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 bid_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 refertque_fw-la vice_n &_o habent_fw-la mortalica_fw-la casum_fw-la that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v not_o so_o casual_a and_o fortuitous_a as_o these_o man_n imagine_v may_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o clear_a testimony_n from_o scripture_n concern_v the_o particular_a providence_n whereby_o god_n take_v care_n of_o every_o particular_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o because_o i_o will_v have_v occasion_n to_o consider_v this_o afterward_o i_o shall_v now_o add_v only_o a_o instance_n or_o two_o from_o scripture_n whereby_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o the_o most_o seem_o casual_a period_n of_o man_n be_v order_v by_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o fall_v under_o the_o divinity_n rule_n and_o dominion_n and_o first_o the_o manslayer_n who_o kill_v his_o neighbour_n unawar_n seem_v to_o be_v as_o casual_a a_o business_n as_o can_v be_v and_o yet_o we_o may_v read_v how_o far_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v concern_v in_o this_o particular_a exod._n 21.13_o but_o far_o one_o of_o epicurus_n disciple_n will_v ready_o conclude_v that_o ahabs_n death_n be_v a_o piece_n of_o chance_n and_o govern_v by_o no_o supreme_a power_n it_o be_v but_o a_o archer_n draw_v his_o bow_n at_o a_o venture_n which_o by_o chance_n kill_v ahab_n but_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n inform_v we_o that_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o prophecy_n 1_o king_n 21.19_o be_v fulfil_v and_o that_o it_o come_v not_o to_o pass_v without_o the_o divine_a providence_n who_o rule_v among_o the_o child_n of_o men._n and_o now_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o two_o erroneous_a extreme_n which_o some_o man_n have_v inconsiderat_o run_v to_o for_o shelter_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o premise_v be_v to_o lay_v down_o the_o two_o common_a opinion_n that_o offer_v fair_a for_o remove_v the_o difficulty_n but_o i_o must_v say_v for_o the_o thing_n be_v palpable_a that_o i_o be_o now_o only_o to_o give_v the_o two_o former_a reject_a opinion_n of_o the_o stoic_n and_o epicurean_o dress_v up_o in_o better_a apparel_n and_o much_o refine_v from_o the_o impure_a dregs_o of_o heathenism_n as_o 1._o some_o run_v to_o the_o absolute_a and_o inconditionate_n decree_v of_o god_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o from_o the_o out-going_n of_o eternity_n previous_a to_o the_o divine_a consideration_n of_o circumstance_n in_o which_o man_n be_v to_o be_v place_v god_n have_v so_o absolute_o determine_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n that_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v lengthen_v nor_o extend_v by_o care_n and_o diligence_n nor_o shorten_v by_o intemperance_n sword_n or_o plague_n 2._o other_o who_o see_v the_o inconvenience_n and_o absurdity_n that_o follow_v upon_o the_o grant_v that_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a be_v induce_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v ordinary_o mutable_a and_o may_v be_v both_o extend_v and_o shorten_v yet_o still_o they_o grant_v that_o god_n may_v as_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o he_o either_o extend_v or_o shorten_v it_o there_o be_v four_o very_a considerable_a particular_n that_o seem_v to_o strengthen_v the_o first_o opinion_n first_o there_o be_v many_o plain_a place_n of_o scripture_n that_o conclude_v the_o day_n of_o every_o man_n to_o be_v bound_v by_o the_o divine_a determination_n second_o there_o be_v many_o example_n in_o scripture_n which_o show_n that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v from_o the_o out-going_n of_o eternity_n set_v and_o bound_v in_o by_o the_o divine_a will_n three_o it_o be_v a_o common_a opinion_n that_o the_o futurition_n of_o all_o thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o divine_a will_n antecedent_o to_o which_o thing_n be_v only_o possible_a and_o therefore_o four_o we_o can_v never_o give_v a_o rational_a and_o satisfy_a account_n how_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n concern_v the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v infallible_a and_o certain_a if_o it_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o sure_a absolute_a decree_n upon_o the_o other_o hand_n those_o who_o plead_v for_o the_o mutability_n of_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n end_n eavor_n to_o remove_v the_o forenamed_a doubt_n and_o to_o show_v