divine_a nature_n and_o the_o latter_a blur_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o inspire_v write_n to_o which_o it_o may_v be_v add_v that_o such_o doctrine_n be_v false_a and_o injurious_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o his_o benefit_n offer_v to_o mankind_n be_v not_o to_o be_v value_v by_o his_o foreknowledge_n of_o non-acceptance_n but_o by_o their_o own_o intrinsic_a worth_n and_o by_o man_n capacity_n of_o enjoy_v they_o if_o he_o will_n and_o though_o god_n do_v assure_o know_v who_o will_v not_o accept_v of_o his_o kindness_n yet_o he_o know_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o fault_n be_v in_o themselves_o nor_o be_v their_o refusal_n any_o further_a necessary_a from_o any_o such_o divine_a foresight_n than_o otherwise_o it_o will_v have_v be_v so_o that_o some_o person_n will_v indeed_o seem_v to_o have_v a_o great_a veneration_n for_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o own_o such_o principle_n as_o render_v a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o insignificant_a for_o if_o god_n foreknowledge_n necessitate_v all_o event_n so_o that_o nothing_o can_v have_v fall_v out_o otherwise_o than_o it_o do_v then_o all_o divine_a precept_n and_o rule_n of_o life_n all_o promise_n and_o threaten_n upon_o certain_a condition_n be_v no_o more_o but_o cheat_n and_o empty_a formality_n but_o now_o to_o those_o that_o sincere_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n and_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o all_o christian_n ought_v to_o do_v the_o argument_n will_v lie_v thus_o what_o ever_o be_v entire_o true_a be_v also_o harmonious_a and_o self-consistent_a but_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a ergo_fw-la etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v urge_v that_o the_o scripture_n as_o proceed_v from_o god_n be_v indeed_o most_o perfect_o and_o entire_o true_a yet_o pass_v through_o the_o hand_n of_o so_o many_o man_n in_o various_a copy_n and_o version_n from_o one_o language_n into_o another_o it_o can_v be_v but_o something_o of_o humane_a infirmity_n must_v stick_v to_o they_o this_o indeed_o i_o free_o grant_v and_o if_o any_o such_o thing_n can_v be_v make_v evident_a in_o the_o case_n before_o we_o it_o will_v be_v very_o fit_a to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n there_o can_v hardly_o any_o two_o thing_n be_v name_v that_o be_v more_o clear_o and_o vigorous_o assert_v in_o scripture_n than_o be_v divine_a prescience_n and_o freewill_n as_o well_o in_o the_o place_n abovementioned_a as_o in_o divers_a other_o from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o if_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v genuine_a and_o no_o way_n corrupt_v which_o we_o must_v suppose_v till_o the_o contrary_n be_v make_v out_o god_n fore_n knowledge_n and_o man_n free-agency_a be_v not_o only_o true_a but_o perfect_o harmonious_a and_o consistent_a each_o with_o other_o although_o our_o limit_v sight_n and_o dazzle_a eye_n can_v full_o enable_v we_o to_o behold_v their_o agreement_n nor_o need_v we_o wonder_v at_o it_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o not_o only_o in_o the_o scripture_n but_o in_o euclia_n element_n and_o many_o other_o book_n approve_v in_o their_o kind_n be_v find_v divers_a thing_n which_o a_o great_a number_n of_o reader_n though_o man_n of_o good_a sense_n can_v easy_o understand_v or_o reconcile_v and_o some_o thing_n of_o that_o difficulty_n that_o the_o great_a master_n of_o learning_n and_o reason_n have_v more_o than_o work_v enough_o to_o overcome_v of_o which_o if_o need_v require_v one_o may_v give_v particular_a instance_n who_o will_v believe_v that_o the_o least_o diameter_n of_o a_o needle_n be_v point_n shall_v be_v divisible_a into_o a_o million_o or_o rather_o infinite_a part_n and_o yet_o that_o a_o circle_n how_o large_a soever_o can_v touch_v a_o right_a line_n but_o in_o circle_n in_o that_o be_v the_o right_a line_n be_v draw_v as_o a_o tangent_fw-la but_o not_o through_o the_o circle_n one_o point_n only_o and_o since_o a_o globular_a body_n set_v upon_o a_o plain_a can_v reach_v the_o same_o but_o in_o one_o point_n and_o a_o point_n be_v define_v to_o be_v that_o which_o have_v no_o part_n will_v it_o not_o be_v a_o strange_a paradox_n to_o say_v 117._o say_v eucl._n def_n 1_o lib._n 3._o prop._n 36._o lib._n 10._o prop._n 117._o a_o globe_n can_v touch_v a_o plain_a in_o no_o part_n at_o all_o yet_o all_o this_o lean_v upon_o mathematical_a demonstration_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v that_o when_o any_o difficulty_n or_o seem_a opposition_n do_v occur_v in_o scripture_n which_o common_a reader_n can_v and_o even_o learned_a one_o not_o