not_o distinguish_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o two_o book_n of_o king_n and_o of_o chronicle_n be_v and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o a_o book_n begin_v by_o samuel_n and_o continue_v by_o other_o prophet_n shall_v bear_v the_o name_n only_o of_o samuel_n from_o 1_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o we_o may_v likewise_o learn_v that_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n must_v be_v write_v by_o one_o of_o these_o prophet_n both_o the_o book_n of_o king_n as_o far_o as_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v write_v before_o josiah_n time_n for_o 2_o kin._n 18.5_o it_o be_v say_v of_o hezekiah_n that_o he_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n so_o that_o after_o he_o be_v none_o like_o he_o of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n nor_o any_o that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o of_o josiah_n it_o be_v say_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 25._o that_o like_a unto_o he_o be_v there_o no_o king_n before_o he_o that_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n with_o all_o his_o heart_n etc._n etc._n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o josiah_n in_o his_o reformation_n exceed_v hezekiah_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o history_n of_o hezekiah_n must_v be_v write_v before_o josiah_n time_n or_o else_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v with_o truth_n say_v of_o hezekiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o king_n after_o he_o who_o be_v like_o he_o or_o equal_v he_o of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n from_o 1_o chron._n four_o 43._o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v write_v before_o the_o captivity_n though_o the_o genealogy_n be_v transcribe_v afterward_o out_o of_o the_o record_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o 1_o chron._n ix_o 1._o that_o the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o book_n of_o king_n be_v write_v before_o the_o captivity_n we_o may_v conclude_v from_o 2_o chron._n v._n 9_o 1_o king_n viij_o 8._o for_o the_o ark_n be_v not_o remain_v after_o the_o captivity_n the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o king_n gives_z so_o particular_a a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o carry_v they_o away_o captive_a in_o every_o material_a circumstance_n that_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o that_o very_a time_n and_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o memorir_n be_v constant_o take_v and_o preserve_v of_o all_o that_o happen_v the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n conclude_v with_o the_o first_o year_n of_o cyrus_n in_o the_o same_o word_n with_o which_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n begin_v be_v add_v by_o he_o at_o the_o time_n when_o cyrus_n give_v out_o his_o proclamation_n for_o the_o prophet_n from_o time_n to_o time_n make_v continuation_n to_o the_o history_n of_o their_o predecessor_n by_o insert_v what_o relate_v to_o their_o own_o time_n and_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n among_o the_o ancient_n as_o grotius_n observe_v to_o begin_v one_o book_n with_o the_o conclusion_n of_o another_o the_o psalm_n be_v quote_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o prophet_n mat._n xiii_o 35_o &_o xxvii_o 35._o and_o from_o the_o first_o pen_n they_o be_v use_v in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n 1_o chron._n xuj_o 7._o 2_o chron._n v._n 13._o &_o seven_o 6._o &_o xx_o 21._o jer._n xxxiii_o 11._o ezra_n iii._o 10_o 11._o this_o be_v know_v even_o to_o their_o enemy_n in_o their_o captivity_n psal_n cxxxvii_o 3._o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o prophet_n under_o it_o and_o lesson_n out_o of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n with_o hymn_n out_o of_o the_o psalm_n and_o prayer_n make_v up_o the_o jewish_a form_n of_o worship_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v put_v for_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n luke_n xuj_o 29._o act_n xiii_o 15._o and_o if_o both_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n comprehend_v all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v still_o extant_a and_o well_o know_v and_o make_v use_v of_o by_o pious_a man_n during_o all_o that_o time_n and_o the_o people_n have_v copy_n of_o they_o or_o have_v mean_n and_o opportunity_n of_o be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o as_o the_o prophet_n zechariah_n suppose_v zech._n seven_o 7._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o they_o have_v not_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n at_o their_o restoration_n many_o be_v still_o alive_a who_o be_v first_o carry_v away_o captive_a and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n during_o the_o captivity_n show_v that_o the_o people_n do_v understand_v it_o for_o they_o all_o write_v in_o the_o hebrew_n language_n except_o upon_o some_o particular_a occasion_n where_o their_o prophecy_n more_o immediate_o concern_v the_o babylonian_a affair_n both_o man_n and_o woman_n can_v understand_v ezra_n when_o he_o read_v the_o law_n and_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o the_o people_n be_v attentive_a unto_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n neh._n viij_o 3._o and_o it_o be_v not_o the_o language_n unless_o in_o some_o particular_n which_o in_o all_o language_n will_v want_v explication_n to_o the_o vulgar_a who_o be_v native_n but_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v that_o be_v interpret_v ver_fw-la 7_o 8._o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o letter_n of_o artaxerxes_n be_v both_o write_v in_o the_o syrian_a tongue_n and_o interpret_v in_o the_o syrian_a tongue_n ezra_n four_o 7._o nehemiah_n particular_o complain_v that_o the_o child_n of_o those_o who_o have_v marry_v strange_a wife_n can_v not_o speak_v in_o the_o jew_n language_n which_o suppose_v that_o the_o child_n of_o other_o parent_n as_o well_o as_o the_o parent_n themselves_o be_v teach_v to_o speak_v the_o hebrew_n tongue_n neh._n xiii_o 24._o and_o the_o decree_n of_o ahasuerus_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v write_v unto_o every_o province_n according_a unto_o the_o write_n thereof_o and_o unto_o every_o people_n after_o their_o language_n and_o unto_o the_o jew_n according_a to_o their_o writing_n and_o according_a to_o their_o language_n est_fw-la viij_o 9_o which_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o the_o jew_n still_o retain_v not_o only_o their_o language_n but_o their_o manner_n of_o write_v it_o or_o the_o form_n and_o fashion_n of_o their_o letter_n under_o the_o captivity_n not_o long_o after_o the_o captivity_n the_o scripture_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o be_v disperse_v into_o so_o many_o hand_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n that_o the_o copy_n can_v not_o be_v destroy_v either_o in_o the_o time_n of_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n or_o at_o any_o other_o time_n by_o the_o malice_n of_o perscutor_n or_o any_o other_o accident_n and_o though_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o fond_a of_o their_o tradition_n as_o to_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o they_o yet_o they_o never_o add_v any_o book_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o tradition_n which_o they_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o but_o when_o they_o have_v no_o long_o any_o prophet_n among_o they_o they_o dare_v not_o place_v any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o same_o rank_a and_o authority_n with_o those_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v leave_v behind_o they_o all_o the_o canonical_a book_n be_v write_v by_o inspire_a author_n and_o have_v be_v in_o constant_a use_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o private_a house_n and_o public_a assembly_n even_o from_o the_o first_o write_v they_o for_o they_o be_v preserve_v during_o the_o captivity_n and_o both_o understand_v and_o use_v by_o the_o people_n but_o their_o other_o book_n write_v under_o the_o second_o temple_n though_o never_o so_o useful_a and_o pious_a be_v never_o receive_v with_o the_o like_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n they_o pretend_v to_o no_o more_o than_o humane_a composition_n and_o be_v never_o rank_v with_o those_o of_o divine_a authority_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o false_a prophet_n prophesy_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jehovah_n 1_o king_n xxii_o which_o suppose_v that_o true_a prophecy_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v deliver_v in_o his_o name_n or_o else_o they_o can_v never_o have_v hope_v to_o deceive_v by_o it_o and_o in_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o which_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v relate_v reference_n be_v frequent_o make_v to_o the_o record_n then_o extant_a in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n most_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v of_o that_o public_a nature_n and_o so_o intermix_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o state_n that_o they_o must_v be_v record_v together_o with_o they_o josiah_n 5._o josiah_n joseph_n antiquit._fw-la l._n 10._o c._n 5._o be_v prophesy_v of_o by_o name_n three_o hundred_o sixty_o one_o year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v behold_v a_o child_n shall_v be_v bear_v unto_o the_o house_n of_o david_n josiah_n by_o name_n
