fact_n to_o be_v know_v to_o any_o single_a person_n 2._o have_v show_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o miracle_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o they_o be_v relate_v to_o have_v be_v do_v be_v at_o first_o sufficient_o attest_v and_o that_o if_o we_o may_v credit_v that_o relation_n all_o the_o miracle_n there_o mention_v be_v certain_o wrought_v by_o he_o since_o they_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o they_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o the_o relation_n there_o set_v down_o be_v a_o true_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n and_o such_o as_o we_o may_v depend_v upon_o for_o if_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o miracle_n be_v either_o feign_v or_o falsify_v this_o must_v be_v do_v either_o in_o moses_n his_o time_n or_o afterward_o and_o if_o in_o his_o time_n then_o either_o by_o moses_n and_o aaron_n with_o other_o who_o be_v concern_v in_o carry_v on_o the_o design_n or_o by_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israâ—l_n together_o and_o if_o it_o be_v do_v after_o moses_n his_o death_n than_o again_o it_o must_v be_v do_v either_o by_o some_o particular_a man_n or_o by_o the_o contrivance_n of_o some_o few_o or_o more_o together_o or_o it_o must_v have_v be_v by_o the_o joint_a knowledge_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n i_o will_v therefore_o prove_v 1._o that_o the_o miracle_n can_v not_o be_v feign_v by_o moses_n and_o aaron_n and_o other_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o design_n 2._o the_o miracle_n can_v not_o be_v feign_v nor_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n invent_v or_o falsify_v by_o any_o particular_a man_n or_o by_o any_o confederacy_n or_o combination_n of_o man_n after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n 3._o the_o miracle_n can_v not_o be_v feign_v nor_o the_o book_n invent_v or_o falsify_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n either_o in_o moses_n time_n or_o after_o it_o 1._o these_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v feign_v by_o moses_n and_o aaron_n and_o other_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o design_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o can_v never_o invent_v such_o a_o account_n as_o that_o of_o their_o miraculous_a escape_n out_o of_o egypt_n and_o their_o travel_v in_o the_o wilderness_n under_o the_o conduct_n and_o support_v of_o the_o same_o miraculous_a power_n and_o then_o impose_v it_o upon_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n for_o truth_n for_o the_o people_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v chief_o concern_v in_o the_o whole_a relation_n moses_n appeal_v to_o their_o own_o sense_n and_o experience_n the_o lord_n make_v not_o this_o covenant_n with_o our_o father_n but_o with_o we_o even_o with_o we_o who_o be_v all_o of_o we_o here_o alive_a this_o day_n deut._n v._n 3._o and_o know_v you_o this_o day_n for_o i_o speak_v not_o with_o your_o child_n which_o have_v not_o know_v and_o which_o have_v not_o see_v the_o chastisement_n of_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n his_o greatness_n his_o mighty_a hand_n and_o his_o stretched-out_a arm_n and_o his_o miracle_n and_o his_o act_n which_o he_o do_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o egypt_n unto_o pharaoh_n the_o king_n of_o egypt_n and_o unto_o all_o his_o land_n and_o what_o he_o do_v unto_o the_o army_n of_o egypt_n unto_o their_o horse_n and_o to_o their_o chariot_n how_o he_o make_v the_o water_n of_o the_o red-sea_n to_o over_o flow_v they_o as_o they_o pursue_v after_o you_o and_o how_o the_o lord_n have_v destroy_v they_o unto_o this_o day_n and_o what_o he_o do_v unto_o you_o in_o the_o wilderness_n until_o you_o come_v into_o this_o place_n and_o what_o he_o do_v unto_o dathan_n and_o abiram_n the_o son_n of_o eliab_n the_o son_n of_o reuben_n how_o the_o earth_n open_v her_o mouth_n and_o swallow_v they_o up_o and_o their_o household_n and_o their_o tent_n and_o all_o their_o substance_n that_o be_v in_o their_o possession_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o israel_n but_o your_o eye_n have_v see_v all_o the_o great_a act_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o do_v deut._n xi_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7._o here_o be_v a_o recapitulation_n of_o all_o the_o miracle_n that_o have_v be_v wrought_v with_o a_o appeal_n to_o their_o sense_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o moses_n will_v never_o have_v make_v such_o appeal_n as_o these_o if_o they_o can_v possible_o have_v disprove_v he_o they_o can_v never_o be_v persuade_v that_o they_o â—ame_n out_o of_o egypt_n after_o so_o many_o plague_n inflict_v upon_o the_o egyptian_n to_o procure_v their_o deliverance_n if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n or_o that_o they_o be_v so_o long_a time_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o that_o so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o their_o sight_n if_o they_o have_v never_o be_v do_v before_o they_o though_o man_n may_v perhaps_o be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v that_o their_o ancestor_n a_o long_a time_n ago_o see_v and_o hear_v thing_n which_o they_o never_o see_v nor_o hear_v yet_o a_o whole_a nation_n be_v never_o suppose_v to_o have_v be_v persuade_v out_o of_o their_o sense_n at_o once_o and_o moses_n can_v not_o attempt_v to_o make_v so_o many_o man_n believe_v what_o they_o must_v all_o have_v know_v to_o have_v be_v false_a as_o well_o as_o himself_o if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o but_o he_o will_v have_v lard_n the_o scene_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n and_o not_o have_v bring_v those_o in_o as_o chief_o concern_v in_o the_o whole_a business_n who_o be_v then_o alive_a and_o present_a to_o convince_v he_o of_o falsehood_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o particular_n set_v down_o in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v false_a and_o as_o ancient_a as_o moses_n his_o time_n they_o must_v be_v invent_v with_o the_o knowledge_n and_o receive_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o moses_n and_o aaron_n can_v never_o so_o far_o delude_v so_o many_o thousand_o as_o to_o make_v they_o believe_v such_o variety_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o so_o many_o and_o so_o wonderful_a instance_n set_v forth_o and_o with_o such_o notorious_a circumstance_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o who_o they_o deceive_v whether_o they_o have_v not_o see_v and_o perceive_v and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o what_o have_v be_v do_v for_o so_o many_o year_n if_o it_o have_v be_v all_o but_o fiction_n 2._o the_o miracle_n can_v not_o be_v feign_v nor_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n invent_v or_o falsify_v by_o any_o particular_a man_n or_o by_o any_o confederacy_n or_o combination_n of_o man_n after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n if_o the_o miracle_n be_v feign_v after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n either_o the_o law_n must_v likewise_o be_v invent_v or_o alter_v after_o his_o death_n and_o the_o miracle_n insert_v to_o procure_v they_o authority_n or_o the_o law_n remain_v as_o they_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o he_o and_o the_o miracle_n only_o be_v add_v for_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o as_o contain_v the_o law_n deliver_v by_o he_o or_o as_o relate_v the_o miracle_n by_o which_o these_o law_n be_v ratify_v and_o establish_v in_o each_o of_o which_o respect_v there_o can_v be_v no_o forgery_n or_o falsification_n for_o 1._o the_o law_n themselves_o can_v not_o be_v invent_v nor_o alter_v or_o falsify_v because_o the_o whole_a jewish_a state_n and_o policy_n be_v found_v upon_o they_o and_o can_v not_o subsist_v without_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o jewish_a government_n which_o be_v confess_v on_o all_o hand_n to_o have_v be_v first_o erect_v by_o moses_n for_o not_o only_o their_o religious_a worship_n but_o their_o civil_a right_n and_o interest_n depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n their_o public_a proceed_n and_o their_o private_a deal_n one_o with_o another_o be_v all_o to_o be_v regulate_v and_o govern_v by_o these_o law_n and_o when_o any_o law_n be_v bring_v into_o constant_a use_n and_o practice_n in_o any_o nation_n it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o they_o can_v be_v alter_v and_o falsify_v and_o a_o new_a system_fw-la of_o law_n introduce_v instead_o of_o they_o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o people_n govern_v by_o they_o or_o any_o remembrance_n of_o it_o leave_v among_o they_o no_o material_a alteration_n can_v be_v make_v in_o law_n which_o be_v of_o continual_a use_n and_o which_o concern_v every_o man_n interest_n but_o they_o must_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o discover_v by_o such_o as_o shall_v find_v themselves_o aggrieve_v by_o such_o alteration_n but_o this_o be_v less_o practicable_a among_o the_o jew_n than_o among_o any_o other_o people_n 1._o because_o the_o distinction_n of_o their_o tribe_n and_o the_o genealogy_n which_o
argument_n whereas_o if_o christian_o be_v but_o thorough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o sincere_o dispose_v to_o believe_v and_o practice_v according_a to_o they_o they_o will_v be_v no_o more_o move_v with_o these_o cavil_n than_o they_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o think_v the_o worse_a of_o the_o sun_n if_o some_o man_n shall_v take_v a_o fancy_n to_o make_v that_o the_o subject_a of_o their_o raillery_n to_o have_v the_o more_o doubtful_a and_o waver_a thought_n of_o religion_n because_o it_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o ill_a man_n be_v as_o if_o we_o shall_v despise_v the_o sun_n for_o be_v under_o a_o cloud_n or_o suffer_v a_o eclipse_n not_o know_v that_o he_o retain_v his_o light_n and_o religion_n its_o excellency_n still_o though_o we_o be_v in_o darkness_n the_o light_n may_v be_v hide_v from_o we_o but_o can_v lose_v nothing_o of_o its_o own_o brightness_n though_o we_o suffer_v for_o want_v of_o it_o and_o lie_v under_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n the_o consideration_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v useful_a to_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n for_o if_o ever_o we_o will_v be_v serious_o and_o true_o religious_a we_o must_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o it_o in_o our_o understanding_n that_o by_o the_o rational_a conviction_n of_o our_o mind_n we_o may_v through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n assist_v we_o bring_v our_o will_n to_o a_o submission_n and_o our_o affection_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o more_o we_o think_v of_o and_o consider_v these_o thing_n the_o more_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v of_o they_o and_o they_o will_v have_v the_o great_a power_n and_o influence_n in_o the_o course_n of_o our_o life_n for_o though_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v without_o great_a sin_n and_o ignorance_n be_v doubt_v of_o by_o christian_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o confirmation_n to_o our_o faith_n and_o add_v a_o new_a life_n and_o vigour_n to_o our_o devotion_n when_o we_o recollect_v upon_o what_o good_a reason_n we_o be_v christian_n and_o be_v not_o such_o by_o custom_n and_o education_n only_o but_o upon_o principle_n which_o we_o have_v thorough_o consider_v and_o must_v abide_v by_o unless_o we_o will_v renounce_v our_o reason_n with_o our_o religion_n and_o what_o subject_n can_v be_v more_o useful_a or_o more_o worthy_a of_o a_o rational_a and_o consider_v man_n thought_n these_o thing_n which_o be_v now_o make_v matter_n of_o cavil_v and_o dispute_v will_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o our_o contemplation_n and_o of_o our_o joy_n and_o happiness_n to_o all_o eternity_n in_o the_o other_o world_n we_o shall_v then_o have_v clear_a and_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o method_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o shall_v for_o ever_o admire_v and_o adore_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n in_o the_o conduct_n and_o disposal_n of_o those_o very_a thing_n about_o which_o we_o now_o be_v most_o perplex_v the_o content_n part_n i._n chap._n i._o that_o from_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n evident_a to_o natural_a reason_n p._n 3._o that_o there_o be_v wicked_a spirit_n enemy_n to_o mankind_n p._n 6._o the_o miserable_a condition_n of_o man_n without_o the_o divine_a direction_n and_o assistance_n and_o that_o god_n will_v not_o leave_v he_o without_o all_o remedy_n in_o this_o condition_n p._n 8._o the_o judgement_n of_o st._n athanasius_n in_o the_o case_n p._n 15._o chap._n ii_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n by_o which_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v deliver_v and_o preserve_v in_o the_o world_n the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n ordinary_a providence_n insufficient_a and_o therefore_o some_o extraordinary_a way_n of_o revelation_n necessary_a p._n 19_o the_o way_n of_o extraordinary_a revelation_n either_o immediate_a revelation_n to_o every_o particular_a person_n or_o to_o some_o only_a with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o communicate_v the_o divine_a will_n to_o other_o p._n 20._o i._n it_o can_v not_o be_v requisite_a that_o god_n shall_v communicate_v himself_o by_o immediate_a revelation_n to_o every_o one_o in_o particular_a ibid._n ii_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v the_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a mean_n for_o god_n to_o discover_v and_o reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n by_o p._n 29._o 1._o concern_v prophecy_n ibid._n 2._o concern_v miracle_n p._n 33._o iii_o divine_a revelation_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o world_n by_o write_n p._n 43._o iv_o they_o must_v be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n p._n 44._o v._o they_o must_v be_v full_o publish_v and_o promulge_v p._n 45._o part_n ii_o chap._n i._n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o scripture_n a_o circumstance_n very_o considerable_a to_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n p._n 48._o they_o give_v a_o account_n of_o divine_a revelation_n make_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n ibid._n what_o moses_n relate_v of_o thing_n before_o his_o own_o time_n be_v certain_o true_a and_o must_v have_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o p._n 50._o chap._n ii_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o scripture_n 1._o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n be_v know_v to_o all_o mankind_n p._n 58._o ii_o in_o succeed_a age_n there_o have_v still_o be_v sufficient_a mean_n and_o frequent_a opportunity_n for_o all_o nation_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o p._n 76._o 1._o the_o law_n of_o moses_n do_v particular_o provide_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o other_o nation_n in_o the_o reveal_v religion_n p._n 77._o 2._o the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v so_o order_n and_o dispose_v of_o the_o jew_n that_o other_o nation_n have_v frequent_a opportunity_n of_o become_v instruct_v in_o the_o true_a religion_n p._n 90._o testimony_n of_o the_o heathen_a concern_v the_o jew_n and_o their_o religion_n p._n 115._o there_o have_v ever_o be_v divers_a memorial_n and_o remembrance_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n among_o the_o heathen_a p._n 117._o of_o the_o sibylline_a oracle_n p._n 121._o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v preach_v in_o china_n and_o america_n before_o the_o late_a discovery_n p._n 129._o the_o confession_n both_o of_o protestant_n and_o papist_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n p._n 132._o christian_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 135._o a_o sect_n call_v the_o good_a follower_n of_o the_o messiah_n at_o constantinople_n p._n 136._o though_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v still_o unbeliever_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n but_o have_v great_a opportunity_n of_o be_v convert_v p._n 141._o the_o case_n of_o particular_a person_n consider_v p._n 142._o chap._n iii_o of_o moses_n and_o aaron_n the_o sincerity_n of_o moses_n in_o his_o write_n p._n 146._o he_o be_v void_a of_o ambition_n p._n 149._o aaron_z and_o he_o have_v no_o contrivance_n between_o themselves_o to_o impose_v upon_o the_o people_n p._n 151._o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o pentateuch_n the_o pentateuch_n write_v by_o moses_n p._n 152._o the_o great_a impartiality_n visible_a in_o these_o book_n p._n 153._o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n a_o introduction_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n p._n 154._o the_o principal_a point_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n confess_v by_o the_o heathen_a p._n 155._o chap._n v._o of_o the_o prediction_n or_o prophecy_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n p._n 158._o the_o prediction_n of_o noah_n ibid._n the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n p._n 159._o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaac_n etc._n etc._n p._n 160._o of_o jacob_n p._n 161._o of_o balaam_n p._n 162._o of_o moses_n p._n 163._o chap._n vi_o of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n i._o the_o miracle_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o they_o be_v there_o relate_v to_o have_v be_v do_v be_v at_o first_o sufficient_o attest_v p._n 170._o ii_o the_o relation_n there_o set_v down_o be_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o such_o as_o we_o may_v depend_v upon_o p._n 188._o for_o 1._o these_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v feign_v by_o moses_n and_o aaron_n and_o other_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o design_n p._n 189._o 2._o the_o miracle_n can_v not_o be_v feign_v nor_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n invent_v or_o falsify_v by_o any_o particular_a man_n nor_o by_o any_o confederacy_n or_o combination_n of_o man_n after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n p._n 191._o 3._o the_o pentateuch_n can_v not_o be_v invent_v nor_o falsify_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n either_o in_o
