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scripture_n according_a law_n word_n 2,848 5 4.0699 3 false
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A89672 A conference with a theist. Part II. Shewing the defects of natural religion; the necessity of divine inspiration; the rationale of the mosaical laws, and defence of his miracles : together with an account of the deluge, the origin of sacrifices, and the reasonableness of Christ's mediatorship. / By William Nicholls ... Nicholls, William, 1664-1712. 1699 (1699) Wing N1094A; ESTC R181001 142,863 328

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again_o as_o to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o obadiah_n who_o you_o assert_v to_o have_v be_v a_o prophet_n only_o to_o the_o edomite_n he_o be_v a_o prophet_n only_o to_o the_o israelite_n and_o for_o aught_o appear_v to_o the_o contrary_a original_o of_o jewish_a extraction_n for_o i_o think_v little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o jewish_a author_n who_o will_v make_v he_o a_o edomitish_a proselyte_n but_o that_o obadiah_n be_v a_o prophet_n to_o the_o jew_n only_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o this_o short_a prophecy_n where_o first_o be_v denounce_v god_n severe_a judgement_n against_o the_o edomite_n the_o enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o his_o vengeance_n for_o their_o pride_n and_o insolence_n and_o afterward_o the_o jew_n delivery_n from_o they_o and_o conquest_n over_o they_o but_o upon_o mount_n zion_n shall_v be_v deliverance_n and_o jacob_n shall_v possess_v their_o possession_n and_o the_o house_n of_o jacob_n shall_v be_v a_o fire_n and_o the_o house_n joseph_n a_o flame_n and_o the_o house_n of_o esau_n for_o stubble_n and_o they_o shall_v kindle_v in_o they_o and_o devour_v they_o and_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v any_o of_o the_o house_n of_o esau_n for_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o v._o 17_o 18._o now_o do_v this_o look_n like_o a_o edomitish_a prophet_n but_o this_o be_v just_a as_o spinosa_n and_o hobbs_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v use_v to_o quote_v scripture_n 10._o the_o most_o considerable_a instance_n be_v that_o of_o balaam_n who_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o ethnic_a prophet_n by_o his_o live_n in_o a_o heathen_a country_n and_o his_o be_v at_o the_o command_n of_o a_o heathen_a king_n and_o by_o his_o predict_v so_o plain_o such_o remarkable_a event_n which_o afterward_o so_o punctual_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o canaanitish_a nation_n and_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o then_o although_o this_o be_v true_a yet_o it_o do_v not_o from_o hence_o follow_v that_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n be_v common_a to_o other_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n from_o this_o instance_n because_o this_o prophecy_n be_v design_v only_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o although_o it_o be_v pronounce_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o heathen_a man_n yet_o the_o design_n and_o purpose_n of_o it_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o jew_n and_o true_o it_o be_v but_o a_o small_a privilege_n of_o the_o heathen_a to_o have_v one_o of_o they_o to_o pronounce_v a_o prophecy_n of_o god_n only_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o too_o for_o the_o utter_a extirpation_n of_o themselves_o so_o that_o for_o aught_o i_o see_v in_o this_o instance_n baalam_n ass_n will_v be_v as_o good_a a_o one_o altogether_o to_o prove_v that_o inspiration_n be_v common_a to_o brute_n too_o because_o god_n once_o make_v use_n of_o his_o mouth_n to_o confute_v his_o master_n folly_n 11._o well_o but_o baalam_n you_o say_v be_v a_o true_a and_o accustom_a prophet_n and_o not_o make_v use_n of_o only_a by_o god_n upon_o this_o extraordinary_a exigence_n i_o be_o afraid_a this_o be_v a_o assertion_n which_o can_v be_v so_o easy_o make_v out_o as_o say_v and_o indeed_o the_o contrary_a thereof_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o the_o context_n for_o first_o he_o can_v be_v a_o true_a prophet_n of_o god_n because_o he_o make_v use_v of_o unlawful_a art_n and_o as_o the_o scripture_n say_v fight_v for_o enchantment_n cap._n 24._o 1._o and_o what_o we_o from_o the_o vulgar_a translate_v the_o reward_n of_o divination_n be_v in_o the_o original_n only_a divination_n i._n e._n instrument_n of_o divination_n conjure_v book_n