covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n josh._n chap._n 24._o v._n 25_o 26._o but_o because_o we_o have_v no_o book_n extant_a either_o of_o the_o covenant_n of_o moses_n or_o joshua_n it_o must_v necessary_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o book_n perish_v unless_o we_o will_v be_v as_o mad_a as_o the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v jonatan_n and_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n as_o we_o please_v for_o he_o be_v press_v with_o this_o difficulty_n choose_v rather_o to_o corrupt_v the_o scripture_n then_o confess_v his_o ignorance_n for_o those_o word_n in_o the_o 26._o v_o of_o the_o 24._o chap._n of_o josh._n joshua_n write_v these_o word_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o the_o law_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n he_o render_v thus_o in_o his_o chaldee_n translation_n and_o joshua_n write_v these_o word_n and_o keep_v they_o with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o meddle_v with_o man_n who_o will_v see_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o list_v be_v not_o this_o deny_v what_o be_v scripture_n and_o forge_v new_a at_o our_o pleasure_n we_o then_o conclude_v that_o this_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v not_o the_o pentateuk_n but_o quite_o another_o which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n have_v orderly_o interweave_v with_o his_o work_n as_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v further_o say_v where_o the_o forecited_a place_n in_o deutronomy_n say_v that_o moses_n write_v a_o book_n of_o the_o law_n the_o historian_n add_v that_o he_o deliver_v it_o to_o the_o priest_n and_o command_v they_o at_o certain_a set_v time_n to_o read_v it_o before_o all_o the_o people_n which_o imply_v that_o the_o book_n must_v be_v much_o less_o than_o the_o pentateuk_n see_v at_o one_o meeting_n it_o may_v be_v read_v all_o over_o and_o understand_v by_o the_o people_n nor_o can_v we_o here_o forbear_v to_o observe_v that_o of_o all_o the_o book_n write_v by_o moses_n this_o only_a of_o the_o second_o covenant_n and_o his_o song_n which_o he_o afterward_o write_v for_o all_o the_o people_n to_o learn_v he_o command_v to_o be_v religious_o keep_v because_o the_o first_o covenant_n oblige_v only_o those_o that_o be_v present_a and_o the_o second_o not_o only_o all_o present_a but_o their_o posterity_n also_o deut._n chap._n 29._o v._n 14_o 15._o he_o therefore_o command_v this_o book_n of_o the_o second_o covenant_n to_o be_v careful_o and_o religious_o preserve_v to_o future_a age_n and_o also_o his_o song_n because_o future_a age_n be_v chief_o concern_v in_o it_o see_v then_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a that_o moses_n ever_o write_v any_o book_n beside_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o his_o song_n which_o he_o command_v to_o be_v keep_v and_o that_o many_o thing_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o he_o i_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n can_v upon_o any_o good_a ground_n but_o must_v altogether_o against_o reason_n make_v moses_n the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n but_o some_o body_n may_v perhaps_o here_o ask_v whether_o moses_n beside_o these_o book_n do_v not_o write_v the_o law_n when_o they_o be_v first_o reveal_v to_o he_o that_o be_v whether_o in_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n he_o do_v not_o set_v down_o in_o write_v any_o of_o those_o law_n which_o he_o prescribe_v beside_o those_o few_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o covenant_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o i_o shall_v grant_v it_o to_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o moses_n shall_v commit_v to_o write_v those_o law_n which_o he_o communicate_v to_o the_o people_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o place_n when_o and_o where_o they_o be_v publish_v yet_o i_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a upon_o this_o ground_n to_o affirm_v he_o do_v for_o i_o have_v already_o show_v we_o ought_v in_o like_a case_n to_o determine_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v manifest_o prove_v either_o by_o scripture_n itself_o or_o by_o consequence_n draw_v from_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o and_o not_o because_o a_o thing_n seem_v consonant_a to_o reason_n for_o reason_n itself_o do_v not_o oblige_v we_o to_o be_v positive_a it_o may_v be_v the_o senate_n of_o seventy_o elder_n communicate_v to_o the_o people_n moses_n edict_n in_o writing_n which_o be_v afterward_o collect_v by_o he_o that_o write_v the_o pentateuk_n and_o be_v orderly_o insert_v into_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n life_n and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n it_o be_v now_o time_n to_o examine_v the_o rest_n the_o book_n of_o joshuah_n for_o like_a reason_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o joshua_n it_o must_v be_v some_o other_o person_n that_o give_v so_o good_a a_o character_n of_o he_o in_o several_a place_n of_o that_o book_n josh._n chap._n 6._o v._n 27._o the_o lord_n be_v with_o joshua_n and_o his_o fame_n be_v noise_v throughout_o all_o the_o country_n that_o he_o omit_v nothing_o but_o do_v all_o that_o moses_n command_v chap._n 8._o v._n 35._o chap._n 11._o v._n 15._o that_o he_o wax_v old_a call_v all_o the_o people_n together_o and_o at_o last_o die_v moreover_o some_o thing_n be_v relate_v which_o happen_v after_o his_o death_n namely_o that_o the_o people_n continue_v to_o worship_n god_n as_o long_o as_o the_o old_a man_n live_v who_o know_v joshua_n in_o the_o 16._o chap._n v_o 10._o it_o be_v say_v that_o ephraim_n and_o manasseh_n do_v not_o drive_v out_o the_o canaanite_n that_o dwell_v in_o gezur_n but_o the_o canaanite_n dwell_v among_o the_o ephramite_n to_o this_o day_n and_o serve_v under_o tribute_n which_o be_v the_o same_o expression_n we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o chap._n of_o judge_n v_o 21._o but_o the_o jebuzites_n dwell_v with_o the_o child_n of_o benjamin_n in_o jerusalem_n unto_o this_o day_n which_o manner_n of_o speak_v imply_v the_o writer_n relate_v what_o be_v long_o ago_o past_a as_o appear_v josh._n chap._n 15._o verse_n the_o last_o the_o jebuzites_n dwell_v with_o the_o child_n of_o judah_n unto_o this_o day_n the_o same_o expression_n be_v likewise_o use_v in_o the_o history_n of_o kaleb_n begin_v at_o the_o 13_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o say_a chapter_n the_o building_n of_o a_o altar_n beyond_o jordan_n by_o the_o two_o tribe_n and_o a_o half_a mention_v in_o the_o 22._o josh._n v_o 10._o in_o all_o probability_n happen_v after_o ioshuah_n death_n because_o in_o all_o that_o story_n there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n say_v of_o he_o but_o the_o people_n only_o deliberate_v to_o make_v war_n send_v ambassador_n receive_v and_o approve_v the_o answer_n which_o be_v return_v last_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o 14_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n be_v write_v many_o age_n after_o his_o death_n for_o the_o text_n say_v and_o there_o be_v no_o day_n like_o that_o before_o or_o after_o it_o that_o the_o lord_n hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o man_n if_o then_o joshua_n write_v any_o book_n it_o must_v be_v that_o of_o jasher_n mention_v in_o the_o same_o story_n v_o the_o 13_o the_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n i_o believe_v no_o man_n in_o his_o right_a wit_n will_v think_v it_o write_v by_o the_o judge_n themselves_o for_o the_o end_n of_o the_o history_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n chap._n clear_o show_v it_o be_v all_o write_v by_o one_o single_a person_n who_o tell_v we_o in_o many_o place_n that_o in_o those_o day_n there_o be_v no_o king_n in_o israel_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n it_o be_v write_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o people_n have_v king_n concern_v the_o book_n of_o samuel_n there_o need_v no_o deliberation_n see_v the_o history_n be_v carry_v on_o so_o far_o beyond_o his_o death_n but_o however_o let_v this_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o book_n must_v be_v write_v many_o age_n after_o he_o for_o the_o hestorian_a in_o the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 9_o v._n 9_o say_v in_o a_o parenthesis_n before_o time_n in_o israel_n when_o a_o man_n go_v to_o inquire_v of_o god_n thus_o he_o speak_v come_v let_v we_o go_v to_o the_o seer_n for_o he_o that_o be_v now_o call_v a_o prophet_n be_v before_o time_n call_v a_o seer_n the_o two_o book_n of_o the_o king_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n themselves_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o what_o be_v write_v of_o the_o reign_n of_o solomon_n see_v the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o king_n chap._n 11._o v._n 5._o and_o out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n both_o of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n chap._n 14._o v._n 19_o 29._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la how_o he_o war_v and_o how_o he_o reign_v behold_v they_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n we_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o book_n which_o
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
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
to_o take_v up_o the_o fancy_n of_o such_o man_n to_o a_o man_n sad_a and_o melancholy_a be_v reveal_v war_n plague_n and_o evil_n to_o come_v if_o a_o prophet_n be_v kind_a merciful_a chollerique_a or_o severe_a according_o be_v his_o revelation_n the_o fancy_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v also_o sometime_o the_o cause_n that_o revelation_n differ_v in_o style_n for_o if_o the_o prophet_n be_v of_o a_o elegant_a and_o exalt_a fancy_n the_o mind_n of_o god_n be_v make_v know_v to_o he_o in_o a_o eloquent_a lofty_a style_n if_o the_o prophet_n fancy_n be_v obscure_a and_o confuse_a so_o be_v in_o like_a manner_n his_o revelation_n when_o revelation_n be_v make_v to_o a_o country_n rustic_a the_o sign_n represent_v be_v ox_n cow_n etc._n etc._n to_o a_o soldier_n captain_n and_o army_n to_o a_o courtier_n palace_n and_o regal_a throne_n last_o prophesy_v vary_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n wherewith_o the_o prophet_n be_v affect_v math._n chap._n 11._o to_o the_o magi_n addict_v to_o astrology_n the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n be_v reveal_v by_o a_o star_n appear_v in_o the_o east_n to_o the_o dreamer_n or_o prophet_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n be_v reveal_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o inspect_v the_o entrail_n of_o beast_n that_o king_n also_o understand_v it_o from_o oracle_n and_o the_o shoot_v of_o arrow_n into_o the_o air._n to_o prophet_n who_o believe_v man_n have_v free_a will_n and_o act_v according_a to_o their_o will_n and_o choice_n god_n reveal_v himself_o as_o indifferent_a and_o ignorant_a of_o man_n future_a action_n all_o which_o particular_n we_o will_v single_o prove_v by_o place_n of_o scripture_n first_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 3._o v._n 15._o that_o elisha_n before_o he_o prophesy_v to_o jehoram_n desire_v a_o minstrel_n to_o play_n before_o he_o and_o that_o till_o he_o be_v please_v with_o the_o music_n of_o the_o instrument_n he_o can_v not_o because_o he_o be_v angry_a with_o the_o king_n foretell_v what_o shall_v happen_v they_o who_o be_v angry_a with_o any_o person_n be_v apt_a and_o incline_v to_o imagine_v evil_a rather_o then_o good_a but_o they_o be_v mistake_v who_o say_v god_n be_v never_o reveal_v to_o angry_a and_o melancholy_a person_n for_o to_o moses_n who_o be_v incense_v against_o pharaoh_n without_o the_o help_n of_o any_o musical_a instrument_n god_n reveal_v that_o miserable_a plague_n of_o the_o death_n of_o their_o first_o bear_v exod._n chap._n 11._o god_n be_v reveal_v to_o angry_a cain_n to_o angry_a and_o impatient_a ezechiel_n be_v reveal_v the_o misery_n and_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o jew_n ezek._n chap._n 3._o v._n 14._o jeremy_n sad_a and_o weary_a of_o his_o life_n prophesy_v the_o captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o josiah_n will_v not_o consult_v he_o but_o send_v to_o a_o woman_n hilkiah_n the_o prophetess_n to_o who_o mild_a disposition_n the_o mercy_n of_o god_n be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v reveal_v 2_o d_o book_n of_o the_o chron._n chap._n 24._o v._n 22._o michiah_o never_o prophesy_v any_o good_a to_o ahab_n as_o do_v some_o other_o prophet_n in_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o the_o king_n chap._n 20._o v._n 13._o but_o all_o his_o life_n time_n prophesy_v evil_a as_o plain_o appear_v in_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o the_o king_n chap._n 22._o v._n 8._o and_o more_o plain_o in_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 18._o v._n 7._o the_o prophet_n therefore_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o different_a temperament_n of_o their_o body_n incline_v to_o some_o revelation_n more_o than_o to_o other_o the_o style_n also_o of_o prophecy_n differ_v according_a to_o the_o eloquence_n of_o every_o prophet_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezekiel_n and_o amos_n be_v write_v in_o a_o low_a and_o less_o elegant_a style_n than_o those_o of_o isaiah_n and_o nahum_n and_o if_o any_o who_o understand_v the_o hebrew_n tongue_n desire_v to_o inquire_v narrow_o into_o these_o thing_n let_v they_o compare_v some_o chapter_n one_o with_o another_o of_o diverse_a prophet_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a and_o they_o shall_v find_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n in_o the_o style_n compare_v the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o courtier_n isaiah_n from_o the_o 11_o the_o vers_n to_o the_o 20_o the_o with_o the_o 5_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o herdsman_n amos_n from_o the_o 21_o the_o to_o the_o 24_o the_o verse_n compare_v the_o order_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n which_o he_o write_v chap._n the_o 49_o the_o at_o edom_n with_o the_o order_n and_o reason_n of_o obadiah_n compare_v the_o 40_o the_o chap._n of_o isai._n v._n 19_o 20._o and_o his_o 44_o the_o chap._n from_o verse_n the_o 8_o the_o with_o the_o 8_o the_o chap._n 6_o the_o verse_n and_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n 2_o d._n verse_n of_o the_o prophet_n hosea_n if_o all_o thing_n be_v consider_v it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o god_n have_v no_o peculiar_a style_n of_o speak_v but_o according_a to_o the_o learning_n and_o capacity_n of_o the_o prophet_n it_o be_v either_o elegant_a concise_a sharp_a rude_a prolix_a or_o obscure_a prophetical_a representation_n and_o hierogliphic_n be_v various_a though_o they_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n leave_v the_o temple_n be_v otherwise_o represent_v to_o isaiah_n than_o it_o be_v to_o ezekiel_n the_o rabbin_n will_v have_v both_o representation_n to_o be_v the_o same_o and_o that_o ezekiel_n be_v a_o country_n man_n extraordinary_o admire_v his_o own_o and_o therefore_o describe_v it_o with_o all_o its_o circumstance_n but_o unless_o the_o rabbin_n be_v assure_v by_o faithful_a tradition_n the_o thing_n be_v so_o indeed_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v they_o for_o isaiah_n see_v seraphim_n with_o six_o wing_n and_o ezekiel_n beast_n with_o four_o isaiah_n see_v god_n clothe_v and_o sit_v upon_o a_o throne_n ezekiel_n see_v he_o like_o fire_n both_o of_o they_o without_o doubt_n see_v god_n as_o each_o be_v wont_a to_o imagine_v representation_n also_o vary_a not_o only_o in_o their_o manner_n and_o form_n but_o in_o their_o clearness_n and_o perspicuity_n for_o the_o representation_n make_v to_o zachary_n be_v so_o obscure_a that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o prophet_n himself_o without_o explication_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o story_n and_o those_o of_o daniel_n though_o explain_v be_v not_o understand_v by_o he_o which_o happen_v not_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v for_o it_o concern_v human_a affair_n which_o exceed_v not_o the_o bound_n of_o human_a capacity_n but_o only_a as_o they_o be_v future_a but_o because_o daniel_n be_v not_o so_o well_o able_a to_o prophesy_v wake_v as_o in_o his_o sleep_n which_o appear_v by_o his_o be_v so_o terrify_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o revelation_n that_o he_o be_v scarce_o able_a to_o stand_v and_o therefore_o through_o weakness_n of_o imagination_n and_o want_n of_o strength_n thing_n be_v so_o obscure_o represent_v to_o he_o that_o he_o can_v not_o understand_v they_o though_o they_o be_v expound_v and_o here_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o wonder_n which_o daniel_n hear_v be_v only_o imaginary_a and_o therefore_o be_v at_o that_o time_n so_o much_o trouble_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o he_o can_v not_o understand_v by_o word_n which_o he_o so_o confuse_o and_o obscure_o imagine_v but_o they_o that_o say_v god_n will_v not_o clear_o reveal_v the_o matter_n to_o daniel_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v read_v the_o word_n of_o the_o angel_n who_o say_v express_o dan._n chap._n 10._o v._n 14._o now_o be_o i_o come_v to_o make_v thou_o understand_v what_o shall_v befall_v thy_o people_n in_o the_o latter_a day_n etc._n etc._n those_o thing_n therefore_o remain_v obscure_a because_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v no_o man_n find_v who_o so_o much_o excel_v in_o the_o strength_n and_o power_n of_o imagination_n as_o to_o have_v a_o clear_a revelation_n make_v to_o he_o last_o the_o prophet_n to_o who_o it_o be_v reveal_v that_o god_n will_v take_v away_o eliah_n persuade_v elisha_n that_o he_o be_v only_o to_o be_v translate_v to_o some_o other_o place_n where_o he_o may_v be_v find_v by_o they_o which_o evident_o prove_v that_o they_o do_v not_o right_o understand_v god_n revelation_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o be_v large_a upon_o these_o particular_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o manifest_a in_o scripture_n then_o that_o god_n do_v bestow_v upon_o some_o prophet_n a_o much_o great_a portion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n than_o he_o do_v upon_o other_o but_o that_o prophecy_n and_o representation_n differ_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o prophet_n maintain_v and_o that_o prophet_n be_v prejudice_v with_o different_a yea_o contrary_a opinion_n i_o mean_v concern_v thing_n mere_o speculative_a but_o as_o
