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A49339 A vindication of the divine authority and inspiration of the writings of the Old and New Testament in answer to a treatise lately translated out of French, entituled, Five letters concerning the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures / by William Lowth ... Lowth, William, 1660-1732. 1692 (1692) Wing L3330; ESTC R22996 119,092 328

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apostle_n think_v of_o their_o own_o write_n and_o what_o authority_n they_o challenge_v as_o due_a to_o they_o irenaeus_n one_o of_o the_o great_a man_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o age_n sufficient_o show_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o his_o own_o time_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n the_o heretic_n against_o who_o he_o write_v pretend_v that_o their_o opinion_n come_v original_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o whatever_o the_o apostle_n may_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a in_o their_o write_n yet_o they_o teach_v those_o very_a thing_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n which_o these_o heretic_n since_o maintain_v in_o answer_n to_o this_o irenaeus_n do_v not_o only_o confute_v their_o pretence_n by_o show_v that_o there_o be_v clear_a and_o undoubted_a tradition_n for_o the_o catholic_n faith_n which_o in_o those_o early_a time_n can_v easy_o be_v trace_v up_o to_o the_o very_a apostle_n 3._o apostle_n iren._n l._n 3._o c._n 3._o but_o likewise_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o set_v up_o oral_a tradition_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n 1._o apostle_n ibid._n l._n 3._o c._n 1._o because_o the_o very_a same_o gospel_n which_o they_o at_o first_o preach_v they_o afterward_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n commit_v to_o write_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o pillar_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o pursuance_n of_o which_o testimony_n we_o may_v further_o observe_v that_o the_o very_a art_n which_o those_o heretic_n use_v either_o to_o undermine_n or_o evade_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a write_n plain_o show_v their_o authority_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o sacred_a and_o decisive_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o writer_n of_o the_o same_o age_n do_v full_o bear_v witness_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o learned_a mr._n dodwell_n have_v observe_v 41._o observe_v dissert_n in_o irenaeum_n l._n n._n 40_o 41._o that_o st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v general_o know_v and_o 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&_o 36._o so_o the_o style_n the_o way_n of_o argue_v and_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o work_n discover_v it_o to_o be_v s._n paul_n but_o s._n peter_n put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o dispute_n for_o the_o say_n which_o he_o quote_v in_o his_o second_o epistle_n as_o s._n paul_n be_v certain_o take_v out_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n 10.37_o hebrew_n 2_o pet._n 3.15_o compare_v with_o hebr._n 10.37_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o s._n peter_n be_v quote_v by_o s._n polycarp_n who_o write_v just_a after_o ignatius_n death_n about_o the_o same_o time_n certain_a pious_a man_n travel_v from_o place_n to_o place_n on_o purpose_n to_o communicate_v the_o write_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o eusebius_n inform_v we_o 37._o we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d h._n e._n l._n 3._o c._n 37._o which_o he_o to_o be_v sure_o understand_v of_o the_o four_o gospel_n now_o extant_a which_o only_o be_v reckon_v authentic_a in_o his_o time_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v esteem_v so_o in_o the_o 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the_o heathen_a tribunal_n wherein_o he_o seem_v not_o only_o to_o attack_v two_o or_o three_o passage_n of_o scripture_n but_o to_o endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n for_o certain_o never_o be_v there_o great_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n present_a with_o its_o professor_n than_o when_o they_o be_v summon_v before_o the_o magistrate_n to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o i_o proceed_v in_o the_o vth_z place_n to_o answer_v the_o objection_n which_o he_o have_v advance_v against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostle_n 1._o the_o first_o which_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o apostle_n dispute_v and_o confer_v with_o each_o other_o before_o they_o come_v to_o a_o resolution_n at_o the_o synod_n of_o jerusalem_n 57_o jerusalem_n fr._n p._n 248_o 249._o eng._n p._n 57_o which_o he_o think_v