shall_v not_o present_o be_v judge_v a_o falsehood_n till_o there_o be_v some_o further_a demonstration_n of_o its_o absurdity_n 3._o that_o you_o allow_v the_o same_o liberty_n of_o deduce_a consequence_n from_o text_n of_o scripture_n aâ—_n you_o take_v to_o yourselves_o 4._o then_o that_o due_a regard_n be_v have_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o old_a a._n with_o all_o my_o heart_n one_a then_o god_n reveal_v the_o law_n to_o moses_n by_o a_o true_a voice_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v exod._n 25._o 22._o but_o this_o be_v the_o only_a true_a voice_n from_o god_n that_o ever_o be_v hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o decalogue_n according_a to_o some_o man_n be_v not_o speak_v they_o only_o hear_v a_o confuse_a noise_n and_o so_o perceive_v the_o law_n as_o then_o write_v in_o their_o heart_n though_o in_o truth_n those_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n be_v engraft_v there_o long_o before_o nay_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o what_o you_o call_v revelation_n 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only_o with_o a_o true_a and_o real_a voice_n all_o that_o we_o can_v learn_v from_o exod._n 25._o 22._o be_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o be_v ready_a to_o communicate_v his_o will_n to_o moses_n from_o above_o the_o mercy-seat_n and_o from_o between_o the_o two_o cherubim_n but_o that_o place_n of_o scripture_n do_v not_o explain_v the_o manner_n of_o that_o communication_n so_o as_o to_o determine_v it_o to_o a_o real_a voice_n much_o less_o do_v it_o exclude_v all_o former_a revelation_n from_o that_o privilege_n nay_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o other_o revelation_n be_v make_v by_o a_o real_a voice_n before_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n immediate_o after_o the_o fall_n gen._n 9_o 10._o we_o read_v that_o god_n call_v unto_o adam_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o where_o be_v thou_o and_o he_o say_v i_o hear_v thy_o voice_n in_o the_o garden_n and_o i_o be_v afraid_a or_o if_o our_o bold_a author_n will_v turn_v this_o into_o figure_n as_o indeed_o he_o venture_v to_o turn_v so_o whatsoever_o he_o please_v yet_o in_o the_o 18_o of_o genesis_n we_o read_v of_o a_o revelation_n make_v by_o a_o real_a voice_n or_o there_o be_v no_o description_n of_o a_o real_a voice_n in_o rerum_fw-la naturâ—â—_n for_o the_o three_o angel_n that_o appear_v as_o man_n to_o abraham_n and_o eat_v as_o man_n without_o doubt_n speak_v as_o man_n when_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o abraham_n that_o sarah_n shall_v bring_v forth_o a_o son_n when_o god_n be_v about_o to_o destroy_v the_o old_a world_n gen._n 6._o he_o foretell_v that_o dismal_a execution_n of_o vengeance_n to_o his_o servant_n noah_n and_o if_o you_o will_v stick_v to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o scripture_n according_a to_o our_o first_o agreement_n give_v he_o a_o punctual_a description_n of_o the_o ark_n he_o shall_v make_v and_o the_o person_n and_o live_a creature_n that_o shall_v enter_v into_o it_o which_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v can_v be_v do_v without_o a_o real_a voice_n or_o at_o least_o it_o be_v as_o rational_a to_o suppose_v one_o here_o as_o in_o the_o place_n cite_v out_o of_o gen._n 25._o 22._o but_o your_o author_n be_v still_o more_o 3._o quod_fw-la revelatioper_n solas_fw-la imagine_v continget_fw-la patet_fw-la ex_fw-la primo_fw-la paralip_n ch._n 22._o v._n p._n 5._o v._n p._n 3._o impudent_a or_o unwary_a when_o he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o chron._n 22._o that_o revelation_n be_v sometime_o make_v by_o image_n only_o and_o that_o none_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n but_o only_o by_o the_o help_n of_o imagination_n and_o that_o the_o word_n or_o figure_n be_v sometime_o real_a that_o be_v exist_v without_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o sometime_o imaginary_a that_o be_v frame_v by_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n himself_o from_o whence_o he_o infer_v that_o the_o certainty_n of_o prophecy_n be_v not_o mathematical_a but_o only_o moral_a or_o rather_o according_a to_o those_o principle_n nothing_o but_o a_o fanciful_a whimsy_n that_o may_v as_o well_o be_v false_a or_o true_a now_o by_o this_o author_n leave_n no_o such_o conclusion_n nor_o indeed_o can_v any_o conclusion_n at_o