to_o he_o as_o his_o rational_a be_v call_v for_o and_o he_o himself_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o to_o arrive_v at_o this_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n without_o revelation_n natural_a divinity_n if_o due_o pursue_v point_v man_n direct_o to_o supernatural_a from_o a_o sense_n of_o its_o own_o deficiency_n and_o our_o natural_a light_n show_v we_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n from_o its_o own_o imperfect_a discovery_n and_o by_o direct_v we_o to_o many_o daty_n in_o general_a which_o without_o revelation_n we_o know_v not_o well_o how_o to_o perform_v my_o natural_a light_n tell_v i_o of_o a_o sapreme_a and_o perfect_a be_v that_o make_v i_o but_o give_v i_o no_o distinct_a or_o satisfy_a information_n about_o he_o my_o natural_a light_n enjoin_v i_o to_o worship_v he_o but_o can_v sufficien_o direct_v i_o in_o the_o way_n of_o it_o my_o natural_a light_n tell_v i_o i_o be_o upon_o ill_a term_n with_o god_n and_o bid_v i_o be_v my_o near_a concern_v endeavour_v a_o 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so_o far_o usurp_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n as_o with_o such_o a_o absolute_a superintendency_n to_o dictate_v to_o the_o world_n all_o pretend_a revelation_n have_v in_o this_o visible_o discover_v their_o own_o nakedness_n and_o betray_v their_o own_o mean_a descent_n not_o one_o of_o they_o have_v be_v clothe_v with_o such_o a_o divine_a &_o majestic_a authority_n as_o become_v a_o product_n of_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n and_o most_o of_o they_o no_o way_n suitable_a to_o the_o common_a prudence_n of_o man_n the_o ancient_a heathen_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o mean_a and_o most_o trifle_a part_n of_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o be_v extant_a and_o that_o koran_n which_o in_o late_a time_n mabomet_n have_v father_v upon_o revelation_n be_v a_o systeme_n of_o law_n so_o prodigious_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v much_o of_o it_o no_o way_n reconcileable_a to_o common_a discretion_n or_o any_o way_n 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sort_n of_o christian_n under_o the_o gospel_n st._n jerom_n call_v it_o a_o book_n full_a of_o idle_a dream_n the_o papist_n themselves_o though_o they_o have_v admit_v many_o other_o book_n that_o we_o reckon_v apocryphal_a into_o their_o canon_n yet_o have_v still_o reject_v this_o and_o bellarmine_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n speak_v with_o great_a contempt_n of_o this_o whole_a book_n and_o call_v the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v a_o writer_n of_o romance_n second_o there_o be_v many_o very_a good_a and_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o there_o be_v no_o where_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o least_o mention_n not_o by_o esdras_n himself_o though_o he_o give_v we_o a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o he_o himself_o do_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a but_o so_o eminent_a a_o thing_n as_o god_n inspire_v one_o man_n to_o write_v over_o 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that_o eminent_a danger_n it_o have_v undergo_v and_o the_o recovery_n of_o â—â—â—n_n the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o jâ—siah_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o all_o the_o copy_n can_v be_v destroy_v those_o that_o probable_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o jeremiah_n gedalich_n and_o many_o other_o who_o stay_v behind_o and_o accept_v their_o liberty_n to_o continue_v still_o in_o judea_n and_o those_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o daniel_n ezekiel_n and_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o they_o in_o the_o first_o captivity_n to_o babylon_n long_o before_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o all_o those_o which_o be_v probable_o keep_v by_o many_o of_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n after_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o we_o no_o where_n find_v that_o the_o babylonian_n make_v it_o any_o part_n of_o their_o business_n in_o particular_a to_o destroy_v and_o extirpate_v their_o law_n and_o when_o antiochus_n do_v afterward_o with_o all_o his_o might_n endeavour_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o copy_n that_o be_v extant_a in_o good_a man_n hand_n he_o be_v no_o way_n able_a to_o effect_v it_o three_o it_o appear_v the_o jew_n have_v the_o scripture_n with_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n both_o from_o daniel_n prophecy_n who_o prophesy_v there_o and_o also_o from_o other_o historical_a evidence_n first_o from_o his_o prophecy_n for_o we_o find_v he_o in_o the_o 9_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n quote_v several_a time_n particular_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o chapter_n he_o say_v he_o understand_v by_o book_n the_o number_n of_o year_n whereof_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n that_o he_o will_v accomplish_v seventy_o year_n in_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o those_o book_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n itself_o with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o record_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n wherein_o be_v to_o be_v find_v the_o time_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v bring_v thither_o which_o daniel_n compare_v together_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o end_n of_o jâ—remies_n seventy_o year_n and_o of_o the_o captivity_n the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o arise_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o