The characters of divine revelation a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, March 4. 1694/5 : being the third of the lecture for the ensuing year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...
         Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
      
       
         
           1695
        
      
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             The characters of divine revelation a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, March 4. 1694/5 : being the third of the lecture for the ensuing year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...
             Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
             Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.
          
           [4], 32 p.
           
             Printed for Ri. Chiswell, and Tho. Cockerill ...,
             London :
             1695.
          
           
             Half-title (p. [1]) reads: Dr. Williams's third sermon at Mr. Boyle's lecture, 1695.
             "Imprimatur" (p. [2]) dated and signed: March 6. 1694/5. Guil. Lancaster.
             Errata: p. 32.
             Duplicate copies appear on reels 951 and 1110.
             Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- N.T. -- Hebrews I, 1-2 -- Sermons.
           Revelation -- Sermons.
           Salvation -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           D
           r
           
           WILLIAMS's
           THIRD
           SERMON
           AT
           Mr.
           BOYLE's
           Lecture
           ,
           1695.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           IMPRIMATUR
           ,
        
         
           
             
               March
               6.
               1694
               
               /
               5.
               
            
          
           
             Guil.
             Lancaster
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Characters
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           St.
           
             Martins
             in
             the
             Fields
          
           ,
           March
           4.
           1694
           
           /
           5.
           
        
         
           BEING
           THE
           Third
           of
           the
           LECTURE
           For
           the
           Ensuing
           YEAR
           ,
           Founded
           by
           the
           Honourable
           
             ROBERT
             BOYLE
          
           ,
           Esquire
           .
        
         
           By
           
             JOHN
             WILLIAMS
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Ri.
             Chiswell
          
           ,
           and
           
             Tho.
             Cockerill
          
           :
           At
           the
           Rose
           and
           Crown
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ;
           and
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Legs
          
           in
           the
           Poultrey
           .
           M
           DC
           XC
           V.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             HEB.
             I.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             God
             who
             at
             sundry
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             divers
             manners
             spake
             in
             time
             past
             unto
             the
             Fathers
             by
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             hath
             in
             these
             last
             days
             spoken
             unto
             us
             by
             his
             Son.
             
          
        
         
           IN
           these
           Words
           there
           is
           ,
           (
           as
           I
           have
           shewed
           )
        
         
           I.
           A
           Description
           given
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           't
           is
           God's
           speaking
           ,
           or
           declaring
           his
           Will
           to
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           II.
           The
           Certainty
           of
           it
           ;
           't
           is
           by
           way
           of
           Declaration
           ,
           
             God
             who
             at
             sundry
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             divers
             manners
             spake
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           'T
           is
           taken
           for
           granted
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           needs
           no
           Proof
           .
        
         
           III.
           The
           Order
           observed
           in
           delivering
           this
           Revelation
           ;
           it
           was
           
             at
             sundry
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             divers
             manners
             ;
             in
             time
             past
             by
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           and
           
             in
             the
             last
             days
             by
             his
             Son.
             
          
        
         
           IV.
           The
           Perfection
           and
           Conclusion
           of
           all
           ;
           't
           is
           
             in
             the
             last
             days
             by
             his
             Son.
             
          
        
         
         
           Under
           the
           First
           I
           have
           shewed
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           is
           meant
           by
           Revelation
           ,
           in
           contradistinction
           to
           Natural
           Light.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Possibility
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Expedience
           ,
           Usefulness
           ,
           and
           Necessity
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Under
           the
           Second
           I
           have
           shewed
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Certainty
           of
           it
           ;
           or
           that
           there
           has
           been
           such
           a
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           now
           proceed
           to
           shew
           the
           Difference
           between
           Pretended
           and
           True
           Revelation
           ;
           or
           what
           are
           the
           Characters
           by
           which
           we
           may
           know
           Revelation
           to
           be
           True.
           
        
         
           In
           treating
           upon
           which
           ,
           I
           shall
           premise
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           proper
           Subject-matter
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           called
           here
           
             God's
             speaking
          
           ,
           being
           not
           self-evident
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           Road
           of
           Nature
           ,
           requires
           some
           extraneous
           Principles
           to
           prove
           it
           by
           .
           Sensible
           Objects
           lye
           open
           to
           the
           Sense
           ,
           and
           need
           no
           Proof
           ;
           for
           who
           ever
           thought
           it
           necessary
           to
           labour
           in
           proving
           there
           is
           a
           Sun
           in
           the
           Heavens
           ;
           that
           it
           rises
           and
           sets
           ,
           and
           has
           its
           stated
           Times
           and
           Periods
           of
           Revolution
           ;
           which
           every
           man
           that
           has
           his
           Eye-sight
           knows
           and
           sees
           as
           well
           as
           himself
           ?
        
         
         
           And
           there
           are
           Rational
           Inferences
           which
           we
           make
           from
           precedent
           Postulata
           ,
           that
           are
           as
           evident
           as
           the
           Principles
           from
           which
           they
           are
           deduced
           ,
           and
           which
           all
           men
           alike
           agree
           in
           .
        
         
           But
           in
           matters
           of
           mere
           Revelation
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           manner
           of
           Connection
           between
           them
           and
           what
           we
           know
           before
           ,
           and
           are
           therefore
           never
           to
           be
           wrought
           out
           ,
           or
           learned
           by
           the
           Book
           of
           Nature
           or
           Reason
           ;
           but
           are
           only
           to
           be
           understood
           and
           known
           ,
           as
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           communicate
           them
           .
           We
           might
           search
           and
           search
           eternally
           ,
           and
           yet
           never
           have
           found
           out
           the
           Mystery
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ;
           that
           Mystery
           which
           not
           only
           the
           Prophets
           
             enquired
             and
             searched
             diligently
          
           ,
           1
           Pet.
           1.10
           .
           but
           also
           
             the
             angels
             desire
             to
             look
             or
             pry
             into
             ,
          
           ver
           .
           12.
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           and
           were
           obliged
           to
           wait
           till
           
             the
             manifold
             wisdom
             of
             God
          
           was
           in
           its
           proper
           time
           
             made
             known
             to
             them
             by
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           Eph.
           3.10
           .
           (
           as
           has
           been
           before
           suggested
           )
           .
        
         
           This
           then
           being
           the
           Subject
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           't
           is
           reasonable
           that
           this
           Revelation
           should
           have
           some
           other
           ways
           of
           Proof
           ;
           that
           what
           is
           thus
           Divine
           in
           its
           Discovery
           ,
           should
           have
           a
           suitable
           Evidence
           to
           justify
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Matter
           of
           Revelation
           being
           thus
           of
           Divine
           Inspiration
           and
           Authority
           ,
           must
           also
           be
           worthy
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           great
           Importance
           ,
           and
           
           consequently
           requires
           a
           Proof
           suitable
           to
           the
           Nature
           and
           Importance
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           Matter
           in
           debate
           be
           inconsiderable
           ,
           we
           are
           contented
           with
           probable
           Arguments
           ,
           nor
           are
           we
           much
           concerned
           which
           way
           it
           is
           determined
           :
           As
           't
           is
           indifferent
           whether
           the
           Sun
           or
           the
           Earth
           be
           the
           Centre
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           we
           receive
           the
           benefit
           of
           both
           :
           Or
           whether
           our
           Diet
           nourishes
           ,
           or
           Physick
           operates
           by
           Qualities
           ,
           or
           the
           Texture
           of
           its
           parts
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           we
           find
           the
           happy
           Effects
           of
           it
           :
           Let
           Philosophers
           and
           Naturalists
           write
           Volumes
           ,
           and
           wrangle
           eternally
           about
           these
           disputable
           Points
           ,
           I
           find
           not
           my self
           concerned
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           my
           Interest
           is
           not
           affected
           nor
           concerned
           in
           the
           Quarrel
           .
           But
           when
           the
           matter
           is
           of
           no
           less
           consequence
           than
           my
           Eternal
           Happiness
           ,
           it
           requires
           the
           most
           serious
           Thoughts
           and
           Attention
           to
           be
           satisfied
           which
           is
           the
           right
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           wrong
           ;
           whether
           there
           be
           a
           Revelation
           ,
           or
           which
           is
           the
           true
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           false
           ;
           especially
           since
           there
           are
           different
           Pretenders
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Revelation
           being
           the
           Declaration
           of
           God's
           Will
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           as
           he
           doth
           not
           require
           us
           to
           believe
           without
           sufficient
           Evidence
           ,
           so
           it
           doth
           suppose
           that
           there
           is
           such
           Evidence
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           are
           some
           Marks
           or
           Signs
           by
           which
           the
           Truth
           and
           Certainty
           of
           such
           Revelation
           may
           be
           known
           