very_o easy_o reconcile_v two_o sort_n of_o people_n the_o profane_a and_o superstitious_a take_v hold_v of_o it_o to_o very_o ill_a purpose_n the_o one_o apprehend_v it_o their_o interest_n to_o have_v no_o religion_n at_o all_o look_v upon_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o state-contrivance_n to_o keep_v the_o world_n in_o order_n and_o subjection_n and_o hence_o they_o assume_v a_o lewd_a liberty_n of_o turn_v it_o into_o burlesque_fw-la and_o ridicule_fw-la the_o other_o sort_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n over_o eager_o devote_v to_o some_o party_n have_v a_o religion_n make_v up_o of_o a_o few_o fraction_n of_o truth_n neglect_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o sum_n and_o substance_n these_o man_n pursue_v to_o the_o best_a advantage_n of_o their_o sect_n that_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o have_v the_o kind_a aspect_n upon_o their_o espouse_a notion_n and_o run_v it_o off_o from_o the_o main_a body_n of_o truth_n to_o that_o extreme_a that_o it_o become_v a_o error_n in_o doctrine_n and_o perhaps_o too_o a_o rent_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o body_n of_o truth_n may_v not_o unfit_o be_v resemble_v to_o the_o body_n natural_a which_o can_v live_v in_o piece_n that_o there_o be_v unchangeable_a decree_n of_o god_n i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o if_o that_o doctrine_n be_v so_o manage_v as_o to_o evacuate_v man_n endeavour_n this_o sure_o be_v a_o unwarrantable_a extreme_a justification_n by_o faith_n be_v a_o great_a truth_n but_o if_o it_o be_v imprudent_o carry_v to_o that_o height_n as_o to_o exclude_v or_o make_v man_n neglect_v a_o good_a life_n it_o will_v become_v a_o dangerous_a error_n that_o christ_n die_v for_o all_o be_v a_o glorious_a truth_n as_o it_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n but_o if_o some_o stretch_v that_o doctrine_n to_o the_o actual_a salvation_n of_o all_o man_n and_o other_o thereupon_o put_v the_o whole_a business_n of_o salvation_n within_o man_n power_n these_o doubtless_o be_v vicious_a extreme_n open_v a_o wide_a passage_n for_o pride_n or_o profaneness_n the_o one_o make_v religion_n altogether_o vain_a and_o the_o other_o make_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n not_o worth_a look_v after_o so_o that_o whilst_o man_n run_v into_o such_o violent_a extremity_n they_o seem_v to_o tear_v off_o some_o particular_a truth_n from_o their_o unity_n with_o the_o whole_a which_o from_o thence_o forward_o turn_v into_o corruption_n whilst_o the_o main_a body_n of_o truth_n be_v desert_v by_o they_o and_o become_v useless_a and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n not_o only_o of_o the_o less_o consider_v sectary_n but_o even_o of_o those_o who_o pretend_v high_o to_o philosophy_n and_o aspire_v after_o the_o reputation_n of_o wit_n one_o whereof_o sufficient_o know_v have_v improve_v three_o syllable_n to_o that_o height_n as_o to_o render_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n ridiculous_a and_o the_o noble_a army_n of_o martyr_n not_o other_o than_o a_o company_n of_o wilful_a and_o superstitious_a fool_n in_o needless_o expose_v themselves_o to_o flame_n and_o torture_n 5.19_o torture_n 2_o king_n 5.19_o go_v in_o penny_n say_v the_o prophet_n to_o naaman_n which_o single_a case_n he_o advance_v to_o a_o general_a dispensation_n for_o any_o man_n to_o quit_v his_o religion_n as_o oft_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v difficult_a and_o dangerous_a for_o he_o to_o profess_v it_o and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o fountain_n cause_n of_o all_o the_o division_n that_o be_v or_o have_v be_v among_o christian_n namely_o that_o man_n will_v not_o read_v the_o whole_a scripture_n and_o give_v each_o part_n its_o just_a weight_n and_o measure_n due_o balance_v and_o compare_v one_o thing_n with_o another_o but_o each_o man_n according_a to_o his_o complexion_n or_o education_n or_o perhaps_o some_o predominant_a melancholy_n lay_v hold_v of_o that_o part_n that_o suit_v he_o best_o and_o make_v up_o a_o religion_n for_o himself_o which_o be_v little_o more_o than_o the_o result_n of_o his_o natural_a temper_n here_o i_o call_v to_o mind_v a_o passage_n of_o a_o non-jurant_a which_o i_o happen_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o man_n be_v repute_v among_o his_o neighbour_n a_o honest_a plain_a man_n but_o somewhat_o rash_a and_o of_o no_o deep_a consideration_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o story_n the_o discourse_n fall_v out_o to_o be_v about_o swear_v and_o the_o person_n
