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 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shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_o
which_o we_o most_o desire_v a_o particular_a account_n be_v there_o describe_v in_o a_o very_a short_a and_o concise_a manner_n the_o history_n of_o 1656_o year_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o eight_o chapter_n there_o be_v no_o action_n describe_v therein_o with_o more_o circumstance_n than_o only_o some_o few_o of_o the_o most_o important_a the_o remembrance_n whereof_o be_v still_o fresh_a among_o they_o the_o history_n of_o lamech_n polygamy_n and_o the_o murder_n of_o which_o he_o be_v guilty_a be_v there_o set_v down_o so_o compendious_o that_o it_o be_v very_o obscure_a second_o one_o see_v that_o he_o speak_v more_o copious_o of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v transact_v near_o his_o time_n he_o explain_v and_o mention_n all_o the_o particular_n and_o circumstance_n thereof_o he_o speak_v so_o short_o of_o melchisedeck_v that_o it_o be_v doubt_v to_o this_o day_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o the_o patriarch_n sem_fw-mi or_o some_o other_o faithful_a worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n whereas_o he_o set_v down_o at_o length_n all_o the_o particular_n of_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n of_o isaac_n and_o of_o jacob_n who_o last_o oracle_n which_o he_o speak_v on_o his_o deathbed_n he_o careful_o record_v three_o he_o describe_v with_o the_o same_o exactness_n all_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o edomite_n their_o several_a tribe_n and_o the_o name_n of_o their_o head_n and_o captain_n etc._n etc._n as_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o those_o of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o indeed_o he_o can_v easy_o do_v have_v live_v forty_o year_n of_o his_o life_n among_o those_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v other_o forty_o year_n among_o the_o israelite_n those_o who_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n must_v of_o necessity_n suppose_v first_o that_o tradition_n be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o any_o illustrious_a action_n second_o that_o in_o moses_n time_n there_o be_v none_o who_o know_v any_o particular_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n though_o we_o see_v plain_o both_o by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fact_n themselves_o in_o which_o all_o nation_n be_v concern_v and_o by_o moses_n his_o description_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v sufficient_o instruct_v in_o they_o already_o three_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v set_v down_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o tradition_n be_v infallible_o preserve_v so_o careful_o to_o no_o purpose_n though_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n necessary_a for_o that_o effect_n four_o they_o must_v suppose_v that_o moses_n whilst_o he_o sojourn_v in_o the_o land_n of_o midian_a hear_v nothing_o either_o of_o their_o original_a and_o pedigree_n nor_o yet_o of_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n who_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n although_o all_o these_o nation_n value_v themselves_o upon_o their_o be_v descend_v from_o that_o patriarch_n and_o keep_v up_o their_o several_a pedigree_n by_o which_o they_o can_v trace_v their_o original_a with_o the_o same_o care_n as_o the_o israelite_n do_v they_o because_o they_o have_v the_o same_o pretension_n that_o the_o israelite_n have_v last_o we_o must_v absolute_o take_v away_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n record_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n these_o oracle_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n for_o his_o posterity_n and_o threaten_v the_o canaanite_n with_o several_a curse_n jacob_n by_o his_o will_n bequeath_v sichem_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o joseph_n he_o express_o mark_v out_o the_o country_n which_o one_o of_o the_o tribe_n be_v to_o possess_v he_o give_v a_o description_n of_o the_o character_n and_o rank_n of_o every_o tribe_n the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n though_o never_o so_o exact_a and_o admirable_a be_v of_o no_o manner_n of_o consequence_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o these_o particular_a prediction_n be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o abraham_n family_n whereas_o their_o accomplishment_n which_o he_o careful_o describe_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v the_o most_o solid_a demonstration_n which_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o those_o revelation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o moses_n his_o other_o book_n chap._n xix_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n what_o i_o have_v already_o represent_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o moses_n write_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v by_o all_o the_o world._n and_o i_o know_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v object_v with_o any_o probability_n but_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n concern_v the_o egyptian_a and_o chaldean_a history_n and_o in_o the_o modern_a one_o concern_v that_o of_o china_n we_o must_v then_o examine_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o with_o attention_n that_o we_o may_v leave_v no_o difficulty_n in_o so_o important_a a_o subject_n all_o that_o the_o atheist_n can_v object_v against_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o epocha_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o he_o have_v fix_v it_o be_v what_o diodorus_n siculus_n relate_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a there_o be_v some_o egyptian_n that_o reckon_v up_o three_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o sun_n to_o alexander_n time_n and_o that_o those_o who_o reckon_v least_o yet_o reckon_v somewhat_o more_o than_o ten_o thousand_o year_n which_o account_n exceed_v the_o antiquity_n which_o moses_n ascribe_v to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n by_o many_o age_n where_o he_o represent_v the_o creation_n as_o a_o fact_n which_o happen_v some_o few_o year_n more_o than_o two_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o before_o he_o write_v that_o book_n how_o then_o do_v moses_n write_v of_o thing_n universal_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o world_n and_o they_o may_v here_o further_o aggravate_v what_o the_o same_o diodorus_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v not_o write_v like_o that_o of_o the_o greek_n among_o who_o those_o who_o come_v first_o write_v their_o own_o history_n every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o private_a humour_n which_o cause_v that_o great_a variety_n among_o their_o historian_n whereas_o among_o the_o egyptian_n none_o write_v but_o by_o public_a authority_n the_o priest_n alone_o have_v that_o particular_a employment_n reserve_v for_o they_o to_o write_v their_o history_n in_o their_o several_a generation_n this_o objection_n be_v easy_o confute_v in_o two_o word_n in_o short_a how_o can_v the_o egyptian_n have_v always_o have_v man_n to_o write_v their_o history_n by_o public_a authority_n in_o all_o their_o succeed_a generation_n see_v there_o be_v as_o diodorus_n observe_v such_o a_o strange_a and_o vast_a division_n among_o themselves_o if_o there_o be_v but_o two_o or_o three_o age_n difference_n more_o or_o less_o no_o body_n will_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o material_a exception_n against_o the_o history_n of_o such_o a_o long_a series_n of_o time_n but_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o those_o man_n who_o differ_v no_o less_o than_o thirteen_o thousand_o year_n in_o their_o account_n of_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o same_o interval_n of_o time_n have_v yet_o certain_a history_n upon_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v ground_v this_o show_v sufficient_o that_o as_o varro_n the_o great_a scholar_n the_o roman_n ever_o have_v have_v divide_v antiquity_n into_o fabulous_a and_o historical_a which_o he_o begin_v from_o the_o first_o olympiad_n leave_v all_o which_o go_v before_o to_o the_o fabulous_a part_n so_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n make_v the_o same_o distinction_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o egypt_n but_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v some_o thing_n more_o and_o to_o consider_v this_o egyptian_a history_n with_o a_o little_a more_o attention_n out_o of_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v draw_v good_a argument_n to_o confute_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o passage_n in_o it_o oppose_v to_o moses_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o chief_a transaction_n record_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o present_a take_v notice_n that_o although_o the_o egyptian_n about_o their_o latter_a time_n have_v maintain_v that_o the_o element_n be_v eternal_a yet_o they_o have_v sufficient_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n see_v they_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o thing_n before_o their_o thirty_o dynasty_n which_o in_o all_o do_v at_o the_o most_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o 36525_o year_n neither_o do_v i_o think_v necessary_a to_o mention_v here_o that_o they_o have_v sufficient_o
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
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
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
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
to_o show_v that_o all_o their_o objection_n do_v in_o effect_n serve_v for_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o make_v a_o more_o lively_a impression_n of_o this_o argument_n take_v from_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o set_v forth_o in_o a_o full_a and_o clear_a light_n chap._n v._n that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o can_v with_o reason_n contest_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o tradition_n which_o have_v those_o character_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o relation_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v question_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v whether_o moses_n the_o great_a captain_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o founder_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v solid_o to_o evince_v though_o it_o seem_v that_o we_o may_v dispense_v with_o this_o trouble_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a event_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v general_o believe_v by_o other_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o these_o matter_n have_v give_v occasion_n to_o most_o of_o their_o fable_n viz._n to_o that_o of_o the_o chaos_n to_o that_o of_o the_o marriage_n of_o peleus_n and_o thetis_n for_o the_o form_n of_o man_n to_o that_o of_o prometheus_n to_o that_o of_o jupiter_n continue_a laughter_n for_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n of_o his_o life_n which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n know_v among_o the_o heathen_n to_o that_o of_o the_o golden_a age_n and_o of_o the_o deluge_n to_o the_o name_n of_o deucalion_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o janus_n to_o that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o saturn_n son_n to_o the_o name_n of_o jupiter_n hammon_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o titan_n and_o of_o the_o change_n of_o woman_n into_o statue_n of_o stone_n to_o the_o story_n of_o the_o incest_n the_o god_n commit_v with_o their_o daughter_n to_o that_o of_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o world_n by_o phaeton_n and_o to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o fiction_n which_o can_v be_v otherwise_o explain_v as_o the_o learned_a have_v show_v at_o large_a whosoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n whether_o moses_n or_o another_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v exact_o inform_v of_o the_o matter_n he_o relate_v and_o that_o he_o live_v soon_o after_o joseph_n first_o then_o i_o say_v that_o it_o appear_v he_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o those_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o treat_v he_o set_v down_o the_o name_n of_o the_o head_n or_o father_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o do_v it_o so_o that_o what_o he_o say_v do_v very_o well_o agree_v with_o what_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n have_v leave_v we_o concern_v that_o matter_n he_o speak_v of_o these_o nation_n of_o the_o country_n they_o possess_v and_o their_o king_n as_o of_o thing_n he_o be_v perfect_o inform_v of_o he_o very_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o original_a of_o these_o several_a nation_n and_o the_o same_o be_v at_o that_o time_n common_o know_v no_o historian_n can_v represent_v they_o otherwise_o than_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o laughter_n of_o all_o by_o endeavour_v to_o mix_v fable_n with_o relation_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o second_o place_n i_o say_v that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o a_o man_n that_o live_v soon_o after_o joseph_n he_o speak_v very_o exact_o of_o what_o joseph_n do_v in_o his_o place_n of_o chief_a minister_n to_o pharaoh_n in_o particular_a he_o set_v down_o the_o first_o original_a of_o the_o five_o penny_n which_o the_o egyptian_n so_o many_o age_n after_o continue_v to_o pay_v to_o their_o king_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o not_o egyptian_a can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o last_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o this_o book_n serve_v for_o a_o introduction_n to_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n which_o have_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o there_o and_o do_v throughout_o allude_v and_o refer_v to_o the_o several_a passage_n of_o it_o and_o that_o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n and_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o other_o succeed_a matter_n of_o fact_n until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o egypt_n when_o joseph_n be_v chief_a favourite_n and_o minister_n of_o pharaoh_n but_o we_o have_v yet_o a_o more_o easy_a way_n to_o make_v out_o that_o moses_n who_o history_n be_v contain_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n for_o first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v acknowledge_v moses_n for_o the_o most_o ancient_a lawgiver_n for_o this_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o plato_n polemus_n artapanus_n pythagoras_n theopompus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o place_v moses_n in_o the_o front_n of_o six_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a law_n giver_n thus_o moses_n sauchnis_n sesonchosis_n bachoris_n amasis_n and_o darius_n father_n of_o xerxes_n but_o further_a if_o when_o the_o lacedaemonian_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o law_n of_o their_o lawgiver_n lycurgus_n and_o the_o athenian_n of_o those_o of_o their_o solon_n we_o think_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o natural_o every_o nation_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o faithful_a depositary_a of_o the_o law_n of_o he_o who_o first_o found_v their_o government_n yea_o if_o we_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o these_o relation_n though_o there_o be_v no_o people_n at_o this_o day_n who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o lycurgus_n or_o solon_n can_v any_o valuable_a reason_n be_v imagine_v for_o we_o to_o doubt_v whether_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n when_o a_o entire_a nation_n have_v constant_o aver_v that_o he_o do_v so_o i_o say_v when_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o continue_v at_o this_o day_n do_v in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o world_n equal_o and_o with_o one_o consent_n maintain_v that_o they_o receive_v this_o book_n from_o he_o together_o with_o the_o law_n and_o worship_n therein_o contain_v nay_o when_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o many_o of_o they_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n i_o omit_v now_o to_o mention_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o descend_v of_o abraham_n and_o do_v not_o observe_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n yet_o do_v not_o cease_v high_o to_o defend_v this_o truth_n throughout_o the_o world_n the_o gospel_n in_o their_o sense_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o literal_a accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o head_n of_o the_o serpent_n i_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o these_o my_o reflection_n with_o how_o much_o justice_n they_o assent_v to_o this_o truth_n but_o at_o present_a i_o tie_v myself_o only_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o which_o confirm_v the_o authority_n thereof_o chap._n vi_o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v never_o have_v do_v shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o set_v down_o all_o the_o observation_n which_o may_v be_v make_v incompare_v this_o book_n of_o genesis_n with_o other_o history_n common_o know_v to_o the_o world_n and_o who_o faithfulness_n be_v unquestionable_a without_o enter_v upon_o this_o comparison_n we_o may_v bold_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o history_n in_o the_o world_n who_o author_n we_o can_v be_v so_o sure_a of_o as_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o penman_n of_o genesis_n but_o i_o go_v further_o and_o assert_v that_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o testimony_n they_o give_v to_o this_o truth_n which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o two_o remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o their_o observation_n both_o civil_a and_o religious_a be_v at_o this_o day_n found_v upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o those_o which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n as_o for_o instance_n they_o compute_v the_o beginning_n of_o their_o day_n from_o the_o precede_a evening_n they_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n they_o observe_v circumcision_n they_o abstain_v from_o eat_v the_o muscle_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hollow_a of_o the_o thigh_n etc._n etc._n the_o observation_n of_o which_o law_n be_v indeed_o
prescribe_v to_o they_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o occasion_n and_o ground_n of_o they_o all_o be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o genesis_n to_o which_o all_o these_o law_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n take_v for_o grant_v that_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o his_o ancestor_n have_v always_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n and_o circumcision_n and_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n order_v the_o same_o to_o be_v constant_o read_v in_o every_o family_n to_o which_o the_o sabbath_n day_n be_v more_o peculiar_o appropriate_v and_o the_o whole_a to_o be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n as_o we_o know_v the_o jew_n practice_n be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o first_o of_o which_o injunction_n they_o practise_v still_o in_o all_o place_n and_o have_v leave_v off_o the_o other_o only_o because_o they_o can_v do_v it_o now_o they_o be_v out_o of_o their_o own_o land_n i_o say_v suppose_v all_o this_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o other_o than_o moses_n can_v have_v make_v this_o book_n to_o be_v receive_v the_o forgery_n at_o the_o beginning_n will_v have_v be_v palpable_a even_o to_o child_n themselves_o as_o for_o example_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o solomon_n have_v form_v a_o design_n of_o deceive_v the_o people_n in_o publish_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o a_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v so_o far_o impose_v on_o his_o people_n as_o to_o make_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o say_a book_n all_o at_o once_o as_o that_o which_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o their_o family_n every_o seven_o day_n and_o year_n and_o that_o for_o 600_o year_n before_o his_o time_n and_o therefore_o as_o a_o book_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o in_o all_o their_o family_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o by_o they_o before_o that_o time_n if_o a_o impostor_n can_v create_v a_o belief_n in_o other_o that_o he_o have_v some_o secret_a communication_n with_o the_o deity_n those_o who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v by_o he_o will_v easy_o submit_v themselves_o to_o his_o law_n but_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o whole_a people_n shall_v all_o at_o once_o forget_v whatsoever_o they_o have_v learn_v or_o hear_v of_o their_o parent_n and_o forefather_n and_o instead_o thereof_o admit_v of_o tale_n forge_v at_o pleasure_n some_o nation_n have_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a to_o derive_v themselves_o from_o a_o fabulous_a original_a but_o they_o never_o fall_v into_o such_o mistake_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v beside_o we_o know_v that_o these_o fabulous_a original_n never_o make_v so_o lively_a a_o impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o whole_a nation_n especial_o the_o learned_a among_o they_o as_o general_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o we_o rather_o find_v that_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o truth_n by_o show_v something_o else_o be_v hint_v thereby_o as_o we_o may_v see_v by_o the_o explication_n the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v give_v we_o of_o all_o their_o fable_n and_o utter_o reject_v those_o which_o they_o can_v not_o reconcile_v to_o good_a sense_n but_o in_o this_o case_n we_o find_v a_o whole_a nation_n to_o this_o very_a day_n maintain_v all_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o genesis_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o the_o creation_n as_o of_o matter_n who_o memorial_n they_o have_v constant_o celebrate_v every_o seven_o day_n since_o the_o time_n they_o first_o happen_v last_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o book_n be_v constant_o use_v to_o be_v read_v among_o the_o jew_n especial_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n and_o that_o under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n for_o instance_n since_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o since_o that_o of_o david_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v deny_v but_o this_o constant_a read_n be_v observe_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a book_n now_o if_o this_o law_n have_v always_o be_v in_o this_o book_n from_o the_o first_o appear_v of_o it_o which_o can_v be_v question_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o forge_v and_o foist_v in_o this_o book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n i_o say_v this_o book_n which_o beside_o all_o this_o contain_v such_o extraordinary_a matter_n and_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o their_o religion_n i_o will_v not_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n to_o make_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o man_n appear_v who_o imagine_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o four_o that_o follow_v it_o may_v have_v be_v forge_v by_o other_o under_o moses_n his_o name_n yet_o i_o think_v i_o ought_v before_o i_o proceed_v further_o to_o remove_v a_o seem_a difficulty_n which_o be_v often_o allege_v by_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n for_o say_v they_o it_o can_v be_v that_o these_o book_n be_v ever_o read_v with_o that_o care_n and_o constancy_n we_o speak_v of_o because_o a_o time_n can_v be_v point_v at_o wherein_o the_o say_a book_n be_v whole_o unknown_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o indeed_o the_o history_n plain_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v find_v again_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o josias_n from_o whence_o they_o infer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v then_o unknown_a it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v forge_v but_o indeed_o they_o may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o which_o willing_o we_o allow_v they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n wherein_o ungodliness_n do_v prevail_v and_o idolatry_n be_v public_o establish_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n itself_o yet_o can_v they_o not_o from_o this_o instance_n draw_v any_o other_o consequence_n which_o may_v support_v their_o pretension_n they_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v not_o only_o among_o the_o three_o tribe_n but_o also_o among_o the_o ten_o since_o the_o time_n of_o their_o revolt_n under_o rehoboam_n that_o they_o who_o be_v carry_v by_o salmanassar_n into_o the_o land_n of_o assyria_n have_v the_o say_v book_n among_o they_o as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o their_o own_o country_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n send_v some_o of_o the_o priest_n of_o samaria_n to_o instruct_v the_o colony_n which_o he_o have_v settle_v in_o their_o country_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o those_o priest_n go_v to_o borrow_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n from_o they_o of_o judah_n nor_o that_o the_o say_v law_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a in_o that_o country_n but_o only_o that_o they_o have_v former_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o serve_v strange_a god_n as_o they_o still_o do_v but_o that_o withal_o they_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o to_o this_o day_n be_v yet_o find_v among_o their_o posterity_n second_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o the_o wickedness_n and_o violence_n of_o manasseh_n cause_v a_o great_a change_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o his_o subject_n notwithstanding_o have_v still_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o the_o blood_n which_o he_o shed_v in_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o there_o be_v some_o godly_a man_n leave_v among_o they_o who_o continue_v true_a to_o their_o religion_n and_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o god._n beside_o if_o we_o consider_v his_o repentance_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o do_v in_o some_o degree_n re-establish_a the_o purity_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o have_v before_o profane_v a_o main_a part_n of_o which_o be_v the_o expound_v and_o read_v of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n according_a to_o those_o law_n before_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o place_n it_o be_v visible_a that_o the_o reason_n why_o hilkiah_n have_v find_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o they_o be_v cleanse_v and_o repair_v it_o send_v the_o same_o to_o josiah_n be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o such_o book_n leave_v in_o judah_n but_o because_o the_o say_a book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n himself_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v something_o very_o extraordinary_a in_o the_o find_n of_o it_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o they_o be_v endeavour_v a_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v this_o circumstance_n which_o do_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n excite_v the_o zeal_n of_o this_o good_a prince_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o suppose_v that_o josiah_n have_v never_o before_o see_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n how_o can_v he_o have_v apply_v himself_o to_o the_o reform_v of_o his_o