the_o great_a inconvenience_n it_o be_v liable_a to_o that_o it_o quite_o evacuate_v the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o encourage_v man_n to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o any_o danger_n &c._n &c._n as_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v appear_v afterward_o and_o now_o i_o come_v to_o the_o chief_a thing_n i_o aim_v at_o in_o this_o undertake_n viz._n to_o attempt_v a_o satisfy_a answer_n of_o the_o present_a doubt_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o which_o intendment_n i_o shall_v observe_v this_o method_n first_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v 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 second_o i_o shall_v show_v in_o what_o sense_n it_o be_v not_o determine_v and_o three_o how_o it_o be_v mutable_a and_o may_v be_v extend_v or_o shorten_v i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o 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 and_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v this_o in_o the_o two_o follow_v particular_n 1._o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v so_o far_o determine_v that_o it_o be_v not_o without_o a_o period_n to_o determine_v signify_v proper_o to_o set_v bound_n or_o limit_n to_o any_o thing_n now_o since_o it_o be_v appoint_v for_o all_o man_n once_o to_o die_v every_o man_n life_n be_v enclose_v &_o bound_v within_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o year_n and_o i_o must_v add_v that_o if_o i_o be_v not_o very_o much_o mistake_v this_o be_v the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o most_o if_o not_o of_o all_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o express_v the_o determination_n of_o man_n day_n and_o indeed_o job_n word_n see_v his_o day_n be_v determine_v etc._n etc._n seem_v to_o mean_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o this_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o god_n have_v appoint_v our_o bound_n which_o we_o can_v pass_v but_o 2._o the_o period_n of_o every_o particular_a man_n life_n be_v determine_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o divine_a prescience_n now_o because_o this_o be_v a_o very_a considerable_a particular_a and_o as_o i_o tell_v in_o the_o explain_n of_o the_o text_n that_o which_o be_v intend_v by_o job_n when_o he_o say_v the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o i_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o this_o truth_n by_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o god_n have_v a_o perfect_a comprehe_fw-ge sion_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n past_a present_a or_o to_o come_v and_o by_o consequence_n fore-knows_a the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n second_o i_o shall_v prove_v this_o by_o plain_a evidence_n from_o scriptural_a example_n three_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v sole_o the_o prerogative_n of_o our_o maker_n to_o know_v the_o period_n of_o every_o 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 bring_v against_o 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 plan_o hold_v out_o it_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 john_n 21.16_o and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n make_v use_v of_o this_o topick_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o cricumspection_n all_o thing_n be_v naked_a and_o open_a to_o the_o eye_n of_o he_o with_o who_o we_o have_v to_o
accusation_n be_v heavy_a but_o he_o see_v it_o be_v needless_a to_o tell_v they_o that_o god_n may_v destroy_v the_o perfect_a as_o well_o as_o the_o wicked_a and_o although_o he_o will_v not_o plead_v not_o guilty_a for_o than_o he_o confess_v his_o own_o lip_n shall_v prove_v he_o perverse_a yet_o he_o humble_o conceive_v that_o it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a principle_n to_o conclude_v love_n or_o hatred_n from_o any_o such_o outward_a dispensation_n therefore_o find_v all_o his_o entreaty_n reject_v and_o his_o plea_n for_o his_o own_o defence_n slight_v he_o be_v at_o length_n force_v to_o beg_v their_o silence_n desire_v far_o rather_o to_o plead_v his_o cause_n with_o his_o maker_n who_o can_v discern_v his_o sincerity_n and_o therefore_o have_v order_v his_o cause_n ch_n 13.18_o and_o take_v a_o exact_a and_o accurate_a examination_n of_o his_o former_a way_n he_o begin_v his_o plead_n for_o a_o mitigation_n of_o his_o present_a calamity_n from_o v._o 23._o which_o he_o continue_v till_o interrupt_v by_o eliphas_n ch_n 15._o and_o among_o the_o many_o argument_n he_o urge_v that_o take_v from_o the_o determine_a