find_v in_o the_o time_n of_o david_n who_o conquer_a this_o city_n as_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o 30_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 12_o chap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o samuel_n and_o not_o only_o here_o but_o a_o little_a after_o the_o historian_n to_o moses_n word_n add_v these_o in_o the_o 14_o the_o verse_n jair_v the_o son_n of_o manasseh_n take_v all_o the_o country_n of_o argob_n unto_o the_o coast_n of_o jeshuri_n and_o maachathi_o and_o call_v they_o after_o his_o own_o name_n bashan_n have_v jair_a unto_o this_o day_n these_o word_n i_o say_v be_v add_v by_o the_o historian_n to_o explain_v moses_n word_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o verse_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o gilead_n and_o all_o bashan_n be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o og_n give_v i_o unto_o the_o half_a tribe_n of_o manasseh_n all_o the_o region_n of_o argob_n with_o all_o bashan_n which_o be_v call_v the_o land_n of_o the_o giant_n and_o therefore_o the_o historian_n be_v force_v to_o explain_v what_o those_o place_n be_v which_o be_v ancient_o so_o call_v and_o also_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o in_o his_o time_n they_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o jair_n who_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o not_o of_o manasseh_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o the_o chron._n v._n 21_o 22._o we_o have_v now_o explain_v aben_n ezra_n meaning_n and_o also_o those_o place_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n quote_v by_o he_o to_o make_v good_a his_o opinion_n but_o indeed_o he_o have_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o nor_o of_o the_o principal_a place_n for_o there_o be_v more_o of_o great_a moment_n which_o i_o will_v now_o mention_v first_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n do_v not_o only_o speak_v of_o moses_n in_o the_o three_o person_n but_o also_o testify_v many_o thing_n of_o he_o namely_o god_n speak_v with_o moses_n god_n speak_v with_o he_o face_n to_o face_n moses_n be_v the_o meek_a of_o all_o man_n numb_a chap._n 12._o v._n 3._o now_o the_o man_n moses_n be_v very_o meek_a above_o all_o man_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n moses_n be_v wroth_a with_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o host_n numb_a chap._n 31._o v._n 14._o moses_n the_o man_n of_o god_n deut._n chap._n 33._o v._n 1._o moses_n the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n die_v deut._n chap._n 34._o v._n 5._o and_o there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o in_o israel_n like_v unto_o moses_n v_o 10._o but_o in_o deutronomy_n where_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n write_v and_o declare_v to_o the_o people_n be_v set_v down_o moses_n speak_v and_o tell_v they_o what_o he_o do_v in_o the_o first_o person_n deut._n chap._n 2._o v._n 1_o 17._o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o i_o and_o i_o pray_v unto_o the_o lord_n but_o then_o again_o after_o the_o historian_n have_v repeat_v moses_n word_n he_o go_v on_o and_o again_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o person_n declare_v how_o moses_n deliver_v to_o the_o people_n in_o write_v that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v publish_v last_o the_o historian_n relate_v how_o moses_n warn_v and_o admonish_v the_o people_n and_o end_v his_o life_n all_o which_o namely_o the_o manner_n of_o speak_v the_o testimony_n and_o character_n give_v of_o moses_n with_o the_o context_n of_o the_o whole_a history_n full_o satisfy_v that_o the_o book_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n but_o by_o some_o other_o person_n second_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o history_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v how_o moses_n die_v be_v bury_v and_o that_o the_o jew_n mourn_v thirty_o day_n for_o he_o but_o make_v likewise_o a_o comparison_n between_o he_o and_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n that_o live_v after_o he_o sai_z he_o excel_v they_o all_o deut._n chap._n 24._o v._n 10._o and_o there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o in_o israel_n like_v unto_o moses_n who_o the_o lord_n know_v face_n to_o face_n which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n that_o moses_n can_v not_o give_v of_o himself_o so_o can_v no_o other_o man_n who_o immediate_o follow_v he_o but_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v one_o who_o live_v many_o age_n after_o he_o because_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o time_n past_a say_v there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o and_o of_o his_o burial_n he_o say_v no_o man_n know_v of_o his_o sepulchre_n unto_o this_o day_n three_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_a that_o the_o history_n call_v some_o place_n by_o name_n which_o they_o have_v not_o in_o moses_n time_n but_o by_o other_o give_v they_o long_o after_o gen._n chap._n 14._o v._n 14._o it_o be_v say_v abraham_n pursue_v his_o enemy_n unto_o dan_n which_o name_n be_v never_o give_v to_o that_o city_n till_o long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n as_o appear_v by_o judg._n chap._n 18._o v._n 29._o and_o they_o call_v the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n dan_fw-mi after_o the_o name_n of_o dan_n their_o father_n who_o be_v bear_v unto_o israel_n how_o be_v it_o the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n be_v laish_n at_o the_o first_o five_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o history_n be_v continue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n than_o moses_n live_v for_o exod._n chap._n 16._o v._n 35._o it_o be_v say_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v eat_v manna_n forty_o year_n until_o they_o come_v to_o the_o border_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n namely_o till_o the_o time_n mention_v josh._n chap._n 5._o v._n 12._o in_o the_o book_n of_o gen._n 36._o v._n 31._o these_o be_v the_o king_n that_o reign_v in_o the_o land_n of_o edom_n before_o there_o reign_v any_o king_n over_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o historian_n without_o doubt_n there_o declare_v what_o king_n the_o edomite_n have_v before_o david_n conquer_a they_o and_o set_v governor_n over_o they_o as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 6._o v._n 11_o 14._o by_o all_o this_o it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o day_n that_o the_o pentateuk_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n but_o by_o some_o other_o who_o live_v many_o age_n after_o he_o but_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v and_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o pentateuk_n first_o it_o appear_v exod._n chap._n 17._o v._n 14._o god_n command_v moses_n to_o write_v the_o war_n against_o amalek_n but_o in_o what_o book_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v numb_a chap._n 21._o v._n 10._o there_o be_v a_o book_n mention_v call_v the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n wherein_o without_o question_n moses_n give_v a_o full_a relation_n of_o the_o war_n against_o amalek_n and_o also_o of_o all_o those_o encamp_n or_o pitch_v their_o tent_n which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n say_v numb_a chap._n 33._o v._n 2._o be_v describe_v by_o moses_n it_o likewise_o appear_v exod._n 24._o v_o 4_o 7._o that_o moses_n write_v another_o book_n call_v the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o he_o read_v to_o the_o people_n when_o they_o first_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n but_o this_o book_n or_o epistle_n contain_v very_o few_o thing_n the_o law_n only_o or_o command_v of_o god_n recite_v in_o exod._n from_o the_o 22_o verse_n of_o the_o 20._o chap._n to_o chap._n 24._o which_o no_o body_n will_v deny_v who_o without_o partiality_n and_o with_o any_o sound_a judgement_n read_v that_o chapter_n it_o be_v there_o declare_v that_o as_o soon_o as_o moses_n understand_v the_o people_n readiness_n to_o enter_v into_o a_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n he_o write_v the_o oracle_n and_o law_n of_o god_n in_o a_o book_n and_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n certain_a ceremony_n be_v perform_v he_o read_v to_o all_o the_o congregation_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v read_v and_o understand_v by_o all_o the_o people_n they_o with_o a_o general_a consent_n oblige_v themselves_o to_o all_o that_o god_n command_v so_o that_o consider_v the_o shortness_n of_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v and_o the_o manner_n of_o make_v the_o covenant_n the_o book_n can_v contain_v no_o more_o than_o the_o few_o thing_n i_o have_v mention_v last_o it_o appear_v that_o moses_n in_o the_o forty_o year_n after_o their_o go_v out_o of_o egypt_n explain_v all_o those_o law_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v as_o may_v be_v see_v deut._n chap._n 1._o v._n 5._o and_o again_o oblige_v the_o people_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o they_o deut._n chap._n 29._o v._n 14._o and_o then_o write_v a_o book_n which_o contain_v those_o law_n so_o explain_v and_o the_o new_a covenant_n chap._n 31._o v._n 9_o which_o be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o which_o joshua_n make_v a_o addition_n by_o register_n that_o agreement_n whereby_o the_o people_n in_o his_o time_n oblige_v themselves_o and_o enter_v a_o three_o time_n into_o
covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n josh._n chap._n 24._o v._n 25_o 26._o but_o because_o we_o have_v no_o book_n extant_a either_o of_o the_o covenant_n of_o moses_n or_o joshua_n it_o must_v necessary_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o book_n perish_v unless_o we_o will_v be_v as_o mad_a as_o the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v jonatan_n and_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n as_o we_o please_v for_o he_o be_v press_v with_o this_o difficulty_n choose_v rather_o to_o corrupt_v the_o scripture_n then_o confess_v his_o ignorance_n for_o those_o word_n in_o the_o 26._o v_o of_o the_o 24._o chap._n of_o josh._n joshua_n write_v these_o word_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o the_o law_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n he_o render_v thus_o in_o his_o chaldee_n translation_n and_o joshua_n write_v these_o word_n and_o keep_v they_o with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o meddle_v with_o man_n who_o will_v see_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o list_v be_v not_o this_o deny_v what_o be_v scripture_n and_o forge_v new_a at_o our_o pleasure_n we_o then_o conclude_v that_o this_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v not_o the_o pentateuk_n but_o quite_o another_o which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n have_v orderly_o interweave_v with_o his_o work_n as_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v further_o say_v where_o the_o forecited_a place_n in_o deutronomy_n say_v that_o moses_n write_v a_o book_n of_o the_o law_n the_o historian_n add_v that_o he_o deliver_v it_o to_o the_o priest_n and_o command_v they_o at_o certain_a set_v time_n to_o read_v it_o before_o all_o the_o people_n which_o imply_v that_o the_o book_n must_v be_v much_o less_o than_o the_o pentateuk_n see_v at_o one_o meeting_n it_o may_v be_v read_v all_o