valiant_a leader_n zorobabel_n who_o stock_n and_o virtue_n be_v ennoble_v by_o the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n he_o have_v with_o he_o the_o high_a priest_n jeschua_n and_o other_o chief_a priest_n and_o levite_n the_o companion_n of_o zorobabel_n their_o leader_n out_o of_o babylon_n and_o he_o have_v also_o all_o that_o be_v pillar_n of_o piety_n among_o all_o the_o people_n these_o be_v the_o man_n design_v for_o the_o settlement_n of_o religion_n not_o only_o for_o the_o present_a time_n but_o for_o the_o eternal_a benefit_n of_o posterity_n from_o who_o they_o know_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n be_v now_o depart_v cap._n 10._o xxxii_o in_o this_o synod_n they_o think_v it_o not_o sufficient_a to_o have_v deliver_v the_o sacred_a authentic_a book_n unto_o the_o church_n but_o the_o manner_n also_o how_o to_o read_v they_o clear_o and_o expound_v they_o be_v most_o prudent_o prescribe_v it_o appear_v by_o the_o learned_a hebrew_n exposition_n of_o that_o place_n in_o nehemiah_n chap._n 8._o vers_fw-la 8._o so_o they_o read_v in_o the_o book_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n and_o give_v the_o sense_n and_o cause_v they_o tâ—_n understand_v the_o read_n that_o in_o the_o public_a synagogue_n they_o read_v first_o the_o text_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o hebrew_n distinct_o and_o understand_o according_a to_o the_o pause_n and_o then_o explain_v it_o in_o the_o chaldee_n which_o be_v now_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n of_o the_o people_n bring_v from_o babylon_n this_o reformation_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n by_o ezra_n be_v not_o unknown_a to_o tertullian_n a_o most_o grave_a writer_n of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr hab._n mul._n he_o say_v after_o the_o overthrow_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o babylonian_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o the_o instrument_n of_o the_o judaic_a literature_n be_v restore_v by_o ezra_n chrysostome_n also_o ascribe_v unto_o ezra_n the_o same_o work_n where_o he_o write_v attend_v and_o learn_v god_n mercy_n to_o we_o of_o old_a he_o inspire_v moses_n and_o he_o write_v the_o table_n of_o stone_n he_o determine_v he_o forty_o day_n in_o the_o mount_n and_o again_o so_o many_o day_n that_o he_o may_v give_v he_o the_o law_n in_o after_o time_n he_o send_v prophet_n who_o suffer_v innumerable_a wrong_n war_n rush_v in_o it_o consume_v all_o sort_n of_o man_n the_o book_n be_v burn_v in_o the_o fire_n but_o again_o he_o inspire_v another_o man_n that_o he_o may_v repair_v those_o admirable_a scripture_n i_o mean_v ezra_n and_o enable_v he_o to_o compose_v the_o law_n anew_o out_o of_o their_o relic_n etc._n etc._n hom._n 8._o in_o epist_n ad_fw-la hebr._n cap._n 11._o xxxiii_o now_o and_o henceforth_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o masora_n lay_v the_o work_n be_v begin_v in_o the_o partition_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n in_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o text_n into_o great_a section_n and_o into_o verse_n and_o in_o the_o dinumeration_n of_o they_o as_o also_o of_o the_o letter_n lest_o one_o prick_v or_o tittle_n may_v afterward_o be_v change_v or_o lose_v for_o first_o have_v constitute_v the_o number_n of_o canonical_a book_n and_o reduce_v they_o into_o one_o body_n of_o scripture_n they_o divide_v it_o into_o three_o principal_a part_n viz._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o law_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o prophet_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o holy_a write_n or_o hagiographa_n this_o division_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o our_o saviour_n and_o declare_v in_o that_o say_n of_o he_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o psalm_n concern_v i_o luc._n 24._o 44._o where_o the_o psalm_n be_v put_v for_o all_o the_o book_n in_o that_o part_n entitle_v hagiographa_n out_o of_o which_o also_o some_o thing_n be_v cite_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o fulfil_v elsewhere_o he_o name_v only_o two_o part_n the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v until_o john_n luc._n 16._o 16._o and_o in_o another_o place_n a_o whole_a part_n of_o scripture_n be_v set_v for_o one_o book_n of_o that_o part_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o prophet_n mark_n 1._o 2._o jo._n 6._o 45._o that_o be_v in_o that_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o contain_v the_o prophet_n in_o that_o volume_n of_o the_o prophet_n for_o that_o which_o be_v cite_v be_v not_o write_v in_o all_o the_o prophet_n but_o in_o one_o of_o they_o the_o first_o in_o mal._n 3._o 1._o the_o other_o in_o isa_n 54._o 13._o thus_o be_v this_o division_n usual_a in_o the_o most_o ancient_a writing_n of_o the_o hebrew_n in_o the_o masora_n when_o any_o word_n be_v find_v only_o thrice_o and_o that_o in_o the_o three_o part_n of_o scripture_n than_o they_o say_v we_o meet_v with_o it_o three_o time_n once_o in_o the_o law_n once_o in_o the_o prophet_n once_o in_o the_o hagiographia_fw-la in_o the_o talmudist_n one_o bind_v up_o the_o law_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o hagiographa_n into_o one_o book_n again_o they_o bring_v unto_o we_o the_o law_n the_o prophet_n the_o hagiographa_n bind_v into_o one_o barabathra_n fol._n 13._o 2._o elias_n levita_n in_o the_o three_o preface_n to_o his_o masore_v where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n and_o their_o labour_n in_o restore_v of_o the_o scripture_n write_v thus_o for_o all_o the_o twenty_o four_o book_n be_v not_o bind_v up_o together_o but_o they_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n conjoin_v they_o and_o make_v three_o part_n of_o they_o the_o law_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o hagiographa_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cap._n 11._o xxxiv_o these_o three_o part_n be_v afterward_o divide_v into_o other_o the_o law_n according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o history_n be_v subdivide_v into_o five_o book_n which_o be_v entitle_v by_o we_o genesis_n exodus_fw-la leviticus_n number_n deuternomy_n the_o prophet_n be_v subdivide_v into_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o former_a prophet_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o latter_a prophet_n the_o former_a be_v four_o in_o number_n which_o be_v name_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n samuel_n and_o king_n or_o so_o call_v because_o in_o these_o book_n it_o be_v treat_v of_o the_o first_o prophet_n in_o these_o samuel_n be_v reckon_v at_o first_o for_o one_o book_n and_o the_o king_n likewise_o for_o one_o which_o afterward_o be_v distinguish_v into_o two_o hence_o samuel_n be_v call_v a_o prophet_n as_o in_o that_o he_o give_v they_o judge_n until_o samuel_n the_o prophet_n act._n 13._o 20._o the_o latter_a prophet_n be_v also_o four_o isaiah_n jeremiah_n ezekiel_n daniel_n and_o the_o twelve_o lesser_n these_o last_o be_v unite_v in_o one_o book_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v in_o danger_n by_o their_o smallness_n to_o be_v lose_v hence_o be_v that_o to_o be_v take_v act._n 7._o 42._o as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v of_o the_o lesser_a prophet_n to_o wit_n amos_n 5._o 25._o and_o hence_o also_o we_o read_v in_o the_o hebrew_n doctor_n those_o eight_o prophet_n be_v bind_v in_o one_o barabathra_n fol._n 13._o 2._o to_o wit_n the_o four_o former_a and_o so_o many_o latter_a before_o mention_v as_o the_o commentator_n there_o explain_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n be_v the_o hagiographa_n and_o they_o be_v style_v in_o the_o hebrew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d write_n by_o a_o synecdoche_n in_o asmuch_o as_o they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v by_o immediate_a instinct_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o not_o by_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n or_o by_o prophecy_n proper_o so_o call_v so_o daniel_n and_o esra_n be_v account_v as_o it_o be_v historical_a compose_v the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n by_o divine_a instinct_n whither_o also_o pertain_v the_o paralipomena_fw-la or_o chronicle_n who_o author_n esra_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v david_n and_o solomon_n have_v write_v most_o part_n thing_n belong_v unto_o piety_n and_o manner_n and_o doctrine_n in_o adversity_n and_o prosperity_n albeit_o they_o have_v prophetical_a matter_n david_n eminent_o often_o time_n intermix_v the_o five_o small_a book_n which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v likewise_o judge_v as_o didactical_a and_o historical_a the_o hagiographa_n therefore_o at_o first_o be_v account_v nine_o book_n psalm_n proverb_n job_n canticle_n ecclesiaste_n esther_n daniel_n esra_n chronicle_n where_o esra_n comprehend_v also_o nehemiah_n and_o the_o two_o book_n of_o chronicle_n be_v take_v for_o one_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n for_o the_o
