little_a more_o than_o forty_o year_n interval_n betwixt_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n by_o joshua_n and_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o israelite_n under_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fit_a time_n then_o to_o cast_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o to_o publish_v the_o pretend_a lie_n and_o imposture_n of_o his_o history_n be_v not_o the_o comparison_n which_o the_o israelite_n can_v easy_o make_v betwixt_o the_o mosaic_a write_n and_o the_o tradition_n general_o receive_v in_o the_o country_n of_o their_o captivity_n a_o natural_a and_o ready_a mean_n to_o undeceive_v they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o see_v that_o they_o obstinate_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o several_a transaction_n record_v by_o moses_n and_o stand_v firm_o to_o all_o their_o pretension_n nay_o we_o see_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o remedy_n of_o repentance_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v they_o to_o use_v in_o those_o sad_a misfortune_n which_o he_o foretell_v shall_v befall_v they_o and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o promise_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o god_n will_v miraculous_o deliver_v they_o which_o indeed_o be_v do_v according_o even_o fourteen_o time_n within_o less_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n can_v there_o then_o be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n that_o if_o moses_n make_v it_o death_n by_o one_o of_o his_o sanction_n for_o any_o of_o the_o israelite_n to_o contest_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o his_o write_n or_o of_o his_o oracle_n and_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o to_o force_v the_o belief_n of_o they_o without_o examination_n but_o rather_o only_o to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n of_o that_o people_n and_o their_o mingle_n and_o confound_v themselves_o with_o the_o heathen_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o hinder_v on_o purpose_n because_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v according_a to_o his_o promise_n out_o of_o that_o nation_n which_o to_o effect_v he_o think_v fit_a in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o employ_v the_o rigour_n of_o some_o capital_a law_n to_o keep_v that_o people_n unmixed_a and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v chap._n xxii_o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n these_o several_a observation_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v all_o i_o think_v very_o natural_a and_o easy_a and_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v solid_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o conclusion_n that_o i_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o premise_n be_v that_o first_o i_o assert_v that_o moses_n that_o famous_a hebrew_n who_o be_v design_v to_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n be_v the_o true_a and_o sole_a author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n second_o i_o maintain_v that_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v he_o can_v not_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o write_v record_v those_o important_a transaction_n he_o relate_v otherwise_o than_o they_o real_o come_v to_o pass_v three_o i_o maintain_v that_o though_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o have_v make_v the_o description_n of_o it_o according_a to_o such_o a_o authentic_a tradition_n as_o can_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v of_o because_o it_o be_v then_o the_o universal_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o of_o the_o edomite_n who_o be_v all_o of_o sem_n posterity_n and_o among_o who_o he_o have_v be_v travel_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o but_o also_o of_o the_o egyptian_n of_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o a_o word_n of_o all_o man_n then_o live_v in_o the_o world._n four_o i_o maintain_v that_o he_o never_o be_v find_v fault_n with_o nor_o contradict_v till_o true_a reason_n and_o sense_n if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o be_v lose_v and_o banish_v from_o among_o mankind_n till_o the_o egyptian_n for_o example_n they_o who_o use_v before_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o greek_n as_o mere_a child_n and_o idiot_n be_v fall_v into_o so_o great_a a_o stupidity_n and_o deprivation_n of_o sense_n as_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v that_o man_n be_v first_o bear_v in_o egypt_n because_o forsooth_o frog_n do_v natural_o as_o they_o think_v breed_v out_o of_o their_o muddy_a fen_n and_o marsh_n five_o i_o maintain_v that_o for_o many_o age_n after_o moses_n no_o body_n do_v ever_o public_o declare_v for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o for_o its_o fortuitous_a production_n these_o opinion_n be_v mere_a absurdity_n and_o chimaera_n bring_v forth_o into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o chaldean_n and_o greek_n only_o about_o alexander_n time_n or_o perhaps_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o i._n e._n about_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n decease_n six_o i_o maintain_v that_o see_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a time_n to_o be_v find_v wherein_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n be_v interrupt_v and_o discontinue_v for_o any_o considerable_a time_n among_o the_o jew_n see_v it_o continue_v still_o to_o this_o very_a hour_n among_o they_o every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o they_o be_v disperse_v and_o see_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v impose_v upon_o they_o without_o their_o perceive_v and_o declare_v present_o the_o novelty_n and_o supposition_n of_o that_o account_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v see_v all_o this_o be_v certain_a i_o do_v positive_o maintain_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v better_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v by_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n because_o in_o it_o moses_n have_v follow_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o the_o age_n that_o precede_v he_o and_o only_o record_v in_o write_v what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o a_o time_n when_o every_o man_n be_v able_a to_o run_v his_o own_o pedigree_n up_o to_o adam_n last_o i_o maintain_v that_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o without_o reject_v at_o the_o same_o time_n all_o those_o proof_n from_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v to_o strengthen_v my_o assertion_n so_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a as_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n confirm_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n believe_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n of_o the_o world_n who_o do_v not_o only_o believe_v it_o but_o also_o have_v always_o have_v according_a to_o god_n command_n the_o memory_n of_o it_o celebrate_v among_o they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n in_o all_o their_o generation_n fifty_o two_o time_n in_o a_o year_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world._n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n preface_n when_o i_o begin_v at_o first_o these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o design_v only_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man_n and_o so_o to_o show_v by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o neither_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n after_o his_o sin_n can_v reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o i_o design_v after_o that_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n by_o such_o another_o undeniable_a argument_n viz._n by_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o and_o institute_v a_o solemn_a day_n in_o every_o week_n to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o among_o man_n from_o their_o time_n down_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o as_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n every_o week_n can_v easy_o run_v back_o to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v by_o the_o weekly_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n prove_v christ_n resurrection_n which_o occasion_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o
be_v either_o false_a or_o forge_a this_o eusebius_n have_v clear_o prove_v de_fw-la praepar_n evangelicâ_fw-la lib._n ix_o cap._n 5._o the_o proverb_n of_o the_o sibyll_n or_o delphic_a priestess_n favour_v of_o philip_n be_v common_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a for_o these_o heathen_a prince_n to_o bias_n their_o people_n with_o such_o prediction_n initiò_fw-la lib._n iu._n de_fw-fr praeparat_fw-la evangel_n lib._n iv_o initiò_fw-la but_o what_o eusebius_n say_v put_v the_o thing_n beyond_o all_o question_n for_o he_o express_o show_v that_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v put_v to_o the_o rack_n they_o confess_v the_o whole_a contrivance_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o they_o pronounce_v to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n v._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o we_o can_v find_v great_a number_n of_o oracle_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o prophet_n follow_v as_o it_o be_v moses_n model_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o they_o frequent_o concur_v in_o foretell_v the_o same_o fact_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o vi_o we_o ought_v to_o remember_v that_o these_o oracle_n be_v not_o keep_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o one_o single_a state_n or_o nation_n vii_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o public_o know_v have_v be_v only_o propose_v in_o private_a place_n before_o a_o very_a few_o and_o in_o short_a that_o they_o be_v not_o actual_o know_v to_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o neighbour_a people_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a prophet_n give_v their_o oracle_n in_o the_o most_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o when_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o those_o who_o have_v any_o commerce_n with_o that_o nation_n so_o that_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v questionless_a know_v to_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o cyrus_n who_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o design_v by_o god_n to_o restore_v their_o liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o judgement_n of_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n which_o be_v know_v to_o alexander_n without_o all_o question_n as_o one_o may_v collect_v from_o the_o favourable_a reception_n the_o jew_n find_v from_o he_o viii_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o these_o