knowledge_n and_o insight_n into_o these_o divine_a truth_n which_o be_v here_o contain_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o observe_v and_o practise_v the_o holy_a precept_n of_o this_o book_n this_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o urge_v upon_o ourselves_o to_o come_v to_o the_o read_n of_o scripture_n with_o defecate_n and_o purge_v mind_n with_o love_n to_o what_o it_o dictate_v and_o with_o obedience_n to_o it_o this_o shall_v be_v our_o principal_a care_n to_o live_v well_o and_o to_o walk_v according_a to_o this_o excellent_a rule_n all_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o our_o action_n in_o this_o world_n depend_v upon_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o let_v we_o be_v direct_v and_o govern_v by_o the_o infallible_a maxim_n precept_n promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o this_o book_n we_o see_v man_n live_v by_o custom_n by_o the_o dictate_v of_o other_o or_o by_o their_o own_o opinion_n which_o oftentimes_o prove_v erroneous_a and_o lead_v they_o into_o unwarrantable_a practice_n but_o they_o will_v not_o be_v thus_o misguided_a if_o they_o consult_v these_o lively_a oracle_n of_o god_n this_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n if_o they_o regulate_v their_o action_n by_o this_o exact_a canon_n and_o hereby_o we_o be_v certain_a to_o improve_v our_o knowledge_n in_o this_o holy_a book_n for_o by_o live_v according_a to_o it_o we_o shall_v the_o better_o understand_v it_o by_o mind_v the_o practical_a content_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o full_a discovery_n of_o its_o principle_n and_o doctrine_n last_o that_o we_o may_v attain_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o due_a perception_n of_o the_o mean_v of_o what_o be_v deliver_v here_o let_v we_o most_o earnest_o invoke_v the_o divine_a aid_n and_o assistance_n he_o that_o read_v this_o book_n without_o prayer_n can_v never_o expect_v to_o be_v bless_v with_o a_o complete_a knowledge_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v the_o sole_a work_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n to_o illuminate_v our_o mind_n effectual_o there_o be_v require_v the_o special_a help_n of_o this_o heavenly_a instructor_n to_o direct_v we_o into_o truth_n wherefore_o he_o be_v call_v 13._o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o 20._o the_o unction_n from_o the_o holy_a one_o whereby_o we_o know_v all_o thing_n the_o same_o spirit_n that_o indict_v these_o holy_a write_n must_v enlighten_v our_o mind_n to_o understand_v they_o which_o i_o find_v thus_o express_v in_o the_o word_n of_o our_o church_n scripture_n the_o revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n inspire_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o we_o in_o truth_n we_o can_v without_o it_o attain_v true_a saving-knowledg_n and_o a_o learned_a and_o pious_a son_n of_o our_o mother_n give_v his_o suffrage_n in_o these_o word_n country-parson_n wicked_a man_n however_o learned_a do_v not_o know_v the_o scripture_n because_o they_o feel_v they_o not_o and_o because_o they_o be_v not_o understand_v but_o with_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o write_v they_o see_v then_o a_o spiritual_a illumination_n be_v requisite_a in_o order_n to_o the_o comprehend_v of_o scripture-truths_n we_o ought_v with_o great_a fervour_n and_o zeal_n to_o request_v it_o we_o ought_v with_o a_o singular_a devotion_n to_o repair_v to_o this_o infallible_a teacher_n and_o with_o mighty_a importunity_n beseech_v he_o to_o 18._o open_v our_o eye_n that_o we_o may_v behold_v wondrous_a thing_n out_o of_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o to_o conduct_v our_o reason_n aright_o in_o our_o enquiry_n into_o this_o sacred_a volume_n and_o he_o that_o command_v we_o to_o implore_v his_o help_n will_v certain_o vouchsafe_v it_o to_o all_o sincere_a and_o devout_a supplicant_n the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n shall_v be_v irradiate_v with_o a_o celestial_a beam_n and_o