have_v be_v four_o distinct_a captivity_n and_o four_o several_a king_n of_o judah_n carry_v into_o babylon_n at_o four_o several_a time_n first_o manasses_n than_o jehojakim_n and_o with_o he_o among_o other_o daniel_n himself_o three_o jeconias_n and_o with_o he_o ezekiel_n and_o mordecai_n and_o last_o zedekias_n when_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v destroy_v and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n very_o easy_a to_o know_v from_o which_o of_o these_o captivity_n to_o reckon_v the_o seventy_o â—aâ—s_n ezekiel_n seem_v to_o begin_v it_o eleven_o year_n before_o the_o city_n be_v destroy_v when_o jeâ—â—onias_n be_v carry_v away_o thither_o for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o our_o be_v in_o captivity_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n in_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o the_o month_n in_o the_o fourteen_o year_n after_o that_o the_o city_n be_v smite_v and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o jecenias_n use_v these_o word_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v in_o babel_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n by_o which_o he_o seem_v to_o begin_v the_o seventy_o year_n from_o thence_o but_o in_o other_o place_n be_v very_o express_v that_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v from_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o so_o it_o appear_v the_o captivity_n mention_v by_o ezekiel_n be_v not_o that_o by_o which_o the_o seventy_o â—ears_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v nor_o be_v the_o prophecy_n utter_v by_o jeremy_n to_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v captivate_v with_o jeconias_n to_o commence_v when_o utter_v nor_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o last_o captivity_n of_o zedekiah_n all_o which_o daniel_n consider_v and_o by_o compare_v these_o prophecy_n together_o find_v the_o exact_a time_n from_o whence_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v second_o from_o historical_a evidence_n for_o josephus_n say_v the_o reason_n why_o cyrus_n set_v on_o foot_n the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o restore_v of_o the_o jew_n to_o their_o country_n be_v his_o read_v the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n which_o be_v write_v â—10_n year_n before_o his_o time_n wherein_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v in_o god_n name_n that_o cyrus_n shall_v be_v raise_v up_o for_o that_o very_a purpose_n upon_o read_v of_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n he_o save_v cyrus_n be_v ravish_v with_o admiration_n of_o god_n and_o surprise_v with_o a_o ardent_a zeal_n to_o bring_v about_o what_o be_v so_o long_o before_o write_v and_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o sight_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o engage_v cyrus_n to_o what_o he_o do_v for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o most_o absurd_o impolitic_a and_o against_o all_o ordinary_a rule_n of_o discretion_n to_o restore_v such_o a_o people_n and_o rebuild_v such_o a_o place_n that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o terrible_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o especial_o when_o as_o josephus_n say_v there_o go_v out_o of_o babylon_n at_o their_o return_n of_o those_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n there_o captivate_v four_o million_o six_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o eight_o thousand_o person_n that_o be_v above_o twelve_o year_n old_a beside_o four_o thousand_o and_o seventy_o levite_n and_o of_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n together_o forty_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o forty_o and_o two_o beside_o also_o some_o hundred_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n that_o be_v porter_n singer_n and_o other_o sacred_a servitor_n four_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o zerubbabel_n joshuah_n haggai_n and_o so_o many_o other_o of_o they_o will_v have_v so_o labour_v as_o they_o do_v to_o return_v out_o of_o babylon_n toâ—e-build_a their_o temple_n and_o restore_v their_o ancient_a worship_n if_o the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o great_a rule_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o have_v be_v whole_o lâ—st_o and_o extinguish_v nay_o it_o appear_v evident_o in_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n that_o those_o jew_n that_o firstâ—etâ—â—â—ed_v into_o judaea_n before_o esdras_n come_v out_o of_o babylon_n bring_v the_o law_n out_o of_o babylon_n with_o they_o for_o in_o the_o six_o of_o esdras_n it_o be_v there_o say_v they_o set_v the_o priest_n in_o their_o division_n and_o the_o levite_n in_o their_o corpse_n and_o settle_v the_o worship_n oâ—the_v temple_n
to_o man_n of_o one_o persuasion_n whenever_o man_n in_o order_n to_o the_o sound_n of_o any_o science_n lay_v down_o position_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v if_o such_o principle_n be_v beyond_o the_o first_o and_o common_a rudiment_n of_o every_o man_n reason_n though_o in_o themselves_o never_o so_o true_a yet_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o debate_v and_o admit_v questionable_a in_o all_o reason_n about_o that_o very_a science_n not_o to_o admit_v some_o universal_a maxim_n be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v mankind_n certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o to_o admit_v any_o particular_a man_n opinion_n as_o indisputable_a principle_n be_v the_o way_n to_o enslave_v the_o world_n to_o every_o party_n the_o scripture_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o christian_n but_o not_o of_o men._n the_o