Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	call_v	law_n	moral_a	2,598	5	9.2562	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A29780	Miracles, work's above and contrary to nature, or, An answer to a late translation out of Spinoza's Tractatus theologico-politicus, Mr. Hobbs's Leviathan, &c. published to undermine the truth and authority of miracles, Scripture, and religion, in a treatise entituled, Miracles no violation of the laws of nature.	Browne, Thomas, 1654?-1741.	1683 (1683)	Wing B5062; ESTC R1298	42,132	76

nothing_o in_o the_o world_n happen_v contrary_a to_o nature_n but_o that_o nature_n keep_v a_o eternal_a fix_v and_o immutable_a order_n before_o i_o come_v to_o examine_v his_o argument_n i_o shall_v 1._o state_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o it_o in_o this_o controversy_n 2._o lay_v down_o the_o main_a ground_n whereupon_o the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n depend_v 1._o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n nature_n it_o and_o the_o law_n of_o it_o in_o this_o controversy_n a_o miracle_n in_o the_o common_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n which_o spinoza_n oppose_v be_v take_v for_o a_o work_n beside_o above_z or_o contrary_a to_o nature_n beside_o the_o order_n above_o the_o force_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o it_o now_o the_o word_n nature_n may_v be_v take_v in_o many_o signification_n eeither_o 1._o for_o the_o essence_n of_o any_o but_o proper_o of_o material_a and_o corruptible_a being_n or_o 2._o for_o the_o aggregate_v of_o they_o the_o material_a world_n or_o 3_o for_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n god_n himself_o call_v thence_o natura_fw-la naturans_fw-la or_o last_o for_o the_o order_n of_o the_o several_a body_n as_o they_o act_n among_o one_o another_o according_a to_o their_o innate_a power_n and_o disposition_n now_o the_o acception_n of_o the_o word_n here_o be_v for_o the_o aggregate_v of_o body_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o order_n wherein_o they_o act_n among_o one_o another_o and_o so_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n must_v be_v such_o as_o determine_v the_o manner_n wherein_o natural_a body_n act_v among_o themselves_o whether_o they_o be_v the_o general_a law_n of_o motion_n which_o determine_v how_o each_o part_n of_o matter_n must_v be_v move_v upon_o the_o occurrence_n of_o other_o body_n or_o particular_a law_n impress_v upon_o their_o several_a nature_n determine_v each_o to_o act_v in_o such_o or_o such_o a_o particular_a manner_n the_o question_n therefore_o about_o the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n must_v be_v this_o whether_o there_o can_v be_v any_o such_o effect_n in_o the_o material_a world_n as_o be_v beside_o above_o or_o contrary_a to_o the_o order_n wherein_o natural_a body_n be_v determine_v to_o act_v among_o themselves_o i_o e._n such_o effect_n as_o transcend_v their_o power_n and_o efficacy_n and_o deviate_v from_o or_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o general_a or_o particular_a law_n of_o motion_n determine_v they_o to_o act_v miracle_n 2._o the_o question_n therefore_o thus_o state_v i_o be_o to_o show_v what_o be_v the_o main_a ground_n whereupon_o the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n depend_v and_o i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v rational_o deduce_v from_o these_o principle_n god_n be_v able_a to_o effect_v any_o thing_n which_o neither_o do_v 1._o imply_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o nor_o 2._o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n omnipotence_n be_v proper_o a_o power_n to_o bring_v any_o thing_n to_o effect_v which_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n and_o the_o contradiction_n must_v lie_v in_o one_o or_o the_o other_o of_o these_o two_o i_o be_o to_o show_v therefore_o that_o a_o miracle_n or_o a_o work_n above_o nature_n be_v not_o impossible_a upon_o either_o account_n 1._o a_o miracle_n do_v not_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n thing_n every_o miraculous_a effect_n be_v either_o a_o