day_n and_o unpassable_a bound_n prefix_v to_o man_n be_v not_o the_o small_a seeing_n his_o day_n be_v determine_v the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o thou_o have_v appoint_v his_o bound_n that_o he_o can_v pass_v turn_v from_o he_o that_o he_o may_v rest_v till_o he_o shall_v accomplish_v as_o a_o hireling_n his_o day_n these_o word_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a i_o shall_v spend_v a_o little_a time_n in_o their_o explanation_n see_v his_o day_n be_v determine_v etc._n etc._n the_o word_n which_o our_o translator_n render_v see_v be_v in_o the_o original_a ××_n if_o which_o some_o expositor_n think_v be_v use_v by_o way_n of_o query_n thus_o if_o his_o day_n be_v determine_v but_o the_o context_n seem_v to_o warrant_v our_o vulgar_a translation_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o it_o be_v very_o emphatic_a for_o it_o contain_v a_o implicit_a affirmation_n a_o phrase_n very_o ordinary_a when_o the_o thing_n for_o its_o certainty_n be_v confess_v and_o acknowledge_v but_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o the_o word_n shall_v be_v render_v by_o way_n of_o query_n yet_o there_o be_v two_o doubt_n that_o must_v be_v remove_v else_o their_o quarrel_v with_o our_o translation_n be_v vain_a and_o impertinent_a 1._o it_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o it_o have_v then_o be_v a_o receive_a opinion_n that_o the_o day_n of_o man_n be_v determine_v else_o job_n have_v never_o make_v use_n of_o this_o argument_n in_o his_o plead_n for_o a_o cessation_n from_o trouble_n 2._o if_o job_n have_v indeed_o doubt_v that_o man_n day_n be_v determine_v it_o be_v no_o wise_a nor_o rational_a plea_n especial_o since_o he_o be_v plead_v with_o god_n who_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o not_o and_o since_o he_o may_v have_v make_v use_n of_o indubitable_a topic_n but_o i_o pass_v by_o this_o debate_n as_o trivial_a his_o day_n &c_n &c_n it_o be_v debate_v by_o some_o why_o job_n make_v use_v of_o the_o three_o person_n and_o not_o of_o the_o first_o the_o reason_n some_o give_v be_v this_o because_o the_o three_o person_n use_v for_o the_o first_o denote_v contempt_n and_o modesty_n and_o therefore_o job_n in_o his_o low_a state_n be_v please_v thus_o to_o abase_v himself_o especial_o since_o plead_v with_o his_o maker_n but_o this_o conjecture_n be_v not_o full_o satisfactory_a for_o job_n in_o several_a of_o his_o other_o plea_n make_v use_v of_o the_o first_o person_n which_o methinks_v he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v if_o he_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o three_o person_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o former_a consideration_n therefore_o from_o the_o promiscuous_a usurpation_n of_o the_o person_n we_o may_v easy_o conjecture_v that_o when_o the_o argument_n he_o bring_v do_v in_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n reach_v his_o own_o private_a condition_n than_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o first_o person_n a_o instance_n of_o this_o we_o have_v ch_n 13.23_o 24._o etc._n etc._n but_o now_o this_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o determine_a day_n and_o unpassable_a bound_n set_v to_o man_n be_v a_o general_a one_o which_o all_o man_n as_o well_o as_o he_o may_v plead_v therefore_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o person_n yet_o always_o eye_v his_o own_o condition_n the_o like_a instance_n we_o find_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n man_n that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o woman_n be_v of_o few_o day_n and_o full_a of_o trouble_n here_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o person_n and_o not_o in_o the_o first_o for_o to_o be_v of_o few_o day_n and_o full_a of_o trouble_n be_v the_o character_n of_o every_o man_n few_n and_o evil_n say_v jacob_n to_o pharaoh_n have_v the_o day_n of_o the_o year_n of_o my_o life_n be_v gen_n 47_o 9_o be_v determine_v etc._n etc._n this_o word_n in_o the_o original_a proper_o signify_v to_o dig_v or_o cut_v through_o here_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v metaphorical_o because_o god_n cloth_n as_o exect_o know_v the_o number_n of_o man_n day_n as_o if_o the_o most_o accurate_a search_n be_v make_v it_o be_v true_a in_o all_o humane_a determination_n it_o be_v reasonable_a that_o consultation_n precede_v some_o space_n must_v intervene_v betwixt_o their_o know_v of_o a_o thing_n and_o their_o determination_n about_o it_o i_o confess_v it_o be_v dispute_v whether_o the_o humane_a will_v be_v of_o itself_o a_o know_a faculty_n