needs_o all_o perish_v but_o they_o have_v not_o only_o be_v negligent_a in_o endeavour_v the_o information_n and_o reformation_n of_o all_o mankind_n but_o have_v be_v even_o stumbling-block_n not_o only_o by_o teach_v for_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n the_o unreasonable_a tradition_n of_o man_n but_o even_o by_o their_o wicked_a life_n and_o uncharitable_a action_n yet_o god_n have_v not_o leave_v himself_o without_o a_o witness_n in_o all_o nation_n but_o his_o goodness_n have_v be_v a_o argument_n to_o persuade_v to_o obedience_n some_o of_o those_o who_o have_v see_v the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v even_o his_o external_n power_n and_o godhead_n the_o light_n of_o reason_n have_v be_v universal_a to_o all_o mankind_n and_o those_o who_o have_v act_v according_a to_o that_o light_n where_o through_o the_o fault_n of_o other_o no_o more_o have_v be_v give_v doubtless_o no_v more_o will_v be_v require_v nor_o dare_v we_o deny_v but_o that_o god_n may_v have_v sometime_o act_v gracious_o by_o his_o spirit_n where_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v want_v so_o that_o many_o i_o be_o persuade_v will_v come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o from_o the_o west_n and_o sit_v down_o with_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o many_o christian_n be_v exclude_v in_o who_o heart_n perhaps_o have_v be_v more_o of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o man_n than_o in_o many_o of_o those_o christian_n so_o ready_a to_o condemn_v they_o who_o i_o doubt_v be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v themselves_o shut_v out_o i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v well_o say_v of_o the_o christian_a and_o christianity_n in_o this_o matter_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o circumcision_n rom._n 2.29_o he_o be_v not_o a_o christian_n which_o be_v one_o outward_o neither_o be_v that_o christianity_n which_o consist_v in_o outward_a thing_n but_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n who_o be_v one_o inward_o and_o christianity_n or_o the_o religion_n that_o christ_n teach_v be_v that_o of_o the_o heart_n in_o the_o spirit_n and_o not_o in_o the_o letter_n who_o praise_n be_v not_o of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n the_o fruit_n of_o which_o christian_n spirit_n be_v love_n joy_n peace_n long-suffering_a gentleness_n goodness_n faith_n meekness_n temperance_n against_o such_o who_o be_v endue_v with_o these_o virtue_n there_o be_v no_o law_n gal._n 5.22_o but_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o visible_a christian_n be_v much_o because_o unto_o they_o be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n and_o where_o much_o be_v give_v much_o will_v be_v require_v the_o bare_a believe_a christ_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n yea_o the_o faith_n of_o those_o who_o believe_v most_o concern_v his_o person_n will_v not_o be_v find_v enough_o or_o a_o save_v faith_n but_o the_o believe_a his_o doctrine_n so_o as_o to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o his_o father_n be_v that_o which_o will_v give_v a_o title_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o admission_n into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n matth._n 7.21_o 40._o to_o persuade_v to_o repentance_n or_o a_o turn_n from_o a_o life_n of_o sin_n to_o a_o life_n of_o obedience_n to_o god_n we_o find_v the_o chief_a end_n and_o scope_n not_o only_o of_o the_o gospel_n but_o of_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o book_n the_o divine_a providence_n have_v gracious_o give_v and_o preserve_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o that_o end_n many_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v these_o book_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o they_o have_v not_o all_o go_v the_o right_a way_n to_o do_v it_o some_o think_v they_o do_v not_o enough_o unless_o they_o can_v persuade_v we_o that_o every_o word_n in_o they_o be_v give_v by_o immediate_a inspiration_n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n if_o a_o considerate_a person_n be_v capable_a of_o have_v it_o that_o they_o be_v give_v by_o the_o good_a providence_n of_o god_n none_o can_v well_o doubt_v but_o some_o part_n of_o they_o as_o the_o historical_a need_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o inspiration_n some_o part_n as_o the_o prophetical_a can_v not_o come_v without_o it_o but_o a_o due_a esteem_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v have_v and_o its_o end_n well_o accomplish_v take_v it_o altogether_o as_o it_o be_v