of the Bible, and of all the Heathen Books are explained.

I find some of the Clergy are not willing to part with the Books they have been used to read, or to give any other Evidence, but fuch as they have ufed inftead of ftudying the Hebrew Scriptures, and fhewing their Perfections; let the Works of every ignorant Heathen be compared with them, nay, produce fuch to prove their Authority, and fuffer every Jefter to exercife his Wit, and play upon the Mistakes they have made in conftruing them. The Evidence of the Bible is in itself, and it makes every thing in the Names, on, and in the Earth, Evidence of its Author, and of its Veracity. It neither ftands, nor can fall by the Opinion of ignorant Heathens, nor of those who cannot read it, much less by Scoffers. It has, for fome time, been an evident Proof to me, as 'tis now to feveral, not only Divines, but others, that those who admit any fuch Comparisons, either never took Pains to confider, or have not Capacity to understand the Hebrew Scriptures.

I am forry the Clergy have made Miftakes, and have neglected to rectify them; but I must not let the Scripture

fuffer

fuffer upon that Account, I prefer it to them, and if they will not rectify those Things, I muft; I have no other View, but to fhew the Perfection of the Scriptures for the Benefit of Mankind; I have no private Advantage in doing it; indeed I am fufficiently recompenfed in spending my Time, my Fortune, nay, my Life in doing it. The Pleafure I receive in expofing the Ignorance, or, &c. of those who have endeavoured to invalidate the Scriptures, is not only a Reward, but the A&t is the greateft Honour and Service I can pay to the Authors of my Being; and fhewing it is the greatest Encouragement I can give to others, in profecuting that Defign. The little that I have difcovered there, is fufficient to set aside all the Wisdom of Men, and a little more Discovery of the infinite Treasure of the Knowledge, which I fee there, will not leave room for an Oppofer to open his Mouth, nor even to fhew his Face. I could employ my Time to greater Satisfaction, than in being a Scavenger; but I have fubmitted to that, for this Time, with Pleasure, that others may walk in clean Streets, and be freed from Nufances.

But

But to conclude, I cannot bear the mentioning of occult Virtues, and Powers iffuing out of Orbs, Solids, &c. none but Thales and a few Fools at the Time our Author cites his, ever dreamed of them, and they make them not interfere with, but Parts of Jupiter. I like Jupiter far better; because abundance of Nations in which were many greater Men than our Authors, worshipped him, and because that fluid Subftance is given us for an Idea of Jehovah, and the three Conditions in it, are given us for an Idea of the Aleim, the Perfons of the facred Trinity; and because that Fluid in its three Conditions, were appointed Rulers by the Aleim, and fupports us, and in it we live, move, and have our Being. Neither thefe nor their Antients could fee how Jupiter does what he does, without a Mind, Wif dom, &c. fo they have worshipped him; I have as much Refpect for Jupiter, as any one, who knows what he is, can have, and because I have fhewed the greatest Part, and can fhew the rest of what he does, and how he does every Action he does, without a Mind, or Wif dom, but fhews the Wisdom and Glory of Jehovah Aleim. I know 'tis to no

pur

purpofe to worship him; because, notwithstanding his fubftantial Prefence, and his imaginary Senforium, he is deaf and blind; and because when I fhall have most Need, as, Job xiv. 12. Their Deus in any of their Shapes will not be to be found, will be no more, nay, as 2 Pet. iii. 7. Nor the Place or Space of his Refidence, except this be a Hint that the Matter will endure, and that the Fire will be Hell for thofe, who have rejected the Evidence it gives, that the Perfons in the Trinity are of one or the fame Subftance.

ΕΙΝΙS.