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
the_o first_o part_n take_v in_o all_o that_o happen_v after_o moses_n till_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n and_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n the_o three_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o the_o jewish_a captivity_n and_o after_o their_o re-establishment_n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o book_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o this_o people_n in_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o epocha_n which_o have_v not_o certain_a character_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o relation_n by_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n which_o it_o have_v either_o with_o those_o event_n which_o go_v before_o it_o or_o with_o those_o which_o follow_v it_o and_o this_o by_o a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a dependence_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o observation_n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n which_o contain_v the_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v the_o execution_n of_o moses_n design_n who_o bring_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o go_v and_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o a_o country_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o division_n of_o this_o land_n among_o the_o tribe_n be_v the_o title_n which_o each_o tribe_n have_v to_o its_o possession_n in_o it_o and_o this_o division_n subsist_v a_o great_a while_n very_o distinct_a and_o well_o know_v by_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o this_o people_n there_o happen_v no_o considerable_a change_n but_o only_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n carry_v the_o ten_o tribe_n into_o captivity_n after_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o three_o year_n of_o the_o world_n the_o country_n continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n under_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n without_o any_o change_n ensue_v upon_o their_o transportation_n into_o babylon_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o chapter_n of_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n this_o book_n have_v a_o very_a natural_a influence_n upon_o the_o follow_a book_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o alliance_n which_o the_o gibeonite_n get_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o surprise_n it_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o all_o that_o happen_v for_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o in_o david_n reign_n under_o who_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v already_o change_v into_o a_o monarchical_a government_n have_v in_o all_o appearance_n undergo_v a_o great_a alteration_n the_o book_n of_o judge_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o joshua_n the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o quarrel_n with_o the_o nation_n which_o they_o have_v subdue_v or_o with_o their_o neighbour_n as_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n descend_v from_o lot_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o this_o people_n that_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n there_o we_o may_v see_v for_o instance_n the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o defensive_a part_n because_o god_n forbid_v they_o to_o set_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n whereas_o these_o last_o pretend_v that_o israel_n have_v usurp_v some_o part_n of_o their_o country_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o remarkable_a markable_a as_o the_o action_n of_o these_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o those_o different_a captivity_n through_o which_o they_o pass_v for_o three_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o year_n together_o but_o we_o may_v find_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o of_o they_o preserve_v by_o those_o public_a hymn_n which_o be_v famous_a throughout_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o these_o illustrious_a monument_n of_o their_o judicial_a authority_n which_o be_v preserve_v among_o they_o and_o which_o keep_v up_o a_o remembrance_n of_o they_o among_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n for_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v observe_v with_o care_n that_o since_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o invent_v any_o thing_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o will_v not_o be_v well_o know_v by_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n as_o the_o tyrian_n who_o keep_v up_o their_o own_o government_n till_o alexander_n time_n who_o subdue_v they_o entire_o and_o the_o moabite_n who_o empire_n continue_v for_o fourteen_o age_n after_o lot_n time_n until_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a for_o any_o fabulous_a relation_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o obtain_v authority_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o thing_n considerable_a but_o the_o conversion_n of_o ruth_n a_o moabitess_n who_o rely_v upon_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o house_n of_o juda_n out_o of_o which_o she_o have_v marry_v her_o husband_n but_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n beside_o 1._o of_o the_o exact_a practice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o a_o relation_n who_o die_v without_o issue_n 2._o of_o their_o lively_a remembrance_n of_o the_o deed_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o juda_n incest_n with_o thamar_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o however_o as_o a_o