and_o as_o none_o can_v in_o reason_n deny_v it_o to_o be_v viz._n consider_v the_o part_n of_o it_o as_o some_o inspire_v some_o write_v according_a to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o faithful_a man_n some_o deliver_v according_a to_o the_o wisdom_n give_v the_o writer_n thereof_o but_o the_o affirmation_n that_o every_o word_n of_o it_o be_v inspire_v be_v not_o only_o no_o point_n of_o faith_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n or_o ever_o think_v so_o as_o i_o can_v find_v by_o the_o primitive_a christian_n but_o have_v divers_a inconvenience_n follow_v it_o which_o be_v ground_n of_o objection_n to_o atheist_n and_o deist_n as_o for_o instance_n there_o be_v some_o little_a difficulty_n in_o the_o historical_a part_n which_o be_v better_a attribute_v to_o some_o mistake_n in_o the_o writer_n or_o coppy_a than_o to_o god_n some_o few_o thing_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o seem_v dissonant_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v better_a thought_n to_o be_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o writer_n than_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n some_o reckon_v by_o name_n so_o many_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v they_o the_o word_n of_o god_n first_o before_o they_o have_v well_o consider_v what_o they_o contain_v but_o i_o think_v we_o shall_v begin_v there_o and_o see_v what_o we_o find_v write_v in_o they_o for_o we_o can_v well_o assert_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v of_o god_n till_o we_o know_v what_o it_o be_v to_o talk_v of_o believe_v this_o or_o that_o to_o be_v a_o revelation_n or_o the_o word_n of_o god_n before_o we_o know_v what_o it_o speak_v be_v very_o inconsiderate_a but_o when_o we_o find_v thing_n that_o be_v apparent_o good_a reasonable_a excellent_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o understanding_n nature_n and_o circumstance_n of_o man_n a_o design_n most_o profitable_a to_o man_n and_o become_v god_n we_o may_v well_o nay_o can_v but_o think_v god_n the_o supreme_a or_o first_o author_n however_o or_o by_o whosoever_o they_o be_v give_v the_o truth_n will_v have_v be_v the_o same_o have_v they_o never_o be_v write_v but_o as_o they_o be_v write_v the_o way_n of_o their_o delivery_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o historical_a part_n appear_v to_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o truth_n a_o history_n can_v or_o at_o least_o needs_o have_v can_v in_o reason_v but_o be_v believe_v whosoever_o for_o instance_n shall_v deny_v the_o history_n of_o jesus_n christ_n may_v as_o well_o reject_v all_o history_n or_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o thing_n other_o declare_v as_o witness_n which_o will_v be_v very_o foolish_a nor_o can_v such_o a_o one_o reasonable_o desire_v any_o man_n shall_v believe_v he_o in_o any_o thing_n he_o relate_v though_o never_o so_o probable_a now_o as_o god_n in_o his_o good_a providence_n have_v give_v we_o the_o bible_n a_o book_n if_o considerate_o read_v appear_v to_o be_v more_o full_a of_o instruction_n precept_n and_o example_n tend_v to_o bring_v man_n who_o be_v turn_v aside_o to_o the_o exact_a way_n of_o his_o natural_a allegiance_n or_o religion_n to_o god_n than_o any_o other_o book_n it_o can_v but_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o bible_n be_v a_o great_a and_o estimable_a gift_n of_o god_n not_o to_o be_v undervalved_n as_o a_o ordinary_a book_n nor_o yet_o to_o be_v idolise_v as_o the_o uncorruptible_a word_n of_o god_n but_o to_o be_v due_o use_v to_o our_o benefit_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o content_n of_o this_o book_n and_o all_o other_o whatsoever_o have_v not_o a_o instruction_n in_o it_o to_o inform_v man_n of_o his_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o his_o neighbour_n or_o can_v yield_v a_o argument_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o be_v reconcile_v thereto_o can_v rational_o be_v think_v a_o dictate_v of_o god_n but_o be_v better_o suppose_v shall_v there_o be_v find_v any_o such_o thing_n mere_o from_o man._n and_o i_o think_v though_o we_o grant_v that_o the_o bible_n be_v not_o free_a from_o all_o manner_n of_o corruption_n but_o that_o some_o mistake_v have_v be_v therein_o make_v at_o least_o by_o coppier_n though_o we_o affirm_v many_o fault_n to_o have_v be_v commit_v by_o translator_n so_o that_o better_a translation_n be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v desire_v but_o also_o want_v yet_o we_o can_v rational_o have_v the_o
