by_o this_o mean_v the_o event_n shall_v answer_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o planet_n and_o yet_o the_o people_n escape_v too_o for_o as_o david_n say_v ps_n 33.18_o 19_o behold_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o upon_o they_o that_o hope_v in_o his_o mercy_n to_o deliver_v their_o soul_n from_o death_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o alive_a in_o famine_n which_o way_n soever_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o rabbin_n be_v explain_v this_o be_v certain_o true_a that_o piety_n be_v much_o more_o efficacious_a than_o the_o planet_n so_o that_o when_o the_o sentence_n of_o death_n be_v pronounce_v as_o it_o happen_v to_o hezekiah_n that_o be_v not_o ineffectual_a except_o god_n have_v alter_v it_o before_o i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o here_o with_o the_o formal_a speech_n that_o the_o scholar_n of_o pombeditha_n use_v when_o they_o go_v out_o of_o the_o school_n may_v he_o that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o life_n grant_v unto_o we_o a_o long_a happy_a and_o a_o honest_a life_n book_n iii_o concern_v god_n be_v prescience_n and_o man_n freewill_n sect_n 1._o i_o be_o oblige_v now_o to_o speak_v something_o concern_v god_n prescience_n and_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v urge_v against_o prognostication_n because_o some_o of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n have_v make_v objection_n against_o what_o i_o treat_v of_o in_o the_o former_a book_n thus_o they_o reason_v if_o god_n exact_o know_v all_o thing_n and_o dispose_v they_o in_o such_o order_n from_o eternity_n how_o can_v it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o prolong_v or_o shorten_v his_o life_n for_o example_n if_o god_n infallible_o know_v from_o all_o eternity_n that_o abraham_n will_v live_v 175_o year_n by_o reason_n of_o that_o sound_n and_o healthful_a constitution_n which_o he_o have_v give_v he_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o abraham_n can_v not_o alter_v that_o determination_n now_o if_o this_o be_v true_a it_o be_v demand_v how_o god_n prescience_n and_o man_n freewill_n then_o such_o contrary_a thing_n be_v consistent_a together_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o be_o very_o unwilling_a to_o engage_v in_o so_o nice_a and_o intricate_a a_o controversy_n euclid_n once_o be_v ask_v many_o thing_n about_o god_n only_o reply_v this_o i_o very_o well_o know_v that_o god_n abhor_v those_o that_o be_v too_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a nevertheless_o by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o believe_v i_o can_v illustrate_v and_o explain_v these_o thing_n there_o be_v some_o man_n heretofore_o who_o when_o they_o can_v not_o reconcile_v god_n foreknowledge_n with_o man_n freewill_n deny_v both_o as_o cicero_n who_o that_o he_o may_v maintain_v the_o freedom_n of_o humane_a action_n will_v allow_v no_o prescience_n in_o god_n which_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o st._n augustine_n cicero_n say_v he_o that_o he_o may_v make_v man_n free_a make_v they_o sacrilegious_a there_o be_v other_o that_o deny_v man_n freewill_n that_o they_o may_v establish_v the_o foreknowledge_n of_o god_n wherefore_o i_o design_n to_o confirm_v and_o settle_v these_o two_o thing_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o a_o re-conciliation_a and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o prove_v that_o god_n know_v all_o future_a contingent_a thing_n from_o eternity_n after_o that_o i_o shall_v maintain_v that_o a_o man_n may_v prolong_v or_o shorten_v his_o life_n as_o he_o please_v sect_n 2._o the_o first_o be_v plain_a and_o indisputable_a say_v maimonides_n that_o all_o perfection_n may_v be_v find_v in_o god_n but_o all_o imperfection_n must_v be_v remove_v from_o he_o and_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o the_o ignorance_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v a_o imperfection_n and_o that_o god_n be_v ignorant_a of_o nothing_o for_o it_o may_v be_v clear_o prove_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a knowledge_n of_o adam_n noah_n abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n moses_n and_o several_a other_o gen._n 18.19_o exod._n 3.7_o deut._n 29.18_o upon_o this_o account_n moses_n and_o aaron_n thus_o address_v themselves_o too_o god_n o_o god_n the_o god_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o all_o flesh_n numb_a 16.22_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o prophet_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o testify_v the_o same_o thing_n isaiah_n 48.8_o i_o know_v that_o thou_o will_v deal_v very_o