st_z verse_n and_o isaiah_n do_v not_o prophesy_v only_o in_o that_o king_n reign_n but_o also_o write_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o king_n do_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 26._o v._n 22._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o uzziah_n first_o and_o last_o do_v isaiah_n the_o prophet_n the_o son_n of_o amos_n write_v which_o book_n it_o be_v pity_n we_o have_v not_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n the_o rabbin_n likewise_o declare_v that_o isaiah_n also_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n by_o who_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o though_o in_o that_o they_o seem_v fabulous_a yet_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o his_o prophecy_n be_v extant_a the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n which_o be_v historical_o relate_v be_v pick_v up_o and_o collect_v out_o of_o divers_a chronologer_n for_o they_o be_v not_o only_o confuse_o put_v together_o without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o time_n but_o the_o same_o history_n be_v also_o repeat_v in_o divers_a manner_n for_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n contain_v the_o prophecy_n wherein_o jeremy_n foretell_v king_n zedekiah_n who_o send_v to_o consult_v he_o that_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o for_o which_o prophesy_v he_o be_v apprehend_v then_o after_o a_o abrupt_a break_v off_o from_o this_o history_n the_o 22_o the_o chap._n set_v forth_o ieremy_n declamation_n and_o prophecy_n against_o king_n jehoiachim_n who_o reign_v before_o zedekiah_n declare_v iehoiachim_n captivity_n after_o this_o the_o 25_o the_o chap._n declare_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v before_o reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n jehoiachim_n and_o without_o observe_v any_o order_n of_o time_n go_v on_o to_o heap_v together_o many_o prophecy_n till_o at_o length_n the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n as_o if_o the_o fifteen_o intermediate_v chapter_n have_v be_v but_o a_o parenthesis_n return_v again_o to_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n for_o the_o conjunction_n then_o wherewith_o the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n begin_v relate_v to_o the_o 8,9_o and_o 10_o verse_n of_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n and_o the_o relation_n give_v in_o this_o 38_o the_o chap._n of_o ieremy_n last_o apprehension_n and_o be_v long_o keep_v in_o a_o dungeon_n be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o the_o 37_o the_o chap._n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v take_v out_o of_o divers_a historian_n and_o no_o other_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v for_o they_o the_o rest_n of_o ieremy_n prophecy_n contain_v in_o other_o chapter_n where_o he_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o person_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o book_n which_o baruch_n write_v from_o ieremy_n own_o mouth_n which_o book_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d._n verse_n of_o the_o 36_o the_o chap._n contain_v only_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o time_n of_o josiah_n unto_o the_o four_o year_n of_o jehoiachim_n from_o which_o year_n the_o book_n begin_v out_o of_o which_o book_n also_o all_o those_o thing_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 45_o the_o chap._n to_o the_o 49_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 51_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o ezekiel_n be_v likewise_o but_o a_o fragment_n be_v manife_a by_o the_o first_o verse_n thereof_o for_o who_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o conjunction_n now_o wherewith_o the_o book_n begin_v relate_v to_o somewhat_o that_o have_v be_v already_o say_v and_o join_v that_o to_o what_o he_o have_v further_a to_o say_v not_o only_o the_o conjunction_n but_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o what_o he_o speak_v imply_v and_o suppose_v other_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v before_o write_v for_o the_o writer_n himself_o say_v by_o way_n of_o parenthesis_n in_o the_o 3_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v often_o to_o ezekiel_n the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o buzi_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldean_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o ezekiel_n which_o hitherto_o he_o have_v copy_v out_o relate_v to_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o he_o before_o the_o present_a thirty_o year_n josephus_n in_o his_o 10_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n chap._n 9_o declare_v ezekiel_n prophesy_v that_o zedechiah_n will_v not_o see_v babylon_n which_o prophecy_n do_v not_o appear_v in_o the_o book_n we_o have_v of_o ezekiel_n but_o the_o 17_o the_o chap._n foretell_v the_o contrary_a that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v carry_v captive_a thither_o whether_o hoseah_n write_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o be_v in_o the_o book_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n i_o be_o not_o certain_a but_o i_o much_o wonder_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o more_o of_o he_o see_v by_o the_o person_n testimony_n who_o write_v the_o book_n call_v hosea_n that_o prophet_n prophesy_v no_o less_o than_o eighty_o four_o year_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n where_o the_o several_a king_n be_v name_v in_o who_o time_n he_o live_v in_o general_a we_o know_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o prophet_n do_v neither_o collect_v the_o prophecy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v prophet_n nor_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o name_n we_o have_v for_o we_o have_v not_o any_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n of_o which_o prophet_n mention_n be_v make_v though_o not_o by_o name_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 33._o v._n 10_o 18_o 19_o nor_o have_v we_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o twelve_o prophet_n we_o have_v none_o of_o ionah_n prophecy_n but_o those_o that_o concern_v the_o ninevite_n though_o he_o also_o prophesy_v to_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 25_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 14_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o of_o job_n himself_o there_o have_v be_v among_o writer_n much_o dispute_n some_o think_v moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o parable_n which_o be_v likewise_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o rabbin_n in_o their_o talmud_n and_o favour_v by_o maimonides_n in_o his_o book_n still_v more_n nebuchim_n other_o believe_v the_o history_n to_o be_v real_a and_o true_a and_o that_o job_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o jacob_n and_o marry_v his_o daughter_n dinah_n but_o aben_n ezra_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o book_n of_o job_n say_v it_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o some_o other_o language_n into_o the_o hebrew_n which_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v more_o clear_o prove_v for_o than_o we_o may_v conclude_v the_o gentile_n also_o have_v book_n which_o be_v sacred_a i_o leave_v the_o thing_n still_o doubtful_a and_o conjecture_v that_o job_n be_v some_o gentile_a of_o great_a constancy_n of_o mind_n who_o at_o first_o be_v very_o prosperous_a afterward_o very_o unfortunate_a and_o in_o the_o end_n very_o happy_a for_o in_o ezechiel_n chap._n 14_o v._n 14._o he_o be_v name_v with_o noah_n and_o daniel_n for_o a_o righteous_a man._n the_o various_a fortune_n and_o constant_a mind_n of_o job_n give_v many_o a_o occasion_n of_o dispute_v god_n providence_n and_o to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o compose_v a_o dialogue_n whereof_o the_o subject_a and_o style_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o man_n be_v rather_o at_o ease_n meditate_v in_o his_o study_n than_o sick_a on_o a_o dunghill_n and_o i_o may_v with_o aben_n ezra_n believe_v the_o book_n to_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o another_o language_n because_o it_o seem_v to_o affect_v the_o heathen_a poesy_n the_o father_n of_o the_o god_n be_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n bring_v in_o twice_o call_v a_o council_n and_o momus_n who_o be_v call_v satan_n answer_v god_n with_o great_a liberty_n but_o these_o be_v mere_a frivolous_a conjecture_n the_o book_n of_o daniel_n without_o doubt_n from_o the_o 8_o the_o chapter_n thereof_o contain_v the_o write_n of_o daniel_n but_o from_o whence_o the_o first_o seven_o chapter_n be_v copy_v i_o know_v not_o we_o may_v suspect_v that_o see_v all_o of_o they_o but_o the_o first_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n language_n they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o that_o nation_n be_v chronology_n of_o which_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v account_v sacred_a only_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o and_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o
covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n josh._n chap._n 24._o v._n 25_o 26._o but_o because_o we_o have_v no_o book_n extant_a either_o of_o the_o covenant_n of_o moses_n or_o joshua_n it_o must_v necessary_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o book_n perish_v unless_o we_o will_v be_v as_o mad_a as_o the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v jonatan_n and_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n as_o we_o please_v for_o he_o be_v press_v with_o this_o difficulty_n choose_v rather_o to_o corrupt_v the_o scripture_n then_o confess_v his_o ignorance_n for_o those_o word_n in_o the_o 26._o v_o of_o the_o 24._o chap._n of_o josh._n joshua_n write_v these_o word_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o the_o law_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n he_o render_v thus_o in_o his_o chaldee_n translation_n and_o joshua_n write_v these_o word_n and_o keep_v they_o with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o meddle_v with_o man_n who_o will_v see_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o list_v be_v not_o this_o deny_v what_o be_v scripture_n and_o forge_v new_a at_o our_o pleasure_n we_o then_o conclude_v that_o this_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v not_o the_o pentateuk_n but_o quite_o another_o which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n have_v orderly_o interweave_v with_o his_o work_n as_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v further_o say_v where_o the_o forecited_a place_n in_o deutronomy_n say_v that_o moses_n write_v a_o book_n of_o the_o law_n the_o historian_n add_v that_o he_o deliver_v it_o to_o the_o priest_n and_o command_v they_o at_o certain_a set_v time_n to_o read_v it_o before_o all_o the_o people_n which_o imply_v that_o the_o book_n must_v be_v much_o less_o than_o the_o pentateuk_n see_v at_o one_o meeting_n it_o may_v be_v read_v all_o over_o and_o understand_v by_o the_o people_n nor_o can_v we_o here_o forbear_v to_o observe_v that_o of_o all_o the_o book_n write_v by_o moses_n this_o only_a of_o the_o second_o covenant_n and_o his_o song_n which_o he_o afterward_o write_v for_o all_o the_o people_n to_o learn_v he_o command_v to_o be_v religious_o keep_v because_o the_o first_o covenant_n oblige_v only_o those_o that_o be_v present_a and_o the_o second_o not_o only_o all_o present_a but_o their_o posterity_n also_o deut._n chap._n 29._o v._n 14_o 15._o he_o therefore_o command_v this_o book_n of_o the_o second_o covenant_n to_o be_v careful_o and_o religious_o preserve_v to_o future_a age_n and_o also_o his_o song_n because_o future_a age_n be_v chief_o concern_v in_o it_o see_v then_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a that_o moses_n ever_o write_v any_o book_n beside_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o his_o song_n which_o he_o command_v to_o be_v keep_v and_o that_o many_o thing_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o he_o i_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n can_v upon_o any_o good_a ground_n but_o must_v altogether_o against_o reason_n make_v moses_n the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n but_o some_o body_n may_v perhaps_o here_o ask_v whether_o moses_n beside_o these_o book_n do_v not_o write_v the_o law_n when_o they_o be_v first_o reveal_v to_o he_o that_o be_v whether_o in_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n he_o do_v not_o set_v down_o in_o write_v any_o of_o those_o law_n which_o he_o prescribe_v beside_o those_o few_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o covenant_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o i_o shall_v grant_v it_o to_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o moses_n shall_v commit_v to_o write_v those_o law_n which_o he_o communicate_v to_o the_o people_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o place_n when_o and_o where_o they_o be_v publish_v yet_o i_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a upon_o this_o ground_n to_o affirm_v he_o do_v for_o i_o have_v already_o show_v we_o ought_v in_o like_a case_n to_o determine_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v manifest_o prove_v either_o by_o scripture_n itself_o or_o by_o consequence_n draw_v from_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o and_o not_o because_o a_o thing_n seem_v consonant_a to_o reason_n for_o reason_n itself_o do_v not_o oblige_v we_o to_o be_v positive_a it_o may_v be_v the_o senate_n of_o seventy_o elder_n communicate_v to_o the_o people_n moses_n edict_n in_o writing_n which_o be_v afterward_o collect_v by_o he_o that_o write_v the_o pentateuk_n and_o be_v orderly_o insert_v into_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n life_n and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n it_o be_v now_o time_n to_o examine_v the_o rest_n the_o book_n of_o joshuah_n for_o like_a reason_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o joshua_n it_o must_v be_v some_o other_o person_n that_o give_v so_o good_a a_o character_n of_o he_o in_o several_a place_n of_o that_o book_n josh._n chap._n 6._o v._n 27._o the_o lord_n be_v with_o joshua_n and_o his_o fame_n be_v noise_v throughout_o all_o the_o country_n that_o he_o omit_v nothing_o but_o do_v all_o that_o moses_n command_v chap._n 8._o v._n 35._o chap._n 11._o v._n 15._o that_o he_o wax_v old_a call_v all_o the_o people_n together_o and_o at_o last_o die_v moreover_o some_o thing_n be_v relate_v which_o happen_v after_o his_o death_n namely_o that_o the_o people_n continue_v to_o worship_n god_n as_o long_o as_o the_o old_a man_n live_v who_o know_v joshua_n in_o the_o 16._o chap._n v_o 10._o it_o be_v say_v that_o ephraim_n and_o manasseh_n do_v not_o drive_v out_o the_o canaanite_n that_o dwell_v in_o gezur_n but_o the_o canaanite_n dwell_v among_o the_o ephramite_n to_o this_o day_n and_o serve_v under_o tribute_n which_o be_v the_o same_o expression_n we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o chap._n of_o judge_n v_o 21._o but_o the_o jebuzites_n dwell_v with_o the_o child_n of_o benjamin_n in_o jerusalem_n unto_o this_o day_n which_o manner_n of_o speak_v imply_v the_o writer_n relate_v what_o be_v long_o ago_o past_a as_o appear_v josh._n chap._n 15._o verse_n the_o last_o the_o jebuzites_n dwell_v with_o the_o child_n of_o judah_n unto_o this_o day_n the_o same_o expression_n be_v likewise_o use_v in_o the_o history_n of_o kaleb_n begin_v at_o the_o 13_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o say_a chapter_n the_o building_n of_o a_o altar_n beyond_o jordan_n by_o the_o two_o tribe_n and_o a_o half_a mention_v in_o the_o 22._o josh._n v_o 10._o in_o all_o probability_n happen_v after_o ioshuah_n death_n because_o in_o all_o that_o story_n there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n say_v of_o he_o but_o the_o people_n only_o deliberate_v to_o make_v war_n send_v ambassador_n receive_v and_o approve_v the_o answer_n which_o be_v return_v last_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o 14_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n be_v write_v many_o age_n after_o his_o death_n for_o the_o text_n say_v and_o there_o be_v no_o day_n like_o that_o before_o or_o after_o it_o that_o the_o lord_n hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o man_n if_o then_o