Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	church_n	rule_n	scripture_n	3,650	5	6.1148	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62735	Primordia, or, The rise and growth of the first church of God described by Tho. Tanner ... ; to which are added two letters of Mr. Rvdyerd's, in answer to two questions propounded by the author, one about the multiplying of mankind until the flood ; the other concerning the multiplying of the children of Israel in Egypt.	Tanner, Thomas, 1630-1682.; Rudyerd, James, b. 1575 or 6.	1683 (1683)	Wing T145; ESTC R14957	173,444	408

primordia_fw-la or_o the_o rise_n and_o growth_n of_o the_o first_o church_n of_o god_n describe_v by_o tho._n tanner_n m.a._n j.c._n and_o rector_n of_o winchfield_n in_o hampshire_n to_o which_o be_v add_v two_o letter_n of_o m_o r_o rvdyerd_n in_o answer_n to_o two_o question_n propound_v by_o the_o author_n one_o about_o the_o multiply_v of_o mankind_n until_o the_o flood_n the_o other_o concern_v the_o multiply_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n quod_fw-la primum_fw-la verum_fw-la london_n print_v for_o ric._n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o saint_n paul_n churchyard_n mdc_o lxxxiii_o to_o the_o much_o honour_a james_n rudyerd_v of_o winchfield_n esq_n sir_n since_o it_o have_v be_v a_o custom_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o for_o all_o sort_n of_o writer_n to_o creep_v into_o the_o light_n at_o first_o with_o their_o well-set_a apology_n it_o may_v just_o seem_v in_o vain_a now_o when_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v to_o be_v say_v for_o i_o to_o travel_v in_o that_o kind_n wherein_o the_o wit_n themselves_o have_v be_v strand_v as_o it_o be_v before_o but_o as_o for_o we_o who_o be_v divine_n by_o our_o profession_n it_o may_v possible_o be_v better_a to_o confess_v ingenuous_o that_o it_o be_v as_o much_o our_o duty_n as_o occasion_n or_o acceptance_n may_v oblige_v we_o to_o write_v as_o to_o preach_v the_o truth_n nor_o can_v such_o a_o exigency_n be_v ever_o want_v while_o they_o that_o be_v weary_a of_o our_o scribble_n will_v help_v off_o our_o impression_n for_o they_o see_v some_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o be_v this_o they_o may_v perceive_v that_o all_o be_v not_o truth_n that_o be_v in_o print_n but_o much_o more_o that_o disguise_a truth_n be_v the_o fit_a of_o all_o to_o serve_v the_o turn_n of_o error_n which_o be_v not_o of_o the_o like_a consequence_n in_o reference_n unto_o all_o opinion_n for_o how_o we_o shall_v be_v save_v be_v another_o matter_n than_o how_o we_o shall_v be_v reimburse_v with_o a_o notion_n only_o we_o have_v as_o frequent_v need_n to_o bring_v all_o metal_n to_o the_o touchstone_n or_o the_o scale_n as_o the_o goldsmith_n have_v and_o in_o certain_a point_n to_o be_v scrupulous_a even_o to_o a_o grain_n since_o the_o file_n of_o gold_n be_v precious_a wherefore_o as_o for_o this_o essay_n in_o particular_a which_o i_o have_v desire_v to_o present_v unto_o the_o common_a light_n through_o your_o hand_n i_o must_v confess_v sir_n that_o although_o i_o write_v it_o not_o on_o purpose_n to_o oblige_v or_o disoblige_v an●_n party_n yet_o i_o can_v be_v unsensible_a that_o as_o it_o come_v home_o to_o certain_a point_n at_o which_o i_o aim_v not_o at_o first_o so_o there_o may_v be_v divers_a that_o may_v take_v themselves_o to_o be_v more_o concern_v in_o it_o than_o i_o be_v aware_a for_o who_o sake_n i_o may_v be_v the_o more_o sorry_a that_o i_o have_v also_o write_v in_o some_o confusion_n rather_o as_o book_n come_v to_o my_o hand_n in_o this_o obscurity_n as_o you_o know_v best_o who_o have_v be_v my_o chief_a lender_n than_o as_o my_o method_n lie_v in_o the_o first_o scheme_n wherein_o it_o be_v design_v and_o if_o i_o beg_v leave_v here_o to_o give_v you_o a_o further_a prospect_n into_o that_o than_o i_o have_v do_v before_o the_o rest_n of_o my_o observer_n may_v be_v prepare_v the_o better_a for_o it_o since_o the_o prime_a antiquity_n be_v the_o only_a standard_n both_o of_o truth_n and_o purity_n and_o the_o