over_o and_o understand_v by_o the_o people_n nor_o can_v we_o here_o forbear_v to_o observe_v that_o of_o all_o the_o book_n write_v by_o moses_n this_o only_a of_o the_o second_o covenant_n and_o his_o song_n which_o he_o afterward_o write_v for_o all_o the_o people_n to_o learn_v he_o command_v to_o be_v religious_o keep_v because_o the_o first_o covenant_n oblige_v only_o those_o that_o be_v present_a and_o the_o second_o not_o only_o all_o present_a but_o their_o posterity_n also_o deut._n chap._n 29._o v._n 14_o 15._o he_o therefore_o command_v this_o book_n of_o the_o second_o covenant_n to_o be_v careful_o and_o religious_o preserve_v to_o future_a age_n and_o also_o his_o song_n because_o future_a age_n be_v chief_o concern_v in_o it_o see_v then_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a that_o moses_n ever_o write_v any_o book_n beside_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o his_o song_n which_o he_o command_v to_o be_v keep_v and_o that_o many_o thing_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o he_o i_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n can_v upon_o any_o good_a ground_n but_o must_v altogether_o against_o reason_n make_v moses_n the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n but_o some_o body_n may_v perhaps_o here_o ask_v whether_o moses_n beside_o these_o book_n do_v not_o write_v the_o law_n when_o they_o be_v first_o reveal_v to_o he_o that_o be_v whether_o in_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n he_o do_v not_o set_v down_o in_o write_v any_o of_o those_o law_n which_o he_o prescribe_v beside_o those_o few_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o covenant_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o i_o shall_v grant_v it_o to_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o moses_n shall_v commit_v to_o write_v those_o law_n which_o he_o communicate_v to_o the_o people_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o place_n when_o and_o where_o they_o be_v publish_v yet_o i_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a upon_o this_o ground_n to_o affirm_v he_o do_v for_o i_o have_v already_o show_v we_o ought_v in_o like_a case_n to_o determine_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v manifest_o prove_v either_o by_o scripture_n itself_o or_o by_o consequence_n draw_v from_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o and_o not_o because_o a_o thing_n seem_v consonant_a to_o reason_n for_o reason_n itself_o do_v not_o oblige_v we_o to_o be_v positive_a it_o may_v be_v the_o senate_n of_o seventy_o elder_n communicate_v to_o the_o people_n moses_n edict_n in_o writing_n which_o be_v afterward_o collect_v by_o he_o that_o write_v the_o pentateuk_n and_o be_v orderly_o insert_v into_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n life_n and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n it_o be_v now_o time_n to_o examine_v the_o rest_n the_o book_n of_o joshuah_n for_o like_a reason_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o joshua_n it_o must_v be_v some_o other_o person_n that_o give_v so_o good_a a_o character_n of_o he_o in_o several_a place_n of_o that_o book_n josh._n chap._n 6._o v._n 27._o the_o lord_n be_v with_o joshua_n and_o his_o fame_n be_v noise_v throughout_o all_o the_o country_n that_o he_o omit_v nothing_o but_o do_v all_o that_o moses_n command_v chap._n 8._o v._n 35._o chap._n 11._o v._n 15._o that_o he_o wax_v old_a call_v all_o the_o people_n together_o and_o at_o last_o die_v moreover_o some_o thing_n be_v relate_v which_o happen_v after_o his_o death_n namely_o that_o the_o people_n continue_v to_o worship_n god_n as_o long_o as_o the_o old_a man_n live_v who_o know_v joshua_n in_o the_o 16._o chap._n v_o 10._o it_o be_v say_v that_o ephraim_n and_o manasseh_n do_v not_o drive_v out_o the_o canaanite_n that_o dwell_v in_o gezur_n but_o the_o canaanite_n dwell_v among_o the_o ephramite_n to_o this_o day_n and_o serve_v under_o tribute_n which_o be_v the_o same_o expression_n we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o chap._n of_o judge_n v_o 21._o but_o the_o jebuzites_n dwell_v with_o the_o child_n of_o benjamin_n in_o jerusalem_n unto_o this_o day_n which_o manner_n of_o speak_v imply_v the_o writer_n relate_v what_o be_v long_o ago_o past_a as_o appear_v josh._n chap._n 15._o verse_n the_o last_o the_o jebuzites_n dwell_v with_o the_o child_n of_o judah_n unto_o this_o day_n the_o same_o expression_n be_v likewise_o use_v in_o the_o history_n of_o kaleb_n begin_v at_o the_o 13_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o say_a chapter_n the_o building_n of_o a_o altar_n beyond_o jordan_n by_o the_o two_o tribe_n and_o a_o half_a mention_v in_o the_o 22._o josh._n v_o 10._o in_o all_o probability_n happen_v after_o ioshuah_n death_n because_o in_o all_o that_o story_n there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n say_v of_o he_o but_o the_o people_n only_o deliberate_v to_o make_v war_n send_v ambassador_n receive_v and_o approve_v the_o answer_n which_o be_v return_v last_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o 14_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n be_v write_v many_o age_n after_o his_o death_n for_o the_o text_n say_v and_o there_o be_v no_o day_n like_o that_o before_o or_o after_o it_o that_o the_o lord_n hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o man_n if_o then_o joshua_n write_v any_o book_n it_o must_v be_v that_o of_o jasher_n mention_v in_o the_o same_o story_n v_o the_o 13_o the_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n i_o believe_v no_o man_n in_o his_o right_a wit_n will_v think_v it_o write_v by_o the_o judge_n themselves_o for_o the_o end_n of_o the_o history_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n chap._n clear_o show_v it_o be_v all_o write_v by_o one_o single_a person_n who_o tell_v we_o in_o many_o place_n that_o in_o those_o day_n there_o be_v no_o king_n in_o israel_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n it_o be_v write_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o people_n have_v king_n concern_v the_o book_n of_o samuel_n there_o need_v no_o deliberation_n see_v the_o history_n be_v carry_v on_o so_o far_o beyond_o his_o death_n but_o however_o let_v this_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o book_n must_v be_v write_v many_o age_n after_o he_o for_o the_o hestorian_a in_o the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 9_o v._n 9_o say_v in_o a_o parenthesis_n before_o time_n in_o israel_n when_o a_o man_n go_v to_o inquire_v of_o god_n thus_o he_o speak_v come_v let_v we_o go_v to_o the_o seer_n for_o he_o that_o be_v now_o call_v a_o prophet_n be_v before_o time_n call_v a_o seer_n the_o two_o book_n of_o the_o king_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n themselves_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o what_o be_v write_v of_o the_o reign_n of_o solomon_n see_v the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o king_n chap._n 11._o v._n 5._o and_o out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n both_o of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n chap._n 14._o v._n 19_o 29._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la how_o he_o war_v and_o how_o he_o reign_v behold_v they_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n we_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o book_n which_o
confuse_o gather_v and_o lay_v together_o that_o they_o may_v afterward_o be_v examine_v and_o put_v into_o order_n and_o not_o only_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o five_o book_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o other_o seven_o be_v also_o collect_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n who_o do_v not_o plain_o see_v that_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n from_o the_o six_o verse_n a_o new_a historian_n bring_v in_o who_o have_v write_v the_o act_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o very_a word_n use_v for_o after_o our_o historian_n in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o joshua_n have_v speak_v of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n and_o promise_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n to_o declare_v what_o happen_v after_o ioshua_n death_n if_o he_o intend_v regular_o to_o prosecute_v his_o own_o history_n why_o do_v he_o again_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n tell_v we_o what_o joshua_n do_v and_o speak_v again_o of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n as_o he_o have_v before_o the_o 17_o and_o 18_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n be_v in_o all_o probability_n take_v out_o of_o another_o historian_n who_o make_v the_o cause_n of_o david_n frequent_v saul_n court_n to_o be_v quite_o different_a from_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 16._o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n for_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o david_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o saul_n servant_n be_v call_v to_o court_n as_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o say_v 16_o the_o chap._n but_o that_o his_o father_n send_v he_o to_o visit_v his_o brethren_n in_o saul_n camp_n david_n by_o his_o victory_n over_o goliath_n become_v know_v to_o saul_n and_o afterward_o live_v in_o his_o court._n i_o suspect_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o 26_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n and_o that_o the_o history_n of_o that_o chapter_n and_o what_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o 24_o the_o chap._n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o but_o take_v out_o of_o several_a writer_n but_o of_o this_o enough_o i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o computation_n of_o time_n it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 6_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o king_n that_o solomon_n four_o hundred_o and_o fourscore_o year_n after_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o his_o own_o reign_n begin_v to_o build_v the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o from_o the_o history_n themselves_o we_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v it_o be_v a_o much_o long_a time_n till_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v year_n for_o first_o moses_n govern_v the_o people_n in_o the_o desert_n 40_o joshua_n who_o live_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o josephus_n and_o other_o govern_v not_o above_o 26_o kusan_n risgataim_v keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 08_o othonyel_n the_o son_n of_o kenaz_n judged_n 40_o eglon_n the_o king_n of_o moab_n keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 18_o ehud_n and_o samger_n judged_n 80_o jachin_n king_n of_o canaan_n keep_v the_o people_n under_o 20_o the_o people_n afterward_o have_v rest_n 40_o be_v again_o in_o subjection_n to_o midian_a 07_o be_v again_o at_o liberty_n under_o gideon_n 40_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o abimelech_n 03_o tola_n the_o son_n of_o puah_n judged_n 23_o jair_n judged_n 22_o the_o people_n be_v again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n and_o ammonite_n 18_o jephtah_n judged_n 06_o absan_n the_o bethlemite_n judged_n 07_o elon_n the_o zebulonite_n 10_o abdon_n the_o pirathonite_n 08_o the_o people_n again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n 40_o samson_n judged_n 20_o ely_n judged_n 