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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n know_v spirit_n 3,951 5 5.4085 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A37989 A discourse concerning the authority, stile, and perfection of the books of the Old and New-Testament with a continued illustration of several difficult texts of scripture throughout the whole work / by John Edwards. Edwards, John, 1637-1716. 1693 (1693) Wing E202; ESTC R29386 927,516 1,518

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knowledge_n and_o insight_n into_o these_o divine_a truth_n which_o be_v here_o contain_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o observe_v and_o practise_v the_o holy_a precept_n of_o this_o book_n this_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o urge_v upon_o ourselves_o to_o come_v to_o the_o read_n of_o scripture_n with_o defecate_n and_o purge_v mind_n with_o love_n to_o what_o it_o dictate_v and_o with_o obedience_n to_o it_o this_o shall_v be_v our_o principal_a care_n to_o live_v well_o and_o to_o walk_v according_a to_o this_o excellent_a rule_n all_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o our_o action_n in_o this_o world_n depend_v upon_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o let_v we_o be_v direct_v and_o govern_v by_o the_o infallible_a maxim_n precept_n promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o this_o book_n we_o see_v man_n live_v by_o custom_n by_o the_o dictate_v of_o other_o or_o by_o their_o own_o opinion_n which_o oftentimes_o prove_v erroneous_a and_o lead_v they_o into_o unwarrantable_a practice_n but_o they_o will_v not_o be_v thus_o misguided_a if_o they_o consult_v these_o lively_a oracle_n of_o god_n this_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n if_o they_o regulate_v their_o action_n by_o this_o exact_a canon_n and_o hereby_o we_o be_v certain_a to_o improve_v our_o knowledge_n in_o this_o holy_a book_n for_o by_o live_v according_a to_o it_o we_o shall_v the_o better_o understand_v it_o by_o mind_v the_o practical_a content_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o full_a discovery_n of_o its_o principle_n and_o doctrine_n last_o that_o we_o may_v attain_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o due_a perception_n of_o the_o mean_v of_o what_o be_v deliver_v here_o let_v we_o most_o earnest_o invoke_v the_o divine_a aid_n and_o assistance_n he_o that_o read_v this_o book_n without_o prayer_n can_v never_o expect_v to_o be_v bless_v with_o a_o complete_a knowledge_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v the_o sole_a work_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n to_o illuminate_v our_o mind_n effectual_o there_o be_v require_v the_o special_a help_n of_o this_o heavenly_a instructor_n to_o direct_v we_o into_o truth_n wherefore_o he_o be_v call_v 13._o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o 20._o the_o unction_n from_o the_o holy_a one_o whereby_o we_o know_v all_o thing_n the_o same_o spirit_n that_o indict_v these_o holy_a write_n must_v enlighten_v our_o mind_n to_o understand_v they_o which_o i_o find_v thus_o express_v in_o the_o word_n of_o our_o church_n scripture_n the_o revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n inspire_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o we_o in_o truth_n we_o can_v without_o it_o attain_v true_a saving-knowledg_n and_o a_o learned_a and_o pious_a son_n of_o our_o mother_n give_v his_o suffrage_n in_o these_o word_n country-parson_n wicked_a man_n however_o learned_a do_v not_o know_v the_o scripture_n because_o they_o feel_v they_o not_o and_o because_o they_o be_v not_o understand_v but_o with_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o write_v they_o see_v then_o a_o spiritual_a illumination_n be_v requisite_a in_o order_n to_o the_o comprehend_v of_o scripture-truths_n we_o ought_v with_o great_a fervour_n and_o zeal_n to_o request_v it_o we_o ought_v with_o a_o singular_a devotion_n to_o repair_v to_o this_o infallible_a teacher_n and_o with_o mighty_a importunity_n beseech_v he_o to_o 18._o open_v our_o eye_n that_o we_o may_v behold_v wondrous_a thing_n out_o of_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o to_o conduct_v our_o reason_n aright_o in_o our_o enquiry_n into_o this_o sacred_a volume_n and_o he_o that_o command_v we_o to_o implore_v his_o help_n will_v certain_o vouchsafe_v it_o to_o all_o sincere_a and_o devout_a supplicant_n the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n shall_v be_v irradiate_v with_o a_o celestial_a beam_n and_o we_o shall_v feel_v a_o internal_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n on_o our_o heart_n communicate_v light_n and_o wisdom_n by_o the_o assistance_n of_o this_o bless_a guide_n we_o shall_v not_o miscarry_v in_o our_o search_n and_o endeavour_n this_o divine_a book_n shall_v be_v lay_v open_a to_o we_o and_o we_o shall_v have_v its_o mystery_n and_o depth_n disclose_v to_o we_o so_o far_o as_o be_v convenient_a for_o we_o and_o no_o rational_a man_n ought_v to_o desire_v any_o more_o yea_o as_o it_o be_v with_o some_o of_o those_o that_o have_v study_v for_o the_o philosophic_a elixir_n though_o they_o attain_v not_o to_o it_o yet_o in_o their_o impetuous_a search_n after_o it_o they_o find_v out_o many_o excellent_a thing_n admirable_o useful_a for_o mankind_n which_o be_v a_o recompense_n of_o their_o labour_n so_o though_o we_o may_v fall_v short_a of_o some_o grand_a secret_n which_o be_v treasure_v up_o in_o this_o inspire_a volume_n yet_o we_o shall_v not_o fa●l_v of_o some_o choice_a discovery_n that_o will_v make_v we_o amends_o for_o our_o most_o laborious_a inquiry_n we_o shall_v mighty_o improve_v our_o knowledge_n and_o we_o shall_v likewise_o be_v under_o the_o special_a benediction_n of_o heaven_n the_o rabbin_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o r._n jonathan_n write_v his_o targum_fw-la on_o the_o bible_n if_o at_o any_o time_n the_o least_o fly_v light_v upon_o his_o paper_n it_o be_v present_o consume_v with_o fire_n from_o heaven_n but_o though_o this_o be_v romantic_a and_o after_o the_o rate_n of_o the_o rabbin_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o sober_a trutl●_n that_o god_n will_v protect_v we_o in_o read_v and_o study_v the_o holy_a scripture_n while_o we_o be_v thus_o employ_v nothing_o shall_v disturb_v or_o hurt_v we_o the_o divine_a arm_n will_v defend_v and_o prosper_v we_o and_o we_o shall_v peruse_v this_o book_n with_o that_o happy_a success_n which_o we_o pray_v for_o in_o short_a by_o continual_a converse_v with_o this_o book_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o that_o have_v no_o errata_n we_o shall_v know_v how_o to_o correct_v all_o the_o failure_n of_o our_o notion_n and_o of_o our_o life_n we_o shall_v enrich_v our_o mind_n with_o a_o stock_n of_o excellent_a principle_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n we_o shall_v be_v conduct_v to_o the_o high_a improvement_n of_o knowledge_n and_o sanctity_n in_o this_o life_n and_o to_o the_o most_o consummate_v happiness_n in_o another_o finis_fw-la book_n write_v by_o the_o reverend_n mr._n john_n edward_n a_fw-la enquiry_n into_o several_a 〈◊〉_d text_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o contain_v some_o difficulty_n in_o they_o with_o a_o probable_a resolution_n of_o they_o in_o two_o volume_n in_o 8●_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n i._o with_o a_o continue_a illustration_n of_o several_a difficult_a text_n throughout_o the_o whole_a work_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n ii_o wherein_o the_o author_n be_v former_a undertake_n be_v further_a prosecute_v viz._n a_o enquiry_n into_o several_a remarkable_a text_n which_o contain_v some_o difficulty_n in_o they_o at_fw-fr discoeurs_fw-fr concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n iii_o treat_v of_o the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o illustrate_v several_a difficult_a text_n occur_v in_o this_o undertake_n all_o sell_v by_o jonathan_n robinson_n john_n taylor_n and_o john_n wyat._n wyat._n plataic_n plataic_n panegyr_n &_o plataic_n plataic_n plataic_n plataic_n orat._n 2._o ad_fw-la nicocl_n nicocl_n panegyr_n orat._n orat._n orat._n ad_fw-la philip._n philip._n panegyr_n ad_fw-la philip._n epist._n ad_fw-la philip._n epist._n ad_fw-la mitylen_n mitylen_n panegyr_n orat._n orat._n plataic_n orat._n 1._o 1._o orat._n ad_fw-la philip._n philip._n panegyr_n orat._n plataic_n orat._n bis_fw-la bis_fw-la olynth_n 1._o 1._o philip._n 1._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d clem._n alex._n in_o protrept_n protrept_n gen._n 9_o 27._o 27._o deut._n 28._o 49_o etc._n etc._n etc._n 1_o king_n 13._o 2._o 2._o antiqu._n 1._o 11._o c._n 1._o 1._o dr._n jackson_n jackson_n dan._n 2._o 2._o temporum_fw-la conscius_fw-la &_o totius_fw-la mundi_fw-la polyhistor_n epist._n ad_fw-la paulin._n paulin._n ver._n 2._o 2._o ver._n 20._o 20._o ver._n 5._o 5._o ibid._n ibid._n john_n 21._o 18._o 18._o ver._n 22._o 22._o earum_fw-la rerum_fw-la quae_fw-la fo●●uitae_n putantur_fw-la praedictio_fw-la atque_fw-la praesentio_fw-la de_fw-fr divinat_fw-la l._n 1._o 1._o lib._n 3._o c._n 8._o 8._o colloqu_n mensal_n mensal_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d orig._n cont_n cel●_n l._n 6._o 6._o lib._n 1._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d isid._n pelus_n ep._n l._n 5._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d just._n mart._n dialog_n cum_fw-la tryph._n tryph._n arnob._n lib._n 1._o 1._o sozom._n l._n 1._o c._n 11._o 11._o gr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mark_v 2
nothing_o in_o scripture_n that_o look_v like_o inconsistent_a and_o contradictory_n upon_o a_o diligent_a search_n we_o shall_v discern_v a_o mutual_a correspondence_n in_o the_o style_n matter_n and_o design_n of_o these_o write_n we_o shall_v find_v a_o happy_a concurrence_n of_o circumstance_n and_o a_o admirable_a consistency_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discourse_n in_o so_o much_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o upon_o this_o single_a consideration_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o these_o write_n be_v indict_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n this_o harmony_n then_o of_o the_o scripture_n i_o may_v just_o reckon_v among_o the_o inward_a note_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v adjoin_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o which_o be_v of_o the_o very_a intrinsic_a nature_n of_o it_o what_o justinian_n profess_v and_o promise_v concern_v his_o digest_v in_o his_o preface_n to_o they_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o clash_v and_o contradictory_n in_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o a_o piece_n be_v true_a only_a of_o the_o sacred_a law_n of_o the_o evangelical_n pandect_v which_o contain_v in_o they_o nothing_o dissonant_n and_o repugnant_a the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v consonant_a to_o themselves_o and_o to_o one_o another_o which_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o one_o place_n of_o scripture_n opposite_a to_o the_o true_a mean_v which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v reveal_v and_o assert_v in_o another_o the_o content_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n whether_o you_o look_v into_o the_o doctrinal_a or_o historical_a part_n of_o it_o have_v nothing_o contradictory_n in_o they_o all_o the_o author_n of_o it_o agree_v in_o their_o testimony_n and_o assert_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o consent_n among_o themselves_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o lie_n and_o forgery_n that_o they_o hang_v not_o together_o as_o 3._o lactantius_n on_o the_o like_a occasion_n have_v observe_v especial_o if_o you_o search_v very_o inquisitive_o and_o narrow_o into_o they_o you_o will_v perceive_v that_o they_o be_v 80._o thin_a and_o slight_a and_o may_v easy_o be_v see_v through_o but_o the_o content_n of_o these_o write_n have_v be_v diligent_o inquire_v into_o and_o with_o great_a care_n and_o industry_n examine_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v every_o way_n consistent_a with_o themselves_o and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o writer_n be_v know_v to_o be_v concurrent_a and_o agree_v all_o wise_a and_o curious_a observer_n must_v needs_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o book_n under_o heaven_n that_o parallel_v the_o scripture_n as_o to_o this_o which_o show_v that_o they_o be_v more_o than_o humane_a write_n yea_o that_o they_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o dictate_v and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o st._n peter_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o 19_o no_o prophecy_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o private_a interpretation_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o those_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n they_o be_v from_o god_n they_o be_v not_o of_o private_a interpretation_n they_o be_v not_o from_o man_n invention_n they_o be_v not_o of_o his_o own_o brain_n and_o fancy_n but_o they_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v to_o be_v as_o they_o be_v divine_a and_o heavenly_a oracle_n thus_o 3._o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v witness_n to_o itself_o and_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o no_o other_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v by_o what_o be_v in_o it_o and_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v for_o its_o own_o sake_n which_o make_v a_o ancient_a writer_n say_v 7._o we_o have_v complete_a demonstration_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o according_o we_o be_v demonstrative_o assure_v by_o faith_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n therein_o deliver_v which_o can_v be_v say_v of_o any_o humane_a write_n in_o the_o 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augustine_n i_o shall_v not_o believe_v the_o gospel_n if_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o move_v i_o not_o that_o he_o find_v the_o gospel_n i._n e._n the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o on_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o papist_n be_v wont_a to_o infer_v from_o these_o word_n and_o frequent_o quote_v they_o to_o this_o purpose_n no_o the_o father_n meaning_n be_v this_o that_o by_o the_o testimony_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n he_o believe_v the_o book_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v very_o that_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o the_o evangelist_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o scope_n of_o it_o for_o he_o speak_v there_o of_o the_o copy_n or_o write_n