20._o bishop_n treat_v of_o the_o office_n of_o a_o clergyman_n concern_v basil_n and_o gregory_n nazianzen_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o 9_o rufinus_n that_o for_o thirteen_o year_n together_o they_o lay_v aside_o all_o book_n that_o treat_v of_o secular_a matter_n and_o apply_v themselves_o whole_o to_o the_o read_n of_o the_o volume_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n this_o most_o true_o may_v be_v say_v that_o though_o we_o be_v not_o to_o neglect_v other_o write_n yet_o these_o be_v indispensable_o necessary_a and_o we_o must_v lay_v aside_o all_o other_o book_n rather_o than_o not_o find_v time_n to_o read_v these_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o no_o man_n can_v pretend_v to_o theological_a study_n who_o have_v not_o acquaint_v himself_o with_o the_o sacred_a text._n for_o see_v how_o it_o be_v in_o other_o art_n and_o faculty_n there_o be_v book_n proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o they_o and_o without_o which_o there_o be_v a_o utter_a despair_n of_o attain_v any_o skill_n in_o they_o thus_o to_o offer_v one_o example_n only_o the_o civil_a law_n be_v gain_v by_o read_v the_o digest_v or_o pandect_v of_o which_o the_o institution_n be_v a_o abstract_n compile_v out_o of_o the_o immense_a volume_n of_o the_o roman_a lawyer_n some_o of_o which_o be_v write_v before_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o other_o afterward_o and_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o say_n response_n and_o decision_n of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o learned_a in_o the_o law_n by_o read_v the_o code_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o rescript_n decree_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o their_o wise_a council_n from_o adrian_n to_o justinian_n so_o that_o this_o volume_n differ_v from_o the_o pandect_n as_o among_o we_o the_o statute-law_n or_o act_n of_o parliament_n differ_v from_o the_o common-law_n i._n e._n the_o judgement_n of_o lawyer_n call_v report_n wherefore_o the_o pandect_n must_v give_v way_n to_o the_o code_n this_o be_v more_o valid_a than_o they_o as_o the_o command_v of_o prince_n be_v of_o great_a force_n than_o the_o dictate_v of_o lawyer_n moreover_o by_o read_v the_o authentic_o or_o novel_n call_v so_o because_o they_o be_v new_a law_n add_v to_o the_o other_o last_o by_o look_v into_o the_o feud_n i.e._n the_o custom_n and_o service_n for_o the_o land_n hold_v by_o vassal_n of_o their_o lord_n which_o last_o volume_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n be_v not_o add_v till_o about_o the_o year_n 1150._o under_o the_o emperor_n frederick_n barbarossa_n there_o be_v a_o utter_a despair_n i_o say_v of_o gain_v any_o competent_a knowledge_n in_o this_o excellent_a sort_n of_o learning_n unless_o a_o man_n peruse_v these_o book_n and_o the_o commentator_n on_o they_o and_o so_o in_o the_o study_n of_o physic_n no_o man_n can_v arrive_v to_o any_o perfection_n in_o it_o unless_o he_o be_v conversant_a with_o the_o particular_a author_n whether_o ancient_a or_o modern_a that_o be_v famous_a in_o the_o faculty_n and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o other_o art_n and_o science_n but_o this_o be_v in_o a_o special_a manner_n true_a in_o divinity_n the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o no_o man_n can_v possible_o reach_v without_o a_o diligent_a and_o constant_a perusal_n of_o the_o book_n which_o constitute_v the_o holy_a canon_n the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n for_o both_o be_v necessary_a as_o we_o see_v plain_o in_o the_o quotation_n out_o of_o the_o former_a which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o latter_a there_o be_v four_o and_o twenty_o book_n of_o the_o one_o cite_v or_o refer_v to_o in_o the_o other_o and_o out_o of_o exodus_fw-la some_o of_o they_o there_o be_v above_o forty_o out_o of_o isaiah_n other_o above_o sixty_o passage_n allege_v and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o bible_n than_o be_v a_o volume_n of_o absolute_a necessity_n and_o can_v be_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o that_o be_v devote_v to_o the_o ministry_n for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v