thing_n in_o itself_o there_o be_v no_o less_o absurdity_n to_o dispute_v our_o saviour_n resurrection_n than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man._n now_o if_o this_o argument_n hold_v as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o easy_o so_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v a_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o provide_v we_o be_v once_o well_o assure_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o consequent_o embrace_v his_o religion_n but_o it_o seem_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o meditation_n i_o be_v insensible_o carry_v further_a in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n than_o i_o think_v at_o first_o to_o be_v therefore_o instead_o of_o pass_v now_o as_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n which_o be_v a_o solid_a and_o compendious_a way_n of_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n i_o find_v myself_o engage_v according_a to_o my_o present_a method_n to_o continue_v to_o make_v the_o like_a reflection_n upon_o the_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n that_o i_o may_v yet_o more_o full_o demonstrate_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n who_o god_n promise_v to_o man_n immediate_o after_o his_o sin_n and_o this_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v so_o plain_o as_o will_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o god_n have_v real_o accomplish_v his_o first_o design_n and_o exact_o perform_v all_o his_o promise_n relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o first_o idea_n he_o give_v of_o his_o come_n to_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n first_o then_o i_o design_v to_o trace_v up_o the_o method_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o use_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v without_o mistake_n when_o ever_o he_o shall_v come_v into_o the_o world._n second_o i_o will_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o several_a notion_n he_o give_v of_o he_o long_o before_o in_o his_o oracle_n to_o characterise_v his_o person_n his_o office_n his_o action_n his_o suffering_n his_o glory_n etc._n etc._n last_o of_o all_o i_o will_v show_v that_o we_o have_v all_o this_o whole_a project_n and_o design_n exact_o accomplish_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o be_v write_v by_o christ_n disciple_n now_o as_o this_o method_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o choose_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v appear_v also_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n so_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o for_o i_o particular_o to_o view_v and_o examine_v these_o book_n that_o i_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o illustrate_v several_a thing_n in_o they_o which_o deserve_v a_o particular_a attention_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v consider_v together_o and_o as_o it_o be_v at_o one_o view_n for_o the_o prophecy_n be_v thus_o consider_v together_o in_o their_o connexion_n and_o progress_n do_v more_o plain_o evidence_n god_n design_n and_o may_v better_o convince_v or_o confound_v the_o jew_n therefore_o i_o intend_v according_o to_o consider_v those_o oracle_n with_o attention_n and_o to_o join_v they_o together_o that_o so_o they_o may_v in_o their_o conjunction_n cast_v forth_o the_o bright_a beam_n of_o light_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o infidel_n who_o may_v happen_v to_o peruse_v this_o book_n for_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o after_o the_o perusal_n of_o my_o observation_n in_o it_o a_o ordinary_a attention_n in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v any_o man_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n which_o be_v all_o i_o intend_v to_o prove_v as_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o treatise_n now_o as_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n religion_n according_a to_o the_o account_n moses_n have_v give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n have_v take_v up_o the_o first_o part_n of_o it_o so_o i_o design_v to_o examine_v in_o this_o second_o part_n the_o israelite_n religion_n and_o to_o follow_v in_o my_o search_n the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o it_o in_o his_o other_o four_o book_n and_o as_o to_o effect_v this_o it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o establish_v beforehand_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o four_o book_n so_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v first_o of_o all_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o true_a author_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v intrinsic_a character_n of_o undeniable_a certainty_n then_o second_o it_o will_v be_v natural_a for_o i_o to_o show_v that_o moses_n in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o view_n as_o particular_o promise_v of_o god_n to_o the_o patriarch_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n and_o as_o be_v consequent_o the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o sole_a object_n of_o their_o hope_n three_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v that_o if_o we_o serious_o examine_v moses_n law_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o they_o such_o a_o method_n observe_v as_o be_v both_o very_a agreeable_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n s_o design_n in_o genesis_n and_o very_o worthy_a of_o his_o wisdom_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reveal_v unto_o we_o of_o his_o intention_n by_o the_o prophet_n who_o follow_v moses_n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o of_o the_o three_o other_o follow_v book_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o may_v be_v ground_v upon_o several_a solid_a argument_n i_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n have_v always_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o very_a heathen_n themselves_o not_o only_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n but_o also_o the_o most_o ancient_a legislator_n in_o the_o world._n i_o may_v likewise_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a connexion_n betwixt_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o well_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o general_a design_n of_o their_o author_n as_o of_o the_o matter_n treat_v of_o in_o they_o for_o example_n we_o see_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o transaction_n which_o we_o find_v write_v and_o record_v there_o derive_v their_o original_a from_o those_o transaction_n and_o passage_n that_o we_o read_v of_o in_o genesis_n thus_o we_o may_v plain_o discern_v that_o the_o pretention_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o promise_n that_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n to_o give_v it_o to_o his_o posterity_n in_o the_o four_o generation_n thus_o we_o may_v see_v that_o the_o amalekite_n can_v have_v no_o other_o reason_n to_o make_v war_n against_o the_o israelite_n than_o the_o old_a alliance_n that_o be_v former_o make_v betwixt_o amalek_n and_o the_o canaanite_n which_o without_o doubt_n engage_v his_o posterity_n to_o be_v the_o first_o opposer_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o sedition_n of_o the_o israelite_n against_o moses_n under_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n do_v proceed_v from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n as_o it_o be_v set_v down_o in_o genesis_n because_o the_o elder_a think_v themselves_o wrong_v of_o their_o birthright_n think_v they_o may_v just_o rebel_v against_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o recover_v it_o but_o i_o haste_v to_o thing_n more_o material_a than_o these_o and_o first_o it_o be_v here_o observable_a that_o those_o book_n be_v not_o only_o religious_o keep_v in_o every_o family_n of_o israel_n but_o that_o they_o be_v also_o once_o solemn_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o a_o public_a record_n and_o that_o by_o moses_n himself_o a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o testimony_n against_o that_o people_n as_o we_o read_v it_o deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 26._o second_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n do_v straight_o charge_v both_o joshuah_n and_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n to_o read_v they_o frequent_o and_o careful_o for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v so_o joshua_n 1.8_o nay_o we_o see_v about_o 500_o year_n after_o the_o holy_a man_n david_n who_o have_v make_v during_o his_o life_n i._o psal_n i._o the_o supreme_a felicity_n of_o a_o man_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o read_n the_o law_n of_o god_n day_n and_o night_n we_o see_v i_o say_v that_o holy_a man_n give_v in_o his_o deathbed_n the_o same_o charge_n to_o solomon_n i_o king_n three_o moreover_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v many_o law_n and_o sanction_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o succeed_a time_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o read_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o
any_o thing_n to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v it_o deuteronomy_n iu._n 2._o it_o be_v then_o impossible_a see_v that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v attempt_v the_o alteration_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o they_o nay_o we_o see_v not_o without_o wonder_n that_o after_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n be_v transport_v into_o assyria_n those_o that_o be_v send_v from_o assyria_n to_o inhabit_v their_o country_n do_v receive_v that_o law_n and_o that_o their_o posterity_n have_v keep_v it_o all_o along_o to_o this_o day_n as_o uncorrupted_a as_o the_o jew_n although_o they_o continue_v their_o mortal_a enemy_n and_o have_v be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n that_o can_v befall_v a_o nation_n during_o the_o long_a interval_n of_o 2400_o year_n the_o three_o observation_n which_o deserve_v a_o singular_a attention_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o many_o corruption_n which_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n fall_v into_o yet_o these_o book_n have_v still_o be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o same_o form_n that_o we_o have_v they_o now_o it_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o josiah_n relate_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n own_o writing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o king_n command_v all_o the_o people_n to_o keep_v the_o passover_n unto_o the_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n now_o we_o have_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n exod._n xii_o which_o show_v that_o josiah_n by_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n mean_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n such_o as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o adays_o and_o such_o as_o they_o be_v when_o moses_n deposit_v they_o into_o the_o sanctuary_n it_o be_v important_a to_o consider_v well_o all_o that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o forementioned_a chapter_n of_o two_o king_n for_o we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o this_o law_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o reform_v all_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v in_o their_o religion_n and_o countenance_v by_o the_o royal_a authority_n from_o solomon_n time_n to_o josiah_n this_o chapter_n relate_v and_o commend_v the_o proceed_n of_o josiah_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ill_a government_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o to_o the_o public_a monument_n of_o their_o superstition_n which_o he_o abolish_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n law_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o impose_v herein_o upon_o posterity_n for_o first_o the_o transaction_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o also_o to_o most_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n second_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o continue_v so_o lively_a and_o universal_a that_o almost_o 1500_o year_n after_o moses_n the_o name_n of_o those_o magician_n speak_v of_o exod._n vii_o 11._o be_v as_o yet_o know_v not_o only_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v it_o by_o a_o express_a passage_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o 1._o hist_o nat._n l._n 30._o c._n 1._o and_o mention_v their_o name_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 8._o but_o also_o among_o the_o heathen_n as_o both_o pliny_n and_o numenius_n do_v attest_v it_o i_o point_v only_o at_o those_o general_a proof_n at_o present_a because_o i_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o they_o and_o show_v their_o force_n in_o my_o observation_n upon_o genesis_n and_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o repeat_v and_o improve_v some_o of_o they_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n but_o now_o in_o order_n to_o follow_v my_o present_a design_n i_o must_v come_v to_o the_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o these_o book_n which_o will_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n the_o subject_a of_o some_o book_n be_v such_o as_o that_o alone_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o the_o attention_n of_o any_o reader_n though_o their_o author_n have_v no_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o beside_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o subject_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v famous_a and_o of_o great_a repute_n then_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o never_o fail_v to_o be_v read_v with_o serious_a attention_n and_o preserve_v with_o as_o great_a a_o care_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n have_v both_o these_o advantage_n so_o that_o they_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suspect_v of_o the_o least_o alteration_n or_o forgery_n the_o first_o character_n that_o we_o discover_v in_o these_o book_n at_o the_o first_o view_v of_o they_o be_v the_o great_a singularity_n and_o admirable_a diversity_n of_o their_o style_n and_o of_o the_o matter_n they_o treat_v of_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o other_o legislator_n do_v ever_o affect_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o historian_n no_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o absolute_a power_n to_o make_v law_n without_o give_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o sanction_n of_o they_o therefore_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v common_o nothing_o more_o dry_a and_o sapless_a than_o all_o their_o regulation_n about_o both_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o moses_n we_o see_v have_v follow_v a_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o satisfactory_a method_n all_o his_o regulation_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v he_o enact_v no_o law_n of_o any_o consequence_n but_o he_o intimate_v to_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o reason_n which_o challenge_v their_o obedience_n and_o make_v they_o by_o that_o mean_n reflect_v both_o upon_o the_o several_a mercy_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o great_a miracle_n they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o i_o confess_v indeed_o that_o the_o use_n and_o scope_n of_o some_o of_o his_o regulation_n be_v very_o abstruse_a especial_o now_o that_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a heathen_a custom_n which_o god_n design_v to_o abolish_v from_o among_o that_o people_n new_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n where_o during_o their_o captivity_n they_o have_v comply_v and_o accustom_a themselves_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o the_o rite_n and_o religion_n of_o their_o master_n the_o egyptian_n but_o yet_o how_o abstruse_a soever_o the_o design_n of_o some_o of_o those_o law_n may_v now_o appear_v to_o be_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o general_a scope_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o keep_v that_o people_n from_o idolatry_n in_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n as_o also_o to_o quicken_v their_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o promise_n of_o who_o come_v have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o renew_v several_a time_n to_o the_o head_n of_o their_o nation_n however_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o those_o law_n religion_n and_o policy_n so_o interweave_v together_o that_o the_o latter_a seem_v to_o subsist_v only_o by_o the_o support_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o former_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o human_a legislator_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o regard_v the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v about_o the_o tradition_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o old_a moses_n have_v preserve_v it_o with_o such_o care_n with_o so_o many_o mark_n of_o fidelity_n and_o so_o clear_a and_o plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o history_n beside_o he_o that_o can_v give_v any_o satisfactory_a information_n about_o the_o original_a of_o thing_n all_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o heathen_n which_o yet_o make_v up_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n they_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n that_o moses_n relate_v in_o his_o history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o see_v the_o beginning_n of_o that_o common_a wealth_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n moses_n give_v a_o accurate_a account_n of_o they_o if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o mankind_n or_o what_o be_v the_o true_a happiness_n of_o man_n and_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o partaker_n of_o that_o happiness_n moses_n teach_v all_o that_o with_o great_a evidence_n and_o exactness_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o occasion_n of_o
upon_o they_o continual_o especial_o every_o sabbath_n day_n nay_o and_o we_o see_v moreover_o that_o god_n every_o seven_o year_n will_v have_v they_o read_v public_o in_o a_o more_o solemn_a manner_n before_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o that_o people_n who_o during_o that_o year_n be_v oblige_v to_o rest_v from_o all_o their_o ordinary_a labour_n and_o employment_n and_o so_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v all_o that_o while_n but_o to_o read_v the_o law_n to_o examine_v it_o and_o to_o meditate_v upon_o it_o last_o it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v yet_o the_o more_o solemn_a and_o authentic_a because_o they_o oblige_v the_o jew_n to_o celebrate_v three_o such_o feast_n as_o be_v to_o be_v public_o keep_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o consequent_o apt_a to_o refresh_v their_o memory_n and_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n thrice_o a_o year_n not_o only_o of_o the_o surprise_v miracle_n that_o god_n have_v do_v for_o they_o but_o also_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o give_v and_o promulgate_v his_o law_n the_o miracle_n give_v rise_v to_o the_o law_n and_o those_o law_n be_v themselves_o a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o miracle_n because_o of_o the_o frequent_a commemoration_n of_o they_o which_o be_v therein_o enjoin_v now_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o let_v every_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o god_n give_v and_o promulgate_a by_o his_o mean_n that_o body_n of_o law_n which_o he_o have_v insert_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n can_v possible_o or_o at_o least_o reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o but_o i_o come_v now_o to_o con-the_a oracle_n record_v in_o moses_n write_n in_o order_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o they_o chap._n vii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n can_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n be_v history_n in_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o oracle_n which_o he_o have_v record_v in_o his_o book_n there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o oracle_n in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o other_o three_o follow_a book_n first_o there_o be_v some_o whereof_o the_o accomplishment_n do_v soon_o follow_v the_o prediction_n the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o the_o egyptian_a bondage_n be_v of_o that_o number_n moses_n do_v promise_n and_o foretell_v it_o nay_o and_o he_o execute_v it_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o people_n to_o who_o it_o be_v promise_v and_o foretell_v be_v themselves_o witness_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n and_o it_o be_v that_o accomplishment_n which_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o his_o commission_n so_o be_v the_o other_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o several_a division_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n moses_n foretell_v exact_o what_o lot_n every_o one_o shall_v have_v and_o give_v beside_o a_o description_n of_o the_o country_n that_o every_o tribe_n be_v to_o inhabit_v those_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o desert_n be_v witness_n both_o of_o the_o prediction_n and_o the_o execusion_n of_o it_o although_o it_o be_v by_o the_o cast_n of_o lot_n that_o all_o the_o tribe_n get_v their_o several_a partition_n but_o second_o there_o be_v some_o other_o oracle_n in_o moses_n book_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v the_o prediction_n till_o after_o a_o long_a interval_n of_o time_n such_o be_v the_o prophecy_n that_o foretell_v the_o future_a subjection_n of_o the_o israelite_n to_o the_o canaanite_n and_o the_o several_a deliverance_n out_o of_o that_o subjection_n which_o god_n be_v to_o effect_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o judge_n who_o he_o be_v to_o raise_v up_o for_o that_o purpose_n such_o again_o be_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o future_a change_n of_o their_o common_a wealth_n into_o a_o kingly_a government_n three_o and_o last_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n foretell_v all_o the_o accident_n change_n and_o revolution_n that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o jew_n as_o long_o as_o their_o state_n shall_v stand_v at_o least_o we_o see_v that_o his_o prediction_n be_v very_o plain_a concern_v their_o several_a captivity_n and_o removal_n and_o their_o return_n into_o the_o holy_a land_n as_o also_o the_o sieges_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o irrecoverable_a dispersion_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n which_o we_o see_v at_o present_a but_o whatever_o difference_n there_o may_v otherwise_o be_v betwixt_o all_o these_o prediction_n we_o may_v say_v that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v as_o pregnant_a proof_n of_o its_o certainty_n and_o truth_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o for_o first_o as_o to_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o prediction_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o moses_n relate_v himself_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o his_o account_n can_v in_o the_o least_o be_v suspect_v of_o imposture_n because_o he_o write_v it_o among_o a_o whole_a nation_n which_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o case_n see_v he_o suppose_v and_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v all_o along_o in_o his_o relation_n that_o those_o prediction_n be_v beforehand_o public_o and_o general_o know_v of_o all_o the_o people_n as_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophecy_n we_o have_v the_o relation_n of_o it_o in_o such_o other_o book_n as_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n death_n as_o in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n of_o judge_n and_o several_a other_o which_o relate_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o as_o of_o prophecy_n write_v many_o year_n and_o even_o some_o age_n before_o by_o moses_n beside_o to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o account_n which_o we_o find_v in_o those_o book_n concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v interweave_v with_o such_o history_n as_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o his_o prophecy_n as_o well_o as_o his_o write_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o the_o world_n and_o distinct_o know_v by_o every_o jew_n and_o what_o be_v further_a observable_a be_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v moses_n book_n in_o such_o a_o esteem_n because_o of_o these_o several_a illustrious_a prophecy_n that_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o that_o they_o have_v always_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o most_o excellent_a of_o all_o their_o prophet_n they_o assert_v at_o this_o very_a day_n that_o the_o other_o prophet_n have_v common_o no_o other_o knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n than_o that_o which_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o by_o dream_n and_o vision_n whereas_o moses_n have_v it_o by_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o god_n himself_o who_o use_v to_o speak_v to_o he_o face_n to_o face_n without_o any_o enthusiasm_n when_o he_o be_v perfect_o awake_a now_o how_o can_v ever_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v so_o strong_o prepossess_v of_o that_o high_a opinion_n both_o of_o moses_n and_o his_o prediction_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o they_o never_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o any_o of_o they_o that_o will_v certain_o be_v as_o strange_a a_o illusion_n as_o ever_o be_v for_o it_o be_v beside_o observable_a that_o those_o prophecy_n of_o he_o be_v not_o write_v by_o themselves_o and_o keep_v secret_a from_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n but_o that_o they_o be_v insert_v into_o the_o several_a speech_n which_o he_o make_v to_o all_o the_o people_n some_o time_n before_o his_o death_n and_o which_o be_v write_v and_o keep_v together_o in_o the_o same_o volume_n to_o be_v a_o stand_a monument_n both_o of_o his_o prophecy_n and_o of_o his_o ministry_n among_o the_o jew_n now_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o book_n that_o be_v all_o make_v up_o of_o prophecy_n and_o so_o keep_v secret_a and_o seldom_o read_v as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n be_v and_o a_o book_n wherein_o the_o prophecy_n it_o contain_v be_v interweave_v with_o a_o history_n wherein_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o matter_n as_o draw_v to_o it_o and_o fix_v the_o attention_n of_o every_o reader_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v mingle_v with_o a_o whole_a body_n of_o political_n and_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o intermix_v with_o the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o all_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o give_v the_o occasion_n to_o so_o many_o several_a revelation_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o his_o book_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v those_o reflection_n upon_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o jew_n entertain_v of_o moses_n prerogative_n and_o upon_o the_o manner_n that_o his_o prophecy_n so_o much_o reverence_v among_o they_o be_v exact_o accomplish_v and_o not_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o divine_a authority_n chap._n viii_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o constant_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o oracle_n relate_v
