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
last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v 120_o chap._n 22._o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 126_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o 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 page_n 137_o chap._n 2._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 146_o chap._n 3._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 153_o chap._n 4._o a_o continuation_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n 158_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n give_v he_o his_o law_n be_v evident_o true_a 164_o chap._n 6._o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v 169_o chap._n 7._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 173_o chap._n 8._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 by_o moses_n 177_o chap._n 9_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o relation_n that_o moses_n have_v the_o messiah_n in_o view_n when_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 180_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o same_o persuasion_n appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o moses_n until_o his_o death_n 185_o chap._n 11._o that_o balaam_n be_v prophesy_v which_o moses_n relate_v be_v a_o further_a argument_n of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n in_o he_o 188_o chap._n 12._o that_o one_o may_v see_v also_o in_o moses_n be_v law_n plain_a footstep_n of_o god_n design_n in_o distinguish_v these_o from_o who_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v born._n 194_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgate_a his_o law_n among_o the_o israelite_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n 200_o chap._n 14._o that_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v design_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n 206_o chap._n 15._o that_o circumcision_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o distinguish_v the_o israelite_n from_o other_o nation_n 212_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n engage_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o study_n of_o their_o genealogy_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v that_o of_o the_o messiah_n 219_o chap._n 17._o a_o solution_n of_o some_o difficulty_n in_o these_o genealogy_n 223_o chap._n 18._o that_o the_o manner_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n fix_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n 228_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o law_n tie_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o by_o several_a other_o mean_v establish_v the_o distinction_n betwixt_o tribe_n and_o family_n among_o they_o 234_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v coneern_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 241_o chap._n 21._o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n by_o all_o these_o ceremony_n and_o particular_o by_o that_o veneration_n which_o he_o inspire_v the_o jew_n with_o for_o the_o tabernacle_n to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o their_o mind_n by_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n 249_o chap._n 22._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 256_o to_o the_o courteous_a reader_n the_o errata_n be_v so_o small_a that_o they_o will_v not_o disturb_v the_o sense_n any_o where_o and_o so_o few_o that_o we_o need_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o a_o table_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o hope_v he_o will_v take_v such_o inconsiderable_a pain_n upon_o himself_o and_o excuse_v the_o author_n reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v three_o thing_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o for_o true_a the_o promise_v it_o afford_v we_o and_o the_o worship_n it_o command_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o as_o true_a be_v that_o god_n create_v the_o world_n that_o he_o form_v the_o first_o man_n from_o who_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n have_v be_v propagate_v that_o a_o while_n after_o this_o man_n be_v create_v he_o violate_v the_o law_n god_n have_v give_v he_o and_o that_o whereas_o he_o deserve_v to_o have_v perish_v for_o this_o his_o disobedience_n god_n be_v please_v instead_o thereof_o to_o comfort_v he_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o saviour_n which_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o his_o wife_n that_o god_n have_v actual_o send_v this_o saviour_n into_o the_o world_n which_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o christ_n viz._n his_o birth_n life_n preach_v miracle_n death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n the_o promise_v it_o vouchsafe_v be_v the_o forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o body_n and_o a_o state_n absolute_o happy_a for_o ever_o in_o heaven_n and_o last_o the_o worship_n or_o divine_a service_n it_o prescribe_v consist_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o prayer_n for_o the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o his_o protection_n and_o in_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o what_o we_o owe_v he_o for_o all_o his_o benefit_n towards_o we_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n viz._n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o relate_v may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o other_o two_o viz._n the_o promise_n and_o command_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v persuade_v that_o god_n have_v create_v this_o world_n in_o which_o we_o live_v and_o make_v mankind_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o blood_n that_o after_o the_o fall_v he_o promise_v to_o save_v man_n and_o do_v actual_o redeem_v they_o in_o send_v jesus_n christ_n who_o suffer_v death_n and_o be_v raise_v the_o three_o day_n ascend_v into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o look_v upon_o these_o fact_n as_o true_a without_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n will_v accomplish_v the_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v to_o we_o and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o we_o can_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n without_o be_v sensible_a of_o a_o strong_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o we_o to_o perform_v all_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o man_n reflect_v upon_o his_o be_v god_n creature_n he_o find_v himself_o natural_o oblige_v to_o obey_v god_n universal_o according_a to_o his_o utmost_a ability_n but_o when_o he_o come_v further_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v not_o destroy_v the_o first_o man_n for_o his_o disobedience_n but_o be_v gracious_o please_v to_o promise_v he_o a_o saviour_n for_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o posterity_n and_o when_o moreover_o he_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n have_v real_o send_v this_o saviour_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n the_o gospel_n relate_v to_o we_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o that_o he_o must_v find_v himself_o under_o the_o high_a engagement_n imaginable_a of_o render_v to_o god_n a_o religious_a obedience_n and_o believe_v his_o promise_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o obligation_n whereby_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v god_n to_o pray_v to_o he_o and_o to_o offer_v he_o all_o manner_n of_o religious_a worship_n god_n by_o redeem_v he_o have_v obtain_v a_o new_a claim_n to_o and_o right_a over_o he_o and_o a_o more_o indispensable_a obligation_n be_v lay_v upon_o man_n to_o submit_v himself_o to_o god_n in_o all_o religious_a concern_v as_o be_v not_o only_o create_v but_o also_o redeem_v by_o he_o reason_n acknowledge_v that_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v once_o admit_v nothing_o can_v be_v more_o just_a and_o natural_a than_o those_o consequence_n which_o the_o christian_n thence_o infer_v all_o the_o difficulty_n
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 these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o form_n we_o now_o see_v they_o but_o that_o the_o forgery_n must_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o the_o world._n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o all_o their_o family_n or_o synagogue_n and_o every_o seven_o year_n beside_o nothing_n be_v of_o more_o easy_a observation_n than_o whether_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o three_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o passover_n pentecost_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v obey_v the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n whether_o relate_v to_o particular_a person_n to_o tribe_n or_o their_o land_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o possess_v of_o they_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o suppose_v a_o insensible_a change_n wrought_v either_o in_o in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o civil_a 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we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n moreover_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n first_o that_o these_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o rise_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o fiction_n which_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n second_o that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v evident_o confirm_v by_o the_o follow_a book_n of_o joshuah_n and_o judge_n which_o have_v a_o essential_a reference_n to_o the_o same_o and_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o public_a act_n of_o many_o nation_n attest_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o that_o the_o say_a book_n be_v so_o close_o link_v and_o relate_v to_o those_o public_a and_o know_v action_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o separate_v the_o law_n they_o contain_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n attest_v by_o pagan_a history_n or_o to_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o equal_o lay_v down_o that_o platform_n of_o their_o policy_n and_o worship_n my_o business_n at_o present_a only_o be_v to_o hint_n these_o general_a reflection_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o sequel_n will_v oblige_v i_o to_o make_v some_o more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o each_o book_n when_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o consider_v the_o several_a relation_n they_o contain_v i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n where_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o deluge_n with_o other_o matter_n until_o the_o death_n of_o joseph_n which_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2369_o year_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a forasmuch_o as_o among_o those_o matter_n which_o moses_n relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v depend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o i_o must_v make_v it_o my_o business_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v that_o god_n create_v a_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o due_a time_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n for_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n i_o 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
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
rely_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o belief_n yet_o this_o have_v such_o very_a particular_a character_n as_o keep_v up_o its_o own_o authority_n first_o it_o suppose_v a_o small_a number_n of_o person_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n who_o put_v it_o in_o write_v second_o it_o suppose_v that_o those_o who_o have_v preserve_v this_o tradition_n live_v very_o long_o and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n for_o many_o century_n of_o year_n three_o it_o relate_v to_o such_o fact_n as_o every_o one_o be_v desirous_a to_o be_v right_o inform_v of_o and_o which_o he_o be_v particular_o concern_v to_o examine_v as_o relate_v to_o his_o own_o private_a interest_n because_o they_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o his_o action_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o conduct_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n four_o it_o suppose_v such_o real_a mark_n as_o serve_v to_o keep_v it_o up_o such_o as_o the_o pain_n of_o child-bearing_a the_o paradise_n before_o the_o flood_n the_o duration_n of_o the_o ark_n after_o the_o flood_n five_o it_o suppose_v a_o public_a service_n and_o worship_n who_o celebration_n be_v repeat_v fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n that_o the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v preserve_v by_o all_o posterity_n six_o it_o be_v preserve_v entire_a by_o pass_v from_o father_n to_o son_n and_o we_o know_v that_o father_n or_o mother_n do_v not_o natural_o engage_v in_o a_o design_n of_o deceive_v their_o child_n seven_o it_o suppose_v strange_a controversy_n betwixt_o brother_n the_o elder_a have_v almost_o all_o be_v exclude_v and_o the_o young_a as_o abel_n seth_n abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n juda_n choose_v to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o breed_v great_a jealousy_n and_o tend_v much_o to_o preserve_v those_o idea_n of_o the_o truth_n last_o it_o suppose_v great_a contest_v betwixt_o whole_a nation_n who_o all_o strive_v one_o with_o another_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o depositary_n of_o those_o verity_n as_o the_o moabite_n for_o instance_n the_o ammonite_n the_o ishmaelite_n the_o edomite_n and_o the_o jew_n each_o of_o they_o pretend_v to_o a_o preference_n before_o the_o other_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o so_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o credit_n and_o honour_n to_o themselves_o all_o these_o character_n contribute_v to_o the_o distinct_a preservation_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o truth_n chap._n xviii_o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o at_o first_o i_o take_v for_o grant_v and_o afterward_o prove_v it_o the_o reason_n whereof_o i_o explain_v particular_o as_o i_o go_v on_o but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v fix_v as_o solid_o as_o the_o matter_n will_v bear_v because_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o those_o who_o do_v not_o foresee_v the_o consequence_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n do_v contradict_v it_o before_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o and_o that_o too_o under_o pretence_n of_o exalt_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o atheist_n to_o look_v upon_o it_o not_o otherwise_o than_o as_o learned_a man_n do_v on_o the_o great_a part_n of_o legend_n the_o prophetical_a spirit_n act_n in_o two_o manner_n the_o first_o be_v by_o way_n of_o revelation_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n the_o prophet_n have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n john_n have_v foretell_v those_o event_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o revelation_n for_o those_o event_n be_v all_o hide_a under_o the_o shadow_n of_o futurity_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v foretell_v they_o unless_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v immediate_o reveal_v they_o to_o he_o the_o second_o be_v by_o way_n of_o direction_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n with_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v himself_o acquaint_v either_o because_o