use_n and_o although_o aristotle_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr partibus_fw-la animalium_fw-la have_v say_v enough_o to_o refute_v the_o fond_a opinion_n of_o those_o philosopher_n yet_o none_o have_v handle_v this_o argument_n with_o more_o exactness_n and_o accuracy_n and_o with_o a_o more_o peculiar_a reflection_n on_o epicurus_n than_o galen_n have_v do_v in_o his_o excellent_a piece_n de_fw-fr usu_fw-la partium_fw-la which_o gassendus_fw-la think_v galen_n write_v with_o a_o kind_n of_o enthusiasm_n upon_o he_o adeo_fw-la totum_fw-la opus_fw-la videtur_fw-la 3._o conscriptum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o that_o all_o those_o seventeen_o book_n of_o his_o on_o that_o subject_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o 119._o psalm_n in_o philosophy_n or_o a_o perpetual_a hymn_n upon_o the_o praise_n of_o the_o great_a creator_n or_o a_o just_a commentary_n on_o those_o word_n of_o the_o psalmist_n psal._n 139._o 14._o i_o be_o fearful_o and_o wonderful_o make_v marvellous_a be_v thy_o 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which_o yet_o have_v be_v do_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n by_o joseph_n scaliger_n and_o 20._o bochartus_n and_o many_o other_o from_o the_o form_n of_o the_o letter_n the_o order_n and_o the_o name_n of_o they_o it_o seem_v probable_a that_o at_o first_o they_o may_v use_v the_o form_n of_o the_o phoenician_n letter_n in_o which_o herodotus_n tell_v we_o the_o three_o old_a inscription_n be_v extant_a and_o diodorus_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o brass_n pot_n which_o cadmus_n offer_v to_o minerva_n lyndia_n have_v a_o inscription_n on_o it_o in_o the_o phoenician_n letter_n but_o afterward_o the_o form_n of_o the_o letter_n come_v by_o degree_n to_o be_v change_v when_o for_o their_o great_a expedition_n in_o writing_n they_o leave_v the_o old_a way_n of_o write_v towards_o the_o left_a hand_n for_o the_o more_o natural_a and_o expedite_a way_n of_o write_v towards_o the_o right_n by_o which_o they_o exchange_v the_o site_n of_o the_o streke_n in_o several_a letter_n as_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o forecited_a learned_a author_n not_o that_o the_o old_a jonick_a letter_n be_v near_a the_o phoenician_n and_o distinct_a from_o the_o modern_a as_o jos._n scaliger_n in_o his_o learned_a discourse_n on_o the_o original_n of_o the_o greek_a letter_n conceive_v 1617._o for_o the_o jonick_a letter_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o full_a alphabet_n of_o 24._o with_o the_o addition_n of_o palamedes_n and_o simonides_n cous_fw-la as_o pliny_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o the_o greek_n consent_v in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o jonick_a letter_n but_o the_o old_a attic_a 57_o letter_n come_v near_a the_o phoenician_n because_o the_o athenian_n long_o after_o the_o alphabet_n be_v increase_v to_o 24._o continue_v still_o in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o old_a 16._o which_o be_v bring_v in_o by_o cadmus_n which_o must_v needs_o much_o alter_v the_o way_n of_o writing_n for_o in_o the_o old_a letter_n they_o write_v theoâ—_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o make_v pliny_n 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milesius_n who_o pliny_n make_v to_o be_v the_o first_o writer_n in_o prose_n but_o that_o he_o after_o attribute_n to_o pherecydes_n syrius_n and_o history_n to_o cadmus_n 56._o milesius_n and_o therefore_o i_o think_v it_o far_o more_o probable_a that_o it_o be_v some_o writing_n of_o this_o latter_a cadmus_n which_o be_v transcribe_v and_o epitomise_v by_o bion_n proconesius_fw-la although_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n seem_v to_o attribute_v it_o to_o the_o elder_n 6._o we_o see_v how_o unable_a then_o the_o grecian_n be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o elder_a time_n that_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o infancy_n and_o nonage_n as_o to_o begin_v to_o learn_v their_o letter_n almost_o in_o the_o noontide_a of_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o long_o after_o this_o to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o olympiad_n all_o their_o relation_n be_v account_v fabulous_a a_o fair_a account_n than_o we_o be_v like_a to_o have_v from_o they_o of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world_n who_o 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of_o it_o by_o the_o gnostic_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n of_o his_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n transcribe_v by_o manetho_n his_o fabulousness_n thence_o discover_v terra_fw-la seriadica_n of_o seth_n pillar_n in_o josephus_n and_o a_o account_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v have_v already_o show_v a_o general_a defect_n in_o the_o ancient_a 1_o heathen_a history_n as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n we_o now_o come_v to_o a_o close_o and_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o history_n of_o those_o several_a nation_n which_o have_v bear_v the_o great_a name_n in_o the_o world_n for_o learning_n and_o antiquity_n there_o be_v four_o nation_n chief_o which_o have_v pretend_v the_o most_o to_o antiquity_n in_o the_o learned_a world_n and_o who_o historian_n have_v be_v think_v to_o deliver_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o holy_a writ_n in_o their_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n who_o on_o that_o account_n we_o be_v oblige_v more_o particular_o to_o consider_v and_o those_o be_v the_o phoenician_n chaldean_n egyptian_n and_o grecian_n we_o shall_v therefore_o see_v what_o evidence_n of_o credibility_n there_o can_v be_v in_o any_o of_o these_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o antiquity_n of_o their_o record_n or_o the_o history_n take_v from_o they_o and_o the_o credibility_n of_o a_o historian_n depend_v much_o upon_o the_o certainty_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o record_n he_o make_v use_v of_o we_o shall_v both_o consider_v of_o what_o value_n and_o antiquity_n the_o pretend_a record_n be_v and_o particular_o look_v into_o the_o age_n of_o the_o several_a historian_n as_o to_o the_o grecian_n we_o have_v see_v already_o a_o utter_a impossibility_n of_o have_v any_o ancient_a record_n among_o they_o because_o they_o want_v the_o mean_n of_o preserve_v they_o have_v so_o late_o borrow_v their_o letter_n from_o other_o nation_n unless_o as_o to_o their_o account_n of_o time_n they_o have_v be_v as_o careful_a as_o the_o old_a roman_n be_v to_o number_v their_o year_n by_o the_o several_a clavi_fw-la or_o nail_n which_o they_o fix_v on_o the_o temple_n door_n which_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o in_o any_o capacity_n to_o do_v not_o grow_v up_o in_o a_o entire_a body_n as_o the_o roman_a empire_n do_v but_o lie_v so_o much_o seatter_v and_o divide_v into_o so_o many_o petâ—y_a republic_n that_o they_o mind_v very_o little_a of_o concernment_n to_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o other_o three_o nation_n have_v deserve_o a_o name_n of_o far_o great_a antiquity_n than_o any_o the_o grecian_n can_v ever_o pretend_v to_o who_o yet_o be_v unmeasurable_o guilty_a of_o a_o impotent_a affectation_n of_o antiquity_n and_o arrogate_a to_o themselves_o as_o grow_v on_o their_o own_o ground_n what_o be_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n and_o industry_n gather_v but_o as_o the_o glean_n from_o the_o full_a harvest_n of_o those_o nation_n they_o resort_v to_o which_o be_v not_o only_o true_a as_o to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o learning_n but_o as_o to_o the_o account_n likewise_o they_o give_v of_o ancient_a time_n the_o chief_a and_o most_o ancient_a history_n among_o they_o be_v only_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o elder_a nation_n especial_o phoenicia_n and_o egypt_n for_o of_o these_o two_o philo_n biblius_n the_o translator_n of_o the_o ancient_a phoenician_n historian_n sanchoniathon_n say_v they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d st._n the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o the_o barbarian_n from_o who_o the_o other_o derive_v their_o theology_n which_o he_o there_o particular_o instance_v in_o we_o begin_v therefore_o with_o the_o phoenician_n history_n who_o most_o ancient_a and_o famous_a historian_n be_v sanchoniathon_n so_o much_o 2._o admire_v and_o make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o shrewd_a antagonist_n ever_o christianity_n meet_v with_o the_o philosopher_n porphyrius_n but_o therein_o be_v see_v
in_o the_o age_n he_o live_v in_o he_o make_v that_o unhappy_a use_n of_o his_o skill_n to_o play_v the_o mountebank_n with_o his_o learning_n and_o to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o those_o who_o have_v better_a stomach_n than_o palate_n and_o can_v soon_o swallow_v down_o the_o composition_n that_o be_v give_v they_o then_o find_v out_o the_o ingredient_n of_o they_o thus_o annius_n put_v a_o good_a face_n on_o his_o new-old_a author_n bid_v they_o be_v bold_a and_o confident_a and_o they_o will_v fare_v the_o better_a and_o the_o truth_n be_v they_o tell_v their_o story_n so_o punctual_o in_o all_o circumstance_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v no_o certain_a conveyance_n to_o posterity_n that_o that_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o any_o intelligent_a person_n to_o question_v their_o authority_n but_o lest_o his_o author_n shall_v at_o any_o time_n want_v a_o interpreter_n to_o make_v out_o their_o full_a meaning_n he_o set_v himself_o a_o large_a commentary_n upon_o they_o and_o certain_o he_o be_v the_o fit_a person_n in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v it_o for_o cujus_fw-la â—st_fw-la condere_fw-la ejus_fw-la â—st_fw-la interpretari_fw-la none_o so_o fit_a to_o explain_v annius_n as_o annius_n himself_o the_o whole_a story_n of_o this_o imposture_n how_o he_o make_v the_o inscription_n himself_o and_o hide_v they_o under_o ground_n how_o they_o be_v dig_v thence_o and_o bring_v to_o annius_n how_o annius_n cause_v they_o to_o be_v send_v to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o after_o publish_v they_o in_o the_o equipage_n they_o be_v in_o be_v at_o large_a relate_v by_o that_o learned_a bishop_n antonius_n augustinus_n from_o latinus_n latinius_n 11._o from_o a_o like_a quarry_n to_o this_o come_v out_o those_o other_o famous_a inscription_n walk_v under_o the_o specious_a title_n of_o antiquitatum_fw-la 6._o ethruscarum_fw-la fragmenta_fw-la whereinis_fw-la beside_o many_o palpable_a incongruity_n to_o the_o custom_n of_o those_o elder_a time_n discover_v partly_o by_o leo_n allatius_n in_o his_o discourse_n concern_v they_o there_o be_v so_o many_o particular_a story_n and_o circumstance_n relate_v concern_v noah_n be_v in_o italy_n and_o other_o thing_n so_o far_o beyond_o any_o probability_n of_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n there_o be_v yet_o any_o person_n pretend_v to_o learning_n who_o shall_v build_v their_o discourse_n upon_o such_o rot_a and_o sandy_a foundation_n as_o these_o inscription_n be_v but_o though_o ixion_n may_v jupiter_n will_v never_o have_v be_v deceive_v with_o a_o cloud_n instead_o of_o juno_n so_o though_o person_n unacquainted_a with_o the_o lineament_n of_o truth_n may_v be_v easy_o impose_v on_o with_o appearance_n instead_o of_o she_o yet_o such_o person_n who_o have_v sagacity_n enough_o to_o discern_v the_o air_n of_o her_o countenance_n from_o the_o paint_n of_o forgery_n will_v never_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v overreach_v by_o such_o vain_a pretender_n but_o these_o impostor_n be_v like_o the_o astrologer_n at_o rome_n ever_o banish_v and_o yet_o ever_o there_o and_o so_o these_o be_v ever_o explode_v by_o all_o lover_n of_o truth_n yet_o always_o find_v some_o to_o applaud_v and_o entertain_v they_o although_o it_o be_v more_o difficult_a to_o do_v so_o now_o in_o the_o present_a light_n of_o knowledge_n and_o all_o advantage_n for_o learning_n than_o it_o be_v in_o those_o elder_a time_n when_o the_o heathen_a priest_n pretend_v to_o the_o monopoly_n of_o learning_n among_o themselves_o and_o make_v it_o one_o of_o their_o great_a design_n to_o keep_v all_o other_o in_o dependence_n on_o themselves_o thereby_o to_o keep_v up_o their_o veneration_n the_o better_a among_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o all_o the_o record_n they_o have_v of_o learning_n or_o history_n be_v careful_o lock_v up_o and_o preserve_v among_o the_o priest_n and_o lest_o at_o any_o time_n other_o may_v get_v a_o view_n of_o they_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o preserve_v they_o in_o a_o peculiar_a character_n distinct_a from_o that_o in_o civil_a and_o common_a use_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o heathen_a priest_n have_v all_o imaginable_a opportunity_n and_o convenience_n for_o deceive_v the_o silly_a people_n and_o thereby_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o obsequious_a ignorance_n which_o be_v never_o the_o mother_n of_o any_o true_a devotion_n but_o of_o the_o great_a superstition_n it_o be_v well_o know_v of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n that_o the_o sacred_a 7._o character_n of_o their_o temple_n be_v seldom_o make_v know_v to_o any_o but_o such_o as_o be_v of_o their_o own_o number_n and_o family_n 3._o the_o priesthood_n be_v there_o hereditary_a or_o such_o other_o as_o by_o long_a converse_n have_v insinuate_v themselves_o into_o their_o society_n as_o some_o of_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n and_o historian_n have_v do_v and_o yet_o we_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o think_v they_o be_v not_o overfree_a and_o communicative_a to_o some_o of_o they_o by_o the_o slender_a account_n they_o give_v of_o several_a thing_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v well_o know_v among_o the_o egyptian_n that_o the_o phoenician_n priest_n have_v their_o peculiar_a and_o sacred_a character_n too_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o word_n of_o philo_n byblius_n concern_v sanchoniathon_n if_o we_o take_v bochartus_fw-la his_o exposition_n of_o they_o 10._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o his_o history_n be_v compare_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o the_o inscription_n in_o the_o temple_n write_v in_o the_o ammunean_a letter_n which_o be_v know_v to_o few_o literae_fw-la ammuneorum_fw-la say_v bochartus_n sunt_fw-la literae_fw-la templorum_fw-la literae_fw-la in_o sacr_n be_v exceptae_fw-la for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o sun_n thence_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o temple_n of_o the_o 17_o sun_n who_o the_o phoenician_n worship_v as_o their_o principal_a deity_n under_o the_o name_n of_o beel-samen_a the_o lord_n of_o heaven_n the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o out_o of_o diogenes_n laertius_n of_o a_o book_n of_o democritus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o babylonian_a priest_n have_v their_o sacred_a character_n too_o and_o of_o a_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n 61._o of_o all_o the_o grecian_a temple_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o they_o have_v some_o peculiar_a character_n which_o be_v call_v sacred_a but_o that_o lerane_v author_n think_v there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o understand_v it_o peculiar_o of_o the_o grecian_n because_o the_o greek_a father_n call_v all_o heathen_n by_o the_o name_n of_o greek_n but_o if_o so_o the_o testimony_n be_v the_o large_a and_o amount_n to_o a_o universal_a testimony_n of_o the_o heathen_a temple_n neither_o be_v this_o only_a peculiar_a to_o they_o if_o we_o believe_v 8._o some_o person_n of_o great_a learning_n than_o judgement_n who_o attribute_v this_o distinction_n of_o sacred_a and_o vulgar_a character_n to_o the_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o other_o but_o without_o any_o probability_n of_o reason_n for_o these_o learned_a man_n be_v strong_o possess_v with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o modern_a jew_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o present_a hebrew_n character_n and_o find_v themselves_o press_v not_o only_o with_o the_o testimony_n of_o some_o ancient_a rabbin_n but_o with_o the_o strong_a evidence_n of_o the_o ancient_a shekel_n about_o solomon_n time_n inscribe_v with_o the_o samaritan_n letter_n have_v at_o last_o find_v this_o evasion_n that_o the_o samaritan_n letter_n be_v in_o vulgar_a use_n but_o the_o present_a character_n be_v then_o sacred_a and_o not_o make_v common_a till_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n but_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o mere_a shift_n find_v out_o by_o some_o modern_a jew_n and_o greedy_o embrace_v by_o their_o follower_n because_o thereby_o they_o be_v in_o hope_n to_o evade_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o contrary_a argument_n which_o otherwise_o they_o can_v find_v no_o probable_a solution_n of_o and_o a_o mere_a shift_n it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v to_o any_o one_o that_o consider_v on_o how_o little_a ground_n of_o reason_n it_o stand_v for_o none_o of_o those_o reason_n which_o hold_v for_o such_o a_o distinction_n of_o character_n among_o the_o heathen_n can_v have_v any_o place_n among_o the_o jew_n for_o it_o be_v never_o any_o part_n of_o god_n design_n to_o have_v the_o law_n keep_v from_o the_o people_n view_n truth_n be_v never_o so_o fearful_a of_o be_v see_v abroad_o it_o be_v only_a falsehood_n that_o walk_v under_o disguise_n and_o must_v have_v its_o hiding-place_n to_o retreat_n to_o nay_o god_n express_o command_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n to_o search_v and_o study_v his_o law_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v if_o it_o be_v lock_v up_o from_o they_o in_o a_o unknown_a character_n do_v not_o god_n himself_o promulge_v it_o among_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n do_v he_o not_o command_v it_o