be_v needless_a among_o person_n inspire_a as_o likewise_o that_o 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eye_n can_v not_o say_v to_o the_o hand_n i_o have_v no_o need_n of_o thou_o nor_o the_o head_n to_o the_o foot_n i_o have_v no_o need_n of_o you_o 21._o you_o ibid._n v._o 21._o i._n e._n the_o more_o eminent_a member_n of_o the_o church_n very_o often_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o the_o assistance_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o inferior_a and_o less_o considerable_a one_o and_o according_o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n be_v inform_v by_o the_o inferior_a and_o more_o ordinary_a member_n of_o it_o of_o several_a particular_n they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o before_o so_o agabus_n inform_v st._n paul_n of_o his_o suffering_n at_o jerusalem_n 21.11_o jerusalem_n act._n 21.11_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n witness_v the_o same_o in_o every_o city_n 20.23_o city_n act._n 20.23_o no_o doubt_n by_o person_n of_o a_o much_o inferior_a station_n in_o the_o church_n than_o st._n paul_n himself_o thus_o the_o distribution_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n in_o different_a measure_n 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have_v be_v in_o use_n a_o impostor_n may_v have_v take_v his_o opportunity_n and_o by_o impose_v upon_o the_o weak_a sort_n have_v get_v such_o a_o reputation_n before_o the_o cheat_n can_v have_v be_v discover_v that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v difficult_a afterward_o to_o have_v convince_v man_n of_o the_o imposture_n but_o by_o make_v every_o one_o that_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n undergo_v a_o public_a trial_n a_o false_a prophet_n can_v not_o hope_v to_o escape_v long_o without_o be_v convince_v by_o all_o and_o judge_v by_o all_o and_o this_o show_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o that_o command_n of_o st._n paul_n that_o the_o prophet_n shall_v submit_v what_o they_o say_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o brethren_n 14.29_o brethren_n 1_o cor._n 14.29_o for_o since_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n there_o be_v false_a prophet_n and_o deceitful_a worker_n who_o endeavour_v to_o transform_v themselves_o into_o the_o true_a apostle_n and_o messenger_n of_o christ_n 11.13_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 11.13_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a to_o lay_v down_o rule_n for_o the_o try_v of_o spirit_n etc._n spirit_n 1_o cor._n 12.3_o 1_o joh._n 4_o 1_o etc._n etc._n and_o the_o discern_a of_o spirit_n be_v a_o particular_a gift_n design_v for_o this_o purpose_n 10._o purpose_n 1_o cor._n 12_o 10._o now_o the_o fit_a way_n of_o do_v this_o be_v by_o the_o joint_a advice_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n assemble_v together_o as_o we_o find_v the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n meet_v together_o discover_v the_o falseness_n of_o montanus_n and_o his_o follower_n pretence_n to_o prophecy_n 16.19_o prophecy_n v._o euseb_n ii_o e._n l._n 5._o c_o 16.19_o to_o all_o which_o we_o may_v add_v that_o beside_o the_o usefulness_n of_o this_o method_n to_o secure_v the_o church_n against_o imposture_n it_o have_v this_o further_a advantage_n in_o it_o that_o what_o several_a inspire_a person_n do_v agree_v in_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o great_a evidence_n of_o its_o come_n 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in_o like_a manner_n that_o which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o concur_v testimony_n of_o two_o or_o three_o inspire_a witness_n bring_v great_a evidence_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n than_o that_o which_o rely_v whole_o upon_o the_o credit_n and_o integrity_n of_o one_o because_o two_o or_o three_o be_v less_o liable_a to_o mistake_v than_o one_o and_o therefore_o we_o find_v our_o saviour_n himself_o argue_v from_o the_o common_a sentiment_n of_o man_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o concur_v testimony_n of_o john_n 5.33_o john_n joh._n 5.33_o as_o a_o corroborate_n evidence_n though_o his_o miracle_n sufficient_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o mission_n nay_o he_o reckon_v that_o the_o joint_a testimony_n of_o his_o father_n and_o himself_o be_v more_o credible_a humane_o speak_v than_o either_o of_o they_o single_o 18._o single_o joh_n 8_o 17_o 18._o and_o what_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v inspire_a person_n of_o a_o inferior_a rank_n hold_v true_a of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o for_o though_o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v always_o so_o far_o present_a with_o they_o as_o to_o guide_v and_o direct_v they_o in_o all_o matter_n