40_o the_o people_n in_o bondage_n again_o to_o the_o philistine_n till_o deliver_v by_o samuel_n 20_o david_n reign_v 40_o solomon_n before_o he_o begin_v to_o build_v reign_v 04_o all_o these_o year_n add_v together_o make_v up_o the_o number_n of_o 580._o to_o which_o number_n be_v to_o be_v add_v the_o year_n of_o that_o age_n wherein_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n flourish_v after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n until_o it_o be_v subdue_v by_o kusan_n risgataim_v which_o i_o believe_v be_v many_o for_o i_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o people_n who_o have_v see_v the_o wonder_n of_o joshua_n time_n shall_v present_o after_o his_o death_n perish_v altogether_o neither_o that_o they_o who_o succeed_v they_o shall_v at_o once_o bid_v farewell_n to_o all_o their_o law_n and_o from_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o virtue_n fall_v in_o a_o instant_n into_o the_o depth_n of_o wickedness_n and_o folly_n neither_o that_o kusan_n risgataim_v conquer_a they_o at_o a_o blow_n but_o see_v all_o these_o thing_n require_v almost_o a_o age_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o pass_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n 7_o the_o 9_o the_o and_o 10_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n do_v comprise_v the_o history_n of_o many_o year_n which_o it_o have_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n we_o be_v moreover_o to_o add_v the_o year_n which_o samuel_n judged_n who_o number_n we_o find_v not_o in_o scripture_n and_o the_o year_n also_o of_o saul_n reign_n which_o be_v leave_v out_o in_o the_o former_a computation_n because_o by_o his_o history_n it_o be_v not_o evident_a how_o many_o he_o reign_v indeed_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n that_o saul_n reign_v two_o year_n but_o that_o text_n be_v maim_v and_o we_o may_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o conclude_v his_o reign_n be_v long_o that_o the_o text_n be_v defective_a no_o man_n who_o have_v but_o the_o least_o knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n can_v doubt_v for_o it_o begin_v thus_o in_o the_o latin_a translation_n annum_fw-la natus_fw-la erat_fw-la saul_n cum_fw-la regnavit_fw-la &_o duos_fw-la annos_fw-la regnavit_fw-la supra_fw-la israelem_fw-la which_o in_o our_o english_a bible_n be_v thus_o render_v saul_n reign_v one_o year_n and_o when_o he_o have_v reign_v two_o year_n etc._n etc._n but_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o number_n of_o year_n of_o saul_n age_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v be_v omit_v and_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v more_o than_o two_o year_n any_o man_n may_v gather_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o for_o in_o the_o 27_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n verse_n the_o 7_o the_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o time_n david_n dwell_v in_o the_o country_n of_o the_o philistine_n be_v a_o full_a year_n and_o four_o month_n so_o that_o by_o this_o calculation_n all_o thing_n else_o which_o pass_v in_o saul_n reign_v must_v happen_v in_o the_o space_n of_o eight_o month_n which_o no_o man_n can_v believe_v josephus_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 6_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n have_v thus_o correct_v the_o text._n saul_n while_n samuel_n live_v reign_v eighteen_o year_n and_o after_o samuel_n death_n two_o but_o the_o story_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n do_v in_o no_o wise_n agree_v with_o what_o go_v before_o for_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n v._n 13._o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o philistine_n be_v so_o subdue_v by_o the_o israelite_n that_o they_o come_v no_o more_o into_o the_o coast_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v against_o the_o philistine_n all_v the_o day_n of_o samuel_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o foresay_a 13_o the_o chapter_n it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o samuel_n life_n time_n the_o philistine_n invade_v the_o israelite_n and_o reduce_v they_o to_o so_o great_a misery_n and_o poverty_n that_o they_o want_v not_o only_a arm_n to_o defend_v themselves_o but_o also_o smith_n to_o make_v so_o much_o as_o a_o sword_n or_o a_o spear_n that_o man_n must_v take_v pain_n enough_o who_o make_v it_o his_o business_n so_o to_o reconcile_v all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o appear_v to_o be_v write_v and_o put_v in_o order_n by_o one_o historian_n but_o i_o return_v to_o what_o i_o propose_v the_o year_n of_o saul_n reign_v aught_o to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o forego_n computation_n now_o how_o many_o be_v the_o year_n of_o the_o israelite_n anarchy_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mention_n my_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o space_n of_o time_n be_v not_o certain_a wherein_o those_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 17_o the_o chapter_n of_o judge_n to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o book_n so_o that_o no_o exact_a calculation_n can_v be_v make_v from_o the_o history_n themselves_o neither_o do_v they_o agree_v in_o any_o but_o differ_v very_o much_o so_o that_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v they_o be_v
collect_v from_o divers_a writer_n and_o be_v never_o examine_v or_o put_v into_o any_o order_n there_o be_v no_o less_o disagreement_n in_o computation_n of_o time_n between_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n for_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 1_o sy_n v._n 17._o it_o be_v say_v jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o ahab_n king_n of_o israel_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n but_o in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n see_v the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 8._o v._n 16._o it_o be_v say_v that_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o ahab_n king_n of_o israel_n he_o that_o will_v compare_v the_o history_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n with_o those_o in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n shall_v find_v many_o of_o the_o like_a difference_n which_o i_o will_v not_o here_o particular_o mention_v nor_o trouble_v you_o with_o the_o shift_n some_o author_n have_v use_v to_o reconcile_v they_o the_o rabbin_n perfect_o dote_v and_o some_o commentator_n that_o i_o have_v read_v impose_v upon_o we_o their_o own_o dream_n and_o invention_n plain_o corrupt_v the_o very_a language_n itself_o for_o example_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n c._n 22._o v._n 2._o it_o be_v say_v ahaziah_n waâ—_n forty_o and_o two_o year_n old_a when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v some_o will_v have_v these_o year_n to_o commence_v not_o from_o ahaziah_n nativity_n but_o from_o the_o reign_n of_o omri_n if_o they_o can_v prove_v this_o to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n i_o may_v in_o plain_a term_n say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o speak_v sense_n commentator_n be_v full_a of_o the_o like_a conceit_n wherein_o be_v there_o any_o truth_n a_o man_n may_v pofitive_o aver_v that_o the_o ancient_a hebrew_n do_v not_o understand_v their_o own_o language_n but_o be_v ignorant_a of_o all_o order_n in_o history_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o rule_n or_o any_o reason_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o expound_v scripture_n but_o every_o man_n may_v fancy_n and_o forge_n what_o he_o please_v if_o any_o think_v i_o speak_v too_o general_o and_o without_o ground_n i_o entreat_v that_o man_n to_o show_v i_o any_o such_o certain_a order_n in_o these_o history_n as_o chronologer_n may_v without_o any_o gross_a mistake_n follow_v and_o that_o while_o he_o be_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v and_o reconcile_v the_o history_n he_o will_v so_o strict_o observe_v the_o pharse_n and_o manner_n of_o speak_v the_o dispose_n and_o contexture_n of_o the_o narration_n that_o another_o according_a to_o his_o explication_n may_v in_o write_v imitate_v they_o which_o if_o he_o can_v do_v i_o will_v throw_v away_o my_o pen_n and_o take_v he_o for_o a_o oracle_n i_o have_v be_v endeavour_v but_o can_v never_o do_v any_o thing_n like_o it_o i_o have_v write_v nothing_o which_o i_o do_v not_o often_o and_o long_o meditate_v and_o though_o from_o my_o childhood_n i_o have_v be_v season_v with_o the_o common_a and_o general_a opinion_n concern_v scripture_n yet_o i_o can_v not_o possible_o avoid_v confess_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v mention_v but_o i_o will_v no_o long_o detain_v the_o reader_n concern_v this_o particular_a nor_o will_v i_o further_o provoke_v he_o to_o undertake_v that_o which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o feasible_a i_o only_o make_v the_o proposal_n the_o better_a to_o explain_v my_o own_o meaning_n and_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o consider_v those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o fate_n or_o fortune_n of_o the_o book_n for_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o careful_o keep_v by_o posterity_n as_o that_o no_o fault_n have_v creep_v into_o they_o the_o ancient_a scribe_n have_v take_v notice_n of_o many_o dubious_a reading_n and_o many_o maim_a text_n and_o yet_o not_o of_o all_o but_o whether_o the_o fault_n which_o have_v creep_v into_o those_o book_n be_v of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o to_o give_v the_o reader_n much_o trouble_n i_o will_v not_o dispute_v i_o believe_v they_o be_v not_o considerable_a to_o those_o that_o read_v the_o scripture_n with_o any_o freedom_n of_o judgement_n and_o i_o can_v positive_o affirm_v that_o i_o never_o observe_v any_o error_n or_o variety_n of_o readins_n concern_v mere_a precept_n or_o instruction_n which_o can_v render_v they_o doubtful_a or_o obscure_a but_o many_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o any_o fault_n at_o all_o in_o any_o thing_n throughout_o the_o whole_a scripture_n but_o peremptory_o maintain_v that_o god_n by_o a_o singular_a and_o special_a providence_n have_v keep_v the_o bible_n free_a from_o all_o corruption_n or_o adulteration_n and_o that_o the_o various_a readins_n of_o it_o comprehend_v profound_a mystery_n and_o will_v have_v great_a secret_n lie_v hide_v even_o in_o asterism_n space_n point_n and_o accent_n but_o whether_o this_o opinion_n proceed_v from_o folly_n and_o the_o dotage_n of_o devotion_n or_o from_o their_o arrogance_n and_o malice_n allow_v none_o but_o themselves_o to_o know_v god_n secret_n i_o can_v tell_v of_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o never_o read_v any_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o such_o man_n that_o seem_v mysterious_a but_o rather_o savor_v of_o schoool-boy_n conceit_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o some_o trifle_a cabalist_n who_o freak_n and_o folly_n a_o man_n can_v choose_v but_o admire_v that_o fault_n have_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n no_o ingenuous_a person_n can_v deny_v who_o read_v that_o text_n i_o have_v already_o mention_v concern_v saul_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n v._n 1_o sy_n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o samuel_n and_o also_o that_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 