treacherous_o jer._n 1.5_o before_o i_o form_v thou_o in_o the_o belly_n i_o know_v thou_o chap._n 12.3_o ezek._n 37_o 3._o dan._n 2.22_o he_o reveal_v the_o deep_a and_o secret_a thing_n he_o know_v what_o be_v in_o the_o darkness_n and_o the_o light_n dwell_v with_o he_o but_o the_o most_o eminent_a testimony_n of_o god_n prescience_n be_v record_v in_o the_o 139_o psalm_n for_o say_v david_n v._o 1._o o_o lord_n thou_o have_v search_v i_o and_o know_v i_o i._n e._n thou_o do_v know_v from_o eternity_n as_o well_o as_o now_o all_o my_o action_n v._o 2._o thou_o know_v my_o down_n sit_v and_o my_o uprising_n i._n e._n all_o my_o particular_a action_n thou_o understand_v my_o thought_n afar_o off_o i._n e._n you_o know_v my_o work_n so_o exact_o from_o eternity_n that_o you_o also_o know_v my_o very_a thought_n then_o he_o conclude_v v._o 7._o whither_o shall_v i_o go_v from_o thy_o spirit_n or_o whither_o shall_v i_o flee_v from_o thy_o presence_n i._o e._n when_o thy_o knowledge_n and_o providence_n o_o god_n be_v above_o every_o thing_n there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o i_o to_o fly_v unto_o for_o thou_o be_v every_o where_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o god_n take_v care_n of_o every_o one_o hither_o we_o may_v refer_v that_o which_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n report_v of_o the_o three_o man_n which_o god_n convince_v of_o their_o mistake_n because_o they_o think_v that_o he_o do_v not_o know_v every_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v cain_n who_o when_o god_n ask_v he_o where_o his_o brother_n abel_n be_v as_o if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v that_o he_o have_v kill_v he_o answer_v be_o i_o my_o brother_n keeper_n gen._n 4.9_o the_o next_o be_v balaam_n who_o when_o god_n say_v unto_o he_o what_o man_n be_v these_o with_o thou_o reply_v balak_n the_o son_n of_o zippor_n the_o king_n of_o moah_n numb_a 22.9_o 10_o the_o last_n be_v hezekiah_n who_o when_o isaial_a ask_v about_o the_o ambassador_n which_o berodach-baladan_a have_v send_v to_o he_o say_v what_o say_v these_o man_n and_o from_o whence_o come_v they_o unto_o thou_o answer_v they_o be_v come_v from_o a_o far_a country_n 2_o king_n 20.14_o though_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o small_a fault_n for_o the_o king_n to_o offend_v against_o the_o prophet_n yet_o he_o shall_v have_v consider_v that_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n of_o god_n who_o know_v all_o thing_n before_o they_o be_v transact_v sect_n 3._o i_o shall_v proceed_v now_o to_o show_v god_n foreknowledge_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v future_a and_o a_o great_a and_o invincible_a argument_n of_o this_o be_v god_n prediction_n of_o future_a contingent_a thing_n which_o be_v afterward_o fulfil_v as_o for_o instance_n first_o god_n say_v to_o moses_n exod_n 3_o 19_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n will_v not_o let_v you_o go_v and_o so_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v 2._o god_n foretell_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o israelite_n deut._n 4.25_o when_o thou_o shall_v beget_v child_n child_n and_o shall_v have_v remain_v long_o in_o the_o land_n here_o the_o phrase_n remain_v long_o according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n make_v up_o the_o number_n 846._o for_o so_o long_o they_o enjoy_v the_o holy_a land_n and_o then_o be_v expel_v for_o their_o iniquity_n which_o depend_v upon_o their_o free-will_n 3._o the_o 28_o chap._n of_o deut._n contain_v some_o prophecy_n which_o be_v fulfil_v under_o the_o first_o and_o second_o temple_n i_o have_v treat_v large_o of_o these_o in_o my_o book_n of_o the_o divin_n of_o moses_n law_n from_o whence_o i_o shall_v borrow_v some_o thing_n now_o the_o 28_o chap._n of_o deut._n wherein_o the_o curse_n against_o the_o rebellious_a israelite_n be_v insert_v be_v divide_v into_o two_o part_n begin_v at_o the_o 15._o v._o and_o so_o to_o the_o 49th_o and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o end_n thus_o they_o begin_v curse_v shall_v thou_o be_v in_o the_o city_n etc._n etc._n the_o reason_n be_v present_o add_v v._o 20._o because_o of_o the_o wickedness_n of_o thy_o do_n whereby_o thou_o have_v forsake_v i_o i._n e._n for_o idolatry_n which_o be_v notorious_a under_o the_o first_o temple_n for_o that_o phrase_n to_o forsake_v always_o signify_v in_o scripture_n to_o forsake_v god_n and_o to_o worship_v idol_n so_o it_o follow_v the_o lord_n shall_v make_v the_o pestilence_n cleave_v unto_o thou_o etc._n etc._n the_o lord_n shall_v cause_v thou_o to_o be_v smite_v before_o thy_o enemy_n thou_o shall_v go_v out_o one_o way_n against_o they_o and_o flee_v seven_o
