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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
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A39359 An answer to a book intitled Tractatus theologico politicus Earbery, Matthias. 1697 (1697) Wing E68; ESTC R41104 85,540 210

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matter_n be_v call_v but_o figurative_o by_o the_o name_n of_o law_n but_o your_o a_o show_v no_o etc._n legis_fw-la nomen_fw-la absolute_a sumptum_fw-la etc._n etc._n small_a plenty_n of_o ignorance_n when_o he_o will_v have_v the_o word_n law_n to_o signify_v absolute_o corporeal_a necessity_n of_o nature_n which_o proper_o speak_v be_v not_o capable_a of_o receive_v applicatumvidetur_fw-la nomen_fw-la legis_fw-la per_fw-la translationemadres_n naturales_fw-la applicatumvidetur_fw-la a_o law_n nay_o he_o seem_v to_o contradict_v himself_o for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o 44th_o page_z that_o the_o word_n law_n seem_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o natural_a thing_n by_o translation_n and_o if_o by_o translation_n than_o not_o absolute_o or_o proper_o as_o in_o this_o place_n he_o so_o bold_o affirm_v s._n but_o what_o need_v this_o strife_n about_o word_n if_o we_o be_v agree_v upon_o the_o thing_n itself_o why_o may_v not_o my_o author_n claim_v the_o same_o liberty_n of_o speech_n as_o be_v allow_v to_o des_n cartes_n gassendus_fw-la or_o other_o of_o our_o modern_a virtuoso_n l._n because_o he_o design_n thereby_o to_o establish_v a_o fatal_a necessity_n in_o the_o very_a mind_n of_o man_n which_o render_v they_o uncapable_a of_o receive_v a_o law_n proper_o so_o call_v which_o always_o suppose_v a_o liberty_n of_o choice_n and_o be_v attend_v with_o the_o sanction_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n for_o though_o in_o the_o 44th_o page_z he_o tell_v we_o that_o some_o law_n depend_v upon_o the_o free_a arbitration_n of_o man_n yet_o he_o add_v that_o he_o must_v needs_o grant_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v determine_v by_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o nature_n both_o to_o operate_v and_o to_o exist_v in_o a_o certain_a and_o avoidable_a manner_n and_o indeed_o if_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v be_v material_a and_o the_o soul_n its_o self_n nothing_o but_o a_o particle_n of_o rarefy_a matter_n and_o all_o matter_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o necessity_n of_o nature_n to_o such_o 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disciple_n must_v quit_v the_o name_n of_o deist_n and_o set_v up_o in_o the_o open_a defence_n of_o atheism_n or_o he_o must_v bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n a_o unthinking_a ignorant_a or_o deceitful_a deity_n that_o tell_v his_o servant_n a_o parcel_n of_o idle_a contradictory_n and_o lie_v story_n to_o amuse_v the_o world_n with_o a_o noise_n of_o divine_a truth_n whereas_o they_o be_v in_o reality_n nothing_o else_o but_o the_o erroneous_a conception_n of_o fanciful_a men._n but_o if_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o acknowledge_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o divinity_n in_o those_o who_o we_o receive_v as_o inspire_v author_n he_o must_v then_o show_v his_o reader_n how_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o those_o man_n be_v reconcilable_a with_o the_o ordinary_a course_n and_o power_n of_o nature_n s._n he_o do_v show_v you_o in_o his_o four_o chapter_n that_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o miracle_n l._n we_o will_v discourse_v that_o point_n 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the_o very_a self_n same_o power_n which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o constitute_v a_o miracle_n the_o possibility_n therefore_o of_o a_o miracle_n be_v as_o evident_a to_o all_o learned_a man_n who_o have_v not_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n as_o any_o one_o proposition_n in_o enclid_n and_o be_v as_o deducible_a from_o the_o true_a idea_n of_o a_o god_n as_o any_o of_o the_o most_o legitimate_a conclusion_n that_o can_v be_v deduce_v from_o clear_a and_o undoubted_a premise_n your_o author_n therefore_o with_o as_o much_o haughtiness_n as_o falsehood_n pretend_v to_o throw_v the_o belief_n of_o miracle_n upon_o the_o vulgar_a only_o as_o if_o all_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n all_o the_o greek_a and_o roman_a philospher_n by_o miracle_n convert_v to_o the_o
