such_o a_o impress_n of_o god_n authority_n on_o the_o scripture_n that_o any_o who_o consider_v they_o as_o they_o ought_v can_v but_o discern_v i_o still_o further_o inquire_v whether_o this_o impress_n lie_v in_o the_o positive_a assertion_n in_o scripture_n that_o they_o be_v from_o god_n and_o that_o can_v be_v unless_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v to_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o writing_n shall_v pretend_v to_o be_v from_o god_n when_o it_o be_v not_o or_o else_o in_o the_o write_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o then_o let_v it_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o any_o one_o mere_o by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o write_n themselves_o without_o any_o further_a argument_n can_v pronounce_v the_o proverb_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o not_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n and_o ecclesiaste_v to_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o not_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la or_o else_o the_o self-evidence_n must_v be_v in_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n but_o this_o still_o fall_v very_o short_a of_o resolve_v whole_o the_o question_n whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o the_o utmost_a that_o this_o can_v reach_v to_o be_v that_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v of_o so_o high_a and_o excellent_a a_o nature_n that_o we_o can_v conceive_v that_o any_o other_o shall_v be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o but_o god_n himself_o all_o which_o be_v grant_v i_o be_o as_o far_o to_o seek_v as_o ever_o what_o ground_n i_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o those_o particular_a write_n which_o we_o call_v the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o that_o god_n do_v immediate_o employ_v such_o and_o such_o person_n to_o write_v such_o and_o such_o book_n for_o i_o may_v believe_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o yet_o not_o believe_v the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v contain_v to_o be_v a_o divine_a and_o infallible_a testimony_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o many_o excellent_a devotional_a book_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o yet_o further_o if_o the_o only_a ground_n on_o which_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v a_o doctrine_n divine_a be_v the_o self-evidencing_a light_n and_o power_n of_o it_o than_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v the_o same_o ground_n of_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n when_o the_o doctrine_n be_v declare_v without_o write_v by_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o so_o that_o by_o this_o method_n of_o proceed_v the_o ground_n of_o believe_v christ_n to_o be_v send_v as_o the_o mâ—ssias_n send_v from_o god_n must_v be_v whole_o and_o sole_o resolve_v into_o this_o that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o self-evidence_n in_o this_o proposition_n utter_v by_o christ_n i_o be_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v bind_v to_o have_v believe_v he_o send_v from_o god_n for_o light_n manifest_v its_o self_n although_o our_o saviour_n have_v never_o do_v any_o one_o miracle_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o he_o come_v from_o god_n and_o we_o can_v but_o charge_v our_o saviour_n on_o this_o account_n with_o be_v at_o a_o very_a unnecessary_a expense_n upon_o the_o world_n in_o do_v so_o many_o miracle_n when_o the_o bare_a naked_a affirmation_n that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v convince_v the_o whole_a world_n but_o be_v it_o conceivable_a then_o upon_o what_o account_n our_o saviour_n shall_v lay_v so_o much_o force_n on_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o himself_o in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v his_o testimony_n to_o be_v divine_a that_o he_o say_v himself_o that_o he_o have_v a_o great_a witness_n than_o that_o of_o john_n who_o yet_o doubtless_o have_v 36._o self-evidencing_a light_n go_v along_o with_o his_o doctrine_n too_o for_o the_o work_n which_o the_o father_n have_v give_v i_o to_o finish_v the_o same_o work_n that_o i_o do_v bear_v witness_n of_o i_o that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v i_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a or_o have_v great_a self-evidence_n in_o it_o then_o that_o our_o saviour_n in_o these_o word_n do_v lay_v the_o evidence_n of_o his_o divine_a testimony_n upon_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v which_o on_o that_o account_n he_o so_o often_o appeal_v to_o on_o this_o very_a reason_n because_o they_o bear_v witness_n of_o he_o and_o if_o 24._o they_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o on_o his_o own_o testimony_n yet_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v he_o for_o his_o work_n sake_n do_v all_o this_o now_o amount_v only_o to_o a_o remove_n of_o prejudices_fw-la from_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n which_o yet_o according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o objection_n we_o be_v consider_v of_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o power_n of_o miracle_n shall_v do_v if_o these_o miracle_n may_v be_v so_o far_o do_v or_o counterfeit_v by_o false_a christ_n that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certain_a evidence_n to_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o which_o the_o objection_n pretend_v and_o be_v the_o great_a thing_n 3_o wherein_o celsus_n the_o epicurean_a triumph_v so_o much_o that_o christ_n shall_v foretell_v that_o other_o shall_v come_v and_o do_v miracle_n cels._n which_o they_o must_v not_o hearken_v to_o and_o thence_o will_v infer_v as_o from_o christ_n own_o confession_n that_o miracle_n have_v in_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nothing_o divine_a but_o what_o may_v be_v do_v by_o wicked_a man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v it_o not_o a_o wretched_a thing_n say_v he_o that_o from_o the_o same_o work_v one_o shall_v be_v account_v a_o god_n and_o other_o deceiver_n whereby_o those_o who_o will_v invalidate_v the_o argument_n from_o miracle_n may_v take_v notice_n how_o fine_o they_o fall_v in_o with_o one_o of_o the_o most_o bitter_a enemy_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n which_o he_o do_v and_o therefore_o origen_n reply_v to_o he_o will_v reach_v they_o too_o for_o say_v he_o our_o saviour_n in_o those_o word_n of_o he_o do_v not_o bid_v man_n beware_v in_o general_a of_o such_o as_o do_v miracle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o bid_v they_o beware_v of_o that_o when_o man_n give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v the_o true_a christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o endeavour_v to_o draw_v christ_n disciple_n from_o he_o by_o some_o mere_a appearance_n in_o stead_n of_o miracle_n therefore_o christ_n be_v evident_o make_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o the_o powerful_a and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v what_o pretence_n of_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o hearken_v to_o any_o who_o give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v christ_n mere_o from_o some_o strange_a wonder_n which_o they_o wrought_v and_o from_o hence_o as_o he_o further_o observe_v may_v be_v just_o infer_v contrary_a to_o what_o celsus_n imagine_v that_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a power_n in_o miracle_n when_o these_o false_a christ_n give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v christ_n mere_o from_o the_o supposal_n that_o they_o have_v this_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n and_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o the_o false_a christ_n which_o have_v appear_v they_o have_v make_v this_o their_o great_a pretence_n that_o they_o do_v many_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o god_n may_v just_o permit_v they_o to_o do_v to_o punish_v the_o great_a infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v in_o christ_n notwithstanding_o those_o frequent_a and_o apparent_a miracle_n which_o he_o do_v which_o do_v infinite_o transcend_v those_o of_o any_o such_o pretender_n such_o among_o the_o jew_n be_v jonathas_n who_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o draw_v many_o of_o the_o people_n into_o the_o wilderness_n of_o cyrene_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d promise_v to_o show_v they_o many_o prodigy_n and_o strange_a appearance_n not_o long_o after_o in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n appear_v that_o famous_a blazing-star_n barchochebas_n who_o not_o only_o portend_v but_o bring_v so_o much_o mischief_n upon_o the_o jew_n his_o pretence_n be_v that_o he_o vomit_v flame_n and_o so_o he_o do_v such_o as_o consume_v himself_o and_o his_o follower_n after_o he_o many_o other_o impostor_n arise_v in_o egypt_n cyprus_n and_o crete_n who_o all_o go_v upon_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o do_v miracle_n in_o latter_a time_n the_o famous_a impostor_n be_v david_n el-david_n who_o story_n be_v thus_o brief_o report_v by_o david_n ganz_n david_n el-david_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o rebel_v against_o 895._o the_o king_n of_o persia_n and_o do_v many_o sign_n and_o prodigy_n before_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n at_o last_o his_o head_n be_v cut_v off_o and_o the_o jew_n fine_v a_o hundred_o talent_n of_o gold_n in_o the_o epistle_n
that_o perish_v if_o now_o the_o weight_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o too_o great_a seasonableness_n of_o it_o if_o the_o common_a fame_n of_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o atheism_n among_o we_o be_v true_a be_v not_o sufficient_a apology_n for_o the_o publish_n this_o book_n i_o be_o resolve_v rather_o to_o undergo_v thy_o censure_n tben_fw-mi be_v behold_v to_o any_o other_o the_o intendment_n therefore_o of_o this_o preface_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o scope_n design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n although_o the_o view_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n may_v sufficient_o acquain_v thou_o with_o it_o how_o far_o i_o have_v be_v either_o from_o transeribe_v or_o a_o design_n to_o excusse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o admirer_n the_o several_a write_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n or_o christianity_n in_o particular_a especial_o mornay_n groâ—ius_n amyraldus_n etc._n etc._n may_v easy_o appear_v by_o compare_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o their_o book_n and_o this_o together_o have_v i_o not_o thought_n something_o may_v be_v say_v if_o not_o more_o full_o and_o rational_o yet_o more_o suitable_o to_o the_o present_a temper_n of_o this_o age_n then_o what_o be_v already_o write_v by_o they_o thou_o have_v not_o be_v trouble_v with_o this_o preface_n much_o less_o with_o the_o whole_a book_n but_o as_o the_o temper_n and_o genius_n be_v of_o age_n and_o time_n alier_n so_o do_v the_o arm_n and_o wâ—npons_n which_o â—â—theists_n employ_v against_o religion_n the_o most_o papular_a pretence_n of_o the_o atheist_n of_o our_o age_n have_v be_v the_o irreconcileableness_n of_o the_o account_n of_o time_n in_o scripture_n with_o that_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o ancient_a heathen_a nation_n the_o inconsistency_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o account_n which_o may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n from_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n without_o the_o scripture_n these_o three_o therefore_o i_o have_v particular_o set_v myself_o against_o and_o direct_v against_o each_o of_o they_o a_o several_a book_n in_o the_o first_o i_o have_v manifest_v that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n