sort_n of_o christian_n under_o the_o gospel_n st._n jerom_n call_v it_o a_o book_n full_a of_o idle_a dream_n the_o papist_n themselves_o though_o they_o have_v admit_v many_o other_o book_n that_o we_o reckon_v apocryphal_a into_o their_o canon_n yet_o have_v still_o reject_v this_o and_o bellarmine_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n speak_v with_o great_a contempt_n of_o this_o whole_a book_n and_o call_v the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v a_o writer_n of_o romance_n second_o there_o be_v many_o very_a good_a and_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o there_o be_v no_o where_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o least_o mention_n not_o by_o esdras_n himself_o though_o he_o give_v we_o a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o he_o himself_o do_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a but_o so_o eminent_a a_o thing_n as_o god_n inspire_v one_o man_n to_o write_v over_o again_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o so_o many_o have_v be_v inspire_v to_o write_v before_o will_v have_v be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o record_v nor_o be_v it_o credible_a but_o that_o so_o great_a a_o judgement_n upon_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o total_a loss_n of_o their_o law_n will_v have_v be_v distinct_o mention_v when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v so_o very_o particular_a in_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o lossâ—s_v the_o jew_n underweâ—â—_n at_o that_o time_n of_o all_o the_o ruin_n make_v by_o the_o babylonian_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o all_o the_o spoil_n they_o carry_v into_o babylon_n from_o thence_o second_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v multitude_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o religious_a jew_n especial_o the_o priest_n of_o who_o there_o be_v many_o hundred_o who_o have_v a_o constant_a use_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o people_n also_o dâ—d_v general_o possess_v themselves_o of_o it_o after_o that_o eminent_a danger_n it_o have_v undergo_v and_o the_o recovery_n of_o â—â—â—n_n the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o jâ—siah_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o all_o the_o copy_n can_v be_v destroy_v those_o that_o probable_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o jeremiah_n gedalich_n and_o many_o other_o who_o stay_v behind_o and_o accept_v their_o liberty_n to_o continue_v still_o in_o judea_n and_o those_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o daniel_n ezekiel_n and_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o they_o in_o the_o first_o captivity_n to_o babylon_n long_o before_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o all_o those_o which_o be_v probable_o keep_v by_o many_o of_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n after_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o we_o no_o where_n find_v that_o the_o babylonian_n make_v it_o any_o part_n of_o their_o business_n in_o particular_a to_o destroy_v and_o extirpate_v their_o law_n and_o when_o antiochus_n do_v afterward_o with_o all_o his_o might_n endeavour_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o copy_n that_o be_v extant_a in_o good_a man_n hand_n he_o be_v no_o way_n able_a to_o effect_v it_o three_o it_o appear_v the_o jew_n have_v the_o scripture_n with_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n both_o from_o daniel_n prophecy_n who_o prophesy_v there_o and_o also_o from_o other_o historical_a evidence_n first_o from_o his_o prophecy_n for_o we_o find_v he_o in_o the_o 9_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n quote_v several_a time_n particular_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o chapter_n he_o say_v he_o understand_v by_o book_n the_o number_n of_o year_n whereof_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n that_o he_o will_v accomplish_v seventy_o year_n in_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o those_o book_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n itself_o with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o record_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n wherein_o be_v to_o be_v find_v the_o time_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v bring_v thither_o which_o daniel_n compare_v together_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o end_n of_o jâ—remies_n seventy_o year_n and_o of_o the_o captivity_n the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o arise_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o have_v be_v four_o distinct_a captivity_n and_o four_o several_a king_n of_o judah_n carry_v into_o babylon_n at_o four_o several_a time_n first_o manasses_n than_o jehojakim_n and_o with_o he_o among_o other_o daniel_n himself_o three_o jeconias_n and_o with_o he_o ezekiel_n and_o mordecai_n and_o last_o zedekias_n when_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v destroy_v and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n very_o easy_a to_o know_v from_o which_o of_o these_o captivity_n to_o reckon_v the_o seventy_o â—aâ—s_n ezekiel_n seem_v to_o begin_v it_o eleven_o year_n before_o the_o city_n be_v destroy_v when_o jeâ—â—onias_n be_v carry_v away_o thither_o for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o our_o be_v in_o captivity_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n in_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o the_o month_n in_o the_o fourteen_o year_n after_o that_o the_o city_n be_v smite_v and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o jecenias_n use_v these_o word_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v in_o babel_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n by_o which_o he_o seem_v to_o begin_v the_o seventy_o year_n from_o thence_o but_o in_o other_o place_n be_v very_o express_v that_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v from_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o so_o it_o appear_v the_o captivity_n mention_v by_o ezekiel_n be_v not_o that_o by_o which_o the_o seventy_o â—ears_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v nor_o be_v the_o prophecy_n utter_v by_o jeremy_n to_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v captivate_v with_o jeconias_n to_o commence_v when_o utter_v nor_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o last_o captivity_n of_o zedekiah_n all_o which_o daniel_n consider_v and_o by_o compare_v these_o prophecy_n together_o find_v the_o exact_a time_n from_o whence_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v second_o from_o historical_a evidence_n for_o josephus_n say_v the_o reason_n why_o cyrus_n set_v on_o foot_n the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o restore_v of_o the_o jew_n to_o their_o country_n be_v his_o read_v the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n which_o be_v write_v â—10_n year_n before_o his_o time_n wherein_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v in_o god_n name_n that_o cyrus_n shall_v be_v raise_v up_o for_o that_o very_a purpose_n upon_o read_v of_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n he_o save_v cyrus_n be_v ravish_v with_o admiration_n of_o god_n and_o surprise_v with_o a_o ardent_a zeal_n to_o bring_v about_o what_o be_v so_o long_o before_o write_v and_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o sight_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o engage_v cyrus_n to_o what_o he_o do_v for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o most_o absurd_o impolitic_a and_o against_o all_o ordinary_a rule_n of_o discretion_n to_o restore_v such_o a_o people_n and_o rebuild_v such_o a_o place_n that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o terrible_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o especial_o when_o as_o josephus_n say_v there_o go_v out_o of_o babylon_n at_o their_o return_n of_o those_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n there_o captivate_v four_o million_o six_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o eight_o thousand_o person_n that_o be_v above_o twelve_o year_n old_a beside_o four_o thousand_o and_o seventy_o levite_n and_o of_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n together_o forty_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o forty_o and_o two_o beside_o also_o some_o hundred_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n that_o be_v porter_n singer_n and_o other_o sacred_a servitor_n four_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o zerubbabel_n joshuah_n haggai_n and_o so_o many_o other_o of_o they_o will_v have_v so_o labour_v as_o they_o do_v to_o return_v out_o of_o babylon_n toâ—e-build_a their_o temple_n and_o restore_v their_o ancient_a worship_n if_o the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o great_a rule_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o have_v be_v whole_o lâ—st_o and_o extinguish_v nay_o it_o appear_v evident_o in_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n that_o those_o jew_n that_o firstâ—etâ—â—â—ed_v into_o judaea_n before_o esdras_n come_v out_o of_o babylon_n bring_v the_o law_n out_o of_o babylon_n with_o they_o for_o in_o the_o six_o of_o esdras_n it_o be_v there_o say_v they_o set_v the_o priest_n in_o their_o division_n and_o the_o levite_n in_o their_o corpse_n and_o settle_v the_o worship_n oâ—the_v temple_n