fountain_n and_o a_o pattern_n of_o blessing_n 3._o of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n who_o this_o author_n represent_v as_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n from_o a_o moabitess_n which_o not_o make_v much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o eli_n and_o samuel_n judicature_n of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o a_o monarchy_n under_o saul_n of_o david_n anoint_v saul_n rejection_n and_o death_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o david_n his_o victory_n his_o design_n of_o build_v a_o temple_n a_o design_n which_o god_n leave_v to_o solomon_n to_o execute_v his_o war_n with_o the_o ammonite_n his_o crime_n with_o bathshebah_n his_o son_n absalom_n insurrection_n against_o he_o and_o his_o great_a success_n against_o his_o enemy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o two_o book_n which_o have_v not_o a_o exact_a connexion_n with_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v one_o see_v we_o throughout_o a_o exact_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o see_v we_o throughout_o monument_n set_v up_o in_o several_a place_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o particular_a action_n one_o see_v we_o also_o in_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n with_o their_o neighbour_n a_o constant_a series_n of_o those_o old_a difference_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o jealousy_n of_o these_o nation_n against_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n which_o the_o jew_n reckon_v but_o as_o one_o book_n contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o solomon_n establishment_n in_o the_o place_n of_o david_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o empire_n which_o be_v carry_v by_o david_n to_o the_o bank_n of_o eüphrates_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o his_o marriage_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n daughter_n of_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o his_o own_o palace_n with_o the_o help_n of_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n visit_n to_o solomon_n of_o his_o alliance_n with_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o edomite_n the_o zidonian_o and_o the_o hittite_n think_v by_o these_o marriage_n to_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n between_o his_o people_n and_o these_o nation_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n all_o this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o solomon_n reign_n and_o as_o there_o never_o be_v so_o famous_a a_o reign_n in_o judea_n so_o never_o be_v there_o any_o of_o which_o there_o be_v leave_v so_o many_o monument_n as_o well_o there_o as_o in_o the_o neighbour_a country_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o in_o the_o same_o book_n the_o division_n of_o solomon_n empire_n into_o two_o government_n that_o of_o juda_n which_o continue_v from_o solomon_n death_n during_o the_o reign_n of_o eighteen_o successor_n for_o three_o hundred_o eighty_o six_o year_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nebuchaanezzar_n and_o that_o of_o israel_n form_v by_o jeroboam_n which_o last_v two_o hundred_o fifty_o four_o year_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o nineteen_o successor_n until_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n the_o history_n of_o the_o chronicle_n which_o be_v write_v about_o twenty_o six_o year_n after_o that_o of_o the_o king_n carry_v
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
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
and_o his_o ass_n colt_n unto_o the_o choice_a vine_n he_o wash_v his_o garment_n in_o wine_n and_o his_o clothes_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o grape_n his_o eye_n shall_v be_v red_a with_o wine_n and_o his_o tooth_n white_a with_o milk._n gen._n xlix_o 8._o 12._o i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n have_v pretend_v that_o moses_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v for_o shiloh_n but_o this_o be_v so_o ridiculous_a a_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o probability_n to_o maintain_v it_o what_o sceptre_n have_v judah_n before_o moses_n come_v how_o be_v moses_n the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o object_n of_o their_o hope_n and_o indeed_o the_o body_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o messiah_n so_o onkelos_n the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v so_o the_o jerusalem_n targum_fw-la and_o jonathan_n so_o r._n solomon_n jarchi_n abenezra_n and_o kimchi_n be_v agree_v now_o these_o reflection_n may_v be_v natural_o draw_v from_o this_o oracle_n which_o jacob_n utter_v upon_o his_o deathbed_n i._o this_o oracle_n be_v find_v among_o a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o other_o tribe_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o which_o be_v accomplish_v as_o to_o every_o tribe_n ii_o this_o oracle_n contain_v several_a particular_a event_n which_o relate_v to_o private_a transaction_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n iii_o this_o oracle_n be_v as_o it_o be_v jacob_n will_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n at_o a_o time_n when_o he_o divide_v among_o his_o child_n their_o portion_n which_o they_o be_v to_o expect_v from_o he_o iv_o this_o be_v a_o preference_n of_o judah_n who_o be_v but_o the_o four_o to_o reuben_n who_o be_v the_o elder_a and_o who_o by_o consequence_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v the_o head_n of_o his_o family_n the_o sceptre_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o legislator_n be_v promise_v to_o judah_n which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o