when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o shall_v all_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n the_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o every_o one_o that_o live_v in_o the_o gospel_n state_n shall_v be_v thus_o effectual_o teach_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n but_o that_o the_o number_n of_o such_o under_o the_o gospel_n shall_v so_o far_o exceed_v those_o under_o the_o law_n that_o they_o can_v hardly_o apprehend_v the_o disproportion_n between_o they_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v set_v forth_o in_o so_o large_a a_o expression_n which_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o next_o rule_n thing_n foretold_v as_o universal_o or_o indefinite_o to_o come_v to_o 3._o pass_v under_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o to_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o but_o as_o to_o the_o event_n only_o of_o god_n choose_v people_n thus_o when_o there_o be_v so_o great_a peace_n prophesy_v to_o be_v in_o gospel_n time_n that_o then_o man_n shall_v beat_v their_o sword_n into_o plow-shear_n and_o spear_n 4._o into_o pruning-hook_n that_o the_o wolf_n shall_v lie_v down_o with_o the_o lamb_n and_o leopard_n with_o the_o kid_n that_o nation_n shall_v not_o lift_v 7._o up_o sword_n against_o nation_n nor_o learn_v war_n any_o more_o with_o many_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n all_o these_o speech_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o what_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n tend_v to_o and_o what_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o that_o profess_v it_o and_o what_o will_v effectual_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n do_v all_o that_o profess_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n hearty_o obey_v the_o dictate_v of_o it_o and_o so_o far_o as_o the_o gospel_n do_v prevail_v upon_o any_o it_o so_o far_o cicurate_v their_o wild_a and_o unruly_a nature_n that_o of_o furious_a wolf_n they_o become_v innocent_a lamb_n and_o of_o rage_a lion_n tender_a kid_n so_o far_o from_o hurt_v and_o injure_v other_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o entertain_v any_o thought_n of_o ill_a will_n or_o revenge_n towards_o their_o great_a enemy_n and_o thus_o we_o may_v see_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o seem_a repugnancy_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o the_o new_a with_o the_o event_n which_o have_v be_v observe_v in_o it_o yet_o that_o all_o those_o prediction_n which_o concern_v the_o bestow_n of_o the_o spiritual_a blessing_n which_o concern_v the_o gospel_n state_n have_v have_v their_o punctual_a accomplishment_n in_o the_o sense_n they_o be_v intend_v prediction_n concern_v future_a event_n where_o not_o only_o the_o thing_n its_o self_n be_v foretell_v but_o the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o person_n 5._o time_n and_o place_n enumerate_v be_v to_o have_v their_o due_a accomplishment_n and_o consequent_o express_v god_n inward_a purpose_n for_o those_o promise_n or_o commination_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o alteration_n by_o some_o tacit_a condition_n employ_v in_o they_o do_v most_o common_o run_v in_o general_a term_n or_o else_o be_v speak_v by_o way_n of_o immediate_a address_n to_o the_o person_n concern_v in_o order_n to_o the_o stir_v they_o up_o the_o more_o to_o the_o duty_n god_n aim_v at_o by_o those_o commination_n as_o when_o jonas_n limit_v the_o ninivites_n destruction_n to_o forty_o day_n but_o when_o prophecy_n be_v record_v not_o by_o way_n of_o commination_n but_o mere_a prediction_n and_o particular_a circumstance_n set_v down_o it_o stand_v to_o reason_n that_o such_o prophecy_n must_v have_v their_o certain_a accomplishment_n and_o that_o first_o because_o god_n by_o set_v down_o the_o circumstance_n will_v give_v they_o great_a evidence_n that_o the_o prediction_n come_v from_o himself_o as_o when_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n not_o only_o foretell_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o altar_n there_o but_o particular_o name_v the_o man_n that_o shall_v do_v it_o viz._n josias_n so_o when_o god_n by_o isaiah_n call_v cyrus_n by_o name_n it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o great_a confirmation_n to_o they_o that_o the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v by_o that_o person_n second_o because_o these_o circumstance_n be_v intend_v for_o landmark_n to_o know_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o prophecy_n for_o when_o they_o find_v the_o circumstance_n fall_v out_o exact_o according_a to_o prediction_n they_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o question_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o grand_a prophecy_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n all_o particular_a circumstance_n be_v so_o long_o before_o foretell_v the_o first_o dawn_n of_o his_o day_n be_v to_o adam_n after_o his_o fall_n when_o the_o nature_n he_o shall_v be_v bear_v of_o be_v foretell_v viz._n not_o angelical_a but_o humane_a of_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n to_o abraham_n it_o be_v further_o reveal_v of_o what_o nation_n of_o mankind_n viz._n from_o his_o posterity_n to_o jacob_n at_o what_o time_n when_o the_o sceptre_n shall_v be_v depart_v from_o judah_n and_o from_o what_o tribe_n viz._n judah_n to_o david_n of_o what_o family_n in_o that_o tribe_n viz._n his_o own_o to_o isaiah_n of_o what_o person_n in_o that_o family_n a_o virgin_n to_o micah_n in_o what_o place_n viz._n bethlehem_n and_o to_o daniel_n at_o what_o precise_a time_n towards_o the_o expire_n of_o his_o seventy_o week_n which_o according_a to_o to_o the_o most_o probable_a computation_n of_o they_o do_v commence_v from_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n longimanus_fw-la and_o so_o the_o 490._o year_n expire_v near_o upon_o our_o saviour_n passion_n now_o certain_o the_o particular_a enumeration_n of_o all_o these_o circumstance_n speak_v of_o so_o long_o before_o and_o fall_v out_o so_o exact_o they_o can_v not_o but_o give_v the_o great_a conviction_n and_o evidence_n that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v that_o person_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n in_o who_o all_o these_o several_a line_n do_v meet_v as_o in_o their_o centre_n last_o prediction_n than_o express_v divine_a purpose_n when_o many_o 6._o prophet_n in_o several_a age_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o prediction_n because_o it_o be_v hardly_o see_v but_o all_o those_o tacit_a condition_n which_o be_v suppose_v in_o general_a promise_n or_o commination_n may_v be_v alter_v in_o different_a age_n but_o when_o the_o condition_n alter_v and_o the_o continueâ—he_v â—he_z same_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a evidence_n it_o be_v some_o immutable_a counsel_n of_o god_n which_o be_v express_v in_o those_o prediction_n and_o in_o this_o case_n one_o prediction_n confirm_v the_o forego_n as_o the_o jew_n say_v of_o prophet_n one_o prophet_n that_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o another_o prophet_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v true_a but_o it_o must_v be_v with_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o other_o prophet_n be_v before_o approve_v to_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n now_o both_o these_o meet_v in_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v our_o saviour_n for_o to_o he_o bear_v all_o the_o prophet_n witness_n and_o in_o their_o several_a age_n they_o have_v several_a thing_n reveal_v to_o they_o concern_v he_o and_o the_o uniformity_n and_o perfect_a harmony_n of_o all_o these_o several_a prophecy_n by_o person_n at_o so_o great_a distance_n from_o each_o other_o and_o be_v of_o several_a interest_n and_o employment_n and_o in_o several_a place_n yet_o all_o give_a light_n to_o each_o other_o and_o exact_o meet_v at_o last_o in_o the_o accomplishment_n do_v give_v we_o yet_o a_o further_a and_o clear_a evidence_n that_o all_o those_o several_a beam_n come_v from_o the_o same_o sun_n when_o all_o those_o scatter_a ray_n be_v at_o last_o gather_v into_o one_o body_n again_o at_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n in_o the_o world_n thus_o have_v we_o now_o clear_v when_o prediction_n be_v expressive_a 10._o of_o god_n internal_a purpose_n by_o observation_n of_o which_o rule_v we_o may_v easy_o resolve_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o disficulty_n when_o they_o only_o express_v the_o series_n and_o dependency_n of_o thing_n which_o will_v have_v their_o issue_n and_o accomplishment_n if_o god_n by_o his_o immediate_a hand_n of_o providence_n do_v not_o cut_v off_o the_o entail_n of_o effect_n upon_o their_o natural_a cause_n now_o as_o to_o these_o prophecy_n which_o concern_v thing_n consider_v in_o themselves_o and_o not_o precise_o as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n we_o be_v to_o observe_v these_o rule_n 1._o commination_n of_o judgement_n to_o come_v do_v not_o in_o themselves_o speak_v the_o absolute_a futurity_n of_o the_o event_n but_o do_v only_o declare_v what_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v make_v be_v to_o expect_v and_o what_o shall_v certain_o come_v to_o pass_v unless_o god_n by_o his_o mercy_n interpose_v between_o the_o threaten_a and_o the_o event_n so_o that_o commination_n do_v speak_v only_o the_o debitum_fw-la poenae_fw-la and_o
〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o the_o pelasgi_n be_v in_o crete_n now_o most_o of_o the_o cretan_a word_n be_v of_o a_o eastern_a extraction_n if_o we_o believe_v the_o learned_a bochartus_n who_o have_v promise_v a_o discourse_n on_o that_o subject_n beside_o crete_n we_o find_v the_o pâ—lasgi_n in_o 15._o chios_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v strabo_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o chios_n say_v that_o the_o pelasgi_n of_o thessaly_n be_v their_o first_o inhabitant_n and_o here_o the_o forename_a learned_a person_n have_v derive_v the_o name_n chios_n the_o mountain_n pelinaeus_n and_o the_o wine_n arvisium_n all_o from_o the_o eastern_a language_n the_o next_o we_o find_v they_o in_o be_v lesbos_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 9_o which_o from_o they_o be_v call_v pelasgia_n say_v strabo_n who_o name_n be_v likewise_o fetch_v out_o of_o the_o east_n by_o bochartus_fw-la further_o we_o find_v they_o in_o lemnos_n and_o 12._o imbros_n so_o anticlides_n in_o strabo_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d concern_v who_o name_n see_v bochartus_fw-la 82._o i_o know_v that_o learned_a author_n make_v the_o phoenician_n the_o author_n of_o all_o these_o name_n from_o no_o other_o ground_n general_o but_o because_o they_o be_v of_o a_o eastern_a derivation_n but_o according_a to_o what_o we_o have_v lay_v down_o we_o may_v yield_v to_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o upon_o clear_a ground_n for_o of_o some_o of_o these_o island_n he_o ingenuous_o confess_v he_o can_v find_v no_o evidence_n of_o the_o phoenician_n be_v in_o they_o phoenices_fw-la in_o his_o insulis_fw-la habitasse_fw-la nusquam_fw-la legimus_fw-la but_o we_o find_v it_o very_o plain_a that_o in_o 9_o those_o very_a island_n the_o pelâ—sgi_n inhabit_v and_o whether_o account_v then_o be_v more_o probable_a let_v the_o reader_n judge_n one_o thing_n more_o i_o shall_v insist_v on_o which_o be_v the_o original_n of_o the_o samothracian_a mystery_n that_o these_o be_v as_o to_o their_o name_n from_o the_o eastern_a language_n be_v now_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o learned_a man_n the_o cabiri_fw-la be_v so_o evident_o derive_v from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signisy_n strength_n and_o power_n i._n e._n the_o dii_fw-la potes_fw-la so_o cabiri_n be_v explain_v by_o varro_n and_o tertullian_n and_o the_o particular_a 8._o name_n of_o the_o several_a cabiri_n mention_v by_o the_o scholiast_n on_o apollonius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v very_o handsome_o explain_v by_o that_o learned_a and_o excellent_a 12._o bochartus_fw-la from_o the_o eastern_a language_n only_o he_o will_v needs_o have_v they_o derive_v from_o the_o phoenician_n whereas_o herodotus_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v from_o the_o pâ—lasgi_n who_o word_n be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o again_o 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o see_v evident_o by_o this_o that_o the_o samothracian_o derive_v their_o mystery_n from_o the_o pelasgi_n and_o without_o all_o question_n they_o have_v their_o name_n from_o thence_o whence_o they_o derive_v their_o mystery_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o as_o the_o old_a etrurians_n be_v certain_o a_o colony_n of_o the_o pelasgi_n upon_o their_o removal_n out_o of_o greece_n so_o vossius_fw-la obseru_v that_o the_o old_a hetruscan_n language_n ferè_fw-la â—_o syris_n habet_fw-la cuncta_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la nomina_fw-la have_v almost_o all_o the_o sacred_a appellation_n 1._o from_o the_o eastern_a tongue_n for_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v further_a observable_a which_o grotius_n take_v notice_n of_o that_o the_o jus_o pontisicum_fw-la romanorum_fw-la be_v takeâ—_n 〈◊〉_d great_a part_n from_o the_o hetrusci_n &_o the_o etrurians_n have_v it_o ab_fw-la hâ—braeis_n out_o of_o the_o eastern_a part_n by_o all_o which_o i_o can_v conceive_v but_o this_o opinion_n notwithstanding_o its_o novelty_n be_v advance_v to_o as_o high_a a_o degree_n of_o 15._o probability_n as_o any_o that_o stand_v on_o the_o like_a foundation_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o be_v a_o excellent_a clue_n to_o direct_v we_o to_o the_o labyrinth_n of_o antiquity_n and_o give_v we_o a_o fair_a account_n whence_o the_o eastern_a tongue_n come_v to_o be_v so_o much_o use_v among_o both_o the_o ancient_a greek_n and_o etrurians_n one_o thing_n more_o this_o will_v help_v we_o to_o understand_v far_o better_o than_o any_o salvo_fw-la have_v be_v yet_o use_v for_o it_o which_o be_v the_o affinity_n speak_v of_o by_o ariâ—s_n king_n of_o lacedaemon_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o onias_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o lacedaemonian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o 9_o be_v explain_v by_o josephus_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v find_v in_o a_o book_n that_o the_o jew_n and_o lacedaemonian_n be_v of_o the_o same_o stock_n from_o their_o mutual_a relation_n to_o abraham_n vossius_fw-la think_v the_o original_a of_o this_o be_v from_o those_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o anak_n who_o come_v into_o greece_n and_o people_a sparta_n and_o will_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v of_o the_o posterity_n 13._o of_o abraham_n or_o that_o they_o be_v partly_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o agar_n or_o cethura_n and_o partly_o of_o the_o canaanite_n drive_v out_o by_o joshua_n but_o how_o unlikely_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o suppose_v sparta_n people_v by_o the_o canaanite_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o evident_a that_o they_o shall_v give_v out_o themselves_o to_o be_v of_o that_o stock_n which_o they_o have_v be_v expel_v their_o country_n by_o and_o for_o the_o true_a posterity_n of_o abraham_n come_v thither_o as_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o but_o the_o bare_a assertion_n so_o we_o have_v this_o strong_a evidence_n against_o it_o that_o all_o that_o come_v from_o abraham_n be_v cirucumcise_v as_o the_o ishmaelite_n hagarens_n etc._n etc._n which_o we_o never_o read_v of_o among_o the_o lacedaemonian_n h._n grotius_n differ_v not_o much_o from_o the_o opinion_n of_o vossius_fw-la concern_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o kindred_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o spartan_n for_o in_o his_o note_n on_o that_o place_n in_o the_o maccabee_n where_o it_o be_v speak_v of_o he_o give_v this_o account_n of_o it_o the_o dorian_n of_o who_o the_o spartan_n be_v a_o part_n come_v from_o the_o pelasgi_n the_o language_n of_o the_o pelasgi_n be_v different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o greek_n as_o appear_v by_o herodotus_n in_o his_o clio_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o the_o pelasgi_n say_v he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dispersi_fw-la a_o scatter_a nation_n thence_o he_o suppose_v these_o pelasgi_n or_o banish_a people_n to_o have_v come_v from_o the_o confine_n of_o arabia_n and_o syria_n in_o which_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n and_o cethura_n have_v place_v themselves_o but_o 1._o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o keturah_n be_v place_v so_o near_o canaan_n or_o no._n i_o know_v junius_n endeavour_n to_o find_v the_o seat_n of_o all_o the_o son_n of_o cethurab_n in_o arabia_n but_o mercer_n give_v several_a not_o improbable_a reason_n why_o he_o conceive_v they_o place_v not_o in_o the_o east_n of_o canaan_n but_o in_o the_o eastern_a part_n of_o the_o world_n 2._o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n at_o all_o of_o any_o remove_n of_o these_o son_n of_o abraham_n by_o ceturah_n out_o of_o the_o part_n of_o arabia_n suppose_v they_o place_v there_o nor_o any_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v banish_v thence_o 3._o that_o which_o be_v the_o badge_n of_o abraham_n posterity_n be_v never_o that_o we_o read_v of_o in_o use_n among_o the_o spartan_n which_o be_v circumcision_n indeed_o in_o much_o late_a age_n than_o this_o we_o speak_v of_o we_o read_v of_o a_o people_n among_o the_o thracian_n who_o be_v circumcise_v who_o the_o greek_n themselves_o judge_v to_o be_v jew_n so_o aristophanes_n bring_v the_o odomantes_n in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 4_o say_v the_o scholiast_n i._n e._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o circumcision_n be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o thracian_n for_o these_o odomantes_n be_v say_v the_o scholiast_n a_o people_n of_o thrace_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o seem_v it_o be_v a_o tradition_n among_o they_o that_o they_o be_v jew_n if_o so_o it_o seem_v most_o probable_a that_o they_o be_v some_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v place_v about_o colchis_n and_o the_o adjacent_a place_n for_o herodotus_n in_o euterpe_n say_v that_o the_o syrian_n that_o live_v about_o the_o river_n thermodon_n and_o parthenius_n learned_a circumcision_n from_o the_o colchi_n of_o who_o he_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d only_o the_o colchi_n and_o egyptian_n and_o aeâ—hiopians_n have_v original_o the_o custom_n of_o circumcision_n or_o else_o these_o oâ—omantes_n may_v be_v some_o of_o the_o disperse_a jew_n
