to_o place_n mankind_n here_o in_o a_o immature_n and_o more_o imperfect_a state_n that_o so_o we_o may_v in_o a_o way_n congruous_a to_o free_v and_o rational_a agent_n by_o degree_n be_v fit_v for_o and_o at_o length_n arrive_v at_o a_o better_a and_o more_o raise_v condition_n of_o life_n as_o in_o nature_n all_o thing_n commence_v their_o being_n in_o a_o rude_a and_o immature_n state_n and_o make_v orderly_a progression_n to_o far_a degree_n of_o maturity_n till_o they_o arrive_v at_o the_o utmost_a perfection_n their_o being_n be_v capable_a of_o so_o be_v mankind_n create_v and_o bear_v into_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o spring_n in_o a_o bud_a and_o blossom_a season_n that_o so_o we_o may_v by_o proceed_v forward_o in_o the_o differ_a period_n of_o our_o life_n grow_v up_o to_o high_a and_o more_o excellent_a capacity_n till_o at_o length_n we_o ripen_v into_o a_o state_n of_o maturity_n and_o perfection_n our_o nature_n be_v at_o first_o somewhat_o rough-cast_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v refine_v and_o polish_a by_o virtue_n and_o religion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o main_a and_o perhaps_o only_o design_n of_o religion_n to_o perfect_a and_o advance_v our_o nature_n and_o make_v we_o capable_a of_o a_o high_a and_o more_o noble_a condition_n of_o life_n now_o i_o need_v not_o declaim_v and_o expatiate_v upon_o the_o neatness_n and_o consistency_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n when_o we_o know_v by_o experience_n that_o it_o be_v the_o way_n and_o method_n pitch_v upon_o by_o providence_n to_o conduct_v mankind_n to_o its_o perfection_n it_o be_v a_o oeconomy_n huge_o agreeable_a to_o all_o the_o design_n and_o purpose_n of_o religion_n the_o natural_a tendency_n whereof_o be_v to_o raise_v we_o to_o high_a capacity_n and_o near_a approach_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n this_o give_v a_o more_o general_a reason_n of_o the_o present_a low_a and_o imperfect_a condition_n of_o mankind_n but_o that_o i_o may_v give_v a_o more_o certain_a and_o perspicuous_a account_n thereof_o and_o more_o close_o to_o the_o main_a origenian_a objection_n viz._n why_o god_n shall_v put_v pure_a and_o immaculate_a soul_n into_o these_o disorderly_a brutish_a body_n i_o shall_v make_v my_o hypothesis_n more_o distinct_a and_o particular_a mankind_n then_o be_v a_o order_n of_o being_n place_v in_o a_o middle_a state_n between_o angel_n and_o brute_n make_v up_o of_o contrary_a principle_n viz._n matter_n and_o spirit_n endue_v with_o contrary_a faculty_n viz._n animal_n and_o rational_a and_o encompass_v with_o contrary_a object_n proportion_v to_o their_o respective_a faculty_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o exercise_v the_o virtue_n proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o their_o compound_a and_o heterogenial_a nature_n for_o the_o perfection_n of_o humane_a soul_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o a_o effeminate_a beauty_n and_o physical_a proportion_n but_o in_o a_o manly_a courage_n and_o moral_a accomplishment_n as_o at_o the_o olympic_a game_n there_o be_v no_o regard_n have_v to_o beauty_n and_o neatness_n they_o only_o be_v capable_a of_o honour_n and_o reputation_n who_o have_v courage_n and_o patience_n enough_o to_o combat_v and_o the_o life_n of_o man_n in_o this_o world_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o olympic_a exercise_n god_n have_v place_v we_o here_o not_o to_o admire_v the_o native_a beauty_n and_o perfection_n of_o our_o being_n but_o to_o exercise_v ourselves_o in_o the_o conflict_n and_o difficulty_n of_o virtue_n therefore_o the_o worth_n and_o praise_n of_o the_o soul_n consist_v in_o a_o braveness_n and_o gallantry_n of_o spirit_n when_o it_o scorn_v to_o be_v usurp_v upon_o by_o those_o faculty_n that_o ought_v to_o obey_v she_o and_o check_n and_o control_v all_o their_o unruly_a and_o tumultuous_a exorbitance_n by_o her_o own_o sovereign_a and_o imperial_a law_n and_o resolute_o defend_v its_o