just_a or_o unjust_a pious_a or_o impious_a and_o then_o i_o conclude_v that_o that_o right_o be_v best_a maintain_v and_o the_o government_n most_o safe_a where_o every_o man_n have_v free_a liberty_n to_o think_v and_o speak_v what_o he_o think_v these_o be_v the_o thing_n philosophical_a reader_n which_o i_o offer_v to_o thy_o examination_n believe_v they_o will_v be_v acceptable_a to_o thou_o for_o the_o excellency_n and_o utility_n of_o the_o subject_a as_o well_o of_o the_o whole_a book_n as_o of_o every_o single_a chapter_n to_o which_o many_o thing_n may_v be_v add_v but_o to_o this_o preface_n i_o do_v not_o intend_v the_o dimension_n of_o a_o volume_n the_o chief_a thing_n in_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o philosopher_n to_o other_o i_o care_v not_o to_o commend_v this_o treatise_n because_o i_o have_v not_o the_o least_o hope_n they_o will_v like_v it_o i_o know_v how_o fast_o those_o prejudices_fw-la stick_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n have_v embrace_v under_o the_o form_n of_o religion_n i_o know_v also_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a to_o root_v out_o superstition_n as_o fear_v out_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o common_a people_n who_o constancy_n be_v but_o contumacy_n and_o be_v never_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o reason_n but_o always_o rash_o praise_v or_o dispraise_v the_o vulgar_a therefore_o and_o all_o of_o like_a affection_n with_o they_o i_o do_v not_o invite_v to_o read_v these_o thing_n i_o have_v rather_o they_o shall_v contemn_v the_o book_n then_o be_v troublesome_a by_o make_v perverse_a construction_n of_o it_o as_o they_o use_v to_o do_v of_o all_o other_o thing_n not_o profit_v themselves_o but_o hinder_v other_o who_o will_v reason_v more_o like_a philosopher_n do_v they_o not_o think_v reason_n aught_o to_o be_v but_o a_o handmaid_n to_o divinity_n to_o man_n of_o that_o opinion_n i_o think_v this_o work_n extreme_o useful_a but_o because_o many_o have_v neither_o mind_n or_o leisure_n to_o read_v these_o thing_n i_o be_o force_v here_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o treatise_n to_o declare_v i_o have_v write_v nothing_o which_o i_o do_v not_o willing_o submit_v to_o the_o examination_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o chief_a ruler_n of_o my_o country_n for_o if_o they_o shall_v think_v any_o thing_n i_o say_v repugnant_a to_o the_o law_n or_o public_a peace_n of_o it_o i_o willing_o unsay_v and_o recant_v it_o i_o know_v myself_o a_o man_n subject_a to_o mistake_v but_o i_o have_v take_v the_o great_a care_n i_o can_v not_o to_o err_v and_o particular_o that_o whatever_o i_o write_v may_v in_o all_o thing_n be_v consonant_a to_o the_o law_n of_o my_o country_n and_o agreeable_a to_o piety_n and_o good_a manner_n a_o table_n of_o the_o several_a chapter_n chap._n i._n of_o prophesy_v chap._n ii_o of_o prophet_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o whether_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n be_v peculiar_a only_o to_o the_o jew_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o divine_a law._n chap._n v._n the_o reason_n why_o ceremony_n be_v institute_v of_o the_o belief_n of_o scripture-history_n why_o and_o to_o who_o it_o be_v necessary_a chap._n vi_o of_o miracle_n chap._n vii_o of_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n chap._n viii_o show_v that_o the_o pentatenk_n the_o 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 those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o several_a person_n or_o by_o one_o only_o and_o by_o who_o chap._n ix_o whether_o hesdras_n do_v perfect_o finish_v those_o book_n and_o whether_o the_o marginal_a note_n find_v in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n be_v but_o diverse_a reading_n chap._n x._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v examine_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o forementioned_a chap._n xi_o whether_o the_o apostle_n write_v their_o epistle_n as_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n or_o only_o as_o doctor_n and_o teacher_n and_o what_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n chap._n xii_o of_o the_o true_a original_a hand_n write_v or_o text_n of_o scripture_n why_o scripture_n be_v call_v holy_a and_o why_o the_o word_n of_o god_n last_o that_o the_o scripture_n so_o far_o as_o it_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v derive_v to_o we_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a chap._n xiii_o what_o be_v faith_n who_o be_v the_o faithful_a what_o be_v the_o fundamental_o of_o faith_n faith_n distinguish_v from_o philosophy_n chap._n fourteen_o