be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n to_o limit_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o say_v her_o law_n extend_v to_o some_o thing_n only_o and_o not_o to_o all_o l._n your_o author_n speak_v herein_o as_o little_a like_o a_o good_a philosopher_n as_o a_o good_a jew_n or_o a_o good_a christian_n if_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v fix_v and_o immovable_a they_o may_v be_v observe_v and_o the_o observation_n of_o they_o we_o call_v the_o study_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n to_o say_v therefore_o with_o your_o author_n that_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n be_v fix_v and_o immutable_a and_o yet_o that_o her_o power_n extend_v to_o all_o thing_n est_fw-la potentiam_fw-la naturae_fw-la infinitam_fw-la esse_fw-la omnino_fw-la credendum_fw-la est_fw-la be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o very_a term_n for_o if_o she_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n she_o can_v alter_v her_o settle_a course_n and_o move_v in_o a_o order_n quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o now_o she_o steer_v nor_o do_v he_o mend_v the_o matter_n by_o assert_v in_o the_o same_o page_n that_o the_o fix_v law_n of_o nature_n extend_v to_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o divine_a understanding_n for_o the_o divine_a understanding_n must_v needs_o comprehend_v as_o well_o what_o be_v impossible_a as_o what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v and_o the_o mutability_n as_o well_o as_o the_o fixation_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o motion_n in_o material_a body_n into_o such_o notorious_a absurdity_n do_v your_o author_n run_v whilst_o he_o endeavour_v to_o destroy_v the_o credibility_n of_o miracle_n by_o jumble_v together_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n s._n if_o there_o be_v a_o fix_a course_n of_o nature_n how_o can_v there_o be_v a_o miracle_n which_o be_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o a_o interruption_n of_o it_o l._n because_o it_o be_v fix_v by_o a_o superior_a intelligent_a be_v who_o can_v unfix_v the_o same_o when_o it_o be_v for_o his_o own_o glory_n or_o the_o general_n benefit_n of_o mankind_n if_o nature_n do_v not_o keep_v for_o the_o most_o part_n a_o settle_a course_n we_o can_v have_v no_o distinct_a notion_n of_o a_o miracle_n but_o she_o be_v so_o steady_a that_o she_o give_v we_o time_n to_o view_v she_o and_o from_o that_o view_n to_o frame_v such_o axiom_n of_o possibility_n and_o impossibility_n as_o be_v as_o evident_a to_o our_o reason_n as_o any_o of_o those_o principle_n which_o some_o though_o i_o fear_v not_o true_o do_v stile_n innate_a notion_n s._n i_o be_o still_o of_o my_o author_n mind_n that_o we_o call_v those_o work_n miracle_n who_o natural_a cause_n we_o do_v not_o understand_v l._n no_o we_o rather_o call_v that_o work_v a_o miracle_n which_o we_o know_v be_v do_v not_o by_o a_o natural_a but_o by_o the_o immediate_a energy_n of_o some_o supernatural_a power_n for_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n be_v steady_a nothing_o be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o observe_v when_o her_o course_n be_v break_v i._n e._n when_o something_o be_v do_v that_o we_o be_v sure_o be_v repugnant_a to_o those_o fix_a rule_n which_o she_o be_v bind_v to_o observe_v in_o all_o other_o case_n s._n prithee_o what_o be_v those_o rule_n how_o do_v you_o know_v that_o they_o have_v ever_o be_v break_v l._n the_o first_o rule_n exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_n out_o of_o nothing_o there_o can_v come_v nothing_o be_v as_o clear_v by_o its_o own_o light_n as_o any_o one_o proposition_n we_o can_v easy_o frame_v unto_o ourselves_o either_o therefore_o matter_n make_v itself_o that_o be_v it_o be_v a_o cause_n before_o it_o do_v exist_v which_o be_v a_o wild_a absurdity_n or_o it_o be_v make_v by_o a_o superior_a be_v and_o its_o very_a production_n the_o beginning_n of_o miracle_n we_o all_o know_v that_o mutation_n of_o body_n may_v be_v make_v by_o the_o regular_a law_n of_o motion_n but_o that_o matter_n shall_v make_v itself_o or_o be_v produce_v out_o of_o nothing_o by_o she_o own_o law_n of_o motion_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n if_o matter_n therefore_o be_v make_v there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o it_o do_v not_o exist_v and_o therefore_o its_o motion_n from_o non_fw-fr existence_n to_o existence_n can_v not_o be_v according_a to_o any_o fix_a rule_n of_o