and Tenor of the Scripture being agreeable to such an Interpretation, we have abundantly more Reason to _reject_, than to _admit_ of the Sense, in which these Gentlemen are pleased to understand and expound many Texts of the _Bible_, relating to this and other affinitive Points. I would not, as I observed before, presume to impose on the Reader's Time and Patience, by entering unnecessarily into the scriptural Part of the Argument; yet I must beg Leave, to make now and then an Observation or two as I go along: And the first Thing that falls in my way is, the Story of _Jacob_ and _Esau_, and the Account which Mr. _Cole_ gives of it. He not only relates the Story, but assures us, that _Jacob's_ obtaining the Blessing was of Divine Appointment, and (what is more extraordinary) that the _Falsehood_ and _Fraud_ he practised to accomplish it, was all of God's own immediate Direction; and this he gives as an Instance of God's _Sovereignty_, and proceeding contrary to the moral Fitness of Things, and the Nature of those Laws he hath given to Man. That God intended _Jacob_ the _Blessing_, or preferred him to _Esau_, I readily grant; but cannot admit it to be inferred from thence, that the Means, by which it was, as we reckon, accomplished, were _Divine_ also: There is a more natural or (at least) more justifiable way of accounting for the whole Matter. According to the History, it seems plain, that _Rebecca_ only, and not her Husband, was privy to this Designation of the _Deity:_ she had upon Inquiry (when with Child) received such an Assurance from the Lord; which might be the _first Cause_ of her preferring _Jacob_ to _Esau_, and which in Time, 'tis probable, grew up into a much greater Degree of _Partiality_ and _Fondness:_ All this Time the good Old _Patriarch_, her Husband, seems to have been entirely unacquainted with the Affair. And when the Time drew nigh, in which, according (as some think) to Custom, he was about to _bless_ his _eldest_ Son, _Rebecca_ then grew diffident of the Accomplishment of the Promise made in _Jacob's_ Behalf, and applied herself to the Means, which the Text tells us was used on that Occasion. As to the Authority those Heads of Families had to _confer Benefits_ on their Offspring, by way of _Blessing_, though I shall not now much contend about it, yet give me Leave to make a few Observations. It don't appear to me that _Isaac_, in giving his Blessing, did so properly or so much bestow it on the _Person_ of _Jacob_ present, as he did on the _Person_ of _Esau_ absent; because it is the Intention which ought principally to be regarded, and _Esau_ undoubtedly was intended. Again, this way of blessing, if considered in itself as a mere Tradition, could be _no more_ efficacious, than what now prevails in some Parts of the _Christian Church_. All true Authority of this kind (if any there be) must result from _immediate Inspiration and Command;_ and whether _Isaac_ had these Qualifications, while _Jacob_ stood before him,