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
that_o their_o most_o ancient_a book_n be_v in_o hieroglyphic_n which_o be_v not_o expound_v by_o any_o who_o live_v near_o than_o mdcc_o year_n to_o the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o that_o the_o number_n in_o computation_n be_v sometime_o mistake_v or_o that_o month_n be_v put_v for_o year_n but_o of_o what_o antiquity_n or_o authority_n soever_o their_o first_o writer_n be_v there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o book_n now_o remain_v since_o that_o general_a destruction_n of_o all_o ancient_a book_n by_o the_o emperor_n xi_o hoam_n ti_o who_o live_v but_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n he_o command_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n all_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n to_o be_v destroy_v relate_v either_o to_o history_n or_o philosophy_n especial_o the_o book_n of_o confucius_n and_o kill_v many_o of_o their_o learned_a man_n so_o that_o from_o his_o time_n they_o have_v only_o some_o fragment_n of_o old_a author_n leave_v the_o chinese_n be_v a_o people_n vain_a enough_o and_o love_n to_o magnify_v themselves_o to_o the_o european_n which_o make_v they_o endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o believe_v that_o their_o antiquity_n be_v sufficient_o entire_a notwithstanding_o this_o destruction_n of_o their_o book_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o describe_v the_o emperor_n observatory_n as_o the_o most_o complete_a and_o the_o best_a fit_v for_o the_o use_n of_o astronomy_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o upon_o the_o view_n it_o appear_v very_o inconsiderable_a and_o the_o instrument_n be_v find_v useless_a and_o new_a one_o be_v place_v in_o their_o room_n make_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o father_n verbiest_n this_o people_n after_o all_o their_o boast_n of_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v a_o exact_a calendar_n and_o their_o table_n of_o eclipse_n be_v so_o uncorrect_a that_o they_o can_v scarce_o foretell_v about_o what_o time_n that_o of_o the_o sun_n shall_v happen_v and_o in_o a_o petition_n which_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n in_o favour_n it_o seem_v to_o the_o missionary_n have_v private_o draw_v up_o to_o be_v present_v by_o they_o to_o himself_o in_o public_a it_o be_v say_v that_o father_n adam_n schaal_n make_v it_o know_v to_o all_o the_o court_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o celestial_a motion_n establish_v by_o the_o ancient_a astronomer_n of_o china_n be_v all_o false_a and_o not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n of_o china_n but_o the_o chief_a mandarine_n be_v so_o ignorant_a and_o superstitious_a that_o when_o they_o see_v the_o sun_n or_o moon_n under_o a_o eclipse_n with_o sacrifice_n and_o other_o rite_n and_o with_o great_a noise_n and_o clamour_n they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o rescue_v they_o from_o the_o dog_n or_o dragon_n which_o they_o imagine_v be_v like_a to_o devour_v they_o so_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o pretence_n which_o the_o several_a nation_n among_o the_o heathen_n have_v make_v to_o antiquity_n without_o any_o ground_n from_o history_n but_o upon_o wander_a discourse_n of_o observation_n in_o astronomy_n which_o they_o have_v little_a or_o no_o skill_n in_o and_o it_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o divers_a learned_a man_n that_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o the_o very_o best_a of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v but_o man_n who_o the_o scripture_n mention_v as_o worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n such_o as_o noâ—h_v joseph_n moses_n etc._n etc._n 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 propagation_n of_o the_o several_a religion_n profess_v among_o the_o heathen_n have_v be_v very_o inconsiderable_a for_o they_o be_v never_o extant_a in_o book_n to_o be_v public_o read_v and_o examine_v but_o their_o mystery_n be_v keep_v secret_a and_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o knowledge_n the_o people_n have_v of_o they_o be_v from_o the_o priest_n every_o country_n have_v its_o peculiar_a deity_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v seldom_o receive_v or_o know_v but_o in_o those_o place_n where_o they_o be_v first_o set_v up_o the_o 3._o the_o valer-max_n de_fw-fr peregrina_fw-la relig._n rejecta_fw-la lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o roman_n reject_v many_o foreign_a religion_n as_o abominable_a and_o none_o of_o their_o religion_n ever_o prevail_v but_o where_o they_o have_v the_o temporal_a power_n to_o uphold_v they_o and_o they_o lose_v ground_n daily_o by_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n whilst_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppress_v it_o and_o to_o maintain_v the_o heathen_a religion_n against_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v at_o this_o day_n preach_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o its_o first_o propagation_n as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v before_o but_o where_o christianity_n have_v prevail_v heathenism_n have_v be_v never_o able_a to_o maintain_v its_o ground_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o but_o christian_n except_v some_o few_o jew_n to_o be_v find_v in_o christian_a country_n which_o make_v a_o great_a abatement_n in_o the_o disproportion_n that_o heathenism_n in_o general_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v in_o its_o number_n above_o christianity_n but_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n here_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v whether_o any_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n exceed_v or_o equal_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o point_n of_o promulgation_n for_o who_o ever_o can_v imagine_v that_o all_o or_o any_o great_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n must_v suppose_v god_n to_o reveal_v contradiction_n the_o question_n before_o we_o be_v not_o whether_o heathen_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o christian_n but_o whether_o any_o of_o their_o religion_n have_v be_v as_o full_o promulge_v as_o the_o christian_a one_o herald_n be_v enough_o to_o promulge_v a_o law_n to_o many_o thousand_o the_o city_n of_o nineve_n be_v convert_v by_o one_o prophet_n and_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v more_o christian_n in_o it_o than_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v chap._n iii_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o history_n but_o that_o many_o wonder_n have_v be_v do_v by_o magician_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n have_v be_v foreshow_v and_o foretell_v among_o heathen_n by_o dream_n and_o prodigy_n and_o oracle_n which_o do_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o then_o all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o there_o be_v invisible_a power_n and_o that_o devil_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o man_n can_v do_v and_o to_o know_v more_o than_o man_n can_v know_v for_o which_o reason_n in_o former_a age_n there_o be_v no_o more_o doubt_n make_v whether_o there_o be_v spirit_n than_o whether_o there_o be_v man_n in_o the_o world_n for_o they_o be_v continual_o sensible_a of_o the_o operation_n and_o effect_n of_o invisible_a being_n which_o make_v they_o exceed_o prone_a to_o idolatry_n but_o not_o incline_v to_o atheism_n and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o now_o in_o heathen_a country_n where_o apparition_n and_o delusion_n of_o evil_a spirit_n be_v affirm_v by_o all_o writer_n to_o be_v very_o frequent_a but_o if_o at_o any_o time_n evil_a spirit_n by_o their_o subtlety_n and_o experience_n and_o knowledge_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o world_n do_v foretell_v thing_n which_o according_o come_v to_o pass_n they_o be_v thing_n that_o happen_v not_o long_o after_o and_o common_o such_o as_o themselves_o do_v excite_v and_o prompt_v man_n to_o thus_o when_o the_o conspiracy_n against_o caesar_n be_v come_v just_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n and_o the_o devil_n have_v his_o agent_n concern_v in_o it_o he_o can_v foretell_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o his_o death_n but_o it_o have_v be_v foretell_v to_o pompey_n crassus_n and_o caesar_n himself_o before_o as_o two_o as_o tull._n de_fw-fr divin_n lib._n two_o tully_n inform_v we_o from_o his_o own_o knowledge_n that_o they_o shall_v all_o die_v in_o their_o bed_n and_o in_o a_o honourable_a old_a age._n some_o oracle_n may_v possible_o take_v their_o answer_n from_o the_o scripture_n as_o that_o of_o jupiter_n hammon_n concern_v alexander_n victory_n if_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o a_o piece_n of_o flattery_n which_o prove_v true_a by_o chance_n evil_a spirit_n may_v likewise_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v man_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o victory_n the_o same_o day_n they_o be_v win_v as_o it_o be_v relate_v ib._n relate_v ib._n of_o several_a and_o in_o
the_o adversary_n of_o our_o religion_n concern_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o proceed_n before_o i_o come_v to_o give_v a_o short_a account_n of_o my_o present_a undertake_n i._o whatever_o knowledge_n almost_o we_o have_v now_o leave_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o other_o heathen_a nation_n it_o come_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o greek_a author_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o nation_n which_o general_o have_v a_o worse_a reputation_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n not_o only_o by_o common_a fame_n and_o the_o invective_n of_o satirist_n but_o from_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o best_a writer_n and_o the_o accusation_n which_o the_o historian_n madâ—_n one_o of_o another_o as_o 〈◊〉_d as_o vid._n 〈◊〉_d soph_n contrâ—_n apion_n lib_n 〈◊〉_d josephus_n show_v of_o many_o who_o work_n be_v now_o lose_v 20.21_o lose_v thuâ—â—â—_n lib._n 1._o c._n 20.21_o thucydides_n himself_o can_v not_o escape_v free_a from_o censure_n who_o complain_v of_o the_o negligence_n and_o unfaithfulness_n of_o the_o other_o greek_a historian_n and_o he_o be_v think_v to_o point_v particular_o at_o herodotus_n who_o plutarch_n expose_v in_o a_o set_a discourse_n though_o much_o indeed_o have_v be_v say_v in_o vindication_n of_o herodotus_n by_o h._n stephens_n and_o joac_n camerarius_fw-la and_o the_o discovery_n of_o modern_a traveller_n confirm_v many_o thing_n in_o this_o history_n which_o be_v former_o think_v incredible_a xv_o incredible_a strab._n geogr._n lib._n xv_o straho_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o greek_n know_v little_a of_o the_o most_o famous_a nation_n of_o asia_n except_o the_o persian_n and_o that_o homer_n know_v nothing_o of_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o assurians_n or_o mede_n but_o that_o he_o have_v omit_v the_o mention_n of_o the_o magnisicence_n of_o babylon_n nineveh_n and_o echatane_n though_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o egyptian_a thebes_n and_o of_o the_o wealth_n both_o of_o that_o place_n and_o of_o phaemcia_n catiline_n phaemcia_n sallust_n bell._n catiline_n sallust_n suspect_v that_o the_o athentan_n too_o high_o magnify_v their_o own_o action_n and_o there_o be_v in_o aâ—reliano_n in_o neminem_fw-la scripâ—orum_fw-la quâ—nâ—â—n_fw-la ad_fw-la hâ—storiâ—â—_n pertinâ—t_fw-la non_fw-la aliquid_fw-la esse_fw-la man_n iâ—â—m_fw-la vâ—â—â—â—sc_n in_o aâ—reliano_n vopiscus_n a_o severe_a charge_n against_o the_o historian_n in_o general_a that_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o who_o have_v not_o falsify_v in_o some_o thing_n or_o other_o particular_o that_o as_o to_o livy_n sallust_n tacitus_n and_o trogus_n pompetus_n it_o may_v be_v clear_o prove_v upon_o they_o and_o 14._o and_o in_o faedere_fw-la quod_fw-la expulâ—is_fw-la regibas_fw-la populo_fw-la romano_n dedit_fw-la porsâ—na_fw-la nominatim_fw-la comprehâ—â—sum_fw-la inve_v â—mus_fw-la ne_fw-la ferro_fw-la nisi_fw-la in_o agriculturâ_fw-la uterentur_fw-la plin._n nat._n hist_o lib._n xxxiv_o c._n 14._o pliny_n have_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o instance_n of_o great_a partiality_n in_o the_o roman_a history_n which_o conceal_v that_o porsena_n in_o his_o league_n with_o the_o people_n of_o rome_n oblige_v they_o to_o make_v no_o use_n of_o iron_n but_o for_o the_o tilling_n of_o the_o ground_n this_o pliny_n confess_v be_v a_o express_a article_n of_o that_o league_n and_o how_o unlike_a be_v the_o roman_a to_o the_o jewish_a history_n in_o this_o very_a instance_n for_o in_o the_o scripture_n we_o find_v it_o twice_o mention_v that_o the_o israelite_n be_v reduce_v to_o that_o condition_n that_o they_o be_v permit_v to_o have_v no_o weapon_n of_o war._n judâ—_n v._o 8._o 1_o sam._n xiii_o 19_o but_o the_o roman_a 19_o roman_a tacent_fw-la id_fw-la historici_fw-la ut_fw-la pudeâ—â—tumâ—ictori_fw-la post_v gentium_fw-la populiâ—at_fw-la plinius_n ingegenue_fw-fr satetur_fw-la grot._fw-la ad_fw-la 1_o sam._n xiii_o 19_o historian_n have_v more_o regard_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o roman_a name_n than_o to_o truth_n and_o it_o be_v no_o commendation_n of_o the_o same_o historian_n that_o they_o take_v so_o little_a notice_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o say_v so_o little_a to_o their_o advantage_n when_o they_o do_v speak_v of_o they_o since_o josephus_n have_v prove_v the_o league_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o roman_n and_o the_o privilege_n grant_v they_o by_o the_o roman_n beyond_o all_o denial_n from_o the_o table_n then_o extant_a wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v 1._o contain_v liv._o lib._n 6._o â—_o 1._o livy_n declare_v that_o most_o of_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n whether_o public_a or_o private_a be_v destroy_v when_o the_o city_n be_v burn_v by_o the_o gaul_n and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n his_o history_n to_o the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o city_n near_o four_o hundred_o year_n after_o it_o be_v first_o build_v be_v but_o uncertain_a the_o most_o ancient_a write_n which_o have_v any_o relation_n to_o history_n among_o the_o roman_n be_v their_o funeral_n oration_n these_o be_v preserve_v in_o their_o several_a family_n which_o as_o brut._n as_o lic_n brut._n tully_n confess_v cause_v their_o history_n to_o be_v faulty_a many_o thing_n be_v insert_v in_o this_o sort_n of_o work_n which_o be_v never_o do_v false_a triumph_n false_a consulship_n and_o false_a genealogy_n the_o annales_n 2._o annales_n id._n de_fw-fr orat._n lib._n 2._o maximi_fw-la be_v of_o good_a use_n but_o they_o contain_v only_o the_o first_o line_n and_o rough_a draught_n of_o history_n which_o appear_v quite_o another_o thing_n when_o it_o be_v fill_v up_o and_o represent_v entire_a with_o the_o reason_n and_o circumstance_n of_o affair_n according_a to_o the_o pleasure_n or_o skill_n of_o the_o writer_n but_o the_o praise_n brut_v praise_n id._n brut_v of_o their_o ancestor_n be_v sing_v in_o verse_n at_o their_o banquet_n where_o strict_a truth_n can_v rare_o be_v hear_v the_o general_n of_o army_n sometime_o have_v poeta_fw-la have_v id._n pro_fw-la aâ—câ—ia_fw-la poeta_fw-la their_o historian_n or_o poet_n along_o with_o they_o who_o they_o liberal_o reward_v we_o may_v be_v sure_a not_o for_o tell_v when_o they_o be_v beat_v atticus_n brut._n atticus_n quoniam_fw-la quidem_fw-la concessum_fw-la est_fw-la rhetoribus_fw-la ementiri_fw-la in_o historiis_fw-la ut_fw-la ut_fw-la aâ—iquid_fw-la dicere_fw-la possim_fw-la arguâ—ius_fw-la id._n brut._n in_o tully_n say_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o course_n to_o relate_v matter_n of_o history_n not_o according_a to_o truth_n but_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v best_o show_v the_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n of_o the_o writer_n tully_n lay_v 2._o lay_v de_fw-fr orat._n lib._n 2._o it_o down_o as_o a_o know_a and_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o history_n that_o a_o historian_n shall_v dare_v to_o say_v any_o truth_n but_o nothing_o that_o be_v false_a yet_o in_o a_o epistle_n to_o luceius_n who_o he_o entreat_v to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o his_o own_o ministration_n of_o affair_n he_o earnest_o beseech_v 6._o beseech_v epist_n famil_n lib._n â—_o epist_n 12._o ad_fw-la attic._n lib._n 4._o epist_n 6._o luceius_n in_o plain_a term_n to_o neglect_v the_o law_n of_o history_n in_o his_o favour_n and_o to_o disregard_n truth_n and_o as_o if_o this_o have_v be_v a_o thing_n not_o unusual_a or_o at_o least_o warrantable_a enough_o he_o commend_v this_o epistle_n in_o another_o to_o atticus_n and_o desire_v he_o to_o promote_v the_o design_n it_o have_v be_v remark_v by_o some_o as_o a_o fate_n upon_o cicero_n that_o this_o testimony_n of_o his_o vanity_n shall_v remain_v when_o the_o history_n of_o which_o he_o be_v so_o desirous_a be_v lose_v if_o it_o be_v ever_o write_v but_o who_o know_v how_o many_o such_o epistle_n be_v lose_v when_o the_o history_n be_v preserve_v this_o be_v in_o common_a with_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a historian_n that_o they_o put_v such_o speech_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a into_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o several_a person_n concern_v in_o the_o action_n they_o relate_v which_o give_v another_o view_n and_o appearance_n to_o the_o scene_n of_o affair_n and_o acquaint_v we_o not_o what_o such_o person_n say_v or_o think_v but_o what_o the_o historian_n will_v have_v speak_v and_o what_o advice_n he_o will_v have_v give_v if_o he_o have_v be_v in_o their_o place_n herodotus_n have_v much_o of_o the_o simplicity_n of_o ancient_a time_n his_o speech_n be_v natural_a contain_v for_o the_o most_o part_n but_o a_o bare_a narrative_n of_o what_o be_v say_v or_o do_v only_o the_o â—_z tell_v their_o own_o story_n but_o of_o all_o the_o speech_n which_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v withal_o in_o any_o history_n there_o be_v none_o so_o natural_a or_o which_o have_v such_o plain_a character_n of_o truth_n in_o they_o as_o those_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o antiquity_n of_o china_n be_v destroy_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n and_o from_o the_o several_a relation_n give_v of_o that_o matter_n by_o different_a author_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o chineses_n be_v rather_o willing_a to_o have_v it_o believe_v that_o their_o old_a book_n be_v in_o some_o strange_a manner_n
man_n be_v without_o doubt_n a_o necessary_a and_o most_o valuable_a part_n of_o learning_n but_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n more_o impertinent_a than_o a_o impertinent_a critic_n it_o be_v a_o great_a thing_n if_o it_o be_v well_o consider_v to_o set_v the_o bound_n and_o fix_v the_o territory_n of_o learning_n to_o adjudge_v to_o every_o author_n his_o own_o work_n and_o say_v that_o this_o book_n or_o perhaps_o some_o small_a part_n of_o a_o book_n shall_v be_v he_o and_o the_o other_o he_o shall_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v withal_o this_o be_v no_o trivial_a matter_n nor_o of_o small_a consequence_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o any_o one_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o for_o contradict_v the_o receive_a opinion_n and_o be_v more_o confident_a than_o other_o and_o the_o less_o occasion_n there_o be_v for_o these_o critic_n the_o more_o danger_n there_o be_v from_o they_o for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o work_n for_o they_o they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o make_v themselves_o work_v and_o what_o author_n will_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v before_o man_n who_o business_n and_o ambition_n it_o be_v to_o find_v fault_n but_o though_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o critic_n be_v very_o large_a and_o absolute_a yet_o i_o have_v take_v care_v not_o to_o come_v under_o it_o but_o have_v purposely_o avoid_v insist_v upon_o any_o authority_n which_o have_v fall_v under_o their_o dispute_n unless_o it_o be_v perhaps_o in_o speak_v of_o the_o sibyl_n but_o there_o i_o have_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o best_a critic_n beside_o evident_a reason_n on_o my_o side_n so_o far_o as_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o they_o 4._o a_o pretence_n to_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n without_o reason_n or_o ground_n for_o it_o in_o behalf_n of_o some_o particular_a error_n have_v weaken_a the_o belief_n of_o the_o true_a miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o whilst_o laborious_a endeavour_n have_v be_v use_v to_o show_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v true_a unless_o those_o doctrine_n be_v true_a which_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o it_o the_o quite_o contrary_a have_v happen_v to_o what_o in_o charity_n we_o must_v suppose_v these_o author_n design_v for_o instead_o of_o own_v their_o religion_n to_o be_v true_a man_n who_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o pretence_n have_v take_v they_o at_o their_o word_n and_o have_v be_v forward_o to_o grant_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n true_a and_o therefore_o not_o they_o 5._o i_o shall_v show_v at_o large_a in_o due_a time_n that_o the_o many_o difference_n and_o dispute_n in_o religion_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o it_o but_o they_o be_v notwithstanding_o a_o great_a scandal_n and_o temptation_n and_o a_o great_a hindrance_n to_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n especial_o as_o they_o be_v common_o manage_v whilst_o by_o all_o imaginable_a art_n and_o mean_n man_n of_o different_a party_n and_o opinion_n strive_v to_o run_v down_o their_o adversary_n those_o who_o be_v concern_v will_v do_v well_o i_o shall_v think_v to_o consider_v what_o mischief_n may_v ensue_v through_o the_o imprudent_a and_o unchristian_a management_n of_o dispute_n even_o in_o a_o right_a cause_n which_o have_v no_o need_n of_o such_o method_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v the_o less_o excusable_a who_o use_v they_o in_o defence_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n if_o we_o will_v convince_v or_o persuade_v man_n in_o any_o other_o thing_n we_o never_o be_v wont_a to_o think_v it_o a_o proper_a expedient_a to_o use_v they_o ill_o and_o give_v they_o hard_a word_n and_o be_v rough_a usage_n proper_a only_o for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o a_o religion_n of_o peace_n and_o meekness_n and_o charity_n i_o know_v what_o example_n may_v be_v produce_v to_o countenance_v this_o practice_n but_o those_o great_a author_n have_v excellency_n enough_o for_o our_o imitation_n we_o need_v not_o imitate_v their_o fault_n our_o bless_a saviour_n indeed_o himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o always_o forbear_v severe_a language_n but_o then_o they_o speak_v with_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o authority_n and_o know_v how_o to_o speak_v to_o the_o heart_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o ear_n of_o man_n and_o full_o perceive_v when_o this_o be_v the_o last_o and_o only_a remedy_n to_o be_v use_v they_o can_v strike_v dead_a with_o their_o word_n and_o be_v infallible_a in_o the_o use_n of_o such_o expression_n as_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o present_a occasion_n either_o to_o comfort_n or_o to_o terrify_v sinner_n and_o awaken_v they_o to_o repentance_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o a_o seasonable_a reproof_n or_o rebuke_n though_o it_o be_v very_o severe_a may_v be_v not_o only_o consistent_a with_o charity_n but_o may_v also_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o and_o if_o ever_o we_o may_v speak_v with_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o meekness_n and_o gentleness_n of_o christ_n we_o must_v do_v it_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v call_v in_o question_n and_o that_o by_o christian_n we_o live_v in_o a_o age_n in_o which_o man_n think_v they_o have_v do_v a_o great_a thing_n and_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o value_v themselves_o upon_o if_o they_o can_v but_o start_v a_o bold_a objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n though_o it_o have_v never_o so_o little_a sense_n in_o it_o we_o have_v sufficient_a warrant_n to_o treat_v these_o man_n as_o they_o deserve_v for_o the_o apostle_n be_v command_v according_a to_o a_o custom_n in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o shake_v off_o the_o dust_n off_o their_o foot_n against_o such_o as_o reject_v their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o least_o we_o can_v say_v to_o they_o be_v to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o if_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v we_o be_v sorry_a for_o it_o but_o can_v help_v it_o and_o that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o worst_a of_o it_o mr._n hobbs_n himself_o will_v allow_v that_o a_o atheist_n ought_v to_o be_v banish_v as_o a_o public_a mischief_n and_o scarce_o any_o term_n can_v be_v too_o severe_a for_o those_o who_o open_o apostatise_v from_o the_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o have_v be_v baptize_v and_o blaspheme_v that_o holy_a name_n by_o which_o they_o be_v call_v we_o must_v not_o so_o debase_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o seem_v to_o beg_v their_o approbation_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a we_o have_v little_a need_n of_o in_o the_o present_a case_n i_o be_o far_o from_o think_v any_o thing_n small_a or_o inconsiderable_a in_o which_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v concern_v but_o certain_o a_o great_a distinction_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o they_o from_o who_o we_o differ_v in_o particular_a point_n though_o of_o great_a moment_n and_o consequence_n and_o those_o who_o rejct_v the_o whole_a our_o chief_a zeal_n and_o strength_n shall_v be_v employ_v against_o the_o common_a enemy_n who_o delight_n in_o our_o quarrel_n and_o sport_n themselves_o with_o the_o mutual_a wound_n we_o so_o free_o give_v one_o another_o 9_o we_o have_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n among_o we_o who_o from_o hence_o have_v take_v occasion_n to_o make_v it_o their_o whole_a business_n both_o by_o their_o discourse_n and_o write_n to_o laugh_v all_o religion_n and_o morality_n out_o of_o the_o world_n which_o have_v make_v our_o very_a wit_n to_o degenerate_v though_o this_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n for_o which_o these_o man_n seem_v to_o value_v themselves_o and_o our_o poem_n with_o all_o their_o soft_a number_n and_o flow_a style_n to_o be_v far_o from_o deserve_a commendation_n for_o this_o way_n of_o write_v be_v as_o much_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o poetry_n as_o against_o those_o of_o virtue_n and_o they_o can_v never_o answer_v it_o to_o their_o own_o art_n whatever_o they_o may_v do_v to_o their_o conscience_n but_o aught_o to_o be_v censure_v for_o be_v ill_a poet_n as_o well_o as_o ill_a men._n a_o fine_a say_v a_o soft_a or_o bold_a expression_n or_o a_o pretty_a character_n be_v this_o all_o we_o have_v in_o exchange_n for_o our_o reason_n and_o religion_n which_o these_o man_n have_v so_o laborious_o decry_v some_o of_o the_o best_a poet_n of_o our_o age_n have_v be_v so_o sensible_a of_o the_o dishonour_n hereby_o do_v to_o god_n the_o disservice_n to_o mankind_n and_o the_o disgrace_n to_o so_o noble_a a_o art_n that_o they_o have_v employ_v their_o genius_n a_o better_a way_n but_o the_o extravagant_a raillery_n against_o religion_n have_v be_v the_o more_o licentious_a and_o the_o more_o frequent_a not_o only_o because_o it_o have_v meet_v with_o applause_n from_o so_o many_o who_o be_v none_o of_o the_o wise_a part_n of_o mankind_n but_o