the_o world_n thales_n miletius_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jonick_a school_n who_o be_v antiquissimus_fw-la sapientum_fw-la in_o graece_fw-la and_o the_o first_o author_n among_o they_o of_o that_o science_n they_o afterward_o call_v natural_a philosophy_n and_o come_v near_a to_o the_o story_n of_o moses_n he_o derive_v all_o thing_n from_o water_n rerum_fw-la omnium_fw-la principium_fw-la dixit_fw-la esse_fw-la aquam_fw-la ex_fw-la aqua_fw-la namque_fw-la omne_fw-la existere_fw-la &_o in_o aquam_fw-la resolvi_fw-la omne_fw-la follow_v therein_o homer_n the_o great_a prophet_n of_o graece_fw-la who_o book_n be_v indeed_o the_o great_a pagan-bible_n and_o from_o who_o not_o only_o most_o of_o the_o gracian_a religion_n but_o most_o of_o all_o the_o heethen_a theology_n be_v after_o derive_v for_o he_o make_v the_o sea_n the_o common_a parent_n of_o all_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d occanum_fw-la rerum_fw-la genuit_fw-la qui_fw-la cuncta_fw-la parentem_fw-la year_n of_o the_o god_n themselves_o for_o he_o derive_v their_o pedigree_n no_o high_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oceanumque_fw-la deumm_n patrem_fw-la tethymque_fw-la parentem_fw-la anaximander_n his_o successor_n he_o think_v the_o world_n come_v from_o no_o one_o particular_a thing_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n have_v their_o proper_a and_o singular_a beginning_n which_o he_o hold_v to_o be_v infinite_a and_o that_o infinite_a world_n be_v thereby_o beget_v all_o which_o have_v their_o successive_a original_a continuance_n and_o end_n anaximenes_n he_o think_v all_o thing_n come_v from_o air_n exit_fw-la aere_fw-la omne_fw-la fieri_fw-la &_o in_o hunc_fw-la desinere_fw-la omne_fw-la heraclitus_n ascribe_v all_o to_o fire_n think_v all_o thing_n come_v first_o from_o fire_n and_o will_v revert_v to_o fire_n again_o pythagoras_n the_o author_n of_o the_o italic_a philosophy_n and_o the_o first_o introducer_n of_o the_o name_n of_o philosophy_n according_a to_o laertius_n and_o as_o clemens_n alex._n tell_v we_o the_o first_o that_o take_v the_o name_n of_o a_o philosopher_n upon_o himself_o which_o st._n austin_n say_v he_o do_v out_o of_o modesty_n refuse_v to_o be_v call_v a_o wise_a man_n which_o every_o philosopher_n be_v before_o but_o choose_v rather_o to_o style_v himself_o a_o lover_n of_o wisdom_n he_o ascribe_v all_o thing_n to_o number_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o mention_v all_o the_o absurd_a and_o contradictory_n speculation_n the_o philosopher_n have_v about_o this_o matter_n the_o three_o best_a of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n who_o successive_o instruct_v each_o other_o and_o attain_v to_o the_o top_n of_o the_o grecian_a literature_n socrates_n plato_n and_o aristotle_n what_o a_o cloud_n do_v those_o elevate_a understanding_n set_v in_o about_o these_o matter_n socrates_n so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v judge_n of_o he_o by_o what_o his_o scholar_n have_v collect_v of_o his_o for_o he_o write_v nothing_o himself_n see_v so_o great_a vanity_n in_o the_o sentiment_n of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n about_o these_o thing_n &_o withal_o be_v so_o convince_v of_o his_o own_o inability_n to_o come_v to_o a_o right_a comprehension_n of_o they_o that_o he_o apply_v himself_o chief_o to_o morality_n wave_v all_o dispute_n about_o they_o as_o uncertain_a and_o no_o way_n satisfy_v and_o make_v his_o business_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a live_n and_o to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o such_o speculation_n wherein_o he_o find_v they_o have_v be_v ever_o benight_a and_o lose_v which_o doubtless_o be_v the_o wise_a resolve_n by_o far_o that_o any_o of_o they_o ever_o come_v to_o it_o be_v a_o singular_a part_n of_o prudence_n to_o be_v silent_a in_o that_o about_o which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a and_o in_o this_o particular_a happy_o he_o make_v good_a what_o the_o oracle_n say_v of_o he_o mortalium_fw-la unus_fw-la socrates_n veer_fw-la sapit_fw-la plato_n assert_n three_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n deum_fw-la materiam_fw-la &_o idaeam_n deum_fw-la conditorem_fw-la omnium_fw-la materiam_fw-la autem_fw-la primariae_fw-la rerum_fw-la genitarum_fw-la generationi_fw-la subjacentem_fw-la &_o causam_fw-la occasionemque_fw-la deo_fw-la creationis_fw-la praebentem_fw-la ideam_fw-la porro_fw-la creaturae_fw-la cujusque_fw-la exemplar_n and_o sometime_o add_v a_o four_o animam_fw-la universalem_fw-la aristotle_n make_v but_o two_o principle_n deum_n &_o materiam_fw-la and_o indeed_o so_o contradict_v the_o former_a hypothesis_n of_o plato_n and_o so_o little_a agreement_n be_v there_o in_o those_o thing_n between_o they_o though_o he_o have_v be_v his_o scholar_n from_o fifteen_o that_o plato_n complain_v he_o kick_v at_o he_o as_o foal_v use_v to_o do_v at_o their_o dame_n that_o have_v breed_v they_o up_o some_o think_v the_o world_n eternal_a without_o a_o deity_n aristotle_n he_o think_v it_o eternal_a with_o a_o deity_n and_o that_o the_o world_n flow_v natural_o from_o the_o divine_a be_v as_o light_n do_v from_o the_o sun_n nor_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o one_o philosopher_n among_o they_o all_o but_o hold_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n in_o some_o posture_n or_o other_o about_o which_o they_o much_o differ_v be_v eternal_a as_o well_o as_o the_o deity_n itself_o and_o therefore_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n say_v omnes_fw-la philosophi_fw-la in_o his_o consenserunt_fw-la semper_fw-la prater_fw-la deum_fw-la ab_fw-la omni_fw-la eater_n nitate_fw-la aliquid_fw-la fuisse_fw-la in_o this_o all_o philosopher_n have_v agree_v that_o there_o be_v somewhat_o else_o beside_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n they_o never_o admit_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n can_v possible_o come_v original_o from_o divine_a potentiality_n and_o so_o from_o nothing_o if_o you_o respect_v matter_n that_o maxim_n fieri_fw-la é_fw-fr nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la in_fw-la nihilum_fw-la nil_fw-la posse_fw-la reverti_fw-la be_v universal_a among_o they_o and_o still_o confine_v by_o they_o all_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o matter_n for_o divinity_n no_o part_n of_o the_o world_n before_o or_o since_o ever_o produce_v a_o far_a corruption_n therein_o then_o greece_n and_o rome_n in_o their_o great_a splendour_n they_o make_v god_n of_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o themselves_o living_n and_o dead_a idolatry_n be_v then_o in_o its_o meridian_n that_o natural_a notion_n man_n have_v of_o a_o deity_n have_v be_v in_o no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n more_o notorious_o debauch_v to_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o all_o false_a worship_n then_o in_o those_o know_a time_n whatever_o they_o general_o love_v or_o fear_v fancy_a and_o not_o understand_v that_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o adore_v their_o back_n be_v bow_v down_o with_o a_o ignorant_a implicit_a reverence_n to_o what_o they_o know_v not_o and_o so_o their_o devotion_n prove_v as_o ruinous_a to_o they_o as_o their_o vice_n it_o be_v their_o religion_n in_o graece_fw-la that_o make_v man_n turn_v atheist_n and_o make_v that_o learned_a country_n the_o first_o soil_n that_o ever_o atheism_n grow_v in_o it_o be_v so_o gross_o absurd_a and_o their_o poet_n have_v make_v it_o so_o ridiculous_a that_o it_o become_v loathsome_a to_o the_o most_o intelligent_a part_n of_o themselves_o at_o athens_n so_o blind_a be_v they_o in_o their_o devotion_n and_o withal_o so_o confuse_v with_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o their_o own_o deity_n not_o sometime_o know_v which_o to_o apply_v to_o that_o they_o inscribe_v altar_n to_o the_o unknown_a god_n by_o which_o they_o fall_v accidental_o into_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n before_o they_o be_v aware_a for_o the_o unknown_a god_n among_o they_o 〈◊〉_d indeed_o the_o true_a god_n the_o occasion_n of_o 〈◊〉_d â—uch_o we_o find_v in_o laertius_n in_o the_o life_n of_o epimenides_n who_o he_o say_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o great_a plague_n that_o be_v at_o athens_n oves_fw-la alas_o &_o nigras_fw-la in_o areopagum_fw-la adduxit_fw-la ac_fw-la dimissis_fw-la deinde_fw-la quo_fw-la ire_n vellent_fw-la auctor_fw-la suis_fw-la ut_fw-la ubi_fw-la illi_fw-la recubuissent_fw-la ibi_fw-la sacrificarent_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d these_o altar_n be_v likewise_o mention_v by_o pausanias_n lib._n 1._o and_o by_o phylostratus_n lib._n 6._o such_o altar_n so_o inscribe_v also_o they_o have_v in_o rome_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o earthquake_n there_o when_o they_o know_v not_o which_o of_o their_o god_n to_o apply_v to_o as_o appear_v by_o agelli_fw-la lib._n 11._o chap._n 28._o in_o rome_n their_o religion_n be_v grow_v to_o that_o height_n of_o absurdity_n that_o one_o tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n the_o roman_a priest_n themselves_o do_v to_o such_o a_o degree_n contemn_v their_o own_o devotion_n and_o ceremony_n that_o they_o can_v scarce_o forbear_v smile_v at_o each_o other_o when_o they_o meet_v in_o the_o street_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o believe_v god_n shall_v be_v please_v with_o what_o man_n mock_v at_o themselves_o cotta_n in_o cicero_n book_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n say_v plain_o religion_n must_v be_v continue_v as_o they_o be_v first_o institute_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o commonwealth_n but_o that_o otherwise_o all_o
