long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
joshua_n concern_v the_o several_a blessing_n and_o curse_n which_o be_v to_o be_v pronounce_v upon_o the_o mount_v ebal_n and_o gerizim_n because_o the_o form_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v public_a and_o authentic_a the_o same_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o the_o first-fruit_n and_o upon_o the_o prayer_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o tithe_n of_o the_o three_o year_n as_o likewise_o upon_o many_o other_o law_n four_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o book_n be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n according_a to_o the_o injunction_n of_o that_o law_n which_o we_o find_v deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 10_o 11._o which_o be_v command_v to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o posterity_n as_o it_o be_v intimate_v in_o the_o thirteen_o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n whereupon_o it_o may_v not_o be_v preposterous_a to_o consider_v here_o god_n method_n to_o prevent_v all_o forgery_n and_o imposture_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v during_o the_o longaevity_n of_o human_a life_n a_o constant_a and_o universal_a custom_n among_o all_o the_o patriarch_n to_o moses_n time_n to_o put_v when_o they_o lie_v on_o their_o death_n bed_n their_o posterity_n in_o mind_n of_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n and_o of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o religion_n because_o as_o all_o admonition_n and_o exhortation_n make_v at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o sincere_a so_o they_o seldom_o fail_v of_o be_v favourable_o construe_v and_o better_o entertain_v than_o they_o will_v be_v at_o any_o other_o time_n we_o have_v as_o instance_n of_o this_o ancient_a custom_n the_o example_n of_o abraham_n of_o isaac_n of_o jacob_n of_o joseph_n etc._n etc._n who_o in_o that_o i_o make_v no_o doubt_n follow_v the_o custom_n of_o their_o pious_a ancestor_n who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n derive_v it_o from_o adam_n himself_o that_o custom_n we_o see_v be_v of_o a_o admirable_a use_n to_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o illustrious_a transaction_n what_o be_v then_o speak_v by_o those_o pious_a venerable_a man_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o public_a sermon_n because_o it_o be_v deliver_v before_o those_o numerous_a family_n which_o meet_v then_o altogether_o about_o the_o bed_n of_o their_o common_a head_n and_o father_n and_o that_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n as_o do_v extraordinary_o excite_v their_o attention_n to_o this_o custom_n succeed_v another_o which_o be_v that_o when_o the_o great_a captain_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v sensible_a of_o their_o approach_a death_n than_o they_o usual_o call_v the_o people_n together_o to_o give_v they_o such_o exhortation_n reproof_n and_o admonition_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o proper_a either_o for_o their_o encouragement_n or_o for_o their_o reformation_n nay_o and_o that_o even_o in_o some_o occasion_n many_o of_o they_o have_v affect_v to_o have_v their_o speech_n make_v public_a and_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n thus_o do_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n and_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o judge_n and_o samuel_n and_o solomon_n etc._n etc._n we_o know_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v former_o read_v every_o sabbath_n day_n as_o st._n james_n do_v attest_v it_o in_o act_n xv._o and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o express_a command_n about_o it_o in_o moses_n write_n yet_o we_o find_v there_o something_o equivalent_a to_o it_o in_o the_o strict_a charge_n give_v by_o he_o to_o all_o the_o people_n to_o be_v continual_o conversant_a in_o his_o book_n and_o to_o instruct_v their_o family_n at_o all_o time_n in_o the_o law_n and_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o they_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o the_o israelite_n be_v bind_v by_o that_o command_n of_o moses_n to_o read_v his_o book_n every_o day_n they_o be_v more_o particular_o oblige_v by_o the_o same_o command_n to_o read_v they_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v make_v a_o day_n of_o rest_n by_o god_n particular_o on_o purpose_n that_o all_o man_n may_v the_o better_o attend_v on_o that_o day_n to_o the_o read_n and_o meditate_v god_n law_n and_o the_o perform_v all_o other_o religious_a duty_n we_o know_v beside_o that_o those_o book_n be_v continual_o explain_v both_o by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v on_o purpose_n disperse_v through_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o attend_v and_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o moses_n in_o his_o write_n have_v exact_o keep_v a_o kind_n of_o journal_n which_o can_v easy_o receive_v any_o alteration_n if_o we_o read_v hereupon_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o several_a removal_n of_o their_o tent_n in_o the_o desert_n we_o shall_v be_v easy_o convince_v by_o the_o very_a form_n and_o stile_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o that_o they_o be_v former_o public_o receive_v and_o be_v exact_o transcribe_v out_o of_o the_o original_a and_o that_o if_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o suffer_v any_o alteration_n it_o be_v only_o as_o to_o some_o appendix_n or_o postscript_n insert_v by_o esrah_n or_o some_o other_o prophet_n by_o way_n of_o explication_n we_o see_v in_o those_o book_n a_o history_n write_v without_o disguise_n or_o partiality_n exact_a in_o relate_v all_o circumstance_n of_o place_n time_n and_o person_n even_o in_o the_o narration_n of_o thing_n of_o small_a importance_n for_o the_o main_a drift_n of_o the_o author_n there_o be_v beside_o some_o passage_n record_v in_o they_o which_o any_o author_n who_o live_v after_o moses_n time_n will_v certain_o have_v leave_v out_o if_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n yet_o at_o least_o to_o abolish_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o action_n dishonourable_a to_o some_o great_a family_n and_o whole_a tribe_n of_o israel_n again_o we_o read_v in_o they_o the_o song_n and_o other_o public_a monument_n which_o be_v make_v upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o they_o the_o better_a i_o have_v but_o three_o observation_n more_o to_o make_v here_o and_o then_o i_o have_v do_v with_o this_o chapter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o those_o book_n have_v be_v constant_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o author_n among_o that_o people_n who_o follow_v moses_n and_o that_o their_o quotation_n do_v exact_o agree_v with_o the_o text_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o which_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n as_o well_o of_o the_o sincerity_n as_o of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o that_o author_n they_o be_v as_o much_o esteem_v in_o israel_n as_o in_o juda_n both_o people_n do_v observe_v they_o as_o their_o law_n the_o prophet_n that_o arise_v from_o time_n to_o time_n do_v always_o and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n acknowledge_v and_o maintain_v their_o authority_n thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n quote_v out_o of_o they_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o curse_n and_o blessing_n to_o the_o prophecy_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n among_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o thirteen_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o among_o the_o people_n be_v nothing_o in_o general_n but_o a_o account_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v former_o by_o moses_n to_o raise_v up_o from_o among_o that_o people_n such_o man_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o affliction_n and_o captivity_n as_o will_v be_v the_o assertor_n of_o their_o liberty_n we_o see_v there_o in_o particular_a the_o execution_n of_o moses_n order_n concern_v caleb_n 3._o judge_n i._o 20._o judg._n vii_o 3._o judg._n xiii_o 3._o and_o of_o that_o law_n in_o deuteronomy_n which_o prescribe_v the_o manner_n of_o dismiss_v from_o the_o army_n those_o that_o be_v fearful_a and_o fainthearted_a and_o of_o that_o other_o concern_v the_o nazarite_n etc._n etc._n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o rule_n and_o law_n prescribe_v in_o those_o book_n continue_v in_o force_n in_o the_o time_n of_o ruth_n david_n great_a grandmother_n that_o appear_v plain_o by_o their_o observation_n of_o those_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o next_o kinsman_n to_o take_v to_o wife_n the_o widow_n of_o his_o decease_a relation_n and_o to_o redeem_v his_o inheritance_n as_o for_o david_n and_o solomon_n they_o be_v continual_o allude_v to_o something_o or_o other_o deliver_v in_o those_o book_n nehemiah_n quote_v they_o in_o chap._n xiii_o of_o his_o book_n and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3563_o and_o so_o do_v malachy_n in_o the_o iv_o and_o v._o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3580._o the_o second_o observation_n which_o be_v very_o material_a be_v that_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n have_v insert_v in_o they_o a_o express_a prohibition_n of_o add_v
those_o song_n that_o be_v so_o much_o in_o fashion_n among_o those_o of_o his_o nation_n he_o may_v easy_o satisfy_v his_o curiosity_n by_o read_v moses_n history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v what_o sort_n of_o exhortation_n they_o be_v which_o the_o founder_n both_o of_o their_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n have_v former_o make_v to_o their_o forefather_n moses_n relate_v a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o in_o his_o book_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o receive_v instruction_n about_o the_o original_a and_o cause_n of_o those_o temporal_a blessing_n he_o enjoy_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o god_n have_v possess_v his_o nation_n of_o after_o the_o expulsion_n of_o those_o people_n that_o have_v be_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o for_o many_o age_n moses_n give_v as_o good_a account_n of_o all_o that_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o the_o several_a calamity_n that_o befall_v his_o nation_n on_o several_a occasion_n moses_n acquaint_v they_o both_o with_o the_o cause_n and_o remedy_n of_o all_o their_o affliction_n last_o if_o the_o jew_n desire_v to_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o future_a condition_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n in_o after_o age_n moses_n foretell_v it_o in_o so_o particular_a and_o clear_a a_o manner_n that_o they_o may_v look_v upon_o his_o prophecy_n not_o as_o certain_a prophecy_n only_o but_o as_o a_o plain_a history_n of_o future_a event_n begin_v and_o trace_v out_o before_o their_o accomplishment_n all_o this_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o considerable_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n with_o care_n that_o we_o may_v just_o observe_v three_o thing_n in_o his_o person_n which_o as_o they_o raise_v he_o above_o all_o common_a author_n so_o they_o can_v but_o strengthen_v the_o belief_n and_o increase_v the_o esteem_n and_o veneration_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v for_o his_o history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o whereas_o all_o man_n be_v careful_a to_o conceal_v their_o own_o infirmity_n and_o whatever_o be_v dishonourable_a to_o their_o famille_n moses_n on_o the_o contrary_n seem_v to_o have_v affect_v to_o record_v all_o the_o thing_n that_o can_v blemish_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o derogate_v to_o his_o own_o reputation_n he_o blemish_n jacob_n memory_n by_o his_o relate_n how_o he_o prefer_v joseph_n the_o son_n of_o his_o belove_a wife_n to_o reuben_n his_o elder_a who_o he_o unjust_o deprive_v of_o his_o birthright_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o other_o which_o injustice_n be_v express_o forbid_v by_o one_o of_o moses_n law_n thus_o he_o lay_v a_o eternal_a blot_n and_o reproach_n upon_o the_o memory_n of_o levi_n the_o head_n of_o his_o own_o family_n when_o he_o mention_n his_o cruelty_n and_o violence_n against_o the_o sichemite_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o his_o posterity_n among_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o he_o vilify_v his_o own_o birth_n by_o forbid_v any_o marriage_n betwixt_o a_o aunt_n and_o her_o nephew_n see_v he_o relate_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v bear_v of_o jocabed_a both_o aunt_n and_o wife_n to_o his_o father_n amram_n he_o describe_v his_o own_o incredulity_n with_o all_o the_o ingenuity_n imaginable_a when_o he_o represent_v the_o several_a miracle_n which_o god_n wrought_v by_o he_o he_o seem_v to_o speak_v of_o himself_o only_o to_o lay_v open_a his_o own_o fail_n and_o sin_n such_o a_o sincerity_n and_o impartiality_n we_o know_v confirm_v and_o increase_v mighty_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o author_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v that_o moses_n not_o regard_v the_o advantage_n and_o honour_n of_o his_o own_o family_n leave_v the_o government_n of_o israel_n to_o joshuah_n one_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n and_o so_o reduce_v his_o own_o child_n and_o their_o posterity_n to_o the_o low_a condition_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v of_o a_o inferior_a rank_n to_o that_o of_o priest_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o they_o ever_o after_o renew_v the_o pretension_n which_o they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v have_v to_o succeed_v moses_n now_o such_o neglect_n of_o his_o family_n show_v that_o moses_n principle_n be_v raise_v much_o above_o the_o ordinary_a pitch_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o law_n giver_n who_o be_v absolute_a and_o supreme_a over_o their_o people_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a here_o be_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o share_n in_o the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o all_o be_v subdue_v after_o his_o death_n nay_o it_o be_v that_o conquest_n that_o fix_v and_o settle_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n which_o be_v before_o unsettle_a and_o as_o it_o be_v ambulatory_a in_o the_o desert_n now_o how_o can_v such_o a_o singular_a design_n as_o moses_n describe_v in_o his_o law_n be_v put_v in_o execution_n by_o any_o other_o than_o by_o he_o that_o form_v it_o it_o be_v joshua_n that_o make_v this_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o possess_v the_o jew_n of_o it_o now_o to_o be_v sure_a if_o that_o people_n have_v not_o be_v then_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o moses_n law_n they_o will_v never_o have_v fail_v after_o so_o great_a a_o alteration_n to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o power_n and_o liberty_n in_o throw_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o his_o law_n nor_o yet_o will_v joshua_n and_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n ever_o have_v maintain_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o law_n if_o they_o have_v not_o look_v upon_o moses_n not_o only_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a man_n but_o also_o as_o one_o particular_o commissionated_a by_o god_n to_o make_v that_o body_n of_o law_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o his_o people_n we_o read_v in_o those_o book_n of_o moses_n die_a in_o the_o mountain_n of_o moab_n now_o that_o be_v suppose_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o if_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v that_o god_n himself_o give_v their_o law_n to_o moses_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n mention_v by_o he_o they_o will_v have_v continue_v to_o keep_v up_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o ill_a ground_a conceit_n if_o he_o have_v real_o by_o his_o tyrannical_a authority_n force_v the_o israelite_n into_o a_o compliance_n to_o his_o law_n during_o his_o life_n why_o do_v they_o not_o assoon_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a with_o the_o fear_n of_o his_o authority_n shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o his_o law_n and_o all_o respect_n for_o his_o memory_n one_o thing_n we_o may_v remark_n as_o very_o surprise_v in_o the_o relation_n of_o that_o legislator_n death_n which_o be_v that_o his_o body_n be_v not_o find_v after_o his_o death_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o that_o people_n which_o otherwise_o keep_v up_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o so_o much_o care_n the_o bone_n of_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n in_o order_n to_o bury_v and_o deposite_n they_o in_o the_o sepulcher_n of_o their_o ancestor_n for_o both_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n be_v inter_v in_o judaea_n do_v ever_o build_v a_o tomb_n to_o their_o lawgiver_n or_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o show_v his_o sepulchre_n josephus_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o moses_n write_v himself_o the_o account_n of_o his_o own_o death_n for_o fear_v the_o jew_n shall_v ever_o imagine_v and_o so_o give_v out_o that_o god_n have_v take_v he_o up_o into_o heaven_n i_o see_v i_o confess_v no_o solidity_n in_o that_o conjecture_n of_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o may_v give_v we_o occasion_n to_o make_v a_o reflection_n hereupon_o i_o think_v more_o natural_a and_o easy_a which_o be_v that_o god_n have_v a_o mind_n as_o joshua_n intimate_v it_o to_o confirm_v the_o many_o character_n of_o divinity_n that_o appear_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o take_v away_o from_o before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o jew_n his_o corpse_n which_o they_o will_v certain_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o prevent_v have_v keep_v with_o more_o care_n than_o those_o of_o all_o their_o patriarch_n and_o king_n the_o description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n death_n show_v evident_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o in_o great_a esteem_n during_o his_o life_n but_o that_o even_o his_o death_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o increase_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v man_n look_v upon_o he_o as_o one_o glorious_o raise_v up_o above_o the_o common_a condition_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o infirmity_n and_o misery_n incident_a to_o human_a nature_n but_o after_o these_o general_a reflection_n i_o must_v come_v to_o those_o that_o be_v more_o particular_a chap._n iii_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o whoever_o will_v examine_v with_o attention_n the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o