of_o moses_n and_o to_o fall_v into_o idolatry_n but_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o any_o falsity_n or_o imposture_n in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n the_o ringleader_n of_o their_o revolt_n will_v have_v sufficient_o promulge_v it_o among_o they_o as_o the_o most_o plausible_a plea_n to_o draw_v they_o off_o from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n can_v we_o think_v that_o a_o nation_n and_o religion_n so_o malign_v as_o the_o jewish_a be_v can_v have_v escape_v discovery_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o deceit_n in_o it_o when_o so_o many_o lay_n in_o wait_v continual_o to_o expose_v they_o to_o all_o contumely_n imaginable_a nay_o among_o themselves_o in_o their_o frequent_a apostasy_n and_o occasion_n give_v for_o such_o a_o pretence_n how_o come_v this_o to_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o nor_o in_o the_o least_o question_v whether_o the_o law_n be_v undoubted_o of_o moses_n his_o writing_n or_o no_o what_o a_o excellent_a plea_n will_v this_o have_v be_v for_o jeroboam_n calf_n in_o dan_n and_o bethel_n for_o the_o samaritan_n temple_n on_o mount_n gerizim_n can_v any_o the_o least_o suspicion_n have_v be_v raise_v among_o they_o concern_v the_o aut_fw-la bentickness_n of_o the_o fundamental_a record_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n and_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a the_o jew_n who_o be_v a_o people_n strange_o suspicious_a and_o incredulous_a while_o they_o be_v feed_v and_o clothe_v with_o miracle_n yet_o can_v never_o find_v ground_n to_o question_v this_o nay_o and_o moses_n himself_o we_o plain_o see_v be_v huge_o envy_v by_o many_o of_o the_o israelite_n even_o in_o the_o wilderness_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o corah_n and_o his_o complice_n and_o that_o on_o this_o very_a ground_n that_o he_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o he_o how_o unlikely_a then_o be_v it_o that_o amid_o so_o many_o enemy_n he_o shall_v dare_v to_o venture_v any_o thing_n into_o public_a record_n which_o be_v not_o most_o undoubted_o true_a or_o undertake_v to_o prescribe_v a_o law_n to_o oblige_v the_o people_n to_o posterity_n or_o that_o after_o his_o own_o age_n any_o thing_n shall_v come_v out_o under_o his_o name_n which_o will_v not_o be_v present_o detect_v by_o the_o emulatoâ—rs_n of_o his_o glory_n what_o then_o be_v the_o thing_n itself_o incredible_a sure_o not_o that_o moses_n shall_v write_v the_o record_v we_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o they_o able_a to_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o what_o not_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o same_o age_n and_o convey_v it_o down_o by_o a_o certain_a tradition_n to_o posterity_n or_o do_v not_o the_o israelite_n all_o constant_o believe_v it_o what_o not_o they_o who_o will_v soon_o part_v with_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n then_o admit_v any_o variation_n or_o alteration_n as_o to_o their_o law_n well_o but_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n 5._o partial_a to_o themselves_o and_o that_o out_o of_o honour_n to_o the_o memory_n of_o so_o great_a a_o person_n as_o moses_n they_o shall_v attribute_v their_o ancient_a law_n and_o record_n to_o he_o which_o be_v all_o that_o infidelity_n its_o self_n can_v imagine_v in_o this_o case_n yet_o this_o can_v be_v with_o any_o shadow_n of_o reason_n pretend_v for_o 1._o who_o be_v those_o person_n who_o do_v give_v out_o this_o law_n to_o the_o jew_n under_o moses_n his_o name_n certain_o they_o who_o 1._o undertake_v to_o contradict_v that_o which_o be_v receive_v by_o common_a consent_n must_v bring_v strong_a and_o clear_a evidence_n then_o that_o on_o which_o that_o consent_n be_v ground_v or_o else_o their_o exception_n deserve_v to_o be_v reject_v with_o the_o high_a indignation_n what_o proof_n can_v be_v then_o bring_v that_o not_o only_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n have_v be_v so_o lamentable_o befool_v to_o believe_v those_o thing_n with_o a_o undoubted_a assent_n which_o be_v only_o the_o contrivance_n of_o some_o cunning_a man_n 2._o at_o what_o time_n can_v these_o thing_n be_v contrive_v either_o while_n the_o memory_n of_o moses_n and_o his_o action_n be_v remain_v 2._o or_o afterward_o first_o how_o can_v it_o possible_o be_v when_o his_o memory_n be_v remain_v for_o then_o all_o thing_n be_v so_o fresh_a in_o their_o memory_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a a_o thing_n of_o this_o universal_a nature_n can_v be_v forge_v of_o he_o if_o after_o than_o i_o demand_v whether_o the_o people_n have_v observe_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n before_o or_o no_o if_o not_o than_o they_o must_v certain_o know_v it_o at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o promulgation_n to_o be_v counterfeit_a for_o have_v it_o be_v from_o moses_n it_o will_v have_v be_v observe_v before_o their_o time_n if_o it_o be_v observe_v before_o then_o either_o continual_o down_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n or_o not_o if_o continual_o down_o than_o it_o be_v of_o moses_n his_o do_v if_o we_o suppose_v he_o to_o have_v have_v that_o authority_n among_o the_o people_n which_o the_o objection_n suppose_v if_o not_o then_o still_o the_o near_a moses_n his_o time_n the_o more_o difficult_a such_o a_o counterfeit_n can_v be_v because_o the_o constitution_n which_o moses_n have_v leave_v among_o they_o will_v have_v remain_v in_o their_o memory_n whereby_o they_o will_v easy_o reject_v all_o pretence_n and_o counterfeit_n 3._o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n will_v have_v ever_o embrace_v such_o a_o law_n have_v it_o not_o be_v of_o moses_n 3._o his_o enact_v among_o they_o in_o that_o state_n of_o time_n when_o he_o do_v for_o then_o the_o people_n be_v in_o fit_a capacity_n to_o receive_v a_o law_n be_v grow_v a_o great_a people_n and_o therefore_o necessary_a to_o have_v law_n new_o deliver_v from_o bondage_n and_o therefore_o want_v law_n of_o their_o own_o and_o enter_v into_o a_o settle_a state_n of_o commonwealth_n which_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a season_n of_o give_v law_n these_o consideration_n make_v it_o so_o clear_a that_o it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o conceive_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n can_v have_v 6._o their_o law_n give_v to_o they_o but_o at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n before_o they_o be_v settle_v in_o canaan_n for_o suppose_v we_o at_o present_a to_o gratify_v so_o far_o the_o objection_n that_o these_o law_n be_v bring_v forth_o long_o after_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o government_n and_o the_o national_a settlement_n under_o moses_n his_o name_n how_o improbable_a nay_o how_o impossible_a be_v it_o to_o alter_v the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o a_o nation_n after_o long_a settlement_n what_o confusion_n of_o interest_n do_v this_o bring_v what_o disturbance_n among_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n who_o must_v be_v disseise_v of_o their_o right_n and_o bring_v to_o such_o strange_a unwonted_a custom_n so_o seem_o against_o their_o interest_n as_o many_o of_o the_o constitution_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v for_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o a_o people_n always_o devote_v to_o their_o own_o interest_n will_v after_o it_o have_v be_v quiet_o settle_v in_o their_o land_n by_o constitution_n after_o the_o custom_n of_o other_o nation_n present_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o a_o copy_n of_o law_n find_v that_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v give_v by_o one_o in_o former_a age_n of_o great_a esteem_n call_v moses_n throw_v open_v all_o their_o former_a enclosure_n and_o part_n with_o their_o former_a law_n for_o these_o of_o which_o they_o have_v no_o evidence_n but_o the_o word_n of_o those_o that_o tell_v it_o they_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a instance_n for_o this_o among_o the_o roman_n although_o there_o be_v great_a evidence_n give_v of_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n that_o the_o book_n find_v in_o numa_n grave_n by_o petilius_n be_v his_o yet_o because_o they_o be_v adjudge_v by_o the_o senate_n to_o be_v against_o the_o present_a law_n they_o be_v without_o further_a enquiry_n adjudge_v to_o be_v burn_v be_v not_o here_o the_o great_a likelihood_n that_o may_v be_v that_o these_o shall_v have_v take_v place_n among_o the_o roman_n for_o the_o great_a veneration_n for_o wisdom_n which_o numa_n be_v in_o among_o they_o and_o the_o great_a evidence_n that_o these_o be_v certain_a remainder_n of_o he_o wherein_o he_o give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o superstition_n in_o use_n among_o they_o yet_o lest_o the_o state_n shall_v be_v unsettle_a by_o it_o they_o be_v prohibit_v so_o much_o as_o a_o public_a view_n when_o the_o praetor_n have_v swear_v they_o be_v against_o the_o establish_a law_n can_v we_o then_o conceive_v the_o jewish_a nation_n will_v have_v embrace_v so_o burdensome_a and_o ceremonious_a a_o law_n as_o moses_n be_v have_v it_o be_v bring_v among_o they_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o the_o book_n of_o numa_n
mere_a câ—nto_n a_o confuse_a mixture_n of_o the_o christian_a platonic_a and_o egyptian_a doctrine_n together_o so_o that_o we_o can_v hardly_o maintain_v the_o justness_n of_o the_o repute_n of_o the_o ancient_a egyptian_a learning_n from_o any_o thing_n now_o extant_a of_o it_o but_o yet_o we_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v it_o especial_o since_o it_o be_v so_o honourable_o speak_v of_o in_o sacred_a writ_n and_o seem_v in_o it_o to_o have_v be_v make_v the_o standard_n and_o measure_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n for_o which_o we_o have_v this_o observable_a testimony_n that_o when_o the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n be_v speak_v of_o with_o the_o great_a advantage_n and_o commendation_n it_o be_v set_v forth_o with_o this_o character_n that_o it_o exceed_v the_o wisdom_n of_o all_o the_o child_n of_o the_o 31._o east_n country_n and_o all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o egypt_n whence_o it_o be_v most_o natural_a and_o easy_a to_o argue_v that_o certain_o their_o learning_n must_v be_v account_v the_o great_a at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o world_n or_o else_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v infer_v that_o solomon_n be_v wise_a than_o all_o man_n because_o his_o wisdom_n excel_v they_o unless_o we_o suppose_v their_o wisdom_n to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a in_o that_o age_n of_o the_o world_n when_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o grecian_n although_o in_o that_o time_n homer_n be_v suppose_v to_o flourish_v be_v not_o think_v worthy_a the_o take_a notice_n of_o we_o see_v from_o hence_o then_o as_o from_o a_o irrefragable_a testimony_n that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o egyptian_n ancient_o be_v no_o trivial_a pedantry_n nor_o mere_a superstitious_a and_o magical_a rite_n but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o it_o solid_a and_o substantial_a or_o it_o have_v not_o be_v worth_a triumph_v over_o by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n it_o be_v true_a of_o that_o what_o lipsius_n faith_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n quicquid_fw-la dignum_fw-la vinci_fw-la videbatur_fw-la vicit_fw-la cetera_fw-la non_fw-la tam_fw-la non_fw-la potuit_fw-la quam_fw-la 3._o contempsit_fw-la it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o some_o great_a worth_n that_o it_o be_v over-toped_a and_o conquer_v by_o it_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o just_a the_o repute_n of_o the_o ancient_a egyptian_a 4._o learning_n be_v from_o testimony_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v as_o great_a reason_n for_o it_o when_o we_o conâ—ider_v the_o great_a advantage_n the_o egyptian_n have_v for_o promote_a of_o learning_n among_o they_o two_o way_n man_n come_v to_o knowledge_n either_o by_o tradition_n from_o other_o or_o by_o observation_n of_o their_o own_o what_o the_o egyptian_n have_v the_o first_o way_n will_v be_v speak_v to_o afterward_o we_o now_o consider_v the_o latter_a of_o these_o all_o knowledge_n arise_v from_o observation_n must_v be_v either_o of_o those_o science_n which_o immediate_o conduce_v to_o the_o benefit_n of_o man_n life_n or_o such_o who_o end_n be_v to_o improve_v man_n rational_a faculty_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n the_o former_a necessity_n will_v put_v man_n upon_o the_o find_v 1._o out_o the_o latter_a require_v secessum_fw-la &_o otia_fw-la freedom_n from_o other_o employment_n a_o mind_n addict_v to_o they_o and_o industry_n in_o the_o study_n of_o they_o and_o a_o care_n to_o preserve_v their_o invention_n in_o they_o the_o study_n of_o geometry_n among_o the_o egyptian_n owe_v its_o original_n to_o necessity_n for_o the_o river_n nile_n be_v swell_v with_o the_o shower_n fall_v in_o aethiopia_n and_o thence_o annual_o overflow_a the_o country_n of_o egypt_n and_o by_o its_o violence_n overturning_a all_o the_o mark_n they_o have_v to_o distinguish_v their_o land_n make_v it_o necessary_a for_o they_o upon_o every_o abatement_n of_o the_o flood_n to_o survey_v their_o land_n to_o find_v out_o every_o one_o his_o own_o by_o the_o quantity_n of_o the_o ground_n upon_o the_o survey_n the_o necessity_n of_o which_o put_v they_o upon_o a_o more_o diligent_a enquiry_n into_o that_o study_n that_o thereby_o they_o may_v attain_v to_o some_o exactness_n in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v of_o such_o necessary_a constant_a and_o perpetual_a use_n thence_o we_o find_v the_o invention_n of_o geometry_n particular_o attribute_v by_o herodotus_n diodorus_n strabo_n and_o 34._o other_o to_o the_o egyptian_n this_o skill_n of_o they_o they_o after_o improve_v into_o a_o great_a benefit_n viz_o the_o convey_v the_o water_n of_o nile_n into_o those_o place_n where_o it_o have_v not_o overflow_v to_o so_o great_a a_o height_n as_o to_o give_v they_o hope_n of_o a_o ensue_a plenty_n which_o they_o do_v by_o the_o artificial_a cut_n of_o several_a channel_n for_o that_o end_n wherein_o say_v strabo_n the_o egyptian_n art_n and_o industry_n outgo_v nature_n its_o self_n by_o this_o likewise_o they_o observe_v the_o height_n of_o the_o overflow_n of_o the_o river_n whereby_o they_o know_v what_o harvest_n to_o expect_v the_o follow_a year_n which_o they_o do_v by_o a_o well_o near_a memphis_n from_o the_o use_n of_o it_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d upon_o the_o wall_n of_o which_o be_v the_o mark_n of_o several_a cubit_n which_o they_o observe_v and_o publish_v it_o to_o all_o that_o they_o may_v provide_v themselves_o according_o we_o see_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v even_o from_o profit_n and_o advantage_n to_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o the_o egyptian_n be_v skill_v in_o geometry_n and_o the_o knowledge_n relate_v thereto_o and_o for_o the_o promote_a of_o all_o other_o knowledge_n who_o 5._o end_n be_v contemplation_n the_o very_a constitution_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n do_v much_o conduce_v thereto_o for_o thereby_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o they_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o person_n free_v srom_o all_o other_o employment_n who_o may_v devote_v themselves_o to_o a_o sedulous_a enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n such_o be_v the_o egyptian_a priest_n who_o by_o the_o peculiar_a nature_n of_o the_o egyptian_a superstition_n be_v free_v from_o that_o burdensome_a service_n of_o sacrifice_a beast_n which_o the_o priest_n of_o other_o nation_n be_v continual_o employ_v about_o and_o so_o they_o enjoy_v not_o only_o a_o easy_a but_o a_o very_a honourable_a employment_n for_o they_o be_v the_o person_n of_o the_o great_a honour_n esteem_v and_o authority_n among_o the_o egyptian_n of_o which_o rank_n as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v all_o be_v account_v who_o be_v not_o soldier_n husbandman_n or_o artificer_n for_o strabo_n 17._o mention_n no_o nobility_n at_o all_o in_o egypt_n distinct_a from_o the_o priest_n for_o he_o divide_v the_o whole_a commonwealth_n into_o soldier_n husbandman_n and_o priest_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o other_o two_o be_v employ_v about_o matter_n of_o war_n and_o the_o king_n revenue_n in_o peace_n he_o add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o priest_n mind_v the_o study_n of_o philosophy_n and_o astronomy_n and_o converse_v most_o with_o their_o king_n and_o after_o speak_v of_o their_o king_n be_v study_v in_o their_o art_n as_o well_o as_o other_o of_o the_o priest_n he_o add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o who_o they_o spend_v most_o of_o their_o life_n agreeable_o to_o this_o plutarch_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o king_n themselves_o be_v often_o priest_n and_o add_v out_o osir._n of_o hecataeus_n that_o the_o king_n use_v to_o drink_v wine_n by_o measure_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o they_o be_v priest_n for_o as_o he_o say_v the_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v always_o choose_v either_o out_o of_o the_o rank_n of_o priest_n or_o soldier_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d those_o two_o order_n be_v of_o the_o great_a honour_n the_o one_o for_o valour_n and_o the_o other_o for_o wisdom_n and_o if_o the_o king_n be_v choose_v out_o of_o the_o soldier_n he_o be_v present_o enter_v among_o the_o priest_n to_o learn_v their_o mystical_a science_n diodorus_n indeed_o seem_v to_o â—_o reckon_v some_o great_a person_n after_o the_o priest_n and_o distinct_a from_o the_o soldiery_n but_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o these_o any_o other_o than_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o other_o two_o profession_n i_o must_v say_v as_o causabon_n do_v in_o another_o case_n of_o diodorus_n sanè_fw-la strabonis_n 17._o anctoritas_fw-la mult_fw-la be_v siculis_fw-la apud_fw-la i_o praevalet_fw-la diodorus_n his_o testimony_n be_v not_o to_o be_v weigh_v with_o strabo_n from_o hence_o we_o may_v understand_v the_o reason_n why_o that_o potiphera_n who_o daughter_n joseph_n marry_v be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o some_o render_v 45._o the_o priest_n other_o the_o prince_n of_o on_o but_o these_o two_o we_o see_v be_v very_o consistent_a their_o priest_n be_v their_o great_a prince_n and_o heliopolis_n or_o on_o of_o which_o potipherah_n be_v prince_n or_o priest_n be_v the_o chief_a seat_n and_o university_n of_o the_o priest_n