several_a prophecy_n we_o have_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o ascribe_v to_o other_o and_o the_o last_o comain_v so_o many_o remarkable_a thing_n be_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o enemy_n moses_n himself_o foretell_v that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n shall_v after_o forty_o year_n come_v into_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n that_o they_o shall_v prove_v victorious_a over_o the_o canaanite_n and_o that_o their_o country_n shall_v by_o the_o divine_a care_n and_o protection_n be_v preserve_v in_o safety_n whilst_o they_o go_v up_o to_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n thrice_o every_o year_n thrice_o in_o the_o year_n shall_v all_o your_o man-child_n appear_v before_o the_o lord_n god_n the_o god_n of_o israel_n for_o i_o will_v cast_v out_o the_o nation_n before_o thou_o and_o enlarge_v thy_o border_n netther_o shall_v any_o man_n desire_v thy_o land_n when_o thou_o shall_v go_v up_o to_o appear_v before_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n thrice_o in_o the_o year_n exod._n xxxiv_o 23_o 24._o here_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o a_o constant_a miracle_n to_o be_v fulfil_v to_o the_o israelite_n thrice_o every_o year_n as_o long_o as_o their_o government_n stand_v all_o their_o male_n be_v to_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n at_o three_o set_v and_o know_v time_n every_o year_n and_o yet_o their_o enemy_n round_o about_o they_o who_o they_o have_v so_o many_o way_n provoke_v be_v by_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n restrain_v from_o take_v any_o advantage_n of_o this_o opportunity_n which_o be_v frequent_o and_o notorious_o give_v they_o of_o invade_v their_o country_n the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n make_v it_o impossible_a for_o their_o government_n to_o subsist_v in_o the_o observation_n of_o their_o religion_n without_o a_o miracle_n wrought_v three_o time_n in_o a_o year_n for_o their_o preservation_n and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o this_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o they_o by_o moses_n and_o the_o preserve_n of_o they_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o worship_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v they_o be_v a_o continual_a confirmation_n of_o his_o law_n and_o a_o repeat_v assurance_n that_o it_o be_v from_o god_n by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n likewise_o every_o seven_o year_n they_o be_v permit_v neither_o to_o sow_v their_o land_n nor_o to_o prune_v their_o vineyard_n nor_o to_o gather_v any_o corn_n or_o fruit_n that_o grow_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n which_o be_v a_o law_n that_o must_v have_v bring_v they_o under_o great_a extremity_n and_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o have_v be_v impracticable_a if_o the_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a blessing_n of_o god_n have_v not_o supply_v this_o constant_a want_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n product_n with_o as_o constant_a a_o overplus_n in_o the_o precede_a year_n for_o as_o god_n by_o moses_n foretell_v that_o on_o the_o six_o day_n there_o shall_v fall_v manna_n enough_o to_o supply_v they_o on_o the_o sabbath-day_n so_o they_o have_v a_o promise_n of_o three_o year_n fruit_n precise_o every_o six_o year_n to_o supply_v that_o want_n which_o the_o sabbatical_a year_n must_v otherwise_o have_v reduce_v they_o to_o and_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v what_o shall_v we_o eat_v the_o seven_o year_n behold_v we_o shall_v not_o sow_v nor_o gather_v in_o our_o increase_n then_o i_o will_v command_v my_o blessing_n upon_o you_o in_o the_o six_o year_n and_o it_o shall_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n for_o three_o year_n and_o you_o shall_v sow_v the_o eight_o year_n and_o eat_v yet_o of_o old_a fruit_n until_o the_o nine_o year_n until_o her_o fruit_n come_v in_o you_o shall_v eat_v of_o the_o old_a store_n leu._n twenty-five_o 20_o 21_o 22._o which_o be_v another_o clear_a instance_n that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n can_v never_o have_v subsist_v in_o the_o observation_n of_o their_o law_n but_o by_o the_o constant_a and_o miraculous_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o contain_v the_o promise_n make_v to_o they_o for_o their_o preservation_n in_o blessing_n the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n he_o foretell_v the_o peculiar_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o every_o distinct_a tribe_n deut._n xxxiii_o he_o foretell_v to_o they_o all_o in_o general_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v miraculous_a success_n against_o the_o canaanite_n that_o they_o shall_v possess_v themselves_o of_o their_o land_n that_o they_o shall_v set_v king_n over_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o peculiar_a place_n of_o worship_n whither_o they_o shall_v all_o resort_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o divine_a oracle_n and_o a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n for_o their_o direction_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n and_o difficulty_n and_o joshua_n appeal_v to_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n whether_o all_o have_v not_o be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v promise_v as_o far_o as_o his_o time_n and_o be_v hold_v this_o day_n i_o be_o go_v the_o way_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o you_o know_v in_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o in_o all_o your_o soul_n that_o not_o one_o thing_n have_v fail_v of_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n which_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n speak_v concern_v you_o all_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v unto_o you_o and_o not_o one_o thing_n have_v fail_v thereof_o josh_n xxiii_o 14._o the_o extent_n of_o the_o dominion_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n after_o they_o come_v to_o be_v settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v foretell_v exod._n xxiii_o 31._o and_o fulfil_v 2_o sam._n viij_o 3._o ezra_n four_o 20._o and_o solomon_n at_o the_o dedication_n of_o the_o temple_n declare_v in_o the_o audience_n of_o all_o the_o people_n that_o there_o have_v not_o fail_v one_o word_n of_o all_o god_n good_a promise_n which_o he_o promise_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n his_o servant_n 1_o king_n viij_o 56._o moses_n also_o foretell_v that_o beside_o a_o constant_a succession_n of_o prophet_n for_o many_o age_n there_o shall_v arise_v a_o prophet_n of_o extraordinary_a power_n and_o authority_n and_o whosoever_o will_v not_o hear_v that_o prophet_n shall_v be_v destroy_v deut._n xviii_o 18._o this_o prophet_n be_v the_o great_a expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o out_o saviour_n come_v joh._n 1.21_o &_o vi_fw-la 14._o &_o seven_o 40._o and_o the_o apostle_n prove_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v he_o act._n iii._o 22._o &_o seven_o 37._o last_o moses_n foretell_v the_o disobedience_n and_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o judgement_n that_o shall_v befall_v they_o for_o their_o iniquity_n and_o their_o deliverance_n upon_o their_o repentance_n he_o foretell_v so_o many_o year_n before_o they_o have_v any_o king_n that_o they_o and_o their_o king_n who_o they_o will_v set_v over_o they_o shall_v be_v carry_v into_o captivity_n and_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o they_o be_v take_v captive_a by_o the_o assyrian_n who_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o very_a same_o word_n that_o the_o other_o prophet_n use_v concern_v they_o the_o remainder_n shall_v be_v carry_v into_o egypt_n deut._n xxviii_o 36_o 49_o 50_o 68_o and_o we_o see_v it_o come_v according_o to_o pass_v jer._n xliii_o and_o the_o siege_n of_o samaria_n by_o the_o assyrian_n and_o of_o jerusalem_n both_o by_o they_o and_o the_o roman_n be_v particular_o describe_v to_o the_o very_a circumstance_n of_o their_o eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o their_o son_n and_o of_o their_o daughter_n deut._n xxviii_o 53._o which_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o have_v scarce_o ever_o happen_v in_o any_o other_o siege_n but_o those_o of_o samaria_n and_o of_o jerusalem_n lam._n two_o 20._o &_o four_o 10.2_o king_n vi_o 29._o this_o monstrous_a and_o dreadful_a thing_n be_v twice_o know_v in_o jerusalem_n first_o when_o it_o be_v besiege_v by_o nehuchadnezzar_n and_o again_o when_o it_o be_v destroy_v by_o the_o roman_n under_o titus_n and_o such_o a_o circumstance_n can_v not_o be_v foretell_v so_o long_o before_o but_o by_o a_o divine_a prescience_n and_o that_o so_o strange_a and_o unnatural_a a_o thing_n shall_v befall_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n three_o several_a time_n according_a to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o a_o prophecy_n can_v have_v nothing_o of_o chance_n in_o it_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n every_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o their_o first_o original_a to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o perpetual_a fulfil_v of_o express_a prophecy_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n if_o it_o be_v once_o prove_v that_o moses_n do_v what_o be_v relate_v of_o he_o in_o the_o pentateuch_n it_o will_v unavoidable_o follow_v that_o he_o do_v it_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o that_o he_o be_v god_n servant_n and_o minister_n and_o that_o
be_v keep_v of_o every_o family_n make_v they_o have_v a_o more_o separate_a and_o distinct_a interest_n in_o every_o tribe_n and_o a_o more_o exact_a account_n of_o time_n and_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n in_o every_o family_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o so_o capable_a of_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o the_o people_n of_o other_o nation_n may_v be_v where_o marriage_n and_o inheritance_n be_v promiscuous_a and_o no_o occasion_n be_v give_v for_o the_o like_a emulation_n and_o watchfulness_n over_o one_o another_o and_o where_o no_o such_o remembrance_n and_o notice_n of_o the_o transaction_n of_o affair_n be_v to_o be_v consult_v by_o any_o one_o of_o every_o private_a family_n in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o sinai_n on_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o second_o month_n in_o the_o second_o year_n after_o they_o be_v come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n moses_n and_o aaron_n assemble_v all_o the_o congregation_n together_o and_o they_o declare_v their_o pedigree_n after_o their_o family_n by_o the_o house_n of_o their_o father_n according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o their_o name_n from_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_a by_o their_o poll_n num._n i._n 1_o 18._o and_o this_o be_v do_v again_o in_o the_o plain_n of_o moab_n at_o the_o end_n of_o forty_o year_n chap._n xxvi_o and_o these_o genealogy_n we_o preserve_v not_o only_o during_o the_o captivity_n ezra_n seven_o and_o down_o to_o the_o reign_n of_o herod_n but_o even_o to_o the_o time_n of_o josephus_n who_o in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o apion_n say_v that_o they_o have_v the_o genealogy_n of_o their_o priest_n then_o still_o extant_a for_o two_o thousand_o year_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o every_o tribe_n have_v a_o kind_n of_o separate_a interest_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o korah_n sedition_n against_o moses_n