he_o not_o even_o as_o we_o know_v not_o the_o son_n of_o prince_n be_v they_o among_o we_o who_o dwell_v in_o country_n far_o remote_a from_o we_o but_o his_o life_n which_o now_o be_v hide_v with_o christ_n in_o god_n shall_v full_o appear_v when_o christ_n appear_v in_o glory_n col._n 3.3_o 4._o first_o then_o the_o spiritual_a man_n have_v christ_n form_v in_o he_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n christ_n be_v in_o he_o the_o hope_n of_o glory_n and_o he_o live_v the_o life_n of_o christ_n which_o a_o mere_a rational_a man_n do_v not_o there_o be_v a_o spiritual_a supernatural_a principle_n or_o ability_n plant_v in_o he_o which_o still_o remain_v and_o abide_v and_o which_o differ_v much_o from_o natural_a habit_n for_o these_o be_v partly_o and_o sometime_o whole_o acquire_v by_o use_n and_o frequent_a practice_n whereas_o this_o spiritual_a principle_n be_v not_o get_v or_o acquire_v but_o infuse_v nor_o can_v it_o be_v utter_o lose_v as_o natural_a habit_n may_v but_o abide_v for_o ever_o john_n 14.16_o sometime_o it_o be_v call_v the_o seed_n of_o god_n which_o shall_v grow_v up_o to_o perfection_n 1_o john_n 3.9_o sometime_o a_o fountain_n yield_v continual_a supply_n of_o grace_n john_n 4.14_o sometime_o from_o the_o author_n from_o who_o it_o be_v derive_v it_o be_v call_v the_o life_n of_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 4.10_o 11._o and_o sometime_o the_o new_a birth_n or_o be_v regenerate_v and_o bear_v again_o john_n 3.5_o 7._o doubtless_o it_o be_v a_o most_o powerful_a spiritual_a principle_n which_o raise_v and_o elevate_v the_o soul_n far_o above_o natural_a strength_n and_o reason_n those_o creature_n that_o have_v no_o high_a principle_n and_o faculty_n than_o sense_n use_v they_o sensual_o but_o as_o for_o man_n who_o enjoy_v the_o fame_n faculty_n under_o the_o command_n of_o a_o reasonable_a soul_n he_o use_v they_o rational_o but_o when_o he_o be_v new_o bear_v and_o become_v a_o spiritual_a man_n those_o faculty_n of_o the_o understanding_n will_n and_o affection_n which_o when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o command_n but_o reason_n have_v no_o more_o but_o rational_a operation_n be_v now_o govern_v and_o act_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o
to_o the_o senate_n and_o if_o be_v there_o it_o shall_v be_v require_v of_o he_o to_o give_v his_o advice_n he_o will_v speak_v free_o that_o which_o his_o conscience_n command_v he_o be_v further_o threaten_v by_o the_o emperor_n that_o if_o he_o speak_v his_o mind_n so_o free_o he_o shall_v die_v for_o it_o do_v i_o ever_o tell_v you_o say_v he_o to_o the_o emperor_n that_o i_o be_v immortal_a do_v you_o what_o you_o will_v and_o i_o will_v do_v what_o i_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o be_v in_o your_o power_n unjust_o to_o put_v i_o to_o death_n and_o in_o i_o to_o die_v constant_o the_o noble_a lacedaemonian_n be_v threaten_v with_o hard_a and_o cruel_a usage_n if_o they_o do_v not_o present_o yield_v themselves_o and_o their_o country_n to_o king_n philip_n who_o come_v against_o they_o with_o a_o great_a power_n one_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o rest_n answer_v thus_o what_o hard_a deal_n can_v they_o suffer_v that_o fear_v not_o to_o die_v and_o be_v tell_v that_o king_n philip_n will_v break_v and_o hinder_v all_o their_o design_n what_o say_v they_o will_v he_o likewise_o hinder_v we_o from_o die_v and_o after_o this_o when_o antipater_n cruel_o threaten_v they_o what_o he_o will_v do_v unto_o they_o if_o they_o do_v not_o comply_v with_o his_o demand_n answer_v if_o thou_o threaten_v we_o with_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v worse_a than_o death_n death_n shall_v be_v welcome_a to_o we_o these_o be_v man_n guide_v