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
all_o write_n with_o public_a allowance_n after_o every_o king_n decease_n may_v indeed_o be_v so_o about_o the_o latter_a time_n as_o it_o be_v practise_v in_o egypt_n but_o that_o it_o be_v as_o absolute_o false_a that_o the_o chinese_n have_v ever_o in_o former_a time_n such_o public_a historian_n and_o as_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v former_o any_o such_o although_o they_o be_v as_o confident_a to_o say_v they_o have_v in_o alexander_n time_n as_o the_o chinese_n be_v now_o but_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o clear_n of_o that_o matter_n we_o must_v now_o answer_v the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n chap._n xxi_o wherein_o the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v as_o i_o intend_v to_o clear_v all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v arise_v about_o this_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v peruse_v these_o observation_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o prevent_v and_o resolve_v the_o only_a plausible_a objection_n i_o know_v remain_v after_o all_o what_o i_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a perhaps_o some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o reply_v here_o that_o they_o indeed_o confess_v moses_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n and_o that_o if_o that_o book_n have_v real_o be_v supposititious_a it_o can_v never_o have_v go_v under_o his_o name_n nor_o be_v receive_v as_o he_o in_o after_o age_n but_o that_o yet_o all_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v sufficient_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n record_v in_o that_o book_n because_o moses_n may_v have_v force_v upon_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o belief_n of_o they_o by_o those_o law_n that_o he_o enact_v among_o they_o by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o dare_v to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v write_v in_o his_o book_n this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o that_o the_o most_o contentious_a atheist_n can_v think_v of_o to_o undermine_v the_o authority_n of_o moses_n history_n but_o this_o objection_n be_v easy_o answer_v for_o it_o consute_v itself_o for_o first_o it_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o great_a miracle_n by_o which_o god_n establish_v moses_n the_o head_n and_o captain_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o miracle_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o hard_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o several_a account_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n we_o find_v according_o among_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o many_o monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n when_o he_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o egypt_n as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o other_o four_o book_n of_o moses_n second_o they_o must_v at_o least_o suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o several_a passage_n in_o which_o he_o can_v not_o impose_v upon_o other_o nation_n which_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v his_o authority_n as_o for_o example_n all_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o build_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o great_a piece_n of_o architecture_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n the_o great_a building_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o part_n of_o which_o be_v yet_o extant_a for_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v three_o they_o must_v likewise_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v relate_v several_a other_o passage_n as_o exact_o as_o he_o do_v those_o as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n which_o be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n that_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n the_o original_a of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n of_o canaan_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n for_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o conceive_v that_o this_o lawgiver_n shall_v ever_o hope_v to_o persuade_v other_o nation_n to_o believe_v any_o false_a story_n about_o matter_n so_o well_o and_o so_o general_o know_v as_o those_o be_v among_o themselves_o four_o they_o must_v suppose_v further_a that_o he_o have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n who_o head_n and_o governor_n he_o be_v how_o great_a and_o absolute_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n may_v be_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o ever_o he_o will_v have_v derive_v the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n from_o any_o other_o than_o from_o their_o true_a ancestor_n this_o appear_v the_o more_o necessary_a in_o that_o we_o see_v by_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n and_o pedigree_n in_o genesis_n that_o he_o write_v that_o book_n especial_o from_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n on_o to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o only_o to_o show_v the_o right_n and_o just_a pretension_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n five_o they_o must_v yet_o further_o acknowledge_v whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o give_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o the_o pretension_n and_o division_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n now_o these_o pretension_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n than_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o his_o history_n they_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o oracle_n against_o all_o the_o pretension_n and_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n what_o violence_n soever_o they_o may_v pretend_v that_o moses_n may_v use_v to_o force_v a_o implicit_a belief_n of_o his_o history_n and_o blind_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n yet_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n can_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o will_v have_v fill_v the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n with_o lie_n or_o that_o if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v expect_v that_o his_o false_a account_n of_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v credit_v by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n or_o even_o by_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o without_o urge_v here_o several_a other_o absurdity_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n to_o be_v find_v betwixt_o the_o account_n of_o thing_n which_o moses_n recite_v as_o public_o know_v and_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v of_o his_o own_o head_n and_o private_a knowledge_n there_o be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v betwixt_o all_o those_o several_a account_n such_o a_o natural_a coherence_n and_o necessary_a concatenation_n that_o they_o can_v be_v divide_v from_o one_o another_o without_o destroy_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o his_o history_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o law_n by_o which_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o narration_n shall_v make_v the_o sincerity_n of_o it_o suspect_v i_o do_v not_o urge_v here_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evident_a absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n will_v ever_o have_v relate_v together_o all_o those_o transaction_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o the_o world_n before_o he_o neither_o do_v i_o mention_v here_o that_o suppose_v moses_n have_v be_v so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o attempt_v such_o a_o undertake_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n and_o that_o a_o very_a numerous_a one_o will_v have_v long_o persevere_v in_o a_o profession_n force_v upon_o they_o by_o mere_a violence_n and_o tyranny_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v neither_o so_o patient_a nor_o so_o easy_o persuade_v by_o moses_n nor_o yet_o so_o submissive_a to_o he_o as_o these_o objector_n do_v imagine_v that_o be_v plain_a and_o apparent_a enough_o from_o all_o their_o sedition_n and_o conspiracy_n against_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o what_o be_v plain_a enough_o of_o itself_o viz._n that_o moses_n have_v no_o successor_n any_o way_n concern_v to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v these_o pretend_a fiction_n and_o fable_n of_o his_o history_n joshua_n his_o immediate_a successor_n be_v of_o another_o tribe_n and_o so_o be_v all_o the_o succeed_a governor_n of_o israel_n until_o the_o maccabee_n come_v but_o what_o i_o think_v deserve_v best_a to_o be_v observe_v here_o be_v that_o after_o moses_n and_o joshua_n decease_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v under_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o canaanite_n and_o consequent_o free_v from_o the_o terror_n of_o that_o law_n of_o moses_n make_v by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n â—nd_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o his_o write_n there_o be_v but_o a_o
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
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
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 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strong_a when_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o short_a these_o book_n be_v write_v to_o be_v read_v by_o person_n of_o the_o mean_a capacity_n by_o woman_n by_o child_n as_o well_o as_o by_o doctor_n and_o they_o treat_v of_o matter_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v inform_v if_o some_o jew_n suffer_v martyrdom_n under_o antiochus_n to_o preserve_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v like_o example_n and_o as_o numerous_a of_o those_o who_o have_v do_v as_o much_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testameat_n last_o if_o the_o jew_n have_v look_v upon_o those_o as_o traitor_n and_o apostate_n who_o give_v up_o those_o book_n to_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o persecutor_n the_o christian_n have_v testify_v no_o less_o aversion_n for_o those_o who_o deliver_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o fury_n of_o heathen_n even_o to_o the_o subject_n of_o they_o to_o the_o utmost_a 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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 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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
country_n his_o people_n and_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o manner_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n how_o can_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v disperse_v over_o all_o his_o kingdom_n in_o a_o instant_n to_o inform_v the_o people_n about_o the_o ceremonial_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o soon_o after_o be_v so_o solemn_o celebrate_v by_o they_o or_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o levite_n the_o priest_n and_o people_n can_v have_v be_v all_o of_o the_o sudden_a instruct_v in_o all_o the_o point_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o perform_n of_o that_o holy_a solemnity_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n do_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n take_v notice_n of_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o book_n find_v be_v of_o moses_n own_o hand_n write_v but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o their_o devout_a respect_n for_o this_o book_n be_v not_o whole_o stifle_v as_o have_v be_v by_o they_o careful_o hide_v from_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o idolatrous_a king_n and_o lay_v up_o in_o some_o secret_a place_n of_o the_o temple_n where_o now_o they_o have_v so_o happy_o find_v it_o again_o over_o and_o above_o what_o have_v be_v say_v already_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n be_v as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o their_o subject_n yet_o the_o same_o general_o consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o their_o neighbour_n natition_n as_o to_o some_o particular_n which_o though_o they_o be_v forbid_v by_o the_o law_n yet_o they_o leave_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n in_o full_a force_n this_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n of_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ahab_n where_o we_o find_v elijah_n reproach_v the_o israelite_n with_o the_o monstrous_a alliance_n they_o have_v make_v betwixt_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o of_o baal_n which_o queen_n jesabel_n have_v introduce_v all_o this_o clear_o prove_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o be_v the_o first_o of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v never_o forge_v under_o his_o name_n since_o it_o be_v always_o own_v as_o the_o write_n of_o that_o famous_a author_n and_o be_v still_o so_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n chap._n vii_o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n the_o other_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n suppose_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o have_v now_o prove_v be_v this_o that_o it_o seem_v absurd_a to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o relation_n of_o a_o person_n who_o live_v so_o many_o age_n distant_a from_o the_o thing_n he_o recite_v to_o answer_v this_o objection_n we_o must_v first_o of_o all_o declare_v to_o they_o by_o what_o mean_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o moses_n relate_v be_v preserve_v so_o lively_a and_o entire_a as_o to_o give_v