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consider_v the_o three_o or_o four_o first_o verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chapter_n of_o deuteronomy_n where_o god_n by_o moses_n say_v thus_o to_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n if_o there_o arise_v among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o the_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v whereof_o he_o speak_v unto_o thou_o say_v let_v we_o go_v after_o other_o god_n and_o let_v we_o serve_v they_o thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o your_o soul_n etc._n etc._n theoph._n that_o place_n be_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n quote_v by_o you_o and_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v plain_o to_o be_v gather_v from_o it_o first_o that_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o doctrine_n itself_o before_o we_o 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that_o be_v plain_o unworthy_a of_o god_n to_o revele_v or_o that_o contain_v a_o manifest_a contradiction_n to_o any_o of_o his_o attribute_n but_o when_o positive_a goodness_n be_v also_o therein_o observable_a that_o be_v a_o high_a congruity_n and_o agreeableness_n with_o the_o divine_a perfection_n such_o doctrine_n make_v miracle_n a_o more_o abundant_o strong_a argument_n that_o the_o preacher_n of_o they_o be_v no_o impostor_n but_o that_o he_o come_v from_o heaven_n upon_o god_n message_n philal._n but_o there_o be_v learned_a man_n that_o distinguish_v betwixt_o miracle_n and_o wonder_n assert_v that_o the_o former_a be_v sufficient_a motive_n of_o credibility_n though_o not_o the_o latter_a theoph._n though_o these_o two_o ought_v to_o be_v distinguish_v yet_o i_o conceive_v that_o distinction_n will_v signify_v very_o little_a when_o apply_v to_o this_o matter_n for_o i_o can_v question_v but_o that_o it_o may_v lie_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o evil_a spirit_n power_n 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doctrine_n and_o be_v hear_v to_o cry_v up_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n scripture_n and_o of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o contain_v it_o theoph._n there_o be_v so_o philalethes_n but_o why_o do_v they_o distinguish_v between_o miracle_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o without_o all_o doubt_n for_o be_v they_o not_o perform_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v his_o testimony_n or_o attestation_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n philal._n but_o they_o mean_v a_o internal_a testimony_n or_o a_o secret_a powerful_a persuasion_n wrought_v immediate_o in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n theoph._n but_o those_o that_o say_v that_o credit_n can_v be_v give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n without_o this_o make_v the_o devil_n great_a unbeliever_n than_o we_o be_v from_o scripture_n assure_v they_o be_v and_o moreover_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o assert_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n may_v have_v spare_v their_o mighty_a work_n for_o who_o will_v deny_v that_o the_o spirit_n immediate_a testimony_n be_v alone_o abundant_o sufficient_a for_o that_o purpose_n but_o beside_o those_o that_o talk_v thus_o do_v apparent_o run_v in_o as_o gross_a a_o circle_n as_o that_o we_o accuse_v the_o papist_n of_o for_o as_o they_o prove_v the_o scripture_n by_o their_o church_n and_o their_o church_n by_o the_o scripture_n so_o these_o prove_v the_o scripture_n by_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o then_o can_v prove_v so_o much_o as_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n but_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o once_o more_o if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o this_o opinion_n there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o conviction_n of_o infidel_n for_o this_o internal_a testimony_n can_v be_v a_o argument_n to_o none_o but_o those_o that_o have_v it_o philal._n this_o i_o once_o urge_v to_o a_o certain_a divine_a who_o stiff_o maintain_v that_o conceit_n and_o be_v angry_a with_o those_o that_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o other_o way_n and_o he_o ready_o reply_v that_o he_o know_v no_o mean_n to_o be_v use_v for_o the_o conviction_n of_o unbeliever_n but_o pray_v for_o they_o theoph._n i_o commend_v that_o gentleman_n ingenuity_n in_o that_o concession_n but_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v more_o dishonourable_a to_o our_o excellent_a religion_n or_o that_o tend_v more_o to_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o those_o that_o bear_v no_o goodwill_n to_o it_o philal._n but_o theophilus_n do_v you_o think_v then_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o this_o inward_a testimony_n theoph._n all_o i_o think_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n spirit_n i_o will_v brief_o tell_v you_o i_o say_v that_o the_o external_a and_o rational_a motive_n of_o credibility_n 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impute_a righteousness_n but_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o it_o by_o take_v from_o thence_o a_o occasion_n to_o entertain_v low_a and_o disparage_a thought_n of_o a_o inward_a real_a