fit_v and_o proportion_v to_o man_n understanding_n and_o capacity_n as_o i_o have_v prove_v i_o to_o be_v the_o difficulty_n that_o be_v in_o it_o have_v proceed_v from_o man_n sloth_n and_o negligence_n not_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o method_n chap._n viii_o show_v that_o the_o pentateuk_n book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n samuel_n and_o the_o king_n be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v and_o then_o inquire_v whether_o the_o writer_n of_o all_o these_o book_n be_v diverse_a person_n or_o but_o one_o and_o who_o in_o the_o former_a chapter_n we_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o foundation_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o we_o have_v show_v they_o to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o true_a history_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o history_n though_o very_o necessary_a the_o ancient_n neglect_v to_o compose_v or_o at_o least_o if_o they_o write_v or_o leave_v any_o by_o tradition_n it_o perish_v by_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n and_o consequent_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o fundamental_o and_o principle_n of_o scripture-knowledge_n be_v lose_v which_o loss_n however_o have_v be_v more_o tolerable_a if_o man_n of_o succeed_a age_n have_v keep_v themselves_o within_o their_o true_a bound_n and_o have_v faithful_o deliver_v to_o their_o successor_n those_o few_o principle_n which_o they_o receive_v or_o find_v out_o and_o have_v not_o out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n forge_v new_a whereby_o the_o history_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o only_o imperfect_a but_o remain_v full_a of_o error_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o scripture_n knowledge_n be_v not_o only_o so_o few_o that_o a_o perfect_a history_n can_v be_v build_v on_o they_o but_o they_o be_v also_o very_o faulty_a and_o defective_a to_o rectify_v this_o and_o remove_v the_o common_a prejudices_fw-la in_o divinity_n be_v my_o purpose_n but_o i_o fear_v i_o go_v about_o it_o too_o late_a for_o thing_n be_v now_o almost_o come_v to_o that_o height_n man_n in_o this_o point_n will_v endure_v no_o correction_n but_o obstinate_o defend_v whatever_o they_o have_v embrace_v under_o the_o form_n of_o religion_n reason_n prevail_v with_o very_a few_o so_o universal_o have_v these_o prejudices_fw-la spread_v themselves_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n i_o will_v nevertheless_o endeavour_v and_o try_v what_o i_o can_v do_v because_o the_o business_n be_v not_o absolute_o desperate_a that_o i_o may_v in_o order_n show_v what_o these_o prejudices_fw-la be_v i_o will_v begin_v with_o those_o which_o concern_v the_o penman_n of_o those_o book_n that_o be_v account_v sacred_a and_o first_o concern_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n common_o call_v the_o pentateuk_n man_n have_v general_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n himself_o and_o the_o pharisee_n so_o stiff_o defend_v this_o opinion_n that_o they_o count_v he_o a_o heretic_n that_o think_v otherwise_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n aben_n ezra_n a_o person_n of_o a_o ingenuous_a disposition_n and_o no_o mean_a learning_n be_v the_o first_o i_o read_v of_o who_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o mistake_n dare_v not_o plain_o declare_v his_o thought_n but_o only_o hint_v his_o opinion_n in_o obscure_a word_n which_o i_o will_v not_o scruple_n to_o explain_v and_o give_v you_o their_o naked_a meaning_n aben_n ezra_n word_n in_o his_o comment_n upon_o deutronomy_n be_v these_o beyond_o jordan_n now_o thou_o may_v understand_v the_o mystery_n of_o twelve_o and_o moses_n also_o write_v the_o law_n and_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n in_o the_o mount_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v it_o be_v see_v behold_v his_o bedstead_n be_v a_o bedstead_n of_o iron_n then_o shall_v thou_o know_v the_o truth_n by_o these_o few_o word_n he_o show_v and_o plain_o declare_v that_o it_o be_v not_o moses_n but_o some_o other_o person_n that_o live_v long_o after_o he_o who_o write_v the_o pentateuk_n and_o that_o moses_n write_v some_o other_o book_n to_o make_v this_o appear_v his_o first_o observation_n be_v that_o the_o preface_n of_o deutronomy_n which_o begin_v thus_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n which_o he_o speak_v unto_o all_o israel_n beyond_o jordan_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n who_o never_o pass_v jordan_n his_o second_o observation_n be_v that_o the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v be_v fair_o copy_v out_o in_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o altar_n as_o appear_v deut._n chap._n 27._o v._n 5_o 8._o josh._n chap._n 8._o v._n 31_o 32._o which_o altar_n the_o rabbin_n declare_v be_v make_v only_o of_o twelve_o stone_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v be_v a_o volume_n much_o less_o than_o the_o pentateuk_n and_o this_o i_o think_v aben_n ezra_n mean_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o twelve_o unless_o perhaps_o he_o understand_v those_o twelve_o curse_n which_o be_v in_o the_o forementioned_a 27_o the_o chapter_n of_o deutronomy_n which_o he_o may_v believe_v be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o beside_o the_o write_n of_o the_o law_n command_v the_o levite_n to_o repeat_v those_o curse_n that_o they_o may_v by_o oath_n bind_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v the_o write_a law_n or_o else_o perhaps_o he_o mean_v the_o last_o chapter_n of_o deutronomy_n that_o speak_v of_o moses_n death_n which_o chapter_n consist_v only_o of_o twelve_o verse_n but_o these_o and_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v only_o by_o guess_n need_v not_o a_o more_o curious_a examination_n the_o three_o observation_n be_v that_o it_o be_v say_v deut._n chap._n 31._o v._n 9_o moses_n write_v this_o law_n and_o deliver_v it_o etc._n etc._n which_o can_v not_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n but_o of_o some_o other_o person_n declare_v what_o moses_n do_v and_o what_o he_o write_v his_o four_o observation_n be_v that_o place_n gen._n chap._n 12._o v._n 6._o where_o it_o be_v say_v speak_v of_o abraham_n pass_v through_o canaan_n that_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n which_o word_n must_v be_v write_v after_o moses_n death_n when_o the_o canaanite_n be_v drive_v out_o and_o do_v not_o possess_v the_o land_n and_o this_o must_v likewise_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o aben_n ezra_n comment_v upon_o this_o place_n in_o these_o word_n and_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n it_o seem_v that_o canaan_n nephew_n to_o noah_n take_v that_o land_n from_o some_o other_o who_o possess_v it_o if_o not_o then_o there_o be_v a_o great_a mystery_n in_o the_o thing_n whosoever_o understand_v it_o let_v he_o be_v silent_a that_o be_v if_o canaan_n invade_v those_o country_n than_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n must_v be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n past_o when_o the_o land_n be_v inhabit_v by_o another_o nation_n but_o if_o canaan_n be_v the_o first_o who_o live_v in_o that_o country_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n of_o gen._n he_o be_v then_o the_o word_n must_v imply_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o person_n who_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o canaanite_n be_v not_o in_o the_o land_n so_o that_o moses_n can_v not_o be_v the_o writer_n of_o it_o because_o in_o his_o time_n the_o canaanite_n be_v still_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o that_o country_n and_o this_o be_v that_o mystery_n he_o will_v not_o have_v make_v public_a his_o five_o observation_n be_v that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o 22_o the_o chap._n gen._n v._n 14_o where_o speak_a of_o mount_n moriah_n the_o text_n say_v it_o be_v say_v to_o this_o day_n in_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v it_o be_v see_v now_o it_o be_v not_o call_v the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n till_o after_o it_o be_v dedicate_v to_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o this_o choice_n of_o the_o mountain_n be_v not_o make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n who_o do_v not_o speak_v of_o any_o place_n choose_v by_o god_n but_o only_o foretell_v that_o god_n will_v in_o time_n to_o come_v choose_v a_o place_n which_o shall_v bear_v god_n name_n his_o six_o observation_n be_v what_o be_v say_v deut._n chap._n 3._o speak_v of_o og_n king_n of_o basan_n these_o word_n be_v interpose_v v_o 11_o the_o for_o only_a og_n king_n of_o basan_n remain_v of_o the_o remnant_n of_o the_o giant_n behold_v his_o bedstead_n be_v a_o bedstead_n of_o iron_n be_v it_o not_o in_o rabbah_n of_o the_o child_n of_o ammon_n nine_o cubit_n be_v the_o length_n thereof_o which_o parenthesis_n clear_o show_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n live_v long_o after_o moses_n for_o this_o manner_n of_o speak_v argue_v that_o the_o person_n relate_v what_o pass_v long_o ago_o and_o to_o obtain_v credit_n show_v some_o ancient_a relic_n without_o question_v this_o bedstead_n be_v first_o
find_v in_o the_o time_n of_o david_n who_o conquer_a this_o city_n as_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o 30_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 12_o chap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o samuel_n and_o not_o only_o here_o but_o a_o little_a after_o the_o historian_n to_o moses_n word_n add_v these_o in_o the_o 14_o the_o verse_n jair_v the_o son_n of_o manasseh_n take_v all_o the_o country_n of_o argob_n unto_o the_o coast_n of_o jeshuri_n and_o maachathi_o and_o call_v they_o after_o his_o own_o name_n bashan_n have_v jair_a unto_o this_o day_n these_o word_n i_o say_v be_v add_v by_o the_o historian_n to_o explain_v moses_n word_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o verse_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o gilead_n and_o all_o bashan_n be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o og_n give_v i_o unto_o the_o half_a tribe_n of_o manasseh_n all_o the_o region_n of_o argob_n with_o all_o bashan_n which_o be_v call_v the_o land_n of_o the_o giant_n and_o therefore_o the_o historian_n be_v force_v to_o explain_v what_o those_o place_n be_v which_o be_v ancient_o so_o call_v and_o also_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o in_o his_o time_n they_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o jair_n who_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o not_o of_o manasseh_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o the_o chron._n v._n 21_o 22._o we_o have_v now_o explain_v aben_n ezra_n meaning_n and_o also_o those_o place_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n quote_v by_o he_o to_o make_v good_a his_o opinion_n but_o indeed_o he_o have_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o nor_o of_o the_o principal_a place_n for_o there_o be_v more_o of_o great_a moment_n which_o i_o will_v now_o mention_v first_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n do_v not_o only_o speak_v of_o moses_n in_o the_o three_o person_n but_o also_o testify_v many_o thing_n of_o he_o namely_o god_n speak_v with_o moses_n god_n speak_v with_o he_o face_n to_o face_n moses_n be_v the_o meek_a of_o all_o man_n numb_a chap._n 12._o v._n 3._o now_o the_o man_n moses_n be_v very_o meek_a above_o all_o man_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n moses_n be_v wroth_a with_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o host_n numb_a chap._n 31._o v._n 14._o moses_n the_o man_n of_o god_n deut._n chap._n 33._o v._n 1._o moses_n the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n die_v deut._n chap._n 34._o v._n 5._o and_o there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o in_o israel_n like_v unto_o moses_n v_o 10._o but_o in_o deutronomy_n where_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n write_v and_o declare_v to_o the_o people_n be_v set_v down_o moses_n speak_v and_o tell_v they_o what_o he_o do_v in_o the_o first_o person_n deut._n chap._n 2._o v._n 1_o 17._o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o i_o and_o i_o pray_v unto_o the_o lord_n but_o then_o again_o after_o the_o historian_n have_v repeat_v moses_n word_n he_o go_v on_o and_o again_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o person_n declare_v how_o moses_n deliver_v to_o the_o people_n in_o write_v that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v publish_v last_o the_o historian_n relate_v how_o moses_n warn_v and_o admonish_v the_o people_n and_o end_v his_o life_n all_o which_o namely_o the_o manner_n of_o speak_v the_o testimony_n and_o character_n give_v of_o moses_n with_o the_o context_n of_o the_o whole_a history_n full_o satisfy_v that_o the_o book_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n but_o by_o some_o other_o person_n second_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o history_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v how_o moses_n die_v be_v bury_v and_o that_o the_o jew_n mourn_v thirty_o day_n for_o he_o but_o make_v likewise_o a_o comparison_n between_o he_o and_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n that_o live_v after_o he_o sai_z he_o excel_v they_o all_o deut._n chap._n 24._o v._n 10._o and_o there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o in_o israel_n like_v unto_o moses_n who_o the_o lord_n know_v face_n to_o face_n which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n that_o moses_n can_v not_o give_v of_o himself_o so_o can_v no_o other_o man_n who_o immediate_o follow_v he_o but_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v one_o who_o live_v many_o age_n after_o he_o because_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o time_n past_a say_v there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o and_o of_o his_o burial_n he_o say_v no_o man_n know_v of_o his_o sepulchre_n unto_o this_o day_n three_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_a that_o the_o history_n call_v some_o place_n by_o name_n which_o they_o have_v not_o in_o moses_n time_n but_o by_o other_o give_v they_o long_o after_o gen._n chap._n 14._o v._n 14._o it_o be_v say_v abraham_n pursue_v his_o enemy_n unto_o dan_n which_o name_n be_v never_o give_v to_o that_o city_n till_o long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n as_o appear_v by_o judg._n chap._n 18._o v._n 29._o and_o they_o call_v the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n dan_fw-mi after_o the_o name_n of_o dan_n their_o father_n who_o be_v bear_v unto_o israel_n how_o be_v it_o the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n be_v laish_n at_o the_o first_o five_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o history_n be_v continue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n than_o moses_n live_v for_o exod._n chap._n 16._o v._n 35._o it_o be_v say_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v eat_v manna_n forty_o year_n until_o they_o come_v to_o the_o border_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n namely_o till_o the_o time_n mention_v josh._n chap._n 5._o v._n 12._o in_o the_o book_n of_o gen._n 36._o v._n 31._o these_o be_v the_o king_n that_o reign_v in_o the_o land_n of_o edom_n before_o there_o reign_v any_o king_n over_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o historian_n without_o doubt_n there_o declare_v what_o king_n the_o edomite_n have_v before_o david_n conquer_a they_o and_o set_v governor_n over_o they_o as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 6._o v._n 11_o 14._o by_o all_o this_o it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o day_n that_o the_o pentateuk_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n but_o by_o some_o other_o who_o live_v many_o age_n after_o he_o but_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v and_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o pentateuk_n first_o it_o appear_v exod._n chap._n 17._o v._n 14._o god_n command_v moses_n to_o write_v the_o war_n against_o amalek_n but_o in_o what_o book_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v numb_a chap._n 21._o v._n 10._o there_o be_v a_o book_n mention_v call_v the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n wherein_o without_o question_n moses_n give_v a_o full_a relation_n of_o the_o war_n against_o amalek_n and_o also_o of_o all_o those_o encamp_n or_o pitch_v their_o tent_n which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n say_v numb_a chap._n 33._o v._n 2._o be_v describe_v by_o moses_n it_o likewise_o appear_v exod._n 24._o v_o 4_o 7._o that_o moses_n write_v another_o book_n call_v the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o he_o read_v to_o the_o people_n when_o they_o first_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n but_o this_o book_n or_o epistle_n contain_v very_o few_o thing_n the_o law_n only_o or_o command_v of_o god_n recite_v in_o exod._n from_o the_o 22_o verse_n of_o the_o 20._o chap._n to_o chap._n 24._o which_o no_o body_n will_v deny_v who_o without_o partiality_n and_o with_o any_o sound_a judgement_n read_v that_o chapter_n it_o be_v there_o declare_v that_o as_o soon_o as_o moses_n understand_v the_o people_n readiness_n to_o enter_v into_o a_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n he_o write_v the_o oracle_n and_o law_n of_o god_n in_o a_o book_n and_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n certain_a ceremony_n be_v perform_v he_o read_v to_o all_o the_o congregation_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v read_v and_o understand_v by_o all_o the_o people_n they_o with_o a_o general_a consent_n oblige_v themselves_o to_o all_o that_o god_n command_v so_o that_o consider_v the_o shortness_n of_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v and_o the_o manner_n of_o make_v the_o covenant_n the_o book_n can_v contain_v no_o more_o than_o the_o few_o thing_n i_o have_v mention_v last_o it_o appear_v that_o moses_n in_o the_o forty_o year_n after_o their_o go_v out_o of_o egypt_n explain_v all_o those_o law_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v as_o may_v be_v see_v deut._n chap._n 1._o v._n 5._o and_o again_o oblige_v the_o people_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o they_o deut._n chap._n 29._o v._n 14._o and_o then_o write_v a_o book_n which_o contain_v those_o law_n so_o explain_v and_o the_o new_a covenant_n chap._n 31._o v._n 9_o which_o be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o which_o joshua_n make_v a_o addition_n by_o register_n that_o agreement_n whereby_o the_o people_n in_o his_o time_n oblige_v themselves_o and_o enter_v a_o three_o time_n into_o
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
