of_o heathen_a fable_n insist_o on_o this_o very_a story_n of_o ophioneus_n as_o the_o groundwork_n of_o that_o relation_n in_o genesis_n concern_v the_o fall_n but_o origen_n well_o answer_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 6._o see_v therefore_o if_o this_o rare_a antiquary_n who_o charge_v we_o with_o impiety_n in_o corrupt_v and_o alter_v the_o heathen_a fable_n be_v not_o himself_o â—erâ—_n just_o chargeable_a with_o the_o same_o fault_n not_o understand_v the_o far_o great_a antiquity_n of_o the_o write_n of_o moâ—es_n then_o either_o of_o heraclitus_n or_o pherecydes_n or_o homer_n himself_o which_o report_v the_o story_n of_o that_o evil_a one_o which_o fall_v from_o heaven_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o serpent_n from_o which_o o_o hioneus_a in_o pherecydes_n derive_v his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o man_n be_v cast_v forth_o of_o paradise_n do_v intimate_v some_o such_o thing_n while_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o divinity_n and_o of_o a_o 〈◊〉_d condition_n 〈◊〉_d fi_fw-la st_z deceive_v the_o woman_n and_o by_o her_o mean_n 〈◊〉_d man_n câ—lius_n rhodiginus_fw-la câ—lls_v this_o ophioneus_n daemonicum_n serpentem_fw-la qui_fw-la antesignanus_fw-la fuâ—rit_fw-la 10._o agminis_fw-la à _fw-la divinae_fw-la mentis_fw-la placito_fw-la deficientis_fw-la this_o pherecydes_n as_o appear_v by_o eusebius_n have_v much_o converse_n with_o the_o phaenician_o where_o he_o purposely_o speak_v concern_v this_o ophioneus_n now_o the_o phaenician_o as_o eusebius_n likewise_o tell_v we_o worship_v their_o god_n under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n which_o probable_o may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o devil_n ambition_n and_o tyranny_n over_o man_n that_o he_o will_v be_v worship_v among_o they_o in_o that_o very_a form_n wherein_o he_o have_v do_v so_o much_o mischief_n to_o the_o world_n it_o be_v very_o early_o in_o the_o world_n when_o the_o phaenician_o and_o egyptian_n do_v begin_v to_o adore_v their_o god_n under_o the_o form_n of_o serpent_n for_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o be_v attribute_v to_o taautus_n by_o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d neither_o be_v this_o only_a among_o the_o phaenician_o and_o egyptian_n but_o wherever_o the_o devil_n reign_v the_o serpent_n be_v have_v in_o some_o peculiar_a veneration_n thence_o justin_n martyr_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o serpent_n be_v the_o symbol_n of_o 2._o adoration_n among_o they_o and_o be_v the_o proper_a indicium_fw-la or_o note_n of_o a_o consecrate_a place_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o that_o of_o persius_n pinge_fw-la duos_fw-la angues_fw-la pveri_fw-la sacer_fw-la est_fw-la locus_fw-la 1._o thence_o the_o scholiast_n on_o aristophanes_n on_o that_o place_n in_o plutus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d observe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o where_o ever_o any_o god_n or_o hero_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v there_o be_v serpent_n paint_v to_o denote_v so_o much_o so_o orus_n apollo_n say_v of_o the_o egyptian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v wont_a to_o 1627._o put_v the_o form_n of_o a_o golden_a basilisk_n to_o their_o go_n heinsius_n conceive_v that_o the_o first_o worship_n of_o apollo_n at_o delphi_n be_v under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n whether_o nonnus_n tell_v we_o that_o cadmus_n the_o phaenician_n go_v upon_o his_o first_o come_v into_o boeotia_n and_o from_o hence_o he_o derive_v the_o name_n pytho_n from_o the_o hebrew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v a_o serpent_n ut_fw-la non_fw-la dubitandum_fw-la sit_fw-la say_v he_o quin_fw-la pythius_n apollo_n hoc_fw-la est_fw-la spurcus_fw-la ille_fw-la spiritus_fw-la quem_fw-la hebraei_n ob_fw-la &_o abaddon_n hellenistâ—â—_n ad_fw-la verbum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d caeteri_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dixerunt_fw-la sub_fw-la hac_fw-la 〈◊〉_d qua_fw-la miseriam_fw-la humano_fw-la generi_fw-la invexit_fw-la primo_fw-la cultus_fw-la sit_fw-la in_o graecia_n and_o which_o be_v further_a observable_a the_o devil_n be_v always_o ambitious_a to_o have_v the_o world_n think_v that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n be_v to_o come_v by_o the_o serpent_n still_o thence_o the_o famous_a oracle_n of_o apollo_n here_o at_o delphi_n thence_o come_v the_o use_n of_o serpent_n so_o much_o in_o divination_n thence_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v to_o divine_a from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o serpent_n and_o so_o among_o the_o greek_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v take_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o serpent_n so_o that_o excellent_a glossographer_n hesychius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o serpent_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o pedestria_fw-la auspicia_fw-la by_o the_o roman_n and_o homer_n tell_v in_o that_o solemn_a divination_n concern_v the_o greek_n success_n at_o troy_n there_o appear_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d b._n which_o say_v heinsius_n be_v a_o exact_a description_n of_o the_o nachas_n who_o they_o will_v have_v so_o call_v from_o the_o mark_n on_o hâ—s_n back_o which_o they_o accurate_o observe_v in_o divination_n thus_o we_o see_v how_o careful_a the_o devil_n be_v to_o advance_v his_o honour_n in_o the_o world_n under_o that_o form_n wherein_o he_o have_v deceive_v mankind_n into_o so_o much_o folly_n and_o misery_n we_o meet_v with_o some_o remainder_n of_o man_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o paradise_n upon_o his_o fall_n among_o the_o heathen_n origen_n 3._o think_v that_o plato_n by_o his_o converse_n with_o the_o jew_n in_o egypt_n 189._o do_v understand_v the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n which_o he_o after_o his_o way_n enigmatical_o describe_v in_o his_o symposiack_n where_o he_o bring_v in_o porus_n the_o god_n of_o plenty_n feast_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o god_n after_o supper_n penia_n come_v a_o beg_n to_o the_o door_n porus_n be_v drink_v with_o nectar_n go_v into_o jupiter_n garden_n and_o there_o fall_v asleep_a penia_n observe_v it_o steal_v to_o he_o and_o by_o this_o deceit_n conceive_v by_o he_o in_o this_o fable_n of_o plato_n origen_n take_v notice_n what_o a_o near_a resemblance_n the_o garden_n of_o jupiter_n have_v to_o paradise_n penia_n to_o the_o serpent_n which_o circumvent_v adam_n and_o porus_n to_o man_n who_o be_v deceive_v by_o the_o serpent_n which_o he_o conceive_v more_o probable_a because_o of_o plato_n his_o custom_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o wrap_v up_o thoâ—e_o excellent_a thing_n he_o know_v under_o some_o fable_n because_o of_o the_o ungar_n for_o which_o he_o after_o speak_v of_o his_o custom_n in_o alter_v and_o disguise_v what_o he_o have_v from_o the_o jew_n lest_o he_o shall_v too_o much_o displease_v the_o fabulous_a greek_n if_o he_o shall_v adhere_v too_o close_o to_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o infamous_a among_o they_o some_o have_v think_v the_o story_n of_o paradise_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o heathen_n in_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o garden_n of_o adonis_n which_o come_v near_o that_o of_o eden_n but_o what_o footstep_n may_v be_v gather_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n history_n in_o the_o heathen_a mythology_n will_v appear_v afterward_o thus_o much_o here_o then_o may_v serve_v to_o have_v manifest_v the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a by_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n to_o be_v in_o its_o self_n rational_a and_o attest_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o such_o person_n who_o can_v be_v suspect_v of_o any_o partiality_n to_o the_o scripture_n we_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o other_o grand_a difficulty_n which_o 20._o concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a and_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a providence_n together_o which_o be_v that_o if_o sin_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o misery_n and_o there_o be_v a_o god_n which_o govern_v the_o world_n whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n do_v so_o frequent_o escape_v suffering_n and_o the_o best_a do_v so_o common_o undergo_v they_o this_o have_v be_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n where_o man_n have_v be_v philosophical_a and_o inquisitive_a one_o of_o the_o great_a inquiry_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n have_v be_v perplex_v about_o the_o true_a and_o full_a resolution_n of_o which_o question_n depend_v much_o upon_o those_o ground_n and_o principle_n which_o be_v discover_v to_o we_o by_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o scripture_n concern_v the_o ground_n of_o god_n patience_n towards_o wicked_a man_n the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o suffering_n which_o good_a man_n be_v exercise_v with_o and_o certain_o this_o shall_v very_o much_o commend_v the_o scripture_n to_o all_o sober_a and_o inquisitive_a person_n that_o they_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o most_o clear_a and_o certain_a ground_n of_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o such_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v otherwise_o so_o irresolved_a but_o of_o that_o afterward_o our_o present_a business_n be_v
christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n in_o they_o and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v record_v by_o they_o to_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n here_o we_o have_v more_o clear_a reason_n as_o to_o the_o primary_n motive_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o withal_o the_o infallible_a veracity_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o faith_n and_o while_o we_o assert_v such_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n from_o the_o first_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o then_o so_o full_o attest_v by_o such_o uncontrollable_a miracle_n we_o can_v in_o the_o least_o understand_v to_o what_o end_n a_o power_n of_o miracle_n shall_v now_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n especial_o among_o those_o who_o all_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n indeed_o before_o the_o great_a harvest_n of_o convert_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v bring_v in_o both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o the_o church_n sully_v settle_v in_o receive_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n universal_o we_o find_v god_n do_v continue_v this_o power_n among_o they_o but_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o embrace_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n among_o christian_n we_o find_v they_o so_o far_o from_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o power_n that_o they_o reject_v the_o pretender_n to_o it_o such_o as_o the_o donatist_n be_v and_o plead_v upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o we_o do_v now_o against_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o we_o see_v then_o no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o miracle_n to_o be_v continue_v where_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v settle_v as_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o there_o be_v only_o these_o two_o case_n then_o wherein_o miracle_n may_v just_o and_o with_o reason_n be_v expect_v first_o when_o any_o person_n 4._o come_v as_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a commission_n from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n either_o to_o deliver_v some_o peculiar_a message_n or_o to_o do_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a service_n second_o when_o something_o that_o have_v be_v before_o establish_v by_o divine_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v and_o some_o other_o way_n of_o worship_n establish_v in_o stead_n of_o it_o first_o when_o any_o come_v upon_o a_o extraordinary_a message_n to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o name_n of_o and_o by_o commission_n from_o god_n than_o it_o be_v but_o reason_n to_o require_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a evidence_n of_o such_o authority_n because_o of_o the_o main_a importance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o give_v credit_n to_o such_o a_o person_n and_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o be_v guilty_a of_o reject_v that_o divine_a authority_n which_o appear_v in_o he_o and_o in_o this_o case_n we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v require_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n to_o believe_v where_o he_o do_v not_o give_v sufficient_a argument_n for_o faith_n nor_o that_o he_o will_v punish_v person_n for_o such_o a_o fault_n which_o a_o invincible_a ignorance_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o indeed_o god_n do_v not_o use_v to_o necessitate_v faith_n as_o to_o the_o act_n of_o it_o but_o he_o do_v so_o clear_o propound_v the_o object_n of_o it_o with_o all_o argument_n induce_v to_o it_o as_o may_v sufficient_o justify_v a_o believer_n choice_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n and_o prudence_n and_o may_v leave_v all_o unbeliever_n without_o excuse_n i_o can_v see_v what_o account_n a_o man_n can_v give_v to_o himself_o of_o his_o faith_n much_o less_o what_o apology_n he_o can_v make_v to_o other_o for_o it_o unless_o he_o be_v sufficient_o convince_v in_o point_n of_o the_o high_a reason_n that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o believe_v and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o conviction_n there_o must_v be_v some_o clear_a evidence_n give_v that_o what_o be_v speak_v have_v the_o impress_n of_o divine_a authority_n upon_o it_o now_o what_o conviction_n there_o can_v be_v to_o any_o sober_a mind_n concern_v divine_a authority_n in_o any_o person_n without_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n go_v along_o with_o he_o when_o he_o be_v to_o deliver_v some_o new_a doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n to_o be_v believe_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v understand_v for_o although_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o where_o ever_o god_n do_v reveal_v any_o thing_n to_o any_o person_n immediate_o he_o give_v demonstrable_a evidence_n to_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o it_o come_v from_o himself_o yet_o this_o inward_a sense_n can_v be_v no_o ground_n to_o another_o person_n to_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n divine_a because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o act_n of_o another_o sense_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o another_o person_n to_o distinguish_v the_o act_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n from_o strong_a impression_n of_o fancy_n by_o the_o force_n and_o energy_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v