miracle_n do_v sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v by_o those_o who_o wrought_v miracle_n as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n 2._o if_o there_o have_v be_v the_o least_o ground_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v in_o those_o age_n when_o so_o many_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n for_o we_o see_v several_a of_o the_o book_n be_v a_o long_a time_n examine_v and_o at_o last_o when_o no_o sufficient_a reason_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o they_o they_o be_v receive_v by_o those_o church_n which_o at_o first_o scruple_v the_o receive_v they_o and_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o think_v the_o doubt_n of_o the_o first_o age_n any_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n that_o by_o the_o objection_n of_o some_o against_o some_o of_o they_o i_o be_o thereby_o assure_v that_o they_o do_v not_o present_o receive_v any_o book_n because_o it_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o apostolical_a write_n as_o i_o be_o the_o more_o confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n because_o some_o of_o the_o disciple_n be_v at_o first_o very_o doubtful_a about_o it_o 6._o you_o may_v yet_o ask_v what_o do_v all_o this_o signify_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v at_o a_o long_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o and_o in_o a_o more_o ignorant_a age_n of_o of_o the_o world_n answ._n there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n than_o by_o the_o new_a for_o if_o the_o new_a be_v true_a the_o old_a must_v be_v so_o which_o be_v confirm_v so_o plain_o and_o evident_o by_o it_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n appeal_n to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n on_o all_o occasion_n so_o that_o the_o same_o miracle_n which_o prove_v their_o testimony_n true_a do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n since_o it_o be_v so_o express_o say_v in_o the_o new_a that_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n do_v speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o after_o all_o this_o you_o urge_v that_o you_o have_v discover_v such_o thing_n in_o these_o write_n as_o can_v not_o come_v from_o god_n as_o 1._o contradiction_n in_o they_o 2._o something_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n 3._o promise_v make_v that_o be_v never_o fulfil_v 4._o thing_n so_o obscure_a as_o no_o one_o can_v tell_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o under_o these_o four_o head_n i_o shall_v examine_v the_o particular_a allegation_n you_o bring_v against_o the_o scripture_n 1._o under_o the_o head_n of_o contradiction_n you_o insist_v on_o the_o prophecy_n gen._n 15._o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16._o make_v to_o abraham_n concern_v his_o posterity_n compare_v with_o the_o accomplishment_n mention_v exod._n 12._o 40._o 41._o and_o the_o force_n of_o your_o argument_n lie_v in_o this_o that_o the_o prophecy_n in_o genesis_n do_v imply_v that_o the_o servitude_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n be_v to_o be_v 40_o year_n or_o 430_o say_v exod._n but_o both_o these_o be_v repugnant_a to_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o make_v their_o abode_n in_o egypt_n not_o to_o exceed_v 215_o year_n or_o at_o the_o high_a by_o the_o number_n of_o generation_n can_v not_o exceed_v 350_o year_n stretch_v they_o to_o the_o utmost_a advantage_n to_o this_o which_o you_o lay_v so_o much_o weight_n upon_o i_o answer_v distinct_o 1._o by_o your_o own_o confession_n suppose_v the_o 430_o year_n to_o begin_v from_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n the_o accomplishment_n mention_v exod._n 12._o 40._o do_v fall_v out_o exact_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n for_o you_o have_v prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o from_o the_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n to_o jacob_n be_v in_o egypt_n be_v 215_o year_n to_o which_o you_o add_v that_o coath_a be_v suppose_v 5_o year_n old_a at_o the_o go_n into_o egypt_n and_o that_o at_o 70_o year_n he_o beget_v amram_n and_o that_o amram_n at_o at_o 70_o beget_v moses_n to_o which_o moses_n his_o 80_o year_n be_v add_v make_v up_o the_o other_o 215_o year_n whereby_o we_o have_v the_o full_a 430_o year_n by_o your_o own_o computation_n now_o sir_n i_o pray_v consider_v what_o reason_n you_o have_v to_o charge_v the_o scripture_n with_o contradiction_n in_o a_o matter_n yourself_o acknowledge_v so_o exact_o accomplish_v in_o this_o way_n