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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 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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 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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 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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
less_o plain_a from_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o he_o add_v sometime_o sign_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o revelation_n be_v make_v for_o with_o the_o jew_n we_o will_v not_o call_v they_o all_o prophet_n and_o sometime_o he_o add_v none_o when_o the_o perception_n be_v clear_a enough_o without_o it_o a._n be_v not_o natural_a reason_n superior_a then_o to_o revelation_n since_o that_o be_v support_v by_o sign_n and_o the_o other_o perspicuous_a enough_o without_o it_o t._n the_o consequence_n be_v vain_a and_o fallacious_a the_o substance_n of_o the_o decalogue_n be_v plain_o true_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n yet_o it_o be_v confirm_v to_o the_o jew_n by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n at_o its_o most_o remarkable_a promulgation_n exod._n 20._o god_n therefore_o by_o confirm_v natural_a light_n by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n according_a to_o your_o author_n do_v that_o which_o be_v superfluous_a as_o if_o the_o unlearned_a obstinate_a or_o unthinking_a part_n 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i_o will_v dispute_v with_o you_o about_o small_a matter_n but_o this_o be_v evident_a that_o sign_n be_v 18._o p._n 18._o give_v to_o the_o prophet_n according_a to_o their_o preconceived_a opinion_n and_o their_o different_a capacity_n so_o that_o the_o same_o sign_n which_o render_v one_o prophet_n certain_a of_o divine_a revelation_n will_v have_v wrought_v no_o such_o effect_n upon_o another_o if_o their_o temper_n be_v sanguine_a they_o fancy_v nothing_o but_o triumph_n victory_n messiah_n peace_n and_o plenty_n if_o their_o blood_n be_v vitiate_a with_o melancholy_a humour_n they_o dream_v of_o war_n tumult_n blood_n and_o devastation_n l._n the_o sign_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o power_n of_o work_v some_o supernatural_a effect_n give_v to_o the_o prophet_n to_o convince_v rather_o other_o than_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o deliver_v his_o message_n to_o the_o people_n and_o because_o all_o mankind_n have_v not_o the_o same_o temperature_n of_o body_n nor_o labour_n under_o the_o same_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n nothing_o can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a sign_n but_o what_o be_v so_o far_o above_o the_o ordinary_a work_n of_o nature_n that_o man_n of_o all_o temperature_n and_o all_o opinion_n too_o if_o they_o be_v in_o their_o sense_n must_v needs_o confess_v that_o it_o be_v the_o immediate_a work_n of_o a_o superior_a invisible_a power_n upon_o this_o foundation_n we_o raise_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o mosaic_a and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n let_v any_o man_n of_o what_o temperature_n and_o possess_v with_o what_o prejudices_fw-la you_o please_v provide_v he_o be_v not_o stark_o mad_a for_o bethlem_n be_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o all_o disputation_n consider_v what_o moses_n do_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o what_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o all_o part_n of_o judea_n and_o let_v he_o then_o persuade_v himself_o or_o other_o that_o all_o this_o be_v do_v or_o possible_a to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n and_o power_n of_o nature_n if_o he_o can_v do_v that_o we_o will_v yield_v our_o cause_n and_o confess_v our_o religion_n be_v never_o confirm_v by_o sign_n from_o heaven_n for_o effect_n that_o may_v be_v or_o may_v not_o be_v natural_a may_v be_v some_o indication_n but_o no_o demonstration_n of_o a_o superior_a invisible_a power_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o spark_n of_o your_o principle_n be_v never_o i_o believe_v so_o mad_a as_o to_o confess_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o mighty_a work_n record_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n or_o our_o saviour_n himself_o and_o yet_o doubt_v of_o their_o divine_a mission_n for_o i_o presume_v every_o man_n who_o believe_v our_o saviour_n to_o have_v raise_v himself_o or_o other_o from_o the_o grave_a