heretofore_o order_v that_o this_o sacred_a book_n shall_v be_v read_v at_o bishop_n and_o priest_n table_n even_o at_o dinner_n and_o still_o there_o be_v a_o perpetual_a obligation_n on_o those_o of_o the_o sacred_a function_n to_o give_v themselves_o daily_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o divine_a write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n and_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o they_o must_v build_v which_o be_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o by_o a_o rule_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v that_o rule_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o it_o to_o this_o purpose_n unless_o we_o be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o it_o we_o can_v regulate_v our_o own_o or_o other_o man_n action_n by_o this_o canon_n we_o can_v skilful_o apply_v this_o rule_n this_o square_a if_o we_o be_v not_o very_o conversant_a with_o it_o and_o have_v a_o knowledge_n of_o its_o excellent_a doctrine_n and_o 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in_o his_o poem_n what_o be_v excellent_a in_o any_o art_n or_o profession_n be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o there_o but_o upon_o better_a ground_n i_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o write_n i_o be_o speak_v of_o deserve_v that_o character_n and_o testimony_n there_o be_v no_o man_n of_o clear_a reason_n but_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o there_o be_v more_o undoubted_a antiquity_n more_o excellent_a history_n more_o profound_a reason_n more_o delightful_a eloquence_n more_o choice_a learning_n of_o all_o sort_n in_o the_o bible_n than_o in_o any_o other_o write_n extant_a in_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o need_v then_o no_o elaborate_v persuasive_n to_o read_v this_o sacred_a volume_n which_o be_v the_o best_a under_o heaven_n not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o divine_a but_o humane_a literature_n and_o that_o of_o all_o kind_n contain_v in_o it_o even_o as_o to_o this_o latter_a there_o be_v none_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o accomplish_v scholar_n if_o he_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o this_o book_n next_o to_o the_o infallible_a record_n of_o both_o testament_n the_o first_o and_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n call_v for_o our_o esteem_n and_o enquiry_n antiquity_n in_o monument_n be_v venerable_a in_o religion_n it_o shall_v be_v much_o more_o so_o prescription_n corroborate_v the_o civil_a right_n and_o tenor_n i_o see_v not_o why_o it_o shall_v not_o fortify_v the_o ecclesiastical_a luther_n and_o calvin_n be_v great_a name_n and_o will_v ever_o be_v so_o in_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n but_o yet_o they_o ought_v in_o some_o respect_n to_o veil_n to_o those_o great_a and_o early_o light_n of_o the_o church_n ignatius_n justin_n martyr_n irenâ—â—us_n clement_n of_o alexandria_n tertullian_n cyprian_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n from_o who_o we_o learn_v what_o defection_n there_o be_v from_o the_o truth_n what_o be_v the_o error_n and_o heresy_n and_o corrupt_a practice_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n and_o how_o the_o virgin_n purity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v almost_o deface_v by_o they_o especial_o from_o those_o that_o be_v the_o learned_a apologist_n in_o those_o time_n and_o afterward_o who_o assert_v christianity_n against_o the_o jew_n on_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o pagan_n on_o the_o other_o we_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n discover_v what_o be_v orthodox_n and_o authentic_a and_o what_o be_v of_o a_o different_a nature_n and_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o infer_v hence_o that_o the_o church_n at_o this_o day_n shall_v for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v defend_v and_o vindicated_n by_o the_o write_n of_o those_o who_o be_v its_o first_o defender_n they_o be_v so_o great_a judge_n of_o the_o primitive_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n three_o to_o read_v i_o must_v necessary_o adjoin_v meditation_n both_o which_o perform_v by_o due_a turn_v be_v
