obscure_a to_o we_o we_o shall_v consult_v the_o god_n by_o divination_n for_o they_o make_v know_v those_o thing_n to_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v propitious_a indeed_o i_o think_v it_o but_o a_o vain_a attempt_n to_o go_v prove_v to_o you_o that_o imagination_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o inspiration_n for_o i_o do_v not_o suppose_v that_o in_o reality_n you_o do_v believe_v it_o only_o by_o this_o odd_a sort_n of_o dispute_v you_o endeavour_v to_o make_v our_o religion_n stand_v upon_o as_o loose_v a_o bottom_n as_o you_o can_v that_o you_o may_v be_v able_a to_o overthrow_v it_o at_o your_o leisure_n for_o i_o dare_v say_v you_o do_v not_o believe_v a_o word_n of_o revelation_n at_o all_o and_o therefore_o why_o shall_v you_o trouble_v yourself_o about_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o all_o that_o you_o and_o your_o master_n spinosa_n mean_v when_o you_o talk_v of_o prophecy_n consist_v in_o lively_a imagination_n be_v that_o the_o inspire_a prophet_n be_v only_o a_o parcel_n of_o melancholy_a crack-brained_a enthusiastical_a folk_n that_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n of_o judea_n a_o number_n of_o fanatical_a dream_n and_o vision_n but_o because_o there_o be_v so_o much_o pain_n take_v in_o this_o argument_n i_o will_v show_v you_o that_o the_o prophet_n or_o inspire_v man_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o man_n of_o this_o complexion_n as_o you_o contend_v for_o and_o that_o the_o instance_n which_o you_o have_v allege_v make_v nothing_o for_o this_o opinion_n 1._o for_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o prophet_n be_v more_o melancholy_a or_o fanciful_a than_o other_o man_n be_v melancholy_a prophet_n not_o melancholy_a and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o fancy_n of_o mounsieur_fw-fr petit_fw-fr de_fw-fr sibyllis_fw-la lib._n 1._o to_o assert_v that_o melancholy_a be_v the_o chief_a disposition_n to_o make_v a_o prophet_n and_o that_o moses_n be_v a_o extraordinary_a melancholy_a man_n because_o he_o choose_v to_o live_v a_o solitary_a life_n in_o the_o wilderness_n feed_v his_o father-in-law_n jethro_n sheep_n and_o because_o he_o be_v note_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v slow_a of_o speech_n exod._n 4.10_o for_o these_o do_v not_o appear_v to_o be_v any_o argument_n at_o all_o of_o melancholy_n for_o a_o pastoral_n life_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n denote_v a_o man_n to_o be_v of_o a_o melancholic_a complexion_n but_o contrariwise_o more_o debonair_a and_o pleasant_a and_o therefore_o the_o shepherd_n in_o polite_a nation_n as_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n be_v always_o describe_v as_o man_n of_o great_a mirth_n and_o jollity_n and_o spend_v their_o whole_a time_n in_o pleasure_n and_o gaiety_n neither_o do_v moses_n leave_v the_o egyptian_a court_n for_o a_o melancholy_a retirement_n in_o the_o country_n but_o be_v force_v to_o fly_v from_o egypt_n to_o avoid_v the_o anger_n of_o the_o king_n after_o it_o be_v know_v that_o he_o have_v slay_v the_o egyptian_a neither_o whilst_o he_o so_o abscond_v do_v he_o show_v any_o sign_n of_o melancholy_n there_o but_o only_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o his_o nation_n and_o general_o of_o those_o age_n choose_v to_o make_v his_o employ_v the_o keep_v of_o sheep_n so_o that_o david_n who_o be_v describe_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o a_o sanguine_a complexion_n and_o fame_v for_o sprightful_a sing_v and_o play_v may_v be_v as_o well_o tax_v for_o melancholy_a when_o he_o keep_v his_o father_n sheep_n as_o moses_n may_v neither_o be_v the_o slowness_n of_o his_o speech_n any_o argument_n of_o his_o melancholy_n because_o very_o sanguine_a man_n be_v often_o trouble_v with_o that_o infirmity_n which_o do_v general_o arise_v from_o some_o defect_n of_o the_o vocal_a organ_n in_o the_o mouth_n and_o not_o from_o man_n complexion_n and_o temper_n of_o mind_n and_o beside_o what_o be_v common_o translate_v slow_a of_o speech_n be_v in_o the_o original_n heavy_a or_o difficult_a of_o mouth_n which_o may_v be_v any_o defect_n of_o speak_v which_o do_v render_v man_n less_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o stammer_n or_o fast_o speak_v as_o well_o as_o slow_a speak_n and_o therefore_o ezekiel_n 3.5_o people_n of_o another_o nation_n be_v say_v to_o be_v heavy_a of_o language_n because_o they_o can_v not_o be_v easy_o understand_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o moses_n may_v as_o well_o have_v be_v very_o quick_a in_o his_o talk_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n mighty_o give_v to_o hesitation_n and_o then_o this_o will_v rather_o argue_v he_o to_o be_v of_o a_o eager_a and_o volatile_a temper_n than_o any_o way_n give_v to_o melancholy_a but_o as_o for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v no_o melancholy_a enthusiast_n because_o their_o discourse_n and_o write_n be_v perfect_o different_a from_o what_o be_v usual_o say_v by_o that_o sort_n of_o men._n there_o be_v nothing_o come_v from_o they_o but_o what_o be_v grave_a and_o sedate_n and_o agreeable_a to_o good_a sense_n and_o reason_n and_o a_o well-composed_a mind_n do_v we_o find_v any_o thing_n in_o they_o that_o be_v like_o the_o mad_a transport_v of_o james_n naylor_n read_v but_o the_o life_n of_o sancta_fw-la teresa_n 1696._o vid._n dr._n stillingfleet_n fanaticism_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n dr._n william_n 1_o sermon_n 1696._o and_o maria_n magdalena_n de_fw-fr pazzi_n and_o see_v if_o the_o prophetic_a write_n bear_v any_o manner_n of_o correspondence_n with_o their_o foolish_a talk_n do_v ever_o any_o one_o of_o the_o prophet_n spend_v three_o year_n before_o his_o death_n in_o nothing_o but_o repeat_v such_o a_o odd_a ejaculation_n as_o thy_o will_n be_v do_v in_o time_n and_o in_o eternity_n as_o molinos_n report_v of_o gregory_n of_o lopez_n beside_o their_o write_n be_v full_a of_o just_a reason_n and_o serious_a unaffected_a relation_n which_o do_v by_o no_o wise_n agree_v to_o enthusiastical_a men._n read_v but_o the_o history_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o other_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o see_v if_o they_o look_v like_o the_o composition_n of_o wild_a enthusiast_n if_o naylor_n have_v be_v to_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o will_v have_v make_v a_o otherguise_n spot_n of_o work_n of_o it_o than_o moses_n have_v he_o will_v have_v clog_v every_o relation_n with_o odd_a parenthesis_n great_n be_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n judgement_n horror_n desolation_n damnation_n etc._n etc._n he_o will_v never_o have_v keep_v his_o brain_n close_o to_o the_o order_n of_o a_o just_a narration_n but_o will_v have_v jumble_v the_o creation_n and_o the_o flood_n noah_n and_o abraham_n and_o pharaoh_n all_o together_o do_v you_o think_v that_o any_o one_o of_o those_o popish_a dreamer_n can_v have_v make_v use_n of_o such_o solid_a reason_v and_o such_o critical_a remark_n upon_o the_o old_a law_n as_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o hebrew_n can_v they_o have_v make_v such_o wise_a observation_n upon_o humane_a life_n and_o give_v such_o rule_n of_o piety_n and_o conversation_n as_o the_o book_n of_o solomon_n be_v full_a of_o can_v they_o have_v frame_v such_o admirable_a form_n of_o devotion_n as_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n all_o that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o do_v will_v be_v to_o write_v some_o mad_a stuff_n which_o no_o man_n of_o sense_n will_v have_v patience_n to_o read_v three_o leave_n of_o have_v the_o scripture_n no_o other_o inspiration_n than_o the_o imagination_n of_o fanciful_a brain_n there_o will_v no_o one_o part_n of_o it_o be_v coherent_a with_o another_o history_n will_v be_v clash_v with_o history_n and_o prophecy_n with_o prophecy_n and_o nothing_o suit_n together_o with_o that_o order_n and_o symmetry_n as_o now_o we_o find_v it_o ask_v two_o craze_a man_n in_o bedlam_n to_o tell_v a_o story_n out_o of_o the_o bible_n and_o then_o see_v how_o these_o man_n of_o imagination_n will_v correspond_v together_o talk_v single_o with_o two_o enthusiastical_a quaker_n till_o they_o be_v warm_a upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o see_v then_o how_o fine_o their_o prophecy_n will_v agree_v i_o be_o sure_a they_o will_v fall_v infinite_o short_a of_o be_v so_o uniform_o of_o a_o piece_n as_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v let_v the_o great_a infidel_n of_o you_o all_o consider_v that_o wonderful_a correspondence_n there_o be_v between_o the_o four_o evangelist_n among_o themselves_o where_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n to_o be_v find_v but_o what_o among_o writer_n which_o have_v not_o confederated_a together_o shall_v be_v and_o observe_v the_o same_o in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n and_o chronicle_n see_v how_o the_o same_o great_a design_n be_v visible_a throughout_o the_o moysaicall_a write_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o gospel_n how_o exact_o do_v the_o lapse_n of_o mankind_n by_o adam_n agree_v with_o the_o reparation_n make_v by_o jesus_n christ_n