6_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o david_n arise_v and_o go_v with_o all_o the_o people_n that_o be_v with_o he_o from_o judah_n to_o bring_v from_o thence_o the_o ark_n of_o god._n who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n to_o which_o they_o go_v to_o fetch_v the_o ark_n be_v lest_o our_o viz._n kiriathjearim_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n deny_v but_o that_o the_o text_n in_o the_o 37_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam_n be_v defective_a but_o absalon_n flee_v and_o go_v to_o talmai_n the_o son_n of_o ammihud_o and_o mourn_v for_o his_o son_n every_o day_n it_o shall_v have_v be_v and_o david_n mourn_v for_o his_o son_n every_o day_n and_o therefore_o in_o our_o english_a translation_n the_o word_n david_n be_v put_v in_o but_o be_v not_o in_o the_o latin._n there_o be_v other_o such_o fault_n which_o do_v not_o at_o present_a occur_v to_o my_o memory_n that_o the_o marginal_a note_n find_v every_o where_o in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n be_v dubious_a reading_n no_o man_n will_v doubt_v who_o consider_v that_o many_o of_o they_o proceed_v from_o the_o great_a likeness_n which_o some_o of_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n have_v one_o to_o another_o namely_o from_o the_o similitude_n which_o be_v between_o the_o letter_n kaf_n and_o bet_n the_o letter_n jod_n and_o van_n the_o letter_n dalet_n and_o res_fw-la for_o example_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 5._o v._n 24._o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o latin_a translation_n in_o co_fw-la tempore_fw-la quo_fw-la audies_fw-la the_o margin_n have_v it_o cum_fw-la audies_fw-la and_o judge_n chap._n 21._o v._n 22._o the_o latin_a text_n be_v &_o quando_fw-la earum_fw-la patres_fw-la vel_fw-la fratres_fw-la in_o multitudine_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la saepe_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la venerint_fw-la into_o the_o margin_n be_v put_v ad_fw-la litigandum_fw-la many_o different_a reading_n likewise_o come_v from_o the_o use_n of_o those_o letter_n who_o sound_n or_o pronunciation_n be_v in_o read_v scarce_o perceive_v and_o one_o be_v sometime_o take_v for_o another_o for_o example_n levit._fw-la chap._n 25._o v._n 29._o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o text_n that_o if_o a_o house_n be_v sell_v which_o be_v in_o a_o city_n that_o have_v a_o wall_n the_o margin_n say_v that_o have_v not_o a_o wall._n but_o though_o these_o thing_n be_v evident_a yet_o we_o will_v make_v answer_n to_o some_o argument_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o endeavour_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o marginal_a note_n be_v by_o those_o that_o copy_v out_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n purposely_o place_v there_o to_o signify_v some_o great_a mystery_n they_o ground_n their_o first_o argument_n which_o i_o think_v very_o slight_a upon_o the_o common_a use_n of_o read_v the_o scripture_n
st_z verse_n and_o isaiah_n do_v not_o prophesy_v only_o in_o that_o king_n reign_n but_o also_o write_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o king_n do_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 26._o v._n 22._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o uzziah_n first_o and_o last_o do_v isaiah_n the_o prophet_n the_o son_n of_o amos_n write_v which_o book_n it_o be_v pity_n we_o have_v not_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n the_o rabbin_n likewise_o declare_v that_o isaiah_n also_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n by_o who_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o though_o in_o that_o they_o seem_v fabulous_a yet_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o his_o prophecy_n be_v extant_a the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n which_o be_v historical_o relate_v be_v pick_v up_o and_o collect_v out_o of_o divers_a chronologer_n for_o they_o be_v not_o only_o confuse_o put_v together_o without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o time_n but_o the_o same_o history_n be_v also_o repeat_v in_o divers_a manner_n for_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n contain_v the_o prophecy_n wherein_o jeremy_n foretell_v king_n zedekiah_n who_o send_v to_o consult_v he_o that_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o for_o which_o prophesy_v he_o be_v apprehend_v then_o after_o a_o abrupt_a break_v off_o from_o this_o history_n the_o 22_o the_o chap._n set_v forth_o ieremy_n declamation_n and_o prophecy_n against_o king_n jehoiachim_n who_o reign_v before_o zedekiah_n declare_v iehoiachim_n captivity_n after_o this_o the_o 25_o the_o chap._n declare_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v before_o reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n jehoiachim_n and_o without_o observe_v any_o order_n of_o time_n go_v on_o to_o heap_v together_o many_o prophecy_n till_o at_o length_n the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n as_o if_o the_o fifteen_o intermediate_v chapter_n have_v be_v but_o a_o parenthesis_n return_v again_o to_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n for_o the_o conjunction_n then_o wherewith_o the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n begin_v relate_v to_o the_o 8,9_o and_o 10_o verse_n of_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n and_o the_o relation_n give_v in_o this_o 38_o the_o chap._n of_o ieremy_n last_o apprehension_n and_o be_v long_o keep_v in_o a_o dungeon_n be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o the_o 37_o the_o chap._n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v take_v out_o of_o divers_a historian_n and_o no_o other_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v for_o they_o the_o rest_n of_o ieremy_n prophecy_n contain_v in_o other_o chapter_n where_o he_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o person_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o book_n which_o baruch_n write_v from_o ieremy_n own_o mouth_n which_o book_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d._n verse_n of_o the_o 36_o the_o chap._n contain_v only_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o time_n of_o josiah_n unto_o the_o four_o year_n of_o jehoiachim_n from_o which_o year_n the_o book_n begin_v out_o of_o which_o book_n also_o all_o those_o thing_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 45_o the_o chap._n to_o the_o 49_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 51_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o ezekiel_n be_v likewise_o but_o a_o fragment_n be_v manife_a by_o the_o first_o verse_n thereof_o for_o who_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o conjunction_n now_o wherewith_o the_o book_n begin_v relate_v to_o somewhat_o that_o have_v be_v already_o say_v and_o join_v that_o to_o what_o he_o have_v further_a to_o say_v not_o only_o the_o conjunction_n but_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o what_o he_o speak_v imply_v and_o suppose_v other_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v before_o write_v for_o the_o writer_n himself_o say_v by_o way_n of_o parenthesis_n in_o the_o 3_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v often_o to_o ezekiel_n the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o buzi_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldean_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o ezekiel_n which_o hitherto_o he_o have_v copy_v out_o relate_v to_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o he_o before_o the_o present_a thirty_o year_n josephus_n in_o his_o 10_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n chap._n 9_o declare_v ezekiel_n prophesy_v that_o zedechiah_n will_v not_o see_v babylon_n which_o prophecy_n do_v not_o appear_v in_o the_o book_n we_o have_v of_o ezekiel_n but_o the_o 17_o the_o chap._n foretell_v the_o contrary_a that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v carry_v captive_a thither_o whether_o hoseah_n write_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o be_v in_o the_o book_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n i_o be_o not_o certain_a but_o i_o much_o wonder_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o more_o of_o he_o see_v by_o the_o person_n testimony_n who_o write_v the_o book_n call_v hosea_n that_o prophet_n prophesy_v no_o less_o than_o eighty_o four_o year_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n where_o the_o several_a king_n be_v name_v in_o who_o time_n he_o live_v in_o general_a we_o know_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o prophet_n do_v neither_o collect_v the_o prophecy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v prophet_n nor_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o name_n we_o have_v for_o we_o have_v not_o any_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n of_o which_o prophet_n mention_n be_v make_v though_o not_o by_o name_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 33._o v._n 10_o 18_o 19_o nor_o have_v we_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o twelve_o prophet_n we_o have_v none_o of_o ionah_n prophecy_n but_o those_o that_o concern_v the_o ninevite_n though_o he_o also_o prophesy_v to_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 25_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 14_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o of_o job_n himself_o there_o have_v be_v among_o writer_n much_o dispute_n some_o think_v moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o parable_n which_o be_v likewise_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o rabbin_n in_o their_o talmud_n and_o favour_v by_o maimonides_n in_o his_o book_n still_v more_n nebuchim_n other_o believe_v the_o history_n to_o be_v real_a and_o true_a and_o that_o job_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o jacob_n and_o marry_v his_o daughter_n dinah_n but_o aben_n ezra_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o book_n of_o job_n say_v it_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o some_o other_o language_n into_o the_o hebrew_n which_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v more_o clear_o prove_v for_o than_o we_o may_v conclude_v the_o gentile_n also_o have_v book_n which_o be_v sacred_a i_o leave_v the_o thing_n still_o doubtful_a and_o conjecture_v that_o job_n be_v some_o gentile_a of_o great_a constancy_n of_o mind_n who_o at_o first_o be_v very_o prosperous_a afterward_o very_o unfortunate_a and_o in_o the_o end_n very_o happy_a for_o in_o ezechiel_n chap._n 14_o v._n 14._o he_o be_v name_v with_o noah_n and_o daniel_n for_o a_o righteous_a man._n the_o various_a fortune_n and_o constant_a mind_n of_o job_n give_v many_o a_o occasion_n of_o dispute_v god_n providence_n and_o to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o compose_v a_o dialogue_n whereof_o the_o subject_a and_o style_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o man_n be_v rather_o at_o ease_n meditate_v in_o his_o study_n than_o sick_a on_o a_o dunghill_n and_o i_o may_v with_o aben_n ezra_n believe_v the_o book_n to_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o another_o language_n because_o it_o seem_v to_o affect_v the_o heathen_a poesy_n the_o father_n of_o the_o god_n be_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n bring_v in_o twice_o call_v a_o council_n and_o momus_n who_o be_v call_v satan_n answer_v god_n with_o great_a liberty_n but_o these_o be_v mere_a frivolous_a conjecture_n the_o book_n of_o daniel_n without_o doubt_n from_o the_o 8_o the_o chapter_n thereof_o contain_v the_o write_n of_o daniel_n but_o from_o whence_o the_o first_o seven_o chapter_n be_v copy_v i_o know_v not_o we_o may_v suspect_v that_o see_v all_o of_o they_o but_o the_o first_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n language_n they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o that_o nation_n be_v chronology_n of_o which_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v account_v sacred_a only_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o and_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o
