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superstition_n and_o pag._n 169._o we_o may_v see_v that_o superstition_n like_o fire_n endeavour_n to_o resolve_v all_o thing_n into_o itself_o answer_n mr._n blount_n have_v give_v we_o some_o account_n of_o the_o pagan_a superstition_n of_o augury_n out_o of_o which_o it_o appear_v how_o insufficient_a natural_a religion_n be_v of_o itself_o and_o how_o necessary_a reveal_v religion_n be_v to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o these_o abomination_n to_o this_o purpose_n very_o remarkable_a be_v that_o of_o alexander_n ab_fw-la alexandro_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o last_o book_n dierum_fw-la genialium_fw-la quantum_fw-la debemus_fw-la christo_fw-la domino_fw-la regi_fw-la &_o doctori_fw-la nostro_fw-la quem_fw-la verum_fw-la deum_fw-la veneramur_fw-la &_o scimus_fw-la quo_fw-la praemonstrante_fw-la explosa_fw-la monstrosa_fw-la ferarum_fw-la gentium_fw-la doctrina_fw-la rituque_fw-la immani_fw-la ac_fw-la barbaro_fw-la veram_fw-la religionem_fw-la edocti_fw-la humanitatem_fw-la &_o verum_fw-la deum_fw-la colimus_fw-la evictisque_fw-la erroribus_fw-la &_o infandis_fw-la ineptiis_fw-la
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ancient_a jewish_a and_o christian_a interpreter_n of_o genesis_n the_o three_o section_n be_v of_o the_o original_a of_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o difficulty_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o angel_n be_v discuss_v as_o also_o their_o corporiety_n which_o p._n 59_o he_o false_o declare_v to_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n we_o have_v also_o show_v that_o some_o particular_n be_v omit_v in_o the_o mosaic_a history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o reason_n thereof_o from_o whence_o mr._n blount_n can_v receive_v no_o advantage_n last_o we_o have_v subjoin_v a_o apology_n for_o st._n augustine_n error_n the_o four_o section_n be_v of_o the_o modern_a brachmin_n in_o which_o we_o show_v how_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o comprehend_v his_o design_n that_o his_o argument_n be_v of_o little_a force_n and_o his_o contradiction_n in_o say_v p._n 87._o that_o deism_n be_v a_o good_a manure_v of_o a_o man_n conscience_n if_o sort_v with_o christianity_n the_o five_o section_n concern_v the_o deist_n religion_n we_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a how_o uncertain_a this_o natural_a religion_n be_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o nation_n and_o that_o what_o he_o add_v of_o the_o imitation_n of_o god_n destroy_v his_o own_o supposition_n we_o have_v refer_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o life_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o another_o section_n and_o whereas_o he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o deist_n be_v no_o idolater_n we_o have_v prove_v the_o contrary_a and_o that_o the_o same_o reason_n which_o exempt_v the_o deist_n from_o that_o imputation_n will_v exempt_v romanist_n reform_v socinian_n mahometan_n etc._n etc._n the_o six_o section_n concern_v the_o arian_n trinitarian_n and_o council_n in_o thâ—s_n section_n it_o will_v appear_v how_o perverse_a he_o represent_v the_o affair_n of_o those_o time_n p._n 98._o he_o make_v the_o arian_n to_o be_v mounter_n of_o constantine_n to_o the_o throne_n
this_o reply_n quis_fw-la nescit_fw-la vocabulum_fw-la omnis_fw-la passim_fw-la in_o sacris_fw-la literis_fw-la ambiguae_fw-la esse_fw-la significationis_fw-la &_o rarissime_fw-la absolute_a accipi_fw-la plurimis_fw-la vero_fw-la locis_fw-la restringi_fw-la ad_fw-la subjectum_fw-la de_fw-la quo_fw-la agitur_fw-la ut_fw-la apud_fw-la mosem_fw-la gen._n 41._o cum_fw-la famem_fw-la super_fw-la vniversam_fw-la orbem_fw-la invaluisse_fw-la scribâ—t_fw-la non_fw-la nisi_fw-la de_fw-fr aliqua_fw-la orbis_fw-la portione_fw-la intelligendum_fw-la esse_fw-la fatentur_fw-la theologi_fw-la quid_fw-la abstat_fw-la igitur_fw-la quo_fw-la minus_fw-la cum_fw-la deus_fw-la dâ—cituâ—_n inundasse_fw-la vniversam_fw-la terram_fw-la totam_fw-la terrâ—m_fw-la habitatam_fw-la &_o omma_fw-it haebitatae_fw-la telluris_fw-la animalia_fw-la intelligamus_fw-la who_o be_v so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o know_v that_o the_o word_n all_o be_v every_o where_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o a_o ambiguous_a signification_n and_o very_o seldom_o put_v absolute_o in_o most_o place_n it_o be_v restained_a to_o the_o subject_a matter_n as_o in_o gen._n 41._o when_o the_o famine_n be_v say_v to_o prevail_v over_o the_o whole_a earth_n divine_n understand_v it_o of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n what_o shall_v hinder_v but_o that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v understand_v in_o this_o case_n of_o the_o flood_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o all_o creature_n this_o be_v most_o certain_a from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o all_o mankind_n those_o in_o the_o ark_n except_v be_v destroy_v by_o the_o flood_n for_o the_o occasion_n thereof_o be_v thus_o express_v in_o genesis_n and_o god_n see_v the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n be_v great_a upon_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o every_o imagination_n of_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o heart_n be_v only_o evil_a continual_o and_o the_o lord_n say_v i_o will_v destroy_v man_n who_o i_o have_v create_v from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o again_o all_o flesh_n die_v that_fw-mi move_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o every_o man_n and_o every_o live_a substance_n be_v destroy_v that_o be_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o ground_n both_o man_n and_o cattle_n and_o the_o creep_v thing_n and_o the_o fowl_n of_o heaven_n and_o they_o be_v destroy_v from_o the_o earth_n and_o noah_n only_o remain_v alive_a and_o they_o that_o be_v with_o he_o in_o the_o ark._n so_o that_o mr._n blount_n be_v very_o vain_a in_o muster_v up_o the_o argument_n he_o pretend_v to_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o flood_n be_v only_o in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o vossius_fw-la seem_v to_o be_v in_o a_o great_a error_n in_o limit_v the_o same_o to_o syria_n and_o mesopotamia_n for_o as_o it_o seem_v strange_a that_o in_o so_o short_a a_o interval_n as_o that_o be_v from_o adam_n