have_v something_o of_o difficulty_n and_o obscurity_n in_o it_o and_o to_o vindicate_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o divine_a revelation_n therein_o contain_v from_o one_o of_o the_o most_o specious_a objection_n of_o infidelity_n but_o i_o have_v a_o far_a design_n in_o this_o text_n and_o that_o be_v to_o make_v some_o observation_n and_o inference_n from_o it_o that_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o we_o as_o first_o that_o humane_a nature_n be_v capable_a of_o clear_a and_o full_a satisfaction_n concern_v a_o divine_a revelation_n for_o if_o abraham_n have_v not_o be_v full_o and_o past_o all_o doubt_n assure_v that_o this_o be_v a_o command_n from_o god_n he_o will_v certain_o have_v spare_v his_o son_n and_o nothing_o be_v more_o reasonable_a than_o to_o believe_v that_o those_o to_o who_o god_n be_v please_v to_o make_v immediate_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o assure_v that_o they_o be_v divine_a otherwise_o they_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a 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and_o necessary_a use_n of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n for_o we_o see_v here_o that_o abraham_n reason_n be_v a_o mighty_a strengthen_n and_o help_n to_o his_o faith_n here_o be_v two_o revelation_n make_v to_o abraham_n which_o seem_v to_o clash_v with_o one_o another_o and_o if_o abraham_n reason_n can_v not_o have_v reconcile_v the_o repugnancy_n of_o they_o he_o can_v not_o possible_o have_v believe_v they_o both_o to_o be_v from_o god_n because_o this_o natural_a notion_n or_o principle_n that_o god_n can_v contradict_v himself_o every_o man_n do_v first_o and_o more_o firm_o believe_v than_o any_o revelation_n whatsoever_o now_o abraham_n reason_n relieve_v he_o in_o this_o strait_a so_o the_o text_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o reason_v with_o himself_o that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o this_o be_v admit_v the_o command_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o slay_v of_o isaac_n be_v very_o well_o consistent_a with_o his_o former_a promise_n that_o in_o isaac_n his_o seed_n shall_v be_v call_v i_o know_v there_o have_v a_o very_a rude_a clamour_n be_v raise_v by_o some_o person_n but_o of_o more_o zeal_n i_o think_v than_o judgement_n against_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n but_o how_o very_o unreasonable_a this_o be_v will_v appear_v to_o any_o one_o that_o will_v but_o have_v patience_n to_o consider_v these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o the_o nature_n of_o divine_a revelation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o endow_v man_n with_o new_a faculty_n but_o propound_v new_a object_n to_o the_o faculty_n which_o they_o have_v before_o reason_n be_v the_o faculty_n whereby_o revelation_n be_v to_o be_v discern_v for_o when_o god_n reveal_v any_o thing_n to_o we_o he_o reveal_v it_o to_o our_o understanding_n and_o by_o that_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o it_o therefore_o st._n john_n caution_n we_o 1_o jo._n 4._o 1._o not_o to_o believe_v every_o spirit_n but_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n that_o be_v there_o be_v many_o that_o false_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n but_o how_o can_v these_o pretender_n be_v try_v and_o discern_v from_o those_o that_o be_v true_o inspire_v but_o by_o use_v our_o reason_n in_o compare_v the_o evidence_n for_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o 2._o this_o will_v far_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n faith_n as_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v a_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o something_o as_o reveal_v by_o god_n now_o all_o assent_n must_v be_v ground_v upon_o evidence_n that_o be_v no_o man_n can_v believe_v any_o thing_n unless_o he_o have_v or_o think_v he_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o do_v so_o for_o to_o be_v confident_a of_o a_o thing_n without_o reason_n be_v not_o faith_n but_o a_o presumptuous_a persuasion_n and_o obstinacy_n of_o mind_n 3._o this_o will_v yet_o be_v more_o evident_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o 