           and
           proved
           .
           For
           otherwise
           every
           Pretender
           to
           Revelation
           would
           challenge
           our
           belief
           ;
           and
           we
           should
           not
           know
           but
           that
           the
           True
           Revelation
           might
           be
           the
           False
           ,
           and
           the
           False
           the
           True.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           There
           are
           some
           things
           so
           necessary
           and
           inseparably
           belonging
           to
           Revelation
           ,
           that
           the
           want
           of
           them
           will
           utterly
           overthrow
           the
           Veracity
           and
           Authority
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           without
           further
           Evidence
           they
           are
           not
           sufficient
           to
           prove
           it
           :
           Of
           this
           kind
           are
           Self-agreement
           ,
           a
           Consonancy
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           true
           and
           certain
           Notions
           of
           Mankind
           concerning
           Good
           and
           Evil.
           We
           are
           certain
           if
           a
           Revelation
           fails
           in
           any
           one
           or
           more
           of
           these
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           false
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           Divine
           Inspiration
           :
           For
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           a
           true
           and
           right
           Notion
           of
           things
           ,
           are
           from
           God
           ;
           and
           to
           suppose
           a
           Revelation
           to
           be
           opposite
           to
           these
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           God
           contradict
           himself
           .
           Thus
           if
           we
           understand
           any
           thing
           ,
           we
           know
           God
           to
           be
           infinitely
           Good
           and
           Holy
           ,
           worthy
           of
           the
           profoundest
           and
           most
           solemn
           Adoration
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           Perfections
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           his
           Good
           Will
           and
           Beneficence
           to
           Mankind
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           sacrifice
           Men
           and
           Children
           ,
           and
           to
           mingle
           the
           most
           Impure
           and
           Ludicrous
           Practices
           with
           the
           Worship
           paid
           to
           him
           ,
           is
           rather
           an
           Offering
           to
           be
           presented
           to
           the
           most
           Beastly
           and
           Savage
           Daemons
           ,
           
           than
           the
           Holy
           and
           Merciful
           Creator
           of
           all
           things
           ;
           and
           consequently
           cannot
           be
           of
           his
           Institution
           .
           In
           this
           case
           a
           Contradiction
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           things
           ,
           would
           be
           like
           a
           Contradiction
           in
           Terms
           ,
           or
           a
           Contradiction
           in
           the
           Revelation
           it self
           .
           And
           therefore
           a
           Revelation
           that
           shall
           evidently
           contradict
           them
           ,
           is
           a
           Revelation
           in
           Pretence
           only
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           Divine
           .
        
         
           But
           tho
           these
           are
           thus
           necessary
           to
           Revelation
           ,
           that
           the
           want
           of
           them
           is
           sufficient
           to
           detect
           what
           is
           false
           ;
           yet
           however
           it
           will
           not
           follow
           ,
           That
           whereever
           these
           are
           [
           that
           because
           a
           Sum
           of
           Doctrine
           agrees
           with
           it self
           ,
           is
           consonant
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           right
           notion
           we
           have
           of
           things
           ]
           that
           it
           is
           therefore
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           .
           For
           tho
           it
           is
           seldom
           but
           the
           Imposture
           fails
           in
           one
           or
           more
           of
           these
           ,
           yet
           it
           may
           have
           all
           these
           Characters
           ,
           and
           be
           a
           Doctrine
           of
           Men
           ,
           of
           human
           Contrivance
           and
           Composure
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           there
           is
           somewhat
           farther
           requisite
           to
           the
           Proof
           of
           a
           Revelation
           ,
           somewhat
           peculiar
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           so
           belongs
           to
           it
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           common
           to
           any
           thing
           with
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           is
           a
           Point
           I
           shall
           now
           take
           into
           Consideration
           .
           Toward
           the
           clearer
           Proof
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           distribute
           it
           after
           a
           Threefold
           manner
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           shall
           consider
           the
           case
           of
           such
           as
           were
           
           themselves
           inspired
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           the
           Revelation
           was
           made
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           could
           be
           satisfied
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           such
           a
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           case
           of
           those
           that
           received
           the
           matter
           revealed
           immediately
           from
           the
           Persons
           inspired
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           were
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           such
           a
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           case
           of
           those
           that
           lived
           in
           Ages
           remote
           from
           that
           of
           the
           Inspired
           Persons
           ,
           and
           after
           that
           the
           Revelation
           was
           compleated
           ,
           (
           as
           was
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Jews
           more
           especially
           that
           lived
           between
           the
           time
           of
           Malachi
           ,
           and
           John
           the
           Baptist
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           case
           is
           of
           all
           Christians
           since
           the
           Apostolical
           times
           )
           and
           what
           Satisfaction
           and
           Evidence
           may
           there
           be
           expected
           in
           those
           Circumstances
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Case
           of
           those
           that
           received
           the
           Revelation
           ;
           and
           how
           they
           themselves
           could
           be
           satisfied
           about
           the
           Certainty
           of
           such
           a
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           The
           Resolution
           of
           this
           Point
           belongs
           in
           part
           to
           the
           Third
           General
           ,
           under
           which
           the
           Difference
           remains
           to
           be
           shewed
           between
           a
           Revelation
           and
           Imagination
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           not
           wholly
           refer
           it
           thither
           .
        
         
           There
           seems
           to
           be
           so
           near
           an
           Affinity
           between
           Revelation
           and
           Imagination
           ;
           and
           Imagination
           is
           so
           far
           operative
           in
           many
           Branches
           of
           Inspiration
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           very
           difficult
           to
           set
           out
           the
           bounds
           exactly
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           ,
           This
           is
           of
           Divine
           Inspiration
           ,
           and
           this
           the
           effect
           of
           Fancy
           .
        
         
         
           But
           whatever
           it
           may
           seem
           to
           us
           that
           have
           no
           Sensation
           or
           Experience
           of
           such
           Divine
           Representations
           as
           the
           Prophets
           had
           ;
           and
           so
           't
           is
           no
           more
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           describe
           it
           ,
           than
           't
           is
           for
           one
           that
           never
           had
           his
           Sight
           ,
           to
           conceive
           what
           Light
           and
           Colour
           is
           :
           Yet
           as
           the
           blind
           man
           may
           be
           convinced
           that
           there
           are
           such
           things
           as
           Light
           ,
           Colour
           ,
           Figure
           ,
           and
           Sight
           ,
           by
           what
           he
           hears
           and
           observes
           from
           those
           that
           are
           about
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           converses
           with
           :
           So
           we
           may
           be
           as
           well
           assured
           that
           there
           was
           in
           Prophetical
           Schemes
           that
           powerful
           Representation
           on
           the
           part
           of
           the
           Divine
           Agent
           ,
           and
           that
           clearness
           of
           Perception
           on
           the
           part
           of
           the
           Person
           Inspired
           ,
           as
           would
           abundantly
           make
           good
           those
           Phrases
           of
           Vision
           and
           Speaking
           ,
           by
           which
           it
           is
           described
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           and
           which
           may
           well
           be
           supposed
           as
           much
           more
           to
           advantage
           ,
           as
           the
           Power
           that
           operated
           upon
           them
           was
           beyond
           that
           of
           mere
           Imagination
           .
           So
           that
           those
           Inspired
           Persons
           after
           such
           Illumination
           ,
           might
           as
           well
           question
           what
           they
           heard
           or
           saw
           by
           the
           Natural
           Organs
           of
           Sense
           ,
           as
           doubt
           of
           what
           was
           revealed
           to
           them
           by
           the
           Impressions
           made
           upon
           them
           through
           the
           Agency
           of
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           To
           deny
           this
           ,
           is
           to
           deny
           that
           God
           can
           so
           communicate
           himself
           to
           an
           Intelligent
           Creature
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Creature
           shall
           certainly
           know
           that
           it
           proceeds
           from
           his
           immediate
           Suggestion
           ;
           which
           I
           have
           before
           shewed
           it
           is
           unreasonable
           to
           question
           :
           And
           indeed
           what
           is
           no
           more
           to
           be
           questioned
           or
           denied
           because
           we
           our selves
           have
           no
           experience
           of
           it
           ,
           than
           the
           Blind
           from
           their
           Birth
           can
           reasonably
           question
           or
           deny
           there
           is
           what
           we
           call
           Light
           and
           Colour
           ;
           or
           the
           Deaf
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           Sounds
           ,
           Voices
           ,
           and
           Words
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           no
           Notion
           or
           Idea
           of
           these
           things
           .
           Now
           if
           we
           think
           it
           reasonable
           that
           the
           Deaf
           and
           the
           Blind
           should
           notwithstanding
           a
           Natural
           Inaptitude
           and
           Incapacity
           in
           themselves
           ,
           assent
           to
           what
           all
           Mankind
           besides
           do
           unanimously
           aver
           ,
           and
           not
           call
           in
           question
           the
           Truth
           or
           Possibility
           of
           what
           is
           thus
           affirmed
           ,
           because
           of
           their
           want
           of
           Sensation
           :
           So
           it
           is
           not
           fit
           or
           reasonable
           to
           think
           this
           way
           of
           Revelation
           never
           was
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           ,
           because
           we
           have
           not
           an
           experimental
           knowledge
           of
           such
           a
           Manifestation
           .
        