scripture_n itself_o tanquam_fw-la index_n svi_fw-la &_o obliqui_fw-la the_o only_a rule_n whereby_o to_o prove_v the_o report_n of_o ancient_a writer_n which_o may_v be_v many_o way_n seduce_v or_o impose_v on_o by_o other_o i_o think_v by_o compare_v these_o together_o to_o set_v forth_o what_o i_o can_v discover_v of_o the_o true_a church_n from_o the_o first_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n at_o least_o of_o the_o first_o century_n after_o our_o lord_n nativity_n have_v a_o due_a regard_n both_o to_o the_o outward_a and_o inward_a constitution_n of_o it_o wave_v or_o refer_v unto_o other_o what_o i_o find_v do_v to_o my_o content_n before_o i_o weigh_v with_o myself_o the_o subterfuge_n of_o the_o papist_n in_o writhe_v or_o feign_v antiquity_n only_o and_o of_o divers_a modern_a sect_n in_o the_o real_a obscurity_n of_o the_o first_o age_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o it_o may_v be_v divers_a of_o they_o will_v rather_o wish_v to_o be_v leave_v under_o a_o stand_a veil_n still_o than_o to_o be_v discover_v by_o any_o other_o light_n than_o their_o own_o and_o if_o i_o say_v no_o more_o at_o first_o it_o may_v be_v it_o be_v because_o i_o know_v not_o how_o far_o i_o may_v be_v able_a to_o proceed_v though_o i_o have_v the_o whole_a substance_n in_o my_o rude_a draught_n already_o i_o have_v be_v inform_v that_o the_o great_a bishop_n montague_n have_v design_v to_o accomplish_v a_o refutation_n of_o baronius_n annal_n but_o he_o live_v to_o finish_v little_a else_o of_o that_o design_n beyond_o his_o apparatus_fw-la and_o that_o it_o be_v among_o the_o belli_n pensieri_n of_o mr._n cowley_n to_o take_v a_o review_n of_o the_o original_a principle_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o he_o purpose_v shall_v reach_v to_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n life_n and_o their_o immediate_a successor_n for_o four_o or_o five_o century_n till_o interest_n or_o policy_n prevail_v over_o true_a devotion_n but_o alas_o for_o aught_o appear_v these_o die_v with_o he_o but_o what_o shall_v i_o say_v for_o myself_o at_o last_o in_o that_o i_o have_v not_o only_o thrust_v these_o paper_n forth_o under_o your_o name_n in_o the_o front_n but_o also_o fortify_v myself_o with_o the_o same_o in_o the_o rear_n by_o press_v one_o or_o two_o unusual_a request_n from_o you_o for_o the_o first_o sure_o it_o can_v be_v think_v no_o other_o than_o the_o least_o expression_n of_o gratitude_n howsoever_o rude_a that_o can_v be_v make_v as_o the_o world_n go_v now_o to_o a_o uncorrupted_a patron_n and_o for_o the_o second_o let_v they_o that_o blame_v your_o condescension_n but_o show_v first_o that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o acquit_v themselves_o as_o well_o or_o at_o least_o to_o imitate_v your_o example_n and_o then_o they_o shall_v escape_v the_o better_a in_o exchange_n of_o censure_n in_o the_o mean_a while_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n who_o shall_v tell_v they_o that_o learning_n and_o virtue_n such_o as_o you_o in_o a_o ancient_a house_n be_v the_o elder_a nobility_n and_o like_a to_o raise_v you_o ●o_o more_o esteem_n among_o the_o better_a spirit_n and_o to_o oblige_v other_o kind_n of_o thanks_o than_o i_o who_o be_o sir_n your_o most_o affectionate_a and_o humble_a servant_n tho._n tanner_n winchfield_n august_n the_o 20_o the_o 1682_o primordia_fw-la or_o the_o rise_n and_o growth_n of_o the_o first_o church_n of_o god._n chap._n i._o introduction_n adam_n why_o create_v out_o of_o paradise_n and_o after_o bring_v in_o our_o first_o parent_n create_v in_o perfection_n yet_o never_o offer_v to_o couple_v in_o their_o innocency_n though_o they_o have_v such_o a_o command_n with_o a_o blessing_n and_o why_o why_o also_o they_o covet_v child_n after_o their_o fall_n wherein_o their_o outward_a state_n of_o misery_n be_v point_v out_o by_o what_o degree_n and_o mean_n the_o divine_a power_n and_o wisdom_n will_v erect_v a_o kingdom_n to_o himself_o distinct_a from_o all_o the_o nation_n which_o he_o suffer_v to_o walk_v in_o their_o own_o