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zoroaster_n oracle_n the_o book_n
employ_v their_o thought_n about_o abstract_a and_o pure_o metaphysical_a being_n and_o thence_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o exact_o to_o describe_v the_o mere_a essence_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o being_n whether_o material_a or_o immaterial_a whether_o they_o belong_v to_o the_o intellectual_a or_o to_o the_o sensible_a world_n in_o order_n whereto_o they_o resolve_v all_o being_n into_o their_o simple_a and_o unmixed_a ingredient_n and_o then_o attempt_v to_o assign_v their_o precise_a notion_n and_o difference_n from_o each_o other_o thus_o they_o analyse_v all_o physical_a body_n into_o ten_o principle_n or_o primitive_a ingredient_n for_o first_o they_o suppose_v that_o all_o thing_n by_o how_o much_o the_o less_o perfect_a they_o be_v be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o compound_v and_o then_o place_v body_n in_o the_o low_a rank_n of_o being_n they_o infer_v that_o something_o of_o all_o superior_a essence_n must_v concur_v to_o their_o constitution_n so_o that_o all_o body_n must_v 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signify_v by_o a_o single_a one_o of_o a_o large_a import_n as_o if_o in_o arithmetical_a account_n we_o shall_v denote_v one_o great_a sum_n by_o many_o little_a one_o but_o the_o express_v of_o a_o thing_n by_o divers_a word_n do_v not_o more_o unfold_v its_o nature_n then_o when_o it_o be_v sign_v by_o one_o because_o the_o use_n of_o word_n be_v not_o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o only_o to_o stand_v as_o mark_n and_o sign_n in_o their_o stead_n as_o arithmetical_a figure_n be_v only_a note_n of_o number_n and_o therefore_o name_n be_v as_o unable_a to_o explain_v abstract_a nature_n as_o figure_n be_v to_o solve_v arithmetical_a problem_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o it_o have_v be_v a_o ancient_a and_o creditable_a opinion_n of_o the_o platonist_n that_o name_n have_v in_o they_o a_o natural_a resemblance_n and_o suitableness_n to_o thing_n and_o be_v peculiar_o expressive_a of_o the_o several_a nature_n and_o property_n of_o those_o thing_n they_o be_v 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whereof_o may_v be_v acquire_v by_o observation_n and_o experiment_n but_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a mean_n or_o rational_a method_n that_o i_o can_v ever_o yet_o meet_v with_o to_o investigate_v the_o mysterious_a idea_n of_o bare_a and_o abstract_a essence_n beside_o all_o being_n be_v either_o object_n of_o sense_n or_o not_o now_o to_o go_v about_o to_o discover_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o former_a by_o metaphysical_a definition_n will_v be_v ridiculous_a see_v they_o be_v far_o better_o understand_v by_o our_o sense_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v ask_v i_o what_o a_o bedstaff_n or_o a_o joint-stool_n be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o acquaint_v he_o what_o they_o be_v be_v not_o to_o amuse_v he_o with_o fine_a artificial_a definition_n but_o to_o show_v he_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o beside_o to_o abstract_n sensible_a thing_n from_o materiality_n be_v to_o abstract_n they_o from_o themselves_o because_o their_o very_a essence_n be_v material_a and_o then_o of_o they_o that_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o