         
           For
           Almighty
           God
           can
           so
           clarify
           the
           Understanding
           by
           a
           Beam
           of
           Light
           let
           in
           from
           above
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           as
           evident
           a
           Proof
           of
           its
           Divine
           Original
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           that
           the
           Light
           proceeds
           from
           the
           Sun
           the
           Fountain
           of
           it
           ;
           or
           as
           a
           Person
           himself
           is
           sure
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           any
           Proposition
           ,
           which
           by
           an
           Argument
           before
           unthought
           of
           ,
           or
           unconsider'd
           ,
           
           he
           comes
           to
           be
           fully
           convinced
           of
           ,
           in
           spight
           of
           all
           former
           Prejudices
           and
           Opinions
           .
        
         
           So
           little
           Truth
           or
           Reason
           is
           there
           in
           a
           bold
           Assertion
           of
           a
           certain
           Author
           ,
           
           That
           
             Revelation
             is
             uncertain
             ,
             and
             never
             certain
             without
             a
             sign
          
           :
           And
           therefore
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Moses
          
           ,
           and
           Gideon
           ,
           asked
           a
           Sign
           ,
           over
           and
           above
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           far
           from
           being
           true
           ,
           that
           those
           persons
           therefore
           desired
           a
           Sign
           ,
           because
           they
           conceived
           the
           Revelation
           to
           be
           uncertain
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           doubted
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           as
           a
           Sign
           was
           for
           the
           greater
           confirmation
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           in
           some
           Points
           difficult
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           or
           in
           some
           very
           difficult
           Services
           ,
           (
           for
           Faith
           ,
           as
           other
           Graces
           ,
           is
           capable
           of
           Addition
           and
           Improvement
           )
           .
           In
           which
           cases
           their
           asking
           a
           Sign
           is
           no
           more
           an
           evidence
           of
           their
           distrust
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           a
           doubting
           of
           the
           Truth
           and
           Certainty
           of
           the
           Revelation
           ,
           than
           God's
           confirming
           his
           Promise
           by
           an
           Oath
           ,
           was
           an
           evidence
           that
           he
           thought
           not
           his
           Word
           sufficient
           without
           it
           ;
           or
           than
           Abraham
           could
           be
           supposed
           not
           obliged
           to
           believe
           upon
           a
           Promise
           alone
           ,
           without
           that
           superabundant
           confirmation
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           Heb.
           6.17
           .
        
         
           Thus
           it
           was
           even
           in
           the
           case
           of
           that
           Holy
           Patriarch
           ,
           to
           which
           this
           Author
           refers
           ;
           where
           before
           ever
           he
           asked
           a
           Sign
           ,
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           so
           believed
           
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           
             counted
             to
             him
             for
             righteousness
          
           ,
           Gen.
           15.6
           ,
           8.
           his
           Faith
           was
           highly
           commended
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           for
           that
           reason
           called
           
             the
             father
             of
             the
             faithful
          
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           Revelation
           may
           be
           certain
           when
           there
           is
           no
           Sign
           ;
           and
           the
           person
           was
           bound
           to
           believe
           it
           ,
           and
           was
           obliged
           by
           it
           ,
           as
           well
           where
           there
           was
           no
           Sign
           ,
           as
           where
           there
           was
           .
        
         
           I
           grant
           when
           the
           Revelation
           comes
           at
           second
           hand
           to
           a
           person
           ,
           and
           rests
           on
           Human
           Testimony
           ,
           on
           the
           Ability
           and
           Sincerity
           of
           the
           Relater
           ,
           or
           person
           supposed
           to
           be
           inspired
           ,
           there
           needs
           some
           farther
           Evidence
           ,
           some
           Sign
           or
           Signs
           ,
           that
           are
           to
           be
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           the
           Credentials
           from
           Heaven
           ;
           since
           
             all
             men
             are
             liars
          
           ,
           Psal.
           116.11
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           may
           be
           deceived
           ,
           or
           may
           deceive
           ;
           may
           either
           be
           so
           weak
           as
           to
           be
           imposed
           upon
           by
           their
           own
           Imagination
           ,
           or
           the
           Imposture
           and
           Practices
           of
           Evil
           Spirits
           ;
           or
           be
           so
           wicked
           ,
           as
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           Revelation
           and
           Inspiration
           ,
           to
           impose
           upon
           others
           .
           In
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           no
           man's
           Affirmation
           or
           Pretence
           is
           ordinarily
           to
           be
           heeded
           ,
           further
           than
           as
           he
           is
           able
           to
           produce
           such
           Testimonies
           as
           are
           really
           as
           Divine
           as
           he
           would
           have
           his
           Revelation
           accounted
           to
           be
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           a
           person
           is
           himself
           the
           Recipient
           to
           whom
           the
           Revelation
           is
           imparted
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           
           absolute
           need
           of
           a
           Sign
           or
           further
           Evidence
           to
           ascertain
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           to
           him
           ;
           when
           if
           God
           so
           pleases
           ,
           the
           Revelation
           of
           it self
           might
           be
           made
           as
           clear
           as
           it
           could
           be
           made
           by
           the
           Sign
           .
           What
           need
           is
           there
           of
           a
           sign
           to
           prove
           that
           it
           is
           Day
           ,
           when
           by
           the
           Light
           of
           it
           we
           see
           every
           thing
           about
           us
           ?
           Or
           to
           justify
           the
           Truth
           of
           a
           self-evident
           Proposition
           ?
           These
           are
           things
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           that
           need
           no
           proof
           .
           And
           when
           a
           Revelation
           has
           an
           Evidence
           of
           its
           own
           ,
           as
           Truth
           has
           ,
           it
           needs
           no
           other
           Light
           to
           discover
           it
           ,
           no
           further
           Sign
           to
           prove
           it
           ,
           for
           its
           own
           sake
           ,
           and
           as
           to
           the
           Person
           to
           whom
           the
           Revelation
           is
           made
           .
           A
           Sign
           therefore
           makes
           no
           alteration
           in
           the
           Evidence
           ;
           for
           whether
           with
           a
           Sign
           ,
           or
           without
           a
           Sign
           ,
           the
           Revelation
           is
           to
           be
           believed
           ;
           for
           else
           they
           that
           had
           a
           Revelation
           without
           a
           Sign
           ,
           were
           not
           obliged
           to
           believe
           ,
           and
           the
           Revelation
           without
           the
           Sign
           had
           in
           effect
           been
           no
           Revelation
           ;
           since
           no
           one
           is
           obliged
           to
           believe
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           for
           it
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           for
           it
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           Evidence
           ,
           or
           that
           Evidence
           not
           sufficient
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           if
           it
           be
           asked
           ,
           how
           a
           person
           shall
           himself
           be
           satisfied
           concerning
           the
           Certainty
           of
           a
           Revelation
           made
           to
           him
           ,
           it
           will
           receive
           the
           same
           answer
           with
           that
           ,
           How
           he
           shall
           be
           satisfied
           
           concerning
           the
           Truth
           of
           a
           Proposition
           ,
           or
           a
           self-evident
           Proposition
           ;
           for
           the
           further
           Proof
           of
           which
           God
           may
           work
           a
           Miracle
           ,
           and
           give
           a
           Sign
           ,
           but
           the
           thing
           is
           the
           Proof
           of
           it self
           .
        