give_v by_o any_o heathen_a nation_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n inquire_v into_o that_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v hope_v to_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o man_n before_o adam_n to_o salve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o yet_o be_v intend_v only_o as_o a_o design_n to_o undermine_v they_o but_o i_o have_v not_o think_v the_o frivolous_a pretence_n of_o the_o author_n of_o that_o hypothesis_n worth_a particular_a mention_v suppose_v it_o sufficient_a to_o give_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o thing_n without_o particular_a citation_n of_o author_n where_o it_o be_v not_o of_o great_a concernment_n for_o understand_v the_o thing_n its_o self_n in_o the_o second_o book_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n why_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v those_o several_a person_n who_o in_o several_a age_n be_v employ_v to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n and_o with_o great_a particularity_n than_o have_v yet_o be_v use_v i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o person_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o in_o every_o of_o they_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v not_o only_o by_o the_o man_n of_o their_o own_o age_n but_o by_o those_o of_o succeed_a generation_n in_o the_o three_o book_n i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o matter_n themselves_o which_o be_v either_o suppose_v by_o or_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v therein_o not_o only_o manifest_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o those_o particular_a account_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n of_o evil_a and_o of_o nation_n which_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o the_o atheist_n exception_n and_o have_v therein_o consider_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o philosophy_n ancient_a or_o modern_a which_o have_v seem_v to_o contradict_v any_o of_o they_o to_o which_o mant_fw-fr ssae_fw-la loco_fw-la i_o have_v add_v the_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n history_n in_o the_o remainder_n of_o it_o in_o heathen_a mythology_n and_o conclude_v all_o with_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o have_v give_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o submit_v it_o to_o every_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a judgement_n all_o the_o favour_n than_o i_o shall_v request_v of_o thou_o be_v to_o read_v serious_o and_o judge_v impartial_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o thou_o will_v see_v as_o much_o reason_n for_o religion_n as_o i_o do_v the_o content_n book_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o obscurity_n and_o defect_n of_o ancient_a history_n the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n yet_o error_n often_o mistake_v for_o truth_n the_o account_n of_o it_o want_v of_o diligence_n in_o its_o search_n the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n thence_o come_v either_o reject_v truth_n for_o the_o error_n sake_n or_o embrace_v the_o error_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n the_o first_o instance_a in_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o second_o in_o vulgar_a heathen_a of_o philosophical_a atheism_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o the_o history_n of_o antiquity_n very_o obscure_a the_o question_n state_v where_o the_o true_a history_n of_o ancient_a time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o heathen_a history_n or_o only_o in_o scripture_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n assert_v and_o prove_v by_o the_o general_a defect_n for_o want_n of_o timely_a record_n among_o heathen_a nation_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o manner_n of_o they_o discover_v the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n of_o hicroglyphick_n the_o use_n of_o letter_n among_o the_o greek_n no_o elder_a than_o cadmus_n his_o time_n inquire_v into_o no_o elder_a than_o joshua_n the_o learning_n bring_v into_o greece_n by_o he_o page_n 1_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a history_n the_o particular_a defect_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a heathen_a nation_n first_o the_o phoenician_n of_o sanchoniathon_n his_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o jerombaal_a baal-berith_a the_o antiquity_n of_o tyre_n scaliger_n vindicate_v against_o bâ—chartus_fw-la abibalus_n the_o vanity_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o imitation_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gnostic_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n of_o his_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n transcribe_v by_o manetho_n his_o fabulousness_n thence_o discover_v terra_fw-la seriadica_n of_o seth_n pillar_n in_o josephus_n and_o a_o account_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v pag._n 25_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o contest_v of_o antiquity_n among_o heathen_a nation_n and_o the_o way_n of_o decide_v it_o of_o the_o chaldean_a astrology_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n of_o the_o zabiâ—_n their_o founder_n who_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o old_a chaldee_n of_o berosus_n and_o his_o history_n a_o account_n of_o the_o fabulous_a dynastye_n of_o berosus_n and_o manetho_n from_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n into_o greek_a in_o the_o time_n of_o prolomy_n of_o that_o translation_n and_o the_o time_n of_o it_o of_o demetrius_n phalereus_n scaliger_n argument_n answer_v manetho_n write_v after_o the_o septuagint_n prove_v against_o kircher_n his_o argument_n answer_v of_o rabbinical_a and_o arabic_a author_n and_o their_o little_a credit_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n the_o time_n of_o berosus_n inquire_v into_o his_o writing_n co-temporary_a with_o philadelphus_n pag._n 40_o chap._n iu_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n that_o manifest_v by_o three_o evident_a argument_n of_o it_o 1._o the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n the_o antiquity_n of_o poetry_n of_o orpheus_n and_o the_o ancient_a poet_n whence_o the_o poetical_a fable_n borrow_v the_o advancement_n of_o poetry_n and_o idolatry_n together_o in_o greece_n the_o different_a censure_n of_o strabo_n and_o eratosthenes_n concern_v the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o 2._o the_o elder_a historian_n of_o greece_n be_v of_o suspect_a credit_n of_o damastes_n aristeus_n and_o other_o of_o most_o of_o their_o elder_a historian_n we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o their_o name_n of_o other_o only_o the_o
christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n in_o they_o and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v record_v by_o they_o to_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n here_o we_o have_v more_o clear_a reason_n as_o to_o the_o primary_n motive_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o withal_o the_o infallible_a veracity_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o faith_n and_o while_o we_o assert_v such_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n from_o the_o first_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o then_o so_o full_o attest_v by_o such_o uncontrollable_a miracle_n we_o can_v in_o the_o least_o understand_v to_o what_o end_n a_o power_n of_o miracle_n shall_v now_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n especial_o among_o those_o who_o all_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n indeed_o before_o the_o great_a harvest_n of_o convert_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v bring_v in_o both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o the_o church_n sully_v settle_v in_o receive_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n universal_o we_o find_v god_n do_v continue_v this_o power_n among_o they_o but_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o embrace_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n among_o christian_n we_o find_v they_o so_o far_o from_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o power_n that_o they_o reject_v the_o pretender_n to_o it_o such_o as_o the_o donatist_n be_v and_o plead_v upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o we_o do_v now_o against_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o we_o see_v then_o no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o miracle_n to_o be_v continue_v where_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v settle_v as_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o there_o be_v only_o these_o two_o case_n then_o wherein_o miracle_n may_v just_o and_o with_o reason_n be_v expect_v first_o when_o any_o person_n 4._o come_v as_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a commission_n from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n either_o to_o deliver_v some_o peculiar_a message_n or_o to_o do_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a service_n second_o when_o something_o that_o have_v be_v before_o establish_v by_o divine_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v and_o some_o other_o way_n of_o worship_n establish_v in_o stead_n of_o it_o first_o when_o any_o come_v upon_o a_o extraordinary_a message_n to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o name_n of_o and_o by_o commission_n from_o god_n than_o it_o be_v but_o reason_n to_o require_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a evidence_n of_o such_o authority_n because_o of_o the_o main_a importance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o give_v credit_n to_o such_o a_o person_n and_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o be_v guilty_a of_o reject_v that_o divine_a authority_n which_o appear_v in_o he_o and_o in_o this_o case_n we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v require_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n to_o believe_v where_o he_o do_v not_o give_v sufficient_a argument_n for_o faith_n nor_o that_o he_o will_v punish_v person_n for_o such_o a_o fault_n which_o a_o invincible_a ignorance_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o indeed_o god_n do_v not_o use_v to_o necessitate_v faith_n as_o to_o the_o act_n of_o it_o but_o he_o do_v so_o clear_o propound_v the_o object_n of_o it_o with_o all_o argument_n induce_v to_o it_o as_o may_v sufficient_o justify_v a_o believer_n choice_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n and_o prudence_n and_o may_v leave_v all_o unbeliever_n without_o excuse_n i_o can_v see_v what_o account_n a_o man_n can_v give_v to_o himself_o of_o his_o faith_n much_o less_o what_o apology_n he_o can_v make_v to_o other_o for_o it_o unless_o he_o be_v sufficient_o convince_v in_o point_n of_o the_o high_a reason_n that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o believe_v and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o conviction_n there_o must_v be_v some_o clear_a evidence_n give_v that_o what_o be_v speak_v have_v the_o impress_n of_o divine_a authority_n upon_o it_o now_o what_o conviction_n there_o can_v be_v to_o any_o sober_a mind_n concern_v divine_a authority_n in_o any_o person_n without_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n go_v along_o with_o he_o when_o he_o be_v to_o deliver_v some_o new_a doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n to_o be_v believe_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v understand_v for_o although_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o where_o ever_o god_n do_v reveal_v any_o thing_n to_o any_o person_n immediate_o he_o give_v demonstrable_a evidence_n to_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o it_o come_v from_o himself_o yet_o this_o inward_a sense_n can_v be_v no_o ground_n to_o another_o person_n to_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n