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can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o man_n it_o be_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o all_o virtue_n the_o heart_n and_o soul_n of_o all_o piety_n and_o goodness_n it_o be_v in_o scripture_n call_v perfection_n and_o frequent_o join_v with_o it_o and_o throughout_o the_o bible_n there_o be_v the_o great_a stress_n and_o weight_n lay_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v speak_v of_o as_o the_o sum_n and_o comprehension_n of_o all_o religion_n only_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o serve_v he_o in_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n say_v joshua_n to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n jos._n 24._o 14._o god_n take_v great_a pleasure_n in_o it_o so_o david_n assure_v we_o 1_o chron._n 29._o 17._o i_o know_v my_o god_n that_o thou_o trye_v the_o heart_n and_o have_v pleasure_n in_o uprightness_n and_o again_o thou_o love_v truth_n in_o the_o inward_a part_n to_o this_o disposition_n of_o mind_n the_o promise_n of_o divine_a favour_n and_o blessing_n be_v particular_o make_v psal._n 15._o 1_o 2._o lord_n who_o shall_v dwell_v in_o thy_o tabernacle_n who_o shall_v dwell_v in_o thy_o holy_a hill_n he_o that_o walk_v upright_o and_o work_v righteousness_n and_o speak_v the_o truth_n from_o his_o heart_n psal._n 32._o 2._o bless_a be_v the_o man_n unto_o who_o the_o lord_n impute_v no_o sin_n and_o in_o who_o spirit_n there_o be_v no_o guile_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o this_o character_n of_o our_o saviour_n here_o give_v of_o nathaniel_n be_v the_o only_a full_a and_o perfect_a commendation_n that_o we_o read_v be_v ever_o give_v by_o he_o of_o any_o particular_a person_n he_o commend_v some_o particular_a act_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n in_o other_o as_o st._n peter_n confession_n of_o he_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o centurion_n and_o of_o the_o woman_n that_o be_v heal_v by_o touch_v the_o hem_v of_o his_o garment_n the_o charity_n of_o the_o woman_n that_o cast_v she_o two_o mite_n into_o the_o treasury_n and_o the_o bounty_n of_o that_o other_o devout_a woman_n who_o pour_v upon_o he_o a_o box_n of_o precious_a ointment_n but_o here_o he_o give_v the_o particular_a character_n of_o a_o good_a man_n when_o he_o say_v of_o nathaniel_n that_o he_o be_v a_o israelite_n indeed_o in_o who_o be_v no_o guilford_n and_o the_o apostle_n mention_n this_o quality_n as_o the_o chief_a ingredient_n into_o the_o character_n of_o the_o best_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o do_v no_o sin_n neither_o be_v guilford_n find_v in_o his_o mouth_n second_o the_o rarity_n of_o this_o virtue_n be_v a_o far_a commendation_n of_o it_o a_o sincere_o pious_a and_o good_a man_n without_o any_o guile_n or_o disguise_n be_v not_o a_o sight_n to_o be_v see_v every_o day_n our_o saviour_n in_o the_o text_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n very_o extraordinary_a and_o of_o special_a remark_n and_o observation_n and_o break_v out_o into_o some_o kind_n of_o wonder_n upon_o the_o occasion_n as_o if_o to_o see_v a_o man_n of_o perfect_a integrity_n and_o simplicity_n be_v a_o occurrence_n 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of_o some_o real_a excellency_n now_o the_o best_a way_n in_o the_o world_n for_o a_o man_n to_o seem_v to_o be_v any_o thing_n be_v real_o to_o be_v what_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v many_o time_n as_o troublesome_a to_o make_v good_a the_o pretence_n of_o a_o good_a quality_n as_o to_o have_v it_o and_o if_o a_o man_n have_v it_o not_o it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o but_o he_o be_v discover_v to_o want_v it_o and_o then_o all_o his_o pain_n and_o labour_n to_o seem_v to_o have_v it_o be_v lose_v there_o be_v something_o unnatural_a in_o paint_v which_o a_o skilful_a eye_n will_v easy_o discern_v from_o native_a beauty_n and_o complexion_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o personate_v and_o act_v a_o part_n long_o for_o where_o truth_n be_v not_o at_o the_o bottom_n nature_n will_v always_o be_v endeavour_v to_o return_v and_o will_v peep_v out_o and_o betray_v herself_o one_o time_n or_o other_o therefore_o if_o any_o