of_o time_n often_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v quite_o lay_v aside_o but_o then_o this_o borrow_a and_o metaphorical_a sense_n of_o word_n may_v be_v very_o strange_a to_o man_n of_o other_o country_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v take_v for_o thing_n peculiar_a to_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v use_v the_o horn_n of_o the_o son_n of_o oil_n signify_v in_o our_o way_n of_o expression_n a_o very_a fruitful_a hill_n isa_n 5.1_o and_o horn_n signify_v strength_n in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n as_o familiar_o as_o robur_n or_o oak_n signify_v the_o same_o in_o latin_n and_o not_o only_o the_o valley_n be_v say_v to_o shout_n and_o sing_v ps_n 65.13_o but_o the_o best_a fruit_n in_o the_o land_n be_v in_o the_o hebrew_n call_v the_o sing_n of_o the_o land_n gen._n 43.11_o the_o word_n rock_n be_v often_o use_v to_o denote_v the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n and_o by_o the_o septuagint_n and_o vulgar_a latin_a be_v sometime_o translate_v god_n for_o their_o rock_n be_v not_o as_o our_o rock_n even_o our_o enemy_n be_v judge_n deut._n 32.31_o those_o version_n render_v it_o their_o god_n and_o our_o god_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n v._o 4_o 15_o 18._o ps_n 31.3.73.26_o be_v there_o any_o god_n beside_o i_o yea_o there_o be_v no_o god_n i_o know_v not_o any_o isai_n 46.8_o in_o the_o hebrew_n it_n be_v there_o be_v no_o rock_n as_o the_o margin_n of_o our_o bible_n remark_n this_o use_n of_o metaphor_n arise_v partly_o from_o the_o likeness_n that_o be_v perceive_v between_o thing_n which_o make_v one_o thing_n to_o be_v express_v by_o another_o and_o give_v a_o delightful_a illustration_n to_o the_o thing_n discourse_v of_o and_o partly_o from_o our_o want_n of_o fit_a word_n to_o express_v the_o various_a nature_n of_o thing_n especial_o of_o thing_n spiritual_a which_o we_o common_o speak_v of_o in_o negative_a term_n and_o rather_o deny_v that_o they_o be_v like_o thing_n sensible_a than_o positive_o affirm_v what_o they_o be_v thus_o we_o say_v that_o they_o be_v immaterial_a invisible_a incorruptible_a etc._n etc._n and_o when_o we_o speak_v positive_o of_o they_o we_o must_v use_v such_o word_n as_o sensible_a object_n can_v furnish_v we_o withal_o since_o we_o can_v have_v no_o other_o for_o we_o understand_v their_o nature_n so_o imperfect_o that_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o frame_v a_o language_n on_o purpose_n to_o express_v it_o and_o he_o who_o shall_v go_v about_o such_o a_o work_n will_v neither_o be_v understand_v by_o other_o nor_o well_o know_v what_o he_o mean_v himself_o but_o of_o all_o being_n god_n himself_o be_v so_o far_o above_o our_o comprehension_n that_o we_o can_v never_o speak_v of_o he_o in_o expression_n suitable_a to_o his_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o when_o true_a conception_n be_v have_v of_o he_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o speak_v of_o he_o in_o such_o term_n as_o many_o serve_v to_o raise_v and_o preserve_v in_o we_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o god_n honour_n and_o of_o our_o duty_n to_o he_o the_o reason_n then_o why_o god_n be_v often_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o scripture_n after_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o we_o be_v wont_v to_o speak_v of_o man_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o particular_n 1._o the_o use_n of_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a expression_n be_v usual_a in_o all_o language_n and_o no_o language_n be_v sufficient_a to_o set_v forth_o the_o majesty_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n 2._o the_o peculiar_a nature_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n incline_v or_o constrain_v the_o writer_n in_o that_o language_n to_o express_v themselves_o in_o this_o manner_n gen._n 9.5_o at_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o beast_n will_v i_o require_v it_o that_o be_v i_o will_v require_v it_o of_o every_o beast_n sin_n in_o the_o hebrew_n signify_v a_o sin-offering_a as_o it_o be_v translate_v and_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v understand_v in_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n christ_n be_v make_v sin_n for_o we_o 2_o cor._n 5.21_o we_o read_v jos_n 24.27_o that_o joshua_n say_v unto_o all_o the_o people_n behold_v this_o stone_n shall_v be_v a_o witness_n unto_o we_o for_o it_o have_v hear_v all_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o speak_v unto_o we_o it_o shall_v therefore_o be_v a_o witness_n unto_o you_o lest_o you_o deny_v your_o god_n this_o may_v have_v be_v a_o very_a improper_a and_o unintelligible_a speech_n to_o another_o people_n but_o be_v most_o significant_a and_o emphatical_a to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n who_o well_o understand_v upon_o what_o account_n sense_n be_v often_o ascribe_v to_o inanimate_a thing_n as_o gen._n 31.52_o num._n 20.8_o deâ—t_fw-la 4.26.30.19.32.1_o and_o afterward_o frequent_o by_o the_o prophet_n 3._o a_o express_a law_n be_v make_v against_o the_o worship_v of_o god_n under_o any_o image_n or_o similitude_n and_o the_o people_n be_v put_v in_o mind_n that_o they_o see_v no_o similitude_n but_o only_o hear_v a_o voice_n when_o the_o lord_n speak_v to_o they_o from_o the_o mount_n deut._n 4.12_o and_o that_o he_o be_v without_o change_n or_o repentance_n num._n 23.19_o 1_o sam._n 15.29_o malach_n 3.6_o 4._o when_o this_o caution_n have_v be_v give_v and_o such_o a_o law_n make_v it_o can_v be_v expect_v but_o that_o the_o divine_a writer_n shall_v make_v use_n of_o such_o expression_n as_o be_v common_o use_v and_o be_v as_o common_o understand_v in_o a_o metaphorical_a or_o improper_a sense_n when_o apply_v to_o god_n to_o give_v the_o more_o force_n and_o emphasis_n to_o their_o discourse_n 36.48_o discourse_n maimoâ—id_n more_n nevoch_n par._n 1._o c._n 1_o 26_o 27_o 28_o 36.48_o maimonides_n have_v prove_v from_o the_o propriety_n of_o the_o hebrew_n word_n that_o the_o image_n and_o likeness_n of_o god_n in_o which_o man_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v make_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o faculty_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o he_o lay_v this_o down_o as_o a_o general_a and_o know_a rule_n among_o the_o jew_n loquor_fw-la lex_fw-la secundum_fw-la linguam_fw-la filiorum_fw-la hominum_fw-la and_o he_o likewise_o observe_v that_o both_o onkelos_n and_o jonathan_n have_v in_o their_o paraphrase_n take_v care_n to_o give_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o such_o expression_n as_o seem_v to_o imply_v any_o thing_n corporeal_a in_o god_n the_o scripture_n make_v mention_n of_o his_o eye_n and_o hand_n and_o foot_n to_o express_v the_o effect_n of_o those_o action_n which_o be_v perform_v by_o man_n with_o these_o member_n and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v it_o repent_v the_o lord_n that_o he_o have_v make_v man_n on_o the_o earth_n and_o it_o grieve_v he_o at_o his_o heart_n gen._n 6.6_o this_o be_v well_o understand_v to_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o that_o god_n act_v as_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v when_o they_o change_v their_o mind_n and_o repent_v and_o grieve_v at_o what_o they_o have_v do_v and_o that_o he_o will_v certain_o destroy_v the_o world_n which_o he_o have_v make_v for_o moses_n himself_o instruct_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n that_o god_n be_v without_o any_o bodily_a shape_n or_o substance_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v any_o heart_n or_o to_o be_v grieve_v at_o his_o heart_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o it_o be_v say_v of_o man_n and_o num._n 23.19_o it_o be_v declare_v that_o god_n be_v not_o a_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v lie_v neither_o the_o son_n of_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v and_o when_o god_n say_v that_o it_o repent_v he_o that_o he_o have_v set_v up_o saul_n to_o be_v king_n 1_o sam._n 15.11_o this_o be_v explain_v v._n 29._o where_o we_o read_v that_o the_o strength_n of_o israel_n will_v not_o lie_v nor_o repent_v for_o he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v and_o yet_o again_o in_o the_o last_o verse_n it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o lord_n repent_v that_o he_o have_v make_v saul_n king_n over_o israel_n the_o most_o careless_a writer_n can_v not_o so_o soon_o and_o so_o often_o forget_v himself_o but_o what_o be_v say_v of_o god_n repent_v be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o improper_a and_o figurative_a sense_n to_o imply_v that_o god_n will_v act_v in_o that_o case_n as_o man_n act_v when_o they_o repent_v of_o what_o they_o have_v do_v though_o without_o any_o change_n of_o mind_n or_o any_o grief_n or_o other_o passion_n in_o he_o attend_v it_o the_o effect_n be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o god_n have_v repent_v and_o therefore_o by_o a_o metonymy_a the_o effect_n be_v express_v by_o that_o which_o in_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o such_o effect_n though_o repentance_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o but_o the_o reason_n and_o state_n of_o the_o case_n which_o he_o have_v full_o know_v and_o consider_v from_o all_o eternity_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v surprise_v or_o
till_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o titus_n and_o in_o the_o synagoge_n the_o scripture_n be_v read_v in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n which_o be_v the_o most_o universal_a language_n then_o in_o the_o world_n some_o have_v affirm_v that_o as_o much_o of_o the_o scripture_n as_o be_v write_v in_o solomon_n time_n be_v then_o translate_v into_o the_o syriac_a tongue_n and_o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n 12._o doubt_n clem._n alexand._n strom._n l._n 1._o euseb_n praepar_fw-la evang._n l._n 13._o c._n 12._o but_o that_o at_o least_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v translate_v into_o greek_a before_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a but_o the_o version_n of_o the_o septuagint_n be_v soon_o disperse_v into_o all_o hand_n which_o be_v make_v at_o the_o command_n of_o ptolemaeus_n philadelphus_n to_o who_o likewise_o and_o his_o father_n ult_n father_n euse_n b_o eccl._n hist_o l._n 7._o c._n ult_n aristobulus_n dedicate_v a_o exposition_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o all_o these_o mean_n vast_a multitude_n of_o proselyte_n be_v make_v to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n what_o number_n there_o be_v at_o rome_n of_o this_o religion_n we_o know_v from_o the_o roman_a poet_n and_o historian_n and_o we_o have_v as_o good_a evidence_n of_o the_o spread_a of_o it_o in_o other_o place_n not_o to_o repeat_v what_o have_v be_v already_o relate_v nor_o to_o mention_v particular_a person_n of_o the_o great_a note_n and_o eminency_n nor_o particular_a city_n as_o damascus_n 25._o damascus_n joseph_n de_fw-fr bell._n jud._n l._n 2._o c._n 25._o where_o it_o more_o remarkable_o prevail_v it_o be_v evident_a what_o number_n of_o person_n in_o all_o nation_n profess_v this_o religion_n from_o the_o incredible_a treasure_n which_o crassus_n find_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v ten_o thousand_o talent_n amass_v there_o by_o the_o sum_n of_o gold_n send_v from_o all_o place_n by_o the_o jew_n and_o such_o as_o become_v proselyte_n to_o their_o religion_n and_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o josephus_n cite_v strabo_n authority_n who_o say_v 12._o say_v joseph_n antiq._n l._n 14._o c._n 12._o that_o the_o jew_n be_v every_o where_o disperse_v and_o every_o where_o gain_v man_n over_o to_o their_o religion_n and_o that_o in_o alexandria_n they_o have_v their_o ethnaychae_n or_o proper_a magistrate_n by_o who_o they_o be_v govern_v and_o another_o proof_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o proselyte_n make_v to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n may_v be_v have_v from_o the_o great_a number_n assemble_v 5._o assemble_v joseph_n de_fw-fr bell._n jud._n l._n 7._o c._n 17._o act._n two_o 5._o at_o their_o passover_n and_o at_o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n out_o of_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n thus_o mighty_o prevail_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o hebrew_n till_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n by_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n as_o 979._o as_o ibid._n cap._n 24._o pag._n 979._o josephus_n often_o confess_v be_v destroy_v and_o the_o law_n itself_o with_o the_o utensil_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v carry_v among_o the_o spoil_n in_o titus_n triumph_n and_o when_o the_o jewish_a religion_n have_v its_o full_a period_n and_o accomplishment_n the_o christian_a religion_n which_o succeed_v in_o the_o room_n of_o it_o and_o be_v prefigure_v by_o it_o soon_o spread_v itself_o into_o all_o corner_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o be_v at_o this_o day_n preach_v among_o all_o nation_n but_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o consider_v the_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o may_v be_v requisite_a 1._o to_o produce_v some_o testimony_n of_o the_o heathen_n concern_v the_o jew_n and_o their_o religion_n 2._o to_o show_v that_o there_o have_v be_v always_o remain_v divers_a memorial_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n among_o the_o heathen_a 3._o to_o consider_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o sybilline_a oracle_n i._o as_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a author_n it_o be_v no_o more_o a_o objection_n against_o what_o have_v be_v allege_v though_o they_o have_v take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n than_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o take_v of_o troy_n or_o the_o building_n of_o rome_n that_o the_o scripture_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o either_o of_o they_o the_o greek_a historian_n be_v so_o ignorant_a of_o foreign_a affair_n as_o 1._o as_o joseph_n contr_n ap._n l._n 1._o josephus_n have_v observe_v that_o ephorus_n one_o of_o the_o best_a of_o they_o thought_n spain_n to_o be_v but_o one_o city_n and_o neither_o herodotus_n nor_o thucydides_n nor_o any_o historian_n of_o their_o time_n make_v any_o mention_n of_o the_o roman_n the_o roman_a author_n be_v but_o of_o a_o very_a late_a date_n in_o comparison_n and_o the_o greek_n beside_o their_o ignorance_n in_o antiquity_n and_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o other_o nation_n be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v a_o vain_a people_n who_o despise_v all_o beside_o themselves_o account_v they_o barbarian_n and_o take_v little_a notice_n of_o rome_n itself_o before_o they_o fall_v under_o its_o power_n yet_o many_o of_o the_o heathen_a writer_n as_o josephus_n show_v have_v make_v famous_a mention_n of_o the_o jew_n though_o other_o have_v give_v a_o wrong_n and_o malicious_a account_n of_o they_o who_o he_o prove_v to_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o sometime_o themselves_o some_o again_z have_v omit_v the_o mention_n of_o the_o jew_n though_o they_o have_v never_o so_o much_o occasion_n for_o it_o of_o which_o he_o give_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n in_o one_o hieronymus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v governor_n of_o syria_n and_o write_v a_o book_n of_o the_o successor_n of_o alexander_n and_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o hecataeus_n yet_o never_o vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o jew_n of_o who_o hecataeus_n write_v a_o particular_a book_n but_o the_o work_n of_o he_o and_o of_o many_o other_o greek_a author_n be_v now_o lose_v which_o be_v write_v concern_v the_o jew_n the_o fragment_n whereof_o be_v still_o to_o be_v see_v in_o josephus_n clem._n alexandrinus_n eusebius_n and_o other_o of_o those_o who_o work_n remain_v herodotus_n relate_v the_o victory_n of_o pharaoh_n necho_n in_o the_o battle_n at_o megiddo_n call_v jerusalem_n cadytis_n by_o a_o small_a variation_n as_o 15._o as_o light_n chorog_n on_o st._n mark_n c._n 3._o §._o 6._o strab._n l._n 16._o diodor._fw-la sic._n l._n 1._o plin._n nat._n hist_o l._n 5._o c._n 14._o tacit._n hist_o l._n 15._o dr._n lightfoot_n have_v observe_v for_o kedosha_n that_o be_v the_o holy_a city_n the_o usual_a denomination_n of_o that_o city_n strabo_n mention_n moses_n and_o the_o ancient_a jew_n with_o commendation_n diodorus_n siculus_n name_v moses_n among_o the_o chief_a lawgiver_n of_o ancient_a time_n pliny_n say_v jerusalem_n be_v the_o most_o famous_a city_n not_o only_o of_o judaea_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a east_n tacitus_n himself_o give_v this_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o worship_v the_o supreme_a eternal_a immutable_a be_v but_o above_o all_o varro_z 31._o varro_z s._n aug._n civit._fw-la dei_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 31._o the_o learnede_a of_o the_o roman_n much_o approve_v their_o way_n of_o worship_n as_o be_v free_a from_o that_o idolatry_n which_o he_o can_v not_o but_o dislike_n in_o the_o heathen_a religion_n and_o it_o be_v general_o agree_v by_o all_o that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v receive_v all_o over_o the_o world_n and_o as_o seneca_n 11._o seneca_n ibid._n l._n 6._o c._n 11._o express_v it_o victi_fw-la victoribus_fw-la leges_fw-la dederunt_fw-la ii_o there_o have_v be_v always_o remain_v divers_a memorial_n and_o remembrance_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n among_o the_o heathen_a the_o flood_n of_o noah_n and_o the_o ark_n 3._o ark_n joseph_n antiquit._fw-la l._n 1._o c._n 3._o be_v general_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o heathen_a historian_n and_o the_o flood_n of_o deucalion_n be_v syr._n be_v luciaâ—â—_n de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syr._n plain_o transcribe_v from_o that_o of_o noah_n jove_n be_v a_o plain_a depravation_n of_o the_o word_n jehovah_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n say_v 1._o say_v diod._n sic._n l._n 1._o that_o moses_n receive_v his_o law_n from_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v another_o variation_n from_o it_o and_o this_o prove_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o heathen_a tradition_n concern_v the_o true_a god_n since_o the_o jew_n of_o latter_a time_n will_v not_o speak_v the_o name_n themselves_o much_o less_o communicate_v it_o to_o other_o appollus_fw-la clarius_n be_v consult_v to_o know_v who_o the_o god_n jao_n be_v answer_v that_o he_o be_v the_o supreme_a god_n of_o all_o as_o macrobius_n 18._o macrobius_n macrob._n saturn_n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o inform_v we_o from_o cornelius_n labeo_n which_o both_o show_v that_o the_o heathen_a have_v knowledge_n of_o the_o god_n jehovah_n and_o that_o
not_o distinguish_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o two_o book_n of_o king_n and_o of_o chronicle_n be_v and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o a_o book_n begin_v by_o samuel_n and_o continue_v by_o other_o prophet_n shall_v bear_v the_o name_n only_o of_o samuel_n from_o 1_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o we_o may_v likewise_o learn_v that_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n must_v be_v write_v by_o one_o of_o these_o prophet_n both_o the_o book_n of_o king_n as_o far_o as_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v write_v before_o josiah_n time_n for_o 2_o kin._n 18.5_o it_o be_v say_v of_o hezekiah_n that_o he_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n so_o that_o after_o he_o be_v none_o like_o he_o of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n nor_o any_o that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o of_o josiah_n it_o be_v say_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 25._o that_o like_a unto_o he_o be_v there_o no_o king_n before_o he_o that_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n with_o all_o his_o heart_n etc._n etc._n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o josiah_n in_o his_o reformation_n exceed_v hezekiah_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o history_n of_o hezekiah_n must_v be_v write_v before_o josiah_n time_n or_o else_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v with_o truth_n say_v of_o hezekiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o king_n after_o he_o who_o be_v like_o he_o or_o equal_v he_o of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n from_o 1_o chron._n four_o 43._o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v write_v before_o the_o captivity_n though_o the_o genealogy_n be_v transcribe_v afterward_o out_o of_o the_o record_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o 1_o chron._n ix_o 1._o that_o the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n be_v write_v before_o the_o captivity_n we_o may_v conclude_v from_o 2_o chron._n v._n 9_o 1_o king_n viij_o 8._o for_o the_o ark_n be_v not_o remain_v after_o the_o captivity_n the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o king_n gives_z so_o particular_a a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o carry_v they_o away_o captive_a in_o every_o material_a circumstance_n that_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o that_o very_a time_n and_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o memorir_n be_v constant_o take_v and_o preserve_v of_o all_o that_o happen_v the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n conclude_v with_o the_o first_o year_n of_o cyrus_n in_o the_o same_o word_n with_o which_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n begin_v be_v add_v by_o he_o at_o the_o time_n when_o cyrus_n give_v out_o his_o proclamation_n for_o the_o prophet_n from_o time_n to_o time_n make_v continuation_n to_o the_o history_n of_o their_o predecessor_n by_o insert_v what_o relate_v to_o their_o own_o time_n and_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n among_o the_o ancient_n as_o grotius_n observe_v to_o begin_v one_o book_n with_o the_o conclusion_n of_o another_o the_o psalm_n be_v quote_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o prophet_n mat._n xiii_o 35_o &_o xxvii_o 35._o and_o from_o the_o first_o pen_n they_o be_v use_v in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n 1_o chron._n xuj_o 7._o 2_o chron._n v._n 13._o &_o seven_o 6._o &_o xx_o 21._o jer._n xxxiii_o 11._o ezra_n iii._o 10_o 11._o this_o be_v know_v even_o to_o their_o enemy_n in_o their_o captivity_n psal_n cxxxvii_o 3._o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o prophet_n under_o it_o and_o lesson_n out_o of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n with_o hymn_n out_o of_o the_o psalm_n and_o prayer_n make_v up_o the_o jewish_a form_n of_o worship_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v put_v for_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n luke_n xuj_o 29._o act_n xiii_o 15._o and_o if_o both_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n comprehend_v all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v still_o extant_a and_o well_o know_v and_o make_v use_v of_o by_o pious_a man_n during_o all_o that_o time_n and_o the_o people_n have_v copy_n of_o they_o or_o have_v mean_n and_o opportunity_n of_o be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o as_o the_o prophet_n zechariah_n suppose_v zech._n seven_o 7._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o they_o have_v not_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n at_o their_o restoration_n many_o be_v still_o alive_a who_o be_v first_o carry_v away_o captive_a and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n during_o the_o captivity_n show_v that_o the_o people_n do_v understand_v it_o for_o they_o all_o write_v in_o the_o hebrew_n language_n except_o upon_o some_o particular_a occasion_n where_o their_o prophecy_n more_o immediate_o concern_v the_o babylonian_a affair_n both_o man_n and_o woman_n can_v understand_v ezra_n when_o he_o read_v the_o law_n and_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o the_o people_n be_v attentive_a unto_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n neh._n viij_o 3._o and_o it_o be_v not_o the_o language_n unless_o in_o some_o particular_n which_o in_o all_o language_n will_v want_v explication_n to_o the_o vulgar_a who_o be_v native_n but_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v that_o be_v interpret_v ver_fw-la 7_o 8._o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o letter_n of_o artaxerxes_n be_v both_o write_v in_o the_o syrian_a tongue_n and_o interpret_v in_o the_o syrian_a tongue_n ezra_n four_o 7._o nehemiah_n particular_o complain_v that_o the_o child_n of_o those_o who_o have_v marry_v strange_a wife_n can_v not_o speak_v in_o the_o jew_n language_n which_o suppose_v that_o the_o child_n of_o other_o parent_n as_o well_o as_o the_o parent_n themselves_o be_v teach_v to_o speak_v the_o hebrew_n tongue_n neh._n xiii_o 24._o and_o the_o decree_n of_o ahasuerus_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v write_v unto_o every_o province_n according_a unto_o the_o write_n thereof_o and_o unto_o every_o people_n after_o their_o language_n and_o unto_o the_o jew_n according_a to_o their_o writing_n and_o according_a to_o their_o language_n est_fw-la viij_o 9_o which_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o the_o jew_n still_o retain_v not_o only_o their_o language_n but_o their_o manner_n of_o write_v it_o or_o the_o form_n and_o fashion_n of_o their_o letter_n under_o the_o captivity_n not_o long_o after_o the_o captivity_n the_o scripture_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o be_v disperse_v into_o so_o many_o hand_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n that_o the_o copy_n can_v not_o be_v destroy_v either_o in_o the_o time_n of_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n or_o at_o any_o other_o time_n by_o the_o malice_n of_o perscutor_n or_o any_o other_o accident_n and_o though_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o fond_a of_o their_o tradition_n as_o to_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o they_o yet_o they_o never_o add_v any_o book_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o tradition_n which_o they_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o but_o when_o they_o have_v no_o long_o any_o prophet_n among_o they_o they_o dare_v not_o place_v any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o same_o rank_a and_o authority_n with_o those_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v leave_v behind_o they_o all_o the_o canonical_a book_n be_v write_v by_o inspire_a author_n and_o have_v be_v in_o constant_a use_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o private_a house_n and_o public_a assembly_n even_o from_o the_o first_o write_v they_o for_o they_o be_v preserve_v during_o the_o captivity_n and_o both_o understand_v and_o use_v by_o the_o people_n but_o their_o other_o book_n write_v under_o the_o second_o temple_n though_o never_o so_o useful_a and_o pious_a be_v never_o receive_v with_o the_o like_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n they_o pretend_v to_o no_o more_o than_o humane_a composition_n and_o be_v never_o rank_v with_o those_o of_o divine_a authority_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o false_a prophet_n prophesy_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jehovah_n 1_o king_n xxii_o which_o suppose_v that_o true_a prophecy_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v deliver_v in_o his_o name_n or_o else_o they_o can_v never_o have_v hope_v to_o deceive_v by_o it_o and_o in_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o which_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v relate_v reference_n be_v frequent_o make_v to_o the_o record_n then_o extant_a in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n most_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v of_o that_o public_a nature_n and_o so_o intermix_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o state_n that_o they_o must_v be_v record_v together_o with_o they_o josiah_n 5._o josiah_n joseph_n antiquit._fw-la l._n 10._o c._n 5._o be_v prophesy_v of_o by_o name_n three_o hundred_o sixty_o one_o year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v behold_v a_o child_n shall_v be_v bear_v unto_o the_o house_n of_o david_n josiah_n by_o name_n