that_o be_v of_o consequence_n such_o as_o that_o be_v which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o synod_n at_o jerusalem_n yet_o to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o this_o assistance_n we_o must_v suppose_v that_o they_o observe_v those_o rule_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v necessary_a condition_n in_o order_n to_o the_o procure_v this_o assistance_n one_o of_o which_o as_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o be_v their_o assemble_v together_o when_o they_o have_v opportunity_n and_o where_o the_o case_n concern_v the_o whole_a church_n in_o general_n and_o since_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v but_o know_v in_o part_n and_o prophesy_v in_o part_n 13.9_o part_n 1_o cor._n 13.9_o and_o consequent_o may_v receive_v further_a light_n from_o other_o what_o
eunuch_n who_o be_v read_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n 8._o isaiah_n act._n 8._o and_o to_o who_o god_n send_v philip_n to_o instruct_v he_o may_v not_o unfit_o illustrate_v this_o matter_n perhaps_o the_o utmost_a diligence_n the_o ethiopian_a can_v use_v will_v never_o have_v give_v he_o a_o clear_a understanding_n of_o that_o place_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o god_n to_o reward_v his_o industry_n send_v he_o a_o inspire_a interpreter_n to_o instruct_v he_o in_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n god_n may_v reward_v man_n natural_a endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n with_o such_o degree_n of_o knowledge_n as_o be_v supernatural_a nor_o do_v his_o instance_n of_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o cure_v disease_n which_o he_o say_v sup_n say_v ubi_fw-la sup_n can_v be_v increase_v by_o application_n of_o mind_n come_v up_o to_o our_o case_n for_o cure_v disease_n after_o the_o manner_n the_o apostle_n do_v be_v a_o power_n perfect_o beyond_o the_o sphere_n of_o humane_a ability_n whereas_o the_o gift_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v of_o a_o intellectual_a nature_n be_v most_o of_o they_o in_o some_o measure_n adequate_a to_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o in_o some_o degree_n attainable_a by_o industry_n so_o that_o in_o this_o case_n what_o be_v miraculous_a in_o one_o man_n may_v be_v natural_a in_o another_o for_o example_n the_o gift_n of_o speak_v in_o a_o strange_a language_n be_v miraculous_a in_o the_o apostle_n but_o will_v not_o be_v so_o in_o a_o man_n that_o shall_v get_v the_o perfect_a command_n of_o the_o same_o language_n by_o industry_n for_o the_o illustration_n of_o this_o point_n i_o will_v put_v this_o case_n viz._n of_o two_o man_n one_o of_o they_o arrive_v to_o a_o good_a degree_n of_o learning_n by_o study_n and_o the_o other_o illiterate_a suppose_v these_o two_o to_o have_v equal_a skill_n in_o expound_v scripture_n this_o gift_n will_v be_v think_v to_o proceed_v from_o natural_a cause_n in_o the_o former_a but_o will_v be_v miraculous_a in_o the_o latter_a now_o put_v this_o case_n it_o be_v no_o incongruity_n to_o suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v reward_v the_o industry_n of_o the_o former_a with_o a_o degree_n of_o infuse_v knowledge_n as_o much_o above_o the_o supernatural_a endowment_n of_o the_o latter_a as_o his_o natural_a talent_n and_o acquire_v knowledge_n be_v above_o the_o other_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v see_v no_o absurdity_n in_o suppose_v that_o god_n may_v encourage_v man_n to_o improve_v their_o natural_a talent_n as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v by_o promise_v they_o a_o proportionable_a increase_n of_o supernatural_a knowledge_n for_o this_o as_o have_v be_v observe_v before_o 38._o before_o supr_fw-la p._n 37_o 38._o be_v god_n constant_a method_n to_o make_v use_n of_o natural_a mean_n as_o far_o as_o they_o will_v go_v and_o than_o to_o supply_v as_o much_o as_o he_o think_v fit_a over_o and_o above_o 2._o as_o to_o his_o second_o reason_n which_o be_v take_v from_o the_o direction_n the_o apostle_n give_v to_o spiritual_a person_n 1._o cor._n 14._o it_o be_v plain_a by_o that_o very_a chapter_n that_o the_o spirit_n usual_o leave_v gift_v man_n to_o themselves_o to_o exercise_v their_o gift_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a for_o the_o apostle_n tell_v they_o 14.32_o they_o 1_o cor._n 14.32_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o prophet_n and_o from_o several_a place_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n etc._n chapter_n verse_n 5._o 12_o 13_o etc._n etc._n it_o appear_v that_o man_n speak_v in_o unknown_a tongue_n in_o their_o assembly_n when_o there_o be_v no_o body_n present_v that_o understand_v the_o language_n they_o speak_v in_o which_o certain_o they_o will_v never_o have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v