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acknowledge_v for_o divine_o inspire_v rather_o than_o the_o apocrypha_n that_o never_o be_v in_o it_o i_o answer_v to_o that_o first_o that_o no_o clear_a reason_n be_v bring_v to_o convince_v we_o that_o those_o who_o make_v the_o canon_n or_o catalogue_n of_o their_o book_n be_v infallible_a or_o have_v any_o inspiration_n whereby_o to_o distinguish_v inspire_v book_n from_o those_o which_o be_v not_o this_o collection_n be_v common_o attribute_v to_o esdras_n and_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n of_o his_o time_n among_o who_o they_o say_v be_v zacchary_n haggai_n and_o malachy_n but_o many_o learned_a man_n believe_v not_o this_o story_n because_o no_o proof_n be_v bring_v for_o it_o except_o a_o very_a uncertain_a jewish_a tradition_n there_o be_v much_o more_o likelihood_n that_o this_o collection_n which_o we_o have_v be_v the_o remainder_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o divers_a particular_a man_n at_o first_o gather_v together_o and_o of_o which_o afterward_o 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at_o he_o our_o saviour_n never_o undertake_v to_o make_v a_o critical_a treatise_n upon_o the_o sacred_a book_n nor_o to_o clear_v the_o historical_a difference_n in_o they_o his_o design_n be_v not_o to_o make_v we_o able_a critic_n but_o good_a man_n and_o to_o bring_v we_o to_o render_v to_o god_n the_o obedience_n due_a to_o he_o he_o omit_v nothing_o that_o may_v instruct_v we_o in_o our_o duty_n but_o he_o never_o trouble_v himself_o to_o correct_v certain_a error_n of_o small_a importance_n which_o may_v be_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o if_o we_o must_v take_v all_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o a_o strict_a sense_n as_o if_o he_o acknowledge_v the_o book_n he_o cite_v to_o be_v all_o inspire_v even_o to_o the_o least_o syllable_n and_o the_o other_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o be_v exclude_v out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n we_o must_v reject_v many_o of_o those_o that_o be_v common_o repute_v inspire_v neither_o 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the_o law_n without_o make_v many_o commentary_n from_o thence_o forward_o they_o grow_v nice_a about_o the_o word_n will_v take_v every_o thing_n in_o a_o strict-sense_n and_o by_o seek_v for_o mystery_n where_o there_o be_v none_o they_o abandon_v the_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n they_o make_v the_o knowledge_n of_o religion_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o study_n of_o a_o thousand_o vain_a subtlety_n and_o piety_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o scrupulous_a observation_n of_o ceremonial_a law_n according_a as_o the_o doctor_n interpret_v they_o this_o the_o pharisee_n do_v in_o our_o lord_n time_n and_o it_o be_v also_o that_o which_o the_o divine_n among_o the_o christian_n both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a have_v imitate_v since_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o time_n man_n apply_v themselves_o to_o learn_v their_o doctrine_n without_o subtilize_v about_o their_o expression_n and_o this_o they_o do_v upon_o the_o assurance_n they_o have_v that_o 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be_v to_o say_v on_o the_o contrary_a my_o opinion_n be_v that_o it_o be_v only_o in_o prophecy_n and_o some_o other_o place_n as_o in_o the_o sermon_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o where_o god_n himself_o be_v introduce_v speak_v that_o the_o matter_n or_o thing_n have_v be_v immediate_o reveal_v to_o those_o who_o speak_v they_o that_o the_o style_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o liberty_n of_o those_o who_o speak_v or_o write_v that_o there_o be_v some_o book_n that_o be_v not_o inspire_v neither_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n nor_o word_n as_o job_n ecclesiastes_n etc._n etc._n that_o there_o be_v some_o passage_n which_o passion_n dictate_v to_o those_o that_o write_v they_o as_o many_o curse_n in_o the_o psalm_n that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n may_v commit_v and_o have_v actual_o commit_v some_o light_a fault_n which_o be_v of_o no_o moment_n that_o the_o apostle_n in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n or_o in_o write_v their_o work_n be_v not_o ordinary_o inspire_v 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the_o sacred_a penman_n and_o it_o be_v herein_o precise_o that_o i_o differ_v from_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o divine_n you_o see_v how_o much_o these_o principle_n be_v contrary_a to_o those_o of_o the_o deist_n who_o reject_v all_o sort_n of_o inspiration_n and_o who_o look_v upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o a_o work_n full_a of_o falsity_n and_o wherein_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v pure_o human_a the_o divine_n that_o have_v accuse_v i_o of_o deism_n on_o account_n of_o this_o write_n certain_o either_o never_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o read_v it_o or_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o