in_o the_o letter_n be_v incorrupt_a and_o unchanged_a and_o that_o may_v be_v judge_n for_o the_o vowel_n be_v the_o soul_n give_v life_n to_o the_o distinct_a word_n and_o the_o word_n write_v with_o bare_a consonant_n can_v be_v read_v nor_o understand_v without_o vowel_n and_o especial_o in_o dark_a and_o difficult_a place_n one_o will_v add_v these_o vowel_n another_o those_o as_o every_o own_o shall_v attempt_v to_o draw_v forth_o the_o meaning_n here_o be_v need_n of_o another_o judge_n the_o word_n write_v with_o naked_a letter_n can_v speak_v for_o itself_o the_o greek_a version_n of_o the_o lxx_o differ_v from_o the_o hebrew_n text_n not_o only_o in_o the_o read_n of_o vowel_n but_o letter_n also_o so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v judge_n where_o will_v you_o seek_v another_o shall_v the_o servant_n give_v sentence_n upon_o the_o lord_n the_o wait_a maid_n upon_o her_o royal_a lady_n or_o shall_v the_o live_n and_o most_o clear_a fountain_n be_v try_v by_o the_o taste_n and_o colour_n of_o the_o trouble_a and_o muddy_a stream_n cap._n 9_o xxviii_o the_o other_o opinion_n of_o the_o hebrew_n touch_v the_o author_n of_o the_o masora_n be_v that_o the_o masora_n be_v write_v by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n who_o they_o style_v in_o their_o book_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v the_o great_a council_n gather_v by_o ezra_n the_o priest_n the_o precedent_n thereof_o after_o the_o babylonian_a captivity_n by_o who_o help_n and_o assistance_n he_o restore_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o all_o the_o jew_n purge_v and_o reform_v it_o from_o many_o corruption_n error_n and_o vice_n contract_v in_o babylon_n for_o this_o office_n when_o he_o depart_v from_o babylon_n to_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o king_n artaxerxes_n be_v commit_v to_o he_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o king_n letter_n esr_n 7._o not_o long_o after_o he_o the_o king_n send_v away_o nehemias_n also_o as_o a_o most_o faithful_a colleague_n and_o zealous_a assistant_n who_o be_v arm_v with_o the_o royal_a commission_n and_o public_a authority_n promote_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o church_n with_o great_a fervour_n of_o affection_n as_o the_o book_n of_o nehemiah_n show_v cap._n 10._o xxix_o esra_n and_o nehemiah_n associate_v to_o themselves_o other_o of_o the_o prime_a man_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o wise_a so_o that_o the_o whole_a council_n complete_v the_o number_n of_o 120._o man_n which_o council_n be_v of_o most_o worthy_a memory_n frequent_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o hebrew_n hence_o in_o the_o chronicle_n juchasin_n fol._n 13._o it_o be_v read_v of_o this_o counsel_n when_o constitution_n be_v name_v absolute_o they_o be_v from_o esra_n and_o the_o house_n of_o judgement_n of_o esra_n be_v that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o great_a synagogue_n or_o the_o great_a council_n which_o restore_v the_o crown_n unto_o the_o ancient_a estate_n the_o hebrew_n have_v three_o crown_n of_o the_o law_n the_o priesthood_n and_o the_o kingdom_n the_o crown_n of_o the_o law_n i._n the_o study_n of_o wisdom_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n be_v the_o great_a of_o all_o according_a to_o that_o prov._n 8._o 15._o by_o i_o i._o wisdom_n king_n reign_v this_o crown_n esra_n which_o his_o colleague_n reduce_v to_o the_o primitive_a condition_n i._n e._n he_o reform_v the_o ecclesiastical_a commonwealth_n from_o the_o filth_n and_o pollution_n of_o babylon_n and_o reduce_v it_o to_o the_o old_a integrity_n and_o purge_v the_o holy_a scripture_n from_o the_o deceitful_a book_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n and_o from_o all_o corruption_n therefore_o in_o the_o jerusalem_n talmud_n in_o the_o book_n megilla_n c._n 4._o in_o fine_a when_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n arise_v they_o restore_v magnificence_n i._o the_o crown_n of_o the_o law_n than_o who_o magnificence_n none_o be_v great_a don_n isaac_n abarbinel_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d commemorates_n the_o principal_a man_n of_o this_o council_n most_o of_o who_o come_v from_o babylon_n and_o jerusalem_n with_o zorobabel_n the_o catalogue_n say_v he_o of_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a council_n be_v hagaeus_n the_o prophet_n zacharias_n the_o prophet_n malachias_n the_o prophet_n zorobabel_n the_o son_n of_o schealtiel_n mordecai_n bilsohan_n ezra_n the_o priest_n and_o scribe_n jehosua_n the_o son_n of_o johotzedek_n the_o priest_n seraja_n realja_n mispar_fw-la bigaeus_n rachum_n bana_n nehemiah_n the_o son_n of_o chacilja_n these_o be_v the_o twelve_o prime_a man_n etc._n etc._n the_o last_o man_n say_v rabbi_n moses_n be_v mâ—jomen_n in_o who_o the_o council_n end_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d simeon_n the_o just_a he_o who_o go_v forth_o to_o meet_v the_o great_a alexander_n in_o bis_fw-la priestly_a habit_n and_o incline_v he_o to_o show_v clemency_n towards_o the_o city_n which_o story_n be_v famous_a among_o the_o hebrew_n it_o happen_v according_a to_o their_o account_n in_o the_o four_o year_n after_o the_o build_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n whence_o we_o gather_v that_o the_o man_n of_o this_o synod_n supervive_v beyond_o forty_o year_n all_o this_o be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o hebrew_n esteem_v this_o synod_n of_o very_a great_a authority_n cap._n 10._o xxx_o the_o head_n and_o precedent_n of_o this_o synod_n ezra_n be_v above_o all_o the_o rest_n furnish_v with_o singular_a gift_n of_o god_n for_o these_o affair_n chief_o be_v he_o expert_a in_o the_o divine_a law_n in_o the_o interpretation_n and_o description_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n most_o exercise_v for_o which_o he_o be_v commend_v esr_n 7._o 6._o he_o be_v a_o ready_a scribe_n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o scribe_n he_o be_v call_v not_o so_o much_o à _fw-la scribendo_fw-la from_o write_v as_o from_o declare_v and_o explain_v the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o book_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o interpreter_n of_o book_n a_o doctor_n a_o scribe_n and_o by_o no_o book_n be_v get_v great_a praise_n then_o by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n whence_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o lawyer_n who_o teach_v and_o interpret_v the_o law_n of_o god_n so_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o be_v sometime_o style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d scribe_n who_o instruct_v the_o people_n sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d skilful_a of_o the_o law_n yet_o proper_o be_v