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in_o his_o time_n have_v discover_v to_o they_o the_o punctuality_n of_o the_o declension_n set_v forth_o in_o the_o prophecy_n they_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o christ_n be_v come_v and_o they_o shall_v see_v that_o new_a kingdom_n in_o which_o all_o people_n be_v to_o be_v reunite_v one_o thing_n which_o they_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v that_o the_o power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n be_v take_v from_o they_o 13._o talm._n hierosol_n tr_fw-la sanhed_n dan._n 13._o that_o be_v a_o great_a change_n since_o they_o have_v ever_o enjoy_v that_o great_a privilege_n till_o then_o to_o what_o dominion_n soever_o they_o be_v subject_v nay_o even_o in_o babylon_n during_o their_o captivity_n the_o history_n of_o susanna_n plain_o enough_o show_v that_o and_o it_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a tradition_n among_o they_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n who_o reestablish_v they_o 26._o 1_o esdr_n 7.23_o 24_o 25_o 26._o leave_v they_o that_o power_n by_o a_o express_a decree_n which_o have_v be_v already_o observe_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n and_o we_o have_v also_o see_v that_o the_o first_o seleucides_n have_v rather_o enlarge_v than_o straighten_a their_o privilege_n i_o need_v not_o here_o to_o repeat_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o maccabee_n where_o they_o be_v not_o only_o enfranchise_v but_o become_v mighty_a and_o formidable_a to_o their_o enemy_n pompey_n who_o weaken_v they_o as_o we_o have_v already_o likewise_o see_v be_v content_a with_o the_o tribute_n he_o have_v lay_v upon_o they_o and_o with_o put_v they_o in_o such_o a_o condition_n that_o the_o people_n of_o rome_n may_v dispose_v of_o they_o upon_o occasion_n leave_v they_o their_o prince_n with_o all_o his_o jurisdiction_n it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o they_o receive_v such_o usage_n from_o the_o roman_n and_o that_o they_o never_o meddle_v with_o their_o government_n among_o themselves_o in_o those_o country_n where_o they_o suffer_v they_o to_o have_v their_o natural_a king_n in_o fine_a the_o jew_n be_v resolve_v to_o lose_v that_o power_n they_o have_v of_o life_n and_o death_n but_o forty_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v question_v whether_o this_o be_v not_o the_o first_o herod_n that_o ever_o attempt_v to_o make_v this_o breach_n on_o their_o liberty_n for_o since_o 17._o joseph_n of_o it_o 14._o 17._o as_o well_o to_o be_v revenge_v of_o the_o sanhedrim_n where_o he_o have_v himself_o be_v oblige_v to_o appear_v before_o he_o be_v make_v king_n as_o afterward_o to_o gain_v over_o to_o himself_o the_o absolute_a authority_n he_o have_v attack_v that_o assembly_n which_o be_v as_o the_o senate_n found_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o perpetual_a council_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o exercise_v the_o supreme_a jurisdiction_n by_o little_a and_o little_a that_o great_a body_n lose_v its_o power_n and_o but_o very_o little_a of_o it_o do_v remain_v at_o the_o time_n when_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n affair_n grow_v worse_a and_o worse_o under_o herod_n son_n when_o the_o kingdom_n of_o archelaus_n whereof_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o capital_a city_n be_v reduce_v into_o a_o roman_a province_n be_v govern_v by_o precedent_n who_o the_o emperor_n send_v thither_o in_o that_o wretched_a and_o pitiable_a estate_n the_o jew_n have_v so_o small_a a_o share_n of_o the_o power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n that_o to_o get_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n who_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o crucify_v whatsoever_o it_o shall_v cost_v they_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o pilate_n and_o that_o weak_a governor_n have_v tell_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v judge_v he_o to_o death_n by_o their_o own_o law_n they_o present_o answer_v he_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o they_o to_o