those_o who_o say_v they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n object_n i_o answer_v first_o this_o will_v expose_v we_o to_o all_o delusion_n imaginable_a answ._n for_o if_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o they_o say_v so_o 1._o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o which_o say_v so_o and_o none_o be_v more_o confident_a pretender_n to_o this_o then_o the_o great_a deceiver_n as_o the_o experience_n of_o our_o age_n will_v sufficient_o witness_v second_o man_n must_v necessary_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v contradiction_n for_o nothing_o more_o ordinary_a then_o for_o such_o confident_a pretender_n 2._o to_o a_o divine_a spirit_n to_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o person_n in_o a_o little_a time_n contradict_v himself_o and_o must_v we_o still_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o they_o say_v if_o so_o no_o philosopher_n will_v be_v so_o much_o in_o request_n as_o those_o aristotle_n dispute_v against_o in_o his_o metaphysic_n who_o think_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n three_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n at_o last_o will_v be_v but_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n as_o far_o as_o 3_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o believe_v be_v capable_a of_o judge_v of_o it_o for_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o person_n i_o be_o to_o believe_v have_v divine_a authority_n for_o what_o he_o say_v what_o ground_n can_v i_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v so_o must_v i_o take_v his_o bare_a affirmation_n for_o it_o if_o so_o than_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n must_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o divine_a faith_n and_o that_o which_o it_o be_v last_o resolve_v into_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o he_o speak_v when_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n i_o answer_v the_o question_n will_v again_o return_v how_o i_o shall_v know_v he_o speak_v this_o from_o divine_a authority_n and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o progress_n in_o infinitum_fw-la or_o sound_v divine_a faith_n on_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n if_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v divine_a revelation_n mere_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o person_n affirmation_n who_o pretend_v unto_o it_o for_o in_o this_o case_n it_o hold_v good_a non_fw-la apparentis_fw-la &_o non_fw-la existentis_fw-la eadem_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la if_o he_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n induce_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v be_v excuse_v if_o i_o believe_v he_o not_o if_o my_o wilfulness_n and_o laziness_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o unbelief_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o good_a man_n 5._o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n i_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v wonderful_o true_a but_o all_o the_o question_n be_v de_fw-fr modo_fw-la how_o god_n will_v satisfy_v they_o whether_o mere_o by_o inspiration_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n in_o they_o assure_v they_o that_o it_o be_v god_n that_o speak_v in_o such_o person_n or_o by_o give_v they_o rational_a evidence_n convince_a they_o of_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o assert_v the_o former_a way_n we_o run_v into_o these_o inconvenience_n first_o we_o make_v as_o immediate_a a_o revelation_n in_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v as_o in_o 1._o those_o who_o be_v to_o reveal_v divine_a truth_n to_o we_o for_o there_o be_v a_o new_a revelation_n of_o a_o object_n immediate_o to_o the_o mind_n viz._n that_o such_o a_o person_n be_v inspire_v of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v not_o after_o the_o common_a way_n of_o the_o spirit_n illumination_n in_o believer_n which_o be_v by_o enlighten_v the_o faculty_n without_o the_o proposition_n of_o any_o new_a object_n as_o it_o
that_o perish_v if_o now_o the_o weight_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o too_o great_a seasonableness_n of_o it_o if_o the_o common_a fame_n of_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o atheism_n among_o we_o be_v true_a be_v not_o sufficient_a apology_n for_o the_o publish_n this_o book_n i_o be_o resolve_v rather_o to_o undergo_v thy_o censure_n tben_fw-mi be_v behold_v to_o any_o other_o the_o intendment_n therefore_o of_o this_o preface_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o scope_n design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n although_o the_o view_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n may_v sufficient_o acquain_v thou_o with_o it_o how_o far_o i_o have_v be_v either_o from_o transeribe_v or_o a_o design_n to_o excusse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o admirer_n the_o several_a write_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n or_o christianity_n in_o particular_a especial_o mornay_n groâ—ius_n amyraldus_n etc._n etc._n may_v easy_o appear_v by_o compare_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o their_o book_n and_o this_o together_o have_v i_o not_o thought_n something_o may_v be_v say_v if_o not_o more_o full_o and_o rational_o yet_o more_o suitable_o to_o the_o present_a temper_n of_o this_o age_n then_o what_o be_v already_o write_v by_o they_o thou_o have_v not_o be_v trouble_v with_o this_o preface_n much_o less_o with_o the_o whole_a book_n but_o as_o the_o temper_n and_o genius_n be_v of_o age_n and_o time_n alier_n so_o do_v the_o arm_n and_o wâ—npons_n which_o â—â—theists_n employ_v against_o religion_n the_o most_o papular_a pretence_n of_o the_o atheist_n of_o our_o age_n have_v be_v the_o irreconcileableness_n of_o the_o account_n of_o time_n in_o scripture_n with_o that_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o ancient_a heathen_a nation_n the_o inconsistency_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o account_n which_o may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n from_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n without_o the_o scripture_n these_o three_o therefore_o i_o have_v particular_o set_v myself_o against_o and_o direct_v against_o each_o of_o they_o a_o several_a book_n in_o the_o first_o i_o have_v manifest_v that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n give_v by_o any_o heathen_a nation_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n inquire_v into_o that_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v hope_v to_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o man_n before_o adam_n to_o salve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o yet_o be_v intend_v only_o as_o a_o design_n to_o undermine_v they_o but_o i_o have_v not_o think_v the_o frivolous_a pretence_n of_o the_o author_n of_o that_o hypothesis_n worth_a particular_a mention_v suppose_v it_o sufficient_a to_o give_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o thing_n without_o particular_a citation_n of_o author_n where_o it_o be_v not_o of_o great_a concernment_n for_o understand_v the_o thing_n its_o self_n in_o the_o second_o book_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n why_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v those_o several_a person_n who_o in_o several_a age_n be_v employ_v to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n and_o with_o great_a particularity_n than_o have_v yet_o be_v use_v i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o person_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o in_o every_o of_o they_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v not_o only_o by_o the_o man_n of_o their_o own_o age_n but_o by_o those_o of_o succeed_a generation_n in_o the_o three_o book_n i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o matter_n themselves_o which_o be_v either_o suppose_v by_o or_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v therein_o not_o only_o manifest_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o those_o particular_a account_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n of_o evil_a and_o of_o nation_n which_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o the_o atheist_n exception_n and_o have_v therein_o consider_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o philosophy_n ancient_a or_o modern_a which_o have_v seem_v to_o contradict_v any_o of_o they_o to_o which_o mant_fw-fr ssae_fw-la loco_fw-la i_o have_v add_v the_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n history_n in_o the_o remainder_n of_o it_o in_o heathen_a mythology_n and_o conclude_v all_o with_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o have_v give_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o submit_v it_o to_o every_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a judgement_n all_o the_o favour_n than_o i_o shall_v request_v of_o thou_o be_v to_o read_v serious_o and_o judge_v impartial_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o thou_o will_v see_v as_o much_o reason_n for_o religion_n as_o i_o do_v the_o content_n book_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o obscurity_n and_o defect_n of_o ancient_a history_n the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n yet_o error_n often_o mistake_v for_o truth_n the_o account_n of_o it_o want_v of_o diligence_n in_o its_o search_n the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n thence_o come_v either_o reject_v truth_n for_o the_o error_n sake_n or_o embrace_v the_o error_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n the_o first_o instance_a in_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o second_o in_o vulgar_a heathen_a of_o philosophical_a atheism_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o the_o history_n of_o antiquity_n very_o obscure_a the_o question_n state_v where_o the_o true_a history_n of_o ancient_a time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o heathen_a history_n or_o only_o in_o scripture_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n assert_v and_o prove_v by_o the_o general_a defect_n for_o want_n of_o timely_a record_n among_o heathen_a nation_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o manner_n of_o they_o discover_v the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n of_o hicroglyphick_n the_o use_n of_o letter_n among_o the_o greek_n no_o elder_a than_o cadmus_n his_o time_n inquire_v into_o no_o elder_a than_o joshua_n the_o learning_n bring_v into_o greece_n by_o he_o page_n 1_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a history_n the_o particular_a defect_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a heathen_a nation_n first_o the_o phoenician_n of_o sanchoniathon_n his_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o jerombaal_a baal-berith_a the_o antiquity_n of_o tyre_n scaliger_n vindicate_v against_o bâ—chartus_fw-la abibalus_n the_o vanity_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o imitation_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gnostic_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n of_o his_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n transcribe_v by_o manetho_n his_o fabulousness_n thence_o discover_v terra_fw-la seriadica_n of_o seth_n pillar_n in_o josephus_n and_o a_o account_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v pag._n 25_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o contest_v of_o antiquity_n among_o heathen_a nation_n and_o the_o way_n of_o decide_v it_o of_o the_o chaldean_a astrology_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n of_o the_o zabiâ—_n their_o founder_n who_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o old_a chaldee_n of_o berosus_n and_o his_o history_n a_o account_n of_o the_o fabulous_a dynastye_n of_o berosus_n and_o manetho_n from_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n into_o greek_a in_o the_o time_n of_o prolomy_n of_o that_o translation_n and_o the_o time_n of_o it_o of_o demetrius_n phalereus_n scaliger_n argument_n answer_v manetho_n write_v after_o the_o septuagint_n prove_v against_o kircher_n his_o argument_n answer_v of_o rabbinical_a and_o arabic_a author_n and_o their_o little_a credit_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n the_o time_n of_o berosus_n inquire_v into_o his_o writing_n co-temporary_a with_o philadelphus_n pag._n 40_o chap._n iu_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n that_o manifest_v by_o three_o evident_a argument_n of_o it_o 1._o the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n the_o antiquity_n of_o poetry_n of_o orpheus_n and_o the_o ancient_a poet_n whence_o the_o poetical_a fable_n borrow_v the_o advancement_n of_o poetry_n and_o idolatry_n together_o in_o greece_n the_o different_a censure_n of_o strabo_n and_o eratosthenes_n concern_v the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o 2._o the_o elder_a historian_n of_o greece_n be_v of_o suspect_a credit_n of_o damastes_n aristeus_n and_o other_o of_o most_o of_o their_o elder_a historian_n we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o their_o name_n of_o other_o only_o the_o
