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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
book_n king_n samuel_n saul_n 1,596 5 10.1155 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A23831 Reflexions upon the books of the Holy Scriptures to establish the truth of the Christian religion. Volume I in two volumes. Allix, Pierre, 1641-1717. 1688 (1688) Wing A1227; ESTC R29574 310,757 644

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the_o first_o part_n take_v in_o all_o that_o happen_v after_o moses_n till_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n and_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n the_o three_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o the_o jewish_a captivity_n and_o after_o their_o re-establishment_n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o book_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o this_o people_n in_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o epocha_n which_o have_v not_o certain_a character_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o relation_n by_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n which_o it_o have_v either_o with_o those_o event_n which_o go_v before_o it_o or_o with_o those_o which_o follow_v it_o and_o this_o by_o a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a dependence_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v confirm_v 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out_o of_o which_o she_o have_v marry_v her_o husband_n but_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n beside_o 1._o of_o the_o exact_a practice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o a_o relation_n who_o die_v without_o issue_n 2._o of_o their_o lively_a remembrance_n of_o the_o deed_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o juda_n incest_n with_o thamar_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o however_o as_o a_o fountain_n and_o a_o pattern_n of_o blessing_n 3._o of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n who_o this_o author_n represent_v as_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n from_o a_o moabitess_n which_o not_o make_v much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o eli_n and_o samuel_n judicature_n of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o a_o monarchy_n under_o saul_n of_o david_n anoint_v saul_n rejection_n and_o death_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o david_n his_o victory_n his_o design_n of_o build_v a_o temple_n a_o design_n which_o god_n leave_v to_o solomon_n to_o execute_v his_o war_n with_o the_o ammonite_n his_o crime_n with_o bathshebah_n his_o son_n absalom_n insurrection_n against_o he_o and_o his_o great_a success_n against_o his_o enemy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o two_o book_n which_o have_v not_o a_o exact_a connexion_n with_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v one_o see_v we_o throughout_o a_o exact_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o see_v we_o throughout_o monument_n set_v up_o in_o several_a place_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o particular_a action_n one_o see_v we_o also_o in_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n with_o their_o neighbour_n a_o constant_a series_n of_o those_o old_a difference_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o jealousy_n of_o 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of_o one_o that_o be_v blind_a and_o another_o that_o be_v lame_a at_o alexandria_n he_o that_o will_v know_v the_o particular_n may_v consult_v tacitus_n his_o history_n and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o only_o agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n of_o isaiah_n refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o they_o also_o still_o propose_v the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n as_o a_o character_n which_o will_v render_v the_o messiah_n very_o illustrious_a and_o certain_o know_v chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n this_o truth_n i_o have_v already_o assert_v in_o the_o reflection_n i_o make_v on_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n deut._n xviii_o but_o one_o ought_v to_o explain_v this_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n more_o particular_o god_n have_v be_v please_v further_a to_o illustrate_v this_o oracle_n of_o moses_n first_o then_o we_o say_v that_o the_o word_n messiah_n imply_v anoint_v which_o be_v common_a to_o king_n prophet_n and_o priest_n and_o since_o david_n time_n we_o find_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o this_o title_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n be_v dignify_v with_o this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o that_o samuel_n communicate_v the_o same_o to_o saul_n and_o david_n when_o he_o anoint_v they_o to_o be_v king_n yea_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o elias_n the_o prophet_n shall_v anoint_v the_o messiah_n that_o be_v initiate_v he_o in_o his_o prophetical_a as_o well_o as_o his_o royal_a function_n second_o god_n more_o precise_o signify_v this_o isai_n xi_o verse_n 1_o 2_o &_o 3._o where_o he_o declare_v he_o will_v communicate_v all_o the_o necessary_a gift_n of_o the_o prophetical_a function_n to_o the_o messiah_n there_o shall_v come_v forth_o a_o rod_n out_o of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n and_o a_o branch_n shall_v grow_v out_o of_o his_o root_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v rest_v upon_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o may_v the_o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o judge_v after_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o eye_n neither_o reprove_v after_o the_o hear_n of_o his_o ear_n these_o word_n need_v no_o commentary_n for_o the_o jew_n refer_v they_o constant_o to_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o plain_o import_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o great_a prophet_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o character_n which_o be_v there_o give_v to_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v to_o rest_v on_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o same_o which_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v attribute_v to_o the_o prophet_n and_o may_v easy_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n especial_o of_o david_n and_o solomon_n and_o much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o passage_n isai_n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o have_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o truth_n he_o shall_v not_o fail_v nor_o be_v discourage_v till_o he_o have_v set_v judgement_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n thus_o say_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o that_o create_v the_o heaven_n and_o stretch_v they_o out_o he_o that_o spread_v forth_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o which_o come_v out_o of_o it_o he_o that_o give_v breath_n to_o the_o people_n upon_o it_o and_o spirit_n to_o they_o that_o walk_v therein_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thou_o and_o will_v keep_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n for_o a_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o open_v the_o blind_a eye_n to_o bring_v out_o the_o prisoner_n from_o the_o prison_n and_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n out_o of_o the_o prison_n house_n in_o which_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n particular_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o jew_n apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n 1._o that_o god_n propose_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o bestow_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o his_o love_n and_o the_o choice_n he_o have_v make_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o as_o rule_n for_o reform_v the_o country_n and_o propound_v god_n covenant_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o clear_o suppose_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o such_o great_a undertake_n 3._o that_o contrary_a to_o the_o thunder_a character_n which_o distinguish_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v as_o so_o many_o public_a censor_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o speak_v with_o all_o meekness_n and_o sweetness_n to_o the_o nation_n which_o shall_v receive_v his_o preach_v one_o see_v we_o that_o isaiah_n repeat_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o the_o lord_n have_v anoint_v i_o to_o preach_v good_a tiding_n unto_o the_o meek_a he_o have_v send_v i_o to_o bind-up_a the_o break_a heart_a to_o proclaim_v liberty_n to_o the_o captive_n and_o the_o open_n of_o the_o prison_n to_o they_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o proclaim_v the_o acceptable_a year_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o day_n of_o vengeance_n of_o our_o god_n to_o comfort_v all_o that_o mourn_v to_o appoint_v unto_o they_o that_o mourn_v in_o zion_n to_o give_v unto_o they_o beauty_n for_o ash_n the_o oil_n of_o joy_n for_o mourn_v the_o garment_n of_o praise_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o heaviness_n that_o they_o may_v be_v call_v tree_n of_o righteousness_n the_o plant_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o may_v be_v glorify_v and_o they_o shall_v build_v the_o old_a waste_v they_o shall_v raise_v up_o the_o former_a desolation_n and_o they_o shall_v repair_v the_o waste_a city_n the_o desolation_n of_o many_o generation_n and_o stranger_n shall_v stand_v and_o feed_v your_o flock_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o alien_n shall_v be_v your_o plowman_n and_o your_o vine_n dresser_n but_o you_o shall_v be_v name_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o lord_n man_n shall_v call_v you_o the_o minister_n of_o our_o god_n you_o shall_v eat_v the_o riches_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o their_o glory_n shall_v you_o boast_v yourselves_o for_o your_o shame_n you_o shall_v have_v double_a and_o for_o confusion_n they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o their_o portion_n therefore_o in_o their_o land_n they_o shall_v possess_v the_o double_a everlasting_a joy_n shall_v be_v upon_o they_o in_o short_a he_o represent_v in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a oracle_n the_o gentile_n as_o a_o people_n be_v in_o darkness_n and_o in_o the_o misery_n of_o a_o prison_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o infer_v first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n how_o vile_a and_o abject_a soever_o that_o character_n may_v appear_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o it_o be_v where_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n second_o that_o he_o be_v to_o discharge_v these_o function_n during_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v his_o chief_a employment_n here_o upon_o earth_n david_n have_v before_o signify_v psalm_n xxii_o verse_n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o declare_v the_o name_n of_o god_n unto_o his_o brethren_n viz._n the_o jew_n by_o exercise_v his_o prophetical_a function_n in_o judea_n but_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v something_o more_o when_o he_o seem_v to_o point_v out_o galilee_n as_o the_o place_n where_o this_o sacred_a doctor_n be_v chief_o to_o fix_v his_o abode_n this_o be_v in_o effect_n insinuate_v when_o god_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v to_o begin_v his_o ministerial_a function_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o naphtali_n and_o zebulon_n isai_n ix_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o and_o 3._o nevertheless_o the_o dimness_n shall_v not_o be_v such_o as_o be_v in_o her_o vexation_n when_o at_o the_o first_o he_o light_o afflict_v the_o land_n of_o zebulon_n and_o the_o land_n of_o naphtali_n and_o afterward_o do_v more_o grievous_o afflict_v she_o by_o the_o way_n of_o the_o sea_n beyond_o jordan_n in_o galilee_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o people_n that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n have_v see_v a_o great_a light_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o land_n
therefore_o that_o occur_v in_o this_o matter_n consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propound_v to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o prove_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n his_o miracle_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o indeed_o these_o be_v the_o very_a matter_n of_o which_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n require_v a_o solid_a proof_n and_o it_o do_v the_o more_o concern_v we_o to_o satisfy_v their_o demand_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v oppose_v our_o assertion_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n be_v already_o accomplish_a though_o they_o agree_v upon_o the_o matter_n with_o we_o in_o all_o other_o article_n moreover_o the_o perform_v this_o task_n may_v 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thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v if_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o the_o event_n of_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o it_o may_v be_v just_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v produce_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v matter_n long_o since_o past_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o history_n which_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o relation_n of_o those_o who_o where_o eye-witness_n of_o the_o same_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o confirm_v our_o belief_n of_o thing_n at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o we_o i_o be_o behold_v to_o history_n only_o for_o the_o knowledge_n i_o have_v of_o a_o cyrus_n a_o alexander_n or_o a_o caesar_n and_o yet_o have_v read_v the_o account_n they_o give_v i_o of_o they_o i_o find_v they_o matter_n i_o can_v no_o way_n rational_o doubt_v of_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a be_v much_o inferior_a to_o that_o which_o we_o have_v of_o matter_n confirm_v to_o we_o by_o eye-witness_n nevertheless_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o event_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v be_v confirm_v but_o by_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o have_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o to_o account_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o man_n as_o cyrus_n and_o alexander_n for_o fable_n upon_o the_o pretence_n that_o none_o now_o alive_a do_v ever_o see_v they_o or_o because_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o trace_n leave_v of_o those_o empire_n of_o which_o they_o be_v the_o founder_n indeed_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v superad_v to_o it_o for_o though_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o historian_n who_o live_v many_o age_n ago_o yet_o withal_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o matter_n relate_v do_v not_o only_o carry_v the_o idea_n of_o probability_n and_o truth_n along_o with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o history_n of_o follow_a age_n which_o can_v be_v question_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o the_o thing_n relate_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o reason_n a_o matter_n of_o fact_n than_o be_v account_v certain_a when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o when_o record_v by_o a_o historian_n who_o live_v among_o those_o who_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o it_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o gainsay_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o if_o we_o find_v it_o pen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v relate_v by_o any_o otherwise_o than_o indeed_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o public_a derision_n and_o last_o of_o all_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o either_o because_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o every_o one_o to_o be_v inform_v of_o it_o or_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o public_a that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v hide_v from_o any_o or_o last_o because_o of_o its_o natural_a connexion_n with_o all_o those_o other_o event_n which_o necessary_o depend_v on_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a it_o be_v very_o unjust_a to_o demand_v either_o more_o proof_n or_o such_o as_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o be_v require_v to_o verisie_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact._n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o noah_n child_n be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o methusalem_n in_o case_n they_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v see_v he_o or_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o