for_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o they_o will_v accuse_v i_o of_o so_o detestable_a a_o opinion_n out_o of_o pure_a malice_n and_o against_o their_o own_o conscience_n they_o be_v undoubted_o in_o some_o measure_n mislead_v by_o a_o false_a zeal_n that_o render_v they_o little_a attentive_a to_o what_o they_o read_v or_o make_v they_o suspect_v that_o the_o author_n have_v not_o 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the_o sense_n and_o that_o change_v too_o be_v but_o in_o thing_n of_o little_a importance_n to_o piety_n if_o god_n have_v think_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n to_o inspire_v into_o the_o sacred_a historian_n the_o term_n which_o they_o ought_v to_o use_v he_o will_v undoubted_o have_v take_v more_o care_n to_o preserve_v they_o it_o be_v plain_a therefore_o that_o he_o design_v principal_o to_o preserve_v the_o sense_n thus_o then_o neither_o the_o word_n nor_o the_o thing_n have_v be_v inspire_v into_o those_o who_o have_v give_v we_o the_o sacred_a history_n although_o in_o the_o main_a that_o history_n be_v very_o true_a in_o the_o principal_a fact_n it_o may_v be_v that_o in_o certain_a circumstance_n little_a considerable_a there_o may_v be_v some_o fault_n as_o appear_v sufficient_o by_o the_o contradictory_n passage_n it_o be_v ture_n that_o some_o have_v strain_v themselves_o to_o reconcile_v those_o passage_n as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v 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cappel_n pretend_v that_o achasueros_n be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o conjecture_n be_v not_o unquestionable_a they_o pretend_v also_o that_o this_o history_n have_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o history_n make_v at_o pleasure_n i_o shall_v not_o examine_v that_o at_o present_a but_o however_o it_o be_v it_o be_v no_o heresy_n to_o reject_v a_o book_n of_o the_o jewish_a canon_n as_o neither_o be_v it_o to_o reject_v one_o of_o our_o own_o at_o least_o the_o protestant_n have_v not_o call_v a_o lutheran_n a_o heretic_n for_o have_v say_v that_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n be_v a_o epistola_fw-la epistle_n of_o straw_n no_o more_o than_o they_o have_v many_o of_o the_o learned_a for_o not_o receive_v the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n which_o a_o famous_a critic_n style_v scaliger_n a_o fiction_n of_o some_o ancient_a christian_n misemploy_v his_o
leasure-time_n the_o jewish_a sanhedrim_n may_v easy_o have_v receive_v into_o their_o canon_n book_n that_o have_v no_o divine_a authority_n to_o come_v now_o to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n apostle_n and_o not_o there_o attribute_v to_o a_o particular_a revelation_n i_o will_v begin_v with_o examine_v those_o which_o be_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n after_o which_o i_o will_v pass_v to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n it_o be_v common_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o prophet_n be_v inspire_v both_o as_o to_o word_n and_o thing_n yet_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o the_o prophet_n be_v not_o always_o inspire_v but_o only_o when_o god_n give_v they_o order_n to_o speak_v to_o the_o people_n in_o his_o name_n whereas_o the_o apostle_n be_v always_o inspire_v without_o be_v ravish_v into_o ecstasy_n as_o the_o prophet_n be_v before_o their_o prophesy_v this_o opinion_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o promise_n that_o christ_n make_v his_o apostle_n to_o send_v they_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o he_o perform_v on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n the_o word_n of_o christ_n be_v john_n xvi_o 13._o when_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n he_o say_v also_o elsewhere_o to_o his_o apostle_n when_o they_o bring_v you_o into_o the_o synagogue_n and_o unto_o magistrate_n and_o power_n take_v you_o no_o thought_n how_o or_o what_o thing_n you_o shall_v answer_v or_o what_o you_o shall_v say_v for_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v teach_v you_o in_o the_o same_o hour_n what_o you_o ought_v to_o say_v luk._n xii_o 11._o these_o be_v two_o the_o most_o formal_a passage_n that_o can_v be_v quote_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o we_o examine_v they_o with_o some_o attention_n to_o see_v if_o they_o prove_v that_o which_o they_o be_v produce_v for_o viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v honour_v with_o a_o continual_a presence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o dictate_v to_o they_o all_o that_o they_o say_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n insomuch_o that_o all_o their_o word_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o oracle_n to_o begin_v with_o the_o latter_a i_o observe_v first_o that_o he_o do_v not_o promise_v a_o perpetual_a inspiration_n but_o only_o upon_o certain_a occasion_n viz._n when_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v bring_v before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o judge_n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o