king_n 2.1_o now_o what_o do_v these_o expression_n signify_v any_o other_o than_o a_o fix_a and_o settle_v boundary_a to_o which_o a_o man_n be_v direct_v to_o increase_v and_o diminish_v presupposes_a some_o certain_a quantity_n and_o number_n now_o the_o scripture_n affirm_v that_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n prolong_v day_n but_o the_o year_n of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v shorten_v prov._n 10.27_o from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o life_n have_v a_o term_n and_o that_o one_o man_n be_v contract_v and_o another_o enlarge_v according_a to_o their_o work_n beside_o all_o these_o place_n that_o have_v be_v produce_v that_o in_o samuel_n be_v very_o observable_a where_o david_n speak_v these_o word_n 1_o sam._n 26.10_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 from_o whence_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o either_o providence_n nature_n or_o chance_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o man_n death_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v by_o and_o by_o and_o it_o be_v likewise_o evident_a that_o every_o man_n have_v a_o certain_a day_n in_o which_o this_o life_n must_v be_v change_v for_o a_o better_a these_o thing_n i_o think_v fit_a to_o premise_v that_o i_o may_v establish_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o be_o about_o to_o discourse_n of_o sect_n 2._o have_v clear_o prove_v from_o the_o sacred_a write_n that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o definite_a term_n of_o man_n life_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o next_o place_n explain_v how_o this_o term_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o first_o we_o must_v know_v that_o wise_a man_n do_v not_o agree_v about_o this_o thing_n but_o differ_v in_o their_o judgement_n according_a to_o those_o principle_n of_o science_n which_o they_o have_v entertain_v the_o astrologer_n affirm_v that_o the_o term_n and_o continuance_n of_o life_n depend_v upon_o the_o star_n and_o this_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o aesculapius_n now_o say_v they_o if_o the_o whole_a earth_n receive_v a_o vital_a energy_n from_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o star_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n some_o part_n be_v fruitful_a and_o some_o barren_a and_o likewise_o if_o the_o time_n and_o season_n be_v determine_v by_o they_o why_o may_v not_o also_o every_o man_n life_n and_o death_n depend_v upon_o they_o too_o other_o man_n that_o think_v a_o little_a close_o be_v of_o aristotle_n mind_n and_o assert_v that_o the_o sun_n and_o man_n engender_v man._n and_o they_o will_v have_v it_o that_o not_o only_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o all_o the_o planet_n but_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o star_n do_v concur_v to_o so_o noble_a so_o excellent_a on_o effect_n as_o the_o formation_n of_o man._n hence_o they_o divide_v the_o operation_n and_o various_a office_n among_o the_o planet_n in_o the_o first_o month_n of_o conception_n they_o say_v saturn_n dry_v up_o the_o first_o mass_n in_o the_o second_o jupiter_n kind_o prepare_v and_o augment_v it_o in_o the_o three_o mars_n separate_v and_o quicken_v it_o and_o so_o every_o month_n the_o planet_n execute_v their_o respective_a office_n as_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o plato_n apud_fw-la marsil_n iâ—_n atlon_n l._n 3._o and_o thomas_n aquinas_n contraâ—_n gent._n q_o 84._o from_o thence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o that_o conjunction_n or_o disjunction_n of_o the_o star_n which_o predominate_v at_o the_o conception_n of_o the_o faetus_fw-la produce_v the_o seed_n of_o future_a affection_n life_n and_o death_n good_a and_o evil_a and_o they_o quite_o discard_v every_o thing_n else_o from_o the_o dispose_n of_o man_n destiny_n this_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o stoic_n who_o obstinate_o maintain_v that_o the_o immutable_a fate_n of_o man_n chief_o rely_v upon_o the_o influence_n and_o virtue_n of_o the_o star_n there_o be_v other_o who_o attribute_v all_o that_o we_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o to_o the_o position_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o star_n which_o happen_v at_o the_o birth_n not_o at_o the_o conception_n of_o the_o child_n but_o this_o be_v frivolous_a because_o all_o of_o they_o ascribe_v prosperous_a and_o unfortunate_a event_n to_o the_o celestial_a sign_n the_o hebrew_n doctor_n confess_v that_o inferior_a body_n act_v by_o the_o virtue_n of_o heavenly_a one_o and_o maimonides_n affirm_v in_o his_o epistle_n