the_o first_o part_n take_v in_o all_o that_o happen_v after_o moses_n till_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n and_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n the_o three_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o the_o jewish_a captivity_n and_o after_o their_o re-establishment_n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o book_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o this_o people_n in_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o epocha_n which_o have_v not_o certain_a character_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o relation_n by_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n which_o it_o have_v either_o with_o those_o event_n which_o go_v before_o it_o or_o with_o those_o which_o follow_v it_o and_o this_o by_o a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a dependence_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o observation_n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n which_o contain_v the_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v the_o execution_n of_o moses_n design_n who_o bring_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o go_v and_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o a_o country_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o division_n of_o this_o land_n among_o the_o tribe_n be_v the_o title_n which_o each_o tribe_n have_v to_o its_o possession_n in_o it_o and_o this_o division_n subsist_v a_o great_a while_n very_o distinct_a and_o well_o know_v by_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o this_o people_n there_o happen_v no_o considerable_a change_n but_o only_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n carry_v the_o ten_o tribe_n into_o captivity_n after_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o three_o year_n of_o the_o world_n the_o country_n continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n under_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n without_o any_o change_n ensue_v upon_o their_o transportation_n into_o babylon_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o chapter_n of_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n this_o book_n have_v a_o very_a natural_a influence_n upon_o the_o follow_a book_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o alliance_n which_o the_o gibeonite_n get_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o surprise_n it_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o all_o that_o happen_v for_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o in_o david_n reign_n under_o who_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v already_o change_v into_o a_o monarchical_a government_n have_v in_o all_o appearance_n undergo_v a_o great_a alteration_n the_o book_n of_o judge_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o joshua_n the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o quarrel_n with_o the_o nation_n which_o they_o have_v subdue_v or_o with_o their_o neighbour_n as_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n descend_v from_o lot_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o this_o people_n that_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n there_o we_o may_v see_v for_o instance_n the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o defensive_a part_n because_o god_n forbid_v they_o to_o set_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n whereas_o these_o last_o pretend_v that_o israel_n have_v usurp_v some_o part_n of_o their_o country_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o remarkable_a markable_a as_o the_o action_n of_o these_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o those_o different_a captivity_n through_o which_o they_o pass_v for_o three_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o year_n together_o but_o we_o may_v find_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o of_o they_o preserve_v by_o those_o public_a hymn_n which_o be_v famous_a throughout_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o these_o illustrious_a monument_n of_o their_o judicial_a authority_n which_o be_v preserve_v among_o they_o and_o which_o keep_v up_o a_o remembrance_n of_o they_o among_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n for_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v observe_v with_o care_n that_o since_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o invent_v any_o thing_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o will_v not_o be_v well_o know_v by_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n as_o the_o tyrian_n who_o keep_v up_o their_o own_o government_n till_o alexander_n time_n who_o subdue_v they_o entire_o and_o the_o moabite_n who_o empire_n continue_v for_o fourteen_o age_n after_o lot_n time_n until_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a for_o any_o fabulous_a relation_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o obtain_v authority_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o thing_n considerable_a but_o the_o conversion_n of_o ruth_n a_o moabitess_n who_o rely_v upon_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o house_n of_o juda_n out_o of_o which_o she_o have_v marry_v her_o husband_n but_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n beside_o 1._o of_o the_o exact_a practice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o a_o relation_n who_o die_v without_o issue_n 2._o of_o their_o lively_a remembrance_n of_o the_o deed_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o juda_n incest_n with_o thamar_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o however_o as_o a_o fountain_n and_o a_o pattern_n of_o blessing_n 3._o of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n who_o this_o author_n represent_v as_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n from_o a_o moabitess_n which_o not_o make_v much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o eli_n and_o samuel_n judicature_n of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o a_o monarchy_n under_o saul_n of_o david_n anoint_v saul_n rejection_n and_o death_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o david_n his_o victory_n his_o design_n of_o build_v a_o temple_n a_o design_n which_o god_n leave_v to_o solomon_n to_o execute_v his_o war_n with_o the_o ammonite_n his_o crime_n with_o bathshebah_n his_o son_n absalom_n insurrection_n against_o he_o and_o his_o great_a success_n against_o his_o enemy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o two_o book_n which_o have_v not_o a_o exact_a connexion_n with_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v one_o see_v we_o throughout_o a_o exact_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o see_v we_o throughout_o monument_n set_v up_o in_o several_a place_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o particular_a action_n one_o see_v we_o also_o in_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n with_o their_o neighbour_n a_o constant_a series_n of_o those_o old_a difference_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o jealousy_n of_o these_o nation_n against_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n which_o the_o jew_n reckon_v but_o as_o one_o book_n contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o solomon_n establishment_n in_o the_o place_n of_o david_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o empire_n which_o be_v carry_v by_o david_n to_o the_o bank_n of_o eüphrates_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o his_o marriage_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n daughter_n of_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o his_o own_o palace_n with_o the_o help_n of_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n visit_n to_o solomon_n of_o his_o alliance_n with_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o edomite_n the_o zidonian_o and_o the_o hittite_n think_v by_o these_o marriage_n to_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n between_o his_o people_n and_o these_o nation_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n all_o this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o solomon_n reign_n and_o as_o there_o never_o be_v so_o famous_a a_o reign_n in_o judea_n so_o never_o be_v there_o any_o of_o which_o there_o be_v leave_v so_o many_o monument_n as_o well_o there_o as_o in_o the_o neighbour_a country_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o in_o the_o same_o book_n the_o division_n of_o solomon_n empire_n into_o two_o government_n that_o of_o juda_n which_o continue_v from_o solomon_n death_n during_o the_o reign_n of_o eighteen_o successor_n for_o three_o hundred_o eighty_o six_o year_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nebuchaanezzar_n and_o that_o of_o israel_n form_v by_o jeroboam_n which_o last_v two_o hundred_o fifty_o four_o year_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o nineteen_o successor_n until_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n the_o history_n of_o the_o chronicle_n which_o be_v write_v about_o twenty_o six_o year_n after_o that_o of_o the_o king_n carry_v