wand_n or_o the_o like_a and_o second_o he_o be_v call_v kosem_n a_o divine_a or_o sorcerer_n josh_n 13.22_o which_o word_n have_v always_o a_o ill_a character_n fix_v on_o it_o in_o scripture_n notwithstanding_o spinosa_n maintain_v the_o contrary_a though_o without_o any_o instance_n of_o it_o i_o have_v careful_o examine_v all_o the_o word_n that_o i_o find_v in_o scripture_n which_o come_v from_o this_o root_n and_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o unless_o by_o way_n of_o metaphor_n but_o carry_v a_o ill_a sense_n and_o signify_v unlawful_a knowledge_n of_o future_a thing_n or_o a_o lie_v pretend_v one_o and_o as_o for_o those_o place_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v 24.25_o jer._n 14.14_o ezech._n 13.7_o and_o 23._o micah_n 3.6_o etc._n etc._n where_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o signify_v simple_a prophecy_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v manifest_a by_o close_o consider_v the_o place_n that_o they_o be_v only_o hard_a word_n to_o characterise_v the_o false_a prophecy_n of_o some_o lie_a prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o if_o i_o shall_v call_v a_o astrologer_n a_o gypsy_n or_o a_o conjurer_n name_n which_o carry_v more_o vulgar_a disrepute_n and_o shamefulness_n in_o they_o i_o know_v but_o two_o place_n in_o scripture_n where_o they_o be_v use_v in_o a_o good_a sense_n the_o first_o be_v prov._n 16.10_o a_o divine_a sentence_n or_o divination_n not_o as_o we_o translate_v it_o too_o far_o from_o the_o original_a word_n a_o divine_a sentence_n be_v in_o the_o lip_n of_o the_o king_n and_o his_o mouth_n transgress_v not_o in_o judgement_n that_o be_v the_o king_n be_v a_o wise_a sagacious_a man_n in_o his_o judicial_a determination_n make_v shrewd_a conjecture_n from_o outward_a appearance_n to_o discover_v man_n inward_a intention_n and_o by_o that_o sort_n of_o political_a divination_n award_v judgement_n according_o the_o second_o be_v be_v 32._o where_o it_o be_v say_v the_o lord_n do_v take_v away_o from_o judah_n the_o judge_n and_o the_o prophet_n the_o kosem_n the_o conjecturer_n or_o the_o prudent_a and_o the_o ancient_n where_o the_o septuagint_n do_v very_o well_o translate_v kosem_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o that_o make_v good_a conjecture_n or_o divination_n which_o be_v a_o metaphorical_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n in_o most_o language_n draw_v from_o the_o heathen_a augury_n as_o be_v particular_o plain_a in_o those_o verse_n of_o ovid_n concern_v the_o child_n play_n at_o even_o and_o odd_a est_fw-la etiam_fw-la par_fw-fr sit_fw-la numerus_fw-la qui_fw-la dicat_fw-la a_o impar_fw-la ut_fw-la divinatas_fw-la auferat_fw-la augur_n opes_fw-la ovid._n de_fw-fr nuce_n phil._n by_o your_o criticism_n you_o have_v roved_z a_o little_a too_o far_o from_o the_o main_a point_n but_o pray_v if_o balaam_n be_v not_o a_o true_a prophet_n how_o come_v he_o to_o say_v that_o he_o will_v bring_v balack_n messenger_n word_n what_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n the_o true_a judaical_a god_n shall_v speak_v unto_o he_o numb_a 22.7_o the_o lord_z refuse_v to_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o go_v with_o you_o v._o 13._o i_o can_v go_v beyond_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_z my_o god_n to_o do_v less_o or_o more_o v._o 18._o and_o god_n come_v unto_o balaam_n etc._n etc._n and_o balaam_n say_v unto_o god_n etc._n etc._n v._n 9_o 10._o i_o pray_v how_o come_v he_o to_o have_v this_o intercourse_n with_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n and_o yet_o be_v such_o a_o heathen_a conjurer_n as_o you_o will_v make_v he_o nay_o how_o come_v he_o to_o make_v such_o fine_a prophecy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o yet_o be_v such_o a_o diabolical_a necromancer_n cred._n i_o think_v philologus_n you_o be_v not_o a_o little_a mistake_v in_o argue_v after_o this_o manner_n for_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v from_o scripture_n that_o balaam_n do_v endeavour_v to_o seek_v after_o jehovah_n or_o the_o true_a god_n when_o he_o design_v to_o make_v enquiry_n after_o the_o future_a fate_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o balack_n request_n but_o only_o after_o baal_n or_o some_o other_o false_a deity_n of_o the_o moabite_n that_o the_o search_v make_v to_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v make_v to_o jehovah_n be_v because_o jehovah_n be_v the_o jewish_a name_n for_o god_n which_o