and_o rule_n be_v to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o the_o search_n and_o inquiry_n about_o divine_a truth_n this_o discourse_n lay_v the_o foundation_n for_o those_o which_o follow_v for_o even_o the_o sacred_a verity_n and_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n have_v a_o tendency_n to_o practise_v the_o second_o be_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o ruler_n and_o judge_n wherein_o i_o have_v endeavonr_v to_o establish_v the_o right_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o civil_a governor_n upon_o the_o sure_a basis_n of_o reason_n and_o scripture_n and_o thereon_o have_v ground_v our_o obedience_n to_o they_o which_o be_v a_o indispensable_a law_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n but_o as_o we_o be_v to_o obey_v magistrate_n so_o they_o be_v to_o do_v homage_n to_o the_o king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n of_o lord_n and_o to_o give_v proof_n of_o this_o reverence_n and_o submission_n by_o their_o religious_a and_o holy_a demeanour_n wherefore_o in_o the_o three_o place_n i_o have_v show_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o their_o be_v exemplary_a in_o their_o life_n and_o of_o their_o surpass_v other_o in_o all_o moral_a and_o religious_a action_n next_o i_o undertake_v to_o display_v thâ—_n office_n of_o the_o guide_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o public_a instructor_n of_o soul_n and_o to_o show_v what_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v master_n of_o in_o order_n to_o their_o edify_v the_o church_n of_o christ._n then_o i_o descend_v to_o the_o more_o particular_a case_n and_o condition_n of_o person_n and_o show_v how_o necessary_a religion_n and_o virtue_n be_v to_o man_n of_o traffic_n and_o business_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o decay_n of_o riches_n and_o plenty_n in_o a_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o their_o vicious_a practice_n afterward_o i_o represent_v to_o the_o reader_n that_o extravagant_a pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o apparel_n which_o be_v so_o conspicuous_a in_o this_o age_n and_o with_o that_o freedom_n which_o become_v a_o dispenser_n of_o the_o divine_a oracle_n i_o set_v before_o the_o offender_n the_o sinfulness_n and_o mischief_n of_o this_o excess_n again_o i_o take_v occasion_n from_o the_o commence_v of_o the_o late_a war_n to_o satisfy_v the_o scrupulous_a about_o the_o lawfulness_n yea_o and_o necessity_n in_o some_o case_n of_o go_v to_o war._n and_o soon_o after_o there_o be_v ground_n for_o another_o discourse_n viz._n concern_v the_o cause_n of_o ill_a success_n in_o martial_a affair_n and_o because_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o whilst_o we_o be_v engage_v the_o enemy_n abroad_o there_o shall_v be_v peace_n at_o home_n i_o impartial_o represent_v the_o mischievous_a and_o pernicious_a consequence_n of_o intestine_a broil_n and_o division_n in_o a_o kingdom_n and_o warm_o exhort_v to_o unity_n and_o concord_n this_o be_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o ten_o of_o the_o sermon_n in_o this_o volume_n which_o be_v so_o mix_v that_o there_o be_v no_o degree_n or_o quality_n of_o person_n but_o will_v find_v themselves_o concern_v in_o the_o subject_n here_o treat_v of_o prince_n and_o monarch_n inferior_a ruler_n and_o magistrate_n ecclesiastical_a person_n and_o all_o other_o whether_o public_a or_o private_a civil_a or_o military_a wealthy_a or_o indigent_a of_o the_o manly_a or_o of_o the_o soft_a sex_n have_v their_o share_n in_o these_o paper_n as_o for_o the_o two_o last_o sermon_n they_o have_v their_o birth_n from_o the_o two_o much_o prevail_a opinion_n of_o those_o man_n who_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v mystery_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o strike_v only_o at_o that_o general_n doctrine_n and_o wave_v all_o set_a reflection_n on_o particular_a person_n or_o their_o attempt_n the_o sum_n of_o my_o undertake_n here_o be_v this_o i_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o word_n mystery_n as_o it_o be_v mention_v and_o understand_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n more_o especial_o