to_o the_o flood_n according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a computation_n 1656_o year_n and_o not_o much_o above_o two_o thousand_o according_a to_o the_o large_a the_o world_n shall_v then_o be_v full_o people_v so_o it_o also_o seem_v no_o less_o strange_a that_o in_o such_o a_o space_n of_o time_n syria_n and_o mesopotamia_n shall_v only_o be_v people_v beside_o it_o can_v be_v well_o imagine_v that_o so_o many_o nation_n shall_v have_v knowledge_n thereof_o if_o it_o be_v not_o of_o a_o much_o great_a extent_n for_o vossius_fw-la confess_v that_o almost_o all_o nation_n have_v knowledge_n thereof_o the_o egyptian_n only_o except_v josephus_n a_o costa_n witness_v for_o the_o american_n and_o so_o do_v laet._n martinus_n for_o the_o chineses_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o other_o bochart_n in_o his_o geogr._n sacra_fw-la and_o grotius_n in_o his_o annotata_fw-la on_o the_o first_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_n religion_n and_o now_o we_o draw_v towards_o a_o conclusion_n i_o shall_v not_o use_v any_o other_o word_n than_o those_o which_o be_v use_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a dr._n stillingfleet_n now_o lord_n bishop_n of_o worcester_n in_o his_o origines_fw-la sacrae_fw-la p._n 539_o and_o 540._o i_o can_v see_v any_o urgent_a necessity_n from_o the_o scripture_n to_o assert_v that_o the_o flood_n do_v spread_v itself_o over_o all_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o earth_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o flood_n be_v universal_a as_o to_o mankind_n but_o from_o thence_o follow_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o assert_v the_o vniversallity_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o globe_n of_o the_o earth_n unless_o it_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o whole_a earth_n be_v people_v before_o the_o flood_n which_o i_o despair_n of_o ever_o see_v prove_v i_o grant_v as_o far_o as_o the_o flood_n extend_v all_o creature_n be_v destroy_v but_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o extend_v the_o destruction_n of_o these_o beyond_o that_o compass_n and_o space_n of_o earth_n where_o man_n inhabit_a all_o these_o be_v the_o assertion_n of_o that_o great_a man._n so_o that_o i_o suppose_v the_o vanity_n of_o mr._n blount_n suggestion_n be_v apparent_a by_o this_o right_a the_o notion_n of_o the_o flood_n pag._n 12._o i_o must_v ingenious_o confess_v original_a sin_n be_v ever_o a_o difficult_a pill_n with_o i_o to_o swallow_v my_o reason_n stop_v it_o in_o my_o throat_n and_o not_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o wash_v it_o down_o and_o p._n 15._o never_o do_v any_o church_n enjoin_v penance_n or_o repentance_n for_o original_a sin_n wherefore_o it_o seem_v preposterous_a and_o unreasonable_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v damn_v for_o that_o which_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o repent_v answer_n that_o mr._n blount_n have_v not_o faith_n to_o wash_v down_o original_a sin_n which_o stick_v in_o his_o throat_n be_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v lament_v this_o truth_n be_v so_o plain_o lay_v down_o in_o holy_a writ_n that_o no_o man_n who_o have_v any_o regard_n for_o the_o scripture_n but_o will_v be_v offend_v with_o he_o for_o write_v so_o contemptable_o of_o this_o doctrine_n the_o chief_a argument_n which_o he_o bring_v for_o his_o opinion_n take_v from_o penance_n and_o repentance_n be_v of_o no_o force_n but_o because_o i_o think_v it_o be_v new_a i_o will_v consider_v it_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n penance_n be_v only_o impose_v for_o three_o crime_n viz._n idolatry_n homicide_n and_o adultery_n which_o be_v prove_v at_o large_a by_o morinus_n in_o his_o five_o book_n de_fw-fr penitentia_fw-la cap._n 3._o out_o of_o father_n and_o council_n and_o he_o conclude_v the_o chapter_n thu_fw-mi toâ—â—igâ—â—ur_n &_o tantis_fw-la testimonis_fw-la freti_fw-la recte_fw-la nobis_fw-la videmur_fw-la colegere_fw-la quadringentis_fw-la prope_fw-la annis_fw-la a_o christo_fw-la nato_fw-la patres_fw-la haec_fw-la sola_fw-la tria_fw-la crimina_fw-la penitenta_fw-la cassigasse_n trust_v to_o so_o many_o testimony_n we_o think_v we_o may_v true_o conclude_v that_o for_o almost_o four_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n no_o penance_n be_v impose_v but_o only_o for_o these_o three_o crime_n now_o if_o mr._n blount_n negative_a argument_n with_o relation_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v valid_a how_o many_o man_n have_v live_v in_o the_o world_n without_o actual_a sin_n so_o that_o his_o argument_n prove_v too_o much_o a_o most_o certain_a sign_n of_o its_o weakness_n as_o for_o the_o second_o part_n of_o his_o argument_n that_o no_o church_n ever_o require_v repentance_n for_o original_a sin_n be_v a_o mistake_n and_o proceed_v from_o not_o know_v the_o church_n practice_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n repentance_n be_v require_v of_o all_o adult_n person_n who_o desire_v baptism_n which_o must_v relate_v to_o original_a as_o well_o as_o actual_a sin_n tertullian_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr baptismo_fw-la say_v ingressuras_fw-la baptismum_fw-la orationibus_fw-la crebris_fw-la jejuniis_fw-la &_o geniculationibus_fw-la crebris_fw-la &_o pervigiliis_fw-la orare_fw-la aportet_fw-la &_o confession_n omnium_fw-la retro_fw-la delectorum_fw-la such_o as_o intend_v to_o be_v baptise_a must_v prepare_v themselves_o by_o frequent_a prayer_n fast_n frequent_a humiliation_n watch_n with_o confession_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n agreeable_a to_o this_o ancient_a practice_n our_o church_n begin_v its_o office_n of_o baptism_n with_o the_o confession_n of_o original_a sin_n in_o these_o word_n dear_o belove_v for_o as_o much_o as_o all_o man_n be_v conceive_v and_o bear_v in_o sin_n and_o our_o church_n pray_v for_o the_o pardon_n of_o the_o same_o in_o these_o word_n we_o call_v upon_o thou_o for_o these_o infant_n that_o they_o come_v to_o this_o holy_a baptism_n may_v receive_v remission_n of_o their_o sin_n by_o spiritual_a regeneration_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n before_o tertullian_n we_o have_v justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o second_o apology_n where_o he_o say_v that_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v jejunare_fw-la docentur_fw-la nobis_fw-la una_fw-la cum_fw-la illis_fw-la &_o orantibus_fw-la &_o jejunantibus_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v require_v to_o fast_a the_o congregation_n also_o pray_v and_o fast_v together_o with_o they_o now_o the_o church_n require_v all_o catechuman_n to_o