demure_a pretender_n to_o humane_a reason_n and_o moral_a virtue_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o reveal_v religion_n we_o be_v fall_v into_o a_o age_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o have_v show_v so_o great_a a_o forwardness_n to_o be_v no_o long_o christian_n that_o they_o have_v catch_v at_o all_o the_o little_a cavil_n and_o pretence_n against_o religion_n and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o more_o out_o of_o charity_n to_o their_o own_o soul_n than_o for_o any_o credit_n religion_n can_v have_v of_o they_o it_o be_v great_a pity_n but_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o wish_n for_o they_o both_o think_v and_o live_v so_o ill_o that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n for_o the_o goodness_n of_o any_o cause_n that_o they_o be_v against_o it_o it_o be_v urge_v as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o christian_a riligion_n by_o tertullian_n that_o it_o be_v haved_z and_o persecute_v by_o nero_n the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o i_o be_o confident_a it_o will_v be_v but_o small_a reputation_n to_o it_o in_o any_o age_n if_o such_o man_n shall_v be_v find_v of_o it_o they_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o thing_n they_o understand_v not_o and_o be_v wont_a to_o talk_v with_o as_o much_o confidence_n against_o any_o point_n of_o religion_n as_o if_o they_o have_v all_o the_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n in_o their_o keep_n when_o common_o they_o know_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v for_o that_o against_o which_o they_o dispute_v they_o seem_v to_o imagine_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n beside_o religion_n that_o have_v any_o difficulty_n in_o it_o but_o this_o show_v how_o little_o they_o have_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o which_o multitude_n of_o objection_n and_o difficulty_n meet_v a_o observe_a man_n in_o every_o thought_n and_o after_o all_o religion_n have_v but_o one_o fault_n as_o they_o account_v it_o which_o they_o have_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v in_o it_o and_o that_o be_v that_o it_o be_v too_o good_a and_o virtuous_a for_o they_o for_o when_o they_o have_v say_v all_o they_o can_v this_o be_v their_o great_a quarrel_n against_o it_o and_o as_o it_o have_v be_v true_o observe_v no_o charity_n less_o than_o that_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o despise_v will_v have_v much_o care_n or_o consideration_n for_o they_o thus_o have_v some_o man_n dishonour_v religion_n by_o their_o life_n some_o by_o a_o affectation_n of_o novelty_n some_o by_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o book_n relate_v true_a miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o other_o by_o forge_v false_a one_o some_o again_o by_o their_o too_o eager_a and_o imprudent_a dispute_n and_o contention_n about_o religion_n whilst_o from_o hence_o other_o have_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o ridicule_n it_o and_o to_o dispute_v against_o it_o but_o so_o as_o to_o expose_v themselves_o whilst_o they_o will_v expose_v religion_n and_o thus_o have_v the_o clear_a and_o most_o necessary_a truth_n be_v obscure_v and_o despise_v whilst_o it_o have_v be_v betray_v by_o the_o vanity_n and_o quarrel_n of_o its_o friend_n to_o the_o scorn_n and_o weakness_n of_o its_o enemy_n however_o in_o all_o their_o opposition_n and_o contradiction_n to_o reveal_v religion_n i_o find_v it_o assert_v by_o these_o man_n that_o atheism_n be_v so_o absurd_a a_o thing_n that_o they_o question_v whether_o there_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v a_o atheist_n in_o the_o world_n i_o have_v therefore_o here_o prove_v from_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o that_o this_o religion_n be_v as_o certain_o true_a as_o it_o be_v that_o god_n himself_o exist_v which_o be_v the_o plain_a truth_n and_o the_o most_o universal_o acknowledge_v of_o any_o thing_n whatsoever_o and_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o true_a or_o certain_a but_o something_o may_v be_v allege_v against_o it_o i_o shall_v beside_o discourse_v upon_o such_o head_n as_o have_v be_v most_o except_v against_o in_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o vindicate_v it_o against_o all_o cavil_n though_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o particular_a objection_n which_o be_v both_o a_o needless_a and_o indeed_o a_o endless_a labour_n for_o there_o be_v no_o end_n of_o cavil_n but_o if_o the_o truth_n be_v well_o and_o full_o explain_v any_o objection_n may_v receive_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o doctrine_n against_o which_o it_o be_v urge_v by_o apply_v it_o to_o particular_a difficulty_n as_o one_o right_a line_n be_v enough_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o the_o variation_n from_o it_o to_o be_v crooked_a it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o cavil_v and_o find_v fault_n with_o any_o thing_n and_o to_o start_v objection_n and_o ask_v question_n be_v even_o to_o a_o proverb_n esteem_v the_o worst_a sign_n that_o can_v be_v of_o a_o great_a wit_n or_o a_o sound_a judgement_n man_n be_v unwilling_a to_o believe_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a which_o contradict_v their_o vice_n and_o the_o weak_a argument_n with_o strong_a inclination_n to_o a_o cause_n will_v prove_v or_o disprove_v whatever_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n it_o shall_v but_o let_v man_n first_o practice_v the_o virtue_n the_o moral_a virtue_n which_o our_o religion_n enjoin_v and_o then_o let_v they_o disprove_v it_o if_o they_o can_v nay_o let_v they_o disprove_v it_o now_o if_o they_o can_v for_o it_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n of_o their_o favour_n but_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n let_v they_o have_v a_o care_n of_o mistake_v vice_n for_o argument_n and_o every_o profane_a jest_n for_o a_o demonstration_n i_o wish_v they_o will_v consider_v whether_o the_o concern_v they_o have_v to_o set_v up_o natural_a against_o reveal_v religion_n proceed_v not_o from_o hence_o that_o by_o natural_a religion_n they_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o just_a what_o they_o please_v themselves_o or_o what_o they_o judge_v convenient_a in_o every_o case_n or_o occasion_n whereas_o reveal_v religion_n be_v a_o fix_a and_o determine_v thing_n and_o prescribe_v certain_a rule_n and_o law_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n the_o plain_a truth_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v that_o they_o be_v for_o a_o religion_n of_o their_o own_o contrivance_n which_o they_o may_v alter_v as_o they_o see_v sit_v but_o not_o for_o one_o of_o divine_a revelation_n which_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o change_n but_o must_v always_o continue_v the_o same_o whatever_o they_o can_v do_v unless_o that_o be_v the_o case_n there_o will_v be_v little_a occasion_n to_o trouble_v they_o with_o book_n of_o this_o kind_n for_o the_o argument_n bring_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v indeed_o so_o weak_a and_o insignificant_a that_o they_o rather_o make_v for_o it_o and_o it_o may_v well_o be_v say_v as_o m._n paschal_n relate_v by_o one_o of_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n to_o his_o companion_n if_o you_o continue_v to_o dispute_v at_o this_o rate_n you_o will_v certain_o make_v i_o a_o christian_n i_o shall_v venture_v at_o least_o to_o say_v of_o this_o treatise_n in_o the_o like_a manner_n as_o he_o do_v of_o his_o that_o if_o these_o man_n will_v be_v please_v to_o spend_v but_o a_o little_a of_o that_o time_n which_o be_v so_o often_o worse_o employ_v in_o the_o perusal_n of_o what_o be_v here_o offer_v i_o hope_v that_o something_o they_o may_v meet_v withal_o which_o may_v satisfy_v their_o doubt_n and_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n but_o though_o they_o shall_v despise_v whatever_o can_v be_v say_v to_o they_o yet_o there_o be_v other_o beside_o the_o profess_a adversary_n of_o reveal_v religion_n to_o who_o a_o treatise_n of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v serviceable_a the_o truth_n be_v notwistand_v the_o great_a plainness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o can_v but_o think_v that_o ignorance_n be_v one_o chief_a cause_n why_o it_o be_v so_o little_o value_v and_o esteem_v and_o its_o doctrine_n so_o little_o obey_v a_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n content_v themselves_o with_o a_o very_a slight_a and_o imperfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v and_o be_v able_a to_o give_v but_o very_o little_a reason_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o profess_v it_o rather_o as_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n than_o of_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o because_o they_o find_v it_o contradict_v their_o sensual_a desire_n they_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v as_o little_a of_o it_o as_o may_v be_v and_o when_o they_o hear_v other_o cavil_v and_o trifle_n with_o it_o partly_o out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o from_o inclination_n they_o take_v every_o idle_a objection_n if_o it_o be_v but_o bold_a enough_o for_o a_o unanswerable_a
moses_n time_n or_o after_o it_o p._n 206._o of_o what_o consequence_n the_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v towards_o the_o prove_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n p._n 214._o chap._n vii_o of_o joshua_n and_o the_o judge_n and_o of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n under_o their_o government_n joshua_n the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n under_o his_o name_n p._n 215._o the_o book_n of_o judge_n write_v by_o samuel_n p._n 216._o the_o water_n of_o jordan_n divide_v p._n 217._o the_o male_n circumcise_a at_o the_o first_o come_v into_o canaan_n and_o thereby_o disable_v for_o war_n contrary_a to_o all_o humane_a policy_n p._n 219._o the_o wall_n of_o jericho_n throw_v down_o and_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v they_o ib._n the_o integrity_n of_o joshua_n p._n 220._o of_o eli_n p._n 221._o of_o samuel_n p._n 222._o chap._n viii_o of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n under_o their_o king_n from_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n a_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n prophet_n in_o the_o kingdom_n both_o of_o israel_n and_o judah_n p._n 223_o chap._n ix_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o their_o write_n the_o kind_n of_o prophecy_n among_o the_o jew_n p._n 224._o the_o freedom_n and_o courage_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o reverence_n pay_v to_o they_o even_o by_o bad_a prince_n p._n 226._o they_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o confirmation_n of_o their_o prophecy_n p._n 227._o many_o of_o their_o prophecy_n fulfil_v during_o their_o own_o life_n p._n 228._o their_o prophecy_n commit_v to_o writing_n ibid._n they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n be_v careful_o preserve_v during_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n p._n 229._o the_o book_n of_o the_o former_a and_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n the_o book_n of_o samuel_n by_o who_o write_v p._n 231._o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n and_o of_o king_n by_o who_o write_v ibid._n of_o the_o psalm_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n comprehend_v the_o whole_a old_a testament_n p._n 233._o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n sufficient_o understand_v by_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o return_v from_o babylon_n ibid._n the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v afterward_o p._n 235._o chap._n x._o of_o the_o prohecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n josiah_n prophesy_v of_o by_o name_n long_o before_o his_o birth_n the_o circumstance_n of_o that_o prophecy_n p._n 236._o the_o fulfil_n of_o elijah_n prophecy_n p._n 238._o the_o confession_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n p._n 240._o divers_a other_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n ibid._n cyrus_n prophesy_v of_o by_o name_n long_o before_o his_o birth_n p._n 241._o jeremiah_n prophecy_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n p._n 243._o the_o contradiction_n which_o be_v then_o think_v to_o be_v betwixt_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n and_o ezekiel_n a_o manifest_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o they_o both_o p._n 245._o other_o plain_a prophecy_n fulfil_v p._n 247._o these_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n manifest_o true_a p._n 249_o chap._n xi_o of_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o each_o other_o and_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n prove_v the_o new_a and_o the_o new_a again_o prove_v the_o old_a as_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o essect_v p._n 252._o chap._n xii_o of_o the_o person_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n our_o bless_a saviour_n undeniable_a innocence_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n p._n 257._o judas_n himself_o give_v testimony_n to_o it_o p._n 259._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n fulfil_v in_o he_o p._n 265._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v his_o life_n fulfil_v p._n 277._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v his_o death_n fulfil_v p._n 280._o and_o those_o concern_v his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n p._n 286_o chap._n xiii_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n our_o saviour_n foretell_v the_o treachery_n of_o judas_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o death_n p._n 287._o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n with_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o and_o the_o prodigy_n attend_v it_o ibid._n his_o miracle_n verify_v the_o prophecy_n which_o have_v be_v concern_v the_o messiah_n p._n 290_o chap._n fourteen_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n prophesy_v of_o and_o typify_v p._n 293._o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n can_v not_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o it_o p._n 295._o they_o will_v not_o deceive_v other_o p._n 306._o they_o allege_v such_o circumstance_n as_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o deceive_v p._n 307_o chap._n xv._o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n the_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o sufficient_a understanding_n to_o know_v what_o they_o testify_v p._n 312._o they_o have_v sufficient_a mean_n and_o opportunity_n to_o know_v it_o p._n 313._o they_o be_v man_n of_o integrity_n and_o true_o declare_v what_o they_o know_v for_o they_o have_v no_o worldy_a interest_n to_o serve_v by_o their_o testimony_n but_o suffer_v by_o it_o and_o have_v a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o suffering_n p._n 315._o there_o be_v peculiar_a mark_n of_o sincerity_n in_o all_o their_o write_n p._n 319_o chap._n xvi_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n of_o their_o prophecy_n p._n 328._o of_o their_o miracle_n p._n 330._o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o p._n 331._o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n communicate_v by_o they_o to_o other_o p._n 336._o their_o supernatural_a courage_n and_o resolution_n p._n 342._o this_o likewise_o be_v communicate_v to_o their_o follower_n p._n 351_o chap._n xvii_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n and_o death_n contain_v so_o notorious_a and_o public_a circumstance_n that_o it_o be_v a_o appeal_n to_o that_o age_n whether_o the_o thing_n relate_v be_v true_a or_o not_o p._n 354._o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v explicatory_a and_o consequential_a to_o the_o gospel_n or_o history_n of_o christ_n and_o beside_o these_o likewise_o contain_v many_o memorable_a and_o public_a matter_n of_o fact_n p._n 361._o the_o gospel_n and_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n cite_v by_o author_n contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n and_o own_a for_o genuine_a both_o by_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n p._n 363._o many_o of_o the_o eye-witness_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n live_v to_o a_o great_a age_n p._n 364._o the_o chief_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v testify_v in_o apology_n write_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n ibid._n chap._n xviii_o of_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o christian_a religion_n teach_v a_o universal_a righteousness_n both_o towards_o god_n and_o man_n p._n 368._o the_o scripture_n propound_v to_o we_o the_o only_a true_a principle_n of_o holiness_n p._n 370._o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v the_o most_o effectual_a motive_n to_o obedience_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n p._n 372._o it_o afferd_v the_o great_a help_n and_o assistance_n to_o a_o holy_a life_n p._n 374._o it_o express_v the_o great_a compassion_n and_o condescension_n to_o our_o infirmity_n p._n 374._o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v ever_o have_v great_a effect_n towards_o the_o reformation_n and_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n p._n 376._o the_o high_a mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o mere_o speculative_a but_o have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o practice_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n among_o man_n p._n 382_o part_n iii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o divine_a revelation_n but_o that_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n p._n 385._o chap._n i._n the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o pretence_n of_o the_o egyptian_n to_o antiquity_n examine_v p._n 387._o of_o the_o chaldaean_n ibid._n of_o the_o chinese_n p._n 389._o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o defect_n in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o heathen_a religion_n never_o extant_a in_o book_n to_o be_v public_o read_v p._n 392._o every_o country_n have_v its_o peculiar_a deity_n they_o prevail_v only_o by_o the_o temporal_a power_n though_o the_o heathen_n more_o in_o number_n yet_o the_o religion_n of_o christian_n more_o promulge_v p._n 392_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_n p._n 394._o that_o they_o be_v uncertain_a and_o ambiguous_a p._n 396._o but_o they_o can_v not_o be_v all_o counterfeit_n p._n 398._o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n gradual_a p._n 399._o their_o miracle_n never_o