put_v any_o man_n to_o death_n 3._o john_n 18_o 31._o act_n 12.1_o 2_o 3._o and_o so_o likewise_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o herod_n they_o cause_v st._n james_n the_o brother_n of_o st._n john_n to_o be_v behead_v and_o clap_v st._n peter_n into_o prison_n when_o they_o have_v resolve_v on_o the_o death_n of_o st._n paul_n they_o deliver_v he_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o roman_n as_o they_o have_v already_o do_v jesus_n christ_n 24._o act_n 24._o and_o the_o sacrilegious_a vow_n of_o their_o false_a zelots_n who_o have_v swear_v neither_o to_o eat_v or_o drink_v before_o they_o have_v kill_v that_o holy_a apostle_n sufficient_o discover_v that_o they_o be_v sensible_a they_o have_v lose_v their_o power_n of_o take_v away_o his_o life_n in_o a_o judicial_a course_n of_o proceed_v if_o they_o stone_v indeed_o st._n stephen_n that_o be_v do_v tumultuous_o by_o the_o rabble_n and_o by_o a_o effect_n of_o those_o seditious_a transport_v which_o the_o roman_n can_v not_o always_o suppress_v in_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o at_o that_o time_n the_o devout_a 58._o act_n 7.57_o 58._o this_o be_v hold_v for_o certain_a then_o as_o well_o by_o those_o history_n as_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o by_o the_o posture_n of_o their_o affair_n that_o towards_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o especial_o in_o that_o when_o he_o begin_v the_o exercise_n of_o his_o ministry_n they_o absolute_o lose_v their_o temporal_a authority_n they_o can_v not_o behold_v that_o their_o loss_n without_o remember_v that_o ancient_a oracle_n of_o jacob_n which_o have_v foretell_v they_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o long_o among_o they_o either_o power_n authority_n or_o magistracy_n one_o of_o their_o most_o ancient_a author_n take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v but_o reason_n in_o he_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o sceptre_n be_v not_o then_o in_o judah_n nor_o any_o authority_n among_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n see_v that_o the_o public_a power_n be_v take_v from_o they_o gen._n tract_n voc_fw-la magn_n gen._n seu_fw-la come_v in_o gen._n and_o the_o sanhedrim_n be_v degrade_v the_o member_n of_o that_o great_a body_n be_v no_o more_o look_v on_o as_o judge_n but_o as_o bare_a simple_a doctor_n therefore_o according_a to_o their_o own_o reckon_n it_o be_v much_o about_o the_o time_n that_o christ_n be_v to_o appear_v and_o as_o they_o see_v then_o that_o certain_a sign_n of_o this_o new_a king_n be_v come_v to_o be_v very_o near_o at_o hand_n who_o empire_n be_v to_o extend_v itself_o over_o all_o people_n they_o do_v effectual_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v appear_v the_o noise_n thereof_o spread_v itself_o round_o about_o and_o all_o the_o east_n be_v full_o persuade_v that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v long_o before_o they_o see_v come_v out_o of_o judah_n those_o who_o shall_v reign_v over_o all_o the_o earth_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n report_v this_o story_n as_o be_v establish_v by_o a_o positive_a opinion_n and_o by_o a_o ancient_a oracle_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o jew_n 44._o suet._n vespas_fw-la tacit._n l._n 5._o hist_o c._n 13._o joseph_n de_fw-fr bell_n jud._n 7.12_o hegisip_n de_fw-fr excid_n jer._n v._o 44._o josephus_n relate_v that_o prophecy_n in_o the_o same_o term_n and_o say_v as_o they_o do_v that_o it_o be_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n who_o prediction_n be_v see_v so_o visible_o accomplish_v in_o so_o many_o instance_n be_v very_o great_a in_o all_o the_o eastern_a country_n and_o the_o jew_n more_o attentive_a than_o any_o other_o in_o observe_v the_o several_a conjuncture_n which_o be_v chief_o write_v for_o their_o instruction_n acknowledge_v the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o jacob_n have_v point_v out_o in_o their_o declension_n thus_o the_o reflection_n they_o make_v upon_o their_o condition_n be_v very_o just_a and_o without_o be_v deceive_v