divinity_z no_o handmaid_n to_o reason_n nor_o reason_n to_o divinity_n upon_o what_o ground_n we_o believe_v the_o authority_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n chap._n xv._n how_o commonwealth_n come_v to_o be_v found_v of_o every_o man_n natural_a and_o civil_a right_n of_o the_o right_n of_o supreme_a power_n chap._n xvi_o no_o man_n can_v transfer_v or_o part_n with_o all_o his_o particular_a right_n to_o the_o supreme_a power_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a that_o he_o shall_v of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n what_o it_o be_v while_o moses_n live_v and_o what_o after_o his_o death_n before_o they_o choose_v king_n and_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o it_o last_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o so_o divine_a a_o commonwealth_n perish_v and_o can_v not_o subsist_v without_o sedition_n chap._n xvii_o certain_a political_a maxim_n collect_v out_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n chap._n xviii_o that_o religion_n and_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o no_o other_o power_n but_o that_o of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n that_o the_o external_a form_n of_o public_a religious_a worship_n aught_o to_o be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n if_o we_o will_v right_o obey_v god._n chap._n xix_o that_o in_o a_o free_a commonwealth_n it_o be_v lawful_a for_o every_o man_n to_o think_v as_o he_o please_v and_o to_o speak_v what_o he_o think_v chap._n viii_o show_v that_o the_o pentateuk_n the_o 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 those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o several_a person_n or_o by_o one_o only_o and_o by_o who_o chap._n ix_o whether_o hesdras_n do_v perfect_o finish_v those_o book_n and_o whether_o the_o marginal_a note_n find_v in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n be_v but_o diverse_a reading_n chap._n x._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v examine_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o forementioned_a chap._n xi_o whether_o the_o apostle_n write_v their_o epistle_n as_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n or_o only_o as_o doctor_n and_o teacher_n and_o what_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n chap._n xii_o of_o the_o true_a original_a hand_n write_v or_o text_n of_o scripture_n why_o scripture_n be_v call_v holy_a and_o why_o the_o word_n of_o god_n last_o that_o the_o scripture_n so_o far_o as_o it_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v derive_v to_o we_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a chap._n xiii_o show_v that_o scripture_n teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v very_o plain_a intend_v nothing_o but_o man_n obedience_n neither_o do_v it_o teach_v or_o declare_v any_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n than_o what_o a_o man_n may_v in_o a_o right_a course_n of_o life_n in_o some_o degree_n imitate_v chap._n fourteen_o what_o be_v faith_n who_o be_v the_o faithful_a what_o be_v the_o fundamental_o of_o faith_n faith_n distinguish_v from_o philosophy_n chap._n xv._n divinity_z no_o handmaid_n to_o reason_n nor_o reason_n to_o divinity_n upon_o what_o ground_n we_o believe_v the_o authority_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n chap._n xvi_o how_o commonwealth_n come_v to_o be_v found_v of_o every_o man_n natural_a and_o civil_a right_n of_o the_o right_n of_o supreme_a power_n chap._n xvii_o no_o man_n can_v transfer_v or_o part_n with_o all_o his_o particular_a right_n to_o the_o supreme_a power_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a that_o he_o shall_v of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n what_o it_o be_v while_o moses_n live_v and_o what_o after_o his_o death_n before_o they_o choose_v king_n and_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o it_o last_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o so_o divine_a a_o commonwealth_n perish_v and_o can_v not_o subsist_v without_o sedition_n chap._n xviii_o certain_a political_a maxim_n collect_v out_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n chap._n xix_o that_o religion_n and_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o no_o other_o power_n but_o that_o of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n that_o the_o external_a form_n of_o public_a religious_a worship_n aught_o to_o be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n if_o we_o will_v right_o obey_v god._n chap._n xx._n that_o in_o a_o free_a commonwealth_n it_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