any_o plea_n for_o his_o ignorance_n in_o geography_n that_o he_o have_v so_o many_o great_a name_n after_o he_o guilty_a of_o the_o same_o witness_v aristotle_n suspicion_n that_o the_o indies_n shall_v be_v join_v to_o europe_n about_o the_o straits_n where_o they_o feign_a hercules_n his_o pillar_n to_o be_v and_o the_o tberaeans_n ignorance_n where_o any_o such_o place_n as_o libya_n be_v when_o the_o oracle_n bid_v they_o plant_v a_o colony_n there_o will_v it_o not_o have_v be_v worth_a one_o while_n to_o have_v hear_v the_o great_a noise_n the_o sun_n use_v to_o make_v every_o night_n when_o he_o douse_v his_o head_n in_o the_o ocean_n as_o none_o of_o the_o most_o ignorant_a greek_n imagine_v and_o to_o have_v see_v the_o sun_n about_o hercules_n his_o pillar_n to_o be_v a_o hundred_o time_n big_a than_o he_o appear_v to_o they_o as_o they_o common_o fancy_v be_v not_o alexander_n think_v we_o well_o tutor_v in_o cosmography_n by_o his_o master_n aristotle_n when_o he_o write_v word_n to_o his_o mother_n he_o have_v find_v out_o the_o head_n of_o nilus_n in_o the_o east_n indies_n as_o arrian_n relate_v the_o story_n no_o wonder_n then_o his_o 6._o soldier_n shall_v mistake_v the_o mountain_n paropamisus_n in_o the_o indies_n for_o caucasus_n near_o colchis_n when_o even_o their_o learned_a man_n think_v colchis_n the_o utmost_a boundary_a of_o the_o world_n on_o that_o side_n as_o hercules_n his_o pillar_n on_o this_o what_o a_o lamentable_a account_n than_o be_v they_o able_a to_o give_v of_o the_o most_o ancient_a time_n who_o be_v so_o ignorant_a of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n in_o their_o own_o time_n when_o learning_n be_v in_o its_o height_n in_o greece_n and_o frequent_a discovery_n daily_o make_v of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o war_n which_o be_v make_v abroad_o eratosthencs_n confess_v the_o grecian_n be_v ignorant_a of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o northern_a part_n of_o europe_n before_o alexander_n expedition_n and_o strabo_n confess_v as_o much_o of_o the_o western_a part_n of_o europe_n till_o the_o roman_a expedition_n thither_o palus_n meot_n be_v and_o colchis_n 1._o faith_n he_o be_v not_o full_o know_v till_o the_o time_n of_o mithridates_n nor_o hyrcania_n bactriana_n and_o scythia_n till_o the_o parthian_a war_n eratosthenes_n mention_n some_o who_o think_v the_o arabian_a sea_n to_o be_v only_o a_o lake_n and_o it_o further_o argue_v their_o ignorance_n in_o geography_n that_o the_o late_a geographer_n always_o correct_v the_o error_n of_o the_o elder_a as_o ptolemy_n do_v marinus_n eratosthenes_n those_o before_o he_o hipparchus_n eratosthenes_n and_o strabo_n not_o only_o both_o they_o but_o eudoxus_n ephorus_n dicaearchus_n polybius_n posidonius_n and_o almost_o all_o that_o have_v write_v before_o he_o i_o insist_v on_o these_o thing_n not_o that_o i_o will_v destroy_v the_o credibility_n of_o any_o humane_a history_n where_o the_o author_n be_v guilty_a of_o any_o mistake_v for_o that_o be_v to_o take_v away_o the_o credit_n of_o all_o humane_a history_n but_o to_o show_v how_o insufficient_a those_o history_n be_v to_o give_v we_o a_o certain_a account_n of_o the_o original_n of_o nation_n who_o be_v so_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o state_n of_o those_o nation_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o for_o where_o there_o be_v want_v divine_a revelation_n which_o be_v not_o pretend_v by_o any_o greek_a historian_n and_o if_o it_o have_v have_v be_v easy_o refute_v there_o must_v be_v suppose_v a_o full_a and_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o that_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o and_o if_o they_o discover_v apparent_a defect_n and_o insufficiency_n which_o have_v be_v large_o manifest_v as_o to_o they_o in_o the_o precedent_a discourse_n we_o have_v ground_n to_o deny_v the_o credibility_n of_o those_o history_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o such_o defect_n and_o insufficiency_n so_o much_o then_o will_v abundant_o suffice_v for_o the_o make_v good_a the_o first_o argument_n against_o the_o credibility_n of_o profane_a history_n as_o to_o the_o account_n which_o they_o give_v of_o ancient_a time_n different_a from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n chap._n v._o the_o general_a uncertainty_n of_o heathen_a chronology_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n further_o prove_v from_o the_o uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n in_o their_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n that_o discover_v by_o the_o uncertain_a form_n of_o their_o year_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o different_a form_n of_o the_o egyptian_a year_n the_o first_o of_o thirty_o day_n the_o second_o of_o four_o month_n of_o both_o instance_n give_v in_o the_o egyptian_a history_n of_o the_o chaldaean_a account_n and_o the_o first_o dynastye_n mention_v by_o berosus_n how_o they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o probability_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n of_o manetho_n reason_n of_o account_v they_o fabulous_a because_o not_o attest_v by_o any_o credible_a authority_n and_o reject_v by_o the_o best_a historian_n the_o opinion_n of_o scaliger_n and_o vossius_fw-la concern_v their_o be_v cotemporary_a propound_v and_o reject_v with_o reason_n against_o it_o of_o the_o ancient_a division_n of_o egypt_n into_o nomi_n or_o province_n and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o against_o vossius_fw-la and_o kircher_n the_o next_o thing_n to_o manifest_v how_o little_a there_o be_v of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n report_v by_o the_o 1_o history_n of_o heathen_a nation_n be_v the_o uncertainty_n confusion_n and_o ambiguity_n in_o the_o account_n which_o they_o give_v of_o those_o time_n if_o we_o suppose_v they_o not_o at_o all_o defective_a as_o to_o their_o record_n if_o yet_o we_o find_v the_o account_n give_v so_o perplex_v ambiguous_a and_o confuse_a that_o we_o can_v find_v no_o certainty_n at_o all_o of_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o we_o have_v very_o little_a reason_n to_o entertain_v it_o with_o any_o certain_a assent_n unto_o it_o now_o this_o will_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o these_o thing_n 1._o the_o uncertainty_n of_o their_o chronology_n whereon_o their_o whole_a account_n depend_v 2._o the_o multitude_n of_o imposture_n take_v for_o ancient_a history_n 3._o the_o uncertain_a meaning_n of_o those_o character_n wherein_o their_o ancient_a history_n be_v preserve_v i_o begin_v with_o the_o great_a uncertainty_n of_o the_o heathen_a chronology_n which_o will_v be_v manifest_v by_o two_o thing_n first_o the_o uncertain_a form_n of_o their_o year_n second_o the_o want_n or_o uncertainty_n of_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o certain_a fix_a epocha_n from_o which_o to_o derive_v their_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n first_o the_o uncertain_a form_n of_o their_o year_n this_o of_o its_o self_n be_v sufficient_a to_o destroy_v the_o credibility_n of_o their_o account_n of_o antiquity_n if_o it_o be_v manifest_v that_o they_o have_v different_a form_n of_o year_n in_o use_n among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v uncertain_a to_o which_o to_o refer_v their_o account_n they_o give_v for_o if_o year_n be_v sometime_o lunar_a sometime_o solar_a and_o sometime_o but_o of_o thirty_o day_n sometime_o of_o four_o month_n sometime_o of_o three_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o day_n sometime_o three_o hundred_o sixty_o five_o sometime_o four_o time_n three_o hundred_o sixty_o five_o in_o their_o tetraeteris_fw-la sometime_o eight_o time_n in_o their_o octacteris_fw-la sometime_o more_o what_o certainty_n can_v we_o possible_o have_v which_o of_o they_o to_o fix_v their_o account_n to_o especial_o when_o they_o only_o give_v they_o in_o general_a and_o never_o tell_v we_o which_o of_o they_o they_o mean_v which_o may_v make_v it_o shrewd_o suspicious_a that_o their_o intent_n be_v only_o to_o impose_v on_o our_o understanding_n and_o not_o to_o deal_v fair_o and_o true_o with_o we_o we_o shall_v therefore_o so_o much_o explain_v the_o different_a form_n of_o their_o year_n as_o thereby_o to_o show_v what_o uncertainty_n we_o be_v leave_v to_o by_o they_o where_o we_o meddle_v not_o with_o their_o tropical_a and_o astronomical_a year_n but_o chief_o those_o which_o be_v in_o civil_a use_n among_o the_o several_a nation_n we_o speak_v to_o a_o year_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o system_fw-la of_o day_n and_o be_v therefore_o capable_a of_o as_o great_a variety_n as_o day_n be_v in_o be_v join_v together_o but_o usual_o there_o be_v some_o other_o lesser_a system_n of_o day_n than_o those_o which_o be_v call_v year_n out_o of_o which_o the_o other_o do_v result_v such_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o week_n which_o as_o joseph_n scaliger_n say_v be_v 〈◊〉_d res_fw-la omnibus_fw-la orient_a be_v populis_fw-la ab_fw-la ultima_fw-la usque_fw-la antiquitate_fw-la usitata_fw-la a_o thing_n in_o continual_a use_n among_o the_o eastern_a nation_n though_o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_a reception_n into_o the_o part_n of_o europe_n and_o no_o
now_o if_o we_o prove_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o interest_n to_o deceive_v in_o his_o history_n and_o have_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o his_o law_n we_o shall_v abundant_o evince_v the_o undoubted_a fidelity_n of_o moses_n in_o every_o thing_n record_v by_o he_o we_o begin_v then_o with_o his_o fidelity_n as_o a_o historian_n and_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n to_o deceive_v and_o be_v deceive_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o any_o person_n where_o we_o can_v discern_v some_o peculiar_a interest_n that_o may_v have_v a_o strong_a bias_n upon_o he_o then_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o moral_n then_o in_o natural_n for_o in_o natural_n we_o see_v that_o every_o thing_n will_v leave_v its_o proper_a interest_n to_o preserve_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o nature_n but_o in_o moral_n there_o be_v nothing_o 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moses_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o clear_a than_o that_o he_o be_v free_a from_o the_o ambitious_a design_n of_o advance_v himself_o and_o his_o posterity_n who_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a honour_n he_o enjoy_v himself_o be_v content_a to_o leave_v his_o posterity_n in_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o attendance_n upon_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o as_o little_o have_v we_o ground_n to_o think_v he_o intend_v to_o flatter_v that_o nation_n which_o he_o so_o lively_a describe_v that_o one_o will_v think_v he_o have_v rather_o a_o interest_n to_o set_v forth_o the_o frowardness_n unbelief_n unthankfulness_n and_o disobedience_n of_o a_o nation_n towards_o a_o gracious_a god_n than_o any_o way_n to_o enhance_v their_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n or_o to_o ingratiate_v himself_o with_o they_o by_o write_v this_o history_n of_o they_o nay_o and_o he_o set_v forth_o so_o exact_o the_o lesser_a fail_n and_o grosser_n enormity_n of_o all_o the_o ancestor_n of_o this_o nation_n who_o act_n he_o record_v that_o any_o impartial_a reader_n will_v soon_o acquit_v he_o of_o a_o design_n of_o flattery_n when_o after_o he_o have_v record_v those_o fault_n he_o seek_v not_o to_o extenuate_v they_o or_o bring_v any_o excuse_n or_o pretence_n to_o palliate_v they_o so_o that_o any_o observe_a reader_n may_v easy_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o be_v carry_v on_o by_o a_o high_a design_n than_o the_o common_a people_n of_o historian_n be_v and_o that_o his_o drift_n and_o scope_n be_v to_o exalt_v the_o goodness_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n towards_o a_o rebellious_a and_o obstinate_a people_n of_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a nor_o more_o lively_a demonstration_n than_o the_o history_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o their_o come_n forth_o of_o egypt_n to_o their_o utter_a ruin_n and_o desolation_n and_o moses_n tell_v they_o as_o from_o god_n himself_o it_o be_v neither_o for_o their_o number_n nor_o their_o goodness_n that_o god_n set_v his_o love_n upon_o they_o but_o he_o love_v they_o because_o he_o love_v they_o i._n e._n no_o other_o account_n be_v to_o be_v give_v 8._o of_o his_o gracious_a deal_n with_o they_o but_o the_o freeness_n of_o his_o own_o bonnty_n and_o the_o exuberancy_n of_o his_o goodness_n towards_o they_o nay_o have_v we_o not_o cause_n to_o admire_v the_o ingenuity_n as_o well_o as_o veracity_n of_o this_o excellent_a personage_n who_o not_o only_o lay_v so_o notorious_a a_o blot_n upon_o the_o stock_n of_o his_o own_o family_n levi_n record_v so_o punctual_o the_o inhumanity_n and_o cruelty_n of_o he_o and_o simeon_n in_o their_o deal_n with_o the_o shechemite_n 7._o but_o likewise_o insert_v that_o curse_n which_o be_v leave_v upon_o their_o memory_n for_o it_o by_o their_o own_o father_n at_o his_o decease_n and_o that_o he_o may_v not_o leave_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o partiality_n behind_o he_o he_o have_v not_o do_v as_o the_o statuary_n do_v who_o engrave_v his_o own_o name_n so_o artificial_o in_o the_o statue_n of_o jupiter_n that_o one_o shall_v continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o other_o but_o what_o the_o other_o intend_v for_o the_o praise_n of_o his_o skill_n moses_n have_v do_v for_o his_o ingenuity_n that_o he_o have_v so_o interweave_v the_o history_n of_o his_o own_o fail_n and_o disobedience_n with_o those_o of_o the_o nation_n that_o his_o spot_n be_v like_a to_o continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o whole_a web_n of_o his_o history_n be_v like_a to_o do_v have_v it_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o his_o design_n to_o have_v his_o memory_n preserve_v with_o a_o superstitious_a veneration_n among_o the_o jew_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o have_v leave_v out_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v in_o the_o least_o entrench_v upon_o his_o reputation_n but_o we_o find_v he_o very_o secure_a and_o careless_a in_o that_o particular_a nay_o on_o the_o other_o side_n very_o studious_a and_o industrious_a in_o depress_v the_o honour_n and_o desert_n of_o man_n and_o advance_v the_o power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o all_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o a_o affect_a strain_n of_o rhetoric_n who_o proper_a work_n be_v impetrare_fw-la fidem_fw-la mendacio_fw-la and_o as_o tully_n somewhere_o confess_v to_o make_v thing_n seem_v otherwise_o then_o they_o be_v but_o with_o that_o innate_a simplicity_n and_o plainness_n and_o yet_o withal_o with_o that_o imperatoria_fw-la brevit_fw-la as_o that_o majesty_n and_o authority_n that_o it_o be_v thereby_o evident_a he_o seek_v not_o to_o court_v acceptance_n but_o to_o demand_v belief_n nor_o have_v any_o such_o pitiful_a design_n of_o please_v his_o reader_n with_o some_o affect_a phrase_n but_o think_v that_o truth_n itself_o have_v presence_n enough_o with_o it_o to_o command_v the_o submission_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o it_o especial_o when_o all_o these_o be_v deliver_v by_o such_o a_o one_o 2._o who_o come_v sufficient_o arm_v with_o all_o motive_n of_o credibility_n and_o inducement_n to_o assent_v by_o that_o evidence_n which_o he_o give_v that_o he_o be_v no_o pretender_n to_o divine_a revelation_n but_o be_v real_o employ_v as_o a_o peculiar_a instrument_n of_o state_n under_o the_o god_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o if_o it_o be_v make_v clear_a than_o all_o our_o further_a doubt_n must_v present_o cease_v and_o all_o impertinent_a dispute_n be_v silence_v when_o the_o supreme_a majesty_n appear_v impowr_v any_o person_n to_o dictate_v to_o the_o world_n the_o law_n they_o must_v be_v govern_v by_o for_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v repugnant_a to_o our_o rational_a faculty_n that_o be_v that_o god_n shall_v dictate_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a or_o that_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v prescribe_v any_o law_n but_o such_o as_o be_v most_o just_a and_o reasonable_a if_o we_o suppose_v a_o god_n we_o can_v question_v veracity_n to_o be_v one_o of_o his_o chief_a attribute_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o god_n of_o truth_n shall_v employ_v any_o to_o reveal_v any_o thing_n as_o from_o he_o but_o what_o be_v undoubted_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o most_o gross_a and_o unreasonable_a incredulity_n to_o distrust_v the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o come_v to_o we_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n because_o thereby_o we_o show_v our_o distrust_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n himself_o all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v then_o be_v only_o reasonable_a satisfactisn_a concern_v the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o person_n who_o word_n we_o be_v to_o credit_v and_o this_o our_o gracious_a god_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o deny_v man_n that_o he_o have_v give_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o it_o imply_v no_o incongruity_n at_o all_o to_o any_o notion_n of_o