way_n 14.16_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o these_o reserche_n to_o the_o end_n that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o know_v at_o last_o what_o manner_n of_o kingdom_n that_o shall_v be_v which_o god_n will_v give_v unto_o his_o only_a son_n who_o be_v to_o derive_v his_o flesh_n from_o the_o first_o adam_n we_o can_v choose_v but_o begin_v from_o the_o head_n of_o all_o and_o observe_v somewhat_o concern_v his_o state_n that_o have_v either_o escape_v some_o writer_n or_o be_v wise_o pass_v over_o by_o other_o to_o evade_v perplexity_n 2.8_o as_o for_o adam_n then_o the_o schoolman_n have_v observe_v that_o he_o be_v create_v out_o of_o paradise_n and_o after_o bring_v in_o from_o which_o some_o of_o they_o will_v infer_v and_o argue_v 2._o that_o he_o be_v not_o create_v in_o grace_n but_o in_o his_o pure_a natural_n and_o that_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o supernatural_a gift_n when_o he_o come_v to_o be_v instate_v there_o to_o which_o some_o other_o have_v fit_o apply_v this_o answer_n that_o if_o adam_n have_v not_o sin_v the_o whole_a earth_n will_v have_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o paradise_n to_o the_o son_n of_o man_n but_o that_o that_o which_o be_v set_v forth_o for_o adam_n be_v adorn_v for_o he_o in_o a_o special_a manner_n

confirm_v it_o in_o answer_v of_o their_o former_a reason_n from_o a_o particular_a negative_a to_o a_o general_a affirmative_a we_o proceed_v by_o the_o way_n that_o be_v as_o strong_a as_o they_o be_v sleight_n i_o mean_v by_o demonstration_n from_o the_o effect_n to_o the_o cause_n the_o same_o way_n that_o we_o prove_v a_o god_n for_o where_o there_o be_v example_n encouragement_n and_o penalty_n demonstrate_v there_o the_o law_n itself_o the_o cause_n of_o these_o be_v also_o demonstrate_v by_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n and_o so_o in_o handle_v this_o their_o other_o topick_n a_o possibili_fw-la ad_fw-la necessarium_fw-la i_o shall_v go_v near_o to_o requite_v they_o by_o argue_v quite_o contrary_a a_o necessario_fw-la ad_fw-la impossibile_fw-it but_o first_o what_o kind_n of_o argue_v be_v this_o there_o be_v no_o command_n reveal_v about_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o moment_n as_o sacrifice_v and_o therefore_o there_o be_v none_o nor_o any_o reason_n to_o be_v give_v why_o such_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v omit_v and_o yet_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o likely_a of_o as_o great_a moment_n as_o it_o be_v that_o man_n shall_v find_v it_o out_o by_o the_o use_n of_o right_a reason_n whereas_o this_o be_v less_o reveal_v than_o the_o other_o and_o less_o reason_n to_o be_v give_v why_o or_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v first_o devise_v we_o say_v still_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o after_o the_o fall_v there_o shall_v be_v sacrifice_v but_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o man_n shall_v invent_v it_o of_o himself_o and_o if_o socinus_n do_v not_o ground_n his_o own_o hypothesis_n upon_o scripture_n wherefore_o do_v he_o call_v for_o scripture_n scripture_n and_o when_o we_o show_v he_o scripture_n what_o avail_v it_o in_o the_o case_n of_o sacrifice_n when_o he_o shall_v set_v the_o same_o reason_n that_o invent_v they_o above_o the_o scripture_n give_v it_o authority_n to_o expound_v they_o not_o so_o as_o right_a reason_n but_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o socinus_n shall_v allow_v be_v not_o this_o to_o appeal_v always_o to_o himself_o and_o what_o have_v he_o deserve_v of_o the_o truth_n that_o we_o that_o revere_a the_o scripture_n indeed_o shall_v defer_v so_o much_o authority_n to_o he_o do_v we_o not_o see_v that_o he_o allege_v scripture_n only_o to_o balk_v we_o and_o admit_v it_o not_o to_o inform_v himself_o but_o let_v we_o appeal_v however_o unto_o such_o as_o will_v hearken_v what_o the_o scripture_n say_v and_o believe_v it_o 22.2.13_o be_v not_o abraham_n express_o command_v to_o offer_v up_o his_o son_n isaac_n