a_o discourse_n concern_v god_n foreknowledge_n and_o man_n free_a agency_n wherein_o their_o seem_a opposition_n be_v reconcile_v and_o real_a consistency_n demonstrate_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o argument_n thence_o deduce_v act_n 4.28_o for_o to_o do_v whatsoever_o thy_o hand_n and_o thy_o counsel_n determine_v before_o to_o be_v do_v phil._n 2.12_o 13._o work_v out_o your_o own_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a for_o it_o be_v god_n which_o work_v in_o you_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n deut._n 30.19_o i_o have_v set_v before_o you_o life_n and_o death_n blessing_n and_o curse_v therefore_o choose_v life_n etc._n etc._n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1697._o the_o preface_n if_o in_o the_o perusal_n of_o this_o small_a tract_n the_o reader_n find_v but_o small_a satisfaction_n i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o much_o wonder_n at_o it_o when_o he_o remember_v that_o large_a volume_n and_o even_o learned_a one_o too_o in_o matter_n especial_o of_o this_o nature_n do_v not_o always_o answer_v expectation_n i_o pretend_v to_o no_o great_a share_n of_o learning_n nor_o any_o large_a measure_n of_o acute_a judgement_n only_o i_o be_o natural_o dispose_v to_o think_v and_o consideration_n and_o upon_o the_o occasion_n mention_v at_o the_o entrance_n of_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n which_o be_v no_o fictitious_a pretence_n but_o a_o thing_n that_o do_v real_o happen_v about_o two_o year_n ago_o i_o take_v a_o fancy_n to_o set_v down_o my_o thought_n upon_o this_o abstruse_a subject_n some_o few_o that_o have_v see_v it_o in_o manuscript_n have_v think_v it_o to_o be_v tolerable_a sense_n and_o may_v perhaps_o be_v a_o further_a occasion_n to_o some_o man_n of_o better_a part_n to_o speak_v more_o clear_o to_o the_o point_n for_o which_o cause_n i_o be_o not_o unwilling_a to_o permit_v its_o publication_n for_o i_o believe_v the_o subject_n have_v not_o be_v hitherto_o exhaust_v and_o i_o desire_v nothing_o more_o than_o to_o be_v outdo_v or_o even_o confute_v by_o any_o one_o that_o can_v make_v thing_n more_o coherent_a and_o better_o vindicate_v the_o divine_a attribute_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n s._n time_n by_o a_o fellow_n of_o the_o r._n s._n i_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o curious_a discourse_n concern_v thing_n above_o reason_n among_o which_o the_o subject_a here_o treat_v of_o be_v mention_v as_o one_o by_o which_o i_o perceive_v that_o this_o essay_n of_o i_o be_v not_o impertinent_a though_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v ineffectual_a and_o come_v far_o short_a of_o the_o design_n for_o how_o can_v a_o unlearned_a head_n by_o never_o so_o much_o think_v think_v to_o bring_v that_o under_o reason_n which_o so_o great_a a_o wit_n have_v rank_v among_o thing_n above_o it_o so_o that_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o attempt_n will_v not_o i_o fear_v account_v for_o the_o ill_a management_n of_o it_o yet_o its_o innocency_n will_v i_o hope_v defend_v it_o from_o any_o heavy_a censure_n if_o i_o have_v not_o whole_o subdue_v my_o province_n unto_o reason_n yet_o i_o have_v give_v it_o a_o kind_n of_o negative_a voice_n that_o be_v though_o reason_n can_v absolute_o command_v the_o affirmative_a it_o shall_v nevertheless_o so_o far_o rule_v the_o opposer_n as_o to_o prevent_v his_o negative_a some_o thing_n must_v be_v grant_v though_o perhaps_o not_o without_o difficulty_n because_o they_o can_v be_v deny_v without_o far_o great_a inconvenience_n if_o it_o be_v say_v we_o can_v understand_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v certain_a and_o yet_o contingent_a or_o how_o a_o voluntary_a action_n can_v be_v foresee_v which_o depend_v upon_o free-choice_n and_o that_o at_o any_o time_n until_o it_o be_v effect_v may_v be_v either_o do_v or_o let_v alone_o let_v such_o person_n try_v how_o they_o can_v clear_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o a_o ignorant_a and_o imperfect_a deity_n which_o will_v lie_v hard_a upon_o they_o if_o they_o grant_v not_o divine_a prescience_n on_o the_o other_o side_n let_v they_o see_v with_o what_o success_n they_o can_v take_v away_o distributive_a justice_n and_o root_v out_o the_o notion_n and_o existence_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a which_o task_n be_v of_o necessity_n incumbent_a on_o they_o that_o deny_v man_n to_o be_v a_o free_a agent_n if_o thing_n to_o come_v be_v not_o foresee_v what_o will_v become_v of_o divine_a providence_n if_o there_o be_v not_o in_o man_n a_o free_a election_n where_o be_v sin_n for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o choice_n how_o can_v any_o one_o choose_v amiss_o to_o chastise_v my_o child_n for_o disobedience_n will_v