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cause_n wonderful_a work_n wrought_v 56 3 7.3905 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A29780 Miracles, work's above and contrary to nature, or, An answer to a late translation out of Spinoza's Tractatus theologico-politicus, Mr. Hobbs's Leviathan, &c. published to undermine the truth and authority of miracles, Scripture, and religion, in a treatise entituled, Miracles no violation of the laws of nature. Browne, Thomas, 1654?-1741. 1683 (1683) Wing B5062; ESTC R1298 42,132 76

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tacit_n act_n of_o his_o will_n etc._n etc._n 2._o where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o mean_n use_v but_o those_o such_o as_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n proper_a or_o sufficient_a to_o produce_v the_o effect_n as_o the_o clay_n wherewith_o our_o saviour_n cure_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o person_n bear_v blind_a the_o hospital_n wherewith_o he_o loose_v the_o tongue_n of_o the_o other_o that_o be_v dumb_a etc._n etc._n these_o effect_n may_v be_v just_o affirm_v to_o be_v relate_v in_o scripture_n as_o miracle_n not_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o scripture_n refer_v they_o immediate_o to_o god_n without_o mention_n of_o any_o train_n of_o natural_a cause_n subservient_fw-fr to_o he_o in_o their_o production_n it_o appear_v we_o have_v some_o sure_a ground_n whereupon_o to_o proceed_v in_o examine_v what_o effect_n in_o scripture_n be_v relate_v as_o miracle_n though_o that_o which_o he_o will_v possess_v his_o reader_n with_o the_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v the_o only_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o have_v be_v as_o have_v be_v show_v not_o only_o false_a but_o ridiculous_a and_o absurd_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v i_o may_v rational_o draw_v these_o two_o consequence_n 1._o that_o for_o the_o scripture_n to_o refer_v any_o effect_n immediate_o to_o god_n 1._o be_v not_o for_o it_o to_o relate_v the_o effect_n as_o miraculous_a and_o therefore_o from_o its_o refer_v the_o effect_n of_o nature_n immediate_o to_o god_n we_o can_v infer_v as_o he_o do_v that_o the_o scripture_n relate_v many_o memorable_a thing_n as_o miracle_n which_o yet_o notwithstanding_o proceed_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n ●_o 2._o that_o there_o be_v yet_o many_o effect_n plain_o relate_v in_o scripture_n for_o miracle_n by_o it_o be_v express_a declaration_n and_o it_o be_v relate_v of_o they_o in_o such_o term_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v by_o undeniable_a consequence_n gather_v as_o much_o and_o so_o suppose_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o true_a history_n for_o which_o we_o have_v infinite_o more_o evidence_n than_o for_o any_o other_o history_n in_o the_o world_n it_o follow_v evident_o against_o his_o main_a assertion_n from_o the_o relation_n of_o these_o miraculous_a effect_n in_o scripture_n that_o there_o real_o have_v be_v miracle_n in_o the_o sense_n wherein_o he_o deny_v they_o i._n e._n work_v beside_o above_o and_o contrary_a to_o nature_n but_o this_o corollary_n though_o very_o pertinent_a to_o our_o purpose_n be_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la all_o that_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o conclusion_n which_o he_o draw_v from_o the_o principle_n he_o take_v out_o of_o mr._n burnett_n be_v false_a and_o illogical_a since_o therefore_o mr._n burnett_n assert_n positive_o that_o there_o be_v miracle_n as_o be_v show_v above_o and_o nothing_o here_o produce_v out_o of_o he_o can_v infer_v or_o insinuate_v the_o contrary_a we_o may_v just_o demand_v both_o in_o his_o name_n and_o in_o behalf_n both_o of_o religion_n reason_n and_o good_a logic_n that_o this_o part_n of_o the_o premonition_n be_v return_v into_o the_o place_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v where_o it_o may_v stand_v with_o more_o truth_n and_o coherence_n and_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o translator_n leave_v to_o stand_v apart_o by_o itself_o as_o a_o bold_a and_o i_o may_v say_v impious_a assertion_n without_o any_o proof_n consider_v but_o not_o to_o wrong_v he_o he_o have_v some_o succedaneous_a argument_n in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o