not_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o good_a father_n rely_v on_o this_o that_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o know_v and_o honest_a person_n as_o the_o church_n be_v make_v up_o of_o do_v assert_v the_o evangelical_n write_n to_o be_v the_o write_n of_o such_o as_o be_v real_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o that_o they_o be_v true_a and_o genuine_a and_o not_o corrupt_v and_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n be_v attest_v by_o the_o same_o universal_a suffrage_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n and_o of_o those_o that_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o several_a of_o which_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o write_n this_o be_v the_o external_n testimony_n give_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v the_o general_a persuasion_n and_o attestation_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o these_o be_v the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n that_o they_o be_v pen_v by_o holy_a prophet_n and_o apostle_n immediate_o direct_v by_o the_o spirit_n who_o therefore_o can_v not_o err_v it_o be_v usual_a heretofore_o among_o the_o pagan_a lawgiver_n to_o attribute_v their_o law_n to_o some_o deity_n though_o they_o be_v of_o their_o own_o invention_n intend_v thereby_o to_o conciliate_v reverence_n to_o they_o and_o to_o commend_v they_o to_o the_o people_n but_o here_o be_v no_o such_o cheat_n put_v upon_o we_o god_n himself_o be_v real_o the_o author_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n these_o sacred_a law_n come_v immediate_o from_o he_o they_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o there_o be_v assurance_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o they_o chap._n iii_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n manifest_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o enemy_n and_o stranger_n especial_o of_o pagan_n these_o confirm_v what_o the_o old_a testament_n say_v concern_v the_o creation_n the_o production_n of_o adam_n and_o eve_n their_o fall_n with_o the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o it_o enoch_n translation_n the_o longevity_n of_o the_o patriarch_n the_o giant_n in_o those_o time_n the_o universal_a flood_n the_o build_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n i_o have_v propound_v some_o of_o the_o chief_a argument_n which_o may_v induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n i_o will_v now_o choose_v out_o another_o for_o the_o sake_n chief_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o curious_a which_o i_o purpose_v to_o enlarge_v upon_o yea_o to_o make_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o whole_a ensue_a discourse_n i_o consider_v then_o that_o we_o have_v in_o this_o matter_n not_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o friend_n but_o of_o enemy_n and_o stranger_n and_o it_o be_v a_o maxim_n in_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o vouch_v by_o all_o man_n of_o reason_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o enemy_n be_v most_o considerable_a the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n as_o i_o have_v show_v already_o give_v their_o testimony_n to_o the_o scripture_n but_o beside_o these_o witness_n there_o be_v other_o there_o be_v the_o attestation_n of_o foreigner_n and_o adversary_n these_o full_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a bible_n we_o have_v the_o approbation_n of_o heathen_a writer_n to_o confirm_v many_o of_o the_o thing_n relate_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o both_o profess_a heathen_n and_o jew_n for_o we_o must_v now_o look_v upon_o these_o latter_a as_o profess_a enemy_n when_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_a concern_v attest_v sundry_a thing_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o vouch_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o here_o than_o i_o will_v distinct_o proceed_v and_o first_o begin_v with_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o let_v you_o see_v in_o several_a particular_n that_o even_o the_o pagan_a world_n give_v testimony_n to_o this_o sacred_a volume_n
church_n hand_n by_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n shall_v by_o she_o be_v deliver_v over_o to_o her_o child_n to_o the_o world_n end_n which_o way_n of_o transmission_n be_v the_o great_a prop_n of_o our_o religion_n beside_o the_o apostle_n enjoin_v the_o 15._o thessalonian_n to_o hold_v fast_o the_o tradition_n which_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v whether_o by_o word_n or_o his_o epistle_n for_o he_o have_v use_v two_o way_n of_o deliver_v the_o truth_n to_o they_o namely_o preach_v and_o write_v and_o other_o apostle_n commit_v the_o chief_a and_o necessary_a head_n of_o their_o doctrine_n to_o write_v so_o that_o the_o tradition_n mean_v here_o be_v the_o reveal_v truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n and_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o christ_n deliver_v to_o they_o according_a to_o that_o of_o st._n paul_n cor._n i_o deliver_v to_o you_o that_o which_o also_o i_o receive_v whence_o they_o have_v the_o name_n of_o tradition_n i._n e._n they_o be_v evangelical_n doctrine_n deliver_v to_o we_o from_o those_o that_o be_v teach_v they_o by_o christ._n and_o whether_o they_o be_v impart_v by_o word_n or_o by_o epistle_n by_o preach_v or_o write_v they_o be_v the_o same_o the_o same_z as_o to_o substance_n the_o otherwise_o there_o may_v be_v some_o difference_n but_o that_o which_o we_o condemn_v and_o that_o most_o just_o the_o papist_n for_o be_v this_o that_o they_o magnify_v and_o rely_v upon_o tradition_n which_o have_v no_o affinity_n with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n yea_o which_o contradict_v it_o in_o many_o thing_n and_o yet_o they_o equalise_v these_o with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o sometime_o prefer_v they_o and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n before_o that_o of_o the_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n thus_o one_o say_v caranza_n the_o church_n sometime_o do_v thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n sometime_o beside_o they_o therefore_o the_o 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scripture_n be_v turn_v into_o their_o language_n and_o every_o one_o be_v permit_v yea_o exhort_v to_o read_v it_o as_o be_v prove_v by_o many_o writer_n 47._o the_o learned_a dr._n stillingfleet_n particular_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n deny_v the_o common_a people_n the_o use_n of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n hurtful_a and_o pernicious_a the_o bible_n as_o some_o bad_a book_n be_v tolerate_v to_o be_v read_v with_o great_a caution_n and_o restriction_n in_o some_o country_n only_o and_o by_o some_o person_n it_o be_v like_o the_o sibyl_n prophecy_n of_o old_a among_o the_o roman_n not_o to_o be_v look_v into_o without_o the_o permission_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o senate_n none_o can_v read_v it_o without_o a_o licence_n from_o their_o superior_n so_o dangerous_a a_o thing_n be_v the_o bible_n from_o this_o practice_n the_o people_n general_o imbibe_n a_o strong_a prejudice_n against_o the_o scripture_n and_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v good_a for_o they_o because_o the_o pope_n and_o their_o pastor_n tell_v they_o they_o be_v not_o wherefore_o as_o he_o one_o who_o be_v once_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ●ome_o have_v well_o observe_v as_o soon_o as_o ever_o any_o man_n embrace_v popery_n he_o present_o throw_v the_o bible_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n as_o altogether_o useless_a to_o say_v no_o worse_o which_o unreasonable_a and_o wicked_a behaviour_n of_o they_o be_v one_o great_a reason_n or_o motive_n as_o he_o profess_v of_o his_o return_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n again_o for_o what_o considerate_a man_n can_v think_v that_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n which_o teach_v its_o member_n to_o slight_a and_o reject_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o source_n of_o all_o divine_a truth_n and_o without_o which_o we_o can_v neither_o believe_v nor_o practice_v aright_o we_o can_v neither_o have_v comfort_n here_o nor_o arrive_v to_o happiness_n hereafter_o this_o indeed_o be_v not_o only_o to_o null_n ●●e_v perfection_n of_o 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a_o like_a fanatic_a spirit_n who_o have_v make_v it_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n to_o despise_v and_o reproach_v the_o sacred_a writ_n a_o th●ologico-poll●icus_a late_a enthusiast_n or_o rather_o one_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v such_o but_o design_n the_o overthrow_n of_o all_o religion_n tell_v the_o world_n that_o the_o bible_n be_v found_v in_o imagination_n that_o god_n revelation_n in_o scripture_n be_v ever_o according_a to_o the_o fancy_n of_o the_o prophet_n or_o other_o person_n he_o speak_v to_o and_o that_o all_o the_o phrase_n and_o speech_n all_o the_o discovery_n and_o manifestation_n yea_o all_o the_o historical_a passage_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v adapt_v to_o these_o the_o quaker_n come_v next_o and_o refuse_v to_o own_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o perfect_a rule_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o direct_v our_o life_n it_o be_v a_o great_a error_n and_o falsity_n say_v r●●●lation_n one_o of_o the_o 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or_o their_o conform_v to_o the_o dialect_n of_o their_o country_n for_o these_o be_v consistent_a with_o that_o isaiah_n be_v a_o courtier_n and_o a_o person_n of_o quality_n have_v a_o neat_a and_o elegant_a style_n and_o yet_o so_o as_o he_o know_v how_o to_o vary_v it_o according_a to_o the_o matter_n he_o treat_v of_o but_o general_o he_o be_v lofty_a and_o eloquent_a his_o style_n be_v raise_v by_o his_o education_n which_o be_v suitable_a to_o his_o noble_a extraction_n for_o he_o be_v of_o the_o blood_n royal._n jeremiah_n and_o amos_n be_v use_v to_o the_o country_n be_v mean_a and_o homely_a in_o their_o language_n the_o latter_a especial_o discover_v his_o condition_n and_o way_n of_o life_n in_o his_o low_a and_o rural_a strain_n so_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n st._n luke_n who_o have_v improve_v himself_o by_o art_n and_o study_n be_v very_o observant_a of_o the_o greek_a elegancy_n and_o avoid_v all_o improper_a and_o exotic_a term_n in_o his_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o 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scripture_n 〈◊〉_d in_o some_o light_a thing_n not_o that_o they_o will_v falsity_n but_o that_o they_o may_v forget_v some_o passage_n melchior_n canus_n be_v of_o the_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v some_o considerable_a slip_v in_o scripture_n from_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n memory_n yea_o among_o the_o ancient_a father_n there_o be_v 50._o one_o who_o more_o gross_o hold_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n sometime_o abuse_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o they_o apply_v they_o to_o their_o present_a purpose_n although_o they_o be_v nothing_o to_o it_o thus_o st._n paul_n he_o say_v quote_v the_o old_a testament_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n galatian_n and_o ephesian_n only_o to_o serve_v his_o turn_n and_o to_o confute_v the_o jew_n his_o adversary_n read_v say_v he_o these_o epistle_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n be_v whole_o on_o the_o polemic_a part_n and_o rufin_n you_o 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that_o this_o book_n may_v have_v no_o error_n and_o fail_n in_o it_o of_o any_o kind_n but_o that_o it_o may_v transcend_v all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o if_o you_o do_v not_o hold_v this_o you_o make_v no_o considerable_a difference_n between_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o other_o write_n therefore_o i_o be_o thorough_o convince_v that_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v maintain_v viz._n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n indict_v the_o very_a style_n of_o scripture_n that_o even_o this_o be_v by_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o heaven_n to_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o writing_n i_o may_v well_o annex_v its_o harmony_n and_o thence_o also_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v divine_a though_o there_o be_v several_a seem_a repugnancy_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v treat_v afterward_o in_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n and_o endeavour_v to_o clear_v they_o up_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o every_o sober_a and_o considerate_a person_n yet_o it_o can_v but_o 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and_o judicious_a ourselves_o man_n thus_o speak_v when_o several_a man_n in_o several_a age_n not_o bring_v up_o under_o the_o same_o education_n write_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o find_v unity_n in_o their_o tenant_n or_o position_n because_o their_o spirit_n judgement_n and_o fancy_n be_v different_a but_o where_o so_o many_o several_a author_n speak_v and_o write_v at_o several_a time_n agree_v not_o only_o in_o matter_n dogmatical_a of_o sublime_a and_o difficult_a nature_n but_o also_o in_o prediction_n of_o future_a and_o contingent_a event_n whereof_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o humane_a understanding_n to_o make_v a_o discovery_n without_o a_o superior_a discovery_n make_v to_o it_o i_o must_v needs_o conclude_v one_o and_o the_o same_o divine_a spirit_n declare_v the_o same_o truth_n to_o these_o several_a men._n and_o as_o to_o the_o seem_a contrariety_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n this_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o trouble_n we_o for_o this_o be_v rather_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n the_o writer_n do_v not_o combine_v together_o to_o cheat_v and_o delude_v we_o if_o they_o have_v design_v any_o such_o thing_n we_o shall_v not_o have_v meet_v with_o any_o difficult_a and_o seem_o repugnant_a place_n in_o these_o write_n but_o see_v we_o do_v so_o this_o among_o other_o thing_n may_v confirm_v we_o in_o this_o belief_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o contrive_v by_o man_n who_o have_v a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o we_o for_o if_o they_o have_v have_v such_o a_o design_n they_o will_v have_v so_o order_v it_o that_o not_o the_o least_o appearance_n of_o contradiction_n and_o difference_n shall_v have_v be_v find_v but_o true_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o proceed_v thus_o in_o this_o discourse_n for_o to_o a_o unprejudiced_a and_o industrious_a enquirer_n there_o be_v