production_n of_o something_o by_o a_o supernatural_a power_n or_o a_o suspension_n or_o utter_a abolition_n of_o its_o be_v the_o thing_n produce_v or_o destroy_v by_o miracle_n be_v either_o matter_n itself_o or_o a_o form_n quality_n motion_n or_o any_o other_o accident_n of_o it_o 1._o matter_n as_o suppose_v a_o new_a portion_n of_o it_o create_v beyond_o the_o extent_n of_o this_o world_n or_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o world_n or_o any_o determinate_a portion_n of_o it_o reduce_v to_o nothing_o 2._o a_o form_n quality_n motion_n or_o any_o other_o accident_n of_o matter_n as_o suppose_v 1._o god_n shall_v endue_v any_o part_n of_o matter_n with_o a_o form_n quality_n or_o any_o other_o accident_n above_o or_o contrary_n to_o what_o it_o other_o wise_a might_n or_o shall_v have_v by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n 2._o god_n shall_v divest_v any_o part_n of_o matter_n of_o any_o form_n quality_n motion_n etc._n etc._n which_o otherwise_o it_o must_v have_v by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n two_o kind_n of_o miracle_n therefore_o we_o have_v here_o 1._o when_o a_o portion_n of_o matter_n be_v create_v anew_o or_o reduce_v to_o nothing_o 2._o when_o a_o form_n quality_n or_o motion_n or_o any_a other_o accident_n of_o matter_n be_v produce_v suspend_v or_o destroy_v in_o a_o supernatural_a manner_n and_o to_o these_o two_o be_v reducible_a all_o effect_n above_o or_o contrary_n to_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n be_v make_v up_o of_o matter_n and_o the_o form_n quality_n motion_n and_o other_o accident_n thereof_o now_o neither_o of_o these_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n 〈…〉_z 1._o it_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n for_o a_o portion_n of_o matter_n to_o be_v create_v anew_o or_o to_o be_v reduce_v to_o nothing_o matter_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v a_o be_v possible_a and_o contingent_a possible_a because_o its_o idea_n or_o conception_n be_v not_o a_o mere_a chimaera_n and_o a_o notion_n that_o destroy_v itself_o contingent_a because_o it_o be_v idea_n or_o conception_n do_v not_o include_v necessity_n of_o existence_n if_o matter_n therefore_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n a_o thing_n possible_a then_o unless_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o present_a world_n be_v extend_v in_o infinitum_fw-la which_o be_v a_o contradiction_n there_o be_v still_o room_n and_o possibility_n for_o more_o to_o be_v create_v but_o this_o must_v be_v by_o miracle_n quia_fw-la ex_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a naturaliter_fw-la again_o if_o matter_n be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n a_o contingent_a be_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n or_o any_o determinate_a portion_n of_o it_o may_v cease_v to_o be_v or_o be_v reduce_v to_o nothing_o but_o this_o too_o must_v be_v by_o miracle_n quia_fw-la in_o nihilum_fw-la nihil_fw-la revertitur_fw-la naturaliter_fw-la possibile_fw-la therefore_o it_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o a_o portion_n of_o matter_n to_o be_v create_v anew_o or_o reduce_v to_o nothing_o 2._o it_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n for_o a_o form_n quality_n 2._o motion_n or_o other_o accident_n of_o matter_n to_o be_v produce_v suspend_v or_o destroy_v in_o a_o supernatural_a manner_n for_o instance_n the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n to_o be_v produce_v and_o again_o destroy_v in_o aaron_n rod_n the_o form_n and_o quality_n of_o blood_n in_o the_o water_n of_o the_o nile_n of_o louse_n in_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n of_o wine_n in_o the_o water_n at_o the_o marriage_n feast_n at_o cana_n of_o galilee_n the_o quality_n and_o power_n of_o sight_n in_o the_o blind_a hear_v in_o the_o deaf_a speech_n in_o the_o dumb_a strength_n in_o the_o lame_a health_n in_o the_o sick_a life_n in_o the_o dead_a last_o the_o form_n of_o bread_n or_o the_o very_a humane_a nature_n itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o a_o stone_n the_o motion_n of_o ten_o