he_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o they_o himself_o or_o because_o he_o learn_v they_o from_o those_o who_o be_v so_o now_o this_o direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n consist_v in_o the_o guide_n the_o prophet_n so_o as_o that_o he_o may_v write_v of_o his_o subject_n just_a as_o it_o be_v either_o speak_v or_o do_v thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n draw_v up_o a_o abridgement_n of_o those_o sermon_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o of_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o thus_o st._n luke_n and_o st._n mark_n have_v write_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o those_o that_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o as_o st._n luke_n particular_o tell_v we_o now_o i_o affirm_v that_o when_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o have_v only_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophetical_a influence_n and_o not_o the_o first_o although_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o atheist_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o may_v consider_v he_o only_o as_o a_o historian_n who_o may_v have_v write_v his_o book_n without_o any_o other_o particular_a direction_n and_o may_v have_v preserve_v in_o it_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v now_o what_o side_n soever_o divine_v may_v take_v in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o atheist_n i_o may_v easy_o establish_v my_o assertion_n first_o because_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o suppose_v a_o entire_a revelation_n where_o tradition_n be_v distinct_a enough_o be_v sufficient_a to_o preserve_v a_o clear_a remembrance_n of_o all_o those_o fact_n now_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o tradition_n concern_v the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o little_a extent_n of_o it_o and_o the_o immediate_a succession_n of_o moses_n ancestor_n down_o to_o himself_o second_o if_o abraham_n and_o jacob_n travel_n through_o so_o many_o place_n be_v as_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o very_o useful_a to_o give_v they_o a_o further_a view_n of_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o all_o the_o several_a nation_n descend_v from_o noah_n and_o of_o their_o agreement_n in_o this_o tradition_n it_o be_v unjust_a to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n forty_o year_n sojourn_v in_o the_o country_n of_o midian_a and_o that_o too_o when_o he_o be_v forty_o year_n old_a and_o consequent_o have_v that_o ripeness_n of_o age_n and_o judgement_n as_o be_v fit_a for_o such_o observation_n do_v not_o serve_v to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o several_a passage_n he_o record_v of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o several_a division_n of_o his_o posterity_n three_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n a_o way_n of_o write_v very_o different_a from_o that_o which_o we_o see_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o in_o the_o follow_a book_n for_o whereas_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o in_o those_o latter_a book_n which_o he_o always_o do_v viuâ_fw-la voce_fw-la and_o the_o jew_n have_v wise_o observe_v that_o herein_o consist_v moses_n advantage_n above_o the_o other_o prophet_n to_o who_o god_n be_v use_v to_o speak_v only_o in_o dream_n and_o vision_n he_o use_v common_o those_o word_n and_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o i_o he_o mark_v out_o the_o place_n where_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o as_o well_o as_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o which_o he_o do_v not_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n four_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o several_a revelation_n as_o all_o prophecy_n be_v wherein_o the_o several_a return_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n be_v all_o exact_o set_v down_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a not_o only_o to_o ease_v the_o reader_n who_o may_v be_v tire_v if_o he_o be_v to_o carry_v a_o long_a series_n of_o prediction_n in_o his_o mind_n at_o once_o as_o if_o it_o be_v only_o one_o single_a vision_n or_o revelation_n but_o also_o to_o condescend_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n we_o can_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v fill_v with_o so_o many_o differ_a idea_n at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o a_o great_a confusion_n must_v necessary_o follow_v but_o suppose_v that_o these_o observation_n shall_v be_v think_v insufficient_a yet_o those_o that_o follow_v will_v seem_v capable_a of_o convince_a the_o mind_n of_o all_o there_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n certain_a character_n of_o its_o be_v write_v in_o that_o way_n which_o i_o speak_v of_o first_o one_o needs_o only_o just_a look_n into_o that_o book_n and_o he_o will_v see_v that_o the_o ancient_a fact_n which_o be_v those_o of_o
which_o we_o most_o desire_v a_o particular_a account_n be_v there_o describe_v in_o a_o very_a short_a and_o concise_a manner_n the_o history_n of_o 1656_o year_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o eight_o chapter_n there_o be_v no_o action_n describe_v therein_o with_o more_o circumstance_n than_o only_o some_o few_o of_o the_o most_o important_a the_o remembrance_n whereof_o be_v still_o fresh_a among_o they_o the_o history_n of_o lamech_n polygamy_n and_o the_o murder_n of_o which_o he_o be_v guilty_a be_v there_o set_v down_o so_o compendious_o that_o it_o be_v very_o obscure_a second_o one_o see_v that_o he_o speak_v more_o copious_o of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v transact_v near_o his_o time_n he_o explain_v and_o mention_n all_o the_o particular_n and_o circumstance_n thereof_o he_o speak_v so_o short_o of_o melchisedeck_v that_o it_o be_v doubt_v to_o this_o day_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o the_o patriarch_n sem_fw-mi or_o some_o other_o faithful_a worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n whereas_o he_o set_v down_o at_o length_n all_o the_o particular_n of_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n of_o isaac_n and_o of_o jacob_n who_o last_o oracle_n which_o he_o speak_v on_o his_o deathbed_n he_o careful_o record_v three_o he_o describe_v with_o the_o same_o exactness_n all_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o edomite_n their_o several_a tribe_n and_o the_o name_n of_o their_o head_n and_o captain_n etc._n etc._n as_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o those_o of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o indeed_o he_o can_v easy_o do_v have_v live_v forty_o year_n of_o his_o life_n among_o those_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v other_o forty_o year_n among_o the_o israelite_n those_o who_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n must_v of_o necessity_n suppose_v first_o that_o tradition_n be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o any_o illustrious_a action_n second_o that_o in_o moses_n time_n there_o be_v none_o who_o know_v any_o particular_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n though_o we_o see_v plain_o both_o by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fact_n themselves_o in_o which_o all_o nation_n be_v concern_v and_o by_o moses_n his_o description_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v sufficient_o instruct_v in_o they_o already_o three_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v set_v down_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o tradition_n be_v infallible_o preserve_v so_o careful_o to_o no_o purpose_n though_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n necessary_a for_o that_o effect_n four_o they_o must_v suppose_v that_o moses_n whilst_o he_o sojourn_v in_o the_o land_n of_o midian_a hear_v nothing_o either_o of_o their_o original_a and_o pedigree_n nor_o yet_o of_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n who_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n although_o all_o these_o nation_n value_v themselves_o upon_o their_o be_v descend_v from_o that_o patriarch_n and_o keep_v up_o their_o several_a pedigree_n by_o which_o they_o can_v trace_v their_o original_a with_o the_o same_o care_n as_o the_o israelite_n do_v they_o because_o they_o have_v the_o same_o pretension_n that_o the_o israelite_n have_v last_o we_o must_v absolute_o take_v away_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n record_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n these_o oracle_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n for_o his_o posterity_n and_o threaten_v the_o canaanite_n with_o several_a curse_n jacob_n by_o his_o will_n bequeath_v sichem_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o joseph_n he_o express_o mark_v out_o the_o country_n which_o one_o of_o the_o tribe_n be_v to_o possess_v he_o give_v a_o description_n of_o the_o character_n and_o rank_n of_o every_o tribe_n the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n though_o never_o so_o exact_a and_o admirable_a be_v of_o no_o manner_n of_o consequence_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o these_o particular_a prediction_n be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o abraham_n family_n whereas_o their_o accomplishment_n which_o he_o careful_o describe_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v the_o most_o solid_a demonstration_n which_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o those_o revelation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o moses_n his_o other_o book_n chap._n xix_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n what_o i_o have_v already_o represent_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o moses_n write_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v by_o all_o the_o world._n and_o i_o know_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v object_v with_o any_o probability_n but_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n concern_v the_o egyptian_a and_o chaldean_a history_n and_o in_o the_o modern_a one_o concern_v that_o of_o china_n we_o must_v then_o examine_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o with_o attention_n that_o we_o may_v leave_v no_o difficulty_n in_o so_o important_a a_o subject_n all_o that_o the_o atheist_n can_v object_v against_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o epocha_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o he_o have_v fix_v it_o be_v what_o diodorus_n siculus_n relate_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a there_o be_v some_o egyptian_n that_o reckon_v up_o three_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o sun_n to_o alexander_n time_n and_o that_o those_o who_o reckon_v least_o yet_o reckon_v somewhat_o more_o than_o ten_o thousand_o year_n which_o account_n exceed_v the_o antiquity_n which_o moses_n ascribe_v to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n by_o many_o age_n where_o he_o represent_v the_o creation_n as_o a_o fact_n which_o happen_v some_o few_o year_n more_o than_o two_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o before_o he_o write_v that_o book_n how_o then_o do_v moses_n write_v of_o thing_n universal_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o world_n and_o they_o may_v here_o further_o aggravate_v what_o the_o same_o diodorus_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v not_o write_v like_o that_o of_o the_o greek_n among_o who_o those_o who_o come_v first_o write_v their_o own_o history_n every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o private_a humour_n which_o cause_v that_o great_a variety_n among_o their_o historian_n whereas_o among_o the_o egyptian_n none_o write_v but_o by_o public_a authority_n the_o priest_n alone_o have_v that_o particular_a employment_n reserve_v for_o they_o to_o write_v their_o history_n in_o their_o several_a generation_n this_o objection_n be_v easy_o confute_v in_o two_o word_n in_o short_a how_o can_v the_o egyptian_n have_v always_o have_v man_n to_o write_v their_o history_n by_o public_a authority_n in_o all_o their_o succeed_a generation_n see_v there_o be_v as_o diodorus_n observe_v such_o a_o strange_a and_o vast_a division_n among_o themselves_o if_o there_o be_v but_o two_o or_o three_o age_n difference_n more_o or_o less_o no_o body_n will_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o material_a exception_n against_o the_o history_n of_o such_o a_o long_a series_n of_o time_n but_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o those_o man_n who_o differ_v no_o less_o than_o thirteen_o thousand_o year_n in_o their_o account_n of_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o same_o interval_n of_o time_n have_v yet_o certain_a history_n upon_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v ground_v this_o show_v sufficient_o that_o as_o varro_n the_o great_a scholar_n the_o roman_n ever_o have_v have_v divide_v antiquity_n into_o fabulous_a and_o historical_a which_o he_o begin_v from_o the_o first_o olympiad_n leave_v all_o which_o go_v before_o to_o the_o fabulous_a part_n so_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n make_v the_o same_o distinction_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o egypt_n but_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v some_o thing_n more_o and_o to_o consider_v this_o egyptian_a history_n with_o a_o little_a more_o attention_n out_o of_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v draw_v good_a argument_n to_o confute_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o passage_n in_o it_o oppose_v to_o moses_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o chief_a transaction_n record_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o present_a take_v notice_n that_o although_o the_o egyptian_n about_o their_o latter_a time_n have_v maintain_v that_o the_o element_n be_v eternal_a yet_o they_o have_v sufficient_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n see_v they_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o thing_n before_o their_o thirty_o dynasty_n which_o in_o all_o do_v at_o the_o most_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o 36525_o year_n neither_o do_v i_o think_v necessary_a to_o mention_v here_o that_o they_o have_v sufficient_o