methusalem_n be_v of_o credit_n enough_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o adam_n if_o he_o aver_v that_o he_o see_v he_o and_o converse_v with_o he_o do_v we_o every_o day_n give_v credit_n to_o the_o account_n which_o old_a man_n give_v we_o of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o we_o find_v that_o what_o they_o relate_v have_v a_o exact_a reference_n and_o connexion_n with_o those_o thing_n we_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o proof_n which_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o our_o religion_n propose_v be_v infinite_o more_o strong_a and_o convince_a all_o the_o circumstance_n we_o can_v imagine_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n do_v concur_v to_o place_v the_o matter_n record_v in_o holy_a scripture_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o doubt_n or_o uncertainty_n we_o account_v the_o single_a testimony_n of_o a_o historian_n a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v once_o a_o very_a famous_a temple_n at_o delphos_n or_o ephesus_n notwithstanding_o that_o all_o the_o monument_n remain_v at_o this_o day_n to_o confirm_v his_o relation_n be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o defective_a whereas_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o entire_a nation_n yea_o many_o nation_n do_v attest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v and_o that_o all_o the_o action_n discourse_n and_o whole_a series_n of_o event_n thereto_o relate_v do_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o character_n which_o invincible_o signalise_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scrïpture_n chap._n iii_o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n forasmuch_o as_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n it_o will_v be_v proper_a in_o order_n to_o the_o execute_n of_o my_o design_n to_o begin_v with_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a book_n which_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a if_o one_o make_v the_o follow_a remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o he_o write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o deluge_n the_o rise_n and_o pedigree_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o particular_a the_o history_n of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n until_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o palestina_n 2552_o year_n after_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o follow_a book_n viz._n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n the_o four_o book_n of_o king_n of_o chronicle_n with_o the_o book_n of_o ezrah_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o say_a history_n from_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o jew_n into_o palestina_n until_o their_o
re-establishment_n in_o the_o say_a country_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3600._o here_o we_o read_v the_o conquest_n of_o palestina_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o joshua_n how_o it_o be_v divide_v among_o the_o tribe_n after_o they_o have_v destroy_v drive_v out_o or_o subdue_v the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o how_o often_o they_o be_v bring_v into_o bondage_n by_o the_o border_a nation_n who_o rise_n and_o pretension_n moses_n set_v down_o here_o we_o have_v record_v the_o several_a name_n and_o action_n of_o the_o judge_n which_o god_n from_o time_n to_o time_n raise_v to_o the_o israelite_n to_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o first_o estate_n here_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o kingly_a government_n among_o they_o which_o happen_v about_o the_o year_n 2909_o as_o likewise_o of_o the_o division_n of_o this_o people_n into_o two_o kingdom_n which_o for_o three_o age_n together_o be_v most_o opposite_a in_o their_o interest_n and_o make_v great_a war_n against_o each_o other_o as_o well_o as_o against_o their_o neighbour_a state_n we_o find_v here_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o the_o most_o puissant_a of_o these_o two_o state_n viz._n that_o of_o israel_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3283_o and_o after_o that_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o of_o judah_n by_o nebuchadnezar_n king_n of_o the_o chaldean_n anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3283._o and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n restoration_n by_o cyrus_n king_n of_o persia_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n under_o his_o successor_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a be_v that_o in_o the_o remain_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v several_a historical_a relation_n relate_v to_o both_o kingdom_n with_o several_a prophecy_n relate_v to_o their_o decay_n and_o restoration_n as_o likewise_o many_o discourse_n of_o morality_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o all_o these_o relation_n and_o prophecy_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o with_o those_o circumstance_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a reference_n to_o what_o the_o other_o book_n recite_v to_o we_o and_o a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n and_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o find_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o prophecy_n relation_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o we_o find_v there_o concern_v their_o government_n or_o religion_n the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n contain_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n together_o with_o some_o dispute_n with_o the_o jew_n who_o refuse_v to_o own_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n promise_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o last_o prophecy_n declare_v what_o in_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v to_o happen_v both_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n until_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n these_o book_n take_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n write_n every_o where_n for_o grant_v as_o also_o of_o all_o the_o other_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n both_o historical_a prophetical_a and_o moral_a these_o four_o particular_n do_v in_o a_o manner_n give_v we_o a_o entire_a idea_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o we_o shall_v scarce_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o aught_o else_o to_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o write_n if_o we_o consider_v those_o undisputable_a matter_n of_o fact_n i_o be_o now_o to_o speak_v of_o and_o will_v but_o make_v some_o very_a natural_a reflection_n upon_o they_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n notwithstanding_o their_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a sect_n and_o party_n present_o after_o our_o saviour_n time_n have_v and_o do_v still_o in_o all_o place_n every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o their_o respective_a language_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o spurious_a write_n shall_v have_v be_v slip_v in_o among_o they_o the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n have_v have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n among_o they_o in_o greek_a these_o 1600._o year_n so_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o in_o that_o language_n 300._o year_n before_o be_v translate_v by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o ptolomy_n king_n of_o egypt_n whither_o a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v carry_v after_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a have_v conquer_v the_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v overthrow_v the_o empire_n of_o persia_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o subjection_n the_o three_o be_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n they_o that_o follow_v the_o party_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o form_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n have_v only_o have_v the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o their_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n against_o the_o house_n of_o david_n they_o have_v most_o religious_o preserve_v the_o say_v book_n from_o anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3030._o in_o which_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n happen_v even_o until_o this_o day_n the_o four_o and_o last_o be_v that_o as_o the_o jew_n every_o where_o at_o this_o day_n read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n each_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v also_o observe_v by_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o christian_n read_v they_o every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o continue_v to_o read_v they_o for_o a_o long_a series_n of_o age_n as_o esteem_v it_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o sabbath_n beside_o which_o they_o also_o solemn_o read_v they_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o obedience_n to_o a_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o say_v that_o the_o sole_a consideration_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n first_o then_o i_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o maintain_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o so_o many_o language_n cite_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o author_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o various_a dispute_n from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o soon_o after_o shall_v be_v supposititious_a as_o to_o aver_v that_o the_o book_n of_o justinian_n or_o mahomet_n alcoran_n have_v be_v false_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n under_o their_o name_n i_o speak_v now_o only_o of_o the_o book_n themselves_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n they_o contain_v second_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v forge_v since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n three_o it_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a to_o suppose_v they_o contrive_v since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o judah_n because_o we_o find_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o the_o samaritan_n who_o have_v preserve_v they_o ever_o since_o their_o revolt_n without_o any_o other_o change_n but_o what_o be_v incident_a to_o all_o manuscript_n that_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o samaritan_n have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o effect_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n it_o can_v in_o the_o least_o shake_v the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o those_o book_n for_o first_o the_o three_o other_o tribe_n have_v they_o and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o great_a care_n esteem_v they_o of_o divine_a authority_n second_o there_o be_v also_o reason_n of_o state_n which_o make_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n not_o to_o regard_v the_o division_n make_v by_o joshuah_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o priesthood_n which_o reason_n of_o state_n hereafter_o mention_v where_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o ten_o tribe_n will_v not_o allow_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v before_o their_o revolt_n as_o those_o of_o samuel_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n which_o they_o do_v to_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n most_o of_o the_o other_o we_o know_v be_v pen_v since_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n and_o so_o do_v more_o particular_o respect_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o some_o they_o after_o the_o
to_o show_v that_o all_o their_o objection_n do_v in_o effect_n serve_v for_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o make_v a_o more_o lively_a impression_n of_o this_o argument_n take_v from_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o set_v forth_o in_o a_o full_a and_o clear_a light_n chap._n v._n that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o can_v with_o reason_n contest_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o tradition_n which_o have_v those_o character_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o relation_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v question_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v whether_o moses_n the_o great_a captain_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o founder_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v solid_o to_o evince_v though_o it_o seem_v that_o we_o may_v dispense_v with_o this_o trouble_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a event_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v general_o believe_v by_o other_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o these_o matter_n have_v give_v occasion_n to_o most_o of_o their_o fable_n viz._n to_o that_o of_o the_o chaos_n to_o that_o of_o the_o marriage_n of_o peleus_n and_o thetis_n for_o the_o form_n of_o man_n to_o that_o of_o prometheus_n to_o that_o of_o jupiter_n continue_a laughter_n for_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n of_o his_o life_n which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n know_v among_o the_o heathen_n to_o that_o of_o the_o golden_a age_n and_o of_o the_o deluge_n to_o the_o name_n of_o deucalion_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o janus_n to_o that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o saturn_n son_n to_o the_o name_n of_o jupiter_n hammon_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o titan_n and_o of_o the_o change_n of_o woman_n into_o statue_n of_o stone_n to_o the_o story_n of_o the_o incest_n the_o god_n commit_v with_o their_o daughter_n to_o that_o of_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o world_n by_o phaeton_n and_o to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o fiction_n which_o can_v be_v otherwise_o explain_v as_o the_o learned_a have_v show_v at_o large_a whosoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n whether_o moses_n or_o another_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v exact_o inform_v of_o the_o matter_n he_o relate_v and_o that_o he_o live_v soon_o after_o joseph_n first_o then_o i_o say_v that_o it_o appear_v he_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o those_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o treat_v he_o set_v down_o the_o name_n of_o the_o head_n or_o father_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o do_v it_o so_o that_o what_o he_o say_v do_v very_o well_o agree_v with_o what_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n have_v 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can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o last_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o this_o book_n serve_v for_o a_o introduction_n to_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n which_o have_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o there_o and_o do_v throughout_o allude_v and_o refer_v to_o the_o several_a passage_n of_o it_o and_o that_o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n and_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o other_o succeed_a matter_n of_o fact_n until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o egypt_n when_o joseph_n be_v chief_a favourite_n and_o minister_n of_o pharaoh_n but_o we_o have_v yet_o a_o more_o easy_a way_n to_o make_v out_o that_o moses_n who_o history_n be_v contain_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n for_o first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v acknowledge_v moses_n for_o the_o most_o ancient_a lawgiver_n for_o this_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o plato_n polemus_n artapanus_n pythagoras_n theopompus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o place_v moses_n in_o the_o front_n of_o six_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a law_n giver_n thus_o moses_n sauchnis_n sesonchosis_n bachoris_n amasis_n and_o darius_n father_n of_o xerxes_n but_o further_a if_o when_o the_o lacedaemonian_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o law_n of_o their_o lawgiver_n lycurgus_n and_o the_o athenian_n of_o those_o of_o their_o solon_n we_o think_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o natural_o every_o nation_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o faithful_a depositary_a of_o the_o law_n of_o he_o who_o first_o found_v their_o government_n yea_o if_o we_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o these_o relation_n though_o there_o be_v no_o people_n at_o this_o day_n who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o lycurgus_n or_o solon_n can_v any_o valuable_a reason_n be_v imagine_v for_o we_o to_o doubt_v whether_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n when_o a_o entire_a