moses_n so_o distinct_a a_o knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o forge_v or_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n know_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o well_o as_o himself_o there_o be_v no_o way_n whereby_o we_o can_v more_o solid_o evince_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v forge_v by_o moses_n than_o by_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v always_o constant_o observe_v from_o that_o time_n until_o moses_n the_o same_o also_o will_v help_v we_o clear_o to_o conceive_v after_o what_o manner_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v be_v preserve_v so_o distinct_a among_o those_o that_o live_v since_o the_o creation_n until_o moses_n we_o be_v no_o soon_o inform_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o solemn_a day_n ordain_v at_o first_o to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o creation_n but_o we_o judge_v it_o impossible_a that_o so_o important_a a_o event_n commemorate_a every_o seven_o day_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n shall_v be_v a_o imposture_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o this_o impossibility_n be_v ground_v on_o these_o two_o proposition_n the_o one_o that_o god_n give_v this_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o the_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v by_o his_o posterity_n ever_o since_o till_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o god_n only_o renew_v it_o in_o the_o law_n give_v from_o mount_n sinai_n these_o be_v the_o truth_n i_o be_o now_o to_o clear_v and_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v prove_v because_o though_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n ancient_a and_o modern_a jew_n as_o well_o as_o christian_n be_v of_o this_o opinion_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o christian_a father_n who_o seem_v to_o deny_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v ever_o observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o prove_v from_o moses_n that_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v such_o as_o i_o assert_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o in_o a_o manner_n immediate_o follow_v it_o moses_n in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n 3._o gen._n ii_o 3._o express_v himself_o thus_o and_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o sanctify_v it_o because_o that_o in_o it_o he_o have_v rest_v from_o all_o his_o work_n which_o he_o have_v create_v which_o word_n clear_o evince_v a_o solemn_a consecration_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o god_n service_n by_o its_o be_v make_v a_o commemoration_n of_o his_o finish_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o intent_n of_o moses_n in_o this_o place_n be_v only_o to_o set_v down_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n set_v apart_o this_o day_n of_o all_o other_o to_o his_o service_n by_o the_o law_n at_o mount_n sinai_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o appointment_n be_v make_v for_o man_n sake_n already_o place_v in_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n this_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o order_n moses_n observe_v for_o he_o set_v down_o first_o the_o formation_n of_o man_n on_o the_o six_o day_n and_o his_o be_v place_v in_o paradise_n which_o he_o give_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n and_o after_o these_o he_o relate_v god_n rest_v from_o his_o work_n and_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o impose_v on_o man_n and_o then_o add_v these_o be_v the_o generation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o earth_n when_o they_o be_v create_v in_o the_o day_n that_o the_o lord_n god_n make_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n all_o that_o precede_v these_o word_n be_v only_o a_o relation_n of_o what_o pass_v in_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n and_o that_o which_o moses_n set_v down_o concern_v god_n blessing_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n and_o his_o consecrate_v it_o aught_o as_o well_o to_o be_v account_v a_o law_n appoint_v the_o seven_o day_n for_o his_o service_n as_o those_o other_o blessing_n give_v to_o the_o creature_n according_a to_o their_o kind_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o inviolable_a law_n of_o god_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o they_o subsist_v and_o be_v perpetuate_v each_o according_a to_o their_o kind_n by_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o patriarch_n maintain_v a_o public_a worship_n at_o least_o since_o the_o time_n of_o seth_n which_o it_o be_v necessary_a shall_v be_v determine_v to_o some_o certain_a day_n and_o since_o we_o find_v that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n they_o distinguish_v between_o beast_n clean_a and_o unclean_a with_o respect_n to_o their_o sacrifice_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v but_o from_o revelation_n we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o god_n have_v set_v apart_o a_o time_n for_o own_o worship_n and_o service_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v many_o evident_a sign_n that_o even_o then_o the_o 7_o day_n be_v observe_v psalmos_fw-la kimchi_fw-la praefat_fw-la in_o psalmos_fw-la i_o will_v not_o here_o peremptory_o assert_v that_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o ninety_o second_o psalm_n who_o title_n be_v a_o psalm_n for_o the_o sabbath_n be_v make_v by_o adam_n himself_o who_o be_v make_v on_o the_o evening_n of_o the_o sabbath_n but_o this_o i_o dare_v assert_v that_o it_o be_v apparent_a 10.12_o gen._n viii_o 10.12_o that_o what_o
we_o read_v in_o the_o eight_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n about_o the_o deluge_n do_v refer_v to_o this_o custom_n where_o we_o find_v noah_n send_v forth_o the_o dove_n and_o the_o raven_n on_o the_o seven_o day_n which_o plain_o hint_n to_o we_o his_o observe_v of_o that_o day_n for_o it_o seem_v that_o noah_n have_v in_o a_o especial_a manner_n on_o that_o solemn_a day_n implore_v the_o assistance_n of_o god_n in_o the_o assembly_n of_o his_o family_n he_o expect_v a_o particular_a blessing_n from_o it_o and_o we_o can_v but_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o that_o which_o we_o read_v in_o the_o xxix_o of_o genesis_n concern_v the_o term_n of_o a_o week_n set_v apart_o to_o the_o nuptial_n of_o leah_n 27._o gen._n xxix_o 27._o where_o at_o the_o twenty_o seven_o verse_n laban_n thus_o express_v himself_o fulfil_v her_o week_n and_o we_o will_v give_v thou_o this_o also_o for_o the_o service_n which_o thou_o shall_v serve_v with_o i_o yet_o seven_o other_o year_n this_o week_n here_o do_v so_o plain_o signify_v a_o week_n of_o day_n that_o it_o can_v be_v more_o natural_o express_v and_o indeed_o all_o general_o understand_v by_o this_o week_n of_o the_o marriage_n feast_n of_o leah_n that_o term_n of_o time_n which_o in_o succeed_a age_n have_v be_v customary_a to_o allot_v to_o nuptial_a festival_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n where_o the_o wedding_n feast_n of_o vasthi_n last_v seven_o day_n this_o term_n of_o seven_o day_n have_v so_o long_o since_o be_v consecrate_a to_o nuptial_a rejoice_n the_o same_o we_o may_v also_o gather_v from_o the_o time_n which_o be_v ordinary_o allot_v to_o mourning_n for_o the_o dead_a to_o which_o we_o find_v the_o patriarch_n allot_v a_o term_n proportion_v to_o that_o of_o their_o rejoice_n for_o as_o we_o see_v that_o the_o egyptian_n mourn_v ten_o week_n for_o jacob_n because_o of_o his_o quality_n as_o be_v the_o father_n of_o joseph_n so_o we_o find_v that_o joseph_n and_o those_o that_o accompany_v he_o mourn_v seven_o day_n at_o his_o innterment_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o as_o we_o find_v that_o this_o custom_n be_v perpetual_o afterward_o observe_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v from_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la xxii_o 12._o so_o likewise_o we_o find_v the_o same_o observe_v by_o the_o asiatic_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o history_n of_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o nineteenth_o book_n l._n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la resur_n in_o obitu_fw-la sat._n p._n 321._o seven_o day_n be_v fulfil_v after_o that_o the_o lord_n have_v smite_v the_o river_n jalkut_n in_o h._n l._n and_o from_o they_o it_o pass_v to_o the_o christian_n as_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n three_o it_o appear_v from_o exod._n vii_o 25._o that_o god_n observe_v seven_o day_n after_o he_o have_v smite_v the_o river_n to_o change_v the_o water_n thereof_o into_o blood_n from_o whence_o the_o jew_n conclude_v that_o the_o three_o plague_n viz._n that_o of_o blood_n of_o frog_n and_o of_o louse_n abode_n on_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n six_o day_n and_o be_v withdraw_v on_o the_o seven_o which_o be_v the_o sabbath_n we_o may_v also_o gather_v if_o we_o calculate_v the_o time_n exact_o that_o the_o jew_n in_o egypt_n observe_v the_o sabbath_n we_o find_v from_o the_o history_n of_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n that_o the_o same_o happen_v on_o a_o thursday_n be_v the_o fifteen_o of_o the_o month_n nisan_fw-la and_o the_o day_n in_o which_o they_o sing_v those_o hymn_n of_o deliverance_n be_v the_o sabbath_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o set_v apart_o for_o this_o week_n it_o be_v also_o evident_a from_o exod._n xvi_o that_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v observe_v by_o the_o israelite_n before_o the_o law_n be_v give_v on_o mount_n sinai_n for_o we_o find_v god_n speak_v there_o concern_v the_o sabbath_n not_o as_o of_o a_o thing_n new_o institute_v but_o as_o of_o a_o ancient_a law_n which_o they_o be_v e_z not_o to_o transgress_v by_o gather_v the_o manna_n on_o that_o day_n for_o he_o order_v they_o to_o gather_v a_o double_a portion_n the_o six_o day_n and_o not_o to_o gather_v any_o on_o the_o seven_o we_o see_v that_o the_o israelite_n rest_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n be_v here_o suppose_v a_o know_v and_o customary_a thing_n prescribe_v to_o they_o by_o a_o law_n of_o old_a they_o who_o go_v forth_o to_o gather_v manna_n on_o the_o seven_o day_n be_v represent_v as_o transgressor_n of_o a_o know_a law_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o moses_n how_o long_o refuse_v you_o to_o keep_v my_o commandment_n and_o my_o law_n moses_n also_o speak_v of_o the_o sabbath_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o next_o day_n as_o of_o a_o thing_n customary_a and_o receive_v among_o they_o to_o morrow_n say_v he_o at_o v._o 23._o be_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o sabbath_n of_o holiness_n unto_o the_o lord_n word_n which_o will_v have_v be_v unintelligible_a to_o the_o israelite_n and_o express_v a_o law_n altogether_o impracticable_a in_o case_n they_o have_v be_v destitute_a of_o any_o further_a knowledge_n concern_v it_o and_o have_v not_o be_v acquaint_v that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a day_n in_o which_o the_o great_a work_n of_o creation_n have_v be_v finish_v my_o four_o observation_n i_o take_v from_o the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o decalogue_n where_o first_o of_o all_o we_o find_v god_n speak_v in_o this_o manner_n remember_v the_o sabbath_n day_n which_o word_n clear_o import_v 8._o exod._n xx._n 8._o that_o the_o law_n he_o give_v be_v not_o a_o new_a law_n but_o indeed_o as_o old_a as_o the_o world_n and_o which_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o their_o forefather_n it_o seem_v probable_a also_o that_o god_n express_v himself_o in_o these_o term_n because_o the_o tyranny_n of_o pharaoh_n have_v force_v they_o to_o break_v this_o law_n by_o oblige_v they_o to_o deliver_v their_o tale_n of_o brick_n every_o day_n without_o except_v the_o sabbath_n which_o before_o he_o have_v allow_v they_o to_o keep_v this_o be_v explain_v very_o distinct_o in_o the_o five_o of_o exodus_fw-la and_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o moses_n demand_v straw_n of_o pharaoh_n for_o the_o israelite_n to_o go_v and_o sacrifice_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o demand_n 5._o exod._n v._n 5._o pharaoh_n express_v himself_o in_o term_n which_o show_v that_o former_o they_o have_v observe_v a_o rest_n on_o that_o day_n however_o it_o be_v yet_o thus_o much_o be_v apparent_a that_o god_n command_v they_o to_o make_v their_o bond_n servant_n to_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n because_o the_o egyptian_n by_o their_o example_n incline_v they_o not_o to_o be_v very_o careful_a in_o exempt_n they_o from_o all_o labour_n on_o that_o day_n moreover_o in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o in_o the_o last_o word_n of_o the_o four_o commandment_n god_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o thing_n former_o appoint_v and_o determine_v by_o he_o say_v for_o in_o six_o day_n the_o lord_n make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o rest_v the_o seven_o day_n wherefore_o the_o lord_n bless_v the_o sabbath_n day_n and_o hallow_v it_o which_o word_n have_v a_o manifest_a and_o undeniable_a reference_n to_o that_o which_o happen_v the_o seven_o day_n after_o the_o creation_n and_o to_o the_o law_n then_o give_v to_o man_n concern_v it_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n that_o the_o sense_n which_o we_o have_v put_v upon_o the_o three_o verse_n of_o the_o second_o of_o genesis_n be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v of_o it_o the_o apostle_n discourse_v from_o those_o word_n of_o david_n psal_n xcv_o to_o who_o i_o swear_v in_o my_o wrath_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o my_o rest_n do_v suppose_v a_o threefold_a rest_n the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o sabbath_n of_o which_o mention_n be_v make_v in_o the_o second_o of_o genesis_n where_o we_o have_v the_o first_o institution_n of_o it_o the_o second_o be_v the_o rest_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n promise_v to_o the_o jew_n upon_o their_o endure_v all_o those_o trial_n in_o the_o wilderness_n the_o three_o the_o rest_n in_o heaven_n of_o which_o the_o two_o forego_v be_v but_o the_o figure_n he_o argue_v therefore_o that_o these_o word_n of_o david_n can_v not_o be_v understand_v concern_v the_o sabbath_n day_n forasmuch_o as_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n man_n enter_v into_o that_o rest_n of_o the_o sabbath_n and_o he_o prove_v this_o by_o that_o passage_n in_o genesis_n of_o which_o he_o only_o cite_v the_o first_o word_n viz._n that_o god_n rest_v the_o seven_o day_n from_o all_o his_o work_n as_o suppose_v that_o the_o jew_n
