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
carry_v away_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n by_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o moses_n confirm_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o confirm_v beyond_o exception_n at_o least_o far_o beyond_o the_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n it_o remain_v only_o now_o to_o examine_v whether_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v not_o the_o same_o certainty_n when_o we_o look_v back_o from_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o about_o 580_o year_n i_o say_v then_o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v they_o forge_v during_o that_o period_n first_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o form_n we_o now_o see_v they_o but_o that_o the_o forgery_n must_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o the_o world._n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o all_o their_o family_n or_o synagogue_n and_o every_o seven_o year_n beside_o nothing_n be_v of_o more_o easy_a observation_n than_o whether_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o three_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o passover_n pentecost_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v obey_v the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n whether_o relate_v to_o particular_a person_n to_o tribe_n or_o their_o land_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o possess_v of_o they_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o suppose_v a_o insensible_a change_n wrought_v either_o in_o in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o civil_a government_n or_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o unsufferable_a piece_n of_o boldness_n to_o charge_v the_o jew_n with_o forge_v these_o book_n of_o moses_n or_o adulterate_v of_o they_o in_o this_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o appear_v they_o have_v keep_v they_o without_o any_o alteration_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2700_o year_n as_o have_v be_v show_v already_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n and_o disperse_v into_o distant_a country_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o forge_v or_o adulterate_v any_o of_o the_o say_a book_n because_o it_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v discover_v it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o the_o same_o reason_n take_v place_n in_o this_o interval_n of_o 580_o year_n for_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n to_o rehoboam_n they_o be_v not_o only_o great_o divide_v among_o themselves_o but_o almost_o continual_o subject_a to_o neighbour_a state_n who_o subdue_v they_o by_o turn_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n moreover_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n first_o that_o these_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o rise_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o fiction_n which_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n second_o that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v evident_o confirm_v by_o the_o follow_a book_n of_o joshuah_n and_o judge_n which_o have_v a_o essential_a reference_n to_o the_o same_o and_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o public_a act_n of_o many_o nation_n attest_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o that_o the_o say_a book_n be_v so_o close_o link_v and_o relate_v to_o those_o public_a and_o know_v action_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o separate_v the_o law_n they_o contain_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n attest_v by_o pagan_a history_n or_o to_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o equal_o lay_v down_o that_o platform_n of_o their_o policy_n and_o worship_n my_o business_n at_o present_a only_o be_v to_o hint_n these_o general_a reflection_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o sequel_n will_v oblige_v i_o to_o make_v some_o more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o each_o book_n when_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o consider_v the_o several_a relation_n they_o contain_v i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n where_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o deluge_n with_o other_o matter_n until_o the_o death_n of_o joseph_n which_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2369_o year_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a forasmuch_o as_o among_o those_o matter_n which_o moses_n relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v depend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o i_o must_v make_v it_o my_o business_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v that_o god_n create_v a_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o due_a time_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n for_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n i_o shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_o
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
last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v 120_o chap._n 22._o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 126_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o 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 page_n 137_o chap._n 2._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 146_o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o 153_o chap._n 4._o a_o continuation_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n 158_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n give_v he_o his_o law_n be_v evident_o true_a 164_o chap._n 6._o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v 169_o chap._n 7._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 173_o chap._n 8._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 by_o moses_n 177_o chap._n 9_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 180_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o same_o persuasion_n appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o moses_n until_o his_o death_n 185_o chap._n 11._o that_o balaam_n be_v prophesy_v which_o moses_n relate_v be_v a_o further_a argument_n of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n in_o he_o 188_o chap._n 12._o that_o one_o may_v see_v also_o in_o moses_n be_v law_n plain_a footstep_n of_o god_n design_n in_o distinguish_v these_o from_o who_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v born._n 194_o chap._n 13._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 200_o chap._n 14._o that_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v design_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n 206_o chap._n 15._o that_o circumcision_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o distinguish_v the_o israelite_n from_o other_o nation_n 212_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n engage_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o study_n of_o their_o genealogy_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v that_o of_o the_o messiah_n 219_o chap._n 17._o a_o solution_n of_o some_o difficulty_n in_o these_o genealogy_n 223_o chap._n 18._o that_o the_o manner_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n fix_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n 228_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o law_n tie_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o by_o several_a other_o mean_v establish_v the_o distinction_n betwixt_o tribe_n and_o family_n among_o they_o 234_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v coneern_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 241_o chap._n 21._o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n by_o all_o these_o ceremony_n and_o particular_o by_o that_o veneration_n which_o he_o inspire_v the_o jew_n with_o for_o the_o tabernacle_n to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o their_o mind_n by_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n 249_o chap._n 22._o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n 256_o to_o the_o courteous_a reader_n the_o errata_n be_v so_o small_a that_o they_o will_v not_o disturb_v the_o sense_n any_o where_o and_o so_o few_o that_o we_o need_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o a_o table_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o hope_v he_o will_v take_v such_o inconsiderable_a pain_n upon_o himself_o and_o excuse_v the_o author_n reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v three_o thing_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o for_o true_a the_o promise_v it_o afford_v we_o and_o the_o worship_n it_o command_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o as_o true_a be_v that_o god_n create_v the_o world_n that_o he_o form_v the_o first_o man_n from_o who_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n have_v be_v propagate_v that_o a_o while_n after_o this_o man_n be_v create_v he_o violate_v the_o law_n god_n have_v give_v he_o and_o that_o whereas_o he_o deserve_v to_o have_v perish_v for_o this_o his_o disobedience_n god_n be_v please_v instead_o thereof_o to_o comfort_v he_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o saviour_n which_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o his_o wife_n that_o god_n have_v actual_o send_v this_o saviour_n into_o the_o world_n which_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o christ_n viz._n his_o birth_n life_n preach_v miracle_n death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n the_o promise_v it_o vouchsafe_v be_v the_o forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o body_n and_o a_o state_n absolute_o happy_a for_o ever_o in_o heaven_n and_o last_o the_o worship_n or_o divine_a service_n it_o prescribe_v consist_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o prayer_n for_o the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o his_o protection_n and_o in_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o what_o we_o owe_v he_o for_o all_o his_o benefit_n towards_o we_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n viz._n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o relate_v may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o other_o two_o viz._n the_o promise_n and_o command_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v persuade_v that_o god_n have_v create_v this_o world_n in_o which_o we_o live_v and_o make_v mankind_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o blood_n that_o after_o the_o fall_v he_o promise_v to_o save_v man_n and_o do_v actual_o redeem_v they_o in_o send_v jesus_n christ_n who_o suffer_v death_n and_o be_v raise_v the_o three_o day_n ascend_v into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o look_v upon_o these_o fact_n as_o true_a without_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n will_v accomplish_v the_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v to_o we_o and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o we_o can_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n without_o be_v sensible_a of_o a_o strong_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o we_o to_o perform_v all_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o man_n reflect_v upon_o his_o be_v god_n creature_n he_o find_v himself_o natural_o oblige_v to_o obey_v god_n universal_o according_a to_o his_o utmost_a ability_n but_o when_o he_o come_v further_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v not_o destroy_v the_o first_o man_n for_o his_o disobedience_n but_o be_v gracious_o please_v to_o promise_v he_o a_o saviour_n for_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o posterity_n and_o when_o moreover_o he_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n have_v real_o send_v this_o saviour_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n the_o gospel_n relate_v to_o we_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o that_o he_o must_v find_v himself_o under_o the_o high_a engagement_n imaginable_a of_o render_v to_o god_n a_o religious_a obedience_n and_o believe_v his_o promise_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o obligation_n whereby_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v god_n to_o pray_v to_o he_o and_o to_o offer_v he_o all_o manner_n of_o religious_a worship_n god_n by_o redeem_v he_o have_v obtain_v a_o new_a claim_n to_o and_o right_a over_o he_o and_o a_o more_o indispensable_a obligation_n be_v lay_v upon_o man_n to_o submit_v himself_o to_o god_n in_o all_o religious_a concern_v as_o be_v not_o only_o create_v but_o also_o redeem_v by_o he_o reason_n acknowledge_v that_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v once_o admit_v nothing_o can_v be_v more_o just_a and_o natural_a than_o those_o consequence_n which_o the_o christian_n thence_o infer_v all_o the_o difficulty_n
