after_o we_o read_v that_o the_o prince_n of_o judah_n by_o who_o grotius_n understand_v the_o senator_n of_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n they_o come_v up_o from_o the_o king_n house_n to_o the_o house_n of_o 10._o the_o lord_n and_o sit_v down_o in_o the_o entry_n of_o the_o new_a gate_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n which_o probable_o be_v the_o place_n where_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n 5._o sit_v where_o after_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o jeremiah_n they_o acquit_v he_o as_o a_o person_n not_o worthy_a to_o die_v upon_o a_o counterfeit_a prophecy_n but_o declare_v that_o he_o speak_v unto_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n grotius_n likewise_o understand_v what_o be_v say_v of_o zedekiah_n concern_v jeremiah_n to_o the_o prince_n of_o judah_n afterward_o behold_v he_o be_v in_o your_o hand_n for_o the_o king_n be_v not_o he_o that_o can_v do_v aught_o against_o you_o i._n e._n say_v grotius_n in_o manibus_fw-la synedrii_fw-la cujus_fw-la est_fw-la judicare_fw-la de_fw-fr propheta_fw-la vero_fw-la aut_fw-la falso_fw-la and_o to_o this_o many_o make_v those_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n refer_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a a_o prophet_n shall_v perish_v out_o of_o jerusalem_n because_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n be_v in_o 33._o jerusalem_n and_o so_o elsewhere_o our_o saviour_n say_v o_o jerusalem_n jerusalem_n thou_o that_o kill_v the_o prophet_n and_o stone_v they_o 37._o which_o be_v send_v unto_o thou_o because_o there_o it_o be_v the_o true_a prophet_n be_v destroy_v as_o though_o they_o have_v be_v false_a one_o and_o god_n own_o messenger_n punish_v with_o the_o death_n of_o seducer_n which_o be_v lapidation_n and_o on_o this_o very_a account_n many_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v condemn_v by_o the_o sanhedrin_n at_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v assemble_v in_o the_o house_n of_o caiaphas_n the_o high_a priest_n when_o christ_n be_v carry_v thither_o for_o examination_n which_o some_o think_v to_o have_v be_v at_o his_o lodging_n in_o the_o temple_n other_o at_o his_o palace_n in_o the_o city_n for_o we_o read_v that_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o the_o elder_n and_o all_o the_o council_n be_v meet_v together_o at_o the_o high_a priest_n palace_n in_o order_n to_o our_o saviour_n trial_n the_o next_o morning_n 59_o they_o be_v meet_v early_o together_o again_o in_o order_n to_o the_o further_o scan_v of_o this_o business_n but_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o examine_v christ_n concern_v a_o true_a spirit_n of_o prophecy_n but_o concern_v his_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o call_v himself_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o so_o they_o will_v seem_v rather_o to_o proceed_v upon_o the_o law_n against_o blasphemy_n 63._o then_o that_o against_o false_a prophet_n but_o that_o which_o be_v the_o great_a security_n of_o the_o people_n 4._o against_o the_o imposture_n of_o false_a prophet_n be_v the_o certain_a rule_n of_o judge_v they_o which_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o may_v be_v comprehend_v under_o these_o two_o head_n such_o as_o concern_v their_o doctrine_n or_o such_o as_o concern_v their_o prediction_n first_o such_o as_o concern_v the_o prophet_n doctrine_n which_o shall_v especial_o be_v look_v after_o because_o the_o main_a office_n of_o a_o prophet_n be_v to_o be_v interpres_fw-la &_o internuncius_fw-la divinae_fw-la voluntatis_fw-la to_o be_v a_o revealer_n of_o god_n will_v to_o man_n for_o the_o primary_n notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o foretell_v future_a event_n but_o in_o declare_v and_o interpret_n to_o the_o world_n the_o mind_n of_o god_n which_o he_o receive_v by_o immediate_a revelation_n from_o himself_o so_o that_o the_o receive_v what_o he_o make_v know_v by_o immediate_a revelation_n be_v that_o which_o formal_o constitute_v a_o prophet_n but_o it_o be_v whole_o extrinsical_a and_o accidental_a what_o time_n his_o prophecy_n respect_v whether_o past_a present_a or_o to_o come_v but_o because_o future_a contingency_n be_v the_o further_a out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o humane_a understanding_n therefore_o the_o prediction_n of_o such_o have_v be_v chief_o look_v on_o as_o the_o chief_a note_n and_o character_n of_o a_o prophet_n as_o be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v the_o strong_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v in_o scripture_n that_o the_o patriarch_n as_o abraham_n and_o other_o be_v call_v prophet_n not_o because_o of_o any_o prediction_n utter_v by_o they_o but_o because_o of_o the_o frequency_n 7._o of_o immediate_a divine_a revelation_n among_o they_o and_o hence_o likewise_o those_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o expound_v the_o scripture_n by_o immediate_a inspiration_n be_v call_v prophet_n and_o this_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d speak_v of_o by_o the_o apostle_n the_o 26._o exposition_n of_o the_o hide_a mystery_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o a_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o there_o be_v no_o word_n in_o the_o hebrew_n for_o a_o prophet_n which_o may_v not_o equal_o respect_v all_o difference_n of_o time_n but_o every_o one_o do_v import_v immediate_a inspiration_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d proper_o be_v one_o qui_fw-la revelat_fw-la abscondita_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o seer_n chief_o respect_v the_o clear_a representation_n of_o the_o intellectual_a species_n by_o the_o lumen_fw-la propheticum_fw-la to_o the_o understanding_n 53._o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d carry_v a_o equal_a indifferency_n to_o all_o circumstance_n of_o time_n this_o be_v then_o the_o chief_a notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n whatever_o he_o 5._o declare_v as_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n must_v be_v search_v and_o examine_v to_o see_v what_o consonancy_n it_o have_v thereto_o for_o the_o question_n which_o moses_n suppose_v be_v found_v upon_o clear_a and_o evident_a reason_n and_o if_o thou_o shall_v say_v in_o thy_o heart_n how_o shall_v 21._o we_o know_v the_o word_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o may_v be_v false_a prophet_n as_o well_o as_o true_a we_o have_v need_n of_o some_o certain_a rule_n to_o judge_v of_o what_o be_v deliver_v for_o divine_a revelation_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o important_a question_n i_o lay_v down_o these_o principle_n the_o immediate_a dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n be_v no_o sufficient_a standard_n to_o judge_v of_o divine_a revelation_n by_o i_o mean_v not_o in_o reference_n 1._o to_o consonancy_n or_o repugnancy_n to_o natural_a light_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o extent_n and_o latitude_n of_o divine_a revelation_n i._n e._n that_o natural_a light_n do_v not_o contain_v in_o it_o whatever_o may_v be_v know_v of_o god_n or_o of_o his_o will_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o reason_n 1._o it_o imply_v no_o repugnancy_n to_o any_o dictate_v of_o nature_n that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v any_o thing_n more_o of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n then_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n 2._o nature_n reach_v as_o to_o matter_n concern_v religion_n no_o further_o than_o the_o obligation_n to_o duty_n but_o leave_v the_o particular_a determination_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o obedience_n to_o divine_a positive_a law_n as_o be_v clear_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o time_n place_n and_o particular_a duty_n of_o worship_n 3._o nature_n own_v a_o universal_a obligation_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o whatever_o he_o shall_v command_v do_v suppose_v a_o power_n in_o god_n to_o command_v what_o he_o please_v 4._o nature_n be_v sensible_a of_o its_o own_o decay_n and_o the_o imperfection_n of_o its_o own_o light_n and_o therefore_o seem_v rather_o to_o require_v further_a illumination_n then_o to_o put_v any_o bar_n against_o it_o 5._o man_n happiness_n be_v a_o free_a gift_n of_o god_n it_o stand_v to_o the_o high_a reason_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o prescribe_v of_o the_o condition_n which_o be_v in_o order_n to_o it_o now_o these_o condition_n be_v the_o result_v not_o of_o god_n naeture_n but_o of_o his_o arbitrarious_fw-la will_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o natural_a light_n can_v ever_o reach_v to_o the_o full_a discovery_n of_o they_o 6._o it_o have_v be_v the_o general_a sense_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n that_o god_n may_v reveal_v more_o of_o his_o will_n then_o nature_n can_v reach_v unto_o which_o sense_n discover_v its_o self_n in_o two_o thing_n 1._o pray_v to_o their_o several_a god_n for_o direction_n 2._o harken_v after_o pretend_a oracle_n which_o the_o devil_n can_v never_o have_v have_v that_o advantage_n of_o deceive_v the_o world_n by_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o this_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o there_o want_v some_o particular_a revelation_n from_o god_n to_o make_v man_n happy_a so_o then_o this_o may_v be_v assume_v as_o a_o principle_n that_o god_n may_v reveal_v more_o of_o his_o mind_n