joshua_n write_v any_o book_n it_o must_v be_v that_o of_o jasher_n mention_v in_o the_o same_o story_n v_o the_o 13_o the_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n i_o believe_v no_o man_n in_o his_o right_a wit_n will_v think_v it_o write_v by_o the_o judge_n themselves_o for_o the_o end_n of_o the_o history_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n chap._n clear_o show_v it_o be_v all_o write_v by_o one_o single_a person_n who_o tell_v we_o in_o many_o place_n that_o in_o those_o day_n there_o be_v no_o king_n in_o israel_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n it_o be_v write_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o people_n have_v king_n concern_v the_o book_n of_o samuel_n there_o need_v no_o deliberation_n see_v the_o history_n be_v carry_v on_o so_o far_o beyond_o his_o death_n but_o however_o let_v this_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o book_n must_v be_v write_v many_o age_n after_o he_o for_o the_o hestorian_a in_o the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 9_o v._n 9_o say_v in_o a_o parenthesis_n before_o time_n in_o israel_n when_o a_o man_n go_v to_o inquire_v of_o god_n thus_o he_o speak_v come_v let_v we_o go_v to_o the_o seer_n for_o he_o that_o be_v now_o call_v a_o prophet_n be_v before_o time_n call_v a_o seer_n the_o two_o book_n of_o the_o king_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n themselves_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o what_o be_v write_v of_o the_o reign_n of_o solomon_n see_v the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o king_n chap._n 11._o v._n 5._o and_o out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n both_o of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n chap._n 14._o v._n 19_o 29._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la how_o he_o war_v and_o how_o he_o reign_v behold_v they_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n we_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o book_n which_o
confuse_o gather_v and_o lay_v together_o that_o they_o may_v afterward_o be_v examine_v and_o put_v into_o order_n and_o not_o only_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o five_o book_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o other_o seven_o be_v also_o collect_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n who_o do_v not_o plain_o see_v that_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n from_o the_o six_o verse_n a_o new_a historian_n bring_v in_o who_o have_v write_v the_o act_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o very_a word_n use_v for_o after_o our_o historian_n in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o joshua_n have_v speak_v of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n and_o promise_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n to_o declare_v what_o happen_v after_o ioshua_n death_n if_o he_o intend_v regular_o to_o prosecute_v his_o own_o history_n why_o do_v he_o again_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n tell_v we_o what_o joshua_n do_v and_o speak_v again_o of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n as_o he_o have_v before_o the_o 17_o and_o 18_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n be_v in_o all_o probability_n take_v out_o of_o another_o historian_n who_o make_v the_o cause_n of_o david_n frequent_v saul_n court_n to_o be_v quite_o different_a from_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 16._o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n for_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o david_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o saul_n servant_n be_v call_v to_o court_n as_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o say_v 16_o the_o chap._n but_o that_o his_o father_n send_v he_o to_o visit_v his_o brethren_n in_o saul_n camp_n david_n by_o his_o victory_n over_o goliath_n become_v know_v to_o saul_n and_o afterward_o live_v in_o his_o court._n i_o suspect_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o 26_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n and_o that_o the_o history_n of_o that_o chapter_n and_o what_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o 24_o the_o chap._n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o but_o take_v out_o of_o several_a writer_n but_o of_o this_o enough_o i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o computation_n of_o time_n it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 6_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o king_n that_o solomon_n four_o hundred_o and_o fourscore_o year_n after_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o his_o own_o reign_n begin_v to_o build_v the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o from_o the_o history_n themselves_o we_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v it_o be_v a_o much_o long_a time_n till_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v year_n for_o first_o moses_n govern_v the_o people_n in_o the_o desert_n 40_o joshua_n who_o live_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o josephus_n and_o other_o govern_v not_o above_o 26_o kusan_n risgataim_v keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 08_o othonyel_n the_o son_n of_o kenaz_n judged_n 40_o eglon_n the_o king_n of_o moab_n keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 18_o ehud_n and_o samger_n judged_n 80_o jachin_n king_n of_o canaan_n keep_v the_o people_n under_o 20_o the_o people_n afterward_o have_v rest_n 40_o be_v again_o in_o subjection_n to_o midian_a 07_o be_v again_o at_o liberty_n under_o gideon_n 40_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o abimelech_n 03_o tola_n the_o son_n of_o puah_n judged_n 23_o jair_n judged_n 22_o the_o people_n be_v again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n and_o ammonite_n 18_o jephtah_n judged_n 06_o absan_n the_o bethlemite_n judged_n 07_o elon_n the_o zebulonite_n 10_o abdon_n the_o pirathonite_n 08_o the_o people_n again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n 40_o samson_n judged_n 20_o ely_n judged_n 40_o the_o people_n in_o bondage_n again_o to_o the_o philistine_n till_o deliver_v by_o samuel_n 20_o david_n reign_v 40_o solomon_n before_o he_o begin_v to_o build_v reign_v 04_o all_o these_o year_n add_v together_o make_v up_o the_o number_n of_o 580._o to_o which_o number_n be_v to_o be_v add_v the_o year_n of_o that_o age_n wherein_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n flourish_v after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n until_o it_o be_v subdue_v by_o kusan_n risgataim_v which_o i_o believe_v be_v many_o for_o i_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o people_n who_o have_v see_v the_o wonder_n of_o joshua_n time_n shall_v present_o after_o his_o death_n perish_v altogether_o neither_o that_o they_o who_o succeed_v they_o shall_v at_o once_o bid_v farewell_n to_o all_o their_o law_n and_o from_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o virtue_n fall_v in_o a_o instant_n into_o the_o depth_n of_o wickedness_n and_o folly_n neither_o that_o kusan_n risgataim_v conquer_a they_o at_o a_o blow_n but_o see_v all_o these_o thing_n require_v almost_o a_o age_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o pass_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n 7_o the_o 9_o the_o and_o 10_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n do_v comprise_v the_o history_n of_o many_o year_n which_o it_o have_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n we_o be_v moreover_o to_o add_v the_o year_n which_o samuel_n judged_n who_o number_n we_o find_v not_o in_o scripture_n and_o the_o year_n also_o of_o saul_n reign_n which_o be_v leave_v out_o in_o the_o former_a computation_n because_o by_o his_o history_n it_o be_v not_o evident_a how_o many_o he_o reign_v indeed_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n that_o saul_n reign_v two_o year_n but_o that_o text_n be_v maim_v and_o we_o may_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o conclude_v his_o reign_n be_v long_o that_o the_o text_n be_v defective_a no_o man_n who_o have_v but_o the_o least_o knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n can_v doubt_v for_o it_o