re-establishment_n in_o the_o say_a country_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3600._o here_o we_o read_v the_o conquest_n of_o palestina_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o joshua_n how_o it_o be_v divide_v among_o the_o tribe_n after_o they_o have_v destroy_v drive_v out_o or_o subdue_v the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o how_o often_o they_o be_v bring_v into_o bondage_n by_o the_o border_a nation_n who_o rise_n and_o pretension_n moses_n set_v down_o here_o we_o have_v record_v the_o several_a name_n and_o action_n of_o the_o judge_n which_o god_n from_o time_n to_o time_n raise_v to_o the_o israelite_n to_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o first_o estate_n here_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o kingly_a government_n among_o they_o which_o happen_v about_o the_o year_n 2909_o as_o likewise_o of_o the_o division_n of_o this_o people_n into_o two_o kingdom_n which_o for_o three_o age_n together_o be_v most_o opposite_a in_o their_o interest_n and_o make_v 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book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v forge_v since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n three_o it_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a to_o suppose_v they_o contrive_v since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o judah_n because_o we_o find_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o the_o samaritan_n who_o have_v preserve_v they_o ever_o since_o their_o revolt_n without_o any_o other_o change_n but_o what_o be_v incident_a to_o all_o manuscript_n that_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o samaritan_n have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o effect_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n it_o can_v in_o the_o least_o shake_v the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o those_o book_n for_o first_o the_o three_o other_o 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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 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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
which_o we_o most_o desire_v a_o particular_a account_n be_v there_o describe_v in_o a_o very_a short_a and_o concise_a manner_n the_o history_n of_o 1656_o year_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o eight_o chapter_n there_o be_v no_o action_n describe_v therein_o with_o more_o circumstance_n than_o only_o some_o few_o of_o the_o most_o important_a the_o remembrance_n whereof_o be_v still_o fresh_a among_o they_o the_o history_n of_o lamech_n polygamy_n and_o the_o murder_n of_o which_o he_o be_v guilty_a be_v there_o set_v down_o so_o compendious_o that_o it_o be_v very_o obscure_a second_o one_o see_v that_o he_o speak_v more_o copious_o of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v transact_v near_o his_o time_n he_o explain_v and_o mention_n all_o the_o particular_n and_o circumstance_n thereof_o he_o speak_v so_o short_o of_o melchisedeck_v that_o it_o be_v doubt_v to_o this_o day_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o the_o patriarch_n sem_fw-mi or_o some_o other_o faithful_a worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n whereas_o he_o set_v down_o at_o length_n all_o the_o particular_n of_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n of_o isaac_n and_o of_o jacob_n who_o last_o oracle_n which_o he_o speak_v on_o his_o deathbed_n he_o careful_o record_v three_o he_o describe_v with_o the_o same_o exactness_n all_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o edomite_n their_o several_a tribe_n and_o the_o name_n of_o their_o head_n and_o captain_n etc._n etc._n as_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o those_o of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o indeed_o he_o can_v easy_o do_v have_v live_v forty_o year_n of_o his_o life_n among_o those_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v other_o forty_o year_n among_o the_o israelite_n those_o who_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n must_v of_o necessity_n suppose_v first_o that_o tradition_n be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o any_o illustrious_a action_n second_o that_o in_o moses_n time_n there_o be_v none_o who_o know_v any_o particular_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n though_o we_o see_v plain_o both_o by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fact_n themselves_o in_o which_o all_o nation_n be_v concern_v and_o by_o moses_n his_o description_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v sufficient_o instruct_v in_o they_o already_o three_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v set_v down_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o tradition_n be_v infallible_o preserve_v so_o careful_o to_o no_o purpose_n though_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n necessary_a for_o that_o effect_n four_o they_o must_v suppose_v that_o moses_n whilst_o he_o sojourn_v in_o the_o land_n of_o midian_a hear_v nothing_o either_o of_o their_o original_a and_o pedigree_n nor_o yet_o of_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n who_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n although_o all_o these_o nation_n value_v themselves_o upon_o their_o be_v descend_v from_o that_o patriarch_n and_o keep_v up_o their_o several_a pedigree_n by_o which_o they_o can_v trace_v their_o original_a with_o the_o same_o care_n as_o the_o israelite_n do_v they_o because_o they_o have_v the_o same_o pretension_n that_o the_o israelite_n have_v last_o we_o must_v absolute_o take_v away_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n record_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n these_o oracle_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n for_o his_o posterity_n and_o threaten_v the_o canaanite_n with_o several_a curse_n jacob_n by_o his_o will_n bequeath_v sichem_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o joseph_n he_o express_o mark_v out_o the_o country_n which_o one_o of_o the_o tribe_n be_v to_o possess_v he_o give_v a_o description_n of_o the_o character_n and_o rank_n of_o every_o tribe_n the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n though_o never_o so_o exact_a and_o admirable_a be_v of_o no_o manner_n of_o consequence_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o these_o particular_a prediction_n be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o abraham_n family_n whereas_o their_o accomplishment_n which_o he_o careful_o describe_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v the_o most_o solid_a demonstration_n which_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o those_o revelation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o moses_n his_o other_o book_n chap._n xix_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n what_o i_o have_v already_o represent_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o moses_n write_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v by_o all_o the_o world._n and_o i_o know_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v object_v with_o any_o probability_n but_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n concern_v the_o egyptian_a and_o chaldean_a history_n and_o in_o the_o modern_a one_o concern_v that_o of_o china_n we_o must_v then_o examine_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o with_o attention_n that_o we_o may_v leave_v no_o difficulty_n in_o so_o important_a a_o subject_n all_o that_o the_o atheist_n can_v object_v against_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o epocha_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o he_o have_v fix_v it_o be_v what_o diodorus_n siculus_n relate_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a there_o be_v some_o egyptian_n that_o reckon_v up_o three_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o sun_n to_o alexander_n time_n and_o that_o those_o who_o reckon_v least_o yet_o reckon_v somewhat_o more_o than_o ten_o thousand_o year_n which_o account_n exceed_v the_o antiquity_n which_o moses_n ascribe_v to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n by_o many_o age_n where_o he_o represent_v the_o creation_n as_o a_o fact_n which_o happen_v some_o few_o year_n more_o than_o two_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o before_o he_o write_v that_o book_n how_o then_o do_v moses_n write_v of_o thing_n universal_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o world_n and_o they_o may_v here_o further_o aggravate_v what_o the_o same_o diodorus_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v not_o write_v like_o that_o of_o the_o greek_n among_o who_o those_o who_o come_v first_o write_v their_o own_o history_n every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o private_a humour_n which_o cause_v that_o great_a variety_n among_o their_o historian_n whereas_o among_o the_o egyptian_n none_o write_v but_o by_o public_a authority_n the_o priest_n alone_o have_v that_o particular_a employment_n reserve_v for_o they_o to_o write_v their_o history_n in_o their_o several_a generation_n this_o objection_n be_v easy_o confute_v in_o two_o word_n in_o short_a how_o can_v the_o egyptian_n have_v always_o have_v man_n to_o write_v their_o history_n by_o public_a authority_n in_o all_o their_o succeed_a generation_n see_v there_o be_v as_o diodorus_n observe_v such_o a_o strange_a and_o vast_a division_n among_o themselves_o if_o there_o be_v but_o two_o or_o three_o age_n difference_n more_o or_o less_o no_o body_n will_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o material_a exception_n against_o the_o history_n of_o such_o a_o long_a series_n of_o time_n but_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o those_o man_n who_o differ_v no_o less_o than_o thirteen_o thousand_o year_n in_o their_o account_n of_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o same_o interval_n of_o time_n have_v yet_o certain_a history_n upon_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v ground_v this_o show_v sufficient_o that_o as_o varro_n the_o great_a scholar_n the_o roman_n ever_o have_v have_v divide_v antiquity_n into_o fabulous_a and_o historical_a which_o he_o begin_v from_o the_o first_o olympiad_n leave_v all_o which_o go_v before_o to_o the_o fabulous_a part_n so_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n make_v the_o same_o distinction_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o egypt_n but_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v some_o thing_n more_o and_o to_o consider_v this_o egyptian_a history_n with_o a_o little_a more_o attention_n out_o of_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v draw_v good_a argument_n to_o confute_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o passage_n in_o it_o oppose_v to_o moses_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o chief_a transaction_n record_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o present_a take_v notice_n that_o although_o the_o egyptian_n about_o their_o latter_a time_n have_v maintain_v that_o the_o element_n be_v eternal_a yet_o they_o have_v sufficient_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n see_v they_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o thing_n before_o their_o thirty_o dynasty_n which_o in_o all_o do_v at_o the_o most_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o 36525_o year_n neither_o do_v i_o think_v necessary_a to_o mention_v here_o that_o they_o have_v sufficient_o
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
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
