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testimonial_n of_o a_o divine_a mission_n though_o therefore_o the_o frequent_a interruption_n of_o the_o settle_a course_n of_o nature_n will_v render_v the_o endeavour_n of_o those_o vain_a who_o give_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o study_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n yet_o the_o interruption_n of_o it_o at_o some_o certain_a time_n and_o season_n when_o god_n be_v please_v to_o communicate_v some_o particular_a message_n to_o mankind_n be_v no_o obstruction_n to_o the_o study_n of_o nature_n and_o be_v a_o great_a and_o necessary_a introduction_n to_o a_o complete_a knowledge_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o what_o proportion_n of_o time_n be_v there_o between_o the_o miraculous_a age_n of_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n and_o how_o small_a be_v the_o number_n of_o well_o attest_v miracle_n in_o respect_n to_o all_o the_o other_o work_v of_o nature_n s._n suppose_v there_o be_v real_a miracle_n yet_o my_o author_n prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o they_o can_v lead_v we_o into_o no_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n for_o a_o prophet_n of_o the_o false_a god_n may_v work_v sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o yet_o deserve_v to_o be_v stone_v for_o his_o pain_n see_v deut._n 13._o 1_o 2_o 3._o verse_n l._n a_o miracle_n be_v a_o appeal_n to_o our_o sense_n that_o what_o be_v do_v be_v not_o do_v by_o any_o visible_a or_o material_a be_v but_o because_o there_o be_v bad_a as_o well_o as_o good_a invisible_a agent_n we_o be_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o a_o miracle_n by_o the_o good_a or_o ill_a doctrine_n which_o it_o be_v allege_v to_o support_v the_o magician_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o the_o pagan_a priest_n in_o all_o age_n allege_a miracle_n to_o destroy_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o to_o loosen_v all_o the_o sacred_a bond_n of_o morality_n but_o neither_o be_v these_o miracle_n well_o attest_v nor_o be_v they_o to_o be_v regard_v because_o they_o tend_v only_o to_o destroy_v and_o corrupt_v natural_a religion_n and_o natural_a honesty_n too_o and_o indeed_o the_o pagan_a superstition_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o diabolical_a revelation_n of_o certain_a name_n of_o deity_n rite_n and_o ceremony_n as_o may_v keep_v man_n further_a from_o god_n and_o corrupt_v that_o idea_n of_o he_o which_o be_v easy_a enough_o to_o be_v deduce_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o they_o know_v not_o the_o original_a of_o their_o own_o religious_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n for_o so_o say_v antigone_n in_o sophocles_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d antigone_n sophoc_n in_o antigone_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d why_o shall_v a_o mortal_a break_v immortal_a law_n not_o make_v by_o man_n but_o by_o the_o god_n themselves_o that_o ever_o must_v remain_v though_o none_o can_v know_v the_o fountain_n whence_o those_o last_a rivulet_n flow_v nor_o indeed_o be_v it_o any_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o know_v the_o original_a of_o those_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o nature_n nor_o be_v so_o much_o as_o of_o humane_a institution_n but_o shuffle_v into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o trick_n and_o imposture_n of_o evil_a spirit_n but_o though_o evil_a spirit_n may_v be_v author_n of_o some_o thing_n that_o look_v like_o prophecy_n miracle_n or_o inspiration_n yet_o they_o never_o can_v nor_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o establish_v a_o religion_n that_o give_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o teach_v a_o rational_a worship_n of_o he_o and_o tend_v to_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n if_o therefore_o we_o have_v distinct_a notion_n of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a and_o of_o natural_a religion_n we_o must_v have_v distinct_a
