whether_o those_o word_n of_o this_o paraphrase_n as_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v not_o add_v mere_o to_o serve_v the_o present_n turn_v without_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o such_o a_o restriction_n from_o the_o text_n itself_o and_o whether_o the_o coherence_n of_o these_o two_o verse_n be_v not_o plain_o this_o continue_v in_o the_o study_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n because_o all_o the_o book_n which_o that_o consist_v of_o be_v divine_o inspire_a but_o i_o suppose_v he_o ground_n this_o interpretation_n of_o he_o upon_o that_o read_n of_o the_o text_n for_o which_o grotius_n rivetum_n grotius_n in_o locum_fw-la &_o contr_n rivetum_n vouch_v the_o syriack_n and_o vulgar_a translation_n omms_n scriptura_fw-la divinitùs_fw-la inspirata_fw-la utilis_fw-la est_fw-la but_o if_o we_o shall_v admit_v of_o this_o read_n still_o the_o sense_n will_v come_v all_o to_o one_o and_o the_o word_n as_o they_o lie_v then_o though_o they_o do_v not_o in_o 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〈◊〉_d signify_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o which_o sense_n the_o word_n be_v always_o take_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v add_v for_o a_o full_a explication_n of_o that_o term_n i_o know_v grotius_n 193._o grotius_n votum_fw-la pro_fw-la pace_n prout_fw-la citatur_fw-la fr._n p._n 270._o fn._n p._n 193._o will_v needs_o have_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d take_v here_o in_o its_o general_n sense_n and_o signify_v simple_o a_o book_n or_o write_n but_o i_o can_v forbear_v say_v that_o this_o gloss_n be_v unworthy_a of_o grotius_n and_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o bad_a cause_n when_o so_o great_a a_o man_n be_v fain_o to_o betake_v himself_o to_o such_o pitiful_a sophistry_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o forecited_n place_n for_o he_o can_v produce_v one_o instance_n in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o the_o word_n be_v use_v in_o that_o sense_n and_o if_o he_o can_v yet_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d add_v to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sufficient_o restrain_v the_o general_n sense_n of_o it_o and_o make_v one_o complex_fw-la term_n which_o must_v signify_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o verse_n before_o both_o which_o expression_n signify_v the_o old_a testament_n because_o it_o be_v a_o collection_n of_o inspire_a write_n and_o consequent_o the_o phrase_n itself_o assert_v so_o much_o by_o way_n of_o implication_n or_o else_o it_o will_v be_v a_o improper_a expression_n i_o think_v it_o appear_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v what_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o since_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o approve_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o it_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o jewish_a church_n of_o their_o own_o time_n i_o can_v guess_v what_o evidence_n of_o reason_n can_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v a_o christian_a to_o oppose_v such_o a_o authority_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v be_v of_o our_o author_n mind_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o 267._o we_o eng._n p._n 188._o fr._n p._n 267._o he_o know_v not_o why_o we_o may_v not_o doubt_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o of_o some_o of_o the_o new_a the_o authority_n of_o several_a of_o the_o latter_a have_v be_v question_v but_o there_o be_v a_o visible_a difference_n between_o the_o authority_n that_o confirm_v the_o old_a testament_n canon_n and_o those_o which_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o new_a to_o the_o former_a christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n bear_v witness_n whereas_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o latter_a depend_v upon_o the_o consent_n and_o testimony_n of_o much_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o age_n succeed_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n which_o though_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o any_o wise_a and_o unprejudiced_a man_n to_o ground_v his_o assent_n upon_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o that_o sacredness_n 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a_o vindication_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o inspiration_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o