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
they_o he_o say_v here_o we_o know_v not_o what_o to_o answer_v more_o than_o we_o do_v namely_o that_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o talmudist_n to_o contradict_v the_o masorite_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v not_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o conclude_v that_o of_o one_o place_n there_o be_v never_o more_o than_o two_o reading_n yet_o i_o easy_o grant_v yea_o i_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v find_v more_o than_o two_o readins_n of_o one_o place_n and_o that_o for_o two_o reason_n first_o because_o that_o from_o whence_o the_o variety_n of_o readins_n proceed_v can_v not_o occasion_n more_o than_o two_o for_o we_o have_v show_v that_o the_o difference_n of_o readins_n arise_v from_o the_o similitude_n which_o be_v between_o some_o letter_n and_o still_o the_o doubt_n be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o which_o of_o two_o letter_n be_v to_o be_v write_v whether_o bet_n or_o kaf_n jod_n or_o vaughan_n dalet_n or_o res._n of_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a use_n and_o therefore_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o the_o sense_n be_v tolerable_a with_o either_o beside_o it_o be_v doubtful_a sometime_o whether_o a_o syllable_n be_v long_o or_o short_a who_o quantity_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o those_o letter_n who_o pronunciation_n be_v scarce_o to_o be_v perceive_v and_o last_o all_o marginal_a note_n be_v not_o dubious_a readins_n for_o as_o we_o have_v already_o say_v many_o of_o they_o be_v put_v in_o for_o decency_n and_o modesty_n sake_n and_o sometime_o to_o explain_v obsolete_a and_o antiquate_a word_n the_o second_o reason_n why_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o more_o than_o two_o readins_n can_v be_v find_v of_o one_o place_n be_v because_o i_o believe_v the_o ancient_a scribe_n meet_v with_o very_a few_o original_n perhaps_o not_o above_o two_o or_o three_o in_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o scribe_n chap._n 6_o the_o there_o be_v mention_v make_v but_o of_o three_o which_o they_o pretend_v be_v find_v in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o boast_v that_o the_o note_n be_v put_v in_o by_o he_o however_o it_o be_v though_o they_o have_v three_o original_a copy_n we_o may_v with_o reason_n imagine_v that_o two_o of_o they_o may_v still_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o place_n together_o but_o every_o body_n may_v just_o wonder_v that_o only_o in_o three_o copy_n there_o shall_v be_v find_v three_o divers_a readins_n of_o one_o place_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o after_o esdras_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o great_a a_o scarcity_n of_o copy_n can_v be_v no_o great_a wonder_n to_o any_o man_n who_o will_v but_o read_v the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o maccabee_n or_o the_o seven_o chapter_n of_o the_o twelve_v book_n of_o iosephus_n antiquity_n yea_o it_o be_v a_o miracle_n that_o after_o so_o great_a and_o continual_a a_o persecution_n they_o shall_v be_v able_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o story_n to_o keep_v those_o few_o they_o have_v we_o see_v then_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o no_o where_o meet_v with_o more_o than_o two_o dubious_a readins_n so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n at_o all_o to_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v no_o where_o more_o than_o two_o therefore_o the_o bible_n in_o those_o note_a place_n be_v not_o write_v right_o purposely_o to_o signify_v some_o mystery_n the_o second_o objection_n which_o say_v some_o thing_n be_v so_o manifest_o false_a write_v that_o no_o body_n can_v deny_v it_o and_o therefore_o those_o error_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v correct_v rather_o in_o the_o text_n then_o note_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v of_o no_o great_a weight_n nor_o be_o i_o oblige_v to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n they_o do_v not_o do_v it_o perhaps_o it_o be_v because_o they_o be_v so_o honest_a as_o to_o leave_v the_o bible_n to_o posterity_n just_a as_o they_o find_v it_o in_o the_o few_o original_n they_o meet_v with_o and_o think_v fit_a to_o note_v the_o disagreement_n between_o the_o original_a copy_n rather_o as_o divers_a then_o dubious_a readins_n nor_o have_v i_o call_v they_o dubious_a upon_o any_o other_o account_n but_o because_o i_o can_v tell_v which_o of_o the_o two_o ought_v to_o be_v prefer_v last_o the_o scribe_n beside_o these_o dubious_a reading_n by_o leave_v a_o void_a space_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o paragraph_n have_v note_v many_o defective_a place_n the_o precise_a number_n of_o which_o space_n the_o masorite_n have_v observe_v to_o be_v twenty_o eight_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o believe_v there_o be_v likewise_o some_o mystery_n in_o that_o number_n the_o pharisee_n be_v very_o religious_a observer_n of_o this_o space_n there_o be_v a_o example_n of_o one_o of_o they_o gen._n chap._n 4._o v._n 8._o in_o the_o latin_a translation_n it_o be_v thus_o write_v &_o dixit_fw-la cain_n habeli_n fratti_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o contigit_fw-la dum_fw-la erant_fw-la in_o campo_n ut_fw-la cain_n so_o that_o where_o we_o expect_v to_o hear_v what_o it_o be_v cain_n say_v to_o his_o brother_n there_o be_v only_o a_o void_a space_n of_o which_o space_n the_o scribe_n have_v leave_v twenty_o eight_o in_o many_o of_o which_o nothing_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v want_v if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v such_o a_o void_a space_n leave_v chap._n x._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o like_a manner_n examine_v of_o the_o two_o book_n of_o chronicle_n there_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v say_v worth_n a_o man_n know_v nor_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v certain_a more_o than_o that_o they_o be_v write_v long_o after_o esdras_n and_o perhaps_o after_o judas_n maccabeus_n rebuilt_a the_o temple_n for_o in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chron._n the_o historian_n tell_v we_o what_o family_n in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n first_o inhabit_v jerusalem_n and_o in_o the_o 17_o the_o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o porter_n whereof_o two_o be_v likewise_o name_v in_o the_o 19_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 11_o the_o chapter_n of_o nehemiah_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a proof_n that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v after_o the_o city_n be_v rebuilt_a concern_v the_o writer_n the_o authority_n doctrine_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o book_n i_o can_v say_v nothing_o but_o i_o very_o much_o wonder_n they_o shall_v be_v esteem_v sacred_a and_o canonical_a by_o those_o man_n who_o think_v the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n tobit_n and_o other_o apocryphal_a it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o magnify_v their_o authority_n see_v they_o be_v general_o receive_v for_o canonical_a as_o they_o be_v i_o leave_v they_o the_o psalm_n be_v collect_v and_o divide_v into_o five_o book_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n for_o the_o 88_o the_o psalm_n be_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o philo_n judaeus_fw-la publish_v when_o king_n jehoiachim_n be_v keep_v a_o prisoner_n at_o babylon_n and_o the_o 89_o the_o psalm_n when_o he_o be_v set_v at_o liberty_n i_o believe_v philo_n will_v not_o have_v say_v it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v the_o receive_a opinion_n of_o his_o time_n or_o have_v he_o not_o hear_v it_o from_o very_o credible_a person_n i_o believe_v the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n be_v collect_v much_o about_o the_o same_o time_n or_o at_o least_o in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n josiah_n because_o it_o be_v say_v prov._n chap._n 25._o v._n 1._o these_o be_v the_o pooverb_n of_o solomon_n which_o the_o man_n of_o hezekiah_n king_n of_o judah_n copy_v out_o but_o i_o can_v here_o forbear_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o great_a boldness_n of_o the_o rabbin_n who_o will_v have_v exclude_v this_o book_n and_o that_o of_o ecclesiastes_n out_o of_o the_o sacred_a canon_n which_o have_v be_v certain_o do_v have_v they_o not_o meet_v with_o some_o place_n which_o commend_v moses_n law_n it_o be_v pity_n such_o thing_n so_o sacred_a and_o excellent_a shall_v lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o such_o man_n we_o thank_v they_o for_o communicate_v they_o to_o we_o but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a doubt_n whether_o they_o have_v be_v faithful_o deliver_v to_o posterity_n which_o i_o will_v not_o here_o strict_o examine_v but_o proceed_v to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v serious_o consider_v they_o i_o plain_o perceive_v that_o the_o prophecy_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o other_o book_n they_o be_v not_o set_v down_o in_o the_o order_n wherein_o they_o be_v deliver_v nor_o write_v by_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o neither_o be_v all_o record_v but_o such_o as_o here_o and_o there_o can_v be_v find_v out_o so_o that_o these_o book_n be_v but_o mere_a fragment_n of_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n begin_v to_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o vzziah_n king_n of_o judah_n as_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n of_o isaiah_n himself_o testify_v in_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n and_o 1_o
st_z verse_n and_o isaiah_n do_v not_o prophesy_v only_o in_o that_o king_n reign_n but_o also_o write_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o king_n do_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 26._o v._n 22._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o uzziah_n first_o and_o last_o do_v isaiah_n the_o prophet_n the_o son_n of_o amos_n write_v which_o book_n it_o be_v pity_n we_o have_v not_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n the_o rabbin_n likewise_o declare_v that_o isaiah_n also_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n by_o who_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o though_o in_o that_o they_o seem_v fabulous_a yet_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o his_o prophecy_n be_v extant_a the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n which_o be_v historical_o relate_v be_v pick_v up_o and_o collect_v out_o of_o divers_a chronologer_n for_o they_o be_v not_o only_o confuse_o put_v together_o without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o time_n but_o the_o same_o history_n be_v also_o repeat_v in_o divers_a manner_n for_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n contain_v the_o prophecy_n wherein_o jeremy_n foretell_v king_n zedekiah_n who_o send_v to_o consult_v he_o that_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o for_o which_o prophesy_v he_o be_v apprehend_v then_o after_o a_o abrupt_a break_v off_o from_o this_o history_n the_o 22_o the_o chap._n set_v forth_o ieremy_n declamation_n and_o prophecy_n against_o king_n jehoiachim_n who_o reign_v before_o zedekiah_n declare_v iehoiachim_n captivity_n after_o this_o the_o 25_o the_o chap._n declare_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v before_o reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n jehoiachim_n and_o without_o observe_v any_o order_n of_o time_n go_v on_o to_o heap_v together_o many_o prophecy_n till_o at_o length_n the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n as_o if_o the_o fifteen_o intermediate_v chapter_n have_v be_v but_o a_o parenthesis_n return_v again_o to_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n for_o the_o conjunction_n then_o wherewith_o the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n begin_v relate_v to_o the_o 8,9_o and_o 10_o verse_n of_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n and_o the_o relation_n give_v in_o this_o 38_o the_o chap._n of_o ieremy_n last_o apprehension_n and_o be_v long_o keep_v in_o a_o dungeon_n be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o the_o 37_o the_o chap._n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v take_v out_o of_o divers_a historian_n and_o no_o other_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v for_o they_o the_o rest_n of_o ieremy_n prophecy_n contain_v in_o other_o chapter_n where_o he_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o person_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o book_n which_o baruch_n write_v from_o ieremy_n own_o mouth_n which_o book_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d._n verse_n of_o the_o 36_o the_o chap._n contain_v only_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o time_n of_o josiah_n unto_o the_o four_o year_n of_o jehoiachim_n from_o which_o year_n the_o book_n begin_v out_o of_o which_o book_n also_o all_o those_o thing_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 45_o the_o chap._n to_o the_o 49_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 51_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o ezekiel_n be_v likewise_o but_o a_o fragment_n be_v manife_a by_o the_o first_o verse_n thereof_o for_o who_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o conjunction_n now_o wherewith_o the_o book_n begin_v relate_v to_o somewhat_o that_o have_v be_v already_o say_v and_o join_v that_o to_o what_o he_o have_v further_a to_o say_v not_o only_o the_o conjunction_n but_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o what_o he_o speak_v imply_v and_o suppose_v other_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v before_o write_v for_o the_o writer_n himself_o say_v by_o way_n of_o parenthesis_n in_o the_o 3_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v often_o to_o ezekiel_n the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o buzi_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldean_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o ezekiel_n which_o hitherto_o he_o have_v copy_v out_o relate_v to_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o he_o before_o the_o present_a thirty_o year_n josephus_n in_o his_o 10_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n chap._n 9_o declare_v ezekiel_n prophesy_v that_o zedechiah_n will_v not_o see_v babylon_n which_o prophecy_n do_v not_o appear_v in_o the_o book_n we_o have_v of_o ezekiel_n but_o the_o 17_o the_o chap._n foretell_v the_o contrary_a that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v carry_v captive_a thither_o whether_o hoseah_n write_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o be_v in_o the_o book_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n i_o be_o not_o certain_a but_o i_o much_o wonder_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o more_o of_o he_o see_v by_o the_o person_n testimony_n who_o write_v the_o book_n call_v hosea_n that_o prophet_n prophesy_v no_o less_o than_o eighty_o four_o year_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n where_o the_o several_a king_n be_v name_v in_o who_o time_n he_o live_v in_o general_a we_o know_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o prophet_n do_v neither_o collect_v the_o prophecy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v prophet_n nor_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o name_n we_o have_v for_o we_o have_v not_o any_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n of_o which_o prophet_n mention_n be_v make_v though_o not_o by_o name_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 33._o v._n 10_o 18_o 19_o nor_o have_v we_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o twelve_o prophet_n we_o have_v none_o of_o ionah_n prophecy_n but_o those_o that_o concern_v the_o ninevite_n though_o he_o also_o prophesy_v to_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 25_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 14_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o of_o job_n himself_o there_o have_v be_v among_o writer_n much_o dispute_n some_o think_v moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o parable_n which_o be_v likewise_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o rabbin_n in_o their_o talmud_n and_o favour_v by_o maimonides_n in_o his_o book_n still_v more_n nebuchim_n other_o believe_v the_o history_n to_o be_v real_a and_o true_a and_o that_o job_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o jacob_n and_o marry_v his_o daughter_n dinah_n but_o aben_n ezra_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o book_n of_o job_n say_v it_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o some_o other_o language_n into_o the_o hebrew_n which_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v more_o clear_o prove_v for_o than_o we_o may_v conclude_v the_o gentile_n also_o have_v book_n which_o be_v sacred_a i_o leave_v the_o thing_n still_o doubtful_a and_o conjecture_v that_o job_n be_v some_o gentile_a of_o great_a constancy_n of_o mind_n who_o at_o first_o be_v very_o prosperous_a afterward_o very_o unfortunate_a and_o in_o the_o end_n very_o happy_a for_o in_o ezechiel_n chap._n 14_o v._n 14._o he_o be_v name_v with_o noah_n and_o daniel_n for_o a_o righteous_a man._n the_o various_a fortune_n and_o constant_a mind_n of_o job_n give_v many_o a_o occasion_n of_o dispute_v god_n providence_n and_o to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o compose_v a_o dialogue_n whereof_o the_o subject_a and_o style_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o man_n be_v rather_o at_o ease_n meditate_v in_o his_o study_n than_o sick_a on_o a_o dunghill_n and_o i_o may_v with_o aben_n ezra_n believe_v the_o book_n to_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o another_o language_n because_o it_o seem_v to_o affect_v the_o heathen_a poesy_n the_o father_n of_o the_o god_n be_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n bring_v in_o twice_o call_v a_o council_n and_o momus_n who_o be_v call_v satan_n answer_v god_n with_o great_a liberty_n but_o these_o be_v mere_a frivolous_a conjecture_n the_o book_n of_o daniel_n without_o doubt_n from_o the_o 8_o the_o chapter_n thereof_o contain_v the_o write_n of_o daniel_n but_o from_o whence_o the_o first_o seven_o chapter_n be_v copy_v i_o know_v not_o we_o may_v suspect_v that_o see_v all_o of_o they_o but_o the_o first_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n language_n they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o that_o nation_n be_v chronology_n of_o which_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v account_v sacred_a only_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o and_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o