to_o be_v understand_v in_o those_o word_n concern_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n will_v appear_v by_o the_o occasion_n of_o their_o be_v bring_v in_o for_o verse_n 14._o god_n prohibit_v they_o to_o hearken_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o neighbour-nation_n to_o observer_n of_o time_n and_o diviner_n and_o then_o bring_v in_o the_o follow_a word_n v_o 15._o as_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o prohibiteon_n that_o god_n will_v raise_v up_o a_o prophet_n among_o themselves_o like_a unto_o moses_n and_o to_o he_o shall_v they_o hearken_v now_o let_v any_o rational_a man_n judge_v whether_o 1._o it_o be_v so_o probable_a a_o argument_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o harken_v to_o diviner_n of_o other_o nation_n that_o there_o shall_v a_o prophet_n arise_v 2000_o year_n after_o like_a unto_o moses_n as_o that_o he_o will_v raise_v up_o a_o continue_a succession_n of_o prophet_n among_o themselves_o to_o who_o they_o shall_v hearken_v thus_o origen_n in_o his_o excellent_a book_n against_o celsus_n show_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o prophetical_a office_n among_o the_o jew_n from_o hence_o for_o say_v he_o it_o be_v write_v in_o their_o law_n that_o the_o gentile_n hearkend_v unto_o oracle_n and_o divination_n but_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v 14._o it_o to_o be_v so_o among_o they_o it_o present_o follow_v a_o prophet_n will_v the_o lord_n god_n raise_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o etc._n etc._n therefore_o say_v he_o when_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o have_v their_o oracle_n and_o several_a way_n of_o divination_n all_o which_o be_v strict_o prohibit_v among_o the_o jew_n if_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o way_n of_o foreknow_v thing_n to_o come_v it_o have_v be_v almost_o impossible_a consider_v the_o great_a curiosity_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o have_v keep_v they_o from_o despise_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n or_o apostatise_v to_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n or_o set_v up_o something_o like_o they_o among_o themselves_o which_o interpretation_n of_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o reason_n not_o only_o from_o the_o coherence_n of_o the_o word_n here_o but_o from_o the_o analogy_n of_o many_o other_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a have_v a_o respect_n to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o idolatrous_a nation_n round_o about_o they_o another_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o by_o this_o be_v understand_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n be_v the_o change_n which_o follow_v against_o false_a prophet_n and_o the_o rule_n to_o discover_v they_o v_o 20_o 21_o 22._o which_o have_v not_o be_v so_o pertinent_a and_o coherent_a if_o the_o opposition_n do_v not_o lie_v between_o the_o order_n of_o true_a prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n which_o shall_v rise_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o that_o which_o yet_o further_o justify_v this_o interpretation_n be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o place_n in_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n which_o do_v express_o speak_v of_o a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n if_o this_o be_v not_o understand_v of_o it_o and_o be_v it_o any_o way_n probabe_n a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n and_o consequence_n shall_v be_v whole_o pretermit_v especial_o when_o we_o find_v it_o so_o exact_o perform_v in_o the_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n their_o immediate_a ruler_n like_o dictator_n at_o rome_n after_o moses_n death_n be_v most_o raise_v up_o by_o immediate_a incitation_n and_o impulse_n from_o god_n and_o many_o of_o they_o inspire_v with_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n how_o shall_v the_o jew_n have_v expect_v these_o or_o obey_v they_o when_o they_o appear_v have_v not_o god_n foretell_v it_o to_o they_o and_o provide_v they_o for_o it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n neither_o do_v these_o prophet_n arise_v single_o among_o they_o like_o blaze_a star_n one_o in_o a_o age_n to_o portend_v future_a event_n but_o whole_a constellation_n of_o they_o sometime_o appear_v together_o yea_o so_o many_o small_a prophet_n be_v sometime_o unite_v together_o as_o make_v up_o a_o perfect_a galaxy_n when_o they_o be_v enter_v into_o society_n and_o become_v school_n of_o the_o prophet_n for_o such_o we_o frequent_o read_v of_o in_o scripture_n the_o original_a and_o institution_n of_o which_o may_v cast_v a_o further_a light_n into_o our_o present_a design_n and_o show_v we_o the_o little_a reason_n the_o jew_n can_v have_v to_o expect_v miracle_n from_o they_o to_o confirm_v their_o doctrine_n who_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o law_n and_o be_v call_v out_o from_o their_o several_a society_n into_o the_o prophetical_a office_n by_o the_o immediate_a incitation_n of_o god_n himself_o which_o be_v so_o common_o know_v among_o they_o there_o need_v no_o such_o extraordinary_a proof_n to_o manifest_v the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o they_o be_v employ_v two_o thing_n then_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v first_o the_o original_n and_o institution_n of_o these_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o second_o that_o it_o be_v the_o erdinary_a course_n for_o the_o prophet_n by_o employment_n to_o be_v take_v forth_o of_o these_o society_n wherein_o they_o be_v educate_v first_o for_o the_o original_n and_o institution_n of_o these_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o first_o seminary_n or_o place_n of_o institution_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n which_o be_v disperse_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o israel_n god_n thereby_o turn_v that_o into_o a_o blessing_n which_o be_v pronounce_v as_o a_o curse_n upon_o levi_n by_o his_o father_n jacob_n viz._n that_o he_o shall_v be_v divide_v in_o jacob_n and_o scatter_v in_o israel_n but_o though_o the_o fulfil_n of_o that_o 7._o prophecy_n may_v be_v the_o primary_n ground_n oâ—_n that_o scatter_v yet_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o god_n aim_v at_o some_o further_a good_a in_o it_o both_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o levite_n and_o the_o israelite_n lyra_n undertake_v to_o assign_v four_o reason_n of_o this_o distribution_n of_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n among_o the_o tribe_n 1_o because_o if_o they_o 21._o have_v live_v but_o in_o one_o tribe_n the_o worship_n of_o god_n will_v have_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v confine_v to_o that_o tribe_n 2_o because_o they_o will_v have_v be_v a_o burden_n to_o that_o tribe_n they_o have_v their_o habitation_n in_o 3_o from_o the_o equity_n of_o be_v maintain_v by_o all_o who_o serve_v for_o all_o 4_o because_o it_o be_v their_o office_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a they_o shall_v live_v among_o they_o these_o reason_n be_v most_o of_o they_o oppose_v by_o 14._o abulensis_n but_o defend_v by_o other_o the_o last_o be_v that_o which_o most_o insist_v on_o it_o be_v the_o peculiar_a office_n of_o the_o levite_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n so_o 2_o chron._n 35._o 4._o and_o say_v unto_o the_o levite_n qui_fw-la erudiebant_fw-la omnem_fw-la israelem_fw-la as_o vatablus_n render_v it_o who_o teach_v all_o israel_n and_o masius_n insist_o on_o that_o as_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o their_o dispersion_n to_o be_v ready_a to_o teach_v the_o law_n among_o the_o israelite_n but_o yet_o all_o those_o who_o be_v agree_v that_o teach_v the_o law_n be_v the_o duty_n of_o the_o levite_n be_v not_o yet_o agree_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o that_o teach_n for_o there_o be_v two_o part_n of_o their_o law_n the_o one_o ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a and_o the_o other_o moral_a and_o spiritual_a the_o question_n be_v whether_o of_o these_o two_o do_v belong_v to_o or_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n there_o be_v many_o who_o understand_v all_o that_o office_n of_o teach_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n to_o be_v mere_o concern_v the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o law_n i._n e._n decide_v all_o case_n of_o controversy_n which_o shall_v arise_v concern_v their_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o in_o levit._n 10._o 10._o be_v call_v put_v a_o difference_n between_o holy_a and_o unholy_a and_o between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a but_o it_o seem_v somewhat_o strange_a that_o god_n shall_v take_v so_o great_a care_n about_o the_o shell_n and_o outside_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o none_o at_o all_o for_o the_o moral_a and_o spiritual_a part_n of_o it_o especial_o when_o he_o have_v set_v apart_o a_o whole_a tribe_n mere_o for_o his_o own_o service_n and_o free_v they_o from_o all_o other_o employment_n that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o great_a liberty_n to_o attend_v upon_o the_o thing_n relate_v to_o his_o service_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v mention_v as_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n 10._o to_o teach_v all_o the_o statute_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v to_o they_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o
not_o execute_v upon_o he_o so_o ahab'_v humiliation_n hezekiah_n his_o earnest_a prayer_n the_o ninivites_n 19_o repentance_n all_o interpose_a between_o sentence_n and_o execution_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o reason_n why_o these_o denunciation_n do_v not_o take_v effect_n but_o where_o the_o person_n continue_v the_o same_o after_o threaten_n that_o they_o be_v before_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o sentence_n shall_v be_v suspend_v unless_o we_o shall_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a effect_n of_o the_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a of_o god_n lead_v man_n to_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n of_o life_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n the_o jew_n give_v why_o the_o not_o fulfil_v of_o denunciation_n of_o judgement_n be_v never_o account_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v a_o man_n a_o false_a prophet_n to_o which_o purpose_n these_o word_n of_o maimonides_n be_v observable_a in_o his_o jesude_v thorah_n where_o he_o treat_v particular_o on_o the_o subject_n of_o prophecy_n if_o a_o prophet_n foretell_v sad_a thing_n as_o the_o death_n of_o any_o 6._o one_o or_o famine_n or_o war_n or_o the_o like_a if_o these_o thing_n come_v not_o to_o pass_v he_o shall_v not_o be_v account_v a_o false_a prophet_n neither_o let_v they_o say_v hehold_v he_o have_v foretell_v and_o it_o come_v not_o to_o pass_v for_o eurbless_v god_n be_v slow_a to_o anger_n and_o rich_a in_o mercy_n and_o repent_v of_o the_o evil_a and_o it_o may_v be_v that_o they_o repent_v and_o god_n may_v spare_v they_o as_o he_o do_v the_o ninivites_n or_o defer_v the_o punishment_n as_o he_o do_v hezekiah_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o prophetical_a commination_n do_v not_o express_v god_n internal_a purpose_n and_o therefore_o the_o event_n may_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o yet_o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o true_a prophet_n 2._o prediction_n concern_v temporal_a blessing_n do_v not_o always_o 14._o absolute_o speak_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o event_n but_o what_o god_n be_v ready_a to_o do_v if_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v make_v continue_v faithful_a to_o he_o for_o which_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n from_o that_o place_n of_o jeremiah_n 18._o 9_o 10._o at_o what_o instant_n i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o build_v and_o to_o plant_v it_o if_o it_o do_v evil_a in_o my_o sight_n that_o it_o obey_v not_o my_o voice_n then_o will_v i_o repent_v of_o the_o good_a wherewith_o i_o say_v i_o will_v benefit_v they_o so_o isaiah_n 1._o 19_o 20._o if_o you_o be_v willing_a and_o obedient_a you_o shall_v eat_v the_o good_a of_o the_o land_n but_o if_o you_o refuse_v and_o rebel_n you_o shall_v be_v devour_v with_o the_o sword_n for_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o whereby_o we_o see_v it_o evident_a that_o all_o promise_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v absolute_o but_o with_o the_o condition_n of_o obedience_n but_o this_o the_o jew_n can_n by_o no_o mean_n digest_v who_o rule_n be_v that_o all_o prophecy_n of_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v must_v necessary_o come_v to_o pass_v or_o he_o be_v no_o true_a prophet_n who_o speak_v they_o for_o say_v maimon_n whatever_o good_a thing_n god_n have_v promise_v although_o 8._o it_o be_v promise_v under_o a_o condition_n he_o never_o revoke_v it_o and_o we_o never_o find_v that_o god_n repent_v he_o of_o any_o good_a thing_n promise_v but_o in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n when_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o righteous_a they_o shall_v not_o die_v with_o the_o wicked_a but_o it_o repent_v he_o of_o his_o word_n but_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a to_o any_o one_o that_o consider_v the_o jewish_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n that_o in_o they_o they_o have_v always_o a_o eye_n to_o themselves_o and_o will_v be_v sure_a not_o to_o understand_v those_o scripture_n which_o seem_v to_o thwart_v their_o own_o interest_n as_o be_v most_o apparent_a in_o the_o present_a case_n for_o the_o grand_a reason_n why_o the_o jew_n insist_v so_o much_o on_o the_o punctual_a accomplishment_n of_o all_o promise_n of_o good_a to_o be_v the_o sign_n of_o a_o true_a prophet_n be_v to_o uphold_v their_o own_o interest_n in_o those_o temporal_a blessing_n which_o be_v prophesy_v of_o concern_v they_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n although_o one_o will_v think_v the_o want_n of_o correspondency_n in_o the_o event_n in_o reference_n to_o themselves_o may_v make_v they_o a_o little_a more_o tender_a of_o the_o honour_n of_o those_o prophecy_n which_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o have_v appear_v to_o be_v so_o in_o nothing_o more_o than_o the_o full_a accompllshmenâ—_n of_o all_o those_o threaten_n which_o be_v denounce_v against_o they_o for_o their_o disobedience_n even_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o moses_n himself_o deut._n 28._o from_o the_o 15._o to_o the_o end_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a and_o evident_a then_o