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
by_o chance_n and_o without_o any_o certain_a principle_n chap._n xx._n a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o other_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n calculation_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n as_o we_o have_v it_o now_o it_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o china_n who_o uninterrupted_a series_n run_v up_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o emperor_n to_o fobius_fw-la who_o reign_v about_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o flood_n some_o learned_a man_n have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o that_o argument_n to_o discredit_v the_o mosaic_a chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o cry_v up_o the_o calculation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n which_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n in_o the_o history_n before_o the_o flood_n by_o 800_o year_n and_o above_o 700_o in_o the_o history_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o moses_n this_o objection_n appear_v very_o strong_a to_o those_o who_o read_v in_o the_o history_n of_o martinius_n that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o interruption_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o king_n of_o china_n from_o fobius_fw-la that_o the_o history_n of_o their_o action_n be_v so_o certain_a have_v always_o be_v write_v by_o a_o public_a authority_n that_o no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o entertain_v any_o doubt_n about_o it_o and_o the_o missionary_n in_o china_n have_v think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o reconcile_v the_o mosaic_a chronology_n with_o the_o chinese_n but_o in_o make_v use_n of_o the_o septuagint_n account_n and_o wherein_o they_o agree_v with_o all_o the_o asiatic_a christian_n and_o even_o those_o in_o europe_n who_o follow_v the_o septuagint_n in_o their_o reckon_n up_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o most_o part_n though_o st._n hierome_n translation_n which_o follow_v the_o hebrew_n text_n exact_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o west_n but_o after_o all_o there_o be_v little_a difficulty_n in_o answer_v this_o objection_n and_o we_o may_v hereupon_o easy_o satisfy_v those_o who_o do_v not_o dispute_v only_o for_o dispute_v sake_n but_o be_v ready_a to_o examine_v this_o question_n with_o that_o equity_n which_o be_v requisite_a in_o the_o examination_n of_o all_o question_n of_o that_o nature_n i_o confess_v ingenious_o that_o this_o history_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a in_o the_o world_n have_v many_o illustrious_a character_n of_o certainty_n especial_o if_o we_o give_v credit_n to_o all_o that_o martinius_n relate_v of_o it_o first_o it_o mark_v out_o exact_o the_o series_n and_o succession_n of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o china_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n and_o original_n of_o that_o nation_n second_o it_o record_v in_o what_o year_n of_o each_o cycle_n of_o threescore_o year_n every_o king_n begin_v his_o reign_n and_o do_v such_o or_o such_o a_o action_n three_o it_o relate_v some_o astronomical_a observation_n old_a than_o any_o that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a astronomer_n in_o other_o nation_n four_o it_o be_v write_v by_o a_o public_a authority_n and_o by_o such_o author_n as_o live_v in_o the_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o record_v be_v transact_v the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o empire_n take_v always_o care_v that_o the_o history_n of_o his_o predecessor_n shall_v be_v write_v nay_o to_o all_o this_o we_o must_v add_v that_o the_o chinese_n way_n of_o writing_n make_v no_o use_n of_o letter_n but_o of_o hieroglyphic_n may_v have_v prevent_v these_o alteration_n which_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v make_v in_o their_o history_n the_o whole_a life_n of_o a_o man_n be_v hardly_o sufficient_a to_o attain_v to_o the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o a_o tongue_n which_o have_v above_o threescore_o thousand_o figure_n which_o must_v be_v all_o learn_v 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have_v make_v upon_o the_o observation_n of_o those_o astrologer_n who_o from_o the_o conjunction_n of_o the_o planet_n in_o humid_a sign_n use_v to_o foretell_v prodigious_a rains_n for_o he_o show_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o groundless_a and_o uncertain_a than_o such_o observation_n and_o he_o give_v a_o famous_a and_o remarkable_a instance_n of_o that_o uncertainty_n to_o the_o eternal_a shame_n of_o astrology_n which_o be_v this_o john_n staffler_n as_o cardan_n tell_v we_o have_v observe_v such_o a_o conjunction_n of_o all_o the_o planet_n in_o pisces_fw-la in_o the_o year_n 1524._o foretold_a that_o there_o shall_v come_v a_o general_a flood_n whereof_o several_a people_n be_v afraid_a retire_v to_o the_o top_n of_o high_a mountain_n but_o without_o any_o cause_n for_o there_o be_v never_o see_v a_o great_a serenity_n of_o wether_n 3._o martinius_n be_v certain_o mistake_v when_o he_o ascribe_v to_o chuenhious_a the_o regulate_v the_o ephemerides_n of_o the_o five_o 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i_o have_v suppose_v that_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a transaction_n be_v convey_v though_o confuse_o to_o the_o chinese_n we_o have_v already_o intimate_v one_o of_o those_o probable_a mean_n of_o conveyance_n of_o this_o tradition_n by_o their_o commerce_n which_o the_o chaldean_n who_o be_v well_o inform_v of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o several_a transaction_n and_o who_o have_v great_a intercourse_n with_o the_o remote_a nation_n of_o asia_n towards_o the_o east_n to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v another_o argument_n yet_o more_o certain_a and_o sure_a which_o be_v the_o continual_a commerce_n that_o have_v always_o be_v betwixt_o the_o indies_n and_o china_n and_o the_o communication_n which_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o neighbour_a country_n of_o the_o red_a sea_n have_v always_o have_v with_o all_o the_o eastern_a nation_n of_o the_o world._n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o commerce_n give_v a_o great_a opportunity_n of_o communicate_v to_o those_o 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history_n to_o those_o nation_n that_o have_v appropriate_v it_o to_o themselves_o as_o may_v be_v make_v out_o by_o compare_v their_o fabulous_a history_n with_o those_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o contain_v in_o effect_n all_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o original_a of_o those_o nation_n but_o whatever_o judgement_n be_v make_v of_o those_o forementioned_a mean_n of_o convey_v the_o ancient_a tradition_n to_o the_o chinese_n i_o think_v that_o i_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o affirm_v 1._o that_o the_o historian_n that_o have_v write_v the_o life_n of_o the_o first_o emperor_n of_o china_n be_v not_o contemporary_n with_o those_o emperor_n and_o that_o consequent_o they_o have_v not_o record_v thing_n so_o well_o know_v as_o it_o be_v suppose_v 2._o that_o the_o fable_n intermix_v in_o their_o history_n do_v sufficient_o evidence_n the_o easy_a and_o credulous_a temper_n of_o those_o author_n which_o take_v away_o from_o they_o all_o credit_n and_o belief_n 3._o that_o the_o great_a 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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
that_o prerogative_n to_o seth_n family_n and_o exclude_v cain_n from_o it_o then_o afterward_o of_o all_o seth_n family_n he_o restrain_v it_o to_o noah_n alone_o and_o his_o family_n then_o of_o noah_n family_n to_o shem_n alone_o then_o afterward_o of_o all_o shem_n posterity_n to_o abraham_n alone_o then_o of_o abraham_n son_n to_o isaac_n alone_o and_o of_o isaac_n to_o jacob_n alone_o who_o son_n judah_n be_v alone_o invest_v with_o that_o privilege_n and_o all_o his_o brethren_n exclude_v it_o be_v moreover_o observable_a that_o in_o those_o seven_o forementioned_a restriction_n which_o god_n make_v he_o seem_v to_o have_v affect_v to_o prefer_v the_o young_a to_o the_o elder_a as_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o his_o choice_n if_o not_o of_o noah_n and_o shem_n who_o be_v elder_a than_o the_o other_o son_n yet_o certain_o in_o that_o of_o seth_n who_o be_v young_a than_o cain_n of_o abraham_n who_o be_v the_o young_a of_o terah_n son_n of_o isaac_n who_o be_v young_a than_o ishmael_n of_o jacob_n who_o be_v young_a than_o esau_n and_o of_o judah_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o young_a of_o leah_n son_n so_o likewise_o if_o the_o reader_n will_v judge_v of_o god_n design_n by_o the_o event_n alone_o he_o may_v just_o conclude_v that_o god_n by_o this_o affect_a choice_n intend_v to_o raise_v continual_a jealousy_n betwixt_o the_o elder_a who_o pretend_v that_o the_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n do_v belong_v to_o they_o because_o of_o their_o birthright_n against_o their_o young_a brother_n who_o they_o see_v prefer_v by_o god_n immediate_a choice_n one_o may_v also_o further_o add_v that_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v strengthen_v these_o jealousy_n by_o introduce_v sometime_o a_o sort_n of_o conformity_n among_o the_o pretender_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o promise_n thus_o for_o instance_n as_o abraham_n have_v two_o child_n so_o lot_n have_v two_o as_o jacob_n have_v twelve_o son_n so_o esau_n also_o have_v twelve_o and_o sometime_o one_o may_v find_v that_o those_o particular_a person_n who_o be_v prefer_v be_v charge_v with_o very_o severe_a accusation_n now_o after_o all_o these_o general_a refiexion_n it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o consider_v what_o care_n god_n have_v upon_o all_o occasion_n particular_o take_v to_o distinguish_v and_o protect_v those_o who_o he_o have_v invest_v with_o the_o right_n of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n that_o their_o state_n and_o succession_n may_v never_o be_v uncertain_a it_o be_v this_o design_n no_o doubt_n which_o oblige_v god_n to_o make_v seth_n the_o depositary_a of_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n that_o he_o may_v thereby_o save_v noah_n from_o the_o flood_n and_o so_o procure_v to_o shem_n his_o father_n blessing_n it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n that_o he_o call_v abraham_n out_o of_o his_o own_o country_n and_o make_v he_o travel_v from_o place_n to_o place_n to_o make_v he_o thereby_o famous_a in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o invite_v man_n by_o that_o mean_n to_o inquire_v after_o his_o profession_n his_o hope_n and_o his_o religion_n again_o it_o be_v for_o this_o that_o he_o oblige_v this_o patriarch_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o circumcision_n which_o be_v a_o real_a distinction_n and_o a_o indelible_a character_n and_o that_o he_o likewise_o confine_v he_o to_o a_o certain_a place_n by_o fix_v he_o in_o some_o sort_n to_o the_o cave_n of_o machpela_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v of_o the_o child_n of_o hamor_n last_o it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o prohibit_v all_o alliance_n with_o they_o as_o also_o all_o imitation_n of_o the_o custom_n and_o religious_a ceremony_n practise_v among_o they_o now_o all_o this_o be_v suppose_v i_o say_v that_o whether_o we_o consider_v the_o end_n and_o principal_a design_n of_o moses_n law_n or_o whether_o we_o examine_v his_o several_a prophecy_n which_o do_v particular_o characterise_v the_o messiah_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o god_n do_v all_o along_o continue_v in_o his_o first_o design_n of_o distinction_n and_o consequent_o of_o keep_v up_o the_o jealousy_n of_o those_o that_o have_v any_o pretension_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o he_o have_v prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n to_o jesus_n christ_n time_n in_o who_o christian_n do_v maintain_v that_o the_o first_o promise_n be_v accomplish_v god_n have_v then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o both_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o those_o difference_n and_o distinction_n which_o be_v only_o intend_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n the_o better_a know_v and_o the_o more_o certain_o discern_v at_o his_o come_n and_o then_o to_o cease_v just_o as_o scaffold_n be_v take_v away_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o building_n be_v finish_v and_o have_v also_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n rectify_v the_o principle_n from_o