treatise_n late_o translate_v out_o of_o french_a entitle_v five_o letter_n concern_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o william_n lowth_v b._n d._n fellow_n of_o st._n john_n college_n in_o oxford_n oxford_z print_v at_o the_o theater_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o john_n wilmot_n bookseller_n an._n dom._n 1692._o imprimatur_fw-la jonath_n edward_n vicecan_a oxon_n june_n 13._o 1692._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n peter_n lord_z bishop_n of_o winchester_z and_o prelate_n of_o the_o most_o noble_a order_n of_o the_o garter_n may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n it_o be_v the_o misfortune_n of_o our_o time_n to_o have_v religion_n at_o once_o assault_v by_o a_o rude_a and_o ignorant_a profaneness_n by_o a_o confident_a pretence_n to_o reason_n and_o by_o sceptical_a sophistry_n its_o 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its_o constitution_n and_o your_o generous_a and_o oblige_a temper_n charm_n man_n into_o a_o compliance_n with_o your_o good_a counsel_n and_o their_o own_o duty_n and_o as_o these_o consideration_n embolden_v i_o to_o present_v this_o treatise_n to_o your_o lordship_n which_o be_v write_v in_o vindication_n of_o those_o sacred_a truth_n for_o the_o defence_n and_o confirmation_n of_o which_o your_o lordship_n be_v place_v in_o that_o high_a station_n so_o your_o signal_n courage_n in_o oppose_v the_o enthusiast_n of_o the_o late_a time_n who_o vile_a hypocrisy_n and_o lewd_a pretence_n to_o inspiration_n have_v make_v way_n for_o open_a profaneness_n and_o contempt_n of_o all_o reveal_v religion_n encourage_v i_o to_o hope_v that_o your_o lordship_n will_v favourable_o accept_v this_o work_n how_o mean_a soever_o who_o design_n it_o be_v to_o put_v some_o stop_n to_o those_o last_a ill-effect_n which_o have_v proceed_v from_o such_o pernicious_a principle_n and_o beside_o these_o 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must_v profess_v for_o my_o own_o part_n that_o i_o reckon_v a_o free_a use_n of_o reason_v and_o judge_v as_o valuable_a a_o blessing_n as_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o our_o civil_a liberty_n and_o look_v upon_o no_o sort_n of_o tyranny_n so_o grievous_a as_o that_o of_o force_v person_n of_o ingenuous_a and_o inquisitive_a temper_n exact_o to_o square_v their_o sentiment_n of_o thing_n to_o other_o man_n opinion_n but_o as_o the_o best_a thing_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v abuse_v so_o this_o freedom_n of_o enquiry_n have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o ill_a purpose_n and_o have_v accidental_o produce_v very_o bad_a effect_n for_o man_n have_v be_v so_o fond_a of_o this_o liberty_n as_o to_o think_v no_o bound_n or_o limit_n ought_v to_o be_v set_v to_o it_o and_o at_o last_o to_o believe_v the_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o be_v a_o undue_a restraint_n upon_o the_o use_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o the_o very_o pretend_v to_o such_o a_o authority_n to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o art_n of_o design_v priest_n who_o by_o this_o device_n endeavour_v to_o enslave_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o make_v they_o think_v and_o act_n just_a as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o thus_o many_o man_n have_v reason_v themselves_o first_o into_o socinianism_n and_o then_o which_o be_v but_o one_o remove_n from_o the_o former_a into_o deism_n or_o at_o least_o into_o a_o coldness_n and_o indifferency_n to_o all_o reveal_v religion_n they_o think_v it_o be_v to_o impose_v upon_o they_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o believe_v or_o practise_v any_o thing_n unless_o they_o can_v see_v a_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o and_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o they_o owe_v god_n so_o much_o service_n as_o to_o submit_v to_o those_o law_n which_o seem_v to_o they_o to_o have_v no_o other_o ground_n but_o his_o arbitrary_a will_n and_o pleasure_n upon_o this_o account_n they_o reject_v the_o use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n the_o