god_n that_o day_n see_v it_o be_v neither_o new-moon_n nor_o sabbath_n whereby_o it_o be_v both_o evident_a that_o the_o prophet_n do_v undertake_v the_o office_n of_o instruct_v the_o people_n on_o their_o solemn_a festival_n and_o that_o it_o be_v their_o custom_n to_o resort_v to_o they_o for_o that_o end_n thus_o we_o see_v what_o care_n god_n take_v for_o 35._o the_o instruction_n of_o his_o people_n in_o a_o time_n of_o so_o general_a a_o apostasy_n as_o that_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v when_o the_o church_n of_o god_n can_v not_o be_v know_v by_o that_o constant_a visibility_n and_o outward_a glory_n which_o some_o speak_v so_o much_o of_o but_o be_v then_o cloud_v in_o obscurity_n and_o shroud_v itself_o under_o the_o mantle_n of_o some_o prophet_n which_o god_n continue_v among_o they_o and_o that_o not_o by_o any_o lineal_a succession_n neither_o though_o the_o jew_n will_v fain_o make_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n to_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o cabala_n too_o and_o convey_v in_o a_o constant_a succession_n from_o one_o prophet_n to_o another_o neither_o be_v these_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n only_o in_o israel_n but_o in_o judah_n likewise_o be_v god_n know_v and_o his_o name_n be_v great_a among_o these_o school_n there_o in_o jerusalem_n itself_o there_o be_v a_o college_n where_o huldah_fw-mi the_o prophetess_n live_v 2_o king_n 22._o 14._o some_o render_v mishna_n in_o secunda_fw-la vrbis_fw-la parte_fw-la for_o jerusalem_n be_v divide_v into_o the_o upper_a and_o nether_a part_n of_o the_o city_n abulensis_n and_o lyra_n will_v have_v it_o refer_v to_o the_o three_o wall_n of_o the_o city_n in_o which_o the_o three_o chief_a part_n of_o it_o be_v comprise_v in_o the_o first_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o king_n palace_n in_o the_o second_o the_o nobles_z and_o the_o prophet_n house_n and_o in_o the_o three_o the_o common_a people_n josephus_n seem_v to_o favour_v the_o division_n of_o the_o city_n into_o three_o part_n but_o pineda_n 28._o think_v the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o city_n be_v most_o inhabit_v by_o artificer_n and_o that_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o wise_a man_n and_o such_o as_o frequent_v the_o temple_n most_o dwell_v in_o the_o city_n of_o david_n within_o the_o first_o wall_n and_o therefore_o he_o conjecture_n that_o the_o college_n be_v upon_o mount_n zion_n and_o so_o proper_o call_v zion_n college_n and_o he_o explain_v that_o house_n which_o wisdom_n be_v say_v to_o have_v build_v and_o hew_v out_o her_o seven_o pillar_n prov._n 9_o 1._o by_o this_o college_n which_o he_o suppose_v be_v build_v by_o solomon_n in_o mount_n zion_n and_o thence_o ver_fw-la 3._o she_o be_v say_v to_o cry_v upon_o the_o high_a place_n of_o the_o city_n thus_o much_o may_v serve_v concern_v the_o original_n and_o institution_n of_o these_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n promise_v concern_v the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v god_n ordinary_a sect_n method_n to_o call_v those_o person_n out_o of_o these_o school_n who_o he_o do_v employ_v in_o the_o discharge_n of_o the_o prophetical_a office_n two_o thing_n will_v be_v necessary_a for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o first_o what_o tendency_n their_o education_n in_o those_o school_n have_v towards_o the_o fit_v they_o for_o their_o prophetical_a office_n second_o what_o evidence_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o that_o god_n call_v the_o prophet_n out_o from_o these_o college_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v very_o requisite_a to_o be_v clear_v because_o the_o prophetical_a office_n depend_v upon_o immediate_a inspiration_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o influence_n any_o antecedent_n and_o preparatory_a disposition_n can_v have_v upon_o receive_v the_o prophetical_a spirit_n it_o be_v common_o know_v how_o much_o the_o generality_n of_o jewish_a writer_n do_v insist_v on_o the_o necessity_n of_o these_o qualification_n antecedent_n to_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n 1._o a_o excellent_a natural_a temper_n 2._o good_a accomplishment_n both_o of_o with_o and_o fortune_n 3._o separation_n from_o the_o world_n 4._o congruity_n of_o place_n which_o they_o make_v proper_a to_o judaea_n 5._o opportunity_n of_o time_n 6._o and_o divine_a inspiration_n these_o be_v so_o large_o discourse_v of_o by_o many_o learned_a man_n from_o jewish_a writer_n that_o 8._o it_o will_v be_v both_o tedious_a and_o impertinent_a to_o recite_v much_o of_o their_o opinion_n concern_v they_o who_o since_o they_o have_v lose_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n seem_v to_o have_v lose_v too_o that_o wisdom_n and_o natural_a understanding_n which_o they_o make_v one_o of_o the_o most_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o a_o prophet_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o imagine_v what_o subserviency_n riches_n can_v have_v to_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n unless_o the_o jew_n be_v of_o simon_n magus_n his_o opinion_n that_o these_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v be_v purchase_v with_o money_n and_o if_o so_o they_o think_v themselves_o in_o as_o likely_a a_o way_n to_o bid_v fair_a for_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n as_o any_o people_n in_o the_o world_n or_o be_v it_o that_o they_o thiâ—k_v it_o impossible_a any_o without_o they_o shall_v have_v that_o fâ—ee_v cheerful_a and_o generous_a spirit_n which_o they_o make_v so_o necessary_a to_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n that_o it_o be_v a_o axiom_n of_o great_a authority_n with_o they_o spiritus_fw-la sanctus_fw-la non_fw-la residet_fw-la super_fw-la hominem_fw-la moestum_fw-la and_o they_o think_v elisha_n his_o fit_a of_o passion_n do_v excuss_v his_o prophetic_a spirit_n from_o he_o which_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o retrieve_v again_o with_o a_o fit_a of_o music_n there_o be_v only_o two_o sort_n of_o those_o antecedent_n disposition_n which_o seem_v to_o bear_v any_o affinity_n with_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n and_o those_o be_v such_o as_o tend_v to_o the_o improvement_n of_o their_o natural_a faculty_n and_o such_o as_o tend_v to_o their_o advancement_n in_o piety_n and_o consequent_o to_o the_o subdue_a all_o irregular_a motion_n in_o their_o soul_n not_o that_o either_o of_o these_o do_v concur_v by_o way_n of_o efficiency_n to_o the_o production_n of_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n which_o be_v a_o opinion_n maimonides_n seem_v very_o favourable_a to_o but_o that_o god_n may_v 36._o make_v choice_n particular_o of_o such_o person_n to_o remove_v all_o prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o in_o those_o they_o be_v send_v unto_o for_o nothing_o can_v possible_o dissatisfie_v they_o more_o concern_v divine_a inspiration_n then_o if_o the_o person_n who_o pretend_v to_o it_o be_v of_o very_o weak_a and_o shallow_a intellectual_n or_o know_v to_o be_v of_o a_o irregular_a conversation_n in_o order_n therefore_o to_o the_o full_a satisfaction_n of_o man_n concern_v these_o two_o qualisication_n this_o institution_n of_o they_o in_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v of_o great_a subserviency_n because_o therein_o their_o only_a employment_n be_v to_o improve_v in_o knowledge_n and_o especial_o in_o true_a piety_n this_o latter_a be_v the_o most_o necessary_a disposition_n since_o the_o apostle_n have_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o prophet_n be_v holy_a man_n who_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o in_o order_n to_o this_o the_o great_a part_n we_o can_v find_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o those_o who_o 21._o be_v educate_v in_o these_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v instruction_n in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o solemn_a celebration_n of_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n which_o appear_v in_o scripture_n to_o have_v be_v their_o chief_a employment_n as_o prophet_n and_o by_o which_o they_o be_v say_v to_o prophesy_v so_o at_o gibeah_n at_o the_o oratory_n there_o we_o find_v a_o company_n of_o prophet_n come_v down_o from_o the_o high_a place_n with_o a_o psaltery_a 5._o a_o tabret_n and_o pipe_n and_o a_o harp_n before_o they_o and_o prophesy_v it_o may_v seem_v somewhat_o strange_a to_o consider_v what_o relation_n these_o musical_a instrument_n have_v to_o the_o prophesy_v here_o 6._o mention_v be_v musical_a note_n like_o some_o seed_n naturalist_n speak_v of_o which_o will_v help_v to_o excite_v a_o prophetic_a spirit_n or_o do_v they_o tend_v to_o elevate_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n and_o so_o put_v they_o into_o a_o great_a capacity_n of_o enthusiasm_n or_o be_v it_o because_o music_n be_v so_o excellent_a for_o allay_v the_o tumult_n of_o inward_a passion_n and_o so_o fit_v the_o soul_n for_o the_o better_a entertainment_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n or_o be_v all_o this_o prophesy_v here_o speak_v of_o nothing_o else_o but_o vocal_a and_o instrumental_a music_n so_o some_o indeed_o understand_v it_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o praise_v god_n with_o spiritual_a song_n and_o melody_n wherein_o one_o as_o the_o preceptor_n begin_v a_o hymn_n which_o the_o rest_n take_v from_o he_o and_o carry_v on_o
from_o the_o true_a god_n or_o from_o idol_n and_o false_a go_n so_o that_o the_o mere_a pretence_n to_o divine_a revelation_n be_v that_o which_o god_n will_v have_v punish_v with_o so_o great_a severity_n the_o jew_n tell_v we_o of_o three_o sort_n of_o prophet_n who_o be_v to_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n by_o man_n and_o three_o other_o sort_n who_o 2._o be_v reserve_v to_o divine_a punishment_n of_o the_o first_o rank_n be_v these_o 1._o he_o that_o prophesy_v that_o which_o he_o have_v not_o hear_v 3._o and_o for_o this_o they_o instance_n in_o zedekiah_n the_o son_n of_o chenaanah_n who_o make_v he_o horn_n of_o iron_n and_o say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n this_o be_v the_o lie_a prophet_n 2._o he_o that_o speak_v that_o which_o be_v reveal_v not_o to_o he_o but_o to_o another_o and_o for_o this_o they_o 11._o instance_n in_o hananiah_n the_o son_n of_o azure_a but_o how_o true_o i_o shall_v not_o determine_v this_o be_v the_o plagiary_n prophet_n 3._o he_o that_o prophesy_v in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o idol_n as_o the_o prophet_n of_o baal_n do_v this_o be_v the_o idol_n prophet_n these_o three_o when_o once_o full_o convict_v be_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n the_o other_o rank_n of_o those_o which_o be_v leave_v to_o god_n hand_n consist_v of_o these_o 1._o he_o that_o stisle_n and_o smother_v his_o own_o prophecy_n as_o ionas_n do_v by_o which_o it_o may_v seem_v that_o when_o the_o divine_a spirit_n do_v overshadow_v the_o understanding_n of_o the_o prophet_n yet_o it_o offer_v no_o violence_n to_o their_o faculty_n but_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o free_a determination_n of_o their_o own_o will_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n but_o this_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o a_o low_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n for_o at_o sometime_o their_o prophecy_n be_v as_o fire_v in_o their_o bone_n that_o they_o 9_o be_v never_o at_o any_o rest_n till_o they_o have_v discharge_v their_o office_n but_o withal_o by_o the_o example_n of_o jonas_n we_o see_v that_o