no_o doubt_n in_o the_o moabitish_a language_n be_v baal_n or_o some_o such_o like_a name_n which_o moses_n write_v in_o hebrew_n call_v by_o the_o jewish_a name_n jehovah_n not_o that_o baal_n and_o jehovah_n be_v the_o same_o but_o that_o balaam_n take_v his_o baal_n a_o false_a god_n viz._n some_o deify_v prince_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o jehovah_n or_o the_o true_a god_n and_o therefore_o moses_n in_o regard_n to_o his_o intention_n call_v he_o by_o that_o name_n nor_o do_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o prophecy_n argue_v he_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a prophet_n to_o who_o the_o true_a god_n be_v wont_a to_o reveal_v himself_o because_o although_o he_o may_v intend_v to_o make_v his_o address_n to_o a_o false_a god_n yet_o jehovah_n or_o the_o true_a god_n may_v take_v advantage_n from_o this_o to_o promote_v his_o true_a religion_n by_o inspire_v a_o false_a prophet_n of_o the_o
a_o heathen_a shall_v come_v at_o a_o sight_n of_o that_o book_n or_o at_o least_o a_o relation_n out_o of_o it_o for_o trogus_n pompeius_n who_o write_v the_o history_n which_o justin_n epitomise_v be_v a_o retainer_n in_o the_o family_n of_o the_o great_a pompey_n who_o conquer_a judea_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o expedition_n of_o his_o master_n there_o without_o doubt_n he_o pick_v up_o this_o imperfect_a relation_n of_o the_o jew_n either_o by_o read_v their_o book_n and_o afterward_o forget_v or_o mistake_v they_o or_o by_o mix_v the_o true_a history_n with_o the_o fabulous_a report_n of_o some_o neighbour_a gentile_n so_o that_o in_o short_a the_o scripture-history_n must_v regulate_v his_o report_n and_o then_o see_v how_o fine_o this_o do_v agree_v with_o it_o he_o make_v the_o jewish_a original_a to_o be_v from_o damascus_n and_o that_o abraham_n be_v king_n of_o that_o place_n where_o arathes_n the_o wife_n of_o syrus_n one_o of_o their_o ancient_a king_n be_v worship_v that_o after_o damascus_n who_o give_v name_n to_o the_o city_n succeed_v azelus_n and_o then_o adore_v and_o then_o abraham_n and_o israel_n which_o israel_n divide_v his_o kingdom_n among_o his_o ten_o son_n but_o make_v they_o all_o to_o be_v call_v jew_n from_o his_o son_n judah_n that_o joseph_n be_v israel_n young_a so●_n and_o that_o moses_n be_v son_n to_o he_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v drive_v out_o of_o egypt_n for_o be_v scabby_a that_o they_o be_v follow_v after_o by_o the_o egyptian_n because_o they_o have_v steal_v some_o of_o their_o sacra_fw-la and_o that_o the_o egyptian_n be_v force_v to_o return_v home_o by_o a_o tempest_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o fast_v seven_o day_n in_o the_o desert_n of_o arabia_n which_o occasion_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n that_o the_o memory_n of_o their_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o egypt_n for_o their_o scabbiness_n make_v it_o a_o part_n of_o their_o religion_n not_o to_o converse_v with_o stranger_n lest_o the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o infirmity_n shall_v render_v they_o contemptible_a that_o moses_n his_o son_n name_n be_v arvas_n i_o e._n aaron_z who_o be_v a_o egyptian_a priest_n who_o afterward_o succeed_v moses_n in_o the_o kingdom_n and_o from_o hence_o come_v the_o custom_n that_o the_o jewish_a king_n be_v always_o priest_n now_o what_o a_o foolish_a and_o contradictious_a account_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n be_v this_o report_n of_o justin_n who_o ever_o hear_v of_o the_o name_n of_o azelus_n and_o adore_v in_o the_o jewish_a story_n when_o be_v such_o a_o goddess_n as_o arathes_n worship_v general_o by_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v always_o fame_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o one_o god_n where_o by_o the_o way_n this_o be_v only_o a_o simple_a mistake_n of_o the_o author_n to_o say_v arathe_n for_o the_o astarte_n or_o astaroth_n of_o the_o sidonian_n here_o be_v again_o abraham_n mistake_v for_o the_o father_n who_o be_v the_o grandfather_n of_o israel_n here_o be_v israel_n ten_o son_n set_v down_o for_o his_o twelve_o his_o little_a estate_n mistake_v for_o a_o empire_n and_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n for_o ten_o kingdom_n here_o be_v joseph_n take_v for_o jacob_n young_a son_n who_o be_v his_o elder_a by_o another_o venture_n and_o moses_n pass_v for_o joseph_n son_n who_o live_v three_o or_o four_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o