degree_n backward_o in_o the_o sun_n for_o a_o sign_n to_o hezekiah_n 11_o and_o the_o suspension_n of_o his_o natural_a motion_n for_o a_o considerable_a time_n at_o the_o request_n of_o joshua_n 13._o the_o production_n or_o determination_n of_o fire_n from_o heaven_n at_o the_o word_n and_o prayer_n of_o elijah_n upon_o his_o sacrifice_n 18.38_o and_o the_o captain_n etc._n etc._n send_v to_o apprehend_v he_o and_o the_o suspension_n of_o the_o action_n of_o fire_n in_o nebuchadnezzar_n furnace_n 3.27_o the_o production_n or_o determination_n of_o the_o wind_n to_o bring_v the_o locust_n and_o drive_v they_o back_o and_o to_o force_v back_o the_o water_n of_o the_o red-sea_n 14.21_o at_o the_o stretch_v forth_o of_o moses_n rod_n and_o the_o cease_n of_o the_o wind_n and_o storm_n at_o our_o saviour_n command_n in_o all_o these_o instance_n there_o be_v nothing_o do_v but_o only_o a_o form_n quality_n motion_n or_o the_o like_a produce_v suspend_v or_o destroy_v in_o the_o part_n of_o matter_n by_o a_o power_n above_o nature_n and_o that_o nothing_o of_o all_o this_o imply_v any_o contradiction_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v thus_o make_v to_o appear_v matter_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v indifferent_o susceptible_a of_o any_o form_n or_o quality_n imaginable_a and_o therefore_o be_v in_o itself_o capable_a at_o any_o time_n of_o be_v without_o those_o form_n and_o quality_n which_o it_o have_v or_o of_o have_v any_o other_o instead_o thereof_o capable_a it_o be_v

be_v to_o be_v worship_v i_o pass_v by_o what_o he_o say_v of_o solomon_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o 73_o psalm_n their_o doubt_n be_v about_o such_o thing_n wherein_o miracle_n be_v not_o proper_a mean_n to_o inform_v they_o viz._n why_o the_o wicked_a prosper_v in_o this_o life_n what_o he_o have_v beside_o under_o this_o head_n be_v 1._o a_o profane_a abuse_n of_o the_o scripture_n 15._o instead_o of_o a_o answer_n to_o those_o plain_a expression_n therein_o where_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v wrought_v his_o miracle_n that_o he_o may_v make_v his_o power_n to_o be_v know_v 10.2_o and_o that_o the_o israelite_n may_v know_v that_o he_o be_v god_n this_o he_o say_v be_v not_o as_o if_o the_o scripture_n mean_v that_o miracle_n be_v in_o themselves_o convince_a argument_n but_o only_o that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n make_v use_v of_o they_o as_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la that_o be_v for_o want_n of_o better_a evidence_n he_o be_v fain_o to_o take_v all_o the_o advantage_n he_o can_v of_o their_o preconceived_n opinion_n however_o irrational_a and_o absurd_a and_o make_v these_o his_o topic_n as_o most_o effectual_a to_o persuade_v or_o convince_v they_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n he_o interpret_v what_o st._n paul_n say_v that_o to_o the_o jew_n he_o become_v as_o a_o jew_n to_o the_o greek_n as_o a_o oreek_a that_o be_v argue_v with_o both_o not_o from_o any_o true_a and_o rational_a principle_n but_o by_o make_v the_o best_a use_n he_o can_v of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o prepossession_n to_o gain_v they_o to_o his_o side_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o true_a philosophy_n 16._o that_o god_n in_o the_o order_n and_o course_n of_o his_o providence_n shall_v be_v conceive_v to_o take_v great_a care_n of_o one_o person_n or_o nation_n than_o another_o viz._n he_o be_v not_o only_o bind_v to_o provide_v for_o all_o whatsoever_o mean_n be_v necessary_a for_o their_o happiness_n but_o also_o oblige_v not_o to_o give_v any_o one_o man_n over_o and_o above_o any_o degree_n of_o grace_n which_o he_o do_v not_o equal_o impart_v to_o all_o the_o world_n to_o answer_v these_o two_o position_n full_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o examine_v spinoza_n second_n and_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o tractatus_fw-la theologico-polit_a whereto_o he_o refer_v we_o for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o both_o i_o pass_v on_o therefore_o to_o the_o three_o thing_n he_o propose_v