those_o secret_n which_o be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o their_o inquisition_n that_o they_o may_v not_o discover_v their_o ignorance_n instead_o of_o their_o knowledge_n they_o wrap_v up_o their_o mystery_n in_o dark_a and_o enigmatical_a representation_n as_o be_v too_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v prostitute_v to_o vulgar_a and_o unhallowed_a mind_n 5._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n roundly_o charge_v almost_o every_o sect_n of_o the_o philosopher_n herewith_o life_n only_o epicurus_n take_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d perspicuity_n for_o his_o motto_n whereas_o the_o rest_n general_o disclaim_v it_o the_o story_n be_v common_a that_o hipparchus_n be_v banish_v pythagoras_n his_o school_n and_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d set_v in_o his_o place_n as_o of_o a_o person_n lose_v and_o all_o because_o he_o go_v about_o to_o unriddle_v the_o pythagorick_a arcana_fw-la 2._o neither_o be_v heraclitus_n his_o surname_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o his_o write_n less_o famous_a clarus_n ob_fw-la obscuram_fw-la linguam_fw-la magis_fw-la inter_fw-la inane_n as_o lucretius_n quibble_n upon_o he_o &_o laertius_n relate_v of_o he_o in_o his_o life_n that_o he_o write_v a_o book_n so_o monstrous_o obscure_a that_o at_o length_n it_o become_v a_o controversy_n whether_o it_o treat_v of_o a_o commonwealth_n or_o of_o nature_n and_o no_o less_o common_a be_v aristotle_n epistle_n to_o alexander_n alex._n wherein_o he_o profess_v that_o though_o he_o have_v make_v his_o book_n public_a yet_o he_o have_v not_o publish_v they_o and_o therefore_o he_o divide_v his_o write_n into_o exoteric_o that_o be_v intelligible_a to_o vulgar_a reader_n and_o eisotericks_n that_o be_v intelligible_a to_o none_o but_o son_n of_o art_n whence_o atticus_n in_o eusebius_n compare_v he_o to_o the_o cuttlefish_n because_o he_o like_v that_o sort_n of_o fish_n hide_v himself_o with_o his_o own_o ink_n and_o how_o well_o the_o school-doctor_n his_o great_a admirer_n have_v imitate_v he_o i_o need_v not_o tell_v you_o only_o i_o have_v more_o than_o once_o with_o pleasure_n observe_v it_o of_o aegidius_n that_o where_o he_o can_v make_v his_o master_n aquinas_n speak_v good_a sense_n though_o the_o nonsense_n be_v palpable_a he_o attribute_n a_o mysteriousness_n to_o his_o extraordinary_a and_o more_o than_o humane_a subtlety_n shall_v i_o add_v the_o proud_a race_n of_o spagyrist_n who_o like_o aeneas_n go_v clothe_v in_o cloud_n and_o what_o they_o discover_v by_o their_o fire_n darken_v by_o their_o smoke_n i_o may_v add_v many_o modern_a writer_n but_o i_o forbear_v only_o methinks_v all_o the_o world_n seem_v to_o have_v go_v to_o school_n to_o that_o pedagogue_n in_o quintilian_n qui_fw-la discipulos_fw-la obscurare_fw-la quae_fw-la dicerent_fw-la juberet_fw-la graeco_fw-la verbo_fw-la utens_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2._o all_o writer_n be_v ambitious_a to_o have_v commentator_n and_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o a_o little_a estimation_n that_o obscurity_n gain_v from_o the_o vulgar_a whence_o that_o commendation_n in_o quintilian_n tanto_fw-la melior_fw-la ne_fw-la ego_fw-la quidem_fw-la intellexi_fw-la and_o that_o conclusion_n in_o lucretius_n omnia_fw-la enim_fw-la stolidi_fw-la magis_fw-la admirantur_fw-la amantque_fw-la inversis_fw-la quae_fw-la sub_fw-la verbis_fw-la latitantia_fw-la cernunt_fw-la but_o all_o that_o they_o understand_v they_o despise_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v synesius_n in_o his_o encomium_n of_o calvisiâ—â—_n now_o since_o i_o have_v venture_v to_o play_v the_o aristarchus_n in_o reference_n to_o so_o many_o eminent_a vertuosi_n methinks_v i_o may_v dare_v to_o add_v the_o same_o censure_n of_o our_o late_a english_a rosie-crusians_a but_o yet_o of_o all_o man_n i_o be_o most_o sore_o afraid_a of_o anger_v these_o because_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o a_o very_a quarrelsome_a humour_n and_o to_o have_v a_o huge_a ambition_n to_o be_v esteem_v the_o polemical_a scripturient_n of_o the_o age_n whereas_o i_o have_v be_v scare_v from_o engage_v with_o a_o rosie-crucian_a ever_o since_o i_o first_o see_v the_o controversial_a