if_o it_o have_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v a_o jew_n before_o they_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o promise_n second_o it_o suppose_v that_o god_n be_v to_o remove_v that_o people_n out_o of_o canaan_n into_o remote_a country_n and_o to_o disperse_v they_o as_o it_o be_v into_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v do_v by_o divine_a providence_n only_o to_o publish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o establish_v the_o belief_n in_o the_o prophet_n and_o so_o to_o facilitate_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith._n three_o he_o declare_v express_o as_o st._n paul_n observe_v that_o he_o be_v to_o call_v his_o people_n that_o which_o be_v not_o his_o people_n that_o he_o may_v by_o that_o mean_n provoke_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o jealousy_n this_o notion_n of_o jealousy_n mention_v by_o st._n paul_n deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o with_o very_o great_a care_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o reign_v among_o the_o israelite_n and_o their_o neighbour_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n of_o david_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a although_o he_o otherwise_o insult_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o edomite_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o show_v as_o much_o aversion_n and_o jealousy_n against_o those_o nation_n as_o be_v possible_a for_o one_o that_o live_v in_o a_o continual_a war_n with_o those_o people_n i_o shall_v also_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o solomon_n marriage_n with_o the_o princess_n of_o tyre_n of_o sidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n that_o be_v to_o say_v with_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n which_o be_v unite_v to_o that_o of_o judah_n to_o take_v a_o part_n with_o they_o in_o the_o blessing_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o song_n that_o be_v write_v upon_o that_o marriage_n be_v preserve_v as_o a_o piece_n divine_o inspire_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o happy_a presage_n of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o messiah_n one_o may_v also_o join_v here_o the_o manner_n of_o solomon_n give_v to_o hiram_n subject_n who_o have_v help_v he_o in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o country_n of_o chabul_n which_o be_v enclose_v within_o judea_n although_o those_o people_n be_v of_o the_o canaanite_n posterity_n upon_o who_o noah_n have_v particular_o pronounce_v ix_o gen._n ix_o curse_v be_v canaan_n one_o may_v also_o see_v that_o as_o god_n have_v permit_v his_o people_n to_o be_v transport_v into_o chaldea_n and_o babylon_n and_o have_v raise_v up_o there_o prophet_n among_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o glorious_a hope_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o greek_a about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n not_o only_o to_o prevent_v all_o suspicion_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o gentile_n if_o they_o be_v produce_v of_o a_o sudden_a after_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o also_o to_o instruct_v the_o heathen_n by_o little_a and_o little_a of_o the_o right_n which_o all_o nation_n have_v as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o may_v take_v their_o share_n in_o it_o whenever_o they_o shall_v be_v invite_v to_o it_o by_o god_n and_o especial_o to_o take_v away_o the_o scandal_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v upon_o god_n destroy_v the_o form_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n by_o the_o roman_n according_a to_o daniel_n prediction_n all_o these_o thing_n no_o doubt_n engage_v the_o jew_n who_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o make_v particular_a remark_n upon_o they_o but_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v observe_v three_o thing_n especial_o the_o first_o be_v that_o although_o god_n have_v at_o first_o choose_v their_o whole_a nation_n yet_o he_o be_v please_v to_o disperse_v afterward_o almost_o ten_o part_n of_o thirteen_o which_o plain_o show_v that_o this_o choice_n which_o he_o have_v make_v be_v only_o a_o oeconomical_a choice_n and_o for_o a_o particular_a design_n the_o second_o be_v that_o although_o he_o be_v very_o severe_a and_o punctual_a in_o exact_v obedience_n to_o the_o ceremonial_a service_n yet_o he_o have_v fix_v the_o most_o part_n of_o their_o observance_n to_o certain_a place_n to_o certain_a time_n and_o to_o certain_a person_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v that_o when_o god_n bound_v they_o in_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v only_o for_o a_o oeconomical_a service_n prescribe_v only_o upon_o a_o particular_a prospect_n which_o be_v one_o day_n to_o have_v a_o end_n the_o three_o be_v that_o experience_n convince_v they_o that_o although_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v fix_v his_o service_n to_o the_o temple_n yet_o he_o suffer_v the_o chaldean_n to_o destroy_v the_o first_o and_o do_v not_o restore_v to_o the_o second_o the_o first_o mark_n of_o his_o presence_n when_o it_o be_v rebuilt_a by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conclude_v that_o such_o a_o glory_n as_o retire_v by_o little_a and_o little_a from_o that_o place_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v be_v only_o design_v to_o be_v there_o for_o a_o time_n till_o god_n shall_v extend_v his_o service_n by_o call_v all_o the_o world_n to_o his_o religion_n and_o so_o make_v the_o whole_a universe_n his_o temple_n as_o we_o see_v it_o do_v in_o our_o day_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o our_o saviour_n finis_fw-la reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n volume_n ii_o london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o preface_n in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v the_o mean_n god_n make_v use_n of_o to_o imprint_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n during_o that_o long_a tract_n of_o 2500_o year_n before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n depart_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o before_o the_o history_n of_o it_o be_v pen_v by_o moses_n they_o that_o consider_v that_o god_n at_o first_o prescribe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o fix_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o law_n have_v be_v constant_o observe_v since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n observe_v among_o the_o jew_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o this_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v not_o be_v more_o incontestable_o prove_v or_o more_o firm_o ground_v in_o like_a manner_n a_o attentive_a reflection_n upon_o the_o oracle_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o which_o alone_o at_o first_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o be_v afterward_o record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v any_o one_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v deep_o engrave_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o god_n have_v raise_v among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n do_v not_o much_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o as_o i_o have_v show_v very_o careful_o that_o it_o be_v very_o useful_a for_o that_o purpose_n i_o have_v in_o my_o reflection_n afterward_o prove_v upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o god_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n in_o the_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o peculiar_a form_n and_o regulation_n of_o their_o government_n and_o religion_n the_o great_a design_n of_o which_o rule_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v unquestionable_o know_v whoever_o shall_v read_v the_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o this_o matter_n will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v of_o great_a efficacy_n to_o make_v so_o fresh_a and_o lively_a a_o impression_n of_o those_o illustrious_a fact_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o very_o frequent_a oracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o as_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o 2553_o year_n only_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n be_v give_v which_o have_v a_o particular_a relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o now_o this_o reflection_n be_v once_o suppose_v as_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v afterward_o
be_v very_o short_a i_o will_v confine_v myself_o to_o some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o those_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v since_o moses_n but_o such_o as_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a and_o intelligent_a reader_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n page_n 1._o chap._n 2._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 8_o chap._n 3._o that_o there_o be_v a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o very_a great_a number_n accomplish_v in_o every_o age._n 15_o chap._n 4._o that_o how_o common_a soever_o oracle_n may_v have_v be_v among_o the_o pagan_n yet_o nothing_o among_o they_o can_v just_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n 24_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v 28_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_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 35_o chap._n 7._o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a 45_o chap._n 8._o general_a rule_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o for_o the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o messiah_n 51_o chap._n 9_o of_o those_o oracle_n concern_v the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 60_o chap._n 10._o of_o the_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n 71_o chap._n 11._o consideration_n upon_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o upon_o his_o glorious_a ascension_n into_o heaven_n foretell_v by_o david_n in_o the_o xxii_o and_o cx_o psalm_n 80_o chap._n 12._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o have_v a_o forerunner_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v his_o character_n 89_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v before_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n 93_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n 101_o chap._n 15._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o private_a state_n 107_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o work_v great_a miracle_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n 111_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n 114_o chap._n 18._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o propound_v a_o new_a covenant_n from_o god_n with_o all_o man_n 119_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o dreadful_a effect_n of_o their_o blindness_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n 125_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o die_v and_o a_o account_n of_o the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o his_o death_n 130_o chap._n 21._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v soon_o after_o to_o rise_v again_o 136_o chap._n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o send_v down_o from_o thence_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o prophecy_n language_n etc._n etc._n 140_o chap._n 23._o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god._n 144_o chap._n 24._o that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n 152_o chap._n 25._o of_o the_o time_n which_o succeed_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o prophecy_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n 157_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a page_n 175_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 183_o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v still_o subsist_v and_o follow_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a know_v of_o the_o messiah_n 189_o chap._n 4._o that_o all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a for_o discover_v of_o the_o messiah_n still_o continue_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o lord_n 197_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o time_n point_v out_o by_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o very_a time_n in_o which_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o the_o world._n 202_o chap._n 6._o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v precise_o such_o a_o forerunner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v describe_v to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n 207_o chap._n 7._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n then_o reduce_v to_o a_o mean_a condition_n as_o have_v be_v aforetold_v by_o the_o prophet_n 213_o chap._n 8._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v conceive_v by_o the_o virgin_n mary_n without_o any_o operation_n of_o man._n 222_o chap._n 9_o that_o jesus_n christ_n live_v and_o preach_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o messiah_n shall_v do_v 229_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n clear_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n 237_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n clear_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n 242_o chap._n 12._o that_o jesus_n christ_n die_v precise_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v die_v 250_o chap._n 13._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o prophet_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n 258_o chap._n 14._o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n 270_o chap._n 15._o that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v call_v the_o gentile_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 277_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o 284_o chap._n 17._o that_o it_o can_v be_v question_v whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n 292_o chap._n 18._o that_o one_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v 298_o chap._n 19_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n 304_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o entire_o destroy_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v 311_o chap._n 21._o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 317_o reflection_n upon_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n the_o first_o general_a proof_n which_o i_o make_v use_n of_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n may_v be_v lawful_o draw_v from_o the_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o those_o author_n who_o have_v write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o state_n and_o church_n of_o israel_n we_o may_v observe_v several_a considerable_a epocha_n of_o this_o history_n which_o take_v in_o about_o one_o thousand_o and_o forty_o year_n
who_o shall_v become_v their_o king_n be_v likewise_o foretell_v in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o express_v prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a nation_n under_o the_o roman_a empire_n after_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v always_o great_a quarrel_n with_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n so_o one_o find_v that_o among_o the_o oracle_n which_o particular_o regard_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o prophet_n have_v interweave_v a_o great_a number_n which_o concern_v those_o strange_a people_n with_o relation_n to_o those_o difference_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o between_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o they_o so_o one_o see_v we_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o canaanite_n punish_v in_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o oracle_n pronounce_v against_o the_o descendant_n of_o cham._n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o benhudad_n king_n of_o syria_n and_o of_o his_o house_n foretell_v to_o the_o ten_o generation_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o egypt_n and_o tyre_n which_o happen_v under_o nabuchadnezzar_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o moabite_n which_o be_v under_o the_o same_o nabuchadnezzar_n after_o that_o kingdom_n have_v subsist_v almost_o fourteen_o age_n from_o its_o first_o foundation_n one_o see_v we_o frequent_a oracle_n concern_v the_o ruin_n of_o niniveh_n and_o its_o empire_n one_o see_v we_o oracle_n concern_v the_o ruin_n of_o babylon_n which_o happen_v under_o cyrus_n one_o see_v we_o oracle_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o persian_a empire_n by_o alexander_n one_o see_v we_o oracle_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o this_o prince_n conquer_a the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o his_o leave_v his_o empire_n divide_v into_o four_o kingdom_n one_o see_v we_o frequent_a oracle_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n and_o the_o ptolemee_n who_o have_v particular_a quarrel_n with_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n one_o see_v we_o the_o alliance_n which_o be_v to_o be_v between_o the_o two_o kingdom_n foretell_v and_o the_o small_a success_n which_o shall_v arise_v thence_o in_o terminate_a their_o difference_n one_o see_v we_o prediction_n of_o the_o treatment_n which_o the_o jew_n shall_v meet_v with_o in_o those_o kingdom_n one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o retreat_n which_o egypt_n be_v to_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o the_o temple_n they_o be_v to_o build_v there_o one_o see_v we_o a_o exact_a prediction_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o temple_n by_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n for_o three_o year_n together_o one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o these_o two_o government_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o such_o a_o various_a multitude_n of_o oracle_n i._o that_o there_o be_v no_o book_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v form_v like_o those_o which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n one_o find_v there_o a_o history_n exact_o pursue_v and_o in_o a_o natural_a dependence_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n for_o 3500_o year_n one_o find_v there_o a_o series_n of_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v all_o sort_n of_o event_n so_o inseparable_o unite_v with_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v by_o what_o mean_v the_o prophecy_n can_v have_v be_v so_o bring_v to_o support_v the_o history_n and_o the_o history_n to_o support_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophecy_n one_o find_v oracle_n so_o clear_a and_o so_o particular_a especial_o in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n that_o porphyry_n a_o mortal_a enemy_n to_o the_o christian_n be_v force_v to_o assert_v that_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v forge_v after_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n time_n a_o ridiculous_a imagination_n for_o this_o prophecy_n be_v translate_v into_o greek_n more_o than_o one_o hundred_o year_n before_o and_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n not_o only_o of_o the_o jew_n but_o of_o the_o egyptian_n also_o mortal_a enemy_n to_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n this_o also_o be_v very_o surprise_v that_o since_o the_o jew_n after_o their_o dispersion_n preserve_v these_o history_n wherever_o they_o be_v as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o these_o oracle_n as_o prediction_n of_o those_o event_n of_o which_o their_o history_n be_v very_o full_a they_o shall_v never_o think_v of_o propose_v to_o we_o any_o book_n of_o a_o like_a nature_n consider_v that_o now_o for_o one_o and_o twenty_o age_n they_o have_v have_v no_o parallel_n author_n who_o have_v both_o write_v history_n and_o pronounce_v oracle_n ii_o but_o as_o these_o reflection_n lead_v we_o on_o to_o other_o so_o we_o ought_v to_o enter_v upon_o they_o by_o consider_v what_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a obstinacy_n can_v oppose_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o scripture_n chap._n iu._n that_o how_o common_a soever_o oracle_n may_v have_v be_v among_o the_o pagan_n yet_o nothing_o among_o they_o can_v just_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n one_o of_o the_o great_a objection_n which_o can_v in_o all_o probability_n be_v make_v against_o this_o surprise_v series_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v take_v from_o that_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o pagan_n this_o objection_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v because_o it_o will_v more_o clear_o demonstrate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophetical_a book_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o confess_v there_o have_v be_v false_a prophet_n and_o indeed_o since_o god_n have_v give_v we_o mark_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o true_a one_o which_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o there_o have_v be_v some_o false_a prophet_n and_o that_o moreover_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n discover_v to_o we_o impostor_n frequent_o we_o may_v free_o acknowledge_v that_o among_o the_o pagan_n and_o the_o people_n border_v upon_o judea_n there_o have_v be_v man_n who_o have_v boast_v of_o prediction_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v as_o well_o as_o among_o the_o jew_n i_o confess_v also_o that_o some_o heathen_a writer_n speak_v of_o certain_a oracle_n which_o in_o all_o appearance_n be_v very_o well_o circumstantiate_v and_o of_o which_o they_o relate_v a_o very_a exact_a accomplishment_n but_o several_a thing_n ought_v to_o be_v observe_v upon_o this_o argument_n which_o deserve_v a_o attentive_a consideration_n i._o we_o see_v that_o their_o most_o celebrate_a thing_n have_v be_v only_o a_o imitation_n of_o what_o be_v do_v among_o the_o jew_n the_o egyptian_n imitate_v the_o urim_n and_o the_o thummim_n of_o the_o jewish_a high_a priest_n and_o they_o appropriate_v to_o he_o the_o right_a of_o give_v oracle_n and_o so_o we_o see_v they_o be_v give_v by_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n which_o the_o jew_n see_v be_v grant_v to_o their_o prophet_n we_o may_v see_v it_o in_o the_o history_n of_o socrates_n life_n and_o in_o apuleius_n p._n 339._o ii_o we_o see_v that_o the_o same_o pagan_a historian_n take_v notice_n that_o very_o many_o even_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o oracle_n be_v very_o ambiguous_a and_o false_a the_o philosopher_n and_o tully_n particular_o open_o laugh_v at_o they_o lib._n i._n ii_o de_fw-la divinatione_fw-la they_o think_v it_o a_o ridiculous_a thing_n that_o apollo_n delphicus_fw-la the_o god_n of_o poetry_n shall_v give_v his_o answer_n in_o very_o bad_a verse_n and_o at_o last_o be_v reduce_v to_o prose_n eusebius_n quote_v a_o discourse_n of_o oenomaus_n a_o greek_a philosopher_n who_o write_v against_o oracle_n to_o decry_v they_o as_o imposture_n iii_o we_o see_v that_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v acquire_v the_o great_a reputation_n by_o their_o accomplishment_n be_v borrow_v from_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o synagogue_n we_o have_v a_o illustrious_a example_n in_o the_o birth_n of_o cyrus_n which_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n have_v foretell_v about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3292._o and_o concern_v which_o they_o pretend_v to_o show_v prophecy_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o croesus_n 91._o abydenus_n herodot_n lib._n i._o cap._n 55._o &_o 91._o about_o the_o year_n 3492._o which_o show_v that_o if_o the_o thing_n be_v real_o know_v to_o they_o they_o can_v not_o have_v know_v it_o but_o by_o the_o prophetical_a write_n which_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v conceal_v from_o they_o because_o the_o jew_n read_v they_o with_o care_n to_o comfort_v themselves_o under_o that_o captivity_n to_o which_o they_o be_v reduce_v by_o nabuchadnezzar_n iv_o it_o be_v in_o effect_n prove_v by_o examine_v their_o oracle_n most_o of_o which_o