he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o scribe_n who_o do_v write_v letter_n instrument_n book_n contract_n and_o such_o like_a as_o in_o psa_n 45._o 2._o my_o tongue_n be_v the_o pen_n of_o a_o ready_a scribe_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o esra_n be_v excellent_a both-waye_n be_v at_o once_o a_o learned_a expounder_n of_o the_o law_n and_o a_o ready_a writer_n of_o it_o for_o ezra_n have_v prepare_v his_o heart_n to_o seek_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o do_v it_o and_o to_o teach_v in_o israel_n statute_n and_o judgement_n ez._n 7._o 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hence_o also_o they_o compare_v he_o to_o moses_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o dignity_n as_o we_o may_v read_v in_o both_o talmud_n and_o he_o be_v just_o name_v ezra_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v help_v st._n jerom_n render_v it_o adjutor_n a_o helper_n xxxi_o ezra_n therefore_o be_v solicitous_a to_o help_v a_o decay_a church_n and_o to_o reform_v it_o distribute_v office_n ecclesiastical_a institute_v sacrifice_n consecrate_a vessel_n appoint_v for_o divine_a use_n celebrate_v solemn_a feast_n proclaim_v fast_n and_o repentance_n cleanse_v the_o people_n from_o the_o wedlock_n of_o stranger_n and_o endeavour_v to_o order_n and_o compose_v all_o thing_n after_o the_o prescript_n of_o divine_a law_n but_o that_o the_o law_n itself_o and_o the_o whole_a sacred_a scripture_n may_v be_v extant_a among_o the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o the_o genuine_a and_o pure_a integrity_n and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o write_n of_o many_o false_a prophet_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o true_a and_o whatsoever_o spot_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o incommodity_n of_o their_o long_a captivity_n have_v blemish_v the_o holy_a letter_n may_v be_v strip_v off_o there_o be_v great_a need_n of_o mature_a advice_n of_o the_o provident_a care_n of_o learned_a man_n exercise_v perfect_o in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o of_o the_o vigorous_a aid_n of_o many_o assistant_n to_o this_o purpose_n he_o have_v with_o he_o divine_a colleague_n endue_v with_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n haggaeus_n malachias_n nehemias_n who_o fervent_a and_o most_o ardent_a affection_n be_v testify_v open_o by_o their_o holy_a sermon_n he_o have_v with_o he_o that_o most_o
continuation_n of_o the_o history_n and_o the_o lamentation_n to_o jeremy_n for_o the_o same_o author_n sake_n according_a to_o this_o distinction_n the_o book_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o all_o be_v compute_v two_o and_o twenty_o agreeable_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n cap._n 11._o xxxv_o after_o that_o they_o have_v define_v and_o distribute_v the_o canonical_a book_n the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n further_o consider_v of_o the_o conformity_n of_o the_o text_n and_o the_o verity_n and_o variety_n of_o the_o read_n here_o first_o of_o all_o the_o text_n be_v distinguish_v into_o verse_n note_n of_o distinction_n be_v add_v which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o there_o be_v the_o end_n of_o every_o verse_n for_o the_o hebrew_n conceive_v that_o all_o the_o scripture-text_n before_o be_v but_o as_o it_o be_v one_o verse_n without_o any_o note_n of_o distinction_n even_o as_o it_o be_v this_o day_n all_o their_o book_n except_o very_o seldom_o and_o almost_o only_o in_o the_o great_a section_n and_o part_n do_v not_o use_v distinctive_a point_n but_o signify_v a_o new_a part_n section_n or_o matter_n of_o discourse_n by_o large_a write_n of_o the_o first_o word_n and_o that_o till_o the_o time_n of_o this_o council_n or_o great_a synagogue_n the_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v without_o note_n of_o distinction_n of_o the_o verse_n the_o jew_n prove_v out_o of_o the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o law_n write_v after_o the_o ancient_a manner_n into_o a_o great_a form_n roll_v up_o keep_v in_o their_o synagogue_n in_o a_o sacred_a chest_n for_o public_a solemn_a readins_n on_o sabbath_n day_n and_o other_o festival_n which_o be_v still_o to_o be_v see_v without_o those_o note_n of_o verse_n and_o without_o the_o point_n of_o vowel_n and_o accent_n according_a to_o the_o form_n of_o the_o first_o exemplar_n write_v by_o moses_n and_o give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n as_o themselves_o affirm_v but_o that_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v write_v without_o any_o distinction_n of_o word_n without_o any_o space_n interpose_v that_o the_o whole_a text_n be_v as_o it_o be_v one_o verse_n or_o one_o word_n be_v a_o vain_a fiction_n of_o the_o kabbalist_n now_o if_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v distinguish_v into_o verse_n by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n why_o have_v not_o the_o lxx_o greek_n interpreter_n prudent_a elder_n bear_v jew_n the_o chief_a learned_a man_n most_o observant_a of_o their_o law_n retain_v that_o distinction_n in_o their_o traslation_n the_o answer_n be_v that_o the_o difference_n of_o verse_n as_o also_o of_o innumerous_a other_o place_n in_o that_o version_n be_v not_o from_o those_o first_o interpreter_n but_o from_o the_o transcriber_n who_o sometime_o conjoin_v sometime_o divide_v the_o sentence_n as_o their_o pen_n run_v and_o their_o mind_n be_v either_o more_o or_o less_o intent_n which_o in_o great_a and_o long_o work_v usual_o happen_v beside_o who_o can_v certain_o affirm_v or_o believe_v that_o the_o present_a greek_a version_n be_v altogether_o the_o same_o which_o those_o first_o interpreter_n with_o so_o great_a labour_n ftamed_a what_o make_v some_o of_o the_o most_o pious_a and_o most_o learned_a father_n in_o the_o primitive_a christian_a church_n so_o often_o to_o complain_v of_o that_o translation_n what_o move_v they_o to_o set_v forth_o so_o many_o new_a one_o in_o the_o greek_a why_o do_v some_o so_o religious_o embrace_v and_o so_o much_o commend_v the_o verity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n cap._n 11._o xxxvi_o after_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o verse_n by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n they_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o single_a word_n and_o therein_o they_o have_v a_o double_a care_n one_o respect_v the_o write_n of_o they_o by_o naked_a consonant_n the_o other_o the_o read_n of_o they_o and_o pronunciation_n by_o the_o letter_n and_o vowel_n joint_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o word_n by_o the_o letter_n they_o consult_v with_o the_o authentic_a copy_n of_o the_o first_o author_n as_o many_o as_o be_v then_o extant_a in_o their_o hand_n or_o else_o follow_v the_o fidelity_n of_o other_o copy_n most_o approve_v and_o most_o in_o number_n whether_o the_o word_n be_v write_v according_a to_o the_o native_a propriety_n of_o their_o origination_n what_o word_n with_o what_o quiescent_a letter_n be_v write_v full_o and_o what_o defective_o what_o letter_n and_o word_n be_v write_v abundant_o and_o not_o read_v or_o on_o the_o contrary_a what_o be_v read_v and_o not_o write_v in_o the_o text_n or_o what_o be_v write_v in_o this_o manner_n and_o read_v in_o another_o as_o the_o church_n have_v observe_v it_o continual_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n of_o all_o which_o particular_n the_o learned_a and_o skilful_a then_o be_v able_a to_o give_v account_n and_o there_o be_v mystical_a reason_n know_v to_o they_o but_o among_o the_o posterity_n through_o the_o most_o grievous_a calamity_n of_o aftertime_n forget_v now_o if_o this_o part_n of_o critical_a learning_n belong_v to_o the_o masora_n and_o thence_o by_o all_o they_o be_v style_v masoreth_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o than_o none_o can_v deny_v but_o the_o first_o masoreth_n be_v