lord_n of_o all_o other_o being_n that_o at_o his_o word_n the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o thing_n in_o they_o be_v make_v and_o be_v uphold_v that_o he_o be_v good_a wise_a just_a true_a benign_a or_o merciful_a etc._n etc._n beside_o this_o instruction_n what_o god_n be_v it_o teach_v we_o what_o we_o be_v viz._n sinful_a wretched_a fall_v creature_n that_o can_v have_v no_o good_a or_o happiness_n in_o our_o self_n it_o inform_v we_o how_o we_o shall_v behave_v ourselves_o towards_o god_n viz._n as_o dependent_a thing_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v love_v he_o obey_v he_o fear_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o his_o will_n trust_v he_o or_o believe_v he_o etc._n etc._n and_o how_o we_o shall_v carry_v it_o to_o one_o another_o viz._n to_o do_v as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v by_o that_o be_v every_o one_o to_o confer_v as_o he_o be_v capable_a towards_o another_o happiness_n have_v propose_v thing_n to_o the_o understanding_n second_o it_o add_v the_o persuasive_a part_n to_o the_o will_n move_v we_o to_o behave_v ourselves_o suitable_o in_o the_o act_n of_o our_o will_n to_o such_o truth_n know_v by_o set_v before_o we_o good_a or_o evil_a profit_n or_o disprofit_v pleasure_n or_o displeasure_n seemliness_n or_o unseemliness_n accompany_v or_o consequent_a on_o our_o orderly_a or_o disorderly_a behaviour_n now_o these_o thing_n propose_v and_o urge_v in_o these_o book_n as_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o they_o appear_v to_o be_v of_o god_n as_o they_o come_v with_o evidence_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n such_o as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o considerate_a man_n and_o be_v see_v proper_a and_o convenient_a for_o the_o creature_n will_v to_o comply_v with_o thing_n beseem_v the_o all-perfect_a be_v to_o teach_v and_o command_v convenient_a and_o profitable_a for_o the_o creature_n to_o learn_v and_o obey_v which_o if_o we_o consider_v with_o ourselves_o and_o compare_v with_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o book_n will_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o that_o we_o call_v natural_a or_o rational_a religion_n which_o be_v knowable_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o all_o mankind_n but_o that_o these_o same_o thing_n may_v and_o how_o far_o they_o may_v be_v call_v revelation_n will_v appear_v by_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o delivery_n thus_o if_o when_o man_n have_v give_v up_o themselves_o chief_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o sensual_a object_n and_o bend_v their_o will_n to_o the_o disorderly_a satisfaction_n of_o their_o bodily_a appetite_n neglect_v the_o due_a consideration_n of_o their_o author_n and_o the_o end_n of_o their_o be_v begin_v to_o fancy_n god_n too_o much_o like_o themselves_o have_v low_o mean_a gross_a conception_n of_o he_o and_o too_o high_a conceit_n of_o creature_n confound_v the_o property_n of_o god_n with_o those_o of_o his_o work_n give_v divine_a honour_n to_o man_n or_o any_o thing_n they_o fancy_v excellent_a or_o useful_a make_v bodily_a representation_n of_o god_n and_o as_o some_o represent_v he_o by_o one_o thing_n some_o by_o another_o their_o various_a and_o disagree_a image_n can_v not_o be_v reconcile_v so_o as_o to_o be_v take_v all_o so_o different_a for_o image_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o be_v but_o they_o begin_v to_o fancy_v as_o many_o god_n as_o their_o differ_a conceit_n have_v make_v image_n so_o that_o divine_a nature_n be_v mistake_v even_o as_o to_o number_v uncertain_a without_o end_n and_o even_o those_o who_o by_o long_a instruction_n have_v be_v bring_v again_o to_o the_o belief_n and_o worship_n of_o but_o one_o god_n have_v so_o far_o mistake_v his_o will_n as_o to_o fancy_v their_o good_a behaviour_n to_o he_o consist_v in_o external_a ceremony_n suppose_v that_o he_o will_v be_v affect_v with_o the_o slay_v of_o beast_n and_o please_v with_o a_o custom_n of_o little_a observance_n as_o wear_v of_o odd_a fashion_a garment_n keep_v of_o certain_a day_n use_v divers_a gesture_n etc._n etc._n when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o neglect_v justice_n judgement_n mercy_n truth_n goodness_n etc._n etc._n grow_v corrupt_a and_o unreasonable_a in_o their_o action_n even_o to_o one_o another_o have_v bring_v themselves_o into_o divers_a present_a misery_n and_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o future_a unhappiness_n to_o themselves_o after_o this_o life_n and_o to_o their_o posterity_n yea_o live_v as_o if_o they_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o future_a life_n if_o