man_n must_v needs_o be_v that_o hold_v the_o infinity_n and_o immutability_n of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n as_o also_o by_o his_o partial_a distorture_n of_o scripture_n by_o deny_v it_o the_o same_o liberty_n of_o use_v word_n in_o a_o translate_v sense_n which_o be_v give_v to_o all_o other_o write_n as_o for_o clearness_n of_o judgement_n which_o be_v the_o second_o commendation_n of_o a_o historian_n i_o can_v see_v how_o your_o author_n can_v pretend_v to_o that_o who_o i_o have_v show_v to_o have_v lay_v down_o so_o many_o false_a proposition_n draw_v so_o many_o false_a conclusion_n and_o so_o frequent_o to_o have_v contradict_v himself_o and_o as_o for_o his_o opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o most_o grand_a importance_n of_o those_o age_n we_o all_o know_v that_o he_o be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o they_o as_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v rather_o believe_v those_o who_o live_v in_o ancient_a time_n and_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o our_o saviour_n do_v or_o suffer_v for_o our_o sake_n than_o a_o modern_a upstart_n who_o we_o be_v sure_o can_v understand_v at_o most_o no_o more_o than_o ourselves_o of_o the_o matter_n s._n but_o though_o you_o slight_a his_o authority_n yet_o if_o he_o can_v prove_v by_o solid_a reason_n as_o he_o attempt_v in_o his_o 8_o chapter_n that_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n etc._n etc._n you_o be_v bind_v to_o yield_v to_o they_o and_o to_o deny_v its_o divine_a authority_n l._n but_o if_o his_o reason_n be_v fallacious_a and_o conjectural_a as_o i_o can_v easy_o demonstrate_v have_v we_o book_n and_o leisure_n in_o this_o place_n to_o go_v through_o the_o argument_n which_o yet_o at_o best_a will_v be_v but_o loss_n of_o time_n than_o you_o can_v blame_v i_o if_o i_o withdraw_v my_o assent_n from_o his_o pernicious_a doctrine_n but_o to_o bring_v matter_n to_o a_o short_a issue_n do_v you_o believe_v that_o the_o account_v the_o evangelist_n give_v of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o act_n of_o his_o apostle_n be_v altogether_o unintelligible_a by_o the_o hebriasm_n and_o various_a lection_n s._n no_o i_o think_v no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n or_o modesty_n will_v pretend_v to_o say_v so_o l._n do_v you_o think_v that_o all_o therein_o record_v of_o they_o can_v be_v do_v by_o any_o natural_a or_o diabolical_a power_n s._n you_o have_v already_o demonstrate_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o first_o and_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o second_o assertion_n l._n then_o if_o our_o s._n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o prove_v their_o own_o divine_a mission_n do_v bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n all_o your_o author_n criticism_n or_o conjectural_a fancy_n of_o esaras_n vanish_v into_o nothing_o for_o with_o what_o truth_n can_v our_o saviour_n have_v say_v mat._n the_o 19_o and_o the_o seven_o that_o moses_n command_v to_o give_v a_o bill_n of_o divorcement_n and_o that_o moses_n for_o the_o hardness_n of_o their_o heart_n suffer_v they_o to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n or_o st._n john_n 19_o 17._o that_o the_o law_n be_v give_v by_o moses_n if_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n have_v be_v a_o fiction_n of_o esdras_n our_o saviour_n therefore_o have_v confirm_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o a_o new_a addition_n of_o sign_n and_o wonder_n impossible_a to_o be_v gainsay_v by_o the_o cunning_a or_o malice_n of_o man._n s._n you_o have_v now_o give_v i_o full_a satisfaction_n concern_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o a_o dislike_n of_o which_o i_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o sophistry_n of_o this_o intriegue_a author_n for_o it_o mighty_o please_v i_o to_o hear_v his_o project_n to_o deduce_v all_o knowledge_n from_o natural_a reason_n which_o as_o he_o teach_v p._n 98._o proceed_v from_o plain_a and_o obvious_a notion_n to_o the_o most_o obscure_a and_o remote_a object_n l._n let_v natural_a reason_n proceed_v never_o so_o cautious_o yet_o she_o can_v never_o ascend_v so_o high_a as_o to_o understand_v clear_o those_o supernatural_a thing_n which_o concern_v a_o future_a state_n of_o which_o she_o have_v here_o no_o complete_a idea_n and_o beside_o if_o god_n be_v a_o free_a agent_n it_o follow_v he_o can_v prescribe_v what_o condition_n of_o salvation_n do_v best_a please_v he_o and_o natural_a reason_n can_v never_o ascend_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o a_o free_a agent_n will_v have_v do_v from_o