divine_a because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o act_n of_o another_o sense_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o another_o person_n to_o distinguish_v the_o act_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n from_o strong_a impression_n of_o fancy_n by_o the_o force_n and_o energy_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v those_o who_o say_v they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n object_n i_o answer_v first_o this_o will_v expose_v we_o to_o all_o delusion_n imaginable_a answ._n for_o if_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o they_o say_v so_o 1._o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o which_o say_v so_o and_o none_o be_v more_o confident_a pretender_n to_o this_o then_o the_o great_a deceiver_n as_o the_o experience_n of_o our_o age_n will_v sufficient_o witness_v second_o man_n must_v necessary_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v contradiction_n for_o nothing_o more_o ordinary_a then_o for_o such_o confident_a pretender_n 2._o to_o a_o divine_a spirit_n to_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o person_n in_o a_o little_a time_n contradict_v himself_o and_o must_v we_o still_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o they_o say_v if_o so_o no_o philosopher_n will_v be_v so_o much_o in_o request_n as_o those_o aristotle_n dispute_v against_o in_o his_o metaphysic_n who_o think_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n three_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n at_o last_o will_v be_v but_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n as_o far_o as_o 3_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o believe_v be_v capable_a of_o judge_v of_o it_o for_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o person_n i_o be_o to_o believe_v have_v divine_a authority_n for_o what_o he_o say_v what_o ground_n can_v i_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v so_o must_v i_o take_v his_o bare_a affirmation_n for_o it_o if_o so_o than_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n must_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o divine_a faith_n and_o that_o which_o it_o be_v last_o resolve_v into_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o he_o speak_v when_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n i_o answer_v the_o question_n will_v again_o return_v how_o i_o shall_v know_v he_o speak_v this_o from_o divine_a authority_n and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o progress_n in_o infinitum_fw-la or_o sound_v divine_a faith_n on_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n if_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v divine_a revelation_n mere_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o person_n affirmation_n who_o pretend_v unto_o it_o for_o in_o this_o case_n it_o hold_v good_a non_fw-la apparentis_fw-la &_o non_fw-la existentis_fw-la eadem_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la if_o he_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n induce_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v be_v excuse_v if_o i_o believe_v he_o not_o if_o my_o wilfulness_n and_o laziness_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o unbelief_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o good_a man_n 5._o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n i_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v wonderful_o true_a but_o all_o the_o question_n be_v de_fw-fr modo_fw-la how_o god_n will_v satisfy_v they_o whether_o mere_o by_o inspiration_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n in_o they_o assure_v they_o that_o it_o be_v god_n that_o speak_v in_o such_o person_n or_o by_o give_v they_o rational_a evidence_n convince_a they_o of_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o assert_v the_o former_a way_n we_o run_v into_o these_o inconvenience_n first_o we_o make_v as_o immediate_a a_o revelation_n in_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v as_o in_o 1._o those_o who_o be_v to_o reveal_v divine_a truth_n to_o we_o for_o there_o be_v a_o new_a revelation_n of_o a_o object_n immediate_o to_o the_o mind_n viz._n that_o such_o a_o person_n be_v inspire_v of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v not_o after_o the_o common_a way_n of_o the_o spirit_n illumination_n in_o believer_n which_o be_v by_o enlighten_v the_o faculty_n without_o the_o proposition_n of_o any_o new_a object_n as_o it_o
he_o tell_v we_o himself_o court_v the_o egyptian_a mystery_n for_o compass_v his_o oedipus_n shall_v have_v find_v some_o better_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o assertion_n of_o this_o nature_n then_o mere_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n the_o hebrew_n book_n juchasin_n and_o some_o arabic_a writer_n not_o one_o of_o all_o which_o do_v mention_v the_o thing_n they_o be_v bring_v for_o viz._n that_o manetho_n be_v elder_a than_o alexander_n all_o the_o business_n be_v they_o quote_v he_o as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n but_o what_o then_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n juchasim_n be_v abraham_n zacuth_n a_o jew_n of_o salamancha_n who_o write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1502._o and_o this_o book_n be_v first_o print_v at_o constantinople_n 1556._o may_v not_o this_o man_n then_o well_o mention_n manetho_n as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n if_o he_o flourish_v above_o 1600_o year_n before_o he_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n and_o what_o if_o some_o arabic_a writer_n mention_v he_o be_v they_o of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n and_o credit_n themselves_o that_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n manetho_n live_v in_o alexander_n time_n to_o be_v praise_v by_o they_o it_o will_v be_v well_o if_o kircber_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n who_o think_v the_o world_n be_v grow_v to_o so_o great_a stupidity_n as_o to_o believe_v every_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o jewel_n which_o be_v far_o fetch_v will_v first_o assert_v and_o vindicate_v the_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o their_o arabic_a author_n such_o as_o gelaldinus_n abenephi_fw-la and_o many_o other_o before_o they_o expect_v we_o shall_v part_v with_o our_o more_o authentic_a record_n of_o history_n for_o those_o fabulous_a relation_n which_o they_o be_v so_o full_o fraught_v withal_o be_v it_o here_o any_o part_n of_o my_o present_a business_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n so_o to_o lay_v open_a the_o ignorance_n falsity_n and_o fabulousness_n of_o those_o arabian_n who_o that_o author_n rely_v so_o much_o upon_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v free_v from_o a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n who_o make_v use_v of_o their_o testimony_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a time_n without_o a_o caveat_n i_o know_v none_o fit_a to_o believe_v these_o arabic_a writer_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n but_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o concoct_v the_o rabbin_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n of_o who_o origen_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v as_o grotius_n true_o 24_o say_v pessimi_fw-la historiae_fw-la magistri_fw-la nam_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la patria_fw-la expulsi_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnis_fw-la apud_fw-la illos_fw-la historia_fw-la crassis_fw-la erroribus_fw-la &_o fabulis_fw-la est_fw-la inquinata_fw-la quibus_fw-la &_o proinde_fw-la nihil_fw-la credendum_fw-la est_fw-la nisi_fw-la aliunde_fw-la testes_fw-la accederunt_fw-la and_o as_o is._n caubason_n pass_v this_o sharp_a but_o due_a censure_n upon_o they_o rabbinis_fw-la ubi_fw-la de_fw-la lingna_fw-la 8._o hebraica_n agitur_fw-la &_o vocis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la proprietate_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquo_fw-la talmudico_fw-la instituto_fw-la meritò_fw-la à _fw-la christianis_fw-la tribui_fw-la non_fw-la parum_fw-la nbi_fw-la verò_fw-la à _fw-la verbis_fw-la venitur_fw-la ad_fw-la res_fw-la aut_fw-la ad_fw-la historiam_fw-la vel_fw-la rerum_fw-la antiquarum_fw-la veteris_fw-la populi_fw-la explicationem_fw-la nisi_fw-la falli_fw-la &_o decipi_fw-la volumus_fw-la nihil_fw-la admodum_fw-la esse_fw-la illis_fw-la fidei_fw-la habendum_fw-la sexcentis_fw-la argumentis_fw-la hoc_fw-la facilè_fw-la probarem_fw-la si_fw-la id_fw-la nunc_fw-la agerem_fw-la and_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o ancient_a rite_n as_o well_o as_o history_n joseph_n scaliger_n have_v give_v this_o verdict_n of_o they_o manifesta_fw-la est_fw-la judaeorum_n inscitia_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la usu_fw-la veterum_fw-la rituum_fw-la etiam_fw-la corum_fw-la 6._o cognitionem_fw-la amiserunt_fw-la &_o multa_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la sacra_fw-la &_o historiam_fw-la pertinent_a longè_fw-la meliùs_fw-la nos_fw-la teneamus_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsi_fw-la the_o same_o which_o these_o very_a learned_a person_n say_v of_o rabbinical_a may_v with_o as_o much_o truth_n be_v say_v of_o these_o arabic_a writer_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a history_n which_o i_o have_v here_o insert_v to_o show_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o have_v think_v the_o testimony_n of_o either_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n so_o inconsiderable_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o future_a discourse_n which_o be_v historical_a and_o that_o of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n little_a relief_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v from_o either_o of_o they_o in_o order_n thereto_o but_o to_o return_v to_o kircher_n it_o be_v free_o grant_v that_o josephus_n a_o author_n of_o credit_n and_o age_n sufficient_a to_o give_v his_o opinion_n in_o this_o case_n do_v very_o frequent_o cite_v manetho_n in_o his_o egyptian_a history_n particular_o in_o his_o learned_a book_n against_o appion_n but_o where_o he_o do_v give_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o manetho_n be_v elder_n than_o alexander_n i_o be_o yet_o to_o seek_v but_o kircher_n will_v not_o yet_o leave_v the_o matter_n so_o but_o undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o mistake_n which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o manetho_n beside_o and_o both_o egyptian_n mention_v by_o suidas_n one_o a_o mendesian_n who_o write_v of_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o egyptian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o kind_n of_o perfume_n use_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n the_o other_o a_o diospolitan_a who_o write_v some_o physiological_a and_o astronomical_a treatise_n who_o work_n he_o hear_v be_v preserve_v in_o the_o duke_n of_o florenee_n his_o library_n and_o this_o be_v he_o say_v he_o who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n who_o many_o by_o the_o aequivocation_n of_o the_o name_n have_v confound_v with_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n be_v it_o possible_a so_o learned_a a_o jesuite_n shall_v discover_v so_o little_a judgement_n in_o so_o few_o word_n for_o first_o who_o ever_o assert_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o dynastye_n to_o have_v live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n yet_o second_o if_o that_o manetho_n who_o suidas_n there_o speak_v of_o live_v in_o augustus_n his_o time_n according_a to_o kircher_n than_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o dynastye_n do_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o look_v into_o suidas_n that_o he_o there_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n for_o these_o be_v