have_v and_o in_o its_o own_o antiquity_n answer_v that_o antiquity_n we_o may_v just_o expect_v to_o accompany_v god_n first_o revelation_n the_o bible_n i_o say_v upon_o this_o account_n have_v a_o singular_a evidence_n give_v in_o to_o its_o credibility_n and_o its_o antiquity_n do_v strong_o affirm_v its_o divine_a authority_n second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v point_v we_o to_o its_o divinity_n because_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o first_o written_a account_n the_o world_n have_v of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o cheat_n that_o the_o first_o eminent_a record_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o not_o only_o a_o lie_n but_o the_o worst_a of_o lie_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a and_o destructive_a falsehood_n for_o so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o law_n upon_o the_o world_n in_o god_n name_n without_o his_o authority_n that_o ever_o be_v publish_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o 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most_o concern_v to_o know_v and_o upon_o the_o right_a knowledge_n of_o which_o their_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n do_v unavoidable_o depend_v this_o very_a one_o consideration_n will_v prevail_v much_o upon_o every_o impartial_a judgement_n who_o can_v believe_v the_o first_o religion_n shall_v be_v the_o worst_a when_o true_a religion_n must_v needs_o be_v as_o old_a as_o the_o world_n and_o the_o early_o notion_n of_o god_n the_o false_a when_o we_o must_v needs_o think_v it_o reasonable_a that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n or_o that_o the_o first_o book_n we_o sin_v write_v shall_v contain_v the_o high_a imposture_n in_o point_n of_o religion_n and_o more_o dishonour_n god_n and_o abuse_v the_o world_n than_o any_o or_o all_o the_o book_n write_v since_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n beyond_o all_o compass_n of_o credit_n that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v false_a information_n to_o be_v give_v in_o his_o own_o name_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o own_o revelation_n from_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n for_o about_o 4043_o year_n for_o about_o so_o long_a a_o time_n it_o be_v from_o that_o first_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o historical_o a_o account_n of_o till_o the_o last_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n and_o that_o this_o account_n shall_v begin_v with_o the_o first_o book_n that_o the_o world_n have_v and_o be_v gradual_o carry_v on_o into_o such_o a_o complete_a systeme_n as_o now_o we_o see_v it_o be_v in_o a_o write_a way_n by_o several_a hand_n in_o several_a age_n for_o a_o thousand_o and_o six_o hundred_o year_n together_o for_o about_o so_o long_a a_o time_n it_o be_v from_o moses_n his_o first_o write_v to_o st._n john_n close_v the_o bible_n nor_o be_v it_o supposable_a that_o the_o vile_a falsehood_n for_o such_o be_v the_o bible_n if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n a_o religion_n whereby_o if_o it_o be_v false_a god_n will_v be_v more_o dishonour_v and_o man_n more_o delude_v then_o by_o any_o that_o ever_o be_v yet_o extant_a shall_v have_v this_o to_o say_v in_o its_o justisication_n that_o it_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o have_v be_v long_a last_v among_o mankind_n the_o consideration_n therefore_o of_o this_o book_n in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o conveyance_n the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n it_o contain_v and_o the_o antiquity_n of_o itself_o as_o a_o book_n write_v long_o before_o all_o other_o and_o of_o so_o early_a a_o date_n in_o the_o world_n do_v with_o great_a evidence_n point_v we_o to_o its_o divine_a original_a and_o very_o strong_o tend_v to_o persuade_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o second_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n to_o we_o the_o method_n of_o god_n thus_o record_v his_o pleasure_n have_v be_v such_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v we_o have_v all_o those_o reasonable_a inducement_n and_o in_o some_o respect_v more_o to_o credit_v it_o upon_o which_o we_o receive_v any_o humane_a author_n and_o acquiesce_v in_o they_o as_o true_a and_o all_o such_o far_a evidence_n as_o we_o can_v well_o expect_v to_o insure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o be_v divint_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v so_o if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o instrument_n god_n employ_v in_o the_o write_n of_o it_o and_o such_o humane_a circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o do_v it_o and_o second_o the_o divine_a witness_n god_n himself_o have_v in_o the_o most_o eminent_a way_n give_v to_o this_o book_n in_o its_o conveyance_n to_o ascertain_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o those_o that_o write_v it_o first_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n those_o amanuensis_n god_n make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o write_n of_o it_o and_o such_o circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o do_v it_o how_o unlikely_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o that_o they_o either_o do_v or_o can_v abuse_v the_o world_n in_o this_o matter_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o these_o several_a thing_n first_o the_o unblemished_a credit_n and_o reputation_n of_o these_o writer_n second_o the_o several_a qualification_n and_o quality_n of_o they_o three_o their_o interest_n as_o moral_a and_o reasonable_a man_n four_o their_o number_n and_o that_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n in_o which_o many_o of_o they_o write_v one_o from_o another_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o we_o know_v do_v more_o credit_n ancient_a author_n than_o the_o good_a report_n of_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v transfer_v to_o posterity_n not_o one_o of_o those_o holy_a penman_n god_n employ_v in_o write_v the_o bible_n be_v that_o ever_o we_o find_v upon_o any_o good_a ground_n taint_v in_o reputation_n or_o convict_v of_o any_o sort_n of_o impostor_n in_o their_o own_o or_o future_a age_n but_o be_v man_n of_o acknowledge_a integrity_n and_o sanctity_n in_o those_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o very_o many_o of_o they_o give_v the_o high_a testimony_n to_o their_o integrity_n in_o become_a martyr_n in_o justification_n of_o what_o themselves_o write_v for_o the_o second_o the_o various_a quality_n and_o condition_n of_o these_o writer_n seem_v much_o to_o secure_v we_o against_o so_o vile_a a_o design_n as_o this_o book_n must_v needs_o be_v compose_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n some_o of_o they_o be_v king_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a quality_n before_o they_o write_v and_o not_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o baseness_n and_o meanness_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o work_n and_o also_o man_n of_o deep_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n other_o of_o they_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o most_o of_o the_o
a_o word_n that_o famous_a and_o venerable_a senate_n in_o which_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v present_a all_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v complete_v and_o the_o whole_a prophecy_n that_o god_n vouchsafe_v till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n deliver_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o punctual_a collection_n of_o the_o several_a part_n together_o and_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n against_o any_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n exact_o settle_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o the_o jew_n keep_v punctual_o to_o till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o full_o approve_v the_o scripture_n as_o he_o then_o find_v the_o jew_n in_o possession_n of_o they_o second_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o any_o book_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v whole_o lose_v we_o utter_o deny_v the_o affirmation_n of_o it_o be_v neither_o consist_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o general_n nor_o can_v any_o particular_a proof_n be_v bring_v to_o make_v it_o good_a those_o who_o insist_v upon_o this_o as_o bellarmine_n and_o some_o of_o the_o papist_n do_v thereby_o to_o gain_v a_o advantage_n to_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v put_v in_o balance_n with_o the_o bible_n and_o other_o with_o design_n by_o prove_v the_o loss_n of_o any_o part_n to_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a instance_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o parable_n or_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n and_o a_o thousand_o and_o five_o song_n speak_v of_o 1_o king_n 4.32_o the_o book_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o gad_n the_o seer_n mention_v in_o the_o second_o of_o chronicle_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ahijah_n the_o shilonite_n and_o the_o vision_n of_o iddo_n or_o addo_n the_o seer_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o 2_o chron._n 9_o and_o some_o other_o and_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n write_v as_o they_o suppose_v to_o the_o laodicaean_n mention_v colos_n 4.16_o although_o very_o 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they_o be_v part_n of_o the_o bible_n by_o no_o mean_n nay_o the_o very_a writer_n of_o the_o bible_n themselves_o such_o as_o david_n solâ—mon_n and_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n may_v and_o without_o