premonition_n but_o these_o '_o as_o i_o before_o hint_v be_v only_o some_o brief_n touch_v of_o what_o we_o have_v after_o more_o at_o large_a out_o of_o spinoza_n viz._n that_o for_o god_n to_o work_v by_o a_o power_n immediate_a or_o supernatural_a be_v inconsistent_a with_o and_o point-blank_a repugnant_a the_o fundamental_a law_n and_o constistution_n of_o nature_n it_o sound_v somewhat_o like_a to_o the_o king_n prerogative_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o property_n and_o privilege_n that_o these_o law_n be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n &_o extend_v themselves_o to_o whatever_o event_n he_o have_v will_v and_o decree_v that_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v infinite_a as_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o the_o power_n of_o god_n he_o have_v one_o thing_n which_o he_o assert_v beside_o that_o among_o all_o the_o miracle_n relate_v to_o be_v do_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o israelite_n there_o be_v not_o one_o that_o can_v be_v apodictical_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o establish_a order_n of_o nature_n now_o here_o i_o be_o not_o bind_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o for_o his_o sake_n for_o two_o reason_n 1._o because_o it_o be_v to_o prove_v a_o negative_a 2._o because_o his_o main_a ground_n or_o spinoza_n rather_o why_o he_o deny_v all_o supernatural_a effect_n be_v not_o upon_o account_n of_o his_o own_o great_a reach_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n whereby_o he_o can_v undertake_v to_o solve_v mechanical_o all_o the_o effect_n relate_v in_o scripture_n for_o miraculous_a but_o from_o argument_n pure_o metaphysical_a prove_v in_o his_o opinion_n the_o impossibility_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o work_n above_o nature_n for_o to_o this_o he_o hold_v and_o not_o the_o other_o as_o appear_v from_o p._n 21._o of_o the_o treatise_n where_o he_o conclude_v absolute_o from_o his_o argument_n against_o the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n that_o all_o the_o event_n that_o be_v true_o relate_v in_o scripture_n to_o have_v come_v to_o pass_v proceed_v necessary_o according_a to_o the_o immutable_a law_n of_o nature_n and_o that_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v find_v which_o can_v be_v apodictical_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v repugnant_a to_o those_o law_n or_o not_o to_o have_v follow_v from_o they_o we_o may_v safe_o and_o pious_o believe_v the_o same_o not_o to_o have_v be_v dictate_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n but_o impious_o add_v to_o the_o sacred_a volume_n by_o sacrilegious_a men._n so_o that_o unless_o the_o scripture_n miracle_n will_v submit_v to_o his_o touchstone_n unless_o they_o will_v come_v and_o lay_v open_a their_o occult_a quality_n and_o the_o whole_a plot_n and_o confederacy_n of_o those_o natural_a cause_n that_o combine_v to_o effect_v they_o he_o have_v a_o index_n expurgatorius_fw-la to_o blot_v their_o name_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o a_o court_n of_o inquisition_n for_o those_o that_o relate_v they_o to_o arraign_v they_o for_o sacrilege_n and_o impiety_n but_o i_o pass_v on_o to_o consider_v each_o part_n of_o the_o treatise_n in_o order_n treatise_n the_o treatise_n be_v divide_v between_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o spinoza_n mr._n hobbs_n speak_v as_o far_o as_o to_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o page_n out_o of_o the_o chapter_n about_o miracle_n in_o the_o three_o part_n of_o his_o leviathan_n he_o first_o explain_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n from_o its_o etymology_n and_o other_o word_n in_o sacred_a and_o profane_a writer_n of_o like_a import_n with_o it_o from_o its_o etymology_n he_o deduce_v that_o it_o signify_v a_o work_n of_o god_n which_o man_n admire_v or_o wonder_v at_o then_o propose_v to_o inquire_v what_o work_n be_v such_o and_o reduce_v they_o to_o two_o kind_n 1._o such_o as_o be_v rare_a and_o the_o like_a thereof_o seldom_o or_o never_o see_v 2._o such_o as_o we_o can_v conceive_v to_o be_v produce_v by_o natural_a cause_n but_o only_o by_o god_n immediate_a hand_n he_o give_v some_o instance_n of_o both_o a_o ox_n or_o a_o horse_n speak_v 