that_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o all_o the_o privilege_n confer_v upon_o they_o do_v depend_v upon_o the_o condition_n of_o their_o continue_v faithful_a to_o god_n covenant_n the_o only_a place_n of_o scripture_n produce_v by_o they_o with_o any_o plausibility_n be_v that_o jerem._n 28._o 9_o the_o prophet_n which_o prophesi_v of_o peace_n when_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v then_o shall_v the_o prophet_n be_v know_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v true_o send_v he_o for_o reconcile_a of_o which_o place_n with_o those_o already_o mention_v we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o here_o be_v a_o particular_a contest_v between_o two_o prophet_n hananiah_n and_o jeremiah_n jeremiah_n he_o foretell_v evil_a to_o come_v though_o unwilling_o five_o 6._o hananiah_n he_o prophesy_v peace_n now_o jeremiah_n according_a to_o god_n peculiar_a direction_n and_o inspiration_n appeal_v to_o the_o event_n to_o determine_v who_o prophecy_n be_v the_o true_a now_o say_v jeremiah_n if_o the_o prophecy_n of_o hananiah_n concern_v peace_n be_v fulfil_v than_o he_o be_v the_o true_a prophet_n and_o i_o the_o false_a and_o in_o this_o case_n when_o two_o prophet_n prophecy_n contrary_a thing_n it_o stand_v to_o reason_n that_o god_n will_v not_o reveal_v any_o thing_n by_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o own_o prophet_n which_o shall_v not_o infallible_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o thereby_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o prophet_n may_v be_v full_o manifest_v beside_o jeremiah_n refer_v not_o mere_o to_o the_o event_n foretell_v but_o give_v a_o sudden_a specimon_n of_o his_o own_o truth_n in_o another_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o death_n of_o hananiah_n which_o be_v punctual_o accomplish_v the_o same_o year_n ver_fw-la 17._o and_o which_o be_v most_o considerable_a to_o our_o purpose_n both_o these_o prophet_n consider_v the_o same_o people_n under_o the_o same_o circumstance_n and_o with_o the_o same_o condition_n and_o so_o jeremiah_n because_o of_o their_o incorrigibleness_n foretell_v desolation_n certain_o to_o come_v notwithstanding_o this_o hananiah_n foretell_v peace_n and_o safety_n which_o be_v contrary_a direct_o to_o god_n method_n of_o proceed_v and_o so_o the_o falsity_n of_o his_o prophecy_n will_v infallible_o be_v discover_v by_o the_o event_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o instance_n it_o appear_v evident_a that_o prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n do_v suppose_v condition_n and_o so_o have_v not_o always_o the_o event_n fulfil_v when_o the_o people_n do_v not_o perform_v their_o condition_n of_o obedience_n and_o thus_o we_o have_v now_o lay_v down_o the_o rule_n whereby_o the_o truth_n of_o prophecy_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o which_o it_o appear_v what_o little_a need_v the_o constant_a prophet_n have_v to_o appeal_v to_o miracle_n to_o manifest_v the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o they_o so_o we_o have_v finish_v our_o first_o proposition_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o try_v divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o prophet_n god_n send_v among_o his_o people_n we_o now_o come_v to_o the_o second_o general_a proposition_n concern_v prop._n the_o prophet_n those_o prophet_n who_o god_n do_v employ_v upon_o some_o extraordinary_a message_n for_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o have_v a_o power_n of_o miracle_n confer_v upon_o they_o in_o order_n to_o that_o end_n so_o that_o we_o must_v distinguish_v the_o ordinary_a employment_n of_o prophet_n which_o be_v either_o instruction_n or_o prediction_n of_o future_a event_n among_o god_n own_o people_n from_o their_o peculiar_a message_n when_o they_o be_v send_v to_o give_v evidence_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o way_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v then_o settle_v by_o god_n own_o appointment_n now_o the_o prophet_n general_o do_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o own_v by_o those_o they_o be_v send_v to_o and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v very_o needless_a employ_v a_o power_n of_o miracle_n among_o they_o to_o
then_o these_o be_v have_v there_o be_v any_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n concern_v the_o design_n of_o christ_n why_o can_v not_o the_o jew_n prevail_v with_o judas_n to_o discover_v it_o as_o well_o as_o to_o betray_v his_o person_n judas_n have_v do_v but_o a_o good_a work_n if_o christ_n have_v be_v such_o a_o impostor_n as_o the_o jew_n blasphemous_o say_v he_o be_v what_o make_v judas_n then_o so_o little_o satisfy_v with_o his_o work_n that_o he_o grow_v weary_a of_o his_o life_n upon_o it_o and_o throw_v himself_o away_o in_o the_o most_o horrid_a despair_n no_o person_n certain_o have_v be_v so_o fit_a to_o have_v be_v produce_v as_o a_o witness_n against_o christ_n as_o judas_n who_o have_v be_v so_o long_o with_o he_o and_o have_v hear_v his_o speech_n and_o observe_v his_o miracle_n but_o he_o have_v not_o patience_n enough_o to_o stay_v after_o that_o horrid_a fact_n to_o be_v a_o witness_n against_o he_o nay_o he_o be_v the_o great_a witness_n at_o that_o time_n for_o he_o when_o he_o who_o have_v betray_v he_o come_v to_o the_o sanhedrim_n when_o consult_v about_o his_o death_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o have_v sin_v in_o betray_v innocent_a blood_n what_o possible_a evidence_n 5._o can_v have_v be_v give_v more_o in_o behalf_n of_o our_o saviour_n then_o that_o be_v when_o a_o person_n so_o covetous_a as_o to_o betray_v his_o master_n for_o thirty_o piece_n of_o silver_n be_v so_o weary_a of_o his_o bargain_n that_o he_o come_v and_o throw_v back_o the_o money_n and_o declare_v the_o person_n innocent_a who_o he_o have_v betray_v and_o this_o person_n too_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o know_v our_o saviour_n far_o better_o than_o any_o of_o the_o witness_n who_o afterward_o they_o suborn_v against_o he_o who_o yet_o contradict_v each_o other_o and_o at_o last_o can_v produce_v nothing_o which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o heathen_a governor_n can_v make_v he_o judge_n christ_n worthy_a of_o death_n 3._o the_o apostle_n be_v free_a from_o design_n then_o any_o counterwitness_n at_o that_o time_n can_v be_v we_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o apostle_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v any_o other_o motive_n to_o affirm_v what_o they_o do_v but_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v but_o now_o if_o any_o among_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n have_v assert_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o apostle_n we_o have_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o it_o and_o what_o motive_n may_v induce_v they_o to_o it_o viz._n the_o preserve_n of_o their_o honour_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o people_n the_o uphold_v their_o tradition_n beside_o their_o open_a and_o declare_v enmity_n against_o christ_n without_o any_o sufficient_a reason_n at_o all_o for_o it_o now_o who_o will_v believe_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o have_v so_o great_a authority_n among_o the_o people_n which_o they_o be_v like_a to_o lose_v if_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v true_a before_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o part_v with_o all_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n and_o venture_v themselves_o whole_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n 4._o none_o ever_o do_v so_o much_o to_o attest_v the_o negative_a as_o the_o apostle_n do_v to_o prove_v their_o fidelity_n as_o to_o the_o affirmative_a have_v sufficient_a counterwitness_n be_v timely_o produce_v we_o can_v think_v the_o apostle_n will_v have_v run_v so_o many_o continual_a hazard_n in_o preach_v the_o thing_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o christ._n do_v ever_o any_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o undeceive_v the_o world_n if_o the_o apostle_n be_v guilty_a of_o abuse_v it_o 5._o the_o number_n of_o such_o person_n have_v be_v inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n of_o those_o who_o be_v so_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v our_o saviour_n who_o be_v all_o ready_a as_o most_o of_o they_o do_v to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o with_o their_o life_n whence_o shall_v so_o many_o man_n grow_v so_o sudden_o confident_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o their_o former_a persuasion_n interest_n education_n have_v they_o not_o be_v deliver_v in_o such_o a_o way_n that_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o they_o which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o last_o proposition_n which_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n be_v first_o believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o receive_v with_o a_o universal_a and_o uncontrolled_a 5._o assent_n by_o all_o such_o person_n who_o have_v think_v themselves_o concern_v in_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o do_v yield_v a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o be_v build_v upon_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o firm_a assent_n where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n give_v to_o question_v the_o evidence_n which_o that_o there_o be_v not_o in_o this_o present_a case_n will_v appear_v from_o these_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o those_o person_n who_o do_v believe_v these_o thing_n have_v liberty_n and_o opportunity_n to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o before_o they_o believe_v they_o therefore_o no_o reason_n or_o motive_n can_v be_v assign_v on_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v induce_v to_o believe_v these_o thing_n but_o the_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o truth_n which_o go_v along_o with_o they_o i_o confess_v in_o mahumetism_n a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o person_n have_v for_o some_o century_n of_o year_n continue_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o mahomet_n but_o then_o withal_o there_o be_v a_o sufficient_a account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o that_o viz._n the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n which_o keep_v they_o in_o awe_n and_o strict_o forbid_v all_o the_o follower_n of_o mahomet_n to_o dispute_v their_o religion_n at_o all_o or_o compare_v it_o with_o any_o other_o therefore_o i_o can_v no_o more_o wonder_n at_o this_o than_o i_o do_v to_o see_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o the_o greâ—t_n turk_n neither_o on_o the_o other_o side_n do_v i_o wonder_v that_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o those_o profess_v christianity_n shall_v together_o with_o it_o believe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o erroneous_a doctrine_n and_o live_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o many_o gross_a superstition_n because_o i_o consider_v what_o a_o strange_a prevalency_n education_n have_v upon_o soft_a spirit_n and_o more_o easy_a intellectual_n and_o what_o a_o awe_n a_o inquisition_n bear_v upon_o timorous_a and_o irresolved_a person_n but_o now_o when_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o person_n sober_a and_o inquisitive_a shall_v contrary_v to_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o education_n and_o without_o fear_n of_o any_o humane_a force_n which_o they_o beforehand_o see_v will_v persecute_v they_o and_o after_o diligent_a enquiry_n make_v into_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o they_o believe_v for_o sake_n all_o their_o former_a persuasion_n and_o resolve_o adhere_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n propound_v to_o they_o though_o it_o cost_v they_o their_o life_n if_o this_o give_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o think_v this_o doctrine_n true_a we_o must_v believe_v mankind_n to_o be_v the_o most_o miserable_a unhappy_a creature_n in_o the_o world_n that_o will_v with_o so_o much_o resolution_n part_n with_o all_o advantage_n of_o this_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o one_o to_o come_v if_o that_o be_v not_o undoubted_o certain_a and_o the_o doctrine_n propose_v it_o infallible_o true_a it_o be_v a_o observable_a circumstance_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o though_o god_n make_v choice_n at_o first_o of_o person_n general_o of_o mean_a rank_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n god_n thereby_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o faith_n do_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o choose_v the_o weak_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n to_o confound_v 27._o the_o strong_a yet_o soon_o afâ—er_v the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v abroad_o in_o the_o world_n we_o find_v person_n of_o great_a place_n and_o reputation_n of_o great_a part_n and_o ability_n engage_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n we_o read_v of_o sergius_n a_o proconsul_n of_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n convert_v to_o the_o faith_n and_o in_o the_o follow_a age_n of_o the_o church_n many_o person_n of_o great_a esteem_n for_o their_o excellent_a learning_n and_o ability_n such_o be_v justin_n martyr_n one_o who_o before_o he_o become_v a_o christian_a be_v conversant_a with_o all_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n stoic_n peripatetic_n pythagorean_n and_o at_o last_o be_v a_o profess_a platonist_n till_o he_o
