A44687:145
The reconcilableness of God's prescience of the sins of men with the wisdom and…The reconcileableness of God's prescience of the sins of men with the wisdom and…
The reconcilableness of God's prescience of the sins of men with the wisdom and sincerity of his counsels, exhortations, and whatsoever other means he uses to prevent them / in a letter to the Honourable Robert Boyle Esq.The reconcileableness of God's prescience of the sins of men with the wisdom and sincerity of his counsels, exhortations, and whatsoever other means he uses to prevent them / in a letter to the Honorable Robert Boyle Esq.
London: printed for Brabazon Aylmer, 1677
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And first, that we may understand the true import of the expressions which we have mentioned, and others of like sound and meaning. We are to consider, that (tho being taken severally and apart, they are not capable of a sense, prejudicial to the cause, the defence whereof we have undertaken, which we shall afterwards more distinctly evince, yet) it were very injurious, to go about to affix a sense, unto a single expression, without weighing the general design of the writings, whereof it is a part.
It were quite to frustrate the use of words, when a matter is ⟨p. 85⟩to be represented, that is copious, and consists of many parts and branches; which cannot be comprehended in one, or a few sentences, if we will pretend to estimate, and make a judgment of the Speakers full meaning, by this or that single passage, only, because we have not patience, or leisure, to hear the rest; or perhaps have a greater disposition to cavil his words, than understand his meaning.
It were qite to frustrate the use of words, when a matter is ⟨p. 85⟩to be represented, that is copious, and consists of many parts and branches; which cannot be comprehended in one, or a few sentences, if we will pretend to estimate, and make a judgment of the Speakers full meaning, by this or that single passage, only, because we have not patience, or leasure, to hear the rest; or perhaps have a greater disposition to cavil his words, than understand his meaning.
If a Course resembling this should be taken, in interpreting the Edicts, or Laws of Princes, and States (suppose it were a Proclamation of Pardon to delinquent Subjects) and only this or that favourable clause be fastened upon, without regard to the inserted Proviso's and Conditions; The (concerned) interpreters