his_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o he_o here_o speak_v of_o manetho_n sebennyta_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o dynastye_n though_o he_o may_v write_v other_o thing_n beside_o of_o which_o suidas_n there_o speak_v but_o kircher_n very_o wise_o in_o translate_n suidas_n his_o word_n leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o decide_v the_o controversy_n and_o make_v it_o clear_a that_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n of_o who_o we_o have_v be_v discourse_v thus_o it_o still_o appear_v that_o this_o manetho_n be_v no_o elder_a than_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v now_o for_o berosus_n although_o the_o chaldean_n have_v occasion_n 10._o enough_o give_v they_o before_o this_o time_n to_o produce_v their_o antiquity_n by_o the_o jew_n converse_v with_o they_o in_o babylon_n yet_o we_o find_v this_o author_n the_o first_o who_o dare_v adventure_v they_o abroad_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o greek_z now_o that_o this_o berosus_n publish_v his_o history_n after_o the_o time_n mention_v i_o thus_o prove_v tatianus_n assyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o write_v the_o chaldaic_a history_n in_o three_o book_n and_o dedicate_v they_o to_o antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o tatianus_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o paris_n steph._n edition_n of_o tatianus_n as_o well_o as_o the_o basil_n it_o be_v thus_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o three_o from_o alexander_n in_o the_o other_o to_o the_o three_o from_o seleucus_n now_o if_o we_o reckon_v the_o three_o so_o as_o to_o take_v the_o person_n from_o who_o we_o reckon_v in_o for_o the_o first_o according_a to_o the_o read_n in_o eusebius_n it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o other_o read_v it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n soter_n for_o seleucus_n succeed_v alexander_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n antiochus_n soter_n seleucus_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d antiochus_n soter_n but_o according_a to_o either_o of_o these_o reading_n 392._o our_o purpose_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v for_o antiochus_n soter_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o syria_n in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o ptol._n philadelphus_n in_o egypt_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d succeed_v he_o in_o the_o 22._o year_n of_o philadelphus_n
real_a learning_n or_o truth_n at_o all_o in_o they_o for_o this_o though_o he_o be_v sharp_o censure_v by_o strabo_n in_o his_o first_o book_n who_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v the_o geography_n of_o homer_n from_o the_o exception_n of_o eratosthenes_n yet_o himself_n can_v but_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v a_o â—very_n great_a mixture_n of_o fable_n in_o all_o their_o poet_n which_o be_v say_v he_o partly_o to_o delight_v the_o people_n and_o partly_o to_o awe_v they_o for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v always_o desirous_a of_o novelty_n such_o thing_n do_v huge_o please_v the_o natural_a humour_n of_o weak_a people_n especial_o if_o there_o be_v something_o in_o they_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a it_o increase_v the_o delight_n in_o hear_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o draw_v they_o on_o to_o a_o desire_n of_o hear_v more_o of_o it_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n say_v he_o be_v child_n first_o bring_v on_o to_o learning_n and_o all_o ignorant_a person_n be_v keep_v in_o awe_n nay_o and_o the_o more_o learned_a themselves_o partly_o for_o want_n of_o reason_n and_o judgement_n and_o partly_o from_o the_o remainder_n of_o those_o impression_n which_o these_o thing_n make_v upon_o they_o when_o they_o be_v child_n can_v shake_v off_o that_o former_a credulity_n which_o they_o have_v as_o to_o these_o thing_n by_o which_o discourse_n of_o strabo_n though_o intend_v whole_o by_o he_o in_o vindication_n of_o poetic_a fable_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a what_o great_a disservice_n have_v be_v do_v to_o truth_n by_o they_o by_o reason_n they_o have_v no_o other_o record_n to_o preserve_v their_o ancient_a history_n but_o these_o fabulous_a writer_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v a_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n together_o which_o strabo_n contend_v for_o yet_o what_o way_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a from_o the_o false_a when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o certain_a record_n and_o beside_o he_o himself_o acknowledge_v how_o hard_a a_o matter_n it_o be_v even_o for_o wise_a man_n to_o excuss_v those_o fabulous_a narration_n out_o of_o their_o mind_n which_o be_v insinuate_v into_o they_o by_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o prejudice_n custom_n and_o education_n can_v work_v upon_o they_o grant_v then_o there_o may_v be_v some_o truth_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o fabulous_a narration_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v be_v gild_v over_o with_o some_o please_a tale_n as_o himself_o 3._o compare_v it_o yet_o how_o shall_v those_o come_v to_o know_v that_o it_o be_v only_o gild_a that_o never_o see_v any_o pure_a metal_n and_o do_v always_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v what_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v have_v there_o be_v any_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o touchstone_n to_o have_v difference_v between_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o way_n for_o a_o separation_n of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v none_o such_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o fabulous_a narration_n of_o poet_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v truth_n more_o pleasant_a by_o their_o fiction_n have_v so_o adulterate_v it_o that_o we_o can_v find_v any_o credibility_n at_o all_o in_o their_o narration_n of_o elder_a time_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n have_v have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o conveyance_n but_o through_o their_o fiction_n but_o though_o poet_n may_v be_v allow_v their_o liberty_n for_o represent_v thing_n with_o the_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o palate_n 5_o of_o their_o reader_n yet_o we_o may_v just_o expect_v when_o man_n profess_v to_o be_v historical_a they_o shall_v deliver_v we_o nothing_o but_o what_o upon_o strict_a examination_n may_v prove_v undoubted_a truth_n yet_o even_o this_o be_v the_o greek_n far_o from_o for_o strabo_n himself_o confess_v of_o their_o elder_a historian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o first_o historian_n both_o of_o persen_n 1._o and_o thing_n be_v fabulous_a diodorus_n particular_o instance_v in_o their_o elder_a historian_n as_o cadmus_n milesius_n hecataeus_n and_o hellanicus_n and_o condemn_v they_o for_o fabulousness_n strabo_n condemn_v damastes_n sigeensis_fw-la for_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n and_o wonder_n at_o eratosthenes_n for_o make_v use_n of_o he_o yet_o this_o man_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n among_o they_o and_o his_o testimony_n use_v by_o author_n of_o good_a credit_n as_o diony_n 5._o halycarnassius_fw-la plutarch_n and_o other_o nay_o pliny_n profess_v to_o follow_v he_o and_o so_o he_o do_v aristeus_n procennesius_fw-la in_o his_o arimaspia_n which_o may_v render_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o history_n very_o suspicious_a with_o who_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o credibility_n to_o any_o story_n that_o he_o find_v it_o in_o some_o greek_a author_n strabo_n reckon_v damastes_n with_o euëmerus_fw-la messenius_n and_o antiphanes_n bergeus_fw-la which_o latter_a be_v so_o note_v a_o liar_n that_o from_o he_o as_o stephanus_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v as_o a_o proverb_n for_o to_o speak_v never_o a_o word_n of_o truth_n aristeus_n proconnesius_n live_v 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o write_v a_o history_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n in_o three_o book_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sir_n john_n maridevil_n of_o greece_n from_o his_o story_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n with_o one_o eye_n in_o their_o forehead_n and_o their_o continual_a fight_v with_o the_o gryphens_n for_o gold_n yet_o the_o story_n be_v take_v upon_o trust_n by_o herodotus_n pliny_n and_o many_o other_o though_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o who_o have_v visit_v those_o northern_a climate_n do_v sufficient_o refute_v these_o folly_n strabo_n say_v of_o this_o aristeus_n that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o inferior_a to_o none_o for_o juggle_a which_o cenfure_n be_v probable_o occasion_v by_o â—3_n the_o common_a story_n of_o he_o that_o he_o can_v let_v his_o soul_n out_o of_o his_o body_n when_o he_o please_v and_o bring_v it_o again_o yet_o this_o juggler_n do_v celsus_n pitch_v on_o to_o confront_v with_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o herocles_n do_v on_o apollinus_n so_o much_o have_v those_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o reason_n who_o have_v fight_v to_o oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o further_a what_o credit_n can_v we_o give_v to_o those_o historian_n who_o have_v strive_v to_o confute_v each_o other_o and_o lay_v open_a 6._o one_o another_o falsehood_n to_o the_o world_n where_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o such_o dissonancy_n in_o the_o sacred_a history_n of_o scripture_n do_v the_o writer_n of_o one_o book_n discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o another_o do_v not_o all_o the_o part_n so_o exact_o agree_v that_o the_o most_o probable_a suspicion_n can_v ever_o fall_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o infidel_n be_v that_o they_o be_v all_o write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n which_o yet_o the_o series_n of_o time_n manifest_v to_o have_v be_v impossible_a but_o now_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o ancient_a greek_a historian_n we_o need_v no_o other_o testimony_n than_o themselves_o to_o take_v away_o their_o credibility_n the_o genealogy_n of_o hesiod_n be_v correct_v by_o acusiddus_fw-la acusiddus_fw-la be_v condemn_v by_o hellanicus_n hellanicus_n accuse_v of_o falsehood_n by_o ephorus_n ephorus_n by_o timaeus_n timaeus_n by_o such_o who_o follow_v he_o as_o josephus_n full_o show_v where_o must_v we_o then_o fix_v our_o belief_n upon_o all_o in_o 1._o common_a that_o be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o believe_v contradiction_n for_o they_o condemn_v one_o another_o of_o falsehood_n must_v we_o believe_v one_o and_o reject_v the_o rest_n but_o what_o evidence_n do_v that_o one_o give_v why_o he_o shall_v be_v credit_v more_o than_o the_o rest_n and_o which_o be_v a_o most_o irrefragable_a argument_n against_o the_o grecian_a history_n their_o elder_a historian_n be_v ackowledge_v to_o be_v the_o most_o fabulous_a for_o our_o only_a recourse_n for_o decide_v the_o controversy_n among_o the_o young_a historian_n must_v be_v to_o the_o elder_a and_o here_o we_o be_v further_a to_o seek_v then_o ever_o for_o the_o first_o age_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v poetical_a and_o to_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o truth_n in_o they_o so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o any_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o ancient_a time_n among_o the_o greek_a historian_n which_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o evident_a when_o we_o add_v this_o that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o extant_a of_o those_o historian_n who_o do_v carry_v the_o great_a name_n for_o antiquity_n the_o high_a antiquity_n of_o the_o greek_a historian_n do_v not_o much_o exceed_v the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o cambyses_n as_o vossius_fw-la have_v 7._o full_o demonstrate_v in_o his_o learned_a book_n de_fw-fr historiâ—is_fw-la graecis_fw-la and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v spare_v particular_a inquiry_n into_o their_o