any_o know_v or_o obvious_a maxim_n in_o nature_n s._n no_o more_o than_o one_o man_n by_o reason_n alone_o can_v tell_v what_o be_v the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o another_o but_o i_o will_v ask_v you_o one_o question_n more_o viz._n who_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o scripture_n etc._n scripture_n p._n 103._o penes_fw-la unumquemque_fw-la snmmum_fw-la jus_o summaque_fw-la authoritas_fw-la de_fw-la religione_fw-la libere_fw-la judicandi_fw-la etc._n etc._n for_o spinosa_n give_v away_o that_o authority_n to_o every_o private_a man._n l._n the_o ambiguous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n interpretation_n have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o much_o error_n and_o much_o mischief_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o multiply_a idea_n which_o will_v breed_v confusion_n in_o the_o understanding_n if_o it_o be_v not_o careful_o resolve_v into_o its_o first_o principle_n for_o first_o sometime_o to_o interpret_v scripture_n be_v put_v to_o signify_v only_o a_o right_a apprehension_n of_o what_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o a_o expression_n of_o that_o true_a sense_n in_o plain_a and_o proper_a term_n and_o this_o belong_v to_o every_o individual_a man_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v for_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o understand_v those_o truth_n that_o be_v alike_o beneficial_a to_o all_o mankind_n and_o which_o be_v therefore_o promulge_v that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v know_v unto_o all_o and_o as_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o understand_v as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v of_o divine_a truth_n so_o also_o may_v be_v communicate_v that_o knowledge_n by_o speech_n to_o other_o though_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o that_o office_n do_v most_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n but_o other_o by_o the_o word_n interpret_v do_v understand_v the_o power_n of_o affix_v what_o sense_n they_o please_v upon_o the_o scripture_n and_o constrain_a other_o to_o admit_v the_o same_o be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v as_o true_a and_o genuine_a but_o such_o a_o authority_n as_o this_o can_v neither_o belong_v to_o every_o private_a man_n nor_o to_o any_o humane_a power_n whatsoever_o for_o no_o man_n can_v have_v authority_n from_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n to_o oppose_v truth_n itself_o and_o it_o be_v gross_a nonsense_n to_o call_v contradiction_n of_o scripture_n a_o interpretation_n of_o it_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o interpretation_n but_o in_o place_n that_o be_v obscure_a and_o dubious_a but_o plain_a text_n expound_v themselves_o and_o to_o pretend_v that_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a of_o affix_v a_o contradictory_n sense_n to_o the_o most_o easy_a express_a and_o intelligible_a text_n of_o scripture_n be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v every_o man_n authoritas_fw-la summum_fw-la jus_o summa_fw-la authoritas_fw-la have_v a_o right_a to_o be_v a_o fool_n and_o to_o deceive_v himself_o and_o to_o live_v in_o error_n and_o be_v nurse_v up_o in_o the_o ignorance_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o most_o concern_v his_o happiness_n and_o to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o his_o great_a creator_n instead_o of_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n every_o private_a man_n according_a to_o your_o author_n hypothesis_n may_v believe_v they_o lawful_o to_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o satan_n or_o the_o dictate_v of_o madman_n or_o the_o invention_n of_o some_o cunning_a politician_n what_o be_v more_o plain_a than_o our_o saviour_n word_n mat._n 16._o 17._o verse_n go_v you_o into_o all_o the_o world_n and_o preach_v the_o gospel_n unto_o every_o creature_n he_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v shall_v be_v save_v but_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v suppose_v a_o man_n discourse_v upon_o these_o word_n shall_v pretend_v to_o teach_v from_o hence_o that_o no_o gospel_n either_o be_v be_v or_o ever_o aught_o to_o be_v preach_v to_o the_o world_n that_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o condemnation_n to_o unbeliever_n either_o in_o this_o world_n or_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v will_v you_o call_v this_o a_o interpretation_n of_o that_o text_n of_o scripture_n s._n not_o if_o i_o be_v in_o my_o right_a sense_n l._n and_o yet_o your_o prodigal_a author_n give_v this_o large_a authority_n to_o every_o private_a man_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n after_o