little_a more_o than_o forty_o year_n interval_n betwixt_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n by_o joshua_n and_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o israelite_n under_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fit_a time_n then_o to_o cast_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o to_o publish_v the_o pretend_a lie_n and_o imposture_n of_o his_o history_n be_v not_o the_o comparison_n which_o the_o israelite_n can_v easy_o make_v betwixt_o the_o mosaic_a write_n and_o the_o tradition_n general_o receive_v in_o the_o country_n of_o their_o captivity_n a_o natural_a and_o ready_a mean_n to_o undeceive_v they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o see_v that_o they_o obstinate_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o several_a transaction_n record_v by_o moses_n and_o stand_v firm_o to_o all_o their_o pretension_n nay_o we_o see_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o remedy_n of_o repentance_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v they_o to_o use_v in_o those_o sad_a misfortune_n which_o he_o foretell_v shall_v befall_v they_o and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o promise_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o god_n will_v miraculous_o deliver_v they_o which_o indeed_o be_v do_v according_o even_o fourteen_o time_n within_o less_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n can_v there_o then_o be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n that_o if_o moses_n make_v it_o death_n by_o one_o of_o his_o sanction_n for_o any_o of_o the_o israelite_n to_o contest_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o his_o write_n or_o of_o his_o oracle_n and_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o to_o force_v the_o belief_n of_o they_o without_o examination_n but_o rather_o only_o to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n of_o that_o people_n and_o their_o mingle_n and_o confound_v themselves_o with_o the_o heathen_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o hinder_v on_o purpose_n because_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v according_a to_o his_o promise_n out_o of_o that_o nation_n which_o to_o effect_v he_o think_v fit_a in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o employ_v the_o rigour_n of_o some_o capital_a law_n to_o keep_v that_o people_n unmixed_a and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v chap._n xxii_o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n these_o several_a observation_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v all_o i_o think_v very_o natural_a and_o easy_a and_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v solid_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o conclusion_n that_o i_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o premise_n be_v that_o first_o i_o assert_v that_o moses_n that_o famous_a hebrew_n who_o be_v design_v to_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n be_v the_o true_a and_o sole_a author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n second_o i_o maintain_v that_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v he_o can_v not_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o write_v record_v those_o important_a transaction_n he_o relate_v otherwise_o than_o they_o real_o come_v to_o pass_v three_o i_o maintain_v that_o though_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o have_v make_v the_o description_n of_o it_o according_a to_o such_o a_o authentic_a tradition_n as_o can_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v of_o because_o it_o be_v then_o the_o universal_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o of_o the_o edomite_n who_o be_v all_o of_o sem_n posterity_n and_o among_o who_o he_o have_v be_v travel_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o but_o also_o of_o the_o egyptian_n of_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o a_o word_n of_o all_o man_n then_o live_v in_o the_o world._n four_o i_o maintain_v that_o he_o never_o be_v find_v fault_n with_o nor_o contradict_v till_o true_a reason_n and_o sense_n if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o be_v lose_v and_o banish_v from_o among_o mankind_n till_o the_o egyptian_n for_o example_n they_o who_o use_v before_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o greek_n as_o mere_a child_n and_o idiot_n be_v fall_v into_o so_o great_a a_o stupidity_n and_o deprivation_n of_o sense_n as_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v that_o man_n be_v first_o bear_v in_o egypt_n because_o forsooth_o frog_n do_v natural_o as_o they_o think_v breed_v out_o of_o their_o muddy_a fen_n and_o marsh_n five_o i_o maintain_v that_o for_o many_o age_n after_o moses_n no_o body_n do_v ever_o public_o declare_v for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o for_o its_o fortuitous_a production_n these_o opinion_n be_v mere_a absurdity_n and_o chimaera_n bring_v forth_o into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o chaldean_n and_o greek_n only_o about_o alexander_n time_n or_o perhaps_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o i._n e._n about_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n decease_n six_o i_o maintain_v that_o see_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a time_n to_o be_v find_v wherein_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n be_v interrupt_v and_o discontinue_v for_o any_o considerable_a time_n among_o the_o jew_n see_v it_o continue_v still_o to_o this_o very_a hour_n among_o they_o every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o they_o be_v disperse_v and_o see_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v impose_v upon_o they_o without_o their_o perceive_v and_o declare_v present_o the_o novelty_n and_o supposition_n of_o that_o account_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v see_v all_o this_o be_v certain_a i_o do_v positive_o maintain_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v better_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v by_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n because_o in_o it_o moses_n have_v follow_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o the_o age_n that_o precede_v he_o and_o only_o record_v in_o write_v what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o a_o time_n when_o every_o man_n be_v able_a to_o run_v his_o own_o pedigree_n up_o to_o adam_n last_o i_o maintain_v that_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o without_o reject_v at_o the_o same_o time_n all_o those_o proof_n from_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v to_o strengthen_v my_o assertion_n so_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a as_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n confirm_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n believe_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n of_o the_o world_n who_o do_v not_o only_o believe_v it_o but_o also_o have_v always_o have_v according_a to_o god_n command_n the_o memory_n of_o it_o celebrate_v among_o they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n in_o all_o their_o generation_n fifty_o two_o time_n in_o a_o year_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world._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 preface_n when_o i_o begin_v at_o first_o these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o design_v only_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man_n and_o so_o to_o show_v by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o neither_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n after_o his_o sin_n can_v reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o i_o design_v after_o that_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n by_o such_o another_o undeniable_a argument_n viz._n by_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o and_o institute_v a_o solemn_a day_n in_o every_o week_n to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o among_o man_n from_o their_o time_n down_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o as_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n every_o week_n can_v easy_o run_v back_o to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v by_o the_o weekly_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n prove_v christ_n resurrection_n which_o occasion_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n if_o we_o consider_v the_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
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
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
by_o moses_n but_o least_o any_o body_n shall_v think_v it_o strange_a that_o i_o shall_v build_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o will_v restrain_v its_o authority_n of_o it_o within_o just_a and_o certain_a bound_n first_o although_o the_o jew_n bear_v witness_n in_o their_o sacred_a book_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v already_o fulfil_v yet_o they_o say_v some_o be_v not_o as_o for_o instance_n those_o which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v but_o their_o obstinate_a blindness_n be_v not_o a_o just_a prejudice_n against_o such_o a_o important_a truth_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o which_o we_o need_v only_o to_o compare_v moses_n word_n with_o the_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n thus_o for_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o need_v only_o compare_v moses_n prophecy_n of_o it_o with_o the_o description_n josephus_n their_o own_o historian_n have_v make_v of_o the_o same_o in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o siege_n and_o ruin_n of_o that_o city_n and_o of_o the_o dissipation_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o without_o the_o jew_n testimony_n in_o what_o regard_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n whereof_o the_o execution_n be_v defer_v for_o a_o very_a long_a time_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o convince_v any_o the_o most_o incredulous_a man_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o divinity_n if_o he_o please_v but_o to_o make_v this_o one_o reflection_n which_o be_v that_o when_o moses_n relate_v among_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n a_o particular_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n come_v and_o when_o he_o mention_n that_o of_o balaam_n concern_v the_o rise_n of_o that_o divine_a star_n he_o subjoin_v also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o bring_v it_o in_o as_o a_o certain_a sign_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world._n now_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o meaning_n of_o moses_n prediction_n about_o the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n which_o the_o prophet_n that_o come_v after_o he_o do_v better_o explain_v and_o illustrate_v we_o shall_v be_v apt_a from_o thence_o to_o conclude_v that_o he_o in_o effect_n foretell_v that_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n will_v follow_v quite_o another_o method_n than_o that_o which_o he_o have_v use_v before_o until_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n viz._n that_o whereas_o god_n may_v seem_v to_o restrain_v then_o the_o privilege_n of_o his_o covenant_n to_o one_o people_n alone_o which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o restrain_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o messiah_n birth_n to_o one_o sole_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o one_o sole_a tribe_n of_o that_o nation_n to_o one_o sole_a family_n of_o that_o tribe_n to_o one_o sole_a branch_n of_o that_o family_n and_o so_o to_o one_o sole_a person_n of_o that_o branch_n he_o will_v after_o the_o messiah_n come_v take_v a_o contrary_a method_n and_o call_v all_o man_n to_o salvation_n in_o he_o now_o that_o be_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n can_v be_v question_v and_o whatever_o the_o jew_n opinion_n be_v concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o that_o they_o have_v careful_o and_o faithful_o preserve_v the_o book_n wherein_o those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o see_v so_o exact_o fulfil_v be_v contain_v for_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suspect_v moses_n or_o any_o other_o jew_n of_o forge_v the_o prophecy_n which_o foretell_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n not_o moses_n see_v all_o his_o law_n do_v tend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o more_o at_o large_a to_o establish_v that_o restriction_n i_o be_v just_a now_o speak_v of_o which_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v not_o the_o jew_n see_v that_o none_o of_o they_o can_v still_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o the_o removal_n of_o that_o restriction_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o possess_v with_o such_o a_o spirit_n of_o envy_n and_o jealousy_n against_o all_o other_o nation_n that_o they_o perfect_o hate_v and_o abominate_a they_o but_o beside_o we_o can_v desire_v a_o better_a nor_o a_o more_o authentic_a accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v so_o opposite_a to_o the_o jewish_a principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la than_o that_o which_o we_o ourselves_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o same_o reflection_n belong_v to_o the_o other_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o total_a dissipation_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n as_o also_o to_o the_o dreadful_a accomplishment_n of_o they_o in_o our_o day_n the_o most_o resolve_a obstinacy_n can_v suggest_v but_o one_o objection_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o either_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o jew_n have_v falsify_v moses_n write_n and_o insert_v those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o now_o find_v there_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o those_o thing_n be_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o first_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o both_o christian_n and_o jew_n have_v be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n and_o pen_v in_o such_o a_o style_n as_o evidence_n their_o antiquity_n and_o as_o will_v be_v inimitable_a now_o second_o that_o these_o book_n have_v be_v all_o translate_v into_o greek_a almost_o 300_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n and_o about_o 350_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n neither_o the_o jew_n nor_o yet_o the_o christian_n be_v any_o long_a sole_a master_n of_o they_o when_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o also_o in_o their_o hand_n beside_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n from_o judaisme_n and_o heathenism_n do_v not_o only_o find_v these_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n long_o before_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o do_v also_o make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o evince_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n which_o we_o find_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n chap._n ix_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o relation_n that_o moses_n have_v the_o messiah_n in_o view_n when_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o former_a reflection_n upon_o genesis_n that_o those_o who_o live_v before_o moses_n time_n have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n that_o god_n will_v certain_o raise_v up_o a_o deliverer_n among_o they_o although_o they_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o appearance_n and_o i_o have_v beside_o i_o think_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o various_a idea_n which_o the_o ancient_n entertain_v of_o he_o upon_o the_o first_o promise_v make_v by_o god_n of_o his_o come_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o several_a criminal_a action_n commit_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o by_o those_o of_o other_o nation_n who_o have_v the_o same_o pretension_n with_o they_o i_o be_o now_o to_o prove_v that_o moses_n himself_o have_v the_o same_o knowledge_n and_o live_v in_o the_o same_o expectation_n with_o the_o ancient_n that_o precede_v he_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v show_v and_o that_o henceforth_o no_o body_n may_v wonder_v if_o i_o pretend_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n he_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n both_o in_o reference_n to_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o prophecy_n as_o also_o those_o other_o mention_v by_o prophet_n that_o live_v after_o he_o in_o that_o jewish_a commonwealth_n do_v all_o suppose_v a_o distinct_a relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o to_o make_v this_o evident_a i_o beg_v leave_n to_o offer_v to_o the_o reader_n be_v consideration_n some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o moses_n history_n in_o genesis_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a and_o wise_a historian_n that_o ever_o be_v there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a design_n nor_o a_o more_o difficult_a task_n than_o his_o be_v to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o 2400_o year_n he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o general_a and_o in_o particular_a of_o that_o of_o man_n of_o his_o sin_n of_o the_o promise_n god_n make_v he_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o original_a of_o all_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v in_o his_o time_n his_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v be_v also_o very_o extraordinary_a the_o majesty_n of_o his_o style_n be_v temper_v with_o a_o admirable_a plainness_n he_o describe_v all_o sort_n of_o passion_n to_o the_o life_n he_o be_v admirable_a in_o his_o character_n of_o the_o man_n he_o speak_v
