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the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o visitation_n hold_v at_o stoakesley_n in_o cleveland_n in_o yorkshire_n be_v the_o first_o visitation_n of_o the_o reverend_a mr._n long_o b._n d._n and_o archdeacon_n of_o cleveland_n by_o ja._n loud_a rector_n of_o esington_n in_o cleveland_n and_o chaplain_n to_o the_o right_n honourable_a john_n earl_n of_o bridgewater_n etc._n etc._n london_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1684._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a john_n earl_n of_o bridgewater_n viscount_n brackley_n baron_n of_o ellesmere_n lord_n lieutenant_n of_o the_o countey_n of_o buckingham_z and_o hertford_n and_o one_o of_o his_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n my_o lord_n when_o i_o be_v first_o desire_v to_o make_v this_o sermon_n public_a i_o be_v sensible_a that_o it_o want_v and_o yet_o be_v afraid_a to_o entitle_v it_o to_o so_o great_a a_o patronage_n 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divinity_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o then_o institute_v but_o this_o admirable_a contrivance_n of_o almighty_a god_n meet_v not_o with_o a_o answerable_a reception_n in_o the_o world_n for_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n either_o out_o of_o weakness_n or_o wilfulness_n either_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o perverseness_n be_v offend_v at_o it_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o man_n though_o differ_v much_o among_o themselves_o yet_o both_o agree_v against_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o think_v it_o a_o very_a improbable_a thing_n to_o reconcile_v the_o world_n to_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n and_o indeed_o a_o very_a unreasonable_a thing_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o worship_n a_o crucify_a saviour_n as_o for_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v prepossess_v with_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o eternity_n of_o their_o law_n and_o the_o splendour_n of_o their_o expect_a messiah_n so_o that_o nothing_o that_o be_v outward_o mean_a and_o humble_a do_v agree_v with_o that_o pompous_a scene_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v fancy_v they_o expect_v a_o great_a prince_n for_o their_o messiah_n who_o shall_v indeed_o cause_v a_o alteration_n in_o the_o government_n but_o none_o in_o their_o religion_n for_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o eternal_a and_o never_o to_o undergo_v the_o least_o shadow_n of_o change_n and_o therefore_o for_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v thus_o accustom_v at_o least_o in_o their_o own_o thought_n to_o pomp_n and_o ceremony_n for_o they_o who_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o the_o child_n of_o abraham_n and_o so_o heir_n of_o all_o the_o glorious_a promise_n make_v to_o they_o in_o scripture_n for_o they_o to_o embrace_v a_o humble_a persecute_v and_o at_o last_o crucify_v saviour_n this_o they_o think_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o religion_n as_o jew_n and_o with_o their_o reason_n as_o men._n and_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n a_o stumble_a block_n so_o be_v he_o to_o the_o greek_n that_o be_v as_o they_o think_v themselves_o the_o learnede_a part_n of_o the_o gentile_a world_n foolishness_n now_o the_o greek_n be_v offend_v at_o the_o plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a institution_n they_o expect_v to_o have_v find_v it_o full_a of_o philosophy_n or_o some_o kind_n of_o nice_a and_o curious_a learning_n which_o be_v in_o request_n and_o esteem_v among_o they_o and_o be_v disappoint_v heroine_n they_o begin_v to_o entertain_v low_a and_o mean_a thought_n concern_v it_o as_o not_o worthy_a to_o enter_v into_o their_o school_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n these_o be_v the_o two_o grand_a imputation_n under_o which_o the_o gospel_n than_o lie_v both_o from_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o both_o which_o the_o text_n be_v a_o direct_a answer_n that_o what_o ever_o mean_v thought_n the_o jew_n may_v entertain_v concern_v the_o crucify_a jesus_n and_o what_o ever_o unworthy_a apprehension_n the_o greek_n may_v have_v of_o his_o doctrine_n yet_o upon_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o thing_n to_o those_o that_o be_v call_v that_o be_v to_o those_o that_o become_v christian_n for_o that_o be_v the_o plain_a and_o proper_a and_o usual_a sense_n of_o call_v in_o scripture_n to_o those_o who_o judge_n by_o better_a principle_n and_o sure_a rule_n it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o gentile_n these_o two_o scandal_n here_o cast_v upon_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n together_o with_o the_o respective_a answer_n which_o the_o apostle_n here_o give_v to_o they_o be_v the_o general_a part_n of_o the_o text_n and_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o present_a discourse_n first_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o jew_n i_o shall_v do_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o i_o shall_v show_v what_o little_a reason_n the_o jew_n