all_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o medium_n of_o divine_a revelation_n that_o concern_v the_o certainty_n or_o fallibility_n of_o it_o for_o all_o the_o medium_n of_o revelation_n be_v supernatural_a we_o may_v call_v they_o by_o what_o name_n we_o please_v yet_o still_o we_o must_v borrow_v those_o name_n from_o some_o natural_a thing_n because_o of_o those_o only_o we_o have_v complete_a idea_n he_o that_o be_v a_o prophet_n must_v be_v certain_a it_o be_v god_n who_o speak_v to_o he_o but_o the_o bare_a hear_n of_o a_o voice_n or_o the_o see_n of_o a_o image_n will_v not_o create_v this_o certainty_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n for_o voice_n and_o word_n may_v be_v frame_v by_o other_o invisible_a power_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o 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scripture_n make_v mention_v of_o no_o other_o medium_n of_o revelation_n than_o sign_n or_o figure_n and_o word_n yet_o can_v he_o from_o thence_o infer_v any_o necessity_n of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n unless_o he_o can_v give_v we_o complete_a idea_n of_o what_o manner_n of_o impression_n those_o word_n or_o sign_n make_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n impossible_a for_o he_o to_o teach_v or_o we_o to_o learn_v one_o man_n can_v inform_v another_o of_o his_o mind_n by_o word_n and_o figure_n and_o why_o must_v god_n be_v exclude_v from_o that_o power_n which_o he_o give_v his_o creature_n but_o after_o all_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o word_n and_o figure_n be_v the_o only_a medium_n of_o divine_a revelation_n which_o the_o scripture_n mention_n there_o be_v a_o communication_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n immediate_o infuse_v knowledge_n into_o the_o mind_n without_o any_o organ_n of_o speech_n or_o corporeal_a representation_n which_o yet_o be_v as_o infallible_a as_o the_o other_o joh._n 16._o 17._o our_o saviour_n promise_v his_o disciple_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o this_o communication_n of_o the_o spirit_n we_o call_v inspiration_n use_v a_o metaphorical_a word_n to_o express_v a_o notion_n which_o we_o can_v possible_o receive_v from_o the_o bare_a knowledge_n of_o nature_n and_o though_o this_o spirit_n appear_v to_o the_o apostle_n act_n 2._o in_o the_o shape_n of_o cleave_a tongue_n yet_o we_o read_v it_o bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o upon_o other_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n the_o gift_n of_o driver_n language_n before_o utter_o unknown_a unto_o they_o by_o a_o secret_a and_o invisible_a operation_n if_o therefore_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v reveal_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n
dignity_n we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o god_n condescend_v in_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o weak_a capacity_n of_o his_o creature_n man_n but_o that_o do_v no_o way_n incline_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o ever_o reveal_v to_o man_n any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a or_o that_o he_o confirm_v he_o in_o his_o preconceive_a error_n or_o that_o whensoever_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reveal_v himself_o in_o a_o supernatural_a manner_n he_o can_v or_o do_v not_o do_v it_o with_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o perspicuity_n as_o one_o man_n can_v tell_v his_o thought_n to_o another_o god_n indeed_o have_v declare_v more_o to_o one_o prophet_n than_o to_o another_o but_o since_o he_o never_o speak_v any_o thing_n but_o truth_n to_o any_o this_o be_v so_o sar_n from_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o read_v any_o of_o the_o prophet_n for_o so_o i_o call_v all_o inspire_a author_n that_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a inducement_n to_o peruse_v they_o all_o 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world_n s._n you_o seem_v now_o to_o be_v very_o hot_a but_o can_v you_o disprove_v the_o author_n who_o you_o rash_o condemn_v because_o he_o speak_v truth_n more_o free_o than_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o interest_n or_o humour_n of_o the_o clergy_n l._n i_o desire_v to_o be_v believe_v no_o far_o than_o as_o you_o find_v what_o i_o say_v be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o god_n have_v reveal_v nothing_o to_o inspire_a author_n that_o any_o man_n can_v condemn_v of_o error_n second_o that_o