most_o prone_a to_o idolatry_n their_o king_n also_o and_o ruler_n be_v most_o of_o they_o vicious_a and_o idolater_n in_o time_n of_o peace_n easy_o draw_v away_o to_o follow_v the_o superstition_n of_o their_o neighbour_n and_o at_o length_n break_v to_o piece_n by_o a_o miserable_a captivity_n and_o even_o the_o scatter_a fragment_n of_o their_o nation_n batter_v by_o a_o continual_a series_n of_o calamity_n and_o irreparable_a disorder_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o disadvantage_n we_o find_v their_o religion_n to_o have_v be_v miraculous_o preserve_v for_o the_o space_n of_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n for_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v never_o abolish_v nor_o any_o new_a rite_n introduce_v by_o the_o solemn_a decree_n of_o the_o sanhedrim_n so_o that_o there_o be_v still_o the_o face_n of_o a_o church_n and_o man_n raise_v up_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n to_o support_v the_o same_o by_o their_o exemplary_a life_n and_o seasonable_a instruction_n all_o which_o can_v not_o be_v but_o by_o the_o singular_a and_o special_a power_n of_o almighty_n god_n when_o for_o so_o long_a a_o tract_n of_o time_n all_o human_a mean_n universal_o conspire_v to_o the_o utter_a ruin_n and_o extirpation_n of_o it_o chap._n xv._o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o which_o the_o jewish_a history_n and_o religion_n be_v contain_v may_v be_v demonstrate_v first_o from_o the_o matter_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o writing_n next_o from_o record_n of_o human_a antiquity_n and_o first_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v singular_a advantage_n above_o any_o other_o work_v and_o write_n whatsoever_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o antiquity_n it_o begin_v with_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n with_o a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o antidiluvian_n time_n down_o to_o the_o general_a deluge_n after_o which_o time_n it_o show_v the_o re-settlement_n of_o mankind_n as_o also_o what_o nation_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n and_o then_o come_v more_o particular_o to_o the_o ancestor_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o describe_v the_o plainness_n of_o the_o first_o age_n in_o the_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o patriarch_n from_o thence_o it_o descend_v gradual_o to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jew_n settle_v in_o egypt_n in_o many_o delectable_a passage_n with_o some_o account_n also_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n during_o their_o abode_n in_o egypt_n we_o have_v little_a account_n till_o such_o time_n as_o moses_n appear_v to_o who_o the_o law_n be_v give_v from_o moses_n downward_o we_o have_v a_o more_o large_a and_o accurate_a history_n distinguish_v by_o several_a succession_n of_o judge_n and_o king_n and_o the_o year_n they_o govern_v reduce_v to_o certain_a period_n of_o time_n even_o to_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n we_o have_v a_o particular_a history_n also_o of_o their_o re-settlement_n and_o after_o some_o intermission_n we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o their_o action_n under_o the_o government_n of_o their_o high-priest_n during_o their_o war_n with_o the_o greek_n not_o long_o after_o which_o time_n follow_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o short_a the_o act_n and_o monument_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v of_o that_o antiquity_n that_o even_o the_o first_o historian_n among_o the_o greek_n as_o herodotus_n and_o thucydides_n flourish_v but_o about_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o last_o among_o the_o jewish_a writer_n in_o the_o next_o place_n these_o sacred_a book_n have_v a_o singular_a advantage_n above_o all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o whether_o we_o consider_v the_o great_a variety_n of_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o or_o the_o