must_v necessary_o believe_v his_o divine_a mission_n and_o as_o for_o the_o minor_a prophet_n their_o message_n be_v of_o less_o extent_n and_o less_o consequence_n to_o mankind_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n that_o all_o of_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o commission_n sign_v from_o heaven_n and_o record_v to_o posterity_n by_o the_o same_o number_n and_o perspicuity_n of_o supernatural_a wonder_n as_o be_v that_o of_o moses_n and_o of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n your_o author_n therefore_o very_o impudent_o and_o ignorant_o too_o assert_n that_o the_o sign_n be_v adapt_v to_o the_o temperature_n or_o opinion_n or_o imagination_n of_o the_o prophet_n when_o it_o be_v always_o some_o supernatural_a work_n adapt_v to_o convince_v the_o reason_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o impossible_a to_o be_v gain-sayed_a by_o any_o s._n do_v not_o elisha_n call_v for_o a_o musical_a instrument_n 19_o p._n 19_o before_o he_o can_v foretell_v joyful_a thing_n to_o jehoram_n and_o his_o two_o confederate_n which_o he_o can_v not_o do_v before_o because_o he_o be_v angry_a at_o he_o 2_o king_n 3._o 15._o ezekiel_n be_v impatient_a of_o life_n be_v enable_v to_o foretell_v dreadful_a tiding_n to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n ez._n 3._o 14._o jeremiah_n be_v a_o melancholy_a and_o consequent_o a_o continual_a messenger_n of_o evil_a to_o his_o brethren_n micah_n trouble_v with_o the_o same_o disease_n always_o prophesy_v dreadful_a event_n to_o ahab_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o prophecy_n do_v much_o depend_v upon_o the_o natural_a temperature_n of_o the_o body_n l._n no_o more_o than_o my_o send_v a_o merry_o dispose_v servant_n upon_o a_o errand_n do_v show_v that_o my_o errand_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o sanguine_a complexion_n of_o my_o servant_n body_n god_n who_o know_v the_o disposition_n and_o temperature_n of_o all_o human_a body_n may_v choose_v those_o that_o be_v best_a adapt_v for_o each_o particular_a message_n he_o send_v to_o mankind_n but_o that_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o the_o message_n itself_o be_v any_o effect_n of_o their_o natural_a disposition_n for_o we_o be_v not_o so_o mad_a as_o to_o believe_v these_o man_n be_v inspire_v because_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o their_o own_o humour_n but_o thing_n above_o the_o reach_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n elisha_n may_v dispel_v some_o melancholy_a fume_n by_o the_o harmony_n of_o music_n but_o i_o will_v feign_v know_v the_o name_n of_o that_o musical_a instrument_n which_o can_v inspire_v his_o mind_n with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o two_o futurity_n 1._o that_o the_o ditch_n shall_v be_v fill_v with_o water_n without_o any_o precede_a rain_n 2._o that_o 18._o vid._n ver_fw-la 17_o 18._o the_o israelite_n shall_v overcome_v their_o enemy_n moses_n be_v angry_a with_o pharaoh_n when_o he_o foretell_v the_o destruction_n of_o all_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o egypt_n but_o it_o be_v not_o his_o anger_n but_o god_n himself_o or_o one_o of_o his_o angel_n that_o at_o midnight_n smite_v all_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n ex._n 12._o 20._o micah_n always_o prophesy_v evil_a to_o ahab_n because_o ahab_n always_o be_v a_o ill_a man_n and_o there_o be_v evil_o decree_v against_o he_o by_o god_n which_o according_o come_v to_o pass_v not_o by_o micah_n indignation_n but_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n if_o these_o man_n prediction_n have_v be_v a_o effect_n of_o bodily_a temper_n and_o if_o your_o author_n say_v not_o that_o he_o say_v not_o one_o word_n to_o the_o purpose_n they_o must_v frequent_o have_v be_v prove_v false_a by_o the_o event_n for_o truth_n be_v seldom_o see_v much_o less_o foresee_v by_o those_o who_o speak_v and_o act_v according_a to_o the_o unsteady_a motion_n of_o bodily_a temper_n beside_o it_o be_v clear_a than_o the_o light_n that_o these_o inspire_a author_n do_v not_o prophesy_v as_o your_o author_n insinuate_v according_a to_o their_o own_o inclination_n but_o according_a to_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n bear_v witness_v