         
           But
           however
           ,
           suppose
           a
           person
           never
           so
           well
           satisfied
           in
           what
           he
           calls
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           his
           own
           opinion
           he
           is
           as
           sure
           of
           it
           as
           of
           his
           own
           Being
           and
           Existence
           ;
           yet
           what
           is
           this
           to
           others
           ,
           that
           are
           concerned
           in
           that
           Revelation
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           true
           ,
           and
           as
           much
           bound
           to
           believe
           it
           ,
           and
           be
           directed
           by
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           themselves
           had
           been
           in
           the
           place
           of
           that
           Inspired
           Person
           ,
           and
           received
           it
           as
           he
           did
           ,
           immediately
           from
           God
           ?
        
         
           This
           brings
           us
           to
           the
           Second
           Case
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Case
           of
           those
           that
           did
           not
           themselves
           receive
           that
           Revelation
           immediately
           from
           God
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           Person
           or
           Persons
           Inspired
           :
           And
           then
           the
           Question
           is
           ,
           How
           these
           are
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           that
           Revelation
           ?
        
         
           A
           Revelation
           to
           another
           ,
           how
           evidently
           and
           convincingly
           soever
           it
           may
           be
           represented
           to
           him
           ,
           is
           nothing
           to
           me
           ,
           unless
           I
           am
           fully
           assured
           that
           he
           has
           had
           such
           a
           Revelation
           :
           But
           that
           I
           cannot
           be
           assured
           of
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           by
           the
           like
           immediate
           Revelation
           ,
           or
           by
           sufficient
           and
           uncontroulable
           Testimony
           .
           But
           it
           would
           be
           an
           unreasonable
           
           motion
           to
           demand
           that
           we
           be
           alike
           inspired
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           same
           Revelation
           to
           confirm
           his
           Revelation
           ;
           for
           that
           would
           be
           as
           if
           one
           that
           was
           born
           blind
           should
           obstinately
           refuse
           to
           believe
           there
           is
           a
           Sun
           in
           the
           Firmament
           ,
           or
           Day
           ,
           or
           Sight
           ,
           unless
           he
           has
           the
           same
           Visive
           Faculty
           with
           those
           that
           do
           affirm
           it
           .
           It
           might
           then
           as
           reasonably
           be
           required
           with
           Thomas
           ,
           that
           we
           see
           the
           Print
           of
           the
           Nails
           ,
           and
           put
           our
           hand
           into
           the
           Side
           ,
           and
           have
           all
           actually
           brought
           home
           to
           our
           Senses
           ,
           or
           else
           we
           will
           remain
           Infidels
           ,
           and
           not
           believe
           .
           This
           would
           be
           to
           drive
           all
           Faith
           out
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           would
           be
           unpracticable
           .
        
         
           We
           must
           then
           take
           the
           Case
           for
           granted
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           as
           reasonable
           for
           us
           to
           believe
           ,
           where
           there
           are
           sufficient
           Motives
           of
           Credibility
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           were
           alike
           actually
           inspired
           as
           they
           to
           whom
           the
           Revelation
           was
           immediately
           conveyed
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           let
           us
           place
           our selves
           in
           those
           circumstances
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           were
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           Truth
           or
           Falshood
           of
           a
           Revelation
           ;
           and
           consider
           what
           we
           our selves
           would
           in
           reason
           desire
           for
           our
           own
           satisfaction
           ,
           when
           the
           Persons
           to
           whom
           this
           Revelation
           is
           made
           ,
           stand
           ready
           to
           give
           it
           .
           And
           if
           I
           mistake
           not
           in
           judging
           for
           others
           by
           what
           I
           my self
           would
           desire
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           resolved
           ,
        
         
         
           1.
           
           Into
           the
           Veracity
           ,
           Sincerity
           ,
           and
           Credibility
           of
           the
           Persons
           pretending
           to
           Inspiration
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Into
           the
           Matter
           or
           Subject
           of
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Into
           the
           Testimony
           produced
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Credibility
           of
           the
           Person
           ;
           by
           which
           we
           understand
           his
           Probity
           and
           Sincerity
           ;
           his
           Capacity
           ,
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           Understanding
           ,
           which
           render
           him
           worthy
           of
           Credit
           ,
           and
           are
           meet
           and
           necessary
           Qualifications
           for
           a
           Divine
           Missionary
           .
           The
           being
           a
           Prophet
           to
           others
           ,
           (
           as
           those
           are
           to
           whom
           a
           Revelation
           is
           made
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           inspired
           by
           Almighty
           God
           )
           so
           as
           to
           teach
           and
           direct
           them
           in
           the
           stead
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           of
           God
           ,
           whose
           Mouth
           and
           Representatives
           they
           are
           unto
           the
           People
           ,
           is
           an
           Office
           of
           great
           Dignity
           ,
           and
           requires
           somewhat
           of
           the
           Divine
           Image
           as
           well
           as
           Authority
           ,
           to
           recommend
           them
           and
           their
           Message
           to
           others
           ;
           and
           therefore
           Prophets
           and
           Holy
           Men
           are
           in
           Scripture
           frequently
           put
           together
           ,
           2
           Pet.
           1.21
           .
           Matth.
           13.17
           .
           implying
           that
           none
           were
           fit
           to
           be
           employed
           in
           so
           sacred
           an
           Office
           ,
           that
           were
           not
           Persons
           of
           known
           Probity
           ,
           and
           approved
           Integrity
           .
           I
           grant
           in
           the
           ordinary
           Cases
           ,
           as
           there
           were
           Prophets
           bred
           up
           in
           the
           Schools
           or
           Nurseries
           of
           Learning
           and
           Morality
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           such
           Persons
           as
           were
           employed
           
           without
           a
           strict
           regard
           had
           to
           these
           qualifications
           ,
           as
           Messengers
           that
           carried
           an
           Errand
           by
           the
           order
           of
           their
           Superiour
           ;
           as
           2
           Kings
           9.1
           .
           I
           grant
           again
           ,
           that
           God
           might
           and
           did
           sometimes
           upon
           some
           occasions
           ,
           inspire
           such
           Persons
           as
           had
           none
           of
           these
           Qualifications
           to
           recommend
           them
           ;
           as
           he
           did
           Balaam
           :
           But
           then
           this
           was
           no
           more
           than
           when
           God
           opened
           the
           Mouth
           of
           the
           Ass
           ,
           to
           
             rebuke
             the
             Madness
             of
             that
             Prophet
          
           ;
           and
           who
           was
           so
           over-ruled
           by
           the
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           as
           against
           his
           will
           to
           bless
           those
           whom
           he
           came
           to
           curse
           ;
           which
           was
           so
           much
           the
           more
           considerable
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           the
           Testimony
           of
           an
           Enemy
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           Revelation
           is
           a
           Divine
           Communication
           ,
           and
           a
           Mark
           of
           Divine
           Favour
           ,
           so
           it
           doth
           suppose
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           the
           Person
           so
           dignified
           is
           duly
           qualified
           for
           it
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           so
           requisite
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           mankind
           ,
           that
           without
           it
           he
           would
           rather
           be
           accounted
           an
           Impostor
           ,
           than
           a
           Messenger
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           ordinarily
           have
           no
           more
           Reverence
           paid
           to
           his
           Errand
           than
           to
           his
           Person
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           has
           been
           thus
           said
           in
           general
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Morality
           and
           Virtue
           of
           Persons
           inspired
           ,
           will
           hold
           in
           some
           degree
           as
           to
           their
           Prudence
           and
           Understanding
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           necessary
           a
           Qualification
           ,
           that
           the
           Divine
           Election
           of
           Persons
           for
           so
           peculiar
           a
           Sevice
           ,
           doth
           in
           that
           way
           either
           find
           or
           make
           them
           fit
           .
        