therefore_o that_o occur_v in_o this_o matter_n consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propound_v to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o prove_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n his_o miracle_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o indeed_o these_o be_v the_o very_a matter_n of_o which_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n require_v a_o solid_a proof_n and_o it_o do_v the_o more_o concern_v we_o to_o satisfy_v their_o demand_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v oppose_v our_o assertion_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n be_v already_o accomplish_a though_o they_o agree_v upon_o the_o matter_n with_o we_o in_o all_o other_o article_n moreover_o the_o perform_v this_o task_n may_v very_o much_o contribute_v to_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bad_a christian_n who_o shall_v and_o continuance_n in_o vice_n and_o licentiousness_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o their_o be_v so_o weak_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o fundamental_o and_o that_o because_o they_o have_v never_o consider_v of_o they_o with_o sufficient_a attention_n chap._n ii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact._n forasmuch_o as_o in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o confine_v ourselves_o at_o present_a to_o those_o proof_n which_o make_v out_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propose_v omit_v all_o other_o argument_n which_o may_v evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o though_o possible_o no_o less_o convince_a it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o proof_n we_o be_v to_o produce_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o must_v be_v such_o as_o be_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v if_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o the_o event_n of_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o it_o may_v be_v just_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v produce_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v matter_n long_o since_o past_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o history_n which_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o relation_n of_o those_o who_o where_o eye-witness_n of_o the_o same_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o confirm_v our_o belief_n of_o thing_n at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o we_o i_o be_o behold_v to_o history_n only_o for_o the_o knowledge_n i_o have_v of_o a_o cyrus_n a_o alexander_n or_o a_o caesar_n and_o yet_o have_v read_v the_o account_n they_o give_v i_o of_o they_o i_o find_v they_o matter_n i_o can_v no_o way_n rational_o doubt_v of_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a be_v much_o inferior_a to_o that_o which_o we_o have_v of_o matter_n confirm_v to_o we_o by_o eye-witness_n nevertheless_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o event_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v be_v confirm_v but_o by_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o have_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o to_o account_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o man_n as_o cyrus_n and_o alexander_n for_o fable_n upon_o the_o pretence_n that_o none_o now_o alive_a do_v ever_o see_v they_o or_o because_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o trace_n leave_v of_o those_o empire_n of_o which_o they_o be_v the_o founder_n indeed_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v superad_v to_o it_o for_o though_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o historian_n who_o live_v many_o age_n ago_o yet_o withal_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o matter_n relate_v do_v not_o only_o carry_v the_o idea_n of_o probability_n and_o truth_n along_o with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o history_n of_o follow_a age_n which_o can_v be_v question_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o the_o thing_n relate_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o reason_n a_o matter_n of_o fact_n than_o be_v account_v certain_a when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o when_o record_v by_o a_o historian_n who_o live_v among_o those_o who_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o it_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o gainsay_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o if_o we_o find_v it_o pen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v relate_v by_o any_o otherwise_o than_o indeed_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o public_a derision_n and_o last_o of_o all_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o either_o because_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o every_o one_o to_o be_v inform_v of_o it_o or_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o public_a that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v hide_v from_o any_o or_o last_o because_o of_o its_o natural_a connexion_n with_o all_o those_o other_o event_n which_o necessary_o depend_v on_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a it_o be_v very_o unjust_a to_o demand_v either_o more_o proof_n or_o such_o as_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o be_v require_v to_o verisie_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact._n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o noah_n child_n be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o methusalem_n in_o case_n they_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v see_v he_o or_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o methusalem_n be_v of_o credit_n enough_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o adam_n if_o he_o aver_v that_o he_o see_v he_o and_o converse_v with_o he_o do_v we_o every_o day_n give_v credit_n to_o the_o account_n which_o old_a man_n give_v we_o of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o we_o find_v that_o what_o they_o relate_v have_v a_o exact_a reference_n and_o connexion_n with_o those_o thing_n we_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o proof_n which_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o our_o religion_n propose_v be_v infinite_o more_o strong_a and_o convince_a all_o the_o circumstance_n we_o can_v imagine_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n do_v concur_v to_o place_v the_o matter_n record_v in_o holy_a scripture_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o doubt_n or_o uncertainty_n we_o account_v the_o single_a testimony_n of_o a_o historian_n a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v once_o a_o very_a famous_a temple_n at_o delphos_n or_o ephesus_n notwithstanding_o that_o all_o the_o monument_n remain_v at_o this_o day_n to_o confirm_v his_o relation_n