be_v under_o the_o immediate_a direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o gift_n and_o the_o speak_n with_o tongue_n mr._n n._n himself_o own_v to_o be_v a_o proper_a kind_n of_o inspiration_n but_o say_v 87._o say_v fr._n p._n 267._o eng._n p._n 87._o that_o when_o they_o thus_o abuse_v their_o gift_n they_o do_v not_o speak_v by_o immediate_a inspiration_n but_o have_v the_o same_o command_n of_o those_o language_n as_o if_o they_o have_v learned_a they_o from_o their_o infancy_n as_o if_o a_o supernatural_a habit_n be_v not_o as_o much_o a_o gift_n as_o a_o single_a act._n and_o this_o likewise_o show_v that_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o gift_a man_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n consist_v rather_o in_o a_o constant_a and_o permanent_a faculty_n habitual_o reside_v in_o their_o mind_n and_o exert_v itself_o either_o as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 31._o ghost_n act._n 4._o 8_o 31._o or_o as_o they_o themselves_o think_v fit_a 18.5_o fit_a act._n 17._o 16_o 18.5_o than_o in_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o inspiration_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v which_o be_v often_o discontinue_v and_o interrupt_v which_o be_v the_o reason_n the_o latter_a never_o speak_v till_o they_o feel_v a_o new_a impulse_n and_o therefore_o usher_v in_o what_o they_o be_v about_o to_o say_v with_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o leave_v off_o when_o that_o impulse_n cease_v and_o this_o difference_n between_o the_o prophetical_a inspiration_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o apostolical_a of_o the_o new_a be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o the_o apostle_n never_o begin_v their_o exhortation_n or_o instruction_n with_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n which_o yet_o be_v think_v a_o good_a argument_n by_o spinoza_n 11._o spinoza_n theol._n polit._n c._n 11._o against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostolical_a write_n though_o i_o think_v it_o be_v a_o very_a weak_a one_o for_o the_o prefix_v their_o name_n before_o their_o epistle_n give_v they_o sufficient_a authority_n and_o a_o just_a title_n to_o inspiration_n and_o now_o i_o have_v run_v through_o the_o most_o considerable_a objection_n which_o this_o author_n have_v raise_v against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o think_v it_o be_v hardly_o worth_a while_n to_o spend_v time_n in_o refute_v other_o little_a cavil_n as_o 62._o as_o fr._n p._n 251_o 252._o eng._n p._n 61_o 62._o that_o the_o apostle_n never_o speak_v with_o the_o same_o authority_n as_o christ_n do_v but_o declare_v they_o say_v nothing_o of_o themselves_o and_o refer_v all_o to_o christ_n for_o sure_a it_o be_v enough_o for_o disciple_n to_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o their_o master_n and_o it_o be_v equivalent_a to_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o prophet_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o the_o same_o argument_n if_o it_o prove_v any_o thing_n will_v hold_v against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o christ_n himself_o because_o he_o say_v 7.16_o say_v john_n 7.16_o my_o doctrine_n be_v not_o i_o but_o his_o that_o send_v i_o and_o 50._o and_o 12._o 49_o 50._o as_o the_o father_n give_v i_o commandment_n so_o i_o speak_v mr._n n._n multiply_v cavil_n about_o the_o synod_n of_o jerusalem_n 64._o jerusalem_n fr._n p._n 252_o 253._o eng._n p._n 63_o 64._o some_o of_o which_o i_o have_v answer_v already_o and_o have_v show_v etc._n show_v p._n 89_o etc._n etc._n that_o there_o be_v several_a reason_n why_o the_o apostle_n shall_v meet_v together_o about_o this_o weighty_a affair_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v here_o add_v one_o more_o viz._n that_o they_o meet_v thus_o to_o give_v a_o precedent_n and_o be_v a_o example_n to_o future_a age_n of_o settle_v church_n affair_n by_o the_o common_a advice_n of_o council_n and_o synod_n i_o shall_v not_o pursue_v all_o the_o critical_a remark_n he_o make_v sup_n make_v ubi_fw-la sup_n upon_o the_o style_n of_o their_o synodical_a letter_n for_o if_o their_o own_o express_a word_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o will_v not_o persuade_v he_o that_o the_o apostle_n think_v themselves_o assist_v with_o the_o immediate_a direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o that_o affair_n i_o i_o despair_v of_o convince_a he_o by_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v say_v nor_o do_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o the_o person_n present_a be_v inspire_v for_o since_o the_o apostle_n preside_v over_o the_o assembly_n and_o the_o determination_n be_v whole_o leave_v to_o they_o if_o they_o be_v inspire_a it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o stamp_v a_o divine_a authority_n upon_o the_o determination_n itself_o though_o it_o be_v publish_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n but_o it_o be_v pity_n the_o apostle_n have_v not_o have_v some_o such_o able_a critic_n as_o our_o author_n among_o they_o to_o direct_v they_o how_o to_o word_n their_o epistle_n and_o if_o mr._n n._n have_v be_v secretary_n to_o the_o council_n no_o doubt_n it_o will_v have_v be_v draw_v up_o with_o much_o more_o exactness_n though_o as_o great_a a_o critic_n as_o himself_o 10.33_o himself_o casaub_n ad_fw-la act._n 10.33_o be_v of_o