         
         
           It
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           a
           late
           Author
           maintains
           Revelation
           to
           be
           uncertain
           ,
           
           when
           he
           saith
           that
           the
           Prophets
           were
           not
           endued
           with
           a
           more
           perfect
           Understanding
           than
           others
           ,
           but
           only
           with
           a
           more
           Vivid
           Power
           of
           Imagination
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Wisest
           of
           Men
           ,
           such
           as
           Solomon
           ,
           and
           Heman
           ,
           &c.
           were
           not
           Prophets
           ,
           but
           contrariwise
           Rusticks
           ,
           and
           untaught
           Persons
           ,
           and
           even
           despicable
           Women
           ,
           such
           as
           Hagar
           .
        
         
           For
           if
           these
           and
           such
           as
           these
           were
           the
           only
           Persons
           employed
           in
           the
           Messages
           of
           Heaven
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           whom
           all
           the
           Revelation
           center'd
           in
           ,
           there
           would
           be
           no
           improbable
           grounds
           of
           suspicion
           that
           they
           were
           mis-led
           into
           such
           an
           Opinion
           ,
           by
           the
           Fascination
           of
           a
           working
           Imagination
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           would
           be
           Fancy
           ,
           and
           not
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           But
           what
           thinks
           he
           of
           Moses
           ,
           a
           Person
           acquainted
           with
           all
           the
           Learning
           of
           the
           Egyptians
           ,
           and
           richly
           accomplished
           with
           all
           Endowments
           requisite
           to
           compleat
           a
           Governor
           of
           a
           Numerous
           People
           ,
           and
           to
           consolidate
           them
           into
           a
           settled
           Constitution
           ;
           and
           therefore
           has
           the
           Preference
           given
           him
           to
           all
           the
           most
           Famous
           and
           Ancient
           Lawgivers
           ,
           by
           
             Plato
             ,
             Pythagoras
             ,
             Diodorus
             Siculus
             ,
          
           &
           c.
           ?
           What
           thinks
           he
           of
           Joshua
           ,
           that
           was
           bred
           up
           under
           the
           best
           Instructor
           ,
           and
           that
           
           knew
           the
           Art
           of
           Government
           and
           Conduct
           in
           Peace
           and
           War
           ?
           What
           of
           Samuel
           ,
           that
           from
           his
           Youth
           ,
           and
           even
           Childhood
           indeed
           ,
           commenced
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           and
           was
           also
           the
           Judge
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           in
           unsettled
           and
           perilous
           times
           ,
           Acts
           3.24
           .
           13.20
           .
           ?
           What
           of
           David
           ,
           justly
           called
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           Acts
           2.30
           .
           and
           whose
           Writings
           shew
           him
           to
           excel
           in
           all
           manner
           of
           Poetry
           and
           sublime
           Composures
           ?
           What
           ,
           lastly
           ,
           of
           Solomon
           himself
           ,
           to
           whom
           ,
           it
           's
           said
           ,
           the
           Lord
           appeared
           twice
           ,
           1
           Kings
           11.9
           .
           in
           a
           more
           eminent
           manner
           ;
           and
           at
           other
           times
           ,
           1
           Kings
           3.5
           .
           6.12
           .
           9.2
           .
           11.11
           .
           ?
           And
           if
           at
           other
           times
           God
           (
           who
           is
           not
           confin'd
           in
           his
           Choice
           or
           Operations
           to
           the
           Capacity
           of
           Instruments
           )
           was
           pleased
           to
           reveal
           himself
           to
           ,
           and
           employ
           such
           Rusticks
           and
           Illiterate
           Persons
           as
           Amos
           ,
           and
           afterward
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           he
           gave
           them
           
             a
             mouth
             and
             wisdom
          
           ,
           Luke
           21.15
           .
           and
           endued
           them
           with
           such
           extraordinary
           Gifts
           of
           Elocution
           and
           Magnanimity
           ,
           as
           made
           them
           fit
           to
           appear
           before
           Kings
           ,
           and
           to
           confront
           the
           Wisest
           of
           Philosophers
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           of
           the
           Apostle
           was
           abundantly
           verified
           in
           them
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           1.25
           ,
           &c.
           
           That
           
             the
             foolishness
             of
             God
             is
             wiser
             than
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             weakness
             of
             God
             is
             stronger
             than
             men
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
         
           But
           it
           is
           not
           only
           requisite
           that
           the
           Persons
           to
           whom
           the
           Revelation
           is
           made
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           employ'd
           in
           delivering
           that
           Revelation
           to
           others
           ,
           be
           Wise
           and
           Cautious
           ,
           such
           as
           are
           capable
           of
           discerning
           ,
           and
           not
           apt
           to
           be
           imposed
           upon
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           as
           requisite
           that
           they
           be
           Faithful
           and
           Sincere
           ,
           and
           that
           will
           not
           impose
           upon
           others
           .
           For
           otherwise
           the
           more
           knowing
           they
           are
           ,
           the
           more
           able
           are
           they
           by
           plausible
           Insinuations
           and
           Pretences
           to
           deceive
           .
           And
           what
           greater
           Evidence
           of
           this
           can
           be
           desired
           ,
           than
           when
           the
           Persons
           Inspired
           live
           by
           the
           best
           Rules
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           give
           them
           ?
           What
           greater
           Evidence
           ,
           than
           when
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           publishing
           ,
           propagating
           ,
           and
           confirming
           the
           Truth
           of
           what
           they
           teach
           ,
           they
           deny
           themselves
           of
           all
           the
           Pleasures
           ,
           Profits
           ,
           and
           Honours
           of
           this
           present
           life
           ;
           when
           though
           they
           knew
           before
           hand
           ,
           that
           
             bonds
             and
             tribulation
             abide
             them
             ,
             yet
             none
             of
             these
             things
             move
             them
             ,
             neither
             count
             they
             their
             lives
             dear
             unto
             them
          
           ;
           but
           with
           admirable
           Patience
           ,
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           Constancy
           ,
           expose
           themselves
           to
           the
           utmost
           Severities
           ,
           for
           the
           hope
           of
           such
           Reward
           as
           they
           propose
           for
           their
           own
           and
           the
           Encouragement
           of
           others
           ?
           What
           greater
           Testimonies
           can
           be
           given
           of
           their
           Sincerity
           ,
           and
           if
           not
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           yet
           of
           their
           own
           Belief
           of
           it
           ?
           Who
           could
           with
           such
           Chearfulness
           
           invite
           the
           greatest
           Dangers
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           a
           brave
           Magnanimity
           despise
           all
           the
           Threatnings
           of
           the
           most
           Potent
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           run
           the
           Gantelope
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           through
           the
           most
           formidable
           Persecutions
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           Demur
           or
           Haesitation
           ,
           if
           they
           themselves
           were
           not
           abundantly
           and
           fully
           convinced
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           Excellency
           ,
           and
           Necessity
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           they
           were
           thus
           commission'd
           to
           teach
           ?
           If
           these
           are
           not
           sincere
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Sincerity
           in
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           as
           far
           as
           the
           Credibility
           of
           the
           Persons
           is
           a
           Proof
           of
           a
           Revelation
           ;
           and
           so
           far
           as
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           Probity
           ,
           and
           Sincerity
           of
           Persons
           ,
           are
           a
           Proof
           of
           their
           Credibility
           ;
           we
           have
           an
           Evidence
           to
           rest
           upon
           ,
           and
           a
           Character
           to
           try
           the
           Truth
           of
           a
           Revelation
           by
           .
        