be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o defective_a whereas_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o entire_a nation_n yea_o many_o nation_n do_v attest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v and_o that_o all_o the_o action_n discourse_n and_o whole_a series_n of_o event_n thereto_o relate_v do_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o character_n which_o invincible_o signalise_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scrïpture_n chap._n iii_o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n forasmuch_o as_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n it_o will_v be_v proper_a in_o order_n to_o the_o execute_n of_o my_o design_n to_o begin_v with_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a book_n which_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a if_o one_o make_v the_o follow_a remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o he_o write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o deluge_n the_o rise_n and_o pedigree_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o particular_a the_o history_n of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n until_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o palestina_n 2552_o year_n after_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o follow_a book_n viz._n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n the_o four_o book_n of_o king_n of_o chronicle_n with_o the_o book_n of_o ezrah_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o say_a history_n from_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o jew_n into_o palestina_n until_o their_o
manner_n of_o write_v the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n show_v that_o those_o oracle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n i_o have_v several_a thing_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n more_o sensible_a the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o i_o have_v prove_v by_o several_a character_n this_o history_n be_v exact_o write_v by_o several_a author_n now_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o their_o oracle_n be_v so_o exact_o frame_v into_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o take_v it_o out_o without_o confound_v the_o whole_a the_o book_n of_o samuel_n which_o be_v write_v by_o samuel_n by_o nathan_n and_o by_o gad_n as_o appear_v by_o i_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o contain_v the_o history_n from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2888_o to_o the_o year_n 2987._o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o year_n 2989._o to_o the_o year_n 3442._o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n recapitulate_v the_o history_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n 3468._o ezra_n write_v his_o history_n from_o the_o year_n 3468._o to_o the_o year_n 3538._o nehemiah_n continue_v it_o from_o 3550._o to_o 3563._o here_o be_v therefore_o on_o the_o one_o side_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o history_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o continue_a succession_n of_o prophecy_n david_n who_o begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o year_n 2950._o with_o several_a other_o prophet_n of_o that_o time_n write_v the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n which_o be_v full_a of_o oracle_n and_o which_o be_v sing_v by_o the_o people_n as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a service_n isaiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o 3246._o and_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 3306._o hosea_n micah_n and_o nahum_n be_v contemporary_a with_o he_o jeremiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3375._o and_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o zephaniah_n daniel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n in_o 3401._o and_o prophesy_v until_o 3470._o ezechiel_n prophesy_v at_o babylon_n in_o 3509._o haggai_n and_o zachariah_n prophesy_v in_o 3590._o soon_o after_o ezra_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nehemiah_n malachy_n seem_v to_o have_v live_v until_o the_o year_n 3589._o can_v we_o therefore_o in_o the_o least_o imagine_v that_o a_o history_n shall_v be_v so_o intermix_v with_o prophecy_n and_o oracle_n without_o conceive_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o both_o by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n but_o we_o may_v make_v a_o second_o reflection_n hereupon_o there_o be_v three_o general_a character_n which_o distinguish_v prophet_n very_o sensible_o from_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n i._o they_o be_v public_a censor_n let_v we_o but_o read_v the_o history_n of_o isaiah_n conduct_n who_o call_v all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n ruler_n of_o sodom_n or_o that_o of_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxxvi_o or_o of_o any_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n ii_o they_o be_v comforter_n of_o the_o people_n when_o they_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n by_o their_o preach_n there_o be_v as_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o as_o there_o be_v prophet_n iii_o they_o foretell_v remarkable_a occurrence_n happy_a or_o unfortunate_a long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o probability_n that_o they_o shall_v happen_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v these_o character_n without_o see_v that_o the_o state_n of_o affair_n be_v that_o which_o give_v a_o foundation_n for_o their_o sermon_n so_o that_o one_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v frame_v their_o history_n of_o new_a to_o give_v ground_n for_o a_o forgery_n this_o change_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o prophet_n follow_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n exact_o all_o that_o isaiah_n or_o jeremiah_n say_v will_v hold_v no_o long_o than_o whilst_o you_o suppose_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v as_o corrupt_v as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n represent_v it_o but_o if_o you_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v as_o the_o history_n do_v distinct_o explain_v it_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o forcible_a than_o their_o sermon_n for_o as_o they_o join_v oracle_n with_o promise_n in_o their_o thunder_a sermon_n so_o one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o can_v be_v part_v one_o may_v make_v another_o reflection_n upon_o this_o matter_n by_o show_v that_o these_o oracle_n and_o these_o book_n be_v so_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n that_o no_o forgery_n can_v be_v suppose_v the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v be_v a_o great_a proof_n for_o they_o appear_v upon_o very_o remarkable_a occasion_n one_o may_v rank_v the_o prophet_n into_o four_o order_n according_a to_o the_o several_a time_n in_o which_o they_o appear_v david_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o time_n those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n as_o jonah_n hosea_n joel_n amos_n obadiah_n isaiah_n micah_n nahum_n habakkuk_n zephaniah_n jeremiah_n those_o who_o prophesy_v during_o the_o captivity_n jeremiah_n ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n those_o who_o live_v after_o their_o return_n from_o babybylon_n haggai_n zechariah_n and_o malachy_n now_o we_o have_v a_o equal_a assurance_n of_o all_o these_o prophet_n that_o they_o be_v famous_a who_o can_v deny_v the_o oracle_n of_o david_n to_o have_v be_v famous_a when_o they_o be_v preserve_v among_o their_o public_a hymn_n one_o see_v we_o that_o micah_n prediction_n save_v jeremiah_n who_o they_o will_v have_v condemn_v for_o prophesy_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n under_o jehoiakim_n when_o micah_n have_v prophesy_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o hezekiah_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o this_o prediction_n of_o jeremiah_n here_o be_v a_o