history_n commit_v to_o they_o but_o that_o learned_a man_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v attend_v to_o the_o whole_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o josephus_n in_o that_o place_n for_o that_o historian_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o public_a history_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o chief_a priest_n as_o well_o as_o the_o prophet_n but_o that_o the_o care_n of_o the_o public_a record_n be_v commit_v to_o they_o 〈◊〉_d they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o if_o we_o take_v a_o entire_a view_n of_o that_o section_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o josephus_n speak_v not_o only_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o history_n of_o former_a time_n be_v write_v but_o likewise_o how_o they_o be_v preserve_v after_o they_o be_v write_v the_o care_n of_o write_v they_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o prophet_n as_o the_o other_o passage_n assure_v we_o not_o exclude_v those_o priest_n who_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n the_o preserve_v they_o he_o here_o tell_v we_o be_v particular_o the_o business_n of_o the_o priest_n who_o likewise_o exact_o preserve_v the_o genealogy_n of_o their_o nation_n and_o renew_v they_o when_o the_o copy_n be_v impair_v and_o in_o danger_n to_o be_v all_o lose_v by_o war_n and_o other_o accident_n and_o therefore_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o keeper_n of_o the_o public_a record_n whence_o be_v it_o that_o the_o same_o author_n usual_o call_v the_o holy_a write_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d g._n 〈◊〉_d antiq._n p._n 73._o g._n p._n 140._o a._n p._n 176._o g._n the_o book_n lay_v up_o in_o the_o temple_n under_o the_o custody_n of_o the_o priest_n which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o neighbour_a country_n for_o so_o philo_n byblius_n 1_o byblius_n ap._n euseb_n praep._n evang._n l._n 1_o say_v of_o sanchuniathon_n that_o he_o collect_v the_o phenician_a antiquity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d out_o of_o the_o record_n lay_v up_o in_o their_o temple_n but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o subject_n from_o those_o many_o instance_n i_o have_v give_v which_o show_n it_o be_v a_o custom_n among_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v their_o historian_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o man_n who_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o inspiration_n and_o though_o we_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v but_o abridgement_n of_o the_o large_a commentary_n of_o the_o prophet_n yet_o they_o be_v real_o of_o as_o much_o authority_n as_o those_o very_a annal_n will_v be_v which_o be_v write_v by_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o if_o they_o be_v extant_a for_o if_o a_o epitome_n be_v faithful_o make_v and_o i_o suppose_v mr._n n._n do_v not_o question_v the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n whatever_o be_v contain_v in_o it_o have_v the_o same_o authority_n and_o credibility_n with_o the_o original_a write_n so_o that_o if_o we_o lie_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o the_o character_n of_o the_o compiler_n of_o these_o historical_a book_n the_o matter_n and_o design_n of_o they_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o jewish_a canon_n and_o above_o all_o that_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n these_o be_v sufficient_a inducement_n to_o believe_v these_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o god_n direction_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v enough_o to_o give_v divine_a authority_n to_o a_o historical_a book_n though_o neither_o the_o matter_n nor_o word_n of_o it_o be_v indict_v by_o inspiration_n as_o for_o the_o history_n of_o esther_n mr._n n._n have_v take_v much_o pain_n 249._o pain_n fr._n p._n 164_o etc._n etc._n eng._n p._n 249._o and_o show_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o skill_n in_o the_o rule_n of_o dramatic_a poesy_n and_o all_o to_o prove_v that_o this_o book_n look_v like_o a_o fiction_n and_o a_o piece_n of_o tragicomedy_n he_o indeed_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o