those_o that_o live_v in_o his_o day_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v likely_a this_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o he_o set_v forth_o and_o expound_v and_o i_o likewise_o believe_v it_o the_o first_o of_o all_o those_o book_n he_o write_v because_o it_o contain_v the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n which_o the_o people_n extreme_o want_v and_o also_o because_o this_o book_n be_v with_o no_o antecedent_n connexion_n join_v to_o another_o but_o without_o any_o kind_n of_o reference_n begin_v thus_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n and_o after_o he_o finish_v this_o book_n and_o teach_v the_o people_n the_o law_n i_o believe_v he_o apply_v himself_o to_o compose_v the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o first_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n jerusalem_n insert_v this_o book_n of_o deutronomy_n in_o its_o proper_a place_n and_o perhaps_o to_o the_o first_o five_o book_n give_v the_o name_n of_o moses_n because_o his_o life_n be_v the_o principal_a subject_n of_o they_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o call_v the_o six_o book_n by_o the_o name_n of_o joshuah_n the_o seven_o judge_n the_o eight_o ruth_n the_o nine_o and_o perhaps_o the_o ten_o samuel_n the_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o king_n but_o whether_o esdras_n perfect_v they_o as_o he_o desire_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n inquire_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n chap._n ix_o whether_o esdras_n perfect_v the_o book_n which_o we_o suppose_v he_o write_v and_o whether_o the_o marginal_a note_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n be_v divers_a reading_n how_o much_o the_o inquiry_n make_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n concern_v the_o penman_n of_o the_o book_n therein_o mention_v may_v conduce_v to_o the_o perfect_a understanding_n of_o they_o will_v be_v easy_o guess_v by_o those_o place_n only_o which_o we_o have_v quote_v to_o make_v good_a our_o opinion_n in_o this_o point_n which_o place_n will_v otherwise_o have_v seem_v very_o obscure_a but_o beside_o the_o writer_n there_o be_v other_o thing_n observable_a in_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o common_a superstition_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o vulgar_a to_o discern_v the_o chief_a of_o they_o be_v that_o esdras_n who_o i_o will_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o foresay_a book_n till_o some_o body_n show_v i_o another_o more_o likely_a to_o pen_v they_o do_v not_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n perfect_v the_o relation_n which_o the_o book_n contain_v but_o do_v only_o collect_v the_o history_n out_o of_o several_a writer_n and_o sometime_o only_o copy_v they_o out_o leave_v they_o to_o posterity_n neither_o examine_v nor_o put_v into_o any_o order_n but_o what_o shall_v hinder_v he_o from_o complete_o finish_v his_o work_n unless_o it_o be_v untimely_a death_n i_o can_v conjecture_v we_o have_v indeed_o no_o ancient_n entire_a jewish_a history_n but_o out_o of_o a_o few_o fragment_n leave_v we_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o esdras_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v gather_v his_o story_n from_o several_a writer_n and_o leave_v they_o very_a confuse_a and_o imperfect_a the_o history_n of_o ezekiah_n as_o it_o be_v find_v write_v from_o the_o relation_n of_o isaiah_n the_o prophet_n in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 18._o v._n 17._o be_v record_v in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o story_n in_o the_o chronicle_n see_v book_n the_o 2_o d._n chap._n 32._o v._n 32._o we_o find_v relate_v almost_o in_o the_o same_o word_n very_o few_o except_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o forename_a chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o king_n from_o whence_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v conclude_v but_o that_o there_o be_v divers_a reading_n of_o isaiah_n relation_n unless_o some_o will_v also_o here_o dream_n of_o mystery_n moreover_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o this_o book_n of_o the_o king_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n and_o we_o find_v likewise_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o samuel_n in_o the_o 17_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chronicle_n but_o the_o word_n in_o divers_a place_n so_o much_o change_v that_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o know_v the_o two_o chapter_n be_v take_v out_o of_o two_o different_a copy_n of_o the_o history_n write_v by_o the_o prophet_n nathan_n last_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o