in_o it_o this_o passage_n will_v not_o at_o all_o favour_n the_o common_a opinion_n but_o there_o be_v more_o in_o it_o for_o it_o whole_o destroy_v it_o if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v resolve_v to_o give_v his_o apostle_n the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o inspire_v they_o perpetual_o he_o will_v not_o have_v tell_v they_o single_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o trouble_v themselves_o for_o what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v before_o the_o judge_n because_o then_o the_o spirit_n shall_v speak_v in_o they_o but_o he_o will_v have_v say_v that_o they_o need_v not_o fear_v that_o at_o any_o time_n they_o shall_v want_v word_n because_o the_o holy_a spirit_n shall_v accompany_v they_o without_o cease_v as_o well_o before_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n as_o when_o they_o shall_v speak_v to_o the_o people_n if_o a_o man_n have_v a_o design_n to_o supply_v another_o with_o money_n for_o all_o his_o expense_n will_v he_o say_v to_o he_o do_v not_o trouble_v yourself_o to_o get_v money_n for_o the_o journey_n you_o be_v to_o take_v for_o you_o shall_v then_o be_v supply_v he_o will_v rather_o say_v to_o he_o doubtless_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o fear_v to_o want_v money_n because_o he_o shall_v be_v supply_v constant_o for_o all_o his_o occasion_n a_o man_n promise_v not_o for_o a_o particular_a occasion_n that_o which_o he_o intend_v to_o give_v alike_o at_o all_o time_n and_o when_o a_o man_n make_v a_o particular_a promise_n it_o be_v a_o plain_a sign_n that_o he_o intend_v to_o perform_v it_o but_o upon_o certain_a occasion_n in_o the_o second_o place_n as_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o apostle_n may_v have_v have_v prophetic_a inspiration_n on_o certain_a occasion_n and_o that_o in_o effect_n they_o have_v have_v they_o so_o i_o confess_v that_o i_o find_v myself_o tempt_v to_o believe_v that_o by_o these_o word_n the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v teach_v you_o in_o that_o hour_n what_o you_o ought_v to_o say_v or_o as_o st._n matthew_n have_v express_v it_o it_o be_v not_o you_o that_o speak_v it_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o your_o heavenly_a father_n that_o speak_v in_o you_o i_o be_o i_o say_v tempt_v to_o believe_v that_o by_o these_o word_n christ_n mean_v only_o to_o say_v this_o viz._n the_o spirit_n of_o courage_n and_o holiness_n which_o the_o gospel_n produce_v in_o your_o heart_n will_v teach_v you_o what_o you_o ought_v to_o say_v that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v but_o to_o believe_v in_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o disposition_n of_o spirit_n which_o that_o heavenly_a doctrine_n will_v give_v they_o will_v never_o let_v they_o want_v word_n not_o even_o when_o they_o be_v to_o defend_v themselves_o before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o the_o great_a power_n that_o which_o incline_v i_o to_o this_o explication_n of_o christ_n word_n be_v that_o in_o compare_v this_o promise_n with_o the_o event_n it_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v perform_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n than_o that_o which_o i_o have_v now_o observe_v and_o that_o neither_o ought_v it_o to_o be_v interpret_v so_o strict_o as_o if_o on_o these_o occasion_n a_o word_n may_v not_o slip_v from_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v not_o conformable_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n st._n luke_n tell_v we_o act_v xxiii_o that_o st._n paul_n have_v be_v bring_v before_o the_o sanhedrim_n begin_v to_o speak_v after_o this_o manner_n man_n and_o brethren_n i_o have_v live_v in_o all_o good_a conscience_n before_o god_n until_o this_o day_n here_o be_v nothing_o yet_o that_o one_o may_v not_o say_v without_o inspiration_n as_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o gospel_n but_o what_o follow_v be_v a_o sign_n of_o passion_n wherewith_o neither_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n nor_o the_o patient_a spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n inspire_v st._n paul_n at_o that_o word_n say_v st._n luke_n ananias_n the_o high_a priest_n command_v they_o that_o stand_v by_o to_o smite_v he_o on_o the_o mouth_n the_o apostle_n provoke_v by_o this_o unjustice_n answer_v he_o angry_o god_n shall_v smite_v thou_o thou_o white_v wall_n for_o sit_v thou_o to_o judge_v i_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o command_v thou_o i_o to_o be_v smite_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n and_o they_o that_o stand_v by_o say_v st._n luke_n say_v to_o paul_n revile_a thou_o god_n high_a priest_n then_o say_v paul_n i_o wist_v not_o brethren_n that_o he_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n for_o it_o be_v write_v thou_o shall_v not_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o ruler_n of_o thy_o people_n it_o be_v plain_a methinks_v that_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v inspire_v st._n paul_n with_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o