because_o it_o be_v the_o easy_a way_n of_o wit_n flow_v so_o natural_o from_o the_o very_a temper_n and_o inclination_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o any_o smart_a reflection_n may_v easy_o be_v take_v from_o another_o subject_n and_o apply_v here_o with_o advantage_n because_o it_o look_v more_o extravagant_a and_o dare_a and_o surprise_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o for_o the_o bold_a irreverent_a use_n of_o it_o what_o be_v there_o in_o religion_n if_o it_o be_v untrue_a that_o can_v seem_v ridiculous_a what_o in_o the_o awful_a majesty_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n that_o can_v provonke_v the_o laughter_n and_o mockery_n of_o any_o but_o fool_n and_o madman_n it_o be_v not_o obvious_a to_o conceive_v why_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o a_o man_n part_n to_o revile_v his_o god_n than_o his_o prince_n to_o speak_v blasphemy_n than_o it_o be_v to_o speak_v treason_n or_o why_o the_o wit_n shall_v atone_v for_o the_o crime_n more_o in_o the_o one_o case_n than_o in_o the_o other_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v a_o very_a moderate_a share_n of_o that_o will_v serve_v the_o turn_n in_o both_o case_n produce_v your_o cause_n say_v the_o lord_n bring_v forth_o your_o strong_a reason_n say_v the_o god_n of_o jacob._n 7._o and_o indeed_o from_o the_o wit_n and_o drollery_n of_o some_o other_o have_v take_v the_o confidence_n to_o proceed_v to_o argument_n but_o they_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v either_o strong_a or_o plausible_a for_o i_o never_o in_o my_o life_n observe_v so_o much_o disingenuity_n so_o vain_a a_o affectation_n of_o learning_n and_o so_o groundless_a a_o pretence_n to_o reason_n as_o in_o these_o men._n the_o extravagancy_n of_o cardan_n be_v know_v to_o all_o that_o ever_o hear_v of_o he_o the_o lust_n and_o pride_n and_o base_a flattery_n of_o vaninus_n be_v every_o where_o visible_a aut_fw-la deus_fw-la est_fw-la aut_fw-la vaninus_n be_v such_o a_o expression_n as_o no_o man_n beside_o ever_o use_v in_o a_o dialogue_n of_o himself_o and_o mr._n hobb_n love_n of_o singularity_n and_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n be_v evident_a from_o his_o own_o confession_n and_o my_o late_a lord_n clarendon_n who_o know_v he_o well_o have_v acquaint_v the_o world_n both_o with_o the_o temper_n and_o design_n of_o the_o man_n and_o with_o the_o error_n of_o his_o write_n but_o i_o shall_v come_v down_o low_o and_o examine_v a_o little_a the_o argument_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o will_v take_v it_o ill_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v that_o they_o have_v not_o retain_v and_o improve_v all_o the_o profound_a reason_n of_o their_o predecessor_n in_o irreligion_n which_o we_o may_v expect_v to_o find_v abridge_v in_o a_o book_n bear_v the_o title_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o reason_n a_o rhapsody_n of_o letter_n and_o some_o small_a tract_n of_o divers_a men._n but_o here_o i_o need_v not_o much_o concern_v myself_o with_o what_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o author_n of_o religio_fw-la medici_n and_o of_o the_o archaeologiae_fw-la philosophicae_fw-la because_o these_o author_n notwithstanding_o those_o objection_n profess_v a_o unfeinged_a belief_n of_o reveal_v religion_n in_o these_o very_a book_n though_o the_o transcriber_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o acquaint_v his_o reader_n with_o such_o profession_n for_o fear_v of_o bring_v a_o antidote_n with_o his_o poison_n but_o since_o those_o objection_n be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v that_o effect_n upon_o the_o author_n themselves_o all_o that_o they_o can_v serve_v for_o be_v to_o show_v that_o they_o can_v make_v a_o deist_n of_o none_o but_o a_o weak_a or_o a_o ill_a man._n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o preface_n of_o religio_fw-la medici_n to_o see_v how_o disingenuous_a it_o be_v to_o quote_v any_o thing_n from_o that_o book_n as_o the_o fix_a and_o mature_a thought_n of_o sir_n thomas_n brown_n but_o as_o if_o this_o have_v not_o be_v disingenuity_n enough_o we_o have_v he_o bring_v in_o say_v the_o quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o we_o find_v in_o his_o book_n 22._o book_n relig._n med._n par_fw-fr 1._o §._o 22._o how_o all_o the_o kind_n of_o creature_n say_v sir_n thomas_n not_o only_o in_o their_o own_o bulk_n but_o with_o a_o competency_n of_o food_n and_o sustenance_n may_v be_v preserve_v in_o one_o ark_n and_o within_o the_o extent_n of_o three_o hundred_o cubit_n to_o a_o reason_n that_o right_o examine_v it_o will_v appear_v very_o feasible_a thus_o it_o be_v both_o in_o the_o book_n itself_o and_o in_o the_o annotation_n upon_o it_o but_o our_o 5._o our_o oracle_n of_o reason_n p._n 5._o transcriber_n have_v make_v the_o author_n say_v quite_o contrary_a that_o this_o will_v not_o appear_v very_o feasible_a what_o be_v transcribe_v likewise_o from_o the_o same_o author_n book_n 9_o book_n ibid._n p._n 9_o of_o vulgar_a error_n be_v not_o fair_o cite_v and_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v that_o this_o learned_a author_n have_v a_o whole_a chapter_n in_o that_o very_a work_n concern_v 4._o concern_v vulg._n error_n l._n 5._o c._n 4._o the_o temptation_n of_o eve_n by_o the_o serpent_n where_o that_o be_v clear_v which_o be_v 1._o be_v ibid._n l._n 1._o c._n 1._o before_o bring_v only_o as_o a_o objection_n and_o transcribe_v by_o mr._n blount_n how_o the_o translator_n have_v deal_v with_o the_o author_n of_o archaeologiae_fw-la philosophicae_fw-la i_o have_v not_o his_o book_n by_o i_o to_o examine_v he_o be_v live_v to_o vindicate_v himself_o one_o thing_n i_o have_v observe_v that_o mr._n blount_n assure_v we_o that_o 3._o that_o oracle_n of_o reason_n p._n 3._o this_o learned_a author_n do_v as_o strenuous_o affirm_v as_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n about_o six_o thousand_o year_n since_o whereas_o the_o translation_n which_o this_o gentleman_n send_v mr._n gildon_n with_o his_o letter_n say_v 73._o say_v ibid._n p._n 73._o that_o to_o prescribe_v the_o divine_a creation_n so_o short_a a_o epocha_n as_o the_o limit_n of_o six_o thousand_o year_n it_o be_v wat_fw-mi he_o never_o dare_v now_o either_o mr._n blount_n or_o the_o translator_n be_v mistake_v in_o their_o author_n and_o i_o rather_o think_v the_o latter_a must_v mistake_v he_o for_o whenever_o the_o world_n have_v be_v create_v there_o must_v have_v be_v a_o time_n when_o it_o have_v exi_v but_o six_o thousand_o year_n and_o then_o the_o shortness_n of_o the_o epocha_n may_v have_v be_v object_v as_o well_o as_o now_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o prevent_v this_o objection_n unless_o the_o world_n can_v have_v be_v eternal_a which_o be_v likewise_o impossible_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o time_n which_o be_v successive_a necessary_o imply_v a_o beginning_n and_o as_o this_o author_n by_o his_o translator_n speak_v in_o that_o place_n we_o can_v form_v to_o ourselves_o any_o idea_n of_o a_o thing_n create_v from_o eternity_n but_o what_o be_v cite_v out_o of_o either_o of_o these_o author_n will_v fall_v under_o some_o of_o the_o head_n which_o be_v to_o be_v treat_v of_o in_o another_o book_n which_o i_o design_v upon_o this_o subject_a i_o shall_v therefore_o here_o only_o single_a out_o such_o particular_n as_o be_v the_o proper_a notion_n and_o conceit_n of_o our_o deist_n and_o of_o which_o i_o have_v no_o thought_n or_o occasion_n to_o speak_v elsewhere_o mr._n blount_n 160._o blount_n ibid._n p._n 160._o will_v have_v the_o prophecy_n of_o jacob_n concern_v the_o sceptre_n be_v not_o be_v to_o depart_v from_o judah_n till_o the_o come_v of_o shiloh_n to_o have_v be_v first_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o cabalist_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o not_o to_o have_v be_v expound_v of_o david_n line_n till_o the_o reign_n of_o herod_n at_o least_o not_o general_o for_o here_o he_o be_v not_o so_o positive_a as_o a_o man_n may_v have_v be_v in_o a_o thing_n pure_o of_o his_o own_o invention_n but_o do_v he_o bring_v any_o proof_n or_o probability_n for_o what_o he_o say_v no_o it_o be_v mere_a conjecture_n contrary_a to_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a exposition_n of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n but_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o cabbala_n and_o the_o pharisee_n hate_v herod_n and_o the_o herodian_o flatter_v he_o and_o josephus_n flatter_v vespasian_n and_o therefore_o from_o some_o circumstance_n superficial_o frame_v and_o put_v together_o he_o will_v needs_o gather_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v contradict_v by_o other_o without_o any_o consideration_n have_v to_o what_o so_o many_o have_v say_v to_o reconcile_v they_o in_o the_o same_o place_n he_o say_v that_o the_o jew_n reckon_v the_o book_n of_o daniel_n among_o their_o hagiographa_n or_o sacred_a but_o not_o canonical_a book_n father_n simon_n to_o who_o write_n i_o suppose_v this_o gentleman_n be_v no_o stranger_n may_v
undeceive_v he_o in_o this_o matter_n his_o word_n be_v these_o 238._o these_o castigat_fw-la ad_fw-la opusc_n isaaci_fw-la vossii_n p._n 238._o novi_fw-la quidem_fw-la judaeos_fw-la de_fw-la germana_n vocis_fw-la illius_fw-la cetuvim_fw-la significatione_n inter_fw-la se_fw-la non_fw-la convenire_fw-la et_fw-la omnes_fw-la sentiant_fw-la cetuvim_fw-la seu_fw-la hagiographos_n non_fw-la minus_fw-la divinos_fw-la esse_fw-la &_o canonicos_fw-la quam_fw-la reliquos_fw-la veteris_fw-la instrumenti_fw-la libros_fw-la and_o he_o plain_o prove_v his_o assertion_n the_o same_o gentleman_n 221._o gentleman_n oracle_n of_o reason_n pag._n 221._o tell_v we_o that_o josephus_n confess_v that_o he_o dare_v not_o presume_v to_o compare_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o infallible_a write_n of_o the_o egyptian_n chaldaean_n and_o phoenician_n for_o which_o he_o refer_v his_o reader_n to_o josephus_n contra_fw-la apion_n lib._n 1._o where_o he_o will_v find_v the_o quite_o contrary_a for_o josephus_n make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o confute_v the_o heathen_a historian_n and_o to_o vindicate_v the_o jewish_a antiquity_n against_o they_o and_o to_o show_v how_o they_o contradict_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o in_o what_o they_o relate_v of_o the_o jew_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n 25._o scripture_n anima_fw-la mundi_fw-la p._n 25._o and_o yet_o this_o notorious_a mistake_n be_v again_o repeat_v by_o our_o author_n which_o any_o one_o may_v confute_v that_o will_v look_v into_o josephus_n the_o design_n of_o his_o first_o book_n against_o apion_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o jewish_a antiquity_n against_o the_o greek_n from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o egyptian_n phoenician_n and_o chaldaean_n josephus_n say_v he_o wonder_n at_o those_o who_o think_v that_o the_o greek_n alone_o ought_v to_o be_v regard_v in_o matter_n of_o antiquity_n whereas_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o of_o ancient_a date_n their_o city_n their_o art_n their_o law_n be_v but_o of_o late_a original_a and_o their_o history_n latter_a than_o all_o these_o but_o the_o greek_n themselves_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v very_o ancient_a account_n of_o former_a time_n among_o the_o egyptian_n the_o chaldaean_n and_o the_o phoenician_n 〈◊〉_d phoenician_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o i_o omit_v say_v he_o for_o the_o present_a to_o put_v our_o own_o nation_n into_o the_o number_n with_o they_o this_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o say_v that_o he_o dare_v not_o presume_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o comparison_n for_o he_o do_v show_v soon_o after_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v take_v as_o much_o care_n in_o the_o writing_n and_o preserve_v their_o antiquity_n as_o these_o nation_n or_o any_o other_o can_v possible_o do_v but_o it_o have_v not_o be_v to_o his_o purpose_n to_o mention_v the_o jew_n in_o that_o place_n with_o the_o rest_n because_o he_o bring_v his_o argument_n from_o the_o confession_n of_o foreign_a historian_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o greek_n to_o be_v of_o much_o great_a authority_n in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n than_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o themselves_o 218._o themselves_o oracle_n of_o reason_n p._n 218._o a_o little_a before_o have_v translate_v something_o out_o of_o ocellus_n lucanus_n to_o prove_v the_o world_n eternal_a this_o gentleman_n thus_o subjoin_v now_o it_o be_v very_o much_o that_o this_o author_n ocellus_n lucanus_n who_o for_o his_o antiquity_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v almost_o contemporary_a with_o moses_n if_o not_o before_o he_o shall_v have_v so_o different_a a_o sentiment_n of_o the_o world_n beginning_n from_o that_o which_o moses_n have_v methinks_v if_o moses_n his_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o adam_n be_v the_o first_o man_n have_v be_v a_o general_a receive_v opinion_n at_o that_o time_n ocellus_n lucanus_n who_o be_v so_o ancient_a and_o so_o eminent_a a_o philosopher_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v altogether_o ignorant_a thereof_o but_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v if_o ocellus_n lucanus_n be_v not_o so_o ancient_a but_o of_o no_o antiquity_n in_o comparison_n of_o moses_n then_o methinks_v this_o author_n may_v have_v spare_v his_o pain_n and_o his_o inference_n and_o of_o what_o antiquity_n ocellus_n lucanus_n be_v be_v show_v by_o ludovicus_n nogarola_n who_o translate_v this_o piece_n of_o ocellus_n lucanus_n into_o latin_a and_o publish_v it_o with_o his_o own_o observation_n upon_o it_o for_o he_o make_v it_o appear_v from_o plato_n that_o the_o ancestor_n of_o this_o ocellus_n be_v banish_v from_o troy_n under_o laomedon_n come_v to_o myra_n a_o city_n in_o lycia_n but_o laomedon_n be_v the_o father_n of_o priamus_n in_o who_o time_n as_o every_o body_n know_v happen_v the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n and_o jair_n be_v then_o judge_n of_o israel_n about_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o they_o have_v be_v in_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_v land_n he_o far_o show_v from_o lucian_n that_o ocellus_n lucanus_n be_v a_o scholar_n of_o pythagoras_n who_o live_v sure_a long_o enough_o after_o moses_n to_o save_v our_o author_n criticism_n or_o to_o expose_v it_o indeed_o the_o best_a account_n we_o have_v in_o heathen_a antiquity_n agree_v exact_o with_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n aristotle_n 1._o aristotle_n grot._n de_fw-fr verit._n annot._fw-la ad_fw-la c._n 7._o l._n 1._o himself_o be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o doctrine_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n and_o he_o 10._o he_o aristot_n de_fw-fr coelo_fw-la l._n 1._o c._n 10._o confess_v that_o all_o the_o philosopher_n assert_v the_o creaation_n of_o it_o and_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o creation_n 3._o creation_n metaphys_n l._n 1._o c._n 3._o he_o say_v it_o be_v esteem_v a_o very_a ancient_a doctrine_n and_o thought_n by_o some_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a theologist_n that_o it_o be_v form_v out_o of_o water_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o 2._o that_o tull._n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n l._n 1._o de_fw-fr legib._n l._n 2._o thales_n the_o first_o greek_a philosopher_n who_o treat_v of_o these_o thing_n one_o of_o the_o seven_o wise_a man_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o wise_a of_o they_o in_o tully_n judgement_n teach_v that_o god_n form_v all_o thing_n out_o of_o water_n the_o same_o gentleman_n have_v observe_v 93._o observe_v oracl_n of_o reason_n p._n 93._o that_o the_o epicurean_a deist_n labour_v to_o have_v their_o vice_n impute_v rather_o to_o a_o superiority_n of_o their_o reason_n above_o that_o of_o other_o than_o to_o a_o servitude_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o their_o own_o passion_n which_o show_v vice_n be_v natural_o esteem_v a_o base_a and_o low_a thing_n it_o be_v but_o too_o plain_a that_o this_o be_v his_o own_o case_n as_o his_o unhappy_a death_n declare_v this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v how_o little_a this_o book_n deserve_v the_o vain_a title_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o reason_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o meet_v with_o any_o book_n which_o have_v less_o right_a to_o so_o high_a a_o pretence_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n but_o of_o one_o thing_n more_o and_o that_o be_v 187._o be_v ibid._n p._n 187._o mr._n gildon_n attempt_n to_o prove_v the_o materiality_n of_o the_o soul_n his_o argument_n be_v as_o unlikely_a to_o prove_v it_o as_o most_o i_o have_v see_v but_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o notion_n to_o be_v absurd_a in_o itself_o and_o impossible_a to_o be_v maintain_v the_o essence_n of_o all_o matter_n must_v be_v the_o same_o whether_o extension_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o be_v assign_v as_o the_o essence_n of_o it_o and_o though_o we_o may_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o essence_n of_o matter_n yet_o we_o know_v it_o can_v be_v essential_a to_o it_o to_o think_v for_o then_o all_o matter_n will_v necessary_o think_v but_o the_o difference_n in_o the_o several_a sort_n of_o matter_n can_v be_v only_o in_o accident_n that_o be_v in_o bulk_n rest_v motion_n situation_n and_o figure_n none_o of_o which_o can_v render_v matter_n capable_a of_o thought_n for_o if_o a_o different_a bulk_n of_o matter_n can_v produce_v think_v in_o it_o and_o the_o subtle_a matter_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o think_v and_o reason_n though_o the_o gross_a can_v then_o the_o part_n of_o a_o stone_n will_v think_v when_o it_o be_v ground_n to_o dust_n though_o when_o they_o be_v join_v and_o compact_v together_o they_o make_v up_o a_o body_n as_o unlikely_a to_o think_v as_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v imagine_v if_o rest_n can_v cause_v matter_n to_o think_v a_o stone_n will_v be_v the_o most_o think_v creature_n in_o the_o world_n if_o motion_n can_v cause_v it_o then_o that_o which_o move_v with_o most_o quickness_n will_v think_v most_o as_o fire_n and_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n but_o motion_n be_v only_o a_o successive_a change_n of_o place_n and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o matter_n shall_v think_v
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
signal_n judgement_n from_o heaven_n and_o moses_n advance_v neither_o of_o he_o and_o both_o moses_n and_o aaron_n die_v by_o the_o particular_a appointment_n and_o command_n of_o god_n for_o their_o offence_n against_o he_o never_o enjoy_v nor_o for_o a_o long_a time_n before_o expect_v to_o enjoy_v the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o therefore_o as_o they_o can_v never_o have_v perform_v what_o they_o do_v but_o by_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n so_o they_o can_v have_v no_o motive_n or_o inducement_n to_o attempt_v it_o but_o his_o command_n and_o promise_v of_o assistance_n reveal_v to_o they_o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o pentateuch_n as_o the_o book_n entitle_v to_o moses_n be_v confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n so_o we_o have_v it_o confirm_v to_o we_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o heathen_a writer_n themselves_o that_o the_o book_n which_o go_v under_o his_o name_n be_v indeed_o of_o his_o writing_n beside_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n ever_o since_o moses_n time_n from_o the_o first_o writing_n of_o they_o which_o be_v infinite_o better_a proof_n of_o their_o be_v authentic_a and_o entitle_v to_o the_o true_a author_n than_o can_v be_v pretend_v for_o any_o book_n but_o the_o holy_a scripture_n divers_a text_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n imply_v that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n as_o well_o as_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n import_v as_o much_o and_o though_o some_o passage_n have_v be_v think_v to_o imply_v the_o contrary_a yet_o this_o be_v but_o a_o late_a opinion_n and_o have_v be_v sufficient_o confute_v by_o learned_a men._n it_o be_v observable_a whoever_o write_v these_o five_o book_n that_o there_o be_v no_o partiality_n show_v to_o any_o one_o whosoever_o noah_n be_v say_v to_o be_v overcome_v with_o wine_n and_o expose_v to_o the_o mockery_n of_o one_o of_o his_o son_n lot_n be_v describe_v not_o only_o to_o have_v be_v drunken_a but_o to_o have_v lie_v with_o his_o own_o daughter_n abraham_n himself_o deny_v his_o wife_n twice_o and_o isaac_n imitate_v he_o in_o it_o jacob_n get_v the_o blessing_n by_o fraud_n and_o subtilty_n from_o his_o brother_n esau_n joseph_n brethren_n sell_v he_o into_o egypt_n and_o he_o when_o he_o be_v there_o learn_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o life_n of_o pharaoh_n the_o fault_n of_o aaron_n and_o of_o moses_n himself_o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v be_v not_o conceal_v on_o the_o other_o side_n particular_a notice_n be_v take_v how_o melchizedeck_v bless_v abraham_n and_o receive_v tithe_n of_o he_o and_o without_o all_o contradiction_n the_o less_o be_v bless_v of_o the_o better_a heb._n seven_o 7._o the_o advice_n of_o jethro_n be_v record_v and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n himself_o be_v punctual_o set_v down_o it_o be_v no_o design_n of_o the_o sacred_a penman_n to_o write_v a_o panegyric_n upon_o any_o man_n but_o to_o represent_v the_o fail_n and_o infirmity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o excellency_n of_o each_o person_n and_o to_o show_v by_o what_o various_a method_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n bring_v to_o pass_v his_o gracious_a design_n how_o he_o turn_v evil_a into_o good_a and_o make_v use_v even_o of_o the_o infirmity_n and_o sin_n of_o man_n to_o accomplish_v his_o purpose_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n we_o have_v a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o most_o memorable_a and_o remarkable_a thing_n which_o have_v pass_v to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o custom_n of_o offer_v sacrifice_n as_o type_n of_o his_o death_n who_o first_o commit_v murder_n and_o who_o first_o bring_v in_o polygamy_n the_o inventon_n of_o divers_a art_n the_o flood_n the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n the_o original_a