ESSAY Towards VINDICATING the LITERAL SENSE OF THE DEMONIACKS, ΙΝ ΤΗΕ New Teftament; In answer to a late Enquiry into the Εθεώρεν τὸν σαταναν ὡς ἀτραπὴν ἐκ τῇ ἐρανε LONDON: Printed by J. BETTENHAM, 1252 AN ESSAY Towards VINDICATING the LITERAL SENSE Of the DEMONIACKs in the NEW TESTAMENT, &c. I T is, no doubt, a very commendable Em ployment, and a very ufeful Defign, to endeavour to clear up the Difficulties of Scripture, to let in Light to any of its dark Paffages, to folve the Doubts, and answer the Objections, which may have been raifed, concerning them. And it is as unquestionably our Du ty to receive fuch Interpretations, as contribute moft to thefe Ends. Si nufquam occulta effet Scriptura, non te exerceret. For these, as well as other Reasons, GOD might please to leave A 2 fome fome Difficulties in the Sacred Writings, to exercise our Diligence in enquiring, and to try our Honesty, in adhering to what, upon Enquiry, appears beft. It is more to be defired, than expected, to be able, in every Cafe, to hit on an Interpretation, which is perfectly fatisfactory, and which leaves no just room for any farther 'Contention. There are Places capable of feveral Senfes, for all of which a great deal may be faid; and yet not one of them raife in the Mind fo full an Affent, as to put an end to all Doubt. Here, it must be reasonable to examine carefully each Meaning, to weigh impartially their several Difficulties and Advantages, and receive that, which, on the whole, we find attended with feweft Objections, tho' it may not be free from all. Where we cannot come at abfolute Certainty, we must be content with the best Light we can get, and embrace what appears moft probable. This will often happen in our Study of the Scriptures, of thofe Parts of them, which do not immediately relate to Articles of Faith, or Rules of Life. In general, I believe it must be allowed, that the Prefumption lies on the Side of the literal Meaning of any Book. This will ever firft occur to the Mind of the Reader, and feems to claim his Attention, unless it be contrary to any allowed Principles, inconfiftent with the reafoning in the fame Place, or with the clear Sense of the fame Book in any other part. Indeed, if if common Sentiments be not at all intelligible, no one wants an Excufe, for varying from them, Eng. p. 43; and we are at liberty to feek out for, or even to guess at, another Suppofition which is fo. And if this Suppofition be also rational, we are obliged to receive it. But there is a wide difference between a Meaning's being entirely unintelligible, and its being attended with Difficulties. Our Ignorance of the Reason is no fort of Argument against the Fact. There are few Truths, which we can perfectly account for. Tho' therefore the plain literal Meaning fhould have fome Difficulties, ftill it may stand, and thefe not be confiderable enough to difprove it. I own, if another Senfe can be found out clear of all such, or, which has much fewer and lighter, on the Comparifon, it is to be chofen. But the Letter ought always to be adhered to, where the Difficulties are equal, and much more, where they are greater on the Side of the Figure. I am led into thefe Reflections by reading a late Tract, entitled, An Enquiry into the Meaning of Demoniacks in the New Teftament. The Author, or * Authors of which have, with Learning and Ingenuity, with Seriousness and Modefty, endeavoured to remove and to clear up a Difficulty, which is faid naturally to arife in * I mention this, merely, because the unusual Number of initial Letters in the Title Page may denote feveral Hands concerned. For the future, I beg leave to speak of the Author, or to ap ply to him, in the Singular, moft |