the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n cap._n 11._o xxxvii_o a_o second_o care_n of_o these_o masoreth_n be_v about_o the_o read_n and_o pronounce_v of_o the_o word_n together_o with_o the_o vowel_n and_o accent_n of_o they_o also_o particular_o be_v write_v masoretic_a note_n but_o whether_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n here_o first_o invent_v the_o point_n of_o vowel_n and_o accent_n or_o perfect_v they_o be_v invent_v by_o other_o or_o be_v neglect_v or_o disuse_v restore_v they_o and_o take_v care_n that_o a_o masora_n shall_v be_v also_o write_v of_o they_o this_o can_v easy_o be_v say_v nor_o prove_v last_o these_o man_n not_o content_a with_o all_o this_o number_v the_o letter_n word_n and_o verse_n in_o every_o book_n that_o it_o may_v be_v know_v what_o letter_n what_o word_n what_o verse_n be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o every_o one_o what_o word_n do_v but_o once_o occur_v and_o therefore_o do_v easy_o admiâ—_n some_o error_n or_o corruption_n what_o word_n more_o often_o and_o how_o many_o time_n they_o be_v read_v under_o this_o or_o that_o form_n and_o infinite_a other_o thing_n of_o like_a nature_n touch_v the_o explication_n of_o the_o holy_a text_n do_v they_o deliver_v that_o so_o they_o may_v fence_v it_o about_o as_o it_o be_v and_o preserve_v it_o from_o corruption_n and_o from_o this_o part_n of_o their_o office_n which_o be_v employ_v in_o number_v of_o the_o word_n they_o be_v also_o call_v sopherim_n i._n e._n numerator_n from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o number_n and_o to_o celebrate_v their_o antiquity_n and_o their_o excellency_n the_o talmudist_n call_v they_o the_o ancient_n and_o the_o first_o use_v this_o of_o those_o admirable_a man_n the_o elegy_n heart_n of_o the_o ancient_n be_v like_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o porch_n to_o the_o temple_n but_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o latter_a like_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o needle_n lib._n 119._o eribbim_n cap._n 5._o cap._n 11._o xxxviii_o as_o afore_o num._n 6._o two_o authority_n of_o aben_n ezra_n and_o elias_n levita_n be_v allege_v touch_v the_o author_n of_o the_o masora_n so_o likewise_o here_o shall_v we_o bring_v in_o the_o testimony_n of_o some_o famous_a hebrew_n to_o confirm_v this_o which_o be_v the_o more_o current_a opinion_n r._n gedalia_n in_o his_o catena_n kabalae_n fol._n 21._o write_v behold_v the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n have_v set_v forth_o many_o new_a constitution_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a captivity_n as_o the_o distinction_n of_o verse_n the_o diversity_n of_o read_v and_o write_v the_o full_a word_n and_o the_o defective_a the_o section_n close_a and_o open_a the_o letter_n great_a and_o less_o the_o accent_n and_o vowel_n point_n my_o mind_n give_v i_o that_o all_o be_v give_v to_o moses_n from_o mount_n sinai_n but_o posterity_n be_v forgetful_a of_o they_o or_o that_o they_o be_v give_v indeed_o to_o moses_n not_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v commit_v to_o writing_n but_o these_o prince_n the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n write_v they_o all_o down_o and_o communicate_v they_o to_o all_o israel_n don_n isaac_n abarbinel_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o nachale_n abhoth_v write_v ezra_n likewise_o teach_v israel_n the_o point_n accent_n and_o end_n of_o the_o verse_n whereby_o he_o direct_v they_o and_o free_v they_o from_o all_o confusion_n and_o error_n ephodi_fw-la cap._n 7._o of_o his_o grammar_n write_v in_o this_o manner_n that_o most_o holy_a man_n who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o scribe_n ezra_n the_o priest_n and_o scribe_n shake_v his_o lap_n and_o strain_v all_o his_o
nerve_n that_o he_o may_v bring_v into_o order_n what_o be_v pervert_v so_o do_v all_o the_o scribe_n who_o follow_v he_o and_o correct_v these_o book_n with_o all_o possible_a care_n until_o they_o leave_v they_o most_o perfect_a by_o number_v the_o section_n verse_n word_n and_o letter_n the_o full_a and_o defective_a word_n the_o irregular_a and_o regular_a and_o so_o forth_o whence_o they_o be_v also_o style_v sophorim_n numberer_n and_o make_v of_o these_o the_o book_n of_o masora_n cap._n 11._o thirty-nine_o this_o be_v the_o common_a sentence_n of_o the_o hebrew_n that_o the_o masora_n proceed_v from_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n and_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o elias_n as_o in_o his_o foresay_a three_o preface_n he_o acknowledge_v lo_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o many_o that_o ezra_n the_o scribe_n and_o his_o council_n namely_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n make_v the_o masora_n the_o punctation_n and_o accent_n upon_o the_o whole_a bibles_n so_o it_o be_v and_o one_o shall_v scarce_o find_v any_o hebrew_n or_o jew_n give_v his_o voice_n for_o elias_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a his_o reason_n be_v refute_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a rabbin_n thence_o i_o say_v from_o ezra_n have_v the_o masora_n its_o beginning_n and_o rise_v and_o the_o vowel-point_n either_o their_o birth_n or_o renovation_n but_o i_o confess_v the_o masora_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o infinite_a study_n be_v continue_v by_o their_o successor_n many_o age_n until_o it_o grow_v up_o into_o a_o great_a book_n exceed_v for_o its_o quantity_n the_o bibles_n themselves_o as_o elias_n write_v who_o see_v many_o book_n of_o the_o masora_n well_o may_v so_o great_a a_o work_n and_o study_n so_o infinite_a and_o vast_a a_o labour_n require_v both_o a_o long_a time_n and_o many_o hand_n and_o those_o not_o vulgar_o learn_v now_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o the_o holy_a care_n and_o most_o ardent_a zeal_n of_o ezra_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o colleague_n towards_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n favour_v this_o work_n very_o much_o he_o know_v by_o his_o prophetic_a spirit_n that_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n then_o live_v and_o therefore_o nothing_o be_v more_o necessary_a then_o that_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n shall_v be_v conserve_v in_o it_o uncorrupted_a their_o prudence_n and_o care_n it_o be_v to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n by_o this_o critical_a labour_n whereby_o the_o true_a and_o constant_a writing_n and_o read_v of_o all_o the_o word_n may_v remain_v for_o ever_o and_o indeed_o they_o have_v effect_v it_o as_o none_o can_v deny_v who_o be_v thorough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o secret_n of_o this_o study_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o original_a and_o author_n of_o the_o masora_n cap._n 11._o xl._n the_o matter_n of_o the_o masora_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v be_v the_o critical_a or_o censorious_a annotation_n touch_v the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o text_n be_v reckon_v according_a to_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o letter_n the_o verse_n be_v number_v first_o entire_a through_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o in_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n according_a to_o the_o great_a section_n too_o which_o be_v show_v by_o three_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o withal_o through_o the_o whole_a scripture_n the_o middle_a verse_n of_o every_o book_n be_v name_v all_o which_o be_v set_v down_o after_o the_o text_n at_o the_o end_n of_o every_o book_n as_o for_o example_n genesis_n have_v 1534_o verse_n and_o the_o middle_a verse_n be_v and_o by_o thy_o sword_n shall_v thou_o live_v chap._n 27._o 40._o exodus_fw-la 1209._o the_o middle_a verse_n speak_v not_o evil_a of_o the_o magistrate_n chap._n 22._o 28._o leviticus_n 859._o the_o middle_a verse_n