to_o be_v deceive_v i_o grant_v the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o mind_n in_o this_o present_a state_n be_v very_o great_a which_o make_v we_o so_o obnoxious_a to_o error_n and_o mistake_n but_o then_o that_o imperfection_n lie_v in_o the_o proneness_n in_o man_n mind_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o interest_n and_o prejudice_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o thing_n but_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v pure_o speculative_a and_o rational_a if_o the_o mind_n can_v be_v certain_a it_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o they_o it_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n at_o all_o of_o any_o mathematical_a demonstration_n now_o we_o find_v in_o our_o own_o mind_n a_o clear_a and_o convince_a evidence_n in_o some_o thing_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v propound_v to_o our_o understanding_n as_o that_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o a_o nonentity_n can_v have_v no_o proper_a attribute_n that_o while_o i_o reason_n and_o discourse_n i_o be_o these_o be_v so_o clear_a that_o no_o man_n do_v suspect_v himself_o deceive_v at_o all_o in_o they_o beside_o if_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n of_o certainty_n at_o all_o in_o our_o judge_a thing_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v there_o a_o idea_n of_o true_a and_o false_a in_o our_o mind_n if_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o i_o say_v not_o that_o in_o all_o perception_n of_o the_o mind_n we_o have_v certain_a evidence_n of_o truth_n but_o only_o in_o such_o as_o be_v clear_a and_o distinct_a that_o be_v when_o upon_o the_o great_a consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o thing_n there_o appear_v no_o ground_n or_o reason_n at_o all_o to_o doubt_v concern_v it_o and_o this_o must_v suppose_v the_o mind_n abstraction_n whole_o from_o the_o sense_n for_o we_o plain_o find_v that_o while_o we_o attend_v to_o they_o we_o may_v judge_v ourselves_o very_o certain_a and_o yet_o be_v deceive_v as_o those_o who_o have_v a_o icterism_n in_o their_o eye_n may_v judge_v with_o much_o confidence_n that_o they_o see_v thing_n as_o clear_o and_o distinct_o as_o any_o other_o do_v beside_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n take_v for_o grant_v by_o man_n which_o have_v no_o evidence_n of_o reason_n at_o all_o in_o they_o now_o if_o man_n will_v judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n by_o such_o principle_n no_o wonder_n if_o they_o be_v deceive_v but_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n we_o suppose_v the_o mind_n to_o proceed_v upon_o evident_a principle_n of_o reason_n or_o to_o have_v such_o notion_n of_o thing_n which_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v perceive_v by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n do_v agree_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n we_o apprehend_v if_o in_o such_o thing_n then_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o certainty_n it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v our_o faculty_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n which_o high_o reflect_v either_o upon_o god_n or_o nature_n it_o be_v a_o noble_a question_n as_o any_o be_v in_o philosophy_n what_o be_v the_o certain_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n or_o what_o ground_n of_o certainty_n the_o mind_n have_v to_o proceed_v upon_o in_o its_o judgement_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o object_n as_o be_v represent_v to_o it_o nothing_o can_v render_v the_o philosophy_n of_o epicurus_n more_o just_o suspect_v to_o any_o â—ational_a and_o inquisitive_a mind_n than_o his_o make_v the_o sense_n the_o only_a certain_a conveyor_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n to_o the_o mind_n the_o sense_n i_o grant_v do_v not_o in_o themselves_o deceive_v any_o but_o if_o i_o make_v the_o impression_n of_o sense_n to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n for_o the_o mind_n to_o judge_v by_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n i_o make_v way_n for_o the_o great_a imposture_n and_o the_o most_o err_a judgement_n for_o if_o my_o mind_n affirm_v every_o thing_n to_o be_v in_o its_o proper_a nature_n according_a to_o that_o idea_n which_o the_o imagination_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o impression_n upon_o the_o organ_n of_o sense_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o i_o ever_o to_o understand_v the_o right_a nature_n of_o thing_n because_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n may_v remain_v the_o same_o when_o all_o those_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o affect_v the_o organ_n of_o sense_n may_v be_v alter_v and_o because_o the_o various_a motion_n and_o configuration_n of_o the_o particle_n of_o matter_n may_v make_v such_o a_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n which_o may_v cause_v a_o idea_n in_o we_o of_o that_o in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o which_o yet_o may_v be_v only_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o sensation_n as_o some_o philosopher_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v in_o heat_n and_o cold_a now_o if_o the_o mind_n judge_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o those_o idea_n which_o come_v from_o the_o impression_n make_v upon_o the_o organ_n of_o sense_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a it_o shall_v ever_o come_v to_o a_o right_a judgement_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n so_o that_o in_o reference_n even_o to_o the_o gross_a material_a being_n it_o must_v be_v the_o perception_n only_o of_o the_o mind_n which_o can_v true_o inform_v we_o of_o their_o proper_a nature_n and_o essence_n beside_o there_o be_v many_o idea_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o be_v capable_a to_o have_v property_n demonstrate_v of_o they_o which_o never_o owe_v their_o original_n to_o our_o sense_n and_o be_v never_o import_v to_o the_o mind_n at_o the_o key_n of_o the_o sense_n such_o be_v most_o mathematical_a figure_n which_o have_v their_o peculiar_a property_n and_o demonstration_n such_o be_v all_o the_o mutual_a respect_n of_o thing_n to_o each_o other_o which_o may_v be_v as_o certain_a and_o evident_a to_o the_o mind_n as_o its_o self_n be_v now_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o this_o that_o all_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o convey_v by_o the_o sense_n but_o our_o true_a way_n of_o certain_a understanding_n the_o nature_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v by_o the_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o be_v found_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o faculty_n and_o that_o however_o we_o may_v be_v deceive_v when_o we_o do_v not_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o our_o reason_n because_o of_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o present_a state_n yet_o if_o we_o say_v our_o mind_n may_v be_v deceive_v when_o thing_n be_v evident_a and_o clear_a to_o they_o upon_o plain_a principle_n of_o reason_n it_o be_v high_o to_o reslect_v upon_o that_o god_n who_o give_v man_n rational_a faculty_n and_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o discern_a truth_n from_o falsehood_n 2._o that_o we_o have_v clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n that_o necessity_n of_o existence_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o vast_a difference_n which_o there_o be_v in_o our_o notion_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o other_o be_v in_o all_o other_o being_n i_o grant_v we_o may_v abstract_n essence_n and_o existence_n from_o each_o other_o now_o if_o i_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v evident_a reason_n ex_fw-la parte_fw-la rei_fw-la why_o i_o can_v do_v it_o in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n than_o it_o will_v be_v more_o plain_a that_o necessity_n of_o existence_n do_v immutable_o belong_v to_o his_o nature_n it_o be_v manifest_a to_o our_o reason_n that_o in_o all_o other_o being_n which_o we_o apprehend_v the_o nature_n of_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o beyond_o bare_a possibility_n of_o existence_n no_o although_o the_o thing_n which_o do_v apprehend_v do_v real_o exist_v because_o in_o form_v a_o idea_n of_o a_o thing_n we_o abstract_a from_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o employ_v in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n now_o existence_n be_v only_o contingent_a and_o possible_a as_o to_o any_o other_o be_v it_o can_v be_v any_o ingredient_n of_o its_o idea_n because_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o its_o essence_n for_o we_o may_v full_o apprehend_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n without_o attribute_v existence_n to_o it_o but_o now_o in_o our_o conception_n of_o a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a bare_a possibility_n or_o contingency_n of_o existence_n speak_v a_o direct_a repugnancy_n to_o the_o idea_n of_o kim_n for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a which_o may_v want_v that_o which_o give_v life_n to_o all_o other_o perfection_n which_o be_v existence_n the_o only_a scruple_n which_o man_n mind_n be_v subject_a to_o in_o apprehend_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n lie_v in_o this_o whether_o this_o necessary_a existence_n do_v real_o belong_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o being_n who_o idea_n it_o be_v or_o else_o
not_o to_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o evil_n in_o they_o and_o as_o they_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o evil_n so_o they_o have_v but_o a_o mixture_n of_o punishment_n none_o lie_v under_o so_o great_a misery_n here_o but_o withal_o they_o have_v some_o share_n in_o the_o comfort_n of_o this_o life_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v less_o wonder_n that_o this_o part_n of_o divine_a providence_n which_o concern_v the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n have_v not_o want_v some_o among_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n who_o have_v make_v it_o their_o design_n to_o vindicate_v it_o which_o set_v aside_o what_o simplicius_n on_o epictetus_n and_o many_o other_o have_v do_v be_v full_o perform_v by_o seneca_n in_o his_o tract_n on_o this_o very_a sâ—â—â—â—ct_n â—â—ur_fw-la bonis_fw-la male_a sit_fw-la cum_fw-la sit_fw-la providentia_fw-la as_o muretuâ—â—_n restore_v the_o title_n of_o that_o book_n wherein_o these_o follow_a account_n be_v give_v of_o it_o 1._o god_n bring_v they_o up_o as_o his_o child_n under_o sharp_a discipline_n for_o their_o future_a benefit_n a_o good_a man_n in_o seneca_n language_n be_v discipulus_fw-la dei_fw-la aemulatorque_fw-la &_o vera_fw-la progeny_n which_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v one_o teach_v of_o god_n a_o follower_n of_o 1_o god_n and_o one_o bear_v of_o he_o now_o say_v he_o parens_fw-la ille_fw-la magnificus_fw-la virtutum_fw-la non_fw-la lenis_fw-la exactor_n sicut_fw-la severi_fw-la patres_fw-la durius_fw-la educat_fw-la god_n who_o be_v the_o great_a father_n of_o good_a man_n keep_v they_o under_o discipline_n while_o under_o age_n and_o by_o hardship_n fit_v they_o for_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n thence_o he_o bid_v we_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o different_a indulgence_n of_o father_n and_o mother_n to_o their_o child_n the_o father_n he_o hasten_v they_o to_o school_v suffer_v they_o not_o to_o be_v idle_a on_o their_o playdaye_n make_v they_o toil_n and_o sometime_o cry_v the_o mother_n she_o be_v all_o for_o hold_v they_o in_o her_o lap_n keep_v they_o out_o of_o the_o sun_n and_o from_o catch_v cold_a will_v not_o willing_o have_v they_o either_o cry_n or_o take_v pain_n patrium_fw-la habet_fw-la deus_fw-la adversus_fw-la bonos_fw-es animum_fw-la &_o illos_fw-la fortius_fw-la amat_fw-la god_n bear_v the_o indulgence_n of_o a_o father_n towards_o his_o child_n and_o love_n they_o with_o great_a severity_n 2._o good_a man_n receive_v benefit_n by_o their_o suffering_n quicquid_fw-la evenit_fw-la in_o suum_fw-la colorem_fw-la trahit_fw-la say_v seneca_n of_o a_o good_a man_n which_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v every_o thing_n work_v together_o for_o his_o good_a the_o sea_n lose_v nothing_o say_v he_o of_o its_o saltness_n by_o the_o river_n run_v into_o it_o neither_o do_v a_o good_a man_n by_o the_o current_n of_o his_o suffering_n and_o of_o all_o benefit_n which_o he_o receive_v that_o of_o the_o exercise_n and_o trial_n of_o his_o virtue_n and_o patience_n be_v most_o discernible_a marcet_n sine_fw-la adversario_fw-la virtus_fw-la as_o soon_o as_o carthage_n be_v destroy_v rome_n fall_v to_o luxury_n true_a wrestler_n desire_v to_o have_v some_o to_o try_v their_o strength_n upon_o they_o cui_fw-la non_fw-la industrio_fw-la otium_fw-la poena_fw-la est_fw-la a_o active_a spirit_n hate_v idleness_n and_o cowardice_n for_o etiamsi_fw-la ceciderit_fw-la de_fw-la genus_fw-la pugnat_fw-la though_o his_o leg_n be_v cut_v off_o he_o will_v fight_v on_o his_o knee_n 3._o it_o redound_v to_o god_n honour_n when_o good_a man_n bear_v up_o under_o suffering_n ecce_fw-la par_fw-fr deo_fw-la dignum_fw-la vir_fw-la fortis_fw-la cum_fw-la mala_fw-la fortuna_fw-la compositus_fw-la it_o be_v a_o spectacle_n god_n delight_v to_o see_v a_o good_a man_n combat_n with_o calamity_n god_n do_v in_o seneca_n phrase_n quosdam_fw-la fastidio_fw-la transire_fw-la pass_v they_o by_o in_o a_o slight_a a_o old_a wrestler_n scorn_v to_o contend_v with_o a_o coward_n one_o who_o be_v vinci_fw-la paratus_fw-la ready_a to_o yield_v up_o present_o calamitates_fw-la sub_fw-la jugum_fw-la mittere_fw-la proprium_fw-la magni_fw-la viri_fw-la est_fw-la it_o argue_v a_o noble_a spirit_n to_o be_v able_a to_o subdue_v misery_n 4._o it_o tend_v to_o the_o trial_n and_o increase_n of_o their_o strength_n seneca_n high_o extol_v that_o speech_n of_o the_o philosopher_n demetrius_n nihil_fw-la infelicius_fw-la eo_fw-la cui_fw-la nihil_fw-la unquam_fw-la evenit_fw-la adversi_fw-la non_fw-la licuit_fw-la enim_fw-la illi_fw-la se_fw-la experiri_fw-la he_o be_v the_o most_o unhappy_a man_n who_o never_o know_v what_o misery_n mean_v for_o he_o can_v never_o know_v what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v and_o as_o he_o say_v to_o pass_v one_o life_n away_o sine_fw-la morsu_fw-la animi_fw-la without_o any_o trouble_n it_o be_v ignorare_fw-la rerum_fw-la naturae_fw-la alteram_fw-la partem_fw-la not_o to_o know_v what_o be_v upon_o the_o reverse_n of_o nature_n idem_fw-la licet_fw-la fecerint_fw-la qui_fw-la integri_fw-la revertuntur_fw-la ex_fw-la acie_n magis_fw-la spectatur_fw-la qui_fw-la sancius_fw-la redit_fw-la though_o he_o that_o come_v home_o sound_a may_v fight_v as_o well_o as_o he_o that_o be_v wound_v yet_o the_o wound_a person_n have_v the_o more_o pity_n and_o be_v most_o cry_v up_o for_o his_o valour_n the_o pilot_n be_v see_v in_o a_o tempest_n a_o soldier_n in_o battle_n and_o a_o good_a man_n in_o suffering_n god_n do_v by_o such_o as_o master_n do_v by_o scholar_n qui_fw-la plus_fw-la laboris_fw-la ab_fw-la his_fw-la exigunt_fw-la quibus_fw-la certior_fw-la spes_fw-la est_fw-la who_o set_v the_o best_a wit_n the_o hard_a task_n 5._o god_n exercise_v good_a man_n with_o suffering_n to_o discover_v the_o indifferency_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o man_n value_v so_o much_o in_o the_o world_n when_o he_o deny_v they_o to_o good_a man_n blindness_n will_v be_v hateful_a if_o none_o be_v blind_a but_o such_o who_o eye_n be_v put_v out_o and_o therefore_o appius_n and_o metellus_n be_v blind_a riches_n be_v no_o good_a thing_n therefore_o the_o worst_a as_o well_o as_o the_o best_a have_v they_o nullo_n modo_fw-la magis_fw-la potest_fw-la deus_fw-la concupita_fw-la traducere_fw-la quam_fw-la si_fw-la illa_fw-la ad_fw-la turpissimos_fw-la defert_fw-la ab_fw-la optimis_fw-la abigit_fw-la god_n can_v not_o traduce_v or_o defame_v those_o thing_n more_o which_o man_n desire_v so_o much_o then_o by_o take_v they_o away_o from_o the_o best_a of_o man_n and_o give_v they_o to_o the_o worst_a 6._o that_o they_o may_v be_v example_n to_o other_o of_o patience_n and_o constancy_n for_o as_o seneca_n conclude_v nati_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o exemplar_n they_o be_v bear_v to_o be_v pattern_n to_o other_o if_o to_o these_o thing_n we_o add_v what_o the_o word_n of_o god_n discover_v concern_v the_o nature_n ground_n and_o end_n of_o affliction_n and_o that_o glory_n which_o shall_v be_v reveal_v in_o comparison_n with_o which_o exceed_v weight_n of_o glory_n these_o light_n and_o