he_o have_v declare_v to_o they_o such_o truth_n as_o be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o their_o preconceive_a erroneous_a opinion_n and_o three_o i_o will_v show_v you_o that_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n use_v by_o your_o a_o be_v no_o way_n subservient_fw-fr to_o his_o present_a design_n and_o purpose_n if_o your_o author_n will_v argue_v fair_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o shall_v have_v produce_v such_o place_n in_o they_o which_o he_o can_v easy_o and_o plain_o convince_v of_o error_n in_o matter_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n but_o how_o much_o he_o fail_v in_o this_o will_v appear_v by_o a_o discussion_n of_o these_o instance_n which_o be_v allege_v by_o he_o moses_n teach_v the_o jew_n that_o that_o very_a god_n who_o make_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n be_v their_o god_n who_o be_v reveal_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n and_o who_o then_o by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n have_v bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o he_o have_v right_a conception_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o the_o first_o and_o only_a cause_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o know_v that_o the_o heathen_n worship_v other_o create_v invisible_a power_n which_o they_o call_v god_n though_o unlike_a unto_o the_o true_a god_n in_o all_o the_o glorious_a attribute_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o 11_o ver_fw-la of_o the_o 15_o chap._n of_o exodus_fw-la who_o be_v like_a unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n among_o the_o god_n moses_n do_v not_o here_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v more_o god_n than_o one_o but_o only_o intimate_v that_o there_o be_v more_o being_n than_o one_o which_o be_v though_o false_o and_o equivocal_o call_v god_n by_o the_o delude_a pagan_n but_o why_o do_v we_o wonder_v that_o invisible_a power_n in_o compliance_n to_o the_o common_a dialect_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o world_n be_v style_v god_n when_o magistrate_n themselves_o by_o no_o improper_a figure_n be_v dignify_v with_o the_o same_o honourable_a appellation_n ps_n 6_o and_o seven_o i_o have_v say_v you_o be_v god_n and_o all_o of_o you_o the_o child_n of_o the_o most_o high_a but_o you_o shall_v die_v like_o man_n and_o fall_v like_o one_o of_o the_o prince_n will_v any_o be_v so_o absurd_a to_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o psalmist_n think_v that_o there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o difference_n between_o god_n and_o man_n nor_o do_v it_o at_o all_o appear_v from_o the_o 19_o ver_fw-la of_o the_o 32d_o chap._n of_o the_o chron._n that_o the_o jew_n think_v that_o god_n leave_v other_o nation_n to_o the_o government_n of_o other_o god_n substitute_v by_o he_o the_o word_n be_v these_o and_o they_o speak_v against_o the_o god_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o against_o the_o god_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n it_o be_v not_o the_o besiege_a jew_n but_o the_o besiege_v pagan_n who_o call_v those_o inferior_a being_n by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n which_o be_v worship_v by_o the_o delude_a pagan_n the_o jew_n acknowledge_v they_o only_o as_o the_o work_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n in_o the_o 17_o chap._n of_o the_o 2d_o of_o king_n give_v only_o a_o historical_a account_n of_o the_o sentiment_n of_o those_o pagan_n who_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o region_n of_o israel_n from_o remote_a nation_n they_o indeed_o have_v the_o same_o apprehension_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o other_o have_v of_o their_o topical_a deitys_n who_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o government_n of_o certain_a place_n person_n art_n or_o science_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o therefore_o mingle_v some_o ceremony_n of_o the_o true_a with_o all_o the_o superstition_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n but_o the_o author_n of_o this_o history_n be_v so_o far_o from_o approve_v that_o he_o utter_o condemn_v as_o well_o their_o notion_n as_o their_o practice_n in_o the_o 23d_o ver_fw-la they_o fear_v not_o the_o lord_n neither_o do_v they_o after_o his_o statute_n or_o after_o their_o ordinance_n or_o after_o the_o law_n and_o commandment_n which_o the_o lord_n