a_o conference_n with_o a_o theist_n part_n ii_o show_v the_o defect_n of_o natural_a religion_n the_o necessity_n of_o divine_a inspiration_n the_o rationale_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n and_o defence_n of_o his_o miracle_n together_o with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o deluge_n the_o origin_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christ_n mediatorship_n by_o william_n nicholls_n d.d._n rector_n of_o selsey_n in_o sussex_n and_o chaplain_n to_o the_o right_n honourable_a ralph_n earl_n of_o montague_n the_o second_o edition_n correct_v london_n print_v by_o t._n w._n for_o francis_n saunders_n at_o the_o blue-anchor_n in_o the_o new-exchange_n and_o thomas_n bennet_n at_o the_o half-moon_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1699._o to_o the_o most_o reverend_n father_z in_o god_n thomas_n lord_n archbishop_z of_o canterbury_n may_v it_o please_v your_o grace_n i_o have_v beg_v protection_n for_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o mean_a performance_n under_o the_o vmbrage_n of_o your_o late_a dear_a friend_n and_o our_o good_a bishop_n i_o presume_v to_o lay_v the_o second_o part_n at_o your_o grace_n foot_n who_o god_n have_v make_v next_o under_o himself_o the_o succourer_n of_o his_o afflict_a family_n and_o i_o humble_o pray_v that_o you_o will_v be_v please_v to_o add_v one_o more_o token_n of_o your_o respect_n to_o the_o memory_n of_o that_o admirable_a person_n as_o favourable_o to_o accept_v this_o poor_a present_n from_o one_o of_o his_o undeserving_a friend_n this_o my_o lord_n i_o address_v to_o your_o grace_n with_o all_o heartiness_n and_o sincerity_n and_o with_o the_o humble_a thanks_o for_o your_o kindness_n to_o the_o relation_n of_o my_o unfortunate_a diocesan_n and_o for_o your_o assistance_n in_o get_v his_o station_n in_o the_o church_n supply_v by_o so_o excellent_a a_o successor_n thereby_o mitigate_a the_o unspeakable_a loss_n sustain_v by_o the_o whole_a diocese_n and_o in_o particular_a by_o my_o lord_n your_o grace_n most_o obedient_a and_o dutiful_a son_n and_o servant_n will._n nicholls_n preface_n that_o indifferent_a good_a reception_n which_o my_o bookseller_n inform_v i_o that_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o conference_n have_v meet_v withal_o in_o the_o world_n have_v make_v i_o presume_v to_o venture_v abroad_o a_o second_o it_o be_v my_o hearty_a prayer_n to_o god_n that_o these_o mean_a endeavour_n may_v contribute_v to_o the_o abate_v that_o reign_a infidelity_n which_o have_v poison_v such_o a_o number_n of_o the_o gentry_n and_o other_o of_o this_o nation_n or_o at_o least_o may_v stir_v up_o some_o able_a pen_n to_o encounter_v with_o it_o this_o way_n for_o after_o all_o the_o objection_n which_o i_o have_v hear_v make_v to_o i_o about_o my_o free_a way_n of_o argue_v the_o theistical_a argument_n in_o dialogue_n i_o think_v it_o be_v more_o like_a to_o do_v good_a among_o the_o infidel_n than_o a_o methodical_a discourse_n range_v into_o chapter_n and_o section_n for_o those_o that_o be_v taint_v with_o these_o opinion_n be_v general_o a_o sort_n of_o fastidious_a student_n who_o though_o they_o talk_v much_o read_v but_o very_o little_a and_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v design_v for_o their_o use_n must_v be_v attemper_v to_o their_o palate_n to_o make_v it_o go_v down_o with_o they_o now_o the_o dialogical_a way_n of_o all_o other_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o excite_v attention_n by_o constant_o spring_v up_o new_a objection_n which_o set_v a_o continual_a edge_n upon_o the_o mind_n and_o make_v it_o eager_a to_o see_v they_o remove_v so_o that_o the_o author_n of_o a_o dialogue_n have_v this_o advantage_n above_o other_o that_o he_o carry_v the_o readâ—_n thought_n always_o fresh_a along_o with_o he_o 〈◊〉_d be_v general_o lose_v or_o at_o least_o often_o grow_v languid_a in_o a_o continue_a discourse_n of_o any_o considerable_a length_n i_o have_v not_o indeed_o bring_v in_o such_o frequent_a interlocution_n as_o be_v requisite_a for_o a_o just_a dialogue_n like_o those_o of_o plato_n and_o lucian_n for_o that_o will_v have_v take_v up_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o paper_n to_o little_a purpose_n only_o to_o please_v a_o few_o curious_a critic_n and_o at_o last_o the_o argument_n will_v be_v but_o the_o more_o obscure_v by_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n i_o have_v avoid_v the_o dry_a method_n of_o the_o scholastic_a ob._n and_o sol._n where_o the_o objection_n be_v propose_v without_o any_o manner_n of_o life_n only_o in_o order_n to_o be_v refute_v which_o can_v never_o be_v pleasant_a to_o the_o reader_n who_o at_o first_o sight_n see_v that_o the_o author_n set_v this_o up_o only_o as_o a_o man_n of_o straw_n which_o when_o he_o fight_v with_o it_o he_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o get_v the_o better_a of_o i_o have_v therefore_o make_v use_n of_o the_o middle_a way_n in_o clothe_v the_o objection_n in_o such_o a_o dress_n as_o two_o man_n that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o convince_v one_o another_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o use_v and_o this_o be_v the_o pattern_n which_o the_o best_a of_o writer_n cicero_n in_o his_o philosophical_a tract_n have_v set_v who_o very_a fault_n i_o shall_v never_o be_v ashamed_a to_o imitate_v as_o to_o those_o tragical_a exclamation_n which_o some_o honest_a people_n have_v make_v concern_v my_o urge_v the_o infidel_n argument_n with_o that_o little_a wit_n and_o briskness_n with_o which_o they_o be_v usual_o talk_v in_o and_o put_v some_o expression_n in_o my_o deist_n mouth_n which_o reflect_v upon_o christianianity_n i_o can_v upon_o the_o most_o serious_a consideration_n approve_v their_o zeal_n for_o when_o i_o be_v to_o write_v a_o dialogue_n upon_o this_o subject_a i_o must_v make_v the_o theist_n say_v something_o or_o other_o and_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v but_o little_o have_v observe_v the_o rule_n of_o decency_n to_o have_v make_v the_o infidel_n talk_v in_o the_o language_n of_o a_o grave_a theologue_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a if_o i_o have_v do_v so_o i_o have_v make_v more_o people_n laugh_v at_o i_o than_o now_o i_o have_v make_v angry_a beside_o i_o have_v the_o whole_a world_n before_o i_o for_o precedent_n in_o this_o matter_n those_o atheistical_a prosopopoea_n which_o be_v be_v bring_v in_o by_o solomon_n in_o ecclesiastes_n be_v urge_v with_o a_o peculiar_a poignancy_n of_o wit_n which_o the_o atheist_n of_o all_o time_n have_v endeavour_v to_o excel_v in_o and_o cicero_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr natura_fw-la deorum_fw-la frame_v the_o argument_n of_o velleius_n the_o epicurean_a with_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o wit_n and_o smartness_n than_o those_o of_o cotta_n the_o academic_a or_o balbus_n the_o stoic_a and_o in_o the_o same_o strain_n all_o along_o in_o minutius_n