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be_v but_o one_o quarter_n of_o that_o atheism_n in_o the_o world_n i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o better_a cure_n of_o it_o or_o preservative_n against_o it_o next_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n than_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o the_o origination_n of_o mankind_n 2._o again_o though_o the_o creation_n of_o man_n be_v general_o acknowledge_v by_o jew_n and_o christian_n yet_o we_o must_v likewise_o consider_v that_o many_o take_v it_o up_o only_o as_o a_o part_n of_o their_o education_n and_o not_o upon_o any_o serious_a deep_a conviction_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o have_v such_o man_n but_o a_o education_n in_o such_o a_o place_n or_o country_n where_o it_o be_v not_o believe_v or_o where_o it_o be_v doubt_v they_o will_v be_v at_o least_o sceptical_a and_o doubtful_a in_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o 3._o the_o best_a of_o man_n and_o sound_a believer_n of_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v better_o confirm_v by_o the_o accession_n and_o suffrage_n even_o of_o natural_a evidence_n of_o the_o verity_n they_o already_o believe_v but_o howsoever_o it_o better_o enable_v they_o to_o convince_v such_o gainsayer_n as_o will_v be_v govern_v in_o their_o judgement_n by_o no_o other_o light_n than_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n and_o many_o such_o there_o may_v be_v meet_v withal_o in_o the_o world_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n my_o whole_a discourse_n be_v bottom_v upon_o natural_a and_o moral_a evidence_n suit_v to_o these_o man_n principle_n or_o motive_n by_o which_o they_o be_v guide_v and_o govern_v yea_o when_o i_o make_v use_n of_o the_o sacred_a and_o infallible_a scripture_n i_o do_v use_v they_o abstractive_o from_o their_o divine_a and_o infallible_a authority_n and_o only_o as_o moral_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n i_o assert_v for_o any_o man_n may_v easy_o foresee_v that_o a_o atheistical_a spirit_n that_o deny_v or_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n therein_o deliver_v will_v not_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o infallibility_n of_o that_o scripture_n which_o deliver_v that_o for_o a_o truth_n which_o he_o deny_v or_o question_n this_o whole_a book_n as_o thou_o now_o see_v it_o be_v write_v by_o i_o some_o year_n since_o and_o have_v lie_v ever_o since_o in_o my_o chest_n and_o sure_o therein_o shall_v have_v lie_v still_o but_o only_o for_o three_o reason_n 1._o because_o that_o some_o write_n of_o my_o have_v without_o my_o privity_n come_v abroad_o in_o print_n which_o i_o never_o intend_v and_o this_o may_v have_v have_v the_o same_o fate_n if_o not_o in_o my_o life_n time_n yet_o after_o my_o death_n 2._o because_o possible_o there_o have_v some_o more_o care_n be_v use_v by_o i_o in_o the_o digest_v and_o write_v hereof_o than_o of_o some_o other_o that_o have_v go_v abroad_o in_o public_a 3._o that_o although_o i_o can_v never_o be_v bring_v to_o value_v the_o write_n of_o my_o that_o be_v publish_v as_o worthy_a of_o the_o public_a view_n yet_o i_o find_v they_o well_o accept_v by_o 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must_v desire_v the_o reader_n to_o take_v this_o apology_n for_o it_o 1._o it_o be_v write_v at_o leisure_n and_o break_a time_n and_o with_o great_a interval_n and_o many_o time_n hasty_o as_o my_o busy_a and_o important_a employment_n of_o another_o nature_n know_v to_o the_o world_n will_v give_v i_o leave_v which_o must_v needs_o make_v such_o break_v and_o chasm_n and_o incoherence_n that_o possible_o a_o continue_a uninterrupted_a series_n of_o writing_n will_v have_v prevent_v and_o carry_v on_o the_o discourse_n with_o a_o more_o equal_a thread_n 2._o a_o long_a indisposition_n of_o health_n have_v much_o hinder_v and_o interrupt_v i_o in_o a_o strict_a revise_v and_o amend_v of_o what_o possible_o may_v have_v be_v requisite_a to_o be_v do_v 3._o a_o man_n who_o scope_n and_o intent_n and_o drift_n be_v at_o some_o one_o thing_n and_o have_v his_o eye_n and_o design_n fix_v upon_o it_o many_o time_n be_v not_o so_o solicitous_a nor_o so_o curious_a nor_o so_o exact_a in_o the_o choice_n of_o
