what_o i_o have_v or_o shall_v suggest_v second_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o though_o the_o sun_n and_o other_o planet_n be_v not_o part_v of_o the_o creation_n which_o moses_n relate_v yet_o they_o be_v insert_v into_o his_o narrative_a of_o the_o six_o day_n work_v because_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o gratify_v the_o dull_a ignorant_a people_n the_o rude_a and_o illiterate_a jew_n he_o speak_v of_o before_o those_o heavenly_a body_n be_v fetch_v in_o here_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o vulgar_a notion_n that_o they_o be_v part_n of_o the_o cloud_n or_o belong_v to_o the_o region_n of_o the_o air._n p._n 21_o 22_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v not_o unusual_a in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o condescend_v in_o some_o expression_n to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o there_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o it_o in_o this_o very_a chapter_n v_o 16_o but_o this_o be_v a_o quite_o different_a thing_n from_o give_v a_o set_a narration_n of_o a_o matter_n when_o there_o be_v real_o no_o 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only_o conceal_v the_o truth_n but_o that_o be_v apparent_o false_a for_o here_o be_v actual_a deception_n and_o falsify_v because_o here_o be_v a_o positive_a and_o downright_a relate_v of_o what_o be_v not_o true_a and_o yet_o deliver_v it_o as_o true_a as_o to_o what_o this_o worthy_a author_n say_v that_o here_o be_v a_o compliance_n with_o the_o common_a notion_n viz._n that_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n be_v part_n of_o the_o cloud_n or_o belong_v to_o the_o region_n of_o the_o air_n he_o make_v the_o vulgar_a more_o simple_a and_o ignorant_a than_o they_o be_v to_o show_v himself_o more_o wise_a than_o other_o in_o his_o interpretation_n of_o the_o place_n and_o especial_o he_o forget_v here_o though_o he_o mention_v it_o before_o that_o the_o jewish_a rabble_n be_v come_v late_o from_o egypt_n and_o there_o we_o know_v there_o be_v seldom_o any_o cloud_n there_o be_v constant_o a_o clear_a and_o serene_a sky_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v breed_v up_o with_o this_o notion_n viz._n that_o the_o sun_n be_v seat_v in_o the_o firmament_n of_o the_o air_n where_o the_o cloud_n be_v this_o be_v not_o think_v of_o by_o our_o author_n otherwise_o he_o will_v not_o have_v aver_v that_o moses_n here_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o popular_a humour_n and_o apprehension_n and_o that_o he_o speak_v to_o those_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n who_o who_o be_v unlearned_a and_o ignorant_a three_o he_o offer_v this_o as_o a_o other_o ground_n of_o his_o strange_a interpretation_n that_o though_o moses_n make_v mention_n of_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n in_o his_o diary_n of_o the_o creation_n yet_o these_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o world_n be_v make_v before_o and_o only_o now_o place_v or_o seem_v to_o be_v place_v in_o our_o firmament_n p._n 14_o 15._o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a say_v he_o to_o believe_v that_o these_o body_n be_v then_o first_o create_v when_o moses_n make_v mention_n of_o they_o p._n 14._o which_o be_v against_o the_o whole_a tenor_n scope_n and_o coherence_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o style_n and_o expression_n in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o which_o all_o run_v in_o the_o preter-perfect_a tense_n not_o in_o the_o more_o than_o perfect_a tense_n as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o understand_v who_o can_v think_v that_o the_o narrative_a concern_v the_o four_o day_n work_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o different_a way_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n all_o thing_n belong_v to_o the_o other_o day_n work_n be_v set_v down_o exact_o and_o according_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o here_o he_o fancy_v it_o be_v otherwise_o the_o stile_n vary_v and_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o this_o day_n work_v so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o double_a sabbath_n according_a to_o he_o god_n rest_v from_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n on_o the_o four_o and_o on_o the_o seven_o day_n but_o however_o to_o fill_v up_o the_o space_n moses_n say_v something_o and_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v something_o do_v and_o this_o he_o do_v to_o suit_v