several_a prophecy_n we_o have_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o ascribe_v to_o other_o and_o the_o last_o comain_v so_o many_o remarkable_a thing_n be_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o enemy_n moses_n himself_o foretell_v that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n shall_v after_o forty_o year_n come_v into_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n that_o they_o shall_v prove_v victorious_a over_o the_o canaanite_n and_o that_o their_o country_n shall_v by_o the_o divine_a care_n and_o protection_n be_v preserve_v in_o safety_n whilst_o they_o go_v up_o to_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n thrice_o every_o year_n thrice_o in_o the_o year_n shall_v all_o your_o man-child_n appear_v before_o the_o lord_n god_n the_o god_n of_o israel_n for_o i_o will_v cast_v out_o the_o nation_n before_o thou_o and_o enlarge_v thy_o border_n netther_o shall_v any_o man_n desire_v thy_o land_n when_o thou_o shall_v go_v up_o to_o appear_v before_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n thrice_o in_o the_o year_n exod._n xxxiv_o 23_o 24._o here_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o a_o constant_a miracle_n to_o be_v fulfil_v to_o the_o israelite_n thrice_o every_o year_n as_o long_o as_o their_o government_n stand_v all_o their_o male_n be_v to_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n at_o three_o set_v and_o know_v time_n every_o year_n and_o yet_o their_o enemy_n round_o about_o they_o who_o they_o have_v so_o many_o way_n provoke_v be_v by_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n restrain_v from_o take_v any_o advantage_n of_o this_o opportunity_n which_o be_v frequent_o and_o notorious_o give_v they_o of_o invade_v their_o country_n the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n make_v it_o impossible_a for_o their_o government_n to_o subsist_v in_o the_o observation_n of_o their_o religion_n without_o a_o miracle_n wrought_v three_o time_n in_o a_o year_n for_o their_o preservation_n and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o this_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o they_o by_o moses_n and_o the_o preserve_n of_o they_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o worship_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v they_o be_v a_o continual_a confirmation_n of_o his_o law_n and_o a_o repeat_v assurance_n that_o it_o be_v from_o god_n by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n likewise_o every_o seven_o year_n they_o be_v permit_v neither_o to_o sow_v their_o land_n nor_o to_o prune_v their_o vineyard_n nor_o to_o gather_v any_o corn_n or_o fruit_n that_o grow_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n which_o be_v a_o law_n that_o must_v have_v bring_v they_o under_o great_a extremity_n and_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o have_v be_v impracticable_a if_o the_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a blessing_n of_o god_n have_v not_o supply_v this_o constant_a want_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n product_n with_o as_o constant_a a_o overplus_n in_o the_o precede_a year_n for_o as_o god_n by_o moses_n foretell_v that_o on_o the_o six_o day_n there_o shall_v fall_v manna_n enough_o to_o supply_v they_o on_o the_o sabbath-day_n so_o they_o have_v a_o promise_n of_o three_o year_n fruit_n precise_o every_o six_o year_n to_o supply_v that_o want_n which_o the_o sabbatical_a year_n must_v otherwise_o have_v reduce_v they_o to_o and_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v what_o shall_v we_o eat_v the_o seven_o year_n behold_v we_o shall_v not_o sow_v nor_o gather_v in_o our_o increase_n then_o i_o will_v command_v my_o blessing_n upon_o you_o in_o the_o six_o year_n and_o it_o shall_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n for_o three_o year_n and_o you_o shall_v sow_v the_o eight_o year_n and_o eat_v yet_o of_o old_a fruit_n until_o the_o nine_o year_n until_o her_o fruit_n come_v in_o you_o shall_v eat_v of_o the_o old_a store_n leu._n twenty-five_o 20_o 21_o 22._o which_o be_v another_o clear_a instance_n that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n can_v never_o have_v subsist_v in_o the_o observation_n of_o their_o law_n but_o by_o the_o constant_a and_o miraculous_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o contain_v the_o promise_n make_v to_o they_o for_o their_o preservation_n in_o blessing_n the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n he_o foretell_v the_o peculiar_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o every_o distinct_a tribe_n deut._n xxxiii_o he_o foretell_v to_o they_o all_o in_o general_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v miraculous_a success_n against_o the_o canaanite_n that_o they_o shall_v possess_v themselves_o of_o their_o land_n that_o they_o shall_v set_v king_n over_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o peculiar_a place_n of_o worship_n whither_o they_o shall_v all_o resort_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o divine_a oracle_n and_o a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n for_o their_o direction_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n and_o difficulty_n and_o joshua_n appeal_v to_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n whether_o all_o have_v not_o be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v promise_v as_o far_o as_o his_o time_n and_o be_v hold_v this_o day_n i_o be_o go_v the_o way_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o you_o know_v in_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o in_o all_o your_o soul_n that_o not_o one_o thing_n have_v fail_v of_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n which_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n speak_v concern_v you_o all_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v unto_o you_o and_o not_o one_o thing_n have_v fail_v thereof_o josh_n xxiii_o 14._o the_o extent_n of_o the_o dominion_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n after_o they_o come_v to_o be_v settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v foretell_v exod._n xxiii_o 31._o and_o fulfil_v 2_o sam._n viij_o 3._o ezra_n four_o 20._o and_o solomon_n at_o the_o dedication_n of_o the_o temple_n declare_v in_o the_o audience_n of_o all_o the_o people_n that_o there_o have_v not_o fail_v one_o word_n of_o all_o god_n good_a promise_n which_o he_o promise_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n his_o servant_n 1_o king_n viij_o 56._o moses_n also_o foretell_v that_o beside_o a_o constant_a succession_n of_o prophet_n for_o many_o age_n there_o shall_v arise_v a_o prophet_n of_o extraordinary_a power_n and_o authority_n and_o whosoever_o will_v not_o hear_v that_o prophet_n shall_v be_v destroy_v deut._n xviii_o 18._o this_o prophet_n be_v the_o great_a expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o out_o saviour_n come_v joh._n 1.21_o &_o vi_fw-la 14._o &_o seven_o 40._o and_o the_o apostle_n prove_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v he_o act._n iii._o 22._o &_o seven_o 37._o last_o moses_n foretell_v the_o disobedience_n and_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o judgement_n that_o shall_v befall_v they_o for_o their_o iniquity_n and_o their_o deliverance_n upon_o their_o repentance_n he_o foretell_v so_o many_o year_n before_o they_o have_v any_o king_n that_o they_o and_o their_o king_n who_o they_o will_v set_v over_o they_o shall_v be_v carry_v into_o captivity_n and_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o they_o be_v take_v captive_a by_o the_o assyrian_n who_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o very_a same_o word_n that_o the_o other_o prophet_n use_v concern_v they_o the_o remainder_n shall_v be_v carry_v into_o egypt_n deut._n xxviii_o 36_o 49_o 50_o 68_o and_o we_o see_v it_o come_v according_o to_o pass_v jer._n xliii_o and_o the_o siege_n of_o samaria_n by_o the_o assyrian_n and_o of_o jerusalem_n both_o by_o they_o and_o the_o roman_n be_v particular_o describe_v to_o the_o very_a circumstance_n of_o their_o eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o their_o son_n and_o of_o their_o daughter_n deut._n xxviii_o 53._o which_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o have_v scarce_o ever_o happen_v in_o any_o other_o siege_n but_o those_o of_o samaria_n and_o of_o jerusalem_n lam._n two_o 20._o &_o four_o 10.2_o king_n vi_o 29._o this_o monstrous_a and_o dreadful_a thing_n be_v twice_o know_v in_o jerusalem_n first_o when_o it_o be_v besiege_v by_o nehuchadnezzar_n and_o again_o when_o it_o be_v destroy_v by_o the_o roman_n under_o titus_n and_o such_o a_o circumstance_n can_v not_o be_v foretell_v so_o long_o before_o but_o by_o a_o divine_a prescience_n and_o that_o so_o strange_a and_o unnatural_a a_o thing_n shall_v befall_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n three_o several_a time_n according_a to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o a_o prophecy_n can_v have_v nothing_o of_o chance_n in_o it_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n every_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o their_o first_o original_a to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o perpetual_a fulfil_v of_o express_a prophecy_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n if_o it_o be_v once_o prove_v that_o moses_n do_v what_o be_v relate_v of_o he_o in_o the_o pentateuch_n it_o will_v unavoidable_o follow_v that_o he_o do_v it_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o that_o he_o be_v god_n servant_n and_o minister_n and_o that_o
ceremony_n and_o which_o where_o purposely_o design_v in_o many_o thing_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o and_o to_o the_o custom_n which_o they_o have_v be_v themselves_o acquaint_v with_o in_o egypt_n in_o so_o many_o instance_n can_v be_v at_o first_o introduce_v but_o by_o miracle_n but_o if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v once_o introduce_v without_o miracle_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v but_o that_o when_o the_o people_n be_v use_v and_o accustom_a to_o they_o there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o pretence_n of_o miracle_n to_o keep_v they_o in_o obedience_n to_o they_o and_o as_o little_a reason_n there_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v over_o awe_v by_o a_o report_n of_o miracle_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v never_o to_o have_v be_v hear_v of_o till_o the_o people_n give_v occasion_n for_o the_o invention_n of_o they_o by_o their_o disobedience_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v read_v as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o religious_a assembly_n in_o the_o several_a tribe_n at_o least_o every_o sabbath-day_n and_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v solemn_o read_v in_o the_o audience_n of_o all_o the_o people_n at_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n every_o seven_o year_n and_o if_o they_o have_v have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o from_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o it_o at_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n yet_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o body_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n shall_v be_v so_o stupid_a and_o forgetful_a as_o not_o to_o remember_v when_o these_o miracle_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v first_o read_v to_o they_o that_o they_o have_v never_o hear_v they_o before_o but_o how_o impossible_a be_v it_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v thus_o impose_v upon_o when_o they_o hear_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n read_v every_o week_n to_o they_o and_o have_v they_o beside_o in_o their_o own_o keep_n to_o read_v they_o at_o their_o leisure_n the_o miracle_n now_o make_v up_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n they_o be_v every_o where_o intersperse_v and_o intermix_v throughout_o the_o history_n and_o they_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o make_v impression_n upon_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n and_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o miracle_n so_o often_o repeat_v and_o every_o be_v inculcate_v can_v be_v insert_v by_o any_o contrivance_n and_o impose_v upon_o a_o people_n who_o be_v all_o wont_a to_o hear_v the_o law_n public_o read_v in_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n once_o every_o seven_o year_n and_o hear_v it_o read_v in_o their_o synagogue_n beside_o every_o seven_o day_n will_v they_o not_o be_v infinite_o surprise_v the_o first_o time_n they_o hear_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o plague_n inflict_v on_o the_o egyptian_n of_o the_o judgement_n upon_o korah_n and_o his_o company_n and_o of_o the_o miraculous_a punishment_n which_o befall_v the_o idolatrous_a and_o disobedient_a in_o the_o wilderness_n will_v they_o not_o soon_o have_v find_v out_o so_o obvious_a a_o deceit_n as_o this_o must_v have_v be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v one_o if_o we_o can_v think_v that_o such_o insertion_n can_v pass_v without_o discovery_n why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o believe_v too_o that_o as_o many_o more_o may_v be_v make_v now_o and_o not_o be_v discover_v will_v not_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n have_v be_v able_a to_o testify_v that_o all_o this_o be_v counterfeit_v and_o insert_v into_o the_o law_n for_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v read_v to_o they_o in_o their_o synagogue_n upon_o the_o sabbath_n nor_o have_v be_v read_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o last_o seven_o year_n but_o it_o be_v all_o now_o add_v to_o terrify_v they_o and_o keep_v they_o from_o follow_v the_o custom_n of_o other_o nation_n will_v not_o this_o have_v be_v the_o worst_a contrivance_n that_o can_v have_v be_v think_v of_o to_o keep_v a_o people_n in_o awe_n to_o tell_v they_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o every_o man_n of_o they_o can_v disprove_v that_o be_v of_o age_n and_o have_v but_o understanding_n and_o memory_n enough_o to_o know_v what_o he_o have_v hear_v so_o often_o read_v before_o and_o to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v so_o remarkable_a that_o they_o can_v hardly_o escape_v any_o one_o memory_n who_o have_v ever_o hear_v of_o they_o they_o have_v book_n of_o the_o law_n for_o their_o private_a read_n and_o beside_o the_o read_n of_o it_o in_o their_o weekly_a assembly_n they_o have_v a_o solemn_a publication_n and_o proclamation_n of_o their_o law_n once_o every_o seven_o year_n as_o it_o be_v purposely_o to_o prevent_v any_o design_n of_o falsify_v it_o and_o to_o have_v read_v any_o thing_n so_o remarkable_a as_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n be_v in_o all_o their_o circumstance_n so_o often_o repeat_v and_o insist_v upon_o if_o the_o people_n have_v not_o find_v they_o in_o their_o own_o book_n and_o have_v not_o be_v use_v to_o hear_v they_o read_v to_o they_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o give_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n have_v be_v only_o for_o the_o projector_n to_o proclaim_v themselves_o impostor_n but_o can_v never_o have_v deceive_v any_o man._n and_o beside_o the_o care_n that_o be_v take_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n there_o be_v public_a memorial_n of_o the_o principal_a miracle_n enjoin_v such_o be_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o angel_n pass_v over_o the_o israelite_n when_o he_o slay_v the_o first-born_a bear_v of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o feast_n of_o tarbernacle_n in_o remembrance_n of_o their_o dwell_n in_o tent_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o such_o be_v the_o brazen_a serpent_n the_o ark_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n these_o be_v thing_n see_v and_o observe_v or_o know_v by_o all_o and_o they_o can_v not_o be_v introduce_v after_o moses_n time_n because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o it_o since_o they_o who_o introduce_v they_o must_v suppose_v they_o to_o have_v be_v before_o at_o the_o very_a time_n when_o they_o design_v first_o to_o introduce_v they_o the_o vrim_fw-he and_o thummim_n be_v both_o a_o constant_a miracle_n and_o a_o constant_a attestation_n to_o the_o law_n by_o which_o it_o be_v ordain_v and_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o priest_n who_o be_v to_o examine_v and_o judge_v of_o leprosy_n either_o in_o person_n or_o thing_n be_v secure_v from_o the_o infection_n of_o it_o though_o it_o be_v infectious_a to_o all_o other_o and_o their_o constant_a service_n can_v not_o be_v perform_v without_o a_o 2030._o a_o vid._n lightfoot'_v prospect_n of_o the_o temple_n c._n 34._o p._n 2030._o miraculous_a dispensation_n thus_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v all_o the_o proof_n which_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o bring_v in_o any_o case_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n can_v not_o be_v falsify_v by_o any_o man_n or_o party_n of_o man_n whatsoever_o since_o the_o nature_n and_o institution_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o do_v effectual_o provide_v against_o all_o imposture_n and_o the_o jew_n have_v all_o the_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o people_n to_o have_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o same_o which_o he_o write_v and_o leave_v behind_o he_o and_o this_o inspire_v they_o with_o such_o a_o zeal_n for_o their_o law_n as_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n in_o vindication_n of_o it_o whereas_o there_o be_v no_o book_n whatsoever_o as_o josephus_n observe_v among_o the_o heathen_n which_o any_o man_n among_o they_o will_v not_o rather_o a_o thousand_o time_n see_v destroy_v though_o it_o be_v in_o never_o so_o much_o esteem_v with_o they_o than_o he_o will_v suffer_v for_o it_o which_o show_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o their_o law_n from_o all_o the_o evidence_n abovementioned_a and_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o which_o moses_n deliver_v and_o leave_v behind_o he_o 3._o the_o pentateuch_n can_v not_o be_v invent_v nor_o falsify_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n either_o in_o moses_n time_n or_o after_o it_o for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o such_o a_o thing_n shall_v have_v be_v conceal_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n and_o that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v know_v of_o the_o imposture_n and_o no_o man_n ever_o discover_v it_o nor_o no_o apostate_n ever_o divulge_v it_o but_o they_o and_o their_o posterity_n shall_v always_o profess_v that_o they_o believe_v the_o law_n to_o be_v reveal_v to_o moses_n by_o god_n himself_o just_a as_o we_o now_o have_v it_o in_o the_o peutateuch_n that_o under_o all_o affliction_n and_o adversity_n they_o shall_v impute_v their_o suffering_n to_o the_o violation_n of_o