to_o have_v design_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n we_o have_v see_v in_o general_a that_o god_n by_o give_v his_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n intend_v to_o discriminate_a they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o particular_a from_o those_o nation_n which_o have_v show_v themselves_o to_o be_v jealous_a of_o that_o distinction_n i_o mean_v from_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o ismaelite_n and_o the_o edomite_n as_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o show_v i_o have_v likewise_o observe_v that_o god_n by_o his_o conduct_n and_o his_o oracle_n do_v also_o excite_v a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o promise_n i_o come_v now_o to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v follow_v the_o same_o design_n in_o his_o law_n and_o that_o he_o have_v make_v use_n of_o that_o jealousy_n as_o of_o another_o mean_n to_o make_v that_o people_n which_o he_o have_v separate_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n keep_v up_o always_o among_o themselves_o a_o lively_a notion_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n perhaps_o the_o reader_n may_v think_v that_o these_o reflection_n may_v interrupt_v the_o series_n of_o the_o observation_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v upon_o moses_n law_n but_o beside_o that_o i_o shall_v resume_v they_o present_o so_o one_o may_v easy_o discern_v that_o these_o two_o remark_n concern_v the_o spirit_n of_o distinction_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n keep_v up_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o this_o people_n aught_o to_o be_v well_o consider_v by_o those_o that_o desire_v to_o know_v the_o genius_n of_o god_n law_n and_o the_o original_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n relate_v by_o moses_n and_o by_o the_o other_o sacred_a author_n who_o act_v in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o design_n which_o appear_v in_o those_o law_n which_o moses_n give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n i_o begin_v with_o two_o general_a reflection_n which_o i_o think_v be_v very_o useful_a in_o the_o explication_n of_o god_n conduct_n upon_o this_o occasion_n two_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v have_v conduce_v to_o keep_v up_o that_o jealousy_n whereof_o moses_n have_v give_v so_o many_o instance_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o first_o be_v the_o preference_n which_o god_n have_v common_o give_v to_o the_o young_a brother_n before_o the_o elder_n the_o second_o be_v the_o choice_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o such_o particular_a person_n as_o appear_v absolute_o unworthy_a of_o god_n choice_n so_o that_o here_o one_o see_v we_o a_o continual_a series_n in_o the_o jewish_a history_n write_v by_o moses_n and_o by_o the_o prophet_n who_o make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o that_o model_n which_o moses_n have_v give_v they_o first_o of_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n be_v prefer_v before_o all_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o particular_o before_o the_o tribe_n of_o reuben_n which_o afterward_o occasion_v the_o insurrection_n of_o some_o reubenites_n in_o their_o sedition_n against_o moses_n wherein_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n perish_v just_o as_o god_n prefer_v abel_n offend_v cain_n and_o as_o joseph_n brethren_n conspire_v together_o to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n because_o of_o his_o dream_n which_o foretell_v his_o greatness_n and_o their_o fall_n second_o one_o see_v we_o that_o phares_n judah_n young_a son_n be_v prefer_v not_o only_o before_o all_o the_o other_o child_n of_o judah_n but_o even_o before_o zerah_n the_o elder_a of_o the_o twin_n which_o judah_n have_v by_o thamar_n just_a as_o jacob_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brother_n esau_n though_o they_o be_v twin_n and_o esau_n bear_v the_o first_o of_o the_o two_o one_o see_v we_o afterward_o that_o god_n have_v choose_v jesse_n of_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o phares_n david_n the_o young_a of_o all_o his_o son_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brethren_n when_o god_n be_v please_v to_o translate_v the_o kingdom_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o to_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n just_o as_o we_o see_v before_o that_o in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o first_o king_n who_o the_o israelite_n desire_v to_o be_v set_v over_o they_o that_o he_o be_v choose_v by_o lot_n by_o a_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o providence_n out_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o the_o young_a of_o all_o jacob_n child_n thus_o one_o see_v we_o that_o solomon_n the_o young_a of_o david_n child_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brother_n and_o that_o the_o same_o solomon_n build_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o he_o himself_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n we_o shall_v afterward_o see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v descend_v from_o david_n by_o nathan_n son_n to_o one_o of_o david_n young_a child_n and_o by_o resah_n zorobabel_n young_a son_n from_o who_o the_o bless_a virgin_n draw_v her_o original_a the_o second_o remark_n be_v about_o the_o care_n god_n have_v take_v by_o his_o choice_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n to_o furnish_v those_o with_o pretence_n and_o objection_n who_o may_v be_v interest_v to_o oppose_v the_o restriction_n which_o god_n have_v make_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o equal_n for_o as_o they_o serve_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o jealousy_n among_o all_o the_o pretender_n to_o the_o promise_n so_o they_o also_o serve_v to_o preserve_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v they_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o it_o in_o short_a as_o we_o see_v that_o the_o ismaelite_n may_v upbraid_v sarah_n both_o with_o her_o frequent_a rape_n and_o with_o her_o cruelty_n to_o agar_n and_o ishmael_n as_o the_o edomite_n may_v upbraid_v jacob_n posterity_n with_o rebecca_n supplant_n their_o father_n esau_n and_o cheat_v he_o of_o his_o blessing_n so_o likewise_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o god_n not_o only_o choose_v thamar_n to_o have_v the_o messiah_n descend_v from_o she_o but_o also_o will_v have_v her_o incest_n with_o her_o father_n in-law_n record_v what_o may_v all_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n say_v be_v there_o then_o no_o honest_a woman_n in_o israel_n that_o the_o messiah_n ancestor_n must_v descend_v from_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o incestuous_a commerce_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o that_o god_n shall_v choose_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n have_v not_o all_o the_o other_o child_n of_o judah_n a_o fair_a pretention_n to_o this_o privilege_n than_o phares_n can_v have_v and_o may_v not_o their_o posterity_n revive_v against_o the_o posterity_n of_o phares_n that_o severe_a law_n against_o bastard_n child_n which_o we_o read_v of_o deut._n xxiii_o god_n choose_v in_o the_o like_a manner_n ruth_n the_o moabitess_n and_o have_v her_o history_n write_v and_o his_o choice_n record_v as_o if_o he_o have_v intend_v to_o prepare_v a_o excuse_n for_o those_o of_o the_o israelite_n who_o afterward_o will_v refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o david_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o may_v they_o say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o moabitess_n see_v it_o be_v by_o his_o order_n that_o moses_n cause_v all_o those_o israelite_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n who_o after_o the_o pronunciation_n of_o balaam_n prophecy_n hold_v any_o commerce_n with_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n be_v there_o any_o likelihood_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v possible_a especial_o see_v there_o be_v a_o law_n which_o god_n will_v have_v to_o be_v insert_v in_o deuteronomy_n which_o exclude_v the_o moabite_n from_o the_o possibility_n of_o ever_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o people_n of_o god._n but_o at_o least_o be_v not_o this_o choice_n of_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n a_o fair_a cause_n of_o jealousy_n to_o all_o the_o other_o family_n of_o judah_n god_n cause_v the_o adultery_n of_o bathsheba_n the_o mother_n of_o solomon_n to_o be_v careful_o record_v as_o it_o be_v on_o purpose_n to_o excuse_v the_o rebellion_n of_o those_o who_o afterward_o side_v with_o jeroboam_n against_o rehoboam_n and_o his_o authority_n be_v it_o probable_a might_n these_o rebel_n say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v choose_v that_o bloody_a cruel_a man_n david_n that_o adulterer_n that_o he_o and_o bathshebah_n shall_v beget_v the_o messiah_n together_o have_v jesse_n no_o other_o child_n beside_o david_n and_o if_o david_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v the_o man_n why_o shall_v solomon_n bear_v of_o bathshebah_n be_v prefer_v before_o all_o his_o brother_n there_o be_v three_o thing_n considerable_a in_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o joshuah_n the_o conduct_n of_o the_o israelite_n after_o he_o have_v former_o raise_v joseph_n so_o much_o above_o his_o brethren_n by_o his_o advancement_n in_o egypt_n and_o give_v to_o his_o tribe_n two_o portion_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n
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
syria_n obtain_v over_o the_o king_n of_o samaria_n one_o find_v that_o the_o story_n of_o phaeton_n be_v sole_o found_v upon_o the_o translation_n of_o elijah_n in_o a_o chariot_n of_o fire_n ii_o two_o king_n ii_o all_o that_o i_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o happen_v before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o olympiad_n from_o whence_o the_o learned_a varro_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o first_o knowledge_n of_o history_n begin_v among_o the_o greek_n whence_o also_o it_o be_v that_o they_o call_v all_o the_o precedent_a time_n fabulous_a the_o greek_n have_v before_o nothing_o but_o fable_n into_o which_o they_o have_v turn_v whatever_o ancient_a history_n they_o be_v acquaint_v with_o since_o that_o time_n we_o do_v not_o find_v few_o mark_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a history_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o pagan_a writer_n the_o reign_n of_o tiglah-pilese_a who_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o young_a ninus_n as_o also_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o syrian_a monarchy_n by_o his_o mean_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v to_o we_o in_o the_o sacred_a historian_n nicholas_n damascenus_n in_o josephus_n antiq._n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o one_o see_v we_o among_o the_o heathen_n euseb_n castor_n in_o euseb_n the_o succession_n of_o shalmaneser_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o scripture_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o sennacherib_n conquer_a the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o town_n of_o palestina_n ult_n menander_n apud_fw-la joseph_n lib._n ix_o cap._n ult_n of_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n describe_v in_o heathen_a writer_n particular_o as_o we_o have_v it_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o manner_n of_o sennacherib_n succession_n to_o shalmaneser_n of_o his_o desolate_v the_o country_n of_o palestine_n while_o he_o carry_v on_o his_o victory_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n herodot_n lib._n ii_o &_o berosus_n in_o josephus_n lib._n x._o c._n 1._o exact_o as_o the_o sacred_a historian_n relate_v it_o the_o memory_n of_o tirbakah_n king_n of_o aethiopia_n xv._o strabo_n lib._n i._n &_o xv._o as_o of_o a_o great_a conqueror_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o heathen_n for_o it_o be_v his_o come_n in_o short_a which_o oblige_v sennacherib_n to_o arise_v from_o before_o libna_fw-la whence_o he_o intend_v to_o go_v and_o besiege_v jerusalem_n one_o find_v among_o the_o heathen_n the_o remembrance_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o all_o sennacherib_n army_n for_o his_o blasphemy_n against_o god_n which_o the_o egyptian_n disguise_v to_o appropriate_a to_o themselves_o herodot_n lib._n ii_o cap._n 141._o one_o find_v the_o ruin_n of_o ashdod_n by_o king_n psammetichus_n describe_v by_o heathen_a author_n 10._o herodot_n lib._n i._o cap._n 104._o lib._n ii_o cap._n 1._o lib._n vii_o cap._n 10._o as_o we_o have_v it_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n herod_n lib._n ii_o one_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o way_n by_o which_o the_o mede_n lose_v the_o empire_n of_o asia_n under_o cyaxares_n after_o his_o conquest_n over_o the_o assyrian_n in_o the_o heathen_a writer_n much_o the_o same_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o nahum_n h._n 5._o the_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o ninive_n by_o nabopollasar_n syncellum_n alexand._n polyhistor_n ap_fw-mi syncellum_n and_o by_o astyages_n be_v much_o the_o same_o in_o heathen_a author_n with_o the_o description_n of_o it_o in_o nahum_n esaiah_n and_o ezekiel_n the_o manner_n of_o josia_n undertake_v a_o war_n against_o pharaoh-necho_n king_n of_o egypt_n when_o he_o be_v overthrow_v in_o the_o plain_n of_o megiddo_n ii_o herodot_n lib._n ii_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n agree_v with_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o victory_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n over_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o jew_n 30._o two_o king_n xxiii_o 29_o 30._o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o consecrate_a vessel_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o of_o the_o jew_n to_o babylon_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n the_o manner_n of_o the_o yield_n up_o of_o tyre_n to_o nabuchadnezzar_n as_o they_o describe_v it_o apionem_fw-la annal._n phoenicic_n ap_fw-mi joseph_n lib._n i._o contra_fw-la apionem_fw-la agree_v with_o what_o ezekiel_n say_v chap._n xxviii_o 18_o 19_o one_o find_v in_o heathen_a author_n a_o account_n of_o the_o stately_a build_n of_o babylon_n by_o nebuehadnezzar_n abyden_n beros_n abyden_n which_o be_v describe_v exact_o in_o the_o scripture_n one_o find_v also_o in_o they_o 169._o herodot_n lib._n two_o cap._n 