be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o whip_v my_o clock_n for_o go_v amiss_o either_o god_n almighty_a foresee_v thing_n future_a or_o he_o can_v be_v god_n either_o man_n be_v a_o voluntary_a agent_n or_o he_o can_v be_v man._n if_o these_o thing_n therefore_o will_v not_o stand_v together_o reason_n itself_o may_v seem_v impertinent_a and_o it_o be_v natural_a conclusion_n altogether_o useless_a for_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v discourse_n or_o ratiocination_n when_o either_o there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n or_o none_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o punish_v it_o these_o be_v the_o inconvenience_n which_o man_n run_v the_o hazard_n of_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o rather_o than_o admit_v one_o apparent_a difficulty_n which_o consist_v perhaps_o only_o in_o the_o narrowness_n of_o humane_a understanding_n they_o choose_v to_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o contradiction_n and_o absurdity_n some_o will_v venture_v to_o mix_v heaven_n and_o earth_n together_o under_o a_o state_n of_o war_n and_o rapine_n without_o any_o sense_n of_o divine_a authority_n to_o awe_n rebellious_a mankind_n and_o other_o will_v attempt_v to_o turn_v god_n out_o of_o the_o world_n because_o they_o can_v comprehend_v his_o perfection_n and_o operation_n but_o sure_o it_o be_v not_o advisable_v to_o cashier_v every_o thing_n that_o put_v a_o stress_n upon_o our_o limit_v faculty_n nor_o run_v down_o all_o those_o thing_n for_o false_a which_o consist_v not_o well_o with_o what_o we_o apprehend_v to_o be_v true_a to_o which_o purpose_n the_o discourse_n above_o mention_v contain_v be_o parcel_n of_o the_o noble_a instance_n apply_v and_o manage_v with_o the_o great_a clearness_n and_o to_o the_o high_a end_n and_o advantage_n of_o any_o book_n i_o have_v hitherto_o meet_v with_o from_o thence_o i_o glad_o learn_v that_o there_o be_v certain_a privilege_v thing_n which_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n stoop_v to_o common_a reason_n nor_o accommodate_v themselves_o to_o those_o rule_n and_o measure_n which_o be_v sufficient_a for_o other_o matter_n not_o but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o peculiar_a sort_n of_o reason_n in_o these_o also_o for_o though_o they_o be_v above_o my_o reason_n to_o apprehend_v they_o full_o yet_o i_o apprehend_v very_o good_a reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o either_o my_o capacity_n be_v bound_v or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v it_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v overpower_a in_o grasp_a a_o unlimited_a thing_n if_o not_o it_o must_v then_o be_v infinite_a and_o since_o i_o know_v many_o capacity_n about_o the_o same_o level_n with_o my_o own_o and_o not_o a_o few_o incomparable_o great_a it_o must_v follow_v that_o not_o only_o a_o multitude_n of_o infinite_n be_v consistent_a but_o a_o number_n also_o of_o capacity_n each_o of_o which_o be_v more_o than_o infinite_a which_o conclusion_n i_o think_v be_v more_o than_o sufficient_o absurd_a beside_o since_o god_n can_v do_v what_o be_v inconsistent_a or_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n he_o can_v not_o create_v a_o power_n or_o faculty_n comprehensive_a of_o his_o own_o perfection_n for_o that_o can_v be_v no_o less_o than_o infinite_a he_o can_v parcel_n out_o his_o peculiar_a attribute_n unto_o his_o creature_n for_o that_o will_v imply_v a_o contradiction_n wherefore_o the_o most_o shallow_a reason_n may_v conclude_v there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v those_o thing_n which_o the_o most_o refine_a wit_n can_v adequate_o comprehend_v and_o this_o be_v so_o not_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n but_o in_o thing_n also_o of_o a_o low_a nature_n of_o which_o it_o may_v not_o be_v improper_a to_o insert_v one_o instance_n in_o this_o place_n whereby_o a_o undeniable_a truth_n will_v appear_v to_o be_v attend_v with_o unaccountable_a difficulty_n for_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n pretend_v not_o to_o answer_v all_o the_o cavil_n that_o may_v be_v make_v against_o a_o meridian_n truth_n which_o yet_o like_o the_o sun_n it_o self_n have_v some_o obscurity_n much_o less_o do_v it_o undertake_v to_o make_v man_n see_v who_o be_v either_o blind_a or_o shut_v their_o eye_n but_o the_o design_n of_o it_o be_v to_o assert_v from_o the_o scripture_n the_o truth_n of_o divine_a prescience_n and_o of_o voluntary_a election_n to_o evince_v the_o necessity_n of_o admit_v they_o both_o to_o