not_o distinguish_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o two_o book_n of_o king_n and_o of_o chronicle_n be_v and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o a_o book_n begin_v by_o samuel_n and_o continue_v by_o other_o prophet_n shall_v bear_v the_o name_n only_o of_o samuel_n from_o 1_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o we_o may_v likewise_o learn_v that_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n must_v be_v write_v by_o one_o of_o these_o prophet_n both_o the_o book_n of_o king_n as_o far_o as_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v write_v before_o josiah_n time_n for_o 2_o kin._n 18.5_o it_o be_v say_v of_o hezekiah_n that_o he_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n so_o that_o after_o he_o be_v none_o like_o he_o of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n nor_o any_o that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o of_o josiah_n it_o be_v say_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 25._o that_o like_a unto_o he_o be_v there_o no_o king_n before_o he_o that_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n with_o all_o his_o heart_n etc._n etc._n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o josiah_n in_o his_o reformation_n exceed_v hezekiah_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o history_n of_o hezekiah_n must_v be_v write_v before_o josiah_n time_n or_o else_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v with_o truth_n say_v of_o hezekiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o king_n after_o he_o who_o be_v like_o he_o or_o equal_v he_o of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n from_o 1_o chron._n four_o 43._o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v write_v before_o the_o captivity_n though_o the_o genealogy_n be_v transcribe_v afterward_o out_o of_o the_o record_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o 1_o chron._n ix_o 1._o that_o the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n be_v write_v before_o the_o captivity_n we_o may_v conclude_v from_o 2_o chron._n v._n 9_o 1_o king_n viij_o 8._o for_o the_o ark_n be_v not_o remain_v after_o the_o captivity_n the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o king_n gives_z so_o particular_a a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o carry_v they_o away_o captive_a in_o every_o material_a circumstance_n that_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o that_o very_a time_n and_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o memorir_n be_v constant_o take_v and_o preserve_v of_o all_o that_o happen_v the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n conclude_v with_o the_o first_o year_n of_o cyrus_n in_o the_o same_o word_n with_o which_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n begin_v be_v add_v by_o he_o at_o the_o time_n when_o cyrus_n give_v out_o his_o proclamation_n for_o the_o prophet_n from_o time_n to_o time_n make_v continuation_n to_o the_o history_n of_o their_o predecessor_n by_o insert_v what_o relate_v to_o their_o own_o time_n and_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n among_o the_o ancient_n as_o grotius_n observe_v to_o begin_v one_o book_n with_o the_o conclusion_n of_o another_o the_o psalm_n be_v quote_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o prophet_n mat._n xiii_o 35_o &_o xxvii_o 35._o and_o from_o the_o first_o pen_n they_o be_v use_v in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n 1_o chron._n xuj_o 7._o 2_o chron._n v._n 13._o &_o seven_o 6._o &_o xx_o 21._o jer._n xxxiii_o 11._o ezra_n iii._o 10_o 11._o this_o be_v know_v even_o to_o their_o enemy_n in_o their_o captivity_n psal_n cxxxvii_o 3._o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o prophet_n under_o it_o and_o lesson_n out_o of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n with_o hymn_n out_o of_o the_o psalm_n and_o prayer_n make_v up_o the_o jewish_a form_n of_o worship_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v put_v for_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n luke_n xuj_o 29._o act_n xiii_o 15._o and_o if_o both_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n comprehend_v all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v still_o extant_a and_o well_o know_v and_o make_v use_v of_o by_o pious_a man_n during_o all_o that_o time_n and_o the_o people_n have_v copy_n of_o they_o or_o have_v mean_n and_o opportunity_n of_o be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o as_o the_o prophet_n zechariah_n suppose_v zech._n seven_o 7._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o they_o have_v not_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n at_o their_o restoration_n many_o be_v still_o alive_a who_o be_v first_o carry_v away_o captive_a and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n during_o the_o captivity_n show_v that_o the_o people_n do_v understand_v it_o for_o they_o all_o write_v in_o the_o hebrew_n language_n except_o upon_o some_o particular_a occasion_n where_o their_o prophecy_n more_o immediate_o concern_v the_o babylonian_a affair_n both_o man_n and_o woman_n can_v understand_v ezra_n when_o he_o read_v the_o law_n and_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o the_o people_n be_v attentive_a unto_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n neh._n viij_o 3._o and_o it_o be_v not_o the_o language_n unless_o in_o some_o particular_n which_o in_o all_o language_n will_v want_v explication_n to_o the_o vulgar_a who_o be_v native_n but_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v that_o be_v interpret_v ver_fw-la 7_o 8._o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o letter_n of_o artaxerxes_n be_v both_o write_v in_o the_o syrian_a tongue_n and_o interpret_v in_o the_o syrian_a tongue_n ezra_n four_o 7._o nehemiah_n particular_o complain_v that_o the_o child_n of_o those_o who_o have_v marry_v strange_a wife_n can_v not_o speak_v in_o the_o jew_n language_n which_o suppose_v that_o the_o child_n of_o other_o parent_n as_o well_o as_o the_o parent_n themselves_o be_v teach_v to_o speak_v the_o hebrew_n tongue_n neh._n xiii_o 24._o and_o the_o decree_n of_o ahasuerus_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v write_v unto_o every_o province_n according_a unto_o the_o write_n thereof_o and_o unto_o every_o people_n after_o their_o language_n and_o unto_o the_o jew_n according_a to_o their_o writing_n and_o according_a to_o their_o language_n est_fw-la viij_o 9_o which_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o the_o jew_n still_o retain_v not_o only_o their_o language_n but_o their_o manner_n of_o write_v it_o or_o the_o form_n and_o fashion_n of_o their_o letter_n under_o the_o captivity_n not_o long_o after_o the_o captivity_n the_o scripture_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o be_v disperse_v into_o so_o many_o hand_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n that_o the_o copy_n can_v not_o be_v destroy_v either_o in_o the_o time_n of_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n or_o at_o any_o other_o time_n by_o the_o malice_n of_o perscutor_n or_o any_o other_o accident_n and_o though_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o fond_a of_o their_o tradition_n as_o to_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o they_o yet_o they_o never_o add_v any_o book_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o tradition_n which_o they_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o but_o when_o they_o have_v no_o long_o any_o prophet_n among_o they_o they_o dare_v not_o place_v any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o same_o rank_a and_o authority_n with_o those_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v leave_v behind_o they_o all_o the_o canonical_a book_n be_v write_v by_o inspire_a author_n and_o have_v be_v in_o constant_a use_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o private_a house_n and_o public_a assembly_n even_o from_o the_o first_o write_v they_o for_o they_o be_v preserve_v during_o the_o captivity_n and_o both_o understand_v and_o use_v by_o the_o people_n but_o their_o other_o book_n write_v under_o the_o second_o temple_n though_o never_o so_o useful_a and_o pious_a be_v never_o receive_v with_o the_o like_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n they_o pretend_v to_o no_o more_o than_o humane_a composition_n and_o be_v never_o rank_v with_o those_o of_o divine_a authority_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o false_a prophet_n prophesy_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jehovah_n 1_o king_n xxii_o which_o suppose_v that_o true_a prophecy_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v deliver_v in_o his_o name_n or_o else_o they_o can_v never_o have_v hope_v to_o deceive_v by_o it_o and_o in_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o which_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v relate_v reference_n be_v frequent_o make_v to_o the_o record_n then_o extant_a in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n most_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v of_o that_o public_a nature_n and_o so_o intermix_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o state_n that_o they_o must_v be_v record_v together_o with_o they_o josiah_n 5._o josiah_n joseph_n antiquit._fw-la l._n 10._o c._n 5._o be_v prophesy_v of_o by_o name_n three_o hundred_o sixty_o one_o year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v behold_v a_o child_n shall_v be_v bear_v unto_o the_o house_n of_o david_n josiah_n by_o name_n
divine_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n that_o they_o whole_o depend_v and_o rely_v upon_o they_o and_o live_v in_o a_o uncomfortable_a exile_n upon_o the_o sole_a hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o see_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o prophecy_n fulfil_v and_o theirfore_o the_o posterity_n of_o those_o who_o have_v slay_v the_o prophet_n have_v the_o high_a veneration_n for_o the_o memory_n of_o these_o prophet_n who_o their_o forefather_n have_v kill_v they_o build_v and_o adorn_v their_o sepulcher_n and_o choose_v to_o die_v any_o death_n rather_o than_o renounce_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o book_n or_o part_n with_o they_o even_o when_o they_o have_v forsake_v their_o doctrine_n and_o change_v their_o religion_n for_o vain_a tradition_n and_o superstitious_a observance_n and_o when_o it_o be_v so_o reproachful_a to_o they_o to_o erect_v monument_n of_o perpetual_a acknowledgement_n that_o they_o be_v the_o the_o child_n of_o they_o which_o kill_v the_o prophet_n matth._n xxiii_o 31._o they_o refer_v themselves_o to_o these_o prophet_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o have_v neither_o prophecy_n nor_o miracle_n after_o the_o captivity_n chap._n xi_o of_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o each_o other_o and_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n prove_v the_o new_a and_o the_o new_a again_o prove_v the_o old_a as_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o effect_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n altogether_o incredible_a that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o so_o small_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o judaea_n be_v shall_v lay_v a_o design_n of_o impose_v upon_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n which_o can_v prove_v so_o successful_a for_o so_o many_o thousand_o year_n together_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v such_o master_n of_o deceit_n and_o the_o world_n so_o fond_a of_o receive_v revelation_n from_o they_o that_o at_o last_o though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o that_o people_n disclaim_v the_o book_n which_o some_o few_o and_o those_o the_o most_o unlearned_a among_o they_o will_v impose_v for_o inspire_a write_n yet_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n shall_v be_v more_o acknowledge_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n than_o those_o have_v ever_o be_v in_o which_o they_o all_o unanimous_o agree_v and_o the_o rest_n shall_v be_v receive_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o more_o than_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v upon_o their_o own_o account_n which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n if_o the_o jew_n even_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o ignorant_a of_o they_o can_v do_v this_o mere_o by_o their_o own_o wit_n and_o device_n they_o must_v have_v a_o genius_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o all_o mankind_n beside_o for_o what_o imaginable_a reason_n be_v there_o why_o the_o oracle_n of_o all_o the_o heathen_a nation_n shall_v never_o be_v much_o regard_v and_o now_o in_o a_o manner_n utter_o lose_v and_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v still_o be_v preserve_v in_o their_o full_a authority_n but_o the_o power_n and_o advantage_n of_o truth_n in_o these_o and_o the_o want_n of_o it_o in_o they_o and_o the_o evidence_n of_o this_o truth_n be_v most_o observable_a in_o the_o mutual_a dependence_n which_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v one_o upon_o another_o they_o be_v pen_v by_o man_n of_o different_a country_n different_a age_n different_a condition_n and_o calling_n and_o interest_n from_o the_o king_n to_o the_o poor_a fisherman_n and_o yet_o all_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o design_n they_o be_v not_o like_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n which_o must_v stand_v or_o fall_v by_o themselves_o but_o there_o be_v a_o admirable_a series_n and_o connexion_n between_o all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o they_o give_v a_o mutual_a support_n and_o attestation_n to_o each_o other_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o moses_n contain_v the_o first_o lineament_n and_o evident_a type_n and_o prophecy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o rest_n he_o foretell_v that_o a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n shall_v arise_v and_o that_o at_o last_o the_o great_a prophet_n shall_v be_v send_v who_o be_v christ_n and_o he_o foretell_v all_o that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o jew_n from_o his_o own_o time_n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o as_o moses_n have_v give_v we_o the_o general_a state_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o all_o generation_n so_o the_o several_a prophet_n who_o be_v send_v from_o time_n to_o time_n according_a to_o his_o prediction_n foretell_v particular_a event_n and_o more-especial_o they_o foretell_v and_o describe_v the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o all_o prophecy_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n which_o have_v be_v since_o the_o world_n bigan_v luk._n i._n 70._o for_o in_o christ_n be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o all_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o this_o dependence_n and_o coherence_n between_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o matter_n and_o design_n of_o they_o which_o be_v as_o great_a as_o the_o dependence_n of_o one_o part_n of_o any_o book_n write_v by_o the_o same_o author_n can_v be_v upon_o another_o gives_z great_a strength_n and_o confirmation_n to_o the_o whole_a since_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o it_o be_v all_o inspire_a by_o the_o same_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o if_o one_o part_n of_o scripture_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a all_o must_v be_v so_o for_o beside_o the_o particular_a evidence_n which_o may_v be_v bring_v for_o any_o part_n separately_z we_o must_v consider_v the_o connexion_n which_o it_o have_v with_o the_o rest_n and_o the_o evidence_n which_o be_v derive_v upon_o it_o by_o this_o connexion_n if_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v once_o prove_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n than_o the_o prophet_n who_o succeed_v moses_n must_v be_v divine_o inspire_v because_o he_o foretell_v the_o succession_n of_o such_o prophet_n and_o if_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v divine_a the_o pentateuch_n must_v be_v so_o because_o they_o all_o along_o acknowledge_v and_o appeal_v to_o it_o as_o contain_v god_n covenant_n with_o his_o people_n the_o jew_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o their_o own_o mission_n if_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v from_o god_n the_o gospel_n must_v be_v from_o he_o if_o that_o be_v foretell_v by_o they_o and_o if_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n prove_v their_o divine_a authority_n the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n must_v be_v likewise_o of_o the_o same_o authority_n because_o they_o acknowledge_v they_o for_o such_o and_o prove_v their_o own_o authority_n from_o they_o as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o miracle_n that_o they_o themselves_o wrought_v and_o if_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n either_o of_o moses_n or_o of_o the_o prophet_n or_o of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n take_v by_o themselves_o and_o apart_o from_o the_o rest_n be_v sufficient_a they_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o convince_a when_o they_o be_v consider_v together_o in_o their_o unite_a force_n and_o light_n i_o may_v further_o observe_v that_o miracle_n without_o prophecy_n or_o prophecy_n without_o miracle_n or_o that_o one_o evident_a miracle_n or_o one_o evident_a prophecy_n at_o least_o that_o either_o the_o miracle_n or_o prophecy_n of_o some_o one_o person_n in_o the_o several_a age_n in_o which_o so_o many_o prophet_n live_v will_v have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o therefore_o they_o must_v all_o be_v much_o rather_o so_o in_o conjunction_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v remember_v that_o whatever_o evidence_n have_v be_v bring_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n do_v reciprocal_o prove_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o and_o that_o therefore_o whatever_o be_v bring_v from_o either_o of_o they_o in_o proof_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o that_o the_o gospel_n in_o different_a respect_n do_v prove_v they_o and_o be_v prove_v by_o they_o both_o derive_v authority_n from_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o communicate_v its_o own_o authority_n to_o they_o for_o as_o the_o cause_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o its_o effect_n and_o the_o effect_n by_o its_o cause_n so_o both_o prediction_n prove_v the_o thing_n foretell_v and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o thing_n foretell_v verify_v the_o prediction_n and_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o consequence_n of_o prophecy_n concern_v they_o have_v double_o the_o divine_a seal_n and_o attestation_n now_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o scope_n and_o centre_n of_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n