and_o act_v only_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o moral_a virtue_n which_o raise_v they_o above_o the_o threaten_n of_o their_o great_a enemy_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n and_o shall_v not_o christianity_n the_o best_a and_o most_o excellent_a religion_n as_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o this_o treatise_n much_o more_o ennoble_v our_o spirit_n and_o raise_v our_o heart_n above_o all_o slavish_a fear_n if_o we_o be_v christian_n and_o believer_n we_o may_v then_o argue_v and_o reason_n spiritual_o from_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n which_o the_o most_o moral_a heathen_n can_v never_o attain_v unto_o against_o the_o slavish_a fear_n of_o death_n in_o this_o manner_n two_o argument_n from_o scripture_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n first_o do_v not_o our_o bless_a saviour_n die_v and_o rise_v again_o for_o this_o end_n to_o deliver_v we_o not_o only_o from_o the_o curse_a effect_n of_o death_n and_o from_o the_o devil_n as_o the_o executioner_n thereof_o but_o also_o from_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n that_o thereby_o he_o may_v cure_v we_o of_o this_o fear_n and_o raise_v we_o above_o it_o heb._n 2.14_o 15._o yea_o and_o this_o be_v long_o since_o foretell_v and_o prophesy_v that_o christian_n apply_v the_o victory_n of_o christ_n over_o death_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o fear_v death_n that_o they_o shall_v tread_v upon_o this_o enemy_n and_o insult_v over_o he_o isai_n 25.8_o hos_fw-la 13.14_o compare_v with_o 1_o cor._n 15.54_o 55._o second_o have_v not_o god_n wrought_v we_o for_o the_o selfsame_a thing_n that_o we_o be_v make_v new_a creature_n by_o the_o gracious_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v aspire_v unto_o glory_n and_o immortality_n which_o we_o can_v full_o enjoy_v till_o we_o die_v for_o we_o must_v be_v absent_a from_o the_o body_n that_o we_o may_v be_v present_a with_o the_o lord_n 2_o cor._n 5.5_o 8._o three_o it_o be_v a_o condition_n which_o our_o lord_n and_o master_n put_v we_o into_o when_o he_o first_o admit_v we_o to_o be_v his_o disciple_n that_o we_o must_v deny_v our_o own_o life_n for_o his_o sake_n and_o not_o only_o be_v content_a to_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n in_o other_o respect_n but_o our_o life_n shall_v not_o be_v dear_a to_o we_o when_o he_o call_v for_o they_o luke_n 14.26_o we_o pray_v that_o god_n kingdom_n may_v come_v namely_o the_o kingdom_n of_o glory_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o grace_n and_o by_o death_n we_o must_v enter_v into_o this_o glory_n we_o be_v bear_v again_o say_v the_o apostle_n to_o a_o lively_a hope_n of_o this_o glorious_a inheritance_n 1_o pet._n 1.3_o 4._o now_o if_o we_o be_v afraid_a of_o the_o time_n and_o mean_n of_o our_o translation_n thither_o how_o then_o do_v we_o hope_v for_o it_o after_o a_o lively_a manner_n four_o have_v we_o not_o the_o example_n of_o the_o godly_a before_o we_o even_o a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n who_o have_v desire_v to_o die_v and_o be_v above_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n gen._n 49.18_o phil._n 1.21_o 23._o luke_n 2.29_o psal_n 14.7_o 2_o cor._n 5.2_o 7._o yea_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o general_a assembly_n of_o the_o saint_n love_v his_o appear_v and_o earnest_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v come_v quick_o 2_o tim._n 4.8_o rev._n 22.17_o 20._o how_o unbecoming_a be_v it_o for_o a_o christian_n to_o fear_v death_n with_o a_o slavish_a fear_n for_o hereby_o he_o dishonour_v god_n and_o disgrace_v his_o religion_n as_o if_o it_o do_v not_o afford_v sufficient_a encouragement_n and_o support_n against_o this_o