pretend_a oracle_n be_v give_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o prince_n who_o can_v satisfy_v the_o greediness_n of_o the_o priest_n whereas_o the_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n live_v in_o the_o most_o disinterested_n manner_n in_o the_o world_n and_o usual_o pronounce_v nothing_o but_o reproach_n and_o menace_n of_o cruel_a calamity_n to_o those_o prince_n who_o have_v the_o government_n in_o their_o hand_n their_o ministry_n consist_v in_o a_o courageous_a opposition_n to_o the_o corruption_n in_o their_o law_n and_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o censure_v their_o prince_n and_o governor_n with_o a_o singular_a intrepidity_n and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o most_o of_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o boldness_n and_o make_v trial_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torture_n ix_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v mention_v in_o heathen_a author_n be_v only_o of_o fact_n of_o small_a importance_n to_o those_o people_n among_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v pronounce_v so_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o think_v themselves_o much_o concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v so_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o which_o they_o be_v entrust_v that_o nothing_o to_o this_o very_a day_n can_v ever_o oblige_v they_o to_o discontinue_v the_o read_n of_o they_o whatever_o dispute_v they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v with_o the_o christian_n who_o make_v use_v of_o they_o to_o establish_v their_o pretension_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o synagogue_n when_o this_o be_v lay_v down_o it_o will_v seem_v as_o if_o i_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o wonderful_a variety_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n can_v be_v at_o all_o weaken_a by_o those_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o find_v so_o frequent_a mention_n in_o pagan_a writer_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o in_o explain_v two_o thing_n which_o will_v perfect_o clear_v this_o matter_n one_o be_v that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n can_v be_v no_o forgery_n the_o other_o be_v that_o in_o truth_n those_o oracle_n which_o we_o find_v insert_v in_o those_o book_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n chap._n v._n that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v i_o have_v observe_v former_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v insert_v be_v establish_v before_o we_o can_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o can_v clear_o show_v that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v and_o public_o know_v before_o the_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v accomplishment_n of_o those_o precede_a oracle_n it_o will_v be_v natural_a to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o authority_n of_o these_o oracle_n but_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a reader_n herein_o and_o to_o establish_v in_o general_a or_o several_o the_o existence_n of_o these_o prophetical_a write_n before_o the_o time_n in_o which_o those_o fact_n happen_v which_o we_o propose_v as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o two_o sort_n of_o reflection_n to_o establish_v my_o proposition_n the_o first_o consist_v in_o general_a consideration_n upon_o the_o book_n themselves_o the_o second_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v uncontested_a and_o whence_o the_o same_o truth_n very_o natural_o result_v i._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o whereas_o in_o genesis_n moses_n make_v use_v of_o no_o other_o epocha_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o any_o event_n but_o the_o year_n of_o the_o life_n of_o some_o famous_a patriarch_n as_o for_o instance_n he_o fix_v the_o flood_n to_o the_o 600_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n 38._o exod._n xix_o numb_a xxxiii_o 38._o in_fw-la exodus_fw-la and_o number_n he_o use_v the_o time_n of_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n for_o his_o epocha_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o follow_a author_n the_o year_n from_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v careful_o set_v down_o till_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n solomon_n reign_n which_o be_v 480_o year_n after_o their_o departure_n this_o be_v a_o character_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o all_o those_o who_o live_v after_o that_o epochâ—_n ii_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n begin_v a_o new_a epocha_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v from_o two_o chron._n viii_o 1._o though_o they_o begin_v after_o that_o time_n to_o reckon_v by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o prophet_n which_o be_v a_o character_n sufficient_o certain_a to_o distinguish_v those_o who_o live_v after_o solomon_n with_o the_o time_n when_o they_o live_v iii_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o afterward_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o persian_a empire_n oblige_v they_o to_o fix_v their_o event_n and_o to_o date_n their_o prophecy_n by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o government_n of_o those_o foreign_a king_n see_v daniel_n ezechiel_n zechariah_n and_o haggai_n so_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o maccabee_n refer_v to_o the_o year_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n now_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o perceive_v the_o force_n of_o this_o observation_n we_o must_v remember_v three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o author_n who_o live_v after_o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o jew_n into_o babylon_n make_v use_n of_o some_o chaldee_n term_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o forego_n prophet_n for_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o haggai_n 1._o ezech._n xl._n 1._o daniel_n x._o zach_n i._n hagg._n 1._o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n the_o same_o style_n with_o ezra_n nehemiah_n and_o daniel_n 2._o the_o author_n of_o these_o book_n give_v name_n to_o the_o month_n which_o they_o have_v not_o before_o the_o captivity_n the_o jew_n only_o call_v their_o month_n 1._o talm._n rosch_n hassanah_n c._n 1._o first_o and_z second_o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o they_o give_v name_n which_o be_v unheard_a of_o before_o 3._o the_o author_n of_o these_o prophecy_n take_v particular_a notice_n of_o any_o new_o institute_v fast_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n mention_v those_o fast_n of_o which_o we_o have_v nothing_o in_o the_o law_n but_o which_o be_v
therefore_o that_o occur_v in_o this_o matter_n consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propound_v to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o prove_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n his_o miracle_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o indeed_o these_o be_v the_o very_a matter_n of_o which_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n require_v a_o solid_a proof_n and_o it_o do_v the_o more_o concern_v we_o to_o satisfy_v their_o demand_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v oppose_v our_o assertion_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n be_v already_o accomplish_a though_o they_o agree_v upon_o the_o matter_n with_o we_o in_o all_o other_o article_n moreover_o the_o perform_v this_o task_n may_v very_o much_o contribute_v to_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bad_a christian_n who_o shall_v and_o continuance_n in_o vice_n and_o licentiousness_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o their_o be_v so_o weak_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o fundamental_o and_o that_o because_o they_o have_v never_o consider_v of_o they_o with_o sufficient_a attention_n chap._n ii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact._n forasmuch_o as_o in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o confine_v ourselves_o at_o present_a to_o those_o proof_n which_o make_v out_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propose_v omit_v all_o other_o argument_n which_o may_v evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o though_o possible_o no_o less_o convince_a it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o proof_n we_o be_v to_o produce_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o must_v be_v such_o as_o be_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v if_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o the_o event_n of_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o it_o may_v be_v just_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v produce_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v matter_n long_o since_o past_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o history_n which_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o relation_n of_o those_o who_o where_o eye-witness_n of_o the_o same_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o confirm_v our_o belief_n of_o thing_n at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o we_o i_o be_o behold_v to_o history_n only_o for_o the_o knowledge_n i_o have_v of_o a_o cyrus_n a_o alexander_n or_o a_o caesar_n and_o yet_o have_v read_v the_o account_n they_o give_v i_o of_o they_o i_o find_v they_o matter_n i_o can_v no_o way_n rational_o doubt_v of_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a be_v much_o inferior_a to_o that_o which_o we_o have_v of_o matter_n confirm_v to_o we_o by_o eye-witness_n nevertheless_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o event_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v be_v confirm_v but_o by_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o have_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o to_o account_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o man_n as_o cyrus_n and_o alexander_n for_o fable_n upon_o the_o pretence_n that_o none_o now_o alive_a do_v ever_o see_v they_o or_o because_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o trace_n leave_v of_o those_o empire_n of_o which_o they_o be_v the_o founder_n indeed_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v superad_v to_o it_o for_o though_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o historian_n who_o live_v many_o age_n ago_o yet_o withal_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o matter_n relate_v do_v not_o only_o carry_v the_o idea_n of_o probability_n and_o truth_n along_o with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o history_n of_o follow_a age_n which_o can_v be_v question_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o the_o thing_n relate_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o reason_n a_o matter_n of_o fact_n than_o