and_o do_v not_o god_n provide_v he_o of_o a_o ram_n in_o the_o stead_n of_o his_o son_n 13._o and_o say_v not_o god_n unto_o jacob_n 35.1_o go_v up_o to_o bethel_n and_o dwell_v there_o and_o make_v there_o a_o altar_n unto_o god_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o god_n command_v these_o thing_n because_o cain_n suppose_v be_v a_o very_a wise_a man_n have_v invent_v they_o before_o or_o because_o god_n himself_o have_v command_v the_o like_a before_o what_o do_v you_o think_v be_v it_o more_o reasonable_a that_o man_n shall_v prescribe_v a_o modus_fw-la of_o his_o own_o worship_n unto_o god_n or_o he_o to_o man_n or_o do_v you_o think_v it_o proper_a that_o god_n himself_o shall_v second_v a_o project_n of_o the_o wicked_a cain_n or_o the_o decay_a adam_n and_o what_o though_o the_o first_o law_n be_v not_o record_v as_o many_o law_n of_o england_n depend_v on_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o all_o be_v not_o and_o yet_o be_v hold_v to_o be_v such_o as_o out_o of_o which_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la be_v compose_v and_o which_o without_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v in_o any_o statute_n be_v account_v to_o be_v prime_a law_n among_o we_o do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v none_o what_o think_v you_o of_o murder_n before_o noah_n 38.9.24_o of_o burn_a for_o adultery_n afterward_o or_o of_o the_o law_n of_o leviration_n oblige_v the_o brother_n survive_v to_o raise_v up_o seed_n unto_o his_o brother_n for_o the_o breach_n of_o which_o god_n almighty_n be_v provoke_v beside_o the_o other_o aggravation_n cut_v off_o onan_n in_o his_o prime_n show_v i_o the_o law_n if_o you_o be_v able_a and_o yet_o they_o be_v of_o such_o moment_n that_o their_o breach_n you_o see_v be_v capital_a i_o instance_n in_o law_n which_o be_v ad_fw-la idem_fw-la to_o the_o question_n since_o it_o nothing_o move_v they_o when_o we_o show_v that_o divers_a thing_n be_v record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o deliver_v by_o moses_n who_o be_v direct_v unto_o brevity_n which_o we_o can_v find_v at_o all_o in_o he_o 14._o as_o enoch_n prophecy_n lot_n perturbation_n for_o the_o wicked_a sodomite_n 8._o noah_n 's_z preach_v to_o the_o old_a world_n etc._n etc._n in_o a_o word_n the_o four_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n be_v not_o the_o place_n wherein_o moses_n be_v to_o set_v down_o the_o law_n of_o sacrifice_n which_o he_o be_v after_o to_o reform_v so_o that_o these_o two_o point_n remain_v in_o the_o whole_a to_o discover_v the_o fallacy_n of_o our_o adversary_n and_o to_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n viz._n first_o that_o after_o the_o fall_n sacrifice_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a towards_o the_o reparation_n second_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o improbable_a and_o moral_o impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v invent_v they_o so_o that_o from_o the_o very_a first_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v acceptable_a unto_o god_n on_o that_o account_n chap._n vii_o what_o make_v the_o socinian_o talk_v so_o slight_o of_o sacrifice_n the_o inconcinnity_n and_o implication_n of_o their_o opinion_n in_o part_n detect_v in_o this_o it_o be_v that_o the_o socinian_o trifle_v much_o when_o they_o talk_v profane_o concern_v sacrifice_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v but_o complemental_a or_o superstitious_a thing_n nay_o but_o fond_a in_o their_o imagination_n and_o such_o as_o they_o shall_v have_v never_o like_v if_o they_o have_v live_v then_o which_o will_v represent_v their_o opinion_n to_o the_o more_o prejudice_n if_o it_o shall_v at_o last_o appear_v that_o god_n himself_o be_v the_o director_n of_o they_o only_o as_o a_o merciful_a remedy_n for_o man_n but_o what_o though_o will_v they_o be_v any_o more_o ashamed_a in_o this_o than_o in_o their_o slight_v of_o both_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o which_o they_o acknowledge_v christ_n himself_o to_o have_v be_v the_o author_n