nation_n have_v constant_o aver_v that_o he_o do_v so_o i_o say_v when_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o continue_v at_o this_o day_n do_v in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o world_n equal_o and_o with_o one_o consent_n maintain_v that_o they_o receive_v this_o book_n from_o he_o together_o with_o the_o law_n and_o worship_n therein_o contain_v nay_o when_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o many_o of_o they_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n i_o omit_v now_o to_o mention_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o descend_v of_o abraham_n and_o do_v not_o observe_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n yet_o do_v not_o cease_v high_o to_o defend_v this_o truth_n throughout_o the_o world_n the_o gospel_n in_o their_o sense_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o literal_a accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o head_n of_o the_o serpent_n i_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o these_o my_o reflection_n with_o how_o much_o justice_n they_o assent_v to_o this_o truth_n but_o at_o present_a i_o tie_v myself_o only_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o which_o confirm_v the_o authority_n thereof_o chap._n vi_o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v never_o have_v do_v shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o set_v down_o all_o the_o observation_n which_o may_v be_v make_v incompare_v this_o book_n of_o genesis_n with_o other_o history_n common_o know_v to_o the_o world_n and_o who_o faithfulness_n be_v unquestionable_a without_o enter_v upon_o this_o comparison_n we_o may_v bold_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o history_n in_o the_o world_n who_o author_n we_o can_v be_v so_o sure_a of_o as_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o penman_n of_o genesis_n but_o i_o go_v further_o and_o assert_v that_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o testimony_n they_o give_v to_o this_o truth_n which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o two_o remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o their_o observation_n both_o civil_a and_o religious_a be_v at_o this_o day_n found_v upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o those_o which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n as_o for_o instance_n they_o compute_v the_o beginning_n of_o their_o day_n from_o the_o precede_a evening_n they_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n they_o observe_v circumcision_n they_o abstain_v from_o eat_v the_o muscle_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hollow_a of_o the_o thigh_n etc._n etc._n the_o observation_n of_o which_o law_n be_v indeed_o
decease_n as_o gods._n the_o three_o thing_n we_o be_v here_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o contain_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n genesis_n if_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o it_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v compare_v with_o the_o dynasty_n of_o the_o egyptian_a king_n i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o those_o egyptian_n who_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o flood_n do_v exact_o mark_v out_o the_o time_n of_o it_o as_o moses_n do_v but_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v be_v able_a to_o show_v out_o of_o their_o common_a opinion_n something_o very_o near_o equivalent_a they_o be_v all_o agree_v that_o menes_n be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n and_o live_v about_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o famous_a sesostris_n as_o herodotus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n do_v both_o relate_v it_o now_o who_o shall_v this_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v who_o some_o call_v sesonchosis_n unless_o he_o be_v the_o same_o with_o shishak_n who_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n 26._o 1_o king_n fourteen_o 26._o even_o the_o same_o famous_a conqueror_n who_o take_v jerusalem_n in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n reign_n if_o one_o calculate_v the_o time_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n he_o will_v find_v that_o this_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o ham_n of_o moses_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o there_o be_v very_o little_a difference_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o time_n betwixt_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o the_o egyptian_a account_n confirm_v moses_n narrative_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a writer_n who_o be_v very_o particular_a in_o state_v the_o time_n of_o every_o thing_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n take_v all_o in_o great_a can_v never_o arrive_v at_o that_o exactness_n this_o observation_n be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o moses_n chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n for_o that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n reckon_v up_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o sesostris_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n do_v reckon_v up_o but_o a_o little_a above_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n from_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n to_o sesostris_n there_o be_v yet_o less_o difficulty_n to_o answer_v the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n from_o the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n the_o same_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o say_v 31._o diodor._fw-la l._n 2._o sect._n 30_o 31._o that_o the_o egyptian_n propose_v so_o great_a a_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world_n tell_v we_o also_o that_o the_o chaldean_n believe_v it_o eternal_a and_o that_o they_o boast_v in_o alexander_n time_n that_o they_o have_v learn_v astronomy_n by_o tradition_n from_o their_o ancestor_n who_o have_v all_o successive_o make_v it_o their_o study_n for_o four_o hundred_o seventy_o two_o thousand_o year_n together_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o vain_a than_o these_o pretence_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o show_v here_o the_o folly_n of_o their_o opinion_n about_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n if_o aristotle_n seem_v to_o have_v authorise_a it_o yet_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o confute_v that_o opinion_n to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o democritus_n himself_o who_o pretend_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o chance_n yet_o dare_v not_o oppose_v the_o common_a and_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v new_a though_o he_o have_v the_o boldness_n to_o reject_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o action_n by_o which_o it_o be_v create_v neither_o do_v i_o intend_v to_o be_v prolix_a here_o in_o confute_v the_o supposition_n of_o the_o chaldean_n about_o their_o ancestor_n follow_v the_o study_n of_o astrology_n for_o 472000_o year_n successive_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o flood_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o those_o nation_n of_o who_o we_o have_v any_o antiquity_n though_o never_o so_o little_a considerable_a in_o pagan_a author_n but_o i_o shall_v make_v two_o observation_n whereof_o one_o show_v the_o folly_n of_o the_o chaldean_a hypothesis_n and_o the_o other_o do_v invincible_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n if_o it_o be_v compare_v with_o what_o we_o know_v for_o certain_a and_o in_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o the_o egyptian_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o a_o colony_n of_o their_o own_o diodorus_n siculus_n say_v that_o the_o egyptian_n maintain_v that_o they_o have_v send_v out_o several_a colony_n into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o belus_n the_o son_n of_o neptune_n and_o lybia_n have_v conduct_v one_o into_o babylon_n and_o that_o have_v fix_v it_o near_o euphrates_n he_o establish_v some_o priest_n among_o they_o according_a to_o the_o egyptian_a custom_n who_o be_v free_a from_o all_o public_a charge_n and_o office_n who_o the_o babylonian_n do_v call_v chaldean_n and_o who_o according_a to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n 261._o ap._n joseph_n antiq._n l._n 1._o c._n 5._o pausan_n messen_n p._n 261._o philosopher_n and_o astrologer_n do_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o star_n hestiaeus_n and_o pausanias_n say_v the_o same_o with_o diodorus_n now_o one_o needs_o only_o examine_v here_o what_o the_o egyptian_n do_v say_v about_o the_o invention_n of_o astrology_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o menes_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o ham_n or_o to_o mizraim_n who_o live_v after_o the_o flood_n thereby_o to_o discover_v the_o foolish_a vanity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o chaldean_n grow_v so_o vain_a by_o the_o growth_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o empire_n as_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v be_v no_o long_o behold_v to_o the_o egyptian_a astrologer_n who_o all_o other_o nation_n have_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o that_o science_n to_o the_o invent_v and_o perfect_v of_o which_o all_o man_n know_v that_o the_o egyptian_a climate_n where_o the_o sky_n be_v always_o free_a from_o cloud_n do_v very_o much_o contribute_v and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o both_o the_o chaldean_n and_o the_o egyptian_n begin_v their_o year_n with_o the_o same_o month_n according_a to_o censorinus_n observation_n c._n xxi_o de_fw-fr die_v nat._n i_o know_v very_o well_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n be_v mistake_v when_o they_o pretend_v that_o the_o chaldean_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n as_o a_o plantation_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o kind_n of_o illusion_n in_o this_o their_o opinion_n but_o yet_o the_o ground_n and_o origine_fw-la of_o it_o be_v uncontrollable_a because_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o cush_n ham_n elder_a son_n as_o moses_n tell_v gen._n x._o therefore_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o astrology_n yet_o this_o will_v be_v always_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v find_v out_o only_o since_o ham_n time_n who_o the_o egyptian_n do_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o last_o of_o their_o hero_n or_o as_o the_o first_o of_o their_o king_n the_o other_o observation_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v well_o mind_v here_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a chaldean_a antiquity_n one_o may_v prove_v by_o the_o astronomical_a demonstration_n of_o the_o chaldean_n which_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o that_o moses_n follow_v a_o calculation_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v aristotle_n the_o first_o grecian_a that_o ever_o teach_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n contrary_a to_o moses_n history_n be_v the_o man_n who_o furnish_v we_o with_o it_o he_o take_v care_n to_o send_v over_o into_o greece_n the_o astronomical_a observation_n of_o the_o chaldean_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v coelo_fw-la simplic_n in_o l._n 2._o de_fw-la coelo_fw-la that_o babylon_n be_v take_v by_o alexander_n about_o 1903_o year_n after_o its_o foundation_n now_o that_o calculation_n agree_v exact_o with_o that_o of_o moses_n xi_o gen._n xi_o who_o give_v we_o the_o description_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n and_o explain_v the_o original_a of_o the_o name_n of_o that_o city_n which_o be_v build_v some_o age_n after_o by_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n which_o then_o happen_v and_o true_o it_o will_v be_v very_o admirable_a that_o the_o heaven_n in_o their_o motion_n shall_v have_v enter_v into_o a_o confederacy_n with_o moses_n to_o justify_v a_o chronology_n invent_v by_o he_o in_o sport_n without_o keep_v to_o any_o rule_n but_o write_v
thing_n in_o itself_o there_o be_v no_o less_o absurdity_n to_o dispute_v our_o saviour_n resurrection_n than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man._n now_o if_o this_o argument_n hold_v as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o easy_o so_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v a_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o provide_v we_o be_v once_o well_o assure_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o consequent_o embrace_v his_o religion_n but_o it_o seem_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o meditation_n i_o be_v insensible_o carry_v further_a in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n than_o i_o think_v at_o first_o to_o be_v therefore_o instead_o of_o pass_v now_o as_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n which_o be_v a_o solid_a and_o compendious_a way_n of_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n i_o find_v myself_o engage_v according_a to_o my_o present_a method_n to_o continue_v to_o make_v the_o like_a reflection_n upon_o the_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n that_o i_o may_v yet_o more_o full_o demonstrate_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n who_o god_n promise_v to_o man_n immediate_o after_o his_o sin_n and_o this_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v so_o plain_o as_o will_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o god_n have_v real_o accomplish_v his_o first_o design_n and_o exact_o perform_v all_o his_o promise_n relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o first_o idea_n he_o give_v of_o his_o come_n to_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n first_o then_o i_o design_v to_o trace_v up_o the_o method_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o use_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v without_o mistake_n when_o ever_o he_o shall_v come_v into_o the_o world._n second_o i_o will_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o several_a notion_n he_o give_v of_o he_o long_o before_o in_o his_o oracle_n to_o characterise_v his_o person_n his_o office_n his_o action_n his_o suffering_n his_o glory_n etc._n etc._n last_o of_o all_o i_o will_v show_v that_o we_o have_v all_o this_o whole_a project_n and_o design_n exact_o accomplish_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o be_v write_v by_o christ_n disciple_n now_o as_o this_o method_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o choose_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v appear_v also_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n so_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o for_o i_o particular_o to_o view_v and_o examine_v these_o book_n that_o i_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o illustrate_v several_a thing_n in_o they_o which_o deserve_v a_o particular_a attention_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v consider_v together_o and_o as_o it_o be_v at_o one_o view_n for_o the_o prophecy_n be_v thus_o consider_v together_o in_o their_o connexion_n and_o progress_n do_v more_o plain_o evidence_n god_n design_n and_o may_v better_o convince_v or_o confound_v the_o jew_n therefore_o i_o intend_v according_o to_o consider_v those_o oracle_n with_o attention_n and_o to_o join_v they_o together_o that_o so_o they_o may_v in_o their_o conjunction_n cast_v forth_o the_o bright_a beam_n of_o light_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o infidel_n who_o may_v happen_v to_o peruse_v this_o book_n for_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o after_o the_o perusal_n of_o my_o observation_n in_o it_o a_o ordinary_a attention_n in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v any_o man_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n which_o be_v all_o i_o intend_v to_o prove_v as_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o treatise_n now_o as_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n religion_n according_a to_o the_o account_n moses_n have_v give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n have_v take_v up_o the_o first_o part_n of_o it_o so_o i_o design_v to_o examine_v in_o this_o second_o part_n the_o israelite_n religion_n and_o to_o follow_v in_o my_o search_n the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o it_o in_o his_o other_o four_o book_n and_o as_o to_o effect_v this_o it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o establish_v beforehand_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o four_o book_n so_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v first_o of_o all_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o true_a author_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v intrinsic_a character_n of_o undeniable_a certainty_n then_o second_o it_o will_v be_v natural_a for_o i_o to_o show_v that_o