that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o among_o the_o learned_a jew_n or_o the_o philosopher_n that_o doubt_n of_o it_o therefore_o though_o they_o may_v dissent_v about_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n while_o some_o say_v it_o be_v coeternal_a with_o god_n other_o that_o it_o be_v create_v out_o of_o pre-existent_a matter_n and_o other_o out_o of_o nothing_o yet_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o generation_n of_o sublunary_a thing_n be_v effect_v by_o the_o star_n but_o what_o that_o virtue_n of_o the_o star_n be_v or_o how_o it_o influence_n the_o body_n or_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v still_o dubious_a and_o uncertain_a the_o forementioned_a rabbi_n in_o his_o epistle_n stiff_o deny_v it_o these_o be_v his_o word_n some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o admit_v not_o of_o providence_n attribute_v all_o humane_a event_n to_o chance_n some_o of_o they_o to_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o star_n on_o the_o other_o side_n some_o refer_v all_o to_o a_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o the_o heavenly_a constellation_n and_o will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o riches_n and_o poverty_n the_o prosperity_n and_o adversity_n of_o all_o man_n depend_v upon_o the_o position_n and_o virtue_n of_o the_o star_n which_o be_v incident_a at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o nativity_n and_o this_o law_n they_o aver_v to_o be_v inviolable_a both_o these_o opinion_n be_v very_o false_a because_o that_o which_o impute_v all_o to_o chance_n deny_v the_o providence_n that_o be_v so_o much_o celebrate_v in_o holy_a writ_n that_o which_o allow_v so_o great_a power_n to_o the_o star_n and_o follow_v judicial_a astrology_n be_v foolish_a in_o the_o first_o place_n say_v he_o i_o have_v look_v over_o all_o the_o arabic_a book_n that_o treat_v of_o this_o science_n and_o at_o last_o discover_v it_o all_o to_o be_v mere_a vanity_n and_o madness_n the_o true_o wise_a grecians_n neglect_v this_o study_n and_o none_o of_o they_o have_v write_v any_o thing_n about_o it_o the_o persian_n also_o esteem_v it_o idle_a the_o chaldaean_n egyptian_n and_o canaanites_n only_o be_v addict_v to_o this_o vanity_n because_o their_o religion_n consist_v in_o it_o for_o some_o time_n afterward_o offer_v at_o clear_a reason_n he_o say_v that_o our_o law_n and_o all_o the_o philosopher_n acknowledge_v freewill_n and_o that_o man_n be_v endow_v with_o a_o absolute_a power_n of_o pursue_v good_a and_o abstain_v from_o evil_a as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o obey_v his_o sensual_a appetite_n and_o disregard_v the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n now_o if_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o star_n be_v so_o great_a over_o man_n where_o be_v that_o liberty_n if_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o avoid_v the_o virtue_n and_o impression_n of_o the_o star_n why_o be_v there_o precept_n what_o do_v it_o signify_v to_o endeavour_v to_o extirpate_v vicious_a habit_n and_o to_o become_v virtuous_a when_o heaven_n have_v determine_v when_o we_o be_v bear_v what_o we_o shall_v be_v as_o long_o as_o we_o live_v if_o man_n liberty_n depend_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o star_n all_o their_o care_n and_o solicitude_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n therefore_o say_v maimonides_n we_o ought_v to_o attribute_v all_o this_o to_o providence_n for_o sin_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o man_n poverty_n and_o his_o repentance_n may_v make_v he_o rich_a prosperity_n and_o adversity_n be_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o every_o man_n work_n because_o we_o see_v god_n promise_v life_n and_o temporal_a blessing_n to_o those_o that_o observe_v his_o commandment_n but_o if_o it_o sometime_o fall_v out_o otherwise_o that_o a_o just_a man_n meet_v with_o affliction_n we_o must_v submit_v to_o god_n because_o he_o only_o know_v the_o secret_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o punish_v and_o reward_n we_o may_v now_o evident_o discover_v how_o repugnant_a the_o judgement_n of_o maimonides_n be_v to_o that_o of_o the_o astrologer_n and_o what_o his_o sentiment_n be_v concern_v judicial_a astrology_n sect_n 3._o a_o great_a many_o very_a learned_a doctor_n be_v of_o a_o different_a opinion_n and_o unanimous_o affert_fw-la that_o some_o virtue_n be_v derive_v upon_o newborn_a infant_n from_o the_o position_n of_o the_o star_n and_o that_o life_n and_o death_n wealth_n and_o poverty_n be_v ordain_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n this_o be_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v call_v by_o they_o the_o ordination_n of_o the_o star_n and_o be_v usual_o prove_v by_o these_o follow_a reason_n 1._o it_o be_v