be_v choose_v by_o god_n out_o of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n because_o the_o author_n of_o it_o decide_v these_o important_a question_n and_o difference_n without_o any_o visible_a partiality_n and_o without_o be_v by_o ass_v by_o the_o pretension_n of_o his_o birth_n now_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n in_o it_o which_o clear_o prove_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v unknown_a to_o moses_n the_o first_o be_v that_o immediate_o after_o this_o prophecy_n which_o be_v as_o public_a and_o well_o know_v among_o the_o moabite_n as_o any_o prophecy_n can_v be_v after_o the_o tedious_a preparation_n and_o the_o many_o difficulty_n which_o balaam_n make_v to_o come_v to_o balac_n after_o the_o many_o ceremony_n and_o mystery_n which_o he_o use_v upon_o that_o occasion_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o panic_n terror_n of_o the_o moabite_n at_o the_o approach_n of_o the_o israelite_n nay_o and_o notwithstanding_o the_o express_a threat_n and_o ominous_a prophecy_n of_o balaam_n against_o that_o people_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o i_o say_v we_o see_v the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n imitate_v the_o carnal_a prudence_n of_o lot_n daughter_n and_o court_v the_o alliance_n of_o the_o israelite_n as_o if_o they_o have_v have_v a_o mind_n to_o make_v themselves_o amend_v that_o way_n for_o the_o loss_n and_o wrong_n they_o have_v suffer_v by_o the_o sentence_n which_o balaam_n pronounce_v in_o favour_n of_o israel_n we_o see_v i_o say_v that_o moses_n immediate_o after_o he_o have_v relate_v the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n invite_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o their_o god_n and_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n accept_v of_o the_o invitation_n and_o according_o feast_v and_o begin_v then_o to_o defile_v themselves_o with_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n now_o that_o such_o a_o thing_n shall_v happen_v present_o after_o balaam_n have_v utter_v his_o prophecy_n show_v evident_o that_o there_o be_v some_o relation_n betwixt_o those_o two_o transaction_n and_o this_o may_v be_v further_o make_v out_o from_o the_o manner_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o punishment_n which_o god_n inflict_v upon_o the_o israelite_n for_o their_o criminal_a commerce_n with_o the_o moabite_n although_o the_o pretence_n of_o it_o may_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o design_n which_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n have_v form_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o education_n to_o share_v in_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n by_o their_o conceive_n and_o get_v child_n by_o those_o who_o balaam_n prophecy_n have_v invest_v with_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v that_o promise_n the_o second_o be_v that_o according_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n we_o see_v that_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n leave_v she_o own_o country_n to_o settle_v and_o live_v at_o bethlehem_n and_o affect_v beside_o to_o marry_v there_o again_o one_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n no_o doubt_n because_o she_o have_v get_v in_o she_o own_o country_n a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o that_o famous_a oracle_n which_o afterward_o make_v she_o easy_o yield_v to_o the_o counsel_n and_o receive_v instruction_n both_o of_o her_o mother_n in_o law_n and_o of_o her_o own_o husband_n who_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o no_o doubt_n have_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n wherein_o be_v insert_v both_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jacob_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n and_o that_o of_o balaam_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o israelite_n against_o the_o moabite_n the_o three_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v now_o for_o several_a age_n constant_o maintain_v 8._o i_o king_n ii_o 8._o that_o simei_n curse_n against_o david_n which_o afterward_o he_o call_v maledictionem_fw-la pessimam_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d contain_v a_o upbraid_a reflection_n as_o well_o upon_o the_o meanness_n of_o his_o birth_n as_o be_v descend_v from_o a_o moabitess_n as_o upon_o his_o adultery_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v relate_v by_o st._n jerome_n or_o some_o other_o ancient_a author_n who_o write_v that_o discourse_n de_fw-fr traditionibus_fw-la hebraeorum_n upon_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o three_o book_n of_o king_n this_o jewish_a interpretation_n will_v be_v very_o proâ—â—ble_a if_o that_o be_v but_o true_a what_o rabbi_n solomon_n say_v upon_o the_o ii_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n v._o 19_o that_o when_o we_o read_v there_o that_o solomon_n cause_v a_o seat_n to_o be_v set_v for_o the_o king_n mother_n we_o ought_v to_o understand_v it_o of_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n and_o not_o of_o bathsheba_n we_o know_v the_o jew_n ascribe_v a_o much_o long_a life_n to_o zarah_n the_o daughter_n of_o asher_n one_o of_o jacob_n son_n for_o they_o be_v still_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v in_o st._n hierome_n time_n that_o she_o be_v yet_o alive_a in_o david_n time_n no_o body_n can_v condemn_v this_o reflection_n upon_o ruth_n if_o he_o will_v but_o consider_v that_o her_o faith_n have_v be_v so_o reward_v that_o the_o messiah_n come_v our_o of_o her_o posterity_n she_o be_v particular_o make_v mention_n of_o in_o his_o genealogy_n and_o that_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n her_o history_n have_v be_v preserve_v among_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o kind_n of_o prescription_n not_o only_o against_o the_o moabite_n pretension_n long_o before_o condemn_v by_o balaam_n prophecy_n but_o also_o against_o those_o of_o the_o ismaelite_n and_o edomite_n who_o have_v no_o better_a claim_n to_o the_o promise_n than_o the_o moabite_n have_v no_o other_o than_o that_o of_o a_o general_a call_n and_o of_o their_o birthright_n before_o jacob_n posterity_n chap._n xii_o that_o one_o may_v see_v also_o in_o moses_n be_v law_n plain_a footstep_n of_o god_n design_n in_o distinguish_v these_o from_o who_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v born._n it_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a for_o the_o execution_n of_o my_o design_n to_o establish_v well_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n book_n upon_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n it_o be_v likewise_o necessary_a to_o show_v as_o i_o think_v i_o have_v do_v sufficient_o that_o moses_n be_v perfect_o acquaint_v with_o god_n promise_n concern_v the_o messiah_n therefore_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v now_o come_v to_o show_v that_o both_o moses_n and_o those_o that_o come_v after_o he_o have_v all_o a_o eye_n upon_o the_o messiah_n in_o their_o chief_a regulation_n but_o to_o give_v a_o great_a insight_n and_o understanding_n into_o the_o thing_n that_o i_o be_o to_o say_v i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o remind_v the_o reader_n and_o to_o lay_v before_o he_o once_o more_o the_o several_a character_n of_o god_n conduct_n in_o that_o matter_n that_o he_o may_v be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o design_n i_o have_v heretofore_o show_v that_o moses_n intention_n be_v to_o establish_v two_o thing_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o one_o that_o all_o man_n have_v derive_v their_o original_a from_o adam_n who_o god_n create_v the_o other_o that_o man_n have_v sin_v god_n promise_v to_o reinstate_v he_o by_o one_o of_o his_o own_o posterity_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v then_o solid_o prove_v by_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n when_o i_o show_v that_o such_o a_o tradition_n as_o moses_n relate_v about_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o as_o for_o what_o concern_v the_o other_o viz._n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a object_n of_o man_n hope_n and_o comfort_n i_o have_v also_o show_v i_o think_v that_o the_o notion_n and_o expectation_n of_o it_o be_v very_o strong_a and_o lively_a and_o the_o original_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o extraordinary_a action_n record_v by_o moses_n but_o as_o this_o promise_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fulfil_v for_o many_o age_n so_o god_n make_v it_o only_o in_o very_o general_a term_n and_o have_v still_o reserve_v to_o himself_o the_o revelation_n for_o after_o age_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a both_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n and_o time_n of_o its_o accomplishment_n it_o be_v therefore_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v consider_v also_o how_o god_n preserve_v all_o along_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o it_o among_o man_n now_o in_o read_v my_o reflection_n upon_o genesis_n one_o must_v needs_o have_v observe_v that_o god_n even_o in_o those_o early_a time_n of_o the_o world_n do_v restrain_v the_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v that_o promise_n by_o little_a and_o little_a to_o some_o particular_a man_n till_o at_o last_o he_o open_o declare_v that_o he_o have_v settle_v it_o in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o we_o read_v it_o gen._n xlix_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n restrain_v
it_o be_v not_o all_o this_o only_a that_o render_v both_o the_o person_n and_o ministry_n of_o moses_n so_o glorious_a there_o be_v several_a other_o thing_n in_o exodus_fw-la and_o his_o other_o follow_v book_n which_o do_v much_o better_o deserve_v our_o consideration_n those_o book_n contain_v as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v a_o exact_a history_n of_o all_o that_o god_n do_v in_o order_n to_o give_v a_o certain_a form_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n a_o fix_a place_n and_o a_o particular_a service_n that_o be_v in_o order_n to_o follow_v his_o great_a design_n of_o have_v the_o messiah_n know_v without_o mistake_n whenever_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o this_o be_v my_o chief_a aim_n in_o the_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n first_o we_o may_v say_v in_o general_a that_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o sabbath_n and_o the_o use_n of_o circumcision_n do_v distinguish_v the_o jew_n but_o yet_o i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o law_n common_a to_o all_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o circumcision_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n be_v common_a both_o to_o the_o ismaelite_n and_o edomite_n and_o this_o will_v oblige_v we_o to_o make_v some_o particular_a observation_n upon_o that_o matter_n and_o we_o must_v consider_v how_o god_n take_v care_n to_o distinguish_v that_o people_n by_o give_v they_o his_o law._n it_o be_v in_o general_a evident_a that_o the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o give_v the_o moral_a law_n to_o that_o whole_a people_n do_v eminent_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n who_o he_o permit_v to_o walk_v in_o their_o own_o way_n as_o st._n paul_n express_v it_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o show_v they_o that_o he_o resolve_v to_o fix_v they_o to_o himself_o and_o to_o hinder_v they_o from_o follow_v both_o the_o idolatry_n of_o other_o nation_n and_o those_o inundation_n of_o vice_n which_o ruin_n all_o society_n and_o without_o doubt_n the_o surprise_v pomp_n which_o accompany_v the_o promulgation_n of_o god_n law_n and_o which_o be_v record_v by_o his_o order_n before_o those_o that_o have_v be_v the_o eye-witness_n of_o it_o do_v much_o contribute_v to_o persuade_v they_o that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a regard_n and_o kindness_n for_o their_o nation_n and_o that_o he_o honour_v they_o with_o his_o particular_a guidance_n we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o god_n give_v they_o a_o political_a law_n and_o upon_o the_o care_n that_o he_o be_v also_o please_v to_o take_v of_o regulate_v their_o civil_a government_n and_o prevent_v the_o difficulty_n which_o be_v common_o occasion_v by_o such_o accident_n as_o can_v be_v foresee_v by_o any_o human_a legislator_n which_o cause_n great_a revolution_n and_o change_n in_o all_o government_n all_o which_o show_v sufficient_o that_o his_o design_n be_v to_o raise_v they_o up_o to_o and_o to_o maintain_v they_o in_o as_o great_a prosperity_n and_o welfare_n as_o possible_o can_v be_v procure_v to_o a_o nation_n by_o perfect_a law_n and_o a_o well_o constitute_v government_n even_o the_o many_o ceremony_n which_o god_n give_v they_o be_v a_o further_a demonstration_n of_o god_n design_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o nation_n it_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v god_n intention_n at_o first_o to_o lay_v upon_o they_o such_o number_n of_o ceremony_n for_o it_o be_v only_o after_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o golden_a calf_n that_o god_n lay_v upon_o they_o that_o heavy_a and_o troublesome_a yoke_n on_o purpose_n to_o employ_v all_o their_o time_n and_o so_o keep_v they_o from_o fall_v into_o idolatry_n again_o but_o however_o tanchuma_n 3._o jalkut_n in_o pent._n fol._n 228._o col._n 3._o a_o famous_a jewish_a author_n observe_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v in_o the_o world_n but_o what_o god_n take_v care_n to_o give_v the_o israelite_n some_o law_n about_o as_o for_o instance_n if_o any_o jew_n go_v out_o to_o blow_n he_o be_v forbid_v to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o ox_n and_o a_o ass_n if_o to_o sow_n he_o be_v forbid_v to_o sow_v his_o field_n with_o several_a kind_n of_o seed_n if_o to_o reap_v he_o be_v forbid_v to_o reap_v the_o whole_a crop_n if_o any_o one_o go_v about_o to_o bake_n bread_n he_o be_v command_v to_o take_v of_o out_o his_o dough_n so_o much_o as_o to_o make_v a_o cake_n thereof_o to_o consecrate_v