moses_n in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o view_n as_o particular_o promise_v of_o god_n to_o the_o patriarch_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n and_o as_o be_v consequent_o the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o sole_a object_n of_o their_o hope_n three_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v that_o if_o we_o serious_o examine_v moses_n law_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o they_o such_o a_o method_n observe_v as_o be_v both_o very_a agreeable_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n s_o design_n in_o genesis_n and_o very_o worthy_a of_o his_o wisdom_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reveal_v unto_o we_o of_o his_o intention_n by_o the_o prophet_n who_o follow_v moses_n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o of_o the_o three_o other_o follow_v book_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o may_v be_v ground_v upon_o several_a solid_a argument_n i_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n have_v always_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o very_a heathen_n themselves_o not_o only_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n but_o also_o the_o most_o ancient_a legislator_n in_o the_o world._n i_o may_v likewise_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a connexion_n betwixt_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o well_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o general_a design_n of_o their_o author_n as_o of_o the_o matter_n treat_v of_o in_o they_o for_o example_n we_o see_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o transaction_n which_o we_o find_v write_v and_o record_v there_o derive_v their_o original_a from_o those_o transaction_n and_o passage_n that_o we_o read_v of_o in_o genesis_n thus_o we_o may_v plain_o discern_v that_o the_o pretention_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o promise_n that_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n to_o give_v it_o to_o his_o posterity_n in_o the_o four_o generation_n thus_o we_o may_v see_v that_o the_o amalekite_n can_v have_v no_o other_o reason_n to_o make_v war_n against_o the_o israelite_n than_o the_o old_a alliance_n that_o be_v former_o make_v betwixt_o amalek_n and_o the_o canaanite_n which_o without_o doubt_n engage_v his_o posterity_n to_o be_v the_o first_o opposer_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o sedition_n of_o the_o israelite_n against_o moses_n under_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n do_v proceed_v from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n as_o it_o be_v set_v down_o in_o genesis_n because_o the_o elder_a think_v themselves_o wrong_v of_o their_o birthright_n think_v they_o may_v just_o rebel_v against_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o recover_v it_o but_o i_o haste_v to_o thing_n more_o material_a than_o these_o and_o first_o it_o be_v here_o observable_a that_o those_o book_n be_v not_o only_o religious_o keep_v in_o every_o family_n of_o israel_n but_o that_o they_o be_v also_o once_o solemn_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o a_o public_a record_n and_o that_o by_o moses_n himself_o a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o testimony_n against_o that_o people_n as_o we_o read_v it_o deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 26._o second_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n do_v straight_o charge_v both_o joshuah_n and_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n to_o read_v they_o frequent_o and_o careful_o for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v so_o joshua_n 1.8_o nay_o we_o see_v about_o 500_o year_n after_o the_o holy_a man_n david_n who_o have_v make_v during_o his_o life_n i._o psal_n i._o the_o supreme_a felicity_n of_o a_o man_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o read_n the_o law_n of_o god_n day_n and_o night_n we_o see_v i_o say_v that_o holy_a man_n give_v in_o his_o deathbed_n the_o same_o charge_n to_o solomon_n i_o king_n three_o moreover_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v many_o law_n and_o sanction_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o succeed_a time_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o read_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o
any_o thing_n to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v it_o deuteronomy_n iu._n 2._o it_o be_v then_o impossible_a see_v that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v attempt_v the_o alteration_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o they_o nay_o we_o see_v not_o without_o wonder_n that_o after_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n be_v transport_v into_o assyria_n those_o that_o be_v send_v from_o assyria_n to_o inhabit_v their_o country_n do_v receive_v that_o law_n and_o that_o their_o posterity_n have_v keep_v it_o all_o along_o to_o this_o day_n as_o uncorrupted_a as_o the_o jew_n although_o they_o continue_v their_o mortal_a enemy_n and_o have_v be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n that_o can_v befall_v a_o nation_n during_o the_o long_a interval_n of_o 2400_o year_n the_o three_o observation_n which_o deserve_v a_o singular_a attention_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o many_o corruption_n which_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n fall_v into_o yet_o these_o book_n have_v still_o be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o same_o form_n that_o we_o have_v they_o now_o it_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o josiah_n relate_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n own_o writing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o king_n command_v all_o the_o people_n to_o keep_v the_o passover_n unto_o the_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n now_o we_o have_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n exod._n xii_o which_o show_v that_o josiah_n by_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n mean_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n such_o as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o adays_o and_o such_o as_o they_o be_v when_o moses_n deposit_v they_o into_o the_o sanctuary_n it_o be_v important_a to_o consider_v well_o all_o that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o forementioned_a chapter_n of_o two_o king_n for_o we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o this_o law_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o reform_v all_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v in_o their_o religion_n and_o countenance_v by_o the_o royal_a authority_n from_o solomon_n time_n to_o josiah_n this_o chapter_n relate_v and_o commend_v the_o proceed_n of_o josiah_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ill_a government_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o to_o the_o public_a monument_n of_o their_o superstition_n which_o he_o abolish_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n law_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o impose_v herein_o upon_o posterity_n for_o first_o the_o transaction_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o also_o to_o most_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n second_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o continue_v so_o lively_a and_o universal_a that_o almost_o 1500_o year_n after_o moses_n the_o name_n of_o those_o magician_n speak_v of_o exod._n vii_o 11._o be_v as_o yet_o know_v not_o only_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v it_o by_o a_o express_a passage_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o 1._o hist_o nat._n l._n 30._o c._n 1._o and_o mention_v their_o name_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 8._o but_o also_o among_o the_o heathen_n as_o both_o pliny_n and_o numenius_n do_v attest_v it_o i_o point_v only_o at_o those_o general_a proof_n at_o present_a because_o i_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o they_o and_o show_v their_o force_n in_o my_o observation_n upon_o genesis_n and_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o repeat_v and_o improve_v some_o of_o they_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n but_o now_o in_o order_n to_o follow_v my_o present_a design_n i_o must_v come_v to_o the_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o these_o book_n which_o will_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n the_o subject_a of_o some_o book_n be_v such_o as_o that_o alone_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o the_o attention_n of_o any_o reader_n though_o their_o author_n have_v no_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o beside_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o subject_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v famous_a and_o of_o great_a repute_n then_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o never_o fail_v to_o be_v read_v with_o serious_a attention_n and_o preserve_v with_o as_o great_a a_o care_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n have_v both_o these_o advantage_n so_o that_o they_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suspect_v of_o the_o least_o alteration_n or_o forgery_n the_o first_o character_n that_o we_o discover_v in_o these_o book_n at_o the_o first_o view_v of_o they_o be_v the_o great_a singularity_n and_o admirable_a diversity_n of_o their_o style_n and_o of_o the_o matter_n they_o treat_v of_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o other_o legislator_n do_v ever_o affect_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o historian_n no_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o absolute_a power_n to_o make_v law_n without_o give_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o sanction_n of_o they_o therefore_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v common_o nothing_o more_o dry_a and_o sapless_a than_o all_o their_o regulation_n about_o both_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o moses_n we_o see_v have_v follow_v a_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o satisfactory_a method_n all_o his_o regulation_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v he_o enact_v no_o law_n of_o any_o consequence_n but_o he_o intimate_v to_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o reason_n which_o challenge_v their_o obedience_n and_o make_v they_o by_o that_o mean_n reflect_v both_o upon_o the_o several_a mercy_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o great_a miracle_n they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o i_o confess_v indeed_o that_o the_o use_n and_o scope_n of_o some_o of_o his_o regulation_n be_v very_o abstruse_a especial_o now_o that_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a heathen_a custom_n which_o god_n design_v to_o abolish_v from_o among_o that_o people_n new_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n where_o during_o their_o captivity_n they_o have_v comply_v and_o accustom_a themselves_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o the_o rite_n and_o religion_n of_o their_o master_n the_o egyptian_n but_o yet_o how_o abstruse_a soever_o the_o design_n of_o some_o of_o those_o law_n may_v now_o appear_v to_o be_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o general_a scope_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o keep_v that_o people_n from_o idolatry_n in_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n as_o also_o to_o quicken_v their_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o promise_n of_o who_o come_v have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o renew_v several_a time_n to_o the_o head_n of_o their_o nation_n however_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o those_o law_n religion_n and_o policy_n so_o interweave_v together_o that_o the_o latter_a seem_v to_o subsist_v only_o by_o the_o support_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o former_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o human_a legislator_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o regard_v the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v about_o the_o tradition_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o old_a moses_n have_v preserve_v it_o with_o such_o care_n with_o so_o many_o mark_n of_o fidelity_n and_o so_o clear_a and_o plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o history_n beside_o he_o that_o can_v give_v any_o satisfactory_a information_n about_o the_o original_a of_o thing_n all_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o heathen_n which_o yet_o make_v up_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n they_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n that_o moses_n relate_v in_o his_o history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o see_v the_o beginning_n of_o that_o common_a wealth_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n moses_n give_v a_o accurate_a account_n of_o they_o if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o mankind_n or_o what_o be_v the_o true_a happiness_n of_o man_n and_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o partaker_n of_o that_o happiness_n moses_n teach_v all_o that_o with_o great_a evidence_n and_o exactness_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o occasion_n of_o
be_v choose_v by_o god_n out_o of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n because_o the_o author_n of_o it_o decide_v these_o important_a question_n and_o difference_n without_o any_o visible_a partiality_n and_o without_o be_v by_o ass_v by_o the_o pretension_n of_o his_o birth_n now_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n in_o it_o which_o clear_o prove_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v unknown_a to_o moses_n the_o first_o be_v that_o immediate_o after_o this_o prophecy_n which_o be_v as_o public_a and_o well_o know_v among_o the_o moabite_n as_o any_o prophecy_n can_v be_v after_o the_o tedious_a preparation_n and_o the_o many_o difficulty_n which_o balaam_n make_v to_o come_v to_o balac_n after_o the_o many_o ceremony_n and_o mystery_n which_o he_o use_v upon_o that_o occasion_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o panic_n terror_n of_o the_o moabite_n at_o the_o approach_n of_o the_o israelite_n nay_o and_o notwithstanding_o the_o express_a threat_n and_o ominous_a prophecy_n of_o balaam_n against_o that_o people_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o i_o say_v we_o see_v the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n imitate_v the_o carnal_a prudence_n of_o lot_n daughter_n and_o court_v the_o alliance_n of_o the_o israelite_n as_o if_o they_o have_v have_v a_o mind_n to_o make_v themselves_o amend_v that_o way_n for_o the_o loss_n and_o wrong_n they_o have_v suffer_v by_o the_o sentence_n which_o balaam_n pronounce_v in_o favour_n of_o israel_n we_o see_v i_o say_v that_o moses_n immediate_o after_o he_o have_v relate_v the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n invite_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o their_o god_n and_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n accept_v of_o the_o invitation_n and_o according_o feast_v and_o begin_v then_o to_o defile_v themselves_o with_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n now_o that_o such_o a_o thing_n shall_v happen_v present_o after_o balaam_n have_v utter_v his_o prophecy_n show_v evident_o that_o there_o be_v some_o relation_n betwixt_o those_o two_o transaction_n and_o this_o may_v be_v further_o make_v out_o from_o the_o manner_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o punishment_n which_o god_n inflict_v upon_o the_o israelite_n for_o their_o criminal_a commerce_n with_o the_o moabite_n although_o the_o pretence_n of_o it_o may_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o design_n which_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n have_v form_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o education_n to_o share_v in_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n by_o their_o conceive_n and_o get_v child_n by_o those_o who_o balaam_n prophecy_n have_v invest_v with_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v that_o promise_n the_o second_o be_v that_o according_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n we_o see_v that_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n leave_v she_o own_o country_n to_o settle_v and_o live_v at_o bethlehem_n and_o affect_v beside_o to_o marry_v there_o again_o one_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n no_o doubt_n because_o she_o have_v get_v in_o she_o own_o country_n a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o that_o famous_a oracle_n which_o afterward_o make_v she_o easy_o yield_v to_o the_o counsel_n and_o receive_v instruction_n both_o of_o her_o mother_n in_o law_n and_o of_o her_o own_o husband_n who_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o no_o