Item 4 (Argument), pp.339-340

Argument for children obeying their mothers

A most notorious case puts me upon making this remark and to collect what an eminent divine says about the authority of mothers and the obedience that is due to them whilst the father is alive;

...

it will dwell continually upon them and haunt them like an evil spirit they will wish a thousand times they had behaved themselves more dutifully kindly, and obediently ----

[Kugler notes that this "eminent divine" might be William Gouge (p.65). See his Of Domesticall Duties, pp.484-486.]

Item 50.2 (Argument, Political writing), p.51[rev]

Queries

Whether this is not an insinuation of some intended massacre, or great mischief?

...

especially since some of them have been talking of surprising things which will be suddenly acted; and insinuated as if they knew some great secret ----

Item 52 (Argument), p.52[rev]

Eikon Basilike.

Abel's paper the 31 of January going about to prove King Charles the author of Eikon Basilike; gave occasion for this reply.

...

But sooner, or later, the pious frauds of all parties will be manifest to the world.

[The argument Cowper is summarising was printed in the Flying Post, 5-7 February 1713.]

Item 36.3 (Argument), fol.[88v]

Dr. Sharp.

How many people see armies fighting in the air and assuredly persuade themselves and others that they do so?

...

When as in truth it is nothing but clouds formed into such shapes by the power of their imagination.

[This is the entire entry.]

Item 4.72 (Argument, Preface), fol.[480r]

Of the Revelation

Bishop Patrick It may be objected, that this Book of Visions was doubted of among some of the Ancient Christians.

...

Justin Martyr had that opinion of it, and so had Irenaeus, and Theophilus Antiochenus, and Origen , especially St Cyprian, who produces testimonies out of no book of the New Testament so oft as this.

[This is written in a slightly smaller hand than the surrounding text, and may have been added later.]

Item 7 (Argument), pp.205-222

Out of Burnets Theory of the World

Burnet's Theory A mean and narrowness of spirit or littleness of soul is a defect in the first make of some men's minds which can scarce ever be corrected afterwards either by learning or age.

...

'Tis true the other extreme is worse than this for to deny all miracles is in effect to deny all revealed religion therefore due measures are to be taken betwixt these two so as neither to make the divine power too mean and cheap, nor the power of nature illimited and all-sufficient.

Item 8 (Argument), pp.222-226

Bishop Croft his answer

Answer to Burnet There is nothing so great as to be above the divine care so neither is there anything so little as to be below it, this earth though it be a small part or particle of the universe hath a distinct system of providence belonging to it or an order established by the author of nature throughout the whole period of its duration.

...

O that I may value the discovery of divine truth beyond all earthly things.

Item 11 (Argument), p.273

Luther's Conference with the Devil

Objection against Luther Luther to preach against the mass was persuaded by reasons suggested to him by the Devil himself disputing with him.

...

Or that others would make his dissuasion from it an argument for it. (as we see papists do) and be afraid of following Luther as confessing himself to have been persuaded by the Devil.

Item 36 (Argument), p.[395]

This was found written with my Lord Anglesey's own hand in his Book of the King's Charles 1st Meditations

King Charles the 2d and the Duke of York, did both in the last session of parliament 1675. (when I shewed them in the Lord's House the written copy of this book, wherein are some corrections and alterations with the late King Charles the first's own hand) assure me that this book was none of the said king's compiling

...

but made by Dr Gauden Bishop of Exeter; which I here insert for the undeceiving of others in this point, by attesting so much under my hand.

Anglesey.

[

This is the entire entry.

The book is Eikon Basilike.

Item 5.2 (Argument), p.87

Argument for the usefulness of writing her own meditations

That I have set down these meditations I do not repent, though should I read the Bible a thousand times over I find it might ever afford fresh matter of observation, and variety of pious thoughts, would spring from that ever flowing fountain of divine truths.

...

So that what I have here said signifies nothing more than to shew with what application of mind the Holy Scripture ought to be read.

[This is the entire entry.]

Item 5.7 (Argument, Narrative), pp.146-148

Psalmanazar

The Lutheran is liable to many of the same absurdities with the Romish doctrine about the Eucharist, because consubstantiation denies the certainty of our senses in the proper objects, and consequently destroys the great evidence of the Christian religion.

...

A religion that was not embarrassed with any of those absurdities which are maintained by the many various sects in Christendom whereof he gave me a scheme in a mathematical method by way of definitions axioms, postulata, and propositions whereby I was through God's mercy delivered from the errors and superstitions of my pagan religion.

[The rubric is in the margin.]

Item 5.11 (Argument), p.176

Argument concerning Jesus's weakness in the Garden of Gethsemane

What is the reason that the Evangelists describe Jesus Christ weak and desponding in his agony?

...

And here, again is the remarkable difference, when He appears dejected, the affliction is such as proceeds from himself; but when afflicted by men, he is all courage and resolution.

[This is in a different hand from the surrounding text, indicating that it probably was added later.]

Item 5.12 (Argument), p.177

Objection | Psalmanazar | see page 196. 320

If the sacrificing of children by the parents seems so very unnatural, surely the death and passion of Christ shew much more cruelty.

...

For we must condemn that creditor as cruel and unjust who will not accept the money his debtor is not able to pay when it is offered to him by some other charitable and generous man.

[The rubric is in the margin.]

Item 4.4 (Argument), fol. 8r [p. 3]

summary and purpose

The cause which moved me to undertake this discourse was a childlike regard of my father's memory and honour

...

let me neither for love nor fear justify the guilty or condemn the innocent.

Item 4.1 (Verse, Argument), fol. 5v

The Argument of the first Book

The Poet Venus invocates and sings

...

And thus doth this first book abruptly end.

Item 5.1 (Verse, Argument), fol. 27v

The Argument of the second book

The vanity of wealth and greatness shown

...

And earth's exhausted strength now wear away.

Item 6.1 (Verse, Argument), fols. 51v-52r

The Argument of the third book

Praising that Greek who did these mysteries find

...

Unto Mankinds inevitable end.

Item 7.1 (Verse, Argument), fol. 76v

The Argument of the fourth book

The Poet first his owne high praises sings

...

Retain men's love, when beauty fades away.

Item 8.1 (Verse, Argument), fol. 100v

The Argument of the fifth Book

Preferred before great Hercules he sings

...

All else grew to those heights we see them now.

Item 9.1 (Verse, Argument), fol. 128v

The Argument of the sixth Booke

First Epicurus praised, who taught that Gods

...

Renowned Athens shut up all at last.