own_o authority_n and_o prerogative_n against_o all_o the_o furious_a and_o rebellious_a attempt_n of_o passion_n and_o concupiscence_n and_o therefore_o though_o humane_a soul_n be_v capable_a of_o subsist_v by_o themselves_o yet_o god_n have_v place_v they_o in_o body_n full_a of_o brutish_a and_o unreasonable_a propension_n that_o they_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o exercise_v many_o choice_n and_o excellent_a virtue_n which_o otherwise_o can_v never_o have_v be_v at_o all_o such_o as_o temperance_n sobriety_n chastity_n patience_n meekness_n equanimity_n and_o all_o other_o virtue_n that_o consist_v in_o the_o empire_n of_o reason_n over_o passion_n &_o appetite_n religion_n be_v common_a to_o man_n and_o angel_n appertain_v to_o they_o pure_o as_o spirit_n but_o virtue_n be_v proper_a to_o man_n alone_o and_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o be_v make_v up_o of_o contrary_a principle_n whence_o spring_n contrary_a desire_n and_o inclination_n in_o the_o good_a or_o bad_a government_n whereof_o consist_v the_o nature_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n &_o upon_o this_o score_n it_o be_v that_o virtue_n be_v never_o attribute_v to_o god_n because_o be_v of_o a_o simple_a &_o pure_o spiritual_a nature_n he_o have_v no_o unruly_a passion_n and_o sensual_a appetite_n to_o govern._n and_o therefore_o the_o platonist_n though_o they_o place_v all_o intellectual_a virtue_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o abstract_a soul_n yet_o they_o will_v have_v all_o moral_a one_o reside_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o composition_n deny_v the_o naked_a soul_n to_o be_v capable_a of_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a these_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o whole_a which_o result_v from_o soul_n and_o body_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v plotinus_n and_o this_o by_o the_o way_n be_v their_o meaning_n when_o they_o unanimous_o resolve_v that_o grand_a perplex_v enquiry_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d into_o the_o terrestrial_a hyle_n because_o our_o material_a principle_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o intrinsique_n dulness_n and_o stupidity_n natural_o hinder_v and_o obstruct_v the_o intellectual_a effort_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o incline_v it_o to_o the_o love_n of_o material_a and_o sensual_a object_n which_o if_o it_o suffer_v itself_o to_o be_v so_o far_o immerse_v into_o matter_n as_o to_o pursue_v only_o or_o chief_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o its_o gross_a and_o sottish_a propersity_n thence_o natural_o spring_v all_o those_o irregularity_n that_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moral_a vice_n and_o this_o account_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a be_v not_o so_o devoid_a of_o reason_n as_o some_o learned_a man_n will_v persuade_v we_o for_o 1_o it_o do_v not_o as_o be_v object_v make_v matter_n to_o be_v essential_o evil_a but_o rather_o the_o occasion_n thereof_o from_o its_o extra_fw-la essential_a union_n with_o the_o soul._n nor_n 2_o do_v it_o make_v the_o existence_n of_o evil_n natural_a and_o necessary_a for_o it_o do_v not_o assert_v that_o it_o result_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o matter_n as_o they_o will_v make_v we_o believe_v but_o only_o a_o accidental_a effect_n thereof_o after_o its_o union_n with_o the_o soul_n in_o that_o from_o the_o sluggishness_n of_o its_o nature_n it_o incline_v the_o soul_n to_o the_o love_n of_o gross_a and_o material_a object_n and_o if_o the_o soul_n be_v so_o careless_a as_o to_o yield_v to_o its_o inclination_n it_o become_v the_o voluntary_a cause_n of_o its_o own_o evil_a but_o you_o will_v think_v my_o pen_n very_o unruly_a if_o it_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o fly_v out_o into_o digression_n when_o it_o be_v in_o so_o great_a speed_n and_o therefore_o i_o return_v now_o because_o the_o nature_n of_o virtue_n