nature_n which_o have_v then_o no_o be_v and_o consequent_o god_n do_v not_o always_o work_v by_o fix_a and_o unalterable_a rule_n to_o which_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o creation_n be_v direct_o repugnant_a s._n you_o ramble_v too_o wide_a from_o our_o present_a purpose_n can_v you_o prove_v that_o any_o thing_n yet_o be_v ever_o do_v since_o the_o creation_n that_o be_v certain_o repugnant_a to_o any_o one_o fix_a law_n of_o nature_n which_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a testimonial_a to_o a_o man_n that_o he_o be_v send_v from_o god_n l._n it_o be_v a_o maxim_n in_o reason_n that_o one_o body_n act_n upon_o another_o by_o contaction_n or_o protrusion_n only_o if_o two_o body_n be_v place_v never_o so_o near_o and_o no_o contiguous_a body_n between_o they_o may_v remain_v to_o all_o eternity_n in_o that_o posture_n without_o affect_v each_o other_o or_o produce_v any_o alteration_n in_o they_o if_o therefore_o any_o man_n can_v produce_v a_o alteration_n in_o body_n by_o the_o sole_a word_n of_o his_o mouth_n all_o man_n will_v conclude_v this_o man_n do_v act_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o supernatural_a power_n when_o therefore_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n see_v moses_n turn_v water_n into_o blood_n or_o bring_v louse_n and_o frog_n etc._n etc._n upon_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n by_o the_o lift_n up_o his_o rod_n or_o our_o saviour_n cure_v disease_n by_o the_o word_n of_o his_o mouth_n or_o raise_v man_n from_o the_o dead_a etc._n etc._n they_o must_v conclude_v that_o this_o be_v do_v by_o a_o spiritual_a and_o not_o by_o a_o material_a power_n which_o can_v cause_v no_o alteration_n on_o another_o body_n but_o by_o contraction_n or_o emission_n of_o minute_n particle_n the_o secret_a operation_n of_o which_o do_v constitute_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o natural_a magic_n now_o if_o the_o move_n of_o the_o wand_n or_o speak_v a_o few_o word_n do_v produce_v the_o wondrous_a effect_n but_o now_o mention_v in_o the_o production_n or_o alteration_n of_o body_n by_o the_o sole_a force_n of_o nature_n they_o will_v do_v it_o always_o when_o utter_v or_o apply_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n because_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v fix_v and_o immovable_a but_o since_o we_o see_v they_o have_v do_v it_o but_o can_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n again_o we_o very_o rational_o conclude_v that_o these_o alteration_n be_v make_v in_o body_n by_o a_o spiritual_a and_o a_o superior_a power_n your_o author_n therefore_o must_v not_o think_v to_o shame_n we_o off_o with_o a_o wild_a pretence_n that_o what_o we_o call_v miracle_n be_v some_o strange_a work_n of_o nature_n so_o call_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o vulgar_a for_o we_o be_v willing_a the_o miracle_n upon_o which_o our_o religion_n be_v ground_v shall_v be_v try_v by_o the_o most_o know_a axiom_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n and_o challenge_v the_o whole_a race_n of_o epicurean_a atomist_n to_o show_v how_o they_o can_v be_v do_v according_a to_o any_o hypothesis_n that_o ever_o yet_o be_v frame_v of_o the_o mechanical_a law_n of_o motion_n s._n do_v not_o my_o author_n clear_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o sun_n be_v stop_v his_o course_n of_o which_o we_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o refraction_n of_o light_n the_o sky_n be_v then_o full_a of_o hail_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o dial_n of_o ahaz_n l._n your_o author_n bold_o say_v much_o but_o he_o prove_v nothing_o the_o stand_v still_o of_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o prolongation_n of_o light_n by_o any_o other_o mean_n whether_o natural_a or_o miracu_fw-la lous_a will_v have_v be_v equal_o beneficial_a to_o the_o israelite_n in_o afford_v they_o time_n to_o slay_v their_o enemy_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v great_a encouragement_n to_o the_o israelite_n to_o see_v god_n himself_o assist_v they_o in_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n and_o the_o scripture_n do_v relate_v this_o as_o a_o miracle_n and_o since_o no_o sufficient_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o the_o sun_n shall_v stop_v his_o course_n or_o the_o earth_n stand_v still_o which_o in_o the_o effect_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n unless_o by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o scripture-narrative_a than_o the_o improbable_a conjecture_n of_o your_o dare_a author_n for_o why_o must_v we_o needs_o conclude_v that_o because_o it_o be_v possible_a the_o child_n of_o israel_n may_v be_v deceive_v that_o therefore_o they_o certain_o be_v so_o or_o how_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o air_n