know_v that_o god_n be_v omniscient_a and_o that_o human_a action_n be_v govern_v by_o his_o decree_n for_o though_o god_n tell_v he_o exod._n chap._n 3._o v._n 8._o that_o the_o israelite_n will_v hearken_v to_o his_o voice_n yet_o moses_n doubt_v and_o say_v in_o the_o 1_o st_z verse_n of_o the_o 4_o the_o chapter_n what_o if_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v i_o nor_o hearken_v to_o my_o voice_n and_o therefore_o god_n be_v reveal_v to_o he_o as_o indifferent_a and_o ignorant_a of_o man_n future_a action_n for_o he_o give_v unto_o he_o two_o sign_n and_o say_v exod._n chap._n 4._o v._n 8_o 9_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v they_o will_v not_o believe_v thou_o nor_o hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o first_o sign_n they_o will_v believe_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o latter_a sign_n but_o if_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o latter_a sign_n then_o take_v of_o the_o water_n of_o the_o river_n etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o if_o a_o man_n will_v without_o prejudice_n consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o moses_n it_o will_v clear_o appear_v that_o moses_n think_v god_n a_o be_v that_o always_o be_v be_v and_o ever_o shall_v be_v and_o therefore_o call_v he_o jehovah_n which_o in_o hebrew_n express_v those_o three_o time_n of_o exist_v but_o of_o his_o nature_n he_o declare_v no_o more_o then_o that_o he_o be_v very_o merciful_a kind_a and_o very_a jealous_a as_o appear_v in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n he_o believe_v and_o teach_v also_o that_o this_o be_v be_v so_o different_a from_o all_o other_o being_n that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v express_v by_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o other_o visible_a thing_n that_o he_o be_v invisible_a not_o because_o he_o think_v behold_v he_o be_v in_o itself_o impossible_a but_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o human_a frailty_n he_o think_v also_o that_o this_o be_v be_v in_o regard_n of_o his_o own_o power_n single_a and_o but_o one_o he_o allow_v that_o there_o be_v other_o being_n which_o by_o the_o order_n and_o command_n of_o god_n be_v god_n substitute_n and_o vicegerent_n that_o be_v being_n to_o who_o god_n give_v power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v nation_n to_o provide_v for_o and_o take_v care_n of_o they_o but_o moses_n declare_v the_o be_v which_o the_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o worship_n to_o be_v the_o most_o high_a god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o hebrew_n phrase_n the_o god_n of_o all_o god_n therefore_o moses_n in_o his_o song_n exod._n chap._n 15._o v._n 11._o say_v who_o be_v like_a unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n among_o the_o god_n and_o jethro_n exod._n chap._n 18._o v._n 11._o say_v now_o i_o know_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v great_a than_o all_o god_n that_o be_v i_o must_v acknowledge_v with_o moses_n that_o jehovah_n be_v great_a than_o all_o god_n and_o of_o singular_a power_n but_o whether_o moses_n believe_v that_o the_o being_n which_o be_v god_n vicegerent_n be_v create_v by_o god_n may_v be_v doubt_v since_o he_o say_v nothing_o that_o we_o know_v of_o their_o creation_n or_o original_a another_o of_o moses_n doctrine_n be_v that_o this_o be_v out_o of_o a_o chaos_n gen._n chap._n 1_o sy_n v_o 2._o bring_v this_o visible_a world_n into_o form_n and_o order_n furnish_v nature_n with_o the_o seed_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o have_v absolute_a power_n and_o authority_n over_o all_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v deut._n chap._n 10._o v._n 14_o 15._o and_o by_o that_o absolute_a power_n choose_v the_o jewish_a nation_n for_o himself_o and_o appoint_v a_o particular_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o their_o habitation_n deut._n chap._n 4._o v._n 19_o and_o chap._n 32._o v._n 8._o but_o other_o nation_n and_o country_n he_o leave_v to_o the_o care_n of_o other_o god_n substitute_v by_o he_o and_o therefore_o god_n be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jerusalem_n 2_o d._n book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 32._o v._n 19_o and_o other_o god_n be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o this_o reason_n the_o jew_n believe_v that_o the_o country_n which_o god_n choose_v for_o they_o require_v a_o particular_a and_o different_a worship_n of_o god_n from_o that_o of_o other_o country_n nor_o will_v they_o suffer_v the_o worship_n of_o other_o god_n or_o any_o worship_n proper_a to_o other_o country_n to_o be_v exercise_v among_o they_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o the_o people_n who_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n bring_v into_o the_o country_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v devour_v by_o lion_n because_o they_o know_v not_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n of_o the_o land_n 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n chap._n 17._o v._n 24_o 25._o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o aben_n ezra_n that_o jacob_n upon_o this_o ground_n when_o he_o be_v about_o return_v into_o his_o own_o country_n command_v his_o son_n to_o put_v away_o the_o god_n of_o the_o land_n in_o which_o they_o be_v and_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o a_o new_a way_n of_o worship_n gen._n chap._n 35._o v._n 23._o david_n tell_v saul_n because_o he_o be_v by_o persecution_n compel_v to_o forsake_v his_o country_n that_o he_o be_v drive_v out_o from_o the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o send_v to_o serve_v other_o god_n 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 26._o v._n 19_o last_o moses_n believe_v that_o god_n have_v his_o habitation_n in_o the_o heaven_n deut._n chap._n 33._o v._n 26_o which_o be_v a_o frequent_a opinion_n among_o the_o heathen_a now_o if_o we_o careful_o observe_v the_o revelation_n of_o moses_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o fit_v and_o suit_v to_o those_o conception_n and_o opinion_n which_o he_o have_v of_o god_n because_o he_o believe_v that_o god_n nature_n be_v gracious_a merciful_a long-suffer_v etc._n etc._n therefore_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n and_o these_o attribute_n be_v god_n reveal_v to_o he_o exod._n chap._n 34._o v._n 6_o 7._o where_o it_o be_v declare_v why_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o also_o exod._n chap._n 20._o v._n 4_o 5._o in_o exod._n chap._n 33._o v._n 18._o we_o read_v that_o moses_n desire_v to_o see_v god_n but_o because_o moses_n as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v have_v form_v in_o his_o imagination_n no_o likeness_n or_o figure_n of_o god_n and_o as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v god_n be_v not_o reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n but_o according_a to_o the_o disposition_n of_o their_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n therefore_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o under_o no_o image_n or_o similitude_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v because_o it_o be_v repugnant_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o imagination_n of_o moses_n but_o other_o prophet_n isaiah_n ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n testify_v that_o they_o see_v god._n moses_n be_v answer_v by_o god_n in_o the_o 20_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 33._o chap._n of_o exod._n thou_o can_v not_o see_v my_o face_n and_o because_o moses_n believe_v that_o god_n be_v visible_a that_o be_v it_o imply_v no_o contradiction_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o be_v so_o else_o he_o have_v never_o make_v such_o a_o request_n therefore_o god_n also_o answer_v no_o man_n shall_v see_v my_o face_n and_o live_v give_v a_o reason_n suitable_a to_o moses_n opinion_n for_o god_n do_v not_o say_v that_o his_o divine_a nature_n be_v in_o itself_o invisible_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v see_v as_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v see_v because_o of_o human_a weakness_n and_o frailty_n after_o the_o israelite_n have_v worship_v the_o golden_a calf_n that_o god_n may_v reveal_v to_o moses_n the_o israelite_n shall_v become_v like_o other_o nation_n god_n tell_v he_o exod._n chap._n 33._o v._n 2_o 3._o that_o he_o will_v send_v a_o angel_n that_o be_v a_o be_v who_o instead_o of_o the_o supreme_a be_v shall_v take_v care_n of_o the_o israelite_n but_o that_o he_o himself_o will_v be_v no_o more_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o from_o this_o moses_n be_v to_o conclude_v that_o the_o israelite_n be_v thenceforth_o not_o to_o be_v belove_v by_o god_n any_o more_o than_o other_o nation_n who_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o angel_n or_o other_o being_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 16_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o chapter_n last_o because_o moses_n believe_v that_o god_n dwell_v in_o heaven_n therefore_o be_v god_n reveal_v as_o descend_v from_o heaven_n upon_o mount_n sinai_n and_o moses_n that_o he_o may_v speak_v with_o god_n ascend_v the_o mount_n which_o he_o need_v not_o to_o have_v do_v have_v he_o think_v god_n to_o be_v in_o all_o place_n the_o israelite_n know_v very_o little_a of_o god_n though_o he_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o as_o be_v sufficient_o manifest_v by_o their_o bestow_n on_o a_o calf_n the_o honour_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o god_n and_o by_o say_v to_o that_o calf_n these_o be_v thy_o god_n