         
           The
           2
           d.
           Proof
           in
           this
           Case
           ,
           desirable
           and
           necessary
           toward
           a
           Satisfaction
           ,
           is
           the
           Subject-matter
           of
           it
           ;
           I
           mean
           that
           which
           runs
           as
           it
           were
           a
           Vein
           through
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           Revelation
           .
           There
           are
           some
           Revelations
           which
           concern
           particular
           Persons
           or
           Families
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           the
           Angel
           to
           Hagar
           ,
           concerning
           Ishmael
           and
           his
           Posterity
           ,
           which
           neither
           made
           her
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           nor
           were
           strictly
           of
           Concernment
           to
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           world
           .
           But
           when
           we
           enquire
           after
           the
           Matter
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           
           it
           is
           principally
           the
           main
           Subject
           of
           it
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           in
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           and
           the
           Gospel
           in
           the
           New.
           
        
         
           And
           here
           it
           may
           be
           reasonably
           expected
           ,
           that
           the
           Revelation
           should
           be
           worthy
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           a
           Revelation
           from
           him
           ;
           and
           what
           should
           be
           for
           the
           Advantage
           ,
           Satisfaction
           ,
           and
           Happiness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           a
           Revelation
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           to
           be
           worthy
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           what
           would
           become
           him
           to
           speak
           ,
           dictate
           ,
           and
           do
           ,
           if
           he
           were
           himself
           to
           speak
           ,
           dictate
           ,
           and
           act
           .
           In
           all
           Relations
           and
           Descriptions
           there
           is
           a
           certain
           Decorum
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Nature
           ,
           Condition
           ,
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           the
           Things
           related
           and
           described
           ,
           which
           makes
           up
           what
           is
           called
           Symetry
           and
           Proportion
           .
           But
           above
           all
           a
           due
           regard
           is
           to
           be
           had
           hereunto
           ,
           in
           the
           Ideas
           and
           Notions
           we
           entertain
           ,
           or
           the
           Representations
           we
           make
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Dignity
           and
           Perfections
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           And
           if
           in
           all
           our
           Conceptions
           of
           the
           Divine
           Being
           such
           a
           scrupulous
           Care
           is
           to
           be
           taken
           ,
           that
           we
           judge
           not
           amiss
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           Will
           ,
           and
           Operations
           ;
           we
           cannot
           but
           suppose
           that
           in
           the
           Revelation
           of
           himself
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           he
           who
           best
           and
           only
           knows
           himself
           ,
           will
           give
           such
           a
           Representation
           of
           those
           ,
           as
           is
           suitable
           to
           his
           Majesty
           and
           Authority
           ;
           
           and
           may
           ingenerate
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           such
           an
           Awe
           ,
           Reverence
           ,
           and
           Regard
           ,
           as
           is
           due
           from
           Finite
           ,
           Created
           ,
           and
           Imperfect
           Beings
           ,
           to
           him
           that
           is
           Infinite
           ,
           Uncreated
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           Points
           absolutely
           Perfect
           .
           There
           we
           may
           well
           expect
           to
           find
           the
           most
           lively
           Characters
           of
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           conceiving
           ;
           where
           Justice
           and
           Power
           are
           set
           forth
           in
           all
           their
           Authority
           ,
           and
           yet
           so
           temper'd
           with
           his
           Mercy
           and
           Kindness
           ,
           as
           shall
           as
           well
           raise
           and
           quicken
           the
           Hopes
           ,
           attract
           the
           Love
           ,
           and
           establish
           the
           Comfort
           of
           Good
           Men
           ,
           as
           administer
           matter
           of
           just
           Terror
           to
           the
           Wicked
           .
           There
           we
           may
           suppose
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           the
           Divine
           Counsels
           unlocked
           ,
           and
           the
           Beauties
           and
           Harmony
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           illustrated
           and
           described
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           God's
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           condition
           of
           Mankind
           in
           it
           will
           permit
           .
           There
           we
           may
           expect
           to
           find
           the
           best
           Principles
           ,
           Rules
           ,
           and
           Precepts
           ,
           to
           inform
           and
           direct
           us
           in
           what
           we
           are
           to
           know
           and
           do
           ;
           the
           best
           Arguments
           and
           Motives
           for
           our
           Encouragement
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           Means
           for
           the
           purifying
           and
           the
           perfecting
           of
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           the
           making
           us
           as
           happy
           as
           we
           are
           capable
           ;
           and
           which
           shall
           as
           much
           exceed
           what
           we
           find
           in
           the
           Moralists
           ,
           as
           Revelation
           is
           above
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Dictates
           of
           Almighty
           
           God
           are
           beyond
           the
           Prescripts
           of
           Human
           Wisdom
           .
           Such
           ,
           in
           fine
           ,
           as
           will
           lead
           us
           to
           God
           ,
           make
           us
           like
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           fit
           us
           for
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           him
           .
           So
           that
           as
           much
           as
           Virtue
           makes
           for
           the
           Good
           ,
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           Happiness
           of
           Men
           ,
           so
           much
           should
           Revelation
           make
           for
           the
           Practice
           of
           Virtue
           by
           its
           Principles
           and
           Rules
           ,
           its
           Precepts
           and
           its
           Arguments
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           There
           we
           may
           expect
           to
           be
           satisfied
           about
           the
           chief
           Subjects
           of
           Human
           Enquiry
           ,
           of
           what
           Mankind
           would
           not
           only
           desire
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           best
           and
           most
           necessary
           for
           them
           to
           know
           .
           And
           what
           is
           there
           more
           material
           ,
           and
           of
           greater
           Importance
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           satisfied
           about
           the
           Origine
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           came
           at
           first
           to
           be
           ?
           What
           more
           desirable
           ,
           than
           since
           God
           is
           infinitely
           good
           ,
           and
           consequently
           could
           produce
           nothing
           that
           is
           in
           it self
           evil
           ,
           than
           to
           know
           how
           the
           Nature
           of
           Mankind
           came
           to
           be
           corrupted
           ;
           and
           that
           where
           there
           is
           such
           a
           clear
           sense
           of
           the
           difference
           between
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           such
           Convictions
           following
           that
           Sense
           ,
           such
           Memento's
           ,
           and
           such
           Presignifications
           ,
           such
           Reflections
           upon
           it
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           be
           such
           a
           Potent
           Sway
           ,
           Bent
           and
           Propension
           to
           Evil
           ,
           that
           with
           all
           their
           Care
           it
           can
           never
           be
           prevented
           ,
           or
           totally
           exterminated
           ?
        
         
         
           What
           more
           desirable
           ,
           than
           to
           know
           what
           Nature
           and
           Reason
           of
           it self
           is
           insufficient
           for
           [
           when
           we
           can
           get
           no
           further
           than
           a
           
             Video
             meliora
             proboque
          
           ,
           &c.
           in
           the
           Apostle's
           Language
           ,
           
             The
             good
             that
             I
             would
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             ;
             but
             the
             evil
             which
             I
             would
             not
             ,
             that
             I
             do
          
           ]
           may
           be
           otherwise
           effected
           ;
           that
           these
           Inclinations
           may
           be
           subdued
           ,
           and
           Nature
           brought
           to
           a
           Regular
           State
           ?
        
         
           What
           more
           desirable
           ,
           than
           to
           know
           how
           after
           all
           ,
           God
           may
           be
           appeased
           ,
           Forgiveness
           may
           be
           obtained
           ,
           and
           that
           heavy
           load
           upon
           Human
           Nature
           ,
           arising
           from
           the
           Guilt
           of
           a
           Man's
           Mind
           ,
           may
           be
           removed
           ?
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           What
           more
           desirable
           ,
           than
           to
           know
           the
           Certainty
           and
           Condition
           of
           a
           Future
           State
           ,
           and
           how
           we
           may
           attain
           to
           the
           Happiness
           of
           it
           ?
        