2._o preternatural_a birth_n the_o conversion_n of_o a_o man_n into_o stone_n and_o the_o first_o rainbow_n that_o appear_v that_o such_o effect_n as_o these_o seem_v miraculous_a because_o rare_a or_o no_o natural_a cause_n of_o they_o conceivable_a on_o the_o contrary_a the_o work_n of_o art_n however_o wonderful_a not_o repute_v to_o be_v miracle_n because_o their_o cause_n know_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n he_o observe_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o miracle_n to_o one_o man_n and_o not_o to_o another_o in_o proportion_n to_o their_o different_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n so_o eclipse_n miracle_n to_o the_o vulgar_a not_o to_o philosopher_n simple_a man_n make_v to_o believe_v that_o other_o can_v know_v their_o most_o secret_a action_n by_o inspiration_n when_o the_o more_o wary_a and_o prudent_a perceive_v the_o juggle_n so_o far_o mr._n hobbs_n here_o in_o his_o leviathan_n he_o proceed_v to_o assign_v another_o property_n of_o a_o miracle_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v the_o divine_a mission_n of_o some_o prophet_n or_o other_o and_o then_o to_o give_v a_o definition_n of_o it_o but_o there_o his_o translator_n leave_v he_o and_o pass_v on_o to_o spinoza_n before_o we_o follow_v he_o thither_o say_v we_o may_v reflect_v a_o little_a 1._o upon_o
be_v to_o be_v worship_v i_o pass_v by_o what_o he_o say_v of_o solomon_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o 73_o psalm_n their_o doubt_n be_v about_o such_o thing_n wherein_o miracle_n be_v not_o proper_a mean_n to_o inform_v they_o viz._n why_o the_o wicked_a prosper_v in_o this_o life_n what_o he_o have_v beside_o under_o this_o head_n be_v 1._o a_o profane_a abuse_n of_o the_o scripture_n 15._o instead_o of_o a_o answer_n to_o those_o plain_a expression_n therein_o where_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v wrought_v his_o miracle_n that_o he_o may_v make_v his_o power_n to_o be_v know_v 10.2_o and_o that_o the_o israelite_n may_v know_v that_o he_o be_v god_n this_o he_o say_v be_v not_o as_o if_o the_o scripture_n mean_v that_o miracle_n be_v in_o themselves_o convince_a argument_n but_o only_o that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n make_v use_v of_o they_o as_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la that_o be_v for_o want_n of_o better_a evidence_n he_o be_v fain_o to_o take_v all_o the_o advantage_n he_o can_v of_o their_o preconceived_n opinion_n however_o irrational_a and_o absurd_a and_o make_v these_o his_o topic_n as_o most_o effectual_a to_o persuade_v or_o convince_v they_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n he_o interpret_v what_o st._n paul_n say_v that_o to_o the_o jew_n he_o become_v as_o a_o jew_n to_o the_o greek_n as_o a_o oreek_a that_o be_v argue_v with_o both_o not_o from_o any_o true_a and_o rational_a principle_n but_o by_o make_v the_o best_a use_n he_o can_v of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o prepossession_n to_o gain_v they_o to_o his_o side_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o true_a philosophy_n 16._o that_o god_n in_o the_o order_n and_o course_n of_o his_o providence_n shall_v be_v conceive_v to_o take_v great_a care_n of_o one_o person_n or_o nation_n than_o another_o viz._n he_o be_v not_o only_o bind_v to_o provide_v for_o all_o whatsoever_o mean_n be_v necessary_a for_o their_o happiness_n but_o also_o oblige_v not_o to_o give_v any_o one_o man_n over_o and_o above_o any_o degree_n of_o grace_n which_o he_o do_v not_o equal_o impart_v to_o all_o the_o world_n to_o answer_v these_o two_o position_n full_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o examine_v spinoza_n second_n and_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o tractatus_fw-la theologico-polit_a whereto_o he_o refer_v we_o for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o both_o i_o pass_v on_o therefore_o to_o the_o three_o thing_n he_o propose_v to_o make_v out_o 16._o viz._n that_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o decree_n and_o command_n and_o consequent_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n understand_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n this_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v two_o way_n 1._o by_o instance_n 2._o because_o the_o