momentany_a affliction_n be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v value_v than_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o full_a vindication_n of_o divine_a providence_n as_o to_o the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o impunity_n of_o such_o as_o be_v wicked_a but_o how_o ever_o from_o hence_o we_o see_v how_o far_o the_o mere_a light_n of_o reason_n have_v carry_v man_n in_o resolve_v these_o difficulty_n concern_v god_n providence_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o a_o rational_a account_n may_v be_v give_v of_o they_o suppose_v evil_a of_o punishment_n to_o arise_v from_o sin_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v ready_a to_o punish_v the_o wicked_a and_o to_o reward_v the_o good_a which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v show_v chap._n iu._n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o nation_n all_o mankind_n derive_v from_o adam_n if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a the_o contrary_a supposition_n a_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n the_o possibility_n of_o a_o universal_a deluge_n prove_v the_o flood_n universal_a as_o to_o mankind_n whether_o universal_a as_o to_o the_o earth_n and_o animal_n no_o necessity_n of_o assert_v either_o yet_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v without_o creation_n of_o new_a water_n of_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o deep_a the_o proportion_n which_o the_o height_n of_o mountain_n bear_v to_o the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n no_o mountain_n much_o above_o three_o mile_n perpendicular_a of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o fountain_n the_o opinion_n of_o aristotle_n and_o other_o concern_v it_o discuss_v the_o true_a account_n of_o they_o from_o the_o vapour_n arise_v from_o the_o mass_n of_o subterraneous_a water_n of_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n for_o receive_v the_o animal_n from_o buteo_n and_o other_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o deluge_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a nation_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o nation_n from_o noah_n posterity_n of_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o assyrian_a empire_n the_o multiplication_n of_o mankind_n
〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o the_o pelasgi_n be_v in_o crete_n now_o most_o of_o the_o cretan_a word_n be_v of_o a_o eastern_a extraction_n if_o we_o believe_v the_o learned_a bochartus_n who_o have_v promise_v a_o discourse_n on_o that_o subject_n beside_o crete_n we_o find_v the_o pâ—lasgi_n in_o 15._o chios_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v strabo_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o chios_n say_v that_o the_o pelasgi_n of_o thessaly_n be_v their_o first_o inhabitant_n and_o here_o the_o forename_a learned_a person_n have_v derive_v the_o name_n chios_n the_o mountain_n pelinaeus_n and_o the_o wine_n arvisium_n all_o from_o the_o eastern_a language_n the_o next_o we_o find_v they_o in_o be_v lesbos_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 9_o which_o from_o they_o be_v call_v pelasgia_n say_v strabo_n who_o name_n be_v likewise_o fetch_v out_o of_o the_o east_n by_o bochartus_fw-la further_o we_o find_v they_o in_o lemnos_n and_o 12._o imbros_n so_o anticlides_n in_o strabo_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d concern_v who_o name_n see_v bochartus_fw-la 82._o i_o know_v that_o learned_a author_n make_v the_o phoenician_n the_o author_n of_o all_o these_o name_n from_o no_o other_o ground_n general_o but_o because_o they_o be_v of_o a_o eastern_a derivation_n but_o according_a to_o what_o we_o have_v lay_v down_o we_o may_v yield_v to_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o upon_o clear_a ground_n for_o of_o some_o of_o these_o island_n he_o ingenuous_o confess_v he_o can_v find_v no_o evidence_n of_o the_o phoenician_n be_v in_o they_o phoenices_fw-la in_o his_o insulis_fw-la habitasse_fw-la nusquam_fw-la legimus_fw-la but_o we_o find_v it_o very_o plain_a that_o in_o 9_o those_o very_a island_n the_o pelâ—sgi_n inhabit_v and_o whether_o account_v then_o be_v more_o probable_a let_v the_o reader_n judge_n one_o thing_n more_o i_o shall_v insist_v on_o which_o be_v the_o original_n of_o the_o samothracian_a mystery_n that_o these_o be_v as_o to_o their_o name_n from_o the_o eastern_a language_n be_v now_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o learned_a man_n the_o cabiri_fw-la be_v so_o evident_o derive_v from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signisy_n strength_n and_o power_n i._n e._n the_o dii_fw-la potes_fw-la so_o cabiri_n be_v explain_v by_o varro_n and_o tertullian_n and_o the_o particular_a 8._o name_n of_o the_o several_a cabiri_n mention_v by_o the_o scholiast_n on_o apollonius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v very_o handsome_o explain_v by_o that_o learned_a and_o excellent_a 12._o bochartus_fw-la from_o the_o eastern_a language_n only_o he_o will_v needs_o have_v they_o derive_v from_o the_o phoenician_n whereas_o herodotus_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v from_o the_o pâ—lasgi_n who_o word_n be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o again_o 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o see_v evident_o by_o this_o that_o the_o samothracian_o derive_v their_o mystery_n from_o the_o pelasgi_n and_o without_o all_o question_n they_o have_v their_o name_n from_o thence_o whence_o they_o derive_v their_o mystery_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o as_o the_o old_a etrurians_n be_v certain_o a_o colony_n of_o the_o pelasgi_n upon_o their_o removal_n out_o of_o greece_n so_o vossius_fw-la obseru_v that_o the_o old_a hetruscan_n language_n ferè_fw-la â—_o syris_n habet_fw-la cuncta_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la nomina_fw-la have_v almost_o all_o the_o sacred_a appellation_n 1._o from_o the_o eastern_a tongue_n for_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v further_a observable_a which_o grotius_n take_v notice_n of_o that_o the_o jus_o pontisicum_fw-la romanorum_fw-la be_v takeâ—_n 〈◊〉_d great_a part_n from_o the_o hetrusci_n &_o the_o etrurians_n have_v it_o ab_fw-la hâ—braeis_n out_o of_o the_o eastern_a part_n by_o all_o which_o i_o can_v conceive_v but_o this_o opinion_n notwithstanding_o its_o novelty_n be_v advance_v to_o as_o high_a a_o degree_n of_o 15._o probability_n as_o any_o that_o stand_v on_o the_o like_a foundation_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o be_v a_o excellent_a clue_n to_o direct_v we_o to_o the_o labyrinth_n of_o antiquity_n and_o give_v we_o a_o fair_a account_n whence_o the_o eastern_a tongue_n come_v to_o be_v so_o much_o use_v among_o both_o the_o ancient_a greek_n and_o etrurians_n one_o thing_n more_o this_o will_v help_v we_o to_o understand_v far_o better_o than_o any_o salvo_fw-la have_v be_v yet_o use_v for_o it_o which_o be_v the_o affinity_n speak_v of_o by_o ariâ—s_n king_n of_o lacedaemon_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o onias_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o lacedaemonian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o 9_o be_v explain_v by_o josephus_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v find_v in_o a_o book_n that_o the_o jew_n and_o lacedaemonian_n be_v of_o the_o same_o stock_n from_o their_o mutual_a relation_n to_o abraham_n vossius_fw-la think_v the_o original_a of_o this_o be_v from_o those_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o anak_n who_o come_v into_o greece_n and_o people_a sparta_n and_o will_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v of_o the_o posterity_n 13._o of_o abraham_n or_o that_o they_o be_v partly_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o agar_n or_o cethura_n and_o partly_o of_o the_o canaanite_n drive_v out_o by_o joshua_n but_o how_o unlikely_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o suppose_v sparta_n people_v by_o the_o canaanite_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o evident_a that_o they_o shall_v give_v out_o themselves_o to_o be_v of_o that_o stock_n which_o they_o have_v be_v expel_v their_o country_n by_o and_o for_o the_o true_a posterity_n of_o abraham_n come_v thither_o as_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o but_o the_o bare_a assertion_n so_o we_o have_v this_o strong_a evidence_n against_o it_o that_o all_o that_o come_v from_o abraham_n be_v cirucumcise_v as_o the_o ishmaelite_n hagarens_n etc._n etc._n which_o we_o never_o read_v of_o among_o the_o lacedaemonian_n h._n grotius_n differ_v not_o much_o from_o the_o opinion_n of_o vossius_fw-la concern_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o kindred_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o spartan_n for_o in_o his_o note_n on_o that_o place_n in_o the_o maccabee_n where_o it_o be_v speak_v of_o he_o give_v this_o account_n of_o it_o the_o dorian_n of_o who_o the_o spartan_n be_v a_o part_n come_v from_o the_o pelasgi_n the_o language_n of_o the_o pelasgi_n be_v different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o greek_n as_o appear_v by_o herodotus_n in_o his_o clio_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o the_o pelasgi_n say_v he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dispersi_fw-la a_o scatter_a nation_n thence_o he_o suppose_v these_o pelasgi_n or_o banish_a people_n to_o have_v come_v from_o the_o confine_n of_o arabia_n and_o syria_n in_o which_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n and_o cethura_n have_v place_v themselves_o but_o 1._o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o keturah_n be_v place_v so_o near_o canaan_n or_o no._n i_o know_v junius_n endeavour_n to_o find_v the_o seat_n of_o all_o the_o son_n of_o cethurab_n in_o arabia_n but_o mercer_n give_v several_a not_o improbable_a reason_n why_o he_o conceive_v they_o place_v not_o in_o the_o east_n of_o canaan_n but_o in_o the_o eastern_a part_n of_o the_o world_n 2._o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n at_o all_o of_o any_o remove_n of_o these_o son_n of_o abraham_n by_o ceturah_n out_o of_o the_o part_n of_o arabia_n suppose_v they_o place_v there_o nor_o any_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v banish_v thence_o 3._o that_o which_o be_v the_o badge_n of_o abraham_n posterity_n be_v never_o that_o we_o read_v of_o in_o use_n among_o the_o spartan_n which_o be_v circumcision_n indeed_o in_o much_o late_a age_n than_o this_o we_o speak_v of_o we_o read_v of_o a_o people_n among_o the_o thracian_n who_o be_v circumcise_v who_o the_o greek_n themselves_o judge_v to_o be_v jew_n so_o aristophanes_n bring_v the_o odomantes_n in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 4_o say_v the_o scholiast_n i._n e._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o circumcision_n be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o thracian_n for_o these_o odomantes_n be_v say_v the_o scholiast_n a_o people_n of_o thrace_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o seem_v it_o be_v a_o tradition_n among_o they_o that_o they_o be_v jew_n if_o so_o it_o seem_v most_o probable_a that_o they_o be_v some_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v place_v about_o colchis_n and_o the_o adjacent_a place_n for_o herodotus_n in_o euterpe_n say_v that_o the_o syrian_n that_o live_v about_o the_o river_n thermodon_n and_o parthenius_n learned_a circumcision_n from_o the_o colchi_n of_o who_o he_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d only_o the_o colchi_n and_o egyptian_n and_o aeâ—hiopians_n have_v original_o the_o custom_n of_o circumcision_n or_o else_o these_o oâ—omantes_n may_v be_v some_o of_o the_o disperse_a jew_n
as_o a_o matter_n trivial_a and_o impertinent_a which_o can_v arise_v but_o from_o one_o of_o these_o two_o ground_n that_o either_o they_o think_v it_o no_o great_a wisdom_n to_o let_v go_v their_o present_a hold_n as_o to_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n for_o that_o which_o they_o secret_o question_v whether_o they_o shall_v ever_o live_v to_o see_v or_o no_o or_o else_o that_o their_o mind_n be_v in_o suspense_n whether_o they_o be_v not_o send_v on_o a_o guiana_n voyage_n to_o heaven_n whâ—ther_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o be_v yet_o full_o discover_v or_o the_o instruction_n which_o be_v give_v be_v such_o as_o may_v infallible_o conduct_v they_o thâ—her_o the_o first_o though_o it_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o sense_n fruition_n delight_n and_o further_a expectation_n yet_o to_o a_o rational_a person_n who_o serious_o reflect_v on_o himself_o and_o sum_n up_o what_o after_o all_o his_o trouble_n and_o disquietment_n in_o the_o procure_n his_o care_n in_o keep_v his_o disappointment_n in_o his_o expectation_n his_o fear_n of_o lose_v what_o he_o do_v enjoy_v and_o that_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n which_o attend_v all_o these_o he_o have_v gain_v of_o true_a contentment_n to_o his_o mind_n can_v never_o certain_o believe_v that_o ever_o these_o thing_n be_v intend_v for_o his_o happiness_n for_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v ever_o enjoy_v its_o full_a and_o complete_a happiness_n in_o this_o world_n when_o nothing_o be_v â—ble_n to_o make_v it_o happy_a but_o what_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o its_o nature_n able_a to_o fill_v up_o its_o large_a capacity_n and_o commensurate_a with_o its_o duration_n but_o in_o this_o life_n the_o matter_n of_o man_n great_a delight_n be_v strange_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o rational_a being_n the_o measure_n of_o they_o too_o short_a for_o our_o vast_a desire_n to_o stretch_v themselves_o upon_o the_o proportion_n too_o scant_o and_o narrow_a to_o run_v parallel_n with_o immortality_n it_o must_v be_v then_o only_o a_o supreme_a insinite_a and_o eternal_a be_v which_o by_o the_o free_a communication_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n can_v fix_v and_o satiate_v the_o soul_n desire_n and_o by_o the_o constant_a flow_n forth_o of_o his_o uninterrupted_a stream_n of_o favour_n will_v always_o keep_v up_o desire_n and_o yet_o always_o satisfy_v it_o one_o who_o goodness_n can_v only_o be_v feel_v by_o some_o tansient_a touch_n here_o who_o love_n can_v be_v see_v but_o as_o through_o a_o lattice_n who_o constant_a presence_n may_v be_v rather_o wish_v for_o then_o enjoy_v who_o have_v reserve_v the_o full_a sight_n and_o fruition_n of_o himself_o to_o that_o future_a state_n when_o all_o these_o dark_a vail_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o and_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v continual_o sun_v herself_o under_o immediate_a beam_n of_o light_n and_o love_n but_o how_o or_o in_o what_o way_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o this_o degenerate_a condition_n shall_v come_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o so_o great_a a_o happiness_n by_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o that_o god_n our_o nature_n be_v now_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n from_o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o