all_o doubt_n some_o of_o they_o do_v write_v many_o thing_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n that_o be_v true_a without_o any_o divine_a or_o infallible_a direction_n and_o which_o be_v never_o incorporate_v with_o the_o bible_n and_o so_o say_v st._n austin_n in_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civ_o dei_fw-la say_v be_v those_o prophet_n who_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o inspire_v write_v some_o thing_n as_o man_n and_o those_o work_n we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d in_o our_o canon_n nor_o have_v the_o jew_n in_o they_o and_o other_o thing_n as_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n and_o these_o work_n be_v real_o distinct_a some_o be_v hold_v their_o own_o as_o man_n and_o some_o the_o lord_n as_o speak_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o he_o that_o will_v prove_v from_o hence_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v lose_v must_v first_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o these_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o be_v now_o possess_v of_o and_o second_o that_o admit_v they_o be_v not_o that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o ence_n within_o the_o canon_n of_o which_o latter_a we_o be_v well_o assure_v the_o least_o proof_n can_v be_v make_v for_o the_o jew_n be_v most_o faithful_a preserver_n of_o those_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v unto_o their_o change_n nor_o be_v they_o ever_o so_o much_o as_o once_o blame_v by_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n for_o any_o miscarriage_n that_o way_n as_o for_o a_o epistle_n suppose_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o the_o laodicaeons_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v the_o supposition_n be_v frivolous_a and_o groundless_a for_o the_o word_n in_o the_o greck_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o from_o laodicaea_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o laodicae_fw-la but_o of_o one_o write_v from_o laodicaea_n either_o to_o the_o colossian_n themselves_o which_o they_o then_o have_v by_o they_o or_o else_o to_o st._n paul_n which_o he_o send_v they_o and_o require_v they_o to_o read_v it_o as_o contain_v something_o expedient_a for_o they_o to_o know_v the_o mistake_a opinion_n from_o this_o place_n of_o a_o epistle_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodiceans_n have_v most_o probable_o arisen_a from_o the_o ill_a rendition_n in_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a where_o the_o word_n be_v render_v &_o illa_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la laodicentium_n but_o without_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o original_a catherinus_n confess_v that_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o chrisostome_n and_o oecumenius_n non_fw-la hic_fw-la nominari_fw-la epistolam_fw-la a_o paulo_n scriptam_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la sed_fw-la ex_fw-la co_fw-la loco_fw-la scriptam_fw-la that_o here_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n but_o of_o some_o epistle_n write_v from_o laodicaea_n that_o there_o be_v ancient_o a_o counterfeit_n epistle_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v be_v most_o true_a but_o in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v extant_a it_o be_v universal_o reject_v as_o spurious_a and_o know_v so_o to_o be_v st._n i_o speak_v of_o it_o but_o say_v abomnibus_fw-la exploditur_fw-la the_o second_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o their_o six_o canon_n say_v thus_o of_o it_o inter_fw-la epistolas_fw-la pauli_n apostoli_fw-la quaedam_fw-la fertur_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la quam_fw-la patres_fw-la nostri_fw-la tanquam_fw-la alienam_fw-la reprobaverunt_fw-la tertullian_n against_o martion_n and_o theophilact_fw-mi both_o reject_v it_o with_o great_a contempt_n and_o say_v it_o be_v apostolico_fw-la nomine_fw-la planâ—_n indigna_fw-es and_o bellarmine_n himself_o though_o he_o have_v former_o affirm_v there_o be_v such_o a_o epistle_n which_o be_v certain_o lose_v yet_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n which_o he_o call_v his_o recognition_n or_o after-view_n of_o his_o work_n retract_v it_o say_v he_o be_v mistake_v and_o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o such_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n so_o that_o all_o the_o insinuation_n of_o this_o kind_n that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n any_o book_n write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n appear_v to_o be_v very_o weak_o and_o ill_o ground_v and_o in_o truth_n the_o foot_n step_v of_o divine_a providence_n have_v be_v eminent_o visible_a in_o secure_v those_o holy_a writing_n upon_o this_o threefold_a account_n from_o destruction_n addition_n and_o alteration_n first_o no_o accident_n of_o time_n nor_o design_n of_o its_o worst_a enemy_n have_v total_o obliterated_a the_o whole_a or_o any_o part._n second_o though_o many_o have_v attempt_v to_o piece_n in_o and_o add_v to_o it_o false_a and_o counterfeit_a fragment_n and_o some_o whole_a gospel_n yet_o in_o defiance_n to_o all_o those_o essay_n the_o scripture_n have_v remain_v entire_a and_o stand_v like_o a_o rock_n impenetrable_a no_o spurious_a write_n have_v be_v able_a to_o incorporate_v with_o this_o holy_a book_n such_o who_o have_v go_v about_o to_o forge_v scripture_n have_v but_o make_v the_o lustre_n of_o the_o bible_n more_o eminent_a and_o more_o evident_o show_v we_o the_o difference_n of_o god_n reâ—ealing_v from_o heaven_n and_o man_n counterfeit_v upon_o earth_n man_n write_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o humane_a ability_n and_o man_n writing_n as_o they_o be_v move_v thereunto_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n three_o from_o alteration_n no_o man_n have_v be_v suffer_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o attempt_n of_o heretic_n to_o that_o purpose_n to_o pollute_v or_o corrupt_v it_o all_o
moses_n i_o mean_v the_o true_a ancient_a berosus_n and_o not_o the_o latter_a counterfeit_n of_o he_o set_v down_o the_o story_n of_o it_o in_o the_o very_a same_o way_n that_o moses_n do_v begin_v his_o history_n ante_fw-la aquarum_fw-la cladem_fw-la famosam_fw-la quâ_fw-la universus_fw-la perut_fw-la orbis_fw-la and_o say_v there_o be_v only_o eight_o person_n save_v cyril_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o julian_n show_v that_o alexander_n polybistor_n and_o abidene_n under_o the_o feign_a name_n of_o saturn_n and_o xyfuthrus_n have_v write_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o same_o story_n that_o moses_n have_v do_v of_o the_o flood_n and_o of_o the_o ark_n and_o the_o place_n of_o its_o rest_a and_o in_o very_a many_o other_o ancient_a author_n have_v we_o particular_a narrative_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o many_o poetical_a fiction_n and_o fabulous_a story_n that_o we_o find_v among_o the_o ancient_a heathen-writer_n have_v their_o derivation_n from_o thence_o so_o that_o to_o doubt_v about_o the_o fact_n of_o what_o moses_n have_v write_v in_o this_o particular_a be_v extreme_o unreasonable_a for_o it_o be_v to_o deny_v what_o be_v eminent_o witness_v unto_o by_o several_a historian_n of_o several_a country_n and_o to_o withstand_v the_o stream_n of_o a_o universal_a tradition_n the_o story_n of_o building_n the_o babylontan_n tower_n be_v particular_o set_v down_o by_o the_o same_o alexander_n polyhistor_n and_o abidene_n as_o we_o find_v they_o quote_v at_o large_a by_o eusebius_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o man_n will_v needs_o in_o despite_n of_o the_o god_n build_v up_o a_o tower_n to_o the_o sun_n in_o the_o place_n where_o babylon_n now_o be_v and_o when_o they_o have_v build_v it_o very_o high_a the_o god_n overthrow_v it_o and_o that_o at_o that_o time_n begin_v the_o diversity_n of_o language_n and_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o the_o common_a understanding_n that_o all_o that_o fiction_n of_o the_o poet_n about_o the_o giant_n war_a 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there_o be_v such_o a_o king_n as_o solomon_n that_o build_v a_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n josephus_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n prove_v from_o the_o ancient_a chronicle_n of_o the_o tyrian_n which_o say_v he_o they_o have_v keep_v with_o great_a diligence_n and_o therein_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o solomon_n league_n with_o the_o king_n of_o tyre_n and_o of_o his_o building_n the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o exact_a time_n of_o it_o a_o hundred_o forty_o three_o year_n and_o eight_o month_n before_o the_o build_n of_o carthage_n the_o same_o account_n we_o have_v in_o eupolemus_n alexander_n polyhistor_n haecateus_fw-la dius_n a_o phenician_a and_o many_o other_o who_o have_v write_v so_o large_o about_o that_o temple_n that_o as_o some_o have_v observe_v there_o be_v not_o a_o vessel_n nor_o any_o tool_n or_o instrument_n in_o it_o which_o they_o have_v not_o particular_o mention_v which_o exactness_n we_o find_v not_o in_o any_o heathen_a story_n in_o the_o description_n of_o any_o temple_n of_o their_o own_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o babylon_n cyrus_n his_o obtain_v the_o persian_a empire_n and_o his_o conquest_n of_o babylon_n be_v all_o punctual_o set_v down_o by_o profane_a writer_n alexander_n polyhistor_n write_v a_o exact_a story_n of_o jeremiah_n prophecy_n and_o of_o the_o captivity_n and_o diocles_n and_o berosus_n both_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n