so_o stark_o mad_a as_o to_o build_v a_o ark_n and_o take_v all_o manner_n of_o beast_n and_o foul_n into_o it_o out_o of_o a_o fantastical_a fear_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v drown_v upon_o the_o dryland_n you_o must_v confess_v he_o do_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o supernatural_a revelation_n s._n have_v you_o any_o other_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n l._n yes_o more_o than_o i_o shall_v at_o present_a take_v pain_n to_o enumerate_v but_o however_o i_o will_v gratify_v your_o curiosity_n with_o two_o or_o three_o which_o will_v abundant_o show_v the_o falsity_n of_o your_o a_o s_z so_o much_o boast_v proposition_n we_o read_v in_o the_o 18_o chap._n of_o gen._n that_o sarah_n be_v inform_v by_o the_o angel_n 10_o ver_fw-la that_o she_o shall_v have_v a_o son_n but_o who_o except_o spinosa_n will_v say_v that_o this_o prediction_n be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o sarah_n or_o her_o lord_n abraham_n when_o moses_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o 11_o the_o and_o 12_o the_o ver_fw-la that_o abraham_n and_o sarah_n be_v old_a and_o well_o strike_v in_o age_n and_o it_o cease_v to_o be_v with_o sarah_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o woman_n therefore_o sarah_n laugh_v within_o herself_o say_v after_o i_o be_o wax_v old_a shall_v i_o have_v pleasure_n my_o lord_n be_v old_a also_o s._n a_o woman_n may_v easy_o imagine_v what_o she_o earnest_o desire_v l._n if_o you_o except_v against_o a_o woman_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o revelation_n make_v unto_o moses_n which_o you_o will_v find_v to_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o apprehension_n and_o above_o the_o natural_a conception_n of_o that_o mighty_a prophet_n i_o will_v feign_v learn_v how_o it_o be_v at_o all_o agreeable_a to_o the_o natural_a conception_n of_o moses_n that_o the_o lift_v up_o his_o rod_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o work_v all_o those_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o it_o do_v in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n s._n though_o it_o be_v not_o a_o conception_n agreeable_a to_o reason_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v to_o his_o fancy_n and_o we_o all_o know_v the_o strength_n of_o fancy_n in_o produce_v wonder_n l._n imagination_n without_o doubt_n have_v very_o great_a force_n upon_o the_o imagine_v person_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o have_v force_n upon_o object_n place_v without_o he_o so_o as_o to_o work_v any_o visible_a effect_n upon_o they_o be_v to_o i_o till_o i_o be_o better_a inform_v a_o very_a absurd_a supposition_n i_o know_v some_o of_o the_o ancient_n have_v be_v possess_v with_o a_o opinion_n that_o the_o very_a eye_n of_o a_o envious_a person_n do_v dart_n a_o kind_a of_o poison_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o great_a station_n and_o the_o poet_n presume_v they_o have_v the_o same_o or_o like_o effect_n upon_o other_o animal_n nescio_fw-la quis_fw-la teneros_fw-la oculus_fw-la mihi_fw-la fascinat_fw-la agnos_fw-la and_o my_o lord_n bacon_n say_v something_o to_o solve_v this_o phaenomenon_n by_o the_o effluvium_n of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n and_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v true_a which_o i_o do_v very_o much_o question_n his_o lordship_n solution_n of_o it_o will_v be_v the_o best_a that_o can_v be_v give_v but_o suppose_v it_o true_a yet_o such_o weak_a effluvia_n as_o be_v engender_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o imagination_n whatever_o impression_n they_o can_v make_v on_o the_o tender_a part_n of_o humane_a body_n yet_o you_o can_v without_o madness_n suppose_v they_o able_a to_o turn_v aaron_n rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n or_o to_o make_v it_o more_o like_o a_o live_a creature_n or_o turn_v a_o whole_a river_n into_o blood_n to_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n slay_v all_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o egypt_n and_o do_v work_n of_o the_o like_a stupendous_a nature_n s._n do_v not_o pharaoh_n magician_n do_v something_o very_o like_o it_o l._n all_o you_o can_v