begin_v thus_o in_o the_o latin_a translation_n annum_fw-la natus_fw-la erat_fw-la saul_n cum_fw-la regnavit_fw-la &_o duos_fw-la annos_fw-la regnavit_fw-la supra_fw-la israelem_fw-la which_o in_o our_o english_a bible_n be_v thus_o render_v saul_n reign_v one_o year_n and_o when_o he_o have_v reign_v two_o year_n etc._n etc._n but_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o number_n of_o year_n of_o saul_n age_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v be_v omit_v and_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v more_o than_o two_o year_n any_o man_n may_v gather_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o for_o in_o the_o 27_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n verse_n the_o 7_o the_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o time_n david_n dwell_v in_o the_o country_n of_o the_o philistine_n be_v a_o full_a year_n and_o four_o month_n so_o that_o by_o this_o calculation_n all_o thing_n else_o which_o pass_v in_o saul_n reign_v must_v happen_v in_o the_o space_n of_o eight_o month_n which_o no_o man_n can_v believe_v josephus_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 6_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n have_v thus_o correct_v the_o text._n saul_n while_n samuel_n live_v reign_v eighteen_o year_n and_o after_o samuel_n death_n two_o but_o the_o story_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n do_v in_o no_o wise_n agree_v with_o what_o go_v before_o for_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n v._n 13._o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o philistine_n be_v so_o subdue_v by_o the_o israelite_n that_o they_o come_v no_o more_o into_o the_o coast_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v against_o the_o philistine_n all_v the_o day_n of_o samuel_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o foresay_a 13_o the_o chapter_n it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o samuel_n life_n time_n the_o philistine_n invade_v the_o israelite_n and_o reduce_v they_o to_o so_o great_a misery_n and_o poverty_n that_o they_o want_v not_o only_a arm_n to_o defend_v themselves_o but_o also_o smith_n to_o make_v so_o much_o as_o a_o sword_n or_o a_o spear_n that_o man_n must_v take_v pain_n enough_o who_o make_v it_o his_o business_n so_o to_o reconcile_v all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o appear_v to_o be_v write_v and_o put_v in_o order_n by_o one_o historian_n but_o i_o return_v to_o what_o i_o propose_v the_o year_n of_o saul_n reign_v aught_o to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o forego_n computation_n now_o how_o many_o be_v the_o year_n of_o the_o israelite_n anarchy_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mention_n my_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o space_n of_o time_n be_v not_o certain_a wherein_o those_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 17_o the_o chapter_n of_o judge_n to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o book_n so_o that_o no_o exact_a calculation_n can_v be_v make_v from_o the_o history_n themselves_o neither_o do_v they_o agree_v in_o any_o but_o differ_v very_o much_o so_o that_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v they_o be_v
veneration_n when_o genesis_n be_v write_v and_o this_o must_v necessary_o be_v a_o true_a and_o clear_a answer_n because_o it_o be_v express_o say_v in_o the_o forecited_a text_n of_o exodus_fw-la that_o god_n be_v not_o know_v to_o the_o patriarch_n by_o his_o name_n jehovah_n and_o because_o also_o in_o exod._n chap._n 3._o v._n 13._o moses_n desire_v to_o know_v god_n name_n which_o must_v have_v be_v know_v to_o he_o have_v it_o be_v know_v to_o the_o patriarch_n before_o he_o it_o must_v therefore_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o faithful_a patriarch_n be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o name_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v a_o gift_n not_o a_o command_n it_o be_v now_o time_n to_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o second_o particular_a that_o god_n require_v from_o man_n by_o his_o prophet_n no_o other_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o than_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o divine_a justice_n and_o love_n that_o be_v those_o attribute_n which_o man_n in_o a_o right_a course_n of_o live_v may_v in_o some_o measure_n and_o degree_n imitate_v which_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o express_a word_n declare_v for_o chap._n 20._o v._n 15_o 16._o speak_v of_o king_n josiah_n he_o say_v do_v not_o thy_o father_n eat_v and_o drink_v and_o do_v judgement_n and_o justice_n and_o then_o it_o be_v well_o with_o he_o he_o judge_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o the_o needy_a than_o it_o be_v well_o with_o he_o be_v not_o this_o to_o know_v i_o say_v the_o lord_n nor_o be_v those_o word_n less_o clear_a chap._n 9_o v._n 24._o let_v he_o that_o glori_v glory_n in_o this_o that_o he_o understand_v and_o know_v i_o that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n which_o exercise_v love_a kindness_n judgement_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o earth_n for_o in_o these_o thing_n i_o delight_v say_v the_o lord_n we_o have_v a_o further_a proof_n exod._n chap._n 34._o v._n 6._o where_o moses_n desire_v to_o see_v and_o know_v god_n god_n reveal_v no_o other_o attribute_n to_o he_o but_o such_o as_o declare_v his_o divine_a justice_n and_o love._n last_o how_o express_v in_o the_o point_n be_v the_o word_n of_o st._n john_n in_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n because_o no_o man_n ever_o see_v god_n he_o make_v god_n know_v only_o by_o love_n and_o conclude_v that_o he_o know_v god_n and_o god_n dwell_v in_o he_o who_o have_v charity_n we_o see_v then_o that_o moses_n jeremy_n and_o john_n comprise_v that_o knowledge_n of_o god_n which_o every_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o have_v in_o that_o only_a wherein_o we_o say_v it_o be_v comprehend_v namely_o in_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v superlative_o just_a and_o merciful_a and_o the_o only_a pattern_n of_o a_o good_a life_n the_o scripture_n do_v no_o where_o give_v any_o express_a and_o positive_a definition_n of_o god_n neither_o do_v it_o prescribe_v any_o other_o attribute_n to_o be_v imitate_v and_o believe_v by_o we_o but_o those_o we_o have_v name_v nor_o be_v those_o express_o commend_v as_o attribute_n so_o that_o from_o all_o these_o thing_n we_o conclude_v that_o the_o intellectual_a knowledge_n of_o god_n which_o consider_v god_n as_o he_o be_v in_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o essence_n which_o nature_n no_o man_n can_v by_o any_o certain_a course_n of_o life_n imitate_v or_o take_v for_o his_o pattern_n do_v not_o at_o all_o teach_v a_o man_n how_o to_o live_v well_o neither_o do_v it_o concern_v a_o man_n faith_n or_o reveal_v religion_n so_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v infinite_o mistake_v in_o it_o and_o yet_o not_o offend_v god._n let_v we_o not_o wonder_v then_o that_o god_n apply_v himself_o to_o the_o imagination_n and_o preconceive_a opinion_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o that_o faithful_a believer_n have_v different_a opinion_n of_o god_n as_o by_o many_o instance_n we_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o second_o chapter_n nor_o let_v any_o man_n wonder_n that_o the_o sacred_a volume_n do_v every_o where_o speak_v so_o improper_o of_o god_n ascribe_v to_o he_o hand_n foot_n eye_n ear_n mind_n local_a motion_n yea_o passion_n of_o the_o mind_n say_v he_o be_v jealous_a merciful_a etc._n etc._n and_o sometime_o set_v he_o out_o as_o a_o judge_n sit_v in_o heaven_n on_o a_o regal_a throne_n and_o christ_n at_o his_o right_a hand_n all_o which_o be_v speak_v according_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o vulgar_a who_o the_o scripture_n intend_v to_o make_v obedient_a but_o not_o learned_a of_o these_o thing_n whatever_o ordinary_a profess_a divine_n have_v by_o reason_n and_o natural_a light_n discover_v to_o be_v disagreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n they_o will_v have_v metaphorical_o interpret_v but_o that_o which_o be_v above_o