deliverance_n by_o cyrus_n and_o that_o they_o be_v captive_n in_o babylon_n 70_o year_n and_o alexander_n polyhistor_n and_o haecateus_fw-la both_o write_v of_o cyrus_n his_o re-building_n the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n daniel_n prediction_n about_o the_o four_o monarchy_n and_o other_o thing_n have_v be_v visible_o fulfil_v beyond_o all_o denial_n porphiry_n so_o rage_v heretofore_o at_o that_o prophetical_a instance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o he_o seek_v by_o all_o mean_n to_o evade_v it_o spend_v his_o whole_a twelve_o book_n which_o he_o write_v against_o the_o christian_n to_o that_o purpose_n and_o find_v no_o other_o way_n at_o last_o to_o do_v it_o but_o by_o a_o absurd_a pretence_n that_o those_o prophecy_n about_o the_o four_o monarchy_n be_v write_v long_o after_o daniel_n death_n by_o some_o other_o in_o the_o time_n of_o antiochas_n which_o be_v sufficient_o confute_v not_o only_o by_o the_o credible_a relation_n we_o have_v in_o history_n that_o daniel_n prophecy_n be_v show_v by_o jaddus_n the_o highpriest_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o alexander_n who_o live_v many_o year_n before_o antiochus_n when_o he_o be_v march_v towards_o jerusalem_n with_o a_o intention_n to_o destroy_v it_o who_o find_v himself_o so_o particular_o in_o that_o prophecy_n prophesy_v of_o spare_v the_o city_n thereupon_o but_o because_o the_o 70_o interpreter_n who_o tranâ—tated_v the_o old_a testament_n for_o ptolemy_n about_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o antiochus_n tranâ—â—â—ated_v the_o book_n of_o daniel_n which_o be_v then_o extant_a and_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n after_o the_o captivity_n it_o be_v clear_a from_o all_o story_n that_o the_o jew_n that_o return_v out_o of_o babylon_n continue_v under_o a_o national_a establishment_n though_o not_o under_o a_o succession_n of_o kingly_a government_n from_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n for_o god_n have_v declare_v by_o jeremiah_n that_o none_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o jeconaih_n shall_v any_o more_o sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n of_o david_n have_v sovereign_a jurisdiction_n among_o they_o which_o the_o ten_o tribe_n have_v whole_o lose_v and_o long_o before_o be_v total_o deprive_v of_o nay_o be_v still_o govern_v by_o some_o of_o themselves_o till_o the_o roman_n impose_v herod_n and_o idumaean_a upon_o they_o in_o who_o time_n our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v so_o that_o the_o sceptre_n do_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n till_o shiloe_n come_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o any_o reasonable_a man_n to_o disbelieve_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n in_o fact_n as_o our_o saviour_n and_o such_o man_n as_o the_o apostle_n that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n that_o erect_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o of_o the_o succession_n of_o it_o in_o multitude_n of_o professor_n ever_o since_o and_o the_o write_a account_n we_o have_v of_o it_o not_o only_o from_o christian_n themselves_o but_o from_o jew_n and_o heathen_n in_o those_o time_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n both_o make_v mention_n of_o christ_n tacitus_n in_o the_o 15_o book_n of_o his_o annal_n speak_v of_o nero_n cruelty_n to_o the_o christian_n say_v the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v one_o christ_n who_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n be_v punish_v with_o death_n by_o pontius_n pilate_n procurator_n of_o judea_n josephus_n speak_v of_o he_o pliny_n suetonius_n and_o other_o write_v of_o the_o christian_n extant_a in_o those_o time_n of_o their_o principle_n their_o manner_n of_o live_v and_o of_o their_o suffering_n suetonius_n say_v in_o the_o life_n of_o nero_n christianos_n genus_fw-la hominum_fw-la maleficae_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la suppliciis_fw-la affixit_fw-la that_o he_o pumsh_v the_o christian_n a_o sort_n of_o man_n of_o a_o magical_a superstition_n many_o historical_a passage_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v attest_v to_o we_o by_o heathen_a and_o jewish-writters_a though_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o roman_a historian_n of_o that_o age_n know_v not_o much_o of_o the_o affair_n of_o palestine_n as_o appear_v by_o what_o they_o have_v write_v concern_v the_o jew_n especial_o tacitus_n who_o appear_v very_o gross_o ignorant_a both_o about_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n the_o star_n that_o appear_v at_o our_o saviour_n birth_n be_v mention_v by_o pliny_n lib._n 2._o chap._n 5._o and_o by_o the_o philosopher_n chalcidius_n large_o in_o his_o comment_n upon_o plato_n timaeas_n herodi_n kill_v the_o child_n in_o bethlehem_n by_o macrobius_n the_o eclipse_n of_o
of_o the_o first_o people_n of_o america_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v first_o people_v or_o at_o what_o time_n little_a account_n can_v be_v expect_v nor_o can_v any_o objection_n be_v reasonable_o make_v from_o thence_o in_o this_o matter_n because_o of_o the_o perfect_a silence_n in_o all_o ancient_a story_n of_o any_o such_o place_n and_o because_o of_o our_o total_a ignorance_n of_o it_o till_o of_o late_a but_o there_o be_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v of_o a_o much_o late_a plantation_n than_o the_o other_o three_o part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v not_o record_n find_v among_o the_o people_n of_o that_o country_n that_o exceed_v a_o thousand_o year_n and_o as_o most_o tell_v we_o from_o thence_o not_o above_o eight_o hundred_o the_o exact_a and_o punctual_a account_n of_o this_o whole_a matter_n we_o have_v from_o josephus_n and_o eusebâ—us_n heretofore_o and_o from_o many_o learned_a man_n since_o but_o especial_o from_o the_o most_o excellent_a bochart_n who_o have_v herein_o far_o exceed_v they_o all_o and_o who_o most_o successful_a endeavour_n this_o way_n have_v not_o only_o most_o evident_o clear_v the_o truth_n of_o sacred_a history_n in_o this_o particular_a but_o indeed_o the_o whole_a of_o what_o moses_n have_v write_v be_v very_o great_o justify_v thereby_o second_o those_o prophetical_a prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n concern_v the_o misery_n of_o the_o jew_n their_o be_v lead_v captive_a into_o all_o nation_n the_o besiege_v of_o jerusalem_n and_o such_o a_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o that_o one_o stone_n shall_v not_o be_v leave_v upon_o another_o with_o many_o other_o prophecy_n relate_v to_o that_o business_n have_v have_v such_o a_o eminent_a and_o notorious_a fulfil_n in_o the_o time_n of_o vespasian_n trajan_n adrian_n and_o since_o as_o great_o justify_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o much_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o our_o saviour_n have_v speak_v what_o we_o find_v in_o tacitus_n hegysippus_fw-la and_o other_o heathen_a writer_n but_o especial_o the_o story_n of_o josephus_n their_o own_o historian_n have_v write_v of_o that_o which_o happen_v to_o the_o jeus_fw-la their_o city_n and_o temple_n about_o forty_o year_n after_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o exact_o correspond_v to_o what_o he_o himself_o foretell_v and_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o 24_o of_o st._n matthew_n that_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v that_o any_o future_a event_n be_v ever_o so_o plain_o and_o full_o foretell_v and_o so_o punctual_o fulfil_v in_o any_o age_n nor_o can_v any_o impartial_a man_n consider_v that_o strange_a agreement_n there_o be_v in_o every_o particular_a between_o what_o then_o happen_v and_o what_o our_o saviour_n foretell_v so_o many_o year_n before_o without_o be_v great_o affect_v with_o it_o and_o how_o full_o competent_a josephus_n be_v to_o write_v that_o story_n may_v be_v judge_v by_o what_o he_o himself_o say_v in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n i_o myself_o say_v he_o have_v compose_v a_o most_o true_a story_n of_o those_o war_n and_o of_o every_o particular_a thing_n there_o do_v as_o well_o i_o may_v have_v be_v present_a in_o all_o those_o affair_n for_o i_o be_v captain_n of_o the_o galilaeanâ—_n among_o our_o nation_n so_o long_o as_o any_o resistance_n can_v be_v make_v against_o the_o roman_n and_o than_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o i_o be_v take_v by_o the_o roman_n and_o be_v prisoner_n unto_o titus_n and_o vespasian_n they_o cause_v i_o to_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o pass_v first_o in_o bond_n and_o fetter_n and_o afterward_o free_v from_o they_o i_o be_v bring_v from_o alexandria_n with_o titus_n when_o he_o go_v to_o the_o siege_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o nothing_o can_v then_o pass_v whereof_o i_o have_v not_o notice_n for_o behold_v the_o roman_a army_n i_o commit_v all_o thing_n to_o write_v with_o all_o possible_a diligence_n myself_o do_v only_o manage_v all_o matter_n disclose_v unto_o the_o roman_n by_o such_o as_o yield_v themselves_o for_o that_o i_o only_o do_v perfect_o understand_v they_o last_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o have_v now_o leisure_n all_o business_n be_v past_a i_o use_v the_o help_n of_o some_o for_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o so_o i_o publish_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o have_v happen_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a war_n which_o history_n of_o i_o be_v so_o true_a that_o i_o fear_v not_o to_o call_v vespasian_n and_o titus_n