himself_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o illiterate_a and_o vulgar_a whence_o it_o may_v be_v infer_v that_o in_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o chapter_n he_o turn_v himself_o to_o the_o learned_a and_o wise_a but_o then_o the_o author_n differ_v from_o himself_o for_o he_o have_v inform_v we_o before_o that_o among_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v no_o philosopher_n but_o that_o they_o be_v all_o idiot_n and_o blockhead_n these_o be_v the_o strange_a and_o wild_a notion_n of_o our_o theorist_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v swallow_v down_o though_o i_o hope_v but_o by_o few_o beside_o himself_o rather_o then_o the_o literal_a and_o plain_a history_n of_o moses_n shall_v take_v place_n rather_o than_o he_o will_v adhere_v to_o the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o text._n and_o he_o himself_o acknowledge_v that_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o chapter_n except_v what_o relate_v to_o the_o four_o day_n work_v be_v to_o be_v take_v otherwise_o that_o be_v they_o be_v mean_v of_o what_o be_v real_o do_v on_o those_o particular_a day_n which_o be_v specify_v and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o make_v any_o exception_n as_o to_o the_o four_o day_n he_o will_v come_v off_o by_o suggestion_n that_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o star_n be_v then_o say_v to_o be_v make_v or_o create_v when_o they_o become_v conspicuous_a and_o their_o body_n distinct_o visible_a p._n 23._o so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o new_a expositor_n they_o be_v not_o make_v till_o there_o be_v a_o clear_a day_n or_o night_n to_o show_v they_o the_o author_n of_o this_o conceit_n be_v two_o learned_a to_o persist_v in_o it_o and_o too_o ingenuous_a not_o to_o blush_v at_o it_o four_o a_o other_o profound_a reason_n why_o the_o heavenly_a body_n be_v thus_o place_v by_o moses_n be_v to_o prevent_v idolize_v of_o they_o it_o be_v to_o show_v we_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o idolatry_n or_o of_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o visible_a being_n though_o never_o so_o useful_a and_o glorious_a p._n 81._o nay_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o adoration_n of_o the_o host_n of_o heaven_n can_v not_o otherwise_o have_v be_v provide_v for_o p._n 28._o till_o the_o force_n of_o this_o reason_n can_v be_v apprehend_v we_o may_v true_o say_v there_o be_v poor_a provision_n make_v against_o idolatry_n yea_o none_o at_o all_o unless_o he_o mean_v all_o the_o star_n fix_v as_o well_o as_o other_o which_o his_o hypothesis_n will_v not_o allow_v of_o it_o can_v not_o be_v design_v to_o obviate_v or_o hinder_v idolatry_n this_o every_o one_o can_v but_o apprehend_v or_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o the_o most_o holy_a
you_o for_o see_v you_o be_v wont_a to_o indulge_v i_o a_o great_a freedom_n when_o i_o have_v the_o felicity_n to_o communicate_v with_o you_o i_o have_v make_v use_n of_o that_o liberty_n now_o and_o thereby_o be_o become_v tedious_a for_o which_o i_o beg_v your_o pardon_n and_o request_v nothing_o more_o passionate_o than_o that_o you_o will_v vouchsafe_v i_o the_o honour_n of_o let_v i_o be_v esteem_v what_o i_o so_o sincere_o be_o sir_n your_o most_o affectionate_a faithful_a and_o humble_a servant_n john_n edward_n cambr_n june_n 16._o 1697._o of_o the_o mosaic_a doctrine_n of_o the_o creation_n be_v some_o brief_a remark_n on_o mr._n whiston_n new_a theory_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o vindication_n of_o the_o mosaic_a account_n of_o the_o creation_n i_o have_v in_o another_o place_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v and_o i_o hope_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o judicious_a that_o moses_n narration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v literal_a and_o historical_a and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o true_a and_o just_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a process_n of_o that_o divine_a work_n and_o this_o i_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a in_o opposition_n to_o the_o fond_a notion_n which_o have_v possess_v some_o man_n head_n and_o have_v be_v divulge_v by_o their_o pen_n viz._n that_o moses_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v according_a to_o the_o letter_n that_o he_o speak_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o blockish_a brick-maker_n that_o be_v new_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o