every_o age_n who_o die_v a_o natural_a death_n we_o may_v suppose_v that_o eight_o hundred_o year_n be_v the_o common_a period_n before_o the_o flood_n but_o then_o after_o the_o flood_n the_o mutability_n of_o this_o common_a period_n be_v conspicuous_a for_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o flood_n it_o be_v cut_v short_a two_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o the_o next_o three_o succeed_v generation_n it_o be_v abridge_v to_o four_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o the_o three_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o former_a it_o be_v reduce_v to_o two_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o abraham_n time_n it_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v extend_v to_o a_o hundred_o year_n in_o reduce_v the_o life_n of_o mankind_n into_o short_a bound_n now_o than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o world_n the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n do_v very_o plain_o appear_v for_o 1._o although_o it_o be_v true_a that_o sin_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o misery_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o as_o man_n begin_v to_o multiply_v so_o they_o become_v more_o corrupt_v and_o as_o the_o earth_n be_v replenish_v with_o man_n so_o with_o multiply_a misery_n and_o those_o not_o only_o particular_a but_o common_a war_n and_o bloodshed_n slavery_n and_o toil_n pain_n and_o disease_n be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n very_o rare_a and_o singular_a now_o these_o be_v ordinary_a and_o common_a and_o be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o great_a mercy_n that_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n be_v few_o since_o so_o full_a of_o evil_n but_o 2._o if_o man_n live_v as_o long_o now_o as_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n a_o land_n will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v its_o inhabitant_n and_o this_o be_v a_o far_o great_a inconvenience_n and_o disadvantage_n than_o the_o shorten_n the_o lease_n of_o our_o being_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v extend_v that_o the_o earth_n may_v be_v replenish_v and_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o this_o common_a period_n be_v shorten_v according_a as_o man_n miultply_v i_o confess_v god_n threaten_v to_o destroy_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o land_n for_o their_o transgression_n it_o be_v because_o man_n have_v corrupt_v themselves_o that_o god_n bring_v a_o flood_n of_o water_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o the_o divine_a justice_n be_v accompany_v with_o astonish_a goodness_n for_o he_o do_v not_o as_o just_o he_o may_v have_v instant_o cut_v off_o that_o perverse_a generation_n but_o he_o give_v they_o the_o space_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n to_o repent_v yet_o say_v god_n his_o day_n shall_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n gen._n 6._o 3._o that_o be_v altough_o this_o be_v a_o perverse_a and_o corrupt_a geveration_n yet_o because_o man_n be_v but_o flesh_n i_o will_v give_v he_o this_o time_n to_o repent_v of_o his_o wickedness_n and_o if_o notwithstanding_o he_o will_v not_o after_o such_o warning_n mend_v his_o manner_n i_o will_v destroy_v he_o i_o know_v many_o learned_a man_n think_v that_o god_n here_o only_o threaten_v to_o shorten_v the_o common_a period_n of_o man_n life_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v contract_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o this_o exposition_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o experience_n of_o some_o age_n next_o follow_v the_o flood_n in_o which_o man_n live_v much_o long_o than_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o they_o say_v god_n use_v not_o toanticipate_v his_o time_n in_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o a_o nation_n or_o people_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v very_o true_a but_o methinks_v man_n have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o present_a case_n god_n anticipate_v the_o time_n in_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o they_o for_o we_o can_v think_v that_o noah_n be_v complete_a five_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o god_n threaten_v to_o destroy_v the_o world_n and_o indeed_o any_o man_n who_o be_v but_o a_o little_a acquaint_v with_o the_o jewish_a custom_n of_o reckon_n of_o year_n know_v how_o usual_a it_o be_v with_o they_o to_o name_v the_o great_a part_n of_o any_o thing_n for_o the_o whole_a st._n austin_n be_v so_o clear_a in_o this_o i_o will_v rather_o set_v it_o down_o in_o his_o word_n than_o my_o own_o intelligendum_fw-la est_fw-la hoc_fw-la deum_fw-la