163_o &_o 169._o that_o the_o death_n of_o pharaoh-hoptha_a or_o vaphre_n as_o they_o call_v he_o happen_v according_a to_o jeremiah_n prediction_n chap._n xl._n 30._o one_o find_v also_o the_o take_n of_o babylon_n by_o cyrus_n 178._o herod_n lib._n i._o cap._n 178._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n chap._n li._n 46._o one_o find_v also_o that_o the_o death_n of_o belshazzar_n happen_v exact_o as_o daniel_n have_v describe_v it_o vii_o xenophon_n histor_n lib._n vii_o chap._n v._n one_o see_v we_o there_o a_o account_n of_o xerxes_n great_a undertake_n against_o greece_n 6._o herod_n lib._n vii_o cap_n 5_o 6._o as_o daniel_n have_v foretell_v it_o chap._n xi_o here_o then_o be_v a_o agreement_n which_o be_v perfect_a enough_o in_o several_a article_n to_o which_o we_o may_v add_v a_o great_a number_n if_o we_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o pagan_a historian_n but_o as_o we_o can_v find_v after_o the_o reign_n of_o artaxerxes_n longimanus_fw-la history_n among_o the_o jew_n of_o equal_a authority_n with_o those_o which_o be_v write_v by_o and_o after_o moses_n as_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n observe_v so_o we_o can_v compare_v the_o jewish_a and_o pagan_a history_n together_o afterward_o in_o that_o form_n we_o have_v do_v hitherto_o but_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v four_o thing_n which_o be_v very_o considerable_a upon_o this_o head._n i._o that_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n may_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a number_n of_o remark_n we_o have_v make_v already_o or_o else_o nothing_o will_v ever_o establish_v it_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o historian_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o all_o age_n babylonian_n assyrian_n tyrian_n egyptian_n and_o greek_n can_v agree_v so_o exact_o with_o the_o jew_n in_o those_o fact_n they_o relate_v if_o the_o jewish_a author_n have_v not_o exact_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o truth_n ii_o that_o as_o the_o prophecy_n of_o zechariah_n and_o daniel_n describe_v with_o a_o almost_o incredible_a exactness_n the_o considerable_a event_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o country_n near_a to_o judea_n and_o in_o judea_n itself_o in_o a_o time_n which_o be_v not_o expire_v until_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v give_v over_o write_v among_o the_o jew_n so_o there_o be_v need_n of_o almost_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o look_v over_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n to_o see_v what_o happen_v from_o day_n to_o day_n and_o here_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o porphyry_n think_v the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v forge_v after_o the_o time_n of_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n be_v because_o this_o book_n seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o history_n than_o a_o prediction_n which_o he_o justify_v in_o make_v a_o sort_n of_o commentary_n upon_o this_o prophecy_n by_o compare_v with_o it_o the_o pagan_a historian_n which_o be_v then_o extant_a iii_o that_o as_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n come_v under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o greek_n who_o be_v master_n of_o learning_n and_o of_o the_o art_n of_o write_v history_n so_o there_o be_v little_a need_n of_o any_o other_o witness_n beside_o the_o greek_a author_n as_o josephus_n demonstrate_v in_o effect_n by_o prove_v that_o the_o greek_n be_v well_o enough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n iv_o that_o we_o do_v real_o find_v after_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n a_o very_a great_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n compose_v by_o the_o care_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n with_o sufficient_a exactness_n though_o it_o be_v not_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o sacred_a writer_n chap._n iii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o very_a great_a number_n accomplish_v in_o every_o age._n as_o we_o may_v very_o reasonable_o say_v that_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v a_o very_a exact_a dependence_n upon_o the_o write_n of_o that_o famous_a legislator_n so_o we_o may_v also_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o considerable_a event_n which_o make_v up_o the_o body_n of_o this_o history_n which_o do_v not_o deserve_v a_o particular_a remark_n either_o as_o a_o fulfil_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n or_o of_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o after_o he_o to_o reform_v the_o error_n of_o that_o nation_n and_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 ten_o generation_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o egypt_n and_o tyre_n which_o happen_v under_o nabuchadnezzar_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o moabite_n which_o be_v under_o the_o same_o nabuchadnezzar_n after_o that_o kingdom_n have_v subsist_v almost_o fourteen_o age_n from_o its_o first_o foundation_n one_o see_v we_o frequent_a oracle_n concern_v the_o ruin_n of_o niniveh_n and_o its_o empire_n one_o see_v we_o oracle_n concern_v the_o ruin_n of_o babylon_n which_o happen_v under_o cyrus_n one_o see_v we_o oracle_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o persian_a empire_n by_o alexander_n one_o see_v we_o oracle_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o this_o prince_n conquer_a the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o his_o leave_v his_o empire_n divide_v into_o four_o kingdom_n one_o see_v we_o frequent_a oracle_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n and_o the_o ptolemee_n who_o have_v particular_a quarrel_n with_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n one_o see_v we_o the_o alliance_n which_o be_v to_o be_v between_o the_o two_o kingdom_n foretell_v and_o the_o small_a success_n which_o shall_v arise_v thence_o in_o terminate_a their_o difference_n one_o see_v we_o prediction_n of_o the_o treatment_n which_o the_o jew_n shall_v meet_v with_o in_o those_o kingdom_n one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o retreat_n which_o egypt_n be_v to_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o the_o temple_n they_o be_v to_o build_v there_o one_o see_v we_o a_o exact_a prediction_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o temple_n by_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n for_o three_o year_n together_o one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o these_o two_o government_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o such_o a_o various_a multitude_n of_o oracle_n i._o that_o there_o be_v no_o book_n in_o 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
iv_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o pay_v a_o much_o great_a deference_n to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n than_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v sour_v by_o their_o misery_n and_o dispute_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o they_o have_v lose_v that_o principle_n of_o equity_n which_o keep_v man_n from_o deny_v the_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o most_o universal_o acknowledge_v by_o a_o whole_a nation_n that_o be_v not_o prepossess_v with_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o obstinacy_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v beside_o that_o this_o seem_a confusion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n treat_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n arise_v from_o several_a cause_n i._o from_o the_o prophet_n often_o join_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o principal_a promise_n the_o send_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o promise_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n as_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o instance_n so_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o egypt_n and_o their_o departure_n from_o thence_o with_o their_o settle_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v they_o before_o be_v foretell_v as_o necessary_a mean_n in_o the_o order_n of_o providence_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n for_o so_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o their_o deliverance_n there_o from_o which_o be_v both_o foretell_v be_v foretell_v as_o step_n towards_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n and_o so_o likewise_o when_o they_o foretell_v the_o persecution_n by_o antiochus_n and_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n they_o also_o foretell_v the_o deliverance_n which_o god_n will_v grant_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o re-establishment_n until_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n ii_o this_o seem_a confusion_n arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o these_o book_n piece_n by_o piece_n which_o afterward_o be_v put_v into_o this_o order_n without_o have_v always_o a_o regard_n to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o without_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o occasion_n which_o engage_v the_o prophet_n to_o write_v and_o thus_o we_o see_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n join_v to_o several_a other_o transaction_n and_o to_o several_a other_o prediction_n who_o connexion_n be_v not_o always_o so_o very_o evident_a iii_o it_o arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophecy_n each_o by_o themselves_o so_o that_o all_o those_o of_o the_o same_o prophet_n be_v put_v together_o as_o they_o come_v out_o make_v only_o a_o new_a chapter_n in_o the_o work_n whereas_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v rather_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o matter_n than_o to_o the_o order_n in_o which_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o book_n as_o we_o have_v it_o at_o the_o present_a for_o the_o prophet_n often_o borrow_v their_o light_n from_o what_o they_o themselves_o have_v say_v some_o time_n before_o or_o from_o what_o some_o other_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v which_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v particular_o of_o those_o who_o live_v about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o beside_o those_o rule_n which_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o beside_o those_o observation_n of_o the_o join_v the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n i_o must_v add_v two_o rule_n more_o which_o may_v be_v useful_a in_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v express_v in_o figurative_a term_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o when_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o when_o they_o be_v intent_n upon_o the_o description_n of_o his_o kingdom_n they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o expression_n which_o seem_v to_o foretell_v a_o sort_n of_o overturning_a of_o nature_n which_o shall_v happen_v at_o that_o time_n but_o then_o these_o expression_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o figurative_a sense_n in_o the_o same_o spiritual_a sense_n in_o which_o the_o christian_n understand_v they_o as_o the_o famous_a maimonides_n allow_v in_o that_o passage_n of_o isaiah_n xii_o lib._n de_fw-fr regibus_fw-la cap._n xii_o where_o the_o wolf_n and_o the_o lamb_n be_v say_v to_o feed_v together_o second_o since_o the_o messiah_n be_v describe_v as_o one_o who_o shall_v unite_v in_o his_o own_o person_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n together_o we_o ought_v to_o understand_v those_o oracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o what_o be_v great_a in_o those_o prophetical_a description_n shall_v not_o contradict_v the_o more_o contemptible_a part_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o messiah_n as_o clothe_v with_o all_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n these_o idea_n which_o be_v often_o join_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o oracle_n aught_o to_o be_v exact_o apply_v to_o the_o different_a consideration_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v of_o the_o messiah_n or_o to_o those_o various_a state_n through_o which_o they_o themselves_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o pass_v a_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v easy_o judge_v that_o i_o may_v have_v add_v a_o three_o rule_n to_o the_o two_o former_a which_o be_v that_o when_o a_o person_n who_o have_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o prophet_n apply_v a_o old_a oracle_n to_o any_o subject_a one_o can_v reasonable_o dispute_v his_o application_n this_o the_o christian_n assure_v we_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o oracle_n but_o because_o this_o suppose_v a_o prophetic_a character_n in_o the_o apostle_n before_o it_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o solid_a proof_n i_o shall_v wave_v the_o proposal_n of_o it_o at_o present_a after_o these_o general_a remark_n i_o shall_v gather_v together_o those_o oracle_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n i_o may_v here_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o the_o matter_n by_o bring_v under_o each_o article_n those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o it_o which_o will_v give_v a_o great_a light_n to_o the_o subject_a as_o eusebius_n have_v right_o observe_v and_o as_o he_o have_v practise_v himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr demonstratione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la however_o i_o rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o time_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v utter_v which_o do_v not_o seem_v improper_a to_o explain_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o oracle_n in_o short_a this_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n i._o because_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o consider_v the_o series_n of_o god_n design_n and_o the_o connexion_n which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o those_o idea_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o express_v it_o ii_o because_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o light_n in_o the_o revelation_n proportionable_o as_o the_o time_n draw_v near_o so_o that_o it_o be_v of_o use_n to_o observe_v how_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n follow_v this_o natural_a order_n in_o make_v the_o late_a oracle_n clear_a than_o the_o former_a and_o in_o hint_v by_o little_a and_o little_a a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n by_o which_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v they_o iii_o because_o this_o serve_v to_o give_v we_o a_o very_a strong_a proof_n that_o god_n intend_v to_o furnish_v we_o from_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o with_o that_o which_o shall_v fix_v we_o in_o a_o belief_n of_o this_o capital_a truth_n in_o our_o religion_n in_o short_a when_o the_o truth_n of_o each_o of_o the_o book_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v once_o approve_a and_o their_o age_n set_v down_o it_o appear_v that_o several_a prophet_n do_v agree_v wonderful_o without_o any_o concert_n in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n at_o several_a time_n and_o in_o several_a place_n and_o circumstance_n which_o hinder_v man_n for_o the_o most_o part_n from_o agree_v in_o the_o most_o common_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o their_o reflection_n i_o have_v already_o consider_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n follow_v rule_n very_o conformable_a to_o the_o condition_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n we_o may_v see_v the_o same_o conduct_n in_o the_o follow_a time_n so_o since_o god_n have_v promise_v child_n to_o adam_n in_o abel_n stead_n one_o may_v see_v that_o he_o also_o promise_v david_n a_o son_n who_o shall_v set_v upon_o his_o throne_n he_o explain_v almost_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o come_v his_o humiliation_n his_o exaltation_n the_o opposition_n he_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o victory_n he_o shall_v obtain_v and_o his_o office_n prophetical_a priestly_a and_o royal._n one_o see_v