these_o follow_a reason_n 1._o because_o god_n promise_v long_a life_n upon_o the_o observation_n of_o some_o of_o his_o commandment_n as_o exod._n 20.12_o honour_n thy_o father_n and_o thy_o mother_n that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v long_o upon_o the_o land_n deut._n 4.40_o and_o 32.47_o now_o if_o our_o day_n be_v decree_v by_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n this_o promise_n will_v be_v vain_a and_o no_o body_n can_v exceed_v they_o much_o less_o can_v god_n deceive_v we_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o make_v his_o life_n long_o or_o short_a as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o 2._o we_o find_v several_a person_n earnest_o desire_v god_n to_o spare_v their_o life_n so_o hezekiah_n 2_o king_n 20.2_o 3._o then_o he_o turn_v his_o face_n to_o the_o wall_n and_o pray_v unto_o the_o lord_n say_v i_o beseech_v thou_o o_o lord_n remember_v now_o how_o i_o have_v walk_v before_o thou_o in_o truth_n and_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n and_o david_n ps_n 61._o cain_n be_v afraid_a of_o death_n say_v gen._n 14.14_o every_o one_o that_o find_v i_o shall_v stay_v i_o there_o be_v other_o that_o have_v desire_v to_o die_v as_o eli_n 1_o king_n 19.4_o it_o be_v enough_o now_o o_o lord_n take_v away_o my_o life_n for_o i_o be_o not_o better_o than_o my_o father_n and_o jonah_n chap._n 4.8_o he_o faint_v and_o wish_v in_o himself_o to_o die_v and_o say_v it_o be_v better_a for_o i_o to_o die_v than_o to_o live_v now_o if_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v absolute_o predestinate_v the_o prayer_n of_o hezekiah_n cain_n and_o david_n be_v vain_a and_o those_o of_o elias_n and_o jonah_n superfluous_a hence_o the_o talmudist_n in_o guemara_n berachet_n say_v that_o if_o any_o one_o come_v into_o a_o city_n and_o find_v it_o in_o a_o uproar_n he_o may_v lift_v up_o his_o voice_n and_o pray_v to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v avert_v that_o evil_a from_o his_o family_n or_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v desire_v after_o his_o wife_n be_v with_o child_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o male_a certain_o such_o petition_n be_v frivolous_a because_o when_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v it_o can_v be_v alter_v this_o we_o may_v apply_v to_o our_o present_a purpose_n for_o if_o all_o thing_n be_v decree_v from_o eternity_n it_o be_v absurd_a to_o be_v solicitous_a or_o careful_a about_o any_o thing_n 3._o the_o truth_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v mighty_o confirm_v by_o the_o word_n which_o god_n speak_v to_o solomon_n 1_o king_n 3.11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o solomon_n may_v ask_v for_o life_n as_o a_o contingent_a thing_n and_o when_o god_n confer_v on_o he_o wisdom_n riches_n and_o honour_n he_o promise_v he_o life_n too_o not_o absolute_o but_o conditional_o if_o thou_o will_v walk_v in_o my_o way_n etc._n etc._n 4._o if_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v unalterable_o settle_v no_o man_n can_v prevent_v death_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v god_n exhort_v man_n to_o beware_v of_o danger_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o misfortune_n deut._n 20.5_o 6_o 7._o and_o in_o another_o place_n chap._n 22.8_o when_o thou_o build_v a_o new_a house_n than_o thou_o shall_v make_v a_o battlement_n for_o thy_o roof_n that_o thou_o bring_v not_o blood_n upon_o thy_o house_n if_o any_o man_n fall_v from_o thence_o therefore_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v not_o fix_v by_o a_o absolute_a predestination_n 5._o david_n himself_o say_v 1_o sam._n 27.10_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 if_o by_o those_o word_n or_o his_o day_n shall_v come_v to_o die_v he_o understand_v the_o day_n that_o be_v decree_v by_o god_n it_o be_v superfluous_a to_o mention_v the_o three_o kind_n of_o death_n for_o which_o soever_o have_v happen_v it_o will_v have_v be_v appoint_v beforehand_o and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v plain_a those_o word_n be_v false_a for_o saul_n may_v have_v be_v smite_v by_o the_o lord_n as_o well_o as_o slay_v in_o the_o battle_n 6._o there_o be_v not_o one_o place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o affirm_v this_o predestination_n but_o we_o may_v only_o collect_v from_o the_o forecited_a passage_n that_o there_o be_v a_o term_n of_o life_n which_o as_o i_o have_v explain_v it_o depend_v upon_o the_o time_n the_o heaven_n