but_o thus_o much_o in_o this_o place_n shall_v suffice_v all_o particular_n have_v be_v large_o insist_v upon_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n and_o since_o as_o sure_a as_o there_o be_v a_o god_n there_o must_v be_v a_o reveal_v religion_n if_o any_o man_n will_v dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n let_v he_o instance_n in_o any_o other_o religion_n that_o can_v make_v a_o better_a plea_n and_o have_v more_o certainty_n that_o it_o come_v from_o god_n let_v he_o produce_v any_o other_o religion_n that_o have_v more_o visible_a character_n of_o divinity_n in_o it_o and_o we_o will_v not_o scruple_n to_o be_v of_o it_o but_o if_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o show_v any_o such_o as_o have_v be_v prove_v than_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o this_o since_o there_o must_v be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n and_o if_o that_o religion_n which_o have_v more_o evidence_n for_o it_o than_o any_o other_o religion_n can_v be_v pretend_v to_o have_v and_o all_o that_o it_o can_v be_v requisite_a for_o it_o to_o have_v suppose_v it_o true_a and_o which_o it_o be_v therefore_o impossible_a to_o discover_v to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o be_v so_o if_o this_o religion_n be_v not_o true_a god_n must_v be_v want_v to_o mankind_n in_o what_o concern_v their_o eternal_a interest_n and_o happiness_n he_o must_v be_v want_v to_o himself_o and_o to_o his_o own_o attribute_n of_o goodness_n justice_n and_o truth_n and_o therefore_o he_o that_o upon_o a_o due_a examination_n of_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o motive_n to_o it_o will_v not_o be_v a_o christian_n can_v be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o atheist_n if_o he_o discern_v the_o consequence_n of_o thing_n and_o will_v hold_v to_o his_o own_o principle_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o medium_fw-la if_o we_o right_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o as_o sure_a as_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a the_o gospel_n be_v reveal_v by_o he_o chap._n ii_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n have_v prove_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o last_o place_n upon_o these_o principle_n give_v a_o resolution_n of_o our_o faith_n which_o be_v a_o subject_n that_o have_v cause_v such_o unnecessary_a and_o unhappy_a dispute_n among_o christian_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n for_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n this_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o controversy_n as_o indeed_o it_o can_v not_o then_o and_o ought_v not_o now_o to_o be_v 1._o consider_v the_o scripture_n only_o as_o a_o history_n contain_v the_o action_n and_o doctrine_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o have_v the_o great_a humane_a testimony_n that_o can_v be_v of_o man_n who_o have_v all_o the_o opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n etc._n etc._n which_o give_v evidence_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o doctrine_n as_o reveal_v from_o god_n and_o who_o can_v have_v no_o interest_n to_o deceive_v other_o but_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o danger_n and_o infamy_n and_o torment_n by_o bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n whereas_o imposture_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v invent_v not_o to_o incur_v such_o suffering_n but_o to_o avoid_v they_o or_o to_o obtain_v the_o advantage_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n and_o so_o this_o testimony_n amount_v to_o a_o moral_a certainty_n or_o as_o it_o be_v proper_o enough_o call_v by_o some_o to_o a_o moral_a infallibility_n because_o it_o imply_v a_o moral_a impossibility_n of_o our_o be_v deceive_v by_o it_o such_o a_o certainty_n it_o be_v as_o that_o nothing_o with_o any_o reason_n can_v be_v object_v against_o it_o we_o can_v have_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v and_o suffer_v and_o teach_v what_o the_o scripture_n relate_v of_o they_o in_o jerusalem_n antioch_n etc._n etc._n as_o that_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o place_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o we_o have_v that_o much_o better_o attest_v than_o this_o for_o many_o man_n have_v die_v in_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o ii_o this_o testimony_n be_v consider_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n testify_v as_o it_o concern_v eternal_a salvation_n which_o be_v of_o the_o great_a concernment_n to_o all_o mankind_n it_o appear_v that_o god_n veracity_n and_o goodness_n be_v engage_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v deceive_v inevitable_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o consequence_n so_o that_o this_o moral_a infallibility_n become_v hereby_o absolute_a infallibility_n and_o that_o which_o be_v before_o but_o humane_a faith_n become_v divine_a be_v ground_v not_o upon_o humane_a testimony_n but_o upon_o the_o divine_a attribute_n which_o do_v attest_v and_o confirm_v that_o humane_a testimony_n and_o so_o divine_a testimony_n be_v the_o ultimate_a ground_n why_o i_o believe_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v no_o particular_a reveal_v testimony_n indeed_o but_o that_o which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o it_o viz._n the_o constant_a attestation_n of_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n for_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n to_o let_v man_n be_v deceive_v without_o any_o possible_a help_n or_o remedy_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o importance_n and_o so_o we_o have_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n absolute_o infallible_a because_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n that_o god_n do_v confirm_v this_o humane_a testimony_n by_o his_o own_o iii_o the_o argument_n than_o proceed_v thus_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v false_a it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o discover_v they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n of_o almighty_a god_n to_o suffer_v a_o deceit_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o pass_v upon_o mankind_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o a_o discovery_n therefore_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v not_o false_a here_o be_v 1._o the_o object_n or_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v viz._n that_o the_o revelation_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n be_v from_o god_n 2._o the_o motive_n or_o evidence_n to_o induce_v our_o belief_n viz._n humane_a testimony_n 3._o a_o confirmation_n of_o that_o testimony_n or_o the_o formal_a principle_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o belief_n viz._n the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o truth_n the_o object_n therefore_o or_o thing_n believe_v be_v the_o same_o to_o we_o that_o it_o be_v to_o those_o who_o see_v the_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o scripture_n stand_v confirm_v viz._n the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o our_o belief_n be_v the_o same_o that_o they_o be_v viz._n the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o truth_n whereby_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v miracle_n to_o be_v wrought_v in_o his_o own_o name_n according_a to_o prophecy_n former_o deliver_v and_o with_o all_o other_o circumstance_n of_o credibility_n only_o to_o confirm_v a_o lye_n the_o only_a difference_n then_o between_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n in_o we_o and_o in_o the_o christian_n who_o be_v convert_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v this_o that_o though_o we_o believe_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n and_o reason_n with_o they_o yet_o we_o have_v not_o the_o same_o immediate_a motive_n or_o evidence_n to_o induce_v our_o belief_n or_o to_o satisfy_v we_o in_o these_o reason_n and_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v upon_o these_o ground_n that_o be_v to_o satisfy_v and_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v final_o resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o be_v as_o well_o certify_v to_o we_o as_o his_o divine_a attribute_n can_v render_v it_o for_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o this_o from_o what_o their_o own_o sense_n receive_v but_o we_o have_v our_o assurance_n of_o it_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o the_o question_n therefore_o will_v be_v whether_o the_o motive_n and_o argument_n for_o this_o belief_n in_o we_o or_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o become_v assure_v that_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o as_o sufficient_a to_o produce_v a_o divine_a faith_n in_o we_o and_o to_o establish_v our_o faith_n upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o the_o motive_n and_o argument_n which_o those_o have_v who_o live_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o see_v their_o miracle_n can_v be_v to_o produce_v that_o faith_n in_o they_o which_o resolve_v itself_o into_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o this_o enquiry_n will_v depend_v upon_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o whether_o
and_o such_o prophecy_n deliver_v as_o give_v to_o the_o scripture_n the_o full_a evidence_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n if_o therefore_o it_o be_v inquire_v why_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o answer_n be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n which_o concur_v with_o all_o other_o circumstance_n requisite_a in_o a_o revelation_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v how_o we_o know_v that_o these_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v true_a and_o effectual_a and_o not_o feign_v or_o insufficient_a i_o answer_v because_o we_o have_v they_o so_o relate_v and_o attest_v that_o consider_v bare_o as_o matter_n of_o fact_n they_o have_v all_o the_o credibility_n that_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o therefore_o may_v as_o safe_o be_v rely_v upon_o as_o any_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v ourselves_o see_v or_o hear_v if_o it_o be_v further_o urge_v that_o for_o all_o this_o i_o may_v be_v deceive_v since_o all_o man_n be_v fallible_a and_o no_o man_n be_v infallible_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o rome_n who_o never_o see_v it_o though_o no_o man_n neither_o can_v any_o more_o doubt_n of_o it_o than_o he_o can_v doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o london_n who_o live_v in_o it_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o bare_a possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o all_o humane_a evidence_n but_o yet_o i_o deny_v that_o we_o can_v possible_o be_v deceive_v in_o this_o case_n because_o though_o the_o evidence_n itself_o be_v humane_a yet_o the_o thing_n which_o it_o concern_v be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o god_n will_v never_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o be_v thus_o long_o impose_v upon_o in_o they_o without_o all_o possibility_n of_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n so_o that_o here_o we_o resolve_v our_o faith_n into_o the_o divine_a authority_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o same_o miracle_n by_o reason_n whereof_o the_o eye_n witness_n of_o they_o do_v resolve_v they_o into_o it_o but_o they_o believe_v these_o miracle_n as_o see_v by_o themselves_o and_o we_o believe_v they_o as_o see_v and_o witness_v by_o other_o but_o both_o they_o and_o we_o believe_v they_o as_o the_o work_n of_o god_n himself_o it_o may_v have_v be_v allege_v if_o we_o have_v see_v those_o miracle_n that_o we_o may_v possible_o be_v decive_v and_o so_o indeed_o we_o may_v if_o we_o can_v not_o have_v secure_o rely_v upon_o god_n truth_n and_o goodness_n that_o they_o be_v design_v by_o he_o to_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v and_o we_o may_v with_o equal_a security_n rely_v upon_o the_o same_o truth_n and_o goodness_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o history_n of_o they_o as_o we_o can_v have_v do_v for_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o they_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v though_o they_o have_v be_v perform_v in_o our_o sight_n since_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a to_o find_v out_o any_o deceit_n in_o the_o account_n give_v of_o they_o as_o it_o will_v have_v be_v for_o we_o to_o find_v any_o in_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o performance_n humane_a testimony_n be_v the_o conveyance_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o deliver_v the_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n down_o to_o we_o and_o we_o who_o can_v neither_o see_v the_o miracle_n nor_o hear_v the_o doctrine_n at_o the_o first_o hand_n have_v at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o they_o ascertain_v by_o a_o continue_a successive_a testimony_n till_o we_o arrive_v at_o such_o as_o be_v immediate_a witness_n of_o they_o now_o those_o that_o see_v and_o hear_v all_o thing_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n can_v not_o esteem_v their_o sense_n infallible_a but_o they_o notwithstanding_o believe_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n to_o be_v so_o of_o who_o yet_o their_o sense_n only_o can_v give_v they_o mean_n of_o assurance_n that_o they_o be_v infallible_a they_o know_v their_o sense_n may_v deceive_v they_o or_o that_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v concern_v the_o object_n of_o sense_n but_o nevertheless_o they_o believe_v that_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o deceive_v they_o upon_o this_o only_a ground_n that_o their_o sense_n or_o their_o reason_n by_o deduction_n from_o sense_n tell_v they_o so_o there_o be_v not_o one_o man_n of_o they_o perhaps_o but_o have_v often_o observe_v his_o sense_n misrepresent_v object_n to_o he_o and_o yet_o in_o this_o case_n upon_o the_o sole_a testimony_n of_o their_o sense_n they_o ground_v a_o infallible_a faith_n because_o though_o their_o sense_n have_v misrepresent_v object_n yet_o it_o be_v in_o a_o wrong_a medium_n at_o a_o undue_a distance_n or_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o indisposition_n of_o the_o sense_n itself_o and_o still_o their_o sense_n or_o rather_o their_o reason_n by_o the_o help_n of_o their_o sense_n discover_v that_o their_o sense_n have_v lead_v they_o into_o mistake_n but_o in_o the_o present_a case_n when_o the_o object_n be_v place_v in_o open_a and_o frequent_a view_n to_o the_o great_a advantage_n when_o it_o be_v public_a and_o expose_v to_o multitude_n when_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o opinion_n concern_v it_o and_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v of_o infinite_a importance_n here_o they_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o god_n who_o frame_v their_o sense_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v so_o hurtful_a to_o they_o as_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v be_v deceive_v by_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n in_o the_o testimony_n which_o descend_v to_o we_o from_o former_a age_n we_o see_v with_o other_o man_n eye_n and_o hear_v with_o other_o man_n ear_n and_o though_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o may_v often_o fail_v we_o and_o be_v subject_a to_o a_o double_a inconveniency_n through_o the_o incapacity_n and_o unfaithfulness_n of_o witness_n yet_o as_o in_o the_o former_a case_n so_o here_o when_o all_o circumstance_n be_v weigh_v and_o consider_v and_o after_o the_o utmost_a trial_n no_o reason_n can_v be_v find_v to_o withhold_v our_o assent_n but_o all_o thing_n stand_v undisprove_v and_o no_o just_a scruple_n appear_v but_o only_o a_o bare_a possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v and_o this_o arise_v not_o from_o any_o defect_n but_o that_o of_o humane_a nature_n itself_o here_o god_n goodness_n and_o his_o truth_n must_v needs_o interpose_v to_o take_v away_o that_o only_a impediment_n which_o otherwise_o must_v unavoidable_o hinder_v any_o thing_n from_o ever_o be_v know_v to_o be_v infallible_a the_o only_a certainty_n which_o we_o can_v have_v that_o our_o sense_n be_v true_a be_v this_o that_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v deceive_v where_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o medium_n and_o distance_n of_o the_o object_n and_o all_o other_o circumstance_n be_v right_o qualify_v because_o that_o will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o his_o attribute_n of_o justice_n goodness_n and_o truth_n but_o it_o will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o these_o attribute_n not_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o body_n for_o they_o will_v be_v provide_v for_o as_o well_o though_o our_o sense_n be_v delude_v we_o shall_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o taste_v just_a as_o we_o do_v now_o though_o we_o be_v never_o so_o much_o deceive_v in_o these_o sensation_n therefore_o the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n be_v engage_v not_o to_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o respect_n to_o our_o soul_n not_o in_o regard_n to_o our_o body_n and_o if_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n that_o our_o sense_n do_v not_o deceive_v we_o but_o because_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v such_o a_o cheat_n to_o be_v put_v upon_o we_o as_o we_o be_v intelligent_a and_o rational_a being_n we_o have_v the_o same_o and_o much_o great_a reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o lie_v under_o such_o a_o delusion_n in_o reference_n to_o our_o eternal_a interest_n if_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v our_o mind_n unavoidable_o to_o lie_v under_o a_o temporal_a delusion_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n have_v we_o not_o much_o more_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o unavoidable_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o any_o mean_n whatsoever_o in_o reference_n to_o our_o eternal_a interest_n for_o in_o this_o case_n to_o be_v deceive_v be_v to_o be_v destroy_v and_o to_o suffer_v it_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n worse_o than_o if_o he_o shall_v suffer_v all_o mankind_n at_o once_o not_o only_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o their_o sense_n but_o to_o be_v poison_v by_o that_o deceit_n and_o therefore_o the_o special_a providence_n and_o particular_a care_n of_o god_n must_v be_v concern_v to_o prevent_v it_o
or_o other_o preserve_v than_o that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v it_o out_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o egyptian_n to_o omit_v the_o mâ—ntion_n of_o these_o person_n of_o who_o they_o haâ—_n any_o â—islike_n or_o who_o have_v make_v themselves_o oâ—ioâ—s_o to_o they_o thus_o in_o the_o xxth_o dynasty_n of_o their_o king_n there_o be_v a_o total_a vacancy_n for_o the_o spacâ—_n of_o clxxviii_o year_n which_o the_o learned_a mr._n greaves_n with_o great_a probability_n supply_v with_o the_o name_n of_o those_o king_n who_o build_v the_o pyramid_n two_o whereof_o cheops_n and_o chephren_n as_o 128._o as_o herod_n lib._n 2._o c._n 128._o herodotus_n say_v the_o egyptian_n out_o of_o hatred_n to_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o name_n but_o call_v the_o pyramid_n which_o they_o have_v erect_v the_o pyramid_n of_o philition_n a_o shepherd_n who_o in_o those_o day_n feed_v his_o cattle_n there_o the_o which_o hatred_n say_v â—â—idoâ—raph_v say_v 〈…〉_o â—â—idoâ—raph_v mr._n greaves_n occasion_v by_o their_o oppressious_a as_o diodorus_n also_o mention_n may_v cause_n manethos_n to_o omit_v the_o rest_n especiaâ—â—_n sabachus_n a_o aethiopian_a and_o a_o usurper_n but_o whatever_o account_n be_v to_o be_v give_v of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n in_o that_o particular_a this_o make_v the_o history_n of_o that_o nation_n in_o general_a very_o uncertain_a and_o may_v afford_v a_o sufâ—â—erent_a reason_n why_o the_o jew_n be_v either_o omit_v or_o 〈◊〉_d by_o heathen_a historian_n who_o have_v what_o they_o relate_v of_o they_o from_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o hebrew_n neither_o live_v with_o the_o egyptian_n nor_o leave_v they_o upon_o such_o term_n as_o to_o have_v their_o story_n faithful_o tell_v by_o a_o nation_n who_o will_v suffer_v nothing_o to_o pass_v down_o to_o posterity_n if_o they_o can_v help_v it_o that_o be_v displease_v to_o they_o when_o it_o happen_v but_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v so_o notorious_a as_o not_o to_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v whole_o stifle_v they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o vary_v and_o deface_v it_o with_o false_a circumstance_n in_o the_o report_n which_o they_o give_v out_o concern_v it_o and_o here_o i_o must_v once_o more_o complain_v of_o mr._n blount_n who_o as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v a_o egyptian_a historian_n that_o have_v a_o implacable_a hatred_n of_o our_o religion_n profess_v to_o translate_v that_o place_n of_o tacitus_n which_o concern_v the_o original_a of_o the_o jew_n cut_v his_o translation_n short_a and_o go_v no_o fâ—rther_a than_o the_o vilify_n and_o false_a part_n of_o the_o account_n which_o tacitus_n give_v for_o his_o character_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o relation_n of_o what_o pompey_n discover_v upon_o his_o entrance_n into_o the_o temple_n be_v omit_v and_o beside_o that_o which_o he_o have_v translate_v be_v far_o from_o be_v exact_a but_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o that_o in_o speak_v of_o the_o ark_n he_o have_v make_v sir_n thomas_n brown_n say_v that_o will_v not_o appear_v feasible_a which_o the_o learned_a knight_n have_v say_v will_v appear_v feasible_a so_o he_o have_v deal_v no_o better_a with_o tacitus_n make_v he_o likewise_o deny_v what_o he_o have_v affirm_v tacitus_n v._n tacitus_n tâ—â—â—_n hist_o lib._n v._n say_v he_o ritus_fw-la quoquo_fw-la modo_fw-la inducti_fw-la antiquitate_fw-la defenduntur_fw-la these_o rite_n by_o what_o mean_v soever_o introduce_v be_v defend_v by_o their_o antiquity_n which_o 13â—_n which_o oâ—â—â—_n of_o reason_n p._n 13â—_n mr._n blount_n translate_v thus_o but_o by_o what_o mean_v soever_o they_o have_v be_v introduce_v they_o have_v no_o antiquity_n for_o their_o patronization_n this_o be_v to_o use_v the_o history_n of_o tacitus_n as_o ill_o as_o he_o do_v that_o of_o the_o bible_n and_o much_o worse_a than_o tacitus_n himself_o have_v do_v the_o jew_n for_o if_o it_o be_v right_o understand_v what_o tacitus_n have_v write_v of_o the_o jew_n prove_v a_o very_a remarkable_a vindication_n of_o their_o religion_n he_o say_v indeed_o that_o they_o consecrate_v the_o image_n of_o a_o ass_n but_o he_o say_v it_o only_o as_o a_o report_n which_o he_o confute_v afterward_o himself_o by_o acknowledge_v that_o pompey_n when_o he_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n find_v no_o image_n in_o it_o and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o religion_n he_o say_v aegyptij_fw-la pelraque_fw-la animalia_fw-la effigiesque_fw-la compositas_fw-la venerantur_fw-la judaei_n ment_fw-la sell_v unumque_fw-la 〈◊〉_d intelligunt_fw-la profanos_fw-la qui_fw-la deum_fw-la imagine_v mortalibus_fw-la materiis_fw-la in_o species_n hominum_fw-la effingunt_fw-la summum_fw-la illud_fw-la aeternum_fw-la neque_fw-la mutabile_fw-la neque_fw-la interiturum_fw-la igitur_fw-la nulla_fw-la simulachra_fw-la vrbibâ—s_fw-la suis_fw-la nedum_fw-la templis_fw-la sunt_fw-la which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o what_o this_o historian_n write_v before_o in_o these_o word_n effigiem_fw-la animalis_fw-la quo_fw-la monstrante_fw-la errorem_fw-la sitimque_fw-la depâ—lerunt_fw-la penetâ—ali_fw-la sacravere_fw-la that_o some_o have_v charge_v he_o with_o contradict_v himself_o but_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o story_n of_o their_o worship_v a_o ass_n be_v relate_v as_o a_o tradition_n which_o be_v afterward_o sufficient_o confute_v by_o his_o own_o account_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o by_o what_o pompey_n find_v nullà _fw-fr nitus_fw-la deum_fw-la effigy_n vacuam_fw-la sedem_fw-la &_o inania_fw-la arcana_fw-la whatever_o his_o design_n be_v and_o however_o his_o obscure_a way_n of_o writing_n have_v make_v he_o to_o be_v misunderstand_v there_o can_v hardly_o be_v any_o thing_n say_v more_o for_o the_o truth_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n than_o what_o tacitus_n have_v deliver_v of_o it_o and_o if_o any_o one_o will_v compare_v that_o which_o tully_n have_v say_v in_o the_o same_o flacco_fw-la same_o pro_fw-la flacco_fw-la oration_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o of_o the_o jew_n he_o must_v conclude_v that_o what_o be_v speak_v against_o the_o jew_n be_v rather_o to_o their_o commendation_n than_o to_o their_o disgrace_n tully_n there_o declare_v the_o greek_n to_o be_v of_o no_o credit_n nor_o esteem_n but_o unfaithful_a and_o of_o the_o worst_a reputation_n even_o to_o a_o proverb_n in_o their_o testimony_n and_o oath_n he_o be_v careful_a not_o to_o involve_v the_o athenian_n and_o lacedaemonian_n in_o the_o common_a scandal_n who_o appear_v for_o his_o client_n and_o give_v a_o high_a character_n of_o the_o massilian_n and_o will_v seem_v to_o confine_v his_o discourse_n to_o the_o asiatic_a greek_n by_o who_o own_o confession_n he_o say_v the_o people_n of_o phrygia_n mysia_n caria_n and_o lydia_n be_v proverbial_o infamous_a when_o he_o have_v express_v this_o contempt_n of_o the_o greek_n he_o fall_v next_o upon_o the_o jew_n but_o what_o have_v he_o to_o say_v of_o they_o he_o call_v their_o religion_n a_o barbarous_a superstition_n and_o jerusalem_n a_o suspicious_a and_o rail_a city_n and_o he_o pronounce_v the_o jewish_a religion_n to_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o splendour_n and_o gravity_n and_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o roman_n he_o insinuate_v that_o they_o be_v a_o people_n not_o well_o affect_v to_o the_o roman_a state_n and_o urge_v the_o conquest_n of_o they_o by_o pompey_n as_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n when_o so_o very_o learned_a a_o orator_n have_v nothing_o but_o these_o common_a topic_n of_o slander_n to_o charge_v they_o withal_o though_o it_o be_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o câ—use_n to_o speak_v the_o worst_a he_o know_v of_o they_o what_o can_v be_v a_o great_a justification_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o religion_n one_o of_o the_o accusation_n lay_v against_o flaccus_n who_o defence_n tully_n have_v undertake_v be_v that_o sum_v of_o gold_n have_v be_v wont_a to_o be_v send_v out_o of_o italy_n and_o out_o of_o all_o the_o roman_a province_n to_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n flaccus_n have_v forbid_v any_o to_o be_v export_v from_o asia_n here_o it_o concern_v tully_n to_o expose_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o to_o vindicate_v the_o prohibition_n relate_v to_o it_o but_o he_o who_o never_o speak_v little_a upon_o any_o subject_a that_o can_v afford_v a_o scope_n for_o his_o eloquence_n say_v so_o little_a here_o to_o the_o dispraise_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o religion_n that_o the_o commendation_n of_o another_o have_v be_v less_o to_o their_o honour_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o tully_n mention_n nothing_o of_o their_o worship_v a_o ass_n which_o be_v so_o groundless_a and_o foolish_a a_o slander_n that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v what_o can_v give_v occasion_n to_o it_o and_o perhaps_o no_o better_a account_n of_o it_o can_v be_v assign_v than_o that_o the_o enemy_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v resolve_v to_o fasten_v the_o worst_a and_o most_o ridiculous_a falsehood_n they_o can_v upon_o it_o but_o if_o it_o may_v be_v permit_v i_o to_o add_v a_o conjecture_n to_o those_o which_o have_v be_v make_v by_o