discourse_n it_o do_v not_o so_o neither_o with_o the_o answer_n he_o make_v the_o high_a priest_n nor_o with_o the_o excuse_v he_o make_v use_v of_o afterward_o when_o they_o tell_v he_o he_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n that_o he_o speak_v to_o he_o give_v sentence_n against_o himself_o by_o his_o answer_n suppose_v that_o he_o have_v know_v he_o who_o order_v he_o to_o be_v smite_v and_o as_o for_o the_o excuse_n it_o be_v plain_a it_o be_v not_o very_o good_a because_o the_o gospel_n allow_v not_o to_o revile_v any_o man_n whether_o he_o be_v a_o magistrate_n or_o a_o private_a man._n jesus_n christ_n say_v st._n peter_n have_v suffer_v for_o we_o leave_v we_o a_o example_n that_o we_o shall_v follow_v his_o step_n who_o when_o he_o be_v revile_v revile_v not_o again_o when_o he_o suffer_v threaten_v not_o but_o commit_v himself_o to_o he_o that_o judge_v righteous_o neither_o do_v i_o believe_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n inspire_v st._n paul_n with_o what_o he_o say_v afterward_o at_o least_o there_o be_v no_o body_n but_o can_v have_v say_v as_o much_o without_o inspiration_n now_o st._n paul_n know_v say_v the_o historian_n that_o the_o one_o part_n be_v sadducee_n and_o the_o other_o pharisee_n cry_v out_o in_o the_o council_n man_n and_o brethren_n i_o be_o a_o pharisee_fw-mi the_o son_n of_o a_o pharisee_fw-mi of_o the_o hope_n and_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a i_o be_o call_v in_o question_n this_o expression_n also_o of_o st._n luke_n paul_n know_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o his_o speech_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o his_o prudence_n rather_o than_o
they_o have_v take_v much_o pain_n to_o correct_v in_o themselves_o the_o fault_n which_o other_o commit_v they_o have_v apply_v themselves_o to_o read_v or_o they_o have_v travel_v in_o france_n these_o jew_n bear_v in_o the_o country_n where_o nothing_o but_o greek_a be_v speak_v understand_v not_o the_o ancient_a hebrew_n nor_o the_o hebrew_n then_o speak_v in_o judaea_n they_o make_v use_v in_o their_o synagogue_n of_o the_o version_n of_o the_o septuagint_n and_o because_o they_o speak_v nothing_o but_o greek_a they_o be_v call_v the_o hellenist_n jew_n salmasius_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o hellenist_n tongue_n against_o heinsius_n show_v that_o these_o jew_n speak_v very_o good_a greek_a and_o that_o it_o be_v very_o absurd_a in_o some_o learned_a man_n to_o imagine_v there_o be_v a_o hellenish_v tongue_n as_o if_o the_o hebrew_n that_o know_v not_o their_o own_o language_n have_v a_o particular_a one_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o place_n where_o they_o dwell_v and_o that_o this_o language_n be_v that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n and_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o a_o name_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o this_o corrupt_a greek_a it_o shall_v rather_o be_v call_v hebraistic_a because_o it_o be_v full_a of_o hebraism_n or_o chaldaism_n but_o as_o the_o language_n of_o the_o walloon_n or_o of_o some_o of_o the_o province_n of_o france_n can_v pass_v for_o a_o particular_a language_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o corrupt_a french_a so_o neither_o aught_o the_o barbarous_a greek_a of_o judaea_n to_o pass_v for_o a_o language_n by_o itself_o different_a from_o the_o greek_a language_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n then_o if_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v live_v a_o good_a part_n of_o their_o life_n in_o judaea_n or_o who_o be_v bear_v there_o and_o have_v not_o apply_v themselves_o to_o learn_v perfect_o the_o greek_a tongue_n nor_o to_o speak_v it_o in_o purity_n use_v it_o so_o improper_o in_o their_o write_n st._n paul_n himself_o bear_v in_o a_o town_n that_o speak_v nothing_o but_o greek_a have_v so_o corrupt_v his_o speech_n by_o his_o long_a dwell_n in_o judaea_n that_o he_o confess_v he_o be_v ignorant_a in_o the_o language_n 2_o cor._n xi_o 6._o as_o sufficient_o appear_v by_o all_o his_o epistle_n the_o greek_a whereof_o be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o josephus_n and_o therefore_o the_o greek_a father_n have_v complain_v of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o his_o style_n of_o the_o barbarous_a phrase_n that_o be_v therein_o and_o of_o apparent_a confusion_n in_o the_o order_n of_o his_o discourse_n and_o those_o who_o very_o ready_o understand_v plato_n and_o demosthenes_n be_v oblige_v as_o erasum_n judicious_o observe_v to_o take_v great_a pain_n to_o understand_v st._n paul_n we_o need_v but_o compare_v his_o style_n with_o that_o of_o some_o greek_a author_n to_o find_v that_o this_o apostle_n apply_v himself_o not_o much_o to_o the_o greek_a eloquence_n it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n inspire_v not_o the_o apostle_n with_o the_o expression_n they_o be_v to_o use_v if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o st._n paul_n can_v not_o have_v say_v he_o be_v ignorant_a in_o the_o language_n he_o shall_v have_v say_v that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n