this time, with antient hiſtory. But this by the by.
§. 34. The other parts of this benediction, or grant, are ſo expreſſed, that they muſt needs be underſtood to belong equally to them all ; as much to Noah's ſons as to Noah himſelf, and not to his ſons with a ſubordination, or in ſucceſſion. The fear of you ; and the dread of you, ſays God, ſhall be upon every beaſt, &c. Will any body but our author ſay, that the creatures feared and ſtood in awe of Noah only, and not of his ſons without his leave, or till after his death? And the following words, into your hands they are delivered, are they to be underſtood as our author ſays, if your father pleaſe, or they ſhall be delivered into your hands hereafter ? If this be to argue from ſcripture, I know not what may not be proved by it ; and I can ſcarce ſee how much this differs from that fiction and fanſie, or how much a furer foundation it will prove, than the opinions of philoſophers and poets, which our author ſo much condemns in his preface.
§. 35. But our author goes on to prove, that it may beſt be underſtood with a ſubordination, or a benediction in ſucceſſion ; for, ſays he, it is not probable that the private dominion which God gave to Adam, and by his donation, aſſignation, or ceſſion to his children, was abrogated, and a community of all things inſtituted between Noah and his ſons-----Noah was left the ſole heir of the world; why ſhould it be thought