by_o the_o right_n of_o his_o birth_n jacob_n therefore_o prepare_v his_o child_n to_o look_v for_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n in_o judah_n as_o well_o for_o the_o king_n who_o be_v to_o be_v descend_v from_o he_o as_o for_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bless_v in_o abraham_n seed_n but_o we_o must_v go_v yet_o further_o i_o shall_v therefore_o observe_v i._o that_o this_o prophecy_n particular_o regard_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o all_o the_o precede_a and_o follow_v oracle_n concern_v those_o tribe_n who_o head_n be_v then_o name_v by_o jacob._n ii_o that_o this_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n by_o a_o distinct_a establishment_n from_o the_o other_o tribe_n in_o short_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n have_v some_o superiority_n thus_o god_n for_o instance_n command_v that_o tribe_n to_o march_v the_o first_o numb_a ii_o &_o x._o its_o head_n offer_v their_o present_n first_o numb_a vii_o 11_o 12_o 83._o in_o joshua_n time_n this_o tribe_n take_v its_o division_n without_o draw_v lot_n for_o it_o one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n order_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n to_o lead_v the_o people_n out_o to_o the_o conquest_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o country_n one_o see_v we_o the_o same_a prerogative_n in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n though_o they_o be_v often_o of_o other_o tribe_n from_o david_n time_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n the_o king_n be_v all_o of_o that_o tribe_n and_o zorobabel_n afterward_o head_v those_o who_o return_v out_o of_o chaldea_n the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n name_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n first_o herod_n be_v the_o first_o king_n who_o be_v whole_o a_o stranger_n iii_o that_o jacob_n suppose_v that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n shall_v be_v in_o possession_n of_o a_o form_n of_o government_n and_o of_o a_o community_n till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v all_o very_a proper_a and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o this_o tribe_n continue_v under_o its_o own_o governor_n after_o the_o other_o tribe_n have_v be_v transport_v two_o king_n xvii_o 18._o it_o almost_o swallow_v up_o benjamin_n and_o levi_n who_o settle_v in_o their_o country_n and_o indeed_o josephus_n assure_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o come_v back_o again_o into_o judea_n under_o ezra_n for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o stay_v beyond_o euphrates_n and_o we_o see_v that_o at_o last_o they_o give_v their_o name_n to_o the_o whole_a country_n iv_o that_o this_o oracle_n be_v fulfil_v by_o degree_n this_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o of_o the_o preeminency_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n before_o david_n time_n which_o be_v a_o step_n to_o the_o advancement_n of_o it_o to_o the_o throne_n and_o the_o lessen_v of_o their_o dignity_n which_o be_v to_o be_v entire_o take_v away_o when_o the_o messiah_n come_v have_v also_o the_o same_o gradation_n david_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o throne_n over_o all_o israel_n but_o his_o house_n lose_v the_o government_n over_o ten_o tribe_n in_o his_o grandson_n rehoboam_n time_n his_o successor_n be_v tributary_n to_o the_o neighbour_a prince_n whereas_o david_n carry_v his_o empire_n to_o the_o wall_n of_o babylon_n though_o afterward_o the_o babylonian_n subdue_v the_o jew_n and_o depose_v the_o king_n of_o judah_n at_o last_o they_o absolute_o lose_v all_o that_o authority_n which_o they_o have_v hitherto_o keep_v they_o recover_v a_o little_a in_o the_o person_n of_o zorobabel_n and_o though_o they_o be_v soon_o after_o invade_v by_o the_o seleucidae_n yet_o the_o maccabee_n preserve_v they_o a_o little_a till_o herod_n and_o the_o roman_n take_v away_o all_o those_o remnant_n which_o they_o have_v yet_o leave_v in_o carry_v these_o view_v of_o this_o oracle_n further_o we_o may_v yet_o further_o observe_v i._o that_o god_n intend_v to_o oblige_v the_o israelite_n to_o wait_v for_o the_o sceptre_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n it_o must_v be_v there_o before_o it_o can_v depart_v thence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o look_v yet_o much_o further_a than_o david_n those_o word_n it_o shall_v not_o depart_v denote_v a_o continuance_n of_o the_o sceptre_n in_o the_o house_n of_o david_n for_o some_o considerable_a time_n ii_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o comprehend_v a_o lessen_v of_o the_o dignity_n in_o the_o term_n lawgiver_n see_v judges_n v._n 14._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_v god_n seem_v to_o have_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o mark_n of_o the_o fall_n which_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o person_n of_o zorobabel_n who_o as_o to_o the_o time_n be_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o oracle_n iii_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n assign_v the_o epocha_n in_o gross_a for_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n viz._n the_o ruin_n of_o that_o authority_n and_o power_n which_o the_o jew_n proper_o so_o call_v from_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n shall_v enjoy_v after_o their_o re-establishment_n god_n can_v not_o explain_v himself_o more_o particular_o in_o state_v the_o precise_a time_n when_o this_o thing_n shall_v happen_v there_o be_v two_o other_o very_o considerable_a oracle_n one_o utter_v by_o balaam_n in_o the_o year_n 2553_o before_o the_o king_n of_o