institute_v during_o the_o captivity_n we_o must_v blind_v ourselves_o of_o purpose_n to_o conceive_v that_o any_o impostor_n can_v forge_v book_n which_o have_v so_o exact_a a_o relation_n and_o such_o certain_a characteristic_n to_o fix_v they_o to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o author_n live_v and_o to_o the_o circumstance_n wherein_o he_o write_v we_o must_v of_o necessity_n grant_v that_o before_o such_o a_o impostor_n can_v bring_v about_o such_o a_o design_n he_o must_v have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o whole_a profane_a history_n to_o fix_v so_o exact_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o of_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v be_v give_v in_o circumstance_n which_o be_v unintelligible_a without_o the_o help_n of_o profane_a history_n of_o different_a nation_n i_o come_v now_o to_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v contest_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o those_o fact_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o true_a to_o establish_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n whereof_o we_o teach_v i._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n preserve_v these_o oracle_n to_o this_o day_n with_o great_a fidelity_n ii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n who_o preserve_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n since_o they_o have_v be_v separate_v from_o they_o that_o be_v for_o almost_o seventeen_o age_n iii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o these_o prophecy_n have_v be_v exact_o read_v by_o the_o jew_n because_o of_o those_o oracle_n upon_o which_o they_o believe_v to_o this_o day_n that_o the_o whole_a happiness_n of_o their_o nation_n be_v found_v iv_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v read_v these_o book_n exact_o to_o refute_v the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v pretend_v from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o their_o appear_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n mark_v out_o by_o these_o oracle_n in_o short_a whereas_o the_o christian_n pretend_v to_o prove_v by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o this_o day_n to_o wrest_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o oracle_n and_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o literal_o accomplish_v and_o which_o by_o consequence_n can_v be_v apply_v to_o jesus_n christ_n v._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o most_o of_o the_o controversy_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o christian_n only_o regard_v the_o application_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o prophetical_a author_n the_o christian_n explain_v they_o in_o a_o mystical_a sense_n the_o jew_n maintain_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v explain_v literal_o vi_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o about_o 300_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o prophetical_a book_n be_v translate_v and_o put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o egyptian_n have_v be_v carry_v to_o and_o translate_v at_o alexandria_n by_o a_o public_a order_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o a_o king_n of_o egypt_n the_o history_n of_o that_o version_n which_o put_v those_o sacred_a book_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o jew_n who_o dwell_v in_o egypt_n be_v the_o most_o famous_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o make_v those_o book_n perfect_o know_v here_o we_o have_v now_o these_o book_n in_o hebrew_n and_o in_o greek_a that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o primitive_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o alexander_n found_v it_o be_v know_v that_o from_o that_o time_n the_o christian_n take_v care_n to_o make_v great_a number_n of_o translation_n into_o all_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n after_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o they_o preserve_v those_o ancient_a book_n as_o the_o first_o element_n of_o their_o religion_n now_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o acknowledge_v those_o truth_n to_o consider_v that_o those_o oracle_n be_v true_a which_o foretell_v thing_n which_o happen_v almost_o four_o age_n after_o their_o prediction_n thus_o for_o instance_n the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o syrian_a and_o egyptian_a monarchy_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n haggai_n zachariah_n and_o malachi_n now_o there_o be_v not_o more_o difficulty_n to_o conceive_v that_o such_o author_n as_o isaiah_n amos_n joel_n shall_v have_v foretell_v the_o same_o thing_n eight_o or_o nine_o hundred_o year_n before_o than_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v foretell_v by_o those_o who_o live_v but_o little_a above_o four_o age_n before_o they_o actual_o come_v to_o pass_v there_o be_v therefore_o no_o difficulty_n in_o conceive_v that_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v propose_v as_o we_o see_v they_o and_o in_o those_o time_n to_o which_o we_o find_v they_o fix_v but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o into_o this_o matter_n and_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o i_o confess_v that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o suspicion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v not_o relate_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o public_a volume_n as_o for_o instance_n those_o of_o elijah_n elisha_n and_o uriah_n the_o son_n of_o shemaiah_n who_o seem_v never_o to_o have_v publish_v any_o thing_n but_o here_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v 1._o that_o usual_o the_o author_n who_o publish_v the_o oracle_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o those_o who_o tell_v we_o of_o their_o accomplishment_n 2._o that_o the_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o now_o speak_v be_v upon_o subject_n perfect_o know_v and_o upon_o very_o illustrious_a exigency_n what_o more_o illustrious_a than_o the_o destruction_n of_o ahab_n family_n foretell_v by_o elijah_n what_o more_o extraordinary_a than_o the_o manner_n of_o jezebel_n death_n foretell_v by_o the_o same_o prophet_n in_o short_a we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n i._o that_o these_o oracle_n be_v write_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o complete_a volume_n we_o have_v sixteen_o prophet_n sufficient_o distinguish_v by_o their_o proper_a volume_n ii_o each_o of_o these_o author_n have_v a_o very_a different_a character_n from_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o some_o as_o daniel_n for_o instance_n write_v in_o a_o peculiar_a language_n one_o part_n of_o his_o book_n be_v in_o chaldee_n iii_o every_o one_o have_v some_o relation_n to_o the_o rest_n so_o those_o who_o live_v together_o often_o treat_v of_o the_o same_o thing_n so_o isaiah_n for_o instance_n joel_n amos_n hosea_n but_o they_o have_v separate_a idea_n and_o particular_a oracle_n and_o a_o turn_n which_o perfect_o distinguish_v they_o one_o from_o another_o iv_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o work_n to_o find_v that_o they_o write_v in_o different_a place_n amos_n be_v of_o juda_n and_o go_v to_o prohecy_v in_o israel_n that_o appear_v plain_o ezechiel_n and_o daniel_n prophesy_v in_o chaldea_n that_o be_v see_v by_o read_v their_o work_n v._o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o those_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_a for_o the_o prophet_n be_v continual_o reproach_v the_o king_n and_o people_n with_o the_o crime_n which_o they_o commit_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n propose_v by_o moses_n vi_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o write_n of_o the_o former_a and_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n 2._o dan._n ix_o 2._o so_o jeremiah_n be_v quote_v by_o daniel_n as_o foretell_v the_o time_n when_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v to_o have_v a_o end_n this_o he_o propose_v not_o as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v it_o by_o a_o revelation_n but_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v find_v out_o by_o a_o attentive_a examination_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n vii_o there_o be_v a_o exact_a connexion_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o time_n which_o be_v often_o interweave_v with_o the_o prophecy_n one_o see_v we_o it_o in_o the_o book_n of_o isaiah_n jeremiah_n and_o daniel_n the_o other_o historical_a book_n not_o be_v altogether_o so_o particular_a as_o these_o prophetical_a book_n be_v viii_o in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o book_n be_v interweave_v with_o oracle_n concern_v ancient_a event_n and_o people_n which_o have_v now_o no_o existence_n so_o thaâ—_n that_o hinder_v we_o from_o suspect_v any_o forgery_n i_o shall_v not_o repeat_v here_o the_o common_a argument_n which_o establish_v the_o credit_n of_o these_o book_n i_o bring_v in_o most_o of_o they_o when_o i_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n here_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o truth_n chap._n vi_o that_o the_o
reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v truth_n not_o to_o be_v question_v and_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o this_o messiah_n continue_v vigorous_o all_o the_o time_n that_o precede_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n we_o have_v see_v afterward_o in_o the_o remark_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god_n to_o keep_v man_n in_o the_o expectation_n of_o this_o messiah_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v he_o whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n i_o have_v take_v notice_n in_o the_o three_o part_n of_o these_o reflection_n of_o the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n to_o explain_v particular_o all_o the_o character_n of_o this_o messiah_n the_o place_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o birth_n the_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o to_o foretell_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o gentile_n their_o call_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o last_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o be_v no_o long_o of_o any_o use_n after_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n my_o present_a business_n be_v now_o to_o show_v that_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v find_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o whole_a design_n wherein_o god_n have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n instruct_v the_o world_n so_o long_o before_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a if_o we_o will_v but_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o read_v these_o book_n attentive_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o model_n which_o god_n himself_o make_v as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o describe_v it_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n yet_o more_o evident_a i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o do_v two_o or_o three_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a for_o my_o present_a design_n and_o first_o i_o be_o to_o observe_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o most_o perfect_a coherence_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v in_o these_o book_n a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n notwithstanding_o the_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o the_o jew_n who_o preserve_v the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o christian_n who_o preserve_v the_o new._n second_o i_o be_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o very_a time_n that_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v in_o the_o world._n this_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o they_o may_v not_o have_v wherewith_o to_o accuse_v those_o who_o receive_v christ_n for_o the_o messiah_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o their_o choice_n for_o not_o have_v have_v the_o exact_a idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v i_o shall_v upon_o this_o account_n show_v in_o the_o three_o place_n that_o when_o jesus_n christ_n do_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n whereby_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v plain_o know_v do_v then_o subsist_v in_o the_o manner_n wherein_o god_n have_v frame_v it_o after_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v by_o prooss_n which_o be_v indeed_o unquestionable_a that_o in_o examine_v all_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v by_o which_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v know_v we_o can_v conceive_v a_o more_o exact_a execution_n of_o god_n design_n as_o to_o the_o messiah_n than_o that_o which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n whereof_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v give_v we_o the_o history_n last_o i_o shall_v show_v clear_o that_o this_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v in_o give_v the_o law_n and_o in_o form_v the_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o so_o proper_a a_o manner_n to_o make_v the_o messiah_n certain_o know_v be_v not_o in_o be_v at_o this_o day_n but_o that_o it_o be_v so_o destroy_v by_o the_o total_a dispersion_n of_o that_o people_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o know_v the_o messiah_n if_o he_o shall_v now_o appear_v again_o in_o the_o world._n and_o that_o indeed_o the_o principal_a event_n which_o according_a to_o the_o oracle_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o part_n and_o do_v still_o come_v to_o pass_v every_o day_n i_o hope_v to_o evince_v these_o truth_n beyond_o all_o contest_v indeed_o the_o bare_a read_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n plain_o discover_v the_o coherence_n which_o they_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old._n it_o show_v clear_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v at_o that_o time_n very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o it_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o that_o model_n which_o god_n have_v make_v so_o necessary_a to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n stand_v at_o that_o time_n entire_a in_o particular_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o four_o evangelist_n by_o the_o relation_n of_o unquestionable_a matter_n of_o fact_n have_v prove_v that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o messiah_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v saint_n luke_n show_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o the_o heathen_n the_o epistle_n be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o this_o vocation_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o of_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v undertake_v they_o unanimous_o conspire_v to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o call_v the_o heathen_n to_o partake_v of_o salvation_n that_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o great_a part_n shall_v be_v just_o deprive_v thereof_o because_o they_o obstinate_o reject_v the_o messiah_n several_a question_n be_v examine_v which_o arise_v either_o from_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n or_o from_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n the_o succession_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n justify_v that_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n all_o people_n embrace_v the_o religion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o receive_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o patriarch_n and_o to_o the_o jew_n i_o shall_v resume_v all_o these_o article_n one_o by_o one_o in_o that_o natural_a order_n in_o which_o i_o have_v propose_v they_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n bètween_n the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a as_o it_o be_v not_o much_o the_o character_n of_o romance_n even_o then_o when_o they_o be_v most_o tie_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n to_o borrow_v either_o the_o style_n or_o idea_n of_o those_o author_n from_o who_o they_o take_v their-subject_a so_o i_o suppose_v that_o in_o this_o my_o undertake_n to_o show_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o old_a it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o make_v out_o that_o at_o the_o first_o read_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o apostolical_a write_n one_o find_v in_o they_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o idea_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n one_o may_v to_o this_o purpose_n observe_v in_o general_a that_o the_o gospel_n suppose_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o unquestionable_a truth_n the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n have_v the_o same_o coherence_n with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n which_o the_o write_n of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n have_v with_o those_o of_o the_o former_a and_o which_o the_o book_n of_o all_o the_o prophet_n together_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o with_o the_o prophecy_n law_n and_o history_n which_o be_v contain_v therein_o one_o may_v take_v notice_n afterward_o that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a in_o their_o most_o principal_a design_n i_o have_v show_v that_o their_o design_n be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o raise_v man_n to_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o paint_v he_o to_o the_o life_n who_o god_n
decease_n as_o gods._n the_o three_o thing_n we_o be_v here_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o contain_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n genesis_n if_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o it_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v compare_v with_o the_o dynasty_n of_o the_o egyptian_a king_n i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o those_o egyptian_n who_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o flood_n do_v exact_o mark_v out_o the_o time_n of_o it_o as_o moses_n do_v but_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v be_v able_a to_o show_v out_o of_o their_o common_a opinion_n something_o very_o near_o equivalent_a they_o be_v all_o agree_v that_o menes_n be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n and_o live_v about_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o famous_a sesostris_n as_o herodotus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n do_v both_o relate_v it_o now_o who_o shall_v this_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v who_o some_o call_v sesonchosis_n unless_o he_o be_v the_o same_o with_o shishak_n who_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n 26._o 1_o king_n fourteen_o 26._o even_o the_o same_o famous_a conqueror_n who_o take_v jerusalem_n in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n reign_n if_o one_o calculate_v the_o time_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n he_o will_v find_v that_o this_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o ham_n of_o moses_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o there_o be_v very_o little_a difference_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o time_n betwixt_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o the_o egyptian_a account_n confirm_v moses_n narrative_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a writer_n who_o be_v very_o particular_a in_o state_v the_o time_n of_o every_o thing_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n take_v all_o in_o great_a can_v never_o arrive_v at_o that_o exactness_n this_o observation_n be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o moses_n chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n for_o that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n reckon_v up_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o sesostris_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n do_v reckon_v up_o but_o a_o little_a above_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n from_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n to_o sesostris_n there_o be_v yet_o less_o difficulty_n to_o answer_v the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n from_o the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n the_o same_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o say_v 31._o diodor._fw-la l._n 2._o sect._n 30_o 31._o that_o the_o egyptian_n propose_v so_o great_a a_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world_n tell_v we_o also_o that_o the_o chaldean_n believe_v it_o eternal_a and_o that_o they_o boast_v in_o alexander_n time_n that_o they_o have_v learn_v astronomy_n by_o tradition_n from_o their_o ancestor_n who_o have_v all_o successive_o make_v it_o their_o study_n for_o four_o hundred_o seventy_o two_o thousand_o year_n together_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o vain_a than_o these_o pretence_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o show_v here_o the_o folly_n of_o their_o opinion_n about_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n if_o aristotle_n seem_v to_o have_v authorise_a it_o yet_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o confute_v that_o opinion_n to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o democritus_n himself_o who_o pretend_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o chance_n yet_o dare_v not_o oppose_v the_o common_a and_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v new_a though_o he_o have_v the_o boldness_n to_o reject_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o action_n by_o which_o it_o be_v create_v neither_o do_v i_o intend_v to_o be_v prolix_a here_o in_o confute_v the_o supposition_n of_o the_o chaldean_n about_o their_o ancestor_n follow_v the_o study_n of_o astrology_n for_o 472000_o year_n successive_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o flood_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o those_o nation_n of_o who_o we_o have_v any_o antiquity_n though_o never_o so_o little_a considerable_a in_o pagan_a author_n but_o i_o shall_v make_v two_o observation_n whereof_o one_o show_v the_o folly_n of_o the_o chaldean_a hypothesis_n and_o the_o other_o do_v invincible_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n if_o it_o be_v compare_v with_o what_o we_o know_v for_o certain_a and_o in_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o the_o egyptian_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o a_o colony_n of_o their_o own_o diodorus_n siculus_n say_v that_o the_o egyptian_n maintain_v that_o they_o have_v send_v out_o several_a colony_n into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o belus_n the_o son_n of_o neptune_n and_o lybia_n have_v conduct_v one_o into_o babylon_n and_o that_o have_v fix_v it_o near_o euphrates_n he_o establish_v some_o priest_n among_o they_o according_a to_o the_o egyptian_a custom_n who_o be_v free_a from_o all_o public_a charge_n and_o office_n who_o the_o babylonian_n do_v call_v chaldean_n and_o who_o according_a to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n 261._o ap._n joseph_n antiq._n l._n 1._o c._n 5._o pausan_n messen_n p._n 261._o philosopher_n and_o astrologer_n do_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o star_n hestiaeus_n and_o pausanias_n say_v the_o same_o with_o diodorus_n now_o one_o needs_o only_o examine_v here_o what_o the_o egyptian_n do_v say_v about_o the_o invention_n of_o astrology_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o menes_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o ham_n or_o to_o mizraim_n who_o live_v after_o the_o flood_n thereby_o to_o discover_v the_o foolish_a vanity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o chaldean_n grow_v so_o vain_a by_o the_o growth_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o empire_n as_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v be_v no_o long_o behold_v to_o the_o egyptian_a astrologer_n who_o all_o other_o nation_n have_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o that_o science_n to_o the_o invent_v and_o perfect_v of_o which_o all_o man_n know_v that_o the_o egyptian_a climate_n where_o the_o sky_n be_v always_o free_a from_o cloud_n do_v very_o much_o contribute_v and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o both_o the_o chaldean_n and_o the_o egyptian_n begin_v their_o year_n with_o the_o same_o month_n according_a to_o censorinus_n observation_n c._n xxi_o de_fw-fr die_v nat._n i_o know_v very_o well_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n be_v mistake_v when_o they_o pretend_v that_o the_o chaldean_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n as_o a_o plantation_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o kind_n of_o illusion_n in_o this_o their_o opinion_n but_o yet_o the_o ground_n and_o origine_fw-la of_o it_o be_v uncontrollable_a because_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o cush_n ham_n elder_a son_n as_o moses_n tell_v gen._n x._o therefore_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o astrology_n yet_o this_o will_v be_v always_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v find_v out_o only_o since_o ham_n time_n who_o the_o egyptian_n do_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o last_o of_o their_o hero_n or_o as_o the_o first_o of_o their_o king_n the_o other_o observation_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v well_o mind_v here_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a chaldean_a antiquity_n one_o may_v prove_v by_o the_o astronomical_a demonstration_n of_o the_o chaldean_n which_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o that_o moses_n follow_v a_o calculation_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v aristotle_n the_o first_o grecian_a that_o ever_o teach_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n contrary_a to_o moses_n history_n be_v the_o man_n who_o furnish_v we_o with_o it_o he_o take_v care_n to_o send_v over_o into_o greece_n the_o astronomical_a observation_n of_o the_o chaldean_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v coelo_fw-la simplic_n in_o l._n 2._o de_fw-la coelo_fw-la that_o babylon_n be_v take_v by_o alexander_n about_o 1903_o year_n after_o its_o foundation_n now_o that_o calculation_n agree_v exact_o with_o that_o of_o moses_n xi_o gen._n xi_o who_o give_v we_o the_o description_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n and_o explain_v the_o original_a of_o the_o name_n of_o that_o city_n which_o be_v build_v some_o age_n after_o by_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n which_o then_o happen_v and_o true_o it_o will_v be_v very_o admirable_a that_o the_o heaven_n in_o their_o motion_n shall_v have_v enter_v into_o a_o confederacy_n with_o moses_n to_o justify_v a_o chronology_n invent_v by_o he_o in_o sport_n without_o keep_v to_o any_o rule_n but_o write_v