a_o crocodile_n for_o impudence_n and_o all_o to_o express_v this_o venerable_a apothegm_n o_o you_o that_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o go_v out_o of_o it_o god_n hate_v impudence_n and_o therefore_o certain_o this_o kind_n of_o learning_n deserve_v the_o high_a form_n among_o the_o difficiles_fw-la nugae_fw-la and_o all_o these_o hieroglyphic_n put_v together_o will_v make_v but_o one_o good_a one_o and_o that_o shall_v be_v for_o labour_v lose_v there_o be_v yet_o one_o part_n of_o learning_n more_o among_o they_o 7._o which_o the_o egyptian_n be_v esteem_v for_o which_o be_v the_o political_a and_o civil_a part_n of_o it_o which_o may_v better_a be_v call_v wisdom_n then_o most_o of_o the_o foregoing_a two_o thing_n speak_v much_o the_o wisdom_n of_o a_o nation_n good_a law_n and_o a_o prudent_a management_n of_o they_o their_o law_n be_v high_o commend_v by_o strabo_n and_o diodorus_n and_o it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o least_o commendation_n of_o they_o that_o solon_n and_o lycurgus_n borrow_v so_o many_o of_o their_o constitution_n from_o they_o and_o for_o the_o prudent_a management_n of_o their_o government_n as_o the_o continuance_n of_o their_o state_n so_o long_o in_o peace_n and_o quietness_n be_v a_o invincible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o so_o the_o report_n give_v of_o they_o in_o scripture_n add_v a_o further_a testimony_n to_o it_o for_o therein_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a as_o well_o as_o the_o son_n of_o ancient_a king_n and_o his_o counsellor_n be_v call_v wise_a counsellor_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o 12._o the_o wise_a man_n whereby_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a prudence_n and_o policy_n must_v be_v understand_v can_v we_o now_o imagine_v such_o a_o person_n as_o moses_n be_v breed_v up_o in_o all_o the_o ingenucus_fw-la literature_n of_o egypt_n conversant_a among_o their_o wise_a person_n in_o pharaoh_n court_n have_v thereby_o all_o advantage_n to_o improve_v himself_o and_o to_o understand_v the_o utmost_a of_o all_o that_o they_o know_v shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n between_o a_o mere_a pretence_n and_o imposture_n and_o real_a and_o important_a â—_z can_v we_o think_v that_o one_o who_o have_v interest_n in_o so_o great_a a_o court_n all_o advantage_n of_o raise_v himself_o therein_o shall_v willing_o forsake_v all_o the_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n at_o present_a all_o his_o hope_n and_o advantage_n for_o the_o future_a be_v he_o not_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v record_v in_o his_o book_n be_v it_o possible_a a_o man_n of_o ordinary_a wisdom_n shall_v venture_v himself_o upon_o so_o hazardous_a unlikely_a and_o dangerous_a employment_n â—s_n that_o be_v moses_n undertake_v which_o can_v have_v no_o probability_n of_o success_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o belief_n that_o that_o god_n who_o appear_v unto_o he_o be_v great_a than_o all_o the_o god_n of_o egypt_n and_o can_v carry_v on_o his_o own_o design_n by_o his_o own_o power_n maugre_o all_o the_o opposition_n which_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o what_o possible_a ground_n can_v we_o have_v to_o think_v that_o such_o a_o person_n who_o do_v very_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o god_n reveal_v unto_o he_o shall_v dare_v to_o write_v any_o otherwise_o then_o as_o it_o be_v reveal_v unto_o he_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o common_a reason_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o universal_a deluge_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n the_o history_n of_o the_o patriarch_n have_v not_o moses_n rational_a faculty_n as_o well_o as_o we_o nay_o have_v he_o they_o not_o far_o better_o improve_v then_o any_o of_o we_o be_v and_o be_v not_o he_o then_o able_a to_o judge_v what_o be_v suitable_a to_o reason_n and_o what_o not_o and_o can_v we_o think_v he_o will_v then_o deliver_v any_o thing_n inconsistent_a with_o reason_n or_o undoubted_a tradition_n then_o when_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n may_v so_o ready_o and_o plain_o have_v triumph_v over_o he_o by_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o what_o he_o write_v thus_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n be_v as_o high_o qualify_v as_o any_o of_o the_o acute_a heathen_a philosopher_n can_v be_v for_o discern_a truth_n from_o falsehood_n nay_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o far_o excel_v the_o most_o renown_a of_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n in_o that_o very_a kind_n of_o learning_n wherewith_o they_o make_v so_o great_a noise_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v original_o egyptian_a as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o grecian_a philospher_n who_o go_v age_n after_o age_n to_o egypt_n to_o get_v some_o scrap_n of_o that_o learning_n there_o which_o moses_n can_v not_o have_v but_o full_a meal_n of_o because_o of_o his_o high_a place_n great_a interest_n and_o power_n in_o egypt_n and_o must_v those_o hungry_a philosopher_n than_o become_v the_o only_a master_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o their_o dictate_v be_v receive_v as_o the_o sâ—nse_n and_o voice_n of_o nature_n which_o they_o either_o receive_v from_o uncertain_a tradition_n or_o else_o deliver_v in_o opposition_n to_o it_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o world_n must_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v confront_v with_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o a_o few_o pitiful_a symbol_n vie_v authority_n with_o divine_a command_n and_o exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a be_v soon_o believe_v then_o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n what_o irrefragable_a evidence_n of_o reason_n be_v that_o so_o confident_a a_o presumption_n build_v upon_o when_o it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o without_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n and_o let_v this_o first_o be_v prove_v and_o we_o will_v never_o stick_v to_o grant_v the_o other_o i_o may_v confident_o say_v the_o great_a gullery_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v take_v philosophical_a dictate_v for_o the_o standard_n of_o reason_n and_o unproved_a hypothesis_n for_o certain_a foundation_n for_o our_o discourse_n to_o rely_v upon_o and_o the_o seek_v to_o reconcile_v the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o these_o have_v be_v that_o which_o have_v almost_o destroy_v it_o and_o turn_v our_o religion_n into_o a_o mere_a philosophical_a speculation_n but_o of_o this_o elsewhere_o we_o see_v then_o that_o insist_v mere_o on_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o rational_a perfection_n of_o the_o person_n who_o speak_v we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o yield_v credit_n to_o moses_n in_o his_o history_n then_o to_o any_o philosopher_n in_o their_o speculation_n and_o that_o which_o in_o the_o next_o place_n speak_v moses_n to_o be_v a_o person_n of_o wisdom_n and_o judgement_n and_o ability_n to_o find_v out_o 8._o truth_n be_v his_o age_n and_o experience_n when_o he_o deliver_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n he_o vent_v no_o crude_a and_o indigested_a conception_n no_o sudden_a and_o temerarious_a fancy_n the_o usual_a issue_n of_o teem_a and_o juvenile_a wit_n he_o live_v long_o enough_o to_o have_v experience_n to_o try_v and_o judgement_n to_o distinguish_v a_o mere_a outside_n and_o varnish_n from_o what_o be_v solid_a and_o substantial_a we_o can_v then_o have_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n that_o moses_n be_v any_o way_n unfit_a to_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n and_o therefore_o be_v capable_a of_o judge_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o though_o person_n be_v never_o so_o high_o accomplish_v for_o part_n learning_n and_o experience_n yet_o if_o they_o want_v due_a information_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o deliver_v they_o may_v be_v still_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o if_o they_o preserve_v it_o for_o posterity_n be_v guilty_a of_o deceive_v other_o let_v we_o now_o therefore_o see_v whether_o moses_n have_v not_o as_o great_a advantage_n for_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o history_n as_o he_o have_v judgement_n to_o discern_v it_o and_o concern_v all_o those_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o he_o to_o his_o own_o death_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o shall_v have_v great_a than_o himself_o write_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o be_v pars_fw-la magna_fw-la himself_n of_o what_o he_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o do_v and_o can_v any_o testimony_n be_v desire_v great_a than_o his_o who_o action_n they_o be_v or_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o do_v of_o they_o and_o that_o not_o in_o any_o private_a way_n but_o in_o the_o most_o public_a capacity_n for_o although_o private_a person_n may_v be_v present_a at_o great_a action_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v guilty_a of_o misrepresent_v they_o for_o want_v of_o understand_v all_o circumstance_n precedent_n and_o
now_o if_o we_o prove_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o interest_n to_o deceive_v in_o his_o history_n and_o have_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o his_o law_n we_o shall_v abundant_o evince_v the_o undoubted_a fidelity_n of_o moses_n in_o every_o thing_n record_v by_o he_o we_o begin_v then_o with_o his_o fidelity_n as_o a_o historian_n and_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n to_o deceive_v and_o be_v deceive_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o any_o person_n where_o we_o can_v discern_v some_o peculiar_a interest_n that_o may_v have_v a_o strong_a bias_n upon_o he_o then_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o moral_n then_o in_o natural_n for_o in_o natural_n we_o see_v that_o every_o thing_n will_v leave_v its_o proper_a interest_n to_o preserve_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o nature_n but_o in_o moral_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o desert_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n to_o set_v up_o a_o peculiar_a interest_n against_o it_o it_o be_v the_o true_a description_n of_o a_o politician_n that_o he_o be_v one_o who_o make_v himself_o the_o centre_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n his_o circumference_n that_o he_o regard_v not_o how_o much_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v abuse_v if_o any_o advantage_n do_v accrue_v to_o himself_o by_o it_o where_o we_o see_v it_o then_o the_o design_n of_o any_o person_n to_o advance_v himself_o or_o his_o posterity_n or_o to_o set_v up_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o history_n he_o write_v we_o may_v have_v just_a cause_n to_o suspect_v his_o partiality_n because_o we_o then_o find_v a_o sufficient_a inducement_n for_o such_o a_o one_o to_o leave_v the_o common_a road_n of_o truth_n and_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o path_n of_o deceit_n but_o we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o suspect_v any_o such_o partiality_n in_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o clear_a than_o that_o he_o be_v free_a from_o the_o ambitious_a design_n of_o advance_v himself_o and_o his_o posterity_n who_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a honour_n he_o enjoy_v himself_o be_v content_a to_o leave_v his_o posterity_n in_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o attendance_n upon_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o as_o little_o have_v we_o ground_n to_o think_v he_o intend_v to_o flatter_v that_o nation_n which_o he_o so_o lively_a describe_v that_o one_o will_v think_v he_o have_v rather_o a_o interest_n to_o set_v forth_o the_o frowardness_n unbelief_n unthankfulness_n and_o disobedience_n of_o a_o nation_n towards_o a_o gracious_a god_n than_o any_o way_n to_o enhance_v their_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n or_o to_o ingratiate_v himself_o with_o they_o by_o write_v this_o history_n of_o they_o nay_o and_o he_o set_v forth_o so_o exact_o the_o lesser_a fail_n and_o grosser_n enormity_n of_o all_o the_o ancestor_n of_o this_o nation_n who_o act_n he_o record_v that_o any_o impartial_a reader_n will_v soon_o acquit_v he_o of_o a_o design_n of_o flattery_n when_o after_o he_o have_v record_v those_o fault_n he_o seek_v not_o to_o extenuate_v they_o or_o bring_v any_o excuse_n or_o pretence_n to_o palliate_v they_o so_o that_o any_o observe_a reader_n may_v easy_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o be_v carry_v on_o by_o a_o high_a design_n than_o the_o common_a people_n of_o historian_n be_v and_o that_o his_o drift_n and_o scope_n be_v to_o exalt_v the_o goodness_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n towards_o a_o rebellious_a and_o obstinate_a people_n of_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a nor_o more_o lively_a demonstration_n than_o the_o history_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o their_o come_n forth_o of_o egypt_n to_o their_o utter_a ruin_n and_o desolation_n and_o moses_n tell_v they_o as_o from_o god_n himself_o it_o be_v neither_o for_o their_o number_n nor_o their_o goodness_n that_o god_n set_v his_o love_n upon_o they_o but_o he_o love_v they_o because_o he_o love_v they_o i._n e._n no_o other_o account_n be_v to_o be_v give_v 8._o of_o his_o gracious_a deal_n with_o they_o but_o the_o freeness_n of_o his_o own_o bonnty_n and_o the_o exuberancy_n of_o his_o goodness_n towards_o they_o nay_o have_v we_o not_o cause_n to_o admire_v the_o ingenuity_n as_o well_o as_o veracity_n of_o this_o excellent_a personage_n who_o not_o only_o lay_v so_o notorious_a a_o blot_n upon_o the_o stock_n of_o his_o own_o family_n levi_n record_v so_o punctual_o the_o inhumanity_n and_o cruelty_n of_o he_o and_o simeon_n in_o their_o deal_n with_o the_o shechemite_n 7._o but_o likewise_o insert_v that_o curse_n which_o be_v leave_v upon_o their_o memory_n for_o it_o by_o their_o own_o father_n at_o his_o decease_n and_o that_o he_o may_v not_o leave_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o partiality_n behind_o he_o he_o have_v not_o do_v as_o the_o statuary_n do_v who_o engrave_v his_o own_o name_n so_o artificial_o in_o the_o statue_n of_o jupiter_n that_o one_o shall_v continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o other_o but_o what_o the_o other_o intend_v for_o the_o praise_n of_o his_o skill_n moses_n have_v do_v for_o his_o ingenuity_n that_o he_o have_v so_o interweave_v the_o history_n of_o his_o own_o fail_n and_o disobedience_n with_o those_o of_o the_o nation_n that_o his_o spot_n be_v like_a to_o continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o whole_a web_n of_o his_o history_n be_v like_a to_o do_v have_v it_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o his_o design_n to_o have_v his_o memory_n preserve_v with_o a_o superstitious_a veneration_n among_o the_o jew_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o have_v leave_v out_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v in_o the_o least_o entrench_v upon_o his_o reputation_n but_o we_o find_v he_o very_o secure_a and_o careless_a in_o that_o particular_a nay_o on_o the_o other_o side_n very_o studious_a and_o industrious_a in_o depress_v the_o honour_n and_o desert_n of_o man_n and_o advance_v the_o power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o all_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o a_o affect_a strain_n of_o rhetoric_n who_o proper_a work_n be_v impetrare_fw-la fidem_fw-la mendacio_fw-la and_o as_o tully_n somewhere_o confess_v to_o make_v thing_n seem_v otherwise_o then_o they_o be_v but_o with_o that_o innate_a simplicity_n and_o plainness_n and_o yet_o withal_o with_o that_o imperatoria_fw-la brevit_fw-la as_o that_o majesty_n and_o authority_n that_o it_o be_v thereby_o evident_a he_o seek_v not_o to_o court_v acceptance_n but_o to_o demand_v belief_n nor_o have_v any_o such_o pitiful_a design_n of_o please_v his_o reader_n with_o some_o affect_a phrase_n but_o think_v that_o truth_n itself_o have_v presence_n enough_o with_o it_o to_o command_v the_o submission_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o it_o especial_o when_o all_o these_o be_v deliver_v by_o such_o a_o one_o 2._o who_o come_v sufficient_o arm_v with_o all_o motive_n of_o credibility_n and_o inducement_n to_o assent_v by_o that_o evidence_n which_o he_o give_v that_o he_o be_v no_o pretender_n to_o divine_a revelation_n but_o be_v real_o employ_v as_o a_o peculiar_a instrument_n of_o state_n under_o the_o god_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o if_o it_o be_v make_v clear_a than_o all_o our_o further_a doubt_n must_v present_o cease_v and_o all_o impertinent_a dispute_n be_v silence_v when_o the_o supreme_a majesty_n appear_v impowr_v any_o person_n to_o dictate_v to_o the_o world_n the_o law_n they_o must_v be_v govern_v by_o for_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v repugnant_a to_o our_o rational_a faculty_n that_o be_v that_o god_n shall_v dictate_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a or_o that_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v prescribe_v any_o law_n but_o such_o as_o be_v most_o just_a and_o reasonable_a if_o we_o suppose_v a_o god_n we_o can_v question_v veracity_n to_o be_v one_o of_o his_o chief_a attribute_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o god_n of_o truth_n shall_v employ_v any_o to_o reveal_v any_o thing_n as_o from_o he_o but_o what_o be_v undoubted_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o most_o gross_a and_o unreasonable_a incredulity_n to_o distrust_v the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o come_v to_o we_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n because_o thereby_o we_o show_v our_o distrust_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n himself_o all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v then_o be_v only_o reasonable_a satisfactisn_a concern_v the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o person_n who_o word_n we_o be_v to_o credit_v and_o this_o our_o gracious_a god_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o deny_v man_n that_o he_o have_v give_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o it_o imply_v no_o incongruity_n at_o all_o to_o any_o notion_n of_o