the_o first_o part_n take_v in_o all_o that_o happen_v after_o moses_n till_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n and_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n the_o three_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o the_o jewish_a captivity_n and_o after_o their_o re-establishment_n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o book_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o this_o people_n in_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o epocha_n which_o have_v not_o certain_a character_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o relation_n by_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n which_o it_o have_v either_o with_o those_o event_n which_o go_v before_o it_o or_o with_o those_o which_o follow_v it_o and_o this_o by_o a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a dependence_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o observation_n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n which_o contain_v the_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v the_o execution_n of_o moses_n design_n who_o bring_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o go_v and_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o a_o country_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o division_n of_o this_o land_n among_o the_o tribe_n be_v the_o title_n which_o each_o tribe_n have_v to_o its_o possession_n in_o it_o and_o this_o division_n subsist_v a_o great_a while_n very_o distinct_a and_o well_o know_v by_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o this_o people_n there_o happen_v no_o considerable_a change_n but_o only_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n carry_v the_o ten_o tribe_n into_o captivity_n after_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o three_o year_n of_o the_o world_n the_o country_n continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n under_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n without_o any_o change_n ensue_v upon_o their_o transportation_n into_o babylon_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o chapter_n of_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n this_o book_n have_v a_o very_a natural_a influence_n upon_o the_o follow_a book_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o alliance_n which_o the_o gibeonite_n get_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o surprise_n it_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o all_o that_o happen_v for_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o in_o david_n reign_n under_o who_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v already_o change_v into_o a_o monarchical_a government_n have_v in_o all_o appearance_n undergo_v a_o great_a alteration_n the_o book_n of_o judge_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o joshua_n the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o quarrel_n with_o the_o nation_n which_o they_o have_v subdue_v or_o with_o their_o neighbour_n as_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n descend_v from_o lot_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o this_o people_n that_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n there_o we_o may_v see_v for_o instance_n the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o defensive_a part_n because_o god_n forbid_v they_o to_o set_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n whereas_o these_o last_o pretend_v that_o israel_n have_v usurp_v some_o part_n of_o their_o country_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o remarkable_a markable_a as_o the_o action_n of_o these_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o those_o different_a captivity_n through_o which_o they_o pass_v for_o three_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o year_n together_o but_o we_o may_v find_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o of_o they_o preserve_v by_o those_o public_a hymn_n which_o be_v famous_a throughout_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o these_o illustrious_a monument_n of_o their_o judicial_a authority_n which_o be_v preserve_v among_o they_o and_o which_o keep_v up_o a_o remembrance_n of_o they_o among_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n for_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v observe_v with_o care_n that_o since_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o invent_v any_o thing_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o will_v not_o be_v well_o know_v by_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n as_o the_o tyrian_n who_o keep_v up_o their_o own_o government_n till_o alexander_n time_n who_o subdue_v they_o entire_o and_o the_o moabite_n who_o empire_n continue_v for_o fourteen_o age_n after_o lot_n time_n until_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a for_o any_o fabulous_a relation_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o obtain_v authority_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o thing_n considerable_a but_o the_o conversion_n of_o ruth_n a_o moabitess_n who_o rely_v upon_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o house_n of_o juda_n out_o of_o which_o she_o have_v marry_v her_o husband_n but_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n beside_o 1._o of_o the_o exact_a practice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o a_o relation_n who_o die_v without_o issue_n 2._o of_o their_o lively_a remembrance_n of_o the_o deed_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o juda_n incest_n with_o thamar_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o however_o as_o a_o fountain_n and_o a_o pattern_n of_o blessing_n 3._o of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n who_o this_o author_n represent_v as_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n from_o a_o moabitess_n which_o not_o make_v much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o eli_n and_o samuel_n judicature_n of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o a_o monarchy_n under_o saul_n of_o david_n anoint_v saul_n rejection_n and_o death_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o david_n his_o victory_n his_o design_n of_o build_v a_o temple_n a_o design_n which_o god_n leave_v to_o solomon_n to_o execute_v his_o war_n with_o the_o ammonite_n his_o crime_n with_o bathshebah_n his_o son_n absalom_n insurrection_n against_o he_o and_o his_o great_a success_n against_o his_o enemy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o two_o book_n which_o have_v not_o a_o exact_a connexion_n with_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v one_o see_v we_o throughout_o a_o exact_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o see_v we_o throughout_o monument_n set_v up_o in_o several_a place_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o particular_a action_n one_o see_v we_o also_o in_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n with_o their_o neighbour_n a_o constant_a series_n of_o those_o old_a difference_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o jealousy_n of_o these_o nation_n against_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n which_o the_o jew_n reckon_v but_o as_o one_o book_n contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o solomon_n establishment_n in_o the_o place_n of_o david_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o empire_n which_o be_v carry_v by_o david_n to_o the_o bank_n of_o eüphrates_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o his_o marriage_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n daughter_n of_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o his_o own_o palace_n with_o the_o help_n of_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n visit_n to_o solomon_n of_o his_o alliance_n with_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o edomite_n the_o zidonian_o and_o the_o hittite_n think_v by_o these_o marriage_n to_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n between_o his_o people_n and_o these_o nation_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n all_o this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o solomon_n reign_n and_o as_o there_o never_o be_v so_o famous_a a_o reign_n in_o judea_n so_o never_o be_v there_o any_o of_o which_o there_o be_v leave_v so_o many_o monument_n as_o well_o there_o as_o in_o the_o neighbour_a country_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o in_o the_o same_o book_n the_o division_n of_o solomon_n empire_n into_o two_o government_n that_o of_o juda_n which_o continue_v from_o solomon_n death_n during_o the_o reign_n of_o eighteen_o successor_n for_o three_o hundred_o eighty_o six_o year_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nebuchaanezzar_n and_o that_o of_o israel_n form_v by_o jeroboam_n which_o last_v two_o hundred_o fifty_o four_o year_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o nineteen_o successor_n until_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n the_o history_n of_o the_o chronicle_n which_o be_v write_v about_o twenty_o six_o year_n after_o that_o of_o the_o king_n carry_v
get_v himself_o reputation_n by_o exciting_a a_o curiosity_n in_o people_n for_o his_o book_n this_o will_v not_o have_v be_v become_v the_o gravity_n and_o wisdom_n of_o so_o great_a a_o legislator_n of_o who_o all_o succeed_a age_n have_v borrow_v their_o law_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o his_o end_n in_o the_o record_v of_o these_o matter_n be_v to_o inspire_v with_o a_o sense_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n those_o who_o be_v commit_v to_o his_o charge_n this_o be_v that_o which_o in_o general_a we_o may_v observe_v about_o these_o matter_n but_o more_o particular_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o moses_n his_o end_n in_o record_v the_o oracle_n by_o which_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o establish_v his_o posterity_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o represent_v to_o the_o jew_n the_o right_a they_o have_v to_o that_o land_n according_a to_o the_o design_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n but_o without_o make_v this_o particular_a reflection_n it_o be_v clear_a 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nature_n of_o those_o thing_n the_o relation_n of_o which_o moses_n have_v join_v with_o these_o two_o general_a point_n to_o make_v a_o impression_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o account_n he_o give_v they_o of_o their_o ancestor_n near_a or_o far_o off_o who_o he_o represent_v as_o equal_o inform_v of_o these_o matter_n as_o have_v several_o deliver_v the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o to_o their_o child_n and_o have_v join_v to_o these_o first_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o saviour_n many_o other_o notion_n thereon_o depend_v and_o which_o tie_v their_o hope_n and_o expectation_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o now_o judge_v whether_o moses_n be_v not_o to_o be_v accuse_v of_o great_a folly_n and_o senselesness_n if_o he_o have_v proceed_v to_o make_v such_o a_o vast_a people_n all_o of_o the_o sudden_a to_o receive_v for_o truth_n public_o and_o general_o own_v what_o indeed_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o most_o ridiculous_a and_o ill_a cohere_a romance_n that_o ever_o be_v broach_v now_o since_o as_o it_o be_v visible_a take_v in_o the_o circumstance_n i_o have_v hint_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o a_o historian_n and_o lawgiver_n as_o moses_n be_v relate_v such_o importent_fw-la matter_n can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o atheist_n can_v have_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o his_o testimony_n with_o the_o least_o shadow_n or_o pretence_n of_o reason_n so_o that_o we_o may_v already_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o better_o attest_v than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o immovable_a foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n nevertheless_o for_o a_o more_o evident_a conviction_n we_o be_v willing_a before_o we_o draw_v this_o conclusion_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o weak_a and_o inconsiderable_a all_o those_o objection_n be_v which_o atheist_n can_v possible_o frame_v against_o what_o moses_n relate_v concern_v these_o matter_n what_o can_v they_o with_o reason_n object_n perhaps_o they_o will_v say_v that_o moses_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o genesis_n but_o that_o it_o be_v foist_v in_o under_o his_o name_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o his_o evidence_n be_v all_o without_o ground_n or_o they_o may_v object_v that_o if_o moses_n be_v indeed_o the_o author_n of_o genesis_n that_o he_o live_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o relate_v that_o it_o make_v void_a the_o authority_n of_o his_o write_n they_o may_v moreover_o allege_v that_o moses_n relate_v thing_n impossible_a and_o of_o which_o therefore_o those_o that_o mention_v they_o before_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v so_o long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v can_v not_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o and_o that_o they_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v great_o change_v and_o alter_v by_o a_o tradition_n of_o so_o many_o age_n they_o may_v also_o allege_v that_o according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n moses_n pen_v not_o these_o thing_n as_o a_o historian_n but_o as_o a_o prophet_n and_o that_o the_o apprehension_n of_o most_o concern_v his_o book_n be_v that_o he_o write_v of_o thing_n whereof_o the_o knowledge_n before_o his_o time_n be_v very_o obscure_a and_o confuse_v or_o rather_o be_v general_o unknown_a they_o may_v object_v against_o these_o relation_n of_o moses_n that_o which_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n such_o as_o the_o egyptian_n chaldean_n and_o chinese_n allege_v for_o their_o antiquity_n which_o far_o surpass_v the_o date_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o moses_n these_o be_v the_o principal_a way_n to_o assault_v the_o truth_n which_o moses_n relate_v either_o by_o maintain_v with_o the_o atheist_n on_o one_o hand_n that_o the_o thing_n which_o moses_n relate_v be_v indeed_o mention_v by_o other_o author_n but_o that_o they_o forge_v they_o themselves_o or_o 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prescribe_v to_o they_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o occasion_n and_o ground_n of_o they_o all_o be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o genesis_n to_o which_o all_o these_o law_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n take_v for_o grant_v that_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o his_o ancestor_n have_v always_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n and_o circumcision_n and_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n order_v the_o same_o to_o be_v constant_o read_v in_o every_o family_n to_o which_o the_o sabbath_n day_n be_v more_o peculiar_o appropriate_v and_o the_o whole_a to_o be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n as_o we_o know_v the_o jew_n practice_n be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o first_o of_o which_o injunction_n they_o practise_v still_o in_o all_o place_n and_o have_v leave_v off_o the_o other_o only_o because_o they_o can_v do_v it_o now_o they_o be_v out_o of_o their_o own_o land_n i_o say_v suppose_v all_o this_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o other_o than_o moses_n can_v have_v make_v this_o book_n to_o be_v receive_v the_o forgery_n at_o the_o beginning_n will_v have_v be_v palpable_a even_o to_o child_n themselves_o as_o for_o example_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o solomon_n have_v form_v a_o design_n of_o deceive_v the_o people_n in_o publish_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o a_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v so_o far_o impose_v on_o his_o people_n as_o to_o make_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o say_a book_n all_o at_o once_o as_o that_o which_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o their_o family_n every_o seven_o day_n and_o year_n and_o that_o for_o 600_o year_n before_o his_o time_n and_o therefore_o as_o a_o book_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o in_o all_o their_o family_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o by_o they_o before_o that_o time_n if_o a_o impostor_n can_v create_v a_o belief_n in_o other_o that_o he_o have_v some_o secret_a communication_n with_o the_o deity_n those_o who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v by_o he_o will_v easy_o submit_v themselves_o to_o his_o law_n but_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o whole_a people_n shall_v all_o at_o once_o forget_v whatsoever_o they_o have_v learn_v or_o hear_v of_o their_o parent_n and_o forefather_n and_o instead_o thereof_o admit_v of_o tale_n forge_v at_o pleasure_n some_o nation_n have_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a to_o derive_v themselves_o from_o a_o fabulous_a original_a but_o they_o never_o fall_v into_o such_o mistake_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v beside_o we_o know_v that_o these_o fabulous_a original_n never_o make_v so_o lively_a a_o impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o whole_a nation_n especial_o the_o learned_a among_o they_o as_o general_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o we_o rather_o find_v that_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o 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be_v observe_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a book_n now_o if_o this_o law_n have_v always_o be_v in_o this_o book_n from_o the_o first_o appear_v of_o it_o which_o can_v be_v question_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o forge_v and_o foist_v in_o this_o book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n i_o say_v this_o book_n which_o beside_o all_o this_o contain_v such_o extraordinary_a matter_n and_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o their_o religion_n i_o will_v not_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n to_o make_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o man_n appear_v who_o imagine_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o four_o that_o follow_v it_o may_v have_v be_v forge_v by_o other_o under_o moses_n his_o name_n yet_o i_o think_v i_o ought_v before_o i_o proceed_v further_o to_o remove_v a_o seem_a difficulty_n which_o be_v often_o allege_v by_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n for_o say_v they_o it_o can_v be_v that_o these_o book_n be_v ever_o read_v with_o that_o care_n and_o constancy_n we_o speak_v of_o because_o a_o time_n can_v be_v point_v at_o wherein_o the_o say_a book_n be_v whole_o unknown_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o indeed_o the_o history_n plain_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v find_v again_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o josias_n from_o whence_o they_o infer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v then_o unknown_a it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v forge_v but_o indeed_o they_o may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o which_o willing_o we_o allow_v they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n wherein_o ungodliness_n do_v prevail_v and_o idolatry_n be_v public_o establish_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n itself_o yet_o can_v they_o not_o from_o this_o instance_n draw_v any_o other_o consequence_n which_o may_v support_v their_o pretension_n they_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v not_o only_o among_o the_o three_o tribe_n but_o also_o among_o the_o ten_o since_o the_o time_n of_o their_o revolt_n under_o rehoboam_n that_o they_o who_o be_v carry_v by_o salmanassar_n into_o the_o land_n of_o assyria_n have_v the_o say_v book_n among_o they_o as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o their_o own_o country_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n send_v some_o of_o the_o priest_n of_o samaria_n to_o instruct_v the_o colony_n which_o he_o have_v settle_v in_o their_o country_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o those_o priest_n go_v to_o borrow_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n from_o they_o of_o judah_n nor_o that_o the_o say_v law_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a in_o that_o country_n but_o only_o that_o they_o have_v former_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o serve_v strange_a god_n as_o they_o still_o do_v but_o that_o withal_o they_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o to_o this_o day_n be_v yet_o find_v among_o their_o posterity_n second_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o the_o wickedness_n and_o violence_n of_o manasseh_n cause_v a_o great_a change_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o his_o subject_n notwithstanding_o have_v still_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o the_o blood_n which_o he_o shed_v in_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o there_o be_v some_o godly_a man_n leave_v among_o they_o who_o continue_v true_a to_o their_o religion_n and_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o god._n beside_o if_o we_o consider_v his_o repentance_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o do_v in_o some_o degree_n re-establish_a the_o purity_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o have_v before_o profane_v a_o main_a part_n of_o which_o be_v the_o expound_v and_o read_v of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n according_a to_o those_o law_n before_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o place_n it_o be_v visible_a that_o the_o reason_n why_o hilkiah_n have_v find_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o they_o be_v cleanse_v and_o repair_v it_o send_v the_o same_o to_o josiah_n be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o such_o book_n leave_v in_o judah_n but_o because_o the_o say_a book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n himself_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v something_o very_o extraordinary_a in_o the_o find_n of_o it_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o they_o be_v endeavour_v a_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v this_o circumstance_n which_o do_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n excite_v the_o zeal_n of_o this_o good_a prince_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o suppose_v that_o josiah_n have_v never_o before_o see_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n how_o can_v he_o have_v apply_v himself_o to_o the_o reform_v of_o his_o