of_o nature_n or_o that_o their_o superstition_n have_v make_v it_o customary_a to_o register_v all_o the_o eclipse_n which_o happen_v the_o dumbness_n of_o zacharias_n till_o the_o circumciston_n of_o his_o son_n john_n the_o baptist_n be_v a_o notorious_a public_a thing_n and_o the_o people_n who_o wait_v for_o he_o and_o marvel_v that_o he_o tarry_v so_o long_o in_o the_o temple_n perceive_v at_o his_o come_n out_o that_o he_o have_v see_v a_o vision_n and_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o that_o history_n be_v noise_v abroad_o through_o all_o the_o hill_n country_n of_o judea_n luke_n i_o 21._o that_o the_o wise_a man_n come_v from_o the_o east_n at_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o star_n that_o herod_n hear_v of_o this_o and_o be_v trouble_v at_o it_o and_o all_o jerusalem_n with_o he_o that_o he_o gather_v all_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o scribe_n together_o and_o demand_v of_o they_o where_o christ_n shall_v be_v bear_v and_o that_o they_o answer_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o judea_n cite_v the_o prophecy_n of_o micah_n that_o herod_n when_o he_o have_v inquire_v of_o the_o wise_a man_n concern_v the_o star_n and_o enjoin_v they_o to_o bring_v he_o word_n where_o the_o young_a child_n be_v be_v disappoint_v by_o their_o return_v home_o another_o way_n slay_v all_o the_o child_n that_o be_v in_o bethlehem_n and_o in_o all_o the_o coast_n thereof_o from_o two_o year_n old_a and_o under_o these_o be_v thing_n of_o that_o public_a nature_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v feign_v when_o st._n matthew_n gospel_n be_v first_o publish_v if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a thousand_o must_v have_v be_v able_a to_o contradict_v they_o and_o discover_v the_o salsehood_n of_o they_o when_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v relate_v with_o so_o many_o manifest_a and_o public_a circumstance_n it_o be_v a_o appeal_n to_o the_o world_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v write_v and_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n will_v contrive_v a_o false_a story_n with_o such_o public_a circumstance_n as_o that_o every_o reader_n may_v be_v able_a to_o disprove_v it_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v affirm_v that_o in_o such_o a_o city_n or_o village_n in_o england_n at_o the_o command_n of_o such_o a_o king_n and_o at_o such_o a_o time_n within_o our_o memory_n all_o the_o infant_n from_o two_o year_n old_a and_o under_o be_v murder_v he_o must_v scarce_o expect_v to_o be_v believe_v or_o to_o confirm_v any_o thing_n else_o he_o have_v to_o deliver_v by_o such_o a_o fiction_n to_o introduce_v it_o the_o triumphant_a shout_n and_o hosanna_n of_o the_o multitude_n at_o christ_n entrance_n into_o jerusalem_n whereby_o all_o the_o city_n be_v move_v matt._n xxi_o 10_o 11._o immediate_o before_o the_o passover_n when_o there_o be_v the_o great_a concourse_n of_o people_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o can_v not_o soon_o be_v forget_v at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o drive_v out_o all_o that_o sell_v and_o buy_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o overthrow_v the_o table_n of_o the_o money_n changer_n and_o when_o he_o be_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o blind_a and_o the_o lame_a come_v to_o he_o and_o he_o heal_v they_o and_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o scribe_n see_v the_o wonderful_a thing_n that_o he_o do_v and_o the_o child_n cry_v in_o the_o temple_n hosannah_n to_o the_o son_n of_o david_n and_o they_o be_v sore_o displease_v at_o it_o the_o evangelist_n will_v never_o have_v bring_v in_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o scribe_n themselves_o with_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o vast_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n out_o of_o all_o nation_n assemble_v at_o the_o passover_n as_o spectator_n and_o witness_n of_o these_o thing_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o certain_a of_o they_o as_o to_o appeal_v to_o they_o all_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o relate_v so_o late_o and_o so_o solemn_o and_o public_o do_v the_o darkness_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n for_o three_o hour_n together_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o day_n the_o veil_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v be_v rent_n from_o the_o top_n to_o the_o bottom_n the_o earthquake_n and_o the_o rend_n of_o the_o rock_n and_o the_o open_n of_o the_o grave_n be_v thing_n that_o must_v have_v be_v general_o know_v and_o can_v not_o be_v feign_v or_o if_o any_o man_n can_v be_v so_o vain_a as_o to_o imagine_v they_o may_v let_v he_o but_o consider_v whether_o such_o thing_n can_v now_o be_v impose_v upon_o any_o people_n by_o the_o writing_n of_o a_o few_o man_n as_o do_v in_o the_o metropolis_n of_o a_o nation_n at_o a_o solemn_a time_n within_o the_o memory_n of_o thousand_o yet_o live_v who_o be_v able_a to_o contradict_v they_o from_o their_o own_o certain_a knowledge_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v pretend_v that_o but_o a_o few_o year_n ago_o in_o the_o chief_a city_n of_o any_o kingdom_n or_o nation_n one_o part_n of_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v rend_v from_o the_o bottom_n to_o the_o top_n by_o a_o earthquake_n which_o tear_v asunder_o the_o rock_n and_o open_v the_o grave_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o moon_n be_v in_o that_o position_n that_o the_o sun_n can_v fuffer_v no_o eclipe_n the_o sun_n be_v darken_v from_o twelve_o at_o noon_n to_o three_o in_o the_o afternoon_n can_v he_o hope_v to_o gain_v any_o credit_n or_o belief_n to_o any_o doctrine_n he_o have_v to_o propagate_v by_o feign_v such_o circumstance_n as_o will_v put_v it_o into_o the_o power_n of_o every_o man_n that_o hear_v of_o they_o to_o disprove_v he_o will_v not_o this_o be_v the_o ready_a and_o the_o most_o effectual_a way_n he_o can_v possible_o invent_v to_o expose_v himself_o and_o his_o cause_n the_o death_n of_o judas_n and_o the_o cause_n and_o manner_n of_o it_o which_o be_v so_o clear_a a_o vindication_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o so_o plain_a a_o proof_n that_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n be_v know_v unto_o all_o the_o dweller_n of_o jerusalem_n insomuch_o as_o that_o field_n be_v call_v in_o their_o proper_a tongue_n aceldama_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o field_n of_o blood_n act_v i_o 19_o matt._n xxvii_o 8._o if_o this_o field_n have_v not_o be_v so_o call_v and_o this_o have_v not_o be_v well_o know_v at_o jerusalem_n will_v any_o man_n have_v write_v in_o this_o manner_n and_o beside_o the_o xii_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o disciple_n who_o all_o believe_v and_o attest_v the_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o evangelist_n many_o person_n of_o authority_n and_o note_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v mention_v who_o will_v have_v find_v themselves_o concern_v to_o disprove_v what_o be_v relate_v if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a nicodemus_n be_v say_v to_o have_v come_v to_o christ_n by_o night_n who_o be_v a_o pharisee_n and_o a_o ruler_n of_o the_o jew_n john_n iii._o 2._o seven_o 50._o nineteeen_o 39_o and_o to_o put_v this_o mark_n upon_o he_o three_o several_a time_n that_o he_o come_v to_o jesus_n by_o night_n and_o dare_v not_o own_o his_o come_n to_o he_o be_v no_o flatter_a character_n or_o such_o as_o may_v engage_v nicademus_n or_o his_o friend_n to_o dissemble_v the_o injury_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v true_a that_o nicodemus_n be_v his_o disciple_n the_o like_a be_v say_v of_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n a_o rich_a man_n and_o a_o honourable_a counsellor_n matt._n xxvii_o 57_o mark_v xv_o 43._o that_o he_o be_v disciple_n of_o jesus_n but_o sâ—retly_o for_o fear_v of_o the_o jew_n john_n nineteeen_o 38._o herod_n and_o pontius_n pilate_n annas_n and_o caiaphas_n and_o several_a other_o person_n particular_o name_v and_o most_o of_o they_o with_o no_o commendation_n but_o with_o that_o character_n which_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n require_v will_v be_v concern_v themselves_o or_o their_o friend_n and_o relation_n for_o they_o after_o their_o decease_n to_o expose_v any_o falsehood_n that_o can_v have_v be_v discover_v in_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v explicatory_a and_o consequential_a to_o the_o gospel_n or_o history_n of_o christ_n and_o beside_o they_o contain_v many_o memorable_a and_o public_a fact_n as_o the_o speak_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o work_v all_o kind_n of_o miracle_n at_o the_o solemn_a feast_n of_o pentecost_n and_o the_o conversion_n of_o many_o thousand_o thereby_o the_o frequent_a examination_n of_o the_o apostle_n before_o the_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n their_o preach_n and_o miracle_n in_o the_o most_o public_a place_n as_o in_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o street_n etc._n etc._n these_o be_v thing_n that_o can_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n in_o that_o very_a place_n and_o in_o defiance_n of_o that_o very_a people_n before_o who_o they_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v do_v gamaliel_n dionysius_n the_o
a_o high_a principle_n than_o they_o do_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n to_o contrive_v any_o thing_n so_o admirable_o fit_v to_o procure_v the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n as_o their_o doctrine_n be_v no_o precept_n can_v be_v more_o righteous_a and_o holy_a no_o reward_n more_o excellent_a nor_o punishment_n more_o formidable_a than_o those_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o which_o be_v above_o all_o no_o religion_n beside_o ever_o afford_v nor_o can_v all_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n ever_o have_v find_v out_o such_o powerful_a motive_n to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o only_a true_a principle_n of_o obedience_n our_o religion_n contain_v no_o dry_a and_o empty_a speculation_n but_o all_o its_o mystery_n be_v mystery_n of_o love_n and_o mercy_n other_o may_v fear_v god_n but_o it_o be_v the_o christian_n only_o that_o can_v true_o love_v he_o and_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o in_o all_o condition_n in_o life_n and_o in_o death_n look_v up_o to_o he_o as_o his_o father_n his_o saviour_n and_o comforter_n this_o religion_n place_n man_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o entitle_v they_o to_o his_o peculiar_a favour_n and_o care_n it_o declare_v god_n to_o be_v their_o friend_n and_o protector_n here_o and_o their_o everlasting_a rewarder_n after_o death_n it_o promise_v and_o assure_v we_o of_o all_o the_o happiness_n both_o in_o body_n and_o soul_n that_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o which_o be_v the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v expect_v or_o wish_v for_o from_o any_o revelation_n and_o the_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a reason_n why_o god_n shall_v establish_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o appear_v from_o this_o whole_a discourse_n that_o nothing_o be_v want_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o can_v be_v expect_v in_o any_o revelation_n they_o be_v of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n and_o have_v be_v preach_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o have_v abundant_a evidence_n both_o by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o their_o divine_a authority_n and_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v such_o as_o god_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o reveal_v mankind_n have_v visible_a character_n in_o it_o of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o holiness_n and_o have_v exceed_o conduce_v to_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n part_n iii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o divine_a revelation_n but_o that_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o institution_n of_o religion_n beside_o that_o deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o a_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v show_v in_o the_o several_a particular_n necessary_a to_o a_o divine_a revelation_n as_o that_o no_o other_o religion_n ever_o be_v of_o like_a antiquity_n or_o have_v equal_a promulgation_n that_o no_o other_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n in_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o last_o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o other_o which_o do_v not_o teach_v many_o doctrine_n that_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o therefore_o impossible_a to_o come_v from_o heaven_n this_o i_o shall_v prove_v first_o of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n second_o of_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n chap._n i._n the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o novelty_n of_o the_o religion_n among_o the_o heathen_n who_o we_o have_v any_o certain_a account_n of_o from_o their_o write_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o notorious_a have_v be_v so_o often_o prove_v by_o learned_a man_n and_o be_v so_o general_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o insist_v much_o upon_o it_o the_o heathen_n general_o be_v stranger_n to_o every_o thing_n of_o antiquity_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v unable_a to_o give_v any_o proof_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o religion_n the_o pretence_n which_o the_o egyptian_n make_v to_o antiquity_n so_o much_o beyond_o the_o time_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n proceed_v from_o their_o reckon_n by_o lunar_a year_n or_o 12._o or_o diodor_n sic._n lib._n i._n plutarch_n in_o numa_n var._n apud_fw-la lactant._n de_fw-fr orig._n error_n lib._n two_o c._n 12._o month_n but_o they_o have_v so_o different_a account_n however_o of_o chronology_n that_o as_o diodorus_n siculus_n say_v some_o of_o they_o compute_v thirteen_o thousand_o year_n more_o than_o other_o from_o the_o original_a of_o their_o dynasty_n to_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a and_o the_o solar_a year_n in_o use_n among_o the_o egyptian_n who_o be_v most_o famous_a for_o astronomy_n be_v so_o imperfect_a that_o they_o say_v the_o sun_n have_v several_a time_n change_v euterpâ—_n change_v herod_n euterpâ—_n his_o course_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o dynasty_n impute_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o own_o computation_n for_o want_n of_o intercalary_n day_n to_o the_o sun_n variation_n or_o else_o affect_v to_o speak_v something_o wonderful_a and_o extravagant_a the_o early_a astronomical_a observation_n to_o be_v meet_v with_o which_o be_v make_v in_o egypt_n be_v those_o perform_v by_o the_o greek_n of_o alexandria_n less_o than_o ccc_o year_n before_o christ_n as_o 23._o as_o mr._n wotton_n reflection_n upon_o ancient_a and_o modern_a learning_n c._n 23._o mr._n halley_n have_v observe_v 4._o observe_v vitruâ—_fw-la 〈…〉_o 4._o the_o chaldaean_n suppose_v the_o moon_n to_o be_v a_o luminons_n body_n and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o great_a skill_n in_o astronomy_n beside_o they_o want_v instrument_n to_o make_v exact_a observation_n '_o alderman_n we_o have_v of_o they_o say_v the_o same_o learned_a ib._n learned_a iâ—_n mr._n 〈◊〉_d reflect_v ib._n astronomer_n be_v only_o seven_o eclipse_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o even_o those_o but_o very_o coarse_o set_v down_o and_o the_o old_a not_o much_o above_o dcc_n year_n before_o christ_n so_o that_o after_o all_o the_o fame_n of_o these_o chaldaean_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a they_o have_v not_o go_v far_o in_o this_o science_n and_o though_o calisthenes_n be_v say_v by_o porphyry_n to_o have_v bring_v from_o babylon_n to_o greece_n observation_n above_o mdcccc_n year_n old_a than_o alexander_n yet_o the_o proper_a author_n make_v no_o mention_n or_o use_v of_o any_o such_o render_v it_o just_o suspect_v for_o a_o fable_n so_o little_a ground_n be_v there_o for_o we_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o time_n and_o the_o vain_a boast_n of_o antiquity_n which_o these_o nation_n have_v make_v he_o far_o observe_v that_o the_o greek_n be_v the_o first_o practical_a astronomer_n who_o endeavour_v in_o earnest_a to_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o the_o science_n and_o that_o thales_n be_v the_o first_o who_o can_v predict_v a_o eclipse_n in_o greece_n not_o dc_o year_n before_o christ_n and_o that_o hipparchus_n make_v the_o first_o catalogue_n of_o the_o fix_a star_n not_o above_o cl._n year_n before_o christ_n according_a to_o that_o know_a observation_n 21._o observation_n censorin_n de_fw-fr die_fw-fr natali_n c._n 21._o of_o varro_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v deserve_v the_o name_n of_o history_n to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o greek_n before_o the_o olympiad_n which_o be_v but_o about_o twenty_o year_n before_o the_o build_n of_o rome_n and_o whatever_o learning_n or_o knowledge_n of_o ancient_a time_n the_o roman_n have_v they_o borrow_v it_o from_o the_o greek_n for_o they_o be_v so_o little_a capable_a of_o transmit_v their_o own_o affair_n down_o to_o posterity_n with_o any_o exactness_n in_o point_n of_o time_n that_o for_o 23._o for_o id._n c._n 23._o some_o age_n they_o have_v neither_o dial_n nor_o hour-glass_n to_o measure_v their_o day_n and_o night_n for_o by_o common_a use_n and_o for_o three_o hundred_o year_n they_o know_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o hour_n or_o the_o like_a distinction_n but_o compute_v their_o time_n only_o from_o noon_n to_o noon_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o their_o calendar_n be_v in_o such_o confusion_n till_o caesar_n regulate_v it_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o chinese_n to_o antiquity_n appear_v equal_o vain_a and_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n for_o they_o understand_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o astronomy_n or_o else_o the_o missionary_n by_o their_o skill_n in_o that_o art_n will_v not_o have_v be_v able_a so_o much_o to_o insinuate_v themselves_o with_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n indeed_o the_o chineses_n themselves_o 464._o themselves_o martin_n hist_o sin_n lib._n i._n two_o &_o atl._n sinic_n praef._n philip_n couplet_n in_o confuc_n proen_fw-mi declar._n &_o praef._n ad_fw-la fab._n chronol_n sinicae_fw-la monarchiae_fw-la le_fw-fr compt'_v memoir_n p._n 64._o 71._o 464._o confess_v that_o their_o antiquity_n be_v in_o great_a part_n fabulous_a and_o they_o acknowledge_v