scarce_o understand_v common_a sense_n and_o therefore_o any_o story_n of_o a_o cock_n and_o a_o bull_n will_v serve_v they_o when_o moses_n speak_v of_o the_o creation_n we_o be_v not_o to_o understand_v he_o as_o if_o he_o intend_v to_o give_v any_o true_a and_o real_a account_n of_o that_o matter_n we_o must_v not_o think_v that_o he_o will_v trouble_v the_o brain_n if_o you_o can_v suppose_v they_o have_v any_o of_o a_o company_n of_o dull_a slave_n with_o 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and_o earth_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v but_o infer_v thence_o that_o the_o heavenly_a body_n be_v a_o portion_n of_o that_o system_n which_o moses_n here_o describe_v these_o word_n be_v a_o epitome_n and_o abstract_n of_o the_o creation_n more_o particular_o and_o distinct_o delineate_v afterward_o in_o that_o chapter_n and_o consequent_o the_o mosaic_a creation_n extend_v to_o the_o heaven_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o earth_n but_o what_o say_v the_o new_a theorist_n to_o this_o why_o he_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o forementioned_a text_n the_o heaven_n signify_v the_o heavenly_a body_n viz._n the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n but_o he_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v so_o understand_v elsewhere_o and_o particular_o in_o any_o part_n of_o this_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n for_o according_a to_o he_o heaven_n here_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o atmosphere_n of_o the_o earth_n or_o the_o region_n of_o the_o air_n p._n 11._o which_o be_v a_o very_a precarious_a and_o groundless_a interpretation_n for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a the_o region_n of_o the_o air_n that_o surround_v the_o earth_n be_v call_v heaven_n and_o the_o firmament_n of_o heaven_n in_o this_o chapter_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o sacred_a volume_n yet_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o both_o these_o word_n heaven_n and_o firmament_n be_v use_v here_o in_o a_o different_a sense_n there_o be_v the_o low_a or_o aerial_a firmament_n v_o 6_o 7._o and_o there_o be_v the_o upper_a or_o etherial_a one_o v_o 14_o 15_o 17._o and_o so_o heaven_n be_v either_o the_o low_a heaven_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o region_n of_o the_o air_n or_o the_o atmosphere_n of_o the_o earth_n of_o the_o upper_a heaven_n which_o be_v the_o aether_n or_o region_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n the_o former_a of_o these_o heaven_n be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o second_o day_n and_o be_v distinct_o mention_v in_o v._n 8_o 9_o the_o latter_a be_v express_o name_v in_o v_o 14_o 15._o and_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o four_o day_n the_o not_o attend_v to_o this_o distinction_n of_o the_o two_o firmament_n or_o heaven_n in_o this_o chapter_n have_v be_v one_o occasion_n of_o those_o mistake_v and_o misapprehension_n which_o this_o ingenious_a author_n and_o some_o other_o of_o late_o have_v fall_v under_o but_o can_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n plain_o than_o this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o double_a firmament_n or_o heaven_n one_o viz._n the_o expanse_n of_o air_n to_o be_v between_o the_o water_n and_o the_o water_n v_o 6._o i._n e._n to_o be_v place_v between_o the_o sea_n below_o and_o the_o cloud_n above_o the_o other_o viz._n the_o ethereal_a expanse_n to_o be_v the_o seat_n and_o receptacle_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n v_o 16_o 17_o god_n make_v two_o great_a light_n he_o make_v the_o star_n also_o and_o god_n set_v they_o in_o the_o firmament_n of_o the_o heaven_n to_o give_v light_n upon_o the_o earth_n how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v true_a that_o moses_n description_n of_o the_o creation_n reach_v no_o further_a than_o the_o earth_n do_v not_o this_o history_n make_v particular_a mention_n of_o that_o high_a heaven_n or_o expanse_v where_o the_o luminary_n be_v do_v it_o not_o acquaint_v we_o what_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o almighty_a in_o make_v it_o do_v not_o moses_n in_o plain_a word_n relate_v that_o the_o four_o day_n work_n be_v the_o create_v of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n from_o v_o 14._o to_o 20_o do_v he_o not_o mention_v the_o celestial_a light_n in_o general_a v_o 14_o 15._o and_o then_o particular_o the_o two_o great_a light_n v_o 16._o that_o be_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o other_o planet_n for_o they_o be_v all_o comprehend_v under_o these_o two_o as_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a which_o be_v no_o unusual_a way_n of_o speak_v in_o