this_o absurd_a and_o erroneous_a manner_n s._n perhaps_o he_o only_o mean_v it_o be_v in_o every_o man_n power_n to_o interpret_v scripture_n as_o he_o please_v l._n so_o it_o be_v in_o every_o man_n power_n to_o be_v erroneous_a and_o to_o act_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o have_v he_o therefore_o a_o right_a to_o murder_n steal_v or_o commit_v adultery_n but_o he_o do_v not_o only_o say_v summum_fw-la jus_o libere_fw-la sentiendi_fw-la de_fw-la religione_fw-la penes_fw-la unumquemque_fw-la esse_fw-la but_o summam_fw-la authoritatem_fw-la scripturam_fw-la 103._o p._n 103._o interpretandi_fw-la apud_fw-la unumquemque_fw-la esse_fw-la s._n methinks_v the_o right_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n ought_v rather_o to_o be_v give_v to_o some_o body_n of_o man_n who_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o preserve_v it_o l._n i_o have_v already_o show_v you_o that_o contradiction_n be_v no_o interpretation_n and_o that_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v have_v authority_n to_o oppose_v divine_a revelation_n unless_o you_o can_v prove_v that_o man_n be_v more_o omniscient_a than_o god_n s._n god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v attempt_v that_o for_o now_o i_o begin_v to_o hate_v the_o very_a name_n of_o deism_n as_o it_o stand_v oppose_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o reveal_v religion_n l._n and_o you_o will_v hate_v it_o more_o if_o you_o consider_v from_o the_o dregs_o of_o how_o many_o sect_n and_o faction_n this_o poison_n be_v extract_v and_o how_o much_o it_o tend_v to_o destroy_v all_o morality_n and_o use_v of_o right_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o papist_n it_o take_v the_o doctrine_n deficiency_n and_o obscurity_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o live_a interpreter_n from_o the_o quaker_n it_o take_v the_o doctrine_n of_o 145_o see_v chap._n 12._o p._n 144_o 145_o of_o the_o light_n within_o as_o sufficient_a to_o salvation_n which_o he_o call_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o they_o term_v the_o spirit_n and_o of_o villify_a the_o scripture_n as_o mere_a paper_n and_o ink_n as_o he_o express_o call_v they_o chap._n 12._o pag._n 145._o vereor_fw-la ne_fw-la nimis_fw-la sancti_fw-la etc._n etc._n simulachra_fw-la et_fw-la imagine_v hoc_fw-la est_fw-la chartam_fw-la et_fw-la atramentum_fw-la pro_fw-la scriptura_fw-la adorent_fw-la in_o which_o word_n he_o make_v reverence_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o idolatry_n from_o the_o independent_a it_o take_v the_o renunciation_n of_o catholic_n communion_n and_o make_v every_o man_n as_o they_o do_v every_o congregation_n to_o be_v a_o church_n as_o it_o be_v to_o himself_o and_o it_o borrow_v something_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o fatal_a necessity_n from_o the_o rigid_a preshyterian_a then_o as_o to_o its_o tendency_n to_o immorality_n it_o take_v from_o we_o all_o certainty_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o hope_v of_o glory_n through_o the_o mediation_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o leave_v we_o nothing_o to_o adore_v but_o a_o careless_a deceitful_a and_o inflexible_a deity_n and_o whilst_o it_o pretend_v to_o leave_v we_o piety_n it_o real_o rob_v we_o of_o the_o true_a id_v of_o god_n it_o leave_v justice_n and_o charity_n no_o other_o encouragement_n than_o they_o can_v find_v in_o this_o world_n and_o god_n know_v that_o be_v often_o little_a enough_o and_o it_o give_v the_o full_a reins_o to_o lust_n and_o appetite_n to_o eat_v drink_v and_o be_v merry_a for_o all_o beyond_o the_o grave_a be_v but_o conjecture_n or_o idle_a speculation_n nay_o it_o drive_v the_o mind_n unto_o a_o assent_n to_o so_o many_o absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n as_o must_v at_o last_o centre_n in_o downright_a atheism_n for_o a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n at_o all_o as_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o have_v exert_v his_o own_o power_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n and_o atheism_n in_o a_o few_o year_n will_v run_v up_o again_o into_o the_o