natural_a order_n of_o thing_n and_o therefore_o subject_a to_o those_o imperfection_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n the_o other_o come_v immediate_o from_o god_n and_o have_v no_o imperfection_n in_o it_o our_o reason_n though_o first_o give_v we_o by_o god_n yet_o be_v corrupt_v by_o ourselves_o the_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n do_v abundant_o show_v how_o much_o natural_a reason_n be_v subject_a to_o be_v lead_v aside_o into_o error_n by_o sense_n passion_n interest_n and_o example_n in_o the_o thing_n that_o belong_v unto_o god_n there_o be_v a_o light_n of_o nature_n but_o it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o glimmer_a light_n which_o discover_v some_o but_o not_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v so_o clear_o and_o distinct_o as_o may_v make_v it_o complete_o beneficial_a to_o mankind_n beside_o it_o be_v often_o darken_a by_o inadvertency_n lust_n and_o male-organization_n of_o the_o body_n and_o a_o thousand_o other_o impediment_n but_o revelation_n be_v such_o a_o impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n as_o give_v a_o discovery_n of_o something_o unknown_a before_o for_o to_o reveal_v be_v to_o detect_v something_o that_o before_o be_v cover_v and_o always_o create_v a_o threefold_a certainty_n in_o all_o inspire_a author_n 1._o it_o render_v they_o sure_a that_o it_o be_v god_n who_o speak_v to_o they_o two_o that_o they_o right_o apprehend_v what_o he_o mean_v three_o that_o whatever_o he_o reveal_v be_v infallible_o sure_a for_o that_o god_n will_v not_o deceive_v be_v the_o very_a basis_n of_o all_o humane_a and_o of_o all_o divine_a knowledge_n your_o author_n therefore_o very_o true_o assert_n that_o revelation_n exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o humane_a reason_n because_o it_o extend_v itself_o to_o the_o hide_a thing_n of_o god_n viz._n the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o future_a happiness_n and_o the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o we_o may_v gain_v the_o same_o as_o also_o because_o it_o can_v be_v cause_v by_o the_o regular_a order_n of_o nature_n but_o must_v proceed_v immediate_o from_o god_n but_o then_o he_o very_o absurd_o endeavour_v to_o equal_v humane_a reason_n to_o it_o when_o in_o the_o same_o breath_n he_o confess_v that_o it_o be_v exceed_v by_o divine_a revelation_n a._n you_o talk_v of_o certainty_n in_o divine_a revelation_n but_o for_o my_o part_n i_o have_v no_o idea_n how_o a_o mortal_a man_n can_v be_v certain_a what_o or_o when_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o t._n prophecy_n be_v â—_o complex_fw-la idea_n as_o signify_v the_o discovery_n of_o something_o make_v unto_o man_n by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n we_o can_v have_v no_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o its_o manner_n of_o produce_v certainty_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n unless_o all_o the_o simple_a idea_n which_o compound_v the_o same_o extend_v into_o our_o understanding_n by_o our_o sense_n or_o be_v obvious_a to_o it_o by_o a_o simple_a 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always_o unknown_a there_o word_n who_o signification_n extend_v no_o further_a than_o to_o thing_n that_o be_v already_o know_v can_v never_o explain_v they_o to_o we_o a_o man_n that_o never_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o the_o illumination_n of_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n can_v no_o more_o have_v a_o complete_a idea_n of_o what_o it_o be_v than_o a_o blind_a man_n can_v have_v of_o colour_n he_o may_v be_v teach_v by_o rote_n to_o give_v definition_n but_o all_o the_o definition_n that_o can_v be_v give_v will_v never_o give_v he_o the_o true_a idea_n of_o light_n or_o colour_n a._n then_o prophetical_a light_n be_v something_o but_o you_o do_v know_v wat_fw-mi t._n yes_o we_o know_v as_o much_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o divine_a