be_v account_v certain_a when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o when_o record_v by_o a_o historian_n who_o live_v among_o those_o who_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o it_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o gainsay_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o if_o we_o find_v it_o pen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v relate_v by_o any_o otherwise_o than_o indeed_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o public_a derision_n and_o last_o of_o all_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o either_o because_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o every_o one_o to_o be_v inform_v of_o it_o or_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o public_a that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v hide_v from_o any_o or_o last_o because_o of_o its_o natural_a connexion_n with_o all_o those_o other_o event_n which_o necessary_o depend_v on_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a it_o be_v very_o unjust_a to_o demand_v either_o more_o proof_n or_o such_o as_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o be_v require_v to_o verisie_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact._n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o noah_n child_n be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o methusalem_n in_o case_n they_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v see_v he_o or_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o methusalem_n be_v of_o credit_n enough_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o adam_n if_o he_o aver_v that_o he_o see_v he_o and_o converse_v with_o he_o do_v we_o every_o day_n give_v credit_n to_o the_o account_n which_o old_a man_n give_v we_o of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o we_o find_v that_o what_o they_o relate_v have_v a_o exact_a reference_n and_o connexion_n with_o those_o thing_n we_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o proof_n which_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o our_o religion_n propose_v be_v infinite_o more_o strong_a and_o convince_a all_o the_o circumstance_n we_o can_v imagine_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n do_v concur_v to_o place_v the_o matter_n record_v in_o holy_a scripture_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o doubt_n or_o uncertainty_n we_o account_v the_o single_a testimony_n of_o a_o historian_n a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v once_o a_o very_a famous_a temple_n at_o delphos_n or_o ephesus_n notwithstanding_o that_o all_o the_o monument_n remain_v at_o this_o day_n to_o confirm_v his_o relation_n be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o defective_a whereas_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o entire_a nation_n yea_o many_o nation_n do_v attest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v and_o that_o all_o the_o action_n discourse_n and_o whole_a series_n of_o event_n thereto_o relate_v do_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o character_n which_o invincible_o signalise_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scrïpture_n chap._n iii_o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n forasmuch_o as_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n it_o will_v be_v proper_a in_o order_n to_o the_o execute_n of_o my_o design_n to_o begin_v with_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a book_n which_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a if_o one_o make_v the_o follow_a remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o he_o write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o deluge_n the_o rise_n and_o pedigree_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o particular_a the_o history_n of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n until_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o palestina_n 2552_o year_n after_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o follow_a book_n viz._n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n the_o four_o book_n of_o king_n of_o chronicle_n with_o the_o book_n of_o ezrah_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o say_a history_n from_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o jew_n into_o palestina_n until_o their_o
carry_v away_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n by_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o moses_n confirm_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o confirm_v beyond_o exception_n at_o least_o far_o beyond_o the_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n it_o remain_v only_o now_o to_o examine_v whether_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v not_o the_o same_o certainty_n when_o we_o look_v back_o from_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o about_o 580_o year_n i_o say_v then_o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v they_o forge_v during_o that_o period_n first_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o form_n we_o now_o see_v they_o but_o that_o the_o forgery_n must_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o the_o world._n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o all_o their_o family_n or_o synagogue_n and_o every_o seven_o year_n beside_o nothing_n be_v of_o more_o easy_a observation_n than_o whether_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o three_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o passover_n pentecost_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v obey_v the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n whether_o relate_v to_o particular_a person_n to_o tribe_n or_o their_o land_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o possess_v of_o they_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o suppose_v a_o insensible_a change_n wrought_v either_o in_o in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o civil_a government_n or_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o unsufferable_a piece_n of_o boldness_n to_o charge_v the_o jew_n with_o forge_v these_o book_n of_o moses_n or_o adulterate_v of_o they_o in_o this_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o appear_v they_o have_v keep_v they_o without_o any_o alteration_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2700_o year_n as_o have_v be_v show_v already_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n and_o disperse_v into_o distant_a country_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o forge_v or_o adulterate_v any_o of_o the_o say_a book_n because_o it_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v discover_v it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o the_o same_o reason_n take_v place_n in_o this_o interval_n of_o 580_o year_n for_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n to_o rehoboam_n they_o be_v not_o only_o great_o divide_v among_o themselves_o but_o almost_o continual_o subject_a to_o neighbour_a state_n who_o subdue_v they_o by_o turn_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n moreover_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n first_o that_o these_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o rise_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o fiction_n which_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n second_o that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v evident_o confirm_v by_o the_o follow_a book_n of_o joshuah_n and_o judge_n which_o have_v a_o essential_a reference_n to_o the_o same_o and_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o public_a act_n of_o many_o nation_n attest_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o that_o the_o say_a book_n be_v so_o close_o link_v and_o relate_v to_o those_o public_a and_o know_v action_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o separate_v the_o law_n they_o contain_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n attest_v by_o pagan_a history_n or_o to_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o equal_o lay_v down_o that_o platform_n of_o their_o policy_n and_o worship_n my_o business_n at_o present_a only_o be_v to_o hint_n these_o general_a reflection_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o sequel_n will_v oblige_v i_o to_o make_v some_o more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o each_o book_n when_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o consider_v the_o several_a relation_n they_o contain_v i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n where_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o deluge_n with_o other_o matter_n until_o the_o death_n of_o joseph_n which_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2369_o year_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a forasmuch_o as_o among_o those_o matter_n which_o moses_n relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v depend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o i_o must_v make_v it_o my_o business_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v that_o god_n create_v a_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o due_a time_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n for_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n i_o shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_o