then_o in_o such_o time_n of_o ignorance_n and_o corruption_n god_n send_v or_o particular_o instruct_v and_o send_v some_o one_o or_o more_o to_o the_o rest_n express_o to_o teach_v the_o truth_n and_o command_v his_o will_n here_o be_v a_o revelation_n and_o a_o time_n for_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o show_v itself_o in_o supply_v the_o necessity_n of_o blind_a miserable_a sinner_n when_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o profitable_a for_o man_n or_o become_v god_n than_o such_o gracious_a discovery_n but_o if_o these_o man_n also_o declare_v some_o thing_n that_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o know_v to_o they_o than_o by_o divine_a inspiration_n as_o certain_a future_a event_n if_o there_o accompany_v they_o a_o supernatural_a power_n effect_v thing_n can_v not_o otherwise_o at_o least_o by_o they_o be_v effect_v here_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v call_v divine_a revelation_n and_o miracle_n and_o there_o can_v no_o more_o scruple_n remain_v if_o we_o can_v but_o be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o be_v true_a which_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n to_o be_v consisider_v and_o in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o think_v it_o not_o unnecessary_a to_o lay_v down_o some_o general_a consideration_n about_o faith_n as_o follow_v faith_n be_v a_o assent_n to_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o truth_n on_o the_o word_n of_o another_o which_o we_o ourselves_o do_v it_o know_v or_o see_v according_a to_o that_o complete_a definition_n thereof_o heb._n 11.1_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v or_o know_v for_o knowledge_n leave_v no_o room_n for_o faith_n any_o more_o than_o it_o do_v for_o hope_n which_o be_v the_o desire_n of_o what_o we_o only_o believe_v will_v be_v faith_n be_v its_o only_a basis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d faith_n be_v the_o foundation_n or_o ground_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o for_o where_o we_o have_v no_o faith_n of_o the_o real_a futurity_n of_o a_o thing_n there_o hope_n have_v no_o ground_n but_o faith_n if_o it_o have_v its_o due_a circumstance_n it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o convictive_a argument_n and_o though_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n be_v so_o different_a that_o we_o can_v no_o long_o proper_o say_v we_o believe_v a_o thing_n when_o once_o we_o can_v say_v we_o know_v it_o yet_o faith_n if_o right_o be_v as_o near_o to_o knowledge_n as_o that_o which_o be_v not_o knowledge_n can_v be_v and_o far_o from_o that_o doubtful_a supposition_n call_v opinion_n that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v or_o assent_v to_o as_o a_o truth_n on_o another_o word_n be_v either_o first_o a_o assertion_n or_o affirmation_n that_o such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v be_v or_o will_v be_v or_o second_o a_o promise_n when_o the_o person_n on_o who_o word_n we_o rely_v for_o the_o real_a futurity_n of_o the_o thing_n make_v we_o expect_v it_o from_o he_o as_o the_o cause_n now_o that_o faith_n may_v be_v as_o it_o ought_v a_o assent_n indeed_o to_o a_o truth_n though_o we_o do_v know_v it_o and_o not_o the_o believe_v a_o lie_n these_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v certain_a in_o first_o that_o the_o person_n that_o have_v assert_v or_o promise_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v to_o take_v for_o a_o truth_n can_v know_v it_o or_o be_v not_o liable_a himself_o to_o be_v deceive_v or_o can_v or_o will_v be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n second_o that_o he_o be_v trusty_a or_o one_o that_o will_v not_o deceive_v we_o as_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o power_n of_o the_o person_n that_o we_o may_v be_v sure_o he_o can_v or_o may_v know_v the_o thing_n or_o can_v or_o will_v be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o we_o must_v see_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v in_o itself_o knowable_a or_o that_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v a_o truth_n for_o that_o which_o i_o see_v absurd_a contradictory_n or_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o be_v suppose_v i_o can_v never_o well_o believe_v on_o any_o one_o word_n nor_o can_v i_o do_v so_o will_v it_o be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o i_o whatever_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v must_v at_o least_o seem_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o truth_n for_o nothing_o else_o can_v challenge_v my_o faith_n or_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