fear_n some_o heathen_n as_o we_o have_v hear_v that_o have_v not_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n have_v dye_v courageous_o and_o undaunted_o and_o shall_v a_o christian_a who_o life_n be_v hide_v with_o christ_n in_o god_n and_o who_o be_v rise_v with_o christ_n and_o sit_v together_o with_o he_o in_o heavenly_a place_n be_v afraid_a to_o die_v it_o be_v the_o property_n of_o wicked_a man_n to_o die_v unwilling_o their_o death_n be_v compel_v and_o not_o voluntary_a and_o shall_v we_o be_v so_o too_o shall_v we_o be_v afraid_a of_o a_o shadow_n we_o that_o be_v pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n and_o shall_v live_v for_o ever_o because_o christ_n ever_o live_v the_o separation_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o god_n be_v death_n indeed_o but_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o body_n to_o a_o ttue_n believer_n be_v but_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n if_o we_o be_v in_o love_n with_o life_n why_o do_v we_o not_o effect_v that_o life_n which_o be_v eternal_a and_o desire_v to_o be_v dissolve_v that_o we_o may_v be_v possess_v of_o it_o five_o shall_v we_o in_o this_o case_n be_v worse_o than_o child_n or_o mad_a man_n neither_o of_o which_o fear_n death_n shall_v not_o reason_n and_o religion_n prevail_v more_o with_o we_o than_o ignorance_n and_o madness_n with_o they_o do_v we_o that_o be_v the_o peculiar_a people_n of_o god_n rather_o desire_v to_o remain_v in_o egypt_n or_o in_o the_o doleful_a irksome_a wilderness_n for_o this_o world_n be_v no_o better_a then_o to_o enter_v into_o canaan_n yea_o into_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n where_o we_o shall_v be_v at_o perfect_a rest_n be_v not_o death_n ordinary_a and_o common_a among_o christian_n do_v not_o some_o of_o our_o friend_n and_o neighbour_n die_v daily_a adam_n have_v more_o reason_n to_o fear_v death_n than_o we_o for_o he_o never_o see_v man_n die_v a_o ordinary_a death_n before_o he_o but_o for_o we_o to_o be_v afraid_a to_o die_v who_o see_v thousand_o die_v before_o we_o be_v the_o more_o intolerable_a the_o whole_a creation_n groan_n wait_v for_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o earnest_o long_v for_o this_o change_n rom._n 8.21_o 22._o and_o shall_v we_o be_v worse_o than_o the_o brute_n beast_n and_o other_o creature_n and_o afraid_a of_o that_o porter_n that_o open_v the_o door_n to_o our_o own_o everlasting_a happiness_n have_v not_o this_o enemy_n which_o seem_v terrible_a to_o we_o be_v often_o foil_v and_o vanquish_v have_v he_o not_o be_v beat_v by_o christ_n and_o thousand_o of_o his_o saint_n and_o shall_v it_o be_v terrible_a to_o we_o to_o encounter_v a_o vanquish_v disarm_v enemy_n who_o strength_n and_o power_n be_v destroy_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a if_o we_o think_v to_o shun_v that_o which_o can_v be_v avoid_v for_o it_o be_v appoint_v unto_o all_o man_n once_o to_o die_v death_n be_v the_o way_n of_o all_o flesh_n and_o there_o be_v no_o discharge_n from_o this_o war_n what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o live_v and_o shall_v not_o see_v death_n heb._n 9.27_o psal_n 89.48_o eccles_n 8.8_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v resolve_v courageous_o to_o meet_v and_o encounter_v this_o enemy_n for_o we_o can_v avoid_v he_o if_o we_o go_v not_o to_o he_o he_o will_v come_v to_o we_o so_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v unavoidable_o engage_v in_o this_o conflict_n soon_o or_o late_a six_o why_o shall_v a_o christian_a fear_n or_o be_v trouble_v consider_v what_o a_o gain_n and_o advantage_n death_n will_v be_v to_o he_o for_o it_o put_v a_o period_n to_o all_o those_o tempest_n and_o storm_n those_o boisterous_a temptation_n