we_o shall_v feel_v a_o internal_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n on_o our_o heart_n communicate_v light_n and_o wisdom_n by_o the_o assistance_n of_o this_o bless_a guide_n we_o shall_v not_o miscarry_v in_o our_o search_n and_o endeavour_n this_o divine_a book_n shall_v be_v lay_v open_a to_o we_o and_o we_o shall_v have_v its_o mystery_n and_o depth_n disclose_v to_o we_o so_o far_o as_o be_v convenient_a for_o we_o and_o no_o rational_a man_n ought_v to_o desire_v any_o more_o yea_o as_o it_o be_v with_o some_o of_o those_o that_o have_v study_v for_o the_o philosophic_a elixir_n though_o they_o attain_v not_o to_o it_o yet_o in_o their_o impetuous_a search_n after_o it_o they_o find_v out_o many_o excellent_a thing_n admirable_o useful_a for_o mankind_n which_o be_v a_o recompense_n of_o their_o labour_n so_o though_o we_o may_v fall_v short_a of_o some_o grand_a secret_n which_o be_v treasure_v up_o in_o this_o inspire_a volume_n yet_o we_o shall_v not_o faâ—l_v of_o some_o choice_a discovery_n that_o will_v make_v we_o amends_o for_o our_o most_o laborious_a inquiry_n we_o shall_v mighty_o improve_v our_o knowledge_n and_o we_o shall_v likewise_o be_v under_o the_o special_a benediction_n of_o heaven_n the_o rabbin_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o r._n jonathan_n write_v his_o targum_fw-la on_o the_o bible_n if_o at_o any_o time_n the_o least_o fly_v light_v upon_o his_o paper_n it_o be_v present_o consume_v with_o fire_n from_o heaven_n but_o though_o this_o be_v romantic_a and_o after_o the_o rate_n of_o the_o rabbin_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o sober_a trutlâ—_n that_o god_n will_v protect_v we_o in_o read_v and_o study_v the_o holy_a scripture_n while_o we_o be_v thus_o employ_v nothing_o shall_v disturb_v or_o hurt_v we_o the_o divine_a arm_n will_v defend_v and_o prosper_v we_o and_o we_o shall_v peruse_v this_o book_n with_o that_o happy_a success_n which_o we_o pray_v for_o in_o short_a by_o continual_a converse_v with_o this_o book_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o that_o have_v no_o errata_n we_o shall_v know_v how_o to_o correct_v all_o the_o failure_n of_o our_o notion_n and_o of_o our_o life_n we_o shall_v enrich_v our_o mind_n with_o a_o stock_n of_o excellent_a principle_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n we_o shall_v be_v conduct_v to_o the_o high_a improvement_n of_o knowledge_n and_o sanctity_n in_o this_o life_n and_o to_o the_o most_o consummate_v happiness_n in_o another_o finis_fw-la book_n write_v by_o the_o reverend_n mr._n john_n edward_n a_fw-la enquiry_n into_o several_a 〈◊〉_d text_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o contain_v some_o difficulty_n in_o they_o with_o a_o probable_a resolution_n of_o they_o in_o two_o volume_n in_o 8â—_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n i._o with_o a_o continue_a illustration_n of_o several_a difficult_a text_n throughout_o the_o whole_a work_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n ii_o wherein_o the_o author_n be_v former_a undertake_n be_v further_a prosecute_v viz._n a_o enquiry_n into_o several_a remarkable_a text_n which_o contain_v some_o difficulty_n in_o they_o at_fw-fr discoeurs_fw-fr concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n iii_o treat_v of_o the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o illustrate_v several_a difficult_a text_n occur_v in_o this_o undertake_n all_o sell_v by_o jonathan_n robinson_n john_n taylor_n and_o john_n wyat._n wyat._n plataic_n plataic_n panegyr_n &_o plataic_n plataic_n plataic_n plataic_n orat._n 2._o ad_fw-la nicocl_n nicocl_n panegyr_n orat._n orat._n orat._n ad_fw-la philip._n philip._n panegyr_n ad_fw-la philip._n epist._n ad_fw-la philip._n epist._n ad_fw-la mitylen_n mitylen_n panegyr_n orat._n orat._n plataic_n orat._n 1._o 1._o orat._n ad_fw-la philip._n philip._n panegyr_n orat._n plataic_n orat._n bis_fw-la bis_fw-la olynth_n 1._o 1._o philip._n 1._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d clem._n alex._n