oracle_n as_o we_o understand_v it_o have_v be_v entertain_v among_o the_o heathen_n who_o build_v their_o fable_n of_o perseus_n upon_o it_o who_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin._n 3._o it_o appear_v that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o i_o mention_v in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n chap._n xx._n and_o which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o state_n of_o virginity_n receive_v much_o light_n from_o this_o notion_n and_o be_v without_o it_o altogether_o useless_a 4._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o dispute_v this_o character_n till_o after_o they_o see_v that_o the_o christian_n apply_v it_o to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o thereupon_o have_v fall_v upon_o such_o childish_a fancy_n as_o may_v just_o cover_v they_o with_o confusion_n but_o we_o shall_v be_v yet_o further_o satisfy_v hereof_o if_o we_o add_v to_o all_o these_o just_a prejudices_fw-la only_o the_o follow_a reflection_n on_o the_o term_n the_o prophet_n make_v use_v of_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o lxx_o interpreter_n have_v in_o translate_n this_o prophecy_n make_v use_v of_o a_o word_n that_o signify_v a_o virgin_n and_o not_o a_o young_a woman_n as_o the_o jew_n have_v understand_v it_o since_o our_o saviour_n time_n the_o first_o who_o reject_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n be_v symmachus_n 9_o in_o dialog_n cum_fw-la tryphon_n tertull._n count_v jud._n cap._n 9_o who_o live_v in_o the_o second_o century_n as_o it_o be_v observe_v by_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n who_o for_o this_o reason_n accuse_v the_o jew_n of_o have_v falsify_v the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o hebrew_n word_n express_o signify_v such_o a_o one_o as_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o virgin_n be_v keep_v under_o lock_n and_o key_n from_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a nation_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o jew_n which_o continue_v among_o they_o till_o this_o day_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o word_n have_v be_v take_v by_o the_o african_n in_o the_o same_o signification_n as_o st._n jerome_n observe_v the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n do_v set_v forth_o this_o child-bearing_a as_o a_o prodigy_n and_o miracle_n altogether_o unheard_a of_o and_o as_o a_o particular_a character_n by_o which_o the_o house_n of_o david_n be_v to_o be_v strong_o confirm_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o settle_v a_o eternal_a kingdom_n upon_o it_o which_o can_v not_o be_v accomplish_v but_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o five_o be_v that_o though_o some_o jew_n have_v apply_v this_o prophecy_n to_o king_n hezekiah_n l._n raschi_n in_o h._n l._n which_o yet_o to_o other_o of_o they_o seem_v very_o ridiculous_a he_o be_v nine_o year_n of_o age_n when_o the_o prophecy_n be_v utter_v by_o isaiah_n and_o themselves_o never_o make_v use_n of_o this_o evasion_n except_o in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o so_o on_o this_o occasion_n have_v drop_v a_o confession_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confound_v they_o yet_o it_o have_v be_v a_o thing_n so_o general_o receive_v among_o they_o that_o this_o prophecy_n do_v respect_v the_o messiah_n that_o after_o they_o have_v apply_v it_o to_o hezekiah_n one_o of_o their_o most_o famous_a doctor_n conclude_v chelech_n gemar_fw-la in_o sanhed_n cap._n chelech_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o look_v for_o no_o messiah_n since_o the_o time_n of_o hezekiah_n that_o prophecy_n have_v have_v its_o accomplishment_n in_o he_o a_o opinion_n which_o those_o that_o succeed_v he_o have_v reject_v with_o the_o great_a abhorrence_n the_o six_o be_v that_o the_o title_n of_o immanuel_n give_v to_o this_o son_n who_o birth_n be_v here_o promise_v be_v represent_v to_o we_o chap._n viii_o as_o the_o name_n of_o he_o who_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o land_n which_o be_v a_o true_a representation_n of_o the_o heir_n promise_v to_o david_n to_o who_o david_n say_v o_o god_n thy_o god_n have_v anoint_v thou_o with_o the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n above_o thy_o fellow_n psal_n xlv_o 7_o 8._o the_o seven_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n have_v allege_v and_o cite_v two_o witness_n uriah_n the_o son_n of_o shemaiah_n a_o prophet_n who_o be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o jehoiakim_n and_o zechariah_n the_o son_n of_o jeberechiah_n the_o former_a of_o which_o live_v long_o after_o ahaz_n and_o the_o latter_a since_o the_o captivity_n under_o darius_n king_n of_o persia_n according_a to_o the_o account_n the_o jew_n themselves_o give_v of_o they_o he_o sufficient_o hint_n by_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o immanuel_n he_o speak_v of_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v many_o age_n after_o and_o not_o in_o that_o age_n wherein_o he_o prophecy_n chap._n xv._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o private_a state_n god_n have_v not_o only_o point_v out_o the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v with_o the_o miraculous_a manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o his_o birth_n but_o he_o have_v also_o name_v the_o family_n the_o place_n with_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o family_n in_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v as_o a_o triple_a character_n by_o which_o he_o may_v be_v know_v i_o say_v first_o that_o according_a to_o the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o follow_a oracle_n 1._o god_n express_o promise_v as_o much_o to_o david_n two_o sam._n chap._n vii_o a_o place_n i_o have_v quote_v before_o which_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o david_n believe_v this_o himself_n from_o psalm_n cxxxii_o vers_fw-la 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17_o and_o 18._o the_o lord_n have_v swear_v in_o truth_n unto_o david_n he_o will_v not_o turn_v from_o it_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o thy_o body_n will_v i_o set_v upon_o thy_o throne_n and_o after_o have_v say_v verse_n 12._o that_o if_o his_o child_n will_v keep_v his_o covenant_n that_o their_o child_n also_o shall_v sit_v upon_o his_o throne_n for_o evermore_o and_o this_o because_o verse_n 13_o &_o 14._o the_o lord_n have_v choose_v zion_n and_o desire_v it_o for_o his_o habitation_n etc._n etc._n and_o promise_a verse_n 15._o that_o he_o will_v abundant_o bless_v her_o provision_n and_o satisfy_v her_o poor_a with_o bread_n that_o he_o will_v verse_n 16._o clothe_v her_o priest_n with_o salvation_n and_o make_v her_o saint_n shout_n for_o joy_n he_o subjoin_v verse_n 17_o &_o 18._o there_o i_o will_v make_v the_o horn_n of_o david_n to_o bud_n i_o have_v ordain_v a_o lamp_n for_o i_o anoint_v his_o enemy_n i_o will_v clothe_v with_o shame_n but_o upon_o himself_o shall_v his_o crown_n flourish_v it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o by_o this_o horn_n of_o david_n be_v to_o be_v mean_v a_o king_n the_o messiah_n who_o he_o distinguish_v by_o that_o expression_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o david_n child_n and_o zachariah_n in_o his_o song_n of_o praise_n luke_n i._o verse_n 69._o apply_v it_o to_o our_o saviour_n put_v the_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o doubt_n 3._o hence_o it_o be_v the_o prophet_n take_v occasion_n to_o give_v to_o the_o messiah_n the_o name_n of_o david_n so_o ezek._n xxxiv_o vers_fw-la 23_o 24._o and_o i_o will_v set_v up_o one_o shepherd_n over_o they_o and_o he_o shall_v feed_v they_o even_o my_o servant_n david_n he_o shall_v feed_v they_o and_o he_o shall_v be_v their_o shepherd_n and_o i_o the_o lord_n will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o my_o servant_n david_n a_o prince_n among_o they_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o 4._o the_o jew_n be_v and_o have_v always_o be_v firm_a in_o this_o persuasion_n ground_v on_o the_o foresay_a and_o other_o like_a place_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o constant_o refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n i_o say_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o divine_a oracle_n express_o point_v out_o bethlehem_n for_o the_o birth-place_n of_o the_o messiah_n micah_n the_o v._o verse_n 2._o but_o thou_o bethlehem_n ephratah_n though_o thou_o be_v little_a among_o the_o thousand_o of_o judah_n yet_o out_o of_o thou_o shall_v he_o come_v forth_o unto_o i_o that_o be_v to_o be_v ruler_n in_o israel_n who_o go_n forth_o have_v be_v from_o of_o old_a from_o the_o day_n of_o eternity_n the_o jew_n acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o indeed_o the_o prophet_n distinguish_v by_o bethlehem_n add_v the_o word_n ephratah_n whence_o the_o family_n
teach_v no_o more_o every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n say_v know_v the_o lord_n for_o they_o shall_v all_o know_v i_o from_o the_o least_o of_o they_o unto_o the_o great_a of_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n for_o i_o will_v forgive_v their_o iniquity_n and_o i_o will_v remember_v their_o sin_n no_o more_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n which_o give_v the_o sun_n for_o a_o light_n by_o day_n and_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o star_n for_o a_o light_n by_o night_n which_o divide_v the_o sea_n when_o the_o wave_n thereof_o roar_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n be_v his_o name_n if_o those_o ordinance_n depart_v from_o before_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n than_o the_o seed_n of_o israel_n also_o shall_v cease_v from_o be_v a_o nation_n before_o i_o for_o ever_o nothing_o can_v be_v desire_v more_o particular_a than_o this_o oracle_n 1._o it_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o his_o people_n which_o suppose_v a_o abolish_n of_o the_o former_a 2._o that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v like_o the_o forego_n 3._o that_o the_o old_a covenant_n have_v be_v make_v vain_a and_o have_v be_v break_v by_o those_o with_o who_o it_o be_v make_v 4._o that_o this_o covenant_n be_v to_o be_v make_v after_o those_o day_n that_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n 5._o that_o this_o new_a covenant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v engrave_v in_o table_n of_o stone_n but_o in_o their_o heart_n 6._o that_o in_o the_o same_o covenant_n full_a remission_n of_o sin_n be_v promise_v the_o same_o thing_n be_v also_o express_v chap._n xxxii_o vers_fw-la 40._o and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o that_o i_o will_v not_o turn_v away_o from_o they_o to_o do_v they_o good_a but_o i_o will_v put_v my_o fear_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o they_o shall_v not_o depart_v from_o i_o and_o chap._n l._n vers_fw-la 5._o they_o shall_v ask_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n with_o their_o face_n thitherward_o say_v come_v and_o let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v forget_v to_o this_o purpose_n also_o ezechiel_n who_o himself_o be_v a_o priest_n speak_v of_o a_o religious_a worship_n extend_v to_o all_o nation_n and_o of_o a_o new_a covenant_n which_o god_n be_v to_o make_v with_o they_o chap._n xvi_o vers_fw-la 60_o 61_o 62._o nevertheless_o i_o will_v remember_v my_o covenant_n with_o thou_o in_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o youth_n and_o i_o will_v establish_v unto_o thou_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n then_o thou_o shall_v remember_v thy_o way_n and_o be_v ashamed_a when_o thou_o shall_v receive_v thy_o sister_n thy_o elder_n and_o thy_o young_a and_o i_o will_v give_v they_o unto_o thou_o for_o daughter_n but_o not_o by_o thy_o covenant_n and_o i_o will_v establish_v my_o covenant_n with_o thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n here_o be_v first_o a_o covenant_n differ_v from_o the_o former_a 2._o a_o covenant_n wherein_o other_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v include_v clear_o intimate_v by_o the_o elder_n and_o young_a sister_n of_o the_o synagogue_n 3._o a_o covenant_n whereby_o the_o gentile_n be_v to_o enjoy_v the_o same_o privilege_n with_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v incorporate_v with_o they_o malachy_n follow_v the_o step_n of_o these_o prophet_n when_o he_o call_v the_o messiah_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n chap._n iii_o vers_fw-la 1._o behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o messenger_n and_o he_o shall_v prepare_v the_o way_n before_o i_o and_o the_o lord_n who_o you_o seek_v shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n even_o the_o messenger_n angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o behold_v he_o shall_v come_v say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o jew_n apply_v these_o word_n to_o elias_n who_o ministry_n as_o they_o pretend_v be_v to_o consist_v in_o lead_v the_o jew_n to_o repentance_n but_o if_o we_o read_v the_o text_n with_o attention_n we_o shall_v find_v two_o messenger_n mention_v the_o first_o who_o prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o other_o be_v the_o messiah_n himself_o who_o be_v call_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o be_v send_v of_o god_n to_o make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o man_n chap._n xix_o that_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o dreadful_a effect_n of_o their_o blindness_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n this_o be_v a_o very_a peculiar_a mark_n which_o will_v guide_v we_o sure_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n we_o find_v the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n very_o ready_a to_o follow_v every_o one_o that_o usurp_v that_o august_n title_n and_o to_o take_v he_o for_o the_o only_a true_a messiah_n that_o be_v promise_v they_o which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o be_v infallible_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v neither_o will_v this_o much_o surprise_v we_o if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o this_o people_n on_o divers_a occasion_n have_v give_v very_o strange_a instance_n of_o a_o prodigious_a blindness_n we_o see_v they_o reject_v moses_n notwithstanding_o god_n have_v authorise_a his_o call_n by_o great_a and_o avow_a miracle_n yea_o we_o find_v they_o reject_v david_n also_o who_o god_n have_v so_o signal_o appoint_v to_o be_v their_o king_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o who_o we_o hear_v these_o prophecy_n 2._o that_o god_n upbraid_v they_o with_o this_o blindness_n by_o his_o prophet_n as_o a_o sin_n to_o which_o they_o be_v peculiar_o incline_v as_o appear_v from_o psalm_n lxix_o vers_fw-la 23_o 24_o 25_o 26_o 27_o and_o 28._o let_v their_o eye_n be_v darken_v that_o they_o see_v not_o and_o make_v