while_o they_o drive_v they_o to_o another_o scope_n and_o question_v the_o necessity_n of_o their_o continuance_n for_o what_o be_v there_o in_o water_n now_o more_o than_o in_o fire_n before_o or_o in_o bread_n and_o wine_n now_o more_o than_o in_o the_o cake_n and_o libament_n with_o the_o flesh_n and_o blood_n of_o sheep_n before_o they_o say_v as_o it_o be_v by_o a_o scomma_n or_o a_o sarcasm_n nobis_fw-la quibus_fw-la alii_fw-la mores_fw-la etc._n etc._n to_o we_o 3._o that_o be_v enure_v unto_o other_o manner_n and_o religious_a rite_n for_o a_o long_a time_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o judge_v after_o so_o long_a a_o time_n before_o what_o may_v come_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o another_o concern_v sacrifice_n as_o if_o adam_n and_o the_o patriarch_n be_v no_o other_o in_o their_o account_n but_o as_o old_a exotic_a heathen_n that_o have_v invent_v some_o way_n of_o worship_n acknowledge_v however_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v free_a in_o any_o part_n from_o contradiction_n haec_fw-la &_o hujusmodi_fw-la instituta_fw-la quae_fw-la ratio_fw-la naturalis_fw-la excogitavit_fw-la tanquam_fw-la ad_fw-la conspicuum_fw-la dei_fw-la cultum_fw-la ibid._n satis_fw-la apta_fw-la suisse_fw-la &_o idonea_fw-la that_o these_o sacrifice_n and_o what_o pertain_v to_o they_o be_v apt_a and_o proper_a enough_o though_o invent_v by_o man_n to_o render_v a_o certain_a kind_n of_o conspicuous_a service_n unto_o god_n and_o so_o when_o they_o say_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v consume_v these_o consecrate_a thing_n by_o fire_n for_o how_o else_o can_v they_o prevent_v their_o reservation_n possible_o unto_o profane_a use_n after_o once_o they_o have_v be_v dedicate_v they_o themselves_o that_o pretend_v to_o take_v their_o refuge_n in_o reason_n do_v but_o raise_v we_o unto_o admiration_n of_o their_o confidence_n when_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v no_o wonder_n in_o such_o a_o thing_n whereof_o they_o can_v give_v no_o other_o but_o a_o illusory_a or_o ridiculous_a reason_n while_o they_o say_v there_o be_v no_o wonder_n for_o if_o this_o be_v strange_a to_o we_o how_o it_o shall_v come_v into_o the_o patriarch_n head_n to_o think_v to_o please_v god_n by_o slay_v of_o a_o beast_n without_o such_o revelation_n how_o shall_v it_o seem_v less_o strange_a that_o burn_v it_o when_o they_o have_v do_v shall_v enter_v into_o the_o same_o head_n for_o any_o one_o reason_n more_o than_o another_o

produce_v afterward_o such_o admirable_a spirit_n so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v discover_v but_o if_o the_o master_n be_v indifferent_o such_o as_o i_o have_v describe_v what_o think_v you_o be_v the_o man_n if_o it_o have_v so_o seem_v good_a to_o god_n he_o can_v have_v set_v they_o all_o alike_o without_o blemish_n but_o he_o will_v rather_o take_v in_o all_o now_o than_o leave_v out_o one_o and_o so_o must_v we_o leave_v they_o in_o the_o good_a land_n of_o goshen_n all_o the_o life_n of_o joseph_n and_o some_o time_n after_o for_o the_o text_n say_v that_o joseph_n die_v and_o all_o his_o brethren_n and_o all_o that_o generation_n 5._o before_o a_o new_a king_n josephus_n say_v of_o another_o race_n arise_v up_o over_o egypt_n which_o know_v not_o joseph_n and_o that_o the_o people_n be_v so_o increase_v that_o goshen_n can_v no_o more_o contain_v they_o but_o that_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n be_v fill_v with_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d finis_fw-la a_o letter_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o question_n propound_v by_o the_o author_n viz._n concern_v the_o multiply_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n sir_n since_o you_o be_v please_v to_o request_v my_o poor_a assistance_n in_o the_o solution_n of_o the_o follow_a question_n to_o show_v my_o readiness_n to_o serve_v you_o i_o set_v myself_o about_o it_o i_o confess_v at_o first_o i_o expect_v nothing_o but_o dry_a arithmetical_a matter_n to_o work_v upon_o but_o upon_o far_a