old_a pagan_a idolatry_n since_o humane_a nature_n can_v be_v long_o without_o religion_n or_o some_o superstition_n of_o if_o possible_a a_o more_o ridiculous_a and_o pernicious_a nature_n s._n sir_n you_o need_v add_v no_o more_o i_o be_o full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o reveal_v religion_n and_o only_o beg_v your_o prayer_n to_o almighty_a god_n that_o i_o may_v increase_v in_o all_o useful_a knowledge_n and_o walk_v worthy_a of_o so_o heavenly_a a_o vocation_n l._n i_o be_o glad_a if_o any_o weak_a endeavour_n of_o i_o can_v contribute_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o vindication_n of_o that_o religion_n into_o which_o i_o be_v at_o first_o baptise_a and_o which_o be_v now_o so_o much_o oppose_v by_o the_o fraud_n and_o malice_n both_o of_o man_n and_o deviss_v and_o may_v god_n who_o have_v begin_v this_o conversion_n in_o your_o heart_n assist_v you_o always_o with_o his_o grace_n and_o make_v you_o perfect_a in_o every_o good_a work_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n s._n i_o thank_v you_o for_o your_o christian_a endeavour_n and_o wish_v you_o a_o hearty_a farewell_n finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o ch._n brome_n 1697._o the_o snake_n in_o the_o grass_n or_o satan_n transform_v to_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n discover_v the_o deep_a and_o unsuspected_a subtlety_n which_o be_v couch_v under_o the_o pretend_a simplicity_n of_o the_o quaker_n the_o second_o edit_n with_o addition_n price_n 4_o s._n bind_v satan_n disrobed_a from_o his_o disguise_n of_o light_n or_o the_o quaker_n last_o shift_n to_o cover_v their_o monstrous_a heresy_n lay_v full_o open_a in_o a_o reply_n to_o thomas_n ellwood_n answer_n publish_v in_o may_n 1696._o to_o george_n keith_n narrative_a of_o the_o proceed_n at_o turner_n hall_n june_n 11._o 1696._o by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o snake_n in_o the_o grass_n price_n 1._o s._n a_o discourse_n prove_v the_o divine_a instituon_n of_o water_n baptism_n by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o snake_n in_o the_o grass_n price_n 1_o s._n the_o quaker_n set_v in_o 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the_o lord_n and_o if_o any_o man_n read_v ch_n 53._o of_o his_o prophecy_n he_o will_v find_v such_o a_o description_n 53._o isa_n 53._o of_o a_o suffering_n messiah_n as_o can_v not_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o head_n of_o such_o a_o accomplish_a courtier_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a inspiration_n jeremiah_n be_v a_o man_n of_o sorrow_n and_o yet_o your_o author_n can_v say_v that_o none_o but_o revelation_n of_o sorrowful_a thing_n be_v make_v to_o he_o for_o he_o foretell_v the_o restauration_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o precise_a time_n of_o it_o which_o certain_o be_v not_o very_o sorrowful_a matter_n i_o can_v heap_v up_o innumerable_a instance_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n to_o show_v your_o author_n foundation_n he_o will_v build_v upon_o viz._n that_o prophecy_n be_v adapt_v to_o the_o natural_a temper_n of_o the_o prophet_n from_o whence_o he_o will_v undoubted_o insinuate_v it_o be_v only_o a_o effect_n of_o it_o be_v false_a and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o unite_a testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n beside_o who_o can_v inform_v this_o temerarious_a author_n of_o the_o natural_a constitution_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n who_o know_v not_o that_o the_o humour_n of_o the_o body_n be_v much_o alter_v both_o for_o the_o better_a and_o the_o worse_o by_o external_n accident_n whether_o sad_a or_o joyful_a what_o wonder_v then_o that_o those_o prophet_n who_o live_v in_o the_o peaceable_a and_o flourish_a state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o isaiah_n do_v for_o some_o time_n and_o to_o who_o joyful_a thing_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n reveal_v shall_v be_v of_o a_o joyful_a spirit_n and_o the_o contrary_n be_v record_v of_o these_o who_o be_v send_v upon_o sad_a and_o mournful_a message_n which_o be_v most_o likely_a that_o the_o message_n shall_v be_v cause_n of_o the_o joy_n or_o the_o joy_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o message_n s._n to_o i_o the_o scale_n seem_v to_o hang_v even_o l._n but_o then_o be_v those_o prediction_n whether_o joyous_a or_o mournful_a prove_v always_o to_o be_v true_a by_o the_o event_n i_o hope_v that_o be_v enough_o