joshua_n concern_v the_o several_a blessing_n and_o curse_n which_o be_v to_o be_v pronounce_v upon_o the_o mount_v ebal_n and_o gerizim_n because_o the_o form_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v public_a and_o authentic_a the_o same_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o the_o first-fruit_n and_o upon_o the_o prayer_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o tithe_n of_o the_o three_o year_n as_o likewise_o upon_o many_o other_o law_n four_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o book_n be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n according_a to_o the_o injunction_n of_o that_o law_n which_o we_o find_v deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 10_o 11._o which_o be_v command_v to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o posterity_n as_o it_o be_v intimate_v in_o the_o thirteen_o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n whereupon_o it_o may_v not_o be_v preposterous_a to_o consider_v here_o god_n method_n to_o prevent_v all_o forgery_n and_o imposture_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v during_o the_o longaevity_n of_o human_a life_n a_o constant_a and_o universal_a custom_n among_o all_o the_o patriarch_n to_o moses_n time_n to_o put_v when_o they_o lie_v on_o their_o death_n bed_n their_o posterity_n in_o mind_n of_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n and_o of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o religion_n because_o as_o all_o admonition_n and_o exhortation_n make_v at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o sincere_a so_o they_o seldom_o fail_v of_o be_v favourable_o construe_v and_o better_o entertain_v than_o they_o will_v be_v at_o any_o other_o time_n we_o have_v as_o instance_n of_o this_o ancient_a custom_n the_o example_n of_o abraham_n of_o isaac_n of_o jacob_n of_o joseph_n etc._n etc._n who_o in_o that_o i_o make_v no_o doubt_n follow_v the_o custom_n of_o their_o pious_a ancestor_n who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n derive_v it_o from_o adam_n himself_o that_o custom_n we_o see_v be_v of_o a_o admirable_a use_n to_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o illustrious_a transaction_n what_o be_v then_o speak_v by_o those_o pious_a venerable_a man_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o public_a sermon_n because_o it_o be_v deliver_v before_o those_o numerous_a family_n which_o meet_v then_o altogether_o about_o the_o bed_n of_o their_o common_a head_n and_o father_n and_o that_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n as_o do_v extraordinary_o excite_v their_o attention_n to_o this_o custom_n succeed_v another_o which_o be_v that_o when_o the_o great_a captain_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v sensible_a of_o their_o approach_a death_n than_o they_o usual_o call_v the_o people_n together_o to_o give_v they_o such_o exhortation_n reproof_n and_o admonition_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o proper_a either_o for_o their_o encouragement_n or_o for_o their_o reformation_n nay_o and_o that_o even_o in_o some_o occasion_n many_o of_o they_o have_v affect_v to_o have_v their_o speech_n make_v public_a and_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n thus_o do_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n and_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o judge_n and_o samuel_n and_o solomon_n etc._n etc._n we_o know_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v former_o read_v every_o sabbath_n day_n as_o st._n james_n do_v attest_v it_o in_o act_n xv._o and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o express_a command_n about_o it_o in_o moses_n write_n yet_o we_o find_v there_o something_o equivalent_a to_o it_o in_o the_o strict_a charge_n give_v by_o he_o to_o all_o the_o people_n to_o be_v continual_o conversant_a in_o his_o book_n and_o to_o instruct_v their_o family_n at_o all_o time_n in_o the_o law_n and_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o they_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o the_o israelite_n be_v bind_v by_o that_o command_n of_o moses_n to_o read_v his_o book_n every_o day_n they_o be_v more_o particular_o oblige_v by_o the_o same_o command_n to_o read_v they_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v make_v a_o day_n of_o rest_n by_o god_n particular_o on_o purpose_n that_o all_o man_n may_v the_o better_o attend_v on_o that_o day_n to_o the_o read_n and_o meditate_v god_n law_n and_o the_o perform_v all_o other_o religious_a duty_n we_o know_v beside_o that_o those_o book_n be_v continual_o explain_v both_o by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v on_o purpose_n disperse_v through_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o attend_v and_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o moses_n in_o his_o write_n have_v exact_o keep_v a_o kind_n of_o journal_n which_o can_v easy_o receive_v any_o alteration_n if_o we_o read_v hereupon_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o several_a removal_n of_o their_o tent_n in_o the_o desert_n we_o shall_v be_v easy_o convince_v by_o the_o very_a form_n and_o stile_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o that_o they_o be_v former_o public_o receive_v and_o be_v exact_o transcribe_v out_o of_o the_o original_a and_o that_o if_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o suffer_v any_o alteration_n it_o be_v only_o as_o to_o some_o appendix_n or_o postscript_n insert_v by_o esrah_n or_o some_o other_o prophet_n by_o way_n of_o explication_n we_o see_v in_o those_o book_n a_o history_n write_v without_o disguise_n or_o partiality_n exact_a in_o relate_v all_o circumstance_n of_o place_n time_n and_o person_n even_o in_o the_o narration_n of_o thing_n of_o small_a importance_n for_o the_o main_a drift_n of_o the_o author_n there_o be_v beside_o some_o passage_n record_v in_o they_o which_o any_o author_n who_o live_v after_o moses_n time_n will_v certain_o have_v leave_v out_o if_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n yet_o at_o least_o to_o abolish_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o action_n dishonourable_a to_o some_o great_a family_n and_o whole_a tribe_n of_o israel_n again_o we_o read_v in_o they_o the_o song_n and_o other_o public_a monument_n which_o be_v make_v upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o they_o the_o better_a i_o have_v but_o three_o observation_n more_o to_o make_v here_o and_o then_o i_o have_v do_v with_o this_o chapter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o those_o book_n have_v be_v constant_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o author_n among_o that_o people_n who_o follow_v moses_n and_o that_o their_o quotation_n do_v exact_o agree_v with_o the_o text_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o which_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n as_o well_o of_o the_o sincerity_n as_o of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o that_o author_n they_o be_v as_o much_o esteem_v in_o israel_n as_o in_o juda_n both_o people_n do_v observe_v they_o as_o their_o law_n the_o prophet_n that_o arise_v from_o time_n to_o time_n do_v always_o and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n acknowledge_v and_o maintain_v their_o authority_n thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n quote_v out_o of_o they_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o curse_n and_o blessing_n to_o the_o prophecy_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n among_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o thirteen_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o among_o the_o people_n be_v nothing_o in_o general_n but_o a_o account_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v former_o by_o moses_n to_o raise_v up_o from_o among_o that_o people_n such_o man_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o affliction_n and_o captivity_n as_o will_v be_v the_o assertor_n of_o their_o liberty_n we_o see_v there_o in_o particular_a the_o execution_n of_o moses_n order_n concern_v caleb_n 3._o judge_n i._o 20._o judg._n vii_o 3._o judg._n xiii_o 3._o and_o of_o that_o law_n in_o deuteronomy_n which_o prescribe_v the_o manner_n of_o dismiss_v from_o the_o army_n those_o that_o be_v fearful_a and_o fainthearted_a and_o of_o that_o other_o concern_v the_o nazarite_n etc._n etc._n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o rule_n and_o law_n prescribe_v in_o those_o book_n continue_v in_o force_n in_o the_o time_n of_o ruth_n david_n great_a grandmother_n that_o appear_v plain_o by_o their_o observation_n of_o those_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o next_o kinsman_n to_o take_v to_o wife_n the_o widow_n of_o his_o decease_a relation_n and_o to_o redeem_v his_o inheritance_n as_o for_o david_n and_o solomon_n they_o be_v continual_o allude_v to_o something_o or_o other_o deliver_v in_o those_o book_n nehemiah_n quote_v they_o in_o chap._n xiii_o of_o his_o book_n and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3563_o and_o so_o do_v malachy_n in_o the_o iv_o and_o v._o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3580._o the_o second_o observation_n which_o be_v very_o material_a be_v that_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n have_v insert_v in_o they_o a_o express_a prohibition_n of_o add_v
by_o moses_n but_o least_o any_o body_n shall_v think_v it_o strange_a that_o i_o shall_v build_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o will_v restrain_v its_o authority_n of_o it_o within_o just_a and_o certain_a bound_n first_o although_o the_o jew_n bear_v witness_n in_o their_o sacred_a book_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v already_o fulfil_v yet_o they_o say_v some_o be_v not_o as_o for_o instance_n those_o which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v but_o their_o obstinate_a blindness_n be_v not_o a_o just_a prejudice_n against_o such_o a_o important_a truth_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o which_o we_o need_v only_o to_o compare_v moses_n word_n with_o the_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n thus_o for_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o need_v only_o compare_v moses_n prophecy_n of_o it_o with_o the_o description_n josephus_n their_o own_o historian_n have_v make_v of_o the_o same_o in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o siege_n and_o ruin_n of_o that_o city_n and_o of_o the_o dissipation_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o without_o the_o jew_n testimony_n in_o what_o regard_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n whereof_o the_o execution_n be_v defer_v for_o a_o very_a long_a time_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o convince_v any_o the_o most_o incredulous_a man_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o divinity_n if_o he_o please_v but_o to_o make_v this_o one_o reflection_n which_o be_v that_o when_o moses_n relate_v among_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n a_o particular_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n come_v and_o when_o he_o mention_n that_o of_o balaam_n concern_v the_o rise_n of_o that_o divine_a star_n he_o subjoin_v also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o bring_v it_o in_o as_o a_o certain_a sign_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world._n now_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o meaning_n of_o moses_n prediction_n about_o the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n which_o the_o prophet_n that_o come_v after_o he_o do_v better_o explain_v and_o illustrate_v we_o shall_v be_v apt_a from_o thence_o to_o conclude_v that_o he_o in_o effect_n foretell_v that_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n will_v follow_v quite_o another_o method_n than_o that_o which_o he_o have_v use_v before_o until_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n viz._n that_o whereas_o god_n may_v seem_v to_o restrain_v then_o the_o privilege_n of_o his_o covenant_n to_o one_o people_n alone_o which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o restrain_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o messiah_n birth_n to_o one_o sole_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o one_o sole_a tribe_n of_o that_o nation_n to_o one_o sole_a family_n of_o that_o tribe_n to_o one_o sole_a branch_n of_o that_o family_n and_o so_o to_o one_o sole_a person_n of_o that_o branch_n he_o will_v after_o the_o messiah_n come_v take_v a_o contrary_a method_n and_o call_v all_o man_n to_o salvation_n in_o he_o now_o that_o be_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n can_v be_v question_v and_o whatever_o the_o jew_n opinion_n be_v concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o that_o they_o have_v careful_o and_o faithful_o preserve_v the_o book_n wherein_o those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o see_v so_o exact_o fulfil_v be_v contain_v for_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suspect_v moses_n or_o any_o other_o jew_n of_o forge_v the_o prophecy_n which_o foretell_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n not_o moses_n see_v all_o his_o law_n do_v tend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o more_o at_o large_a to_o establish_v that_o restriction_n i_o be_v just_a now_o speak_v of_o which_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v not_o the_o jew_n see_v that_o none_o of_o they_o can_v still_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o the_o removal_n of_o that_o restriction_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o possess_v with_o such_o a_o spirit_n of_o envy_n and_o jealousy_n against_o all_o other_o nation_n that_o they_o perfect_o hate_v and_o abominate_a they_o but_o beside_o we_o can_v desire_v a_o better_a nor_o a_o more_o authentic_a accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v so_o opposite_a to_o the_o jewish_a principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la than_o that_o which_o we_o ourselves_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o same_o reflection_n belong_v to_o the_o other_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o total_a dissipation_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n as_o also_o to_o the_o dreadful_a accomplishment_n of_o they_o in_o our_o day_n the_o most_o resolve_a obstinacy_n can_v suggest_v but_o one_o objection_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o either_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o jew_n have_v falsify_v moses_n write_n and_o insert_v those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o now_o find_v there_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o those_o thing_n be_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o first_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o both_o christian_n and_o jew_n have_v be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n and_o pen_v in_o such_o a_o style_n as_o evidence_n their_o antiquity_n and_o as_o will_v be_v inimitable_a now_o second_o that_o these_o book_n have_v be_v all_o translate_v into_o greek_a almost_o 300_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n and_o about_o 350_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n neither_o the_o jew_n nor_o yet_o the_o christian_n be_v any_o long_a sole_a master_n of_o they_o when_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o also_o in_o their_o hand_n beside_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n from_o judaisme_n and_o heathenism_n do_v not_o only_o find_v these_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n long_o before_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o do_v also_o make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o evince_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n which_o we_o find_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n chap._n ix_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o relation_n that_o moses_n have_v the_o messiah_n in_o view_n when_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o former_a reflection_n upon_o genesis_n that_o those_o who_o live_v before_o moses_n time_n have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n that_o god_n will_v certain_o raise_v up_o a_o deliverer_n among_o they_o although_o they_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o appearance_n and_o i_o have_v beside_o i_o think_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o various_a idea_n which_o the_o ancient_n entertain_v of_o he_o upon_o the_o first_o promise_v make_v by_o god_n of_o his_o come_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o several_a criminal_a action_n commit_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o by_o those_o of_o other_o nation_n who_o have_v the_o same_o pretension_n with_o they_o i_o be_o now_o to_o prove_v that_o moses_n himself_o have_v the_o same_o knowledge_n and_o live_v in_o the_o same_o expectation_n with_o the_o ancient_n that_o precede_v he_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v show_v and_o that_o henceforth_o no_o body_n may_v wonder_v if_o i_o pretend_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n he_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n both_o in_o reference_n to_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o prophecy_n as_o also_o those_o other_o mention_v by_o prophet_n that_o live_v after_o he_o in_o that_o jewish_a commonwealth_n do_v all_o suppose_v a_o distinct_a relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o to_o make_v this_o evident_a i_o beg_v leave_n to_o offer_v to_o the_o reader_n be_v consideration_n some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o moses_n history_n in_o genesis_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a and_o wise_a historian_n that_o ever_o be_v there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a design_n nor_o a_o more_o difficult_a task_n than_o his_o be_v to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o 2400_o year_n he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o general_a and_o in_o particular_a of_o that_o of_o man_n of_o his_o sin_n of_o the_o promise_n god_n make_v he_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o original_a of_o all_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v in_o his_o time_n his_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v be_v also_o very_o extraordinary_a the_o majesty_n of_o his_o style_n be_v temper_v with_o a_o admirable_a plainness_n he_o describe_v all_o sort_n of_o passion_n to_o the_o life_n he_o be_v admirable_a in_o his_o character_n of_o the_o man_n he_o speak_v
long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
be_v either_o false_a or_o forge_a this_o eusebius_n have_v clear_o prove_v de_fw-la praepar_n evangelicâ_fw-la lib._n ix_o cap._n 5._o the_o proverb_n of_o the_o sibyll_n or_o delphic_a priestess_n favour_v of_o philip_n be_v common_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a for_o these_o heathen_a prince_n to_o bias_n their_o people_n with_o such_o prediction_n initiò_fw-la lib._n iu._n de_fw-fr praeparat_fw-la evangel_n lib._n iv_o initiò_fw-la but_o what_o eusebius_n say_v put_v the_o thing_n beyond_o all_o question_n for_o he_o express_o show_v that_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v put_v to_o the_o rack_n they_o confess_v the_o whole_a contrivance_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o they_o pronounce_v to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n v._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o we_o can_v find_v great_a number_n of_o oracle_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o prophet_n follow_v as_o it_o be_v moses_n model_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o they_o frequent_o concur_v in_o foretell_v the_o same_o fact_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o vi_o we_o ought_v to_o remember_v that_o these_o oracle_n be_v not_o keep_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o one_o single_a state_n or_o nation_n vii_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o public_o know_v have_v be_v only_o propose_v in_o private_a place_n before_o a_o very_a few_o and_o in_o short_a that_o they_o be_v not_o actual_o know_v to_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o neighbour_a people_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a prophet_n give_v their_o oracle_n in_o the_o most_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o when_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o those_o who_o have_v any_o commerce_n with_o that_o nation_n so_o that_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v questionless_a know_v to_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o cyrus_n who_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o design_v by_o god_n to_o restore_v their_o liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o judgement_n of_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n which_o be_v know_v to_o alexander_n without_o all_o question_n as_o one_o may_v collect_v from_o the_o favourable_a reception_n the_o jew_n find_v from_o he_o viii_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o these_o pretend_a oracle_n be_v give_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o prince_n who_o can_v satisfy_v the_o greediness_n of_o the_o priest_n whereas_o the_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n live_v in_o the_o most_o disinterested_n manner_n in_o the_o world_n and_o usual_o pronounce_v nothing_o but_o reproach_n and_o menace_n of_o cruel_a calamity_n to_o those_o prince_n who_o have_v the_o government_n in_o their_o hand_n their_o ministry_n consist_v in_o a_o courageous_a opposition_n to_o the_o corruption_n in_o their_o law_n and_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o censure_v their_o prince_n and_o governor_n with_o a_o singular_a intrepidity_n and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o most_o of_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o boldness_n and_o make_v trial_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torture_n ix_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v mention_v in_o heathen_a author_n be_v only_o of_o fact_n of_o small_a importance_n to_o those_o people_n among_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v pronounce_v so_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o think_v themselves_o much_o concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v so_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o which_o they_o be_v entrust_v that_o nothing_o to_o this_o very_a day_n can_v ever_o oblige_v they_o to_o discontinue_v the_o read_n of_o they_o whatever_o dispute_v they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v with_o the_o christian_n who_o make_v use_v of_o they_o to_o establish_v their_o pretension_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o synagogue_n when_o this_o be_v lay_v down_o it_o will_v seem_v as_o if_o i_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o wonderful_a variety_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n can_v be_v at_o all_o weaken_a by_o those_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o find_v so_o frequent_a mention_n in_o pagan_a writer_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o in_o explain_v two_o thing_n which_o will_v perfect_o clear_v this_o matter_n one_o be_v that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n can_v be_v no_o forgery_n the_o other_o be_v that_o in_o truth_n those_o oracle_n which_o we_o find_v insert_v in_o those_o book_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n chap._n v._n that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v i_o have_v observe_v former_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v insert_v be_v establish_v before_o we_o can_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o can_v clear_o show_v that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v and_o public_o know_v before_o the_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v accomplishment_n of_o those_o precede_a oracle_n it_o will_v be_v natural_a to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o authority_n of_o these_o oracle_n but_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a reader_n herein_o and_o to_o establish_v in_o general_a or_o several_o the_o existence_n of_o these_o prophetical_a write_n before_o the_o time_n in_o which_o those_o fact_n happen_v which_o we_o propose_v as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o two_o sort_n of_o reflection_n to_o establish_v my_o proposition_n the_o first_o consist_v in_o general_a consideration_n upon_o the_o book_n themselves_o the_o second_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v uncontested_a and_o whence_o the_o same_o truth_n very_o natural_o result_v i._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o whereas_o in_o genesis_n moses_n make_v use_v of_o no_o other_o epocha_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o any_o event_n but_o the_o year_n of_o the_o life_n of_o some_o famous_a patriarch_n as_o for_o instance_n he_o fix_v the_o flood_n to_o the_o 600_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n 38._o exod._n xix_o numb_a xxxiii_o 38._o in_fw-la exodus_fw-la and_o number_n he_o use_v the_o time_n of_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n for_o his_o epocha_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o follow_a author_n the_o year_n from_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v careful_o set_v down_o till_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n solomon_n reign_n which_o be_v 480_o year_n after_o their_o departure_n this_o be_v a_o character_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o all_o those_o who_o live_v after_o that_o epochâ—_n ii_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n begin_v a_o new_a epocha_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v from_o two_o chron._n viii_o 1._o though_o they_o begin_v after_o that_o time_n to_o reckon_v by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o prophet_n which_o be_v a_o character_n sufficient_o certain_a to_o distinguish_v those_o who_o live_v after_o solomon_n with_o the_o time_n when_o they_o live_v iii_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o afterward_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o persian_a empire_n oblige_v they_o to_o fix_v their_o event_n and_o to_o date_n their_o prophecy_n by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o government_n of_o those_o foreign_a king_n see_v daniel_n ezechiel_n zechariah_n and_o haggai_n so_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o maccabee_n refer_v to_o the_o year_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n now_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o perceive_v the_o force_n of_o this_o observation_n we_o must_v remember_v three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o author_n who_o live_v after_o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o jew_n into_o babylon_n make_v use_n of_o some_o chaldee_n term_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o forego_n prophet_n for_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o haggai_n 1._o ezech._n xl._n 1._o daniel_n x._o zach_n i._n hagg._n 1._o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n the_o same_o style_n with_o ezra_n nehemiah_n and_o daniel_n 2._o the_o author_n of_o these_o book_n give_v name_n to_o the_o month_n which_o they_o have_v not_o before_o the_o captivity_n the_o jew_n only_o call_v their_o month_n 1._o talm._n rosch_n hassanah_n c._n 1._o first_o and_z second_o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o they_o give_v name_n which_o be_v unheard_a of_o before_o 3._o the_o author_n of_o these_o prophecy_n take_v particular_a notice_n of_o any_o new_o institute_v fast_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n mention_v those_o fast_n of_o which_o we_o have_v nothing_o in_o the_o law_n but_o which_o be_v