the_o necessary_a obligation_n to_o punishment_n but_o therein_o god_n do_v not_o bind_v up_o himself_o as_o he_o do_v in_o absolute_a promise_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o commination_n confer_v no_o right_n to_o any_o which_o absolute_a promise_n do_v and_o therefore_o god_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o necessary_a performance_n of_o what_o he_o threaten_v indeed_o the_o guilt_n or_o obligation_n to_o punishment_n be_v necessary_a where_o the_o offence_n hâ—â—_n be_v commit_v to_o which_o the_o threaten_a be_v annex_v but_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o punishment_n do_v still_o depend_v upon_o god_n arbitrarious_fw-la will_n and_o therefore_o he_o may_v suspend_v or_o remove_v it_o upon_o serious_a address_n make_v to_o himself_o in_o order_n to_o it_o for_o since_o god_n be_v please_v not_o to_o take_v the_o present_a forfeiture_n of_o the_o first_o grand_a transgression_n but_o make_v such_o a_o relaxation_n of_o that_o penal_a law_n that_o condition_n of_o pardon_n be_v admittable_a notwithstanding_o sentence_v pass_v upon_o the_o malefactor_n there_o be_v a_o strong_a ground_n of_o presumption_n in_o humane_a nature_n that_o god_n forbearance_n of_o mankind_n notwithstanding_o sin_n do_v suppose_v his_o readiness_n to_o pardon_v offender_n upon_o their_o repentance_n and_o therefore_o that_o all_o particular_a threaten_n of_o judgement_n to_o come_v do_v suppose_v incorrigibleness_n in_o those_o they_o be_v pronounce_v against_o upon_o which_o the_o foundation_n of_o hope_n be_v build_v that_o if_o timely_a repentance_n do_v intervene_v god_n will_v remove_v those_o judgement_n which_o be_v threaten_v against_o they_o and_o this_o be_v certain_o the_o case_n of_o the_o ninivites_n upon_o jonas_n his_o preach_v among_o they_o for_o when_o the_o threaten_a 11._o be_v so_o peremptory_a yet_o forty_o day_n and_o ninive_n shall_v be_v destroy_v all_o the_o hope_n they_o can_v have_v of_o pardon_n must_v be_v from_o 4._o the_o general_a persuasion_n of_o man_n soul_n of_o god_n readiness_n to_o remove_v judgement_n upon_o repentance_n for_o otherwise_o there_o have_v be_v no_o place_n for_o any_o thing_n but_o despair_n and_o not_o the_o least_o encouragement_n to_o supplicate_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o we_o see_v they_o do_v in_o a_o most_o solemn_a manner_n after_o they_o be_v convince_v these_o commination_n come_v from_o god_n himself_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o prophet_n some_o think_v that_o jonas_n together_o with_o the_o threaten_n of_o judgement_n do_v intermix_v exhortation_n to_o repentance_n but_o we_o can_v find_v no_o probability_n at_o all_o for_o that_o on_o these_o two_o account_n first_o jonas_n then_o will_v not_o have_v be_v so_o unwilling_a to_o have_v undertake_v this_o message_n for_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v see_v the_o harshness_n of_o it_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n he_o seek_v to_o have_v avoid_v it_o by_o fly_v to_o tarshish_n second_o jonas_n will_v have_v have_v no_o pretence_n at_o all_o for_o his_o anger_n and_o displeasure_n at_o god_n pardon_v ninive_n which_o be_v most_o probable_o conceive_v to_o have_v be_v because_o the_o ninivites_n may_v now_o suspect_v he_o to_o be_v no_o true_a prophet_n because_o the_o event_n answer_v not_o his_o prediction_n now_o there_o have_v be_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o for_o this_o if_o he_o have_v mix_v promise_n together_o with_o his_o threaten_n for_o than_o nothing_o will_v have_v fall_v out_o contrary_a to_o his_o own_o prediction_n and_o therefore_o it_o seem_v evident_a that_o the_o message_n jonas_n be_v send_v with_o be_v only_o the_o commination_n of_o their_o speedy_a ruin_n which_o god_n do_v on_o purpose_n to_o awaken_v they_o the_o soon_o an_o with_o the_o great_a earnestness_n to_o repentance_n when_o the_o judgement_n be_v denounce_v in_o so_o peremptory_a a_o manner_n although_o it_o seem_v jonas_n have_v before_o such_o apprehension_n of_o the_o merciful_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o his_o readiness_n to_o pardon_v that_o he_o may_v suppose_v god_n intention_n by_o this_o 2._o severe_a denunciation_n of_o judgement_n may_v be_v only_o to_o take_v occasion_n upon_o their_o repentance_n to_o show_v his_o goodness_n and_o bounty_n to_o they_o but_o this_o be_v no_o part_n of_o his_o instruction_n which_o he_o dare_v not_o go_v beyond_o in_o his_o preach_v what_o ever_o his_o private_a opinion_n may_v be_v for_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o utter_v no_o more_o in_o their_o preach_a or_o particular_a message_n than_o be_v in_o their_o commission_n and_o be_v not_o to_o mix_v their_o own_o word_n with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o by_o this_o we_o may_v further_o understand_v the_o denunciation_n of_o death_n to_o hezekiah_n by_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n set_v thy_o house_n in_o 1._o order_n for_o thou_o shall_v die_v and_o not_o live_v i_o question_v not_o but_o the_o prophet_n reveal_v to_o hezekiah_n as_o much_o as_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o he_o for_o to_o say_v as_o molinaeus_n do_v that_o the_o prophet_n speak_v 6._o these_o word_n of_o his_o own_o head_n before_o he_o full_o understand_v god_n mind_n be_v very_o harsh_a and_o incongruous_a but_o god_n may_v at_o first_o discover_v to_o isaiah_n not_o his_o internal_a purpose_n but_o what_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o disease_n will_v bring_v he_o to_o unless_o his_o own_o immediate_a hand_n of_o providence_n interpose_v which_o message_n he_o will_v have_v isaiah_n carry_v to_o hezekiah_n for_o the_o trial_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o exciting_a he_o to_o the_o more_o lively_a act_n of_o grace_n and_o for_o a_o further_a demonstration_n of_o god_n goodness_n to_o he_o in_o prolong_v his_o life_n beyond_o humane_a probability_n and_o the_o course_n of_o second_o cause_n now_o what_o repugnancy_n be_v there_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n that_o god_n shall_v conceal_v from_o his_o prophet_n in_o their_o message_n the_o internal_a purpose_n of_o his_o will_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o do_v good_a to_o man_n shall_v only_o reveal_v what_o will_v certain_o have_v come_v to_o pass_v unless_o himself_o have_v otherwise_o determine_v it_o and_o thus_o the_o repentance_n which_o be_v attribute_v to_o god_n in_o reference_n to_o these_o denunciation_n of_o judgement_n be_v far_o from_o import_v any_o real_a mutation_n in_o the_o internal_a purpose_n of_o god_n a_o rock_n some_o have_v split_v themselves_o upon_o but_o it_o only_o signify_v the_o outward_a change_n of_o the_o scene_n towards_o man_n and_o act_v otherwise_o then_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n do_v seem_v to_o import_v and_o all_o the_o alteration_n be_v in_o the_o outward_a discovery_n of_o his_o will_n which_o be_v certain_o far_o from_o be_v any_o collusion_n in_o god_n unless_o we_o must_v suppose_v god_n so_o bind_v up_o that_o he_o have_v no_o liberty_n of_o use_v his_o own_o method_n for_o bring_v man_n to_o repentance_n or_o for_o trial_n of_o his_o people_n grace_n but_o must_v in_o every_o instance_n of_o his_o word_n declare_v nothing_o but_o his_o own_o internal_a purpose_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o general_a method_n of_o god_n deal_v with_o the_o world_n which_o be_v to_o govern_v man_n by_o his_o own_o law_n and_o thereby_o to_o awaken_v they_o to_o duty_n and_o deter_v from_o sin_n by_o his_o annex_v threaten_n without_o reveal_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o internal_a purpose_n concern_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n at_o all_o which_o threaten_n of_o his_o though_o pronounce_v with_o the_o great_a severity_n do_v not_o speak_v god_n inward_a resolution_n as_o to_o any_o particular_a person_n but_o what_o all_o must_v expect_v if_o they_o continue_v impenitent_a and_o incorrigible_a for_o the_o only_a condition_n employ_v in_o these_o threaten_n being_n repentance_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o where_o that_o be_v want_v these_o hypothetical_a commination_n be_v absolute_a prediction_n of_o what_o shall_v certain_o come_v to_o pass_v on_o all_o those_o who_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o condition_n suppose_v in_o they_o so_o that_o where_o any_o commination_n be_v pronounce_v by_o any_o in_o a_o prophetical_a way_n concern_v any_o person_n or_o people_n and_o no_o 13._o alteration_n happen_v at_o all_o in_o they_o but_o they_o continue_v impenitent_a and_o incorrigible_a there_o the_o not_o come_v of_o they_o to_o pass_v may_v be_v a_o token_n of_o a_o false_a prophet_n for_o in_o this_o case_n the_o only_a tacit_a condition_n employ_v in_o these_o threaten_a prophecy_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v want_v and_o so_o the_o commination_n must_v be_v understand_v as_o absolute_a prediction_n now_o in_o those_o commination_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v absolute_o express_v but_o conditional_o understand_v we_o find_v something_o interpose_v which_o we_o may_v rational_o suppose_v be_v the_o very_a condition_n understand_v as_o abimelech_n restore_v of_o sarah_n be_v the_o ground_n why_o the_o sentence_n of_o death_n after_o it_o be_v denounce_v be_v
there_o may_v be_v clear_a perception_n where_o the_o object_n its_o self_n be_v above_o our_o capacity_n now_o whatever_o foundation_n there_o be_v in_o nature_n for_o such_o a_o perception_n without_o comprehension_n that_o and_o much_o more_o be_v there_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n though_o above_o our_o apprehension_n for_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n can_v be_v so_o strong_a a_o evidence_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o be_v above_o our_o apprehension_n as_o the_o revelation_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v believe_v the_o thing_n so_o reveal_v though_o our_o understanding_n lose_v themselves_o in_o strive_v to_o reach_v the_o nature_n of_o they_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o existence_n second_o that_o which_o be_v the_o only_a foundation_n of_o a_o scruple_n in_o this_o case_n be_v a_o principle_n most_o unreasonable_a in_o its_o self_n that_o we_o be_v 2._o to_o embrace_v nothing_o for_o truth_n though_o divine_o reveal_v but_o what_o our_o reason_n be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o existence_n on_o which_o account_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n satisfaction_n and_o consequent_o the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v reject_v as_o incredible_a and_o that_o on_o this_o bare_a pretence_n because_o although_o many_o expression_n in_o scripture_n seem_v to_o import_v all_o these_o thing_n yet_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o interpret_v they_o to_o another_o sense_n because_o this_o be_v incongruous_a to_o our_o reason_n but_o although_o christianity_n be_v a_o religion_n which_o come_v in_o the_o high_a way_n of_o credibility_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n although_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n yet_o that_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v question_v whether_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n mere_o because_o our_o reason_n be_v to_o seek_v as_o to_o the_o full_a and_o adequate_a conception_n of_o it_o be_v a_o most_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a pretence_n and_o the_o assertor_n of_o it_o must_v run_v themselves_o on_o these_o unavoidable_a absurdity_n first_o of_o believe_v nothing_o either_o in_o nature_n or_o religion_n to_o 1._o be_v true_a but_o what_o they_o can_v give_v a_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o as_o to_o every_o mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o therefore_o let_v such_o person_n first_o try_v themselves_o in_o all_o the_o appearance_n of_o nature_n and_o then_o we_o may_v suppose_v they_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o sun_n shine_v till_o they_o have_v by_o demonstrative_a argument_n prove_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o the_o ptolomaick_a or_o copernican_n hypothesis_n that_o they_o will_v never_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o flux_n and_o reflux_n of_o the_o sea_n till_o they_o clear_o resolve_v the_o doubt_n which_o attend_v the_o several_a opinion_n of_o it_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n till_o they_o can_v satisfactory_o tell_v we_o how_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v unite_v nor_o that_o there_o be_v any_o material_a being_n till_o they_o have_v resolve_v all_o the_o perplex_v difficulty_n about_o the_o several_a affection_n of_o they_o and_o that_o themselves_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o rational_a soul_n till_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o satisfy_v we_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n together_o and_o if_o they_o can_v expedite_v all_o these_o and_o many_o more_o difficulty_n about_o the_o most_o obvious_a thing_n about_o which_o it_o be_v another_o thing_n to_o frame_v handsome_a and_o consistent_a hypothesis_n then_o to_o give_v a_o certain_a account_n of_o they_o then_o let_v they_o be_v let_v loose_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n as_o to_o which_o yet_o if_o they_o can_v perform_v the_o other_o be_v there_o no_o reason_n for_o such_o a_o undertake_n for_o that_o be_v second_o to_o commensurate_a the_o perfection_n of_o god_n with_o the_o narrow_a capacity_n of_o the_o humane_a intellect_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o 2._o the_o natural_a idea_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o manner_n whereby_o we_o take_v up_o our_o conception_n of_o god_n for_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n do_v suppose_v incomprehensibility_n to_o belong_v to_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o manner_n whereby_o we_o form_n our_o conception_n of_o god_n be_v by_o take_v away_o all_o the_o imperfection_n we_o find_v in_o our_o self_n from_o the_o conception_n we_o form_n of_o a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o by_o add_v infinity_n to_o all_o the_o perfection_n we_o find_v in_o our_o own_o nature_n now_o this_o method_n of_o proceed_v do_v necessary_o imply_v a_o vast_a distance_n and_o disproportion_n between_o a_o finite_a and_o infinite_a understanding_n and_o if_o the_o understanding_n of_o god_n be_v infinite_a why_o may_v not_o he_o discover_v such_o thing_n to_o we_o which_o our_o shallow_a apprehension_n can_v reach_v unto_o what_o ground_n or_o evidence_n of_o reason_n can_v we_o have_v that_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o understanding_n when_o it_o undertake_v to_o discover_v matter_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n and_o concernment_n to_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o imperfect_a and_o narrow_a intellect_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o matter_n reveal_v do_v none_o of_o they_o contradict_v the_o prime_n result_v or_o common_a notion_n of_o mankind_n which_o none_o of_o they_o do_v but_o that_o every_o particular_a mode_n and_o circumstance_n as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o existence_n in_o god_n or_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o omnipotent_a power_n must_v pass_v the_o scrutiny_n of_o our_o faculty_n before_o it_o obtain_v a_o placet_fw-la for_o a_o divine_a revelation_n three_o it_o must_v follow_v from_o this_o principle_n that_o the_o pretender_n to_o it_o must_v affirm_v the_o rule_n or_o maxim_n which_o they_o go_v by_o 3._o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o thing_n be_v the_o infallible_a standard_n of_o reason_n else_o they_o be_v as_o far_o to_o seek_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n as_o any_o other_o be_v they_o must_v then_o to_o be_v consistent_a with_o their_o principle_n affirm_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o absolute_a master_n of_o reason_n now_o reason_n consist_v of_o observation_n make_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o being_n for_o so_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v as_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o judge_v viz._n as_o a_o systeme_n of_o infallible_a rule_n collect_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n they_o who_o pretend_v to_o it_o must_v demonstrate_v these_o general_a maxim_n according_a to_o which_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v collect_v from_o a_o universal_a undoubted_a history_n of_o nature_n which_o lie_v yet_o too_o dark_a and_o obscure_a for_o any_o to_o pretend_v to_o the_o full_a knowledge_n of_o and_o will_v be_v only_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o high_a arrogance_n after_o so_o many_o successless_a endeavour_n of_o the_o most_o search_a wit_n in_o any_o society_n of_o person_n to_o usurp_v it_o to_o themselves_o especial_o if_o such_o person_n be_v so_o far_o from_o search_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o suffer_v themselves_o very_o fair_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o nose_n by_o the_o most_o dogmatical_a of_o all_o philosopher_n and_o that_o in_o such_o principle_n which_o the_o more_o inquisitive_a world_n have_v now_o find_v to_o be_v very_o short_a uncertain_a and_o fallacious_a and_o upon_o severe_a enquiry_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o grand_a principle_n which_o have_v be_v take_v by_o these_o adorer_n of_o reason_n for_o almost_o the_o standard_n of_o it_o have_v be_v some_o theory_n which_o have_v be_v take_v up_o mere_o from_o observation_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n by_o such_o person_n who_o scarce_o own_v any_o hand_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n now_o it_o can_v otherwise_o be_v conceive_v but_o that_o these_o theory_n or_o principle_n form_v from_o such_o a_o narrow_a inspection_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n must_v make_v strange_a work_n when_o we_o come_v to_o apply_v those_o thing_n to_o they_o which_o be_v never_o look_v at_o in_o the_o form_n of_o they_o whence_o come_v those_o two_o receive_v principle_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v produce_v out_o of_o nothing_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possible_a return_n from_o a_o privation_n to_o a_o habit_n but_o from_o those_o philosopher_n who_o believe_v there_o be_v nothing_o but_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n or_o if_o they_o do_v assert_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n yet_o suppose_v he_o unconcerned_a in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n whence_o come_v our_o master_n