be_v ordinary_a with_o the_o best_a writer_n to_o express_v thing_n uncertain_o which_o they_o be_v notwithstane_v thorough_o acquaint_v withal_o and_o to_o seem_v ignorant_a of_o thing_n which_o they_o perfect_o understand_v but_o pass_v over_o as_o not_o worth_a the_o take_a notice_n of_o or_o not_o considerable_a enough_o for_o they_o to_o own_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o it_o be_v a_o know_a elegancy_n to_o say_v nescio_fw-la quid_fw-la or_o nescio_fw-la quem_fw-la when_o the_o author_n so_o speak_v be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n or_o person_n there_o mean_v but_o either_o signify_v his_o contempt_n of_o the_o person_n or_o thing_n or_o intimate_v that_o it_o be_v not_o worth_a his_o while_n to_o trouble_v himself_o or_o his_o hearer_n or_o reader_n with_o a_o more_o particular_a relation_n the_o fonteio_fw-la the_o credo_fw-la haec_fw-la eadem_fw-la indutiomarum_fw-la in_o testimonio_fw-la timuisse_fw-la aut_fw-la cogitasse_fw-la qui_fw-la primum_fw-la illud_fw-la verbum_fw-la consideratissimum_fw-la nostrae_fw-la consuetudinis_fw-la arbitror_fw-la quo_fw-la nos_fw-la etiam_fw-la tunc_fw-la utimur_fw-la cum_fw-la ea_fw-la dicimus_fw-la jurati_fw-la quae_fw-la comperta_fw-la habemus_fw-la quae_fw-la ipsi_fw-la vidimus_fw-la ex_fw-la toto_fw-la teslimonio_fw-la svo_fw-la sustulit_fw-la atque_fw-la omne_fw-la se_fw-la scire_fw-la dixit_fw-la cic._n pro_fw-la m._n fonteio_fw-la roman_n out_o of_o that_o awe_n and_o reverence_n which_o they_o have_v for_o oath_n never_o speak_v positive_o in_o give_v evidence_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v certain_a of_o and_o have_v see_v themselves_o and_o uncertain_a form_n of_o speech_n be_v observe_v 1._o observe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d uip._n in_o demost_a olynth_n 1._o by_o ulpian_n to_o have_v be_v usual_a thy_o aneient_a greek_a author_n in_o their_o speak_n of_o thing_n whereof_o they_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v it_o can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n or_o moment_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o miraculous_a draught_n of_o fish_n to_o know_v whether_o the_o ship_n be_v two_o hundred_o cubit_n or_o half_o a_o cubit_n or_o a_o quarter_n of_o a_o cubit_n over_o or_o under_o from_o the_o land_n and_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o st_n john_n to_o express_v himself_o in_o this_o manner_n jo._n 2.6_o 6.10_o 19.14_o either_o then_o to_o keep_v to_o the_o same_o instance_n st_n john_n may_v know_v the_o precise_a distance_n and_o for_o the_o reason_n mention_v not_o declare_v it_o or_o it_o not_o be_v of_o any_o use_n or_o consequence_n for_o we_o to_o be_v more_o particular_o inform_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o that_o nature_n the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v suffer_v he_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o if_o he_o have_v no_o other_o mean_n of_o know_v it_o but_o by_o inspiration_n for_o the_o holy_a ghost_n assist_v the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n to_o write_v infallible_a truth_n but_o not_o always_o to_o write_v every_o little_a circumstance_n concern_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o relate_v many_o miracle_n be_v whole_o omit_v and_o many_o circumstance_n not_o considerable_a or_o material_a to_o be_v mention_v be_v omit_v of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v record_v but_o if_o nothing_o be_v relate_v which_o may_v lead_v we_o into_o error_n and_o nothing_o omit_v which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v this_o be_v sufficient_a and_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v in_o a_o book_n which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o we_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o nothing_o but_o truth_n shall_v be_v contain_v in_o it_o but_o not_o that_o every_o truth_n shall_v be_v in_o it_o for_o then_o the_o world_n itself_o can_v not_o contain_v the_o book_n that_o shall_v be_v write_v suppose_v therefore_o that_o st_n john_n do_v not_o know_v precise_o how_o many_o cubit_n the_o ship_n be_v from_o shore_n what_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o he_o do_v not_o know_v the_o miracle_n which_o he_o there_o relate_v do_v it_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v not_o inspire_v in_o what_o he_o do_v relate_v if_o he_o be_v not_o inspire_v in_o what_o he_o omit_v if_o he_o have_v determine_v the_o precise_a distance_n and_o have_v not_o know_v it_o this_o may_v have_v discredit_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o gospel_n but_o when_o he_o have_v not_o determine_v it_o can_v this_o be_v a_o argument_n in_o diminution_n of_o its_o authority_n if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v what_o he_o do_v not_o profess_v to_o know_v be_v it_o not_o 〈◊〉_d good_a argument_n in_o confirmation_n of_o its_o authority_n that_o he_o will_v assert_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o certain_o know_v if_o in_o what_o he_o be_v not_o persect_o assure_v he_o mention_n no_o further_o than_o he_o know_v of_o it_o so_o st_o paul_n acquaint_v we_o when_o he_o speak_v himself_o and_o not_o the_o lord_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n to_o we_o that_o in_o all_o other_o case_n he_o do_v not_o speak_v of_o himself_o but_o the_o lord_n speak_v by_o he_o it_o be_v a_o consirmation_n of_o his_o integrity_n that_o he_o will_v impose_v nothing_o upon_o we_o as_o of_o divine_a authority_n which_o be_v not_o real_o so_o because_o he_o that_o tell_v we_o in_o any_o one_o case_n that_o he_o speak_v of_o himself_o not_o as_o from_o the_o lord_n will_v have_v make_v the_o same_o declaration_n in_o other_o case_n whenever_o he_o have_v write_v any_o thing_n without_o express_a revelation_n 4._o in_o thing_n which_o may_v fall_v under_o human_a prudence_n and_o observation_n there_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v dictate_v immediate_o to_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n but_o only_o to_o have_v use_v a_o directive_n or_o conduct_a power_n and_o influence_n so_o as_o to_o supply_v such_o thought_n and_o apprehension_n to_o they_o as_o may_v be_v most_o proper_a and_o seasonable_a and_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o infallible_a truth_n and_o of_o expediency_n for_o the_o present_a case_n and_o occasion_n they_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o insert_v such_o thing_n as_o the_o state_n of_o affair_n require_v which_o though_o not_o immediate_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o his_o inspiration_n and_o serviceable_a to_o the_o ministry_n to_o which_o they_o be_v appoint_v there_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o necessity_n to_o assert_v that_o st_n paul_n send_v for_o his_o cloak_n and_o parchment_n by_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o that_o he_o have_v any_o immediate_a command_n or_o direction_n to_o salute_v the_o particular_a person_n name_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o epistle_n but_o only_o that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v immediate_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o as_o he_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o put_v that_o into_o his_o own_o word_n but_o so_o as_o never_o to_o be_v suffer_v to_o express_v it_o otherwise_o than_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v full_o agreeable_a to_o the_o mind_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o therefore_o infallible_o true_a so_o in_o these_o lesser_a and_o indifferent_a matter_n which_o some_o present_a occasion_n make_v requisite_a to_o be_v write_v of_o he_o have_v the_o guidance_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o prevent_v he_o from_o write_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v expedient_a in_o those_o circumstance_n and_o serviceable_a to_o his_o call_n and_o ministry_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o thing_n of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n in_o themselves_o may_v become_v necessary_a as_o to_o time_n and_o place_n and_o person_n and_o therefore_o may_v in_o some_o case_n be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n st_o paul_n journey_v into_o macedonia_n rather_o than_o into_o any_o other_o country_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o thing_n indifferent_a but_o the_o salvation_n of_o many_o soul_n may_v depend_v upon_o it_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v warn_v by_o revelation_n not_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n in_o asia_n nor_o to_o go_v into_o bythinia_n but_o into_o macedonia_n act_v 16.6_o 7_o 9_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o salutation_n of_o particular_a person_n at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v of_o no_o great_a importance_n yet_o may_v be_v of_o mighty_a consideration_n and_o consequence_n to_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v in_o they_o to_o be_v salute_v by_o a_o apostle_n in_o so_o particular_a and_o solemn_a a_o manner_n may_v revive_v their_o spirit_n and_o encourage_v they_o to_o perseverance_n under_o their_o temptation_n and_o assliction_n for_o his_o salutation_n include_v his_o benediction_n which_o be_v the_o exercise_n of_o his_o apostolic_a office_n and_o authority_n in_o one_o great_a branch_n of_o it_o and_o god_n himself_o may_v direct_v the_o apostle_n to_o salute_v such_o person_n for_o their_o support_n and_o comfort_n and_o encouragement_n in_o the_o faith_n beside_o the_o salutation_n add_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v
negligentia_fw-la presertim_fw-la tot_fw-la jam_fw-la seculis_fw-la intercedentibus_fw-la veritatem_fw-la fuisse_fw-la corruptam_fw-la quam_fw-la ut_fw-la propheta_fw-la erraverit_fw-la sicut_fw-la in_o hoc_fw-la ipso_fw-la nostro_fw-la opusculo_fw-la futurum_fw-la credimus_fw-la ut_fw-la describentium_fw-la incuria_fw-la quae_fw-la non_fw-la incuriose_fw-la a_o nobis_fw-la sunt_fw-la digesta_fw-la vitientur_fw-la sulpic._n sever_n hist_o sacr._n lib._n 1._o c._n 70._o common_a in_o all_o greek_a and_o latin_a author_n and_o to_o prevent_v this_o inconveniency_n mr_n greaves_n acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o emp_n erour_n vlug_n beg_v nephew_n to_o tamerlane_n the_o great_a pyramidogr_n great_a greaves_n pyramidogr_n in_o his_o astronomical_a table_n the_o most_o accurate_a of_o any_o in_o the_o east_n have_v express_v the_o number_n of_o the_o principal_a epocha_n first_o in_o word_n at_o length_n and_o again_o in_o figure_n and_o then_o a_o three_o time_n in_o particular_a table_n who_o example_n this_o excellent_a author_n allege_v for_o his_o own_o exactness_n in_o describe_v the_o dimension_n of_o the_o pyramid_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n suppose_v it_o very_o improbable_a if_o any_o one_o of_o these_o account_n shall_v happen_v to_o be_v alter_v that_o two_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o agree_v and_o that_o those_o two_o which_o agree_v shall_v not_o express_v the_o true_a number_n 5._o in_o some_o place_n the_o alteration_n which_o cause_n the_o difference_n in_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o septuagint_n from_o that_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v so_o uniform_a that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v make_v but_o by_o design_n of_o some_o transcriber_n or_o of_o the_o translator_n themselves_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o live_v of_o the_o five_o first_o patriarch_n and_o of_o enoch_n the_o sacr._n the_o vid._n ludovic_n capell_n chron._n sacr._n seven_o they_o add_v a_o hundred_o year_n before_o their_o have_a child_n and_o deduct_v the_o same_o number_n of_o year_n from_o the_o time_n they_o live_v after_o ward_n which_o be_v conjecture_v to_o have_v be_v do_v because_o they_o suppose_v that_o by_o year_n there_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v lunar_a year_n or_o month_n and_o so_o they_o alter_v the_o chronological_a account_n of_o their_o life_n for_o if_o those_o be_v the_o year_n mean_v by_o the_o hebrew_n account_n they_o must_v have_v be_v father_n of_o child_n at_o 5_o 6_o 7_o or_o 8_o year_n of_o age._n another_o conjecture_n be_v that_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o as_o man_n life_n be_v long_o then_o so_o the_o age_n at_o which_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o marriage_n must_v not_o be_v the_o same_o that_o it_o be_v now_o but_o must_v bear_v proportion_n to_o the_o length_n of_o their_o life_n and_o therefore_o they_o alter_v the_o chronology_n to_o make_v the_o patriarch_n father_n of_o child_n at_o such_o a_o age_n as_o may_v answer_v to_o the_o age_n at_o which_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o have_v child_n in_o these_o latter_a time_n the_o mention_n of_o cainan_n the_o son_n of_o arphaxad_n both_o in_o the_o version_n of_o the_o septuagint_n and_o in_o the_o gospel_n of_o st_n luke_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o in_o the_o hebrew_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a difficulty_n but_o bishop_n etc._n bishop_n prolegom_n ix_o s_o 64._o etc._n etc._n walton_n notwithstanding_o see_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o conclude_v however_o with_o such_o caution_n and_o candour_n as_o become_v so_o great_a a_o judgement_n that_o the_o septuagint_n follow_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o those_o time_n and_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a have_v since_o be_v considerable_o enforce_v by_o the_o learned_a 4._o learned_a castigat_fw-la ad_fw-la script_n georg._n horn._n c._n 4._o isaac_n vossius_fw-la there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o samaritan_n account_n be_v the_o same_o sacr._n same_o siquidem_fw-la &_o in_o hebraeis_n &_o samaritanorum_n libris_fw-la ita_fw-la scriptum_fw-la reperi_fw-la et_fw-la vixit_fw-la mathusala_n etc._n etc._n hieron_n quaest_n in_o gen._n vid._n &_o capell_n chron._n sacr._n in_o st_n jerom_n time_n and_o that_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o have_v happen_v since_o 6._o the_o son_n often_o reign_v with_o the_o father_n his_o reign_n be_v sometime_o put_v down_o as_o commence_v from_o his_o partnership_n with_o his_o father_n in_o the_o kingdom_n and_o in_o other_o place_n from_o his_o reign_v alone_o after_o his_o father_n decease_n thus_o the_o difficulty_n be_v explain_v concern_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o reign_v of_o jehoram_n king_n of_o israel_n son_n of_o ahab_n and_o jehoram_n king_n of_o judah_n son_n of_o jehosaphat_n 2_o king_n i._o 17._o iii._o 1._o for_o it_o be_v say_v express_o that_o jehosaphat_n be_v then_o king_n of_o judah_n jehoram_n the_o son_n jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n begin_v to_o reign_v 2_o king_n viij_o 16._o it_o be_v likewise_o manifest_a that_o jehoash_fw-mi the_o son_n of_o jehoahaz_n king_n of_o israel_n must_v reign_v with_o his_o father_n 3_o year_n 2_o king_n xiii_o 1_o 10._o this_o be_v also_o apply_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o other_o question_n by_o st_n vital_a st_n hieron_n ad_fw-la vital_a jerom._n the_o reign_n of_o azariah_n be_v compute_v from_o his_o take_v the_o government_n upon_o himself_o at_o sixteen_o year_n of_o age_n in_o the_o 27_o year_n of_o jeroboam_n king_n of_o israel_n for_o than_o he_o be_v say_v to_o begin_v to_o reign_v 2_o king_n xv_o i._o whereas_o his_o father_n amaziah_n live_v but_o to_o the_o 15_o year_n of_o jeroboam_n reign_n 2._o king_n fourteen_o 17._o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n there_o be_v a_o long_a interregnum_fw-la between_o jeraboam_n the_o second_o and_o zachariah_n 2_o king_n fourteen_o 23._o xv_o 8._o some_o assign_v a_o threefold_a computation_n of_o the_o year_n of_o nebuchadnezzar_n reign_n the_o first_o from_o his_o lay_v siege_n to_o jerusalem_n the_o second_o from_o his_o take_n it_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o captivity_n the_o three_o from_o his_o entire_a monarchy_n after_o the_o conquest_n of_o egypt_n other_o assign_v two_o begining_n of_o nebuchadnezzar_n reign_n the_o one_o from_o his_o come_n with_o his_o army_n into_o syria_n during_o the_o life_n of_o his_o father_n the_o other_o from_o his_o father_n death_n 7._o the_o term_n of_o time_n in_o computation_n be_v sometime_o take_v inclusive_o and_o at_o other_o time_n exclusive_o matt._n xvii_o 1._o we_o read_v after_o six_o day_n jesus_n take_v peter_n james_n and_o john_n his_o brother_n and_o bring_v they_o up_o into_o a_o high_a mountain_n apart_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n mark_v ix_o 2._o but_o this_o be_v say_v luke_n ix_o 28._o to_o come_v to_o pass_v about_o a_o eight_o day_n after_o which_o be_v very_o consistent_a with_o what_o the_o other_o evangelist_n write_v for_o st_n matthew_n and_o st_n mark_v speak_v exclusive_o reckon_v the_o six_o day_n between_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n which_o they_o there_o relate_v and_o his_o transfiguration_n but_o st_o luke_n include_v the_o day_n in_o which_o he_o have_v that_o discourse_n with_o his_o disciple_n and_o the_o day_n of_o his_o transfiguration_n and_o reckon_v they_o with_o the_o six_o intermediate_v day_n the_o rabbin_n ix_o rabbin_n lightf_n harm_n of_o the_o n._n t._n s._n ix_o also_o observe_v that_o the_o very_o first_o day_n of_o a_o year_n may_v stand_v in_o computation_n for_o that_o year_n and_o by_o this_o way_n of_o reckon_n mistake_v of_o year_n current_a for_o year_n complete_a or_o year_n complete_a for_o year_n current_n in_o the_o succession_n of_o so_o many_o king_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o affair_n for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n may_v amount_v to_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o year_n for_o this_o reason_n 20._o reason_n thucyd_n lib._n v._o c._n 20._o thucydides_n say_v he_o compute_v the_o year_n of_o the_o peloponnesian_a war_n not_o by_o the_o magistrate_n yearly_o choose_v during_o that_o time_n but_o by_o so_o many_o summer_n and_o winter_n these_o and_o several_a other_o way_n by_o which_o dispute_v in_o chronology_n may_v be_v occasion_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o we_o that_o they_o do_v not_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v original_o chronological_a mistake_v in_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o if_o they_o may_v so_o many_o way_n arise_v without_o any_o error_n in_o the_o original_a write_n if_o the_o same_o difficulty_n occur_v upon_o so_o very_o nice_a and_o intricate_a a_o subject_n in_o all_o book_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o can_v be_v by_o no_o mean_n necessary_a that_o book_n of_o divine_a authority_n shall_v be_v either_o at_o first_o so_o pen_v as_o to_o be_v liable_a to_o no_o wrong_a interpretation_n or_o be_v ever_o after_o preserve_v by_o miracle_n from_o all_o corruption_n it_o be_v great_a rashness_n to_o deny_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n chap._n