which_o flow_v that_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n among_o those_o who_o have_v the_o same_o pretention_n we_o see_v that_o according_o god_n exclude_v all_o other_o nation_n from_o the_o right_n of_o accomplish_v this_o promise_n we_o see_v that_o even_o in_o the_o family_n of_o judah_n who_o be_v himself_o the_o young_a of_o the_o first_o set_v of_o leah_n child_n he_o restrain_v the_o execution_n of_o it_o to_o the_o young_a brother_n we_o see_v that_o he_o raise_v occasion_n of_o jealousy_n even_o among_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n in_o a_o word_n we_o see_v that_o of_o all_o those_o mean_n which_o can_v distinguish_v any_o one_o people_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n or_o one_o tribe_n from_o twelve_o one_o family_n from_o all_o other_o family_n of_o the_o same_o tribe_n and_o one_o particular_a person_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o family_n none_o be_v omit_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o make_a use_n of_o by_o god_n to_o follow_v this_o his_o first_o design_n this_o i_o intend_v firm_o to_o establish_v by_o examine_v the_o thing_n gradual_o from_o moses_n time_n by_o who_o ministry_n god_n enact_v and_o publish_v those_o law_n by_o the_o mean_n whereof_o he_o intend_v the_o messiah_n may_v certain_o be_v know_v to_o the_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n in_o who_o we_o believe_v that_o the_o promise_n be_v accomplish_v chap._n xiii_o that_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgate_a his_o law_n among_o the_o israelite_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n i_o do_v not_o bare_o design_n here_o at_o first_o to_o observe_v the_o several_a resemblance_n which_o be_v observable_a betwixt_o the_o thing_n relate_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n and_o those_o which_o one_o find_v in_o the_o follow_a book_n neither_o will_v i_o mere_o establish_v here_o that_o as_o jacob_n go_v down_o into_o egypt_n with_o all_o his_o child_n and_o the_o protection_n that_o they_o all_o receive_v there_o from_o joseph_n do_v serve_v to_o fulfil_v the_o prediction_n which_o god_n make_v of_o that_o event_n by_o joseph_n dream_n so_o we_o may_v say_v in_o general_a that_o the_o send_n of_o moses_n his_o miracle_n and_o his_o whole_a ministry_n to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n when_o he_o entrust_v joshuah_n with_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o literal_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v former_o make_v to_o abraham_n to_o deliver_v the_o four_o generation_n of_o his_o posterity_n out_o of_o the_o captivity_n which_o it_o be_v to_o fall_v into_o and_o then_o to_o bring_v it_o into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n to_o possess_v it_o moses_n indeed_o represent_v that_o people_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o prophecy_n as_o groan_v under_o the_o hard_a pressure_n of_o a_o cruel_a captivity_n in_o egypt_n when_o joseph_n and_o his_o eminent_a service_n be_v both_o forget_v afterward_o he_o tell_v we_o how_o they_o be_v miraculous_o deliver_v out_o of_o that_o captivity_n and_o then_o last_o he_o inform_v we_o that_o after_o he_o have_v carry_v they_o through_o many_o difficulty_n in_o the_o wilderness_n he_o bring_v they_o at_o last_o to_o the_o very_a border_n of_o canaan_n and_o so_o leave_v they_o ready_a to_o conquer_v and_o possess_v it_o according_a to_o god_n promise_n and_o their_o pretension_n ground_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o have_v be_v so_o often_o repeat_v to_o they_o ever_o since_o abraham_n time_n joshua_n moses_n successor_n and_o in_o all_o likelihood_n the_o author_n of_o the_o description_n of_o his_o death_n be_v he_o that_o accomplish_v the_o other_o part_n of_o god_n promise_n to_o abraham_n by_o introduce_v the_o israelite_n into_o canaan_n and_o actual_o possess_v they_o of_o it_o so_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o precise_a in_o this_o whole_a matter_n but_o
because_o those_o of_o every_o tribe_n who_o continue_v still_o in_o the_o land_n may_v visible_o keep_v they_o up_o and_o we_o here_o of_o necessity_n ought_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o we_o may_v read_v in_o the_o xxxii_o chapter_n of_o jeremiah_n xxxii_o jerem._n xxxii_o concern_v the_o sale_n of_o a_o field_n which_o jeremiah_n buy_v and_o second_o what_o we_o read_v nehem._n the_o vth_o where_o he_o be_v trouble_v to_o see_v the_o alienation_n of_o their_o field_n which_o be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o misery_n and_o three_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o people_n be_v restore_v to_o their_o estate_n according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o their_o state._n another_o very_a effectual_a mean_n to_o fix_v that_o people_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o preserve_v their_o family_n there_o certain_o without_o confusion_n be_v the_o law_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n which_o god_n institute_v for_o this_o very_a purpose_n for_o in_o short_a when_o this_o rule_n be_v once_o lay_v down_o that_o upon_o the_o failure_n of_o a_o heir_n in_o any_o family_n that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n be_v the_o heir_n at_o law_n it_o appear_v plain_o that_o every_o one_o be_v oblige_v for_o his_o own_o interest_n to_o inquire_v with_o diligence_n into_o the_o genealogical_a life_n of_o his_o own_o tribe_n that_o he_o may_v instruct_v himself_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o several_a family_n of_o his_o kindred_n and_o of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o proximity_n of_o blood_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v relate_v because_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o these_o list_n and_o of_o those_o several_a degree_n of_o kindred_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o right_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n there_o be_v two_o other_o law_n which_o contribute_v also_o to_o this_o one_o whereof_z regulate_v all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v when_o there_o be_v none_o but_o daughter_n leave_v in_o a_o family_n a_o famous_a instance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o zelophehad_n set_v down_o twice_o by_o moses_n on_o purpose_n no_o doubt_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v particular_o in_o another_o place_n the_o other_o law_n regulate_v all_o that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n of_o any_o one_o that_o die_v childless_a be_v oblige_v to_o do_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o relict_n and_o of_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o decease_a if_o he_o intend_v to_o redeem_v it_o one_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n a_o illustrious_a example_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o law_n which_o may_v be_v find_v deuter._n xxv_o now_o after_o all_o this_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o there_o can_v be_v any_o strong_a tie_n than_o these_o to_o oblige_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o whither_o the_o division_n which_o god_n make_v of_o it_o betwixt_o their_o several_a tribe_n and_o family_n be_v not_o a_o infallible_a mean_n to_o distinguish_v they_o certain_o one_o from_o another_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v concern_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n do_v principal_o relate_v also_o to_o the_o messiah_n which_o hold_v also_o as_o to_o several_a other_o law_n hitherto_o i_o have_v show_v the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o afterward_o show_v what_o care_n he_o take_v to_o keep_v the_o distinction_n which_o he_o first_o set_v up_o among_o the_o tribe_n and_o i_o afterward_o explain_v those_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o oblige_v every_o family_n in_o each_o tribe_n to_o remain_v distinct_a and_o i_o afterward_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v a_o very_a proper_a mean_n to_o execute_v this_o design_n of_o god._n all_o which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o make_v it_o easy_a for_o every_o man_n to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v once_o know_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n as_o it_o be_v afterward_o foretell_v by_o several_a express_a oracle_n but_o as_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v something_o supernatural_a in_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n so_o we_o ought_v to_o see_v what_o care_n god_n take_v in_o his_o law_n that_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n even_o in_o this_o very_a article_n may_v not_o be_v a_o fact_n too_o difficult_a to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o first_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v join_v with_o isaiah_n prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v etc._n etc._n be_v vii_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n must_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o the_o christian_n profess_v to_o believe_v why_o shall_v god_n otherwise_o have_v take_v care_n to_o insinuate_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o a_o woman_n without_o mention_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n if_o he_o have_v not_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v without_o the_o operation_n of_o a_o man_n and_o why_o shall_v isaiah_n propose_v the_o conceive_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o a_o effect_v whole_o supernatural_a in_o short_a god_n do_v therefore_o by_o his_o law_n not_o only_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n that_o this_o thing_n may_v not_o be_v ambiguous_a when_o it_o shall_v be_v accomplish_v but_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v here_o he_o have_v by_o these_o law_n make_v it_o extreme_o illustrious_a first_o beside_o that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n inflict_v upon_o they_o that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n find_v guilty_a of_o sin_n against_o nature_n 17._o exod._n xxii_o deut._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xviii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxiii_o 17._o as_o also_o upon_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o have_v have_v any_o incestuous_a commerce_n with_o those_o that_o be_v near_o relate_v to_o they_o and_o to_o who_o either_o the_o nearness_n of_o blood_n or_o of_o affinity_n give_v they_o a_o more_o free_a and_o familiar_a access_n he_o moreover_o strait_o command_v that_o all_o prostitute_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n without_o any_o mercy_n second_o he_o be_v not_o only_o content_v to_o forbid_v fornication_n and_o adultery_n in_o general_n by_o condemn_v to_o death_n xxii_o exod._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxii_o those_o that_o express_o shall_v be_v convict_v of_o it_o and_o by_o award_v the_o same_o sentence_n against_o he_o that_o shall_v happen_v to_o corrupt_v a_o contract_a virgin_n and_o the_o virgin_n herself_o but_o he_o also_o hinder_v man_n by_o two_o way_n from_o fall_v into_o sin_n of_o impurity_n he_o permit_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n a_o divorce_n where_o the_o wife_n do_v not_o please_v her_o husband_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o allow_v of_o polygamy_n this_o toleration_n make_v that_o virgin_n on_o the_o one_o side_n not_o remain_v too_o long_o unmarried_a be_v not_o apt_a to_o be_v easy_o corrupt_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n man_n be_v not_o very_o forward_o to_o debauch_v those_o woman_n who_o they_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o marry_v or_o to_o keep_v when_o marry_v for_o he_o that_o be_v compel_v to_o marry_v a_o virgin_n who_o he_o have_v seduce_v xxii_o deut._n xxii_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o put_v she_o away_o for_o ever_o after_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v the_o design_n of_o those_o law_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o short_a 5._o massec_n avoth_o c._n 5._o the_o desire_n of_o issue_n make_v they_o marry_v very_o young_a most_o of_o the_o man_n be_v marry_v at_o eighteen_o year_n of_o age._n therefore_o all_o virgin_n think_v it_o a_o shame_n to_o be_v unmarried_a therefore_o god_n make_v they_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n in_o that_o manner_n when_o seven_o woman_n will_v marry_v one_o man_n without_o ask_v any_o thing_n for_o diet_n or_o clothes_n provide_v only_o that_o he_o will_v take_v away_o that_o reproach_n of_o live_v without_o have_v child_n it_o be_v this_o desire_n of_o posterity_n which_o make_v the_o woman_n look_v upon_o barrenness_n as_o a_o curse_n again_o this_o vehement_a desire_n of_o child_n make_v eunuch_n to_o be_v regard_v 1069._o lucian_n de_fw-fr eunuch_n p._n 537._o lucian_n de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syriâ_fw-la p._n 1069._o as_o man_n particular_o abhor_v of_o god_n not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o although_o 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
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