to_o turn_v the_o scale_n on_o the_o prophet_n side_n s._n you_o may_v say_v what_o you_o please_v but_o still_o you_o shall_v never_o make_v i_o believe_v but_o that_o if_o god_n speak_v to_o man_n he_o will_v always_o speak_v in_o the_o same_o style_n and_o that_o style_n will_v be_v the_o most_o elegant_a and_o florid_n of_o any_o other_o but_o if_o you_o compare_v the_o first_o of_o isaiah_n from_o ver._n 11._o to_o 20._o with_o the_o 5_o of_o amos_n from_o 21_o to_o 24_o ver_fw-la etc._n etc._n you_o will_v find_v that_o the_o style_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v not_o always_o the_o same_o but_o according_a to_o their_o several_a capacity_n it_o be_v sometime_o brief_a and_o sometime_o long_o sometime_o elegant_a and_o sometime_o rude_a in_o some_o place_n very_o plain_a and_o in_o other_o full_a of_o obscurity_n l._n difference_n of_o style_n be_v no_o argument_n of_o difference_n in_o thing_n nor_o be_v the_o elegance_n or_o rudeness_n of_o a_o language_n essential_a to_o the_o conveyance_n of_o truth_n the_o history_n of_o sallust_n be_v as_o true_a as_o that_o of_o livy_n for_o he_o write_v of_o thing_n do_v in_o his_o own_o time_n whereas_o livy_n be_v full_a of_o fabulous_a relation_n and_o yet_o i_o never_o 20._o p._n 20._o hear_v any_o critic_n affirm_v that_o his_o style_n be_v as_o complete_a and_o elegant_a it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n reveal_v his_o will_n to_o the_o prophet_n and_o other_o inspire_a author_n but_o leave_v the_o narration_n to_o the_o natural_a ability_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o style_n may_v vary_v but_o not_o their_o conception_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n s._n but_o why_o then_o do_v he_o not_o always_o choose_v man_n of_o the_o most_o elegant_a style_n to_o be_v his_o prophet_n l._n because_o it_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o mankind_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v adapt_v to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n as_o man_n of_o great_a natural_a and_o acquire_v ability_n be_v fit_a to_o stand_v before_o king_n and_o prince_n so_o be_v rustic_n and_o illiterate_a person_n most_o fit_a to_o speak_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o vulgar_a s._n well_o i_o will_v grant_v that_o difference_n of_o style_n be_v no_o very_o material_a objection_n but_o what_o if_o the_o hierogliphic_n and_o prophetical_a representation_n be_v various_a also_o do_v not_o isaiah_n see_v god_n sit_v upon_o a_o throne_n high_a and_o lift_v up_o and_o his_o train_n fill_v the_o temple_n be_v 6._o but_o ezekiel_n behold_v he_o as_o a_o fire_n of_o the_o colour_n of_o amber_n be_v it_o not_o plain_a that_o both_o see_v god_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o their_o respective_a imagination_n do_v before_o the_o vision_n represent_v he_o to_o they_o l._n not_o in_o the_o least_o all_o that_o the_o scripture_n say_v be_v that_o god_n make_v himself_o know_v by_o those_o 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of_o humane_a reason_n have_v assert_v that_o god_n be_v ignorant_a of_o those_o future_a contingent_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o free_a will_n of_o man_n and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a moses_n interpret_v by_o your_o author_n have_v as_o true_a a_o notion_n of_o god_n as_o many_o of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n or_o some_o of_o the_o modern_a arminian_o socinian_o and_o priest_n themselves_o though_o it_o be_v clear_a by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o god_n by_o his_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v those_o action_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o free_a will_n of_o man._n s._n and_o be_v this_o all_o you_o have_v to_o say_v l._n no_o i_o will_v add_v that_o though_o god_n have_v tell_v moses_n ver_fw-la 18._o of_o the_o 3d_o chapter_n that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n will_v hearken_v to_o his_o voice_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o inform_v he_o ver_fw-la 20._o that_o he_o will_v stretch_v out_o his_o arm_n and_o smite_v egypt_n with_o all_o his_o wonder_n the_o word_n therefore_o of_o moses_n behold_v they_o will_v not_o believe_v i_o nor_o hearken_v to_o my_o voice_n imply_v no_o contradiction_n to_o those_o word_n of_o god_n himself_o v._o 18._o chap._n 3._o because_o they_o relate_v to_o a_o different_a time_n it_o be_v true_a what_o god_n tell_v moses_n