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sacred_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d the_o heart_n of_o man_n produce_v there_o in_o a_o ration_n â—_o way_n and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v most_o suitable_a 〈◊〉_d our_o faculty_n chap._n ii_o external_n proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scriptureâ—_n viz._n the_o wonderful_a preservation_n of_o they_o and_o universal_a tradition_n which_o latter_a be_v defend_v against_o the_o objection_n of_o those_o that_o talk_v of_o a_o new_a character_n wherein_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v thâ—_n jewish_a masore_v attest_n the_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v not_o corrupt_v the_o point_n or_o vowel_n be_v coexistent_a with_o the_o letter_n f._n simon_n be_v notion_n of_o abbreviate_a the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n reject_v the_o new_a tement_n vouch_v by_o the_o unanimous_a suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o
number_v among_o the_o book_n of_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o thus_o we_o have_v argue_v from_o the_o tradition_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o this_o be_v do_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v it_o be_v valid_a for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o copy_n the_o canonicalness_n of_o the_o book_n and_o the_o like_a be_v not_o decidable_a by_o scripture_n itself_o but_o in_o the_o way_n that_o all_o other_o controversy_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v as_o you_o will_v prove_v any_o other_o book_n to_o be_v authentic_a so_o you_o must_v prove_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v viz._n by_o sufficient_a and_o able_a testimony_n there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o sacred_a history_n that_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v any_o other_o historical_a write_n that_o be_v extant_a nay_o the_o testimony_n on_o behalf_n of_o the_o holy_a scriptureâ—_n be_v more_o pregnant_a than_o any_o that_o be_v bring_v for_o other_o write_n beside_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v for_o the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v say_v for_o other_o write_n i_o have_v show_v you_o that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n peculiar_a to_o this_o above_o aâ—â—_n other_o the_o main_a thing_n we_o have_v insist_v upon_o be_v this_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v faithful_o convey_v to_o we_o and_o that_o they_o be_v vouch_v by_o the_o constant_a and_o universal_a tradition_n both_o of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o these_o book_n and_o no_o other_o be_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n for_o to_o be_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o be_v own_v by_o the_o universal_a church_n for_o divine_o inspire_a write_n the_o church_n witness_v and_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n for_o she_o receive_v they_o as_o divine_a and_o she_o deliver_v they_o to_o we_o as_o such_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o church_n testify_v these_o book_n to_o be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v a_o absolute_a and_o entire_a authority_n to_o they_o a_o clerk_n in_o the_o parliament_n or_o any_o other_o court_n writes_z down_z and_o testiâ—ies_n that_o such_o a_o act_n or_o decree_n or_o order_n be_v pass_v by_o the_o king_n magistrate_n or_o people_n and_o he_o witness_n that_o he_o have_v faithful_o keep_v these_o by_o he_o and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v make_v by_o the_o foresay_a authority_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o act_n decree_n or_o order_n rest_v not_o in_o the_o clerk_n but_o whole_o in_o the_o king_n magistrate_n or_o people_n so_o the_o church_n record_v and_o keep_v the_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o bear_v witness_v that_o they_o have_v be_v faithful_o preserve_v and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o genuine_a write_n of_o those_o person_n who_o name_n be_v presix_v to_o they_o bâ—t_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n depend_v not_o on_o the_o church_n but_o on_o the_o book_n and_o author_n themselves_o namely_o their_o be_v inspire_v and_o indeed_o this_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n can_v depend_v on_o the_o church_n because_o the_o church_n itself_o depend_v on_o the_o scripture_n these_o must_v be_v prove_v before_o the_o church_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n we_o can_v know_v the_o church_n but_o by_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v know_v before_o the_o church_n it_o follow_v then_o that_o the_o papist_n be_v very_o unreasonable_a and_o absurd_a in_o make_v the_o ultimate_a resolution_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v into_o the_o testimony_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n this_o we_o disow_v as_o a_o great_a falsity_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o hold_v that_o the_o church_n testimony_n be_v one_o good_a argument_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n according_a to_o that_o know_a say_v of_o st._n 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
that_o the_o gentile_n relate_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o this_o do_v that_o the_o great_a truth_n and_o notable_a history_n notion_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o profane_a write_n but_o take_v from_o these_o sacred_a one_o the_o heathen_n borrow_v many_o of_o their_o rite_n and_o usage_n from_o tradition_n which_o be_v found_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o derive_v many_o thing_n in_o their_o religion_n and_o manner_n from_o these_o sacred_a fountain_n though_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o they_o have_v labour_v to_o pollute_v they_o but_o i_o will_v make_v it_o clear_a and_o manifest_a that_o they_o fetch_v they_o thence_o and_o i_o will_v abundant_o prove_v that_o most_o of_o the_o chief_a thing_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v attest_v both_o by_o the_o fable_n and_o the_o serious_a history_n of_o the_o pagan_n there_o have_v be_v some_o high-flier_n i_o know_v who_o have_v carry_v on_o this_o notion_n to_o a_o ridiculous_a extravagancy_n thus_o 216._o zimmeranus_fw-la speak_v of_o a_o odd_a christiano_n capuchin_n who_o have_v vent_v very_o wild_a thing_n in_o prosecute_a this_o argument_n viz._n that_o the_o gentile_a mystery_n be_v take_v from_o the_o true_a god_n and_o from_o the_o scripture_n inspire_v by_o he_o and_o one_o jacobâ—_n hugo_n in_o his_o historia_fw-la romana_fw-la be_v quote_v by_o the_o same_o person_n as_o very_o extravagant_a in_o this_o kind_n for_o he_o hold_v that_o the_o roman_a story_n be_v a_o narrative_a of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n pious_a aeneas_n be_v st._n peter_n and_o his_o sail_v from_o troy_n to_o latium_n be_v the_o story_n of_o st._n peter_n leave_v the_o chair_n at_o antioch_n and_o go_v to_o rome_n homer_n and_o virgil_n heroic_a poem_n be_v a_o account_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o shipwreck_n and_o misfortune_n which_o this_o latter_a meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n ilium_n or_o aelia_n be_v jerusalem_n that_o be_v the_o name_n which_o aelius_n adrianus_n give_v it_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o jewish_a war_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v contain_v in_o homer_n iliad_n and_o so_o be_v the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o whole_a gospel_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o romulus_n and_o remus_n signify_v the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o more_o extravagant_o yet_o he_o go_v on_o tell_v we_o that_o diana_n signify_v the_o holy_a trinity_n curtius_n on_o horseback_n swallow_v up_o in_o the_o lake_n be_v the_o virgin_n mary_n who_o temple_n be_v see_v there_o in_o the_o marketplace_n at_o rome_n with_o this_o inscription_n d._n virgin_n templum_fw-la à _fw-la poenis_fw-la inferni_fw-la liberantis_fw-la and_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o of_o such_o stuff_n this_o hugo_n have_v which_o no_o man_n of_o consideration_n and_o sense_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v indeed_o such_o wild_a and_o far-fetched_a conceit_n may_v be_v just_o entertain_v with_o laughter_n and_o contempt_n nor_o do_v i_o look_v upon_o some_o thing_n which_o some_o other_o of_o more_o compose_a thought_n mention_v as_o any_o real_a testimony_n give_v to_o the_o scripture_n they_o strange_o fancy_v a_o affinity_n between_o scripture_n and_o paganism_n between_o what_o they_o read_v in_o the_o one_o and_o what_o they_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o other_o though_o there_o be_v no_o cognation_n at_o all_o thus_o the_o greek_a fable_n of_o minerva_n be_v the_o offspring_n of_o jove_n brain_n take_v its_o rise_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o eternal_a and_o ineffable_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n say_v a_o generib_o learned_a man_n and_o isis_n the_o egyptian_a goddess_n be_v say_v he_o ishah_n mulier_fw-la or_o virgo_fw-la i._n e._n the_o virgin_n mary_n from_o a_o tradition_n among_o they_o that_o a_o virgin_n shoulâ—_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o redeemer_n 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n and_o i_o can_v mention_v other_o whoâ—â—_n name_n be_v better_o know_v who_o have_v be_v too_o extravagant_a in_o this_o kind_n carry_v the_o notion_n on_o toâ—_n far_o and_o strong_o fancy_v every_o thing_n almoâ—â—_n which_o they_o meet_v with_o in_o pagan_a story_n to_o hauâ—_n some_o reference_n to_o and_o be_v take_v from_o the_o holâ—_n scripture_n but_o i_o shall_v very_o industrious_o avoâ—â—_n this_o vanity_n and_o folly_n and_o only_o represent_v to_o the_o curious_a and_o critical_a reader_n those_o passage_n in_o pagâ—â—_n writer_n which_o with_o great_a probability_n and_o reasoâ—_n we_o may_v conclude_v to_o have_v be_v take_v from_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o let_v you_o see_v the_o sacred_a history_n of_o the_o bible_n eveâ—_n through_o the_o fable_n and_o feign_a story_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o thereby_o confirm_v you_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o that_o sacred_a history_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v 1._o to_o begin_v first_o where_o all_o thing_n begin_v the_o creation_n this_o as_o it_o be_v particular_o describe_v iâ—_n the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n be_v plain_o to_o be_v find_v in_o pagan_a author_n who_o without_o doubt_n have_v it_o froâ—_n this_o first_o entrance_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o though_o a_o man_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n may_v know_v that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n yet_o this_o particular_a way_n of_o its_o beginning_n as_o it_o be_v there_o set_v down_o can_v not_o be_v attain_v to_o but_o by_o divine_a revelation_n wherefore_o it_o be_v rational_o to_o be_v assert_v that_o the_o pagaâ—â—_n take_v this_o notion_n from_o god_n reveal_v will_n in_o scripture_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o do_v hereby_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o holy_a book_n the_o genâ—râ—â—_n opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a gentile_n be_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v out_o of_o a_o precede_a chaos_n which_o they_o represent_v to_o be_v a_o rude_a disorder_a and_o indigested_a mass_n of_o matter_n reduce_v to_o no_o shape_n and_o form_n sanconiathon_n the_o phoenician_n historian_n so_o much_o praise_v by_o porphyrius_n the_o philosopher_n in_o 5._o eusebius_n make_v mention_n of_o this_o chaos_n as_o the_o source_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o his_o fragment_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o ancient_a poet_n orpheus_n hold_v that_o this_o chaos_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o theogon_n hesiod_n agree_v with_o he_o affirm_v that_o the_o chaos_n be_v that_o out_o of_o which_o all_o body_n be_v make_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n it_o be_v describe_v by_o 1._o ovid_n after_o this_o manner_n ante_fw-la mare_fw-la &_o terras_fw-la &_o quod_fw-la tegit_fw-la omne_fw-la coelum_fw-la vnus_fw-la erat_fw-la toto_fw-la naturae_fw-la vultus_fw-la in_o orbe_fw-la quem_fw-la dixere_fw-la chaos_n etc._n etc._n where_o in_o forty_o or_o â—ifty_a pair_n of_o good_a smooth_a verse_n he_o most_o excellent_o describe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n and_o make_v the_o very_a chaos_n beautiful_a this_o be_v the_o same_o with_o hyle_n the_o first_o original_a matter_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o poet_n demogorgon_n which_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o shapeless_a lump_n of_o the_o chaos_n and_o in_o the_o phoenician_n language_n we_o may_v find_v it_o in_o the_o very_a sound_n of_o the_o word_n thoth_v and_o bau_n which_o be_v but_o a_o small_a variation_n from_o tohu_n and_o bohu_n in_o the_o hebrew_n text_n the_o same_o with_o chaos_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o latin_n this_o be_v found_v on_o those_o word_n of_o moses_n gen._n 1._o 2._o the_o earth_n be_v without_o form_n and_o void_a and_o darkness_n be_v on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o deep_a this_o dark_a and_o formless_a heap_n of_o water_n and_o earth_n mingle_v together_o contain_v in_o it_o the_o fiâ—_n element_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v afterwards_o hence_o spring_v the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v now_o shape_a 〈◊〉_d model_v from_o this_o account_n which_o moses_n giu_v here_o of_o the_o creation_n the_o old_a pagan_a theologer_n i._o e._n the_o pocts_n make_v the_o ocean_n to_o be_v the_o origin_n of_o all_o generation_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o thâ—_n if_o you_o give_v the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o it_o that_o thâ—_n moist_a and_o fluid_a matter_n give_v beginning_n to_o all_o bodâ—_n that_o be_v orpheus_n own_a this_o hypothesis_n calliâ—â—_n the_o ocean_n the_o parent_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o one_o of_o 〈◊〉_d hymn_n and_o out_o of_o some_o other_o piece_n of_o 〈◊〉_d work_n the_o same_o may_v be_v prove_v homer_n 〈◊〉_d the_o like_a assert_v the_o ocean_n to_o be_v the_o antiente_a of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o again_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d iliad_n on_o which_o word_n the_o scholiast_n give_v this_o reason_n