it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o little_a mind_n when_o one_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v himself_o only_o by_o singularity_n by_o a_o odd_a dress_n or_o a_o new_a mode_n when_o his_o wit_n border_n upon_o madness_n and_o profaneness_n and_o his_o learning_n be_v all_o out_o of_o the_o way_n many_o who_o be_v neither_o heterodox_n in_o religion_n nor_o fond_a of_o be_v singular_a in_o any_o thing_n else_o have_v show_v a_o extraordinary_a sagacity_n and_o a_o surprise_a variety_n of_o excellent_a learning_n upon_o subject_n which_o be_v unusual_a and_o in_o themselves_o but_o little_a considerable_a and_o i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o some_o of_o the_o man_n of_o singularity_n have_v no_o worse_o design_n than_o to_o gratify_v a_o little_a vanity_n and_o to_o appear_v like_o some_o body_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o learning_n as_o if_o learning_n be_v a_o mere_a trifle_n a_o very_a play-thing_n to_o be_v employ_v to_o no_o serious_a and_o useful_a purpose_n but_o will_v serve_v only_o to_o give_v man_n occasion_n to_o talk_v and_o to_o be_v talk_v of_o this_o be_v call_v pedantry_n and_o i_o know_v not_o why_o that_o shall_v go_v under_o a_o better_a name_n which_o be_v of_o a_o worse_a nature_n and_o join_v the_o trifle_a of_o pedantry_n to_o the_o mischief_n of_o irreligion_n if_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n will_v but_o busy_v themselves_o no_o worse_o than_o tiberius_n do_v when_o he_o examine_v who_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o hecuba_n what_o name_n achilles_n go_v by_o whilst_o he_o hide_v himself_o in_o woman_n apparel_n and_o what_o song_n those_o be_v which_o the_o siren_n be_v wont_a to_o sing_v those_o indeed_o be_v profound_a inquiry_n and_o so_o worthy_a of_o they_o that_o it_o be_v pity_v they_o shall_v be_v disturb_v in_o such_o ingenious_a disquisition_n but_o if_o man_n will_v be_v for_o remove_v foundation_n and_o reject_v establish_v doctrine_n and_o deny_v the_o principle_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v tell_v that_o there_o be_v neither_o wisdom_n nor_o learning_n in_o this_o and_o those_o who_o be_v act_v themselves_o by_o a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n have_v the_o least_o reason_n of_o any_o man_n to_o take_v it_o amiss_o to_o be_v contradict_v though_o it_o be_v in_o never_o so_o plain_a a_o manner_n in_o short_a it_o be_v possible_a that_o some_o may_v be_v well_o skill_v in_o trick_n and_o artifices_fw-la who_o know_v little_a of_o the_o substantial_a and_o useful_a part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o many_o who_o talk_v bold_o of_o the_o high_a point_n of_o religion_n be_v ignorant_a even_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n there_o sure_o can_v be_v little_a need_n for_o any_o man_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o error_n and_o extravagancy_n for_o the_o exercise_n and_o improvement_n of_o his_o faculty_n they_o must_v be_v strange_a faculty_n to_o want_v such_o improvement_n truth_n itself_o be_v infinite_a though_o always_o uniform_a and_o consistent_a in_o every_o part_n and_o will_v afford_v room_n enough_o for_o the_o free_a use_n of_o reason_n in_o examine_v and_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o state_v particular_a case_n by_o general_a rule_n in_o the_o study_n of_o antiquity_n and_o in_o explain_v particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o tenor_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o it_o may_v just_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o defect_n of_o judgement_n and_o good_a sense_n or_o be_v suspect_v which_o be_v much_o worse_o of_o want_n of_o sincerity_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n when_o man_n can_v find_v nothing_o by_o which_o they_o may_v recommend_v themselves_o to_o the_o world_n but_o by_o set_v up_o for_o novelty_n in_o religion_n for_o what_o man_n of_o a_o honest_a mean_v and_o of_o sufficient_a ability_n and_o strength_n of_o part_n to_o proceed_v secure_o in_o direct_a and_o approve_a path_n will_v run_v out_o of_o the_o way_n by_o cunning_a and_o artifice_n to_o steal_v a_o despicable_a reputation_n which_o another_o will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o and_o of_o which_o the_o best_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v say_v be_v that_o as_o it_o be_v never_o worth_a the_o have_v so_o it_o be_v never_o last_a after_o the_o reception_n and_o establishment_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o so_o many_o age_n we_o be_v call_v upon_o to_o prove_v the_o ground_n and_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n all_o over_o again_o and_o we_o will_v never_o decline_v a_o thing_n so_o easy_a to_o be_v do_v but_o the_o modern_a infidel_n have_v change_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n be_v never_o deny_v by_o the_o adversary_n of_o christianity_n of_o old_a this_o be_v not_o dispute_v by_o celsus_n porphyry_n hierocles_n and_o julian_n the_o apostate_n if_o some_o of_o they_o do_v upon_o any_o occasion_n insinuate_v the_o contrary_a that_o be_v so_o malicious_a and_o groundless_a a_o calumny_n that_o they_o be_v neither_o able_a to_o insist_v upon_o any_o proof_n of_o it_o nor_o to_o reconcile_v it_o to_o what_o they_o themselves_o have_v elsewhere_o say_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o ancient_a jew_n and_o have_v be_v confess_v by_o their_o posterity_n they_o can_v not_o contradict_v the_o miracle_n but_o deny_v the_o consequence_n of_o they_o though_o the_o man_n we_o have_v to_o deal_v withal_o to_o make_v clear_a work_n with_o much_o confidence_n but_o with_o as_o much_o ignorance_n deny_v both_o let_v they_o know_v then_o that_o they_o be_v in_o part_n confute_v by_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a if_o its_o friend_n shall_v fail_v in_o the_o other_o part._n iv_o i_o have_v here_o endeavour_v to_o do_v some_o right_n to_o our_o religion_n and_o to_o satisfy_v all_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o most_o difficult_a point_n of_o it_o and_o though_o i_o have_v discourse_v at_o large_a upon_o the_o subject_n of_o which_o i_o treat_v and_o not_o in_o the_o usual_a method_n of_o objection_n and_o answer_n yet_o i_o have_v always_o have_v my_o eye_n upon_o the_o objection_n which_o i_o have_v know_v that_o i_o can_v think_v at_o material_a but_o to_o bring_v in_o objection_n at_o every_o turn_v in_o plain_a discourse_n such_o as_o these_o be_v design_v to_o be_v as_o far_o as_o the_o matter_n will_v permit_v may_v have_v be_v of_o no_o good_a consequence_n a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o be_v guide_v in_o the_o right_a road_n without_o have_v all_o the_o wrong_n and_o dangerous_a path_n describe_v to_o he_o and_o he_o may_v be_v direct_v how_o to_o recover_v or_o preserve_v his_o health_n without_o be_v present_v with_o a_o catalogue_n of_o disease_n he_o may_v get_v safe_a to_o his_o journey_n end_v without_o know_v all_o the_o bog_n and_o precipice_n by_o which_o he_o may_v have_v miscarry_v and_o in_o order_n to_o be_v well_o there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v acquaint_v how_o many_o way_n there_o be_v of_o be_v sick_a i_o have_v hear_v of_o some_o that_o read_v objection_n without_o the_o answer_n as_o late_o a_o shameless_a writer_n have_v produce_v the_o objection_n of_o celsus_n and_o faustus_n against_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n without_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o answer_v give_v by_o origen_n and_o st._n austin_n from_o who_o he_o have_v they_o and_o though_o both_o the_o objection_n and_o answer_n shall_v be_v read_v yet_o objection_n be_v common_o in_o few_o word_n and_o be_v often_o remember_v when_o the_o answer_n be_v forget_v and_o indeed_o though_o i_o be_v never_o so_o expert_a at_o it_o i_o have_v no_o ambition_n to_o try_v my_o strength_n in_o tie_v a_o knot_n that_o i_o may_v show_v my_o skill_n in_o unloose_v it_o but_o to_o provide_v against_o all_o exception_n as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a i_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a that_o if_o all_o objection_n can_v not_o be_v answer_v this_o will_v be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o reject_v or_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o can_v say_v i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o have_v be_v able_a or_o have_v be_v much_o solicitous_a to_o obviate_v all_o the_o cavil_n which_o may_v have_v be_v start_v many_o have_v be_v give_v up_o and_o other_o seem_v never_o to_o have_v be_v serious_o urge_v a_o author_n who_o have_v more_o learning_n it_o seem_v than_o judgement_n to_o spare_v write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v man_n before_o adam_n but_o this_o be_v reject_v by_o judicious_a man_n as_o a_o very_a absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a conceit_n particular_o by_o grotius_n as_o the_o author_n complain_v who_o yet_o afterward_o retract_v it_o himself_o some_o notwithstanding_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o any_o
upon_o any_o subject_a and_o then_o they_o trample_v with_o wonderful_a scorn_n and_o triumph_n upon_o that_o which_o they_o conceive_v be_v so_o miserable_o overcome_v but_o alas_o the_o victory_n be_v over_o themselves_o nothing_o be_v either_o the_o more_o or_o the_o less_o true_a for_o their_o believe_v or_o disbelieve_v it_o and_o religion_n be_v always_o the_o same_o how_o profane_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v speak_v of_o we_o have_v no_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o any_o man_n faith_n but_o if_o there_o be_v reason_n in_o what_o we_o say_v it_o may_v well_o be_v expect_v from_o reasonable_a man_n that_o they_o shall_v hearken_v to_o reason_n religion_n be_v reason_n and_o philosophy_n as_o the_o father_n often_o speak_v the_o best_a and_o true_a philosophy_n and_o i_o be_o persuade_v how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v have_v fail_v in_o the_o performance_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v with_o such_o clear_a and_o full_a evidence_n even_o to_o ordinary_a understanding_n as_o to_o make_v all_o pretence_n of_o argue_v against_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v impious_a the_o content_n chap._n i._o of_o humane_a reason_n the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v in_o the_o first_o book_n such_o point_n be_v clear_v in_o the_o second_o as_o be_v think_v most_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o before_o man_n venture_v upon_o objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v fit_a for_o they_o to_o consider_v the_o strength_n and_o compass_n of_o their_o own_o faculty_n and_o the_o manifold_a defect_n of_o humane_a reason_n p._n 1._o in_o some_o thing_n each_o side_n of_o a_o contradiction_n seem_v to_o be_v demonstrable_a p._n 4._o every_o man_n believe_v and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o several_a thing_n which_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o speculative_a notion_n of_o they_o will_v seem_v as_o incredible_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v p._n 12._o those_o who_o disbelieve_v and_o reject_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n must_v believe_v thing_n much_o more_o incredible_a p._n 24._o chap._n ii_o of_o inspiration_n all_o motion_n of_o material_a thing_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n and_o it_o be_v at_o least_o as_o conceivable_a by_o we_o that_o god_n do_v act_n upon_o the_o immaterial_a as_o that_o he_o act_v upon_o the_o material_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o may_v act_v more_o powerful_o upon_o the_o will_n and_o understanding_n of_o some_o man_n than_o of_o other_o p._n 28._o wherein_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v consist_v and_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v p._n 31._o such_o inference_n from_o thence_o as_o may_v afford_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n allege_v upon_o this_o subject_a p._n 41._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o exclude_v humane_a mean_n as_o information_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n etc._n etc._n p._n 42._o it_o do_v not_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o word_n and_o style_n ibid._n though_o something_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n indefinite_o and_o without_o any_o positive_a assertion_n or_o determination_n this_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o their_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n p._n 43._o in_o thing_n which_o may_v fall_v under_o humane_a prudence_n and_o observation_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v use_v only_o a_o directive_n power_n and_o influence_n p._n 46._o this_o infallible_a assistance_n be_v not_o permanent_a and_o habitual_a p._n 49._o it_o do_v not_o prevent_v personal_a fail_n p._n 50._o no_o passage_n or_o circumstance_n in_o the_o scripture_n erroneous_a p._n 51._o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o grammatical_a construction_n and_o propriety_n of_o speech_n p._n 53._o those_o which_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o defect_n in_o the_o scripture-style_n be_v usual_a in_o the_o most_o approve_a heathen_a author_n p._n ib._n metaphor_n and_o rhetorical_a scheme_n and_o figure_n p._n 57_o the_o style_n different_a of_o different_a nation_n p._n 58._o the_o title_n of_o king_n p._n 59_o what_o art_n be_v use_v by_o orator_n to_o raise_v the_o passion_n p._n 60._o that_o they_o sometime_o read_v their_o speech_n p._n 62._o the_o figurative_a expression_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o their_o type_n and_o parable_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n and_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v ibid._n several_a thing_n relate_v as_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v only_o parabolical_a description_n or_o representation_n p._n 64._o the_o prophetic_a scheme_n of_o speech_n usual_a with_o the_o eastern_a nation_n p._n 66._o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n p._n 68_o the_o antiquity_n and_o various_a way_n of_o poetry_n p._n 69._o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n p._n 71._o the_o decorum_n or_o suitableness_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n p._n 79._o the_o method_n p._n 86._o some_o book_n of_o scripture_n admirable_a for_o their_o style_n p._n 89._o why_o the_o style_n not_o alike_o excellent_a in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n p._n 93._o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n any_o controversy_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o rest_n p._n 96._o the_o uncontroverted_a book_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n p._n 97._o the_o dispute_n concern_v the_o apochrypha_n fall_v not_o here_o under_o consideration_n p._n 99_o no_o suppression_n or_o alteration_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o idolatrous_a king_n etc._n etc._n p._n 100_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o handwriting_a of_o moses_n find_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o josiah_n p._n 102._o no_o book_n but_o those_o which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n receive_v by_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o canon_n p._n 103._o what_o opinion_n the_o ten_o tribe_n have_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n p._n 105._o neither_o the_o samaritan_n nor_o the_o sadducee_n reject_v any_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n p._n 106._o of_o the_o book_n whereof_o mention_n be_v make_v in_o the_o o._n t._n p._n 106._o why_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n express_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n shall_v be_v express_v p._n 108._o a_o wonderful_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o o._n t._n for_o so_o many_o age_n p._n 109._o the_o new_a testament_n confirm_v the_o old_a p._n 111._o the_o caution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n ib._n the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o examine_v and_o distinguish_v the_o genuine_a and_o inspire_v write_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a or_o spurious_a p._n 113._o the_o gospel_n of_o st._n matt._n in_o hebrew_n how_o long_o preserve_v p._n 115._o the_o greek_a version_n of_o it_o p._n 116._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n finish_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n etc._n etc._n review_v by_o he_o p._n 117._o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o religion_n ib._n copy_n of_o great_a antiquity_n still_o extant_a p._n 118._o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o p._n 119._o the_o canon_n have_v be_v fix_v and_o confirm_v in_o council_n in_o tertullian_n time_n p._n 121._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n general_o receive_v by_o christian_n of_o all_o sect_n and_o party_n p._n 124._o chap._n v._o of_o the_o various_a readins_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n a_o extraordinary_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o such_o casualty_n as_o have_v befall_v other_o book_n p._n 126._o the_o defect_n in_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n and_o the_o late_a invention_n of_o the_o point_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n p._n 127._o the_o change_n of_o the_o old_a hebrew_n character_n into_o that_o now_o in_o use_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n p._n 130._o the_o keri_n and_o the_o ketib_n no_o prejudice_n to_o it_o ib._n the_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n and_o other_o version_n or_o between_o the_o version_n themselves_o no_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n p._n 132._o it_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o great_a critic_n both_o protestant_n and_o
papist_n that_o no_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o several_a copy_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o can_v prejudice_v the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o religion_n or_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n p._n 135._o no_o less_o may_v be_v say_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o of_o the_o old_a the_o great_a care_n and_o reverence_n which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v for_o the_o book_n of_o it_o heretic_n can_v not_o corrupt_v the_o text_n and_o pass_v undiscovered_a to_o the_o orthodox_n or_o even_o by_o other_o heretic_n p._n 140._o chap._n vi_o of_o the_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o chronology_n in_o general_a p._n 142._o difference_n in_o chronology_n do_v not_o infer_v uncertainty_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n themselves_o p_o 143._o they_o do_v not_o infer_v that_o there_o be_v any_o chronological_a mistake_v make_v by_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n p._n 145._o the_o total_a term_n of_o year_n be_v not_o always_o exact_o distinguish_v from_o all_o the_o particular_n of_o which_o it_o be_v compose_v and_o this_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o mistake_v in_o chronology_n p._n 146._o another_o occasion_n of_o mistake_v have_v be_v that_o sometime_o the_o principal_a number_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o odd_a or_o lesser_a number_n be_v omit_v which_o be_v add_v to_o the_o principal_a number_n in_o other_o place_n p._n 147._o sometime_o a_o epocha_n be_v mistake_v by_o chronologer_n p._n 149._o the_o likeness_n of_o two_o word_n may_v occasion_v variation_n in_o chronology_n p._n 150._o the_o numeral_a letter_n be_v easy_o mistake_v by_o transcriber_n ib._n some_o alteration_n of_o the_o septuagint_n from_o the_o hebrew_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v make_v with_o design_n p._n 151._o the_o term_n of_o time_n sometime_o take_v inclusive_o and_o at_o other_o time_n exclusive_o p._n 154._o chap._n vii_o of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o some_o place_n in_o the_o scripture_n particular_o of_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v p._n 157._o some_o doctrine_n be_v difficult_a in_o themselves_o p._n 158._o the_o learning_n and_o wisdom_n of_o ancient_a time_n consist_v in_o proverb_n and_o parable_n p._n 161._o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v obscure_a to_o we_o be_v not_o obscure_a in_o the_o age_n when_o they_o be_v write_v p._n 164._o the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o parable_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v and_o not_o every_o word_n and_o circumstance_n to_o be_v insist_v upon_o p._n 168_o the_o obscurity_n of_o prophecy_n and_o type_n consider_v p._n 170._o difference_n in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o phrophecy_n no_o argument_n for_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o they_o ib._n it_o be_v evident_a and_o agree_v by_o interpreter_n that_o prophecy_n have_v be_v fulfil_v though_o they_o differ_v about_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v fulfil_v p._n 171._o some_o prophecy_n purposely_o obscure_a and_o why_o p._n 172._o some_o prophecy_n have_v never_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o posterity_n unless_o they_o have_v be_v obscure_o write_v p._n 175._o other_o can_v never_o have_v be_v fulsil_v ib._n if_o prophecy_n have_v be_v plain_a it_o will_v have_v be_v think_v that_o they_o have_v be_v fulfil_v only_o by_o design_n and_o contrivance_n p._n 177._o man_n will_v have_v commit_v sin_n in_o many_o case_n to_o fulfil_v prophecy_n ib._n they_o may_v sometime_o be_v obscure_a in_o mercy_n to_o man_n p._n 178._o and_o at_o other_o time_n for_o a_o judgement_n upon_o the_o obstinate_a p._n 179._o the_o obscurity_n of_o prophecy_n design_v to_o abate_v the_o confidence_n and_o exercise_v the_o diligence_n of_o man_n p._n 180._o some_o prophecy_n plain_o deliver_v by_o all_o prophet_n those_o which_o be_v not_o so_o deliver_v of_o great_a use_n even_o before_o the_o accomplishment_n this_o show_v of_o the_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n p._n 182._o the_o nature_n and_o certainty_n of_o type_n consider_v p._n 177._o the_o obscurity_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o such_o as_o to_o be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o p._n 180._o chap._n viii_o of_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v each_o other_o no_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v so_o pen_v as_o to_o afford_v no_o suspicion_n of_o contradiction_n to_o injudicious_a and_o rash_a man_n p._n 184._o what_o method_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v to_o make_v a_o true_a judgement_n of_o any_o author_n p._n 186._o a_o objection_n may_v imply_v too_o much_o as_o well_o as_o prove_v too_o little_a to_o be_v of_o any_o force_n p._n 187._o contradiction_n in_o point_n of_o chronology_n and_o other_o thing_n of_o little_a moment_n though_o they_o shall_v have_v happen_v by_o the_o fault_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n will_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n p._n 190._o chap._n ix_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o of_o the_o time_n when_o the_o world_n begin_v p._n 193._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suppose_v the_o world_n to_o have_v be_v at_o first_o make_v by_o mechanical_a law_n though_o it_o be_v preserve_v according_a to_o such_o law_n p._n 194._o sufficient_a reason_n may_v be_v give_v for_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o manner_n which_o we_o find_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n p._n 196._o with_o respect_n to_o the_o angel_n p._n 200._o with_o respect_n to_o man_n p._n 203._o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o perform_v according_a to_o mechanical_a principle_n p._n 208._o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n ground_v upon_o mistake_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v always_o the_o same_o quantity_n of_o motion_n p._n 208._o that_o there_o be_v a_o plenum_fw-la ib._n they_o suppose_v it_o move_v worthy_a of_o god_n to_o leave_v matter_n and_o motion_n to_o perform_v all_o by_o themselves_o without_o his_o immediate_a interposition_n and_o assistance_n p._n 210._o the_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a or_o miraculous_a work_n of_o god_n consider_v p._n 211._o the_o law_n of_o the_o material_a and_o of_o the_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o world_n compare_v p._n 213._o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n inconsistent_a with_o our_o duty_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o deliverance_n in_o sickness_n and_o danger_n p._n 214._o the_o mechanical_a philosophy_n proceed_v upon_o a_o mistake_a notion_n of_o god_n p._n 215._o chap._n x._o of_o other_o habitable_a world_n beside_o this_o earth_n all_o thing_n be_v alike_o easy_a to_o god_n yet_o man_n be_v most_o incline_v to_o admire_v and_o glorify_v he_o for_o the_o vastness_n of_o his_o work_n p._n 218._o wonderful_a discovery_n late_o make_v upon_o earth_n by_o microscope_n as_o well_o as_o by_o telescope_n in_o the_o heaven_n but_o angel_n who_o have_v no_o need_n of_o artificial_a help_n to_o discern_v they_o glorify_v god_n for_o his_o work_n more_o than_o man_n p._n 219._o the_o use_n and_o benefit_n of_o the_o star_n p._n ib._n the_o earth_n to_o be_v consider_v as_o the_o seat_n of_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n under_o which_o notion_n it_o be_v no_o contemptible_a place_n p._n 220._o the_o planet_n not_o inhabitable_a ib._n for_o what_o use_v they_o may_v be_v design_v p._n 222._o chap._n xi_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o contradict_v the_o late_a discovery_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n the_o use_n of_o popular_a expression_n imply_v neither_o the_o affirmation_n nor_o the_o denial_n of_o the_o philosophical_a truth_n of_o they_o p._n 224._o how_o the_o sun_n be_v say_v to_o stand_v still_o jos_n x._o 12._o p._n 225._o the_o firmament_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o water_n gen._n 1.6_o explain_v p._n 226._o the_o sun_n and_o the_o moon_n how_o say_v to_o be_v two_o great_a light_n gen._n 1.16_o p._n 227._o the_o pillar_n of_o the_o earth_n 1_o sam._n 11.8_o p._n 229._o the_o sky-strong_a and_o as_o a_o molten_n looking-glass_n job_n xxxvii_o 18._o ib._n the_o scripture_n speak_v strict_o according_a to_o philosophy_n p._n 230._o chap._n xii_o of_o man_n be_v create_v capable_a of_o sin_n and_o damnation_n this_o repugnant_a neither_o to_o the_o justice_n nor_o mercy_n of_o god_n p._n 231._o the_o objection_n right_o state_v p._n 233._o the_o glory_n of_o god_n be_v more_o advance_v and_o the_o attribute_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o his_o justice_n and_o of_o his_o goodness_n itself_o be_v more_o display_v by_o leave_v man_n to_o a_o freedom_n of_o act_v than_o they_o will_v have_v be_v by_o impose_v a_o inevitable_a fate_n upon_o mankind_n p._n 234._o freedom_n of_o action_n conduce_v more_o to_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o bless_a than_o a_o necessity_n of_o not_o sin_v can_v