in_o protrept_n protrept_n gen._n 9_o 27._o 27._o deut._n 28._o 49_o etc._n etc._n etc._n 1_o king_n 13._o 2._o 2._o antiqu._n 1._o 11._o c._n 1._o 1._o dr._n jackson_n jackson_n dan._n 2._o 2._o temporum_fw-la conscius_fw-la &_o totius_fw-la mundi_fw-la polyhistor_n epist._n ad_fw-la paulin._n paulin._n ver._n 2._o 2._o ver._n 20._o 20._o ver._n 5._o 5._o ibid._n ibid._n john_n 21._o 18._o 18._o ver._n 22._o 22._o earum_fw-la rerum_fw-la quae_fw-la foâ—â—uitae_n putantur_fw-la praedictio_fw-la atque_fw-la praesentio_fw-la de_fw-fr divinat_fw-la l._n 1._o 1._o lib._n 3._o c._n 8._o 8._o colloqu_n mensal_n mensal_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d orig._n cont_n celâ—_n l._n 6._o 6._o lib._n 1._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d isid._n pelus_n ep._n l._n 5._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d just._n mart._n dialog_n cum_fw-la tryph._n tryph._n arnob._n lib._n 1._o 1._o sozom._n l._n 1._o c._n 11._o 11._o gr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mark_v 2
may_v be_v suffer_v to_o give_v my_o conjecture_n 〈◊〉_d poet_n do_v very_o â—itly_o relate_v how_o atlas_n bear_v up_o 〈◊〉_d heavons_fw-fr when_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o mean_v 〈◊〉_d moses_n who_o give_v we_o the_o authentic_a record_n 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n creation_n and_o begin_v his_o history_n with_o the_o production_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o tâ—â—â—_n atlas_n that_o support_v the_o sphere_n nay_o he_o may_v be_v right_o say_v not_o only_o to_o bear_v up_o the_o heauâ—â—s_n 〈◊〉_d the_o earth_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o sink_v into_o their_o first_o chaos_n by_o transmit_v the_o account_n and_o memory_n of_o they_o to_o all_o posterity_n i_o question_v 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o moses_n be_v represent_v by_o heâ—â—mes_n trismegistus_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o very_a great_a i._n e._n a_o excellent_a man_n and_o such_o none_o caâ—_n deny_v moses_n to_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n interpreter_n be_v appliable_a to_o none_o better_o than_o to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o first_o sacred_a and_o inspire_a interpreter_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o write_v letter_n be_v invent_v by_o this_o hermes_n say_v egypâ—_n jamblichus_a from_o his_o maâ—â—â—â—_n phileb_n plato_n moses_n be_v the_o first_o writer_n may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n diâ—dorus_n also_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o that_o give_v the_o egyptian_n he_o shall_v have_v say_v jew_n but_o those_o mistake_v be_v common_a with_o he_o and_o other_o pagan_a author_n ibid._n write_v law_n and_o that_o â—e_n be_v ibid._n a_o man_n of_o a_o great_a soul_n and_o very_o powerful_a in_o his_o life_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v he_o be_v eclog._n one_o that_o excel_v in_o wisdom_n and_o valour_n 16._o strabo_n make_v honourable_a mention_n of_o this_o great_a â—â—rsonage_n yea_o speak_v not_o only_o of_o he_o but_o of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o with_o great_a respect_n he_o rank_n he_o among_o the_o best_a legislator_n and_o high_o praise_v his_o law_n and_o give_v they_o the_o preeminence_n before_o all_o other_o he_o recite_v some_o of_o his_o say_n and_o deed_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o leave_v egypt_n and_o come_v into_o syria_n because_o he_o dislike_v the_o egyptian_n for_o their_o make_n and_o worship_v of_o corporeal_a god_n of_o the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o brute_n and_o that_o moses_n profess_v that_o god_n can_v not_o be_v represent_v by_o any_o image_n or_o likeness_n whatsoever_o there_o be_v 5._o other_o gentile_n who_o speak_v of_o moses_n and_o his_o law_n and_o constitution_n and_o they_o will_v have_v be_v more_o favourable_a in_o their_o testimonial_n concern_v he_o if_o their_o heathen_a principle_n have_v not_o biased_a they_o