style_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v the_o style_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n very_o plain_a and_o obvious_a to_o all_o capacity_n as_o book_n of_o this_o kind_a aught_o to_o be_v but_o withal_o it_o speak_v with_o that_o gravity_n and_o authority_n as_o become_v divine_a oracle_n not_o insinuate_v its_o precept_n by_o rhetorical_a art_n but_o enjoin_v they_o by_o a_o kind_n of_o majesty_n and_o severe_a command_n and_o yet_o we_o have_v some_o description_n especial_o among_o the_o prophet_n make_v with_o that_o liveliness_n of_o representation_n and_o grandeur_n of_o expression_n as_o far_o exceed_v the_o rapture_n of_o our_o modern_a poet_n or_o those_o of_o former_a age_n what_o strain_v of_o wit_n can_v draw_v such_o a_o idea_n of_o a_o glorious_a combatant_n as_o that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o isaiah_n cap._n 63._o in_o the_o description_n he_o give_v we_o of_o our_o saviour_n bloody_a but_o victorious_a conflict_n upon_o the_o cross_n who_o be_v he_o that_o come_v from_o edom_n with_o die_v garment_n from_o bozrah_n this_o that_o be_v glorious_a in_o his_o apparel_n travel_v in_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o strength_n answ_n i_o that_o speak_v in_o righteousness_n mighty_a to_o save_v quest_n wherefore_o be_v thou_o red_a in_o thy_o apparel_n and_o thy_o garment_n like_o he_o that_o tread_v in_o the_o wine-press_n answ_n i_o have_v tread_v the_o wine-press_n alone_o and_o of_o the_o people_n there_o be_v none_o with_o i_o for_o i_o will_v tread_v they_o in_o my_o anger_n and_o trample_v they_o in_o my_o fury_n and_o their_o blood_n shall_v be_v sprinkle_v upon_o my_o garment_n and_o i_o will_v stain_v all_o my_o raiment_n and_o i_o look_v and_o there_o be_v none_o to_o help_v and_o i_o wonder_v that_o there_o be_v none_o to_o uphold_v therefore_o my_o own_o arm_n bring_v salvation_n unto_o i_o and_o my_o fury_n it_o uphold_v i_o and_o i_o will_v tread_v down_o the_o people_n in_o my_o anger_n and_o make_v they_o drink_v in_o my_o fury_n and_o i_o will_v bring_v down_o their_o strength_n to_o the_o earth_n can_v there_o be_v form_v a_o noble_a image_n of_o a_o conqueror_n daple_v with_o blood_n wreek_v with_o revenge_n and_o pant_v and_o bestride_v his_o prostrate_a enemy_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o two_o army_n how_o far_o short_a of_o this_o be_v aeneas_n character_n in_o his_o combat_n with_o turnus_n describe_v by_o virgil_n so_o that_o angelus_n politianus_n show_v a_o singular_a delicacy_n or_o rather_o a_o critical_a weakness_n in_o neglect_v to_o read_v these_o sacred_a composition_n for_o fear_v of_o debase_v his_o style_n whereas_o marsilius_n ficinus_fw-la and_o john_n picus_n mirandula_n man_n of_o great_a part_n and_o learning_n delight_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o the_o study_n of_o they_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o variety_n of_o matter_n treat_v of_o in_o these_o sacred_a write_n there_o be_v no_o collection_n under_o heaven_n can_v compare_v with_o they_o what_o excellent_a observation_n and_o instruction_n have_v we_o for_o morality_n in_o the_o book_n of_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la which_o without_o a_o hyperbole_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o best_a in_o that_o kind_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o reach_v to_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o life_n the_o book_n of_o solomon_n must_v tell_v a_o heathen_a that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o vast_a knowledge_n his_o canticle_n show_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o man_n of_o a_o most_o pregnant_a fancy_n his_o ecclesiaste_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o discourse_n by_o way_n of_o dialogue_n betwixt_o wisdom_n and_o a_o sensual_a nature_n but_o his_o proverb_n do_v declare_v he_o to_o have_v be_v both_o good_a and_o wise_a and_o be_v write_v probable_o before_o he_o be_v corrupt_v the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n