dignity_n we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o god_n condescend_v in_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o weak_a capacity_n of_o his_o creature_n man_n but_o that_o do_v no_o way_n incline_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o ever_o reveal_v to_o man_n any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a or_o that_o he_o confirm_v he_o in_o his_o preconceive_a error_n or_o that_o whensoever_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reveal_v himself_o in_o a_o supernatural_a manner_n he_o can_v or_o do_v not_o do_v it_o with_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o perspicuity_n as_o one_o man_n can_v tell_v his_o thought_n to_o another_o god_n indeed_o have_v declare_v more_o to_o one_o prophet_n than_o to_o another_o but_o since_o he_o never_o speak_v any_o thing_n but_o truth_n to_o any_o this_o be_v so_o sar_n from_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o read_v any_o of_o the_o prophet_n for_o so_o i_o call_v all_o inspire_a author_n that_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a inducement_n to_o peruse_v they_o all_o that_o so_o what_o we_o miss_v in_o one_o we_o may_v ready_o find_v in_o another_o if_o revelation_n discover_v nothing_o new_a to_o mankind_n nor_o confirm_a truth_n of_o a_o eternal_a verity_n it_o will_v be_v altogether_o needless_a and_o if_o it_o by_o be_v adapt_v to_o man_n erroneous_a prejudices_fw-la confirm_v they_o in_o the_o same_o it_o will_v be_v pernicious_a and_o god_n himself_o will_v be_v the_o author_n abettor_n and_o divulg_a of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o world_n which_o i_o will_v have_v all_o young_a man_n serious_o to_o consider_v who_o be_v addict_v to_o these_o deistical_a notion_n epicurus_n who_o remove_v the_o deity_n from_o all_o thought_n of_o humane_a affair_n pay_v more_o honour_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n than_o those_o who_o with_o your_o author_n suppose_v he_o to_o meddle_v therein_o only_o to_o confound_v natural_a light_n and_o to_o contradict_v himself_o and_o to_o send_v his_o servant_n to_o plant_v and_o propagate_v falsehood_n in_o the_o world_n s._n you_o seem_v now_o to_o be_v very_o hot_a but_o can_v you_o disprove_v the_o author_n who_o you_o rash_o condemn_v because_o he_o speak_v truth_n more_o free_o than_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o interest_n or_o humour_n of_o the_o clergy_n l._n i_o desire_v to_o be_v believe_v no_o far_o than_o as_o you_o find_v what_o i_o say_v be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o god_n have_v reveal_v nothing_o to_o inspire_a author_n that_o any_o man_n can_v condemn_v of_o error_n second_o that_o he_o have_v declare_v to_o they_o such_o truth_n as_o be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o their_o preconceive_a erroneous_a opinion_n and_o three_o i_o will_v show_v you_o that_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n use_v by_o your_o a_o be_v no_o way_n subservient_fw-fr to_o his_o present_a design_n and_o purpose_n if_o your_o author_n will_v argue_v fair_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o shall_v have_v produce_v such_o place_n in_o they_o which_o he_o can_v easy_o and_o plain_o convince_v of_o error_n in_o matter_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n but_o how_o much_o he_o fail_v in_o this_o will_v appear_v by_o a_o discussion_n of_o these_o instance_n which_o be_v allege_v by_o he_o moses_n teach_v the_o jew_n that_o that_o very_a god_n who_o make_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n be_v their_o god_n who_o be_v reveal_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n and_o who_o then_o by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n have_v bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o he_o have_v right_a conception_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o the_o first_o and_o only_a cause_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o know_v that_o the_o heathen_n worship_v other_o create_v invisible_a power_n which_o they_o call_v god_n though_o unlike_a unto_o the_o true_a god_n in_o all_o the_o glorious_a attribute_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o 11_o ver_fw-la of_o the_o 15_o chap._n of_o exodus_fw-la who_o be_v like_a unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n among_o the_o god_n moses_n do_v not_o here_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v more_o god_n than_o one_o but_o only_o intimate_v that_o there_o be_v more_o being_n than_o one_o which_o be_v though_o false_o and_o equivocal_o call_v god_n by_o the_o delude_a pagan_n but_o why_o do_v we_o wonder_v that_o invisible_a power_n in_o compliance_n to_o the_o common_a dialect_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o world_n be_v style_v