inspire_v he_o with_o a_o language_n such_o as_o be_v that_o of_o the_o people_n and_o all_o the_o greek_a father_n will_v have_v blaspheme_v against_o the_o holy_a spirit_n when_o they_o observe_v the_o little_a eloquence_n of_o st._n paul_n for_o according_a to_o this_o supposition_n that_o will_v not_o have_v proceed_v from_o st._n paul_n but_o from_o the_o holy_a spirit_n if_o any_o one_o doubt_n of_o this_o he_o need_v but_o read_v erasmus_n in_o the_o place_n i_o have_v cite_v it_o be_v true_a that_o a_o famous_a protestant_n divine_a have_v undertake_v to_o confute_v he_o in_o his_o annotation_n upon_o the_o 10_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n but_o he_o do_v nothing_o but_o declaim_v as_o he_o be_v use_v to_o do_v against_o a_o author_n more_o learned_a and_o more_o judicious_a than_o himself_o without_o bring_v any_o solid_a reason_n we_o must_v now_o speak_v a_o word_n of_o some_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o contain_v neither_o history_n nor_o prophecy_n such_o be_v the_o book_n of_o proverb_n ecclesiaste_n the_o song_n of_o solomon_n and_o job_n which_o last_o be_v apparent_o a_o dramatic_a piece_n whereof_o nothing_o but_o the_o subject_n be_v true_a as_o be_v the_o tragedy_n of_o the_o greek_a poet_n there_o be_v no_o proof_n that_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o proverb_n be_v inspire_v to_o solomon_n by_o god_n after_o a_o prophetic_a manner_n they_o be_v moral_a sentence_n which_o a_o good_a man_n may_v well_o pronounce_v without_o inspiration_n as_o be_v those_o contain_v in_o ecclesiastious_a there_o be_v very_o many_o of_o they_o that_o be_v but_o vulgar_a proverb_n which_o carry_v indeed_o a_o good_a sense_n but_o have_v nothing_o in_o they_o of_o divine_a there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o direction_n about_o oeconomy_n which_o woman_n and_o countrypeople_n everywhere_o know_v without_o revelation_n see_v chap._n xxiv_o 27._o and_o xxvii_o 23._o and_o the_o description_n of_o a_o virtuous_a woman_n at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o book_n the_o name_n of_o prophet_n be_v very_o liberal_o bestow_v on_o agur_n the_o son_n of_o jakeh_n for_o some_o morality_n that_o be_v find_v under_o his_o name_n prov._n xxx_o whereas_o i_o dare_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v better_a thing_n may_v have_v be_v say_v without_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n three_o thing_n say_v he_o for_o example_n be_v too_o marvellouss_n for_o i_o and_o even_o four_o which_o i_o know_v not_o the_o way_n of_o a_o eagle_n in_o the_o air_n the_o way_n of_o a_o serpent_n on_o a_o rock_n the_o way_n of_o a_o ship_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o the_o way_n of_o a_o man_n with_o a_o maid_n one_o must_v have_v a_o mean_a opinion_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o dictate_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o and_o indeed_o neither_o do_v the_o author_n pretend_v to_o that_o eminency_n but_o say_v modest_o concern_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v more_o brutish_a than_o any_o man_n and_o have_v not_o the_o understanding_n of_o a_o man._n but_o there_o be_v particular_o one_o precept_n of_o good_a husbandry_n that_o be_v often_o repeat_v which_o our_o merchant_n now_o adays_o know_v as_o well_o as_o the_o israelite_n that_o live_v in_o solomon_n time_n it_o be_v that_o which_o express_o forbid_v they_o to_o be_v surety_n for_o any_o body_n chap._n vi_o 1._o xvii_o 18._o xx._n 16._o xxii_o 26._o xxvii_o 13._o it_o be_v true_a by_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a husbandry_n a_o man_n shall_v never_o be_v surety_n but_o there_o happen_v oftentimes_o case_n wherein_o charity_n ought_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o good_a husbandry_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o samaritan_n who_o become_v surety_n for_o the_o expense_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v find_v hurt_v on_o the_o road._n there_o be_v methinks_v no_o great_a need_n that_o god_n shall_v send_v prophet_n to_o teach_v man_n good_a husbandry_n on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o christ_n shall_v preach_v liberality_n some_o learned_a man_n have_v believe_v that_o ecclesiastes_n be_v a_o dialogue_n where_o a_o pious_a man_n dispute_v with_o a_o impious_a one_o who_o be_v of_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o sadducee_n and_o in_o effect_n there_o be_v thing_n direct_o oppose_v one_o to_o another_o which_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v the_o same_o person_n speak_v the_o epicurean_a conclusion_n to_o eat_v drink_v and_o be_v merry_a because_o a_o man_n have_v nothing_o else_o which_o be_v up_o and_o down_o in_o many_o place_n of_o this_o book_n be_v altogether_o contrary_a to_o that_o conclusion_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o work_n fear_v god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v extreme_o difficult_a to_o distinguish_v the_o person_n or_o to_o find_v out_o exact_o in_o the_o name_n of_o what_o person_n the_o author_n speak_v in_o