show_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o man_n of_o intrepid_a resolution_n they_o reprove_v without_o flattery_n and_o touch_v the_o affection_n to_o the_o quick_a breathe_v always_o a_o ardent_a zeal_n for_o virtue_n and_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o psalm_n they_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o poem_n and_o they_o must_v be_v confess_v of_o all_o hand_n to_o flow_v from_o a_o inexhaustible_a fountain_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n and_o teach_v we_o how_o we_o may_v address_v ourselves_o to_o god_n under_o the_o several_a form_n of_o confession_n petition_n supplication_n thanksgiving_n vow_n and_o praise_n and_o true_o have_v david_n be_v inspire_v with_o a_o human_a spirit_n he_o will_v have_v employ_v his_o poetic_a fancy_n in_o illustrate_v some_o passage_n of_o his_o own_o life_n viz._n his_o fights_z and_o victory_n as_o a_o warrior_n and_o particular_o his_o engagement_n with_o goliath_n will_v have_v afford_v noble_a matter_n for_o a_o heroic_a poem_n or_o else_o as_o a_o courtier_n he_o will_v have_v compose_v some_o soft_a pastoral_n or_o madrigal_n contain_v his_o amour_n with_o bathsheba_n or_o as_o a_o friend_n he_o will_v have_v exercise_v his_o fancy_n about_o his_o more_o innocent_a love_n and_o affection_n for_o jonathan_n but_o we_o find_v nothing_o of_o this_o nature_n his_o subject_n always_o be_v divine_a one_o while_o as_o a_o suppliant_a or_o
and_o present_a enjoyment_n who_o will_v scruple_n to_o enrich_v himself_o by_o fraud_n robbery_n and_o murder_n or_o to_o gratify_v his_o lust_n by_o rape_n adultery_n or_o any_o other_o enormity_n be_v he_o sure_a there_o be_v no_o punishnent_a to_o be_v meet_v with_o after_o death_n the_o consequence_n of_o which_o disorder_n can_v be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o subversion_n of_o all_o property_n and_o civil_a government_n upon_o these_o and_o such_o like_a consideration_n we_o may_v in_o the_o last_o place_n observe_v that_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a man_n through_o all_o age_n and_o country_n of_o the_o world_n believe_v the_o soul_n immortality_n such_o as_o hermes_n and_o pythagoras_n who_o by_o the_o few_o fragment_n 1._o hermes_n in_o paenrand_n cap._n 1._o that_o be_v extant_a of_o he_o in_o ancient_a writer_n be_v of_o the_o same_o belief_n socrates_n at_o his_o death_n adher_n do_v to_o this_o belief_n also_o and_o resist_v the_o strength_n and_o malignity_n of_o his_o poison_n by_o this_o antidote_n that_o his_o soul_n short_o shall_v enjoy_v the_o society_n of_o the_o virtuous_a and_o bless_a in_o the_o other_o world_n this_o doctrine_n be_v much_o improve_v by_o plato_n and_o his_o follower_n especial_o platinus_n who_o be_v the_o most_o learned_a of_o that_o sect_n and_o who_o write_v ex_fw-la professo_fw-la divers_a learned_a book_n upon_o this_o argument_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v not_o derive_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o parent_n but_o immediate_o from_o god_n that_o though_o it_o subsist_v in_o the_o body_n yet_o its_o operation_n be_v independent_a on_o it_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o soul_n the_o more_o it_o withdraw_v itself_o from_o all_o sensible_a object_n the_o more_o distinct_a and_o clear_a be_v ratiocination_n from_o whence_o we_o conclude_v that_o when_o it_o shall_v total_o be_v separate_v it_o shall_v apprehend_v thing_n in_o a_o instant_n by_o intuition_n without_o the_o help_n of_o reason_v by_o ratiocination_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o combat_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o evince_v something_o of_o which_o it_o doubt_v which_o doubt_v spring_n from_o the_o gross_a and_o cloudy_a suggestion_n and_o obstacle_n of_o the_o body_n from_o which_o be_v once_o deliver_v there_o will_v be_v no_o place_n leave_v for_o doubt_n and_o hesitation_n as_o for_o the_o stoic_n their_o doctrine_n seem_v to_o lead_v they_o to_o a_o different_a persuasion_n since_o they_o place_v