passion_n and_o affliction_n with_o which_o his_o life_n be_v continual_o toss_v and_o encumber_v and_o bring_v he_o to_o a_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 foolish_a and_o impossible_a then_o that_o abraham_n shall_v have_v a_o son_n in_o his_o old_a age_n of_o the_o barren_a and_o dead_a body_n of_o sarah_n but_o now_o faith_n kill_v reason_n and_o slay_v that_o beast_n which_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o all_o creature_n can_v kill_v thus_o abraham_n kill_v it_o by_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o promise_v he_o a_o son_n to_o this_o word_n reason_n yield_v not_o straightway_o but_o fight_v against_o faith_n in_o he_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v a_o absurd_a impossible_a thing_n but_o faith_n wrestle_v with_o reason_n and_o at_o length_n get_v the_o victory_n abraham_n kill_v and_o sacrifice_v reason_n that_o most_o pestilent_a enemy_n of_o god_n and_o so_o must_v all_o the_o godly_a do_v there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o scripture_n that_o be_v quite_o cross_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o corrupt_a reason_n and_o it_o be_v the_o great_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o subdue_v and_o captivate_v our_o reason_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n the_o weapon_n of_o our_o warfare_n say_v the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 10.4_o 5._o be_v mighty_a through_o god_n for_o the_o pull_n down_o of_o strong_a hold_n cast_v down_o reason_v and_o every_o high_a thing_n that_o exalt_v itself_o against_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o bring_v into_o captivity_n every_o thought_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ_n those_o strong_a hold_n that_o stand_v out_o against_o the_o gospel_n be_v especial_o two_o namely_o the_o greatness_n and_o power_n of_o worldly_a prince_n and_o ruler_n and_o also_o the_o reason_n and_o argumentation_n of_o the_o learned_a orator_n and_o philosopher_n both_o these_o must_v be_v subdue_v and_o captivate_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n man_n must_v be_v lead_v away_o like_o captive_n say_v judicious_a calvin_n on_o the_o text_n from_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o will_n the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_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 veritat_fw-la christi_fw-la religio_fw-la that_o because_o reason_n do_v not_o comprehend_v this_o or_o that_o point_n of_o religion_n therefore_o we_o we_o shall_v not_o believe_v it_o for_o this_o be_v a_o measure_n of_o faith_n by_o reason_n whereas_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n that_o be_v beyond_o our_o reason_n to_o believe_v on_o god_n through_o christ_n what_o be_v it_o else_o but_o to_o submit_v our_o reason_n and_o understanding_n to_o god_n and_o thus_o our_o reason_n must_v be_v a_o servant_n to_o faith_n and_o must_v stoop_v to_o the_o power_n of_o faith_n faith_n must_v not_o be_v abase_v and_o stoop_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o reason_n now_o when_o and_o wherein_o humane_a reason_n and_o knowledge_n be_v pervert_v and_o abuse_v and_o so_o come_v to_o be_v prejudicial_a and_o dangerous_a shall_v be_v here_o brief_o represent_v in_o a_o ewe_n particular_n and_o so_o we_o will_v shut_v up_o this_o discourse_n of_o the_o right_a use_n and_o abuse_v of_o reason_n pervert_v reason_n how_o and_o wherein_o humane_a reason_n be_v abuse_v and_o pervert_v first_o it_o be_v then_o dangerous_a and_o destructive_a to_o the_o divine_a purity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o the_o opinion_n and_o sentiment_n of_o some_o learned_a philosopher_n and_o rationalist_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v