about_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n advent_n they_o confess_v he_o be_v to_o come_v just_a in_o that_o very_a point_n of_o time_n he_o do_v but_o o_o the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a understanding_n and_o the_o vanity_n which_o be_v the_o inevitable_a source_n of_o blindness_n the_o humility_n of_o their_o saviour_n conceal_v from_o those_o proud_a soul_n the_o true_a grandeur_n which_o they_o be_v to_o look_v for_o in_o their_o messiah_n they_o will_v have_v have_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o king_n like_o to_o the_o other_o king_n of_o this_o world_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o the_o flatterer_n of_o the_o first_o herod_n dazzle_v with_o the_o greatness_n and_o magnificence_n of_o that_o prince_n who_o as_o much_o a_o tyrant_n as_o he_o be_v yet_o forget_v not_o to_o enrich_v judea_n herodian_a epiph._n lib._n 1._o haer_fw-mi 20._o herodian_a say_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v that_o king_n so_o much_o promise_v it_o be_v that_o also_o which_o give_v way_n to_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o herodian_o by_o who_o he_o be_v so_o much_o
they_o never_o think_v they_o do_v so_o constance_n who_o persecute_a st._n athanasius_n the_o defender_n of_o the_o ancient_a faith_n ardent_o desire_v say_v ammianus_n marcellinus_n 15._o id._n lib._n 15._o to_o get_v he_o condemn_v by_o the_o authority_n which_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v over_o the_o other_o by_o seek_v to_o support_v himself_o with_o that_o authority_n he_o make_v the_o heathen_n themselves_o sensible_a of_o what_o be_v want_v to_o his_o sect_n and_o honour_v the_o church_n from_o which_o the_o arrian_n have_v depart_v thus_o the_o gentile_n themselves_o acknowledge_v the_o catholic_n church_n if_o any_o one_o ask_v they_o where_o they_o keep_v their_o assembly_n and_o who_o be_v their_o bishop_n they_o never_o deceive_v they_o as_o for_o heresy_n whatsoever_o they_o make_v they_o can_v never_o get_v rid_v of_o the_o name_n of_o then_o author_n the_o sabellian_o the_o paulianist_n the_o arrian_n the_o pelagian_o and_o the_o rest_n be_v scandalize_v in_o vain_a at_o the_o title_n of_o the_o faction_n which_o be_v give_v to_o they_o the_o world_n whatsoever_o they_o can_v do_v will_v speak_v natural_o and_o design_v every_o sect_n by_o he_o from_o who_o it_o first_o spring_v as_o for_o the_o great_a church_n the_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n it_o be_v always_o impossible_a to_o affix_v any_o other_o author_n to_o it_o than_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o nor_o to_o assign_v to_o it_o the_o first_o of_o its_o pastor_n without_o go_v up_o as_o high_a as_o to_o the_o very_a apostle_n nor_o to_o give_v it_o any_o other_o name_n than_o what_o it_o have_v before_o take_v so_o that_o what_o heretic_n soever_o be_v make_v they_o can_v not_o conceal_v it_o from_o the_o heathen_n she_o open_v to_o they_o her_o bosom_n all_o â—he_n world_n over_o and_o they_o run_v to_o she_o in_o troop_n some_o of_o they_o be_v possible_o lose_v in_o the_o by-path_n but_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o great_a way_n wherein_o enter_v always_o most_o 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superfluous_a wood_n serve_v but_o to_o make_v the_o fruit_n come_v better_o in_o fine_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n we_o shall_v always_o find_v that_o when_o ever_o one_o heresy_n impair_v it_o she_o recover_v her_o loss_n both_o by_o enlarge_n outward_o and_o increase_v inward_o light_a and_o piety_n whilst_o she_o behold_v in_o some_o distant_a corner_n the_o cut_v off_o branch_n to_o dry_a and_o wither_v the_o work_n of_o man_n be_v perish_v notwithstanding_o the_o power_n of_o hell_n to_o support_v it_o the_o work_n of_o god_n have_v continue_v and_o the_o church_n have_v triumph_v over_o idolatry_n and_o all_o error_n whatsoever_o this_o church_n so_o always_o attack_v scripture_n xiii_o general_a reflection_n on_o the_o progress_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o relation_n there_o be_v between_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n