to_o make_v out_o 16._o viz._n that_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o decree_n and_o command_n and_o consequent_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n understand_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n this_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v two_o way_n 1._o by_o instance_n 2._o because_o the_o scriptute_fw-la relate_v several_a circumstance_n in_o the_o production_n of_o those_o effect_n that_o be_v common_o hold_v to_o be_v supernatural_a 1._o his_o instance_n be_v some_o that_o i_o mention_v above_o in_o my_o answer_n to_o the_o premonition_n 16._o viz._n god_n tell_v samuel_n he_o will_v send_v he_o a_o man_n out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o benjamin_n which_o be_v only_a saul_n come_v to_o he_o to_o inquire_v about_o the_o ass_n 1._o god_n be_v say_v to_o turn_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o egyptian_n so_o that_o they_o hate_v the_o israelite_n who_o yet_o it_o appear_v be_v move_v to_o hate_v they_o upon_o politic_a account_n god_n saying_n he_o will_v set_v his_o bow_n in_o the_o sky_n 18._o and_o yet_o the_o rainbow_n and_o undoubted_a effect_n of_o nature_n so_o also_o the_o melt_a of_o the_o snow_n call_v god_n word_n 104.4_o and_o the_o wind_n and_o fire_n his_o minister_n i_o grant_v that_o the_o scripture_n in_o these_o instance_n by_o god_n decree_n or_o command_v mean_n no_o more_o than_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o his_o argument_n ought_v to_o conclude_v universal_o for_o which_o a_o few_o instance_n in_o such_o particular_n wherein_o it_o hold_v be_v not_o sufficient_a it_o be_v enough_o for_o i_o to_o name_v some_o thing_n which_o the_o scripture_n relate_v as_o the_o decree_n and_o purpose_n of_o god_n which_o yet_o can_v never_o take_v effect_n by_o the_o mere_a course_n of_o nature_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v and_o bear_v a_o child_n 3._o that_o three_o man_n shall_v be_v cast_v into_o nebuchadnezzar_n furnace_n and_o the_o same_o fire_n kill_v those_o person_n that_o come_v so_o near_o to_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o furnace_n as_o to_o throw_v they_o in_o and_o yet_o not_o so_o much_o as_o singe_v a_o hair_n of_o their_o head_n though_o throw_v into_o the_o midst_n of_o it_o that_o the_o sun_n shall_v stand_v still_o at_o the_o word_n of_o a_o man_n 10._o fire_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n at_o the_o command_n of_o another_o the_o sea_n be_v still_v the_o dead_a raise_v the_o devil_n cast_v out_o at_o the_o word_n touch_n and_o shadow_n of_o other_o all_o these_o effect_n the_o scripture_n set_v down_o as_o wrought_v by_o the_o decree_n and_o order_n of_o almighty_a god_n but_o not_o i_o presume_v by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n in_o a_o word_n the_o answer_n have_v be_v give_v before_o that_o the_o scripture_n a_o scribe_n all_o effect_n to_o god_n natural_a or_o above_o nature_n and_o as_o from_o its_o ascribe_v the_o effect_n of_o nature_n to_o god_n without_o mention_v how_o he_o produce_v they_o we_o can_v just_o conclude_v that_o it_o record_v they_o for_o miraculous_a so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n from_o its_o speak_n of_o supernatural_a effect_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n we_o have_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o infer_v that_o it_o mean_v nothing_o by_o they_o but_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n his_o second_o reason_n be_v 19_o because_o the_o scripture_n relate_v several_a circumstance_n in_o the_o production_n of_o miracle_n which_o circumstance_n he_o say_v do_v show_v that_o these_o miracle_n require_v natural_a cause_n so_o the_o sprinkle_v of_o ash_n require_v to_o produce_v the_o plague_n of_o scab_n 8.10.14.14.21_o a_o east_n wind_n to_o bring_v the_o locust_n and_o a_o west_n wind_n to_o drive_v they_o away_o a_o east_n wind_v likewise_o to_o drive_v back_o the_o red_a sea_n elijah_n lay_v his_o body_n upon_o the_o body_n of_o the_o shunamite_n child_n 4.34_o in_o order_n to_o raise_v it_o to_o life_n again_o if_o he_o argue_v to_o