infer_v from_o thence_o be_v only_o this_o viz._n that_o they_o be_v assist_v by_o some_o invisible_a power_n which_o be_v more_o than_o man_n of_o your_o principle_n be_v willing_a to_o grant_v who_o deny_v their_o existence_n or_o at_o least_o their_o intermeddle_v with_o humane_a affair_n s._n but_o suppose_v such_o thing_n do_v as_o you_o divine_v call_v it_o by_o invisible_a power_n how_o shall_v a_o man_n know_v whether_o those_o power_n be_v good_a or_o evil._n l._n god_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n no_o revelation_n be_v make_v or_o confirm_v by_o he_o that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o immutable_a law_n of_o nature_n which_o consist_v in_o unfeigned_a love_n to_o god_n and_o to_o our_o neighbour_n the_o pagan_a priest_n make_v great_a pretence_n to_o prophesy_v and_o miracle_n but_o it_o be_v to_o confirm_v a_o superstition_n contrary_a to_o natural_a light_n and_o therefore_o those_o seem_a sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v just_o ascribe_v to_o the_o operation_n of_o lie_v and_o deceitful_a spirit_n for_o these_o be_v know_v maxim_n that_o good_a can_v proceed_v from_o evil_a and_o that_o a_o kingdom_n divide_v against_o itself_o can_v stand_v and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o conceive_v that_o light_n can_v be_v the_o fruitful_a mother_n of_o darkness_n as_o that_o satan_n can_v be_v the_o author_n abetter_n or_o confirmer_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o decalogue_n or_o the_o most_o holy_a rule_n of_o practice_n deliver_v by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n s._n do_v not_o your_o own_o apostle_n say_v that_o satan_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n l._n we_o do_v say_v that_o evil_a spirit_n do_v never_o encourage_v a_o seem_a sanctity_n that_o be_v gross_a wickedness_n in_o a_o religious_a dress_n but_o that_o they_o can_v be_v abetter_n or_o promulger_n of_o that_o real_a and_o genuine_a sanctity_n which_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o mosaic_a and_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o excellence_n of_o which_o we_o have_v as_o clear_v perception_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o mathematical_a proposition_n but_o to_o pass_v by_o moses_n and_o descend_v to_o the_o other_o prophet_n what_o pre-conception_n by_o nature_n can_v isaiah_n have_v that_o cyrus_n shall_v be_v king_n of_o persia_n that_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v by_o the_o chaldean_n and_o that_o that_o very_a cyrus_n see_v isa_n 44._o 28._o shall_v rebuild_v the_o temple_n say_v to_o jerusalem_n thou_o shall_v be_v build_v and_o to_o the_o temple_n thy_o foundation_n shall_v be_v lay_v if_o revelation_n be_v adapt_v only_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o prophet_n certain_o isaiah_n be_v a_o person_n of_o the_o large_a natural_a capacity_n that_o ever_o yet_o be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n or_o as_o i_o believe_v ever_o will_v be_v bear_v hereafter_o s._n you_o keep_v to_o instance_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n it_o will_v be_v more_o to_o my_o satisfaction_n to_o hear_v something_o of_o this_o nature_n to_o be_v allege_v out_o of_o the_o new_a l._n what_o think_v you_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n which_o be_v found_v upon_o divine_a revelation_n these_o can_v not_o be_v adapt_v to_o the_o capacity_n or_o opinion_n of_o any_o one_o inspire_v author_n since_o they_o be_v above_o the_o conception_n of_o all_o mankind_n s._n i_o fear_v you_o mistake_v this_o author_n his_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o nothing_o be_v teach_v in_o scripture_n which_o exceed_v humane_a conception_n for_o as_o he_o show_v p._n 28._o the_o prophet_n be_v ignorant_a of_o speculative_a thing_n and_o be_v of_o contrary_a opinion_n among_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o they_o may_v give_v vent_n to_o some_o odd_a opinion_n which_o be_v altogether_o irreconcilable_a to_o the_o reasonable_a conception_n of_o other_o men._n l._n i_o have_v already_o examine_v all_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n upon_o which_o he_o will_v ground_v this_o wild_a assertion_n and_o