to_o a_o more_o undue_a character_n which_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o philo_n in_o the_o life_n of_o moses_n though_o say_v he_o some_o pagan_a historian_n speak_v of_o he_o yet_o they_o say_v but_o little_a and_o that_o not_o true_o neither_o out_o of_o envy_n it_o be_v likely_a or_o because_o of_o the_o great_a disagreement_n between_o he_o and_o the_o law_n of_o other_o lawgiver_n they_o vouchsafe_v not_o to_o remember_v he_o but_o that_o testimony_n which_o we_o have_v be_v sufficient_a and_o we_o may_v thence_o be_v satisfy_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o most_o authentic_a historian_n and_o the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n and_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o what_o they_o say_v that_o his_o law_n be_v the_o first_o and_o give_v beginning_n to_o all_o otherâ—_n the_o famous_a lawgiver_n and_o politician_n among_o the_o grecian_n as_o lycurgus_n and_o solon_n have_v the_o main_a of_o their_o politic_n from_o moses_n law_n whence_o afterward_o the_o roman_n take_v some_o of_o they_o and_o as_o moses_n receive_v his_o law_n immediate_o from_o god_n so_o in_o imitation_n of_o he_o the_o great_a lawgiver_n say_v they_o have_v they_o from_o some_o deity_n as_o numa_n from_o aegeria_n minos_n from_o jupiter_n lycurgus_n from_o apollo_n zabeucus_fw-la from_o minerva_n etc._n etc._n still_o this_o establish_v our_o notion_n that_o the_o write_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v rise_v to_o many_o thing_n among_o the_o pagan_n which_o i_o will_v yet_o far_o pursue_v chap._n vi_o profane_a writer_n testify_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o particular_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n viz._n the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o the_o canaanite_n the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o jephthah_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n sampson_n loss_n of_o his_o hair_n the_o fox_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o against_o the_o philistine_n elias_n rapture_n to_o heaven_n some_o passage_n relate_v to_o king_n solomon_n king_n hiram_n etc._n etc._n the_o sun_n be_v go_v back_o in_o king_n hezekiah_n time_n nebuchadnezzar_n transformation_n into_o a_o beast_n his_o dream_n of_o a_o image_n with_o a_o golden_a head_n etc._n etc._n next_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o heathen_n have_v their_o deity_n from_o the_o old_a testament_n their_o saturn_n be_v adam_n their_o minerva_n be_v eve_n their_o jupiter_n cain_n their_o vulcan_n tubal-cain_n their_o bacchus_n as_o also_o their_o saturn_n and_o janus_n noah_n their_o apis_n joseph_n their_o mercury_n and_o bacchus_n moses_n their_o hercules_n joshua_n and_o samson_n their_o apollo_n jubal_n their_o ganymed_n elias_n etc._n etc._n â—venthly_a some_o other_o thing_n which_o the_o old_a testament_n acquaint_v we_o happen_v after_o 〈◊〉_d give_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n till_o the_o babylonian_a 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o profane_a writer_n we_o read_v in_o numb_a 13._o 33._o of_o the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o canaanites_n who_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o anak_n 〈◊〉_d in_o deut._n 9_o 2._o jos._n 11._o 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v call_v anakim_v be_v there_o not_o some_o prob_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d daridae_fw-la or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o there_o be_v more_o than_o câ—stor_n and_o pollux_n that_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n 3_o tully_n will_v inform_v you_o who_o by_o the_o greek_n wâ—â—_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o theodorâ—t_n several_a author_n acquaint_v 〈◊〉_d have_v their_o name_n from_o those_o great_a man_n who_o wâ—â—â—_n the_o offspring_n of_o anak_n these_o be_v drive_v josuaâ—_n out_o of_o palestine_n when_o he_o overcome_v 〈◊〉_d country_n it_o be_v likely_a go_v into_o greece_n