of_o computation_n 2._o but_o you_o say_v the_o word_n will_v not_o bear_v this_o because_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o 400_o year_n to_o expire_v in_o their_o servitude_n in_o egypt_n answ._n for_o this_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n both_o in_o genesis_n and_o exodus_fw-la there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o egypt_n mention_v in_o genesis_n but_o only_o in_o general_n it_o be_v say_v thy_o seed_n shall_v be_v a_o stranger_n in_o the_o land_n that_o be_v not_o they_o and_o shall_v serve_v they_o and_o they_o shall_v afflict_v they_o 400_o year_n and_o it_o will_v conduce_v very_o much_o to_o the_o right_a understanding_n this_o prophecy_n to_o consider_v the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o tell_v abraham_n how_o long_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o servitude_n to_o the_o egyptian_n but_o how_o long_o it_o will_v be_v before_o his_o seed_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n and_o it_o seem_v abraham_n by_o the_o question_n gen._n 15._o 7._o 8._o do_v expect_v to_o have_v the_o inheritance_n of_o this_o land_n in_o his_o own_o time_n to_o this_o therefore_o god_n answer_v by_o tell_v he_o he_o mean_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o it_o be_v intend_v for_o his_o seed_n and_o that_o not_o sudden_o neither_o for_o they_o be_v to_o tarry_v till_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o amorites_n shall_v be_v full_a which_o will_v not_o be_v till_o the_o four_o generation_n and_o then_o his_o seed_n shall_v after_o 400_o year_n come_v to_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o be_v to_o sojourn_v in_o a_o land_n that_o be_v not_o they_o and_o to_o meet_v with_o many_o hardship_n and_o difficulty_n this_o be_v plain_o the_o scope_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o by_o attend_v to_o it_o the_o great_a objection_n present_o appear_v without_o force_n for_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n notwithstanding_o the_o promise_n be_v by_o the_o patriarch_n themselves_o look_v on_o as_o a_o land_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n so_o abraham_n say_v gen._n 23._o 4._o i_o be_o a_o stranger_n and_o a_o sojourner_n with_o you_o and_o which_o be_v more_o remarkable_a in_o the_o blessing_n of_o jacob_n by_o isaac_n to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v it_o be_v say_v and_o give_v thou_o the_o blessing_n of_o abraham_n to_o thou_o and_o to_o thy_o seed_n that_o thou_o may_v inherit_v the_o land_n wherein_o thou_o be_v a_o stranger_n which_o god_n give_v unto_o abraham_n gen._n 28._o 4._o where_o the_o very_a same_o word_n be_v use_v concern_v jacob_n that_o be_v express_v in_o the_o prophecy_n gen._n 15._o 13._o so_o that_o the_o patriarch_n look_v on_o themselves_o as_o stranger_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n so_o long_o after_o the_o promise_n make_v and_o after_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n and_o therefore_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v call_v terra_fw-la peregrinationum_fw-la the_o land_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n gen._n 36._o 7._o 37._o 1._o and_o when_o god_n be_v call_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n together_o out_o of_o egypt_n yet_o then_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v call_v by_o the_o very_a same_o title_n the_o land_n of_o their_o pilgrimage_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n exod._n 6._o 4._o and_o ps._n 105._o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12_o 13._o where_o we_o have_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n concern_v the_o inheritance_n of_o that_o land_n it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v few_o and_o stranger_n in_o it_o when_o they_o go_v from_o one_o nation_n to_o another_o from_o one_o kingdom_n to_o another_o people_n which_o do_v full_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n in_o genesis_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v to_o the_o servitude_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n but_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o their_o state_n of_o pilgrimage_n for_o 400_o year_n wherein_o they_o be_v to_o suffer_v great_a hardship_n before_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o the_o inheritance_n of_o canaan_n this_o be_v no_o force_a or_o unnatural_a exposition_n of_o the_o word_n as_o you_o seem_v to_o suggest_v