dixisse_fw-la cum_fw-la circa_fw-la finem_fw-la que_a entorum_fw-la annorum_fw-la esset_fw-la noah_n i_o e._n quadragintos_fw-la octoginta_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la annos_fw-la agereâ—_n quos_fw-la more_fw-it svo_fw-la scriptura_fw-la quingentos_fw-la vocat_fw-la nomine_fw-la totius_fw-la maximam_fw-la partem_fw-la plerumque_fw-la significans_fw-la aug._n the_o civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 15._o c._n 24._o thus_o much_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o common_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v a_o little_a concern_v its_o changeableness_n in_o respect_n of_o place_n and_o i_o confess_v in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v so_o variable_a that_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o pitch_v upon_o particular_n only_o in_o the_o general_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o common_a period_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o all_o place_n in_o a_o temperate_a climate_n this_o common_a term_n be_v extend_v but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o excess_n of_o heat_n or_o a_o unconstancy_n of_o the_o weather_n in_o those_o place_n this_o common_a period_n be_v shorten_v but_o pass_v this_o i_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o particular_a period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n there_o be_v two_o way_n it_o be_v common_o take_v 1._o as_o it_o imply_v the_o disunion_n of_o the_o part_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o excess_n of_o some_o one_o quality_n or_o other_o or_o 2._o as_o it_o imply_v the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n whatever_o way_n it_o be_v occasion_v without_o any_o relation_n either_o to_o the_o defect_n or_o excess_n of_o any_o quality_n and_o thus_o the_o learned_a episcopius_n state_n the_o case_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o jo._n beverovicius_n but_o to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o plain_a i_o shall_v consider_v that_o text_n 1._o sam._n 26._o 10._o as_o the_o lord_n live_v the_o lord_n shall_v smite_v he_o or_o his_o day_n shall_v come_v to_o die_v or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n and_o perish_v though_o david_n be_v anoint_v king_n yet_o he_o dare_v not_o stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n against_o the_o lord_n anoint_v neither_o will_v he_o permit_v abishai_n who_o inconsiderat_o offer_v to_o do_v it_o know_v none_o can_v do_v so_o and_o be_v guiltless_a therefore_o he_o comfort_v and_o solace_n himself_o with_o this_o consideration_n that_o god_n shall_v rid_v he_o of_o saul_n one_o of_o these_o three_o way_n 1._o by_o smite_v he_o with_o some_o disease_n and_o now_o to_o what_o a_o numberless_a number_n of_o disease_n be_v our_o frail_a nature_n incident_a variety_n of_o malady_n prey_n upon_o frail_a man_n and_o million_o of_o misery_n attend_v he_o the_o pestilence_n walk_v at_o noonday_n and_o the_o air_n which_o he_o breathe_v may_v blow_v out_o the_o spark_n of_o his_o life_n 2._o or_o his_o day_n will_v come_v that_o be_v or_o he_o will_v die_v a_o natural_a death_n now_o saul_n be_v well-stricken_a in_o year_n and_o he_o know_v that_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n he_o can_v not_o live_v long_o 3_o or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n and_o perish_v that_o be_v if_o some_o disease_n cut_v he_o not_o off_o or_o if_o his_o day_n come_v not_o yet_o he_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o a_o violent_a death_n or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n sometime_o a_o violent_a death_n be_v pure_o casual_a thus_o it_o be_v with_o those_o eighteen_o upon_o who_o the_o tower_n in_o siloam_n fall_v luke_n 13._o 4._o sometime_o it_o be_v only_o improper_o casual_a as_o when_o one_o of_o two_o equal_o expose_v to_o danger_n be_v only_o kill_v and_o sometime_o it_o be_v only_o and_o proper_o violent_a such_o be_v saul_n death_n such_o be_v achitophel_n and_o haman_n the_o way_n to_o this_o discourse_n in_o hand_n be_v thus_o far_o clear_v i_o shall_v now_o prosecute_v the_o design_n of_o it_o in_o this_o method_n 1._o i_o shall_v set_v down_o those_o erroneous_a opinion_n into_o which_o some_o man_n have_v unhappy_o fall_v in_o their_o enquiry_n for_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o present_a case_n 2._o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o two_o common_a opinion_n that_o offer_v fair_a for_o solve_v this_o doubt_n 3._o i_o shall_v attempt_v a_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n and_o last_o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o whole_a discourse_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o those_o erroneous_a sentiment_n some_o man_n have_v unhappy_o embrace_v in_o their_o inquiry_n for_o satisfaction_n