their_o capacity_n must_v be_v take_v literal_o if_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n must_v be_v take_v and_o understand_v metaphorical_o than_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v for_o the_o rude_a and_o ignorant_a common_a people_n but_o for_o the_o learned_a and_o especial_o for_o philosopher_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v sin_n pious_o and_o in_o simplicity_n of_o heart_n to_o believe_v those_o thing_n of_o god_n which_o the_o sacred_a volume_n have_v in_o the_o letter_n ascribe_v to_o he_o the_o prophet_n consider_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o common_a people_n understanding_n aught_o to_o have_v be_v very_o wary_a and_o careful_a what_o phrase_n and_o expression_n they_o use_v and_o shall_v have_v clear_o and_o plain_o which_o be_v no_o where_o do_v declare_v those_o attribute_n of_o god_n which_o every_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v no_o man_n ought_v to_o think_v that_o opinion_n consider_v absolute_o in_o themselves_o without_o respect_n to_o a_o man_n work_n have_v any_o piety_n or_o impiety_n in_o they_o but_o a_o man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v godly_a or_o ungodly_a in_o his_o faith_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o opinion_n which_o incline_v he_o to_o obedience_n or_o those_o that_o encourage_v he_o to_o sin_n and_o disobedience_n so_o that_o if_o a_o man_n though_o he_o right_o and_o true_o believe_v be_v stubborn_a and_o disobedient_a his_o faith_n be_v evil_a and_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o a_o man_n believe_v that_o which_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o live_v well_o his_o faith_n be_v good_a for_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v not_o a_o precept_n but_o a_o divine_a gift_n and_o god_n never_o require_v from_o man_n any_o other_o knowledge_n than_o that_o of_o his_o divine_a love_n and_o justice_n which_o knowledge_n be_v necessary_a only_o to_o obedience_n not_o to_o science_n chap._n fourteen_o what_o be_v faith._n who_o be_v believer_n the_o fundamental_o of_o faith_n state_v faith_n distinguish_v from_o philosophy_n or_o reason_n to_o understand_v true_o what_o faith_n be_v it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o know_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v fit_v and_o accommodate_v not_o only_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o also_o to_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o inconstant_a mutable_a vulgar_a people_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n of_o which_o no_o person_n can_v be_v ignorant_a that_o will_v but_o a_o little_a consider_v and_o observe_v the_o scripture_n he_o that_o will_v take_v all_o thing_n which_o be_v promiscuous_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n to_o be_v that_o universal_a positive_a doctrine_n whereby_o god_n be_v to_o be_v know_v can_v never_o right_o discern_v what_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o not_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v between_o divine_a doctrine_n and_o the_o common_a people_n opinion_n must_v take_v human_a fiction_n and_o fancy_n for_o heavenly_a instruction_n and_o consequent_o very_o much_o abuse_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n authority_n who_o do_v not_o plain_o see_v that_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n we_o have_v so_o many_o sectary_n who_o maintain_v their_o different_a and_o contrary_a opinion_n to_o be_v all_o doctrine_n and_o principle_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o confirm_v by_o many_o scripture_n proof_n so_o that_o it_o be_v become_v a_o dutch_a proverb_n geen_n ketter_n sunder_o letter_n there_o be_v no_o sectary_n or_o heretic_n but_o have_v a_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o maintain_v his_o opinion_n the_o sacred_a book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o all_o write_v by_o one_o person_n nor_o for_o the_o people_n of_o one_o age_n but_o by_o divers_a person_n of_o different_a disposition_n and_o for_o the_o people_n of_o several_a age_n distant_a in_o time_n from_o one_o another_o almost_o two_o thousand_o year_n by_o some_o computation_n many_o more_o we_o do_v not_o charge_v these_o sectary_n with_o impiety_n for_o apply_v the_o word_n of_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o opinion_n as_o heretofore_o they_o be_v suit_v to_o vulgar_a capacity_n it_o be_v lawful_a for_o every_o one_o to_o apply_v scripture_n to_o his_o own_o opinion_n if_o he_o find_v himself_o
find_v in_o the_o time_n of_o david_n who_o conquer_a this_o city_n as_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o 30_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 12_o chap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o samuel_n and_o not_o only_o here_o but_o a_o little_a after_o the_o historian_n to_o moses_n word_n add_v these_o in_o the_o 14_o the_o verse_n jair_v the_o son_n of_o manasseh_n take_v all_o the_o country_n of_o argob_n unto_o the_o coast_n of_o jeshuri_n and_o maachathi_o and_o call_v they_o after_o his_o own_o name_n bashan_n have_v jair_a unto_o this_o day_n these_o word_n i_o say_v be_v add_v by_o the_o historian_n to_o explain_v moses_n word_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o verse_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o gilead_n and_o all_o bashan_n be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o og_n give_v i_o unto_o the_o half_a tribe_n of_o manasseh_n all_o the_o region_n of_o argob_n with_o all_o bashan_n which_o be_v call_v the_o land_n of_o the_o giant_n and_o therefore_o the_o historian_n be_v force_v to_o explain_v what_o those_o place_n be_v which_o be_v ancient_o so_o call_v and_o also_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o in_o his_o time_n they_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o jair_n who_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o not_o of_o manasseh_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o the_o chron._n v._n 21_o 22._o we_o have_v now_o explain_v aben_n ezra_n meaning_n and_o also_o those_o place_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n quote_v by_o he_o to_o make_v good_a his_o opinion_n but_o indeed_o he_o have_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o nor_o of_o the_o principal_a place_n for_o there_o be_v more_o of_o great_a moment_n which_o i_o will_v now_o mention_v first_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n do_v not_o only_o speak_v of_o moses_n in_o the_o three_o person_n but_o also_o testify_v many_o thing_n of_o he_o namely_o god_n speak_v with_o moses_n god_n speak_v with_o he_o face_n to_o face_n moses_n be_v the_o meek_a of_o all_o man_n numb_a chap._n 12._o v._n 3._o now_o the_o man_n moses_n be_v very_o meek_a above_o all_o man_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n moses_n be_v wroth_a with_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o host_n numb_a chap._n 31._o v._n 14._o moses_n the_o man_n of_o god_n deut._n chap._n 33._o v._n 1._o moses_n the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n die_v deut._n chap._n 34._o v._n 5._o and_o there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o in_o israel_n like_v unto_o moses_n v_o 10._o but_o in_o deutronomy_n where_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n write_v and_o declare_v to_o the_o people_n be_v set_v down_o moses_n speak_v and_o tell_v they_o what_o he_o do_v in_o the_o first_o person_n deut._n chap._n 2._o v._n 1_o 17._o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o i_o and_o i_o pray_v unto_o the_o lord_n but_o then_o again_o after_o the_o historian_n have_v repeat_v moses_n word_n he_o go_v on_o and_o again_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o person_n declare_v how_o moses_n deliver_v to_o the_o people_n in_o write_v that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v publish_v last_o the_o historian_n relate_v how_o moses_n warn_v and_o admonish_v the_o people_n and_o end_v his_o life_n all_o which_o namely_o the_o manner_n of_o speak_v the_o testimony_n and_o character_n give_v of_o moses_n with_o the_o context_n of_o the_o whole_a history_n full_o satisfy_v that_o the_o