scriptute_fw-la relate_v several_a circumstance_n in_o the_o production_n of_o those_o effect_n that_o be_v common_o hold_v to_o be_v supernatural_a 1._o his_o instance_n be_v some_o that_o i_o mention_v above_o in_o my_o answer_n to_o the_o premonition_n 16._o viz._n god_n tell_v samuel_n he_o will_v send_v he_o a_o man_n out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o benjamin_n which_o be_v only_a saul_n come_v to_o he_o to_o inquire_v about_o the_o ass_n 1._o god_n be_v say_v to_o turn_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o egyptian_n so_o that_o they_o hate_v the_o israelite_n who_o yet_o it_o appear_v be_v move_v to_o hate_v they_o upon_o politic_a account_n god_n saying_n he_o will_v set_v his_o bow_n in_o the_o sky_n 18._o and_o yet_o the_o rainbow_n and_o undoubted_a effect_n of_o nature_n so_o also_o the_o melt_a of_o the_o snow_n call_v god_n word_n 104.4_o and_o the_o wind_n and_o fire_n his_o minister_n i_o grant_v that_o the_o scripture_n in_o these_o instance_n by_o god_n decree_n or_o command_v mean_n no_o more_o than_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o his_o argument_n ought_v to_o conclude_v universal_o for_o which_o a_o few_o instance_n in_o such_o particular_n wherein_o it_o hold_v be_v not_o sufficient_a it_o be_v enough_o for_o i_o 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out_o of_o moses_n hand_n and_o his_o rod._n and_o this_o common_o be_v the_o first_o circumstance_n in_o every_o miracle_n which_o moses_n wrought_v and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o produce_v those_o effect_n immediate_o and_o by_o itself_o yet_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v proper_a to_o set_v all_o the_o other_o subordinate_a cause_n on_o motion_n for_o their_o require_v natural_a cause_n because_o relate_v with_o some_o circumstance_n concur_v to_o their_o production_n must_v imply_v that_o these_o circumstance_n be_v the_o natural_a cause_n requisite_a and_o if_o so_o than_o moses_n rod_n have_v many_o great_a many_o occult_a yet_o natural_a quality_n very-hard_a indeed_o to_o explain_v or_o conceive_v and_o very_o admirable_a though_o not_o miraculous_a as_o of_o raise_v and_o lay_v wind_n and_o storm_n of_o thunder_n and_o hail_n turn_v the_o water_n into_o blood_n bring_v frog_n out_o of_o the_o river_n produce_v lace_n out_o of_o the_o dust_n water_n out_o of_o the_o rock_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v short_a the_o circumstance_n common_o mention_v as_o concurrent_a to_o the_o production_n of_o miracle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v natural_a cause_n that_o they_o prove_v the_o contrary_n for_o if_o they_o have_v any_o natural_a cause_n these_o circumstance_n must_v be_v all_o or_o part_n of_o they_o but_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v in_o no_o wise_a qualify_v to_o produce_v the_o effect_n ascribe_v to_o they_o in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n therefore_o must_v be_v qualify_v for_o it_o by_o a_o supernatural_a power_n which_o can_v produce_v quidlibet_fw-la ex_fw-la quolibet_fw-la and_o make_v any_o thing_n instrumental_a to_o what_o purpose_v and_o effect_n it_o please_v for_o instance_n the_o clay_n and_o the_o hospital_n be_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n apply_v by_o our_o
saviour_n to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o blind_a and_o tongue_n of_o the_o dumb-man_n the_o mention_n whereof_o in_o the_o account_n of_o these_o miracle_n if_o it_o prove_v that_o they_o require_v natural_a cause_n than_o these_o be_v the_o cause_n requisite_a these_o they_o have_v and_o these_o immediate_o produce_v the_o effect_n this_o they_o can_v not_o by_o the_o force_n of_o nature_n therefore_o by_o miracle_n and_o so_o his_o argument_n destroy_v itself_o but_o far_o what_o if_o many_o be_v produce_v without_o any_o circumstance_n at_o all_o but_o pure_o at_o the_o word_n and_o will_n of_o the_o person_n that_o work_v they_o this_o he_o say_v we_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o from_o the_o scripture_n because_o there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o though_o not_o mention_v there_o he_o refer_v to_o exod._n 14.27_o compare_v with_o ex._n 15.10_o but_o what_o if_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o only_o not_o make_v mention_n of_o