and_o froâ—_n they_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o athens_n and_o sparta_n descend_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o name_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v give_v not_o only_o to_o the_o tyndaridae_n but_o all_o great_a mâ—â—_n and_o prince_n i_o will_v add_v that_o it_o be_v probable_a thâ—_n word_n give_v origination_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signiâ—â—â—_n great_a and_o principal_a man_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v from_o that_o miracle_n in_o jos._n 10._o 13._o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d stand_v still_o perhaps_o the_o poet_n fiction_n arise_v concern_v the_o night_n double_v or_o treble_v by_o jupitâ—â—_n for_o alcmena_n sake_n for_o as_o have_v be_v suggesâ—â—â—_n already_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n when_o they_o get_v a_o story_n by_o the_o end_n make_v what_o they_o please_v of_o it_o and_o turn_v it_o into_o quite_o another_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o rumour_n of_o that_o strange_a accident_n have_v come_v to_o their_o ear_n and_o they_o present_o turn_v it_o into_o a_o fable_n and_o who_o shall_v stop_v the_o course_n of_o the_o suâ—_n but_o jupiter_n the_o supreme_a god_n and_o after_o the_o raâ—â—_n that_o they_o represent_v their_o god_n that_o which_o be_v further_o add_v be_v apposite_a enough_o for_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v lewd_a and_o obscene_a and_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o all_o lustful_a practice_n now_o when_o the_o sun_n stand_v still_o in_o one_o hemisphere_n the_o other_o want_v his_o presence_n and_o light_n and_o â—o_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o double_a night_n for_o the_o sun_n be_v â—â—aying_v here_o so_o long_o but_o you_o shall_v have_v another_o fable_n short_o that_o will_v speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n porphyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o sanchoniathon_n have_v his_o historical_a narration_n and_o secret_n from_o one_o jerombaal_n priest_n of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o show_v that_o that_o historian_n have_v his_o matter_n from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n the_o hebrew_n fountain_n of_o truth_n though_o he_o oftentimes_o corrupt_v they_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o have_v partly_o learn_v the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a god_n from_o the_o hebrew_n or_o their_o write_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v jehovah_n the_o true_a god_n who_o the_o jew_n worship_v as_o i_o shall_v â—â—â—w_v more_o afterward_o beside_o from_o
be_v great_a moral_a and_o religious_a qualification_n likewise_o for_o this_o be_v the_o book_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v come_v to_o it_o with_o agreeable_a inclination_n will_n and_o affection_n man_n complain_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a contention_n about_o the_o interpret_n of_o scripture_n and_o different_a party_n can_v agree_v whence_o they_o proceed_v to_o blame_v the_o obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o but_o herein_o these_o person_n themselves_o be_v very_o unblamable_a for_o this_o disagreement_n in_o the_o interpret_n of_o sacred_a writ_n arise_v not_o whole_o from_o the_o obscurity_n of_o it_o nor_o do_v it_o proceed_v from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o as_o some_o will_v suggest_v but_o from_o man_n deprave_a mind_n and_o passion_n wherefore_o our_o main_a care_n ought_v to_o be_v one_a to_o free_v ourselves_o from_o all_o wilful_a prejudice_n and_o perverseness_n which_o have_v be_v the_o first_o and_o original_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n thus_o the_o infernal_a spirit_n when_o he_o tempt_v our_o saviour_n most_o perverse_o quote_v psal._n 91._o 11._o and_o misapply_v it_o to_o his_o purpose_n and_o from_o he_o heretic_n and_o seducer_n have_v learn_v to_o cite_v and_o make_v use_n of_o