event_n which_o assure_v we_o without_o affectation_n that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v very_o well_o know_v be_v not_o therefore_o the_o other_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n very_o well_o know_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o other_o prophet_n live_v in_o very_o remarkable_a time_n isaiah_n under_o jotham_n ahaz_n and_o manasseh_n impious_a prince_n the_o last_o of_o which_o put_v he_o to_o a_o cruel_a death_n for_o the_o freedom_n of_o his_o censure_n and_o prediction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o every_o prophet_n a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v enlarge_v upon_o and_o which_o will_v further_o prove_v that_o their_o work_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v be_v very_o public_a and_o very_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n we_o must_v not_o here_o neglect_v what_o do_v more_o particular_o regard_v the_o person_n of_o the_o prophet_n i._o some_o of_o they_o be_v priest_n that_o be_v to_o say_v public_a minister_n of_o their_o religion_n jeremiah_n and_o ezechiel_n be_v of_o that_o number_n this_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o read_v of_o their_o work_n and_o in_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o their_o revelation_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n accommodate_v by_o god_n to_o those_o idea_n about_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v most_o employ_v ii_o some_o be_v very_o illustrious_a by_o their_o birth_n thus_o david_n for_o instance_n be_v king_n of_o israel_n isaiah_n be_v a_o prince_n of_o the_o blood_n and_o daniel_n be_v one_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o judah_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o find_v out_o by_o consider_v the_o majesty_n of_o their_o style_n and_o greatness_n of_o their_o expression_n iii_o some_o be_v very_o contemptible_a by_o their_o employment_n and_o by_o their_o birth_n so_o amos_n for_o instance_n and_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o father_n be_v bare_o name_v without_o join_v to_o it_o any_o honourable_a title_n if_o the_o jew_n observation_n have_v any_o strength_n now_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o though_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n make_v he_o who_o have_v it_o sufficient_o famous_a yet_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n often_o make_v the_o prophecy_n famous_a sometime_o indeed_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o person_n as_o in_o amos_n make_v the_o work_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v every_o body_n take_v occasion_n from_o the_o ancient_a profession_n or_o the_o prophet_n to_o consider_v the_o prophecy_n which_o he_o publish_v with_o more_o attention_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v with_o care_n that_o those_o prophet_n who_o write_n be_v preserve_v as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o do_v not_o write_v be_v continual_o strike_v at_o by_o false_a prophet_n who_o oppose_v they_o with_o great_a heat_n since_o than_o we_o have_v no_o prophecy_n preserve_v but_o of_o those_o who_o prediction_n be_v accomplish_v the_o event_n justify_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prediction_n with_o regard_n to_o particular_a fact_n near_o the_o time_n which_o they_o have_v foretell_v
of_o one_o that_o be_v blind_a and_o another_o that_o be_v lame_a at_o alexandria_n he_o that_o will_v know_v the_o particular_n may_v consult_v tacitus_n his_o history_n and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o only_o agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n of_o isaiah_n refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o they_o also_o still_o propose_v the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n as_o a_o character_n which_o will_v render_v the_o messiah_n very_o illustrious_a and_o certain_o know_v chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n this_o truth_n i_o have_v already_o assert_v in_o the_o reflection_n i_o make_v on_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n deut._n xviii_o but_o one_o ought_v to_o explain_v this_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n more_o particular_o god_n have_v be_v please_v further_a to_o illustrate_v this_o oracle_n of_o moses_n first_o then_o we_o say_v that_o the_o word_n messiah_n imply_v anoint_v which_o be_v common_a to_o king_n prophet_n and_o priest_n and_o since_o david_n time_n we_o find_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o this_o title_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n be_v dignify_v with_o this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o that_o samuel_n communicate_v the_o same_o to_o saul_n and_o david_n when_o he_o anoint_v they_o to_o be_v king_n yea_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o elias_n the_o prophet_n shall_v anoint_v the_o messiah_n that_o be_v initiate_v he_o in_o his_o prophetical_a as_o well_o as_o his_o royal_a function_n second_o god_n more_o precise_o signify_v this_o isai_n xi_o verse_n 1_o 2_o &_o 3._o where_o he_o declare_v he_o will_v communicate_v all_o the_o necessary_a gift_n of_o the_o prophetical_a function_n to_o the_o messiah_n there_o shall_v come_v forth_o a_o rod_n out_o of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n and_o a_o branch_n shall_v grow_v out_o of_o his_o root_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v rest_v upon_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o may_v the_o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o judge_v after_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o eye_n neither_o reprove_v after_o the_o hear_n of_o his_o ear_n these_o word_n need_v no_o commentary_n for_o the_o jew_n refer_v they_o constant_o to_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o plain_o import_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o great_a prophet_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o character_n which_o be_v there_o give_v to_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v to_o rest_v on_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o same_o which_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v attribute_v to_o the_o prophet_n and_o may_v easy_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n especial_o of_o david_n and_o solomon_n and_o much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o passage_n isai_n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o have_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o truth_n he_o shall_v not_o fail_v nor_o be_v discourage_v till_o he_o have_v set_v judgement_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n thus_o say_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o that_o create_v the_o heaven_n and_o stretch_v they_o out_o he_o that_o spread_v forth_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o which_o come_v out_o of_o it_o he_o that_o give_v breath_n to_o the_o people_n upon_o it_o and_o spirit_n to_o they_o that_o walk_v therein_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thou_o and_o will_v keep_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n for_o a_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o open_v the_o blind_a eye_n to_o bring_v out_o the_o prisoner_n from_o the_o prison_n and_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n out_o of_o the_o prison_n house_n in_o which_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n particular_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o jew_n apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n 1._o that_o god_n propose_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o bestow_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o his_o love_n and_o the_o choice_n he_o have_v make_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o as_o rule_n for_o reform_v the_o country_n and_o propound_v god_n covenant_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o clear_o