country_n his_o people_n and_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o manner_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n how_o can_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v disperse_v over_o all_o his_o kingdom_n in_o a_o instant_n to_o inform_v the_o people_n about_o the_o ceremonial_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o soon_o after_o be_v so_o solemn_o celebrate_v by_o they_o or_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o levite_n the_o priest_n and_o people_n can_v have_v be_v all_o of_o the_o sudden_a instruct_v in_o all_o the_o point_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o perform_n of_o that_o holy_a solemnity_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n do_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n take_v notice_n of_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o book_n find_v be_v of_o moses_n own_o hand_n write_v but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o their_o devout_a respect_n for_o this_o book_n be_v not_o whole_o stifle_v as_o have_v be_v by_o they_o careful_o hide_v from_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o idolatrous_a king_n and_o lay_v up_o in_o some_o secret_a place_n of_o the_o temple_n where_o now_o they_o have_v so_o happy_o find_v it_o again_o over_o and_o above_o what_o have_v be_v say_v already_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n be_v as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o their_o subject_n yet_o the_o same_o general_o consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o their_o neighbour_n natition_n as_o to_o some_o particular_n which_o though_o they_o be_v forbid_v by_o the_o law_n yet_o they_o leave_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n in_o full_a force_n this_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n of_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ahab_n where_o we_o find_v elijah_n reproach_v the_o israelite_n with_o the_o monstrous_a alliance_n they_o have_v make_v betwixt_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o of_o baal_n which_o queen_n jesabel_n have_v introduce_v all_o this_o clear_o prove_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o be_v the_o first_o of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v never_o forge_v under_o his_o name_n since_o it_o be_v always_o own_v as_o the_o write_n of_o that_o famous_a author_n and_o be_v still_o so_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n chap._n vii_o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n the_o other_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n suppose_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o have_v now_o prove_v be_v this_o that_o it_o seem_v absurd_a to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o relation_n of_o a_o person_n who_o live_v so_o many_o age_n distant_a from_o the_o thing_n he_o recite_v to_o answer_v this_o objection_n we_o must_v first_o of_o all_o declare_v to_o they_o by_o what_o mean_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o moses_n relate_v be_v preserve_v so_o lively_a and_o entire_a as_o to_o give_v moses_n so_o distinct_a a_o knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o forge_v or_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n know_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o well_o as_o himself_o there_o be_v no_o way_n whereby_o we_o can_v more_o solid_o evince_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v forge_v by_o moses_n than_o by_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v always_o constant_o observe_v from_o that_o time_n until_o moses_n the_o same_o also_o will_v help_v we_o clear_o to_o conceive_v after_o what_o manner_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v be_v preserve_v so_o distinct_a among_o those_o that_o live_v since_o the_o creation_n until_o moses_n we_o be_v no_o soon_o inform_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o solemn_a day_n ordain_v at_o first_o to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o creation_n but_o we_o judge_v it_o impossible_a that_o so_o important_a a_o event_n commemorate_a every_o seven_o day_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n shall_v be_v a_o imposture_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o this_o impossibility_n be_v ground_v on_o these_o two_o proposition_n the_o one_o that_o god_n give_v this_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o the_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v by_o his_o posterity_n ever_o since_o till_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o god_n only_o renew_v it_o in_o the_o law_n give_v from_o mount_n sinai_n these_o be_v the_o truth_n i_o be_o now_o to_o clear_v and_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v prove_v because_o though_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n ancient_a and_o modern_a jew_n as_o well_o as_o christian_n be_v of_o this_o opinion_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o christian_a father_n who_o seem_v to_o deny_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v ever_o observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o prove_v from_o moses_n that_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v such_o as_o i_o assert_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o in_o a_o manner_n immediate_o follow_v it_o moses_n in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n 3._o gen._n ii_o 3._o express_v himself_o thus_o and_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o sanctify_v it_o because_o that_o in_o it_o he_o have_v rest_v from_o all_o his_o work_n which_o he_o have_v create_v which_o word_n clear_o evince_v a_o solemn_a consecration_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o god_n service_n by_o its_o be_v make_v a_o commemoration_n of_o his_o finish_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o intent_n of_o moses_n in_o this_o place_n be_v only_o to_o set_v down_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n set_v apart_o this_o day_n of_o all_o other_o to_o his_o service_n by_o the_o law_n at_o mount_n sinai_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o appointment_n be_v make_v for_o man_n sake_n already_o place_v in_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n this_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o order_n moses_n observe_v for_o he_o set_v down_o first_o the_o formation_n of_o man_n on_o the_o six_o day_n and_o his_o be_v place_v in_o paradise_n which_o he_o give_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n and_o after_o these_o he_o relate_v god_n rest_v from_o his_o work_n and_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o impose_v on_o man_n and_o then_o add_v these_o be_v the_o generation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o earth_n when_o they_o be_v create_v in_o the_o day_n that_o the_o lord_n god_n make_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n all_o that_o precede_v these_o word_n be_v only_o a_o relation_n of_o what_o pass_v in_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n and_o that_o which_o moses_n set_v down_o concern_v god_n blessing_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n and_o his_o consecrate_v it_o aught_o as_o well_o to_o be_v account_v a_o law_n appoint_v the_o seven_o day_n for_o his_o service_n as_o those_o other_o blessing_n give_v to_o the_o creature_n according_a to_o their_o kind_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o inviolable_a law_n of_o god_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o they_o subsist_v and_o be_v perpetuate_v each_o according_a to_o their_o kind_n by_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o patriarch_n maintain_v a_o public_a worship_n at_o least_o since_o the_o time_n of_o seth_n which_o it_o be_v necessary_a shall_v be_v determine_v to_o some_o certain_a day_n and_o since_o we_o find_v that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n they_o distinguish_v between_o beast_n clean_a and_o unclean_a with_o respect_n to_o their_o sacrifice_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v but_o from_o revelation_n we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o god_n have_v set_v apart_o a_o time_n for_o own_o worship_n and_o service_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v many_o evident_a sign_n that_o even_o then_o the_o 7_o day_n be_v observe_v psalmos_fw-la kimchi_fw-la praefat_fw-la in_o psalmos_fw-la i_o will_v not_o here_o peremptory_o assert_v that_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o ninety_o second_o psalm_n who_o title_n be_v a_o psalm_n for_o the_o sabbath_n be_v make_v by_o adam_n himself_o who_o be_v make_v on_o the_o evening_n of_o the_o sabbath_n but_o this_o i_o dare_v assert_v that_o it_o be_v apparent_a 10.12_o gen._n viii_o 10.12_o that_o what_o
all_o write_n with_o public_a allowance_n after_o every_o king_n decease_n may_v indeed_o be_v so_o about_o the_o latter_a time_n as_o it_o be_v practise_v in_o egypt_n but_o that_o it_o be_v as_o absolute_o false_a that_o the_o chinese_n have_v ever_o in_o former_a time_n such_o public_a historian_n and_o as_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v former_o any_o such_o although_o they_o be_v as_o confident_a to_o say_v they_o have_v in_o alexander_n time_n as_o the_o chinese_n be_v now_o but_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o clear_n of_o that_o matter_n we_o must_v now_o answer_v the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n chap._n xxi_o wherein_o the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v as_o i_o intend_v to_o clear_v all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v arise_v about_o this_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v peruse_v these_o observation_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o prevent_v and_o resolve_v the_o only_a plausible_a objection_n i_o know_v remain_v after_o all_o what_o i_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a perhaps_o some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o reply_v here_o that_o they_o indeed_o confess_v moses_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n and_o that_o if_o that_o book_n have_v real_o be_v supposititious_a it_o can_v never_o have_v go_v under_o his_o name_n nor_o be_v receive_v as_o he_o in_o after_o age_n but_o that_o yet_o all_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v sufficient_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n record_v in_o that_o book_n because_o moses_n may_v have_v force_v upon_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o belief_n of_o they_o by_o those_o law_n that_o he_o enact_v among_o they_o by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o dare_v to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v write_v in_o his_o book_n this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o that_o the_o most_o contentious_a atheist_n can_v think_v of_o to_o undermine_v the_o authority_n of_o moses_n history_n but_o this_o objection_n be_v easy_o answer_v for_o it_o consute_v itself_o for_o first_o it_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o great_a miracle_n by_o which_o god_n establish_v moses_n the_o head_n and_o captain_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o miracle_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o hard_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o several_a account_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n we_o find_v according_o among_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o many_o monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n when_o he_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o egypt_n as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o other_o four_o book_n of_o moses_n second_o they_o must_v at_o least_o suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o several_a passage_n in_o which_o he_o can_v not_o impose_v upon_o other_o nation_n which_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v his_o authority_n as_o for_o example_n all_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o build_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o great_a piece_n of_o architecture_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n the_o great_a building_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o part_n of_o which_o be_v yet_o extant_a for_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v three_o they_o must_v likewise_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v relate_v several_a other_o passage_n as_o exact_o as_o he_o do_v those_o as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n which_o be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n that_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n the_o original_a of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n of_o canaan_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n for_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o conceive_v that_o this_o lawgiver_n shall_v ever_o hope_v to_o persuade_v other_o nation_n to_o believe_v any_o false_a story_n about_o matter_n so_o well_o and_o so_o general_o know_v as_o those_o be_v among_o themselves_o four_o they_o must_v suppose_v further_a that_o he_o have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n who_o head_n and_o governor_n he_o be_v how_o great_a and_o absolute_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n may_v be_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o ever_o he_o will_v have_v derive_v the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n from_o any_o other_o than_o from_o their_o true_a ancestor_n this_o appear_v the_o more_o necessary_a in_o that_o we_o see_v by_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n and_o pedigree_n in_o genesis_n that_o he_o write_v that_o book_n especial_o from_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n on_o to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o only_o to_o show_v the_o right_n and_o just_a pretension_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n five_o they_o must_v yet_o further_o acknowledge_v whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o give_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o the_o pretension_n and_o division_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n now_o these_o pretension_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n than_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o his_o history_n they_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o oracle_n against_o all_o the_o pretension_n and_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n what_o violence_n soever_o they_o may_v pretend_v that_o moses_n may_v use_v to_o force_v a_o implicit_a belief_n of_o his_o history_n and_o blind_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n yet_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n can_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o will_v have_v fill_v the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n with_o lie_n or_o that_o if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v expect_v that_o his_o false_a account_n of_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v credit_v by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n or_o even_o by_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o without_o urge_v here_o several_a other_o absurdity_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n to_o be_v find_v betwixt_o the_o account_n of_o thing_n which_o moses_n recite_v as_o public_o know_v and_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v of_o his_o own_o head_n and_o private_a knowledge_n there_o be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v betwixt_o all_o those_o several_a account_n such_o a_o natural_a coherence_n and_o necessary_a concatenation_n that_o they_o can_v be_v divide_v from_o one_o another_o without_o destroy_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o his_o history_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o law_n by_o which_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o narration_n shall_v make_v the_o sincerity_n of_o it_o suspect_v i_o do_v not_o urge_v here_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evident_a absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n will_v ever_o have_v relate_v together_o all_o those_o transaction_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o the_o world_n before_o he_o neither_o do_v i_o mention_v here_o that_o suppose_v moses_n have_v be_v so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o attempt_v such_o a_o undertake_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n and_o that_o a_o very_a numerous_a one_o will_v have_v long_o persevere_v in_o a_o profession_n force_v upon_o they_o by_o mere_a violence_n and_o tyranny_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v neither_o so_o patient_a nor_o so_o easy_o persuade_v by_o moses_n nor_o yet_o so_o submissive_a to_o he_o as_o these_o objector_n do_v imagine_v that_o be_v plain_a and_o apparent_a enough_o from_o all_o their_o sedition_n and_o conspiracy_n against_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o what_o be_v plain_a enough_o of_o itself_o viz._n that_o moses_n have_v no_o successor_n any_o way_n concern_v to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v these_o pretend_a fiction_n and_o fable_n of_o his_o history_n joshua_n his_o immediate_a successor_n be_v of_o another_o tribe_n and_o so_o be_v all_o the_o succeed_a governor_n of_o israel_n until_o the_o maccabee_n come_v but_o what_o i_o think_v deserve_v best_a to_o be_v observe_v here_o be_v that_o after_o moses_n and_o joshua_n decease_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v under_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o canaanite_n and_o consequent_o free_v from_o the_o terror_n of_o that_o law_n of_o moses_n make_v by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n â—nd_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o his_o write_n there_o be_v but_o a_o
thing_n in_o itself_o there_o be_v no_o less_o absurdity_n to_o dispute_v our_o saviour_n resurrection_n than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man._n now_o if_o this_o argument_n hold_v as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o easy_o so_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v a_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o provide_v we_o be_v once_o well_o assure_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o consequent_o embrace_v his_o religion_n but_o it_o seem_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o meditation_n i_o be_v insensible_o carry_v further_a in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n than_o i_o think_v at_o first_o to_o be_v therefore_o instead_o of_o pass_v now_o as_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n which_o be_v a_o solid_a and_o compendious_a way_n of_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n i_o find_v myself_o engage_v according_a to_o my_o present_a method_n to_o continue_v to_o make_v the_o like_a reflection_n upon_o the_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n that_o i_o may_v yet_o more_o full_o demonstrate_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n who_o god_n promise_v to_o man_n immediate_o after_o his_o sin_n and_o this_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v so_o plain_o as_o will_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o god_n have_v real_o accomplish_v his_o first_o design_n and_o exact_o perform_v all_o his_o promise_n relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o first_o idea_n he_o give_v of_o his_o come_n to_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n first_o then_o i_o design_v to_o trace_v up_o the_o method_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o use_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v without_o mistake_n when_o ever_o he_o shall_v come_v into_o the_o world._n second_o i_o will_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o several_a notion_n he_o give_v of_o he_o long_o before_o in_o his_o oracle_n to_o characterise_v his_o person_n his_o office_n his_o action_n his_o suffering_n his_o glory_n etc._n etc._n last_o of_o all_o i_o will_v show_v that_o we_o have_v all_o this_o whole_a project_n and_o design_n exact_o accomplish_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o be_v write_v by_o christ_n disciple_n now_o as_o this_o method_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o choose_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v appear_v also_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n so_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o for_o i_o particular_o to_o view_v and_o examine_v these_o book_n that_o i_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o illustrate_v several_a thing_n in_o they_o which_o deserve_v a_o particular_a attention_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v consider_v together_o and_o as_o it_o be_v at_o one_o view_n for_o the_o prophecy_n be_v thus_o consider_v together_o in_o their_o connexion_n and_o progress_n do_v more_o plain_o evidence_n god_n design_n and_o may_v better_o convince_v or_o confound_v the_o jew_n therefore_o i_o intend_v according_o to_o consider_v those_o oracle_n with_o attention_n and_o to_o join_v they_o together_o that_o so_o they_o may_v in_o their_o conjunction_n cast_v forth_o the_o bright_a beam_n of_o light_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o infidel_n who_o may_v happen_v to_o peruse_v this_o book_n for_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o after_o the_o perusal_n of_o my_o observation_n in_o it_o a_o ordinary_a attention_n in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v any_o man_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n which_o be_v all_o i_o intend_v to_o prove_v as_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o treatise_n now_o as_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n religion_n according_a to_o the_o account_n moses_n have_v give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n have_v take_v up_o the_o first_o part_n of_o it_o so_o i_o design_v to_o examine_v in_o this_o second_o part_n the_o israelite_n religion_n and_o to_o follow_v in_o my_o search_n the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o it_o in_o his_o other_o four_o book_n and_o as_o to_o effect_v this_o it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o establish_v beforehand_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o four_o book_n so_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v first_o of_o all_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o true_a author_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v intrinsic_a character_n of_o undeniable_a certainty_n then_o second_o it_o will_v be_v natural_a for_o i_o to_o show_v that_o moses_n in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o view_n as_o particular_o promise_v of_o god_n to_o the_o patriarch_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n and_o as_o be_v consequent_o the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o sole_a object_n of_o their_o hope_n three_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v that_o if_o we_o serious_o examine_v moses_n law_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o they_o such_o a_o method_n observe_v as_o be_v both_o very_a agreeable_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n s_o design_n in_o genesis_n and_o very_o worthy_a of_o his_o wisdom_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reveal_v unto_o we_o of_o his_o intention_n by_o the_o prophet_n who_o follow_v moses_n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o of_o the_o three_o other_o follow_v book_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o may_v be_v ground_v upon_o several_a solid_a argument_n i_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n have_v always_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o very_a heathen_n themselves_o not_o only_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n but_o also_o the_o most_o ancient_a legislator_n in_o the_o world._n i_o may_v likewise_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a connexion_n betwixt_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o well_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o general_a design_n of_o their_o author_n as_o of_o the_o matter_n treat_v of_o in_o they_o for_o example_n we_o see_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o transaction_n which_o we_o find_v write_v and_o record_v there_o derive_v their_o original_a from_o those_o transaction_n and_o passage_n that_o we_o read_v of_o in_o genesis_n thus_o we_o may_v plain_o discern_v that_o the_o pretention_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o promise_n that_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n to_o give_v it_o to_o his_o posterity_n in_o the_o four_o generation_n thus_o we_o may_v see_v that_o the_o amalekite_n can_v have_v no_o other_o reason_n to_o make_v war_n against_o the_o israelite_n than_o the_o old_a alliance_n that_o be_v former_o make_v betwixt_o amalek_n and_o the_o canaanite_n which_o without_o doubt_n engage_v his_o posterity_n to_o be_v the_o first_o opposer_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o sedition_n of_o the_o israelite_n against_o moses_n under_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n do_v proceed_v from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n as_o it_o be_v set_v down_o in_o genesis_n because_o the_o elder_a think_v themselves_o wrong_v of_o their_o birthright_n think_v they_o may_v just_o rebel_v against_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o recover_v it_o but_o i_o haste_v to_o thing_n more_o material_a than_o these_o and_o first_o it_o be_v here_o observable_a that_o those_o book_n be_v not_o only_o religious_o keep_v in_o every_o family_n of_o israel_n but_o that_o they_o be_v also_o once_o solemn_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o a_o public_a record_n and_o that_o by_o moses_n himself_o a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o testimony_n against_o that_o people_n as_o we_o read_v it_o deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 26._o second_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n do_v straight_o charge_v both_o joshuah_n and_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n to_o read_v they_o frequent_o and_o careful_o for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v so_o joshua_n 1.8_o nay_o we_o see_v about_o 500_o year_n after_o the_o holy_a man_n david_n who_o have_v make_v during_o his_o life_n i._o psal_n i._o the_o supreme_a felicity_n of_o a_o man_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o read_n the_o law_n of_o god_n day_n and_o night_n we_o see_v i_o say_v that_o holy_a man_n give_v in_o his_o deathbed_n the_o same_o charge_n to_o solomon_n i_o king_n three_o moreover_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v many_o law_n and_o sanction_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o succeed_a time_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o read_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o