and_o every_o man_n among_o their_o tribe_n may_v certain_o hereby_o know_v how_o many_o generation_n he_o be_v remove_v from_o those_o who_o first_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o may_v find_v the_o name_n of_o his_o ancestor_n register_v who_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n with_o moses_n or_o come_v with_o joshua_n over_o jordan_n and_o this_o must_v make_v the_o memory_n of_o their_o ancestor_n more_o dear_a and_o familiar_a to_o they_o and_o it_o must_v make_v they_o have_v a_o great_a regard_n for_o any_o thing_n they_o have_v leave_v behind_o they_o especial_o for_o a_o book_n upon_o which_o their_o right_n of_o inheritance_n and_o the_o title_n they_o have_v to_o all_o they_o enjoy_v depend_v this_o be_v the_o deed_n by_o which_o they_o hold_v their_o estate_n and_o the_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n as_o it_o be_v of_o their_o ancestor_n among_o who_o the_o land_n be_v divide_v but_o it_o be_v certain_a man_n be_v more_o careful_a of_o nothing_o than_o of_o the_o write_n by_o which_o they_o enjoy_v their_o estate_n and_o there_o be_v no_o great_a dauger_v when_o a_o will_n be_v once_o come_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o right_a heir_n that_o it_o will_v be_v lose_v or_o salsify_v to_o his_o prejudice_n but_o if_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v alter_v it_o must_v be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o advantage_n to_o such_o as_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o make_v the_o alteration_n and_o consequent_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o other_o who_o therefore_o will_v have_v find_v themselves_o concern_v to_o oppose_v such_o alteration_n but_o as_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o deed_n of_o settlement_n to_o every_o tribe_n and_o family_n so_o they_o be_v a_o law_n too_o which_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o know_v and_o observe_v under_o the_o severe_a penalty_n and_o be_v so_o general_o know_v and_o universal_o practise_v it_o can_v no_o more_o be_v falsify_v at_o any_o time_n since_o its_o first_o promulgation_n than_o it_o can_v be_v now_o at_o this_o day_n for_o 2._o another_o thing_n which_o make_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n less_o capable_a of_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o they_o be_v by_o their_o law_n themselves_o oblige_v to_o the_o constant_a study_n of_o they_o they_o be_v to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n and_o to_o be_v continual_o discourse_v and_o meditate_v on_o they_o to_o bind_v they_o for_o a_o sign_n upon_o their_o hand_n that_o they_o may_v be_v as_o frontlet_n between_o their_o eye_n to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n speak_v of_o they_o when_o they_o sit_v in_o their_o house_n and_o when_o they_o walk_v by_o the_o way_n when_o they_o lie_v down_o and_o when_o they_o rise_v up_o to_o write_v they_o upon_o the_o door-post_n of_o their_o house_n and_o upon_o their_o gate_n deut._n xi_o 18_o 19_o 20._o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v more_o notorious_a and_o familiar_a to_o they_o and_o according_o they_o be_v perfect_o acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o as_o josephus_n say_v know_v they_o as_o well_o as_o they_o do_v their_o own_o name_n they_o have_v they_o constant_o in_o their_o mouth_n and_o thousand_o have_v die_v in_o defence_n of_o they_o and_o can_v by_o no_o menace_n or_o torment_n be_v bring_v to_o forsake_v or_o renounce_v they_o and_o to_o this_o end_n one_o day_n in_o seven_o be_v by_o moses_n his_o law_n set_v apart_o for_o the_o learning_n and_o understand_v of_o it_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o tradition_n that_o moses_n appoint_v the_o law_n to_o be_v read_v therice_o every_o year_n in_o their_o public_a assembly_n and_o grotius_n 2._o grotius_n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la matth._n xv_o 2._o be_v of_o this_o opinion_n however_o the_o scripture_n inform_v we_o that_o moses_n of_o old_a time_n have_v in_o every_o city_n they_o that_o preach_v he_o be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath-day_n act._n xv_o 21._o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o common_a opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o synagogue_n before_o the_o captivity_n but_o then_o by_o synagogue_n must_v be_v understand_v place_n of_o judicature_n rather_o than_o of_o divine_a worship_n for_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v but_o the_o jew_n have_v their_o proseuchas_fw-la or_o place_n of_o prayer_n from_o the_o beginning_n since_o it_o be_v incredible_a that_o those_o who_o live_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n and_o can_v not_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n on_o the_o sabbath-day_n and_o other_o time_n of_o divine_a worship_n beside_o the_o three_o great_a festival_n when_o all_o their_o male_n be_v bind_v to_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n shall_v not_o assemble_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o place_n where_o they_o dwell_v nay_o they_o be_v by_o a_o express_a law_n oblige_v to_o it_o on_o the_o sabbath_n the_o seven_o day_n be_v the_o sabbath_n of_o rest_n a_o holy_a convocation_n you_o shall_v do_v no_o work_n therein_o it_o be_v the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o all_o your_o dwelling_n leu._n xxiii_o 3._o they_o must_v therefore_o have_v place_n in_o all_o their_o dwelling_n to_o resort_v to_o where_o they_o hold_v their_o convocation_n or_o assembly_n and_o these_o they_o go_v to_o on_o the_o new_a moon_n as_o well_o as_o on_o the_o sabbath_n 2_o king_n four_o 23._o which_o make_v the_o psalmist_n lament_v that_o the_o enemy_n have_v burn_v up_o all_o the_o synagogue_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land_n psal_n lxxiu_o 8._o and_o be_v meet_v together_o there_o be_v as_o little_a doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o they_o read_v the_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v read_v by_o they_o in_o their_o family_n and_o much_o more_o in_o their_o public_a assembly_n on_o their_o solemn_a day_n of_o divine_a worship_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n therefore_o be_v â—ead_a in_o their_o synagogue_n in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o ancient_a generation_n or_o from_o the_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o then_o at_o the_o end_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n the_o law_n be_v read_v in_o the_o most_o public_a and_o solemn_a manner_n in_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o year_n of_o release_n in_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n moses_n write_v a_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o command_v it_o to_o be_v put_v in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n deut._n xxxi_o 29._o as_o the_o two_o table_n of_o stone_n be_v put_v into_o the_o ark_n itself_o chap._n x._o 5._o and_o this_o he_o deliver_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o to_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n and_o command_v they_o say_v at_o the_o end_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o year_n of_o release_n in_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n when_o all_o israel_n be_v come_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n in_o the_o place_n which_o he_o shall_v choose_v thou_o shall_v read_v this_o law_n before_o all_o israel_n in_o their_o
ceremony_n and_o which_o where_o purposely_o design_v in_o many_o thing_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o and_o to_o the_o custom_n which_o they_o have_v be_v themselves_o acquaint_v with_o in_o egypt_n in_o so_o many_o instance_n can_v be_v at_o first_o introduce_v but_o by_o miracle_n but_o if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v once_o introduce_v without_o miracle_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v but_o that_o when_o the_o people_n be_v use_v and_o accustom_a to_o they_o there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o pretence_n of_o miracle_n to_o keep_v they_o in_o obedience_n to_o they_o and_o as_o little_a reason_n there_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v over_o awe_v by_o a_o report_n of_o miracle_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v never_o to_o have_v be_v hear_v of_o till_o the_o people_n give_v occasion_n for_o the_o invention_n of_o they_o by_o their_o disobedience_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v read_v as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o religious_a assembly_n in_o the_o several_a tribe_n at_o least_o every_o sabbath-day_n and_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v solemn_o read_v in_o the_o audience_n of_o all_o the_o people_n at_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n every_o seven_o year_n and_o if_o they_o have_v have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o from_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o it_o at_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n yet_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o body_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n shall_v be_v so_o stupid_a and_o forgetful_a as_o not_o to_o remember_v when_o these_o miracle_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v first_o read_v to_o they_o that_o they_o have_v never_o hear_v they_o before_o but_o how_o impossible_a be_v it_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v thus_o impose_v upon_o when_o they_o hear_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n read_v every_o week_n to_o they_o and_o have_v they_o beside_o in_o their_o own_o keep_n to_o read_v they_o at_o their_o leisure_n the_o miracle_n now_o make_v up_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n they_o be_v every_o where_o intersperse_v and_o intermix_v throughout_o the_o history_n and_o they_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o make_v impression_n upon_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n and_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o miracle_n so_o often_o repeat_v and_o every_o be_v inculcate_v can_v be_v insert_v by_o any_o contrivance_n and_o impose_v upon_o a_o people_n who_o be_v all_o wont_a to_o hear_v the_o law_n public_o read_v in_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n once_o every_o seven_o year_n and_o hear_v it_o read_v in_o their_o synagogue_n beside_o every_o seven_o day_n will_v they_o not_o be_v infinite_o surprise_v the_o first_o time_n they_o hear_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o