or_o if_o it_o must_v follow_v in_o its_o choice_n the_o dictate_v of_o the_o intellect_n i_o will_v not_o dispute_v this_o now_o but_o there_o be_v truth_n in_o that_o general_a maxim_n ignoti_fw-la nulla_fw-la but_o to_o fancy_n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o priority_n between_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o volition_n be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n irreconcilable_a with_o the_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a perfection_n of_o god_n who_o uno_fw-la actu_fw-la &_o ictu_fw-la as_o they_o speak_v comprehend_v and_o will_v all_o future_a event_n the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o etc._n etc._n this_o phrase_n hold_v out_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o the_o exactness_n and_o infiniteness_n of_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o second_o the_o divine_a rule_n and_o dominion_n first_o it_o hold_v out_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n to_o be_v infinite_a and_o exact_a the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o that_o be_v thou_o be_v a_o god_n who_o knowledge_n reach_v the_o small_a portion_n of_o our_o time_n even_o to_o month_n and_o day_n thou_o alone_o know_v all_o those_o circumstance_n and_o to_o know_v the_o particular_a portion_n of_o day_n allow_v to_o every_o man_n do_v certain_o require_v a_o infinite_a and_o exact_a knowledge_n i_o will_v not_o curious_o inquire_v what_o truth_n there_o be_v in_o the_o pretend_a diabolical_a prediction_n of_o future_a event_n and_o whether_o stargazer_n from_o the_o conjunction_n and_o contrary_a aspect_n of_o celestial_a body_n can_v foretell_v the_o future_a number_n of_o the_o day_n and_o month_n of_o terrestrial_a and_o inferior_a sublunary_a being_n a_o pass_a view_n of_o this_o i_o will_v have_v occasion_n to_o take_v afterward_o at_o present_a we_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o a_o exact_a and_o comprehensive_a knowledge_n of_o our_o day_n and_o month_n be_v only_o the_o prerogative_n of_o he_o who_o hold_v our_o life_n in_o be_v the_o pretend_a knowledge_n any_o creature_n boast_v of_o be_v conjectural_a and_o uncertain_a if_o not_o as_o frequent_o it_o be_v fictitious_a unless_o when_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n for_o some_o secret_n and_o to_o we_o unknown_a end_n reveals_z to_o his_o creature_n such_o future_a event_n but_o second_o the_o phrase_n hold_v out_o the_o divine_a rule_n and_o dominion_n the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o that_o be_v they_o be_v in_o thy_o power_n thou_o may_v either_o prolong_v or_o shorten_v the_o day_n of_o man_n and_o i_o think_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o whole_a verse_n be_v comprehend_v under_o these_o two_o head_n which_o i_o shall_v afterward_o discourse_v of_o at_o more_o length_n thou_o have_v appoint_v his_o bound_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o fate_n or_o fortune_n but_o the_o wise_a god_n who_o appoint_v to_o every_o man_n his_o time_n now_o the_o bound_n set_v to_o man_n may_v be_v consider_v under_o a_o twofold_a notion_n first_o as_o it_o signify_v that_o common_a and_o ordinary_a period_n which_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n have_v settle_v which_o man_n by_o the_o common_a course_n of_o nature_n may_v fulfil_v if_o no_o adcidental_a circumstance_n hinder_v and_o it_o seem_v the_o psalmist_n only_o understand_v this_o common_a term_n of_o humane_a life_n psal_n 90.10_o the_o day_n of_o our_o year_n be_v threescore_o
the_o former_a opinion_n for_o the_o psalmist_n do_v not_o desire_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o period_n of_o his_o life_n he_o do_v not_o ask_v when_o he_o shall_v die_v only_o he_o beg_v the_o divine_a aid_n and_o assistance_n that_o he_o may_v wise_o improve_v the_o short_a time_n he_o have_v to_o live_v i_o can_v stand_v to_o consider_v such_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o these_o which_o be_v no_o way_n acquaint_v with_o the_o doctrine_n they_o be_v bring_v to_o defend_v there_o be_v only_o one_o text_n that_o seem_v to_o favour_v this_o opinion_n viz._n job_n 14.5_o see_v his_o day_n be_v determine_v the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o thou_o have_v appoint_v his_o bond_n that_o he_o can_v pass_v but_o i_o have_v consider_v this_o all_o along_o in_o this_o discourse_n i_o confess_v some_o in_o return_n to_o this_o say_v that_o all_o job_n word_n be_v not_o approve_v of_o god_n therefore_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conclude_v any_o thing_n