man_n think_v it_o convenient_a to_o seem_v good_a let_v he_o be_v so_o indeed_o and_o then_o his_o goodness_n will_v appear_v to_o every_o body_n satisfaction_n for_o truth_n be_v convince_a and_o carry_v it_o be_v own_o light_n and_o evidence_n along_o with_o it_o and_o will_v not_o only_o commend_v we_o to_o every_o man_n conscience_n but_o which_o be_v much_o more_o to_o god_n who_o search_v and_o see_v our_o heart_n so_o that_o upon_o all_o account_n sincerity_n be_v true_a wisdom_n particular_o as_o to_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o world_n integrity_n have_v many_o advantage_n over_o all_o the_o fine_a and_o artificial_a way_n of_o dissimulation_n and_o deceit_n it_o be_v much_o the_o plain_o and_o easy_o much_o the_o safe_a and_o more_o secure_a way_n of_o deal_n in_o the_o world_n it_o have_v less_o of_o trouble_n and_o difficulty_n of_o entanglement_n and_o perplexity_n of_o danger_n and_o hazard_n in_o it_o it_o be_v the_o short_a and_o near_a way_n to_o our_o end_n carry_v we_o thither_o in_o a_o straight_a line_n and_o will_v hold_v out_o and_o last_o long_a the_o art_n of_o deceit_n and_o cunning_a do_v continual_o grow_v weak_a and_o less_o effectual_a and_o serviceable_a to_o they_o that_o use_v they_o whereas_o integrity_n gain_v strength_n by_o use_n and_o the_o more_o and_o long_o any_o man_n practise_v it_o the_o great_a service_n it_o do_v he_o by_o confirm_v his_o reputation_n and_o encourage_v those_o with_o who_o he_o have_v to_o do_v to_o repose_v the_o great_a trust_n and_o confidence_n in_o he_o which_o be_v a_o unspeakable_a advantage_n in_o the_o business_n and_o affair_n of_o life_n but_o a_o dissembler_n must_v always_o be_v upon_o his_o guard_n and_o watch_v himself_o careful_o that_o he_o do_v not_o contradict_v his_o own_o pretence_n for_o he_o act_v a_o unnatural_a part_n and_o therefore_o must_v put_v a_o continual_a force_n and_o restraint_n upon_o himself_o truth_n always_o lie_v uppermost_a and_o if_o a_o man_n do_v not_o careful_o attend_v he_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o bolt_n it_o out_o whereas_o he_o that_o act_v sincere_o have_v the_o easy_a task_n in_o the_o world_n because_o he_o follow_v nature_n and_o so_o be_v put_v to_o no_o trouble_n and_o care_n about_o his_o word_n and_o action_n he_o need_v not_o invent_v any_o pretence_n beforehand_o nor_o make_v excuse_n afterward_o for_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v say_v or_o do_v but_o insincerity_n be_v very_o troublesome_a to_o manage_v a_o man_n have_v so_o many_o thing_n to_o attend_v to_o so_o many_o end_n to_o bring_v together_o as_o make_v his_o life_n a_o very_a perplex_a and_o intricate_a thing_n oportet_fw-la mendacem_fw-la esse_fw-la memorem_fw-la a_o liar_n have_v need_n have_v a_o good_a memory_n lest_o he_o contradict_v at_o one_o time_n what_o he_o say_v at_o
not_o stagger_v so_o as_o to_o call_v this_o revelation_n of_o god_n in_o question_n second_o the_o grievous_a scandal_n that_o may_v seem_v almost_o unavoidable_o to_o follow_v upon_o it_o be_v another_o great_a objection_n against_o it_o the_o report_n of_o such_o a_o action_n will_v in_o all_o appearance_n blemish_v the_o reputation_n even_o of_o so_o good_a a_o man_n among_o all_o sober_a and_o considerate_a person_n who_o can_v hardly_o forbear_v to_o censure_v he_o as_o a_o wicked_a and_o unnatural_a man._n and_o this_o be_v a_o hard_a case_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v put_v to_o sacrifice_n at_o once_o two_o of_o the_o dear_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n his_o reputation_n and_o his_o son_n nor_o can_v he_o have_v easy_o defend_v himself_o from_o this_o imputation_n by_o allege_v a_o express_a revelation_n and_o command_n of_o god_n for_o it_o for_o who_o will_v give_v credit_n to_o it_o a_o revelation_n to_o another_o man_n be_v nothing_o to_o i_o unless_o i_o be_v assure_v that_o he_o have_v such_o a_o revelation_n which_o i_o can_v be_v but_o either_o by_o another_o immediate_a revelation_n or_o by_o some_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v it_o the_o act_n have_v a_o appearance_n of_o so_o much_o horror_n that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_o credible_a that_o god_n shall_v command_v it_o and_o if_o