doubt_n have_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n wherein_o be_v insert_v both_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jacob_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n and_o that_o of_o balaam_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o israelite_n against_o the_o moabite_n the_o three_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v now_o for_o several_a age_n constant_o maintain_v 8._o i_o king_n ii_o 8._o that_o simei_n curse_n against_o david_n which_o afterward_o he_o call_v maledictionem_fw-la pessimam_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d contain_v a_o upbraid_a reflection_n as_o well_o upon_o the_o meanness_n of_o his_o birth_n as_o be_v descend_v from_o a_o moabitess_n as_o upon_o his_o adultery_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v relate_v by_o st._n jerome_n or_o some_o other_o ancient_a author_n who_o write_v that_o discourse_n de_fw-fr traditionibus_fw-la hebraeorum_n upon_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o three_o book_n of_o king_n this_o jewish_a interpretation_n will_v be_v very_o pro●●ble_a if_o that_o be_v but_o true_a what_o rabbi_n solomon_n say_v upon_o the_o ii_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n v._o 19_o that_o when_o we_o read_v there_o that_o solomon_n cause_v a_o seat_n to_o be_v set_v for_o the_o king_n mother_n we_o ought_v to_o understand_v it_o of_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n and_o not_o of_o bathsheba_n we_o know_v the_o jew_n ascribe_v a_o much_o long_a life_n to_o zarah_n the_o daughter_n of_o asher_n one_o of_o jacob_n son_n for_o they_o be_v still_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v in_o st._n hierome_n time_n that_o she_o be_v yet_o alive_a in_o david_n time_n no_o body_n can_v condemn_v this_o reflection_n upon_o ruth_n if_o he_o will_v but_o consider_v that_o her_o faith_n have_v be_v so_o reward_v that_o the_o messiah_n come_v our_o of_o her_o posterity_n she_o be_v particular_o make_v mention_n of_o in_o his_o genealogy_n and_o that_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n her_o history_n have_v be_v preserve_v among_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o kind_n of_o prescription_n not_o only_o against_o the_o moabite_n pretension_n long_o before_o condemn_v by_o balaam_n prophecy_n but_o also_o against_o those_o of_o the_o ismaelite_n and_o edomite_n who_o have_v no_o better_a claim_n to_o the_o promise_n than_o the_o moabite_n have_v no_o other_o than_o that_o of_o a_o general_a call_n and_o of_o their_o birthright_n before_o jacob_n posterity_n chap._n xii_o that_o one_o may_v see_v also_o in_o moses_n be_v law_n plain_a footstep_n of_o god_n design_n in_o distinguish_v these_o from_o who_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v born._n it_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a for_o the_o execution_n of_o my_o design_n to_o establish_v well_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n book_n upon_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n it_o be_v likewise_o necessary_a to_o show_v as_o i_o think_v i_o have_v do_v sufficient_o that_o moses_n be_v perfect_o acquaint_v with_o god_n promise_n concern_v the_o messiah_n therefore_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v now_o come_v to_o show_v that_o both_o moses_n and_o those_o that_o come_v after_o he_o have_v all_o a_o eye_n upon_o the_o messiah_n in_o their_o chief_a regulation_n but_o to_o give_v a_o great_a insight_n and_o understanding_n into_o the_o thing_n that_o i_o be_o to_o say_v i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o remind_v the_o reader_n and_o to_o lay_v before_o he_o once_o more_o the_o several_a character_n of_o god_n conduct_n in_o that_o matter_n that_o he_o may_v be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o design_n i_o have_v heretofore_o show_v that_o moses_n intention_n be_v to_o establish_v two_o thing_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o one_o that_o all_o man_n have_v derive_v their_o original_a from_o adam_n who_o god_n create_v the_o other_o that_o man_n have_v sin_v god_n promise_v to_o reinstate_v he_o by_o one_o of_o his_o own_o posterity_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v then_o solid_o prove_v by_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n when_o i_o show_v that_o such_o a_o tradition_n as_o moses_n relate_v about_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o as_o for_o what_o concern_v the_o other_o viz._n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a object_n of_o man_n hope_n and_o comfort_n i_o have_v also_o show_v i_o think_v that_o the_o notion_n and_o expectation_n of_o it_o be_v very_o strong_a and_o lively_a and_o the_o original_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o extraordinary_a action_n record_v by_o moses_n but_o as_o this_o promise_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fulfil_v for_o many_o age_n so_o god_n make_v it_o only_o in_o very_o general_a term_n and_o have_v still_o reserve_v to_o himself_o the_o revelation_n for_o after_o age_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a both_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n and_o time_n of_o its_o accomplishment_n it_o be_v therefore_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v consider_v also_o how_o god_n preserve_v all_o along_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o it_o among_o man_n now_o in_o read_v my_o reflection_n upon_o genesis_n one_o must_v needs_o have_v observe_v that_o god_n even_o in_o those_o early_a time_n of_o the_o world_n do_v restrain_v the_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v that_o promise_n by_o little_a and_o little_a to_o some_o particular_a man_n till_o at_o last_o he_o open_o declare_v that_o he_o have_v settle_v it_o in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o we_o read_v it_o gen._n xlix_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n restrain_v
be_v either_o false_a or_o forge_a this_o eusebius_n have_v clear_o prove_v de_fw-la praepar_n evangelicâ_fw-la lib._n ix_o cap._n 5._o the_o proverb_n of_o the_o sibyll_n or_o delphic_a priestess_n favour_v of_o philip_n be_v common_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a for_o these_o heathen_a prince_n to_o bias_n their_o people_n with_o such_o prediction_n initiò_fw-la lib._n iu._n de_fw-fr praeparat_fw-la evangel_n lib._n iv_o initiò_fw-la but_o what_o eusebius_n say_v put_v the_o thing_n beyond_o all_o question_n for_o he_o express_o show_v that_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v put_v to_o the_o rack_n they_o confess_v the_o whole_a contrivance_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o they_o pronounce_v to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n v._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o we_o can_v find_v great_a number_n of_o oracle_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o prophet_n follow_v as_o it_o be_v moses_n model_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o they_o frequent_o concur_v in_o foretell_v the_o same_o fact_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o vi_o we_o ought_v to_o remember_v that_o these_o oracle_n be_v not_o keep_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o one_o single_a state_n or_o nation_n vii_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o public_o know_v have_v be_v only_o propose_v in_o private_a place_n before_o a_o very_a few_o and_o in_o short_a that_o they_o be_v not_o actual_o know_v to_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o neighbour_a people_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a prophet_n give_v their_o oracle_n in_o the_o most_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o when_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o those_o who_o have_v any_o commerce_n with_o that_o nation_n so_o that_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v questionless_a know_v to_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o cyrus_n who_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o design_v by_o god_n to_o restore_v their_o liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o judgement_n of_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n which_o be_v know_v to_o alexander_n without_o all_o question_n as_o one_o may_v collect_v from_o the_o favourable_a reception_n the_o jew_n find_v from_o he_o viii_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o these_o pretend_a oracle_n be_v give_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o prince_n who_o can_v satisfy_v the_o greediness_n of_o the_o priest_n whereas_o the_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n live_v in_o the_o most_o disinterested_n manner_n in_o the_o world_n and_o usual_o pronounce_v nothing_o but_o reproach_n and_o menace_n of_o cruel_a calamity_n to_o those_o prince_n who_o have_v the_o government_n in_o their_o hand_n their_o ministry_n consist_v in_o a_o courageous_a opposition_n to_o the_o corruption_n in_o their_o law_n and_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o censure_v their_o prince_n and_o governor_n with_o a_o singular_a intrepidity_n and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o most_o of_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o boldness_n and_o make_v trial_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torture_n ix_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v mention_v in_o heathen_a author_n be_v only_o of_o fact_n of_o small_a importance_n to_o those_o people_n among_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v pronounce_v so_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o think_v themselves_o much_o concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v so_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o which_o they_o be_v entrust_v that_o nothing_o to_o this_o very_a day_n can_v ever_o oblige_v they_o to_o discontinue_v the_o read_n of_o they_o whatever_o dispute_v they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v with_o the_o christian_n who_o make_v use_v of_o they_o to_o establish_v their_o pretension_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o synagogue_n when_o this_o be_v lay_v down_o it_o will_v seem_v as_o if_o i_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o wonderful_a variety_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n can_v be_v at_o all_o weaken_a by_o those_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o find_v so_o frequent_a mention_n in_o pagan_a writer_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o in_o explain_v two_o thing_n which_o will_v perfect_o clear_v this_o matter_n one_o be_v that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n can_v be_v no_o forgery_n the_o other_o be_v that_o in_o truth_n those_o oracle_n which_o we_o find_v insert_v in_o those_o book_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n chap._n v._n that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v i_o have_v observe_v former_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v insert_v be_v establish_v before_o we_o can_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o can_v clear_o show_v that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v and_o public_o know_v before_o the_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v accomplishment_n of_o those_o precede_a oracle_n it_o will_v be_v natural_a to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o authority_n of_o these_o oracle_n but_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a reader_n herein_o and_o to_o establish_v in_o general_a or_o several_o the_o existence_n of_o these_o prophetical_a write_n before_o the_o time_n in_o which_o those_o fact_n happen_v which_o we_o propose_v as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o two_o sort_n of_o reflection_n to_o establish_v my_o proposition_n the_o first_o consist_v in_o general_a consideration_n upon_o the_o book_n themselves_o the_o second_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v uncontested_a and_o whence_o the_o same_o truth_n very_o natural_o result_v i._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o whereas_o in_o genesis_n moses_n make_v use_v of_o no_o other_o epocha_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o any_o event_n but_o the_o year_n of_o the_o life_n of_o some_o famous_a patriarch_n as_o for_o instance_n he_o fix_v the_o flood_n to_o the_o 600_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n 38._o exod._n xix_o numb_a xxxiii_o 38._o in_fw-la exodus_fw-la and_o number_n he_o use_v the_o time_n of_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n for_o his_o epocha_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o follow_a author_n the_o year_n from_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v careful_o set_v down_o till_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n solomon_n reign_n which_o be_v 480_o year_n after_o their_o departure_n this_o be_v a_o character_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o all_o those_o who_o live_v after_o that_o epoch●_n ii_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n begin_v a_o new_a epocha_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v from_o two_o chron._n viii_o 1._o though_o they_o begin_v after_o that_o time_n to_o reckon_v by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o prophet_n which_o be_v a_o character_n sufficient_o certain_a to_o distinguish_v those_o who_o live_v after_o solomon_n with_o the_o time_n when_o they_o live_v iii_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o afterward_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o persian_a empire_n oblige_v they_o to_o fix_v their_o event_n and_o to_o date_n their_o prophecy_n by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o government_n of_o those_o foreign_a king_n see_v daniel_n ezechiel_n zechariah_n and_o haggai_n so_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o maccabee_n refer_v to_o the_o year_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n now_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o perceive_v the_o force_n of_o this_o observation_n we_o must_v remember_v three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o author_n who_o live_v after_o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o jew_n into_o babylon_n make_v use_n of_o some_o chaldee_n term_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o forego_n prophet_n for_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o haggai_n 1._o ezech._n xl._n 1._o daniel_n x._o zach_n i._n hagg._n 1._o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n the_o same_o style_n with_o ezra_n nehemiah_n and_o daniel_n 2._o the_o author_n of_o these_o book_n give_v name_n to_o the_o month_n which_o they_o have_v not_o before_o the_o captivity_n the_o jew_n only_o call_v their_o month_n 1._o talm._n rosch_n hassanah_n c._n 1._o first_o and_z second_o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o they_o give_v name_n which_o be_v unheard_a of_o before_o 3._o the_o author_n of_o these_o prophecy_n take_v particular_a notice_n of_o any_o new_o institute_v fast_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n mention_v those_o fast_n of_o which_o we_o have_v nothing_o in_o the_o law_n but_o which_o be_v