he_o that_o touch_v the_o flesh_n of_o he_o that_o have_v a_o issue_n chap._n 15._o 7._o number_n 1288._o the_o middle_a verse_n and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o man_n rod_n who_o i_o shall_v choose_v shall_v blossom_v chap._n 17._o 5._o deuteronomy_n 955._o the_o middle_a and_o thou_o shall_v do_v aecord_v to_o the_o sentence_n chap._n 17._o 10._o the_o sum_n of_o the_o verse_n but_o mistake_v in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n 5845._o the_o middle_a verse_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n or_o pentateuch_n and_o he_o put_v the_o breastplate_n upon_o he_o levit._n 8._o 8._o the_o verse_n of_o the_o great_a section_n etc._n etc._n this_o hedge_n the_o first_o masoret_n set_v about_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o sacred_a body_n thereof_o may_v not_o be_v maim_v by_o the_o loss_n even_o of_o one_o verse_n cap._n 12._o xli_o again_o the_o verse_n be_v consider_v according_a to_o their_o various_a affection_n in_o the_o word_n and_o letter_n one_o verse_n be_v note_v consist_v of_o two_o and_o forty_o word_n which_o have_v in_o they_o letter_n one_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o it_o be_v read_v jer._n 21._o 7._o two_o verse_n there_o be_v in_o which_o there_o be_v four_o time_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gen._n 22._o 7._o 1_o reg._n 20._o 14._o three_o verse_n there_o be_v which_o have_v each_o eighty_o letter_n one_o be_v num._n 36._o 8._o three_o verse_n in_o every_o one_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d once_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d four_o time_n as_o num._n 11._o 19_o three_o have_v each_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thrice_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d also_o thrice_o as_o exod._n 29._o 5._o three_o begin_v and_o end_v with_o the_o divine_a name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o memorial_n of_o god_n eternal_a essence_n as_o deut._n 31._o 3._o where_o the_o masora_n cite_v the_o other_o two_o there_o be_v four_o verse_n in_o every_o one_o whereof_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v five_o time_n as_o exod._n 40._o 18._o five_o verse_n and_o in_o every_o one_o be_v five_o continue_a word_n of_o two_o letter_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o reg._n 3._o 26._o where_o the_o rest_n be_v cite_v ten_o verse_n wherein_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o 1_o reg._n 7._o 20._o ten_o in_o the_o law_n who_o first_o and_o last_o word_n be_v the_o same_o as_o levit._n 7._o 9_o fourteen_o which_o consist_v only_o of_o three_o word_n as_o gen._n 5._o 6._o exod._n 28._o 13._o where_o the_o rest_n be_v allege_v there_o be_v twenty_o six_o verse_n in_o every_o of_o which_o be_v extant_a all_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o alphabet_n as_o ezek._n 38._o 13._o where_o the_o rest_n be_v quote_v among_o those_o there_o be_v one_o verse_n which_o have_v not_o only_o all_o the_o alphabet_n simple_a but_o be_v enrich_v also_o with_o the_o five_o final_a letter_n and_o that_o be_v soph._n 3._o 8._o but_o let_v they_o beware_v who_o have_v the_o venice_n edition_n lest-they_a weary_a themselves_o too_o much_o in_o seek_v for_o the_o verse_n for_o there_o be_v in_o they_o some_o false_a verse_n cite_v which_o fault_n we_o have_v amend_v in_o our_o edition_n innumerous_a more_o of_o this_o kind_n have_v the_o masoreth_n note_v in_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o verse_n in_o the_o bible_n cap._n 12._o xlii_o in_o the_o word_n the_o masoreth_n note_v first_o the_o genuine_a writing_n and_o read_v of_o they_o where_o any_o diversity_n do_v occur_v 2_o where_o they_o be_v write_v full_o with_o the_o quiescent_a letter_n or_o defective_o without_o they_o three_o their_o seat_n and_o place_n in_o the_o beginning_n middle_a or_o end_n of_o the_o verse_n and_o what_o form_n they_o have_v either_o by_o themselves_o or_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o accent_n four_o their_o structure_n and_o conjunction_n with_o other_o word_n or_o composition_n with_o servile_a letter_n five_o their_o signification_n where_o be_v any_o ambiguity_n six_o they_o often_o note_v word_n different_a in_o vowel_n and_o accent_n where_o any_o peculiar_a observation_n or_o difference_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o and_o to_o all_o these_o they_o add_v both_o the_o number_n how_o often_o and_o the_o place_n where_o every_o one_o be_v exstant_fw-la cap._n 13._o xliii_o the_o write_n and_o read_v be_v call_v by_o the_o masoreth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o a_o word_n be_v otherwise_o write_v in_o the_o text_n by_o letter_n and_o note_v in_o the_o margin_n to_o be_v otherwise_o read_v by_o vowel_n or_o when_o a_o word_n be_v write_v abundant_o in_o the_o text_n and_o omit_v in_o read_v or_o on_o the_o contrary_n be_v not_o write_v at_o all_o in_o the_o text_n and_o yet_o be_v to_o be_v read_v whence_o arise_v many_o and_o various_a kind_n of_o this_o head_n as_o sometime_o a_o letter_n be_v want_v in_o a_o
by_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o dead_a body_n a_o levite_n a_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o deut._n 6._o 4._o in_o that_o illustrious_a sentence_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hear_v o_o israel_n the_o lord_n our_o god_n be_v one_o lord_n in_o this_o sentence_n the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v also_o a_o great_a one_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o signify_v that_o the_o eternal_a lord_n be_v the_o only_a god_n in_o the_o four_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o no_o other_o god_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o he_o for_o the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d stand_v for_o four_o the_o two_o great_a letter_n in_o this_o sentence_n conjoin_v make_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o witness_n as_o if_o they_o will_v thereby_o say_v unto_o we_o hear_v israel_n and_o be_v a_o witness_n to_o i_o that_o i_o have_v serious_o admonish_v thou_o concern_v the_o one_o true_a and_o eternal_a god_n according_a to_o that_o you_o shall_v be_v my_o witness_n say_v the_o lord_n isa_n 43._o 10._o a_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o it_o be_v say_v do_v you_o thus_o requite_v the_o lord_n o_o foolish_a people_n and_o unwise_a deut._n 32._o 6._o to_o raise_v the_o great_a admiration_n that_o they_o shall_v make_v such_o a_o ill_a requital_n to_o that_o lord_n father_n redeemer_n maker_n and_o governor_n by_o show_v themselves_o to_o their_o fivefold_a benefactor_n five_o way_n which_o the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v withal_o denote_v wicked_a and_o ungrateful_a be_v corrupt_a perverse_a crooked_a foolish_a and_o unwise_a as_o all_o these_o be_v express_v in_o the_o text_n etc._n etc._n cap._n 14._o li._n the_o little_a letter_n signify_v diminution_n and_o contempt_n as_o a_o little_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d prov._n 30._o 15._o the_o horseleech_n have_v two_o daughter_n call_v give_v give_v the_o horseleech_n be_v a_o symbol_n or_o sign_n of_o a_o covetous_a man_n their_o estate_n to_o who_o his_o daughter_n be_v marry_v be_v suck_v out_o and_o diminish_v if_o at_o any_o time_n he_o do_v good_a to_o a_o poor_a man_n he_o never_o do_v it_o gratis_o but_o require_v double_a by_o his_o daughter_n give_v give_v till_o the_o poor_a man_n be_v bring_v to_o extremity_n and_o this_o diminution_n be_v intimate_v by_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o letter_n a_o little_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d prov._n 28._o 17._o a_o man_n that_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o blood_n of_o any_o person_n to_o show_v his_o misery_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o shed_v of_o blood_n that_o he_o be_v even_o unworthy_a of_o the_o name_n