foelix_fw-la cecilius_n expose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o so_o the_o argument_n of_o trypho_n the_o jew_n record_v in_o justin_n martyr_n those_o of_o celsus_n in_o origen_n and_o of_o julian_n in_o st._n cyril_n be_v more_o blasphemous_a reflection_n and_o insinuation_n against_o christianity_n than_o any_o that_o be_v find_v in_o this_o conference_n if_o any_o shall_v say_v that_o i_o help_v vicious_a man_n to_o argument_n against_o religion_n i_o answer_v that_o these_o argument_n be_v common_a enough_o to_o be_v find_v elsewhere_o and_o those_o who_o mind_n be_v bias_v this_o way_n know_v well_o enough_o where_o to_o look_v for_o they_o in_o those_o wicked_a book_n where_o they_o may_v find_v all_o the_o poison_n without_o the_o antidote_n as_o to_o those_o scheme_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o deluge_n i_o have_v make_v in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a part_n i_o must_v tell_v the_o reader_n again_o that_o i_o design_v they_o only_o as_o possible_a theory_n which_o i_o do_v not_o lay_v down_o as_o if_o they_o be_v exact_o true_a but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v so_o which_o be_v all_o i_o be_o concern_v to_o prove_v against_o the_o infidel_n who_o deny_v the_o possibility_n of_o these_o mighty_a revolution_n and_o those_o people_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v angry_a at_o any_o philosophical_a explication_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o deluge_n in_o this_o way_n may_v as_o well_o be_v displease_v with_o butio_n and_o dr._n wilkins_n for_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o animal_n in_o noah_n ark_n and_o with_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o commentator_n upon_o the_o bible_n who_o do_v upon_o occasion_n show_v the_o possibility_n of_o those_o many_o miraculous_a relation_n which_o be_v find_v there_o if_o this_o part_n find_v as_o kind_a usage_n abroad_o among_o those_o judgement_n i_o most_o value_n as_o the_o former_a do_v or_o if_o i_o can_v learn_v it_o do_v any_o good_a among_o those_o i_o design_v it_o for_o i_o will_v publish_v the_o three_o and_o last_o part_n or_o otherwise_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o subject_a and_o hic_fw-la cestus_fw-la artemque_fw-la repono_fw-la fig._n ay_o fig._n two_o fig
be_v full_a of_o idolatrous_a ceremony_n 6._o bell._n gall._n lib._n 6._o and_o caesar_n say_v they_o sacrifice_v to_o the_o sun_n vulcan_n or_o the_o fire_n and_o the_o moon_n which_o be_v the_o only_a god_n they_o see_v but_o as_o for_o other_o ne_fw-la famâ_fw-la quidem_fw-la acceperunt_fw-la they_o never_o so_o much_o as_o hear_v of_o but_o tacitus_n 4._o tacitus_n ann._n lib._n 4._o and_o geticis_fw-la and_o de_fw-fr rebus_fw-la geticis_fw-la jornandes_n make_v likewise_o mars_n their_o principal_a god_n tacitus_n mention_n their_o sing_a hymn_n to_o hercules_n when_o they_o go_v to_o war_n de_fw-fr moribus_fw-la germ._n and_o paulus_n diaconus_fw-la speak_v of_o their_o woden_n who_o he_o interpret_v mercury_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o rite_n of_o tuisco_n friga_n etc._n etc._n which_o the_o saxon_n afterward_o transplant_v into_o britain_n if_o we_o look_v southward_o into_o africa_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o there_o busy_a with_o the_o rite_n and_o oracle_n of_o jupiter_n hammon_n and_o with_o the_o worship_n of_o a_o abundance_n of_o their_o dead_a king_n 15._o king_n tertull._n apol._n cap._n 24._o lactant._n lib._n 1._o cap._n 15._o and_o if_o we_o look_v northward_o into_o scythia_n and_o sarmatia_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o scythian_n bloody_a with_o the_o humane_a sacrifice_n to_o their_o diana_n taurica_n or_o scythica_n so_o renown_v of_o old_a and_o the_o sarmatian_n worship_v in_o strange_a rite_n one_o deity_n call_v pogwisd_v another_o jessa_n a_o three_o call_v lacton_n and_o nia_n marzana_n and_o zievonia_n goddess_n beside_o two_o famous_a deity_n name_v zelus_n and_o poletus_n which_o be_v joint_o worship_v like_o the_o dioscuri_n i_o need_v not_o make_v any_o remark_n upon_o the_o ceremonious_a worship_n of_o the_o egyptian_n greek_n and_o roman_n for_o among_o they_o i_o be_o sure_a natural_a religion_n be_v bury_v under_o load_v of_o ceremony_n there_o we_o shall_v hear_v of_o nothing_o but_o temple_n and_o priest_n and_o altar_n expiation_n lustration_n pomp_n and_o procession_n image_n hieroglyphic_n augury_n play_n and_o a_o thousand_o other_o rite_n which_o learned_a man_n have_v write_v large_a volume_n to_o explain_v and_o if_o we_o go_v further_o eastward_o into_o persia_n and_o syria_n we_o shall_v see_v the_o former_a employ_v about_o strange_a ceremony_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o sun_n keep_v in_o the_o sacred_a fire_n sacrifice_v horse_n to_o mithras_n with_o many_o other_o rite_n which_o the_o magi_n have_v invent_v and_o shall_v find_v the_o syrian_n run_v after_o a_o troop_n of_o different_a god_n with_o a_o different_a worship_n moloch_n ashtaroth_n baal_n dagon_n beelzebub_n nisroch_n rimmon_n nebo_n etc._n etc._n vid._n selden_n de_fw-fr diis_fw-la syris_n and_o if_o you_o please_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o travel_n into_o the_o east_n and_o west_n indies_n you_o will_v find_v altogether_o as_o much_o ceremony_n in_o the_o heathen_n worship_v there_o so_o that_o i_o beseech_v you_o philologus_n to_o show_v in_o what_o part_n of_o the_o world_n this_o natural_a religion_n of_o you_o lay_v skulk_a in_o this_o universal_a reign_n of_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n and_o if_o you_o can_v i_o must_v conclude_v that_o this_o story_n of_o the_o ancient_a universality_n of_o pure_a natural_a religion_n be_v all_o philosophical_a romance_n and_o never_o have_v any_o be_v but_o in_o the_o brain_n of_o the_o gentleman_n of_o your_o persuasion_n and_o those_o of_o some_o system-makers_n and_o preacher_n of_o late_a draw_v from_o the_o scatter_a saying_n and_o book_n of_o philosopher_n which_o some_o have_v fancy_v into_o a_o complete_a system_fw-la of_o religion_n which_o alone_o be_v own_v and_o practise_v for_o some_o age_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o think_v it_o be_v clear_a from_o the_o forego_n observation_n that_o your_o notion_n of_o such_o a_o simple_a natural_a religion_n be_v never_o practise_v in_o the_o world_n as_o far_o as_o profane_v history_n go_v and_o as_o for_o those_o that_o allow_v the_o sacred_a the_o sacrifice_n of_o cain_n and_o abel_n will_v evince_v ritual_a worship_n to_o be_v as_o old_a as_o mankind_n itself_o which_o will_v be_v yet_o clear_a when_o it_o appear_v reveal_v what_o be_v call_v natural_a religion_n be_v at_o first_o reveal_v 3._o that_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o morality_n or_o a_o good_a life_n which_o we_o general_o call_v natural_a religion_n be_v at_o first_o reveal_v by_o god_n this_o may_v seem_v a_o little_a strange_a to_o those_o who_o be_v preposess_v by_o other_o opinion_n but_o it_o seem_v rather_o more_o strange_a to_o consider_v that_o those_o moral_a notion_n shall_v come_v into_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o usual_a way_n they_o be_v general_o suppose_v it_o be_v former_o the_o current_a opinion_n of_o the_o school_n that_o these_o moral_a notice_n be_v idea_n connate_a with_o the_o soul_n and_o in_o a_o certain_a manner_n inscribe_v upon_o it_o but_o it_o be_v very_o odd_a to_o think_v how_o such_o proposition_n as_o these_o parent_n be_v to_o be_v honour_v friend_n be_v to_o be_v assist_v the_o marriagebed_n to_o be_v undefiled_a whoredom_n and_o drunkenness_n avoid_v it_o be_v odd_a to_o think_v i_o say_v how_o that_o these_o proposition_n which_o be_v the_o complication_n of_o so_o many_o distinct_a and_o simple_a idea_n which_o we_o be_v sure_o be_v general_o attain_v by_o experience_n and_o reason_n shall_v yet_o be_v assert_v to_o come_v into_o the_o mind_n by_o such_o a_o unaccountable_a way_n as_o this_o of_o inscription_n but_o say_v no_o more_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o inscription_n than_o a_o kind_n of_o natural_a and_o