i_o settle_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o that_o term_n as_o it_o peculiar_o respect_v the_o present_a case_n and_o have_v reference_n to_o christianity_n i_o show_v upon_o what_o reason_n and_o ground_n this_o doctrine_n of_o mystery_n be_v found_v i_o represent_v the_o notorious_a blemish_n of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n and_o last_o i_o intersperse_v such_o proper_a inference_n as_o be_v the_o natural_a result_n of_o the_o respective_a particular_n thus_o though_o other_o have_v handle_v this_o subject_a i_o make_v it_o a_o peculiar_a province_n by_o the_o particular_a way_n of_o my_o undertake_n and_o manage_v it_o which_o whether_o it_o be_v do_v aright_o and_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o pious_a i_o leave_v to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v but_o this_o only_o i_o be_o able_a to_o say_v and_o that_o most_o sincere_o that_o i_o design_v what_o i_o have_v here_o write_v for_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n and_o for_o the_o glory_n and_o honour_n of_o its_o divine_a author_n and_o this_o be_v the_o design_n of_o all_o my_o write_n of_o what_o subject_n soever_o i_o have_v already_o treat_v or_o shall_v hereafter_o treat_v some_o perhaps_o may_v think_v i_o pour_v they_o in_o too_o fast_o upon_o the_o reader_n and_o do_v it_o keep_v a_o due_a distance_n such_o as_o they_o will_v have_v between_o one_o book_n and_o another_o i_o be_o so_o vncivil_a a_o writer_n that_o i_o will_v scarce_o give_v the_o reader_n time_n to_o breath_n and_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o blemish_n to_o my_o reputation_n that_o i_o hereby_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o to_o censure_v i_o for_o be_v too_o forward_a a_o man_n and_o one_o that_o affect_v to_o appear_v often_o in_o public_a view_n and_o therefore_o they_o prudent_o advise_v to_o observe_v a_o moderation_n and_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o husbandry_n to_o lie_v fallow_a some_o time_n i_o thank_v these_o gentleman_n for_o the_o care_n they_o pretend_v to_o have_v of_o the_o reader_n and_o i_o but_o i_o must_v tell_v they_o this_o good_a advice_n of_o they_o belong_v to_o those_o novice_n who_o want_v material_n for_o a_o scribble_n though_o it_o be_v but_o a_o four-penny_n cut_v or_o those_o poor_a starve_a soul_n that_o write_v for_o bread_n and_o clap_v all_o their_o book_n and_o sometime_o more_o than_o be_v in_o it_o into_o the_o title_n page_n here_o the_o counsel_n will_v be_v seasonable_a especial_o for_o the_o reader_n good_a to_o be_v temperate_a writer_n but_o if_o they_o will_v be_v so_o civil_a as_o not_o to_o rank_v i_o in_o the_o number_n of_o those_o forementioned_a person_n i_o think_v i_o have_v enough_o to_o plead_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o frequency_n of_o my_o write_n i_o can_v support_v myself_o herein_o by_o very_o good_a and_o vnexceptionable_a example_n half_o a_o dozen_o of_o the_o best_a penman_n we_o have_v at_o this_o day_n among_o we_o two_o of_o the_o learnede_a prelate_n of_o our_o church_n who_o fail_v not_o every_o year_n to_o present_v the_o learned_a with_o a_o offer_n and_o their_o teem_v thought_n be_v still_o design_v to_o oblige_v the_o world_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n but_o wave_a precedent_n especial_o those_o which_o be_v too_o high_a for_o i_o i_o will_v justify_v my_o practice_n from_o the_o reason_n and_o equity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o i_o hold_v it_o proper_a to_o offer_v sâ—meâ—_n truth_n to_o the_o world_n now_o whilst_o i_o be_o able_a to_o defend_v they_o against_o the_o objection_n which_o some_o may_v think_v fit_a to_o make_v against_o they_o as_o i_o have_v in_o some_o part_n find_v it_o necessary_a to_o be_v do_v already_o and_o i_o know_v not_o why_o truth_n may_v not_o be_v as_o sharp_a as_o error_n beside_o some_o thing_n be_v proper_a for_o this_o peculiar_a age_n and_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v defer_v will_v prove_v unseasonable_a i_o conceive_v our_o sceptical_a time_n require_v some_o such_o sort_n of_o write_n as_o i_o have_v have_v occasion_n to_o publish_v more_o 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a_o