as_o plain_o foretell_v who_o be_v to_o be_v actor_n in_o wickedness_n will_v without_o suppose_v manifest_a violence_n offer_v to_o man_n inclination_n in_o many_o case_n hinder_v some_o of_o they_o from_o be_v instrumental_a in_o bring_v about_o god_n design_n so_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v a_o new_a temptation_n to_o other_o and_o make_v they_o more_o furious_o bend_v upon_o evil_a just_a as_o the_o mention_v wickedness_n stir_v up_o some_o man_n ill_a inclination_n and_o make_v they_o eager_a to_o commit_v it_o especial_o since_o the_o foretell_v it_o as_o certain_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v afford_v a_o plea_n for_o man_n wickedness_n for_o man_n that_o be_v bend_v upon_o evil_a and_o be_v glad_a of_o any_o colour_n to_o justify_v their_o sin_n will_v conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n to_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_z god_n providence_n and_o assist_v in_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o his_o will_n and_o purpose_n or_o if_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n it_o must_v lie_v at_o his_o door_n so_o that_o if_o prophecy_n be_v too_o plain_o deliver_v this_o will_v often_o be_v the_o consequence_n that_o the_o bring_v the_o event_n to_o pass_v will_v be_v whole_o impute_v to_o the_o clearness_n of_o the_o prediction_n just_a as_o public_a commotion_n do_v often_o take_v their_o rise_n from_o the_o spread_a about_o of_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o death_n of_o the_o prince_n or_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n now_o this_o be_v contrary_n to_o god_n method_n of_o deal_n with_o man_n for_o though_o we_o can_v comprehend_v after_o what_o manner_n he_o foresee_v how_o free_a agent_n will_v determine_v themselves_o yet_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o god_n prescience_n do_v not_o interfere_v with_o man_n freewill_n and_o therefore_o as_o we_o believe_v that_o thing_n do_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v mere_o because_o god_n foresee_v they_o but_o rather_o that_o he_o foresee_v they_o because_o their_o own_o proper_a cause_n will_v bring_v they_o to_o pass_v so_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o method_n of_o providence_n that_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v so_o word_v as_o not_o to_o have_v any_o influence_n upon_o the_o party_n concern_v in_o bring_v they_o about_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v say_v the_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v because_o it_o be_v foretell_v but_o it_o be_v foretell_v because_o it_o will_v come_v to_o pass_v as_o a_o ordinary_a effect_n of_o a_o natural_a cause_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o some_o scripture_n prophecy_n by_o be_v too_o plain_o deliver_v have_v make_v the_o heart_n of_o wicked_a man_n whole_o set_v in_o they_o to_o bring_v to_o pass_v the_o evil_n foretell_v 10.10_o foretell_v see_v 1_o king_n 11.31_o 32._o 2_o king_n 8.12_o 13_o 15_o 10.10_o but_o perhaps_o god_n may_v do_v this_o on_o purpose_n to_o take_v off_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o that_o greedy_a desire_n they_o have_v to_o search_v into_o futurity_n when_o they_o see_v what_o ill_a consequence_n do_v sometime_o attend_v that_o knowledge_n the_o sum_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o the_o evil_n which_o if_o foretell_v dark_o and_o obscure_o need_v nothing_o to_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v but_o only_o god_n suffering_n man_n wickedness_n to_o break_v out_o and_o permit_v they_o to_o act_v according_a as_o their_o ill_a inclination_n prompt_v they_o if_o it_o be_v foretell_v plain_o and_o clear_o can_v not_o be_v effect_v without_o suppose_v he_o to_o offer_v violence_n to_o humane_a nature_n and_o make_v he_o a_o party_n concern_v and_o a_o tempter_n of_o man_n to_o wickedness_n from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v upon_o this_o head_n it_o appear_v that_o whether_o the_o thing_n foretell_v be_v good_a or_o evil_a the_o foretell_v it_o too_o punctual_o and_o distinct_o will_v make_v prophecy_n a_o felo_fw-la de_fw-fr se_fw-la and_o be_v a_o effectual_a way_n to_o defeat_v its_o accomplishment_n for_o than_o it_o can_v not_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v in_o a_o way_n that_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o divine_a purity_n and_o wisdom_n for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o masterpiece_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n to_o bring_v about_o its_o design_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o never_o to_o put_v any_o force_n upon_o the_o freedom_n of_o man_n will_n so_o that_o the_o event_n may_v rather_o seem_v the_o natural_a effect_n of_o free_a agent_n than_o the_o work_n of_o a_o overrule_a providence_n to_o this_o purpose_n