any_o thing_n to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v it_o deuteronomy_n iu._n 2._o it_o be_v then_o impossible_a see_v that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v attempt_v the_o alteration_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o they_o nay_o we_o see_v not_o without_o wonder_n that_o after_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n be_v transport_v into_o assyria_n those_o that_o be_v send_v from_o assyria_n to_o inhabit_v their_o country_n do_v receive_v that_o law_n and_o that_o their_o posterity_n have_v keep_v it_o all_o along_o to_o this_o day_n as_o uncorrupted_a as_o the_o jew_n although_o they_o continue_v their_o mortal_a enemy_n and_o have_v be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n that_o can_v befall_v a_o nation_n during_o the_o long_a interval_n of_o 2400_o year_n the_o three_o observation_n which_o deserve_v a_o singular_a attention_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o many_o corruption_n which_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n fall_v into_o yet_o these_o book_n have_v still_o be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o same_o form_n that_o we_o have_v they_o now_o it_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o josiah_n relate_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n own_o writing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o king_n command_v all_o the_o people_n to_o keep_v the_o passover_n unto_o the_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n now_o we_o have_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n exod._n xii_o which_o show_v that_o josiah_n by_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n mean_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n such_o as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o adays_o and_o such_o as_o they_o be_v when_o moses_n deposit_v they_o into_o the_o sanctuary_n it_o be_v important_a to_o consider_v well_o all_o that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o forementioned_a chapter_n of_o two_o king_n for_o we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o this_o law_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o reform_v all_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v in_o their_o religion_n and_o countenance_v by_o the_o royal_a authority_n from_o solomon_n time_n to_o josiah_n this_o chapter_n relate_v and_o commend_v the_o proceed_n of_o josiah_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ill_a government_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o to_o the_o public_a monument_n of_o their_o superstition_n which_o he_o abolish_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n law_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o impose_v herein_o upon_o posterity_n for_o first_o the_o transaction_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o also_o to_o most_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n second_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o continue_v so_o lively_a and_o universal_a that_o almost_o 1500_o year_n after_o moses_n the_o name_n of_o those_o magician_n speak_v of_o exod._n vii_o 11._o be_v as_o yet_o know_v not_o only_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v it_o by_o a_o express_a passage_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o 1._o hist_o nat._n l._n 30._o c._n 1._o and_o mention_v their_o name_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 8._o but_o also_o among_o the_o heathen_n as_o both_o pliny_n and_o numenius_n do_v attest_v it_o i_o point_v only_o at_o those_o general_a proof_n at_o present_a because_o i_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o they_o and_o show_v their_o force_n in_o my_o observation_n upon_o genesis_n and_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o repeat_v and_o improve_v some_o of_o they_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n but_o now_o in_o order_n to_o follow_v my_o present_a design_n i_o must_v come_v to_o the_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o these_o book_n which_o will_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n the_o subject_a of_o some_o book_n be_v such_o as_o that_o alone_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o the_o attention_n of_o any_o reader_n though_o their_o author_n have_v no_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o beside_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o subject_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v famous_a and_o of_o great_a repute_n then_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o never_o fail_v to_o be_v read_v with_o serious_a attention_n and_o preserve_v with_o as_o great_a a_o care_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n have_v both_o these_o advantage_n so_o that_o they_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suspect_v of_o the_o least_o alteration_n or_o forgery_n the_o first_o character_n that_o we_o discover_v in_o these_o book_n at_o the_o first_o view_v of_o they_o be_v the_o great_a singularity_n and_o admirable_a diversity_n of_o their_o style_n and_o of_o the_o matter_n they_o treat_v of_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o other_o legislator_n do_v ever_o affect_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o historian_n no_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o absolute_a power_n to_o make_v law_n without_o give_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o sanction_n of_o they_o therefore_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v common_o nothing_o more_o dry_a and_o sapless_a than_o all_o their_o regulation_n about_o both_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o moses_n we_o see_v have_v follow_v a_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o satisfactory_a method_n all_o his_o regulation_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v he_o enact_v no_o law_n of_o any_o consequence_n but_o he_o intimate_v to_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o reason_n which_o challenge_v their_o obedience_n and_o make_v they_o by_o that_o mean_n reflect_v both_o upon_o the_o several_a mercy_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o great_a miracle_n they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o i_o confess_v indeed_o that_o the_o use_n and_o scope_n of_o some_o of_o his_o regulation_n be_v very_o abstruse_a especial_o now_o that_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a heathen_a custom_n which_o god_n design_v to_o abolish_v from_o among_o that_o people_n new_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n where_o during_o their_o captivity_n they_o have_v comply_v and_o accustom_a themselves_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o the_o rite_n and_o religion_n of_o their_o master_n the_o egyptian_n but_o yet_o how_o abstruse_a soever_o the_o design_n of_o some_o of_o those_o law_n may_v now_o appear_v to_o be_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o general_a scope_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o keep_v that_o people_n from_o idolatry_n in_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n as_o also_o to_o quicken_v their_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o promise_n of_o who_o come_v have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o renew_v several_a time_n to_o the_o head_n of_o their_o nation_n however_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o those_o law_n religion_n and_o policy_n so_o interweave_v together_o that_o the_o latter_a seem_v to_o subsist_v only_o by_o the_o support_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o former_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o human_a legislator_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o regard_v the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v about_o the_o tradition_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o old_a moses_n have_v preserve_v it_o with_o such_o care_n with_o so_o many_o mark_n of_o fidelity_n and_o so_o clear_a and_o plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o history_n beside_o he_o that_o can_v give_v any_o satisfactory_a information_n about_o the_o original_a of_o thing_n all_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o heathen_n which_o yet_o make_v up_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n they_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n that_o moses_n relate_v in_o his_o history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o see_v the_o beginning_n of_o that_o common_a wealth_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n moses_n give_v a_o accurate_a account_n of_o they_o if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o mankind_n or_o what_o be_v the_o true_a happiness_n of_o man_n and_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o partaker_n of_o that_o happiness_n moses_n teach_v all_o that_o with_o great_a evidence_n and_o exactness_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o occasion_n of_o
upon_o they_o continual_o especial_o every_o sabbath_n day_n nay_o and_o we_o see_v moreover_o that_o god_n every_o seven_o year_n will_v have_v they_o read_v public_o in_o a_o more_o solemn_a manner_n before_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o that_o people_n who_o during_o that_o year_n be_v oblige_v to_o rest_v from_o all_o their_o ordinary_a labour_n and_o employment_n and_o so_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v all_o that_o while_n but_o to_o read_v the_o law_n to_o examine_v it_o and_o to_o meditate_v upon_o it_o last_o it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v yet_o the_o more_o solemn_a and_o authentic_a because_o they_o oblige_v the_o jew_n to_o celebrate_v three_o such_o feast_n as_o be_v to_o be_v public_o keep_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o consequent_o apt_a to_o refresh_v their_o memory_n and_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n thrice_o a_o year_n not_o only_o of_o the_o surprise_v miracle_n that_o god_n have_v do_v for_o they_o but_o also_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o give_v and_o promulgate_v his_o law_n the_o miracle_n give_v rise_v to_o the_o law_n and_o those_o law_n be_v themselves_o a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o miracle_n because_o of_o the_o frequent_a commemoration_n of_o they_o which_o be_v therein_o enjoin_v now_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o let_v every_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o god_n give_v and_o promulgate_a by_o his_o mean_n that_o body_n of_o law_n which_o he_o have_v insert_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n can_v possible_o or_o at_o least_o reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o but_o i_o come_v now_o to_o con-the_a oracle_n record_v in_o moses_n write_n in_o order_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o they_o chap._n vii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n can_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n be_v history_n in_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o oracle_n which_o he_o have_v record_v in_o his_o book_n there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o oracle_n in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o other_o three_o follow_a book_n first_o there_o be_v some_o whereof_o the_o accomplishment_n do_v soon_o follow_v the_o prediction_n the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o the_o egyptian_a bondage_n be_v of_o that_o number_n moses_n do_v promise_n and_o foretell_v it_o nay_o and_o he_o execute_v it_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o people_n to_o who_o it_o be_v promise_v and_o foretell_v be_v themselves_o witness_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n and_o it_o be_v that_o accomplishment_n which_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o his_o commission_n so_o be_v the_o other_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o several_a division_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n moses_n foretell_v exact_o what_o lot_n every_o one_o shall_v have_v and_o give_v beside_o a_o description_n of_o the_o country_n that_o every_o tribe_n be_v to_o inhabit_v those_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o desert_n be_v witness_n both_o of_o the_o prediction_n and_o the_o execusion_n of_o it_o although_o it_o be_v by_o the_o cast_n of_o lot_n that_o all_o the_o tribe_n get_v their_o several_a partition_n but_o second_o there_o be_v some_o other_o oracle_n in_o moses_n book_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v the_o prediction_n till_o after_o a_o long_a interval_n of_o time_n such_o be_v the_o prophecy_n that_o foretell_v the_o future_a subjection_n of_o the_o israelite_n to_o the_o canaanite_n and_o the_o several_a deliverance_n out_o of_o that_o subjection_n which_o god_n be_v to_o effect_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o judge_n who_o he_o be_v to_o raise_v up_o for_o that_o purpose_n such_o again_o be_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o future_a change_n of_o their_o common_a wealth_n into_o a_o kingly_a government_n three_o and_o last_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n foretell_v all_o the_o accident_n change_n and_o revolution_n that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o jew_n as_o long_o as_o their_o state_n shall_v stand_v at_o least_o we_o see_v that_o his_o prediction_n be_v very_o plain_a concern_v their_o several_a captivity_n and_o removal_n and_o their_o return_n into_o the_o holy_a land_n as_o also_o the_o sieges_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o irrecoverable_a dispersion_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n which_o we_o see_v at_o present_a but_o whatever_o difference_n there_o may_v otherwise_o be_v betwixt_o all_o these_o prediction_n we_o may_v say_v that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v as_o pregnant_a proof_n of_o its_o certainty_n and_o truth_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o for_o first_o as_o to_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o prediction_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o moses_n relate_v himself_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o his_o account_n can_v in_o the_o least_o be_v suspect_v of_o imposture_n because_o he_o write_v it_o among_o a_o whole_a nation_n which_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o case_n see_v he_o suppose_v and_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v all_o along_o in_o his_o relation_n that_o those_o prediction_n be_v beforehand_o public_o and_o general_o know_v of_o all_o the_o people_n as_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophecy_n we_o have_v the_o relation_n of_o it_o in_o such_o other_o book_n as_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n death_n as_o in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n of_o judge_n and_o several_a other_o which_o relate_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o as_o of_o prophecy_n write_v many_o year_n and_o even_o some_o age_n before_o by_o moses_n beside_o to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o account_n which_o we_o find_v in_o those_o book_n concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v interweave_v with_o such_o history_n as_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o his_o prophecy_n as_o well_o as_o his_o write_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o the_o world_n and_o distinct_o know_v by_o every_o jew_n and_o what_o be_v further_a observable_a be_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v moses_n book_n in_o such_o a_o esteem_n because_o of_o these_o several_a illustrious_a prophecy_n that_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o that_o they_o have_v always_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o most_o excellent_a of_o all_o their_o prophet_n they_o assert_v at_o this_o very_a day_n that_o the_o other_o prophet_n have_v common_o no_o other_o knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n than_o that_o which_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o by_o dream_n and_o vision_n whereas_o moses_n have_v it_o by_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o god_n himself_o who_o use_v to_o speak_v to_o he_o face_n to_o face_n without_o any_o enthusiasm_n when_o he_o be_v perfect_o awake_a now_o how_o can_v ever_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v so_o strong_o prepossess_v of_o that_o high_a opinion_n both_o of_o moses_n and_o his_o prediction_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o they_o never_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o any_o of_o they_o that_o will_v certain_o be_v as_o strange_a a_o illusion_n as_o ever_o be_v for_o it_o be_v beside_o observable_a that_o those_o prophecy_n of_o he_o be_v not_o write_v by_o themselves_o and_o keep_v secret_a from_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n but_o that_o they_o be_v insert_v into_o the_o several_a speech_n which_o he_o make_v to_o all_o the_o people_n some_o time_n before_o his_o death_n and_o which_o be_v write_v and_o keep_v together_o in_o the_o same_o volume_n to_o be_v a_o stand_a monument_n both_o of_o his_o prophecy_n and_o of_o his_o ministry_n among_o the_o jew_n now_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o book_n that_o be_v all_o make_v up_o of_o prophecy_n and_o so_o keep_v secret_a and_o seldom_o read_v as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n be_v and_o a_o book_n wherein_o the_o prophecy_n it_o contain_v be_v interweave_v with_o a_o history_n wherein_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o matter_n as_o draw_v to_o it_o and_o fix_v the_o attention_n of_o every_o reader_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v mingle_v with_o a_o whole_a body_n of_o political_n and_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o intermix_v with_o the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o all_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o give_v the_o occasion_n to_o so_o many_o several_a revelation_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o his_o book_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v those_o reflection_n upon_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o jew_n entertain_v of_o moses_n prerogative_n and_o upon_o the_o manner_n that_o his_o prophecy_n so_o much_o reverence_v among_o they_o be_v exact_o accomplish_v and_o not_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o divine_a authority_n chap._n viii_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o constant_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o oracle_n relate_v