neguniah_n the_o son_n of_o hiskiah_n the_o book_n of_o ezechiel_n have_v be_v abscond_v because_o there_o be_v expression_n in_o it_o repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o learned_a in_o the_o law_n hold_v a_o council_n to_o determine_v what_o book_n shall_v be_v receive_v for_o sacred_a and_o what_o shall_v be_v reject_v so_o that_o whoever_o will_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o must_v search_v into_o the_o council_n and_o know_v upon_o what_o ground_n and_o reason_n every_o book_n be_v receive_v i_o shall_v now_o examine_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o hear_v it_o have_v be_v already_o do_v by_o man_n learn_v in_o the_o science_n and_o skilful_a in_o tongue_n i_o be_o not_o grecian_a good_a enough_o to_o undertake_v it_o beside_o we_o want_v original_a copy_n of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v not_o engage_v myself_o in_o the_o business_n but_o only_o observe_v some_o thing_n which_o make_v to_o my_o main_a purpose_n and_o that_o shall_v be_v the_o work_n of_o my_o next_o chapter_n chap._n xi_o inquire_v 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 teacher_n and_o show_v what_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n whoever_o read_v the_o new_a testament_n must_v be_v convince_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n but_o because_o the_o prophet_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n do_v but_o seldom_o and_o not_o always_o speak_v by_o revelation_n it_o may_v very_o well_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o the_o apostle_n like_o moses_n jeremy_n and_o other_o do_v by_o express_a command_n and_o revelation_n write_v their_o epislle_n as_o prophet_n or_o else_o only_o as_o private_a man_n and_o teacher_n especial_o because_o in_o the_o 1_o st_z epist._n to_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 14._o v._n 6._o paul_n in_o express_a term_n declare_v there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o speak_v the_o one_o by_o revelation_n the_o other_o by_o knowledge_n i_o say_v therefore_o it_o may_v be_v doubt_v whether_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o write_n do_v prophesy_v or_o instruct_v their_o style_n if_o we_o mark_v it_o be_v very_o far_o different_a from_o that_o use_v in_o prophecy_n it_o be_v always_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o declare_v that_o they_o speak_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n still_o begin_v with_o expression_n like_o these_o so_o faith_n the_o lord_n the_o lord_n of_o host_n say_v the_o word_n and_o decree_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o they_o do_v use_v not_o only_o in_o their_o public_a speech_n but_o also_o in_o their_o letter_n or_o write_n which_o contain_v revelation_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o letter_n write_v by_o elijah_n the_o prophet_n to_o king_n jehoram_n 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap_n 21._o five_o 12._o and_o there_o come_v a_o write_n to_o he_o from_o elijah_n the_o prophet_n say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n god_n but_o in_o the_o apostle_n write_n we_o meet_v with_o no_o such_o expression_n but_o the_o clean_a contrary_n 1_o st_z epist_n corinth_n chap._n 7._o v._n 40._o paul_n say_v he_o speak_v after_o his_o own_o judgement_n yea_o in_o many_o place_n we_o find_v expression_n which_o argue_v a_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a mind_n as_o in_o the_o epist._n to_o the_o rom._n chap._n 3._o v._n 28._o therefore_o we_o conclude_v and_o rom._n chap._n 8_o v._n 18._o for_o i_o reckon_v and_o many_o of_o the_o like_a kind_n beside_o these_o there_o be_v other_o manner_n of_o speak_v which_o do_v not_o at_o all_o savour_n of_o prophetical_a authority_n as_o in_o the_o 1_o st_z epist._n corinth_n chap._n 7._o v._n 6._o but_o i_o speak_v this_o by_o permission_n not_o of_o commandment_n and_o in_o the_o 25._o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chap._n i_o give_v my_o judgement_n as_o a_o man_n who_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v faithful_a and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o when_o paul_n in_o this_o chapter_n speak_v as_o if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o he_o have_v or_o have_v not_o a_o command_n from_o the_o lord_n for_o what_o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o command_n from_o god_n by_o revelation_n but_o only_o that_o he_o preach_v that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n the_o lord_n teach_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o mount._n moreover_o if_o we_o observe_v in_o what_o manner_n the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o their_o write_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o much_o different_a from_o the_o prophet_n way_n of_o instruct_v for_o the_o apostle_n be_v always_o find_v reason_v insomuch_o that_o they_o seem_v rather_o to_o dispute_v than_o prophecy_n prophecy_n contain_v nothing_o but_o positive_a opinion_n and_o decree_n therefore_o god_n be_v always_o introduce_v not_o argue_v with_o reason_n but_o peremptory_o command_v by_o the_o power_n and_o sovereignty_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o essence_n prophetieal_v authority_n allow_v of_o no_o rational_a dispute_v for_o whoever_o will_v by_o reason_v confirm_v his_o opinion_n do_v in_o so_o do_v submit_v they_o to_o the_o arbitrary_a judgement_n of_o another_o as_o do_v paul_n reason_v in_o his_o 1_o sy_n epist_n to_o the_o corinth_n chap._n 10._o v._n 15._o i_o speak_v as_o to_o wise_a man_n judge_v you_o what_o i_o say_v and_o last_o because_o the_o prophet_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o by_o reason_n and_o natural_a knowledge_n as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n though_o some_o thing_n in_o the_o pentateuch_n seem_v to_o be_v conclude_v and_o confirm_v by_o inference_n and_o illation_n yet_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o they_o can_v be_v take_v for_o peremptory_a and_o decisive_a argument_n for_o example_n when_o moses_n say_v to_o the_o israelite_n deut._n chap._n 21._o v._n 27._o behold_v while_o i_o be_o yet_o alive_a with_o you_o this_o day_n you_o have_v be_v rebellious_a against_o the_o lord_n and_o how_o much_o more_o after_o my_o death_n we_o be_v not_o here_o to_o think_v that_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n use_v to_o convince_v the_o israelite_n by_o reason_n that_o they_o will_v certain_o after_o moses_n death_n depart_v from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n because_o the_o argument_n have_v be_v false_a as_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o scripture_n for_o the_o people_n persevere_v constant_o in_o it_o during_o the_o life_n of_o joshua_n and_o the_o elder_n and_o afterward_o also_o in_o the_o life_n time_n of_o samuel_n david_n and_o solomon_n these_o word_n therefore_o of_o moses_n be_v but_o a_o moral_a manner_n of_o speak_v which_o he_o rhetorical_o use_v the_o more_o strong_o to_o imagine_v and_o foretell_v that_o people_n future_a defection_n the_o reason_n why_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o moses_n to_o make_v his_o prediction_n true_a speak_v these_o word_n of_o himself_o and_o not_o by_o revelation_n as_o a_o prophet_n be_v because_o in_o the_o 21_o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n god_n reveal_v to_o moses_n in_o other_o word_n what_o the_o people_n will_v do_v so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o reason_v to_o make_v moses_n sure_a of_o this_o prediction_n and_o decree_n but_o it_o be_v only_o necessary_a to_o give_v he_o a_o lively_a representation_n thereof_o in_o his_o imagination_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n which_o can_v be_v do_v no_o better_a way_n than_o by_o imagine_v that_o the_o people_n present_a rebellious_a humour_n which_o he_o have_v so_o often_o try_v will_v be_v the_o very_a same_o for_o the_o future_a so_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v moses_n argument_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o petanteuch_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o repository_n of_o reason_n but_o to_o be_v take_v only_o for_o manner_n of_o speak_v whereby_o he_o do_v more_o lively_o imagine_v and_o more_o effectual_o express_v god_n decree_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o the_o prophet_n may_v reason_v and_o argue_v by_o revelation_n but_o that_o which_o i_o maintain_v be_v that_o the_o prophet_n by_o how_o much_o more_o rational_a the_o argument_n be_v which_o they_o use_v so_o much_o more_o natural_a do_v their_o knowledge_n appear_v which_o they_o have_v of_o thing_n reveal_v and_o that_o the_o prophet_n knowledge_n be_v supernatural_a chief_o appear_v in_o their_o speak_n dogmatical_o imperious_o and_o sententious_o so_o that_o moses_n the_o chief_a prophet_n never_o make_v use_n of_o any_o logical_a argument_n and_o i_o therefore_o conclude_v paul_n long_a deduction_n and_o reason_n which_o we_o find_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v never_o write_v by_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o speak_v and_o argue_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v
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 i._o concern_v prophecy_n prophesy_n or_o revelation_n be_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o any_o thing_n reveal_v to_o man_n by_o god_n and_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n who_o declare_v and_o expound_v those_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o person_n that_o can_v have_v any_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o revelation_n but_o must_v therefore_o only_o by_o mere_a faith_n receive_v and_o embrace_v they_o a_o prophet_n be_v by_o the_o jew_n call_v nabi_n that_o be_v a_o orator_n or_o interpreter_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n of_o exodus_fw-la v._n 1_o sy_n and_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n see_v i_o have_v make_v thou_o a_o god_n to_o pharaoh_n and_o aron_n thy_o brother_n shall_v be_v thy_o prophet_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v have_v say_v aron_n by_o interpret_n to_o pharaoh_n what_o thou_o say_v shall_v act_n the_o part_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o thou_o the_o part_n of_o god._n we_o will_v speak_v of_o prophet_n in_o the_o next_o chapter_n but_o in_o this_o only_a of_o prophecy_n it_o follow_v from_o the_o definition_n which_o have_v be_v give_v of_o it_o that_o natural_a knowledge_n may_v be_v call_v prophecy_n for_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n depend_v only_o upon_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o his_o eternal_a decree_n but_o because_o this_o knowledge_n be_v natural_a to_o all_o mankind_n be_v found_v upon_o principle_n common_a to_o all_o man_n it_o be_v of_o no_o value_n with_o the_o vulgar_a who_o always_o affect_v thing_n rare_a and_o out_o of_o their_o road_n despise_v the_o gift_n of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o wherever_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o prophetical_a knowledge_n they_o total_o exclude_v natural_a which_o may_v with_o as_o much_o right_a be_v call_v divine_a as_o the_o other_o whatever_o it_o be_v see_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n of_o which_o we_o participate_v and_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n dictate_v it_o unto_o we_o neither_o do_v natural_a knowledge_n differ_v from_o that_o which_o man_n call_v divine_a but_o only_o because_o divine_a knowledge_n exceed_v the_o limit_n of_o natural_a and_o because_o the_o law_n of_o humane_a nature_n consider_v in_o themselves_o can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n but_o natural_a knowledge_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o certainty_n which_o it_o include_v and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o fountain_n from_o whence_o it_o proceed_v namely_o from_o god_n himself_o do_v in_o no_o wise_n give_v place_n to_o prophetical_a knowledge_n unless_o some_o will_v think_v or_o rather_o dream_n that_o the_o prophet_n have_v humane_a body_n but_o not_o humane_a soul_n and_o therefore_o their_o perception_n and_o knowledge_n be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n from_o we_o but_o though_o natural_a knowledge_n be_v divine_a yet_o they_o that_o possess_v and_o propagate_v it_o can_v be_v call_v prophte_n because_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o teach_v may_v with_o equal_a certainty_n and_o in_o as_o high_a a_o degree_n be_v apprehend_v and_o embrace_v by_o other_o as_o well_o as_o by_o themselves_o and_o that_o too_o not_o by_o faith_n only_o since_o therefore_o our_o mind_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o only_o because_o it_o contain_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n as_o its_o object_n and_o also_o participate_v thereof_o be_v able_a to_o form_n certain_a notion_n which_o explicate_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o teach_v we_o the_o use_n of_o life_n we_o may_v with_o reason_n conclude_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v what_o it_o be_v conceive_v to_o be_v be_v the_o prime_a cause_n of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v the_o idea_n of_o god_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v and_o nature_n dictate_v to_o we_o not_o in_o word_n but_o in_o a_o much_o more_o excellent_a manner_n and_o such_o as_o best_a suit_n with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o mind_n as_o every_o one_o find_v by_o his_o own_o experience_n who_o have_v but_o taste_v what_o certain_a knowledge_n be_v but_o because_o my_o chief_n purpose_n be_v to_o speak_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o scripture_n that_o little_o i_o have_v say_v of_o natural_a knowledge_n shall_v suffice_v and_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o other_o cause_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o god_n reveal_v to_o man_n those_o thing_n which_o do_v exceed_v and_o also_o those_o which_o do_v not_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n for_o nothing_o hinder_v but_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n god_n may_v by_o other_o way_n communicate_v to_o man_n of_o which_o now_o i_o will_v more_o full_o treat_v but_o whatsoever_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a aught_o to_o be_v fetch_v only_o from_o scripture_n for_o we_o can_v say_v no_o more_o of_o thing_n that_o pass_v our_o understanding_n then_o that_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v deliver_v to_o we_o either_o by_o word_n or_o writing_n and_o because_o we_o have_v not_o any_o prophet_n that_o i_o know_v in_o these_o our_o day_n all_o that_o we_o have_v to_o do_v be_v diligent_o to_o peruse_v the_o sacred_a volume_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v leave_v we_o but_o still_o with_o this_o caution_n that_o we_o determine_v nothing_o positive_o of_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n nor_o attribute_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o which_o they_o have_v not_o plain_o speak_v and_o teach_v but_o it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o jew_n never_o use_v to_o make_v mention_n of_o mediate_v and_o particular_a cause_n nor_o ever_o regard_v they_o but_o for_o the_o promote_a of_o religion_n piety_n and_o devotion_n have_v always_o recourse_n to_o god_n for_o example_n if_o they_o get_v money_n by_o the_o trade_n of_o merchandize_v they_o say_v god_n give_v it_o if_o they_o earnest_o desire_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n they_o say_v god_n dispose_v their_o heart_n to_o it_o if_o they_o serious_o think_v on_o any_o thing_n they_o say_v it_o be_v declare_v to_o they_o by_o god_n so_o that_o every_o thing_n which_o the_o scripture_n say_v god_n declare_v to_o any_o one_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v for_o prophesy_v and_o supernatural_a knowledge_n but_o that_o only_a which_o the_o scripture_n express_o declare_v or_o from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o narration_n plain_o appear_v to_o be_v prophecy_n and_o revelation_n if_o then_o we_o run_v through_o all_o the_o sacred_a volume_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o god_n reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n be_v reveal_v to_o they_o either_o by_o word_n or_o by_o figure_n and_o sign_n or_o else_o by_o both_o together_o and_o that_o the_o word_n and_o sign_n be_v either_o real_a and_o true_a without_o the_o imagination_n of_o the_o hear_n and_o see_v prophet_n or_o but_o imaginary_a that_o be_v the_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n of_o the_o prophet_n even_o when_o he_o be_v awake_a be_v so_o dispose_v that_o he_o very_o think_v he_o hear_v word_n or_o see_v and_o behold_v some_o thing_n or_o sign_n god_n in_o a_o true_a and_o real_a voice_n revealed_z those_o law_n to_o moses_n which_o he_o prescribe_v to_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 25_o the_o chap._n of_o exod._n v._n 22._o where_o he_o say_v and_o there_o will_v i_o meet_v with_o thou_o and_o i_o will_v commune_v with_o thou_o from_o above_o the_o mercy_n seat_n from_o between_o thou_o two_o cherubim_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o some_o real_a voice_n see_v moses_n wherever_o he_o please_v find_v god_n ready_a to_o speak_v to_o he_o and_o that_o only_o this_o voice_n by_o which_o the_o law_n be_v publish_v be_v a_o true_a and_o real_a voice_n i_o will_v present_o show_v one_o will_v think_v that_o the_o voice_n by_o which_o god_n call_v samuel_n be_v real_a because_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o sam._n the_o 3_o d._n chap._n and_o last_o verse_n it_o be_v say_v the_o lord_n appear_v again_o in_o shiloh_n for_o the_o lord_n reveal_v himself_o to_o samuel_n in_o shiloh_n by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v the_o appearance_n of_o god_n to_o samuel_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o god_n make_v know_v himself_o to_o he_o by_o word_n or_o signify_v no_o more_o then_o that_o samuel_n hear_v god_n speak_v but_o because_o we_o be_v force_v to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o of_o the_o other_o prophet_n it_o must_v be_v conclude_v that_o the_o voice_n hear_v by_o samuel_n be_v but_o imaginary_a because_o it_o be_v like_o the_o voice_n of_o ely_n which_o he_o have_v so_o often_o hear_v and_o therefore_o the_o soon_o