all_o the_o felicity_n of_o man_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n with_o regard_n to_o no_o other_o reward_n so_o that_o our_o moral_a action_n cease_v as_o certain_o they_o do_v after_o death_n all_o be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o this_o doctrine_n of_o they_o though_o it_o carry_v with_o it_o a_o great_a many_o of_o noble_a sentiment_n yet_o it_o fail_v in_o the_o true_a end_n of_o man_n felicity_n it_o oblige_v they_o to_o maintain_v a_o great_a number_n of_o paradox_n in_o its_o defence_n whereas_o have_v they_o understand_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o future_a reward_n after_o death_n that_o have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v support_v they_o in_o a_o virtuous_a course_n of_o life_n maugre_o all_o the_o disaster_n that_o may_v assault_v they_o and_o which_o these_o philosopher_n endeavour_v to_o oppose_v by_o so_o many_o noble_a precept_n of_o their_o doctrine_n seneca_n in_o some_o place_n seem_v dubious_a yet_o in_o his_o consolatory_a epistle_n to_o mercia_n upon_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n he_o be_v altogether_o divine_a epictetus_n also_o a_o stoic_a and_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o sect_n and_o age_n assert_n every_o where_o the_o soul_n immortality_n but_o above_o all_o tully_n the_o flower_n of_o roman_a 1._o tuscul_fw-la quaes_n lib._n 1._o eloquence_n and_o himself_o a_o philosopher_n of_o plato_n school_n be_v every_o where_o most_o copious_a and_o ravish_a when_o he_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o capacity_n and_o future_a state_n of_o the_o soul_n many_o say_v he_o think_v the_o eternity_n of_o soul_n to_o be_v incredible_a because_o they_o can_v comprehend_v the_o essence_n and_o quality_n of_o a_o separate_a soul_n but_o can_v they_o let_v i_o ask_v they_o define_v what_o a_o soul_n be_v even_o in_o the_o body_n of_o what_o form_n it_o be_v what_o its_o dimension_n be_v and_o what_o be_v the_o place_n of_o its_o abode_n and_o a_o little_a after_o for_o my_o own_o part_n when_o i_o serious_o reflect_v upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v much_o more_o difficult_a and_o obscure_a to_o know_v what_o the_o soul_n be_v whilst_o it_o be_v in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o body_n where_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v lodge_v as_o in_o a_o foreign_a inn_n than_o to_o understand_v the_o same_o when_o it_o quit_v the_o lodging_n in_o which_o it_o sojourn_v and_o take_v its_o journey_n home-ward_n to_o heaven_n the_o place_n of_o its_o constant_a habitation_n for_o if_o we_o can_v understand_v that_o which_o we_o never_o see_v we_o may_v as_o well_o disow_v all_o knowledge_n of_o god_n as_o of_o a_o separate_a soul_n but_o spirit_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o know_v only_o by_o spirit_n and_o by_o and_o by_o he_o conclude_v whatsoever_o that_o thing_n be_v which_o perceive_v which_o understand_v which_o will_v which_o be_v always_o vigorous_a and_o masculine_a must_v needs_o be_v celestial_a and_o divine_a and_o therefore_o eternal_a for_o we_o can_v form_v no_o other_o notion_n of_o god_n but_o as_o of_o a_o mind_n abstract_v from_o all_o material_a concretion_n understand_v all_o thing_n move_v all_o thing_n and_o be_v itself_o end_v with_o a_o eternal_a activity_n all_o which_o the_o same_o divine_a orator_n prosecute_v most_o copious_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr senectute_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o itch_n of_o disputation_n which_o draw_v he_o to_o this_o persuasion_n but_o have_v build_v his_o belief_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o pythagoras_n and_o socrates_n he_o declare_v far_a that_o such_o be_v the_o celerity_n of_o the_o soul_n thought_n so_o great_a its_o memory_n of_o past_a and_o foresight_n of_o future_a thing_n so_o many_o be_v its_o art_n science_n and_o other_o invention_n that_o it_o be_v inpossible_a that_o the_o nature_n which_o comprehend_v such_o excellent_a