rencountre_n of_o eugenius_n philalethes_n and_o beside_o to_o confess_v my_o fear_n to_o you_o i_o know_v not_o but_o the_o romantic_a hero_n of_o this_o order_n may_v have_v retrieve_v the_o lose_a invention_n of_o enchant_a arm_n especial_o that_o lovely_a fairy_n knight_n descend_v as_o the_o romance_n of_o his_o life_n relate_v it_o it_o be_v a_o pretty_a tale_n then_o that_o of_o amadis_n de_fw-fr gaul_n of_o the_o cesar_n heydon_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o venerable_a author_n of_o the_o heydonian_a philosophy_n as_o himself_o modest_o style_v his_o own_o ignorant_a uncouth_a and_o ridiculous_a scribble_n but_o it_o be_v more_o fit_v that_o these_o pedantic_a cheat_n be_v chastise_v by_o the_o public_a rod_n in_o that_o they_o direct_o poison_v man_n mind_n and_o dispose_v they_o to_o the_o wild_a and_o most_o enthusiastic_a fanaticisme_n for_o there_o be_v so_o much_o affinity_n between_o rosi-crucianisme_a and_o enthusiasm_n that_o whoever_o entertain_v the_o one_o he_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n embrace_v the_o other_o and_o what_o pestilential_a influence_n the_o genius_n of_o enthusiasm_n or_o opinionative_n zeal_n have_v upon_o the_o public_a peace_n be_v so_o evident_a from_o experience_n that_o it_o need_v not_o be_v prove_v from_o reason_n to_o conclude_v i_o be_o confident_a that_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o time_n to_o this_o day_n there_o have_v not_o be_v so_o great_a a_o conjunction_n of_o ignorance_n with_o confidence_n as_o in_o these_o fellow_n which_o certain_o of_o all_o other_o aspect_n be_v the_o most_o contrary_a and_o malignant_a to_o true_a knowledge_n 4._o my_o next_o accusation_n be_v that_o instead_o of_o pure_a and_o genuine_a reason_n they_o abound_v so_o much_o with_o gaudy_a and_o extravagant_a fancy_n i_o that_o be_o too_o simple_a or_o too_o serious_a to_o be_v cajole_v with_o the_o frenzy_n of_o a_o bold_a and_o ungoverned_a imagination_n can_v be_v persuade_v to_o think_v the_o quaint_a play_n and_o sport_n of_o wit_n to_o be_v any_o true_a and_o real_a knowledge_n i_o can_v easy_o allow_v their_o discourse_n the_o title_n of_o philosophical_a romance_n a_o sort_n of_o more_o ingenious_a impertinency_n and_o it_o be_v with_o this_o estimate_n i_o will_v have_v they_o read_v but_o when_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v nature_n secretary_n &_o to_o understand_v all_o her_o intrigue_n or_o to_o be_v heaven_n privadoe_n talk_v of_o the_o transaction_n there_o like_o man_n late_o drop_v thence_o encircle_v with_o glory_n and_o clothe_v with_o the_o garment_n of_o moses_n &_o elias_n and_o yet_o put_v we_o off_o with_o nothing_o but_o rampant_a metaphor_n and_o pompous_a allegory_n and_o other_o splendid_a but_o empty_a scheme_n of_o speech_n i_o must_v crave_v leave_n to_o account_v they_o to_o say_v no_o 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be_v almost_o nothing_o but_o a_o allegory_n be_v too_o notorious_a to_o want_v a_o proof_n plato_n two_o famous_a dialogue_n viz._n his_o symposium_fw-la and_o his_o phaedrus_n rank_v by_o ficinus_fw-la among_o his_o metaphysical_a and_o theological_a treatise_n treat_v of_o nothing_o but_o love_n and_o beauty_n and_o of_o they_o too_o in_o poetic_a scheme_n and_o fable_n it_o be_v pretty_a to_o read_v their_o metaphysical_a discourse_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o love-story_n the_o soul_n be_v enamour_a with_o the_o transcendent_a beauty_n and_o loveliness_n of_o truth_n be_v inflame_v with_o impatient_a desire_n of_o enjoy_v her_o embrace_n and_o therefore_o woo_v and_o court_v she_o with_o indefatigable_a patience_n for_o she_o must_v be_v suppose_v as_o all_o other_o beauty_n be_v excessive_o coy_a and_o difficult_a but_o by_o diligence_n and_o importunity_n the_o understanding_n win_v and_o enjoy_v she_o and_o then_o they_o express_v their_o embrace_n in_o the_o same_o language_n they_o will_v speak_v of_o the_o private_a transaction_n between_o man_n and_o wife_n thus_o you_o see_v