suppose_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o such_o great_a undertake_n 3._o that_o contrary_a to_o the_o thunder_a character_n which_o distinguish_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v as_o so_o many_o public_a censor_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o speak_v with_o all_o meekness_n and_o sweetness_n to_o the_o nation_n which_o shall_v receive_v his_o preach_v one_o see_v we_o that_o isaiah_n repeat_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o the_o lord_n have_v anoint_v i_o to_o preach_v good_a tiding_n unto_o the_o meek_a he_o have_v send_v i_o to_o bind-up_a the_o break_a heart_a to_o proclaim_v liberty_n to_o the_o captive_n and_o the_o open_n of_o the_o prison_n to_o they_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o proclaim_v the_o acceptable_a year_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o day_n of_o vengeance_n of_o our_o god_n to_o comfort_v all_o that_o mourn_v to_o appoint_v unto_o they_o that_o mourn_v in_o zion_n to_o give_v unto_o they_o beauty_n for_o ash_n the_o oil_n of_o joy_n for_o mourn_v the_o garment_n of_o praise_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o heaviness_n that_o they_o may_v be_v call_v tree_n of_o righteousness_n the_o plant_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o may_v be_v glorify_v and_o they_o shall_v build_v the_o old_a waste_v they_o shall_v raise_v up_o the_o former_a desolation_n and_o they_o shall_v repair_v the_o waste_a city_n the_o desolation_n of_o many_o generation_n and_o stranger_n shall_v stand_v and_o feed_v your_o flock_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o alien_n shall_v be_v your_o plowman_n and_o your_o vine_n dresser_n but_o you_o shall_v be_v name_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o lord_n man_n shall_v call_v you_o the_o minister_n of_o our_o god_n you_o shall_v eat_v the_o riches_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o their_o glory_n shall_v you_o boast_v yourselves_o for_o your_o shame_n you_o shall_v have_v double_a and_o for_o confusion_n they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o their_o portion_n therefore_o in_o their_o land_n they_o shall_v possess_v the_o double_a everlasting_a joy_n shall_v be_v upon_o they_o in_o short_a he_o represent_v in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a oracle_n the_o gentile_n as_o a_o people_n be_v in_o darkness_n and_o in_o the_o misery_n of_o a_o prison_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o infer_v first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n how_o vile_a and_o abject_a soever_o that_o character_n may_v appear_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o it_o be_v where_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n second_o that_o he_o be_v to_o discharge_v these_o function_n during_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v his_o chief_a employment_n here_o upon_o earth_n david_n have_v before_o signify_v psalm_n xxii_o verse_n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o declare_v the_o name_n of_o god_n unto_o his_o brethren_n viz._n the_o jew_n by_o exercise_v his_o prophetical_a function_n in_o judea_n but_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v something_o more_o when_o he_o seem_v to_o point_v out_o galilee_n as_o the_o place_n where_o this_o sacred_a doctor_n be_v chief_o to_o fix_v his_o abode_n this_o be_v in_o effect_n insinuate_v when_o god_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v to_o begin_v his_o ministerial_a function_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o naphtali_n and_o zebulon_n isai_n ix_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o and_o 3._o nevertheless_o the_o dimness_n shall_v not_o be_v such_o as_o be_v in_o her_o vexation_n when_o at_o the_o first_o he_o light_o afflict_v the_o land_n of_o zebulon_n and_o the_o land_n of_o naphtali_n and_o afterward_o do_v more_o grievous_o afflict_v she_o by_o the_o way_n of_o the_o sea_n beyond_o jordan_n in_o galilee_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o people_n that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n have_v see_v a_o great_a light_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o land_n
re-establishment_n in_o the_o say_a country_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3600._o here_o we_o read_v the_o conquest_n of_o palestina_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o joshua_n how_o it_o be_v divide_v among_o the_o tribe_n after_o they_o have_v destroy_v drive_v out_o or_o subdue_v the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o how_o often_o they_o be_v bring_v into_o bondage_n by_o the_o border_a nation_n who_o rise_n and_o pretension_n moses_n set_v down_o here_o we_o have_v record_v the_o several_a name_n and_o action_n of_o the_o judge_n which_o god_n from_o time_n to_o time_n raise_v to_o the_o israelite_n to_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o first_o estate_n here_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o kingly_a government_n among_o they_o which_o happen_v about_o the_o year_n 2909_o as_o likewise_o of_o the_o division_n of_o this_o people_n into_o two_o kingdom_n which_o for_o three_o age_n together_o be_v most_o opposite_a in_o their_o interest_n and_o make_v great_a war_n against_o each_o other_o as_o well_o as_o against_o their_o neighbour_a state_n we_o find_v here_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o the_o most_o puissant_a of_o these_o two_o state_n viz._n that_o of_o israel_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3283_o and_o after_o that_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o of_o judah_n by_o nebuchadnezar_n king_n of_o the_o chaldean_n anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3283._o and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n restoration_n by_o cyrus_n king_n of_o persia_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n under_o his_o successor_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a be_v that_o in_o the_o remain_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v several_a historical_a relation_n relate_v to_o both_o kingdom_n with_o several_a prophecy_n relate_v to_o their_o decay_n and_o restoration_n as_o likewise_o many_o discourse_n of_o morality_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o all_o these_o relation_n and_o prophecy_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o with_o those_o circumstance_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a reference_n to_o what_o the_o other_o book_n recite_v to_o we_o and_o a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n and_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o find_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o prophecy_n relation_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o we_o find_v there_o concern_v their_o government_n or_o religion_n the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n contain_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n together_o with_o some_o dispute_n with_o the_o jew_n who_o refuse_v to_o own_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n promise_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o last_o prophecy_n declare_v what_o in_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v to_o happen_v both_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n until_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n these_o book_n take_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n write_n every_o where_n for_o grant_v as_o also_o of_o all_o the_o other_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n both_o historical_a prophetical_a and_o moral_a these_o four_o particular_n do_v in_o a_o manner_n give_v we_o a_o entire_a idea_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o we_o shall_v scarce_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o aught_o else_o to_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o write_n if_o we_o consider_v those_o undisputable_a