and_o the_o constitution_n so_o job_n say_v chap._n 14.5_o thou_o have_v appoint_v his_o bound_n that_o he_o can_v pass_v by_o which_o he_o mean_v that_o all_o man_n must_v die_v and_o david_n ps_n 89.49_o what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o live_v and_o shall_v not_o see_v death_n and_o in_o another_o place_n 1_o chron._n 29.15_o our_o day_n on_o earth_n be_v as_o a_o shadow_n and_o there_o be_v none_o abide_v as_o for_o job_n say_v chap._n 14.5_o the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o he_o mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o god_n pre-science_n because_o god_n know_v and_o foresee_v all_o thing_n from_o eternity_n book_n ii_o whether_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v alterable_a or_o unalterable_a sect_n 1._o have_v in_o the_o former_a book_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o term_n to_o every_o man_n life_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o next_o place_n inquire_v whether_o this_o term_n be_v so_o fix_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o exceed_v or_o prevent_v it_o or_o on_o the_o contrary_a whether_o it_o be_v mutable_a all_o the_o jew_n unanimous_o consent_v that_o this_o term_n be_v alterable_a though_o it_o depend_v upon_o the_o planet_n the_o constitution_n or_o the_o variety_n of_o time_n hereupon_o r._n bahye_n say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o more_o eminent_a power_n above_o that_o of_o the_o star_n which_o order_n thing_n by_o reward_n and_o punishment_n the_o same_o be_v confirm_v by_o aben_n ezra_n upon_o exod._n ch._n 23._o where_o assign_v the_o dependence_n of_o life_n upon_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o body_n he_o say_v that_o the_o natural_a heat_n and_o moisture_n of_o every_o one_o that_o serve_v god_n be_v augment_v and_o then_o a_o man_n exceed_v the_o term_n of_o life_n therefore_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v alterable_a this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o man_n take_v such_o care_n to_o preserve_v their_o health_n and_o when_o it_o be_v impair_v to_o recover_v it_o this_o make_v they_o so_o often_o change_v the_o air._n this_o make_v they_o drink_v those_o medicinal_a potion_n that_o be_v to_o nauseous_a in_o a_o word_n this_o first_o make_v man_n study_v and_o then_o practise_v physic_n and_o indeed_o as_o it_o be_v very_o ridiculous_a to_o aspire_v to_o that_o preferment_n which_o by_o no_o pain_n or_o industry_n can_v be_v procure_v so_o i_o think_v it_o exceed_v simple_a to_o be_v careful_a about_o the_o preservation_n of_o our_o life_n when_o the_o term_n be_v immutable_a and_o it_o can_v be_v prolong_v nay_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o the_o forth_o to_o bring_v forth_o plant_n and_o herb_n by_o the_o bounty_n of_o god_n for_o no_o other_o design_n than_o the_o use_n of_o physic_n but_o that_o we_o may_v establish_v this_o opinion_n better_o let_v we_o consult_v the_o 3d_o chap._n of_o eccl._n and_o the_o one_a verse_n in_o which_o place_n solomon_n affirm_v that_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v alterable_a there_o be_v a_o time_n to_o be_v bear_v and_o a_o time_n to_o die_v here_o we_o see_v that_o our_o birth_n and_o death_n be_v parallel_v forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v both_o a_o certain_a time_n now_o if_o by_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n that_o term_n of_o life_n be_v understand_v which_o be_v unalterable_o decree_v by_o god_n than_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o hour_n of_o our_o nativity_n but_o if_o this_o be_v grant_v the_o very_a name_n of_o nature_n be_v destroy_v for_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o god_n decree_v the_o birth_n of_o abraham_n his_o long_a life_n his_o marriage_n which_o sarah_n her_o conception_n and_o delivery_n of_o a_o son_n which_o be_v absurd_a when_o common_a experience_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o thing_n depend_v upon_o freewill_n if_o any_o one_o inquire_v how_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o there_o be_v some_o time_n of_o life_n appoint_v rabbi_n solomon_n answer_v the_o time_n of_o our_o formation_n be_v complete_v in_o nine_o month_n but_o that_o of_o death_n alter_v according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o age._n and_o as_o i_o say_v before_o this_o be_v common_o the_o space_n of_o 70_o year_n this_o be_v premise_v i_o conclude_v that_o the_o space_n of_o 70_o year_n or_o rather_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v uncertain_a and_o mutable_a when_o the_o space_n of_o nine_o month_n or_o the_o time_n of_o pregnancy_n