quà m_fw-la in_o aliam_fw-la inclinemur_fw-la est_fw-la ergo_fw-la electio_fw-la positiva_fw-la in_o nostro_fw-la arbitrio_fw-la alioqui_fw-la fuisset_fw-la nobis_fw-la data_fw-la superfluè_fw-fr haec_fw-la deliberandi_fw-la &_o consultandi_fw-la vis_fw-la for_o we_o find_v by_o evident_a experience_n that_o it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n either_o to_o do_v a_o thing_n or_o leave_v it_o undo_v therefore_o we_o reason_n argue_v and_o deliberate_v in_o order_n to_o choose_v one_o thing_n rather_o than_o another_o it_o be_v therefore_o in_o our_o power_n to_o make_v a_o positive_a choice_n or_o else_o we_o have_v this_o capacity_n give_v we_o in_o vain_a this_o come_v close_o to_o that_o point_n and_o then_o in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o do_v no_o less_o vigorous_o maintain_v god_n before_o knowledge_n of_o all_o event_n and_o action_n whether_o voluntary_a or_o contingent_a the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v thus_o 93._o thus_o â—om_n 2._o p._n 92_o 93._o god_n can_v say_v he_o be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o he_o himself_o do_v or_o will_v do_v because_o he_o know_v his_o own_o will_n and_o his_o power_n to_o effect_v what_o he_o will_v nor_o can_n can_v he_o be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o his_o creature_n do_v now_o or_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v hereafter_o because_o whatever_o be_v positive_o good_a in_o their_o action_n be_v by_o immediate_a influence_n from_o himself_o and_o what_o there_o be_v of_o privation_n or_o defect_n can_v be_v without_o his_o permission_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o man_n sinful_a and_o wicked_a action_n he_o go_v on_o to_o show_v that_o unless_o god_n do_v foreknow_v from_o eternity_n whatever_o be_v or_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o time_n he_o can_v neither_o be_v omnipotent_a nor_o immutable_a not_o omnipotent_a because_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o thing_n whereof_o he_o have_v no_o foresight_n his_o providence_n and_o government_n of_o affair_n must_v needs_o be_v defective_a not_o immutable_a because_o something_o must_v daily_o occur_v to_o his_o knowledge_n which_o he_o know_v not_o before_o atque_fw-la hinc_fw-la sequitur_fw-la deum_fw-la habere_fw-la hanc_fw-la scientiam_fw-la creaturarum_fw-la quae_fw-la fiunt_fw-la in_o tempore_fw-la ex_fw-la aeternitate_fw-la sva_fw-la ut_fw-la totam_fw-la illam_fw-la simul_fw-la haebeat_fw-la sine_fw-la successione_n quia_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la in_o se_fw-la variationem_fw-la admittere_fw-la item_n quia_fw-la non_fw-la posset_n deus_fw-la habere_fw-la perfectam_fw-la providentiam_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la administrandis_fw-la nisi_fw-la haberet_fw-la omnium_fw-la praescientiam_fw-la thus_o far_o that_o eminent_a schoolman_n the_o other_o be_v the_o angelical_a thomas_n aquinas_n as_o some_o be_v please_v to_o style_v he_o he_o in_o his_o sum_n of_o theology_n dispatch_v i_o in_o a_o few_o word_n for_o have_v first_o describe_v providence_n to_o be_v a_o respect_n to_o somewhat_o that_o be_v distant_a according_a to_o which_o the_o occurrence_n now_o present_a be_v to_o be_v order_v which_o do_v therefore_o necessary_o include_v prescience_n he_o say_v afterward_o providentia_fw-la dei_fw-la est_fw-la omnium_fw-la singularium_fw-la nec_fw-la tamen_fw-la à _fw-la rebus_fw-la excludit_fw-la contingentiam_fw-la nec_fw-la casum_fw-la nec_fw-la fortunam_fw-la nec_fw-la liberum_fw-la arbitrium_fw-la that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n extend_v to_o all_o particular_n not_o exclude_v contingency_n chance_n fortune_n or_o freewill_n add_v hereunto_o that_o it_o be_v allow_v st._n augustine_n as_o a_o maxim_n that_o god_n by_o his_o foreknowledge_n do_v not_o necessitate_v or_o constrain_v the_o come_v to_o pass_v of_o the_o thing_n foreknow_v by_o he_o these_o testimony_n as_o they_o be_v of_o unquestionable_a authority_n so_o be_v they_o clear_a direct_a and_o full_a to_o the_o purpose_n and_o this_o be_v all_o i_o design_n for_o the_o first_o general_n head_n i_o be_o now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o attempt_v certain_a reason_n or_o consideration_n whereby_o to_o accommodate_v the_o difference_n or_o at_o least_o to_o lessen_v the_o opposition_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v between_o prescience_n and_o freewill_n the_o head_n to_o be_v insist_v on_o for_o that_o purpose_n be_v these_o three_o namely_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o harmony_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o the_o non-causality_a of_o divine_a prescience_n first_o then_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o verity_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o i_o be_o not_o design_v to_o confute_v a_o a_o theist_n