thing_n shall_v be_v mortal_a and_o therefore_o since_o the_o mind_n be_v always_o a_o work_n and_o have_v this_o principle_n of_o motion_n from_o itself_o and_o know_v also_o no_o period_n of_o its_o motion_n because_o it_o can_v never_o divide_v from_o itself_o and_o serve_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v void_a of_o all_o mixture_n and_o alloy_n and_o contain_v nothing_o heterogeneous_a to_o itself_o he_o conclude_v that_o it_o must_v be_v indivisible_a and_o uncapable_a of_o dissolution_n follow_v as_o he_o say_v the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n in_o this_o particular_a to_o conclude_v he_o say_v that_o if_o i_o do_v err_v in_o this_o belief_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n i_o do_v err_v wilful_o nor_o will_v i_o ever_o retract_v this_o belove_a error_n whilst_o i_o live_v or_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v possible_a that_o be_v dead_a i_o shall_v be_v void_a of_o all_o sense_n as_o some_o minute_n sophister_n do_v fancy_n i_o shall_v not_o fear_v to_o be_v reproach_v by_o they_o nor_o be_v this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n the_o constant_a belief_n of_o the_o wise_a greek_n and_o roman_n only_o but_o also_o of_o the_o persian_n too_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o excellent_a discourse_n of_o die_a cyrus_n upon_o this_o subject_n record_v by_o xenophon_n and_o as_o for_o the_o poet_n they_o universal_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o future_a state_n after_o death_n wherein_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v punish_v and_o the_o just_a reward_v and_o what_o their_o sense_n be_v in_o this_o matter_n we_o may_v read_v in_o lucan_n in_o that_o noble_a description_n he_o make_v of_o pompey_n apotheosis_n from_o all_o which_o consideration_n we_o have_v a_o most_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o its_o eternal_a verity_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o doctrine_n establish_v upon_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n of_o such_o a_o universal_a consent_n and_o believe_v by_o the_o wise_a best_a and_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o age_n in_o opposition_n to_o all_o humane_a interest_n and_o sensual_a suggestion_n whatsoever_o shall_v be_v the_o effect_n only_o of_o uncertain_a conjecture_n or_o of_o a_o premeditate_a collusion_n chap._n xxviii_o of_o natural_a religion_n as_o a_o mean_n to_o salvation_n have_v show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n of_o this_o discourse_n that_o the_o wise_a heathen_a have_v not_o only_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n as_o the_o creator_n and_o preserver_n of_o the_o universe_n but_o a_o knowledge_n also_o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o of_o a_o future_a state_n where_o good_a man_n shall_v receive_v
penitent_a another_o while_n as_o a_o humble_a petitioner_n anon_o with_o strain_n of_o gratitude_n and_o in_o heavenly_a rapture_n he_o address_v himself_o to_o his_o creator_n and_o celebrate_v the_o praise_n of_o almighty_a god_n by_o recount_v his_o wonder_n and_o mercy_n his_o comfort_n and_o many_o deliverance_n all_o which_o can_v but_o show_v that_o they_o be_v dictate_v by_o another_o spirit_n and_o kindle_v by_o a_o pure_a fire_n than_o what_o common_o sparkle_v in_o the_o gay_a fancy_n and_o invention_n of_o men._n as_o for_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v touch_v upon_o they_o already_o and_o we_o may_v say_v of_o the_o whole_a book_n or_o collection_n of_o these_o sacred_a write_n that_o it_o be_v like_o the_o manna_n it_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v food_n to_o every_o palate_n such_o as_o do_v not_o nauseate_a but_o have_v a_o relish_v taste_n of_o every_o thing_n and_o create_v a_o appetite_n and_o it_o be_v worth_a our_o observation_n that_o let_v a_o man_n read_v these_o holy_a write_n with_o all_o attention_n imaginable_a yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o read_v they_o again_o he_o shall_v discover_v