reason_n and_o experience_n for_o they_o who_o most_o excellent_a in_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n be_v less_o apt_a to_o understand_v thing_n clear_o and_o they_o that_o have_v excellent_a understanding_n have_v their_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n not_o so_o strong_a but_o better_o keep_v within_o compass_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v confound_v with_o the_o intellect_n those_o man_n therefore_o who_o endeavour_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o find_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o natural_a and_o spiritual_a thing_n be_v extreme_o mistake_v which_o i_o purpose_v to_o show_v at_o large_a because_o the_o time_n philosophy_n and_o the_o matter_n itself_o require_v it_o i_o will_v not_o at_o all_o value_n what_o superstition_n babble_n to_o the_o contrary_a which_o hate_v nothing_o more_o than_o such_o man_n as_o live_v good_a life_n and_o be_v lover_n of_o true_a solid_a knowledge_n with_o shame_n be_v it_o speak_v it_o be_v now_o come_v to_o that_o pass_n that_o they_o who_o free_o confess_v they_o have_v no_o particular_a idea_n of_o god_n and_o only_o know_v he_o by_o create_a being_n of_o who_o cause_n they_o be_v ignorant_a be_v present_o brand_v with_o the_o name_n of_o atheist_n to_o proceed_v orderly_o in_o prove_v the_o point_n i_o will_v show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o prophet_n not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o imagination_n and_o temperament_n of_o body_n but_o also_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o opinion_n wherewith_o they_o be_v prepossess_v so_o that_o they_o never_o become_v the_o more_o learned_a by_o prophecy_n which_o i_o will_v present_o more_o full_o make_v out_o but_o i_o must_v first_o speak_v of_o the_o prophet_n certainty_n because_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o chapter_n and_o because_o it_o contribute_v somewhat_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o i_o design_n to_o demonstrate_v because_o simple_a imagination_n do_v not_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n include_v certainty_n as_o every_o clear_a and_o distinct_a idea_n do_v there_o must_v necessary_o some_o other_o thing_n accompany_v imagination_n to_o make_v we_o sure_o of_o the_o thing_n we_o imagine_v and_o that_o be_v reason_v whence_o it_o follow_v that_o prophesy_v of_o itself_o do_v not_o include_v certainty_n because_o it_o depend_v only_o upon_o the_o imagination_n and_o therefore_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o what_o god_n reveal_v by_o the_o revelation_n itself_o but_o by_o some_o sign_n as_o appear_v by_o abraham_n gen._n chap._n 15._o v._n 8._o and_o he_o say_v lord_n god_n whereby_o shall_v i_o know_v that_o i_o shall_v inherit_v it_o ask_n a_o sign_n after_o he_o hear_v the_o promise_n without_o doubt_n he_o believe_v god_n and_o do_v not_o ask_v the_o sign_n that_o he_o may_v believe_v but_o that_o he_o may_v be_v sure_a the_o promise_n come_v from_o god._n the_o same_o thing_n more_o plain_o appear_v by_o gideon_n judge_n chap._n 6._o v._n 17_o and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o i_o have_v find_v grace_n in_o thy_o sight_n then_o show_v i_o a_o sign_n that_o thou_o talk_v with_o i_o god_n say_v to_o moses_n let_v this_o be_v a_o sign_n unto_o thou_o ezechiah_o who_o well_o know_v that_o isaiah_n be_v a_o prophet_n ask_v a_o sign_n of_o he_o when_o he_o foretell_v his_o recovery_n which_o show_v that_o the_o prophet_n have_v always_o some_o sign_n by_o which_o they_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o thing_n they_o prophetical_o imagine_v and_o therefore_o moses_n deut._n chap._n 18._o v._n 22._o bid_v the_o people_n ask_v a_o sign_n of_o any_o that_o pretend_v to_o prophesy_v which_o sign_n be_v to_o be_v foretell_v some_o future_a event_n prophesy_v therefore_o in_o this_o particular_a give_v place_n to_o natural_a knowledge_n which_o need_v no_o sign_n but_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n include_v certainty_n but_o the_o certainty_n of_o prophecy_n be_v not_o mathematical_a but_o only_o moral_a which_o also_o appear_v by_o scripture_n deut._n chap._n 13._o moses_n warn_v the_o people_n that_o if_o any_o prophet_n shall_v teach_v they_o to_o worship_n any_o other_o god_n though_o he_o confirm_v his_o doctrine_n by_o sign_n and_o miracle_n yet_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n for_o moses_n go_v on_o and_o say_v that_o god_n do_v by_o sign_n and_o miracle_n prove_v the_o people_n whether_o they_o love_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o their_o heart_n christ_n in_o like_a manner_n warn_v his_o disciple_n tell_v they_o math._n chap._n 24._o v._n 24._o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n and_o shall_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n ezechiel_n chap._n 14._o v._n 9_o plain_o declare_v that_o god_n sometime_o deceive_v man_n with_o false_a revelation_n and_o if_o the_o prophet_n be_v deceive_v when_o he_o have_v speak_v a_o thing_n i_o the_o lord_n have_v deceive_v that_o prophet_n which_o michaiah_n also_o testify_v of_o the_o prophet_n of_o ahab_n 1_o st_z book_n of_o king_n chap._n 22._o v._n 21._o 22_o 23._o and_o though_o this_o show_v prophesy_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n somewhat_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a yet_o it_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o certainty_n in_o it_o for_o god_n never_o deceive_v the_o godly_a and_o elect_a but_o according_a to_o that_o say_n in_o the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 24._o v._n 13._o as_o say_v the_o proverb_n of_o the_o ancient_n wickedness_n proceed_v from_o the_o wicked_a but_o my_o hand_n shall_v not_o be_v upon_o thou_o and_o as_o it_o likewise_o appear_v by_o the_o history_n of_o abigal_n and_o her_o discourse_n god_n use_v pious_a person_n as_o instrument_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o wicked_a man_n for_o executioner_n of_o his_o wrath_n this_o likewise_o be_v make_v evident_a by_o the_o case_n of_o the_o prophet_n michaiah_n for_o though_o god_n have_v decree_v ahab_n shall_v be_v deceive_v by_o the_o prophet_n he_o make_v use_v of_o false_a prophet_n but_o to_o a_o good_a prophet_n reveal_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v to_o happen_v and_o do_v not_o hinder_v the_o prophet_n from_o foretell_v the_o truth_n but_o still_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v but_o moral_a because_o no_o man_n can_v justify_v himself_o before_o god_n nor_o boast_v that_o he_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o god_n the_o anger_n of_o god_n lead_v david_n to_o number_v the_o people_n who_o piety_n the_o scripture_n sufficient_o declare_v all_o prophetical_a certainty_n be_v found_v upon_o three_o particular_n first_o the_o prophet_n do_v as_o strong_o and_o with_o as_o much_o vivacity_n imagine_v the_o thing_n reveal_v as_o man_n waking_z use_v to_o do_v the_o thing_n they_o see_v second_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v confirm_v by_o a_o sign_n and_o three_o because_o their_o mind_n be_v continual_o incline_v to_o virtue_n and_o justice_n though_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o always_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o sign_n yet_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v the_o prophet_n still_o have_v a_o sign_n for_o the_o scripture_n do_v many_o time_n leave_v out_o circumstance_n and_o condition_n and_o relate_v thing_n as_o suppose_a to_o be_v know_v moreover_o it_o be_v to_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o prophet_n who_o prophesy_v nothing_o new_a but_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n have_v no_o need_n of_o a_o sign_n for_o example_n the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n need_v no_o sign_n because_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o by_o the_o threaten_n of_o the_o law_n but_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o hananiahs_n prophecy_n who_o against_o all_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v the_o sudden_a restauration_n of_o the_o city_n there_o be_v necessity_n of_o a_o sign_n till_o the_o come_n to_o pass_v of_o what_o he_o predict_v shall_v make_v it_o good_a jerem._n chap._n 28._o v._n 9_o 10._o see_v then_o the_o certainty_n of_o prophecy_n which_o depend_v upon_o sign_n be_v not_o mathematical_a that_o be_v such_o as_o necessary_o follow_v from_o the_o thing_n apprehend_v or_o see_v but_o only_o moral_a and_o that_o sign_n be_v give_v to_o satisfy_v and_o convince_v the_o prophet_n himself_o it_o likewise_o follow_v that_o sign_n be_v give_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n and_o capacity_n of_o the_o prophet_n so_o that_o the_o sign_n which_o make_v one_o prophet_n confident_a and_o certain_a of_o his_o prophecy_n can_v not_o assure_v another_o as_o the_o sign_n be_v different_a and_o various_a so_o also_o revelation_n itself_o do_v vary_v in_o every_o prophet_n according_a to_o the_o disposition_n of_o his_o imagination_n the_o temper_n of_o his_o constitution_n or_o the_o opinion_n wherewith_o he_o be_v prepossess_v for_o example_n if_o a_o prophet_n be_v cheerful_a and_o merry_a to_o he_o be_v reveal_v victory_n and_o peace_n which_o cause_n mirth_n and_o gladness_n such_o thing_n use_v
know_v that_o god_n be_v omniscient_a and_o that_o human_a action_n be_v govern_v by_o his_o decree_n for_o though_o god_n tell_v he_o exod._n chap._n 3._o v._n 8._o that_o the_o israelite_n will_v hearken_v to_o his_o voice_n yet_o moses_n doubt_v and_o say_v in_o the_o 1_o st_z verse_n of_o the_o 4_o the_o chapter_n what_o if_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v i_o nor_o hearken_v to_o my_o voice_n and_o therefore_o god_n be_v reveal_v to_o he_o as_o indifferent_a and_o ignorant_a of_o man_n future_a action_n for_o he_o give_v unto_o he_o two_o sign_n and_o say_v exod._n chap._n 4._o v._n 8_o 9_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v they_o will_v not_o believe_v thou_o nor_o hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o first_o sign_n they_o will_v believe_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o latter_a sign_n but_o if_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o latter_a sign_n then_o take_v of_o the_o water_n of_o the_o river_n etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o if_o a_o man_n will_v without_o prejudice_n consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o moses_n it_o will_v clear_o appear_v that_o moses_n think_v god_n a_o be_v that_o always_o be_v be_v and_o ever_o shall_v be_v and_o therefore_o call_v he_o jehovah_n which_o in_o hebrew_n express_v those_o three_o time_n of_o exist_v but_o of_o his_o nature_n he_o declare_v no_o more_o then_o that_o he_o be_v very_o merciful_a kind_a and_o very_a jealous_a as_o appear_v in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n he_o believe_v and_o teach_v also_o that_o this_o be_v be_v so_o different_a from_o all_o other_o being_n that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v express_v by_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o other_o visible_a thing_n that_o he_o be_v invisible_a not_o because_o he_o think_v behold_v he_o be_v in_o itself_o impossible_a but_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o human_a frailty_n he_o think_v also_o that_o this_o be_v be_v in_o regard_n of_o his_o own_o power_n single_a and_o but_o one_o he_o allow_v that_o there_o be_v other_o being_n which_o by_o the_o order_n and_o command_n of_o god_n be_v god_n substitute_n and_o vicegerent_n that_o be_v being_n to_o who_o god_n give_v power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v nation_n to_o provide_v for_o and_o take_v care_n of_o they_o but_o moses_n declare_v the_o be_v which_o the_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o worship_n to_o be_v the_o most_o high_a god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o hebrew_n phrase_n the_o god_n of_o all_o god_n therefore_o moses_n in_o his_o song_n exod._n chap._n 15._o v._n 11._o say_v who_o be_v like_a unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n among_o the_o god_n and_o jethro_n exod._n chap._n 18._o v._n 11._o say_v now_o i_o know_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v great_a than_o all_o god_n that_o be_v i_o must_v acknowledge_v with_o moses_n that_o jehovah_n be_v great_a than_o all_o god_n and_o of_o singular_a power_n but_o whether_o moses_n believe_v that_o the_o being_n which_o be_v god_n vicegerent_n be_v create_v by_o god_n may_v be_v doubt_v since_o he_o say_v nothing_o that_o we_o know_v of_o their_o creation_n or_o original_a another_o of_o moses_n doctrine_n be_v that_o this_o be_v out_o of_o a_o chaos_n gen._n chap._n 1_o sy_n v_o 2._o bring_v this_o visible_a world_n into_o form_n and_o order_n furnish_v nature_n with_o the_o seed_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o have_v absolute_a power_n and_o authority_n over_o all_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v deut._n chap._n 10._o v._n 14_o 15._o and_o by_o that_o absolute_a power_n choose_v the_o jewish_a nation_n for_o himself_o and_o appoint_v a_o particular_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o their_o habitation_n deut._n chap._n 4._o v._n 19_o and_o chap._n 32._o v._n 8._o but_o other_o nation_n and_o country_n he_o leave_v to_o the_o care_n of_o other_o god_n substitute_v by_o he_o and_o therefore_o god_n be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jerusalem_n 2_o d._n book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 32._o v._n 19_o and_o other_o god_n be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o this_o reason_n the_o jew_n believe_v that_o the_o country_n which_o god_n choose_v for_o they_o require_v a_o particular_a and_o different_a worship_n of_o god_n from_o that_o of_o other_o country_n nor_o will_v they_o suffer_v the_o worship_n of_o other_o god_n or_o any_o worship_n proper_a to_o other_o country_n to_o be_v exercise_v among_o they_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o the_o people_n who_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n bring_v into_o the_o country_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v devour_v by_o lion_n because_o they_o know_v not_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n of_o the_o land_n 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n chap._n 17._o v._n 24_o 25._o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o aben_n ezra_n that_o jacob_n upon_o this_o ground_n when_o he_o be_v about_o return_v into_o his_o own_o country_n command_v his_o son_n to_o put_v away_o the_o god_n of_o the_o land_n in_o which_o they_o be_v and_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o a_o new_a way_n of_o worship_n gen._n chap._n 35._o v._n 23._o david_n tell_v saul_n because_o he_o be_v by_o persecution_n compel_v to_o forsake_v his_o country_n that_o he_o be_v drive_v out_o from_o the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o send_v to_o serve_v other_o god_n 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 26._o v._n 19_o last_o moses_n believe_v that_o god_n have_v his_o habitation_n in_o the_o heaven_n deut._n chap._n 33._o v._n 26_o which_o be_v a_o frequent_a opinion_n among_o the_o heathen_a now_o if_o we_o careful_o observe_v the_o revelation_n of_o moses_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o fit_v and_o suit_v to_o those_o conception_n and_o opinion_n which_o he_o have_v of_o god_n because_o he_o believe_v that_o god_n nature_n be_v gracious_a merciful_a long-suffer_v etc._n etc._n therefore_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n and_o these_o attribute_n be_v god_n reveal_v to_o he_o exod._n chap._n 34._o v._n 6_o 7._o where_o it_o be_v declare_v why_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o also_o exod._n chap._n 20._o v._n 4_o 5._o in_o exod._n chap._n 33._o v._n 18._o we_o read_v that_o moses_n desire_v to_o see_v god_n but_o because_o moses_n as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v have_v form_v in_o his_o imagination_n no_o likeness_n or_o figure_n of_o god_n and_o as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v god_n be_v not_o reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n but_o according_a to_o the_o disposition_n of_o their_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n therefore_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o under_o no_o image_n or_o similitude_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v because_o it_o be_v repugnant_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o imagination_n of_o moses_n but_o other_o prophet_n isaiah_n ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n testify_v that_o they_o see_v god._n moses_n be_v answer_v by_o god_n in_o the_o 20_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 33._o chap._n of_o exod._n thou_o can_v not_o see_v my_o face_n and_o because_o moses_n believe_v that_o god_n be_v visible_a that_o be_v it_o imply_v no_o contradiction_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o be_v so_o else_o he_o have_v never_o make_v such_o a_o request_n therefore_o god_n also_o answer_v no_o man_n shall_v see_v my_o face_n and_o live_v give_v a_o reason_n suitable_a to_o moses_n opinion_n for_o god_n do_v not_o say_v that_o his_o divine_a nature_n be_v in_o itself_o invisible_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v see_v as_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v see_v because_o of_o human_a weakness_n and_o frailty_n after_o the_o israelite_n have_v worship_v the_o golden_a calf_n that_o god_n may_v reveal_v to_o moses_n the_o israelite_n shall_v become_v like_o other_o nation_n god_n tell_v he_o exod._n chap._n 33._o v._n 2_o 3._o that_o he_o will_v send_v a_o angel_n that_o be_v a_o be_v who_o instead_o of_o the_o supreme_a be_v shall_v take_v care_n of_o the_o israelite_n but_o that_o he_o himself_o will_v be_v no_o more_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o from_o this_o moses_n be_v to_o conclude_v that_o the_o israelite_n be_v thenceforth_o not_o to_o be_v belove_v by_o god_n any_o more_o than_o other_o nation_n who_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o angel_n or_o other_o being_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 16_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o chapter_n last_o because_o moses_n believe_v that_o god_n dwell_v in_o heaven_n therefore_o be_v god_n reveal_v as_o descend_v from_o heaven_n upon_o mount_n sinai_n and_o moses_n that_o he_o may_v speak_v with_o god_n ascend_v the_o mount_n which_o he_o need_v not_o to_o have_v do_v have_v he_o think_v god_n to_o be_v in_o all_o place_n the_o israelite_n know_v very_o little_a of_o god_n though_o he_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o as_o be_v sufficient_o manifest_v by_o their_o bestow_n on_o a_o calf_n the_o honour_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o god_n and_o by_o say_v to_o that_o calf_n these_o be_v thy_o god_n