here_o be_v the_o name_n of_o jew_n say_v to_o be_v impose_v by_o jacob_n which_o be_v not_o know_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n a_o thousand_o year_n afterward_o here_o be_v the_o plague_n which_o moses_n inflict_v upon_o egypt_n alter_v for_o the_o scabbiness_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o if_o those_o heavy_a judgement_n come_v only_o by_o infection_n and_o the_o spoil_n of_o the_o egyptian_n of_o their_o bracelet_n earring_n etc._n etc._n turn_v into_o the_o run_v away_o with_o their_o sacra_fw-la here_o be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o manna_n and_o quail_n confound_v with_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n and_o their_o injunction_n of_o not_o communicate_v with_o the_o nation_n attribute_v to_o the_o foolish_a fable_n about_o their_o itch_n or_o leprosy_n and_o beside_o here_o be_v again_o aaron_n moses_n his_o brother_n mistake_v into_o his_o son_n and_o turn_v from_o a_o jewish_a into_o a_o egyptian_a priest_n here_o be_v the_o same_o aaron_n make_v king_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v never_o otherways_o than_o priest_n and_o that_o say_v to_o be_v the_o original_n of_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v their_o king_n their_o priest_n when_o never_o any_o such_o custom_n obtain_v among_o they_o but_o only_o the_o author_n have_v blunder_v the_o history_n of_o the_o maccabee_n government_n into_o this_o fable_n so_o that_o philologus_n i_o will_v have_v your_o gentleman_n for_o shame_n leave_v of_o to_o abuse_v the_o jewish_a nation_n with_o false_a story_n out_o of_o heathen_a historian_n that_o know_v so_o very_o little_a of_o their_o country_n and_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o many_o mistake_n about_o it_o for_o in_o this_o short_a account_n of_o justin_n you_o see_v there_o be_v almost_o as_o many_o mistake_n as_o word_n whether_o they_o be_v wilful_a and_o malicious_a or_o no_o i_o shall_v not_o determine_v but_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o account_n we_o find_v in_o scripture_n to_o all_o reasonable_a man_n must_v be_v ten_o time_n less_o liable_a to_o exception_n phil._n these_o be_v but_o small_a thing_n credentius_n for_o we_o to_o make_v many_o word_n about_o but_o i_o be_o afraid_a you_o inspiration_n man_n be_v guilty_a of_o a_o very_a great_a fundamental_a error_n in_o take_v that_o for_o some_o supernatural_a revelation_n of_o god_n which_o be_v only_o natural_a reason_n for_o i_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o think_v that_o the_o prophet_n or_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v inspire_v have_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n reveal_v to_o they_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o the_o common_a natural_a way_n of_o reason_v and_o knowledge_n for_o natural_a knowledge_n be_v but_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n wherein_o god_n reveal_v to_o our_o mind_n the_o nature_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v unknown_a to_o we_o before_o so_o that_o god_n may_v he_o as_o well_o say_v to_o speak_v to_o we_o by_o our_o reason_n as_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o natural_a knowledge_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v divine_a as_o proceed_v from_o god_n as_o well_o as_o they_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o hebrew_n way_n of_o use_v the_o word_n god_n that_o have_v betray_v both_o jew_n and_o christian_n into_o the_o fancy_n of_o inspiration_n and_o revelation_n in_o the_o modern_a sense_n when_o former_o nothing_o but_o pure_a natural_a knowledge_n be_v mean_v by_o it_o for_o the_o hebrew_n have_v always_o a_o very_a religious_a and_o devout_a way_n of_o talk_v and_o attribute_v almost_o all_o natural_a action_n to_o god_n if_o they_o have_v get_v money_n by_o their_o industry_n they_o will_v say_v it_o be_v give_v they_o by_o god_n if_o they_o have_v a_o good_a thought_n they_o will_v say_v god_n put_v it_o into_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o like_a so_o a_o great_a many_o other_o thing_n be_v say_v to_o be_v divine_a or_o to_o come_v from_o god_n which_o be_v only_o natural_a but_o wonderful_a or_o extraordinary_a thus_o the_o mountain_n of_o god_n be_v only_o another_o name_n for_o great_a mountain_n they_o sleep_v of_o god_n for_o a_o deep_a sleep_n and_o the_o son_n of_o god_n gen._n 6._o be_v but_o great_a son_n or_o giant_n now_o it_o will_v be_v a_o mad_a way_n