speak_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n 8.1_o wisdom_n wisd_v 8.1_o thy_o wisdom_n o_o lord_n reach_v from_o one_o end_n to_o another_o mighty_o and_o sweet_o do_v she_o order_v all_o thing_n god_n see_v every_o link_n of_o that_o vast_a chain_n of_o cause_n and_o know_v how_o they_o depend_v upon_o each_o other_o what_o force_v each_o circumstance_n have_v in_o determine_v man_n resolution_n and_o what_o it_o be_v that_o turn_v the_o balance_n of_o the_o mind_n one_o way_n or_o tother_o and_o therefore_o though_o he_o bring_v to_o pass_v all_o his_o purpose_n in_o a_o irresistible_a manner_n yet_o he_o do_v it_o withal_o in_o so_o easy_a and_o gentle_a a_o one_o that_o the_o event_n look_v like_o the_o result_n of_o man_n own_o free_a determination_n and_o one_o will_v think_v that_o the_o natural_a agent_n let_v alone_o to_o themselves_o will_v have_v produce_v the_o same_o effect_n these_o two_o reason_n full_o justify_v the_o obscurity_n of_o prophecy_n and_o show_v we_o the_o use_n of_o they_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o deliver_v mere_o to_o gratify_v the_o curiosity_n man_n have_v to_o pry_v into_o what_o be_v future_a but_o to_o be_v a_o argument_n to_o we_o of_o god_n overrule_a providence_n which_o extend_v itself_o to_o the_o most_o minute_n action_n and_o very_o often_o make_v such_o accident_n as_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v trivial_a and_o insignificant_a instrumental_a in_o bring_v to_o pass_v the_o great_a and_o most_o surprise_v event_n and_o especial_o to_o show_v we_o that_o nothing_o befall_v his_o church_n but_o by_o his_o determinate_a counsel_n and_o foreknowledge_n i_o will_v conclude_v this_o head_n with_o a_o brief_a caution_n to_o those_o who_o do_v not_o think_v the_o prophecy_n concern_v christ_n and_o the_o gospel_n clear_a enough_o to_o be_v a_o argument_n for_o our_o belief_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o expect_v that_o the_o prophecy_n shall_v give_v as_o distinct_a a_o account_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o gospel_n do_v nor_o because_o they_o do_v not_o shall_v they_o slight_v they_o as_o insignificant_a but_o they_o shall_v first_o of_o all_o consider_v the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n which_o the_o gospel_n bring_v along_o with_o it_o and_o then_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o prophecy_n and_o thus_o though_o the_o prophecy_n be_v obscure_a in_o themselves_o yet_o when_o they_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o event_n as_o they_o will_v receive_v light_n from_o it_o so_o they_o will_v add_v light_a to_o it_o just_o as_o that_o obscure_a say_v of_o our_o saviour_n 2.19_o saviour_n joh._n 2.19_o destroy_v this_o temple_n and_o in_o three_o day_n i_o will_v raise_v it_o up_o be_v not_o understand_v by_o his_o disciple_n when_o he_o speak_v it_o but_o afterward_o when_o they_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o event_n which_o it_o foretell_v it_o be_v a_o new_a argument_n to_o they_o that_o he_o come_v forth_o from_o god_n 22._o god_n ver._n 22._o ii_o another_o difficulty_n concern_v prophecy_n the_o resolve_v of_o which_o will_v tend_v to_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v concern_v the_o sign_n whereby_o true_a prophet_n be_v distinguish_v from_o false_a one_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o the_o prophetic_a write_n that_o there_o be_v false_a prophet_n that_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o the_o true_a one_o and_o utter_v quite_o contrary_a prophecy_n to_o they_o but_o though_o the_o true_a prophet_n warn_v the_o people_n often_o not_o to_o be_v seduce_v by_o these_o false_a pretender_n yet_o we_o can_v discover_v but_o little_a out_o of_o their_o write_n concern_v the_o mark_n whereby_o the_o true_a prophet_n be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o false_a one_o those_o which_o i_o can_v gather_v from_o the_o holy_a write_n be_v these_o follow_v 1._o if_o a_o prophet_n endeavour_v to_o persuade_v the_o people_n to_o idolatry_n this_o be_v a_o certain_a mark_n that_o he_o be_v a_o false_a prophet_n though_o he_o shall_v confirm_v what_o he_o say_v by_o a_o sign_n this_o rule_n be_v lay_v down_o by_o moses_n 13.1_o moses_n deut._n 13.1_o and_o be_v ground_v upon_o very_o good_a reason_n for_o since_o god_n have_v manifest_v his_o power_n to_o the_o israelite_n by_o so_o many_o undeniable_a miracle_n and_o proof_n it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o work_v a_o single_a