first_o of_o christian_a religion_n but_o not_o of_o all_o science_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o begin_v their_o proof_n against_o all_o antiscriptural_a opposition_n from_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o every_o man_n religion_n and_o reason_n and_o from_o thence_o induce_v a_o assent_n to_o their_o divine_a and_o sacred_a authority_n which_o we_o shall_v find_v god_n have_v make_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o a_o rational_a and_o impartial_a inquiry_n second_o the_o testimony_n give_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o it_o be_v the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o they_o and_o that_o way_n god_n be_v please_v to_o reserve_v to_o himself_o of_o give_v man_n a_o unquestionable_a satisfaction_n about_o that_o and_o all_o other_o divine_a thing_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n against_o its_o profess_a adversary_n and_o that_o upon_o two_o account_n first_o because_o the_o bless_a spirit_n itself_o be_v not_o a_o common_a demonstrable_a principle_n among_o mankind_n and_o so_o can_v be_v make_v use_n of_o against_o those_o that_o know_v no_o such_o testimony_n nor_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o any_o such_o principle_n nothing_o but_o what_o a_o man_n do_v assent_v to_o can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n be_v urge_v upon_o he_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o do_v not_o assent_v to_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n by_o any_o evidence_n arise_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v needs_o be_v visible_o absurd_a because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o be_v as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o by_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o so_o that_o what_o i_o be_o about_o to_o prove_v must_v first_o be_v admit_v before_o i_o can_v make_v good_a the_o existence_n of_o that_o medium_fw-la i_o take_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o second_o whatever_o evidence_n the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v to_o any_o man_n to_o assure_v he_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n that_o evidence_n as_o such_o can_v never_o go_v beyond_o his_o own_o breast_n nor_o can_v i_o ever_o prove_v any_o thing_n by_o it_o as_o it_o be_v a_o divine_a and_o infallible_a evidence_n because_o such_o evidence_n be_v no_o way_n communicable_a to_o another_o but_o in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n nothing_o be_v visible_a to_o another_o in_o such_o case_n but_o the_o reason_n i_o can_v produce_v the_o divine_a illumination_n i_o have_v within_o myself_o to_o convince_v i_o that_o such_o reason_n be_v cogent_n and_o prevail_a can_v never_o be_v so_o demonstrate_v as_o to_o convince_v another_o that_o have_v no_o such_o illumination_n the_o illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o be_v conceive_v of_o then_o that_o he_o be_v please_v to_o propose_v the_o right_a ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o to_o convince_v and_o satisfy_v the_o understanding_n that_o they_o be_v so_o and_o to_o bring_v man_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o conclusion_n by_o assertain_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n it_o be_v heterodox_n and_o false_a and_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o enthusiasm_n to_o say_v that_o divine_a illumination_n be_v not_o always_o accompany_v with_o rational_a evidence_n and_o that_o any_o thing_n be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o which_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v it_o be_v most_o unsuitable_a to_o a_o reasonable_a be_v and_o most_o contrary_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n deal_v with_o man_n all_o the_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v maintain_v by_o the_o true_a exercise_n of_o our_o rational_a faculty_n and_o no_o otherwise_o whoever_o rest_v assure_v from_o a_o divine_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o come_v from_o god_n may_v deal_v with_o a_o antiscripturist_n by_o those_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o such_o testimony_n be_v build_v but_o will_v vain_o and_o to_o no_o purpose_n urge_v that_o satisfaction_n he_o receive_v of_o the_o validity_n of_o such_o ground_n and_o reason_n from_o such_o a_o testimony_n when_o that_o testimony_n can_v be_v no_o further_o make_v evident_a then_o by_o such_o reason_n and_o argument_n as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v for_o it_o of_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o which_o every_o other_o man_n reason_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n must_v necessary_o be_v the_o judge_n to_o this_o present_a undertake_n there_o ought_v also_o to_o be_v this_o praeliminary_a consideration_n that_o as_o there_o be_v divers_a thing_n of_o divers_a nature_n true_a so_o there_o be_v various_a way_n of_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o evident_a and_o medium_n of_o proof_n proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o each_o this_o be_v visible_a in_o aethick_n in_o physics_n in_o mathematics_n and_o in_o all_o other_o science_n when_o we_o discourse_n of_o the_o bible_n divers_a thing_n will_v come_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o by_o various_a medium_n of_o proof_n must_v be_v establish_v first_o in_o the_o general_n whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o such_o supernatural_a law_n as_o this_o send_v from_o heaven_n or_o no_o this_o be_v to_o be_v clear_v from_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o such_o natural_a religion_n as_o every_o man_n be_v bear_v with_o