plague_n inflict_v on_o the_o egyptian_n of_o the_o judgement_n upon_o korah_n and_o his_o company_n and_o of_o the_o miraculous_a punishment_n which_o befall_v the_o idolatrous_a and_o disobedient_a in_o the_o wilderness_n will_v they_o not_o soon_o have_v find_v out_o so_o obvious_a a_o deceit_n as_o this_o must_v have_v be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v one_o if_o we_o can_v think_v that_o such_o insertion_n can_v pass_v without_o discovery_n why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o believe_v too_o that_o as_o many_o more_o may_v be_v make_v now_o and_o not_o be_v discover_v will_v not_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n have_v be_v able_a to_o testify_v that_o all_o this_o be_v counterfeit_v and_o insert_v into_o the_o law_n for_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v read_v to_o they_o in_o their_o synagogue_n upon_o the_o sabbath_n nor_o have_v be_v read_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o last_o seven_o year_n but_o it_o be_v all_o now_o add_v to_o terrify_v they_o and_o keep_v they_o from_o follow_v the_o custom_n of_o other_o nation_n will_v not_o this_o have_v be_v the_o worst_a contrivance_n that_o can_v have_v be_v think_v of_o to_o keep_v a_o people_n in_o awe_n to_o tell_v they_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o every_o man_n of_o they_o can_v disprove_v that_o be_v of_o age_n and_o have_v but_o understanding_n and_o memory_n enough_o to_o know_v what_o he_o have_v hear_v so_o often_o read_v before_o and_o to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v so_o remarkable_a that_o they_o can_v hardly_o escape_v any_o one_o memory_n who_o have_v ever_o hear_v of_o they_o they_o have_v book_n of_o the_o law_n for_o their_o private_a read_n and_o beside_o the_o read_n of_o it_o in_o their_o weekly_a assembly_n they_o have_v a_o solemn_a publication_n and_o proclamation_n of_o their_o law_n once_o every_o seven_o year_n as_o it_o be_v purposely_o to_o prevent_v any_o design_n of_o falsify_v it_o and_o to_o have_v read_v any_o thing_n so_o remarkable_a as_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n be_v in_o all_o their_o circumstance_n so_o often_o repeat_v and_o insist_v upon_o if_o the_o people_n have_v not_o find_v they_o in_o their_o own_o book_n and_o have_v not_o be_v use_v to_o hear_v they_o read_v to_o they_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o give_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n have_v be_v only_o for_o the_o projector_n to_o proclaim_v themselves_o impostor_n but_o can_v never_o have_v deceive_v any_o man._n and_o beside_o the_o care_n that_o be_v take_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n there_o be_v public_a memorial_n of_o the_o principal_a miracle_n enjoin_v such_o be_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o angel_n pass_v over_o the_o israelite_n when_o he_o slay_v the_o first-born_a bear_v of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o feast_n of_o tarbernacle_n in_o remembrance_n of_o their_o dwell_n in_o tent_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o such_o be_v the_o brazen_a serpent_n the_o ark_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n these_o be_v thing_n see_v and_o observe_v or_o know_v by_o all_o and_o they_o can_v not_o be_v introduce_v after_o moses_n time_n because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o it_o since_o they_o who_o introduce_v they_o must_v suppose_v they_o to_o have_v be_v before_o at_o the_o very_a time_n when_o they_o design_v first_o to_o introduce_v they_o the_o vrim_fw-he and_o thummim_n be_v both_o a_o constant_a miracle_n and_o a_o constant_a attestation_n to_o the_o law_n by_o which_o it_o be_v ordain_v and_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o priest_n who_o be_v to_o examine_v and_o judge_v of_o leprosy_n either_o in_o person_n or_o thing_n be_v secure_v from_o the_o infection_n of_o it_o though_o it_o be_v infectious_a to_o all_o other_o and_o their_o constant_a service_n can_v not_o be_v perform_v without_o a_o 2030._o a_o vid._n lightfoot'_v prospect_n of_o the_o temple_n c._n 34._o p._n 2030._o miraculous_a dispensation_n thus_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v all_o the_o proof_n which_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o bring_v in_o any_o case_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n can_v not_o be_v falsify_v by_o any_o man_n or_o party_n of_o man_n whatsoever_o since_o the_o nature_n and_o institution_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o do_v effectual_o provide_v against_o all_o imposture_n and_o the_o jew_n have_v all_o the_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o people_n to_o have_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o same_o which_o he_o write_v and_o leave_v behind_o he_o and_o this_o inspire_v they_o with_o such_o a_o zeal_n for_o their_o law_n as_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n in_o vindication_n of_o it_o whereas_o there_o be_v no_o book_n whatsoever_o as_o josephus_n observe_v among_o the_o heathen_n which_o any_o man_n among_o they_o will_v not_o rather_o a_o thousand_o time_n see_v destroy_v though_o it_o be_v in_o never_o so_o much_o esteem_v with_o they_o than_o he_o will_v suffer_v for_o it_o which_o show_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o their_o law_n from_o all_o the_o evidence_n abovementioned_a and_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o which_o moses_n deliver_v and_o leave_v behind_o he_o 3._o the_o pentateuch_n can_v not_o be_v invent_v nor_o falsify_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n either_o in_o moses_n time_n or_o after_o it_o for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o such_o a_o thing_n shall_v have_v be_v conceal_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n and_o that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v know_v of_o the_o imposture_n and_o no_o man_n ever_o discover_v it_o nor_o no_o apostate_n ever_o divulge_v it_o but_o they_o and_o their_o posterity_n shall_v always_o profess_v that_o they_o believe_v the_o law_n to_o be_v reveal_v to_o moses_n by_o god_n himself_o just_a as_o we_o now_o have_v it_o in_o the_o peutateuch_n that_o under_o all_o affliction_n and_o adversity_n they_o shall_v impute_v their_o suffering_n to_o the_o violation_n of_o
of_o babylon_n and_o be_v carry_v to_o babylon_n ezekiel_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o see_v babylon_n jeremiah_n that_o he_o shall_v die_v in_o peace_n and_o be_v bury_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ancestor_n ezekiel_n that_o he_o shall_v die_v at_o babylon_n and_o if_o we_o compare_v all_o this_o with_o the_o history_n nothing_o ever_o be_v more_o punctual_o fulfil_v for_o zedekiah_n see_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n who_o command_v his_o eye_n to_o be_v put_v out_o before_o he_o be_v bring_v to_o babylon_n and_o he_o die_v there_o but_o die_v peaceable_o and_o be_v suffer_v to_o have_v the_o usual_a funeral_n solemnity_n 2_o king_n twenty-five_o 6_o 7._o and_o therefore_o both_o prophecy_n prove_v true_a in_o the_o event_n which_o seem_v before_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a and_o so_o critical_a a_o exactness_n in_o every_o minute_n circumstance_n in_o prophecy_n deliver_v by_o two_o person_n who_o be_v before_o think_v to_o contradict_v each_o other_o be_v such_o a_o conviction_n to_o the_o jew_n after_o they_o have_v see_v they_o so_o punctual_o fulfil_v in_o their_o captivity_n that_o they_o can_v no_o long_o doubt_n but_o that_o both_o be_v from_o god_n jeremiah_n foretell_v also_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o that_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v restore_v after_o a_o captivity_n of_o seventy_o year_n these_o nation_n shall_v serve_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n seventy_o year_n and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v when_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v that_o i_o will_v punish_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n and_o that_o nation_n say_v the_o lord_n for_o their_o iniquity_n and_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n jer._n twenty-five_o 11_o 12._o for_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n that_o after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v at_o babylon_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o perform_v my_o good_a word_n towards_o you_o in_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n jer._n xxix_o 10._o and_o this_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n the_o jew_n depend_v upon_o under_o the_o captivity_n dan._n ix_o 2._o zech._n i._n 12._o and_o it_o be_v exact_o fulfil_v to_o they_o the_o generation_n of_o nebuchadnezzar_n posterity_n that_o shall_v succeed_v he_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o monarchy_n be_v foretell_v jer._n xxvii_o 7._o the_o destruction_n of_o babylon_n with_o the_o manner_n of_o take_v the_o city_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v and_o describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n agree_v punctual_o with_o the_o account_n of_o it_o by_o 191._o by_o 〈◊〉_d â—odoâ—_n 〈◊〉_d c._n 191._o herodotus_n one_o post_n shall_v run_v to_o meet_v another_o and_o one_o messenger_n to_o meet_v another_o to_o show_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n that_o his_o city_n be_v take_v at_o one_o end_n and_o that_o the_o passage_n be_v stop_v and_o the_o reed_n they_o have_v burn_v with_o sire_n and_o the_o man_n of_o war_n be_v affright_v and_o this_o be_v declare_v in_o a_o memorable_a and_o solemn_a manner_n by_o write_v it_o down_o and_o by_o cast_v the_o book_n into_o euphrates_n jer._n li._n 31_o 32_o 62_o 63._o the_o destruction_n of_o tyre_n and_o zidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n and_o the_o restoration_n of_o the_o egyptian_n after_o forty_o year_n ezek._n xxviii_o 19_o &_o xxix_o 12_o 13._o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o of_o the_o sanctuary_n by_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n with_o the_o death_n of_o antiochus_n and_o a_o description_n of_o his_o temper_n and_o of_o his_o very_a countenance_n be_v clear_o deliver_v by_o daniel_n four_o hundred_o and_o eight_o year_n 11._o year_n joseph_n antiquit._n l._n 11._o c._n 11._o before_o the_o accomplishment_n dan._n viij_o daniel_n likewise_o describe_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n the_o restoration_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o rebuilding_n of_o their_o city_n and_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o