many_o ambiguous_a and_o equivocal_a and_o thence_o the_o phrase_n sentence_n and_o speech_n must_v needs_o be_v so_o too_o this_o be_v one_o reason_n why_o the_o sacred_a truth_n of_o scripture_n be_v corrupt_v when_o they_o come_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n the_o eastern_a word_n and_o form_n of_o speak_v be_v misunderstand_v by_o the_o grecian_n the_o hebrew_a dialect_n and_o idiom_n be_v mistake_v by_o the_o people_n of_o another_o language_n and_o country_n the_o oriental_a expression_n be_v misinterpret_v by_o the_o european_n who_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o literal_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o they_o hence_o arise_v fable_n fancy_n and_o groundless_a conceit_n which_o they_o mix_v with_o the_o spiritual_a verity_n and_o almost_o deface_v and_o extinguish_v they_o 2._o the_o sacred_a history_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n be_v easy_o corrupt_v because_o they_o be_v transmit_v to_o ignorant_a and_o barbarous_a people_n god_n be_v please_v not_o to_o vouchsafe_v that_o light_n and_o knowledge_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o he_o bestow_v on_o his_o own_o people_n but_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o leave_v they_o in_o that_o darkness_n and_o blindness_n which_o their_o gross_a sin_n have_v bring_v they_o to_o and_o which_o be_v now_o become_v the_o just_a punishment_n of_o they_o many_o of_o they_o be_v so_o besot_v that_o when_o they_o hear_v of_o those_o holy_a and_o mysterious_a truth_n they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o bear_v they_o they_o can_v not_o apprehend_v the_o true_a meaning_n and_o import_n of_o they_o but_o because_o some_o of_o they_o who_o be_v the_o most_o contemplative_a will_v be_v exercise_v themselves_o about_o they_o they_o resolve_v to_o make_v something_o of_o they_o or_o out_o of_o they_o and_o according_o when_o they_o commit_v they_o to_o write_v they_o apply_v they_o to_o some_o person_n or_o thing_n which_o be_v know_v and_o famous_a among_o they_o and_o thus_o a_o historical_a passage_n in_o holy_a scripture_n become_v a_o story_n of_o their_o own_o or_o a_o divine_a truth_n be_v turn_v into_o a_o fable_n by_o this_o mean_n the_o thing_n which_o they_o borrow_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n come_v to_o be_v deprave_v and_o disguise_v 3._o the_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n and_o diversity_n of_o year_n have_v partly_o introduce_v this_o corruption_n and_o alteration_n for_o length_n of_o time_n blot_v out_o some_o of_o the_o former_a account_n and_o deface_v the_o memoir_n of_o thing_n the_o ancient_a name_n of_o several_a person_n and_o place_n be_v wear_v out_o and_o other_o quite_o different_a from_o they_o be_v use_v in_o their_o stead_n the_o true_a original_a occasion_n and_o mean_v of_o many_o thing_n be_v forget_v and_o in_o place_n of_o they_o new_a but_o false_a relation_n creep_v in_o then_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o last_o when_o the_o right_a notion_n of_o thing_n be_v wear_v out_o that_o man_n of_o poetry_n and_o invention_n thrust_v upon_o silly_a people_n their_o own_o fancy_n and_o conceit_n and_o persuade_v they_o to_o accept_v of_o the_o most_o unlikely_a story_n for_o truth_n 4._o the_o historical_a passage_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o strange_a event_n which_o happen_v among_o the_o jew_n be_v spread_v abroad_o and_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n or_o rather_o mouth_n can_v not_o but_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o great_a diversity_n of_o relator_n they_o be_v change_v some_o add_v to_o they_o and_o other_o diminish_v they_o so_o that_o at_o the_o last_o they_o be_v quite_o different_a from_o what_o they_o be_v at_o first_o 5._o as_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n increase_v the_o great_a corruption_n there_o be_v of_o true_a history_n man_n make_v that_o to_o administer_v to_o their_o idolatrous_a worship_n so_o that_o in_o those_o country_n especial_o where_o there_o be_v the_o fierce_a bigot_n for_o the_o pagan_a devotion_n there_o be_v always_o a_o more_o plentiful_a coin_v of_o these_o fable_n under_o which_o be_v hide_v very_o useful_a truth_n take_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n 6._o this_o must_v be_v add_v that_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o ancient_a pagan_n to_o wrap_v up_o their_o notion_n in_o obscure_a and_o dark_a term_n and_o to_o represent_v they_o in_o a_o enigmatical_a way_n 4._o origen_n think_v plato_n in_o one_o of_o his_o piece_n have_v something_o of_o that_o paradise_n which_o moses_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o write_n speak_v of_o and_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n why_o he_o think_v so_o viz._n because_o it_o be_v plato_n usual_a way_n to_o describe_v thing_n obscure_o and_o to_o disguise_v the_o great_a and_o most_o excellent_a verity_n under_o the_o vail_n of_o mystery_n and_o fable_n and_o this_o be_v the_o guise_n of_o other_o beside_o plato_n especial_o of_o the_o pagan_a poet_n they_o affect_v obscurity_n and_o difficulty_n of_o style_n whence_o spring_v several_a of_o the_o fabulous_a history_n of_o the_o god_n and_o other_o odd_a passage_n in_o their_o write_n and_o so_o when_o they_o take_v some_o thing_n of_o moment_n from_o scripture_n or_o from_o those_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o those_o sacred_a record_n they_o clothe_v they_o with_o their_o dark_a and_o mystical_a expression_n in_o so_o much_o that_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o know_v whence_o they_o have_v they_o 7._o the_o grecian_a humour_n be_v to_o invent_v and_o romance_n their_o poet_n especial_o who_o be_v their_o first_o writer_n be_v famous_a for_o this_o they_o abuse_v mangle_a jumble_a and_o confound_v the_o story_n in_o holy_a writ_n they_o turn_v those_o sacred_a thing_n into_o magical_a prank_n sometime_o and_o from_o the_o name_n of_o holy_a person_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o take_v occasion_n to_o invent_v new_a deity_n and_o shape_n new_a go_n their_o frequent_a practice_n be_v to_o piece_n out_o scripture_n with_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o to_o add_v something_o of_o their_o own_o head_n this_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o greek_a vanity_n it_o be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o levity_n and_o capriciousness_n of_o these_o fabulous_a man_n who_o very_a genius_n lead_v they_o to_o affect_v banter_n and_o fiction_n the_o poet_n deal_v with_o sacred_a history_n as_o the_o legendary_n do_v with_o the_o life_n of_o saint_n they_o have_v some_o general_a ground_n for_o what_o they_o say_v but_o they_o make_v plentiful_a addition_n to_o it_o there_o be_v perhaps_o something_o of_o truth_n at_o bottom_n but_o than_o you_o have_v their_o own_o invention_n beside_o thus_o the_o grecian_a writer_n counterfeit_v all_o along_o the_o shape_n of_o real_a truth_n in_o most_o of_o their_o fable_n there_o be_v a_o medley_n of_o falsehood_n and_o truth_n together_o 8._o this_o be_v also_o certain_a that_o the_o pagan_a philosopher_n do_v out_o of_o fear_n sometime_o disguise_v the_o notion_n of_o truth_n which_o they_o receive_v from_o scripture_n plato_n say_v justin_n the_o martyr_n have_v learn_v in_o egypt_n the_o true_a doctrine_n concern_v god_n one_o only_a god_n with_o several_a other_o sacred_a truth_n but_o lest_o some_o melitus_n or_o anytus_n shall_v accuse_v he_o he_o will_v not_o divulge_v they_o to_o the_o people_n for_o fear_v of_o incur_v socrates_n misfortune_n he_o either_o conceal_v or_o disguise_v all_o he_o dread_v the_o poisonous_a cup_n and_o so_o will_v not_o discover_v those_o sacred_a thing_n but_o rather_o choose_v to_o lap_v they_o up_o in_o poetic_a conceit_n and_o fable_n in_o mystery_n and_o riddle_n which_o his_o write_n be_v full_a of_o and_o this_o it_o be_v likely_a be_v the_o case_n of_o other_o philosopher_n and_o writer_n among_o the_o gentile_n they_o be_v timorous_a and_o dare_v not_o transgress_v the_o public_a law_n and_o incur_v the_o punishment_n due_a to_o innovator_n in_o religion_n and_o therefore_o they_o speak_v ambiguous_o and_o obscure_o and_o corrupt_v those_o truth_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o holy_a fountain_n 9_o some_o out_o of_o mere_a ignorance_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o affair_n misrepresent_v and_o corrupt_v those_o thing_n this_o be_v see_v plain_o in_o strabo_n and_o diodorus_n the_o sicilian_a who_o as_o be_v hint_v afore_o make_v the_o jew_n to_o be_v egyptian_n and_o 16._o strabo_n particular_o say_v of_o moses_n that_o he_o be_v a_o egyptian_a priest_n so_o herodotus_n because_o the_o hebrew_n have_v live_v among_o the_o egyptian_n say_v those_o thing_n of_o the_o former_a which_o belong_v to_o the_o latter_a and_o so_o perhaps_o vice_fw-la versâ_fw-la i_o remember_v he_o particular_o say_v that_o 104._o circumcision_n be_v first_o of_o all_o use_v among_o the_o ethyopian_o and_o egyptian_n and_o from_o they_o go_v to_o the_o phaenician_o and_o syrian_n and_o thence_o some_o thought_n abraham_n receive_v this_o rite_n and_o commend_v it_o to_o his_o posterity_n it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o
demonstration_n have_v outdo_v they_o and_o â—ost_o that_o have_v write_v on_o it_o among_o our_o own_o countryman_n these_o deserve_o be_v to_o be_v number_v viz._n sir_n walter_n raleigh_n who_o among_o several_a other_o passage_n have_v these_o remarkable_a â—ords_n 3_o the_o heathen_n do_v great_o enrich_v their_o invention_n by_o vent_v the_o steal_a treasure_n of_o divine_a letter_n alter_v by_o profane_a addition_n and_o disguise_v by_o poetical_a conversion_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v conceive_v out_o of_o their_o own_o speculation_n next_o to_o this_o worthy_a knight_n the_o famous_a proleg_n mr._n selâ—â—â—_n may_v be_v mention_v who_o aver_v that_o the_o â—ost_o impious_a custom_n among_o the_o gentile_n have_v â—â—eir_n original_a from_o scripture-history_n which_o 〈◊〉_d confirm_v by_o several_a example_n you_o will_v 〈◊〉_d the_o reverend_a 〈…〉_z bishop_n montague_n though_o â—â—is_o author_n adversary_n in_o another_o point_n agree_v with_o he_o in_o this_o the_o heathen_n say_v he_o of_o old_a make_v use_v of_o many_o thing_n which_o be_v take_v from_o the_o divine_a polity_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o be_v afterward_o cloak_v and_o disguise_v by_o the_o malice_n and_o fraud_n of_o the_o devil_n the_o judicious_a dr._n 〈◊〉_d have_v two_o distinct_a chapter_n of_o the_o gentile_a story_n and_o fiction_n be_v â—orrowed_v â—rom_o the_o bible_n i_o will_v mention_v a_o passage_n or_o two_o out_o of_o some_o other_o place_n of_o his_o work_n 10._o if_o moses_n say_v he_o be_v forty_o day_n in_o the_o mount_n to_o receive_v law_n from_o god_n own_o mouth_n minos_n will_v be_v jupiter_n auditor_n in_o his_o den_n or_o cave_n for_o the_o same_o purpose_n in_o emulation_n of_o shiloh_n or_o kirjath-jearim_a whilst_o the_o ark_n of_o god_n remain_v there_o the_o heathen_n have_v dodona_n and_o for_o jerusalem_n they_o have_v delphi_n garnish_v with_o rich_a donative_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v the_o intend_a parallel_n of_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o he_o have_v these_o remarkable_a word_n in_o the_o same_o place_n any_o judicious_a man_n from_o the_o continual_a and_o serious_a observation_n of_o this_o great_a register_n of_o truth_n he_o mean_v the_o scripture_n may_v find_v out_o the_o original_a of_o all_o the_o principal_a head_n or_o common_a place_n of_o poetical_a fiction_n or_o ancient_a tradition_n which_o can_v be_v imagine_v shall_v ever_o have_v come_v into_o man_n fancy_n unless_o from_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o historical_a truth_n a_o worthy_a prelate_n who_o i_o have_v already_o name_v have_v giveâ—_n we_o his_o suffrage_n most_o free_o in_o this_o cause_n and_o have_v undertake_v to_o defend_v it_o in_o the_o close_a of_o his_o origines_fw-la sacrae_fw-la i_o can_v produce_v half_a 〈◊〉_d hundred_o more_o author_n of_o good_a note_n anâ—_n learning_n but_o i_o forbear_v because_o i_o have_v donâ—_n sufficient_o from_o these_o i_o have_v quote_v you_o may_v see_v that_o what_o i_o have_v maintain_v in_o this_o discourse_n be_v no_o idle_a fancy_n no_o notion_n take_v up_o by_o shallow_a head_n but_o that_o the_o deep_a judgement_n the_o most_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a pen_n have_v adopt_v it_o for_o a_o truth_n we_o have_v it_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o these_o excellent_a person_n and_o many_o more_o in_o former_a in_o late_a and_o even_o in_o our_o present_a time_n as_o well_o as_o upon_o the_o plain_a evidence_n reason_n and_o argument_n before_o allege_v that_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n borrow_v from_o the_o bible_n that_o many_o of_o the_o gentile_a fable_n be_v found_v on_o the_o most_o sacred_a verity_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o source_n and_o fountain_n from_o whence_o many_o of_o their_o opinion_n custom_n and_o practice_n spring_v that_o most_o of_o the_o gentile_a theology_n arise_v from_o the_o mistake_a and_o deprave_a sense_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o whole_a let_v i_o offer_v these_o three_o or_o four_o consectary_n 1_o we_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n admit_v of_o that_o opinion_n which_o hold_v that_o the_o jew_n borrow_v all_o or_o most_o of_o their_o religious_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n from_o the_o gentile_n this_o though_o it_o bid_v desiance_n to_o that_o reason_n and_o testimony_n which_o i_o have_v produce_v have_v have_v some_o abettor_n and_o patron_n thus_o 4._o origen_n acquaint_v we_o that_o celsus_n stiff_o maintain_v that_o the_o mosaic_a history_n be_v borrow_v from_o the_o fable_n of_o heathen_n and_o with_o he_o other_o heathen_n at_o that_o time_n concur_v and_o to_o defend_v their_o idolatrous_a tradition_n and_o usage_n assert_v that_o scripture_n history_n be_v a_o corruption_n of_o some_o of_o their_o fable_n the_o story_n of_o the_o flood_n they_o say_v