every_o man_n confident_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n be_v admit_v the_o worst_a action_n may_v plead_v this_o in_o their_o excuse_n so_o that_o this_o pretence_n will_v have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o excuse_v his_o fault_n that_o it_o must_v rather_o have_v be_v esteem_v a_o high_a aggravation_n of_o it_o by_o add_v the_o bold_a impiety_n to_o the_o most_o barbarous_a inhumanity_n but_o abraham_n be_v not_o stumble_v at_o this_o nor_o at_o the_o advantage_n which_o the_o enemy_n of_o his_o religion_n will_v make_v of_o such_o a_o occasion_n who_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o say_v here_o be_v your_o excellent_a good_a man_n and_o likely_a to_o be_v a_o friend_n of_o god_n who_o be_v so_o cruel_a a_o enemy_n to_o his_o own_o son_n all_o this_o it_o be_v probable_a he_o may_v consider_v but_o it_o do_v not_o move_v he_o be_v resolve_v to_o obey_v god_n and_o to_o leave_v it_o to_o his_o wisdom_n to_o provide_v against_o all_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o may_v follow_v upon_o it_o three_o the_o strong_a objection_n of_o all_o be_v the_o horrible_a consequence_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o clash_v with_o former_a revelation_n and_o to_o make_v void_a the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v before_o make_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v which_o promise_n be_v express_o limit_v to_o isaac_n and_o his_o posterity_n who_o have_v then_o no_o son_n and_o of_o this_o difficulty_n the_o apostle_n take_v express_a notice_n in_o the_o text_n that_o he_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o promise_n that_o be_v be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o they_o offer_v up_o his_o only_a beget_v son_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v and_o this_o objection_n be_v real_o so_o strong_a that_o if_o abraham_n can_v not_o have_v give_v himself_o satisfaction_n about_o it_o he_o may_v just_o have_v question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n for_o no_o man_n can_v possible_o entertain_v two_o contradictory_n revelation_n as_o from_o god_n but_o he_o must_v of_o necessity_n question_v one_o or_o both_o of_o they_o but_o so_o strong_a be_v abraham_n faith_n as_o not_o to_o be_v shake_v by_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o these_o two_o revelation_n ii_o we_o will_v consider_v the_o constancy_n of_o his_o resolution_n to_o obey_v god_n notwithstanding_o the_o harshness_n and_o difficulty_n of_o the_o thing_n though_o abraham_n be_v firm_o persuade_v that_o this_o command_n to_o kill_v his_o son_n be_v real_o from_o god_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n for_o a_o man_n to_o bring_v himself_o to_o obey_v god_n in_o so_o difficult_a a_o case_n and_o out_o of_o mere_a reverence_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n to_o divest_v himself_o of_o his_o nature_n and_o to_o thwart_v the_o strong_a inclination_n of_o it_o a_o man_n will_v be_v very_o apt_a to_o confer_v with_o flesh_n and_o blood_n in_o such_o a_o case_n let_v but_o any_o man_n that_o know_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o father_n lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o his_o heart_n and_o consider_v his_o own_o bowel_n and_o he_o will_v be_v astonish_v at_o abraham_n obedience_n as_o well_o as_o his_o faith_n to_o take_v his_o son_n his_o only_a son_n his_o son_n who_o he_o love_v and_o in_o who_o he_o place_v all_o his_o hope_n of_o a_o happy_a posterity_n and_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n to_o destroy_v he_o and_o all_o his_o hope_n together_o it_o must_v be_v a_o strong_a faith_n that_o will_v engage_v a_o man_n to_o obedience_n in_o so_o difficult_a a_o instance_n there_o be_v one_o circumstance_n more_o especial_o which_o render_v abraham_n obedience_n very_o remarkable_a the_o deliberateness_n of_o the_o action_n it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o much_o if_o so_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v receive_v this_o command_n from_o god_n he_o have_v upon_o a_o sudden_a impulse_n and_o transport_v of_o zeal_n do_v this_o but_o that_o his_o obedience_n may_v be_v the_o more_o glorious_a and_o