god_n will_v obviate_v idolatry_n by_o downright_a falsify_v can_v we_o think_v that_o moses_n be_v inspire_v to_o lie_v that_o the_o heavenly_a body_n may_v not_o be_v worship_v for_o so_o run_v the_o argumentation_n of_o this_o gentleman_n moses_n make_v the_o jew_n believe_v in_o this_o chapter_n that_o god_n create_v the_o sun_n and_o other_o luminary_n on_o the_o four_o day_n and_o that_o they_o belong_v to_o the_o earth_n and_o a_o part_n of_o this_o system_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o this_o he_o feign_v as_o a_o antidote_n against_o the_o adoation_n of_o the_o host_n of_o heaven_n one_o will_v not_o have_v expect_v such_o a_o poor_a way_n of_o reason_v from_o a_o man_n of_o postulata_n and_o lemmata_n who_o will_v think_v that_o one_o so_o well_o verse_v in_o hypothesis_n phaenomena_n and_o solution_n shall_v discourse_v so_o weak_o but_o this_o it_o be_v to_o abandon_v the_o sacred_a text_n and_o not_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o easy_a and_o obvious_a meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o these_o write_n and_o in_o this_o chapter_n more_o particular_o it_o be_v this_o that_o have_v betray_v our_o learned_a theorist_n to_o such_o strange_a and_o unaccountable_a fancy_n it_o be_v this_o that_o cause_v he_o to_o defend_v his_o proposition_n viz._n that_o the_o six_o day_n creation_n extend_v no_o further_a than_o the_o bare_a earth_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a system_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n be_v exclude_v from_o this_o history_n of_o moses_n although_o in_o that_o very_a history_n he_o find_v it_o clear_o record_v that_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n by_o which_o day_n and_o night_n be_v distinguish_v be_v part_n of_o the_o six_o day_n creation_n next_o i_o will_v observe_v that_o he_o be_v please_v to_o inform_v we_o of_o a_o new_a calculation_n of_o time_n in_o the_o primitive_a state_n of_o the_o world_n day_n and_o year_n be_v all_o one_o book_n 2._o p._n 81._o and_o afterward_o both_o these_o period_n be_v exact_o coincident_a and_o both_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o same_o space_n of_o time_n and_o then_o he_o think_v good_a to_o apply_v it_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n be_v finish_v in_o six_o day_n that_o be_v six_o year_n he_o say_v but_o how_o will_v he_o be_v able_a to_o reconcile_v this_o with_o gen._n i._o 5_o the_o evening_n and_o the_o morning_n be_v the_o first_o day_n and_o the_o same_o be_v say_v of_o all_o the_o other_o day_n of_o the_o creation_n here_o a_o evening_n and_o a_o morning_n be_v make_v the_o just_a limit_n of_o a_o day_n and_o therefore_o a_o day_n at_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o a_o year_n for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o evening_n and_o morning_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o year_n and_o so_o when_o we_o read_v that_o six_o evening_n and_o six_o morning_n be_v spend_v in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o creation_n we_o may_v rational_o infer_v thence_o that_o these_o amount_v not_o to_o six_o year_n and_o this_o sagacious_a writer_n will_v have_v make_v this_o inference_n himself_o if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v tempt_v to_o the_o forsake_v of_o the_o plain_a intelligible_a and_o obvious_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n and_o change_v the_o easy_a and_o natural_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n for_o a_o force_a one_o again_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o symbolize_v with_o his_o fellow-theorist_a and_o to_o raise_v the_o same_o objection_n against_o the_o mosaic_a creation_n that_o he_o do_v for_o thus_o you_o hear_v he_o object_v p._n 50_o 51._o the_o length_n of_o the_o day_n assign_v be_v whole_o disproportionate_a to_o the_o business_n do_v upon_o it_o the_o three_o day_n have_v two_o quite_o different_a nay_o incompatible_a work_n assign_v it_o and_o the_o earth_n with_o its_o furniture_n take_v up_o four_o entire_a day_n when_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n be_v crowd_v into_o one_o single_a day_n and_o the_o improbability_n yea_o and_o impossibility_n of_o the_o work_v ascribe_v by_o moses_n to_o the_o six_o day_n be_v assert_v by_o he_o book_n 2._o p._n 89_o 90_o 91._o