their_o loin_n continual_o to_o shake_v pour_v out_o thy_o indignation_n upon_o they_o and_o let_v thy_o wrathful_a anger_n take_v hold_v of_o they_o let_v their_o habitation_n be_v desolate_a and_o let_v none_o dwell_v in_o their_o tent_n for_o they_o persecute_v he_o who_o thou_o have_v smite_v and_o they_o talk_v to_o the_o grief_n of_o those_o who_o thou_o have_v wound_v add_v iniquity_n to_o their_o iniquity_n and_o let_v they_o not_o come_v into_o thy_o righteousness_n let_v they_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o live_n and_o not_o be_v write_v with_o the_o righteous_a one_o see_v we_o the_o same_a thing_n in_o isaiah_n chap._n vi_o vers_fw-la 9_o 10_o 11_o and_o 12._o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n foretell_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o most_o evident_a and_o convince_a proof_n imaginable_a go_v say_v the_o lord_n to_o the_o prophet_n and_o tell_v this_o people_n hear_v you_o indeed_o but_o understand_v not_o and_o see_v you_o indeed_o but_o perceive_v not_o make_v the_o heart_n of_o this_o people_n fat_a and_o their_o ear_n heavy_a and_o shut_v their_o eye_n lest_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n and_o hear_v with_o their_o ear_n and_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o convert_v and_o be_v heal_v then_o say_v i_o lord_n how_o long_o and_o he_o answer_v until_o the_o city_n be_v waste_v without_o inhabitant_n and_o the_o house_n without_o man_n and_o the_o land_n be_v utter_o desolate_a and_o the_o lord_n have_v remove_v man_n far_o away_o and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a forsake_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o land._n nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o particular_a than_o this_o oracle_n concern_v the_o jew_n resist_v the_o prophet_n which_o god_n express_v in_o term_n very_o usual_a among_o the_o prophet_n as_o if_o isaiah_n who_o be_v only_o the_o foreteller_n of_o their_o be_v harden_v shall_v himself_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o the_o prophet_n hoseah_n describe_v the_o very_a same_o complaint_n of_o god_n against_o the_o jew_n for_o their_o blindness_n and_o ignorance_n for_o which_o he_o denounce_v their_o destruction_n hos_fw-la iv_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o and_o 6._o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n you_o child_n of_o israel_n for_o the_o lord_n have_v a_o controversy_n with_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n because_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n nor_o mercy_n nor_o knowledge_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land._n by_o swear_v and_o lie_v and_o kill_v and_o steal_v and_o commit_v adultery_n they_o break_v out_o and_o blood_n touch_v blood_n therefore_o shall_v the_o land_n mourn_v and_o every_o one_o that_o dwell_v therein_o shall_v languish_v with_o the_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n and_o with_o the_o fowl_n of_o heaven_n yea_o the_o fish_n of_o the_o sea_n also_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o yet_o let_v no_o man_n strive_v or_o reprove_v another_o for_o thy_o people_n be_v as_o they_o that_o strive_v with_o the_o priest_n therefore_o shall_v thou_o fall_v in_o the_o day_n and_o the_o prophet_n also_o shall_v fall_v with_o thou_o in_o the_o night_n and_o i_o will_v destroy_v thy_o mother_n
that_o alexander_n preserve_v they_o in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o right_n and_o liberty_n as_o they_o enjoy_v they_o under_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n and_o in_o particular_a exempt_v they_o from_o pay_v any_o tribute_n every_o seven_o year_n because_o than_o they_o do_v not_o sow_v their_o ground_n and_o consequent_o can_v not_o reap_v and_o if_o we_o find_v that_o ptolemy_n take_v jerusalem_n on_o a_o sabbath_n day_n the_o jew_n make_v conscience_n of_o defend_v themselves_o because_o the_o law_n require_v their_o cease_n from_o all_o work_n from_o whence_o agatharcides_n a_o heathen_a author_n take_v occasion_n to_o blame_v their_o law_n if_o we_o find_v he_o carry_v a_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n with_o he_o into_o egypt_n yet_o withal_o we_o find_v he_o treat_v they_o with_o as_o much_o kindness_n as_o the_o macedonian_n themselves_z appoint_v distinct_a place_n in_o egypt_n and_o lybia_n for_o their_o habitation_n if_o we_o find_v that_o powerful_a prince_n such_o as_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n and_o some_o other_o of_o his_o successor_n break_v the_o power_n of_o the_o jew_n profane_v their_o temple_n and_o force_v great_a number_n of_o they_o to_o abjure_v their_o religion_n yet_o we_o see_v they_o also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n give_v the_o high_a instance_n of_o a_o immovable_a constancy_n and_o courage_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o law_n and_o in_o endure_v the_o most_o exquisite_a torture_n we_o see_v other_o of_o they_o encourage_v with_o the_o love_n of_o their_o country_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n put_v themselves_o into_o a_o posture_n of_o defence_n purify_n the_o temple_n and_o celebrate_v a_o festival_n which_o be_v observe_v even_o at_o this_o day_n and_o last_o obtain_v favourable_a treaty_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o in_o the_o twelve_o book_n of_o josephus_n his_o antiquity_n yea_o we_o find_v their_o name_n and_o glory_n at_o that_o time_n spread_v as_o far_o as_o lacedaemon_n with_o which_o commonwealth_n they_o make_v a_o alliance_n during_o the_o high-priesthood_n of_o onias_n one_o see_v we_o they_o after_o this_o so_o considerable_a under_o the_o successor_n of_o antiochus_n their_o persecutor_n that_o even_o those_o king_n sue_v for_o their_o alliance_n with_o great_a present_n one_o see_v we_o that_o ptolemy_n philometor_n grant_v to_o onias_n the_o son_n leave_v to_o build_v a_o temple_n in_o egypt_n for_o the_o convenience_n of_o those_o jew_n who_o ptolemy_n the_o son_n of_o lagus_n have_v carry_v thither_o as_o well_o as_o for_o those_o who_o leave_v their_o country_n for_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n for_o judea_n be_v situate_a between_o syria_n and_o egypt_n be_v ordinary_o the_o theatre_n of_o war_n between_o those_o two_o state_n it_o be_v here_o worth_a our_o note_n that_o the_o jew_n undertake_v the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o egypt_n as_o think_v themselves_o authorise_a by_o that_o prophecy_n isai_n xix_o 24._o it_o be_v a_o thing_n otherwise_o forbid_v by_o the_o law._n one_o see_v in_o the_o same_o prince_n reign_n a_o great_a contest_v between_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o jew_n about_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o mount_n garizim_n decide_v by_o he_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n on_o which_o occasion_n the_o jew_n show_v that_o prince_n their_o law_n and_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o series_n of_o their_o history_n to_o confute_v the_o samaritan_n pretension_n one_o see_v we_o after_o this_o when_o the_o jew_n have_v confer_v the_o sovereignty_n and_o high-priesthood_n on_o simon_n that_o their_o state_n become_v so_o powerful_a that_o under_o hyrcanus_n his_o successor_n they_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o attack_v their_o enemy_n in_o syria_n and_o compel_v the_o edomite_n to_o admit_v circumcision_n aristobulus_n his_o son_n be_v crown_v his_o brother_n succeed_v he_o in_o the_o royal_a dignity_n and_o leave_v the_o state_n in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n notwithstanding_o the_o civil_a and_o foreign_a war_n he_o be_v engage_v in_o we_o find_v afterward_o that_o the_o intestine_a division_n among_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o jewish_a prince_n do_v by_o degree_n open_v a_o gap_n for_o foreign_a power_n to_o enter_v and_o prevail_v over_o they_o pompey_n side_v with_o hyrcanus_n take_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v the_o jew_n tributary_n to_o the_o roman_n but_o without_o change_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o religion_n julius_n caesar_n a_o while_n after_o bestow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judaea_n upon_o herod_n the_o edomite_n augustus_n after_o he_o use_v the_o jew_n with_o the_o same_o equity_n as_o pompey_n before_o he_o have_v do_v as_o appear_v from_o one_o of_o his_o declaration_n publish_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o egypt_n and_o asia_n record_v by_o josephus_n this_o herod_n and_o augustus_n be_v the_o same_o under_o who_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o that_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v distinct_a from_o other_o nation_n and_o sufficient_o know_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophet_n malachy_n until_o herod_n we_o may_v also_o true_o assert_v that_o whatever_o inclination_n the_o jew_n of_o old_a have_v for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o we_o do_v find_v they_o give_v that_o way_n during_o this_o interval_n between_o the_o last_o of_o their_o prophet_n and_o herod_n as_o if_o the_o charge_n and_o command_v of_o that_o prophet_n malachy_n have_v always_o sound_v in_o their_o ear_n mal._n iu._n verse_n 4._o remember_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n my_o servant_n etc._n etc._n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o maccabee_n in_o great_a number_n suffer_v martyrdom_n rather_o than_o abjure_v their_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o observe_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n with_o all_o carefulness_n of_o which_o augustus_n himself_o be_v witness_v one_o see_v we_o that_o under_o stranger_n and_o heathen_a king_n they_o exempt_v themselves_o from_o answer_v any_o suit_n at_o law_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n from_o pay_v tribute_n the_o seven_o year_n and_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o their_o temple_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o opposition_n last_o one_o find_v they_o during_o herod_n government_n support_v by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n in_o refuse_v to_o set_v up_o the_o emperor_n trophy_n for_o fear_v lest_o some_o image_n may_v be_v hide_v under_o they_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o crime_n against_o their_o law._n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o since_o malachy_n some_o heresy_n spring_v up_o among_o the_o jew_n their_o commerce_n with_o the_o greek_n who_o apply_v themselves_o to_o philosophical_a speculation_n have_v contribute_v to_o make_v they_o much_o more_o disputacious_a than_o they_o be_v before_o the_o authority_n likewise_o of_o their_o king_n who_o be_v high-priest_n also_o may_v have_v have_v a_o great_a stroke_n in_o blemish_v the_o purity_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o yet_o the_o dispute_n which_o we_o find_v among_o they_o as_o that_o of_o the_o fatality_n of_o event_n do_v not_o at_o all_o touch_n the_o substance_n of_o their_o religion_n they_o no_o soon_o find_v the_o spirit_n of_o epicurism_n to_o creep_v in_o among_o they_o but_o they_o frame_v such_o addition_n to_o their_o public_a liturgy_n as_o they_o think_v most_o proper_a to_o eradicate_v or_o at_o least_o condemn_v that_o corruption_n i_o confess_v also_o that_o the_o pharisee_n and_o doctor_n of_o their_o law_n have_v great_o alter_v their_o morality_n in_o make_v their_o own_o explication_n by_o the_o great_a authority_n which_o they_o have_v among_o the_o people_n to_o pass_v for_o authentic_a but_o yet_o this_o change_n and_o corruption_n in_o their_o moral_n as_o to_o practice_n do_v not_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o abolish_v the_o law_n themselves_o which_o be_v only_o wrest_v from_o their_o true_a meaning_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a corruption_n but_o not_o such_o a_o one_o as_o can_v make_v it_o to_o be_v no_o more_o the_o same_o religion_n so_o that_o we_o may_v bold_o assert_v which_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o important_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o the_o state_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v sufficient_o entire_a till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o appear_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o world_n for_o their_o preserve_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a viz._n as_o well_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n together_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o principle_n according_a to_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v in_o their_o prediction_n concern_v he_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o preface_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o
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the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n they_o relate_v they_o as_o fact_n for_o the_o most_o part_n own_v by_o the_o jew_n from_o which_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n extort_a other_o consequence_n they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o judgement_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v concern_v the_o miracle_n that_o he_o wrought_v on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n upon_o the_o disciple_n gather_v the_o ear_n of_o corn_n of_o the_o answer_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v to_o pilate_n we_o have_v no_o other_o king_n but_o cesar_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v a_o general_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a knowledge_n of_o the_o prophecy_n that_o respect_v the_o messiah_n and_o a_o great_a impossibility_n of_o apply_v those_o oracle_n to_o particular_a fact_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n have_v not_o be_v beyond_o 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since_o the_o apostle_n there_o have_v be_v christian_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o peruse_v and_o preserve_v their_o write_n as_o consider_v that_o they_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o eternal_a life_n one_o may_v upon_o this_o occasion_n take_v notice_n of_o two_o thing_n which_o deserve_v some_o attention_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o design_n of_o some_o heretic_n as_o of_o martion_n for_o instance_n to_o corrupt_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o of_o his_o sect_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v in_o short_a we_o find_v all_o the_o world_n oppose_v themselves_o against_o this_o corruption_n and_o confute_v they_o by_o the_o agreement_n of_o all_o the_o other_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v exempt_a from_o this_o corruption_n the_o other_o be_v that_o if_o there_o be_v some_o book_n who_o authority_n be_v doubtful_a for_o some_o time_n by_o those_o who_o otherwise_o be_v account_v orthodox_n yet_o this_o can_v just_o prejudice_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o happen_v only_o to_o some_o few_o epistle_n which_o be_v write_v not_o to_o particular_a church_n but_o to_o whole_a nation_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o common_a sense_n that_o when_o write_n be_v send_v to_o whole_a body_n as_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n judas_n without_o communicate_v the_o copy_n to_o particular_a man_n that_o they_o may_v with_o more_o justice_n be_v suspect_v than_o those_o who_o hand_n be_v know_v by_o many_o and_o particular_o by_o those_o to_o who_o the_o epistle_n be_v send_v moreover_o the_o account_n which_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n give_v we_o of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o nature_n sufficient_o show_v that_o they_o be_v very_o careful_a in_o examine_v these_o thing_n and_o when_o at_o any_o time_n some_o particular_a man_n do_v not_o use_v care_n enough_o in_o examine_v these_o book_n as_o it_o once_o happen_v in_o the_o church_n of_o ross_n 12._o euseb_n lib._n vi_o cap._n 12._o where_o a_o book_n which_o be_v false_o attribute_v to_o s._n peter_n be_v preserve_v suppose_v it_o to_o have_v be_v he_o the_o other_o church_n not_o consent_v to_o it_o that_o abuse_n be_v soon_o remedy_v the_o write_n abolish_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o weak_a remembrance_n leave_v of_o they_o one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o remark_n be_v sufficient_a to_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n which_o bear_v their_o name_n and_o if_o this_o way_n of_o confirm_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v account_v good_a and_o solid_a when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o book_n of_o aristotle_n or_o hypocrates_n it_o must_v be_v infinite_o