yet_o never_o overcome_v be_v a_o perpetual_a miracle_n and_o a_o clear_a and_o shine_a testimony_n of_o the_o immutability_n of_o the_o divine_a council_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o agitation_n of_o humane_a affair_n she_o still_o support_v herself_o with_o a_o invincible_a force_n so_o that_o by_o a_o uninterrupted_a course_n for_o near_o these_o seventeen_o hundred_o year_n do_v we_o see_v she_o come_v up_o even_o to_o jesus_n christ_n in_o who_o she_o have_v collect_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o ancient_a people_n and_o be_v find_v reunite_v to_o the_o prophet_n and_o patriarch_n and_o so_o many_o astonish_a miracle_n which_o the_o hebrew_n of_o old_a see_v with_o their_o eye_n do_v still_o serve_v at_o this_o day_n to_o confirm_v our_o faith_n that_o great_a god_n who_o wrought_v they_o for_o a_o testimony_n of_o his_o unity_n and_o his_o almightiness_n what_o can_v he_o do_v more_o authentic_a to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o they_o than_o to_o leave_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o so_o great_a a_o people_n the_o act_n which_o punctual_o attest_v they_o in_o order_n of_o time_n this_o be_v what_o we_o now_o have_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a book_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n in_o those_o book_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o of_o antiquity_n where_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v teach_v and_o his_o service_n ordain_v in_o those_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o so_o religious_o keep_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o be_v the_o only_a people_n who_o original_o know_v god_n the_o creator_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o consequent_o the_o only_a people_n to_o who_o the_o divine_a secret_n be_v to_o be_v commit_v they_o also_o keep_v they_o with_o a_o most_o religious_a care_n those_o book_n which_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o other_o people_n call_v divine_a be_v lose_v long_o since_o and_o there_o scarce_o remain_v so_o much_o as_o any_o confuse_a remembrance_n of_o they_o in_o ancient_a history_n the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o roman_n wherein_o numa_n the_o author_n of_o their_o religion_n have_v write_v the_o mystery_n of_o they_o be_v perish_v even_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o roman_n themselves_o and_o the_o senate_n command_v they_o to_o be_v burn_v as_o tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o religion_n and_o those_o same_o roman_n at_o last_o suffer_v likewise_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n 34._o tit._n liv._o li._n 40._o c._n 29._o varr._n l._n the_o cult_a dear_a ap_fw-mi aug._n the_o civ_o 12._o 34._o to_o be_v destroy_v which_o be_v for_o so_o long_a time_n reverence_v by_o they_o as_o prophetical_a and_o wherein_o they_o will_v make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o they_o find_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o immortal_a god_n concern_v their_o empire_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o they_o never_o publish_v i_o do_v not_o say_v one_o single_a volume_n but_o so_o much_o as_o one_o single_a oracle_n it_o have_v be_v only_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v have_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n in_o so_o much_o the_o great_a veneration_n as_o they_o 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all_o that_o have_v be_v careful_a of_o their_o salvation_n the_o world_n be_v inform_v the_o world_n have_v believe_v and_o if_o we_o have_v but_o ever_o so_o little_o consider_v the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n we_o must_v avow_v that_o never_o have_v any_o thing_n be_v determine_v with_o more_o of_o reflection_n and_o knowledge_n but_o as_o to_o the_o relation_n which_o the_o book_n of_o the_o two_o testament_n have_v to_o one_o another_o there_o be_v one_o difference_n to_o be_v consider_v that_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o ancient_a people_n be_v compose_v at_o divers_a time_n some_o be_v the_o time_n of_o moses_n other_o those_o of_o joshua_n and_o the_o judge_n and_o other_o of_o the_o king_n some_o be_v those_o when_o the_o people_n be_v bring_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o receive_v the_o law_n other_o those_o when_o they_o obtain_v the_o