these_o cavil_n may_v perhaps_o have_v become_v some_o profess_a lay-deist_n but_o they_o be_v unworthy_a of_o a_o person_n that_o bear_v and_o ecclesiastical_a badge_n and_o who_o be_v suppose_v to_o believe_v moses_n writing_n and_o not_o to_o find_v fault_n with_o inspire_a history_n be_v we_o to_o judge_n of_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o day_n work_v at_o the_o creation_n be_v we_o to_o set_v the_o almighty_a his_o task_n be_v shallow_a head_n to_o censure_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o omnipotent_a creator_n must_v they_o measure_v every_o day_n proceed_n at_o the_o first_o formation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o certain_a rule_n and_o assignation_n of_o their_o own_o this_o be_v intolerable_a and_o no_o pagan_a philosopher_n will_v have_v act_v thus_o for_o he_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o the_o method_n of_o a_o divine_a and_o infinite_a agent_n transcend_v the_o conception_n of_o weak_a and_o finite_a mind_n and_o that_o the_o supreme_a be_v be_v not_o confine_v to_o our_o proportion_n but_o act_n as_o he_o please_v natural_a and_o common_a production_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o those_o primary_n one_o we_o must_v not_o argue_v from_o our_o ordinary_a generation_n to_o that_o which_o be_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o all_o thing_n there_o be_v a_o other_o way_n and_o method_n observe_v and_o it_o be_v irrational_a and_o senseless_a to_o make_v these_o a_o pattern_n to_o they_o here_o be_v the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o the_o beginning_n procedure_v and_o finish_n of_o these_o day_n work_n be_v of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o those_o work_n that_o have_v be_v since_o there_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a exertment_a of_o divine_a power_n it_o be_v as_o unreasonable_a as_o it_o be_v irreligious_a to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o distribution_n of_o they_o it_o be_v rash_a folly_n to_o expect_v mathematical_a congruity_n in_o every_o production_n and_o to_o look_v for_o mechanic_n law_n in_o the_o erect_n of_o the_o universe_n in_o the_o system_fw-la of_o the_o heaven_n in_o the_o planetary_a body_n in_o the_o sun_n and_o other_o globe_n of_o fire_n it_o be_v incongruous_a to_o think_v that_o mechanism_n be_v observe_v in_o the_o formation_n of_o these_o but_o of_o this_o i_o will_v speak_v more_o anon_o only_o at_o present_a i_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o agreement_n of_o the_o two_o theorist_n as_o to_o the_o main_n though_o this_o latter_a in_o one_o place_n severe_o chastise_v the_o former_a for_o the_o false_a step_n he_o have_v make_v in_o his_o theory_n p._n 76_o 77._o there_o be_v a_o perfect_a union_n and_o friendship_n between_o they_o in_o the_o point_n of_o enervate_v the_o mosaic_a history_n only_o they_o do_v it_o after_o a_o different_a manner_n the_o old_a theorist_n now_o we_o may_v call_v he_o so_o since_o this_o have_v dub_v himself_o the_o new_a one_o direct_o and_o profess_o reject_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o mosaic_a text_n whereas_o this_o pretend_v to_o own_v it_o but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n miserable_o wrest_v and_o pervert_v it_o the_o one_o open_o declare_v that_o what_o moses_n say_v be_v not_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o the_o other_o come_v and_o acknowledge_v in_o part_n that_o it_o be_v a_o historical_a account_n but_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o reality_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v a_o history_n but_o false_a the_o former_a plain_o and_o in_o downright_a term_n own_v his_o dislike_n of_o the_o literal_a meaning_n of_o that_o part_n of_o genesis_n but_o the_o latter_a though_o he_o admit_v of_o the_o literal_a signification_n yet_o crafty_o and_o sophistical_o distort_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n and_o put_v a_o force_n upon_o they_o the_o first_o use_n more_o freedom_n and_o ingenuity_n tell_v the_o world_n without_o more_o ado_n that_o the_o historical_a sense_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v the_o second_o pretend_v to_o own_o the_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o to_o the_o very_a letter_n but_o baffle_v it_o all_o by_o uncouth_a exposition_n thus_o though_o the_o two_o theorist_n take_v a_o different_a method_n yet_o they_o unite_v in_o expose_v the_o mosaic_a write_n it_o be_v melancholy_a reflection_n when_o we_o consider_v how_o man_n be_v hereby_o teach_v to_o vilify_v the_o scripture_n to_o dispute_v the_o mosaic_a verity_n to_o quarrel_v with_o the_o creation_n to_o look_v upon_o the_o several_a stage_n and_o process_n of_o it_o as_o feign_v and_o because_o they_o be_v not_o adju_v to_o such_o measure_n and_o proportion_n as_o these_o person_n fancy_n to_o vote_v they_o to_o be_v false_a and_o counterfeit_n what_o can_v a_o well_o meaning_n and_o sober_a reader_n think_v when_o he_o find_v our_o present_a author_n disparage_v and_o