because_o those_o of_o every_o tribe_n who_o continue_v still_o in_o the_o land_n may_v visible_o keep_v they_o up_o and_o we_o here_o of_o necessity_n ought_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o we_o may_v read_v in_o the_o xxxii_o chapter_n of_o jeremiah_n xxxii_o jerem._n xxxii_o concern_v the_o sale_n of_o a_o field_n which_o jeremiah_n buy_v and_o second_o what_o we_o read_v nehem._n the_o vth_o where_o he_o be_v trouble_v to_o see_v the_o alienation_n of_o their_o field_n which_o be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o misery_n and_o three_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o people_n be_v restore_v to_o their_o estate_n according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o their_o state._n another_o very_a effectual_a mean_n to_o fix_v that_o people_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o preserve_v their_o family_n there_o certain_o without_o confusion_n be_v the_o law_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n which_o god_n institute_v for_o this_o very_a purpose_n for_o in_o short_a when_o this_o rule_n be_v once_o lay_v down_o that_o upon_o the_o failure_n of_o a_o heir_n in_o any_o family_n that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n be_v the_o heir_n at_o law_n it_o appear_v plain_o that_o every_o one_o be_v oblige_v for_o his_o own_o interest_n to_o inquire_v with_o diligence_n into_o the_o genealogical_a life_n of_o his_o own_o tribe_n that_o he_o may_v instruct_v himself_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o several_a family_n of_o his_o kindred_n and_o of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o proximity_n of_o blood_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v relate_v because_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o these_o list_n and_o of_o those_o several_a degree_n of_o kindred_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o right_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n there_o be_v two_o other_o law_n which_o contribute_v also_o to_o this_o one_o whereof_z regulate_v all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v when_o there_o be_v none_o but_o daughter_n leave_v in_o a_o family_n a_o famous_a instance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o zelophehad_n set_v down_o twice_o by_o moses_n on_o purpose_n no_o doubt_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v particular_o in_o another_o place_n the_o other_o law_n regulate_v all_o that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n of_o any_o one_o that_o die_v childless_a be_v oblige_v to_o do_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o relict_n and_o of_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o decease_a if_o he_o intend_v to_o redeem_v it_o one_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n a_o illustrious_a example_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o law_n which_o may_v be_v find_v deuter._n xxv_o now_o after_o all_o this_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o there_o can_v be_v any_o strong_a tie_n than_o these_o to_o oblige_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o whither_o the_o division_n which_o god_n make_v of_o it_o betwixt_o their_o several_a tribe_n and_o family_n be_v not_o a_o infallible_a mean_n to_o distinguish_v they_o certain_o one_o from_o another_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v concern_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n do_v principal_o relate_v also_o to_o the_o messiah_n which_o hold_v also_o as_o to_o several_a other_o law_n hitherto_o i_o have_v show_v the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o afterward_o show_v what_o care_n he_o take_v to_o keep_v the_o distinction_n which_o he_o first_o set_v up_o among_o the_o tribe_n and_o i_o afterward_o explain_v those_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o oblige_v every_o family_n in_o each_o tribe_n to_o remain_v distinct_a and_o i_o afterward_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v a_o very_a proper_a mean_n to_o execute_v this_o design_n of_o god._n all_o which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o make_v it_o easy_a for_o every_o man_n to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v once_o know_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n as_o it_o be_v afterward_o foretell_v by_o several_a express_a oracle_n but_o as_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v something_o supernatural_a in_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n so_o we_o ought_v to_o see_v what_o care_n god_n take_v in_o his_o law_n that_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n even_o in_o this_o very_a article_n may_v not_o be_v a_o fact_n too_o difficult_a to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o first_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v join_v with_o isaiah_n prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v etc._n etc._n be_v vii_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n must_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o the_o christian_n profess_v to_o believe_v why_o shall_v god_n otherwise_o have_v take_v care_n to_o insinuate_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o a_o woman_n without_o mention_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n if_o he_o have_v not_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v without_o the_o operation_n of_o a_o man_n and_o why_o shall_v isaiah_n propose_v the_o conceive_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o a_o effect_v whole_o supernatural_a in_o short_a god_n do_v therefore_o by_o his_o law_n not_o only_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n that_o this_o thing_n may_v not_o be_v ambiguous_a when_o it_o shall_v be_v accomplish_v but_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v here_o he_o have_v by_o these_o law_n make_v it_o extreme_o illustrious_a first_o beside_o that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n inflict_v upon_o they_o that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n find_v guilty_a of_o sin_n against_o nature_n 17._o exod._n xxii_o deut._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xviii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxiii_o 17._o as_o also_o upon_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o have_v have_v any_o incestuous_a commerce_n with_o those_o that_o be_v near_o relate_v to_o they_o and_o to_o who_o either_o the_o nearness_n of_o blood_n or_o of_o affinity_n give_v they_o a_o more_o free_a and_o familiar_a access_n he_o moreover_o strait_o command_v that_o all_o prostitute_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n without_o any_o mercy_n second_o he_o be_v not_o only_o content_v to_o forbid_v fornication_n and_o adultery_n in_o general_n by_o condemn_v to_o death_n xxii_o exod._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxii_o those_o that_o express_o shall_v be_v convict_v of_o it_o and_o by_o award_v the_o same_o sentence_n against_o he_o that_o shall_v happen_v to_o corrupt_v a_o contract_a virgin_n and_o the_o virgin_n herself_o but_o he_o also_o hinder_v man_n by_o two_o way_n from_o fall_v into_o sin_n of_o impurity_n he_o permit_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n a_o divorce_n where_o the_o wife_n do_v not_o please_v her_o husband_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o allow_v of_o polygamy_n this_o toleration_n make_v that_o virgin_n on_o the_o one_o side_n not_o remain_v too_o long_o unmarried_a be_v not_o apt_a to_o be_v easy_o corrupt_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n man_n be_v not_o very_o forward_o to_o debauch_v those_o woman_n who_o they_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o marry_v or_o to_o keep_v when_o marry_v for_o he_o that_o be_v compel_v to_o marry_v a_o virgin_n who_o he_o have_v seduce_v xxii_o deut._n xxii_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o put_v she_o away_o for_o ever_o after_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v the_o design_n of_o those_o law_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o short_a 5._o massec_n avoth_o c._n 5._o the_o desire_n of_o issue_n make_v they_o marry_v very_o young_a most_o of_o the_o man_n be_v marry_v at_o eighteen_o year_n of_o age._n therefore_o all_o virgin_n think_v it_o a_o shame_n to_o be_v unmarried_a therefore_o god_n make_v they_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n in_o that_o manner_n when_o seven_o woman_n will_v marry_v one_o man_n without_o ask_v any_o thing_n for_o diet_n or_o clothes_n provide_v only_o that_o he_o will_v take_v away_o that_o reproach_n of_o live_v without_o have_v child_n it_o be_v this_o desire_n of_o posterity_n which_o make_v the_o woman_n look_v upon_o barrenness_n as_o a_o curse_n again_o this_o vehement_a desire_n of_o child_n make_v eunuch_n to_o be_v regard_v 1069._o lucian_n de_fw-fr eunuch_n p._n 537._o lucian_n de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syriâ_fw-la p._n 1069._o as_o man_n particular_o abhor_v of_o god_n not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o although_o afterward_o
if_o it_o have_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v a_o jew_n before_o they_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o promise_n second_o it_o suppose_v that_o god_n be_v to_o remove_v that_o people_n out_o of_o canaan_n into_o remote_a country_n and_o to_o disperse_v they_o as_o it_o be_v into_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v do_v by_o divine_a providence_n only_o to_o publish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o establish_v the_o belief_n in_o the_o prophet_n and_o so_o to_o facilitate_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith._n three_o he_o declare_v express_o as_o st._n paul_n observe_v that_o he_o be_v to_o call_v his_o people_n that_o which_o be_v not_o his_o people_n that_o he_o may_v by_o that_o mean_n provoke_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o jealousy_n this_o notion_n of_o jealousy_n mention_v by_o st._n paul_n deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o with_o very_o great_a care_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o reign_v among_o the_o israelite_n and_o their_o neighbour_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n of_o david_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a although_o he_o otherwise_o insult_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o edomite_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o show_v as_o much_o aversion_n and_o jealousy_n against_o those_o nation_n as_o be_v possible_a for_o one_o that_o live_v in_o a_o continual_a war_n with_o those_o people_n i_o shall_v also_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o solomon_n marriage_n with_o the_o princess_n of_o tyre_n of_o sidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n that_o be_v to_o say_v with_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n which_o be_v unite_v to_o that_o of_o judah_n to_o take_v a_o part_n with_o they_o in_o the_o blessing_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o song_n that_o be_v write_v upon_o that_o marriage_n be_v preserve_v as_o a_o piece_n divine_o inspire_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o happy_a presage_n of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o messiah_n one_o may_v also_o join_v here_o the_o manner_n of_o solomon_n give_v to_o hiram_n subject_n who_o have_v help_v he_o in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o country_n of_o chabul_n which_o be_v enclose_v within_o judea_n although_o those_o people_n be_v of_o the_o canaanite_n posterity_n upon_o who_o noah_n have_v particular_o pronounce_v ix_o gen._n ix_o curse_v be_v canaan_n one_o may_v also_o see_v that_o as_o god_n have_v permit_v his_o people_n to_o be_v transport_v into_o chaldea_n and_o babylon_n and_o have_v raise_v up_o there_o prophet_n among_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o glorious_a hope_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o greek_a about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n not_o only_o to_o prevent_v all_o suspicion_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o gentile_n if_o they_o be_v produce_v of_o a_o sudden_a after_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o also_o to_o instruct_v the_o heathen_n by_o little_a and_o little_a of_o the_o right_n which_o all_o nation_n have_v as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o may_v take_v their_o share_n in_o it_o whenever_o they_o shall_v be_v invite_v to_o it_o by_o god_n and_o especial_o to_o take_v away_o the_o scandal_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v upon_o god_n destroy_v the_o form_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n by_o the_o roman_n according_a to_o daniel_n prediction_n all_o these_o thing_n no_o doubt_n engage_v the_o jew_n who_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o make_v particular_a remark_n upon_o they_o but_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v observe_v three_o thing_n especial_o the_o first_o be_v that_o although_o god_n have_v at_o first_o choose_v their_o whole_a nation_n yet_o he_o be_v please_v to_o disperse_v afterward_o almost_o ten_o part_n of_o thirteen_o which_o plain_o show_v that_o this_o choice_n which_o he_o have_v make_v be_v only_o a_o oeconomical_a choice_n and_o for_o a_o particular_a design_n the_o second_o be_v that_o although_o he_o be_v very_o severe_a and_o punctual_a in_o exact_v obedience_n to_o the_o ceremonial_a service_n yet_o he_o have_v fix_v the_o most_o part_n of_o their_o observance_n to_o certain_a place_n to_o certain_a time_n and_o to_o certain_a person_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v that_o when_o god_n bound_v they_o in_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v only_o for_o a_o oeconomical_a service_n prescribe_v only_o upon_o a_o particular_a prospect_n which_o be_v one_o day_n to_o have_v a_o end_n the_o three_o be_v that_o experience_n convince_v they_o that_o although_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v fix_v his_o service_n to_o the_o temple_n yet_o he_o suffer_v the_o chaldean_n to_o destroy_v the_o first_o and_o do_v not_o restore_v to_o the_o second_o the_o first_o mark_n of_o his_o presence_n when_o it_o be_v rebuilt_a by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conclude_v that_o such_o a_o glory_n as_o retire_v by_o little_a and_o little_a from_o that_o place_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v be_v only_o design_v to_o be_v there_o for_o a_o time_n till_o god_n shall_v extend_v his_o service_n by_o call_v all_o the_o world_n to_o his_o religion_n and_o so_o make_v the_o whole_a universe_n his_o temple_n as_o we_o see_v it_o do_v in_o our_o day_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o our_o saviour_n finis_fw-la reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n volume_n ii_o london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o preface_n in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v the_o mean_n god_n make_v use_n of_o to_o imprint_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n during_o that_o long_a tract_n of_o 2500_o year_n before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n depart_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o before_o the_o history_n of_o it_o be_v pen_v by_o moses_n they_o that_o consider_v that_o god_n at_o first_o prescribe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o fix_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o law_n have_v be_v constant_o observe_v since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n observe_v among_o the_o jew_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o this_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v not_o be_v more_o incontestable_o prove_v or_o more_o firm_o ground_v in_o like_a manner_n a_o attentive_a reflection_n upon_o the_o oracle_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o which_o alone_o at_o first_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o be_v afterward_o record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v any_o one_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v deep_o engrave_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o god_n have_v raise_v among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n do_v not_o much_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o as_o i_o have_v show_v very_o careful_o that_o it_o be_v very_o useful_a for_o that_o purpose_n i_o have_v in_o my_o reflection_n afterward_o prove_v upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o god_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n in_o the_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o peculiar_a form_n and_o regulation_n of_o their_o government_n and_o religion_n the_o great_a design_n of_o which_o rule_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v unquestionable_o know_v whoever_o shall_v read_v the_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o this_o matter_n will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v of_o great_a efficacy_n to_o make_v so_o fresh_a and_o lively_a a_o impression_n of_o those_o illustrious_a fact_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o very_o frequent_a oracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o as_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o 2553_o year_n only_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n be_v give_v which_o have_v a_o particular_a relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o now_o this_o reflection_n be_v once_o suppose_v as_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v afterward_o
the_o history_n down_o to_o cyrus_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o persia_n who_o give_v the_o jew_n their_o liberty_n again_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o what_o pass_v under_o his_o successor_n to_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n for_o almost_o eighty_o two_o year_n it_o be_v in_o this_o interval_n that_o the_o deliverance_n happen_v which_o the_o jew_n receive_v under_o esther_n wife_n to_o one_o of_o the_o most_o powerful_a king_n of_o persia_n the_o memory_n of_o which_o the_o jew_n celebrate_v every_o year_n in_o all_o place_n the_o thirteen_o and_o fourteen_o day_n of_o the_o month_n adar_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o february_n by_o virtue_n of_o esther_n law._n after_o these_o general_a remark_n with_o which_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o at_o present_a i_o ought_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o take_v away_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n from_o those_o proof_n which_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o history_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v neglect_v by_o a_o people_n who_o in_o their_o religious_a and_o civil_a conduct_n be_v absolute_o regulate_v by_o those_o very_a law_n the_o second_o be_v that_o all_o the_o action_n relate_v in_o this_o history_n have_v pass_v altogether_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o people_n the_o extent_n of_o who_o country_n be_v not_o twenty_o league_n in_o breadth_n nor_o eighty_o in_o length_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o people_n have_v observe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n and_o of_o the_o first_o year_n or_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o law_n you_o have_v in_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o leviticus_n from_o their_o first_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o country_n forty_o seven_o year_n after_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n this_o observation_n have_v serve_v for_o a_o double_a cycle_n to_o fix_v the_o remembrance_n of_o those_o action_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o so_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o hezekiah_n esai_n xxxvii_o 30._o and_o two_o king_n xix_o 29._o may_v easy_o be_v understand_v that_o although_o sennacherib_n invasion_n will_v in_o all_o probability_n lie_v waste_v all_o judea_n yet_o they_o may_v eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o quietness_n the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o the_o next_o year_n they_o shall_v eat_v the_o fruit_n that_o will_v grow_v up_o of_o themselves_o without_o tillage_n and_o that_o on_o the_o sixteenth_o year_n they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o till_o the_o ground_n as_o former_o which_o show_v without_o any_o force_n upon_o the_o word_n that_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v the_o sabbathical_a year_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v forbid_v to_o cultivate_v the_o ground_n the_o four_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v in_o effect_n by_o the_o series_n of_o this_o whole_a story_n that_o thing_n be_v write_v so_o as_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n which_o be_v extant_a among_o the_o people_n this_o be_v manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v how_o often_o the_o sacred_a penman_n refer_v we_o to_o the_o history_n and_o annal_n of_o those_o king_n of_o who_o they_o speak_v and_o of_o who_o they_o only_o quote_v the_o principal_a story_n in_o short_a in_o pursue_v their_o design_n which_o be_v entire_o to_o bring_v a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o israelite_n under_o one_o view_n let_v we_o go_v on_o to_o other_o proof_n to_o establish_v this_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n as_o there_o be_v but_o few_o very_a ancient_a writer_n of_o profane_a history_n and_o as_o we_o have_v 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6._o upon_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o euphrates_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n there_o be_v monument_n extant_a which_o describe_v the_o part_n which_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n have_v in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n almost_o the_o same_o with_o the_o account_n which_o the_o sacred_a author_n give_v we_o of_o his_o part_n in_o the_o erection_n of_o that_o great_a work._n one_o find_v in_o herodotus_n a_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o sesostris_n king_n of_o egypt_n 6._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n one_o find_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n relate_v by_o nicholaus_fw-la damascenus_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o the_o king_n of_o