precise_a time_n of_o it_o and_o alexander_n the_o great_a be_v say_v 8._o say_v ibid._n l._n 11._o c._n 8._o to_o have_v be_v encourage_v by_o daniel_n prophecy_n in_o his_o expedition_n indeed_o his_o prophecy_n and_o the_o history_n of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n be_v so_o exact_o parallel_v that_o porphyry_n can_v find_v no_o other_o evasion_n but_o to_o say_v that_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v write_v after_o the_o event_n which_o as_o grotius_n observe_v be_v as_o absurd_a as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v maintain_v that_o the_o work_n of_o virgil_n be_v not_o write_v under_o augustus_n but_o after_o his_o time_n for_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v as_o public_a and_o as_o much_o disperse_v and_o as_o universal_o receive_v as_o ever_o any_o book_n can_v be_v last_o haggai_n and_o malachi_n prophesy_v that_o christ_n shall_v come_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n hag._n two_o 7_o 9_o mal._n iii._o 1._o and_o hosea_n foretell_v the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o those_o remarkable_a word_n they_o shall_v be_v night-wanderer_n among_o the_o nation_n hos_fw-la ix_o 17._o not_o to_o insist_v therefore_o upon_o other_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n which_o be_v concern_v thing_n of_o lesser_a moment_n or_o less_o remarkable_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n these_o may_v suffice_v which_o be_v of_o that_o public_a nature_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o deceit_n or_o mistake_n in_o they_o multitude_n of_o man_n who_o prejudice_n or_o malice_n have_v prepare_v to_o make_v the_o utmost_a discovery_n be_v witness_n to_o the_o miracle_n and_o both_o the_o prophecy_n themselves_o and_o the_o fulfil_v of_o they_o be_v notorious_a to_o other_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o they_o be_v deliver_v and_o in_o who_o hand_n they_o have_v ever_o since_o be_v be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath-day_n the_o jew_n have_v as_o good_a evidence_n for_o instance_n that_o elijah_n wrought_v his_o miracle_n as_o they_o can_v have_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o when_o the_o public_a transaction_n and_o council_n of_o prince_n the_o fate_n and_o revolution_n of_o empire_n with_o the_o prefix_v time_n and_o place_n and_o the_o very_a name_n of_o the_o person_n be_v so_o particular_o foretell_v two_o or_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v we_o may_v as_o well_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o history_n as_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o revelation_n for_o indeed_o they_o be_v the_o history_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v set_v down_o in_o the_o very_a circumstance_n in_o which_o they_o afterward_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v and_o yet_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v dispute_v whether_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o elijah_n or_o such_o a_o prince_n as_o josiah_n or_o cyrus_n he_o will_v but_o make_v himself_o ridiculous_a but_o if_o he_o deny_v that_o elijah_n wrought_v such_o miracle_n or_o that_o isaiah_n speak_v of_o cyrus_n and_o another_o prophet_n of_o josiah_n by_o inspiration_n perhaps_o he_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v make_v some_o great_a discovery_n and_o to_o know_v something_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o shall_v be_v likely_a to_o meet_v with_o applause_n instead_o of_o that_o contempt_n which_o such_o pretence_n deserve_v so_o strange_o partial_a be_v man_n for_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v but_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o man_n to_o bring_v better_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v such_o man_n as_o elijah_n and_o josiah_n and_o cyrus_n than_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o show_v that_o the_o latter_a be_v by_o name_n prophesy_v of_o long_a before_o their_o birth_n and_o that_o the_o first_o wrought_v all_o the_o miracle_n relate_v of_o he_o or_o to_o produce_v clear_a evidence_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o reign_n of_o cyrus_n than_o we_o have_v that_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n with_o their_o restoration_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v foretell_v by_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n do_v their_o miracle_n in_o the_o most_o public_a manner_n and_o their_o prophecy_n be_v deliver_v not_o in_o corner_n but_o open_o before_o all_o the_o people_n not_o in_o obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a word_n but_o in_o plain_a term_n with_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o person_n and_o time_n and_o place_n they_o be_v keep_v they_o be_v read_v and_o study_v by_o that_o very_a people_n who_o at_o first_o as_o little_o regard_v they_o as_o any_o man_n now_o among_o we_o can_v do_v but_o slay_v the_o prophet_n themselves_o and_o reject_v their_o prophecy_n with_o rage_n and_o indignation_n but_o be_v afterward_o by_o the_o event_n of_o thing_n so_o full_o convince_v which_o be_v likewise_o foretell_v ezek._n xxxiii_o 33._o of_o their_o
that_o their_o most_o ancient_a book_n be_v in_o hieroglyphic_n which_o be_v not_o expound_v by_o any_o who_o live_v near_o than_o mdcc_o year_n to_o the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o that_o the_o number_n in_o computation_n be_v sometime_o mistake_v or_o that_o month_n be_v put_v for_o year_n but_o of_o what_o antiquity_n or_o authority_n soever_o their_o first_o writer_n be_v there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o book_n now_o remain_v since_o that_o general_a destruction_n of_o all_o ancient_a book_n by_o the_o emperor_n xi_o hoam_n ti_o who_o live_v but_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n he_o command_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n all_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n to_o be_v destroy_v relate_v either_o to_o history_n or_o philosophy_n especial_o the_o book_n of_o confucius_n and_o kill_v many_o of_o their_o learned_a man_n so_o that_o from_o his_o time_n they_o have_v only_o some_o fragment_n of_o old_a author_n leave_v the_o chinese_n be_v a_o people_n vain_a enough_o and_o love_n to_o magnify_v themselves_o to_o the_o european_n which_o make_v they_o endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o believe_v that_o their_o antiquity_n be_v sufficient_o entire_a notwithstanding_o this_o destruction_n of_o their_o book_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o describe_v the_o emperor_n observatory_n as_o the_o most_o complete_a and_o the_o best_a fit_v for_o the_o use_n of_o astronomy_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o upon_o the_o view_n it_o appear_v very_o inconsiderable_a and_o the_o instrument_n be_v find_v useless_a and_o new_a one_o be_v place_v in_o their_o room_n make_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o father_n verbiest_n this_o people_n after_o all_o their_o boast_n of_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v a_o exact_a calendar_n and_o their_o table_n of_o eclipse_n be_v so_o uncorrect_a that_o they_o can_v scarce_o foretell_v about_o what_o time_n that_o of_o the_o sun_n shall_v happen_v and_o in_o a_o petition_n which_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n in_o favour_n it_o seem_v to_o the_o missionary_n have_v private_o draw_v up_o to_o be_v present_v by_o they_o to_o himself_o in_o public_a it_o be_v say_v that_o father_n adam_n schaal_n make_v it_o know_v to_o all_o the_o court_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o celestial_a motion_n establish_v by_o the_o ancient_a astronomer_n of_o china_n be_v all_o false_a and_o not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n of_o china_n but_o the_o chief_a mandarine_n be_v so_o ignorant_a and_o superstitious_a that_o when_o they_o see_v the_o sun_n or_o moon_n under_o a_o eclipse_n with_o sacrifice_n and_o other_o rite_n and_o with_o great_a noise_n and_o clamour_n they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o rescue_v they_o from_o the_o dog_n or_o dragon_n which_o they_o imagine_v be_v like_a to_o devour_v they_o so_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o pretence_n which_o the_o several_a nation_n among_o the_o heathen_n have_v make_v to_o antiquity_n without_o any_o ground_n from_o history_n but_o upon_o wander_a discourse_n of_o observation_n in_o astronomy_n which_o they_o have_v little_a or_o no_o skill_n in_o and_o it_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o divers_a learned_a man_n that_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o the_o very_o best_a of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v but_o man_n who_o the_o scripture_n mention_v as_o worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n such_o as_o noâ—h_v joseph_n moses_n etc._n etc._n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o defect_n in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o several_a religion_n profess_v among_o the_o heathen_n have_v be_v very_o inconsiderable_a for_o they_o be_v never_o extant_a in_o book_n to_o be_v public_o read_v and_o examine_v but_o their_o mystery_n be_v keep_v secret_a and_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o knowledge_n the_o people_n have_v of_o they_o be_v from_o the_o priest_n every_o country_n have_v its_o peculiar_a deity_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v seldom_o receive_v or_o know_v but_o in_o those_o place_n where_o they_o be_v first_o set_v up_o the_o 3._o the_o valer-max_n de_fw-fr peregrina_fw-la relig._n rejecta_fw-la lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o roman_n reject_v many_o foreign_a religion_n as_o abominable_a and_o none_o of_o their_o religion_n ever_o prevail_v but_o where_o they_o have_v the_o temporal_a power_n to_o uphold_v they_o and_o they_o lose_v ground_n daily_o by_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n whilst_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppress_v it_o and_o to_o maintain_v the_o heathen_a religion_n against_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v at_o this_o day_n preach_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o its_o first_o propagation_n as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v before_o but_o where_o christianity_n have_v prevail_v heathenism_n have_v be_v never_o able_a to_o maintain_v its_o ground_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o but_o christian_n except_v some_o few_o jew_n to_o be_v find_v