though_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n like_o the_o fire_n on_o the_o altar_n can_v only_o be_v kindle_v from_o heaven_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v destroy_v when_o it_o be_v not_o maintain_v with_o something_o to_o feed_v upon_o or_o when_o it_o meet_v not_o with_o suitable_a entertainment_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o those_o it_o fall_v upon_o it_o may_v retreat_v back_o again_o to_o heaven_n or_o at_o least_o lie_v hide_v in_o the_o ember_n till_o a_o new_a blast_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d retrieve_v it_o into_o its_o former_a heat_n and_o activity_n thus_o it_o be_v with_o jonas_n 2._o the_o other_o be_v he_o that_o despise_v the_o word_n of_o a_o true_a prophet_n of_o such_o god_n say_v deut._n 18._o 19_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o whosoever_o shall_v not_o hearken_v to_o my_o word_n which_o he_o shall_v speak_v in_o my_o name_n i_o will_v require_v it_o of_o he_o which_o maimonides_n explain_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d death_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n which_o he_o thus_o distinguish_v from_o the_o cer_v that_o he_o make_v the_o death_n per_fw-la 18._o manus_fw-la coeli_fw-la to_o be_v less_o than_o the_o cer_v because_o this_o latter_a continue_v in_o the_o soul_n after_o death_n but_o the_o other_o be_v expiate_v by_o death_n but_o general_o they_o interpret_v it_o of_o a_o sudden_a death_n which_o fall_v upon_o the_o person_n 3._o the_o last_o be_v he_o who_o hearken_v not_o to_o the_o word_n of_o his_o own_o prophecy_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o most_o remarkable_a instance_n in_o scripture_n concern_v the_o prophet_n who_o god_n send_v to_o bethel_n who_o tertullian_n call_v sameas_n the_o jew_n hedua_n who_o god_n destroy_v in_o a_o unusual_a manner_n for_o not_o observe_v the_o command_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o not_o to_o eat_v bread_n nor_o drink_n water_n at_o bethel_n nor_o turn_v again_o by_o the_o way_n he_o come_v neither_o be_v it_o any_o excuse_n to_o this_o prophet_n that_o the_o old_a prophet_n at_o bethel_n tell_v he_o that_o a_o angel_n speak_v unto_o he_o by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o shall_v turn_v back_o for_o 1._o those_o who_o god_n reveal_v his_o will_n unto_o he_o give_v they_o full_a assurance_n of_o it_o in_o that_o they_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o god_n upon_o their_o own_o mind_n and_o so_o they_o have_v no_o doubt_n but_o it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o come_v unto_o they_o but_o this_o prophet_n can_v have_v no_o such_o certainty_n of_o the_o divine_a revelation_n which_o be_v make_v to_o another_o especial_o when_o it_o come_v immediate_o to_o contradict_v that_o which_o be_v so_o special_o enjoin_v he_o 2._o where_o god_n command_v a_o prophet_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o his_o message_n there_o he_o can_v have_v no_o ground_n to_o question_v whether_o god_n shall_v countermand_v it_o or_o no_o by_o another_o prophet_n because_o that_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o thwart_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o his_o message_n so_o it_o be_v in_o this_o action_n of_o the_o prophet_n for_o god_n intend_v his_o not_o eat_v and_o drink_v in_o bethel_n to_o testify_v how_o much_o he_o loathe_v and_o abominate_v that_o place_n since_o its_o be_v pollute_v with_o idolatry_n 3._o he_o may_v have_v just_a cause_n to_o question_v the_o integrity_n of_o the_o old_a prophet_n both_o because_o of_o his_o live_n in_o bethel_n and_o not_o open_o according_a to_o his_o office_n reprove_v their_o idolatry_n and_o that_o god_n shall_v send_v he_o out_o of_o judea_n upon_o that_o very_a errand_n which_o will_v not_o have_v seem_v so_o probable_a if_o there_o have_v be_v true_a prophet_n resident_a upon_o the_o place_n 4._o the_o thing_n he_o desire_v he_o to_o do_v be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o that_o weight_n and_o importance_n on_o which_o god_n use_v to_o send_v his_o word_n to_o any_o prophet_n much_o less_o by_o one_o prophet_n to_o contradict_v what_o he_o have_v say_v by_o another_o and_o therefore_o tertullian_n say_v of_o he_o poenam_fw-la deserti_fw-la jejunii_fw-la luit_fw-la god_n punish_v he_o for_o break_v his_o 16._o fast_n at_o bethel_n and_o therefore_o that_o message_n of_o this_o prophet_n seem_v to_o gratify_v more_o man_n carnal_a appetite_n then_o usual_o the_o action_n of_o prophet_n do_v which_o be_v most_o time_n matter_n of_o hardship_n and_o uneasiness_n to_o the_o flesh_n 5._o however_o all_o these_o be_v yet_o he_o yield_v too_o soon_o especial_o have_v so_o much_o reason_n on_o his_o side_n as_o he_o have_v be_v well_o assure_v that_o god_n have_v command_v he_o he_o have_v reason_n to_o see_v some_o clear_a evidence_n of_o a_o countermand_n before_o he_o alter_v his_o mind_n if_o he_o have_v see_v any_o thing_n upon_o trial_n which_o may_v have_v stagger_v his_o faith_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v make_v his_o immediate_a recourse_n to_o god_n by_o prayer_n for_o the_o settlement_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o removal_n of_o this_o great_a temptation_n but_o so_o easy_o to_o hearken_v to_o the_o word_n of_o a_o lie_a prophet_n which_o contradict_v his_o own_o message_n argue_v either_o great_a unbelief_n as_o to_o his_o own_o commission_n or_o too_o great_a easiness_n and_o inadvertency_n in_o be_v draw_v aside_o by_o the_o old_a prophet_n and_o therefore_o god_n make_v that_o old_a prophet_n himself_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o entertainment_n as_o with_o a_o hand_n write_v against_o the_o wall_n to_o tell_v he_o he_o be_v weigh_v in_o the_o balance_n and_o find_v too_o light_a and_o therefore_o his_o life_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o he_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o dangerous_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v either_o to_o counterfeit_v a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n or_o to_o hearken_v to_o those_o who_o do_v it_o be_v the_o general_o receive_v opinion_n among_o the_o jewish_a 3_o doctor_n that_o the_o cognizance_n and_o trial_n of_o false_a prophet_n do_v peculiar_o belong_v to_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n and_o that_o this_o be_v one_o end_n of_o its_o institution_n so_o maimonides_n after_o he_o have_v 11._o large_o discourse_v of_o the_o punishment_n of_o a_o seducer_n and_o speak_v of_o that_o of_o a_o false_a prophet_n he_o lay_v this_o down_o as_o a_o stand_a rule_n among_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o false_a prophet_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v but_o in_o the_o court_n of_o seventy_o one_o which_o be_v the_o number_n of_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n and_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n look_v very_o like_o this_o in_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n against_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n for_o the_o people_n the_o priest_n and_o the_o prophet_n they_o lay_v hold_v on_o he_o â—_o and_o immediate_o
that_o perish_v if_o now_o the_o weight_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o too_o great_a seasonableness_n of_o it_o if_o the_o common_a fame_n of_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o atheism_n among_o we_o be_v true_a be_v not_o sufficient_a apology_n for_o the_o publish_n this_o book_n i_o be_o resolve_v rather_o to_o undergo_v thy_o censure_n tben_fw-mi be_v behold_v to_o any_o other_o the_o intendment_n therefore_o of_o this_o preface_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o scope_n design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n although_o the_o view_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n may_v sufficient_o acquain_v thou_o with_o it_o how_o far_o i_o have_v be_v either_o from_o transeribe_v or_o a_o design_n to_o excusse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o admirer_n the_o several_a write_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n or_o christianity_n in_o particular_a especial_o mornay_n groâ—ius_n amyraldus_n etc._n etc._n may_v easy_o appear_v by_o compare_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o their_o book_n and_o this_o together_o have_v i_o not_o thought_n something_o may_v be_v say_v if_o not_o more_o full_o and_o rational_o yet_o more_o suitable_o to_o the_o present_a temper_n of_o this_o age_n then_o what_o be_v already_o write_v by_o they_o thou_o have_v not_o be_v trouble_v with_o this_o preface_n much_o less_o with_o the_o whole_a book_n but_o as_o the_o temper_n and_o genius_n be_v of_o age_n and_o time_n alier_n so_o do_v the_o arm_n and_o wâ—npons_n which_o â—â—theists_n employ_v against_o religion_n the_o most_o papular_a pretence_n of_o the_o atheist_n of_o our_o age_n have_v be_v the_o irreconcileableness_n of_o the_o account_n of_o time_n in_o scripture_n with_o that_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o ancient_a heathen_a nation_n the_o inconsistency_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o account_n which_o may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n from_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n without_o the_o scripture_n these_o three_o therefore_o i_o have_v particular_o set_v myself_o against_o and_o direct_v against_o each_o of_o they_o a_o several_a book_n in_o the_o first_o i_o have_v manifest_v that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n give_v by_o any_o heathen_a nation_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n inquire_v into_o that_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v hope_v to_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o man_n before_o adam_n to_o salve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o yet_o be_v intend_v only_o as_o a_o design_n to_o undermine_v they_o but_o i_o have_v not_o think_v the_o frivolous_a pretence_n of_o the_o author_n of_o that_o hypothesis_n worth_a particular_a mention_v suppose_v it_o sufficient_a to_o give_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o thing_n without_o particular_a citation_n of_o author_n where_o it_o be_v not_o of_o great_a concernment_n for_o understand_v the_o thing_n its_o self_n in_o the_o second_o book_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n why_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v those_o several_a person_n who_o in_o several_a age_n be_v employ_v to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n and_o with_o great_a particularity_n