the_o purpose_n he_o must_v grant_v that_o these_o circumstance_n which_o he_o make_v requisite_a in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n to_o produce_v these_o effect_n be_v also_o proper_a and_o sufficient_a in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n to_o produce_v they_o either_o whole_o or_o in_o part_n and_o indeed_o the_o wind_n may_v seem_v a_o very_a proper_a instrument_n to_o bring_v and_o carry_v away_o the_o locust_n and_o to_o drive_v back_o the_o sea_n but_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o wind_n and_o determination_n of_o it_o be_v ascribe_v to_o another_o circumstance_n not_o very_o proper_a to_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o it_o viz._n the_o stretch_v out_o of_o moses_n hand_n and_o his_o rod._n and_o this_o common_o be_v the_o first_o circumstance_n in_o every_o miracle_n which_o moses_n wrought_v and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o produce_v those_o effect_n immediate_o and_o by_o itself_o yet_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v proper_a to_o set_v all_o the_o other_o subordinate_a cause_n on_o motion_n for_o their_o require_v natural_a cause_n because_o relate_v with_o some_o circumstance_n concur_v to_o their_o production_n must_v imply_v that_o these_o circumstance_n be_v the_o natural_a cause_n requisite_a and_o if_o so_o than_o moses_n rod_n have_v many_o great_a many_o occult_a yet_o natural_a quality_n very-hard_a indeed_o to_o explain_v or_o conceive_v and_o very_o admirable_a though_o not_o miraculous_a as_o of_o raise_v and_o lay_v wind_n and_o storm_n of_o thunder_n and_o hail_n turn_v the_o water_n into_o blood_n bring_v frog_n out_o of_o the_o river_n produce_v lace_n out_o of_o the_o dust_n water_n out_o of_o the_o rock_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v short_a the_o circumstance_n common_o mention_v as_o concurrent_a to_o the_o production_n of_o miracle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v natural_a cause_n that_o they_o prove_v the_o contrary_n for_o if_o they_o have_v any_o natural_a cause_n these_o circumstance_n must_v be_v all_o or_o part_n of_o they_o but_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v in_o no_o wise_a qualify_v to_o produce_v the_o effect_n ascribe_v to_o they_o in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n therefore_o must_v be_v qualify_v for_o it_o by_o a_o supernatural_a power_n which_o can_v produce_v quidlibet_fw-la ex_fw-la quolibet_fw-la and_o make_v any_o thing_n instrumental_a to_o what_o purpose_v and_o effect_n it_o please_v for_o instance_n the_o clay_n and_o the_o hospital_n be_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n apply_v by_o our_o

saviour_n to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o blind_a and_o tongue_n of_o the_o dumb-man_n the_o mention_n whereof_o in_o the_o account_n of_o these_o miracle_n if_o it_o prove_v that_o they_o require_v natural_a cause_n than_o these_o be_v the_o cause_n requisite_a these_o they_o have_v and_o these_o immediate_o produce_v the_o effect_n this_o they_o can_v not_o by_o the_o force_n of_o nature_n therefore_o by_o miracle_n and_o so_o his_o argument_n destroy_v itself_o but_o far_o what_o if_o many_o be_v produce_v without_o any_o circumstance_n at_o all_o but_o pure_o at_o the_o word_n and_o will_n of_o the_o person_n that_o work_v they_o this_o he_o say_v we_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o from_o the_o scripture_n because_o there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o though_o not_o mention_v there_o he_o refer_v to_o exod._n 14.27_o compare_v with_o ex._n 15.10_o but_o what_o if_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o only_o not_o make_v mention_n of_o any_o but_o in_o a_o manner_n declare_v there_o be_v none_o so_o in_o our_o saviour_n still_v the_o storm_n 25._o the_o very_a reflection_n that_o his_o disciple_n make_v upon_o that_o miracle_n prove_v that_o it_o be_v wrought_v by_o his_o bare_a word_n and_o not_o by_o the_o application_n of_o any_o mean_n much_o less_o natural_a 2_o before_o he_o draw_v his_o conclusion_n from_o these_o argument_n he_o