i_o hope_v have_v plain_o show_v that_o no_o such_o thing_n can_v be_v deduce_v from_o they_o but_o to_o come_v close_o to_o the_o purpose_n your_o author_n must_v acknowledge_v either_o that_o the_o prophet_n as_o he_o call_v all_o divine_o inspire_v author_n be_v assist_v and_o teach_v by_o god_n or_o that_o they_o be_v guide_v by_o their_o natural_a fancy_n reason_n and_o judgement_n if_o prophecy_n do_v come_v from_o god_n and_o if_o it_o be_v according_a to_o his_o own_o definition_n in_o the_o very_a first_o word_n of_o his_o book_n the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o some_o thing_n reveal_v to_o man_n by_o god_n he_o can_v overthrow_v the_o certainty_n of_o it_o in_o speculation_n as_o well_o as_o practic_n until_o he_o can_v destroy_v the_o very_a idea_n which_o all_o rational_a man_n do_v entertain_v of_o god_n he_o must_v suppose_v he_o either_o to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o settle_a course_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n and_o then_o he_o and_o his_o
without_o the_o help_n of_o those_o medium_n the_o signification_n of_o word_n why_o may_v it_o not_o also_o after_o the_o same_o or_o any_o other_o manner_n communicate_v the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v all_o we_o contend_v for_o a._n i_o wonder_v you_o will_v mention_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o our_o author_n show_v be_v a_o word_n of_o various_a and_o consequent_o dubious_a signification_n the_o scripture-phrase_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v in_o the_o prophet_n that_o man_n be_v fill_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o the_o like_a do_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o prophet_n be_v good_a man_n and_o that_o they_o perceive_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o all_o man_n though_o perhaps_o in_o a_o less_o degree_n must_v needs_o do_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n but_o all_o this_o be_v but_o the_o imagination_n of_o the_o prophet_n consider_v with_o relation_n to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o pray_v sir_n what_o certainty_n be_v there_o in_o bare_a imagination_n t._n if_o by_o imagination_n you_o understand_v the_o power_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o receive_v retain_v or_o frame_v the_o image_n of_o external_n object_n it_o may_v be_v consider_v with_o relation_n to_o thing_n present_a past_a or_o to_o come_v external_n object_n when_o present_a impress_v such_o vivid_n image_n upon_o the_o brain_n as_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o mind_n to_o doubt_v of_o their_o real_a existence_n the_o same_o certainty_n though_o something_o short_a of_o infallibility_n be_v leave_v upon_o the_o mind_n by_o object_n represent_v to_o the_o sense_n when_o the_o object_n themselves_o be_v past_a and_o go_v he_o that_o see_v a_o horse_n or_o elephant_n present_a by_o the_o image_n impress_v on_o the_o brain_n know_v that_o they_o be_v present_a and_o by_o reflect_v on_o the_o same_o image_n the_o next_o day_n he_o know_v that_o they_o be_v present_a and_o thus_o far_o imagination_n be_v a_o certain_a repository_n of_o knowledge_n though_o not_o altogether_o infallible_a because_o through_o defect_n of_o the_o organ_n as_o in_o mad_a man_n the_o image_n frame_v by_o the_o mind_n itself_o be_v apprehend_v as_o exist_v without_o it_o but_o those_o who_o be_v in_o their_o wit_n be_v never_o impose_v upon_o by_o their_o imagination_n after_o that_o manner_n as_o to_o think_v they_o hear_v voice_n when_o they_o hear_v none_o or_o see_v image_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o near_o they_o man_n thus_o delude_v by_o imagination_n always_o show_v sign_n of_o the_o distemper_n in_o inconsistency_n of_o thought_n and_o wild_a roving_n of_o expression_n which_o i_o defy_v any_o man_n to_o observe_v in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n though_o some_o thing_n therein_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o may_v seem_v uncouth_a to_o we_o by_o reason_n of_o long_a distance_n of_o time_n ignorance_n of_o the_o custom_n history_n and_o language_n of_o those_o time_n and_o many_o other_o reason_n which_o i_o forbear_v to_o