than_o have_v yet_o be_v use_v i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o person_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o in_o every_o of_o they_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v not_o only_o by_o the_o man_n of_o their_o own_o age_n but_o by_o those_o of_o succeed_a generation_n in_o the_o three_o book_n i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o matter_n themselves_o which_o be_v either_o suppose_v by_o or_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v therein_o not_o only_o manifest_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o those_o particular_a account_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n of_o evil_a and_o of_o nation_n which_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o the_o atheist_n exception_n and_o have_v therein_o consider_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o philosophy_n ancient_a or_o modern_a which_o have_v seem_v to_o contradict_v any_o of_o they_o to_o which_o mant_fw-fr ssae_fw-la loco_fw-la i_o have_v add_v the_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n history_n in_o the_o remainder_n of_o it_o in_o heathen_a mythology_n and_o conclude_v all_o with_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o have_v give_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o submit_v it_o to_o every_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a judgement_n all_o the_o favour_n than_o i_o shall_v request_v of_o thou_o be_v to_o read_v serious_o and_o judge_v impartial_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o thou_o will_v see_v as_o much_o reason_n for_o religion_n as_o i_o do_v the_o content_n book_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o obscurity_n and_o defect_n of_o ancient_a history_n the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n yet_o error_n often_o mistake_v for_o truth_n the_o account_n of_o it_o want_v of_o diligence_n in_o its_o search_n the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n thence_o come_v either_o reject_v truth_n for_o the_o error_n sake_n or_o embrace_v the_o error_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n the_o first_o instance_a in_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o second_o in_o vulgar_a heathen_a of_o philosophical_a atheism_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o the_o history_n of_o antiquity_n very_o obscure_a the_o question_n state_v where_o the_o true_a history_n of_o ancient_a time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o heathen_a history_n or_o only_o in_o scripture_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n assert_v and_o prove_v by_o the_o general_a defect_n for_o want_n of_o timely_a record_n among_o heathen_a nation_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o manner_n of_o they_o discover_v the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n of_o hicroglyphick_n the_o use_n of_o letter_n among_o the_o greek_n no_o elder_a than_o cadmus_n his_o time_n inquire_v into_o no_o elder_a than_o joshua_n the_o learning_n bring_v into_o greece_n by_o he_o page_n 1_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a history_n the_o particular_a defect_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a heathen_a nation_n first_o the_o phoenician_n of_o sanchoniathon_n his_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o jerombaal_a baal-berith_a the_o antiquity_n of_o tyre_n scaliger_n vindicate_v against_o bâ—chartus_fw-la abibalus_n the_o vanity_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o imitation_n 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 pag._n 25_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o contest_v of_o antiquity_n among_o heathen_a nation_n and_o the_o way_n of_o decide_v it_o of_o the_o chaldean_a astrology_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n of_o the_o zabiâ—_n their_o founder_n who_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o old_a chaldee_n of_o berosus_n and_o his_o history_n a_o account_n of_o the_o fabulous_a dynastye_n of_o berosus_n and_o manetho_n from_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n into_o greek_a in_o the_o time_n of_o prolomy_n of_o that_o translation_n and_o the_o time_n of_o it_o of_o demetrius_n phalereus_n scaliger_n argument_n answer_v manetho_n write_v after_o the_o septuagint_n prove_v against_o kircher_n his_o argument_n answer_v of_o rabbinical_a and_o arabic_a author_n and_o their_o little_a credit_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n the_o time_n of_o berosus_n inquire_v into_o his_o writing_n co-temporary_a with_o philadelphus_n pag._n 40_o chap._n iu_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n that_o manifest_v by_o three_o evident_a argument_n of_o it_o 1._o the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n the_o antiquity_n of_o poetry_n of_o orpheus_n and_o the_o ancient_a poet_n whence_o the_o poetical_a fable_n borrow_v the_o advancement_n of_o poetry_n and_o idolatry_n together_o in_o greece_n the_o different_a censure_n of_o strabo_n and_o eratosthenes_n concern_v the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o 2._o the_o elder_a historian_n of_o greece_n be_v of_o suspect_a credit_n of_o damastes_n aristeus_n and_o other_o of_o most_o of_o their_o elder_a historian_n we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o their_o name_n of_o other_o only_o the_o
christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n in_o they_o and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v record_v by_o they_o to_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n here_o we_o have_v more_o clear_a reason_n as_o to_o the_o primary_n motive_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o withal_o the_o infallible_a veracity_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o faith_n and_o while_o we_o assert_v such_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n from_o the_o first_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o then_o so_o full_o attest_v by_o such_o uncontrollable_a miracle_n we_o can_v in_o the_o least_o understand_v to_o what_o end_n a_o power_n of_o miracle_n shall_v now_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n especial_o among_o those_o who_o all_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n indeed_o before_o the_o great_a harvest_n of_o convert_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v bring_v in_o both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o the_o church_n sully_v settle_v in_o receive_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n universal_o we_o find_v god_n do_v continue_v this_o power_n among_o they_o but_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o embrace_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n among_o christian_n we_o find_v they_o so_o far_o from_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o power_n that_o they_o reject_v the_o pretender_n to_o it_o such_o as_o the_o donatist_n be_v and_o plead_v upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o we_o do_v now_o against_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o we_o see_v then_o no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o miracle_n to_o be_v continue_v where_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v settle_v as_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o there_o be_v only_o these_o two_o case_n then_o wherein_o miracle_n may_v just_o and_o with_o reason_n be_v expect_v first_o when_o any_o person_n 4._o come_v as_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a commission_n from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n either_o to_o deliver_v some_o peculiar_a message_n or_o to_o do_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a service_n second_o when_o something_o that_o have_v be_v before_o establish_v by_o divine_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v and_o some_o other_o way_n of_o worship_n establish_v in_o stead_n of_o it_o first_o when_o any_o come_v upon_o a_o extraordinary_a message_n to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o name_n of_o and_o by_o commission_n from_o god_n than_o it_o be_v but_o reason_n to_o require_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a evidence_n of_o such_o authority_n because_o of_o the_o main_a importance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o give_v credit_n to_o such_o a_o person_n and_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o be_v guilty_a of_o reject_v that_o divine_a authority_n which_o appear_v in_o he_o and_o in_o this_o case_n we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v require_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n to_o believe_v where_o he_o do_v not_o give_v sufficient_a argument_n for_o faith_n nor_o that_o he_o will_v punish_v person_n for_o such_o a_o fault_n which_o a_o invincible_a ignorance_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o indeed_o god_n do_v not_o use_v to_o necessitate_v faith_n as_o to_o the_o act_n of_o it_o but_o he_o do_v so_o clear_o propound_v the_o object_n of_o it_o with_o all_o argument_n induce_v to_o it_o as_o may_v sufficient_o justify_v a_o believer_n choice_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n and_o prudence_n and_o may_v leave_v all_o unbeliever_n without_o excuse_n i_o can_v see_v what_o account_n a_o man_n can_v give_v to_o himself_o of_o his_o faith_n much_o less_o what_o apology_n he_o can_v make_v to_o other_o for_o it_o unless_o he_o be_v sufficient_o convince_v in_o point_n of_o the_o high_a reason_n that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o believe_v and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o conviction_n there_o must_v be_v some_o clear_a evidence_n give_v that_o what_o be_v speak_v have_v the_o impress_n of_o divine_a authority_n upon_o it_o now_o what_o conviction_n there_o can_v be_v to_o any_o sober_a mind_n concern_v divine_a authority_n in_o any_o person_n without_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n go_v along_o with_o he_o when_o he_o be_v to_o deliver_v some_o new_a doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n to_o be_v believe_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v understand_v for_o although_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o where_o ever_o god_n do_v reveal_v any_o thing_n to_o any_o person_n immediate_o he_o give_v demonstrable_a evidence_n to_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o it_o come_v from_o himself_o yet_o this_o inward_a sense_n can_v be_v no_o ground_n to_o another_o person_n to_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n