every_o passage_n however_o it_o be_v there_o appear_v in_o it_o nothing_o of_o prophetic_a and_o there_o be_v little_a likelihood_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v set_v out_o with_o so_o great_a strength_n the_o argument_n of_o sadducee_n or_o perhaps_o of_o worse_a man_n to_o answer_v they_o but_o in_o two_o or_o three_o word_n read_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o nine_o chapter_n and_o make_v reflection_n on_o these_o word_n the_o live_a know_v that_o they_o shall_v die_v but_o the_o dead_a know_v not_o any_o thing_n neither_o have_v they_o any_o more_o a_o reward_n for_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o be_v forget_v also_o their_o love_n and_o their_o hatred_n and_o their_o envy_n be_v now_o perish_a neither_o have_v they_o any_o more_o a_o portion_n for_o ever_o
first_o person_n thou_o will_v not_o leave_v my_o soul_n in_o hell_n nor_o suffer_v thy_o holy_a one_o to_o see_v corruption_n etc._n etc._n add_v that_o this_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o david_n since_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o rot_a many_o year_n ago_o but_o that_o as_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o know_v that_o god_n have_v swear_v with_o a_o oath_n to_o he_o that_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o his_o loin_n he_o will_v raise_v up_o christ_n to_o sit_v upon_o his_o throne_n he_o see_v this_o beforehand_o speak_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o say_v that_o his_o soul_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o david_n speak_v in_o the_o first_o person_n know_v nevertheless_o that_o he_o speak_v not_o concern_v himself_o answer_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o david_n never_o prophesy_v in_o speak_v of_o himself_o as_o of_o a_o type_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o that_o he_o understand_v not_o that_o in_o the_o proper_a and_o high_a sense_n of_o his_o word_n he_o speak_v concern_v the_o messiah_n though_o what_o he_o say_v have_v also_o some_o relation_n to_o himself_o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o there_o be_v in_o the_o psalm_n divers_a prophecy_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v plain_a david_n can_v not_o say_v of_o himself_o unless_o in_o a_o very_a metaphorical_a sense_n that_o god_n will_v not_o leave_v his_o soul_n in_o hell_n nor_o suffer_v his_o holy_a one_o to_o see_v corruption_n although_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o psalm_n may_v be_v suitable_a enough_o to_o he_o objection_n 3._o the_o curse_n in_o the_o cixth_o psalm_n be_v impute_v to_o a_o human_a passion_n yet_o st._n peter_n teach_v we_o act_v i._o 20._o that_o it_o be_v a_o prophecy_n it_o seem_v the_o better_a way_n therefore_o to_o take_v all_o those_o curse_n for_o simple_a prediction_n and_o not_o for_o imprecation_n and_o so_o to_o translate_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n thou_o shall_v set_v a_o wicked_a man_n over_o he_o and_o his_o adversary_n shall_v etc._n etc._n answer_n this_o may_v be_v a_o prophecy_n of_o that_o sort_n which_o we_o say_v be_v sometime_o pronounce_v without_o their_o be_v aware_a who_o pronounce_v it_o of_o which_o we_o bring_v some_o example_n which_o sort_n of_o prophecy_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o violent_a passion_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o example_n of_o caiaphas_n but_o indeed_o these_o expression_n can_v be_v translate_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n without_o extreme_a violence_n to_o the_o text_n and_o according_o the_o ancient_a interpreter_n as_o well_o as_o modern_a have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o imperative_a or_o optative_a mood_n nor_o ought_v it_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o we_o think_v there_o be_v in_o this_o a_o excess_n of_o passion_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o explain_v any_o other_o way_n those_o word_n of_o psalm_n cxxxvii_o happy_a shall_v he_o be_v that_o take_v and_o dash_v thy_o little_a one_o against_o the_o stone_n etc._n etc._n let_v any_o one_o compare_v the_o word_n of_o psal._n cix_o with_o those_o which_o a_o heathen_a poet_n put_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o desperate_a woman_n vivat_fw-la per_fw-la urbes_fw-la erret_fw-la ignotas_fw-la egens_fw-la exul_fw-la pavens_fw-la invisus_fw-la incerti_fw-la laris_fw-la quoque_fw-la non_fw-la aliud_fw-la queam_n pejus_fw-la precari_fw-la liberos_fw-la simile_n patri_fw-la similesque_fw-la matri_fw-la in_o fine_a if_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o render_v all_o these_o word_n in_o the_o future_a tense_n to_o avoid_v make_v the_o psalmist_n pronounce_v such_o curse_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o other_o place_n where_o the_o version_n will_v need_v to_o be_v reform_v and_o where_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o strain_v the_o text_n as_o may_v easy_o be_v perceive_v in_o turn_v over_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n objection_n 4._o it_o have_v be_v say_v 26._o that_o inspiration_n