mention_v as_o obvious_a enough_o without_o it_o in_o short_a either_o god_n do_v send_v message_n to_o his_o servant_n the_o prophet_n by_o the_o visible_a appearance_n of_o angel_n and_o speak_v to_o they_o in_o voice_n or_o their_o imagination_n frame_v all_o these_o appearance_n to_o itself_o from_o the_o shatter_v image_n of_o other_o external_n object_n if_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v true_a your_o author_n very_o impertinent_o conclude_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o prophecy_n from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o imagination_n for_o that_o faculty_n do_v faithful_o enough_o receive_v and_o preserve_v the_o image_n of_o thing_n real_o present_v to_o it_o and_o herein_o the_o certainty_n of_o imagination_n differ_v not_o from_o the_o certainty_n of_o our_o sense_n if_o he_o mean_v the_o latter_a the_o prophet_n than_o be_v no_o better_a than_o pious_a mad_a man_n and_o all_o the_o sacred_a write_n be_v mere_a fiction_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o owe_v all_o the_o little_a truth_n that_o be_v in_o they_o to_o mere_a chance_n which_o i_o perceive_v however_o disguise_v be_v the_o genuine_a meaning_n of_o your_o admire_a author_n but_o if_o moses_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n be_v distemper_v by_o a_o less_o imagination_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o be_v all_o so_o constant_a in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o piety_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a our_o modern_a mad_a man_n who_o be_v never_o consistent_a with_o themselves_o or_o one_o another_o be_v very_o much_o different_a from_o his_o description_n of_o the_o ancient_n or_o how_o come_v their_o prediction_n to_o be_v verify_v by_o the_o event_n or_o how_o come_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v such_o fool_n as_o to_o follow_v mad_a man_n or_o how_o do_v such_o a_o mad_a man_n as_o moses_n attain_v the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o of_o lead_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n through_o the_o wilderness_n and_o govern_v they_o with_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n but_o if_o god_n himself_o make_v these_o revelation_n to_o they_o it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o infer_v any_o uncertainty_n for_o the_o medium_n god_n use_v for_o the_o work_n for_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o create_v certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n without_o the_o help_n of_o medium_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o inspiration_n or_o by_o whatsoever_o mean_v he_o please_v as_o those_o of_o word_n of_o figure_n a._n you_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o mind_n can_v compound_v various_a image_n and_o thence_o conclude_v more_o proposition_n than_o can_v be_v know_v by_o deduction_n from_o the_o sole_a light_n of_o reason_n and_o thence_o it_o be_v the_o prophet_n teach_v more_o of_o religion_n than_o can_v be_v know_v by_o nature_n only_o t._n the_o true_a reason_n be_v this_o god_n know_v more_o than_o man_n what_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v he_o happy_a and_o therefore_o those_o who_o be_v teach_v by_o god_n can_v declare_v more_o concern_v the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n than_o those_o who_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o sole_a light_n of_o nature_n a._n well_o still_o i_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o prophecy_n be_v the_o pure_a work_n of_o the_o imagination_n 1._o the_o prophet_n perceive_v and_o utter_v all_o thing_n by_o parable_n and_o riddle_n express_v spiritual_a thing_n after_o a_o corporal_a manner_n 2._o it_o be_v as_o imagination_n always_o be_v very_o inconstant_a not_o adhere_v to_o the_o prophet_n but_o come_v by_o fit_n and_o start_v according_a to_o the_o unsteady_a leap_n of_o fancy_n t._n but_o i_o have_v better_a reason_n to_o persuade_v i_o that_o your_o author_n be_v in_o a_o most_o egregious_a error_n for_o futurity_n i_o e._n thing_n which_o neither_o be_v nor_o have_v be_v can_v make_v impression_n upon_o the_o fancy_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o may_v produce_v