of_o man_n a_o little_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gen._n 2._o 4._o when_o they_o be_v create_v to_o wit_n the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n to_o declare_v that_o all_o create_a thing_n shall_v decay_v and_o perish_v and_o as_o the_o letter_n consist_v of_o break_a part_n so_o shall_v they_o be_v dissolve_v the_o hebrew_n affect_v mystery_n say_v a_o transposition_n of_o this_o letter_n be_v intimate_v that_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v be_v make_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o abraham_n i._n e._n for_o the_o faithful_a be_v the_o world_n create_v for_o they_o alone_a praise_n god_n for_o his_o wonderful_a work_n of_o creation_n etc._n etc._n but_o some_o who_o have_v more_o thorough_o search_v the_o letter_n and_o number_n have_v give_v another_o cause_n of_o great_a and_o lesser_a letter_n namely_o that_o every_o such_o letter_n be_v the_o term_n or_o bind_v of_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o letter_n either_o from_o the_o precede_a great_a letter_n or_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n or_o some_o other_o place_n heretofore_o know_v by_o a_o peculiar_a index_n as_o the_o little_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gen._n 2._o be_v the_o term_n of_o the_o number_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o letter_n hitherto_o be_v 1112._o etc._n etc._n cap._n 15._o lii_o of_o the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d invert_v say_v the_o masora_n numb_a 10._o 35._o at_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o go_v fòrward_o there_o be_v nine_o verse_n wherein_o be_v such_o a_o sign_n of_o nun_n invert_v and_o the_o first_o be_v this_o and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v when_o the_o ark_n set_v forward_o that_o moses_n say_v rise_v up_o lord_n and_o let_v thy_o enemy_n be_v scatter_v and_o let_v they_o that_o hate_v thou_o flee_v before_o thou_o here_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v conceive_v to_o be_v invert_v to_o intimate_v that_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o israel_n shall_v so_o be_v turn_v back_o and_o overthrow_v the_o second_o numb_a 11._o 1._o and_o the_o people_n complain_v where_o the_o invert_v nun_n be_v a_o token_n of_o the_o preversnesse_n of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o many_o signal_n deliverance_n and_o great_a blessing_n of_o god_n bitter_o complain_v and_o show_v their_o contumacy_n and_o ingratitude_n etc._n etc._n cap._n 16._o liii_o that_o the_o masoreth_n may_v have_v nothing_o untouched_a that_o be_v pertinent_a to_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n and_o the_o notation_n of_o its_o genuine_a form_n be_v thus_o intent_n upon_o the_o work_n they_o espy_v in_o the_o whole_a text_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n fifteen_o word_n wherein_o some_o one_o letter_n or_o other_o be_v note_v extraordinary_o with_o certain_a prick_n above_o not_o with_o vowel_n or_o the_o note_n of_o vowel_n but_o symbolical_a note_n the_o sign_n of_o some_o arcane_a and_o secret_a sense_n the_o explication_n whereof_o be_v deliver_v and_o propagate_v oral_o be_v know_v to_o those_o first_o and_o next_o follow_v time_n but_o among_o the_o posterity_n by_o reason_n of_o war_n and_o persecution_n go_v out_o of_o knowledge_n into_o oblivion_n now_o the_o masoreth_n easy_o judge_v they_o be_v not_o set_v down_o in_o vain_a by_o the_o ancient_n but_o as_o remembrance_n of_o some_o point_n of_o secret_a wisdom_n will_v by_o no_o mâ—anes_n wipe_v they_o out_o of_o the_o text_n but_o rather_o mark_v they_o thereby_o to_o hold_v posterity_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o meditation_n the_o prick_v word_n as_o i_o say_v be_v in_o the_o whole_a fifteen_o ten_o in_o the_o law_n four_o in_o the_o prophet_n one_o in_o the_o hagiographa_fw-la first_o be_v in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gen._n 16._o 5._o the_o lord_n shall_v judge_v between_o i_o and_o thou_o the_o word_n of_o sarah_n to_o her_o husband_n abraham_n the_o masora_n note_v there_o be_v a_o prick_n above_o the_o latter_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o write_v full_o with_o both_o jod_n in_o all_o the_o law_n but_o in_o this_o place_n whence_o the_o latter_a be_v prick_v to_o mind_v we_o it_o be_v not_o put_v here_o in_o vain_a etc._n etc._n cap._n 17._o liv._o next_o for_o the_o quantity_n of_o the_o letter_n or_o their_o number_n that_o the_o masoreth_n comprehend_v in_o a_o certain_a number_n the_o letter_n of_o all_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v evident_a enough_o out_o of_o some_o remain_v to_o this_o day_n extant_a of_o the_o masora_n for_o the_o masora_n note_v upon_o the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d levit._fw-la 11._o 42._o that_o it_o be_v the_o middle_a letter_n of_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n or_o law_n and_o the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d psal_n 80._o 14._o be_v the_o middle_a letter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n at_o the_o end_n of_o genesis_n after_o the_o number_n of_o the_o verse_n of_o that_o book_n it_o be_v add_v and_o the_o letter_n thereof_o be_v 4395._o which_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o last_o section_n of_o that_o book_n not_o of_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n elias_n levita_fw-la pref._n 3._o l._n mas_o write_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v sixty_o thousand_o thousand_o forty_o five_o and_o there_o he_o say_v the_o letter_n of_o the_o first_o section_n bereshit_v be_v 1915._o which_o be_v false_a we_o believe_v they_o be_v more_o than_o 5000._o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o a_o account_n be_v give_v of_o the_o number_n of_o letter_n in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o bible_n though_o this_o masora_n be_v not_o bring_v to_o
the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v communicate_v or_o to_o be_v communicate_v cap._n 7._o xiii_o moreover_o be_v the_o elaboration_n conscription_n author_n and_o whatsoever_o pertain_v to_o the_o history_n of_o these_o book_n of_o both_o the_o jerusalem_n and_o babylon-talmud_n be_v observe_v and_o note_v with_o great_a care_n by_o the_o hebrew_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a they_o shall_v conceal_v that_o which_o concern_v the_o genuine_a authentic_a and_o everlasting_a read_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n again_o be_v the_o most_o vaunt_a and_o self_n conceit_a jew_n of_o babylon_n dwell_v in_o a_o most_o flourish_a empire_n by_o the_o authority_n and_o celebrity_n of_o their_o doctrine_n quick_o obscure_v &_o at_o length_n whole_o extinguish_v the_o jewish_a master_n and_o their_o school_n leave_v among_o the_o ruin_n and_o rubbish_n of_o poor_a palestin_n how_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o after_o so_o many_o age_n in_o such_o vigour_n and_o pride_n of_o their_o study_n at_o babylon_n they_o will_v have_v give_v up_o the_o eternal_a praise_n and_o glory_n of_o this_o critical_a study_n about_o holy_a scripture_n and_o permit_v these_o tyberians_n alone_a to_o enjoy_v it_o further_o be_v the_o babyloan_n jew_n overcome_v darken_v and_o bring_v almost_o to_o nothing_o the_o jerusalem-talmud_n by_o their_o babylonian-talmud_n and_o obtain_v so_o much_o authority_n to_o they_o that_o thereby_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n under_o heaven_n must_v be_v for_o ever_o rule_v as_o it_o be_v this_o very_a day_n how_o can_v it_o be_v that_o they_o have_v not_o also_o procure_v to_o themselves_o the_o authority_n credit_n and_o renown_n of_o this_o masoretical_a learning_n cap._n 7._o fourteen_o further_o yet_o if_o the_o tyberian_a jew_n after_o the_o babylon_n talmud_n study_v flourish_v a_o thousand_o year_n at_o babylon_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o masora_n and_o