for_o this_o they_o think_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o immutability_n of_o the_o deity_n but_o other_o have_v be_v more_o illiberal_a in_o their_o concession_n think_v it_o enough_o if_o they_o grant_v that_o god_n have_v a_o care_n of_o mankind_n although_o he_o never_o regard_v lesser_a matter_n and_o that_o curate_n magna_fw-la deus_fw-la fortunae_fw-la parva_fw-la relinquit_fw-la by_o mean_n of_o these_o wild_a conceit_n this_o error_n have_v proceed_v from_o bad_a to_o worse_o yet_o very_a few_o of_o the_o old_a philosopher_n or_o any_o other_o rank_n of_o man_n atheist_n those_o anomalus_fw-la birth_n except_v have_v ever_o that_o confidence_n in_o impiety_n to_o say_v with_o the_o epicurean_o that_o the_o world_n be_v perfect_o leave_v to_o its_o own_o fortuitous_a and_o casual_a resolution_n or_o that_o i_o may_v express_v it_o in_o their_o poet_n own_o phrase_n sive_fw-la nihil_fw-la positum_fw-la est_fw-la sed_fw-la sor_n incerta_fw-la vagatur_fw-la fertque_fw-la 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man_n life_n and_o last_o i_o shall_v answer_v the_o most_o material_a objection_n and_o doubt_n that_o be_v braught_fw-mi agaist_fw-mi it_o first_o that_o god_n have_v a_o perfect_a comprehension_n of_o all_o thing_n past_a present_a and_o to_o come_v be_v so_o reasonable_a a_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o it_o have_v be_v general_o own_v by_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a heathen_a and_o those_o impious_a wretch_n who_o at_o every_o turn_n take_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a in_o attest_v he_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o sometime_o themselves_o know_v be_v false_a sufficient_o imply_v that_o they_o believe_v god_n infinite_a knowledge_n beside_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o be_v plain_o hold_v out_o in_o scripture_n it_o be_v to_o this_o city_n of_o refuge_n peter_n do_v flee_v when_o his_o love_n be_v seem_o call_v in_o question_n lord_n say_v he_o thou_o know_v all_o thing_n
in_o this_o matter_n and_o that_o i_o may_v shun_v tediousness_n i_o shall_v reduce_v they_o to_o the_o two_o follow_a head_n 1._o some_o have_v foolish_o imagine_v that_o the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v fatal_a and_o necessary_a 2._o other_o upon_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a have_v as_o groundless_o think_v that_o it_o be_v altogether_o fortuitous_a and_o casual_a among_o those_o who_o ascribe_v every_o thing_n to_o the_o dispensation_n of_o a_o sure_a and_o inevitable_a destiny_n the_o stoic_n have_v be_v be_v always_o reckon_v the_o chief_a combatant_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o those_o stupid_a and_o senseless_a philosopher_n do_v teach_v that_o all_o effect_n be_v necessary_o produce_v by_o the_o natural_a order_n and_o series_n of_o cause_n which_o be_v from_o the_o outgoing_n of_o eternity_n inseparable_o chain_v together_o so_o that_o neither_o humane_a industry_n nor_o the_o divine_a power_n can_v alter_v what_o such_o a_o conjunction_n of_o cause_n be_v to_o produce_v that_o humane_a industry_n care_n and_o good_a menagery_n can_v alter_v the_o decree_n of_o fate_n the_o stoic_a moralist_n seneca_n very_o fair_o confess_v fatis_fw-la agimur_fw-la cedite_fw-la fatis_fw-la non_fw-la solicitae_fw-la possunt_fw-la curae_fw-la mutare_fw-la rati_fw-la stamina_fw-la fusi_fw-la seneca_n in_o oedip._n the_o same_o seneca_n also_o affirm_v that_o the_o supreme_a be_v be_v so_o strict_o tyeh_a to_o the_o sempeternal_a series_n and_o order_n of_o cause_n that_o he_o must_v follow_v but_o can_v gainsay_v what_o be_v thus_o establish_v quicquid_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la nos_fw-la sic_fw-la vivere_fw-la jussit_fw-la sic_fw-la mori_fw-la eadem_fw-la necessitate_v deos_fw-la alligat_fw-la irrevocabilis_fw-la humana_fw-la ac_fw-la divina_fw-la pariter_fw-la cursus_fw-la vehit_fw-la sen._n lib._n de_fw-fr provide_v 5._o there_o be_v two_o very_a dangerous_a author_n of_o great_a name_n and_o fame_n who_o among_o many_o other_o bad_a opinion_n have_v recall_v this_o stoical_a dream_n which_o be_v long_o since_o reject_v the_o one_o be_v the_o famous_a mr._n hobbs_n the_o other_o the_o subtle_a author_n of_o that_o book_n entitle_v