and_o what_o be_v not_o suitable_a be_v reject_v as_o monstrous_a and_o anomalous_a so_o it_o be_v in_o their_o history_n wherein_o they_o have_v some_o fabulous_a hypothesis_n they_o take_v for_o grant_v without_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o and_o to_o these_o they_o suit_n whatever_o light_n they_o gain_v in_o after_o time_n of_o the_o state_n of_o foreign_a nation_n which_o have_v make_v truth_n and_o antiquity_n wrestle_v so_o much_o with_o the_o corruption_n which_o eat_v into_o they_o through_o the_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n of_o the_o greek_n hence_o they_o have_v always_o suit_v the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n with_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o own_o and_o where_o nothing_o can_v serve_v out_o of_o their_o own_o history_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_n of_o other_o nation_n they_o who_o be_v never_o backward_o at_o fiction_n have_v make_v a_o founder_n of_o they_o suitable_a to_o their_o own_o language_n the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n useful_a or_o beneficial_a to_o mankind_n but_o they_o have_v make_v shift_n to_o find_v the_o author_n of_o it_o among_o themselves_o if_o we_o inquire_v after_o the_o original_n of_o agriculture_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o ceres_n and_o triptolemus_n if_o of_o pasturage_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o a_o arcadian_a pan_n if_o of_o wine_n we_o present_o hear_v of_o a_o libre_fw-la pater_fw-la if_o of_o iron_n instrument_n than_o who_o but_o vulcan_n if_o of_o music_n none_o like_o to_o apollo_n if_o we_o press_v they_o then_o with_o the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n they_o be_v as_o well_o provide_v here_o if_o we_o inquire_v a_o account_n of_o europe_n asia_n or_o lybia_n for_o the_o first_o we_o be_v tell_v a_o fine_a story_n of_o cadmus_n his_o sister_n for_o the_o second_o of_o promethâ—us_n his_o mother_n of_o that_o name_n and_o for_o the_o three_o of_o a_o daughter_n of_o epaphus_n if_o we_o be_v yet_o so_o curious_a as_o to_o know_v the_o original_n of_o particular_a country_n then_o italia_n must_v find_v its_o name_n from_o a_o calf_n of_o hercules_n because_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o greek_a will_v signify_v some_o such_o thing_n sardinia_n and_o africa_n must_v be_v from_o sardo_n and_o afer_n two_o son_n of_o hercules_n but_o yet_o if_o these_o will_v not_o serve_v hercules_n shall_v not_o want_v for_o child_n to_o people_n the_o world_n for_o we_o hear_v of_o scythes_n galatas_n lydus_n some_o other_o son_n of_o he_o that_o give_v name_n to_o scythia_n lydia_n galatia_n with_o the_o same_o probability_n that_o media_n have_v its_o name_n from_o medea_n and_o spain_n and_o lusitania_n from_o pan_n and_o lusus_fw-la two_o companione_fw-la of_o bacchus_n if_o persia_n want_v a_o founder_n they_o have_v one_o perseus_n a_o argive_a ready_a for_o it_o if_o syria_n babylonia_n and_o arabia_n want_v reason_n of_o their_o name_n the_o prodigal_a greek_n will_v give_v apollo_n three_o son_n syrus_n babylon_n and_o arab_n rather_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v heretical_a acephalist_n this_o vanity_n of_o they_o be_v universal_a not_o confine_v to_o any_o place_n or_o age_n but_o as_o any_o nation_n or_o people_n come_v into_o their_o knowledge_n their_o god_n be_v not_o so_o decrepit_a but_o they_o may_v father_n one_o son_n more_o upon_o they_o rather_o than_o any_o nation_n shall_v be_v filia_fw-la populi_fw-la and_o want_v a_o father_n only_o the_o grave_a athenian_n think_v scorn_v to_o have_v any_o father_n assign_v they_o their_o only_a ambition_n be_v to_o be_v account_v aborigines_n &_o genuini_fw-la terrae_fw-la to_o be_v the_o elder_a son_n of_o their_o teem_v mother_n the_o earth_n and_o to_o have_v be_v bear_v by_o the_o same_o aequivocal_a generation_n that_o mouse_n and_o frog_n be_v from_o the_o impregnated_a slime_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v we_o not_o like_a to_o have_v a_o wonderful_a account_n of_o ancient_a time_n from_o those_o who_o can_v arrogate_v to_o themselves_o so_o much_o knowledge_n from_o such_o slender_a and_o thin_a account_n of_o the_o original_n of_o people_n which_o they_o give_v and_o will_v have_v the_o world_n to_o entertain_v with_o the_o great_a veneration_n upon_o their_o naked_a word_n have_v we_o not_o indeed_o great_a reason_n to_o hearken_v to_o those_o who_o do_v so_o frequent_o discover_v their_o affection_n to_o fable_n and_o manifest_v their_o ignorance_n when_o ever_o they_o venture_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n the_o truth_n be_v herodotus_n himself_o who_o tully_n call_v the_o father_n of_o history_n which_o title_n he_o deserve_v at_o least_o in_o regard_n of_o 10._o antiquity_n be_v the_o elder_a of_o the_o extant_a greek_a historian_n have_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o his_o compurgator_n who_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o acquit_v he_o of_o fabulousness_n but_o have_v seek_v to_o make_v good_a his_o credit_n by_o recrimination_n or_o by_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o herodotus_n do_v not_o full_o believe_v the_o story_n he_o tell_v but_o take_v they_o upon_o trust_v himself_o and_o so_o deliver_v they_o to_o the_o world_n some_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o herodotus_n that_o he_o call_v his_o book_n of_o history_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o muse_n on_o purpose_n to_o tell_v his_o reader_n they_o must_v not_o look_v for_o mere_a history_n in_o he_o but_o a_o mixture_n of_o such_o relation_n which_o though_o not_o true_a may_v yet_o please_v and_o entertain_v his_o reader_n though_o other_o think_v they_o be_v not_o so_o inscribe_v by_o himself_o but_o the_o name_n be_v give_v to_o they_o by_o the_o greek_n from_o the_o admiration_n his_o history_n have_v among_o they_o however_o this_o be_v this_o we_o be_v certain_a that_o herodotus_n be_v not_o first_o suspect_v of_o falsehood_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n but_o even_o among_o the_o greek_n themselves_o there_o have_v be_v find_v some_o that_o will_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a that_o charge_n against_o he_o for_o so_o suidas_n tell_v we_o of_o one_o harpocration_n aelius_n who_o write_v a_o book_n on_o purpose_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o herodotus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d plutarch_n his_o book_n be_v well_o know_v of_o the_o spite_n or_o malignity_n of_o herodotus_n but_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o be_v sufficient_o know_v likewise_o because_o herodotus_n have_v give_v no_o very_o favourable_a character_n of_o plutarch_n country_n strabo_n likewise_o seem_v to_o accuse_v herodotus_n much_o of_o nugacity_n and_o mix_v prodigious_a fable_n with_o his_o 17._o history_n but_o i_o confess_v observe_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o plutarch_n insist_o against_o herodotus_n i_o be_o very_o prone_a to_o think_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o great_a pique_n in_o some_o of_o the_o greek_a writer_n against_o herodotus_n be_v that_o he_o tell_v too_o many_o tale_n out_o of_o school_n and_o have_v discover_v too_o much_o of_o the_o infancy_n of_o greece_n and_o how_o much_o the_o grecian_n borrow_v of_o the_o egyptian_a superstition_n which_o plutarch_n express_o speak_v of_o that_o herodotus_n be_v too_o much_o lead_v aside_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o therefore_o herodotus_n may_v not_o be_v much_o 857._o too_o blame_v in_o the_o thing_n which_o the_o grecian_n most_o charge_v he_o with_o yet_o those_o who_o favour_v he_o most_o can_v excuse_v his_o palpable_a mistake_n in_o some_o thing_n and_o ignorance_n in_o other_o josephus_n think_v he_o be_v deceive_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n in_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o state_n of_o their_o affair_n of_o which_o jos._n 3_o scaliger_n give_v many_o account_n either_o say_v he_o the_o person_n who_o give_v he_o his_o intelligence_n be_v ignorant_a themselves_o or_o else_o like_o true_a egyptian_n they_o be_v cunning_a enough_o but_o impose_v upon_o herodotus_n be_v a_o stranger_n and_o unacquainted_a with_o their_o artifices_fw-la or_o else_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v his_o interpreter_n or_o be_v deceive_v by_o he_o or_o last_o herodotus_n may_v have_v so_o much_o of_o a_o grecian_a in_o he_o as_o to_o adulterate_a the_o true_a history_n with_o some_o fable_n of_o his_o own_o wherefore_o he_o rather_o adhere_v to_o manetho_n then_o herodotus_n as_o to_o the_o egyptian_a history_n who_o yet_o elsewhere_o i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o what_o constancy_n to_o himself_o vouchsafe_v he_o this_o high_a elogium_fw-la that_o he_o be_v scrinium_fw-la originum_fw-la graecarum_fw-la &_o barbararum_fw-la auctor_fw-la à _fw-la doctis_fw-la nunquam_fw-la deponendus_fw-la 157â—_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o very_o useful_a history_n may_v be_v fetch_v out_o of_o he_o yet_o who_o can_v excuse_v his_o 11._o ignorance_n when_o he_o not_o only_o deny_v there_o be_v a_o ocean_n compass_v the_o land_n but_o condemn_v the_o geographer_n for_o assert_v 4_o it_o unless_o this_o may_v be_v
the_o sense_n say_v he_o be_v clear_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o thâ—_n chaldee_n account_n comprehend_v 222._o month_n which_o come_v to_o â—ighteen_o year_n and_o six_o month_n therefore_o 120._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v 2220._o year_n and_o therefore_o he_o add_v for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o read_v leave_v out_o the_o last_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o according_a to_o this_o sense_n of_o 120._o sari_n to_o comprehend_v the_o sum_n of_o 2220._o year_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o reduce_v the_o fragment_n of_o berosus_n concern_v the_o ten_o king_n before_o the_o flood_n reign_v 120._o sari_n to_o some_o degree_n of_o probability_n as_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v only_o suppose_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o ancient_a chaldean_n have_v preserve_v among_o they_o some_o tradition_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o chief_a person_n before_o the_o flood_n for_o we_o find_v they_o exact_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n as_o to_o the_o number_n though_o differ_v as_o to_o the_o name_n of_o they_o which_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o africanus_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n his_o greek_a chronica_fw-la second_o that_o berosus_n from_o 5._o who_o apollodorus_n and_o alexander_n polyhistor_n deliver_v these_o computation_n may_v as_o to_o the_o account_n of_o the_o time_n of_o those_o person_n follow_v the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n for_o i_o have_v already_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o berosus_n do_v not_o publish_v his_o history_n till_o after_o the_o septuagint_n be_v abroad_o now_o according_a to_o the_o computation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n of_o the_o age_n before_o the_o flood_n these_o 120._o sari_n of_o the_o ten_o king_n will_v not_o much_o disagtee_n from_o it_o for_o these_o make_v 2220._o year_n of_o these_o ten_o person_n and_o the_o septuagint_n in_o all_o make_v 2242._o so_o that_o if_o in_o stead_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o suidas_n we_o only_o