the_o point_n of_o the_o sacred_a read_n how_o be_v they_o able_a to_o do_v such_o a_o work_n without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o babylonian_n with_o who_o all_o the_o jewish_a learning_n be_v in_o its_o height_n how_o can_v they_o affect_v it_o without_o their_o consent_n and_o common_a approbation_n sure_o that_o read_v which_o be_v tie_v to_o the_o external_a figure_n of_o vowel_n and_o confirm_v by_o masoretic_n note_n require_v the_o testimony_n and_o approbation_n of_o all_o the_o jewish_a congregation_n to_o show_v its_o conformity_n and_o agreement_n with_o the_o old_a mosaic_a and_o prophetical_a authentic_a read_n in_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o the_o letter_n and_o vowel_n even_o to_o the_o least_o prick_n but_o of_o this_o either_o communication_n of_o counsel_n or_o approbation_n of_o the_o enterprise_n there_o be_v not_o extant_a one_o tittle_n in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n no_o question_n if_o the_o first_o writer_n after_o the_o babylon_n talmud_n have_v whole_o be_v silent_a yet_o the_o oral_a kabala_n will_v never_o so_o have_v suppress_v it_o or_o withdraw_v it_o from_o posterity_n but_o that_o some_o time_n or_o other_o it_o will_v have_v be_v discover_v by_o some_o body_n last_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o elias_n himself_o the_o author_n of_o the_o masora_n be_v in_o divers_a generation_n almost_o innumerable_a their_o beginning_n and_o end_n uncertain_a how_o then_o can_v the_o tyberians_n alone_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n how_o be_v the_o beginning_n thereof_o ascribe_v to_o the_o time_n after_o the_o babylon-talmud_n cap._n 7._o xv._o aben_n esra_n as_o above_o say_v that_o the_o masora_n and_o punctation_n proceed_v from_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o tyberias_fw-la elias_n levita_n define_v the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o say_v this_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o the_o masora_n be_v write_v by_o they_o after_o the_o talmud_n but_o if_o both_o the_o name_n itself_o and_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o masora_n as_o be_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o text_n into_o verse_n the_o note_n of_o word_n according_a to_o their_o divers_a writing_n and_o read_v and_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o same_o word_n write_v full_o or_o defective_o the_o quality_n of_o letter_n and_o the_o dinumeration_n of_o all_o the_o word_n and_o verse_n be_v mention_v in_o the_o talmud_n if_o also_o the_o talmud_n sometime_o determine_v or_o dispute_v against_o the_o masora_n than_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o use_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o masora_n in_o the_o great_a part_n be_v before_o the_o talmud_n and_o consequent_o the_o sentence_n of_o elias_n can_v hold_v and_o these_o particular_n be_v declare_v cap._n 8._o xvi_o elias_n say_v the_o tyberians_n invent_v the_o art_n of_o punctation_n and_o write_v the_o masora_n whence_o they_o be_v call_v masoreth_n but_o we_o may_v argue_v from_o the_o masoretic_n note_v themselves_o that_o the_o masora_n now_o extant_a and_o the_o point_n have_v not_o the_o same_o author_n for_o example_n gen._n 16._o 13._o it_o be_v write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o verse_n 15._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o the_o gloss_n of_o the_o masoreth_n every_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v with_o kametz_n the_o little_a i._n tzere_o except_v six_o with_o saegol_n if_o the_o author_n of_o the_o punctation_n and_o masora_n be_v the_o same_o what_o reason_n have_v they_o to_o point_v six_o only_a of_o so_o many_o hundred_o against_o the_o common_a form_n why_o be_v those_o six_o here_o allege_v in_o the_o masora_n so_o point_v and_o no_o other_o why_o have_v they_o discover_v the_o irregularity_n themselves_o by_o add_v a_o note_n sure_o they_o be_v not_o the_o same_o man_n who_o make_v the_o punctation_n and_o the_o masora_n but_o the_o masoreth_n who_o revise_v the_o form_n of_o word_n and_o find_v it_o so_o in_o the_o copy_n point_v former_o do_v therefore_o specify_v this_o form_n for_o they_o do_v not_o give_v themselves_o this_o right_n to_o change_v the_o least_o prick_n in_o the_o sacred_a text_n nor_o will_v permit_v that_o licence_n to_o any_o because_o the_o authority_n of_o holy_a scripture_n aught_o to_o be_v inviolable_a who_o form_n be_v authentic_a and_o divine_a and_o so_o acknowledge_v by_o they_o no_o boldness_n of_o man_n can_v alter_v without_o extreme_a impiety_n they_o put_v a_o note_n therefore_o to_o these_o six_o that_o even_o in_o the_o least_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n may_v evermore_o remain_v inviolate_a the_o only_a scope_n of_o the_o whole_a masora_n cap._n 9_o xvii_o another_o example_n hereof_o gen._n 19_o 2._o it_o be_v write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o masorite_n every_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o signification_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v with_o kametz_n the_o little_a i._n tzere_o except_o this_o one_o wherefore_o in_o so_o many_o place_n have_v they_o print_v this_o word_n always_o alike_o this_o one_o place_n except_v wherefore_o have_v they_o if_o themselves_o be_v author_n of_o this_o punctation_n show_v their_o novelty_n by_o their_o gloss_n why_o the_o masoreth_n see_v this_o word_n in_o their_o copy_n print_v so_o in_o this_o place_n former_o by_o other_o add_v their_o note_n that_o none_o may_v alter_v it_o which_o every_o one_o may_v most_o easy_o have_v do_v according_a to_o grammar_n many_o more_o example_n be_v set_v down_o cap._n 9_o xviii_o as_o of_o the_o vowel-point_n so_o also_o the_o inconstant_a use_n of_o the_o point_n dage_n and_o mappik_a be_v observe_v and_o note_v by_o the_o masoreth_n whence_o it_o may_v very_o probable_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o masoreth_n or_o the_o author_n of_o the_o write_a masora_n be_v not_o withal_o the_o inventor_n of_o these_o two_o point_n and_o then_o write_v a_o masora_n of_o they_o but_o judge_v of_o their_o inconstancy_n in_o the_o book_n former_o point_v and_o add_v their_o masoretical_a note_n that_o they_o found_v it_o thus_o and_o thus_o in_o their_o book_n nor_o be_v it_o lawful_a for_o any_o man_n to_o amend_v the_o least_o point_n in_o holy_a writ_n least_o in_o time_n it_o shall_v by_o degree_n degenerate_a from_o a_o divine_a to_o a_o humane_a sense_n for_o the_o boldness_n of_o man_n hardly_o contain_v its_o self_n within_o any_o bound_n the_o rule_n be_v that_o the_o four_o guttural_a letter_n admit_v not_o dage_n yet_o the_o masoreth_n note_v the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v dagess_v four_o time_n for_o so_o they_o find_v it_o in_o their_o book_n mappik_a have_v a_o necessary_a use_n yet_o the_o masoreth_n have_v observe_v and_o note_v the_o omission_n of_o it_o in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thrice_o once_o in_o the_o law_n once_o in_o the_o prophet_n once_o in_o the_o hagiographa_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n cap._n 9_o xix_o also_o from_o the_o divers_a use_n of_o the_o accent_n and_o the_o note_n upon_o they_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o inventor_n of_o the_o accent_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o