any_o tolerable_a degree_n of_o certainty_n and_o therefore_o when_o futurity_n be_v foretell_v which_o depend_v not_o upon_o any_o necessary_a connexion_n of_o natural_a cause_n it_o must_v be_v assert_v by_o the_o supernatural_a power_n of_o god_n the_o mind_n may_v indeed_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o help_n of_o the_o imagination_n several_a way_n in_o respect_n to_o thing_n to_o come_v as_o when_o from_o the_o remembrance_n of_o what_o be_v past_a it_o conclude_v that_o the_o same_o will_v happen_v again_o though_o there_o be_v no_o necessary_a connexion_n between_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o effect_n or_o 2._o when_o from_o its_o vast_a magazine_n of_o image_n it_o choose_v out_o and_o join_v those_o together_o which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v join_v and_o conclude_v their_o future_a existence_n from_o a_o ill_a conceive_a notion_n of_o their_o bare_a possibility_n of_o be_v and_o herein_o the_o mind_n frequent_o impose_v upon_o its_o self_n by_o its_o own_o passion_n and_o desire_n conclude_v such_o thing_n will_v be_v which_o it_o most_o desire_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v hereafter_o but_o such_o possible_a and_o impossible_a composition_n of_o the_o fancy_n or_o conclusion_n of_o the_o delude_a reason_n of_o mankind_n be_v of_o so_o vast_a a_o number_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a all_o or_o any_o great_a number_n of_o they_o shall_v prove_v true_a without_o the_o prediction_n be_v make_v by_o god_n himself_o how_o can_v imagination_n out_o of_o thousand_o of_o possible_a circumstance_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n pick_v out_o all_o those_o by_o the_o prophet_n which_o will_v certain_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o we_o can_v easy_o prove_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o how_o can_v it_o avoid_v predict_v something_o that_o be_v false_a if_o it_o have_v only_o probability_n to_o work_v upon_o which_o be_v the_o only_a object_n of_o fancy_n in_o regard_n to_o future_a event_n which_o never_o make_v any_o impression_n upon_o it_o we_o therefore_o conclude_v the_o certainty_n of_o prophecy_n not_o
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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against_o himself_o his_o kingdom_n can_v stand_v he_o will_v have_v this_o argument_n only_o adapt_v to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o pharisee_n but_o no_o proof_n that_o there_o be_v a_o devil_n or_o any_o kingdom_n of_o malicious_a spirit_n and_o so_o good_a night_n to_o your_o author_n morality_n s._n when_o you_o read_v his_o four_o chap._n you_o will_v see_v how_o earnest_o he_o plead_v for_o virtue_n l._n if_o you_o will_v bring_v i_o what_o he_o say_v another_o time_n i_o will_v glad_o admit_v all_o that_o be_v true_a and_o oppose_v nothing_o but_o notorious_a falsehood_n conference_n iii_o s._n well_o sir_n according_a to_o my_o promise_n i_o have_v read_v over_o the_o four_o chap._n of_o my_o author_n pass_v by_o his_o three_o because_o it_o chief_o concern_v the_o jew_n wherein_o i_o find_v he_o to_o be_v a_o very_a zealous_a advocate_n of_o true_a virtue_n and_o goodness_n which_o i_o value_v more_o than_o any_o speculative_a opinion_n so_o much_o contend_v for_o by_o the_o son_n of_o the_o clergy_n l._n if_o obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o god_n be_v the_o principal_a law_n of_o nature_n than_o it_o be_v as_o much_o our_o duty_n to_o believe_v a_o truth_n when_o reveal_v as_o it_o be_v to_o obey_v a_o commandment_n when_o it_o be_v promulge_v and_o then_o it_o follow_v that_o what_o he_o call_v speculation_n be_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o a_o practical_a necessary_a duty_n s._n your_o error_n proceed_v from_o your_o false_a apprehension_n of_o a_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o law_n he_o show_v you_o in_o his_o 43d_o page_z that_o the_o word_n law_n absolute_o take_v signify_v that_o according_a to_o which_o every_o individual_a or_o some_o of_o the_o same_o species_n do_v all_o or_o some_o one_o thing_n by_o a_o certain_a and_o determinate_a reason_n and_o that_o it_o depend_v either_o upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o consent_n or_o authority_n of_o men._n l._n then_o farewell_o at_o once_o to_o all_o divine_a law_n but_o those_o which_o he_o fancy_n depend_v upon_o the_o necessary_a motion_n of_o matter_n or_o be_v confine_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n or_o receive_v their_o strength_n from_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o some_o determinate_a society_n of_o men._n s._n i_o hope_v you_o will_v not_o deny_v that_o corporeal_a necessity_n be_v a_o law_n when_o all_o author_n speak_v in_o the_o same_o dialect_n do_v not_o cartes_n make_v mention_n of_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n l._n cartes_n and_o other_o philosopher_n have_v the_o liberty_n to_o transfer_v word_n from_o their_o proper_a signification_n to_o denote_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v best_a understand_v by_o a_o metaphorical_a expression_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o observation_n which_o ingenious_a man_n make_v of_o the_o necessary_a rest_n of_o motion_n of_o
god_n providence_n nor_o at_o all_o prove_v that_o he_o take_v any_o care_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o three_o and_o last_o part_n of_o the_o riddle_n which_o i_o humble_o beg_v you_o will_v be_v please_v to_o unfold_v to_o i_o s._n that_o i_o will_v and_o very_o brief_o too_o we_o gather_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n from_o know_v and_o receive_v notion_n but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o superior_a power_n that_o can_v alter_v these_o notion_n it_o must_v necessary_o destroy_v the_o very_a knowledge_n of_o a_o god_n or_o at_o least_o compel_v we_o to_o doubt_v of_o his_o existence_n l._n it_o be_v not_o by_o miracle_n but_o by_o the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n that_o we_o understand_v that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v superior_a to_o our_o faculty_n who_o can_v alter_v they_o for_o the_o better_a or_o the_o worse_a according_a as_o he_o please_v but_o then_o the_o same_o reason_n tell_v we_o that_o truth_n be_v one_o of_o his_o most_o adorable_a perfection_n and_o from_o thence_o we_o 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that_o can_v annihilate_v the_o world_n s._n i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o deny_v it_o l._n if_o then_o alteration_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o universe_n be_v less_o than_o annihilation_n you_o must_v grant_v it_o possible_a and_o what_o then_o be_v there_o in_o a_o miracle_n that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o first_o and_o most_o obvious_a principle_n of_o reason_n s._n but_o he_o tell_v you_o that_o whether_o a_o miracle_n be_v a_o work_n either_o which_o proceed_v from_o natural_a cause_n which_o can_v be_v explain_v or_o have_v no_o other_o cause_n than_o the_o immediate_a will_n of_o god_n yet_o still_o it_o exceed_v the_o reach_n of_o humane_a understanding_n and_o we_o can_v understand_v nothing_o from_o that_o which_o exceed_v the_o very_a standard_n of_o our_o faculty_n l._n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o a_o miracle_n that_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o humane_a understanding_n but_o only_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o divine_a operation_n in_o the_o production_n of_o it_o our_o 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of_o all_o thing_n and_o bring_v we_o at_o last_o to_o atheism_n l._n and_o pray_v why_o so_o what_o do_v you_o understand_v by_o nature_n but_o those_o law_n of_o motion_n by_o which_o god_n do_v preserve_v the_o universe_n in_o that_o beauty_n and_o order_n wherein_o we_o now_o enjoy_v it_o these_o we_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o give_v we_o knowledge_n of_o the_o existence_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n which_o will_v be_v know_v by_o the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o miracle_n nor_o do_v we_o say_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o punish_v ill_a man_n or_o to_o reward_v the_o good_a god_n can_v do_v that_o by_o his_o providence_n and_o the_o settle_a course_n and_o order_n of_o thing_n and_o though_o god_n do_v