shall_v not_o present_o be_v judge_v a_o falsehood_n till_o there_o be_v some_o further_a demonstration_n of_o its_o absurdity_n 3._o that_o you_o allow_v the_o same_o liberty_n of_o deduce_a consequence_n from_o text_n of_o scripture_n aâ—_n you_o take_v to_o yourselves_o 4._o then_o that_o due_a regard_n be_v have_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o old_a a._n with_o all_o my_o heart_n one_a then_o god_n reveal_v the_o law_n to_o moses_n by_o a_o true_a voice_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v exod._n 25._o 22._o but_o this_o be_v the_o only_a true_a voice_n from_o god_n that_o ever_o be_v hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o decalogue_n according_a to_o some_o man_n be_v not_o speak_v they_o only_o hear_v a_o confuse_a noise_n and_o so_o perceive_v the_o law_n as_o then_o write_v in_o their_o heart_n though_o in_o truth_n those_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n be_v engraft_v there_o long_o before_o nay_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o what_o you_o call_v revelation_n be_v only_o the_o appearance_n of_o some_o image_n to_o the_o sight_n or_o phantacy_n of_o the_o prophet_n see_v chron._n 22._o how_o god_n show_v david_n his_o anger_n by_o a_o angel_n hold_v a_o sword_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o the_o same_o happen_v to_o balaam_n by_o image_n not_o real_a but_o depend_v upon_o the_o phantacy_n of_o the_o prophet_n god_n reveal_v to_o joseph_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o dominion_n over_o all_o his_o brethren_n observe_v numb_a 12._o 6_o 7._o and_o you_o will_v see_v what_o slight_a assurance_n be_v give_v to_o the_o other_o prophet_n if_o there_o be_v a_o prophet_n among_o you_o i_o the_o lord_n will_v make_v myself_o know_v unto_o he_o in_o a_o vision_n and_o will_v speak_v unto_o he_o in_o a_o dream_n t._n confident_a assertion_n without_o equivalent_a strength_n of_o reason_n impose_v upon_o none_o but_o those_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v cheat_v it_o be_v speak_v without_o authority_n of_o scripture_n that_o god_n pronounce_v the_o law_n only_o with_o a_o true_a and_o real_a voice_n all_o that_o we_o can_v learn_v from_o exod._n 25._o 22._o be_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o be_v ready_a to_o communicate_v his_o will_n to_o moses_n from_o above_o the_o mercy-seat_n and_o from_o between_o the_o two_o cherubim_n but_o that_o place_n of_o scripture_n do_v not_o explain_v the_o manner_n of_o that_o communication_n so_o as_o to_o determine_v it_o to_o a_o real_a voice_n much_o less_o do_v it_o exclude_v all_o former_a revelation_n from_o that_o privilege_n nay_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o other_o revelation_n be_v make_v by_o a_o real_a voice_n before_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n immediate_o after_o the_o fall_n gen._n 9_o 10._o we_o read_v that_o god_n call_v unto_o adam_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o where_o be_v thou_o and_o he_o say_v i_o hear_v thy_o voice_n in_o the_o garden_n and_o i_o be_v afraid_a or_o if_o our_o bold_a author_n will_v turn_v this_o into_o figure_n as_o indeed_o he_o venture_v to_o turn_v so_o whatsoever_o he_o please_v yet_o in_o the_o 18_o of_o genesis_n we_o read_v of_o a_o revelation_n make_v by_o a_o real_a voice_n or_o there_o be_v no_o description_n of_o a_o real_a voice_n in_o rerum_fw-la naturâ—â—_n for_o the_o three_o angel_n that_o appear_v as_o man_n to_o abraham_n and_o eat_v as_o man_n without_o doubt_n speak_v as_o man_n when_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o abraham_n that_o sarah_n shall_v bring_v forth_o a_o son_n when_o god_n be_v about_o to_o destroy_v the_o old_a world_n gen._n 6._o he_o foretell_v that_o dismal_a execution_n of_o vengeance_n to_o his_o servant_n noah_n and_o if_o you_o will_v stick_v to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o scripture_n according_a to_o our_o first_o agreement_n give_v he_o a_o punctual_a description_n of_o the_o ark_n he_o shall_v make_v and_o the_o person_n and_o live_a creature_n that_o shall_v enter_v into_o it_o which_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v can_v be_v do_v without_o a_o real_a voice_n or_o at_o least_o it_o be_v as_o rational_a to_o suppose_v one_o here_o as_o in_o the_o place_n cite_v out_o of_o gen._n 25._o 22._o but_o your_o author_n be_v still_o more_o 3._o quod_fw-la revelatioper_n solas_fw-la imagine_v continget_fw-la patet_fw-la ex_fw-la primo_fw-la paralip_n ch._n 22._o v._n p._n 5._o v._n p._n 3._o impudent_a or_o unwary_a when_o he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o chron._n 22._o that_o revelation_n