revelation_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v and_o he_o that_o inquire_v after_o more_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v gratify_v in_o his_o needless_a curiosity_n we_o know_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o constitutiou_n of_o our_o own_o soul_n that_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a for_o god_n to_o communicate_v his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n to_o whosoever_o he_o please_v for_o it_o will_v be_v strange_a indeed_o if_o god_n who_o make_v the_o soul_n capable_a of_o understand_v every_o thing_n else_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o make_v it_o capable_a of_o understand_v himself_o whenever_o he_o shall_v vouchsase_v to_o speak_v to_o it_o for_o why_o shall_v not_o man_n be_v as_o capable_a of_o know_v when_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o in_o a_o supernatural_a way_n as_o when_o his_o neighbour_n speak_v to_o he_o according_a to_o the_o usual_a course_n of_o custom_n and_o nature_n all_o thing_n be_v possible_a with_o god_n that_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o term_n or_o be_v not_o direct_o repugnant_a to_o the_o essential_a purity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o it_o be_v no_o more_o a_o contradiction_n though_o more_o unusual_a for_o god_n to_o speak_v to_o man_n than_o it_o be_v for_o one_o man_n to_o speak_v to_o another_o nor_o be_v it_o repugnant_a to_o the_o divine_a purity_n to_o teach_v man_n his_o will_n to_o obey_v which_o be_v man_n utmost_a perfection_n we_o also_o know_v from_o as_o authentic_a record_n of_o antiquity_n as_o any_o be_v now_o extant_a that_o some_o man_n eminent_a for_o wisdom_n learning_n and_o virtue_n have_v affirm_v that_o god_n have_v speak_v to_o they_o and_o we_o have_v reason_n enough_o to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o because_o they_o expose_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n and_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n in_o compliance_n to_o the_o doctrine_n they_o receive_v from_o god_n and_o that_o no_o room_n may_v be_v leave_v for_o doubt_n the_o same_o god_n that_o thus_o speak_v to_o they_o give_v they_o power_n to_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o quite_o surpass_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o foretell_v such_o event_n as_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v guess_v at_o by_o any_o humane_a 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enable_v to_o foretell_v dreadful_a tiding_n to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n ez._n 3._o 14._o jeremiah_n be_v a_o melancholy_a and_o consequent_o a_o continual_a messenger_n of_o evil_a to_o his_o brethren_n micah_n trouble_v with_o the_o same_o disease_n always_o prophesy_v dreadful_a event_n to_o ahab_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o prophecy_n do_v much_o depend_v upon_o the_o natural_a temperature_n of_o the_o body_n l._n no_o more_o than_o my_o send_v a_o merry_o dispose_v servant_n upon_o a_o errand_n do_v show_v that_o my_o errand_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o sanguine_a complexion_n of_o my_o servant_n body_n god_n who_o know_v the_o disposition_n and_o temperature_n of_o all_o human_a body_n may_v choose_v those_o that_o be_v best_a adapt_v for_o each_o particular_a message_n he_o send_v to_o mankind_n but_o that_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o the_o message_n itself_o be_v any_o effect_n of_o their_o natural_a disposition_n for_o we_o be_v not_o so_o mad_a as_o to_o believe_v these_o man_n be_v inspire_v because_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o their_o own_o humour_n but_o thing_n above_o the_o reach_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n elisha_n may_v dispel_v some_o melancholy_a fume_n by_o the_o harmony_n of_o music_n but_o i_o will_v feign_v know_v the_o name_n of_o that_o musical_a instrument_n which_o can_v inspire_v his_o mind_n with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o two_o futurity_n 1._o that_o the_o ditch_n shall_v be_v fill_v with_o water_n without_o any_o precede_a rain_n 2._o that_o 18._o vid._n ver_fw-la 17_o 18._o the_o israelite_n shall_v overcome_v their_o enemy_n moses_n be_v angry_a with_o pharaoh_n when_o he_o foretell_v the_o destruction_n of_o