in_o christian_a country_n which_o make_v a_o great_a abatement_n in_o the_o disproportion_n that_o heathenism_n in_o general_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v in_o its_o number_n above_o christianity_n but_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n here_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v whether_o any_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n exceed_v or_o equal_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o point_n of_o promulgation_n for_o who_o ever_o can_v imagine_v that_o all_o or_o any_o great_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n must_v suppose_v god_n to_o reveal_v contradiction_n the_o question_n before_o we_o be_v not_o whether_o heathen_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o christian_n but_o whether_o any_o of_o their_o religion_n have_v be_v as_o full_o promulge_v as_o the_o christian_a one_o herald_n be_v enough_o to_o promulge_v a_o law_n to_o many_o thousand_o the_o city_n of_o nineve_n be_v convert_v by_o one_o prophet_n and_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v more_o christian_n in_o it_o than_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v chap._n iii_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o history_n but_o that_o many_o wonder_n have_v be_v do_v by_o magician_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n have_v be_v foreshow_v and_o foretell_v among_o heathen_n by_o dream_n and_o prodigy_n and_o oracle_n which_o do_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o then_o all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o there_o be_v invisible_a power_n and_o that_o devil_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o man_n can_v do_v and_o to_o know_v more_o than_o man_n can_v know_v for_o which_o reason_n in_o former_a age_n there_o be_v no_o more_o doubt_n make_v whether_o there_o be_v spirit_n than_o whether_o there_o be_v man_n in_o the_o world_n for_o they_o be_v continual_o sensible_a of_o the_o operation_n and_o effect_n of_o invisible_a being_n which_o make_v they_o exceed_o prone_a to_o idolatry_n but_o not_o incline_v to_o atheism_n and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o now_o in_o heathen_a country_n where_o apparition_n and_o delusion_n of_o evil_a spirit_n be_v affirm_v by_o all_o writer_n to_o be_v very_o frequent_a but_o if_o at_o any_o time_n evil_a spirit_n by_o their_o subtlety_n and_o experience_n and_o knowledge_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o world_n do_v foretell_v thing_n which_o according_o come_v to_o pass_n they_o be_v thing_n that_o happen_v not_o long_o after_o and_o common_o such_o as_o themselves_o do_v excite_v and_o prompt_v man_n to_o thus_o when_o the_o conspiracy_n against_o caesar_n be_v come_v just_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n and_o the_o devil_n have_v his_o agent_n concern_v in_o it_o he_o can_v foretell_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o his_o death_n but_o it_o have_v be_v foretell_v to_o pompey_n crassus_n and_o caesar_n himself_o before_o as_o two_o as_o tull._n de_fw-fr divin_n lib._n two_o tully_n inform_v we_o from_o his_o own_o knowledge_n that_o they_o shall_v all_o die_v in_o their_o bed_n and_o in_o a_o honourable_a old_a age._n some_o oracle_n may_v possible_o take_v their_o answer_n from_o the_o scripture_n as_o that_o of_o jupiter_n hammon_n concern_v alexander_n victory_n if_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o a_o piece_n of_o flattery_n which_o prove_v true_a by_o chance_n evil_a spirit_n may_v likewise_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v man_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o victory_n the_o same_o day_n they_o be_v win_v as_o it_o be_v relate_v ib._n relate_v ib._n of_o several_a and_o in_o
when_o he_o propose_v rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o caution_n to_o arm_v man_n against_o vice_n and_o temptation_n how_o much_o short_a do_v he_o fall_v of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n if_o any_o man_n say_v he_o tell_v you_o that_o such_o a_o one_o have_v speak_v ill_o of_o you_o make_v no_o apology_n for_o yourself_o but_o answer_v he_o do_v not_o know_v my_o other_o fault_n or_o else_o he_o will_v not_o have_v charge_v i_o with_o these_o only_a cap_n xlviii_o this_o be_v a_o sine_fw-la say_v a_o pretty_a turn_n of_o thought_n but_o what_o be_v there_o in_o it_o comparable_a to_o that_o awful_a and_o sacred_a promise_n bless_a be_v you_o when_o man_n shall_v revile_v you_o and_o persecute_v you_o rejoice_v and_o be_v exceed_o glad_a for_o great_a be_v your_o reward_n in_o heaven_n mat._n v._n 11_o 12._o again_o when_o a_o man_n value_v himself_o say_v epictetus_n for_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v and_o explain_v the_o book_n of_o chrysippus_n say_v you_o to_o yourself_o unless_o chrysippus_n have_v write_v obscure_o this_o man_n will_v have_v have_v nothing_o to_o boast_v of_o but_o what_o do_v i_o design_n to_o study_v nature_n and_o follow_v it_o cap._n lxxiii_o this_o be_v no_o ill_a satyr_n upon_o the_o vanity_n of_o man_n but_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o it_o like_o that_o piety_n and_o authority_n with_o which_o st._n paul_n reprove_v the_o same_o vice_n 1_o cor._n viij_o 1.2_o 3._o the_o best_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n be_v that_o most_o of_o they_o frequent_o confess_v the_o great_a imperfection_n of_o their_o philosophy_n and_o place_v their_o great_a wisdom_n in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v more_o sensible_a than_o other_o of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o socrates_n profess_v that_o to_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o oracle_n of_o apollo_n declare_v he_o to_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n because_o he_o know_v how_o ignorant_a he_o be_v better_o than_o other_o man_n do_v as_o to_o the_o chinese_n philosophy_n we_o know_v little_a of_o it_o their_o declar._n their_o confuc_fw-la lib._n iii._o par._n 4._o p._n 36._o &_o philippi_n couplet_n prooem_n declar._n book_n of_o philosophy_n be_v all_o destroy_v at_o the_o command_n of_o a_o tyrant_n who_o reign_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n from_o the_o fragment_n which_o be_v afterward_o gather_v up_o and_o yet_o remain_v among_o they_o we_o can_v only_o perceive_v that_o confucius_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o best_a philosopher_n teach_v no_o more_o than_o what_o they_o have_v learn_v by_o tradition_n from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o when_o they_o forsake_v this_o tradition_n they_o fall_v into_o the_o gross_a error_n which_o be_v maintain_v by_o the_o learned_a man_n among_o they_o at_o this_o day_n ii_o whatever_o there_o be_v of_o excellency_n in_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v owe_v to_o revelation_n it_o be_v general_o suppose_v that_o humane_a reason_n can_v have_v discover_v the_o more_o common_a and_o obvious_a precept_n of_o morality_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v discover_v most_o of_o they_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o gross_a absurdity_n which_o we_o find_v as_o to_o some_o particular_n in_o the_o best_a system_n of_o heathen_a philosophy_n and_o from_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o offer_v up_o man_n for_o sacrifice_n to_o their_o god_n and_o of_o cast_v away_o and_o expose_v their_o child_n in_o the_o most_o civilise_a nation_n but_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o the_o heathen_n be_v not_o leave_v destitute_a of_o many_o help_n and_o advantage_n from_o the_o scripture_n which_o divers_a of_o the_o philosopher_n have_v read_v and_o many_o thing_n which_o seem_v now_o to_o be_v deduction_n from_o natural_a reason_n may_v have_v their_o original_a from_o revelation_n for_o thing_n once_o discover_v seem_v easy_a and_o obvious_a to_o man_n which_o they_o will_v never_o have_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v of_o themselves_o we_o wonder_v now_o how_o man_n shall_v ever_o suppose_v there_o can_v be_v no_o antipode_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o admire_v how_o america_n can_v lie_v so_o long_o conceal_v rather_o than_o how_o it_o come_v at_o last_o to_o be_v discover_v and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o in_o many_o other_o discovery_n especial_o in_o moral_a truth_n which_o be_v so_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o they_o may_v seem_v the_o natural_a production_n of_o it_o though_o a_o contrary_a custom_n and_o inclination_n and_o the_o subtlety_n of_o satan_n work_v upon_o our_o deprave_a nature_n may_v perhaps_o have_v make_v it_o very_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a without_o a_o revelation_n to_o discern_v many_o doctrine_n even_o of_o morality_n which_o now_o be_v most_o common_a and_o familiar_a to_o we_o what_o maxim_n be_v more_o agreeable_a and_o therefore_o as_o one_o will_v think_v more_o obvious_a to_o humane_a reason_n than_o that_o every_o man_n shall_v do_v to_o other_o as_o he_o will_v have_v they_o do_v to_o he_o and_o yet_o spartianas_n a_o heathen_a historian_n say_v that_o alexander_n severus_n have_v this_o excellent_a rule_n of_o natural_a justice_n and_o equity_n either_o from_o the_o jew_n or_o christian_n there_o be_v no_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o seem_v to_o contain_v plain_a and_o more_o obvious_a thing_n than_o the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n and_o 2._o and_o ld._n bacon_n advance_v of_o learning_n b._n viij_o c._n 2._o yet_o a_o author_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n have_v give_v a_o essay_n how_o a_o considerable_a defect_n of_o learning_n may_v be_v supply_v out_o of_o this_o very_a book_n produce_v such_o caution_n instruction_n and_o axiom_n from_o thence_o relate_v to_o the_o business_n and_o government_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o all_o variety_n of_o occasion_n as_o be_v not_o where_o else_o to_o be_v meet_v withal_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v how_o far_o humane_a reason_n can_v have_v proceed_v without_o revelation_n since_o it_o never_o be_v without_o it_o but_o always_o argue_v from_o those_o principle_n which_o be_v at_o first_o deliver_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o noah_n and_o be_v propagate_v among_o his_o posterity_n throughout_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n though_o they_o be_v more_o corrupt_v and_o deprave_v in_o some_o age_n and_o nation_n than_o in_o other_o 1._o other_o plat._n de_fw-fr legib._n dialog_n 1._o plato_n