o_o israel_n that_o bring_v thou_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o man_n accustom_v to_o the_o superstition_n of_o egypt_n ignorant_a and_o break_a to_o the_o yoke_n of_o a_o tedious_a bondage_n shall_v have_v any_o right_a understanding_n of_o god_n or_o that_o moses_n shall_v teach_v they_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n and_o way_n of_o live_v not_o instruct_v they_o as_o a_o philosopher_n to_o make_v live_v well_o their_o free_a and_o voluntary_a choice_n but_o as_o a_o legislator_n compel_v they_o by_o the_o command_v and_o power_n of_o law_n so_o that_o a_o good_a life_n the_o love_n and_o service_n of_o god_n be_v to_o they_o rather_o servitude_n then_o true_a liberty_n or_o the_o grace_n and_o gift_n of_o god_n for_o moses_n command_v they_o to_o love_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o law_n that_o they_o may_v acknowledge_v their_o deliverance_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o be_v by_o god_n he_o terrify_v they_o with_o threaten_n in_o case_n they_o transgress_v the_o law_n and_o promise_v they_o many_o blessing_n if_o they_o careful_o observe_v it_o so_o that_o he_o deal_v with_o the_o israelite_n as_o parent_n use_v to_o do_v with_o child_n void_a of_o reason_n which_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o they_o be_v ignorant_a how_o excellent_a a_o thing_n virtue_n be_v and_o what_o be_v true_a happiness_n jonas_n think_v he_o can_v fly_v from_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n which_o imply_v that_o he_o also_o believe_v god_n have_v substitute_v other_o power_n to_o take_v care_n of_o those_o country_n and_o nation_n which_o be_v not_o within_o the_o territory_n of_o judea_n in_o all_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o read_v of_o no_o person_n who_o speak_v so_o rational_o of_o god_n as_o solomon_n who_o for_o natural_a knowledge_n excel_v all_o the_o man_n of_o his_o time_n and_o therefore_o think_v himself_o above_o the_o law_n which_o be_v only_o give_v to_o those_o who_o want_v the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o natural_a understanding_n and_o slight_v the_o observance_n of_o those_o law_n which_o particular_o concern_v he_o as_o he_o be_v king_n and_o consist_v in_o three_o particular_n as_o may_v be_v see_v deut._n chap._n 17._o v._n 16_o 17._o he_o be_v indeed_o to_o blame_v in_o break_v those_o law_n and_o do_v not_o do_v like_o a_o philosopher_n when_o he_o deliver_v himself_o up_o to_o pleasure_n and_o sensuality_n yet_o we_o read_v in_o ecclesiastes_n he_o declare_v all_o the_o good_n of_o fortune_n to_o be_v vanity_n and_o that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v so_o high_o prize_v as_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n and_o no_o punishment_n equal_a to_o a_o man_n be_v a_o fool_n prov._n chap._n 17._o but_o let_v we_o return_v to_o the_o prophet_n of_o who_o differ_v opinion_n we_o have_v take_v notice_n the_o rabbin_n who_o have_v leave_v we_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n now_o extant_a find_v the_o opinion_n of_o ezekiel_n so_o contrary_a to_o those_o of_o moses_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o sabbath_n chap._n 1_o sy_n fol._n 13._o page_n 2_o d._n that_o they_o be_v near_o resolve_v not_o to_o receive_v the_o book_n of_o ezekiel_n for_o canonical_a and_o have_v conceal_v it_o if_o a_o certain_a person_n call_v hananiah_n have_v not_o undertake_v to_o expound_v it_o which_o some_o report_n he_o do_v with_o great_a labour_n and_o study_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a whether_o it_o be_v a_o commentary_n he_o write_v and_o be_v perhaps_o lose_v or_o that_o he_o change_v and_o gloss_v upon_o ezekiel_n word_n and_o discourse_n according_a to_o his_o own_o fancy_n however_o it_o be_v the_o 18_o the_o chapter_n of_o ezekiel_n do_v not_o seem_v to_o agree_v with_o the_o 34_o chap._n of_o exod._n v_o 7_o nor_o with_o the_o 32_o chap._n of_o jeremy_n v._n 18._o samuel_n believe_v that_o when_o god_n have_v decree_v any_o thing_n he_o never_o repent_v or_o change_v that_o decree_n 1_o st_z book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 14._o v._n 29_o saul_n when_o he_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n and_o desire_a to_o worship_n god_n samuel_n tell_v he_o god_n will_v not_o change_v his_o decree_n but_o the_o contrary_n be_v reveal_v to_o jeremy_n for_o when_o ever_o god_n decree_v good_a or_o evil_n to_o any_o nation_n if_o man_n become_v either_o better_o or_o worse_o before_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o sentence_n god_n do_v according_o alter_v his_o decree_n jerem._n chap._n 18._o v._n 8_o 10._o the_o prophet_n joel_n believe_v that_o god_n repent_v of_o the_o evil_n which_o he_o at_o any_o time_n decree_v io._n chap._n 2._o v._n 13._o in_o the_o 4_o the_o chap._n of_o gen._n v._n 7._o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v in_o man_n power_n to_o overcome_v evil_a temptation_n and_o to_o live_v well_o by_o what_o god_n say_v to_o cain_n who_o notwithstanding_o as_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n and_o in_o josephus_n never_o subdue_v his_o passion_n by_o the_o forecited_a text_n in_o jeremy_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o god_n change_v his_o purpose_n either_o of_o do_v good_a or_o evil_n according_a to_o man_n live_v well_o or_o wicked_o yet_o on_o the_o contrary_a st._n paul_n teach_v nothing_o more_o plain_o than_o that_o man_n have_v no_o power_n over_o themselves_o against_o the_o temptation_n and_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n but_o by_o the_o particular_a mercy_n and_o election_n of_o god_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o 9_o the_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n from_o the_o 10_o the_o verse_n onward_o in_o the_o 3_o d_o chap._n v._n 3_o d_o where_o he_o ask_v whether_o god_n be_v unrighteous_a in_o take_v vengeance_n he_o correct_v himself_o in_o speak_v after_o that_o manner_n like_o a_o man._n from_o what_o have_v be_v allege_v we_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v what_o we_o propose_v namely_o that_o god_n fit_v and_o suit_v his_o revelation_n according_a to_o the_o capacity_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v and_o indeed_o be_v ignorant_a of_o thing_n mere_o speculative_a which_o do_v not_o pertain_v to_o charity_n and_o a_o godly_a life_n that_o the_o prophet_n be_v also_o of_o very_o different_a opinion_n and_o consequent_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o natural_a and_o spiritual_a thing_n we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v and_o ground_n ourselves_o upon_o they_o we_o conclude_v then_o that_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n more_o from_o the_o prophet_n than_o the_o end_n and_o substance_n of_o what_o they_o reveal_v and_o that_o in_o other_o thing_n it_o be_v free_a for_o a_o man_n to_o believe_v as_o he_o think_v best_o for_o example_n cain_n revelation_n teach_v we_o that_o god_n do_v admonish_v he_o to_o live_v well_o which_o be_v the_o intent_n end_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o revelation_n but_o it_o do_v not_o declare_v to_o we_o the_o freedom_n of_o man_n will_n or_o any_o other_o philosophical_a matter_n therefore_o though_o in_o the_o word_n and_o reason_n of_o that_o admonition_n freedom_n of_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v clear_o assert_v yet_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o be_v of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n since_o those_o word_n and_o reason_n be_v only_o apply_v and_o suit_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o cain_n the_o prophet_n michaiahs_n revelation_n only_o declare_v what_o shall_v be_v the_o event_n of_o the_o battle_n between_o ahaband_n aram_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v only_o bind_v to_o believe_v that_o but_o whatever_o else_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o revelation_n concern_v the_o true_a and_o lie_a spirit_n of_o god_n or_o concern_v the_o host_n of_o heaven_n stand_v on_o each_o side_n of_o god_n with_o other_o circumstance_n in_o that_o revelation_n they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v we_o but_o every_o one_o may_v believe_v of_o they_o as_o he_o think_v most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o reason_n declare_v to_o job_n for_o god_n have_v absolute_a power_n over_o all_o thing_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o they_o be_v a_o revelation_n and_o that_o he_o write_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o not_o as_o some_o believe_v like_o a_o poet_n they_o be_v reveal_v according_a to_o job_n capacity_n for_o his_o particular_a conviction_n but_o they_o be_v not_o intend_v as_o universal_a reason_n to_o convince_v all_o man_n nor_o be_v we_o to_o determine_v otherwise_o of_o the_o reason_n use_v by_o christ_n to_o convince_v the_o pharisee_n of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o obstinacy_n and_o to_o persuade_v his_o disciple_n to_o live_v righteous_o all_o those_o reason_n be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o opinion_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v urge_v for_o example_n when_o christ_n say_v to_o the_o pharisee_n mat._n chap._n 12_o v._n 26._o if_o satan_n cast_v out_o satan_n he_o be_v divide_v against_o himself_o how_o then_o
very_a prophet_n themselves_o know_v not_o how_o to_o reconcile_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o human_n eevent_v with_o the_o notion_n they_o have_v of_o god_n providence_n but_o to_o wiseman_n who_o knowledge_n be_v not_o build_v on_o miracle_n but_o upon_o clear_a and_o distinct_a conception_n the_o thing_n be_v very_o evident_a especial_o to_o those_o who_o place_n true_a happiness_n in_o virtue_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o mind_n and_o study_v more_o to_o submit_v to_o nature_n then_o to_o make_v nature_n obedient_a to_o they_o know_v certain_o that_o god_n direct_v nature_n as_o its_o own_o universal_a law_n and_o not_o as_o the_o particular_a law_n of_o human_a nature_n require_v and_o that_o god_n have_v a_o care_n not_o only_o of_o mankind_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o nature_n in_o general_a and_o it_o appear_v by_o scripture_n that_o miracle_n can_v teach_v we_o to_o know_v god_n or_o his_o providence_n though_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o god_n wrought_v miracle_n to_o be_v know_v to_o men._n exod._n chap._n 10._o v._n 2._o the_o wonder_n which_o he_o do_v in_o egypt_n be_v to_o convince_v the_o israelite_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o teach_v they_o to_o know_v god_n but_o only_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v prepossess_v with_o such_o opinion_n that_o they_o will_v easy_o be_v persuade_v by_o those_o sign_n for_o as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v in_o the_o second_o chapter_n that_o the_o conception_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v by_o revelation_n be_v not_o draw_v from_o universal_a and_o common_a notion_n but_o from_o concession_n sometime_o absurd_a and_o from_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o revelation_n be_v make_v and_o from_o they_o who_o the_o holy_a spirit_n will_v convince_v as_o we_o have_v prove_v by_o many_o example_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o paul_n who_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n a_o jew_n and_o with_o the_o grecian_n a_o greek_a but_o though_o those_o miracle_n be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v the_o israelite_n and_o the_o egyptian_n from_o their_o own_o principle_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v they_o a_o right_a understanding_n and_o idea_n of_o god_n they_o understand_v nothing_o more_o by_o they_o then_o that_o there_o be_v a_o power_n great_a than_o all_o other_o know_v being_n and_o that_o that_o power_n take_v a_o particular_a care_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o affair_n be_v at_o that_o time_n so_o prosperous_a above_o all_o other_o nation_n but_o do_v not_o teach_v they_o that_o god_n have_v a_o equal_a care_n of_o all_o mankind_n which_o we_o know_v only_o by_o philosophy_n or_o true_a wisdom_n and_o therefore_o the_o jew_n and_o all_o that_o know_v nothing_o of_o god_n providence_n but_o from_o the_o different_a state_n of_o human_a affair_n and_o from_o the_o disparity_n of_o man_n fortune_n persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v better_a belove_v by_o god_n than_o all_o other_o nation_n though_o they_o do_v not_o excel_v any_o other_o people_n in_o human_a perfection_n as_o we_o have_v already_o declare_v in_o our_o three_o chapter_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o three_o particular_a that_o be_v to_o prove_v by_o scripture_n that_o the_o command_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o his_o providence_n be_v indeed_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o regular_a course_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v when_o the_o scripture_n say_v any_o thing_n be_v do_v by_o god_n or_o the_o will_n of_o god_n nothing_o more_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v then_o that_o it_o be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o order_n and_o rule_n of_o nature_n and_o not_o as_o the_o vulgar_a imagine_v that_o nature_n be_v idle_a and_o cease_v from_o action_n or_o that_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n be_v for_o sometime_o interrupt_v the_o scripture_n do_v not_o give_v we_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o concern_v its_o doctrine_n because_o as_o we_o have_v already_o declare_v it_o needless_a it_o meddle_v not_o with_o demonstrate_v thing_n by_o their_o natural_a cause_n nor_o with_o thing_n that_o be_v mere_o speculative_a and_o therefore_o to_o prove_v by_o consequence_n what_o we_o intend_v we_o will_v quote_v some_o scripture_n history_n who_o relation_n be_v full_a of_o circumstance_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 9_o v._n 15_o 16._o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n tell_v samuel_n in_o his_o ear_n that_o he_o will_v send_v saul_n to_o he_o and_o yet_o god_n do_v not_o send_v he_o as_o man_n use_v to_o send_v messenger_n one_o to_o another_o but_o this_o mission_n of_o god_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o order_n and_o course_n of_o nature_n for_o saul_n seek_v his_o father_n lose_a ass_n and_o think_v he_o shall_v not_o find_v they_o by_o advice_n of_o his_o father_n servant_n he_o go_v to_o the_o prophet_n samuel_n to_o know_v if_o he_o can_v tell_v he_o where_o they_o be_v nor_o do_v it_o appear_v any_o where_o in_o the_o whole_a relation_n that_o saul_n have_v any_o particular_a command_n from_o god_n beside_o this_o natural_a course_n to_o go_v to_o samuel_n psal._n 105._o v_o 24._o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n turn_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o egyptian_n to_o hate_v the_o israelite_n which_o turn_v be_v natural_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o first_o chap._n of_o exodus_fw-la where_o very_o good_a reason_n be_v give_v for_o the_o egyptian_n keep_v the_o israelite_n in_o subjection_n in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n of_o gen._n v._n 13._o god_n say_v to_o noah_n that_o he_o will_v set_v his_o bow_n in_o the_o cloud_n which_o action_n of_o god_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o reflection_n and_o refraction_n of_o the_o sunbeam_n in_o the_o minute_n drop_v of_o rain_n water_n psal._n 147._o v_o 18._o the_o natural_a operation_n and_o warmth_n of_o the_o wind_n by_o which_o frost_n and_o snow_n be_v melt_v be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o v_o 15._o the_o wind_n be_v call_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n psal._n 104._o v_o 4._o the_o wind_n and_o the_o fire_n be_v call_v the_o messenger_n and_o minister_n of_o god_n and_o many_o other_o like_o place_n in_o scripture_n clear_o show_v that_o the_o decree_n the_o command_n the_o say_v and_o word_n of_o god_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o operation_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n and_o without_o doubt_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o scripture_n and_o attribute_v to_o god_n natural_o come_v to_o pass_v because_o it_o be_v not_o the_o intent_n of_o scripture_n to_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o thing_n by_o their_o natural_a cause_n but_o only_o to_o relate_v those_o thing_n which_o strong_o possess_v the_o imagination_n and_o in_o such_o manner_n and_o stile_n as_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o cause_v admiration_n and_o fill_v man_n mind_n with_o devotion_n if_o then_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n some_o thing_n of_o who_o natural_a cause_n we_o be_v ignorant_a or_o that_o seem_v to_o have_v happen_v against_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n we_o be_v not_o present_o to_o doubt_v but_o believe_v that_o what_o do_v real_o happen_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o many_o circumstance_n that_o accompany_v miracle_n though_o the_o circumstance_n be_v not_o particular_o relate_v or_o be_v at_o least_o poetical_o relate_v i_o say_v the_o circumstance_n clear_o prove_v that_o the_o miracle_n require_v and_o have_v natural_a cause_n when_o the_o egyptian_n be_v to_o be_v smite_v with_o the_o plague_n of_o boil_v moses_n be_v to_o cast_v up_o and_o sprinkle_v ash_n into_o the_o air_n exod._n chap._n 9_o v._n 10._o the_o locust_n also_o by_o god_n natural_a command_n namely_o by_o a_o east_n wind_n blow_v a_o whole_a day_n and_o night_n cover_v the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o leave_v it_o again_o with_o a_o strong_a west_n wind_n exod_a chap._n 10._o v._n 13._o 19_o by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n be_v a_o way_n make_v through_o the_o sea_n for_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o east_n wind_n that_o blow_v a_o whole_a night_n exod._n chap._n 14._o v._n 21._o when_o the_o prophet_n elisha_n be_v to_o raise_v the_o child_n think_v to_o be_v dead_a he_o several_a time_n stretch_v himself_o upon_o the_o body_n till_o he_o grow_v warm_a and_o open_v his_o eye_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n chap._n 4._o v._n 34,35_o so_o also_o in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap_n of_o st._n johns_n gospel_n some_o circumstance_n be_v mention_v which_o christ_n use_v when_o he_o cure_a the_o blind_a man_n many_o other_o thing_n be_v relate_v in_o scripture_n which_o all_o declare_v that_o miracle_n require_v somewhat_o more_o than_o the_o absolute_a command_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o though_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o miracle_n and_o their_o natural_a cause_n be_v not_o