matter_n of_o fact_n i_o be_o now_o to_o speak_v of_o and_o will_v but_o make_v some_o very_a natural_a reflection_n upon_o they_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n notwithstanding_o their_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a sect_n and_o party_n present_o after_o our_o saviour_n time_n have_v and_o do_v still_o in_o all_o place_n every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o their_o respective_a language_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o spurious_a write_n shall_v have_v be_v slip_v in_o among_o they_o the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n have_v have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n among_o they_o in_o greek_a these_o 1600._o year_n so_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o in_o that_o language_n 300._o year_n before_o be_v translate_v by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o ptolomy_n king_n of_o egypt_n whither_o a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v carry_v after_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a have_v conquer_v the_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v overthrow_v the_o empire_n of_o persia_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o subjection_n the_o three_o be_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n they_o that_o follow_v the_o party_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o form_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n have_v only_o have_v the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o their_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n against_o the_o house_n of_o david_n they_o have_v most_o religious_o preserve_v the_o say_v book_n from_o anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3030._o in_o which_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n happen_v even_o until_o this_o day_n the_o four_o and_o last_o be_v that_o as_o the_o jew_n every_o where_o at_o this_o day_n read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n each_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v also_o observe_v by_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o christian_n read_v they_o every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o continue_v to_o read_v they_o for_o a_o long_a series_n of_o age_n as_o esteem_v it_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o sabbath_n beside_o which_o they_o also_o solemn_o read_v they_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o obedience_n to_o a_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o say_v that_o the_o sole_a consideration_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n first_o then_o i_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o maintain_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o so_o many_o language_n cite_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o author_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o various_a dispute_n from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o soon_o after_o shall_v be_v supposititious_a as_o to_o aver_v that_o the_o book_n of_o justinian_n or_o mahomet_n alcoran_n have_v be_v false_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n under_o their_o name_n i_o speak_v now_o only_o of_o the_o book_n themselves_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n they_o contain_v second_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v forge_v since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n three_o it_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a to_o suppose_v they_o contrive_v since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o judah_n because_o we_o find_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o the_o samaritan_n who_o have_v preserve_v they_o ever_o since_o their_o revolt_n without_o any_o other_o change_n but_o what_o be_v incident_a to_o all_o manuscript_n that_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o samaritan_n have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o effect_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n it_o can_v in_o the_o least_o shake_v the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o those_o book_n for_o first_o the_o three_o other_o tribe_n have_v they_o and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o great_a care_n esteem_v they_o of_o divine_a authority_n second_o there_o be_v also_o reason_n of_o state_n which_o make_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n not_o to_o regard_v the_o division_n make_v by_o joshuah_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o priesthood_n which_o reason_n of_o state_n hereafter_o mention_v where_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o ten_o tribe_n will_v not_o allow_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v before_o their_o revolt_n as_o those_o of_o samuel_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n which_o they_o do_v to_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n most_o of_o the_o other_o we_o know_v be_v pen_v since_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n and_o so_o do_v more_o particular_o respect_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o some_o they_o after_o the_o
own_o tribe_n at_o their_o go_v forth_o out_o of_o egypt_n but_o that_o god_n do_v also_o engage_v every_o man_n to_o know_v his_o tribe_n exact_o nay_o he_o compel_v they_o all_o in_o a_o manner_n to_o study_v their_o own_o pedigree_n that_o every_o one_o may_v claim_v and_o reap_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o law_n of_o jubilee_n which_o have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o entail_v in_o respect_n of_o every_o family_n as_o i_o be_o now_o go_v to_o show_v there_o be_v three_o thing_n observable_a in_o that_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v by_o a_o superabundant_a precaution_n that_o god_n will_v engage_v the_o tribe_n to_o continue_v distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o and_o to_o preserve_v and_o study_v their_o several_a pedigree_n namely_o he_o intend_v by_o that_o mean_n to_o prevent_v the_o objection_n which_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v make_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o tribe_n and_o a_o family_n in_o that_o tribe_n to_o continue_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o so_o many_o age_n for_o certain_o if_o all_o the_o tribe_n in_o that_o nation_n and_o all_o the_o family_n in_o every_o tribe_n do_v continue_v by_o god_n providence_n so_o long_o distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o he_o can_v preserve_v the_o single_a tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o family_n of_o the_o messiah_n distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o tribe_n and_o family_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o second_o remark_n be_v that_o it_o be_v for_o this_o distinction_n sake_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v fill_v with_o genealogical_a table_n to_o what_o purpose_n else_o have_v book_n of_o that_o importance_n and_o which_o treat_v of_o such_o great_a subject_n be_v fill_v with_o genealogy_n moses_n book_n be_v full_a of_o they_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chronicle_n resume_v those_o genealogy_n with_o all_o possible_a exactness_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o considerable_a in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n than_o the_o genealogy_n of_o david_n and_o his_o family_n the_o three_o remark_n be_v that_o if_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o priest_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v better_o know_v than_o that_o of_o other_o family_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o be_v the_o public_a minister_n of_o religion_n which_o seem_v to_o give_v the_o advantage_n of_o certainty_n of_o distinction_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n above_o that_o of_o judah_n in_o that_o particular_a yet_o we_o find_v