be_v take_v from_o deucalion_n and_o paradise_n from_o alcinous's_n garden_n and_o the_o burn_a of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n from_o phaeton_n set_v the_o world_n on_o fire_n etc._n etc._n but_o origen_n show_v the_o absurdity_n of_o these_o allegation_n from_o the_o antiquity_n of_o those_o relation_n in_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o thence_o prove_v that_o the_o greek_n have_v these_o from_o the_o jew_n and_o not_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o jewish_a nation_n have_v the_o original_a tradition_n and_o that_o other_o be_v corrupt_v and_o change_v from_o these_o by_o the_o heathen_n this_o pagan_a conceit_n which_o be_v take_v up_o on_o purpose_n as_o a_o evasion_n against_o christianity_n be_v revive_v by_o some_o writer_n of_o late_a but_o by_o none_o more_o design_o and_o industrious_o carry_v on_o and_o improve_v than_o by_o a_o late_a learned_a man_n of_o our_o own_o who_o have_v deliver_v such_o admirable_a and_o choice_a thing_n on_o occasion_n of_o pursue_v this_o subject_n and_o have_v snew_v himself_o so_o great_a a_o master_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o literature_n that_o we_o can_v scarce_o be_v displease_v with_o his_o notion_n that_o 〈◊〉_d at_o the_o head_n of_o all_o i_o will_v not_o pretend_v tâ—enter_n the_o list_n with_o this_o great_a champion_n be_v conscious_a to_o my_o own_o inability_n but_o this_o i_o will_v do_v i_o will_v set_v some_o great_a man_n upon_o he_o though_o i_o have_v partly_o do_v it_o already_o and_o leave_v he_o to_o grapple_v with_o they_o josephus_n the_o learned_a jew_n be_v a_o competent_a judge_n in_o this_o matter_n viz._n whether_o the_o jew_n â—orrowed_v their_o sacred_a and_o religious_a rite_n from_o the_o gentile_n or_o whether_o on_o the_o contrary_a these_o borrow_a from_o they_o let_v we_o bear_v what_o he_o say_v 2._o there_o have_v be_v a_o long_a time_n say_v he_o among_o most_o nation_n a_o great_a zeal_n and_o emulation_n towards_o our_o way_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n there_o be_v not_o a_o city_n among_o the_o greek_n or_o barbarian_n yea_o not_o any_o nation_n which_o have_v not_o receive_v from_o we_o the_o custom_n of_o rest_a on_o the_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o fast_v and_o of_o light_v up_o of_o candle_n and_o several_a thing_n which_o relate_v to_o meat_n forbid_v we_o by_o our_o law_n be_v also_o observe_v by_o foreign_a nation_n here_o this_o know_a person_n acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o gentile_n be_v follower_n of_o the_o jew_n not_o these_o of_o they_o and_o particular_o mention_n some_o â—ites_n which_o they_o receive_v from_o they_o with_o this_o agree_v what_o two_o considerable_a soâ—â—â—â—_n rabbi_n have_v say_v viz._n our_o law_n be_v the_o law_n of_o truth_n and_o all_o nation_n glory_n in_o it_o and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v take_v a_o branch_n from_o our_o law_n and_o in_o it_o they_o glory_n for_o the_o law_n that_o be_v among_o the_o gentile_n be_v as_o it_o be_v branch_n cut_v off_o from_o our_o law_n whence_o it_o undeniable_o follow_v that_o the_o jewish_a law_n and_o ceremony_n be_v not_o take_v from_o â—hose_n of_o the_o pagan_n christian_n agree_v in_o this_o with_o the_o jew_n thus_o justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o a_o jew_n express_o declare_v that_o as_o circumcision_n have_v its_o original_a from_o abraham_n so_o the_o sabbath_n and_o sacrifice_n and_o offering_n and_o feast_n have_v they_o from_o moses_n and_o not_o from_o the_o gentile_n and_o tertullian_n speak_v of_o the_o devil_n be_v seduce_v and_o pervert_v of_o heretic_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o do_v the_o like_a also_o among_o the_o pagan_n for_o prescript_n he_o ape_n the_o most_o sacred_a and_o divine_a thing_n even_o in_o the_o idolatrous_a and_o mysterious_a worship_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o make_v use_v of_o they_o therein_o to_o profane_v and_o impious_a purpose_n this_o have_v be_v the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n whether_o papist_n or_o protestant_n upon_o those_o word_n in_o deut._n 12._o 30._o estius_n conclude_v and_o all_o understanding_n man_n may_v do_v so_o too_o that_o institutas_fw-la from_o thence_o
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 church_n be_v the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o we_o believe_v the_o church_n though_o she_o act_v counter_a to_o the_o formal_a decision_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o a_o 1._o other_o famous_a doctor_n give_v it_o for_o good_a divinity_n that_o the_o decree_n and_o determination_n of_o a_o council_n be_v bind_v though_o they_o be_v not_o confirm_v by_o any_o probable_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n nay_o though_o they_o be_v beyond_o and_o above_o the_o determination_n of_o scripture_n thus_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v most_o impious_o disparage_v and_o vilisy_v by_o the_o pontifician_n whereas_o there_o be_v nothing_o defective_a or_o redundant_fw-la nothing_o want_v or_o superfluous_a in_o these_o write_n they_o assert_v in_o the_o open_a face_n of_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v short_a and_o imperfect_a and_o therefore_o have_v need_n of_o be_v supply_v by_o tradition_n which_o in_o some_o thing_n be_v of_o great_a value_n and_o authority_n than_o they_o again_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n oppugn_v or_o rather_o deny_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v evince_v from_o their_o constant_a care_n and_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n it_o be_v true_a they_o have_v translate_v they_o but_o 1._o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n of_o do_v it_o the_o protestant_n have_v turn_v they_o into_o so_o many_o tongue_n by_o this_o mean_n they_o be_v compel_v as_o it_o werâ—_n to_o let_v some_o of_o their_o people_n see_v what_o the_o bible_n be_v in_o their_o own_o language_n but_o 2._o it_o be_v so_o corrupt_o translate_v that_o it_o be_v make_v to_o patronize_v several_a of_o their_o superstitious_a folly_n and_o error_n and_o yet_o 3._o they_o dare_v not_o commit_v these_o translation_n to_o common_a view_n although_o in_o all_o country_n where_o people_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o elder_a time_n the_o 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 â—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 â—â—e_v perfection_n of_o scripture_n but_o to_o abolish_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o scripture_n itself_o a_o three_o sort_n of_o person_n that_o be_v opposer_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n be_v enthusiast_n and_o such_o who_o act_n out_o of_o a_o true_o fanatic_a principle_n such_o be_v the_o familist_n heretofore_o who_o pretence_n to_o the_o spirit_n be_v so_o high_a that_o they_o exclude_v and_o renounce_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n which_o according_a to_o their_o style_n paradox_n be_v a_o dark_a lantern_n a_o liveless_a carcase_n a_o book_n shut_v up_o and_o seal_v with_o seven_o seal_n the_o scabbard_n not_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n or_o if_o it_o be_v a_o sword_n it_o be_v the_o sword_n of_o antichrist_n wherewith_o he_o kill_v christ._n this_o be_v the_o impious_a jargon_n of_o these_o high-flown_a man_n who_o make_v no_o other_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n than_o to_o allegorise_v it_o and_o to_o turn_v it_o all_o into_o mystery_n these_o have_v be_v follow_v by_o other_o 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import_n signify_v a_o dispose_n of_o something_o be_v most_o commoâ—â—ly_o apply_v to_o such_o a_o disposal_n as_o be_v either_o by_o covenâ—â—_n or_o testament_n hence_o it_o be_v sometime_o render_v 〈◊〉_d covenant_n and_o sometime_o a_o testament_n especial_o among_o the_o lawyer_n the_o latter_a sense_n prevail_v and_o according_o you_o will_v find_v that_o a_o last_o will_v and_o testament_n be_v express_v by_o this_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o imperial_a institution_n and_o other_o law-book_n translate_v into_o greek_a we_o may_v here_o join_v both_o sense_n together_o for_o what_o god_n have_v agree_v to_o by_o covenant_n with_o man_n that_o christ_n bequeath_v and_o give_v by_o testament_n now_o we_o must_v prove_v both_o these_o i._n e._n we_o must_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o covenant_n and_o testament_n be_v true_a before_o we_o can_v receive_v any_o advantage_n and_o benefit_n from_o they_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o evidence_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v this_o covenant_n and_o this_o testament_n otherwise_o we_o can_v build_v nothing_o upon_o they_o here_o then_o i._o i_o will_v evince_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o great_a basis_n of_o all_o theology_n ii_o after_o i_o have_v large_o insist_v on_o this_o i_o will_v proceed_v to_o give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o style_n and_o phrase_n of_o these_o holy_a book_n iii_o i_o will_v advance_v yet_o far_o and_o demonstrate_v the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o they_o the_o subject_a of_o our_o present_a undertake_n be_v the_o first_o of_o these_o in_o handle_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v but_o brief_o and_o concise_o make_v use_n of_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v common_o insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a writer_n till_o i_o come_v to_o fix_v upon_o a_o topick_n which_o be_v not_o common_o yea_o which_o be_v very_o rare_o and_o by_o the_o by_o use_v in_o this_o cause_n 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which_o the_o scripture_n have_v in_o themselves_o be_v either_o their_o matter_n or_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o write_v they_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o and_o here_o i_o will_v mention_v only_o these_o three_o particular_n 1._o the_o sublime_a doctrine_n and_o verity_n which_o be_v in_o holy_a writ_n in_o read_v this_o book_n we_o meet_v with_o such_o thing_n as_o can_v reasonable_o be_v think_v to_o come_v from_o any_o but_o god_n himself_o in_o other_o write_n which_o be_v most_o applaud_v the_o choice_a thing_n which_o entertain_v our_o mind_n be_v the_o excellent_a moral_a notion_n and_o precept_n which_o they_o offer_v to_o we_o which_o be_v all_o the_o result_n of_o improve_v reason_n and_o natural_a religion_n but_o here_o be_v beside_o these_o notice_n of_o a_o peculiar_a nature_n and_o such_o as_o be_v above_o our_o natural_a capacity_n and_o invention_n as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o manner_n as_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o in_o these_o write_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n the_o eternal_a decree_n the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n by_o his_o blood_n the_o whole_a method_n of_o man_n salvation_n the_o stupendous_a providence_n of_o god_n over_o his_o church_n in_o all_o age_n the_o come_v of_o christ_n to_o judgement_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o the_o raise_n of_o all_o man_n out_o of_o their_o ash_n these_o and_o several_a other_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o the_o sacred_a write_n can_v be_v imagine_v to_o come_v from_o any_o but_o god_n they_o carry_v with_o they_o the_o character_n of_o divinity_n as_o be_v no_o common_a and_o obvious_a matter_n but_o such_o as_o be_v tower_a and_o lofty_a hide_a and_o abstruse_a and_o not_o likely_a to_o be_v the_o product_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n a_o god_n be_v plain_o discover_v in_o they_o for_o the_o most_o improve_v creature_n can_v never_o have_v reach_v to_o this_o pitch_n any_o serious_a and_o think_v man_n can_v but_o discern_v the_o peculiar_a turn_v and_o singular_a contrivance_n of_o these_o mysterious_a doctrine_n which_o argue_v they_o to_o be_v divine_a we_o may_v therefore_o believe_v the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o of_o the_o wonderful_a height_n and_o sublimity_n of_o those_o truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o 2._o the_o exact_a purity_n and_o holiness_n both_o of_o body_n and_o soul_n of_o heart_n and_o life_n which_o be_v enjoin_v in_o these_o write_n be_v another_o testimony_n of_o their_o be_v divine_o inspire_v for_o though_o some_o other_o book_n dictate_v religion_n and_o piety_n yet_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o the_o true_a and_o just_a measure_n of_o they_o be_v take_v original_o from_o this_o one_o exact_a standard_n which_o be_v prior_n to_o they_o all_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o beside_o the_o love_n and_o charity_n the_o humility_n meekness_n and_o all_o other_o virtue_n which_o the_o scripture_n describe_v to_o we_o far_o exceed_v the_o most_o advantageous_a representation_n the_o most_o exalt_a idea_n which_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n give_v of_o they_o these_o therefore_o be_v emphatical_o and_o eminent_o call_v by_o st._n paul_n the_o holy_a scripture_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 15._o because_o they_o breathe_v the_o most_o consummate_a goodness_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o antecedent_o to_o all_o write_n whatsoever_o because_o every_o thing_n in_o they_o advance_v holiness_n and_o that_o in_o thought_n word_n and_o action_n the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o they_o be_v to_o promote_v protrept_n sanctity_n of_o life_n to_o make_v we_o every_o way_n better_o and_o even_o to_o render_v we_o *_o like_o god_n himself_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v intend_v to_o set_v forth_o the_o divine_a perfection_n to_o display_v the_o heavenly_a purity_n and_o thereby_o to_o commend_v the_o excellency_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o with_o sincere_a and_o humble_a mind_n we_o peruse_v this_o book_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o bless_a result_n of_o it_o it_o will_v marvellous_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n especial_o of_o god_n unspotted_a holiness_n it_o will_v tincture_n our_o mind_n with_o religion_n it_o will_v pervade_v all_o our_o faculty_n with_o a_o spirit_n of_o godliness_n and_o it_o will_v thorough_o cleanse_v and_o sanctify_v both_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n which_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v from_o god_n but_o because_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o say_v more_o of_o this_o when_o i_o treat_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o will_v now_o dismiss_v it_o 3._o to_o the_o matter_n of_o scripture_n we_o must_v refer_v the_o prophecios_fw-la and_o prediction_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o it_o these_o i_o reckon_v another_o internal_a argument_n because_o they_o be_v draw_v from_o what_o be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o very_a scripture_n itself_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n be_v there_o of_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o find_v fulfil_v and_o according_o be_v testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o scripture_n here_o i_o will_v a_o little_a enlarge_v and_o first_o i_o will_v begâ—n_v with_o that_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o noah_n 27._o god_n shall_v enlarge_v japhet_n and_o he_o shall_v dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o shem_n and_o canaan_n shall_v be_v his_o servant_n where_o be_v foretell_v thing_n that_o happen_v above_o two_o thousand_o year_n afterward_o for_o the_o posterity_n of_o japheth_n viz._n the_o european_n especial_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n among_o other_o conquest_n gain_v the_o possession_n of_o judea_n and_o other_o eastern_a country_n which_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o shem._n again_o it_o be_v fulfil_v thus_o by_o christ_n come_v and_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o by_o his_o