its_o original_a purity_n but_o here_o it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o the_o bible_n may_v easy_o be_v corrupt_v and_o alter_v because_o they_o have_v no_o point_n or_o vowel_n at_o first_o this_o can_v not_o but_o make_v the_o read_n very_o uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a and_o almost_o arbitrary_a especial_o in_o some_o place_n whence_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v how_o great_a alteration_n and_o consequent_o great_a corruption_n may_v creep_v into_o the_o text._n in_o answer_n to_o this_o you_o must_v know_v that_o those_o only_o who_o be_v against_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n bible_n as_o morinus_n vossius_fw-la simon_n etc._n etc._n hold_v that_o the_o point_n be_v of_o late_a invention_n and_o this_o they_o have_v pick_v up_o out_o of_o elias_n levita_n who_o live_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n ago_o and_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o vowel_n be_v invent_v by_o the_o jewish_a and_o masoretic_n doctor_n of_o tiberias_n a_o famous_a school_n for_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n so_o that_o it_o be_v about_o ●ive_a hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n when_o the_o hebrew_n point_n be_v find_v out_o and_o the_o rabbin_n and_o masorite_n of_o tiberias_n be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o this_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o elias_n the_o levite_n and_o he_o be_v the_o only_a jew_n of_o this_o opinion_n nor_o be_v he_o follow_v by_o any_o christian_n but_o those_o who_o have_v a_o design_n to_o vilify_v the_o hebrew_n bible_n and_o to_o prefer_v and_o magnify_v the_o lxx_o or_o some_o other_o translation_n of_o this_o sort_n be_v the_o writer_n before_o mention_v who_o large_o inveigh_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o hebrew_n edition_n and_o to_o promote_v a_o disesteem_a of_o it_o test_n one_o of_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o masorite_n of_o tiberias_n who_o as_o he_o say_v be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n point_n and_o tittle_n borrow_v they_o from_o the_o turk_n the_o bible_n according_a to_o he_o 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talmudick_n doctor_n and_o masorites_n whereas_o there_o be_v mention_v make_v in_o several_a punct_a jewish_a writer_n of_o the_o point_n and_o vowel_n long_o before_o the_o doctor_n of_o tiberias_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 500_o and_o from_o what_o we_o have_v observe_v already_o concern_v the_o masoretic_n note_n on_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n be_v before_o that_o time_n for_o if_o the_o masorite_n criticize_v on_o the_o vowel_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o letter_n and_o accent_n a●_n be_v say_v before_o then_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a in_o the_o least_o that_o they_o invent_v they_o we_o find_v that_o they_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o irregularity_n of_o these_o point_n in_o several_a place_n whereas_o if_o they_o have_v make_v they_o themselves_o they_o will_v have_v be_v all_o regular_a it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o think_v that_o they_o that_o make_v the_o one_o viz._n the_o critical_a note_n make_v the_o other_o namely_o the_o vowel_n and_o point_n hear_v likewise_o what_o the_o learned_a pocock_n say_v 10._o it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o the_o vowel_n be_v ancient_a than_o the_o masoretic_n note_n in_o regard_n that_o they_o seem_v thereby_o to_o be_v govern_v in_o judge_v of_o the_o consonant_n and_o in_o some_o other_o place_n in_o his_o commentary_n he_o deliver_v his_o judgement_n that_o the_o vowel_n be_v not_o invent_v by_o the_o masorite_n but_o be_v long_o before_o they_o yea_o be_v of_o the_o same_o antiquity_n with_o the_o letter_n or_o consonant_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o all_o the_o jew_n but_o he_o before_o name_v hold_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n point_n yea_o some_o of_o they_o carry_v they_o back_o as_o far_o as_o adam_n and_o vouch_v they_o be_v find_v out_o by_o he_o other_o learned_a man_n among_o they_o assert_v that_o these_o vowel_n be_v give_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o deliver_v the_o law_n on_o mount_n sinai_n than_o it_o be_v that_o god_n write_v the_o decalogue_n with_o point_n and_o give_v it_o to_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n and_o as_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o write_n and_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v that_o ezra_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o vowel_n which_o be_v annex_v to_o they_o and_o that_o he_o and_o the_o great_a synagogue_n of_o which_o he_o be_v precedent_n first_o invent_v they_o after_o the_o captivity_n thus_o whether_o they_o commence_v from_o adam_n or_o from_o moses_n or_o ezra_n they_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v very_o ancient_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n coeval_fw-fr with_o the_o letter_n and_o word_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o be_v part_n of_o the_o text_n and_o of_o divine_a authority_n this_o be_v so_o old_a and_o so_o recent_a a_o opinion_n it_o have_v gain_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o learn_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n you_o may_v particular_o find_v it_o maintain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o munster_n pagninus_n buxtorf_n usher_n cappellus_n broughton_n lightfoot_n walton_n all_o of_o they_o singular_o well_o skilled_a in_o jewish_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o fit_a judge_n in_o this_o cause_n they_o have_v prove_v by_o undeniable_a argument_n that_o the_o hebrew_n bible_n have_v vowel_n or_o prick_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o it_o be_v never_o without_o they_o the_o opinion_n then_o which_o the_o objector_n have_v espouse_v be_v just_o to_o be_v explode_v it_o be_v against_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n th●_n the_o point_n be_v but_o man_n invention_n it_o be_v unsa●●_n and_o dangerous_a to_o assert_v that_o these_o vowel_n wer●_n add_v since_o the_o first_o writing_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o thos●_n write_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o write_n o●_n the_o new_a testament_n wherein_o those_o be_v so_o ofte●_n allege_v be_v shake_v hereby_o for_o no_o man_n of_o sens●_n can_v believe_v that_o the_o right_a read_n of_o the_o text_n can_v continue_v some_o thousand_o of_o year_n wit●o●●_n the_o point_n this_o be_v a_o incredible_a fiction_n and_o then_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a that_o the_o genuine_a sense_n o●_n scripture_n which_o depend_v on_o the_o word_n as_o the●●_n upon_o the_o vowel_n as_o well_o as_o the_o consonant_n can_v have_v be_v preserve_v unless_o the_o bible_n have_v bee●_n point_v whence_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o jewish_a ta●mud_n that_o 1._o letter_n without_o point_n be_v like_o a_o body_n without_o a_o soul_n hence_o be_v that_o say_v midrash_n h●●_n that_o read_v without_o point_n be_v like_o a_o man_n that_o ride_v without_o a_o bridle_n we_o therefore_o firm_o maintain_v and_o that_o with_o the_o approbation_n of_o antiquity_n that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n have_v point_n add_v to_o they_o at_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o these_o point_n which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o to_o this_o purpose_n we_o here_o appeal_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o will_v bear_v witness_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o receive_v answer_v exact_o to_o the_o point_a text_n which_o they_o hau●_n receive_v and_o always_o do_v nay_o we_o may_v end_v the_o controversy_n without_o a_o appeal_n for_o our_o own_o eye_n and_o ear_n will_v satisfy_v we_o if_o we_o compare_v our_o english_a or_o latin_a or_o other_o bibles_n with_o the_o hebrew_n one_o which_o be_v use_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v daily_o put_v forth_o by_o the_o present_a rabbi_n in_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o agree_v and_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v that_o they_o own_o the_o same_o
they_o they_o be_v once_o doubt_v of_o that_o for_o the_o future_a they_o may_v be_v unquestionable_a and_o to_o come_v down_o to_o latter_a time_n what_o if_o two_o or_o three_o man_n of_o late_a as_o hemmingius_n baldwin_n eckard_n think_v revelation_n some_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n apocryphal_a and_o what_o if_o luther_n himself_o seem_v to_o say_v as_o much_o what_o do_v this_o signify_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o universal_a and_o concurrent_a judgement_n of_o other_o and_o as_o for_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o be_v never_o doubt_v of_o at_o all_o but_o have_v the_o approbation_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v first_o write_v in_o greek_a as_o we_o now_o receive_v it_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o ancient_n who_o make_v enquiry_n into_o these_o thing_n only_o two_o book_n be_v except_v by_o some_o for_o though_o many_o of_o the_o lightfoot_n learned_a modern_n maintain_v that_o st._n matthew_n gospel_n be_v write_v original_o in_o greek_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o some_o of_o the_o augustine_n father_n hold_v it_o be_v write_v first_o in_o hebrew_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o believe_a jew_n and_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v st._n ecclesiast_n jerom_n the_o original_a hebrew_n be_v extant_a in_o his_o time_n and_o he_o translate_v the_o gospel_n into_o latin_a from_o that_o copy_n who_o turn_v it_o into_o greek_a be_v not_o certain_a but_o it_o be_v either_o by_o st._n matthew_n himself_o or_o by_o some_o apostolical_a person_n inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o that_o the_o greek_a we_o now_o have_v be_v from_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o of_o the_o same_o authority_n with_o the_o other_o the_o father_n likewise_o general_o say_v that_o st._n pa●●_n write_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o their_o own_o tongue_n and_o that_o st._n luke_n or_o st._n clement_n turn_v it_o into_o greek_a the_o contrary_n be_v hold_v by_o some_o modern_n particular_o cajetan_n among_o the_o romanist_n and_o by_o many_o of_o the_o reformed-way_n but_o except_v i_o say_v these_o two_o book_n it_o be_v universal_o agree_v that_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o greek_a and_o one_o reason_n may_v be_v because_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o jew_n live_v among_o the_o greek_n and_o use_v their_o tongue_n and_o therefore_o this_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v sit_o write_v in_o greek_a as_o the_o other_o be_v long_o before_o translate_v into_o that_o tongue_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o disperse_a jew_n therefore_o call_v the_o disperse_v among_o the_o gentile_n or_o according_a to_o the_o original_a the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o greek_n john_n 7._o 35._o who_o understand_v and_o speak_v the_o greek_a language_n the_o new_a testament_n be_v put_v forth_o in_o that_o tongue_n moreover_o this_o be_v the_o most_o general_o receive_v language_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o the_o fit_a for_o the_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n this_o be_v a_o very_a good_a argument_n for_o though_o i_o do_v not_o think_v the_o j●ws_n at_o jerusalem_n speak_v no_o other_o than_o the_o greek_a tongue_n among_o themselves_o as_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la confident_o hold_v and_o be_v therein_o right_o blame_v and_o confute_v by_o the_o late_a french_a critic_n yet_o i_o be_o satisfy_v that_o the_o greek_a tongue_n be_v universal_o understand_v and_o be_v with_o the_o latin_a juvenal_n the_o language_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o therefore_o be_v most_o proper_a for_o the_o communicate_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o the_o world_n poet._n tully_n acquaint_v we_o that_o in_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n greek_n be_v vulgar_o understand_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n therefore_o that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o that_o tongue_n and_o that_o st._n paul_n write_v not_o only_o to_o the_o galatian_n etc._n etc._n but_o to_o the_o roman_n in_o greek_a for_o they_o all_o understand_v it_o it_o be_v the_o modish_a and_o courtly_a way_n of_o speech_n at_o rome_n as_o the_o french_a be_v now_o with_o we_o their_o very_a woman_n affect_v to_o learn_v and_o speak_v greek_a for_o which_o they_o be_v jeer_v by_o the_o satirist_n who_o call_v rome_n the_o greek_a city_n in_o short_a all_o the_o eastern_a people_n speak_v greek_n more_o or_o less_o from_o the_o time_n that_o alexander_n the_o great_a and_o his_o captain_n spread_v their_o dominion_n in_o the_o east_n the_o syrian_n egyptian_n persian_n and_o people_n of_o the_o lesser_a asia_n be_v acquaint_v with_o that_o language_n the_o jew_n of_o any_o considerable_a quality_n understand_v greek_n as_o well_o as_o their_o own_o tongue_n whence_o josephus_n a_o jewish_a priest_n or_o of_o the_o priestly_a stock_n write_v his_o book_n in_o greek_a the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n than_o may_v well_o write_v in_o the_o same_o tongue_n it_o be_v so_o common_a and_o every_o where_o understand_v especial_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n on_o another_o account_n that_o st._n paul_n write_v in_o greek_a for_o it_o be_v his_o native_a tongue_n he_o be_v of_o tarsus_n which_o be_v a_o city_n of_o greece_n we_o may_v then_o very_o just_o look_v upon_o the_o greek_a language_n as_o the_o original_a text_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o it_o be_v general_o agree_v that_o these_o greek_a copy_n which_o we_o now_o have_v and_o use_v be_v true_a and_o authentic_a though_o in_o some_o thing_n they_o differ_v and_o none_o be_v observe_v to_o oppose_v this_o but_o those_o who_o do_v it_o upon_o some_o interest_n and_o design_n i._n e._n to_o maintain_v some_o peculiar_a opinion_n which_o they_o have_v take_v up_o the_o variety_n of_o readins_n shall_v not_o prejudice_v we_o much_o less_o ought_v we_o to_o alter_v the_o readins_n of_o the_o copy_n and_o to_o substitute_v new_a one_o at_o our_o pleasure_n which_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o theodore_n beza_n though_o on_o other_o account_v