institute_v during_o the_o captivity_n we_o must_v blind_v ourselves_o of_o purpose_n to_o conceive_v that_o any_o impostor_n can_v forge_v book_n which_o have_v so_o exact_a a_o relation_n and_o such_o certain_a characteristic_n to_o fix_v they_o to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o author_n live_v and_o to_o the_o circumstance_n wherein_o he_o write_v we_o must_v of_o necessity_n grant_v that_o before_o such_o a_o impostor_n can_v bring_v about_o such_o a_o design_n he_o must_v have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o whole_a profane_a history_n to_o fix_v so_o exact_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o of_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v be_v give_v in_o circumstance_n which_o be_v unintelligible_a without_o the_o help_n of_o profane_a history_n of_o different_a nation_n i_o come_v now_o to_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v contest_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o those_o fact_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o true_a to_o establish_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n whereof_o we_o teach_v i._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n preserve_v these_o oracle_n to_o this_o day_n with_o great_a fidelity_n ii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n who_o preserve_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n since_o they_o have_v be_v separate_v from_o they_o that_o be_v for_o almost_o seventeen_o age_n iii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o these_o prophecy_n have_v be_v exact_o read_v by_o the_o jew_n because_o of_o those_o oracle_n upon_o which_o they_o believe_v to_o this_o day_n that_o the_o whole_a happiness_n of_o their_o nation_n be_v found_v iv_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v read_v these_o book_n exact_o to_o refute_v the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v pretend_v from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o their_o appear_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n mark_v out_o by_o these_o oracle_n in_o short_a whereas_o the_o christian_n pretend_v to_o prove_v by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o this_o day_n to_o wrest_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o oracle_n and_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o literal_o accomplish_v and_o which_o by_o consequence_n can_v be_v apply_v to_o jesus_n christ_n v._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o most_o of_o the_o controversy_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o christian_n only_o regard_v the_o application_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o prophetical_a author_n the_o christian_n explain_v they_o in_o a_o mystical_a sense_n the_o jew_n maintain_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v explain_v literal_o vi_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o about_o 300_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o prophetical_a book_n be_v translate_v and_o put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o egyptian_n have_v be_v carry_v to_o and_o translate_v at_o alexandria_n by_o a_o public_a order_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o a_o king_n of_o egypt_n the_o history_n of_o that_o version_n which_o put_v those_o sacred_a book_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o jew_n who_o dwell_v in_o egypt_n be_v the_o most_o famous_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o make_v those_o book_n perfect_o know_v here_o we_o have_v now_o these_o book_n in_o hebrew_n and_o in_o greek_a that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o primitive_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o alexander_n found_v it_o be_v know_v that_o from_o that_o time_n the_o christian_n take_v care_n to_o make_v great_a number_n of_o translation_n into_o all_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n after_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o they_o preserve_v those_o ancient_a book_n as_o the_o first_o element_n of_o their_o religion_n now_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o acknowledge_v those_o truth_n to_o consider_v that_o those_o oracle_n be_v true_a which_o foretell_v thing_n which_o happen_v almost_o four_o age_n after_o their_o prediction_n thus_o for_o instance_n the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o syrian_a and_o egyptian_a monarchy_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n haggai_n zachariah_n and_o malachi_n now_o there_o be_v not_o more_o difficulty_n to_o conceive_v that_o such_o author_n as_o isaiah_n amos_n joel_n shall_v have_v foretell_v the_o same_o thing_n eight_o or_o nine_o hundred_o year_n before_o than_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v foretell_v by_o those_o who_o live_v but_o little_a above_o four_o age_n before_o they_o actual_o come_v to_o pass_v there_o be_v therefore_o no_o difficulty_n in_o conceive_v that_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v propose_v as_o we_o see_v they_o and_o in_o those_o time_n to_o which_o we_o find_v they_o fix_v but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o into_o this_o matter_n and_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o i_o confess_v that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o suspicion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v not_o relate_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o public_a volume_n as_o for_o instance_n those_o of_o elijah_n elisha_n and_o uriah_n the_o son_n of_o shemaiah_n who_o seem_v never_o to_o have_v publish_v any_o thing_n but_o here_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v 1._o that_o usual_o the_o author_n who_o publish_v the_o oracle_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o those_o who_o tell_v we_o of_o their_o accomplishment_n 2._o that_o the_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o now_o speak_v be_v upon_o subject_n perfect_o know_v and_o upon_o very_o illustrious_a exigency_n what_o more_o illustrious_a than_o the_o destruction_n of_o ahab_n family_n foretell_v by_o elijah_n what_o more_o extraordinary_a than_o the_o manner_n of_o jezebel_n death_n foretell_v by_o the_o same_o prophet_n in_o short_a we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n i._o that_o these_o oracle_n be_v write_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o complete_a volume_n we_o have_v sixteen_o prophet_n sufficient_o distinguish_v by_o their_o proper_a volume_n ii_o each_o of_o these_o author_n have_v a_o very_a different_a character_n from_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o some_o as_o daniel_n for_o instance_n write_v in_o a_o peculiar_a language_n one_o part_n of_o his_o book_n be_v in_o chaldee_n iii_o every_o one_o have_v some_o relation_n to_o the_o rest_n so_o those_o who_o live_v together_o often_o treat_v of_o the_o same_o thing_n so_o isaiah_n for_o instance_n joel_n amos_n hosea_n but_o they_o have_v separate_a idea_n and_o particular_a oracle_n and_o a_o turn_n which_o perfect_o distinguish_v they_o one_o from_o another_o iv_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o work_n to_o find_v that_o they_o write_v in_o different_a place_n amos_n be_v of_o juda_n and_o go_v to_o prohecy_v in_o israel_n that_o appear_v plain_o ezechiel_n and_o daniel_n prophesy_v in_o chaldea_n that_o be_v see_v by_o read_v their_o work_n v._o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o those_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_a for_o the_o prophet_n be_v continual_o reproach_v the_o king_n and_o people_n with_o the_o crime_n which_o they_o commit_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n propose_v by_o moses_n vi_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o write_n of_o the_o former_a and_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n 2._o dan._n ix_o 2._o so_o jeremiah_n be_v quote_v by_o daniel_n as_o foretell_v the_o time_n when_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v to_o have_v a_o end_n this_o he_o propose_v not_o as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v it_o by_o a_o revelation_n but_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v find_v out_o by_o a_o attentive_a examination_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n vii_o there_o be_v a_o exact_a connexion_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o time_n which_o be_v often_o interweave_v with_o the_o prophecy_n one_o see_v we_o it_o in_o the_o book_n of_o isaiah_n jeremiah_n and_o daniel_n the_o other_o historical_a book_n not_o be_v altogether_o so_o particular_a as_o these_o prophetical_a book_n be_v viii_o in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o book_n be_v interweave_v with_o oracle_n concern_v ancient_a event_n and_o people_n which_o have_v now_o no_o existence_n so_o tha●_n that_o hinder_v we_o from_o suspect_v any_o forgery_n i_o shall_v not_o repeat_v here_o the_o common_a argument_n which_o establish_v the_o credit_n of_o these_o book_n i_o bring_v in_o most_o of_o they_o when_o i_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n here_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o truth_n chap._n vi_o that_o the_o
manner_n of_o write_v the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n show_v that_o those_o oracle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n i_o have_v several_a thing_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n more_o sensible_a the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o i_o have_v prove_v by_o several_a character_n this_o history_n be_v exact_o write_v by_o several_a author_n now_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o their_o oracle_n be_v so_o exact_o frame_v into_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o take_v it_o out_o without_o confound_v the_o whole_a the_o book_n of_o samuel_n which_o be_v write_v by_o samuel_n by_o nathan_n and_o by_o gad_n as_o appear_v by_o i_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o contain_v the_o history_n from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2888_o to_o the_o year_n 2987._o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o year_n 2989._o to_o the_o year_n 3442._o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n recapitulate_v the_o history_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n 3468._o ezra_n write_v his_o history_n from_o the_o year_n 3468._o to_o the_o year_n 3538._o nehemiah_n continue_v it_o from_o 3550._o to_o 3563._o here_o be_v therefore_o on_o the_o one_o side_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o history_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o continue_a succession_n of_o prophecy_n david_n who_o begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o year_n 2950._o with_o several_a other_o prophet_n of_o that_o time_n write_v the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n which_o be_v full_a of_o oracle_n and_o which_o be_v sing_v by_o the_o people_n as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a service_n isaiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o 3246._o and_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 3306._o hosea_n micah_n and_o nahum_n be_v contemporary_a with_o he_o jeremiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3375._o and_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o zephaniah_n daniel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n in_o 3401._o and_o prophesy_v until_o 3470._o ezechiel_n prophesy_v at_o babylon_n in_o 3509._o haggai_n and_o zachariah_n prophesy_v in_o 3590._o soon_o after_o ezra_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nehemiah_n malachy_n seem_v to_o have_v live_v until_o the_o year_n 3589._o can_v we_o therefore_o in_o the_o least_o imagine_v that_o a_o history_n shall_v be_v so_o intermix_v with_o prophecy_n and_o oracle_n without_o conceive_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o both_o by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n but_o we_o may_v make_v a_o second_o reflection_n hereupon_o there_o be_v three_o general_a character_n which_o distinguish_v prophet_n very_o sensible_o from_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n i._o they_o be_v public_a censor_n let_v we_o but_o read_v the_o history_n of_o isaiah_n conduct_n who_o call_v all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n ruler_n of_o sodom_n or_o that_o of_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxxvi_o or_o of_o any_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n ii_o they_o be_v comforter_n of_o the_o people_n when_o they_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n by_o their_o preach_n there_o be_v as_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o as_o there_o be_v prophet_n iii_o they_o foretell_v remarkable_a occurrence_n happy_a or_o unfortunate_a long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o probability_n that_o they_o shall_v happen_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v these_o character_n without_o see_v that_o the_o state_n of_o affair_n be_v that_o which_o give_v a_o foundation_n for_o their_o sermon_n so_o that_o one_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v frame_v their_o history_n of_o new_a to_o give_v ground_n for_o a_o forgery_n this_o change_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o prophet_n follow_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n exact_o all_o that_o isaiah_n or_o jeremiah_n say_v will_v hold_v no_o long_o than_o whilst_o you_o suppose_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v as_o corrupt_v as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n represent_v it_o but_o if_o you_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v as_o the_o history_n do_v distinct_o explain_v it_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o forcible_a than_o their_o sermon_n for_o as_o they_o join_v oracle_n with_o promise_n in_o their_o thunder_a sermon_n so_o one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o can_v be_v part_v one_o may_v make_v another_o reflection_n upon_o this_o matter_n by_o show_v that_o these_o oracle_n and_o these_o book_n be_v so_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n that_o no_o forgery_n can_v be_v suppose_v the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v be_v a_o great_a proof_n for_o they_o appear_v upon_o very_o remarkable_a occasion_n one_o may_v rank_v the_o prophet_n into_o four_o order_n according_a to_o the_o several_a time_n in_o which_o they_o appear_v david_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o time_n those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n as_o jonah_n hosea_n joel_n amos_n obadiah_n isaiah_n micah_n nahum_n habakkuk_n zephaniah_n jeremiah_n those_o who_o prophesy_v during_o the_o captivity_n jeremiah_n ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n those_o who_o live_v after_o their_o return_n from_o babybylon_n haggai_n zechariah_n and_o malachy_n now_o we_o have_v a_o equal_a assurance_n of_o all_o these_o prophet_n that_o they_o be_v famous_a who_o can_v deny_v the_o oracle_n of_o david_n to_o have_v be_v famous_a when_o they_o be_v preserve_v among_o their_o public_a hymn_n one_o see_v we_o that_o micah_n prediction_n save_v jeremiah_n who_o they_o will_v have_v condemn_v for_o prophesy_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n under_o jehoiakim_n when_o micah_n have_v prophesy_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o hezekiah_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o this_o prediction_n of_o jeremiah_n here_o be_v a_o event_n which_o assure_v we_o without_o affectation_n that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v very_o well_o know_v be_v not_o therefore_o the_o other_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n very_o well_o know_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o other_o prophet_n live_v in_o very_o remarkable_a time_n isaiah_n under_o jotham_n ahaz_n and_o manasseh_n impious_a prince_n the_o last_o of_o which_o put_v he_o to_o a_o cruel_a death_n for_o the_o freedom_n of_o his_o censure_n and_o prediction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o every_o prophet_n a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v enlarge_v upon_o and_o which_o will_v further_o prove_v that_o their_o work_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v be_v very_o public_a and_o very_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n we_o must_v not_o here_o neglect_v what_o do_v more_o particular_o regard_v the_o person_n of_o the_o prophet_n i._o some_o of_o they_o be_v priest_n that_o be_v to_o say_v public_a minister_n of_o their_o religion_n jeremiah_n and_o ezechiel_n be_v of_o that_o number_n this_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o read_v of_o their_o work_n and_o in_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o their_o revelation_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n accommodate_v by_o god_n to_o those_o idea_n about_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v most_o employ_v ii_o some_o be_v very_o illustrious_a by_o their_o birth_n thus_o david_n for_o instance_n be_v king_n of_o israel_n isaiah_n be_v a_o prince_n of_o the_o blood_n and_o daniel_n be_v one_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o judah_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o find_v out_o by_o consider_v the_o majesty_n of_o their_o style_n and_o greatness_n of_o their_o expression_n iii_o some_o be_v very_o contemptible_a by_o their_o employment_n and_o by_o their_o birth_n so_o amos_n for_o instance_n and_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o father_n be_v bare_o name_v without_o join_v to_o it_o any_o honourable_a title_n if_o the_o jew_n observation_n have_v any_o strength_n now_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o though_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n make_v he_o who_o have_v it_o sufficient_o famous_a yet_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n often_o make_v the_o prophecy_n famous_a sometime_o indeed_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o person_n as_o in_o amos_n make_v the_o work_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v every_o body_n take_v occasion_n from_o the_o ancient_a profession_n or_o the_o prophet_n to_o consider_v the_o prophecy_n which_o he_o publish_v with_o more_o attention_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v with_o care_n that_o those_o prophet_n who_o write_n be_v preserve_v as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o do_v not_o write_v be_v continual_o strike_v at_o by_o false_a prophet_n who_o oppose_v they_o with_o great_a heat_n since_o than_o we_o have_v no_o prophecy_n preserve_v but_o of_o those_o who_o prediction_n be_v accomplish_v the_o event_n justify_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prediction_n with_o regard_n to_o particular_a fact_n near_o the_o time_n which_o they_o have_v foretell_v