it_o be_v a_o very_a considerable_a thing_n that_o in_o all_o the_o series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n there_o be_v not_o one_o generation_n among_o all_o the_o offspring_n of_o the_o people_n but_o what_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o several_a of_o these_o oracle_n a_o little_a attention_n and_o care_n in_o compare_v the_o chronology_n of_o the_o oracle_n with_o that_o of_o the_o event_n will_v sufficient_o justify_v what_o i_o say_v i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o observe_v their_o different_a order_n which_o will_v satisfy_v a_o judicious_a reader_n since_o my_o design_n do_v not_o engage_v i_o necessary_o to_o do_v a_o thing_n which_o will_v carry_v i_o too_o far_o and_o which_o may_v be_v do_v with_o little_a application_n we_o may_v consider_v four_o sort_n of_o oracle_n 1._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n nigh_o at_o hand_n 2._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n but_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n 3._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o fact_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n 4._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o fact_n which_o belong_v to_o foreign_a nation_n either_o border_n upon_o palestina_n or_o further_o from_o it_o now_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o exact_o fulfil_v as_o these_o four_o sort_n of_o oracle_n you_o have_v for_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v nigh_o at_o hand_n and_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n the_o oracle_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o advancement_n of_o joshua_n and_o the_o conquest_n of_o palestine_n which_o happen_v soon_o after_o you_o have_v debora_n oracle_n of_o the_o victory_n promise_v to_o barak_n you_o have_v samuel_n oracle_n of_o the_o advancement_n and_o rejection_n of_o saul_n you_o have_v a_o oracle_n of_o the_o same_o samuel_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o david_n you_o have_v nathan_n oracle_n concern_v absalom_n revolt_n you_o have_v ahijah_n oracle_n concern_v the_o advancement_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o the_o division_n of_o solomon_n kingdom_n into_o ten_o tribe_n and_o into_o two_o tribe_n whereof_o the_o lesser_a part_n be_v to_o continue_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o solomon_n heir_n you_o have_v ahijah_n prediction_n of_o the_o death_n of_o jeroboam_n son._n you_o have_v a_o prediction_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o jehu_n in_o the_o place_n of_o jehoram_fw-la king_n of_o israel_n you_o have_v elijah_n prediction_n of_o the_o exemplary_a punishment_n of_o ahab_n and_o jezabel_n you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o jehoiakim_n death_n make_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxii_o 18_o 19_o and_o chap._n xxxvi_o 30._o which_o happen_v ten_o year_n after_o you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o jechoniah_n misery_n make_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxii_o 3._o you_o have_v jeremiah_n prediction_n of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n ananiah_n but_o seven_o month_n before_o it_o happen_v you_o have_v a_o express_a designation_n of_o zorobabel_n to_o conclude_v the_o re-building_n of_o the_o temple_n make_v by_o zechariah_n chap._n iu._n 9_o and_o which_o be_v complete_v in_o four_o year_n it_o be_v therefore_o full_o evident_a that_o the_o prediction_n of_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v to_o happen_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n serve_v to_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o effect_n one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o proceed_v upon_o the_o authority_n which_o those_o prediction_n of_o near_a event_n give_v they_o to_o foretell_v other_o particular_a event_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n so_o you_o see_v that_o moses_n foretell_v after_o a_o sort_n after_o jacob_n the_o manner_n how_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o be_v divide_v though_o the_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o lot._n you_o see_v the_o same_o moses_n foretell_v the_o several_a captivity_n which_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n suffer_v after_o the_o conquest_n and_o the_o method_n of_o god_n raise_v up_o several_a judge_n to_o the_o number_n of_o fourteen_o to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o those_o calamity_n you_o see_v the_o same_o moses_n foretell_v that_o the_o temple_n shall_v be_v build_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o it_o be_v the_o least_o you_o have_v joshua_n prediction_n of_o the_o way_n how_o the_o re_fw-mi builder_n of_o jericho_n shall_v be_v exemplary_o punish_v which_o be_v accomplish_v in_o ahab_n time_n i_o king_n xvi_o 34_o about_o 570_o year_n after_o this_o prophetical_a imprecation_n of_o joshua_n you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o a_o prophet_n who_o be_v contemporary_a to_o jeroboam_n about_o the_o birth_n of_o josiah_n which_o be_v not_o till_o 350_o year_n after_o i_o king_n xiii_o and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o destroy_v the_o altar_n which_o jeroboam_n build_v one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o samaria_n within_o 65_o year_n by_o isaiah_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o jotham_n one_o see_v we_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n foretell_v by_o several_a of_o the_o prophet_n one_o see_v we_o the_o take_n of_o tyre_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n foretell_v by_o isaiah_n chap._n xxiii_o 15_o 17._o one_o see_v we_o the_o promise_n of_o its_o re-establishment_n seventy_o year_n after_o its_o destruction_n one_o see_v we_o the_o promise_n of_o cyrus_n birth_n make_v by_o isaiah_n chap._n xliv_o 45._o as_o of_o one_o that_o shall_v restore_v liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o give_v they_o opportunity_n of_o re-building_n their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n will_v treat_v the_o jew_n in_o his_o life_n time_n and_o how_o he_o shall_v be_v punish_v for_o his_o cruelty_n and_o sacrilege_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o maccabee_n who_o shall_v oppose_v the_o tyranny_n of_o that_o prince_n and_o purify_v anew_o the_o divine_a worship_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o foretell_v of_o these_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n revive_v the_o memory_n of_o these_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o every_o age_n and_o make_v they_o read_v they_o with_o a_o singular_a attention_n one_o ought_v also_o to_o make_v the_o same_o reflection_n upon_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o particular_a event_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o its_o continuance_n until_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n after_o which_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v its_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n without_o remedy_n in_o short_a one_o may_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o revolution_n never_o so_o little_a considerable_a of_o which_o we_o do_v not_o find_v very_o many_o and_o very_o particular_a prediction_n foretell_v by_o several_a prophet_n upon_o very_o different_a occasion_n and_o particular_a circumstance_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n exact_a description_n of_o the_o pilgrimage_n of_o abraham_n posterity_n of_o their_o continuance_n in_o egypt_n of_o the_o oppression_n they_o be_v there_o to_o undergo_v of_o their_o prodigious_a increase_n of_o their_o rob_v the_o egyptian_n at_o their_o departure_n of_o their_o method_n in_o conquer_a the_o land_n of_o canaan_n of_o the_o way_n how_o king_n shall_v arise_v from_o abraham_n which_o be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n and_o at_o last_o in_o the_o israelite_n one_o see_v we_o express_v prediction_n of_o the_o several_a judge_n who_o god_n shall_v raise_v up_o to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n one_o see_v we_o a_o express_a prediction_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n to_o the_o kingdom_n one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o future_a subjection_n of_o the_o edomite_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o of_o their_o conquer_a of_o the_o country_n which_o lie_v along_o the_o bank_n of_o euphrates_n which_o be_v fulfil_v in_o david_n time_n one_o see_v we_o a_o express_a division_n 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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 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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 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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 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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
so_o profane_a as_o to_o deny_v that_o if_o in_o the_o same_o author_n and_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n any_o man_n shall_v read_v in_o one_o continue_a series_n prediction_n which_o shall_v explain_v the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n his_o family_n his_o preach_a his_o miracle_n his_o suffering_n his_o resurrection_n his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n the_o send_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n but_o that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v sufficient_o justify_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n but_o they_o take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v apply_v several_a passage_n in_o ancient_a author_n to_o the_o history_n of_o jesus_n christ_n thou_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o their_o book_n do_v not_o seem_v to_o oblige_v we_o to_o make_v any_o such_o interpretation_n they_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n make_v several_a fortunate_a allusion_n to_o the_o more_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o those_o ancient_a author_n which_o may_v pass_v for_o prediction_n of_o those_o event_n which_o afterward_o happen_v just_o as_o nonnus_n write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o homer_n verse_n and_o as_o eudoxia_n make_v a_o cento_n out_o of_o virgil_n poem_n which_o contain_v the_o same_o history_n though_o neither_o homer_n nor_o virgil_n have_v any_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n then_o in_o view_n that_o this_o apparent_a difficulty_n may_v be_v solve_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o examine_v three_o thing_n i._n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n itself_o ii_o the_o reason_n which_o give_v occasion_n for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o iii_o the_o impression_n which_o this_o fact_n have_v produce_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o this_o very_a time_n for_o the_o first_o though_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o common_a use_n do_v not_o allow_v man_n to_o join_v foreign_a idea_n in_o the_o same_o discourse_n yet_o we_o may_v easy_o conceive_v that_o god_n may_v and_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o if_o we_o will_v allow_v what_o may_v be_v easy_o collect_v that_o he_o resolve_v to_o send_v the_o messiah_n into_o the_o world_n such_o a_o practice_n be_v the_o more_o natural_a because_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n before_o moses_n and_o moses_n himself_o who_o form_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v prepare_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n to_o such_o sort_n of_o expression_n as_o be_v raise_v above_o the_o present_a subject_n and_o certain_o if_o one_o take_v but_o the_o pain_n to_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n and_o beauty_n of_o the_o author_n who_o write_v these_o prophetical_a book_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o the_o character_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n on_o the_o other_o he_o will_v perceive_v that_o if_o these_o word_n that_o it_o may_v be_v fulfil_v be_v of_o necessity_n to_o be_v change_v into_o these_o as_o one_o may_v perceive_v a_o sort_n of_o completion_n of_o such_o or_o such_o passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o most_o part_n of_o those_o quotation_n will_v evince_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n and_o the_o oracle_n which_o they_o allege_v will_v bear_v a_o just_a proportion_n to_o those_o event_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o evangelist_n in_o our_o saviour_n life_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o singular_a than_o the_o prophecy_n in_o the_o seven_o of_o isaiah_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o pierce_a of_o his_o hand_n and_o foot_n psal_n xxii_o of_o the_o mixture_n of_o gall_n which_o be_v offer_v he_o to_o drink_v hint_v at_o psalm_n lx._n 22._o of_o his_o be_v sell_v for_o thirty_o piece_n of_o silver_n zechar._n xi_o 3._o or_o then_o several_a other_o of_o a_o like_a nature_n which_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o reckon_v up_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v however_o that_o these_o oracle_n be_v interweave_v for_o the_o most_o part_n with_o matter_n relate_v to_o event_n happen_v in_o the_o time_n when_o each_o prophet_n live_v or_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v applicable_a personal_o to_o the_o prophet_n three_o order_n or_o reason_n may_v be_v conceive_v which_o will_v justify_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o order_n of_o these_o oracle_n in_o a_o way_n which_o seem_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a practice_n of_o the_o world._n the_o first_o order_n contain_v reason_n draw_v from_o the_o person_n of_o the_o messiah_n himself_o of_o who_o we_o speak_v the_o second_o order_n contain_v those_o which_o arise_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o people_n among_o who_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v the_o three_o contain_v those_o reason_n which_o respect_v other_o nation_n among_o who_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v preach_v i_o shall_v examine_v these_o three_o sort_n by_o themselves_o and_o i_o hope_v