of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n with_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o whole_a all_o which_o be_v comprehend_v in_o a_o little_a compass_n but_o a_o large_a and_o more_o particular_a account_n be_v give_v of_o abraham_n and_o his_o family_n for_o here_o the_o scene_n begin_v to_o open_v to_o the_o main_a design_n of_o the_o work_n the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v as_o a_o introduction_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o contain_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o be_v premise_v and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n it_o be_v note_v that_o the_o canaanite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n gen._n twelve_o 6._o even_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o abraham_n erect_v a_o altar_n to_o the_o lord_n ver_fw-la 7._o this_o be_v a_o great_a encouragement_n to_o the_o israelite_n to_o excite_v they_o to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o their_o father_n abraham_n who_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n in_o a_o public_a and_o solemn_a manner_n in_o that_o land_n which_o they_o be_v now_o go_v to_o possess_v and_o among_o that_o people_n which_o they_o be_v now_o to_o drive_v out_o and_o which_o at_o that_o time_n when_o the_o land_n be_v promise_v they_o be_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o and_o god_n who_o have_v protect_v abraham_n in_o so_o signal_n a_o manner_n will_v no_o less_o assist_v they_o and_o if_o we_o consider_v those_o thing_n particular_o wherein_o moses_n himself_o be_v concen_v as_o a_o agent_n as_o well_o as_o a_o historian_n there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o any_o man_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o at_o least_o the_o principal_a point_n of_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n be_v true_a that_o be_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o governor_n or_o general_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n who_o conduct_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n that_o they_o travel_v for_o many_o year_n in_o the_o wilderness_n that_o they_o fight_v divers_a battle_n with_o the_o several_a nation_n who_o oppose_v their_o journey_v into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o that_o moses_n give_v they_o the_o law_n which_o we_o find_v there_o record_v these_o be_v the_o chief_a point_n of_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n the_o rest_n be_v but_o as_o circumstance_n to_o show_v the_o manner_n of_o do_v it_o and_o the_o power_n by_o which_o all_o this_o be_v do_v and_o that_o these_o main_a point_n be_v true_a it_o be_v never_o deny_v by_o those_o heathen_n themselves_o who_o most_o reproach_v and_o vilify_v the_o jewish_a nation_n they_o acknowledge_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o great_a general_n and_o lawgiver_n of_o the_o israelite_n they_o own_a that_o the_o israelite_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n they_o can_v deny_v nothing_o of_o the_o history_n itself_o but_o only_o give_v wrong_a account_n partly_o out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o out_o of_o malice_n and_o design_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o this_o be_v effect_v and_o the_o reason_n and_o occasion_n upon_o which_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v from_o the_o book_n of_o josephus_n against_o apion_n in_o which_o he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n of_o other_o nation_n have_v deliver_v concern_v the_o jew_n and_o from_o what_o the_o latter_a heathen_n strabo_n tacitus_n justin_n and_o other_o after_o the_o jew_n become_v so_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o nation_n have_v write_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a point_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v confess_v and_o the_o only_a dispute_n be_v concern_v the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v about_o and_o the_o mean_n whereby_o all_o be_v effect_v now_o we_o take_v the_o history_n of_o all_o other_o nation_n rather_o from_o themselves_o than_o from_o foreigner_n and_o stranger_n to_o their_o affair_n or_o profess_a enemy_n and_o it_o be_v extreme_a partiality_n to_o admit_v the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o the_o jewish_a affair_n from_o author_n who_o live_v so_o much_o too_o late_o to_o have_v any_o certain_a information_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v about_o and_o who_o upon_o every_o occasion_n show_v such_o disaffection_n to_o their_o name_n and_o nation_n and_o contradict_v each_o other_o and_o themselves_o too_o as_o josephus_n show_v it_o will_v i_o say_v be_v notorious_a partiality_n to_o follow_v such_o author_n rather_o than_o credit_v the_o jewish_a record_n attest_v and_o deliver_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o unanimous_a approbation_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n i_o shall_v prove_v that_o they_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o perform_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v feign_v or_o counterfeit_a at_o first_o nor_o the_o account_v give_v of_o they_o in_o the_o pentateuch_n falsify_v afterward_o and_o therefore_o
therefore_o whatsoever_o he_o do_v or_o write_v as_o by_o his_o direction_n and_o command_n be_v real_o so_o for_o if_o there_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o miracle_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o work_v perform_v by_o moses_n be_v such_o and_o therefore_o the_o only_a enquiry_n will_v be_v whether_o they_o be_v real_o perform_v by_o he_o since_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o think_v that_o god_n may_v not_o upon_o great_a reason_n alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o prove_v suppose_v only_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o moses_n and_o that_o the_o jewish_a law_n be_v give_v by_o he_o that_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n and_o stand_v confirm_v by_o all_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n to_o have_v be_v wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o deliver_v the_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n be_v affirm_v by_o the_o best_a heathen_a author_n as_o diodorus_n siculus_n strabo_n and_o other_o and_o be_v never_o yet_o that_o i_o have_v hear_v of_o question_v by_o any_o man_n for_o those_o who_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v that_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n which_o contain_v it_o yet_o confess_v that_o the_o law_n itself_o be_v of_o his_o prescribe_v but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v question_v whether_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o a_o man_n who_o give_v they_o their_o law_n how_o absurd_a be_v it_o to_o imagine_v that_o a_o new_a and_o burdensome_a law_n which_o at_o first_o be_v so_o very_o uneasy_a to_o they_o and_o which_o nothing_o but_o a_o full_a persunsion_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n can_v ever_o have_v make_v they_o so_o zealous_a for_o shall_v be_v receive_v by_o any_o nation_n mere_o upon_o a_o feign_a and_o groundless_a report_n that_o moses_n have_v at_o some_o time_n or_o other_o deliver_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o in_o such_o circumstance_n if_o there_o never_o have_v be_v such_o a_o man_n or_o such_o a_o lawgiver_n in_o the_o world_n can_v any_o one_o or_o more_o man_n persuade_v a_o whole_a nation_n to_o this_o or_o can_v a_o whole_a nation_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v their_o posterity_n with_o a_o belief_n of_o it_o what_o mighty_a charm_n can_v there_o be_v in_o a_o name_n never_o hear_v of_o before_o and_o in_o a_o story_n new_o invent_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v present_o grow_v fond_a of_o it_o they_o must_v consider_v humane_a nature_n very_o little_a who_o can_v fancy_n any_o thing_n so_o unnatural_a i_o shall_v therefore_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o moses_n and_o that_o the_o jewish_a law_n be_v give_v by_o he_o and_o if_o it_o be_v once_o prove_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o miracle_n relate_v of_o he_o be_v indeed_o perform_v as_o they_o be_v relate_v to_o have_v be_v no_o rational_a man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o a_o almighty_a power_n i_o shall_v now_o therefore_o consider_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n bare_o as_o national_a record_v not_o as_o write_v by_o a_o inspire_a author_n for_o it_o will_v appear_v from_o they_o consider_v only_o as_o a_o account_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o moses_n be_v a_o person_n inspire_v and_o assist_v by_o god_n and_o both_o write_v and_o do_v all_o by_o god_n express_a will_n and_o appointment_n and_o if_o we_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n in_o this_o matter_n when_o they_o be_v consider_v but_o as_o national_a record_v it_o must_v be_v upon_o one_o of_o these_o account_n either_o 1._o because_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o they_o as_o they_o be_v there_o relate_v to_o have_v be_v do_v be_v not_o at_o first_o sufficient_o attest_v or_o 2._o because_o the_o record_n themselves_o be_v seign_v and_o therefore_o the_o relation_n there_o set_v down_o be_v not_o to_o be_v depend_v upon_o for_o if_o the_o miracle_n be_v sufficient_o attest_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n then_o if_o the_o history_n be_v true_a the_o miracle_n must_v be_v so_o too_o 1._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 the_o permission_n of_o polygamy_n among_o the_o israelite_n for_o the_o increase_n of_o that_o people_n the_o peculiar_a fruitfulness_n of_o the_o climate_n of_o egypt_n where_o the_o woman_n be_v observe_v to_o bring_v forth_o often_o two_o or_o three_o sometime_o more_o child_n at_o a_o birth_n the_o long_a life_n of_o mankind_n in_o those_o age_n and_o above_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n that_o he_o will_v bless_v and_o multiply_v his_o posterity_n in_o isaac_n line_n gen._n xxii_o 17._o cause_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n to_o be_v exceed_o numerous_a in_o a_o few_o generation_n after_o they_o come_v into_o aeygpt_n a_o syrian_a ready_a to_o perish_v be_v their_o father_n and_o he_o go_v down_o into_o aeygpt_n and_o sojourn_v there_o with_o a_o few_o and_o become_v there_o a_o nation_n great_a mighty_a and_o populous_a deut._n xxvi_o 5._o the_o fighting-man_n from_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_a that_o be_v number_v in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o sinai_n in_o the_o second_o year_n after_o they_o come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n be_v six_o hundred_o thousand_o and_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o beside_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n num._n i._n 1_o 46_o 47._o and_o the_o male_n of_o the_o levite_n that_o be_v number_v from_o thirty_o year_n old_a to_o fifty_o be_v egtht_v thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fourscore_o num._n four_o 47_o 48._o and_o the_o number_n of_o male_n from_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_a which_o be_v take_v in_o the_o plain_n of_o moab_n be_v six_o hundred_o thousand_o and_o a_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o beside_o the_o levite_n and_o those_o that_o be_v number_v of_o they_o be_v twenty_o and_o three_o thousand_o all_o male_n from_o a_o month_n old_a and_o upward_a and_o not_o a_o man_n of_o these_o be_v number_v before_o in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o sinai_n chap._n xxvi_o 51_o 62_o 64._o and_o those_o of_o the_o other_o sex_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v about_o the_o same_o number_n when_o both_o these_o account_n be_v take_v in_o all_o reckon_v man_n woman_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n the_o number_n be_v compute_v at_o three_o million_o and_o all_o this_o people_n the_o parent_n and_o the_o child_n who_o as_o they_o die_v grow_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n be_v conduct_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o by_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v continual_o in_o their_o sight_n god_n take_v he_o a_o nation_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o another_o nation_n by_o temptation_n by_o sign_n and_o by_o wonder_n and_o by_o war_n and_o by_o a_o mighty_a hand_n and_o by_o a_o stretched-out_a arm_n and_o by_o great_a terror_n deut._n four_o 34._o they_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o there_o be_v miracle_n wrought_v to_o procure_v their_o deliverance_n out_o of_o egypt_n these_o be_v public_a and_o notorious_a both_o to_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o egyptian_n the_o magician_n be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v the_o like_a with_o their_o enchantment_n but_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v this_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n exod._n viij_o 19_o and_o they_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o of_o such_o mighty_a consequence_n that_o they_o can_v not_o fail_v of_o be_v particular_o take_v notice_n of_o when_o two_o nation_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o the_o effect_n and_o event_n of_o they_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n have_v be_v witness_n of_o ten_o plague_n inflict_v successive_o upon_o the_o egyptian_n in_o the_o most_o remarkable_a manner_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o procure_v their_o deliverance_n and_o when_o pharaoh_n pursue_v they_o as_o they_o be_v go_v away_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o escape_v from_o he_o but_o by_o miracle_n the_o people_n be_v in_o the_o great_a consternation_n they_o wish_v themselves_o again_o in_o egypt_n and_o make_v such_o expostulation_n with_o moses_n as_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n in_o that_o condition_n to_o make_v and_o such_o as_o show_v that_o upon_o the_o first_o opportunity_n they_o will_v have_v be_v ready_a â—o_o deliver_v up_o moses_n to_o secure_v themselves_o and_o malâ—â—_n their_o peace_n with_o pharaoh_n and_o they_o say_v unto_o moses_n because_o there_o be_v no_o grave_n in_o egypt_n have_v thou_o take_v we_o away_o to_o die_v in_o â—he_n wilderness_n wherefore_o have_v thou_o deal_v thus_o with_o we_o to_o carry_v we_o forth_o out_o of_o egypt_n be_v not_o â—his_v
nation_n to_o report_v that_o after_o so_o many_o loathsome_a and_o grievous_a plague_n inflict_v upon_o pharaoh_n and_o his_o people_n they_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o at_o last_o by_o the_o destruction_n of_o he_o and_o his_o whole_a army_n in_o the_o red-sea_n make_v their_o escape_n and_o that_o they_o force_v their_o way_n through_o all_o the_o other_o nation_n that_o withstand_v their_o passage_n into_o canaan_n and_o vanquish_v and_o destroy_v they_o as_o they_o go_v and_o then_o to_o proclaim_v a_o sacred_a war_n against_o all_o the_o nation_n who_o land_n they_o be_v to_o possess_v and_o many_o of_o who_o posterity_n be_v remain_v in_o solomon_n time_n and_o probable_o long_a after_o and_o may_v have_v be_v able_a to_o confute_v great_a part_n of_o what_o the_o israelite_n affirm_v of_o themselves_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a and_o of_o a_o late_a invention_n for_o any_o people_n i_o say_v to_o invent_v such_o account_n of_o themselves_o and_o their_o ancestor_n and_o then_o to_o make_v such_o law_n and_o to_o have_v the_o one_o believe_v and_o the_o other_o obey_v be_v altogether_o incredible_a when_o they_o have_v enrage_v all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n to_o their_o destruction_n they_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o their_o law_n to_o leave_v all_o their_o border_n naked_a thrice_o every_o year_n and_o to_o give_v they_o a_o opportunity_n to_o destroy_v they_o and_o no_o people_n can_v have_v live_v half_o a_o age_n in_o such_o a_o condition_n under_o such_o law_n unless_o they_o have_v be_v protect_v by_o god_n himself_o the_o author_n of_o they_o it_o appear_v therefore_o that_o as_o neither_o moses_n himself_o nor_o any_o party_n of_o man_n either_o in_o his_o time_n or_o after_o it_o can_v either_o invent_v or_o change_n and_o falsify_v the_o book_n which_o be_v under_o his_o name_n so_o it_o be_v still_o more_o extravagant_a if_o possible_a to_o conceit_n that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n shall_v either_o in_o moses_n time_n or_o afterward_o be_v conscious_a to_o such_o a_o imposture_n and_o yet_o that_o no_o man_n shall_v ever_o discover_v it_o but_o it_o shall_v to_o this_o day_n be_v conceal_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n and_o that_o neither_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o division_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n when_o jeroboam_n be_v force_v to_o set_v up_o altar_n in_o other_o place_n to_o keep_v the_o people_n from_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n to_o worship_n nor_o upon_o any_o other_o occasion_n this_o secret_a if_o that_o may_v be_v call_v so_o which_o must_v be_v know_v to_o so_o many_o thousand_o shall_v ever_o come_v to_o light_v beside_o that_o they_o can_v never_o have_v invent_v those_o law_n by_o unanimous_a consent_n among_o themselves_o which_o they_o be_v so_o hardly_o bring_v to_o obey_v and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v disobedient_a they_o will_v never_o have_v pretend_v they_o be_v and_o have_v invent_v miracle_n to_o make_v it_o believe_v and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v never_o so_o forward_o in_o their_o obedience_n they_o can_v not_o have_v live_v in_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n without_o a_o perpetual_a miracle_n if_o then_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n and_o consequent_o the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o he_o give_v his_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n be_v sufficient_o attest_v suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o if_o neither_o moses_n himself_o can_v feign_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n nor_o any_o other_o person_n or_o person_n either_o in_o his_o time_n or_o afterward_o can_v insert_v they_o or_o change_v the_o law_n and_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n can_v not_o at_o any_o time_n conspire_v in_o such_o a_o fiction_n and_o imposture_n we_o have_v all_o the_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o have_v and_o all_o that_o any_o sober_a man_n can_v desire_v both_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n pen_v by_o he_o and_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o after_o all_o the_o reflection_n make_v by_o infidel_n upon_o the_o credulity_n as_o they_o esteem_v it_o of_o other_o there_o be_v none_o so_o credulous_a as_o they_o for_o they_o reject_v the_o most_o certain_a to_o believe_v the_o most_o incredible_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o divine_a mission_n and_o authority_n of_o moses_n be_v sully_v prove_v from_o thence_o it_o will_v follow_v 1._o that_o god_n have_v institute_v the_o jewish_a government_n be_v in_o point_n both_o of_o wisdom_n and_o honour_n concern_v in_o the_o administration_n of_o it_o and_o that_o a_o more_o especial_a and_o peculiar_a care_n and_o providence_n must_v he_o watchful_a over_o this_o holy_a nation_n and_o peculiar_a people_n 2_o that_o whatever_o befall_v they_o either_o by_o prophecy_n or_o by_o miracle_n and_o the_o extraordinary_a appointment_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o revelation_n make_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n have_v beside_o its_o own_o proper_a and_o intrinsic_a evidence_n the_o additional_a proof_n of_o all_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o moses_n his_o book_n be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n a_o proof_n of_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n and_o subject_n of_o they_o consequent_a to_o these_o 3._o that_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o this_o place_n reciprocal_o prove_v each_o other_o like_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o effect_n the_o pentateuch_n be_v the_o cause_n and_o foundation_n of_o these_o and_o these_o the_o effect_n and_o the_o consequence_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o the_o fulfil_n the_o several_a prediction_n of_o it_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 it_o be_v general_o agree_v that_o joshua_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n under_o his_o name_n and_o some_o who_o be_v of_o another_o opinion_n yet_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o must_v be_v write_v by_o his_o particular_a order_n in_o his_o life-time_n or_o soon_o after_o his_o death_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o require_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n among_o the_o several_a tribe_n shall_v forthwith_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v for_o no_o people_n can_v be_v name_v who_o have_v the_o use_n of_o letter_n that_o trust_v the_o boundary_n of_o their_o land_n to_o memory_n and_o there_o be_v no_o delay_n to_o be_v use_v in_o such_o case_n joshua_n therefore_o who_o do_v by_o lot_n set_v out_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o tribe_n at_o the_o same_o time_n put_v they_o down_o in_o write_v which_o he_o lest_o upon_o record_n to_o posterity_n to_o prevent_v dispute_n and_o to_o be_v appeal_v to_o in_o case_n any_o controversy_n shall_v arise_v but_o the_o bare_a distribution_n of_o the_o land_n be_v not_o to_o be_v transmit_v without_o a_o account_n of_o the_o miraculous_a conquest_n of_o it_o which_o may_v dispose_v they_o to_o be_v conâ—ented_v with_o their_o several_a lot_n and_o remind_v they_o of_o their_o duty_n in_o the_o possesssion_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o land_n which_o they_o be_v settle_v in_o thy_o the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v during_o the_o life-time_n of_o rahab_n jos_n vi_fw-la 25._o and_o to_o have_v be_v write_v in_o part_n at_o least_o by_o joshua_n himself_o and_o annex_v to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n chap._n xxiv_o 26._o but_o the_o five_o last_o verse_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n and_o of_o what_o follow_v after_o it_o be_v add_v by_o some_o of_o the_o prophet_n probable_o by_o samuel_n who_o according_a to_o the_o jewish_a tradition_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n where_o we_o find_v the_o same_o thing_n repeat_v concern_v the_o death_n of_o joshua_n judg._n two_o 7._o the_o book_n of_o judge_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n mat._n two_o 23._o judg._n xiii_o 5._o and_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v entitle_v to_o samuel_n act._n iii._o 24._o where_o samuel_n be_v mention_v as_o the_o first_o of_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o the_o book_n write_v by_o they_o that_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n be_v pen_v before_o the_o take_v of_o jerusalâ—â—â—_n by_o david_n we_o may_v learn_v from_o judg._n i._n 22._o after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n joshua_n undertake_v the_o government_n and_o conduct_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n according_a to_o god_n appointment_n and_o his_o investiture_n to_o it_o by_o moses_n num._n xxvii_o 22._o who_o also_o foretell_v the_o great_a success_n that_o