command_v the_o child_n of_o jacob_n who_o he_o name_v israel_n s._n why_o then_o do_v the_o scripture_n call_v they_o god_n l._n because_o a_o historian_n relate_v what_o other_o have_v say_v or_o be_v wont_a to_o say_v must_v speak_v in_o the_o same_o dialect_n if_o he_o will_v keep_v exact_o to_o the_o truth_n nor_o be_v any_o author_n oblige_v to_o speak_v always_o proper_o when_o he_o may_v be_v better_o understand_v by_o a_o figure_n the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o some_o who_o god_n be_v their_o belly_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o covetousness_n be_v idolatry_n and_o yet_o i_o never_o read_v of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o venture_n that_o be_v worship_v by_o the_o ancient_a greek_n or_o roman_n persius_n make_v he_o at_o most_o but_o a_o master_n of_o arts._n magister_fw-la artium_fw-la ingeniique_fw-la largitur_fw-la venture_n and_o money_n itself_o be_v not_o invest_v with_o divine_a honour_n in_o juvenal_n time_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v the_o poet._n nullas_fw-la numorum_fw-la ereximus_fw-la arras_n i_o wonder_v your_o a_o shall_v forget_v one_o place_n of_o scripture_n more_o conduce_v to_o his_o purpose_n than_o any_o he_o have_v hitherto_o cite_v in_o the_o four_o ver_fw-la of_o the_o four_o chap._n of_o the_o 2d_o to_o the_o corinthian_n satan_n be_v style_v the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n how_o plain_o may_v he_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o satan_n be_v reveal_v to_o the_o apostle_n as_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n s._n but_o what_o say_v you_o to_o moses_n opinion_n that_o god_n live_v in_o heaven_n be_v not_o that_o a_o error_n unworthy_a of_o a_o philosopher_n and_o altogether_o pagan_a l._n if_o moses_n have_v teach_v that_o god_n be_v so_o confine_v to_o heaven_n as_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o earth_n or_o from_o any_o part_n of_o the_o universe_n or_o from_o the_o knowledge_n and_o government_n of_o humane_a affair_n it_o may_v have_v give_v this_o a_o some_o very_a specious_a pretence_n to_o
the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o be_v certain_a of_o what_o impression_n external_n object_n do_v make_v upon_o our_o organ_n though_o it_o do_v discover_v to_o we_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o three_o be_v revelation_n to_o which_o we_o assent_v because_o we_o be_v assure_v it_o come_v from_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o truth_n now_o though_o reason_n and_o sense_n be_v the_o only_a medium_n of_o certainty_n in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n with_o which_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o direct_o meddle_v yet_o reason_n be_v defective_a in_o show_v we_o the_o way_n to_o supernatural_a happiness_n in_o two_o respect_n first_o because_o many_o thing_n belong_v thereunto_o be_v not_o deducible_a from_o reason_n alone_o and_o second_o because_o many_o thing_n that_o be_v deducible_a from_o thence_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n yet_o be_v not_o actual_o deduce_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n s._n pray_v sir_n a_o little_a explanation_n you_o seem_v now_o 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may_v if_o it_o have_v please_v he_o but_o then_o i_o do_v believe_v very_o few_o will_v have_v give_v they_o credit_n l._n will_v you_o have_v miracle_n wrought_v every_o day_n s._n i_o shall_v be_v glad_a to_o see_v a_o miracle_n or_o two_o for_o my_o own_o satisfaction_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v if_o they_o be_v very_o frequent_a they_o will_v not_o in_o a_o short_a time_n be_v distinguishable_a from_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n l._n then_o i_o perceive_v you_o sceptist_n desire_v something_o but_o you_o know_v not_o what_o for_o give_v your_o thought_n the_o utmost_a liberty_n of_o range_v yet_o you_o will_v never_o find_v a_o more_o commodious_a way_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o mankind_n than_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v fuit_v to_o all_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o be_v apt_a consequent_o to_o force_v the_o assent_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o it_o reveal_v to_o man_n all_o those_o necessary_a truth_n which_o be_v no_o way_n deducible_a from_o reason_n alone_o and_o second_o it_o give_v light_a perspicuity_n and_o lustre_n to_o all_o those_o moral_a duty_n which_o be_v indeed_o deducible_a by_o operose_fw-la deduction_n from_o reason_n but_o have_v not_o be_v thence_o actual_o deduce_v by_o the_o less_o think_v part_n of_o mankind_n s._n i_o shall_v have_v a_o better_a opinion_n of_o scripture_n if_o you_o can_v give_v i_o some_o rule_n of_o interpret_n those_o ancient_a write_n for_o i_o have_v rather_o go_v to_o no_o oracle_n than_o to_o a_o oracle_n that_o have_v a_o double_a meaning_n l._n the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o much_o insist_v upon_o by_o the_o romanist_n to_o make_v room_n for_o a_o infallible_a guide_n and_o interpreter_n and_o from_o