book_n with_o we_o we_o need_v not_o stay_v to_o attend_v here_o to_o what_o a_o late_a learned_a writer_n before_o name_v have_v with_o much_o confidence_n but_o slender_a reason_n suggest_v viz._n that_o the_o bible_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v a_o abbreviate_v collection_n from_o ancient_a record_n which_o be_v much_o more_o large_a he_o confess_v that_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n be_v take_v out_o of_o authentic_a registery_n but_o the_o author_n who_o collect_v it_o add_v and_o diminish_v as_o they_o please_v especial_o he_o assert_v this_o concern_v the_o historical_a book_n that_o they_o be_v abridgement_n of_o large_a record_n and_o summary_n of_o other_o large_a act_n keep_v in_o the_o jewish_a archive_v and_o these_o public_a scribe_n who_o write_v they_o out_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o alter_v word_n as_o they_o see_v occasion_n so_o that_o in_o short_a according_a to_o this_o critic_n here_o be_v only_o some_o break_a piece_n and_o scrap_n take_v out_o of_o the_o first_o authentic_a write_n a_o bold_a and_o dare_a assertion_n and_o found_v on_o no_o other_o bottom_n than_o f._n simon_n be_v brain_n who_o will_v expect_v this_o from_o one_o that_o be_v a_o man_n of_o great_a sense_n and_o reason_n one_o that_o be_v a_o great_a master_n of_o critical_a learning_n and_o have_v present_v the_o world_n with_o very_a choice_n remark_n on_o the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n for_o true_o i_o be_o not_o of_o work_n his_o opinion_n who_o say_v he_o see_v not_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o author_n write_n buâ—_n what_o be_v common_a it_o be_v to_o be_v lament_v that_o a_o person_n otherwise_o so_o judicious_a and_o observe_v have_v give_v himself_o up_o here_o to_o his_o own_o fancy_n and_o conceit_n he_o invent_v a_o new_a office_n of_o public_a register_n that_o be_v divine_o inspire_v he_o make_v notary_n and_o prophet_n the_o same_o he_o give_v no_o proof_n and_o demonstration_n of_o that_o add_v and_o diminish_v which_o the_o scribe_n he_o talk_v of_o make_v he_o hatâ—_n not_o one_o tolerable_a argument_n to_o evince_v any_o of_o thâ—_n book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v fragment_n of_o great_a one_o indeed_o i_o shall_v mighty_o have_v wonder_v that_o so_o ingenious_a so_o sagacious_a so_o learned_a a_o man_n haâ—_n broach_v such_o groundless_a notion_n if_o i_o do_v noâ—_n consider_v that_o this_o subtle_a romanist_n design_n hereâ—â—_n as_o most_o of_o that_o church_n general_o do_v to_o depreciaâ—â—â—_n the_o bible_n and_o to_o represent_v it_o as_o a_o book_n of_o fragment_n and_o shred_n that_o so_o when_o our_o esteem_n 〈◊〉_d the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n be_v weaken_v yea_o take_a away_o we_o may_v whole_o rest_v upon_o tradition_n anâ—_n find_v our_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n 〈◊〉_d that_o alone_o this_o be_v that_o which_o he_o drive_v at_o in_o 〈◊〉_d critical_a history_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n but_o all_o sober_a and_o considerate_a person_n will_v beware_v of_o he_o when_o they_o discover_v this_o design_n theâ—_n will_v easy_o see_v through_o his_o plausible_a story_n foâ—â—_n surmise_n bold_a conjecture_n and_o seem_a argâ—mentations_n and_o they_o will_v have_v the_o great_a reverence_n for_o the_o bible_n because_o he_o and_o other_o hauâ—_n attack_v it_o with_o so_o much_o contempt_n and_o rudeness_n and_o purposely_o bring_v its_o authority_n into_o question_n that_o they_o may_v set_v up_o something_o else_o above_o 〈◊〉_d notwithstanding_o then_o the_o cavil_n and_o objection_n of_o design_v man_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v anâ—_n avouch_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o to_o be_v thorough_o persuade_v that_o the_o book_n be_v entire_o transmit_v to_o we_o without_o any_o corruption_n and_o be_v the_o same_o that_o ever_o they_o be_v without_z and_o diminution_n or_o addition_n we_o have_v they_o as_o they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o first_o author_n we_o have_v they_o entire_a and_o perfect_a and_o not_o as_o some_o fond_o suggest_v contract_v abbreviate_v curtail_v unto_o the_o jew_n the_o ancient_a people_n of_o god_n be_v commit_v his_o oracle_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v and_o they_o show_v themselves_o conscientious_a and_o diligent_a conservator_n of_o they_o the_o jewish_a nation_n say_v st._n augustin_n have_v be_v as_o it_o be_v 23._o the_o chest-keeper_n for_o the_o christian_n they_o have_v faithful_o preserve_v that_o sacred_a depositum_fw-la for_o they_o they_o have_v safe_o keep_v that_o ark_n wherein_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v lock_v up_o god_n will_v have_v the_o jew_n to_o be_v librarii_fw-la christianorum_fw-la say_v 60._o drusius_n keeper_n of_o those_o sacred_a volume_n for_o we_o christian_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o keep_v they_o with_o great_a care_n the_o like_a whereof_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v to_o have_v be_v take_v in_o preserve_v any_o other_o sort_n of_o write_n under_o heaven_n and_o see_v they_o have_v so_o careful_o hand_v the_o old_a testament_n down_o to_o we_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o receive_v it_o with_o a_o proportionable_a thankfulness_n and_o to_o reckon_v this_o their_o deliver_v of_o those_o write_n down_o to_o we_o as_o no_o mean_a argument_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o certainty_n second_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v confirm_v by_o external_n testimony_n or_o tradition_n no_o less_o than_o that_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v the_o authentic_a suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n that_o this_o book_n be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o that_o it_o be_v pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a some_o of_o the_o father_n and_o first_o writer_n give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o they_o be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o those_o which_o we_o have_v at_o this_o day_n athanasius_n particular_o enumerate_v those_o book_n set_v down_o all_o those_o which_o we_o now_o embrace_v as_o canonical_a and_o no_o other_o and_o many_o of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o first_o age_n after_o christ_n as_o irenaeus_n justin_n martyr_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n origen_n tertullian_n etc._n etc._n quote_v the_o place_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o they_o be_v now_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o in_o the_o father_n sometime_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o exact_o what_o we_o find_v it_o and_o read_v it_o at_o this_o day_n this_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o they_o sometime_o quote_v the_o mean_v not_o the_o very_a word_n at_o other_o time_n their_o memory_n fail_v they_o as_o to_o the_o word_n and_o thence_o they_o change_v they_o into_o other_o and_o instead_o of_o those_o in_o the_o text_n use_v some_o that_o be_v like_o they_o so_o when_o they_o be_v in_o haste_n and_o not_o at_o leisure_n to_o consult_v the_o text_n they_o make_v use_v of_o such_o word_n and_o expression_n as_o they_o think_v come_v near_a to_o it_o sac._n heinsius_n show_v this_o in_o a_o vast_a many_o place_n sometime_o they_o contract_v the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n and_o give_v only_o the_o brief_a sense_n of_o it_o at_o other_o time_n they_o enlarge_v it_o and_o present_v we_o with_o a_o comment_n upon_o it_o yea_o sometime_o as_o they_o see_v occasion_n and_o as_o their_o matter_n lead_v they_o to_o it_o they_o invert_v the_o word_n and_o misplace_v the_o part_n of_o the_o text._n but_o no_o man_n ought_v hence_o to_o infer_v that_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n then_o and_o now_o be_v not_o the_o same_o and_o as_o for_o the_o number_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n and_o their_o book_n it_o hatâ—_n be_v always_o the_o same_o i._n e._n the_o same_o catalogue_n and_o canon_n have_v be_v general_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v true_a some_o particular_a book_n have_v be_v question_v but_o by_o a_o few_o only_a and_o for_o a_o time_n but_o the_o church_n be_v at_o last_o full_o satisfy_v about_o they_o the_o generality_n oâ—_n christian_n agree_v to_o own_o all_o those_o book_n which_o be_v now_o own_v by_o we_o all_o the_o eastern_a church_n hold_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n to_o be_v canonical_a though_o the_o latin_n it_o be_v grant_v be_v not_o so_o unanimous_a this_o epistle_n and_o that_o of_o st._n james_n the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o st._n john_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n jude_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n be_v question_v in_o the_o first_o century_n say_v 23._o eusebius_n but_o he_o acquaint_v we_o withal_o that_o they_o be_v afterward_o by_o general_a consent_n receive_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o doubt_n be_v resolve_v upon_o mature_a deliberation_n so_o that_o the_o question_n of_o those_o book_n be_v now_o a_o conâ—â—rmation_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o
hajim_n the_o breath_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o life_n the_o ancient_a sage_n among_o the_o gentile_n who_o be_v no_o stranger_n to_o this_o and_o other_o text_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o derive_v two_o notion_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v this_o that_o the_o soul_n be_v breath_n and_o according_o in_o greek_n and_o latin_a it_o have_v its_o ventus_fw-la name_n from_o breathe_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o spiratulum_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la as_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a render_v it_o by_o which_o man_n body_n be_v inspire_v be_v the_o occasion_n i_o guess_v of_o these_o denomination_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o breath_n wind_n or_o air_n and_o that_o of_o the_o poet_n divinaâ—_n particula_fw-la aurae_fw-la which_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o soul_n seem_v to_o refer_v to_o this_o another_o notion_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o this_o metaphorical_a expression_n of_o breathe_v or_o asslation_n be_v that_o the_o soul_n the_o rational_a soul_n of_o man_n be_v a_o part_n of_o god_n for_o as_o breath_n be_v something_o that_o come_v from_o within_o a_o man_n so_o soul_n that_o be_v set_v forth_o by_o breath_n be_v the_o emanation_n of_o god_n they_o come_v from_o he_o and_o be_v part_n of_o he_o the_o soul_n say_v the_o platonist_n quaest._n â—_o not_o only_o the_o work_n of_o god_n but_o a_o portion_n of_o he_o which_o it_o be_v likely_a be_v plato_n meaning_n when_o he_o say_v the_o do_v soul_n be_v a_o sharer_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n but_o this_o be_v more_o especial_o the_o stoic_n apprehension_n of_o humane_a soul_n they_o be_v say_v the_o royal_a philosopher_n 〈◊〉_d a_o part_n a_o piece_n a_o effluvium_fw-la of_o the_o godhead_n with_o who_o arianus_n agree_v tell_v that_o 14._o our_o soul_n be_v so_o link_v to_o god_n that_o they_o be_v particle_n of_o he_o and_o as_o it_o be_v pluck_v from_o he_o but_o he_o be_v very_o extravagant_a when_o he_o add_v in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o that_o as_o to_o our_o soul_n we_o be_v not_o inferior_a to_o or_o less_o than_o god_n himself_o 〈◊〉_d epictetus_n himself_o and_o 92._o seneca_n prononnce_n the_o soul_n to_o be_v a_o piece_n a_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n cicery_n speak_v like_o one_o of_o this_o sect_n as_o he_o frequent_o do_v when_o he_o say_v libâ—â—_n our_o soul_n be_v take_v out_o and_o pluck_v off_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o be_v certain_a segment_n of_o the_o divine_a mind_n and_o because_o it_o be_v hold_v by_o some_o philosopher_n that_o some_o of_o the_o inferior_a animal_n as_o bee_n have_v soul_n resemble_v those_o of_o man_n therefore_o they_o assert_v that_o they_o likewise_o georg._n be_v part_n of_o the_o divinity_n all_o this_o come_v if_o i_o mistake_v not_o from_o that_o forename_a passage_n in_o moses_n history_n concern_v the_o production_n of_o man_n god_n breathe_v into_o he_o the_o breath_n â—f_a life_n which_o be_v interpret_v as_o if_o humane_a soul_n be_v partial_a efflux_n or_o aporrhae_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n itself_o the_o make_n of_o eve_n out_o of_o adam_n be_v also_o obscure_o intimate_v in_o what_o plato_n say_v in_o his_o symposium_fw-la namely_o that_o the_o first_o man_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o mixture_n of_o both_o sex_n which_o fable_n of_o