emperor_n in_o those_o war_n to_o witness_v for_o they_o i_o first_o give_v a_o copy_n of_o that_o book_n to_o they_o after_o to_o many_o noble_a roman_n present_v in_o those_o war_n i_o sell_v also_o many_o of_o they_o to_o our_o own_o nation_n to_o such_o as_o understand_v the_o greek_a language_n among_o who_o be_v julius_n archelaus_n herod_n the_o honest_a and_o the_o most_o worthy_a king_n agrippa_n who_o do_v all_o testify_v that_o my_o history_n contain_v nothing_o but_o truth_n who_o will_v not_o have_v be_v silent_a if_o any_o thing_n either_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o flattery_n i_o have_v change_v or_o omit_v in_o any_o particular_a the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v about_o forty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n time_n by_o vespation_n and_o titus_n total_o ruin_v and_o demolish_a the_o jew_n after_o that_o three_o time_n endeavour_v to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n the_o first_o time_n be_v under_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o the_o year_n after_o christ_n 136._o which_o attempt_n have_v no_o other_o effect_n but_o the_o slaughter_n of_o fifty_o thousand_o of_o they_o with_o many_o other_o sad_a desolation_n which_o we_o find_v set_v down_o at_o large_a by_o that_o noble_a historian_n dion_n cassius_n their_o second_o attempt_n be_v under_o constantine_n which_o he_o soon_o quash_v but_o not_o without_o great_a expression_n of_o his_o displeasure_n against_o they_o cut_v off_o their_o ear_n and_o 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the_o element_n resist_v as_o with_o some_o kind_n of_o destiny_n the_o design_n be_v give_v over_o this_o be_v that_o final_a stroke_n from_o heaven_n that_o put_v a_o period_n to_o all_o endeavour_n of_o rebuild_v that_o place_n and_o to_o all_o future_a attempt_n of_o restore_v again_o the_o jewish_a church-state_n and_o polity_n and_o how_o great_a a_o evidence_n be_v it_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o what_o our_o saviour_n have_v speak_v to_o sin_v all_o these_o prediction_n against_o his_o great_a opposer_n and_o crucifier_n so_o strange_o and_o so_o exact_o and_o in_o so_o visible_a and_o notorious_a a_o manner_n fulfil_v and_o in_o truth_n that_o general_a prophetic_a spirit_n we_o find_v throughout_o the_o bible_n those_o manifold_a plain_a and_o direct_a prediction_n it_o be_v every_o where_o fill_v with_o of_o thing_n future_a and_o to_o come_v tell_v we_o much_o of_o its_o divinity_n and_o great_o assure_v we_o it_o can_v not_o be_v a_o 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perfect_a attribute_n the_o term_n of_o our_o pardon_n must_v come_v from_o god_n it_o be_v not_o in_o man_n to_o find_v out_o how_o god_n shall_v forgive_v he_o or_o to_o to_o chalk_n out_o the_o track_n of_o divine_a justice_n and_o mercy_n towards_o himself_o nor_o will_v his_o guilt_n be_v remove_v nor_o his_o thought_n be_v at_o rest_n till_o he_o know_v god_n mind_n about_o it_o nothing_o can_v assure_v we_o of_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n but_o what_o be_v from_o heaven_n appoint_v as_o the_o mean_n of_o it_o no_o natural_a knowledge_n can_v give_v we_o any_o certain_a direction_n about_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v it_o shall_v if_o humane_a nature_n have_v no_o absolute_a security_n in_o itself_o of_o its_o first_o state_n how_o can_v we_o expect_v it_o shall_v restore_v itself_o when_o once_o degenerate_v what_o do_v not_o remain_v perfect_a when_o it_o be_v so_o be_v much_o more_o unlikely_a to_o recover_v again_o out_o of_o imperfection_n to_o be_v so_o every_o man_n may_v know_v he_o be_v degenerate_v from_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o so_o may_v reasonable_o collect_v from_o what_o he_o once_o be_v but_o no_o man_n can_v reason_v himself_o into_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o recovery_n the_o whole_a world_n have_v subscribe_v to_o their_o own_o apostasy_n but_o can_v never_o agree_v upon_o any_o certain_a remedy_n how_o miserable_o have_v mankind_n tire_v themselves_o and_o to_o how_o little_a purpose_n in_o find_v out_o what_o will_v appease_v divine_a anger_n and_o compensate_a for_o their_o disobedience_n no_o man_n ever_o yet_o worsâ—_n ip_v any_o god_n but_o he_o make_v some_o offer_n to_o he_o in_o hope_n that_o may_v indemnisie_v he_o and_o be_v take_v in_o lieu_n of_o his_o own_o punishment_n man_n have_v at_o a_o venture_n offer_v up_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o sacrifice_n have_v try_v all_o experiment_n victimis_fw-la &_o lavacris_fw-la and_o by_o all_o other_o mean_v their_o best_a guess_n can_v suggest_v to_o they_o to_o obliterate_v their_o own_o gild_n and_o to_o procure_v d_o uâ—â—e_a favour_n but_o never_o be_v upon_o any_o suâ—er_a ground_n than_o their_o own_o vain_a fancy_n for_o acceptance_n agaâ—hias_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o the_o persian_a war_n that_o the_o persian_n be_v wont_a to_o solemnize_v a_o great_a holiday_n once_o a_o year_n which_o they_o call_v the_o death_n of_o vice_n in_o which_o as_o a_o eminent_a piece_n of_o devotion_n they_o slay_v multitude_n of_o serpent_n &_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o wild_a beast_n and_o thereby_o think_v they_o shall_v execute_v all_o their_o corruption_n &_o safe_o bury_v their_o sin_n the_o philosopher_n abound_v with_o remedy_n foâ—_n this_o epidemical_a disease_n some_o thought_n to_o cure_v the_o evil_a of_o the_o world_n in_o a_o moral_a way_n some_o in_o a_o way_n mathematical_a and_o some_o by_o religious_a ceremony_n but_o alas_o the_o right_a way_n of_o do_v it_o have_v lie_v hide_v from_o 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truth_n be_v visible_o concenter_v in_o it_o here_o be_v indeed_o a_o perfect_a rendesvouz_n of_o all_o such_o truth_n as_o be_v any_o where_o scatter_v and_o the_o world_n imperfect_o have_v have_v and_o all_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o need_n to_o have_v all_o such_o natural_a truth_n both_o of_o a_o moral_a and_o divine_a nature_n as_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o world_n do_v acknowledge_v and_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o all_o such_o supernatural_a truth_n as_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n natural_o pursue_v and_o be_v inquisitive_a after_o whatever_o be_v write_v in_o man_n heart_n or_o upon_o the_o work_n that_o god_n have_v make_v be_v here_o after_o a_o excellent_a manner_n transscribe_v justify_v and_o improve_v and_o many_o defect_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n supernatural_o supply_v by_o a_o most_o suitable_a revelation_n so_o that_o if_o â—_z judge_v of_o this_o book_n either_o by_o what_o we_o certain_o do_v know_v or_o by_o what_o we_o need_v and_o desire_v to_o know_v and_o 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pythogorean-philosopher_n who_o we_o find_v quote_v in_o origens_n four_o book_n against_o celsus_n tell_v we_o he_o have_v read_v the_o life_n of_o moses_n in_o many_o good_a history_n and_o relate_v many_o particular_n of_o he_o as_o his_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o water_n his_o be_v breed_v up_o in_o the_o court_n that_o he_o wrought_v many_o miracle_n and_o that_o certain_a magician_n call_v janne_n and_o jambres_n attempt_v to_o do_v the_o like_a no_o one_o story_n among_o the_o heathen_a of_o any_o nation_n have_v be_v so_o witness_v unto_o by_o writer_n foreign_a to_o that_o nation_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v who_o from_o their_o great_a enemy_n have_v receive_v a_o sufficient_a testimony_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n and_o what_o he_o write_v and_o indeed_o consider_v how_o great_a and_o eminent_a a_o commonwealth_n be_v at_o first_o first_o establish_v by_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o what_o a_o notorious_a and_o visible_a conâ—mâ—â—nce_n and_o succession_n there_o be_v of_o it_o '_o tiâ—_n moral_o impossible_a that_o the_o business_n of_o moses_n and_o his_o write_n in_o those_o time_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n shall_v be_v fictitious_a and_o false_a of_o so_o much_o of_o the_o history_n write_v by_o moses_n as_o relate_v to_o thing_n transact_v before_o the_o flood_n we_o can_v expect_v to_o find_v any_o exact_a and_o punctual_a account_n in_o a_o traditional_a way_n because_o of_o the_o great_a disadvantage_n of_o oral_a tradition_n especial_o by_o the_o confusion_n of_o babel_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o some_o considerable_a remainder_n of_o the_o ancient_a story_n of_o the_o first_o world_n about_o the_o creation_n the_o long_a life_n of_o man_n in_o those_o first_o time_n and_o divers_a other_o thing_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o several_a nation_n after_o the_o dispersion_n at_o babel_n and_o we_o find_v many_o thing_n relate_v thereto_o in_o hermes_n orpheus_n homer_n hesiond_v and_o the_o most_o primitive_a writer_n of_o which_o vossius_fw-la bochartus_fw-la and_o many_o other_o have_v give_v a_o very_a satisfy_a account_n concern_v the_o flood_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o deluge_n nothing_o have_v be_v more_o universal_o credit_v and_o because_o the_o tradition_n of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o befall_v in_o the_o prime_a time_n of_o the_o world_n and_o man_n be_v general_o ignorant_a of_o the_o right_a account_n of_o time_n therefore_o they_o apply_v it_o still_o to_o that_o time_n they_o think_v most_o ancient_a so_o the_o theban_n to_o the_o time_n of_o ogyges_n and_o the_o thessalian_n to_o the_o time_n of_o deucalion_n which_o flood_n of_o ogyges_n and_o deucalion_n be_v not_o two_o other_o distinct_a flood_n as_o some_o have_v suppose_v but_o the_o same_o flood_n of_o noah_n apply_v to_o those_o time_n and_o call_v by_o those_o name_n which_o they_o think_v of_o great_a antiquity_n one_o say_v well_o what_o nation_n have_v not_o believe_v it_o even_o among_o the_o remote_a indian_n we_o find_v the_o tradition_n of_o it_o have_v remain_v and_o what_o author_n have_v not_o speak_v of_o it_o among_o the_o egyptian_n phoenicians_n grecian_n and_o roman_n nothing_o more_o common_a and_o well_o may_v we_o suppose_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o those_o who_o attempt_v the_o rear_n of_o that_o structure_n at_o babel_n have_v probable_o a_o particular_a respect_n in_o what_o they_o do_v to_o the_o flood_n that_o be_v past_a resolve_v to_o prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o another_o which_o spring_v from_o their_o own_o infidelity_n for_o god_n by_o his_o promise_n to_o noah_n have_v secure_v they_o against_o all_o fear_n of_o that_o kind_a and_o therefore_o have_v sufficient_a occasion_n wheresoever_o they_o come_v to_o preserve_v and_o continue_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o berosus_n one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n after_o