be_v sometime_o make_v by_o image_n only_o and_o that_o none_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n but_o only_o by_o the_o help_n of_o imagination_n and_o that_o the_o word_n or_o figure_n be_v sometime_o real_a that_o be_v exist_v without_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o sometime_o imaginary_a that_o be_v frame_v by_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n himself_o from_o whence_o he_o infer_v that_o the_o certainty_n of_o prophecy_n be_v not_o mathematical_a but_o only_o moral_a or_o rather_o according_a to_o those_o principle_n nothing_o but_o a_o fanciful_a whimsy_n that_o may_v as_o well_o be_v false_a or_o true_a now_o by_o this_o author_n leave_n no_o such_o conclusion_n nor_o indeed_o can_v any_o conclusion_n at_o all_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o medium_n of_o divine_a revelation_n that_o concern_v the_o certainty_n or_o fallibility_n of_o it_o for_o all_o the_o medium_n of_o revelation_n be_v supernatural_a we_o may_v call_v they_o by_o what_o name_n we_o please_v yet_o still_o we_o must_v borrow_v those_o name_n from_o some_o natural_a thing_n because_o of_o those_o only_o we_o have_v complete_a idea_n he_o that_o be_v a_o prophet_n must_v be_v certain_a it_o be_v god_n who_o speak_v to_o he_o but_o the_o bare_a hear_n of_o a_o voice_n or_o the_o see_n of_o a_o image_n will_v not_o create_v this_o certainty_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n for_o voice_n and_o word_n may_v be_v frame_v by_o other_o invisible_a power_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o conclude_v that_o moses_n be_v a_o prophet_n of_o god_n because_o he_o hear_v a_o voice_n or_o see_v a_o figure_n but_o because_o he_o be_v enable_v to_o show_v forth_o sensible_a demonstration_n that_o the_o power_n of_o god_n be_v with_o he_o but_o though_o we_o do_v not_o conclude_v the_o certainty_n of_o revelation_n from_o the_o medium_n of_o revelation_n so_o be_v it_o the_o great_a madness_n in_o the_o world_n to_o infer_v from_o thence_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o for_o we_o who_o have_v not_o see_v those_o figure_n nor_o hear_v those_o word_n nor_o feel_v those_o divine_a impression_n can_v frame_v no_o complete_a idea_n of_o they_o and_o your_o bold_a author_n draw_v conclusion_n from_o such_o premise_n which_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o can_v never_o understand_v unless_o he_o can_v pretend_v that_o himself_o have_v be_v inspire_v suppose_v it_o therefore_o true_a that_o 7._o preter_fw-la haec_fw-la nulla_fw-la alia_fw-la singenda_fw-la etc._n etc._n p._n 7._o the_o scripture_n make_v mention_v of_o no_o other_o medium_n of_o revelation_n than_o sign_n or_o figure_n and_o word_n yet_o can_v he_o from_o thence_o infer_v any_o necessity_n of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n unless_o he_o can_v give_v we_o complete_a idea_n of_o what_o manner_n of_o impression_n those_o word_n or_o sign_n make_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n impossible_a for_o he_o to_o teach_v or_o we_o to_o learn_v one_o man_n can_v inform_v another_o of_o his_o mind_n by_o word_n and_o figure_n and_o why_o must_v god_n be_v exclude_v from_o that_o power_n which_o he_o give_v his_o creature_n but_o after_o all_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o word_n and_o figure_n be_v the_o only_a medium_n of_o divine_a revelation_n which_o the_o scripture_n mention_n there_o be_v a_o communication_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n immediate_o infuse_v knowledge_n into_o the_o mind_n without_o any_o organ_n of_o speech_n or_o corporeal_a representation_n which_o yet_o be_v as_o infallible_a as_o the_o other_o joh._n 16._o 17._o our_o saviour_n promise_v his_o disciple_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o this_o communication_n of_o the_o spirit_n we_o call_v inspiration_n use_v a_o metaphorical_a word_n to_o express_v a_o notion_n which_o we_o can_v possible_o receive_v from_o the_o bare_a knowledge_n of_o nature_n and_o though_o this_o spirit_n appear_v to_o the_o apostle_n act_n 2._o in_o the_o shape_n of_o cleave_a tongue_n yet_o we_o read_v it_o bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o upon_o other_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n the_o gift_n of_o driver_n language_n before_o utter_o unknown_a unto_o they_o by_o a_o secret_a and_o invisible_a operation_n if_o therefore_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v reveal_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n
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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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