they_o have_v the_o main_a property_n of_o romaneers_n to_o talk_v much_o of_o love_n and_o indeed_o plato_n himself_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o amorous_a romance_n for_o towards_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o convivium_fw-la he_o chide_v the_o poet_n that_o live_v before_o he_o for_o their_o omission_n in_o reference_n to_o love_n and_o that_o when_o they_o have_v make_v panegyric_n of_o all_o the_o other_o go_n none_o of_o they_o have_v ever_o attempt_v a_o elegy_n upon_o this._n now_o to_o discourse_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o metaphor_n and_o allegory_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o sport_n and_o trifle_n with_o empty_a word_n because_o these_o schem_n do_v not_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o only_o their_o similitude_n and_o resemblance_n for_o metaphor_n be_v only_a word_n which_o proper_o signify_v one_o thing_n be_v apply_v to_o signify_v another_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o resemblance_n between_o they_o when_o therefore_o any_o thing_n be_v express_v by_o a_o metaphor_n or_o allegory_n the_o thing_n itself_o be_v not_o express_v but_o only_o some_o similitude_n observe_v or_o make_v by_o fancy_n so_o that_o metaphor_n be_v only_o the_o sport_n of_o fancy_n compare_v thing_n with_o thing_n and_o not_o mark_n or_o sign_n of_o thing_n all_o those_o theory_n in_o philosophy_n which_o be_v express_v only_o in_o metaphorical_a term_n be_v not_o real_a truth_n but_o the_o mere_a product_n of_o imagination_n dress_v up_o like_o child_n baby_n in_o a_o few_o spangle_a empty_a word_n such_o as_o the_o greek_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d empty_a phraseology_n that_o have_v not_o notion_n &_o thing_n enough_o to_o fill_v they_o out_o thus_o their_o wanton_a &_o luxuriant_a fancy_n climb_v up_o into_o the_o bed_n of_o reason_n do_v not_o only_o defile_v it_o by_o unchaste_a and_o illegitimate_a embrace_n but_o instead_o of_o real_a conception_n and_o notice_n of_o thing_n impregnate_n the_o mind_n with_o nothing_o but_o airy_a and_o subventaneous_a phantasm_n but_o it_o be_v still_o more_o fantastic_a and_o absurd_a to_o talk_v metaphorical_o concern_v those_o thing_n of_o who_o idea_n we_o be_v utter_o ignorant_a &_o of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o discourse_v in_o proper_a term_n for_o such_o discourse_n must_v needs_o be_v nonsense_n and_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v nothing_o because_o they_o treat_v of_o they_o know_v not_o what_o for_o metaphor_n not_o signify_v thing_n and_o thing_n be_v always_o signify_v by_o proper_a term_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o mere_a metaphor_n without_o proper_a term_n be_v employ_v about_o nothing_o at_o all_o or_o only_o a_o imaginary_a something_o and_o they_o that_o talk_v thus_o do_v but_o first_o imagine_v a_o subject_a and_o then_o imagine_v in_o it_o some_o resemblance_n to_o something_o else_o that_o be_v in_o effect_n they_o make_v a_o bauble_n and_o then_o play_v with_o it_o of_o this_o nature_n to_o give_v you_o one_o instance_n be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o discourse_n concern_v the_o soul_n in_o discourse_v of_o which_o they_o draw_v metaphor_n from_o all_o the_o sense_n member_n and_o function_n of_o the_o body_n from_o all_o the_o general_a hypothesis_n of_o nature_n from_o all_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n from_o all_o the_o several_a property_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o several_a species_n of_o creature_n and_o apply_v they_o to_o the_o nature_n faculty_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o