2._o christ_n thus_o show_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n because_o he_o have_v do_v that_o which_o nothing_o but_o the_o power_n of_o god_n can_v do_v as._n 1._o he_o have_v destroy_v the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n without_o we_o 2._o he_o have_v subdue_v our_o wicked_a lust_n and_o corruption_n within_o we_o 1._o he_o have_v destroy_v the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n without_o we_o this_o the_o pharisye_n themselves_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o cast_v out_o devil_n but_o then_o they_o say_v it_o be_v by_o belzebub_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o christ_n do_v very_o solid_o and_o rational_o confute_v the_o weakness_n and_o silliness_n of_o this_o surmise_n a_o kingdom_n say_v he_o divide_v against_o itself_o be_v bring_v to_o desolation_n and_o a_o house_n or_o city_n divide_v against_o itself_o can_v stand_v and_o if_o satan_n be_v divide_v against_o himself_o how_o shall_v his_o kingdom_n stand_v for_o he_o that_o can_v believe_v that_o the_o devil_n shall_v assist_v he_o who_o great_a end_n and_o design_n be_v no_o other_o but_o only_o to_o destroy_v sin_n and_o wickedness_n and_o to_o encourage_v and_o promote_v virtue_n and_o piety_n in_o the_o world_n such_o a_o one_o may_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n believe_v and_o assert_v any_o thing_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o dissolve_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o to_o restore_v thing_n to_o the_o state_n wherein_o they_o be_v before_o for_o god_n may_v have_v seem_v frustrate_v in_o his_o end_n and_o design_n in_o create_v man_n if_o that_o method_n of_o his_o providence_n first_o institute_v for_o man_n salvation_n if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o utter_o break_v beyond_o the_o possibility_n of_o all_o recovery_n but_o now_o christ_n have_v give_v the_o devil_n and_o all_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n to_o understand_v that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v light_a out_o of_o darkness_n and_o order_n out_o of_o confusion_n thus_o have_v god_n restore_v man_n again_o to_o a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o former_a attempt_n and_o present_a endeavour_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o the_o contrary_n 2._o christ_n by_o the_o gospel_n have_v subdue_v our_o wicked_a lust_n and_o affection_n within_o we_o and_o this_o be_v more_o than_o either_o the_o jewish_a sacrifice_n of_o themselves_o or_o the_o imperfect_a rule_n of_o the_o gentile_a philosophy_n be_v ever_o able_a to_o perform_v he_o have_v not_o only_a himself_o overcome_v the_o devil_n but_o also_o enable_v every_o true_a christian_n to_o do_v the_o same_o this_o he_o do_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n whereby_o we_o become_v more_o than_o conqueror_n over_o all_o temptation_n thus_o christ_n do_v at_o once_o instruct_v and_o strengthen_v we_o he_o teach_v we_o what_o to_o do_v and_o enable_v we_o to_o do_v what_o he_o teach_v precept_n though_o never_o so_o excellent_a yet_o if_o they_o be_v unpracticable_a be_v altogether_o void_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n but_o this_o be_v thepeculiar_a privilege_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o it_o enable_v we_o to_o perform_v that_o obedience_n which_o it_o require_v of_o we_o thus_o be_v it_o the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n that_o be_v a_o method_n every_o way_n sufficient_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n for_o that_o purpose_n but_o then_o this_o be_v not_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v to_o be_v do_v by_o we_o for_o christ_n have_v not_o so_o effect_v man_n salvation_n that_o nothing_o now_o remain_v for_o we_o to_o do_v but_o idle_o to_o expect_v it_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n indeed_o have_v bring_v salvation_n but_o than_o it_o be_v by_o teach_v we_o to_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n which_o suppose_v our_o willingness_n and_o our_o endeavour_n too_o to_o learn_v thus_o the_o manner_n of_o christ_n appearance_n in_o the_o world_n can_v give_v no_o just_a occasion_n of_o offence_n to_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a mean_n to_o effect_v those_o great_a and_o worthy_a end_n of_o his_o come_n and_o to_o prove_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o as_o for_o christ_n death_n if_o it_o