after_o thing_n of_o a_o mysterious_a alloy_n and_o god_n know_v how_o miserable_o some_o man_n have_v mistake_v in_o their_o inquiry_n after_o a_o solution_n of_o the_o present_a doubt_n and_o if_o i_o can_v promise_v to_o myself_o to_o rectify_v those_o huge_a mistake_v some_o man_n have_v fall_v into_o this_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a justification_n of_o my_o present_a undertake_n but_o in_o order_n to_o the_o unfolding_n of_o this_o doubt_n i_o shall_v premise_v four_o thing_n which_o will_v contribute_v to_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o it_o first_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n that_o every_o man_n life_n have_v a_o period_n it_o be_v appoint_v for_o all_o man_n once_o to_o die_v this_o be_v a_o warfare_n from_o which_o there_o be_v no_o discharge_n what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o live_v and_o shall_v not_o see_v death_n as_o to_o this_o the_o prince_n and_o peasant_n stand_v upon_o even_a term_n and_o as_o the_o wiseman_n tell_v we_o the_o rich_a &_o poor_a meet_v together_o there_o be_v no_o justle_n in_o the_o grave_a for_o precedency_n i_o confess_v it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o pain_n to_o consider_v the_o trivial_a instance_n take_v from_o the_o translation_n of_o euoch_n and_o elias_n to_o infringe_v this_o position_n for_o first_o we_o be_v not_o to_o debate_v what_o god_n may_v do_v he_o have_v a_o sovereignty_n over_o his_o creature_n and_o must_v not_o be_v call_v to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o his_o action_n all_o who_o way_n be_v tract_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n second_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o translation_n he_o who_o will_v positive_o say_v that_o they_o do_v not_o undergo_v that_o which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o death_n will_v say_v more_o than_o he_o can_v prove_v i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v say_v that_o they_o enter_v their_o heavenly_a habitation_n with_o their_o unrefined_a body_n no_o more_o than_o those_o who_o rise_v at_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o last_o trumpet_n in_o the_o twinkle_n of_o a_o eye_n be_v carry_v into_o heaven_n without_o any_o change_n second_o it_o be_v also_o unquestionable_a that_o sin_n introduce_v this_o period_n to_o every_o man_n life_n the_o primitive_a threaten_n run_v thus_o in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thou_o shall_v die_v and_o the_o apostle_n have_v as_o plain_o express_v it_o as_o it_o can_v be_v wherefore_o as_o by_o one_o man_n sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o death_n by_o sin_n and_o so_o death_n pass_v upon_o all_o man_n for_o that_o all_o have_v sin_v rom._n 5._o 12._o where_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o death_n be_v a_o punishment_n inflict_v for_o sin_n so_o that_o if_o man_n have_v never_o sin_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v he_o shall_v have_v die_v i_o confess_v without_o revelation_n we_o can_v never_o have_v guess_v this_o to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o death_n the_o heathen_a philosopher_n be_v exceed_o confuse_a in_o their_o notion_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o sin_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o death_n many_o of_o they_o think_v that_o death_n be_v a_o natural_a accident_n original_o appertinent_a to_o humane_a nature_n and_o indeed_o if_o revelation_n have_v not_o declare_v the_o contrary_a i_o have_v be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o death_n have_v be_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o such_o a_o natural_a accident_n but_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o any_o man_n that_o have_v converse_v with_o sacred_a writ_n shall_v be_v of_o this_o opinion_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v the_o pelagian_n of_o old_a be_v great_a stickler_n for_o it_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n have_v condemn_v it_o with_o a_o curse_n in_o the_o milevitan_a council_n can._n 2._o we_o read_v thus_o placuit_fw-la ut_fw-la quicunque_fw-la dicit_fw-la adam_n primum_fw-la hominem_fw-la mortalem_fw-la sactum_fw-la ita_fw-la ut_fw-la sive_fw-la peccaret_fw-la sive_fw-la non_fw-la peccaret_fw-la moreretur_fw-la in_o corpore_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la de_fw-fr corpore_fw-la exiret_fw-la non_fw-la peccati_fw-la meriâ—o_fw-la sed_fw-la necessitate_v naturae_fw-la anathema_n sit_v in_o after-age_n the_o scotist_n the_o most_o subtle_a of_o all_o scholastic_a writer_n incline_v much_o to_o this_o opinion_n