universal_a inspiration_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o imbution_n of_o it_o with_o these_o moral_a principle_n this_o be_v altogether_o unagreeable_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o child_n idiot_n and_o some_o very_a barbarous_a people_n who_o we_o be_v certain_a do_v want_v most_o of_o these_o moral_a notion_n so_o that_o of_o late_a this_o opinion_n of_o innate_a idea_n have_v be_v general_o explode_v by_o learned_a man_n and_o another_o take_v up_o it_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o as_o many_o difficulty_n which_o attribute_n the_o origin_n of_o these_o moral_a notion_n to_o the_o deduction_n of_o right_a reason_n assert_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n have_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n and_o few_o of_o they_o be_v so_o brutish_a but_o in_o their_o life_n time_n they_o apply_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o consideration_n of_o these_o moral_a duty_n and_o so_o by_o the_o agreeableness_n of_o they_o to_o the_o social_n life_n of_o mankind_n do_v easy_o infer_v the_o obligation_n of_o they_o and_o so_o the_o law_n natural_a be_v by_o this_o explication_n nothing_o else_o but_o a_o scheme_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n which_o every_o man_n by_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o experience_n have_v find_v out_o to_o be_v such_o from_o their_o agreeableness_n and_o disagreeableness_n to_o society_n and_o to_o the_o end_n man_n be_v design_v for_o thus_o i_o be_o suppose_v to_o come_v to_o know_v that_o to_o rob_v my_o neighbour_n be_v unlawful_a because_o this_o be_v contrary_n to_o those_o leviathan_n those_o vid._n hobb'_v leviathan_n pact_n of_o fidelity_n we_o have_v enter_v into_o together_o or_o because_o this_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o that_o mutual_a nature_n mutual_a parker_n be_v law_n of_o nature_n love_n and_o kindness_n we_o ought_v to_o bear_v to_o our_o fellow_n creature_n or_o because_o this_o violate_v the_o natural_a right_n which_o accrue_v to_o another_o by_o occupation_n gentium_fw-la occupation_n puffendorff_n de_fw-fr jur._n nat._n &_o gentium_fw-la and_o which_o can_v be_v alienate_v but_o by_o gift_n or_o sale_n or_o dereliction_n now_o there_o be_v many_o a_o poor_a honest_a indian_a who_o know_v it_o be_v his_o duty_n not_o to_o steal_v as_o well_o as_o ever_o a_o hobb'_v or_o puffendorff_n of_o they_o all_o and_o yet_o he_o never_o in_o his_o life_n so_o much_o as_o dream_v of_o pact_n or_o fides_n data_fw-la or_o occupation_n suppose_v i_o bargain_n with_o a_o honest_a virginian_a for_o a_o pipe_n of_o tobacco_n and_o a_o bottle_n of_o sack_n to_o watch_v my_o tent_n whilst_o i_o sleep_v from_o wild_a beast_n or_o banditti_n now_o when_o he_o may_v cut_v my_o throat_n and_o run_v away_o with_o all_o that_o i_o have_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o the_o poor_a fellow_n stay_v walk_v about_o as_o trustful_o with_o his_o bow_n and_o arrow_n as_o if_o he_o be_v set_v centinal_n by_o a_o captain_n that_o will_v hang_v he_o for_o run_v away_o why_o say_v most_o of_o our_o natural_a religion-man_n by_o frequent_a exercise_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o think_v he_o have_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o horridness_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o murder_n and_o the_o baseness_n of_o unfaithfulness_n but_o than_o who_o can_v ever_o think_v that_o this_o poor_a ignorant_a wretch_n shall_v ever_o have_v give_v himself_o to_o such_o grave_n and_o
of_o they_o to_o be_v absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a other_o contrary_a to_o common_a justice_n and_o the_o rest_n but_o mean_a and_o pitiful_a and_o unworthy_a of_o god_n the_o author_n what_o more_o silly_a than_o the_o command_n of_o not_o eat_v the_o blood_n of_o a_o animal_n as_o if_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o cognizance_n of_o a_o legislatour_n to_o forbid_v man_n the_o use_n of_o black-pudding_n be_v it_o worthy_a a_o divine_a law_n to_o forbid_v the_o sow_v of_o maslin_n or_o that_o poor_a folk_n shall_v wear_v linsey-wolsey_n and_o do_v it_o not_o look_v a_o little_a like_o a_o jest_n grave_o to_o establish_v that_o a_o ox_n and_o a_o ass_n shall_v not_o be_v yoke_v together_o beside_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n in_o the_o body_n of_o his_o law_n which_o contradict_v the_o common_a notion_n of_o ordinary_a justice_n what_o be_v the_o set_n up_o in_o his_o commonwealth_n so_o many_o asylum_n but_o only_o make_v a_o rendezvous_n or_o a_o alsatia_n for_o a_o number_n of_o hedg-rogue_n to_o plague_v their_o honest_a neighbour_n his_o lex_fw-la talionis_fw-la be_v unmerciful_a cruelty_n that_o when_o i_o by_o chance_n or_o in_o a_o scuffle_n have_v beat_v out_o a_o man_n eye_n i_o must_v stand_v still_o to_o let_v he_o bear_v out_o i_o in_o cold_a blood_n his_o redemption_n of_o estate_n after_o the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n be_v to_o discourage_v good_a part_n and_o industry_n and_o to_o entail_v estate_n for_o ever_o it_o may_v be_v upon_o the_o blockheaded_n heir_n of_o those_o particular_a family_n which_o first_o lay_v hand_n upon_o they_o his_o other_o law_n about_o murder_n theft_n sacrifice_n etc._n etc._n be_v such_o as_o be_v equal_v by_o the_o mean_a commonwealth_n and_o the_o ordinary_a superstition_n only_o here_o be_v some_o thing_n more_o ridiculous_a than_o be_v to_o be_v find_v elsewhere_o with_o a_o deal_n of_o injunction_n about_o red-cow_n scape-goat_n and_o forty_o thing_n more_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n but_o if_o god_n have_v be_v the_o author_n of_o these_o law_n and_o this_o institution_n they_o have_v without_o all_o doubt_n be_v ground_v upon_o admirable_a reason_n excellent_o fit_v to_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o usefulness_n of_o they_o to_o society_n and_o to_o make_v man_n good_a will_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o that_o consider_v they_o but_o these_o seem_v only_a to_o be_v a_o odd_a jumble_z of_o arbitrary_a precept_n for_o which_o there_o be_v no_o other_o but_o a_o woman_n reason_n to_o be_v give_v because_o forsooth_o god_n will_v command_v they_o and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o fine_a way_n of_o make_v law_n cred._n i_o find_v you_o be_v run_v law_n the_o jewish_a the_o best_a of_o all_o political_a law_n philologus_n upon_o your_o old_a strain_n and_o therefore_o i_o must_v beg_v leave_n to_o interpose_v a_o little_a i_o believe_v it_o be_v want_v of_o due_a consideration_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o make_v you_o talk_v against_o that_o which_o when_o you_o understand_v better_o you_o will_v rather_o admire_v for_o my_o part_n i_o look_v upon_o the_o judaical_a to_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a civil_a constitution_n which_o ever_o be_v or_o ever_o will_v be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o you_o will_v but_o compare_v the_o three_o legislative_a book_n of_o moses_n with_o what_o be_v extant_a of_o the_o egyptian_a attic_a and_o lacedaemonian_a law_n the_o roman_a twelve_o table_n their_o plebiscita_fw-la and_o imperial_a rescript_n nay_o even_o when_o they_o be_v collect_v into_o the_o digest_v you_o will_v find_v that_o they_o all_o fall_v short_a of_o these_o law_n of_o moses_n i_o do_v not_o speak_v this_o at_o random_n nor_o in_o the_o least_o to_o detract_v from_o the_o roman_a law_n but_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n their_o law_n do_v i_o think_v far_o exceed_v the_o other_o indeed_o the_o jewish_a law_n be_v not_o draw_v up_o into_o such_o a_o exact_a a_o systematical_a method_n nor_o adorn_v with_o such_o artificial_a term_n nor_o do_v so_o precise_o set_v out_o the_o minute_n boundary_n of_o right_n and_o wrong_n as_o the_o roman_a but_o yet_o they_o be_v better_o calculate_v for_o ordinary_a justice_n and_o neighbourly_a society_n they_o the_o extraordinary_a mercifulness_n of_o they_o and_o what_o be_v better_o yet_o for_o mercy_n and_o charity_n i_o say_v mercy_n and_o charity_n and_o