derive_v the_o original_a of_o all_o law_n from_o revelation_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o morality_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a philosopher_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o cabbala_n consist_v of_o general_a maxim_n and_o proverb_n without_o argument_n or_o deduction_n from_o principle_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n at_o this_o day_n in_o those_o country_n where_o aristotle_n philosophy_n have_v not_o prevail_v who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o that_o undertake_v to_o argue_v close_o from_o principle_n in_o morality_n and_o in_o other_o part_n of_o philosophy_n i_o shall_v prove_v by_o some_o remarkable_a instance_n that_o humane_a reason_n fail_v they_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v general_o receive_v and_o acknowledge_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v clear_o and_o unanswerable_o demonstrate_v by_o tully_n and_o 1._o and_o tull._n de_fw-fr legib._n lib._n 1._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v as_o plain_o assert_v by_o he_o with_o what_o strength_n of_o reason_n with_o what_o plainness_n with_o what_o assurance_n do_v two_o do_v tull._n de_fw-fr natur._n deor._n lib._n 2_o two_o balbus_n the_o stoic_a speak_v concern_v the_o existence_n of_o the_o deity_n but_o when_o he_o will_v explain_v the_o divine_a nature_n he_o describe_v a_o mere_a anima_fw-la mundi_fw-la and_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o scorn_n and_o laughter_n of_o his_o adversary_n which_o show_v that_o humane_a reason_n can_v go_v no_o further_o than_o to_o discover_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n and_o that_o we_o can_v know_v little_a of_o his_o nature_n but_o by_o revelation_n and_o that_o whatsoever_o true_a and_o just_a notion_n the_o heathen_n have_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n must_v be_v chief_o ascribe_v to_o that_o that_o the_o world_n be_v create_v the_o philosopher_n before_o aristotle_n general_o assert_v and_o that_o water_n be_v the_o first_o matter_n out_o of_o which_o it_o be_v form_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o 3._o by_o arist_n de_fw-fr coelo_fw-la lib._n i._n c._n 10._o metaphys_n lib._n i_o c._n 3._o aristotle_n to_o be_v esteem_v the_o most_o ancient_a opinion_n but_o when_o he_o set_v himself_o to_o argue_v the_o point_n he_o conclude_v the_o world_n to_o be_v eternal_a which_o according_a to_o modern_a philosophy_n be_v as_o absurd_a and_o impossible_a as_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v deliver_v down_o from_o all_o
question_n be_v not_o only_o dubious_a but_o certain_o spurious_a the_o remain_a book_n which_o be_v never_o doubt_v of_o be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o the_o necessary_a end_n and_o purpose_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n have_v be_v former_o matter_n of_o controversy_n i_o shall_v enter_v upon_o no_o discourse_n concern_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n the_o authority_n whereof_o have_v be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o effectual_o disprove_v by_o protestant_n that_o the_o most_o learned_a papist_n have_v now_o little_a to_o say_v for_o they_o but_o â—re_n force_v only_o to_o fly_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o beg_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n or_o to_o beg_v something_o as_o hard_a to_o be_v grant_v viz._n the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o i_o shall_v here_o engage_v in_o no_o controversy_n of_o that_o nature_n both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n be_v general_o speak_v agree_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o new_a be_v of_o divine_a authority_n and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v be_v true_a whether_o there_o be_v or_o be_v not_o other_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o of_o equal_a authority_n these_o book_n in_o the_o main_n have_v already_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v genuine_a and_o without_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n i_o shall_v now_o only_o propose_v such_o general_a consideration_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o obviate_v objection_n the_o agreement_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v a_o clear_a evidence_n for_o its_o authority_n and_o though_o there_o be_v many_o and_o great_a idolatry_n commit_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n yet_o by_o the_o good_a providence_n of_o god_n there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o total_a apostasy_n in_o the_o people_n nor_o so_o long_a a_o succession_n of_o idolatrous_a king_n as_o that_o the_o book_n either_o of_o the_o law_n or_o the_o prophet_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v suppress_v or_o alter_v for_o three_o year_n under_o rehoboam_n they_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n 2_o chron._n 11.17.12.1_o and_o though_o afterward_o he_o forsake_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o israel_n with_o he_o his_o reign_n be_v in_o all_o but_o seventeen_o year_n abijam_n be_v a_o wicked_a king_n but_o he_o reign_v no_o long_o than_o three_o year_n 1_o king_n xv_o 2._o asa_n the_o three_o from_o solomon_n and_o jehoshaphat_n his_o son_n be_v great_a reformer_n and_o asa_n reign_v one_o and_o forty_o year_n and_o jehoshaphat_n five_o and_o twenty_o year_n 2_o chron._n xuj_o 13._o xx_o 31._o the_o two_o next_o king_n in_o succession_n do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o their_o reign_n be_v short_a jehoram_n reign_v eight_o year_n and_o ahaziah_n but_o one_o 2_o chron._n xxi_o 20._o xxii_o 2._o during_o the_o interval_n of_o six_o year_n under_o the_o usurpation_n of_o athaliah_n the_o people_n can_v not_o be_v great_o corrupt_v for_o she_o be_v hateful_a to_o they_o as_o jehoram_n her_o husband_n have_v be_v before_o she_o and_o they_o ready_o join_v with_o jehoiada_n in_o slay_v she_o and_o in_o restore_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n 2_o chron._n xxii_o joash_n the_o son_n of_o ahaziah_n do_v that_o which_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n of_o jehoiada_n 2_o chron._n xxiv_o 2._o we_o be_v sure_a that_o he_o reign_v well_o three_o and_o twenty_o year_n 2_o king_n twelve_o 6._o and_o probable_o much_o long_o for_o jehoiada_n live_v to_o a_o very_a great_a age_n 2_o chron._n xxiv_o 15._o amaziah_n his_o son_n have_v the_o same_o character_n and_o with_o the_o same_o abatement_n that_o he_o do_v that_o which_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o not_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n 2_o chron._n twenty-five_o 2._o or_o yet_o not_o like_o david_n his_o father_n he_o do_v according_a to_o all_o thing_n as_o joash_n his_o father_n do_v 2_o king_n fourteen_o 3._o vzziah_n son_n to_o amaziah_n reign_v well_o and_o seek_v god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o zachariah_n 2_o chron._n xxvi_o 5._o and_o after_o he_o be_v seize_v with_o the_o leprosy_n for_o invade_v the_o priest_n office_n the_o administration_n of_o affair_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o son_n jotham_n vers_fw-la 21._o who_o imitate_v the_o good_a part_n of_o his_o father_n reign_n chap._n xxvii_o 2._o ahaz_n be_v wicked_a and_o a_o idolater_n but_o he_o reign_v only_o sixteen_o year_n chap._n xxviii_o 1._o and_o his_o son_n hezekiah_n wrought_v a_o great_a reformation_n who_o reign_v twenty_o nine_o year_n chap._n xxix_o 1._o manasses_n be_v much_o give_v to_o idolatry_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o reign_n but_o after_o his_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n he_o be_v very_o zealous_a against_o it_o chap._n xxxiii_o 15_o 16._o amon_n imitate_v the_o ill_a part_n of_o his_o father_n reign_n but_o his_o own_o continue_v no_o long_o than_o two_o year_n chap._n xxxiii_o 21._o the_o next_o be_v josiah_n in_o who_o time_n the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n which_o must_v be_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n own_o hand-writing_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o book_n of_o the_o law_n can_v be_v no_o such_o rare_a thing_n at_o that_o time_n in_o jerusalem_n as_o to_o be_v take_v so_o much_o notice_n of_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v that_o book_n which_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n and_o be_v to_o be_v transcribe_v by_o every_o king_n it_o seem_v that_o book_n of_o the_o law_n have_v be_v purposely_o hide_v to_o preserve_v it_o from_o the_o attempt_n of_o idolater_n who_o it_o be_v fear_v may_v have_v a_o design_n to_o destroy_v it_o for_o if_o it_o have_v only_o lie_v by_o neglect_a the_o find_n of_o it_o can_v have_v be_v no_o such_o surprise_v thing_n because_o the_o place_n in_o the_o temple_n be_v well_o know_v where_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v keep_v in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n and_o where_o they_o may_v have_v seek_v for_o it_o but_o it_o be_v probable_o at_o that_o time_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v utter_o lose_v and_o its_o be_v find_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v build_v for_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o and_o where_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v with_o the_o great_a care_n as_o a_o most_o inestimable_a treasure_n the_o veneration_n which_o josiah_n have_v for_o so_o sacred_a a_o write_n and_o the_o happy_a and_o unexpected_a recovery_n of_o it_o when_o it_o have_v be_v disregard_v and_o almost_o lose_v through_o the_o iniquity_n of_o his_o predecessor_n these_o consideration_n can_v not_o but_o exceed_o move_v a_o mind_n so_o tender_a and_o affectionate_o pious_a as_o that_o king_n when_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n under_o moses_n own_o hand_n send_v he_o as_o he_o believe_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o deliver_v to_o he_o as_o it_o be_v anew_o from_o heaven_n not_o long_o after_o his_o time_n be_v the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n till_o which_o there_o be_v always_o prophet_n frequent_a reformation_n and_o never_o any_o succession_n of_o idolatrous_a king_n which_o continue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n together_o very_o few_o king_n be_v idolatrous_a throughout_o their_o whole_a reign_n and_o those_o that_o be_v reign_v but_o a_o short_a time_n 9_o time_n book_n 1._o part_n 2._o c._n 6._o &_o 9_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o jew_n till_o their_o return_n and_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o those_o who_o be_v of_o another_o opinion_n that_o ezra_n who_o compose_v the_o canon_n do_v it_o by_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n or_o have_v the_o assistance_n of_o prophet_n in_o the_o do_v it_o 1._o it_o joseph_n câ—nt_fw-la apion_n lib._n 1._o josephus_n say_v that_o their_o book_n after_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n be_v not_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o those_o before_o his_o time_n for_o want_v of_o a_o certain_a succession_n of_o prophet_n and_o since_o the_o jew_n admit_v no_o writing_n as_o inspire_v into_o the_o canon_n after_o malachi_n prophecy_n this_o show_v their_o sincerity_n and_o exactness_n in_o examine_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o such_o write_n as_o they_o admit_v into_o their_o canon_n of_o scripture_n the_o pharisee_n make_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n of_o no_o effect_n by_o their_o tradition_n but_o never_o dare_v presume_v to_o impose_v they_o under_o the_o notion_n and_o