against_o who_o the_o thomist_n their_o irreconcilable_a enemy_n take_v up_o the_o cudgel_n among_o modern_a writer_n the_o seem_o rational_a socinian_n have_v own_v this_o groundless_a conceit_n but_o i_o can_v stay_v to_o debate_v this_o at_o length_n only_o in_o brief_a if_o death_n have_v be_v natural_a to_o man_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n it_o behove_v to_o have_v be_v because_o of_o these_o follow_a reason_n 1._o because_o adam_n natural_a constitution_n imply_v mortality_n the_o material_n of_o his_o constitution_n be_v not_o so_o amicable_a as_o to_o entertain_v a_o last_a amity_n and_o friendship_n 2._o it_o be_v the_o primitive_a precept_n be_v fruitful_a and_o multiply_v now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o procreation_n include_v mortality_n in_o its_o notion_n and_o far_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v unconceivable_a how_o this_o little_a map_n of_o earth_n shall_v have_v contain_v a_o numerous_a multiply_a and_o never-dying_a offspring_n 3._o humane_a nature_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n do_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o gen._n 1._o 19_o now_o the_o end_n of_o eat_v and_o drink_v be_v not_o only_o to_o hold_v up_o but_o to_o repair_v the_o decay_n of_o our_o body_n which_o will_v sudden_o return_v to_o dust_n if_o they_o be_v not_o this_o renew_v &_o strengthen_v 4._o if_o death_n be_v only_o the_o effect_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v call_v a_o murderer_n from_o the_o beginning_n because_o of_o his_o tempt_v our_o first_o parent_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o since_o christ_n come_v to_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o he_o also_o take_v away_o the_o wage_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v death_n than_o which_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o daily_a experience_n 5._o immortality_n seem_v to_o be_v entail_v only_o to_o the_o state_n of_o future_a glory_n where_o corruption_n shall_v put_v on_o incorruption_n and_o mortality_n shall_v be_v swallow_v up_o in_o life_n and_o then_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o death_n rev._n 21._o 4._o these_o be_v the_o most_o material_a reason_n i_o can_v find_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o opinion_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v desire_v the_o five_o follow_a consideration_n may_v be_v weigh_v consid._n 1._o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o the_o eternal_a wisdom_n furnish_v our_o first_o parent_n with_o all_o these_o accomplishment_n their_o specific_a nature_n can_v suffer_v the_o signature_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n be_v legible_a in_o the_o low_a &_o least_o regard_v piece_n of_o the_o creation_n but_o in_o man_n in_o a_o more_o eminent_a manner_n conspicuous_a it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a for_o we_o in_o this_o fall_a state_n to_o conceive_v what_o those_o endowment_n be_v take_v conditional_o and_o so_o under_o various_a consideration_n it_o may_v be_v attribute_v either_o first_o to_o perfect_v saint_n who_o be_v state_v in_o glory_n where_o the_o primitive_a image_n lose_v by_o man_n fall_n be_v renew_v and_o perfect_v and_o of_o those_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o gospel_n of_o luke_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o can_v die_v no_o more_o luke_n 20._o 36._o or_o second_o to_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n for_o so_o long_o as_o they_o remain_v obedient_a to_o the_o law_n of_o heaven_n immortality_n be_v entail_v upon_o their_o nature_n for_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o primitive_a threaten_n be_v in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v die_v where_o temporal_a death_n seem_v to_o be_v threaten_v which_o have_v be_v idle_a and_o vain_a if_o man_n have_v die_v although_o they_o have_v never_o eat_v the_o forbid_a fruit._n i_o know_v some_o man_n think_v that_o sin_n only_o lay_v a_o necessary_a obligation_n upon_o man_n to_o die_v and_o provoke_v god_n to_o remove_v that_o supernatural_a and_o superadded_a quality_n and_o gift_n which_o preserve_v they_o from_o death_n with_o such_o sort_n of_o man_n i_o have_v no_o great_a quarrel_n although_o i_o think_v that_o god_n can_v as_o easy_o have_v make_v man_n constitution_n so_o last_v and_o the_o constituent_a part_n of_o his_o fabric_n so_o harmonious_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v never_o die_v if_o he_o have_v not_o sin_v as_o to_o create_v a_o superad_v be_v to_o preserve_v he_o safe_a for_o reason_n will_v plead_v that_o that_o superadded_a gift_n require_v another_o and_o so_o in_o infinitum_fw-la but_o far_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o infer_v man_n corruption_n from_o that_o precept_n be_v fruitful_a and_o multiply_v for_o although_o in_o some_o sense_n