any_o but_o in_o a_o manner_n declare_v there_o be_v none_o so_o in_o our_o saviour_n still_v the_o storm_n 25._o the_o very_a reflection_n that_o his_o disciple_n make_v upon_o that_o miracle_n prove_v that_o it_o be_v wrought_v by_o his_o bare_a word_n and_o not_o by_o the_o application_n of_o any_o mean_n much_o less_o natural_a 2_o before_o he_o draw_v his_o conclusion_n from_o these_o argument_n he_o answer_v a_o objection_n from_o scripture_n viz._n that_o famine_n be_v say_v to_o be_v cause_v by_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n and_o the_o like_a and_o rain_n and_o plenty_n restore_v by_o their_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n his_o answer_n be_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v here_o speak_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o with_o the_o same_o propriety_n as_o when_o it_o say_v that_o god_n be_v angry_a sorrowful_a repent_v or_o the_o like_a and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o any_o of_o these_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o effect_n ascribe_v to_o they_o here_o 1._o methinks_v he_o be_v wary_a in_o his_o answer_n he_o may_v have_v grant_v that_o famine_n be_v send_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n and_o rain_n and_o fruitful_a season_n for_o a_o return_n to_o their_o prayer_n and_o repentance_n and_o yet_o have_v deny_v that_o either_o of_o these_o be_v wrought_v by_o miracle_n for_o nature_n be_v order_v and_o direct_v by_o the_o wisdom_n and_o providence_n of_o almighty_n god_n as_o well_o as_o preserve_v and_o uphold_v by_o his_o power_n and_o therefore_o his_o wisdom_n may_v so_o direct_v it_o as_o often_o even_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n to_o execute_v his_o divine_a purpose_n whether_o of_o judgement_n or_o mercy_n he_o see_v our_o action_n and_o hear_v our_o prayer_n from_o all_o eternity_n and_o therefore_o may_v as_o he_o have_v the_o whole_a order_n of_o nature_n before_o his_o eye_n direct_a and_o determine_v the_o certain_a and_o necessary_a event_n of_o it_o to_o their_o proper_a season_n and_o make_v they_o instrumental_a to_o the_o accomplish_n of_o his_o purpose_n whether_o of_o show_v favour_n or_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o the_o son_n of_o men._n thus_o therefore_o he_o need_v not_o be_v so_o strict_a as_o to_o deny_v any_o possibility_n of_o god_n punish_v we_o for_o our_o sin_n in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n for_o fear_v lest_o it_o shall_v betray_v he_o unaware_o to_o the_o concession_n of_o a_o miracle_n natural_a cause_n indeed_o our_o sin_n or_o p●ayers_n be_v not_o of_o these_o effect_n nor_o yet_o supernatural_a neither_o but_o moral_a only_a and_o meritorious_a as_o god_n upon_o view_n of_o either_o determine_v to_o punish_v or_o reward_v we_o but_o suppose_v it_o be_v not_o so_o 2._o he_o give_v but_o a_o very_a mean_a solution_n of_o the_o difficulty_n that_o the_o scripture_n speak_v improper_o here_o and_o in_o condescension_n to_o the_o capacity_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a as_o it_o do_v when_o it_o say_v that_o god_n be_v angry_a sorrowful_a or_o repent_v we_o grant_v the_o scripture_n may_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v oblige_v to_o speak_v in_o this_o manner_n concern_v the_o incomprehensible_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o such_o of_o his_o perfection_n the_o mode_n whereof_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a we_o shall_v have_v explain_v to_o we_o how_o they_o be_v and_o act_n in_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v speak_v of_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n or_o that_o every_o thing_n that_o it_o say_v shall_v be_v shuffle_v off_o by_o this_o or_o the_o like_a suggestion_n nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v conceive_v than_o that_o god_n do_v punish_v or_o reward_v our_o good_a or_o bad_a action_n and_o that_o in_o this_o life_n and_o that_o his_o justice_n and_o wisdom_n will_v oblige_v he_o to_o do_v it_o as_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n though_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a for_o the_o vulgar_a to_o conceive_v how_o he_o do_v it_o without_o anger_n or_o displeasure_n and_o the_o contrary_a affection_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v