divine_a because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o act_n of_o another_o sense_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o another_o person_n to_o distinguish_v the_o act_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n from_o strong_a impression_n of_o fancy_n by_o the_o force_n and_o energy_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v those_o who_o say_v they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n object_n i_o answer_v first_o this_o will_v expose_v we_o to_o all_o delusion_n imaginable_a answ._n for_o if_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o they_o say_v so_o 1._o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o which_o say_v so_o and_o none_o be_v more_o confident_a pretender_n to_o this_o then_o the_o great_a deceiver_n as_o the_o experience_n of_o our_o age_n will_v sufficient_o witness_v second_o man_n must_v necessary_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v contradiction_n for_o nothing_o more_o ordinary_a then_o for_o such_o confident_a pretender_n 2._o to_o a_o divine_a spirit_n to_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o person_n in_o a_o little_a time_n contradict_v himself_o and_o must_v we_o still_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o they_o say_v if_o so_o no_o philosopher_n will_v be_v so_o much_o in_o request_n as_o those_o aristotle_n dispute_v against_o in_o his_o metaphysic_n who_o think_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n three_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n at_o last_o will_v be_v but_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n as_o far_o as_o 3_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o believe_v be_v capable_a of_o judge_v of_o it_o for_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o person_n i_o be_o to_o believe_v have_v divine_a authority_n for_o what_o he_o say_v what_o ground_n can_v i_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v so_o must_v i_o take_v his_o bare_a affirmation_n for_o it_o if_o so_o than_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n must_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o divine_a faith_n and_o that_o which_o it_o be_v last_o resolve_v into_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o he_o speak_v when_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n i_o answer_v the_o question_n will_v again_o return_v how_o i_o shall_v know_v he_o speak_v this_o from_o divine_a authority_n and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o progress_n in_o infinitum_fw-la or_o sound_v divine_a faith_n on_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n if_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v divine_a revelation_n mere_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o person_n affirmation_n who_o pretend_v unto_o it_o for_o in_o this_o case_n it_o hold_v good_a non_fw-la apparentis_fw-la &_o non_fw-la existentis_fw-la eadem_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la if_o he_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n induce_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v be_v excuse_v if_o i_o believe_v he_o not_o if_o my_o wilfulness_n and_o laziness_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o unbelief_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o good_a man_n 5._o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n i_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v wonderful_o true_a but_o all_o the_o question_n be_v de_fw-fr modo_fw-la how_o god_n will_v satisfy_v they_o whether_o mere_o by_o inspiration_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n in_o they_o assure_v they_o that_o it_o be_v god_n that_o speak_v in_o such_o person_n or_o by_o give_v they_o rational_a evidence_n convince_a they_o of_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o assert_v the_o former_a way_n we_o run_v into_o these_o inconvenience_n first_o we_o make_v as_o immediate_a a_o revelation_n in_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v as_o in_o 1._o those_o who_o be_v to_o reveal_v divine_a truth_n to_o we_o for_o there_o be_v a_o new_a revelation_n of_o a_o object_n immediate_o to_o the_o mind_n viz._n that_o such_o a_o person_n be_v inspire_v of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v not_o after_o the_o common_a way_n of_o the_o spirit_n illumination_n in_o believer_n which_o be_v by_o enlighten_v the_o faculty_n without_o the_o proposition_n of_o any_o new_a object_n as_o it_o
put_v too_o great_a a_o restraint_n upon_o the_o boundless_a 9_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o sometime_o as_o will_v appear_v afterward_o god_n send_v the_o prophet_n upon_o extraordinary_a message_n and_o then_o furnish_v they_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o their_o divine_a commission_n without_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o testimonial_n of_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o beside_o these_o god_n have_v a_o kind_n of_o leiger-prophet_n among_o his_o people_n such_o be_v the_o most_o of_o those_o who_o we_o read_v of_o in_o scripture_n which_o be_v no_o penman_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n such_o in_o david_n time_n we_o may_v conceive_v gad_n and_o nathan_n and_o afterward_o we_o read_v of_o many_o other_o prophet_n and_o seer_n among_o they_o to_o who_o the_o people_n make_v their_o resort_n now_o these_o in_o probability_n be_v such_o as_o have_v be_v train_v up_o in_o the_o prophetic_a school_n wherein_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v appear_v but_o in_o a_o more_o fix_v and_o settle_a way_n then_o in_o the_o extraordinary_a prophet_n who_o god_n do_v call_v out_o on_o some_o more_o signal_n occasion_n such_o as_o isaiah_n and_o jeremiah_n be_v we_o have_v a_o clear_a foundation_n for_o such_o a_o distinction_n of_o prophet_n in_o those_o word_n of_o amos_n to_o amaziah_n amos_n 7._o 14_o 15._o i_o be_v no_o prophet_n neither_o be_v i_o a_o prophet_n son_n but_o i_o be_v a_o herdman_n and_o a_o gatherer_n of_o sycamore_n fruit_n and_o the_o lord_n take_v i_o as_o i_o follow_v the_o stock_n and_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o i_o go_v prophecy_n to_o my_o people_n israel_n some_o understand_v the_o first_o word_n i_o be_v not_o a_o prophet_n that_o he_o be_v not_o bear_v a_o prophet_n as_o jeremiah_n be_v not_o design_v and_o set_v apart_o to_o it_o from_o his_o mother_n womb_n but_o i_o rather_o think_v by_o his_o not_o be_v a_o prophet_n he_o mean_v he_o be_v none_o of_o those_o resident_a prophet_n in_o the_o college_n or_o school_n of_o they_o not_o any_o of_o those_o who_o have_v lead_v a_o prophetic_a life_n and_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o converse_n with_o the_o world_n nor_o be_v i_o say_v he_o the_o son_n of_o a_o prophet_n i._n e._n not_o bring_v up_o in_o discipleship_n under_o those_o prophet_n and_o thereby_o train_v up_o in_o order_n to_o the_o prophetic_a function_n non_fw-la didici_fw-la inter_fw-la discipulos_fw-la prophetarum_fw-la as_o pelican_n render_v it_o nec_fw-la institutione_n qua_fw-la silij_fw-la prophetarum_fw-la quasi_fw-la ad_fw-la donum_fw-la prâ—phetiae_n à _fw-la parentibus_fw-la praeparabantur_fw-la say_v estius_n non_fw-fr à _fw-fr pvero_fw-la educatus_fw-la in_o schol_n be_v propheticis_fw-la so_o calvin_n and_o most_o other_o modern_a interpreter_n understand_v it_o as_o well_o as_o abarbinel_n and_o the_o jewish_a writer_n whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o god_n ordinary_a way_n for_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o take_v such_o as_o have_v be_v train_v up_o and_o educate_v in_o order_n to_o that_o end_n although_o god_n do_v not_o tie_v up_o hmself_n to_o this_o method_n but_o sometime_o call_v one_o from_o the_o court_n as_o he_o do_v isaiah_n sometime_o one_o from_o the_o herd_n as_o here_o he_o do_v amos_n and_o bid_v they_o go_v prophecy_n to_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n there_o be_v then_o a_o kind_n of_o a_o stand_a college_n of_o prophet_n among_o the_o israelite_n who_o shine_v as_o fix_v star_n in_o the_o firmament_n and_o there_o be_v other_o who_o have_v a_o more_o planetary_a motion_n and_o withal_o a_o more_o lively_a and_o resplendent_a illumination_n from_o the_o fountain_n of_o prophetic_a light_n and_o further_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n do_v not_o ordinary_o seize_v on_o any_o but_o such_o who_o institution_n be_v in_o order_n to_o that_o end_n by_o the_o great_a admiration_n which_o be_v cause_v among_o the_o people_n at_o saul_n so_o sudden_a prophesy_v 24._o that_o it_o become_v a_o proverb_n be_v saul_n also_o among_o the_o prophet_n which_o have_v not_o give_v the_o least_o foundation_n for_o a_o adage_n for_o a_o strange_a and_o unwonted_a thing_n unless_o the_o most_o common_a appearance_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v be_v among_o those_o who_o be_v train_v up_o in_o order_n to_o it_o thus_o i_o suppose_v we_o have_v full_o clear_v the_o first_o reason_n why_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n for_o the_o ordinary_a prophet_n who_o chief_a office_n be_v instruction_n of_o the_o people_n to_o prove_v their_o commission_n by_o miracle_n because_o god_n have_v promise_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n by_o moses_n and_o these_o be_v bring_v up_o ordinary_o to_o that_o end_n among_o they_o so_o that_o all_o prejudices_fw-la be_v sufficient_o remove_v from_o their_o person_n without_o any_o such_o extraordinary_a power_n as_o that_o of_o miracle_n chap._n v._o the_o trial_n of_o prophetical_a doctrine_n rule_n of_o try_v prophet_n establish_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o punishment_n of_o pretender_n the_o several_a sort_n of_o false_a prophet_n the_o case_n of_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n discuss_v the_o trial_n of_o false_a prophet_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n the_o particular_a rule_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o prophet_n be_v judge_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n not_o foretel_v future_a contingency_n but_o have_v immediate_a divine_a revelation_n several_a principle_n lay_v down_o for_o clear_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prophet_n 1._o that_o immediate_a dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o divine_a revelation_n several_a ground_n for_o divine_a revelation_n from_o natural_a light_n 2._o what_o ever_o be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n can_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n 3._o no_o