that_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o eternal_a wisdom_n preside_v over_o this_o mixture_n of_o these_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o idea_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v whole_o foreign_a to_o the_o subject_a in_o short_a it_o may_v be_v urge_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o messiah_n form_v of_o so_o apparent_a contradiction_n can_v easy_o be_v receive_v of_o the_o sudden_a a_o messiah_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o david_n who_o david_n call_v his_o lord_n a_o messiah_n who_o complain_v that_o he_o be_v forsake_v by_o god_n who_o however_o he_o ought_v to_o adore_v a_o messiah_n bear_v with_o the_o weakness_n of_o youth_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v call_v a_o mighty_a god_n and_o the_o father_n of_o eternity_n etc._n etc._n however_o these_o idea_n which_o seem_v so_o opposite_a aught_o of_o necessity_n to_o have_v be_v so_o separate_v by_o the_o prophet_n lest_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o chimerical_a description_n and_o incompatible_a in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o subject_a a_o second_o reflection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v upon_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v bind_v not_o only_o to_o preserve_v their_o oracle_n but_o also_o to_o execute_v they_o in_o part_n thus_o for_o instance_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n for_o they_o to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n to_o deliver_v he_o up_o to_o the_o gentile_n to_o be_v crucify_v there_o be_v a_o necessity_n that_o their_o punishment_n shall_v be_v as_o signal_n as_o their_o crime_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v disperse_v over_o the_o world_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v clear_o show_v now_o how_o can_v all_o this_o have_v ever_o be_v effect_v if_o the_o description_n of_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o prophet_n have_v be_v as_o historical_a as_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o the_o evangelist_n who_o give_v we_o only_o a_o narrative_a of_o matter_n of_o fact._n in_o a_o word_n be_v it_o not_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v preach_v that_o these_o oracle_n shall_v be_v scatter_v up_o and_o down_o the_o write_n of_o these_o ancient_a author_n they_o be_v to_o be_v call_v upon_o the_o rejection_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o preserve_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o they_o be_v cast_v off_o by_o god_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n and_o these_o oracle_n may_v be_v beyond_o all_o contest_v as_o testimony_n with_o which_o we_o be_v furnish_v by_o the_o adverse_a party_n which_o ought_v to_o have_v place_n until_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n shall_v profess_v christianity_n let_v any_o one_o therefore_o judge_v if_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a in_o this_o state_n of_o affair_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o obscurity_n in_o the_o prophetical_a description_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o this_o interweave_v of_o foreign_a idea_n with_o those_o which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n as_o also_o this_o dispersion_n of_o the_o oracle_n through_o different_a place_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v not_o necessary_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o as_o they_o be_v utter_v upon_o several_a occasion_n by_o different_a author_n and_o we_o may_v affirm_v it_o as_o a_o certainty_n that_o according_a to_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n this_o obscurity_n do_v not_o hinder_v either_o jew_n or_o pagan_n from_o perceive_v those_o roll_a idea_n of_o a_o messiah_n when_o they_o read_v the_o old_a testament_n neither_o be_v the_o dispersion_n of_o these_o oracle_n through_o so_o many_o different_a place_n any_o great_a hindrance_n to_o their_o application_n since_o the_o jew_n lay_v it_o down_o as_o a_o constant_a maxim_n that_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o every_o thing_n which_o we_o find_v to_o be_v foretell_v as_o great_a and_o illustrious_a by_o the_o prophet_n aught_o to_o be_v look_v for_o in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o the_o
of_o one_o that_o be_v blind_a and_o another_o that_o be_v lame_a at_o alexandria_n he_o that_o will_v know_v the_o particular_n may_v consult_v tacitus_n his_o history_n and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o only_o agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n of_o isaiah_n refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o they_o also_o still_o propose_v the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n as_o a_o character_n which_o will_v render_v the_o messiah_n very_o illustrious_a and_o certain_o know_v chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n this_o truth_n i_o have_v already_o assert_v in_o the_o reflection_n i_o make_v on_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n deut._n xviii_o but_o one_o ought_v to_o explain_v this_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n more_o particular_o god_n have_v be_v please_v further_a to_o illustrate_v this_o oracle_n of_o moses_n first_o then_o we_o say_v that_o the_o word_n messiah_n imply_v anoint_v which_o be_v common_a to_o king_n prophet_n and_o priest_n and_o since_o david_n time_n we_o find_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o this_o title_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n be_v dignify_v with_o this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o that_o samuel_n communicate_v the_o same_o to_o saul_n and_o david_n when_o he_o anoint_v they_o to_o be_v king_n yea_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o elias_n the_o prophet_n shall_v anoint_v the_o messiah_n that_o be_v initiate_v he_o in_o his_o prophetical_a as_o well_o as_o his_o royal_a function_n second_o god_n more_o precise_o signify_v this_o isai_n xi_o verse_n 1_o 2_o &_o 3._o where_o he_o declare_v he_o will_v communicate_v all_o the_o necessary_a gift_n of_o the_o prophetical_a function_n to_o the_o messiah_n there_o shall_v come_v forth_o a_o rod_n out_o of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n and_o a_o branch_n shall_v grow_v out_o of_o his_o root_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v rest_v upon_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o may_v the_o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o judge_v after_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o eye_n neither_o reprove_v after_o the_o hear_n of_o his_o ear_n these_o word_n need_v no_o commentary_n for_o the_o jew_n refer_v they_o constant_o to_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o plain_o import_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o great_a prophet_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o character_n which_o be_v there_o give_v to_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v to_o rest_v on_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o same_o which_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v attribute_v to_o the_o prophet_n and_o may_v easy_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n especial_o of_o david_n and_o solomon_n and_o much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o passage_n isai_n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o have_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o truth_n he_o shall_v not_o fail_v nor_o be_v discourage_v till_o he_o have_v set_v judgement_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n thus_o say_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o that_o create_v the_o heaven_n and_o stretch_v they_o out_o he_o that_o spread_v forth_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o which_o come_v out_o of_o it_o he_o that_o give_v breath_n to_o the_o people_n upon_o it_o and_o spirit_n to_o they_o that_o walk_v therein_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thou_o and_o will_v keep_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n for_o a_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o open_v the_o blind_a eye_n to_o bring_v out_o the_o prisoner_n from_o the_o prison_n and_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n out_o of_o the_o prison_n house_n in_o which_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n particular_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o jew_n apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n 1._o that_o god_n propose_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o bestow_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o his_o love_n and_o the_o choice_n he_o have_v make_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o as_o rule_n for_o reform_v the_o country_n and_o propound_v god_n covenant_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o clear_o suppose_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o such_o great_a undertake_n 3._o that_o contrary_a to_o the_o thunder_a character_n which_o distinguish_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v as_o so_o many_o public_a censor_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o speak_v with_o all_o meekness_n and_o sweetness_n to_o the_o nation_n which_o shall_v receive_v his_o preach_v one_o see_v we_o that_o isaiah_n repeat_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o the_o lord_n have_v anoint_v i_o to_o preach_v good_a tiding_n unto_o the_o meek_a he_o have_v send_v i_o to_o bind-up_a the_o break_a heart_a to_o proclaim_v liberty_n to_o the_o captive_n and_o the_o open_n of_o the_o prison_n to_o they_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o proclaim_v the_o acceptable_a year_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o day_n of_o vengeance_n of_o our_o god_n to_o comfort_v all_o that_o mourn_v to_o appoint_v unto_o they_o that_o mourn_v in_o zion_n to_o give_v unto_o they_o beauty_n for_o ash_n the_o oil_n of_o joy_n for_o mourn_v the_o garment_n of_o praise_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o heaviness_n that_o they_o may_v be_v call_v tree_n of_o righteousness_n the_o plant_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o may_v be_v glorify_v and_o they_o shall_v build_v the_o old_a waste_v they_o shall_v raise_v up_o the_o former_a desolation_n and_o they_o shall_v repair_v the_o waste_a city_n the_o desolation_n of_o many_o generation_n and_o stranger_n shall_v stand_v and_o feed_v your_o flock_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o alien_n shall_v be_v your_o plowman_n and_o your_o vine_n dresser_n but_o you_o shall_v be_v name_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o lord_n man_n shall_v call_v you_o the_o minister_n of_o our_o god_n you_o shall_v eat_v the_o riches_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o their_o glory_n shall_v you_o boast_v yourselves_o for_o your_o shame_n you_o shall_v have_v double_a and_o for_o confusion_n they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o their_o portion_n therefore_o in_o their_o land_n they_o shall_v possess_v the_o double_a everlasting_a joy_n shall_v be_v upon_o they_o in_o short_a he_o represent_v in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a oracle_n the_o gentile_n as_o a_o people_n be_v in_o darkness_n and_o in_o the_o misery_n of_o a_o prison_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o infer_v first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n how_o vile_a and_o abject_a soever_o that_o character_n may_v appear_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o it_o be_v where_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n second_o that_o he_o be_v to_o discharge_v these_o function_n during_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v his_o chief_a employment_n here_o upon_o earth_n david_n have_v before_o signify_v psalm_n xxii_o verse_n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o declare_v the_o name_n of_o god_n unto_o his_o brethren_n viz._n the_o jew_n by_o exercise_v his_o prophetical_a function_n in_o judea_n but_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v something_o more_o when_o he_o seem_v to_o point_v out_o galilee_n as_o the_o place_n where_o this_o sacred_a doctor_n be_v chief_o to_o fix_v his_o abode_n this_o be_v in_o effect_n insinuate_v when_o god_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v to_o begin_v his_o ministerial_a function_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o naphtali_n and_o zebulon_n isai_n ix_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o and_o 3._o nevertheless_o the_o dimness_n shall_v not_o be_v such_o as_o be_v in_o her_o vexation_n when_o at_o the_o first_o he_o light_o afflict_v the_o land_n of_o zebulon_n and_o the_o land_n of_o naphtali_n and_o afterward_o do_v more_o grievous_o afflict_v she_o by_o the_o way_n of_o the_o sea_n beyond_o jordan_n in_o galilee_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o people_n that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n have_v see_v a_o great_a light_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o land_n