we_o have_v now_o contain_v in_o our_o babble_n all_o that_o be_v write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o intend_v as_o a_o rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o more_o that_o be_v how_o can_v we_o now_o be_v safe_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v able_a upon_o good_a ground_n to_o say_v what_o be_v canonical_a and_o what_o be_v not_o it_o be_v too_o apparent_a a_o truth_n that_o nothing_o by_o the_o power_n of_o its_o own_o worth_a and_o excellency_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o escape_v contempt_n and_o reproach_n from_o the_o unruly_a will_n and_o debauch_a mind_n of_o corrupt_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n the_o bible_n have_v meet_v with_o its_o share_n in_o this_o kind_n some_o upon_o fanatical_a pretence_n have_v despise_v and_o reject_v the_o whole_a other_o have_v mangle_v and_o sever_v it_o as_o themselves_o think_v good_a receive_v some_o part_n only_o as_o divine_a and_o reject_v the_o rest_n as_o they_o please_v of_o this_o iraeneus_n 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part_n of_o the_o bible_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o that_o have_v escape_v the_o reprobation_n of_o some_o bad_a men._n but_o all_o such_o attempt_n be_v soon_o blow_v away_o expire_v in_o the_o birth_n bear_v about_o they_o their_o own_o shame_n and_o reproach_n make_v no_o considerable_a battery_n upon_o the_o truth_n in_o any_o age_n nor_o do_v they_o reach_v further_o than_o the_o vitiate_a mind_n and_o corrupt_a breast_n of_o such_o profligate_v heretic_n as_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o in_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n how_o we_o come_v to_o be_v well_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o those_o book_n now_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o other_o protestant_a church_n as_o such_o be_v all_o canonical_a and_o no_o other_o two_o thing_n only_o will_v occur_v that_o be_v of_o any_o seem_a moment_n in_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o which_o all_o will_v be_v say_v that_o be_v needful_a about_o this_o matter_n first_o how_o we_o come_v to_o reject_v out_o of_o our_o canon_n those_o book_n common_o call_v apocryphal_a which_o be_v write_v at_o least_o all_o but_o one_o of_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o second_o upon_o what_o ground_n we_o now_o receive_v some_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v sometime_o lie_v under_o question_n if_o we_o mistake_v in_o the_o first_o we_o have_v less_o in_o our_o bibles_n than_o we_o ought_v if_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o have_v much_o more_o than_o we_o shall_v about_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n there_o be_v among_o christian_n themselves_o a_o present_a disagreement_n but_o concern_v the_o other_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n be_v at_o this_o day_n of_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o reject_v those_o book_n common_o call_v the_o apocrypha_fw-la that_o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n nor_o send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o any_o part_n of_o those_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o intend_v to_o rule_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o so_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v within_o the_o canon_n will_v be_v make_v very_o evident_a to_o any_o reasonable_a judge_n upon_o these_o consideration_n follow_v first_o after_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n it_o be_v universal_o agree_v by_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a jew_n and_o christian_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n among_o they_o nor_o do_v god_n raise_v up_o any_o man_n with_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n from_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n who_o be_v agree_v to_o be_v the_o last_o prophet_n till_o john_n the_o baptist_n which_o be_v for_o the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o and_o odd_a year_n now_o it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v all_o write_v after_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n and_o so_o can_v be_v of_o no_o extraordinary_a mission_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v be_v write_v before_o and_o have_v be_v extant_a in_o ezra_n time_n which_o they_o be_v not_o it_o have_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a reason_n for_o their_o rejection_n now_o because_o they_o be_v not_o receive_v then_o for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o none_o of_o these_o book_n now_o in_o question_n be_v by_o he_o incorporate_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o be_v within_o the_o canon_n at_o that_o time_n settle_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n by_o who_o all_o part_n of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v write_v for_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v call_v prophecy_n nor_o any_o man_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n among_o they_o after_o the_o captivity_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n general_o agree_v josephus_n be_v express_v in_o it_o in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n though_o certain_a book_n have_v be_v write_v yet_o they_o deserve_v not_o the_o same_o credit_n and_o belief_n that_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n do_v because_o there_o be_v no_o succession_n of_o propher_n among_o they_o saint_n austin_n in_o the_o 45th_o chapter_n of_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la show_v at_o large_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophecy_n after_o ezra_n time_n and_o the_o same_o eusebius_n affirm_v in_o his_o demonstrationes_fw-la evangelicae_fw-la post_fw-la zachartam_fw-la &_o malachiam_fw-la non_fw-la fuâ—sse_fw-la amplius_fw-la apud_fw-la judaeos_fw-la prophetam_fw-la et_fw-la a_fw-la reditu_fw-la ex_fw-la captivitate_fw-la ad_fw-la tempora_fw-la servatoris_fw-la nullum_fw-la babucrint_fw-la judaei_n sacrum_fw-la volumen_fw-la the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n after_o zachary_n and_o malachi_n nor_o any_o sacred_a write_n after_o the_o captivity_n till_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o some_o of_o these_o very_a book_n tell_v we_o as_o much_o themselves_o for_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n chap._n 9_o it_o be_v there_o say_v that_o there_o be_v then_o great_a tribulation_n in_o israel_n such_o as_o have_v not_o be_v since_o the_o day_n that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o prophet_n in_o israel_n relate_v to_o ezra_n time_n and_o indeed_o it_o appear_v very_o plain_a from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v no_o divine_a write_n publish_v between_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachi_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o evangelist_n take_v thing_n up_o just_a where_o he_o leave_v they_o and_o begin_v the_o gospel_n from_o the_o end_n of_o malachi_n prophecy_n for_o he_o end_v his_o prophecy_n at_o john_n the_o baptist_n under_o the_o type_n and_o title_n of_o elias_n and_o the_o evangelist_n begin_v the_o gospel_n with_o he_o for_o st._n mark_v express_o declare_v the_o end_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o be_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v a_o visible_a combination_n from_o thence_o from_o that_o period_n of_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n together_o second_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v prophet_n to_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o write_n and_o prophecy_n be_v direct_v chief_o to_o they_o and_o so_o they_o be_v all_o writ_n except_o some_o passage_n in_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n dialect_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v in_o their_o captivity_n be_v much_o accustom_v in_o their_o own_o native_a language_n the_o language_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v the_o hebrew_n but_o these_o book_n be_v confess_o most_o of_o they_o first_o write_v in_o greek_a and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o the_o jew_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o