siculus_n thucydides_n herodotus_n and_o other_o do_v give_v we_o some_o true_a and_o some_o fabulous_a derivation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o place_n or_o country_n from_o the_o man_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o head_n or_o root_n of_o those_o denomination_n yet_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v all_o admit_v to_o have_v true_o give_v those_o denomination_n to_o those_o country_n it_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n follow_v that_o they_o be_v the_o parent_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o but_o they_o be_v such_o as_o either_o by_o war_n or_o power_n or_o election_n of_o the_o people_n preside_v in_o those_o place_n and_o give_v they_o thereupon_o their_o denomination_n thus_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o helen_n give_v the_o denomination_n to_o that_o part_n of_o greece_n which_o be_v call_v helenica_n and_o those_o grecian_n be_v call_v helenistae_n pelasgus_n be_v he_o that_o give_v the_o denomination_n to_o the_o pelasgi_n another_o part_n of_o greece_n latinus_n to_o latium_n and_o the_o latin_n danaus_n to_o another_o cept_n of_o the_o grecian_n tenes_n the_o son_n of_o cygnus_n to_o tenedos_n cretas_n to_o creta_n and_o the_o cretan_n italus_n as_o some_o say_v to_o italia_n and_o the_o italian_n romulus_n to_o rome_n and_o the_o roman_n and_o infinite_a more_o such_o allusion_n of_o denomination_n of_o country_n and_o people_n from_o the_o name_n of_o he_o that_o preside_v either_o in_o the_o army_n or_o colony_n or_o country_n unto_o which_o such_o denomination_n be_v after_o give_v and_o yet_o latinus_n nor_o pelasgus_n nor_o cretas_n nor_o helen_n be_v any_o more_o the_o natural_a parent_n of_o all_o those_o person_n that_o be_v call_v pelasgi_n or_o cretense_n or_o helenistae_n or_o latini_n than_o romulus_n be_v the_o natural_a parent_n of_o all_o those_o people_n that_o be_v the_o first_o inhabitant_n of_o rome_n or_o of_o those_o that_o be_v after_o incorporate_v and_o enfranchise_a into_o that_o name_n city_n or_o government_n indeed_o these_o be_v such_o person_n as_o perchance_o be_v the_o captain_n of_o those_o army_n or_o colony_n that_o be_v command_v by_o they_o or_o be_v such_o as_o be_v the_o head_n or_o founder_n of_o the_o monarchy_n or_o kingdom_n that_o they_o thus_o found_v or_o such_o as_o do_v sustinere_fw-la nomen_fw-la &_o personam_fw-la totius_fw-la communitatis_fw-la and_o thereby_o have_v the_o power_n and_o privilege_n to_o give_v a_o denomination_n to_o those_o country_n or_o people_n they_o govern_v call_v they_o after_o their_o own_o name_n but_o they_o be_v not_o the_o natural_a root_n or_o common_a natural_a parent_n of_o all_o they_o that_o bear_v their_o denomination_n though_o it_o may_v be_v very_o likely_a they_o have_v some_o child_n of_o their_o own_o which_o may_v participate_v in_o that_o common_a denomination_n this_o therefore_o single_o consider_v namely_o the_o denomination_n of_o people_n from_o some_o one_o person_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o assure_v we_o that_o all_o those_o person_n that_o bear_v that_o denomination_n be_v derive_v by_o natural_a propagation_n from_o he_o who_o name_n they_o so_o bear_v but_o though_o it_o may_v be_v true_a that_o such_o a_o denomination_n may_v be_v communicate_v to_o such_o only_a as_o descend_v by_o natural_a propagation_n from_o he_o as_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o instance_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v otherwise_o therefore_o i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o wheresoever_o i_o find_v a_o society_n of_o man_n bear_v the_o denomination_n of_o one_o man_n that_o that_o man_n be_v the_o natural_a parent_n of_o those_o that_o bear_v that_o denomination_n unless_o i_o have_v some_o better_a evidence_n than_o allusion_n of_o name_n since_o it_o be_v apparent_a in_o these_o history_n that_o it_o be_v