righteousness_n i_o have_v too_o good_a reason_n to_o suspect_v this_o so_o that_o to_o deal_v free_o with_o you_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v well_o if_o it_o be_v never_o use_v except_o when_o there_o be_v a_o opportunity_n of_o also_o explain_v it_o philal._n what_o you_o say_v be_v considerable_a but_o be_v it_o not_o a_o scripture-phrase_n and_o i_o have_v hear_v you_o say_v that_o you_o can_v wish_v that_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v use_v to_o be_v express_v as_o they_o be_v in_o scripture_n theoph._n it_o will_v ordinary_o be_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n if_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o these_o divine_n preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o remission_n of_o sin_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n do_v preach_v all_o that_o be_v true_a of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n 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be_v time_n to_o have_v do_v with_o the_o first_o advantage_n that_o i_o tell_v you_o be_v get_v by_o have_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n demonstrate_v to_o we_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v no_o small_a confirmation_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o the_o truth_n thereof_o second_o gospel_n another_o advantage_n we_o get_v hereby_o be_v that_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o learn_v the_o incomparable_a excellency_n of_o our_o saviour_n religion_n not_o to_o say_v above_o the_o heathen_a god_n imposition_n on_o their_o worshipper_n their_o religion_n be_v for_o a_o great_a part_n not_o only_o most_o ridiculous_a but_o also_o full_a of_o unnatural_a villainy_n and_o filthiness_n such_o as_o a_o modest_a tongue_n will_v find_v it_o difficult_a to_o utter_v and_o chaste_a ear_n to_o hear_v witness_v the_o rite_n of_o cybele_n the_o feast_n of_o bacchus_n flora_n venus_n and_o priapus_n and_o likewise_o it_o be_v full_a of_o cruelty_n and_o bloody_a tyranny_n i_o say_v 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precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v high_o reasonable_a theoph._n you_o have_v less_o need_n reasonable_a philalethes_n than_o most_o i_o know_v to_o ask_v i_o that_o question_n but_o yet_o because_o i_o be_o get_v into_o a_o vein_n of_o talk_v i_o will_v satisfy_v you_o for_o discourse_v sake_n in_o that_o demand_n i_o mean_v that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o our_o reason_n tell_v we_o be_v high_o fit_v and_o become_v we_o consider_v what_o kind_n of_o creature_n we_o be_v and_o the_o circumstance_n and_o relation_n we_o stand_v in_o to_o god_n our_o selus_fw-la and_o each_o other_o nay_o they_o be_v so_o become_v we_o that_o our_o reason_n will_v also_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o contrary_n be_v no_o less_o unworthy_a of_o we_o philal._n but_o before_o you_o proceed_v far_o give_v i_o leave_v so_o far_o to_o interrupt_v you_o as_o to_o desire_v a_o clear_a description_n of_o reason_n from_o you_o whatever_o i_o do_v i_o can_v scarce_o think_v that_o the_o great_a decryer_n of_o it_o do_v distinct_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v theoph._n if_o they_o do_v i_o can_v imagine_v what_o shall_v incline_v they_o to_o such_o extravagant_a and_o strange_a prattle_n as_o be_v hear_v from_o they_o but_o to_o your_o question_n reason_n be_v that_o power_n reason_n whereby_o man_n be_v enable_v to_o draw_v clear_a inference_n from_o evident_a principle_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o preacher_n we_o be_v discourse_v of_o and_o other_o demonstrate_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v those_o self-evident_a principle_n from_o whence_o what_o the_o gospel_n require_v may_v be_v infer_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n although_o god_n have_v never_o declare_v his_o mind_n concern_v they_o philal._n but_o sure_o they_o can_v think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o what_o be_v such_o what_o say_v you_o to_o those_o that_o enjoin_v the_o two_o sacrament_n theoph._n i_o will_v in_o short_a tell_v you_o all_o that_o i_o think_v be_v necessary_a to_o be_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n in_o these_o two_o proposition_n first_o all_z those_o thing_n wherein_o do_v consist_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o be_v good_a and_o necessary_a in_o themselves_o to_o be_v do_v and_o the_o contrary_a evil_n and_o necessary_a in_o themselves_o to_o be_v avoid_v those_o be_v such_o as_o it_o will_v be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o suppose_v they_o not_o our_o duty_n consider_v as_o be_v say_v what_o creature_n we_o be_v and_o our_o several_a circumstance_n and_o relation_n and_o so_o will_v it_o be_v to_o suppose_v these_o not_o disbecome_v we_o and_o unworthy_a of_o we_o our_o saviour_n you_o know_v sum_v up_o our_o whole_a duty_n in_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n the_o substance_n of_o which_o as_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v show_v by_o enumerate_a particular_n be_v reducible_a to_o these_o two_o head_n nay_o to_o the_o former_a namely_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o there_o be_v no_o principle_n we_o do_v more_o natural_o