be_v so_o too_o the_o time_n of_o our_o birth_n be_v doubtless_o uncertain_a for_o though_o the_o talmudick_n doctor_n do_v aver_v that_o the_o foetus_n of_o dumb_a animal_n be_v form_v within_o a_o limit_v time_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o own_o the_o same_o of_o young_a child_n they_o make_v the_o time_n of_o parturition_n threefold_a one_o at_o the_o nine_o month_n which_o be_v common_a and_o usual_a and_o this_o they_o will_v have_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n conception_n which_o in_o the_o hebrew_n contain_v the_o number_n 271_o for_o there_o be_v so_o many_o day_n in_o nine_o month_n the_o second_o time_n that_o a_o woman_n be_v with_o child_n be_v seven_o month_n hence_o in_o the_o jerusalem_n targum_fw-la upon_o these_o word_n gen._n 3.16_o i_o will_v great_o multiply_v thy_o sorrow_n and_o thy_o conception_n etc._n etc._n the_o commentator_n say_v that_o the_o word_n in_o multiply_v according_a to_o the_o numerical_a letter_n of_o the_o hebrew_n make_v up_o 212_o day_n which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o seven_o month_n agreeable_o to_o this_o the_o philosopher_n empedocles_n plotinus_n and_o macrobius_n say_v that_o a_o child_n can_v live_v that_o be_v bear_v before_o the_o seven_o month._n some_o of_o the_o rabbin_n be_v of_o a_o opinion_n that_o every_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o planet_n perform_v a_o office_n in_o the_o production_n of_o child_n the_o three_o time_n of_o parturition_n be_v extend_v to_o the_o 12_o month._n agellius_n b._n 3._o chap._n 16._o report_n that_o a_o woman_n be_v bring_v to_o bed_n at_o rome_n the_o 11_o month_n after_o her_o husband_n decease_n the_o emperor_n adrian_n by_o the_o consent_n of_o physician_n and_o philosopher_n maintain_v that_o this_o thing_n be_v possible_a bernard_n mention_n a_o woman_n which_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o be_v 16_o month_n with_o child_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v ordinary_a for_o woman_n to_o be_v with_o child_n nine_o month_n yet_o extraordinary_o they_o may_v be_v deliver_v before_o or_o after_o that_o time_n so_o the_o ordinary_a term_n of_o man_n life_n be_v 70_o year_n yet_o very_o sew_v live_v so_o long_o therefore_o the_o term_n of_o our_o life_n be_v not_o so_o precise_o fix_v but_o it_o may_v be_v change_v sect_n 2._o man_n life_n may_v be_v shortneed_a several_a way_n viz._n by_o divine_a providence_n chance_n or_o nature_n these_o three_o cause_n i_o put_v instead_o of_o the_o three_o fatal_a sister_n to_o who_o the_o heathen_n ascribe_v the_o boundary_n of_o life_n thus_o a_o man_n life_n be_v shorten_v by_o providence_n for_o example_n when_o a_o man_n be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o people_n which_o punishment_n the_o scripture_n make_v mention_n of_o and_o by_o which_o the_o cabalist_n aramban_n and_o isaac_n abravanel_n affirm_v a_o man_n life_n be_v take_v away_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o day_n and_o the_o soul_n after_o its_o separation_n from_o the_o body_n be_v deprive_v of_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n hence_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o our_o life_n may_v be_v shorten_v by_o sin_n and_o prolong_v by_o virtue_n but_o i_o shall_v illustrate_v this_o argument_n by_o some_o example_n the_o rabbin_n say_v that_o abraham_n live_v 175_o year_n which_o be_v five_o less_o than_o his_o son_n isaac_n because_o he_o shall_v not_o see_v the_o impiety_n of_o his_o kinsman_n esau_n rachel_n also_o do_v not_o live_v out_o her_o day_n for_o that_o which_o proceed_v out_o of_o a_o righteous_a man_n mouth_n be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o it_o come_v out_o of_o a_o angel_n jacob_n not_o know_v that_o she_o have_v steal_v her_o father_n idol_n curse_v she_o say_v with_o who_o soever_o thou_o sinde_v thy_o god_n let_v he_o not_o live_v gen._n 31.32_o so_o they_o say_v though_o joseph_n live_v 110_o year_n yet_o he_o die_v before_o all_o his_o brethren_n because_o he_o have_v exercise_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o severity_n towards_o they_o abijah_n be_v say_v to_o be_v slay_v by_o the_o lord_n for_o the_o sin_n by_o which_o he_o pollute_v himself_o say_v you_o be_v a_o great_a multitude_n and_o there_o be_v with_o you_o golden_a calf_n which_o jerobeam_n make_v you_o for_o go_n 2_o chron._n 13.8_o with_o this_o agree_v what_o isaiah_n say_v chap._n 6.5_o we_o be_v i_o for_o i_o be_o undo_v because_o i_o be_o a_o man_n of_o unclean_a lip_n and_o a_o angel_n come_v and_o touch_v his_o lip_n with_o which_o he_o have_v offend_v with_o a_o coal_n there_o be_v more_o clear_a example_n beside_o these_o in_o saul_n