of_o interpretation_n to_o say_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v inspire_v because_o they_o have_v god_n name_n add_v to_o they_o therefore_o why_o shall_v we_o suppose_v that_o those_o man_n who_o be_v call_v prophet_n in_o scripture_n have_v any_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a revelation_n only_o because_o they_o be_v call_v the_o man_n of_o god_n or_o be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o this_o be_v only_o a_o usual_a hyperbole_n to_o denote_v that_o they_o be_v extraordinary_a man_n man_n of_o sound_n reason_v and_o notable_a part_n and_o exquisite_o gift_v to_o move_v and_o persuade_v the_o people_n and_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o the_o greek_n and_o latin_n mean_v by_o divine_a or_o godlike_a i._n e._n extraordinary_a only_o because_o the_o hebrew_n make_v use_v of_o genitives_n instead_o of_o adjective_n they_o call_v he_o the_o man_n of_o god_n which_o the_o heathen_n will_v have_v call_v a_o divine_a or_o extraordinary_a man._n so_o when_o the_o prophet_n be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n what_o need_v i_o pray_v of_o coin_v a_o inspiration_n or_o revelation_n of_o divine_a truth_n to_o explain_v this_o by_o for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v so_o many_o sense_n and_o those_o so_o very_o
diverse_a in_o scripture_n that_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o fair_a to_o clap_v that_o particular_a sense_n only_o upon_o it_o which_o it_o may_v but_o bear_v possible_o signify_v sometime_o it_o signify_v only_o the_o wind_n as_o be_v 40.7_o the_o ruach_n or_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n blow_v upon_o he_o that_o be_v a_o very_a dry_a and_o fatal_a wind_n sometime_o it_o signify_v the_o soul_n as_o job_n 47.3_o the_o ruach_n the_o spirit_n or_o breath_n of_o god_n be_v in_o my_o nostril_n sometime_o it_o signify_v life_n as_o ezech._n 37.14_o i_o will_v give_v my_o spirit_n to_o you_o and_o you_o shall_v live_v that_o be_v i_o will_v recover_v you_o and_o give_v you_o life_n or_o spirit_n again_o other_o time_n it_o signify_v mercy_n as_o mich._n 2.7_o be_v the_o ruach_n the_o spirit_n i._n e._n the_o mercy_n of_o god_n straiten_v and_o the_o word_n spirit_n itself_o single_o be_v note_v to_o signify_v a_o temper_n of_o mind_n as_o caleb_n be_v of_o another_o spirit_n i._n e._n a_o better_a temper_n than_o the_o murmur_a jew_n numb_a 14.24_o and_o in_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n the_o spirit_n of_o holiness_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o signify_v temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n from_o all_o which_o i_o conclude_v that_o when_o in_o scripture_n the_o prophet_n be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o meaning_n be_v only_o that_o they_o have_v great_a mind_n or_o spirit_n or_o extraordinary_a holy_a disposition_n above_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n which_o expression_n signify_v no_o more_o in_o hebrew_n than_o what_o the_o greek_n mean_v when_o they_o say_v the_o same_o of_o a_o brave_a poet_n or_o orator_n that_o he_o have_v in_o his_o write_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o thing_n divine_a and_o admirable_a and_o far_o above_o the_o rate_n of_o common_a author_n so_o that_o when_o by_o these_o passage_n of_o scripture_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o the_o prophet_n be_v good_a solid_a writer_n and_o excellent_a preacher_n why_o shall_v you_o go_v about_o to_o spoil_v their_o character_n and_o make_v they_o only_o enthusiastical_a dreamer_n and_o now_o let_v my_o infidelity_n be_v as_o great_a as_o you_o will_v make_v it_o you_o see_v i_o be_o a_o better_a friend_n to_o your_o old_a prophet_n than_o you_o yourself_o cred._n you_o have_v give_v we_o here_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o learned_a banter_n and_o it_o be_v great_a pity_n that_o man_n shall_v study_v scripture_n so_o much_o to_o make_v such_o ill_a use_n of_o it_o but_o to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o this_o wild_a sort_n of_o argue_v which_o i_o can_v hardly_o persuade_v myself_o you_o urge_v in_o earnest_n revelation_n natural_a knowledge_n not_o revelation_n 1._o you_o assert_v that_o natural_a knowledge_n be_v the_o revelation_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o any_o more_o reason_n to_o be_v call_v so_o than_o that_o but_o this_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n for_o natural_a knowledge_n can_v be_v