write_v only_o to_o such_o as_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o those_o sacred_a letter_n but_o chief_o as_o i_o say_v before_o for_o my_o own_o satisfaction_n some_o young_a divine_n indeed_o i_o have_v observe_v who_o in_o their_o first_o set_v out_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n affect_v to_o preach_v altogether_o without_o it_o and_o seem_v to_o triumph_n in_o dispel_v the_o darkness_n of_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n by_o the_o gloworm-light_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n other_o there_o be_v that_o prove_v their_o doctrine_n out_o of_o terence_n tully_n and_o seneca_n whether_o it_o be_v because_o they_o have_v not_o read_v the_o bible_n or_o that_o they_o preser_fw-ge the_o authority_n of_o heathen_a writer_n before_o it_o or_o that_o they_o will_v be_v think_v to_o be_v profound_o learned_a i_o shall_v not_o dispute_v but_o i_o find_v other_o more_o experience_a workman_n who_o do_v not_o trouble_v themslve_n to_o dig_v below_o the_o true_a foundation_n but_o think_v the_o rock_n of_o age_n safe_a enough_o for_o they_o to_o build_v upon_o now_o as_o that_o comical_a sort_n of_o preach_v to_o vulgar_a ear_n do_v rather_o amuse_v than_o edify_v so_o this_o essay_n which_o be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v regard_v by_o the_o learned_a if_o it_o shall_v happen_v to_o take_v the_o country_n air_n will_v look_v very_o thin_a without_o scripture-evidence_n but_o if_o indeed_o the_o scripture_n do_v clear_o speak_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o be_v herein_o contain_v this_o aught_o to_o have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o reason_n with_o all_o those_o that_o acknowledge_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o book_n nor_o will_v it_o be_v material_a to_o object_n that_o this_o argument_n do_v not_o sufficient_o make_v out_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o what_o be_v here_o plead_v for_o for_o as_o there_o be_v several_a rank_n of_o privilege_a thing_n which_o will_v not_o condescend_v to_o common_a reason_n so_o there_o be_v several_a degree_n of_o reason_n also_o of_o which_o the_o low_a aught_o to_o yield_v to_o the_o superior_a and_o it_o be_v the_o high_a reason_n sure_a that_o god_n be_v true_a though_o every_o man_n shall_v be_v find_v a_o liar_n i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n against_o it_o yet_o that_o atheism_n shall_v be_v encounter_v upon_o its_o own_o principle_n if_o at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v any_o principle_n at_o all_o but_o every_o stripling_n be_v not_o a_o fit_a champion_n for_o a_o overgrow_a philistine_n and_o i_o have_v rather_o have_v that_o province_n entire_o lest_o to_o such_o as_o can_v manage_v it_o than_o have_v the_o truth_n to_o suffer_v by_o weak_a patronage_n as_o for_o those_o therefore_o that_o expect_v better_a proof_n than_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o those_o natural_a consequence_n arise_v thence_o i_o shall_v leave_v they_o to_o the_o discipline_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o convince_v by_o what_o bp._n wilkins_n bp._n ward_n mr._n boyle_n dr._n cudworth_n sir_n cha._n wolse_n and_o some_o other_o have_v already_o say_v against_o atheism_n i_o shall_v never_o hope_v to_o give_v they_o satisfaction_n but_o as_o for_o those_o two_o gentleman_n betwixt_o who_o the_o controversy_n be_v star_v upon_o which_o occasion_n i_o scribble_v down_o these_o hasty_a note_n they_o be_v both_o of_o they_o i_o hope_v serious_a christian_n not_o doubt_v in_o the_o least_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n yet_o differ_v vast_o in_o their_o apprehension_n about_o this_o matter_n one_o of_o they_o be_v firm_a in_o the_o belief_n of_o divine_a prescience_n but_o somewhat_o hesitant_n as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o freewill_n the_o other_o be_v so_o much_o a_o free-willer_n that_o he_o seem_v to_o cashier_v divine_a prescience_n for_o say_v he_o if_o god_n offer_v i_o any_o good_a thing_n and_o know_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o will_v not_o accept_v of_o it_o i_o be_o nothing_o behold_v to_o he_o for_o his_o kindness_n this_o manner_n of_o expression_n concern_v god_n be_v overbold_a and_o fawcy_a for_o we_o may_v not_o speak_v of_o he_o with_o such_o a_o liberty_n as_o be_v allowable_a in_o other_o matter_n beside_o let_v we_o observe_v the_o consequence_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o to_o be_v this_o that_o either_o god_n almighty_n have_v no_o knowledge_n at_o all_o of_o future_a event_n or_o else_o that_o all_o conditional_a promise_n throughout_o the_o whole_a scripture_n be_v no_o more_o than_o shadow_n the_o former_a of_o which_o consequence_n strike_v at_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o