book_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n but_o by_o some_o other_o person_n second_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o history_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v how_o moses_n die_v be_v bury_v and_o that_o the_o jew_n mourn_v thirty_o day_n for_o he_o but_o make_v likewise_o a_o comparison_n between_o he_o and_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n that_o live_v after_o he_o sai_z he_o excel_v they_o all_o deut._n chap._n 24._o v._n 10._o and_o there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o in_o israel_n like_v unto_o moses_n who_o the_o lord_n know_v face_n to_o face_n which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n that_o moses_n can_v not_o give_v of_o himself_o so_o can_v no_o other_o man_n who_o immediate_o follow_v he_o but_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v one_o who_o live_v many_o age_n after_o he_o because_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o time_n past_a say_v there_o arise_v not_o a_o prophet_n since_o and_o of_o his_o burial_n he_o say_v no_o man_n know_v of_o his_o sepulchre_n unto_o this_o day_n three_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_a that_o the_o history_n call_v some_o place_n by_o name_n which_o they_o have_v not_o in_o moses_n time_n but_o by_o other_o give_v they_o long_o after_o gen._n chap._n 14._o v._n 14._o it_o be_v say_v abraham_n pursue_v his_o enemy_n unto_o dan_n which_o name_n be_v never_o give_v to_o that_o city_n till_o long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n as_o appear_v by_o judg._n chap._n 18._o v._n 29._o and_o they_o call_v the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n dan_fw-mi after_o the_o name_n of_o dan_n their_o father_n who_o be_v bear_v unto_o israel_n how_o be_v it_o the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n be_v laish_n at_o the_o first_o five_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o history_n be_v continue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n than_o moses_n live_v for_o exod._n chap._n 16._o v._n 35._o it_o be_v say_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v eat_v manna_n forty_o year_n until_o they_o come_v to_o the_o border_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n namely_o till_o the_o time_n mention_v josh._n chap._n 5._o v._n 12._o in_o the_o book_n of_o gen._n 36._o v._n 31._o these_o be_v the_o king_n that_o reign_v in_o the_o land_n of_o edom_n before_o there_o reign_v any_o king_n over_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o historian_n without_o doubt_n there_o declare_v what_o king_n the_o edomite_n have_v before_o david_n conquer_a they_o and_o set_v governor_n over_o they_o as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 6._o v._n 11_o 14._o by_o all_o this_o it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o day_n that_o the_o pentateuk_n be_v not_o write_v by_o moses_n but_o by_o some_o other_o who_o live_v many_o age_n after_o he_o but_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v and_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o pentateuk_n first_o it_o appear_v exod._n chap._n 17._o v._n 14._o god_n command_v moses_n to_o write_v the_o war_n against_o amalek_n but_o in_o what_o book_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v numb_a chap._n 21._o v._n 10._o there_o be_v a_o book_n mention_v call_v the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n wherein_o without_o question_n moses_n give_v a_o full_a relation_n of_o the_o war_n against_o amalek_n and_o also_o of_o all_o those_o encamp_n or_o pitch_v their_o tent_n which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuk_n say_v numb_a chap._n 33._o v._n 2._o be_v describe_v by_o moses_n it_o likewise_o appear_v exod._n 24._o v_o 4_o 7._o that_o moses_n write_v another_o book_n call_v the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o he_o read_v to_o the_o people_n when_o they_o first_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n but_o this_o book_n or_o epistle_n contain_v very_o few_o thing_n the_o law_n only_o or_o command_v of_o god_n recite_v in_o exod._n from_o the_o 22_o verse_n of_o the_o 20._o chap._n to_o chap._n 24._o which_o no_o body_n will_v deny_v who_o without_o partiality_n and_o with_o any_o sound_a judgement_n read_v that_o chapter_n it_o be_v there_o declare_v that_o as_o soon_o as_o moses_n understand_v the_o people_n readiness_n to_o enter_v into_o a_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n he_o write_v the_o oracle_n and_o law_n of_o god_n in_o a_o book_n and_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n certain_a ceremony_n be_v perform_v he_o read_v to_o all_o the_o congregation_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v read_v and_o understand_v by_o all_o the_o people_n they_o with_o a_o general_a consent_n oblige_v themselves_o to_o all_o that_o god_n command_v so_o that_o consider_v the_o shortness_n of_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v and_o the_o manner_n of_o make_v the_o covenant_n the_o book_n can_v contain_v no_o more_o than_o the_o few_o thing_n i_o have_v mention_v last_o it_o appear_v that_o moses_n in_o the_o forty_o year_n after_o their_o go_v out_o of_o egypt_n explain_v all_o those_o law_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v as_o may_v be_v see_v deut._n chap._n 1._o v._n 5._o and_o again_o oblige_v the_o people_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o they_o deut._n chap._n 29._o v._n 14._o and_o then_o write_v a_o book_n which_o contain_v those_o law_n so_o explain_v and_o the_o new_a covenant_n chap._n 31._o v._n 9_o which_o be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o which_o joshua_n make_v a_o addition_n by_o register_n that_o agreement_n whereby_o the_o people_n in_o his_o time_n oblige_v themselves_o and_o enter_v a_o three_o time_n into_o
collect_v from_o divers_a writer_n and_o be_v never_o examine_v or_o put_v into_o any_o order_n there_o be_v no_o less_o disagreement_n in_o computation_n of_o time_n between_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n for_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 1_o sy_n v._n 17._o it_o be_v say_v jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o ahab_n king_n of_o israel_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n but_o in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n see_v the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 8._o v._n 16._o it_o be_v say_v that_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o ahab_n king_n of_o israel_n he_o that_o will_v compare_v the_o history_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n with_o those_o in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n shall_v find_v many_o of_o the_o like_a difference_n which_o i_o will_v not_o here_o particular_o mention_v nor_o trouble_v you_o with_o the_o shift_n some_o author_n have_v use_v to_o reconcile_v they_o the_o rabbin_n perfect_o dote_v and_o some_o commentator_n that_o i_o have_v read_v impose_v upon_o we_o their_o own_o dream_n and_o invention_n plain_o corrupt_v the_o very_a language_n itself_o for_o example_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n c._n 22._o v._n 2._o it_o be_v say_v ahaziah_n waâ—_n forty_o and_o two_o year_n old_a when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v some_o will_v have_v these_o year_n to_o commence_v not_o from_o ahaziah_n nativity_n but_o from_o the_o reign_n of_o omri_n if_o they_o can_v prove_v this_o to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n i_o may_v in_o plain_a term_n say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o speak_v sense_n commentator_n be_v full_a of_o the_o like_a conceit_n wherein_o be_v there_o any_o truth_n a_o man_n may_v pofitive_o aver_v that_o the_o ancient_a hebrew_n do_v not_o understand_v their_o own_o language_n but_o be_v ignorant_a of_o all_o order_n in_o history_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o rule_n or_o any_o reason_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o expound_v scripture_n but_o every_o man_n may_v fancy_n and_o forge_n what_o he_o please_v if_o any_o think_v i_o speak_v too_o general_o and_o without_o ground_n i_o entreat_v that_o man_n to_o show_v i_o any_o such_o