of_o his_o propose_v they_o as_o mr._n blount_n do_v his_o oracle_n he_o plain_o enough_o insinuate_v to_o a_o intelligent_a reader_n that_o his_o design_n be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o overthrow_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n out_o of_o his_o storehouse_n it_o be_v that_o hobbs_n spinosa_n and_o other_o such_o politician_n in_o mr._n blount_n commonwealth_n of_o learning_n have_v furnish_v themselves_o with_o objection_n such_o as_o they_o be_v and_o which_o have_v be_v often_o answer_v my_o second_o observation_n be_v that_o not_o only_a philo_n judaeus_n josephus_n and_o all_o other_o as_o well_o ancient_a and_o modern_a jew_n do_v understand_v by_o the_o law_n the_o whole_a pentateuch_n but_o also_o the_o gentile_n do_v understand_v it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o consequent_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o the_o law_n mention_v by_o our_o lord_n shall_v be_v take_v in_o a_o different_a sense_n the_o author_n i_o shall_v cite_v for_o proof_n hereof_o be_v dionysius_n longinus_n in_o his_o book_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sect_n 7._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o the_o legislator_n of_o the_o jew_n no_o common_a person_n when_o he_o declare_v and_o make_v know_v the_o power_n of_o his_o god_n according_a to_o his_o majesty_n present_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o law_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n say_v let_v there_o be_v light_n and_o it_o be_v so_o longinus_n in_o this_o place_n call_v the_o beginning_n of_o genesis_n the_o beginning_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o if_o genesis_n come_v under_o that_o denomination_n i_o think_v no_o question_n can_v be_v make_v of_o the_o other_o book_n nor_o of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o those_o place_n by_o i_o bring_v out_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n my_o last_o observation_n be_v that_o one_o of_o the_o great_a proof_n of_o reveal_v religion_n depend_v on_o the_o antiquity_n and_o verity_n of_o the_o mosaic_a write_n if_o these_o book_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n a_o wide_a gate_n will_v be_v open_v for_o libertine_n and_o deist_n to_o redicule_n they_o and_o to_o expose_v they_o for_o fable_n preadamitism_n and_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n may_v be_v receive_v as_o uncontrollable_a doctrine_n and_o christian_a religion_n deprive_v of_o the_o support_n of_o those_o write_n to_o which_o our_o lord_n be_v please_v to_o make_v a_o appeal_n so_o that_o be_v be_v no_o wonder_n that_o mr._n blount_n shall_v be_v so_o positive_a and_o endeavour_v with_o such_o confidence_n to_o subvert_v these_o write_n by_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o moses_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o they_o he_o well_o know_v that_o his_o pretend_a oracle_n of_o reason_n will_v be_v account_v scandalous_a and_o false_a as_o long_o as_o this_o part_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o mosaic_a write_n can_v be_v defend_v sect_n ii_o of_o paradise_n in_o this_o section_n the_o mosaic_a history_n of_o the_o creation_n be_v wicked_o ridicule_v what_o ireneus_fw-la say_v of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a heresy_n viz._n that_o the_o very_a name_n of_o they_o be_v a_o sufficient_a refutation_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o some_o passage_n i_o shall_v here_o transcribe_v pag._n 25._o there_o be_v a_o dialogue_n between_o the_o serpent_n and_o eve_n it_o happen_v upon_o a_o time_n that_o eve_n sit_v solitary_a under_o a_o tree_n without_o her_o husband_n there_o come_v to_o her_o a_o serpent_n or_o adder_n which_o i_o know_v not_o by_o what_o mean_n or_o power_n civil_o accost_v the_o woman_n in_o these_o word_n or_o to_o this_o purpose_n all_o hail_n most_o fair_a one_o what_o be_v you_o do_v so_o solitary_a and_o serious_a under_o this_o shade_n pag._n 26._o eve_n say_v let_v i_o see_v have_v i_o best_o use_v it_o or_o no_o what_o can_v be_v more_o beautiful_a than_o this_o apple_n how_o sweet_o it_o smell_v but_o it_o may_v be_v it_o taste_v ill_a serpent_n if_o it_o taste_v ill_a throw_v it_o away_o and_o say_v i_o be_o a_o great_a lyar._n eve_n well_o i_o will_v try_v thou_o have_v not_o deceive_v i_o give_v i_o one_o that_o i_o may_v carry_v it_o to_o my_o husband_n serpent_n well_o think_v on_o here_o be_v another_o for_o you_o go_v to_o your_o husband_n with_o it_o farewell_o young_a woman_n pag._n 27._o god_n say_v to_o the_o serpent_n hereafter_o vile_a beast_n instead_o of_o eat_v apple_n thou_o shall_v lick_v the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o as_o for_o you_o mistress_z curious_a in_o sorrow_n shall_v you_o bring_v forth_o child_n pag._n 33._o it_o perplex_v i_o how_o out_o of_o one_o rib_n the_o whole_a mass_n of_o a_o woman_n body_n can_v be_v build_v for_o a_o rib_n do_v not_o equal_a the_o hundred_o perhaps_o not_o the_o thousand_o part_n of_o a_o entire_a body_n pag._n 44._o the_o text_n say_v they_o sew_v figleaf_n together_o and_o therewith_o make_v themselves_o apron_n from_o whence_o you_o may_v deduce_v the_o original_a of_o the_o tailor_n trade_n but_o where_o have_v they_o needle_n and_o where_o their_o thread_n the_o very_a first_o day_n of_o their_o creation_n since_o the_o thâ—ead-makers_n art_n be_v not_o yet_o find_v out_o nor_o yet_o the_o art_n of_o work_v in_o iron_n answer_n in_o this_o section_n be_v many_o such_o query_n but_o these_o be_v more_o than_o sufficient_a to_o make_v any_o man_n nauseate_a for_o what_o man_n that_o have_v but_o a_o mâ—â—e_n of_o piety_n will_v not_o be_v concern_v to_o read_v such_o expression_n to_o read_v the_o holy_a oracle_n of_o god_n to_o be_v thus_o droll_v on_o by_o these_o pretend_a one_o and_o this_o sacred_a book_n of_o god_n to_o be_v thus_o expose_v by_o a_o scurrilous_a libel_n our_o author_n often_o cite_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o serve_v his_o turn_n here_o he_o mention_n none_n and_o i_o be_o certain_a there_o be_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o