affirm_v nothing_o in_o this_o matter_n and_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o make_v himself_o a_o party_n in_o the_o dispute_n but_o a_o man_n will_v hardly_o take_v so_o much_o pain_n to_o make_v another_o opinion_n look_v probable_a if_o he_o do_v not_o think_v it_o so_o himself_o but_o whatever_o his_o own_o sentiment_n be_v to_o show_v himself_o impartial_a and_o that_o he_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o conceal_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o critical_o remark_n 252._o remark_n eng._n p._n 169._o fr._n p._n 252._o that_o one_o condition_n necessary_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o dramatic_a write_n be_v want_v viz._n unity_n of_o time_n and_o place_n which_o must_v needs_o seem_v a_o considerable_a objection_n to_o so_o nice_a a_o judge_n but_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v another_o objection_n which_o i_o confess_v have_v more_o weight_n with_o i_o and_o seem_v quite_o to_o turn_v the_o scale_n and_o make_v his_o remark_n appear_v mere_a fancy_n and_o fiction_n viz._n that_o the_o feast_n of_o purim_n be_v real_o observe_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o memory_n of_o the_o deliverance_n record_v in_o this_o book_n and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o make_v i_o believe_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v keep_v a_o anniversary_n feast_n as_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o do_v 15.36_o do_v 2_o mac●_n 15.36_o without_o some_o real_a ground_n for_o it_o and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o the_o true_a occasion_n of_o it_o as_o he_o seem_v to_o insinuate_v 253._o insinuate_v eng._n p_o 170._o fr._n p._n 253._o i_o desire_v either_o he_o will_v prove_v the_o feast_n to_o be_v as_o very_o a_o fiction_n as_o he_o suppose_v the_o history_n be_v or_o else_o inform_v we_o how_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n come_v to_o be_v so_o far_o impose_v upon_o as_o to_o observe_v it_o for_o till_o he_o do_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n i_o shall_v still_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o one_o be_v a_o real_a feast_n and_o the_o other_o a_o true_a history_n but_o though_o this_o play_n do_v not_o succeed_v he_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o give_v over_o but_o try_v his_o skill_n upon_o another_o subject_a and_o turn_v the_o book_n of_o job_n into_o a_o tragicomedy_n 99_o tragicomedy_n fr._n p._n ●●4_n eng._n p._n 99_o and_o i_o confess_v this_o book_n be_v make_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o poetry_n and_o with_o all_o the_o beauty_n of_o it_o too_o as_o a_o ordinary_a reader_n may_v easy_o discover_v under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o a_o translation_n and_o therefore_o methinks_v our_o author_n who_o understand_v the_o rule_n and_o decorum_n of_o poetry_n so_o well_o shall_v not_o be_v offend_v with_o those_o pathetic_a strain_n that_o be_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n and_o some_o other_o place_n of_o that_o book_n for_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o they_o will_v not_o become_v a_o grave_a philosophical_a discourse_n yet_o i_o believe_v he_o may_v have_v find_v several_a speech_n in_o the_o old_a tragedy_n write_v with_o as_o much_o vehemence_n and_o warmth_n and_o yet_o the_o severe_a philosopher_n commend_v those_o write_n and_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o contain_v very_o useful_a instruction_n of_o life_n and_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o god_n may_v not_o in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o thing_n suffer_v the_o holy_a writer_n to_o comply_v so_o far_o with_o their_o own_o genius_n and_o the_o humour_n which_o then_o prevail_v among_o the_o grave_a sage_n of_o the_o world_n as_o to_o deliver_v great_a and_o weighty_a truth_n in_o poetical_a number_n and_o expression_n both_o to_o recommend_v they_o to_o the_o more_o curious_a and_o nice_a reader_n and_o to_o convince_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o despise_v the_o plainness_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v find_v as_o elevate_v thought_n and_o as_o noble_a expression_n in_o the_o holy_a write_n as_o any_o greece_n or_o rome_n can_v boast_v of_o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o use_v a_o plain_a popular_a style_n it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o necessity_n but_o choice_n and_o because_o they_o rather_o aim_v at_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o ignorant_a than_o to_o gain_v applause_n from_o the_o learned_a cant._n learned_a v._o orig._n c._n cell_n p._n 275_o 371_o 372._o ed._n cant._n but_o still_o man_n perhaps_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o say_v that_o these_o expression_n may_v do_v well_o in_o a_o profane_a poem_n but_o be_v not_o so_o proper_a for_o a_o sacred_a one_o and_o do_v not_o become_v the_o mouth_n of_o a_o person_n eminent_a for_o piety_n and_o patience_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o will_v desire_v the_o objector_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o consider_v that_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o 3_o chapter_n of_o this_o book_n which_o so_o much_o offend_v mr._n n._n 100_o n._n fr._n p._n 275._o eng._n p._n 100_o when_o it_o be_v take_v in_o