it_o if_o any_o one_o do_v sacrifice_v any_o animal_n he_o be_v charge_v to_o give_v away_o to_o the_o priest_n the_o right_a shoulder_n of_o it_o with_o both_o the_o cheek_n and_o inward_o when_o any_o one_o find_v out_o a_o nest_n of_o bird_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o let_v the_o old_a one_o fly_v away_o if_o any_o one_o go_v a_o hunt_v he_o be_v to_o shed_v the_o blood_n of_o his_o game_n and_o then_o to_o cover_v it_o with_o dust_n when_o any_o one_o have_v plant_v any_o fruit-tree_n he_o be_v to_o count_v the_o first_o thereof_o as_o uncircumcised_a for_o the_o three_o first_o year_n when_o any_o one_o find_v a_o sepulchre_n even_o there_o certain_a caution_n be_v prescribe_v if_o any_o one_o shave_v himself_o he_o be_v forbid_v to_o mar_n the_o corner_n of_o his_o beard_n when_o any_o one_o build_v a_o house_n he_o be_v to_o take_v care_n there_o shall_v be_v rail_n and_o mezouzoth_v make_v to_o prevent_v all_o danger_n they_o be_v oblige_v to_o put_v particular_a thread_n in_o their_o garment_n and_o there_o be_v many_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v apparent_o command_v to_o distinguish_v the_o jew_n by_o oblige_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o and_o such_o other_o law_n as_o take_v up_o all_o their_o time_n but_o if_o we_o may_v say_v in_o general_a that_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v to_o employ_v the_o jew_n we_o may_v yet_o more_o just_o say_v that_o it_o be_v in_o particular_a intend_v by_o god_n to_o inspire_v into_o his_o people_n a_o horror_n against_o all_o idolatrous_a practice_n and_o a_o aversion_n against_o all_o commerce_n with_o idolater_n and_o this_o may_v be_v further_o discern_v if_o we_o examine_v those_o law_n in_o particular_a one_o see_v we_o this_o perfect_o by_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n pronounce_v some_o meat_n unclean_a and_o his_o forbid_v to_o eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o some_o animal_n for_o we_o may_v find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o animal_n be_v worship_v among_o the_o heathen_n thus_o the_o more_o learned_a among_o the_o jew_n prove_v that_o the_o goat_n and_o the_o ram_n be_v of_o that_o number_n but_o so_o no_o doubt_n be_v all_o the_o animal_n which_o be_v usual_o offer_v in_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n as_o particular_o the_o bull_n now_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o alienates_v two_o nation_n from_o one_o another_o more_o than_o when_o one_o of_o they_o eat_v or_o sacrifice_n that_o which_o the_o other_o make_v the_o object_n of_o its_o religion_n one_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a author_n that_o ever_o the_o jew_n have_v have_v diligent_o observe_v that_o god_n give_v many_o ceremonial_a law_n direct_o contrary_a to_o those_o rite_n which_o the_o zabij_n use_v in_o their_o superstition_n 2._o spencer_n de_fw-fr leg._n mos_fw-la lib._n 2._o and_o a_o learned_a english_a doctor_n have_v late_o prove_v it_o very_o large_o as_o to_o the_o ceremony_n which_o god_n command_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o paschal-lamb_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o build_n of_o the_o altar_n and_o of_o their_o go_v up_o to_o it_o in_o the_o prohibition_n of_o seethe_v a_o kid_n in_o his_o mother_n milk_n and_o of_o offer_v honey_n in_o their_o sacrifice_n in_o the_o prohibition_n of_o their_o force_v their_o child_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o fire_n to_o moloch_n in_o the_o law_n which_o prohibit_v their_o eat_a blood_n and_o round_v the_o corner_n of_o their_o head_n and_o make_v any_o mark_n in_o their_o flesh_n and_o in_o i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o many_o other_o law_n of_o that_o nature_n the_o design_n of_o who_o institution_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a now_o since_o the_o rite_n of_o all_o those_o ancient_a idolater_n be_v utter_o abolish_v and_o but_o imperfect_o record_v in_o some_o ancient_a author_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o we_o need_v only_o make_v a_o very_a little_a reflection_n upon_o god_n conduct_n in_o give_v all_o his_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n thereby_o to_o judge_v that_o the_o main_a scope_n of_o those_o law_n be_v to_o put_v a_o bar_n betwixt_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o all_o other_o idolatrous_a nation_n which_o shall_v be_v a_o visible_a and_o a_o constant_a distinction_n till_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v bear_v who_o be_v to_o make_v all_o those_o mark_n of_o discrimination_n to_o cease_v entire_o chap._n fourteen_o that_o god_n seem_v
own_o tribe_n at_o their_o go_v forth_o out_o of_o egypt_n but_o that_o god_n do_v also_o engage_v every_o man_n to_o know_v his_o tribe_n exact_o nay_o he_o compel_v they_o all_o in_o a_o manner_n to_o study_v their_o own_o pedigree_n that_o every_o one_o may_v claim_v and_o reap_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o law_n of_o jubilee_n which_o have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o entail_v in_o respect_n of_o every_o family_n as_o i_o be_o now_o go_v to_o show_v there_o be_v three_o thing_n observable_a in_o that_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v by_o a_o superabundant_a precaution_n that_o god_n will_v engage_v the_o tribe_n to_o continue_v distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o and_o to_o preserve_v and_o study_v their_o several_a pedigree_n namely_o he_o intend_v by_o that_o mean_n to_o prevent_v the_o objection_n which_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v make_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o tribe_n and_o a_o family_n in_o that_o tribe_n to_o continue_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o so_o many_o age_n for_o certain_o if_o all_o the_o tribe_n in_o that_o nation_n and_o all_o the_o family_n in_o every_o tribe_n do_v continue_v by_o god_n providence_n so_o long_o distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o he_o can_v preserve_v the_o single_a tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o family_n of_o the_o messiah_n distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o tribe_n and_o family_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o second_o remark_n be_v that_o it_o be_v for_o this_o distinction_n sake_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v fill_v with_o genealogical_a table_n to_o what_o purpose_n else_o have_v book_n of_o that_o importance_n and_o which_o treat_v of_o such_o great_a subject_n be_v fill_v with_o genealogy_n moses_n book_n be_v full_a of_o they_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chronicle_n resume_v those_o genealogy_n with_o all_o possible_a exactness_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o considerable_a in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n than_o the_o genealogy_n of_o david_n and_o his_o family_n the_o three_o remark_n be_v that_o if_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o priest_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v better_o know_v than_o that_o of_o other_o family_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o be_v the_o public_a minister_n of_o religion_n which_o seem_v to_o give_v the_o advantage_n of_o certainty_n of_o distinction_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n above_o that_o of_o judah_n in_o that_o particular_a yet_o we_o find_v that_o all_o the_o family_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n take_v much_o the_o same_o care_n to_o preserve_v their_o own_o genealogy_n so_o that_o if_o after_o the_o babylonian_a captivity_n some_o particular_a person_n be_v exclude_v from_o the_o priestly_a order_n to_o which_o they_o pretend_v because_o they_o can_v not_o make_v out_o their_o pedigree_n so_o likewise_o all_o be_v throw_v out_o from_o the_o other_o tribe_n that_o can_v not_o justify_v their_o lineal_a descent_n nay_o there_o be_v something_o further_o deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o as_o be_v very_o singular_a in_o that_o of_o judah_n and_o one_o ought_v here_o to_o consider_v a_o mystery_n of_o god_n providence_n and_o admire_v the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o conduct_n in_o pursue_v the_o design_n which_o moses_n first_o set_v down_o and_o upon_o which_o one_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a jewish_a state_n be_v form_v for_o when_o god_n resolve_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v descend_v from_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n and_o the_o house_n of_o david_n he_o make_v it_o more_o particular_o know_v and_o distinguish_v than_o any_o other_o family_n in_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n he_o set_v david_n upon_o the_o throne_n every_o one_o know_v that_o in_o every_o kingdom_n the_o genealogy_n of_o a_o king_n and_o of_o the_o royal_a family_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o public_o know_v now_o if_o the_o blood_n royal_a alone_o be_v always_o distinguish_v how_o much_o more_o must_v it_o be_v so_o when_o that_o supreme_a dignity_n be_v confer_v upon_o such_o a_o family_n as_o god_n have_v particular_o choose_v to_o have_v the_o messiah_n who_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o it_o from_o hence_o i_o will_v bold_o conclude_v that_o the_o only_a end_n for_o which_o god_n raise_v david_n family_n to_o the_o throne_n be_v because_o the_o messiah_n be_v real_o to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o that_o family_n reduce_v to_o a_o low_a and_o private_a condition_n which_o isaiah_n foretell_v say_v liii_o isa_n xi_o liii_o that_o a_o rod_n shall_v come_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n and_o a_o branch_n grow_v out_o of_o his_o root_n and_o in_o another_o place_n that_o he_o shall_v grow_v up_o as_o a_o root_n out_o of_o a_o dry_a ground_n which_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o character_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o to_o the_o low_a state_n of_o humiliation_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n be_v to_o appear_v in_o the_o world._n chap._n xvii_o a_o solution_n of_o some_o difficulty_n in_o these_o genealogy_n indeed_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o very_a natural_a objection_n to_o those_o who_o will_v dispute_v the_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v already_o make_v upon_o these_o genealogy_n but_o after_o all_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o what_o confirm_v the_o more_o the_o say_a reflection_n and_o we_o may_v say_v that_o the_o entire_a dispersion_n of_o the_o whole_a tribe_n of_o ephraim_n and_o of_o the_o other_o which_o adhere_v to_o it_o in_o jeroboam_n rebellion_n be_v a_o mystery_n of_o providence_n which_o challenge_v our_o admiration_n as_o much_o as_o the_o raise_n up_o that_o family_n to_o the_o throne_n out_o of_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v to_o apprehend_v this_o the_o better_a we_o need_v only_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o pretension_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n this_o ephraim_n be_v the_o young_a brother_n of_o manasseh_n but_o jacob_n have_v give_v he_o the_o birthright_n just_a as_o isaac_n before_o have_v give_v it_o to_o jacob_n though_o it_o do_v of_o right_o belong_v to_o the_o elder_a brother_n jacob_n have_v particular_o bless_v ephraim_n and_o even_o make_v it_o a_o form_n of_o blessing_n for_o after_o age_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n that_o there_o be_v one_o make_v for_o pharez_n jacob_n have_v give_v to_o joseph_n two_o portion_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o ephraim_n have_v the_o birthright_n before_o manasseh_n by_o god_n order_n it_o be_v then_o very_o natural_a for_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n as_o all_o tribe_n do_v apply_v to_o themselves_o the_o several_a privilege_n promise_v to_o their_o respective_a head_n to_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o have_v a_o particular_a right_n to_o god_n blessing_n and_o they_o think_v this_o right_n of_o they_o be_v plain_o make_v out_o as_o by_o joseph_n dream_n so_o especial_o by_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prediction_n which_o jacob_n give_v in_o favour_n of_o ephraim_n the_o word_n of_o which_o run_v so_o very_o high_a that_o after_o such_o a_o prejudice_n there_o may_v very_o well_o be_v a_o fair_a pretence_n for_o the_o hope_n which_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n have_v once_o to_o see_v a_o messiah_n come_v out_o of_o their_o tribe_n as_o those_o of_o judah_n expect_v one_o out_o of_o they_o if_o to_o all_o this_o we_o add_v that_o jeroboam_n rebellion_n be_v authorise_a by_o a_o prophetical_a inspiration_n and_o by_o a_o special_a sign_n of_o god_n approbation_n and_o that_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o desire_v to_o propose_v to_o his_o people_n the_o two_o calf_n which_o he_o set_v up_o in_o dan_n and_o bethel_n as_o symbol_n of_o the_o deity_n only_o to_o pursue_v the_o idea_n of_o pharaoh_n dream_n which_o joseph_n interpret_v the_o representation_n whereof_o do_v clear_o show_v both_o the_o greatness_n of_o joseph_n and_o the_o particular_a care_n of_o god_n providence_n over_o he_o gem._n talm._n in_o succa_n c._n 5._o in_o gem._n it_o be_v then_o natural_a to_o the_o man_n of_o ephraim_n to_o feed_v themselves_o with_o such_o hope_n as_o the_o jew_n teach_v we_o they_o do_v when_o even_o to_o this_o very_a day_n they_o speak_v of_o a_o messiah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n what_o do_v god_n then_o do_v to_o obviate_v these_o pretension_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n he_o disperse_v they_o together_o with_o the_o other_o nine_o tribe_n that_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o its_o king_n and_o so_o confound_v they_o with_o all_o those_o tribe_n which_o follow_v their_o fortune_n that_o though_o there_o shall_v be_v still_o some_o ephraimite_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o of_o they_o to_o justify_v his_o pedigree_n so_o clear_o as_o