the_o moabite_n who_o have_v send_v for_o he_o to_o curse_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n that_o lie_v in_o the_o plain_n the_o other_o utter_v the_o same_o year_n by_o moses_n the_o famous_a legislator_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o first_o be_v insert_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o xxiv_o chapter_n of_o number_n the_o other_o be_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n the_o first_o be_v in_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v see_v he_o but_o not_o now_o i_o shall_v behold_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o there_o shall_v come_v a_o star_n out_o of_o jacob_n and_o a_o sceptre_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o israel_n and_o shall_v smite_v all_o the_o corner_n of_o moab_n and_o destroy_v all_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n and_o edom_n shall_v be_v a_o possession_n seir_n also_o shall_v be_v a_o possession_n for_o his_o enemy_n and_o israel_n shall_v do_v valiant_o out_o of_o jacob_n shall_v come_v he_o that_o shall_v have_v dominion_n and_o shall_v destroy_v he_o that_o remain_v of_o the_o city_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o balaam_n character_n the_o presence_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o moab_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n in_o which_o it_o be_v utter_v do_v advance_v its_o authority_n considerable_o but_o the_o turn_n of_o his_o expression_n be_v equal_o singular_a and_o remarkable_a i._o he_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o of_o a_o star_n hint_v out_o to_o we_o the_o celestial_a nature_n
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
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
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
because_o those_o of_o every_o tribe_n who_o continue_v still_o in_o the_o land_n may_v visible_o keep_v they_o up_o and_o we_o here_o of_o necessity_n ought_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o we_o may_v read_v in_o the_o xxxii_o chapter_n of_o jeremiah_n xxxii_o jerem._n xxxii_o concern_v the_o sale_n of_o a_o field_n which_o jeremiah_n buy_v and_o second_o what_o we_o read_v nehem._n the_o vth_o where_o he_o be_v trouble_v to_o see_v the_o alienation_n of_o their_o field_n which_o be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o misery_n and_o three_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o people_n be_v restore_v to_o their_o estate_n according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o their_o state._n another_o very_a effectual_a mean_n to_o fix_v that_o people_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o preserve_v their_o family_n there_o certain_o without_o confusion_n be_v the_o law_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n which_o god_n institute_v for_o this_o very_a purpose_n for_o in_o short_a when_o this_o rule_n be_v once_o lay_v down_o that_o upon_o the_o failure_n of_o a_o heir_n in_o any_o family_n that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n be_v the_o heir_n at_o law_n it_o appear_v plain_o that_o every_o one_o be_v oblige_v for_o his_o own_o interest_n to_o inquire_v with_o diligence_n into_o the_o genealogical_a life_n of_o his_o own_o tribe_n that_o he_o may_v instruct_v himself_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o several_a family_n of_o his_o kindred_n and_o of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o proximity_n of_o blood_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v relate_v because_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o these_o list_n and_o of_o those_o several_a degree_n of_o kindred_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o right_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n there_o be_v two_o other_o law_n which_o contribute_v also_o to_o this_o one_o whereof_z regulate_v all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v when_o there_o be_v none_o but_o daughter_n leave_v in_o a_o family_n a_o famous_a instance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o zelophehad_n set_v down_o twice_o by_o moses_n on_o purpose_n no_o doubt_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v particular_o in_o another_o place_n the_o other_o law_n regulate_v all_o that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n of_o any_o one_o that_o die_v childless_a be_v oblige_v to_o do_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o relict_n and_o of_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o decease_a if_o he_o intend_v to_o redeem_v it_o one_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n a_o illustrious_a example_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o law_n which_o may_v be_v find_v deuter._n xxv_o now_o after_o all_o this_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o there_o can_v be_v any_o strong_a tie_n than_o these_o to_o oblige_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o whither_o the_o division_n which_o god_n make_v of_o it_o betwixt_o their_o several_a tribe_n and_o family_n be_v not_o a_o infallible_a mean_n to_o distinguish_v they_o certain_o one_o from_o another_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v concern_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n do_v principal_o relate_v also_o to_o the_o messiah_n which_o hold_v also_o as_o to_o several_a other_o law_n hitherto_o i_o have_v show_v the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o afterward_o show_v what_o care_n he_o take_v to_o keep_v the_o distinction_n which_o he_o first_o set_v up_o among_o the_o tribe_n and_o i_o afterward_o explain_v those_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o oblige_v every_o