numerous_a than_o the_o sufferer_n for_o any_o other_o p._n 531._o zeal_n for_o falsehood_n no_o prejudice_n to_o truth_n p._n 532._o the_o preference_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n before_o all_o other_o p._n 534._o the_o proper_a notion_n of_o martyrdom_n p._n 535._o chap._n xxxii_o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v unless_o god_n shall_v miraculous_o and_o irresistible_o interpose_v to_o prevent_v they_o p._n 539._o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v thus_o interpose_v p._n 544._o nor_o expedient_a p._n 546._o these_o difference_n how_o great_a and_o how_o many_o soever_o they_o may_v be_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o religion_n p._n 549._o all_o party_n be_v agree_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a p._n 551._o it_o be_v not_o religion_n about_o which_o man_n dispute_v but_o there_o be_v nothing_o beside_o in_o which_o man_n have_v not_o disagree_v p._n 555._o prophecy_n be_v hereby_o fullfil_v p._n 557._o chap._n xxxiii_o though_o all_o objection_n can_v not_o be_v answer_v yet_o this_o will_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n a_o true_a revelation_n may_v contain_v great_a difficulty_n and_o if_o the_o argument_n in_o proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n remain_v in_o their_o full_a force_n notwithstanding_o any_o objection_n and_o no_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n be_v bring_v that_o they_o be_v insufficient_a the_o objection_n must_v proceed_v from_o some_o mistake_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o insignificant_a p._n 559._o this_o be_v show_v in_o particular_n p._n 561._o the_o way_n of_o reason_v which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n consider_v in_o case_n of_o another_o nature_n p._n 563._o difficulty_n can_v never_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n p._n 566._o chap._n xxxiv_o the_o conclusion_n contain_v a_o exhortation_n to_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o these_o thing_n both_o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a man_n and_o from_o the_o infinite_a importance_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o as_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n as_o any_o that_o ever_o live_v in_o the_o world_n have_v suffer_v persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 568._o the_o cause_n of_o unbelief_n among_o christian_n immorality_n a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n and_o singularity_n of_o opinion_n p._n 569._o it_o be_v at_o every_o man_n be_v own_o peril_n if_o he_o make_v a_o rash_a and_o partial_a judgement_n p._n 570._o this_o be_v too_o serious_a a_o subject_a to_o jest_v and_o trifle_v withal_o p._n 574._o the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n book_n ii_o chap._n i._o of_o humane_a reason_n have_v in_o the_o former_a book_n prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o proceed_v in_o this_o to_o clear_v such_o point_n as_o be_v common_o think_v most_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o propose_v some_o consideration_n which_o may_v serve_v to_o remove_v such_o prejudices_fw-la and_o obviate_v such_o cavil_n as_o be_v usual_o raise_v against_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o before_o man_n venture_v upon_o make_v objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n they_o will_v do_v well_o first_o to_o consider_v the_o compass_n and_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o part_n and_o faculty_n and_o to_o observe_v in_o how_o many_o thing_n they_o daily_o find_v themselves_o deceive_v how_o many_o man_n there_o be_v who_o understand_v much_o more_o than_o themselves_o and_o how_o much_o folly_n and_o ignorance_n there_o be_v in_o the_o wise_a man_n those_o common_o that_o raise_v objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o confident_a in_o the_o management_n of_o they_o as_o if_o they_o understand_v all_o thing_n beside_o and_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o must_v needs_o be_v false_a which_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v not_o consider_v how_o very_o reasonable_a it_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v command_v and_o reveal_v many_o thing_n the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o which_o we_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v this_o must_v be_v grant_v by_o every_o man_n who_o believe_v god_n to_o be_v infinite_o wise_a but_o do_v not_o think_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o and_o acknowledge_v god_n sovereignty_n over_o he_o for_o as_o he_o be_v infinite_o wise_a he_o may_v reveal_v thing_n above_o our_o capacity_n and_o as_o he_o be_v the_o supreme_a lord_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n he_o may_v command_v we_o what_o in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n he_o shall_v see_v fit_v though_o we_o may_v not_o perceive_v the_o reason_n and_o design_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o 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own_o thought_n in_o a_o way_n much_o more_o free_a and_o unconfined_a than_o in_o this_o life_n as_o they_o have_v more_o knowledge_n in_o a_o separate_a state_n so_o they_o must_v have_v fit_a mean_n to_o communicate_v it_o and_o since_o the_o happiness_n of_o heaven_n consist_v in_o the_o vision_n of_o god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o communication_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n god_n certain_o can_v as_o well_o act_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o this_o mortal_a state_n though_o we_o be_v less_o capable_a of_o receive_v or_o observe_v the_o influence_n of_o his_o spirit_n since_o finite_a spirit_n can_v act_v one_o upon_o another_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o god_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o all_o flesh_n do_v move_v and_o work_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n that_o he_o enlighten_v their_o understanding_n and_o incline_v their_o will_n by_o a_o secret_a power_n and_o influence_n in_o the_o method_n of_o his_o 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strong_a conviction_n and_o forcible_a but_o gracious_a impressious_a he_o breathe_v upon_o their_o soul_n and_o infuse_v his_o divine_a truth_n into_o they_o but_o upon_o those_o to_o who_o god_n do_v thus_o reveal_v himself_o by_o inward_a light_n and_o knowledge_n he_o do_v moreover_o bestow_v a_o power_n of_o give_v external_a evidence_n by_o miraculous_a work_n that_o their_o pretence_n be_v real_a and_o that_o what_o they_o speak_v be_v not_o of_o they_o but_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o from_o god_n this_o inspiration_n the_o apostle_n profess_v to_o have_v both_o in_o their_o preach_a and_o write_n and_o this_o evidence_n they_o give_v of_o it_o in_o speak_v of_o the_o inspiration_n by_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v i._o i_o shall_v show_v wherein_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v consist_v or_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v ii_o i_o shall_v from_o thence_o make_v such_o inference_n as_o may_v afford_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n allege_v upon_o this_o subject_n i._o i_o shall_v show_v wherein_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v consist_v or_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v and_o here_o we_o must_v consider_v both_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n the_o matter_n be_v either_o concern_v thing_n reveal_v and_o which_o can_v not_o be_v know_v but_o by_o revelation_n or_o it_o be_v something_o which_o be_v the_o object_n of_o sense_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o when_o the_o apostle_n testify_v that_o our_o saviour_n be_v crucify_v and_o rise_v again_o or_o last_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o reason_n as_o discourse_n upon_o moral_a subject_n and_o inference_n make_v from_o thing_n reveal_v or_o from_o matter_n of_o fact_n god_n who_o be_v a_o spirit_n can_v speak_v as_o intelligible_o to_o the_o spirit_n and_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o man_n can_v speak_v to_o the_o ear_n and_o in_o thing_n which_o can_v not_o be_v know_v but_o by_o revelation_n the_o notion_n be_v suggest_v and_o infuse_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o they_o may_v be_v leave_v to_o put_v they_o into_o their_o owe_v 〈◊〉_d 29._o 〈◊〉_d praeterea_fw-la scito_fw-la unumquemque_fw-la prophetam_fw-la pecuâ—iare_fw-la quid_fw-la habere_fw-la &_o ea_fw-la lingua_fw-la eaque_fw-la loquendi_fw-la ratione_fw-la quae_fw-la ipsi_fw-la est_fw-la familiaris_fw-la &_o consueta_fw-la ipsum_fw-la impelli_fw-la à _fw-la prophetia_fw-la sva_fw-la ad_fw-la loquendum_fw-la ei_fw-la qui_fw-la intelligit_fw-la ipsum_fw-la maimon_n more_n nevoch_n part_n 2._o c._n 29._o word_n be_v so_o direct_v in_o the_o use_n of_o they_o as_o to_o give_v infallible_o the_o sense_n and_o full_a importance_n of_o the_o revelation_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n their_o memory_n be_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n assist_v and_o confirm_v in_o matter_n of_o discourse_n or_o reason_v either_o from_o their_o own_o natural_a notion_n or_o from_o thing_n 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psalmist_n to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n hebr._n 3.7_o david_n say_v of_o himself_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n speak_v by_o i_o and_o his_o word_n be_v in_o my_o tongue_n 2_o sam._n 23.2_o and_o god_n be_v say_v to_o speak_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n his_o servant_n and_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o servant_n ahijah_n the_o prophet_n 1_o king_n 8.53.14.18_o by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o use_v the_o prophet_n as_o his_o instrument_n in_o reveal_v his_o will_n for_o as_o miracle_n be_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n though_o wrought_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n so_o the_o revelation_n be_v of_o god_n though_o speak_v or_o write_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n but_o though_o god_n use_v they_o as_o his_o instrument_n yet_o not_o as_o mechanical_a but_o as_o rational_a instrument_n and_o as_o in_o work_v their_o miracle_n they_o be_v not_o always_o necessary_o determine_v to_o the_o place_n or_o to_o the_o person_n on_o who_o they_o be_v wrought_v but_o in_o general_n be_v guide_v to_o work_v they_o when_o they_o be_v proper_a and_o seasonable_a and_o the_o action_n by_o which_o they_o wrought_v they_o be_v their_o own_o though_o the_o power_n that_o accompany_v they_o be_v of_o god_n so_o in_o their_o doctrine_n they_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o use_v their_o own_o word_n and_o phrase_n and_o to_o be_v guide_v by_o prudential_a motive_n as_o to_o time_n and_o place_n and_o person_n with_o a_o directive_n power_n only_o over_o they_o to_o speak_v and_o write_v nothing_o but_o infallible_a truth_n upon_o such_o occasion_n and_o in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o may_v answer_v the_o end_n of_o their_o mission_n with_o which_o they_o be_v entrust_v god_n promise_v moses_n when_o he_o send_v he_o to_o pharaoh_n that_o he_o will_v be_v with_o his_o mouth_n and_o with_o aaron_n mouth_n and_o will_v
gift_n any_o one_o have_v receive_v he_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o may_v not_o presume_v to_o pretend_v to_o another_o which_o he_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o of_o the_o interpretation_n of_o tongue_n be_v so_o particular_o distinguish_v this_o must_v imply_v that_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v have_v all_o the_o gift_n which_o other_o have_v but_o in_o part_n be_v guide_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o their_o word_n and_o expression_n since_o those_o who_o speak_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v unable_a to_o interpret_v without_o a_o particular_a gift_n for_o no_o interpretation_n be_v sufficient_a but_o such_o as_o render_v the_o sense_n with_o infallible_a truth_n and_o exactness_n and_o if_o this_o exactness_n of_o word_n be_v requisite_a in_o their_o assembly_n it_o must_v be_v much_o rather_o necessary_a in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n among_o other_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v reckon_v the_o word_n of_o wisdom_n and_o the_o word_n of_o knowledge_n 1_o cor._n 12.8_o the_o former_a grotius_n understand_v of_o speak_v wise_a say_n and_o the_o latter_a of_o knowledge_n in_o history_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n be_v add_v the_o gift_n of_o discern_v of_o spirit_n v._o 10._o and_o as_o there_o be_v several_a gift_n so_o there_o be_v several_a office_n in_o the_o church_n ephes_n 4.11_o 12._o now_o the_o several_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o all_o bestow_v ordinary_o upon_o the_o same_o person_n but_o such_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o that_o office_n and_o employment_n which_o he_o be_v to_o execute_v but_o as_o the_o apostolical_a power_n comprehend_v in_o it_o the_o power_n of_o every_o other_o office_n so_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o they_o shall_v possess_v the_o gift_n proper_a for_o the_o performance_n of_o whatever_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o and_o when_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n and_o disposal_n of_o thing_n give_v the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n occasion_n of_o write_v upon_o such_o and_o such_o subject_n and_o to_o such_o and_o such_o person_n or_o church_n he_o by_o his_o spirit_n inward_o excite_v and_o assist_v they_o in_o it_o bestow_v upon_o they_o the_o gift_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n and_o of_o writing_n and_o speak_v either_o in_o their_o own_o or_o any_o other_o language_n in_o which_o they_o be_v require_v to_o write_v or_o speak_v for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o any_o gift_n be_v bestow_v upon_o other_o and_o yet_o deny_v to_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v most_o useful_a and_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o deliver_n of_o that_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o salvation_n to_o all_o christian_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n when_o other_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o speak_v and_o interpret_n strange_a language_n it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n shall_v be_v refuse_v that_o necessary_a assistance_n in_o the_o language_n in_o which_o they_o write_v that_o may_v preserve_v they_o from_o error_n and_o if_o any_o without_o the_o gift_n proper_a for_o it_o have_v undertake_v any_o office_n or_o ministration_n the_o gift_n of_o discern_v of_o spirit_n be_v a_o security_n to_o the_o church_n from_o any_o hurt_n that_o may_v ensue_v by_o the_o pretence_n of_o such_o undertaker_n we_o may_v be_v certain_a that_o all_o the_o gift_n which_o be_v bestow_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n be_v as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v needful_a vouchsafe_v more_o especial_o to_o all_o such_o as_o be_v to_o leave_v behind_o they_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n a_o account_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o term_n of_o the_o salvation_n to_o be_v obtain_v thereby_o and_o that_o no_o such_o guidance_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v want_v as_o may_v preserve_v they_o from_o error_n in_o any_o particular_a for_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a but_o it_o will_v fall_v under_o some_o one_o of_o those_o gift_n which_o be_v bestow_v upon_o the_o first_o disciple_n they_o be_v not_o necessary_o to_o write_v in_o a_o exact_a and_o elegant_a style_n but_o in_o such_o as_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n in_o whatever_o they_o deliver_v to_o what_o purpose_n else_o have_v be_v so_o many_o several_a gift_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o gross_a error_n and_o fundamental_a mistake_n there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o such_o a_o variety_n of_o gift_n but_o when_o every_o sort_n of_o error_n which_o man_n be_v prone_a to_o have_v a_o remedy_n provide_v to_o prevent_v it_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o no_o error_n be_v suffer_v in_o those_o write_n which_o be_v the_o most_o important_a work_n of_o the_o apostolical_a function_n and_o design_v for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n not_o in_o one_o age_n and_o nation_n only_o but_o throughout_o all_o age_n and_o in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n ii_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o make_v such_o inference_n as_o may_v afford_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n allege_v upon_o this_o subject_n 1._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o exclude_v humane_a mean_n such_o as_o information_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n either_o by_o their_o own_o sense_n or_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o or_o reason_v from_o their_o own_o notion_n and_o observation_n but_o the_o holy_a ghost_n guide_v they_o infallible_o in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o such_o mean_n 2._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n do_v not_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o word_n and_o style_n and_o as_o they_o may_v be_v permit_v the_o use_n of_o these_o so_o they_o may_v be_v permit_v or_o in_o some_o case_n direct_v to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o other_o many_o thing_n deliver_v in_o one_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v likewise_o deliver_v in_o another_o and_o some_o thing_n be_v repeat_v in_o the_o same_o word_n that_o god_n reveal_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o in_o the_o same_o express_a word_n at_o different_a time_n and_o by_o different_a person_n may_v make_v the_o revelation_n of_o they_o the_o more_o evident_a and_o remarkable_a for_o that_o in_o which_o several_a inspire_a person_n concur_v be_v the_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o become_v the_o more_o observe_v as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n the_o reason_n why_o the_o dream_n be_v double_v unto_o pharaoh_n twice_o be_v because_o the_o thing_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n and_o god_n will_v short_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v gen_n 41.32_o it_o be_v in_o this_o as_o it_o be_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n it_o be_v expedient_a that_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a concernment_n there_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o solemnity_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o often_o repeat_v and_o the_o more_o insist_v upon_o and_o if_o they_o be_v express_v in_o the_o same_o word_n this_o imply_v that_o those_o word_n carry_v more_o than_o ordinary_a weight_n in_o they_o and_o therefore_o not_o only_o all_o the_o divine_a writer_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o design_n and_o testiâ—â—ie_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o chief_a point_n of_o religion_n but_o some_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o same_o thing_n even_o in_o the_o same_o word_n with_o other_o as_o isai_n 2.2_o 3_o 4._o mic._n 4.1_o â—_o 3._o and_o several_a law_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v repeat_v in_o word_n which_o be_v very_o near_o the_o same_o 3._o though_o some_o thing_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n indefinite_o and_o without_o any_o positive_a assertion_n or_o determination_n this_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o their_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o the_o penman_n of_o those_o passage_n be_v uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a in_o the_o particular_n so_o express_v because_o the_o thing_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o speak_v precise_o of_o they_o as_o when_o st_n john_n say_v jo._n 21.8_o they_o be_v not_o far_o from_o land_n but_o as_o it_o be_v two_o hundred_o cubit_n it_o can_v from_o hence_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o evangelist_n be_v ignorant_a how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o land_n for_o it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o his_o design_n to_o be_v more_o particular_a in_o a_o circumstance_n of_o that_o nature_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v about_o two_o hundred_o cubit_n off_o at_o sea_n and_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o all_o writer_n to_o omit_v fraction_n and_o insert_v only_o whole_a number_n when_o it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o their_o purpose_n to_o insist_v upon_o every_o minute_n circumstance_n it_o
a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o the_o person_n there_o mention_v be_v as_o so_o many_o witness_n to_o attest_v that_o they_o be_v genuine_a for_o beside_o the_o general_a concernment_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o of_o the_o several_a church_n more_o especial_o to_o which_o such_o epistle_n be_v write_v the_o person_n who_o be_v salute_v by_o name_n in_o they_o be_v more_o particular_o concern_v to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o they_o and_o to_o know_v all_o the_o circumstance_n relate_v to_o they_o and_o st_n paul_n advice_n to_o timothy_n to_o drink_v no_o long_o water_n but_o to_o use_v a_o little_a wine_n for_o his_o stomach_n sake_n and_o his_o often_o infirmity_n 1_o tim._n v._o 23._o be_v requisite_a to_o be_v give_v in_o that_o epistle_n that_o it_o may_v remain_v record_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o confutation_n of_o that_o superstition_n which_o some_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o abstain_v from_o thing_n lawful_a and_o particular_o from_o wine_n out_o of_o a_o opinion_n of_o holiness_n in_o refrain_v from_o they_o and_o of_o sin_n in_o the_o use_n of_o they_o 5._o that_o infallible_a spirit_n which_o assist_v and_o inspire_v the_o apostle_n and_o other_o sacred_a writer_n be_v not_o permanent_a and_o habitual_a or_o continual_o reside_v in_o they_o nor_o give_v for_o all_o purpose_n and_o occasion_n as_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o st_n paul_n who_o acquaint_v we_o in_o some_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v not_o receive_v of_o the_o lord_n what_o he_o write_v but_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v bestow_v for_o the_o benefit_n and_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o wâ—re_v give_v in_o such_o measure_n at_o such_o time_n and_o upon_o such_o occasion_n as_o may_v be_v useful_a for_o edification_n we_o find_v that_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a concernment_n and_o importance_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n the_o apostle_n meet_v together_o in_o council_n to_o decide_v the_o controversy_n both_o because_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n to_o they_o they_o may_v expect_v a_o more_o abundant_a effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o when_o they_o be_v assemble_v in_o his_o name_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o because_o the_o thing_n in_o debate_n depend_v upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n viz._n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v give_v to_o the_o gentile_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o many_o shall_v meet_v together_o and_o testify_v of_o that_o matter_n beside_o several_a that_o come_v down_o from_o judea_n to_o antioch_n have_v refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o st_n paul_n and_o st_n barnabas_n and_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o these_o man_n shall_v be_v convince_v by_o the_o unanimous_a and_o joint_a authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v meet_v in_o a_o full_a council_n declare_v it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o act_v 15.28_o that_o be_v not_o only_o to_o we_o but_o to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o well_o as_o to_o we_o and_o this_o be_v for_o a_o example_n and_o precedent_n to_o the_o church_n in_o future_a age_n to_o determine_v controversy_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o counsel_n 6._o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v bestow_v upon_o man_n who_o may_v have_v personal_a fail_n and_o be_v man_n of_o like_a passion_n with_o we_o act._n 14.25_o they_o have_v this_o treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n that_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n may_v be_v of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o themselves_o 2_o cor._n 4.7_o but_o they_o werechosen_a to_o be_v apostle_n and_o evangelist_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v so_o far_o exempt_a from_o error_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o ministry_n as_o not_o to_o deliver_v false_a doctrine_n in_o their_o write_n which_o be_v to_o be_v read_v and_o receive_v of_o all_o church_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n for_o this_o will_v have_v defeat_v and_o subvert_v the_o design_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o this_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v though_o they_o may_v be_v suffer_v to_o incur_v such_o fail_n as_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n 7._o there_o be_v nothing_o assert_v in_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n but_o what_o have_v some_o relation_n to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n though_o some_o part_n of_o it_o have_v a_o less_o direct_a and_o apparent_a tendency_n to_o this_o end_n than_o other_o if_o any_o one_o passage_n or_o circumstance_n shall_v have_v be_v erroneous_a this_o will_v diminish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o make_v they_o in_o some_o degree_n less_o capable_a to_o promote_v the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o there_o be_v so_o many_o particular_a gift_n the_o gift_n of_o wisdom_n and_o of_o knowledge_n of_o tongue_n and_o of_o interpretation_n of_o tongue_n and_o of_o discern_v of_o spirit_n and_o so_o many_o distinct_a office_n as_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n and_o evangelist_n and_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n we_o can_v conceive_v how_o those_o gift_n and_o these_o office_n can_v be_v better_o employ_v than_o in_o preserve_v that_o book_n from_o error_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o standard_n of_o truth_n for_o all_o age_n or_o how_o if_o that_o book_n have_v not_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n by_o they_o these_o gift_n and_o office_n have_v answer_v the_o end_n of_o their_o appointment_n thus_o much_o may_v suffice_v to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v infallible_a in_o all_o the_o part_n and_o circumstance_n of_o they_o but_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o if_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v not_o extend_v to_o the_o word_n and_o circumstance_n but_o only_o to_o the_o substantial_a and_o fundamental_a point_n of_o religion_n this_o of_o itself_o be_v enough_o to_o vindicate_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n nay_o further_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v only_o with_o the_o same_o certainty_n and_o integrity_n that_o be_v in_o thucydides_n or_o in_o any_o other_o credible_a historian_n which_o the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o inveterate_a adversary_n can_v never_o deny_v yet_o even_o then_o no_o man_n without_o much_o unreasonableness_n can_v reject_v it_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o style_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o god_n reveal_v himself_o to_o man_n he_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o do_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o necessity_n and_o occasion_n of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o revelation_n be_v make_v and_o in_o such_o language_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n as_o that_o he_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o those_o to_o who_o he_o reveal_v himself_o he_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o speak_v in_o the_o idiom_n and_o in_o the_o metaphor_n and_o phrase_n in_o use_n among_o they_o and_o to_o allude_v to_o their_o custom_n and_o manner_n of_o life_n to_o have_v regard_n to_o the_o condition_n and_o state_n of_o their_o affair_n and_o to_o condescend_v in_o some_o measure_n to_o their_o weakness_n to_o speak_v to_o their_o capacity_n so_o as_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o his_o law_n and_o to_o encourage_v and_o excite_v man_n to_o obey_v they_o for_o though_o the_o particular_a reason_n and_o design_n of_o every_o law_n be_v not_o always_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v yet_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v give_v shall_v know_v what_o the_o law_n be_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o duty_n prescribe_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o may_v be_v effectual_a to_o recommend_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o to_o they_o the_o style_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o subject_n which_o have_v be_v large_o discourse_v of_o by_o mr_n boyle_n and_o other_o what_o i_o intend_v to_o say_v upon_o it_o i_o shall_v reduce_v to_o these_o head_n i._o the_o grammatical_a construction_n ii_o the_o metaphor_n and_o figure_n and_o rhetorical_a scheme_n of_o speech_n iii_o the_o decorum_n or_o suitableness_n of_o the_o matter_n or_o the_o thing_n themselves_o iv_o the_o method_n i._o the_o grammatical_a construction_n and_o propriety_n of_o speak_v it_o have_v be_v by_o many_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a resemblance_n between_o the_o style_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o of_o homer_n the_o most_o ancient_a book_n we_o have_v beside_o and_o it_o be_v likewise_o observable_a that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v by_o some_o look_v upon_o as_o defect_n in_o the_o scripture_n style_n as_o the_o use_v one_o gender_n or_o one_o number_n or_o case_n or_o tense_n for_o another_o the_o putting_z participle_n for_o verb_n the_o comparative_a or_o superlative_a for_o the_o positive_a active_n for_o passive_n or_o passive_n for_o active_n be_v particular_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o homer_n