say_v proper_o to_o be_v the_o revelation_n but_o only_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n indeed_o what_o ever_o we_o know_v we_o shall_v never_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o unless_o it_o have_v please_v god_n goodness_n to_o endow_v we_o with_o these_o intelligent_a faculty_n but_o then_o no_o body_n say_v that_o god_n reveal_v these_o natural_a truth_n to_o we_o but_o only_o he_o give_v we_o the_o faculty_n of_o discern_v they_o nay_o let_v we_o be_v as_o platonical_a as_o we_o please_v and_o assert_v that_o all_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v but_o so_o many_o intuition_n on_o the_o deity_n and_o our_o view_v some_o of_o those_o infinity_o of_o truth_n which_o he_o be_v please_v to_o exhibit_v to_o we_o by_o communicate_v himself_o to_o we_o i_o say_v although_o we_o explain_v natural_a knowledge_n this_o way_n yet_o this_o be_v far_o from_o be_v the_o same_o which_o we_o general_o understand_v by_o divine_a revelation_n for_o this_o first_o be_v a_o general_a way_n of_o god_n communicate_v himself_o indifferent_o to_o all_o man_n for_o all_o man_n do_v indifferent_o partake_v of_o a_o considerable_a measure_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n but_o this_o latter_a way_n of_o god_n reveal_v himself_o which_o in_o particular_a we_o call_v divine_a revelation_n be_v a_o favour_n which_o god_n have_v vouchsafe_v but_o to_o a_o very_a few_o of_o all_o mankind_n that_o they_o may_v communicate_v what_o be_v so_o reveal_v to_o they_o to_o the_o rest_n by_o the_o first_o man_n only_o have_v a_o power_n of_o perceive_v the_o idea_n and_o impression_n of_o outward_a object_n of_o compound_v and_o divide_v thought_n of_o affirm_v and_o deny_v concern_v they_o of_o fit_v premise_n and_o deduce_a consequence_n which_o every_a one_o own_o experience_n tell_v he_o he_o have_v by_o nature_n but_o the_o latter_a be_v a_o supernatural_a impulse_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n which_o instill_v into_o man_n mind_n thought_n not_o attainable_a by_o human_a reason_n or_o else_o give_v they_o a_o authority_n as_o come_v from_o god_n which_o they_o have_v not_o before_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o idle_a fallacy_n to_o call_v those_o natural_a deduction_n of_o reason_n and_o common_a idea_n of_o thing_n by_o the_o name_n of_o revelation_n from_o which_o they_o do_v as_o wide_o differ_v as_o light_n and_o darkness_n this_o be_v only_o a_o ludicrous_a artifice_n which_o your_o sort_n of_o man_n have_v get_v of_o make_v use_n of_o religious_a term_n when_o you_o believe_v nothing_o of_o the_o thing_n and_o expose_v religion_n by_o leave_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o a_o few_o empty_a name_n and_o beside_o they_o have_v another_o end_n to_o serve_v by_o it_o which_o be_v this_o that_o then_o their_o infidelity_n do_v not_o appear_v so_o barefaced_a when_o they_o make_v use_v of_o the_o old_a term_n in_o a_o infidel_n sense_n for_o otherways_o such_o writer_n as_o hobbs_n spinosa_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o five_o letter_n will_v appear_v so_o horrid_a to_o all_o ear_n that_o have_v the_o least_o spark_n of_o christianity_n leave_v that_o man_n will_v be_v scare_v from_o they_o at_o the_o first_o read_v and_o so_o all_o hope_n of_o make_v proselyte_n for_o the_o devil_n will_v be_v over_o but_o by_o this_o banter_n and_o mince_v the_o matter_n reader_n be_v cajole_v into_o infidelity_n unaware_o and_o the_o author_n escape_v the_o punishment_n likewise_o which_o will_v otherwise_o attend_v a_o open_a and_o barefaced_a blasphemy_n 2._o and_o it_o be_v much_o such_o another_o kind_n of_o argumentation_n men._n prophet_n not_o only_o extraordinary_a men._n when_o you_o will_v have_v the_o prophet_n which_o be_v sometime_o in_o scripture_n call_v the_o man_n of_o god_n to_o be_v only_a man_n of_o good_a part_n and_o very_o considerable_a man_n because_o forsooth_o great_a thing_n in_o scripture_n be_v sometime_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n for_o what_o though_o the_o mountain_n of_o god_n be_v a_o great_a mountain_n and_o nimrod_n a_o hunter_n of_o god_n be_v a_o mighty_a hunter_n may_v not_o therefore_o moses_n and_o isaiah_n and_o jeremy_n be_v inspire_v prophet_n i_o pray_v where_o lie_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o indeed_o if_o they_o be_v only_o in_o general_n say_v to_o be_v man_n of_o god_n and_o have_v no_o other_o title_n nor_o no_o other_o demonstration_n of_o their_o