have_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o advantage_n give_v to_o it_o god_n will_v have_v it_o do_v deliberate_o and_o upon_o full_a consideration_n and_o therefore_o he_o bid_v he_o go_v to_o the_o mountain_n three_o day_n journey_n from_o the_o place_n where_o he_o be_v and_o there_o to_o offer_v up_o his_o son_n it_o be_v in_o act_n of_o virtue_n and_o obedience_n as_o in_o act_n of_o sin_n and_o vice_n the_o more_o deliberate_a the_o sin_n be_v and_o the_o more_o calm_a and_o sedate_v temper_v the_o man_n be_v in_o when_o he_o commit_v it_o the_o great_a be_v the_o fault_n whereas_o what_o be_v do_v by_o surprise_n in_o the_o heat_n of_o temptation_n or_o transport_v of_o passion_n have_v some_o excuse_n from_o the_o suddainness_n and_o indeliberateness_n of_o it_o so_o be_v it_o in_o act_n of_o virtue_n and_o obedience_n especial_o if_o they_o be_v attend_v with_o considerable_a difficulty_n the_o more_o deliberate_o they_o be_v do_v the_o more_o virtuous_a they_o be_v and_o the_o great_a praise_n be_v due_a to_o they_o now_o that_o abraham_n obedience_n may_v want_v nothing_o to_o heighten_v it_o god_n seem_v on_o purpose_n to_o have_v put_v so_o long_a a_o space_n betwixt_o the_o command_n and_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o he_o give_v he_o time_n to_o cool_v upon_o it_o to_o weigh_v the_o command_n and_o to_o look_v on_o every_o side_n of_o this_o difficult_a duty_n he_o give_v scope_n for_o his_o reason_n to_o argue_v and_o debate_v the_o case_n and_o opportunity_n for_o natural_a affection_n to_o play_v its_o part_n and_o for_o flesh_n and_o blood_n to_o raise_v all_o its_o battery_n against_o the_o resolution_n which_o he_o have_v take_v up_o and_o now_o we_o may_v easy_o imagine_v what_o conflict_n this_o good_a man_n have_v within_o himself_o during_o those_o three_o day_n that_o he_o be_v travel_v to_o the_o mountain_n in_o moriah_n and_o how_o his_o heart_n be_v ready_a to_o be_v rend_v in_o piece_n betwixt_o his_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o his_o affection_n to_o his_o child_n so_o that_o every_o step_n of_o this_o unwelcome_a and_o wearisome_a journey_n he_o do_v as_o it_o be_v lay_v violent_a hand_n upon_o himself_o he_o be_v to_o offer_v up_o his_o son_n but_o once_o but_o he_o sacrifice_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o will_v every_o moment_n for_o three_o day_n together_o and_o when_o he_o come_v thither_o and_o all_o thing_n be_v ready_a the_o altar_n the_o wood_n and_o the_o fire_n and_o the_o knife_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o stab_a question_n and_o wound_v he_o to_o the_o heart_n which_o his_o innocent_a son_n so_o innocent_o ask_v he_o where_o be_v the_o lamb_n for_o a_o burnt-offering_a it_o must_v be_v a_o strong_a faith_n indeed_o and_o a_o mighty_a resolution_n that_o can_v make_v he_o to_o hold_v out_o three_o day_n against_o the_o violent_a assault_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o the_o charm_a presence_n of_o his_o son_n enough_o to_o melt_v his_o heart_n as_o often_o as_o he_o cast_v his_o eye_n upon_o he_o and_o yet_o nothing_o of_o all_o this_o make_v he_o to_o stagger_v in_o his_o duty_n but_o be_v strong_a in_o faith_n he_o give_v glory_n to_o god_n by_o one_o of_o the_o most_o miraculous_a act_n of_o obedience_n that_o ever_o be_v exact_v from_o any_o of_o the_o son_n of_o men._n iii_o in_o the_o three_o and_o last_o place_n i_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o that_o he_o be_v able_a
to_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o himself_o in_o so_o intricate_a and_o perplex_v a_o case_n the_o constancy_n of_o abraham_n faith_n be_v not_o a_o obstinate_a and_o stubborn_a persuasion_n but_o the_o result_n of_o the_o wise_a reason_n and_o sober_a consideration_n so_o the_o text_n say_v that_o he_o count_v the_o word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o reason_v with_o himself_o that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o from_o the_o dead_a so_o that_o he_o debate_v the_o matter_n with_o himself_o and_o give_v himself_o satisfaction_n concern_v the_o objection_n and_o difficulty_n in_o the_o case_n and_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v a_o divine_a command_n he_o resolve_v to_o obey_v it_o