by_o in_o vit._n homer_n plutarch_n as_o excellency_n in_o homer_n and_o he_o say_v they_o be_v usual_a in_o prose_n as_o well_o as_o in_o verse_n among_o the_o ancient_n whatsoever_o soloccism_n or_o impropriety_n of_o speech_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o like_a have_v be_v observe_v sacr._n observe_v vid._n dan._n heins_n proleg_n ad_fw-la exercit_fw-la sacr._n in_o homer_n aeschylus_n sophocles_n pindar_n and_o apollonius_n rhodius_n by_o their_o several_a scholiast_n and_o in_o thucydides_n by_o dionysius_n halicarnasseus_n and_o in_o tully_n by_o cicuron_n by_o dialog_n cicuron_n erasmus_n and_o other_o xenophon_n be_v observe_v by_o cclxxix_o by_o apud_fw-la phot._n cod_n cclxxix_o helladius_n not_o to_o be_v always_o exact_a in_o point_n of_o grammar_n which_o he_o ascribe_v to_o his_o military_a life_n and_o his_o conversation_n with_o stranger_n many_o soloecism_n be_v find_v in_o the_o ancient_a inscription_n and_o in_o hyginus_n a_o author_n as_o it_o be_v general_o suppose_v of_o augustus_n age_n which_o be_v to_o be_v impute_v rather_o to_o the_o custom_n of_o speech_n among_o the_o vulgar_a than_o to_o the_o mistake_n of_o these_o author_n for_o in_o language_n so_o difficult_a as_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a be_v it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o the_o common_a people_n must_v often_o make_v great_a mistake_n which_o by_o degree_n become_v customary_a and_o be_v the_o character_n of_o the_o hyginum_fw-la the_o vid._n schefferi_n praefat._n &_o munkeri_fw-la dissertat_fw-la in_o hyginum_fw-la low_a and_o plebeian_n style_n and_o in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n they_o ascribe_v their_o soloeâ—isms_n to_o the_o particular_a dialect_n of_o the_o people_n among_o who_o they_o be_v most_o in_o use_n the_o stoic_n who_o be_v the_o most_o numerous_a and_o flourish_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o christianity_n have_v little_a regard_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o grammar_n for_o they_o be_v caution_v by_o their_o master_n chrysippus_n not_o to_o be_v careful_a about_o such_o nicety_n and_o they_o be_v high_o commend_v by_o a_o 14._o a_o mer._n casaub_n in_o m._n antoâ—in_n lib._n â—_o n._n 14._o great_a critic_n for_o express_v their_o thought_n though_o common_o with_o word_n very_o proper_a and_o significant_a yet_o in_o a_o style_n so_o free_a from_o all_o affectation_n or_o curiosity_n as_o come_v next_o to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o design_n of_o revelation_n be_v not_o to_o teach_v word_n but_o thing_n and_o to_o express_v they_o in_o such_o word_n as_o may_v serve_v for_o that_o purpose_n and_o if_o a_o improper_a word_n or_o a_o soloecism_n may_v be_v more_o serviceable_a to_o that_o end_n it_o be_v beyond_o all_o exactness_n and_o propriety_n of_o language_n the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o little_a genius_n to_o be_v overcurious_a about_o word_n as_o demosthenes_n intimate_v in_o his_o reply_n to_o aeschines_n tell_v he_o that_o the_o fortune_n of_o greece_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o a_o criticism_n which_o tully_n mention_v say_v it_o be_v orator_n be_v facile_fw-la est_fw-la enim_fw-la verbum_fw-la aliquod_fw-la arden_n ut_fw-la ita_fw-la dicam_fw-la notare_fw-la idque_fw-la restinctis_fw-la jam_fw-la animorum_fw-la incendiis_fw-la irridere_fw-la cic._n orator_n a_o easy_a matter_n to_o pitch_v upon_o a_o word_n speak_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o discourse_n and_o in_o cool_a blood_n to_o make_v sport_n with_o it_o but_o this_o be_v at_o large_a treat_v of_o by_o longinus_n and_o seneca_n speak_v excellent_o to_o this_o purpose_n cxv_o purpose_n cujuscunque_fw-la orationem_fw-la videris_fw-la sollicitam_fw-la &_o politam_fw-la scito_fw-la animum_fw-la quoque_fw-la non_fw-la minus_fw-la esse_fw-la pusillis_fw-la occupatum_fw-la magnus_fw-la ille_fw-la remissius_fw-la loquor_fw-la &_o securius_fw-la quaecunque_fw-la dicit_fw-la plus_fw-la habent_fw-la siduciae_fw-la quam_fw-la curae_fw-la senec._n epist_n cxv_o if_o you_o observe_v say_v he_o that_o a_o man_n speech_n be_v too_o nice_a and_o critical_a be_v sure_a that_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n take_v up_o with_o little_a thing_n a_o man_n of_o a_o great_a mind_n speak_v with_o the_o less_o caution_n and_o exactness_n whatsoever_o he_o say_v he_o be_v better_a assure_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o his_o discourse_n than_o to_o trouble_v himself_o much_o about_o word_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o so_o many_o great_a author_n have_v afford_v so_o much_o work_v for_o the_o critic_n to_o blame_v or_o to_o excuse_v they_o and_o very_o often_o to_o commend_v they_o for_o depart_v from_o the_o common_a form_n the_o old_a testament_n have_v nothing_o of_o this_o nature_n but_o what_o for_o aught_o that_o can_v now_o be_v know_v be_v most_o proper_a in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n whatever_o it_o may_v be_v in_o other_o and_o as_o to_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v pen_v in_o such_o word_n and_o in_o such_o construction_n of_o grammar_n as_o may_v render_v it_o most_o useful_a not_o according_a to_o the_o attic_a or_o any_o other_o dialect_n which_o be_v know_v to_o so_o few_o in_o comparison_n that_o it_o be_v confine_v as_o it_o be_v to_o one_o country_n or_o know_v only_o to_o the_o learned_a in_o other_o but_o in_o such_o greek_a as_o be_v general_o understand_v in_o the_o remote_a and_o numerous_a nation_n where_o that_o language_n be_v speak_v for_o which_o reason_n so_o many_o expression_n be_v take_v from_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n which_o be_v so_o much_o in_o use_n among_o the_o proselyte_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o book_n of_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la it_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n utter_v in_o hebrew_n and_o translate_v into_o another_o tongue_n have_v not_o the_o same_o force_n in_o they_o and_o 〈◊〉_d and_o hieron_n ad_fw-la amos._n v._n 8._o &_o in_o epist_n ad_fw-la galat._n 3_o 〈◊〉_d st_n jerom_n show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o make_v use_n of_o such_o word_n as_o be_v first_o take_v from_o the_o heathen_a fable_n in_o translate_n the_o scripture_n which_o have_v no_o affinity_n to_o they_o but_o when_o man_n speak_v or_o write_v they_o must_v do_v it_o so_o as_o to_o be_v understand_v unless_o they_o will_v do_v it_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o must_v take_v such_o word_n as_o be_v to_o be_v have_v and_o be_v intelligible_a to_o those_o for_o who_o benefit_n they_o write_v and_o they_o must_v be_v content_v too_o with_o such_o grammatical_a construction_n as_o well_o as_o with_o such_o word_n as_o shall_v be_v find_v expedient_a to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o write_v 2._o write_v hieron_n in_o galat._n 1_o 2._o sometime_o again_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o frame_v new_a word_n to_o express_v the_o propriety_n of_o the_o hebrew_n language_n as_o tully_n have_v do_v in_o his_o book_n of_o philosophy_n to_o explain_v in_o latin_a the_o term_n of_o it_o in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o in_o all_o respect_n man_n must_v accommodate_v themselves_o to_o their_o subject_n and_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o those_o for_o who_o they_o undertake_v to_o discourse_v upon_o it_o ii_o metaphor_n and_o rhetorical_a scheme_n or_o figure_n of_o speech_n man_n differ_v as_o much_o in_o their_o form_n and_o scheme_n of_o speak_v as_o they_o do_v in_o their_o manner_n or_o custom_n or_o in_o their_o complexion_n and_o disposition_n every_o man_n have_v something_o peculiar_a in_o his_o way_n of_o express_v himself_o which_o be_v so_o easy_o distinguish_v by_o good_a critic_n from_o that_o of_o other_o that_o they_o seldom_o fail_v in_o it_o though_o there_o can_v be_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o cclxv_o and_o phot._n cod_n cclxv_o photius_n observe_v that_o some_o oration_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o demosthenes_n be_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n of_o style_n ascribe_v by_o certain_a critic_n to_o other_o author_n make_v this_o remark_n that_o he_o have_v often_o take_v notice_n of_o a_o great_a resemblance_n in_o the_o style_n of_o oration_n make_v by_o different_a author_n and_o of_o as_o great_a a_o unlikeness_n in_o the_o style_n of_o those_o make_v by_o the_o same_o man_n but_o the_o different_a character_n and_o manner_n of_o style_n in_o the_o several_a country_n and_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v much_o more_o easy_o discern_v than_o it_o can_v be_v in_o particular_a man_n of_o the_o same_o country_n thr_fw-mi people_n of_o caria_n phrygia_n and_o mysia_n be_v not_o at_o all_o polite_a and_o neat_a orator_n neat_a adsciverunt_fw-la aptum_fw-la suis_fw-la auribus_fw-la opimum_fw-la quoddam_fw-la &_o tanquam_fw-la adipatae_fw-la dictionis_fw-la genus_fw-la cic._n orator_n say_v tully_n and_o therefore_o they_o love_v a_o gross_a and_o slovenly_a kind_n of_o discourse_n which_o the_o rhodian_o not_o far_o distant_a from_o they_o never_o approve_v of_o and_o the_o other_o greek_n like_v it_o much_o less_o but_o the_o
vites_fw-la sitire_fw-la agros_fw-la laetus_fw-la esse_fw-la segetes_fw-la luxuriosa_fw-la frumenta_fw-la nihil_fw-la horum_fw-la earum_fw-la audacter_fw-la etc._n etc._n cic._n orator_n form_n of_o speech_n even_o among_o the_o roman_a country_n man_n be_v so_o metaphorical_a that_o they_o will_v scarce_o bear_v a_o literal_a version_n into_o our_o language_n and_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o have_v custom_n which_o may_v seem_v very_o odd_a to_o we_o it_o laert._n it_o joac_n kuhnii_fw-la observat_fw-la ad_fw-la diog._n laert._n be_v a_o custom_n among_o they_o when_o they_o propound_v a_o question_n to_o offer_v with_o it_o a_o dry_a fig_n and_o he_o that_o accept_v of_o the_o fig_n thereby_o undertake_v to_o answer_v the_o question_n the_o figurative_a expression_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o their_o type_n and_o parable_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n and_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o very_o fit_a to_o give_v a_o lively_a and_o affect_a representation_n of_o the_o message_n they_o have_v to_o deliver_v thus_o for_o instance_n it_o be_v a_o customary_a thing_n in_o those_o country_n to_o rend_v their_o carment_n to_o pluck_v off_o their_o hair_n to_o go_v barefoot_a and_o cover_v their_o face_n in_o time_n of_o grief_n and_o trouble_n which_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o certain_a sign_n of_o distraction_n among_o we_o but_o be_v common_o do_v by_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a man_n in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o expression_n of_o their_o joy_n and_o other_o passion_n be_v proportionble_a to_o those_o of_o their_o sorrow_n now_o it_o be_v reasonable_a that_o the_o prophet_n in_o deliver_v their_o prophecy_n shall_v accommodate_v themselves_o both_o in_o their_o word_n and_o action_n to_o the_o people_n to_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v deliver_v for_o else_o they_o will_v never_o have_v be_v regard_v or_o will_v have_v make_v little_a or_o no_o impression_n upon_o their_o mind_n which_o cause_v the_o false_a prophet_n to_o take_v the_o same_o method_n 1_o king_n 22.2_o it_o be_v 1._o be_v origen_n contr_n celf._n lib._n 1._o origen_n observation_n that_o the_o prophet_n sometime_o have_v matter_n of_o small_a importance_n reveal_v to_o they_o as_o when_o samuel_n acquaint_v saul_n that_o the_o ass_n be_v find_v 1_o sam._n 9.20_o that_o they_o may_v keep_v the_o people_n from_o go_v to_o false_a prophet_n to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o such_o thing_n beside_o that_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o gain_v authority_n to_o be_v rely_v upon_o when_o they_o have_v affair_n of_o the_o great_a consequence_n to_o foretell_v and_o there_o be_v reason_n that_o in_o every_o case_n they_o shall_v make_v all_o necessary_a allowance_n for_o the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o people_n with_o who_o they_o have_v to_o do_v and_o shall_v use_v all_o fit_a compliance_n with_o they_o that_o they_o may_v the_o more_o prevail_v with_o they_o for_o their_o good_a it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o prophet_n as_o abdiam_n as_o hier._n in_o abdiam_n st_n jerom_n observe_v when_o they_o speak_v against_o babylon_n the_o ammonite_n the_o moabite_n the_o philistine_n and_o other_o nation_n to_o use_v many_o expression_n and_o idiom_n of_o the_o language_n of_o the_o people_n concern_v who_o they_o speak_v 18.23_o speak_v lightf_n hebr._n &_o talmud_n exercit_fw-la on_o matt._n 13.3_o familiar_a est_fw-la syris_fw-la &_o maxim_n palaestinis_fw-la ad_fw-la omnem_fw-la sermonem_fw-la suum_fw-la parabolas_fw-la jungere_fw-la etc._n etc._n hier._n in_o matt._n 18.23_o one_o who_o be_v as_o conversant_a in_o the_o jewish_a learning_n as_o most_o man_n have_v be_v tell_v we_o that_o their_o book_n abound_v every_o where_n with_o parable_n that_o nation_n incline_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o natural_a genius_n to_o this_o sort_n of_o rhetoric_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o several_a thing_n which_o be_v set_v down_o as_o matter_n of_o fact_n may_v not_o be_v actual_o do_v but_o only_o represent_v as_o do_v to_o make_v the_o more_o lively_a impression_n upon_o the_o hearer_n and_o reader_n who_o well_o enough_o understand_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v actual_o perform_v but_o they_o may_v be_v only_o parabolical_a description_n or_o representation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o better_a to_o illustrate_v and_o convey_v those_o command_n and_o instruction_n to_o their_o mind_n which_o be_v to_o be_v deliver_v thus_o 46._o thus_o hier._n in_o hose_n proaem_n &_o comment_n in_o c._n 1._o maimon_n more_n nevoch_n part._n 2._o c._n 46._o st_n jerom_n and_o maimonides_n understand_v ezekiel_n lie_v on_o his_o side_n for_o three_o hundred_o and_o ninety_o day_n and_o hosea_n marry_v a_o adulteress_n only_o as_o similitude_n or_o parable_n and_o figure_n of_o speech_n and_o thus_o from_o the_o ancient_a rabbin_n they_o interpret_v both_o what_o be_v relate_v of_o these_o two_o prophet_n and_o that_o which_o be_v say_v of_o jeremiah_n hide_v his_o girdle_n in_o euphrates_n this_o be_v the_o most_o intelligible_a and_o effectual_a way_n that_o can_v be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o a_o people_n among_o who_o such_o figurative_a expression_n be_v usual_a and_o know_v to_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o what_o they_o be_v intend_v for_o so_o jeremiah_n be_v say_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d be_v sic_fw-la dicuntur_fw-la historici_fw-la eos_fw-la occidere_fw-la quorum_fw-la caedém_fw-la narrant_fw-la calaub_n comment_n ad_fw-la theophra_v carat_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d set_v over_o the_o nation_n and_o over_o the_o kingdom_n to_o root_v out_o and_o to_o pull_v down_o and_o to_o destroy_v and_o to_o throw_v down_o to_o build_v and_o to_o plant_v jer._n 1.10_o because_o he_o be_v appoint_v to_o prophesy_v of_o all_o these_o thing_n ezekiel_n speak_v of_o himself_o as_o come_v to_o destroy_v the_o city_n because_o he_o prophesy_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v destroy_v ezek._n 40.3_o and_o the_o same_o prophet_n in_o his_o description_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o temple_n have_v delineate_v the_o temple_n large_a than_o all_o the_o earthly_a jerusalem_n and_o jerusalem_n large_a than_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n to_o show_v the_o jew_n the_o necessity_n of_o understand_v he_o in_o a_o mystical_a and_o spiritual_a sense_n 11._o sense_n lightf_n prospect_n of_o the_o temple_n ch_n 11._o as_o one_o have_v observe_v who_o very_o well_o understand_v the_o dimension_n of_o both_o and_o thus_o ezekiel_n be_v also_o carry_v from_o place_n to_o place_n in_o vision_n only_o as_o the_o text_n seem_v to_o express_v ezek._n 11.1.40.1_o 2._o as_o the_o jew_n dan._n jew_n hier._n praef._n in_o dan._n in_o st._n jerom_n time_n understand_v it_o and_o as_o the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n interpret_v it_o but_o hosea_n may_v be_v command_v either_o in_o vision_n or_o in_o reality_n to_o marry_v a_o woman_n who_o have_v be_v a_o adultress_n but_o 1._o but_o nec_fw-la culpanâ—â—_n prophâ—â—_n interim_n ut_fw-la sequamur_fw-la historiam_fw-la si_fw-la meretricem_fw-la converterit_fw-la ad_fw-la pâ—â—_n citiam_fw-la sed_fw-la potius_fw-la laudandus_fw-la quod_fw-la ex_fw-la mala_fw-la bonam_fw-la fecerit_fw-la id_fw-la câ—â—â—ment_n in_o hos_n c._n 1._o afterward_o become_v chaste_a and_o virtuous_a thereby_o to_o set_v a_o example_n to_o the_o israelite_n who_o have_v go_v a_o whore_v after_o other_o god_n that_o if_o they_o will_v forsake_v their_o false_a god_n and_o return_v to_o the_o true_a god_n the_o god_n of_o their_o father_n he_o will_v still_o accept_v and_o receive_v they_o in_o like_a manner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v take_v a_o adultress_n to_o wife_n upon_o assurance_n that_o she_o will_v prove_v faithful_a to_o he_o however_o this_o be_v understand_v these_o action_n and_o other_o of_o like_a nature_n be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o no_o otherwise_o than_o as_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n or_o as_o certain_a way_n of_o express_v the_o divine_a will_n to_o man_n for_o the_o mind_n may_v be_v express_v by_o orator_n by_o estenim_fw-la actio_fw-la quasi_fw-la corporis_fw-la quaedam_fw-la eloquentia_fw-la cic._n orator_n action_n as_o well_o as_o by_o word_n and_o whatever_o action_n be_v perform_v with_o this_o intention_n proper_o come_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o style_n or_o different_a way_n and_o mode_n of_o expression_n and_o all_o objection_n make_v against_o they_o under_o any_o other_o notion_n proceed_v upon_o a_o mistake_n and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n the_o prophetic_a scheme_n of_o speech_n which_o seem_v most_o strange_a to_o we_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o eastern_a nation_n 1._o nation_n comment_fw-fr in_o apocal._n part._n 1._o as_o mr_n mede_n show_v of_o the_o indian_n persian_n and_o egyptian_n the_o revelation_n of_o st_n john_n chief_o consist_v of_o allusion_n to_o the_o custom_n and_o history_n and_o notion_n and_o language_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o he_o and_o dr_n lightfoot_n have_v show_v in_o many_o place_n which_o be_v most_o contrary_a to_o our_o manner_n of_o speak_v and_o some_o passage_n allude_v
to_o the_o custom_n of_o other_o nation_n well_o know_v and_o practise_v at_o that_o time_n thus_o the_o slave_n be_v wont_a to_o have_v their_o master_n name_n or_o mark_v upon_o their_o forehead_n and_o the_o soldier_n to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o their_o general_n upon_o their_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o like_a mark_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v receive_v by_o man_n in_o token_n that_o they_o have_v devote_v themselves_o to_o their_o god_n from_o whence_o we_o read_v of_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o beast_n receive_v by_o his_o worshipper_n in_o their_o right_a hand_n or_o in_o their_o forehead_n loc_fw-la forehead_n vid._n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la loc_fw-la rev._n 13.16_o and_o of_o his_o father_n name_v write_v in_o the_o forehead_n of_o those_o that_o stand_v in_o mount_n zion_n with_o the_o lamb_n rev._n 14.1_o st_o paul_n allude_v to_o the_o grecian_a game_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n who_o be_v much_o addict_v to_o those_o sport_n and_o have_v one_o sort_n of_o they_o the_o isthmian_a perform_v among_o they_o 1_o cor._n 9.24_o 25._o and_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o distinction_n among_o the_o roman_n between_o freeman_n and_o slave_n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v in_o condescension_n to_o they_o i_o speak_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n because_o of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o your_o flesh_n rom._n 6.19_o melchisedec_n be_v say_v to_o be_v without_o father_n without_o mother_n without_o descent_n heb._n 7.3_o because_o his_o pedigree_n be_v unknown_a which_o be_v a_o most_o significant_a way_n of_o expression_n to_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o careful_a and_o exact_a in_o their_o genealogy_n but_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v also_o use_v 8._o use_v patre_fw-la nullo_n matre_fw-la serva_fw-la liv._o lib._n 4._o c._n 3._o â—ullis_fw-la majoribus_fw-la ortos_fw-la horac_n serm._n lib._n 1._o sit_v 6._o dvos_fw-la romanos_fw-la reges_fw-la â—sse_fw-la quorum_fw-la alter_fw-la patrem_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la alter_fw-la matrem_fw-la nam_fw-la de_fw-la servij_fw-la matre_fw-la dubitatur_fw-la anci_fw-la pater_fw-la nullus_fw-la numae_fw-la nepos_fw-la dicitur_fw-la senec._n epist_n c._n 8._o by_o livy_n horace_n and_o seneca_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n there_o be_v much_o of_o nature_n but_o very_o much_o likewise_o of_o use_n and_o custom_n in_o the_o several_a scheme_n and_o form_n of_o rhetoric_n we_o meet_v with_o a_o sudden_a change_n of_o the_o person_n speak_v jer._n 16.19_o 20_o 21.17.13_o and_o with_o interlocatory_a discourse_n isa_n 63._o and_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a to_o we_o for_o want_v of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n who_o speak_v thus_o for_o instance_n jer._n 20.14_o the_o prophet_n seem_v transport_v abrupt_o from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o but_o if_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o wicked_a mention_v for_o 13._o under_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n from_o the_o 14_o ver_fw-la to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o sense_n will_v be_v more_o easy_a this_o abrupt_a change_n of_o the_o person_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o longinus_n as_o a_o excellency_n in_o homer_n hecataeus_n and_o demosthenes_n and_o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n 7._o scripture_n justin_n apol._n 2._o origen_n philocal_a c._n 7._o as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o origen_n observe_v many_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n may_v be_v give_v in_o the_o best_a heathen_a poet_n and_o the_o read_v the_o ancient_a poet_n be_v the_o best_a help_n for_o the_o understanding_n all_o other_o author_n of_o great_a antiquity_n for_o the_o ancient_a any_o author_n be_v the_o near_a his_o stile_n come_v to_o poetry_n the_o first_o design_n of_o write_v be_v to_o delight_n so_o as_o to_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o instruct_v which_o make_v verse_n much_o more_o ancient_a than_o prose_n and_o though_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n to_o speak_v in_o prose_n and_o not_o in_o verse_n yet_o it_o seem_v the_o humour_n oâ—_n greek_n will_v not_o bear_v though_o write_a philosophy_n in_o prose_n till_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n for_o then_o loc_fw-la then_o plin._n hist_o lib._n 5._o c._n 29.7_o c._n 56._o vid._n harduin_n ad_fw-la loc_fw-la pliny_n tell_v we_o pherecydes_n first_o write_v in_o prose_n which_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o philosophy_n for_o he_o ascribe_v the_o first_o writing_n of_o prose_n in_o history_n to_o cadmus_n milesius_n and_o the_o ancient_a writer_n now_o extant_a in_o prose_n herodotus_n thucydides_n and_o xenophon_n have_v many_o expression_n which_o be_v seldom_o or_o never_o meet_v withal_o beside_o but_o in_o the_o poet_n h._n stephens_n make_v a_o collection_n of_o the_o poetical_a word_n use_v by_o xenophon_n which_o be_v prefix_v to_o his_o work_n and_o the_o orator_n both_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n be_v as_o exact_v and_o curious_a in_o the_o foot_n and_o measure_n of_o their_o prose_n as_o the_o poet_n can_v be_v in_o verse_n great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v in_o verse_n and_o the_o different_a way_n of_o write_v in_o different_a age_n and_o nation_n appear_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o the_o several_a sort_n of_o poetry_n that_o way_n of_o write_v all_o verse_n in_o rhyme_n which_o in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v most_o in_o use_n and_o esteem_v will_v have_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n though_o the_o use_n of_o rhyme_n in_o verse_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v example_n in_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v perhaps_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o way_n of_o write_a verse_n acrostic_n though_o of_o no_o esteem_n and_o little_o use_v in_o many_o age_n and_o country_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n verse_n compose_v in_o the_o acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a way_n be_v find_v to_o be_v a_o help_n to_o the_o memory_n and_o this_o benefit_n and_o the_o ornament_n which_o it_o be_v then_o suppose_v to_o give_v to_o poem_n be_v the_o cause_n why_o it_o be_v sometime_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o sometime_o the_o inspiration_n be_v so_o strong_a upon_o the_o writer_n mind_n as_o to_o interrupt_v the_o art_n and_o method_n which_o he_o have_v propose_v to_o himself_o as_o ps_n 25._o and_o 145._o or_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v customary_a upon_o certain_a occasion_n to_o omit_v some_o letter_n in_o the_o alphabet_n in_o such_o composition_n for_o reason_n which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o but_o which_o may_v be_v very_o satisfactory_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o time_n and_o country_n 21._o country_n athenae_n lib._n 10._o c._n 21._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o example_n of_o this_o among_o the_o greek_n use_v by_o pindar_n and_o other_o ancient_a poet_n the_o old_a 11._o old_a casanb_n in_o athen._n lib._n 8._o c._n 11._o spartan_a doric_a and_o aeolic_a dialect_n change_v σ_n into_o p_o the_o rough_a sound_n of_o this_o letter_n be_v more_o agreeable_a it_o seem_v to_o those_o people_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v write_v acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a poem_n σ_n will_v have_v be_v omit_v rhophalick_a verse_n which_o begin_v with_o a_o monosyllable_n every_o word_n increase_a by_o one_o syllable_n more_o than_o the_o former_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o homer_n and_o the_o leonine_n or_o monkish_a verse_n with_o a_o double_a rhyme_n one_o in_o the_o middle_n and_o the_o other_o at_o the_o end_n be_v not_o without_o precedent_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o poem_n compose_v of_o divers_a sort_n of_o verse_n and_o frame_v into_o the_o shape_n of_o several_a thing_n by_o simmias_n rhodius_n some_o of_o which_o be_v ascribe_v to_o theocritus_n the_o repetition_n so_o frequent_a in_o homer_n be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o word_n for_o no_o author_n ever_o want_v they_o less_o than_o he_o but_o out_o of_o choice_n though_o latter_a poet_n have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o imitate_v he_o in_o this_o and_o martial_n turn_v it_o to_o ridicule_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o nothing_o be_v more_o various_a than_o the_o wit_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o whoever_o will_v write_v to_o any_o purpose_n must_v write_v in_o some_o such_o manner_n as_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o people_n to_o who_o he_o write_v will_v bear_v and_o as_o their_o custom_n require_v but_o before_o i_o leave_v this_o particular_a it_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o consider_v the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n there_o never_o be_v any_o book_n write_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o literal_a propriety_n of_o word_n because_o all_o language_n abound_v in_o metaphor_n which_o by_o constant_a use_n become_v perhaps_o better_o know_v to_o the_o native_n of_o a_o country_n than_o the_o original_a word_n themselves_o and_o in_o process_n