consideration_n i_o find_v the_o subject_a you_o have_v give_v i_o of_o a_o more_o extensive_a nature_n than_o so_o fit_a to_o be_v replenish_v with_o other_o more_o useful_a consideration_n and_o capable_a of_o a_o more_o noble_a improvement_n than_o i_o be_o able_a to_o bestow_v upon_o it_o yet_o such_o as_o that_o be_v here_o you_o have_v it_o your_o question_n be_v this_o how_o from_o seventy_o male_n only_o 46.47_o in_o no_o long_a space_n than_o two_o hundred_o and_o ten_o year_n 10.22_o as_o your_o chronologer_n reckon_v wherein_o the_o israelite_n sojourn_v in_o egypt_n there_o can_v be_v produce_v at_o their_o first_o number_v in_o the_o wilderness_n no_o less_o than_o six_o hundred_o and_o three_o thousand_o 3.39_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o from_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_o beside_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n which_o amount_v to_o two_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o male_n from_o a_o month_n old_a and_o upward_o and_o how_o the_o probability_n of_o this_o may_v be_v demonstrate_v so_o as_o to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o such_o as_o porphyry_n and_o celsus_n without_o refuge_n to_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o twin_n or_o a_o miraculous_a continuance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o generation_n in_o that_o people_n more_o than_o any_o other_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o mention_n in_o profane_a writer_n to_o this_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o return_v such_o a_o answer_n as_o shall_v satisfy_v any_o reasonable_a man_n and_o yourself_o in_o particular_a and_o have_v do_v that_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v have_v do_v all_o that_o you_o expect_v from_o i_o towards_o the_o silence_v such_o as_o be_v of_o celsus_n and_o porphyry_n creed_n in_o this_o matter_n if_o such_o as_o they_o may_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o have_v any_o creed_n who_o faith_n reverse_v consist_v in_o disbelieve_v nor_o be_v this_o the_o only_a good_a effect_n of_o such_o undertake_n if_o due_o perform_v for_o although_o christian_n believe_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v from_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v do_v general_o take_v god_n almighty_n word_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v there_o reveal_v without_o a_o strict_a scrutiny_n and_o examination_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o yet_o if_o after_o assent_v give_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n those_o among_o they_o who_o be_v qualify_v with_o ability_n especial_o such_o as_o yourself_o who_o serve_v at_o the_o altar_n and_o who_o lip_n preserve_v knowledge_n do_v search_n and_o dive_v into_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o any_o thing_n there_o relate_v of_o a_o unusual_a and_o surprise_v nature_n such_o as_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v at_o first_o view_n and_o when_o upon_o such_o search_n the_o thing_n appear_v upon_o rational_a ground_n not_o only_o possible_a but_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v effect_v this_o not_o only_o put_v to_o silence_v the_o ignorance_n of_o foolish_a man_n but_o high_o confirm_v believer_n themselves_o in_o their_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o encourage_v they_o on_o other_o occasion_n to_o acquiesce_v and_o rely_v entire_o on_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n word_n when_o their_o limit_a finite_a faculty_n can_v fathom_v the_o reason_n either_o of_o the_o thing_n or_o command_n reveal_v without_o any_o far_a preface_n therefore_o give_v i_o leave_v sir_n to_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o matter_n before_o we_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o fly_v to_o a_o extraordinary_a multiplication_n by_o twin_n i_o say_v extraordinary_a for_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o exclude_v it_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n because_o