we_o afterward_o that_o the_o prophet_n explain_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n all_o these_o idea_n which_o david_n have_v already_o propose_v isaiah_n speak_v of_o his_o birth_n by_o a_o virgin_n of_o his_o spiritual_a gift_n of_o his_o miracle_n of_o his_o suffering_n of_o his_o resurrection_n of_o his_o call_v of_o all_o nation_n in_o to_o his_o worship_n and_o of_o his_o cast_v off_o the_o jew_n those_o who_o come_v after_o point_n out_o the_o place_n particular_o and_o the_o town_n where_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v they_o describe_v his_o covenant_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n in_o short_a they_o describe_v both_o the_o character_n of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o empire_n under_o which_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v and_o the_o very_a year_n in_o which_o he_o be_v to_o die_v as_o daniel_n particular_o do_v i_o can_v undertake_v to_o relate_v all_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o be_v so_o very_o numerous_a but_o i_o hope_v at_o least_o to_o mark_v the_o more_o principal_a and_o the_o most_o illustrious_a one_o and_o to_o explain_v they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o all_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v i._n that_o god_n design_v to_o give_v infallible_a proof_n to_o his_o church_n of_o his_o design_n in_o send_v the_o messiah_n into_o the_o world_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o continual_a remembrance_n of_o he_o as_o of_o a_o person_n who_o be_v promise_v to_o give_v all_o comfort_n to_o his_o church_n and_o who_o come_v shall_v bring_v salvation_n to_o all_o mankind_n ii_o that_o the_o care_n which_o he_o take_v in_o specify_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n show_v that_o he_o design_v to_o prevent_v the_o scandal_n which_o the_o abject_a life_n and_o death_n of_o a_o messiah_n may_v produce_v and_o the_o false_a judgement_n which_o man_n may_v form_v of_o the_o work_n of_o a_o divine_a wisdom_n when_o they_o only_o judge_v of_o they_o by_o the_o outside_n iii_o that_o he_o design_v to_o give_v a_o infallible_a proof_n that_o this_o send_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o work_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o fidelity_n which_o at_o last_o accomplish_v a_o thing_n the_o design_n whereof_o have_v be_v propose_v to_o mankind_n immediate_o after_o the_o fall._n chap._n ix_o of_o those_o oracle_n concern_v the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o begin_v with_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n since_o it_o be_v convenient_a to_o touch_v they_o all_o over_o again_o in_o few_o word_n the_o first_o oracle_n be_v comprise_v in_o these_o term_n gen._n iii_o 15._o i_o will_v put_v enmity_n between_o thou_o and_o the_o woman_n and_o between_o thy_o seed_n and_o her_o seed_n it_o shall_v bruise_v thy_o head_n and_o thou_o shall_v bruise_v his_o heel_n this_o oracle_n have_v considerable_a advantage_n though_o it_o be_v express_v in_o figurative_a term_n god_n utter_v it_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n after_o he_o have_v give_v sentence_n against_o adam_n and_o the_o woman_n and_o the_o serpent_n in_o a_o very_a sensible_a manner_n even_o under_o a_o human_a shape_n if_o we_o may_v dare_v to_o affirm_v it_o he_o utter_v it_o before_o the_o head_n of_o all_o mankind_n which_o ought_v to_o make_v it_o considerable_a to_o all_o his_o posterity_n he_o express_v it_o by_o a_o allusion_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o temptation_n and_o to_o the_o form_n of_o the_o serpent_n which_o the_o tempter_n have_v take_v upon_o he_o he_o preserve_v thereby_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o temptation_n by_o inspire_v all_o mankind_n with_o a_o invincible_a hatred_n against_o all_o serpent_n in_o general_a though_o the_o tempter_n have_v take_v the_o shape_n but_o of_o one_o particular_a kind_n for_o a_o instrument_n to_o accomplish_v his_o design_n in_o short_a this_o oracle_n clear_o show_v i._o that_o it_o shall_v be_v particular_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n adam_n not_o be_v touch_v at_o ii_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o messiah_n shall_v destroy_v the_o power_n of_o the_o serpent_n express_v by_o the_o head_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n iii_o that_o this_o seed_n shall_v however_o receive_v a_o considerable_a wound_n from_o the_o devil_n though_o it_o shall_v only_o touch_v his_o heel_n the_o least_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o messiah_n iv_o that_o all_o the_o blessing_n which_o god_n shall_v give_v to_o mankind_n after_o the_o fall_n shall_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o send_n of_o this_o seed_n into_o the_o world_n this_o be_v more_o clear_o express_v by_o god_n tell_v abraham_n 18._o gen._n xxii_o 18._o that_o in_o thy_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v that_o this_o oracle_n gen._n iii_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n be_v plain_a i._o because_o it_o be_v the_o source_n and_o abridgement_n of_o the_o whole_a revelation_n ii_o because_o all_o the_o ancient_a jew_n in_o effect_n understand_v it_o so_o iii_o because_o the_o apostle_n in_o follow_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o synagogue_n plain_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o messiah_n l._n targum_fw-la in_o h._n l._n by_o the_o allusion_n which_o they_o make_v to_o they_o john_n xii_o roman_n xvi_o two_o cor._n xi_o 1_o john_n iii_o the_o second_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v contain_v in_o these_o term_n when_o god_n speak_v to_o abraham_n in_o thy_o seed_n shall_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v this_o oracle_n be_v very_o illustrious_a i._o by_o the_o person_n of_o abraham_n who_o god_n make_v the_o depositary_a of_o it_o and_o who_o make_v himself_o ready_a to_o sacricrifice_v his_o own_o son._n ii_o by_o the_o frequent_a repetition_n which_o god_n make_v to_o this_o patriarch_n use_v in_o effect_n all_o those_o way_n which_o he_o afterward_o follow_v in_o his_o revelation_n to_o the_o patriarch_n for_o fifty_o year_n together_o from_o the_o year_n 2083._o to_o the_o year_n 2133._o of_o the_o world._n iii_o because_o it_o be_v accompany_v by_o the_o circumcision_n so_o that_o though_o it_o foretell_v that_o the_o advantage_n shall_v be_v in_o common_a to_o all_o nation_n yet_o it_o limit_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o abraham_n seed_n it_o also_o intimate_v very_o clear_o i._n that_o the_o blessing_n which_o it_o promise_n shall_v be_v in_o common_a to_o all_o nation_n ii_o that_o this_o blessing_n shall_v be_v quite_o of_o another_o nature_n from_o temporal_a one_o as_o the_o increase_n for_o instance_n and_o the_o power_n of_o abraham_n posterity_n which_o have_v be_v promise_v to_o he_o before_o s._n paul_n reflection_n gal._n iii_o 8._o that_o god_n speak_v of_o seed_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n be_v very_o remarkable_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o because_o the_o jew_n make_v a_o like_a observation_n upon_o a_o parallel_a place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o god_n repeat_v this_o promise_n when_o he_o speak_v to_o isaac_n in_o the_o year_n 2200_o and_o to_o jacob_n in_o the_o year_n 2245._o gen._n xxviii_o 14._o and_o thy_o seed_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o thou_o shall_v spread_v abroad_o to_o the_o west_n and_o to_o the_o east_n and_o to_o the_o north_n and_o to_o the_o south_n and_o in_o thou_o and_o in_o thy_o seed_n shall_v all_o the_o family_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v so_o one_o ought_v to_o repeat_v again_o the_o same_o reflection_n this_o ought_v only_o to_o be_v add_v that_o god_n restrain_v the_o honour_n of_o bring_v forth_o the_o messiah_n to_o jacob_n the_o son_n of_o isaac_n that_o the_o edomite_n may_v not_o come_v in_o to_o challenge_v the_o right_n as_o i_o have_v very_o particular_o explain_v in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o genesis_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o oracle_n which_o jacob_n give_v in_o the_o year_n 2315._o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o clear_a prediction_n in_o the_o whole_a bible_n and_o it_o be_v express_v in_o these_o term_n judah_n thou_o be_v he_o who_o thy_o brethren_n shall_v praise_v thy_o hand_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o neck_n of_o thy_o enemy_n thy_o father_n child_n shall_v bow_v down_o before_o thou_o judah_n be_v a_o lion_n whelp_n from_o the_o prey_n my_o son_n thou_o be_v go_v up_o he_o stoop_v down_o he_o couch_v as_o a_o lion_n and_o as_o a_o old_a lion_n who_o shall_v rouse_v he_o up_o the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o law_n giver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n until_o shiloh_n come_v and_o unto_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v his_o foal_n unto_o the_o vine_n
of_o the_o messiah_n whereas_o hitherto_o god_n have_v only_o describe_v he_o under_o the_o figure_n of_o a_o bare_a man_n though_o the_o other_o be_v make_v sufficient_o intelligible_a when_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o tempter_n and_o the_o right_n of_o procure_v a_o blessing_n unto_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o he_o be_v personal_o to_o enjoy_v be_v attribute_v to_o he_o thing_n infinite_o beyond_o the_o power_n and_o condition_n of_o mankind_n to_o perform_v be_v attribute_v to_o he_o ii_o he_o observe_v that_o this_o person_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v such_o magnificent_a thing_n ought_v however_o to_o be_v descend_v from_o jacob_n which_o ratify_v jacob_n prophecy_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n iii_o though_o he_o hint_n very_o clear_o at_o the_o effect_n of_o those_o blessing_n and_o temporal_a victory_n which_o jacob_n posterity_n be_v to_o obtain_v over_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o insinuate_v plain_o enough_o that_o the_o bestow_n of_o the_o blessing_n which_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v obtain_v be_v to_o be_v reserve_v to_o jacob_n seed_n when_o he_o refuse_v to_o retract_v those_o promise_n of_o blessing_n which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n to_o which_o oracle_n he_o make_v a_o sensible_a allusion_n and_o it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o consider_v that_o the_o jew_n always_o apply_v this_o oracle_n to_o the_o messiah_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o their_o chaldee_n paraphra_v and_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v so_o general_o that_o the_o famous_a achiba_n who_o live_v under_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n pretend_v that_o barchocheba_n be_v the_o messiah_n because_o his_o name_n be_v chochab_n which_o be_v a_o star_n in_o hebrew_n as_o if_o god_n intend_v to_o mark_v that_o impostor_n for_o the_o true_a messiah_n by_o foretell_v what_o name_n he_o shall_v be_v call_v by_o the_o oracle_n which_o moses_n utter_v a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n be_v very_o considerable_a the_o people_n be_v terrify_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o they_o upon_o mount_n sinai_n desire_v that_o god_n will_v no_o long_o speak_v as_o he_o have_v do_v before_o but_o that_o moses_n shall_v give_v they_o a_o account_n of_o whatever_o god_n shall_v command_v hereupon_o god_n consent_v to_o their_o request_n and_o promise_v they_o by_o moses_n that_o he_o will_v raise_v they_o up_o a_o prophet_n like_o unto_o moses_n to_o who_o they_o ought_v to_o hearken_v upon_o pain_n of_o be_v cut_v off_o he_o that_o make_v the_o addition_n to_o the_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n wherein_o his_o death_n be_v describe_v take_v notice_n that_o there_o never_o rise_v up_o afterward_o a_o prophet_n in_o israel_n like_v to_o moses_n if_o it_o be_v ezra_n who_o make_v that_o addition_n than_o here_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o clear_a decision_n against_o the_o jew_n some_o of_o who_o assert_v that_o joshua_n or_o jeremiah_n be_v the_o prophet_n who_o moses_n promise_v if_o it_o be_v eleazar_n who_o live_v in_o joshua_n time_n then_o here_o joshua_n at_o least_o be_v exclude_v from_o this_o privilege_n of_o be_v design_v by_o moses_n but_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o stop_v at_o such_o frivolous_a objection_n one_o need_v only_o observe_v moses_n character_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o four_o certain_a mark_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n which_o advance_v he_o infinite_o above_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n i._o he_o have_v all_o the_o sort_n of_o revelation_n which_o be_v general_o find_v among_o all_o the_o prophet_n ii_o he_o be_v illustrious_a for_o great_a number_n of_o miracle_n iii_o he_o not_o only_o reform_v the_o error_n and_o false_a way_n of_o worship_n then_o prevail_v among_o the_o jew_n but_o he_o set_v up_o a_o new_a worship_n and_o a_o new_a form_n of_o religion_n iv_o he_o introduce_v this_o law_n and_o this_o way_n of_o worship_v god_n by_o such_o a_o conversation_n with_o god_n as_o one_o see_v we_o among_o two_o intimate_a friend_n in_o which_o of_o the_o prophet_n may_v these_o four_o character_n be_v find_v the_o galilean_n themselves_o testify_v plain_o that_o these_o character_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o they_o see_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n john_n vi_o 14._o and_o the_o jew_n acknowledge_v the_o same_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n when_o they_o apply_v that_o oracle_n to_o the_o messiah_n john_n i._n 45._o but_o if_o these_o oracle_n be_v obscure_o hint_v at_o in_o this_o oracle_n one_o may_v see_v they_o clear_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o follow_a oracle_n proportionable_o as_o the_o revelation_n increase_v and_o as_o god_n unravel_v the_o idea_n of_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n by_o explain_v they_o more_o particular_o by_o those_o prophet_n who_o he_o afterward_o raise_v up_o this_o may_v clear_o be_v see_v if_o we_o pass_v on_o to_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v utter_v by_o david_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n who_o live_v about_o his_o time_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n these_o be_v the_o oracle_n which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o meditation_n of_o the_o faithful_a from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2553_o in_o which_o moses_n die_v until_o david_n time_n who_o be_v particular_o choose_v by_o god_n to_o be_v the_o only_a man_n of_o his_o family_n which_o be_v also_o separate_v from_o all_o the_o other_o family_n of_o judah_n who_o come_v from_o pharez_n from_o who_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v descend_v i_o have_v observe_v in_o another_o place_n that_o in_o all_o probability_n god_n raise_v david_n to_o the_o throne_n only_o to_o make_v the_o genealogy_n of_o that_o family_n better_o know_v from_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o spring_v as_o this_o double_a advancement_n of_o david_n one_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o israel_n the_o other_o to_o be_v the_o father_n to_o the_o messiah_n aught_o to_o have_v inspire_v he_o with_o lively_a resentment_n of_o gratitude_n and_o as_o his_o oracle_n will_v be_v much_o more_o famous_a be_v utter_v by_o a_o royal_a prophet_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o god_n employ_v he_o in_o the_o make_v a_o just_a regulation_n of_o the_o service_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n so_o we_o see_v that_o david_n employ_v his_o pen_n in_o give_v more_o distinct_a idea_n of_o that_o messiah_n which_o he_o promise_v they_o the_o name_n messiah_n proper_o signify_v a_o person_n consecrate_v by_o anoint_v to_o be_v king_n priest_n or_o prophet_n this_o name_n be_v particular_o apply_v by_o david_n and_o the_o prophet_n who_o live_v after_o he_o to_o that_o holy_a seed_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o abraham_n family_n by_o isaac_n by_o jacob_n by_o judah_n and_o by_o david_n and_o one_o may_v observe_v in_o david_n psalm_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o time_n that_o they_o give_v the_o name_n of_o messiah_n to_o the_o promise_a seed_n under_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o three_o sense_n the_o character_n both_o of_o a_o prophet_n and_o a_o priest_n though_o each_o of_o they_o be_v august_n enough_o yet_o yield_v to_o that_o of_o a_o king._n these_o be_v the_o different_a idea_n which_o david_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o that_o time_n follow_v in_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o their_o description_n but_o it_o be_v not_o my_o design_n to_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o all_o those_o oracle_n which_o describe_v these_o different_a character_n for_o fear_v of_o be_v excessive_o long_a so_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o observe_v two_o thing_n i._o that_o david_n alone_o utter_v more_o oracle_n than_o all_o the_o prophet_n who_o come_v before_o he_o ii_o that_o these_o oracle_n of_o david_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v clear_a than_o all_o the_o precedent_a one_o now_o i_o say_v that_o david_n alone_o utter_v more_o oracle_n than_o any_o one_o prophet_n who_o come_v before_o he_o thus_o in_o the_o xl_o psalm_n he_o explain_v the_o decree_n by_o which_o the_o messiah_n become_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n and_o clothe_v himself_o with_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n to_o offer_v unto_o god_n a_o more_o perfect_a obedience_n than_o that_o which_o have_v former_o be_v offer_v by_o burnt-offering_n and_o sacrifice_n he_o describe_v the_o measure_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o ministry_n which_o be_v to_o consist_v in_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o people_n in_o righteousness_n truth_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o god._n psalm_n xl._n 7._o 11._o sacrifice_n and_o offer_v thou_o do_v not_o desire_v my_o ear_n have_v thou_o open_v burnt-offering_a and_o sin_n offering_z have_v thou_o not_o require_v then_o say_v i_o lo_o i_o come_v in_o the_o volume_n of_o the_o book_n it_o be_v write_v of_o i_o i_o delight_v to_o do_v thy_o will_n
ben_n israel_n 2._o that_o the_o prophet_n write_v in_o chaldea_n follow_v the_o account_n of_o the_o chaldean_a year_n which_o consist_v of_o 360_o day_n as_o appear_v clear_o from_o other_o passage_n of_o this_o book_n where_o he_o resolve_v the_o year_n into_o day_n without_o regard_v the_o several_a day_n which_o in_o a_o just_a calculation_n be_v to_o be_v intercalate_v 3._o that_o the_o prophet_n express_v a_o certain_a epocha_n from_o whence_o the_o count_a of_o these_o week_n be_v to_o begin_v viz._n a_o order_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n which_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o that_o of_o cyrus_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n of_o none_o effect_n nor_o to_o the_o edict_n of_o darius_n son_n of_o hystaspes_n which_o have_v regard_v only_o to_o the_o re-establish_a of_o the_o temple_n nor_o to_o that_o of_o artaxerxes_n give_v to_o ezra_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o that_o prince_n because_o that_o contain_v only_o some_o particular_a privilege_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o temple_n but_o to_o the_o edict_n which_o artaxerxes_n grant_v to_o nehemiah_n in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o contain_v a_o particular_a grant_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n with_o its_o fortification_n 4._o for_o though_o there_o be_v but_o 483_o solar_a year_n from_o the_o 20_o of_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o first_o of_o cajus_n caligula_n yet_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o just_a number_n of_o 490_o year_n if_o we_o follow_v the_o chaldean_a way_n of_o calculation_n in_o which_o they_o reckon_v 360_o day_n to_o a_o year_n and_o indeed_o we_o find_v just_a 483_o such_o year_n from_o the_o 20_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o time_n wherein_o all_o judea_n be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o be_v then_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v he_o suffer_v death_n three_o year_n and_o a_o half_n after_o his_o baptism_n viz._n the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o tiberius_n before_o the_o seven_o week_n be_v end_v and_o the_o term_n point_v out_o by_o daniel_n be_v expire_v i_o know_v that_o some_o famous_a man_n begin_v the_o week_n of_o daniel_n from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la and_o make_v they_o to_o end_v with_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n 490_o account_v from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o the_o say_v darius_n and_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o oblige_v thereto_o by_o a_o argument_n they_o believe_v invincible_a because_o from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la to_o the_o thirty_o second_o of_o artaxerxes_n mnemon_n they_o find_v just_a forty_o nine_o year_n that_o be_v the_o seven_o week_n design_v by_o daniel_n for_o rebuilding_n of_o the_o ruin_n and_o fortify_v of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o nehemiah_n return_v to_o artaxerxes_n in_o the_o thirty_o second_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n have_v finish_v that_o work_n nehemiah_n xiii_o 6._o but_o this_o opinion_n can_v stand_v for_o these_o two_o reason_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v unanswerable_a the_o first_o be_v because_o they_o suppose_v that_o daniel_n end_v his_o seventy_o week_n at_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n whereas_o indeed_o he_o say_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seventieth_n week_n the_o second_o be_v that_o so_o without_o design_v it_o they_o rob_v jesus_n christ_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o have_v determine_v the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o if_o instead_o of_o a_o prophecy_n concern_v that_o event_n he_o have_v only_o give_v we_o a_o explication_n of_o that_o of_o daniel_n neither_o will_v i_o make_v any_o further_o stop_v here_o to_o observe_v that_o that_o which_o have_v give_v most_o trouble_n to_o interpreter_n have_v proceed_v from_o the_o want_n of_o make_v a_o exact_a distribution_n of_o the_o different_a part_n of_o that_o prophecy_n which_o very_o distinct_o deliver_v three_o thing_n 1._o the_o end_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o happen_v after_o seven_o week_n in_o the_o time_n of_o malachy_n 2._o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o last_o week_n of_o the_o 490_o year_n 3._o the_o peace_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o one_o week_n that_o be_v three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a before_o the_o destructiof_n jerusalem_n which_o be_v do_v not_o by_o the_o messiah_n as_o some_o have_v imagine_v but_o by_o the_o roman_n who_o make_v peace_n with_o the_o parthian_n xv._o annal._n lib._n xv._o as_o be_v record_v by_o tacitus_n a_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v easy_o judge_v that_o this_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n concern_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o oracle_n have_v be_v occasion_v by_o want_n of_o attention_n to_o what_o have_v be_v now_o mention_v now_o these_o observation_n be_v suppose_v as_o indeed_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a evidence_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n the_o time_n be_v set_v down_o so_o precise_o by_o daniel_n as_o leave_v no_o pretence_n to_o doubt_v of_o this_o truth_n and_o indeed_o though_o the_o jew_n seem_v present_o after_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o have_v adopt_v the_o opinion_n i_o mention_v before_o as_o be_v unwilling_a to_o receive_v the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o carry_v it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n viz._n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o their_o temple_n notwithstanding_o daniel_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o temple_n be_v not_o to_o be_v destroy_v till_o after_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o jew_n i_o say_v be_v convince_v by_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n have_v own_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n but_o that_o he_o have_v hide_v himself_o ever_o since_o the_o second_o oracle_n concern_v the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v that_o of_o haggai_n which_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v during_o the_o second_o temple_n which_o be_v begin_v to_o be_v build_v by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n finish_v under_o darius_n son_n of_o hystaspes_n and_o destroy_v by_o vespasian_n the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v as_o follow_v chap._n ii_o vers_fw-la 7_o 8_o 9_o and_o i_o will_v shake_v all_o nation_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n shall_v come_v and_o i_o will_v fill_v this_o house_n with_o glory_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o silver_n be_v i_o and_o the_o gold_n be_v i_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o glory_n of_o this_o latter_a house_n shall_v be_v great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o former_a say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n and_o in_o this_o place_n will_v i_o give_v peace_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o note_n 1._o that_o this_o oracle_n promise_v a_o very_a great_a change_n 2._o it_o describe_v the_o messiah_n as_o the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n suitable_a to_o the_o idea_n god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o to_o abraham_n 3._o that_o it_o fix_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o temple_n build_v by_o zorobabel_n 4._o it_o make_v the_o glory_n of_o that_o house_n to_o depend_v upon_o its_o be_v honour_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o this_o truth_n we_o need_v only_o consider_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n zachariah_n and_o malachy_n do_v represent_v to_o we_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o near_o at_o hand_n balaam_n have_v say_v almost_o ten_o age_n before_o i_o see_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o which_o intimate_v his_o come_n to_o be_v then_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n but_o zechariah_n speak_v thus_o concern_v it_o chap._n iii_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10._o hear_v now_o o_o joshuah_n the_o high_a priest_n thou_o and_o thy_o fellow_n that_o sit_v before_o thou_o for_o they_o be_v man_n wonder_v at_o behold_v i_o will_v bring_v forth_o my_o servant_n the_o branch_n for_o behold_v the_o stone_n that_o i_o have_v lay_v before_o joshua_n upon_o one_o stone_n shall_v be_v seven_o eye_n behold_v i_o will_v engrave_v the_o grave_v thereof_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n and_o i_o will_v remove_v the_o iniquity_n of_o that_o land_n in_o one_o day_n in_o that_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n shall_v you_o call_v every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n under_o the_o vine_n and_o under_o the_o figtree_n malachy_n express_v himself_o concern_v the_o approach_a come_v of_o the_o messiah_n thus_o chap._n iii_o verse_n 1._o behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o messenger_n and_o he_o