man_n must_v needs_o be_v that_o hold_v the_o infinity_n and_o immutability_n of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n as_o also_o by_o his_o partial_a distorture_n of_o scripture_n by_o deny_v it_o the_o same_o liberty_n of_o use_v word_n in_o a_o translate_v sense_n which_o be_v give_v to_o all_o other_o write_n as_o for_o clearness_n of_o judgement_n which_o be_v the_o second_o commendation_n of_o a_o historian_n i_o can_v see_v how_o your_o author_n can_v pretend_v to_o that_o who_o i_o have_v show_v to_o have_v lay_v down_o so_o many_o false_a proposition_n draw_v so_o many_o false_a conclusion_n and_o so_o frequent_o to_o have_v contradict_v himself_o and_o as_o for_o his_o opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o most_o grand_a importance_n of_o those_o age_n we_o all_o know_v that_o he_o be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o they_o as_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v rather_o believe_v those_o who_o live_v in_o ancient_a time_n and_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o our_o saviour_n do_v or_o suffer_v for_o our_o sake_n than_o a_o modern_a upstart_n who_o we_o be_v sure_o can_v understand_v at_o most_o no_o more_o than_o ourselves_o of_o the_o matter_n s._n but_o though_o you_o slight_a his_o authority_n yet_o if_o he_o can_v prove_v by_o solid_a reason_n as_o he_o attempt_v in_o his_o 8_o chapter_n that_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n etc._n etc._n you_o be_v bind_v to_o yield_v to_o they_o and_o to_o deny_v its_o divine_a authority_n l._n but_o if_o his_o reason_n be_v fallacious_a and_o conjectural_a as_o i_o can_v easy_o demonstrate_v have_v we_o book_n and_o leisure_n in_o this_o place_n to_o go_v through_o the_o argument_n which_o yet_o at_o best_a will_v be_v but_o loss_n of_o time_n than_o you_o can_v blame_v i_o if_o i_o withdraw_v my_o assent_n from_o his_o pernicious_a doctrine_n but_o to_o bring_v matter_n to_o a_o short_a issue_n do_v you_o believe_v that_o the_o account_v the_o evangelist_n give_v of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o act_n of_o his_o apostle_n be_v altogether_o unintelligible_a by_o the_o hebriasm_n and_o various_a lection_n s._n no_o i_o think_v no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n or_o modesty_n will_v pretend_v to_o say_v so_o l._n do_v you_o think_v that_o all_o therein_o record_v of_o they_o can_v be_v do_v by_o any_o natural_a or_o diabolical_a power_n s._n you_o have_v already_o demonstrate_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o first_o and_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o second_o assertion_n l._n then_o if_o our_o s._n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o prove_v their_o own_o divine_a mission_n do_v bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n all_o your_o author_n criticism_n or_o conjectural_a fancy_n of_o esaras_n vanish_v into_o nothing_o for_o with_o what_o truth_n can_v our_o saviour_n have_v say_v mat._n the_o 19_o and_o the_o seven_o that_o moses_n command_v to_o give_v a_o bill_n of_o divorcement_n and_o that_o moses_n for_o the_o hardness_n of_o their_o heart_n suffer_v they_o to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n or_o st._n john_n 19_o 17._o that_o the_o law_n be_v give_v by_o moses_n if_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n have_v be_v a_o fiction_n of_o esdras_n our_o saviour_n therefore_o have_v confirm_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o a_o new_a addition_n of_o sign_n and_o wonder_n impossible_a to_o be_v gainsay_v by_o the_o cunning_a or_o malice_n of_o man._n s._n you_o have_v now_o give_v i_o full_a satisfaction_n concern_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o a_o dislike_n of_o which_o i_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o sophistry_n