a_o excellent_a person_n and_o one_o that_o have_v high_o deserve_v of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n yet_o he_o be_v unsufferable_o bold_a in_o coin_v new_a readins_n of_o the_o text._n when_o he_o can_v find_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o place_n he_o present_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o copy_n and_o produce_v a_o new_a read_n which_o have_v bring_v a_o great_a scandal_n upon_o his_o annotation_n on_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o otherwise_o be_v fraught_v with_o admirable_a learning_n and_o discover_v his_o profound_a skill_n in_o divine_a criticism_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a manuscript_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o cheat_n for_o questionless_a they_o will_v have_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n therefore_o it_o be_v downright_a imposture_n and_o beza_n be_v gross_o delude_v by_o it_o let_v we_o from_o his_o miscarriage_n learn_v to_o be_v cautious_a and_o not_o to_o venture_v so_o bold_o upon_o alter_v the_o greek_a copy_n this_o be_v a_o very_a rash_a and_o unaccountable_a undertake_n especial_o in_o a_o single_a person_n and_o much_o more_o when_o it_o be_v very_o usual_a and_o frequent_a to_o speak_v next_o both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n together_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o be_v establish_v by_o consider_v this_o that_o though_o bellarmine_n and_o other_o of_o the_o roman_a communion_n who_o be_v follow_v by_o lewis_n cappel_n and_o some_o other_o that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o protestant_n cry_v out_o that_o the_o bible_n be_v alter_v and_o corrupt_v by_o the_o negligence_n of_o the_o transcriber_n and_o that_o the_o text_n be_v uncertain_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o different_a readins_n and_o variety_n of_o translation_n which_o be_v do_v out_o of_o design_n viz._n to_o debase_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n and_o to_o make_v man_n fly_v to_o tradition_n and_o rest_v whole_o in_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o i_o wish_v i_o may_v not_o add_v thereby_o to_o undermine_v some_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n yet_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o various_a readins_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o so_o many_o as_o be_v pretend_v and_o all_o the_o various_a copy_n in_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a which_o be_v find_v in_o all_o nation_n at_o this_o day_n do_v agree_v in_o all_o material_a point_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v translate_v from_o those_o copy_n into_o many_o language_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o substantial_a thing_n again_o as_o to_o those_o various_a readins_n which_o be_v produce_v we_o may_v just_o allege_v the_o word_n of_o a_o scripture_n excellent_a man_n they_o be_v not_o argument_n say_v he_o of_o the_o scripture_n corruption_n but_o of_o god_n providence_n and_o of_o human_a
〈◊〉_d have_v from_o the_o inspire_a write_n learn_v that_o f●●●_n she_o spring_v all_o the_o misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o t●●●_n life_n and_o even_o death_n itself_o as_o for_o original_a sin_n the_o early_a corruption_n 〈◊〉_d depravation_n of_o man_n nature_n which_o be_v t●●_n fruit_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n transgression_n we_o c●●_n not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o t●●_n gentile_n of_o old_a who_o call_v it_o the._n sopater_n congenite_fw-la saint_n 〈…〉_z the_o hierocl_n domestic_a evil_n of_o mankind_n the_o arist●_n nat_n 〈…〉_z repugnancy_n of_o man_n temper_n to_o reason_n and_o fo●_n pythagorean_n quote_v by_o jamblicus_n style_v it_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o mortal_a kind_n of_o life_n a_o many-headed_a be●●●_n etc._n etc._n the_o moralist_n be_v full_a of_o such_o notion_n 〈◊〉_d complain_v of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v very_o much_o vitiate_a and_o hurt_v that_o the_o fountain_n a●●_n pollute_v the_o spring_v defile_v and_o that_o man_n be_v propense_a to_o all_o evil_a and_o averse_a to_o what_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a the_o greek_a and_o roman_a philosopher_n do_v all_o complain_v of_o the_o low_a and_o degenerate_a condition_n of_o man_n but_o this_o be_v chief_o do_v by_o the_o best_a of_o they_o as_o the_o stoic_n and_o platonist_n sen●●●_n to_o mention_v no_o other_o of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o f●●●_n quent_o in_o his_o epistle_n and_o other_o discourse_n ●nowledges_n and_o sad_o reflect_v upon_o the_o lapse_n of_o man_n nature_n and_o as_o for_o the_o other_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n they_o abundant_o lament_v this_o degenerate_a state_n of_o man._n garm_n three_o of_o they_o especial_o talk_v most_o passionate_o and_o feel_o of_o the_o defect_n of_o a_o former_a innocency_n of_o the_o departure_n of_o soul_n from_o god_n of_o the_o strong_a propensity_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o evil_a by_o a_o detrusion_n into_o terrestrial_a body_n i_o speak_v not_o this_o as_o if_o i_o do_v not_o think_v they_o may_v partly_o have_v these_o notion_n from_o the_o inward_a sense_n they_o have_v of_o this_o innate_a evil_n but_o from_o what_o i_o have_v suggest_v and_o shall_v afterward_o it_o seem_v probable_a to_o i_o that_o there_o be_v a_o tradition_n among_o they_o concern_v the_o first_o cause_n and_o author_n of_o this_o evil._n politic._n plato_n himself_o speak_v very_o sensible_o of_o this_o loss_n of_o the_o first_o state_n of_o purity_n and_o happiness_n and_o relate_v the_o defection_n of_o man_n from_o his_o primitive_a condition_n from_o whence_o atlantic_n he_o say_v flow_v all_o mischief_n into_o the_o world_n and_o i_o propound_v it_o to_o be_v think_v of_o whether_o his_o doctrine_n of_o preexistence_n be_v not_o a_o way_n use_v by_o he_o to_o disguise_v the_o fall_n of_o man._n this_o philosopher_n hold_v that_o man_n soul_n be_v create_v happy_a and_o that_o afterward_o they_o apostatise_v for_o which_o they_o be_v ever_o after_o imprison_v in_o body_n now_o this_o i_o say_v that_o from_o moses_n write_n with_o which_o he_o be_v acquaint_v he_o may_v learn_v the_o story_n of_o man_n fall_n and_o then_o wrap_v it_o up_o in_o this_o obscure_a manner_n which_o be_v a_o ●sual_a way_n with_o he_o as_o his_o write_n show_v it_o be_v as_o i_o conceive_v his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n that_o give_v rise_v to_o his_o doctrine_n of_o the_o preexistence_n of_o soul_n that_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v couch_v in_o this_o ingenious_a hypothesis_n of_o he_o which_o afterward_o so_o prevail_v among_o those_o of_o 〈◊〉_d sect._n the_o meaning_n of_o his_o opinion_n be_v that_o m●●_n kind_n be_v fall_v and_o their_o soul_n be_v become_v d●●generate_a and_o that_o they_o be_v punish_v for_o wh●●_n adam_n their_o representative_a do_v long_o ago_o if_o we_o inquire_v further_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o 〈◊〉_d gentile_a world_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o seve●_n 〈◊〉_d circumstance_n of_o man_n fall_n as_o first_o that_o it_o be_v by_o the_o devil_n mean_n it_o be_v a_o ancient_a tradition_n among_o the_o pagan_n that_o a_o sort_n of_o malignant_a spirit_n malicious_a daemon_n envy_v man_n happiness_n and_o do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o molest_v they_o and_o 〈◊〉_d hinder_v they_o of_o felicity_n the_o pythagorean_n a●●_n platonic_a philosopher_n speak_v often_o of_o these_o envio_n 〈◊〉_d and_o mischievous_a spirit_n the_o original_a of_o which_o we_o can_v conceive_v to_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o moses_n history_n say_v of_o the_o devil_n be_v tempt_v our_o first_o parent_n gen._n 3._o 1_o etc._n etc._n this_o be_v couch_v in_o another_o opinion_n which_o prevail_v among_o some_o of_o the_o pagan_n viz._n the_o notion_n of_o two_o principle_n the_o one_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o good_a the_o other_o of_o all_o evil_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v style_v by_o the_o mani_n ●hees_n who_o have_v it_o from_o manes_n their_o founder_n a_o persian_a and_o he_o receive_v this_o opinion_n from_o his_o countryman_n the_o persian_n who_o be_v gentiles_n these_o two_o opposite_a principle_n the_o one_o for_o confer_v of_o good_a the_o other_o for_o procure_v as_o also_o the_o avert_n of_o evil_a be_v call_v by_o that_o people_n oromasdes_n and_o arimanius_n and_o be_v both_o worship_v by_o they_o as_o philo●_n diogenes_n laertius_n and_o other_o assure_v we_o but_o this_o be_v not_o only_o the_o persuasion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o magi_n who_o be_v the_o philosopher_n of_o persia_n but_o plutarch_n show_v the_o antiquity_n and_o almost_o universality_n of_o this_o opinion_n of_o two_o different_a principle_n among_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o philosophic_a tribe_n it_o prevail_v among_o the_o ancient_a grecian_n who_o two_o distinct_a principle_n be_v jupiter_n olympius_n and_o hades_n the_o egyptian_n too_o have_v their_o typho_n the_o evil_a principle_n and_o isis_n or_o osir●●_n the_o good_a one_o the_o chaldean_n have_v the_o same_o notion_n of_o a_o contrary_a cause_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a hold_v some_o planet_n which_o be_v their_o god_n to_o be_v productive_a of_o all_o the_o good_a other_o of_o all_o the_o evil_a among_o they_o this_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o pagan_n so_o general_o receive_v be_v i_o suppose_v derive_v from_o what_o be_v record_v in_o the_o first_o entrance_n of_o the_o bible_n viz._n that_o god_n be_v the_o bountiful_a author_n of_o all_o good_a to_o man_n not_o only_o create_v he_o of_o nothing_o and_o give_v he_o his_o be_v but_o place_v he_o in_o a_o state_n of_o happiness_n and_o confer_v all_o felicity_n upon_o he_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o devil_n be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o evil_a tempt_v our_o first_o parent_n to_o sin_n whereby_o they_o lose_v all_o their_o happiness_n and_o fall_v under_o a_o curse_n and_o be_v expel_v out_o of_o paradise_n and_o afterward_o all_o evil_n and_o mischief_n come_v upon_o the_o world_n for_o their_o sake_n hence_o 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as_o other_o tell_v we_o who_o jupiter_n 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n the_o plain_a meaning_n 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v that_o satan_n in_o the_o likeness_n of_o a_o serpe●●_n deceive_v eve_n the_o devil_n be_v take_v the_o shape_n 〈◊〉_d this_o animal_n and_o his_o circumvent_a thereby_o 〈◊〉_d first_o parent_n be_v intimate_v by_o the_o heathen_n in_o th●_n obscure_a writer_n pherecydes_n where_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v th●_n title_n of_o that_o great_a one_o who_o oppose_v saturn_n th●_n truth_n which_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o that_o fabulo●_n story_n be_v that_o the_o apostate_n angel_n or_o devil_n o●●posed_v god_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n t●●_n ringleader_n of_o which_o curse_a spirit_n be_v he_o th●●_n in_o the_o shape_n of_o a_o serpent_n assault_v our_o first_o parent_n this_o be_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
of_o mere_a fiction_n whence_o 10._o eusebius_n complain_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o mere_a fable_n in_o the_o greek_a history_n if_o they_o may_v be_v call_v history_n before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o olympiad_n that_o famous_a greek_a epoch_n or_o computation_n which_o begin_v from_o the_o instauration_n of_o the_o olympic_a game_n by_o iphitus_n but_o when_o this_o be_v be_v not_o very_o clear_a for_o some_o say_v it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o azariab_n king_n of_o judah_n above_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o solomon_n other_o say_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o vzziah_n king_n of_o judah_n a._n m._n 3173._o other_o fix_v it_o a._n m._n 3189_o eight_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o romulus_n and_o remus_n four_o hundred_o and_o seven_o year_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n other_o place_n the_o olympiad_n low_a about_o a._n m._n 3228_o other_o a._n m._n 3256_o about_o seven_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n before_o christ._n varro_n division_n of_o time_n into_o unknown_a fabulous_a and_o historical_a the_o last_o of_o which_o he_o begin_v not_o till_o the_o greek_a olympiad_n prove_v this_o very_a thing_n the_o most_o ancient_a greek_a historian_n be_v archilo●us_a aristeas_n proconnesius_n hecataeus_n milesius_n charon_n lampsacenus_n etc._n etc._n but_o nothing_o of_o their_o write_n be_v preserve_v herodotus_n be_v the_o ancient_a greek_a historian_n we_o have_v extant_a and_o therefore_o be_v call_v the_o father_n of_o history_n but_o he_o begin_v his_o historical_a relation_n but_o a_o little_a before_o the_o prophetic_a history_n of_o ezra_n nehemiah_n and_o daniel_n make_v a_o end_n you_o will_v find_v this_o argument_n prosecute_v by_o 1._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o show_v that_o the_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v before_o that_o of_o the_o greek_n as_o much_o as_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v before_o the_o seven_o wise_a man_n and_o the_o sacred_a history_n before_o the_o 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the_o first_o people_n that_o have_v these_o thing_n set_v before_o they_o and_o as_o a_o consequent_a of_o that_o all_o other_o take_v from_o they_o from_o this_o compare_v the_o antiquity_n of_o writer_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o moses_n law_n and_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v not_o borrow_v from_o the_o pagan_n as_o some_o have_v imagine_v but_o that_o the_o chaldean_n phaenician_o and_o egyptian_n yea_o that_o the_o arabian_n and_o persian_n as_o might_n have_v be_v show_v and_o as_o the_o learned_a dr._n stillingfleet_n now_o a_o worthy_a prelate_n of_o our_o church_n have_v prove_v in_o his_o admirable_a discourse_n on_o this_o subject_a and_o that_o the_o greek_n and_o latin_n have_v derive_v their_o mystery_n from_o the_o hebrew_n and_o that_o all_o the_o gentile_a theologer_n borrow_v their_o great_a truth_n from_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o these_o be_v the_o ancient_a and_o first_o record_n it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o those_o that_o come_v after_o they_o take_v from_o they_o and_o that_o these_o sacred_a write_n yield_v matter_n to_o those_o other_o this_o be_v the_o first_o