who_o it_o be_v very_o frequent_a who_o worship_v the_o devil_n instead_o of_o go_n 2._o because_o of_o the_o general_a dispersion_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o they_o we_o can_v otherwise_o conceive_v but_o that_o record_n contain_v so_o weighty_a and_o important_a thing_n will_v be_v transcribe_v by_o all_o those_o church_n which_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o we_o see_v how_o far_o curiosity_n will_v carry_v man_n as_o to_o the_o care_n of_o transcribe_v ancient_a mss._n of_o old_a author_n which_o contain_v only_o some_o history_n of_o thing_n past_o that_o be_v of_o no_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o can_v we_o then_o imagine_v those_o who_o venture_v estate_n and_o life_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n will_v not_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o authentic_a instrument_n whereby_o they_o be_v reveal_v in_o a_o certain_a way_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o beside_o this_o for_o a_o long_a time_n the_o original_n themselves_o of_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o church_n which_o make_v tertullian_n in_o his_o time_n appeal_v to_o they_o age_fw-la jam_fw-la qui_fw-la voles_fw-fr curiositatem_fw-la melius_fw-la exercere_fw-la in_o negotio_fw-la salutis_fw-la tuus_fw-la 36._o percurre_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la apud_fw-la quasipsae_fw-la adhuc_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la suis_fw-la locis_fw-la praesidentur_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la authenticae_fw-la corum_fw-la literae_fw-la recitantur_fw-la sonantes_fw-la vocem_fw-la &_o representantes_fw-la faciem_fw-la uniuscujusque_fw-la now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o in_o that_o time_n the_o scripture_n can_v be_v corrupt_v when_o in_o some_o of_o the_o church_n the_o original_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v preserve_v in_o a_o continual_a succession_n of_o person_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o from_o these_o original_n so_o many_o copy_n be_v transcribe_v as_o be_v convey_v almost_o all_o the_o world_n over_o through_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o copy_n shall_v be_v corrupt_v in_o one_o church_n when_o it_o will_v so_o speedy_o be_v discover_v by_o another_o especial_o consider_v these_o three_o circumstance_n 1._o the_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o copy_n wh_z ch_z will_v speedy_o be_v take_v both_o consider_v the_o moment_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o easiness_n of_o do_v it_o god_n probable_o for_o that_o very_a end_n not_o load_v the_o world_n with_o pandâ—cts_n and_o code_o of_o his_o law_n but_o contrive_v the_o whole_a instrument_n of_o man_n salvation_n in_o so_o narrow_a a_o compass_n that_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o preserve_v and_o transcribe_v by_o such_o who_o be_v passionate_a admirer_n of_o the_o scripture_n 2._o the_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a man_n who_o soon_o spring_v up_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o great_a care_n be_v to_o explain_v and_o vindicate_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v that_o all_o these_o watchman_n shall_v be_v asleep_a together_o when_o the_o â—vil_a one_o come_v to_o sow_v his_o tare_n which_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o in_o the_o write_n of_o all_o these_o learned_a man_n which_o be_v very_o many_o and_o voluminous_a so_o much_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v insert_v that_o have_v there_o be_v corruption_n in_o the_o copy_n themselves_o yet_o compare_v they_o with_o those_o write_n the_o corruption_n will_v be_v soon_o discover_v 3._o the_o great_a veneration_n which_o all_o christian_n have_v of_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o place_v the_o hope_n of_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v these_o will_v suffer_v any_o material_a alteration_n to_o creep_v into_o these_o record_n without_o their_o observe_n and_o discover_v it_o can_v we_o now_o think_v when_o all_o person_n be_v so_o exceed_o careful_a of_o their_o deed_n and_o the_o record_n whereon_o their_o estate_n depend_v that_o the_o christian_n who_o value_v not_o this_o world_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o to_o come_v shall_v suffer_v the_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o that_o to_o be_v lose_v corrupt_a or_o imbezzele_v away_o especial_o consider_v what_o care_n and_o industry_n be_v use_v by_o many_o primitive_a christian_n to_o compare_v copy_n together_o as_o be_v evident_a in_o pantaenus_n who_o bring_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o matthew_n out_o of_o the_o indies_n to_o alexandria_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o in_o pamphilus_n and_o the_o library_n he_o errect_v at_o caesarâ—a_n but_o especial_o in_o origen_n admirable_a hexapla_n which_o be_v main_o intend_v for_o this_o end_n 3._o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v a_o corruption_n of_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n because_o of_o the_o great_a difference_n which_o be_v all_o along_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n between_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v divine_a so_o that_o if_o one_o party_n of_o they_o have_v foist_v in_o or_o take_v out_o any_o thing_n another_o party_n be_v ready_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o tell_v the_o world_n of_o it_o and_o this_o may_v be_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o god_n in_o his_o wise_a providence_n may_v permit_v such_o a_o increase_n of_o heresy_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n viz._n that_o thereby_o christian_n may_v be_v force_v to_o stand_v upon_o their_o guard_n and_o to_o have_v a_o special_a eye_n to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v always_o the_o great_a eyesore_n of_o heretic_n and_o from_o this_o great_a wariness_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v so_o long_o abroad_o before_o they_o find_v general_a entertainment_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n because_o in_o those_o epistle_n which_o be_v doubt_v for_o some_o tâ—me_n there_o be_v some_o passage_n which_o seem_v to_o favour_v some_o of_o the_o heresy_n then_o abroad_o but_o when_o upon_o severe_a enquiry_n they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v what_o they_o pretend_v they_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n 4._o because_o of_o the_o agreement_n between_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n appear_v with_o their_o full_a accomplishment_n in_o the_o new_a which_o we_o have_v so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v the_o new_a shall_v be_v corrupt_v unless_o the_o old_a be_v too_o which_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v the_o great_a conservator_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v all_o along_o the_o most_o inveterate_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_n so_o that_o we_o can_v at_o all_o conceive_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n much_o less_o that_o the_o true_a copy_n shall_v be_v lose_v and_o a_o new_a one_o forge_v suppose_v then_o that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o authentic_a record_n preserve_v and_o hand_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o care_n of_o all_o christian_a 5â—_n church_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n what_o necessity_n can_v we_o imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v work_v new_a miracle_n to_o confirm_v that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v convey_v down_o in_o a_o certain_a uninterrupted_a way_n to_o we_o as_o be_v seâ—led_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a in_o the_o first_o promulgation_n and_o pen_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o reason_n why_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n need_v not_o now_o be_v seal_v by_o new_a miracle_n 2._o another_o may_v be_v because_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n have_v appoint_v other_o thing_n to_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o his_o people_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n such_o be_v outward_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v set_v apart_o to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n towards_o we_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a promise_n contain_v in_o it_o in_o reference_n to_o pardon_v of_o sin_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o inward_o god_n have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n to_o be_v as_o a_o witness_n within_o they_o that_o by_o its_o work_n and_o strengthen_v grace_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o believer_n it_o may_v confirm_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n of_o scripture_n when_o they_o find_v the_o counter_a part_n of_o they_o write_v in_o their_o heart_n by_o the_o singer_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n it_o can_v then_o be_v with_o any_o reason_n at_o all_o suppose_a
disseminated_a vacuity_n which_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o because_o a_o coacervate_a vacuity_n be_v not_o only_o assert_v as_o possible_a but_o as_o probable_o existent_a i_o assume_v only_o then_o that_o which_o be_v insist_v on_o as_o probable_a viz._n that_o that_o space_n which_o lie_v between_o our_o atmosphere_n and_o the_o star_n be_v empty_a of_o any_o other_o thing_n but_o only_o the_o ray_n of_o the_o star_n which_o pass_v through_o it_o i_o then_o suppose_v it_o a_o vacuity_n whether_o will_v not_o the_o particle_n of_o those_o body_n which_o lie_v contiguous_a to_o that_o space_n present_o dislodge_v from_o the_o body_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o begin_v a_o new_a rendezvous_n of_o atom_n there_o for_o all_o atom_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o perpetual_a motion_n and_o the_o cause_n assign_v why_o in_o solid_a body_n they_o do_v not_o fly_v away_o be_v because_o of_o the_o repercussion_n of_o other_o atom_n that_o when_o they_o once_o begin_v to_o stir_v they_o receive_v such_o knock_n as_o make_v they_o quiet_a in_o their_o place_n now_o this_o can_v hold_v in_o the_o body_n contiguous_a to_o this_o space_n for_o both_o those_o body_n be_v more_o fluid_a and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o such_o knock_n of_o particle_n to_o keep_v they_o at_o rest_n but_o which_o be_v more_o those_o which_o be_v contiguous_a have_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o hinder_v they_o from_o motion_n and_o so_o those_o particle_n will_v necessary_o remove_v into_o that_o empty_a space_n where_o there_o be_v no_o impediment_n of_o their_o motion_n and_o so_o the_o next_o atom_n to_o those_o must_v remove_v because_o that_o space_n wherein_o the_o other_o be_v be_v make_v empty_a by_o their_o removal_n and_o so_o the_o next_o and_o so_o on_o till_o not_o only_o the_o air_n but_o the_o whole_a mass_n of_o the_o earth_n wâ—ll_n on_o supposition_n of_o such_o a_o vacuity_n be_v dissolve_v into_o its_o first_o particle_n which_o will_v all_o mutiny_n in_o the_o several_a body_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o never_o rest_n till_o they_o come_v to_o that_o empty_a space_n where_o they_o may_v again_o rendezvous_n together_o so_o dangerous_a be_v the_o news_n of_o liberty_n or_o of_o a_o empty_a space_n to_o these_o democratical_a particle_n of_o the_o universe_n neither_o can_v i_o see_v how_o a_o disseminated_a vacuity_n can_v salve_v the_o difficulty_n for_o those_o particle_n of_o the_o most_o solid_a body_n be_v in_o continual_a motion_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o union_n be_v repercussion_n it_o thence_o follow_v that_o towards_o that_o part_n where_o the_o disseminated_a vacuum_n be_v the_o particle_n meet_v with_o no_o such_o stroke_n may_v sair_o take_v their_o leaf_n of_o the_o body_n they_o be_v in_o and_o so_o one_o succeed_v in_o the_o place_n of_o another_o till_o the_o configuration_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v alter_v and_o consequent_o different_a appearance_n and_o effect_n may_v be_v cause_v in_o the_o same_o body_n though_o it_o result_v from_o seminal_a principle_n so_o that_o according_a to_o the_o atomical_a principle_n no_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o those_o effect_n which_o be_v see_v in_o nature_n this_o dionysius_n in_o eusebius_n urge_v against_o the_o atomist_n that_o 24._o from_o the_o same_o principle_n without_o evident_a reason_n give_v for_o it_o they_o make_v of_o the_o same_o uniform_a matter_n some_o thing_n conspicuous_a to_o sense_n other_o not_o some_o short-lived_a other_o extreme_o long-lived_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d what_o ground_n can_v there_o be_v assign_v of_o so_o vast_a a_o difference_n between_o thing_n if_o they_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o differ_v only_o in_o size_n and_o shape_n say_v that_o excellent_a person_n who_o there_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o eloquence_n lay_v open_a â—he_n folly_n of_o the_o atomical_a philosophy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v a_o rare_a democraty_n of_o atom_n say_v he_o where_o the_o friendly_a atom_n meet_v and_o embrace_v each_o other_o and_o from_o thenceforward_o live_v in_o the_o close_a society_n together_o 2._o not_o only_o the_o variety_n but_o the_o exact_a order_n and_o beauty_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o thing_n unaccountable_a by_o the_o atomical_a hypothesis_n be_v the_o whole_a world_n still_o a_o hesiod_n chaos_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o which_o diogenes_n laertius_n tell_v we_o epicurus_n 10._o begin_v to_o philosophize_v we_o may_v probable_o believe_v a_o agitation_n of_o particle_n suppose_v matter_n create_v may_v settle_v it_o in_o such_o a_o confuse_a manner_n but_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o blind_a impetus_fw-la of_o atom_n to_o produce_v those_o vast_a and_o most_o regular_a motion_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n to_o order_v the_o passage_n of_o the_o sun_n for_o so_o great_a conveniency_n of_o nature_n and_o for_o the_o alternate_a succession_n of_o the_o season_n of_o the_o year_n which_o shall_v cut_v such_o channel_n for_o the_o ocean_n and_o keep_v that_o vast_a body_n of_o the_o water_n who_o surface_n be_v high_a than_o the_o earth_n from_o overflow_a it_o which_o shall_v furnish_v the_o earth_n with_o such_o seminal_a and_o prolific_a principle_n as_o to_o provide_v food_n and_o nourishment_n for_o those_o animal_n which_o live_v upon_o it_o and_o furnish_v out_o every_o thing_n necessary_a for_o the_o comfort_n and_o delight_n of_o man_n life_n to_o believe_v i_o say_v that_o all_o thâ—se_a thing_n come_v only_o from_o a_o blind_a and_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o atom_n be_v the_o most_o prodigious_a piece_n of_o credulity_n and_o folly_n that_o humane_a nature_n be_v subject_a to_o but_o this_o part_n which_o concern_v the_o order_n and_o beauty_n of_o the_o part_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o the_o argument_n thence_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o blind_a fortuitous_a principle_n but_o a_o infinite_o wise_a god_n have_v be_v so_o full_o and_o 2._o judicious_o handle_v by_o a_o learned_a person_n already_o that_o i_o shall_v rather_o choose_v to_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o his_o discourse_n then_o insist_v any_o more_o upon_o it_o 3._o the_o production_n of_o mankind_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o the_o atomist_n be_v most_o shameful_o puzzle_v with_o as_o well_o as_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o internal_a part_n of_o man_n body_n of_o which_o i_o have_v already_o speak_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n it_o will_v pity_v one_o to_o see_v what_o lamentable_a shift_n the_o atomist_n be_v put_v to_o to_o find_v out_o a_o way_n for_o the_o production_n of_o mankind_n viz._n that_o our_o teem_a mother_n the_o earth_n at_o last_o cast_v forth_o some_o kind_n of_o bag_n like_o womb_n upon_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o these_o by_o degree_n break_v at_o last_o come_v out_o child_n which_o be_v nourish_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o juice_n of_o the_o earth_n like_o milk_n by_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v up_o till_o they_o come_v to_o be_v man_n oh_o what_o will_v not_o atheist_n believe_v rather_o than_o a_o deity_n and_o providence_n but_o lest_o we_o shall_v seem_v to_o wrong_v the_o atomist_n hear_v what_o censorinus_n say_v of_o epicurus_n be_v enim_fw-la credidit_fw-la limo_fw-la calefactos_fw-la uteros_fw-la nescio_fw-la quos_fw-la radicihus_fw-la terrae_fw-la cohaerentes_fw-la primum_fw-la increvisse_fw-la â—_o &_o infantibus_fw-la ex_fw-la seeditis_fw-la ingenitum_fw-la lactis_fw-la humorem_fw-la natura_fw-la ministrante_fw-la praebuisse_fw-la quos_fw-la it_o a_o educatos_fw-la &_o adultos_fw-la genus_fw-la humanum_fw-la propagasse_n but_o because_o lucretius_n may_v be_v think_v to_o speak_v more_o impartial_o in_o the_o case_n how_o rare_o do_v he_o describe_v it_o crescebant_fw-la uteri_fw-la terrae_fw-la radicibus_fw-la apti_fw-la quos_fw-la ubi_fw-la tempore_fw-la maturo_fw-la patefecerit_fw-la aetas_fw-la infantum_fw-la fugiens_fw-la humorem_fw-la aurasque_fw-la petissens_fw-la convertebat_fw-la ibi_fw-la natura_fw-la foramina_fw-la terrae_fw-la et_fw-la succum_fw-la venis_fw-la cogebat_fw-la fundere_fw-la apertis_fw-la consimilem_fw-la lactis_fw-la sicut_fw-la nunc_fw-la foemina_fw-la quaeque_fw-la quum_fw-la peperit_fw-la dulci_fw-la repletur_fw-la lacte_fw-la quodomnis_fw-la impetus_fw-la in_o mamma_n convert_v itur_fw-la ille_fw-la alimenti_fw-la terracibum_fw-la pveris_fw-la vestem_fw-la vapour_n herbacubile_n praebebat_fw-la multa_fw-la &_o molli_fw-la lanugine_fw-la abundans_fw-la have_v lucretius_n be_v only_o a_o poet_n this_o may_v have_v pass_v for_o a_o handsome_o describe_v fable_n but_o to_o deliver_v it_o for_o a_o piece_n of_o philosophy_n make_v it_o the_o great_a mythology_n that_o man_n body_n be_v form_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n we_o believe_v because_o we_o have_v reason_n so_o to_o do_v but_o that_o the_o earth_n shall_v cast_v forth_o such_o folliculi_fw-la as_o he_o express_v it_o and_o that_o man_n shall_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o he_o describe_v deserve_v a_o place_n among_o the_o most_o incredible_a of_o poetic_a fable_n but_o if_o poet_n