tractatus_fw-la theologico_fw-la policitus_fw-la both_o which_o i_o may_v perhaps_o have_v occasion_n to_o examine_v more_o particular_o but_o if_o all_o thing_n be_v thus_o establish_v by_o a_o fatal_a necessity_n sound_a reason_n will_v suggest_v to_o sober_a man_n that_o it_o be_v a_o needless_a thing_n for_o the_o sick_a to_o call_v for_o the_o physician_n aid_n and_o indeed_o cicero_n very_o ingenious_o confess_v this_o si_fw-mi fatum_fw-la tibi_fw-la est_fw-la ex_fw-la hoc_fw-la morbo_fw-la convalescere_fw-la sive_fw-la tu_fw-la medicum_fw-la adhibueris_fw-la sive_fw-la non_fw-la adhibueris_fw-la convalesces_fw-la si_fw-la fatum_fw-la tibi_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la convalescere_fw-la sive_fw-la medicum_fw-la adhibueris_fw-la sive_fw-la non_fw-la non_fw-la convalesces_fw-la &_o alterutrum_fw-la fatum_fw-la est_fw-la medicum_fw-la ergo_fw-la ad_fw-la hibere_fw-la nihil_fw-la valet_fw-la cic._n lib._n de_fw-fr fato_fw-la and_o although_o seneca_n think_v he_o have_v fall_v upon_o a_o very_a good_a answer_n yet_o it_o be_v true_o never_o a_o whit_n better_o cum_fw-la sanitas_fw-la inquit_fw-la videatur_fw-la de_fw-la fato_fw-la debetur_fw-la et_fw-la medico_fw-la quia_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la beneficium_fw-la fati_fw-la per_fw-la huius_fw-la manus_fw-la venit_fw-la lib._n 2._o nat_n cap._n 35._o by_o which_o mean_v the_o physician_n be_v as_o fatal_o determine_v to_o prescribe_v the_o cure_n as_o the_o sick_a man_n recovery_n be_v destinate_a the_o age_n in_o which_o these_o man_n live_v be_v dark_a and_o blind_a we_o ought_v as_o much_o to_o pity_v their_o case_n as_o correct_v and_o reprehend_v they_o it_o be_v our_o happiness_n that_o we_o be_v not_o leave_v to_o the_o conduct_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o will_v god_n our_o thankful_a acknowledgement_n be_v answerable_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o this_o blessing_n i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o stand_v in_o reject_v this_o dream_n i_o think_v the_o hazard_n this_o speculation_n have_v expose_v some_o of_o its_o favourite_n to_o will_v be_v forcible_a enough_o to_o affright_v other_o from_o embrace_v it_o i_o remember_v i_o have_v read_v of_o some_o who_o this_o conceit_n have_v so_o far_o distract_v that_o they_o do_v cast_v away_o their_o sword_n and_o other_o weapon_n when_o their_o enemy_n approach_v say_v if_o it_o be_v our_o fate_n to_o die_v to_o keep_v our_o weapon_n will_v never_o preserve_v we_o from_o death_n it_o be_v also_o report_v of_o the_o delude_a mahometan_n that_o in_o battle_n they_o take_v courage_n from_o this_o that_o they_o be_v no_o soon_o bear_v than_o fate_n seal_v upon_o their_o forehead_n how_o long_o they_o shall_v live_v and_o what_o death_n they_o shall_v die_v alas_o who_o will_v not_o pity_v man_n thus_o infatuate_v and_o bewitch_v sure_o as_o st._n augustin_n excellent_o speak_v si_fw-la cor_fw-la tuum_fw-la non_fw-la esset_fw-la fatuum_fw-la non_fw-la crederes_fw-la fatum_fw-la tract_n 37._o in_o joh._n next_o the_o stoic_a stand_v the_o stargazer_n and_o astrologer_n who_o attribute_v the_o shortness_n or_o extension_n of_o our_o life_n to_o the_o bad_a or_o benign_a aspect_n and_o conjunction_n of_o the_o star_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o nativity_n now_o although_o i_o deny_v not_o that_o the_o heaven_n have_v a_o influence_n upon_o inferior_a thing_n yet_o sure_o this_o secret_a and_o occult_a dominion_n stargazer_n plead_v for_o be_v so_o manifest_o cross_v to_o reason_n and_o daily_a experience_n that_o no_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n will_v affirm_v it_o the_o prophet_n have_v long_o since_o advise_v we_o not_o to_o be_v dismay_v at_o the_o sign_n of_o heaven_n add_v the_o heathen_a they_o be_v dismay_v at_o they_o jer._n 10._o 2._o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v only_o peculiar_a to_o the_o heathen_a part_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v ignorant_a of_o god_n providence_n to_o believe_v the_o vain_a prediction_n of_o astrologer_n babylon_n be_v upbraid_v for_o she_o trust_v astrologer_n stargazer_n and_o monthly_a prognosticator_n isa._n 47._o 13._o these_o man_n confident_o presume_v to_o foretell_v the_o time_n of_o man_n death_n