divine_a revelation_n do_v contradict_v a_o divine_a positive_a law_n without_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n to_o repeal_v that_o law_n 4._o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o prophet_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n but_o by_o the_o intention_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o the_o prophetical_a office_n a_o kind_n of_o chancery_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o second_o reason_n why_o those_o prophet_n who_o main_a office_n be_v instruction_n of_o the_o people_n or_o mere_o foretell_v future_a 1_o event_n need_v not_o to_o confirm_v their_o doctrine_n by_o mirale_n be_v because_o they_o have_v certain_a rule_n of_o trial_n by_o their_o law_n whereby_o to_o discern_v the_o false_a prophet_n from_o the_o true_a so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v deceive_v by_o they_o it_o be_v their_o own_o oscitancy_n and_o inadvertency_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o god_n in_o that_o law_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a have_v establish_v a_o court_n of_o trial_n for_o prophetic_a spirit_n and_o give_v such_o certain_a rule_n of_o procedure_v in_o it_o that_o no_o man_n need_v to_o be_v deceive_v unless_o they_o will_v themselves_o and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a necessity_n of_o such_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o trial_n among_o they_o because_o it_o can_v not_o otherwise_o be_v expect_v but_o in_o a_o nation_n where_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n be_v so_o common_a there_o will_v be_v very_o many_o pretender_n to_o it_o who_o may_v much_o endanger_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o people_n unless_o there_o be_v some_o certain_a way_n to_o find_v they_o out_o and_o the_o more_o effectual_o to_o deter_v man_n either_o from_o counterfeit_v a_o prophetic_a spirit_n or_o from_o harken_v to_o such_o as_o do_v god_n appoint_v a_o severe_a punishment_n for_o every_o such_o pretender_n viz._n upon_o legal_a conviction_n that_o he_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n deut._n 18._o 20._o but_o the_o prophet_n which_o shall_v presume_v to_o speak_v a_o word_n in_o my_o name_n which_o i_o have_v not_o command_v he_o to_o speak_v or_o that_o shall_v speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o other_o god_n shall_v sure_o die_v the_o jew_n general_o understand_v this_o of_o strangle_v as_o they_o do_v always_o in_o the_o law_n when_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o death_n be_v not_o express_v and_o therein_o a_o false_a prophet_n and_o a_o seducer_n be_v distinguish_v each_o from_o other_o that_o a_o mere_a seducer_n be_v to_o be_v stone_v to_o death_n under_o sufficient_a testimony_n deut._n 13._o 6_o 10._o but_o the_o false_a prophet_n be_v there_o say_v in_o general_a only_o to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n vâ—ssium_n deut._n 13._o 1_o 5._o the_o main_a difference_n between_o the_o seducer_n and_o false_a prophet_n be_v that_o the_o seducer_n seek_v by_o cunning_a persuasion_n and_o plausible_a argument_n to_o draw_v they_o off_o from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n but_o the_o false_a prophet_n always_o pretend_v divine_a revelation_n for_o what_o he_o persuade_v they_o to_o whether_o he_o give_v out_o that_o he_o have_v that_o revelation_n
not_o execute_v upon_o he_o so_o ahab'_v humiliation_n hezekiah_n his_o earnest_a prayer_n the_o ninivites_n 19_o repentance_n all_o interpose_a between_o sentence_n and_o execution_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o reason_n why_o these_o denunciation_n do_v not_o take_v effect_n but_o where_o the_o person_n continue_v the_o same_o after_o threaten_n that_o they_o be_v before_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o sentence_n shall_v be_v suspend_v unless_o we_o shall_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a effect_n of_o the_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a of_o god_n lead_v man_n to_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n of_o life_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n the_o jew_n give_v why_o the_o not_o fulfil_v of_o denunciation_n of_o judgement_n be_v never_o account_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v a_o man_n a_o false_a prophet_n to_o which_o purpose_n these_o word_n of_o maimonides_n be_v observable_a in_o his_o jesude_v thorah_n where_o he_o treat_v particular_o on_o the_o subject_n of_o prophecy_n if_o a_o prophet_n foretell_v sad_a thing_n as_o the_o death_n of_o any_o 6._o one_o or_o famine_n or_o war_n or_o the_o like_a if_o these_o thing_n come_v not_o to_o pass_v he_o shall_v not_o be_v account_v a_o false_a prophet_n neither_o let_v they_o say_v hehold_v he_o have_v foretell_v and_o it_o come_v not_o to_o pass_v for_o eurbless_v god_n be_v slow_a to_o anger_n and_o rich_a in_o mercy_n and_o repent_v of_o the_o evil_a and_o it_o may_v be_v that_o they_o repent_v and_o god_n may_v spare_v they_o as_o he_o do_v the_o ninivites_n or_o defer_v the_o punishment_n as_o he_o do_v hezekiah_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o prophetical_a commination_n do_v not_o express_v god_n internal_a purpose_n and_o therefore_o the_o event_n may_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o yet_o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o true_a prophet_n 2._o prediction_n concern_v temporal_a blessing_n do_v not_o always_o 14._o absolute_o speak_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o event_n but_o what_o god_n be_v ready_a to_o do_v if_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v make_v continue_v faithful_a to_o he_o for_o which_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n from_o that_o place_n of_o jeremiah_n 18._o 9_o 10._o at_o what_o instant_n i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o build_v and_o to_o plant_v it_o if_o it_o do_v evil_a in_o my_o sight_n that_o it_o obey_v not_o my_o voice_n then_o will_v i_o repent_v of_o the_o good_a wherewith_o i_o say_v i_o will_v benefit_v they_o so_o isaiah_n 1._o 19_o 20._o if_o you_o be_v willing_a and_o obedient_a you_o shall_v eat_v the_o good_a of_o the_o land_n but_o if_o you_o refuse_v and_o rebel_n you_o shall_v be_v devour_v with_o the_o sword_n for_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o whereby_o we_o see_v it_o evident_a that_o all_o promise_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v absolute_o but_o with_o the_o condition_n of_o obedience_n but_o this_o the_o jew_n can_n by_o no_o mean_n digest_v who_o rule_n be_v that_o all_o prophecy_n of_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v must_v necessary_o come_v to_o pass_v or_o he_o be_v no_o true_a prophet_n who_o speak_v they_o for_o say_v maimon_n whatever_o good_a thing_n god_n have_v promise_v although_o 8._o it_o be_v promise_v under_o a_o condition_n he_o never_o revoke_v it_o and_o we_o never_o find_v that_o god_n repent_v he_o of_o any_o good_a thing_n promise_v but_o in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n when_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o righteous_a they_o shall_v not_o die_v with_o the_o wicked_a but_o it_o repent_v he_o of_o his_o word_n but_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a to_o any_o one_o that_o consider_v the_o jewish_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n that_o in_o they_o they_o have_v always_o a_o eye_n to_o themselves_o and_o will_v be_v sure_a not_o to_o understand_v those_o scripture_n which_o seem_v to_o thwart_v their_o own_o interest_n as_o be_v most_o apparent_a in_o the_o present_a case_n for_o the_o grand_a reason_n why_o the_o jew_n insist_v so_o much_o on_o the_o punctual_a accomplishment_n of_o all_o promise_n of_o good_a to_o be_v the_o sign_n of_o a_o true_a prophet_n be_v to_o uphold_v their_o own_o interest_n in_o those_o temporal_a blessing_n which_o be_v prophesy_v of_o concern_v they_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n although_o one_o will_v think_v the_o want_n of_o correspondency_n in_o the_o event_n in_o reference_n to_o themselves_o may_v make_v they_o a_o little_a more_o tender_a of_o the_o honour_n of_o those_o prophecy_n which_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o have_v appear_v to_o be_v so_o in_o nothing_o more_o than_o the_o full_a accompllshmenâ—_n of_o all_o those_o threaten_n which_o be_v denounce_v against_o they_o for_o their_o disobedience_n even_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o moses_n himself_o deut._n 28._o from_o the_o 15._o to_o the_o end_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a and_o evident_a then_o that_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o all_o the_o privilege_n confer_v upon_o they_o do_v depend_v upon_o the_o condition_n of_o their_o continue_v faithful_a to_o god_n covenant_n the_o only_a place_n of_o scripture_n produce_v by_o they_o with_o any_o plausibility_n be_v that_o jerem._n 28._o 9_o the_o prophet_n which_o prophesi_v of_o peace_n when_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v then_o shall_v the_o prophet_n be_v know_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v true_o send_v he_o for_o reconcile_a of_o which_o place_n with_o those_o already_o mention_v we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o here_o be_v a_o particular_a contest_v between_o two_o prophet_n hananiah_n and_o jeremiah_n jeremiah_n he_o foretell_v evil_a to_o come_v though_o unwilling_o five_o 6._o hananiah_n he_o prophesy_v peace_n now_o jeremiah_n according_a to_o god_n peculiar_a direction_n and_o inspiration_n appeal_v to_o the_o event_n to_o determine_v who_o prophecy_n be_v the_o true_a now_o say_v jeremiah_n if_o the_o prophecy_n of_o hananiah_n concern_v peace_n be_v fulfil_v than_o he_o be_v the_o true_a prophet_n and_o i_o the_o false_a and_o in_o this_o case_n when_o two_o prophet_n prophecy_n contrary_a thing_n it_o stand_v to_o reason_n that_o god_n will_v not_o reveal_v any_o thing_n by_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o own_o prophet_n which_o shall_v not_o infallible_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o thereby_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o prophet_n may_v be_v full_o manifest_v beside_o jeremiah_n refer_v not_o mere_o to_o the_o event_n foretell_v but_o give_v a_o sudden_a specimon_n of_o his_o own_o truth_n in_o another_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o death_n of_o hananiah_n which_o be_v punctual_o accomplish_v the_o same_o year_n ver_fw-la 17._o and_o which_o be_v most_o considerable_a to_o our_o purpose_n