answer_v a_o objection_n from_o scripture_n viz._n that_o famine_n be_v say_v to_o be_v cause_v by_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n and_o the_o like_a and_o rain_n and_o plenty_n restore_v by_o their_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n his_o answer_n be_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v here_o speak_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o with_o the_o same_o propriety_n as_o when_o it_o say_v that_o god_n be_v angry_a sorrowful_a repent_v or_o the_o like_a and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o any_o of_o these_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o effect_n ascribe_v to_o they_o here_o 1._o methinks_v he_o be_v wary_a in_o his_o answer_n he_o may_v have_v grant_v that_o famine_n be_v send_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n and_o rain_n and_o fruitful_a season_n for_o a_o return_n to_o their_o prayer_n and_o repentance_n and_o yet_o have_v deny_v that_o either_o of_o these_o be_v wrought_v by_o miracle_n for_o nature_n be_v order_v and_o direct_v by_o the_o wisdom_n and_o providence_n of_o almighty_n god_n as_o well_o as_o preserve_v and_o uphold_v by_o his_o power_n and_o therefore_o his_o wisdom_n may_v so_o direct_v it_o as_o often_o even_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n to_o execute_v his_o divine_a purpose_n whether_o of_o judgement_n or_o mercy_n he_o see_v our_o action_n and_o hear_v our_o prayer_n from_o all_o eternity_n and_o therefore_o may_v as_o he_o have_v the_o whole_a order_n of_o nature_n before_o his_o eye_n direct_a and_o determine_v the_o certain_a and_o necessary_a event_n of_o it_o to_o their_o proper_a season_n and_o make_v they_o instrumental_a to_o the_o accomplish_n of_o his_o purpose_n whether_o of_o show_v favour_n or_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o the_o son_n of_o men._n thus_o therefore_o he_o need_v not_o be_v so_o strict_a as_o to_o deny_v any_o possibility_n of_o god_n punish_v we_o for_o our_o sin_n in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n for_o fear_v lest_o it_o shall_v betray_v he_o unaware_o to_o the_o concession_n of_o a_o miracle_n natural_a cause_n indeed_o our_o sin_n or_o p●ayers_n be_v not_o of_o these_o effect_n nor_o yet_o supernatural_a neither_o but_o moral_a only_a and_o meritorious_a as_o god_n upon_o view_n of_o either_o determine_v to_o punish_v or_o reward_v we_o but_o suppose_v it_o be_v not_o so_o 2._o he_o give_v but_o a_o very_a mean_a solution_n of_o the_o difficulty_n that_o the_o scripture_n speak_v improper_o here_o and_o in_o condescension_n to_o the_o capacity_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a as_o it_o do_v when_o it_o say_v that_o god_n be_v angry_a sorrowful_a or_o repent_v we_o grant_v the_o scripture_n may_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v oblige_v to_o speak_v in_o this_o manner_n concern_v the_o incomprehensible_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o such_o of_o his_o perfection_n the_o mode_n whereof_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a we_o shall_v have_v explain_v to_o we_o how_o they_o be_v and_o act_n in_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v speak_v of_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n or_o that_o every_o thing_n that_o it_o say_v shall_v be_v shuffle_v off_o by_o this_o or_o the_o like_a suggestion_n nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v conceive_v than_o that_o god_n do_v punish_v or_o reward_v our_o good_a or_o bad_a action_n and_o that_o in_o this_o life_n and_o that_o his_o justice_n and_o wisdom_n will_v oblige_v he_o to_o do_v it_o as_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n though_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a for_o the_o vulgar_a to_o conceive_v how_o he_o do_v it_o without_o anger_n or_o displeasure_n and_o the_o contrary_a affection_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v conceive_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o one_o in_o condescension_n to_o our_o capacity_n though_o yet_o no_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v