and_o the_o easl_o deceive_v multitude_n give_v a_o ready_a assent_n to_o whatever_o they_o speak_v so_o easy_a a_o matter_n it_o be_v to_o impose_v any_o thing_n upon_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o vulgar_a the_o palmaster_n as_o foolish_o pretend_v that_o god_n have_v seal_v upon_o every_o man_n hand_n how_o long_o he_o shall_v live_v and_o that_o observe_a man_n as_o they_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v they_o be_v can_v understand_v this_o by_o the_o line_n and_o draught_n in_o the_o palm_n of_o the_o hand_n and_o or_o proof_n of_o this_o they_o aledg_v job_n 37._o 7._o where_o it_o be_v say_v he_o seal_v up_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o man_n that_o all_o man_n may_v know_v his_o work_n but_o from_o this_o place_n no_o such_o thing_n can_v be_v collect_v for_o elihu_n be_v there_o take_v up_o in_o express_v the_o greatness_n of_o god_n work_n and_o the_o divine_a power_n in_o command_v the_o snow_n and_o the_o rain_n small_a and_o great_a to_o be_v on_o the_o earth_n and_o he_o add_v he_o seal_v up_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o man_n that_o be_v when_o snow_n and_o rain_n be_v upon_o the_o earth_n man_n can_v labour_v and_o toil_n their_o hand_n be_v seal_v up_o they_o can_v work_v epicurus_n and_o his_o follower_n can_v never_o be_v reconcile_v to_o this_o opinion_n but_o yet_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o this_o matter_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o extravagant_a and_o irrational_a they_o be_v equal_o unhappy_a in_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o the_o begin_n and_o period_n of_o being_n the_o account_n these_o man_n give_v of_o the_o original_n of_o being_n be_v so_o incredible_a that_o no_o rational_a man_n can_v have_v any_o temptation_n to_o believe_v it_o but_o this_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o present_a discourse_n i_o shall_v therefore_o only_o consider_v what_o they_o say_v of_o the_o period_n of_o being_n and_o brief_o their_o opinion_n be_v that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o the_o casual_a and_o fortuitous_a separation_n of_o those_o particle_n of_o matter_n that_o be_v unite_v by_o a_o happy_a chance_n and_o hit_v this_o error_n be_v of_o a_o old_a date_n and_o have_v long_o ere_o now_o past_a prescription_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o suitable_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o bad_a man_n the_o saducee_n who_o religigion_n it_o be_v to_o contradict_v the_o pharisee_n be_v very_o great_a stickler_n for_o this_o dream_n some_o man_n have_v confine_v the_o divine_a providence_n to_o the_o star_n and_o pluck_v our_o sublunary_a being_n from_o his_o immediate_a rule_n and_o dominion_n cicero_n can_v not_o be_v persuade_v that_o god_n have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n contingent_o future_a some_o to_o mend_v the_o matter_n confess_v god_n may_v know_v the_o general_a kind_n of_o thing_n but_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o he_o know_v every_o particular_a
by_o seminal_a production_n or_o by_o immediate_a creation_n again_o the_o union_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v a_o very_a mysterious_a riddle_n and_o the_o most_o ingenious_a hypothesis_n have_v be_v confess_v to_o be_v unsatisfactory_a and_o yet_o no_o man_n be_v ever_o so_o far_o infatuate_v as_o to_o deny_v that_o in_o man_n there_o be_v a_o soul_n and_o body_n in_o like_a manner_n what_o although_o humane_a reason_n can_v reconcile_v the_o divine_a knowledge_n with_o the_o contingency_n of_o action_n yet_o may_v it_o not_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o god_n know_v all_o contingency_n because_o his_o understanding_n be_v infinite_a and_o indeed_o the_o prediction_n in_o scripture_n be_v so_o remarkable_a and_o plain_a evidence_n that_o god_n know_v all_o thing_n that_o now_o it_o can_v be_v reasonable_o question_v but_o suppose_v revelation_n have_v teach_v we_o nothing_o of_o this_o yet_o we_o may_v by_o natural_a principle_n know_v that_o god_n be_v the_o most_o perfect_a be_v that_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o therefore_o of_o infinite_a comprehension_n that_o he_o be_v our_o maker_n and_o therefore_o must_v know_v