i_o defy_v any_o civil_a constitution_n in_o the_o world_n to_o show_v so_o many_o good-natured_a law_n and_o enact_v with_o such_o a_o tender_a regard_n to_o their_o fellow_n creature_n as_o the_o jew_n can_v what_o more_o kind_a constitution_n can_v there_o be_v than_o to_o ordain_v city_n of_o refuge_n for_o the_o innocent_a manslayer_n to_o fly_v to_o to_o avoid_v the_o impotent_a anger_n of_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o kill_v which_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o those_o time_n be_v wont_v immediate_o to_o revenge_v their_o kindred_n death_n thereby_o to_o give_v he_o time_n to_o clear_v himself_o which_o if_o he_o can_v not_o the_o law_n allow_v he_o to_o be_v drag_v even_o from_o the_o horn_n of_o the_o altar_n exod._n 21.14_o the_o kind_a usage_n which_o by_o those_o law_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o slave_n and_o the_o stripe_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v exceed_v in_o punish_v criminal_n be_v another_o argument_n of_o the_o mercifulness_n of_o these_o law_n above_o other_o the_o great_a care_n which_o be_v take_v to_o prevent_v mischief_n which_o may_v happen_v by_o the_o flat_a roof_v building_n of_o those_o time_n by_o order_v battlement_n to_o be_v make_v round_o they_o and_o the_o penalty_n of_o woman_n take_n abortive_a potion_n do_v confirm_v the_o same_o the_o forbid_v the_o jew_n to_o suffer_v a_o beggar_n among_o they_o and_o not_o allow_v new_a marry_a man_n to_o be_v force_v from_o their_o wife_n the_o first_o year_n to_o the_o war_n be_v a_o tenderness_n which_o must_v other_o nation_n be_v want_v in_o indeed_o the_o same_o law_n punish_v adultery_n with_o death_n but_o then_o they_o be_v so_o mild_a as_o to_o punish_v theft_n with_o only_a abundant_a restitution_n in_o which_o sanction_n you_o may_v see_v a_o admirable_a temperament_n of_o justice_n and_o clemency_n and_o which_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o example_n to_o other_o government_n where_o adultery_n which_o be_v irreparable_a be_v pretend_v to_o be_v recompense_v by_o pecuniary_a mulct_n and_o theft_n for_o which_o restitution_n may_v be_v make_v be_v capital_a nay_o in_o these_o law_n there_o be_v a_o tender_a regard_n have_v to_o beast_n themselves_o of_o which_o the_o forbid_a to_o muzzle_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o ox_n that_o tread_v out_o the_o corn_n be_v a_o sufficient_a instance_n merciful_o provide_v that_o the_o poor_a beast_n which_o provide_v sustenance_n for_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v deny_v its_o natural_a crave_n after_o its_o own_o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o couple_v a_o ox_n and_o a_o ass_n and_o other_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d tender_o take_v care_n that_o one_o beast_n of_o great_a strength_n shall_v not_o force_v another_o poor_a creature_n of_o less_o toil_n beyond_o its_o ability_n thus_o much_o i_o have_v think_v fit_a in_o some_o few_o particular_n to_o point_n out_o the_o merciful_a disposition_n of_o these_o law_n which_o be_v not_o so_o visible_a in_o any_o civil_a constitution_n in_o the_o world_n as_o in_o this_o they_o the_o great_a wisdom_n in_o they_o and_o beside_o you_o may_v perceive_v as_o much_o wisdom_n and_o excellent_a design_n run_v through_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o it_o the_o distinction_n of_o family_n and_o registery_n of_o their_o name_n be_v the_o most_o useful_a thing_n which_o can_v be_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n thereby_o to_o know_v its_o own_o strength_n and_o ability_n to_o prevent_v lawsuit_n and_o to_o settle_v inheritance_n the_o sabbatical_a or_o fallow_a year_n be_v a_o noble_a contrivance_n to_o keep_v a_o country_n in_o fertility_n and_o from_o be_v wear_v out_o of_o heart_n by_o covetous_a tiller_n the_o weekly_a sabbath_n set_v aside_o the_o religiousness_n of_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a ease_n both_o to_o servant_n and_o cattle_n and_o must_v even_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v esteem_v a_o very_a wise_a establishment_n which_o other_o nation_n be_v want_v in_o but_o their_o severe_a punishment_n of_o idolatry_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o the_o great_a encouragement_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n from_o who_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v relapse_v be_v such_o a_o glory_n of_o the_o judaical_a law_n above_o all_o other_o as_o can_v never_o be_v eclipse_v by_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v against_o they_o by_o infidel_n tongue_n talk_v what_o you_o will_v of_o your_o solon_n lycurgus_n and_o numa_n but_o the_o idolatrous_a worship_n which_o they_o establish_v by_o their_o law_n be_v enough_o
give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o old_a chaldean_a idolater_n in_o abraham_n and_o moses_n his_o time_n and_o to_o be_v write_v as_o long_o ago_o as_o that_o 29._o vid._n maimon_n more_n nevoch_n part._n iii_o cap._n 29._o now_o if_o these_o zabian_a book_n which_o maimonides_n and_o his_o follower_n so_o much_o rely_v upon_o prove_v to_o be_v forgery_n than_o all_o this_o zabian_a hypothesis_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n now_o these_o zabian_a book_n which_o maimonides_n see_v be_v one_o call_v haistamchus_fw-la another_o hattel_n eshmaoth_v or_o of_o speak_v image_n another_o call_v tamtam_n another_o name_v hasscharabh_n another_o of_o the_o degree_n of_o the_o celestial_a orb_n and_o of_o the_o ascendant_n figure_n in_o each_o degree_n another_o book_n of_o speak_v image_n a_o certain_a book_n attribute_v to_o hermes_n a_o book_n write_v by_o isaac_n the_o zabian_a which_o dispute_v for_o the_o law_n of_o the_o zabian_o and_o his_o great_a book_n of_o the_o custom_n and_o particularity_n of_o the_o zabian_o beside_o another_o book_n of_o agriculture_n now_o be_v not_o this_o a_o pretty_a library_n of_o book_n for_o the_o abrahamical_a and_o moysaicall_a time_n but_o if_o they_o be_v so_o ancient_a as_o be_v pretend_v how_o come_v they_o never_o to_o be_v hear_v of_o but_o among_o the_o jew_n in_o egypt_n or_o spain_n about_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o year_n ago_o one_o will_v have_v think_v that_o some_o of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n shall_v have_v speak_v of_o some_o of_o they_o or_o some_o of_o the_o learned_a father_n who_o understand_v the_o oriental_n as_o st._n jerom_n and_o origen_n who_o be_v so_o inquisitive_a this_o way_n methinks_v they_o shall_v have_v somewhere_o mention_v they_o but_o to_o go_v no_o further_o some_o of_o these_o book_n carry_v forgery_n in_o their_o very_a title_n the_o book_n of_o speak_v image_n look_v like_o the_o story_n of_o the_o talismans_n which_v the_o arabian_a talk_v so_o much_o of_o about_o that_o time_n the_o book_n of_o celestial_a orb_n and_o ascendant_n look_n like_o a_o forgery_n about_o rambam_n time_n when_o the_o folly_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n among_o the_o arabian_n be_v at_o the_o height_n but_o isaac_n the_o zabian_a be_v infatuate_v to_o give_v himself_o that_o name_n pretend_v to_o be_v old_a than_o abraham_n and_o yet_o take_v his_o son_n name_n or_o however_o his_o jewish_a name_n must_v needs_o tell_v all_o the_o world_n he_o be_v no_o zabian_a and_o beside_o isaac_n in_o his_o great_a book_n treat_v of_o the_o temple_n dedicate_v by_o the_o zabii_n to_o intellectual_a form_n whence_o any_o body_n will_v know_v the_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o some_o one_o who_o have_v be_v breed_v in_o a_o school_n of_o the_o peripatetic_a philosophy_n and_o the_o dispute_n in_o those_o book_n about_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n show_v they_o be_v compile_v by_o some_o one_o who_o have_v be_v where_o aristotle_n argument_n upon_o that_o subject_n have_v be_v bandy_v about_o i_o shall_v weary_v you_o to_o tell_v you_o all_o the_o simple_a tale_n which_o maimonides_n quote_v of_o these_o book_n which_o be_v all_o compose_v in_o the_o very_a strain_n of_o the_o talmud_n from_o whence_o any_o body_n may_v guess_v