be_v no_o dishonour_n for_o he_o to_o be_v bear_v neither_o be_v it_o any_o to_o die_v for_o the_o one_o seem_v natural_o to_o follow_v from_o the_o other_o and_o suppose_v the_o person_n suffer_v to_o be_v innocent_a as_o christ_n certain_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n can_v reflect_v any_o thing_n of_o real_a dishonour_n upon_o he_o so_o that_o all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o christ_n crucifixion_n be_v only_o this_o his_o great_a love_n to_o we_o and_o the_o jew_n their_o great_a malice_n and_o cruelty_n to_o he_o and_o further_o the_o circumstance_n that_o attend_v his_o death_n speak_v he_o to_o be_v more_o than_o a_o common_a and_o ordinary_a person_n then_o be_v the_o sun_n darken_v the_o grave_n open_v the_o veil_n of_o the_o temple_n rent_n and_o such_o general_a convulsion_n of_o nature_n every_o where_o appear_v that_o it_o cause_v a_o philosopher_n thus_o to_o argue_v either_o that_o nature_n it_o self_n be_v dissolve_v or_o that_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n suffer_v 2._o the_o death_n of_o christ_n can_v give_v no_o just_a occasion_n of_o offence_n to_o the_o jew_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o honorary_a consequence_n of_o it_o for_o by_o this_o be_v afford_v the_o great_a matter_n of_o triumph_n to_o the_o christian_a cause_n imaginable_a for_o if_o christ_n have_v not_o die_v he_o can_v not_o have_v rise_v again_o and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o his_o power_n to_o raise_v himself_o from_o death_n than_o it_o will_v have_v be_v to_o have_v keep_v himself_o from_o die_v thus_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o his_o person_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o thus_o much_o as_o to_o the_o first_o general_a part_n of_o my_o text_n in_o answer_n to_o those_o offence_n which_o the_o jew_n take_v at_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n 2._o the_o second_o scandal_n here_o cast_v upon_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o greek_n be_v the_o imputation_n of_o folly_n and_o to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n herei_fw-la shall_v likewise_o vindicate_v thegospel_n from_o this_o aspersion_n by_o speak_v to_o these_o two_o particular_n 1._o i_o shall_v show_v what_o little_a reason_n the_o greek_n have_v to_o impute_v foolishness_n to_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n see_v this_o do_v infinite_o transcend_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o truth_n and_o certain_o of_o its_o principle_n 2._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o wisdom_n and_o prudence_n of_o the_o christian_a practice_n the_o first_o of_o these_o show_v the_o improperness_n of_o the_o objection_n as_o make_v by_o they_o the_o other_o the_o falseness_n of_o it_o in_o itself_o the_o first_o show_v how_o unfit_a it_o be_v to_o be_v object_v by_o the_o greek_n the_o other_o how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o be_v defend_v by_o any_o and_o both_o together_o i_o hope_v will_v sufficient_o vindicate_v the_o gospel_n from_o the_o least_o imputation_n of_o folly_n 1._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o of_o the_o gentile_n 1._o as_o it_o be_v a_o practical_a institution_n or_o a_o doctrine_n of_o morality_n so_o the_o very_a heathen_n can_v not_o but_o testify_v their_o profound_a veneration_n for_o it_o all_o that_o their_o wit_n and_o malice_n can_v object_v against_o it_o in_o this_o particular_a be_v only_o that_o which_o be_v indeed_o a_o tacit_n acknowledgement_n of_o its_o excellence_n viz._n that_o it_o require_v great_a degree_n of_o holiness_n than_o be_v consistent_a with_o humane_a nature_n and_o that_o it_o put_v its_o professor_n upon_o endeavour_n after_o unattainable_a measure_n of_o purity_n and_o piety_n and_o as_o to_o the_o mystical_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n what_o be_v there_o in_o it_o that_o do_v not_o become_v the_o solemn_a and_o venerable_a nature_n of_o a_o divine_o reveal_v religion_n indeed_o if_o we_o must_v reject_v every_o thing_n as_o false_a and_o foolish_a because_o dream_n inexplicable_a and_o incomprehensible_a as_o to_o the_o mode_n then_o must_v we_o bid_v adieu_o to_o our_o natural_a as_o well_o as_o our_o christian_a religion_n but_o the_o great_a matter_n of_o offence_n to_o the_o greek_n be_v christ_n crucify_a god_n and_o man_n join_v in_o one_o person_n and_o suffer_v for_o the_o expiation_n ofsin_n god_n manifest_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v certain_o a_o great_a mystery_n so_o also_o be_v the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n a_o thing_n altogether_o inexplicable_a as_o for_o his_o die_v as_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o humane_a sacrifice_n be_v frequent_o practise_v among_o the_o heathen_n and_o look_v upon_o