god_n when_o magistrate_n themselves_o by_o no_o improper_a figure_n be_v dignify_v with_o the_o same_o honourable_a appellation_n ps_n 6_o and_o seven_o i_o have_v say_v you_o be_v god_n and_o all_o of_o you_o the_o child_n of_o the_o most_o high_a but_o you_o shall_v die_v like_o man_n and_o fall_v like_o one_o of_o the_o prince_n will_v any_o be_v so_o absurd_a to_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o psalmist_n think_v that_o there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o difference_n between_o god_n and_o man_n nor_o do_v it_o at_o all_o appear_v from_o the_o 19_o ver_fw-la of_o the_o 32d_o chap._n of_o the_o chron._n that_o the_o jew_n think_v that_o god_n leave_v other_o nation_n to_o the_o government_n of_o other_o god_n substitute_v by_o he_o the_o word_n be_v these_o and_o they_o speak_v against_o the_o god_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o against_o the_o god_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n it_o be_v not_o the_o besiege_a jew_n but_o the_o besiege_v pagan_n who_o call_v those_o inferior_a being_n by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n which_o be_v worship_v by_o the_o delude_a pagan_n the_o jew_n acknowledge_v they_o only_o as_o the_o work_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n in_o the_o 17_o chap._n of_o the_o 2d_o of_o king_n give_v only_o a_o historical_a account_n of_o the_o sentiment_n of_o those_o pagan_n who_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o region_n of_o israel_n from_o remote_a nation_n they_o indeed_o have_v the_o same_o apprehension_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o other_o have_v of_o their_o topical_a deitys_n who_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o government_n of_o certain_a place_n person_n art_n or_o science_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o therefore_o mingle_v some_o ceremony_n of_o the_o true_a with_o all_o the_o superstition_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n but_o the_o author_n of_o this_o history_n be_v so_o far_o from_o approve_v that_o he_o utter_o condemn_v as_o well_o their_o notion_n as_o their_o practice_n in_o the_o 23d_o ver_fw-la they_o fear_v not_o the_o lord_n neither_o do_v they_o after_o his_o statute_n or_o after_o their_o ordinance_n or_o after_o the_o law_n and_o commandment_n which_o the_o lord_n command_v the_o child_n of_o jacob_n who_o he_o name_v israel_n s._n why_o then_o do_v the_o scripture_n call_v they_o god_n l._n because_o a_o historian_n relate_v what_o other_o have_v say_v or_o be_v wont_a to_o say_v must_v speak_v in_o the_o same_o dialect_n if_o he_o will_v keep_v exact_o to_o the_o truth_n nor_o be_v any_o author_n oblige_v to_o speak_v always_o proper_o when_o he_o may_v be_v better_o understand_v by_o a_o figure_n the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o some_o who_o god_n be_v their_o belly_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o covetousness_n be_v idolatry_n and_o yet_o i_o never_o read_v of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o venture_n that_o be_v worship_v by_o the_o ancient_a greek_n or_o roman_n persius_n make_v he_o at_o most_o but_o a_o master_n of_o arts._n magister_fw-la artium_fw-la ingeniique_fw-la largitur_fw-la venture_n and_o money_n itself_o be_v not_o invest_v with_o divine_a honour_n in_o juvenal_n time_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v the_o poet._n nullas_fw-la numorum_fw-la ereximus_fw-la arras_n i_o wonder_v your_o a_o shall_v forget_v one_o place_n of_o scripture_n more_o conduce_v to_o his_o purpose_n than_o any_o he_o have_v hitherto_o cite_v in_o the_o four_o ver_fw-la of_o the_o four_o chap._n of_o the_o 2d_o to_o the_o corinthian_n satan_n be_v style_v the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n how_o plain_o may_v he_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o satan_n be_v reveal_v to_o the_o apostle_n as_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n s._n but_o what_o say_v you_o to_o moses_n opinion_n that_o god_n live_v in_o heaven_n be_v not_o that_o a_o error_n unworthy_a of_o a_o philosopher_n and_o altogether_o pagan_a l._n if_o moses_n have_v teach_v that_o god_n be_v so_o confine_v to_o heaven_n as_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o earth_n or_o from_o any_o part_n of_o the_o universe_n or_o from_o the_o knowledge_n and_o government_n of_o humane_a affair_n it_o may_v have_v give_v this_o a_o some_o very_a specious_a pretence_n to_o
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