read_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o have_v the_o exact_a computation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n in_o these_o 120._o sari_n but_o of_o this_o let_v the_o learned_a judge_n we_o now_o to_o come_v to_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n of_o manetho_n 5._o as_o to_o which_o i_o doubt_v we_o must_v be_v fain_o to_o take_v the_o same_o course_n that_o eusebius_n do_v with_o the_o chaldean_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o trouble_v ourselves_o overmuch_o in_o seek_v to_o reconcile_v fable_n to_o truth_n great_a pain_n be_v take_v by_o some_o very_a learned_a man_n to_o reduce_v the_o disorderly_a dynastye_n of_o manetho_n to_o some_o probable_a account_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v upon_o a_o impartial_a examination_n of_o they_o that_o i_o think_v they_o have_v strive_v if_o not_o to_o make_v a_o ethiopian_a white_a yet_o a_o egyptian_a to_o speak_v truth_n concern_v his_o own_o country_n which_o be_v almost_o of_o a_o equal_a impossibility_n joseph_n scaliger_n who_o first_o in_o this_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n produce_v they_o into_o the_o light_n out_o of_o georgius_n syncellus_n have_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o they_o then_o of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n of_o herodotus_n diodorus_n and_o other_o but_o upon_o what_o account_n i_o can_v imagine_v be_v it_o because_o four_o dynastye_n according_a to_o his_o own_o computation_n exceed_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o true_a account_n for_o which_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o make_v use_n of_o his_o tempus_fw-la prolepticum_fw-la and_o julian_n period_n which_o reach_v 764._o year_n beyond_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v invent_v by_o he_o from_o the_o multiplication_n of_o the_o great_a cycle_n into_o the_o indiction_n i._n e._n of_o 532._o into_o 15._o or_o be_v it_o because_o for_o sooth_n manâ—tho_n have_v digest_v all_o into_o better_a order_n and_o reckon_v up_o the_o several_a dynastye_n which_o lay_v consuse_v in_o other_o author_n but_o this_o only_o show_v he_o a_o more_o cunning_a impostor_n who_o see_v the_o former_a account_n give_v by_o other_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n and_o therefore_o pretend_v to_o more_o exactness_n and_o diligence_n that_o he_o may_v more_o easy_o deceive_v his_o reader_n but_o set_v aside_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v say_v already_o concern_v manetho_n i_o have_v these_o thing_n which_o make_v i_o reject_v his_o dynastye_n as_o fabulous_a first_o the_o vast_a difference_n between_o manetho_n his_o account_n and_o all_o other_o who_o have_v write_v the_o egyptian_a history_n in_o the_o order_n and_o name_n of_o his_o dynastye_n where_o do_v we_o ever_o read_v of_o the_o several_a dynastye_n of_o the_o thinites_n memphites_n suit_n diospolitans_n and_o many_o other_o but_o in_o himself_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o neither_o herodotus_n nor_o eratosthenes_n nor_o diodorus_n who_o have_v all_o write_v a_o succession_n of_o the_o egyptian_a king_n shall_v neither_o by_o their_o own_o industry_n nor_o by_o all_o the_o interest_n they_o have_v in_o egypt_n get_v any_o knowledge_n of_o these_o methodical_o digest_v dynastye_n beside_o have_v there_o be_v any_o historical_a certainty_n in_o these_o dynastye_n of_o manetho_n whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o silent_o pass_v over_o by_o those_o who_o be_v egyptian_a priest_n themselves_o and_o undertake_v to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o egypt_n such_o be_v chaeremon_n who_o be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o sacred_a scribe_n and_o ptolomaeus_n mendesius_n who_o be_v a_o egyptian_a priest_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o and_o comprehend_v the_o history_n of_o egypt_n in_o three_o book_n now_o have_v this_o history_n be_v so_o authentical_a as_o be_v pretend_v whence_o come_v so_o many_o and_o great_a contradiction_n between_o they_o in_o so_o much_o that_o josephus_n say_v if_o that_o which_o they_o report_v be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v so_o much_o differ_v but_o they_o 1._o labour_v in_o the_o invention_n of_o lie_n and_o write_v neither_o agreeable_o to_o the_o truth_n nor_o to_o one_o another_o so_o that_o it_o be_v next_o to_o a_o miracle_n almost_o to_o see_v how_o prodigious_o fond_a of_o these_o dynastye_n kircher_n be_v and_o what_o pain_n he_o have_v take_v to_o no_o purpose_n about_o they_o scio_fw-la multos_fw-la esse_fw-la â—aith_o he_o qui_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la dynastias_fw-la meras_fw-la nugas_fw-la &_o commenta_fw-la putant_fw-la very_o true_a but_o why_o 9_o be_v not_o he_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n too_o he_o confess_v himself_o to_o have_v be_v so_o once_o but_o since_o he_o have_v converse_v more_o with_o the_o oriental_a tradition_n he_o have_v find_v they_o not_o to_o be_v so_o fabulous_a as_o many_o make_v they_o it_o seem_v then_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n as_o well_o before_o the_o flood_n as_o after_o must_v lie_v in_o this_o oriental_a tradition_n a_o thing_n which_o some_o to_o show_v their_o great_a skill_n in_o those_o eastern_a language_n be_v grow_v very_o fond_a of_o but_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v yet_o see_v they_o sail_v to_o ophir_n not_o for_o gold_n but_o peacock_n and_o the_o next_o legend_n the_o world_n have_v shall_v be_v call_v legenda_fw-la orientalis_n for_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o irrational_a absurd_a and_o fabulous_a than_o those_o arabic_a tradition_n which_o that_o author_n scrape_v as_o much_o for_o as_o aesop_n cock_n do_v on_o the_o dunghill_n but_o there_o be_v no_o jewel_n to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o unless_o we_o shall_v take_v those_o 15._o hard_a name_n of_o man_n for_o such_o which_o by_o the_o arabic_a writer_n be_v say_v to_o have_v succeed_v each_o other_o in_o egypt_n before_o the_o flood_n viz._n nacraus_fw-la nathras_n mesram_n henoah_n arjak_v hasilim_n husal_n tatrasan_n sarkak_v schaluk_fw-mi surith_n who_o they_o say_v build_v the_o pyramid_n hugith_o manaus_fw-la aphrus_fw-la malinus_fw-la abn_n ama_n pharaun_n in_o who_o time_n they_o say_v the_o flood_n come_v but_o shall_v we_o be_v so_o little_o befriend_v by_o reason_n as_o to_o grant_v all_o this_o what_o advantage_n will_v this_o be_v to_o manetho_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o king_n but_o whole_a dynastye_n so_o that_o it_o still_o appear_v these_o dynastye_n be_v fabulous_a not_o be_v attest_v by_o any_o credible_a witness_n second_o all_o those_o who_o profess_v to_o follow_v manetho_n differ_v strange_o from_o one_o another_o as_o josephus_n africanus_n eusebius_n george_n the_o syncellus_n of_o the_o patriarch_n of_o tarasius_n and_o scaliger_n who_o have_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n in_o digest_v of_o they_o yet_o he_o be_v condemn_v by_o other_o since_o and_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la give_v a_o particular_a caution_n to_o his_o reader_n in_o his_o 10._o dynastiis_fw-la compingendis_fw-la nequaquam_fw-la esse_fw-la sequendum_fw-la ordinem_fw-la &_o calculum_fw-la scaligeri_fw-la what_o shall_v be_v the_o
though_o with_o all_o imaginable_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v undoubted_o he_o especial_o when_o they_o be_v engage_v to_o the_o observation_n of_o some_o law_n or_o custom_n already_o by_o which_o their_o commonwealth_n have_v be_v establish_v and_o with_o all_o these_o law_n of_o moses_n seem_v so_o much_o against_o the_o interest_n and_o good_a husbandry_n of_o a_o nation_n as_o all_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n think_v who_o for_o that_o accuse_v they_o to_o be_v a_o iâ—le_n and_o slothful_a people_n as_o they_o judge_v by_o their_o rest_a whole_o one_o day_n in_o seven_o the_o great_a and_o many_o solemn_a feast_n they_o have_v the_o repair_n of_o all_o the_o male_n to_o jerusalem_n thrice_o a_o year_n the_o sabbatical_a year_n year_n of_o jubilee_n etc._n etc._n these_o thing_n be_v apparent_o against_o the_o interest_n of_o such_o a_o nation_n who_o great_a subsistence_n be_v upon_o pasturage_n and_o agriculture_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a these_o law_n respect_v not_o the_o outward_a interest_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o so_o can_v not_o be_v the_o contrivance_n of_o any_o politician_n among_o they_o but_o do_v immediate_o aim_v at_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o god_n who_o they_o serve_v for_o who_o they_o be_v to_o part_v even_o with_o their_o civil_a interest_n the_o do_v of_o which_o by_o a_o people_n general_o take_v notice_n of_o for_o a_o particular_a love_n of_o their_o own_o concernment_n be_v a_o impregnable_a argument_n these_o law_n can_v not_o take_v place_n among_o they_o have_v they_o not_o be_v give_v by_o moses_n at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o unsettlement_n and_o that_o their_o future_a settlement_n do_v depend_v upon_o their_o present_a observation_n of_o they_o which_o be_v a_o evidence_n too_o that_o they_o can_v be_v of_o no_o less_o than_o divine_a original_n which_o be_v more_o than_o i_o be_v to_o prove_v at_o present_a 4._o be_v not_o these_o write_n undoubted_o moses's_fw-fr 7._o whence_o shall_v the_o neighbour_n nation_n about_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n retain_v so_o venerable_a a_o opinion_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o moses_n the_o egyptian_n account_v he_o one_o of_o their_o priest_n which_o note_v the_o esteem_n they_o have_v of_o his_o learning_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o testimony_n produce_v out_o of_o chaeremon_n and_o manâ—tho_n by_o josephus_n sublim_fw-la diodorus_n siculus_n speak_v of_o he_o with_o great_a respect_n among_o the_o famous_a legislatour_n and_o so_o do_v strabo_n who_o speak_v in_o commendation_n of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o the_o testimony_n of_o longinus_n be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o moses_n be_v no_o man_n of_o any_o vulgar_a wit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chalcidius_n call_v he_o sapientissimus_fw-la moses_n although_o i_o must_v not_o dissemble_v that_o chalcidius_n have_v be_v i_o think_v undeserved_o reckon_v among_o heathen_a writer_n though_o he_o comment_v on_o plato_n timaeus_n 45._o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o he_o be_v a_o christian_a platonist_n which_o may_v more_o probable_o make_v vaninus_n call_v he_o circumforaneum_fw-la blateronem_fw-la but_o though_o we_o exempt_v chalcidius_n out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o heathen_n who_o have_v bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o moses_n yet_o there_o be_v number_n enough_o beside_o he_o produce_v by_o justin_n martyr_n cyrill_n and_o 2._o other_o who_o evidence_n be_v clear_a and_o full_a to_o make_v we_o undoubted_o believe_v that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v so_o universal_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n concern_v the_o write_n and_o law_n of_o moses_n have_v they_o not_o be_v certain_o he_o and_o convey_v down_o in_o a_o continual_a succession_n from_o his_o time_n to_o our_o present_a age_n which_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o clear_a if_o we_o consider_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o national_a constitution_n and_o setlement_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v depend_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o law_n and_o write_n of_o moses_n can_v we_o have_v more_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n as_o solon_n lyâ—urgus_n and_o numa_n and_o that_o the_o law_n bear_v their_o name_n be_v they_o than_o the_o history_n