from_o they_o but_o this_o 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which_o thing_n be_v only_o possible_a in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o easy_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o come_v to_o pass_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a will_n the_o most_o criminal_a action_n be_v order_v by_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o permit_v to_o be_v but_o yet_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o he_o decree_v every_o future_a action_n else_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o vindicate_v the_o holiness_n of_o god_n upon_o which_o consideration_n many_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v induce_v to_o deny_v god_n immediate_a concur_v with_o the_o creature_n in_o all_o its_o operation_n and_o yet_o we_o need_v not_o run_v ourselves_o upon_o this_o rock_n for_o we_o may_v safe_o enough_o maintain_v that_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v immediate_o efficatious_a for_o god_n who_o create_v man_n with_o a_o freedom_n of_o will_n design_v that_o he_o shall_v act_v without_o constraint_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n act_v free_o be_v because_o god_n will_v man_n to_o act_v so_o which_o plain_o discover_v that_o the_o most_o contingent_a action_n depend_v immediate_o upon_o the_o divine_a will_n four_o we_o can_v never_o give_v a_o rational_a nor_o satisfy_v account_n how_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n concern_v the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v infallible_a &_o certain_a if_o it_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o the_o sure_a basis_n of_o a_o absolute_a decree_n this_o object_n i_o have_v partly_o remove_v already_o while_o i_o show_v that_o god_n know_v whatsoever_o be_v true_a because_o his_o cognisance_n be_v infinite_a wherefore_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o god_n can_v not_o have_v a_o perfect_a comprehension_n of_o thing_n if_o he_o have_v not_o decree_v they_o absolute_o now_o to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o plain_a i_o shall_v prove_v by_o instance_n from_o scripture_n that_o god_n have_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o never_o decree_v as_o absolute_o future_a and_o first_o it_o be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a instance_n which_o we_o have_v 1_o sam._n 23.11_o 12._o where_o david_n hear_v that_o saul_n be_v to_o come_v to_o keilah_n he_o earnest_o beseech_v god_n to_o tell_v he_o if_o the_o man_n of_o keilah_n will_v deliver_v he_o and_o his_o man_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o saul_n and_o if_o saul_n will_v come_v down_o to_o both_o which_o he_o get_v this_o answer_n that_o saul_n will_v come_v down_o and_o that_o the_o keilite_n will_v deliver_v he_o up_o and_o yet_o the_o event_n show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o come_v to_o pass_v because_o the_o fulfil_n of_o both_o do_v depend_v upon_o david_n stay_v in_o keilah_n and_o yet_o god_n certain_o know_v that_o if_o david_n have_v not_o depart_v from_o keilah_n they_o shall_v have_v deliver_v he_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o saul_n and_o far_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o david_n be_v not_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o present_a propension_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o keilite_n but_o what_o shall_v be_v the_o event_n of_o his_o stay_n and_o according_o he_o receive_v a_o answer_n from_o god_n another_o instance_n we_o have_v 2_o king_n 13.19_o where_o elisha_n the_o prophet_n be_v very_o wroth_a with_o joash_n king_n of_o israel_n because_o he_o do_v not_o smite_v upon_o the_o ground_n five_o or_o six_o time_n and_o the_o reason_n the_o prophet_n add_v be_v for_o then_o have_v thou_o smite_v syria_n till_o thou_o have_v consume_v it_o which_o make_v it_o as_o evident_a as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v that_o god_n foreknow_v that_o joash_n shall_v have_v smite_v syria_n till_o he_o have_v consum_v it_o if_o he_o have_v smite_v upon_o the_o ground_n five_o or_o six_o time_n it_o be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o prove_v this_o by_o a_o multtude_n of_o instance_n from_o scripture_n but_o i_o think_v i_o need_v add_v no_o mere_a for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o consider_v man_n and_o for_o other_o a_o million_o of_o demonstration_n will_v be_v urge_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o propose_v that_o god_n have_v not_o by_o any_o absolute_a or_o inconditionate_n decree_v