who_o shall_v become_v their_o king_n be_v likewise_o foretell_v in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o express_v prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a nation_n under_o the_o roman_a empire_n after_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v always_o great_a quarrel_n with_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n so_o one_o find_v that_o among_o the_o oracle_n which_o particular_o regard_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o prophet_n have_v interweave_v a_o great_a number_n which_o concern_v those_o strange_a people_n with_o relation_n to_o those_o difference_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o between_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o they_o so_o one_o see_v we_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o canaanite_n punish_v in_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o oracle_n pronounce_v against_o the_o descendant_n of_o cham._n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o benhudad_n king_n of_o syria_n and_o of_o his_o house_n foretell_v to_o the_o 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the_o world_n which_o be_v form_v like_o those_o which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n one_o find_v there_o a_o history_n exact_o pursue_v and_o in_o a_o natural_a dependence_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n for_o 3500_o year_n one_o find_v there_o a_o series_n of_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v all_o sort_n of_o event_n so_o inseparable_o unite_v with_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v by_o what_o mean_v the_o prophecy_n can_v have_v be_v so_o bring_v to_o support_v the_o history_n and_o the_o history_n to_o support_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophecy_n one_o find_v oracle_n so_o clear_a and_o so_o particular_a especial_o in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n that_o porphyry_n a_o mortal_a enemy_n to_o the_o christian_n be_v force_v to_o assert_v that_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v forge_v after_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n time_n a_o ridiculous_a imagination_n for_o this_o prophecy_n be_v translate_v into_o greek_n more_o than_o one_o hundred_o year_n before_o and_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n not_o only_o of_o the_o jew_n but_o of_o the_o egyptian_n also_o mortal_a enemy_n to_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n this_o also_o be_v very_o surprise_v that_o since_o the_o jew_n after_o their_o dispersion_n preserve_v these_o history_n wherever_o they_o be_v as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o these_o oracle_n as_o prediction_n of_o those_o event_n of_o which_o their_o history_n be_v very_o full_a they_o shall_v never_o think_v of_o propose_v to_o we_o any_o book_n of_o a_o like_a nature_n consider_v that_o now_o for_o one_o and_o twenty_o age_n they_o have_v have_v no_o parallel_n author_n who_o have_v both_o write_v history_n and_o pronounce_v oracle_n ii_o but_o as_o these_o reflection_n lead_v we_o on_o to_o other_o so_o we_o ought_v to_o enter_v upon_o they_o by_o consider_v what_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a obstinacy_n can_v oppose_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o scripture_n chap._n iu._n that_o how_o common_a soever_o oracle_n may_v have_v be_v among_o the_o pagan_n yet_o nothing_o among_o they_o can_v just_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n one_o of_o the_o great_a objection_n which_o can_v in_o all_o probability_n be_v make_v against_o this_o surprise_v series_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v take_v from_o that_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o pagan_n this_o objection_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v because_o it_o will_v more_o clear_o demonstrate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophetical_a book_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o confess_v there_o have_v be_v false_a prophet_n and_o indeed_o since_o god_n have_v give_v we_o mark_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o true_a one_o which_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o there_o have_v be_v some_o false_a prophet_n and_o that_o moreover_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n discover_v to_o we_o impostor_n frequent_o we_o may_v free_o acknowledge_v that_o among_o the_o pagan_n and_o the_o people_n border_v upon_o judea_n there_o have_v be_v man_n who_o have_v boast_v of_o prediction_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v as_o well_o as_o among_o the_o jew_n i_o confess_v also_o that_o some_o heathen_a writer_n speak_v of_o certain_a oracle_n which_o in_o all_o appearance_n be_v very_o well_o circumstantiate_v and_o of_o which_o they_o relate_v a_o very_a exact_a accomplishment_n but_o several_a thing_n ought_v to_o be_v observe_v upon_o this_o argument_n which_o deserve_v a_o attentive_a consideration_n i._o we_o see_v that_o their_o most_o celebrate_a thing_n have_v be_v only_o a_o imitation_n of_o what_o be_v do_v among_o the_o jew_n the_o egyptian_n imitate_v the_o urim_n and_o the_o thummim_n of_o the_o jewish_a high_a priest_n and_o they_o appropriate_v to_o he_o the_o right_a of_o give_v oracle_n and_o so_o we_o see_v they_o be_v give_v by_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n which_o the_o jew_n see_v be_v grant_v to_o their_o prophet_n we_o may_v see_v it_o in_o the_o history_n of_o socrates_n life_n and_o in_o apuleius_n p._n 339._o ii_o we_o see_v that_o the_o same_o pagan_a historian_n take_v notice_n that_o very_o many_o even_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o oracle_n be_v very_o ambiguous_a and_o false_a the_o philosopher_n and_o tully_n particular_o open_o laugh_v at_o they_o lib._n i._n ii_o de_fw-la divinatione_fw-la they_o think_v it_o a_o ridiculous_a thing_n that_o apollo_n delphicus_fw-la the_o god_n of_o poetry_n shall_v give_v his_o answer_n in_o very_o bad_a verse_n and_o at_o last_o be_v reduce_v to_o prose_n eusebius_n quote_v a_o discourse_n of_o oenomaus_n a_o greek_a philosopher_n who_o write_v against_o oracle_n to_o decry_v they_o as_o imposture_n iii_o we_o see_v that_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v acquire_v the_o great_a reputation_n by_o their_o accomplishment_n be_v borrow_v from_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o synagogue_n we_o have_v a_o illustrious_a example_n in_o the_o birth_n of_o cyrus_n which_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n have_v foretell_v about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3292._o and_o concern_v which_o they_o pretend_v to_o show_v prophecy_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o croesus_n 91._o abydenus_n herodot_n lib._n i._o cap._n 55._o &_o 91._o about_o the_o year_n 3492._o which_o show_v that_o if_o the_o thing_n be_v real_o know_v to_o they_o they_o can_v not_o have_v know_v it_o but_o by_o the_o prophetical_a write_n which_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v conceal_v from_o they_o because_o the_o jew_n read_v they_o with_o care_n to_o comfort_v themselves_o under_o that_o captivity_n to_o which_o they_o be_v reduce_v by_o nabuchadnezzar_n iv_o it_o be_v in_o effect_n prove_v by_o examine_v their_o oracle_n most_o of_o which_o
institute_v during_o the_o captivity_n we_o must_v blind_v ourselves_o of_o purpose_n to_o conceive_v that_o any_o impostor_n can_v forge_v book_n which_o have_v so_o exact_a a_o relation_n and_o such_o certain_a characteristic_n to_o fix_v they_o to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o author_n live_v and_o to_o the_o circumstance_n wherein_o he_o write_v we_o must_v of_o necessity_n grant_v that_o before_o such_o a_o impostor_n can_v bring_v about_o such_o a_o design_n he_o must_v have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o whole_a profane_a history_n to_o fix_v so_o exact_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o of_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v be_v give_v in_o circumstance_n which_o be_v unintelligible_a without_o the_o help_n of_o profane_a history_n of_o different_a nation_n i_o come_v now_o to_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v contest_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o those_o fact_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o true_a to_o establish_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n whereof_o we_o teach_v i._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n preserve_v these_o oracle_n to_o this_o day_n with_o great_a fidelity_n ii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n who_o preserve_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n since_o they_o have_v be_v separate_v from_o they_o that_o be_v for_o almost_o seventeen_o age_n iii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o these_o prophecy_n have_v be_v exact_o read_v by_o the_o jew_n because_o of_o those_o oracle_n upon_o which_o they_o believe_v to_o this_o day_n that_o the_o whole_a happiness_n of_o their_o nation_n be_v found_v iv_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v read_v these_o book_n exact_o to_o refute_v the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v pretend_v from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o their_o appear_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n mark_v out_o by_o these_o oracle_n in_o short_a whereas_o the_o christian_n pretend_v to_o prove_v by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o this_o day_n to_o wrest_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o oracle_n and_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o literal_o accomplish_v and_o which_o by_o consequence_n can_v be_v apply_v to_o jesus_n christ_n v._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o most_o of_o the_o controversy_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o christian_n only_o regard_v the_o application_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o prophetical_a author_n the_o christian_n explain_v they_o in_o a_o mystical_a sense_n the_o jew_n maintain_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v explain_v literal_o vi_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o about_o 300_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o prophetical_a book_n be_v translate_v and_o put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o egyptian_n have_v be_v carry_v to_o and_o translate_v at_o alexandria_n by_o a_o public_a order_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o a_o king_n of_o egypt_n the_o history_n of_o that_o version_n which_o put_v those_o sacred_a book_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o jew_n who_o dwell_v in_o egypt_n be_v the_o most_o famous_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o make_v those_o book_n perfect_o know_v here_o we_o have_v now_o these_o book_n in_o hebrew_n and_o in_o greek_a that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o primitive_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o alexander_n found_v it_o be_v know_v that_o from_o that_o time_n the_o christian_n take_v care_n to_o make_v great_a number_n of_o translation_n into_o all_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n after_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o they_o preserve_v those_o ancient_a book_n as_o the_o first_o element_n of_o their_o religion_n now_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o acknowledge_v those_o truth_n to_o consider_v that_o those_o oracle_n be_v true_a which_o foretell_v thing_n which_o happen_v almost_o four_o age_n after_o their_o prediction_n thus_o for_o instance_n the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o syrian_a and_o egyptian_a monarchy_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n haggai_n zachariah_n and_o malachi_n now_o there_o be_v not_o more_o difficulty_n to_o conceive_v that_o such_o author_n as_o isaiah_n amos_n joel_n shall_v have_v foretell_v the_o same_o thing_n eight_o or_o nine_o hundred_o year_n before_o than_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v foretell_v by_o those_o who_o live_v but_o little_a above_o four_o age_n before_o they_o actual_o come_v to_o pass_v there_o be_v therefore_o no_o difficulty_n in_o conceive_v that_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v propose_v as_o we_o see_v they_o and_o in_o those_o time_n to_o which_o we_o find_v they_o fix_v but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o into_o this_o matter_n and_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o i_o confess_v that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o suspicion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v not_o relate_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o public_a volume_n as_o for_o instance_n those_o of_o elijah_n elisha_n and_o uriah_n the_o son_n of_o shemaiah_n who_o seem_v never_o to_o have_v publish_v any_o thing_n but_o here_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v 1._o that_o usual_o the_o author_n who_o publish_v the_o oracle_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o those_o who_o tell_v we_o of_o their_o accomplishment_n 2._o that_o the_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o now_o speak_v be_v upon_o subject_n perfect_o know_v and_o upon_o very_o illustrious_a exigency_n what_o more_o illustrious_a than_o the_o destruction_n of_o ahab_n family_n foretell_v by_o elijah_n what_o more_o extraordinary_a than_o the_o manner_n of_o jezebel_n death_n foretell_v by_o the_o same_o prophet_n in_o short_a we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n i._o that_o these_o oracle_n be_v write_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o complete_a volume_n we_o have_v sixteen_o prophet_n sufficient_o distinguish_v by_o their_o proper_a volume_n ii_o each_o of_o these_o author_n have_v a_o very_a different_a character_n from_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o some_o as_o daniel_n for_o instance_n write_v in_o a_o peculiar_a language_n one_o part_n of_o his_o book_n be_v in_o chaldee_n iii_o every_o one_o have_v some_o relation_n to_o the_o rest_n so_o those_o who_o live_v together_o often_o treat_v of_o the_o same_o thing_n so_o isaiah_n for_o instance_n joel_n amos_n hosea_n but_o they_o have_v separate_a idea_n and_o particular_a oracle_n and_o a_o turn_n which_o perfect_o distinguish_v they_o one_o from_o another_o iv_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o work_n to_o find_v that_o they_o write_v in_o different_a place_n amos_n be_v of_o juda_n and_o go_v to_o prohecy_v in_o israel_n that_o appear_v plain_o ezechiel_n and_o daniel_n prophesy_v in_o chaldea_n that_o be_v see_v by_o read_v their_o work_n v._o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o those_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_a for_o the_o prophet_n be_v continual_o reproach_v the_o king_n and_o people_n with_o the_o crime_n which_o they_o commit_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n propose_v by_o moses_n vi_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o write_n of_o the_o former_a and_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n 2._o dan._n ix_o 2._o so_o jeremiah_n be_v quote_v by_o daniel_n as_o foretell_v the_o time_n when_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v to_o have_v a_o end_n this_o he_o propose_v not_o as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v it_o by_o a_o revelation_n but_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v find_v out_o by_o a_o attentive_a examination_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n vii_o there_o be_v a_o exact_a connexion_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o time_n which_o be_v often_o interweave_v with_o the_o prophecy_n one_o see_v we_o it_o in_o the_o book_n of_o isaiah_n jeremiah_n and_o daniel_n the_o other_o historical_a book_n not_o be_v altogether_o so_o particular_a as_o these_o prophetical_a book_n be_v viii_o in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o book_n be_v interweave_v with_o oracle_n concern_v ancient_a event_n and_o people_n which_o have_v now_o no_o existence_n so_o thaâ—_n that_o hinder_v we_o from_o suspect_v any_o forgery_n i_o shall_v not_o repeat_v here_o the_o common_a argument_n which_o establish_v the_o credit_n of_o these_o book_n i_o bring_v in_o most_o of_o they_o when_o i_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n here_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o truth_n chap._n vi_o that_o the_o
to_o establish_v their_o authority_n whereas_o the_o prediction_n of_o other_o want_v this_o character_n be_v neglect_v and_o at_o last_o absolute_o lose_v it_o appear_v plain_o that_o those_o which_o remain_n be_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a reputation_n among_o the_o jew_n beside_o i_o may_v add_v that_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o book_n to_o see_v that_o they_o not_o only_o foretell_v obscure_a thing_n or_o what_o particular_o concern_v their_o state_n but_o also_o thing_n of_o a_o more_o splendid_a nature_n the_o overthrow_n of_o kingdom_n of_o city_n the_o destruction_n of_o whole_a nation_n the_o destruction_n of_o their_o own_o city_n with_o its_o re-establishment_n matter_n which_o will_v render_v their_o book_n very_o illustrious_a and_o which_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o be_v read_v not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n the_o ammonite_n moabite_n assyrian_n persian_n egyptian_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o this_o therefore_o a_o very_a particular_a thing_n and_o that_o which_o make_v the_o prophet_n very_o illustrious_a that_o the_o great_a lustre_n of_o the_o prophet_n continue_v but_o for_o a_o certain_a time_n there_o have_v be_v none_o since_o the_o year_n 3553._o their_o glory_n appear_v in_o the_o history_n of_o eight_o age_n but_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v itself_o any_o far_o now_o why_o i_o pray_v shall_v there_o be_v no_o impostor_n after_o malachy_n as_o well_o as_o there_o be_v impostor_n before_o he_o one_o may_v imagine_v perhaps_o that_o the_o prophecy_n be_v immediate_o disperse_v some_o be_v utter_v in_o one_o place_n and_o some_o in_o another_o some_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o other_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n some_o in_o babylon_n other_o in_o egypt_n which_o may_v give_v opportunites_n for_o impostor_n but_o i._o this_o objection_n may_v be_v strong_o retort_v back_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o in_o the_o division_n which_o separate_v the_o israelite_n from_o the_o jew_n those_o of_o judah_n will_v charge_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_n publish_v in_o a_o kingdom_n so_o much_o a_o enemy_n to_o they_o without_o examination_n when_o every_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o thence_o aught_o to_o appear_v suspect_v ii_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o particular_a volume_n but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o hosea_n isaiah_n and_o jeremy_n and_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o rest_n be_v preserve_v in_o book_n which_o contain_v many_o other_o thing_n iii_o they_o be_v all_o exact_o join_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n each_o one_o in_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a concern_v to_o preserve_v and_o to_o gather_v they_o together_o but_o beside_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n in_o short_a the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n translate_v they_o into_o greek_a in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3727._o and_o so_o submit_v they_o to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o this_o also_o keep_v we_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o truth_n this_o translation_n be_v make_v but_o one_o hundred_o thirty_o and_o eight_o year_n after_o malachy_n the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n but_o what_o judgement_n soever_o may_v be_v make_v of_o these_o reflection_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v only_o to_o establish_v the_o reputation_n of_o these_o prophecy_n and_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v that_o so_o no_o room_n may_v be_v leave_v for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o forgery_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o consideration_n to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v already_o which_o ought_v to_o appear_v convince_a to_o every_o attentive_a man._n i._o one_o can_v suspect_v none_o but_o the_o jew_n as_o forger_n of_o these_o oracle_n now_o not_o to_o say_v any_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o suppose_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v have_v subscribe_v to_o such_o a_o imposture_n all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n be_v after_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n strong_o prepossess_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o great_a temporal_a king_n and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o belief_n to_o this_o very_a hour_n in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n wherever_o they_o be_v disperse_v this_o be_v once_o lay_v down_o i_o affirm_v it_o to_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v oracle_n which_o assert_v express_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o so_o very_o odious_a a_o manner_n for_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v the_o old_a doctor_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n all_o