of_o the_o several_a commonwealth_n of_o athâ—ns_n sparta_n and_o rome_n who_o be_v govern_v by_o those_o law_n when_o write_n be_v not_o of_o general_a concernment_n they_o may_v be_v more_o easy_o counterfeit_v but_o when_o they_o concern_v the_o right_n privilege_n and_o government_n of_o a_o nation_n there_o will_v be_v enough_o who_o interest_n will_v lead_v they_o to_o prevent_v imposture_n it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o forge_v a_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la and_o to_o invent_v law_n man_n caution_n and_o prudence_n be_v never_o so_o quick_a sight_v as_o in_o matter_n which_o concern_v their_o estate_n and_o freehold_n the_o general_a interest_n lie_v contrary_a to_o such_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o they_o will_v prevent_v their_o obtain_n among_o they_o now_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v incorporate_v into_o the_o very_a republic_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o subsistence_n and_o government_n depend_v upon_o they_o their_o religion_n and_o law_n be_v so_o interweave_v one_o with_o the_o other_o that_o one_o can_v be_v break_v off_o from_o the_o other_o their_o right_n to_o their_o temporal_a possession_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n depend_v on_o their_o own_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n who_o give_v they_o to_o they_o and_o on_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n record_v by_o moses_n concern_v the_o promise_n make_v to_o the_o patriarch_n so_o that_o on_o that_o account_n it_o be_v impossible_a those_o law_n shall_v be_v counterfeit_a on_o which_o the_o welfare_n of_o a_o nation_n depend_v and_o according_a to_o which_o they_o be_v govern_v ever_o since_o they_o be_v a_o nation_n so_o that_o i_o shall_v now_o take_v it_o to_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o write_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n be_v undoubted_o he_o for_o none_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o law_n to_o have_v be_v he_o can_v have_v the_o face_n to_o deny_v the_o history_n there_o be_v so_o necessary_a a_o connexion_n between_o they_o and_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o general_a and_o very_a necessary_a introduction_n to_o that_o which_o sollow_v chap._n ii_o moses_n his_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o write_v the_o three_o hypothesis_n concern_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o moses_n his_o history_n that_o gradual_o prove_v first_o moses_n his_o knowledge_n clear_v by_o his_o education_n and_o experience_n and_o certain_a information_n his_o education_n in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o egypt_n what_o that_o be_v the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n inquire_v into_o the_o convenience_n for_o it_o of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n moses_n reckon_v among_o they_o for_o his_o knowledge_n the_o mathematical_a natural_a divine_a and_o moral_a learning_n of_o egypt_n their_o political_a wisdom_n most_o considerable_a the_o advantage_n of_o moses_n above_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n as_o to_o wisdom_n and_o reason_n moses_n himself_o a_o eye-witness_n of_o most_o of_o his_o history_n the_o certain_a uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o other_o part_n among_o the_o jew_n manifest_v by_o rational_a evidence_n have_v thus_o far_o clear_v our_o way_n we_o come_v to_o the_o three_o 3._o hypothesis_n which_o be_v there_o be_v as_o manifest_v proof_n of_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o history_n record_v by_o moses_n as_o any_o can_v be_v give_v concern_v any_o thing_n which_o we_o yield_v the_o firm_a assent_n unto_o here_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o we_o proceed_v in_o a_o way_n of_o rational_a evidence_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n as_o to_o which_o if_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o impartial_a person_n the_o argument_n produce_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o convince_v a_o unbiased_a mind_n it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o every_o rangle_a atheist_n will_v sit_v down_o content_v with_o they_o for_o usual_o person_n of_o that_o inclination_n rather_o than_o judgement_n be_v more_o resolve_v against_o light_n then_o inquisitive_a after_o it_o and_o rather_o seek_v to_o stop_v the_o chink_n at_o which_o any_o light_n may_v come_v in_o then_o open_a the_o window_n for_o the_o free_a and_o cheerful_a entertainment_n of_o it_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o without_o offer_v manifest_a violence_n to_o his_o own_o faculty_n and_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o be_v one_o whole_o forsake_v of_o his_o own_o reason_n which_o will_v be_v satisfactory_o do_v if_o we_o can_v clear_v these_o thing_n first_o that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a moses_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n he_o
a_o crocodile_n for_o impudence_n and_o all_o to_o express_v this_o venerable_a apothegm_n o_o you_o that_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o go_v out_o of_o it_o god_n hate_v impudence_n and_o therefore_o certain_o this_o kind_n of_o learning_n deserve_v the_o high_a form_n among_o the_o difficiles_fw-la nugae_fw-la and_o all_o these_o hieroglyphic_n put_v together_o will_v make_v but_o one_o good_a one_o and_o that_o shall_v be_v for_o labour_v lose_v there_o be_v yet_o one_o part_n of_o learning_n more_o among_o they_o 7._o which_o the_o egyptian_n be_v esteem_v for_o which_o be_v the_o political_a and_o civil_a part_n of_o it_o which_o may_v better_a be_v call_v wisdom_n then_o most_o of_o the_o foregoing_a two_o thing_n speak_v much_o the_o wisdom_n of_o a_o nation_n good_a law_n and_o a_o prudent_a management_n of_o they_o their_o law_n be_v high_o commend_v by_o strabo_n and_o diodorus_n and_o it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o least_o commendation_n of_o they_o that_o solon_n and_o lycurgus_n borrow_v so_o many_o of_o their_o constitution_n from_o they_o and_o for_o the_o prudent_a management_n of_o their_o government_n as_o the_o continuance_n of_o their_o state_n so_o long_o in_o peace_n and_o quietness_n be_v a_o invincible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o so_o the_o report_n give_v of_o they_o in_o scripture_n add_v a_o further_a testimony_n to_o it_o for_o therein_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a as_o well_o as_o the_o son_n of_o ancient_a king_n and_o his_o counsellor_n be_v call_v wise_a counsellor_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o 12._o the_o wise_a man_n whereby_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a prudence_n and_o policy_n must_v be_v understand_v can_v we_o now_o imagine_v such_o a_o person_n as_o moses_n be_v breed_v up_o in_o all_o the_o ingenucus_fw-la literature_n of_o egypt_n conversant_a among_o their_o wise_a person_n in_o pharaoh_n court_n have_v thereby_o all_o advantage_n to_o improve_v himself_o and_o to_o understand_v the_o utmost_a of_o all_o that_o they_o know_v shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n between_o a_o mere_a pretence_n and_o imposture_n and_o real_a and_o important_a â—_z can_v we_o think_v that_o one_o who_o have_v interest_n in_o so_o great_a a_o court_n all_o advantage_n of_o raise_v himself_o therein_o shall_v willing_o forsake_v all_o the_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n at_o present_a all_o his_o hope_n and_o advantage_n for_o the_o future_a be_v he_o not_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v record_v in_o his_o book_n be_v it_o possible_a a_o man_n of_o ordinary_a wisdom_n shall_v venture_v himself_o upon_o so_o hazardous_a unlikely_a and_o dangerous_a employment_n â—s_n that_o be_v moses_n undertake_v which_o can_v have_v no_o probability_n of_o success_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o belief_n that_o that_o god_n who_o appear_v unto_o he_o be_v great_a than_o all_o the_o god_n of_o egypt_n and_o can_v carry_v on_o his_o own_o design_n by_o his_o own_o power_n maugre_o all_o the_o opposition_n which_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o what_o possible_a ground_n can_v we_o have_v to_o think_v that_o such_o a_o person_n who_o do_v very_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o god_n reveal_v unto_o he_o shall_v dare_v to_o write_v any_o otherwise_o then_o as_o it_o be_v reveal_v unto_o he_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o common_a reason_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o universal_a deluge_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n the_o history_n of_o the_o patriarch_n have_v not_o moses_n rational_a faculty_n as_o well_o as_o we_o nay_o have_v he_o they_o not_o far_o better_o improve_v then_o any_o of_o we_o be_v and_o be_v not_o he_o then_o able_a to_o judge_v what_o be_v suitable_a to_o reason_n and_o what_o not_o and_o can_v we_o think_v he_o will_v then_o deliver_v any_o thing_n inconsistent_a with_o reason_n or_o undoubted_a tradition_n then_o when_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n may_v so_o ready_o and_o plain_o have_v triumph_v over_o he_o by_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o what_o he_o write_v thus_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n be_v as_o high_o qualify_v as_o any_o of_o the_o acute_a heathen_a philosopher_n can_v be_v for_o discern_a truth_n from_o falsehood_n nay_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o far_o excel_v the_o most_o renown_a of_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n in_o that_o very_a kind_n of_o learning_n wherewith_o they_o make_v so_o great_a noise_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v original_o egyptian_a as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o grecian_a philospher_n who_o go_v age_n after_o age_n to_o egypt_n to_o get_v some_o scrap_n of_o that_o learning_n there_o which_o moses_n can_v not_o have_v but_o full_a meal_n of_o because_o of_o his_o high_a place_n great_a interest_n and_o power_n in_o egypt_n and_o must_v those_o hungry_a philosopher_n than_o become_v the_o only_a master_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o their_o dictate_v be_v receive_v as_o the_o sâ—nse_n and_o voice_n of_o nature_n which_o they_o either_o receive_v from_o uncertain_a tradition_n or_o else_o deliver_v in_o opposition_n to_o it_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o world_n must_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v confront_v with_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o a_o few_o pitiful_a symbol_n vie_v authority_n with_o divine_a command_n and_o exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a be_v soon_o believe_v then_o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n what_o irrefragable_a evidence_n of_o reason_n be_v that_o so_o confident_a a_o presumption_n build_v upon_o when_o it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o without_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n and_o let_v this_o first_o be_v prove_v and_o we_o will_v never_o stick_v to_o grant_v the_o other_o i_o may_v confident_o say_v the_o great_a gullery_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v take_v philosophical_a dictate_v for_o the_o standard_n of_o reason_n and_o unproved_a hypothesis_n for_o certain_a foundation_n for_o our_o discourse_n to_o rely_v upon_o and_o the_o seek_v to_o reconcile_v the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o these_o have_v be_v that_o which_o have_v almost_o destroy_v it_o and_o turn_v our_o religion_n into_o a_o mere_a philosophical_a speculation_n but_o of_o this_o elsewhere_o we_o see_v then_o that_o insist_v mere_o on_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o rational_a perfection_n of_o the_o person_n who_o speak_v we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o yield_v credit_n to_o