impose_v upon_o we_o as_o true_a as_o namely_o the_o world_n eternity_n the_o stoical_a fate_n purgatory_n after_o this_o life_n the_o denial_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n worship_v of_o angel_n and_o the_o like_a have_v a_o show_n of_o reason_n wisdom_n and_o humility_n col._n 2_o 18_o 23._o second_o when_o those_o principle_n of_o nature_n and_o philosophy_n which_o be_v true_a in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n be_v pervert_v and_o abuse_v to_o the_o reject_v of_o those_o gospel-truth_n that_o be_v above_o nature_n these_o maxim_n and_o position_n of_o philosopher_n that_o of_o nothing_o nothing_o can_v be_v make_v that_o of_o privation_n to_o a_o habit_n there_o be_v no_o regression_n that_o a_o virgin_n can_v conceive_v though_o they_o be_v natural_o and_o physical_o true_a yet_o in_o divinity_n and_o christianity_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v god_n create_v the_o world_n of_o nothing_o our_o bless_a saviour_n without_o the_o help_n of_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o the_o scripture_n assure_v we_o god_n call_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o as_o if_o they_o be_v rom._n 4.17_o these_o body_n of_o we_o after_o they_o be_v resolve_v into_o dust_n shall_v be_v raise_v up_o again_o and_o make_v like_o to_o the_o glorious_a body_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n whereby_o he_o be_v able_a even_o to_o subdue_v all_o thing_n to_o himself_o phil._n 3.21_o here_o faith_n in_o god_n omnipotency_n must_v be_v exercise_v and_o reason_n must_v give_v way_n to_o faith_n indeed_o man_n reason_n as_o now_o it_o stand_v be_v so_o far_o from_o take_v the_o just_a measure_n of_o faith_n which_o transcend_v natural_a strength_n and_o reason_n that_o it_o can_v so_o much_o as_o take_v the_o just_a and_o full_a measure_n of_o nature_n nor_o of_o the_o least_o of_o god_n creature_n in_o regard_n of_o that_o ignorance_n and_o darkness_n that_o be_v in_o every_o one_o of_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a error_n to_o believe_v no_o further_o than_o reason_n can_v measure_v and_o comprehend_v for_o what_o a_o great_a way_n do_v the_o truth_n of_o spiritual_a and_o divine_a thing_n extend_v beyond_o our_o reason_n and_o even_o reason_n itself_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o this_o point_n namely_o that_o we_o shall_v believe_v beyond_o reason_n i_o mean_v those_o thing_n which_o no_o mere_a natural_a understanding_n or_o capacity_n can_v reach_v or_o attain_v to_o and_o that_o when_o these_o thing_n be_v reveal_v by_o god_n to_o man_n which_o reason_n can_v never_o have_v comprehend_v no_o not_o even_o when_o it_o be_v at_o the_o best_a the_o same_o reason_n which_o can_v never_o have_v find_v they_o out_o make_v we_o to_o allow_v of_o they_o it_o be_v reasonable_a and_o fit_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v whatsoever_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o be_v true_a and_o herein_o reason_n teach_v we_o that_o which_o she_o herself_o neither_o know_v nor_o believe_v namely_o by_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o most_o infallible_a teacher_n who_o we_o ought_v to_o hear_v and_o believe_v three_o it_o be_v then_o dangerous_a when_o a_o christian_a boast_n of_o his_o humane_a reason_n and_o knowledge_n and_o be_v elate_v and_o puff_v up_o therewith_o undervalue_v and_o slight_v all_o other_o as_o if_o their_o reason_n and_o knowledge_n be_v not_o comparable_a to_o he_o and_o so_o it_o become_v a_o vain_a windy_a thing_n knowledge_n say_v the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 8.1_o puff_v up_o but_o love_n edifi_v vain_a man_n will_v be_v wise_a as_o it_o be_v in_o job_n 11.12_o though_o he_o