family_n in_o each_o tribe_n to_o remain_v distinct_a and_o i_o afterward_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v a_o very_a proper_a mean_n to_o execute_v this_o design_n of_o god._n all_o which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o make_v it_o easy_a for_o every_o man_n to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v once_o know_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n as_o it_o be_v afterward_o foretell_v by_o several_a express_a oracle_n but_o as_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v something_o supernatural_a in_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n so_o we_o ought_v to_o see_v what_o care_n god_n take_v in_o his_o law_n that_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n even_o in_o this_o very_a article_n may_v not_o be_v a_o fact_n too_o difficult_a to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o first_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v join_v with_o isaiah_n prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v etc._n etc._n be_v vii_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n must_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o the_o christian_n profess_v to_o believe_v why_o shall_v god_n otherwise_o have_v take_v care_n to_o insinuate_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o a_o woman_n without_o mention_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n if_o he_o have_v not_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v without_o the_o operation_n of_o a_o man_n and_o why_o shall_v isaiah_n propose_v the_o conceive_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o a_o effect_v whole_o supernatural_a in_o short_a god_n do_v therefore_o by_o his_o law_n not_o only_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n that_o this_o thing_n may_v not_o be_v ambiguous_a when_o it_o shall_v be_v accomplish_v but_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v here_o he_o have_v by_o these_o law_n make_v it_o extreme_o illustrious_a first_o beside_o that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n inflict_v upon_o they_o that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n find_v guilty_a of_o sin_n against_o nature_n 17._o exod._n xxii_o deut._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xviii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxiii_o 17._o as_o also_o upon_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o have_v have_v any_o incestuous_a commerce_n with_o those_o that_o be_v near_o relate_v to_o they_o and_o to_o who_o either_o the_o nearness_n of_o blood_n or_o of_o affinity_n give_v they_o a_o more_o free_a and_o familiar_a access_n he_o moreover_o strait_o command_v that_o all_o prostitute_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n without_o any_o mercy_n second_o he_o be_v not_o only_o content_v to_o forbid_v fornication_n and_o adultery_n in_o general_n by_o condemn_v to_o death_n xxii_o exod._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxii_o those_o that_o express_o shall_v be_v convict_v of_o it_o and_o by_o award_v the_o same_o sentence_n against_o he_o that_o shall_v happen_v to_o corrupt_v a_o contract_a virgin_n and_o the_o virgin_n herself_o but_o he_o also_o hinder_v man_n by_o two_o way_n from_o fall_v into_o sin_n of_o impurity_n he_o permit_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n a_o divorce_n where_o the_o wife_n do_v not_o please_v her_o husband_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o allow_v of_o polygamy_n this_o toleration_n make_v that_o virgin_n on_o the_o one_o side_n not_o remain_v too_o long_o unmarried_a be_v not_o apt_a to_o be_v easy_o corrupt_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n man_n be_v not_o very_o forward_o to_o debauch_v those_o woman_n who_o they_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o marry_v or_o to_o keep_v when_o marry_v for_o he_o that_o be_v compel_v to_o marry_v a_o virgin_n who_o he_o have_v seduce_v xxii_o deut._n xxii_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o put_v she_o away_o for_o ever_o after_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v the_o design_n of_o those_o law_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o short_a 5._o massec_n avoth_o c._n 5._o the_o desire_n of_o issue_n make_v they_o marry_v very_o young_a most_o of_o the_o man_n be_v marry_v at_o eighteen_o year_n of_o age._n therefore_o all_o virgin_n think_v it_o a_o shame_n to_o be_v unmarried_a therefore_o god_n make_v they_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n in_o that_o manner_n when_o seven_o woman_n will_v marry_v one_o man_n without_o ask_v any_o thing_n for_o diet_n or_o clothes_n provide_v only_o that_o he_o will_v take_v away_o that_o reproach_n of_o live_v without_o have_v child_n it_o be_v this_o desire_n of_o posterity_n which_o make_v the_o woman_n look_v upon_o barrenness_n as_o a_o curse_n again_o this_o vehement_a desire_n of_o child_n make_v eunuch_n to_o be_v regard_v 1069._o lucian_n de_fw-fr eunuch_n p._n 537._o lucian_n de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syriâ_fw-la p._n 1069._o as_o man_n particular_o abhor_v of_o god_n not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o although_o afterward_o