in_o palestine_n nor_o understand_v by_o any_o but_o the_o disperse_a hellenist_n and_o so_o be_v no_o way_n likely_a to_o be_v send_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o that_o church_n who_o never_o own_v any_o scripture_n for_o canonical_a but_o what_o be_v in_o hebrew_n a_o language_n peculiar_a to_o they_o and_o the_o bibles_n they_o constant_o use_v till_o our_o saviour_n time_n in_o their_o synagogue_n be_v all_o in_o hebrew_n three_o there_o be_v in_o most_o of_o these_o book_n some_o eminent_a discovery_n of_o their_o own_o humane_a extraction_n as_o in_o the_o second_o of_o macc._n 2.24_o the_o author_n of_o that_o book_n whoever_o he_o be_v tell_v we_o that_o he_o have_v borrow_v what_o he_o write_v out_o of_o jason_n of_o cyrene_n and_o contract_v five_o book_n of_o his_o into_o one_o volumn_n and_o so_o what_o he_o there_o write_v he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o father_v it_o on_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o any_o dictate_v of_o his_o that_o he_o plain_o confess_v it_o be_v none_o of_o his_o own_o but_o the_o bare_a epitome_n of_o another_o man_n write_n and_o desire_n to_o be_v excuse_v if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o well_o and_o it_o be_v most_o notorious_o evident_a to_o every_o common_a reader_n that_o many_o of_o these_o book_n contain_v such_o ridiculous_a story_n and_o gross_a absurdity_n that_o without_o high_a impiety_n and_o great_a contradiction_n to_o all_o those_o natural_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o god_n they_o can_v be_v impute_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o their_o author_n four_o these_o book_n be_v never_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o canon_n nor_o be_v to_o this_o day_n and_o so_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v never_o receive_v by_o any_o church_n for_o there_o be_v then_o no_o other_o which_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o conceive_v of_o any_o part_n of_o god_n write_a and_o supreme_a law_n as_o also_o that_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o in_o a_o most_o peculiar_a way_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n be_v commit_v and_o who_o have_v the_o custody_n of_o all_o god_n sacred_a record_n and_o be_v as_o st._n austin_n call_v they_o god_n &_o the_o church_n great_a library-keeper_n shall_v so_o notorious_o err_v as_o to_o reject_v for_o not_o to_o receive_v into_o their_o canon_n be_v to_o reject_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v somewhat_o strange_a that_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n with_o who_o chief_o we_o contest_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o who_o annex_v to_o the_o church_n a_o infallible_a judgement_n shall_v imagine_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o fall_v into_o so_o great_a and_o gross_a a_o mistake_n in_o so_o fundamental_a a_o matter_n that_o the_o jewish_a church_n never_o heretofore_o receive_v these_o apocryphal_a book_n into_o their_o canon_n nor_o do_v to_o this_o day_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o with_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o reason_n can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o do_v not_o to_o this_o day_n be_v know_v all_o the_o world_n over_o wheresoever_o the_o jew_n be_v and_o their_o bible_n be_v to_o be_v see_v that_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v no_o other_o book_n within_o their_o canon_n than_o those_o we_o now_o have_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n who_o there_o tâ—lls_v we_o what_o book_n the_o jew_n reckon_v canonical_a and_o say_v they_o be_v only_o twenty_o two_o in_o number_n according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o letter_n in_o their_o alphabet_n and_o reckon_v those_o very_a book_n we_o now_o receive_v as_o only_o canonical_a other_o book_n he_o say_v there_o be_v write_v after_o the_o captivity_n but_o they_o be_v never_o number_v with_o the_o sacred_a record_n origen_n st._n jerome_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v large_o prove_v the_o same_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n who_o have_v turn_v every_o stone_n to_o ease_v themselves_o from_o the_o dint_n of_o this_o argument_n have_v find_v no_o other_o countenance_n that_o ever_o these_o book_n receive_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o make_v we_o suppose_v they_o receive_v they_o into_o their_o canon_n but_o that_o in_o some_o place_n some_o few_o of_o the_o hellenist_n jew_n that_o live_v remote_a from_o palestine_n have_v annex_v some_o of_o these_o book_n to_o their_o septuagint_n bibles_n but_o such_o hellenist_n themselves_o have_v any_o esteem_n of_o they_o as_o canonical_a write_n nor_o can_v it_o any_o more_o be_v prove_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o have_v than_o it_o can_v that_o we_o in_o england_n receive_v they_o into_o our_o canon_n because_o they_o be_v bind_v up_o with_o some_o of_o our_o bibles_n and_o never_o be_v any_o of_o these_o book_n annex_v to_o the_o hobrew-bibles_n use_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o palestine_n nor_o be_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o read_v or_o admit_v into_o their_o synagogue_n there_o in_o truth_n this_o matter_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n be_v so_o notorious_a and_o evident_a that_o bellarmine_n himself_o make_v a_o ingenuous_a confession_n of_o it_o and_o say_v plain_o hos_fw-la omnes_fw-la libros_fw-la speak_v of_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n ad_fw-la unum_fw-la rejici_fw-la ab_fw-la hebraeis_n that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o book_n be_v rect_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n contr._n 1._o lib._n 1._o ch_n 10._o and_o confirm_v the_o same_o out_o of_o st._n jerome_n and_o if_o so_o we_o have_v then_o not_o only_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n in_o this_o case_n which_o be_v single_o sufficient_a for_o it_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a contradiction_n to_o make_v any_o book_n part_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n now_o which_o be_v not_o so_o receive_v then_o but_o we_o have_v also_o a_o more_o infallible_a determination_n for_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n full_o and_o constant_o approve_v the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o possess_v of_o it_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v with_o so_o much_o exactness_n reduce_v all_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o tacit_o approve_v and_o silent_o pass_v over_o so_o great_a a_o mistake_n about_o the_o rule_n itself_o our_o saviour_n direct_v the_o jew_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n as_o they_o then_o have_v they_o as_o be_v perfect_a and_o complete_a appeal_n to_o their_o own_o bibles_n upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o his_o own_o defence_n expound_v moses_n the_o psalm_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o those_o to_o who_o he_o speak_v be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v then_o extant_a nay_o he_o himself_o read_v and_o preach_v in_o their_o synagogue_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n as_o he_o there_o find_v they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v there_o public_o use_v and_o no_o man_n can_v sober_o imagine_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v go_v about_o to_o instruct_v the_o people_n out_o of_o any_o false_a and_o imperfect_a rule_n the_o apostle_n likewise_o upon_o all_o occasion_n make_v use_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o they_o find_v the_o jew_n possess_v of_o it_o nor_o have_v we_o the_o least_o intimation_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v either_o mistake_v in_o the_o number_n of_o those_o book_n they_o receive_v or_o that_o the_o least_o alteration_n have_v be_v make_v in_o those_o book_n since_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o be_v first_o write_v and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o the_o old_a tement_n as_o the_o jew_n than_o have_v it_o and_o as_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n approve_v it_o descend_v down_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v constant_o so_o receive_v the_o primitive_a writer_n agree_v universal_o in_o it_o cyprian_a epiphanius_n athanasius_n nazianzen_n all_o bear_v witness_n to_o it_o cyril_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o he_o have_v reckon_v up_o to_o his_o catechumini_fw-la the_o 22_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o now_o receive_v add_v hos_fw-la lege_fw-la viginti_fw-la dvos_fw-la cum_fw-la apocryphis_fw-la nil_fw-la habe_fw-la negotii_fw-la catechis_n 4._o read_v these_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n but_o meddle_v not_o with_o the_o apocrypha_fw-la origen_n quote_v for_o it_o at_o large_a by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o history_n reckon_v up_o the_o very_a same_o twenty_o two_o book_n for_o the_o canonical_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o so_o do_v st._n jerome_n and_o express_o reckon_v the_o other_o apocryphal_a the_o same_o we_o find_v in_o russinus_n who_o say_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n they_o never_o ancient_o call_v libros_fw-la canonicos_fw-la but_o ecclesiasticos_fw-la and_o the_o first_o council_n we_o read_v of_o that_o enter_v into_o a_o consideration_n of_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o of_o laodicea_n about_o the_o year_n 364._o in_o their_o 59_o canon_n declare_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o