that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n will_v hearken_v to_o his_o voice_n when_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o it_o be_v true_a what_o moses_n say_v to_o god_n that_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o nor_o hearken_v to_o his_o voice_n before_o those_o sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v wrought_v before_o they_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o moses_n doubt_v of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n but_o only_o long_v for_o that_o assistance_n of_o his_o power_n by_o which_o god_n have_v tell_v he_o he_o will_v free_v the_o israelite_n from_o the_o slavery_n of_o bondage_n and_o error_n beside_o ex._n 4._o 8._o god_n be_v reveal_v to_o moses_n as_o foreknow_v that_o though_o the_o israelite_n may_v at_o first_o despise_v yet_o at_o last_o they_o will_v hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o moses_n s._n all_o this_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v nothing_o but_o evasion_n moses_n himself_o have_v wrong_a notion_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n he_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o be_v that_o always_o be_v be_v and_o ever_o shall_v be_v and_o for_o that_o reason_n call_v he_o jehovah_n but_o he_o teach_v nothing_o of_o his_o nature_n but_o that_o he_o be_v merciful_a live_v and_o very_o jealous_a of_o tranfer_v his_o honour_n 24._o p._n 24._o to_o another_o l._n if_o moses_n conceive_v no_o right_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n pray_v let_v we_o know_v your_o author_n opinion_n upon_o that_o subject_a s._n my_o author_n give_v no_o definition_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o 26_o page_n that_o he_o look_v upon_o moses_n conception_n of_o love_n and_o mercy_n and_o jealousy_n which_o be_v humane_a passion_n when_o 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be_v those_o passion_n worthy_o ascribe_v unto_o god_n l._n yes_o very_o worthy_o provide_v you_o remove_v from_o thence_o those_o imperfection_n which_o unavoidable_o arise_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o humane_a soul_n and_o the_o contexture_n of_o a_o humane_a body_n all_o our_o affection_n be_v accompany_v with_o some_o violent_a perturbation_n of_o the_o body_n which_o can_v be_v in_o god_n who_o be_v a_o incorporeal_a be_v wherefore_o tho_o pity_n jealousy_n and_o anger_n be_v attribute_v to_o god_n for_o want_v of_o proper_a and_o intelligible_a name_n to_o express_v something_o that_o be_v like_o they_o in_o the_o divine_a nature_n yet_o we_o can_v conceive_v moses_n so_o stupid_a as_o to_o think_v that_o god_n feel_v the_o same_o perturbation_n that_o man_n be_v sensible_a of_o in_o their_o affliction_n the_o scripture_n represent_v god_n as_o resolve_v to_o punish_v unrepent_v sinner_n and_o this_o resolution_n it_o call_v his_o anger_n and_o it_o show_v we_o that_o god_n be_v ready_a to_o succour_v the_o afflict_a and_o to_o extend_v his_o pardon_n to_o some_o who_o according_a to_o strict_a justice_n be_v unworthy_a of_o it_o and_o his_o propensity_n to_o those_o voluntary_a favour_n moses_n call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o mercy_n and_o his_o eternal_a decree_n that_o his_o honour_n shall_v not_o be_v give_v to_o his_o creature_n by_o a_o easy_a metaphor_n be_v style_v jealousy_n but_o all_o this_o include_v no_o erroneous_a apprehension_n of_o god_n it_o only_o express_v these_o attribute_n which_o be_v know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n in_o such_o word_n as_o be_v most_o intelligible_a to_o all_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n s._n you_o may_v fancy_v what_o figure_n you_o please_v but_o can_v you_o show_v any_o good_a reason_n why_o moses_n must_v be_v understand_v to_o speak_v in_o a_o figurative_a sense_n l._n because_o in_o this_o life_n we_o all_o see_v god_n dark_o as_o through_o a_o glass_n and_o therefore_o can_v in_o all_o thing_n speak_v proper_o of_o he_o as_o he_o be_v but_o must_v be_v compel_v by_o necessity_n to_o transfer_v some_o word_n from_o those_o thing_n we_o more_o perfect_o understand_v to_o signfie_v those_o perfection_n in_o god_n which_o be_v less_o perfect_o understand_v by_o we_o s._n i_o wonder_v you_o will_v deny_v that_o the_o revelation_n be_v adapt_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o prophet_n when_o so_o many_o instance_n of_o it_o be_v bring_v by_o this_o author_n extract_v from_o your_o very_a bibles_n moses_n think_v god_n be_v