consist_v in_o the_o mind_n govern_v the_o brutish_a and_o animal_n appetite_n and_o motion_n of_o the_o body_n providence_n have_v furnish_v it_o with_o instrument_n convenient_a for_o that_o purpose_n for_o have_v its_o principal_a and_o command_a residence_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o the_o nerve_n that_o convey_v all_o motion_n and_o impression_n backward_o and_o forward_o have_v their_o original_a it_o be_v able_a by_o its_o immediate_a influence_n upon_o they_o to_o command_v and_o bridle_v all_o the_o animal_n motion_n of_o the_o body_n thus_o because_o all_o excess_n of_o passion_n consist_v in_o a_o irregular_a motion_n of_o the_o blood_n the_o nerve_n which_o the_o soul_n use_v as_o its_o reins_o be_v twist_v about_o the_o vein_n and_o artery_n that_o so_o by_o contract_v they_o it_o may_v be_v able_a to_o refrain_v and_o check_v the_o impetuosity_n of_o the_o blood_n motion_n and_o consequent_o curb_v the_o eager_a and_o unruly_a passion_n as_o when_o for_o example_n such_o a_o object_n be_v present_v to_o we_o that_o natural_o provoke_v to_o anger_n which_o main_o consist_v in_o a_o violent_a ebullition_n and_o fervour_n of_o the_o blood_n about_o the_o region_n of_o the_o heart_n which_o violent_o hurry_v from_o thence_o into_o the_o brain_n disorder_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n there_o and_o so_o
to_o determine_v itself_o to_o good_a or_o evil_a and_o consequent_o not_o capable_a of_o be_v direct_v and_o govern_v by_o law_n reward_n and_o punishment_n for_o what_o other_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v imagine_v why_o any_o agent_n be_v incapable_a of_o be_v thus_o govern_v then_o that_o it_o have_v no_o power_n and_o command_v over_o its_o own_o action_n the_o office_n of_o law_n be_v to_o enjoin_v they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v prescribe_v that_o they_o determine_v themselves_o to_o act_v according_a to_o their_o prescription_n but_o to_o require_v this_o of_o a_o principle_n void_a of_o any_o such_o power_n of_o self-determination_n be_v as_o absurd_a as_o to_o require_v it_o of_o stone_n &_o tree_n because_o the_o absurdity_n of_o both_o consist_v in_o require_v obedience_n where_o there_o be_v no_o principle_n or_o capacity_n able_a to_o render_v it_o and_o therefore_o unless_o they_o can_v reconcile_v necessity_n &_o indifferency_n so_o as_o that_o the_o same_o principle_n shall_v be_v necessary_o determine_v to_o one_o extreme_a and_o yet_o remain_v so_o indifferent_a as_o to_o be_v able_a if_o iâ—_n please_v to_o determine_v itself_o to_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v altogether_o fruitless_a to_o make_v other_o sort_n of_o liberty_n not_o inconsistent_a with_o necessity_n but_o this_o they_o can_v never_o do_v unless_o they_o can_v bring_v the_o extreme_n of_o a_o contradiction_n together_o and_o make_v it_o all_o one_o to_o be_v determine_v and_o undetermined_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o same_o action_n thus_o for_o instance_n that_o principle_n that_o be_v endue_v with_o no_o other_o liberty_n than_o what_o consist_v in_o mere_a spontaneity_n and_o immunity_n from_o violence_n be_v without_o indifferency_n and_o a_o power_n of_o self-determination_n at_o as_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a as_o it_o will_v be_v if_o it_o be_v act_v mere_o by_o external_a force_n and_o violence_n because_o the_o reason_n why_o that_o which_o be_v move_v only_o by_o force_n be_v not_o a_o principle_n capable_a of_o morality_n be_v because_o it_o have_v no_o power_n at_o all_o over_o its_o own_o motion_n and_o so_o be_v move_v with_o a_o fatal_a and_o unalterable_a necessity_n but_o a_o spontaneus_fw-la or_o unforced_a action_n if_o it_o proceed_v not_o from_o a_o indifferent_a but_o necessary_a agent_n be_v as_o fatal_a and_o as_o necessary_a as_o if_o it_o be_v force_v and_o as_o little_a subject_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o principle_n from_o whence_o it_o flow_v as_o it_o will_v