both_o these_o prophet_n consider_v the_o same_o people_n under_o the_o same_o circumstance_n and_o with_o the_o same_o condition_n and_o so_o jeremiah_n because_o of_o their_o incorrigibleness_n foretell_v desolation_n certain_o to_o come_v notwithstanding_o this_o hananiah_n foretell_v peace_n and_o safety_n which_o be_v contrary_a direct_o to_o god_n method_n of_o proceed_v and_o so_o the_o falsity_n of_o his_o prophecy_n will_v infallible_o be_v discover_v by_o the_o event_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o instance_n it_o appear_v evident_a that_o prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n do_v suppose_v condition_n and_o so_o have_v not_o always_o the_o event_n fulfil_v when_o the_o people_n do_v not_o perform_v their_o condition_n of_o obedience_n and_o thus_o we_o have_v now_o lay_v down_o the_o rule_n whereby_o the_o truth_n of_o prophecy_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o which_o it_o appear_v what_o little_a need_v the_o constant_a prophet_n have_v to_o appeal_v to_o miracle_n to_o manifest_v the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o they_o so_o we_o have_v finish_v our_o first_o proposition_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o try_v divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o prophet_n god_n send_v among_o his_o people_n we_o now_o come_v to_o the_o second_o general_a proposition_n concern_v prop._n the_o prophet_n those_o prophet_n who_o god_n do_v employ_v upon_o some_o extraordinary_a message_n for_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o have_v a_o power_n of_o miracle_n confer_v upon_o they_o in_o order_n to_o that_o end_n so_o that_o we_o must_v distinguish_v the_o ordinary_a employment_n of_o prophet_n which_o be_v either_o instruction_n or_o prediction_n of_o future_a event_n among_o god_n own_o people_n from_o their_o peculiar_a message_n when_o they_o be_v send_v to_o give_v evidence_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o way_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v then_o settle_v by_o god_n own_o appointment_n now_o the_o prophet_n general_o do_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o own_v by_o those_o they_o be_v send_v to_o and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v very_o needless_a employ_v a_o power_n of_o miracle_n among_o they_o to_o
ceremonial_a law_n and_o if_o he_o make_v any_o scruple_n of_o decide_v on_o which_o side_n the_o over-weight_n lie_v we_o may_v have_v cause_n to_o suspect_v he_o forsake_v of_o that_o little_a reason_n which_o give_v he_o the_o name_n of_o man_n let_v but_o the_o five_o of_o matthew_n be_v lay_v against_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o leviticus_n and_o then_o see_v whether_o contain_v the_o more_o excellent_a precept_n and_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n i_o speak_v not_o this_o to_o disparage_v any_o thing_n which_o have_v once_o god_n for_o the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o to_o let_v we_o see_v how_o far_o god_n be_v from_o the_o necessity_n of_o natural_a agent_n to_o act_v to_o the_o height_n of_o his_o strength_n in_o that_o discovery_n of_o his_o will._n god_n be_v wise_a as_o well_o as_o righteous_a in_o all_o his_o way_n as_o he_o can_v command_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v just_a so_o he_o will_v command_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v good_a nay_o excellent_a in_o its_o kind_n but_o though_o all_o the_o starrâ—_n be_v in_o the_o same_o firmament_n yet_o one_o star_n differ_v from_o another_o in_o glory_n though_o they_o may_v be_v all_o pearl_n yet_o some_o may_v be_v more_o orient_a than_o other_o be_v every_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n may_v have_v its_o crown_n but_o some_o may_v have_v their_o aureolae_fw-la a_o great_a excellency_n a_o full_a and_o large_a capacity_n than_o the_o other_o have_v every_o parcel_n of_o divine_a revelation_n may_v have_v some_o perfection_n in_o its_o kind_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v some_o monstra_fw-la perfectionis_fw-la in_o scaliger_n expression_n that_o may_v far_o outvie_v the_o glory_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o rest_n can_v we_o think_v the_o mist_n and_o umbrage_n of_o the_o law_n can_v ever_o cast_v so_o glorious_a a_o light_n as_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n himself_o in_o his_o meridian_n elevation_n as_o well_o may_v we_o think_v a_o dark_a shady_a passage_n more_o magnificent_a and_o glorious_a than_o the_o most_o princely_a palace_n a_o picture_n draw_v in_o charcoal_n more_o exquisite_a and_o curious_a than_o the_o line_n of_o apelles_n some_o imperfect_a rudiment_n more_o exact_a and_o accurate_a than_o the_o most_o elabarate_a work_n as_o go_v about_o to_o compare_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n with_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o point_n of_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n let_v the_o jew_n than_o boast_v never_o so_o much_o of_o their_o gradus_fw-la mosaicus_n and_o how_o much_o it_o exceed_v the_o degree_n of_o revelation_n in_o other_o prophet_n we_o know_v if_o his_o light_n be_v compare_v with_o what_o the_o gospel_n communicate_v moses_n himself_o see_v but_o as_o in_o a_o glass_n dark_o and_o not_o in_o speculo_fw-la lucido_fw-la as_o the_o jew_n be_v wont_a to_o speak_v we_o honour_v moses_n much_o but_o we_o have_v learn_v to_o honour_v he_o at_o who_o transfiguration_n he_o be_v present_a more_o neither_o can_v that_o be_v think_v any_o disparagement_n to_o he_o who_o account_v the_o reproach_n of_o christ_n great_a riches_n than_o the_o treasure_n of_o egypt_n but_o it_o may_v be_v though_o the_o law_n in_o its_o self_n be_v not_o so_o absolute_o perfect_a yet_o god_n may_v have_v declare_v he_o will_v never_o alter_v it_o and_o 6._o then_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o divine_a wisdom_n to_o repeal_v it_o very_o true_a god_n will_v never_o alter_v what_o he_o have_v say_v he_o will_v not_o but_o where_o be_v it_o that_o he_o have_v thus_o bind_v up_o himself_o be_v it_o in_o that_o note_a place_n to_o this_o purpose_n thou_o shall_v not_o add_v thereto_o nor_o diminish_v from_o it_o so_o indeed_o maimonides_n argue_v but_o 14._o therein_o more_o like_o a_o jew_n then_o himself_o and_o yet_o one_o of_o his_o own_o nation_n therein_o far_o more_o ingenuous_a than_o he_o gives_z a_o most_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o it_o which_o be_v r._n jos._n albo_n who_o word_n be_v thus_o produce_v by_o vorstius_n and_o other_o the_o scripture_n only_o admonish_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o add_v to_o nor_o diminish_v from_o god_n command_v according_a to_o our_o own_o will_n but_o what_o hinder_v say_v he_o but_o god_n himself_o may_v according_a to_o his_o own_o wisdom_n add_v or_o diminish_v what_o he_o please_v but_o be_v they_o in_o good_a earnest_n when_o they_o say_v god_n bind_v up_o himself_o by_o this_o speech_n whence_o come_v then_o all_o the_o prophetical_a revelation_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v these_o add_v nothing_o to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v as_o much_o the_o will_n of_o god_n when_o reveal_v by_o they_o as_o any_o thing_n be_v reveal_v by_o moses_n himself_o or_o will_v they_o say_v that_o all_o those_o thing_n be_v contain_v for_o the_o substance_n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o to_o what_o concern_v practice_n very_o true_a but_o not_o in_o the_o ceremonial_a but_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o so_o we_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o grant_v that_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o that_o but_o if_o add_v to_o the_o precept_n be_v the_o do_v of_o god_n command_n in_o another_o way_n than_o he_o have_v prescribe_v and_o diminish_v from_o they_o be_v mere_o not_o to_o do_v what_o god_n have_v command_v as_o some_o conceive_v than_o these_o word_n be_v still_o more_o remote_a from_o the_o sense_n affix_v on_o they_o by_o the_o incredulous_a jew_n for_o why_o may_v not_o god_n himself_o add_v to_o his_o own_o law_n or_o alter_v the_o form_n of_o they_o although_o we_o be_v always_o bind_v direct_o to_o follow_v god_n declare_v will_n may_v not_o god_n enlarge_v his_o own_o will_n and_o bring_v his_o scholar_n from_o the_o rudiment_n of_o their_o nonage_n to_o the_o high_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o be_v full_o grow_v or_o must_v the_o world_n of_o necessity_n do_v that_o which_o the_o old_a roman_a so_o much_o abhor_v senescere_fw-la in_o elementis_fw-la wax_v gray_a in_o learn_v this_o a_o b_o c_o or_o be_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n like_o the_o china_n character_n that_o the_o world_n râ—ight_v spend_v its_o age_n in_o con_v of_o they_o but_o it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o meaning_n in_o that_o strict_a prohibition_n than_o that_o man_n shall_v not_o of_o their_o own_o head_n offer_v to_o find_v out_o new_a way_n of_o worship_n as_o jeroboam_fw-la do_v but_o that_o god_n revelation_n of_o his_o own_o will_n in_o all_o its_o different_a degree_n be_v to_o be_v the_o adequate_a rule_n of_o the_o way_n and_o part_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n and_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v of_o the_o jew_n whether_o their_o own_o severe_a and_o strict_a prohibition_n of_o thing_n not_o at_o all_o forbid_a in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o that_o on_o a_o religious_a account_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o boundary_a to_o the_o law_n come_v not_o near_o the_o add_v to_o god_n law_n than_o god_n own_o further_a declaration_n of_o his_o will_n do_v all_o the_o dispute_n than_o must_v be_v not_o whether_o god_n may_v add_v to_o his_o own_o law_n but_o whether_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o prohibit_v addition_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v only_o the_o invention_n of_o man_n or_o it_o be_v the_o express_a declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o to_o which_o controversy_n he_o be_v no_o true_a christian_a who_o dare_v not_o ready_o join_v issue_n with_o they_o and_o undertake_v to_o prove_v by_o all_o the_o argument_n by_o which_o they_o believe_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o have_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n that_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o clear_a manifestation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n but_o of_o that_o afterward_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o god_n have_v not_o by_o this_o place_n 7._o tie_v up_o himself_o from_o any_o surth_a manifestation_n of_o his_o mind_n beyond_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o it_o may_v be_v they_o may_v put_v great_a confidence_n in_o those_o expression_n which_o seem_v necessary_o to_o imply_v a_o perpetual_a and_o unalterable_a obligation_n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n for_o say_v the_o late_a learned_a rabbi_n manasse_n ben_n israel_n if_o by_o such_o expression_n as_o those_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n 7._o which_o seem_v to_o import_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n somewhat_o â—lse_o shall_v be_v mean_v then_o they_o seem_v to_o express_v what_o do_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o use_v they_o but_o lay_v a_o stumble_a block_n in_o the_o way_n of_o man_n whereas_o they_o may_v have_v speak_v clear_o and_o tell_v we_o there_o shall_v a_o time_n come_v when_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n shall_v oblige_v no_o long_o this_o be_v a_o charge_n of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n must_v not_o be_v dismiss_v without_o a_o particular_a enquiry_n