otherwise_o upon_o this_o reason_n it_o seem_v plain_a that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v possible_a from_o any_o profane_a history_n to_o find_v the_o original_a parent_n of_o any_o one_o kingdom_n much_o less_o of_o mankind_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a indeed_o that_o by_o help_n of_o a_o continuation_n of_o profane_a history_n or_o other_o common_a monument_n well_o keep_v together_o the_o genealogy_n and_o ramification_n of_o some_o single_a family_n even_o to_o a_o vast_a and_o numerous_a extension_n may_v be_v preserve_v but_o that_o will_v not_o do_v the_o business_n that_o i_o intend_v for_o it_o be_v rare_a and_o beyond_o example_n in_o any_o author_n that_o i_o know_v that_o the_o entire_a and_o complete_a pedigree_n of_o the_o whole_a descendants_n of_o any_o particular_a family_n be_v deduce_v down_o through_o the_o space_n of_o a_o thousand_o year_n last_o pass_v whereas_o such_o instance_n as_o must_v serve_v my_o turn_n must_v be_v such_o as_o be_v at_o least_o five_o thousand_o year_n old_a or_o otherwise_o i_o shall_v fail_v in_o the_o application_n of_o this_o topick_n now_o in_o hand_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o for_o instance_n of_o such_o antiquity_n useful_a to_o my_o purpose_n i_o must_v resort_v to_o the_o ancient_a history_n namely_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o history_n of_o the_o ancient_a time_n and_o occurrence_n in_o the_o world_n so_o it_o be_v a_o history_n that_o be_v write_v at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o this_o time_n and_o near_o to_o the_o time_n and_o thing_n whereof_o he_o write_v no_o history_n in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o ancient_a as_o this_o by_o near_o eight_o hundred_o year_n for_o so_o long_o live_v moses_n the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n before_o homer_n the_o first_o profane_a historian_n that_o be_v extant_a and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v object_v against_o the_o competency_n of_o this_o instance_n 1._o because_o the_o same_o moses_n who_o i_o use_v in_o this_o topick_n be_v the_o person_n that_o assert_v the_o thing_n de_fw-fr quo_fw-la ambigitur_fw-la namely_o the_o first_o production_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o that_o he_o be_v incompetent_a in_o this_o case_n 2._o because_o all_o that_o urge_v the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n urge_v he_o as_o infallible_a divine_o inspire_v and_o so_o whatsoever_o he_o say_v must_v not_o be_v contradict_v and_o upon_o such_o a_o supposition_n there_o be_v a_o compendious_a way_n of_o evince_v the_o question_n in_o hand_n of_o the_o inception_n of_o mankind_n by_o tell_v we_o that_o moses_n who_o write_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o inspiration_n tell_v we_o that_o mankind_n be_v create_v by_o god_n about_o 6669_o year_n since_o according_a to_o the_o seventy_o and_o so_o there_o need_v no_o far_a reason_n nor_o can_v be_v any_o far_a controversy_n touch_v it_o to_o this_o i_o shall_v say_v these_o thing_n that_o although_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o moses_n be_v inspire_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n in_o what_o he_o write_v and_o that_o he_o do_v in_o plain_a term_n tell_v we_o that_o man_n be_v at_o first_o create_v by_o almighty_a god_n and_o therefore_o to_o i_o or_o any_o else_o that_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o infallible_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v that_o the_o truth_n be_v as_o moses_n have_v inform_v we_o and_o there_o need_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o support_v my_o faith_n of_o the_o truth_n hereof_o yet_o because_o i_o be_o write_v of_o those_o natural_a and_o moral_a evidence_n of_o this_o truth_n that_o may_v be_v of_o strength_n enough_o to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o assertion_n upon_o the_o apparent_a moral_a evidence_n of_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v here_o urge_v the_o authority_n of_o moses_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o