that_o all_o the_o family_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n take_v much_o the_o same_o care_n to_o preserve_v their_o own_o genealogy_n so_o that_o if_o after_o the_o babylonian_a captivity_n some_o particular_a person_n be_v exclude_v from_o the_o priestly_a order_n to_o which_o they_o pretend_v because_o they_o can_v not_o make_v out_o their_o pedigree_n so_o likewise_o all_o be_v throw_v out_o from_o the_o other_o tribe_n that_o can_v not_o justify_v their_o lineal_a descent_n nay_o there_o be_v something_o further_o deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o as_o be_v very_o singular_a in_o that_o of_o judah_n and_o one_o ought_v here_o to_o consider_v a_o mystery_n of_o god_n providence_n and_o admire_v the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o conduct_n in_o pursue_v the_o design_n which_o moses_n first_o set_v down_o and_o upon_o which_o one_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a jewish_a state_n be_v form_v for_o when_o god_n resolve_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v descend_v from_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n and_o the_o house_n of_o david_n he_o make_v it_o more_o particular_o know_v and_o distinguish_v than_o any_o other_o family_n in_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n he_o set_v david_n upon_o the_o throne_n every_o one_o know_v that_o in_o every_o kingdom_n the_o genealogy_n of_o a_o king_n and_o of_o the_o royal_a family_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o public_o know_v now_o if_o the_o blood_n royal_a alone_o be_v always_o distinguish_v how_o much_o more_o must_v it_o be_v so_o when_o that_o supreme_a dignity_n be_v confer_v upon_o such_o a_o family_n as_o god_n have_v particular_o choose_v to_o have_v the_o messiah_n who_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o it_o from_o hence_o i_o will_v bold_o conclude_v that_o the_o only_a end_n for_o which_o god_n raise_v david_n family_n to_o the_o throne_n be_v because_o the_o messiah_n be_v real_o to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o that_o family_n reduce_v to_o a_o low_a and_o private_a condition_n which_o isaiah_n foretell_v say_v liii_o isa_n xi_o liii_o that_o a_o rod_n shall_v come_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n and_o a_o branch_n grow_v out_o of_o his_o root_n and_o in_o another_o place_n that_o he_o shall_v grow_v up_o as_o a_o root_n out_o of_o a_o dry_a ground_n which_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o character_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o to_o the_o low_a state_n of_o humiliation_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n be_v to_o appear_v in_o the_o world._n chap._n xvii_o a_o solution_n of_o some_o difficulty_n in_o these_o genealogy_n indeed_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o very_a natural_a objection_n to_o those_o who_o will_v dispute_v the_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v already_o make_v upon_o these_o genealogy_n but_o after_o all_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o what_o confirm_v the_o more_o the_o say_a reflection_n and_o we_o may_v say_v that_o the_o entire_a dispersion_n of_o the_o whole_a tribe_n of_o ephraim_n and_o of_o the_o other_o which_o adhere_v to_o it_o in_o jeroboam_n rebellion_n be_v a_o mystery_n of_o providence_n which_o challenge_v our_o admiration_n as_o much_o as_o the_o raise_n up_o that_o family_n to_o the_o throne_n out_o of_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v to_o apprehend_v this_o the_o better_a we_o need_v only_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o pretension_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n this_o ephraim_n be_v the_o young_a brother_n of_o manasseh_n but_o jacob_n have_v give_v he_o the_o birthright_n just_a as_o isaac_n before_o have_v give_v it_o to_o jacob_n though_o it_o do_v of_o right_o belong_v to_o the_o elder_a brother_n jacob_n have_v particular_o bless_v ephraim_n and_o even_o make_v it_o a_o form_n of_o blessing_n for_o after_o age_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n that_o there_o be_v one_o make_v for_o pharez_n jacob_n have_v give_v to_o joseph_n two_o portion_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o ephraim_n have_v the_o birthright_n before_o manasseh_n by_o god_n order_n it_o be_v then_o very_o natural_a for_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n as_o all_o tribe_n do_v apply_v to_o themselves_o the_o several_a privilege_n promise_v to_o their_o respective_a head_n to_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o have_v a_o particular_a right_n to_o god_n blessing_n and_o they_o think_v this_o right_n of_o they_o be_v plain_o make_v out_o as_o by_o joseph_n dream_n so_o especial_o by_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prediction_n which_o jacob_n give_v in_o favour_n of_o ephraim_n the_o word_n of_o which_o run_v so_o very_o high_a that_o after_o such_o a_o prejudice_n there_o may_v very_o well_o be_v a_o fair_a pretence_n for_o the_o hope_n which_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n have_v once_o to_o see_v a_o messiah_n come_v out_o of_o their_o tribe_n as_o those_o of_o judah_n expect_v one_o out_o of_o they_o if_o to_o all_o this_o we_o add_v that_o jeroboam_n rebellion_n be_v authorise_a by_o a_o prophetical_a inspiration_n and_o by_o a_o special_a sign_n of_o god_n approbation_n and_o that_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o desire_v to_o propose_v to_o his_o people_n the_o two_o calf_n which_o he_o set_v up_o in_o dan_n and_o bethel_n as_o symbol_n of_o the_o deity_n only_o to_o pursue_v the_o idea_n of_o pharaoh_n dream_n which_o joseph_n interpret_v the_o representation_n whereof_o do_v clear_o show_v both_o the_o greatness_n of_o joseph_n and_o the_o particular_a care_n of_o god_n providence_n over_o he_o gem._n talm._n in_o succa_n c._n 5._o in_o gem._n it_o be_v then_o natural_a to_o the_o man_n of_o ephraim_n to_o feed_v themselves_o with_o such_o hope_n as_o the_o jew_n teach_v we_o they_o do_v when_o even_o to_o this_o very_a day_n they_o speak_v of_o a_o messiah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n what_o do_v god_n then_o do_v to_o obviate_v these_o pretension_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n he_o disperse_v they_o together_o with_o the_o other_o nine_o tribe_n that_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o its_o king_n and_o so_o confound_v they_o with_o all_o those_o tribe_n which_o follow_v their_o fortune_n that_o though_o there_o shall_v be_v still_o some_o ephraimite_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o of_o they_o to_o justify_v his_o pedigree_n so_o clear_o as_o
the_o history_n down_o to_o cyrus_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o persia_n who_o give_v the_o jew_n their_o liberty_n again_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o what_o pass_v under_o his_o successor_n to_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n for_o almost_o eighty_o two_o year_n it_o be_v in_o this_o interval_n that_o the_o deliverance_n happen_v which_o the_o jew_n receive_v under_o esther_n wife_n to_o one_o of_o the_o most_o powerful_a king_n of_o persia_n the_o memory_n of_o which_o the_o jew_n celebrate_v every_o year_n in_o all_o place_n the_o thirteen_o and_o fourteen_o day_n of_o the_o month_n adar_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o february_n by_o virtue_n of_o esther_n law._n after_o these_o general_a remark_n with_o which_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o at_o present_a i_o ought_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o take_v away_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n from_o those_o proof_n which_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o history_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v neglect_v by_o a_o people_n who_o in_o their_o religious_a and_o civil_a conduct_n be_v absolute_o regulate_v by_o those_o very_a law_n the_o second_o be_v