have_v promise_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o only_a design_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v according_a to_o the_o prophet_n the_o first_o speak_v concern_v the_o messiah_n as_o expect_v the_o latter_a as_o already_o come_v but_o we_o must_v proceed_v to_o a_o more_o particular_a view_n of_o this_o matter_n i_o say_v then_o first_o of_o all_o that_o the_o christian_n have_v the_o same_o object_n of_o their_o faith_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v this_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o declare_v where_o he_o say_v this_o be_v life_n eternal_a that_o they_o may_v know_v thou_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o thou_o have_v send_v behold_v here_o the_o true_a character_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o jewish_a to_o believe_v one_o only_a god_n to_o own_o a_o messiah_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v he_o the_o jew_n agree_v with_o we_o in_o the_o two_o former_a article_n though_o they_o dispute_v the_o last_o i_o say_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o regulate_v religion_n and_o the_o conduct_n of_o particular_a person_n in_o that_o society_n be_v exact_o the_o same_o with_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o sermon_n upon_o the_o mount_n which_o contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o his_o ethic_n have_v no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o restore_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o those_o law_n god_n have_v give_v upon_o mount_n sinai_n and_o though_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o divorce_n it_o seem_v opposite_a to_o that_o law_n wherein_o god_n have_v before_o permit_v they_o yet_o we_o may_v easy_o conceive_v that_o he_o begin_v to_o abrogate_v those_o order_n and_o dispensation_n which_o be_v only_o give_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v the_o prayer_n which_o jesus_n christ_n teach_v his_o apostle_n be_v full_a of_o notion_n which_o reign_v among_o the_o jew_n as_o several_a expositor_n have_v manifest_v i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o allege_v the_o instance_n of_o the_o petition_n for_o our_o daily_a bread_n which_o have_v a_o evident_a regard_n to_o the_o manna_n which_o god_n give_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o wilderness_n for_o forty_o year_n we_o know_v also_o that_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o baptism_n and_o the_o eucharist_n be_v original_o jewish_a ceremony_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v apply_v with_o a_o very_a little_a variation_n to_o much_o more_o important_a subject_n baptism_n be_v a_o wash_n which_o accompany_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o circumcision_n of_o proselyte_n light_n and_o the_o wash_v practise_v under_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n signify_v that_o the_o proselyte_n who_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o same_o be_v resolve_v to_o renounce_v his_o former_a course_n and_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v to_o follow_v a_o opposite_a way_n of_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v he_o by_o the_o minister_n of_o heaven_n after_o that_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n have_v assure_v he_o of_o the_o remission_n of_o his_o sin_n the_o eucharist_n be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o egypt_n and_o the_o deliverance_n he_o afford_v they_o in_o punish_v of_o the_o egyptian_n this_o ceremony_n do_v perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o that_o deliverance_n till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n jesus_n christ_n have_v substitute_v to_o this_o figure_n a_o instance_n of_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n against_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n the_o idea_n of_o his_o death_n by_o which_o he_o have_v communicate_v his_o blessing_n to_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n and_o he_o have_v make_v it_o a_o more_o full_a and_o exact_a memorial_n of_o his_o death_n which_o he_o will_v have_v we_o to_o consider_v as_o the_o death_n of_o the_o true_a lamb_n which_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world._n as_o the_o old_a covenant_n be_v make_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o a_o lamb_n so_o jesus_n christ_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o covenant_n promise_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxxi_o ordain_v the_o celebrate_n the_o memorial_n of_o the_o blood_n he_o have_v spill_v this_o be_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o my_o blood_n etc._n etc._n and_o last_o whereas_o the_o law_n ordain_v the_o commemoration_n of_o the_o paschal_n lamb_n but_o once_o a_o year_n jesus_n christ_n seem_v to_o appoint_v a_o much_o more_o frequent_a celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n when_o he_o say_v as_o oft_o as_o you_o shall_v eat_v this_o bread_n etc._n etc._n the_o reason_n of_o which_o without_o doubt_n be_v take_v from_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o benefit_n which_o his_o death_n confer_v upon_o we_o it_o be_v well_o worth_a our_o observation_n that_o ordinary_o the_o same_o prophetical_a idea_n that_o be_v find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n may_v be_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o new._n the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n contain_v abundance_n of_o particular_n set_v down_o in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o zachariah_n and_o ezechiel_n jesus_n christ_n himself_o pursue_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o prophet_n joel_n in_o the_o xxiv_o of_o matthew_n when_o he_o set_v forth_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o afterward_o he_o describe_v the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n which_o daniel_n give_v we_o thereof_o daniel_n foretell_v in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o roman_a monarchy_n by_o the_o christian_n who_o he_o style_v the_o people_n of_o the_o most_o high._n st._n paul_n follow_v the_o same_o notion_n 1_o cor._n vi_o 2._o where_o he_o suppose_v it_o as_o a_o know_a thing_n the_o saint_n say_v he_o shall_v judge_v the_o world._n and_o st._n john_n in_o the_o xx_o of_o the_o revelation_n verse_n 4._o represent_v satan_n bind_v and_o the_o government_n put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o believer_n it_o be_v also_o very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o promise_n and_o threat_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v express_v in_o term_n borrow_v from_o the_o old_a testament_n these_o word_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o that_o hear_v my_o word_n and_o believe_v in_o he_o that_o send_v i_o have_v eternal_a life_n and_o shall_v not_o come_v into_o judgement_n etc._n etc._n have_v not_o they_o a_o plain_a relation_n to_o adam_n unbelief_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o judgement_n he_o undergo_v and_o the_o punishment_n impose_v on_o he_o be_v it_o not_o from_o this_o spirit_n which_o penetrate_v both_o that_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o oft_o make_v mention_n of_o a_o new_a canaan_n a_o new_a jerusalem_n a_o new_a name_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o glory_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o sometime_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o paradise_n sometime_o of_o a_o feast_n where_o abraham_n who_o be_v call_v the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a sit_v at_o the_o upper_a end_n eternal_a damnation_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o valley_n of_o hinnom_n of_o a_o lake_n burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o lake_n of_o sodom_n and_o to_o the_o place_n where_o the_o filth_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v burn_v up_o and_o consume_v it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o believer_n be_v exhort_v to_o remember_v lot_n wife_n luke_n ix_o 62._o and_o xvii_o 32._o and_o to_o depart_v from_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o wicked_a hebr._n xiii_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o election_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o reference_n they_o have_v to_o the_o head_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o to_o the_o seventy_o elder_n who_o moses_n choose_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o seventy_o soul_n jacob_n bring_v with_o he_o into_o egypt_n these_o passage_n you_o shall_v sit_v on_o twelve_o throne_n and_o your_o name_n be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o the_o number_n of_o 144000_o be_v the_o product_n of_o 12_o time_n 12_o by_o allusion_n to_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n do_v all_o borrow_v their_o light_n from_o those_o ancient_a history_n throughout_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o find_v nothing_o but_o a_o continual_a allusion_n to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n all_o those_o idea_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n do_v allude_v to_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o jubilee_n the_o first_o bear_v mention_v there_o and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o priest_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v but_o by_o cast_v our_o eye_n on_o the_o old_a testament_n if_o jesus_n christ_n be_v call_v the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n if_o peter_n be_v call_v a_o stone_n or_o rock_n believer_n live_v stone_n and_o the_o apostle_n foundation_n it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o allusion_n to_o
fact_n which_o they_o have_v assert_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torment_n and_o even_o until_o death_n that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v down_o upon_o his_o apostle_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o witness_n fifty_o day_n after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n when_o jesus_n christ_n be_v crucify_v it_o be_v as_o remarkable_a a_o fact_n as_o ever_o happen_v twelve_o fisherman_n of_o galilee_n maintain_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o the_o whole_a nation_n have_v demand_v to_o be_v crucify_v but_o fifty_o day_n before_o and_o who_o do_v actual_o suffer_v upon_o a_o infamous_a cross_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n after_o he_o have_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o they_o and_o have_v appear_v several_a time_n to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o that_o he_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o of_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n that_o they_o speak_v divers_a language_n be_v a_o fact_n most_o notorious_a the_o truth_n whereof_o appear_v from_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v find_v to_o be_v fill_v with_o their_o disciple_n but_o a_o few_o year_n after_o this_o fact_n be_v do_v that_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o heal_v all_o disease_n as_o well_o as_o their_o master_n be_v a_o fact_n the_o truth_n whereof_o be_v establish_v upon_o indisputable_a testimony_n insomuch_o as_o their_o successor_n receive_v the_o same_o gift_n by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o their_o hand_n two_o hundred_o year_n after_o tertullian_n mention_n this_o gift_n as_o be_v at_o that_o time_n well_o know_v among_o christian_n that_o the_o apostle_n after_o they_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o jew_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n who_o also_o receive_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o there_o be_v so_o many_o proof_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n that_o the_o convert_a jew_n strong_o oppose_v themselves_o against_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n pretend_v as_o the_o jew_n now_o do_v that_o the_o messiah_n with_o his_o gift_n and_o grace_n be_v confine_v to_o their_o nation_n be_v a_o fact_n so_o well_o attest_v that_o it_o can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o first_o dispute_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o first_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o contest_v of_o s._n paul_n with_o those_o of_o his_o own_o nation_n that_o since_o that_o time_n the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n have_v maintain_v by_o their_o write_n and_o dispute_n and_o final_o by_o their_o martyrdom_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n that_o they_o have_v constant_o stand_v to_o this_o claim_n allege_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o gospel_n propose_v and_o maintain_v that_o the_o matter_n there_o relate_v be_v exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n that_o all_o this_o be_v unquestionable_a one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o sermon_n and_o speech_n set_v down_o by_o s._n luke_n and_o their_o epistle_n one_o needs_o only_o peruse_v the_o heathen_a history_n and_o the_o work_n of_o those_o that_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n who_o follow_v their_o footstep_n in_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o apostle_n discharge_v their_o follower_n from_o the_o ceremony_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v oblige_v they_o only_o to_o the_o essential_o of_o morality_n that_o they_o annul_v the_o law_n which_o permit_v divorce_n without_o sufficient_a cause_n and_o polygamy_n these_o be_v thing_n which_o none_n who_o have_v read_v their_o write_n or_o those_o of_o their_o first_o disciple_n can_v in_o the_o least_o question_n last_o that_o they_o foretell_v many_o thing_n as_o well_o as_o their_o master_n that_o they_o publish_v their_o prediction_n which_o they_o have_v extend_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o return_n of_o jesus_n from_o heaven_n to_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o that_o they_o have_v record_v the_o particular_n of_o many_o considerable_a event_n observe_v by_o the_o christian_n which_o have_v happen_v from_o time_n to_o time_n these_o be_v fact_n as_o well_o know_v and_o as_o incontestable_a as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v in_o the_o world_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n whole_a nation_n be_v