and_o his_o ass_n colt_n unto_o the_o choice_a vine_n he_o wash_v his_o garment_n in_o wine_n and_o his_o clothes_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o grape_n his_o eye_n shall_v be_v red_a with_o wine_n and_o his_o tooth_n white_a with_o milk._n gen._n xlix_o 8._o 12._o i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n have_v pretend_v that_o moses_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v for_o shiloh_n but_o this_o be_v so_o ridiculous_a a_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o probability_n to_o maintain_v it_o what_o sceptre_n have_v judah_n before_o moses_n come_v how_o be_v moses_n the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o object_n of_o their_o hope_n and_o indeed_o the_o body_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o messiah_n so_o onkelos_n the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v so_o the_o jerusalem_n targum_fw-la and_o jonathan_n so_o r._n solomon_n jarchi_n abenezra_n and_o kimchi_n be_v agree_v now_o these_o reflection_n may_v be_v natural_o draw_v from_o this_o oracle_n which_o jacob_n utter_v upon_o his_o deathbed_n i._o this_o oracle_n be_v find_v among_o a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o other_o tribe_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o which_o be_v accomplish_v as_o to_o every_o tribe_n ii_o this_o oracle_n contain_v several_a particular_a event_n which_o relate_v to_o private_a transaction_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n iii_o this_o oracle_n be_v as_o it_o be_v jacob_n will_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n at_o a_o time_n when_o he_o divide_v among_o his_o child_n their_o portion_n which_o they_o be_v to_o expect_v from_o he_o iv_o this_o be_v a_o preference_n of_o judah_n who_o be_v but_o the_o four_o to_o reuben_n who_o be_v the_o elder_a and_o who_o by_o consequence_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v the_o head_n of_o his_o family_n the_o sceptre_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o legislator_n be_v promise_v to_o judah_n which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o by_o the_o right_n of_o his_o birth_n jacob_n therefore_o prepare_v his_o child_n to_o look_v for_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n in_o judah_n as_o well_o for_o the_o king_n who_o be_v to_o be_v descend_v from_o he_o as_o for_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bless_v in_o abraham_n seed_n but_o we_o must_v go_v yet_o further_o i_o shall_v therefore_o observe_v i._o that_o this_o prophecy_n particular_o regard_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o all_o the_o precede_a and_o follow_v oracle_n concern_v those_o tribe_n who_o head_n be_v then_o name_v by_o jacob._n ii_o that_o this_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n by_o a_o distinct_a establishment_n from_o the_o other_o tribe_n in_o short_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n have_v some_o superiority_n thus_o god_n for_o instance_n command_v that_o tribe_n to_o march_v the_o first_o numb_a ii_o &_o x._o its_o head_n offer_v their_o present_n first_o numb_a vii_o 11_o 12_o 83._o in_o joshua_n time_n this_o tribe_n take_v its_o division_n without_o draw_v lot_n for_o it_o one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n order_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n to_o lead_v the_o people_n out_o to_o the_o conquest_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o country_n one_o see_v we_o the_o same_a prerogative_n in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n though_o they_o be_v often_o of_o other_o tribe_n from_o david_n time_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n the_o king_n be_v all_o of_o that_o tribe_n and_o zorobabel_n afterward_o head_v those_o who_o return_v out_o of_o chaldea_n the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n name_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n first_o herod_n be_v the_o first_o king_n who_o be_v whole_o a_o stranger_n iii_o that_o jacob_n suppose_v that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n shall_v be_v in_o possession_n of_o a_o form_n of_o government_n and_o of_o a_o community_n till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v all_o very_a proper_a and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o this_o tribe_n continue_v under_o its_o own_o governor_n after_o the_o other_o tribe_n have_v be_v transport_v two_o king_n xvii_o 18._o it_o almost_o swallow_v up_o benjamin_n and_o levi_n who_o settle_v in_o their_o country_n and_o indeed_o josephus_n assure_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o come_v back_o again_o into_o judea_n under_o ezra_n for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o stay_v beyond_o euphrates_n and_o we_o see_v that_o at_o last_o they_o give_v their_o name_n to_o the_o whole_a country_n iv_o that_o this_o oracle_n be_v fulfil_v by_o degree_n this_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o of_o the_o preeminency_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n before_o david_n time_n which_o be_v a_o step_n to_o the_o advancement_n of_o it_o to_o the_o throne_n and_o the_o lessen_v of_o their_o dignity_n which_o be_v to_o be_v entire_o take_v away_o when_o the_o messiah_n come_v have_v also_o the_o same_o gradation_n david_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o throne_n over_o all_o israel_n but_o his_o house_n lose_v the_o government_n over_o ten_o tribe_n in_o his_o grandson_n rehoboam_n time_n his_o successor_n be_v tributary_n to_o the_o neighbour_a prince_n whereas_o david_n carry_v his_o empire_n to_o the_o wall_n of_o babylon_n though_o afterward_o the_o babylonian_n subdue_v the_o jew_n and_o depose_v the_o king_n of_o judah_n at_o last_o they_o absolute_o lose_v all_o that_o authority_n which_o they_o have_v hitherto_o keep_v they_o recover_v a_o little_a in_o the_o person_n of_o zorobabel_n and_o though_o they_o be_v soon_o after_o invade_v by_o the_o seleucidae_n yet_o the_o maccabee_n preserve_v they_o a_o little_a till_o herod_n and_o the_o roman_n take_v away_o all_o those_o remnant_n which_o they_o have_v yet_o leave_v in_o carry_v these_o view_v of_o this_o oracle_n further_o we_o may_v yet_o further_o observe_v i._o that_o god_n intend_v to_o oblige_v the_o israelite_n to_o wait_v for_o the_o sceptre_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n it_o must_v be_v there_o before_o it_o can_v depart_v thence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o look_v yet_o much_o further_a than_o david_n those_o word_n it_o shall_v not_o depart_v denote_v a_o continuance_n of_o the_o sceptre_n in_o the_o house_n of_o david_n for_o some_o considerable_a time_n ii_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o comprehend_v a_o lessen_v of_o the_o dignity_n in_o the_o term_n lawgiver_n see_v judges_n v._n 14._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_v god_n seem_v to_o have_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o mark_n of_o the_o fall_n which_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o person_n of_o zorobabel_n who_o as_o to_o the_o time_n be_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o oracle_n iii_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n assign_v the_o epocha_n in_o gross_a for_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n viz._n the_o ruin_n of_o that_o authority_n and_o power_n which_o the_o jew_n proper_o so_o call_v from_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n shall_v enjoy_v after_o their_o re-establishment_n god_n can_v not_o explain_v himself_o more_o particular_o in_o state_v the_o precise_a time_n when_o this_o thing_n shall_v happen_v there_o be_v two_o other_o very_o considerable_a oracle_n one_o utter_v by_o balaam_n in_o the_o year_n 2553_o before_o the_o king_n of_o the_o moabite_n who_o have_v send_v for_o he_o to_o curse_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n that_o lie_v in_o the_o plain_n the_o other_o utter_v the_o same_o year_n by_o moses_n the_o famous_a legislator_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o first_o be_v insert_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o xxiv_o chapter_n of_o number_n the_o other_o be_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n the_o first_o be_v in_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v see_v he_o but_o not_o now_o i_o shall_v behold_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o there_o shall_v come_v a_o star_n out_o of_o jacob_n and_o a_o sceptre_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o israel_n and_o shall_v smite_v all_o the_o corner_n of_o moab_n and_o destroy_v all_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n and_o edom_n shall_v be_v a_o possession_n seir_n also_o shall_v be_v a_o possession_n for_o his_o enemy_n and_o israel_n shall_v do_v valiant_o out_o of_o jacob_n shall_v come_v he_o that_o shall_v have_v dominion_n and_o shall_v destroy_v he_o that_o remain_v of_o the_o city_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o balaam_n character_n the_o presence_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o moab_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n in_o which_o it_o be_v utter_v do_v advance_v its_o authority_n considerable_o but_o the_o turn_n of_o his_o expression_n be_v equal_o singular_a and_o remarkable_a i._o he_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o of_o a_o star_n hint_v out_o to_o we_o the_o celestial_a nature_n
a_o new_a society_n which_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v not_o by_o the_o law_n give_v on_o mount_n sinai_n but_o by_o those_o which_o be_v to_o be_v publish_v from_o mount_n zion_n chap._n xxiii_o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n this_o article_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o important_a and_o most_o visible_a character_n of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o also_o the_o great_a effect_n of_o his_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a care_n to_o divulge_v the_o same_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o prophetical_a representation_n of_o it_o for_o not_o only_o have_v he_o declare_v that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n 15._o gen._n iii_o 15._o that_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o error_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o vice_n which_o arise_v from_o thence_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o sin_n which_o this_o unhappy_a spirit_n bring_v into_o the_o world._n it_o be_v not_o only_o foretell_v that_o god_n will_v persuade_v japhet_n to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o sem_fw-mi 27._o gen._n ix_o 27._o by_o unite_n the_o posterity_n of_o both_o those_o patriarch_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o religion_n not_o only_o have_v he_o signify_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v over_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n that_o be_v over_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o offspring_n of_o cham_n not_o except_v not_o only_o have_v he_o foretell_v that_o all_o nation_n kindred_n xxii_o gen._n xii_o &_o ch._n xviii_o &_o xxii_o and_o family_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n but_o god_n go_v much_o further_o afterward_o for_o as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o revelation_n increase_v so_o the_o same_o be_v declare_v more_o distinct_o for_o 1._o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n tell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n gen._n xlix_o verse_n 10._o the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n until_o shiloh_n come_v and_o unto_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v 2._o moses_n threaten_v the_o jew_n that_o if_o they_o despise_v the_o law_n of_o god_n stranger_n that_o be_v gentile_n shall_v be_v prefer_v before_o they_o deut._n xxviii_o verse_n 43._o the_o strange_a that_o be_v within_o thou_o shall_v get_v up_o above_o thou_o very_o high_a and_o thou_o shall_v come_v down_o very_o low_a the_o same_o prophet_n menace_v they_o from_o god_n that_o he_o will_v stir_v up_o their_o jealousy_n by_o call_v a_o foolish_a people_n to_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n deut._n xxxii_o verse_n 21._o they_o have_v move_v i_o to_o jealousy_n with_o that_o which_o be_v not_o god_n they_o have_v provoke_v i_o to_o anger_n with_o their_o vanity_n and_o i_o will_v move_v they_o to_o jealousy_n with_o those_o which_o be_v not_o a_o people_n i_o will_v provoke_v they_o to_o anger_n with_o a_o foolish_a nation_n nothing_o can_v be_v say_v more_o express_a and_o particular_a than_o these_o last_o word_n of_o that_o great_a law_n giver_n and_o founder_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n 3._o david_n set_v forth_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o that_o which_o be_v to_o reach_v over_o all_o the_o earth_n psalm_n ii_o verse_n 8._o ask_v of_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v give_v thou_o the_o heathen_a for_o thy_o inheritance_n and_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o thy_o possession_n and_o psalm_n xxii_o vers_fw-la 27_o 28_o 29_o 30._o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v remember_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v worship_v before_o thou_o for_o the_o kingdom_n be_v the_o lord_n and_o he_o be_v the_o governor_n among_o the_o nation_n all_o they_o that_o be_v fat_a upon_o the_o earth_n shall_v eat_v and_o worship_n all_o they_o that_o go_v down_o to_o the_o dust_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o a_o seed_n shall_v serve_v he_o it_o shall_v be_v account_v to_o the_o lord_n for_o a_o generation_n psalm_n lxxii_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o he_o shall_v have_v dominion_n from_o sea_n to_o sea_n and_o from_o the_o river_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o wilderness_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o and_o his_o enemy_n shall_v lick_v the_o dust_n the_o king_n of_o tarshish_n and_o of_o the_o isle_n shall_v bring_v present_n the_o king_n of_o sheba_n and_o seba_n shall_v offer_v gift_n yea_o all_o king_n shall_v fall_v down_o before_o he_o all_o nation_n shall_v serve_v he_o which_o prophecy_n be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a because_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n be_v there_o repeat_v in_o so_o many_o word_n viz._n that_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n psalm-cii_a verse_n 15._o so_o the_o heathen_a shall_v fear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n thy_o glory_n and_o psalm_n cx_o verse_n 2._o the_o lord_n shall_v send_v the_o rod_n of_o thy_o strength_n out_o of_o zion_n rule_n thou_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o thy_o enemy_n one_o ought_v to_o transcribe_v almost_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o passage_n which_o be_v to_o this_o purpose_n the_o prophet_n hosea_n declare_v in_o general_a term_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o impossible_a thing_n for_o those_o who_o have_v be_v god_n people_n to_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o or_o for_o those_o that_o be_v not_o his_o people_n to_o become_v his_o people_n chap._n i._o verse_n 10._o yet_o the_o number_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o sand_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o can_v be_v measure_v or_o number_v and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v not_o my_o people_n there_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god._n isaiah_n mention_n this_o so_o often_o and_o in_o such_o a_o emphatical_a manner_n that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n he_o drive_v at_o in_o all_o his_o write_n chap._n ii_o verse_n 2_o 3._o he_o speak_v thus_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o last_o day_n that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o and_o many_o people_n shall_v go_v and_o say_v come_v you_o and_o let_v we_o go_v up_o to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n and_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o of_o his_o way_n and_o we_o will_v walk_v in_o his_o path_n for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o chap._n xi_o verse_n 10._o in_o that_o day_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o root_n of_o jesse_n which_o shall_v stand_v for_o a_o ensign_n of_o the_o people_n to_o it_o shall_v the_o gentile_n seek_v and_o chap._n xviii_o verse_n 7._o he_o make_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o the_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o chap._n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o he_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o will_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n chap._n lv._o vers_fw-la 4_o 5._o behold_v i_o have_v give_v thou_o for_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o people_n a_o leader_n and_o a_o commander_n to_o the_o people_n behold_v thou_o shall_v call_v a_o nation_n that_o thou_o know_v not_o and_o nation_n that_o know_v not_o thou_o shall_v run_v unto_o thou_o because_o of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o for_o the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n for_o he_o have_v glorify_v thou_o but_o one_o see_v we_o these_o truth_n in_o their_o great_a lustre_n in_o the_o lx_o chap._n of_o his_o prophecy_n vers_fw-la 3_o 4_o 5._o the_o gentile_n shall_v come_v to_o thy_o light_n and_o king_n to_o the_o brightness_n of_o thy_o rise_n lift_v up_o thy_o eye_n round_o about_o and_o see_v all_o they_o gather_v themselves_o together_o they_o come_v to_o thou_o thy_o son_n shall_v