when_o he_o propose_v rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o caution_n to_o arm_v man_n against_o vice_n and_o temptation_n how_o much_o short_a do_v he_o fall_v of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n if_o any_o man_n say_v he_o tell_v you_o that_o such_o a_o one_o have_v speak_v ill_o of_o you_o make_v no_o apology_n for_o yourself_o but_o answer_v he_o do_v not_o know_v my_o other_o fault_n or_o else_o he_o will_v not_o have_v charge_v i_o with_o these_o only_a cap_n xlviii_o this_o be_v a_o sine_fw-la say_v a_o pretty_a turn_n of_o thought_n but_o what_o be_v there_o in_o it_o comparable_a to_o that_o awful_a and_o sacred_a promise_n bless_a be_v you_o when_o man_n shall_v revile_v you_o and_o persecute_v you_o rejoice_v and_o be_v exceed_o glad_a for_o great_a be_v your_o reward_n in_o heaven_n mat._n v._n 11_o 12._o again_o when_o a_o man_n value_v himself_o say_v epictetus_n for_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v and_o explain_v the_o book_n of_o chrysippus_n say_v you_o to_o yourself_o unless_o chrysippus_n have_v write_v obscure_o this_o man_n will_v have_v have_v nothing_o to_o boast_v of_o but_o what_o do_v i_o design_n to_o study_v nature_n and_o follow_v it_o cap._n lxxiii_o this_o be_v no_o ill_a satyr_n upon_o the_o vanity_n of_o man_n but_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o it_o like_o that_o piety_n and_o authority_n with_o which_o st._n paul_n reprove_v the_o same_o vice_n 1_o cor._n viij_o 1.2_o 3._o the_o best_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n be_v that_o most_o of_o they_o frequent_o confess_v the_o great_a imperfection_n of_o their_o philosophy_n and_o place_v their_o great_a wisdom_n in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v more_o sensible_a than_o other_o of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o socrates_n profess_v that_o to_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o oracle_n of_o apollo_n declare_v he_o to_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n because_o he_o know_v how_o ignorant_a he_o be_v better_o than_o other_o man_n do_v as_o to_o the_o chinese_n philosophy_n we_o know_v little_a of_o it_o their_o declar._n their_o confuc_fw-la lib._n iii._o par._n 4._o p._n 36._o &_o philippi_n couplet_n prooem_n declar._n book_n of_o philosophy_n be_v all_o destroy_v at_o the_o command_n of_o a_o tyrant_n who_o reign_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n from_o the_o fragment_n which_o be_v afterward_o gather_v up_o and_o yet_o remain_v among_o they_o we_o can_v only_o perceive_v that_o confucius_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o best_a philosopher_n teach_v no_o more_o than_o what_o they_o have_v learn_v by_o tradition_n from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o when_o they_o forsake_v this_o tradition_n they_o fall_v into_o the_o gross_a error_n which_o be_v maintain_v by_o the_o learned_a man_n among_o they_o at_o this_o day_n ii_o whatever_o there_o be_v of_o excellency_n in_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v owe_v to_o revelation_n it_o be_v general_o suppose_v that_o humane_a reason_n can_v have_v discover_v the_o more_o common_a and_o obvious_a precept_n of_o morality_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v discover_v most_o of_o they_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o gross_a absurdity_n which_o we_o find_v as_o to_o some_o particular_n in_o the_o best_a system_n of_o heathen_a philosophy_n and_o from_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o offer_v up_o man_n for_o sacrifice_n to_o their_o god_n and_o of_o cast_v away_o and_o expose_v their_o child_n in_o the_o most_o civilise_a nation_n but_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o the_o heathen_n be_v not_o leave_v destitute_a of_o many_o help_n and_o advantage_n from_o the_o scripture_n which_o divers_a of_o the_o philosopher_n have_v read_v and_o many_o thing_n which_o seem_v now_o to_o be_v deduction_n from_o natural_a reason_n may_v have_v their_o original_a from_o revelation_n for_o thing_n once_o discover_v seem_v easy_a and_o obvious_a to_o man_n which_o they_o will_v never_o have_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v of_o themselves_o we_o wonder_v now_o how_o man_n shall_v ever_o suppose_v there_o can_v be_v no_o antipode_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o admire_v how_o america_n can_v lie_v so_o long_o conceal_v rather_o than_o how_o it_o come_v at_o last_o to_o be_v discover_v and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o in_o many_o other_o discovery_n especial_o in_o moral_a truth_n which_o be_v so_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o they_o may_v seem_v the_o natural_a production_n of_o it_o though_o a_o contrary_a custom_n and_o inclination_n and_o the_o subtlety_n of_o satan_n work_v upon_o our_o deprave_a nature_n may_v perhaps_o have_v make_v it_o very_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a without_o a_o revelation_n to_o discern_v many_o doctrine_n even_o of_o morality_n which_o now_o be_v most_o common_a and_o familiar_a to_o we_o what_o maxim_n be_v more_o agreeable_a and_o therefore_o as_o one_o will_v think_v more_o obvious_a to_o humane_a reason_n than_o that_o every_o man_n shall_v do_v to_o other_o as_o he_o will_v have_v they_o do_v to_o he_o and_o yet_o spartianas_n a_o heathen_a historian_n say_v that_o alexander_n severus_n have_v this_o excellent_a rule_n of_o natural_a justice_n and_o equity_n either_o from_o the_o jew_n or_o christian_n there_o be_v no_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o seem_v to_o contain_v plain_a and_o more_o obvious_a thing_n than_o the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n and_o 2._o and_o ld._n bacon_n advance_v of_o learning_n b._n viij_o c._n 2._o yet_o a_o author_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n have_v give_v a_o essay_n how_o a_o considerable_a defect_n of_o learning_n may_v be_v supply_v out_o of_o this_o very_a book_n produce_v such_o caution_n instruction_n and_o axiom_n from_o thence_o relate_v to_o the_o business_n and_o government_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o all_o variety_n of_o occasion_n as_o be_v not_o where_o else_o to_o be_v meet_v withal_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v how_o far_o humane_a reason_n can_v have_v proceed_v without_o revelation_n since_o it_o never_o be_v without_o it_o but_o always_o argue_v from_o those_o principle_n which_o be_v at_o first_o deliver_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o noah_n and_o be_v propagate_v among_o his_o posterity_n throughout_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n though_o they_o be_v more_o corrupt_v and_o deprave_v in_o some_o age_n and_o nation_n than_o in_o other_o 1._o other_o plat._n de_fw-fr legib._n dialog_n 1._o plato_n derive_v the_o original_a of_o all_o law_n from_o revelation_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o morality_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a philosopher_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o cabbala_n consist_v of_o general_a maxim_n and_o proverb_n without_o argument_n or_o deduction_n from_o principle_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n at_o this_o day_n in_o those_o country_n where_o aristotle_n philosophy_n have_v not_o prevail_v who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o that_o undertake_v to_o argue_v close_o from_o principle_n in_o morality_n and_o in_o other_o part_n of_o philosophy_n i_o shall_v prove_v by_o some_o remarkable_a instance_n that_o humane_a reason_n fail_v they_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v general_o receive_v and_o acknowledge_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v clear_o and_o unanswerable_o demonstrate_v by_o tully_n and_o 1._o and_o tull._n de_fw-fr legib._n lib._n 1._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v as_o plain_o assert_v by_o he_o with_o what_o strength_n of_o reason_n with_o what_o plainness_n with_o what_o assurance_n do_v two_o do_v tull._n de_fw-fr natur._n deor._n lib._n 2_o two_o balbus_n the_o stoic_a speak_v concern_v the_o existence_n of_o the_o deity_n but_o when_o he_o will_v explain_v the_o divine_a nature_n he_o describe_v a_o mere_a anima_fw-la mundi_fw-la and_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o scorn_n and_o laughter_n of_o his_o adversary_n which_o show_v that_o humane_a reason_n can_v go_v no_o further_o than_o to_o discover_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n and_o that_o we_o can_v know_v little_a of_o his_o nature_n but_o by_o revelation_n and_o that_o whatsoever_o true_a and_o just_a notion_n the_o heathen_n have_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n must_v be_v chief_o ascribe_v to_o that_o that_o the_o world_n be_v create_v the_o philosopher_n before_o aristotle_n general_o assert_v and_o that_o water_n be_v the_o first_o matter_n out_o of_o which_o it_o be_v form_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o 3._o by_o arist_n de_fw-fr coelo_fw-la lib._n i._n c._n 10._o metaphys_n lib._n i_o c._n 3._o aristotle_n to_o be_v esteem_v the_o most_o ancient_a opinion_n but_o when_o he_o set_v himself_o to_o argue_v the_o point_n he_o conclude_v the_o world_n to_o be_v eternal_a which_o according_a to_o modern_a philosophy_n be_v as_o absurd_a and_o impossible_a as_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v deliver_v down_o from_o all_o
it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o little_a mind_n when_o one_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v himself_o only_o by_o singularity_n by_o a_o odd_a dress_n or_o a_o new_a mode_n when_o his_o wit_n border_n upon_o madness_n and_o profaneness_n and_o his_o learning_n be_v all_o out_o of_o the_o way_n many_o who_o be_v neither_o heterodox_n in_o religion_n nor_o fond_a of_o be_v singular_a in_o any_o thing_n else_o have_v show_v a_o extraordinary_a sagacity_n and_o a_o surprise_a variety_n of_o excellent_a learning_n upon_o subject_n which_o be_v unusual_a and_o in_o themselves_o but_o little_a considerable_a and_o i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o some_o of_o the_o man_n of_o singularity_n have_v no_o worse_o design_n than_o to_o gratify_v a_o little_a vanity_n and_o to_o appear_v like_o some_o body_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o learning_n as_o if_o learning_n be_v a_o mere_a trifle_n a_o very_a play-thing_n to_o be_v employ_v to_o no_o serious_a and_o useful_a purpose_n but_o will_v serve_v only_o to_o give_v man_n occasion_n to_o talk_v and_o to_o be_v talk_v of_o this_o be_v call_v pedantry_n and_o i_o know_v not_o why_o that_o shall_v go_v under_o a_o better_a name_n which_o be_v of_o a_o worse_a nature_n and_o join_v the_o trifle_a of_o pedantry_n to_o the_o mischief_n of_o irreligion_n if_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n will_v but_o busy_v themselves_o no_o worse_o than_o tiberius_n do_v when_o he_o examine_v who_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o hecuba_n what_o name_n achilles_n go_v by_o whilst_o he_o hide_v himself_o in_o woman_n apparel_n and_o what_o song_n those_o be_v which_o the_o siren_n be_v wont_a to_o sing_v those_o indeed_o be_v profound_a inquiry_n and_o so_o worthy_a of_o they_o that_o it_o be_v pity_v they_o shall_v be_v disturb_v in_o such_o ingenious_a disquisition_n but_o if_o man_n will_v be_v for_o remove_v foundation_n and_o reject_v establish_v doctrine_n and_o deny_v the_o principle_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v tell_v that_o there_o be_v neither_o wisdom_n nor_o learning_n in_o this_o and_o those_o who_o be_v act_v themselves_o by_o a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n have_v the_o least_o reason_n of_o any_o man_n to_o take_v it_o amiss_o to_o be_v contradict_v though_o it_o be_v in_o never_o so_o plain_a a_o manner_n in_o short_a it_o be_v possible_a that_o some_o may_v be_v well_o skill_v in_o trick_n and_o artifices_fw-la who_o know_v little_a of_o the_o substantial_a and_o useful_a part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o many_o who_o talk_v bold_o of_o the_o high_a point_n of_o religion_n be_v ignorant_a even_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n there_o sure_o can_v be_v little_a need_n for_o any_o man_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o error_n and_o extravagancy_n for_o the_o exercise_n and_o improvement_n of_o his_o faculty_n they_o must_v be_v strange_a faculty_n to_o want_v such_o improvement_n truth_n itself_o be_v infinite_a though_o always_o uniform_a and_o consistent_a in_o every_o part_n and_o will_v afford_v room_n enough_o for_o the_o free_a use_n of_o reason_n in_o examine_v and_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o state_v particular_a case_n by_o general_a rule_n in_o the_o study_n of_o antiquity_n and_o in_o explain_v particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o tenor_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o it_o may_v just_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o defect_n of_o judgement_n and_o good_a sense_n or_o be_v suspect_v which_o be_v much_o worse_o of_o want_n of_o sincerity_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n when_o man_n can_v find_v nothing_o by_o which_o they_o may_v recommend_v themselves_o to_o the_o world_n but_o by_o set_v up_o for_o novelty_n in_o religion_n for_o what_o man_n of_o a_o honest_a mean_v and_o of_o sufficient_a ability_n and_o strength_n of_o part_n to_o proceed_v secure_o in_o direct_a and_o approve_a path_n will_v run_v out_o of_o the_o way_n by_o cunning_a and_o artifice_n to_o steal_v a_o despicable_a reputation_n which_o another_o will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o and_o of_o which_o the_o best_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v say_v be_v that_o as_o it_o be_v never_o worth_a the_o have_v so_o it_o be_v never_o last_a after_o the_o reception_n and_o establishment_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o so_o many_o age_n we_o be_v call_v upon_o to_o prove_v the_o ground_n and_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n all_o over_o again_o and_o we_o will_v never_o decline_v a_o thing_n so_o easy_a to_o be_v do_v but_o the_o modern_a infidel_n have_v change_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n be_v never_o deny_v by_o the_o adversary_n of_o christianity_n of_o old_a this_o be_v not_o dispute_v by_o celsus_n porphyry_n hierocles_n and_o julian_n the_o apostate_n if_o some_o of_o they_o do_v upon_o any_o occasion_n insinuate_v the_o contrary_a that_o be_v so_o malicious_a and_o groundless_a a_o calumny_n that_o they_o be_v neither_o able_a to_o insist_v upon_o any_o proof_n of_o it_o nor_o to_o reconcile_v it_o to_o what_o they_o themselves_o have_v elsewhere_o say_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o ancient_a jew_n and_o have_v be_v confess_v by_o their_o posterity_n they_o can_v not_o contradict_v the_o miracle_n but_o deny_v the_o consequence_n of_o they_o though_o the_o man_n we_o have_v to_o deal_v withal_o to_o make_v clear_a work_n with_o much_o confidence_n but_o with_o as_o much_o ignorance_n deny_v both_o let_v they_o know_v then_o that_o they_o be_v in_o part_n confute_v by_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a if_o its_o friend_n shall_v fail_v in_o the_o other_o part._n iv_o i_o have_v here_o endeavour_v to_o do_v some_o right_n to_o our_o religion_n and_o to_o satisfy_v all_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o most_o difficult_a point_n of_o it_o and_o though_o i_o have_v discourse_v at_o large_a upon_o the_o subject_n of_o which_o i_o treat_v and_o not_o in_o the_o usual_a method_n of_o objection_n and_o answer_n yet_o i_o have_v always_o have_v my_o eye_n upon_o the_o objection_n which_o i_o have_v know_v that_o i_o can_v think_v at_o material_a but_o to_o bring_v in_o objection_n at_o every_o turn_v in_o plain_a discourse_n such_o as_o these_o be_v design_v to_o be_v as_o far_o as_o the_o matter_n will_v permit_v may_v have_v be_v of_o no_o good_a consequence_n a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o be_v guide_v in_o the_o right_a road_n without_o have_v all_o the_o wrong_n and_o dangerous_a path_n describe_v to_o he_o and_o he_o may_v be_v direct_v how_o to_o recover_v or_o preserve_v his_o health_n without_o be_v present_v with_o a_o catalogue_n of_o disease_n he_o may_v get_v safe_a to_o his_o journey_n end_v without_o know_v all_o the_o bog_n and_o precipice_n by_o which_o he_o may_v have_v miscarry_v and_o in_o order_n to_o be_v well_o there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v acquaint_v how_o many_o way_n there_o be_v of_o be_v sick_a i_o have_v hear_v of_o some_o that_o read_v objection_n without_o the_o answer_n as_o late_o a_o shameless_a writer_n have_v produce_v the_o objection_n of_o celsus_n and_o faustus_n against_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n without_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o answer_v give_v by_o origen_n and_o st._n austin_n from_o who_o he_o have_v they_o and_o though_o both_o the_o objection_n and_o answer_n shall_v be_v read_v yet_o objection_n be_v common_o in_o few_o word_n and_o be_v often_o remember_v when_o the_o answer_n be_v forget_v and_o indeed_o though_o i_o be_v never_o so_o expert_a at_o it_o i_o have_v no_o ambition_n to_o try_v my_o strength_n in_o tie_v a_o knot_n that_o i_o may_v show_v my_o skill_n in_o unloose_v it_o but_o to_o provide_v against_o all_o exception_n as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a i_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a that_o if_o all_o objection_n can_v not_o be_v answer_v this_o will_v be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o reject_v or_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o can_v say_v i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o have_v be_v able_a or_o have_v be_v much_o solicitous_a to_o obviate_v all_o the_o cavil_n which_o may_v have_v be_v start_v many_o have_v be_v give_v up_o and_o other_o seem_v never_o to_o have_v be_v serious_o urge_v a_o author_n who_o have_v more_o learning_n it_o seem_v than_o judgement_n to_o spare_v write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v man_n before_o adam_n but_o this_o be_v reject_v by_o judicious_a man_n as_o a_o very_a absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a conceit_n particular_o by_o grotius_n as_o the_o author_n complain_v who_o yet_o afterward_o retract_v it_o himself_o some_o notwithstanding_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o any_o
parodox_n that_o they_o be_v still_o for_o maintain_v it_o i_o confess_v it_o agree_v admirable_o with_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o arcadian_n that_o their_o ancestor_n be_v before_o the_o moon_n and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v pretend_v that_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v true_a according_a to_o the_o cartesian_a hypothesis_n by_o attempt_v to_o prove_v that_o arcadia_n may_v be_v inhabit_v before_o the_o moon_n of_o a_o luminous_a become_v a_o opake_v body_n in_o so_o curious_a a_o age_n he_o must_v have_v ill_a luck_n if_o he_o shall_v want_v his_o applauder_n if_o some_o object_n that_o the_o original_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o handwriting_a of_o the_o several_a author_n be_v not_o still_o remain_v do_v this_o deserve_v to_o be_v answer_v till_o they_o can_v produce_v the_o original_a write_n of_o all_o other_o book_n or_o at_o least_o of_o all_o or_o any_o that_o be_v as_o ancient_n as_o even_o the_o last_o write_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n will_v they_o have_v a_o office_n erect_v to_o prove_v the_o title_n to_o all_o estate_n by_o original_a deed_n and_o upon_o what_o period_n of_o time_n will_v they_o fix_v for_o the_o date_n of_o they_o which_o will_v admit_v of_o any_o comparison_n with_o the_o date_n of_o the_o manuscript_n copies_n now_o extant_a of_o the_o scripture_n some_o have_v allege_v that_o the_o sea_n through_o which_o the_o israelite_n pass_v be_v not_o red_a but_o they_o may_v be_v please_v to_o know_v that_o religion_n be_v nothing_o concern_v in_o what_o have_v be_v write_v on_o both_o side_n upon_o this_o subject_n for_o it_o be_v not_o call_v the_o red_a sea_n in_o the_o hebrew_n but_o the_o sea_n of_o weed_n with_o which_o it_o abound_v it_o have_v the_o denomination_n of_o the_o red_a sea_n from_o the_o greek_n however_o it_o come_v by_o it_o for_o the_o critic_n be_v not_o agree_v about_o it_o and_o be_v best_a know_v by_o that_o name_n which_o be_v therefore_o make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o septuagint_n and_o in_o our_o own_o and_o other_o translation_n which_o herein_o follow_v st._n luke_n and_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n man_n must_v call_v thing_n by_o know_a name_n if_o they_o will_v be_v understand_v whatever_o give_v the_o first_o occasion_n to_o those_o name_n as_o to_o many_o objection_n let_v man_n but_o do_v moses_n the_o same_o right_n which_o they_o will_v do_v thucydides_n or_o tacitus_n and_o we_o need_v desire_v no_o more_o though_o they_o shall_v not_o allow_v for_o the_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n between_o they_o indeed_o they_o may_v live_v in_o the_o same_o age_n for_o all_o that_o many_o of_o these_o objector_n know_v and_o be_v next_o neighbour_n i_o have_v know_v divers_a objection_n make_v which_o the_o look_v only_o into_o the_o bible_n will_v answer_v and_o many_o proceed_v from_o the_o want_n of_o be_v conversant_a in_o it_o some_o have_v suppose_v that_o they_o have_v great_a matter_n of_o objection_n from_o christ_n curse_v the_o figtree_n and_o cause_v it_o to_o wither_v away_o but_o never_o so_o little_a reflection_n may_v serve_v any_o one_o to_o take_v notice_n how_o merciful_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v in_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o how_o suitable_a to_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o preach_v for_o he_o to_o show_v his_o power_n of_o punish_v upon_o a_o tree_n rather_o than_o upon_o a_o man_n it_o be_v then_o and_o be_v at_o any_o time_n as_o easy_a for_o he_o to_o punish_v his_o reviler_n as_o it_o be_v to_o curse_v this_o tree_n or_o as_o it_o can_v be_v for_o they_o to_o revile_v he_o though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o ready_a at_o it_o but_o to_o manifest_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o saviour_n not_o the_o destroyer_n of_o mankind_n he_o cure_a all_o manner_n of_o disease_n and_o raise_v the_o dead_a but_o never_o take_v away_o the_o life_n of_o any_o man_n nor_o inflict_v any_o disease_n he_o spare_v his_o worst_a enemy_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n and_o punish_v their_o hypocrisy_n in_o the_o emblem_n only_o of_o a_o figtree_n flourish_v in_o leave_n before_o the_o time_n and_o season_n of_o fig_n and_o thereby_o promise_v very_o much_o a_o early_a fruit_n but_o have_v none_o it_o make_v a_o show_n of_o fig_n out_o of_o season_n but_o have_v nothing_o to_o answer_v so_o fair_a a_o appearance_n other_o objection_n which_o may_v seem_v more_o considerable_a have_v be_v confute_v even_o to_o a_o demonstration_n cavil_n which_o have_v be_v raise_v concern_v the_o 2._o the_o tacquet_n geometr_v pract._n lib._n 3._o c._n 20._o â—robl_n 2._o quantity_n of_o matter_n which_o will_v be_v require_v to_o compose_v the_o body_n of_o all_o man_n at_o the_o resurrection_n and_o concern_v the_o 95._o the_o sir_n sam_n morland_n urim_n of_o conse_n p._n 95._o bottomless_a pit_n have_v be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v frivolous_a that_o the_o 5._o the_o buteo_n de_fw-fr â—rea_fw-la noe._n kircher_n de_fw-fr arc._n noâ—_n sir_n w._n raleigh_n hist_o lib._n 1._o c._n 7._o s._n 9_o bishop_n wilkin_n be_v real_a character_n part_v 2._o c._n 5._o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n be_v sufficient_a to_o contain_v noah_n and_o his_o family_n with_o the_o beast_n and_o food_n for_o they_o and_o that_o the_o 14._o the_o petau._n doctr._n temp._n lib._n 9_o c._n 14._o increase_v of_o mankind_n may_v extend_v to_o so_o great_a number_n in_o no_o long_a a_o compass_n of_o year_n than_o the_o scripture_n in_o any_o instance_n assign_v be_v thing_n which_o have_v be_v often_o prove_v beyond_o any_o possibility_n of_o a_o confutation_n and_o whatever_o force_n there_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v in_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o vulgar_a error_n and_o in_o that_o number_n sir_n thomas_n brown_n have_v place_v some_o of_o they_o for_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v long_o ago_o ashamed_a to_o make_v they_o and_o this_o one_o will_v think_v shall_v cause_v other_o to_o be_v more_o modest_a and_o cautious_a in_o their_o objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n when_o such_o as_o have_v the_o appearance_n of_o the_o great_a strength_n in_o they_o be_v once_o bring_v under_o strict_a examination_n prove_v to_o be_v evident_o false_a and_o if_o they_o find_v they_o have_v be_v mistake_v and_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v undeceive_v this_o will_v go_v so_o far_o towards_o their_o conviction_n that_o i_o can_v but_o hope_v that_o the_o consideration_n here_o propose_v may_v be_v of_o some_o weight_n with_o they_o thus_o far_o methinks_v at_o least_o i_o may_v hope_v to_o prevail_v upon_o those_o who_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o they_o will_v no_o long_o imagine_v it_o safe_a or_o prudent_a to_o speak_v light_o and_o profane_o of_o it_o religion_n be_v too_o serious_a a_o thing_n and_o of_o too_o great_a concernment_n to_o mankind_n to_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o scorn_n of_o every_o one_o that_o think_v he_o can_v make_v a_o jest_n and_o that_o which_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o their_o reason_n will_v be_v in_o little_a danger_n of_o their_o raillery_n but_o will_v rather_o receive_v a_o additional_a confirmation_n from_o it_o the_o best_a and_o most_o sacred_a thing_n be_v always_o most_o capable_a of_o dishonour_n and_o affront_v for_o to_o affront_v and_o abuse_v any_o person_n or_o thing_n be_v to_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v bad_a and_o it_o be_v the_o security_n of_o some_o thing_n and_o some_o man_n that_o they_o can_v be_v represent_v worse_a than_o they_o be_v it_o be_v in_o any_o one_o power_n to_o affront_v the_o great_a prince_n and_o a_o man_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a virtue_n may_v be_v be_v most_o easy_o abuse_v but_o no_o treason_n can_v be_v speak_v against_o a_o beggar_n and_o it_o be_v the_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v out_o how_o to_o disgrace_v he_o of_o who_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v worse_a than_o he_o deserve_v it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o testimony_n give_v to_o religion_n and_o a_o acknowledgement_n pay_v to_o virtue_n when_o man_n so_o industrious_o labour_v to_o villify_v it_o for_o how_o can_v that_o be_v disparage_v which_o be_v of_o no_o worth_a or_o excellency_n or_o why_o shall_v man_n endeavour_v to_o bring_v that_o into_o discredit_n which_o have_v not_o at_o present_a a_o confess_a reputation_n whether_o this_o be_v a_o deserve_a reputation_n or_o no_o they_o may_v question_v if_o they_o think_v fit_a but_o then_o let_v they_o make_v it_o a_o serious_a question_n and_o not_o to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o loud_a noise_n but_o here_o be_v the_o mischief_n they_o have_v no_o patience_n to_o attend_v to_o the_o force_n of_o a_o argument_n or_o to_o go_v on_o with_o a_o dispute_n but_o a_o cavil_v be_v soon_o start_v and_o objection_n be_v more_o easy_o raise_v than_o answer_v