therefore_o be_v call_v prophet_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o in_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o man_n inspire_a writer_n may_v use_v such_o form_n of_o speech_n as_o will_v not_o be_v proper_a nor_o decent_a for_o other_o to_o use_v and_o this_o liberty_n be_v take_v by_o orator_n as_o well_o as_o poet_n when_o the_o occasion_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o as_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o panathen_a in_o panegr_n &_o panathen_a isocrates_n for_o the_o ancient_a orator_n too_o by_o longinus_n observation_n pretend_v to_o something_o more_o than_o humane_a and_o will_v be_v think_v to_o speak_v by_o some_o kind_n of_o impulse_n upon_o which_o account_n this_o liberty_n may_v be_v allow_v they_o but_o it_o may_v well_o be_v think_v needless_a for_o i_o to_o have_v use_v so_o many_o word_n on_o this_o subject_n when_o there_o be_v so_o little_a occasion_n for_o any_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o wherever_o there_o can_v be_v any_o pretence_n for_o it_o it_o have_v be_v consider_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n but_o i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v labour_n ill_o bestow_v to_o show_v here_o beside_o how_o have_v critic_n they_o be_v that_o can_v object_v at_o this_o rate_n i_o will_v say_v further_o that_o the_o passage_n tob._n 5.16_o concern_v the_o dog_n which_o follow_v tobias_n which_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o unwary_a and_o unskilful_a man_n to_o insult_v with_o so_o much_o scorn_n over_o a_o book_n that_o be_v very_o useful_a though_o not_o of_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v not_o only_o innocent_a but_o agreeable_a to_o the_o best_a pattern_n of_o antiquity_n seru._n antiquity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d odiss_n two_o nec_fw-la non_fw-la &_o geminy_n custodes_fw-la limine_fw-la ab_fw-la alto_fw-mi procedunt_fw-la gressumque_fw-la cane_n comitantur_fw-la herilem_fw-la aen._n 8._o hoc_fw-la &_o in_o homero_n lectum_fw-la est_fw-la &_o in_o historia_n romana_fw-la quae_fw-la ait_fw-la syphax_n inter_fw-la dvas_fw-la cane_n stans_fw-la scipionem_fw-la appellavit_fw-la seru._n homer_n and_o virgil_n who_o think_v it_o a_o very_a proper_a and_o natural_a ornament_n of_o their_o poem_n to_o describe_v dog_n follow_v their_o master_n homer_n speak_v of_o telemachus_n and_o virgil_n of_o evander_n and_o servius_n produce_v a_o example_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o roman_a history_n iv_o as_o to_o the_o method_n use_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v write_v according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v or_o that_o history_n shall_v be_v digest_v into_o diaries_n or_o annal_n since_o there_o may_v be_v reason_n whether_o know_v or_o unknown_a to_o we_o why_o they_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o place_v and_o thus_o the_o lyric_a â—â—â—ts_n 25._o â—â—â—ts_n vid._n hieron_n ad_fw-la hieremiae_n cap._n 21_o 25._o who_o pretend_v to_o enthusiasm_n and_o a_o imitation_n as_o it_o be_v of_o prophecy_n do_v not_o confine_v themselves_o to_o observe_v any_o order_n of_o time_n some_o thing_n last_o foretell_v may_v be_v first_o to_o be_v fulfil_v or_o some_o thing_n be_v more_o or_o less_o remarkable_a or_o concern_v the_o jew_n more_o or_o less_o than_o other_o but_o general_o in_o the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o scripture_n what_o concern_v the_o same_o subject_n be_v put_v together_o though_o foretold_v or_o fall_v out_o at_o different_a time_n that_o the_o clear_a and_o more_o distinct_a view_n may_v be_v have_v of_o it_o this_o as_o 30._o as_o hieren_fw-mi ad_fw-la ezech._n cap._n 29_o 30._o st_n jerom_n observe_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o diveâ—â—_n transposition_n in_o point_n of_o time_n in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n and_o ezekiel_n and_o 7._o and_o id._n ad_fw-la dan._n c._n 7._o he_o take_v notice_n that_o daniel_n have_v set_v down_o the_o prophecy_n which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o several_a reign_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n belshazzar_n darius_n or_o cyrus_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n afterward_o declare_v the_o revelation_n that_o be_v make_v to_o he_o that_o have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v make_v but_o be_v write_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o posterity_n but_o the_o several_a transposition_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o account_v for_o by_o commentator_n and_o it_o must_v be_v observe_v that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n mention_v no_o more_o of_o civil_a affair_n than_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o in_o many_o thing_n they_o refer_v to_o the_o history_n then_o extant_a for_o a_o full_a account_n of_o they_o their_o design_n be_v not_o to_o write_v a_o complete_a history_n of_o all_o event_n but_o they_o confine_v themselves_o to_o such_o as_o be_v most_o fit_a for_o they_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o keep_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o their_o proper_a business_n it_o be_v expedient_a that_o the_o same_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v repeat_v in_o divers_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o intersperse_v with_o other_o thing_n according_a to_o no_o certain_a art_n or_o method_n because_o this_o prevent_v their_o be_v corrupt_v or_o falsify_v as_o they_o may_v have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v be_v all_o reduce_v to_o several_a distinct_a head_n and_o place_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o art_n if_o one_o prophet_n repeat_v what_o another_o prophet_n have_v say_v this_o be_v to_o give_v it_o a_o new_a confirmation_n to_o revive_v the_o remembrance_n and_o show_v the_o certainty_n and_o importance_n of_o it_o it_o be_v ordinary_a in_o the_o best_a author_n not_o only_o to_o find_v the_o same_o thing_n repeat_v in_o divers_a place_n of_o their_o work_n but_o to_o meet_v with_o they_o repeat_v in_o the_o very_a same_o word_n thus_o isocrates_n xenophon_n and_o demosthenes_n transcribe_v in_o one_o part_n of_o their_o work_n what_o they_o have_v write_v in_o another_o but_o none_o i_o think_v so_o frequent_o as_o demosthenes_n though_o midiam_fw-la though_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ulp._n enarr_n oâ—at_n demosthen_n coâ—t_fw-la midiam_fw-la ulpian_n have_v observe_v that_o this_o be_v a_o usual_a thing_n with_o the_o ancient_a writer_n it_o be_v customary_a likewise_o with_o the_o philosopher_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o to_o allude_v to_o the_o verse_n of_o homer_n and_o to_o apply_v they_o with_o little_a variation_n upon_o all_o occasion_n as_o may_v be_v see_v frequent_o in_o diogenes_n laertius_n all_o the_o cavil_n therefore_o that_o be_v make_v against_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n proceed_v from_o ignorance_n of_o antiquity_n and_o from_o rashness_n in_o judge_v of_o ancient_a time_n and_o foreign_a country_n by_o our_o own_o whoever_o will_v either_o delight_n or_o profit_n must_v speak_v and_o act_v in_o some_o measure_n according_a to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o people_n with_o who_o he_o converse_v and_o if_o we_o will_v but_o read_v the_o scripture_n with_o the_o same_o candour_n and_o respect_n with_o which_o we_o read_v the_o write_n of_o human_a author_n and_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o person_n and_o the_o occasion_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v write_v there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v seem_v harsh_a or_o improper_a either_o in_o the_o word_n or_o action_n of_o the_o person_n inspire_v for_o it_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o those_o country_n to_o speak_v by_o their_o action_n almost_o as_o much_o as_o in_o word_n if_o we_o will_v but_o observe_v the_o circumstance_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v we_o shall_v find_v cause_n to_o admire_v the_o simplicity_n and_o plainness_n and_o modesty_n of_o the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o many_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o style_n be_v sublime_a and_o elegant_a beyond_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v find_v in_o other_o write_n and_o yet_o as_o natural_a as_o if_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v otherwise_o express_v and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a excellency_n of_o style_n that_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o natural_a and_o yet_o eloquent_a longinus_n give_v a_o high_a character_n of_o moses_n style_n in_o a_o book_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v to_o represent_v the_o most_o perfect_a idea_n of_o eloquence_n indeed_o such_o be_v the_o fitness_n both_o in_o verse_n and_o prose_n of_o the_o word_n and_o style_n of_o moses_n so_o admirable_o suit_v to_o the_o subject_n upon_o all_o occasion_n as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v to_o prescribe_v a_o pattern_n of_o true_a eloquence_n as_o well_o as_o to_o enact_v law_n h._n stephens_n have_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a resemblance_n in_o herodotus_n to_o the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n herodotus_n have_v homer_n in_o his_o view_n throughout_o his_o history_n and_o homer_n expression_n be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o many_o instance_n as_o particular_o when_o he_o so_o often_o mention_n the_o child_n of_o the_o trojan_n and_o the_o child_n of_o
the_o greek_n as_o the_o scripture_n mention_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o other_o greek_a author_n say_v the_o child_n of_o the_o physician_n as_o the_o scripture_n say_v the_o child_n of_o the_o bride-chamber_n and_o the_o child_n of_o light_n initio_fw-la light_n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la 4._o reg._n 19.2_o &_o ad_fw-la ezech._n initio_fw-la grotius_n compare_v isaiah_n to_o demosthenes_n a_o sublime_a but_o a_o most_o natural_a and_o judicious_a writer_n the_o same_o author_n compare_v ezekiel_n to_o homer_n for_o the_o beauty_n and_o nobleness_n of_o his_o style_n 34._o style_n pref._n to_o pindaric_a ode_n and_o note_n upon_o pind._n ode_n â—n_n isai_n 34._o mr_n cowley_n compare_v the_o prophet_n especial_o isaiah_n to_o pindar_n but_o of_o pindar_n he_o say_v that_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v undertake_v to_o translate_v he_o word_n for_o word_n it_o will_v be_v think_v that_o one_o mad_a man_n have_v translate_v another_o for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n that_o we_o must_v consider_v in_o pindar_n the_o great_a difference_n of_o time_n betwixt_o his_o age_n and_o we_o which_o change_v we_o in_o picture_n at_o least_o the_o colour_n of_o poetry_n the_o no_o less_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o religion_n and_o custom_n of_o our_o country_n and_o a_o thousand_o particularity_n of_o place_n person_n and_o manner_n which_o do_v but_o confuse_o appear_v to_o our_o eye_n at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n and_o last_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o our_o ear_n be_v stranger_n to_o the_o music_n of_o his_o number_n which_o sometime_o especial_o in_o song_n and_o ode_n almost_o without_o any_o thing_n else_o make_v a_o excellent_a poet._n and_o of_o david_n he_o observe_v that_o the_o best_a translator_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v honour_n or_o at_o least_o justice_n to_o that_o divine_a poet_n that_o methinks_v say_v he_o they_o revile_v he_o worse_o than_o shimei_n and_o buchanan_n himself_o come_v in_o his_o opinion_n no_o less_o short_a of_o david_n than_o his_o country_n do_v of_o judea_n yet_o isaiah_n and_o the_o râ—â—â—_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o psalm_n be_v translate_v into_o our_o language_n word_n for_o word_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o one_o language_n to_o be_v thus_o render_v into_o another_o and_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o difference_n of_o time_n and_o place_n and_o custom_n and_o person_n no_o sensible_a man_n read_v they_o in_o the_o english_a tongue_n but_o he_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o their_o style_n with_o all_o these_o disadvantage_n be_v true_o great_a and_o excellent_a whereas_o euseb_n whereas_o quod_fw-la sicui_fw-la non_fw-la videtur_fw-la linguae_fw-la gratiam_fw-la interpretatione_n mutari_fw-la homerum_fw-la ad_fw-la verbum_fw-la exprimat_fw-la in_o latinum_fw-la plus_fw-fr aliquid_fw-la dicam_fw-la eundem_fw-la in_o fuâ_fw-la linguâ_fw-la prosae_fw-la verbis_fw-la interpretetur_fw-la videbit_fw-la ordinem_fw-la ridiculum_fw-la &_o poetam_fw-la eloquentissimum_fw-la vix_fw-la loquentem_fw-la hieron_n praef._n in_o chron._n euseb_n there_o be_v none_o of_o the_o heathen_a author_n that_o be_v so_o much_o esteem_v which_o if_o they_o be_v literal_o translate_v as_o the_o scripture_n be_v will_v bear_v the_o read_n but_o they_o will_v appear_v ridiculous_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v understand_v for_o the_o spirit_n and_o genius_n and_o peculiar_a idiom_n of_o most_o tongue_n be_v so_o very_o different_a one_o from_o another_o and_o depend_v upon_o the_o custom_n and_o humour_n of_o the_o people_n of_o several_a country_n it_o be_v the_o evident_a care_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n to_o cause_v great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o write_v by_o so_o many_o different_a man_n and_o at_o such_o distant_a time_n and_o some_o book_n of_o they_o in_o the_o early_a age_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v pen_v in_o such_o a_o language_n and_o style_n as_o be_v most_o natural_a and_o which_o without_o any_o want_n of_o art_n exceed_v the_o most_o artificial_a and_o study_a eloquence_n in_o sublime_a and_o noble_a thought_n and_o expression_n and_o in_o all_o the_o beauty_n and_o ornament_n of_o speech_n and_o yet_o which_o in_o all_o the_o necessary_a point_n of_o salvation_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v understand_v under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o a_o verbal_a translation_n by_o man_n of_o ordinary_a capacity_n who_o live_v so_o many_o age_n after_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n can_v be_v read_v or_o hear_v or_o think_v of_o without_o be_v move_v by_o they_o with_o what_o life_n then_o with_o what_o zeal_n and_o flame_n must_v they_o have_v be_v deliver_v and_o what_o a_o mighty_a blessing_n be_v such_o a_o prophet_n to_o his_o own_o age_n and_o to_o all_o succeed_a generation_n of_o royal_a blood_n and_o of_o a_o style_n and_o behaviour_n suitable_a to_o his_o birth_n of_o divine_a virtue_n and_o of_o divine_a eloquence_n he_o declare_v thing_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v fulfil_v till_o many_o age_n afterward_o as_o plain_o as_o if_o he_o have_v see_v they_o before_o his_o eye_n and_o will_v make_v all_o other_o to_o see_v they_o he_o speak_v of_o christ_n as_o clear_o as_o if_o with_o simeon_n he_o have_v have_v his_o saviour_n in_o his_o arm_n or_o with_o the_o wise_a man_n have_v be_v kneel_v down_o before_o he_o and_o present_v he_o with_o more_o precious_a gift_n than_o any_o they_o have_v to_o offer_v and_o describe_v his_o passion_n as_o full_o as_o if_o he_o have_v follow_v he_o through_o every_o part_n of_o it_o and_o have_v be_v crucify_a with_o he_o have_v be_v just_a enter_v with_o he_o into_o paradise_n if_o this_o be_v think_v a_o digression_n from_o my_o subject_n i_o hope_v it_o may_v easy_o be_v excuse_v for_o who_o can_v speak_v of_o isaiah_n without_o a_o digression_n when_o man_n choose_v the_o food_n of_o swine_n and_o trample_v upon_o pearl_n as_o thing_n of_o no_o value_n as_o if_o he_o and_o the_o other_o prophet_n have_v always_o the_o hard_a fate_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o ruler_n of_o sodom_n and_o the_o people_n of_o gomorrha_n but_o if_o the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o in_o all_o place_n alike_o excellent_a and_o exact_a let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o 1._o the_o same_o stile_n be_v not_o suitable_a to_o all_o subject_n and_o the_o stile_n and_o dialect_n be_v different_a according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o matter_n or_o of_o the_o person_n for_o who_o use_n it_o be_v immediate_o design_v what_o concern_v the_o assyrian_a monarchy_n in_o the_o prophet_n daniel_n be_v in_o the_o chaldee_n tongue_n and_o what_o relate_v direct_o to_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o the_o hebrew_n part_v of_o ezra_n be_v in_o chaldee_n be_v a_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o chaldee_n chronicle_n and_o jer._n 10.11_o be_v in_o the_o same_o tongue_n that_o the_o jew_n may_v reject_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o chaldean_n in_o their_o language_n and_o open_o profess_v their_o own_o abhorrence_n of_o it_o and_o as_o upon_o these_o occasion_n the_o language_n of_o scripture_n be_v change_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o person_n concern_v so_o the_o style_n must_v be_v sometime_o alter_v upon_o the_o same_o account_n 2._o artificial_a strain_n of_o rhetoric_n whereby_o the_o passion_n be_v move_v to_o the_o utmost_a height_n be_v very_o necessary_a to_o gain_v a_o present_a point_n and_o carry_v a_o cause_n by_o a_o violent_a and_o sudden_a transport_n before_o reason_n can_v interpose_v but_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v propound_v upon_o reasonable_a motive_n there_o can_v be_v no_o need_n of_o rhetoric_n when_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o miracle_n by_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v afford_v so_o many_o other_o more_o certain_a and_o powerful_a mean_n of_o persuasion_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n but_o in_o truth_n and_o simplicity_n and_o therefore_o may_v well_o have_v be_v without_o any_o advantage_n of_o eloquence_n as_o need_v no_o such_o help_n to_o recommend_v they_o to_o serious_a and_o impartial_a mind_n and_o though_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o condescend_v so_o far_o to_o the_o infirmity_n of_o man_n as_o to_o convey_v very_o much_o of_o his_o reveal_v will_v to_o we_o in_o such_o a_o style_n as_o for_o its_o own_o sake_n be_v high_o to_o be_v esteem_v and_o admire_v yet_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o other_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n shall_v have_v the_o bare_a force_n and_o evidence_n of_o truth_n only_o to_o convince_v man_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o our_o religion_n be_v propagate_v not_o by_o any_o art_n of_o humane_a eloquence_n but_o by_o its_o own_o worth_a and_o excellency_n for_o eloquence_n be_v not_o use_v where_o it_o will_v have_v be_v most_o necessary_a if_o any_o humane_a mean_n can_v be_v so_o in_o assert_v and_o propagate_a the_o divine_a truth_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n all_o the_o
eloquence_n as_o well_o as_o the_o power_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o vice_n of_o mankind_n be_v combine_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o less_o elegancy_n and_o accuracy_n of_o style_n be_v employ_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n than_o have_v be_v before_o use_v by_o moses_n and_o thâ—_n prophet_n who_o yet_o have_v nothing_o which_o seem_v so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a to_o deliver_v which_o be_v one_o great_a argument_n of_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o it_o can_v prevail_v so_o much_o against_o all_o the_o opposition_n in_o the_o world_n only_o by_o tell_v a_o plain_a truth_n and_o in_o the_o plain_a manner_n for_o where_o the_o thing_n be_v evident_a the_o few_o and_o plain_a word_n be_v best_a as_o in_o mathematical_a demonstration_n it_o be_v enough_o if_o man_n make_v themselves_o to_o be_v understand_v this_o likewise_o be_v all_o that_o the_o apostle_n aim_v at_o 24._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o lib._n iii._o c._n 24._o their_o cause_n and_o doctrine_n be_v so_o certain_a and_o demonstrable_a that_o any_o word_n which_o do_v but_o full_o and_o clear_o express_v their_o meaning_n be_v sufficient_a for_o their_o purpose_n their_o rhetoric_n lie_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o not_o in_o word_n there_o be_v no_o great_a art_n require_v to_o prove_v that_o to_o any_o man_n which_o he_o see_v with_o his_o eye_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v great_a under_o the_o gospel_n than_o under_o the_o law_n so_o there_o be_v less_o need_n of_o eloquence_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o in_o the_o old_a yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v as_o a_o 4._o a_o mer_n casaub_n of_o enthus_n c._n 4._o learned_a critic_n have_v declare_v that_o st_n paul_n in_o some_o kind_n and_o upon_o some_o subject_n be_v as_o eloquent_a as_o ever_o man_n be_v not_o inferior_a to_o demosthenes_n in_o who_o writing_n he_o believe_v that_o apostle_n have_v be_v much_o conversant_a or_o aeschines_n or_o any_o other_o ancient_o most_o admire_v 3._o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v write_v in_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o they_o and_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v permit_v they_o to_o use_v their_o own_o style_n so_o direct_v they_o still_o and_o overrule_a they_o in_o every_o word_n and_o sentence_n that_o it_o shall_v infallible_o express_v his_o own_o full_a sense_n and_o meaning_n and_o speak_v the_o truth_n which_o he_o inspire_v and_o therefore_o though_o there_o be_v divers_a style_n in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o isaiah_n for_o instance_n be_v of_o the_o blood_n royal_a and_o educate_v at_o court_n may_v write_v in_o a_o more_o refine_a and_o lofty_a style_n and_o amos_n who_o be_v bring_v up_o among_o the_o herdsman_n of_o tekoa_n may_v speak_v in_o a_o more_o humble_a strain_n and_o fetch_v his_o metaphor_n from_o low_a and_o mean_a thing_n and_o yet_o the_o sense_n and_o substance_n of_o both_o may_v be_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o as_o exact_o true_a and_o infallible_a as_o if_o every_o word_n and_o syllable_n be_v dictate_v by_o he_o but_o this_o have_v be_v already_o consider_v under_o its_o proper_a head_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whatever_o uncertainty_n there_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o the_o catalogue_n and_o number_n of_o book_n of_o divine_a revelation_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v make_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n itself_o or_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v universal_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v by_o all_o church_n for_o if_o this_o be_v a_o true_a way_n of_o argue_v than_o whatever_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o must_v be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o what_o we_o know_v and_o by_o consequence_n no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n since_o the_o wise_a man_n be_v ignorant_a of_o so_o many_o thing_n that_o he_o know_v very_o little_a in_o comparison_n of_o what_o he_o be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o author_n of_o great_a note_n and_o fame_n but_o that_o critic_n have_v have_v dispute_n concern_v the_o number_n of_o his_o genuine_a work_n and_o yet_o this_o have_v never_o be_v think_v any_o prejudice_n to_o such_o as_o be_v allow_v by_o all_o to_o be_v genuine_a will_v not_o that_o man_n make_v himself_o ridiculous_a who_o shall_v reject_v the_o philippic_n of_o tully_n or_o virgil_n aeneis_n as_o spurious_a because_o other_o book_n either_o doubtful_a or_o counterfeit_v have_v past_a under_o the_o name_n of_o these_o two_o author_n if_o some_o book_n have_v be_v dispute_v the_o rest_n certain_o be_v genuine_a beyond_o all_o dispute_n because_o they_o have_v never_o be_v call_v into_o question_n or_o doubt_v now_o if_o these_o book_n only_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n concern_v which_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o dispute_n they_o contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v and_o as_o to_o the_o rest_n concern_v which_o there_o have_v be_v any_o controversy_n though_o they_o be_v exceed_o useful_a to_o explain_v divers_a thing_n which_o we_o find_v in_o these_o and_o perhaps_o to_o teach_v we_o some_o thing_n not_o essential_a to_o our_o religion_n nor_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v elsewhere_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v receive_v because_o whatever_o doctrine_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a they_o be_v to_o be_v find_v full_o and_o plain_o deliver_v in_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o have_v ever_o be_v receive_v without_o contradiction_n or_o dispute_n many_o man_n be_v undoubted_o save_v before_o the_o write_n of_o these_o controvert_v book_n nay_o before_o the_o write_n of_o any_o book_n at_o all_o write_n be_v no_o further_o necessary_a than_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v write_v when_o the_o thing_n now_o write_v can_v be_v as_o well_o know_v without_o writing_n book_n be_v not_o necessary_a and_o though_o for_o after_o age_n it_o become_v necessary_a that_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n shall_v consign_v their_o doctrine_n to_o writing_n yet_o no_o more_o of_o their_o writing_n can_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v by_o we_o than_o what_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n it_o be_v the_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o afford_v we_o more_o than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o our_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a life_n as_o he_o have_v do_v for_o our_o natural_a and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n in_o any_o man_n to_o reject_v any_o mean_n of_o salvation_n or_o instruction_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o allow_v but_o still_o that_o man_n will_v sustain_v his_o natural_a life_n and_o health_n who_o shall_v think_v all_o that_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o support_n of_o it_o common_a or_o unclean_a and_o not_o fit_a to_o be_v use_v for_o food_n and_o if_o a_o man_n without_o any_o of_o his_o own_o fault_n or_o neglect_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n only_o of_o the_o uncontrrovert_v book_n he_o will_v find_v they_o abundant_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o end_n of_o revelation_n and_o to_o procure_v his_o salvation_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o one_o infallible_a authority_n be_v as_o great_a a_o security_n as_o never_o so_o many_o can_v be_v but_o the_o same_o doctrine_n be_v teach_v in_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n for_o it_o that_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o furnish_v we_o with_o so_o much_o more_o than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o to_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o sundry_a place_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n for_o our_o further_a instruction_n and_o confirmation_n in_o the_o faith_n though_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a and_o wicked_a to_o say_v that_o he_o who_o believe_v all_o the_o point_n of_o necessary_a faith_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o one_o book_n of_o scripture_n have_v no_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o salvation_n unless_o he_o likewise_o believe_v they_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n not_o that_o i_o suppose_v any_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n can_v now_o find_v any_o cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o any_o book_n in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n whether_o it_o be_v genuine_a or_o no_o but_o to_o suppose_v the_o most_o and_o the_o worst_a that_o can_v be_v suppose_v if_o those_o book_n which_o at_o any_o time_n have_v be_v call_v in_o