his_o be_v from_o the_o jewish_a tradition_n that_o the_o first_o man_n be_v make_v a_o hermaphrodite_n that_o he_o have_v two_o body_n join_v together_o one_o of_o a_o male_a another_o of_o a_o female_a and_o that_o god_n afterward_o split_v he_o into_o two_o distinct_a body_n whence_o arise_v man_n and_o woman_n if_o the_o jewish_a rabbi_n who_o be_v better_o acquaint_v with_o scripture_n talk_v after_o this_o dote_a rate_n plato_n may_v well_o be_v excuse_v who_o perhaps_o have_v it_o only_o on_o tradition_n and_o have_v not_o the_o mean_n to_o correct_v his_o mistake_v which_o they_o have_v but_o this_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o fable_n be_v a_o corruption_n of_o the_o sacred_a story_n which_o speak_v of_o our_o first_o parent_n say_v 2._o god_n call_v their_o name_n adam_n as_o if_o their_o have_v but_o one_o name_n signify_v they_o be_v but_o one_o person_n and_o again_o in_o the_o same_o verse_n male_a and_o female_a create_v he_o they_o as_o if_o the_o first_o man_n who_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o the_o verse_n immediate_o forego_v consist_v of_o a_o double_a sex_n but_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o word_n relate_v to_o both_o and_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o name_n adam_n be_v give_v to_o both_o be_v because_o they_o be_v both_o of_o they_o from_o the_o earth_n one_o immediate_o the_o other_o remote_o but_o afterward_o we_o read_v that_o they_o have_v distinct_a name_n adam_n be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o man_n and_o eve_n to_o the_o woman_n and_o this_o ridiculous_a fable_n which_o plato_n have_v pick_v up_o may_v be_v occasion_v likewise_o from_o a_o misunderstanding_n of_o that_o text_n 22._o god_n take_v one_o of_o the_o man_n rib_n and_o out_o of_o it_o make_v he_o a_o woman_n because_o the_o woman_n be_v form_v out_o of_o the_o man_n side_n they_o infer_v that_o adam_n be_v at_o first_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o that_o the_o woman_n at_o her_o first_o make_v stick_v to_o his_o side_n which_o be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n of_o the_o text_n but_o confirm_v the_o truth_n and_o antiquity_n of_o that_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o assure_v we_o of_o eve_n formation_n out_o of_o adam_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o give_v rise_v to_o this_o erroneous_a tradition_n may_v we_o not_o think_v that_o adam_n dominion_n over_o the_o beast_n which_o be_v accompany_v with_o his_o call_v they_o and_o give_v they_o name_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o what_o the_o poet_n talk_v of_o orpheus_n draw_v the_o beast_n after_o he_o and_o make_v they_o tame_a and_o cause_v they_o to_o stand_v still_o and_o as_o it_o be_v answer_v to_o their_o name_n or_o else_o it_o be_v a_o representation_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o animal_n come_v into_o the_o ark_n at_o noah_n call_n which_o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o another_o know_a passage_n in_o the_o mosaic_a write_n but_o i_o be_o not_o positive_a here_o and_o in_o some_o suchlike_a passage_n which_o occur_v in_o the_o poet_n though_o in_o other_o i_o shall_v heap_v up_o several_a plain_n and_o evident_a circumstance_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v the_o reader_n that_o they_o have_v reference_n to_o something_o speak_v of_o in_o scripture_n as_o to_o adam_n give_v of_o name_n to_o all_o thing_n mention_v gen._n 2._o 19_o it_o appear_v that_o plato_n be_v not_o a_o stranger_n to_o it_o for_o in_o his_o 〈◊〉_d cratylus_n where_o it_o be_v dispute_v whether_o word_n signify_v by_o institution_n or_o from_o nature_n he_o first_o deny_v the_o language_n of_o his_o grecian_n to_o have_v be_v the_o original_a one_o as_o in_o timaeo_n another_o place_n he_o call_v his_o countryman_n the_o greek_n youth_n and_o stripling_n of_o yesterday_o and_o consequent_o their_o language_n be_v not_o the_o ancient_a and_o then_o he_o hint_n that_o hebrew_n be_v the_o original_a tongue_n which_o be_v mean_v by_o what_o be_v say_v gen._n 11._o 1._o that_o the_o whole_a earth_n be_v of_o one_o language_n and_o of_o one_o speech_n and_o though_o he_o conceal_v the_o name_n of_o the_o jew_n or_o hebrew_n yet_o when_o he_o express_o affirm_v in_o this_o dialogue_n that_o the_o right_a doctrine_n of_o name_n and_o their_o interpretation_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o the_o 〈◊〉_d barbarian_n as_o the_o more_o ancient_a we_o be_v not_o to_o doubt_v that_o he_o mean_v the_o jew_n or_o hebrew_n for_o all_o agree_v that_o they_o be_v call_v barbaâ—â—â—â—_n by_o the_o greek_n as_o these_o be_v so_o by_o they_o and_o hence_o i_o gather_v that_o plato_n and_o other_o heathen_n know_v and_o perhaps_o have_v read_v that_o adam_n give_v name_n proper_a and_o significant_a name_n to_o all_o creature_n which_o moses_n particular_o make_v mention_n of_o and_o must_v be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o plato_n when_o he_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o true_a etymology_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o name_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o barbarian_n the_o first_o and_o innocent_a state_n of_o man_n and_o that_o with_o some_o of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o which_o can_v be_v know_v only_o from_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v speak_v of_o by_o the_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o heathen_n thus_o you_o will_v â—ind_v that_o etc._n hesiod_n give_v we_o a_o admirable_a description_n of_o it_o in_o plato_n atlanticus_n or_o critias_n be_v plain_o to_o be_v see_v the_o footstep_n of_o the_o old_a and_o primeve_v state_n of_o man_n when_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o he_o say_v prevail_v when_o the_o dive_v 〈◊〉_d
man_n and_o woman_n perish_v except_v only_o a_o few_o that_o betake_v themselves_o to_o some_o vessel_n of_o wood_n and_o so_o preserve_v themselves_o those_o of_o mexico_n tell_v goâ—â—_n that_o there_o be_v five_o sun_n heretofore_o that_o give_v light_n to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o first_o and_o old_a of_o they_o perish_v in_o the_o water_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o man_n that_o be_v upon_o the_o earth_n be_v drown_v and_o all_o thing_n be_v destroy_v and_o several_a other_o such_o passage_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o newfoundland_n receive_v from_o their_o forefather_n some_o of_o who_o perhaps_o be_v jew_n for_o israelis_fw-la manasseh_n ben_fw-mi israel_n think_v the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v carry_v captive_a come_v into_o the_o west-indies_n as_o well_o as_o into_o some_o part_n of_o china_n and_o tartary_n and_o there_o have_v leave_v footstep_n of_o old_a judaism_n but_o whether_o these_o be_v relic_n or_o only_a apeing_n of_o it_o i_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o dispute_v thus_o i_o have_v abundant_o make_v good_a that_o the_o heathen_n borrow_v from_o scripture_n and_o inspire_a men._n their_o priest_n take_v their_o religious_a ceremony_n yea_o their_o very_a god_n their_o poet_n take_v their_o fable_n their_o historian_n their_o more_o serious_a narrative_n their_o philosopher_n their_o notion_n and_o opinion_n their_o common_a people_n their_o word_n and_o phrase_n their_o usage_n and_o custom_n from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o doctrine_n rite_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o jew_n therein_o record_v so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o pagan_n bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o content_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o profane_a writer_n attest_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o those_o sacred_a write_n if_o any_o object_n that_o i_o have_v show_v myself_o arbitrary_a and_o lavish_a in_o some_o of_o the_o derivation_n of_o word_n which_o i_o have_v offer_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o the_o etymological_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n i_o brief_o answer_v i_o have_v purposely_o and_o industrious_o all_o along_o take_v care_n to_o avoid_v this_o imputation_n for_o i_o have_v sometime_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o great_a extravagancâ—_n of_o some_o writer_n in_o this_o very_a point_n thus_o calepine_n derive_v canis_fw-la à _fw-la canendo_fw-la as_o if_o barking_n and_o sing_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n origine_fw-la one_o derive_v scribo_fw-la from_o 〈◊〉_d and_o labour_n to_o make_v it_o out_o such_o a_o extravagant_a etymologizer_n be_v avenarius_n in_o his_o hebrew_a lexicon_n who_o fetch_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o mashal_n dominatus_fw-la est_fw-la and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o tsaniph_n and_o scorpio_n from_o gnacrab_n which_o be_v the_o hebrew_n name_n of_o that_o animal_n yea_o he_o deduce_v turk_n from_o kedar_n by_o a_o metathesis_n and_o mounseur_fw-fr bochart_n be_v not_o far_o behind_o he_o for_o he_o be_v oftentimes_o very_o bold_a and_o presume_v in_o his_o etymology_n he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o fetch_v all_o from_o the_o phaenician_a tongue_n which_o to_o accomplish_v he_o make_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v not_o venture_v to_o etymologize_v after_o the_o rate_n of_o these_o man_n though_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o very_o learned_a head_n but_o i_o have_v with_o singular_a care_n throughout_o my_o whole_a undertake_n endeavour_v to_o preserve_v the_o honour_n of_o grammar_n and_o criticism_n which_o so_o many_o have_v violate_v and_o not_o to_o put_v off_o the_o reader_n with_o far_o fetch_a derivation_n of_o word_n and_o name_n without_o observe_v the_o due_a law_n of_o deduce_v and_o form_v they_o i_o have_v never_o presume_v to_o derive_v one_o word_n from_o another_o where_o there_o be_v not_o a_o fair_a grammatical_a analogy_n between_o they_o and_o some_o agreement_n in_o their_o sound_n and_o some_o considerable_a probability_n of_o their_o be_v near_o ally_v to_o one_o another_o in_o the_o next_o place_n if_o any_o object_n that_o i_o have_v gather_v many_o thing_n from_o the_o mere_a sound_n and_o likeness_n of_o word_n which_o be_v a_o uncertain_a and_o arbitrary_a thing_n and_o there_o be_v no_o conclusion_n to_o be_v make_v thence_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a the_o sole_a affinity_n of_o word_n be_v no_o firm_a and_o undeniable_a argument_n of_o their_o origination_n the_o signification_n of_o word_n in_o different_a language_n may_v sometime_o be_v coincident_a yet_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a thence_o of_o their_o derivation_n this_o i_o be_o most_o ready_a to_o grant_v nay_o far_o that_o it_o be_v folly_n to_o derive_v one_o word_n from_o another_o mere_o because_o of_o the_o likeness_n of_o they_o as_o if_o because_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v divide_v into_o parashah_n therefore_o we_o must_v derive_v parish_n from_o thence_o they_o be_v such_o a_o part_n of_o a_o city_n or_o town_n set_v out_o as_o divide_v and_o separate_v from_o the_o rest_n you_o may_v as_o well_o derive_v montgomery_n from_o gomer_n and_o say_v it_o be_v the_o montanous_a country_n where_o gomer_n live_v who_o think_v that_o the_o english_a word_n evil_n come_v from_o the_o hebrew_n evil_n a_o fool_n it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_o quibble_v to_o fetch_v the_o proverbial_a say_v as_o lean_a as_o a_o rake_n from_o the_o hebrew_n raâ—â—_n tenuis_fw-la macer_fw-la gracilis_fw-la fuit_fw-la or_o to_o make_v a_o bad_a one_o in_o english_a to_o have_v assinity_n with_o abaddon_n it_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o intolerable_o ridiculous_a and_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o school-boy's_a pun_v to_o derive_v a_o high-man_n from_o one_o of_o the_o three_o giant_n call_v ahiman_n wherefore_o i_o do_v not_o contend_v that_o all_o accidental_a likeness_n in_o word_n be_v a_o foundation_n to_o ground_n etymology_n and_o derivation_n upon_o i_o know_v some_o be_v very_o foolish_a and_o trifle_a here_o they_o find_v such_o and_o such_o word_n in_o different_a tongue_n agree_v in_o sound_n and_o thence_o they_o infer_v they_o be_v akin_a if_o they_o can_v but_o make_v out_o any_o kind_n of_o resemblance_n in_o their_o signification_n if_o the_o hebrew_n word_n bad_a which_o have_v many_o signification_n have_v one_o like_o the_o english_a bad_a they_o will_v present_o say_v that_o this_o come_v from_o that_o if_o siccus_fw-la have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o signification_n with_o aegrotus_fw-la we_o shall_v have_v say_v the_o english_a word_n sick_a be_v thence_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v signify_v any_o thing_n like_o caelum_fw-la or_o aether_n we_o shall_v have_v derive_v sky_n thence_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v as_o much_o as_o imperare_fw-la gubernare_fw-la some_o will_v conclude_v regnum_fw-la to_o be_v derive_v from_o it_o and*_n several_a other_o word_n i_o can_v instance_n in_o which_o you_o shall_v find_v in_o another_o place_n i_o grant_v then_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o uncertainty_n in_o etymology_n and_o we_o be_v not_o to_o lay_v any_o huge_a stress_n upon_o they_o but_o though_o this_o be_v true_a yet_o where_o we_o find_v there_o be_v agreat_a probability_n that_o word_n be_v relate_v to_o one_o another_o where_o there_o be_v good_a ground_n for_o it_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o though_o there_o be_v in_o goropius_n bâ—chanâ—â—_n and_o some_o other_o before_o mention_v many_o frivolous_a etymology_n and_o fanciful_a derivation_n yet_o this_o have_v not_o make_v wise_a man_n disregard_n the_o alliance_n and_o cognation_n which_o be_v between_o word_n especial_o between_o the_o hebrew_n and_o other_o word_n thus_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o the_o follow_a greek_a latin_a english_a and_o french_z one_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o hebrew_n greek_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mysterium_fw-la lat._n uro_fw-mi mensura_fw-la gibbosus_fw-la engl._n fig._n dumb._n cable_n french_a harasser_n and_o english_a harasse_n from._n mister_n idem_fw-la ur_fw-la ignis_fw-la mesurah_n idem_fw-la gibben_n idem_fw-la fag_n ficus_fw-la dum_fw-la siluit_fw-la obmutuit_fw-la chebel_n funis_fw-la haras_n diruit_fw-la destruxit_fw-la i_o can_v peremptory_o aver_v that_o these_o be_v of_o hebrew_n original_a but_o no_o man_n alive_a be_v able_a positive_o to_o assert_v the_o contrary_n yea_o there_o be_v many_o word_n in_o the_o derivation_n of_o which_o all_o general_o agree_v few_o or_o none_o deny_v or_o so_o much_o as_o doubt_v that_o the_o latin_a gubernare_fw-la and_o the_o english_a 〈◊〉_d govern_n be_v from_o the_o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o all_o of_o they_o from_o the_o hebrew_n gabar_n gubernavit_fw-la vicit_fw-la tâ—â—er_n from_o turris_n and_o both_o from_o tur_o syriak_n the_o same_o camel_n and_o camelus_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o 〈◊〉_d the_o same_o tornace_n to_o turn_v from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o from_o tor_n ordo_fw-la