persuade_v a_o whole_a nation_n even_o the_o old_a man_n who_o have_v see_v that_o prophet_n and_o have_v always_o look_v for_o that_o miraculous_a deliverance_n which_o he_o have_v foretell_v they_o of_o esdras_n and_o nehemiah_n can_v not_o have_v write_v the_o history_n of_o their_o time_n some_o other_o must_v have_v do_v it_o in_o their_o name_n and_o those_o who_o have_v make_v all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n will_v have_v be_v so_o esteem_v by_o posterity_n that_o the_o other_o falsifyer_n will_v have_v gain_v little_a credit_n to_o their_o imposture_n no_o doubt_n but_o they_o will_v have_v be_v ashamed_a of_o so_o many_o extravagancy_n and_o instead_o of_o say_v that_o esdras_n have_v of_o a_o sudden_a bring_v to_o light_v so_o many_o book_n so_o different_a one_o from_o the_o other_o by_o the_o character_n both_o of_o style_n and_o time_n one_o must_v affirm_v that_o he_o may_v have_v insert_v into_o they_o the_o miracle_n and_o prediction_n which_o make_v they_o to_o pass_v for_o divine_a a_o error_n more_o gross_a still_o than_o the_o former_a since_o that_o those_o miracle_n and_o those_o prediction_n be_v so_o intersperse_v in_o all_o those_o book_n so_o often_o inculcate_v and_o repeat_v with_o such_o different_a turn_n and_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o powerful_a figure_n in_o a_o word_n they_o have_v so_o constitute_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o that_o if_o we_o have_v ever_o but_o so_o much_o as_o open_v those_o holy_a book_n we_o must_v see_v that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o easy_a perfect_o to_o make_v a_o new_a model_n of_o they_o than_o to_o insert_v in_o they_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o incredulous_a be_v so_o much_o puzzle_v to_o find_v there_o and_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v they_o whatsoever_o they_o ask_v yet_o the_o miraculous_a and_o divine_a part_n be_v so_o much_o the_o foundation_n of_o those_o book_n that_o they_o must_v be_v yet_o acknowledge_v whatsoever_o aversion_n any_o 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manner_n but_o by_o their_o distort_a reason_n let_v none_o say_v that_o the_o discussion_n of_o these_o matter_n be_v perplex_v and_o troublesome_a for_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o they_o must_v either_o lay_v the_o charge_n of_o it_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o so_o many_o age_n or_o else_o push_v on_o the_o examination_n to_o the_o utmost_a extremity_n and_o never_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v rid_v of_o it_o but_o say_v they_o require_v still_o more_o time_n than_o will_v be_v give_v to_o their_o salvation_n but_o certain_o not_o to_o turn_v over_o the_o book_n of_o both_o the_o testament_n with_o a_o endless_a labour_n we_o need_v only_o read_v the_o book_n of_o psalm_n where_o be_v collect_v so_o many_o ancient_a song_n of_o god_n people_n to_o see_v there_o in_o the_o most_o divine_a poetry_n that_o ever_o be_v the_o immortal_a monument_n of_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n of_o that_o of_o the_o judge_n and_o king_n imprint_v by_o song_n and_o measure_n in_o man_n mind_n and_o for_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o bare_a epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n so_o lively_a and_o original_a so_o strong_a as_o to_o time_n both_o of_o the_o affair_n and_o motion_n which_o then_o be_v and_o in_o short_a of_o so_o point_v a_o character_n those_o epistle_n i_o say_v receive_v by_o the_o church_n to_o which_o they_o be_v address_v and_o from_o thence_o communicate_v to_o other_o church_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v all_o honest_a mind_n that_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v leave_v we_o be_v according_a to_o the_o original_a so_o likewise_o do_v they_o support_v