first_o the_o whole_a design_n and_o contrivance_n and_o method_n and_o style_v of_o it_o not_o to_o criticise_v upon_o some_o difficult_a part_n of_o it_o without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o the_o rest_n this_o be_v the_o method_n use_v by_o all_o who_o will_v criticise_v with_o judgement_n upon_o any_o author_n and_o some_o passage_n of_o scripture_n be_v explain_v to_o our_o hand_n to_o be_v a_o key_n as_o it_o be_v and_o a_o direction_n to_o we_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o other_o thus_o whereas_o in_o one_o place_n it_o be_v say_v that_o jesus_n baptize_v in_o another_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o baptize_v not_o and_o the_o former_a place_n be_v expaline_v to_o be_v mean_v not_o of_o baptism_n perform_v by_o himself_o but_o by_o his_o disciple_n who_o baptize_v in_o his_o name_n joh._n iii._o 22._o four_o 1_o 2._o iii_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o observe_v whether_o the_o objection_n be_v not_o such_o as_o do_v suppose_n mistake_v which_o a_o man_n who_o can_v write_v such_o a_o discourse_n as_o they_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v find_v in_o can_v not_o run_v into_o for_o if_o they_o be_v of_o this_o nature_n this_o very_a consideration_n be_v enough_o to_o take_v off_o the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o book_n and_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o objection_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v answer_v and_o that_o the_o mistake_n lie_v not_o in_o the_o book_n itself_o but_o in_o the_o reader_n who_o without_o sufficient_a skill_n or_o attention_n pass_v a_o rash_a judgement_n upon_o it_o for_o by_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_v a_o objection_n may_v imply_v too_o much_o as_o well_o as_o prove_v too_o little_a to_o be_v of_o any_o force_n and_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o candour_n and_o equity_n will_v prevent_v many_o objection_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v make_v against_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o we_o will_v but_o suppose_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o have_v be_v man_n of_o any_o tolerable_a sense_n even_o without_o inspiration_n they_o can_v never_o have_v commit_v such_o mistake_n as_o some_o will_v fasten_v upon_o they_o we_o read_v exod._n xxxiii_o 11._o and_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o moses_n face_n to_o face_n as_o a_o man_n speak_v unto_o his_o friend_n yet_o verse_n 20._o the_o lord_n answer_v moses_n who_o have_v beseech_v god_n to_o show_v he_o his_o glory_n thou_o can_v not_o see_v my_o face_n for_o there_o shall_v no_o man_n see_v i_o and_o live_v will_v it_o not_o be_v impudent_a trifle_a to_o pretend_v any_o contradiction_n in_o these_o two_o verse_n when_o they_o be_v easy_o understand_v in_o a_o consistent_a sense_n and_o no_o man_n of_o any_o judgement_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o write_v contradiction_n and_o lay_v they_o so_o near_o together_o when_o it_o be_v say_v act._n ix_o 7._o that_o the_o man_n who_o journey_v with_o st._n paul_n hear_v a_o voice_n but_o see_v no_o man_n and_o act._n xxii_o 9_o that_o they_o hear_v not_o the_o voice_n of_o he_o that_o speak_v to_o st._n paul_n beside_o the_o explication_n which_o be_v know_v and_o obvious_a to_o reconcile_v these_o text_n those_o who_o who_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o consult_v expositor_n or_o to_o consider_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n may_v be_v please_v to_o observe_v that_o st._n luke_n be_v a_o man_n breed_v to_o learning_n and_o this_o history_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n show_v he_o to_o have_v be_v at_o least_o a_o prudent_a and_o wise_a man_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v never_o have_v write_v so_o palpable_a a_o contradiction_n as_o the_o objection_n must_v suppose_v in_o so_o small_a a_o compass_n concern_v one_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n in_o his_o whole_a history_n relate_v to_o a_o person_n with_o who_o he_o constant_o travel_v and_o converse_v i_o appeal_v to_o any_o man_n whether_o if_o he_o have_v meet_v with_o two_o such_o passage_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v each_o other_o in_o thucydides_n or_o xenophon_n or_o even_o in_o the_o very_o worst_a historian_n he_o will_v not_o be_v incline_v rather_o to_o seek_v out_o for_o some_o way_n of_o reconcile_a they_o than_o to_o suspect_v that_o he_o can_v so_o soon_o forget_v what_o he_o have_v write_v so_o little_a a_o while_n before_o in_o a_o account_n of_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n be_v that_o difference_n which_o be_v between_o the_o genealogy_n of_o christ_n in_o st._n matthew_n and_o that_o in_o st._n luke_n for_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o and_o long_o after_o extant_a in_o the_o public_a register_n 9_o register_n ab_fw-la exordio_fw-la adam_n usque_fw-la ad_fw-la extremum_fw-la zorobabel_n omnium_fw-la generationes_fw-la ita_fw-la memoriter_fw-la velociterque_fw-la precur_v runt_n ut_fw-la eos_fw-la suum_fw-la pute_fw-la refer_v nomen_fw-la hieron_n in_o tit._n iii._o 9_o they_o can_v repeat_v they_o by_o heart_n with_o as_o much_o readiness_n as_o they_o can_v their_o own_o name_n and_o to_o insert_v a_o wrong_a genealogy_n have_v be_v to_o give_v up_o all_o the_o argument_n that_o can_v be_v allege_v for_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o christ_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o destructive_a to_o their_o cause_n than_o for_o the_o evangelist_n to_o produce_v a_o false_a pedigree_n when_o the_o true_a one_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o produce_v by_o any_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o disprove_v they_o the_o merit_n of_o their_o cause_n whole_o depend_v upon_o the_o proof_n of_o christ_n descent_n from_o abraham_n and_o david_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o difficulty_n there_o may_v now_o be_v think_v to_o be_v in_o this_o twofold_a genealogy_n it_o be_v certain_o acknowledge_v by_o those_o of_o that_o age_n and_o beyond_o all_o dispute_n or_o else_o it_o will_v never_o have_v be_v produce_v by_o the_o evangelist_n or_o have_v for_o ever_o ruin_v their_o cause_n if_o they_o have_v produce_v it_o some_o crime_n be_v too_o great_a to_o charge_v upon_o man_n of_o any_o credit_n or_o reputation_n and_o some_o error_n be_v so_o notorious_a that_o no_o man_n of_o common_a prudence_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o commit_v they_o and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v a_o author_n rational_a and_o consistent_a in_o other_o part_n of_o a_o discourse_n the_o ordinary_a ingenuity_n and_o condor_n of_o mankind_n will_v hinder_v we_o from_o suppose_v he_o to_o commit_v gross_a and_o palpable_a mistake_n and_o it_o be_v great_a disingenuity_n and_o folly_n to_o show_v the_o less_o respect_n to_o any_o author_n because_o he_o be_v at_o least_o believe_v to_o have_v write_v by_o inspiration_n or_o to_o deny_v he_o the_o respect_n due_a to_o a_o man_n because_o god_n have_v enable_v he_o to_o write_v infallible_a truth_n iv_o if_o any_o contradiction_n be_v frame_v or_o force_v from_o the_o various_a readins_n the_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n or_o whatever_a elsé_fw-fr of_o this_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o dispute_n of_o critic_n they_o prove_v no_o more_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n than_o they_o do_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n unless_o it_o can_v be_v show_v that_o these_o difficulty_n can_v not_o happen_v in_o a_o book_n write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n but_o that_o it_o must_v be_v first_o write_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o afford_v no_o occasion_n for_o dispute_n and_o that_o it_o must_v be_v ever_o after_o so_o preserve_v by_o a_o constant_a miracle_n that_o it_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o none_o of_o the_o accident_n and_o casualty_n to_o which_o all_o other_o book_n be_v liable_a on_o the_o contrary_a it_o can_v never_o be_v prove_v that_o god_n may_v not_o permit_v book_n write_v by_o inspiration_n to_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o any_o such_o casualty_n as_o be_v not_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o a_o revelation_n but_o if_o the_o necessary_a point_n of_o doctrine_n be_v preserve_v entire_a and_o the_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n in_o confirmation_n of_o that_o doctrine_n all_o lesser_a matter_n may_v be_v lest_o to_o the_o same_o contingency_n which_o befall_v all_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o evidence_n be_v very_o clear_a and_o full_a in_o proof_n both_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n which_o demonstrate_v to_o we_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v already_o show_v and_o if_o no_o more_o can_v be_v produce_v than_o have_v by_o i_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v their_o authority_n yet_o unless_o this_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v insufficient_a from_o some_o mistake_n or_o defect_n in_o it_o no_o such_o objection_n can_v invalidate_v it_o because_o no_o man_n can_v prove_v that_o god_n
be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o not_o to_o be_v liable_a to_o frost_n and_o venus_n and_o mercury_n of_o such_o as_o not_o to_o be_v easy_o evaporate_v by_o the_o sun_n he_o say_v 2._o say_v lib._n 2._o that_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v nine_o time_n great_a in_o mercury_n than_o with_o we_o in_o venus_n it_o be_v twice_o as_o hot_a as_o with_o we_o the_o light_n and_o heat_n in_o mars_n be_v twice_o and_o sometime_o threefold_o less_o than_o we_o if_o there_o be_v any_o inhabitant_n in_o jupiter_n they_o will_v have_v but_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o part_n of_o the_o light_n and_o heat_n that_o we_o receive_v from_o the_o sun_n and_o those_o in_o saturn_n but_o the_o hundred_o part._n upon_o which_o account_n he_o be_v very_o hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o furnish_v out_o inhabitant_n for_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o planet_n but_o as_o for_o the_o moon_n and_o the_o satellites_n move_v about_o saturn_n and_o jupiter_n he_o do_v as_o good_a as_o give_v up_o the_o cause_n by_o reason_n that_o they_o be_v neither_o sea_n nor_o river_n nor_o cloud_n nor_o atmosphere_n or_o vapour_n nor_o any_o kind_n of_o water_n beside_o that_o the_o time_n of_o light_n and_o darkness_n in_o the_o moon_n be_v equal_a to_o fifteen_o of_o our_o day_n if_o the_o body_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v such_o as_o we_o be_v he_o observe_v that_o those_o who_o have_v the_o sun_n pretty_a high_a in_o their_o horizon_n must_v be_v like_a to_o be_v burn_v up_o in_o such_o long_a day_n and_o those_o that_o live_v under_o the_o pole_n of_o the_o moon_n will_v be_v as_o much_o pinch_v with_o cold_a as_o our_o whale_n fisher_n be_v about_o ice-land_n and_o nova_n zembla_n in_o the_o summertime_n and_o the_o summer_n and_o winter_n in_o the_o moon_n or_o satellite_n of_o saturn_n be_v fifteen_o year_n long_o and_o therefore_o they_o may_v well_o be_v conclude_v to_o be_v unhabitable_a but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v allege_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v believe_v of_o the_o frigid_a and_o torrid_a zone_n before_o experience_n convince_v man_n of_o their_o mistake_n and_o that_o however_o there_o may_v be_v other_o planet_n or_o earth_n yet_o undiscovered_a at_o convenient_a distance_n from_o some_o of_o the_o fix_a star_n i_o observe_v that_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o some_o planet_n be_v habitable_a it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v be_v actual_o inhabit_v or_o that_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v for_o they_o may_v be_v design_v if_o mankind_n have_v continue_v in_o innocency_n as_o place_n for_o colony_n to_o remove_v man_n to_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v have_v increase_v either_o in_o reward_n to_o those_o that_o have_v excel_v in_o virtue_n and_o piety_n to_o entertain_v they_o with_o the_o prospect_n of_o new_a and_o better_a world_n and_o so_o by_o degree_n to_o advance_v they_o in_o proportion_n to_o their_o desert_n to_o the_o height_n of_o bliss_n and_o glory_n in_o heaven_n or_o as_o a_o necessary_a reception_n for_o man_n who_o will_v then_o have_v be_v immortal_a after_o the_o earth_n have_v be_v full_a of_o inhabitant_n and_o since_o the_o fall_n and_o mortality_n of_o mankind_n they_o may_v be_v either_o for_o mansion_n of_o the_o righteous_a or_o place_n of_o punishment_n for_o the_o wicked_a after_o the_o resurrection_n according_a as_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o world_n to_o new_a modify_v and_o transform_v they_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v place_v at_o their_o respective_a distance_n they_o do_v by_o their_o several_a motion_n contribute_v to_o keep_v the_o world_n at_o a_o poise_n and_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o at_o a_o aequilibrium_fw-la in_o their_o gravitation_n upon_o each_o other_o by_o mr._n newton_n principle_n vii_o it_o have_v be_v suggest_v by_o etc._n by_o campanella_n bp._n wilkins_n etc._n etc._n huygens_n etc._n etc._n learned_a man_n that_o the_o planet_n may_v possible_o be_v inhabit_v by_o rational_a creature_n of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o mankind_n their_o soul_n may_v be_v of_o a_o inferior_a or_o superior_a order_n to_o we_o and_o their_o body_n of_o a_o different_a form_n and_o composition_n and_o there_o may_v be_v different_a law_n of_o union_n and_o communication_n between_o the_o operation_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o the_o motion_n of_o their_o body_n for_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sort_n of_o rational_a animal_n but_o mankind_n but_o i_o offer_v most_o of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v on_o this_o subject_a only_o as_o conjecture_n which_o have_v at_o least_o so_o much_o probability_n in_o they_o as_o to_o silence_v the_o objection_n bring_v against_o the_o scripture_n on_o these_o account_n for_o unless_o a_o man_n can_v prove_v these_o or_o the_o like_a conjecture_n false_a which_o i_o be_o persuade_v no_o man_n can_v ever_o do_v he_o must_v forbear_v urge_v objection_n that_o will_v be_v insignificant_a if_o these_o conjecture_n or_o such_o as_o these_o shall_v be_v true_a it_o be_v hard_o to_o assign_v every_o particular_a end_n and_o use_v of_o many_o other_o wonderful_a thing_n in_o nature_n but_o late_o discover_v by_o microscope_n as_o of_o any_o thing_n observable_a in_o the_o heaven_n either_o by_o the_o naked_a eye_n or_o by_o telescope_n and_o when_o the_o scripture_n mention_v those_o use_v of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n which_o more_o immediate_o concern_v our_o earth_n this_o do_v not_o deny_v or_o exclude_v any_o other_o use_v for_o which_o they_o may_v be_v design_v chap._n xi_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o contradict_v the_o late_a discovery_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n i._o it_o have_v be_v well_o observe_v by_o divers_a writer_n upon_o this_o subject_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v with_o no_o design_n of_o teach_v we_o natural_a philosophy_n but_o to_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o ourselves_o to_o teach_v we_o our_o duty_n and_o show_v we_o the_o way_n to_o live_v and_o die_v well_o and_o therefore_o they_o may_v make_v use_n of_o popular_a expression_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n neither_o affirm_v nor_o deny_v the_o philosophical_a truth_n of_o they_o but_o intend_v they_o only_o in_o that_o sense_n and_o mean_v which_o be_v their_o sole_a design_n in_o use_v they_o all_o proverbial_a say_n and_o metaphorical_a expression_n by_o way_n of_o illustration_n or_o ornament_n must_v be_v take_v from_o receive_a notion_n but_o they_o be_v not_o therefore_o assert_v in_o the_o philosophical_a sense_n by_o he_o who_o use_v they_o any_o more_o than_o the_o historical_a truth_n of_o parable_n and_o similitude_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v assert_v and_o to_o have_v make_v use_n only_o of_o philosophical_a term_n and_o notion_n and_o have_v rectify_v the_o vulgar_a conception_n of_o man_n concern_v all_o the_o phaenomena_n which_o upon_o occasion_n be_v make_v mention_n of_o in_o the_o scripture_n will_v have_v require_v a_o large_a system_fw-la of_o philosophy_n which_o have_v make_v the_o scripture_n a_o book_n unfit_a for_o vulgar_a capacity_n and_o for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o for_o who_o they_o be_v design_v this_o theory_n of_o nature_n will_v beside_o have_v seem_v as_o strange_a and_o incredible_a to_o most_o man_n even_o as_o miracle_n can_v do_v for_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n that_o man_n unacquainted_a with_o philosophy_n be_v more_o startle_v at_o than_o philosophical_a discovery_n how_o incredible_a do_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o sun_n seem_v to_o all_o man_n but_o philosopher_n who_o be_v general_o now_o agree_v in_o it_o whilst_o the_o rise_n and_o set_v of_o the_o sun_n be_v expression_n now_o as_o much_o in_o use_n with_o such_o as_o hold_v the_o earth_n motion_n as_o with_o other_o and_o indeed_o they_o must_v speak_v so_o if_o they_o will_v be_v understand_v and_o except_v this_o one_o instance_n which_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v in_o use_n according_a to_o the_o vulgar_a conception_n in_o all_o country_n and_o language_n not_o withstand_v any_o philosophical_a discovery_n i_o know_v nothing_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o present_a notion_n of_o philosophy_n ii_o and_o yet_o that_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v most_o object_v on_o this_o occasion_n be_v so_o express_v as_o that_o no_o advantage_n can_v be_v take_v aâ—einst_v it_o sun_n stand_v thou_o still_o upon_o gibeon_n and_o thou_o moon_n in_o the_o valley_n of_o ajalon_n josh_n x._o 12._o stand_v thou_o still_o or_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v thou_o silent_a be_v still_o do_v not_o interrupt_v our_o victory_n and_o take_v part_n with_o the_o enemy_n by_o withdraw_v thy_o light_n and_o favour_v his_o escape_n and_o again_o