notion_n of_o the_o usual_a effect_n of_o good_a and_o of_o evil_a spirit_n the_o jew_n be_v very_o sensible_a that_o one_o evil_a spirit_n may_v by_o collusion_n give_v place_n or_o at_o least_o seem_v to_o give_v place_n to_o another_o and_o thence_o malicious_o conclude_v that_o our_o saviour_n cast_v out_o devil_n by_o belzebub_n the_o prince_n of_o devil_n but_o our_o saviour_n answer_n be_v sufficient_a viz._n if_o satan_n be_v divide_v against_o himself_o how_o shall_v 4._o mat._n 4._o his_o kingdom_n stand_v because_o you_o say_v that_o i_o cast_v out_o devil_n by_o belzebub_n i._o e._n if_o i_o who_o teach_v the_o true_a worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n cast_v out_o devil_n by_o satan_n than_o satan_n be_v his_o own_o enemy_n and_o industrious_o destroy_v his_o own_o idolatrous_a kingdom_n which_o with_o so_o much_o pain_n he_o have_v plant_v in_o the_o world_n s._n if_o there_o be_v so_o much_o force_n in_o miracle_n 73._o p._n 73._o as_o you_o do_v pretend_v methinks_v the_o miraculous_a age_n of_o moses_n shall_v have_v be_v most_o religious_a of_o all_o other_o but_o your_o own_o bible_n show_n that_o the_o israelite_n fall_v immediate_o into_o the_o idolatrous_a worship_n of_o the_o golden_a calf_n notwithstanding_o the_o number_n of_o moses_n '_o s_z pretend_v miracle_n l._n the_o jew_n live_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o idolatrous_a nation_n and_o new_o emancipate_v from_o egyptian_a slavery_n may_v be_v tempt_v to_o act_n contrary_a to_o their_o reason_n in_o compliance_n to_o the_o corrupt_a custom_n of_o those_o who_o live_v round_o about_o they_o but_o i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o thereby_o they_o think_v to_o relinquish_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n but_o rather_o to_o change_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o or_o if_o they_o do_v yet_o they_o be_v quick_o recall_v by_o moses_n to_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o this_o must_v be_v grant_v by_o your_o author_n to_o be_v very_o much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o reveal_v religion_n that_o the_o worship_n of_o one_o god_n be_v not_o the_o legal_a religion_n of_o any_o one_o nation_n but_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n only_o s._n i_o still_o fear_v that_o the_o scripture_n by_o god_n do_v a_o thing_n do_v mean_v no_o more_o than_o his_o permit_v it_o to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n for_o sam._n 1._o 9_o chap._n 15._o 16._o verse_n god_n be_v say_v to_o tell_v samuel_n in_o his_o ear_n that_o he_o will_v send_v saul_n unto_o he_o and_o yet_o it_o appear_v that_o saul_n come_v to_o he_o as_o led_z by_o natural_a motive_n viz._n to_o seek_v his_o father_n ass_n in_o the_o 105_o ps_n 24_o verse_n it_o be_v say_v god_n turn_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o egyptian_n to_o hate_v his_o people_n in_o the_o first_o of_o exodus_fw-la a_o natural_a cause_n be_v render_v of_o that_o aversion_n 75._o p._n 75._o l._n suppose_v you_o shall_v hear_v a_o poor_a man_n that_o have_v receive_v a_o alm_n of_o a_o stranger_n say_v to_o himself_o god_n have_v send_v i_o relief_n can_v you_o from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o this_o poor_a man_n believe_v that_o god_n never_o be_v the_o author_n of_o a_o miracle_n but_o always_o wrought_v by_o natural_a cause_n s._n i_o must_v confess_v i_o see_v no_o reason_n for_o such_o a_o conclusion_n l._n no_o more_o ought_v your_o author_n ridiculous_o to_o conclude_v that_o because_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o some_o natural_a thing_n as_o do_v by_o god_n therefore_o god_n never_o work_v in_o a_o supernatural_a manner_n for_o though_o saul_n seem_v to_o be_v lead_v to_o samuel_n by_o natural_a cause_n yet_o the_o prediction_n to_o samuel_n that_o saul_n shall_v certain_o come_v to_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v king_n of_o israel_n must_v needs_o be_v ascribe_v to_o a_o supernatural_a power_n the_o heart_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v turn_v against_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n because_o they_o fear_v their_o number_n but_o 1._o exod._n 1._o what_o natural_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v of_o all_o those_o other_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o be_v reckon_v up_o in_o the_o same_o psalm_n s._n i_o must_v confess_v ingenuous_o that_o if_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v by_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n in_o that_o exact_a manner_n according_a to_o which_o they_o be_v relate_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o