scripture_n to_o evil_a design_n viz._n to_o uphold_v some_o error_n or_o vice_n what_o a_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n say_v of_o one_o sort_n of_o heretical_a teacher_n that_o 27._o they_o interpret_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a writ_n according_a to_o their_o own_o pleasure_n be_v true_a of_o they_o all_o their_o constant_a practice_n be_v to_o strain_v and_o distort_v these_o sacred_a write_n to_o construe_v they_o according_a to_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o to_o make_v they_o like_o a_o echo_n speak_v what_o they_o please_v their_o great_a work_n in_o consult_v and_o turn_v over_o this_o volume_n be_v to_o find_v something_o they_o may_v misinterpret_v for_o their_o own_o ends._n their_o affection_n to_o a_o particular_a cause_n make_v they_o believe_v and_o assert_v any_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o improbable_a and_o then_o they_o allege_v scripture_n to_o back_o it_o though_o it_o be_v whole_o foreign_a to_o the_o purpose_n these_o person_n be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o depraver_n of_o truth_n who_o as_o hexaâ—m_n one_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n give_v we_o their_o character_n do_v not_o accommodate_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o scripture_n but_o pervert_v and_o draw_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o wi_n this_o gloss_v and_o expound_v of_o the_o bible_n according_a to_o man_n corrupt_a fancy_n be_v as_o menâ—al_a m._n luther_n have_v express_v it_o like_o strain_v milk_n through_o a_o colesack_n it_o blacken_v and_o defile_v the_o pure_a word_n of_o god_n it_o deprave_v and_o falsify_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o spirit_n those_o man_n be_v to_o be_v abhor_v that_o submit_v not_o their_o thought_n and_o conception_n to_o this_o sacred_a standard_n who_o compel_v the_o scripture_n to_o serve_v their_o private_a opinion_n who_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o put_v a_o text_n upon_o the_o rack_n to_o make_v it_o speak_v what_o it_o intend_v not_o of_o miserable_o torture_v it_o that_o they_o may_v force_v it_o to_o confess_v what_o it_o never_o mean_v these_o person_n shall_v be_v reminded_a how_o great_a a_o sin_n it_o be_v to_o distort_v and_o deprave_v the_o holy_a writ_n and_o design_o to_o draw_v it_o to_o another_o sense_n than_o it_o natural_o bear_v and_o the_o penalty_n be_v as_o grievous_a as_o the_o crime_n for_o as_o the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n inform_v we_o this_o generation_n of_o man_n wrest_v the_o scripture_n unto_o their_o own_o destruction_n 2_o pet._n 3._o 16._o wherefore_o let_v none_o presume_v to_o be_v guilty_a in_o this_o nature_n and_o dare_v to_o follow_v their_o own_o sinister_a imagination_n in_o the_o interpret_n of_o the_o inspire_a write_n but_o let_v they_o attend_v to_o that_o advice_n of_o a_o pious_a and_o learned_a author_n diatrib_n we_o shall_v be_v more_o willing_a to_o take_v a_o sense_n from_o scripture_n than_o to_o bring_v one_o to_o it_o let_v we_o strive_v to_o know_v the_o naked_a and_o pure_a mean_v of_o the_o spirit_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o read_v the_o bible_n with_o a_o unprejudiced_a and_o sincere_a mind_n which_o be_v a_o excellent_a interpreter_n whereas_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o perverse_a mind_n will_v pervert_v the_o scripture_n 2_o we_o ought_v to_o read_v these_o divine_a write_n with_o great_a modesty_n and_o humility_n let_v it_o not_o trouble_v we_o that_o some_o part_n of_o they_o be_v not_o level_v to_o our_o understanding_n and_o where_o we_o can_v solve_v some_o thing_n let_v we_o not_o arrogant_o pretend_v to_o do_v it_o it_o be_v no_o disgrace_n to_o confess_v our_o ignorance_n here_o i_o can_v assure_v you_o this_o have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o learnede_a head_n there_o be_v a_o learned_a ignorance_n as_o 15._o st._n augustin_n term_v it_o and_o we_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o