of_o this_o intriegue_a author_n for_o it_o mighty_o please_v i_o to_o hear_v his_o project_n to_o deduce_v all_o knowledge_n from_o natural_a reason_n which_o as_o he_o teach_v p._n 98._o proceed_v from_o plain_a and_o obvious_a notion_n to_o the_o most_o obscure_a and_o remote_a object_n l._n let_v natural_a reason_n proceed_v never_o so_o cautious_o yet_o she_o can_v never_o ascend_v so_o high_a as_o to_o understand_v clear_o those_o supernatural_a thing_n which_o concern_v a_o future_a state_n of_o which_o she_o have_v here_o no_o complete_a idea_n and_o beside_o if_o god_n be_v a_o free_a agent_n it_o follow_v he_o can_v prescribe_v what_o condition_n of_o salvation_n do_v best_a please_v he_o and_o natural_a reason_n can_v never_o ascend_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o a_o free_a agent_n will_v have_v do_v from_o any_o know_v or_o obvious_a maxim_n in_o nature_n s._n no_o more_o than_o one_o man_n by_o reason_n alone_o can_v tell_v what_o be_v the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o another_o but_o i_o will_v ask_v you_o one_o question_n more_o viz._n who_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o scripture_n etc._n scripture_n p._n 103._o penes_fw-la unumquemque_fw-la snmmum_fw-la jus_o summaque_fw-la authoritas_fw-la de_fw-la religione_fw-la libere_fw-la judicandi_fw-la etc._n etc._n for_o spinosa_n give_v away_o that_o authority_n to_o every_o private_a man._n l._n the_o ambiguous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n interpretation_n have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o much_o error_n and_o much_o mischief_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o multiply_a idea_n which_o will_v breed_v confusion_n in_o the_o understanding_n if_o it_o be_v not_o careful_o resolve_v into_o its_o first_o principle_n for_o first_o sometime_o to_o interpret_v scripture_n be_v put_v to_o signify_v only_o a_o right_a apprehension_n of_o what_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o a_o expression_n of_o that_o true_a sense_n in_o plain_a and_o proper_a term_n and_o this_o belong_v to_o every_o individual_a man_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v for_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o understand_v those_o truth_n that_o be_v alike_o beneficial_a to_o all_o mankind_n and_o which_o be_v therefore_o promulge_v that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v know_v unto_o all_o and_o as_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o understand_v as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v of_o divine_a truth_n so_o also_o may_v be_v communicate_v that_o knowledge_n by_o speech_n to_o other_o though_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o that_o office_n do_v most_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n but_o other_o by_o the_o word_n interpret_v do_v understand_v the_o power_n of_o affix_v what_o sense_n they_o please_v upon_o the_o scripture_n and_o constrain_a other_o to_o admit_v the_o same_o be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v as_o true_a and_o genuine_a but_o such_o a_o authority_n as_o this_o can_v neither_o belong_v to_o every_o private_a man_n nor_o to_o any_o humane_a power_n whatsoever_o for_o no_o man_n can_v have_v authority_n from_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n to_o oppose_v truth_n itself_o and_o it_o be_v gross_a nonsense_n to_o call_v contradiction_n of_o scripture_n a_o interpretation_n of_o it_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o interpretation_n but_o in_o place_n that_o be_v obscure_a and_o dubious_a but_o plain_a text_n expound_v themselves_o and_o to_o pretend_v that_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a of_o affix_v a_o contradictory_n sense_n to_o the_o most_o easy_a express_a and_o intelligible_a text_n of_o scripture_n be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v every_o man_n authoritas_fw-la summum_fw-la jus_o summa_fw-la authoritas_fw-la have_v a_o right_a to_o be_v a_o fool_n and_o to_o deceive_v himself_o and_o to_o live_v in_o error_n and_o be_v nurse_v up_o in_o the_o ignorance_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o most_o concern_v his_o happiness_n and_o to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o his_o great_a creator_n instead_o of_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n every_o private_a man_n according_a to_o your_o author_n hypothesis_n may_v believe_v they_o lawful_o