assent_v to_o than_o that_o he_o in_o who_o we_o live_v move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v from_o who_o we_o receive_v all_o we_o enjoy_v and_o expect_v all_o that_o we_o can_v hope_v for_o of_o good_a shall_v be_v belove_v by_o we_o nay_o and_o make_v also_o the_o object_n of_o our_o chief_a love_n and_o a_o imitation_n of_o all_o god_n imitable_a perfection_n be_v a_o necessary_a consequent_a of_o such_o a_o love_n of_o god_n such_o as_o his_o holiness_n justice_n goodness_n 22._o hierocles_n have_v tell_v we_o that_o who_o a_o man_n love_v he_o will_v as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o he_o imitate_v and_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v not_o only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n nature_n and_o essence_n but_o also_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o possible_a likeness_n thereunto_o now_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n religion_n be_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o st._n gregory_n nyssen_n make_v to_o be_v its_o very_a definition_n as_o no_o one_o that_o considerative_o read_v the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v contain_v can_v at_o all_o doubt_n second_o proposition_n the_o other_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v but_o few_o be_v impose_v as_o help_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o those_o foremention_v they_o be_v not_o require_v for_o themselves_o but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o great_a essential_o of_o religion_n and_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o make_v good_a that_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o of_o a_o mere_o positive_a nature_n except_o the_o two_o sacrament_n which_o yet_o be_v appoint_v for_o very_o great_a end_n and_o purpose_n and_o be_v most_o excellent_a help_n to_o the_o attain_n of_o true_a holiness_n and_o that_o wherein_o the_o power_n and_o life_n of_o religion_n consist_v and_o not_o only_a trial_n of_o obedience_n meditation_n prayer_n read_v and_o hear_v god_n word_n the_o observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n good_a conference_n etc._n etc._n be_v in_o themselves_o help_v and_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v so_o through_o the_o divine_a ordination_n and_o indeed_o to_o speak_v proper_o they_o be_v no_o less_o our_o privilege_n than_o our_o duty_n as_o be_v seal_n of_o god_n covenant_n and_o pledge_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o divine_a grace_n for_o which_o we_o be_v no_o less_o oblige_v to_o he_o than_o we_o be_v for_o his_o gracious_a promise_n philal._n but_o what_o think_v you_o of_o believe_v in_o christ_n jesus_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n can_v reason_n ever_o have_v prompt_v this_o as_o man_n duty_n theoph._n yes_o as_o soon_o as_o any_o thing_n enjoin_v in_o the_o gospel_n when_o once_o it_o be_v demonstrate_v that_o he_o have_v god_n exalt_v to_o be_v our_o
heathen_n give_v rule_n for_o the_o regulation_n of_o man_n thought_n and_o affection_n as_o well_o as_o word_n and_o action_n theoph._n why_o do_v you_o ask_v i_o that_o question_n for_o you_o very_o well_o know_v that_o they_o abound_v with_o they_o as_o ignorant_a as_o you_o be_v please_v to_o make_v yourself_o philal._n i_o be_v i_o confess_v guilty_a of_o great_a inconsiderateness_n in_o put_v that_o question_n to_o you_o theoph._n and_o you_o be_v not_o to_o learn_v that_o divers_a of_o they_o lead_v man_n to_o good_a end_n in_o their_o virtuous_a action_n and_o that_o place_v man_n supreme_a happiness_n in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n they_o teach_v we_o to_o make_v that_o our_o great_a design_n philal._n i_o have_v much_o observe_v it_o and_o especial_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o platonist_n and_o moreover_o that_o in_o their_o moral_a discourse_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o perform_v good_a action_n out_o of_o love_n to_o goodness_n and_o condemn_v base_a end_n and_o particular_o some_o of_o they_o even_o that_o of_o applause_n and_o a_o great_a name_n as_o much_o as_o some_o other_o allow_v of_o it_o and_o commend_v it_o too_o but_o have_v you_o find_v that_o any_o of_o they_o teach_v man_n to_o act_v our_o of_o love_n to_o god_n and_o to_o make_v his_o glory_n their_o last_o end_n theoph._n these_o two_o you_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v distinguish_v from_o each_o other_o now_o though_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v the_o late_a in_o any_o of_o they_o as_o you_o word_n it_o yet_o the_o former_a i_o do_v the_o forementioned_a hierocles_n speak_v of_o piety_n or_o love_n to_o god_n 26._o have_v this_o say_n with_o this_o every_o thing_n be_v please_v to_o god_n but_o without_o this_o nothing_o and_o he_o bring_v in_o apollo_n speak_v thus_o to_o one_o that_o offer_v a_o hecatomb_n to_o he_o but_o with_o no_o pious_a mind_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thy_o hundred_o ox_n i_o less_o kind_o take_v than_o poor_a but_o pious_a hermions_n barley-cake_n but_o i_o need_v not_o trouble_v you_o with_o instance_n to_o this_o purpose_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o plain_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n