for_o not_o to_o mention_v ancient_a canon_n which_o he_o must_v necessary_o know_v condemn_v this_o practice_n the_o council_n of_o trent_n condemn_v it_o and_o in_o session_n four_o condemn_v they_o who_o shall_v convert_v and_o wrest_v the_o word_n of_o holy_a scripture_n to_o profaneness_n scurrilousness_n fabulousness_n flattery_n distraction_n superstition_n or_o too_o scurrilous_a libel_n the_o first_o council_n of_o milan_n declare_v that_o their_o rashness_n be_v very_o wicked_a who_o absue_v the_o word_n or_o sentence_n of_o holy_a scripture_n to_o flattery_n contumely_n superstition_n impiety_n or_o to_o any_o profane_a purpose_n and_o that_o the_o bishop_n be_v to_o punish_v such_o offender_n according_a to_o the_o holy_a canon_n so_o that_o as_o far_o as_o i_o know_v this_o folly_n of_o our_o author_n in_o sport_v thus_o with_o holy_a scripture_n be_v condemn_v by_o all_o christian_n of_o any_o particular_a denomination_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n what_o be_v material_a and_o worthy_a of_o consideration_n in_o this_o section_n we_o will_v now_o examine_v pag._n 36._o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n there_o come_v a_o river_n out_o of_o eden_n to_o water_v the_o garden_n and_o from_o thence_o it_o divide_v itself_o into_o four_o branch_n the_o name_n of_o the_o first_o be_v pishon_n etc._n etc._n gen._n 2._o ver._n 10._o whereby_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o either_o in_o the_o entrance_n or_o exit_fw-la of_o the_o garden_n there_o be_v four_o river_n and_o that_o those_o four_o river_n do_v proceed_v from_o one_o and_o the_o same_o fountainhead_n in_o eden_n now_o pray_v tell_v i_o in_o what_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v this_o country_n of_o eden_n where_o four_o river_n arise_v from_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spring_n answer_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o plain_a and_o a_o full_a solution_n of_o the_o difficulty_n the_o oracle_n propose_v both_o in_o this_o paragaph_n and_o in_o the_o other_o which_o shall_v be_v examine_v in_o this_o section_n i_o shall_v premise_v a_o consideration_n or_o two_o of_o good_a use_n in_o the_o matter_n under_o debate_n the_o first_o consideration_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n and_o christian_n as_o to_o this_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o second_o shall_v be_v of_o the_o great_a alteration_n that_o have_v happen_v to_o many_o place_n of_o the_o earth_n since_o the_o creation_n out_o of_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o many_o place_n then_o well_o know_v may_v now_o be_v whole_o unknown_a to_o we_o last_o i_o shall_v make_v a_o brief_a reply_n to_o what_o the_o oracle_n have_v here_o declare_v the_o first_o consideration_n relate_v to_o the_o ancient_a jew_n be_v that_o they_o always_o look_v on_o the_o book_n genesis_n as_o a_o book_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v yet_o to_o contain_v a_o literal_a sense_n st._n jerom_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o commentary_n on_o ezechiel_n say_v nisi_fw-la quis_fw-la apud_fw-la eos_fw-la aetatem_fw-la sacerdotalis_fw-la
blount_n to_o any_o man_n but_o to_o he_o in_o lucian_n who_o be_v half_o white_a and_o half_a black_a or_o to_o he_o in_o the_o comedy_n that_o out_o of_o the_o same_o mouth_n blow_v both_o hot_a and_o cold._a but_o he_o may_v in_o some_o fashion_n be_v excuse_v for_o he_o have_v real_o observe_v pliny_n rule_n relate_v to_o the_o title_n of_o his_o book_n that_o of_o cardan_n in_o the_o 19_o book_n de_fw-fr subtilitate_fw-la be_v here_o verify_v and_o he_o say_v demonstrate_v in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr fato_fw-la si_fw-la oracula_fw-la ambigua_fw-la non_fw-la essent_fw-la non_fw-la essent_fw-la oracula_fw-la if_o these_o oracle_n be_v not_o ambiguous_a and_o contradictory_n they_o will_v not_o be_v mr._n blount_n oracle_n and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o admire_v that_o mr._n blount_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fault_n of_o which_o he_o accuse_v sir_n henry_n savil_n for_o he_o translate_v not_o much_o above_o two_o three_o of_o tacitus_n account_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v we_o say_v he_o do_v this_o to_o compliment_v the_o jewish_a and_o to_o rob_v the_o english_a nation_n of_o the_o spirit_n behind_o be_v he_o not_o oblige_v to_o do_v it_o for_o his_o deserve_o honour_v and_o most_o ingenious_a major_n a._n as_o he_o call_v he_o p._n 126_o or_o shall_v we_o say_v that_o he_o only_o separate_v the_o dregs_o for_o his_o ingenious_a major_n a_o i_o be_o sure_a he_o have_v be_v very_o disingenuous_a in_o his_o translation_n for_o he_o have_v not_o only_o abuse_v his_o major_n but_o his_o reader_n also_o nay_o tacitus_n himself_o tacitus_n say_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v effigiem_fw-la animalis_fw-la quo_fw-la monstratore_fw-la errorem_fw-la sitimque_fw-la depulerant_fw-la penetrali_fw-la sacravere_fw-la which_o place_n he_o thus_o translate_v they_o likewise_o consecrate_a the_o effigy_n of_o a_o ass_n for_o be_v their_o guide_n to_o the_o water_n where_o they_o satisfy_v their_o thirst_n whereas_o tacitus_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o ass_n unless_o animal_n be_v latin_a for_o a_o ass_n and_o whereas_o tacitus_n say_v they_o consecrate_v a_o animal_n in_o penetrali_fw-la that_o be_v their_o holy_a of_o holies_n he_o omit_v that_o word_n the_o lie_n be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o ingenious_a major_n can_v not_o swallow_v it_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v conjecture_v why_o he_o shall_v only_o translate_v two_o three_o and_o omit_v the_o other_o but_o that_o he_o conceive_v the_o part_n untranslate_v will_v have_v spoil_v his_o project_n for_o there_o be_v a_o palpable_a contradiction_n in_o tacitus_n which_o render_v his_o account_n fabulous_a in_o the_o part_n untranslate_v tacitus_n say_v aegyptii_fw-la effigy_n venerantur_fw-la judai_n sola_fw-la ment_fw-la the_o egyptian_n worship_n image_n the_o jew_n abhor_v they_o tacitus_n also_o add_v judaei_n nulla_fw-la simulachra_fw-la habent_fw-la in_o urbibus_fw-la nedum_fw-la in_o templis_fw-la the_o jew_n have_v not_o grave_v image_n nor_o idol_n to_o be_v see_v in_o their_o city_n much_o less_o in_o their_o temple_n the_o contrary_a whereof_o we_o find_v in_o the_o