long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
if_o it_o have_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v a_o jew_n before_o they_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o promise_n second_o it_o suppose_v that_o god_n be_v to_o remove_v that_o people_n out_o of_o canaan_n into_o remote_a country_n and_o to_o disperse_v they_o as_o it_o be_v into_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v do_v by_o divine_a providence_n only_o to_o publish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o establish_v the_o belief_n in_o the_o prophet_n and_o so_o to_o facilitate_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith._n three_o he_o declare_v express_o as_o st._n paul_n observe_v that_o he_o be_v to_o call_v his_o people_n that_o which_o be_v not_o his_o people_n that_o he_o may_v by_o that_o mean_n provoke_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o jealousy_n this_o notion_n of_o jealousy_n mention_v by_o st._n paul_n deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o with_o very_o great_a care_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o reign_v among_o the_o israelite_n and_o their_o neighbour_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n of_o david_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a although_o he_o otherwise_o insult_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o edomite_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o show_v as_o much_o aversion_n and_o jealousy_n against_o those_o nation_n as_o be_v possible_a for_o one_o that_o live_v in_o a_o continual_a war_n with_o those_o people_n i_o shall_v also_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o solomon_n marriage_n with_o the_o princess_n of_o tyre_n of_o sidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n that_o be_v to_o say_v with_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n which_o be_v unite_v to_o that_o of_o judah_n to_o take_v a_o part_n with_o they_o in_o the_o blessing_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o song_n that_o be_v write_v upon_o that_o marriage_n be_v preserve_v as_o a_o piece_n divine_o inspire_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o happy_a presage_n of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o messiah_n one_o may_v also_o join_v here_o the_o manner_n of_o solomon_n give_v to_o hiram_n subject_n who_o have_v help_v he_o in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o country_n of_o chabul_n which_o be_v enclose_v within_o judea_n although_o those_o people_n be_v of_o the_o canaanite_n posterity_n upon_o who_o noah_n have_v particular_o pronounce_v ix_o gen._n ix_o curse_v be_v canaan_n one_o may_v also_o see_v that_o as_o god_n have_v permit_v his_o people_n to_o be_v transport_v into_o chaldea_n and_o babylon_n and_o have_v raise_v up_o there_o prophet_n among_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o glorious_a hope_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o greek_a about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n not_o only_o to_o prevent_v all_o suspicion_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o gentile_n if_o they_o be_v produce_v of_o a_o sudden_a after_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o also_o to_o instruct_v the_o heathen_n by_o little_a and_o little_a of_o the_o right_n which_o all_o nation_n have_v as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o may_v take_v their_o share_n in_o it_o whenever_o they_o shall_v be_v invite_v to_o it_o by_o god_n and_o especial_o to_o take_v away_o the_o scandal_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v upon_o god_n destroy_v the_o form_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n by_o the_o roman_n according_a to_o daniel_n prediction_n all_o these_o thing_n no_o doubt_n engage_v the_o jew_n who_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o make_v particular_a remark_n upon_o they_o but_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v observe_v three_o thing_n especial_o the_o first_o be_v that_o although_o god_n have_v at_o first_o choose_v their_o whole_a nation_n yet_o he_o be_v please_v to_o disperse_v afterward_o almost_o ten_o part_n of_o 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rebuilt_a by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conclude_v that_o such_o a_o glory_n as_o retire_v by_o little_a and_o little_a from_o that_o place_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v be_v only_o design_v to_o be_v there_o for_o a_o time_n till_o god_n shall_v extend_v his_o service_n by_o call_v all_o the_o world_n to_o his_o religion_n and_o so_o make_v the_o whole_a universe_n his_o temple_n as_o we_o see_v it_o do_v in_o our_o day_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o our_o saviour_n finis_fw-la reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n volume_n ii_o london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o preface_n in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v the_o mean_n god_n make_v use_n of_o to_o imprint_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n during_o that_o long_a tract_n of_o 2500_o year_n before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n depart_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o before_o the_o history_n of_o it_o be_v pen_v by_o moses_n they_o that_o consider_v that_o god_n at_o first_o prescribe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o fix_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o law_n have_v be_v constant_o observe_v since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n observe_v among_o the_o jew_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o this_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v not_o be_v more_o incontestable_o prove_v or_o more_o firm_o ground_v in_o like_a manner_n a_o attentive_a reflection_n upon_o the_o oracle_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o which_o alone_o at_o first_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o be_v afterward_o record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v any_o one_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v deep_o engrave_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o god_n have_v raise_v among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n do_v not_o much_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o as_o i_o have_v show_v very_o careful_o that_o it_o be_v very_o useful_a for_o that_o purpose_n i_o have_v in_o my_o reflection_n afterward_o prove_v upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o god_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n in_o the_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o peculiar_a form_n and_o regulation_n of_o their_o government_n and_o religion_n the_o great_a design_n of_o which_o rule_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v unquestionable_o know_v whoever_o shall_v read_v the_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o this_o matter_n will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v of_o great_a efficacy_n to_o make_v so_o fresh_a and_o lively_a a_o impression_n of_o those_o illustrious_a fact_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o very_o frequent_a oracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o as_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o 2553_o year_n only_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n be_v give_v which_o have_v a_o particular_a relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o now_o this_o reflection_n be_v once_o suppose_v as_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v afterward_o
to_o establish_v their_o authority_n whereas_o the_o prediction_n of_o other_o want_v this_o character_n be_v neglect_v and_o at_o last_o absolute_o lose_v it_o appear_v plain_o that_o those_o which_o remain_n be_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a reputation_n among_o the_o jew_n beside_o i_o may_v add_v that_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o book_n to_o see_v that_o they_o not_o only_o foretell_v obscure_a thing_n or_o what_o particular_o concern_v their_o state_n but_o also_o thing_n of_o a_o more_o splendid_a nature_n the_o overthrow_n of_o kingdom_n of_o city_n the_o destruction_n of_o whole_a nation_n the_o destruction_n of_o their_o own_o city_n with_o its_o re-establishment_n matter_n which_o will_v render_v their_o book_n very_o illustrious_a and_o which_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o be_v read_v not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n the_o ammonite_n moabite_n assyrian_n persian_n egyptian_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o this_o therefore_o a_o very_a particular_a thing_n and_o that_o which_o make_v the_o prophet_n very_o illustrious_a that_o the_o great_a lustre_n of_o the_o prophet_n continue_v but_o for_o a_o certain_a time_n there_o have_v be_v none_o since_o the_o year_n 3553._o their_o glory_n appear_v in_o the_o history_n of_o eight_o age_n but_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v itself_o any_o far_o now_o why_o i_o pray_v shall_v there_o be_v no_o impostor_n after_o malachy_n as_o well_o as_o there_o be_v impostor_n before_o he_o one_o may_v imagine_v perhaps_o that_o the_o prophecy_n be_v immediate_o disperse_v some_o be_v utter_v in_o one_o place_n and_o some_o in_o another_o some_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o other_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n some_o in_o babylon_n other_o in_o egypt_n which_o may_v give_v opportunites_n for_o impostor_n but_o i._o this_o objection_n may_v be_v strong_o retort_v back_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o in_o the_o division_n which_o separate_v the_o israelite_n from_o the_o jew_n those_o of_o judah_n will_v charge_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_n publish_v in_o a_o kingdom_n so_o much_o a_o enemy_n to_o they_o without_o examination_n when_o every_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o thence_o aught_o to_o appear_v suspect_v ii_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o particular_a volume_n but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o hosea_n isaiah_n and_o jeremy_n and_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o rest_n be_v preserve_v in_o book_n which_o contain_v many_o other_o thing_n iii_o they_o be_v all_o exact_o join_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n each_o one_o in_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a concern_v to_o preserve_v and_o to_o gather_v they_o together_o but_o beside_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n in_o short_a the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n translate_v they_o into_o greek_a in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3727._o and_o so_o submit_v they_o to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o this_o also_o keep_v we_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o truth_n this_o translation_n be_v make_v but_o one_o hundred_o thirty_o and_o eight_o year_n after_o malachy_n the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n but_o what_o judgement_n soever_o may_v be_v make_v of_o these_o reflection_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v only_o to_o establish_v the_o reputation_n of_o these_o prophecy_n and_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v that_o so_o no_o room_n may_v be_v leave_v for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o forgery_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o consideration_n to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v already_o which_o ought_v to_o appear_v