curious_a and_o close_a enquiry_n but_o this_o be_v most_o true_a that_o modesty_n be_v the_o most_o commendable_a virtue_n here_o theâ—doret_n say_v well_o genes_n i_o think_v it_o boldness_n to_o pronounce_v peremptory_o concern_v those_o thing_n of_o which_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n deliver_v nothing_o plain_o god_n be_v not_o please_v to_o deliver_v all_o thing_n with_o equal_a evidence_n and_o why_o then_o shall_v we_o undertake_v to_o make_v every_o thing_n plain_a and_o demonstrable_a or_o why_o be_v we_o angry_a if_o other_o think_v some_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o those_o word_n which_o i_o meet_v with_o in_o one_o of_o st._n ierom_n epistle_n be_v admirable_a and_o be_v worth_a the_o observation_n of_o those_o especial_o who_o be_v student_n of_o divinity_n perscrutamur_fw-la when_o we_o search_v say_v he_o with_o too_o much_o nicety_n and_o curiosity_n into_o those_o thing_n which_o god_n will_v not_o have_v we_o know_v but_o have_v purposely_o conceal_v from_o we_o we_o 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military_a exploit_n before_o the_o flood_n scripture_n be_v altogether_o silent_a as_o to_o that_o though_o we_o can_v thence_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o war_n in_o those_o day_n but_o we_o be_v inform_v that_o afterward_o there_o be_v and_o the_o first_o instance_n be_v that_o which_o i_o have_v mention_v viz._n of_o the_o king_n of_o the_o east_n warring_n with_o the_o king_n or_o ruler_n of_o the_o five_o city_n in_o canaan_n and_o the_o first_o good_a man_n we_o read_v of_o that_o exercise_v in_o military_a fear_n and_o train_v up_o his_o family_n to_o they_o be_v abraham_n the_o friend_n of_o god_n the_o peaceable_a abraham_n who_o meek_o yield_v to_o his_o nephew_n lot_n say_v let_v there_o be_v no_o strife_n i_o pray_v thou_o between_o thou_o and_o i_o and_o between_o my_o herdsman_n and_o thy_o herdsman_n gen._n xiii_o 8._o and_o according_o let_v he_o take_v his_o choice_n of_o what_o ground_n he_o please_v for_o pasturage_n this_o condescend_v man_n who_o be_v of_o so_o 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hand_n of_o the_o ammorites_n with_o his_o sword_n and_o with_o his_o bow_n gen._n xlviii_o 22._o he_o speak_v of_o the_o land_n which_o abraham_n have_v purchase_v of_o hamor_n the_o father_n of_o shechem_n for_o a_o hundred_o piece_n of_o silver_n design_v it_o for_o a_o burial_n place_n and_o according_o both_a he_o and_o isaac_n lie_v bury_v there_o but_o afterward_o when_o this_o patriarch_n have_v occasion_n to_o remove_v to_o some_o part_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v at_o a_o considerable_a distance_n from_o this_o piece_n of_o ground_n some_o shechemite_n of_o the_o race_n of_o the_o amorites_n seize_v on_o it_o and_o detain_v it_o from_o the_o right_a owner_n viz._n jacob_n but_o the_o good_a man_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o quiet_o to_o possess_v and_o enjoy_v it_o he_o make_v use_v of_o his_o instrument_n of_o war_n his_o sword_n and_o his_o bow_n to_o reduce_v the_o wrongful_a possessor_n and_o he_o regain_v his_o right_n by_o violence_n and_o it_o be_v probable_a send_v 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therefore_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o be_v not_o displease_v to_o he_o captain_n renown_v for_o their_o martial_a exploit_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o mention_v with_o honour_n in_o the_o sacred_a record_n as_o jephthah_n gideon_n joab_n abner_n and_o other_o of_o king_n david_n worthy_n yea_o warlike_a woman_n be_v mention_v with_o praise_n in_o those_o inspire_a book_n and_o in_o other_o jewish_a write_n as_o deborah_n jael_n judith_n the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v call_v the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n a_o very_a high_a and_o honourable_a title_n numb_a xxi_o 14._o xxxi_o 3._o and_o the_o vengeance_n of_o the_o lord_n 1_o sam._n xviii_o 7._o twenty-five_o 8._o it_o be_v very_o observable_a what_o be_v say_v of_o king_n david_n 2_o sam._n 1._o 18._o he_o have_v they_o teach_v the_o child_n of_o judah_n the_o use_n of_o the_o bow_n he_o order_v his_o commander_n and_o officer_n to_o