not_o possible_o with_o any_o consistency_n of_o sense_n have_v discourse_v thus_o unless_o he_o have_v suppose_v that_o all_o that_o be_v do_v in_o the_o six_o day_n be_v according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a process_n of_o nature_n again_o when_o he_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o disproportion_n of_o the_o day_n work_n as_o have_v be_v observe_v before_o and_o as_o you_o may_v see_v p._n 41._o the_o time_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o each_o body_n be_v so_o disproportionate_a to_o the_o work_n itself_o as_o be_v perfect_o irreconcilable_a to_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n of_o its_o creator_n and_o the_o account_n of_o the_o work_v themselves_o as_o they_o be_v set_v down_o by_o moses_n it_o be_v apparent_a to_o every_o intelligent_a man_n that_o he_o proceed_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o mechanism_n and_o very_o think_v that_o these_o be_v exact_o observe_v in_o the_o make_n of_o the_o world_n which_o false_a notion_n be_v one_o cause_n of_o his_o false_a hypothesis_n we_o have_v mean_a conception_n of_o the_o system_fw-la of_o the_o world_n if_o we_o think_v it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o clock_n or_o a_o watch._n the_o supreme_a and_o almighty_a be_v do_v not_o confine_v himself_o to_o mechanism_n and_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o natural_a motion_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v vain_a to_o undertake_v to_o solve_v all_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o body_n by_o they_o and_o to_o attribute_v all_o their_o effect_n to_o the_o common_a force_n and_o operation_n of_o mechanic_n power_n which_o as_o i_o apprehend_v be_v the_o fault_n of_o this_o learned_a theorist_n and_o some_o other_o thus_o i_o have_v brief_o touch_v upon_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n why_o these_o person_n relinquish_v the_o mosaic_a account_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o consequent_o the_o system_fw-la of_o the_o world_n found_v upon_o it_o and_o why_o they_o take_v copernicus_n or_o cartes_n to_o be_v better_a writer_n than_o moses_n in_o the_o first_o reason_n that_o they_o assign_v they_o be_v fantastical_a and_o dream_n of_o a_o world_n of_o inhabitant_n in_o the_o moon_n and_o the_o other_o planetary_a body_n in_o the_o second_o they_o be_v childish_a and_o esteem_v thing_n by_o their_o bulk_n and_o show_n in_o the_o three_o they_o be_v sneak_v and_o debase_v themselves_o and_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o their_o noble_a nature_n in_o the_o last_o they_o debase_v the_o almighty_a himself_o by_o tie_v he_o to_o mechanic_n law_n and_o in_o all_o four_o they_o seem_v to_o discourse_v unreasonable_o unphilosophical_o unscriptural_o they_o fly_v to_o precarious_a evasision_n of_o scripture_n and_o give_v such_o a_o fanciful_a account_n of_o the_o inspire_a writer_n word_n which_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a of_o themselves_o that_o the_o theist_n and_o some_o in_o a_o form_n above_o they_o can_v but_o confess_v themselves_o deep_o oblige_v to_o they_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o undervalue_v the_o holy_a oracle_n be_v great_a already_o and_o i_o fear_v such_o treatise_n as_o these_o encourage_v they_o especial_o when_o pen_v by_o person_n of_o that_o character_n and_o order_n those_o of_o the_o sacred_a function_n above_o all_o other_o shall_v be_v very_o cautious_a lest_o they_o offend_v in_o this_o kind_n they_o ought_v to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o interfere_v not_o with_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n that_o they_o distort_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n and_o prevaricate_v with_o the_o book_n of_o god_n and_o particular_o that_o they_o reject_v not_o the_o plain_a history_n of_o moses_n that_o they_o attempt_v not_o to_o run_v down_o his_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n our_o theorist_n i_o conceive_v have_v