though_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o foreign_a and_o violent_a one_o and_o by_o consequence_n be_v equal_o incapable_a of_o morality_n and_o so_o that_o principle_n which_o be_v not_o only_o at_o liberty_n from_o co-action_n but_o be_v also_o endue_v with_o reason_n and_o understanding_n be_v without_o indifferency_n and_o a_o power_n of_o self-determination_n not_o less_o uncapable_a of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a then_o that_o which_o be_v quite_o devoid_a of_o rational_a faculty_n because_o it_o be_v act_v by_o a_o equal_a necessity_n for_o if_o the_o judgement_n and_o definitive_a sentence_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v natural_a and_o necessary_a as_o it_o not_o only_o be_v but_o be_v also_o unanimous_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v and_o if_o the_o will_n follow_v this_o judgement_n be_v as_o natural_a and_o as_o necessary_a as_o its_o self_n then_o it_o be_v as_o extravagant_a to_o command_v the_o will_v not_o to_o embrace_v the_o object_n commend_v to_o it_o by_o the_o understanding_n as_o it_o be_v to_o command_v the_o understanding_n to_o judge_v otherwise_o of_o it_o than_o it_o do_v which_o be_v the_o same_o absurdity_n as_o to_o command_v the_o eye_n to_o see_v a_o object_n after_o another_o manner_n then_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o it_o because_o they_o be_v both_o determine_v by_o a_o equal_a necessity_n from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v by_o all_o the_o law_n of_o inference_n that_o if_o god_n goodness_n shall_v take_v away_o the_o indifferency_n of_o his_o will_n it_o will_v certain_o destroy_v not_o only_o his_o freedom_n but_o all_o his_o moral_a perfection_n and_o accomplishment_n which_o be_v my_o first_o argument_n 2._o if_o the_o divine_a goodness_n or_o beneficence_n be_v a_o necessary_a agent_n it_o will_v not_o only_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_n in_o which_o it_o reside_v but_o also_o what_o be_v more_o absurd_a it_o be_v own_o for_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o beneficence_n and_o goodness_n that_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o free_a and_o elective_a principle_n no_o courtesy_n can_v oblige_v but_o what_o be_v free_a and_o choose_v and_o the_o obligation_n of_o benefit_n be_v only_o then_o acknowledge_v when_o they_o be_v receive_v from_o one_o that_o have_v a_o power_n not_o to_o bestow_v they_o for_o otherwise_o they_o be_v owe_v not_o to_o his_o favour_n and_o goodwill_n but_o to_o chance_v or_o necessity_n we_o make_v no_o return_n of_o gratitude_n to_o the_o sun_n for_o his_o kind_a visit_n and_o benign_a influence_n because_o his_o emanation_n flow_v from_o a_o bare_a necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o joshuah_n thank_v he_o not_o for_o stand_v still_o at_o his_o request_n and_o interest_n i_o shall_v think_v it_o a_o strange_a solecism_n in_o courtship_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v make_v i_o retribution_n for_o a_o favour_n that_o proceed_v only_o from_o some_o necessity_n of_o nature_n &_o not_o from_o choice_n of_o will_n because_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o obligingness_n of_o benefit_n be_v that_o they_o argue_v benevolence_n and_o good_a intention_n in_o the_o donor_n towards_o the_o person_n on_o who_o he_o bestow_v they_o but_o when_o they_o be_v the_o issue_n of_o a_o necessary_a and_o unelective_a cause_n they_o flow_v not_o from_o goodwill_n and_o argue_v no_o benevolence_n in_o their_o principle_n but_o be_v the_o pure_a result_v of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o if_o all_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n be_v necessary_a they_o may_v argue_v the_o fullness_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o can_v the_o goodness_n of_o his_o will_n because_o that_o be_v found_v upon_o choice_n and_o freedom_n i_o have_v in_o my_o former_a reason_n endeavour_v to_o evince_v that_o a_o necessity_n of_o act_v of_o what_o sort_n