translation_n of_o mr._n blount_n as_o also_o in_o tacitus_n pag._n 132._o abraham_n and_o moses_n seem_v first_o to_o institute_v religious_a worship_n and_o both_o of_o they_o be_v well_o skill_v in_o egyptian_a learning_n which_o give_v â—ecasion_n for_o some_o to_o think_v that_o moses_n and_o the_o jew_n take_v divers_a of_o their_o custom_n from_o the_o egyptian_n as_o for_o instance_n their_o circumcision_n because_o herodotus_n say_v that_o the_o phaenician_o and_o syrian_n in_o palestine_n whieh_o must_v be_v the_o jew_n since_o none_o else_o use_v it_o in_o palestine_n take_v their_o circumcision_n from_o the_o egyptian_n as_o also_o say_v he_o they_o confess_v the_o fame_n themselves_o nor_o do_v josephus_n deny_v as_o much_o answer_n we_o know_v nothing_o for_o certain_a concern_v the_o institution_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o from_o moses_n and_o from_o he_o gen._n 4._o ver_fw-la 26._o we_o learn_v that_o man_n begin_v to_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o day_n of_o enos_n that_o be_v the_o number_n of_o family_n increase_v in_o the_o day_n of_o enos_n they_o appoint_v more_o public_a place_n for_o god_n service_n in_o which_o at_o set_a time_n they_o may_v together_o and_o in_o a_o more_o solemn_a congregation_n worship_v their_o great_a creator_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o chaldeo_fw-la interpreter_n and_o approve_v by_o our_o present_n most_o reverend_a archbishop_n in_o his_o discourse_n of_o idolatry_n p._n 40._o josephus_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o antiquity_n chap._n 4._o say_v that_o for_o seven_o generation_n man_n persevere_v in_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n and_o have_v a_o regard_n to_o virtue_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n man_n degenerate_v and_o forsake_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o institution_n of_o their_o ancestor_n if_o this_o seem_v otherwise_o to_o mr._n blount_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o since_o p._n 17._o he_o positive_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v write_v by_o another_o hand_n after_o his_o decease_n that_o moses_n be_v institute_v in_o the_o egyptian_a learning_n we_o ready_o grant_v he_o be_v account_v but_o some_o of_o the_o gentile_n a_o egyptian_a priest_n but_o the_o same_o can_v be_v affirm_v of_o abraham_n josephus_n be_v very_o plain_a when_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o antiquity_n chap._n 9_o he_o assert_n that_o the_o egyptian_n learn_v all_o the_o knowledge_n they_o have_v in_o arithmetic_n and_o astronomy_n from_o abraham_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o abraham_n come_v into_o egypt_n he_o teach_v the_o egyptian_n astronomy_n and_o arithmetic_n of_o which_o they_o be_v ignorant_a before_o so_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o science_n come_v first_o from_o the_o chaldean_n to_o the_o egyptian_n and_o from_o they_o to_o the_o greek_n whether_o moses_n and_o the_o jew_n take_v circumcision_n from_o the_o egyptian_n have_v be_v a_o subject_a of_o great_a dispute_n the_o well_o know_a place_n in_o herodotus_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o say_v so_o much_o although_o our_o late_a great_a critic_n bisnagius_n in_o his_o exerc._n hist_o critic_n p._n 119._o will_n by_o no_o mean_n grant_v it_o grotius_n in_o his_o annotation_n on_o the_o one_a book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n religion_n cite_v herodotus_n at_o large_a and_o charge_v herodotus_n with_o report_v a_o untruth_n he_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o herodotus_n say_v that_o the_o jew_n confess_v that_o they_o learn_v the_o rite_n of_o circumcision_n from_o the_o jew_n but_o he_o say_v herodotus_n do_v they_o a_o injury_n in_o say_v so_o tantum_n vero_fw-la abest_fw-la say_v grotius_n ut_fw-la judaei_n fassi_fw-la sunt_fw-la unquam_fw-la ab_fw-la aegyptiis_fw-la se_fw-la accepisse_fw-la hunc_fw-la ritum_fw-la ut_fw-la contra_fw-la aperte_fw-la dicunt_fw-la aegyptios_n ab_fw-la josepho_n didicisse_fw-la circumcidi_fw-la it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o truth_n that_o the_o jew_n shall_v confess_v that_o they_o receive_v this_o rite_n from_o the_o egyptian_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n they_o bold_o affirm_v that_o the_o egyptian_n learned_a circumcision_n from_o joseph_n and_o for_o this_o grotius_n in_o the_o place_n cite_v refer_v to_o authority_n what_o mr._n blount_n write_v concern_v josephus_n the_o historian_n be_v of_o no_o moment_n josephus_n in_o the_o 8_o book_n of_o his_o antiquity_n ch_n 4._o cite_v this_o place_n of_o herodotus_n he_o cite_v the_o same_o place_n also_o in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o apian_a neither_o do_v he_o deny_v in_o those_o place_n what_o herodotus_n affirm_v but_o be_v altogether_o silent_a of_o which_o silence_n bisnagius_n exerc._n hist_n crit._n p._n 120._o give_v a_o good_a account_n because_o say_v he_o josephus_n have_v long_o before_o express_v his_o opinion_n of_o the_o original_a of_o circumcision_n lib._n 1._o antiq._n c._n 11._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d god_n command_v that_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n shall_v be_v circumcise_v that_o they_o may_v keep_v themselves_o a_o part_n and_o separate_v from_o all_o other_o and_o josephus_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n lib._n 1._o c._n 22._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d abraham_n be_v a_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o isaac_n be_v bear_v who_o be_v circumcise_v the_o eight_o day_n and_o the_o same_o custom_n be_v continue_v for_o the_o circumcision_n of_o child_n after_o the_o same_o number_n of_o day_n from_o which_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o josephus_n his_o opinion_n of_o circumcision_n be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o herodotus_n he_o say_v the_o jew_n have_v it_o from_o the_o egyptian_n josephus_n say_v they_o have_v it_o from_o god_n and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v distinguish_v from_o other_o nation_n and_o consequent_o circumcision_n be_v among_o the_o jew_n long_o before_o the_o egyptian_n have_v it_o so_o that_o mr._n blount_n may_v just_o