doubt_n whether_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v at_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n or_o no_o especial_o since_o the_o apostle_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o particular_a have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o prophet_n so_o plain_o do_v foretell_v this_o truth_n chap._n xxv_o of_o the_o time_n which_o succeed_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o prophecy_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n thus_o we_o have_v see_v a_o abridgement_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a oracle_n utter_v either_o by_o god_n himself_o or_o by_o prophet_n who_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o declare_v his_o design_n i_o may_v easy_o have_v allege_v a_o far_o great_a number_n but_o i_o choose_v rather_o to_o content_v myself_o with_o these_o to_o avoid_v the_o confusion_n which_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o citation_n be_v apt_a to_o occasion_n and_o i_o question_v not_o but_o these_o i_o have_v mention_v will_v suffice_v to_o give_v we_o a_o idea_n of_o god_n promise_n concern_v the_o messiah_n sufficient_o great_a and_o enable_v we_o to_o make_v a_o judgement_n whether_o that_o which_o the_o christian_n declare_v to_o have_v be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o be_v so_o indeed_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n for_o the_o further_o clear_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o the_o whole_a matter_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o deserve_v a_o serious_a attention_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n have_v by_o degree_n put_v a_o end_n to_o those_o division_n that_o be_v between_o some_o other_o nation_n and_o the_o jew_n found_v on_o their_o hope_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o time_n of_o its_o accomplishment_n draw_v near_o we_o hear_v little_a now_o of_o the_o enmity_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n against_o the_o jew_n god_n have_v place_v they_o in_o the_o desert_n of_o paran_n they_o have_v indeed_o continue_v there_o in_o a_o manner_n invincible_a but_o also_o without_o any_o great_a communication_n with_o their_o neighbour_n nation_n as_o for_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n they_o have_v their_o kingdom_n on_o the_o border_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n and_o continue_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n since_o which_o we_o find_v little_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o as_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n whole_o confound_v with_o other_o nation_n only_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o few_o memorial_n of_o the_o ammonite_n who_o pretension_n to_o that_o promise_n be_v the_o weak_a of_o the_o two_o as_o be_v the_o posterity_n of_o lot_n young_a daughter_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o observe_n that_o most_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o david_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o follow_a prophet_n which_o thunder_n forth_o such_o terrible_a denunciation_n against_o the_o pride_n of_o those_o people_n threaten_v they_o with_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n and_o final_a destruction_n seem_v to_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n and_o jealousy_n their_o state_n quarrel_n which_o happen_v afterward_o succeed_v to_o this_o their_o first_o aversion_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o state_n and_o government_n of_o the_o edomite_n as_o well_o as_o their_o jealousy_n against_o israel_n continue_v till_o after_o cyrus_n who_o grant_v they_o the_o liberty_n of_o return_v to_o their_o own_o country_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v carry_v away_o captive_n with_o they_o by_o nabuchadnezzar_n but_o contrary_a to_o the_o hope_n they_o have_v of_o be_v reestablish_v to_o their_o former_a estate_n we_o find_v that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachy_n they_o continue_v in_o bondage_n to_o their_o neighbour_n yea_o to_o the_o jew_n themselves_o until_o herod_n the_o edomite_n possess_v himself_o of_o the_o throne_n of_o judea_n be_v probable_o flatter_v by_o those_o of_o his_o own_o nation_n and_o by_o some_o jew_n also_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o his_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n we_o must_v also_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o divine_a providence_n seem_v to_o have_v continue_v this_o people_n so_o long_o on_o purpose_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o be_v between_o they_o and_o the_o jew_n may_v preserve_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o promise_a messiah_n more_o fresh_a and_o lively_a and_o to_o engage_v man_n to_o a_o more_o attentive_a consideration_n of_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o same_o and_o that_o god_n by_o confound_v they_o afterward_o with_o other_o nation_n intend_v whole_o to_o take_v away_o their_o pretension_n the_o service_n which_o before_o they_o render_v to_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v no_o long_o needful_a after_o so_o clear_a and_o distinct_a a_o revelation_n this_o reflection_n will_v be_v own_v to_o be_v more_o than_o a_o conjecture_n if_o we_o consider_v god_n deal_v with_o the_o ten_o tribe_n god_n suffer_v they_o to_o be_v carry_v away_o captive_n by_o salmanassar_n leave_v only_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n levi_n and_o benjamin_n to_o be_v afterward_o the_o depositary_n of_o the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v keep_v some_o distance_n of_o time_n in_o his_o revelation_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n may_v be_v full_o and_o firm_o establish_v which_o as_o i_o have_v observe_v be_v do_v by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o prophecy_n respect_v some_o particular_a matter_n of_o fact_n near_o at_o hand_n so_o it_o please_v god_n for_o above_o four_o hundred_o year_n to_o leave_v the_o jew_n without_o the_o light_n of_o prophecy_n because_o that_o which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o till_o malachy_n time_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o know_v the_o messiah_n when_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o cessation_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v serve_v to_o increase_v their_o desire_n for_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o who_o day_n those_o gift_n which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a glory_n of_o their_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v restore_v in_o far_o great_a abundance_n than_o have_v ever_o be_v grant_v to_o they_o before_o a_o four_o reflection_n which_o be_v well_o worth_a our_o attentive_a consideration_n be_v that_o god_n so_o order_v it_o in_o his_o providence_n that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o greek_a about_o one_o hundred_o year_n after_o malachy_n that_o they_o may_v be_v communicate_v to_o all_o nation_n the_o greek_a tongue_n be_v at_o that_o time_n and_o indeed_o ever_o since_o the_o reign_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a a_o language_n the_o most_o know_a and_o general_o speak_v in_o the_o world_n he_o have_v with_o his_o power_n carry_v it_o into_o the_o south_n and_o east_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n hereby_o design_v these_o three_o thing_n first_o to_o establish_v and_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o divine_a oracle_n by_o deliver_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_a by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n at_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o king_n of_o egypt_n second_o to_o prevent_v cavil_v about_o the_o explication_n of_o those_o oracle_n thus_o for_o instance_n we_o see_v there_o be_v no_o place_n leave_v to_o dispute_v the_o translation_n of_o that_o prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v see_v the_o lxx_o interpreter_n who_o be_v jew_n have_v render_v it_o so_o themselves_o some_o age_n before_o any_o contest_v be_v start_v about_o it_o between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n the_o three_o be_v to_o prepare_v and_o dispose_v the_o heathen_a for_o receive_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o indeed_o we_o may_v easy_o comprehend_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o prophetical_a write_n shall_v be_v communicate_v to_o the_o heathen_a in_o order_n to_o their_o ready_a submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o they_o know_v by_o those_o character_n which_o have_v be_v give_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v not_o fit_v that_o the_o heathen_a shall_v whole_o depend_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o same_o divine_a oracle_n do_v express_o affirm_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v conclude_v these_o reflection_n with_o a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n since_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n first_o one_o find_v that_o this_o government_n subsist_v as_o distinct_a from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o ever_o it_o do_v before_o we_o see_v the_o honour_n wherewith_o alexander_n the_o great_a treat_v their_o high_a priest_n and_o that_o when_o he_o be_v appoint_v arbitrator_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o the_o samaritan_n he_o determine_v the_o matter_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n one_o see_v we_o
flatter_a themselves_o that_o god_n will_v one_o day_n re-establish_a they_o in_o judea_n which_o they_o expect_v by_o mean_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n at_o first_o promise_v to_o they_o it_o be_v now_o above_o 1600_o year_n that_o they_o have_v be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v not_o that_o their_o condition_n have_v make_v they_o change_v their_o measure_n or_o hope_n and_o tho'_o they_o have_v already_o be_v deceive_v by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o false_a messiah_n yet_o do_v not_o they_o for_o all_o that_o look_v upon_o the_o condition_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n as_o irrecoverable_a now_o if_o during_o so_o long_a a_o series_n of_o age_n they_o have_v keep_v their_o law_n with_o so_o much_o carefulness_n if_o they_o still_o religious_o observe_v all_o those_o law_n which_o can_v be_v keep_v without_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n who_o see_v not_o but_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n they_o must_v have_v keep_v they_o more_o exact_o at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o before_o his_o come_n when_o they_o can_v keep_v they_o with_o much_o more_o ease_n than_o since_o that_o time_n and_o that_o for_o many_o considerable_a reason_n for_o first_o their_o dispersion_n then_o be_v in_o one_o only_a nation_n whereas_o now_o they_o be_v scatter_v among_o heathen_n christian_n and_o mahometan_n 2._o they_o have_v then_o prophet_n who_o exhort_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o these_o law_n which_o now_o they_o have_v want_v for_o so_o many_o age_n 3._o they_o have_v often_o prince_n that_o be_v very_o favourable_a to_o they_o such_o as_o cyrus_n and_o darius_n who_o order_v that_o sacrifice_n shall_v be_v offer_v for_o themselves_o in_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o pompey_n afterward_o have_v the_o same_o inclination_n for_o they_o whereas_o since_o the_o time_n of_o their_o dispersion_n they_o have_v scarce_o meet_v with_o any_o one_o prince_n that_o have_v be_v favourable_a to_o they_o if_o we_o except_o julian_n the_o apostate_n who_o from_o a_o effect_n of_o his_o hatred_n against_o the_o christian_n do_v vain_o strive_v to_o re-establish_a they_o 4._o they_o have_v a_o temple_n to_o which_o the_o whole_a state_n of_o their_o republic_n be_v fix_v herod_n about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v most_o magnificent_o repair_v it_o whereas_o now_o for_o so_o many_o age_n they_o have_v neither_o temple_n nor_o altar_n 5._o they_o have_v high-priest_n among_o they_o that_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o be_v king_n of_o their_o nation_n whereas_o now_o they_o have_v neither_o king_n nor_o prince_n of_o their_o faith._n 6._o their_o law_n be_v translate_v into_o greek_a since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n it_o give_v occasion_n to_o a_o extraordinary_a jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n of_o egypt_n who_o have_v the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o greek_a and_o between_o those_o of_o jerusalem_n who_o have_v it_o in_o hebrew_n whereas_o now_o all_o this_o be_v altogether_o cease_v all_o the_o jew_n now_o for_o many_o age_n make_v use_n only_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text._n since_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o they_o without_o prophet_n without_o king_n out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n etc._n etc._n have_v observe_v these_o law_n for_o so_o many_o age_n notwithstanding_o their_o dispersion_n throughout_o all_o place_n and_o among_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n how_o much_o rather_o may_v we_o conceive_v they_o do_v so_o since_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n who_o place_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o order_n in_o which_o we_o have_v they_o at_o this_o day_n there_o be_v only_o 542_o year_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o return_n of_o their_o captivity_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n 3468_o to_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n and_o but_o 259_o year_n from_o their_o return_n to_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o 70_o and_o we_o know_v that_o above_o 1600_o year_n be_v pass_v since_o their_o general_a dispersion_n moreover_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o roman_n have_v so_o well_o preserve_v the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n from_o pompey_n time_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o their_o religion_n that_o a_o roman_a general_n send_v to_o demand_v a_o kind_n of_o permission_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o let_v he_o pass_v with_o the_o roman_a eagle_n through_o syria_n we_o know_v that_o those_o eagle_n be_v never_o set_v up_o at_o jerusalem_n but_o it_o be_v at_o a_o time_n when_o a_o roman_a commander_n intend_v to_o stir_v up_o the_o jew_n to_o sedition_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n to_o make_v the_o emperor_n their_o enemy_n yea_o we_o find_v that_o though_o the_o roman_n reserve_v to_o themselves_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n yet_o they_o permitred_a to_o the_o jew_n the_o judgement_n of_o zeal_n against_o those_o who_o they_o call_v heretic_n who_o they_o tear_v to_o piece_n to_o execute_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law._n if_o we_o find_v that_o a_o roman_a proconsul_n will_v not_o concern_v himself_o with_o question_n of_o their_o law_n arise_v without_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o own_o country_n how_o much_o rather_o may_v we_o judge_v that_o they_o enjoy_v a_o entire_a liberty_n within_o judea_n and_o indeed_o we_o find_v the_o priest_n send_v their_o 4._o act_n ix_o 4._o commissioner_n to_o damascus_n against_o the_o christian_n without_o doubt_n with_o design_n to_o execute_v the_o law_n against_o impostor_n s._n paul_n be_v beat_v several_a time_n with_o forty_o stripe_n save_o one_o which_o can_v not_o be_v upon_o any_o other_o pretence_n but_o to_o obey_v the_o law_n in_o that_o matter_n these_o proof_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v out_o that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n subsist_v still_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o god_n institute_v it_o and_o as_o for_o what_o concern_v the_o overthrow_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o god_n have_v interweave_v the_o law_n that_o regulate_v it_o with_o those_o of_o their_o government_n so_o that_o their_o religion_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o religious_a policy_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o their_o government_n continue_v at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o their_o religion_n notwithstanding_o the_o corruption_n which_o the_o pharisee_n and_o traditionary_a jew_n who_o christ_n continual_o censure_v have_v introduce_v do_v still_o continue_v pure_a enough_o to_o answer_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v they_o reject_v the_o samaritan_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o iv_o of_o s._n john_n and_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o heretic_n have_v no_o commerce_n with_o they_o they_o live_v in_o a_o perfect_a alienation_n from_o the_o heathen_a it_o be_v with_o this_o s._n peter_n begin_v his_o discourse_n to_o the_o assembly_n at_o the_o house_n of_o cornelius_n act_v x._o 28._o they_o live_v in_o a_o exact_a observance_n of_o the_o solemn_a feast_n which_o god_n have_v prescribe_v they_o viz._n the_o passover_n pentecost_n the_o feast_n of_o expiation_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n they_o observe_v the_o feast_n which_o their_o ancestor_n have_v join_v to_o these_o upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n as_o that_o of_o the_o dedication_n that_o of_o lot_n and_o some_o fast_n which_o they_o keep_v then_o as_o they_o do_v to_o this_o day_n this_o appear_v by_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o assist_v at_o these_o solemn_a festival_n with_o much_o regularity_n they_o do_v not_o till_o their_o ground_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n according_a to_o god_n command_n which_o make_v the_o heathen_a prince_n which_o be_v over_o they_o to_o release_v they_o from_o pay_v any_o tribute_n that_o year_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o josephus_n and_o other_o author_n they_o teach_v the_o law_n in_o their_o synagogue_n and_o that_o every_o sabbath_n day_n they_o be_v so_o scrupulous_a in_o their_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n that_o they_o accuse_v our_o saviour_n for_o heal_v the_o sick_a on_o that_o day_n it_o appear_v that_o leper_n be_v sequester_v and_o that_o they_o observe_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o leprosy_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v by_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gadarenes_n that_o swine_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o unclean_a beast_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o pay_v the_o tribute_n which_o be_v appoint_v for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o temple_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o re-establishment_n of_o that_o custom_n which_o we_o find_v two_o chron._n xxiv_o 5._o josephus_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o practice_n be_v continue_v till_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n xii_o antiq._n xviii_o ch._n xii_o we_o meet_v with_o the_o same_o in_o tacitus_n and_o other_o heathen_a author_n of_o that_o time_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o be_v extreme_o corrupt_v in_o their_o
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o maintain_v against_o the_o christian_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o about_o the_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o these_o character_n the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v come_v the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o prove_v it_o by_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o these_o character_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o proper_a character_n to_o know_v he_o by_o and_o so_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v be_v elude_v and_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n equal_o deceive_v in_o take_v that_o for_o a_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v not_o or_o else_o that_o both_o the_o messiah_n be_v certain_o come_v and_o and_o that_o he_o be_v no_o other_o than_o that_o jesus_n who_o we_o worship_v chap._n xxi_o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o double_a stumble_a block_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o religion_n say_v they_o propound_v doctrine_n that_o be_v inconceivable_a and_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n that_o of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n these_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o jew_n reject_v as_o absolute_o incompatible_a with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o answer_v this_o objection_n 1._o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o total_a forgetfulness_n of_o the_o solidity_n of_o those_o proof_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v allege_v jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o be_v a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o several_a witness_n it_o appear_v from_o tacitus_n that_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v death_n under_o tiberius_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v know_v that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o christian_n from_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 54._o it_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n in_o his_o life_n of_o nero_n that_o he_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o burn_a the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_n therefore_o make_v a_o considerable_a body_n in_o the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 64._o suetonius_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o pliny_n in_o trajan_n time_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o meeting_n 3._o dion_n cassius_n set_v down_o the_o accusation_n bring_v in_o against_o flavius_n and_o domitilla_n as_o against_o atheist_n which_o be_v the_o title_n julian_n the_o apostate_n give_v to_o constantine_n because_o the_o christian_n reject_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a gods._n 4._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 63_o and_o yet_o this_o book_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o s._n luke_n to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o it_o and_o s._n luke_n gospel_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v already_o publish_v 5._o it_o appear_v from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v then_o write_v and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o book_n of_o s._n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o s._n justin._n these_o fact_n which_o be_v certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n as_o eye_n witness_n maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n after_o this_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v dispute_v by_o what_o power_n he_o be_v raise_v whether_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o by_o his_o own_o but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v the_o fact_n by_o reason_v draw_v from_o preten_v absurdity_n which_o one_o may_v think_v to_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o these_o mystery_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o idea_n of_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o which_o not_o be_v distinct_o know_v by_o we_o may_v raise_v difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o i_o will_v discourse_v with_o one_o bear_v blind_a of_o the_o sun_n of_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o sun_n the_o production_n of_o light_n and_o afterward_o of_o heat_n he_o will_v find_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n not_o to_o imagine_v three_o sun_n it_o be_v know_v how_o the_o philosopher_n who_o agree_v about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v notwithstanding_o be_v oblige_v to_o attribute_v several_a faculty_n to_o it_o which_o the_o common_a people_n look_v upon_o as_o very_o different_a thing_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o christian_n prove_v very_o solid_o that_o these_o mystery_n have_v be_v clear_o propose_v by_o the_o apostle_n who_o receive_v their_o light_n from_o heaven_n as_o to_o these_o truth_n and_o so_o may_v necessary_o be_v believe_v upon_o their_o word_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v former_o believe_v moreover_o they_o assert_v that_o these_o doctrine_n be_v first_o express_v though_o not_o so_o clear_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o christian_n i_o add_v to_o these_o remark_n that_o most_o of_o those_o fact_n who_o truth_n be_v so_o invincible_o establish_v suppose_v these_o doctrine_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o religion_n do_v so_o necessary_o require_v they_o that_o we_o rob_v it_o of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o its_o glory_n in_o question_v or_o contest_v any_o of_o they_o these_o reflection_n may_v suffice_v in_o general_a to_o resolve_v this_o difficulty_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o for_o a_o more_o particular_a satisfaction_n we_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o those_o book_n which_o purposely_o treat_v of_o these_o mystery_n desire_v he_o to_o observe_v careful_o that_o common_o the_o most_o difficult_a objection_n of_o heretic_n against_o these_o matter_n do_v rather_o oppose_v the_o term_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o or_o the_o notion_n which_o man_n follow_v in_o speak_v of_o these_o truth_n than_o the_o proposition_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n at_o least_o one_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v constrain_v to_o resolve_v several_a parallel_n objection_n to_o which_o one_o can_v scarce_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n without_o borrow_v some_o distinction_n and_o notion_n from_o the_o christian_n neither_o can_v the_o second_o objection_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v we_o any_o more_o disturbance_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o have_v be_v division_n among_o christian_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n what_o can_v we_o conclude_v thence_o can_v we_o reasonable_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o christianity_n be_v doubtful_a concern_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o support_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a upon_o a_o attentive_a observation_n one_o may_v find_v 1._o that_o heresy_n have_v only_o serve_v to_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n more_o incontestable_a by_o oblige_v those_o that_o have_v consider_v of_o they_o to_o examine_v their_o certainty_n with_o more_o care_n and_o application_n this_o be_v the_o judgement_n one_o ought_v to_o make_v upon_o all_o those_o heresy_n in_o the_o second_o age_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o death_n from_o thence_o man_n take_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o collect_v with_o great_a care_n all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o these_o fact_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o contest_v do_v not_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o the_o several_a consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n continue_v still_o beyond_o dispute_n this_o we_o find_v in_o the_o dispute_v raise_v about_o the_o millennium_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v equal_o believe_v by_o both_o the_o dispute_a party_n but_o different_o understand_v according_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o those_o that_o consider_v of_o they_o some_o form_v gross_a and_o sensual_a conception_n concern_v they_o other_o have_v a_o more_o spiritual_a relish_n which_o they_o have_v acquire_v by_o study_v the_o prophecy_n and_o their_o true_a sense_n 3._o we_o find_v that_o this_o division_n which_o have_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o solid_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o some_o fool_n have_v endeavour_v to_o decry_v some_o of_o they_o or_o to_o falsify_v some_o particular_a place_n we_o see_v that_o both_o party_n unite_v to_o repel_v that_o violence_n by_o produce_v their_o copy_n and_o beat_v back_o the_o impostor_n with_o their_o unite_a strength_n one_o see_v we_o that_o tertullian_n though_o a_o montanist_n write_v prescription_n against_o heretic_n and_o epiphanius_n take_v notice_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o some_o that_o be_v orthodox_n of_o their_o crime_n in_o blot_v out_o of_o their_o copy_n that_o christ_n have_v weep_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o karaite_n and_o thalmudist_n the_o jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n and_o the_o division_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o hinder_v its_o corruption_n each_o party_n be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o hinder_v their_o adversary_n from_o attempt_v any_o thing_n to_o its_o prejudice_n in_o corrupt_v a_o book_n which_o they_o consider_v as_o common_a to_o they_o all_o i_o may_v observe_v many_o other_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o the_o truth_n from_o these_o human_a fail_n but_o i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o which_o have_v always_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o considerable_a and_o that_o be_v that_o these_o heretic_n distinct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n a_o impious_a person_n will_v have_v reason_n to_o accuse_v our_o oracle_n as_o false_a if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o heresy_n but_o truth_n triumph_v in_o see_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v the_o more_o she_o see_v we_o herself_o confirm_v and_o establish_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n induce_v god_n to_o permit_v so_o great_a a_o increase_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o the_o truth_n meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o persecution_n stand_v in_o the_o great_a need_n of_o sensible_a character_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v know_v i_o conclude_v this_o work_n with_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o consider_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n here_o propound_v with_o a_o serious_a attention_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o coherence_n and_o indissoluble_a connexion_n of_o they_o and_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o have_v propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o finis_fw-la