discipline_n his_o subject_n and_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o art_n of_o war._n i_o know_v some_o will_v have_v we_o understand_v here_o by_o the_o bow_n king_n david_n lamentation_n on_o the_o death_n of_o saul_n and_o jonathan_n occasion_v by_o the_o philistin_n archer_n for_o this_o reason_n say_v they_o the_o funeral_n song_n itself_o be_v call_v the_o bow_n or_o other_o think_v it_o may_v have_v that_o denomination_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o bow_n of_o jonathan_n which_o turn_v not_o back_o from_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o slay_v as_o the_o elegy_n itself_o say_v ver_fw-la 22._o but_o i_o do_v not_o see_v any_o reason_n at_o all_o for_o such_o a_o interpretation_n if_o we_o examine_v it_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o to_o be_v precarious_a and_o groundless_a and_o therefore_o i_o will_v adhere_v to_o the_o plain_a and_o obvious_a mean_v of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v this_o david_n hear_v of_o saul_n and_o ionathan_n death_n lament_v they_o and_o give_v order_n that_o the_o young_a man_n of_o judah_n shall_v learn_v the_o use_n of_o the_o bow_n that_o they_o may_v be_v avenge_v on_o the_o philistine_n who_o have_v slay_v so_o many_o of_o the_o israelite_n by_o their_o skilful_a and_o valiant_a manage_n of_o that_o weavon_n wherefore_o the_o wise_a prince_n will_v have_v his_o subject_n for_o now_o they_o be_v such_o to_o be_v as_o expert_a in_o archery_n as_o their_o enemy_n he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o handle_v their_o arm_n with_o skill_n and_o dexterity_n especial_o the_o bow_n and_o arrow_n which_o be_v most_o in_o use_n at_o that_o time_n as_o they_o be_v indeed_o among_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o even_o among_o our_o ancestor_n in_o this_o country_n nay_o the_o act_n for_o shoot_v be_v not_o repeal_v at_o this_o day_n and_o therefore_o the_o bow_n or_o shoot_v be_v put_v here_o for_o the_o whole_a military_a exercise_n david_n like_o a_o faithful_a friend_n lament_n and_o mourn_v for_o the_o decease_a but_o like_o a_o prudent_a king_n for_o so_o we_o must_v look_v upon_o he_o now_o take_v care_n of_o the_o live_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o people_n by_o bring_v they_o up_o to_o martial_a exercise_n multitude_n without_o skill_n be_v useless_a nay_o they_o may_v do_v themselves_o harm_v as_o the_o eastern_a army_n be_v sometime_o destroy_v by_o their_o number_n therefore_o it_o be_v wise_o take_v care_n of_o that_o this_o jewish_a people_n shall_v be_v teach_v their_o military_a posture_n that_o they_o shall_v know_v the_o word_n of_o command_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v instruct_v to_o handle_v their_o weapon_n aright_o for_o this_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o bow_n and_o this_o suppose_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o military_a employment_n yea_o that_o it_o be_v in_o some_o case_n necessary_a as_o well_o as_o lawful_a i_o may_v mention_v in_o the_o last_o place_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n we_o read_v that_o one_o half_a of_o they_o wrought_v in_o the_o work_n i.e._n building_n the_o temple_n and_o the_o other_o half_o hold_v the_o spear_n the_o shield_n the_o bow_n and_o the_o habergeon_n neh._n four_o 16._o and_o at_o other_o time_n some_o of_o the_o same_o people_n wrought_v with_o one_o of_o their_o hand_n in_o the_o work_n and_o with_o the_o other_o hold_v a_o weapon_n ver_fw-la 17._o the_o sword_n be_v think_v to_o be_v as_o useful_a as_o the_o trowel_n the_o former_a be_v necessary_a to_o defend_v and_o promote_v the_o latter_a and_o thus_o it_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o persuasion_n of_o all_o the_o holy_a and_o wise_a man_n that_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n and_o before_o it_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a by_o military_a force_n to_o resist_v the_o enemy_n and_o the_o most_o religious_a and_o pious_a person_n practise_v according_a to_o this_o persuasion_n they_o use_v force_n