those_o oracle_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o christian_n and_o which_o they_o themselves_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v force_v to_o interpret_v of_o two_o messiah_n one_o expose_v to_o a_o world_n of_o misery_n and_o the_o other_o only_o glorious_a or_o at_o least_o i_o may_v say_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v consent_v to_o a_o forgery_n which_o thwart_v their_o common_a idea_n and_o pretension_n in_o so_o very_o sensible_a a_o manner_n ii_o the_o second_o consideration_n establish_v the_o same_o truth_n with_o no_o less_o firmness_n which_o be_v that_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n from_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o great_a aversation_n they_o look_v upon_o the_o blessing_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o communicate_v as_o advantage_n entire_o reserve_v for_o those_o of_o their_o own_o nation_n how_o then_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v so_o many_o oracle_n which_o shall_v thwart_v their_o prejudices_fw-la so_o sensible_o or_o how_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o a_o whole_a people_n will_v authorise_v with_o their_o approbation_n a_o imposture_n so_o contrary_a and_o so_o very_o opposite_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o it_o be_v no_o hard_a thing_n to_o imagine_v that_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v once_o persuade_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o prophet_n either_o by_o their_o miracle_n or_o by_o the_o ready_a accomplishment_n of_o every_o oracle_n which_o they_o have_v public_o pronounce_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o book_n with_o a_o profound_a submission_n and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o utmost_a care_n but_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o incomprehensible_a thing_n for_o a_o people_n to_o receive_v imposture_n contrary_a to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o imposture_n reiterated_a so_o often_o without_o any_o ground_n but_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o record_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o will_v produce_v but_o i_o suppose_v these_o reflection_n will_v suffice_v to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o allege_v particular_a proof_n which_o may_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o each_o book_n in_o particular_a which_o will_v carry_v i_o out_o to_o too_o great_a a_o length_n i_o shall_v now_o consider_v the_o oracle_n themselves_o and_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o light_n of_o this_o revelation_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o this_o progress_n may_v be_v the_o better_o observe_v i_o shall_v do_v three_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v former_o observe_v without_o which_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o wise_a reader_n will_v not_o receive_v satisfaction_n i._o i_o shall_v explain_v in_o a_o few_o word_n the_o reason_n why_o these_o oracle_n be_v interweave_v with_o several_a history_n or_o prophecy_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n ii_o i_o shall_v give_v such_o rule_n as_o will_v serve_v to_o justify_v the_o application_n which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v equal_o make_v of_o several_a oracle_n only_o to_o the_o messiah_n iii_o i_o shall_v set_v the_o oracle_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n which_o will_v manifest_v the_o advancement_n and_o progress_n of_o that_o light_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o revelation_n itself_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o god_n shall_v explain_v himself_o more_o clear_o in_o this_o matter_n in_o proportion_n as_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v near_o to_o their_o completion_n chap._n vii_o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a one_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v that_o surprise_v mixture_n which_o one_o see_v we_o of_o those_o oracle_n and_o of_o other_o subject_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v wide_o distant_a from_o any_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v none_o
a_o new_a society_n which_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v not_o by_o the_o law_n give_v on_o mount_n sinai_n but_o by_o those_o which_o be_v to_o be_v publish_v from_o mount_n zion_n chap._n xxiii_o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n this_o article_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o important_a and_o most_o visible_a character_n of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o also_o the_o great_a effect_n of_o his_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a care_n to_o divulge_v the_o same_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o prophetical_a representation_n of_o it_o for_o not_o only_o have_v he_o declare_v that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n 15._o gen._n iii_o 15._o that_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o error_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o vice_n which_o arise_v from_o thence_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o sin_n which_o this_o unhappy_a spirit_n bring_v into_o the_o world._n it_o be_v not_o only_o foretell_v that_o god_n will_v persuade_v japhet_n to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o sem_fw-mi 27._o gen._n ix_o 27._o by_o unite_n the_o posterity_n of_o both_o those_o patriarch_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o religion_n not_o only_o have_v he_o signify_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v over_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n that_o be_v over_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o offspring_n of_o cham_n not_o except_v not_o only_o have_v he_o foretell_v that_o all_o nation_n kindred_n xxii_o gen._n xii_o &_o ch._n xviii_o &_o xxii_o and_o family_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n but_o god_n go_v much_o further_o afterward_o for_o as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o revelation_n increase_v so_o the_o same_o be_v declare_v more_o distinct_o for_o 1._o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n tell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n gen._n xlix_o verse_n 10._o the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n until_o shiloh_n come_v and_o unto_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v 2._o moses_n threaten_v the_o jew_n that_o if_o they_o despise_v the_o law_n of_o god_n stranger_n that_o be_v gentile_n shall_v be_v prefer_v before_o they_o deut._n xxviii_o verse_n 43._o the_o strange_a that_o be_v within_o thou_o shall_v get_v up_o above_o thou_o very_o high_a and_o thou_o shall_v come_v down_o very_o low_a the_o same_o prophet_n menace_v they_o from_o god_n that_o he_o will_v stir_v up_o their_o jealousy_n by_o call_v a_o foolish_a people_n to_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n deut._n xxxii_o verse_n 21._o they_o have_v move_v i_o to_o jealousy_n with_o that_o which_o be_v not_o god_n they_o have_v provoke_v i_o to_o anger_n with_o their_o vanity_n and_o i_o will_v move_v they_o to_o jealousy_n with_o those_o which_o be_v not_o a_o people_n i_o will_v provoke_v they_o to_o anger_n with_o a_o foolish_a nation_n nothing_o can_v be_v say_v more_o express_a and_o particular_a than_o these_o last_o word_n of_o that_o great_a law_n giver_n and_o founder_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n 3._o david_n set_v forth_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o that_o which_o be_v to_o reach_v over_o all_o the_o earth_n psalm_n ii_o verse_n 8._o ask_v of_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v give_v thou_o the_o heathen_a for_o thy_o inheritance_n and_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o thy_o possession_n and_o psalm_n xxii_o vers_fw-la 27_o 28_o 29_o 30._o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v remember_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v worship_v before_o thou_o for_o the_o kingdom_n be_v the_o lord_n and_o he_o be_v the_o governor_n among_o the_o nation_n all_o they_o that_o be_v fat_a upon_o the_o earth_n shall_v eat_v and_o worship_n all_o they_o that_o go_v down_o to_o the_o dust_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o a_o seed_n shall_v serve_v he_o it_o shall_v be_v account_v to_o the_o lord_n for_o a_o generation_n psalm_n lxxii_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o he_o shall_v have_v dominion_n from_o sea_n to_o sea_n and_o from_o the_o river_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o wilderness_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o and_o his_o enemy_n shall_v lick_v the_o dust_n the_o king_n of_o tarshish_n and_o of_o the_o isle_n shall_v bring_v present_n the_o king_n of_o sheba_n and_o seba_n shall_v offer_v gift_n yea_o all_o king_n shall_v fall_v down_o before_o he_o all_o nation_n shall_v serve_v he_o which_o prophecy_n be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a because_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n be_v there_o repeat_v in_o so_o many_o word_n viz._n that_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n psalm-cii_a verse_n 15._o so_o the_o heathen_a shall_v fear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n thy_o glory_n and_o psalm_n cx_o verse_n 2._o the_o lord_n shall_v send_v the_o rod_n of_o thy_o strength_n out_o of_o zion_n rule_n thou_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o thy_o enemy_n one_o ought_v to_o transcribe_v almost_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o passage_n which_o be_v to_o this_o purpose_n the_o prophet_n hosea_n declare_v in_o general_a term_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o impossible_a thing_n for_o those_o who_o have_v be_v god_n people_n to_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o or_o for_o those_o that_o be_v not_o his_o people_n to_o become_v his_o people_n chap._n i._o verse_n 10._o yet_o the_o number_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o sand_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o can_v be_v measure_v or_o number_v and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v not_o my_o people_n there_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god._n isaiah_n mention_n this_o so_o often_o and_o in_o such_o a_o emphatical_a manner_n that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n he_o drive_v at_o in_o all_o his_o write_n chap._n ii_o verse_n 2_o 3._o he_o speak_v thus_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o last_o day_n that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o and_o many_o people_n shall_v go_v and_o say_v come_v you_o and_o let_v we_o go_v up_o to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n and_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o of_o his_o way_n and_o we_o will_v walk_v in_o his_o path_n for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o chap._n xi_o verse_n 10._o in_o that_o day_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o root_n of_o jesse_n which_o shall_v stand_v for_o a_o ensign_n of_o the_o people_n to_o it_o shall_v the_o gentile_n seek_v and_o chap._n xviii_o verse_n 7._o he_o make_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o the_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o chap._n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o he_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o will_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n chap._n lv._o vers_fw-la 4_o 5._o behold_v i_o have_v give_v thou_o for_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o people_n a_o leader_n and_o a_o commander_n to_o the_o people_n behold_v thou_o shall_v call_v a_o nation_n that_o thou_o know_v not_o and_o nation_n that_o know_v not_o thou_o shall_v run_v unto_o thou_o because_o of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o for_o the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n for_o he_o have_v glorify_v thou_o but_o one_o see_v we_o these_o truth_n in_o their_o great_a lustre_n in_o the_o lx_o chap._n of_o his_o prophecy_n vers_fw-la 3_o 4_o 5._o the_o gentile_n shall_v come_v to_o thy_o light_n and_o king_n to_o the_o brightness_n of_o thy_o rise_n lift_v up_o thy_o eye_n round_o about_o and_o see_v all_o they_o gather_v themselves_o together_o they_o come_v to_o thou_o thy_o son_n shall_v
have_v promise_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o only_a design_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v according_a to_o the_o prophet_n the_o first_o speak_v concern_v the_o messiah_n as_o expect_v the_o latter_a as_o already_o come_v but_o we_o must_v proceed_v to_o a_o more_o particular_a view_n of_o this_o matter_n i_o say_v then_o first_o of_o all_o that_o the_o christian_n have_v the_o same_o object_n of_o their_o faith_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v this_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o declare_v where_o he_o say_v this_o be_v life_n eternal_a that_o they_o may_v know_v thou_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o thou_o have_v send_v behold_v here_o the_o true_a character_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o jewish_a to_o believe_v one_o only_a god_n to_o own_o a_o messiah_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v he_o the_o jew_n agree_v with_o we_o in_o the_o two_o former_a article_n though_o they_o dispute_v the_o last_o i_o say_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o regulate_v religion_n and_o the_o conduct_n of_o particular_a person_n in_o that_o society_n be_v exact_o the_o same_o with_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o sermon_n upon_o the_o mount_n which_o contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o his_o ethic_n have_v no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o restore_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o those_o law_n god_n have_v give_v upon_o mount_n sinai_n and_o though_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o divorce_n it_o seem_v opposite_a to_o that_o law_n wherein_o god_n have_v before_o permit_v they_o yet_o we_o may_v easy_o conceive_v that_o he_o begin_v to_o abrogate_v those_o order_n and_o dispensation_n which_o be_v only_o give_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v the_o prayer_n which_o jesus_n christ_n teach_v his_o apostle_n be_v full_a of_o notion_n which_o reign_v among_o the_o jew_n as_o several_a expositor_n have_v manifest_v i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o allege_v the_o instance_n of_o the_o petition_n for_o our_o daily_a bread_n which_o have_v a_o evident_a regard_n to_o the_o manna_n which_o god_n give_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o wilderness_n for_o forty_o year_n we_o know_v also_o that_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o baptism_n and_o the_o eucharist_n be_v original_o jewish_a ceremony_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v apply_v with_o a_o very_a little_a variation_n to_o much_o more_o important_a subject_n baptism_n be_v a_o wash_n which_o accompany_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o circumcision_n of_o proselyte_n light_n and_o the_o wash_v practise_v under_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n signify_v that_o the_o proselyte_n who_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o same_o be_v resolve_v to_o renounce_v his_o former_a course_n and_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v to_o follow_v a_o opposite_a way_n of_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v he_o by_o the_o minister_n of_o heaven_n after_o that_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n have_v assure_v he_o of_o the_o remission_n of_o his_o sin_n the_o eucharist_n be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o egypt_n and_o the_o deliverance_n he_o afford_v they_o in_o punish_v of_o the_o egyptian_n this_o ceremony_n do_v perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o that_o deliverance_n till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n jesus_n christ_n have_v substitute_v to_o this_o figure_n a_o instance_n of_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n against_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n the_o idea_n of_o his_o death_n by_o which_o he_o have_v communicate_v his_o blessing_n to_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n and_o he_o have_v make_v it_o a_o more_o full_a and_o exact_a memorial_n of_o his_o death_n which_o he_o will_v have_v we_o to_o consider_v as_o the_o death_n of_o the_o true_a lamb_n which_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world._n as_o the_o old_a covenant_n be_v make_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o a_o lamb_n so_o jesus_n christ_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o covenant_n promise_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxxi_o ordain_v the_o celebrate_n the_o memorial_n of_o the_o blood_n he_o have_v spill_v this_o be_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o my_o blood_n etc._n etc._n and_o last_o whereas_o the_o law_n ordain_v the_o commemoration_n of_o the_o paschal_n lamb_n but_o once_o a_o year_n jesus_n christ_n seem_v to_o appoint_v a_o much_o more_o frequent_a celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n when_o he_o say_v as_o oft_o as_o you_o shall_v eat_v this_o bread_n etc._n etc._n the_o reason_n of_o which_o without_o doubt_n be_v take_v from_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o benefit_n which_o his_o death_n confer_v upon_o we_o it_o be_v well_o worth_a our_o observation_n that_o ordinary_o the_o same_o prophetical_a idea_n that_o be_v find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n may_v be_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o new._n the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n contain_v abundance_n of_o particular_n set_v down_o in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o zachariah_n and_o ezechiel_n jesus_n christ_n himself_o pursue_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o prophet_n joel_n in_o the_o xxiv_o of_o matthew_n when_o he_o set_v forth_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o afterward_o he_o describe_v the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n which_o daniel_n give_v we_o thereof_o daniel_n foretell_v in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o roman_a monarchy_n by_o the_o christian_n who_o he_o style_v the_o people_n of_o the_o most_o high._n st._n paul_n follow_v the_o same_o notion_n 1_o cor._n vi_o 2._o where_o he_o suppose_v it_o as_o a_o know_a thing_n the_o saint_n say_v he_o shall_v judge_v the_o world._n and_o st._n john_n in_o the_o xx_o of_o the_o revelation_n verse_n 4._o represent_v satan_n bind_v and_o the_o government_n put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o believer_n it_o be_v also_o very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o promise_n and_o threat_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v express_v in_o term_n borrow_v from_o the_o old_a testament_n these_o word_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o that_o hear_v my_o word_n and_o believe_v in_o he_o that_o send_v i_o have_v eternal_a life_n and_o shall_v not_o come_v into_o judgement_n etc._n etc._n have_v not_o they_o a_o plain_a relation_n to_o adam_n unbelief_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o judgement_n he_o undergo_v and_o the_o punishment_n impose_v on_o he_o be_v it_o not_o from_o this_o spirit_n which_o penetrate_v both_o that_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o oft_o make_v mention_n of_o a_o new_a canaan_n a_o new_a jerusalem_n a_o new_a name_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o glory_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o sometime_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o paradise_n sometime_o of_o a_o feast_n where_o abraham_n who_o be_v call_v the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a sit_v at_o the_o upper_a end_n eternal_a damnation_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o valley_n of_o hinnom_n of_o a_o lake_n burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o lake_n of_o sodom_n and_o to_o the_o place_n where_o the_o filth_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v burn_v up_o and_o consume_v it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o believer_n be_v exhort_v to_o remember_v lot_n wife_n luke_n ix_o 62._o and_o xvii_o 32._o and_o to_o depart_v from_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o wicked_a hebr._n xiii_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o election_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o reference_n they_o have_v to_o the_o head_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o to_o the_o seventy_o elder_n who_o moses_n choose_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o seventy_o soul_n jacob_n bring_v with_o he_o into_o egypt_n these_o passage_n you_o shall_v sit_v on_o twelve_o throne_n and_o your_o name_n be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o the_o number_n of_o 144000_o be_v the_o product_n of_o 12_o time_n 12_o by_o allusion_n to_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n do_v all_o borrow_v their_o light_n from_o those_o ancient_a history_n throughout_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o find_v nothing_o but_o a_o continual_a allusion_n to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n all_o those_o idea_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n do_v allude_v to_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o jubilee_n the_o first_o bear_v mention_v there_o and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o priest_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v but_o by_o cast_v our_o eye_n on_o the_o old_a testament_n if_o jesus_n christ_n be_v call_v the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n if_o peter_n be_v call_v a_o stone_n or_o rock_n believer_n live_v stone_n and_o the_o apostle_n foundation_n it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o allusion_n to_o