upon_o any_o subject_a and_o then_o they_o trample_v with_o wonderful_a scorn_n and_o triumph_n upon_o that_o which_o they_o conceive_v be_v so_o miserable_o overcome_v but_o alas_o the_o victory_n be_v over_o themselves_o nothing_o be_v either_o the_o more_o or_o the_o less_o true_a for_o their_o believe_v or_o disbelieve_v it_o and_o religion_n be_v always_o the_o same_o how_o profane_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v speak_v of_o we_o have_v no_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o any_o man_n faith_n but_o if_o there_o be_v reason_n in_o what_o we_o say_v it_o may_v well_o be_v expect_v from_o reasonable_a man_n that_o they_o shall_v hearken_v to_o reason_n religion_n be_v reason_n and_o philosophy_n as_o the_o father_n often_o speak_v the_o best_a and_o true_a philosophy_n and_o i_o be_o persuade_v how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v have_v fail_v in_o the_o performance_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v with_o such_o clear_a and_o full_a evidence_n even_o to_o ordinary_a understanding_n as_o to_o make_v all_o pretence_n of_o argue_v against_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v impious_a the_o content_n chap._n i._o of_o humane_a reason_n the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v in_o the_o first_o book_n such_o point_n be_v clear_v in_o the_o second_o as_o be_v think_v most_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o before_o man_n venture_v upon_o objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v fit_a for_o they_o to_o consider_v the_o strength_n and_o compass_n of_o their_o own_o faculty_n and_o the_o manifold_a defect_n of_o humane_a reason_n p._n 1._o in_o some_o thing_n each_o side_n of_o a_o contradiction_n seem_v to_o be_v demonstrable_a p._n 4._o every_o man_n believe_v and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o several_a thing_n which_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o speculative_a notion_n of_o they_o will_v seem_v as_o incredible_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v p._n 12._o those_o who_o disbelieve_v and_o reject_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n must_v believe_v thing_n much_o more_o incredible_a p._n 24._o chap._n ii_o of_o inspiration_n all_o motion_n of_o material_a thing_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n and_o it_o be_v at_o least_o as_o conceivable_a by_o we_o that_o god_n do_v act_n upon_o the_o immaterial_a as_o that_o he_o act_v upon_o the_o material_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o may_v act_v more_o powerful_o upon_o the_o will_n and_o understanding_n of_o some_o man_n than_o of_o other_o p._n 28._o wherein_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v consist_v and_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v p._n 31._o such_o inference_n from_o thence_o as_o may_v afford_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n allege_v upon_o this_o subject_a p._n 41._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o exclude_v humane_a mean_n as_o information_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n etc._n etc._n p._n 42._o it_o do_v not_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o word_n and_o style_n ibid._n though_o something_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n indefinite_o and_o without_o any_o positive_a assertion_n or_o determination_n this_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o their_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n p._n 43._o in_o thing_n which_o may_v fall_v under_o humane_a prudence_n and_o observation_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v use_v only_o a_o directive_n power_n and_o influence_n p._n 46._o this_o infallible_a assistance_n be_v not_o permanent_a and_o habitual_a p._n 49._o it_o do_v not_o prevent_v personal_a fail_n p._n 50._o no_o passage_n or_o circumstance_n in_o the_o scripture_n erroneous_a p._n 51._o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o grammatical_a construction_n and_o propriety_n of_o speech_n p._n 53._o those_o which_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o defect_n in_o the_o scripture-style_n be_v usual_a in_o the_o most_o approve_a heathen_a author_n p._n ib._n metaphor_n and_o rhetorical_a scheme_n and_o figure_n p._n 57_o the_o style_n different_a of_o different_a nation_n p._n 58._o the_o title_n of_o king_n p._n 59_o what_o art_n be_v use_v by_o orator_n to_o raise_v the_o passion_n p._n 60._o that_o they_o sometime_o read_v their_o speech_n p._n 62._o the_o figurative_a expression_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o their_o type_n and_o parable_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n and_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v ibid._n several_a thing_n relate_v as_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v only_o parabolical_a description_n or_o representation_n p._n 64._o the_o prophetic_a scheme_n of_o speech_n usual_a with_o the_o eastern_a nation_n p._n 66._o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n p._n 68_o the_o antiquity_n and_o various_a way_n of_o poetry_n p._n 69._o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n p._n 71._o the_o decorum_n or_o suitableness_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n p._n 79._o the_o method_n p._n 86._o some_o book_n of_o scripture_n admirable_a for_o their_o style_n p._n 89._o why_o the_o style_n not_o alike_o excellent_a in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n p._n 93._o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n any_o controversy_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o rest_n p._n 96._o the_o uncontroverted_a book_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n p._n 97._o the_o dispute_n concern_v the_o apochrypha_n fall_v not_o here_o under_o consideration_n p._n 99_o no_o suppression_n or_o alteration_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o idolatrous_a king_n etc._n etc._n p._n 100_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o handwriting_a of_o moses_n find_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o josiah_n p._n 102._o no_o book_n but_o those_o which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n receive_v by_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o canon_n p._n 103._o what_o opinion_n the_o ten_o tribe_n have_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n p._n 105._o neither_o the_o samaritan_n nor_o the_o sadducee_n reject_v any_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n p._n 106._o of_o the_o book_n whereof_o mention_n be_v make_v in_o the_o o._n t._n p._n 106._o why_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n express_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n shall_v be_v express_v p._n 108._o a_o wonderful_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o o._n t._n for_o so_o many_o age_n p._n 109._o the_o new_a testament_n confirm_v the_o old_a p._n 111._o the_o caution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n ib._n the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o examine_v and_o distinguish_v the_o genuine_a and_o inspire_v write_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a or_o spurious_a p._n 113._o the_o gospel_n of_o st._n matt._n in_o hebrew_n how_o long_o preserve_v p._n 115._o the_o greek_a version_n of_o it_o p._n 116._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n finish_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n etc._n etc._n review_v by_o he_o p._n 117._o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o religion_n ib._n copy_n of_o great_a antiquity_n still_o extant_a p._n 118._o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o p._n 119._o the_o canon_n have_v be_v fix_v and_o confirm_v in_o council_n in_o tertullian_n time_n p._n 121._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n general_o receive_v by_o christian_n of_o all_o sect_n and_o party_n p._n 124._o chap._n v._o of_o the_o various_a readins_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n a_o extraordinary_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o such_o casualty_n as_o have_v befall_v other_o book_n p._n 126._o the_o defect_n in_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n and_o the_o late_a invention_n of_o the_o point_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n p._n 127._o the_o change_n of_o the_o old_a hebrew_n character_n into_o that_o now_o in_o use_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n p._n 130._o the_o keri_n and_o the_o ketib_n no_o prejudice_n to_o it_o ib._n the_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n and_o other_o version_n or_o between_o the_o version_n themselves_o no_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n p._n 132._o it_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o great_a critic_n both_o protestant_n and_o
eloquence_n as_o well_o as_o the_o power_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o vice_n of_o mankind_n be_v combine_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o less_o elegancy_n and_o accuracy_n of_o style_n be_v employ_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n than_o have_v be_v before_o use_v by_o moses_n and_o thâ—_n prophet_n who_o yet_o have_v nothing_o which_o seem_v so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a to_o deliver_v which_o be_v one_o great_a argument_n of_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o it_o can_v prevail_v so_o much_o against_o all_o the_o opposition_n in_o the_o world_n only_o by_o tell_v a_o plain_a truth_n and_o in_o the_o plain_a manner_n for_o where_o the_o thing_n be_v evident_a the_o few_o and_o plain_a word_n be_v best_a as_o in_o mathematical_a demonstration_n it_o be_v enough_o if_o man_n make_v themselves_o to_o be_v understand_v this_o likewise_o be_v all_o that_o the_o apostle_n aim_v at_o 24._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o lib._n iii._o c._n 24._o their_o cause_n and_o doctrine_n be_v so_o certain_a and_o demonstrable_a that_o any_o word_n which_o do_v but_o full_o and_o clear_o express_v their_o meaning_n be_v sufficient_a for_o their_o purpose_n their_o rhetoric_n lie_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o not_o in_o word_n there_o be_v no_o great_a art_n require_v to_o prove_v that_o to_o any_o man_n which_o he_o see_v with_o his_o eye_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v great_a under_o the_o gospel_n than_o under_o the_o law_n so_o there_o be_v less_o need_n of_o eloquence_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o in_o the_o old_a yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v as_o a_o 4._o a_o mer_n casaub_n of_o enthus_n c._n 4._o learned_a critic_n have_v declare_v that_o st_n paul_n in_o some_o kind_n and_o upon_o some_o subject_n be_v as_o eloquent_a as_o ever_o man_n be_v not_o inferior_a to_o demosthenes_n in_o who_o writing_n he_o believe_v that_o apostle_n have_v be_v much_o conversant_a or_o aeschines_n or_o any_o other_o ancient_o most_o admire_v 3._o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v write_v in_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o they_o and_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v permit_v they_o to_o use_v their_o own_o style_n so_o direct_v they_o still_o and_o overrule_a they_o in_o every_o word_n and_o sentence_n that_o it_o shall_v infallible_o express_v his_o own_o full_a sense_n and_o meaning_n and_o speak_v the_o truth_n which_o he_o inspire_v and_o therefore_o though_o there_o be_v divers_a style_n in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o isaiah_n for_o instance_n be_v of_o the_o blood_n royal_a and_o educate_v at_o court_n may_v write_v in_o a_o more_o refine_a and_o lofty_a style_n and_o amos_n who_o be_v bring_v up_o among_o the_o herdsman_n of_o tekoa_n may_v speak_v in_o a_o more_o humble_a strain_n and_o fetch_v his_o metaphor_n from_o low_a and_o mean_a thing_n and_o yet_o the_o sense_n and_o substance_n of_o both_o may_v be_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o as_o exact_o true_a and_o infallible_a as_o if_o every_o word_n and_o syllable_n be_v dictate_v by_o he_o but_o this_o have_v be_v already_o consider_v under_o its_o proper_a head_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whatever_o uncertainty_n there_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o the_o catalogue_n and_o number_n of_o book_n of_o divine_a revelation_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v make_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n itself_o or_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v universal_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v by_o all_o church_n for_o if_o this_o be_v a_o true_a way_n of_o argue_v than_o whatever_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o must_v be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o what_o we_o know_v and_o by_o consequence_n no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n since_o the_o wise_a man_n be_v ignorant_a of_o so_o many_o thing_n that_o he_o know_v very_o little_a in_o comparison_n of_o what_o he_o be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o author_n of_o great_a note_n and_o fame_n but_o that_o critic_n have_v have_v dispute_n concern_v the_o number_n of_o his_o genuine_a work_n and_o yet_o this_o have_v never_o be_v think_v any_o prejudice_n to_o such_o as_o be_v allow_v by_o all_o to_o be_v genuine_a will_v not_o that_o man_n make_v himself_o ridiculous_a who_o shall_v reject_v the_o philippic_n of_o tully_n or_o virgil_n aeneis_n as_o spurious_a because_o other_o book_n either_o doubtful_a or_o counterfeit_v have_v past_a under_o the_o name_n of_o these_o two_o author_n if_o some_o book_n have_v be_v dispute_v the_o rest_n certain_o be_v genuine_a beyond_o all_o dispute_n because_o they_o have_v never_o be_v call_v into_o question_n or_o doubt_v now_o if_o these_o book_n only_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n concern_v which_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o dispute_n they_o contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v and_o as_o to_o the_o rest_n concern_v which_o there_o have_v be_v any_o controversy_n though_o they_o be_v exceed_o useful_a to_o explain_v divers_a thing_n which_o we_o find_v in_o these_o and_o perhaps_o to_o teach_v we_o some_o thing_n not_o essential_a to_o our_o religion_n nor_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v elsewhere_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v receive_v because_o whatever_o doctrine_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a they_o be_v to_o be_v find_v full_o and_o plain_o deliver_v in_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o have_v ever_o be_v receive_v without_o contradiction_n or_o dispute_n many_o man_n be_v undoubted_o save_v before_o the_o write_n of_o these_o controvert_v book_n nay_o before_o the_o write_n of_o any_o book_n at_o all_o write_n be_v no_o further_o necessary_a than_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v write_v when_o the_o thing_n now_o write_v can_v be_v as_o well_o know_v without_o writing_n book_n be_v not_o necessary_a and_o though_o for_o after_o age_n it_o become_v necessary_a that_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n shall_v consign_v their_o doctrine_n to_o writing_n yet_o no_o more_o of_o their_o writing_n can_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v by_o we_o than_o what_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n it_o be_v the_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o afford_v we_o more_o than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o our_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a life_n as_o he_o have_v do_v for_o our_o natural_a and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n in_o any_o man_n to_o reject_v any_o mean_n of_o salvation_n or_o instruction_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o allow_v but_o still_o that_o man_n will_v sustain_v his_o natural_a life_n and_o health_n who_o shall_v think_v all_o that_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o support_n of_o it_o common_a or_o unclean_a and_o not_o fit_a to_o be_v use_v for_o food_n and_o if_o a_o man_n without_o any_o of_o his_o own_o fault_n or_o neglect_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n only_o of_o the_o uncontrrovert_v book_n he_o will_v find_v they_o abundant_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o end_n of_o revelation_n and_o to_o procure_v his_o salvation_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o one_o infallible_a authority_n be_v as_o great_a a_o security_n as_o never_o so_o many_o can_v be_v but_o the_o same_o doctrine_n be_v teach_v in_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n for_o it_o that_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o furnish_v we_o with_o so_o much_o more_o than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o to_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o sundry_a place_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n for_o our_o further_a instruction_n and_o confirmation_n in_o the_o faith_n though_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a and_o wicked_a to_o say_v that_o he_o who_o believe_v all_o the_o point_n of_o necessary_a faith_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o one_o book_n of_o scripture_n have_v no_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o salvation_n unless_o he_o likewise_o believe_v they_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n not_o that_o i_o suppose_v any_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n can_v now_o find_v any_o cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o any_o book_n in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n whether_o it_o be_v genuine_a or_o no_o but_o to_o suppose_v the_o most_o and_o the_o worst_a that_o can_v be_v suppose_v if_o those_o book_n which_o at_o any_o time_n have_v be_v call_v in_o
character_n of_o a_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o modern_a jew_n in_o like_a manner_n never_o dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o new_a book_n of_o revelation_n but_o have_v constant_o adhere_v to_o the_o old_a and_o what_o inducement_n can_v the_o jew_n have_v to_o receive_v these_o book_n into_o their_o canon_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v rather_o than_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o divine_a authority_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n more_o especial_o remarkable_a in_o some_o book_n why_o shall_v they_o receive_v certain_a book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o solomon_n esther_n daniel_n and_o ezra_n but_o not_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n other_o go_v under_o the_o same_o name_n but_o because_o of_o the_o difference_n in_o their_o authority_n why_o shall_v they_o receive_v the_o book_n of_o those_o who_o their_o forefather_n have_v slay_v and_o those_o very_a book_n for_o which_o they_o slay_v they_o but_o upon_o the_o clear_a evidence_n it_o be_v certain_a they_o can_v be_v possess_v with_o no_o prejudice_n in_o their_o favour_n but_o with_o very_a many_o against_o the_o book_n of_o such_o author_n to_o give_v another_o instance_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n contain_v the_o affair_n and_o transaction_n of_o a_o particular_a family_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n as_o one_o may_v imagine_v at_o first_o view_n and_o yet_o it_o have_v be_v preserve_v with_o as_o much_o â—are_n and_o as_o constant_o receive_v as_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v little_a reason_n upon_o human_a consideration_n why_o a_o relation_n concern_v that_o family_n shall_v be_v insert_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n rather_o than_o one_o concern_v any_o other_o but_o the_o lineage_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o it_o and_o that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v insert_v and_o therefore_o by_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o providence_n neither_o the_o emulation_n and_o envy_n of_o other_o family_n nor_o any_o other_o cause_n or_o accident_n hinder_v its_o reception_n and_o preservation_n among_o the_o other_o inspire_v book_n and_o in_o that_o history_n there_o be_v a_o account_v not_o very_o honourable_a for_o david_n family_n in_o derive_v his_o descent_n from_o phares_n of_o thamar_n and_o show_v that_o his_o great_a grandmother_n be_v a_o moabitess_n the_o moabite_n be_v a_o people_n who_o have_v a_o indelible_a mark_n of_o intamy_n sixth_o upon_o they_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n dentr_n xxiii_o 3._o ii_o as_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v ever_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n after_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o tribe_n judah_n so_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o writing_n of_o the_o prophet_n it_o must_v have_v be_v because_o all_o or_o most_o of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o two_o tribe_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n of_o israel_n own_v the_o temple_n of_o jerasalem_fw-la to_o be_v the_o true_a place_n of_o worship_n the_o israelite_n and_o samaritan_n must_v have_v great_a prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v the_o book_n of_o any_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o they_o do_v those_o of_o moses_n the_o book_n of_o samuel_n david_n and_o solomon_n have_v less_o regard_n pay_v to_o they_o upon_o reason_n of_o state_n by_o the_o tribe_n who_o follow_v the_o revolt_n of_o jeroboam_n yet_o when_o 1._o when_o antiqu._n orient_a eccl._n pist_o 1._o joseph_n scaliger_n send_v to_o the_o samaritan_n for_o the_o canticle_n of_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n in_o their_o language_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o of_o joshua_n they_o promise_v to_o send_v he_o they_o and_o it_o be_v prove_v sufficient_o by_o dr_n 25._o dr_n hebr._n &_o talmud_n exercit_fw-la on_o joh._n four_o 25._o lightfoot_n that_o neither_o the_o samaritan_n nor_o the_o sadducee_n reject_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n though_o they_o do_v not_o admit_v the_o rest_n into_o the_o same_o veneration_n and_o authority_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n nor_o read_v they_o in_o their_o synagogue_n this_o be_v also_o prove_v by_o f._n simon_n 12._o simon_n crit._n hist_o v._o t._n lib._n 1._o c._n 16._o &_o 29._o disquisit_a crit_fw-fr c._n 12._o both_o of_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o karaei_n and_o orient_a and_o epist_n 70._o inter_fw-la antiqu_n eccl._n orient_a morinus_n likewise_o prove_v it_o of_o the_o karaei_n who_o be_v general_o take_v for_o sadducee_n f._n simon_n maintain_v the_o contrary_a and_o that_o they_o have_v wrong_v do_v they_o in_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o sadducces_n however_o this_o be_v not_o material_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n since_o he_o show_v that_o both_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o karaei_n or_o caraite_n and_o all_o the_o jew_n beside_o receive_v the_o entire_a volume_n of_o the_o scripture_n without_o any_o contradiction_n lipmanno_n contradiction_n praefat._n de_fw-fr lipmanno_n hackspan_n likewise_o have_v show_v that_o the_o sadducee_n deny_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n iii_o concern_v the_o book_n whereof_o we_o we_o find_v mention_v make_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n either_o 1._o they_o be_v not_o different_a from_o those_o which_o be_v now_o in_o the_o canon_n but_o the_o same_o book_n under_o divers_a name_n or_o 2._o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o inspiration_n though_o write_v by_o prophet_n for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o prophet_n be_v inspire_v in_o every_o thing_n that_o they_o write_v any_o more_o than_o in_o all_o they_o speak_v and_o this_o show_v the_o care_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o compile_v their_o canon_n that_o they_o will_v not_o take_v into_o it_o all_o the_o write_n even_o of_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o but_o only_o such_o as_o they_o know_v to_o be_v write_v by_o they_o as_o prophet_n that_o be_v by_o inspiration_n the_o prophet_n themselves_o no_o doubt_n make_v a_o distinction_n as_o we_o find_v st_n paul_n do_v between_o what_o they_o have_v write_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o that_o in_o which_o they_o have_v not_o his_o immediate_a and_o extraordinary_a direction_n and_o infallible_a assistance_n or_o 3_o they_o may_v not_o be_v write_v by_o prophet_n for_o the_o office_n of_o recorder_n or_o remembrancer_n or_o writer_n of_o chronicle_n as_o it_o be_v explain_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v mention_v as_o â—n_v office_n of_o great_a honour_n and_o trust_v and_o be_v distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n 2_o sam._n viij_o â—6_n 2_o king_n xviii_o 18_o 2_o chron._n xxxiv_o 8._o isaiah_n xxxvi_o 3_o 22._o beside_o the_o hebrew_n call_v every_o small_a write_v a_o book_n thus_o deut._n xxiv_o 1._o â—hat_n which_o we_o render_v a_o bill_n of_o divorcement_n â—s_v in_o the_o original_a a_o book_n of_o divorcement_n the_o word_n be_v the_o same_o which_o josh_n x._o 13._o and_o 〈◊〉_d sam._n i._n 18._o be_v translate_v the_o book_n of_o jasher_n â—o_o matt._n nineteeen_o 7._o and_o mark_v x._o 4._o it_o be_v in_o the_o greek_a a_o book_n of_o divorcement_n the_o word_n be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o septuagint_n have_v use_v it_o indeed_o may_v signify_v a_o little_a book_n but_o it_o often_o signify_v a_o book_n without_o that_o distinction_n and_o so_o it_o be_v render_v 2_o tim._n four_o 13._o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n be_v a_o book_n in_o the_o hebrew_n and_o in_o the_o greek_a 2_o sam._n xi_o 14_o 15._o and_o lettet_n be_v style_v book_n by_o 4._o by_o herod_n lib._n 1._o c._n 124._o &_o lib._n 6._o c._n 4._o herodotus_n or_o 4._o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o some_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n be_v now_o lose_v it_o be_v no_o absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v write_n to_o be_v lose_v through_o the_o fault_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n which_o be_v dictate_v by_o his_o spirit_n several_a thing_n may_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v deliver_v by_o revelation_n to_o the_o person_n who_o they_o concern_v which_o be_v never_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o other_o which_o be_v write_v but_o which_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o end_n of_o revelation_n in_o general_n but_o rather_o concern_v particular_a time_n and_o place_n and_o the_o substance_n whereof_o as_o far_o as_o the_o world_n in_o general_n be_v concern_v be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o scripture_n may_v by_o the_o carelessness_n of_o man_n never_o come_v to_o the_o sight_n and_o knowledge_n of_o posterity_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o prophecy_n have_v always_o the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n express_v and_o common_o they_o be_v often_o repeat_v in_o the_o book_n themselves_o but_o in_o the_o historical_a book_n there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o it_o because_o in_o matter_n