prescribe_v to_o they_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o occasion_n and_o ground_n of_o they_o all_o be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o genesis_n to_o which_o all_o these_o law_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n take_v for_o grant_v that_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o his_o ancestor_n have_v always_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n and_o circumcision_n and_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n order_v the_o same_o to_o be_v constant_o read_v in_o every_o family_n to_o which_o the_o sabbath_n day_n be_v more_o peculiar_o appropriate_v and_o the_o whole_a to_o be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n as_o we_o know_v the_o jew_n practice_n be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o first_o of_o which_o injunction_n they_o practise_v still_o in_o all_o place_n and_o have_v leave_v off_o the_o other_o only_o because_o they_o can_v do_v it_o now_o they_o be_v out_o of_o their_o own_o land_n i_o say_v suppose_v all_o this_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o other_o than_o moses_n can_v have_v make_v this_o book_n to_o be_v receive_v the_o forgery_n at_o the_o beginning_n will_v have_v be_v palpable_a even_o to_o child_n themselves_o as_o for_o example_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o solomon_n have_v form_v a_o design_n of_o deceive_v the_o people_n in_o publish_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o a_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v so_o far_o impose_v on_o his_o people_n as_o to_o make_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o say_a book_n all_o at_o once_o as_o that_o which_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o their_o family_n every_o seven_o day_n and_o year_n and_o that_o for_o 600_o year_n before_o his_o time_n and_o therefore_o as_o a_o book_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o in_o all_o their_o family_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o by_o they_o before_o that_o time_n if_o a_o impostor_n can_v create_v a_o belief_n in_o other_o that_o he_o have_v some_o secret_a communication_n with_o the_o deity_n those_o who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v by_o he_o will_v easy_o submit_v themselves_o to_o his_o law_n but_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o whole_a people_n shall_v all_o at_o once_o forget_v whatsoever_o they_o have_v learn_v or_o hear_v of_o their_o parent_n and_o forefather_n and_o instead_o thereof_o admit_v of_o tale_n forge_v at_o pleasure_n some_o nation_n have_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a to_o derive_v themselves_o from_o a_o fabulous_a original_a but_o they_o never_o fall_v into_o such_o mistake_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v beside_o we_o know_v that_o these_o fabulous_a original_n never_o make_v so_o lively_a a_o impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o whole_a nation_n especial_o the_o learned_a among_o they_o as_o general_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o we_o rather_o find_v that_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o truth_n by_o show_v something_o else_o be_v hint_v thereby_o as_o we_o may_v see_v by_o the_o explication_n the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v give_v we_o of_o all_o their_o fable_n and_o utter_o reject_v those_o which_o they_o can_v not_o reconcile_v to_o good_a sense_n but_o in_o this_o case_n we_o find_v a_o whole_a nation_n to_o this_o very_a day_n maintain_v all_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o genesis_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o the_o creation_n as_o of_o matter_n who_o memorial_n they_o have_v constant_o celebrate_v every_o seven_o day_n since_o the_o time_n they_o first_o happen_v last_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o book_n be_v constant_o use_v to_o be_v read_v among_o the_o jew_n especial_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n and_o that_o under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n for_o instance_n since_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o since_o that_o of_o david_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v deny_v but_o this_o constant_a read_n be_v observe_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a book_n now_o if_o this_o law_n have_v always_o be_v in_o this_o book_n from_o the_o first_o appear_v of_o it_o which_o can_v be_v question_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o forge_v and_o foist_v in_o this_o book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n i_o say_v this_o book_n which_o beside_o all_o this_o contain_v such_o extraordinary_a matter_n and_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o their_o religion_n i_o will_v not_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n to_o make_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o man_n appear_v who_o imagine_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o four_o that_o follow_v it_o may_v have_v be_v forge_v by_o other_o under_o moses_n his_o name_n yet_o i_o think_v i_o ought_v before_o i_o proceed_v further_o to_o remove_v a_o seem_a difficulty_n which_o be_v often_o allege_v by_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n for_o say_v they_o it_o can_v be_v that_o these_o book_n be_v ever_o read_v with_o that_o care_n and_o constancy_n we_o speak_v of_o because_o a_o time_n can_v be_v point_v at_o wherein_o the_o say_a book_n be_v whole_o unknown_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o indeed_o the_o history_n plain_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v find_v again_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o josias_n from_o whence_o they_o infer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v then_o unknown_a it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v forge_v but_o indeed_o they_o may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o which_o willing_o we_o allow_v they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n wherein_o ungodliness_n do_v prevail_v and_o idolatry_n be_v public_o establish_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n itself_o yet_o can_v they_o not_o from_o this_o instance_n draw_v any_o other_o consequence_n which_o may_v support_v their_o pretension_n they_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v not_o only_o among_o the_o three_o tribe_n but_o also_o among_o the_o ten_o since_o the_o time_n of_o their_o revolt_n under_o rehoboam_n that_o they_o who_o be_v carry_v by_o salmanassar_n into_o the_o land_n of_o assyria_n have_v the_o say_v book_n among_o they_o as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o their_o own_o country_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n send_v some_o of_o the_o priest_n of_o samaria_n to_o instruct_v the_o colony_n which_o he_o have_v settle_v in_o their_o country_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o those_o priest_n go_v to_o borrow_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n from_o they_o of_o judah_n nor_o that_o the_o say_v law_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a in_o that_o country_n but_o only_o that_o they_o have_v former_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o serve_v strange_a god_n as_o they_o still_o do_v but_o that_o withal_o they_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o to_o this_o day_n be_v yet_o find_v among_o their_o posterity_n second_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o the_o wickedness_n and_o violence_n of_o manasseh_n cause_v a_o great_a change_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o his_o subject_n notwithstanding_o have_v still_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o the_o blood_n which_o he_o shed_v in_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o there_o be_v some_o godly_a man_n leave_v among_o they_o who_o continue_v true_a to_o their_o religion_n and_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o god._n beside_o if_o we_o consider_v his_o repentance_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o do_v in_o some_o degree_n re-establish_a the_o purity_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o have_v before_o profane_v a_o main_a part_n of_o which_o be_v the_o expound_v and_o read_v of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n according_a to_o those_o law_n before_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o place_n it_o be_v visible_a that_o the_o reason_n why_o hilkiah_n have_v find_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o they_o be_v cleanse_v and_o repair_v it_o send_v the_o same_o to_o josiah_n be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o such_o book_n leave_v in_o judah_n but_o because_o the_o say_a book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n himself_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v something_o very_o extraordinary_a in_o the_o find_n of_o it_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o they_o be_v endeavour_v a_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v this_o circumstance_n which_o do_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n excite_v the_o zeal_n of_o this_o good_a prince_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o suppose_v that_o josiah_n have_v never_o before_o see_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n how_o can_v he_o have_v apply_v himself_o to_o the_o reform_v of_o his_o
those_o song_n that_o be_v so_o much_o in_o fashion_n among_o those_o of_o his_o nation_n he_o may_v easy_o satisfy_v his_o curiosity_n by_o read_v moses_n history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v what_o sort_n of_o exhortation_n they_o be_v which_o the_o founder_n both_o of_o their_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n have_v former_o make_v to_o their_o forefather_n moses_n relate_v a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o in_o his_o book_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o receive_v instruction_n about_o the_o original_a and_o cause_n of_o those_o temporal_a blessing_n he_o enjoy_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o god_n have_v possess_v his_o nation_n of_o after_o the_o expulsion_n of_o those_o people_n that_o have_v be_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o for_o many_o age_n moses_n give_v as_o good_a account_n of_o all_o that_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o the_o several_a calamity_n that_o befall_v his_o nation_n on_o several_a occasion_n moses_n acquaint_v they_o both_o with_o the_o cause_n and_o remedy_n of_o all_o their_o affliction_n last_o if_o the_o jew_n desire_v to_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o future_a condition_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n in_o after_o age_n moses_n foretell_v it_o in_o so_o particular_a and_o clear_a a_o manner_n that_o they_o may_v look_v upon_o his_o prophecy_n not_o as_o certain_a prophecy_n only_o but_o as_o a_o plain_a history_n of_o future_a event_n begin_v and_o trace_v out_o before_o their_o accomplishment_n all_o this_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o considerable_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n with_o care_n that_o we_o may_v just_o observe_v three_o thing_n in_o his_o person_n which_o as_o they_o raise_v he_o above_o all_o common_a author_n so_o they_o can_v but_o strengthen_v the_o belief_n and_o increase_v the_o esteem_n and_o veneration_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v for_o his_o history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o whereas_o all_o man_n be_v careful_a to_o conceal_v their_o own_o infirmity_n and_o whatever_o be_v dishonourable_a to_o their_o famille_n moses_n on_o the_o contrary_n seem_v to_o have_v affect_v to_o record_v all_o the_o thing_n that_o can_v blemish_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o derogate_v to_o his_o own_o reputation_n he_o blemish_n jacob_n memory_n by_o his_o relate_n how_o he_o prefer_v joseph_n the_o son_n of_o his_o belove_a wife_n to_o reuben_n his_o elder_a who_o he_o unjust_o deprive_v of_o his_o birthright_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o other_o which_o injustice_n be_v express_o forbid_v by_o one_o of_o moses_n law_n thus_o he_o lay_v a_o eternal_a blot_n and_o reproach_n upon_o the_o memory_n of_o levi_n the_o head_n of_o his_o own_o family_n when_o he_o mention_n his_o cruelty_n and_o violence_n against_o the_o sichemite_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o his_o posterity_n