moses_n in_o his_o history_n then_o to_o any_o philosopher_n in_o their_o speculation_n and_o that_o which_o in_o the_o next_o place_n speak_v moses_n to_o be_v a_o person_n of_o wisdom_n and_o judgement_n and_o ability_n to_o find_v out_o 8._o truth_n be_v his_o age_n and_o experience_n when_o he_o deliver_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n he_o vent_v no_o crude_a and_o indigested_a conception_n no_o sudden_a and_o temerarious_a fancy_n the_o usual_a issue_n of_o teem_a and_o juvenile_a wit_n he_o live_v long_o enough_o to_o have_v experience_n to_o try_v and_o judgement_n to_o distinguish_v a_o mere_a outside_n and_o varnish_n from_o what_o be_v solid_a and_o substantial_a we_o can_v then_o have_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n that_o moses_n be_v any_o way_n unfit_a to_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n and_o therefore_o be_v capable_a of_o judge_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o though_o person_n be_v never_o so_o high_o accomplish_v for_o part_n learning_n and_o experience_n yet_o if_o they_o want_v due_a information_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o deliver_v they_o may_v be_v still_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o if_o they_o preserve_v it_o for_o posterity_n be_v guilty_a of_o deceive_v other_o let_v we_o now_o therefore_o see_v whether_o moses_n have_v not_o as_o great_a advantage_n for_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o history_n as_o he_o have_v judgement_n to_o discern_v it_o and_o concern_v all_o those_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o he_o to_o his_o own_o death_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o shall_v have_v great_a than_o himself_o write_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o be_v pars_fw-la magna_fw-la himself_n of_o what_o he_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o do_v and_o can_v any_o testimony_n be_v desire_v great_a than_o his_o who_o action_n they_o be_v or_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o do_v of_o they_o and_o that_o not_o in_o any_o private_a way_n but_o in_o the_o most_o public_a capacity_n for_o although_o private_a person_n may_v be_v present_a at_o great_a action_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v guilty_a of_o misrepresent_v they_o for_o want_v of_o understand_v all_o circumstance_n precedent_n and_o
to_o be_v understand_v in_o those_o word_n concern_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n will_v appear_v by_o the_o occasion_n of_o their_o be_v bring_v in_o for_o verse_n 14._o god_n prohibit_v they_o to_o hearken_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o neighbour-nation_n to_o observer_n of_o time_n and_o diviner_n and_o then_o bring_v in_o the_o follow_a word_n v_o 15._o as_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o prohibiteon_n that_o god_n will_v raise_v up_o a_o prophet_n among_o themselves_o like_a unto_o moses_n and_o to_o he_o shall_v they_o hearken_v now_o let_v any_o rational_a man_n judge_v whether_o 1._o it_o be_v so_o probable_a a_o argument_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o harken_v to_o diviner_n of_o other_o nation_n that_o there_o shall_v a_o prophet_n arise_v 2000_o year_n after_o like_a unto_o moses_n as_o that_o he_o will_v raise_v up_o a_o continue_a succession_n of_o prophet_n among_o themselves_o to_o who_o they_o shall_v hearken_v thus_o origen_n in_o his_o excellent_a book_n against_o celsus_n show_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o prophetical_a office_n among_o the_o jew_n from_o hence_o for_o say_v he_o it_o be_v write_v in_o their_o law_n that_o the_o gentile_n hearkend_v unto_o oracle_n and_o divination_n but_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v 14._o it_o to_o be_v so_o among_o they_o it_o present_o follow_v a_o prophet_n will_v the_o lord_n god_n raise_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o etc._n etc._n therefore_o say_v he_o when_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o have_v their_o oracle_n and_o several_a way_n of_o divination_n all_o which_o be_v strict_o prohibit_v among_o the_o jew_n if_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o way_n of_o foreknow_v thing_n to_o come_v it_o have_v be_v almost_o impossible_a consider_v the_o great_a curiosity_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o have_v keep_v they_o from_o despise_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n or_o apostatise_v to_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n or_o set_v up_o something_o like_o they_o among_o themselves_o which_o interpretation_n of_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o reason_n not_o only_o from_o the_o coherence_n of_o the_o word_n here_o but_o from_o the_o analogy_n of_o many_o other_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a have_v a_o respect_n to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o idolatrous_a nation_n round_o about_o they_o another_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o by_o this_o be_v understand_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n be_v the_o change_n which_o follow_v against_o false_a prophet_n and_o the_o rule_n to_o discover_v they_o v_o 20_o 21_o 22._o which_o have_v not_o be_v so_o pertinent_a and_o coherent_a if_o the_o opposition_n do_v not_o lie_v between_o the_o order_n of_o true_a prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n which_o shall_v rise_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o that_o which_o yet_o further_o justify_v this_o interpretation_n be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o place_n in_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n which_o do_v express_o speak_v of_o a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n if_o this_o be_v not_o understand_v of_o it_o and_o be_v it_o any_o way_n probabe_n a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n and_o consequence_n shall_v be_v whole_o pretermit_v especial_o when_o we_o find_v it_o so_o exact_o perform_v in_o the_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n their_o immediate_a ruler_n like_o dictator_n at_o rome_n after_o moses_n death_n be_v most_o raise_v up_o by_o immediate_a incitation_n and_o impulse_n from_o god_n and_o many_o of_o they_o inspire_v with_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n how_o shall_v the_o jew_n have_v expect_v these_o or_o obey_v they_o when_o they_o appear_v have_v not_o god_n foretell_v it_o to_o they_o and_o provide_v they_o for_o it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n neither_o do_v these_o prophet_n arise_v single_o among_o they_o like_o blaze_a star_n one_o in_o a_o age_n to_o portend_v future_a event_n but_o whole_a constellation_n of_o they_o sometime_o appear_v together_o yea_o so_o many_o small_a prophet_n be_v sometime_o unite_v together_o as_o make_v up_o a_o perfect_a galaxy_n when_o they_o be_v enter_v into_o society_n and_o become_v school_n of_o the_o prophet_n for_o such_o we_o frequent_o read_v of_o in_o scripture_n the_o original_a and_o institution_n of_o which_o may_v cast_v a_o further_a light_n into_o our_o present_a design_n and_o show_v we_o the_o little_a reason_n the_o jew_n can_v have_v to_o expect_v miracle_n from_o they_o to_o confirm_v their_o doctrine_n who_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o law_n and_o be_v call_v out_o from_o their_o several_a society_n into_o the_o prophetical_a office_n by_o the_o immediate_a incitation_n of_o god_n himself_o which_o be_v so_o common_o know_v among_o they_o there_o need_v no_o such_o extraordinary_a proof_n to_o manifest_v the_o divine_a authority_n by_o which_o they_o be_v employ_v two_o thing_n then_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v first_o the_o original_n and_o institution_n of_o these_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o second_o that_o it_o be_v the_o erdinary_a course_n for_o the_o prophet_n by_o employment_n to_o be_v take_v forth_o of_o these_o society_n wherein_o they_o be_v educate_v first_o for_o the_o original_n and_o institution_n of_o these_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o first_o seminary_n or_o place_n of_o institution_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n which_o be_v disperse_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o israel_n god_n thereby_o turn_v that_o into_o a_o blessing_n which_o be_v pronounce_v as_o a_o curse_n upon_o levi_n by_o his_o father_n jacob_n viz._n that_o he_o shall_v be_v divide_v in_o jacob_n and_o scatter_v in_o israel_n but_o though_o the_o fulfil_n of_o that_o 7._o prophecy_n may_v be_v the_o primary_n ground_n oâ—_n that_o scatter_v yet_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o god_n aim_v at_o some_o further_a good_a in_o it_o both_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o levite_n and_o the_o israelite_n lyra_n undertake_v to_o assign_v four_o reason_n of_o this_o distribution_n of_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n among_o the_o tribe_n 1_o because_o if_o they_o 21._o have_v live_v but_o in_o one_o tribe_n the_o worship_n of_o god_n will_v have_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v confine_v to_o that_o tribe_n 2_o because_o they_o will_v have_v be_v a_o burden_n to_o that_o tribe_n they_o have_v their_o habitation_n in_o 3_o from_o the_o equity_n of_o be_v maintain_v by_o all_o who_o serve_v for_o all_o 4_o because_o it_o be_v their_o office_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a they_o shall_v live_v among_o they_o these_o reason_n be_v most_o of_o they_o oppose_v by_o 14._o abulensis_n but_o defend_v by_o other_o the_o last_o be_v that_o which_o most_o insist_v on_o it_o be_v the_o peculiar_a office_n of_o the_o levite_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n so_o 2_o chron._n 35._o 4._o and_o say_v unto_o the_o levite_n qui_fw-la erudiebant_fw-la omnem_fw-la israelem_fw-la as_o vatablus_n render_v it_o who_o teach_v all_o israel_n and_o masius_n insist_o on_o that_o as_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o their_o dispersion_n to_o be_v ready_a to_o teach_v the_o law_n among_o the_o israelite_n but_o yet_o all_o those_o who_o be_v agree_v that_o teach_v the_o law_n be_v the_o duty_n of_o the_o levite_n be_v not_o yet_o agree_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o that_o teach_n for_o there_o be_v two_o part_n of_o their_o law_n the_o one_o ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a and_o the_o other_o moral_a and_o spiritual_a the_o question_n be_v whether_o of_o these_o two_o do_v belong_v to_o or_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n there_o be_v many_o who_o understand_v all_o that_o office_n of_o teach_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n to_o be_v mere_o concern_v the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o law_n i._n e._n decide_v all_o case_n of_o controversy_n which_o shall_v arise_v concern_v their_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o in_o levit._n 10._o 10._o be_v call_v put_v a_o difference_n between_o holy_a and_o unholy_a and_o between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a but_o it_o seem_v somewhat_o strange_a that_o god_n shall_v take_v so_o great_a care_n about_o the_o shell_n and_o outside_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o none_o at_o all_o for_o the_o moral_a and_o spiritual_a part_n of_o it_o especial_o when_o he_o have_v set_v apart_o a_o whole_a tribe_n mere_o for_o his_o own_o service_n and_o free_v they_o from_o all_o other_o employment_n that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o great_a liberty_n to_o attend_v upon_o the_o thing_n relate_v to_o his_o service_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v mention_v as_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n 10._o to_o teach_v all_o the_o statute_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v to_o they_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o