that_o all_o the_o action_n relate_v in_o this_o history_n have_v pass_v altogether_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o people_n the_o extent_n of_o who_o country_n be_v not_o twenty_o league_n in_o breadth_n nor_o eighty_o in_o length_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o people_n have_v observe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n and_o of_o the_o first_o year_n or_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o law_n you_o have_v in_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o leviticus_n from_o their_o first_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o country_n forty_o seven_o year_n after_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n this_o observation_n have_v serve_v for_o a_o double_a cycle_n to_o fix_v the_o remembrance_n of_o those_o action_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o so_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o hezekiah_n esai_n xxxvii_o 30._o and_o two_o king_n xix_o 29._o may_v easy_o be_v understand_v that_o although_o sennacherib_n invasion_n will_v in_o all_o probability_n lie_v waste_v all_o judea_n yet_o they_o may_v eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o quietness_n the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o the_o next_o year_n they_o shall_v eat_v the_o fruit_n that_o will_v grow_v up_o of_o themselves_o without_o tillage_n and_o that_o on_o the_o sixteenth_o year_n they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o till_o the_o ground_n as_o former_o which_o show_v without_o any_o force_n upon_o the_o word_n that_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v the_o sabbathical_a year_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v forbid_v to_o cultivate_v the_o ground_n the_o four_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v in_o effect_n by_o the_o series_n of_o this_o whole_a story_n that_o thing_n be_v write_v so_o as_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n which_o be_v extant_a among_o the_o people_n this_o be_v manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v how_o often_o the_o sacred_a penman_n refer_v we_o to_o the_o history_n and_o annal_n of_o those_o king_n of_o who_o they_o speak_v and_o of_o who_o they_o only_o quote_v the_o principal_a story_n in_o short_a in_o pursue_v their_o design_n which_o be_v entire_o to_o bring_v a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o israelite_n under_o one_o view_n let_v we_o go_v on_o to_o other_o proof_n to_o establish_v this_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n as_o there_o be_v but_o few_o very_a ancient_a writer_n of_o profane_a history_n and_o as_o we_o have_v but_o small_a fragment_n of_o they_o disperse_v here_o and_o there_o preserve_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o care_n of_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n and_o of_o eusebius_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praeparatione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la so_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v surprise_v if_o but_o few_o of_o the_o more_o illustrious_a passage_n and_o event_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o pagan_a writer_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v otherwise_o engage_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n to_o keep_v close_o to_o that_o country_n where_o it_o be_v establish_v this_o make_v their_o neighbour_n have_v less_o knowledge_n of_o their_o history_n however_o there_o be_v enough_o leave_v to_o show_v with_o how_o great_a fidelity_n and_o exactness_n the_o sacred_a writer_n pen_v the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n in_o short_a we_o may_v find_v among_o the_o heathen_a historian_n and_o poet_n who_o be_v their_o first_o historian_n several_a relation_n which_o show_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v well_o enough_o know_v to_o they_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o they_o be_v relate_v in_o those_o historical_a book_n which_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n the_o memory_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o conquest_n be_v famous_a among_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v ancient_a monument_n extant_a which_o prove_v that_o the_o carthaginian_n be_v a_o colony_n of_o the_o tyrian_n who_o escape_v from_o joshua_n as_o also_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o leptis_n in_o africa_n come_v original_o from_o the_o zidonian_o who_o forsake_v their_o country_n jugurthino_n procop._n van_n dalicorum_fw-la lib._n ii_o c._n 10._o polybius_n frag._n cxiv_o sallust_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jugurthino_n because_o of_o the_o misery_n which_o afflict_v it_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o phoenician_n hercules_n arise_v from_o the_o history_n of_o joshua_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o giant_n and_o the_o famous_a typhon_n owe_v their_o original_a to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o og_n the_o king_n of_o bashan_n and_o of_o the_o anakim_v who_o be_v call_v giant_n the_o tempest_n of_o hail_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o eleven_o of_o joshua_n be_v transform_v by_o the_o poet_n into_o a_o tempest_n of_o stone_n with_o which_o as_o they_o say_v jupiter_n overwhelm_v the_o enemy_n of_o hercules_n in_o arim_n which_o be_v exact_o the_o country_n where_o joshua_n fight_v with_o the_o child_n of_o anak_n one_o find_v the_o memorial_n of_o the_o action_n of_o gideon_n preserve_v by_o sanchoniathon_n a_o tyrian_a writer_n who_o live_v soon_o after_o he_o and_o who_o antiquity_n be_v attest_v by_o porphyry_n one_o find_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o jephtha_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n after_o his_o victory_n over_o the_o ammonite_n the_o original_a of_o the_o sacrifice_a of_o iphigenia_n 3._o variae_fw-la historiae_fw-la lib._n v._o cap._n 3._o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o heathen_n as_o aelian_a judicious_o observe_v to_o attribute_v to_o their_o late_a hero_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o action_n of_o those_o who_o live_v long_o before_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o a_o feast_n which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o heathen_a roman_n in_o april_n the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a harvest_n iu._n ovid._n fastorum_fw-la lib._n iu._n in_o which_o they_o let_v loose_a fox_n with_o torch_n fasten_v to_o their_o tail_n which_o certain_o come_v from_o the_o story_n of_o samson_n and_o be_v bring_v into_o italy_n by_o the_o phoenician_n one_o find_v in_o the_o same_o history_n of_o samson_n and_o dalilah_n i._n ovid._n metam_fw-la lib._n viii_o fab._n i._n the_o original_a of_o the_o story_n of_o nisus_n and_o his_o daughter_n who_o cut_v off_o those_o fatal_a hair_n upon_o which_o the_o victory_n depend_v nicolaus_n damascenus_n have_v preserve_v the_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o david_n obtain_v over_o the_o syrian_n of_o zoba_n 6._o joseph_n antie_n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o upon_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o euphrates_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n there_o be_v monument_n extant_a which_o describe_v the_o part_n which_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n have_v in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n almost_o the_o same_o with_o the_o account_n which_o the_o sacred_a author_n give_v we_o of_o his_o part_n in_o the_o erection_n of_o that_o great_a work._n one_o find_v in_o herodotus_n a_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o sesostris_n king_n of_o egypt_n 6._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n one_o find_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n relate_v by_o nicholaus_fw-la damascenus_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o the_o king_n of_o