among_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o he_o vilify_v his_o own_o birth_n by_o forbid_v any_o marriage_n betwixt_o a_o aunt_n and_o her_o nephew_n see_v he_o relate_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v bear_v of_o jocabed_a both_o aunt_n and_o wife_n to_o his_o father_n amram_n he_o describe_v his_o own_o incredulity_n with_o all_o the_o ingenuity_n imaginable_a when_o he_o represent_v the_o several_a miracle_n which_o god_n wrought_v by_o he_o he_o seem_v to_o speak_v of_o himself_o only_o to_o lay_v open_a his_o own_o fail_n and_o sin_n such_o a_o sincerity_n and_o impartiality_n we_o know_v confirm_v and_o increase_v mighty_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o author_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v that_o moses_n not_o regard_v the_o advantage_n and_o honour_n of_o his_o own_o family_n leave_v the_o government_n of_o israel_n to_o joshuah_n one_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n and_o so_o reduce_v his_o own_o child_n and_o their_o posterity_n to_o the_o low_a condition_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v of_o a_o inferior_a rank_n to_o that_o of_o priest_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o they_o ever_o after_o renew_v the_o pretension_n which_o they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v have_v to_o succeed_v moses_n now_o such_o neglect_n of_o his_o family_n show_v that_o moses_n principle_n be_v raise_v much_o above_o the_o ordinary_a pitch_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o law_n giver_n who_o be_v absolute_a and_o supreme_a over_o their_o people_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a here_o be_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o share_n in_o the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o all_o be_v subdue_v after_o his_o death_n nay_o it_o be_v that_o conquest_n that_o fix_v and_o settle_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n which_o be_v before_o unsettle_a and_o as_o it_o be_v ambulatory_a in_o the_o desert_n now_o how_o can_v such_o a_o singular_a design_n as_o moses_n describe_v in_o his_o law_n be_v put_v in_o execution_n by_o any_o other_o than_o by_o he_o that_o form_v it_o it_o be_v joshua_n that_o make_v this_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o possess_v the_o jew_n of_o it_o now_o to_o be_v sure_a if_o that_o people_n have_v not_o be_v then_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o moses_n law_n they_o will_v never_o have_v fail_v after_o so_o great_a a_o alteration_n to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o power_n and_o liberty_n in_o throw_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o his_o law_n nor_o yet_o will_v joshua_n and_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n ever_o have_v maintain_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o law_n if_o they_o have_v not_o look_v upon_o moses_n not_o only_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a man_n but_o also_o as_o one_o particular_o commissionated_a by_o god_n to_o make_v that_o body_n of_o law_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o his_o people_n we_o read_v in_o those_o book_n of_o moses_n die_a in_o the_o mountain_n of_o moab_n now_o that_o be_v suppose_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o if_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v that_o god_n himself_o give_v their_o law_n to_o moses_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n mention_v by_o he_o they_o will_v have_v continue_v to_o keep_v up_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o ill_a ground_a conceit_n if_o he_o have_v real_o by_o his_o tyrannical_a authority_n force_v the_o israelite_n into_o a_o compliance_n to_o his_o law_n during_o his_o life_n why_o do_v they_o not_o assoon_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a with_o the_o fear_n of_o his_o authority_n shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o his_o law_n and_o all_o respect_n for_o his_o memory_n one_o thing_n we_o may_v remark_n as_o very_o surprise_v in_o the_o relation_n of_o that_o legislator_n death_n which_o be_v that_o his_o body_n be_v not_o find_v after_o his_o death_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o that_o people_n which_o otherwise_o keep_v up_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o so_o much_o care_n the_o bone_n of_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n in_o order_n to_o bury_v and_o deposite_n they_o in_o the_o sepulcher_n of_o their_o ancestor_n for_o both_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n be_v inter_v in_o judaea_n do_v ever_o build_v a_o tomb_n to_o their_o lawgiver_n or_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o show_v his_o sepulchre_n josephus_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o moses_n write_v himself_o the_o account_n of_o his_o own_o death_n for_o fear_v the_o jew_n shall_v ever_o imagine_v and_o so_o give_v out_o that_o god_n have_v take_v he_o up_o into_o heaven_n i_o see_v i_o confess_v no_o solidity_n in_o that_o conjecture_n of_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o may_v give_v we_o occasion_n to_o make_v a_o reflection_n hereupon_o i_o think_v more_o natural_a and_o easy_a which_o be_v that_o god_n have_v a_o mind_n as_o joshua_n intimate_v it_o to_o confirm_v the_o many_o character_n of_o divinity_n that_o appear_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o take_v away_o from_o before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o jew_n his_o corpse_n which_o they_o will_v certain_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o prevent_v have_v keep_v with_o more_o care_n than_o those_o of_o all_o their_o patriarch_n and_o king_n the_o description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n death_n show_v evident_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o in_o great_a esteem_n during_o his_o life_n but_o that_o even_o his_o death_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o increase_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v man_n look_v upon_o he_o as_o one_o glorious_o raise_v up_o above_o the_o common_a condition_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o infirmity_n and_o misery_n incident_a to_o human_a nature_n but_o after_o these_o general_a reflection_n i_o must_v come_v to_o those_o that_o be_v more_o particular_a chap._n iii_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o whoever_o will_v examine_v with_o attention_n the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o
to_o have_v design_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n we_o have_v see_v in_o general_a that_o god_n by_o give_v his_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n intend_v to_o discriminate_a they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o particular_a from_o those_o nation_n which_o have_v show_v themselves_o to_o be_v jealous_a of_o that_o distinction_n i_o mean_v from_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o ismaelite_n and_o the_o edomite_n as_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o show_v i_o have_v likewise_o observe_v that_o god_n by_o his_o conduct_n and_o his_o oracle_n do_v also_o excite_v a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o promise_n i_o come_v now_o to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v follow_v the_o same_o design_n in_o his_o law_n and_o that_o he_o have_v make_v use_n of_o that_o jealousy_n as_o of_o another_o mean_n to_o make_v that_o people_n which_o he_o have_v separate_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n keep_v up_o always_o among_o themselves_o a_o lively_a notion_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n perhaps_o the_o reader_n may_v think_v that_o these_o reflection_n may_v interrupt_v the_o series_n of_o the_o observation_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v upon_o moses_n law_n but_o beside_o that_o i_o shall_v resume_v they_o present_o so_o one_o may_v easy_o discern_v that_o these_o two_o remark_n concern_v the_o spirit_n of_o distinction_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n keep_v up_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o this_o people_n aught_o to_o be_v well_o consider_v by_o those_o that_o desire_v to_o know_v the_o genius_n of_o god_n law_n and_o the_o original_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n relate_v by_o moses_n and_o by_o the_o other_o sacred_a author_n who_o act_v in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o design_n which_o appear_v in_o those_o law_n which_o moses_n give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n i_o begin_v with_o two_o general_a reflection_n which_o i_o think_v be_v very_o useful_a in_o the_o explication_n of_o god_n conduct_n upon_o this_o occasion_n two_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v have_v conduce_v to_o keep_v up_o that_o jealousy_n whereof_o moses_n have_v give_v so_o many_o instance_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o first_o be_v the_o preference_n which_o god_n have_v common_o give_v to_o the_o young_a brother_n before_o the_o elder_n the_o second_o be_v the_o choice_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o such_o particular_a person_n as_o appear_v absolute_o unworthy_a of_o god_n choice_n so_o that_o here_o one_o see_v we_o a_o continual_a series_n in_o the_o jewish_a history_n write_v by_o moses_n and_o by_o the_o prophet_n who_o make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o that_o model_n which_o moses_n have_v give_v they_o first_o of_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n be_v prefer_v before_o all_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o particular_o before_o the_o tribe_n of_o reuben_n which_o afterward_o occasion_v the_o insurrection_n of_o some_o reubenites_n in_o their_o sedition_n against_o moses_n wherein_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n perish_v just_o as_o god_n prefer_v abel_n offend_v cain_n and_o as_o joseph_n brethren_n conspire_v together_o to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n because_o of_o his_o dream_n which_o foretell_v his_o greatness_n and_o their_o fall_n second_o one_o see_v we_o that_o phares_n judah_n young_a son_n be_v prefer_v not_o only_o before_o all_o the_o other_o child_n of_o judah_n but_o even_o before_o zerah_n the_o elder_a of_o the_o twin_n which_o judah_n have_v by_o thamar_n just_a as_o jacob_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brother_n esau_n though_o they_o be_v twin_n and_o esau_n bear_v the_o first_o of_o the_o two_o one_o see_v we_o afterward_o that_o god_n have_v choose_v jesse_n of_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o phares_n david_n the_o young_a of_o all_o his_o son_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brethren_n when_o god_n be_v please_v to_o translate_v the_o kingdom_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o to_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n just_o as_o we_o