because_o they_o be_v altogether_o ignorant_a of_o the_o nature_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o be_v not_o able_a to_o express_v the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o thing_n by_o proper_a term_n all_o these_o metaphor_n must_v pass_v for_o idle_a and_o insignificant_a nonsense_n because_o they_o signify_v we_o know_v not_o what_o and_o describe_v we_o know_v not_o how_o so_o that_o methinks_v the_o platonic_a philosophy_n be_v just_a such_o another_o thing_n as_o the_o epicurean_o fancy_v the_o world_n to_o be_v a_o mass_n of_o pretty_a word_n handsome_o and_o lucky_o pack_v together_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o before_o i_o have_v examine_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o huge_a tumid_a word_n i_o look_v upon_o it_o at_o a_o distance_n as_o the_o lofty_a and_o sublimest_n knowledge_n in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o i_o come_v to_o survey_v it_o more_o close_o i_o soon_o find_v that_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o word_n so_o that_o i_o may_v more_o handsome_o compare_v it_o to_o a_o landscape_n in_o which_o at_o a_o distance_n appear_v huge_a rock_n and_o vast_a mountain_n that_o seem_v to_o vie_v height_n with_o and_o outreach_v the_o cloud_n and_o yet_o by_o a_o near_o approach_v these_o vast_a bulky_a appearance_n be_v find_v to_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o few_o artificial_a shadow_n 5._o another_o miscarriage_n be_v that_o they_o employ_v much_o of_o their_o contemplation_n in_o thing_n altogether_o uncertain_a and_o unsearchable_a they_o delight_v excessive_o to_o wander_v into_o remote_a and_o invisible_a notion_n and_o to_o talk_v confident_o as_o traveller_n into_o foreign_a region_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v of_o doubtful_a and_o unaccountable_a problem_n and_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v as_o far_o distant_a from_o humane_a discovery_n as_o concernment_n which_o scopeless_a desire_n of_o search_v into_o thing_n exempt_a from_o humane_a inquisition_n be_v that_o which_o render_v curiosity_n criminal_a for_o curiosity_n itself_o be_v a_o gallant_a and_o heroical_a quality_n and_o the_o natural_a product_n of_o a_o generous_a complexion_n but_o when_o it_o aspire_v after_o the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n place_v above_o its_o reach_n it_o degenerate_v into_o a_o vain_a and_o fruitless_a ambition_n or_o rather_o a_o unnatural_a lust_n of_o the_o mind_n after_o strange_a and_o extravagant_a notion_n though_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v the_o mind_n or_o rather_o fancy_n of_o man_n have_v such_o a_o natural_a liquorishness_n after_o the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n strange_a and_o remote_a that_o they_o swallow_v nothing_o with_o so_o grateful_a a_o gusto_n as_o story_n of_o thing_n rare_a and_o unusual_a neither_o care_n they_o how_o uncertain_a and_o fantastic_a they_o be_v so_o they_o be_v but_o odd_a and_o prodigious_a and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o man_n be_v general_o more_o tickle_v and_o enchant_v with_o legend_n and_o romance_n then_o with_o useful_a and_o remarkable_a memory_n which_o they_o say_v be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o ancient_n make_v so_o much_o use_v of_o fable_n and_o apologue_n to_o instruct_v the_o people_n because_o they_o carry_v in_o they_o something_o monstrous_a and_o exceed_v the_o limit_n of_o probability_n the_o senseless_a multitude_n that_o can_v not_o relish_v the_o wise_a discourse_n of_o socrates_n will_v be_v much_o take_v and_o surprise_v with_o a_o pretty_a and_o extravagant_a tale_n of_o a_o lion_n a_o ape_n or_o a_o fox_n etc._n etc._n but_o not_o to_o aggravate_v this_o childishness_n of_o these_o dull_a and_o muddy_a soul_n it_o