witness_n of_o it_o differ_v sect_n interpreter_n who_o have_v several_a opinion_n concern_v these_o prophecy_n the_o contest_v of_o the_o jew_n the_o opposition_n of_o atheist_n the_o cavil_n of_o heretic_n the_o cruelty_n of_o tyrant_n all_o these_o concur_v to_o prove_v clear_o that_o the_o christian_n receive_v these_o prophecy_n from_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o since_o even_o these_o opposition_n be_v foretell_v as_o well_o as_o the_o persecution_n thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o view_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o important_a article_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o i_o think_v that_o they_o be_v so_o solid_o ground_v upon_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o i_o can_v assert_v with_o reason_n that_o no_o fact_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v produce_v so_o well_o establish_v as_o these_o be_v which_o be_v the_o fundamental_o of_o our_o religion_n what_o fact_n be_v there_o which_o be_v attest_v by_o whole_a nation_n as_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v what_o fact_n be_v there_o about_o which_o man_n be_v so_o careful_a to_o inform_v themselves_o as_o when_o a_o man_n pretend_v to_o the_o title_n of_o the_o messiah_n what_o thing_n can_v we_o suppose_v that_o require_v a_o strong_a conviction_n because_o of_o the_o difficulty_n it_o involve_v than_o that_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o crucifixion_n that_o be_v who_o have_v see_v he_o punish_v by_o the_o magistrate_n the_o horror_n of_o all_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o all_o appearance_n forsake_v of_o heaven_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n as_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a instance_n of_o fanatical_a folly_n than_o to_o attribute_v to_o twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n who_o master_n be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n by_o public_a order_n and_o by_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n i_o say_v to_o attribute_v to_o they_o the_o design_n of_o persuade_v that_o people_n and_o the_o gentile_n also_o that_o this_o man_n be_v raise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a that_o he_o rule_v in_o heaven_n that_o he_o have_v bestow_v upon_o they_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n if_o this_o jesus_n have_v be_v never_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a nor_o have_v bestow_v such_o gift_n upon_o they_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n not_o be_v capable_a of_o so_o great_a folly_n so_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o conclude_v that_o since_o they_o have_v attest_v this_o fact_n and_o confirm_v it_o by_o all_o the_o proof_n which_o may_v convince_v those_o who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o prejudice_v yet_o be_v astonish_v at_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o so_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a than_o fact_n so_o confirm_v as_o we_o pretend_v that_o these_o actual_o be_v chap._n xvii_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 before_o we_o allege_v those_o argument_n which_o will_v invincible_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o make_v these_o three_o or_o four_o reflection_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a to_o our_o present_a design_n the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o can_v scarce_o conceive_v a_o more_o simple_a and_o strong_a way_n of_o prove_v a_o fact_n than_o what_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n here_o mention_v the_o design_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n for_o instance_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o that_o in_o his_o birth_n his_o life_n his_o doctrine_n his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n we_o meet_v with_o all_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n how_o do_v the_o evangelist_n execute_v this_o their_o design_n in_o the_o most_o proper_a way_n imaginable_a to_o convince_v other_o and_o most_o proportionable_a to_o their_o design_n they_o simple_o relate_v the_o fact_n and_o fact_n so_o clear_a that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o we_o can_v doubt_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n they_o relate_v the_o most_o important_a of_o these_o fact_n as_o thing_n that_o happen_v in_o
the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n they_o relate_v they_o as_o fact_n for_o the_o most_o part_n own_v by_o the_o jew_n from_o which_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n extort_a other_o consequence_n they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o judgement_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v concern_v the_o miracle_n that_o he_o wrought_v on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n upon_o the_o disciple_n gather_v the_o ear_n of_o corn_n of_o the_o answer_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v to_o pilate_n we_o have_v no_o other_o king_n but_o cesar_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v a_o general_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a knowledge_n of_o the_o prophecy_n that_o respect_v the_o messiah_n and_o a_o great_a impossibility_n of_o apply_v those_o oracle_n to_o particular_a fact_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n have_v not_o be_v beyond_o contest_v now_o we_o find_v very_o few_o oracle_n of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o make_v a_o application_n to_o the_o life_n and_o action_n of_o our_o saviour_n we_o will_v suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v man_n of_o great_a ability_n and_o who_o have_v long_o study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o they_o may_v tear_v out_o such_o small_a passage_n as_o they_o fancy_v may_v be_v applicable_a to_o jesus_n christ_n however_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o their_o write_n that_o they_o have_v such_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o the_o prophecy_n whence_o it_o may_v follow_v that_o they_o judge_v they_o to_o be_v applicable_a to_o christ_n by_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v 2._o that_o they_o have_v this_o knowledge_n in_o common_a with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o at_o this_o day_n apply_v the_o same_o text_n to_o the_o messiah_n if_o they_o be_v not_o constrain_v by_o their_o clearness_n to_o wrest_v they_o some_o other_o way_n the_o three_o reflection_n be_v that_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o these_o fact_n they_o give_v we_o all_o the_o mark_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a sincerity_n they_o represent_v indeed_o whatsoever_o be_v for_o their_o master_n glory_n but_o they_o do_v as_o well_o relate_v those_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v shameful_a to_o his_o memory_n they_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o angel_n that_o assist_v at_o his_o birth_n and_o at_o his_o death_n but_o tell_v we_o withal_o that_o he_o be_v tempt_v of_o the_o devil_n and_o in_o all_o appearance_n forsake_v by_o god_n at_o his_o death_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o multitude_n be_v resolve_v to_o take_v he_o by_o force_n and_o make_v he_o their_o king_n as_o acknowledge_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o same_o multitude_n some_o time_n after_o demand_v he_o to_o be_v crucify_v the_o four_o be_v that_o they_o represent_v very_o natural_o all_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o synagogue_n against_o jesus_n they_o represent_v he_o as_o excommunicate_v and_o crucify_v by_o they_o they_o describe_v the_o report_n that_o be_v current_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o disciple_n have_v take_v away_o his_o body_n out_o of_o the_o sepulchre_n that_o the_o soldier_n have_v depose_v the_o same_o in_o the_o form_n of_o law_n before_o pilate_n from_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v faithful_a historian_n and_o not_o at_o all_o prepossess_v and_o that_o they_o use_v no_o invective_n against_o the_o author_n of_o these_o false_a report_n content_v themselves_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n by_o specify_v the_o place_n the_o time_n the_o witness_n and_o other_o circumstance_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n they_o relate_v these_o four_o reflection_n be_v once_o suppose_v i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n or_o to_o call_v their_o authority_n in_o question_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o which_o one_o needs_o only_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n which_o pass_v under_o their_o name_n the_o other_o be_v that_o their_o faithfulness_n be_v not_o to_o be_v suspect_v by_o we_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v that_o nothing_o will_v be_v certain_a in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o this_o be_v question_v the_o four_o evangelist_n have_v publish_v their_o write_n in_o populous_a city_n where_o they_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v every_o lord_n day_n in_o christian_a assembly_n as_o s._n justin_n martyr_n assure_v we_o in_o his_o apology_n which_o be_v write_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o second_o century_n the_o apostle_n write_v their_o epistle_n to_o numerous_a church_n to_o who_o their_o hand_n as_o well_o as_o the_o person_n by_o who_o they_o send_v they_o be_v well_o know_v can_v we_o instance_n in_o any_o write_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v be_v preserve_v with_o the_o like_a carefulness_n let_v the_o jew_n tell_v we_o what_o they_o please_v concern_v the_o care_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o ancestor_n to_o preserve_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o can_v allege_v nothing_o but_o we_o can_v allege_v the_o same_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o moses_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o a_o curse_n have_v forbid_v the_o add_v any_o thing_n thereto_o and_o do_v not_o we_o read_v the_o same_o threaten_n in_o the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o philosopher_n of_o each_o sect_n have_v nothing_o of_o this_o weight_n to_o allege_v as_o a_o argument_n that_o the_o book_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o their_o master_n be_v real_o they_o we_o find_v only_o a_o few_o man_n in_o every_o age_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n physician_n and_o lawyer_n but_o ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n there_o have_v be_v christian_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o peruse_v and_o preserve_v their_o write_n as_o consider_v that_o they_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o eternal_a life_n one_o may_v upon_o this_o occasion_n take_v notice_n of_o two_o thing_n which_o deserve_v some_o attention_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o design_n of_o some_o heretic_n as_o of_o martion_n for_o instance_n to_o corrupt_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o of_o his_o sect_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v in_o short_a we_o find_v all_o the_o world_n oppose_v themselves_o against_o this_o corruption_n and_o confute_v they_o by_o the_o agreement_n of_o all_o the_o other_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v exempt_a from_o this_o corruption_n the_o other_o be_v that_o if_o there_o be_v some_o book_n who_o authority_n be_v doubtful_a for_o some_o time_n by_o those_o who_o otherwise_o be_v account_v orthodox_n yet_o this_o can_v just_o prejudice_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o happen_v only_o to_o some_o few_o epistle_n which_o be_v write_v not_o to_o particular_a church_n but_o to_o whole_a nation_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o common_a sense_n that_o when_o write_n be_v send_v to_o whole_a body_n as_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n judas_n without_o communicate_v the_o copy_n to_o particular_a man_n that_o they_o may_v with_o more_o justice_n be_v suspect_v than_o those_o who_o hand_n be_v know_v by_o many_o and_o particular_o by_o those_o to_o who_o the_o epistle_n be_v send_v moreover_o the_o account_n which_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n give_v we_o of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o nature_n sufficient_o show_v that_o they_o be_v very_o careful_a in_o examine_v these_o thing_n and_o when_o at_o any_o time_n some_o particular_a man_n do_v not_o use_v care_n enough_o in_o examine_v these_o book_n as_o it_o once_o happen_v in_o the_o church_n of_o ross_n 12._o euseb_n lib._n vi_o cap._n 12._o where_o a_o book_n which_o be_v false_o attribute_v to_o s._n peter_n be_v preserve_v suppose_v it_o to_o have_v be_v he_o the_o other_o church_n not_o consent_v to_o it_o that_o abuse_n be_v soon_o remedy_v the_o write_n abolish_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o weak_a remembrance_n leave_v of_o they_o one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o remark_n be_v sufficient_a to_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n which_o bear_v their_o name_n and_o if_o this_o way_n of_o confirm_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v account_v good_a and_o solid_a when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o book_n of_o aristotle_n or_o hypocrates_n it_o must_v be_v infinite_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
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 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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 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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