reason_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o pagan_a historian_n philosopher_n and_o poet_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o scripture_n second_o i_o will_v prove_v it_o from_o the_o way_n of_o communicate_v those_o scriptural_a truth_n and_o history_n to_o they_o 1._o this_o happen_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o commerce_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v with_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n chaldean_n phaenician_o egyptian_n and_o other_o especial_o in_o king_n solomon_n time_n there_o be_v a_o great_a commerce_n between_o the_o hebrew_n and_o these_o latter_a and_o then_o it_o be_v probable_a the_o egyptian_n learn_v many_o thing_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o solomon_n marry_v a_o wife_n thence_o so_o it_o be_v likely_a they_o affect_v some_o of_o the_o rite_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o people_n and_o espouse_v their_o custom_n and_o usage_n together_o with_o their_o notion_n and_o opinion_n it_o must_v be_v remember_v also_o that_o the_o chaldean_n phaenician_o and_o egyptian_n be_v the_o nation_n which_o greece_n trade_v with_o and_o so_o this_o country_n have_v a_o opportunity_n of_o receive_v the_o jewish_a tradition_n and_o custom_n at_o the_o second_o hand_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o you_o have_v the_o footstep_n of_o they_o so_o frequent_o in_o the_o greek_a author_n as_o well_o poet_n as_o other_o nay_o to_o speak_v more_o general_o judea_n be_v very_o well_o situate_v for_o the_o propagate_a of_o law_n and_o usage_n to_o all_o other_o nation_n for_o it_o be_v place_v in_o that_o climate_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v fit_a for_o this_o purpose_n viz._n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o then_o inhabit_a earth_n to_o which_o convenient_a situation_n perhaps_o the_o psalmist_n refer_v in_o psal._n 74._o 12._o god_n work_v salvation_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o so_o that_o of_o ezekiel_n concern_v jerusalem_n i_o have_v set_v it_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o nation_n ch._n 5._o v._n 5._o second_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v disperse_v over_o all_o the_o world_n by_o divine_a providence_n have_v a_o opportunity_n of_o communicate_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o gentile_n the_o main_a body_n of_o they_o be_v send_v into_o assyria_n and_o babylon_n by_o nehuchadnezzar_n where_o they_o have_v converse_v with_o those_o ●_z seventy_o year_n and_o a_o part_n of_o they_o be_v carry_v at_o the_o same_o time_n into_o egypt_n with_o jeremiah_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o they_o carry_v with_o they_o the_o holy_a write_n which_o be_v then_o extant_a and_o out_o of_o they_o they_o daily_o impart_v the_o passage_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o noah_n flood_n and_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o other_o the_o like_a particular_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n afterward_o when_o they_o be_v beat_v by_o pompey_n and_o make_v slave_n they_o be_v carry_v captive_a into_o egypt_n syria_n greece_n rome_n beside_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n some_o have_v free_o leave_v their_o country_n and_o go_v into_o egypt_n to_o make_v proselyte_n there_o when_o they_o be_v thus_o scatter_v into_o these_o foreign_a country_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o the_o people_n in_o these_o part_n attain_v to_o some_o knowledge_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n and_o of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o must_v needs_o hear_v and_o learn_v something_o of_o those_o matter_n converse_v familiar_o with_o the_o jew_n 3._o the_o jewish_a notion_n and_o custom_n may_v easy_o be_v communicate_v to_o the_o gentile_n see_v moses_n write_n be_v translate_v into_o greek_a in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n if_o not_o before_o it_o as_o 3._o eusebius_n report_v from_o megasibenes_n a_o man_n well_o skill_v in_o history_n and_o who_o
to_o king_n ptolomee_n by_o the_o foresay_a demetrius_n a_o very_a serious_a man_n and_o it_o be_v assign_v as_o a_o reason_n why_o the_o content_n of_o these_o sacred_a write_n which_o be_v so_o divine_a and_o admirable_a be_v but_o rare_o mention_v by_o the_o historian_n and_o poet_n these_o example_n have_v strike_v a_o terror_n into_o some_o of_o they_o have_v hear_v how_o some_o prophaner_n of_o these_o holy_a thing_n be_v animadvert_v upon_o by_o a_o divine_a hand_n they_o be_v afraid_a to_o record_v any_o passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n therefore_o some_o of_o they_o choose_v rather_o to_o disguise_v the_o sacred_a story_n and_o to_o stuff_v they_o with_o fabulous_a narration_n that_o they_o may_v scarce_o be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v borrow_v from_o that_o holy_a book_n last_o the_o devil_n have_v a_o design_n in_o all_o this_o tert●lian's_n 47._o word_n be_v remarkable_a when_o he_o have_v say_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o truth_n i._n e._n the_o 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notice_n of_o several_a word_n from_o the_o latin_a with_o the_o first_o letter_n or_o more_o cut_v off_o in_o the_o beginning_n as_o uncle_n from_o avunculus_fw-la qu._n avuncle_n till_v as_o they_o be_v call_v in_o some_o country_n from_o lentil_o lenticula_n story_n from_o history_n historia_n bishop_n qu._n pischop_n from_o episcopus_fw-la spain_n from_o hispania_n asparagus_n for_o asparagus_n a_o plaster_n from_o emplastrum_fw-la stum_n from_o mustum_fw-la dropsy_n from_o hydrops_fw-la gipsy_n for_o egypsy_n of_o latin_a original_a pouch_n for_o capouch_n a_o cowl_n or_o hood_n whence_o the_o capuchin_n friar_n have_v their_o name_n from_o caputium_fw-la a_o hood_n wear_v on_o the_o head_n pick_a i._n e._n sharp_a at_o the_o end_n qu._n spike_v from_o spica_fw-la a_o ear_n of_o corn_n or_o if_o it_o come_v from_o a_o pike_n then_o that_o seem_v to_o come_v from_o spiculum_fw-la a_o pike_n or_o spear_n and_o that_o be_v from_o spica_fw-la it_o be_v likely_a side_n man_n corrupt_o 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in_o they_o to_o all_o their_o posterity_n those_o place_n psal._n 22._o 16._o they_o pierce_v my_o hand_n and_o my_o foot_n and_o ver_fw-la 18._o they_o part_v my_o garment_n among_o they_o and_o cast_v lot_n upon_o my_o vesture_n calvin_n be_v incline_v to_o interpret_v simple_o and_o not_o concern_v christ_n he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v only_o metaphorical_a expression_n of_o david_n calamity_n and_o suffering_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v express_o say_v by_o the_o evangelist_n st._n matthew_n that_o those_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o christ_n that_o it_o may_v be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n matth._n 27._o 35._o and_o by_o the_o evangelist_n st._n john_n this_o be_v do_v that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v fulfil_v ch_n 19_o 36_o 37._o and_o so_o as_o to_o that_o text_n jer._n 31._o 22._o the_o lord_n have_v create_v a_o new_a thing_n in_o the_o earth_n a_o woman_n shall_v compass_v a_o man._n the_o same_o author_n will_v not_o have_v this_o prophecy_n 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administer_v it_o be_v the_o candour_n of_o this_o excellent_a divine_a to_o apologise_v thus_o for_o that_o great_a man_n and_o the_o same_o apology_n may_v serve_v for_o the_o other_o yet_o certain_o we_o ought_v to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o exposition_n on_o those_o place_n by_o add_v the_o secondary_a and_o mystical_a sense_n to_o they_o else_o we_o leave_v those_o text_n maim_v and_o imperfect_a yea_o we_o rob_v they_o of_o that_o which_o be_v most_o considerable_a and_o precious_a in_o they_o that_o which_o be_v the_o dabar_n gadol_n as_o the_o jewish_a master_n call_v the_o mystical_a sense_n this_o be_v great_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o literal_a one_o which_o be_v call_v by_o they_o dabar_n katon_n little_a and_o inconsiderable_a viz._n in_o respect_n of_o the_o other_o this_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o another_o great_a man_n great_a in_o name_n as_o well_o as_o worth_n herein_o he_o disdain_v not_o to_o tread_v in_o the_o step_v of_o mr._n calvin_n though_o in_o many_o other_o thing_n he_o be_v very_o averse_a to_o his_o exposition_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o when_o he_o treat_v of_o the_o text_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o speak_v concern_v christ_n he_o general_o interpret_v they_o in_o the_o first_o and_o literal_a sense_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o apostolical_a and_o ancient_a expositor_n who_o constant_o search_v into_o the_o mystical_a sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o choice_a treasure_n that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o it_o gold_n and_o diamond_n and_o the_o rich_a gem_n lie_v hide_v in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o rich_a and_o most_o precious_a truth_n of_o heaven_n be_v treasure_v up_o in_o the_o entrail_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n they_o be_v hide_v in_o the_o most_o inward_a recess_n of_o it_o demo●ritus_n can_v say_v truth_n lie_v hide_v in_o a_o deep_a pit_n this_o be_v most_o certain_a of_o divine_a truth_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n beside_o what_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o letter_n and_o surface_n of_o it_o there_o be_v yet_o a_o more_o choice_a discovery_n to_o be_v make_v by_o search_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o it_o and_o by_o discern_v the_o spiritual_a mean_v those_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n which_o lie_v cover_v under_o the_o letter_n and_o history_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o hold_v good_a concern_v the_o divine_a as_o well_o as_o humane_a law_n cortice_fw-la he_o that_o confine_v himself_o to_o the_o letter_n stick_v in_o the_o mere_a bark_n and_o outside_o and_o can_v go_v no_o further_o he_o reach_v not_o to_o the_o inward_a sense_n pith_n and_o mind_n of_o those_o law_n we_o must_v needs_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n that_o sacred_a law_n give_v we_o by_o god_n unless_o we_o endeavour_v to_o acquaint_v ourselves_o with_o both_o these_o not_o only_o the_o historical_a but_o the_o more_o sublime_a and_o mystical_a sense_n of_o it_o both_o these_o joint_o make_v up_o divine_a truth_n therefore_o that_o be_v a_o good_a rule_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n which_o be_v practise_v by_o athanasius_n 〈◊〉_d we_o say_v he_o do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o literal_a sense_n to_o bring_v in_o the_o spiritual_a one_o but_o we_o maintain_v the_o more_o powerful_a mean_v of_o the_o spirit_n by_o keep_v up_o the_o literal_a sense_n these_o two_o must_v go_v together_o if_o we_o lie_v aside_o the_o former_a the_o scripture_n be_v no_o long_a scripture_n i._n e._n a_o write_a law_n make_v up_o of_o letter_n and_o if_o we_o lie_v aside_o the_o latter_a we_o do_v despite_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n who_o have_v lodge_v a_o far_a mean_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v inspire_v by_o he_o than_o that_o which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o letter_n wherefore_o to_o understand_v the_o scripture_n as_o we_o shall_v do_v we_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o find_v out_o the_o secondary_a or_o mystical_a interpretation_n of_o the_o word_n as_o well_o as_o the_o primary_n or_o literal_a and_o that_o we_o may_v know_v when_o the_o sense_n be_v of_o the_o former_a and_o not_o of_o the_o latter_a sort_n it_o will_v be_v needful_a to_o observe_v these_o follow_a rule_n the_o first_o be_v give_v we_o by_o d●calog_n r._n ben-ezra_n thus_o if_o any_o precept_n in_o scripture_n be_v not_o consonant_a to_o reason_n it_o must_v not_o be_v take_v in_o the_o simple_a or_o literal_a sense_n as_o that_o place_n circumcise_v the_o foreskin_n of_o your_o heart_n deut._n 10._o 16._o we_o can_v suppose_v this_o to_o be_v understand_v literal_o because_o say_v he_o it_o be_v so_o unreasonable_a and_o absurd_a a_o thing_n yea_o indeed_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a for_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o praeputium_fw-la of_o the_o heart_n in_o these_o and_o the_o like_a place_n a_o spiritual_a sense_n must_v be_v search_v for_o otherwise_o we_o must_v assert_v that_o the_o scripture_n enjoin_v we_o the_o do_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o can_v be_v do_v beside_o if_o we_o understand_v it_o literal_o i._n e._n of_o the_o circumcise_n or_o pare_n off_o any_o part_n of_o the_o heart_n this_o be_v a_o inhuman_a and_o bloody_a thing_n to_o do_v this_o be_v to_o be_v cruel_a to_o ourselves_o yea_o it_o be_v self-murder_n therefore_o according_a to_o a_o second_o rule_n which_o i_o be_o to_o propound_v this_o can_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n and_o consequent_o the_o literal_a mean_v be_v not_o intend_v here_o the_o rule_n be_v this_o that_o all_o precept_n or_o prohibition_n which_o as_o to_o their_o sound_n be_v whole_o repugnant_a to_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o the_o express_a command_n of_o god_n there_o contain_v in_o they_o some_o mystical_a or_o spiritual_a sense_n by_o this_o you_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o mean_v of_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n prov._n 23._o 2._o put_v a_o