be_v a_o unpardonable_a luxury_n and_o wantonness_n for_o wise_a and_o consider_a philosopher_n to_o spend_v their_o time_n and_o study_n to_o disclose_v distant_a and_o inscrutable_a mystery_n and_o frontles_o to_o dictate_v to_o the_o world_n in_o such_o theory_n as_o be_v infinite_o remote_a from_o humane_a knowledge_n and_o discovery_n and_o which_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a to_o know_v as_o it_o will_v be_v if_o they_o have_v never_o be_v and_o that_o the_o platonist_n be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o chargeable_a with_o this_o folly_n these_o few_o ensue_a instance_n may_v demonstrate_v as_o when_o they_o confident_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o give_v the_o world_n exact_a and_o minute_n description_n of_o incorporeal_a being_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o godhead_n and_o how_o the_o several_a rank_n of_o idea_n be_v suspend_v upon_o the_o three_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d uniform_a hypostasis_n to_o pry_v into_o the_o most_o hide_a recess_n of_o the_o divine_a mind_n and_o distinct_o to_o delineate_v how_o the_o idea_n of_o all_o create_a perfection_n be_v there_o display_v to_o discourse_v about_o the_o substance_n nature_n property_n office_n action_n order_n and_o polity_n of_o angel_n to_o assert_v that_o the_o heavenly_a host_n be_v divide_v into_o three_o hierarchy_n and_o that_o each_o hierarchy_n be_v subdivide_v into_o three_o order_n and_o every_o order_n into_o as_o many_o legion_n as_o there_o be_v contain_v individual_n in_o every_o legion_n i._n e._n 6666_o and_o that_o this_o ternary_a of_o hierarchy_n and_o norary_a of_o order_n do_v circulate_a about_o the_o threefold_a essence_n of_o god_n as_o the_o planet_n about_o the_o sun_n with_o infinite_a other_o the_o like_a dream_n about_o their_o peculiar_a nature_n office_n distance_n and_o employment_n 19_o and_o
that_o be_v they_o that_o study_v only_o the_o literal_a sense_n be_v compare_v to_o apothecary_n who_o only_o prepare_v those_o medicament_n which_o the_o physician_n prescribe_v but_o the_o cabbalistical_a doctor_n to_o physician_n who_o understand_v their_o nature_n uses_n and_o secret_a property_n and_o therefore_o they_o leave_v the_o literal_a and_o superficial_a sense_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o rude_a and_o ignorant_a people_n whilst_o they_o that_o be_v learned_a dive_v into_o the_o mystery_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o law_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o fancy_n fetch_v strange_a and_o wonderful_a secret_n from_o word_n letter_n point_n from_o their_o several_a shape_v combination_n transposition_n abbreviature_n arithmetical_a indication_n and_o the_o like_a and_o then_o with_o a_o frontless_a impudence_n assert_v that_o they_o come_v original_o from_o adam_n abraham_n and_o moses_n you_o may_v see_v enough_o of_o this_o cabbalistical_a trash_n in_o a_o thousand_o author_n but_o most_o copious_o in_o reuchlin_n de_fw-la arte_fw-la cabbalistica_n and_o in_o that_o grand_a thesaurus_fw-la of_o learned_a trifle_n kircher_n oedip._n tom_n 2._o class_n 4._o the_o first_o that_o produce_v they_o into_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v the_o earl_n of_o mirandula_n in_o who_o time_n the_o very_a word_n cabbala_n be_v so_o unknown_a that_o as_o hottinger_n relate_v out_o of_o garçon_fw-mi it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o witch_n vetula_fw-la venesicit_v deditâ—_n and_o the_o earl_n himself_o relate_v in_o his_o apology_n that_o one_o of_o his_o great_a antagonist_n be_v ask_v what_o this_o cabbala_n be_v reply_v that_o he_o be_v a_o certain_a notorious_a heretic_n that_o have_v oppose_v himself_o against_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o from_o he_o his_o accomplice_n and_o follower_n be_v