question_n as_o i_o will_v urge_v herodotus_n or_o livy_n to_o prove_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n allege_v by_o they_o and_o at_o this_o time_n and_o in_o this_o dispute_n shall_v only_o use_v his_o testimony_n as_o a_o moral_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n he_o assert_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o credibility_n and_o as_o i_o shall_v not_o exact_v a_o subscription_n to_o the_o truth_n he_o deliver_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o infallibility_n so_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n to_o deny_v that_o credibility_n of_o what_o he_o relate_v which_o will_v be_v allow_v to_o a_o profane_a author_n especial_o when_o it_o carry_v with_o it_o single_o without_o the_o contribution_n of_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n as_o great_a a_o evidence_n of_o truth_n as_o any_o history_n in_o world_n beside_o and_o as_o to_o that_o which_o be_v say_v that_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o moses_n assert_n be_v to_o suppose_v the_o thing_n controvert_v because_o moses_n assert_v the_o creation_n of_o mankind_n i_o say_v 1._o that_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o instance_n in_o that_o assertion_n as_o to_o determine_v the_o question_n but_o only_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o it_o be_v a_o moral_a evidence_n of_o the_o
truth_n of_o it_o namely_o that_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n believe_v near_o 4000_o year_n since_o by_o wise_a man_n such_o as_o moses_n be_v and_o by_o they_o that_o be_v much_o near_o to_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o origination_n of_o mankind_n and_o those_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v contributory_a to_o the_o proof_n thereof_o be_v transact_v and_o therefore_o in_o common_a reason_n must_v needs_o have_v a_o clear_a tradition_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n in_o this_o matter_n than_o the_o age_n so_o many_o thousand_o year_n after_o but_o this_o i_o shall_v reserve_v to_o its_o proper_a place_n 2._o in_o this_o place_n i_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o insist_v upon_o the_o tradition_n of_o moses_n touch_v the_o creation_n of_o man_n but_o only_o upon_o those_o historical_a narrative_n deliver_v by_o moses_n relate_v to_o such_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v near_o his_o time_n and_o such_o as_o he_o may_v very_o reasonable_o know_v and_o deliver_v as_o a_o historiographer_n namely_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n after_o the_o flood_n and_o the_o reduction_n of_o most_o of_o the_o considerable_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o their_o several_a root_n or_o parent_n by_o natural_a propagation_n and_o the_o credibility_n of_o his_o relation_n touch_v it_o though_o even_o the_o credibility_n of_o this_o relation_n of_o he_o give_v a_o great_a evidence_n and_o attestation_n even_o upon_o a_o moral_a account_n to_o what_o he_o write_v touch_v the_o creation_n of_o man_n and_o those_o part_n of_o the_o history_n antecedent_n to_o the_o flood_n the_o sum_n therefore_o of_o the_o moysaicall_a history_n that_o i_o shall_v in_o this_o place_n make_v use_n of_o be_v this_o 1._o that_o a_o universal_a flood_n be_v bring_v upon_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o year_n 1656_o after_o the_o suppose_a creation_n of_o man_n according_a to_o the_o jewish_a account_n although_o the_o septuagint_n allow_v a_o long_a period_n between_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o flood_n 2._o that_o by_o that_o universal_a flood_n all_o mankind_n be_v destroy_v except_o eight_o person_n namely_o noah_n his_o wife_n his_o three_o son_n shem_o japhet_n and_o ham_n and_o their_o wife_n 3._o that_o all_o the_o race_n of_o mankind_n after_o this_o flood_n be_v derive_v by_o natural_a generation_n from_o these_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n and_o their_o wife_n 4._o that_o the_o particular_a descendants_n from_o these_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n