as_o for_o the_o objection_n i_o have_v mention_v 1._o the_o horrid_a appearance_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o a_o father_n shall_v slay_v his_o innocent_a son_n why_o shall_v abraham_n scruple_n the_o do_v this_o at_o the_o command_n of_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o life_n have_v power_n over_o it_o and_o may_v resume_v what_o he_o have_v give_v and_o take_v away_o the_o life_n of_o any_o of_o his_o creature_n when_o he_o will_v and_o make_v who_o he_o please_v instrument_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o command_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o hard_a case_n consider_v natural_a affection_n and_o therefore_o god_n do_v not_o permit_v it_o to_o be_v execute_v but_o the_o question_n of_o god_n right_a over_o the_o life_n of_o man_n and_o of_o his_o authority_n to_o command_v any_o man_n to_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o his_o pleasure_n in_o such_o a_o case_n admit_v of_o no_o dispute_n and_o the_o god_n have_v plant_v strong_a affection_n in_o parent_n towards_o their_o child_n yet_o he_o have_v write_v no_o law_n in_o any_o man_n heart_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o his_o own_o sovereign_n right_o this_o be_v a_o case_n always_o except_v and_o this_o take_v away_o the_o objection_n of_o injustice_n 2._o as_o to_o the_o scandal_n of_o it_o that_o can_v be_v no_o great_a objection_n in_o those_o time_n when_o the_o absolute_a power_n of_o parent_n over_o their_o child_n be_v in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o they_o may_v put_v they_o to_o death_n without_o be_v accountable_a for_o it_o so_o that_o then_o it_o be_v no_o such_o startle_a matter_n to_o hear_v of_o a_o father_n put_v his_o child_n to_o death_n nay_o in_o much_o late_a time_n we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o most_o ancient_a law_n of_o the_o roman_n i_o mean_v those_o of_o the_o 12_o table_n child_n be_v absolute_o put_v in_o the_o power_n of_o their_o parent_n to_o who_o be_v give_v jus_o aquavitae_fw-la &_o necis_fw-la a_o power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n over_o they_o and_o likewise_o to_o sell_v they_o for_o slave_n and_o though_o among_o the_o jew_n this_o paternal_a power_n be_v limit_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o life_n and_o death_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o father_n hand_n except_o in_o case_n of_o contumacy_n and_o rebellion_n and_o even_o in_o that_o case_n the_o process_n be_v to_o be_v before_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o city_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o elder_a time_n the_o paternal_a power_n be_v more_o absolute_a and_o unaccountable_a which_o take_v off_o much_o from_o the_o horror_n and_o scandal_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o it_o appear_v now_o to_o we_o who_o have_v no_o such_o power_n and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o find_v in_o the_o history_n that_o this_o objection_n do_v much_o stick_n with_o abraham_n it_o be_v then_o no_o unusual_a thing_n for_o a_o father_n to_o put_v his_o child_n to_o death_n upon_o a_o just_a account_n and_o the_o command_n of_o god_n who_o have_v absolute_a dominion_n over_o the_o live_v of_o his_o creature_n be_v certain_o a_o just_a reason_n and_o no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o scruple_n the_o do_v of_o that_o upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n which_o he_o may_v have_v do_v by_o his_o own_o authority_n without_o be_v accountable_a for_o the_o action_n to_o any_o but_o god_n only_o 3._o as_o to_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o horrible_a consequence_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v that_o the_o slay_v of_o isaac_n seem_v to_o overthrow_v the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v before_o to_o abraham_n that_o in_o isaac_n his_o seed_n shall_v be_v call_v this_o seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o here_o he_o make_v use_v of_o reason_n to_o reconcile_v the_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o this_o command_n of_o god_n to_o his_o former_a promise_n so_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o offer_v up_o