some_o thing_n of_o which_o he_o be_v ignorant_a before_o though_o he_o repeat_v the_o section_n of_o they_o to_o the_o very_a end_n of_o his_o life_n which_o show_v that_o it_o be_v a_o spring_n which_o be_v inexhaustible_a and_o that_o the_o more_o we_o drink_v of_o these_o water_n the_o more_o we_o thirst_v from_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a man_n have_v addict_v themselves_o most_o to_o the_o read_n of_o these_o book_n the_o near_o they_o draw_v towards_o their_o end_n which_o show_v also_o that_o it_o be_v their_o nature_n to_o lead_v man_n forward_o towards_o a_o state_n of_o further_a perfection_n another_o thing_n which_o show_v these_o book_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v the_o manner_n of_o their_o writing_n turn_v over_o all_o human_a history_n whatsoever_o and_o we_o shall_v still_o find_v it_o to_o have_v be_v their_o grand_a scope_n and_o design_n to_o magnify_v their_o own_o nation_n and_o to_o represent_v their_o action_n with_o all_o advantageous_a character_n imaginable_a to_o applaud_v their_o own_o custom_n and_o manner_n and_o to_o avouch_v the_o justice_n of_o their_o deal_n but_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o these_o sacred_a write_n the_o penman_n of_o they_o be_v in_o nothing_o more_o copious_a than_o in_o show_v the_o blemish_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n their_o apostasy_n their_o idolatrous_a disposition_n together_o with_o the_o notorious_a and_o scandalous_a lapse_n and_o relapse_n of_o their_o king_n though_o hold_v in_o never_o so_o great_a esteem_n for_o power_n and_o goodness_n and_o this_o certain_o be_v a_o invincible_a argument_n that_o they_o do_v not_o in_o their_o report_n proceed_v upon_o natural_a and_o human_a consideration_n but_o as_o it_o be_v dictate_v to_o they_o by_o a_o high_a and_o more_o noble_a impulse_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o genius_n and_o temper_n of_o that_o nation_n who_o in_o reality_n be_v as_o vain_a self-admiring_a and_o unconstant_a as_o any_o other_o people_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n it_o be_v beyond_o my_o power_n to_o answer_v such_o difficulty_n as_o occur_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n touch_v the_o jewish_a genealogy_n and_o chronology_n together_o with_o some_o custom_n and_o passage_n as_o seem_v strange_a to_o we_o of_o this_o age_n since_o we_o find_v the_o like_a and_o great_a in_o the_o write_n of_o all_o profane_a author_n though_o never_o so_o well_o digest_v or_o perhaps_o god_n almighty_a might_n on_o purpose_n suffer_v some_o passage_n to_o be_v obscure_a and_o seem_o repugnant_a to_o our_o understanding_n the_o better_a to_o subjugate_v our_o reason_n to_o faith_n which_o be_v a_o more_o excellent_a degree_n of_o assent_n because_o it_o resolve_v itself_o into_o the_o absolute_a authority_n and_o veracity_n of_o the_o proponent_n without_o hesitance_n or_o any_o dependence_n upon_o our_o own_o feeble_a notion_n in_o the_o last_o place_n the_o divine_a authority_n of_o these_o sacred_a write_n be_v legible_a in_o the_o act_n and_o monument_n even_o of_o human_a antiquity_n so_o that_o the_o most_o polite_a writer_n among_o the_o ancient_n do_v light_v their_o candle_n from_o this_o sacred_a and_o ever_o burn_v lamp_n virgil_n and_o ovid_n borrow_v out_o of_o genesis_n their_o history_n of_o the_o world_n creation_n which_o they_o improve_v or_o rather_o debase_v by_o their_o poetic_a fiction_n japetus_n the_o father_n of_o prometheus_n and_o by_o who_o the_o world_n be_v repeopled_n after_o the_o flood_n be_v no_o other_o but_o japhet_n who_o the_o poet_n feign_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o coelum_fw-la and_o terra_fw-la that_o be_v to_o have_v have_v his_o extraction_n from_o god_n the_o ogygian_a and_o deucalion_n flood_n be_v poetic_a fiction_n derive_v from_o noah_n deluge_n plutarch_n utuntur_fw-la plutarch_n lib._n quod_fw-la bruta_n ratione_fw-la utuntur_fw-la make_v mention_v too_o of_o a_o dove_n be_v send_v out_o of_o a_o ark_n by_o