all_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o egypt_n but_o it_o be_v not_o his_o anger_n but_o god_n himself_o or_o one_o of_o his_o angel_n that_o at_o midnight_n smite_v all_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n ex._n 12._o 20._o micah_n always_o prophesy_v evil_a to_o ahab_n because_o ahab_n always_o be_v a_o ill_a man_n and_o there_o be_v evil_o decree_v against_o he_o by_o god_n which_o according_o come_v to_o pass_v not_o by_o micah_n indignation_n but_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n if_o these_o man_n prediction_n have_v be_v a_o effect_n of_o bodily_a temper_n and_o if_o your_o author_n say_v not_o that_o he_o say_v not_o one_o word_n to_o the_o purpose_n they_o must_v frequent_o have_v be_v prove_v false_a by_o the_o event_n for_o truth_n be_v seldom_o see_v much_o less_o foresee_v by_o those_o who_o speak_v and_o act_v according_a to_o the_o unsteady_a motion_n of_o bodily_a temper_n beside_o it_o be_v clear_a than_o the_o light_n that_o these_o inspire_a author_n do_v not_o prophesy_v as_o your_o author_n insinuate_v according_a to_o their_o own_o inclination_n but_o according_a to_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n bear_v witness_v
so_o stark_o mad_a as_o to_o build_v a_o ark_n and_o take_v all_o manner_n of_o beast_n and_o foul_n into_o it_o out_o of_o a_o fantastical_a fear_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v drown_v upon_o the_o dryland_n you_o must_v confess_v he_o do_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o supernatural_a revelation_n s._n have_v you_o any_o other_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n l._n yes_o more_o than_o i_o shall_v at_o present_a take_v pain_n to_o enumerate_v but_o however_o i_o will_v gratify_v your_o curiosity_n with_o two_o or_o three_o which_o will_v abundant_o show_v the_o falsity_n of_o your_o a_o s_z so_o much_o boast_v proposition_n we_o read_v in_o the_o 18_o chap._n of_o gen._n that_o sarah_n be_v inform_v by_o the_o angel_n 10_o ver_fw-la that_o she_o shall_v have_v a_o son_n but_o who_o except_o spinosa_n will_v say_v that_o this_o prediction_n be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o sarah_n or_o her_o lord_n abraham_n when_o moses_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o 11_o the_o and_o 12_o the_o ver_fw-la that_o abraham_n and_o sarah_n be_v old_a and_o well_o strike_v in_o age_n and_o it_o cease_v to_o be_v with_o sarah_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o woman_n therefore_o sarah_n laugh_v within_o herself_o say_v after_o i_o be_o wax_v old_a shall_v i_o have_v pleasure_n my_o lord_n be_v old_a also_o s._n a_o woman_n may_v easy_o imagine_v what_o she_o earnest_o desire_v l._n if_o you_o except_v against_o a_o woman_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o revelation_n make_v unto_o moses_n which_o you_o will_v find_v to_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o apprehension_n and_o above_o the_o natural_a conception_n of_o that_o mighty_a prophet_n i_o will_v feign_v learn_v how_o it_o be_v at_o all_o agreeable_a to_o the_o natural_a conception_n of_o moses_n that_o the_o lift_v up_o his_o rod_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o work_v all_o those_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o it_o do_v in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n s._n though_o it_o be_v not_o a_o conception_n agreeable_a to_o reason_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v to_o his_o fancy_n and_o we_o all_o know_v the_o strength_n of_o fancy_n in_o produce_v wonder_n l._n imagination_n without_o doubt_n have_v very_o great_a force_n upon_o the_o imagine_v person_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o have_v force_n upon_o object_n place_v without_o he_o so_o as_o to_o work_v any_o visible_a effect_n upon_o they_o be_v to_o i_o till_o i_o be_o better_a inform_v a_o very_a absurd_a supposition_n i_o know_v some_o of_o the_o ancient_n have_v be_v possess_v with_o a_o opinion_n that_o the_o very_a eye_n of_o a_o envious_a person_n do_v dart_n a_o kind_a of_o poison_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o great_a station_n and_o the_o poet_n presume_v they_o have_v the_o same_o or_o like_o effect_n upon_o other_o animal_n nescio_fw-la quis_fw-la teneros_fw-la oculus_fw-la mihi_fw-la fascinat_fw-la agnos_fw-la and_o my_o lord_n bacon_n say_v something_o