be_v true_o describe_v and_o set_v forth_o in_o the_o 9_o the_o 10_o the_o and_o 11_o the_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n by_o their_o several_a name_n and_o draw_v down_o from_o that_o root_n to_o the_o fill_n and_o people_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n gen._n 32._o these_o be_v the_o family_n of_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n after_o their_o generation_n in_o their_o nation_n and_o by_o these_o be_v the_o nation_n divide_v in_o the_o earth_n after_o the_o flood_n 5._o that_o after_o the_o flood_n in_o the_o time_n of_o phaleg_n the_o language_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o of_o the_o family_n of_o cham_n and_o japhet_n be_v confound_v and_o the_o nation_n proceed_v from_o these_o family_n disperse_v 6._o that_o the_o family_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v deduce_v through_o these_o ensue_a patriarch_n viz._n sem._n arphaxad_a bear_v two_o year_n after_o the_o flood_n anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 1658._o salah_n heber_n peleg_n reu._n serug_v nahor_n terah_n abram_n isaac_n jacob_n marry_v rachel_n and_o leah_n anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 2192._o levi_n and_o the_o twelve_o patriarch_n kohath_n amram_fw-la moses_n bear_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2373._o so_o that_o from_o the_o flood_n to_o the_o birth_n of_o moses_n the_o descendants_n from_o jacob_n grow_v into_o a_o great_a nation_n for_o in_o the_o 80_o the_o year_n of_o moses_n life_n the_o male_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n that_o be_v above_o 20_o year_n old_a be_v above_o 600000_o beside_o the_o levite_n and_o beside_o woman_n and_o child_n that_o be_v under_o 20_o year_n old_a numb_a 2.32_o and_o this_o great_a increase_n of_o this_o people_n happen_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o about_o 260_o year_n and_o thus_o according_a to_o the_o jewish_a account_n in_o the_o holy_a text_n the_o period_n between_o the_o flood_n and_o the_o exitus_fw-la of_o the_o people_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v about_o 800_o year_n but_o indeed_o the_o account_n of_o the_o septuagint_n partly_o by_o the_o intersection_n of_o cainan_n in_o the_o genealogy_n and_o partly_o by_o add_v 100_o year_n to_o that_o technogonia_n of_o the_o patriarch_n before_o abraham_n have_v make_v the_o period_n large_a by_o 884_o year_n so_o that_o according_a to_o that_o account_n the_o exitus_fw-la ex_fw-la egypto_n be_v at_o least_o 1684_o year_n after_o the_o flood_n now_o this_o history_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n do_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o it_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o all_o the_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n not_o from_o bare_a allusion_n of_o name_n nor_o from_o bare_a coalition_n into_o civil_a society_n in_o which_o they_o be_v form_v as_o romulus_n be_v the_o founder_n of_o the_o populus_fw-la romanus_n and_o pelasgus_n of_o the_o pelasgi_n but_o it_o give_v we_o the_o account_n of_o their_o origination_n by_o propagation_n from_o the_o natural_a root_n and_o parent_n of_o they_o 2._o although_o notwithstanding_o this_o instance_n it_o may_v be_v possible_a that_o though_o the_o natural_a derivation_n of_o all_o mankind_n be_v from_o noah_n and_o his_o three_o son_n yet_o the_o progenitor_n or_o ancestor_n of_o noah_n may_v have_v no_o original_a but_o may_v be_v eternal_a according_a to_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o aristotle_n yet_o when_o i_o find_v the_o same_o author_n that_o give_v i_o a_o account_n of_o the_o derivation_n of_o all_o the_o world_n from_o noah_n and_o his_o three_o son_n and_o that_o with_o most_o clear_a evidence_n and_o credibility_n it_o give_v i_o a_o very_a great_a moral_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o relation_n touch_v the_o first_o origination_n of_o man_n by_o creation_n for_o doubtless_o both_o be_v derive_v to_o he_o by_o a_o constant_a tradition_n from_o those_o from_o who_o he_o be_v descend_v