deucalion_n to_o discover_v the_o abatement_n of_o the_o water_n the_o giant_n climb_v up_o to_o heaven_n be_v take_v from_o the_o build_n of_o babel_n we_o find_v also_o whatsoever_o occur_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o profane_a writer_n of_o great_a antiquity_n to_o square_v with_o the_o account_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o jewish_a monument_n the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n be_v ever_o hold_v among_o profane_a author_n to_o have_v be_v the_o most_o ancient_a of_o nation_n and_o we_o find_v the_o same_o in_o scripture_n also_o the_o history_n of_o the_o burn_a of_o sodom_n have_v leave_v indelible_a mark_n of_o its_o verity_n in_o the_o bituminous_a water_n and_o noisome_a smell_n of_o the_o lake_n adjoin_v which_o be_v so_o stink_a and_o poisonous_a that_o nothing_o can_v live_v in_o it_o as_o appear_v even_o at_o this_o very_a day_n as_o also_o in_o the_o fruit_n which_o grow_v near_o that_o accurse_a place_n which_o tho_o most_o beautiful_a to_o the_o eye_n be_v easy_o crumble_v to_o dust_n and_o ash_n as_o morney_n du_fw-fr plessis_n rel._n plessis_n morn_n cap._n 26._o de_fw-fr verit._n rel._n prove_v out_o of_o galen_n strabo_n solinus_n and_o other_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v affirm_v also_o by_o tacitus_n the_o departure_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o moses_n with_o many_o other_o passage_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v mention_v by_o 36._o by_o justin_n lib._n 36._o justin_n as_o also_o by_o hist_o by_o lib._n 5._o hist_o tacitus_n though_o with_o some_o depravation_n the_o simplicity_n and_o plain_a pastoral_n life_n together_o with_o the_o habit_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v much_o the_o same_o which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o homer_n who_o live_v a_o little_a after_o the_o time_n of_o david_n in_o he_o description_n of_o the_o age_n and_o man_n of_o which_o he_o write_v and_o even_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o god_n consist_v of_o no_o other_o dainty_n than_o bread_n and_o wine_n the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n be_v so_o famous_a throughout_o the_o world_n that_o it_o give_v the_o denomination_n to_o the_o city_n itself_o which_o be_v call_v hierosolyma_n quasi_fw-la hieron_n solomonis_fw-la or_o the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n and_o even_o at_o this_o very_a day_n the_o great_a emperor_n of_o the_o abyssine_n or_o of_o ethiopia_n call_v prester_n john_n with_o all_o the_o native_n of_o that_o vast_a country_n though_o christian_n still_o retain_v circumcision_n not_o as_o bring_v thither_o by_o the_o eunuch_n who_o be_v baptise_a by_o st._n philip_n but_o in_o memory_n of_o their_o descent_n from_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n who_o solomon_n treat_v not_o only_o at_o his_o table_n but_o at_o his_o bed_n also_o so_o that_o among_o other_o proud_a title_n of_o that_o emperor_n he_o glory_v most_o in_o still_v himself_o the_o son_n of_o solomon_n and_o of_o david_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v at_o several_a time_n carry_v away_o captive_n by_o teylath_n phalastor_n and_o salmanastor_n into_o the_o desert_n and_o northern_a part_n of_o media_n be_v preserve_v to_o this_o very_a day_n in_o the_o tartar_n who_o it_o be_v certain_a be_v descend_v from_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v disperse_v by_o the_o mede_n their_o conqueror_n for_o the_o colchian_o who_o be_v the_o progenitor_n of_o the_o tartar_n as_o herodotus_n tell_v we_o 2._o herod_n lib._n 2._o be_v circumcise_a though_o the_o name_n of_o tartar_n be_v not_o considerable_a nor_o know_v till_o about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1200._o at_o such_o time_n as_o givigi_n their_o captain_n begin_v to_o overrun_v the_o world_n with_o his_o barbarous_a multitude_n however_o so_o it_o be_v that_o they_o still_o retain_v circumcision_n even_o long_o before_o they_o ever_o hear_v of_o mahomet_n and_o upon_o