generatio_fw-la unius_fw-la est_fw-la alterius_fw-la corruptio_fw-la yet_o the_o state_n of_o be_v even_o since_o the_o fall_n to_o which_o that_o axiom_n have_v only_a respect_n be_v not_o so_o brittle_a as_o that_o the_o production_n of_o the_o child_n infer_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o parent_n neither_o do_v that_o curious_a query_n concern_v the_o place_n for_o that_o suppose_a numerous_a offspring_n carry_v with_o it_o more_o reason_n for_o first_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o the_o wise_a creator_n who_o give_v be_v to_o man_n know_v well_o enough_o how_o to_o provide_v a_o habitation_n for_o his_o offspring_n second_o the_o precept_n be_v fruitful_a and_o multiply_v carry_v with_o it_o a_o limitation_n and_o replenish_v the_o earth_n so_o that_o we_o can_v never_o well_o conclude_v from_o it_o that_o generation_n shall_v have_v continue_v after_o the_o replenish_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o three_o what_o suppose_v this_o little_a map_n of_o earth_n have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v so_o numerous_a a_o offspring_n can_v not_o god_n have_v translate_v man_n after_o he_o have_v live_v some_o space_n upon_o the_o earth_n to_o some_o better_a habitation_n as_o he_o do_v with_o enoch_n and_o elijah_n consid._n 3_o though_o man_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_n yet_o his_o nutriment_n be_v not_o noxious_a and_o hurtful_a to_o he_o as_o now_o it_o be_v it_o be_v for_o man_n disobedience_n that_o a_o curse_n be_v upon_o the_o ground_n before_o which_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o hurt_n from_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o tree_n and_o the_o herb_n of_o the_o field_n which_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n grant_v to_o man_n for_o food_n in_o that_o state_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o but_o consider_v that_o even_o in_o this_o fall_a state_n there_o be_v a_o huge_a difference_n between_o the_o life_n of_o those_o who_o live_v upon_o wholesome_a food_n and_o observe_v a_o moderate_a diet_n and_o of_o those_o who_o be_v careless_a in_o their_o diet_n and_o feed_v upon_o husk_n we_o can_v but_o think_v the_o former_a consideration_n reasonable_a especial_o since_o that_o bless_a state_n exclude_v all_o manner_n of_o excess_n consid._n 4._o great_a and_o manifold_n be_v the_o bless_a benefit_n that_o be_v confer_v upon_o mankind_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o redeemer_n now_o man_n who_o be_v at_o odds_o with_o his_o maker_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o rebellion_n be_v again_o take_v into_o favour_n and_o the_o disobedient_a world_n be_v reconcile_v unto_o god_n and_o although_o the_o be_v of_o sin_n be_v not_o quite_o abolish_v yet_o the_o curse_n be_v remove_v and_o death_n be_v not_o proper_o now_o a_o punishment_n consid._n 5._o immortality_n conjoin_v with_o a_o state_n of_o perfect_a felicity_n be_v reserve_v for_o heaven_n favourite_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n our_o first_o parent_n be_v liable_a to_o death_n if_o they_o rebel_v but_o the_o saint_n above_o be_v confirm_v in_o their_o bless_a state_n and_o as_o our_o lord_n christ_n tell_v we_o they_o can_v die_v no_o more_o but_o this_o much_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o remove_n the_o former_a doubt_n the_o three_o thing_n i_o premise_v be_v that_o it_o be_v very_o usual_a in_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v in_o all_o language_n to_o put_v the_o whole_a sometime_o for_o the_o part_n thus_o man_n be_v say_v to_o die_v to_o cease_v to_o be_v mortal_a because_o the_o body_n be_v liable_a to_o corruption_n and_o not_o that_o the_o whole_a man_n or_o all_o the_o essential_a constituent_a part_n cease_v and_o thus_o when_o we_o dispute_v concern_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n we_o must_v not_o foolish_o fancy_v that_o a_o period_n be_v put_v to_o the_o be_v of_o the_o soul_n but_o only_o that_o its_o union_n with_o the_o body_n be_v dissolve_v otherwise_o a_o dismal_a stroke_n will_v be_v give_v to_o our_o religion_n and_o what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o virtuous_a i_o confess_v it_o be_v very_o hard_a and_o difficult_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o immortality_n of_o our_o soul_n by_o natural_a reason_n it_o be_v true_a by_o reason_n i_o may_v prove_v that_o our_o nature_n be_v spiritual_a and_o that_o we_o elicit_v act_n which_o be_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o matter_n but_o yet_o we_o can_v