         
           These
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           used
           to
           be
           the
           Prime
           Questions
           which
           all
           ,
           and
           especially
           the
           most
           thoughtful
           and
           considerate
           part
           of
           Mankind
           sought
           ,
           but
           in
           vain
           ,
           for
           Satisfaction
           in
           .
           And
           therefore
           since
           Revelation
           is
           to
           make
           up
           the
           Defects
           of
           Natural
           Light
           ,
           and
           is
           as
           well
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           worthy
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           may
           reasonably
           expect
           that
           these
           should
           be
           the
           chief
           Subject
           of
           such
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           And
           a
           Revelation
           without
           this
           ,
           that
           should
           leave
           Mankind
           in
           the
           same
           Circumstances
           of
           
           Ignorance
           and
           Dissatisfaction
           as
           they
           were
           in
           before
           such
           Revelation
           ,
           is
           no
           more
           to
           be
           esteemed
           ,
           than
           that
           Course
           of
           Physick
           ,
           which
           after
           all
           Pretences
           to
           Infallibility
           ,
           leaves
           a
           Person
           as
           much
           under
           the
           Power
           of
           his
           Disease
           ,
           as
           before
           he
           followed
           those
           Prescriptions
           :
           It
           is
           no
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           can
           have
           no
           Pretence
           to
           such
           a
           Venerable
           Title
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           the
           Subject
           is
           Great
           ,
           Noble
           ,
           and
           Sublime
           ,
           thus
           worthy
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           thus
           beneficial
           to
           Mankind
           :
           When
           there
           is
           an
           exact
           Concord
           between
           the
           Principles
           of
           Nature
           and
           Reason
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           falls
           in
           with
           the
           true
           and
           just
           Notion
           we
           have
           of
           things
           .
           When
           there
           is
           an
           Harmony
           through
           the
           whole
           ,
           we
           have
           good
           reason
           to
           say
           ,
           This
           ,
           if
           any
           ,
           is
           the
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           far
           as
           these
           Characters
           belong
           to
           Revelation
           ,
           so
           much
           reason
           have
           we
           to
           believe
           the
           Matter
           of
           Scripture
           to
           be
           such
           ;
           as
           I
           shall
           afterwards
           shew
           ,
           when
           I
           come
           to
           examine
           the
           Revelation
           of
           Scripture
           by
           these
           Characters
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           would
           be
           very
           desirable
           toward
           the
           Confirmation
           of
           a
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Satisfaction
           of
           those
           that
           are
           required
           to
           believe
           it
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           an
           Evidence
           and
           Testimony
           as
           Extraordinary
           ,
           as
           the
           Matter
           Revealed
           is
           ,
           and
           the
           Authority
           it
           rests
           upon
           ;
           such
           as
           the
           one
           is
           ,
           such
           
           in
           reason
           ought
           the
           other
           to
           be
           :
           And
           that
           is
           Divine
           Attestation
           .
           A
           Divine
           Attestation
           I
           account
           that
           to
           be
           ,
           which
           exceeds
           the
           Power
           ,
           and
           is
           out
           of
           the
           Road
           of
           Nature
           ;
           for
           nothing
           less
           can
           change
           the
           Course
           ,
           and
           alter
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           is
           above
           Nature
           ,
           and
           gave
           Law
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           it
           must
           be
           somewhat
           above
           Nature
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           a
           sufficient
           Witness
           to
           what
           is
           Supernatural
           .
           And
           this
           may
           justly
           be
           required
           to
           justify
           the
           Truth
           of
           a
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           to
           distinguish
           it
           from
           Enthusiasm
           and
           Imposture
           .
           For
           when
           the
           Case
           is
           such
           as
           Moses
           puts
           it
           ,
           Exod.
           4.1
           ,
           &c.
           
           
             They
             will
             not
             believe
             me
             ,
             nor
             hearken
             to
             my
             voice
             ;
             for
             they
             will
             say
             ,
             the
             Lord
             hath
             not
             appeared
             unto
             thee
          
           ;
           there
           needs
           somewhat
           beyond
           a
           bare
           Affirmation
           ,
           to
           support
           the
           Credit
           of
           the
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           the
           Authority
           of
           him
           that
           pretends
           to
           it
           .
           And
           accordingly
           ,
           he
           was
           endued
           with
           a
           Power
           of
           working
           Miracles
           ,
           That
           ,
           saith
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             they
             may
             believe
             that
             the
             God
             of
             their
             fathers
             ,
             Abraham
             ,
             Isaac
             ,
             and
             Jacob
             ,
             hath
             appeared
             to
             thee
             .
          
           A
           sort
           of
           Evidence
           (
           as
           that
           implies
           )
           that
           is
           very
           necessary
           ,
           and
           what
           may
           reasonably
           be
           demanded
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           a
           Proof
           of
           the
           highest
           nature
           ,
           and
           what
           as
           all
           ordinarily
           can
           judge
           of
           ,
           being
           a
           matter
           of
           Sense
           ,
           so
           where
           it
           is
           true
           ,
           what
           we
           are
           to
           be
           concluded
           by
           .
        
         
         
           The
           first
           thing
           then
           required
           and
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           is
           the
           Reality
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           such
           an
           Alteration
           in
           the
           Course
           and
           State
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           our
           own
           Senses
           will
           inform
           us
           in
           .
           The
           next
           thing
           is
           ,
           That
           this
           Alteration
           cannot
           proceed
           from
           any
           Natural
           or
           Created
           Cause
           ;
           (
           for
           that
           would
           be
           to
           set
           Nature
           above
           it self
           .
           )
           The
           last
           thing
           is
           ,
           That
           this
           Alteration
           in
           Nature
           is
           brought
           about
           for
           such
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           is
           solely
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           that
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           Testimony
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           Where
           this
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           Finger
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           an
           Infallible
           Proof
           of
           the
           Truth
           and
           Certainty
           of
           what
           it
           is
           to
           witness
           to
           .
        
         
           Now
           let
           us
           lay
           all
           this
           together
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           it
           amounts
           to
           ;
           viz.
           The
           Capacity
           ,
           Ability
           ,
           and
           Integrity
           of
           the
           Persons
           to
           whom
           this
           Revelation
           is
           made
           ;
           the
           Unanimity
           and
           Consent
           of
           Persons
           remote
           and
           distant
           in
           Time
           and
           Place
           ;
           the
           Usefulness
           and
           Reasonableness
           ,
           the
           Excellency
           ,
           Sublimity
           ,
           and
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           they
           taught
           ;
           the
           Testimony
           given
           to
           them
           by
           such
           Operations
           and
           Productions
           as
           exceed
           the
           Power
           of
           Created
           Causes
           ,
           and
           are
           wholly
           from
           the
           Supreme
           .
           Where
           these
           are
           concurring
           ,
           and
           with
           one
           mouth
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           giving
           in
           their
           Evidence
           ,
           we
           may
           say
           it
           is
           the
           Voice
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           
           that
           it
           is
           his
           Revelation
           which
           carries
           upon
           it
           the
           conspicuous
           Stamp
           of
           his
           Authority
           .
           For
           God
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           bear
           witness
           to
           a
           Falshood
           ,
           and
           to
           set
           up
           that
           as
           a
           Light
           to
           direct
           men
           in
           their
           Enquiry
           ,
           which
           is
           no
           other
           than
           an
           
             Ignis
             Fatuus
          
           ,
           and
           tends
           to
           their
           unavoidable
           Amusement
           and
           Deception
           .
        
         
           But
           supposing
           those
           that
           were
           Cotemporaries
           with
           Inspired
           Persons
           ,
           had
           all
           these
           concurring
           Evidences
           for
           their
           satisfaction
           ,
           yet
           what
           is
           this
           to
           those
           that
           live
           in
           Times
           distant
           and
           remote
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           have
           it
           only
           by
           Tradition
           of
           Persons
           uninspired
           ;
           or
           as
           contained
           in
           certain
           Books
           said
           to
           be
           wrote
           by
           Persons
           inspired
           ?
        
         
           This
           brings
           me
           to
           the
           last
           Point
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Case
           of
           those
           that
           live
           in
           After-Ages
           ,
           when
           Inspiration
           is
           not
           pretended
           to
           ,
           and
           Miracles
           have
           ceased
           ,
           and
           so
           want
           those
           Advantages
           for
           their
           Satisfaction
           ,
           which
           they
           that
           were
           coetaneous
           with
           Inspired
           Persons
           ,
           might
           receive
           ;
           and
           yet
           being
           obliged
           alike
           to
           believe
           as
           the
           other
           ,
           must
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           sufficient
           Authority
           and
           Proof
           for
           what
           they
           are
           to
           believe
           .
           And
           then
           the
           Question
           is
           ,
           What
           is
           that
           Evidence
           which
           will
           be
           sufficient
           for
           them
           to
           ground
           their
           Belief
           upon
           ?
        
         
         
           I
           answer
           1.
           