of_o fact_n which_o be_v past_a a_o author_n may_v easy_o be_v disprove_v if_o he_o relate_v what_o be_v false_a of_o his_o own_o time_n or_o of_o time_n whereof_o there_o be_v memorial_n still_o extant_a but_o the_o credit_n of_o prophecy_n concern_v thing_n to_o come_v a_o long_a time_n after_o to_o pass_v must_v depend_v upon_o the_o mission_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n only_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o prophet_n shall_v be_v annex_v that_o their_o prediction_n may_v be_v depend_v upon_o when_o they_o be_v know_v to_o be_v deliver_v by_o man_n who_o by_o other_o prediction_n already_o fulfil_v have_v prove_v themselves_o to_o be_v true_a prophet_n iv_o the_o very_a preservation_n of_o book_n of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n through_o so_o many_o change_n and_o revolution_n against_o all_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n and_o ignorance_n against_o the_o violence_n of_o war_n and_o the_o malice_n of_o adversary_n and_o so_o many_o other_o accident_n which_o have_v destroy_v most_o other_o book_n of_o any_o considerable_a antiquity_n be_v a_o certain_a indication_n of_o a_o wonderful_a providence_n concern_v for_o they_o and_o of_o that_o evidence_n whereby_o they_o be_v at_o first_o attest_v the_o law_n of_o the_o wise_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o most_o flourish_a and_o powerful_a nation_n have_v be_v so_o little_o regard_v by_o the_o people_n to_o who_o they_o be_v give_v that_o they_o soon_o forsake_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o and_o ready_o deliver_v up_o themselves_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o other_o law_n upon_o any_o revolution_n and_o all_o the_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n which_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n assume_v to_o themselves_o can_v make_v they_o no_o long_o adhere_v to_o nor_o so_o much_o value_v as_o to_o outlive_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o particular_a kingdom_n and_o state_n for_o which_o they_o be_v contrive_v but_o most_o of_o they_o be_v change_v or_o lay_v aside_o before_o and_o the_o rest_n give_v up_o and_o abandon_v as_o out_o of_o date_n and_o of_o little_a use_n or_o esteem_v afterward_o and_o all_o of_o they_o be_v so_o little_a able_a to_o withstand_v the_o destruction_n of_o time_n that_o we_o know_v not_o much_o more_o of_o they_o than_o that_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a be_v in_o great_a measure_n take_v out_o of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n have_v continue_v entire_a and_o unchanged_a under_o all_o accident_n and_o revolution_n of_o affair_n bear_v this_o character_n as_o well_o as_o other_o of_o he_o who_o be_v immutable_a they_o have_v be_v still_o assert_v against_o all_o the_o malice_n and_o opposition_n of_o enemy_n by_o a_o captive_a and_o disperse_a people_n who_o by_o the_o signal_n providence_n of_o god_n though_o they_o reject_v their_o messiah_n yet_o still_o acknowledge_v those_o prophecy_n which_o foretell_v his_o come_n and_o after_o their_o dispersion_n for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n be_v so_o far_o from_o renounce_v they_o that_o they_o assert_v and_o maintain_v they_o and_o be_v zealous_a even_o to_o superstition_n for_o those_o book_n which_o command_v that_o worship_n and_o appoint_v those_o solemnity_n which_o they_o have_v so_o long_o be_v out_o of_o all_o possibility_n to_o observe_v as_o if_o those_o law_n which_o be_v once_o so_o uneasy_a to_o their_o forefather_n be_v now_o become_v natural_a to_o their_o posterity_n or_o rather_o because_o they_o be_v reveal_v by_o he_o who_o word_n shall_v never_o pass_v away_o till_o all_o be_v fulfil_v v._o the_o new_a testament_n give_v evidence_n and_o confirmation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a which_o be_v so_o often_o cite_v in_o it_o vi_o the_o christian_n be_v religious_o cautious_a and_o circumspect_a in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o script_n the_o hieron_n catalogue_n eccl._n script_n epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st_n peter_n be_v at_o first_o scruple_v only_o or_o chief_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o style_n the_o style_n of_o the_o former_a be_v think_v different_a from_o that_o of_o st_n paul_n and_o the_o style_n of_o the_o latter_a from_o that_o of_o st_n peter_n the_o epistle_n of_o st_n judas_n be_v likewise_o doubt_v of_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n of_o enoch_n be_v cite_v in_o it_o write_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o several_a of_o the_o apostle_n be_v reject_v and_o by_o general_a consent_n lay_v aside_o the_o genuine_a epistle_n of_o st_n barnabas_n who_o be_v style_v a_o apostle_n act_v xiii_o 2._o fourteen_o 14._o be_v never_o receive_v but_o as_o apocryphal_a and_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st_n clement_n of_o who_o st_n paul_n give_v as_o high_a a_o character_n phil._n four_o 3._o as_o he_o do_v of_o st_n luke_n or_o as_o st_n peter_n ever_o give_v of_o st_n mark_n be_v never_o admit_v among_o the_o canonical_a book_n though_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v read_v in_o church_n but_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o st_n mark_n and_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v by_o st_n luke_n have_v ever_o be_v receive_v for_o canonical_a for_o which_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o that_o st_n mark_n and_o st_n luke_n be_v know_v to_o have_v write_v by_o inspiration_n since_o upon_o all_o personal_a and_o humane_a account_n a_o epistle_n of_o st_n barnabas_n or_o st_n clement_n must_v have_v carry_v as_o much_o authority_n with_o it_o as_o any_o thing_n under_o the_o name_n of_o st_n mark_n or_o st_n luke_n ib._n luke_n unam_fw-la ad_fw-la aedisicationem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la pertinentem_fw-la epistolam_fw-la composuit_fw-la quae_fw-la inter_fw-la apochrypha_n scripture_n legitur_fw-la id._n ib._n st_o jerom_n say_v that_o st_n barnabas_n be_v the_o author_n of_o one_o epistle_n write_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v read_v among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n so_o that_o book_n be_v style_v apocryphal_a not_o because_o it_o be_v uncertain_a who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o but_o because_o it_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o they_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_z or_o no._n so_o careful_a be_v the_o primitive_a church_n to_o receive_v none_o into_o the_o canon_n but_o book_n certain_o inspire_v it_o be_v well_o observe_v 1._o observe_v crit_fw-fr hist_o of_o the_o n._n t._n part._n 1._o c._n 1._o by_o f._n simon_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o if_o we_o compare_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n with_o the_o liturgy_n that_o we_o have_v under_o the_o name_n of_o several_a apostle_n to_o who_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o eastern_a christian_n do_v attribute_v they_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_o the_o apostle_n for_o all_o the_o church_n have_v preserve_v they_o in_o their_o ancient_a purity_n whereas_o every_o particular_a nation_n have_v add_v to_o their_o liturgy_n and_o have_v take_v the_o liberty_n often_o to_o revise_v they_o the_o respect_n that_o have_v be_v always_o have_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n without_o in_o sert_v any_o considerable_a addition_n therein_o be_v a_o evident_a proof_n that_o all_o people_n have_v look_v upon_o they_o as_o divine_a book_n which_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o to_o alter_v on_o the_o contrary_a they_o have_v be_v persuade_v that_o the_o liturgy_n though_o they_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o of_o some_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v not_o original_o write_v by_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v attribute_v and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v leave_v free_a to_o the_o church_n to_o add_v to_o they_o or_o to_o diminish_v from_o they_o according_a as_o occasion_n require_v vii_o as_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v very_o jealous_a and_o cautious_a in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n so_o they_o have_v sufficient_a mean_n and_o opportunity_n to_o examine_v and_o distinguish_v the_o genuine_a and_o inspire_v write_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a or_o spurious_a the_o way_n of_o write_v and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v well_o know_v to_o those_o to_o who_o they_o write_v as_o st_n paul_n intimate_v of_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o manner_n of_o salutation_n for_o when_o he_o use_v a_o amanuensis_fw-la yet_o he_o write_v the_o salutation_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n as_o his_o token_n in_o every_o epistle_n 2_o thess_n iii._o 17._o they_o general_o write_v to_o whole_a church_n but_o particular_a man_n be_v frequent_o name_v in_o their_o epistle_n which_o be_v a_o great_a mean_n to_o ascertain_v the_o authority_n of_o they_o 36._o they_o ago_o jam_fw-la qui_fw-la voles_fw-fr curiofitatem_fw-la melius_fw-la exercere_fw-la in_o negotio_fw-la salutis_fw-la tuus_fw-la percurre_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la adhue_n cathedrae_fw-la
apostolorum_fw-la suis_fw-la locis_fw-la presidentur_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la authenticae_fw-la literae_fw-la eorum_fw-la recitantur_fw-la tertull_n de_fw-fr prescript_n c._n 36._o tertullian_n appeal_v to_o authentic_a book_n or_o the_o very_a hand-writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o for_o though_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o word_n authenticus_fw-la do_v not_o always_o denote_v the_o original_a write_n under_o the_o author_n own_o hand_n but_o sometime_o only_a the_o original_a language_n yet_o the_o word_n of_o tertullian_n be_v express_v that_o the_o original_a epistle_n be_v in_o his_o time_n still_o extant_a for_o which_o reason_n he_o refer_v the_o heretic_n to_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o they_o be_v read_v viz._n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n of_o phillippi_n thessalonica_n ephesus_n and_o rome_n but_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v read_v in_o greek_a without_o doubt_n in_o other_o church_n beside_o these_o and_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o apostolical_a church_n rather_o than_o to_o any_o other_o must_v be_v because_o the_o original_n under_o st_n paul_n own_o hand_n be_v there_o still_o to_o be_v see_v and_o he_o mention_n that_o the_o throne_n or_o seat_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v then_o also_o preserve_v as_o 19_o as_o euseb_n hist_o lib._n seven_o c_o 19_o eusebius_n say_v that_o of_o st_n james_n be_v preserve_v to_o his_o time_n justin_n 2._o justin_n apol._n 2._o martyr_n ascribe_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o apostle_n he_o transcribe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n at_o large_a out_o of_o they_o and_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v read_v in_o the_o christian_a assembly_n every_o sunday_n 2._o sunday_n irenae_n lib._n 3_o c._n 2._o st_o ireneus_fw-la a_o disciple_n of_o st_n polycarp_n who_o be_v make_v by_o bishop_n st_n john_n gives_z a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n and_o say_v there_o be_v four_o gospel_n and_o no_o more_o and_o that_o these_o be_v write_v by_o st_n matthew_n and_o st_n mark_n and_o st_n luke_n and_o st_n john_n 5._o john_n tertull._n adv_o martion_n lib._n four_o c._n 2_o 5._o tertullian_n undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o the_o four_o gospel_n against_o martion_n and_o these_o father_n frequent_o quote_v these_o and_o the_o other_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o do_v likewise_o clemens_n romanus_n and_o ignatius_n who_o live_v and_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o but_o in_o our_o dispute_n with_o infidel_n particular_a regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o our_o proof_n against_o they_o depend_v upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n both_o 8._o both_o grot._fw-la mat._n f._n sim._n crit._n hist_o on_o the_o n._n t._n c._n 7_o 8._o grotius_n and_o f._n simon_n have_v prove_v that_o the_o gospel_n write_v in_o hebrew_n by_o st_n matthew_n be_v preserve_v to_o the_o time_n of_o st_n jerom_n and_o epiphanius_n and_o that_o though_o the_o nazarene_o have_v make_v some_o addition_n to_o it_o yet_o they_o have_v make_v no_o alteration_n in_o the_o original_a text._n f._n simon_n moreover_o say_v that_o the_o gospel_n of_o st_n matthew_n have_v be_v translate_v undoubted_o out_o of_o hebrew_n into_o greek_a before_o the_o nazarene_o have_v insert_v their_o addition_n these_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o no_o greek_a copy_n the_o ebionite_n have_v corrupt_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n which_o they_o use_v and_o have_v leave_v out_o what_o they_o please_v but_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o nazarene_o epiphanius_n 9_o epiphanius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiphan_n haeres_fw-la 29._o num._n 9_o say_v be_v more_o entire_a only_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a whether_o they_o retain_v the_o genealogy_n of_o christ_n but_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a in_o f._n simon_n be_v judgement_n that_o they_o do_v retain_v it_o though_o the_o ebionite_n omit_v it_o so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v some_o addition_n make_v by_o the_o nazarene_o yet_o as_o far_o as_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o religion_n against_o infidel_n be_v concern_v the_o hebrew_n gospel_n in_o its_o original_a hebrew_n as_o it_o be_v write_v by_o st_n matthew_n remain_v exact_o perfect_a for_o divers_a age_n till_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarene_o cease_v and_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n grow_v out_o of_o use_n the_o greek_a translation_n only_o be_v preserve_v this_o translation_n of_o st_n matthew_n gospel_n be_v ascribe_v to_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n though_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a to_o who_o of_o they_o it_o belong_v 39_o belong_v euseb_n hist_o lib._n iii._o c._n 39_o papias_n speak_v of_o the_o time_n before_o there_o be_v any_o authentic_a version_n when_o he_o say_v that_o every_o one_o translate_v it_o as_o he_o can_v for_o his_o own_o use_n it_o appear_v from_o he_o however_o that_o there_o be_v greek_a version_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o st_n matthew_n make_v immediate_o upon_o its_o first_o publication_n and_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o st_n john_n revise_v and_o approve_v the_o present_a version_n which_o be_v by_o some_o attribute_v to_o he_o by_o whosoever_o it_o be_v make_v at_o first_o for_o this_o gospel_n in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n be_v most_o in_o use_n and_o thereby_o preserve_v when_o the_o original_a hebrew_n have_v be_v so_o long_o ago_o lose_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o st_n john_n shall_v have_v no_o regard_n to_o it_o in_o that_o review_n which_o he_o take_v of_o the_o other_o gospel_n that_o be_v write_v original_o in_o greek_a we_o read_v in_o ccliv_o in_o phot._n cod_n ccliv_o photius_n that_o he_o revise_v the_o gospel_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o he_o write_v in_o divers_a language_n the_o version_n as_o well_o as_o the_o original_n and_o therefore_o this_o of_o st_o matthew_n gospel_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v omit_v one_o of_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v that_o of_o discern_v of_o spirit_n whereby_o person_n endue_v with_o it_o be_v enable_v to_o distinguish_v true_a revelation_n from_o imposture_n 1_o cor._n twelve_o 10._o and_o st_n john_n write_v his_o gospel_n and_o his_o epistle_n to_o confute_v those_o heretic_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a forger_n of_o counterfeit_a book_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o most_o notorious_a corrupter_n of_o the_o true_a book_n and_o his_o life_n be_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n prolong_v that_o he_o may_v be_v able_a both_o to_o vindicate_v and_o perfect_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n we_o find_v that_o luc._n that_o high_a catal._n in_o st._n luc._n he_o discover_v a_o imposture_n which_o be_v frame_v concern_v st_n paul_n and_o joan._n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o lib._n three_o c._n 24._o quod_fw-la quum_fw-la legisset_fw-la matthaei_n marci_n &_o lucae_n volumina_fw-la probaverit_fw-la quidem_fw-la textum_fw-la historiae_fw-la &_o vera_fw-la eos_fw-la dixisse_fw-la firmaverit_fw-la hieron_n catal._n in_o st._n joan._n that_o he_o read_v and_o approve_v the_o gospel_n which_o have_v be_v write_v before_o his_o own_o and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o he_o have_v see_v all_o the_o other_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o finish_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n himself_o and_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n and_o assembly_n of_o christian_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o become_v so_o divulge_v and_o publish_v that_o they_o can_v be_v neither_o lose_v nor_o falsify_v vi_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v genuine_a by_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o st_n paul_n epistle_n which_o he_o frequent_o quote_v the_o gospel_n be_v allow_v by_o julian_n x._o julian_n cyrill_n alex._n contr_n jul._n lib._n x._o the_o apostate_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v dial_n bear_v just_a mart._n dial_n trypho_n own_v he_o have_v read_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v no_o question_n or_o scruple_n about_o the_o author_n celsus_n quote_v the_o scripture_n frequent_o and_o hierocles_n as_o 3._o as_o lactant._n institut_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n 2_o 3._o lactantius_n who_o have_v hear_v he_o discourse_n say_v be_v as_o conversant_a in_o they_o as_o if_o he_o have_v once_o be_v a_o christian_n yet_o neither_o of_o they_o move_v any_o dispute_n concern_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o in_o refer_v to_o they_o upon_o all_o occasion_n show_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o object_n on_o that_o head_n and_o when_o 2._o when_o orig._n cont_n cell_n lib._n 2._o celsus_n say_v that_o some_o of_o the_o christian_n make_v alteration_n in_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v a_o confession_n that_o some_o only_o do_v it_o and_o origen_n show_v that_o they_o be_v
vii_o of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o some_o place_n in_o the_o scripture_n particular_o of_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n here_o it_o must_v in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v remember_v that_o it_o have_v be_v a_o common_a and_o true_a observation_n that_o all_o author_n be_v rather_o perplex_v and_o obscure_v than_o explain_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o commentator_n and_o this_o be_v so_o true_a of_o no_o book_n as_o of_o the_o scripture_n for_o as_o none_o have_v have_v so_o many_o gloss_n and_o comment_n put_v upon_o it_o by_o man_n of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n so_o most_o of_o they_o endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o some_o new_a explication_n or_o to_o serve_v a_o cause_n and_o maintain_v some_o particular_a opinion_n by_o their_o exposition_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v clear_a after_o volume_n have_v be_v write_v i_o may_v true_o say_v upon_o every_o text_n rather_o than_o that_o difficulty_n shall_v be_v find_v in_o they_o but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o we_o find_v it_o declare_v in_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v place_n of_o difficulty_n in_o they_o which_o make_v it_o but_o so_o much_o the_o more_o unreasonable_a that_o this_o shall_v be_v urge_v as_o a_o objection_n against_o they_o for_o what_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o profess_v must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v with_o a_o design_n and_o for_o some_o good_a reason_n and_o the_o reason_n and_o design_n ought_v to_o be_v inquire_v into_o before_o this_o be_v use_v as_o a_o objection_n st_o peter_n speak_v of_o christ_n come_v to_o judgement_n say_v that_o st_n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n have_v deliver_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o st_n paul_n himself_o intimate_v that_o there_o have_v be_v mistake_n concern_v what_o he_o have_v write_v in_o this_o matter_n 2_o thess_n two_o 1_o 2_o 3._o st_o peter_n on_o this_o occasion_n say_v that_o it_o so_o happen_v not_o only_o to_o st_n paul_n epistle_n but_o to_o other_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n through_o the_o ignorance_n and_o rashness_n of_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a man_n 2_o pet._n three_o 16._o and_o it_o happen_v more_o especial_o in_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v concern_v thing_n of_o this_o nature_n or_o contain_v whatever_o prophecy_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v therefore_o i_o shall_v i._o give_v a_o account_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o general_n ii_o i_o shall_v in_o particular_a consider_v the_o obscurity_n of_o prophecy_n and_o shall_v prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o type_n make_v use_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n and_o show_v that_o there_o be_v great_a force_n and_o evidence_n in_o the_o argument_n bring_v from_o they_o iii_o i_o shall_v prove_v that_o the_o obscurity_n of_o some_o place_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o nor_o to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o i._o i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n in_o general_a how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v 1._o some_o doctrine_n which_o it_o mighty_o concern_v we_o to_o be_v acquaint_v withal_o can_v not_o be_v deliver_v in_o so_o plain_a a_o manner_n but_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v great_a difficulty_n in_o they_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o of_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n there_o be_v several_a thing_n which_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v and_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v of_o which_o yet_o we_o can_v have_v so_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a a_o knowledge_n but_o that_o something_o of_o they_o will_v still_o remain_v unknown_a to_o we_o as_o there_o be_v no_o object_n more_o visible_a or_o better_o know_v to_o we_o than_o the_o sun_n be_v but_o to_o calculate_v the_o dimension_n and_o the_o distance_n of_o the_o sun_n from_o we_o to_o