conceive_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o one_o in_o condescension_n to_o our_o capacity_n though_o yet_o no_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v presume_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o other_o in_o like_a manner_n 21._o i_o proceed_v to_o his_o four_o and_o last_o undertake_n viz._n to_o treat_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n miracle_n and_o what_o thing_n be_v chief_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o relation_n about_o they_o or_o as_o the_o translator_n to_o show_v that_o most_o man_n have_v err_v in_o their_o way_n of_o interpret_n the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o set_v we_o right_n he_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture-narration_n about_o miracle_n to_o inquire_v into_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o particular_a opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o relator_n 2._o the_o idiom_n phrase_n and_o trope_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n the_o first_o because_o general_o all_o historian_n relate_v the_o event_n they_o speak_v of_o suitable_a to_o their_o own_o conjecture_n opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la the_o other_o because_o otherwise_o we_o may_v from_o the_o scripture-style_n conceive_v some_o thing_n to_o be_v relate_v for_o miracle_n which_o real_o be_v not_o for_o the_o first_o he_o instance_n in_o joshua_n 10._o v_o 12_o 13._o where_o the_o account_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a length_n of_o that_o day_n be_v give_v according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v and_o not_o the_o earth_n motion_n for_o the_o second_o in_o some_o allegorical_a place_n out_o of_o the_o prophet_n zachariah_n 14._o v_o 7._o isa_n 13._o v._n 10.48_o v_o ult_n by_o these_o two_o insinuation_n he_o will_v elude_v the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o clear_a and_o plain_a narration_n about_o miracle_n in_o scripture_n to_o the_o first_o and_o the_o instance_n he_o bring_v for_o it_o i_o answer_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o joshua_n relate_v be_v not_o at_o all_o prejudice_v though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o earth_n move_v and_o not_o the_o sun_n for_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n be_v stop_v whether_o in_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o earth_n and_o therein_o consist_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n as_o to_o the_o relation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a either_o that_o joshua_n shall_v himself_o be_v so_o great_a a_o philosopher_n or_o so_o far_o instruct_v by_o a_o extraordinary_a revelation_n as_o to_o put_v up_o his_o request_n to_o god_n that_o the_o earth_n shall_v stand_v still_o and_o not_o the_o sun_n or_o that_o the_o account_n of_o it_o which_o he_o give_v shall_v be_v otherwise_o than_o according_a to_o the_o appearance_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o vulgar_a ground_v thereupon_o to_o the_o second_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture-miracle_n depend_v not_o upon_o any_o allegorical_a expression_n in_o the_o prophet_n but_o upon_o the_o naked_a relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o historical_a writer_n so_o that_o though_o in_o the_o former_a we_o be_v to_o proceed_v with_o some_o caution_n and_o not_o to_o take_v every_o thing_n for_o miraculous_a which_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o a_o high_a strain_n of_o expression_n yet_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o find_v no_o such_o danger_n of_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o the_o trope_n and_o figure_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n all_o thing_n be_v deliver_v in_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o scripture_n with_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n i_o have_v run_v through_o the_o main_a of_o spinoza_n chapter_n which_o consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o four_o proposition_n at_o first_o lay_v down_o 26._o what_o be_v behind_o be_v 1._o a_o account_n of_o his_o different_a method_n in_o this_o chapter_n from_o that_o which_o he_o take_v in_o his_o first_o and_o second_o chapter_n about_o prophecy_n and_o