prophetic_a spirit_n there_o will_v be_v then_o something_o tolerable_a in_o this_o argument_n but_o the_o name_n of_o man_n of_o god_n be_v a_o expression_n which_o be_v but_o rare_o but_o once_o or_o twice_o in_o scripture_n make_v use_v of_o to_o signify_v a_o prophet_n 1_o king_n chap._n 13._o there_o be_v other_o name_n which_o be_v general_o use_v for_o that_o purpose_n such_o as_o nabi_n which_o signify_v one_o that_o have_v particular_a converse_n and_o familiarity_n with_o god_n gen._n 20.7_o and_o roeh_n 1_o chron._n 9.22_o and_o 16.28_o and_o choseh_n 2_o sam._n 24.11_o 1_o chr._n 21.9_o both_o which_o word_n signify_v seer_n as_o denote_v man_n that_o be_v accustom_v to_o divine_a vision_n or_o supernatural_a revelation_n but_o beside_o there_o be_v such_o innumerable_a expression_n in_o scripture_n which_o demonstrate_v a_o particular_a revelation_n from_o god_n almighty_a and_o a_o peculiar_a intercourse_n of_o these_o holy_a man_n the_o prophet_n with_o he_o that_o no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v deny_v it_o unless_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o deny_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o make_v it_o altogether_o a_o imposture_n gen._n 15.1_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o abram_n in_o a_o vision_n say_v fear_v not_o abram_z etc._n etc._n now_o what_o tolerable_a sense_n can_v be_v put_v upon_o these_o word_n but_o only_o that_o this_o be_v a_o particular_a revelation_n of_o god_n to_o abraham_n you_o can_v
say_v that_o this_o be_v only_o some_o remarkable_a say_n of_o abraham_n and_o be_v therefore_o in_o the_o jewish_a phrase_n call_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o here_o be_v no_o room_n for_o any_o such_o kind_n of_o metaphor_n here_o be_v a_o particular_a dialogue_n of_o god_n and_o abraham_n god_n say_v fear_v not_o abram_z i_o be_o thy_o shield_n and_o thy_o exceed_a great_a reward_n and_o abram_n say_v lord_n god_n what_o will_v thou_o give_v i_o see_v i_o go_v childless_a and_o the_o steward_n of_o my_o house_n be_v this_o eliezer_n of_o damascus_n then_o v._n 4._o be_v relate_v the_o reply_n of_o god_n almighty_n and_o behold_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v unto_o he_o say_v this_o shall_v not_o be_v thy_o heir_n but_o he_o that_o shall_v come_v forth_o out_o of_o thy_o own_o bowel_n etc._n etc._n now_o what_o can_v be_v more_o positive_a and_o express_a of_o abraham_n immediate_a revelation_n and_o intercourse_n with_o god_n than_o this_o relation_n so_o again_o exod._n 2.5_o the_o revelation_n make_v to_o moses_n be_v relate_v as_o express_o god_n call_v unto_o he_o out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o bush_n and_o say_v moses_n moses_n then_o follow_v the_o answer_n of_o moses_n and_o moses_n say_v here_o be_o i_o and_o the_o lord_n say_v i_o have_v sure_o see_v the_o affliction_n of_o my_o people_n etc._n etc._n come_v now_o therefore_o and_o i_o will_v send_v thou_o unto_o paraoh_n and_o moses_n say_v unto_o god_n who_o be_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v go_v to_o pharaoh_n and_o that_o i_o shall_v bring_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n and_o god_n say_v certain_o i_o will_v be_v with_o thou_o etc._n etc._n and_o after_o this_o rate_n the_o dialogue_n continue_v the_o full_a length_n of_o the_o chapter_n now_o if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o relation_n of_o a_o intercourse_n with_o god_n and_o a_o revelation_n from_o he_o there_o be_v no_o sense_n to_o be_v put_v upon_o any_o word_n though_o never_o so_o plain_a there_o must_v be_v no_o assent_n give_v to_o the_o literal_a narration_n of_o thucydides_n or_o livy_n but_o the_o credit_n of_o both_o those_o history_n may_v as_o well_o be_v criticize_v away_o as_o this_o so_o again_o as_o for_o the_o other_o prophet_n when_o we_o be_v particular_o tell_v that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v unto_o they_o at_o such_o a_o time_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n in_o such_o a_o particular_a year_n of_o such_o a_o king_n reign_n what_o can_v possible_o be_v mean_v less_o than_o that_o god_n reveal_v this_o to_o they_o when_o they_o be_v command_v to_o take_v roll_n and_o to_o write_v as_o be_v 8_o 1._o and_o jer._n 36.2_o and_o the_o prophecy_n so_o command_v to_o be_v write_v be_v there_o record_v when_o every_o prophecy_n begin_v with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n when_o in_o some_o of_o they_o be_v particular_a interlocution_n between_o