his_o only_a beget_v son_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o from_o the_o dead_a so_o that_o though_o isaac_n be_v put_v to_o death_n yet_o he_o see_v how_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n may_v still_o be_v make_v good_a by_o his_o be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o live_v afterward_o to_o have_v a_o numerous_a posterity_n there_o have_v then_o indeed_o be_v no_o instance_n or_o example_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o the_o resurrection_n of_o one_o from_o the_o dead_a which_o make_v abraham_n faith_n the_o more_o wonderful_a but_o he_o confirm_v himself_o in_o this_o belief_n by_o a_o example_n as_o near_o the_o case_n as_o may_v be_v he_o reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a from_o whence_o also_o he_o have_v receive_v he_o in_o a_o figure_n this_o i_o know_v be_v by_o interpreter_n general_o understand_v of_o isaac_n be_v deliver_v from_o the_o jaw_n of_o death_n when_o he_o be_v lay_v upon_o the_o altar_n and_o ready_a to_o be_v slay_v but_o the_o text_n seem_v not_o to_o speak_v of_o what_o happen_v after_o but_o of_o something_o that_o have_v pass_v before_o by_o which_o abraham_n confirm_v himself_o in_o this_o pervasion_n that_o if_o he_o be_v slay_v god_n will_v raise_v he_o up_o again_o and_o so_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d aught_o to_o be_v render_v in_o the_o past_a time_n from_o whence_o also_o he_o have_v receive_v he_o in_o a_o figure_n so_o that_o this_o expression_n plain_o refer_v to_o the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o isaac_n when_o his_o parent_n be_v pass_v the_o age_n of_o have_v child_n which_o be_v little_o less_o than_o a_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o so_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o it_o rom._n 4._o 17._o abraham_n believe_v god_n who_o quicken_v the_o dead_a and_o call_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o as_o if_o they_o be_v and_o not_o be_v weak_a in_o faith_n he_o consider_v not_o his_o own_o body_n which_o be_v dead_a and_o a_o little_a before_o the_o text_n speak_v of_o the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o isaac_n and_o therefore_o spring_v there_o of_o one_o and_o he_o as_o good_a as_o dead_a as_o many_o as_o the_o star_n of_o heaven_n from_o whence_o as_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o abraham_n reason_v thus_o that_o god_n who_o give_v he_o isaac_n at_o first_o in_o so_o miraculous_a a_o manner_n be_v able_a by_o another_o miracle_n to_o restore_v he_o to_o life_n again_o after_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o to_o make_v he_o the_o father_n of_o many_o nation_n he_o reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o from_o the_o dead_a from_o whence_o also_o he_o have_v receive_v he_o in_o a_o figure_n thus_o you_o see_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o abraham_n faith_n he_o pitch_v upon_o the_o main_a difficulty_n in_o the_o case_n and_o he_o answer_v it_o as_o well_o as_o be_v possible_a and_o in_o his_o reason_n about_o this_o matter_n he_o give_v the_o utmost_a weight_n to_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n promise_n and_o to_o make_v the_o revelation_n of_o god_n consistent_a with_o one_o another_o and_o this_o though_o he_o have_v a_o great_a interest_n and_o a_o very_a tender_a concernment_n of_o his_o own_o to_o have_v bias_v he_o for_o he_o may_v have_v argue_v with_o great_a appearance_n and_o probability_n the_o other_o way_n but_o as_o every_o pious_a and_o good_a man_n shall_v do_v he_o reason_v on_o god_n side_n and_o favour_v that_o part_n rather_o than_o disobey_v a_o command_n of_o god_n or_o believe_v that_o his_o promise_n shall_v be_v frustrate_a he_o will_v believe_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v credible_a and_o possible_a how_o improbable_a soever_o thus_o far_o faith_n will_v go_v but_o no_o far_o from_o the_o believe_a of_o plain_a contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n it_o always_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v thus_o much_o for_o explication_n of_o the_o word_n which_o i_o hope_n have_v not_o be_v altogether_o unprofitable_a because_o it_o tend_v to_o clear_v a_o point_n which_o