all_o the_o intrigue_n of_o his_o creature_n but_o second_o the_o divine_a foreknowledge_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o thing_n for_o otherwise_o criminal_a action_n which_o do_v not_o escape_v his_o eye_n shall_v be_v cause_v by_o he_o who_o can_v tempt_v any_o man_n to_o sin_n which_o be_v impossible_a if_o god_n shall_v reveal_v to_o i_o that_o titius_n be_v certain_o to_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n the_o next_o day_n my_o foreknowledge_n do_v not_o necessitate_v titius_n to_o do_v that_o act_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o one_o hand_n as_o the_o foreknowledge_n of_o it_o have_v no_o influence_n upon_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o production_n nor_o cross_v the_o humane_a liberty_n for_o the_o divine_a foreknowledge_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n why_o thing_n exist_v but_o it_o suppose_v the_o existence_n of_o thing_n so_o upon_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o contingency_n of_o the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n do_v not_o inser_n that_o it_o can_v be_v certain_o know_v by_o a_o infinite_a understanding_n who_o grasp_v all_o thing_n and_o season_n but_o the_o great_a difficulty_n be_v how_o the_o divine_a foreknowledge_n can_v be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o divine_a promise_n command_n commination_n and_o prohibition_n how_o it_o can_v consist_v with_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o threaten_v man_n with_o shortness_n of_o life_n if_o they_o continue_v wicked_a and_o rebellious_a and_o to_o pramise_n longth_v of_o day_n if_o man_n will_v obey_v his_o commandment_n whileas_o he_o well_o know_v that_o the_o wicked_a man_n will_v continue_v in_o his_o wickedness_n and_o be_v filthy_a still_o and_o that_o the_o virtuous_a and_o good_a man_n will_v persevere_v in_o well_o do_v i_o confess_v this_o be_v a_o very_a great_a difficulty_n and_o have_v induce_v many_o learned_a man_n to_o doubt_v if_o god_n know_v thing_n contingent_o future_a not_o that_o they_o will_v impeach_v any_o of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n or_o derogate_v from_o the_o infinity_n of_o his_o knowledge_n but_o only_o they_o think_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n contingent_o future_a be_v such_o that_o they_o can_v be_v know_v as_o it_o be_v no_o diminution_n from_o omnipotency_n to_o say_v thing_n impossible_a or_o which_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n fall_v not_o under_o its_o object_n but_o yet_o since_o scripture_n have_v so_o clear_o reveal_v to_o we_o the_o divine_a foreknowledge_n of_o future_a action_n methinks_v he_o be_v very_o rash_a and_o inconsiderate_a that_o doubt_v it_o it_o be_v a_o remarkable_a sentence_n of_o tertullian_n praescientia_fw-la dei_fw-la tantos_fw-la habet_fw-la testes_fw-la quantos_fw-la fecit_fw-la prophetas_fw-la hence_o the_o learned_a episcopius_n tell_v we_o that_o his_o religion_n and_o the_o reverence_n he_o have_v to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n will_v never_o suffer_v he_o to_o admit_v this_o argument_n which_o reflect_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a prediction_n but_o i_o answer_v more_o particular_o that_o god_n promise_n and_o threaten_n be_v serious_a because_o although_o god_n know_v that_o some_o man_n who_o be_v threaten_v will_v continue_v in_o their_o wickedness_n yet_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o turn_v from_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o divine_a threaten_a be_v a_o argument_n which_o shall_v prevail_v upon_o man_n no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o god_n be_v serious_a with_o sinner_n in_o such_o case_n if_o a_o parent_n do_v certain_o know_v that_o his_o son_n be_v to_o commit_v a_o criminal_a act_n will_v any_o man_n think_v that_o that_o parent_n threaten_v of_o his_o son_n if_o he_o do_v commit_v that_o act_n be_v void_a of_o sincerity_n but_o 2._o as_o god_n know_v that_o some_o wicked_a man_n notwithstanding_o of_o the_o severe_a threaten_v will_v continue_v in_o their_o sin_n yet_o 1._o he_o know_v that_o even_o such_o obdurate_a person_n may_v do_v otherwise_o and_o 2._o he_o know_v that_o many_o man_n will_v have_v continue_v in_o their_o