to_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o satan_n or_o the_o dictate_v of_o madman_n or_o the_o invention_n of_o some_o cunning_a politician_n what_o be_v more_o plain_a than_o our_o saviour_n 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because_o it_o take_v away_o from_o trade_n the_o freedom_n of_o lie_v and_o cheat_v and_o defraud_v which_o some_o perhaps_o think_v essential_a to_o it_o but_o if_o you_o gentleman_n desire_v a_o commonwealth_n that_o you_o may_v barter_n away_o our_o religion_n for_o a_o free_a trade_n i_o say_v pray_v god_n bless_v the_o monarchy_n of_o england_n scep_v prithee_o do_v think_v we_o desire_v to_o take_v away_o your_o religion_n your_o reason_n ought_v to_o be_v your_o only_a religion_n and_o that_o i_o be_o sure_a no_o man_n desire_v to_o take_v from_o you_o my_o author_n design_n be_v only_o to_o take_v off_o those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o the_o vulgar_a entertain_n of_o the_o scripture_n who_o despise_v reason_n and_o think_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a oracle_n of_o truth_n in_o order_n to_o this_o my_o author_n promise_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o prophecy_n or_o revelation_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o strength_n of_o fancy_n that_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n be_v 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the_o necessary_a connexion_n of_o two_o term_n be_v ever_o yet_o call_v a_o prophet_n by_o any_o but_o this_o a._n if_o natural_a knowledge_n may_v proper_o be_v call_v prophecy_n than_o every_o man_n that_o by_o his_o natural_a reason_n can_v comprehend_v all_o the_o necessary_a property_n of_o a_o triangle_n or_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o mathematical_a axiom_n or_o those_o self-evident_a proposition_n which_o be_v know_v by_o a_o bare_a perception_n of_o the_o term_n will_v be_v a_o prophet_n and_o so_o not_o only_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n will_v be_v prophet_n but_o all_o the_o devil_n people_n too_o for_o as_o much_o as_o some_o proposition_n by_o the_o sole_a light_n of_o reason_n be_v evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n a._n you_o mistake_v my_o author_n for_o he_o tell_v you_o page_z 2._o that_o tho_o natural_a knowledge_n be_v divine_a yet_o the_o teacher_n of_o it_o can_v be_v call_v prophet_n because_o whatever_o they_o teach_v other_o without_o the_o help_n of_o faith_n or_o credulity_n may_v know_v as_o well_o as_o themselves_o t._n this_o only_o show_v with_o how_o much_o confidence_n and_o stupidity_n your_o infallible_a author_n contradict_v himself_o for_o p._n 1._o he_o assert_n exit_fw-la traditâ_fw-la definitione_n sequitur_fw-la cognitionem_fw-la naturalem_fw-la prophetiam_fw-la vocari_fw-la posse_fw-la what_o more_o evident_a than_o that_o he_o may_v be_v call_v a_o prophet_n who_o be_v endow_v with_o natural_a knowledge_n if_o natural_a knowledge_n may_v be_v call_v prophecy_n a._n that_o be_v but_o a_o small_a mistake_n his_o true_a meaning_n be_v that_o reason_n be_v not_o less_o certain_a and_o divine_a than_o revelation_n its_o self_n t._n natural_a thing_n be_v call_v divine_a upon_o a_o threefold_a account_n as_o they_o be_v the_o workmanship_n of_o god_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n all_o thing_n that_o have_v a_o real_a subsistance_n may_v be_v call_v divine_a as_o they_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n but_o the_o word_n divine_a 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punish_v the_o bad_a in_o more_o proper_a term_n than_o those_o of_o love_n and_o anger_n etc._n etc._n though_o therefore_o those_o expression_n be_v figurative_a when_o apply_v to_o god_n yet_o since_o they_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a that_o we_o can_v find_v for_o what_o we_o can_v full_o understand_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o moses_n have_v right_a conception_n of_o god_n when_o in_o word_n he_o ascribe_v those_o passion_n to_o he_o s._n then_o you_o interpret_v scripture_n by_o reason_n l._n i_o do_v not_o make_v my_o reason_n the_o standard_n of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o i_o hope_v that_o i_o may_v make_v the_o same_o use_n of_o my_o reason_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n as_o you_o or_o any_o sensible_a man_n will_v do_v in_o read_v any_o humane_a author_n s._n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o deny_v you_o that_o