their_o original_a they_o make_v abraham_n very_o doughty_o dispute_v with_o a_o great_a king_n of_o the_o zabian_o that_o there_o be_v another_o god_n beside_o the_o sun_n and_o that_o the_o sun_n be_v but_o the_o hatchet_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n for_o which_o the_o king_n clap_v abraham_n up_o into_o prison_n but_o notwithstanding_o that_o abraham_n dispute_v there_o still_o so_o that_o the_o king_n at_o last_o fear_v lest_o abraham_n shall_v do_v mischief_n among_o his_o people_n by_o his_o subtle_a disputation_n seize_v all_o his_o good_n and_o banish_v he_o to_o the_o further_a part_n of_o the_o east_n now_o do_v this_o look_n like_o a_o zabian_a or_o rather_o not_o like_o a_o jew_n who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o aggrandise_v the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o progenitor_n beside_o the_o foolishness_n of_o that_o writer_n be_v betray_v by_o make_v such_o great_a monarchy_n in_o those_o age_n of_o the_o world_n when_o kingdom_n be_v general_o confine_v to_o city_n or_o small_a province_n as_o appear_v by_o abraham_n fight_a half_a a_o score_n of_o such_o king_n with_o 318_o men._n the_o same_o book_n tell_v you_o strange_a tale_n of_o adam_n and_o seth_n and_o noah_n etc._n etc._n which_o plain_o show_v they_o to_o be_v write_v by_o one_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o mosaic_a genealogy_n that_o adam_n be_v the_o apostle_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o exhort_v man_n to_o her_o worship_n that_o seth_n be_v a_o renegado_n to_o his_o father_n worship_n and_o so_o be_v noah_n who_o condemn_v image-worship_n that_o adam_n go_v into_o a_o far_a country_n nigh_o india_n and_o bring_v home_o a_o tree_n with_o flower_n leave_n and_o branch_n of_o gold_n and_o likewise_o a_o tree_n of_o stone_n with_o the_o leave_n of_o another_o green_a tree_n who_o leave_n will_v not_o burn_v in_o the_o fire_n that_o be_v so_o large_a that_o ten_o thousand_o man_n of_o the_o bigness_n of_o adam_n may_v shelter_v themselves_o under_o it_o and_o that_o the_o two_o leave_n which_o he_o bring_v with_o he_o be_v so_o large_a that_o each_o of_o they_o will_v clothe_v two_o men._n but_o i_o will_v tire_v you_o no_o long_o with_o these_o insipid_a talmudical_a lie_n which_o methinks_v any_o body_n may_v guess_v a_o jew_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o but_o however_o what_o rare_a stuff_n be_v this_o to_o explain_v scripture_n by_o one_o will_v wonder_v how_o it_o shall_v come_v into_o the_o head_n of_o learned_a man_n to_o think_v that_o god_n in_o frame_v his_o sacred_a law_n shall_v have_v any_o regard_n to_o such_o idle_a tale_n for_o my_o part_n i_o pity_v they_o when_o i_o see_v they_o so_o sweat_v themselves_o in_o such_o a_o silly_a enterprise_n and_o throw_v away_o so_o much_o labour_n and_o learning_n to_o no_o manner_n of_o purpose_n and_o beside_o the_o great_a advantage_n they_o give_v to_o the_o infidel_n to_o expose_v the_o law_n of_o god_n when_o they_o see_v that_o christian_n settle_v they_o upon_o so_o slender_a a_o foundation_n phil._n it_o behoove_v you_o to_o be_v as_o zealous_a for_o your_o religion_n as_o you_o can_v for_o you_o find_v we_o get_v ground_n upon_o you_o every_o day_n we_o live_v in_o a_o very_a pry_a generation_n and_o it_o be_v not_o lay_v your_o hand_n over_o a_o sore_a place_n in_o your_o religion_n that_o will_v secure_v it_o now_o you_o must_v maintain_v your_o cause_n by_o pure_a dint_n of_o argument_n or_o lose_v it_o but_o what_o say_v you_o now_o to_o your_o great_a legislator_n when_o we_o shall_v prove_v that_o all_o his_o celebrate_a religion_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o give_v the_o jew_n from_o heaven_n be_v only_o pinch_v from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a egyptian_n and_o this_o your_o own_o divine_n be_v sensible_a of_o at_o last_o and_z by_o reason_n of_o the_o plain_a evidence_n of_o the_o case_n have_v give_v over_o the_o cause_n to_o we_o for_o some_o of_o they_o have_v prove_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v all_o jewish_a and_o other_o the_o jewish_a religion_n to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o heathen_a and_o therefore_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o for_o take_v my_o religion_n at_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o so_o will_v continue_v a_o primitive_a heathen_a in_o defiance_n to_o all_o innovation_n i_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v to_o christianity_n for_o the_o judaical_a law_n be_v the_o matter_n now_o in_o hand_n and_o these_o i_o say_v be_v most_o of_o they_o the_o ceremonial_a especial_o nothing_o but_o egyptian_a rite_n which_o moses_n bring_v over_o with_o he_o thence_o which_o be_v a_o considerable_a argument_n against_o the_o divinity_n of_o they_o for_o to_o be_v sure_a god_n almighty_a will_v never_o have_v copy_v his_o law_n from_o a_o parcel_n of_o simple_a idolater_n to_o begin_v with_o circumcision_n which_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v the_o characteristic_a of_o the_o jew_n that_o to_o be_v sure_o be_v take_v from_o the_o egyptian_n or_o some_o other_o nation_n that_o ceremony_n be_v use_v not_o only_o in_o egypt_n but_o in_o aethiopia_n by_o the_o colchi_n and_o arabian_n thus_o the_o urim_n and_o thummim_n be_v enjoin_v in_o imitation_n of_o that_o locket_n of_o jewel_n which_o hang_v from_o the_o neck_n of_o the_o egyptian_a highpriest_n mention_v by_o 37._o by_o hist_o fab._n lib._n 1._o c._n 37._o diodorus_n siculus_n the_o linnen-garment_n which_o the_o jewish_a highpriest_n and_o other_o inferior_a one_o wear_v be_v copy_v from_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n who_o wear_v the_o like_a as_o herodotus_n 37._o herodotus_n herod_n hist_o lib._n 2._o c._n 37._o and_o plutarch_n osyr_n
plutarch_n plutarch_n de_fw-fr iside_n &_o osyr_n relate_v the_o cherubim_n be_v only_o the_o imitation_n of_o apis_n his_o hieroglyphic_n or_o image_n the_o bull_n or_o of_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o much_o in_o fashion_n among_o the_o egyptian_n as_o the_o image_n of_o sphinx_n upon_o their_o temple_n door_n do_v evince_v and_o so_o be_v the_o ark_n of_o the_o covenant_n fetch_v from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o cista_fw-la in_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o egyptian_a osiris_n the_o orgia_n of_o bacchus_n and_o the_o eleusinian_n sacra_fw-la the_o feast_n of_o new_a moon_n be_v take_v from_o the_o like_a practice_n among_o the_o heathen_a and_o so_o be_v the_o jewish_a purification_n from_o their_o lustration_n and_o last_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v but_o a_o copy_n of_o those_o egyptian_n who_o be_v observe_v by_o herodotus_n 4._o herodotus_n herod_n c._n 4._o to_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o altar_n image_n and_o temple_n and_o what_o i_o pray_v become_v of_o your_o religion_n now_o when_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o be_v borrow_v you_o see_v from_o the_o most_o stupid_a of_o all_o the_o heathen_a idolater_n that_o fall_v down_o and_o worship_v the_o very_a potherb_n of_o their_o garden_n cred._n i_o be_o hearty_o sorry_a that_o the_o learned_a author_n de_fw-fr legibus_fw-la hebraeorum_n have_v put_v a_o keen_a sword_n into_o the_o infidel_n hand_n egyptian_a jewish_a rite_n not_o derive_v from_o the_o egyptian_a the_o better_a to_o attack_v religion_n with_o which_o their_o blunt_a argument_n will_v have_v be_v less_o able_a to_o do_v not_o that_o i_o think_v if_o dr._n spencer_n supposition_n shall_v be_v true_a that_o the_o judaical_a rite_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o egyptian_a that_o the_o infidel_n will_v absolute_o get_v the_o better_a of_o we_o for_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o god_n almighty_n may_v make_v such_o condescension_n to_o the_o hardness_n of_o the_o jew_n heart_n and_o their_o slavish_a hanker_a after_o the_o pomp_n of_o the_o egyptian_a worship_n as_o to_o allow_v they_o in_o some_o particular_n of_o their_o ceremony_n but_o i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o