and_o his_o son_n which_o the_o scripture_n express_v after_o this_o manner_n 1_o chron._n 10.13_o 14._o so_o saul_n die_v for_o his_o transgression_n which_o he_o commit_v against_o the_o lord_n even_o against_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o keep_v not_o god_n smite_v nabal_n with_o a_o sudden_a death_n 1_o sam._n 25.38_o and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v about_o ten_o day_n after_o that_o the_o lord_n smite_v nabal_n that_o he_o die_v here_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n note_v that_o those_o be_v the_o ten_o day_n which_o be_v between_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n and_o the_o day_n of_o expiation_n which_o we_o call_v penitential_a day_n because_o every_o one_o ought_v then_o to_o examine_v his_o life_n and_o consider_v what_o he_o have_v say_v or_o do_v amiss_o jeremiah_n foretell_v the_o death_n of_o hananiah_n the_o false_a prophet_n chap._n 28.16_o this_o year_n shall_v thou_o die_v because_o thou_o have_v teach_v rebellion_n against_o the_o lord_n but_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o that_o vast_a multitude_n which_o perish_v in_o the_o deluge_n of_o those_o that_o be_v consume_v in_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n of_o korah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n and_o their_o wicked_a accomplice_n who_o the_o earth_n swallow_v up_o alive_a of_o that_o grievous_a plague_n which_o sweep_v away_o so_o many_o israelite_n in_o david_n time_n be_v it_o not_o manifest_a enough_o that_o their_o life_n be_v shorten_v by_o divine_a providence_n pertinent_a to_o this_o be_v the_o word_n of_o david_n psal_n 37.22_o such_o as_o be_v bless_v of_o he_o shall_v inherit_v the_o earth_n and_o they_o that_o be_v curse_v of_o he_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o and_o of_o jeremiah_n chap._n 17.11_o he_o that_o get_v riches_n and_o not_o by_o right_n shall_v leave_v they_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o day_n which_o r._n kimchi_n expound_v say_v he_o shall_v die_v before_o his_o time_n job_n say_v chap._n 36.12_o if_o they_o obey_v not_o they_o shall_v perish_v by_o the_o sword_n and_o solomon_n eccl._n 8.13_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v well_o with_o the_o wicked_a neither_o shall_v he_o prolong_v his_o day_n chap._n 7.17_o be_v not_o overmuch_o wicked_a neither_o be_v thou_o foolish_a why_o shall_v thou_o die_v before_o thy_o time_n upon_o which_o place_n the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v say_v they_o shall_v shorten_v their_o day_n because_o they_o shall_v die_v before_o their_o time_n come_v to_o die_v because_o god_n use_v to_o punish_v sinner_n with_o untimely_a death_n therefore_o david_n pray_v psal_n 102.24_o that_o god_n will_v not_o take_v he_o away_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o day_n the_o cabalist_n upon_o that_o place_n of_o the_o proverb_n chap._n 13.23_o there_o be_v that_o be_v destroy_v for_o want_n of_o judgement_n say_v that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o man_n often_o die_v before_o their_o time_n hither_o may_v be_v refer_v those_o person_n that_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o crime_n as_o joab_n shimei_n and_o many_o more_o concern_v these_o solomon_n observe_v prov._n 19.16_o he_o that_o despise_v his_o way_n shall_v die_v upon_o which_o word_n the_o learned_a aben_n ezra_n comment_v before_o his_o time_n because_o the_o council_n shall_v put_v he_o to_o death_n sect_n 3._o there_o be_v another_o way_n likewise_o by_o which_o life_n may_v be_v shorten_v and_o that_o be_v by_o chance_n or_o fortune_n for_o this_o reason_n r._n judah_n levita_n upon_o those_o ward_n of_o samuel_n or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o the_o battle_n and_o perish_v etc._n etc._n say_v that_o be_v a_o accidental_a death_n and_o r._n joseph_n albo_n affirm_v that_o it_o signify_v a_o death_n that_o happen_v by_o chance_n and_o without_o any_o antecedent_n offence_n and_o mere_o by_o the_o power_n of_o a_o celestial_a sign_n but_o that_o i_o may_v explain_v this_o thing_n more_o clear_o i_o shall_v show_v what_o the_o jew_n mean_v by_o chance_n and_o fortune_n and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n they_o usual_o distinguish_v between_o fortune_n and_o chance_n the_o latter_a of_o which_o they_o attribute_v to_o inanimate_a and_o insensible_a creature_n for_o instance_n if_o tile_n fall_v from_o a_o house_n when_o the_o wind_n blow_n and_o kill_v a_o man._n here_o we_o have_v two_o thing_n 1._o a_o natural_a cause_n for_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o the_o wind_n to_o blow_v 2._o that_o which_o may_v be_v