we_o see_v it_o frequent_o happen_v among_o ourselves_o and_o i_o believe_v 〈◊〉_d may_v be_v more_o frequent_a among_o the_o israelite_n even_o from_o natural_a cause_n such_o as_o the_o simplicity_n of_o their_o diet_n above_o we_o and_o the_o more_o fertile_a pregnancy_n of_o that_o climate_n where_o nature_n be_v more_o perfect_a and_o better_o digest_v by_o the_o near_a approach_n of_o the_o sun_n who_o quicken_v all_o thing_n and_o be_v repute_v by_o philosopher_n to_o have_v a_o peculiar_a influence_n in_o the_o work_n of_o generation_n insomuch_o that_o it_o pass_v for_o a_o uncontrolled_a maxim_n among_o they_o and_o a_o kind_n of_o postulatum_fw-la that_o sol_n &_o homo_fw-la generant_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o as_o little_a need_n be_v there_o of_o a_o miraculous_a power_n of_o generation_n unless_o we_o will_v multiply_v miracle_n unnecessary_o by_o style_v every_o eminent_a blessing_n by_o that_o title_n which_o be_v send_v in_o performance_n of_o a_o promise_n then_o indeed_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o this_o people_n will_v pass_v for_o a_o miracle_n of_o the_o first_o rank_n for_o never_o be_v any_o promise_n often_o reiterated_a than_o this_o as_o if_o the_o benediction_n vie_v in_o proportion_n and_o analogy_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o blessing_n itself_o which_o consist_v in_o number_n have_v the_o israelitish_n woman_n be_v all_o old_a sarahs_n nay_o have_v they_o be_v young_a rachel_n or_o rebeccahs_n and_o their_o husband_n confine_v to_o they_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o miracle_n can_v have_v do_v it_o but_o as_o it_o be_v it_o hold_v no_o high_a denomination_n than_o that_o of_o a_o very_a great_a blessing_n which_o i_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o medium_n betwixt_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n and_o a_o miracle_n and_o much_o near_o of_o kin_n to_o the_o former_a than_o the_o latter_a because_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o either_o praeter_fw-la or_o contra_fw-la naturam_fw-la the_o several_a promise_n of_o increase_n before_o mention_v be_v the_o foundation_n whereon_o i_o shall_v build_v my_o superstructure_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v a_o transient_a view_n of_o some_o of_o they_o and_o the_o word_v of_o they_o where_o we_o shall_v find_v a_o most_o remarkable_a exuberancy_n good_a measure_n press_v down_o and_o run_v over_o such_o as_o these_o gen._n 13.16_o i_o will_v make_v thy_o seed_n say_v god_n to_o abraham_n as_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n so_o that_o if_o a_o man_n can_v number_v of_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n then_o shall_v thy_o seed_n also_o be_v number_v gen._n 15.5_o and_o god_n bring_v abraham_n forth_o abroad_o and_o say_v look_v now_o towards_o heaven_n and_o tell_v the_o star_n if_o thou_o be_v able_a to_o number_v they_o so_o shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v gen._n 22.16_o 17._o by_o myself_o have_v i_o swear_v say_v the_o lord_n that_o in_o blessing_n i_o will_v bless_v thou_o and_o in_o multiply_v i_o will_v multiply_v thy_o seed_n as_o the_o star_n of_o heaven_n and_o as_o the_o sand_n which_o be_v upon_o the_o seashore_n and_o although_o we_o may_v think_v that_o this_o promise_n be_v partly_o make_v good_a in_o ishmael_n and_o abraham_n other_o son_n and_o also_o in_o esau_n from_o all_o which_o great_a nation_n be_v descend_v yet_o that_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o although_o they_o do_v seem_v material_o to_o make_v good_a these_o promise_n of_o increase_n yet_o formal_o they_o do_v not_o quatenus_fw-la a_o promise_n but_o they_o be_v throw_v in_o by_o god_n ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o on_o the_o account_n of_o other_o bye_n promise_n such_o as_o that_o to_o hagar_n gen._n 17.10_o 11._o and_o be_v mere_a anomala_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o main_a promise_n gen._n 21.12_o for_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v to_o who_o