confuse_o gather_v and_o lay_v together_o that_o they_o may_v afterward_o be_v examine_v and_o put_v into_o order_n and_o not_o only_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o five_o book_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o other_o seven_o be_v also_o collect_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n who_o do_v not_o plain_o see_v that_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n from_o the_o six_o verse_n a_o new_a historian_n bring_v in_o who_o have_v write_v the_o act_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o very_a word_n use_v for_o after_o our_o historian_n in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o joshua_n have_v speak_v of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n and_o promise_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n to_o declare_v what_o happen_v after_o ioshua_n death_n if_o he_o intend_v regular_o to_o prosecute_v his_o own_o history_n why_o do_v he_o again_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n tell_v we_o what_o joshua_n do_v and_o speak_v again_o of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n as_o he_o have_v before_o the_o 17_o and_o 18_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n be_v in_o all_o probability_n take_v out_o of_o another_o historian_n who_o make_v the_o cause_n of_o david_n frequent_v saul_n court_n to_o be_v quite_o different_a from_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 16._o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n for_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o david_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o saul_n servant_n be_v call_v to_o court_n as_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o say_v 16_o the_o chap._n but_o that_o his_o father_n send_v he_o to_o visit_v his_o brethren_n in_o saul_n camp_n david_n by_o his_o victory_n over_o goliath_n become_v know_v to_o saul_n and_o afterward_o live_v in_o his_o court._n i_o suspect_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o 26_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n and_o that_o the_o history_n of_o that_o chapter_n and_o what_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o 24_o the_o chap._n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o but_o take_v out_o of_o several_a writer_n but_o of_o this_o enough_o i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o computation_n of_o time_n it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 6_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o king_n that_o solomon_n four_o hundred_o and_o fourscore_o year_n after_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o his_o own_o reign_n begin_v to_o build_v the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o from_o the_o history_n themselves_o we_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v it_o be_v a_o much_o long_a time_n till_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v year_n for_o first_o moses_n govern_v the_o people_n in_o the_o desert_n 40_o joshua_n who_o live_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o josephus_n and_o other_o govern_v not_o above_o 26_o kusan_n risgataim_v keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 08_o othonyel_n the_o son_n of_o kenaz_n judged_n 40_o eglon_n the_o king_n of_o moab_n keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 18_o ehud_n and_o samger_n judged_n 80_o jachin_n king_n of_o canaan_n keep_v the_o people_n under_o 20_o the_o people_n afterward_o have_v rest_n 40_o be_v again_o in_o subjection_n to_o midian_a 07_o be_v again_o at_o liberty_n under_o gideon_n 40_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o abimelech_n 03_o tola_n the_o son_n of_o puah_n judged_n 23_o jair_n judged_n 22_o the_o people_n be_v again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n and_o ammonite_n 18_o jephtah_n judged_n 06_o absan_n the_o bethlemite_n judged_n 07_o elon_n the_o zebulonite_n 10_o abdon_n the_o pirathonite_n 08_o the_o people_n again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n 40_o samson_n judged_n 20_o ely_n judged_n 40_o the_o people_n in_o bondage_n again_o to_o the_o philistine_n till_o deliver_v by_o samuel_n 20_o david_n reign_v 40_o solomon_n before_o he_o begin_v to_o build_v reign_v 04_o all_o these_o year_n add_v together_o make_v up_o the_o number_n of_o 580._o to_o which_o number_n be_v to_o be_v add_v the_o year_n of_o that_o age_n wherein_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n flourish_v after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n until_o it_o be_v subdue_v by_o kusan_n risgataim_v which_o i_o believe_v be_v many_o for_o i_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o people_n who_o have_v see_v the_o wonder_n of_o joshua_n time_n shall_v present_o after_o his_o death_n perish_v altogether_o neither_o that_o they_o who_o succeed_v they_o shall_v at_o once_o bid_v farewell_n to_o all_o their_o law_n and_o from_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o virtue_n fall_v in_o a_o instant_n into_o the_o depth_n of_o wickedness_n and_o folly_n neither_o that_o kusan_n risgataim_v conquer_a they_o at_o a_o blow_n but_o see_v all_o these_o thing_n require_v almost_o a_o age_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o pass_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n 7_o the_o 9_o the_o and_o 10_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n do_v comprise_v the_o history_n of_o many_o year_n which_o it_o have_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n we_o be_v moreover_o to_o add_v the_o year_n which_o samuel_n judged_n who_o number_n we_o find_v not_o in_o scripture_n and_o the_o year_n also_o of_o saul_n reign_n which_o be_v leave_v out_o in_o the_o former_a computation_n because_o by_o his_o history_n it_o be_v not_o evident_a how_o many_o he_o reign_v indeed_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n that_o saul_n reign_v two_o year_n but_o that_o text_n be_v maim_v and_o we_o may_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o conclude_v his_o reign_n be_v long_o that_o the_o text_n be_v defective_a no_o man_n who_o have_v but_o the_o least_o knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n can_v doubt_v for_o it_o begin_v thus_o in_o the_o latin_a translation_n annum_fw-la natus_fw-la erat_fw-la saul_n cum_fw-la regnavit_fw-la &_o duos_fw-la annos_fw-la regnavit_fw-la supra_fw-la israelem_fw-la which_o in_o our_o english_a bible_n be_v thus_o render_v saul_n reign_v one_o year_n and_o when_o he_o have_v reign_v two_o year_n etc._n etc._n but_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o number_n of_o year_n of_o saul_n age_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v be_v omit_v and_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v more_o than_o two_o year_n any_o man_n may_v gather_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o for_o in_o the_o 27_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n verse_n the_o 7_o the_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o time_n david_n dwell_v in_o the_o country_n of_o the_o philistine_n be_v a_o full_a year_n and_o four_o month_n so_o that_o by_o this_o calculation_n all_o thing_n else_o which_o pass_v in_o saul_n reign_v must_v happen_v in_o the_o space_n of_o eight_o month_n which_o no_o man_n can_v believe_v josephus_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 6_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n have_v thus_o correct_v the_o text._n saul_n while_n samuel_n live_v reign_v eighteen_o year_n and_o after_o samuel_n death_n two_o but_o the_o story_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n do_v in_o no_o wise_n agree_v with_o what_o go_v before_o for_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n v._n 13._o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o philistine_n be_v so_o subdue_v by_o the_o israelite_n that_o they_o come_v no_o more_o into_o the_o coast_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v against_o the_o philistine_n all_v the_o day_n of_o samuel_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o foresay_a 13_o the_o chapter_n it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o samuel_n life_n time_n the_o philistine_n invade_v the_o israelite_n and_o reduce_v they_o to_o so_o great_a misery_n and_o poverty_n that_o they_o want_v not_o only_a arm_n to_o defend_v themselves_o but_o also_o smith_n to_o make_v so_o much_o as_o a_o sword_n or_o a_o spear_n that_o man_n must_v take_v pain_n enough_o who_o make_v it_o his_o business_n so_o to_o reconcile_v all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o appear_v to_o be_v write_v and_o put_v in_o order_n by_o one_o historian_n but_o i_o return_v to_o what_o i_o propose_v the_o year_n of_o saul_n reign_v aught_o to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o forego_n computation_n now_o how_o many_o be_v the_o year_n of_o the_o israelite_n anarchy_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mention_n my_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o space_n of_o time_n be_v not_o certain_a wherein_o those_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 17_o the_o chapter_n of_o judge_n to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o book_n so_o that_o no_o exact_a calculation_n can_v be_v make_v from_o the_o history_n themselves_o neither_o do_v they_o agree_v in_o any_o but_o differ_v very_o much_o so_o that_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v they_o be_v
the_o language_n word_n or_o style_v wherein_o they_o be_v express_v and_o that_o all_o book_n which_o declare_v and_o teach_v what_o be_v excellent_o good_a in_o what_o tongue_n or_o by_o what_o nation_n soever_o write_v be_v equal_o sacred_a let_v this_o at_o least_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o chapter_n which_o be_v write_v in_o chaldee_n be_v no_o less_o sacred_a than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o whole_a bible_n to_o this_o book_n of_o daniel_n the_o first_o book_n of_o ezra_n be_v so_o annex_v that_o it_o appear_v they_o be_v both_o write_v by_o one_o person_n who_o relate_v what_o successive_o pass_v among_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o first_o captivity_n and_o to_o this_o book_n of_o esdras_n without_o doubt_n be_v join_v the_o book_n of_o hester_n for_o the_o conjunction_n wherewith_o the_o book_n begin_v can_v relate_v to_o no_o other_o book_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v think_v the_o same_o book_n which_o mordecai_n write_v for_o he_o that_o write_v the_o book_n of_o hester_n say_v in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n v._n 20._o that_o mordecai_n write_v letter_n and_o declare_v what_o be_v their_o content_n moreover_o the_o 31_o the_o of_o the_o same_o chapter_n tell_v we_o that_o queen_n hester_n confirm_v by_o a_o decree_n all_o thing_n concern_v the_o feast_n of_o purim_n or_o lot_n and_o in_o the_o 32_o the_o verse_n it_o be_v say_v it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n manner_n of_o speak_v in_o a_o book_n which_o every_o one_o at_o that_o time_n know_v which_o book_n with_o other_o aben_n ezra_n say_v be_v lose_v what_o else_o concern_v mordecai_n the_o historian_n in_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n v._n 2._o say_v be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o media_n and_o persia_n and_o therefore_o without_o question_n this_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n who_o write_v the_o affair_n of_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n and_o so_o also_o be_v the_o book_n of_o nehemiah_n call_v the_o second_o book_n of_o ezra_n so_o that_o we_o conclude_v these_o four_o book_n namely_o daniel_n ezra_n hester_n and_o nehemiah_n to_o be_v write_v by_o one_o historian_n but_o who_o he_o be_v i_o can_v so_o much_o as_o guess_v but_o that_o we_o may_v know_v whoever_o he_o be_v from_o whence_o he_o have_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v and_o from_o whence_o he_o copy_v they_o out_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o governor_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o do_v their_o king_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o keep_v scribe_n or_o historiographer_n who_o write_v annal_n and_o record_v what_o past_a which_o annal_n or_o chronology_n be_v every_o where_o cite_v in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n but_o those_o of_o the_o prince_n and_o priest_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n be_v quote_v first_o in_o nehemiah_n chap._n 12._o v._n 23._o and_o also_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o macchabee_n chap._n 16._o v._n 24._o and_o no_o question_n this_o book_n of_o annal_n be_v that_o book_n mention_v in_o the_o 32_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n of_o hester_n in_o which_o the_o decree_n of_o queen_n hester_n and_o those_o thing_n that_o concern_v mordecai_n be_v write_v which_o book_n we_o agree_v with_o aben_n ezra_n be_v lose_v and_o out_o of_o this_o book_n of_o annal_n all_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o four_o book_n we_o have_v last_o mention_v be_v in_o all_o probability_n take_v and_o copy_v for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n quote_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o four_o nor_o do_v we_o know_v any_o other_o of_o public_a authority_n that_o these_o four_o book_n be_v not_o write_v either_o by_o ezra_n or_o nehemiah_n appear_v by_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 9_o the_o and_o 10_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 12_o the_o chap._n of_o nehem._n where_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o highpriest_n jesuah_n be_v derive_v down_o to_o jaduah_n the_o six_o highpriest_n who_o go_v to_o meet_v alexander_n the_o great_a when_o he_o have_v almost_o conquer_v the_o kingdom_n of_o persia_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n and_o 8_o the_o chap._n of_o iosephus_n antiquity_n or_o as_o philo_n judaeus_fw-la say_v in_o libro_fw-la temporum_fw-la the_o six_o and_o last_o highpriest_n under_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n which_o be_v likewise_o plain_o declare_v in_o the_o 22_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a 12_o the_o chap._n of_o nehem._n where_o the_o historian_n say_v the_o levite_n in_o the_o day_n of_o eliashib_n joiada_n johanan_n and_o jaduah_n be_v record_v priest_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o darius_n the_o persian_a that_o be_v in_o the_o annal_n of_o that_o government_n and_o sure_a no_o man_n will_v believe_v that_o hezra_n or_o nehemiah_n be_v so_o long_o live_v to_o survive_v fourteen_o persian_a king_n for_o cyrus_n the_o first_o king_n of_o persia_n be_v he_o that_o give_v the_o jew_n liberty_n to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n and_o from_o he_o to_o darius_n the_o fourteen_o and_o last_o king_n of_o the_o persian_n be_v reckon_v 230_o year_n therefore_o without_o all_o doubt_n these_o four_o book_n i_o have_v mention_v be_v write_v long_o after_o judas_n maccabeus_n restore_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o also_o because_o at_o that_o time_n be_v spurious_a counterfeit_n book_n of_o daniel_n hesdras_n and_o hester_n publish_v by_o some_o malicious_a person_n who_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o zadduce_n for_o the_o pharisee_n will_v never_o own_v they_o and_o though_o in_o the_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o 4_o the_o of_o esdras_n there_o be_v some_o fabulous_a story_n which_o we_o also_o find_v in_o the_o talmud_n yet_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v father_v on_o the_o pharisee_n for_o there_o be_v no_o man_n of_o sense_n but_o believe_v those_o tale_n be_v add_v by_o some_o trifle_a fellow_n perhaps_o to_o render_v the_o pharisaical_a tradition_n ridiculous_a or_o to_o make_v the_o people_n of_o that_o time_n believe_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n be_v fulfil_v thereby_o to_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o many_o and_o great_a calamity_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o despair_n but_o though_o these_o book_n be_v of_o no_o great_a antiquity_n yet_o many_o fault_n i_o suppose_v through_o haste_n in_o those_o who_o copy_v they_o out_o have_v creep_v into_o they_o for_o in_o these_o as_o in_o the_o rest_n be_v many_o marginal_a note_n of_o which_o we_o speak_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n and_o also_o some_o place_n for_o which_o no_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v but_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o marginal_a readins_n of_o these_o book_n be_v as_o the_o pharisee_n will_v have_v it_o as_o ancient_a as_o the_o writer_n themselves_o than_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o scribe_n if_o they_o be_v more_o than_o one_o put_v these_o note_n into_o the_o margin_n because_o they_o do_v not_o find_v the_o annal_n from_o whence_o they_o copy_v out_o the_o book_n perfect_o write_v and_o though_o some_o fault_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o obvious_a yet_o the_o scribe_n will_v not_o be_v so_o bold_a to_o alter_v or_o mend_v the_o write_n of_o their_o ancestor_n of_o this_o particular_a i_o have_v say_v enough_o and_o i_o now_o pass_v on_o to_o show_v those_o error_n whereof_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v in_o the_o margin_n i_o can_v tell_v how_o many_o i_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chap_n of_o ezra_n for_o in_o the_o 64_o the_o verse_n it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o whole_a congregation_n together_o of_o those_o that_o go_v up_o out_o of_o captivity_n to_o jerusalem_n be_v forty_o two_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o and_o threescore_o and_o yet_o if_o the_o particular_a number_n throughout_o the_o whole_a chapter_n be_v exact_o sum_v up_o and_o add_v together_o they_o make_v the_o total_a to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o twenty_o nine_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o error_n in_o the_o total_a or_o particular_a number_n now_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a the_o total_a number_n be_v not_o mistake_v but_o set_v down_o right_a because_o every_o one_o may_v keep_v that_o in_o memory_n though_o he_o can_v not_o remember_v the_o particular_a number_n have_v there_o be_v any_o error_n or_o mistake_n in_o the_o total_a every_o body_n will_v have_v know_v it_o and_o it_o may_v have_v be_v easy_o mend_v which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n of_o nehemiah_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o they_o that_o come_v up_o from_o the_o captivity_n be_v the_o very_a same_o mention_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o chap_n of_o ezra_n but_o the_o particular_a number_n very_o much_o differ_v for_o