grant_v this_o for_o all_o the_o rite_n command_v by_o the_o jewish_a law_n seem_v either_o perfect_o set_v up_o in_o opposition_n to_o their_o superstition_n or_o be_v such_o as_o be_v practise_v in_o common_a with_o they_o and_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n or_o else_o be_v such_o ordinary_a performance_n in_o religious_a worship_n as_o no_o nation_n can_v easy_o avoid_v i_o confess_v i_o be_o far_o from_o the_o other_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o assert_v that_o the_o egyptian_n and_o other_o of_o the_o heathen_a world_n learn_v all_o these_o religious_a act_n from_o the_o jew_n because_o some_o of_o they_o they_o may_v learn_v from_o their_o common_a forefather_n and_o other_o they_o may_v jump_v upon_o by_o chance_n or_o be_v lead_v to_o they_o by_o the_o natural_a tendency_n of_o the_o thing_n there_o be_v a_o thousand_o thing_n which_o man_n do_v very_o alike_o and_o yet_o neither_o of_o they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o learn_v or_o copy_n from_o one_o another_o nor_o can_v be_v so_o much_o as_o say_v to_o dream_v of_o what_o the_o other_o do_v indeed_o man_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n may_v make_v a_o pother_n about_o they_o show_v their_o own_o part_n in_o maintain_v a_o paradox_n and_o amuse_v unwary_a people_n but_o they_o can_v make_v nothing_o solid_o out_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n to_o make_v use_n of_o a_o odd_a instance_n i_o will_v undertake_v to_o take_v a_o ordinary_a scrivener_n conveyance_n that_o be_v draw_v up_o after_o the_o most_o blunder_a rate_n and_o put_v it_o into_o a_o learned_a hand_n that_o will_v vouchsafe_v to_o lay_v out_o time_n this_o way_n and_o he_o shall_v fetch_v your_o parallel_n case_n for_o every_o period_n or_o word_n out_o of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o greece_n and_o rome_n bring_v like_o quotation_n to_o every_o line_n out_o of_o the_o code_o and_o pandect_n allege_v apposite_a say_n out_o of_o tully_n and_o demosthenes_n libanius_n and_o themistius_n so_o that_o the_o scrivener_n may_v almost_o seem_v to_o have_v steal_v the_o conveyance_n out_o of_o these_o book_n whereas_o perhaps_o the_o poor_a man_n never_o hear_v a_o word_n of_o they_o in_o all_o his_o life_n and_o true_o i_o think_v dr._n spencer_n book_n be_v but_o a_o project_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n he_o find_v that_o some_o thing_n in_o the_o jewish_a and_o the_o heathen_a ceremony_n agree_v and_o therefore_o resolve_v the_o first_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o latter_a now_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n for_o a_o learned_a man_n that_o have_v leisure_n enough_o to_o pick_v up_o out_o of_o such_o a_o number_n of_o heathen_a book_n which_o be_v extant_a a_o great_a many_o expression_n in_o their_o explication_n of_o heathen_a rite_n which_o may_v make_v they_o look_v something_o like_o the_o jewish_a ceremony_n and_o yet_o in_o reality_n they_o may_v be_v no_o more_o alike_o than_o the_o scrivener_n conveyance_n to_o cicero_n oration_n pro_fw-la milone_n but_o to_o speak_v to_o the_o particular_n which_o you_o have_v mention_v 1._o circumcision_n egyptian_n circumcision_n not_o from_o the_o egyptian_n though_o it_o be_v not_o a_o rite_n pure_o judaical_a yet_o it_o be_v first_o give_v to_o abraham_n and_o so_o descend_v down_o to_o all_o his_o posterity_n and_o as_o to_o what_o other_o use_n of_o it_o there_o be_v in_o other_o nation_n it_o be_v learn_v from_o he_o and_o his_o offspring_n as_o for_o the_o use_n of_o circumcision_n among_o all_o the_o ismaelitish_n race_n in_o arabia_n and_o among_o the_o edomite_n and_o other_o descendant_n from_o esau_n and_o abraham_n son_n by_o ketura_n they_o be_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o maintain_v their_o paternal_a rite_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o as_o for_o the_o colchi_n grotius_n have_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v probable_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n carry_v away_o by_o salmanasser_n for_o the_o scholiast_n upon_o aristophanes_n declare_v that_o they_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o jewish_a extraction_n and_o if_o the_o testimony_n of_o alexander_n polyhistor_n 16._o jos_n lib._n 1._o c._n 16._o quote_v by_o josephus_n be_v to_o be_v credit_v that_o the_o name_n of_o africa_n come_v from_o afer_n the_o son_n of_o abraham_n by_o ketura_n who_o plant_v a_o colony_n there_o then_o we_o have_v a_o easy_a account_n how_o circumcision_n come_v to_o the_o aethiopian_n also_o there_o remain_v then_o only_o the_o egyptian_n and_o why_o they_o may_v not_o learn_v it_o from_o abraham_n or_o joseph_n especial_o when_o he_o be_v in_o his_o grandeur_n in_o pharoah_n court_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v never_o see_v any_o good_a reason_n indeed_o it_o be_v something_o difficult_a to_o think_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v learn_v such_o a_o troublesome_a rite_n of_o a_o stranger_n but_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v not_o circumcise_v only_o the_o hierophantae_n and_o the_o priest_n 30._o priest_n epiph._n har._n 30._o and_o they_o may_v take_v this_o up_o in_o emulation_n to_o joseph_n that_o they_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o be_v outdo_v by_o he_o in_o any_o extraordinary_a mark_n of_o holiness_n as_o the_o magician_n vie_v with_o moses_n in_o pretend_v to_o do_v the_o same_o miracle_n with_o he_o and_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v plain_a that_o no_o other_o nation_n make_v use_v of_o a_o universal_a circumcision_n of_o all_o their_o male_n but_o the_o jew_n only_o the_o egyptian_n have_v among_o they_o a_o sort_n of_o a_o female_a circumcision_n mention_v by_o strabo_n a_o custom_n never_o dream_v of_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o gentile_n general_o believe_v that_o circumcision_n be_v the_o characteristic_a only_o of_o a_o jew_n or_o else_o those_o reproachful_a name_n give_v to_o the_o jew_n upon_o this_o account_n such_o as_o verpus_fw-la recutitus_fw-la curtus_fw-la etc._n etc._n mention_v by_o juvenal_n martial_n and_o other_o have_v no_o sense_n in_o they_o they_o be_v design_v to_o stigmatize_v the_o jew_n by_o they_o for_o a_o particular_a singularity_n in_o this_o matter_n above_o other_o nation_n which_o if_o so_o many_o nation_n as_o you_o pretend_v have_v use_v there_o will_v be_v no_o ground_n for_o but_o we_o never_o find_v that_o these_o odd_a name_n be_v give_v to_o the_o egyptian_n arabian_n the_o colchi_n or_o the_o aethiopian_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v not_o universal_o circumcise_v as_o the_o jew_n be_v 2._o and_o so_o for_o the_o urim_n and_o thummim_n thummim_n nor_o vrim_fw-he and_o thummim_n although_o the_o heathen_a egyptian_n may_v use_v something_o like_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a as_o grotius_n say_v that_o they_o do_v it_o ut_fw-la pveri_fw-la