seem_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o compose_n of_o pious_a hymn_n and_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v say_v that_o all_o such_o hymn_n be_v immediate_o inspire_v the_o same_o sort_n of_o argument_n have_v be_v apply_v also_o afterward_o to_o divers_a other_o place_n of_o scripture_n but_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v because_o inspiration_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o therefore_o there_o be_v none_o answer_n my_o argument_n prove_v not_o direct_o that_o there_o be_v no_o inspiration_n on_o these_o occasion_n but_o only_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o and_o consequent_o that_o such_o inspiration_n be_v suppose_v without_o any_o necessity_n when_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o miracle_n hence_o i_o conclude_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o recourse_n to_o inspiration_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o a_o book_n to_o make_v we_o believe_v it_o be_v inspire_v and_o when_o all_o that_o be_v in_o it_o may_v have_v be_v say_v without_o inspiration_n unless_o we_o have_v some_o positive_a proof_n that_o he_o who_o compose_v it_o be_v inspire_v now_o i_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v inspire_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o they_o be_v common_o say_v to_o have_v be_v objection_n 5._o it_o have_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o evident_a mark_n of_o meditation_n 27._o and_o pain_n take_v which_o appear_v in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o those_o where_o the_o verse_n begin_v with_o all_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o alphabet_n in_o order_n that_o those_o place_n have_v not_o be_v inspire_v but_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o inspiration_n exclude_v all_o sort_n of_o meditation_n and_o painstaking_a as_o mr._n simon_n have_v observe_v etc._n etc._n resp._n p._n 125_o etc._n etc._n answer_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o can_v from_o thence_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o inspire_v nor_o be_v this_o argument_n make_v use_v of_o but_o only_o against_o those_o who_o hold_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o very_a word_n that_o be_v to_o say_v principal_o against_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_a divine_n there_o be_v certain_o little_a likelihood_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v inspire_v such_o thing_n as_o those_o but_o the_o consequence_n i_o have_v draw_v from_o thence_o be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o style_v not_o be_v inspire_v we_o can_v be_v sure_a that_o the_o thing_n be_v unless_o the_o character_n of_o inspiration_n appear_v in_o those_o thing_n themselves_o or_o that_o we_o have_v otherwise_o some_o positive_a proof_n of_o it_o objection_n 6._o what_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n be_v not_o enough_o etc._n there_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v add_v also_o as_o mr._n simon_n have_v it_o that_o god_n direct_v the_o pen_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o they_o can_v not_o fall_v into_o error_n they_o be_v man_n that_o write_v and_o the_o spirit_n that_o direct_v they_o deprive_v they_o not_o of_o their_o reason_n nor_o their_o memory_n to_o inspire_v they_o with_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o themselves_o know_v perfect_o but_o it_o determine_v they_o in_o general_a to_o write_v of_o some_o matter_n rather_o than_o other_o though_o they_o know_v both_o alike_o well_o resp._n p._n 128._o answer_n this_o may_v be_v grant_v provide_v that_o by_o direct_v the_o pen_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n be_v only_o understand_v the_o determine_v they_o in_o general_a to_o write_v of_o some_o matter_n rather_o than_o other_o though_o they_o know_v both_o alike_o well_o mr._n simon_n fight_v here_o with_o his_o own_o shadow_n for_o no_o body_n deny_v that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n have_v write_v of_o no_o matter_n whereof_o they_o be_v not_o well_o instruct_v and_o this_o in_o opposition_n to_o those_o who_o pretend_v that_o the_o historian_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v inspire_v with_o the_o matter_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o if_o they_o can_v not_o have_v know_v they_o any_o other_o way_n but_o these_o people_n will_v condemn_v mr._n simon_n as_o well_o as_o i_o objection_n 7._o it_o be_v suppose_v 35._o without_o any_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v sometime_o real_a contradiction_n among_o the_o sacred_a historian_n whereas_o they_o be_v but_o seem_a one_o the_o learned_a have_v reconcile_v they_o all_o not_o except_v that_o about_o the_o death_n of_o judas_n which_o be_v cite_v as_o a_o example_n of_o a_o manifest_a contradiction_n answer_n to_o answer_v this_o objection_n full_o it_o will_v be_v requisite_a not_o only_o to_o quote_v the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v believe_v there_o be_v some_o little_a contradiction_n but_o also_o
