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
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 conclude_v that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o right_a faculty_n and_o will_v not_o become_v the_o author_n of_o deceit_n but_o it_o seem_v your_o author_n think_v that_o he_o can_v never_o be_v secure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o faculty_n if_o he_o shall_v once_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v a_o powerful_a and_o voluntary_a agent_n s._n no_o there_o be_v a_o further_a reason_n for_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v repugnant_a to_o nature_n it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o those_o first_o principle_n from_o whence_o we_o conclude_v the_o existence_n of_o nature_n itself_o and_o what_o certainty_n be_v there_o if_o you_o destroy_v first_o principles_n l._n a_o miracle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v repugnant_a to_o first_o principle_n that_o it_o be_v altogether_o declarative_a of_o they_o be_v it_o not_o to_o be_v admit_v as_o a_o first_o principle_n in_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n s._n heaven_n forbid_v i_o shall_v deny_v it_o l._n and_o 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 sense_n bear_v witness_n that_o the_o work_n be_v do_v and_o our_o reason_n conclude_v that_o none_o but_o god_n can_v do_v it_o but_o we_o do_v not_o know_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o divine_a operation_n nor_o no_o more_o do_v we_o comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o divine_a operation_n in_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n but_o do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o creation_n because_o it_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o humane_a understanding_n can_v give_v we_o no_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o essence_n existence_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n s._n i_o can_v well_o answer_v your_o last_o argument_n but_o in_o the_o 72d_o page_n i_o think_v my_o author_n argue_v very_o well_o viz._n that_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v above_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n or_o contrary_a to_o nature_n it_o will_v be_v repugnant_a to_o that_o order_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v by_o universal_a law_n to_o be_v eternal_a and_o the_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o thing_n will_v make_v we_o doubt_v 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
man_n must_v needs_o be_v that_o hold_v the_o infinity_n and_o immutability_n of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n as_o also_o by_o his_o partial_a distorture_n of_o scripture_n by_o deny_v it_o the_o same_o liberty_n of_o use_v word_n in_o a_o translate_v sense_n which_o be_v give_v to_o all_o other_o write_n as_o for_o clearness_n of_o judgement_n which_o be_v the_o second_o commendation_n of_o a_o historian_n i_o can_v see_v how_o your_o author_n can_v pretend_v to_o that_o who_o i_o have_v show_v to_o have_v lay_v down_o so_o many_o false_a proposition_n draw_v so_o many_o false_a conclusion_n and_o so_o frequent_o to_o have_v contradict_v himself_o and_o as_o for_o his_o opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o most_o grand_a importance_n of_o those_o age_n we_o all_o know_v that_o he_o be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o they_o as_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v rather_o believe_v those_o who_o live_v in_o ancient_a time_n and_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o our_o saviour_n do_v or_o suffer_v for_o our_o sake_n than_o a_o modern_a upstart_n who_o we_o be_v sure_o can_v understand_v at_o most_o no_o more_o than_o ourselves_o of_o the_o matter_n s._n but_o though_o you_o slight_a his_o authority_n yet_o if_o he_o can_v prove_v by_o solid_a reason_n as_o he_o attempt_v in_o his_o 8_o chapter_n that_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n etc._n etc._n you_o be_v bind_v to_o yield_v to_o they_o and_o to_o deny_v its_o divine_a authority_n l._n but_o if_o his_o reason_n be_v fallacious_a and_o conjectural_a as_o i_o can_v easy_o demonstrate_v have_v we_o book_n and_o leisure_n in_o this_o place_n to_o go_v through_o the_o argument_n which_o yet_o at_o best_a will_v be_v but_o loss_n of_o time_n than_o you_o can_v blame_v i_o if_o i_o withdraw_v my_o assent_n from_o his_o pernicious_a doctrine_n but_o to_o bring_v matter_n to_o a_o short_a issue_n do_v you_o believe_v that_o the_o account_v the_o evangelist_n give_v of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o act_n of_o his_o apostle_n be_v altogether_o unintelligible_a by_o the_o hebriasm_n and_o various_a lection_n s._n no_o i_o think_v no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n or_o modesty_n will_v pretend_v to_o say_v so_o l._n do_v you_o think_v that_o all_o therein_o record_v of_o they_o can_v be_v do_v by_o any_o natural_a or_o diabolical_a power_n s._n you_o have_v already_o demonstrate_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o first_o and_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o second_o assertion_n l._n then_o if_o our_o s._n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o prove_v their_o own_o divine_a mission_n do_v bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n all_o your_o author_n criticism_n or_o conjectural_a fancy_n of_o esaras_n vanish_v into_o nothing_o for_o with_o what_o truth_n can_v our_o saviour_n have_v say_v mat._n the_o 19_o and_o the_o seven_o that_o moses_n command_v to_o give_v a_o bill_n of_o divorcement_n and_o that_o moses_n for_o the_o hardness_n of_o their_o heart_n suffer_v they_o to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n or_o st._n john_n 19_o 17._o that_o the_o law_n be_v give_v by_o moses_n if_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n have_v be_v a_o fiction_n of_o esdras_n our_o saviour_n therefore_o have_v