convince_a to_o every_o attentive_a man._n i._o one_o can_v suspect_v none_o but_o the_o jew_n as_o forger_n of_o these_o oracle_n now_o not_o to_o say_v any_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o suppose_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v have_v subscribe_v to_o such_o a_o imposture_n all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n be_v after_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n strong_o prepossess_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o great_a temporal_a king_n and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o belief_n to_o this_o very_a hour_n in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n wherever_o they_o be_v disperse_v this_o be_v once_o lay_v down_o i_o affirm_v it_o to_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v oracle_n which_o assert_v express_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o so_o very_o odious_a a_o manner_n for_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v the_o old_a doctor_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n all_o those_o oracle_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o christian_n and_o which_o they_o themselves_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v force_v to_o interpret_v of_o two_o messiah_n one_o expose_v to_o a_o world_n of_o misery_n and_o the_o other_o only_o glorious_a or_o at_o least_o i_o may_v say_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v consent_v to_o a_o forgery_n which_o thwart_v their_o common_a idea_n and_o pretension_n in_o so_o very_o sensible_a a_o manner_n ii_o the_o second_o consideration_n establish_v the_o same_o truth_n with_o no_o less_o firmness_n which_o be_v that_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n from_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o great_a aversation_n they_o look_v upon_o the_o blessing_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o communicate_v as_o advantage_n entire_o reserve_v for_o those_o of_o their_o own_o nation_n how_o then_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v so_o many_o oracle_n which_o shall_v thwart_v their_o prejudices_fw-la so_o sensible_o or_o how_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o a_o whole_a people_n will_v authorise_v with_o their_o approbation_n a_o imposture_n so_o contrary_a and_o so_o very_o opposite_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o it_o be_v no_o hard_a thing_n to_o imagine_v that_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v once_o persuade_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o prophet_n either_o by_o their_o miracle_n or_o by_o the_o ready_a accomplishment_n of_o every_o oracle_n which_o they_o have_v public_o pronounce_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o book_n with_o a_o profound_a submission_n and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o utmost_a care_n but_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o incomprehensible_a thing_n for_o a_o people_n to_o receive_v imposture_n contrary_a to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o imposture_n reiterated_a so_o often_o without_o any_o ground_n but_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o record_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o will_v produce_v but_o i_o suppose_v these_o reflection_n will_v suffice_v to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o allege_v particular_a proof_n which_o may_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o each_o book_n in_o particular_a which_o will_v carry_v i_o out_o to_o too_o great_a a_o length_n i_o shall_v now_o consider_v the_o oracle_n themselves_o and_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o light_n of_o this_o revelation_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o this_o progress_n may_v be_v the_o better_o observe_v i_o shall_v do_v three_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v former_o observe_v without_o which_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o wise_a reader_n will_v not_o receive_v satisfaction_n i._o i_o shall_v explain_v in_o a_o few_o word_n the_o reason_n why_o these_o oracle_n be_v interweave_v with_o several_a history_n or_o prophecy_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n ii_o i_o shall_v give_v such_o rule_n as_o will_v serve_v to_o justify_v the_o application_n which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v equal_o make_v of_o several_a oracle_n only_o to_o the_o messiah_n iii_o i_o shall_v set_v the_o oracle_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n which_o will_v manifest_v the_o advancement_n and_o progress_n of_o that_o light_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o revelation_n itself_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o god_n shall_v explain_v himself_o more_o clear_o in_o this_o matter_n in_o proportion_n as_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v near_o to_o their_o completion_n chap._n vii_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 one_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v that_o surprise_v mixture_n which_o one_o see_v we_o of_o those_o oracle_n and_o of_o other_o subject_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v wide_o distant_a from_o any_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v none_o
reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v truth_n not_o to_o be_v question_v and_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o this_o messiah_n continue_v vigorous_o all_o the_o time_n that_o precede_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n we_o have_v see_v afterward_o in_o the_o remark_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god_n to_o keep_v man_n in_o the_o expectation_n of_o this_o messiah_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v he_o whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n i_o have_v take_v notice_n in_o the_o three_o part_n of_o these_o reflection_n of_o the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n to_o explain_v particular_o all_o the_o character_n of_o this_o messiah_n the_o place_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o birth_n the_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o to_o foretell_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o gentile_n their_o call_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o last_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o be_v no_o long_o of_o any_o use_n after_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n my_o present_a business_n be_v now_o to_o show_v that_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v find_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o whole_a design_n wherein_o god_n have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n instruct_v the_o world_n so_o long_o before_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a if_o we_o will_v but_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o read_v these_o book_n attentive_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o model_n which_o god_n himself_o make_v as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o describe_v it_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n yet_o more_o evident_a i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o do_v two_o or_o three_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a for_o my_o present_a design_n and_o first_o i_o be_o to_o observe_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o most_o perfect_a coherence_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v in_o these_o book_n a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n notwithstanding_o the_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o the_o jew_n who_o preserve_v the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o christian_n who_o preserve_v the_o new._n second_o i_o be_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o very_a time_n that_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v in_o the_o world._n this_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o they_o may_v not_o have_v wherewith_o to_o accuse_v those_o who_o 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the_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o twelve_o prince_n or_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n do_v contribute_v towards_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o build_n of_o it_o if_o the_o child_n of_o zebedee_n be_v call_v boanerges_n it_o be_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o second_o of_o haggai_n yet_o once_o and_o i_o will_v shake_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n that_o the_o heathen_n be_v describe_v as_o a_o people_n afar_o off_o and_o what_o be_v speak_v concern_v the_o wall_n of_o partition_n have_v a_o visible_a respect_n to_o the_o gentile_n be_v prohibit_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o holy_a place_n of_o the_o temple_n if_o i_o will_v instance_n in_o all_o the_o mystical_a relation_n of_o the_o one_o volume_n to_o the_o other_o i_o may_v say_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o singular_a conformity_n between_o they_o even_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v most_o opposite_a moses_n the_o first_o and_o great_a minister_n of_o the_o law_n have_v a_o stammer_a speech_n zachary_n the_o father_n of_o s._n john_n the_o baptist_n be_v strike_v dumb_a when_o he_o be_v to_o pronounce_v the_o solemn_a blessing_n to_o the_o people_n where_o as_o jesus_n christ_n on_o the_o contrary_n have_v this_o character_n give_v of_o he_o that_o never_o man_n speak_v like_o he_o god_n say_v at_o the_o beginning_n increase_v and_o multiply_v he_o repeat_v the_o same_o to_o noah_n in_o order_n to_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o replenish_n the_o earth_n jesus_n christ_n say_v go_v and_o teach_v all_o nation_n and_o the_o word_n be_v constant_o represent_v to_o we_o as_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o regeneration_n and_o paptism_n as_o the_o laver_n or_o wash_n whereby_o we_o acquire_v a_o new_a birth_n we_o see_v noah_n receive_v the_o dove_n into_o the_o ark_n with_o a_o olive_n branch_n as_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o heaven_n and_o jesus_n christ_n receive_v a_o like_a token_n fire_n fall_v down_o from_o heaven_n on_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o abel_n 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off_o by_o s._n peter_n and_o that_o jesus_n christ_n restore_v it_o again_o to_o show_v that_o the_o synagogue_n have_v lose_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o jesus_n christ_n alone_o be_v able_a to_o restore_v it_o we_o see_v the_o holy_a place_n in_o the_o temple_n open_v at_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o rend_n of_o the_o veil_n which_o signify_v that_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v then_o to_o lose_v its_o force_n and_o authority_n but_o the_o observation_n already_o make_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v out_o what_o i_o intend_v without_o have_v recourse_n to_o these_o mystery_n and_o i_o believe_v no_o man_n can_v make_v such_o reflection_n without_o be_v persuade_v that_o so_o great_a a_o conformity_n of_o idea_n must_v necessary_o imply_v a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n now_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v that_o this_o unity_n of_o design_n shall_v be_v so_o constant_o observe_v by_o different_a author_n who_o live_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n place_n and_o interest_n without_o be_v convince_v of_o a_o perpetual_a divine_a guidance_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o may_v be_v find_v some_o decision_n which_o seem_v whole_o opposite_a to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a for_o instance_n we_o find_v there_o a_o total_a abrogation_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o all_o those_o observation_n have_v no_o other_o use_n but_o to_o distinguish_v the_o jew_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v to_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v so_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o conceive_v that_o all_o those_o ceremony_n be_v of_o course_n to_o be_v abolish_v after_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o if_o we_o consider_v thing_n in_o this_o view_n we_o shall_v find_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o between_o moses_n who_o establish_v these_o ceremony_n and_o the_o apostle_n who_o abolish_v they_o but_o before_o we_o come_v to_o confirm_v these_o ground_n we_o must_v make_v it_o appear_v 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 and_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o follow_a chapter_n chap._n ii_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 it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o i_o here_o to_o