ornament_n of_o the_o soul_n nay_o whatever_o apparel_n be_v light_a and_o vain_a and_o any_o way_n administer_v to_o lust_n or_o pride_n or_o wantonness_n be_v whole_o to_o be_v lay_v aside_o as_o sinful_a and_o unlawful_a in_o the_o same_o chapter_n of_o the_o forename_a epistle_n to_o timothy_n you_o read_v that_o adam_n be_v not_o deceive_v but_o the_o woman_n ver_fw-la 14._o we_o know_v that_o adam_n be_v deceive_v but_o yet_o in_o a_o comparative_a way_n of_o speak_v he_o be_v not_o that_o be_v his_o deception_n be_v not_o so_o gross_a and_o inexcusable_a as_o that_o of_o the_o woman_n it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o faithful_a patriarch_n that_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o promise_n heb._n 11._o 39_o i_o e._n in_o comparison_n of_o what_o we_o have_v since_o receive_v they_o receive_v it_o not_o in_o the_o full_a extent_n else_o you_o can_v make_v sense_n of_o the_o follow_a word_n god_n ●aving_a provide_v etc._n etc._n in_o the_o foresay_a chapter_n of_o st._n peter_n it_o be_v say_v baptism_n do_v also_o now_o save_v we_o not_o the_o put_v away_o the_o filth_n of_o the_o flesh_n but_o the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n towards_o god_n ver_fw-la 21._o this_n not_o seem_v to_o be_v exclusive_a and_o negative_a and_o thence_o some_o have_v make_v use_n of_o this_o text_n to_o null_a the_o sacred_a ordinance_n of_o baptism_n which_o in_o contempt_n they_o call_v water-baptism_n but_o they_o err_v not_o know_v the_o scripture_n and_o particular_o not_o attend_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o place_n where_o not_o be_v no_o absolute_a negative_a but_o a_o comparative_a not_o the_o put_v away_o the_o filth_n of_o the_o flesh_n i._n e._n not_o the_o outward_a baptism_n simple_o and_o only_o or_o not_o that_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o viz._n the_o inward_a wash_n and_o purify_n by_o the_o spirit_n and_o many_o other_o place_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v aright_o unless_o you_o make_v use_v of_o this_o observation_n which_o i_o have_v here_o exemplify_v namely_o that_o a_o comparison_n be_v common_o in_o scripture_n express_v by_o a_o antithesis_fw-la or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o a_o negative_a be_v put_v for_o a_o comparative_a in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o may_v observe_v to_o you_o that_o a_o hendyadis_n be_v very_o usual_a in_o scripture_n that_o be_v two_o thing_n be_v put_v several_o to_o signify_v but_o one_o as_o let_v the_o light_n be_v in_o the_o firmament_n for_o sign_n and_o for_o season_n gen._n 1._o 14._o i_o e._n as_o some_o expositor_n think_v though_o i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v about_o it_o let_v they_o be_v for_o sign_n of_o the_o season_n and_o they_o who_o read_v psal._n 17._o 13_o 14._o thus_o deliver_v my_o soul_n from_o the_o wicked_a by_o thy_o sword_n from_o man_n by_o thy_o hand_n tell_v we_o here_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o sword_n and_o the_o hand_n for_o a_o sword_n handle_v or_o draw_v as_o if_o the_o psalmist_n call_v upon_o god_n here_o to_o be_v his_o champion_n and_o to_o deliver_v he_o by_o fight_v for_o he_o that_o in_o mat._n 3._o 11._o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o hendyadis_n for_o baptise_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n be_v the_o same_o with_o baptise_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o be_v as_o fire_n and_o so_o here_o one_o thing_n be_v express_v as_o if_o it_o be_v two_n some_o think_v there_o be_v the_o same_o figure_n in_o john_n 3._o 5._o except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n he_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n water_n and_o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n say_v they_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v like_o water_n cleanse_v and_o purify_n the_o soul_n but_o i_o conceive_v it_o may_v be_v doubt_v whether_o this_o and_o the_o former_a way_n of_o speak_v be_v the_o same_o for_o if_o water_n in_o this_o place_n signify_v baptism_n as_o the_o ancient_n interpret_v it_o then_o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o the_o spirit_n but_o distinct_a from_o it_o and_o consequent_o here_o be_v not_o two_o thing_n put_v for_o one_o but_o doubtless_o there_o be_v in_o mat._n 24._o 31._o he_o shall_v send_v his_o angel_n with_o a_o trumpet_n and_o a_o great_a sound_n i._n e._n with_o a_o trumpet_n that_o have_v a_o great_a sound_n that_o make_v a_o great_a noise_n or_o as_o our_o translator_n render_v it_o with_o a_o great_a sound_n of_o a_o trumpet_n to_o this_o way_n of_o speak_v may_v be_v refer_v john_n 11._o 33._o he_o groan_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o be_v trouble_v i._n e._n he_o groan_v in_o his_o trouble_a spirit_n and_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v act_n 14._o 13._o the_o priest_n of_o jupiter_n bring_v ox_n and_o garland_n i._n e._n ox_n crown_v with_o garland_n as_o be_v usual_a when_o they_o sacrifice_v to_o jupiter_n one_o thing_n be_v here_o intend_a though_o it_o be_v express_v by_o two_o to_o this_o figure_n appertain_v act_n 15._o 28._o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o we_o direct_v move_v and_o guide_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o a_o hendyadis_n give_v the_o best_a account_n of_o 1_o cor._n 2._o 4._o my_o preach_n be_v in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n i._n e._n of_o the_o spirit_n who_o be_v powerful_a and_o enable_v i_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o convince_v gainsayer_n and_o who_o also_o enable_v i_o to_o work_v miracle_n for_o the_o confirm_v of_o what_o i_o preach_v this_o be_v the_o same_o with_o rom._n 15._o 19_o the_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n by_o which_o as_o he_o there_o tell_v we_o mighty_a sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v effect_v the_o like_a mode_n of_o speech_n be_v observable_a in_o the_o apostle_n word_n in_o 1_o thess._n 1._o 5._o our_o gospel_n come_v unto_o you_o in_o power_n and_o in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n i._n e._n the_o holy_a ghost_n show_v himself_o powerful_a in_o the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o miracle_n last_o under_o this_o head_n may_v be_v rank_v col._n 2._o 8._o philosophy_n and_o vain_a deceit_n that_o be_v philosophy_n which_o be_v both_o vain_a and_o deceitful_a to_o proceed_v a_o prolepsis_n be_v another_o usual_a figure_n in_o scripture_n especial_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n such_o be_v that_o in_o gen._n 4._o 16._o cain_n go_v and_o dwell_v in_o the_o land_n of_o nod_n where_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v imply_v that_o nod_n be_v the_o name_n of_o that_o place_n which_o he_o go_v to_o and_o that_o it_o be_v name_v so_o before_o he_o go_v to_o it_o whereas_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o that_o place_n be_v not_o call_v by_o that_o name_n at_o that_o time_n for_o it_o have_v its_o name_n of_o nod_n give_v to_o it_o from_o cain_n go_v thither_o who_o be_v a_o errare_fw-la vagabond_n so_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a prolepsis_n or_o anticipation_n in_o gen._n 14._o 7._o they_o smite_v all_o the_o country_n of_o the_o amalekite_n though_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v no_o amalekite_n and_o therefore_o the_o country_n can_v not_o be_v name_v from_o they_o in_o 1_o sam._n 4._o 1._o it_o be_v say_v israel_n pitch_v beside_o eben-eze_a but_o there_o be_v no_o place_n of_o that_o name_n then_o for_o you_o will_v find_v it_o give_v afterward_o those_o word_n in_o gen._n 29._o 20._o jacob_n serve_v seven_o year_n for_o rachel_n be_v speak_v proleptical_o not_o as_o if_o he_o do_v not_o marry_v rachel_n before_o the_o seven_o year_n be_v expire_v we_o read_v in_o gen._n 35._o 19_o and_o ch_n 48._o v._n 7._o that_o rachel_n be_v bury_v in_o bethlchem_n but_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o that_o be_v not_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n till_o after_o moses_n so_o hebron_n and_o some_o other_o name_n of_o city_n be_v mention_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o yet_o the_o name_n be_v not_o give_v till_o after_o moses_n death_n in_o jos._n 4._o 19_o the_o israelite_n be_v say_v to_o encamp_v in_o gilgal_n but_o that_o place_n be_v call_v so_o by_o anticipation_n for_o it_o have_v that_o name_n afterward_o ch_n 5._o v._n 9_o and_o other_o instance_n there_o be_v of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o book_n of_o joshuah_n the_o name_n of_o several_a place_n mention_v in_o it_o be_v of_o a_o late_a date_n than_o ioshuah_n time_n the_o jew_n conjecture_n be_v very_o probable_a that_o ezra_n after_o the_o captivity_n when_o he_o collect_v the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o set_v they_o in_o order_n leave_v out_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a name_n of_o place_n and_o insert_v some_o modern_a one_o that_o be_v he_o add_v the_o name_n of_o place_n which_o be_v unknown_a and_o not_o use_v in_o the_o day_n of_o
mercy_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n a_o firm_a and_o unshaken_a dependence_n on_o the_o merit_n of_o our_o redeemer_n and_o saviour_n this_o be_v that_o harden_a shield_n wherewith_o we_o keep_v off_o and_o beat_v back_o all_o the_o furious_a insult_v of_o the_o evil_a spirit_n that_o implacable_a enemy_n who_o we_o be_v to_o encounter_v with_o in_o our_o spiritual_a warfare_n his_o temptation_n be_v here_o call_v dart_n with_o allusion_n still_o to_o the_o antiet_fw-la way_n of_o ●ighting_v which_o be_v with_o dart_n and_o arrow_n and_o they_o be_v call_v fiery_a dart_n with_o reference_n perhaps_o to_o the_o heat_n which_o those_o weapon_n acquire_v by_o their_o swift_a fly_v or_o they_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v fiery_a because_o they_o be_v send_v in_o a_o hostile_a manner_n the_o word_n be_v as_o it_o be_v appropriate_v to_o fight_v as_o among_o the_o greek_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v both_o fax_fw-la or_o taeda_fw-la and_o pugna_fw-la and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v both_o arden_n and_o pugnax_fw-la and_o among_o the_o latin_n ardere_fw-la be_v particular_o apply_v to_o war_n and_o battle_n as_o in_o virgil_n ardet_fw-la in_o arma_fw-la magis_fw-la instant_a ardentes_fw-la tyrii_fw-la and_o beside_o these_o dart_n these_o suggestion_n when_o they_o be_v very_o fierce_a and_o rage_a do_v as_o it_o be_v inflame_v the_o heart_n and_o conscience_n they_o set_v the_o distract_a soul_n on_o fire_n but_o by_o faith_n the_o christian_a soldier_n be_v able_a to_o quench_v they_o as_o the_o apostle_n excellent_o phrase_v it_o by_o a_o vigorous_a exert_n of_o this_o grace_n he_o defeat_v the_o malicious_a attempt_n of_o satan_n he_o stifle_v all_o his_o hellish_a dart_n allude_v to_o the_o know_a use_n of_o the_o shield_n which_o be_v to_o repel_v the_o arrow_n shoot_v by_o the_o enemy_n and_o these_o be_v sometime_o poison_v and_o thereby_o become_v hot_a and_o inflame_a to_o which_o some_o have_v think_v the_o apostle_n here_o may_v have_v glance_v when_o he_o speak_v of_o fiery_a dart_n this_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o shield_n be_v for_o defence_n and_o such_o be_v our_o faith_n whereby_o we_o defend_v ourselves_o from_o the_o inslame_v dart_n of_o the_o wicked_a which_o he_o fling_v at_o we_o with_o the_o utmost_a indignation_n and_o fury_n we_o quench_v we_o extinguish_v we_o utter_o frustrate_v all_o his_o assault_n by_o a_o firm_a trust_n and_o reliance_n on_o our_o bless_a jesus_n who_o baffle_v he_o himself_o and_o will_v effectual_o teach_v we_o by_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o do_v the_o like_a 4._o this_o be_v our_o victory_n that_o overcome_v the_o devil_n as_o well_o as_o the_o world_n even_o our_o faith_n 5._o we_o be_v to_o take_v the_o helmet_n of_o salvation_n i._n e._n as_o st._n paul_n himself_o explain_v it_o 8._o the_o hope_n of_o salvation_n the_o certain_a expectation_n of_o the_o everlasting_a reward_n in_o another_o world_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o light_n by_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n jesus_n the_o christian_a soldier_n be_v unspeakable_o animate_v by_o this_o he_o have_v the_o triumph_n in_o his_o eye_n this_o make_v he_o sight_n with_o undaunted_a valour_n and_o resolution_n he_o be_v safe_a whilst_o he_o be_v cover_v with_o this_o helmet_n nothing_o can_v hurt_v he_o while_o he_o be_v inspire_v with_o this_o victorious_a hope_n have_v this_o armour_n of_o defence_n he_o de●ies_v his_o insult_a adversary_n he_o fear_v not_o their_o blow_n he_o shrink_v not_o at_o the_o battery_n of_o his_o fierce_a enemy_n this_o also_o seem_v to_o be_v borrow_a from_o isai._n 59_o 17._o he_o put_v on_o a_o helmet_n of_o salvation_n on_o his_o head_n 6._o the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v another_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a panoply_n which_o every_o spiritual_a soldier_n ought_v to_o be_v appoint_v with_o this_o be_v the_o two-edged_a sword_n speak_v of_o in_o heb._n 4._o 12._o and_o rev._n 1._o 16._o this_o our_o great_a captain_n dexterous_o make_v use_n of_o when_o the_o infernal_a spirit_n assault_v he_o mat._n 4._o 4_o 7_o 10._o and_o the_o same_o weapon_n be_v brandish_v and_o manage_v by_o the_o whole_a army_n of_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n by_o all_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n by_o this_o they_o have_v do_v great_a execution_n and_o put_v their_o spiritual_a enemy_n to_o flight_n they_o have_v in_o their_o most_o press_a strait_o repair_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o thence_o furnish_v themselves_o with_o those_o divine_a consolation_n and_o apply_v those_o sacred_a promise_n whereby_o they_o soon_o vanquish_v their_o ghostly_a assailant_n and_o this_o be_v that_o weapon_n which_o we_o must_v all_o of_o we_o in_o our_o holy_a war_n learn_v to_o wield_v but_o let_v we_o be_v careful_a to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o faithful_o and_o sincere_o remember_v that_o the_o first_o piece_n of_o armour_n and_o this_o last_o must_v be_v join_v together_o for_o the_o warlike_a girdle_n or_o belt_n be_v in_o order_n to_o wear_v the_o sword_n which_o be_v to_o hang_v at_o it_o the_o last_o weapon_n the_o apostle_n mention_n be_v prayer_n pray_v always_o with_o all_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n we_o must_v fight_v on_o our_o knee_n we_o must_v constant_o invoke_v the_o divine_a aid_n and_o with_o importunate_a cry_v solicit_v the_o eternal_a father_n that_o he_o will_v teach_v our_o hand_n to_o war_n and_o our_o finger_n to_o fight_n these_o be_v the_o spiritual_a weapon_n which_o be_v call_v here_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o whole_a armour_n because_o it_o be_v fit_v for_o every_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a combatant_n he_o be_v here_o arm_v at_o all_o point_n he_o be_v provide_v with_o military_a accoutrement_n for_o all_o assault_n and_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o spiritual_a armour_n answer_v to_o the_o bodily_a one_o that_o be_v it_o be_v both_o defensive_a and_o offensive_a our_o weapon_n be_v both_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d such_o as_o defend_v and_o preserve_v ourselves_o and_o also_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d such_o whereby_o we_o beat_v off_o the_o enemy_n both_o which_o be_v express_v in_o those_o two_o military_a word_n stand_v and_o withstand_v ver_fw-la 13._o the_o first_o sort_n be_v the_o girdle_n of_o truth_n the_o breastplate_n of_o righteousness_n the_o shoe_n of_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o shield_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o helmet_n of_o salvation_n of_o the_o second_o sort_n be_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o prayer_n which_o two_o likewise_o