of_o nice_a inasmuch_o as_o they_o be_v refer_v to_o by_o that_o council_n and_o that_o they_o be_v style_v apostolical_a because_o they_o be_v make_v by_o apostolical_a man_n or_o such_o as_o live_v next_o to_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o deliver_v in_o these_o canon_n what_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n dr_n beverege_n think_v they_o roman_n they_o bever_n annot._fw-la ad_fw-la pandect_a can._n &_o cod._n can._n eccl._n primit_fw-la vind_z cave_n histor_n litter_n in_o clem_v roman_n be_v collect_v into_o one_o body_n by_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o dr_n cave_n seem_v incline_v to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o judgement_n as_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o particular_a apostolical_a canon_n which_o contain_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n of_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n give_v a_o sufficient_a testimony_n to_o it_o so_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o show_v wherein_o it_o have_v be_v corrupt_v since_o all_o which_o very_o well_o agree_v with_o that_o which_o i_o observe_v from_o tertullian_n that_o frequent_a council_n be_v call_v in_o the_o first_o age_n and_o that_o they_o have_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n among_o other_o thing_n under_o consideration_n which_o we_o find_v set_v down_o in_o the_o last_o of_o the_o apostle_n canon_n and_o from_o thence_o in_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n no_o book_n be_v omit_v but_o the_o revelation_n of_o st_n john_n which_o yet_o have_v be_v acknowledge_v and_o receive_v as_o authentic_a from_o the_o begin_n of_o those_o who_o have_v most_o reason_n to_o know_v of_o what_o authority_n it_o be_v but_o none_o be_v insert_v into_o the_o canon_n but_o such_o book_n as_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v constant_o read_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n it_o appear_v then_o that_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n be_v finish_v by_o st_n john_n and_o that_o such_o book_n as_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a authority_n be_v reject_v by_o council_n hold_v when_o there_o be_v live_a witness_n to_o certify_v st_n john_n approbation_n of_o the_o canon_n or_o at_o least_o those_o who_o have_v receive_v it_o from_o such_o witness_n the_o gospel_n of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n be_v translate_v into_o divers_a language_n in_o st_n john_n life_n time_n and_o we_o must_v in_o reason_n suppose_v the_o same_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n this_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o be_v all_o very_o early_o translate_v into_o many_o tongue_n and_o disperse_v into_o so_o many_o hand_n in_o so_o many_o country_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v either_o lose_v or_o falsify_v espeble_a cial_o since_o the_o several_a sect_n of_o christian_n be_v never_o more_o jealous_a and_o watchful_a over_o each_o other_o in_o any_o thing_n than_o in_o this_o particular_a the_o several_a interest_n and_o pretension_n of_o all_o party_n be_v chief_o concern_v in_o it_o and_o no_o catalogue_n of_o book_n can_v have_v be_v receive_v exclusive_o to_o all_o other_o but_o upon_o the_o clear_a evidence_n xii_o when_o it_o once_o appear_v that_o the_o book_n which_o have_v be_v doubt_v of_o belong_v to_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n they_o be_v afterward_o general_o acknowledge_v and_o constant_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n every_o sect_n have_v since_o use_v all_o art_n and_o endeavour_n to_o reconcile_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o doctrine_n few_o or_o none_o presume_v to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o any_o of_o these_o book_n which_o they_o will_v never_o scruple_n to_o do_v if_o they_o suppose_v they_o can_v make_v out_o any_o plausible_a pretence_n for_o it_o protestant_n have_v refuse_v to_o admit_v of_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n as_o inspire_v but_o whoever_o have_v go_v about_o to_o reject_v any_o part_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n have_v be_v universal_o declare_v against_o for_o it_o whereof_o no_o other_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o the_o evidence_n that_o be_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v want_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n papist_n own_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n and_o of_o the_o fourteen_o chapter_n of_o that_o epistle_n which_o be_v direct_o against_o pray_v in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o they_o acknowledge_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n to_o be_v genuine_a though_o the_o second_o chapter_n be_v so_o clear_o against_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n these_o espistle_n indeed_o be_v never_o controvert_v but_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n likewise_o be_v not_o reject_v by_o the_o socinian_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o merit_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o suffering_n be_v so_o plain_o assert_v in_o it_o and_o they_o dare_v not_o deny_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n of_o st_n john_n though_o they_o be_v so_o hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o expound_v they_o to_o their_o own_o sense_n that_o socinus_n be_v force_v to_o pretend_v to_o i_o know_v not_o what_o revelation_n to_o help_v out_o one_o of_o his_o explication_n which_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v if_o he_o can_v have_v find_v out_o any_o colour_n for_o not_o admit_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o text_n so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o his_o own_o tenant_n that_o he_o can_v not_o expect_v that_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o a_o revelation_n shall_v procure_v any_o credit_n to_o his_o interpretation_n and_o general_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o with_o other_o sect_n those_o that_o differ_v never_o so_o much_o one_o from_o another_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o particular_a text_n yet_o agree_v in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n itself_o or_o can_v find_v out_o no_o sufficient_a pretence_n to_o disow_v it_o chap._n v._o of_o the_o various_a readins_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o a_o extrardinary_a providence_n have_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n secure_v the_o holy_a scripture_n from_o those_o casualty_n which_o be_v incident_a to_o humane_a write_n for_o the_o great_a antiquity_n of_o many_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n beyond_o that_o of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n the_o multitude_n of_o copy_n which_o have_v be_v take_v in_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n the_o difficulty_n to_o avoid_v mistake_n in_o transcribe_v book_n in_o a_o language_n which_o have_v so_o many_o of_o its_o letter_n and_o of_o its_o word_n themselves_o so_o like_o one_o another_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n and_o the_o late_a invention_n as_o it_o be_v general_o now_o acknowledge_v of_o the_o point_n the_o change_n of_o the_o samaritan_n or_o ancient_a hebrew_n for_o the_o present_a hebrew_n character_n the_o captivity_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o seventy_o year_n and_o the_o mixture_n and_o change_n which_o be_v during_o that_o time_n bring_v into_o their_o language_n in_o short_a all_o the_o accident_n which_o have_v ever_o happen_v to_o occasion_n error_n or_o mistake_n in_o any_o book_n have_v concur_v to_o cause_v they_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o yet_o the_o different_a readins_n be_v much_o few_o and_o make_v much_o less_o alteration_n in_o the_o sense_n than_o those_o of_o any_o other_o book_n of_o the_o same_o bigness_n and_o of_o any_o note_n and_o antiquity_n if_o all_o the_o copy_n shall_v be_v careful_o examine_v and_o every_o little_a variation_n as_o punctual_o set_v down_o as_o those_o of_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v but_o though_o from_o hence_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o a_o peculiar_a providence_n have_v be_v concern_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n yet_o from_o humane_a consideration_n and_o argument_n we_o may_v likewise_o be_v assure_v that_o nothing_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v happen_v by_o any_o of_o these_o mean_n 1._o the_o defect_n in_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n and_o the_o late_a invention_n of_o the_o point_n be_v not_o prejuduce_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o we_o now_o have_v it_o though_o the_o point_n which_o crititical_o determine_v the_o exact_a read_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n be_v of_o a_o late_a invention_n yet_o that_o tongue_n be_v never_o without_o its_o vowel_n for_o aleph_fw-la vau_fw-fr and_o jod_a and_o which_o some_o add_v he_o and_o gnajm_n before_o the_o invention_n of_o the_o point_n be_v use_v as_o vowel_n as_o it_o be_v evident_o prove_v from_o josephus_n 49._o vid._n walton_n prolegom_n iii._o s_o 49._o origen_n and_o st_n jerom_n by_o the_o best_a critic_n in_o that_o language_n it_o must_v indeed_o be_v confess_v that_o these_o vowel_n can_v not_o be_v so_o effectual_a to_o ascertain_v the_o true_a read_n as_o the_o point_n have_v since_o be_v but_o
death_n of_o his_o father_n terah_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o year_n which_o terah_n live_v be_v set_v down_o gen._n xi_o 32._o and_o that_o the_o departure_n of_o abram_n out_o of_o haran_n which_o be_v relate_v gen._n twelve_o yet_o happen_v before_o his_o father_n death_n there_o will_v be_v no_o inconsistency_n but_o it_o will_v be_v evident_a if_o terah_n be_v but_o seventy_o year_n old_a when_o abram_n be_v beget_v and_o abram_n be_v but_o seventy_o five_o year_n old_a when_o he_o go_v out_o of_o haran_n that_o abram_n leave_v his_o father_n terah_n in_o haran_n where_o he_o live_v after_o abram_n departure_n from_o he_o to_o the_o age_n of_o two_o hundred_o and_o five_o year_n though_o during_o his_o father_n life_n he_o do_v upon_o occasion_n return_n to_o haran_n for_o the_o final_a removal_n of_o abram_n be_v not_o till_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o act_n seven_o 4._o and_o if_o this_o way_n of_o relate_v that_o in_o general_n first_o which_o be_v afterward_o set_v forth_o in_o the_o particular_n be_v attend_v to_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o will_v afford_v a_o solution_n of_o many_o difficulty_n as_o 25._o as_o aug._n qu._n sup._n genef_n c._n 25._o st_n austin_n have_v observe_v which_o otherwise_o be_v inexplicable_a other_o suppose_v abrant_n be_v the_o young_a of_o terah_n son_n though_o mention_v first_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o chronology_n only_o by_o this_o and_o other_o instance_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o elder_a brother_n be_v not_o always_o place_v first_o in_o scripture_n but_o sometime_o the_o young_a out_o of_o respect_n to_o he_o for_o his_o favour_n with_o god_n and_o his_o great_a dignity_n and_o worth_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n arise_v upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o son_n first_o name_v must_v therefore_o necessary_o be_v first_o bear_v proceed_v from_o a_o mistake_n 2._o sometime_o the_o principal_a number_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o odd_a or_o lesser_a number_n be_v omit_v which_o be_v add_v to_o the_o great_a or_o principal_a number_n in_o some_o other_o place_n cause_v a_o difference_n not_o to_o be_v reconcile_v but_o by_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v customary_a in_o the_o best_a author_n not_o always_o to_o mention_v the_o lesser_a number_n where_o the_o matter_n do_v not_o require_v it_o and_o we_o have_v evident_a proof_n of_o this_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o time_n of_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o of_o their_o dwell_n in_o egypt_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o year_n gen._n xv_o 13._o act_n seven_o 6._o which_o yet_o be_v in_o all_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n exod._n twelve_o 40._o galat._n iii._o 17._o the_o israelite_n who_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n be_v compute_v to_o be_v six_o hundred_o thousand_o and_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o num._n i._n 46._o two_o 32._o but_o moses_n speak_v of_o they_o num._n xi_o 21._o leaf_n out_o the_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o jerubbual_a or_o gideon_n be_v say_v to_o have_v have_v threescore_o and_o ten_o son_n by_o his_o wife_n beside_o abimelech_n who_o he_o have_v by_o a_o concubine_n judg._n viij_o 30_o 31._o and_o abimelech_n be_v often_o say_v to_o have_v slay_v these_o threescore_o and_o ten_o brethren_n though_o jotham_n the_o young_a of_o they_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n say_v to_o have_v escape_v judg._n ix_o 5_o 18_o 24_o 56._o the_o benjamite_n that_o be_v slay_v judg._n 20.35_o be_v say_v to_o be_v twenty_o and_o five_o thousand_o and_o a_o hundred_o man_n whereas_o vers_fw-la 46._o they_o be_v reckon_v only_o twenty_o and_o five_o thousand_o man_n 1_o cor._n xv_o 5._o we_o read_v that_o our_o saviour_n be_v see_v of_o cephas_n then_o of_o the_o twelve_o though_o st_n mathias_n be_v not_o choose_v into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o apostle_n till_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o st_n mark_n say_v precise_o that_o he_o appear_v unto_o the_o eleven_o as_o they_o sit_v at_o meat_n mark_v xuj_o 14._o thus_o in_o heathen_a author_n the_o trojan_a 1._o trojan_a si_fw-mi inquam_fw-la numerus_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la ad_fw-la amussim_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la dicimus_fw-la mille_fw-la nave_n iisse_fw-la ad_fw-la trojam_fw-la centumvirale_fw-la esse_fw-la judicium_fw-la romae_fw-la varro_n de_fw-fr re_fw-mi rust_n lib._n two_o c._n 1._o fleet_n be_v say_v to_o consist_v of_o a_o thousand_o ship_n whereas_o homer_n make_v they_o two_o hundred_o more_o as_o 10._o as_o thucyd._n lib._n i_o c._n 10._o thucydides_n reckon_v they_o or_o one_o hundred_o sixty_o six_o by_o his_o scholiast_n count_v but_o the_o historian_n do_v not_o care_n to_o be_v so_o punctual_a the_o judge_n style_v centumviri_n among_o the_o roman_n be_v at_o first_o five_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o and_o afterward_o 33._o afterward_o plin._n lib._n vi_fw-la epist_n 33._o almost_o twice_o that_o number_n yet_o still_o they_o retain_v the_o same_o name_n as_o the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n be_v common_o style_v the_o septuagint_n since_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o lesser_a number_n be_v sometime_o omit_v both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o author_n and_o the_o principal_a and_o great_a number_n whether_o more_a or_o less_o than_o the_o precise_a calculation_n be_v only_o set_v down_o and_o at_o other_o time_n the_o lesser_a number_n be_v specify_v it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o make_v abatement_n for_o this_o in_o adjust_v the_o account_n of_o chronology_n 3._o sometime_o a_o epocha_n may_v be_v mistake_v by_o chronologer_n as_o gen._n vi_fw-la 3._o and_o the_o lord_n say_v my_o spirit_n shall_v not_o always_o strive_v with_o man_n for_o that_o he_o also_o be_v flesh_n yet_o his_o day_n shall_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o from_o gen._n v._n 32._o compare_v with_o gen._n viij_o 13._o the_o flood_n must_v happen_v but_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o these_o word_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v speak_v though_o if_o we_o compute_v not_o from_o the_o time_n when_o this_o be_v threaten_v but_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o man_n apostasy_n which_o we_o may_v suppose_v then_o to_o have_v be_v already_o twenty_o year_n there_o will_v be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o it_o or_o else_o the_o threaten_v though_o place_v after_o it_o may_v be_v denounce_v twenty_o year_n before_o the_o five_o hundred_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n which_o fall_v under_o the_o observation_n abovementioned_a of_o st_n austin_n genes_n austin_n hieron_n qu._n in_o genes_n st_o jerom_n indeed_o say_v that_o the_o time_n allow_v mankind_n for_o repantance_n be_v shorten_v for_o their_o contumacy_n and_o the_o flood_n be_v bring_v upon_o the_o world_n twenty_o year_n soon_o than_o be_v design_v if_o their_o provocation_n have_v not_o hasten_v it_o 4._o variation_n in_o chronology_n may_v sometime_o proceed_v from_o the_o likeness_n of_o two_o word_n which_o occasion_v the_o writing_n the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o thus_o act_v xiii_o 20._o some_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o famous_a copy_n from_o whence_o most_o other_o now_o remain_v may_v have_v be_v transcribe_v may_v happen_v to_o be_v uncorrect_a in_o some_o of_o these_o less_o material_a part_n of_o scripture_n the_o numeral_a letter_n be_v easy_o mistake_v as_o we_o see_v our_o figure_n now_o be_v and_o when_o they_o number_v by_o letter_n mistake_n may_v the_o often_o happen_v because_o the_o transcriber_n may_v unaware_o write_v down_o a_o letter_n of_o the_o forego_n or_o follow_v word_n instead_o of_o the_o true_a numeral_a letter_n when_o there_o be_v any_o likeness_n between_o they_o and_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n be_v some_o of_o they_o so_o very_o much_o alike_o may_v be_v a_o ready_a occasion_n of_o mistake_n this_o change_n of_o numeral_a letter_n some_o think_v to_o have_v occasion_v the_o difficulty_n concern_v the_o age_n of_o ahazia_n son_n of_o jehoram_n king_n of_o judah_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v 2_o king_n viij_o 26.2_o chron._n xxii_o 2._o and_o that_o such_o mistake_n have_v be_v make_v in_o transcribe_v the_o septuagint_n be_v evident_a because_o the_o several_a copy_n of_o that_o version_n have_v different_a account_n of_o chronology_n and_o they_o also_o differ_v from_o the_o copy_n make_v use_v of_o by_o africanus_n and_o eusebius_n mistake_v of_o this_o kind_n be_v very_o 70._o very_o error_n fortasse_fw-la ex_fw-la notis_fw-la ortus_fw-la nusquam_fw-la non_fw-la isto_fw-la modo_fw-la in_o bonis_fw-la utriusque_fw-la linguae_fw-la scriptoribus_fw-la est_fw-la peccatum_fw-la casaub_n ad_fw-la theoph._n charact._n proem_n sed_fw-la non_fw-la dubito_fw-la lib_fw-la ariorum_fw-la potius_fw-la
vii_o of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o some_o place_n in_o the_o scripture_n particular_o of_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n here_o it_o must_v in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v remember_v that_o it_o have_v be_v a_o common_a and_o true_a observation_n that_o all_o author_n be_v rather_o perplex_v and_o obscure_v than_o explain_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o commentator_n and_o this_o be_v so_o true_a of_o no_o book_n as_o of_o the_o scripture_n for_o as_o none_o have_v have_v so_o many_o gloss_n and_o comment_n put_v upon_o it_o by_o man_n of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n so_o most_o of_o they_o endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o some_o new_a explication_n or_o to_o serve_v a_o cause_n and_o maintain_v some_o particular_a opinion_n by_o their_o exposition_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v clear_a after_o volume_n have_v be_v write_v i_o may_v true_o say_v upon_o every_o text_n rather_o than_o that_o difficulty_n shall_v be_v find_v in_o they_o but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o we_o find_v it_o declare_v in_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v place_n of_o difficulty_n in_o they_o which_o make_v it_o but_o so_o much_o the_o more_o unreasonable_a that_o this_o shall_v be_v urge_v as_o a_o objection_n against_o they_o for_o what_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o profess_v must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v with_o a_o design_n and_o for_o some_o good_a reason_n and_o the_o reason_n and_o design_n ought_v to_o be_v inquire_v into_o before_o this_o be_v use_v as_o a_o objection_n st_o peter_n speak_v of_o christ_n come_v to_o judgement_n say_v that_o st_n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n have_v deliver_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o st_n paul_n himself_o intimate_v that_o there_o have_v be_v mistake_n concern_v what_o he_o have_v write_v in_o this_o matter_n 2_o thess_n two_o 1_o 2_o 3._o st_o peter_n on_o this_o occasion_n say_v that_o it_o so_o happen_v not_o only_o to_o st_n paul_n epistle_n but_o to_o other_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n through_o the_o ignorance_n and_o rashness_n of_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a man_n 2_o pet._n three_o 16._o and_o it_o happen_v more_o especial_o in_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v concern_v thing_n of_o this_o nature_n or_o contain_v whatever_o prophecy_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v therefore_o i_o shall_v i._o give_v a_o account_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o general_n ii_o i_o shall_v in_o particular_a consider_v the_o obscurity_n of_o prophecy_n and_o shall_v prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o type_n make_v use_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n and_o show_v that_o there_o be_v great_a force_n and_o evidence_n in_o the_o argument_n bring_v from_o they_o iii_o i_o shall_v prove_v that_o the_o obscurity_n of_o some_o place_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o nor_o to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o i._o i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n in_o general_a how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v 1._o some_o doctrine_n which_o it_o mighty_o concern_v we_o to_o be_v acquaint_v withal_o can_v not_o be_v deliver_v in_o so_o plain_a a_o manner_n but_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v great_a difficulty_n in_o they_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o of_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n there_o be_v several_a thing_n which_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v and_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v of_o which_o yet_o we_o can_v have_v so_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a a_o knowledge_n but_o that_o something_o of_o they_o will_v still_o remain_v unknown_a to_o we_o as_o there_o be_v no_o object_n more_o visible_a or_o better_o know_v to_o we_o than_o the_o sun_n be_v but_o to_o calculate_v the_o dimension_n and_o the_o distance_n of_o the_o sun_n from_o we_o to_o know_v how_o its_o light_n be_v communicate_v and_o sudden_o spread_v over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v thing_n of_o great_a difficulty_n and_o can_v never_o perhaps_o be_v full_o account_v for_o in_o like_a manner_n what_o the_o scripture_n deliver_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v must_v needs_o have_v difficulty_n in_o it_o though_o we_o be_v never_o so_o well_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o future_a state_n because_o these_o be_v thing_n above_o our_o understanding_n we_o may_v perfect_o understand_v that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n but_o can_v have_v no_o full_a and_o clear_a conception_n of_o all_o that_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o concern_v they_o nothing_o can_v be_v make_v plain_a to_o we_o than_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v it_o or_o than_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o the_o portion_n our_o faculty_n bear_v to_o it_o will_v allow_v god_n be_v incomprehensible_a whatever_o be_v deliver_v concern_v he_o can_v never_o be_v without_o all_o difficulty_n and_o whilst_o we_o be_v in_o this_o world_n we_o can_v never_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o the_o next_o so_o full_o as_o we_o shall_v do_v hereafter_o and_o these_o be_v difficulty_n which_o must_v be_v unless_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o our_o own_o nature_n be_v different_a from_o what_o it_o be_v nevertheless_o the_o great_a mystery_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v reveal_v and_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v require_v to_o be_v know_v by_o we_o contain_v no_o inexplicable_a difficulty_n but_o if_o we_o will_v needs_o know_v more_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n than_o be_v reveal_v and_o more_o than_o be_v require_v to_o be_v know_v no_o wonder_n if_o we_o meet_v with_o difficulty_n what_o be_v meaut_n for_o instance_n by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v very_o well_o understand_v as_o the_o opposer_n of_o this_o doctrine_n must_v own_v unless_o they_o will_v confess_v that_o they_o oppose_v they_o know_v not_o what_o he_o that_o say_v a_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a know_v what_o it_o be_v which_o he_o pretend_v not_o to_o be_v true_a if_o he_o understand_v what_o he_o say_v the_o thing_n than_o be_v know_v though_o there_o be_v difficulty_n in_o the_o explication_n but_o the_o explication_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o existence_n not_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o that_o may_v certain_o be_v and_o we_o may_v certain_o know_v it_o to_o be_v which_o yet_o we_o know_v not_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v and_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o only_o be_v reveal_v as_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v not_o any_o particular_a explication_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o be_v understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n this_o show_v the_o plainness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n though_o divers_a thing_n relate_v to_o this_o doctrine_n be_v difficult_a to_o be_v explain_v because_o the_o doctrine_n be_v plain_o enough_o and_o intelligible_o deliver_v so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v require_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o believe_v several_a art_n and_o science_n which_o be_v very_o difficult_a and_o abstruse_a in_o the_o theory_n be_v easy_a in_o the_o practice_n and_o a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o unsterstand_v what_o the_o theorem_fw-la itself_o be_v which_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v though_o he_o be_v altogether_o uncapable_a of_o understand_v the_o proof_n of_o it_o now_o what_o god_n say_v be_v as_o certain_a as_o any_o demonstration_n can_v be_v and_o what_o he_o have_v plain_o deliver_v be_v plain_a as_o well_o as_o certain_a and_o it_o be_v never_o the_o less_o certain_a or_o plain_a because_o we_o can_v make_v out_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v how_o it_o can_v be_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a in_o this_o doctrine_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v it_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o shall_v be_v plain_a in_o all_o the_o controversy_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v about_o it_o when_o we_o know_v the_o meaning_n we_o must_v take_v god_n word_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o distinction_n of_o person_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o essence_n in_o the_o godhead_n be_v not_o require_v to_o be_v believe_v but_o the_o thing_n and_o we_o know_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v so_o because_o god_n himself_o have_v say_v it_o though_o