see_v before_o that_o in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o first_o king_n who_o the_o israelite_n desire_v to_o be_v set_v over_o they_o that_o he_o be_v choose_v by_o lot_n by_o a_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o providence_n out_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o the_o young_a of_o all_o jacob_n child_n thus_o one_o see_v we_o that_o solomon_n the_o young_a of_o david_n child_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brother_n and_o that_o the_o same_o solomon_n build_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o he_o himself_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n we_o shall_v afterward_o see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v descend_v from_o david_n by_o nathan_n son_n to_o one_o of_o david_n young_a child_n and_o by_o resah_n zorobabel_n young_a son_n from_o who_o the_o bless_a virgin_n draw_v her_o original_a the_o second_o remark_n be_v about_o the_o care_n god_n have_v take_v by_o his_o choice_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n to_o furnish_v those_o with_o pretence_n and_o objection_n who_o may_v be_v interest_v to_o oppose_v the_o restriction_n which_o god_n have_v make_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o equal_n for_o as_o they_o serve_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o jealousy_n among_o all_o the_o pretender_n to_o the_o promise_n so_o they_o also_o serve_v to_o preserve_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v they_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o it_o in_o short_a as_o we_o see_v that_o the_o ismaelite_n may_v upbraid_v sarah_n both_o with_o her_o frequent_a rape_n and_o with_o her_o cruelty_n to_o agar_n and_o ishmael_n as_o the_o edomite_n may_v upbraid_v jacob_n posterity_n with_o rebecca_n supplant_n their_o father_n esau_n and_o cheat_v he_o of_o his_o blessing_n so_o likewise_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o god_n not_o only_o choose_v thamar_n to_o have_v the_o messiah_n descend_v from_o she_o but_o also_o will_v have_v her_o incest_n with_o her_o father_n in-law_n record_v what_o may_v all_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n say_v be_v there_o then_o no_o honest_a woman_n in_o israel_n that_o the_o messiah_n ancestor_n must_v descend_v from_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o incestuous_a commerce_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o that_o god_n shall_v choose_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n have_v not_o all_o the_o other_o child_n of_o judah_n a_o fair_a pretention_n to_o this_o privilege_n than_o phares_n can_v have_v and_o may_v not_o their_o posterity_n revive_v against_o the_o posterity_n of_o phares_n that_o severe_a law_n against_o bastard_n child_n which_o we_o read_v of_o deut._n xxiii_o god_n choose_v in_o the_o like_a manner_n ruth_n the_o moabitess_n and_o have_v her_o history_n write_v and_o his_o choice_n record_v as_o if_o he_o have_v intend_v to_o prepare_v a_o excuse_n for_o those_o of_o the_o israelite_n who_o afterward_o will_v refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o david_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o may_v they_o say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o moabitess_n see_v it_o be_v by_o his_o order_n that_o moses_n cause_v all_o those_o israelite_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n who_o after_o the_o pronunciation_n of_o balaam_n prophecy_n hold_v any_o commerce_n with_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n be_v there_o any_o likelihood_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v possible_a especial_o see_v there_o be_v a_o law_n which_o god_n will_v have_v to_o be_v insert_v in_o deuteronomy_n which_o exclude_v the_o moabite_n from_o the_o possibility_n of_o ever_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o people_n of_o god._n but_o at_o least_o be_v not_o this_o choice_n of_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n a_o fair_a cause_n of_o jealousy_n to_o all_o the_o other_o family_n of_o judah_n god_n cause_v the_o adultery_n of_o bathsheba_n the_o mother_n of_o solomon_n to_o be_v careful_o record_v as_o it_o be_v on_o purpose_n to_o excuse_v the_o rebellion_n of_o those_o who_o afterward_o side_v with_o jeroboam_n against_o rehoboam_n and_o his_o authority_n be_v it_o probable_a might_n these_o rebel_n say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v choose_v that_o bloody_a cruel_a man_n david_n that_o adulterer_n that_o he_o and_o bathshebah_n shall_v beget_v the_o messiah_n together_o have_v jesse_n no_o other_o child_n beside_o david_n and_o if_o david_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v the_o man_n why_o shall_v solomon_n bear_v of_o bathshebah_n be_v prefer_v before_o all_o his_o brother_n there_o be_v three_o thing_n considerable_a in_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o joshuah_n the_o conduct_n of_o the_o israelite_n after_o he_o have_v former_o raise_v joseph_n so_o much_o above_o his_o brethren_n by_o his_o advancement_n in_o egypt_n and_o give_v to_o his_o tribe_n two_o portion_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n
that_o any_o messiah_n real_o descend_v from_o that_o very_a tribe_n can_v by_o establish_v his_o genealogy_n put_v his_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n beyond_o all_o contest_v now_o according_a to_o this_o notion_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v visible_a if_o we_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n that_o he_o do_v particular_o preserve_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o benjamin_n with_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n which_o be_v the_o only_a tribe_n that_o be_v to_o be_v preserve_v of_o necessity_n first_o because_o as_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o hebrew_n observe_v there_o be_v nothing_o ever_o say_v as_o to_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi._n second_o because_o god_n will_v by_o that_o mean_n confound_v the_o more_o effectual_o all_o the_o claim_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o in_o short_a if_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n be_v invest_v by_o god_n with_o the_o kingdom_n over_o nine_o tribe_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n so_o have_v the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n be_v raise_v up_o before_o to_o the_o sovereignty_n over_o all_o israel_n over_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o even_o that_o of_o ephraim_n itself_o if_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n be_v descend_v from_o a_o young_a brother_n to_o who_o jacob_n have_v give_v his_o blessing_n in_o prejudice_n of_o manasseh_n his_o elder_a brother_n which_o be_v considerable_a because_o god_n have_v almost_o constant_o prefer_v the_o young_a before_o the_o elder_a so_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n be_v descend_v from_o he_o that_o be_v both_o the_o young_a brother_n of_o joseph_n himself_o and_o the_o young_a of_o all_o jacob_n child_n notwithstanding_o which_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n do_v free_o yield_v to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o grant_v that_o the_o glory_n of_o give_v birth_n to_o the_o messiah_n be_v whole_o due_a to_o they_o be_v it_o as_o it_o will_v there_o be_v two_o reflection_n more_o which_o must_v be_v make_v concern_v these_o genealogy_n which_o appear_v very_o natural_a in_o this_o place_n the_o first_o be_v that_o both_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n luke_n do_v begin_v their_o gospel_n with_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o other_o be_v that_o some_o time_n after_o st._n paul_n condemn_v the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n which_o be_v still_o much_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o vain_a why_o therefore_o be_v there_o such_o a_o different_a conduct_n among_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o same_o master_n certain_o whoever_o shall_v consider_v with_o attention_n the_o ground_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o before_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o both_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n luke_n aught_o to_o have_v begin_v their_o book_n as_o they_o have_v do_v with_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o messiah_n for_o first_o of_o all_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o messiah_n from_o abraham_n by_o david_n shall_v be_v clear_o make_v out_o it_o be_v requisite_a therefore_o that_o they_o shall_v set_v down_o such_o a_o genealogy_n as_o be_v know_v by_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n now_o this_o they_o have_v do_v with_o very_o great_a care_n and_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o well_o know_v that_o even_o a_o blindman_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n of_o samaria_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o the_o king_n of_o ephraim_n do_v public_o call_v jesus_n the_o son_n of_o david_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n st._n paul_n forbid_v the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n do_v not_o at_o all_o contradict_v the_o method_n of_o those_o two_o evangelist_n in_o short_a he_o pursue_v the_o very_a same_o notion_n he_o see_v that_o the_o convert_v jew_n apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n which_o be_v then_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o study_n of_o their_o nation_n it_o be_v still_o practise_v among_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o degree_n chazaka_fw-mi maimon_n praef._n ad_fw-la jad_n chazaka_fw-mi that_o since_o their_o dispersion_n they_o give_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o all_o the_o doctor_n and_o rabbi_n among_o they_o who_o have_v preserve_v the_o tradition_n and_o who_o be_v proselyte_n of_o justice_n what_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o god_n have_v engage_v every_o jew_n to_o study_v his_o own_o pedigree_n with_o care_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o only_o to_o have_v that_o of_o the_o messiah_n distinct_o know_v whenever_o he_o shall_v come_v but_o the_o use_n of_o these_o genealogy_n be_v once_o over_o by_o the_o messiah_n come_v into_o the_o world_n he_o observe_v with_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v no_o long_o necessary_a to_o keep_v up_o the_o vain_a study_n of_o all_o those_o genealogy_n so_o that_o we_o see_v he_o speak_v against_o the_o study_n of_o pedigree_n much_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n as_o in_o other_o place_n he_o inveigh_v against_o circumcision_n for_o since_o the_o chief_a use_n of_o genealogy_n as_o well_o as_o of_o circumcision_n be_v to_o distinguish_v abraham_n posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v the_o use_n of_o these_o two_o observation_n be_v natural_o to_o cease_v