a_o sufficient_a argument_n so_o whatever_o i_o be_o persuade_v to_o do_v must_v at_o least_o seem_v a_o good_n as_o truth_n alone_o be_v the_o object_n of_o knowledge_n so_o shall_v it_o be_v of_o faith_n nothing_o can_v well_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o may_v come_v to_o be_v know_v second_o i_o must_v see_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o only_o knowable_a and_o possible_a in_o itself_o but_o also_o knowable_a or_o possible_a to_o the_o person_n on_o who_o word_n i_o believe_v it_o which_o i_o may_v do_v by_o consider_v well_o the_o person_n and_o his_o circumstance_n as_o to_o the_o trust_n of_o the_o person_n who_o word_n i_o assent_v to_o i_o may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o will_v not_o deceive_v i_o if_o first_o i_o see_v he_o can_v propose_v not_o at_o least_o seem_a good_a end_n in_o so_o do_v or_o second_o if_o i_o see_v he_o can_v not_o suppose_v it_o possible_a to_o attain_v his_o end_n if_o it_o be_v to_o deceive_v i_o for_o no_o one_o propose_v to_o themselves_o the_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o for_o some_o at_o least_o seem_a good_a end_n much_o less_o the_o do_v what_o they_o see_v they_o can_v be_v able_a to_o effect_v faith_n without_o these_o circumstance_n will_v be_v groundless_a uncertain_a and_o as_o liable_a to_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o lie_n as_o of_o a_o truth_n and_o to_o no_o good_a purpose_n at_o all_o but_o in_o give_v our_o assent_n to_o the_o word_n even_o of_o man_n if_o thus_o cricumstance_v we_o need_v fear_v no_o deception_n now_o as_o the_o credit_v man_n word_n may_v be_v call_v a_o natural_a faith_n so_o a_o assent_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v that_o which_o be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v a_o divine_a faith_n but_o the_o word_n of_o man_n thus_o differ_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o though_o divers_a man_n may_v concur_v in_o say_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o aught_o so_o to_o do_v in_o some_o case_n that_o man_n word_n may_v rational_o demand_v our_o belief_n and_o god_n be_v but_o one_o can_v be_v but_o a_o single_a witness_n yet_o god_n word_n be_v great_a and_o sure_a than_o man_n because_o god_n can_v so_o much_o as_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v deceive_v be_v omniscient_a or_o be_v think_v unable_a to_o perform_v his_o promise_n be_v almighty_a nor_o can_v he_o be_v suppose_v to_o will_v to_o deceive_v we_o who_o be_v the_o selfsufficient_a fountain_n of_o good_a nor_o therefore_o can_v he_o propose_v the_o get_n of_o any_o good_a to_o himself_o by_o deceive_v his_o creature_n absolute_a perfection_n be_v uncapable_a of_o advantage_n man_n may_v possible_o be_v deceive_v know_v but_o a_o little_a or_o will_v to_o deceive_v want_v goodness_n or_o propose_v a_o advantage_n to_o himself_o be_v needy_a and_o that_o by_o deceive_v as_o he_o may_v want_v power_n to_o get_v his_o end_n another_o way_n he_o may_v suppose_v himself_o able_a when_o he_o be_v not_o and_o so_o not_o perform_v his_o promise_n though_o he_o will_v or_o his_o will_n may_v change_v not_o know_v always_o what_o be_v best_a and_o so_o not_o will_n to_o do_v at_o one_o time_n what_o at_o another_o he_o make_v we_o expect_v from_o he_o wherefore_o we_o can_v believe_v or_o assent_v to_o as_o true_a what_o man_n say_v mere_o because_o he_o say_v it_o but_o on_o these_o divers_a requisite_a consideration_n there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o thing_n necessary_a or_o pre-requisite_a towards_o our_o believe_a god_n word_n and_o that_o be_v that_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o what_o we_o credit_v as_o god_n word_n be_v indeed_o his_o word_n or_o that_o he_o do_v indeed_o say_v what_o he_o be_v suppose_v so_o to_o do_v whether_o this_o or_o that_o be_v true_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o may_v determine_v by_o consider_v what_o be_v before_o say_v of_o revelation_n and_o miracle_n with_o the_o matter_n the_o manner_n the_o end_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o thing_n say_v but_o now_o as_o to_o the_o business_n under_o consideration_n what_o have_v be_v say_v may_v be_v easy_o apply_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o here_o particular_o to_o the_o historical_a part_n thereof_o without_o any_o far_a help_n and_o as_o they_o appear_v by_o thus_o regular_o consider_v they_o so_o let_v they_o be_v esteem_v but_o i_o shall_v name_v for_o example_n the_o chief_a of_o they_o and_o that_o brief_o in_o which_o