care_n and_o diligence_n as_o if_o he_o give_v no_o grace_n at_o all_o and_o in_o either_o case_n it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o assign_v just_a how_o far_o nature_n go_v or_o exact_o to_o define_v how_o much_o second_o cause_n contribute_v towards_o the_o production_n of_o the_o effect_n and_o how_o much_o be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n i_o will_v not_o be_v misunderstand_v as_o if_o i_o think_v the_o write_n of_o the_o scripture_n owe_v to_o god_n providence_n no_o otherwise_o than_o as_o other_o common_a event_n in_o the_o world_n be_v or_o that_o there_o be_v no_o great_a degree_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o assistance_n go_v to_o the_o compose_v of_o they_o than_o do_v to_o the_o make_v other_o pious_a and_o good_a book_n i_o hope_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o book_n be_v design_v by_o god_n for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n and_o instruction_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o fix_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o the_o standard_n by_o which_o all_o other_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o then_o i_o think_v it_o be_v to_o reflect_v both_o upon_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o suppose_v that_o he_o do_v not_o assist_v the_o holy_a writer_n with_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o infallibility_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v their_o write_n serviceable_a to_o that_o end_n but_o still_o i_o believe_v that_o the_o extraordinary_a and_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o grace_n agree_v in_o this_o that_o in_o both_o case_n god_n never_o afford_v supernatural_a assistance_n to_o do_v that_o which_o natural_a cause_n be_v sufficient_a to_o effect_v of_o themselves_o and_o that_o his_o constant_a method_n be_v to_o let_v natural_a mean_n go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v and_o then_o supply_v the_o rest_n himself_o and_o if_o mr._n n._n have_v well_o consider_v this_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v his_o pain_n in_o write_v this_o treatise_n or_o however_o innocent_a his_o intention_n may_v be_v in_o write_v it_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o prudent_o do_v in_o the_o editor_n to_o publish_v it_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o be_v sensible_a 54._o sensible_a v._o fr._n p._n 245_o 24●_n eng._n p._n 51_o 54._o that_o very_o ill_a consequence_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o it_o and_o he_o can_v not_o but_o think_v that_o bad_a man_n will_v greedy_o catch_v at_o they_o and_o make_v what_o advantage_n they_o can_v of_o they_o i_o be_o as_o little_a for_o a_o implicit_a faith_n or_o building_n sacred_a truth_n upon_o false_a principle_n as_o he_o or_o his_o interpreter_n 7._o interpreter_n eng._n pref._n p._n 7._o but_o yet_o i_o think_v a_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v well_o advise_v and_o very_o sure_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a before_o he_o venture_v to_o unsettle_v foundation_n i_o find_v the_o publisher_n himself_o be_v of_o the_o mind_n that_o all_o truth_n be_v not_o to_o be_v speak_v at_o all_o time_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v likely_a they_o will_v do_v more_o harm_n than_o good_a 219._o good_a eng._n 123_o 124._o fr_n p._n 219._o and_o therefore_o i_o wonder_v he_o shall_v set_v such_o a_o value_n upon_o that_o which_o at_o best_o be_v but_o a_o probability_n for_o he_o himself_o 127._o himself_o v._o fr_n p._n 245_o 221._o eng._n p._n 51_o 127._o look_v upon_o this_o hypothesis_n to_o be_v no_o more_o as_o to_o venture_v the_o publish_v it_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n and_o though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v the_o principle_n mr._n n._n have_v advance_v in_o his_o treatise_n to_o be_v true_a yet_o i_o can_v look_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v of_o such_o importance_n but_o that_o '_o it_o be_v better_a the_o public_a shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o the_o advantage_n it_o may_v draw_v from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o truth_n than_o to_o be_v visible_o