which_o it_o may_v be_v be_v uncapable_a of_o full_a and_o particular_a resolution_n and_o those_o be_v that_o the_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n of_o man_n be_v whole_o from_o himself_o and_o that_o his_o salvation_n be_v from_o god_n alone_o if_o then_o man_n ruin_n and_o misery_n be_v from_o himself_o which_o the_o scripture_n do_v so_o much_o inculcate_v on_o all_o occasion_n then_o without_o controversy_n that_o which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v whole_o from_o himself_o too_o which_o be_v sin_n so_o that_o if_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o by_o which_o without_o the_o intervention_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n man_v misery_n unavoidable_o fall_v upon_o he_o for_o with_o what_o authority_n and_o majesty_n do_v god_n in_o the_o scripture_n forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o sin_n with_o what_o earnestness_n and_o importunity_n do_v he_o woo_v the_o sinner_n to_o forsake_v his_o sin_n with_o what_o loathe_n and_o detestation_n do_v he_o mention_v sin_n with_o what_o justice_n and_o severity_n do_v he_o punish_v sin_n with_o what_o wrath_n and_o indignation_n do_v he_o threaten_v contumacious_a sinner_n and_o be_v it_o possible_a after_o all_o this_o and_o much_o more_o record_v in_o the_o scripture_n to_o express_v the_o holiness_n of_o god_n nature_n his_o hatred_n of_o sin_n and_o his_o appoint_v a_o day_n of_o judgement_n for_o the_o solemn_a punishment_n of_o sinner_n to_o imagine_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v in_o the_o least_o ascribe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o god_n or_o make_v he_o the_o author_n of_o sin_n shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o world_n do_v right_a will_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a justice_n purity_n and_o holiness_n punish_v the_o sinner_n for_o that_o which_o himself_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o far_o be_v such_o unworthy_a thought_n from_o our_o apprehension_n of_o a_o deity_n much_o more_o of_o that_o god_n who_o we_o believe_v to_o have_v declare_v his_o mind_n so_o much_o to_o the_o contrary_a that_o we_o can_v believe_v that_o and_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a together_o take_v it_o then_o for_o grant_v in_o the_o general_n that_o god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n we_o come_v to_o inquire_v whether_o the_o account_n 2._o which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a do_v any_o way_n charge_v it_o upon_o god_n there_o be_v only_o two_o way_n which_o according_a to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n record_v in_o scripture_n whereby_o man_n may_v have_v any_o ground_n to_o question_v whether_o god_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o man_n fall_n either_o first_o by_o the_o give_v he_o that_o positive_a law_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o his_o fall_n or_o second_o by_o leave_v he_o to_o the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o will_n first_o the_o giving_z of_o that_o positive_a law_n can_v be_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o lay_v man_n fault_n on_o god_n because_o 1._o it_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rational_a creature_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o law_n or_o declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o his_o maker_n for_o consider_v man_n as_o a_o free_a agent_n there_o can_v be_v no_o way_n imagine_v so_o consonant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n as_o this_o be_v because_o thereby_o he_o may_v declare_v his_o obedience_n to_o god_n to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o his_o free_a choice_n for_o where_o there_o be_v a_o capacity_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o act_v in_o the_o consideration_n of_o they_o there_o must_v be_v a_o declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n according_a to_o which_o man_n may_v expect_v either_o his_o reward_n or_o punishment_n if_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o god_n nature_n to_o promise_v life_n to_o man_n upon_o obedience_n it_o be_v not_o unsuitable_a to_o it_o to_o expect_v obedience_n to_o every_o declaration_n of_o his_o will_n consider_v the_o absolute_a sovereignty_n and_o dominion_n which_o god_n have_v over_o man_n as_o be_v his_o creature_n and_o the_o indispensable_a obligation_n which_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n to_o obey_v whatever_o his_o mâ—ker_n do_v command_v he_o so_o that_o god_n have_v full_a and_o absolute_a right_n to_o require_v from_o man_n what_o he_o do_v as_o to_o the_o law_n which_o he_o give_v he_o to_o obey_v and_o in_o the_o general_n we_o can_v conceive_v how_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o testimony_n of_o man_n obedience_n towards_o hâ—s_n creator_n without_o some_o declaration_n of_o his_o creator_n will._n second_o god_n have_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n not_o only_o to_o govern_v man_n by_o law_n but_o to_o determine_v man_n general_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n to_o that_o particular_a positive_a precept_n by_o the_o breach_n of_o which_o man_n fall_v if_o god_n power_n over_o man_n be_v universal_a and_o unlimited_a what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o imagine_v it_o shall_v not_o extend_v to_o such_o a_o positive_a law_n be_v it_o because_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o law_n seem_v too_o low_a for_o god_n to_o command_v his_o creature_n but_o whatever_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v obedience_n to_o god_n be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o it_o which_o man_n have_v testify_v as_o much_o in_o that_o instance_n of_o it_o as_o in_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o and_o in_o the_o violation_n of_o it_o be_v employ_v the_o high_a aggravation_n of_o disobedience_n for_o god_n power_n and_o authority_n be_v as_o much_o contemn_v his_o goodness_n slight_v his_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n question_v his_o name_n dishonour_v his_o majesty_n affront_v in_o the_o breach_n of_o that_o as_o of_o any_o other_o law_n whatsoever_o it_o have_v be_v if_o the_o law_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v observe_v the_o great_a be_v the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n if_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o so_o great_a in_o its_o self_n yet_o god_n authority_n add_v the_o great_a weight_n to_o it_o and_o the_o ground_n of_o obedience_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fetch_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n require_v but_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o legislator_n or_o be_v it_o then_o because_o god_n conceal_v from_o man_n his_o counsel_n in_o give_v of_o that_o positive_a precept_n have_v not_o then_o a_o legislator_n power_n to_o require_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o he_o satisfy_v every_o one_o of_o his_o reason_n in_o command_v it_o if_o so_o what_o become_v of_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o make_v any_o probative_a precept_n on_o this_o account_n and_o the_o legislator_n must_v be_v charge_v with_o the_o disobedience_n of_o his_o subject_n where_o he_o do_v not_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o every_o thing_n which_o he_o require_v which_o as_o it_o concern_v humane_a legislator_n who_o have_v not_o that_o absolute_a power_n and_o authority_n which_o god_n have_v be_v contrary_a to_o all_o law_n of_o policy_n and_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o world_n this_o plutarch_n give_v a_o good_a account_n of_o numine_fw-la when_o he_o discourse_v â—o_o rational_o of_o the_o sobriety_n which_o man_n ought_v to_o use_v in_o their_o inquiry_n into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o god_n action_n for_o say_v he_o physician_n will_v give_v prescription_n without_o give_v the_o patient_a a_o particular_a reason_n of_o every_o circumstance_n in_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d neither_o have_v humane_a law_n always_o apparent_a reason_n for_o they_o nay_o some_o of_o they_o be_v to_o appearance_n ridiculous_a for_o which_o he_o instance_v in_o that_o law_n of_o the_o lacedaemonian_a ephori_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o which_o no_o other_o reason_n be_v annex_v but_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o command_v every_o magistrate_n at_o the_o entrance_n of_o his_o office_n to_o â—have_v himself_o and_o give_v this_o reason_n for_o it_o that_o they_o may_v learn_v to_o obey_v law_n themselves_o he_o further_o instance_v in_o the_o roman_a custom_n of_o manumission_n their_o law_n about_o testament_n solon_n law_n against_o neutrality_n in_o sedition_n and_o conclude_v thence_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d any_o one_o will_v easy_o find_v many_o absurdity_n in_o law_n who_o do_v not_o consider_v the_o intention_n of_o the_o legislator_n or_o the_o ground_n of_o what_o he_o require_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d what_o wonder_n be_v it_o if_o we_o be_v so_o puzzle_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o action_n of_o man_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o seek_v as_o to_o those_o of_o the_o deity_n this_o can_v be_v then_o any_o ground_n on_o the_o account_n of_o mere_a reason_n to_o lay_v the_o charge_n of_o man_n disobedience_n upon_o god_n because_o he_o require_v from_o
these_o several_a live_a creature_n after_o their_o kind_n which_o do_v after_o propagate_v in_o those_o part_n without_o be_v bring_v thither_o by_o the_o help_n of_o man_n if_o now_o this_o supposition_n be_v embrace_v by_o it_o we_o present_o clear_v ourselves_o of_o many_o difficulty_n concern_v the_o propagation_n of_o animal_n in_o the_o world_n and_o their_o conservation_n in_o the_o ark_n which_o many_o have_v be_v so_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o satisfaction_n in_o as_o how_o the_o unknown_a kind_n of_o serpent_n in_o brasil_n the_o slow-bellied_n creature_n of_o the_o indies_n and_o all_o those_o strange_a species_n of_o animal_n see_v in_o the_o west_n indies_n shall_v either_o come_v into_o the_o ark_n of_o noah_n or_o be_v convey_v out_o of_o it_o into_o those_o country_n which_o be_v divide_v from_o that_o continent_n where_o the_o flood_n be_v by_o so_o vast_a a_o ocean_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o at_o least_o so_o large_a a_o tract_n of_o land_n on_o the_o other_o suppose_v any_o passage_n but_o of_o one_o continent_n into_o another_o which_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v discover_v beside_o some_o kind_n of_o animal_n can_v live_v out_o of_o that_o particular_a clime_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o there_o be_v many_o sort_n of_o animal_n discover_v in_o america_n and_o the_o adjoin_a island_n which_o have_v leave_v no_o remainder_n of_o themselves_o in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o it_o seem_v very_o strange_a that_o these_o shall_v propagate_v into_o those_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o world_n from_o the_o place_n of_o the_o flood_n and_o leave_v none_o at_o all_o of_o their_o number_n behind_o they_o in_o those_o part_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v propagate_v these_o thing_n at_o least_o make_v that_o opinion_n very_o probable_a which_o extend_v the_o production_n of_o animal_n beyond_o that_o of_o mankind_n in_o the_o old_a world_n and_o that_o the_o flood_n though_o it_o destroy_v all_o mankind_n and_o every_o live_a creature_n within_o that_o compass_n wherein_o mankind_n inhabit_v yet_o may_v not_o extend_v its_o self_n to_o those_o part_n and_o the_o animal_n therein_o in_o which_o man_n have_v never_o inhabit_v and_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o need_v not_o make_v so_o many_o miracle_n as_o some_o be_v fain_o to_o do_v about_o the_o 'slud_o and_o all_o those_o difficulty_n concern_v the_o propagation_n of_o animal_n do_v of_o themselves_o vanish_v and_o fail_v to_o the_o ground_n this_o be_v the_o first_o way_n of_o resolve_v the_o difficulty_n concern_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o flood_n by_o assert_v it_o not_o to_o have_v be_v over_o the_o whole_a globe_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o only_o over_o those_o part_n where_o mankind_n inhabit_v second_o suppose_v the_o flood_n to_o have_v be_v over_o the_o whole_a globe_n of_o the_o earth_n yet_o there_o may_v have_v be_v water_n enough_o 5._o to_o have_v overwhelm_v it_o to_o the_o height_n mention_v in_o scripture_n for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o many_o cause_n concur_v to_o the_o make_n of_o this_o deluge_n first_o the_o air_n be_v condense_v into_o cloud_n and_o those_o fall_v down_o with_o continue_a force_n and_o violence_n not_o break_v into_o drop_n but_o all_o in_o a_o body_n which_o sir_n walter_n raleigh_n parallel_v with_o the_o spout_n of_o the_o 6._o west_n indies_n which_o be_v thence_o call_v the_o cataract_n or_o floodgate_n of_o heaven_n god_n loosen_a as_o he_o express_v it_o the_o power_n retentive_a which_o be_v in_o the_o cloud_n and_o so_o the_o water_n must_v needs_o fall_v in_o abundance_n according_a to_o the_o expression_n in_o job_n behold_v he_o withhold_v the_o water_n and_o they_o 15._o dry_v up_o also_o he_o send_v they_o out_o and_o they_o overturn_v the_o earth_n now_o i_o say_v although_o these_o water_n fall_v down_o with_o so_o much_o fury_n and_o violence_n as_o well_o as_o in_o so_o great_a abundance_n may_v quick_o destroy_v all_o live_a creature_n yet_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o god_n who_o hold_v in_o the_o ocean_n within_o its_o bound_n whereby_o he_o say_v to_o it_o thus_o far_o it_o shall_v go_v and_o no_o far_o may_v then_o give_v it_o commission_n to_o execute_v his_o justice_n upon_o the_o sinful_a world_n and_o to_o all_o this_o we_o have_v another_o cause_n of_o the_o deluge_n which_o be_v that_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o great_a deep_a be_v break_v up_o by_o which_o vatablus_n most_o probable_o 11._o understand_v immensam_fw-la illam_fw-la &_o profundam_fw-la aquarum_fw-la copiam_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la subter_fw-la terram_fw-la that_o vast_a body_n of_o water_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n now_o when_o all_o these_o fountain_n be_v break_v up_o and_o the_o water_n within_o the_o earth_n rush_v out_o with_o violence_n and_o impetuosity_n upon_o it_o it_o must_v needs_o cause_v a_o inundation_n so_o great_a as_o that_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o as_o that_o judicious_a historian_n sir_n w._n raleigh_n observe_v let_v we_o consider_v that_o the_o earth_n have_v above_o â—â—id_fw-la 21000._o mile_n compass_n the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n according_a to_o that_o circle_n 7000._o mile_n and_o then_o from_o the_o superficies_n to_o the_o centre_n 3500._o mile_n take_v then_o the_o high_a mountain_n of_o the_o world_n caucasus_n taurus_n tenariff_n or_o any_o other_o and_o i_o do_v not_o find_v say_v he_o that_o the_o high_a exceed_v thirty_o mile_n in_o height_n it_o be_v not_o then_o impossible_a answer_v reason_n with_o reason_n that_o all_o those_o water_n mix_v within_o the_o earth_n 3500._o mile_n deep_a shall_v be_v able_a to_o cover_v the_o space_n of_o 30._o mile_n in_o height_n which_o 30._o mile_n upright_o be_v find_v in_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o earth_n 116._o time_n for_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o great_a deep_a be_v break_v and_o the_o water_n draw_v out_o of_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o then_o withal_o say_v he_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o proportion_n which_o the_o earth_n bear_v to_o the_o air_n about_o it_o we_o may_v easy_o understand_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o flood_n without_o any_o new_a creation_n of_o water_n for_o suppose_v so_o much_o air_n to_o be_v condense_v and_o so_o turn_v into_o water_n which_o do_v encompass_v the_o earth_n it_o will_v not_o seem_v strange_a to_o man_n of_o judgement_n yea_o but_o of_o ordinary_a understanding_n that_o the_o earth_n god_n so_o please_a be_v cover_v over_o with_o water_n without_o any_o new_a creation_n but_o this_o will_v yet_o appear_v more_o probable_a if_o the_o height_n of_o the_o high_a mountain_n do_v bear_v no_o great_a a_o proportion_n to_o the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n then_o of_o the_o 1670._o part_n to_o the_o whole_a suppose_v the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n to_o be_v 8355._o mile_n as_o p._n gassendus_fw-la compute_v both_o and_o it_o be_v more_o â—1_n than_o probable_a that_o man_n have_v be_v exceed_o mistake_v as_o to_o the_o height_n of_o mountain_n which_o come_v so_o far_o short_a of_o what_o sir_n walter_n raleigh_n allow_v to_o they_o that_o the_o high_a mountain_n in_o the_o world_n will_v not_o be_v find_v to_o be_v five_o direct_a mile_n in_o height_n take_v the_o altitude_n of_o they_o from_o the_o plain_a they_o stand_v upon_o olympus_n who_o height_n be_v so_o extol_v by_o the_o poet_n and_o ancient_a greek_n that_o it_o be_v say_v to_o exceed_v the_o cloud_n yet_o plutarch_n tell_v we_o that_o xenagoras_n measure_v 65._o it_o and_o sound_v it_o not_o to_o exceed_v a_o mile_n and_o a_o half_a perpendicular_a and_o about_o 70._o pace_n much_o about_o the_o same_o height_n pliny_n say_v that_o dicaearchus_n find_v the_o mountain_n pelion_n to_o be_v the_o mount_n athos_n be_v suppose_v of_o extraordinary_a height_n because_o it_o cast_v its_o shadow_n into_o the_o isle_n of_o lemnos_n which_o according_a to_o pliny_n be_v 87._o mile_n yet_o gassendus_fw-la allow_v it_o but_o two_o mile_n in_o height_n but_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la in_o a_o learned_a discourse_n concern_v the_o height_n of_o mountain_n in_o his_o note_n on_o pomponius_n mela_n do_v not_o etc._n allow_v above_o 10._o or_o 11._o furlong_n at_o most_o to_o the_o height_n of_o mount_n athos_n caucasus_n by_o ricciolus_n be_v say_v to_o be_v 51._o mile_n in_o height_n gassendus_fw-la allow_v it_o to_o be_v high_a than_o athos_n or_o olympus_n yet_o conceive_v it_o not_o above_o three_o or_o four_o mile_n at_o most_o but_o vossius_fw-la will_v not_o yield_v it_o above_o two_o mile_n perpendicular_a for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o very_a good_a reason_n polybius_n affirm_v there_o be_v no_o mountain_n in_o greece_n which_o may_v not_o be_v ascend_v in_o a_o day_n time_n and_o make_v the_o high_a mountain_n there_o not_o to_o exceed_v ten_o furlong_n which_o say_v vossius_fw-la it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a for_o any_o