after_o he_o be_v once_o come_v it_o be_v no_o doubt_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o whereas_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n take_v great_a care_n upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o tribe_n from_o which_o they_o be_v descend_v as_o well_o as_o to_o set_v down_o the_o name_n of_o their_o father_n yet_o one_o see_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o all_o affect_v it_o and_o if_o st._n paul_n mention_n his_o be_v a_o benjamite_n it_o be_v for_o a_o particular_a reason_n for_o otherwise_o as_o he_o preach_v down_o the_o distinction_n betwixt_o jew_n and_o gentile_n so_o he_o declare_v himself_o with_o the_o same_o earnestness_n against_o the_o distinction_n which_o be_v observe_v among_o their_o tribe_n chap._n xviii_o that_o the_o manner_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n fix_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a mean_n which_o god_n make_v use_v of_o to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n be_v so_o to_o fix_v their_o affection_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o shall_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o country_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o by_o a_o particular_a concession_n from_o god_n which_o derogate_a from_o the_o canaanite_n right_a to_o who_o that_o country_n fall_v in_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v make_v among_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n or_o which_o reestablish_v the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n in_o their_o just_a right_n 84._o haeres_fw-la lxvi_o n._n 84._o to_o who_o if_o we_o may_v credit_v the_o ancient_a tradition_n relate_v by_o st._n epiphanius_n this_o country_n do_v real_o belong_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o division_n among_o the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n though_o afterward_o they_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o it_o by_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham._n moses_n seem_v to_o have_v express_v this_o truth_n when_o he_o say_v gen._n xii_o that_o when_o abraham_n come_v to_o canaan_n the_o canaanite_n be_v already_o in_o the_o land_n that_o be_v he_o have_v already_o invade_v it_o neither_o can_v we_o refer_v what_o he_o relate_v in_o the_o fourteen_o chapter_n concern_v the_o war_n which_o the_o king_n from_o the_o east_n come_v to_o make_v against_o the_o king_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrha_n to_o any_o thing_n else_o it_o be_v then_o for_o this_o reason_n that_o long_o before_o moses_n time_n god_n take_v abraham_n out_o of_o chaldea_n from_o among_o shem_n posterity_n to_o bring_v he_o into_o canaan_n among_o the_o hâ—vites_n the_o amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n all_o equal_o descend_v from_o ham_n who_o god_n have_v curse_v god_n can_v have_v place_v abraham_n any_o where_o else_o but_o he_o choose_v to_o bring_v he_o into_o a_o country_n which_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n have_v seize_v upon_o already_o rather_o than_o into_o a_o place_n possess_v by_o the_o posterity_n of_o japhet_n on_o purpose_n that_o the_o jealousy_n may_v be_v the_o great_a betwixt_o abraham_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o country_n into_o which_o god_n have_v bring_v he_o nevertheless_o god_n do_v not_o give_v he_o at_o first_o a_o entire_a possession_n but_o only_o promise_v he_o that_o his_o posterity_n shall_v enjoy_v it_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n invest_v he_o beforehand_o with_o a_o right_a to_o it_o by_o the_o purchase_n of_o a_o field_n for_o a_o bury_v place_n wherein_o his_o wife_n himself_z and_o his_o child_n be_v bury_v by_o which_o mean_n he_o strong_o fix_v his_o own_o mind_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o his_o posterity_n in_o short_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o
considerable_o shorten_v at_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n so_o one_o may_v judge_v that_o this_o promise_v aught_o to_o be_v more_o frequent_o propose_v and_o more_o clear_o explain_v and_o we_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o in_o proportion_n to_o the_o delay_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o shortness_n of_o man_n life_n which_o discourage_v their_o hope_n of_o ever_o see_v a_o promise_v fulfil_v which_o their_o ancestor_n who_o life_n be_v much_o long_o can_v never_o attain_v to_o the_o more_o distinct_a knowledge_n which_o god_n give_v of_o this_o great_a object_n be_v in_o order_n to_o stir_v up_o strong_a desire_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o gentile_n to_o who_o god_n be_v afterward_o to_o renew_v the_o idea_n of_o it_o and_o consequent_o we_o find_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n and_o prophecy_n be_v require_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o entertain_v and_o strengthen_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o promise_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v so_o considerable_o defer_v and_o indeed_o this_o be_v exact_o the_o method_n which_o god_n follow_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v in_o a_o most_o illustrious_a manner_n be_v employ_v to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o increase_v they_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n until_o the_o time_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n itself_o and_o god_n have_v so_o exact_o set_v down_o by_o the_o prophet_n the_o several_a part_n of_o his_o design_n as_o there_o need_v not_o be_v afterward_o any_o difficulty_n in_o discern_v the_o prosecution_n of_o that_o design_n which_o he_o have_v form_v at_o first_o i_o intend_v in_o this_o three_o part_n of_o my_o reflection_n on_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o explain_v this_o method_n which_o god_n have_v follow_v in_o show_v how_o he_o have_v accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o he_o have_v make_v the_o depositary_n of_o his_o oracle_n and_o proportion_v they_o to_o their_o understanding_n and_o desire_n for_o the_o more_o happy_a execution_n of_o this_o design_n and_o a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o this_o conduct_n of_o god_n which_o seem_v somewhat_o obscure_v by_o intermix_v these_o prediction_n concern_v the_o messiah_n with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o event_n during_o that_o series_n of_o age_n whereof_o we_o have_v the_o history_n write_v by_o his_o own_o order_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v first_o of_o all_o to_o explain_v the_o reason_n why_o god_n be_v please_v to_o interweave_v the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o matter_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o a_o very_a different_a nature_n and_o then_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o rule_n which_o one_o ought_v to_o follow_v in_o apply_v the_o ancient_a prophecy_n to_o the_o messiah_n after_o these_o preliminary_a reflection_n i_o suppose_v that_o in_o order_n to_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o the_o series_n of_o god_n design_n and_o a_o more_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o this_o matter_n that_o i_o ought_v again_o to_o resume_v and_o to_o set_v before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o reader_n the_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n which_o god_n have_v give_v concern_v the_o messiah_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o moses_n together_o with_o that_o oracle_n which_o he_o utter_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o that_o illustrious_a legislator_n one_o will_v easy_o judge_v without_o my_o undertake_n to_o prove_v it_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o these_o oracle_n be_v familiar_a to_o the_o jew_n until_o david_n during_o the_o space_n of_o 400_o year_n after_o which_o god_n begin_v to_o discover_v the_o same_o more_o particular_o in_o choose_v david_n to_o be_v the_o person_n in_o who_o family_n that_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v accomplish_v because_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o his_o seed_n and_o so_o i_o shall_v immediate_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o david_n himself_o utter_v on_o this_o subject_a which_o deserve_v so_o much_o the_o more_o attention_n because_o god_n who_o at_o that_o time_n change_v the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v considerable_o augment_v the_o idea_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v concern_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n last_o i_o shall_v collect_v under_o certain_a head_n those_o oracle_n which_o be_v utter_v by_o the_o prophet_n concern_v the_o messiah_n some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o babylon_n and_o soon_o after_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o light_n concern_v this_o matter_n be_v at_o that_o time_n much_o increase_v and_o the_o oracle_n themselves_o be_v much_o more_o clear_a and_o distinct_a as_o give_v many_o more_o particular_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o brief_o to_o touch_v upon_o they_o in_o follow_v the_o principal_a character_n which_o they_o give_v concern_v the_o messiah_n after_o which_o i_o shall_v have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n until_o that_o wherein_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o this_o promise_n and_o these_o oracle_n be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o person_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n though_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o be_o to_o handle_v and_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v with_o the_o greatness_n briefness_n that_o be_v possible_a may_v seem_v to_o oblige_v i_o to_o omit_v the_o examine_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o intermix_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o many_o other_o transaction_n with_o these_o prophecy_n it_o oblige_v i_o in_o this_o three_o part_n to_o make_v also_o some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o indeed_o this_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n and_o the_o manner_n how_o god_n have_v constant_o follow_v that_o draught_n which_o he_o at_o first_o form_v to_o himself_o as_o also_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o different_a revolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n he_o have_v always_o continue_v those_o mean_n which_o he_o choose_v at_o first_o to_o facilitate_v the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o explain_v this_o series_n of_o the_o design_n of_o god_n to_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o prophecy_n more_o firm_a and_o unmoveable_a those_o law_n the_o observation_n of_o which_o serve_v to_o distinguish_v the_o family_n of_o judah_n and_o that_o of_o the_o messiah_n be_v so_o many_o boundary_n and_o limit_n