discourse_n at_o the_o same_o rate_n do_v not_o they_o express_v themselves_o with_o much_o grief_n and_o trouble_n before_o they_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o most_o sublime_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o we_o trust_v that_o it_o have_v be_v he_o which_o shall_v have_v redeem_v israel_n it_o be_v also_o very_o observable_a that_o john_n the_o baptist_n appear_v and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n at_o this_o time_n this_o his_o practice_n give_v the_o jew_n occasion_n to_o take_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n but_o what_o ground_n have_v they_o to_o think_v so_o sure_o from_o what_o they_o have_v read_v in_o ezechiel_n chap._n xxxvi_o verse_n 25._o and_o indeed_o when_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n depute_v some_o person_n to_o he_o they_o charge_v they_o to_o know_v of_o he_o whether_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o no_o and_o if_o not_o why_o he_o exercise_v a_o function_n which_o that_o prophecy_n seem_v to_o appropriate_v to_o the_o messiah_n himself_o in_o call_v he_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o same_o truth_n may_v also_o be_v collect_v from_o what_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n about_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n who_o say_v our_o saviour_n do_v people_n say_v i_o be_o and_o the_o apostle_n answer_v that_o some_o say_v he_o be_v john_n the_o baptist_n other_o jeremiah_n other_o elias_n and_o other_o again_o that_o prophet_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o messiah_n who_o be_v so_o call_v by_o way_n of_o excellence_n in_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n and_o we_o find_v that_o when_o jesus_n christ_n style_v himself_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o multitude_n easy_o conceive_v that_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o seven_o of_o daniel_n where_o the_o messiah_n be_v so_o call_v we_o perceive_v also_o from_o many_o other_o place_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o the_o multitude_n be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o those_o passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v common_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n the_o messiah_n when_o he_o appear_v say_v they_o will_v he_o do_v great_a sign_n than_o this_o man_n do_v other_o be_v offend_v because_o jesus_n christ_n be_v of_o nazareth_n argue_v from_o thence_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v the_o messiah_n other_o maintain_v that_o when_o the_o messiah_n shall_v come_v it_o will_v not_o be_v know_v whence_o he_o be_v and_o other_o again_o assert_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o continue_v for_o ever_o all_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o familiar_a among_o the_o jew_n this_o must_v have_v be_v so_o of_o necessity_n because_o the_o samaritan_n themselves_o be_v possess_v with_o the_o same_o idea_n though_o they_o have_v not_o so_o great_a a_o extent_n of_o light_a as_o the_o jew_n have_v they_o do_v not_o indeed_o altogether_o reject_v the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o rather_o study_v they_o with_o care_n their_o animosity_n against_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o jealousy_n upon_o account_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o place_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o other_o thing_n in_o question_n do_v manifest_o show_v that_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v know_v to_o they_o and_o that_o they_o be_v exact_o inform_v in_o that_o whole_a matter_n one_o ought_v also_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n call_v that_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n because_o the_o time_n set_v down_o by_o the_o prophet_n be_v almost_o expire_v and_o the_o sceptre_n be_v already_o depart_v from_o judah_n the_o week_n of_o daniel_n be_v end_v and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n and_o egypt_n be_v overturn_v so_o there_o be_v several_a good_a man_n who_o be_v fill_v with_o a_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n anna_n and_o simeon_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o those_o who_o by_o their_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v discover_v that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v near_o at_o hand_n much_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o daniel_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o to_o have_v learn_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n that_o the_o captivity_n be_v almost_o expire_v i_o shall_v add_v one_o argument_n more_o which_o seem_v beyond_o exception_n that_o many_o person_n be_v find_v about_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v either_o draw_v by_o other_o into_o a_o opinion_n of_o their_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o who_o of_o themselves_o desire_v to_o be_v account_v so_o thus_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o flatterer_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o messiah_n of_o this_o number_n be_v theudas_n and_o judas_n gaulonite_n with_o some_o other_o thus_o also_o soon_o after_o some_o apply_v the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n to_o vespasian_n the_o emperor_n because_o he_o have_v be_v choose_v in_o the_o east_n this_o be_v attest_v by_o josephus_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o promise_a messiah_n as_o of_o a_o great_a king_n be_v very_o common_a in_o the_o east_n and_o not_o unknown_a in_o the_o west_n we_o know_v that_o under_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n barchochab_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o terrible_a sedition_n by_o make_v the_o jew_n believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o we_o can_v be_v ignorant_a how_o many_o such_o like_a impostor_n have_v be_v since_o who_o have_v abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o jew_n etc._n rycaut_n turk_n hist_o vol._n 2._o p._n 174._o etc._n etc._n even_o until_o sabatai_n sevi_n who_o delude_v they_o about_o one_o and_o twenty_o year_n since_o last_o we_o can_v but_o think_v that_o this_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v always_o fresh_a among_o the_o jew_n because_o we_o find_v that_o from_o that_o time_n they_o have_v continual_o dispute_v with_o the_o christian_n about_o this_o matter_n because_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o two_o messiah_n one_o the_o son_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o other_o the_o son_n of_o joseph_n and_o because_o in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n whither_o they_o be_v scatter_v they_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o their_o commentary_n on_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o sermon_n in_o their_o public_a prayer_n and_o their_o common_a conversation_n sure_o if_o any_o time_n can_v be_v suppose_v wherein_o they_o may_v have_v lose_v their_o knowledge_n and_o distinct_a hope_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o must_v be_v since_o the_o time_n appoint_v for_o his_o come_n be_v expire_v when_o by_o the_o christian_n insult_v over_o their_o vain_a expectation_n they_o have_v be_v oblige_v find_v themselves_o disappoint_v by_o prophetical_a calculation_n to_o set_v up_o that_o rash_a maxim_n curse_v be_v he_o that_o compute_v the_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o notion_n be_v much_o more_o lively_a in_o they_o when_o their_o hope_n be_v well_o ground_v and_o when_o they_o may_v pretend_v to_o see_v they_o accomplish_v it_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o the_o model_n appoint_v by_o god_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v do_v still_o subsist_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o god_n at_o first_o have_v form_v it_o but_o that_o i_o may_v give_v a_o full_a light_n to_o this_o capital_a truth_n i_o shall_v tie_v myself_o to_o consider_v the_o several_a argument_n for_o it_o distinct_o and_o shall_v begin_v with_o those_o which_o show_v that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v subsist_v according_a to_o the_o divine_a model_n and_o then_o proceed_v to_o other_o which_o demonstrate_v that_o god_n have_v therein_o preserve_v all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a to_o his_o design_n chap._n iii_o that_o the_o common_a wealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v still_o subsist_v and_o follow_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a know_v of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v this_o proposition_n the_o one_o be_v the_o overturning_a of_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o other_o be_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o remove_v both_o these_o difficulty_n for_o the_o overturning_a of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o draw_v along_o with_o it_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o law_n on_o which_o it_o be_v found_v and_o afterward_o govern_v wherefore_o the_o case_n of_o this_o republic_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o athens_n or_o lacedaemon_n which_o at_o present_a subsist_v no_o where_n but_o in_o book_n because_o there_o be_v no_o people_n now_o that_o follow_v the_o law_n of_o the_o ancient_a legislator_n of_o sparta_n or_o athens_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o find_v the_o jew_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n keep_v these_o law_n with_o great_a carefulness_n study_v they_o with_o the_o great_a application_n and_o
may_v seem_v to_o be_v worthy_a of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o so_o i_o shall_v only_o observe_v at_o present_a that_o this_o visit_n be_v make_v to_o elizabeth_n in_o a_o city_n of_o judah_n which_o be_v a_o demonstrative_a proof_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n and_o consequent_o of_o that_o of_o judah_n so_o that_o this_o be_v far_o from_o be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o it_o as_o some_o have_v do_v it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o priest_n have_v leave_v to_o take_v a_o wife_n of_o what_o tribe_n they_o please_v but_o who_o see_v we_o not_o at_o first_o sight_n that_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o a_o priest_n dwell_v in_o one_o of_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n to_o marry_v in_o that_o tribe_n among_o who_o he_o live_v beside_o that_o the_o priest_n have_v of_o a_o long_a time_n affect_v to_o make_v alliance_n with_o that_o tribe_n before_o any_o other_o the_o second_o thing_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v join_v to_o this_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o elizabeth_n express_v herself_o to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n consider_v she_o as_o bear_v the_o messiah_n in_o her_o womb_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n she_o call_v she_o the_o mother_n of_o my_o lord_n allude_v to_o psalm_n cx_o the_o three_o be_v that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o her_o song_n where_o she_o speak_v of_o herself_o as_o the_o person_n in_o who_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n be_v accomplish_v luke_n i._o vers_fw-la 54_o 55._o which_o promise_v concern_v the_o messiah_n she_o set_v forth_o herself_o as_o heiress_n to_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o choose_v before_o any_o her_o ancestor_n notwithstanding_o all_o their_o glory_n he_o have_v put_v down_o say_v she_o the_o mighty_a from_o their_o seat_n and_o have_v exalt_v they_o of_o low_a degree_n the_o four_o be_v that_o zachariah_n the_o priest_n who_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o bless_a virgin_n at_o who_o house_n she_o have_v be_v during_o the_o first_o three_o month_n of_o her_o be_v with_o child_n and_o who_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o her_o lineage_n always_o own_v she_o to_o be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o look_v upon_o the_o bless_a virgin_n as_o the_o mother_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o well_o as_o elizabeth_n his_o wife_n he_o seem_v to_o have_v consider_v the_o infant_n that_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o she_o as_o the_o redeemer_n promise_v to_o abraham_n and_o the_o bless_a virgin_n as_o the_o heiress_n of_o david_n and_o therefore_o say_v that_o god_n have_v raise_v up_o a_o horn_n of_o salvation_n for_o we_o in_o the_o house_n of_o his_o servant_n david_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o convince_a than_o this_o observation_n for_o first_o zachariah_n be_v a_o priest_n that_o be_v one_o of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v commit_v 2._o he_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v very_o well_o verse_v in_o the_o prophecy_n which_o fix_v the_o messiah_n to_o the_o family_n of_o david_n 3._o he_o consider_v his_o son_n as_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o he_o propose_v that_o the_o oracle_n of_o malachy_n shall_v be_v fulfil_v in_o that_o son_n who_o god_n have_v so_o miraculous_o bestow_v upon_o he_o 4._o he_o need_v only_o have_v examine_v the_o agreement_n of_o her_o marriage_n and_o he_o will_v then_o certain_o know_v whether_o the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v not_o of_o another_o tribe_n which_o will_v have_v cure_v he_o of_o any_o possible_a illusion_n in_o short_a s._n luke_n observe_v very_o exact_o that_o this_o journey_n of_o the_o virgin_n to_o her_o kinswoman_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n which_o prove_v the_o bless_a virgin_n to_o have_v be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v thing_n well_o know_v throughout_o all_o the_o hill-country_n of_o judea_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v pretend_v that_o this_o important_a fact_n be_v any_o way_n obscure_a but_o second_o this_o genealogy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v carry_v up_o to_o david_n and_o judah_n and_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n exact_o know_v especial_o since_o jesus_n christ_n always_o pass_v for_o the_o son_n of_o david_n blind_a man_n themselves_o call_v he_o so_o a_o three_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o bless_a virgin_n go_v to_o bethlehem_n to_o be_v there_o enroll_v according_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o augustus_n cesar_n there_o have_v be_v several_a numbring_n of_o the_o people_n the_o first_o be_v at_o the_o appointment_n of_o god_n himself_o the_o second_o be_v by_o a_o order_n from_o david_n and_o in_o both_o a_o exact_a distinction_n be_v make_v between_o the_o tribe_n themselves_o and_o the_o family_n of_o each_o tribe_n and_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v in_o this_o last_o register_n which_o be_v make_v by_o augustus_n decree_n in_o the_o 4000_o year_n of_o the_o world._n joseph_n and_o mary_n go_v up_o to_o bethlehem_n which_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o david_n family_n nothing_o appear_v here_o of_o design_n or_o affectation_n they_o make_v no_o stay_n at_o bethlehem_n and_o the_o occasion_n that_o bring_v they_o thither_o be_v absolute_o strange_a and_o unlooked_a for_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n of_o micah_n chap._n v._o verse_n 2._o but_o thou_o bethlehem_n ephratah_n etc._n etc._n this_o remark_n upon_o the_o decree_n of_o augustus_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n because_o thereby_o the_o virgin_n be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n appear_v to_o be_v the_o most_o indisputable_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n as_o have_v be_v own_v first_o by_o the_o whole_a family_n of_o judah_n for_o three_o month_n second_o by_o the_o genealogy_n which_o subsist_v entire_a as_o the_o talmudist_n themselves_o grant_v in_o the_o treatise_n de_fw-fr sponsal_n chap._n iu._n sect._n 5._o where_o they_o testify_v that_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o royal_a family_n be_v without_o difficulty_n 3._o by_o the_o public_a testimony_n of_o all_o their_o kindred_n who_o meet_v in_o a_o body_n before_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n the_o four_o remark_n be_v that_o when_o herod_n know_v of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n at_o bethlehem_n where_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v he_o will_v have_v envolve_v jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o massacre_n which_o sweep_v away_o the_o innocent_a child_n if_o the_o same_o providence_n which_o bring_v he_o to_o bethlehem_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n have_v not_o withdraw_v he_o from_o thence_o to_o preserve_v he_o from_o that_o tyrant_n who_o be_v afraid_a of_o be_v cast_v from_o his_o throne_n by_o one_o of_o david_n heir_n the_o five_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o only_o often_o allude_v to_o the_o place_n of_o his_o birth_n in_o call_v himself_o the_o bread_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n the_o word_n bethlehem_n signify_v the_o house_n of_o bread_n but_o he_o constant_o own_a himself_o for_o the_o son_n of_o david_n upon_o this_o it_o be_v that_o he_o ground_n the_o objection_n which_o he_o make_v to_o the_o jew_n how_o be_v it_o that_o david_n call_v the_o messiah_n his_o lord_n and_o indeed_o this_o fact_n be_v so_o constant_o own_v by_o all_o that_o even_o person_n who_o be_v possess_v with_o devil_n do_v not_o dispute_v it_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o evangelist_n the_o six_o be_v that_o though_o two_o of_o the_o evangelist_n set_v down_o the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n with_o some_o difference_n yet_o the_o jew_n never_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o question_n jesus_n christ_n descent_n from_o david_n his_o apostle_n always_o build_v on_o that_o foundation_n which_o may_v be_v see_v as_o a_o thing_n take_v for_o grant_v in_o s._n peter_n sermon_n act_v ii_o and_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n paul_n where_o we_o find_v our_o saviour_n always_o style_v the_o son_n of_o david_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n to_o these_o already_o mention_v we_o may_v add_v the_o three_o follow_a observation_n the_o first_o be_v that_o if_o the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o be_v distinct_o know_v the_o apostle_n will_v never_o have_v trouble_v themselves_o to_o have_v set_v it_o down_o much_o less_o will_v they_o have_v place_v it_o in_o the_o front_n of_o their_o book_n as_o know_v that_o the_o beginning_n of_o book_n be_v always_o more_o examine_v than_o the_o end_n and_o will_v certain_o be_v so_o by_o a_o people_n who_o always_o stick_v very_o close_o to_o their_o genealogy_n in_o short_a either_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o confuse_a as_o they_o be_v at_o present_a and_o so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v serve_v as_o character_n to_o discover_v the_o
will_v have_v take_v by_o force_n to_o make_v he_o their_o king_n what_o likelihood_n be_v there_o that_o the_o apostle_n a_o company_n of_o poor_a miserable_a jew_n shall_v bring_v over_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v accurse_v by_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o crucify_v like_o a_o slave_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n whilst_o the_o jew_n accustom_a to_o the_o roman_a yoke_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o avoid_v all_o manner_n of_o occasion_n that_o may_v stir_v up_o the_o indignation_n of_o their_o master_n against_o they_o it_o be_v expedient_a say_v they_o rather_o that_o one_o man_n perish_v meaning_n jesus_n than_o to_o hazard_v the_o welfare_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o three_o be_v that_o these_o oracle_n be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n not_o only_o among_o discourse_n of_o another_o nature_n but_o also_o link_v 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he_o have_v repeat_v the_o same_o idea_n by_o the_o prophet_n zechariah_n who_o describe_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o be_v pierce_v which_o have_v a_o natural_a reference_n to_o the_o notion_n of_o crucifixion_n i_o have_v also_o set_v down_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o god_n separate_v the_o several_a part_n of_o those_o prophetical_a description_n of_o so_o surprise_v a_o event_n the_o difficulty_n there_o be_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n to_o make_v these_o idea_n to_o be_v receive_v which_o seem_v full_a of_o contradiction_n the_o messiah_n have_v be_v at_o first_o set_v forth_o as_o the_o fountain_n of_o blessing_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n their_o seem_a incompatibility_n with_o the_o glory_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o messiah_n and_o by_o he_o to_o the_o israelite_n and_o at_o last_o i_o have_v show_v that_o these_o oracle_n do_v exact_o
carry_v away_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n by_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o moses_n confirm_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o confirm_v beyond_o exception_n at_o least_o far_o beyond_o the_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n it_o remain_v only_o now_o to_o examine_v whether_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v not_o the_o same_o certainty_n when_o we_o look_v back_o from_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o about_o 580_o year_n i_o say_v then_o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v they_o forge_v during_o that_o period_n first_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o 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shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_o