Add a validate() helper as a shorthand for Validate::make()

src/Illuminate/Foundation/helpers.php

@@ -761,3 +761,25 @@ function view($view = null, $data = [], $mergeData = [])
         return $factory->make($view, $data, $mergeData);
     }
 }
+
+if (! function_exists('validate')) {
+    /**
+     * Create a new Validator instance.
+     *
+     * @param  array  $data
+     * @param  array  $rules
+     * @param  array  $messages
+     * @param  array  $customAttributes
+     * @return \Illuminate\Contracts\Validation\Validator
+     */
+    function validate(array $data, array $rules, array $messages = [], array $customAttributes = [])
+    {
+        $factory = app('Illuminate\Contracts\Validation\Factory');
+
+        if (func_num_args() === 0) {
+            return $factory;
+        }
+
+        return $factory->make($data, $rules, $messages, $customAttributes);
+    }
+}