soever_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a because_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o a_o dominion_n over_o one_o own_o action_n in_o which_o all_o morality_n be_v found_v for_o a_o agent_n that_o have_v no_o power_n and_o command_v over_o its_o own_o action_n and_o that_o act_n because_o it_o must_v whatsoever_o excellent_a and_o commendable_a effect_n it_o may_v produce_v be_v as_o uncapable_a of_o morality_n as_o those_o senseless_a machines_n that_o move_v by_o the_o law_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n because_o it_o produce_v its_o effect_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o mechanical_a cause_n do_v namely_o by_o a_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o any_o artificial_a automata_n be_v endue_v with_o deliberative_a elective_a and_o selfmoving_a principle_n so_o as_o to_o have_v power_n over_o their_o own_o motion_n they_o will_v in_o degree_n of_o proportion_n be_v capable_a of_o do_v well_o or_o ill_o but_o because_o they_o have_v no_o elective_a and_o selfmoving_a power_n that_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o their_o motion_n be_v uncapable_a of_o be_v good_a or_o evil_n and_o consequent_o all_o cause_n who_o effect_n result_v from_o the_o same_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o that_o have_v no_o power_n to_o restrain_v their_o emanation_n be_v as_o uncapable_a of_o morality_n as_o these_o liveless_a engine_n because_o they_o lie_v under_o the_o same_o incapacity_n now_o then_o beneficence_n be_v a_o moral_a excellency_n it_o must_v loose_v its_o morality_n and_o consequent_o its_o nature_n when_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o necessary_a and_o therefore_o if_o all_o the_o emanation_n of_o the_o divine_a bounty_n be_v such_o it_o will_v unavoidable_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o virtue_n or_o beneficence_n and_o goodness_n in_o god_n so_o that_o we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o though_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n to_o his_o creature_n be_v exceed_o agreeable_a to_o his_o nature_n yet_o to_o make_v they_o necessary_a and_o natural_a result_v be_v by_o deny_v their_o be_v free_a to_o deny_v their_o being_n good_n 3._o god_n can_v never_o act_v contrary_a to_o his_o necessary_a and_o essential_a property_n as_o because_o he_o be_v essential_o wise_a just_a &_o holy_a he_o can_v do_v nothing_o that_o be_v foolish_a unjust_a and_o wicked_a and_o therefore_o if_o god_n beneficence_n and_o bounty_n be_v so_o natural_a as_o that_o all_o its_o exertion_n be_v necessary_a he_o can_v never_o act_v otherwise_o but_o that_o he_o frequent_o do_v as_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o the_o instance_n of_o his_o anger_n and_o severity_n which_o not_o only_o reason_n but_o
useless_a and_o impertiment_n i_o know_v not_o any_o one_o theological_a speculation_n that_o can_v boast_v of_o more_o favour_n and_o countenance_n from_o scripture_n than_o this_o pretend_v to_o and_o if_o you_o will_v but_o parallel_v the_o period_n of_o scripture_n make_v use_v of_o in_o a_o small_a pamphlet_n you_o have_v to_o prove_v mulieres_fw-la non_fw-la esse_fw-la homines_fw-la i_o be_o confident_a you_o will_v discern_v so_o vast_a a_o disproportion_n in_o their_o evidence_n as_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o if_o the_o latter_a may_v be_v account_v probable_a inducement_n the_o former_a will_v amount_v to_o demonstration_n and_o therefore_o perhaps_o i_o may_v render_v myself_o no_o less_o ridiculous_a by_o encounter_v they_o with_o a_o serious_a reply_n than_o that_o grave_a dutch_a doctor_n who_o have_v with_o mighty_a transport_n of_o zeal_n oppose_v himself_o to_o that_o waggish_a pamphlet_n and_o have_v conjure_v up_o all_o his_o dutch_a or_o systematick_a orthodoxy_n to_o confound_v that_o blasphemous_a heresy_n as_o himself_o style_v it_o but_o have_v begin_v i_o must_v to_o avoid_v all_o suspicion_n of_o shuffle_n plunge_v through_o and_o though_o their_o scipture-evidence_n