i_o have_v first_o observe_v that_o several_a great_a man_n and_o who_o have_v pass_v for_o good_a christian_n have_v hold_v this_o opinion_n without_o lose_v the_o reputation_n they_o have_v of_o piety_n there_o be_v not_o a_o man_n of_o worth_n and_o honour_n among_o the_o protestant_n who_o will_v dare_v to_o say_v that_o erasmus_n and_o grotius_n be_v libertine_n and_o yet_o both_o of_o they_o defend_v open_o this_o same_o opinion_n but_o because_o there_o be_v some_o divine_n who_o esteem_v none_o but_o those_o that_o have_v be_v of_o the_o society_n they_o live_v in_o i_o will_v repeat_v some_o reremarkable_a word_n of_o a_o divine_a famous_a among_o the_o presbyterian_o in_o england_n and_o even_o among_o those_o on_o this_o side_n the_o water_n it_o be_v mr._n richard_n baxter_n who_o speak_v thus_o in_o a_o english_a book_n translate_v not_o long_o since_o into_o dutch_a and_o entitle_v the_o saint_n everlasting_a rest._n 22._o 210._o though_o all_o scripture_n be_v of_o divine_a authority_n yet_o he_o who_o believe_v but_o some_o one_o book_n that_o contain_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n may_v be_v save_v much_o more_o they_o that_o have_v doubt_v but_o of_o some_o particular_a book_n 23._o they_o that_o take_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v but_o the_o write_n of_o godly_a honest_a man_n and_o so_o to_o be_v only_o a_o mean_n of_o make_v know_v christ_n have_v a_o gradual_a precedency_n to_o the_o write_n of_o other_o godly_a man_n and_o do_v believe_v in_o christ_n upon_o those_o strong_a ground_n which_o be_v draw_v from_o his_o doctrine_n miracle_n etc._n etc._n rather_o than_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o write_n it_o be_v pure_o infallible_a and_o divine_a may_v yet_o have_v a_o divine_a and_o save_a faith_n 24._o much_o more_o those_o that_o believe_v the_o whole_a write_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n where_o it_o handle_v the_o substance_n but_o doubt_v whether_o god_n infallible_o guide_v they_o in_o every_o circumstance_n and_o in_o the_o next_o page_n 32._o the_o circumstantial_o be_v many_o of_o they_o divine_a yet_o so_o as_o they_o have_v in_o they_o something_o (null)_o as_o the_o bring_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v cloak_n and_o the_o parchment_n and_o as_o it_o seem_v his_o counsel_n about_o marriage_n etc._n etc._n 33._o much_o more_o be_v there_o something_o human_a in_o the_o method_n and_o phrase_n which_o be_v not_o so_o immediate_o divine_a as_o the_o doctrine_n 34._o yet_o be_v there_o nothing_o sinful_o (null)_o and_o therefore_o nothing_o false_a in_o all_o 35._o but_o all_o innocent_a imperfection_n here_o be_v in_o the_o method_n and_o phrase_n which_o of_o we_o deny_v we_o must_v renounce_v most_o of_o our_o logic_n and_o rhetoric_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o express_o say_v for_o the_o justification_n of_o our_o friend_n those_o who_o have_v a_o value_n for_o mr._n baxter_n must_v forgo_v their_o esteem_n of_o he_o or_o else_o not_o condemn_v so_o light_o those_o who_o in_o his_o judgement_n may_v have_v a_o save_a faith_n together_o with_o some_o opinion_n different_a from_o those_o common_o receive_v it_o may_v likewise_o be_v observe_v that_o many_o of_o those_o who_o have_v write_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v prove_v it_o without_o suppose_v the_o particular_a inspiration_n of_o the_o historian_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v ordinary_o take_v to_o be_v as_o grotius_n who_o book_n have_v be_v alike_o esteem_v by_o all_o party_n which_o show_v that_o our_o belief_n be_v not_o found_v upon_o this_o supposition_n and_o that_o consequent_o one_o may_v be_v a_o good_a christian_n without_o admit_v it_o but_o it_o be_v better_a to_o represent_v this_o by_o a_o example_n which_o will_v give_v you_o a_o more_o lively_a impression_n of_o what_o i_o aim_v at_o i_o will_v therefore_o now_o endeavour_n in_o as_o few_o word_n as_o be_v possible_a to_o give_v you_o the_o idea_n of_o a_o method_n that_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o strong_a and_o very_o proper_a to_o convince_v a_o libertine_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n without_o once_o mention_v any_o thing_n of_o particular_a inspiration_n i_o do_v not_o pretend_v thereby_o to_o condemn_v all_o other_o method_n that_o may_v be_v use_v to_o the_o like_a purpose_n but_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o this_o be_v the_o simple_a of_o all_o and_o subject_a to_o the_o few_o difficulty_n you_o will_v allow_v i_o sir_n this_o small_a digression_n which_o may_v perhaps_o not_o be_v unuseful_a in_o a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v every_o where_o so_o many_o that_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o first_o and_o the_o great_a objection_n the_o libertine_n make_v we_o be_v that_o our_o judgement_n be_v prepossessed_a which_o hinder_v we_o from_o be_v undeceive_v we_o say_v the_o same_o of_o they_o and_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o sensual_a inclination_n that_o raise_v those_o 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