to_o solve_v this_o phaenomenon_n by_o the_o effluvium_n of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n and_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v true_a which_o i_o do_v very_o much_o question_n his_o lordship_n solution_n of_o it_o will_v be_v the_o best_a that_o can_v be_v give_v but_o suppose_v it_o true_a yet_o such_o weak_a effluvia_n as_o be_v engender_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o imagination_n whatever_o impression_n they_o can_v make_v on_o the_o tender_a part_n of_o humane_a body_n yet_o you_o can_v without_o madness_n suppose_v they_o able_a to_o turn_v aaron_n rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n or_o to_o make_v it_o more_o like_o a_o live_a creature_n or_o turn_v a_o whole_a river_n into_o blood_n to_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n slay_v all_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o egypt_n and_o do_v work_n of_o the_o like_a stupendous_a nature_n s._n do_v not_o pharaoh_n magician_n do_v something_o very_o like_o it_o l._n all_o you_o can_v infer_v from_o thence_o be_v only_o this_o viz._n that_o they_o be_v assist_v by_o some_o invisible_a power_n which_o be_v more_o than_o man_n of_o your_o principle_n be_v willing_a to_o grant_v who_o deny_v their_o existence_n or_o at_o least_o their_o intermeddle_v with_o humane_a affair_n s._n but_o suppose_v such_o thing_n do_v as_o you_o divine_v call_v it_o by_o invisible_a power_n how_o shall_v a_o man_n know_v whether_o those_o power_n be_v good_a or_o evil._n l._n god_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n no_o revelation_n be_v make_v or_o confirm_v by_o he_o that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o immutable_a law_n of_o nature_n which_o consist_v in_o unfeigned_a love_n to_o god_n and_o to_o our_o neighbour_n the_o pagan_a priest_n make_v great_a pretence_n to_o prophesy_v and_o miracle_n but_o it_o be_v to_o confirm_v a_o superstition_n contrary_a to_o natural_a light_n and_o therefore_o those_o seem_a sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v just_o ascribe_v to_o the_o operation_n of_o lie_v and_o deceitful_a spirit_n for_o these_o be_v know_v maxim_n that_o good_a can_v proceed_v from_o evil_a and_o that_o a_o kingdom_n divide_v against_o itself_o can_v stand_v and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o conceive_v that_o light_n can_v be_v the_o fruitful_a mother_n of_o darkness_n as_o that_o satan_n can_v be_v the_o author_n abetter_n or_o confirmer_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o decalogue_n or_o the_o most_o holy_a rule_n of_o practice_n deliver_v by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n s._n do_v not_o your_o own_o apostle_n say_v that_o satan_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n l._n we_o do_v say_v that_o evil_a spirit_n do_v never_o encourage_v a_o seem_a sanctity_n that_o be_v gross_a wickedness_n in_o a_o religious_a dress_n but_o that_o they_o can_v be_v abetter_n or_o promulger_n of_o that_o real_a and_o genuine_a sanctity_n which_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o mosaic_a and_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o excellence_n of_o which_o we_o have_v as_o clear_v perception_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o mathematical_a proposition_n but_o to_o pass_v by_o moses_n and_o descend_v to_o the_o other_o 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and_o yet_o shall_v deny_v the_o invisible_a power_n of_o god_n will_v you_o say_v that_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o perfect_o he_o know_v natural_a thing_n so_o much_o more_o perfect_o he_o know_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o god_n s._n will_v you_o deny_v what_o he_o so_o zealous_o assert_n that_o the_o knowledge_n and_o love_n of_o god_n be_v the_o happiness_n of_o man_n the_o very_a end_n and_o scope_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n and_o the_o chief_a good_a that_o can_v be_v attain_v by_o we_o be_v it_o not_o noble_o say_v by_o he_o that_o we_o be_v to_o love_n god_n as_o our_o chief_a good_a not_o for_o fear_v of_o any_o punishment_n nor_o for_o love_n of_o any_o thing_n with_o which_o we_o be_v delight_v but_o mere_o for_o himself_o l._n if_o your_o author_n who_o so_o often_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o word_n god_n will_v have_v tell_v