give_v a_o solution_n of_o they_o by_o natural_a cause_n especial_o if_o natural_a cause_n do_v always_o work_v in_o a_o fix_a and_o unmoveable_a order_n but_o my_o author_n very_o judicious_o show_v that_o there_o be_v many_o circumstance_n in_o a_o miracle_n which_o the_o scripture_n do_v omit_v especial_o when_o they_o be_v sing_v in_o a_o poetic_a style_n which_o if_o they_o be_v express_v will_v plain_o show_v that_o what_o we_o now_o admire_v as_o supernatural_a be_v only_o a_o effect_n of_o natural_a cause_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o many_o circumstance_n of_o the_o miracle_n record_v do_v show_v that_o they_o require_v natural_a cause_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o perfection_n see_v exod._n 9_o v._o 10._o moses_n can_v not_o bring_v boil_v upon_o the_o egyptian_n without_o first_o throw_v up_o ash_n in_o the_o air._n and_o exod._n 14._o 21._o we_o read_v that_o the_o red_a sea_n be_v divide_v by_o a_o strong_a east_n wind._n elisha_n lay_v upon_o the_o child_n that_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v dead_a and_o so_o revive_v he_o by_o the_o heat_n of_o his_o body_n in_o short_a if_o any_o thing_n be_v report_v in_o scripture_n that_o be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o can_v follow_v from_o they_o my_o author_n opinion_n be_v that_o it_o be_v add_v by_o some_o sacrilegious_a person_n who_o design_v to_o impose_v a_o fable_n upon_o the_o world_n l._n a_o tedious_a relation_n of_o impertinent_a circumstance_n be_v avoid_v by_o all_o judicious_a and_o faithful_a historian_n but_o to_o omit_v circumstance_n that_o be_v material_a and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o alter_v the_o very_a nature_n and_o denomination_n of_o a_o action_n be_v a_o trick_n only_o of_o knave_n and_o impostor_n if_o therefore_o moses_n and_o the_o evangelist_n in_o those_o book_n which_o be_v plain_o historical_a do_v design_o omit_v those_o circumstance_n of_o action_n which_o will_v have_v convince_v the_o world_n that_o those_o be_v only_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n which_o they_o will_v make_v the_o world_n believe_v be_v the_o very_a immediate_a work_n of_o god_n whatever_o credit_n their_o write_n may_v have_v meet_v with_o in_o after-age_n they_o can_v have_v find_v none_o in_o their_o own_o for_o the_o jew_n that_o see_v what_o be_v do_v by_o moses_n will_v have_v know_v by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o action_n that_o be_v design_o omit_v that_o whatever_o he_o may_v pretend_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o they_o but_o what_o be_v effect_v by_o the_o sole_a power_n of_o nature_n and_o how_o then_o can_v he_o have_v persuade_v the_o jew_n of_o his_o own_o age_n that_o he_o be_v send_v from_o god_n or_o how_o can_v he_o have_v make_v so_o many_o false_a revelation_n public_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o why_o shall_v they_o be_v such_o fool_n as_o to_o erect_v a_o government_n in_o church_n and_o state_n upon_o a_o foundation_n which_o they_o of_o that_o age_n must_v needs_o have_v know_v to_o be_v too_o weak_a to_o support_v it_o with_o what_o face_n can_v our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o jew_n of_o his_o age_n that_o his_o work_n testify_v of_o he_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o they_o miraculous_a but_o what_o be_v make_v so_o to_o appear_v by_o the_o partial_a and_o the_o unfaithful_a relation_n of_o his_o own_o friend_n and_o disciple_n it_o be_v a_o false_a insinuation_n of_o your_o author_n that_o miracle_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n sing_v in_o a_o poetic_a manner_n for_o they_o be_v historical_o relate_v as_o motive_n to_o the_o credibility_n of_o reveal_v religion_n and_o though_o some_o of_o they_o be_v recite_v in_o the_o psalm_n yet_o the_o very_a poetic_a style_n of_o david_n do_v not_o render_v they_o more_o wonderful_a than_o the_o plain_a historical_a account_n of_o moses_n but_o with_o what_o impudence_n if_o not_o affect_v ignorance_n do_v your_o author_n affirm_v that_o the_o circumstance_n of_o some_o action_n record_v as_o miracle_n in_o scripture_n do_v show_v that_o they_o be_v effect_v by_o natural_a cause_n when_o moses_n bring_v a_o boyl_n upon_o the_o egyptian_n by_o throw_v up_o ash_n into_o the_o air_n the_o action_n be_v as_o miraculous_a as_o if_o without_o throw_v up_o the_o ash_n he_o have_v only_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n command_v the_o boyl_n to_o seize_v upon_o the_o body_n of_o the_o egyptian_n v._n exod._n 9_o 10._o v._n unless_o your_o author_n can_v philosophical_o prove_v that_o according_a to_o the_o