suppose_v if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o they_o have_v not_o see_v he_o after_o his_o death_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v have_v any_o concern_n for_o his_o glory_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v condemn_v and_o anathematise_v he_o as_o a_o impostor_n who_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o false_a miracle_n and_o a_o affect_a holiness_n have_v abuse_v they_o whereas_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o they_o defend_v the_o glory_n of_o jesus_n christ_n with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o that_o with_o so_o constant_a a_o testimony_n to_o his_o resurrection_n that_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o reproach_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o punishment_n and_o most_o cruel_a death_n to_o confirm_v the_o belief_n of_o that_o fact._n they_o despise_v the_o anathema_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n they_o contemn_v their_o public_a obloquy_n they_o value_v not_o the_o hatred_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n they_o preach_v this_o crucify_a person_n in_o judea_n they_o preach_v he_o also_o in_o other_o country_n that_o he_o may_v be_v equal_o adore_v by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n they_o leave_v their_o employment_n to_o follow_v this_o jesus_n and_o after_o they_o have_v accompany_v he_o three_o year_n they_o depart_v from_o judea_n to_o go_v and_o confound_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o world_n and_o within_o rome_n itself_o to_o decry_v the_o god_n they_o worship_v oblige_v they_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o who_o the_o man_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v crucify_v for_o their_o god_n he_o who_o have_v be_v the_o detestation_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o who_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n have_v give_v up_o to_o their_o fury_n in_o make_v he_o undergo_v the_o punishment_n appoint_v for_o slave_n last_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n in_o this_o whole_a question_n that_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v so_o uniform_a so_o solemn_a so_o well_o confirm_v by_o all_o manner_n of_o mean_n and_o seal_v with_o their_o death_n be_v not_o contest_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o historian_n of_o that_o time_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a either_o for_o jew_n or_o gentile_n than_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o hand_n they_o be_v master_n of_o the_o public_a record_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o general_a concernment_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o a_o imposture_n of_o so_o terrible_a a_o consequence_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v entire_o false_a neither_o be_v it_o less_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o expose_v a_o sect_n of_o who_o pliny_n the_o young_a tell_v we_o that_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n join_v with_o they_o though_o they_o be_v persecute_v with_o incredible_a violence_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o find_v no_o body_n that_o have_v contradict_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o any_o author_n that_o have_v write_v against_o jesus_n christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n a_o long_a time_n after_o indeed_o there_o be_v a_o book_n see_v call_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n publish_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n which_o endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o those_o act_n be_v contradict_v by_o all_o the_o heathen_a historian_n yet_o remain_v that_o be_v contemporay_v with_o the_o apostle_n final_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v immediate_o convince_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o belief_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v pass_v from_o judea_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o prediction_n which_o god_n give_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o our_o saviour_n chap._n xix_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n what_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o establish_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o for_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o reader_n concern_v so_o weighty_a a_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v superadd_a some_o few_o more_o reflection_n first_o of_o all_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v vast_o different_a from_o those_o which_o may_v be_v suspect_v as_o forgery_n when_o the_o four_o evangelist_n have_v relate_v the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n they_o next_o set_v down_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n with_o the_o action_n of_o his_o life_n until_o his_o death_n which_o do_v not_o comprehend_v above_o four_o or_o five_o year_n s._n luke_n write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o s._n paul_n and_o take_v in_o only_a the_o space_n of_o about_o thirty_o year_n now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o they_o who_o confine_v themselves_o to_o so_o narrow_a limit_n in_o respect_n of_o time_n place_n and_o person_n have_v any_o design_n to_o impose_v the_o remainder_n of_o these_o book_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o write_n one_o epistolary_n and_o the_o other_o prophetical_a for_o the_o prophetical_a part_n time_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o apocalypse_v as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o which_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o epistle_n beside_o some_o moral_a instruction_n they_o be_v almost_o all_o employ_v in_o decide_v some_o question_n which_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n have_v raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n we_o know_v that_o of_o all_o write_n epistle_n be_v the_o most_o certain_a monument_n and_o those_o which_o man_n endeavour_v to_o forge_v 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