within_o which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o confine_v himself_o that_o his_o conduct_n in_o this_o matter_n may_v be_v the_o more_o easy_o observable_a and_o know_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o have_v begin_v by_o the_o firm_a establishment_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n on_o which_o i_o make_v my_o reflection_n without_o which_o that_o work_n will_v have_v want_v all_o its_o strength_n so_o i_o intend_v also_o in_o this_o part_n to_o follow_v the_o same_o rule_n and_o according_o i_o shall_v at_o first_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o if_o one_o ought_v to_o prove_v that_o these_o prophecy_n be_v well_o know_v and_o very_o famous_a than_o it_o will_v be_v expect_v from_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v solid_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o those_o oracle_n be_v record_v before_o i_o can_v of_o right_o conclude_v that_o the_o fact_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o other_o author_n be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o prophecy_n this_o design_n will_v natural_o engage_v i_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o one_o of_o these_o book_n in_o order_n particular_o but_o as_o i_o have_v not_o only_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n already_o but_o that_o moreover_o i_o intend_v in_o my_o reflection_n on_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o beyond_o all_o contest_v and_o beside_o that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v so_o essential_o link_v with_o those_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o one_o without_o own_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o other_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v be_v dispense_v with_o as_o to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o particular_a and_o therefore_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o
we_o afterward_o that_o the_o prophet_n explain_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n all_o these_o idea_n which_o david_n have_v already_o propose_v isaiah_n speak_v of_o his_o birth_n by_o a_o virgin_n of_o his_o spiritual_a gift_n of_o his_o miracle_n of_o his_o suffering_n of_o his_o resurrection_n of_o his_o call_v of_o all_o nation_n in_o to_o his_o worship_n and_o of_o his_o cast_v off_o the_o jew_n those_o who_o come_v after_o point_n out_o the_o place_n particular_o and_o the_o town_n where_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v they_o describe_v his_o covenant_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n in_o short_a they_o describe_v both_o the_o character_n of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o empire_n under_o which_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v and_o the_o very_a year_n in_o which_o he_o be_v to_o die_v as_o daniel_n particular_o do_v i_o can_v undertake_v to_o relate_v all_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o be_v so_o very_o numerous_a but_o i_o hope_v at_o least_o to_o mark_v the_o more_o principal_a and_o the_o most_o illustrious_a one_o and_o to_o explain_v they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o all_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v i._n that_o god_n design_v to_o give_v infallible_a proof_n to_o his_o church_n of_o his_o design_n in_o send_v the_o messiah_n into_o the_o world_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o continual_a remembrance_n of_o he_o as_o of_o a_o person_n who_o be_v promise_v to_o give_v all_o comfort_n to_o his_o church_n and_o who_o come_v shall_v bring_v salvation_n to_o all_o mankind_n ii_o that_o the_o care_n which_o he_o take_v in_o specify_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n show_v that_o he_o design_v to_o prevent_v the_o scandal_n which_o the_o abject_a life_n and_o death_n of_o a_o messiah_n may_v produce_v and_o the_o false_a judgement_n which_o man_n may_v form_v of_o the_o work_n of_o a_o divine_a wisdom_n when_o they_o only_o judge_v of_o they_o by_o the_o outside_n iii_o that_o he_o design_v to_o give_v a_o infallible_a proof_n that_o this_o send_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o work_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o fidelity_n which_o at_o last_o accomplish_v a_o thing_n the_o design_n whereof_o have_v be_v propose_v to_o mankind_n immediate_o after_o the_o fall._n chap._n ix_o of_o those_o oracle_n concern_v the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o begin_v with_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n since_o it_o be_v convenient_a to_o touch_v they_o all_o over_o again_o in_o few_o word_n the_o first_o oracle_n be_v comprise_v in_o these_o term_n gen._n iii_o 15._o i_o will_v put_v enmity_n between_o thou_o and_o the_o woman_n and_o between_o thy_o seed_n and_o her_o seed_n it_o shall_v bruise_v thy_o head_n and_o thou_o shall_v bruise_v his_o heel_n this_o oracle_n have_v considerable_a advantage_n though_o it_o be_v express_v in_o figurative_a term_n god_n utter_v it_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n after_o he_o have_v give_v sentence_n against_o adam_n and_o the_o woman_n and_o the_o serpent_n in_o a_o very_a sensible_a manner_n even_o under_o a_o human_a shape_n if_o we_o may_v dare_v to_o affirm_v it_o he_o utter_v it_o before_o the_o head_n of_o all_o mankind_n which_o ought_v to_o make_v it_o considerable_a to_o all_o his_o posterity_n he_o express_v it_o by_o a_o allusion_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o temptation_n and_o to_o the_o form_n of_o the_o serpent_n which_o the_o tempter_n have_v take_v upon_o he_o he_o preserve_v thereby_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o temptation_n by_o inspire_v all_o mankind_n with_o a_o invincible_a hatred_n against_o all_o serpent_n in_o general_a though_o the_o tempter_n have_v take_v the_o shape_n but_o of_o one_o particular_a kind_n for_o a_o instrument_n to_o accomplish_v his_o design_n in_o short_a this_o oracle_n clear_o show_v i._o that_o it_o shall_v be_v particular_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n adam_n not_o be_v touch_v at_o ii_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o messiah_n shall_v destroy_v the_o power_n of_o the_o serpent_n express_v by_o the_o head_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n iii_o that_o this_o seed_n shall_v however_o receive_v a_o considerable_a wound_n from_o the_o devil_n though_o it_o shall_v only_o touch_v his_o heel_n the_o least_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o messiah_n iv_o that_o all_o the_o blessing_n which_o god_n shall_v give_v to_o mankind_n after_o the_o fall_n shall_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o send_n of_o this_o seed_n into_o the_o world_n this_o be_v more_o clear_o express_v by_o god_n tell_v abraham_n 18._o gen._n xxii_o 18._o that_o in_o thy_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v that_o this_o oracle_n gen._n iii_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n be_v plain_a i._o because_o it_o be_v the_o source_n and_o abridgement_n of_o the_o whole_a revelation_n ii_o because_o all_o the_o ancient_a jew_n in_o effect_n understand_v it_o so_o iii_o because_o the_o apostle_n in_o follow_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o synagogue_n plain_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o messiah_n l._n targum_fw-la in_o h._n l._n by_o the_o allusion_n which_o they_o make_v to_o they_o john_n xii_o roman_n xvi_o two_o cor._n xi_o 1_o john_n iii_o the_o second_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v contain_v in_o these_o term_n when_o god_n speak_v to_o abraham_n in_o thy_o seed_n shall_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v this_o oracle_n be_v very_o illustrious_a i._o by_o the_o person_n of_o abraham_n who_o god_n make_v the_o depositary_a of_o it_o and_o who_o make_v himself_o ready_a to_o sacricrifice_v his_o own_o son._n ii_o by_o the_o frequent_a repetition_n which_o god_n make_v to_o this_o patriarch_n use_v in_o effect_n all_o those_o way_n which_o he_o afterward_o follow_v in_o his_o revelation_n to_o the_o patriarch_n for_o fifty_o year_n together_o from_o the_o year_n 2083._o to_o the_o year_n 2133._o of_o the_o world._n iii_o because_o it_o be_v accompany_v by_o the_o circumcision_n so_o that_o though_o it_o foretell_v that_o the_o advantage_n shall_v be_v in_o common_a to_o all_o nation_n yet_o it_o limit_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o abraham_n seed_n it_o also_o intimate_v very_o clear_o i._n that_o the_o blessing_n which_o it_o promise_n shall_v be_v in_o common_a to_o all_o nation_n ii_o that_o this_o blessing_n shall_v be_v quite_o of_o another_o nature_n from_o temporal_a one_o as_o the_o increase_n for_o instance_n and_o the_o power_n of_o abraham_n posterity_n which_o have_v be_v promise_v to_o he_o before_o s._n paul_n reflection_n gal._n iii_o 8._o that_o god_n speak_v of_o seed_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n be_v very_o remarkable_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o because_o the_o jew_n make_v a_o like_a observation_n upon_o a_o parallel_a place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o god_n repeat_v this_o promise_n when_o he_o speak_v to_o isaac_n in_o the_o year_n 2200_o and_o to_o jacob_n in_o the_o year_n 2245._o gen._n xxviii_o 14._o and_o thy_o seed_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o thou_o shall_v spread_v abroad_o to_o the_o west_n and_o to_o the_o east_n and_o to_o the_o north_n and_o to_o the_o south_n and_o in_o thou_o and_o in_o thy_o seed_n shall_v all_o the_o family_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v so_o one_o ought_v to_o repeat_v again_o the_o same_o reflection_n this_o ought_v only_o to_o be_v add_v that_o god_n restrain_v the_o honour_n of_o bring_v forth_o the_o messiah_n to_o jacob_n the_o son_n of_o isaac_n that_o the_o edomite_n may_v not_o come_v in_o to_o challenge_v the_o right_n as_o i_o have_v very_o particular_o explain_v in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o genesis_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o oracle_n which_o jacob_n give_v in_o the_o year_n 2315._o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o clear_a prediction_n in_o the_o whole_a bible_n and_o it_o be_v express_v in_o these_o term_n judah_n thou_o be_v he_o who_o thy_o brethren_n shall_v praise_v thy_o hand_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o neck_n of_o thy_o enemy_n thy_o father_n child_n shall_v bow_v down_o before_o thou_o judah_n be_v a_o lion_n whelp_n from_o the_o prey_n my_o son_n thou_o be_v go_v up_o he_o stoop_v down_o he_o couch_v as_o a_o lion_n and_o as_o a_o old_a lion_n who_o shall_v rouse_v he_o up_o the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o law_n giver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n until_o shiloh_n come_v and_o unto_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v his_o foal_n unto_o the_o vine_n