fatal_o determine_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o three_o thing_n propose_v namely_o whether_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v mutable_a and_o before_o i_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v so_o i_o must_v premise_v two_o caution_n first_o when_o we_o say_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v mutable_a we_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v shorten_v by_o our_o intemperance_n or_o neglect_v of_o the_o mean_n and_o be_v extend_v by_o our_o good_a managery_n and_o religious_a manner_n of_o live_v second_o when_o i_o say_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v movable_a the_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_o so_o and_o that_o it_o can_v be_v otherwise_o for_o this_o will_v not_o be_v consistent_a with_o our_o dependent_a condition_n therefore_o there_o be_v allowance_n to_o be_v make_v to_o extraordinary_a case_n the_o act_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o government_n of_o humane_a affair_n be_v sometime_o extraordinary_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o make_v what_o reserve_v case_n he_o think_v fit_a from_o the_o general_a rule_n yet_o for_o ordinary_a the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v mutable_a and_o god_n do_v not_o exclude_v the_o power_n of_o second_o cause_n in_o govern_v the_o world_n these_o thing_n be_v premise_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o offer_v such_o argue_v ment_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o mutability_n of_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o conviction_n of_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o blind_v by_o prejudice_n or_o prepossess_v with_o
do_v heb._n 4.13_o and_o god_n himself_o appeal_v to_o the_o infinity_n of_o his_o knowledge_n in_o the_o demonstration_n of_o his_o deity_n and_o challenge_v the_o idol-god_n to_o produce_v their_o cause_n and_o show_v what_o shall_v happen_v that_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o thing_n may_v be_v know_v isa_n 41.21.22_o the_o psalmist_n upbraid_v the_o idol-god_n in_o that_o they_o have_v eye_n and_o see_v not_o but_o he_o always_o comfort_v himself_o with_o this_o consideration_n that_o the_o god_n in_o who_o he_o trust_v do_v behold_v his_o condition_n all_o which_o instance_n make_v it_o undoubtable_a that_o god_n have_v a_o infinite_a cognizance_n and_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v hide_v from_o his_o eye_n who_o equal_o behold_v thing_n past_a present_a and_o to_o come_v now_o if_o it_o be_v so_o plain_a and_o evident_a that_o god_n have_v such_o a_o infinite_a knowledge_n no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o doubt_v that_o god_n know_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n but_o if_o any_o shall_v ask_v how_o be_v it_o that_o god_n know_v certain_o the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a bold_a and_o fruitless_a enquiry_n which_o concern_v not_o we_o to_o know_v his_o understanding_n be_v infinite_a and_o shall_v silly_a man_n think_v to_o comprehend_v and_o measure_v it_o by_o his_o finite_a knowledge_n the_o psalmist_n modest_o acknowledge_v that_o such_o knowledge_n be_v too_o wonderful_a for_o he_o it_o be_v high_a say_v he_o i_o can_v attain_v unto_o it_o psal_n 139.6_o and_o elsewhere_o he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v only_o bold_a atheist_n who_o ask_v how_o do_v god_n know_v and_o be_v there_o knowledge_n in_o the_o most_o high_a i_o confess_v the_o schoolman_n as_o they_o be_v call_v weary_v themselves_o with_o such_o vain_a dispute_n and_o they_o be_v as_o peremptory_a in_o determine_v the_o manner_n of_o god_n knowledge_n of_o future_a thing_n as_o if_o they_o have_v prove_v their_o assertion_n with_o mathematical_a 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little_a proof_n since_o the_o prediction_n concern_v the_o period_n of_o person_n be_v so_o many_o and_o plain_a so_o many_o hundred_o year_n foretell_v &_o so_o punctual_o fulfil_v without_o a_o failure_n in_o a_o tittle_n the_o death_n of_o eli_n two_o son_n hophui_n and_o phineas_n be_v foretell_v 1_o sam._n 2._o 24._o and_o punctual_o fulfil_v as_o we_o may_v read_v chap._n 4_o 11._o both_o the_o manner_n &_o place_n of_o jezebel_n death_n be_v foretell_v &_o the_o dog_n shall_v eat_v jezebel_n in_o the_o portion_n of_o jezreel_n and_o there_o shall_v be_v none_o to_o bury_v she_o 2_o king_n 9.10_o which_o prediction_n be_v fulfil_v without_o a_o failure_n in_o any_o circumstance_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o close_a