that_o when_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v already_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a that_o new_a miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v in_o the_o church_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o so_o chrysostome_n full_o express_v himself_o concern_v miracle_n speak_v of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a eton._n church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d miracle_n be_v very_o useful_a then_o and_o not_o at_o all_o useful_a now_o for_o now_o we_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o speak_v from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o which_o that_o excellent_a author_n there_o full_o manifest_v in_o a_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n why_o miracle_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v not_o now_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n st._n austin_n speak_v where_o he_o discourse_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n accepimus_fw-la majores_fw-la nostros_fw-la visibilia_fw-la miracula_fw-la secutos_fw-la esse_fw-la 25._o per_fw-la quos_fw-la id_fw-la actum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la necessaria_fw-la non_fw-la essent_fw-la posteris_fw-la because_o the_o world_n believe_v by_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v at_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n therefore_o miracle_n be_v no_o long_o necessary_a for_o we_o can_v conceive_v how_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v at_o first_o induce_v to_o believe_v without_o manifest_a and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n for_o as_o chrysostome_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o if_o the_o world_n shall_v believe_v without_o miracle_n which_o the_o poet_n dante_n be_v have_v well_o express_v in_o the_o twenty_o four_o canto_n of_o paradise_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v there_o bring_v in_o ask_v the_o poet_n upon_o what_o account_n he_o take_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o answer_n be_v probatio_fw-la quae_fw-la verum_fw-la hoc_fw-la mihi_fw-la recludit_fw-la sunt_fw-la opera_fw-la quae_fw-la secuta_fw-la sunt_fw-la ad_fw-la quae_fw-la natura_fw-la non_fw-la candefecit_fw-la ferrum_fw-la unquam_fw-la aut_fw-la percussit_fw-la incudem_fw-la i_o e._n the_o evidence_n of_o that_o be_v the_o divine_a power_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v in_o those_o who_o deliver_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n and_o when_o the_o apostle_n catechise_v he_o further_o how_o he_o know_v those_o miracle_n be_v such_o as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v viz._n that_o they_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a his_o answer_n be_v si_fw-mi orbis_fw-la terrae_fw-la seize_v convertit_fw-la ad_fw-la christianismum_fw-la inquiebam_fw-la ego_fw-la sine_fw-la miraculis_fw-la hoc_fw-la unum_fw-la est_fw-la tale_n ut_fw-la reliqua_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la ejus_fw-la cente_fw-la sima_fw-la pars_fw-la i_o e._n if_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n without_o miracle_n this_o will_v be_v so_o great_a a_o miracle_n that_o other_o be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o it_o i_o conclude_v this_o then_o with_o that_o know_a saying_n of_o st._n austin_n quisquis_fw-la adhuc_fw-la prodigia_fw-la ut_fw-la credat_fw-la inquirit_fw-la magnum_fw-la est_fw-la ipse_fw-la prodigium_fw-la qui_fw-la mundo_fw-la credente_fw-la 8._o non_fw-la credit_n he_o that_o seek_v for_o miracle_n still_o to_o induce_v he_o to_o faith_n when_o the_o world_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o need_v not_o seek_v for_o prodigy_n abroad_o he_o want_v only_o a_o look_a glass_n to_o discover_v one_o for_o as_o he_o go_v on_o unde_fw-la temporibus_fw-la erudit_fw-la be_v &_o omne_fw-la quod_fw-la fieri_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la respuentibus_fw-la sine_fw-la ullis_fw-la miraculis_fw-la nimium_fw-la mirabiliter_fw-la incredibiliter_fw-la credidit_fw-la mundus_fw-la whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o so_o learned_a and_o wary_a a_o age_n as_o that_o be_v which_o the_o apostle_n preach_v in_o the_o world_n without_o miracle_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o believe_v thing_n so_o strange_o incredible_a as_o those_o be_v which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n preach_v so_o that_o by_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o miracle_n be_v to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o make_v that_o appear_v credible_a which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v seem_v incredible_a but_o to_o what_o end_n now_o when_o this_o divine_a testimony_n be_v believe_v in_o the_o world_n shall_v miracle_n be_v continue_v among_o those_o who_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v divine_a the_o miracle_n wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v true_a and_o the_o scripture_n which_o contain_v both_o to_o be_v the_o undoubted_a word_n of_o god_n to_o what_o purpose_n then_o the_o huge_a outery_n of_o miracle_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v unless_o it_o be_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o ambition_n that_o church_n be_v of_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o he_o who_o come_n be_v after_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n and_o with_o all_o deceivableness_n 10._o of_o unrighteousness_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v for_o have_v they_o receive_v the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o will_v have_v believe_v it_o on_o the_o account_n of_o those_o miracle_n and_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o be_v wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o not_o have_v go_v about_o by_o their_o juggle_n and_o imposture_n in_o stead_n of_o bring_v man_n to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o make_v they_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o miracle_n when_o they_o see_v so_o many_o counterfeit_n have_v we_o not_o great_a assurance_n the_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o other_o design_n and_o interest_n then_o popish_a priest_n be_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o now_o any_o such_o necessity_n of_o miracle_n as_o there_o be_v then_o when_o a_o divine_a testimony_n reveal_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v confirm_v by_o they_o those_o miracle_n can_v be_v divine_a which_o be_v do_v now_o for_o 2._o the_o confirmation_n of_o any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o that_o divine_a testimony_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o uncontrolled_a divine_a miracle_n the_o case_n be_v not_o the_o same_o now_o which_o be_v before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n for_o than_o though_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n yet_o though_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n do_v null_a the_o obligation_n of_o that_o law_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o divine_a because_o god_n do_v not_o intend_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n to_o be_v perpetual_a and_o there_o be_v many_o prophecy_n which_o can_v not_o have_v their_o accomplishment_n but_o under_o a_o new_a state_n but_o now_o under_o the_o gospel_n god_n have_v declare_v this_o to_o be_v the_o last_o revelation_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o son_n that_o now_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v accomplish_v and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o new_a respect_n only_o the_o various_a condition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n without_o any_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o any_o further_a revelation_n of_o god_n mind_n and_o will_n to_o the_o world_n so_o that_o now_o the_o scripture_n be_v our_o adequate_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o according_a to_o which_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v all_o pretender_n to_o inspiration_n or_o miracle_n and_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n we_o be_v to_o proceed_v in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v propound_v to_o we_o to_o believe_v by_o any_o person_n upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o under_o the_o law_n after_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o law_n its_o self_n by_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n the_o rule_n of_o judge_v all_o pretender_n to_o miracle_n be_v by_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n if_o there_o arise_v 3._o among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o the_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v whereof_o he_o speak_v to_o thou_o say_v let_v we_o go_v after_o other_o god_n which_o thou_o have_v not_o know_v and_o let_v we_o serve_v they_o thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o your_o soul._n whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o after_o the_o true_a doctrine_n be_v confirm_v by_o divine_a miracle_n god_n may_v give_v the_o devil_n or_o false_a prophet_n power_n to_o work_v if_o not_o real_a miracle_n yet_o such_o as_o man_n can_v judge_v by_o the_o thing_n themselves_o whether_o they_o be_v real_a or_o no_o and_o