not_o well_o acquaint_v with_o they_o will_v take_v many_o thing_n in_o scripture_n for_o miracle_n which_o be_v never_o think_v so_o by_o the_o penman_n of_o it_o so_o that_o he_o will_v not_o only_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o thing_n and_o miracle_n that_o happen_v but_o will_v be_v likewise_o ignorant_a what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o by_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v original_o write_v for_o example_n the_o prophet_n zachary_n chap._n 14._o v._n 7._o speak_v of_o a_o future_a war_n say_v but_o it_o shall_v be_v one_o day_n which_o shall_v be_v know_v to_o the_o lord_n nor_o day_n nor_o night_n but_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o at_o the_o evening_n time_n it_o shall_v be_v light_n in_o which_o word_n he_o seem_v to_o predict_v a_o great_a miracle_n but_o they_o signify_v no_o more_o then_o that_o a_o doubtful_a battle_n shall_v be_v fight_v whereof_o the_o success_n shall_v be_v know_v only_o to_o god_n but_o towards_o evening_n the_o jew_n shall_v be_v victorious_a in_o the_o like_a phrase_n and_o expression_n the_o prophet_n be_v wont_a to_o foretell_v and_o write_v the_o victory_n and_o overthrow_n of_o the_o nation_n isaiah_n chap._n 13._o v._n 10._o declare_v the_o destruction_n of_o babylon_n in_o these_o word_n the_o star_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o constellation_n thereof_o shall_v not_o give_v their_o light_n the_o sun_n shall_v be_v darken_v in_o his_o go_v forth_o and_o the_o moon_n shall_v not_o cause_v her_o light_n to_o shine_v which_o no_o body_n believe_v do_v happen_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o empire_n nor_o that_o which_o the_o prophet_n add_v v_o 13._o therefore_o will_v i_o shake_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n shall_v remove_v out_o of_o her_o place_n in_o like_a manner_n isaiah_n chap._n 48._o v._n 21._o they_o thirst_v not_o when_o he_o lead_v they_o through_o the_o desert_n he_o cause_v the_o water_n to_o flow_v out_o of_o the_o rock_n for_o they_o he_o cleave_v the_o rock_n also_o and_o the_o water_n gush_v out_o by_o which_o word_n nothing_o more_o be_v mean_v then_o that_o the_o jew_n find_v fountain_n in_o the_o desert_n by_o which_o they_o quench_v their_o thirst_n for_o no_o such_o miracle_n happen_v when_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o cyrus_n they_o return_v to_o jerusalem_n many_o expression_n of_o like_a nature_n occur_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v only_a fashion_n of_o speak_v among_o the_o jewish_a nation_n i_o need_v instance_n in_o no_o more_o but_o let_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o jew_n make_v use_v of_o such_o phrase_n not_o only_o for_o ornament_n to_o their_o language_n but_o also_o to_o express_v their_o devotion_n and_o therefore_o attribute_v all_o thing_n to_o god_n so_o that_o the_o scripture_n seem_v to_o relate_v nothing_o but_o miracle_n even_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o thing_n mere_o natural_a we_o be_v therefore_o to_o believe_v that_o when_o the_o scripture_n say_v god_n harden_v the_o heart_n of_o pharaoh_n nothing_o more_o be_v signify_v then_o that_o pharaoh_n be_v very_o obstinate_a and_o disobedient_a and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v god_n open_v the_o window_n of_o heaven_n nothing_o more_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v then_o that_o there_o fell_a abundance_n of_o rain_n whoever_o then_o will_v but_o consider_v that_o many_o thing_n in_o scripture_n be_v relate_v very_o brief_o imperfect_o and_o without_o circumstance_n shall_v find_v nothing_o repugnant_a to_o natural_a reason_n but_o many_o thing_n which_o seem_v very_o obscure_a may_v with_o a_o little_a meditation_n be_v explain_v and_o easy_o understand_v so_o that_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v what_o i_o intend_v but_o before_o i_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o chapter_n i_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o intimate_v that_o in_o speak_v of_o miracle_n i_o have_v take_v a_o course_n different_a from_o that_o i_o make_v use_v of_o in_o treat_v of_o prophecy_n for_o i_o declare_v nothing_o positive_o concern_v prophecy_n but_o what_o i_o can_v conclude_v from_o fundamental_a princiciple_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o what_o i_o have_v say_v concern_v miracle_n i_o have_v draw_v from_o principle_n know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n which_o i_o do_v design_o because_o i_o can_v not_o know_v wherein_o prophecy_n consist_v nor_o can_v i_o aver_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a theological_a question_n exceed_v human_a capacity_n but_o what_o i_o can_v derive_v from_o reveal_v principle_n so_o that_o i_o be_v force_v to_o make_v a_o short_a historical_a collection_n of_o prophecy_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o form_v some_o maxim_n which_o may_v instruct_v i_o as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a in_o its_o nature_n and_o property_n but_o because_o that_o which_o we_o inquire_v concern_v miracle_n namely_o whether_o any_o thing_n in_o nature_n can_v happen_v which_o be_v either_o contrary_n to_o its_o law_n or_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o they_o be_v a_o philosophical_a subject_n i_o think_v it_o much_o better_a to_o clear_v the_o question_n by_o make_v use_n of_o principle_n know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o those_o that_o be_v most_o obvious_a i_o say_v i_o do_v it_o purposely_o because_o i_o can_v also_o prove_v it_o from_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o scripture_n which_o declare_v that_o the_o course_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n in_o general_n be_v constant_a and_o immutable_a ps._n 148._o v._n 6_o he_o also_o establish_v they_o for_o ever_o and_o ever_o he_o have_v make_v a_o decree_n which_o shall_v not_o pass_v and_o jerem._n chap._n 31._o v._n 35_o 36._o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n who_o give_v the_o sun_n for_o a_o light_n by_o day_n and_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o the_o star_n for_o a_o light_n by_o night_n which_o divide_v the_o sea_n when_o the_o wave_n thereof_o roar_v if_o these_o ordinance_n depart_v from_o before_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n than_o the_o seed_n of_o israel_n shall_v cease_v also_o from_o be_v a_o nation_n before_o i_o for_o ever_o the_o philosopher_n in_o his_o book_n of_o ecclesiastes_n chap._n 1._o v._n 10._o say_v be_v there_o any_o thing_n whereof_o it_o may_v be_v say_v see_v this_o be_v new_a it_o have_v be_v already_o of_o old_a time_n which_o be_v before_o we_o v_o 11._o he_o say_v there_o be_v no_o remembrance_n of_o former_a thing_n neither_o shall_v there_o be_v any_o remembrance_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v with_o those_o that_o come_v after_o by_o which_o word_n he_o mean_v that_o nothing_o happen_v which_o have_v not_o happen_v before_o though_o it_o be_v forget_v in_o the_o 3_o d_o chapter_n v._n 11._o he_o say_v that_o god_n have_v make_v every_o thing_n beautiful_a in_o its_o time_n and_o v_o 14._o he_o say_v whatever_o god_n do_v it_o shall_v be_v for_o ever_o nothing_o can_v be_v put_v to_o it_o nor_o any_o thing_n take_v from_o it_o v_o 15._o that_o which_o have_v be_v be_v now_o and_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v have_v already_o be_v which_o clear_o declare_v that_o nature_n keep_v a_o constant_a fix_a and_o unchangeable_a course_n that_o god_n in_o all_o age_n know_v and_o unknown_a it_o still_o the_o same_o that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v so_o large_a and_o perfect_a nothing_o can_v be_v add_v to_o or_o take_v from_o they_o and_o last_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o new_a in_o miracle_n but_o what_o seem_v so_o to_o man_n ignorance_n these_o thing_n be_v express_o declare_v in_o scripture_n but_o it_o be_v no_o where_o say_v that_o any_o thing_n happen_v in_o nature_n either_o contrary_a to_o its_o law_n or_o not_o proceed_v from_o they_o so_o that_o miracle_n require_v cause_n and_o circumstance_n and_o be_v not_o immediate_o wrought_v by_o i_o know_v not_o what_o kingly_a and_o absolute_a empire_n which_o the_o vulgar_a attribute_n to_o god_n but_o by_o his_o divine_a power_n and_o decree_n manifest_v in_o the_o law_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n and_o that_o miracle_n may_v be_v wrought_v by_o seduce_a imposture_n as_o appear_v deut._n chap._n 13._o and_o matth._n chap._n 24._o v._n 24._o from_o whence_o it_o manifest_o follow_v that_o miracle_n be_v thing_n natural_a and_o therefore_o to_o use_v solomon_n expression_n be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v new_a or_o contrary_a to_o nature_n but_o have_v as_o near_o a_o alliance_n as_o be_v possible_a to_o natural_a thing_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o make_v out_o by_o the_o rule_v i_o have_v lay_v down_o draw_v from_o the_o scripture_n but_o though_o i_o say_v we_o be_v teach_v these_o thing_n by_o scripture_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o the_o scripture_n deliver_v they_o to_o we_o as_o doctrine_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o only_o that_o the_o prophet_n receive_v they_o as_o we_o do_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o every_o man_n liberty_n to_o have_v such_o a_o opinion_n of_o they_o as_o
fit_v and_o proportion_v to_o man_n understanding_n and_o capacity_n as_o i_o have_v prove_v i_o to_o be_v the_o difficulty_n that_o be_v in_o it_o have_v proceed_v from_o man_n sloth_n and_o negligence_n not_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o method_n chap._n viii_o show_v that_o the_o pentateuk_n book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n samuel_n and_o the_o king_n be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v and_o then_o inquire_v whether_o the_o writer_n of_o all_o these_o book_n be_v diverse_a person_n or_o but_o one_o and_o who_o in_o the_o former_a chapter_n we_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o foundation_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o we_o have_v show_v they_o to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o true_a history_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o history_n though_o very_o necessary_a the_o ancient_n neglect_v to_o compose_v or_o at_o least_o if_o they_o write_v or_o leave_v any_o by_o tradition_n it_o perish_v by_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n and_o consequent_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o fundamental_o and_o principle_n of_o scripture-knowledge_n be_v lose_v which_o loss_n however_o have_v be_v more_o tolerable_a if_o man_n of_o succeed_a age_n have_v keep_v themselves_o within_o their_o true_a bound_n and_o have_v faithful_o deliver_v to_o their_o successor_n those_o few_o principle_n which_o they_o receive_v or_o find_v out_o and_o have_v not_o out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n forge_v new_a whereby_o the_o history_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o only_o imperfect_a but_o remain_v full_a of_o error_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o scripture_n knowledge_n be_v not_o only_o so_o few_o that_o a_o perfect_a history_n can_v be_v build_v on_o they_o but_o they_o be_v also_o very_o faulty_a and_o defective_a to_o rectify_v this_o and_o remove_v the_o common_a prejudices_fw-la in_o divinity_n be_v my_o purpose_n but_o i_o fear_v i_o go_v about_o it_o too_o late_a for_o thing_n be_v now_o almost_o come_v to_o that_o height_n man_n in_o this_o point_n will_v endure_v no_o correction_n but_o obstinate_o defend_v whatever_o they_o have_v embrace_v under_o the_o form_n of_o religion_n reason_n prevail_v with_o very_a few_o so_o universal_o have_v these_o prejudices_fw-la spread_v themselves_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n i_o will_v nevertheless_o endeavour_v and_o try_v what_o i_o can_v do_v because_o the_o business_n be_v not_o absolute_o desperate_a that_o i_o may_v in_o order_n show_v what_o these_o prejudices_fw-la be_v i_o will_v begin_v with_o those_o which_o concern_v the_o penman_n of_o those_o book_n that_o be_v account_v sacred_a and_o first_o concern_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n common_o call_v the_o pentateuk_n man_n have_v general_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n himself_o and_o the_o pharisee_n so_o stiff_o defend_v this_o opinion_n that_o they_o count_v he_o a_o heretic_n that_o think_v