be_v avoid_v but_o by_o the_o care_n and_o concernment_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a providence_n and_o they_o be_v of_o so_o little_a moment_n that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v expect_v that_o god_n shall_v particular_o concern_v himself_o to_o prevent_v they_o 3._o the_o penman_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o proverb_n or_o parable_n often_o allude_v to_o custom_n or_o to_o thing_n that_o happen_v in_o those_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v that_o be_v then_o common_o know_v but_o be_v unknown_a now_o may_v well_o make_v many_o place_n of_o their_o write_n obscure_v to_o we_o which_o be_v not_o so_o to_o those_o of_o their_o own_o time_n this_o be_v allege_v as_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o obscurity_n 1._o obscurity_n obscuâ—itates_fw-la inquit_fw-la sex_n 〈…〉_o â—ssignemus_fw-la culâ—â—_n 〈…〉_o sed_fw-la inscitiae_fw-la non_fw-la 〈…〉_o quanquam_fw-la hi_o 〈…〉_o quae_fw-la scripta_fw-la 〈…〉_o â—ercipiunt_fw-la culpa_fw-la 〈…〉_o â—am_o longâ—aetas_fw-la ver_fw-la 〈…〉_o â—ores_n veteres_fw-la oblite_fw-la 〈…〉_o qâ—â—â—us_fw-la verbis_fw-la moribus_fw-la 〈◊〉_d sententia_fw-la legum_fw-la comprenensa_fw-la est_fw-la a._n gell._n lib._n xx_o c._n 1._o of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o twelve_o table_n among_o the_o roman_n at_o the_o distance_n of_o less_o than_o seven_o hundred_o year_n after_o their_o first_o be_v enact_v and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o all_o book_n of_o antiquity_n especial_o in_o such_o book_n as_o have_v frequent_a occasion_n to_o hint_n at_o thing_n so_o notorious_a at_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v write_v that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o give_v any_o particular_a account_n of_o they_o this_o have_v make_v note_n and_o comment_n necessary_a upon_o all_o ancient_a book_n and_o those_o place_n need_v they_o most_o which_o treat_v of_o thing_n former_o so_o well_o know_v that_o the_o author_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o insist_v upon_o they_o but_o suppose_v they_o and_o only_o allude_v to_o they_o rather_o than_o express_v or_o explain_v they_o for_o which_o reason_n we_o owe_v the_o information_n which_o we_o have_v of_o the_o roman_a antiquity_n chief_o to_o greek_a author_n because_o it_o have_v be_v absurd_a for_o roman_n write_v to_o man_n of_o their_o own_o city_n and_o nation_n to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o custom_n of_o rome_n which_o they_o know_v as_o well_o as_o themselves_o but_o those_o thing_n be_v proper_a for_o foreigner_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o for_o the_o information_n of_o foreigner_n and_o whatever_o allusion_n either_o in_o parable_n or_o otherwise_o be_v make_v to_o such_o thing_n must_v needs_o be_v difficult_a to_o we_o because_o whatever_o be_v thus_o speak_v with_o reference_n to_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v know_v no_o better_a than_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o which_o serve_v for_o a_o illustration_n at_o the_o first_o write_v render_v the_o sense_n obscure_a when_o the_o thing_n use_v for_o illustration_n become_v unknown_a nothing_o be_v more_o general_o know_v than_o the_o proverbial_a say_n of_o a_o nation_n to_o the_o people_n of_o it_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o need_v more_o explication_n to_o foreigner_n and_o these_o say_n be_v very_o frequent_a both_o in_o the_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o throughout_o the_o whole_a scripture_n for_o they_o be_v the_o most_o significant_a and_o instructive_a way_n of_o discourse_n and_o the_o most_o easy_o apprehend_v by_o such_o as_o be_v use_v to_o they_o the_o use_n of_o proverb_n be_v natural_a to_o all_o nation_n and_o they_o be_v the_o result_n of_o the_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o any_o people_n so_o that_o the_o most_o effectual_a and_o ready_a way_n of_o instruction_n be_v to_o apply_v these_o say_n general_o know_v and_o receive_v to_o particular_a case_n and_o occasion_n but_o then_o these_o common_o depend_v upon_o the_o custom_n of_o a_o people_n or_o upon_o some_o history_n or_o particular_a accident_n and_o oftentimes_o be_v take_v up_o at_o first_o upon_o small_a occasion_n and_o the_o intention_n and_o signification_n of_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v forget_v or_o mistake_v in_o future_a age_n or_o by_o other_o nation_n and_o therefore_o all_o place_n of_o scripture_n express_v in_o allegorical_a or_o proverbial_a form_n of_o speech_n or_o by_o type_n and_o resemblance_n of_o thing_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v better_o understand_v in_o those_o time_n when_o they_o be_v write_v than_o they_o be_v now_o because_o we_o have_v but_o a_o imperfect_a notion_n of_o many_o thing_n to_o which_o the_o allusion_n be_v make_v or_o from_o whence_o the_o similitude_n be_v take_v and_o the_o very_a thing_n which_o make_v they_o now_o obscure_a to_o we_o make_v they_o the_o more_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a to_o they_o who_o live_v at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o be_v write_v 4._o maimonides_n praef._n maimonides_n maim_v more_n nevoch_n praef._n lay_v this_o down_o as_o a_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o we_o shall_v attend_v to_o the_o main_a scope_n any_o design_n of_o parable_n and_o not_o insist_v upon_o every_o word_n and_o circumstance_n which_o be_v add_v to_o make_v they_o more_o natural_a but_o not_o as_o any_o necessary_a part_n of_o they_o and_o in_o those_o age_n when_o prophecy_n be_v so_o frequent_a and_o type_n and_o allegory_n so_o constant_o make_v use_n of_o they_o have_v certain_a rule_n and_o method_n 14._o method_n joseph_n gell._n jud._n lib._n iii._o c._n 14._o of_o interpretation_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o josephus_n which_o through_o length_n of_o time_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o succeed_a age_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v often_o confuse_v and_o silence_v by_o they_o with_o the_o application_n of_o type_n and_o prophecy_n which_o be_v then_o acknowledge_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n and_o be_v ever_o so_o understand_v by_o the_o jew_n but_o will_v scarce_o be_v understand_v so_o by_o we_o if_o we_o do_v not_o find_v they_o thus_o interpret_v and_o apply_v we_o see_v then_o that_o the_o obscurity_n of_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n proceed_v from_o the_o length_n of_o time_n and_o other_o accident_n and_o that_o therefore_o it_o can_v not_o be_v prevent_v unless_o god_n shall_v make_v a_o new_a revelation_n to_o every_o ago_o and_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o yet_o will_v be_v of_o little_a effect_n to_o those_o who_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v nor_o persuade_v by_o that_o revelation_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o scripture_n though_o the_o scripture_n be_v design_v for_o the_o benefit_n and_o instruction_n of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n yet_o they_o often_o have_v a_o more_o direct_a and_o immediate_a regard_n to_o the_o age_n and_o nation_n in_o which_o they_o be_v first_o pen_v we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o the_o name_n of_o most_o of_o the_o historian_n mention_v by_o st_n jerom_n as_o necessary_a to_o be_v read_v in_o order_n to_o explain_v the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n and_o many_o objection_n make_v against_o the_o scripture_n will_v have_v no_o pretence_n if_o we_o know_v the_o circumstance_n of_o affair_n and_o have_v a_o complete_a history_n of_o those_o time_n to_o which_o they_o relate_v but_o god_n have_v give_v we_o full_a evidence_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v by_o his_o appointment_n and_o direction_n expect_v to_o be_v believe_v upon_o his_o word_n and_o have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o gratify_v the_o curiosity_n of_o man_n who_o will_v disbelieve_v it_o and_o if_o man_n will_v use_v any_o tolerable_a care_n and_o diligence_n the_o sense_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v so_o far_o understand_v as_o be_v needful_a in_o all_o time_n whatever_o difficulty_n there_o may_v be_v in_o some_o particular_a passage_n ii_o i_o shall_v consider_v more_o particular_o the_o obscurity_n of_o prophecy_n and_o shall_v show_v what_o certainty_n there_o be_v in_o the_o type_n make_v use_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n 1._o as_o for_o any_o difference_n which_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o prophecy_n they_o may_v proceed_v partly_o from_o the_o infirmity_n and_o passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n by_o which_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o when_o man_n undertake_v to_o write_v upon_o any_o subject_n they_o be_v seldom_o sausâ—â—d_v with_o what_o other_o have_v say_v before_o they_o but_o 〈…〉_o seek_v 〈…〉_o iâ—â—erprâ—â—tion_n 〈…〉_o partâ—_n â—â—om_o the_o 〈◊〉_d ficulty_n of_o fix_v the_o particular_a and_o prâ—â—se_a time_n of_o actâ—â—â—_n but_o this_o 〈…〉_o objection_n against_o 〈…〉_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o 〈…〉_o well_o conclude_v that_o thing_n 〈…〉_o to_o paâ—s_n because_o learned_a 〈◊〉_d diffâ—â—â—_n 〈◊〉_d time_n of_o their_o be_v do_v as_o â—hat_n they_o 〈◊〉_d never_o prophesy_v of_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n expositor_n may_v differ_v in_o the_o nicety_n of_o the_o chronological_a part_n but_o in_o the_o
be_v their_o knowledge_n the_o same_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o their_o common_a nature_n to_o determine_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v bear_v or_o die_v together_o or_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o mutual_a communication_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o operation_n of_o their_o mind_n much_o less_o that_o their_o life_n and_o death_n and_o operation_n shall_v be_v all_o the_o very_a same_o so_o that_o this_o principle_n of_o individuation_n whatever_o be_v assign_v to_o be_v it_o can_v belong_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v omnipresent_v eternal_a and_o omniscient_a the_o existence_n knowledge_n and_o local_a presence_n of_o man_n be_v personal_a not_o essential_a but_o omnipresence_n eternity_n and_o omniscience_n be_v essential_a attribute_n of_o god_n and_o not_o personal_a or_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o each_o person_n as_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o but_o as_o they_o be_v unite_v in_o the_o same_o essence_n for_o they_o be_v predicate_v of_o the_o father_n as_o god_n of_o the_o son_n as_o god_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o god_n and_o not_o of_o each_o several_o as_o father_n as_o son_n and_o as_o holy_a ghost_n every_o of_o these_o essential_a attribute_n therefore_o can_v be_v number_v with_o the_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n but_o can_v be_v but_o one_o as_o the_o essence_n itself_o of_o the_o deity_n be_v and_o though_o the_o father_n be_v eternal_a the_o son_n eternal_a and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n eternal_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o three_o eternal_n or_o three_o individual_a being_n of_o eternal_a existence_n as_o three_o humane_a person_n be_v three_o man_n of_o a_o finite_a existence_n it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v three_o separate_v infinite_a person_n for_o their_o be_v separate_a must_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v finite_a or_o to_o have_v a_o limit_a and_o confine_v subsistence_n and_o therefore_o three_o infinite_a person_n can_v be_v but_o one_o god_n or_o one_o be_v which_o have_v all_o the_o perfection_n of_o personal_a distinction_n without_o the_o imperfection_n of_o the_o division_n of_o person_n 3._o from_o hence_o appear_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o divine_a person_n and_o humane_a person_n the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v distinct_a man_n as_o well_o as_o distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o we_o to_o affirm_v that_o the_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v distinct_a god_n because_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v infinite_a and_o incomprehensible_a and_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o three_o person_n in_o it_o we_o do_v not_o mean_v such_o three_o person_n as_o three_o several_a man_n be_v but_o we_o read_v of_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n hebr._n i._n 3._o and_o of_o three_o that_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n the_o father_n the_o word_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o these_o three_o be_v one_o 1_o joh._n v._o 7._o and_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o three_o intelligent_a being_n we_o can_v have_v no_o conception_n of_o they_o but_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o person_n we_o learn_v from_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n which_o bear_v that_o relation_n to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v best_a express_v by_o the_o term_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n but_o the_o term_n of_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n be_v not_o therefore_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o they_o be_v in_o humane_a relation_n and_o the_o word_n person_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o it_o be_v of_o humane_a person_n and_o therefore_o whereas_o we_o use_v the_o word_n person_n the_o greek_n call_v they_o subsistency_n but_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o mean_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o that_o difference_n of_o word_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o foundation_n of_o any_o pretence_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n that_o man_n will_v needs_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o person_n and_o of_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o god_n as_o they_o do_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o man_n and_o from_o thence_o they_o conclude_v that_o three_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n must_v be_v three_o god_n as_o three_o person_n among_o man_n be_v three_o man_n and_o that_o the_o father_n must_v be_v superior_a and_o elder_a than_o the_o son_n as_o it_o be_v in_o humane_a generation_n but_o this_o be_v all_o mistake_n adam_n be_v style_v the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n peculiar_a to_o himself_o luke_n iii._o 38._o god_n be_v in_o one_o sense_n the_o father_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o in_o another_o sense_n he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o the_o regenerate_v only_o and_o when_o in_o either_o sense_n we_o call_v he_o our_o father_n we_o take_v not_o the_o word_n father_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o we_o take_v it_o in_o when_o we_o apply_v it_o to_o man_n and_o when_o we_o say_v he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o his_o only_o beget_v son_n this_o be_v another_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n father_n very_o different_a from_o all_o the_o former_a the_o relation_n between_o the_o father_n and_o son_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v among_o man_n nor_o be_v the_o divine_a person_n such_o as_o the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v but_o these_o be_v the_o fit_a and_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o significant_a term_n to_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n to_o we_o that_o humane_a language_n and_o humane_a understanding_n be_v capable_a of_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a disproportion_n and_o impropriety_n in_o these_o expression_n and_o that_o they_o give_v we_o but_o a_o very_a imperfect_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o it_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o have_v of_o it_o or_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o have_v of_o it_o in_o this_o mortal_a state_n and_o if_o we_o will_v but_o allow_v for_o the_o incompetency_n of_o our_o own_o faculty_n to_o have_v word_n and_o notion_n adequate_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o will_v remember_v that_o god_n be_v god_n and_o that_o we_o be_v but_o man_n there_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o divine_a nature_n be_v such_o that_o it_o have_v three_o distinct_a principle_n of_o operation_n and_o subsistency_n which_o be_v so_o describe_v and_o represent_v in_o the_o scripture_n by_o personal_a act_n and_o property_n that_o we_o know_v they_o to_o be_v as_o real_o distinct_a as_o humane_a person_n be_v which_o yet_o be_v but_o one_o god_n can_v in_o this_o respect_n be_v like_o humane_a person_n and_o whoever_o will_v oppose_v this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n must_v prove_v that_o the_o three_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n can_v be_v as_o real_o distinct_a as_o the_o person_n of_o three_o man_n be_v though_o they_o be_v not_o such_o person_n as_o the_o person_n of_o men._n and_o to_o prove_v this_o he_o must_v understand_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o he_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v that_o three_o divine_a person_n may_v not_o be_v one_o god_n though_o three_o humane_a person_n can_v be_v one_o man._n that_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n be_v reveal_v and_o that_o these_o three_o distinct_a person_n be_v but_o one_o god_n be_v reveal_v but_o wherein_o the_o distinction_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o these_o three_o person_n consist_v be_v not_o reveal_v nor_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o understand_v it_o at_o least_o without_o a_o revelation_n the_o distinction_n of_o the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v found_v in_o a_o separate_a and_o divide_a subsistence_n but_o this_o can_v be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o divine_a person_n because_o separation_n and_o division_n can_v belong_v to_o a_o infinite_a nature_n there_o be_v then_o not_o repugnancy_n in_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o subsistency_n or_o three_o distinct_a principle_n of_o personal_a act_n and_o property_n in_o one_o undivided_a infinite_a nature_n or_o that_o the_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n act_n as_o distinct_o and_o personal_o as_o person_n do_v among_o man_n but_o be_v unite_v in_o one_o infinite_a nature_n which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o exist_v in_o separate_a subsistency_n though_o not_o of_o act_v and_o subsist_v in_o three_o distinct_a person_n or_o as_o distinct_o from_o each_o other_o as_o the_o person_n among_o man_n do_v act_n and_o subsist_v the_o sum_n be_v that_o in_o the_o most_o perfect_a unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n do_v subsist_v the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n between_o who_o be_v a_o real_a distinction_n which_o though_o not_o the_o same_o yet_o be_v
which_o induce_v a_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o very_a deceitful_a way_n of_o argue_v because_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o improbable_a that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o true_a revelation_n which_o may_v have_v great_a difficulty_n in_o it_o but_o if_o sufficient_a evidence_n be_v produce_v to_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v indeed_o god_n word_n and_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n on_o the_o contrary_a to_o invalidate_v that_o evidence_n then_o all_o the_o objection_n beside_o that_o can_v be_v raise_v be_v but_o objection_n and_o no_o more_o for_o if_o those_o argument_n by_o which_o our_o religion_n appear_v to_o be_v true_a remain_v still_o in_o their_o full_a force_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n and_o no_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n be_v bring_v that_o they_o be_v insufficient_a we_o ought_v not_o to_o reject_v those_o argument_n and_o the_o conclusion_n deduce_v from_o they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o objection_n but_o to_o reject_v the_o objection_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o argument_n because_o if_o those_o can_v be_v disprove_v all_o the_o which_o can_v be_v think_v of_o must_v proceed_v from_o some_o mistake_n for_o when_o i_o be_o once_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n by_o direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n i_o have_v the_o same_o assurance_n that_o all_o objection_n against_o it_o must_v be_v vain_a and_o false_a which_o i_o have_v that_o that_o thing_n be_v true_a because_o every_o thing_n must_v be_v false_a which_o be_v opposite_a to_o truth_n and_o nothing_o but_o that_o which_o take_v off_o the_o argument_n by_o which_o any_o thing_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a can_v ever_o prove_v it_o false_a but_o all_o objection_n must_v be_v false_a themselves_o or_o insignificant_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v allege_v if_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o against_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v can_v be_v disprove_v that_o be_v if_o the_o thing_n against_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v be_v true_a to_o show_v this_o in_o particular_n if_o a_o man_n muster_v up_o never_o so_o many_o inconsistency_n as_o he_o think_v in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o unless_o he_o be_v as_o well_o assure_v at_o least_o that_o these_o which_o he_o call_v inconsistency_n can_v be_v in_o any_o book_n of_o divine_a revelation_n as_o he_o may_v be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n he_o can_v in_o reason_n reject_v their_o authority_n and_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o this_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v what_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o evidence_n whereby_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v to_o we_o for_o whatever_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o this_o evidence_n can_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o authority_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v frame_v never_o so_o many_o objection_n against_o the_o opinion_n common_o receive_v that_o caesar_n himself_o write_v the_o commentary_n which_o go_v under_o his_o name_n and_o not_o julius_n celsus_n or_o any_o other_o author_n unless_o he_o can_v overthrow_v the_o evidence_n by_o which_o caesar_n appear_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o all_o his_o objection_n will_v never_o amount_v to_o a_o proof_n that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o author_n it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o god_n to_o reveal_v thing_n which_o we_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o to_o enact_v law_n especial_o concern_v the_o right_n and_o ceremony_n enjoin_v a_o people_n so_o many_o age_n past_a the_o reason_n whereof_o we_o may_v not_o be_v full_o to_o understand_v and_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a likewise_o that_o there_o may_v be_v great_a difficulty_n in_o chronology_n and_o that_o the_o text_n may_v in_o divers_a place_n have_v a_o different_a read_n and_o though_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v clear_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o reasonable_a man_n by_o several_a expositor_n yet_o let_v we_o suppose_v at_o 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plain_a than_o that_o it_o can_v then_o all_o the_o evidence_n produce_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n stand_v firm_a notwithstanding_o all_o this_o mighty_a noise_n of_o the_o obscurity_n and_o the_o inconsistency_n and_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o next_o enquiry_n natural_o will_v be_v not_o how_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v from_o god_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o they_o for_o it_o be_v already_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o this_o must_v from_o henceforth_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v till_o it_o can_v be_v disprove_v but_o the_o only_a enquiry_n will_v be_v how_o these_o passage_n be_v to_o be_v explain_v or_o reconcile_v with_o other_o place_n for_o let_v we_o consider_v this_o way_n of_o reason_v which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o other_o thing_n and_o try_v whether_o we_o be_v wont_v 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we_o may_v not_o be_v assure_v of_o some_o thing_n as_o certain_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o as_o from_o our_o own_o sense_n 2._o whether_o this_o be_v not_o the_o present_a case_n relate_v to_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n i_o shall_v therefore_o consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o certainty_n which_o we_o have_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o which_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v and_o confirm_v to_o we_o compare_v with_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o will_v then_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n i._o in_o many_o case_n man_n seem_v general_o agree_v that_o there_o be_v as_o much_o cause_n to_o believe_v what_o they_o know_v from_o other_o as_o what_o they_o see_v and_o experience_n themselves_o for_o there_o may_v be_v such_o circumstance_n of_o credibility_n as_o equal_v the_o evidence_n even_o of_o sense_n itself_o no_o evidence_n can_v satisfy_v sense_n so_o much_o indeed_o nor_o perhaps_o so_o much_o 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