to_o think_v of_o themselves_o more_o high_o than_o they_o ought_v to_o think_v but_o to_o think_v sober_o have_v other_o thought_n and_o apprehension_n and_o be_v most_o willing_a to_o acknowledge_v the_o shallowness_n of_o their_o own_o judgement_n and_o the_o depth_n of_o divine_a truth_n we_o have_v instance_n on_o record_n of_o those_o humble_a soul_n who_o though_o of_o singular_a sagacity_n and_o improvement_n proclaim_v the_o unsearchableness_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o the_o exalt_v truth_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o the_o ancient_a inspire_a arabian_a express_v it_o thus_o etc._n man_n know_v not_o the_o price_n of_o it_o i._n e._n as_o i_o apprehend_v he_o can_v come_v up_o full_o to_o the_o purchase_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o for_o we_o purchase_v thing_n by_o price_n neither_o be_v it_o find_v in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o live_n the_o depth_n say_v it_o be_v not_o in_o i_o and_o the_o sea_n say_v it_o be_v not_o in_o i_o whence_o then_o come_v wisdom_n and_o where_o be_v the_o place_n of_o understanding_n see_v it_o be_v hide_v from_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o live_n and_o keep_v close_o from_o the_o fowl_n of_o the_o air_n i._n e._n those_o that_o be_v most_o quick-sighted_a for_o naturalist_n observe_v that_o the_o eye_n of_o bird_n general_o excel_v those_o of_o other_o animal_n but_o he_o conclude_v god_n understand_v the_o way_n thereof_o and_o he_o know_v the_o place_n thereof_o that_o be_v he_o have_v reserve_v the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o these_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a thing_n to_o himself_o this_o be_v the_o humble_a sense_n of_o another_o great_a and_o wise_a man_n the_o royal_a psalmist_n concern_v who_o it_o be_v worth_a our_o observe_n that_o after_o he_o have_v assert_v and_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n omniscience_n and_o all-seeing_a providence_n he_o add_v 6._o such_o knowledge_n be_v too_o wonderful_a for_o i_o it_o be_v high_a i_o can_v attain_v unto_o it_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v though_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o i_o to_o apprehend_v the_o infinite_a and_o boundless_a knowledge_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n the_o sovereign_a disposer_n of_o all_o thing_n though_o i_o can_v tell_v how_o he_o see_v and_o foresee_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o yet_o i_o hearty_o own_o this_o universal_a sight_n and_o prescience_n of_o he_o and_o i_o very_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o unshaken_a truth_n it_o be_v humility_n which_o furnish_v a_o man_n with_o such_o persuasion_n and_o language_n as_o this_o and_o it_o be_v this_o which_o cause_v he_o to_o believe_v and_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v mystery_n in_o his_o holy_a faith_n which_o far_o transcend_v his_o thought_n and_o conception_n this_o be_v that_o wisdom_n which_o according_a to_o another_o divine_a and_o inspire_a sage_n 24._o be_v far_o off_o and_o exceed_o deep_a and_o therefore_o as_o it_o follow_v who_o can_v find_v it_o out_o to_o which_o irrefragable_a testimony_n permit_v i_o to_o adjoyn_v that_o of_o a_o apocryphal_a writer_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o i_o will_v take_v occasion_n thence_o to_o offer_v a_o conjecture_n on_o that_o dark_a place_n 22._o wisdom_n be_v according_a to_o her_o name_n and_o she_o be_v not_o manifest_a unto_o many_o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o according_a to_o her_o name_n what_o title_n have_v wisdom_n that_o import_v any_o such_o matter_n viz._n that_o she_o be_v not_o manifest_a some_o critic_n think_v it_o refer_v to_o the_o hebrew_n word_n for_o wisdom_n chocmah_n other_o to_o the_o arabic_a algnalam_n but_o what_o they_o propound_v seem_v to_o be_v very_o much_o strain_v and_o do_v not_o reach_v the_o purpose_n and_o how_o can_v it_o see_v they_o forget_v that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o greek_a and_o that_o the_o title_n of_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o must_v therefore_o repair_v to_o the_o greek_a for_o a_o solution_n but_o we_o must_v first_o confer_v with_o the_o hebrew_n where_o we_o meet_v with_o the_o verb_n saphah_n or_o tsaphah_n which_o signify_v to_o