name_v cabbalistae_fw-la the_o earl_n when_o he_o have_v at_o a_o high_a price_n purchase_v some_o small_a fragment_n of_o it_o from_o the_o jew_n think_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o valuable_a monument_n in_o the_o world_n the_o mistake_n be_v pardonable_a in_o he_o but_o unpardonable_a in_o those_o who_o since_o have_v have_v opportunity_n to_o examine_v its_o first_o rise_n and_o antiquity_n and_o can_v discern_v the_o least_o trace_n of_o it_o beyond_o the_o talmudical_a rabbin_n beside_o this_o i_o may_v overthrow_v the_o cabbala_n from_o rational_a argument_n take_v from_o the_o thing_n itself_o as_o that_o it_o will_v reflect_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v convey_v down_o such_o material_a and_o important_a truth_n as_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o cabbala_n by_o so_o uncertain_a and_o questionable_a a_o way_n as_o oral_a tradition_n that_o it_o render_v the_o word_n of_o god_n ridiculous_a and_o useless_a and_o make_v its_o meaning_n altogether_o doubtful_a and_o ambiguous_a and_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o giddy_a and_o fanciful_a conjecture_n of_o every_o warm_a brain_n but_o the_o groundlesness_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o make_v all_o other_o confutation_n needless_a some_o not_o unlearned_a man_n have_v urge_v the_o consistency_n of_o the_o cabbala_n with_o itself_o and_o the_o suitableness_n of_o the_o allegory_n to_o the_o text_n as_o no_o contemptible_a argument_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o solidity_n but_o alas_o beside_o that_o most_o of_o their_o analogy_n between_o the_o mystery_n and_o the_o text_n be_v sufficient_o force_v and_o uncouth_a there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a then_o for_o fancy_n to_o find_v some_o consonancy_n between_o the_o most_o distant_a thing_n especial_o in_o such_o various_a and_o unlimited_a thing_n as_o allegory_n be_v if_o you_o shall_v require_v it_o i_o think_v i_o can_v with_o a_o ordinary_a plausibility_n draw_v up_o a_o body_n of_o the_o epicurean_a philosophy_n out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o jacob_n behem_n and_o yet_o perhaps_o it_o will_v puzzle_v you_o to_o think_v of_o any_o hypothesis_n of_o a_o more_o distant_a genius_n than_o they_o such_o a_o africa_n be_v fancy_n that_o it_o can_v couple_v thing_n of_o the_o most_o distant_a and_o contrary_a nature_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v never_o think_v the_o pretty_a parallel_n analogy_n and_o similitude_n to_o be_v any_o tolerable_a argument_n 4._o have_v thus_o evidence_v the_o unwarrantable_a rashness_n of_o derive_v platonic_a notion_n from_o jewish_a tradition_n i_o come_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o give_v 1_o a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o rise_v of_o that_o seem_a agreeableness_n between_o the_o platonic_a and_o the_o christian_a trinity_n 2._o to_o show_v by_o what_o principle_n and_o step_n the_o platonist_n happen_v upon_o their_o triad_n for_o the_o first_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v its_o original_a from_o those_o counterfeit_n and_o supposititious_a author_n which_o pretend_v to_o the_o great_a antiquity_n but_o yet_o be_v real_o compose_v by_o the_o gnostic_n out_o of_o the_o ethnic_a and_o christian_a theology_n and_o ascribe_v to_o name_n of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n and_o veneration_n such_o as_o hermes_n trismegistus_n zoroaster_n oracle_n the_o sybillan_n prophecy_n now_o it_o be_v strange_a if_o in_o these_o author_n there_o do_v not_o appear_v some_o kind_n of_o resemblance_n and_o vicinity_n between_o the_o platonic_a philosophy_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n see_v they_o have_v by_o all_o artificial_a way_n blend_v they_o together_o as_o by_o couple_v their_o