of_o that_o chapter_n but_o the_o most_o remarkable_a instance_n be_v those_o manifold_a prediction_n concern_v the_o death_n of_o holy_a jesus_n all_o the_o prophet_n as_o the_o apostle_n observe_v act._n 3_o have_v foretell_v that_o christ_n shall_v suffer_v they_o have_v condescend_v upon_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o suffering_n upon_o the_o time_n and_o upon_o the_o circumstance_n relate_v to_o it_o the_o psalmist_n in_o a_o figurative_a speech_n a_o very_a usual_a way_n of_o express_v thing_n among_o the_o prophet_n speak_v of_o his_o be_v pierce_v so_o do_v the_o prophet_n zechariah_n and_o they_o shall_v look_v upon_o i_o who_o they_o have_v pierce_v zech._n 12.10_o daniel_n do_v punctual_o speak_v of_o the_o time_n and_o after_o threescore_o and_o two_o week_n shall_v messiah_n be_v cut_v off_o but_o not_o for_o himself_o dan._n 9_o 16._o but_o far_o god_n do_v not_o only_o know_v the_o actual_a but_o also_o the_o possible_a bound_n of_o every_o man_n life_n that_o be_v god_n do_v know_v that_o a_o period_n shall_v have_v be_v put_v to_o the_o day_n of_o many_o man_n if_o they_o have_v not_o by_o their_o hearty_a repentance_n and_o devout_a prayer_n prevent_v its_o lash_n it_o be_v king_n hezekia_n prayer_n to_o god_n that_o extend_v his_o life_n fifteen_o year_n for_o the_o message_n which_o god_n do_v send_v to_o hezekiah_n be_v this_o set_v thy_o house_n in_o order_n for_o thou_o shall_v die_v and_o not_o live_v but_o he_o have_v pray_v to_o god_n get_v this_o return_n i_o have_v hear_v thy_o prayer_n i_o have_v see_v thy_o tear_n behold_v i_o will_v add_v unto_o thy_o day_n fifteen_o year_n isa_n 38._o 5._o from_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o god_n know_v that_o a_o period_n shall_v have_v be_v then_o put_v to_o his_o day_n if_o his_o prayer_n have_v not_o prevent_v it_o it_o be_v the_o people_n of_o nineveh_n repentance_n that_o prevent_v the_o threaten_a judgement_n that_o shall_v have_v put_v a_o period_n to_o their_o life_n which_o method_n if_o the_o old_a world_n have_v observe_v they_o have_v prevent_v that_o fatal_a flood_n in_o which_o they_o be_v drown_v three_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n almighty_a to_o know_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n will_v be_v easy_o grant_v for_o those_o who_o deny_v god_n universal_a cognizance_n will_v never_o attribute_v it_o to_o any_o creature_n and_o those_o who_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o infinity_n of_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n will_v never_o say_v it_o belong_v to_o the_o creature_n the_o only_a thing_n that_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v be_v these_o pretension_n to_o a_o foreknowledge_n of_o thing_n which_o the_o heathen_a world_n brag_v of_o but_o this_o plea_n be_v easy_o remove_v for_o 1._o in_o those_o dark_a age_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o vulgar_a who_o in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v very_o credulous_a and_o apt_a to_o be_v thus_o deceive_v second_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o there_o pretend_a prediction_n be_v very_o enigmatical_a and_o dubious_a aio_fw-la te_fw-la aeacida_fw-la romanos_fw-la vincère_fw-fr posse_fw-la be_v a_o problem_n rather_o than_o a_o prophecy_n which_o may_v have_v conclude_v both_o way_n three_o the_o 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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 and_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_fw-la peccat_fw-la in_o 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 sanctity_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 criminal_a they_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v fatal_o determine_v by_o a_o external_a power_n in_o act_v they_o and_o with_o this_o consideration_n they_o solace_v themselves_o as_o if_o they_o be_v as_o innocent_a as_o fool_n or_o madman_n be_v but_o let_v no_o man_n deceive_v