otherwise_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n aben_n ezra_n a_o person_n of_o a_o ingenuous_a disposition_n and_o no_o mean_a learning_n be_v the_o first_o i_o read_v of_o who_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o mistake_n dare_v not_o plain_o declare_v his_o thought_n but_o only_o hint_v his_o opinion_n in_o obscure_a word_n which_o i_o will_v not_o scruple_n to_o explain_v and_o give_v you_o their_o naked_a meaning_n aben_n ezra_n word_n in_o his_o comment_n upon_o deutronomy_n be_v these_o beyond_o jordan_n now_o thou_o may_v understand_v the_o mystery_n of_o twelve_o and_o moses_n also_o write_v the_o law_n and_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n in_o the_o mount_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v it_o be_v see_v behold_v his_o bedstead_n be_v a_o bedstead_n of_o iron_n then_o shall_v thou_o know_v the_o truth_n by_o these_o few_o word_n he_o show_v and_o plain_o declare_v that_o it_o be_v not_o moses_n but_o some_o other_o person_n that_o live_v long_o after_o he_o who_o write_v the_o pentateuk_n and_o that_o moses_n write_v some_o other_o book_n to_o make_v this_o appear_v his_o first_o observation_n be_v that_o the_o preface_n of_o deutronomy_n which_o begin_v thus_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n which_o he_o speak_v unto_o all_o israel_n beyond_o jordan_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n who_o never_o pass_v jordan_n his_o second_o observation_n be_v that_o the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v be_v fair_o copy_v out_o in_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o altar_n as_o appear_v deut._n chap._n 27._o v._n 5_o 8._o josh._n chap._n 8._o v._n 31_o 32._o which_o altar_n the_o rabbin_n declare_v be_v make_v only_o of_o twelve_o stone_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v be_v a_o volume_n much_o less_o than_o the_o pentateuk_n and_o this_o i_o think_v aben_n ezra_n mean_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o twelve_o unless_o perhaps_o he_o understand_v those_o twelve_o curse_n which_o be_v in_o the_o forementioned_a 27_o the_o chapter_n of_o deutronomy_n which_o he_o may_v believe_v be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o beside_o the_o write_n of_o the_o law_n command_v the_o levite_n to_o repeat_v those_o curse_n that_o they_o may_v by_o oath_n bind_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v the_o write_a law_n or_o else_o perhaps_o he_o mean_v the_o last_o chapter_n of_o deutronomy_n that_o speak_v of_o moses_n death_n which_o chapter_n consist_v only_o of_o twelve_o verse_n but_o these_o and_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v only_o by_o guess_n need_v not_o a_o more_o curious_a examination_n the_o three_o observation_n be_v that_o it_o be_v say_v deut._n chap._n 31._o v._n 9_o moses_n write_v this_o law_n and_o deliver_v it_o etc._n etc._n which_o can_v not_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n but_o of_o some_o other_o person_n declare_v what_o moses_n do_v and_o what_o he_o write_v his_o four_o observation_n be_v that_o place_n gen._n chap._n 12._o v._n 6._o where_o it_o be_v say_v speak_v of_o abraham_n pass_v through_o canaan_n that_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n which_o word_n must_v be_v write_v after_o moses_n death_n when_o the_o canaanite_n be_v drive_v out_o and_o do_v not_o possess_v the_o land_n and_o this_o must_v likewise_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o aben_n ezra_n comment_v upon_o this_o place_n in_o these_o word_n and_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n it_o seem_v that_o canaan_n nephew_n to_o noah_n take_v that_o land_n from_o some_o other_o who_o possess_v it_o if_o not_o then_o there_o be_v a_o great_a mystery_n in_o the_o thing_n whosoever_o understand_v it_o let_v he_o be_v silent_a that_o be_v if_o canaan_n invade_v those_o country_n than_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n must_v be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n past_o when_o the_o land_n be_v inhabit_v by_o another_o nation_n but_o if_o canaan_n be_v the_o first_o who_o live_v in_o that_o country_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n of_o gen._n he_o be_v then_o the_o word_n must_v imply_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o person_n who_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o canaanite_n be_v not_o in_o the_o land_n so_o that_o moses_n can_v not_o be_v the_o writer_n of_o it_o because_o in_o his_o time_n the_o canaanite_n be_v still_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o that_o country_n and_o this_o be_v that_o mystery_n he_o will_v not_o have_v make_v public_a his_o five_o observation_n be_v that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o 22_o the_o chap._n gen._n v._n 14_o where_o speak_a of_o mount_n moriah_n the_o text_n say_v it_o be_v say_v to_o this_o day_n in_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v it_o be_v see_v now_o it_o be_v not_o call_v the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n till_o after_o it_o be_v dedicate_v to_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o this_o choice_n of_o the_o mountain_n be_v not_o make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n who_o do_v not_o speak_v of_o any_o place_n choose_v by_o god_n but_o only_o foretell_v that_o god_n will_v in_o time_n to_o come_v choose_v a_o place_n which_o shall_v bear_v god_n name_n his_o six_o observation_n be_v what_o be_v say_v deut._n chap._n 3._o speak_v of_o og_n king_n of_o basan_n these_o word_n be_v interpose_v v_o 11_o the_o for_o only_a og_n king_n of_o basan_n remain_v of_o the_o remnant_n of_o the_o giant_n behold_v his_o bedstead_n be_v a_o bedstead_n of_o iron_n be_v it_o not_o in_o rabbah_n of_o the_o child_n of_o ammon_n nine_o cubit_n be_v the_o length_n thereof_o which_o parenthesis_n clear_o show_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n live_v long_o after_o moses_n for_o this_o manner_n of_o speak_v argue_v that_o the_o person_n relate_v what_o pass_v long_o ago_o and_o to_o obtain_v credit_n show_v some_o ancient_a relic_n without_o question_v this_o bedstead_n be_v first_o
we_o have_v name_v be_v write_v long_o after_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n happen_v which_o they_o relate_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o connexion_n and_o subject_n of_o these_o book_n we_o shall_v quick_o find_v that_o they_o be_v all_o write_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o historian_n who_o design_v to_o write_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o their_o first_o original_a to_o the_o first_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o the_o book_n be_v by_o connexion_n so_o link_v together_o that_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v but_o the_o single_a narration_n of_o one_o historian_n for_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v do_v with_o the_o life_n of_o moses_n he_o begin_v the_o next_o book_n with_o these_o word_n now_o after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o joshuah_n and_o end_v the_o story_n of_o joshuah_n with_o his_o death_n he_o do_v with_o the_o very_a same_o transition_n and_o conjunction_n begin_v the_o book_n of_o judge_n in_o these_o word_n now_o after_o the_o death_n of_o joshuah_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n ask_v the_o lord_n and_o to_o this_o book_n of_o judge_n as_o a_o appendix_n he_o join_v the_o book_n of_o ruth_n in_o these_o word_n now_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o day_n when_o the_o judge_n rule_v that_o there_o be_v a_o famine_n in_o the_o land_n to_o which_o book_n of_o ruth_n he_o do_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n join_v the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n that_o end_v with_o his_o wont_a transition_n he_o go_v on_o to_o the_o second_o book_n and_o to_o this_o the_o history_n of_o david_n not_o be_v full_o endded_a he_o join_v the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n then_o go_v on_o with_o david_n history_n add_v with_o his_o usual_a connexion_n the_o second_o book_n the_o context_n and_o order_n of_o the_o history_n likewise_o declare_v the_o historian_n to_o be_v but_o one_o person_n who_o propound_v to_o himself_o one_o certain_a end_n for_o he_o begin_v with_o the_o original_a of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n then_o in_o order_n show_v upon_o what_o occasion_n and_o at_o what_o time_n moses_n prescribe_v law_n and_o prophesy_v many_o thing_n to_o they_o afterward_o he_o relate_v how_o they_o invade_v the_o land_n of_o promise_n according_a to_o moses_n prediction_n deut._n chap._n 7._o and_o when_o they_o have_v possess_v it_o how_o they_o will_v forsake_v god_n law_n deut._n chap._n 31._o v._n 16._o and_o what_o evil_n shall_v thereupon_o follow_v verse_n 17._o next_o he_o declare_v how_o they_o will_v choose_v king_n deut._n chap._n 17._o v._n 14._o who_o affair_n shall_v succeed_v well_o or_o ill_o according_a to_o the_o care_n they_o take_v in_o observe_v the_o law_n deut._n chap._n 28._o v._n 36_o 68_o and_o last_o conclude_v with_o the_o ruin_n of_o their_o government_n as_o moses_n foretell_v of_o thing_n which_o serve_v little_a to_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o law_n he_o say_v nothing_o or_o else_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o other_o author_n so_o that_o all_o these_o book_n conspire_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n namely_o the_o publish_v the_o prophecy_n and_o edict_n of_o moses_n and_o make_v they_o good_a by_o what_o after_o happen_v the_o simplicity_n and_o plainness_n of_o the_o subject_a of_o all_o the_o book_n the_o connexion_n of_o they_o and_o their_o be_v write_v many_o age_n after_o the_o thing_n do_v be_v argument_n enough_o to_o persuade_v any_o man_n that_o they_o be_v all_o write_v by_o one_o historian_n but_o who_o he_o be_v i_o can_v evident_o prove_v i_o have_v some_o reason_n and_o those_o of_o some_o weight_n to_o think_v it_o be_v esdras_n see_v the_o historian_n who_o we_o now_o know_v to_o be_v one_o person_n carry_v on_o the_o history_n as_o far_o as_o iehoiachim_n deliverance_n out_o of_o prison_n and_o moreover_o add_v that_o he_o sit_v at_o the_o king_n table_n all_o his_o life_n which_o must_v be_v either_o the_o table_n of_o king_n jehoiachim_n or_o of_o the_o son_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n for_o the_o sense_n be_v very_o dubious_a it_o follow_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v any_o one_o before_o esdras_n the_o scripture_n say_v of_o esdras_n without_o mention_v any_o other_o person_n ezra_n chap._n 7._o v._n 10._o that_o he_o have_v prepare_v his_o heart_n to_o seek_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o do_v it_o and_o verse_n 6_o the_o that_o he_o be_v a_o ready_a scribe_n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o i_o can_v conjecture_v any_o body_n but_o esdras_n shall_v write_v those_o book_n in_o the_o testimony_n give_v of_o he_o we_o find_v that_o he_o do_v not_o only_o seek_v the_o law_n of_o god_n but_o that_o he_o likewise_o explain_v it_o nehem._n chap._n 8._o v._n 8._o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n distinct_o and_o give_v the_o sense_n thereof_o and_o cause_v they_o to_o understand_v the_o read_n now_o because_o in_o the_o book_n of_o deutronomy_n not_o only_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n at_o least_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v