           That
           if
           such
           have
           all
           the
           Evidence
           that
           can
           be
           in
           their
           Circumstances
           ,
           they
           have
           what
           is
           sufficient
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           to
           be
           presumed
           necessary
           .
           The
           Evidence
           is
           sufficient
           ,
           if
           it
           proves
           there
           were
           Persons
           so
           Inspired
           ;
           that
           in
           confirmation
           of
           it
           they
           wrought
           Miracles
           ;
           and
           that
           those
           Persons
           wrote
           certain
           Books
           which
           contain
           the
           Records
           of
           those
           Revelations
           and
           Miracles
           ;
           and
           which
           Books
           are
           the
           same
           that
           now
           go
           under
           their
           Name
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           they
           have
           all
           the
           Evidence
           for
           this
           that
           in
           their
           Circumstances
           can
           be
           reasonably
           demanded
           ,
           they
           have
           that
           which
           is
           sufficient
           .
           And
           what
           Evidence
           can
           be
           given
           of
           Matters
           transacted
           1600
           Years
           ago
           ,
           but
           Testimony
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           usually
           called
           Moral
           Evidence
           ?
           A
           way
           of
           Proof
           that
           is
           as
           certain
           as
           that
           we
           our selves
           were
           born
           ,
           and
           born
           of
           such
           Parents
           ,
           at
           such
           a
           time
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           any
           such
           thing
           as
           Faith
           and
           Trust
           in
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Tho
           these
           of
           After-Ages
           want
           the
           Evidence
           those
           Cotemporaries
           of
           Inspired
           Persons
           had
           ;
           yet
           they
           have
           some
           Advantages
           above
           them
           .
           For
           they
           have
           not
           only
           the
           concurrent
           Evidence
           of
           all
           before
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           Reasons
           of
           their
           Judgment
           that
           have
           been
           downwards
           from
           those
           times
           ,
           the
           most
           considerable
           part
           of
           Mankind
           
           for
           Wisdom
           and
           impartial
           Consideration
           ;
           but
           having
           lived
           to
           see
           the
           whole
           Scheme
           of
           Revelation
           compleated
           ,
           and
           at
           once
           plac'd
           in
           their
           view
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           can
           by
           that
           means
           compare
           one
           part
           with
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           all
           agrees
           ,
           and
           makes
           up
           one
           entire
           and
           coherent
           Body
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           They
           can
           compare
           the
           Events
           already
           pass'd
           ,
           with
           the
           Predictions
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           all
           came
           on
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           season
           are
           fulfilled
           ,
           and
           how
           the
           former
           is
           still
           confirmed
           by
           the
           latter
           .
           In
           all
           which
           there
           appears
           an
           admirable
           Contrivance
           of
           the
           Divine
           Prescience
           ,
           in
           describing
           those
           things
           so
           long
           before-hand
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           and
           Power
           in
           carrying
           on
           the
           Prophetick
           Line
           through
           all
           the
           Stages
           of
           Second
           Causes
           ,
           and
           an
           Infinite
           Variety
           of
           Events
           ,
           to
           the
           last
           Moment
           of
           its
           Accomplishment
           ;
           and
           to
           all
           which
           a
           watchful
           Providence
           of
           the
           Almighty
           must
           constantly
           attend
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           They
           have
           seen
           the
           Wonderful
           Success
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           Verification
           of
           Prophecy
           ;
           and
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           Opposition
           made
           to
           it
           by
           the
           Power
           and
           Interest
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           back'd
           with
           the
           Venom
           ,
           Spite
           ,
           and
           Malice
           of
           inveterate
           Enemies
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           They
           have
           seen
           the
           Wonderful
           Preservation
           of
           it
           through
           all
           the
           various
           Scenes
           of
           Prosperity
           and
           Adversity
           ;
           and
           how
           miraculously
           it
           has
           been
           restored
           out
           of
           the
           lowest
           Abyss
           ,
           when
           
           seemingly
           ,
           and
           as
           to
           all
           outward
           appearance
           ,
           beyond
           Recovery
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           we
           see
           how
           in
           every
           Case
           there
           are
           ways
           chalked
           out
           for
           our
           Satisfaction
           in
           this
           Argument
           of
           a
           Divine
           Revelation
           ;
           the
           Case
           of
           Latter
           Ages
           not
           excepted
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           ,
           That
           Unbelief
           is
           now
           as
           inexcusable
           after
           the
           Times
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           as
           in
           those
           times
           .
           We
           are
           apt
           to
           think
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           to
           plead
           ,
           That
           if
           we
           had
           lived
           in
           the
           Apostolical
           Age
           ,
           when
           the
           Revelation
           was
           attended
           with
           the
           irrefragable
           Testimony
           of
           many
           Glorious
           Miracles
           ,
           we
           should
           then
           have
           been
           inexcusable
           ,
           if
           we
           had
           remained
           incredulous
           amidst
           those
           Instances
           of
           the
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           or
           impenitent
           under
           the
           Force
           of
           such
           convincing
           Arguments
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           want
           of
           these
           may
           justly
           be
           pleaded
           for
           our
           Excuse
           .
           But
           this
           is
           much
           like
           those
           
             Jews
             ,
             Matth.
          
           23.30
           .
           that
           said
           ,
           
             If
             we
             had
             been
             in
             the
             days
             of
             our
             fathers
             ,
             we
             would
             not
             have
             been
             partakers
             with
             them
             in
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             prophets
          
           ;
           when
           yet
           they
           were
           acted
           by
           the
           same
           Spirit
           .
           And
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           Those
           that
           believe
           not
           now
           under
           all
           the
           Motives
           of
           Credibility
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           believed
           ,
           any
           more
           than
           the
           Jews
           did
           ,
           that
           were
           Eye
           and
           Ear-Witnesses
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Miracles
           and
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           yet
           remained
           to
           the
           last
           Incredulous
           .
           
           Such
           are
           incurable
           ;
           for
           if
           they
           hear
           not
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           the
           Testimonies
           yet
           remaining
           ,
           neither
           would
           they
           be
           persuaded
           ,
           tho
           Christ
           and
           the
           Apostles
           rose
           from
           the
           dead
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           Process
           of
           that
           Testimony
           given
           by
           them
           ,
           was
           afresh
           represented
           to
           them
           .
           The
           Best
           Man
           is
           the
           best
           Judge
           ;
           and
           the
           better
           he
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           capable
           he
           is
           of
           Judging
           ;
           according
           to
           that
           memorable
           Saying
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           John
           7.17
           .
           
             If
             any
             man
             will
             do
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             he
             shall
             know
             of
             the
             doctrine
             whether
             it
             be
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             whether
             I
             speak
             of
             my self
             .
          
        
         
           Wherefore
           (
           to
           conclude
           with
           that
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           James
           1.21
           .
           )
           
             lay
             apart
             all
             filthiness
             and
             superfluity
             of
             naughtiness
             ,
             and
             receive
             with
             meekness
          
           [
           and
           humility
           ]
           
             the
             ingrafted
             word
             ,
             which
             is
             able
             to
             save
             your
             souls
             .
             But
             be
             ye
             doers
             of
             the
             word
             ,
             and
             not
             hearers
             only
             ,
             deceiving
             your
             own
             selves
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           SErmon
           I.
           Page
           18.
           
           Line
           2.
           read
           Threefold
           .
        
         
           Sermon
           II.
           P.
           11.
           l.
           18.
           dele
           .
           Miracles
           .
           P.
           15.
           l.
           15.
           for
           II.
           r.
           2.
           
           P.
           24.
           
           
             Marg.
             add
          
           Praepar
           .
           l.
           13.
           c.
           12.
           
           P.
           28.
           l.
           23.
           after
           Poet
           r.
           quoted
           by
           Porphyry
           .
           P.
           29.
           l.
           24.
           r.
           Antedeluvian
           .
           P.
           37.
           
             after
             line
          
           12.
           add
           2.
           
           Miracles
           ;
           of
           which
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           Sermon
           III.
           P.
           3.
           l.
           15.
           (
           or
           pry
           )
           
             in
             a
             Parenthesis
          
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A71259-e280
           
             
               Theol.
               Polit.
               c.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             
               Theol.
               Polit.
               c.
            
             2.