imprimatur_fw-la hic_fw-la libre_fw-la cui_fw-la titulus_fw-la a_o letter_n to_o a_o deist_n feb._n 8._o 1676._o guil._n jane_n r._n p._n d._n henr._n episc._n lond._n a_o sacris_fw-la dome_v a_o letter_n to_o a_o deist_n in_o answer_n to_o several_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n london_n print_v by_o w._n g._n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o m._n pitt_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1677._o the_o preface_n this_o follow_a discourse_n be_v write_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o a_o particular_a person_n who_o own_v the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o god_n but_o express_v a_o mean_a esteem_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v become_v so_o common_a a_o theme_n among_o the_o sceptic_n of_o this_o age_n that_o the_o author_n of_o this_o discourse_n think_v it_o worth_a his_o time_n and_o care_n to_o consider_v the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o they_o especial_o be_v write_v in_o a_o grave_n and_o serious_a manner_n and_o not_o with_o that_o raillery_n and_o buffoonery_n which_o the_o rude_a person_n of_o this_o age_n common_o bestow_v upon_o religion_n it_o may_v be_v just_o expect_v from_o such_o who_o pretend_v to_o breed_n and_o civility_n that_o they_o will_v at_o least_o show_v more_o respect_n to_o a_o thing_n which_o have_v prevail_v so_o much_o among_o man_n of_o the_o best_a understanding_n and_o education_n and_o who_o have_v have_v no_o interest_n to_o carry_v on_o by_o it_o for_o it_o be_v against_o the_o ordinary_a rule_n of_o conversation_n to_o affront_v that_o which_o other_o think_v they_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o esteem_v and_o love_n and_o they_o will_v not_o endure_v that_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o their_o mean_a servant_n which_o they_o too_o often_o show_v towards_o religion_n and_o the_o thing_n belong_v to_o it_o if_o they_o be_v not_o in_o earnest_n when_o they_o scoff_v and_o mock_v at_o sacred_a thing_n their_o own_o conscience_n will_v tell_v they_o it_o be_v a_o horrible_a impiety_n if_o they_o be_v in_o earnest_n let_v they_o debate_v these_o thing_n calm_o and_o serious_o and_o let_v the_o strong_a reason_n prevail_v man_n may_v speak_v sharp_o and_o witty_o against_o the_o clear_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o the_o sceptic_n of_o old_a do_v against_o all_o certainty_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n but_o we_o shall_v think_v that_o man_n out_o of_o his_o sense_n that_o will_v now_o dispute_v the_o be_v of_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o colour_n of_o the_o snow_n we_o do_v not_o say_v the_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v capable_a of_o the_o same_o evidence_n with_o that_o of_o sense_n but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o judgement_n and_o understanding_n to_o know_v the_o proportion_n and_o fitness_n of_o evidence_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v they_o will_v not_o have_v the_o eye_n to_o judge_v of_o taste_n nor_o the_o nose_n of_o metaphysic_n and_o yet_o these_o will_v be_v as_o proper_a as_o to_o have_v the_o sense_n judge_v of_o immaterial_a being_n if_o we_o do_v not_o give_v as_o good_a reason_n for_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n consider_v can_v be_v give_v for_o it_o let_v we_o then_o be_v blame_v for_o our_o weakness_n in_o defend_v it_o but_o let_v not_o religion_n suffer_v till_o they_o be_v sure_a nothing_o more_o can_v be_v say_v for_o it_o there_o be_v a_o late_a author_n i_o hear_v be_v politic_a mighty_o in_o vogue_n among_o many_o who_o cry_v up_o any_o thing_n on_o the_o atheistical_a side_n though_o never_o so_o weak_a and_o trifle_a it_o be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o lay_v open_a the_o false_a reason_n and_o inconsistent_a hypothesis_n of_o his_o book_n which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o do_v already_o in_o that_o language_n wherein_o it_o be_v write_v but_o if_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o irreligion_n among_o we_o that_o book_n be_v as_o it_o be_v talk_v translate_v into_o our_o tongue_n there_o will_v not_o i_o hope_v want_v those_o who_o will_v be_v as_o ready_a to_o defend_v religion_n and_o morality_n as_o other_o be_v to_o decry_v and_o despise_v they_o a_o letter_n of_o resolution_n to_o a_o person_n unsatisfy_a about_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n sir_n although_o i_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o any_o skill_n in_o the_o depth_n of_o theology_n yet_o i_o be_o hearty_o concern_v for_o the_o