and_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o one_o since_o we_o have_v a_o strong_a moral_a evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o other_o namely_o the_o general_n flood_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n and_o the_o derivation_n of_o all_o mankind_n from_o he_o and_o his_o son_n he_o that_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o history_n touch_v the_o latter_a will_v have_v little_a reason_n to_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n touch_v the_o origination_n of_o mankind_n which_o as_o in_o itself_o it_o seem_v reasonable_a and_o no_o other_o possible_a supposition_n to_o compass_v it_o but_o by_o a_o supernatural_a production_n so_o it_o have_v a_o most_o excellent_a congruity_n with_o the_o subsequent_o of_o the_o holy_a history_n touch_v the_o descendants_n from_o the_o first_o man_n the_o flood_n and_o the_o repeopling_a of_o the_o world_n from_o noah_n now_o the_o moral_a evidence_n of_o the_o credibility_n and_o truth_n of_o this_o history_n be_v these_o 1._o moses_n that_o write_v it_o have_v the_o best_a opportunity_n that_o can_v be_v to_o give_v a_o true_a narrative_n of_o this_o fact_n touch_v the_o flood_n and_o the_o production_n of_o mankind_n by_o generation_n from_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n for_o 1._o it_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o write_n of_o this_o man_n that_o lie_n be_v a_o very_a learned_a know_a man_n inquisitive_a after_o all_o sort_n of_o learning_n a_o man_n in_o great_a power_n and_o esteem_n in_o the_o court_n of_o egypt_n and_o after_o that_o a_o great_a governor_n of_o a_o very_a great_a people_n which_o he_o govern_v with_o admirable_a wisdom_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n have_v opportunity_n to_o furnish_v himself_o with_o all_o monument_n and_o evidence_n of_o antiquity_n that_o may_v be_v conducible_a to_o the_o discovery_n of_o former_a thing_n and_o his_o learning_n judgement_n and_o ability_n to_o make_v a_o excellent_a use_n of_o these_o help_n be_v also_o remarkable_a again_o 2._o he_o live_v not_o far_o remote_a from_o the_o transaction_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o he_o write_v in_o comparison_n of_o the_o writer_n or_o historian_n of_o after_o age_n he_o die_v above_o 500_o year_n before_o homer_n live_v which_o yet_o be_v the_o ancient_a historian_n that_o greece_n afford_v and_o he_o live_v within_o the_o period_n of_o 800_o year_n after_o the_o flood_n and_o the_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n livy_n and_o other_o historian_n give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o rome_n for_o above_o 600_o year_n
doctrine_n of_o moses_n but_o with_o the_o exact_a measure_n and_o rule_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n itself_o and_o as_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o mankind_n shall_v be_v without_o a_o beginning_n so_o it_o be_v utter_o inconceptible_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v any_o other_o original_a but_o this_o but_o although_o this_o general_a supposition_n be_v thus_o consonant_a to_o truth_n and_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n yet_o since_o the_o manner_n of_o this_o origination_n of_o mankind_n by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n depend_v mere_o upon_o his_o own_o beneplacitum_fw-la which_o may_v put_v forth_o and_o exert_v this_o act_n of_o his_o power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n in_o the_o production_n of_o mankind_n according_a to_o his_o good_a pleasure_n and_o the_o arbitrium_fw-la of_o his_o own_o will._n and_o since_o mankind_n have_v their_o existence_n after_o this_o production_n can_v never_o by_o his_o own_o sense_n perceive_v or_o understand_v perfect_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o production_n and_o consequent_o the_o particular_a method_n or_o manner_n thereof_o can_v neither_o be_v attain_v by_o humane_a experience_n nor_o ratiocination_n we_o must_v necessary_o either_o be_v utter_o ignorant_a of_o the_o manner_n and_o order_n of_o the_o divine_a