all_o the_o old_a paraphrast_n call_v shilo_n the_o messiah_n the_o targum_fw-la of_o jerusalem_n render_v it_o express_o until_o the_o time_n when_o king_n messiah_n shall_v come_v jonathan_n render_v it_o until_o the_o time_n when_o messiah_n shall_v come_v onkilos_fw-la until_o messiah_n come_v who_o be_v the_o kingdom_n the_o talmud_n also_o reckon_v shilo_n among_o the_o name_n of_o the_o messiah_n hoornbeck_n write_v of_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o jew_n reckon_v the_o concurrence_n of_o divers_a rabbi_n to_o this_o interpretation_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n morney_n du_fw-fr plessis_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n cap._n 27._o all_o which_o authority_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o ancient_a jew_n understand_v this_o prophecy_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o this_o be_v no_o imagination_n according_a to_o a_o fantastic_a cabbala_n as_o be_v wicked_o suggest_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o exposition_n be_v confirm_v by_o the_o word_n which_o follow_v to_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v for_o this_o be_v the_o same_o character_n by_o which_o he_o be_v declare_v to_o abraham_n in_o thy_o seed_n shall_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v he_o be_v signify_v also_o by_o this_o character_n in_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n in_o that_o day_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o root_n of_o jesse_n which_o shall_v stand_v for_o a_o ensign_n of_o the_o people_n to_o it_o shall_v the_o gentile_n seek_v and_o his_o rest_n shall_v be_v glorious_a as_o also_o in_o the_o prophet_n micah_n the_o mountain_n of_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v establish_v on_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o the_o people_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o and_o thus_o the_o blessing_n of_o judah_n be_v plain_o understand_v judah_n thou_o be_v he_o who_o thy_o brethren_n shall_v praise_v thy_o hand_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o neck_n of_o thy_o enemy_n thy_o father_n child_n shall_v bow_v down_o before_o thou_o now_o this_o blessing_n be_v to_o make_v way_n for_o a_o great_a this_o government_n be_v not_o to_o fail_v until_o there_o come_v a_o son_n out_o of_o judah_n loin_n great_a than_o he_o for_o whereas_o judah_n dominion_n reach_v only_o to_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n the_o dominion_n of_o he_o who_o come_v out_o of_o his_o loin_n shall_v be_v over_o the_o world_n all_o nation_n shall_v serve_v he_o see_v then_o that_o this_o exposition_n be_v not_o only_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a jew_n but_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o how_o great_o have_v mr._n blount_n err_v in_o affirm_v that_o this_o exposition_n be_v occasion_v by_o the_o introduction_n of_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n page_n 158._o as_o for_o the_o messiah_n be_v of_o the_o line_n of_o david_n this_o be_v no_o general_a opinion_n for_o how_o then_o can_v any_o have_v imagine_v herod_n the_o great_a to_o have_v be_v the_o messiah_n answer_n if_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v be_v good_a there_o be_v no_o general_a opinion_n concern_v any_o thing_n leo_n modena_n in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o present_a jew_n p._n 249._o acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o 12_o article_n of_o their_o belief_n be_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v yet_o to_o come_v and_o modena_n pag._n 247._o say_v that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o article_n which_o be_v general_o believe_v by_o all_o jew_n without_o contradiction_n yet_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la p._n 226._o of_o the_o sibilline_a oracle_n tell_v we_o ne_fw-fr nunc_fw-la quidem_fw-la inter_fw-la judaeos_fw-la desint_fw-la qui_fw-la herodem_fw-la pro_fw-la messia_n admittant_fw-la there_o be_v not_o want_v now_o some_o among_o the_o jew_n who_o affirm_v that_o herod_n be_v the_o messiah_n be_v there_o any_o opinion_n more_o general_a than_o that_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n yet_o some_o philosopher_n have_v deny_v it_o have_v there_o not_o be_v some_o prodigy_n in_o nature_n who_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o motion_n yet_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a aristotle_n in_o his_o metaphysic_n dispute_v against_o some_o who_o deny_v that_o it_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n for_o the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v and_o not_o to_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o i_o presume_v most_o man_n think_v the_o contrary_a to_o be_v a_o general_a opinion_n in_o a_o word_n this_o method_n of_o argumentation_n use_v by_o our_o author_n be_v very_o ridiculous_a for_o what_o tully_n in_o his_o book_n the_o nat_n deorum_fw-la speak_v be_v very_o manifest_a nihil_fw-la tam_fw-la absurdum_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la dixerit_fw-la aliquis_fw-la philosophorum_fw-la nothing_o contain_v so_o great_a a_o absurdity_n but_o some_o philosopher_n or_o other_o will_v contend_v for_o it_o pag._n 158._o how_o can_v josephus_n fix_v that_o character_n upon_o vespasian_n as_o he_o who_o shall_v restore_v the_o empire_n and_o glory_n of_o israel_n to_o who_o all_o nation_n shall_v bow_v and_o submit_v unto_o his_o sceptre_n answer_n josephus_n seek_v the_o favour_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o he_o be_v kind_o use_v by_o they_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o strange_a he_o shall_v interpret_v oracle_n in_o favour_n of_o vespasian_n none_o of_o the_o jew_n beside_o he_o do_v so_o philostratus_n say_v that_o apollonius_n tianaeus_n be_v familiar_a with_o vespasian_n and_o he_o indeed_o apply_v the_o oracle_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o king_n promise_v to_o vespasian_n but_o he_o be_v a_o vain_a sycophant_n a_o magician_n and_o in_o this_o very_a ridiculous_a but_o notwithstanding_o their_o flattery_n vespasian_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n he_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o oracle_n do_v belong_v to_o one_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o of_o david_n family_n wherefore_o he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o destroy_v the_o whole_a race_n of_o that_o family_n as_o eusebius_n inform_v we_o lib._n 3._o cap._n 11._o and_o 12._o