we_o distinct_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o it_o this_o 46th_o page_n will_v have_v seem_v to_o have_v have_v something_o like_o natural_a 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turpitude_n or_o meaness_n deserve_v not_o to_o be_v record_v and_o this_o be_v a_o defect_n which_o can_v no_o other_o way_n be_v supply_v than_o by_o a_o total_a abolition_n of_o those_o trifle_a author_n s._n what_o be_v it_o you_o will_v infer_v from_o hence_o l._n that_o faith_n ground_v upon_o true_a and_o useful_a history_n may_v give_v we_o a_o right_a knowledge_n and_o due_a love_n of_o god_n s._n how_o can_v faith_n that_o rest_v upon_o humane_a authority_n contend_v for_o certainty_n with_o reason_n that_o proceed_v by_o such_o common_a notion_n which_o be_v admit_v as_o true_a by_o all_o man_n l._n natural_a reason_n do_v enable_v man_n to_o understand_v that_o god_n ought_v to_o be_v love_v as_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o good_a thing_n which_o his_o creature_n man_n do_v enjoy_v but_o then_o there_o be_v a_o certainty_n in_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o in_o reason_n though_o after_o another_o manner_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o sense_n of_o some_o man_n 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but_o it_o can_v work_v in_o we_o the_o love_n of_o god_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no._n l._n no_o more_o can_v his_o adore_a reason_n for_o many_o of_o the_o great_a pretender_n to_o reason_n have_v be_v the_o most_o impious_a man_n in_o the_o world_n s._n you_o divine_v represent_v god_n to_o the_o vulgar_a as_o a_o lawgiver_n and_o his_o command_n you_o call_v his_o law_n but_o alas_o you_o mistake_v the_o point_n for_o eternal_a verity_n be_v the_o only_a law_n of_o god_n who_o act_v by_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n for_o the_o affirmation_n and_o negation_n of_o god_n do_v always_o involve_v a_o eternal_a verity_n and_o necessity_n in_o themselves_o if_o god_n have_v say_v to_o adam_n thou_o shall_v not_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a it_o will_v imply_v a_o
the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o be_v certain_a of_o what_o impression_n external_n object_n do_v make_v upon_o our_o organ_n though_o it_o do_v discover_v to_o we_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o three_o be_v revelation_n to_o which_o we_o assent_v because_o we_o be_v assure_v it_o come_v from_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o truth_n now_o though_o reason_n and_o sense_n be_v the_o only_a medium_n of_o certainty_n in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n with_o which_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o direct_o meddle_v yet_o reason_n be_v defective_a in_o show_v we_o the_o way_n to_o supernatural_a happiness_n in_o two_o respect_n first_o because_o many_o thing_n belong_v thereunto_o be_v not_o deducible_a from_o reason_n alone_o and_o second_o because_o many_o thing_n that_o be_v deducible_a from_o thence_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n yet_o be_v not_o actual_o deduce_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n s._n pray_v sir_n a_o little_a explanation_n you_o seem_v now_o 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may_v if_o it_o have_v please_v he_o but_o then_o i_o do_v believe_v very_o few_o will_v have_v give_v they_o credit_n l._n will_v you_o have_v miracle_n wrought_v every_o day_n s._n i_o shall_v be_v glad_a to_o see_v a_o miracle_n or_o two_o for_o my_o own_o satisfaction_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v if_o they_o be_v very_o frequent_a they_o will_v not_o in_o a_o short_a time_n be_v distinguishable_a from_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n l._n then_o i_o perceive_v you_o sceptist_n desire_v something_o but_o you_o know_v not_o what_o for_o give_v your_o thought_n the_o utmost_a liberty_n of_o range_v yet_o you_o will_v never_o find_v a_o more_o commodious_a way_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o mankind_n than_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v fuit_v to_o all_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o be_v apt_a consequent_o to_o force_v the_o assent_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o 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