than_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o act_v principal_o out_o of_o love_n to_o god_n our_o obligation_n to_o he_o be_v beyond_o all_o expression_n and_o conception_n great_a any_o man_n may_v see_v this_o that_o have_v not_o lose_v all_o sense_n of_o gratitude_n which_o principle_n how_o any_o shall_v quite_o extirpate_v out_o of_o their_o soul_n i_o can_v understand_v it_o be_v i_o think_v not_o much_o less_o deep_o root_v there_o than_o that_o of_o self-love_n and_o observable_a in_o brute_n as_o well_o as_o man_n philal._n but_o yet_o i_o conceive_v that_o to_o act_v out_o of_o love_n to_o god_n and_o out_o of_o love_n to_o goodness_n be_v much_o the_o same_o theoph._n material_o they_o be_v goodness_n be_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o god_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o nothing_o argue_v a_o man_n to_o be_v so_o like_a to_o god_n as_o do_v do_v virtuous_o from_o this_o principle_n of_o love_n to_o goodness_n philal._n nor_o do_v the_o holy_a scripture_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o make_v any_o nice_a distinction_n between_o design_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n as_o our_o supreme_a happiness_n and_o make_v his_o glory_n our_o last_n end_n theoph._n no_o sure_o they_o do_v not_o and_o i_o wish_v that_o no_o good_a people_n be_v more_o critical_a in_o so_o do_v than_o the_o scripture_n be_v by_o this_o mean_n will_v many_o free_v themselves_o from_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o needless_a trouble_n they_o be_v apt_a to_o cast_v themselves_o down_o with_o philal._n i_o have_v sometime_o wonder_v great_o how_o heathen_n shall_v come_v by_o such_o excellent_a notion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o i_o shall_v now_o be_v tempt_v to_o account_v it_o matter_n of_o admiration_n shall_v they_o all_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o theoph._n true_o philalethes_n i_o do_v real_o think_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v difficult_a to_o conceive_v how_o those_o that_o never_o law_n the_o bible_n shall_v have_v such_o conception_n that_o it_o will_v be_v rather_o so_o how_o those_o of_o they_o that_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v emerge_v out_o of_o those_o gross_a notion_n of_o the_o deity_n into_o which_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v sink_v and_o that_o make_v use_v of_o their_o intellectual_n and_o be_v considerative_a shall_v not_o have_v they_o philal._n enjoin_v but_o do_v not_o what_o have_v be_v say_v tend_v to_o disparage_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v it_o the_o very_a same_o except_v in_o two_o or_o three_o precept_n with_o a_o mere_a natural_a religion_n theoph._n i_o will_v rather_o impose_v a_o eternal_a silence_n upon_o my_o tongue_n and_o pluck_v it_o out_o by_o the_o root_n too_o than_o once_o utter_v a_o syllable_n to_o such_o a_o mischievous_a purpose_n but_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o be_v conscious_a to_o myself_o that_o what_o have_v be_v say_v do_v tend_v to_o the_o debase_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o i_o know_v it_o high_o conduce_v to_o its_o commendation_n but_o whereas_o you_o ask_v whether_o to_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o duty_n therein_o enjoin_v but_o what_o man_n reason_n alone_o be_v it_o well_o consult_v might_n suggest_v so_o to_o be_v be_v not_o to_o make_v it_o a_o mere_a natural_a religion_n to_o that_o i_o answer_v that_o you_o do_v not_o consider_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o make_v up_o altogether_o of_o agenda_fw-la or_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v whereas_o these_o you_o know_v be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o it_o there_o be_v beside_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o many_o thing_n to_o be_v know_v and_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n which_o yet_o have_v a_o influence_n upon_o practice_n too_o there_o be_v abundance_n of_o promise_n as_o well_o as_o precept_n and_o stupendous_a expression_n of_o god_n love_n to_o mankind_n therein_o declare_v all_o which_o we_o 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be_v forbid_v be_v now_o call_v wickedness_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n make_v it_o holiness_n but_o if_o this_o do_v not_o raze_v and_o overturn_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n no_o opinion_n in_o the_o world_n tend_v so_o to_o do_v philal._n if_o abraham_n be_v of_o that_o mind_n he_o strange_o forget_v himself_o when_o he_o say_v to_o his_o maker_n shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n do_v right_a and_o whether_o he_o be_v of_o that_o mind_n or_o no_o if_o the_o doctrine_n be_v true_a he_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o monstrously-absurd_a impertinence_n in_o so_o say_v and_o yet_o which_o be_v more_o strange_a he_o have_v no_o check_n for_o it_o theoph._n nay_o do_v not_o god_n himself_o appeal_v to_o man_n innate_a notion_n and_o so_o confute_v that_o doctrine_n when_o he_o say_v to_o the_o rebellious_a jew_n be_v not_o my_o way_n equal_a and_o your_o way_n unequal_a can_v those_o man_n think_v that_o he_o only_o mean_v be_v not_o my_o way_n such_o as_o i_o 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