liberty_n beside_o i_o be_o so_o much_o a_o friend_n to_o truth_n that_o i_o must_v ingenuous_o confess_v that_o it_o be_v not_o plain_a to_o i_o that_o job_n in_o that_o place_n by_o fire_n do_v either_o understand_v jealousy_n 31._o vid._n job_n 31._o or_o anger_n but_o rather_o the_o crime_n of_o adultery_n or_o fornication_n for_o thus_o he_o speak_v v._o 9_o if_o my_o heart_n have_v be_v deceive_v by_o a_o woman_n or_o if_o i_o have_v lay_v wait_v at_o my_o neighhour_n door_n then_o let_v my_o wife_n grind_v unto_o a_o other_o and_o let_v other_o bow_v down_o upon_o she_o for_o this_o be_v a_o heinous_a crime_n yea_o it_o be_v a_o iniquity_n to_o be_v punish_v by_o the_o judge_n for_o it_o be_v a_o fire_n that_o consume_v to_o destruction_n and_o will_v root_v out_o all_o my_o increase_n now_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o it_o be_v not_o jealousy_n which_o be_v no_o very_o expensive_a passion_n but_o the_o be_v deceive_v by_o a_o woman_n and_o the_o guilt_n of_o lie_v in_o wait_n at_o his_o neighbour_n door_n which_o job_n call_v here_o a_o consume_a fire_n that_o will_v soon_o bring_v destruction_n upon_o his_o body_n and_o estate_n l._n 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which_o my_o author_n very_o learned_o reckon_v up_o in_o the_o 93._o pag._n and_o the_o great_a want_n we_o have_v of_o a_o certain_a history_n of_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o the_o life_n of_o the_o author_n you_o will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o we_o know_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o those_o place_n which_o treat_v of_o moral_a precept_n for_o they_o be_v so_o plain_o intelligible_a that_o they_o retain_v the_o same_o perspicuity_n in_o all_o language_n l._n we_o know_v that_o the_o hebrew_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o language_n be_v subject_a to_o some_o ambiguity_n which_o may_v create_v error_n but_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o these_o ambiguity_n be_v so_o frequent_a or_o of_o such_o consequence_n as_o to_o shake_v our_o belief_n of_o any_o one_o fundamental_a article_n of_o reveal_v religion_n but_o with_o what_o gygantick_a confidence_n will_v your_o aurhor_n raise_v a_o stupendous_a structure_n upon_o this_o narrow_a and_o rot_a foundation_n there_o be_v some_o ambiguity_n in_o some_o place_n that_o may_v sometime_o arise_v concern_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o some_o few_o text_n of_o scripture_n therefore_o we_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o any_o one_o text_n therein_o those_o only_o except_v which_o contain_v moral_a precept_n for_o of_o those_o we_o be_v certain_a before_o hand_n but_o we_o can_v never_o understand_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o people_n as_o the_o jew_n or_o such_o a_o man_n as_o moses_n or_o such_o a_o person_n as_o our_o saviour_n who_o do_v wonderful_a thing_n in_o judea_n nor_o any_o apostle_n send_v out_o by_o he_o for_o these_o be_v all_o speculative_a matter_n which_o though_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o greek_a yet_o be_v altogether_o obscure_v by_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n language_n can_v you_o think_v your_o author_n will_v have_v descend_v to_o this_o absurd_a way_n of_o argue_v if_o his_o cause_n will_v have_v bear_v a_o better_a be_v not_o our_o faith_n on_o our_o saviour_n ground_v upon_o plain_a narration_n of_o such_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o be_v as_o easy_o intelligible_a in_o one_o language_n as_o another_o and_o will_v not_o history_n as_o well_o bear_v a_o translation_n as_o the_o problem_n of_o euclid_n do_v not_o he_o pretend_v to_o expound_v scripture_n by_o some_o hebrew_n history_n if_o he_o can_v get_v one_o for_o his_o purpose_n and_o yet_o be_v all_o history_n so_o obscure_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v expound_v s._n you_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o a_o history_n of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o prophet_n will_v much_o conduce_v towards_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o prophetical_a write_n l._n it_o may_v give_v light_a to_o some_o few_o place_n but_o be_v far_o from_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o expound_v all_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o understand_v the_o scripture_n without_o such_o a_o history_n as_o 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