himself_o in_o argue_v so_o foolish_o the_o apostle_n st._n james_n very_o forcible_o reject_v this_o opinion_n let_v no_o man_n say_v when_o he_o be_v tempt_v i_o be_o tempt_v of_o god_n for_o god_n can_v be_v tempt_v with_o evil_a neither_o tempt_v he_o any_o man_n but_o every_o man_n be_v tempt_v when_o he_o be_v draw_v away_o of_o his_o own_o lust_n and_o entice_v jam._n 2.13_o 14._o the_o wise_a man_n in_o his_o sense_n after_o the_o certainty_n of_o thing_n conclude_v his_o seven_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o ecclesiaste_n thus_o lo_o this_o only_o have_v i_o find_v that_o god_n have_v make_v man_n upright_o but_o they_o have_v seek_v out_o many_o invention_n pray_v then_o let_v we_o reject_v every_o opinion_n that_o teach_v god_n do_v necessitate_v man_n to_o sin_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o injurious_a to_o god_n than_o this_o to_o think_v to_o palliate_v the_o business_n by_o say_v god_n be_v under_o no_o law_n be_v but_o a_o lawless_a and_o unreasonable_a pretext_n for_o the_o everlasting_a rectitude_n of_o his_o spotless_a nature_n be_v more_o than_o any_o external_a law_n and_o pray_v what_o can_v truth_n and_o justice_n do_v but_o what_o be_v holy_a and_o just_a the_o distinction_n between_o the_o act_n and_o the_o pravity_n of_o the_o act_n the_o former_a of_o which_o god_n determin_n man_n to_o but_o not_o to_o the_o latter_a be_v as_o vain_a and_o frivolous_a for_o the_o pravity_n of_o every_o wicked_a act_n be_v inseparable_a from_o it_o and_o far_o the_o divine_a command_n particular_o prohibit_v the_o act_n and_o i_o think_v upon_o no_o other_o ground_n but_o because_o the_o formality_n of_o sin_n consist_v in_o the_o act_n itself_o it_o be_v indeed_o strange_a to_o consider_v those_o platonic_a and_o imaginary_a notion_n some_o man_n run_v to_o but_o i_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a view_n of_o such_o dream_n but_o as_o this_o opinion_n sad_o reflect_v upon_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n so_o it_o be_v high_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o liberty_n of_o man_n will_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o mean_n that_o there_o be_v a_o free_a principle_n in_o man_n be_v so_o plain_a that_o he_o who_o deny_v this_o must_v engage_v himself_o against_o experience_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o do_v wicked_o but_o he_o perceive_v he_o may_v do_v otherwise_o the_o sick_a man_n be_v not_o constrain_v to_o neglect_v the_o mean_n for_o his_o recovery_n neither_o be_v the_o physician_n force_v to_o prescribe_v this_o and_o no_o other_o remedy_n man_n act_v not_o as_o machine_n but_o they_o have_v a_o free_a principle_n whereby_o they_o may_v choose_v what_o they_o think_v be_v best_a and_o most_o convenient_a it_o be_v true_a the_o will_n since_o adam_n fall_n be_v corrupt_v and_o most_o incline_v to_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a but_o yet_o the_o fall_n do_v not_o destroy_v man_n freedom_n it_o make_v no_o physical_a change_n only_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v moral_o vitiate_v and_o corrupt_a but_o if_o the_o willwere_n physical_o as_o they_o speak_v determine_v ad_fw-la unum_fw-la it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o sick_a person_n who_o neglect_v the_o mean_n can_v do_v otherwise_o and_o alas_o do_v nor_o experience_n convince_v we_o that_o man_n of_o this_o persuasion_n neglect_v the_o use_n of_o lawful_a mean_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v only_o because_o they_o dream_v that_o if_o god_n have_v decree_v that_o they_o shall_v die_v than_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o use_v the_o mean_n and_o if_o god_n have_v determine_v that_o they_o shall_v live_v whether_o they_o use_v or_o neglect_v the_o mean_n they_o shall_v live_v but_o you_o will_v say_v god_n do_v not_o only_o decree_v the_o end_n but_o also_o the_o mean_n i_o answer_v this_o plea_n do_v not_o a_o whit_n diminish_v or_o remove_v the_o difficulty_n since_o they_o suppose_v that_o the_o mean_n be_v as_o absolute_o decree_v as_o the_o end_n which_o quite_o destroy_v the_o 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know_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o disease_n nor_o of_o those_o medicine_n he_o prescribe_v alas_o poor_a man_n do_v no_o more_o than_o what_o he_o be_v force_v to_o do_v and_o he_o can_v not_o do_v otherwise_o why_o then_o shall_v he_o be_v blame_v for_o any_o failure_n or_o mistake_v he_o commit_v four_o the_o natural_a and_o genuine_a consequence_n of_o this_o doctrine_n be_v to_o make_v man_n like_o fool_n or_o madman_n expose_v themselves_o to_o any_o danger_n for_o instance_n what_o need_v we_o be_v afraid_a to_o run_v upon_o any_o precipice_n if_o god_n have_v determine_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n there_o be_v no_o fear_n to_o encounter_v with_o any_o seem_a danger_n man_n may_v safe_o enough_o leap_v into_o the_o fire_n or_o cast_v themselves_o into_o the_o deep_a for_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v hurt_v or_o perish_v unless_o the_o almighty_a have_v determine_v it_o and_o if_o this_o be_v they_o may_v persuade_v themselves_o they_o can_v 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