truth_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o your_o paper_n to_o undermine_v when_o i_o first_o look_v they_o over_o i_o can_v not_o think_v they_o so_o considerable_a as_o to_o deserve_v a_o particular_a answer_n especial_o from_o one_o in_o my_o circumstance_n who_o have_v so_o much_o other_o business_n lie_v upon_o i_o and_o so_o little_a leisure_n and_o health_n to_o perform_v it_o but_o i_o find_v at_o the_o conclusion_n of_o your_o paper_n so_o earnest_a and_o vehement_a a_o desire_n express_v by_o you_o that_o i_o will_v return_v a_o answer_n in_o order_n to_o the_o settlement_n of_o your_o mind_n that_o i_o can_v not_o refuse_v a_o office_n of_o so_o great_a charity_n as_o you_o represent_v it_o to_o be_v i_o confess_v when_o i_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o your_o objection_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o manage_v they_o i_o can_v hardly_o believe_v that_o they_o proceed_v from_o a_o doubtful_a mind_n that_o be_v desirous_a of_o any_o satisfaction_n but_o since_o you_o tell_v i_o so_o i_o will_v first_o show_v my_o charity_n in_o believe_v it_o and_o then_o in_o endeavour_v to_o give_v you_o my_o poor_a assistance_n and_o impartial_a advice_n in_o order_n to_o your_o satisfaction_n and_o in_o truth_n i_o think_v impartial_a advice_n will_v contribute_v more_o to_o that_o end_n than_o spend_v time_n and_o paper_n in_o run_v through_o all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o cavil_v mind_n to_o raise_v against_o the_o plain_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o clear_a and_o evident_a but_o a_o sophistical_a wit_n will_v always_o find_v something_o to_o say_v against_o it_o and_o if_o you_o be_v the_o person_n i_o take_v you_o for_o you_o very_o well_o know_v that_o there_o have_v be_v some_o who_o want_v neither_o wit_n nor_o eloquence_n who_o have_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n it_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v by_o man_n that_o if_o it_o be_v understand_v by_o one_o man_n it_o can_v not_o be_v express_v to_o another_o and_o beside_o such_o extravagant_a undertaker_n as_o these_o how_o many_o have_v there_o be_v who_o with_o plausible_a and_o subtle_a argument_n have_v endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v all_o manner_n of_o certainty_n either_o by_o sense_n or_o reason_n must_v we_o therefore_o quit_v all_o pretence_n to_o certainty_n because_o we_o can_v it_o may_v be_v answer_v all_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o sceptic_n and_o therefore_o i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n satisfy_v with_o your_o manner_n of_o proceed_v desire_v all_o particular_a difficulty_n to_o be_v answer_v before_o we_o consider_v the_o main_a evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o the_o only_a reasonable_a way_n of_o proceed_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v to_o consider_v first_o whether_o there_o be_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o persuade_v you_o to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o then_o to_o weigh_v the_o difficulty_n and_o to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o reason_n and_o argument_n for_o believe_v and_o if_o those_o do_v not_o appear_v great_a enough_o to_o overthrow_v the_o force_n of_o the_o other_o you_o may_v rest_v satisfy_v in_o the_o christian_a faith_n although_o you_o can_v answer_v every_o difficulty_n that_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o book_n wherein_o our_o religion_n be_v contain_v i_o pray_v sir_n consider_v with_o yourself_o do_v not_o you_o think_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o save_v he_o unless_o he_o can_v solve_v all_o the_o difficulty_n in_o chrâ—â—ologie_n that_o be_v in_o the_o bible_n unless_o he_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o every_o particular_a law_n and_o custom_n among_o the_o jew_n unless_o he_o can_v make_v out_o all_o the_o prophetic_a scheme_n and_o can_v tell_v what_o the_o number_n of_o the_o beast_n in_o the_o apocalypse_n mean_v if_o a_o man_n may_v believe_v and_o be_v save_v without_o these_o thing_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v they_o object_v for_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n do_v you_o think_v a_o man_n have_v not_o reason_n enough_o to_o believe_v there_o be_v extend_v matter_n in_o the_o world_n unless_o he_o can_v solve_v all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o arise_v from_o the_o extension_n or_o divisibility_n