flatter_a themselves_o that_o god_n will_v one_o day_n re-establish_a they_o in_o judea_n which_o they_o expect_v by_o mean_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n at_o first_o promise_v to_o they_o it_o be_v now_o above_o 1600_o year_n that_o they_o have_v be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v not_o that_o their_o condition_n have_v make_v they_o change_v their_o measure_n or_o hope_n and_o tho'_o they_o have_v already_o be_v deceive_v by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o false_a messiah_n yet_o do_v not_o they_o for_o all_o that_o look_v upon_o the_o condition_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n as_o irrecoverable_a now_o if_o during_o so_o long_a a_o series_n of_o age_n they_o have_v keep_v their_o law_n with_o so_o much_o carefulness_n if_o they_o still_o religious_o observe_v all_o those_o law_n which_o can_v be_v keep_v without_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n who_o see_v not_o but_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n they_o must_v have_v keep_v they_o more_o exact_o at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o before_o his_o come_n when_o they_o can_v keep_v they_o with_o much_o more_o ease_n than_o since_o that_o time_n and_o that_o for_o many_o considerable_a reason_n for_o first_o their_o dispersion_n then_o be_v in_o one_o only_a nation_n whereas_o now_o they_o be_v scatter_v among_o heathen_n christian_n and_o mahometan_n 2._o they_o have_v then_o prophet_n who_o exhort_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o these_o law_n which_o now_o they_o have_v want_v for_o so_o many_o age_n 3._o they_o have_v often_o prince_n that_o be_v very_o favourable_a to_o they_o such_o as_o cyrus_n and_o darius_n who_o order_v that_o sacrifice_n shall_v be_v offer_v for_o themselves_o in_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o pompey_n afterward_o have_v the_o same_o inclination_n for_o they_o whereas_o since_o the_o time_n of_o their_o dispersion_n they_o have_v scarce_o meet_v with_o any_o one_o prince_n that_o have_v be_v favourable_a to_o they_o if_o we_o except_o julian_n the_o apostate_n who_o from_o a_o effect_n of_o his_o hatred_n against_o the_o christian_n do_v vain_o strive_v to_o re-establish_a they_o 4._o they_o have_v a_o temple_n to_o which_o the_o whole_a state_n of_o their_o republic_n be_v fix_v herod_n about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v most_o magnificent_o repair_v it_o whereas_o now_o for_o so_o many_o age_n they_o have_v neither_o temple_n nor_o altar_n 5._o they_o have_v high-priest_n among_o they_o that_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o be_v king_n of_o their_o nation_n whereas_o now_o they_o have_v neither_o king_n nor_o prince_n of_o their_o faith._n 6._o their_o law_n be_v translate_v into_o greek_a since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n it_o give_v occasion_n to_o a_o extraordinary_a jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n of_o egypt_n who_o have_v the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o greek_a and_o between_o those_o of_o jerusalem_n who_o have_v it_o in_o hebrew_n whereas_o now_o all_o this_o be_v altogether_o cease_v all_o the_o jew_n now_o for_o many_o age_n make_v use_n only_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text._n since_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o they_o without_o prophet_n without_o king_n out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n etc._n etc._n have_v observe_v these_o law_n for_o so_o many_o age_n notwithstanding_o their_o dispersion_n throughout_o all_o place_n and_o among_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n how_o much_o rather_o may_v we_o conceive_v they_o do_v so_o since_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n who_o place_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o order_n in_o which_o we_o have_v they_o at_o this_o day_n there_o be_v only_o 542_o year_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o return_n of_o their_o captivity_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n 3468_o to_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n and_o but_o 259_o year_n from_o their_o return_n to_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o 70_o and_o we_o know_v that_o above_o 1600_o year_n be_v pass_v since_o their_o general_a dispersion_n moreover_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o roman_n have_v so_o well_o preserve_v the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n from_o pompey_n time_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o their_o religion_n that_o a_o roman_a general_n send_v to_o demand_v a_o kind_n of_o permission_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o let_v he_o pass_v with_o the_o roman_a eagle_n through_o syria_n we_o know_v that_o those_o eagle_n be_v never_o set_v up_o at_o jerusalem_n but_o it_o be_v at_o a_o time_n when_o a_o roman_a commander_n intend_v to_o stir_v up_o the_o jew_n to_o sedition_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n to_o make_v the_o emperor_n their_o enemy_n yea_o we_o find_v that_o though_o the_o roman_n reserve_v to_o themselves_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n yet_o they_o permitred_a to_o the_o jew_n the_o judgement_n of_o zeal_n against_o those_o who_o they_o call_v heretic_n who_o they_o tear_v to_o piece_n to_o execute_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law._n if_o we_o find_v that_o a_o roman_a proconsul_n will_v not_o concern_v himself_o with_o question_n of_o their_o law_n arise_v without_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o own_o country_n how_o much_o rather_o may_v we_o judge_v that_o they_o enjoy_v a_o entire_a liberty_n within_o judea_n and_o indeed_o we_o find_v the_o priest_n send_v their_o 4._o act_n ix_o 4._o commissioner_n to_o damascus_n against_o the_o christian_n without_o doubt_n with_o design_n to_o execute_v the_o law_n against_o impostor_n s._n paul_n be_v beat_v several_a time_n with_o forty_o stripe_n save_o one_o which_o can_v not_o be_v upon_o any_o other_o pretence_n but_o to_o obey_v the_o law_n in_o that_o matter_n these_o proof_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v out_o that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n subsist_v still_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o god_n institute_v it_o and_o as_o for_o what_o concern_v the_o overthrow_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o god_n have_v interweave_v the_o law_n that_o regulate_v it_o with_o those_o of_o their_o government_n so_o that_o their_o religion_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o religious_a policy_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o their_o government_n continue_v at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o their_o religion_n notwithstanding_o the_o corruption_n which_o the_o pharisee_n and_o traditionary_a jew_n who_o christ_n continual_o censure_v have_v introduce_v do_v still_o continue_v pure_a enough_o to_o answer_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v they_o reject_v the_o samaritan_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o iv_o of_o s._n john_n and_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o heretic_n have_v no_o commerce_n with_o they_o they_o live_v in_o a_o perfect_a alienation_n from_o the_o heathen_a it_o be_v with_o this_o s._n peter_n begin_v his_o discourse_n to_o the_o assembly_n at_o the_o house_n of_o cornelius_n act_v x._o 28._o they_o live_v in_o a_o exact_a observance_n of_o the_o solemn_a feast_n which_o god_n have_v prescribe_v they_o viz._n the_o passover_n pentecost_n the_o feast_n of_o expiation_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n they_o observe_v the_o feast_n which_o their_o ancestor_n have_v join_v to_o these_o upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n as_o that_o of_o the_o dedication_n that_o of_o lot_n and_o some_o fast_n which_o they_o keep_v then_o as_o they_o do_v to_o this_o day_n this_o appear_v by_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o assist_v at_o these_o solemn_a festival_n with_o much_o regularity_n they_o do_v not_o till_o their_o ground_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n according_a to_o god_n command_n which_o make_v the_o heathen_a prince_n which_o be_v over_o they_o to_o release_v they_o from_o pay_v any_o tribute_n that_o year_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o josephus_n and_o other_o author_n they_o teach_v the_o law_n in_o their_o synagogue_n and_o that_o every_o sabbath_n day_n they_o be_v so_o scrupulous_a in_o their_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n that_o they_o accuse_v our_o saviour_n for_o heal_v the_o sick_a on_o that_o day_n it_o appear_v that_o leper_n be_v sequester_v and_o that_o they_o observe_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o leprosy_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v by_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gadarenes_n that_o swine_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o unclean_a beast_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o pay_v the_o tribute_n which_o be_v appoint_v for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o temple_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o re-establishment_n of_o that_o custom_n which_o we_o find_v two_o chron._n xxiv_o 5._o josephus_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o practice_n be_v continue_v till_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n xii_o antiq._n xviii_o ch._n xii_o we_o meet_v with_o the_o same_o in_o tacitus_n and_o other_o heathen_a author_n of_o that_o time_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o be_v extreme_o corrupt_v in_o their_o
the_o history_n down_o to_o cyrus_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o persia_n who_o give_v the_o jew_n their_o liberty_n again_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o what_o pass_v under_o his_o successor_n to_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n for_o almost_o eighty_o two_o year_n it_o be_v in_o this_o interval_n that_o the_o deliverance_n happen_v which_o the_o jew_n receive_v under_o esther_n wife_n to_o one_o of_o the_o most_o powerful_a king_n of_o persia_n the_o memory_n of_o which_o the_o jew_n celebrate_v every_o year_n in_o all_o place_n the_o thirteen_o and_o fourteen_o day_n of_o the_o month_n adar_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o february_n by_o virtue_n of_o esther_n law._n after_o these_o general_a remark_n with_o which_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o at_o present_a i_o ought_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o take_v away_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n from_o those_o proof_n which_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o history_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v neglect_v by_o a_o people_n who_o in_o their_o religious_a and_o civil_a conduct_n be_v absolute_o regulate_v by_o those_o very_a law_n the_o second_o be_v that_o all_o the_o action_n relate_v in_o this_o history_n have_v pass_v altogether_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o people_n the_o extent_n of_o who_o country_n be_v not_o twenty_o league_n in_o breadth_n nor_o eighty_o in_o length_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o people_n have_v observe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n and_o of_o the_o first_o year_n or_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o law_n you_o have_v in_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o leviticus_n from_o their_o first_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o country_n forty_o seven_o year_n after_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n this_o observation_n have_v serve_v for_o a_o double_a cycle_n to_o fix_v the_o remembrance_n of_o those_o action_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o so_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o hezekiah_n esai_n xxxvii_o 30._o and_o two_o king_n xix_o 29._o may_v easy_o be_v understand_v that_o although_o sennacherib_n invasion_n will_v in_o all_o probability_n lie_v waste_v all_o judea_n yet_o they_o may_v eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o quietness_n the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o the_o next_o year_n they_o shall_v eat_v the_o fruit_n that_o will_v grow_v up_o of_o themselves_o without_o tillage_n and_o that_o on_o the_o sixteenth_o year_n they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o till_o the_o ground_n as_o former_o which_o show_v without_o any_o force_n upon_o the_o word_n that_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v the_o sabbathical_a year_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v forbid_v to_o cultivate_v the_o ground_n the_o four_o be_v that_o it_o 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but_o small_a fragment_n of_o they_o disperse_v here_o and_o there_o preserve_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o care_n of_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n and_o of_o eusebius_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praeparatione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la so_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v surprise_v if_o but_o few_o of_o the_o more_o illustrious_a passage_n and_o event_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o pagan_a writer_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v otherwise_o engage_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n to_o keep_v close_o to_o that_o country_n where_o it_o be_v establish_v this_o make_v their_o neighbour_n have_v less_o knowledge_n of_o their_o history_n however_o there_o be_v enough_o leave_v to_o show_v with_o how_o great_a fidelity_n and_o exactness_n the_o sacred_a writer_n pen_v the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n in_o short_a we_o may_v find_v among_o the_o heathen_a historian_n and_o poet_n who_o be_v their_o first_o 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aelian_a judicious_o observe_v to_o attribute_v to_o their_o late_a hero_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o action_n of_o those_o who_o live_v long_o before_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o a_o feast_n which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o heathen_a roman_n in_o april_n the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a harvest_n iu._n ovid._n fastorum_fw-la lib._n iu._n in_o which_o they_o let_v loose_a fox_n with_o torch_n fasten_v to_o their_o tail_n which_o certain_o come_v from_o the_o story_n of_o samson_n and_o be_v bring_v into_o italy_n by_o the_o phoenician_n one_o find_v in_o the_o same_o history_n of_o samson_n and_o dalilah_n i._n ovid._n metam_fw-la lib._n viii_o fab._n i._n the_o original_a of_o the_o story_n of_o nisus_n and_o his_o daughter_n who_o cut_v off_o those_o fatal_a hair_n upon_o which_o the_o victory_n depend_v nicolaus_n damascenus_n have_v preserve_v the_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o david_n obtain_v over_o the_o syrian_n of_o zoba_n 6._o joseph_n antie_n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o upon_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o euphrates_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n there_o be_v monument_n extant_a which_o describe_v the_o part_n which_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n have_v in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n almost_o the_o same_o with_o the_o account_n which_o the_o sacred_a author_n give_v we_o of_o his_o part_n in_o the_o erection_n of_o that_o great_a work._n one_o find_v in_o herodotus_n a_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o sesostris_n king_n of_o egypt_n 6._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n one_o find_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n relate_v by_o nicholaus_fw-la damascenus_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o the_o king_n of_o