book_n as_o i_o have_v before_o hint_v be_v observable_a a_o drift_n or_o design_n all_o along_o against_o wickedness_n and_o deceit_n a_o recommendation_n and_o encouragement_n of_o goodness_n truth_n and_o all_o virtue_n which_o can_v hardly_o be_v think_v so_o to_o concur_v in_o so_o many_o writer_n write_v at_o such_o different_a time_n can_v they_o be_v think_v to_o agree_v in_o a_o design_n to_o deceive_v mankind_n or_o to_o propose_v any_o seem_a good_a end_n in_o so_o do_v first_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n contain_v a_o narrative_a of_o such_o thing_n as_o can_v not_o be_v do_v without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o mankind_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v mere_a fiction_n the_o thing_n which_o he_o write_v or_o whoever_o write_v they_o as_o his_o own_o knowledge_n he_o can_v not_o easy_o be_v deceive_v in_o nor_o can_v he_o be_v think_v to_o have_v see_v any_o possibility_n of_o deceive_a mankind_n so_o gross_o as_o he_o must_v be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v if_o his_o write_n be_v no_o true_a history_n it_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o matter_n for_o the_o then_o present_a or_o immediate_o succeed_v age_n to_o detect_v the_o fallacy_n but_o they_o have_v not_o so_o do_v but_o concur_v with_o he_o to_o deliver_v they_o down_o to_o posterity_n a_o history_n of_o famous_a and_o public_a action_n for_o so_o many_o year_n if_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v can_v never_o be_v suppose_v to_o gain_v belief_n as_o a_o true_a history_n and_o be_v so_o general_o receive_v and_o deliver_v down_o for_o truth_n from_o age_n to_o age_n as_o these_o book_n have_v be_v nor_o can_v the_o design_n he_o seem_v to_o aim_v at_o viz._n the_o instruct_v the_o israelite_n in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o service_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n with_o the_o promote_a of_o all_o virtue_n and_o duty_n to_o man_n run_v so_o smooth_o along_o with_o so_o apparent_o wicked_a and_o unprofitable_a a_o design_n as_o the_o deceive_a posterity_n with_o a_o fiction_n instead_o of_o a_o true_a story_n as_o to_o the_o thing_n do_v before_o his_o time_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o but_o brief_o in_o order_n to_o his_o design_n they_o may_v possible_o be_v make_v know_v to_o he_o by_o revelation_n though_o i_o confess_v i_o see_v no_o ground_n for_o such_o a_o belief_n or_o of_o what_o use_v it_o will_v be_v much_o less_o of_o any_o necessity_n he_o shall_v so_o receive_v they_o any_o more_o than_o the_o thing_n he_o see_v do_v when_o he_o may_v receive_v they_o by_o either_o oral_n or_o write_v tradition_n but_o that_o moses_n be_v send_v of_o god_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o israelite_n and_o whosoever_o will_v learn_v of_o they_o can_v be_v discredit_v if_o those_o miraculous_a thing_n be_v do_v which_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o many_o other_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o as_o the_o wonder_n in_o egypt_n the_o passage_n through_o the_o red_a sea_n and_o especial_o the_o give_v the_o law_n viz._n the_o ten_o word_n express_o by_o a_o voice_n from_o mount_n sinai_n which_o that_o numerous_a people_n can_v not_o easy_o concur_v to_o deliver_v down_o to_o posterity_n to_o deceive_v their_o child_n witness_v those_o law_n to_o be_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n give_v of_o god_n though_o they_o be_v themselves_o so_o inclinable_a to_o break_v they_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o law_n so_o give_v nor_o be_v the_o other_o prophet_n less_o to_o be_v credit_v in_o their_o narrative_n or_o whoever_o write_v their_o story_n or_o the_o book_n under_o their_o name_n that_o such_o and_o such_o man_n come_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n deliver_v instruction_n reproof_n warning_n etc._n etc._n to_o the_o people_n can_v not_o be_v a_o mistake_n nor_o can_v they_o impose_v upon_o man_n in_o those_o miracle_n they_o be_v sometime_o say_v to_o do_v much_o less_o in_o the_o prediction_n of_o future_a event_n even_o of_o particular_a person_n by_o name_n tell_v the_o counsel_n of_o distant_a enemy_n and_o even_o what_o shall_v be_v the_o future_a action_n of_o some_o who_o heart_n have_v not_o yet_o conceive_v the_o thought_n of_o they_o give_v also_o the_o infallible_a test_n to_o know_v a_o false_a prophet_n by_o viz._n if_o what_o he_o say_v come_v not_o to_o pass_v which_o prediction_n be_v such_o as_o can_v be_v make_v by_o none_o without_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n which_o