it_o by_o miracle_n sometime_o yet_o that_o be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o power_n to_o do_v it_o otherwise_o but_o only_o that_o these_o miracle_n may_v the_o more_o be_v consider_v as_o testimonial_n of_o a_o divine_a mission_n though_o therefore_o the_o frequent_a interruption_n of_o the_o settle_a course_n of_o nature_n will_v render_v the_o endeavour_n of_o those_o vain_a who_o give_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o study_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n yet_o the_o interruption_n of_o it_o at_o some_o certain_a time_n and_o season_n when_o god_n be_v please_v to_o communicate_v some_o particular_a message_n to_o mankind_n be_v no_o obstruction_n to_o the_o study_n of_o nature_n and_o be_v a_o great_a and_o necessary_a introduction_n to_o a_o complete_a knowledge_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o what_o proportion_n of_o time_n be_v there_o between_o the_o miraculous_a age_n of_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n and_o how_o small_a be_v the_o number_n of_o well_o attest_v miracle_n in_o respect_n to_o all_o the_o other_o work_v of_o nature_n s._n suppose_v there_o be_v real_a miracle_n yet_o my_o author_n prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o they_o can_v lead_v we_o into_o no_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n for_o a_o prophet_n of_o the_o false_a god_n may_v work_v sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o yet_o deserve_v to_o be_v stone_v for_o his_o pain_n see_v deut._n 13._o 1_o 2_o 3._o verse_n l._n a_o miracle_n be_v a_o appeal_n to_o our_o sense_n that_o what_o be_v do_v be_v not_o do_v by_o any_o visible_a or_o material_a be_v but_o because_o there_o be_v bad_a as_o well_o as_o good_a invisible_a agent_n we_o be_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o a_o miracle_n by_o the_o good_a or_o ill_a doctrine_n which_o it_o be_v allege_v to_o support_v the_o magician_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o the_o pagan_a priest_n in_o all_o age_n allege_a miracle_n to_o destroy_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o to_o loosen_v all_o the_o sacred_a bond_n of_o morality_n but_o neither_o be_v these_o miracle_n well_o attest_v nor_o be_v they_o to_o be_v regard_v because_o they_o tend_v only_o to_o destroy_v and_o corrupt_v natural_a religion_n and_o natural_a honesty_n too_o and_o indeed_o the_o pagan_a superstition_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o diabolical_a revelation_n of_o certain_a name_n of_o deity_n rite_n and_o ceremony_n as_o may_v keep_v man_n further_a from_o god_n and_o corrupt_v that_o idea_n of_o he_o which_o be_v easy_a enough_o to_o be_v deduce_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o they_o know_v not_o the_o original_a of_o their_o own_o religious_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n for_o so_o say_v antigone_n in_o sophocles_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d antigone_n sophoc_n in_o antigone_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d why_o shall_v a_o mortal_a break_v immortal_a law_n not_o make_v by_o man_n but_o by_o the_o god_n themselves_o that_o ever_o must_v remain_v though_o none_o can_v know_v the_o fountain_n whence_o those_o last_a rivulet_n flow_v nor_o indeed_o be_v it_o any_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o know_v the_o original_a of_o those_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o nature_n nor_o be_v so_o much_o as_o of_o humane_a institution_n but_o shuffle_v into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o trick_n and_o imposture_n of_o evil_a spirit_n but_o though_o evil_a spirit_n may_v be_v author_n of_o some_o thing_n that_o look_v like_o prophecy_n miracle_n or_o inspiration_n yet_o they_o never_o can_v nor_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o establish_v a_o religion_n that_o give_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o teach_v a_o rational_a worship_n of_o he_o and_o tend_v to_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n if_o therefore_o we_o have_v distinct_a notion_n of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a and_o of_o natural_a religion_n we_o must_v have_v distinct_a