hide_v or_o cover_v and_o thence_o it_o be_v probable_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v derive_v and_o this_o it_o be_v likely_a be_v the_o name_n that_o be_v here_o mean_v because_o though_o the_o language_n in_o which_o this_o book_n be_v original_o draw_v up_o be_v hebrew_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o prologue_n of_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v soon_o translate_v into_o greek_a because_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n speak_v greek_a general_o and_o have_v their_o bible_n and_o service_n in_o greek_a and_o according_o this_o place_n have_v reference_n to_o the_o name_n of_o wisdom_n in_o that_o tongue_n wherein_o there_o be_v many_o word_n derive_v from_o the_o hebrew_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o denomination_n of_o wisdom_n import_v something_o hide_v and_o mysterious_a and_o therefore_o she_o be_v according_a to_o her_o name_n the_o jewish_a doctor_n have_v a_o sense_n of_o this_o as_o appear_v from_o their_o proverbial_a say_v when_o elias_n come_v he_o will_v untie_v all_o knot_n i._n e._n solve_v all_o difficult_a and_o abstruse_a point_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o a_o few_o in_o religion_n there_o be_v sundry_a thing_n hide_v from_o our_o understanding_n here_o which_o shall_v not_o be_v clear_v till_o the_o last_o day_n now_o if_o the_o wise_a person_n speak_v thus_o concern_v the_o thing_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n under_o those_o dispensation_n of_o old_a be_v there_o not_o much_o more_o reason_n to_o say_v the_o like_a of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n under_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o doctrine_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n be_v publish_v to_o the_o world_n such_o as_o far_o surpass_v all_o humane_a comprehension_n but_o there_o be_v a_o generation_n of_o man_n among_o we_o that_o will_v not_o stoop_v to_o this_o they_o will_v not_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o weakness_n childhood_n and_o minority_n in_o this_o life_n though_o the_o great_a apostle_n as_o we_o have_v hear_v express_o do_v when_o he_o so_o far_o own_a the_o deficiency_n of_o his_o understanding_n as_o to_o say_v he_o know_v in_o part_n and_o speak_v and_o understand_v and_o think_v as_o a_o child_n and_o all_o the_o great_a and_o all_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v ready_a to_o say_v the_o same_o yea_o even_o with_o reference_n to_o matter_n of_o a_o low_a nature_n the_o learned_a in_o the_o law_n confess_v they_o have_v their_o perplex_a and_o knotty_a case_n statesman_n their_o arcana_fw-la physician_n their_o opprobious_a malady_n anatomist_n their_o unknown_a ductus_n astronomer_n their_o eccentrical_a motion_n which_o they_o can_v reduce_v into_o regular_a and_o exact_a order_n mathematician_n their_o insoluble_a problem_n and_o in_o brief_a most_o profession_n and_o science_n labour_v under_o some_o insuperable_a difficulty_n and_o intricacy_n and_o this_o be_v free_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o most_o skilful_a in_o those_o arts._n but_o here_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o will_v not_o own_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o divinity_n although_o it_o be_v conversant_a about_o object_n that_o be_v infinite_o high_a and_o great_a notwithstanding_o this_o they_o think_v it_o be_v below_o a_o man_n of_o part_n to_o own_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v inexplicable_a they_o profess_v that_o it_o become_v not_o a_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n to_o admit_v of_o this_o yea_o that_o it_o be_v a_o unsufferable_a affront_n to_o humane_a nature_n to_o believe_v such_o a_o thing_n they_o think_v it_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o cashier_v a_o doctrine_n in_o religion_n because_o it_o be_v attend_v with_o obscurity_n in_o short_a they_o think_v it_o unreasonable_a to_o yield_v assent_n to_o a_o proposition_n on_o the_o account_n of_o its_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n mere_o because_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o thus_o 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