such_o cause_n be_v operate_n can_v not_o foresee_v the_o effect_n but_o the_o case_n be_v not_o so_o with_o god_n it_o be_v not_o yet_o come_v to_o that_o pass_n that_o because_o man_n can_v foresee_v contingent_a event_n that_o therefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o god_n can_v do_v it_o neither_o for_o as_o wind_n and_o wether_n be_v in_o his_o hand_n and_o obey_v his_o will_n so_o voluntary_a good_a action_n flow_v original_o from_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o evil_a action_n be_v permit_v as_o the_o devil_n be_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o swine_n nor_o can_v wicked_a agent_n go_v one_o hair_n breadth_n beyond_o their_o appoint_a limit_n and_o even_o permission_n itself_o do_v imply_v foreknowledge_n for_o how_o can_v any_o one_o be_v say_v to_o have_v permit_v what_o he_o know_v not_o of_o before_o it_o be_v do_v i_o hope_v that_o to_o evade_v this_o argument_n there_o be_v none_o will_v say_v that_o god_n give_v to_o wicked_a man_n a_o general_a licence_n to_o do_v what_o they_o please_v whilst_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n know_v not_o in_o particular_a what_o wickedness_n they_o will_v commit_v until_o they_o have_v act_v it_o for_o beside_o that_o this_o character_n be_v exact_o suit_v unto_o satan_n in_o his_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n it_o destroy_v divine_a providence_n root_n and_o branch_n for_o how_o can_v god_n limit_v or_o over-rule_v to_o his_o own_o good_a end_n and_o purpose_n those_o event_n whereof_o he_o have_v no_o particular_a foresight_n or_o how_o can_v he_o be_v say_v in_o such_o a_o case_n to_o govern_v the_o world_n at_o all_o but_o as_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o voluntary_a action_n i_o have_v speak_v before_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v in_o this_o place_n that_o since_o god_n know_v most_o perfect_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o what_o cause_n be_v interest_v in_o form_v of_o his_o judgement_n how_o far_o the_o will_n follow_v the_o dictate_v of_o the_o understanding_n and_o of_o right_a reason_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v captivate_v by_o senfual_a appetite_n and_o by_o the_o lust_n that_o war_n in_o his_o member_n since_o god_n i_o say_v do_v infallible_o know_v the_o spring_n of_o all_o actlon_n whether_o from_o sense_n from_o reason_n or_o from_o grace_n and_o to_o what_o degree_n any_o kind_n of_o external_n or_o internal_a force_n can_v bend_v those_o spring_n he_o must_v of_o necessity_n know_v what_o man_n pure_o leave_a to_o his_o own_o faculty_n will_v do_v upon_o any_o occasion_n i_o have_v insist_v long_o upon_o this_o objection_n as_o also_o upon_o the_o non-causality_a of_o divine_a prescience_n than_o some_o perhaps_o will_v think_v to_o have_v be_v necessary_a but_o because_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o objection_n be_v say_v to_o come_v from_o person_n of_o very_a great_a learning_n and_o reason_n and_o i_o do_v myself_o hear_v it_o strong_o urge_v that_o prescience_n must_v needs_o cause_v the_o thing_n foresee_v i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o to_o enlarge_v a_o little_a upon_o both_o the_o point_n in_o order_n to_o clear_v they_o up_o to_o common_a understanding_n but_o whether_o i_o have_v do_v it_o to_o satisfaction_n i_o must_v leave_v to_o the_o reader_n judgement_n the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v in_o reference_n to_o this_o last_o mention_v which_o i_o discourse_v of_o before_o be_v this_o that_o to_o affirm_v divine_a prescience_n to_o have_v a_o causality_n in_o such_o sort_n that_o the_o event_n foresee_v can_v not_o possible_o have_v fall_v out_o otherwise_o be_v abusurd_a and_o it_o be_v false_a it_o be_v absurd_a because_o it_o put_v the_o cart_n before_o the_o horse_n and_o make_v that_o to_o be_v a_o cause_n which_o be_v pure_o a_o effect_n and_o it_o be_v false_a because_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n i_o shall_v now_o conclude_v this_o part_n of_o my_o essay_n with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o schoolman_n suarez_n schoolman_n suarez_n neque_fw-la hinc_fw-la eriam_fw-la fit_a ut_fw-la per_fw-la hanc_fw-la praescientiam_fw-la deus_fw-la imponat_fw-la necessitatem_fw-la aliquam_fw-la rebus_fw-la sic_fw-la cognitis_fw-la quia_fw-la haec_fw-la scientia_fw-la ut_fw-la sic_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la earum_fw-la causa_fw-la it_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o god_n by_o his_o foreknowledge_n impose_v any_o necessity_n upon_o the_o