in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n governor_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o that_o the_o government_n of_o other_o country_n be_v leave_v to_o inferior_a deity_n who_o be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o other_o nation_n see_v for_o this_o exod._n 15._o 11._o and_o 2_o chron._n 32._o 19_o he_o also_o absurd_o dream_v that_o god_n who_o be_v every_o where_o be_v confine_v to_o live_v in_o heaven_n for_o this_o see_v deut._n 33._o 27._o ionas_n presume_v himself_o able_a to_o fly_v from_o the_o very_a presence_n of_o god_n solomon_n despise_a all_o the_o law_n prescribe_v to_o a_o king_n though_o he_o be_v esteem_v the_o wise_a of_o all_o the_o jewish_a nation_n the_o doctrine_n of_o ezekiel_n be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o moses_n as_o you_o will_v find_v if_o you_o compare_v his_o 18_o chap._n with_o the_o seven_o ver._n of_o the_o 31_o of_o exod._n or_o the_o 18_o of_o the_o 22d_o of_o jeremiah_n samuel_n believe_v that_o god_n never_o repent_v of_o his_o decree_n see_v 15._o sam._n ver_fw-la 29._o jeremiah_n teach_v that_o god_n upon_o condition_n of_o repentance_n do_v reverse_v his_o decree_n of_o judgement_n against_o notorious_a sinner_n it_o appear_v from_o gen._n 4._o v._n 7._o that_o man_n have_v power_n to_o resist_v temptation_n but_o st._n paul_n teach_v that_o man_n have_v no_o government_n over_o his_o own_o thought_n or_o action_n but_o by_o the_o singular_a call_v and_o grace_n of_o god_n see_v the_o 9th_o to_o the_o roman_n and_o when_o he_o ascribe_v justice_n to_o god_n he_o correct_v himself_o by_o say_v he_o speak_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o men._n from_o whence_o it_o be_v as_o clear_v to_o i_o as_o the_o sun_n that_o what_o you_o call_v divine_a revelation_n or_o divine_a inspiration_n never_o make_v any_o man_n wise_a than_o he_o be_v before_o but_o either_o leave_v he_o or_o confirm_v he_o in_o those_o very_a prejudices_fw-la of_o opinion_n in_o which_o at_o first_o it_o find_v he_o unless_o in_o matter_n of_o morality_n for_o therein_o the_o prophet_n be_v guide_v by_o know_v and_o undeniable_a maxim_n l._n you_o muster_v up_o the_o whole_a strength_n of_o your_o author_n force_n which_o consist_v more_o in_o number_n than_o in_o true_a worth_n and_o
dignity_n we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o god_n condescend_v in_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o weak_a capacity_n of_o his_o creature_n man_n but_o that_o do_v no_o way_n incline_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o ever_o reveal_v to_o man_n any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a or_o that_o he_o confirm_v he_o in_o his_o preconceive_a error_n or_o that_o whensoever_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reveal_v himself_o in_o a_o supernatural_a manner_n he_o can_v or_o do_v not_o do_v it_o with_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o perspicuity_n as_o one_o man_n can_v tell_v his_o thought_n to_o another_o god_n indeed_o have_v declare_v more_o to_o one_o prophet_n than_o to_o another_o but_o since_o he_o never_o speak_v any_o thing_n but_o truth_n to_o any_o this_o be_v so_o sar_n from_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o read_v any_o of_o the_o prophet_n for_o so_o i_o call_v all_o inspire_a author_n that_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a inducement_n to_o peruse_v they_o all_o that_o so_o what_o we_o miss_v in_o one_o we_o may_v ready_o find_v in_o another_o if_o revelation_n discover_v nothing_o new_a to_o mankind_n nor_o confirm_a truth_n of_o a_o eternal_a verity_n it_o will_v be_v altogether_o needless_a and_o if_o it_o by_o be_v adapt_v to_o man_n erroneous_a prejudices_fw-la confirm_v they_o in_o the_o same_o it_o will_v be_v pernicious_a and_o god_n himself_o will_v be_v the_o author_n abettor_n and_o divulg_a of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o world_n which_o i_o will_v have_v all_o young_a man_n serious_o to_o consider_v who_o be_v addict_v to_o these_o deistical_a notion_n epicurus_n who_o remove_v the_o deity_n from_o all_o thought_n of_o humane_a affair_n pay_v more_o honour_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n than_o those_o who_o with_o your_o author_n suppose_v he_o to_o meddle_v therein_o only_o to_o confound_v natural_a light_n and_o to_o contradict_v himself_o and_o to_o send_v his_o servant_n to_o plant_v and_o propagate_v falsehood_n in_o the_o 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