know_v how_o its_o light_n be_v communicate_v and_o sudden_o spread_v over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v thing_n of_o great_a difficulty_n and_o can_v never_o perhaps_o be_v full_o account_v for_o in_o like_a manner_n what_o the_o scripture_n deliver_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v must_v needs_o have_v difficulty_n in_o it_o though_o we_o be_v never_o so_o well_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o future_a state_n because_o these_o be_v thing_n above_o our_o understanding_n we_o may_v perfect_o understand_v that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n but_o can_v have_v no_o full_a and_o clear_a conception_n of_o all_o that_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o concern_v they_o nothing_o can_v be_v make_v plain_a to_o we_o than_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v it_o or_o than_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o the_o portion_n our_o faculty_n bear_v to_o it_o will_v allow_v god_n be_v incomprehensible_a whatever_o be_v deliver_v concern_v he_o can_v never_o be_v without_o all_o difficulty_n and_o whilst_o we_o be_v in_o this_o world_n we_o can_v never_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o the_o next_o so_o full_o as_o we_o shall_v do_v hereafter_o and_o these_o be_v difficulty_n which_o must_v be_v unless_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o our_o own_o nature_n be_v different_a from_o what_o it_o be_v nevertheless_o the_o great_a mystery_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v reveal_v and_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v require_v to_o be_v know_v by_o we_o contain_v no_o inexplicable_a difficulty_n but_o if_o we_o will_v needs_o know_v more_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n than_o be_v reveal_v and_o more_o than_o be_v require_v to_o be_v know_v no_o wonder_n if_o we_o meet_v with_o difficulty_n what_o be_v meaut_n for_o instance_n by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v very_o well_o understand_v as_o the_o opposer_n of_o this_o doctrine_n must_v own_v unless_o they_o will_v confess_v that_o they_o oppose_v they_o know_v not_o what_o he_o that_o say_v a_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a know_v what_o it_o be_v which_o he_o pretend_v not_o to_o be_v true_a if_o he_o understand_v what_o he_o say_v the_o thing_n than_o be_v know_v though_o there_o be_v difficulty_n in_o the_o explication_n but_o the_o explication_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o existence_n not_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o that_o may_v certain_o be_v and_o we_o may_v certain_o know_v it_o to_o be_v which_o yet_o we_o know_v not_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v and_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o only_o be_v reveal_v as_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v not_o any_o particular_a explication_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o be_v understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n this_o show_v the_o plainness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n though_o divers_a thing_n relate_v to_o this_o doctrine_n be_v difficult_a to_o be_v explain_v because_o the_o doctrine_n be_v plain_o enough_o and_o intelligible_o deliver_v so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v require_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o believe_v several_a art_n and_o science_n which_o be_v very_o difficult_a and_o abstruse_a in_o the_o theory_n be_v easy_a in_o the_o practice_n and_o a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o unsterstand_v what_o the_o theorem_fw-la itself_o be_v which_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v though_o he_o be_v altogether_o uncapable_a of_o understand_v the_o proof_n of_o it_o now_o what_o god_n say_v be_v as_o certain_a as_o any_o demonstration_n can_v be_v and_o what_o he_o have_v plain_o deliver_v be_v plain_a as_o well_o as_o certain_a and_o it_o be_v never_o the_o less_o certain_a or_o plain_a because_o we_o can_v make_v out_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v how_o it_o can_v be_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a in_o this_o doctrine_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v it_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o shall_v be_v plain_a in_o all_o the_o controversy_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v about_o it_o when_o we_o know_v the_o meaning_n we_o must_v take_v god_n word_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o distinction_n of_o person_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o essence_n in_o the_o godhead_n be_v not_o require_v to_o be_v believe_v but_o the_o thing_n and_o we_o know_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v so_o because_o god_n himself_o have_v say_v it_o though_o
unless_o we_o be_v likewise_o acquaint_v with_o the_o particular_a time_n and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n and_o person_n describe_v in_o it_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o our_o salvation_n be_v worth_a to_o be_v inform_v of_o a_o future_a judgement_n though_o we_o be_v not_o tell_v when_o it_o shall_v be_v and_o that_o book_n which_o set_v reward_n and_o punishment_n heaven_n and_o hell_n before_o we_o be_v of_o the_o great_a advantage_n for_o the_o edification_n and_o salvation_n of_o man_n though_o the_o several_a circumstance_n and_o particularity_n describe_v be_v unknown_a to_o we_o 8._o though_o the_o argument_n from_o type_n be_v above_o all_o apt_a to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o uncertain_a and_o to_o depend_v rather_o upon_o the_o conjecture_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n than_o upon_o any_o clear_a evidence_n yet_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o contrary_a if_o we_o do_v but_o a_o little_a consider_v the_o nature_n of_o they_o a_o type_n be_v a_o likeness_n a_o form_n or_o mould_n as_o the_o word_n signify_v and_o where_o the_o antitype_n represent_v by_o it_o and_o prefigure_v answer_v exact_o to_o it_o there_o be_v no_o more_o question_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o the_o one_o belong_v to_o the_o other_o than_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o doubt_v when_o we_o see_v a_o impression_n make_v upon_o wax_n what_o kind_n of_o seal_n it_o be_v by_o which_o it_o be_v make_v or_o when_o we_o see_v a_o good_a picture_n of_o one_o we_o know_v to_o inquire_v who_o sit_v for_o it_o a_o type_n be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n in_o action_n or_o thing_n and_o person_n as_o a_o allegory_n be_v in_o word_n but_o allegory_n be_v oftentimes_o so_o plain_a that_o no_o man_n can_v well_o mistake_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o they_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v as_o to_o type_n in_o many_o case_n indeed_o where_o there_o be_v but_o one_o type_n or_o one_o resemblance_n it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_o discern_v but_o where_o many_o concur_v he_o must_v be_v very_o wilful_a that_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v the_o agreement_n when_o a_o author_n as_o it_o often_o happen_v describe_v the_o person_n of_o his_o own_o time_n under_o feign_a name_n a_o reader_n who_o know_v nothing_o of_o it_o may_v perhaps_o overlook_a one_o or_o two_o character_n suppose_v they_o to_o be_v by_o chance_n but_o when_o he_o perceive_v that_o they_o all_o exact_o agree_v to_o so_o many_o several_a person_n who_o he_o know_v he_o no_o long_o doubt_n of_o the_o author_n design_n and_o when_o many_o type_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o person_n with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o particularity_n any_o two_o of_o which_o perhaps_o never_o concur_v in_o any_o one_o man_n before_o as_o in_o the_o person_n of_o our_o saviour_n these_o thing_n concur_v that_o he_o be_v compel_v to_o carry_v his_o cross_n as_o isaac_n have_v carry_v the_o wood_n that_o he_o be_v lift_v up_o and_o fasten_v to_o it_o as_o the_o brazen_a serpent_n have_v be_v lift_v up_o in_o the_o wilderness_n that_o as_o the_o bone_n of_o the_o paschal_n lamb_n be_v not_o break_v so_o not_o a_o bone_n of_o he_o be_v break_v when_o the_o bone_n of_o these_o be_v who_o be_v crucify_a with_o he_o and_o that_o he_o be_v crucify_a at_o the_o very_a time_n when_o the_o paschal_n lamb_n be_v to_o be_v sacrifice_v when_o so_o many_o different_a circumstance_n concur_v which_o have_v no_o dependence_n one_o upon_o another_o nor_o upon_o the_o will_n of_o he_o in_o who_o they_o concur_v but_o proceed_v from_o the_o will_v and_o as_o in_o this_o case_n from_o the_o malice_n of_o other_o if_o these_o thing_n meet_v by_o chance_n it_o must_v be_v a_o very_a extraordinary_a and_o unaccountable_a chance_n indeed_o and_o much_o such_o another_o as_o that_o be_v which_o some_o will_v persuade_v we_o make_v the_o world_n it_o must_v be_v such_o a_o chance_n as_o never_o happen_v before_o nor_o will_v ever_o happen_v again_o but_o must_v not_o these_o man_n rather_o speak_v and_o think_v by_o chance_n who_o can_v argue_v at_o this_o rate_n sometime_o the_o character_n be_v so_o lively_a that_o the_o type_n be_v as_o evident_a as_o express_v word_n can_v have_v make_v they_o as_o when_o in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v style_v david_n because_o as_o he_o be_v prefigure_v by_o david_n so_o he_o be_v to_o descend_v from_o he_o jer._n thirty_o 9_o ezek._n xxxiv_o 23._o xxxvii_o 24_o 25._o hos_fw-la iii._o 5._o several_a description_n which_o be_v metaphorical_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o person_n immediate_o concern_v in_o they_o be_v literal_o fulfil_v in_o our_o saviour_n thus_o the_o gall_n and_o vinegar_n the_o cast_n of_o lot_n upon_o the_o garment_n and_o the_o pierce_v of_o the_o hand_n and_o foot_n be_v metaphorical_a expression_n of_o great_a contempt_n and_o cruelty_n use_v towards_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v at_o first_o apply_v but_o in_o their_o ultimate_a end_n and_o design_n they_o be_v true_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n and_o where_o there_o be_v thus_o a_o twofold_n signification_n of_o any_o place_n of_o scripture_n the_o one_o improper_a and_o metaphorical_a the_o other_o proper_a and_o litteral_n the_o person_n describe_v in_o metaphorical_a term_n be_v as_o clear_o a_o type_n of_o he_o from_o who_o real_a condition_n and_o circumstance_n the_o metaphor_n be_v take_v as_o a_o metaphor_n be_v a_o representation_n of_o the_o plain_a sense_n contain_v under_o it_o the_o legal_a dispensation_n be_v all_o typical_a and_o so_o the_o jew_n ever_o understand_v it_o to_o be_v which_o make_v the_o apostle_n dispute_v with_o they_o from_o the_o type_n of_o their_o law_n as_o they_o sure_o will_v never_o have_v do_v if_o it_o have_v not_o on_o all_o side_n be_v agree_v that_o it_o be_v a_o proper_a way_n of_o argument_n their_o prophecy_n be_v give_v out_o in_o action_n as_o well_o as_o in_o word_n and_o as_o the_o mind_n either_o of_o god_n or_o man_n may_v be_v express_v as_o full_o by_o action_n as_o by_o the_o plain_a word_n so_o certain_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v this_o to_o be_v the_o case_n when_o type_n so_o evident_o denote_v the_o person_n and_o so_o proper_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o to_o declare_v and_o bespeak_v he_o to_o be_v the_o man_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o we_o shall_v conclude_v that_o any_o person_n of_o our_o own_o time_n must_v needs_o be_v mean_v by_o any_o author_n who_o shall_v thus_o describe_v he_o in_o a_o book_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v know_v to_o be_v to_o make_v such_o description_n it_o be_v not_o indeed_o every_o resemblance_n which_o we_o may_v conclude_v from_o but_o where_o many_o type_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o person_n where_o the_o concurrence_n depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o will_n of_o his_o adversary_n or_o not_o in_o the_o least_o upon_o his_o own_o will_n when_o these_o type_n be_v allege_v from_o a_o dispensation_n which_o be_v all_o along_o hold_v to_o be_v typical_a in_o this_o case_n they_o may_v be_v urge_v and_o as_o safe_o rely_v upon_o as_o any_o other_o argument_n iii_o in_o the_o last_o place_n i_o be_o to_o show_v that_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o such_o as_o to_o be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o their_o authority_n nor_o to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v imply_v by_o st._n peter_n when_o he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v but_o some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v sufficient_o clear_a in_o the_o scripture_n and_o though_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o be_v obscure_a yet_o we_o see_v that_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v and_o perhaps_o many_o more_o and_o better_a than_o i_o be_o able_a to_o produce_v why_o they_o be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v so_o god_n supply_v we_o in_o necessary_n with_o a_o bountiful_a and_o open_a hand_n and_o what_o be_v not_o necessary_a he_o sure_o may_v discover_v more_o spare_o and_o more_o obscure_o to_o we_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n our_o sense_n seldom_o or_o never_o fail_v we_o in_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o life_n and_o health_n though_o in_o other_o thing_n we_o find_v ourselves_o mislead_v by_o they_o every_o country_n and_o place_n afford_v the_o necessary_n of_o life_n and_o that_o which_o be_v most_o rare_a be_v always_o least_o necessary_a it_o may_v be_v useful_a but_o yet_o we_o may_v very_o well_o be_v without_o it_o now_o to_o complain_v that_o all_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o intelligible_a by_o all_o be_v as_o if_o we_o shall_v blame_v providence_n for_o not_o make_v all_o man_n rich_a and_o all_o country_n like_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v a_o
cause_v the_o christian_n in_o their_o apology_n to_o press_v earnest_o for_o a_o fair_a and_o impartial_a hear_v of_o their_o cause_n beseech_v their_o enemy_n that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o injurious_a to_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o themselves_o as_o to_o despise_v and_o condemn_v what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v they_o be_v desirous_a to_o undergo_v any_o trial_n if_o they_o may_v but_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v hear_v 6._o yet_o many_o who_o do_v not_o actual_o become_v christian_n have_v more_o favourable_a and_o just_a thought_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n severo_fw-la religion_n ael_n lamprid._n in_o alex._n severo_fw-la alexander_n severus_n have_v the_o effigy_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o chapel_n and_o have_v design_v to_o erect_v a_o temple_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o he_o and_o to_o insert_v his_o name_n among_o the_o heathen_a go_n as_o it_o be_v report_v that_o adrian_n likewise_o with_o the_o same_o intention_n have_v command_v temple_n to_o be_v build_v without_o image_n in_o all_o city_n but_o be_v dissuade_v by_o some_o who_o consult_v the_o oracle_n about_o it_o which_o give_v out_o that_o all_o man_n will_v then_o become_v christian_n and_o the_o other_o temple_n will_v soon_o be_v forsake_v this_o which_o be_v relate_v concern_v adrian_n have_v be_v by_o some_o suppose_a to_o be_v a_o mistake_n because_o the_o father_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o ael_n lampridius_n or_o rather_o spartianus_n who_o mention_n it_o be_v a_o heathen_a may_v perhaps_o have_v it_o from_o the_o gentile_n for_o it_o be_v only_o in_o adrian_n intention_n to_o set_v up_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n which_o may_v be_v unknown_a by_o the_o christian_n of_o his_o time_n the_o design_n be_v lay_v aside_o upon_o consult_v the_o oracle_n it_o be_v certain_o report_v in_o the_o historian_n time_n as_o he_o declare_v and_o yet_o this_o objection_n lie_v as_o well_o against_o the_o report_n as_o against_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o a_o report_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v be_v mention_v by_o no_o christian_a writer_n though_o there_o have_v be_v no_o truth_n in_o it_o 11_o it_o euseb_n hist_o lib_n vii_o c._n 11_o aemilianus_n the_o perfect_a of_o egypt_n ask_v dionysius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n when_o he_o be_v bring_v before_o he_o why_o if_o he_o who_o the_o christian_n worship_v be_v god_n they_o can_v not_o worship_v he_o with_o the_o other_o god_n many_o admire_v the_o doctrine_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n who_o can_v not_o free_v themselves_o from_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o their_o education_n they_o will_v have_v be_v willing_a to_o have_v it_o take_v in_o among_o other_o but_o can_v not_o bring_v themselves_o to_o relinquish_v all_o their_o old_a religion_n for_o it_o the_o calumny_n raise_v against_o the_o christian_n have_v cause_v the_o popular_a odium_n and_o rage_n against_o they_o but_o they_o be_v vindicated_n by_o 13._o by_o plin._n lib._n x._o epist_n 97._o just_a mar._n apol._n 2._o eus_n hist_o lib._n iu._n c._n 8_o 9_o 13._o pliny_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o trajan_n by_o serenius_fw-la granianuâ—_n proconsul_n of_o asia_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o adrian_n by_z adrian_z himself_z in_o his_o rescript_n by_o antoninus_n pius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o common_a council_n or_o the_o community_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o asia_n though_o some_o ascribe_v this_o epistle_n to_o m._n antoninus_n not_o to_o mention_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o senate_n of_o rome_n dial._n rome_n just_a martyr_n dial._n trypho_n the_o jew_n likewise_o free_v they_o from_o the_o crime_n common_o lay_v against_o they_o and_o own_v the_o excellency_n of_o their_o precept_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o those_o crime_n which_o have_v be_v wont_a to_o be_v object_v against_o the_o christian_n by_o their_o former_a adversary_n be_v not_o mention_v by_o julian_n in_o discourse_n write_v to_o oppose_v they_o who_o 305._o who_o epist_n 49._o &_o fragm_n epist_n p._n 305._o elsewhere_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o so_o much_o to_o their_o commendation_n as_o show_v the_o mighty_a force_n of_o truth_n which_o can_v extort_v it_o from_o he_o but_o the_o fear_n and_o shame_n of_o man_n hinder_v divers_a from_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n who_o have_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o thing_n than_o to_o approve_v of_o their_o own_o 11._o own_o aug._n civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n vi_o c._n 11._o seneca_n expose_v the_o heathen_a worship_n and_o express_v himself_o with_o bitterness_n against_o the_o the_o jew_n but_o be_v able_a to_o find_v nothing_o to_o blame_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n nor_o dare_v to_o commend_v it_o for_o fear_n of_o give_v offence_n to_o the_o heathen_n he_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o at_o all_o these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n though_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o difficult_a to_o be_v account_v for_o than_o the_o notion_n and_o action_n of_o man_n it_o be_v as_o hard_a to_o give_v a_o account_n how_o lycurg_n how_o senec._n de_fw-fr ira._n lib._n i._o c._n 25._o plut._n in_o lycurg_n seneca_n and_o plutarch_n shall_v allow_v of_o the_o murder_v or_o starve_v of_o poor_a infant_n as_o they_o certain_o do_v as_o why_o they_o be_v not_o christian_n no_o phaenomena_n in_o nature_n can_v be_v more_o variable_a and_o uncertain_a in_o their_o cause_n than_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o man_n which_o differ_v according_a to_o their_o temper_n and_o capacity_n and_o circumstance_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o we_o can_v find_v out_o any_o probable_a solution_n and_o have_v several_a to_o offer_v which_o may_v take_v place_n according_a to_o several_a case_n but_o the_o write_n of_o such_o as_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n be_v very_o slight_a and_o frivolous_a contain_v a_o confession_n for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o which_o our_o faith_n be_v establish_v and_o raise_v only_o some_o weak_a cavil_n which_o never_o come_v up_o to_o the_o main_a cause_n or_o undertake_v to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o miracle_n upon_o which_o our_o religion_n be_v establish_v and_o then_o let_v any_o man_n judge_v what_o reason_n they_o can_v have_v for_o their_o infidelity_n and_o indeed_o the_o prevail_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n under_o all_o manner_n of_o disadvantage_n as_o to_o humane_a mean_n show_v that_o the_o adversary_n of_o it_o have_v little_a to_o say_v against_o it_o for_o they_o must_v be_v but_o poor_a argument_n which_o can_v not_o dissuade_v man_n from_o become_a christian_n when_o they_o must_v incur_v all_o the_o danger_n and_o suffering_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v so_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o heathen_a writer_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v frequent_o cite_v by_o st._n jerom_n and_o st._n austin_n and_o other_o author_n of_o their_o time_n as_o common_o know_v and_o probable_o they_o be_v extant_a long_o after_o so_o that_o their_o argument_n be_v baffle_v and_o destroy_v long_o before_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o they_o have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n enough_o to_o do_v all_o the_o mischief_n that_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o their_o write_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o far_o lose_v but_o that_o we_o still_o know_v their_o principal_a argument_n which_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v not_o conceal_v but_o have_v give_v they_o their_o full_a force_n and_o common_o in_o their_o own_o word_n origen_n be_v so_o careful_a to_o omit_v nothing_o considerable_a which_o celsus_n have_v allege_v that_o he_o be_v often_o force_v to_o make_v apology_n for_o mention_v the_o same_o thing_n over_o again_o rather_o than_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o let_v any_o thing_n pass_v which_o be_v material_a that_o his_o adversary_n have_v say_v without_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o 43._o it_o ambr._n lib._n 2._o epist_n 11._o aug._n epist_n 43._o and_o some_o piece_n be_v preserve_v entire_a as_o the_o petition_n of_o symmachus_n among_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n ambrose_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o maximus_n madaurensis_fw-la among_o those_o of_o st._n austin_n the_o argument_n of_o julian_n be_v set_v down_o at_o large_a by_o st._n cyril_n and_o we_o learn_v from_o praefat_fw-la from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vid._n spanhem_n in_o julian_n oper_n praefat_fw-la st._n chrisostom_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v neglect_v and_o despise_v by_o the_o gentile_n themselves_o and_o be_v scarce_o to_o be_v find_v but_o among_o the_o christian_n before_o the_o edict_n of_o theodosius_n junior_n to_o prohibit_v they_o there_o