city_n v_o 11._o and_o he_o confess_v he_o be_v her_o near_a kinsman_n only_o he_o say_v there_o be_v one_o near_o v_o 12._o by_o which_o it_o seem_v if_o there_o have_v not_o boaz_n have_v make_v no_o scruple_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o jew_n say_v in_o such_o marriage_n very_o little_a ceremony_n be_v require_v if_o the_o next_o of_o kin_n do_v not_o renounce_v his_o right_n because_o the_o law_n have_v determine_v the_o marriage_n before_o hand_n if_o you_o have_v but_o consider_v this_o one_o thing_n you_o will_v have_v spare_v the_o many_o observation_n you_o make_v on_o this_o story_n 3._o you_o object_n against_o 2_o sam._n 12._o 8._o as_o too_o much_o countenance_v either_o incest_n or_o adultery_n because_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n give_v to_o david_n his_o master_n wife_n into_o his_o bosom_n but_o 1._o it_o be_v very_o strange_a to_o bring_v this_o place_n as_o a_o countenance_n to_o adultery_n which_o be_v purposely_o design_v to_o upbraid_v david_n with_o the_o sin_n of_o adultery_n and_o you_o will_v find_v it_o no_o easy_a matter_n by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n to_o prove_v polygamy_n to_o be_v adultery_n 2._o the_o jew_n give_v a_o fair_a interpretation_n of_o this_o place_n for_o they_o say_v that_o the_o wife_n of_o a_o king_n can_v never_o marry_v after_o her_o husband_n decease_n as_o the_o gemara_n on_o the_o title_n sanhedrim_n express_o say_v although_o some_o among_o they_o follow_v the_o opinion_n of_o r._n jehuda_n that_o she_o may_v marry_v the_o succeed_a king_n but_o that_o be_v build_v chief_o on_o this_o place_n of_o which_o the_o rest_n give_v a_o better_a account_n viz._n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o 19_o imply_v saul_n wife_n but_o the_o maid_n of_o honour_n or_o attendant_n on_o the_o court_n of_o saul_n which_o all_o fell_a into_o david_n power_n and_o out_o of_o who_o he_o may_v choose_v wife_n without_o danger_n of_o incest_n and_o even_o some_o of_o those_o who_o assert_v it_o lawful_a for_o one_o king_n to_o marry_v his_o predecessor_n wife_n yet_o say_v in_o this_o case_n of_o david_n that_o the_o word_n only_o imply_v that_o they_o be_v of_o saul_n family_n as_o merab_n and_o michal_n be_v but_o not_o saul_n wife_n so_o that_o all_o the_o difficulty_n here_o arise_v only_o from_o the_o interpretation_n of_o a_o unusual_a word_n in_o which_o we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o trust_v the_o jew_n than_o other_o writer_n 4._o you_o be_v much_o offend_v at_o hosea_n marry_v a_o adulteress_n but_o all_o the_o formidable_a difficulty_n of_o that_o place_n will_v present_o vanish_v if_o you_o allow_v the_o prophetical_a scheme_n wherein_o those_o thing_n be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v which_o be_v intend_v only_o to_o represent_v in_o a_o more_o lively_a manner_n the_o thing_n signify_v by_o they_o and_o so_o you_o may_v see_v the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n full_o explain_v this_o place_n of_o hosea_n and_o maimonides_n purposely_o discourse_v on_o the_o prophetic_a parable_n and_o 46._o bring_v this_o as_o one_o of_o the_o instance_n of_o they_o and_o with_o he_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o jewish_a interpreter_n agree_v but_o you_o object_n against_o such_o a_o way_n of_o teach_v as_o tend_v to_o the_o encouragement_n of_o vice_n which_o it_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v design_v to_o represent_v the_o odiousness_n of_o it_o for_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o let_v the_o people_n understand_v that_o their_o idolatry_n be_v as_o hateful_a to_o god_n as_o the_o sin_n of_o adultery_n and_o that_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o will_v be_v their_o misery_n and_o ruin_n and_o yet_o that_o god_n express_v as_o much_o tenderness_n to_o they_o as_o a_o man_n that_o be_v very_o fond_a of_o a_o woman_n will_v do_v in_o be_v unwilling_a to_o put_v she_o away_o although_o he_o know_v she_o be_v false_a to_o his_o bed_n the_o former_a be_v intend_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n and_o the_o latter_a in_o the_o three_o and_o what_o be_v there_o tend_v to_o immorality_n in_o all_o this_o may_v not_o god_n make_v use_n of_o one_o vice_n who_o evil_a be_v more_o notorious_a to_o represent_v another_o by_o who_o evil_a they_o be_v more_o hardly_o convince_v of_o may_v not_o he_o set_v forth_o a_o degenerate_a people_n by_o the_o son_n of_o a_o adulteress_n and_o by_o the_o name_n give_v to_o they_o express_v his_o detestation_n of_o their_o wickedness_n especial_o when_o the_o parabolical_a term_n be_v so_o clear_o explain_v