do_v not_o merit_v a_o refutation_n yet_o through_o some_o man_n ignorance_n and_o other_o partiality_n they_o need_v it_o have_v i_o be_v leave_v to_o my_o own_o choice_n i_o shall_v not_o have_v at_o all_o concern_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o divine_a oracle_n in_o this_o dispute_n for_o so_o sensible_a be_o i_o of_o that_o violence_n and_o injury_n they_o suffer_v from_o our_o presumptuous_a force_v they_o to_o be_v party_n in_o our_o own_o trivial_a and_o imaginary_a speculation_n that_o i_o be_o exceed_o averse_a from_o make_v any_o use_n of_o their_o suffrage_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o matter_n of_o grand_a importance_n and_o with_o all_o very_a evident_a and_o consonant_a to_o its_o main_a intendment_n it_o be_v the_o fashion_n among_o opinionist_n to_o argue_v in_o a_o reverse_a order_n first_o they_o contrive_v opinion_n and_o then_o argument_n they_o adopt_v hypothesis_n and_o then_o suborn_v testimony_n out_o of_o the_o sacred_a volume_n to_o vouch_v they_o like_o chrysippus_n who_o as_o laertius_n record_v be_v wont_a to_o say_v that_o he_o only_o want_v opinion_n to_o vent_v but_o will_v never_o want_v argument_n to_o defend_v his_o opinion_n and_o thus_o the_o assertor_n of_o preexistence_n seem_v first_o to_o be_v enamour_v with_o the_o prettiness_n of_o their_o hypothesis_n and_o then_o to_o seek_v our_o for_o scripture_n expression_n to_o countenance_v it_o for_o all_o the_o testimony_n they_o allege_v will_v never_o have_v afford_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o it_o have_v it_o not_o first_o prepossess_v their_o fancy_n of_o which_o some_o of_o they_o be_v so_o sensible_a as_o to_o confess_v that_o though_o they_o do_v not_o persuade_v their_o hypothesis_n yet_o they_o be_v applicable_a to_o it_o but_o i_o wish_v they_o can_v name_v any_o opinion_n howsoever_o vain_a and_o unwarrantable_a that_o can_v boast_v as_o much_o what_o be_v more_o easy_a then_o for_o fancy_n to_o make_v pretty_a application_n of_o scripture_n to_o purpose_n vast_o distant_a from_o its_o own_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o large_a and_o miscellaneous_a a_o composure_n the_o holy_a volume_n be_v they_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o custom_n and_o tenet_n of_o the_o modern_a jew_n know_v what_o pretty_a analogy_n they_o fetch_v from_o scripture_n to_o abet_v their_o fond_a and_o ridiculous_a usage_n indeed_o their_o prettiness_n be_v so_o odd_a and_o surprise_a that_o be_v it_o in_o any_o other_o matter_n they_o will_v be_v as_o delightful_a as_o impertiment_n but_o it_o be_v time_n to_o advance_v to_o a_o close_o and_o more_o particular_a engagement_n the_o few_o hour_n that_o remain_v oblige_v i_o to_o a_o quick_a and_o i_o fear_v overhasty_a dispatch_n but_o before_o i_o clear_v off_o the_o text_n they_o object_n i_o will_v represent_v a_o passage_n or_o two_o on_o my_o own_o behalf_n and_o first_o methinks_v that_o be_v a_o shrewd_a one_o rom._n 9_o 11._o for_o the_o child_n be_v not_o yet_o bear_v neither_o have_v do_v either_o good_a or_o evil_n that_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n according_a to_o election_n may_v stand_v not_o of_o work_n but_o of_o he_o that_o call_v they_o that_o be_v not_o in_o a_o capacity_n of_o do_v either_o good_a or_o evil_a before_o they_o be_v bear_v neither_o exi_v nor_o sin_v before_o but_o neither_o jacob_n nor_o esau_n be_v in_o a_o capacity_n of_o act_v well_o or_o ill_o before_o they_o be_v bear_v into_o this_o life_n and_o therefore_o nor_o they_o nor_o by_o consequence_n any_o other_o preexi_v for_o 1._o it_o be_v too_o pitiful_a a_o shift_n to_o say_v that_o all_o other_o man_n jacob_n and_o esau_n only_o except_v be_v in_o be_v before_o their_o appearance_n upon_o this_o stage_n of_o life_n and_o 2._o it_o be_v most_o express_o against_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o apostle_n argument_n the_o purpose_n of_o who_o discourse_n be_v to_o show_v that_o god_n vouchsafe_v great_a instance_n of_o his_o favour_n