procedure_n in_o the_o origination_n of_o mankind_n or_o we_o must_v know_v it_o only_o by_o divine_a or_o at_o at_o least_o angelical_a revelation_n and_o not_o otherwise_o so_o that_o though_o the_o general_a thesis_n of_o the_o origination_n of_o mankind_n by_o almighty_a god_n be_v a_o conclusion_n deducible_a by_o reason_n partly_o by_o the_o remotion_n of_o all_o other_o mean_v as_o incompatible_a and_o insufficient_a for_o such_o a_o production_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o event_n and_o effect_n in_o nature_n yet_o that_o this_o production_n of_o mankind_n be_v in_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a manner_n be_v a_o truth_n distinct_o cognoscible_a only_o by_o revelation_n and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o those_o great_a searcher_n into_o truth_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v either_o not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n or_o not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o it_o be_v write_v either_o deliver_v their_o thesis_n general_o that_o almighty_a god_n produce_v mankind_n by_o his_o power_n and_o will_n not_o explicate_v the_o particular_a manner_n thereof_o or_o if_o they_o attempt_v a_o particular_a explication_n of_o the_o manner_n they_o run_v out_o into_o very_o uncertain_a various_a and_o contradictory_n explication_n thereof_o which_o must_v necessary_o be_v the_o consequence_n of_o such_o particular_a determination_n where_o man_n have_v not_o sufficient_a light_n to_o guide_v and_o direct_v he_o zeno_n citicus_n the_o founder_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o stoic_n a_o wise_a and_o a_o good_a man_n content_v himself_o with_o this_o general_a assertion_n touch_v this_o matter_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v we_o by_o censorinus_n in_o die_n natali_fw-la cap._n 4._o zenon_n citicus_n stoicae_fw-la sectae_fw-la conditor_fw-la principium_fw-la humano_fw-la generi_fw-la ex_fw-la novo_fw-la mundi_fw-la constitutum_fw-la putavit_fw-la primosque_fw-la homines_fw-la ex_fw-la solo_fw-la adminiculo_fw-la divini_fw-la ignis_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la dei_fw-la providentia_fw-la genitos_fw-la plato_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v collect_v his_o opinion_n out_o of_o his_o timeus_n attribute_n the_o origination_n of_o mankind_n to_o the_o immediate_a causality_n of_o a_o intelligent_a nature_n but_o go_v further_o into_o particular_n fall_v into_o conjecture_n attribute_v the_o effection_n of_o the_o soul_n unto_o the_o great_a god_n but_o the_o fabrication_n of_o the_o body_n to_o the_o dii_fw-la ex_fw-la deo_fw-la or_o angel_n it_o seem_v according_a to_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o this_o have_v be_v ordinary_o the_o unhappiness_n of_o mankind_n without_o the_o light_n and_o guidance_n of_o divine_a revelation_n that_o if_o they_o have_v at_o any_o time_n happen_v upon_o some_o sound_n and_o substantial_a truth_n they_o common_o fix_v unto_o it_o explication_n and_o addition_n of_o their_o own_o which_o many_o time_n by_o their_o inevidence_n absurdity_n or_o incongruity_n draw_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n itself_o to_o which_o they_o be_v appendicate_v therefore_o to_o settle_v and_o fix_v and_o quiet_a the_o mind_n of_o man_n touch_v their_o own_o first_o origination_n and_o the_o origination_n of_o this_o world_n it_o have_v please_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n to_o reveal_v unto_o mankind_n not_o only_o that_o the_o world_n and_o mankind_n have_v their_o original_a and_o that_o they_o have_v their_o original_a from_o almighty_a god_n as_o its_o efficient_a both_o of_o the_o matter_n and_o form_n thereof_o but_o also_o he_o have_v therein_o declare_v the_o series_n order_n and_o method_n of_o the_o production_n of_o all_o thing_n it_o be_v true_a the_o two_o former_a namely_o that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o inception_n and_o have_v a_o inception_n from_o god_n be_v a_o truth_n that_o by_o the_o diligent_a improvement_n of_o natural_a light_n and_o reason_n be_v