show_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v lively_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o appear_v from_o the_o fable_n which_o the_o rabbi_n tell_v origen_n concern_v zedechiah_n and_o ahiab_n who_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n burn_v for_o persuade_v the_o jewish_a woman_n that_o they_o be_v the_o person_n that_o be_v to_o conceive_v the_o messiah_n but_o i_o intend_v to_o make_v use_n of_o proof_n of_o a_o 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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 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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 rigour_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n in_o the_o three_o century_n and_o before_o chap._n xviii_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 neither_o be_v it_o more_o difficult_a to_o establish_v this_o second_o truth_n that_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v be_v reasonable_o question_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o one_o needs_o only_o consider_v the_o character_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o character_n of_o their_o write_n of_o their_o sermon_n of_o their_o suffering_n and_o of_o their_o martyrdom_n and_o last_o of_o all_o the_o character_n of_o those_o among_o who_o they_o write_v these_o thing_n and_o preach_v they_o to_o their_o death_n as_o to_o their_o sermon_n the_o apostle_n be_v contemporary_n with_o jesus_n christ_n they_o speak_v of_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o distinguish_v they_o careful_o from_o those_o which_o they_o have_v learn_v another_o way_n they_o be_v honest_a man_n simple_a and_o without_o learning_n very_o fit_a to_o bear_v witness_n in_o matter_n of_o fact._n they_o be_v person_n that_o preach_v nothing_o but_o love_n and_o the_o study_n of_o truth_n they_o protest_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o suffering_n that_o they_o can_v not_o conceal_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v they_o be_v man_n without_o covetousness_n or_o ambition_n they_o forsake_v all_o that_o they_o possess_v in_o the_o world_n s._n matthew_n leave_v his_o house_n and_o good_n to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n their_o epistle_n speak_v nothing_o more_o than_o instance_n of_o christian_a poverty_n of_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o good_n and_o of_o mighty_a instance_n of_o their_o charity_n these_o witness_n be_v sufficient_o numerous_a they_o preach_v and_o write_v in_o several_a place_n and_o yet_o they_o agree_v admirable_o in_o their_o relation_n of_o the_o same_o fact_n it_o appear_v they_o have_v such_o 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a_o design_n to_o deceive_v the_o world_n they_o tell_v you_o plain_o of_o the_o meanness_n of_o their_o condition_n and_o original_n they_o sincere_o discover_v their_o own_o weakness_n their_o ambition_n their_o vanity_n their_o dispute_n their_o heat_n their_o murmur_n s._n matthew_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v a_o publican_n that_o be_v a_o servant_n of_o the_o roman_a power_n who_o the_o jew_n look_v upon_o as_o a_o excommunicate_v person_n and_o as_o a_o enemy_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n he_o relate_v the_o ridiculous_a pretention_n of_o the_o son_n of_o zebedee_n found_v on_o the_o carnal_a notion_n of_o their_o mother_n concern_v the_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o set_v down_o s._n peter_n deny_v of_o his_o master_n they_o do_v not_o dissemble_v their_o common_a ignorance_n which_o make_v they_o expect_v a_o temporal_a king_n in_o jesus_n christ_n they_o frank_o publish_v their_o own_o incredulity_n when_o mary_n magdalen_n bring_v they_o the_o news_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o they_o describe_v the_o obstinate_a resistance_n of_o s._n thomas_n about_o this_o matter_n against_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o all_o his_o companion_n they_o do_v not_o content_v themselves_o with_o say_v in_o general_a that_o some_o illustrious_a fact_n have_v happen_v but_o they_o punctual_o set_v down_o all_o the_o circumstance_n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v their_o design_n be_v to_o have_v their_o writing_n examine_v and_o that_o after_o a_o exact_a search_n man_n may_v acquiesce_v in_o the_o conclusion_n which_o they_o draw_v from_o thence_o for_o instance_n they_o do_v not_o tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n raise_v a_o great_a many_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o only_o tell_v we_o of_o three_o describe_v the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o resurrection_n the_o time_n the_o place_n the_o age_n the_o person_n the_o assistant_n and_o all_o these_o with_o other_o particular_n which_o impostor_n care_v not_o to_o enter_v upon_o lest_o they_o shall_v contradict_v themselves_o or_o be_v easy_o confute_v i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o which_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v write_v be_v such_o as_o will_v not_o permit_v we_o to_o accuse_v they_o of_o have_v have_v a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n they_o be_v fact_n and_o not_o discourse_n which_o be_v leave_v upon_o record_n and_o fact_n relate_v to_o the_o most_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o world_n than_o which_o none_o be_v ever_o more_o thorough_o examine_v they_o be_v fact_n which_o be_v link_v so_o close_o and_o which_o have_v so_o strict_a a_o dependence_n one_o upon_o the_o other_o and_o so_o interweave_v with_o the_o most_o public_a transaction_n either_o in_o civil_a or_o religious_a affair_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o form_v the_o design_n of_o such_o a_o imposture_n in_o short_a it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o these_o fact_n be_v public_o know_v to_o the_o king_n of_o judea_n to_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n to_o the_o principal_a minister_n of_o state_n and_o of_o their_o religion_n and_o to_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n assemble_v ten_o several_a time_n at_o their_o solemn_a feast_n to_o the_o several_a sect_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n the_o pharisee_n sadducee_n and_o essen_v who_o be_v attack_v censure_v and_o confute_v in_o these_o book_n one_o ought_v to_o consider_v after_o all_o that_o the_o apostle_n at_o first_o preach_v and_o write_v in_o judea_n where_o be_v the_o witness_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o relate_v the_o impotent_a the_o blind_a the_o deaf_a which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v restore_v the_o dead_a who_o he_o raise_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o he_o censure_v the_o sadducee_n who_o he_o confute_v the_o auditor_n who_o have_v hear_v he_o preach_v the_o town_n wherein_o he_o have_v converse_v most_o familiar_o the_o same_o people_n that_o follow_v he_o the_o same_o enemy_n that_o conspire_v his_o death_n the_o same_o judge_n and_o the_o same_o authority_n which_o condemn_v he_o to_o death_n s._n luke_n in_o the_o relation_n he_o give_v we_o of_o the_o speech_n and_o apology_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v before_o king_n before_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o synagogue_n bring_v they_o in_o speak_v of_o the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o of_o matter_n public_o know_v and_o attest_v by_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o witness_n thus_o s._n peter_n speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o ten_o of_o the_o act_n and_o the_o other_o sacred_a writer_n speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n in_o their_o epistle_n here_o be_v a_o new_a character_n which_o we_o ought_v careful_o to_o observe_v we_o find_v no_o temporal_a interest_n which_o oblige_v the_o disciple_n to_o adhere_v to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o we_o find_v yet_o less_o reason_n to_o
become_v christian_n it_o be_v also_o of_o great_a importance_n to_o observe_v further_o as_o i_o have_v already_o do_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v pen_v before_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n there_o be_v only_o some_o of_o the_o work_n of_o s._n john_n which_o be_v write_v after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n i_o have_v before_o observe_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n order_v it_o so_o that_o all_o the_o jew_n for_o five_o and_o thirty_o year_n together_o repair_v thrice_o a_o year_n to_o jerusalem_n at_o their_o three_o solemn_a festival_n may_v have_v great_a opportunity_n to_o inform_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o this_o remark_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v two_o weighty_a consideration_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n for_o some_o year_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o repair_v with_o the_o jew_n to_o jerusalem_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v engage_v to_o examine_v the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v that_o after_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v dispense_v with_o as_o to_o that_o custom_n as_o well_o as_o the_o observe_n of_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o set_v the_o christian_n in_o a_o great_a opposition_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o so_o increase_v the_o necessity_n of_o examine_v very_o scrupulous_o on_o both_o side_n whatsoever_o be_v for_o or_o against_o they_o in_o those_o matter_n of_o religion_n this_o observation_n lead_v we_o natural_o to_o another_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o imposture_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v not_o be_v discover_v when_o there_o arise_v a_o difference_n between_o those_o who_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o forgery_n and_o those_o who_o after_o they_o endeavour_v to_o gain_v credit_n to_o it_o now_o if_o we_o find_v that_o one_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n betray_v he_o without_o accuse_v he_o of_o the_o least_o crime_n or_o imposture_n if_o we_o have_v see_v the_o christian_n at_o first_o unite_v in_o the_o same_o assembly_n with_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o there_o be_v several_a contest_v and_o dispute_v between_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o first_o christian_n yet_o without_o call_v those_o fact_n which_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o gospel_n in_o question_n by_o either_o side_n s._n paul_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o contest_v which_o happen_v betwixt_o he_o and_o s._n peter_n s._n luke_n relate_v the_o heat_n between_o s._n paul_n and_o barnabas_n upon_o very_o slight_a occasion_n he_o set_v down_o also_o the_o dispute_n which_o arise_v about_o the_o distribution_n of_o alm_n to_o the_o greek_a and_o jewish_a widow_n one_o see_v we_o that_o there_o arise_v a_o dispute_n among_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o about_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o maintain_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o submit_v to_o circumcision_n and_o s._n paul_n opposition_n set_v down_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n we_o need_v no_o more_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o concert_n nor_o collusion_n between_o they_o to_o deceive_v or_o impose_v upon_o those_o to_o who_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n let_v we_o go_v a_o little_a further_o a_o dispute_n happen_v about_o a_o capital_a point_n of_o christian_a religion_n about_o the_o resurrection_n insomuch_o that_o s._n paul_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o write_v concern_v it_o to_o the_o corinthian_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n again_o now_o we_o find_v that_o s._n paul_n to_o confirm_v this_o doctrine_n in_o general_n chief_o make_v use_v of_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o he_o prove_v by_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o fact_n itself_o that_o be_v by_o witness_n who_o he_o produce_v whereupon_o i_o make_v this_o considerable_a reflection_n that_o in_o compare_v this_o dispute_n of_o s._n paul_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n it_o clear_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v not_o allege_v all_o the_o proof_n they_o may_v have_v do_v none_o of_o they_o relate_v in_o particular_a the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o see_v jesus_n christ_n in_o galilee_n upon_o the_o holy_a mountain_n but_o s._n paul_n who_o have_v examine_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o know_v the_o witness_n specify_v the_o number_n and_o observe_v that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v yet_o alive_a if_o perhaps_o any_o of_o