certain_a order_n in_o these_o history_n as_o chronologer_n may_v without_o any_o gross_a mistake_n follow_v and_o that_o while_o he_o be_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v and_o reconcile_v the_o history_n he_o will_v so_o strict_o observe_v the_o pharse_n and_o manner_n of_o speak_v the_o dispose_n and_o contexture_n of_o the_o narration_n that_o another_o according_a to_o his_o explication_n may_v in_o write_v imitate_v they_o which_o if_o he_o can_v do_v i_o will_v throw_v away_o my_o pen_n and_o take_v he_o for_o a_o oracle_n i_o have_v be_v endeavour_v but_o can_v never_o do_v any_o thing_n like_o it_o i_o have_v write_v nothing_o which_o i_o do_v not_o often_o and_o long_o meditate_v and_o though_o from_o my_o childhood_n i_o have_v be_v season_v with_o the_o common_a and_o general_a opinion_n concern_v scripture_n yet_o i_o can_v not_o possible_o avoid_v confess_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v mention_v but_o i_o will_v no_o long_o detain_v the_o reader_n concern_v this_o particular_a nor_o will_v i_o further_o provoke_v he_o to_o undertake_v that_o which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o feasible_a i_o only_o make_v the_o proposal_n the_o better_a to_o explain_v my_o own_o meaning_n and_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o consider_v those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o fate_n or_o fortune_n of_o the_o book_n for_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o careful_o keep_v by_o posterity_n as_o that_o no_o fault_n have_v creep_v into_o they_o the_o ancient_a scribe_n have_v take_v notice_n of_o many_o dubious_a reading_n and_o many_o maim_a text_n and_o yet_o not_o of_o all_o but_o whether_o the_o fault_n which_o have_v creep_v into_o those_o book_n be_v of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o to_o give_v the_o reader_n much_o trouble_n i_o will_v not_o dispute_v i_o believe_v they_o be_v not_o considerable_a to_o those_o that_o read_v the_o scripture_n with_o any_o freedom_n of_o judgement_n and_o i_o can_v positive_o affirm_v that_o i_o never_o observe_v any_o error_n or_o variety_n of_o readins_n concern_v mere_a precept_n or_o instruction_n which_o can_v render_v they_o doubtful_a or_o obscure_a but_o many_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o any_o fault_n at_o all_o in_o any_o thing_n throughout_o the_o whole_a scripture_n but_o peremptory_o maintain_v that_o god_n by_o a_o singular_a and_o special_a providence_n have_v keep_v the_o bible_n free_a from_o all_o corruption_n or_o adulteration_n and_o that_o the_o various_a readins_n of_o it_o comprehend_v profound_a mystery_n and_o will_v have_v great_a secret_n lie_v hide_v even_o in_o asterism_n space_n point_n and_o accent_n but_o whether_o this_o opinion_n proceed_v from_o folly_n and_o the_o dotage_n of_o devotion_n or_o from_o their_o arrogance_n and_o malice_n allow_v none_o but_o themselves_o to_o know_v god_n secret_n i_o can_v tell_v of_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o never_o read_v any_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o such_o man_n that_o seem_v mysterious_a but_o rather_o savor_v of_o schoool-boy_n conceit_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o some_o trifle_a cabalist_n who_o freak_n and_o folly_n a_o man_n can_v choose_v but_o admire_v that_o fault_n have_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n no_o ingenuous_a person_n can_v deny_v who_o read_v that_o text_n i_o have_v already_o mention_v concern_v saul_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n v._n 1_o sy_n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o samuel_n and_o also_o that_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 6_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o david_n arise_v and_o go_v with_o all_o the_o people_n that_o be_v with_o he_o from_o judah_n to_o bring_v from_o thence_o the_o ark_n of_o god._n who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n to_o which_o they_o go_v to_o fetch_v the_o ark_n be_v lest_o our_o viz._n kiriathjearim_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n deny_v but_o that_o the_o text_n in_o the_o 37_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam_n be_v defective_a but_o absalon_n flee_v and_o go_v to_o talmai_n the_o son_n of_o ammihud_o and_o mourn_v for_o his_o son_n every_o day_n it_o shall_v have_v be_v and_o david_n mourn_v for_o his_o son_n every_o day_n and_o therefore_o in_o our_o english_a translation_n the_o word_n david_n be_v put_v in_o but_o be_v not_o in_o the_o latin._n there_o be_v other_o such_o fault_n which_o do_v not_o at_o present_a occur_v to_o my_o memory_n that_o the_o marginal_a note_n find_v every_o where_o in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n be_v dubious_a reading_n no_o man_n will_v doubt_v who_o consider_v that_o many_o of_o they_o proceed_v from_o the_o great_a likeness_n which_o some_o of_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n have_v one_o to_o another_o namely_o from_o the_o similitude_n which_o be_v between_o the_o letter_n kaf_n and_o bet_n the_o letter_n jod_n and_o van_n the_o letter_n dalet_n and_o res_fw-la for_o example_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 5._o v._n 24._o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o latin_a translation_n in_o co_fw-la tempore_fw-la quo_fw-la audies_fw-la the_o margin_n have_v it_o cum_fw-la audies_fw-la and_o judge_n chap._n 21._o v._n 22._o the_o latin_a text_n be_v &_o quando_fw-la earum_fw-la patres_fw-la vel_fw-la fratres_fw-la in_o multitudine_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la saepe_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la venerint_fw-la into_o the_o margin_n be_v put_v ad_fw-la litigandum_fw-la many_o different_a reading_n likewise_o come_v from_o the_o use_n of_o those_o letter_n who_o sound_n or_o pronunciation_n be_v in_o read_v scarce_o perceive_v and_o one_o be_v sometime_o take_v for_o another_o for_o example_n levit._fw-la chap._n 25._o v._n 29._o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o text_n that_o if_o a_o house_n be_v sell_v which_o be_v in_o a_o city_n that_o have_v a_o wall_n the_o margin_n say_v that_o have_v not_o a_o wall._n but_o though_o these_o thing_n be_v evident_a yet_o we_o will_v make_v answer_n to_o some_o argument_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o endeavour_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o marginal_a note_n be_v by_o those_o that_o copy_v out_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n purposely_o place_v there_o to_o signify_v some_o great_a mystery_n they_o ground_n their_o first_o argument_n which_o i_o think_v very_o slight_a upon_o the_o common_a use_n of_o read_v the_o scripture_n
they_o he_o say_v here_o we_o know_v not_o what_o to_o answer_v more_o than_o we_o do_v namely_o that_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o talmudist_n to_o contradict_v the_o masorite_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v not_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o conclude_v that_o of_o one_o place_n there_o be_v never_o more_o than_o two_o reading_n yet_o i_o easy_o grant_v yea_o i_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v find_v more_o than_o two_o readins_n of_o one_o place_n and_o that_o for_o two_o reason_n first_o because_o that_o from_o whence_o the_o variety_n of_o readins_n proceed_v can_v not_o occasion_n more_o than_o two_o for_o we_o have_v show_v that_o the_o difference_n of_o readins_n arise_v from_o the_o similitude_n which_o be_v between_o some_o letter_n and_o still_o the_o doubt_n be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o which_o of_o two_o letter_n be_v to_o be_v write_v whether_o bet_n or_o kaf_n jod_n or_o vaughan_n dalet_n or_o res._n of_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a use_n and_o therefore_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o the_o sense_n be_v tolerable_a with_o either_o beside_o it_o be_v doubtful_a sometime_o whether_o a_o syllable_n be_v long_o or_o short_a who_o quantity_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o those_o letter_n who_o pronunciation_n be_v scarce_o to_o be_v perceive_v and_o last_o all_o marginal_a note_n be_v not_o dubious_a readins_n