confirm_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o a_o new_a addition_n of_o sign_n and_o wonder_n impossible_a to_o be_v gainsay_v by_o the_o cunning_a or_o malice_n of_o man._n s._n you_o have_v now_o give_v i_o full_a satisfaction_n concern_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o a_o dislike_n of_o which_o i_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o sophistry_n of_o this_o intriegue_a author_n for_o it_o mighty_o please_v i_o to_o hear_v his_o project_n to_o deduce_v all_o knowledge_n from_o natural_a reason_n which_o as_o he_o teach_v p._n 98._o proceed_v from_o plain_a and_o obvious_a notion_n to_o the_o most_o obscure_a and_o remote_a object_n l._n let_v natural_a reason_n proceed_v never_o so_o cautious_o yet_o she_o can_v never_o ascend_v so_o high_a as_o to_o understand_v clear_o those_o supernatural_a thing_n which_o concern_v a_o future_a state_n of_o which_o she_o have_v here_o no_o complete_a idea_n and_o beside_o if_o god_n be_v a_o free_a agent_n it_o follow_v he_o can_v prescribe_v what_o condition_n of_o salvation_n do_v best_a please_v he_o and_o natural_a reason_n can_v never_o ascend_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o a_o free_a agent_n will_v have_v do_v from_o any_o know_v or_o obvious_a maxim_n in_o nature_n s._n no_o more_o than_o one_o man_n by_o reason_n alone_o can_v tell_v what_o be_v the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o another_o but_o i_o will_v ask_v you_o one_o question_n more_o viz._n who_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o scripture_n etc._n scripture_n p._n 103._o penes_fw-la unumquemque_fw-la snmmum_fw-la jus_o summaque_fw-la authoritas_fw-la de_fw-la religione_fw-la libere_fw-la judicandi_fw-la etc._n etc._n for_o spinosa_n give_v away_o that_o authority_n to_o every_o private_a man._n l._n the_o ambiguous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n interpretation_n have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o much_o error_n and_o much_o mischief_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o multiply_a idea_n which_o will_v breed_v confusion_n in_o the_o understanding_n if_o it_o be_v not_o careful_o resolve_v into_o its_o first_o principle_n for_o first_o sometime_o to_o interpret_v scripture_n be_v put_v to_o signify_v only_o a_o right_a apprehension_n of_o what_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o a_o expression_n of_o that_o true_a sense_n in_o plain_a and_o proper_a term_n and_o this_o belong_v to_o every_o individual_a man_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v for_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o understand_v those_o truth_n that_o be_v alike_o beneficial_a to_o all_o mankind_n and_o which_o be_v therefore_o promulge_v that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v know_v unto_o all_o and_o as_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o understand_v as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v of_o divine_a truth_n so_o also_o may_v be_v communicate_v that_o knowledge_n by_o speech_n to_o other_o though_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o that_o office_n do_v most_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n but_o other_o by_o the_o word_n interpret_v do_v understand_v the_o power_n of_o affix_v what_o sense_n they_o please_v upon_o the_o scripture_n and_o constrain_a other_o to_o admit_v the_o same_o be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v as_o true_a and_o genuine_a but_o such_o a_o authority_n as_o this_o can_v neither_o belong_v to_o every_o private_a man_n nor_o to_o any_o humane_a power_n whatsoever_o for_o no_o man_n can_v have_v authority_n from_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n to_o oppose_v truth_n itself_o and_o it_o be_v gross_a nonsense_n to_o call_v contradiction_n of_o scripture_n a_o interpretation_n of_o it_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o interpretation_n but_o in_o place_n that_o be_v obscure_a and_o dubious_a but_o plain_a text_n expound_v themselves_o and_o to_o pretend_v that_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a of_o affix_v a_o contradictory_n sense_n to_o the_o most_o easy_a express_a and_o intelligible_a text_n of_o scripture_n be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v every_o man_n authoritas_fw-la summum_fw-la jus_o summa_fw-la authoritas_fw-la have_v a_o right_a to_o be_v a_o fool_n and_o to_o deceive_v himself_o and_o to_o live_v in_o error_n and_o be_v nurse_v up_o in_o the_o ignorance_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o most_o concern_v his_o happiness_n and_o to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o his_o great_a creator_n instead_o of_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n every_o private_a man_n according_a to_o your_o author_n hypothesis_n may_v believe_v they_o lawful_o to_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o satan_n or_o the_o dictate_v of_o madman_n or_o the_o invention_n of_o some_o cunning_a politician_n what_o be_v more_o plain_a than_o our_o saviour_n word_n mat._n 16._o 17._o verse_n go_v you_o into_o all_o the_o world_n and_o preach_v the_o gospel_n unto_o every_o creature_n he_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v shall_v be_v save_v but_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v suppose_v a_o man_n discourse_v upon_o these_o word_n shall_v pretend_v to_o teach_v from_o hence_o that_o no_o gospel_n either_o be_v be_v or_o ever_o aught_o to_o be_v preach_v to_o the_o world_n that_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o condemnation_n to_o unbeliever_n either_o in_o this_o world_n or_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v will_v you_o call_v this_o a_o interpretation_n of_o that_o text_n of_o scripture_n s._n not_o if_o i_o be_v in_o my_o right_a sense_n l._n and_o yet_o your_o prodigal_a author_n give_v this_o large_a authority_n to_o every_o private_a man_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n after_o