they_o be_v already_o dead_a i_o shall_v add_v only_o two_o consideration_n more_o which_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v even_o impossible_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n on_o this_o occasion_n the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o their_o state_n and_o condition_n they_o be_v no_o great_a lord_n who_o power_n may_v terrify_v any_o one_o from_o examine_v their_o write_n or_o who_o reputation_n can_v not_o have_v be_v call_v in_o question_n without_o danger_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o be_v man_n of_o mean_a condition_n employ_v in_o base_a profession_n often_o cast_v into_o prison_n and_o from_o time_n to_o time_n oblige_v to_o appear_v before_o magistrate_n for_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o the_o same_o fact_n which_o they_o publish_v to_o the_o world._n let_v we_o consider_v then_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o s._n paul_n for_o instance_n i_o say_v for_o this_o s._n paul_n a_o maker_n of_o tent_n this_o s._n paul_n without_o reputation_n without_o riches_n this_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v seize_v at_o jerusalem_n after_o divers_a persecution_n this_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v send_v a_o prisoner_n to_o rome_n and_o imprison_v there_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n and_o who_o at_o last_o lose_v his_o life_n by_o nero_n order_n to_o make_v those_o blind_o believe_v all_o he_o say_v who_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o examine_v whether_o all_o that_o luke_n relate_v as_o happen_v to_o he_o at_o jerusalem_n at_o maltha_n at_o philippi_n at_o athens_n be_v indeed_o true_a or_o only_o a_o frame_a story_n the_o second_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o observe_v be_v that_o not_o only_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v public_o read_v every_o lord_n day_n by_o a_o constant_a law_n of_o which_o we_o have_v most_o authentic_a witness_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o in_o other_o ancient_a book_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a but_o also_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o write_v not_o in_o hebrew_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v a_o dead_a tongue_n nor_o in_o syriack_n a_o language_n speak_v in_o a_o very_a few_o place_n but_o in_o greek_a which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v the_o language_n common_o receive_v throughout_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o beside_o be_v the_o language_n into_o which_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v cause_v the_o old_a testament_n to_o be_v translate_v about_o three_o age_n before_o that_o man_n may_v compare_v the_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o their_o accomplishment_n together_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o entire_o destroy_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v what_o i_o have_v before_o set_v down_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v certain_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v the_o design_n which_o i_o form_v in_o write_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v with_o justice_n conclude_v that_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o contestable_a than_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n and_o of_o the_o fact_n in_o they_o relate_v so_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o certain_a than_o the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o now_o i_o have_v only_o two_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o which_o i_o conceive_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o conclude_v these_o reflection_n the_o one_o be_v to_o show_v the_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o conceive_v any_o other_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n than_o what_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v that_o concern_v the_o division_n among_o christian_n which_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o especial_o concern_v the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o mystery_n which_o the_o gospel_n propose_v which_o be_v as_o so_o many_o stumble_a block_n to_o they_o which_o hinder_v they_o from_o discern_v those_o character_n of_o truth_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o by_o
therefore_o that_o occur_v in_o this_o matter_n consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propound_v to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o prove_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n his_o miracle_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o indeed_o these_o be_v the_o very_a matter_n of_o which_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n require_v a_o solid_a proof_n and_o it_o do_v the_o more_o concern_v we_o to_o satisfy_v their_o demand_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v oppose_v our_o assertion_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n be_v already_o accomplish_a though_o they_o agree_v upon_o the_o matter_n with_o we_o in_o all_o other_o article_n moreover_o the_o perform_v this_o task_n may_v very_o much_o contribute_v to_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bad_a christian_n who_o shall_v and_o continuance_n in_o vice_n and_o licentiousness_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o their_o be_v so_o weak_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o fundamental_o and_o that_o because_o they_o have_v never_o consider_v of_o they_o with_o sufficient_a attention_n chap._n ii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact._n forasmuch_o as_o in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o confine_v ourselves_o at_o present_a to_o those_o proof_n which_o make_v out_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propose_v omit_v all_o other_o argument_n which_o may_v evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o though_o possible_o no_o less_o convince_a it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o proof_n we_o be_v to_o produce_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o must_v be_v such_o as_o be_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v if_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o the_o event_n of_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o it_o may_v be_v just_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v produce_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v matter_n long_o since_o past_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o history_n which_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o relation_n of_o those_o who_o where_o eye-witness_n of_o the_o same_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o confirm_v our_o belief_n of_o thing_n at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o we_o i_o be_o behold_v to_o history_n only_o for_o the_o knowledge_n i_o have_v of_o a_o cyrus_n a_o alexander_n or_o a_o caesar_n and_o yet_o have_v read_v the_o account_n they_o give_v i_o of_o they_o i_o find_v they_o matter_n i_o can_v no_o way_n rational_o doubt_v of_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a be_v much_o inferior_a to_o that_o which_o we_o have_v of_o matter_n confirm_v to_o we_o by_o eye-witness_n nevertheless_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o event_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v be_v confirm_v but_o by_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o have_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o to_o account_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o man_n as_o cyrus_n and_o alexander_n for_o fable_n upon_o the_o pretence_n that_o none_o now_o alive_a do_v ever_o see_v they_o or_o because_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o trace_n leave_v of_o those_o empire_n of_o which_o they_o be_v the_o founder_n indeed_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v superad_v to_o it_o for_o though_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o historian_n who_o live_v many_o age_n ago_o yet_o withal_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o matter_n relate_v do_v not_o only_o carry_v the_o idea_n of_o probability_n and_o truth_n along_o with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o history_n of_o follow_a age_n which_o can_v be_v question_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o the_o thing_n relate_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o reason_n a_o matter_n of_o fact_n than_o be_v account_v certain_a when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o when_o record_v by_o a_o historian_n who_o live_v among_o those_o who_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o it_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o gainsay_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o if_o we_o find_v it_o pen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v relate_v by_o any_o otherwise_o than_o indeed_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o public_a derision_n and_o last_o of_o all_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o either_o because_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o every_o one_o to_o be_v inform_v of_o it_o or_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o public_a that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v hide_v from_o any_o or_o last_o because_o of_o its_o natural_a connexion_n with_o all_o those_o other_o event_n which_o necessary_o depend_v on_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a it_o be_v very_o unjust_a to_o demand_v either_o more_o proof_n or_o such_o as_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o be_v require_v to_o verisie_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact._n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o noah_n child_n be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o methusalem_n in_o case_n they_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v see_v he_o or_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o methusalem_n be_v of_o credit_n enough_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o adam_n if_o he_o aver_v that_o he_o see_v he_o and_o converse_v with_o he_o do_v we_o every_o day_n give_v credit_n to_o the_o account_n which_o old_a man_n give_v we_o of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o we_o find_v that_o what_o they_o relate_v have_v a_o exact_a reference_n and_o connexion_n with_o those_o thing_n we_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o proof_n which_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o our_o religion_n propose_v be_v infinite_o more_o strong_a and_o convince_a all_o the_o circumstance_n we_o can_v imagine_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n do_v concur_v to_o place_v the_o matter_n record_v in_o holy_a scripture_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o doubt_n or_o uncertainty_n we_o account_v the_o single_a testimony_n of_o a_o historian_n a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v once_o a_o very_a famous_a temple_n at_o delphos_n or_o ephesus_n notwithstanding_o that_o all_o the_o monument_n remain_v at_o this_o day_n to_o confirm_v his_o relation_n be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o defective_a whereas_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o entire_a nation_n yea_o many_o nation_n do_v attest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v and_o that_o all_o the_o action_n discourse_n and_o whole_a series_n of_o event_n thereto_o relate_v do_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o character_n which_o invincible_o signalise_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scrïpture_n chap._n iii_o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n forasmuch_o as_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n it_o will_v be_v proper_a in_o order_n to_o the_o execute_n of_o my_o design_n to_o begin_v with_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a book_n which_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a if_o one_o make_v the_o follow_a remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o he_o write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o deluge_n the_o rise_n and_o pedigree_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o particular_a the_o history_n of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n until_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o palestina_n 2552_o year_n after_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o follow_a book_n viz._n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n the_o four_o book_n of_o king_n of_o chronicle_n with_o the_o book_n of_o ezrah_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o say_a history_n from_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o jew_n into_o palestina_n until_o their_o