one_o another_o with_o a_o invincible_a force_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v but_o a_o continuation_n of_o the_o gospel_n their_o epistle_n suppose_v it_o necessary_a but_o that_o all_o may_v agree_v together_o both_o the_o act_n and_o the_o epistle_n and_o gospel_n do_v every_o where_o own_o the_o ancient_a book_n of_o the_o jew_n st._n paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v continual_o allege_v what_o moses_n have_v say_v 10.5.19_o act._n 3.22.7.31_o 32_o etc._n etc._n rom._n 10.5.19_o what_o the_o prophet_n have_v say_v and_o write_v after_o moses_n jesus_n christ_n call_v to_o witness_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o psalm_n as_o witness_n who_o all_o depose_v the_o same_o truth_n when_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o explain_v his_o mystery_n 47._o ibid._n 27._o john_n 5.46_o 47._o he_o begin_v at_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n and_o when_o he_o tell_v the_o jew_n that_o moses_n write_v of_o he_o he_o lay_v down_o for_o a_o foundation_n what_o be_v most_o certain_o believe_v among_o they_o and_o bring_v they_o back_o to_o the_o very_a spring_n head_n of_o their_o own_o tradition_n but_o however_o we_o will_v see_v what_o can_v be_v oppose_v to_o this_o so_o acknowledge_v a_o authority_n and_o to_o the_o consent_n of_o so_o many_o age_n for_o since_o in_o our_o day_n man_n have_v be_v so_o presumptuous_a and_o dare_a as_o to_o print_v in_o all_o sort_n of_o language_n book_n against_o the_o scripture_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o dissemble_v or_o conceal_v what_o they_o allege_v for_o the_o decry_v its_o antiquity_n therefore_o what_o say_v they_o to_o justify_v the_o pentateuch_n be_v supposititious_a and_o what_o can_v be_v object_v to_o a_o tradition_n of_o three_o thousand_o year_n stand_v uphold_v by_o its_o own_o power_n and_o by_o the_o course_n of_o thing_n nothing_o of_o consequence_n nothing_o that_o be_v positive_a nothing_o that_o be_v of_o weight_n and_o substance_n some_o little_a chicanery_n and_o quarrel_n they_o have_v at_o number_n place_n and_o name_n and_o such_o observation_n that_o in_o all_o other_o matter_n be_v reckon_v at_o most_o but_o as_o vain_a curiosity_n uncapable_a of_o reach_v the_o stress_n of_o the_o case_n be_v here_o allege_v to_o we_o by_o way_n of_o decision_n of_o a_o affair_n the_o most_o serious_a that_o ever_o be_v there_o be_v say_v they_o difficulty_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o scripture_n no_o question_n to_o be_v make_v on_o it_o which_o yet_o there_o will_v not_o be_v weâ—e_v the_o book_n less_o ancient_a or_o have_v they_o be_v supposititious_a and_o make_v as_o they_o be_v so_o bold_a to_o say_v by_o a_o cunning_a and_o industrious_a man_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o religious_a as_o to_o give_v it_o we_o as_o they_o find_v it_o but_o have_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o correct_v it_o where_o it_o do_v not_o please_v they_o there_o be_v difficulty_n which_o arise_v by_o length_n of_o time_n when_o place_n have_v change_v their_o name_n or_o condition_n when_o date_n be_v forget_v when_o genealogy_n be_v no_o further_o know_v when_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o the_o fault_n which_o a_o copy_n
though_o never_o so_o little_o mistake_v so_o easy_o introduce_v in_o such_o thing_n or_o that_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o have_v slip_v out_o of_o man_n memory_n do_v leave_v a_o darkness_n upon_o some_o part_n of_o the_o history_n but_o than_o be_v this_o obscurity_n in_o the_o issue_n itself_o or_o in_o the_o stress_n of_o this_o affair_n by_o no_o mean_n all_o there_o be_v follow_v and_o that_o which_o be_v obscure_a serve_v only_o to_o let_v we_o see_v a_o more_o venerable_a antiquity_n in_o those_o holy_a book_n but_o there_o be_v alteration_n in_o the_o text_n the_o ancient_a version_n do_v not_o agree_v together_o the_o hebrew_n in_o several_a place_n be_v different_a from_o itself_o and_o the_o text_n of_o the_o samaritan_n beside_o the_o word_n which_o they_o accuse_v they_o of_o for_o change_v it_o