god_n and_o the_o prophet_n if_o this_o be_v not_o revelation_n the_o prophet_n who_o write_v these_o write_n must_v be_v the_o great_a cheat_n and_o impostor_n in_o the_o world_n in_o so_o often_o pretend_v to_o it_o when_o they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o share_n of_o it_o but_o it_o vex_v one_o to_o spend_v time_n to_o answer_v so_o simple_a a_o objection_n which_o be_v worth_n no_o one_o notice_n but_o that_o the_o great_a spinosa_n have_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n in_o it_o and_o other_o retail_v infidel_n after_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o do_v some_o great_a matter_n with_o it_o 3._o nor_o be_v your_o criticism_n upon_o the_o hebrew_n ruach_n or_o spirit_n more_o solid_a revelation_n spirit_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n signify_v revelation_n by_o which_o you_o will_v pretend_v that_o word_n do_v not_o signify_v revelation_n or_o inspiration_n but_o only_a wind_n life_n temper_n of_o mind_n and_o the_o like_a but_o what_o a_o unreasonable_a mistake_n be_v this_o i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o word_n in_o hebrew_n have_v many_o signification_n as_o several_a other_o word_n have_v in_o that_o narrow_a language_n but_o then_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o place_n in_o the_o bible_n in_o which_o it_o can_v signify_v only_a inspiration_n or_o revelation_n what_o think_v you_o of_o gen._n 41.38_o where_o pharaoh_n say_v of_o joseph_n after_o he_o have_v interpret_v his_o dream_n and_o prophesy_v of_o the_o year_n of_o plenty_n and_o famine_n can_v we_o find_v such_o a_o one_o as_o this_o be_v a_o man_n in_o who_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v certain_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n here_o be_v mean_v the_o inspiration_n of_o god_n or_o there_o be_v no_o sense_n at_o all_o in_o it_o and_o so_o again_o numb_a 27.18_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n take_v thou_o joshua_n the_o son_n of_o nun_n a_o man_n in_o who_o be_v the_o spirit_n and_o lay_v thy_o hand_n upon_o he_o where_o by_o spirit_n the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n interpret_v prophecy_n and_o what_o else_o can_v be_v mean_v by_o that_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n 1_o king_n 18.12_o which_o carry_v eliah_n from_o place_n to_o place_n by_o which_o he_o do_v such_o mighty_a miracle_n and_o so_o undaunt_o utter_v he_o prophecy_n but_o only_o a_o supernatural_a power_n of_o god_n which_o do_v continual_o attend_v he_o and_o so_o isa_n 59.21_o god_n tell_v the_o prophet_n that_o it_o be_v his_o spirit_n that_o inspire_v he_o with_o the_o word_n that_o he_o speak_v say_v the_o lord_n my_o spirit_n which_o be_v upon_o thou_o and_o the_o word_n which_o i_o have_v put_v into_o thy_o mouth_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o several_a time_n in_o ezechiel_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n fall_v upon_o i_o ezek._n 11.5_o and_o the_o spirit_n enter_v into_o i_o chap._n 3.24_o and_o often_o in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o holy_a god_n be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o he_o dan._n 4.8_o and_o 9_o 5.11_o and_o 14._o in_o short_a divine_a revelation_n be_v all_o over_o the_o old_a testament_n call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o spirit_n and_o even_o that_o 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power_n which_o they_o can_v possible_o have_v they_o have_v from_o god_n in_o their_o creation_n therefore_o god_n still_o keep_v the_o power_n over_o they_o either_o to_o annihilate_v they_o to_o continue_v they_o in_o their_o be_v or_o to_o alter_v they_o to_o say_v that_o god_n have_v alienate_v this_o power_n or_o give_v they_o a_o great_a be_v more_o absurd_a for_o this_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v god_n have_v divest_v himself_o of_o his_o deity_n and_o make_v the_o world_n god_n instead_o of_o himself_o all_o that_o can_v with_o any_o probability_n be_v say_v be_v that_o god_n by_o the_o frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v it_o immutable_a and_o therefore_o this_o power_n be_v pass_v out_o of_o his_o hand_n he_o can_v recall_v it_o without_o violation_n to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o a_o perfect_a confusion_n to_o the_o present_a scheme_n of_o being_n but_o to_o consider_v this_o a_o little_a as_o god_n by_o his_o omnipotent_a power_n 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