king_n of_o edom_n which_o we_o have_v gen._n chap._n 36._o from_o v_o 31_o the_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o same_o word_n in_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n of_o the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o chron._n begin_v at_o the_o 43_o the_o verse_n now_o though_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n take_v the_o thing_n which_o he_o relate_v out_o of_o other_o historian_n yet_o he_o have_v they_o not_o out_o of_o the_o twelve_o book_n which_o we_o believe_v be_v write_v by_o esdras_n and_o without_o doubt_n have_v we_o the_o original_a history_n it_o will_v so_o appear_v but_o because_o we_o have_v they_o not_o let_v we_o examine_v the_o history_n as_o they_o now_o be_v observe_v their_o order_n and_o connexion_n their_o various_a repetition_n and_o their_o disagreement_n in_o calculation_n of_o time_n that_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o other_o thing_n consider_v first_o the_o history_n of_o judah_n and_o thamar_n gen._n chap._n 38._o the_o historian_n begin_v his_o narration_n in_o these_o word_n and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o time_n that_o judah_n go_v down_o from_o his_o brethren_n which_o time_n must_v necessary_o have_v reference_n to_o some_o other_o time_n of_o which_o he_o have_v immediate_o speak_v before_o but_o to_o that_o time_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n of_o genesis_n it_o can_v have_v no_o relation_n for_o from_o the_o time_n that_o joseph_n be_v carry_v into_o egypt_n until_o jacob_n the_o patriarch_n go_v down_o thither_o with_o all_o his_o family_n there_o pass_v but_o twenty_o two_o year_n for_o joseph_n when_o he_o be_v sell_v by_o his_o brethren_n be_v but_o seventeen_o year_n old_a and_o when_o he_o be_v send_v for_o out_o of_o prison_n by_o pharaoh_n but_o thirty_o to_o which_o if_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o plenty_n and_o two_o of_o famine_n be_v add_v they_o make_v up_o in_o all_o no_o more_o than_o two_o and_o twenty_o in_o which_o space_n of_o time_n no_o man_n can_v conceive_v so_o many_o thing_n shall_v happen_v namely_o that_o judah_n shall_v successive_o have_v three_o son_n of_o which_o the_o elder_a shall_v at_o a_o fit_a age_n marry_v thamar_n and_o he_o die_v the_o second_o brother_n shall_v take_v she_o to_o wife_n who_o also_o die_v and_o that_o sometime_o after_o this_o happen_v judah_n himself_o shall_v ignorant_o lie_v with_o his_o own_o daughter_n in-law_n thamar_n and_o have_v two_o child_n by_o she_o at_o one_o birth_n whereof_o one_o likewise_o shall_v within_o the_o aforesaid_a time_n of_o two_o and_o twenty_o year_n become_v a_o father_n see_v then_o all_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o time_n speak_v of_o in_o genesis_n but_o must_v necessary_o relate_v to_o some_o other_o time_n speak_v of_o in_o some_o other_o book_n esdras_n must_v therefore_o only_a copy_n out_o this_o story_n and_o unexamined_a add_v it_o to_o other_o but_o not_o only_o this_o chapter_n but_o likewise_o the_o whole_a story_n of_o joseph_n and_o jacob_n must_v necessary_o be_v take_v out_o of_o several_a historian_n so_o little_a congruity_n be_v there_o in_o it_o for_o the_o 48_o the_o chap._n of_o gen._n tell_v we_o that_o when_o joseph_n bring_v his_o father_n jacob_n to_o pharaoh_n jacob_n be_v a_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n old_a from_o which_o deduct_v twenty_o two_o which_o he_o pass_v in_o mourn_v for_o the_o loss_n of_o joseph_n and_o seventeen_o which_o be_v ioseph_n age_n when_o he_o be_v sell_v with_o seven_o which_o he_o serve_v for_o rachel_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o he_o be_v fourscour_v and_o four_o year_n old_a when_o he_o marry_v leah_n and_o that_o on_o the_o other_o side_n dinah_n be_v scarce_o seven_o year_n old_a when_o she_o be_v ravish_a by_o sechem_n and_o simeon_n and_o levi_n not_o full_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n when_o they_o assault_v the_o city_n of_o sechem_n and_o put_v all_o the_o people_n of_o it_o to_o the_o sword._n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o particularise_v all_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n if_o this_o only_o be_v consider_v that_o in_o the_o five_o book_n all_o the_o precept_n and_o historical_a relation_n be_v promiscuous_o set_v down_o without_o any_o order_n without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o time_n and_o that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o history_n be_v often_o and_o sometime_o diverse_o repeat_v it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v
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