express_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o gerizim_n differ_v also_o in_o many_o other_o place_n from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o from_o thence_o what_o do_v they_o conclude_v that_o the_o jew_n or_o else_o esdras_n have_v contrive_v the_o pentateuch_n at_o the_o return_n of_o the_o captivity_n it_o be_v just_a the_o contrary_a that_o they_o shall_v conclude_v the_o difference_n of_o the_o samaritane_n serve_v only_o to_o confirm_v what_o we_o have_v already_o establish_v that_o their_o text_n be_v independent_a from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n so_o far_o can_v we_o be_v from_o imagine_v that_o those_o schismatic_n take_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o jew_n and_o esdras_n that_o we_o have_v see_v exact_o to_o the_o contrary_a that_o it_o be_v in_o spite_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o esdras_n and_o in_o hatred_n of_o both_o the_o first_o and_o the_o second_o temple_n that_o they_o invent_v their_o chimaera_n of_o gerizim_n 63._o v._o sup_v 1._o p._n 49._o &_o seq_n 57_o 63._o who_o therefore_o do_v not_o see_v it_o plain_a that_o they_o will_v rather_o have_v accuse_v the_o imposhires_n of_o the_o jew_n than_o follow_v they_o those_o rebel_n who_o scorn_v both_o esdras_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o their_o temple_n and_o solomon_n that_o build_v it_o as_o well_o as_o david_n who_o have_v assign_v the_o place_n of_o it_o what_o do_v they_o regard_v in_o their_o pentateuch_n if_o not_o a_o antiquity_n superior_a not_o only_o to_o that_o of_o esdras_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o also_o to_o that_o of_o solomon_n and_o david_n in_o a_o word_n the_o antiquity_n of_o moses_n wherein_o they_o both_o agree_v how_o indisputable_a then_o be_v moses_n his_o authority_n and_o that_o of_o the_o pentateuch_n that_o all_o the_o objection_n tend_v only_o to_o the_o affirmation_n of_o it_o but_o then_o from_o whence_o come_v those_o variety_n of_o text_n and_o version_n from_o whence_o indeed_o unless_o from_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o book_n itself_o which_o have_v go_v through_o the_o hand_n of_o so_o many_o transcribe_n for_o so_o many_o age_n that_o the_o language_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v be_v almost_o now_o wear_v out_o but_o let_v we_o leave_v these_o vain_a dispute_n and_o in_o one_o word_n pluck_v up_o the_o difficulty_n by_o the_o root_n let_v any_o one_o say_v if_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a that_o in_o all_o the_o version_n and_o text_n that_o be_v there_o be_v still_o to_o be_v find_v the_o same_o law_n the_o same_o miracle_n the_o same_o prediction_n the_o same_o train_n of_o history_n the_o same_o body_n of_o doctrine_n and_o in_o short_a the_o same_o substance_n wherein_o then_o after_o all_o this_o do_v the_o variety_n of_o text_n hurt_v what_o do_v we_o need_v further_o than_o this_o unalterable_a fond_a of_o the_o sacred_a book_n and_o what_o can_v we_o demand_v more_o of_o the_o divine_a providence_n and_o as_o for_o the_o version_n be_v that_o a_o sign_n of_o forgery_n or_o novelty_n that_o the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o ancient_a that_o the_o delicacy_n of_o it_o now_o be_v lose_v and_o we_o find_v ourselves_o puzzle_v to_o give_v it_o all_o its_o elegance_n and_o to_o express_v it_o in_o its_o full_a sense_n and_o power_n of_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o rather_o a_o proof_n of_o its_o great_a antiquity_n and_o if_o one_o will_v stand_v upon_o little_a trifle_a matter_n let_v any_o one_o tell_v i_o if_o in_o those_o several_a place_n wherein_o they_o have_v find_v themselves_o perplex_v any_o one_o of_o they_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o reason_n or_o by_o conjecture_n we_o have_v follow_v the_o faith_n of_o example_n and_o as_o tradition_n never_o permit_v the_o sound_a doctrine_n to_o be_v alter_v so_o we_o think_v that_o the_o other_o fault_n it_o there_o be_v any_o serve_v only_o to_o prove_v that_o none_o have_v innovate_v any_o thing_n here_o by_o the_o dictate_v of_o their_o own_o spirit_n but_o now_o here_o be_v