renown_a act_n of_o several_a of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o first_o worthy_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v a_o great_a establish_n of_o our_o faith_n that_o those_o pagan_n derive_v so_o many_o thing_n from_o scripture_n the_o gentile_a writer_n vouch_v a_o great_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n wherefore_o we_o must_v needs_o embrace_v it_o when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o such_o disinterest_v person_n 3._o we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o wonderful_a providence_n of_o god_n in_o this_o matter_n behold_v the_o scripture_n be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o never_o own_v its_o authority_n yea_o the_o very_a enemy_n of_o these_o holy_a write_n ratify_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o the_o heathen_a poet_n whilst_o they_o corrupt_v divine_a truth_n assert_v it_o their_o very_a lie_n and_o fiction_n bear_v witness_n to_o the_o sacred_a verity_n their_o fable_n confirm_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o bible_n this_o be_v the_o lord_n be_v do_v here_o the_o great_a and_o overrule_v wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v see_v here_o his_o almighty_a power_n in_o baâ—â—ing_v satan_n contrivance_n and_o design_n may_v be_v discern_v he_o as_o be_v say_v before_o intend_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o silence_v of_o the_o truth_n the_o exalt_v of_o himself_o and_o the_o advance_v of_o his_o kingdom_n but_o the_o alwise_a and_o powerful_a moderator_n of_o the_o world_n disappoint_v his_o design_n and_o make_v this_o thing_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o serviceable_a and_o beneficial_a to_o religion_n he_o make_v it_o become_v a_o argument_n of_o its_o antiquity_n reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n against_o the_o cavil_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n 4._o henceforth_o we_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o write_n of_o profane_a author_n we_o have_v this_o considerable_a advantage_n by_o read_v the_o work_v of_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n and_o by_o peruse_v their_o story_n and_o fable_n that_o we_o shall_v find_v some_o great_a thing_n couch_v in_o they_o than_o the_o bare_a narrative_n for_o these_o writer_n borrow_a many_o thing_n from_o the_o holy_a book_n their_o break_a story_n be_v oftentime_o a_o imperfect_a account_n of_o scripture_n relation_n sundry_a thing_n in_o their_o write_n be_v gather_v out_o of_o the_o divine_a volume_n but_o be_v strange_o wrest_v pervertrd_n and_o obscure_v by_o have_v new_a name_n and_o â—eigned_a circumstance_n affix_v to_o they_o almost_o all_o the_o gentile_a fable_n and_o theology_n flow_v from_o a_o deprave_a sense_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n the_o poet_n disguise_n true_a story_n with_o many_o fiction_n and_o some_o relic_n of_o divine_a truth_n be_v bury_v under_o their_o ingenuous_a fancy_n and_o fabulous_a narration_n ovid_n transcribe_v the_o greek_a theology_n from_o orpheus_n homer_n hesiod_n and_o other_o ancient_a poet_n and_o these_o have_v it_o from_o the_o bible_n the_o very_a poetic_a fiction_n refer_v unto_o real_a story_n and_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o divine_a source_n of_o truth_n so_o that_o we_o be_v read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o a_o manner_n whilst_o we_o be_v turn_v over_o pagan_a writer_n in_o these_o we_o meet_v with_o truth_n transplant_v from_o the_o sacred_a book_n we_o find_v many_o passage_n steal_v from_o the_o hebrew_a fountain_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v then_o that_o scholar_n and_o student_n yea_o the_o very_a candidate_n of_o sacred_a theology_n may_v with_o great_a profit_n pry_v into_o these_o write_n of_o the_o pagan_n for_o here_o be_v the_o footstep_n of_o divine_a verity_n profane_a and_o sacred_a learning_n be_v to_o be_v join_v the_o gentile_a monument_n illustrate_v the_o inspire_a one_o we_o may_v notwithstanding_o the_o disguise_n which_o poet_n have_v put_v upon_o the_o story_n see_v the_o foundation_n of_o they_o and_o perceive_v that_o those_o vain_a figmentsâ—_n be_v ground_v on_o some_o solid_a truth_n and_o that_o a_o sacred_a treasure_n lie_v hide_v under_o those_o confuse_a fable_n for_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o palestine_n afford_v greece_n matter_n of_o fancy_n and_o invention_n the_o pagan_a poet_n be_v befriend_v by_o the_o jew_n athens_n be_v indebt_v to_o jerusalem_n parnassus_n be_v behold_v to_o sinai_n and_o helicon_n to_o jordan_n you_o see_v then_o the_o advantage_n we_o may_v reap_v by_o be_v acquaint_v with_o profane_a writer_n whilst_o we_o look_v further_o than_o the_o outward_a shape_n which_o they_o have_v give_v to_o many_o thing_n and_o search_v into_o that_o truth_n which_o lie_v hide_v under_o it_o even_o the_o sacred_a and_o undoubted_a history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n thus_o we_o may_v make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o far_o high_a and_o better_a end_n than_o they_o be_v intend_v this_o be_v the_o best_a improvement_n that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o they_o to_o see_v the_o true_a source_n of_o what_o be_v write_v by_o they_o to_o understand_v whence_o they_o borrow_v their_o matter_n and_o to_o confirm_v ourselves_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n by_o peruse_v these_o which_o be_v profane_a 5th_o and_o last_o then_o see_v the_o authority_n truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n i_o have_v be_v aim_v at_o i_o have_v prove_v this_o before_o by_o several_a argument_n and_o those_o perhaps_o on_o some_o account_v more_o force_v and_o convictive_a than_o this_o but_o i_o think_v good_a to_o add_v this_o to_o they_o as_o no_o contemptible_a way_n of_o prove_v the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v evidence_v from_o heathen_a writer_n not_o only_o historian_n but_o philosopher_n and_o poet_n a_o man_n may_v by_o compare_v these_o with_o the_o sacred_a volume_n find_v out_o the_o original_a of_o the_o pagan_a tradition_n and_o fiction_n and_o observe_v the_o lineament_n of_o true_a and_o unquestionable_a history_n among_o they_o hence_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n and_o thing_n in_o be_v as_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o the_o passage_n and_o transaction_n there_o mention_v be_v real_a and_o true_a this_o admirable_o serve_v to_o evince_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o write_n this_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n of_o holy_a writ_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n i._n e._n as_o infallible_a chap._n x._o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n confirm_v by_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a writer_n who_o speak_v of_o a_o king_n or_o lord_n that_o shall_v come_v out_o of_o the_o east_n and_o particular_o out_o of_o judaea_n a_o enumeration_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o learned_a concern_v the_o sibylls_n with_o the_o particular_a sentiment_n of_o the_o author_n viz._n that_o the_o content_n of_o their_o verse_n be_v harrow_v from_o the_o old-testament_n and_o that_o those_o woman_n be_v not_o prophetess_n but_o only_o relate_v what_o they_o find_v in_o the_o inspire_a write_n or_o hear_v of_o thence_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n of_o those_o who_o hold_v the_o sibylline_a write_n to_o be_v spurious_a next_o i_o be_o to_o show_v how_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new-testament_n be_v vouch_v and_o confirm_v by_o a_o external_n testimony_n i._n e._n how_o profess_a pagansâ—nd_n â—nd_z jew_n enemy_n to_o christianity_n have_v relate_v â—nd_o assert_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o be_v set_v down_o â—n_o those_o evangelical_n write_n first_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o that_o which_o be_v of_o a_o middle_a nature_n between_o what_o i_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o before_o and_o what_o â—_o be_o now_o to_o engage_v in_o which_o therefore_o may_v apt_o serve_v as_o a_o transition_n from_o one_o to_o the_o other_o i_o â—ean_v the_o belief_n and_o report_n record_v in_o pagan_a writer_n that_o a_o king_n or_o lord_n shall_v come_v from_o the_o â—ast_n and_o do_v great_a and_o mighty_a thing_n this_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o 〈◊〉_d belong_v to_o the_o former_a discourse_n but_o because_o it_o be_v mention_v by_o historian_n that_o be_v after_o christ_n time_n and_o the_o application_n be_v with_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v make_v to_o he_o i_o right_o bring_v it_o in_o here_o it_o be_v i_o say_v a_o constant_a report_n that_o prevail_v about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o afterward_o that_o some_o eminent_a person_n or_o person_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o those_o eastern_a nation_n and_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o world_n we_o find_v 5._o tacitus_n assert_v this_o and_o that_o great_a politician_n and_o statesman_n will_v needs_o have_v it_o fulfil_v in_o vespasian_n and_o titus_n because_o they_o be_v call_v out_o of_o judea_n unto_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n suetonius_n
heretical_a persuasion_n to_o be_v gird_v about_o with_o truth_n be_v the_o same_o they_o think_v with_o hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n or_o the_o embrace_v of_o the_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o this_o exposition_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v because_o it_o confound_v this_o piece_n of_o armour_n with_o another_o that_o be_v afterward_o mention_v it_o make_v the_o girdle_n and_o the_o sword_n which_o be_v the_o word_n or_o doctrine_n of_o god_n the_o same_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o assert_v that_o truth_n here_o be_v synonymous_a with_o faithfulness_n or_o sincerity_n and_o that_o it_o stand_v in_o opposition_n to_o hypocrisy_n thus_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n be_v equivalent_a term_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 8._o and_o in_o several_a other_o place_n wherefore_o when_o the_o christian_a soldier_n be_v command_v to_o have_v his_o loin_n gird_v about_o with_o truth_n the_o plain_a import_n of_o it_o be_v that_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v establish_v with_o sincerity_n and_o integrity_n of_o conscience_n hypocrisy_n enervate_v and_o dissolve_v the_o mind_n render_v it_o loose_a and_o unsettled_a but_o uprightness_n and_o faithfulness_n keep_v it_o close_o and_o entire_a make_v it_o firm_a and_o steady_a yea_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v all_o the_o other_o grace_n as_o the_o girdle_n of_o war_n be_v use_v to_o fasten_v their_o clothes_n together_o and_o to_o keep_v their_o loin_n firm_a it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o this_o place_n refer_v particular_o to_o isa._n 11._o 5._o faithfulness_n shall_v be_v the_o girdle_n of_o his_o reins_o this_o truth_n also_o imply_v fortitude_n resolution_n and_o constancy_n that_o they_o will_v never_o revolt_v from_o the_o captain_n of_o their_o salvation_n but_o fight_v under_o his_o banner_n even_o unto_o death_n for_o he_o that_o be_v sincere_a and_o faithful_a will_v do_v so_o this_o be_v the_o first_o martial_a accoutrement_n of_o the_o christian_a soldier_n and_o it_o be_v of_o indispensable_a use_n and_o necessity_n in_o the_o holy_a warfare_n as_o among_o the_o ancient_a warrior_n there_o be_v no_o fight_v without_o the_o military_a girdle_n or_o belt_n whence_o cinctus_fw-la simple_o without_o any_o addition_n be_v as_o much_o as_o test._n miles_n and_o we_o read_v that_o it_o be_v a_o octavio_n punishment_n inflict_v on_o delinquent_a soldier_n to_o expose_v they_o without_o their_o girdle_n to_o make_v they_o stand_v ungirt_v in_o some_o public_a place_n this_o piece_n of_o warlike_a furniture_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v so_o considerable_a of_o old_a that_o be_v be_v a_o word_n as_o baeotic_a â—ausanias_fw-la testiâ—ies_fw-la to_o signify_v all_o sort_n of_o weapon_n for_o war._n it_o be_v often_o mention_v by_o homer_n synecdochichally_n for_o the_o whole_a military_a armour_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o be_v complete_o arm_v the_o girdle_n of_o truth_n which_o this_o great_a commander_n here_o enjoin_v we_o be_v as_o requisite_a in_o the_o christian_a warfare_n there_o be_v no_o fight_v without_o it_o because_o this_o fasten_v all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o our_o spiritual_a armour_n a_o sincere_a and_o upright_a heart_n be_v of_o universal_a influence_n in_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian._n 2._o the_o next_o accoutrement_n be_v the_o breastplate_n of_o righteousness_n i._n e._n a_o holy_a and_o pious_a conversation_n impartial_a and_o universal_a obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n this_o guard_v the_o breast_n against_o all_o assault_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o example_n of_o our_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 1._o 12._o for_o he_o have_v this_o as_o well_o as_o the_o forego_n piece_n of_o armour_n on_o when_o he_o say_v our_o rejoice_n be_v this_o the_o testimony_n of_o our_o conscience_n that_o in_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n not_o with_o fleshly_a wisdom_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n we_o have_v have_v our_o conversation_n in_o the_o world_n and_o again_o