page_n 158._o i_o do_v not_o read_v that_o the_o jew_n harbour_v any_o such_o exposition_n during_o their_o captivity_n under_o nabuchadnezzar_n albeit_o that_o the_o sceptre_n be_v at_o that_o time_n so_o depart_v from_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n that_o it_o be_v never_o resettled_a in_o it_o more_o answer_n i_o have_v already_o make_v it_o plain_a that_o the_o authentic_a paraphrast_n of_o the_o jew_n understand_v it_o in_o this_o sense_n as_o also_o god_n holy_a prophet_n our_o author_n take_v for_o grant_v that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o king_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n until_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v not_o affirm_v by_o the_o prophecy_n we_o ready_o acknowl'dge_v that_o judah_n be_v not_o a_o kingdom_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n for_o there_o be_v no_o kingly_a authority_n in_o judah_n before_o david_n nor_o after_o zedekiah_n unless_o you_o perhaps_o count_v the_o macchabee_n of_o who_o tribe_n there_o be_v some_o dispute_n as_o du_n plessis_n morney_n assure_v we_o c._n 29._o of_o his_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o herod_n who_o be_v a_o idumaean_a the_o mean_v therefore_o of_o the_o prophecy_n be_v not_o that_o judah_n shall_v have_v a_o king_n till_o the_o messiah_n come_v or_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o kingdom_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o state_n a_o body_n politic_a have_v power_n of_o government_n within_o its_o self_n until_o messiah_n come_v wherefore_o the_o seventy_o for_o sceptrum_fw-la a_o sceptre_n translate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o ruler_n not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o king_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o governor_n shall_v not_o fail_v to_o be_v in_o judah_n it_o shall_v not_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o government_n although_o it_o have_v no_o king_n of_o that_o title_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o sceptre_n depart_v from_o the_o pole_n whether_o the_o elector_n of_o saxony_n or_o prince_n of_o conti_n enjoy_v it_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n episcopius_n in_o his_o institution_n true_o assert_n nec_fw-la dubitandum_fw-la quin_fw-la respublica_fw-la ista_fw-la quando_fw-la ei_fw-la praecrant_fw-la levitae_fw-la hasmonâ—i_fw-la aut_fw-la herodes_n idumaeus_n aut_fw-la quicunque_fw-la alius_fw-la eamque_fw-la ex_fw-la legibus_fw-la &_o more_a populi_fw-la regebant_fw-la respublica_fw-la semper_fw-la manserit_fw-la populi_fw-la judaici_n eaque_fw-la nomenclatura_fw-la ubique_fw-la venerit_fw-la ut_fw-la ex_fw-la historia_fw-la temporum_fw-la manifestum_fw-la est_fw-la it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o republic_n of_o jewry_n when_o the_o hasmonean_a levite_n preside_v or_o herod_n the_o idumean_n or_o whosoever_o else_o govern_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o people_n of_o jewry_n this_o republic_n so_o long_o continue_v and_o it_o have_v that_o denomination_n as_o be_v manifest_a out_o of_o history_n
fame_n of_o which_o have_v fill_v the_o whole_a world_n but_o peradventure_o their_o record_n be_v incombustible_a or_o reserve_v in_o the_o great_a wall_n for_o the_o pre-adamites_a alone_o to_o consult_v but_o the_o mischief_n of_o all_o be_v that_o this_o king_n chingi_n be_v a_o ambitious_a prince_n and_o for_o this_o end_n burn_v all_o those_o history_n that_o he_o may_v obliterate_v and_o blot_v out_o of_o man_n remembrance_n all_o the_o noble_a act_n of_o his_o predecessor_n the_o same_o vossius_fw-la in_o his_o castigation_n ad_fw-la scriptum_n hornii_n ch_n 12._o cite_v martinius_n who_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o their_o traditional_a antiquity_n sciendum_fw-la itaque_fw-la extremam_fw-la hanc_fw-la asiam_fw-la primum_fw-la septem_fw-la habuisse_fw-la imperatores_fw-la quorum_fw-la ab_fw-la electione_n per_fw-la suffragia_fw-la ab_fw-la anno_fw-la nimirum_fw-la ante_fw-la christum_fw-la natum_fw-la 2846_o usque_fw-la ad_fw-la annum_fw-la 2207_o ante_fw-la quae_fw-la tempora_fw-la nihil_fw-la very_fw-la se_fw-la habuisse_fw-la in_o suis_fw-la historiis_fw-la fatentur_fw-la sinae_n deinde_fw-la hareditaria_fw-la fuit_fw-la successio_fw-la we_o must_v therefore_o know_v that_o this_o extreme_a eastern_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v first_o of_o all_o seven_o emperor_n who_o be_v create_v by_o the_o election_n of_o the_o people_n before_o our_o christian_a computation_n 2846_o even_o to_o the_o year_n 1205._o before_o which_o time_n the_o chinenses_n have_v no_o true_a historical_a account_n as_o they_o confess_v themselves_o and_o then_o their_o government_n begin_v to_o be_v hereditary_a how_o vast_o wide_a and_o different_a be_v this_o account_n from_o the_o traditional_a account_n our_o author_n give_v we_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o panzon_n and_o panzona_n and_o from_o that_o of_o the_o brahmin_n of_o guzarat_n joseph_n scaliger_n in_o his_o five_o book_n de_fw-fr emendat_fw-la tempor_fw-la reckon_v the_o chinese_n among_o those_o qui_fw-la veris_fw-la historiae_fw-la monumentis_fw-la destituti_fw-la hinc_fw-la multa_fw-la annorum_fw-la millia_fw-la &_o quaedam_fw-la immania_fw-la temporum_fw-la intervalla_fw-la expressit_fw-la ab_fw-la illis_fw-la tam_fw-la temporum_fw-la inscilia_fw-la quam_fw-la vetustatis_fw-la affectatio_fw-la they_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o true_a monument_n of_o antiquity_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o boast_v of_o so_o many_o thousand_o year_n and_o those_o wonderful_a interval_n of_o time_n which_o their_o ignorance_n of_o history_n and_o their_o affectation_n of_o antiquity_n occasion_v from_o this_o ignorance_n and_o affectation_n spring_v those_o infinite_a dynasteis_fw-la of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o those_o monstrous_a tradition_n of_o the_o chinenses_n as_o have_v hear_v beside_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v we_o have_v no_o certain_a knowledge_n what_o kind_n of_o year_n they_o use_v which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v as_o before_o we_o observe_v concern_v the_o mosaic_a history_n the_o computation_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o same_o objection_n and_o whereas_o our_o author_n say_v they_o be_v not_o lunar_a