at_o last_o the_o main_a stress_n of_o the_o objection_n be_v there_o not_o some_o thing_n add_v in_o moses_n text_n and_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o we_o find_v his_o death_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o book_n that_o be_v attribute_v to_o he_o what_o marvel_n be_v this_o that_o those_o who_o continue_v his_o history_n shall_v have_v add_v his_o happy_a end_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o action_n and_o so_o to_o make_v one_o and_o the_o same_o body_n of_o the_o whole_a for_o the_o other_o addition_n let_v we_o see_v what_o they_o be_v be_v there_o any_o new_a law_n or_o any_o new_a ceremony_n any_o dogma_fw-la any_o miracle_n or_o any_o prediction_n they_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o dream_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o it_o nor_o the_o least_o sign_n that_o have_v be_v to_o add_v to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n the_o law_n have_v forbid_v it_o and_o the_o scandal_n it_o will_v have_v occasion_v will_v have_v be_v very_o horrible_a what_o then_o 220._o deut._n 4.12.12.5_o supra_fw-la 2._o part_n p._n 220._o why_o they_o may_v have_v continue_v perhaps_o a_o genealogy_n that_o he_o have_v begin_v or_o possible_o may_v have_v explain_v the_o name_n of_o a_o town_n change_v by_o time_n upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o manna_n wherewith_o the_o people_n be_v feed_v for_o forty_o year_n they_o may_v have_v particularise_v the_o time_n when_o that_o heavenly_a nourishment_n cease_v and_o that_o fact_n write_v since_o in_o another_o book_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o remark_n 16.35_o jos_n 5.12_o exod_n 16.35_o upon_o that_o of_o moses_n as_o a_o manifest_a and_o public_a fact_n of_o which_o all_o the_o people_n be_v witness_n and_o four_o or_o five_o remark_n of_o this_o nature_n make_v by_o josuah_n or_o samuel_n or_o some_o other_o prophet_n of_o a_o like_a antiquity_n because_o they_o have_v only_o regard_v to_o notorious_a fact_n and_o where_o there_o be_v apparent_o no_o difficulty_n may_v have_v natural_o pass_v into_o the_o text_n and_o the_o same_o tradition_n may_v have_v bring_v they_o down_o to_o we_o with_o all_o the_o rest_n shall_v present_o all_o be_v lose_v shall_v esdras_n be_v accuse_v through_o the_o samaritane_n where_o those_o remark_n be_v find_v show_v we_o that_o they_o have_v a_o antiquity_n not_o only_o above_o esdras_n but_o above_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n it_o matter_n not_o all_o must_v fall_v upon_o esdras_n if_o those_o remark_n come_v high_a the_o pentateuch_n will_v be_v then_o more_o ancient_a than_o it_o ought_v and_o we_o can_v not_o pay_v reverence_n enough_o to_o the_o antiquity_n of_o a_o book_n the_o very_a note_n whereof_o will_v be_v of_o so_o great_a a_o age._n esdras_n therefore_o may_v have_v do_v all_o esdras_n may_v have_v forget_v when_o he_o will_v make_v moses_n to_o speak_v and_o may_v have_v make_v he_o to_o write_v so_o gross_o as_o you_o see_v what_o thing_n do_v happen_v after_o his_o time_n shall_v a_o whole_a work_n be_v convict_v of_o forgery_n by_o this_o only_a place_n the_o authority_n of_o so_o many_o age_n and_o the_o public_a faith_n will_v then_o be_v of_o no_o further_a stead_n to_o he_o as_o if_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o those_o remark_n which_o they_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o be_v a_o new_a proof_n of_o sincerity_n and_o integrity_n not_o only_o in_o those_o that_o make_v they_o but_o also_o in_o those_o that_o transcribe_v they_o have_v there_o ever_o judgement_n pass_v on_o the_o authority_n i_o do_v not_o say_v of_o a_o divine_a book_n but_o of_o any_o book_n whatsoever_o upon_o such_o slight_a and_o trivial_a reason_n but_o it_o seem_v the_o scripture_n be_v a_o book_n that_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o mankind_n it_o will_v oblige_v man_n to_o submit_v their_o mind_n to_o god_n to_o suppress_v their_o disorderly_a passion_n but_o man_n be_v bend_v upon_o his_o own_o destruction_n and_o let_v the_o reward_n be_v what_o it_o will_v he_o will_v make_v himself_o a_o