be_v a_o long_a succession_n of_o philosopher_n and_o sophist_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o school_fw-mi of_o platonist_n which_o continue_v at_o athens_n for_o some_o age_n will_v revive_v or_o reinforce_v any_o argument_n that_o have_v be_v use_v by_o their_o predecessor_n in_o opposition_n to_o christianity_n proclus_n and_o damascius_n who_o be_v of_o this_o school_n live_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o six_o age_n and_o the_o write_n of_o damascius_n be_v extant_a lxxvii_o extant_a phot._n cod_n clxxxi_o ccxlii_o lxxvii_o in_o photius_n time_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o nine_o age_n the_o history_n of_o eunapius_n be_v then_o likewise_o extant_a and_o be_v hist_o be_v voss_n de_fw-fr graec._n hist_o say_v to_o be_v preserve_v at_o venice_n we_o have_v the_o abridgement_n of_o it_o by_o zosimus_n and_o a_o sufficient_a specimen_fw-la of_o his_o malicious_a invective_n in_o his_o other_o write_n and_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o these_o and_o many_o other_o book_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o be_v now_o lose_v continue_v much_o long_o than_o any_o account_n which_o we_o have_v now_o remain_v of_o they_o mention_n of_o about_o thirty_o answer_n 10._o answer_n holstein_n de_fw-fr vit._n &_o script_n porphyt_n c._n 10._o which_o be_v write_v to_o porphyry_n by_o several_a author_n not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v now_o to_o be_v find_v when_o the_o world_n be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o insufficieny_n of_o his_o objection_n the_o answer_n to_o his_o book_n be_v as_o little_o regard_v as_o the_o book_n themselves_o but_o undergo_v the_o same_o fate_n with_o they_o the_o jew_n who_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n before_o but_o especial_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v in_o vast_a number_n be_v spread_v all_o over_o the_o world_n and_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v the_o great_a opportunity_n to_o detect_v any_o falsehood_n in_o it_o and_o have_v never_o omit_v any_o advantage_n of_o improve_n and_o enforce_v the_o argument_n against_o it_o and_o and_o therefore_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o retain_v any_o thing_n considerable_a which_o have_v be_v object_v by_o their_o forefather_n or_o by_o the_o heathen_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v the_o jew_n have_v be_v a_o perpetual_a restless_a enemy_n in_o all_o part_n and_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o nothing_o material_a in_o this_o case_n will_v escape_v their_o observation_n but_o out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a many_o thing_n have_v be_v allege_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o own_o and_o other_o nation_n in_o confirmation_n of_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o the_o unbelief_n therefore_o both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n of_o those_o age_n be_v no_o material_a objection_n nor_o altogether_o so_o unaccountable_a as_o the_o unbelief_n of_o too_o many_o now_o who_o be_v bear_v among_o christian_n and_o have_v have_v their_o education_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o truth_n be_v example_n be_v always_o the_o weak_a argument_n in_o any_o case_n and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n or_o authority_n against_o the_o clear_a rational_a evidence_n chap._n xxxi_o that_o the_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o suffer_v for_o they_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o christian_a religion_n do_v infinite_o surpass_v all_o other_o in_o the_o number_n of_o its_o martyr_n of_o both_o sex_n of_o every_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o rank_a and_o condition_n mistake_v ignorant_a zealot_n may_v often_o have_v suffer_v for_o other_o religion_n but_o man_n of_o the_o high_a station_n and_o worth_n and_o inferior_a to_o none_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o every_o thing_n that_o the_o world_n esteem_v excellent_a have_v renounce_v all_o and_o upon_o choice_n and_o after_o a_o full_a consideration_n of_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n have_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gospel_n tyrant_n of_o the_o great_a power_n and_o cruelty_n have_v make_v it_o their_o aim_n and_o ambition_n by_o all_o sort_n of_o torture_n to_o extirpate_v the_o christian_a religion_n they_o esteem_v their_o persecution_n matter_n of_o triumph_n and_o a_o fit_a subject_n for_o the_o 280._o the_o gâ—uter_n inscript_n p._n 238_o 280._o inscription_n of_o monument_n erect_v to_o their_o memory_n but_o the_o invincible_a patience_n and_o glorious_a suffering_n of_o the_o christian_n prevail_v against_o all_o the_o rage_n and_o force_n of_o their_o enemy_n if_o the_o martyrology_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v compare_v there_o will_v soon_o appear_v so_o manifest_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o christian_a martyr_n and_o the_o sufferer_n for_o other_o religion_n that_o nothing_o will_v be_v needful_a to_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_n but_o remember_v with_o who_o i_o have_v to_o deal_v i_o be_o resolve_v to_o take_v every_o thing_n at_o the_o low_a and_o argue_v with_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o term_n let_v we_o for_o a_o while_o set_v aside_o whatever_o of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v say_v in_o preference_n of_o the_o christian_a martyr_n and_o suppose_v the_o number_n and_o zeal_n of_o the_o martyr_n for_o so_o we_o must_v call_v they_o at_o present_a of_o other_o religion_n to_o have_v be_v as_o great_a as_o can_v be_v imagine_v yet_o the_o cause_n itself_o make_v a_o plain_a difference_n between_o they_o a_o ignorant_a zeal_n in_o a_o wrong_n cause_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o any_o cause_n which_o be_v maintain_v and_o promote_v by_o such_o a_o zeal_n as_o be_v reasonable_a and_o proceed_v upon_o sure_a ground_n indeed_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a and_o very_o strange_a if_o that_o which_o be_v true_a shall_v be_v ever_o the_o less_o certain_a or_o the_o less_o to_o be_v regard_v and_o esteem_v because_o there_o may_v be_v other_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a of_o which_o some_o man_n be_v as_o firm_o persuade_v and_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v for_o they_o as_o any_o one_o can_v be_v for_o the_o truth_n itself_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o wise_a thing_n that_o many_o have_v to_o pretend_v against_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v baptize_v that_o there_o be_v many_o imposture_n in_o the_o world_n and_o none_o be_v without_o its_o zealot_n to_o appear_v in_o vindication_n of_o it_o i_o be_o confident_a no_o man_n ever_o part_v with_o any_o thing_n but_o his_o religion_n upon_o so_o weak_a a_o pretence_n a_o false_a religion_n be_v not_o the_o only_a thing_n for_o which_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o have_v a_o undeserved_a value_n but_o their_o country_n their_o friend_n and_o themselves_o they_o be_v common_o as_o much_o mistake_v in_o and_o do_v as_o high_o overprize_v be_v there_o then_o no_o real_a difference_n or_o solid_a worth_n in_o any_o of_o these_o some_o of_o the_o most_o unlikely_a country_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v admire_v by_o the_o native_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o garden_n of_o eden_n and_o the_o place_n of_o paradise_n though_o there_o be_v nothing_o easy_a than_o to_o make_v a_o distinction_n concern_v different_a country_n and_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o elysium_n of_o the_o heathen_n or_o mahomet_n paradise_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o between_o the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o especial_o if_o it_o be_v of_o any_o moment_n and_o consequence_n to_o they_o for_o which_o man_n have_v not_o show_v themselves_o passionate_o concern_v and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o more_o infallible_a in_o religion_n than_o in_o other_o thing_n or_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o less_o in_o earnest_n about_o it_o as_o not_o to_o discover_v the_o same_o frailty_n and_o the_o same_o affection_n which_o be_v visible_a in_o all_o the_o other_o action_n and_o business_n of_o their_o life_n it_o be_v often_o see_v in_o most_o case_n that_o some_o be_v as_o earnest_n and_o zealous_a in_o a_o false_a cause_n as_o other_o be_v in_o a_o true_a but_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o falsehood_n and_o truth_n when_o two_o man_n of_o opposite_a party_n be_v equal_o confident_a of_o the_o goodness_n of_o their_o cause_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o but_o one_o of_o they_o can_v be_v in_o the_o right_a and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o one_o of_o they_o must_v be_v at_o least_o so_o far_o in_o the_o right_n as_o he_o contradict_v the_o other_o because_o as_o the_o two_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n can_v be_v both_o true_a so_o they_o can_v be_v both_o false_a if_o then_o a_o confident_a and_o zealous_a
principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o religion_n but_o when_o miracle_n be_v perform_v which_o both_o for_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o their_o performance_n have_v all_o the_o credibility_n that_o any_o miracle_n can_v have_v if_o it_o be_v real_o wrought_v by_o god_n immediate_a power_n to_o confirm_v a_o revelation_n if_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o prophecy_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v by_o the_o miracle_n if_o they_o be_v do_v public_o before_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o that_o often_o and_o by_o many_o man_n successive_o for_o divers_a age_n together_o and_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o design_n if_o neither_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o nor_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v attest_v by_o they_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o have_v any_o deceit_n or_o defect_n in_o they_o but_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o divine_a and_o most_o worthy_a of_o god_n in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v that_o we_o can_v have_v for_o the_o be_v of_o god_n himself_o for_o if_o these_o miracle_n and_o this_o religion_n be_v not_o from_o god_n we_o must_v suppose_v either_o that_o god_n can_v or_o that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o reveal_v himself_o by_o miracle_n to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o distinguish_v his_o own_o revelation_n from_o imposture_n both_o which_o supposition_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n contrary_a to_o god_n omnipotence_n because_o he_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o can_v exceed_v the_o power_n of_o all_o finite_a being_n and_o contrary_a to_o his_o honour_n and_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n because_o these_o require_v both_o that_o he_o shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o by_o miracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a which_o be_v his_o revelation_n but_o if_o he_o both_o can_v and_o will_v put_v such_o a_o distinction_n between_o false_a miracle_n and_o true_a as_o that_o man_n shall_v not_o except_o it_o be_v by_o their_o own_o fault_n be_v seduce_v by_o false_a miracle_n than_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n concern_v which_o nothing_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v either_o impious_a or_o false_a must_v be_v the_o true_a religion_n for_o we_o have_v see_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n and_o that_o this_o religion_n must_v be_v reveal_v by_o miracle_n and_o we_o have_v the_o goodness_n and_o truth_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n engage_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o false_a miracle_n without_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o that_o religion_n which_o both_o by_o its_o miracle_n and_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n appear_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o be_v so_o must_v certain_o be_v true_a because_o the_o goodness_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v that_o mankind_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o consequence_n shall_v not_o be_v deceive_v without_o their_o own_o fault_n or_o neglect_v by_o imposture_n vent_v under_o his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o ascribe_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n to_o belzebub_n be_v so_o heinous_a above_o all_o other_o crime_n this_o be_v to_o reject_v the_o utmost_a mean_n that_o can_v be_v use_v for_o man_n salvation_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o deny_v the_o attribute_n and_o very_a be_v of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v that_o though_o miracle_n be_v a_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a mean_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v consider_v alone_o but_o in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o proof_n and_o that_o they_o must_v necessary_o be_v true_a miracle_n or_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o establish_v the_o true_a religion_n when_o the_o religion_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o they_o be_v wrought_v can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v false_a either_o by_o any_o defect_n in_o the_o miracle_n or_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n but_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o truth_n because_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n and_o all_o other_o proof_n to_o concur_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o discover_v it_o to_o be_v so_o 3._o how_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v commit_v to_o write_v that_o they_o may_v be_v preserve_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n and_o deliver_v down_o to_o posterity_n and_o that_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a providence_n shall_v be_v concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n for_o whatever_o have_v be_v say_v by_o some_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o conveyance_n of_o doctrine_n beyond_o that_o of_o write_v be_v so_o notorious_o fanciful_a and_o strain_a that_o it_o deserve_v no_o serious_a answer_n for_o till_o man_n shall_v think_v it_o safe_a to_o make_v will_n and_o bequeath_v and_o purchase_v estate_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n rather_o than_o by_o instrument_n in_o write_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o deny_v that_o this_o be_v the_o best_a and_o secure_a way_n of_o conveyance_n that_o can_v be_v take_v so_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n declare_v and_o so_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o world_n find_v it_o to_o be_v in_o thing_n which_o man_n take_v all_o possible_a care_n about_o and_o it_o be_v too_o manifest_a and_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o man_n be_v more_o solicitous_a about_o thing_n temporal_a than_o about_o eternal_a which_o afford_v too_o evident_a a_o confutation_n of_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n upon_o this_o ground_n that_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o be_v thing_n upon_o which_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o mankind_n depend_v now_o go_v write_v it_o before_o they_o in_o a_o table_n and_o note_v it_o in_o a_o book_n that_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o isa_n thirty_o 8._o 4._o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o a_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n because_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v not_o at_o all_o reveal_v himself_o to_o mankind_n we_o can_v suppose_v that_o he_o will_v suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v long_o under_o a_o state_n of_o corruption_n and_o ignorance_n without_o take_v some_o care_n to_o remedy_v it_o by_o put_v man_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o know_v and_o practise_v the_o duty_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n 5._o another_o requisite_a of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v full_o promulge_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n for_o the_o general_a good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n that_o it_o may_v attain_v the_o end_n for_o which_o a_o revelation_n must_v be_v design_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n part_n ii_o from_z what_o have_v be_v already_o discourse_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v requisite_a in_o a_o divine_a revelation_n i._o antiquity_n ii_o promulgation_n iii_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n in_o proof_n of_o its_o authority_n iv_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o divine_a revelation_n must_v be_v righteous_a and_o holy_a consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o suitable_a to_o their_o condition_n to_o who_o it_o be_v make_v and_o every_o way_n such_o as_o may_v answer_v the_o design_n of_o a_o revelation_n chap._n i._n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n that_o god_n will_v not_o so_o whole_o neglect_v mankind_n as_o to_o take_v no_o care_n to_o discover_v and_o reveal_v his_o will_n and_o commandment_n to_o the_o world_n so_o when_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o order_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o he_o will_v defer_v it_o so_o long_o before_o he_o make_v know_v his_o will_n as_o till_o the_o date_n of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n among_o the_o heathen_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o some_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v much_o the_o ancient_a book_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v that_o the_o work_n in_o this_o kind_n or_o indeed_o in_o any_o other_o of_o any_o heathen_a author_n can_v be_v compare_v with_o
the_o pentateuch_n for_o antiquity_n and_o the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o book_n be_v one_o considerable_a circumstance_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v convince_v that_o they_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o if_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v long_o in_o a_o state_n of_o ignorance_n and_o wickedness_n without_o a_o revelation_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o to_o be_v lose_v and_o therefore_o a_o book_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o be_v so_o much_o the_o ancient_a in_o the_o world_n be_v constant_o receive_v as_o a_o divine_a revelation_n carry_v great_a evidence_n with_o it_o that_o it_o be_v authentic_a for_o the_o first_o revelation_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v be_v to_o be_v the_o criterion_n of_o all_o that_o follow_v and_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o ancient_a book_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n to_o pass_v all_o along_o under_o the_o notion_n and_o title_n of_o a_o revelation_n without_o cause_v some_o discovery_n to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o imposture_n if_o there_o be_v any_o in_o it_o much_o less_o will_v he_o preserve_v it_o by_o a_o particular_a and_o signal_n providence_n for_o so_o many_o age_n it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o have_v stand_v the_o test_n and_o receive_v the_o approbation_n of_o so_o many_o age_n and_o still_o retain_v their_o authority_n though_o so_o many_o ill_a man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v make_v it_o their_o endeavour_n to_o disprove_v they_o but_o it_o be_v still_o a_o further_a evidence_n in_o behalf_n of_o they_o that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o show_v so_o remarkable_a a_o providence_n in_o their_o preservation_n the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n be_v from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o he_o relate_v the_o intercourse_n which_o from_o the_o beginning_n pass_v between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o this_o may_v be_v deliver_v down_o either_o by_o write_v or_o by_o tradition_n till_o moses_n time_n for_o methuselah_n live_v with_o adam_n and_o shem_n with_o methuselah_n isaac_n with_o shem_n and_o amram_v the_o father_n of_o moses_n live_v with_o the_o patriarch_n the_o son_n of_o jacob_n the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o the_o manifestation_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v of_o himself_o to_o their_o forefather_n can_v not_o be_v unknown_a to_o that_o age_n such_o a_o posterity_n can_v not_o but_o be_v zealous_a to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o so_o great_a honour_n and_o blessing_n and_o their_o live_n in_o goshen_n separate_v from_o the_o egyptian_n do_v much_o contribute_v to_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o antiquity_n for_o there_o they_o live_v in_o expectation_n of_o a_o deliverance_n and_o of_o see_v the_o prophecy_n fulfil_v that_o be_v make_v to_o their_o forefather_n concern_v it_o the_o famous_a prediction_n make_v to_o abraham_n gen._n xv_o 13._o can_v not_o be_v forget_v in_o so_o few_o generation_n for_o the_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v as_o it_o be_v there_o foretell_v it_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o four_o generation_n reckon_v from_o isaac_n the_o first_o of_o the_o promise_a seed_n to_o moses_n exclusive_o exod._n vi_fw-la 16._o moses_n seem_v to_o refer_v to_o some_o thing_n that_o happen_v near_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n as_o well_o know_v in_o his_o own_o time_n as_o gen._n four_o 22._o where_o he_o say_v the_o sister_n of_o tubal_n cain_n be_v naamah_n for_o no_o probable_a account_n can_v be_v give_v why_o naamah_n shall_v be_v mention_v but_o because_o her_o name_n be_v then_o well_o know_v among_o the_o israelite_n for_o some_o reason_n which_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v we_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o but_o which_o serve_v to_o confirm_v to_o they_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o relation_n some_o have_v deliver_v that_o naamah_n by_o her_o beauty_n entice_v the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o the_o posterity_n of_o seth_n to_o commit_v idolatry_n gen._n vi_fw-la 2._o and_o so_o gen._n xi_o 29._o we_o read_v that_o haran_n be_v the_o father_n of_o ischa_n as_o well_o as_o of_o milcah_n and_o gen._n xxxvi_o 24._o this_o be_v that_o anah_n that_o find_v the_o mule_n or_o the_o hotbath_n or_o that_o fall_v upon_o the_o emims_n or_o giant_n mention_v deut._n two_o 10_o 11._o however_o the_o word_n be_v understand_v in_o the_o wilderness_n as_o he_o feed_v the_o ass_n of_o zibeon_n his_o father_n these_o and_o such_o like_a particular_n must_v have_v be_v preserve_v and_o common_o know_v among_o the_o israelite_n and_o be_v therefore_o insert_v to_o serve_v as_o epocha_n and_o note_n of_o remembrance_n for_o the_o better_a understanding_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n the_o story_n and_o manner_n of_o life_n of_o nimrod_n be_v convey_v in_o a_o proverb_n wherefore_o it_o be_v say_v even_o as_o nimrod_n the_o mighty_a hunter_n before_o the_o lord_n gen._n x._o 9_o and_o the_o remembrance_n of_o abraham_n offer_v up_o his_o son_n be_v retain_v both_o by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n and_o by_o a_o proverbial_a say_v and_o abraham_n call_v the_o name_n of_o that_o place_n jehovah-jireh_a as_o it_o be_v say_v to_o this_o day_n in_o the_o mount_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o shall_v be_v see_v gen._n xxii_o 14._o and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o there_o be_v other_o the_o like_a remembrance_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a transaction_n josephus_n have_v prove_v that_o author_n of_o all_o nation_n agree_v that_o in_o ancient_a time_n man_n live_v to_o the_o age_n of_o about_o a_o thousand_o year_n and_o some_o be_v know_v to_o have_v live_v to_o a_o very_a great_a age_n in_o latter_a time_n but_o however_o it_o have_v be_v more_o serviceable_a to_o moses_n purpose_n if_o he_o have_v have_v any_o other_o design_n but_o truth_n that_o man_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v so_o long_o live_v for_o when_o he_o have_v so_o much_o scope_n for_o his_o invention_n if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o invention_n of_o his_o own_o he_o will_v never_o have_v fix_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n at_o the_o distance_n of_o so_o few_o generation_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o he_o write_v but_o will_v rather_o have_v make_v the_o generation_n of_o man_n more_o and_o their_o life_n short_a that_o so_o he_o may_v the_o better_o have_v conceal_v his_o fiction_n in_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a relation_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v deliver_v through_o so_o many_o hand_n down_o to_o that_o age._n the_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o moses_n be_v more_o than_o it_o be_v from_o the_o conqust_n to_o the_o present_a age_n but_o half_o of_o this_o time_n noah_n himself_o be_v live_v and_o therefore_o allow_v for_o the_o great_a length_n of_o man_n life_n in_o those_o age_n than_o in_o we_o the_o time_n when_o moses_n write_v not_o be_v compute_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o the_o flood_n as_o we_o be_v at_o from_o the_o reformation_n but_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o make_v any_o man_n of_o tolerable_a sense_n among_o we_o believe_v that_o henry_n viii_o be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o england_n that_o he_o live_v above_o seven_o hundred_o year_n ago_o that_o there_o be_v a_o deluge_n since_o his_o time_n which_o sweep_v all_o the_o inhabitant_n away_o of_o this_o island_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o but_o some_o seven_o or_o eight_o person_n and_o that_o all_o who_o we_o now_o see_v be_v bear_v of_o they_o and_o yet_o this_o as_o ridiculous_a as_o it_o seem_v be_v not_o more_o absurd_a than_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o flood_n must_v have_v be_v to_o those_o of_o his_o own_o time_n if_o it_o be_v false_a for_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o think_v as_o josephus_n inform_v we_o that_o write_v be_v in_o use_n before_o the_o flood_n and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a as_o some_o have_v conjecture_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v for_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o deliver_v down_o to_o moses_n time_n in_o verse_n which_o be_v the_o most_o easy_a to_o be_v remember_v and_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o sort_n of_o write_v and_o be_v at_o first_o chief_o use_v for_o matter_n of_o history_n and_o consist_v of_o plain_a narration_n without_o much_o of_o art_n or_o ornament_n we_o read_v of_o instrumental_a music_n gen._n four_o 21._o before_o the_o flood_n and_o vocal_a music_n be_v so_o much_o more_o natural_a than_o instrumental_a it_o be_v likely_a that_o poetry_n be_v of_o as_o great_a antiquity_n both_o in_o their_o hymn_n and_o praise_n of_o god_n and_o as_o a_o help_n to_o their_o memory_n which_o be_v the_o two_o end_n to_o which_o moses_n