to_o jacob_n then_o to_o esau_n proceed_v not_o from_o any_o extrinsique_n motive_n of_o great_a merit_n in_o he_o but_o pure_o from_o the_o free_a determination_n and_o beneplaciture_n of_o his_o own_o will_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o this_o he_o prove_v because_o the_o choice_n be_v pitch_v upon_o before_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o so_o before_o they_o have_v do_v either_o good_a or_o evil_n but_o if_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n have_v be_v in_o a_o capacity_n of_o act_v moral_o before_o their_o descent_n into_o this_o life_n then_o have_v the_o apostle_n argue_v at_o a_o strange_a rate_n of_o inconsequence_n when_o he_o conclude_v that_o god_n different_a deal_n with_o jacob_n and_o esau_n depend_v not_o on_o their_o own_o action_n because_o the_o difference_n be_v resolve_v on_o before_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o consequent_o before_o they_o have_v do_v good_a or_o evil_n if_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n conclusion_n be_v consonant_n to_o the_o law_n of_o inference_n it_o must_v be_v unquestionable_o certain_a that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n never_o act_v before_o they_o be_v bear_v into_o these_o body_n there_o be_v a_o brace_n of_o text_n more_o that_o i_o conceive_v will_v without_o any_o torture_a give_v in_o evidence_n against_o preexistence_n but_o i_o find_v that_o its_o patron_n have_v already_o suborn_v they_o to_o speak_v in_o their_o cause_n and_o therefore_o i_o that_o be_o a_o modest_a man_n must_v be_v content_a to_o give_v up_o my_o right_n in_o their_o testimony_n and_o to_o encounter_v they_o as_o objection_n the_o first_o be_v our_o saviour_n reply_n to_o his_o disciple_n enquiry_n about_o the_o man_n bear_v blind_a joh._n 9_o 3._o neither_o have_v this_o man_n sin_v nor_o his_o parent_n but_o that_o the_o work_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v make_v manifest_a in_o he_o in_o which_o word_n he_o express_o affirm_v that_o that_o mishap_n be_v not_o inflict_v upon_o the_o man_n as_o a_o penalty_n for_o any_o miscarriage_n he_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o in_o any_o former_a state_n but_o that_o it_o be_v design_v by_o the_o divine_a providence_n upon_o a_o special_a score_n namely_o that_o he_o may_v be_v a_o fit_a object_n to_o evidence_n our_o saviour_n miraculous_a power_n and_o yet_o from_o this_o very_a passage_n they_o argue_v with_o no_o small_a confidence_n against_o we_o in_o that_o the_o question_n suppose_v the_o man_n may_v have_v sin_v before_o his_o terrestrial_a birth_n and_o that_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o preexistence_n be_v a_o opinion_n much_o in_o vogue_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o when_o our_o saviour_n have_v so_o fair_a a_o occasion_n of_o rectify_v the_o common_a belief_n and_o yet_o say_v nothing_o against_o it_o his_o silence_n be_v almost_o as_o argumentative_a in_o favour_n of_o it_o as_o a_o positive_a approbation_n i_o answer_v 1._o it_o be_v far_a from_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o disciple_n question_n suppose_v he_o capable_a of_o sin_v before_o his_o birth_n for_o may_v they_o not_o if_o they_o have_v any_o notion_n of_o the_o divine_a prescience_n suppose_v that_o god_n foreknow_v what_o kind_n of_o person_n this_o blind_a man_n will_v prove_v have_v antedate_v his_o punishment_n or_o why_o may_v they_o not_o intend_v his_o original_a sin_n which_o the_o jew_n suppose_v to_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o every_o individual_a man_n so_o that_o when_o they_o inquire_v whether_o the_o man_n be_v bear_v blind_a for_o his_o own_o or_o his_o parent_n sin_n they_o may_v only_o ask_v whether_o that_o particular_a judgement_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o any_o miscarriage_n in_o his_o parent_n or_o of_o his_o own_o original_a pravity_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o the_o pre-existence_n but_o the_o metemphychosis_n