for_o as_o we_o have_v already_o say_v many_o of_o they_o be_v put_v in_o for_o decency_n and_o modesty_n sake_n and_o sometime_o to_o explain_v obsolete_a and_o antiquate_a word_n the_o second_o reason_n why_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o more_o than_o two_o readins_n can_v be_v find_v of_o one_o place_n be_v because_o i_o believe_v the_o ancient_a scribe_n meet_v with_o very_a few_o original_n perhaps_o not_o above_o two_o or_o three_o in_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o scribe_n chap._n 6_o the_o there_o be_v mention_v make_v but_o of_o three_o which_o they_o pretend_v be_v find_v in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o boast_v that_o the_o note_n be_v put_v in_o by_o he_o however_o it_o be_v though_o they_o have_v three_o original_a copy_n we_o may_v with_o reason_n imagine_v that_o two_o of_o they_o may_v still_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o place_n together_o but_o every_o body_n may_v just_o wonder_v that_o only_o in_o three_o copy_n there_o shall_v be_v find_v three_o divers_a readins_n of_o one_o place_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o after_o esdras_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o great_a a_o scarcity_n of_o copy_n can_v be_v no_o great_a wonder_n to_o any_o man_n who_o will_v but_o read_v the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o maccabee_n or_o the_o seven_o chapter_n of_o the_o twelve_v book_n of_o iosephus_n antiquity_n yea_o it_o be_v a_o miracle_n that_o after_o so_o great_a and_o continual_a a_o persecution_n they_o shall_v be_v able_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o story_n to_o keep_v those_o few_o they_o have_v we_o see_v then_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o no_o where_o meet_v with_o more_o than_o two_o dubious_a readins_n so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n at_o all_o to_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v no_o where_o more_o than_o two_o therefore_o the_o bible_n in_o those_o note_a place_n be_v not_o write_v right_o purposely_o to_o signify_v some_o mystery_n the_o second_o objection_n which_o say_v some_o thing_n be_v so_o manifest_o false_a write_v that_o no_o body_n can_v deny_v it_o and_o therefore_o those_o error_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v correct_v rather_o in_o the_o text_n then_o note_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v of_o no_o great_a weight_n nor_o be_o i_o oblige_v to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n they_o do_v not_o do_v it_o perhaps_o it_o be_v because_o they_o be_v so_o honest_a as_o to_o leave_v the_o bible_n to_o posterity_n just_a as_o they_o find_v it_o in_o the_o few_o original_n they_o meet_v with_o and_o think_v fit_a to_o note_v the_o disagreement_n between_o the_o original_a copy_n rather_o as_o divers_a then_o dubious_a readins_n nor_o have_v i_o call_v they_o dubious_a upon_o any_o other_o account_n but_o because_o i_o can_v tell_v which_o of_o the_o two_o ought_v to_o be_v prefer_v last_o the_o scribe_n beside_o these_o dubious_a reading_n by_o leave_v a_o void_a space_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o paragraph_n have_v note_v many_o defective_a place_n the_o precise_a number_n of_o which_o space_n the_o masorite_n have_v observe_v to_o be_v twenty_o eight_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o believe_v there_o be_v likewise_o some_o mystery_n in_o that_o number_n the_o pharisee_n be_v very_o religious_a observer_n of_o this_o space_n there_o be_v a_o example_n of_o one_o of_o they_o gen._n chap._n 4._o v._n 8._o in_o the_o latin_a translation_n it_o be_v thus_o write_v &_o dixit_fw-la cain_n habeli_n fratti_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o contigit_fw-la dum_fw-la erant_fw-la in_o campo_n ut_fw-la cain_n so_o that_o where_o we_o expect_v to_o hear_v what_o it_o be_v cain_n say_v to_o his_o brother_n there_o be_v only_o a_o void_a space_n of_o which_o space_n the_o scribe_n have_v leave_v twenty_o eight_o in_o many_o of_o which_o nothing_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v want_v if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v such_o a_o void_a space_n leave_v chap._n x._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o like_a manner_n examine_v of_o the_o two_o book_n of_o chronicle_n there_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v say_v worth_n a_o man_n know_v nor_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v certain_a more_o than_o that_o they_o be_v write_v long_o after_o esdras_n and_o perhaps_o after_o judas_n maccabeus_n rebuilt_a the_o temple_n for_o in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chron._n the_o historian_n tell_v we_o what_o family_n in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n first_o inhabit_v jerusalem_n and_o in_o the_o 17_o the_o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o porter_n whereof_o two_o be_v likewise_o name_v in_o the_o 19_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 11_o the_o chapter_n of_o nehemiah_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a proof_n that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v after_o the_o city_n be_v rebuilt_a concern_v the_o writer_n the_o authority_n doctrine_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o book_n i_o can_v say_v nothing_o but_o i_o very_o much_o wonder_n they_o shall_v be_v esteem_v sacred_a and_o canonical_a by_o those_o man_n who_o think_v the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n tobit_n and_o other_o apocryphal_a it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o magnify_v their_o authority_n see_v they_o be_v general_o receive_v for_o canonical_a as_o they_o be_v i_o leave_v they_o the_o psalm_n be_v collect_v and_o divide_v into_o five_o book_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n for_o the_o 88_o the_o psalm_n be_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o philo_n judaeus_fw-la publish_v when_o king_n jehoiachim_n be_v keep_v a_o prisoner_n at_o babylon_n and_o the_o 89_o the_o psalm_n when_o he_o be_v set_v at_o liberty_n i_o believe_v philo_n will_v not_o have_v say_v it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v the_o receive_a opinion_n of_o his_o time_n or_o have_v he_o not_o hear_v it_o from_o very_o credible_a person_n i_o believe_v the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n be_v collect_v much_o about_o the_o same_o time_n or_o at_o least_o in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n josiah_n because_o it_o be_v say_v prov._n chap._n 25._o v._n 1._o these_o be_v the_o pooverb_n of_o solomon_n which_o the_o man_n of_o hezekiah_n king_n of_o judah_n copy_v out_o but_o i_o can_v here_o forbear_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o great_a boldness_n of_o the_o rabbin_n who_o will_v have_v exclude_v this_o book_n and_o that_o of_o ecclesiastes_n out_o of_o the_o sacred_a canon_n which_o have_v be_v certain_o do_v have_v they_o not_o meet_v with_o some_o place_n which_o commend_v moses_n law_n it_o be_v pity_n such_o thing_n so_o sacred_a and_o excellent_a shall_v lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o such_o man_n we_o thank_v they_o for_o communicate_v they_o to_o we_o but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a doubt_n whether_o they_o have_v be_v faithful_o deliver_v to_o posterity_n which_o i_o will_v not_o here_o strict_o examine_v but_o proceed_v to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v serious_o consider_v they_o i_o plain_o perceive_v that_o the_o prophecy_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o other_o book_n they_o be_v not_o set_v down_o in_o the_o order_n wherein_o they_o be_v deliver_v nor_o write_v by_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o neither_o be_v all_o record_v but_o such_o as_o here_o and_o there_o can_v be_v find_v out_o so_o that_o these_o book_n be_v but_o mere_a fragment_n of_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n begin_v to_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o vzziah_n king_n of_o judah_n as_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n of_o isaiah_n himself_o testify_v in_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n and_o 1_o