be_v extreme_o delinquent_a as_o to_o these_o thing_n he_o have_v throw_v down_o moses_n to_o erect_v himself_o he_o have_v make_v bold_a with_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n to_o introduce_v and_o establish_v his_o own_o theorem_n and_o hypothesis_n such_o as_o these_o that_o the_o chaos_n be_v the_o atmosphere_n of_o a_o comet_n that_o a_o comet_n pass_v by_o the_o earth_n at_o the_o deluge_n &c_n &c_n and_o other_o about_o the_o revolution_n of_o the_o earth_n not_o till_o adam_n fall_n about_o the_o change_n of_o its_o figure_n about_o paradise_n about_o the_o abyss_n about_o the_o planet_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v precarious_a notion_n and_o have_v no_o solid_a foundation_n in_o reason_n nature_n or_o scripture_n to_o support_v they_o all_o which_o a_o 1_o late_a writer_n of_o a_o free_a and_o brisk_a genius_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o expose_v and_o even_o to_o ridicule_n but_o it_o be_v not_o my_o business_n to_o treat_v this_o gentleman_n at_o that_o rate_n i_o only_o observe_v that_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o sacred_a history_n whilst_o he_o be_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o yet_o this_o be_v not_o say_v as_o if_o i_o be_v so_o straitlaced_n as_o to_o abridge_v this_o excellent_a writer_n in_o any_o thing_n of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n or_o to_o debar_v he_o of_o a_o philosophical_a freedom_n or_o to_o lay_v restraint_n upon_o he_o as_o to_o any_o disquisition_n that_o be_v ingenious_a and_o in_o the_o least_o probable_a but_o all_o this_o may_v be_v do_v without_o entrench_v upon_o moses_n he_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o have_v adjust_v his_o notion_n to_o the_o text_n and_o make_v they_o comport_v with_o moses_n history_n and_o build_v thereupon_o a_o rational_a theory_n and_o a_o scheme_n of_o philosophy_n consistent_a with_o genesis_n but_o it_o be_v his_o infelicity_n to_o take_v a_o contrary_a method_n to_o usurp_v upon_o the_o holy_a writ_n wanton_o to_o oppose_v the_o natural_a and_o obvious_a meaning_n of_o it_o to_o offer_v such_o interpretation_n as_o give_v occasion_n to_o person_n to_o slight_v the_o sacred_a volume_n and_o to_o disregard_n that_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o it_o which_o lie_v plain_a before_o they_o to_o conclude_v i_o consider_v the_o mischief_n and_o danger_n which_o may_v accrue_v to_o the_o world_n by_o that_o extravagant_a liberty_n which_o i_o apprehend_v mr._n whiston_n have_v indulge_v himself_o in_o i_o consider_v that_o such_o dare_a flight_n as_o these_o may_v prove_v fatal_a to_o young_a student_n in_o philosophy_n and_o divinity_n and_o teach_v they_o to_o erect_v their_o own_o hypothesis_n upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n i_o consider_v how_o injurious_a these_o attempt_n be_v to_o the_o scripture_n in_o general_a and_o how_o derogatory_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n who_o indite_v they_o and_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o alone_a without_o any_o other_o inducement_n whatsoever_o move_v i_o to_o use_v this_o plainness_n and_o freedom_n with_o so_o worthy_a and_o learned_a a_o author_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o earth_n a_o answer_n to_o some_o objection_n against_o some_o passage_n in_o my_o late_a discourse_n entitle_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o existence_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n relate_v to_o the_o copernican_n hypothesis_n of_o the_o diurnal_a revolution_n of_o the_o earth_n a_o learned_a gentleman_n be_v late_o please_v to_o do_v i_o the_o honour_n to_o frame_v some_o objection_n against_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o treatise_n wherein_o i_o endeavour_v to_o evince_v the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o god_n from_o the_o work_n of_o the_o creation_n first_o he_o censure_v that_o passage_n page_n 25._o the_o sun_n measure_v about_o a_o thousand_o mile_n in_o a_o hour_n he_o think_v i_o have_v not_o use_v the_o right_a method_n of_o calculate_v the_o sun_n motion_n i_o must_v confess_v to_o he_o i_o be_v not_o very_o studious_a about_o that_o be_v dishearten_v by_o the_o great_a difference_n of_o computation_n which_o i_o observe_v in_o the_o author_n i_o meet_v with_o it_o be_v well_o know_v how_o discrepant_a the_o calculation_n of_o astronomer_n be_v i_o have_v see_v in_o my_o time_n a_o good_a many_o writer_n on_o that_o 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