suppose_v if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o they_o have_v not_o see_v he_o after_o his_o death_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v have_v any_o concern_n for_o his_o glory_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v condemn_v and_o anathematise_v he_o as_o a_o impostor_n who_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o false_a miracle_n and_o a_o affect_a holiness_n have_v abuse_v they_o whereas_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o they_o defend_v the_o glory_n of_o jesus_n christ_n with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o that_o with_o so_o constant_a a_o testimony_n to_o his_o resurrection_n that_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o reproach_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o punishment_n and_o most_o cruel_a death_n to_o confirm_v the_o belief_n of_o that_o fact._n they_o despise_v the_o anathema_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n they_o contemn_v their_o public_a obloquy_n they_o value_v not_o the_o hatred_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n they_o preach_v this_o crucify_a person_n in_o judea_n they_o preach_v he_o also_o in_o other_o country_n that_o he_o may_v be_v equal_o adore_v by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n they_o leave_v their_o employment_n to_o follow_v this_o jesus_n and_o after_o they_o have_v accompany_v he_o three_o year_n they_o depart_v from_o judea_n to_o go_v and_o confound_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o world_n and_o within_o rome_n itself_o to_o decry_v the_o god_n they_o worship_v oblige_v they_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o who_o the_o man_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v crucify_v for_o their_o god_n he_o who_o have_v be_v the_o detestation_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o who_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n have_v give_v up_o to_o their_o fury_n in_o make_v he_o undergo_v the_o punishment_n appoint_v for_o slave_n last_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n in_o this_o whole_a question_n that_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v so_o uniform_a so_o solemn_a so_o well_o confirm_v by_o all_o manner_n of_o mean_n and_o seal_v with_o their_o death_n be_v not_o contest_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o historian_n of_o that_o time_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a either_o for_o jew_n or_o gentile_n than_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o hand_n they_o be_v master_n of_o the_o public_a record_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o general_a concernment_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o a_o imposture_n of_o so_o terrible_a a_o consequence_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v entire_o false_a neither_o be_v it_o less_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o expose_v a_o sect_n of_o who_o pliny_n the_o young_a tell_v we_o that_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n join_v with_o they_o though_o they_o be_v persecute_v with_o incredible_a violence_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o find_v no_o body_n that_o have_v contradict_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o any_o author_n that_o have_v write_v against_o jesus_n christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n a_o long_a time_n after_o indeed_o there_o be_v a_o book_n see_v call_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n publish_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n which_o endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o those_o act_n be_v contradict_v by_o all_o the_o heathen_a historian_n yet_o remain_v that_o be_v contemporay_v with_o the_o apostle_n final_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v immediate_o convince_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o belief_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v pass_v from_o judea_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o prediction_n which_o god_n give_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o our_o saviour_n chap._n xix_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n what_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o establish_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o for_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o reader_n concern_v so_o weighty_a a_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v superadd_a some_o few_o more_o reflection_n first_o of_o all_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v vast_o different_a from_o those_o which_o may_v be_v suspect_v as_o forgery_n when_o the_o four_o evangelist_n have_v relate_v the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n they_o next_o set_v down_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n with_o the_o action_n of_o his_o life_n until_o his_o death_n which_o do_v not_o comprehend_v above_o four_o or_o five_o year_n s._n luke_n write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o s._n paul_n and_o take_v in_o only_a the_o space_n of_o about_o thirty_o year_n now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o they_o who_o confine_v themselves_o to_o so_o narrow_a limit_n in_o respect_n of_o time_n place_n and_o person_n have_v any_o design_n to_o impose_v the_o remainder_n of_o these_o book_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o write_n one_o epistolary_n and_o the_o other_o prophetical_a for_o the_o prophetical_a part_n time_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o apocalypse_v as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o which_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o epistle_n beside_o some_o moral_a instruction_n they_o be_v almost_o all_o employ_v in_o decide_v some_o question_n which_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n have_v raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n we_o know_v that_o of_o all_o write_n epistle_n be_v the_o most_o certain_a monument_n and_o those_o which_o man_n endeavour_v to_o forge_v least_o after_o all_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v with_o great_a care_n set_v down_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o event_n happen_v as_o well_o according_a to_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o point_v out_o to_o we_o their_o solemn_a feast_n as_o that_o of_o the_o gentile_n by_o set_v down_o the_o year_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o the_o character_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n a_o second_o character_n which_o hinder_v we_o from_o accuse_v these_o book_n as_o forgery_n be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o these_o book_n be_v of_o a_o very_a particular_a nature_n they_o contain_v several_a considerable_a oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o same_o generation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o croesus_n a_o continue_a series_n of_o miracle_n of_o which_o all_o judea_n be_v witness_v they_o contain_v a_o great_a number_n of_o sermon_n preach_v upon_o several_a illustrious_a occasion_n in_o the_o synagogue_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o before_o thousand_o of_o people_n in_o the_o wilderness_n let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v these_o write_n to_o be_v receive_v if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v late_o forge_v this_o three_o reflection_n be_v also_o considerable_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o epistle_n themselves_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v numerous_a church_n at_o rome_n corinth_n thessalonica_n philippi_n ephesus_n antioch_n and_o in_o several_a other_o famous_a place_n it_o be_v also_o know_v that_o there_o be_v jewish_a synagogue_n in_o the_o same_o place_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n what_o possibility_n be_v there_o of_o suspect_v the_o least_o imposture_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o we_o consider_v how_o they_o be_v draw_v up_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o only_o preach_v in_o the_o synagogue_n the_o same_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v put_v in_o writing_n but_o they_o also_o engage_v the_o jew_n to_o examine_v they_o because_o they_o affirm_v they_o with_o a_o constancy_n which_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o as_o incredible_a obstinacy_n first_o of_o all_o that_o these_o be_v thing_n beyond_o dispute_n and_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v of_o second_o that_o they_o have_v be_v long_o since_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n three_o that_o they_o be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o other_o prophecy_n which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n four_o that_o see_v they_o can_v not_o question_v the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o ought_v to_o renounce_v judaisme_n to_o receive_v baptism_n and_o
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o maintain_v against_o the_o christian_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o about_o the_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o these_o character_n the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v come_v the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o prove_v it_o by_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o these_o character_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o proper_a character_n to_o know_v he_o by_o and_o so_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v be_v elude_v and_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n equal_o deceive_v in_o take_v that_o for_o a_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v not_o or_o else_o that_o both_o the_o messiah_n be_v certain_o come_v and_o and_o that_o he_o be_v no_o other_o than_o that_o jesus_n who_o we_o worship_v chap._n xxi_o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o double_a stumble_a block_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o religion_n say_v they_o propound_v doctrine_n that_o be_v inconceivable_a and_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n that_o of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n these_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o jew_n reject_v as_o absolute_o incompatible_a with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o answer_v this_o objection_n 1._o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o total_a forgetfulness_n of_o the_o solidity_n of_o those_o proof_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v allege_v jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o be_v a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o several_a witness_n it_o appear_v from_o tacitus_n that_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v death_n under_o tiberius_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v know_v that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o christian_n from_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 54._o it_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n in_o his_o life_n of_o nero_n that_o he_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o burn_a the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_n therefore_o make_v a_o considerable_a body_n in_o the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 64._o suetonius_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o pliny_n in_o trajan_n time_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o meeting_n 3._o dion_n cassius_n set_v down_o the_o accusation_n bring_v in_o against_o flavius_n and_o domitilla_n as_o against_o atheist_n which_o be_v the_o title_n julian_n the_o apostate_n give_v to_o constantine_n because_o the_o christian_n reject_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a gods._n 4._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 63_o and_o yet_o this_o book_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o s._n luke_n to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o it_o and_o s._n luke_n gospel_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v already_o publish_v 5._o it_o appear_v from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v then_o write_v and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o book_n of_o s._n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o s._n justin._n these_o fact_n which_o be_v certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n as_o eye_n witness_n maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n after_o this_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v dispute_v by_o what_o power_n he_o be_v raise_v whether_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o by_o his_o own_o but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v the_o fact_n by_o reason_v draw_v from_o preten_v absurdity_n which_o one_o may_v think_v to_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o these_o mystery_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o idea_n of_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o which_o not_o be_v distinct_o know_v by_o we_o may_v raise_v difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o i_o will_v discourse_v with_o one_o bear_v blind_a of_o the_o sun_n of_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o sun_n the_o production_n of_o light_n and_o afterward_o of_o heat_n he_o will_v find_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n not_o to_o imagine_v three_o sun_n it_o be_v know_v how_o the_o philosopher_n who_o agree_v about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v notwithstanding_o be_v oblige_v to_o attribute_v several_a faculty_n to_o it_o which_o the_o common_a people_n look_v upon_o as_o very_o different_a thing_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o christian_n prove_v very_o solid_o that_o these_o mystery_n have_v be_v clear_o propose_v by_o the_o apostle_n who_o receive_v their_o light_n from_o heaven_n as_o to_o these_o truth_n and_o so_o may_v necessary_o be_v believe_v upon_o their_o word_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v former_o believe_v moreover_o they_o assert_v that_o these_o doctrine_n be_v first_o express_v though_o not_o so_o clear_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o christian_n i_o add_v to_o these_o remark_n that_o most_o of_o those_o fact_n who_o truth_n be_v so_o 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