different_a term_n to_o express_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o whereas_o the_o scripture_n style_v the_o first_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o plato_n the_o first_o of_o his_o trinity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o join_v they_o together_o and_o call_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o as_o the_o second_o person_n be_v in_o scripture_n term_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o plato_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o these_o he_o be_v general_o style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o they_o that_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o imposture_n meet_v with_o such_o a_o artificial_a agreement_n between_o platonic_a notion_n and_o christian_a doctrine_n may_v easy_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o mistake_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v ammonius_n of_o alexandria_n father_n to_o that_o golden_a chain_n of_o philosopher_n of_o the_o sacred_a succession_n who_o be_v both_o a_o christian_n and_o a_o platonist_n &_o light_v upon_o these_o spurious_a book_n in_o which_o the_o platonic_a notion_n and_o christian_a article_n be_v blend_v and_o reconcile_v together_o may_v thence_o be_v easy_o induce_v to_o fancy_v a_o true_a and_o real_a consonancy_n 9_o between_o they_o and_o therefore_o patricius_n aver_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o understand_v aright_o the_o notion_n of_o plato_n threefold_a principle_n and_o that_o he_o come_v by_o this_o knowledge_n by_o peruse_v the_o book_n of_o trismegistus_n and_o hence_o those_o platonist_n that_o follow_v he_o may_v speak_v of_o the_o trinity_n more_o consonant_o to_o the_o scripture_n than_o perhaps_o they_o intend_v though_o not_o long_o after_o these_o imposture_n be_v discover_v by_o porphyry_n as_o himself_o relate_v in_o the_o life_n of_o plotinus_n for_o the_o second_o the_o platonic_a triad_n be_v wide_o different_a from_o the_o christian_a for_o they_o intend_v by_o it_o so_o many_o order_n and_o rank_n of_o intellectual_a being_n and_o frequent_o add_v a_o four_o which_o be_v the_o humane_a soul_n and_o set_v it_o at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o three_o by_o which_o they_o mean_v the_o soul_n of_o this_o universe_n then_o that_o be_v remove_v from_o the_o second_o by_o which_o they_o mean_v the_o first_o mind_n or_o soul_n of_o the_o immaterial_a world_n and_o their_o progress_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o being_n proceed_v in_o this_o method_n 1._o they_o suppose_v all_o thing_n to_o ascend_v by_o scale_n to_o unity_n as_o plato_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v in_o his_o parmenides_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d unity_n be_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o number_n or_o all_o mix_v and_o compound_v being_n must_v be_v at_o last_o resolve_v into_o some_o one_o simple_a and_o unmixed_a principle_n otherwise_o the_o resolution_n will_v be_v endless_a so_o that_o all_o blend_a and_o heterogeneous_a perfection_n both_o material_a and_o immaterial_a must_v of_o necessity_n exist_v somewhere_o simple_a and_o unmixed_a and_o then_o all_o immaterial_a perfection_n be_v find_v blend_v together_o in_o the_o humane_a soul_n they_o conclude_v that_o as_o many_o degree_n of_o perfection_n as_o they_o can_v discover_v there_o that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o rank_n of_o superior_a and_o more_o homogeneal_a being_n in_o the_o intellectual_a world_n the_o soul_n therefore_o as_o they_o apprehend_v consist_v of_o four_o part_n must_v have_v the_o four_o rank_n in_o the_o order_n of_o intellectual_a being_n and_o by_o consequence_n there_o must_v be_v three_o superior_a order_n more_o simple_a and_o uncompounded_a which_o must_v by_o