i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n 2_o tim._n 4._o 7._o and_o in_o other_o place_n he_o defend_v himself_o against_o the_o malicious_a cavil_n of_o other_o by_o appeal_n to_o his_o own_o innocency_n his_o sanctity_n and_o exemplary_a life_n this_o perhaps_o may_v have_v particular_a reference_n to_o isa._n 59_o 17._o he_o put_v on_o righteousness_n as_o a_o breastplate_n but_o this_o breastplate_n of_o righteousness_n must_v be_v cover_v with_o another_o viz._n that_o of_o our_o bless_a redeemer_n which_o be_v complete_a and_o perfect_a and_o will_v ample_o protect_v and_o secure_v we_o from_o all_o danger_n the_o inherent_a righteousness_n of_o the_o best_a of_o man_n be_v exceed_o defective_a and_o can_v shelter_v they_o from_o the_o divine_a wrath_n this_o breastplate_n be_v too_o narrow_a too_o thin_a too_o little_a too_o mean_a to_o cover_v we_o but_o that_o of_o the_o meritorious_a righteousness_n of_o christ_n jesus_n be_v great_a and_o large_a enough_o and_o be_v able_a to_o hide_v all_o our_o defect_n and_o perfect_o to_o defend_v we_o from_o the_o anger_n of_o our_o offend_a god_n this_o evangelical_n breastplate_n must_v be_v put_v on_o by_o faith_n of_o which_o afterward_o 3._o the_o shoe_n of_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o peace_n be_v a_o allusion_n to_o that_o military_a provision_n which_o the_o infantry_n among_o the_o ancient_a warrior_n make_v for_o their_o foot_n to_o defend_v they_o from_o what_o be_v offensive_a in_o their_o way_n for_o the_o army_n heretofore_o as_o appear_v both_o from_o greek_a and_o roman_a author_n be_v wont_a to_o fix_v short_a stake_n or_o cast_v gall-trap_n in_o the_o way_n before_o their_o enemy_n to_o wound_v their_o foot_n and_o to_o cause_v they_o to_o fall_v wherefore_o it_o be_v usual_a to_o have_v harness_n for_o their_o leg_n and_o foot_n they_o wear_v a_o particular_a sort_n of_o shoe_n or_o boot_n to_o secure_v they_o from_o be_v hurt_v and_o gall_v so_o the_o christian_a soldier_n ought_v to_o have_v his_o foot_n shod_a and_o that_o with_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o goslpel_n i._n e._n he_o must_v be_v sit_v and_o prepare_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o all_o hardship_n and_o distress_n i_o do_v not_o much_o like_o st._n augustin_n way_n of_o prove_v this_o interpretation_n viz._n by_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o the_o shoe_n the_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n be_v mean_v when_o the_o psalmist_n say_v over_o edom_n will_v i_o cast_v out_o my_o 30._o shoe_n psal._n 60._o 8._o which_o he_o labour_v to_o confirm_v from_o isa._n 52._o 7._o how_o beautiful_a be_v the_o foot_n of_o he_o that_o bring_v good_a tiding_n and_o this_o pious_a writer_n be_v so_o fanciful_a as_o to_o say_v that_o when_o our_o saviour_n bid_v the_o disciple_n be_v shod_a with_o sandal_n mark_v 6._o 9_o he_o mean_v the_o open_a and_o free_a preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n but_o wave_v this_o weak_a sort_n of_o proof_n yet_o i_o be_o satisfy_v that_o in_o this_o place_n the_o christian_n military_a shoe_n be_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o preach_a of_o it_o he_o be_v then_o shod_a with_o the_o preparation_n of_o it_o when_o he_o be_v enable_v to_o make_v his_o way_n through_o all_o hindrance_n and_o difficulty_n whatsoever_o by_o virtue_n of_o those_o excellent_a principle_n which_o the_o gospel_n have_v discover_v to_o he_o by_o virtue_n of_o those_o extraordinary_a help_n which_o this_o afford_v he_o and_o it_o be_v â—itly_o add_v the_o gospel_n of_o peace_n because_o the_o consideration_n of_o that_o peace_n and_o reconciliation_n which_o the_o gospel_n tender_v through_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n mighty_o influence_n upon_o his_o spirit_n and_o give_v courage_n and_o valour_n amid_o all_o the_o hardship_n he_o meet_v with_o in_o his_o christian_a warfare_n 4._o the_o shield_n of_o faith_n be_v another_o necessary_a part_n of_o spiritual_a armour_n and_o it_o be_v signal_o add_v that_o we_o must_v take_v this_o above_o all_o which_o it_o be_v probable_a be_v say_v with_o allusion_n to_o what_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o old_a warrior_n viz._n that_o their_o shield_n be_v their_o principal_a armour_n this_o they_o prize_v above_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o be_v most_o careful_a in_o keep_v it_o of_o which_o we_o have_v several_a instance_n in_o ancient_a history_n and_o there_o be_v a_o remarkable_a punishment_n inflict_v on_o those_o say_v pelopid_n plutarch_n who_o lose_v their_o shield_n in_o battle_n much_o more_o valuable_a be_v this_o evangelic_n armour_n our_o faith_n a_o firm_a assent_n to_o all_o reveal_v truth_n a_o steady_a belief_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o eternal_a life_n through_o the_o bless_a undertake_n of_o our_o lord_n a_o hearty_a compliance_n with_o the_o gracious_a term_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o enjoin_v universal_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n a_o well-grounded_n trust_v and_o aâ—â—iance_n in_o the_o
authority_n of_o they_o equal_a with_o that_o of_o the_o bible_n for_o as_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n be_v dictate_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n so_o these_o law_n they_o hold_v be_v from_o god_n himself_o and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n with_o those_o scripture_n they_o make_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o inspire_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o book_n of_o mishnaioth_n or_o the_o talmud_n which_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o amassment_n only_o of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o the_o diverse_a decision_n of_o the_o school_n of_o hillel_n and_o shammai_n of_o the_o different_a determination_n of_o r._n akiba_n and_o r._n eliezer_n of_o r._n simeon_n and_o r._n joshua_n etc._n etc._n bandy_n against_o one_o another_o or_o rather_o if_o we_o speak_v plain_a they_o be_v a_o rhapsody_n of_o idle_a dream_n groundless_a fable_n curse_a error_n superstitious_a rite_n and_o practice_n yea_o if_o we_o shall_v instance_n in_o the_o babylonick_a talmud_n of_o horrid_a blasphemy_n against_o christ_n of_o obloquy_n against_o the_o mosaic_a law_n itself_o and_o of_o contradiction_n even_o to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n these_o be_v part_n of_o the_o book_n so_o high_o prize_v by_o the_o jewish_a master_n these_o go_v along_o with_o their_o oral_a law_n which_o be_v first_o give_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o consequent_o be_v of_o the_o same_o original_a with_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n but_o they_o go_v yet_o high_o for_o they_o do_v not_o only_o equalise_v these_o tradition_n with_o scripture_n but_o they_o prefer_v they_o before_o it_o they_o do_v not_o only_o say_v in_o a_o proverbial_a manner_n that_o traditae_fw-la they_o can_v stand_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o write_a law_n without_o the_o help_n of_o the_o unwritten_a one_o i_o e._n the_o oral_a law_n which_o they_o talk_v of_o and_o that_o locupletissima_fw-la the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n as_o they_o be_v find_v in_o the_o text_n be_v poor_a and_o want_v but_o as_o they_o be_v expound_v by_o the_o doctor_n have_v great_a riches_n and_o abundance_n in_o they_o and_o again_o that_o pilo_fw-la very_o great_a and_o weighty_a matter_n depend_v upon_o these_o little_a tradition_n which_o they_o contend_v for_o but_o they_o be_v so_o bold_a and_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o proceed_v further_o and_o give_v a_o far_o great_a deference_n to_o these_o tradition_n and_o doctrine_n of_o their_o wise_a man_n as_o they_o call_v they_o than_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o for_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o verbis_fw-la their_o doctor_n have_v do_v more_o good_a viz._n as_o to_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v of_o religion_n by_o their_o own_o say_n than_o by_o the_o word_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n itself_o and_o according_o their_o advice_n be_v legis_fw-la my_o son_n attend_v more_o to_o what_o the_o scribe_n say_v than_o to_o what_o be_v say_v by_o the_o law_n though_o i_o know_v this_o may_v admit_v of_o another_o sense_n viz._n that_o we_o ought_v to_o look_v more_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n than_o the_o bare_a letter_n of_o it_o but_o that_o in_o the_o talmud_n be_v plain_a and_o can_v have_v no_o other_o mean_v 11._o to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o to_o be_v studious_a in_o search_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o be_v good_a and_o not_o good_a i._n e._n it_o be_v not_o of_o any_o considerable_a advantage_n but_o to_o turn_v over_o the_o mishnah_n night_n and_o day_n be_v a_o virtue_n which_o will_v have_v a_o great_a reward_n hereafter_o and_o to_o learn_v the_o gemara_n be_v a_o incomparable_a virtue_n yea_o the_o jew_n blasphemous_o say_v that_o god_n himself_o study_v in_o the_o talmud_n every_o day_n here_o you_o see_v they_o prefer_v their_o deliver_v law_n before_o the_o write_a one_o they_o make_v the_o infallible_a scripture_n truckle_n to_o the_o fabulous_a tradition_n of_o the_o mishnah_n to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v a_o note_a say_v of_o the_o hebrew_n rabbi_n that_o the_o text_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v like_a water_n the_o mishnah_n like_o wine_n and_o the_o six_o book_n of_o the_o talmud_n be_v like_o the_o sweet_a honeyed_a wine_n thus_o to_o magnify_v the_o tradition_n of_o their_o father_n they_o vilify_v the_o scripture_n they_o be_v not_o content_a with_o the_o rite_n and_o injunction_n write_v in_o the_o law_n which_o in_o way_n of_o contempt_n they_o call_v 〈…〉_z the_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n but_o they_o admire_v those_o most_o which_o be_v take_v from_o their_o wise_a man_n which_o they_o call_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o rabbin_n and_o which_o be_v summary_o contain_v in_o the_o talmud_n these_o they_o hold_v to_o be_v of_o great_a value_n than_o the_o other_o the_o person_n that_o be_v skilled_a in_o these_o be_v slile_v by_o they_o tannaim_n profound_a master_n and_o doctor_n but_o they_o that_o study_v the_o scripture_n only_o be_v but_o karaim_n poor_a reader_n and_o man_n of_o the_o letter_n all_o this_o show_v how_o these_o man_n depretiate_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n and_o exalt_v above_o it_o their_o oral_a law_n which_o be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n and_o forgery_n as_o to_o the_o pretence_n of_o its_o be_v give_v to_o moses_n by_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o own_v by_o the_o karaint_n among_o they_o who_o stick_v close_o to_o the_o text_n nor_o by_o some_o of_o their_o perushim_n their_o sober_a sort_n of_o expositor_n who_o think_v those_o tradition_n be_v derogatory_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n second_o papist_n as_o well_n as_o jeâ—s_n disparage_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o deny_v its_o perfection_n nor_o by_o the_o way_n be_v this_o the_o only_a thing_n wherein_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o jew_n a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v no_o other_o than_o jewish_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n these_o modern_a talmudist_n will_v not_o own_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n they_o have_v their_o cabala_n the_o doctrine_n receive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n they_o be_v for_o their_o oral_a law_n deliver_v from_o one_o to_o another_o they_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o scripture_n so_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o speak_v with_o their_o tradition_n they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n with_o the_o jew_n that_o jud._n there_o must_v be_v a_o fence_n make_v about_o the_o law_n that_o it_o must_v be_v hedge_v in_o with_o tradition_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o a_o perfect_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n say_v they_o but_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v partly_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o partly_o in_o unwritten_a tradition_n a_o very_a absurd_a and_o wild_a doctrine_n because_o they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o by_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n whatever_o be_v or_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v reveal_v in_o these_o write_n and_o no_o new_a doctrine_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v deliver_v since_o to_o the_o church_n or_o any_o particular_a person_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o absurdity_n of_o this_o tenent_n they_o hold_v it_o fast_o and_o make_v it_o a_o great_a article_n of_o their_o belief_n for_o they_o be_v teach_v by_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n as_o they_o repute_v it_o that_o unwritten_a tradition_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v 4._o with_o the_o same_o pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n those_o be_v the_o word_n wherewith_o the_o infallible_a write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v to_o be_v entertain_v and_o consequent_o they_o be_v to_o be_v make_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n equal_a with_o the_o scripture_n but_o they_o rest_v not_o here_o they_o not_o only_o equal_a humane_a and_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n with_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n but_o follow_v the_o step_v of_o the_o old_a talmudist_n they_o proceed_v yet_o further_o prefer_v tradition_n before_o scripture_n thus_o a_o renown_a divine_a in_o their_o church_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o 8._o tradition_n be_v exceed_o necessary_a for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n yea_o that_o they_o be_v more_o requisite_a than_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a with_o he_o concur_v several_a other_o of_o their_o writer_n who_o we_o find_v extol_v tradition_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n speak_v very_o mean_o and_o slight_o of_o the_o holy_a writ_n hence_o they_o blasphemous_o call_v it_o a_o nose_n of_o wax_n and_o a_o leaden_a rule_n and_o many_o such_o vilify_a term_n be_v