attainable_a but_o the_o manner_n and_o order_n of_o this_o effection_n be_v as_o before_o be_v say_v discoverable_a only_o by_o divine_a revelation_n but_o yet_o though_o the_o manner_n thereof_o be_v not_o discernible_a bare_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o reason_n without_o the_o help_n of_o divine_a revelation_n yet_o that_o method_n and_o manner_n once_o reveal_v as_o it_o stand_v so_o reveal_v to_o we_o by_o moses_n carry_v a_o very_a great_a congruity_n to_o reason_n which_o though_o it_o can_v at_o first_o discover_v the_o method_n or_o order_n yet_o it_o can_v choose_v but_o suffragate_v to_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o convenience_n thereof_o be_v so_o discover_v i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o what_o follow_v do_v these_o thing_n 1._o i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n of_o that_o method_n of_o the_o formation_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o particular_o of_o mankind_n as_o it_o be_v render_v to_o we_o by_o moses_n 2._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o congruity_n of_o the_o scheme_n of_o moses_n touch_v the_o effection_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o the_o general_a and_o particular_a notion_n thereof_o and_o the_o prelation_n that_o it_o just_o have_v above_o all_o other_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o other_o men._n 3._o i_o shall_v deduce_v from_o the_o whole_a certain_a evident_a and_o necessary_a conclusion_n against_o those_o that_o deny_v the_o existence_n and_o providence_n of_o almighty_a god_n 4._o i_o shall_v also_o deduce_v some_o conclusion_n evince_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o a_o intend_a end_n for_o mankind_n or_o the_o design_n of_o almighty_a god_n in_o his_o creation_n and_o what_o may_v be_v reasonable_o conclude_v touch_v the_o same_o cap._n ii_o the_o moysaicall_a history_n touch_v the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o mankind_n and_o the_o congruity_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a hypothesis_n in_o that_o short_a yet_o admirable_a history_n of_o the_o creation_n deliver_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n he_o give_v we_o a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o origination_n both_o of_o mankind_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o therein_o and_o thereby_o he_o resolve_v all_o the_o doubt_n and_o difficulty_n which_o trouble_v the_o head_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o learned_a heathen_a touch_v the_o same_o and_o resolve_n and_o extricate_v all_o those_o inconvenience_n and_o perplexity_n under_o which_o the_o various_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n infinite_o labour_v 1._o he_o resolve_v we_o that_o the_o world_n in_o that_o constitution_n as_o now_o it_o be_v be_v not_o eternal_a no_o not_o that_o part_n to_o which_o the_o ancient_n attribute_v eternity_n most_o namely_o the_o heaven_n whereby_o all_o the_o foundation_n of_o aristotle_n ocellus_n lucanus_n and_o other_o touch_v the_o same_o and_o all_o their_o subtlety_n and_o struggle_n to_o support_v that_o eternity_n and_o to_o deliver_v themselves_o from_o those_o inconvenience_n that_o attend_v that_o supposition_n be_v in_o a_o few_o word_n render_v vain_a and_o frivolous_a 2._o he_o resolve_v we_o that_o as_o the_o world_n in_o its_o present_a form_n and_o structure_n be_v not_o eternal_a so_o neither_o be_v the_o matter_n thereof_o eternal_a which_o trouble_v plato_n so_o much_o who_o though_o he_o suppose_v a_o inception_n of_o the_o formation_n of_o thing_n into_o their_o present_a order_n yet_o can_v not_o digest_v a_o origination_n of_o matter_n 3._o he_o give_v we_o a_o account_n that_o time_n or_o successive_a duration_n be_v not_o eternal_a but_o have_v a_o beginning_n and_o that_o motion_n who_o measure_n time_n be_v have_v a_o beginning_n before_o which_o it_o be_v not_o because_o no_o mobile_n be_v more_o ancient_a than_o the_o begin_n of_o time_n 4._o he_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o a_o kind_n of_o production_n that_o