be_v both_o for_o defence_n and_o offence_n not_o only_o to_o guard_v ourselves_o but_o to_o oppose_v our_o enemy_n this_o be_v the_o panoply_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n which_o the_o apostle_n here_o commend_v and_o which_o i_o have_v brief_o descant_v upon_o in_o prosecution_n of_o what_o i_o propound_v viz._n to_o give_v you_o some_o account_n of_o the_o metaphorical_a term_n in_o 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have_v be_v not_o to_o be_v subject_v to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o outward_a testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o be_v above_o they_o thus_o these_o bold_a man_n out_o of_o a_o pretence_n of_o inspiration_n vilify_v the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n thus_o absurd_o and_o irreligious_o these_o delude_a person_n out_o of_o a_o enthusiastic_a heat_n prefer_v their_o own_o private_a spirit_n before_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n speak_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o man_n hold_v themselves_o to_o be_v perfect_a but_o the_o scripture_n must_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v so_o it_o be_v weak_a and_o imperfect_a and_o aught_o to_o give_v way_n to_o the_o inward_a impression_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o according_a to_o they_o be_v that_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n whereunto_o they_o think_v they_o do_v well_o to_o give_v heed_n as_o unto_o a_o light_n shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n but_o we_o see_v that_o they_o be_v thereby_o lead_v into_o gross_a error_n and_o 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that_o be_v temporal_a and_o secular_a not_o only_o all_o religious_a divine_a and_o save_v knowledge_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v hence_o but_o that_o likewise_o which_o be_v natural_a and_o humane_a and_o belong_v to_o the_o world_n and_o arts._n many_o believe_v the_o former_a but_o can_v be_v induce_v to_o credit_v the_o latter_a for_o they_o think_v the_o bible_n be_v write_v only_o for_o the_o save_n of_o man_n soul_n but_o that_o all_o other_o knowledge_n and_o discovery_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v whole_o from_o other_o writer_n i_o have_v sometime_o observe_v that_o person_n who_o have_v have_v a_o good_a desire_n to_o learning_n and_o be_v greedy_a devourer_n of_o all_o other_o author_n yet_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o fond_o imagine_v there_o be_v no_o improvement_n of_o man_n notion_n no_o enlarge_n of_o their_o understanding_n no_o ground_n of_o excellent_a literature_n from_o the_o sacred_a writ_n they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o bible_n may_v 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book_n of_o it_o in_o vain_a do_v you_o look_v for_o these_o in_o the_o write_n of_o other_o man_n for_o though_o some_o of_o they_o relate_v very_o ancient_a occurrence_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o so_o old_a as_o these_o and_o as_o for_o those_o writer_n who_o pretend_v to_o some_o great_a antiquity_n and_o have_v be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o think_v that_o they_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n they_o have_v be_v explode_v by_o all_o person_n of_o sobriety_n and_o serious_a thought_n in_o pagan_a writer_n we_o have_v some_o wild_a guess_n at_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n and_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o art_n but_o he_o that_o be_v desirous_a to_o have_v certain_a and_o infallible_a information_n concern_v these_o must_v consult_v the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o these_o alone_a we_o learn_v what_o be_v the_o ancient_a usage_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o be_v the_o first_o rise_n and_o original_a of_o they_o wherefore_o i_o may_v safe_o pronounce_v that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v the_o just_a repute_n of_o a_o scholar_n unless_o he_o have_v read_v and_o study_v the_o bible_n for_o in_o this_o one_o book_n there_o be_v more_o humane_a learning_n than_o in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o therefore_o here_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o very_a scandalous_a mistake_n that_o the_o knowledge_n and_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v for_o divine_n only_o as_o if_o these_o be_v not_o to_o be_v skilled_a in_o any_o humane_a learning_n they_o that_o talk_v after_o this_o rate_n understand_v not_o what_o the_o study_n of_o divinity_n and_o true_a scholarship_n be_v for_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a divine_a that_o be_v not_o well_o verse_v in_o humane_a literature_n and_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a scholar_n that_o be_v not_o skilled_a in_o
act_n and_o work_v of_o holiness_n wherefore_o he_o offer_v several_a plain_a mark_n and_o token_n whereby_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v whether_o they_o be_v real_a christian_n true_o religious_a and_o the_o child_n of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o he_o propound_v be_v this_o that_o if_o they_o love_v god_n and_o their_o brethren_n and_o demonstrate_v this_o love_n by_o the_o proper_a and_o genuine_a fruit_n of_o it_o than_o they_o may_v conclude_v they_o be_v christian_n indeed_o otherwise_o they_o be_v mere_a stranger_n to_o christianty_n and_o to_o all_o religion_n they_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n in_o they_o this_o the_o belove_a disciple_n and_o divine_a amourist_n incul●ates_v with_o that_o spirit_n warmth_n and_o earnestness_n which_o so_o weighty_a a_o subject_n deserve_v his_o second_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o the_o elect_a lady_n and_o her_o child_n that_o be_v say_v st._n agerach_n jerom_n to_o some_o eminent_a select_a church_n in_o asia_n and_o to_o all_o the_o christian_n belong_v to_o it_o for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o athenian_n and_o curia_n with_o the_o roman_n be_v of_o the_o same_o import_n with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o assembly_n perhaps_o ephesus_n be_v mean_v say_v a_o loc_n learned_a man_n which_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o asia_n and_o so_o may_v more_o signal_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_n that_o a_o person_n not_o a_o church_n 〈◊〉_d mean_v here_o and_o that_o st._n john_n the_o evangelist_n not_o another_o presbyter_n of_o that_o name_n as_o st._n eccles._n jerom_n think_v write_v to_o a_o virtuous_a lady_n who_o be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d servant_n of_o christ_n a_o very_a godly_a and_o religion_n woman_n or_o it_o may_v be_v her_o proper_a name_n be_v loc_n elect_a as_o a_o learned_a critic_n have_v conjecture_v which_o may_v seem_v the_o more_o probable_a because_o the_o word_n have_v 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charity_n and_o liberality_n to_o the_o distress_a brethren_n demetrius_n be_v propound_v as_o a_o eminent_a example_n of_o this_o for_o which_o and_o all_o other_o virtue_n he_o have_v the_o good_a report_n of_o all_o man_n yea_o and_o of_o the_o truth_n itself_o that_o be_v as_o he_o be_v speak_v well_o of_o by_o every_o one_o so_o he_o real_o deserve_v it_o on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o complain_v of_o the_o uncharitable_a insolent_a and_o ambitious_a diotrephes_n a_o prate_a opposer_n not_o only_o of_o he_o and_o his_o doctrine_n but_o of_o all_o the_o true_a servant_n of_o jesus_n the_o general_a epistle_n of_o jude_n or_o judas_n as_o we_o render_v it_o in_o john_n 14._o 22._o it_o be_v the_o same_o name_n with_o that_o of_o the_o traitor_n for_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n for_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n to_o have_v the_o same_o name_n as_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n eliab_n jehu_n hananiah_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o new_a testament_n simon_n john_n ananias_n be_v instance_n of_o this_o this_o epistle_n i_o say_v of_o this_o good_a apostle_n with_o a_o bad_a man_n name_n be_v write_v to_o all_o christian_a church_n or_o at_o least_o to_o all_o the_o jewish_a christian_n disperse_v the_o same_o to_o who_o st._n james_n and_o st._n peter_n write_v wherein_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n against_o those_o dream_v heretic_n and_o seducer_n that_o be_v at_o that_o time_n creep_v into_o the_o church_n who_o erroneous_a tenant_n and_o ungodly_a practice_n he_o here_o particular_o decipher_v and_o from_o the_o example_n of_o god_n vengeance_n on_o other_o great_a offender_n infer_v the_o certainty_n of_o these_o man_n ruin_n in_o short_a this_o epistle_n have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o a_o true_a apostolic_a spirit_n and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o argument_n with_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o epitome_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o need_v not_o be_v very_o particular_a in_o rehearse_v the_o content_n the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n the_o divine_a which_o epithet_n be_v signal_o give_v to_o he_o here_o because_o of_o the_o divinity_n and_o sublimity_n of_o his_o rapture_n because_o he_o of_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v the_o great_a communication_n of_o divine_a mystery_n it_o may_v be_v refer_v either_o to_o the_o historical_a book_n or_o to_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o former_a because_o it_o be_v a_o prophetic_a history_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o latter_a because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o epistle_n after_o the_o three_o first_o verse_n by_o way_n of_o preface_n viz._n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n at_o first_o plant_v by_o and_o now_o under_o the_o government_n of_o st._n john_n and_o as_o it_o begin_v so_o it_o end_v after_o the_o usual_a way_n of_o conclude_a epistle_n the_o grace_n of_o 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not_o always_o observe_v here_o thing_n be_v not_o relate_v constant_o in_o a_o certain_a continue_a method_n and_o series_n nor_o be_v we_o to_o understand_v or_o take_v they_o as_o write_v so_o a_o great_a and_o prevail_a mistake_v it_o have_v be_v to_o think_v that_o the_o course_n and_o order_n of_o time_n be_v due_o and_o all_o along_o observe_v in_o these_o write_n whereas_o to_o a_o considerate_a person_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o the_o chapter_n be_v not_o write_v and_o dispose_v in_o any_o method_n this_o because_o it_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o and_o censure_v as_o a_o new_a notion_n i_o will_v make_v good_a thus_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v represent_v and_o describe_v three_o or_o four_o time_n in_o these_o vision_n and_o revelation_n as_o first_o at_o the_o open_n of_o the_o six_o seal_n ch_n 6._o v._n 12_o to_o the_o end_n where_o the_o description_n of_o the_o last_o day_n agree_v exact_o with_o other_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n especial_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n in_o mat._n 24._o and_o therefore_o to_o allegorise_v it_o where_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o disorder_n of_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n which_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o signify_v sometime_o temporal_a judgement_n as_o the_o destruction_n of_o babylon_n isa._n 13._o 10._o and_o of_o egypt_n ezek._n 32._o 7._o i_o answer_v that_o though_o it_o do_v so_o yet_o these_o remarkable_a judgement_n and_o devastation_n be_v figure_n and_o representation_n of_o the_o last_o and_o terrible_a one_o and_o be_v so_o design_v by_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o this_o may_v well_o be_v set_v forth_o to_o we_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o this_o manner_n nay_o the_o darken_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o the_o like_a expression_n be_v but_o metaphorical_a in_o those_o former_a instance_n but_o here_o be_v proper_a natural_a and_o real_a and_o therefore_o ought_v so_o 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the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o precede_a vial_n which_o make_v way_n for_o this_o last_o that_o christ_n say_v i_o come_v as_o a_o thief_n v_o 15._o which_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v particular_o apply_v and_o make_v use_n of_o when_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v speak_v of_o mat._n 24._o 43._o 1_o thess._n 5._o 2_o 4_o 2_o pet._n 3._o 10._o and_o last_o in_o the_o 20_o chapter_n from_o the_o 11_o verse_n to_o the_o end_n there_o be_v another_o vision_n of_o this_o last_o and_o general_a appearance_n of_o the_o world_n as_o be_v universal_o acknowledge_v by_o interpreter_n and_o therefore_o we_o need_v not_o stand_v to_o clear_v it_o now_o from_o all_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v not_o observe_v in_o the_o vision_n of_o this_o book_n a_o historical_a order_n or_o course_n of_o time_n for_o if_o there_o be_v the_o general_n day_n of_o doom_n which_o be_v the_o last_o thing_n of_o all_o can_v not_o be_v represent_v here_o three_o or_o four_o time_n this_o must_v have_v come_v in_o the_o shut_n up_o of_o all_o when_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v pass_v whereas_o now_o we_o see_v it_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o beginning_n in_o the_o middle_a and_o in_o the_o end_n of_o these_o revelation_n which_o if_o it_o be_v well_o attend_v to_o be_v one_o admirable_a key_n to_o open_v the_o secret_n of_o this_o book_n for_o hence_o we_o understand_v that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v not_o what_o it_o have_v be_v think_v to_o be_v one_o entire_a historical_a narration_n of_o what_o shall_v be_v and_o that_o first_o one_o thing_n be_v foretell_v and_o then_o what_o follow_v that_o in_o time_n be_v next_o set_v down_o and_o so_o on_o in_o order_n no_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v thrice_o at_o least_o insert_v show_v that_o the_o vision_n of_o this_o book_n end_n and_o then_o begin_v again_o and_o then_o have_v a_o period_n and_o commence_v again_o and_o after_o that_o the_o same_o or_o the_o like_a scene_n be_v open_v and_o thing_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v repeat_v which_o be_v a_o most_o evident_a argument_n that_o this_o book_n consist_v of_o three_o or_o four_o grand_a prophecy_n or_o prophetic_a representation_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o christ_n church_n from_o the_o time_n when_o this_o be_v ●●nned_v to_o the_o consummation_n of_o all_o thing_n here_o be_v represent_v by_o different_a type_n prophetic_a