use_v by_o pighius_fw-la and_o melchior_n canus_n and_o etc._n other_o great_a doctor_n of_o that_o church_n we_o deny_v not_o the_o usefulness_n nay_o even_o the_o necessity_n nay_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o tradition_n viz._n that_o tradition_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v entrust_v in_o the_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 inculâ—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 no_o article_n prefix_v to_o it_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o our_o saviour_n himself_o as_o the_o evangelical_n write_n inform_v we_o to_o make_v his_o application_n to_o those_o of_o this_o sex_n to_o cherish_v and_o commend_v their_o virtue_n it_o be_v particular_o record_v that_o 4._o of_o the_o chief_a woman_n afterward_o call_v 12._o honourable_a woman_n not_o a_o few_o be_v st._n paul_n proselyte_n and_o to_o descend_v low_a we_o read_v that_o st._n jerom_n take_v great_a pain_n in_o instruct_v the_o roman_a lady_n and_o in_o commend_v and_o encourage_v their_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n yea_o many_o of_o his_o write_n be_v direct_v and_o dedicate_v to_o noble_a woman_n widow_n and_o virgin_n as_o paula_n eustochium_fw-la salvina_n celantia_n and_o several_a other_o that_o be_v roman_a lady_n and_o of_o noble_a extraction_n such_o be_v our_o elect_n here_o who_o be_v the_o only_a person_n of_o that_o sex_n to_o who_o a_o inspire_a epistle_n be_v write_v she_o be_v commend_v for_o her_o virtuous_a bring_v up_o her_o child_n she_o be_v exhort_v to_o abide_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o perservere_a in_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v all_o delusion_n of_o false_a teacher_n but_o chief_o the_o apostle_n beseech_v this_o noble_a matron_n to_o practice_v the_o great_a and_o indispensable_a commandment_n of_o christian_a love_n and_o charity_n his_o three_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o gaius_n a_o convert_v jew_n or_o gentile_a as_o other_o think_v because_o he_o have_v a_o roman_a name_n a_o man_n of_o a_o fair_a estate_n and_o who_o have_v be_v very_o bountiful_a and_o hospitable_a to_o the_o saint_n the_o design_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v to_o own_o and_o commend_v his_o hospitality_n especial_o his_o seasonable_a beneficence_n and_o charity_n to_o stranger_n to_o those_o that_o be_v exile_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n and_o to_o stir_v he_o up_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o same_o 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 our_o lord_n jesus_n â—brist_n be_v with_o you_o all_o amm._n concern_v the_o precise_a time_n when_o st._n john_n receive_v and_o when_o he_o write_v this_o revelation_n there_o be_v some_o dispute_n but_o the_o most_o probable_a if_o not_o the_o most_o general_o receive_v opinion_n be_v that_o he_o be_v â—â—nished_v into_o patmos_n a_o isle_n in_o the_o archipelago_n situate_v about_o forty_o mile_n from_o the_o continent_n of_o asia_n by_o domitian_n under_o who_o be_v the_o second_o persecution_n this_o revelation_n be_v deliver_v to_o he_o about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o emperor_n reign_n but_o at_o several_a time_n and_o that_o he_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o vision_n themselves_o i_o will_v not_o here_o particular_o inâ—ist_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o only_o in_o general_n it_o be_v common_o say_v and_o believe_v that_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seal_n set_v forth_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o heathen_a persecution_n from_o nero_n to_o the_o end_n of_o dioclesian_n persecution_n the_o vision_n of_o the_o trumpet_n which_o follow_v that_o show_v the_o calamity_n of_o the_o church_n by_o heresy_n schism_n and_o persecution_n afterward_o in_o the_o time_n succeed_v the_o pagan_a roman_a emperor_n viz._n under_o papacy_n and_o then_o the_o vial_n tell_v what_o vengeance_n befall_v the_o papal_a antichrist_n and_o all_o the_o church_n enemy_n so_o that_o the_o seal_n trumpet_n and_o vial_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o three_o grand_a period_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v great_a probability_n of_o this_o but_o i_o must_v add_v and_o i_o will_v offer_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n as_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o order_n to_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o this_o book_n that_o the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o history_n be_v
and_o twenty_o after_o the_o number_n of_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n and_o 4._o cyril_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v these_o express_a word_n read_v these_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n but_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o apocryphal_a one_o study_n and_o meditate_v only_o on_o these_o scripture_n which_o we_o confident_o read_v in_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n and_o first_o bishop_n be_v true_a guide_n and_o be_v more_o wise_a and_o religious_a than_o thou_o be_v and_o these_o be_v the_o man_n that_o deliver_v these_o scripture_n to_o we_o thou_o then_o be_v a_o son_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o go_v beyond_o her_o bound_n and_o order_n but_o acknowledge_v and_o study_v only_o the_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n of_o the_o old_a â—â—â—stament_n and_o other_o father_n of_o the_o churâ—â—_n as_o melito_n bishop_n of_o sardis_n athanasius_n amphiloâ—â—us_n epiphanius_n eusebius_n gregory_n nazianzen_n gâ—â—gory_n the_o great_a basil_n chrysostom_n testify_v that_o 〈◊〉_d book_n and_o no_o other_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o receive_v now_o be_v the_o canonical_a booâ—â—_n of_o old_a and_o receive_v so_o by_o the_o first_o christiâ—â—_n those_o eminent_a light_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n râ—t_n jerom_n hilary_n disow_v as_o uncanonical_a 〈◊〉_d book_n of_o apocrypha_fw-la the_o two_o latter_a especial_o 〈◊〉_d very_o positive_a eustock_n jerom_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o 〈◊〉_d canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v but_o 〈◊〉_d and_o twenty_o just_o the_o number_n of_o the_o hebrew_n alâ—phabet_n and_o no_o more_o and_o he_o enumerate_v the_o particular_a book_n which_o constitute_v the_o whole_a 〈◊〉_d say_v indeed_o that_o some_o make_v they_o four_o and_o twâ—â—ty_a but_o it_o be_v the_o same_o account_n for_o they_o reckâ—â—_n ruth_n and_o lamentation_n separately_z but_o as_o for_o 〈◊〉_d other_o he_o say_v they_o be_v not_o part_v of_o inspire_a scripture_n and_o the_o church_n do_v not_o receive_v theâ—_n among_o the_o canonical_a write_n so_o psalm_n hilary_n giu_v we_o the_o just_a catalogue_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o peremptory_o affirm_v that_o there_o 〈◊〉_d but_o two_o and_o twenty_o canonical_a book_n of_o it_o in_o all_o which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o thirty_o nine_o according_a to_o the_o reckon_n in_o our_o bibles_n to_o father_n wâ—_n may_v add_v synod_n and_o council_n as_o that_o antieâ—â—_n one_o of_o laodicea_n convened_a a._n d._n 364._o which_o draw_v up_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o make_v mention_v only_o of_o these_o which_o we_o now_o receive_v but_o leave_v out_o the_o apocryphal_a one_o this_o canon_n be_v receive_v afterward_o and_o confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n one_o of_o the_o first_o four_o general_n council_n and_o the_o six_o general_n council_n hold_v at_o constantinople_n a._n d._n 680._o express_o ratify_v the_o decree_n of_o that_o old_a laodicean_n council_n and_o particular_o this_o that_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v but_o two_o and_o twenty_o there_o be_v another_o reason_n also_o beside_o the_o universal_a suffrage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n why_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v eject_v out_o of_o the_o canon_n viz._n because_o some_o thing_n in_o they_o be_v false_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n as_o in_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la 46._o 20._o 2_o esdras_n 6._o 40._o and_o some_o thing_n be_v vicious_a as_o in_o 2_o maccab._n 14._o 42._o after_o all_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o answer_v what_o the_o romanist_n say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n they_o quote_v the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n which_o they_o tell_v we_o receive_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n into_o the_o canon_n and_o among_o the_o father_n st._n augustin_n they_o say_v own_v they_o beside_o that_o two_o pope_n viz._n innocent_a the_o first_o and_o gelasius_n take_v those_o book_n which_o we_o style_v apocryphal_a into_o the_o canon_n as_o for_o the_o council_n which_o they_o allege_v it_o be_v but_o a_o provincial_a one_o and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v set_v against_o those_o more_o authentic_a and_o general_a council_n which_o i_o produce_v nor_o must_v that_o one_o single_a father_n who_o they_o name_n stand_v out_o against_o that_o great_a number_n of_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n who_o i_o mention_v the_o pope_n bear_v a_o great_a name_n among_o our_o adversary_n but_o they_o be_v but_o two_o and_o must_v not_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o council_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o father_n who_o be_v on_o our_o side_n or_o if_o they_o lie_v such_o great_a stress_n on_o a_o pope_n i_o can_v name_v they_o one_o and_o he_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a they_o ever_o have_v viz._n pope_n gregory_n the_o great_a who_o 17._o declare_v that_o the_o book_n of_o maccabee_n a_o main_a piece_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a writing_n be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n wâ—_n may_v set_v this_o one_o pope_n for_o he_o be_v great_a enough_o against_o the_o other_o two_n beside_o their_o own_o 〈◊〉_d be_v against_o they_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v 〈◊〉_d receive_v as_o part_v of_o holy_a inspire_a scripture_n by_o iâ—â—dorus_n damascen_n nicephorus_n rabanus_n maurus_n hâ—go_n lyranus_fw-la cajetan_n and_o other_o who_o be_v of_o greâ—â—_n repute_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n we_o regard_v 〈◊〉_d what_o the_o pack_v council_n of_o trent_n have_v decree_v viz._n 4._o that_o beside_o the_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n 〈◊〉_d the_o hebrew_n canon_n those_o also_o of_o tobias_n juditâ—_n the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n ecclesiasticus_fw-la maccabeâ—â—â—_n baruch_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o canonical_a and_o thâ—_n they_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o canon_n oâ—_n the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o general_a suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a council_n father_n and_o writer_n who_o have_v reject_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n and_o receive_v but_o twenty_o two_o into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n belong_v to_o the_o old_a testament_n you_o see_v what_o ground_n we_o have_v no_o other_o than_o the_o universal_a church_n we_o reject_v some_o book_n as_o apocryphal_a because_o they_o be_v general_o reject_v by_o the_o ancient_a primitive_a church_n and_o we_o receive_v the_o rest_n as_o canonical_a because_o they_o be_v believe_v and_o own_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n see_v this_o admirable_o make_v good_a in_o bishop_n cousins_n history_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n yet_o aâ—ter_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v we_o count_v the_o apocrypha_n write_n worthy_a to_o be_v read_v and_o peruse_v the_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n amiss_o in_o they_o yet_o we_o give_v great_a deference_n and_o respect_n to_o they_o as_o contain_v many_o historical_a truth_n and_o furnish_v we_o witâ—_n matter_n of_o jewish_a antiquity_n as_o likewise_o because_o there_o be_v many_o doctrinal_a and_o moral_a truth_n in_o they_o especial_o in_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n and_o ecâ—lesiasticus_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o say_v we_o bear_v great_a respect_n to_o they_o and_o rank_v they_o next_o to_o the_o holy_a canon_n and_o prefer_v they_o before_o all_o profane_a author_n this_o be_v do_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o frequent_o allege_v they_o in_o their_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n which_o be_v one_o reason_n i_o question_v not_o why_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n come_v to_o be_v make_v canonical_a by_o some_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n namely_o because_o they_o be_v so_o often_o quote_v by_o the_o father_n and_o in_o some_o church_n read_v public_o but_o this_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o their_o be_v canonical_a but_o only_o let_v we_o know_v that_o these_o book_n be_v in_o their_o kind_a useful_a and_o profitable_a as_o indeed_o they_o be_v therefore_o st._n proverb_n jerom_n say_v the_o church_n receive_v not_o these_o book_n into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n though_o she_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v read_v and_o concern_v these_o write_n our_o church_n say_v well_o quote_v st._n jerom_n for_o it_o 6._o she_o do_v read_v they_o for_o example_n of_o life_n and_o instruction_n of_o manner_n but_o yet_o do_v not_o apply_v they_o to_o establish_v any_o doctrine_n which_o give_v we_o a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o these_o book_n namely_o that_o they_o contain_v excellent_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o be_v very_o serviceable_a to_o inform_v we_o of_o our_o duty_n as_o to_o several_a weighty_a thing_n but_o they_o be_v not_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o the_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v they_o be_v not_o the_o infallible_a standard_n of_o divine_a doctrine_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v apply_v and_o make_v use_n of_o to_o that_o purpose_n this_o and_o the_o other_o reason_n before_o mention_v may_v prevail_v with_o we_o to_o think_v that_o these_o write_n aught_o not_o to_o be_v