presume_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o other_o in_o like_a manner_n 21._o i_o proceed_v to_o his_o four_o and_o last_o undertake_n viz._n to_o treat_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n miracle_n and_o what_o thing_n be_v chief_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o relation_n about_o they_o or_o as_o the_o translator_n to_o show_v that_o most_o man_n have_v err_v in_o their_o way_n of_o interpret_n the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o set_v we_o right_n he_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture-narration_n about_o miracle_n to_o inquire_v into_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o particular_a opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o relator_n 2._o the_o idiom_n phrase_n and_o trope_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n the_o first_o because_o general_o all_o historian_n relate_v the_o event_n they_o speak_v of_o suitable_a to_o their_o own_o conjecture_n opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la the_o other_o because_o otherwise_o we_o may_v from_o the_o scripture-style_n conceive_v some_o thing_n to_o be_v relate_v for_o miracle_n which_o real_o be_v not_o for_o the_o first_o he_o instance_n in_o joshua_n 10._o v_o 12_o 13._o where_o the_o account_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a length_n of_o that_o day_n be_v give_v according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v and_o not_o the_o earth_n motion_n for_o the_o second_o in_o some_o allegorical_a place_n out_o of_o the_o prophet_n zachariah_n 14._o v_o 7._o isa_n 13._o v._n 10.48_o v_o ult_n by_o these_o two_o insinuation_n he_o will_v elude_v the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o clear_a and_o plain_a narration_n about_o miracle_n in_o scripture_n to_o the_o first_o and_o the_o instance_n he_o bring_v for_o it_o i_o answer_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o joshua_n relate_v be_v not_o at_o all_o prejudice_v though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o earth_n move_v and_o not_o the_o sun_n for_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n be_v stop_v whether_o in_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o earth_n and_o therein_o consist_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n as_o to_o the_o relation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a either_o that_o joshua_n shall_v himself_o be_v so_o great_a a_o philosopher_n or_o so_o far_o instruct_v by_o a_o extraordinary_a revelation_n as_o to_o put_v up_o his_o request_n to_o god_n that_o the_o earth_n shall_v stand_v still_o and_o not_o the_o sun_n or_o that_o the_o account_n of_o it_o which_o he_o give_v shall_v be_v otherwise_o than_o according_a to_o the_o appearance_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o vulgar_a ground_v thereupon_o to_o the_o second_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture-miracle_n depend_v not_o upon_o any_o allegorical_a expression_n in_o the_o prophet_n but_o upon_o the_o naked_a relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o historical_a writer_n so_o that_o though_o in_o the_o former_a we_o be_v to_o proceed_v with_o some_o caution_n and_o not_o to_o take_v every_o thing_n for_o miraculous_a which_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o a_o high_a strain_n of_o expression_n yet_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o find_v no_o such_o danger_n of_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o the_o trope_n and_o figure_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n all_o thing_n be_v deliver_v in_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o scripture_n with_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n i_o have_v run_v through_o the_o main_a of_o spinoza_n chapter_n which_o consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o four_o proposition_n at_o first_o lay_v down_o 26._o what_o be_v behind_o be_v 1._o a_o account_n of_o his_o different_a method_n in_o this_o chapter_n from_o that_o which_o he_o take_v in_o his_o first_o and_o second_o chapter_n about_o prophecy_n and_o