symbol_n and_o vision_n the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n which_o happen_v on_o the_o stage_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the●_n be_v these_o three_o the_o trouble_n and_o persecution_n which_o ●befal_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o most_o high_a the_o ●●liver●●de_n of_o they_o out_o of_o those_o trial_n and_o god_n 〈◊〉_d ●●●●shing_v of_o their_o enemy_n these_o you_o will_v 〈◊〉_d set_v forth_o and_o illustrate_v by_o diverse_a scheme_n and_o apparition_n by_z different_z and_o reiterated_a representation_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o thing_n though_o the_o same_o be_v diverse_o represent_v i._n e._n in_o different_a vision_n over_o and_o over_o again_o and_o why_o they_o be_v express_v in_o different_a term_n and_o word_n the_o ●●●son_n i_o say_v why_o they_o be_v so_o often_o repeat_v be_v ●●●use_v they_o so_o often_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o wise_a disposal_n of_o provi●●no●_n these_o prophecy_n have_v be_v and_o they_o ●●all_v be_v yet_o fulfil_v for_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o cruelty_n of_o its_o enemy_n and_o persecutor_n and_o the_o wonderful_a deliverance_n from_o they_o and_o avenge_a their_o cause_n upon_o their_o head_n be_v the_o same_o in_o different_a age_n until_o the_o time_n when_o baby●●●_n shall_v fall_v and_o never_o rise_v again_o to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o a_o most_o eminent_a and_o learned_a bishop_n of_o our_o own_o ●_o one_o may_v easy_o see_v say_v he_o that_o rome_n be_v here_o intend_a and_o not_o pagan_a but_o christian_a rome_n which_o be_v degenerate_v into_o a_o idolatrous_a and_o 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reveal_v and_o discover_v to_o we_o plain_o i_o say_v because_o they_o be_v so_o often_o repeat_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o mistake_v they_o as_o phara●●'s_n dream_n be_v double_v to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n represent_v gen._n 41._o 32._o so_o these_o prophecy_n and_o vision_n be_v double_v and_o tribble_v yea_o more_o than_o so_o to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o reality_n of_o these_o event_n to_o confirm_v we_o in_o this_o persuasion_n that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n here_o on_o earth_n be_v often_o trouble_v and_o persecute_v yet_o she_o have_v her_o time_n of_o restoration_n and_o revive_v and_o there_o be_v a_o time_n of_o vengeance_n and_o recompense_n to_o her_o enemy_n even_o in_o this_o world_n but_o more_o especial_o at_o the_o
notice_n of_o the_o seventy_n translation_n of_o the_o word_n at_o other_o time_n in_o their_o quotation_n they_o con●ine_v themselves_o to_o neither_o but_o use_v a_o latitude_n the_o greek_a version_n be_v to_o be_v read_v with_o candour_n and_o caution_n and_o must_v always_o give_v way_n to_o the_o hebrew_n original_a the_o chief_a latin_a translation_n of_o the_o bible_n especial_o the_o vulgar_a examine_v modern_a latin_a translation_n and_o last_o our_o own_o english_a one_o consider_v again_o there_o be_v some_o that_o detract_v from_o 〈◊〉_d excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a writing_n because_o they_o observe_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o several_a version_n of_o it_o and_o so_o as_o to_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o see_v the_o original_a greek_a and_o some_o of_o the_o translation_n disagree_v but_o more_o especial_o the_o disagreement_n be_v see_v between_o the_o hebrew_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o greek_a translation_n of_o it_o make_v by_o the_o seventy_o elder_n this_o be_v improve_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o argument_n thus_o if_o those_o version_n of_o the_o bible_n disagree_v with_o the_o text_n then_o either_o the_o text_n itself_o or_o the_o version_n be_v erroneous_a and_o faulty_a but_o it_o be_v probable_a and_o it_o be_v assert_v by_o some_o learned_a critic_n that_o the_o error_n and_o mistake_v be_v in_o the_o former_a i._n e._n in_o plain_a term_n that_o we_o have_v not_o now_o the_o original_a or_o true_a copy_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o bible_n itself_o be_v very_o defective_a and_o imperfect_a to_o take_v off_o this_o seem_a argument_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o inquire_v into_o and_o give_v some_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o tran●●●●tions_n of_o the_o bible_n but_o especial_o that_o we_o fix_v where_o the_o grand_a objection_n lie_v viz._n concern_v the_o discrepancy_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o 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we_o to_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n 3._o this_o attentiveness_n and_o care_n must_v be_v exercise_v in_o compare_v one_o place_n with_o another_o or_o with_o divers_a other_o if_o there_o be_v occasion_n for_o as_o a_o temple_n intelligent_a person_n right_o suggest_v all_o truth_n be_v consonant_n to_o itself_o and_o all_o be_v pen_v by_o one_o and_o the_o selfsame_a spirit_n it_o can_v be_v but_o that_o a_o industrious_a and_o judicious_a compare_v of_o place_n with_o place_n must_v be_v a_o singular_a help_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o scripture_n this_o one_o rule_n if_o well_o and_o due_o observe_v will_v carry_v we_o through_o most_o of_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o bible_n for_o this_o we_o may_v depend_v upon_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n that_o the_o best_a comment_n on_o this_o book_n be_v itself_o wherefore_o let_v
reason_n why_o the_o apocryphal_a write_n be_v not_o receive_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n with_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n make_v by_o the_o romanist_n second_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o external_n testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v add_v to_o those_o argument_n which_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v true_a in_o themselves_o will_n exceed_o corroborate_v our_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n and_o here_o i_o may_v mention_v the_o testimony_n give_v to_o they_o by_o god_n in_o the_o wonderful_a preservation_n of_o they_o through_o all_o age_n since_o they_o be_v first_o write_v in_o all_o the_o change_n of_o affair_n and_o the_o overthrow_n of_o so_o many_o city_n and_o kingdom_n that_o incomparable_a treasure_n have_v not_o be_v lose_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v keep_v untouched_a and_o inviolable_a at_o the_o sack_n and_o burn_v of_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n and_o of_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n the_o scripture_n have_v be_v unaltered_a in_o word_n and_o sense_n notwithstanding_o the_o frequent_a endeavour_n of_o satan_n busy_a agent_n to_o corrupt_v they_o yea_o utter_o to_o destroy_v they_o and_o next_o to_o god_n providence_n in_o preserve_v these_o book_n through_o all_o time_n and_o age_n we_o may_v add_v the_o marvellous_a success_n which_o have_v attend_v the_o holy_a faith_n and_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o these_o write_n they_o have_v prevail_v against_o the_o power_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n and_o to_o this_o very_a day_n they_o be_v maintain_v and_o uphold_v maugre_o the_o attempt_n of_o both_o of_o they_o to_o root_v they_o out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o i_o wave_v this_o intend_v not_o to_o insist_v upon_o divine_a but_o humane_a testimony_n in_o this_o place_n by_o external_n testimony_n than_o i_o mean_v here_o no_o other_o than_o this_o that_o scripture_n be_v attest_v by_o universal_a tradition_n and_o this_o tradition_n be_v both_o of_o jew_n and_o christian_n and_o what_o will_v a_o man_n desire_v more_o in_o a_o humane_a way_n for_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o write_n from_o the_o joint_a attestation_n of_o these_o witness_n i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o book_n which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v the_o true_a copy_n of_o the_o first_o original_n that_o the_o same_o book_n and_o author_n be_v faithful_o deliver_v down_o to_o we_o which_o be_v first_o of_o all_o deliver_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o write_n as_o we_o now_o have_v they_o that_o be_v falsify_v or_o corrupt_v first_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o name_n of_o which_o be_v as_o follow_v genesis_n exodus_fw-la leviticus_n number_n deuteronomy_n joshu●_n judge_n ruth_n the_o one_a and_o 2d_o book_n of_o samuel_n th●_n one_a and_o 2d_o book_n of_o king_n though_o one_a and_o 2d_o book_n 〈◊〉_d chronicle_n ezra_n nehemiah_n esther_n job_n the_o psalm_n proverb_n ecclesiaste_n the_o song_n of_o solomon_n the_o fo●●_n great_a prophet_n and_o the_o twelve_o lesser_n these_o and_o none_o but_o these_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o can●_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o the_o ancient_a church_n o●_n the_o jew_n who_o testimony_n be_v very_a authentics_n here_o yea_o indeed_o we_o can_v have_v a_o better_a they_o acquaint_v we_o that_o these_o be_v the_o only_a writing_n that_o be_v universal_o agree_v by_o they_o to_o be_v extraordinary_o inspire_v and_o they_o further_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o different_a person_n and_o at_o diverse_a time_n be_v first_o compile_v and_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n or_o volume_n by_o ezra_n and_o the_o assembly_n of_o doctor_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o canon_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o time_n be_v not_o constitute_v till_o ezra_n day_n by_o the_o great_a synagogue_n as_o they_o call_v it_o upon_o his_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n he_o undertake_v this_o good_a work_n he_o gather_v together_o all_o those_o disperse_a book_n before_o name_v and_o after_o he_o have_v review_v they_o he_o public_o own_v and_o solemn_o vouch_v the_o authority_n of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o that_o the_o church_n for_o the_o future_a may_v not_o doubt_v of_o their_o be_v authentic_a and_o true_a but_o some_o add_v here_o by_o way_n of_o objection_n that_o this_o holy_a man_n cause_v these_o book_n to_o be_v write_v over_o in_o a_o new_a character_n because_o the_o jew_n have_v lose_v their_o knowledge_n of_o the_o former_a one_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o tongue_n and_o consequent_o the_o bible_n be_v not_o the_o same_o that_o it_o be_v at_o first_o eusebius_n and_o jerom_n be_v allege_v for_o this_o especial_o the_o latter_a who_o seem_v to_o say_v that_o the_o samaritan_n character_n be_v the_o old_a hebrew_n character_n in_o which_o the_o bible_n be_v first_o write_v and_o that_o it_o be_v first_o change_v by_o ezrd_n after_o the_o return_n from_o babylon_n he_o write_v ●he_v sacred_a volume_n over_o in_o assyrian_a or_o chaldee_n letter_n and_o neglect_v the_o old_a hebrew_n one_o which_o be_v the_o same_o that_o the_o samaritan_n be_v and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v they_o say_v because_o the_o jew_n be_v best_o acquaint_v with_o this_o character_n at_o that_o time_n and_o some_o walton_n modern_a writer_n be_v gain_v over_o to_o this_o opinion_n who_o talk_v much_o of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o character_n and_o endeavour_v to_o persuade_v we_o that_o the_o first_o and_o old_a letter_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v samaritan_n but_o that_o those_o which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v assyrian_n and_o of_o quite_o another_o sort_n but_o upon_o a_o impartial_a enquiry_n i_o find_v little_a or_o no_o foundation_n for_o this_o opinion_n it_o rather_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o invention_n and_o dream_n of_o those_o who_o design_n to_o disparage_v the_o hebrew_n bible_n they_o will_v persuade_v we_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o original_a be_v impair_v because_o we_o have_v it_o not_o now_o as_o it_o be_v at_o the_o beginning_n for_o the_o old_a bible_n be_v in_o samaritan_n letter_n these_o be_v the_o first_o and_o ancient_a hebrew_a character_n this_o be_v like_o the_o story_n of_o the_o hebrew_n point_n be_v invent_v five_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n of_o which_o afterward_o which_o tend_v to_o the_o same_o end_n namely_o to_o discredit_v the_o hebrew_n text_n which_o we_o now_o have_v and_o whole_o to_o take_v away_o its_o authority_n for_o if_o the_o letter_n be_v change_v it_o be_v probable_a some_o word_n and_o consequent_o the_o sense_n of_o some_o place_n be_v alter_v but_o that_o this_o be_v groundless_a and_o that_o the_o hebrew_n bible_n be_v write_v in_o the_o same_o character_n now_o that_o it_o be_v at_o first_o you_o will_v find_v very_o large_o and_o convince_o prove_v by_o the_o famous_a hebr._n buxtorf_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o talmud_n especial_o the_o gemara_n 〈◊〉_d the_o cabala_n from_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o most_o not●_n rabbin_n of_o old_a and_o of_o the_o learned_a modern_a je●●_n as_o aben_n ezra_n r._n solomon_n r._n ben_n maimon_n &_o ●_o who_o without_o doubt_n be_v very_o competent_a judge_n 〈◊〉_d this_o case_n to_o these_o may_v be_v add_v several_a of_o 〈◊〉_d christian_a persuasion_n as_o picus_n mirandula_n f._n juni●_n skikkard_n postellus_n with_o those_o three_o eminent_a person_n of_o our_o own_o country_n nic._n fuller_n brought●●_n lightfoot_n if_o you_o consult_v these_o they_o will_v satisfy_v you_o that_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n which_o we_o have_v now_o in_o the_o bible_n be_v the_o primitive_a one_o the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v of_o old_a but_o to_o give_v you_o my_o thought_n impartial_o in_o this_o point_n i_o do_v belieu●_v from_o what_o i_o find_v assert_v by_o writer_n on_o both_o side_n that_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o character_n use_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o cubit_n and_o shekel_n the_o sacred_a and_o common_a and_o i_o gather_v that_o the_o samaritan_n letter_n be_v of_o the_o latter_a sort_n that_o which_o be_v common_o use_v and_o even_o sometime_o in_o transcribe_v the_o bible_n but_o the_o sacred_a character_n in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v this_o which_o we_o now_o have_v and_o in_o which_o the_o bible_n be_v at_o this_o day_n this_o be_v the_o true_a original_a hebrew_n letter_n and_o be_v use_v from_o the_o begin_n by_o they_o this_o i_o think_v may_v reconcile_v the_o dispute_n among_o writer_n for_o so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v perceive_v the_o quarrel_n arise_v from_o this_o that_o there_o be_v