contain_v but_o also_o many_o thing_n be_v insert_v for_o the_o better_a explication_n thereof_o i_o conjecture_v the_o book_n of_o deutronomy_n to_o be_v that_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n write_v set_v forth_o and_o expound_v by_o esdras_n which_o they_o then_o read_v and_o that_o many_o thing_n be_v put_v in_o by_o way_n of_o parenthesis_n more_o clear_o to_o explain_v it_o we_o give_v you_o several_a instance_n when_o i_o unfold_v aben-ezras_a meaning_n there_o be_v more_o of_o the_o like_a kind_n as_o appear_v deut._n chap._n 2._o v._n 12._o the_o horites_n also_o dwell_v in_o seir_n before_o time_n but_o the_o child_n of_o esau_n succeed_v they_o when_o they_o have_v destroy_v they_o from_o before_o they_o and_o dwell_v in_o their_o stead_n as_o israel_n do_v unto_o the_o land_n of_o his_o possession_n which_o the_o lord_n give_v unto_o they_o this_o explain_v the_o 3_o d._n and_o 4_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n namely_o that_o mount_n seir_n which_o be_v the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o son_n of_o esau_n be_v not_o find_v by_o they_o uninhabited_a but_o that_o they_o invade_v the_o horites_n who_o first_o dwell_v there_o and_o have_v subdue_v destroy_v they_o as_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v the_o canaanite_n after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n likewise_o in_o the_o 10_o the_o chapter_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o 6_o 7_o 8_o and_o 9_o verse_n be_v interpose_v by_o way_n of_o parenthesis_n with_o the_o word_n of_o moses_n for_o the_o 8_o the_o verse_n which_o begin_v in_o these_o word_n at_o that_o time_n the_o lord_n separate_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n must_v necessary_o have_v reference_n to_o the_o 5_o the_o verse_n which_o speak_v of_o moses_n come_v down_o from_o the_o mount_n and_o put_v the_o table_n into_o the_o ark_n and_o not_o to_o the_o death_n of_o aron_n mention_v in_o the_o 6_o the_o verse_n of_o which_o esdras_n speak_v here_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o moses_n in_o the_o story_n of_o the_o golden_a calf_n which_o the_o people_n worship_v say_v in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n v_o 20._o that_o he_o pray_v for_o aron_n the_o historian_n go_v on_o and_o declare_v that_o god_n at_o that_o time_n of_o which_o moses_n speak_v choose_v for_o himself_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n that_o he_o may_v show_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o election_n and_o also_o why_o the_o levite_n have_v no_o part_n or_o inheritance_n with_o their_o brethren_n this_o do_v in_o the_o word_n of_o moses_n he_o follow_v the_o thread_n of_o the_o history_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o preface_n of_o the_o book_n and_o all_o the_o place_n which_o speak_v of_o moses_n in_o the_o three_o person_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o can_v now_o be_v know_v which_o he_o add_v or_o express_v in_o other_o word_n that_o they_o may_v be_v the_o better_o understand_v by_o those_o that_o live_v in_o his_o time_n without_o doubt_n have_v we_o the_o very_a book_n of_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n write_v we_o shall_v find_v that_o all_o the_o commandment_n very_o much_o differ_v not_o only_o in_o word_n but_o in_o order_n matter_n and_o sense_n compare_v the_o decalogue_n of_o this_o book_n with_o that_o in_o exodus_fw-la where_o it_o be_v express_o set_v down_o we_o shall_v find_v this_o to_o vary_v from_o that_o for_o the_o four_o commandment_n in_o deutronomy_n be_v not_o only_o command_v in_o another_o form_n but_o be_v enlarge_v and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o likewise_o differ_v much_o from_o that_o in_o exodus_fw-la so_o that_o this_o as_o in_o other_o place_n be_v do_v by_o esdras_n because_o he_o explain_v the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o
veneration_n when_o genesis_n be_v write_v and_o this_o must_v necessary_o be_v a_o true_a and_o clear_a answer_n because_o it_o be_v express_o say_v in_o the_o forecited_a text_n of_o exodus_fw-la that_o god_n be_v not_o know_v to_o the_o patriarch_n by_o his_o name_n jehovah_n and_o because_o also_o in_o exod._n chap._n 3._o v._n 13._o moses_n desire_v to_o know_v god_n name_n which_o must_v have_v be_v know_v to_o he_o have_v it_o be_v know_v to_o the_o patriarch_n before_o he_o it_o must_v therefore_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o faithful_a patriarch_n be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o name_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v a_o gift_n not_o a_o command_n it_o be_v now_o time_n to_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o second_o particular_a that_o god_n require_v from_o man_n by_o his_o prophet_n no_o other_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o than_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o divine_a justice_n and_o love_n that_o be_v those_o attribute_n which_o man_n in_o a_o right_a course_n of_o live_v may_v in_o some_o measure_n and_o degree_n imitate_v which_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o express_a word_n declare_v for_o chap._n 20._o v._n 15_o 16._o speak_v of_o king_n josiah_n he_o say_v do_v not_o thy_o father_n eat_v and_o drink_v and_o do_v judgement_n and_o justice_n and_o then_o it_o be_v well_o with_o he_o he_o judge_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o the_o needy_a than_o it_o be_v well_o with_o he_o be_v not_o this_o to_o know_v i_o say_v the_o lord_n nor_o be_v those_o word_n less_o clear_a chap._n 9_o v._n 24._o let_v he_o that_o glori_v glory_n in_o this_o that_o he_o understand_v and_o know_v i_o that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n which_o exercise_v love_a kindness_n judgement_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o earth_n for_o in_o these_o thing_n i_o delight_v say_v the_o lord_n we_o have_v a_o further_a proof_n exod._n chap._n 34._o v._n 6._o where_o moses_n desire_v to_o see_v and_o know_v god_n god_n reveal_v no_o other_o attribute_n to_o he_o but_o such_o as_o declare_v his_o divine_a justice_n and_o love._n last_o how_o express_v in_o the_o point_n be_v the_o word_n of_o st._n john_n in_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n because_o no_o man_n ever_o see_v god_n he_o make_v god_n know_v only_o by_o love_n and_o conclude_v that_o he_o know_v god_n and_o god_n dwell_v in_o he_o who_o have_v charity_n we_o see_v then_o that_o moses_n jeremy_n and_o john_n comprise_v that_o knowledge_n of_o god_n which_o every_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o have_v in_o that_o only_a wherein_o we_o say_v it_o be_v comprehend_v namely_o in_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v superlative_o just_a and_o merciful_a and_o the_o only_a pattern_n of_o a_o good_a life_n the_o scripture_n do_v no_o where_o give_v any_o express_a and_o positive_a definition_n of_o god_n neither_o do_v it_o prescribe_v any_o other_o attribute_n to_o be_v imitate_v and_o believe_v by_o we_o but_o those_o we_o have_v name_v nor_o be_v those_o express_o commend_v as_o attribute_n so_o that_o from_o all_o these_o thing_n we_o conclude_v that_o the_o intellectual_a knowledge_n of_o god_n which_o consider_v god_n as_o he_o be_v in_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o essence_n which_o nature_n no_o man_n can_v by_o any_o certain_a course_n of_o life_n imitate_v or_o take_v for_o his_o pattern_n do_v not_o at_o all_o teach_v a_o man_n how_o to_o live_v well_o neither_o do_v it_o concern_v a_o man_n faith_n or_o reveal_v religion_n so_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v infinite_o mistake_v in_o it_o and_o yet_o not_o offend_v god._n let_v we_o not_o wonder_v then_o that_o god_n apply_v himself_o to_o the_o imagination_n and_o preconceive_a opinion_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o that_o faithful_a believer_n have_v different_a opinion_n of_o god_n as_o by_o many_o instance_n we_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o second_o chapter_n nor_o let_v any_o man_n wonder_n that_o the_o sacred_a volume_n do_v every_o where_o speak_v so_o improper_o of_o god_n ascribe_v to_o he_o hand_n foot_n eye_n ear_n mind_n local_a motion_n yea_o passion_n of_o the_o mind_n say_v he_o be_v jealous_a merciful_a etc._n etc._n and_o sometime_o set_v he_o out_o as_o a_o judge_n sit_v in_o heaven_n on_o a_o regal_a throne_n and_o christ_n at_o his_o right_a hand_n all_o which_o be_v speak_v according_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o vulgar_a who_o the_o scripture_n intend_v to_o make_v obedient_a but_o not_o learned_a of_o these_o thing_n whatever_o ordinary_a profess_a divine_n have_v by_o reason_n and_o natural_a light_n discover_v to_o be_v disagreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n they_o will_v have_v metaphorical_o interpret_v but_o that_o which_o be_v above_o their_o capacity_n must_v be_v take_v literal_o if_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n must_v be_v take_v and_o understand_v metaphorical_o than_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v for_o the_o rude_a and_o ignorant_a common_a people_n but_o for_o the_o learned_a and_o especial_o for_o philosopher_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v sin_n pious_o and_o in_o simplicity_n of_o heart_n to_o believe_v those_o thing_n of_o god_n which_o the_o sacred_a volume_n have_v in_o the_o letter_n ascribe_v to_o he_o the_o prophet_n consider_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o common_a people_n understanding_n aught_o to_o have_v be_v very_o wary_a and_o careful_a what_o phrase_n and_o expression_n they_o use_v and_o shall_v have_v clear_o and_o plain_o which_o be_v no_o where_o do_v declare_v those_o attribute_n of_o god_n which_o every_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v no_o man_n ought_v to_o think_v that_o opinion_n consider_v absolute_o in_o themselves_o without_o respect_n to_o a_o man_n work_n have_v any_o piety_n or_o impiety_n in_o they_o but_o a_o man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v godly_a or_o ungodly_a in_o his_o faith_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o opinion_n which_o incline_v he_o to_o obedience_n or_o those_o that_o encourage_v he_o to_o sin_n and_o disobedience_n so_o that_o if_o a_o man_n though_o he_o right_o and_o true_o believe_v be_v stubborn_a and_o disobedient_a his_o faith_n be_v evil_a and_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o a_o man_n believe_v that_o which_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o live_v well_o his_o faith_n be_v good_a for_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v not_o a_o precept_n but_o a_o divine_a gift_n and_o god_n never_o require_v from_o man_n any_o other_o knowledge_n than_o that_o of_o his_o divine_a love_n and_o justice_n which_o knowledge_n be_v necessary_a only_o to_o obedience_n not_o to_o science_n chap._n fourteen_o what_o be_v faith._n who_o be_v believer_n the_o fundamental_o of_o faith_n state_v faith_n distinguish_v from_o philosophy_n or_o reason_n to_o understand_v true_o what_o faith_n be_v it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o know_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v fit_v and_o accommodate_v not_o only_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o also_o to_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o inconstant_a mutable_a 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