may_v not_o suffer_v a_o book_n write_v by_o his_o own_o appointment_n and_o authority_n to_o be_v encumber_a through_o length_n of_o time_n and_o the_o frailty_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n with_o insuperable_a difficulty_n if_o it_o be_v suppose_v still_o to_o retain_v the_o visible_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o a_o divine_a original_a in_o all_o the_o evidence_n necessary_a to_o prove_v it_o from_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o in_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o it_o for_o as_o long_o as_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v secure_v all_o the_o rest_n though_o it_o be_v of_o never_o so_o great_a use_n and_o excellency_n yet_o can_v be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o end_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o therefore_o a_o book_n of_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v permit_v by_o god_n for_o the_o sin_n and_o by_o the_o fault_n and_o ignorance_n of_o man_n to_o become_v perplex_v with_o abundance_n of_o divers_a readins_n and_o even_o with_o contradiction_n in_o the_o chronological_a and_o less_o material_a point_n of_o it_o for_o so_o long_o as_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v defective_a as_o to_o the_o end_n and_o purpose_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n either_o for_o want_v of_o evidence_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o be_v such_o or_o through_o defect_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o all_o other_o difficulty_n will_v never_o prove_v it_o not_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n because_o so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v no_o defect_n but_o what_o may_v be_v in_o any_o book_n though_o we_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n chap._n ix_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o by_o creation_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v understand_v not_o only_o the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n out_o of_o nothing_o but_o the_o formation_n and_o disposal_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o universe_n but_o there_o have_v a_o opinion_n of_o late_a year_n prevail_v very_o injurious_a to_o religion_n and_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o former_a age_n that_o god_n only_o create_v matter_n and_o give_v it_o motion_n to_o be_v perform_v under_o certain_a law_n by_o which_o all_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n both_o in_o the_o creation_n and_o preservation_n of_o thing_n be_v bring_v about_o without_o any_o far_a immediate_a divine_n power_n or_o concourse_n than_o what_o be_v just_o necessary_a to_o continue_v this_o matter_n and_o motion_n in_o be_v that_o be_v god_n create_v matter_n and_o put_v it_o into_o motion_n and_o then_o matter_n and_o motion_n do_v all_o the_o rest_n in_o a_o settle_a course_n and_o by_o establish_a law_n without_o any_o need_n of_o the_o divine_a aid_n or_o direction_n this_o notion_n indeed_o can_v never_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o scripture_n but_o than_o it_o be_v as_o little_o befriend_v by_o reason_n and_o natural_a religion_n in_o proof_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v consider_v i._n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n ii_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o and_o shall_v show_v that_o neither_o of_o they_o can_v be_v perform_v in_o this_o way_n i._o as_o to_o the_o creation_n we_o may_v consider_v both_o the_o time_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o by_o the_o time_n of_o the_o creation_n we_o may_v understand_v either_o the_o time_n when_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n begin_v or_o the_o time_n which_o be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o creation_n of_o it_o but_o this_o latter_a sense_n will_v come_v under_o what_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o creation_n 1._o the_o time_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o that_o signify_v the_o beginning_n of_o time_n or_o of_o the_o world_n duration_n must_v be_v whole_o arbitrary_a and_o absolute_o at_o god_n sovereign_a pleasure_n and_o disposal_n for_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o in_o eternal_a duration_n to_o fix_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n more_o to_o one_o time_n than_o another_o or_o to_o determine_v why_o it_o shall_v begin_v soon_o or_o late_a and_o since_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v eternal_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o creation_n whenever_o it_o be_v can_v be_v no_o good_a objection_n because_o though_o the_o world_n have_v be_v create_v never_o so_o long_o before_o there_o must_v necessary_o have_v be_v as_o much_o a_o pretence_n for_o such_o a_o objection_n for_o there_o must_v have_v be_v some_o period_n of_o time_n when_o the_o world_n have_v exi_v no_o long_o than_o it_o have_v do_v now_o and_o no_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n can_v be_v suppose_v so_o long_o ago_o but_o still_o it_o may_v with_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v ask_v why_o it_o be_v not_o create_v soon_o 2._o in_o consider_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o world_n creation_n i_o shall_v prove_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suppose_v the_o world_n to_o have_v be_v at_o the_o first_o make_v by_o mechanical_a law_n though_o it_o be_v preserve_v according_a to_o such_o law_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o be_v give_v for_o its_o creation_n in_o that_o manner_n which_o we_o find_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 1._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suppose_v the_o world_n to_o have_v be_v at_o first_o make_v by_o mechanichal_n law_n though_o it_o be_v preserve_v according_a to_o such_o law_n whereas_o i_o shall_v afterward_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o preserve_v according_a to_o they_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n that_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v first_o frame_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n which_o be_v establish_v for_o its_o preservation_n and_o government_n in_o its_o fix_a and_o settle_v state_n the_o origin_n of_o the_o universe_n be_v by_o the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n before_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o several_a law_n which_o afterward_o be_v to_o take_v place_n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o endeavour_v to_o reduce_v the_o work_n of_o miracle_n to_o the_o stand_a law_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o certain_o of_o all_o miracle_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n must_v be_v the_o great_a not_o only_o as_o it_o signify_v the_o production_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n out_o of_o nothing_o but_o as_o it_o be_v the_o put_v thing_n into_o such_o order_n as_o to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n ordain_v for_o they_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o agree_v nor_o be_v it_o ever_o like_a to_o be_v what_o these_o law_n of_o motion_n be_v which_o the_o philosopher_n so_o much_o talk_v of_o and_o there_o be_v such_o a_o mutual_a connexion_n and_o combination_n of_o body_n and_o such_o a_o dependence_n of_o every_o body_n upon_o so_o many_o other_o in_o every_o motion_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v how_o any_o two_o body_n will_v act_v upon_o each_o other_o if_o they_o be_v separate_v from_o all_o body_n beside_o or_o be_v out_o of_o that_o state_n which_o they_o now_o be_v in_o it_o be_v reasonable_a therefore_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n must_v be_v range_v and_o settle_v before_o these_o law_n can_v take_v place_n and_o to_o reduce_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n which_o now_o prevail_v in_o it_o be_v to_o suppose_v a_o creation_n antecedent_n to_o that_o by_o which_o the_o world_n be_v make_v this_o be_v as_o if_o a_o indian_a shall_v attempt_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o make_n of_o a_o watch_n by_o the_o several_a motion_n which_o he_o see_v perform_v in_o it_o after_o it_o be_v make_v and_o shall_v imagine_v that_o the_o material_n move_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n at_o last_o arrive_v to_o the_o exact_a frame_n of_o a_o watch._n 2._o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o be_v give_v for_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o manner_n which_o we_o find_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n it_o be_v great_a presumption_n in_o man_n to_o be_v too_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a about_o the_o reason_n of_o god_n action_n for_o whatever_o he_o deliver_v of_o himself_o we_o ought_v entire_o to_o believe_v both_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o where_o be_v thou_o when_o i_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n declare_v if_o thou_o have_v understanding_n job_n xxxviii_o 4._o but_o this_o must_v be_v say_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o shame_n of_o all_o such_o as_o censure_n and_o cavil_v at_o his_o word_n that_o even_o by_o man_n such_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v of_o his_o action_n as_o all_o his_o adversary_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o gainsay_v god_n have_v order_v all_o thing_n in_o measure_n and_o number_n and_o weight_n wisd_v xi_o 20._o and_o as_o to_o