be_v master_n of_o it_o these_o four_o thing_n mention_v in_o eccles_n 12._o 6._o i_o understand_v not_o say_v castellio_n i_o scarce_o understand_v the_o thousand_o part_n of_o this_o book_n say_v he_o concern_v the_o apocalypse_n and_o it_o be_v frequent_a with_o this_o learned_a man_n to_o say_v i_o know_v not_o the_o mean_v of_o this_o place_n that_o man_n be_v impudent_o rash_a who_o dare_v profess_v that_o he_o understand_v one_o single_a book_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o all_o its_o part_n say_v psalmos_fw-la luther_n i_o own_v it_o that_o i_o be_o so_o blind_a that_o i_o can_v see_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o in_o that_o dark_a place_n of_o scripture_n amos_n 5._o 26._o say_v the_o syr._n great_a selden_n but_o the_o contrary_a temper_n and_o spirit_n have_v swell_v some_o with_o proud_a conceit_n of_o their_o understanding_n some_o passage_n of_o this_o book_n when_o they_o have_v no_o true_a apprehension_n of_o they_o in_o the_o least_o and_o according_o they_o have_v endeavour_v in_o a_o supercilious_a manner_n to_o impose_v their_o crude_a sense_n upon_o other_o not_o crave_v but_o command_a assent_n to_o what_o they_o have_v propound_v these_o bold_a man_n forget_v what_o the_o wise_a king_n say_v 1._o it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n to_o conceal_v a_o matter_n to_o speak_v sometime_o in_o so_o dark_a and_o hide_a a_o manner_n that_o there_o be_v need_n of_o great_a search_n study_v and_o inquire_v into_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v say_v and_o yet_o at_o last_o they_o remain_v abstruse_a and_o unintelligible_a it_o have_v please_v god_n the_o wise_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v have_v difficulty_n and_o obscurity_n in_o it_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o as_o socrates_n say_v of_o heraclitus_n write_n what_o he_o understand_v of_o they_o be_v very_o good_a and_o so_o he_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v which_o he_o understand_v not_o the_o like_a may_v we_o with_o more_o reason_n pronounce_v concern_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n the_o matter_n which_o we_o have_v knowledge_n of_o which_o be_v the_o main_a body_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o book_n be_v excellent_a and_o divine_a and_o so_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o those_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v hide_v from_o we_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n there_o be_v no_o occasion_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o sovereign_a wisdom_n of_o god_n but_o it_o be_v our_o apparent_a duty_n to_o lay_v aside_o pride_n and_o to_o exercise_v humility_n which_o will_v capacitate_v we_o to_o understand_v even_o those_o great_a mystery_n and_o abstrusity_n when_o we_o have_v with_o much_o diligence_n and_o frequent_a study_n search_v into_o they_o 3_o we_o must_v think_v ourselves_o concern_v to_o purge_v our_o heart_n and_o life_n from_o all_o deâ—ilements_n of_o vice_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o quick_a brain_n a_o subtle_a head_n and_o a_o nimble_a wit_n be_v not_o so_o much_o require_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o divine_a truth_n as_o a_o honest_a mind_n and_o a_o religious_a practice_n to_o man_n of_o pollute_a conscience_n and_o profane_a manner_n the_o scripture_n seem_v dark_a and_o mysterious_a but_o to_o those_o of_o sanctify_a mind_n and_o holy_a life_n they_o be_v as_o to_o the_o most_o part_n plain_a and_o clear_a these_o qualification_n render_v they_o as_o bright_a as_o a_o sunbeam_n what_o the_o turk_n be_v say_v to_o write_v on_o the_o backside_n of_o the_o alcoran_n let_v none_o touch_v this_o book_n but_o he_o that_o be_v pure_a may_v with_o great_a reason_n and_o justice_n be_v write_v on_o the_o holy_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o that_o only_o for_o a_o pure_a life_n be_v the_o best_a commentator_n on_o these_o write_n a_o wonderful_a measure_n of_o