never_o be_v full_o ascertain_v that_o there_o be_v a_o life_n after_o this_o if_o revelation_n have_v not_o plain_o discover_v it_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n very_o wise_o entertain_v some_o hope_n of_o a_o life_n after_o this_o upon_o moral_a argument_n take_v from_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o his_o justice_n in_o distribute_v reward_n and_o punishment_n but_o alas_o how_o doubtful_a be_v their_o hope_n and_o with_o how_o much_o hesitation_n do_v they_o discourse_v of_o it_o but_o by_o the_o help_n of_o revelation_n these_o doubt_n be_v full_o remove_v and_o we_o now_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o believer_n at_o death_n go_v immediate_o into_o glory_n four_o because_o the_o explication_n of_o term_n be_v very_o necessary_a for_o the_o unfolding_n of_o doubt_n i_o shall_v consider_v the_o twofold_a notion_n and_o acception_n the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v liable_a to_o 1._o sometime_o it_o be_v take_v in_o a_o large_a sense_n for_o that_o common_a and_o ordinary_a period_n which_o the_o author_n of_o our_o nature_n have_v settle_v which_o man_n by_o the_o common_a course_n of_o nature_n arrive_v at_o now_o many_o learned_a man_n upon_o good_a ground_n think_v that_o this_o be_v the_o determine_a bound_n mention_v in_o scripture_n 2._o sometime_o it_o be_v take_v for_o the_o last_o moment_n of_o every_o man_n life_n at_o whatever_o time_n it_o happen_v whether_o 1._o in_o the_o begin_n of_o man_n day_n or_o 2._o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o day_n thus_o the_o psalmist_n pray_v that_o god_n will_v not_o cut_v he_o off_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o day_n or_o 3._o when_o man_n come_v to_o be_v of_o a_o good_a old_a age_n and_o full_a of_o year_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o abraham_n he_o die_v in_o a_o good_a old_a age_n a_o old_a man_n and_o full_a of_o year_n gen._n 25._o 8._o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o common_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n seem_v to_o be_v certain_a and_o indubitable_a we_o evident_o enough_o perceive_v that_o man_n in_o the_o age_n and_o place_n wherein_o we_o live_v exceed_v not_o unless_o rare_o the_o bound_n fix_v upon_o psal._n 90._o 10._o the_o day_n of_o our_o year_n be_v threescore_o year_n and_o ten_o and_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o more_o strength_n they_o be_v fourscore_o year_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o we_o shall_v descend_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o other_o animal_n and_o vegetable_n we_o will_v find_v it_o true_a enough_o that_o the_o individual_n of_o every_o specific_a nature_n have_v a_o common_a period_n which_o do_v not_o sensible_o alter_v but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o manifest_a difference_n of_o the_o climate_n temperature_n and_o soil_n again_o it_o be_v very_o unquestionable_a that_o this_o common_a period_n have_v not_o be_v equal_o extend_v in_o all_o age_n and_o place_n it_o be_v true_a for_o many_o hundred_o year_n bypass_a it_o have_v suffer_v very_o little_a alteration_n but_o sure_o from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o nor_o can_v we_o upon_o any_o good_a ground_n be_v ascertain_v that_o it_o will_v continue_v the_o same_o that_o it_o be_v now_o till_o the_o end_n of_o all_o flesh_n come_v though_o i_o will_v not_o positive_a affirm_v that_o man_n life_n will_v be_v insensible_o shorten_v till_o they_o become_v uncapable_a for_o procreation_n but_o to_o determine_v what_o have_v be_v the_o common_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o by_o past-age_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o theme_n very_o difficult_a and_o hard_a for_o 1._o although_o from_o abraham_n time_n till_o this_o present_a age_n it_o have_v alter_v but_o little_a or_o nothing_o as_o we_o may_v collect_v from_o gen._n 15._o 13_o and_o 16._o where_o a_o generation_n be_v equal_v to_o a_o hundred_o year_n as_o the_o verse_n collate_v make_v it_o evident_a yet_o before_o the_o flood_n and_o in_o some_o few_o age_n follow_v it_o this_o common_a term_n be_v not_o conclude_v within_o the_o short_a bound_n it_o be_v now_o although_o then_o it_o be_v indeed_o exceed_o mutable_a before_o the_o fatal_a flood_n we_o read_v not_o of_o any_o who_o live_v not_o above_o seven_o hundred_o year_n unless_o abel_n who_o be_v murder_v and_o enoch_n who_o god_n take_v to_o himself_o nor_o of_o any_o who_o exceed_v nine_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o nine_o year_n now_o the_o common_a period_n not_o be_v so_o denominate_v from_o some_o few_o particular_a instance_n but_o from_o what_o happen_v to_o the_o most_o of_o mankind_n in_o