sin_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v threaten_v with_o punishment_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o the_o people_n of_o ninevie_n will_v have_v turn_v unto_o god_n if_o they_o have_v never_o be_v threaten_v now_o though_o god_n know_v that_o ninevie_n when_o threaten_a will_v repent_v yet_o since_o he_o also_o know_v that_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v threaten_v they_o shall_v have_v continue_v in_o their_o wickedness_n therefore_o no_o man_n can_v question_v the_o seriousness_n of_o the_o divine_a threaten_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v dispatch_v the_o first_o particular_a how_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v determine_v i_o come_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o inquire_v in_o what_o sense_n it_o be_v not_o determine_v now_o because_o i_o have_v already_o reject_v the_o stoical_a fate_n all_o that_o i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v this_o head_n may_v be_v comprehend_v in_o this_o follow_a particular_n viz._n the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v not_o fatal_o limit_v and_o bound_v by_o any_o absolute_a or_o inconditionate_n decree_n of_o god_n almighty_n now_o because_o many_o learned_a man_n violent_o urge_v that_o god_n have_v from_o the_o outgoing_n of_o eternity_n absolute_o decree_v the_o bound_n of_o every_o man_n life_n without_o any_o consideration_n of_o those_o circumstance_n in_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v place_v so_o that_o man_n do_v what_o they_o please_v can_v neither_o extend_v nor_o shorten_v the_o lease_n of_o their_o life_n i_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o make_v this_o assertion_n plain_a and_o remove_v those_o objection_n that_o it_o may_v seem_v liable_a to_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o in_o such_o kind_n of_o assertion_n as_o be_v beside_o the_o common_a opinion_n man_n will_v be_v ready_a to_o suspect_v some_o sinisturous_a design_n that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v not_o fatal_o determine_v by_o any_o secret_a inconditional_a decree_n will_v appear_v from_o the_o argument_n we_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o in_o prove_v the_o inobility_n of_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n now_o i_o shall_v only_o consider_v those_o absurdity_n and_o inconvenience_n that_o follow_v upon_o the_o admission_n of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n as_o first_o if_o the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v fatal_o determine_v than_o those_o wretched_a miscreant_n who_o with_o their_o own_o hand_n put_v a_o period_n to_o their_o life_n may_v easy_o excuse_v themselves_o before_o their_o judge_n for_o since_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o they_o be_v physical_o predetermine_v to_o do_v so_o how_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o they_o can_v do_v otherwise_o be_v there_o any_o resist_n of_o the_o divine_a decree_n alas_o it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o power_n to_o help_v it_o &_o how_o then_o can_v they_o be_v condemn_v for_o it_o it_o be_v a_o know_a maxim_n nemo_n peccatin_n eo_fw-la quod_fw-la vitare_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la the_o necessity_n they_o be_v place_v in_o seem_v to_o excuse_v their_o sin_n but_o if_o notwithstanding_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o such_o brutish_a action_n be_v real_o criminal_a we_o run_v ourselves_o upon_o another_o absurdity_n and_o that_o be_v we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o divine_a holiness_n and_o goodness_n for_o if_o god_n have_v true_o determine_v those_o brutish_a action_n by_o a_o previous_a secret_a and_o unalterable_a decree_n if_o he_o have_v before_o irrevocable_o determine_v and_o so_o entangle_v in_o such_o a_o train_n of_o cause_n as_o shall_v necessary_o make_v they_o offer_v violence_n to_o themselves_o how_o can_v we_o vindicate_v the_o divine_a sancty_n from_o the_o blot_n of_o be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n alas_o daily_a experience_n show_v we_o how_o apt_a man_n be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o their_o own_o vindication_n when_o they_o do_v what_o be_v