how_o do_v the_o old_a levitical_a law_n plain_o appear_v to_o be_v but_o the_o sciography_n or_o rough_a draught_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o character_n and_o line_n of_o one_o exact_o visible_a in_o the_o other_o for_o my_o part_n i_o think_v it_o impossible_a for_o so_o many_o though_o judicious_a and_o wise_a man_n without_o assistance_n from_o god_n to_o carry_v any_o one_o design_n with_o that_o exactness_n that_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v but_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v the_o great_a of_o absurdity_n to_o assert_v that_o such_o a_o noble_a and_o uniform_a design_n shall_v be_v carry_v on_o through_o so_o many_o age_n by_o a_o parcel_n of_o wild_a enthusiast_n so_o that_o let_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v what_o you_o please_v to_o style_v they_o either_o inspire_a man_n or_o impostor_n i_o shall_v not_o dispute_v that_o now_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v man_n well_o in_o their_o wit_n and_o what_o be_v more_o man_n of_o good_a sense_n ghost_n prophet_n have_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 2._o it_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o scripture_n that_o prophecy_n proceed_v from_o another_o cause_n viz._n the_o influence_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n the_o innumerable_a instance_n in_o scripture_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v come_v upon_o they_o of_o their_o speak_a thing_n by_o command_n and_o of_o the_o lord_n of_o their_o be_v catch_v up_o into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n be_v undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o revelation_n viz._n the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n indeed_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o give_v a_o philosophical_a and_o notional_a account_n of_o this_o supernatural_a influence_n or_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o be_v convey_v or_o by_o what_o criterion_n or_o mark_n they_o can_v distinguish_v it_o from_o a_o delusion_n because_o we_o who_o be_v not_o honour_v with_o these_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o idea_n of_o these_o thing_n as_o have_v never_o be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o understanding_n but_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o these_o holy_a man_n have_v as_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o as_o we_o have_v of_o thing_n that_o do_v immediate_o strike_v our_o sense_n and_o do_v as_o perfect_o know_v they_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o that_o those_o thing_n be_v which_o we_o see_v to_o be_v and_o that_o they_o can_v as_o little_a question_n their_o inspiration_n as_o we_o do_v our_o sense_n for_o as_o the_o sense_n be_v only_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o god_n convey_v idea_n to_o we_o and_o these_o be_v so_o clear_a to_o we_o by_o their_o familiarity_n and_o repeat_v trial_n of_o their_o faithfulness_n that_o we_o can_v but_o rely_v upon_o they_o and_o can_v but_o give_v assent_n to_o they_o so_o the_o inspiration_n of_o god_n to_o the_o prophet_n by_o their_o clear_a evidence_n continual_o and_o by_o their_o wont_a experience_n of_o it_o leave_v no_o more_o doubt_n in_o they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o than_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o sun_n do_v leave_v in_o we_o that_o it_o be_v day_n or_o that_o what_o we_o see_v be_v real_o see_v by_o we_o and_o be_v not_o the_o delusion_n of_o a_o dream_n to_o say_v we_o ordinary_a person_n can_v have_v no_o notion_n of_o this_o extraordinary_a influx_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v be_v only_o to_o expose_v our_o own_o ignorance_n and_o a_o blind_a man_n may_v with_o as_o much_o modesty_n pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v against_o the_o existence_n of_o colour_n or_o a_o clown_n laugh_v at_o mathematical_a theorem_n as_o we_o pretend_v to_o dispute_v against_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o supernatural_a influence_n which_o god_n almighty_a have_v be_v please_v to_o give_v we_o no_o notice_n of_o may_v not_o god_n almighty_a as_o well_o have_v give_v we_o ten_o sense_n as_o five_o and_o if_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v a_o extraordinary_a impression_n upon_o some_o man_n mind_n which_o his_o do_v not_o on_o all_o must_v we_o therefore_o assert_v this_o as_o impossible_a because_o we_o who_o do_v not_o experience_n it_o do_v not_o perceive_v it_o must_v all_o man_n be_v blind_a because_o we_o be_v so_o or_o must_v every_o man_n be_v mad_a and_o enthusiastical_a that_o have_v better_a eye_n than_o we_o i_o be_o sure_a this_o be_v a_o very_a mad_a way_n of_o argue_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n for_o man_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o prophet_n than_o blind_a man_n have_v to_o question_v our_o sight_n nay_o the_o miraculous_a power_n which_o do_v usual_o attend_v prophecy_n be_v more_o undeniable_a evidence_n to_o the_o beholder_n of_o their_o divine_a influence_n than_o the_o joint_a assertion_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n can_v be_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o sight_n or_o colour_n to_o a_o blind_a man_n because_o sensation_n be_v a_o great_a degree_n of_o evidence_n than_o testimony_n and_o because_o a_o man_n will_v soon_o believe_v his_o sense_n than_o a_o thousand_o witness_n a_o blind_a man_n can_v believe_v there_o be_v colour_n but_o only_o by_o be_v tell_v so_o but_o when_o i_o see_v a_o prophet_n do_v miracle_n i_o be_o sure_a he_o be_v influence_v by_o god_n because_o i_o see_v he_o do_v work_n above_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n 3._o you_o be_v very_o much_o mistake_v wisdom_n prophecy_n not_o inconsistent_a with_o wisdom_n when_o you_o assert_v that_o prophecy_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o wisdom_n and_o that_o man_n of_o good_a sense_n such_o as_o solomon_n kalcol_n heman_n etc._n etc._n be_v no_o prophet_n but_o only_o poor_a shepherd_n woman_n and_o other_o person_n of_o mean_a part_n be_v endow_v with_o that_o gift_n one_o will_v wonder_v how_o man_n can_v lay_v down_o a_o assertion_n which_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o be_v confute_v as_o this_o be_v pray_v what_o must_v be_v think_v of_o moses_n to_o who_o there_o arise_v not_o since_o in_o israel_n a_o prophet_n like_o unto_o do_v his_o noble_a genius_n his_o invincible_a courage_n his_o sagacious_a prudence_n his_o vast_a depth_n in_o philosophy_n argue_v he_o a_o man_n of_o mean_a part_n methinks_v the_o heathen_a longinus_n his_o character_n of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o mean_a man_n shall_v be_v enough_o to_o free_v he_o at_o least_o from_o his_o share_n in_o this_o calumny_n what_o do_v you_o think_v of_o nathan_n israel_n and_o daniel_n who_o be_v breed_v up_o courtier_n and_o make_v a_o great_a figure_n in_o the_o age_n when_o they_o live_v and_o the_o write_n of_o two_o of_o they_o show_v they_o to_o be_v man_n of_o fine_a part_n but_o i_o think_v you_o have_v a_o little_a outshoot_v yourself_o in_o the_o instance_n of_o solomon_n in_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v a_o prophet_n for_o it_o be_v record_v in_o scripture_n that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o twice_o unto_o solomon_n first_o at_o his_o entrance_n upon_o his_o kingdom_n when_o he_o ask_v wisdom_n of_o god_n 2_o chron._n 1.8_o second_o upon_o his_o finish_v the_o temple_n 2_o chron._n 7.12_o nay_o what_o do_v you_o think_v of_o david_n who_o be_v a_o prophet_n as_o well_o as_o a_o king_n and_o as_o for_o your_o instance_n of_o kalkol_n and_o heman_n those_o great_a master_n of_o music_n as_o if_o they_o be_v man_n of_o too_o good_a sense_n to_o be_v prophet_n if_o you_o please_v to_o turn_v to_o 1_o chron._n 25.5_o you_o shall_v there_o find_v that_o one_o of_o they_o viz._n heman_n be_v there_o express_o call_v the_o king_n be_v seâ—â—_n or_o prophet_n passion_n prophecy_n noâ—_n variable_a according_a to_o the_o prophet_n passion_n 4._o you_o lie_v down_o also_o another_o very_a false_a supposition_n that_o the_o prophecy_n vary_v always_o according_a to_o the_o different_a passion_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o will_v hence_o conclude_v that_o their_o prophecy_n be_v only_o imagination_n but_o this_o be_v very_o false_a and_o very_o illogical_a first_o it_o be_v false_a for_o moses_n who_o be_v characterise_a to_o be_v the_o meek_a of_o all_o man_n do_v prophecy_n as_o dreadful_a judgement_n against_o the_o israelite_n as_o any_o of_o the_o prophet_n vid._n leu._n 26.14_o isaiah_n his_o prophecy_n be_v in_o the_o several_a place_n very_o different_a sometime_o he_o prophecy_n joyful_a at_o other_o time_n very_o dismal_a thing_n and_o even_o jeremiah_n the_o most_o mournful_a prophet_n of_o all_o do_v foretell_v the_o jew_n joyful_a deliverance_n from_o their_o captivity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o captivity_n itself_o and_o daniel_n at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o he_o be_v mourn_v and_o fast_v in_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n have_v reveal_v to_o he_o by_o the_o angel_n