it_o be_v not_o material_a for_o each_o of_o the_o 330_o king_n may_v reign_v a_o competent_a number_n of_o solar_a year_n upon_o this_o his_o supposition_n and_o this_o any_o man_n may_v perceive_v that_o know_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o solar_a and_o a_o lunar_a year_n as_o they_o be_v vulgar_o understand_v he_o that_o will_v defend_v the_o egyytian_a chronology_n must_v of_o necessity_n understand_v some_o form_n of_o year_n different_a from_o the_o mosaic_a as_o when_o they_o report_v of_o their_o ancient_a king_n that_o some_o of_o they_o live_v 300_o some_o 1000_o year_n and_o more_o as_o we_o find_v in_o varro_n cite_v by_o lactantius_n book_n 2._o orig._n error_n c._n 12._o where_o although_o lactantius_n differ_v somewhat_o from_o varro_n yet_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n itself_o they_o may_v be_v well_o enough_o reconcile_v we_o shall_v therefore_o speak_v of_o the_o egyptian_a year_n forasmuch_o as_o macrobius_n lib._n 1._o cap._n 12._o satur._n say_v anni_fw-la certus_fw-la modus_fw-la apâ—ld_n solos_fw-la aegyptios_n aliarum_fw-la gentium_fw-la dispari_fw-la modo_fw-la pari_fw-la errore_fw-la mutantur_fw-la the_o egyptian_n be_v the_o best_a skill_a in_o chronology_n of_o any_o nation_n for_o other_o although_o in_o a_o different_a manner_n yet_o they_o all_o err_v much_o in_o this_o particular_a wherefore_o if_o we_o demonstrate_v the_o great_a variety_n and_o uncertainty_n that_o be_v among_o the_o egyptian_n in_o this_o point_n we_o do_v according_a to_o macrobius_n subvert_v the_o whole_a pagan_a chronology_n and_o the_o dream_n of_o the_o preadamite_n plutarch_n in_o the_o life_n of_o numa_n pompilius_n affirm_v that_o before_o numa_n who_o add_v january_n and_o february_n the_o roman_a year_n contain_v but_o ten_o month_n among_o some_o barbarous_a people_n the_o year_n contain_v but_o three_o month_n in_o greece_n among_o the_o arcadian_n but_o four_o month_n among_o the_o acarnane_n six_o among_o the_o egyptian_n a_o month_n be_v a_o year_n and_o afteward_n their_o year_n contain_v four_o month_n the_o egyptian_n be_v think_v to_o be_v most_o ancient_a and_o to_o compute_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o year_n in_o their_o annal_n the_o reason_n of_o which_o proceed_v from_o their_o use_v month_n for_o year_n alexander_n ab_fw-la alexandro_n book_n 3._o c._n 24._o dier_n gen._n writing_n of_o the_o variety_n of_o year_n use_v by_o the_o ancient_n say_v of_o the_o egyptian_n non_fw-la una_fw-la fancy_n sed_fw-la multiplici_fw-la sort_n variarunt_fw-la ut_fw-la quandoque_fw-la trium_fw-la saepius_fw-la quatuor_fw-la mensium_fw-la annum_fw-la efficerent_fw-la plerumque_fw-la mensis_fw-la spatio_fw-la ad_fw-la cursum_fw-la lunae_fw-la metiebantur_fw-la the_o egyptian_n do_v not_o use_v one_o kind_n of_o year_n for_o sometime_o their_o year_n consist_v but_o of_o three_o month_n more_o often_o of_o four_o and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n it_o be_v but_o a_o lunar_a month._n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o uncertain_a than_o their_o account_n of_o time_n which_o yet_o be_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o true_a history_n and_o that_o in_o thing_n so_o remote_a we_o can_v have_v no_o sure_a foot_n but_o in_o the_o mosaic_a history_n of_o who_o chronology_n and_o the_o certainty_n thereof_o we_o have_v discourse_v at_o large_a pag._n 192._o as_o to_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o good_a and_o evil_n methinks_v it_o be_v less_o contradictory_n and_o unreasonable_a to_o believe_v as_o the_o ancient_a persian_n do_v that_o there_o be_v two_o beginning_n of_o thing_n the_o one_o good_a the_o other_o evil_n for_o how_o can_v evil_a proceed_v from_o a_o be_v infinite_o good_a and_o without_o who_o nothing_o be_v if_o evil_a be_v not_o and_o if_o genesis_n be_v a_o parable_n the_o persian_n may_v be_v in_o the_o right_a as_o much_o as_o the_o jew_n answer_n the_o origin_n of_o evil_n have_v much_o exercise_v the_o philosopher_n of_o old_a nor_o can_v we_o have_v any_o certainty_n thereof_o without_o reveal_v religion_n for_o how_o otherwise_o can_v we_o come_v to_o the_o right_a notion_n of_o sin_n or_o a_o deviation_n from_o good_a in_o all_o man_n a_o lapse_n from_o our_o first_o estate_n wherein_o god_n who_o be_v all_o good_a create_v we_o how_o perplex_v our_o author_n be_v about_o this_o question_n for_o in_o this_o page_n he_o affirm_v that_o if_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v a_o parable_n and_o he_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v so_o the_o persian_n may_v be_v in_o the_o right_a as_o much_o as_o the_o jew_n and_o yet_o page_n 205._o he_o affirm_v that_o this_o lapse_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v discover_v by_o natural_a reason_n if_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v according_a to_o natural_a reason_n as_o mr._n blount_n bear_v we_o in_o hand_n how_o can_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o persian_n which_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a to_o it_o be_v in_o the_o right_a these_o be_v great_a in_o consistency_n if_o the_o persian_n lay_v aside_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n may_v be_v in_o the_o right_n our_o author_n discourse_n of_o natural_a religion_n be_v ridiculous_a for_o he_o suppose_v page_n 195._o the_o first_o article_n of_o natural_a religion_n to_o be_v that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n infinite_a eternal_a and_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n whereas_o the_o persian_n make_v two_o anti-god_n equal_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a and_o that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v the_o author_n of_o good_a and_o the_o other_o of_o evil._n so_o that_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o persian_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n for_o while_o they_o make_v two_o god_n they_o make_v none_o at_o all_o and_o consequent_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n and_o atheism_n and_o the_o great_a contradiction_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o persian_n be_v very_o palpable_a if_o this_o persian_a principle_n of_o evil_a be_v absolute_o contrary_a to_o the_o other_o principle_n of_o good_a it_o must_v in_o all_o its_o perfection_n be_v contrary_a to_o it_o now_o since_o all_o perfection_n belong_v to_o that_o