expose_v to_o the_o danger_n of_o abuse_v they_o so_o lamentable_o as_o it_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o do_v which_o the_o publisher_n tell_v we_o 122._o we_o fr._n p._n 218._o eng._n p._n 122._o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o several_a learned_a man_n concern_v these_o paper_n and_o i_o do_v see_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a have_v force_n enough_o in_o it_o to_o make_v these_o gentleman_n alter_v their_o mind_n for_o as_o to_o what_o he_o 126_o he_o fr._n p._n 221._o en._n p._n 126_o allege_v that_o these_o principle_n may_v be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o overthrow_v the_o pretence_n of_o libertine_n though_o i_o grant_v it_o be_v better_a man_n shall_v believe_v as_o much_o of_o the_o scripture_n as_o mr._n n._n do_v than_o none_o at_o all_o yet_o i_o conceive_v it_o a_o very_a improper_a way_n to_o go_v about_o to_o convince_v infidel_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n by_o tell_v they_o that_o several_a of_o those_o write_n which_o go_v under_o that_o name_n be_v mere_a fiction_n and_o romance_n 170._o romance_n fr_n p._n 248._o 253._o eng._n p._n 164_o 170._o and_o piece_n of_o wit_n and_o fancy_n 116._o fancy_n fr._n p._n 274._o 285._o eng._n p._n 99_o 116._o that_o other_o thing_n in_o that_o book_n be_v write_v with_o excessive_a choler_n and_o impatience_n 24._o impatience_n fr._n p._n 228._o eng._n p._n 24._o and_o unworthy_a not_o only_o of_o a_o pious_a man_n but_o even_o of_o a_o honest_a and_o wise_a heathen_a 100_o heathen_a fr._n p._n 275._o eng._n p._n 100_o nay_o that_o some_o of_o the_o write_n that_o go_v under_o the_o venerable_a name_n of_o god_n word_n maintain_v the_o principle_n of_o libertinism_n itself_o 96._o itself_o fr._n p._n 273._o eng._n p._n 96._o and_o have_v expression_n in_o they_o very_o like_o blasphemy_n 101._o blasphemy_n fr._n p._n 275._o eng._n p._n 101._o these_o and_o suchlike_a goodly_a title_n do_v this_o author_n bestow_v upon_o several_a of_o those_o write_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n ever_o since_o have_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o write_v for_o our_o instruction_n certain_o this_o method_n to_o use_v mr._n n_n own_o word_n 100_o word_n fr._n p._n 281._o eng._n p._n 100_o instead_o of_o convert_v libertine_n do_v but_o excite_v their_o raillery_n and_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o impiety_n at_o least_o if_o the_o publisher_n of_o such_o tract_n as_o this_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o convince_v the_o world_n that_o they_o design_v no_o harm_n to_o religion_n they_o ought_v to_o publish_v they_o in_o the_o learned_a language_n that_o none_o but_o scholar_n may_v read_v they_o for_o the_o publish_v such_o write_n in_o vulgar_a language_n prove_v a_o snare_n to_o man_n of_o unsettled_a head_n and_o vicious_a inclination_n they_o have_v not_o capacity_n enough_o to_o examine_v the_o true_a merit_n of_o the_o cause_n or_o to_o weigh_v exact_o what_o can_v be_v say_v on_o both_o side_n in_o such_o nice_a and_o difficult_a subject_n and_o therefore_o they_o present_o run_v away_o with_o any_o thing_n that_o seem_v to_o make_v against_o religion_n without_o consider_v what_o can_v be_v say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n because_o they_o be_v glad_a to_o find_v any_o pretence_n or_o plea_n for_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n but_o if_o the_o editor_n have_v no_o good_a reason_n for_o publish_v this_o treatise_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o translator_n have_v much_o less_o for_o print_v it_o in_o english_a he_o himself_o end_n himself_o engl._n pref._n at_o the_o end_n acknowledge_v that_o this_o treatise_n be_v not_o calculate_v for_o the_o use_n of_o simple-hearted_n pious_a person_n nor_o consequent_o the_o translation_n though_o one_o will_v think_v a_o english_a translation_n be_v make_v for_o the_o use_n of_o ordinary_a english_a reader_n but_o since_o he_o tell_v we_o these_o discourse_n be_v not_o design_v for_o plain_a honest_a illiterate_a christian_n i_o can_v imagine_v why_o they_o be_v translate_v except_o it_o be_v as_o some_o other_o precious_a treatise_n have_v be_v of_o late_a for_o the_o benefit_n of_o dishonest_a illiterate_a atheist_n and_o to_o furnish_v those_o wit_n with_o objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n who_o set_v up_o for_o advocate_n of_o irreligion_n and_o value_v themselves_o for_o reason_v out_o of_o the_o common_a road_n and_o not_o blind_o follow_v the_o dictate_v of_o other_o and_o yet_o for_o all_o their_o mighty_a boast_n can_v only_o repeat_v the_o argument_n which_o other_o man_n put_v into_o their_o mouth_n and_o those_o too_o must_v be_v construe_v into_o english_a before_o they_o can_v understand_v they_o finis_fw-la