important_a enquiry_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o we_o continual_o see_v how_o successless_a and_o unsatisfactory_a the_o endeavour_n of_o those_o have_v be_v to_o themselves_o at_o last_o who_o have_v seek_v for_o this_o happiness_n in_o a_o way_n of_o their_o own_o find_v out_o the_o large_a volume_n of_o the_o creation_n wherein_o god_n have_v describe_v so_o much_o of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n be_v yet_o too_o dark_a and_o obscure_a too_o short_a and_o imperfect_a to_o set_v forth_o to_o we_o the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o eternal_a happiness_n unless_o then_o the_o same_o god_n who_o make_v man_n soul_n at_o first_o do_v show_v they_o the_o way_n for_o their_o recovery_n as_o they_o be_v in_o a_o degenerate_a so_o they_o will_v be_v in_o a_o desperate_a condition_n but_o the_o same_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n which_o do_v at_o first_o display_v its_o self_n in_o give_v be_v to_o man_n soul_n have_v in_o a_o high_a manner_n enlarge_v the_o discovery_n of_o its_o self_n by_o make_v know_v the_o way_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v take_v into_o his_o grace_n and_o favour_n again_o which_o it_o now_o concern_v we_o particular_o to_o discover_v thereby_o 3_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o way_n be_v of_o that_o peculiar_a excellency_n that_o we_o may_v have_v from_o thence_o the_o great_a evidence_n it_o can_v come_v from_o no_o other_o author_n but_o god_n himself_o and_o do_v tend_v to_o no_o other_o end_n but_o our_o eternal_a happiness_n now_o that_o incomparable_a excellency_n which_o be_v in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n will_v full_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o under_o this_o threefold_a capacity_n 1._o as_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n 2._o as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n 3._o as_o contain_v that_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o relate_v to_o man_n eternal_a happiness_n 1._o consider_v the_o scripture_n general_o as_o contain_v in_o it_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n appear_v in_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v 2._o the_o manner_n wherein_o they_o be_v reveal_v 1._o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n may_v be_v consider_v these_o three_o way_n 1._o as_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n 2._o as_o mâ—tters_n of_o the_o great_a depth_n and_o mysteriousness_n 3._o as_o matter_n of_o the_o most_o universal_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n 1._o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n for_o man_n to_o know_v the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n be_v most_o know_v by_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o speak_v and_o therefore_o that_o wherein_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v discover_v can_v contain_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v mean_a and_o trivial_a they_o must_v be_v matter_n of_o the_o high_a importance_n which_o the_o supreme_a ruler_n of_o the_o world_n vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v to_o man_n concern_v and_o such_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o matter_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n to_o be_v which_o either_o concern_v the_o rectify_v our_o apprehension_n of_o his_o nature_n or_o make_v know_v to_o man_n their_o state_n and_o condition_n or_o discover_v the_o way_n whereby_o to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n now_o which_o be_v there_o of_o these_o three_o which_o suppose_v god_n to_o discover_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o world_n it_o do_v not_o high_o become_v he_o to_o speak_v to_o man_n of_o 1._o what_o be_v there_o which_o it_o do_v more_o high_o concern_v man_n to_o know_v then_o god_n himself_o or_o what_o more_o glorious_a and_o excellent_a 4._o object_n can_v he_o discover_v then_o himself_o to_o the_o world_n there_o be_v nothing_o certain_o which_o shall_v more_o commend_v the_o scripture_n to_o we_o then_o that_o thereby_o we_o may_v grow_v more_o acquaint_v with_o god_n that_o we_o may_v know_v more_o of_o his_o nature_n and_o all_o his_o perfection_n and_o many_o of_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o his_o act_n in_o the_o world_n we_o may_v by_o they_o understand_v with_o safety_n what_o the_o eternal_a purpose_n of_o god_n be_v as_o to_o the_o wâ—y_n of_o man_n recovery_n by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n we_o may_v there_o see_v and_o understand_v the_o great_a wisdom_n of_o god_n not_o only_o in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o the_o world_n and_o order_v of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o gradual_a revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o his_o people_n by_o what_o step_n he_o train_v up_o his_o church_n till_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n be_v come_v what_o his_o aim_n be_v in_o lay_v such_o a_o load_n of_o ceremony_n on_o his_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o what_o step_n &_o degrce_v he_o make_v way_n for_o the_o full_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n by_o speak_v in_o these_o last_o day_n by_o his_o son_n after_o he_o have_v speak_v at_o sundry_a time_n and_o divers_a manner_n by_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n unto_o the_o father_n in_o the_o scripture_n we_o read_v the_o most_o rich_a and_o admirable_a discovery_n of_o divine_a goodness_n and_o all_o the_o way_n and_o method_n he_o use_v in_o allure_a sinner_n to_o himself_o with_o what_o majesty_n he_o command_v with_o what_o condiscension_n he_o entreat_v with_o what_o importunity_n he_o woo_v man_n soul_n to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o he_o with_o what_o favour_n he_o embrace_v with_o what_o tenderness_n he_o chastise_v with_o what_o bowel_n he_o pity_v those_o who_o have_v choose_v he_o to_o be_v their_o god_n with_o what_o power_n he_o support_v with_o what_o wisdom_n he_o directâ—th_v with_o what_o cordial_n he_o
condition_n of_o our_o soul_n 3._o the_o scripture_n discover_v to_o we_o the_o only_a way_n of_o please_a god_n and_o enjoy_v his_o favour_n that_o clear_o reveal_v the_o way_n which_o man_n may_v have_v seek_v for_o to_o all_o eternity_n without_o particular_a revelation_n whereby_o sin_n may_v be_v pardon_v and_o whatever_o we_o do_v may_v be_v acceptable_a unto_o god_n it_o show_v we_o that_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n be_v through_o christ_n who_o he_o have_v make_v a_o propitiation_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o who_o alone_o be_v the_o true_a and_o live_a way_n whereby_o we_o may_v draw_v near_o to_o god_n with_o a_o true_a heart_n in_o full_a assurance_n of_o faith_n have_v our_o heart_n sprinkle_v from_o a_o evil_a conscience_n through_o christ_n we_o understand_v the_o term_n on_o which_o god_n will_v show_v favour_n and_o grace_n to_o the_o world_n and_o by_o he_o we_o have_v ground_n of_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d access_n with_o freedom_n and_o boldness_n unto_o god_n on_o his_o account_n we_o may_v hope_v not_o only_o for_o grace_n so_o subdue_v our_o sin_n resist_v temptation_n conquer_v the_o devil_n and_o the_o world_n but_o have_v fight_v this_o good_a fight_n and_o finish_v our_o course_n by_o patient_a continuance_n in_o well_o do_v we_o may_v just_o look_v for_o glory_n honour_n and_o immortality_n and_o that_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o those_o who_o wait_v in_o faith_n holiness_n and_o humility_n for_o the_o appearance_n of_o christ_n from_o heaven_n now_o what_o thing_n can_v there_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n for_o man_n to_o know_v or_o god_n to_o reveal_v than_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o our_o self_n the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o only_a way_n to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n and_o enjoy_v everlasting_a bliss_n the_o scripture_n discover_v not_o only_a matter_n of_o importance_n 2._o but_o of_o the_o great_a depth_n and_o mysteriousness_n there_o be_v many_o wonderful_a thing_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n thing_n we_o may_v admire_v but_o be_v never_o able_a to_o comprehend_v such_o be_v the_o eternal_a purpose_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n on_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o be_v all_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n for_o we_o to_o understand_v and_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v and_o yet_o may_v be_v unsearchable_a to_o our_o reason_n as_o to_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o they_o what_o certain_a ground_n our_o faith_n stand_v on_o as_o to_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v already_o show_v and_o therefore_o i_o forbear_v insist_v on_o 3._o they_o the_o scripture_n comprehend_v matter_n of_o the_o most_o universal_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n though_o many_o thing_n do_v much_o exceed_v our_o apprehension_n yet_o other_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o our_o nature_n as_o origen_n bid_v celsus_n see_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 135._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o agreeableness_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o which_o prevail_v most_o upon_o all_o candid_a and_o ingenuous_a auditor_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o as_o socrates_n say_v of_o heraclitus_n his_o book_n what_o he_o understand_v be_v excellent_a and_o therefore_o he_o suppose_v that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v be_v so_o too_o so_o ought_v we_o to_o say_v of_o the_o scripture_n if_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v within_o our_o capacity_n be_v so_o suitable_a to_o our_o nature_n and_o reason_n those_o can_v contradict_v our_o reason_n which_o yet_o be_v above_o they_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o they_o be_v yet_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o satisfaction_n concern_v they_o which_o they_o can_v never_o have_v have_v without_o divine_a revelation_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o true_a happiness_n wherein_o it_o lay_v and_o how_o to_o be_v obtain_v which_o the_o philosopher_n be_v so_o puzzle_v with_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o full_a satisfaction_n concern_v it_o true_a contentment_n under_o the_o trouble_n of_o life_n which_o the_o scripture_n only_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o true_a ground_n of_o and_o all_o the_o prescription_n of_o heathen_a moralist_n fall_v as_o much_o short_a of_o as_o the_o direction_n of_o a_o empirick_n do_v of_o a_o wise_a and_o skilful_a physician_n avoid_v the_o fear_n of_o death_n which_o can_v alone_o be_v through_o a_o ground_a expectation_n of_o a_o future_a state_n of_o happiness_n which_o death_n lead_v man_n to_o which_o can_v be_v have_v but_o through_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o contain_v in_o this_o revelation_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n as_o the_o matter_n themselves_o be_v of_o a_o excellent_a nature_n so_o be_v the_o manner_n wherein_o they_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n 2._o and_o that_o 1._o in_o a_o clear_a and_o perspicuous_a manner_n not_o but_o there_o may_v be_v still_o some_o passage_n which_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v as_o be_v either_o prophetical_a or_o consist_v of_o ambiguous_a phrase_n or_o contain_v matter_n above_o our_o comprehension_n but_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o term_n of_o man_n salvation_n be_v deliver_v with_o the_o great_a evidence_n and_o perspicuiry_n who_o can_v understand_v what_o these_o thing_n mean_v what_o do_v the_o lord_n require_v of_o thou_o but_o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n that_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n that_o without_o holiness_n none_o shall_v see_v the_o lord_n that_o unless_o we_o be_v bear_v again_o we_o can_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n these_o and_o such_o like_a thing_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o clear_a that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o man_n shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o light_n can_v keep_v they_o from_o understand_v they_o god_n intend_v these_o thing_n as_o direction_n to_o man_n and_o be_v not_o he_o able_a to_o speak_v intelligible_o when_o he_o please_v he_o that_o make_v the_o tongue_n shall_v he_o not_o speak_v so_o as_o to_o be_v understand_v without_o a_o infallible_a interpreter_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v his_o design_n to_o make_v know_v to_o man_n the_o term_n of_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n will_v god_n judge_v man_n at_o the_o great_a day_n for_o not_o believe_v those_o thing_n which_o they_o can_v not_o understand_v strange_a that_o ever_o man_n shall_v judge_v the_o scripture_n obscure_a in_o matter_n necessary_a when_o the_o scripture_n account_v it_o so_o great_a a_o judgement_n for_o man_n not_o to_o understand_v they_o if_o our_o gospel_n be_v hide_v it_o be_v 4._o hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v in_o who_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v the_o mind_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v not_o lest_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n shall_v shine_v unto_o they_o sure_a lot_n door_n be_v visible_a enough_o if_o it_o be_v a_o judgement_n for_o the_o man_n of_o sodom_n not_o to_o see_v it_o and_o the_o scripture_n than_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a enough_o if_o it_o be_v so_o great_a a_o judgement_n not_o to_o understand_v they_o 2._o in_o a_o powerful_a and_o authoritative_a manner_n as_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n do_v not_o so_o much_o beg_v acceptance_n as_o command_v it_o in_o that_o the_o expression_n wherein_o our_o duty_n be_v concern_v be_v such_o as_o awe_v man_n conscience_n and_o pierce_v to_o their_o heart_n and_o to_o their_o secret_a thought_n all_o thing_n be_v open_a 13._o and_o naked_a before_o this_o word_n of_o god_n every_o secret_a of_o the_o mind_n and_o thought_n of_o the_o heart_n lie_v open_a to_o its_o stroke_n and_o force_n it_o be_v quick_a and_o powerful_a sharp_a than_o a_o two-edged_a sword_n pierce_v to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o soul_n and_o spirit_n and_o of_o the_o joint_n and_o marrow_n and_o be_v a_o discerner_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o heart_n the_o word_n be_v a_o telescope_n to_o discover_v the_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n of_o high_a concernment_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v such_o a_o microscope_n as_o discover_v to_o we_o the_o small_a atom_n of_o our_o thought_n and_o discern_v the_o most_o secret_a intent_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o as_o far_o as_o this_o light_n reach_v it_o come_v with_o power_n and_o authority_n as_o it_o come_v arm_v with_o the_o majesty_n