have_v temple_n dedicate_v to_o he_o and_o be_v worship_v by_o flamen_n and_o priest_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o other_o god_n be_v tacitus_n in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o annal_n tell_v we_o that_o alexander_n will_v be_v salute_v by_o the_o name_n of_o jupiter_n son_n which_o be_v not_o pride_n but_o design_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o answer_n he_o return_v to_o the_o invective_n speech_n make_v by_o hermolaus_n in_o the_o eight_o book_n and_o eight_o section_n of_o quintus_n curtius_n alexander_n speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n one_o thing_n be_v very_o ridiculous_a which_o hermolaus_n require_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o own_o jupiter_n to_o be_v my_o father_n be_v so_o declare_v by_o his_o oracle_n as_o if_o the_o answer_n of_o the_o god_n be_v in_o my_o power_n he_o offer_v i_o the_o name_n of_o his_o son_n which_o be_v very_o suitable_a to_o the_o design_n i_o be_o now_o about_o i_o wish_v the_o indian_n will_v also_o believe_v i_o to_o be_v a_o god_n success_n in_o war_n depend_v much_o upon_o fame_n and_o that_o which_o be_v false_o believe_v sometime_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n which_o thing_n do_v that_o be_v true_a in_o which_o few_o word_n he_o very_o artificial_o endeavour_v to_o continue_v people_n in_o their_o ignorance_n and_o neat_o insinuate_v the_o design_n of_o his_o dissemble_n which_o cleo_n likewise_o do_v in_o his_o oration_n whereby_o he_o endeavour_v to_o persuade_v the_o macedonian_n to_o sooth_n and_o flatter_v the_o king_n for_o after_o he_o have_v with_o admiration_n speak_v in_o praise_n of_o alexander_n and_o reckon_v up_o all_o his_o merit_n give_v a_o colour_n of_o truth_n to_o the_o fraud_n he_o show_v the_o advantage_n gain_v by_o it_o in_o word_n to_o this_o effect_n the_o persian_n be_v not_o only_o prudent_a but_o pious_a in_o worship_v their_o king_n as_o god_n because_o it_o be_v the_o safety_n of_o majesty_n and_o then_o conclude_v that_o he_o himself_o will_v be_v the_o first_o who_o at_o the_o king_n entrance_n will_v fall_v down_o upon_o the_o earth_n and_o worship_v he_o and_o that_o he_o think_v the_o wise_a among_o they_o will_v follow_v his_o example_n see_v curtius_n in_o his_o eight_o book_n book_n 8._o but_o the_o macedonian_n be_v wise_a nor_o can_v any_o but_o mere_a barbarian_n be_v so_o gross_o cheat_v and_o of_o subject_n suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v make_v slave_n altogether_o unprofitable_a to_o themselves_o other_o have_v with_o more_o ease_n persuade_v the_o world_n that_o the_o majesty_n of_o king_n be_v sacred_a that_o they_o be_v god_n vicegerent_n on_o earth_n ordain_v by_o god_n and_o not_o establish_v by_o the_o vote_n and_o consent_n of_o man_n but_o preserve_v and_o defend_v by_o the_o particular_a aid_n and_o protection_n of_o divine_a providence_n this_o and_o much_o more_o have_v monarch_n devise_v to_o secure_v their_o government_n with_o which_o i_o will_v not_o meddle_v but_o proceed_v to_o those_o thing_n which_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o government_n divine_a revelation_n teach_v moses_n we_o have_v already_o declare_v in_o the_o five_o chapter_n that_o after_o the_o israelite_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n they_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o law_n or_o power_n of_o any_o other_o nation_n but_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o institute_n what_o law_n and_o possess_v what_o land_n they_o please_v for_o when_o they_o be_v free_v from_o the_o intolerable_a bondage_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o be_v not_o bind_v by_o covenant_n to_o any_o mortal_a they_o again_o recover_v their_o natural_a right_n to_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o their_o power_n and_o every_o man_n may_v free_o resolve_v whether_o he_o will_v keep_v his_o natural_a right_n or_o part_n with_o and_o transfer_v it_o to_o another_o be_v then_o in_o this_o natural_a state_n by_o the_o counsel_n of_o moses_n in_o who_o all_o have_v a_o very_a great_a trust_n and_o confidence_n they_o resolve_v to_o transfer_v their_o power_n upon_o no_o mortal_a man_n but_o upon_o god_n only_o and_o without_o further_a delay_n promise_v all_o with_o one_o voice_n to_o obey_v god_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o never_o to_o own_o any_o other_o power_n but_o such_o as_o god_n by_o prophetical_a revelation_n shall_v institute_v and_o appoint_v this_o promise_n and_o translation_n of_o their_o right_n and_o power_n upon_o god_n be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o we_o have_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v do_v in_o a_o common_a society_n when_o man_n resolve_v to_o depart_v with_o their_o natural_a right_n for_o as_o it_o appear_v exod._n chap._n 24._o ver_fw-la 7._o they_o free_o without_o any_o compulsion_n not_o terrify_v with_o any_o threat_n do_v by_o express_a covenant_n and_o oath_n part_n with_o their_o natural_a right_n and_o transfer_v it_o upon_o god_n and_o that_o the_o covenant_n may_v be_v firm_a and_o bind_a without_o any_o suspicion_n of_o fraud_n god_n covenant_v nothing_o with_o they_o till_o after_o they_o have_v make_v trial_n of_o his_o wonderful_a power_n by_o which_o they_o have_v already_o be_v and_o be_v afterward_o to_o be_v preserve_v see_v exod._n chap._n 19_o v._n 4_o 5._o for_o upon_o this_o very_a ground_n of_o believe_v that_o the_o power_n of_o god_n only_o can_v save_v they_o they_o transfer_v all_o their_o power_n of_o preserve_v themselves_o and_o consequent_o all_o their_o right_n upon_o god._n the_o government_n then_o of_o the_o jew_n be_v only_o in_o god_n and_o therefore_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v call_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n god_n be_v rightful_a king_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o consequent_o the_o enemy_n of_o that_o government_n be_v god_n enemy_n and_o the_o subject_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n who_o go_v about_o to_o usurp_v that_o government_n be_v guilty_a of_o treason_n against_o his_o divine_a majesty_n and_o the_o law_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n be_v the_o law_n and_o command_n of_o god_n so_o that_o in_o this_o commonwealth_n civil_a right_n and_o religion_n which_o we_o have_v show_v consist_v only_o in_o obedience_n towards_o god_n be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n my_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v law_n and_o command_n piety_n be_v justice_n and_o impiety_n wrong_v and_o injustice_n he_o that_o forsake_v the_o public_a religion_n cease_v to_o be_v a_o subject_a and_o upon_o that_o very_a account_n be_v think_v a_o enemy_n he_o that_o die_v for_o religion_n be_v think_v to_o die_v for_o his_o country_n and_o between_o religion_n and_o civil_a right_n there_o be_v no_o difference_n upon_o this_o account_n this_o government_n may_v very_o well_o be_v call_v theocracy_n see_v the_o subject_n thereof_o be_v bind_v by_o no_o law_n but_o what_o be_v reveal_v by_o god._n but_o these_o thing_n be_v thus_o more_o in_o opinion_n then_o reality_n for_o the_o jew_n do_v indeed_o still_o retain_v the_o absolute_a power_n of_o government_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o what_o shall_v be_v present_o declare_v namely_o by_o the_o form_n and_o rule_n whereby_o their_o government_n be_v administer_v which_o be_v now_o my_o purpose_n to_o explain_v see_v the_o jew_n do_v not_o transfer_v their_o power_n upon_o any_o other_o man_n but_o all_o equal_o part_v from_o it_o as_o be_v do_v in_o democratical-government_n and_o all_o cry_v with_o one_o voice_n whatsoever_o god_n himself_o without_o any_o other_o intermediate_v person_n shall_v speak_v to_o we_o that_o will_v we_o do_v it_o clear_o appear_v by_o this_o agreement_n they_o all_o continue_v equal_a and_o the_o power_n and_o right_n of_o consult_v god_n of_o receive_v and_o interpret_n law_n be_v equal_a in_o they_o all_o and_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o government_n be_v in_o the_o whole_a congregation_n upon_o this_o ground_n all_o equal_o at_o first_o hearken_v what_o god_n will_v say_v and_o what_o he_o will_v command_v but_o in_o this_o first_o meeting_n they_o be_v so_o terrify_v and_o hear_v god_n speak_v with_o so_o must_v astonishment_n that_o every_o man_n think_v that_o day_n will_v be_v his_o last_o full_o of_o very_o great_a fear_n they_o come_v again_o to_o moses_n and_o say_v we_o have_v hear_v god_n voice_n out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o fire_n now_o therefore_o why_o shall_v we_o die_v this_o great_a fire_n will_v consume_v we_o we_o shall_v die_v if_o we_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n any_o more_o therefore_o go_v thou_o near_o and_o hear_v all_o that_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n shall_v say_v and_o speak_v thou_o unto_o we_o all_o that_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n shall_v speak_v unto_o thou_o we_o will_v hear_v and_o do_v it_o by_o say_v this_o they_o clear_o abolish_v the_o first_o covenant_n and_o transfer_v upon_o moses_n their_o own_o right_n of_o consult_v god_n and_o interpret_n his_o law_n and_o decree_n for_o here_o they_o do_v not_o as_o before_o
well_o as_o a_o divine_a and_o to_o busy_v himself_o in_o unprofitable_a speculation_n fit_a only_a to_o take_v up_o private_a man_n time_n who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o in_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n for_o their_o church_n begin_v with_o their_o government_n and_o moses_n who_o be_v the_o supreme_a magistrate_n teach_v the_o people_n religion_n settle_v their_o form_n of_o worship_n and_o choose_v their_o priest_n this_o be_v that_o which_o make_v kingly_a authority_n so_o much_o esteem_v by_o the_o people_n and_o put_v the_o right_n and_o power_n of_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o religion_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o supreme_a magistrate_n for_o though_o after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n no_o man_n govern_v so_o absolute_o as_o he_o do_v yet_o the_o right_n and_o power_n of_o determine_v all_o thing_n concern_v religion_n as_o well_o as_o other_o affair_n still_o remain_v as_o we_o have_v already_o prove_v in_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o people_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o religion_n and_o piety_n be_v no_o more_o bind_v to_o go_v to_o the_o high_a priest_n than_o they_o be_v to_o the_o chief_a judge_n deut._n chap._n 17._o v._n 9_o 11_o 12_o thou_o shall_v come_v to_o the_o priest_n the_o levite_n and_o to_o the_o chief_a judge_n that_o shall_v be_v in_o those_o day_n to_o inquire_v and_o he_o that_o will_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o priest_n or_o unto_o the_o judge_n that_o man_n shall_v die_v though_o the_o king_n have_v not_o power_n equal_a to_o that_o of_o moses_n yet_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n be_v appoint_v and_o order_v to_o do_v what_o the_o king_n think_v fit_a for_o as_o it_o appear_v in_o 1_o chron._n chap._n 28._o v._n 11_o 12._o king_n david_n order_v how_o the_o temple_n shall_v be_v build_v according_a to_o a_o model_n he_o prescribe_v and_o as_o it_o appear_v in_o the_o 23_o d_o chapter_n of_o the_o same_o book_n david_n out_o of_o all_o the_o levite_n choose_v twenty_o four_o thousand_o to_o set_v forward_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n six_o thousand_o to_o be_v officer_n and_o judge_n four_o thousand_o to_o be_v porter_n and_o four_o thousand_o to_o praise_v the_o lord_n upon_o musical_a instrument_n he_o likewise_o divide_v the_o levite_n into_o company_n and_o set_v ruler_n over_o they_o which_o company_n be_v to_o serve_v and_o wait_v in_o their_o turn_n for_o other_o particular_n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o 28_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n v._n 13._o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o king_n solomon_n command_v offering_n to_o be_v make_v according_a as_o moses_n institute_v and_o ver_fw-la 14._o it_o be_v say_v that_o solomon_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o david_n his_o father_n appoint_v the_o course_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n to_o their_o service_n and_o charge_n and_o ver_fw-la 15._o the_o historian_n say_v they_o depart_v not_o from_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o king_n give_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n concern_v any_o matter_n or_o concern_v the_o treasure_n by_o all_o which_o &_o by_o other_o history_n of_o their_o king_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o whole_a exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o all_o the_o service_n that_o concern_v it_o depend_v only_o upon_o their_o king_n command_n and_o though_o their_o king_n have_v not_o as_o moses_n have_v the_o power_n of_o choose_v the_o highpriest_n or_o of_o consult_v god_n without_o he_o or_o of_o condemn_v the_o prophet_n that_o prophesy_v in_o their_o reign_n the_o prophet_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v a_o new_a king_n and_o to_o pardon_v any_o that_o have_v take_v away_o a_o king_n life_n yet_o i_o say_v the_o prophet_n themselves_o have_v no_o power_n to_o call_v any_o king_n to_o a_o account_n for_o break_v the_o law_n or_o in_o any_o judicial_a manner_n and_o form_n to_o proceed_v against_o or_o condemn_v he_o and_o therefore_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o prophet_n who_o by_o particular_a revelation_n can_v pardon_v the_o kill_n of_o a_o king_n king_n in_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n must_v have_v have_v absolute_a power_n over_o all_o thing_n both_o sacred_a and_o civil_a as_o supreme_a power_n have_v in_o these_o our_o day_n who_o have_v no_o prophet_n nor_o be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v any_o be_v in_o no_o wise_a bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o jew_n commonwealth_n and_o this_o power_n though_o our_o king_n marry_v they_o absolute_o have_v and_o may_v keep_v if_o they_o do_v not_o suffer_v doctrine_n and_o article_n of_o religion_n to_o be_v multiply_v or_o mingle_v and_o confound_v with_o art_n and_o science_n chap._n xx._n in_o a_o free_a commonwealth_n it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o every_o man_n to_o think_v what_o he_o will_v and_o speak_v what_o he_o think_v be_v it_o as_o easy_a to_o command_v man_n mind_n as_o it_o be_v their_o tongue_n all_o supreme_a power_n will_v reign_v secure_o and_o no_o government_n will_v be_v violent_a or_o tyrannical_a for_o then_o every_o man_n will_v live_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o those_o in_o supreme_a power_n and_o will_v think_v every_o thing_n true_a or_o false_a good_a or_o evil_n just_a or_o unjust_a according_a to_o their_o determination_n and_o decree_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a as_o we_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o 17_o the_o chapter_n that_o any_o man_n mind_n or_o thought_n shall_v be_v in_o another_o man_n power_n because_o no_o man_n can_v transfer_v or_o be_v compel_v to_o transfer_v his_o natural_a right_n of_o reason_v and_o judge_v of_o thing_n upon_o any_o other_o man_n and_o therefore_o that_o government_n be_v count_v tyrannical_a which_o will_v reign_v over_o man_n mind_n and_o supreme_a power_n do_v their_o subject_n wrong_v and_o deprive_v they_o of_o their_o just_a right_n when_o they_o command_v they_o to_o receive_v or_o reject_v according_a to_o their_o prescription_n whatever_o they_o declare_v to_o be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o positive_o appoint_v what_o opinion_n and_o notion_n man_n in_o their_o devotion_n shall_v have_v of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n whole_o in_o a_o man_n be_v own_o power_n and_o from_o which_o no_o man_n though_o he_o will_v can_v part_v i_o confess_v a_o man_n judgement_n may_v be_v so_o many_o way_n prepossess_v that_o though_o it_o be_v not_o direct_o and_o absolute_o in_o another_o man_n power_n yet_o it_o may_v have_v such_o a_o dependence_n on_o he_o as_o to_o be_v think_v very_o much_o at_o his_o dispose_n but_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o that_o art_n can_v do_v man_n will_v abound_v in_o their_o own_o sense_n and_o there_o will_v for_o ever_o be_v as_o many_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n as_o there_o be_v of_o palate_n though_o moses_n not_o by_o craft_n but_o by_o divine_a power_n have_v so_o prepossess_v the_o mind_n of_o his_o people_n that_o they_o believe_v he_o say_v and_o do_v all_o thing_n by_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o he_o can_v not_o escape_v ill_a report_n and_o sinister_a interpretation_n much_o less_o than_o can_v other_o monarch_n be_v the_o thing_n possible_a it_o may_v rather_o be_v do_v in_o monarchical_a than_o in_o democratical_a government_n which_o be_v manage_v by_o a_o assembly_n of_o all_o or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o reason_n i_o think_v be_v obvious_a though_o supreme_a power_n have_v right_a to_o all_o thing_n and_o be_v believe_v to_o be_v interpreter_n both_o of_o law_n and_o religion_n yet_o they_o can_v never_o keep_v man_n from_o judge_v of_o thing_n according_a to_o their_o reason_n and_o capacity_n nor_o from_o be_v this_o or_o that_o way_n affect_v they_o may_v indeed_o account_v all_o man_n enemy_n who_o do_v not_o in_o all_o thing_n absolute_o think_v as_o they_o do_v but_o we_o do_v not_o here_o dispute_v of_o their_o power_n but_o of_o what_o be_v most_o convenient_a and_o profitable_a i_o grant_v that_o supreme_a power_n may_v reign_v tyrannical_o and_o put_v subject_n to_o death_n for_o very_o slight_a cause_n if_o they_o please_v but_o all_o man_n will_v deny_v that_o this_o can_v be_v do_v with_o reason_n or_o prudence_n because_o it_o will_v prove_v dangerous_a and_o destructive_a to_o the_o government_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v deny_v that_o supreme_a magistrate_n have_v absolute_a power_n and_o consequent_o have_v not_o absolute_a right_o to_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o because_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o right_n of_o supreme_a magistrate_n be_v determine_v by_o their_o power_n if_o then_o no_o man_n can_v part_v with_o this_o liberty_n of_o judge_v and_o think_v what_o he_o will_v but_o every_o man_n by_o the_o sovereign_n right_o of_o nature_n be_v master_n of_o his_o own_o thought_n supreme_a power_n in_o any_o commonwealth_n can_v never_o hope_v for_o success_n in_o prescribe_v to_o man_n of_o different_a