as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o second_o chapter_n but_o you_o will_v say_v these_o thing_n be_v relate_v as_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n with_o the_o several_a circumstance_n belong_v to_o they_o it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v so_o but_o so_o parable_n use_v to_o be_v so_o be_v nathan_n to_o david_n so_o be_v that_o of_o the_o rich_a man_n and_o lazarus_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o be_v jeremies_n go_v to_o euphrates_n to_o hide_v 5._o his_o girdle_n for_o it_o be_v not_o very_o likely_a the_o prophet_n shall_v be_v send_v 18_o or_o 20_o day_n journey_n into_o a_o enemy_n country_n for_o no_o other_o end_n so_o be_v ezekiel_n lie_v on_o one_o side_n for_o 390_o 6._o day_n and_o have_v his_o head_n and_o beard_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n as_o maimonides_n observe_v and_o his_o 1._o dig_v in_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n while_o he_o be_v in_o 8._o babylon_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o a_o like_a nature_n which_o be_v set_v forth_o with_o as_o punctual_a a_o narration_n of_o circumstance_n as_o this_o of_o hosea_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v only_o figurative_a expression_n we_o that_o be_v accustom_v to_o another_o way_n of_o learning_n think_v these_o thing_n strange_a but_o this_o be_v a_o very_a common_a way_n in_o the_o elder_a time_n and_o it_o be_v to_o this_o day_n much_o use_v in_o the_o eastern_a country_n to_o represent_v duty_n to_o some_o under_o the_o parable_n of_o thing_n as_o real_o do_v by_o other_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o locman_n and_o perzoes_n beside_o what_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o other_o have_v say_v concern_v the_o antiquity_n and_o common_a use_n of_o this_o parabolical_a way_n of_o teach_v i_o now_o come_v to_o your_o objection_n against_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o find_v they_o so_o few_o and_o those_o so_o slight_a and_o inconsiderable_a as_o to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o you_o produce_v they_o that_o i_o may_v easy_o pass_v they_o over_o to_o that_o about_o the_o continuance_n of_o miracle_n i_o have_v already_o answer_v and_o i_o find_v not_o one_o word_n in_o the_o place_n mention_v by_o you_o which_o imply_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o they_o in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o place_n mark_v 10._o 29_o 30._o speak_v of_o no_o more_o but_o such_o a_o recompense_n in_o this_o life_n as_o be_v consistent_a with_o persecution_n and_o therefore_o must_v chief_o lie_v in_o inward_a contentment_n which_o all_o wise_a man_n have_v value_v above_o external_a accommodation_n although_o withal_o by_o the_o account_n st._n paul_n give_v of_o himself_o and_o his_o brethren_n god_n do_v abundant_o provide_v for_o they_o one_o way_n or_o other_o as_o have_v nothing_o and_o yet_o enjoy_v 10._o all_o thing_n which_o amount_v to_o a_o hundred-fold_n in_o this_o life_n but_o certain_o you_o be_v the_o first_o man_n who_o have_v object_v the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o book_n of_o revelation_n aga_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v just_a as_o if_o one_o shall_v object_n the_o quadrature_n of_o the_o circle_n against_o mathematical_a certainty_n if_o we_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o that_o mystical_a book_n we_o do_v not_o yet_o well_o understand_v what_o then_o must_v neither_o that_o book_n nor_o any_o other_o of_o the_o bible_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n i_o will_v not_o pursue_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v so_o far_o as_o i_o may_v but_o i_o leave_v yourself_o to_o consider_v of_o it_o and_o of_o all_o that_o i_o have_v write_v in_o order_n to_o your_o satisfaction_n if_o you_o think_v fit_a to_o return_v a_o answer_n i_o pray_v do_v it_o clear_o and_o short_o and_o with_o that_o freedom_n from_o passion_n which_o become_v so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n and_o i_o beseech_v god_n to_o give_v you_o a_o right_a understanding_n in_o all_o thing_n i_o be_o sir_n your_o faithful_a servant_n june_n 11._o 1675._o finis_fw-la book_n sell_v by_o moses_n pitt_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n folio_n thesis_n theologicae_fw-la variis_fw-la temporibus_fw-la in_o academia_n sedanensi_fw-la editae_fw-la &_o ad_fw-la disputandum_fw-la propositae_fw-la authore_fw-la ludovico_n le_fw-fr blanc_n verbi_fw-la divini_fw-la ministro_fw-la &_o theologiae_n