unbelief_n the_o evil_a spirit_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o his_o son_n mark_v ix_o 23.24_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o christ_n miracle_n require_v that_o those_o who_o be_v cure_a by_o he_o shall_v believe_v in_o he_o for_o they_o be_v wrought_v with_o a_o design_n to_o convince_v man_n that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v come_v not_o so_o much_o to_o cure_v their_o body_n as_o to_o save_v their_o soul_n and_o he_o forgive_v their_o sin_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o heal_v they_o of_o their_o disease_n mark_v two_o 5._o and_o since_o faith_n be_v so_o necessary_a a_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v as_o requisite_a that_o christ_n shall_v teach_v this_o as_o any_o other_o doctrine_n but_o how_o can_v he_o do_v it_o more_o proper_o and_o more_o effectual_o than_o by_o require_v faith_n in_o those_o who_o come_v to_o be_v heal_v if_o they_o will_v partake_v of_o his_o mercy_n they_o must_v qualify_v themselves_o for_o it_o by_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o great_a prophet_n and_o messiah_n who_o be_v then_o so_o much_o expect_v and_o of_o who_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o he_o shall_v make_v the_o blind_a to_o see_v and_o the_o lame_a to_o walk_v and_o the_o deaf_a to_o hear_v etc._n etc._n luke_n seven_o 22._o isa_n xxxv_o 5._o and_o unless_o their_o bodily_a cure_n do_v conduce_v to_o the_o cure_n of_o their_o soul_n by_o faith_n and_o repentance_n it_o will_v be_v but_o ill_o bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o therefore_o with_o great_a reason_n may_v be_v deny_v they_o and_o upon_o this_o account_n we_o find_v our_o bless_a saviour_n both_o require_v faith_n in_o some_o and_o reward_v it_o in_o other_o to_o who_o his_o miraculous_a power_n be_v extend_v luke_n viij_o 48._o xviii_o 42._o and_o st._n paul_n perceive_v that_o the_o cripple_n at_o lystra_n have_v faith_n to_o be_v heal_v immediate_o heal_v he_o without_o be_v ask_v to_o do_v it_o act_n fourteen_o 9_o 2._o faith_n in_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v require_v of_o man_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n though_o miracle_n be_v cease_v and_o if_o this_o be_v reasonable_a now_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v fit_v then_o that_o those_o who_o come_v to_o christ_n shall_v believe_v in_o he_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o have_v be_v certify_v that_o he_o have_v do_v upon_o other_o for_o miracle_n when_o they_o be_v full_o attest_v be_v as_o sufficient_a a_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o if_o we_o have_v see_v they_o do_v and_o to_o manifest_v that_o they_o be_v so_o our_o saviour_n may_v require_v belief_n in_o his_o former_a miracle_n of_o those_o who_o expect_v any_o advantage_n from_o such_o as_o they_o desire_v he_o to_o do_v if_o they_o will_v give_v no_o credit_n to_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v so_o notorious_a and_o so_o abundant_o testify_v by_o multitude_n who_o see_v they_o do_v how_o shall_v other_o believe_v in_o time_n to_o come_v when_o no_o more_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o conviction_n of_o unbeliever_n may_v no_o man_n be_v require_v to_o believe_v unless_o he_o see_v the_o miracle_n himself_o then_o how_o shall_v the_o the_o church_n subsist_v in_o future_a age_n when_o miracle_n will_v be_v no_o long_o wrought_v but_o be_v for_o great_a reason_n to_o be_v withhold_v we_o must_v now_o believe_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v then_o do_v and_o why_o therefore_o shall_v they_o not_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o they_o who_o live_v at_o the_o very_a time_n and_o in_o the_o same_o country_n where_o they_o be_v wrought_v though_o they_o have_v never_o see_v they_o our_o saviour_n in_o these_o instance_n may_v introduce_v that_o method_n and_o establish_v the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o those_o mean_n and_o motive_n whereby_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v produce_v in_o man_n of_o all_o succeed_a age_n and_o may_v hereby_o signify_v and_o declare_v that_o he_o require_v the_o same_o faith_n of_o we_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o that_o he_o will_v do_v if_o we_o have_v see_v and_o experience_v his_o miraculous_a power_n ourselves_o chap._n xxix_o of_o the_o cease_v of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n prophecy_n be_v general_o of_o more_o concernment_n and_o afford_v great_a evidence_n and_o conviction_n in_o future_a age_n than_o when_o they_o be_v first_o deliver_v for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o delivery_n but_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n which_o give_v evidence_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o doctrine_n the_o event_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n be_v a_o stand_a argument_n to_o all_o age_n and_o the_o length_n of_o time_n add_v to_o its_o force_n and_o efficacy_n and_o therefore_o when_o all_o that_o god_n see_v requisite_a to_o be_v foretell_v be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n there_o can_v no_o long_o be_v any_o need_n of_o new_a prophecy_n which_o will_v be_v of_o less_o authority_n than_o the_o ancient_a one_o inasmuch_o as_o their_o antiquity_n be_v the_o thing_n chief_o to_o be_v regard_v in_o prophecy_n for_o if_o to_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o divine_a prescience_n the_o long_a thing_n be_v foretell_v before_o they_o come_v to_o pass_v the_o better_a must_v the_o argument_n need_v be_v he_o therefore_o that_o require_v new_a prophecy_n to_o confirm_v the_o old_a little_a consider_v the_o nature_n of_o prophecy_n and_o wherein_o the_o evidence_n and_o use_v of_o they_o lie_v but_o in_o great_a wisdom_n and_o caution_n will_v give_v no_o credit_n to_o the_o best_a evidence_n unless_o there_o be_v something_o less_o evident_a to_o prove_v it_o by_o the_o chief_a enquiry_n then_o seem_v to_o be_v concern_v the_o cessation_n of_o miracle_n but_o from_o what_o have_v be_v elsewhere_o say_v the_o reason_n may_v appear_v why_o the_o miraculous_a power_n which_o the_o apostle_n receive_v by_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a continuance_n in_o the_o church_n but_o be_v to_o cease_v in_o future_a age_n for_o the_o cause_n and_o end_v of_o the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o be_v witness_n to_o christ_n and_o when_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v sufficient_o testify_v there_o can_v be_v no_o long_o need_v of_o such_o a_o power_n which_o be_v give_v to_o enable_v man_n to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o it_o for_o what_o be_v once_o effectual_o prove_v by_o sufficient_a witness_n be_v for_o ever_o prove_v and_o needs_o no_o after_o evidence_n if_o this_o proof_n be_v preserve_v and_o transmit_v down_o to_o posterity_n the_o power_n of_o miracle_n continue_v till_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v preach_v not_o only_o in_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o all_o judea_n and_o in_o samaria_n but_o unto_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o declare_a intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o bestow_v it_o act_n i_o 8._o and_o when_o the_o gospel_n have_v stand_v at_o the_o trial_n and_o conquer_v all_o the_o opposition_n that_o can_v be_v make_v against_o it_o by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n and_o apostate_n themselves_o when_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v for_o several_a age_n before_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o have_v extort_a a_o confession_n from_o the_o devil_n themselves_o of_o the_o divine_a power_n by_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v when_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n in_o which_o these_o miracle_n be_v record_v have_v be_v disperse_v in_o all_o nation_n and_o language_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v lose_v whence_o once_o the_o gospel_n be_v thus_o divulge_v and_o attest_v to_o the_o world_n it_o can_v not_o be_v necessary_a that_o this_o miraculous_a power_n shall_v be_v any_o long_o continue_v because_o this_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n and_o design_n why_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v to_o awaken_v man_n attention_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v reveal_v and_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o if_o then_o it_o be_v inquire_v why_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n which_o be_v at_o first_o bestow_v upon_o the_o church_n be_v not_o continue_v to_o it_o in_o all_o succeed_a age_n the_o plain_a answer_n be_v because_o this_o power_n be_v bestow_v for_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n by_o convince_a man_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o authority_n and_o therefore_o when_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n have_v be_v give_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o that_o religion_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o these_o gift_n be_v bestow_v the_o reason_n for_o the_o bestow_n
of_o they_o must_v cease_v and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v bestow_v cease_v these_o miraculous_a gift_n must_v of_o consequence_n cease_v with_o it_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v likewise_o under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o we_o read_v of_o no_o miraculous_a power_n bestow_v upon_o any_o man_n before_o moses_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v deliver_v down_o with_o undeniable_a certainty_n and_o the_o miraculous_a judgement_n of_o god_n in_o drown_v the_o old_a world_n in_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n be_v sufficient_a to_o keep_v up_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n but_o when_o a_o new_a institution_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v introduce_v by_o moses_n miraculous_a gift_n be_v necessary_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o it_o and_o to_o oppose_v those_o false_a and_o lie_a wonder_n which_o be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o magician_n in_o egypt_n and_o other_o place_n in_o the_o former_a age_n prediction_n be_v very_o frequent_a and_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o patriarch_n who_o be_v man_n of_o unquestionable_a credit_n and_o authority_n and_o can_v have_v no_o need_n of_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prophecy_n which_o be_v so_o usual_a in_o those_o time_n and_o when_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v so_o long_o divers_a prophecy_n of_o the_o same_o person_n have_v be_v verify_v by_o the_o event_n but_o moses_n have_v a_o new_a law_n to_o deliver_v and_o both_o he_o and_o the_o prophet_n have_v a_o a_o stubborn_a people_n to_o deal_v with_o to_o who_o the_o message_n they_o be_v charge_v withal_o be_v common_o very_o unwelcome_a so_o that_o till_o this_o institution_n be_v full_o settle_v miracle_n become_v necessary_a but_o when_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v sufficient_o authorize_v and_o establish_v by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n and_o when_o by_o the_o captivity_n and_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o divine_a mission_n of_o their_o prophet_n become_v know_v among_o so_o many_o other_o nation_n when_o the_o jew_n be_v reduce_v from_o idolatry_n which_o they_o never_o practise_v after_o their_o return_n from_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n and_o when_o they_o have_v make_v numerous_a conversion_n among_o the_o heathen_n than_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v no_o long_o continue_v as_o they_o have_v be_v before_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n insomuch_o that_o it_o become_v a_o 18._o a_o lightf_n glean_v out_o of_o exod._n §._o vi_fw-it harm_n of_o the_o evang_n luke_n i_o 18._o joh._n two_o 18._o maxim_n among_o they_o that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o return_v from_o babylon_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n depart_v from_o israel_n and_o ascend_v and_o for_o above_o four_o hundred_o year_n together_o the_o gift_n both_o of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n have_v be_v withhold_v from_o they_o before_o the_o manifestation_n of_o christ_n for_o though_o there_o be_v gross_a error_n and_o dangerous_a corruption_n among_o the_o pharisee_n and_o sadducee_n and_o other_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o since_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o revelation_n from_o whence_o these_o error_n may_v have_v be_v confute_v have_v be_v so_o thorough_o confirm_v all_o their_o corruption_n and_o error_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o the_o continuance_n of_o miraculous_a gift_n and_o the_o pharisee_n and_o other_o sect_n who_o be_v most_o fond_a and_o zealous_a of_o their_o several_a tenet_n and_o tradition_n yet_o never_o dare_v pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n or_o prophecy_n but_o endeavour_v to_o support_v themselves_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n what_o they_o sometime_o speak_v of_o lxxiii_o of_o id_fw-la fall_v of_o jerus_n §._o ix_o harm_n of_o the_o n._n t._n §._o lxxiii_o the_o bath_n col_fw-fr or_o voice_n from_o heaven_n deserve_v but_o little_a credit_n and_o amount_v but_o to_o a_o confession_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v fail_v under_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o express_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o have_v do_v 41._o do_v more_o nevock_n part._n 2._o c._n 36_o 41._o maimonides_n declare_v that_o the_o bath_n col_fw-fr do_v not_o denominate_v man_n prophet_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o reckon_v by_o he_o among_o the_o degree_n of_o prophecy_n i_o have_v already_o prove_v at_o large_a 1._o book_n 1._o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n afford_v as_o much_o certainty_n to_o our_o faith_n as_o if_o we_o ourselves_o have_v see_v they_o wrought_v and_o our_o saviour_n plain_o say_v notwithstanding_o his_o work_n which_o bear_v witness_n of_o he_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o his_o own_o word_n shall_v be_v rather_o believe_v than_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n for_o have_v you_o believe_v moses_n you_o will_v have_v believe_v i_o for_o he_o write_v of_o i_o but_o if_o you_o believe_v not_o his_o write_n how_o shall_v you_o believe_v my_o word_n joh._n v._o 46_o 47._o and_o when_o once_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o miracle_n as_o the_o law_n have_v be_v and_o render_v as_o certain_a to_o all_o succeed_a age_n as_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n can_v have_v make_v it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o such_o a_o power_n shall_v be_v any_o long_o bestow_v miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o revelation_n make_v to_o mankind_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n not_o to_o decide_v any_o controversy_n arise_v among_o those_o by_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v receive_v for_o to_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o all_o dispute_n ought_v to_o be_v determine_v and_o therefore_o the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n be_v sometime_o manifest_v among_o v._o among_o ad_fw-la orthodox_n inter_fw-la justin_n martyr_n oper._n respon_n v._o heretic_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o infidel_n which_o be_v the_o true_a end_n and_o design_n of_o miracle_n and_o not_o to_o be_v any_o note_n of_o distinction_n between_o the_o orthodox_n and_o heretic_n the_o learned_a etc._n learned_a in_o irenae_n dissert_n 11._o §._o 28._o etc._n etc._n mr._n dodwell_n by_o a_o historical_a account_n of_o miracle_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o age_n next_o succeed_v have_v show_v that_o they_o be_v always_o adapt_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o or_o less_o frequent_a as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n require_v till_o they_o at_o last_o whole_o cease_v when_o there_o be_v no_o long_o any_o need_n of_o they_o for_o the_o only_a end_n and_o use_v of_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v the_o confirmation_n and_o establishment_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o when_o this_o be_v once_o full_o confirm_v and_o establish_v they_o can_v be_v no_o long_o needful_a but_o it_o seem_v rather_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v afterward_o cease_v than_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v continue_v i_o mean_v as_o to_o any_o constant_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n reside_v in_o the_o church_n for_o though_o there_o may_v possible_o be_v some_o extraordinary_a case_n in_o which_o it_o may_v please_v god_n to_o manifest_v a_o miraculous_a power_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n shall_v be_v continue_v to_o the_o church_n but_o rather_o that_o those_o gift_n shall_v cease_v when_o religion_n have_v be_v confirm_v by_o a_o perpetual_a course_n of_o miracle_n for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n together_o because_o i._o miracle_n when_o they_o become_v common_a will_v lose_v the_o design_n and_o end_n and_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o miracle_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a work_n of_o god_n not_o that_o they_o be_v more_o difficult_a than_o the_o ordinary_a work_n of_o nature_n all_o thing_n be_v alike_o easy_a to_o god_n and_o miracle_n be_v as_o easy_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o constant_a course_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v the_o only_a difference_n be_v that_o miracle_n be_v his_o wonderful_a work_n they_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o raise_v our_o wonder_n and_o admiration_n and_o to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o a_o divine_a presence_n for_o we_o wonder_v at_o strange_a and_o unusual_a thing_n and_o suppose_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a reason_n for_o they_o but_o if_o miracle_n have_v continue_v in_o all_o age_n this_o effect_n of_o miracle_n will_v have_v cease_v and_o they_o will_v no_o long_o have_v be_v miracle_n but_o a_o kind_n of_o different_a course_n of_o nature_n for_o according_a to_o the_o best_a and_o most_o accurate_a philosophy_n nothing_o in_o the_o settle_a course_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v perform_v without_o a_o