thing_n so_o know_v because_o this_o knowledge_n as_o such_o be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o but_o before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o my_o design_n i_o must_v make_v a_o short_a digression_n to_o prevent_v a_o objection_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o what_o i_o say_v not_o long_o ago_o namely_o that_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v the_o fountain_n cause_v of_o all_o thing_n as_o be_v the_o first_o mover_n for_o no_o doubt_n god_n be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o motion_n though_o he_o never_o determine_v any_o exert_v by_o a_o free_a agent_n to_o a_o wrong_n object_n and_o all_o thing_n be_v wrought_v as_o the_o apostle_n say_v after_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o will._n from_o hence_o it_o may_v be_v urge_v that_o though_o divine_a prescience_n have_v no_o causality_n yet_o since_o we_o grant_v that_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n nor_o can_v we_o deny_v that_o whatever_o god_n will_v he_o certain_o foresee_v do_v it_o not_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o thing_n must_v come_v to_o pass_v according_a to_o the_o fix_a purpose_n and_o preordination_n of_o god_n in_o such_o sort_n that_o the_o will_n of_o man_n must_v needs_o be_v overrule_v and_o predetermine_v and_o consequent_o the_o free-agency_a of_o rational_a creature_n whole_o evacuate_v i_o answer_v this_o will_n by_o no_o mean_n follow_v as_o may_v appear_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o follow_a particular_n 1._o though_o god_n foresee_v whatever_o he_o will_v have_v bring_v to_o effect_v yet_o we_o can_v say_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o he_o will_v every_o thing_n he_o foresee_v god_n it_o be_v true_a will_v even_o the_o sinful_a action_n which_o he_o foresee_v but_o with_o a_o will_v permissive_a of_o they_o not_o effective_a perfect_o know_v as_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v shrewd_o guess_v what_o person_n so_o and_o so_o incline_v will_v do_v in_o such_o and_o such_o circumstance_n be_v only_o enable_v not_o impel_v to_o act_v and_o be_v leave_v to_o follow_v their_o own_o inclination_n and_o so_o he_o may_v certain_o foresee_v many_o thing_n which_o he_o never_o will_v by_o a_o positive_a and_o effective_o determinative_a will_n he_o equal_o foresee_v all_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v otherwise_o he_o will_v be_v deficient_a in_o point_n of_o knowledge_n but_o we_o must_v not_o say_v he_o will_v they_o equal_o for_o that_o will_v be_v to_o approve_v of_o evil_a and_o so_o he_o will_v be_v deficient_a in_o point_n of_o goodness_n for_o instance_n he_o predetermine_v israel_n deliverance_n from_o egyptian_a bondage_n and_o he_o likewise_o foretell_v it_o so_o that_o herein_o his_o purpose_n and_o foresight_n run_v parallel_n but_o then_o he_o foretell_v pharaoh_n obstinacy_n in_o detain_v the_o people_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o he_o will_v he_o to_o let_v they_o go_v and_o herein_o his_o foresight_n and_o express_v will_v be_v quite_o contrary_a he_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v fear_v the_o lord_n and_o serve_v he_o in_o sincerity_n and_o in_o truth_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o out_o of_o 15._o of_o josh_n 24.14_o 15._o free_a choice_n arise_v from_o a_o true_a judgement_n of_o thing_n yet_o he_o soreknow_v that_o some_o will_v be_v disobedient_a and_o iniquity_n shall_v abound_v 24.12_o abound_v mat._n 24.12_o he_o will_v that_o his_o choose_a people_n be_v with_o he_o and_o see_v his_o glory_n 17.24_o glory_n jo._n 17.24_o and_o he_o know_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o he_o know_v that_o other_o will_v die_v in_o their_o sin_n but_o he_o have_v swear_v he_o will_v it_o not_o 19.28_o not_o mat._n 19.28_o whatever_o god_n have_v proclaim_v be_v a_o undoubted_a object_n of_o divine_a prescience_n but_o every_o object_n of_o divine_a prescience_n be_v not_o therefore_o preordain_v nor_o agreeable_a to_o his_o will._n good_a thing_n be_v equal_o the_o object_n of_o divine_a pleasure_n and_o foresight_n but_o we_o can_v say_v the_o like_a of_o evil._n we_o may_v say_v indeed_o that_o god_n foresee_v a_o evil_a action_n but_o we_o can_v say_v he_o will_v have_v it_o do_v nor_o that_o he_o have_v power_n to_o do_v it_o for_o both_o these_o will_v imply_v a_o contradiction_n since_o it_o be_v pure_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o have_v either_o will_n or_o power_n to_o do_v evil_a a_o second_o consideration_n be_v this_o that_o though_o the_o divine_a will_v be_v true_o and_o unchangeable_o one_o and_o the_o same_o yet_o be_v it_o distinguishable_a