light_v but_o that_o this_o part_n of_o the_o masoretic_a study_n be_v refer_v into_o certain_a place_n of_o their_o book_n and_o so_o deliver_v to_o the_o notice_n of_o posterity_n appear_v by_o a_o certain_a poem_n which_o in_o a_o curious_a manner_n exhibite_v the_o number_n how_o often_o every_o letter_n in_o tâ—e_v alphabet_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o whole_a scripture_n cap._n 18._o lv._o the_o author_n of_o those_o verse_n be_v affirm_v by_o elias_n to_o be_v raf_n saadia_n gaon_n who_o be_v head_n of_o the_o sorian_a academy_n in_o babylon_n about_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 927._o the_o verse_n be_v very_o difficult_a but_o this_o sum_n of_o they_o here_o follow_v ×_n 42377_o ב_n 38218_o ×’_n 29537_o ד_n 32530_o ×”_n 47754_o ו_n 76922_o ×–_n 22867_o ×—_n 23447_o ט_n 11052_o ×™_n 66420_o ×›_n 48253_o ל_n 41517_o מ_n 77778_o × _n 32977_o ס_n 13580_o ×¢_n 20175_o פ_n 22725_o צ_n 21822_o ק_n 22972_o ר_n 22147_o ש_n 32148_o ת_n 59343._o  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr and_o hence_o it_o be_v clear_o see_v how_o exceed_v great_a be_v the_o industry_n of_o these_o man_n how_o laborious_a their_o study_n and_o how_o much_o their_o zeal_n that_o they_o may_v conserve_v the_o integrity_n of_o scripture_n inviolate_a even_o in_o the_o least_o tittle_n to_o all_o posterity_n cap._n 18._o lvi_o we_o have_v see_v the_o matter_n now_o for_o the_o form_n of_o the_o masora_n it_o be_v at_o first_o consign_v in_o separate_a and_o distinct_a book_n but_o afterward_o the_o scribe_n adjoin_v it_o to_o the_o text_n by_o part_n but_o confuse_o and_o defectively_o in_o which_o form_n it_o stand_v till_o the_o public_a impression_n make_v about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o last_o age_n by_o the_o singular_a study_n and_o cost_v of_o daniel_n bombergus_n and_o by_o the_o assistance_n of_o r._n jacob_n ben_n chajim_n at_o venice_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o diligence_n of_o the_o man_n the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o work_n cause_v he_o to_o leave_v innumerous_a fault_n a_o good_a part_n whereof_o we_o have_v correct_v in_o our_o edition_n cap._n 19_o lvii_o the_o form_n and_o order_n of_o the_o masora_n in_o the_o bible_n print_v at_o venice_n be_v in_o this_o sort_n masora_n be_v twofold_a the_o great_a and_o the_o little_a the_o great_a masora_n which_o comprehend_v all_o the_o critical_a learning_n with_o a_o full_a enumeration_n of_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v propose_v either_o separately_z without_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o bibles_n or_o joint_o with_o the_o text_n in_o the_o high_o and_o low_a margin_n thereof_o the_o one_o be_v name_v final_a the_o other_o textual_a the_o little_a masora_n be_v that_o which_o be_v brief_o and_o succinct_o write_v down_o at_o the_o side_n of_o the_o text_n in_o numeral_a letter_n in_o short_a and_o symbolical_a word_n here_o be_v no_o citation_n of_o the_o place_n but_o when_o a_o word_n occur_v twice_o which_o be_v signify_v by_o the_o letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o the_o other_o place_n be_v note_v by_o a_o word_n or_o two_o annex_v to_o that_o letter_n a_o great_a number_n sometime_o be_v express_v in_o a_o symbolical_a sentence_n and_o in_o the_o chaldee_n where_o the_o single_a word_n denote_v the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o bible_n allege_v in_o the_o great_a masora_n this_o be_v the_o form_n cap._n 19_o lviii_o we_o conclude_v with_o the_o end_n of_o the_o masora_n this_o the_o more_o sound_a and_o learned_a hebrew_n have_v excellent_o observe_v that_o the_o masora_n be_v a_o sure_a safeguard_v and_o defence_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n to_o this_o end_n set_v round_o about_o it_o to_o secure_v and_o keep_v it_o safe_a against_o all_o error_n here_o be_v pertinent_a what_o the_o wise_a cosri_n say_v to_o his_o antagonist_n object_v that_o the_o study_n of_o the_o masoreth_n be_v place_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o a_o unlawful_a and_o unprofitable_a work_n but_o say_v he_o their_o study_n be_v in_o such_o a_o unprofitable_a work_n with_o which_o be_v join_v the_o conservation_n of_o the_o law_n that_o there_o may_v never_o bâ—_n occasion_n of_o change_v any_o thing_n therein_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o of_o the_o wise_a aben_n ezra_n certain_o a_o great_a reward_n be_v due_a to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o masore_v who_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o keeper_n of_o the_o city-wall_n for_o by_o their_o endeavour_n persi_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o holy_a book_n in_o their_o form_n without_o any_o addition_n or_o detraction_n and_o that_o of_o elias_n levita_n after_o the_o labour_n perform_v by_o the_o masoreth_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o change_n at_o all_o in_o any_o book_n of_o scripture_n have_v happen_v heretofore_o or_o can_v hereafter_o happen_v that_o of_o r._n jacob_n ben_n chajim_n be_v not_o to_o be_v omit_v who_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o those_o great_a bibles_n after_o he_o have_v declare_v large_o the_o use_n of_o masora_n say_v have_v not_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n be_v who_o restore_v the_o crown_n of_o the_o law_n to_o its_o ancient_a splendour_n as_o it_o be_v write_v so_o they_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n distinct_o and_o give_v the_o sense_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o understand_v the_o read_n nehem._n 8._o 8._o we_o have_v walk_v in_o the_o dark_a and_o be_v as_o blind_a man_n and_o have_v not_o have_v one_o book_n correct_v nor_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o law_n whereon_o we_o may_v rely_v thus_o the_o jew_n cap._n 20._o lix_n the_o same_o have_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o christian_n as_o many_o as_o have_v attain_v to_o any_o better_a knowledge_n of_o this_o art_n benedictus_n arias_n montanus_n in_o his_o preface_n discourse_v of_o the_o various_a read_n in_o the_o hebrew_n book_n and_o the_o way_n and_o use_v of_o the_o masoreth_n great_a say_v he_o be_v the_o religion_n and_o great_a the_o care_n of_o the_o ancient_a israelite_n in_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a book_n and_o that_o treasury_n entrust_v by_o god_n and_o commend_v to_o they_o wherein_o be_v contain_v the_o mystery_n of_o eternal_a life_n be_v esteem_v worthy_a of_o all_o their_o diligence_n to_o keep_v it_o so_o that_o by_o no_o mean_n any_o one_o word_n of_o it_o or_o so_o much_o as_o the_o least_o tittle_n may_v be_v impair_v hugh_n broughton_n a_o english_a man_n upon_o the_o 9_o of_o dan._n say_v there_o be_v one_o sort_n of_o great_a renown_n the_o masorite_n who_o diligence_n preserve_v the_o hebrew_n text_n safe_a and_o sound_a for_o ever_o and_o nicholas_n fuller_n in_o his_o miscell_n theol._n l._n 3._o c._n 13._o to_o this_o end_n that_o the_o hebrew_n truth_n may_v be_v keep_v inviolate_a be_v excogitated_a by_o the_o most_o expert_a jewish_a master_n a_o certain_a subtle_a and_o curious_a art_n which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v a_o tradition_n or_o the_o most_o accurate_a way_n of_o deliver_v through_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o do_v succeed_v the_o canon_n of_o holy_a scripture_n always_o pure_a and_o perfect_a by_o the_o benefit_n whereof_o they_o exact_o know_v and_o have_v the_o number_n of_o not_o the_o word_n only_o but_o the_o very_a letter_n too_o so_o that_o not_o the_o least_o change_n can_v be_v make_v by_o any_o either_o unlearned_a or_o rash_a or_o negligent_a hand_n but_o it_o be_v deprehend_v present_o whence_o it_o be_v fit_o style_v by_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o hedge_n or_o mound_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o keep_v off_o thence_o all_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n cap._n 20._o lx._n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o present_a concern_v the_o author_n matter_n form_n end_v of_o the_o masora_n i_o will_v close_v up_o these_o collection_n with_o a_o say_n of_o pliny_n use_v by_o my_o author_n optima_fw-la quaeque_fw-la malunt_fw-la contemnere_fw-la plerique_fw-la quam_fw-la discere_fw-la very_o many_o there_o be_v who_o have_v rather_o despise_v the_o most_o excellent_a thing_n then_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o learn_v they_o finis_fw-la