the_o indian_n be_v in_o darkness_n while_o the_o bacchae_n enjoy_v light_n which_o circumstance_n consider_v will_v make_v every_o one_o that_o have_v judgement_n say_v as_o bochartus_n do_v ex_fw-la mirabili_fw-la illâ—_n concentu_fw-la vel_fw-la coecis_fw-la apparebit_fw-la priscos_fw-la fabularum_fw-la architectos_fw-la e_fw-la scriptoribus_fw-la sacris_fw-la multa_fw-la â—sse_fw-la mutuatos_fw-la from_o this_o wonderful_a agreement_n of_o heathen_a mythology_n with_o the_o scripture_n it_o can_v but_o appear_v that_o one_o be_v a_o corruption_n of_o the_o other_o that_o the_o memory_n of_o iâ—shua_n and_o samson_n be_v preserve_v under_o hercules_n tyrius_n be_v make_v 169._o likewise_o very_o probable_a from_o several_a circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n other_o have_v deduce_v the_o many_o rite_n of_o heathen_a worship_n from_o those_o use_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n among_o the_o jew_n several_a other_o may_v be_v insist_v on_o as_o the_o parallel_n between_o og_n and_o typho_n and_o between_o the_o old_a silenus_n and_o balaam_n both_o note_v for_o their_o skill_n in_o divination_n both_o take_v by_o the_o water_n num._n 22._o 5._o both_o note_a for_o ride_v on_o a_o ass_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v lucian_n of_o the_o old_a silenus_n and_o that_o 203._o which_o make_v it_o yet_o more_o probable_a be_v that_o of_o pausanias_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v much_o puzzle_v to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o and_o this_o conjecture_n which_o i_o here_o propound_v may_v pass_v at_o least_o for_o a_o probable_a account_n of_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v no_o long_o insist_v on_o these_o thing_n have_v i_o suppose_v do_v what_o be_v sufficient_a to_o our_o purpose_n which_o be_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v what_o footstep_n there_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n amid_o all_o the_o corruption_n of_o heathen_a mythology_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n concern_v matter_n of_o pure_a divine_a revelation_n in_o scripture_n the_o term_n of_o salvation_n only_o contain_v therein_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o disesteem_a of_o the_o scripture_n be_v tacit_a unbelief_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n manifest_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o discovery_n of_o god_n nature_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ._n the_o suitableness_n of_o those_o discovery_n of_o god_n to_o our_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n the_o necessity_n of_o god_n make_v know_v himself_o to_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o regulate_v our_o conception_n of_o he_o the_o scripture_n give_v the_o full_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o the_o corruption_n which_o be_v in_o they_o the_o only_a way_n of_o please_a god_n discover_v in_o scripture_n the_o scripture_n contain_v matter_n of_o great_a mysteriousness_n and_o mest_z universal_a satisfaction_n to_o man_n mind_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o manner_n wherein_o thing_n be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n in_o regard_n of_o clearness_n authority_n purity_n uniformity_n and_o perswasiveness_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o they_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o encouragement_n to_o religion_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o great_a excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n in_o order_n to_o man_n salvation_n have_v thus_o large_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o passage_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n 1_o of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n by_o all_o those_o argument_n which_o a_o subject_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o the_o only_a thing_n leâ—t_v in_o order_n to_o our_o full_a prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o consideration_n of_o â—hose_v matter_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o be_v in_o a_o especial_a maâ—neâ—_n say_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o those_o historical_a passage_n though_o we_o believe_v they_o as_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n to_o have_v be_v divine_o inspire_v as_o well_o as_o other_o yet_o they_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o suppose_v no_o divine_a revelation_n may_v have_v be_v know_v sufficient_o to_o the_o world_n have_v not_o man_n bâ—en_o want_v to_o themselves_o as_o to_o the_o care_n and_o mean_n of_o preserve_v they_o but_o those_o matter_n which_o i_o now_o come_v to_o discourse_v of_o be_v of_o a_o more_o sublime_a and_o transcendent_a nature_n such_o as_o it_o have_v be_v impâ—ssible_a for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o reach_v have_v they_o not_o be_v immediate_o discover_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o those_o be_v the_o term_n and_o condition_n on_o which_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n may_v upon_o good_a ground_n expect_v a_o eternal_a happiness_n which_o we_o assert_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o only_a authentic_a and_o infallible_a record_n of_o man_n may_v by_o the_o improvement_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o sagacity_n of_o their_o mind_n discover_v much_o not_o only_o of_o the_o lapse_v condition_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o purgation_n of_o they_o in_o order_n to_o their_o felicity_n but_o may_v in_o the_o general_n know_v what_o thing_n be_v please_v and_o acceptable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n from_o those_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n which_o be_v unalterable_o fix_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o but_o which_o way_n to_o obtain_v any_o certainty_n of_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n to_o recover_v the_o grace_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n to_o enjoy_v perfect_a tranquillity_n and_o peace_n of_o conscience_n to_o be_v able_a to_o please_v god_n in_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o by_o these_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o eternal_a bliss_n have_v be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o have_v ever_o find_v have_v not_o god_n himself_o be_v gracious_o please_v to_o reveal_v they_o to_o we_o man_n may_v still_o have_v bewilder_v themselves_o in_o follow_v the_o ignes_fw-la fatui_fw-la of_o their_o own_o imagination_n and_o hunt_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n for_o a_o path_n which_o lead_v to_o heaven_n but_o can_v have_v find_v none_o unless_o god_n himself_o take_v pity_n of_o the_o wander_n of_o man_n have_v be_v please_v to_o hang_v out_o a_o light_n from_o heaven_n to_o direct_v they_o in_o their_o way_n thither_o and_o by_o this_o pharos_n of_o divine_a revelation_n to_o direct_v they_o so_o to_o steer_v their_o course_n as_o to_o escape_v split_v themselves_o on_o the_o rock_n of_o open_a impiety_n or_o be_v swallow_v up_o in_o the_o quicksand_n of_o terrene_a delight_n neither_o do_v he_o show_v they_o only_o what_o shelf_n and_o rock_n they_o must_v escape_v but_o what_o particular_a course_n they_o must_v steâ—re_v what_o star_n they_o must_v have_v in_o their_o eye_n what_o compass_n they_o must_v observe_v what_o wind_n and_o gale_n they_o must_v expect_v and_o pray_v for_o if_o they_o will_v at_o last_o arrive_v at_o eternal_a bliss_n eternal_a bliss_n what_o more_o can_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n promise_n or_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n ever_o wish_v â—or_a a_o reward_n to_o such_o who_o be_v so_o â—ar_o from_o deserve_v that_o they_o be_v still_o provoke_v glory_n to_o such_o who_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o their_o duty_n then_o of_o their_o offence_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v a_o glorious_a reward_n but_o eternal_a too_o be_v that_o which_o though_o it_o infinite_o transcend_v the_o desert_n of_o the_o receiver_n yet_o it_o high_o discover_v the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o the_o giver_n but_o when_o we_o not_o only_o know_v that_o there_o be_v so_o rich_a a_o mine_n of_o inestimable_a treasure_n but_o if_o the_o owner_n of_o it_o undertake_v to_o show_v we_o the_o way_n to_o it_o and_o give_v we_o certain_a and_o infallible_a direction_n how_o to_o come_v to_o the_o full_a possession_n of_o it_o how_o much_o be_v we_o in_o love_n with_o misery_n and_o do_v we_o court_v our_o own_o ruin_n if_o we_o neglect_v to_o hearken_v to_o his_o direction_n and_o observe_v his_o command_n this_o be_v that_o we_o be_v now_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a concern_v 2._o the_o scripture_n that_o these_o alone_o contain_v those_o sacred_a discovery_n by_o which_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n may_v come_v at_o last_o to_o enjoy_v a_o complete_a and_o eternal_a happiness_n one_o will_v think_v there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o needless_a in_o the_o world_n then_o to_o bid_v man_n regard_v their_o own_o welfare_n and_o to_o seek_v to_o be_v happy_a yet_o whoever_o cast_v his_o eye_n into_o the_o world_n will_v find_v no_o counsel_n so_o little_o hearken_v to_o as_o this_o nor_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v more_o general_o look_v on_o
as_o a_o matter_n trivial_a and_o impertinent_a which_o can_v arise_v but_o from_o one_o of_o these_o two_o ground_n that_o either_o they_o think_v it_o no_o great_a wisdom_n to_o let_v go_v their_o present_a hold_n as_o to_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n for_o that_o which_o they_o secret_o question_v whether_o they_o shall_v ever_o live_v to_o see_v or_o no_o or_o else_o that_o their_o mind_n be_v in_o suspense_n whether_o they_o be_v not_o send_v on_o a_o guiana_n voyage_n to_o heaven_n whâ—ther_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o be_v yet_o full_o discover_v or_o the_o instruction_n which_o be_v give_v be_v such_o as_o may_v infallible_o conduct_v they_o thâ—her_o the_o first_o though_o it_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o sense_n fruition_n delight_n and_o further_a expectation_n yet_o to_o a_o rational_a person_n who_o serious_o reflect_v on_o himself_o and_o sum_n up_o what_o after_o all_o his_o trouble_n and_o disquietment_n in_o the_o procure_n his_o care_n in_o keep_v his_o disappointment_n in_o his_o expectation_n his_o fear_n of_o lose_v what_o he_o do_v enjoy_v and_o that_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n which_o attend_v all_o these_o he_o have_v gain_v of_o true_a contentment_n to_o his_o mind_n can_v never_o certain_o believe_v that_o ever_o these_o thing_n be_v intend_v for_o his_o happiness_n for_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v ever_o enjoy_v its_o full_a and_o complete_a happiness_n in_o this_o world_n when_o nothing_o be_v â—ble_n to_o make_v it_o happy_a but_o what_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o its_o nature_n able_a to_o fill_v up_o its_o large_a capacity_n and_o commensurate_a with_o its_o duration_n but_o in_o this_o life_n the_o matter_n of_o man_n great_a delight_n be_v strange_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o rational_a being_n the_o measure_n of_o they_o too_o short_a for_o our_o vast_a desire_n to_o stretch_v themselves_o upon_o the_o proportion_n too_o scant_o and_o narrow_a to_o run_v parallel_n with_o immortality_n it_o must_v be_v then_o only_o a_o supreme_a insinite_a and_o eternal_a be_v which_o by_o the_o free_a communication_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n can_v fix_v and_o satiate_v the_o soul_n desire_n and_o by_o the_o constant_a flow_n forth_o of_o his_o uninterrupted_a stream_n of_o favour_n will_v always_o keep_v up_o desire_n and_o yet_o always_o satisfy_v it_o one_o who_o goodness_n can_v only_o be_v feel_v by_o some_o tansient_a touch_n here_o who_o love_n can_v be_v see_v but_o as_o through_o a_o lattice_n who_o constant_a presence_n may_v be_v rather_o wish_v for_o then_o enjoy_v who_o have_v reserve_v the_o full_a sight_n and_o fruition_n of_o himself_o to_o that_o future_a state_n when_o all_o these_o dark_a vail_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o and_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v continual_o sun_v herself_o under_o immediate_a beam_n of_o light_n and_o love_n but_o how_o or_o in_o what_o way_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o this_o degenerate_a condition_n shall_v come_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o so_o great_a a_o happiness_n by_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o that_o god_n our_o nature_n be_v now_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n from_o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o important_a enquiry_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o we_o continual_o see_v how_o successless_a and_o unsatisfactory_a the_o endeavour_n of_o those_o have_v be_v to_o themselves_o at_o last_o who_o have_v seek_v for_o this_o happiness_n in_o a_o way_n of_o their_o own_o find_v out_o the_o large_a volume_n of_o the_o creation_n wherein_o god_n have_v describe_v so_o much_o of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n be_v yet_o too_o dark_a and_o obscure_a too_o short_a and_o imperfect_a to_o set_v forth_o to_o we_o the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o eternal_a happiness_n unless_o then_o the_o same_o god_n who_o make_v man_n soul_n at_o first_o do_v show_v they_o the_o way_n for_o their_o recovery_n as_o they_o be_v in_o a_o degenerate_a so_o they_o will_v be_v in_o a_o desperate_a condition_n but_o the_o same_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n which_o do_v at_o first_o display_v its_o self_n in_o give_v be_v to_o man_n soul_n have_v in_o a_o high_a manner_n enlarge_v the_o discovery_n of_o its_o self_n by_o make_v know_v the_o way_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v take_v into_o his_o grace_n and_o favour_n again_o which_o it_o now_o concern_v we_o particular_o to_o discover_v thereby_o 3_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o way_n be_v of_o that_o peculiar_a excellency_n that_o we_o may_v have_v from_o thence_o the_o great_a evidence_n it_o can_v come_v from_o no_o other_o author_n but_o god_n himself_o and_o do_v tend_v to_o no_o other_o end_n but_o our_o eternal_a happiness_n now_o that_o incomparable_a excellency_n which_o be_v in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n will_v full_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o under_o this_o threefold_a capacity_n 1._o as_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n 2._o as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n 3._o as_o contain_v that_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o relate_v to_o man_n eternal_a happiness_n 1._o consider_v the_o scripture_n general_o as_o contain_v in_o it_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n appear_v in_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v 2._o the_o manner_n wherein_o they_o be_v reveal_v 1._o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n may_v be_v consider_v these_o three_o way_n 1._o as_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n 2._o as_o mâ—tters_n of_o the_o great_a depth_n and_o mysteriousness_n 3._o as_o matter_n of_o the_o most_o universal_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n 1._o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n for_o man_n to_o know_v the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n be_v most_o know_v by_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o speak_v and_o therefore_o that_o wherein_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v discover_v can_v contain_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v mean_a and_o trivial_a they_o must_v be_v matter_n of_o the_o high_a importance_n which_o the_o supreme_a ruler_n of_o the_o world_n vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v to_o man_n concern_v and_o such_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o matter_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n to_o be_v which_o either_o concern_v the_o rectify_v our_o apprehension_n of_o his_o nature_n or_o make_v know_v to_o man_n their_o state_n and_o condition_n or_o discover_v the_o way_n whereby_o to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n now_o which_o be_v there_o of_o these_o three_o which_o suppose_v god_n to_o discover_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o world_n it_o do_v not_o high_o become_v he_o to_o speak_v to_o man_n of_o 1._o what_o be_v there_o which_o it_o do_v more_o high_o concern_v man_n to_o know_v then_o god_n himself_o or_o what_o more_o glorious_a and_o excellent_a 4._o object_n can_v he_o discover_v then_o himself_o to_o the_o world_n there_o be_v nothing_o certain_o which_o shall_v more_o commend_v the_o scripture_n to_o we_o then_o that_o thereby_o we_o may_v grow_v more_o acquaint_v with_o god_n that_o we_o may_v know_v more_o of_o his_o nature_n and_o all_o his_o perfection_n and_o many_o of_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o his_o act_n in_o the_o world_n we_o may_v by_o they_o understand_v with_o safety_n what_o the_o eternal_a purpose_n of_o god_n be_v as_o to_o the_o wâ—y_n of_o man_n recovery_n by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n we_o may_v there_o see_v and_o understand_v the_o great_a wisdom_n of_o god_n not_o only_o in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o the_o world_n and_o order_v of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o gradual_a revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o his_o people_n by_o what_o step_n he_o train_v up_o his_o church_n till_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n be_v come_v what_o his_o aim_n be_v in_o lay_v such_o a_o load_n of_o ceremony_n on_o his_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o what_o step_n &_o degrce_v he_o make_v way_n for_o the_o full_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n by_o speak_v in_o these_o last_o day_n by_o his_o son_n after_o he_o have_v speak_v at_o sundry_a time_n and_o divers_a manner_n by_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n unto_o the_o father_n in_o the_o scripture_n we_o read_v the_o most_o rich_a and_o admirable_a discovery_n of_o divine_a goodness_n and_o all_o the_o way_n and_o method_n he_o use_v in_o allure_a sinner_n to_o himself_o with_o what_o majesty_n he_o command_v with_o what_o condiscension_n he_o entreat_v with_o what_o importunity_n he_o woo_v man_n soul_n to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o he_o with_o what_o favour_n he_o embrace_v with_o what_o tenderness_n he_o chastise_v with_o what_o bowel_n he_o pity_v those_o who_o have_v choose_v he_o to_o be_v their_o god_n with_o what_o power_n he_o support_v with_o what_o wisdom_n he_o directâ—th_v with_o what_o cordial_n he_o