rely_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o belief_n yet_o this_o have_v such_o very_a particular_a character_n as_o keep_v up_o its_o own_o authority_n first_o it_o suppose_v a_o small_a number_n of_o person_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n who_o put_v it_o in_o write_v second_o it_o suppose_v that_o those_o who_o have_v preserve_v this_o tradition_n live_v very_o long_o and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n for_o many_o century_n of_o year_n three_o it_o relate_v to_o such_o fact_n as_o every_o one_o be_v desirous_a to_o be_v right_o inform_v of_o and_o which_o he_o be_v particular_o concern_v to_o examine_v as_o relate_v to_o his_o own_o private_a interest_n because_o they_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o his_o action_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o conduct_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n four_o it_o suppose_v such_o real_a mark_n as_o serve_v to_o keep_v it_o up_o such_o as_o the_o pain_n of_o child-bearing_a the_o paradise_n before_o the_o flood_n the_o duration_n of_o the_o ark_n after_o the_o flood_n five_o it_o suppose_v a_o public_a service_n and_o worship_n who_o celebration_n be_v repeat_v fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n that_o the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v preserve_v by_o all_o posterity_n six_o it_o be_v preserve_v entire_a by_o pass_v from_o father_n to_o son_n and_o we_o know_v that_o father_n or_o mother_n do_v not_o natural_o engage_v in_o a_o design_n of_o deceive_v their_o child_n seven_o it_o suppose_v strange_a controversy_n betwixt_o brother_n the_o elder_a have_v almost_o all_o be_v exclude_v and_o the_o young_a as_o abel_n seth_n abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n juda_n choose_v to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o breed_v great_a jealousy_n and_o tend_v much_o to_o preserve_v those_o idea_n of_o the_o truth_n last_o it_o suppose_v great_a contest_v betwixt_o whole_a nation_n who_o all_o strive_v one_o with_o another_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o depositary_n of_o those_o verity_n as_o the_o moabite_n for_o instance_n the_o ammonite_n the_o ishmaelite_n the_o edomite_n and_o the_o jew_n each_o of_o they_o pretend_v to_o a_o preference_n before_o the_o other_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o so_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o credit_n and_o honour_n to_o themselves_o all_o these_o character_n contribute_v to_o the_o distinct_a preservation_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o truth_n chap._n xviii_o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o at_o first_o i_o take_v for_o grant_v and_o afterward_o prove_v it_o the_o reason_n whereof_o i_o explain_v particular_o as_o i_o go_v on_o but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v fix_v as_o solid_o as_o the_o matter_n will_v bear_v because_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o those_o who_o do_v not_o foresee_v the_o consequence_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n do_v contradict_v it_o before_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o and_o that_o too_o under_o pretence_n of_o exalt_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o atheist_n to_o look_v upon_o it_o not_o otherwise_o than_o as_o learned_a man_n do_v on_o the_o great_a part_n of_o legend_n the_o prophetical_a spirit_n act_n in_o two_o manner_n the_o first_o be_v by_o way_n of_o revelation_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n the_o prophet_n have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n john_n have_v foretell_v those_o event_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o revelation_n for_o those_o event_n be_v all_o hide_a under_o the_o shadow_n of_o futurity_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v foretell_v they_o unless_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v immediate_o reveal_v they_o to_o he_o the_o second_o be_v by_o way_n of_o direction_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n with_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v himself_o acquaint_v either_o because_o he_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o they_o himself_o or_o because_o he_o learn_v they_o from_o those_o who_o be_v so_o now_o this_o direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n consist_v in_o the_o guide_n the_o prophet_n so_o as_o that_o he_o may_v write_v of_o his_o subject_n just_a as_o it_o be_v either_o speak_v or_o do_v thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n draw_v up_o a_o abridgement_n of_o those_o sermon_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o of_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o thus_o st._n luke_n and_o st._n mark_n have_v write_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o those_o that_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o as_o st._n luke_n particular_o tell_v we_o now_o i_o affirm_v that_o when_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o have_v only_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophetical_a influence_n and_o not_o the_o first_o although_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o atheist_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o may_v consider_v he_o only_o as_o a_o historian_n who_o may_v have_v write_v his_o book_n without_o any_o other_o particular_a direction_n and_o may_v have_v preserve_v in_o it_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v now_o what_o side_n soever_o divine_v may_v take_v in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o atheist_n i_o may_v easy_o establish_v my_o assertion_n first_o because_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o suppose_v a_o entire_a revelation_n where_o tradition_n be_v distinct_a enough_o be_v sufficient_a to_o preserve_v a_o clear_a remembrance_n of_o all_o those_o fact_n now_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o tradition_n concern_v the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o little_a extent_n of_o it_o and_o the_o immediate_a succession_n of_o moses_n ancestor_n down_o to_o himself_o second_o if_o abraham_n and_o jacob_n travel_n through_o so_o many_o place_n be_v as_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o very_o useful_a to_o give_v they_o a_o further_a view_n of_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o all_o the_o several_a nation_n descend_v from_o noah_n and_o of_o their_o agreement_n in_o this_o tradition_n it_o be_v unjust_a to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n forty_o year_n sojourn_v in_o the_o country_n of_o midian_a and_o that_o too_o when_o he_o be_v forty_o year_n old_a and_o consequent_o have_v that_o ripeness_n of_o age_n and_o judgement_n as_o be_v fit_a for_o such_o observation_n do_v not_o serve_v to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o several_a passage_n he_o record_v of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o several_a division_n of_o his_o posterity_n three_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n a_o way_n of_o write_v very_o different_a from_o that_o which_o we_o see_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o in_o the_o follow_a book_n for_o whereas_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o in_o those_o latter_a book_n which_o he_o always_o do_v viuâ_fw-la voce_fw-la and_o the_o jew_n have_v wise_o observe_v that_o herein_o consist_v moses_n advantage_n above_o the_o other_o prophet_n to_o who_o god_n be_v use_v to_o speak_v only_o in_o dream_n and_o vision_n he_o use_v common_o those_o word_n and_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o i_o he_o mark_v out_o the_o place_n where_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o as_o well_o as_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o which_o he_o do_v not_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n four_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o several_a revelation_n as_o all_o prophecy_n be_v wherein_o the_o several_a return_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n be_v all_o exact_o set_v down_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a not_o only_o to_o ease_v the_o reader_n who_o may_v be_v tire_v if_o he_o be_v to_o carry_v a_o long_a series_n of_o prediction_n in_o his_o mind_n at_o once_o as_o if_o it_o be_v only_o one_o single_a vision_n or_o revelation_n but_o also_o to_o condescend_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n we_o can_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v fill_v with_o so_o many_o differ_a idea_n at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o a_o great_a confusion_n must_v necessary_o follow_v but_o suppose_v that_o these_o observation_n shall_v be_v think_v insufficient_a yet_o those_o that_o follow_v will_v seem_v capable_a of_o convince_a the_o mind_n of_o all_o there_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n certain_a character_n of_o its_o be_v write_v in_o that_o way_n which_o i_o speak_v of_o first_o one_o needs_o only_o just_a look_n into_o that_o book_n and_o he_o will_v see_v that_o the_o ancient_a fact_n which_o be_v those_o of_o
suppose_v if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o they_o have_v not_o see_v he_o after_o his_o death_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v have_v any_o concern_n for_o his_o glory_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v condemn_v and_o anathematise_v he_o as_o a_o impostor_n who_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o false_a miracle_n and_o a_o affect_a holiness_n have_v abuse_v they_o whereas_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o they_o defend_v the_o glory_n of_o jesus_n christ_n with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o that_o with_o so_o constant_a a_o testimony_n to_o his_o resurrection_n that_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o reproach_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o punishment_n and_o most_o cruel_a death_n to_o confirm_v the_o belief_n of_o that_o fact._n they_o despise_v the_o anathema_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n they_o contemn_v their_o public_a obloquy_n they_o value_v not_o the_o hatred_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n they_o preach_v this_o crucify_a person_n in_o judea_n they_o preach_v he_o also_o in_o other_o country_n that_o he_o may_v be_v equal_o adore_v by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n they_o leave_v their_o employment_n to_o follow_v this_o jesus_n and_o after_o they_o have_v accompany_v he_o three_o year_n they_o depart_v from_o judea_n to_o go_v and_o confound_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o world_n and_o within_o rome_n itself_o to_o decry_v the_o god_n they_o worship_v oblige_v they_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o who_o the_o man_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v crucify_v for_o their_o god_n he_o who_o have_v be_v the_o detestation_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o who_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n have_v give_v up_o to_o their_o fury_n in_o make_v he_o undergo_v the_o punishment_n appoint_v for_o slave_n last_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n in_o this_o whole_a question_n that_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v so_o uniform_a so_o solemn_a so_o well_o confirm_v by_o all_o manner_n of_o mean_n and_o seal_v with_o their_o death_n be_v not_o contest_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o historian_n of_o that_o time_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a either_o for_o jew_n or_o gentile_n than_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o hand_n they_o be_v master_n of_o the_o public_a record_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o general_a concernment_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o a_o imposture_n of_o so_o terrible_a a_o consequence_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v entire_o false_a neither_o be_v it_o less_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o expose_v a_o sect_n of_o who_o pliny_n the_o young_a tell_v we_o that_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n join_v with_o they_o though_o they_o be_v persecute_v with_o incredible_a violence_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o find_v no_o body_n that_o have_v contradict_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o any_o author_n that_o have_v write_v against_o jesus_n christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n a_o long_a time_n after_o indeed_o there_o be_v a_o book_n see_v call_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n publish_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n which_o endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o those_o act_n be_v contradict_v by_o all_o the_o heathen_a historian_n yet_o remain_v that_o be_v contemporay_v with_o the_o apostle_n final_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v immediate_o convince_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o belief_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v pass_v from_o judea_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o prediction_n which_o god_n give_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o our_o saviour_n chap._n xix_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n what_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o establish_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o for_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o reader_n concern_v so_o weighty_a a_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v superadd_a some_o few_o more_o reflection_n first_o of_o all_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v vast_o different_a from_o those_o which_o may_v be_v suspect_v as_o forgery_n when_o the_o four_o evangelist_n have_v relate_v the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n they_o next_o set_v down_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n with_o the_o action_n of_o his_o life_n until_o his_o death_n which_o do_v not_o comprehend_v above_o four_o or_o five_o year_n s._n luke_n write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o s._n paul_n and_o take_v in_o only_a the_o space_n of_o about_o thirty_o year_n now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o they_o who_o confine_v themselves_o to_o so_o narrow_a limit_n in_o respect_n of_o time_n place_n and_o person_n have_v any_o design_n to_o impose_v the_o remainder_n of_o these_o book_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o write_n one_o epistolary_n and_o the_o other_o prophetical_a for_o the_o prophetical_a part_n time_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o apocalypse_v as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o which_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o epistle_n beside_o some_o moral_a instruction_n they_o be_v almost_o all_o employ_v in_o decide_v some_o question_n which_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n have_v raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n we_o know_v that_o of_o all_o write_n epistle_n be_v the_o most_o certain_a monument_n and_o those_o which_o man_n endeavour_v to_o forge_v least_o after_o all_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v with_o great_a care_n set_v down_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o event_n happen_v as_o well_o according_a to_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o point_v out_o to_o we_o their_o solemn_a feast_n as_o that_o of_o the_o gentile_n by_o set_v down_o the_o year_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o the_o character_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n a_o second_o character_n which_o hinder_v we_o from_o accuse_v these_o book_n as_o forgery_n be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o these_o book_n be_v of_o a_o very_a particular_a nature_n they_o contain_v several_a considerable_a oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o same_o generation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o croesus_n a_o continue_a series_n of_o miracle_n of_o which_o all_o judea_n be_v witness_v they_o contain_v a_o great_a number_n of_o sermon_n preach_v upon_o several_a illustrious_a occasion_n in_o the_o synagogue_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o before_o thousand_o of_o people_n in_o the_o wilderness_n let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v these_o write_n to_o be_v receive_v if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v late_o forge_v this_o three_o reflection_n be_v also_o considerable_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o epistle_n themselves_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v numerous_a church_n at_o rome_n corinth_n thessalonica_n philippi_n ephesus_n antioch_n and_o in_o several_a other_o famous_a place_n it_o be_v also_o know_v that_o there_o be_v jewish_a synagogue_n in_o the_o same_o place_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n what_o possibility_n be_v there_o of_o suspect_v the_o least_o imposture_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o we_o consider_v how_o they_o be_v draw_v up_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o only_o preach_v in_o the_o synagogue_n the_o same_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v put_v in_o writing_n but_o they_o also_o engage_v the_o jew_n to_o examine_v they_o because_o they_o affirm_v they_o with_o a_o constancy_n which_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o as_o incredible_a obstinacy_n first_o of_o all_o that_o these_o be_v thing_n beyond_o dispute_n and_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v of_o second_o that_o they_o have_v be_v long_o since_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n three_o that_o they_o be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o other_o prophecy_n which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n four_o that_o see_v they_o can_v not_o question_v the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o ought_v to_o renounce_v judaisme_n to_o receive_v baptism_n and_o
become_v christian_n it_o be_v also_o of_o great_a importance_n to_o observe_v further_o as_o i_o have_v already_o do_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v pen_v before_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n there_o be_v only_o some_o of_o the_o work_n of_o s._n john_n which_o be_v write_v after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n i_o have_v before_o observe_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n order_v it_o so_o that_o all_o the_o jew_n for_o five_o and_o thirty_o year_n together_o repair_v thrice_o a_o year_n to_o jerusalem_n at_o their_o three_o solemn_a festival_n may_v have_v great_a opportunity_n to_o inform_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o this_o remark_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v two_o weighty_a consideration_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n for_o some_o year_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o repair_v with_o the_o jew_n to_o jerusalem_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v engage_v to_o examine_v the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v that_o after_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v dispense_v with_o as_o to_o that_o custom_n as_o well_o as_o the_o observe_n of_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o set_v the_o christian_n in_o a_o great_a opposition_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o so_o increase_v the_o necessity_n of_o examine_v very_o scrupulous_o on_o both_o side_n whatsoever_o be_v for_o or_o against_o they_o in_o those_o matter_n of_o religion_n this_o observation_n lead_v we_o natural_o to_o another_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o imposture_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v not_o be_v discover_v when_o there_o arise_v a_o difference_n between_o those_o who_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o forgery_n and_o those_o who_o after_o they_o endeavour_v to_o gain_v credit_n to_o it_o now_o if_o we_o find_v that_o one_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n betray_v he_o without_o accuse_v he_o of_o the_o least_o crime_n or_o imposture_n if_o we_o have_v see_v the_o christian_n at_o first_o unite_v in_o the_o same_o assembly_n with_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o there_o be_v several_a contest_v and_o dispute_v between_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o first_o christian_n yet_o without_o call_v those_o fact_n which_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o gospel_n in_o question_n by_o either_o side_n s._n paul_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o contest_v which_o happen_v betwixt_o he_o and_o s._n peter_n s._n luke_n relate_v the_o heat_n between_o s._n paul_n and_o barnabas_n upon_o very_o slight_a occasion_n he_o set_v down_o also_o the_o dispute_n which_o arise_v about_o the_o distribution_n of_o alm_n to_o the_o greek_a and_o jewish_a widow_n one_o see_v we_o that_o there_o arise_v a_o dispute_n among_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o about_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o maintain_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o submit_v to_o circumcision_n and_o s._n paul_n opposition_n set_v down_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n we_o need_v no_o more_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o concert_n nor_o collusion_n between_o they_o to_o deceive_v or_o impose_v upon_o those_o to_o who_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n let_v we_o go_v a_o little_a further_o a_o dispute_n happen_v about_o a_o capital_a point_n of_o christian_a religion_n about_o the_o resurrection_n insomuch_o that_o s._n paul_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o write_v concern_v it_o to_o the_o corinthian_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n again_o now_o we_o find_v that_o s._n paul_n to_o confirm_v this_o doctrine_n in_o general_n chief_o make_v use_v of_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o he_o prove_v by_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o fact_n itself_o that_o be_v by_o witness_n who_o he_o produce_v whereupon_o i_o make_v this_o considerable_a reflection_n that_o in_o compare_v this_o dispute_n of_o s._n paul_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n it_o clear_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v not_o allege_v all_o the_o proof_n they_o may_v have_v do_v none_o of_o they_o relate_v in_o particular_a the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o see_v jesus_n christ_n in_o galilee_n upon_o the_o holy_a mountain_n but_o s._n paul_n who_o have_v examine_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o know_v the_o witness_n specify_v the_o number_n and_o observe_v that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v yet_o alive_a if_o perhaps_o any_o of_o they_o be_v already_o dead_a i_o shall_v add_v only_o two_o consideration_n more_o which_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v even_o impossible_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n on_o this_o occasion_n the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o their_o state_n and_o condition_n they_o be_v no_o great_a lord_n who_o power_n may_v terrify_v any_o one_o from_o examine_v their_o write_n or_o who_o reputation_n can_v not_o have_v be_v call_v in_o question_n without_o danger_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o be_v man_n of_o mean_a condition_n employ_v in_o base_a profession_n often_o cast_v into_o prison_n and_o from_o time_n to_o time_n oblige_v to_o appear_v before_o magistrate_n for_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o the_o same_o fact_n which_o they_o publish_v to_o the_o world._n let_v we_o consider_v then_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o s._n paul_n for_o instance_n i_o say_v for_o this_o s._n paul_n a_o maker_n of_o tent_n this_o s._n paul_n without_o reputation_n without_o riches_n this_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v seize_v at_o jerusalem_n after_o divers_a persecution_n this_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v send_v a_o prisoner_n to_o rome_n and_o imprison_v there_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n and_o who_o at_o last_o lose_v his_o life_n by_o nero_n order_n to_o make_v those_o blind_o believe_v all_o he_o say_v who_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o examine_v whether_o all_o that_o luke_n relate_v as_o happen_v to_o he_o at_o jerusalem_n at_o maltha_n at_o philippi_n at_o athens_n be_v indeed_o true_a or_o only_o a_o frame_a story_n the_o second_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o observe_v be_v that_o not_o only_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v public_o read_v every_o lord_n day_n by_o a_o constant_a law_n of_o which_o we_o have_v most_o authentic_a witness_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o in_o other_o ancient_a book_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a but_o also_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o write_v not_o in_o hebrew_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v a_o dead_a tongue_n nor_o in_o syriack_n a_o language_n speak_v in_o a_o very_a few_o place_n but_o in_o greek_a which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v the_o language_n common_o receive_v throughout_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o beside_o be_v the_o language_n into_o which_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v cause_v the_o old_a testament_n to_o be_v translate_v about_o three_o age_n before_o that_o man_n may_v compare_v the_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o their_o accomplishment_n together_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o entire_o destroy_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v what_o i_o have_v before_o set_v down_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v certain_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v the_o design_n which_o i_o form_v in_o write_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v with_o justice_n conclude_v that_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o contestable_a than_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n and_o of_o the_o fact_n in_o they_o relate_v so_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o certain_a than_o the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o now_o i_o have_v only_o two_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o which_o i_o conceive_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o conclude_v these_o reflection_n the_o one_o be_v to_o show_v the_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o conceive_v any_o other_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n than_o what_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v that_o concern_v the_o division_n among_o christian_n which_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o especial_o concern_v the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o mystery_n which_o the_o gospel_n propose_v which_o be_v as_o so_o many_o stumble_a block_n to_o they_o which_o hinder_v they_o from_o discern_v those_o character_n of_o truth_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o by_o