second_o whether_o this_o book_n as_o it_o be_v now_o propose_v to_o we_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o such_o as_o be_v likely_a to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o to_o be_v that_o law_n by_o which_o the_o supreme_a maker_n of_o all_o thing_n will_v rule_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n this_o must_v also_o be_v clear_v from_o that_o natural_a divinity_n that_o lodge_v in_o every_o man_n be_v own_o breast_n and_o those_o primary_n notion_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n which_o all_o unprejudiced_a reason_n assent_v to_o and_o which_o be_v antecedent_o suppose_v to_o all_o discourse_n of_o revelation_n and_o whatever_o be_v supernatural_a three_o whether_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v and_o in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o avow_v itself_o to_o be_v write_v whether_o such_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v such_o prediction_n fulfil_v all_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n must_v be_v prove_v to_o we_o by_o credible_a testimony_n and_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o can_v ascertain_v we_o about_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o a_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a he_o that_o demand_v to_o be_v satisfy_v about_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o since_o past_a and_o yet_o deny_v to_o acquiesce_v in_o historical_a evidence_n be_v so_o absurd_a as_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o propose_v a_o doubt_n and_o resolve_v against_o all_o way_n of_o answer_n four_o whether_o this_o book_n as_o now_o we_o have_v it_o be_v the_o same_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o write_v and_o have_v not_o be_v since_o corrupt_v or_o change_v the_o proof_n of_o this_o depend_v upon_o what_o may_v be_v rational_o urge_v to_o make_v it_o credible_a that_o this_o book_n shall_v still_o be_v secure_v by_o a_o divine_a care_n and_o to_o render_v the_o way_n and_o mean_v historical_o evident_a by_o which_o such_o a_o divine_a care_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n have_v be_v exert_v and_o so_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v in_o doubt_n about_o the_o bible_n there_o be_v proper_a inducement_n to_o our_o belief_n as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o and_o such_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o subject_n require_v and_o he_o that_o will_v not_o acquiesce_v in_o a_o belief_n of_o thing_n upon_o the_o evidence_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o though_o perhaps_o not_o so_o full_a and_o convince_a as_o some_o other_o thing_n will_v afford_v declare_v himself_o to_o be_v obstinate_o wilful_a and_o absurd_a nothing_o
the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n nor_o before_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o book_n then_o extant_a in_o truth_n write_v by_o he_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o great_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n though_o they_o have_v not_o be_v within_o their_o canon_n which_o we_o be_v sure_o they_o be_v not_o and_o philo_n or_o josephus_n most_o diligent_a searcher_n of_o their_o antiquity_n will_v have_v make_v some_o eminent_a mention_n of_o they_o in_o who_o work_n we_o find_v altum_fw-la silentium_fw-la about_o any_o such_o book_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v they_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o such_o real_a book_n then_o extant_a but_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o after_o the_o apostle_n judas_n have_v in_o his_o epistle_n quote_v a_o prophecy_n of_o enoch_n which_o prophecy_n without_o doubt_n he_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o either_o pure_o by_o revelation_n which_o i_o rather_o believe_v or_o else_o by_o a_o tradition_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v ascertain_v to_o he_o by_o revelation_n by_o which_o mean_n come_v other_o also_o of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n in_o aftertime_n to_o be_v ascertain_v of_o what_o they_o write_v about_o divers_a thing_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o his_o book_n for_o in_o the_o psalm_n we_o find_v mention_n of_o some_o thing_n do_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n that_o be_v not_o record_v in_o his_o book_n st._n paul_n in_o the_o 9_o to_o the_o hebrew_n say_v that_o when_o moses_n have_v speak_v every_o precept_n according_a to_o the_o law_n he_o take_v the_o blood_n of_o calf_n and_o goat_n with_o water_n and_o scarlet_a wool_n and_o hyssop_n and_o sprinkle_v bâ—th_v the_o book_n and_o all_o the_o people_n say_v this_o be_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o testament_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n have_v add_v several_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o insert_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o selation_n of_o this_o passage_n in_o the_o 24_o of_o exodus_fw-la so_o stephen_n speech_n set_v down_o in_o the_o 7_o of_o the_o act_n tell_v we_o that_o moses_n in_o kill_v the_o egyptian_a suppose_a that_o his_o brethren_n will_v have_v understand_v how_o that_o god_n by_o his_o hand_n will_v deliver_v they_o but_o they_o understand_v not_o by_o which_o we_o have_v a_o reason_n give_v for_o moses_n kill_v the_o egyptian_a that_o he_o himself_o have_v no_o where_o set_v down_o and_o by_o which_o we_o come_v to_o understand_v that_o before_o moses_n go_v into_o the_o land_n of_o midian_a god_n reveal_v to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o deliverer_n of_o that_o people_n which_o moses_n himself_o have_v not_o any_o where_n tell_v we_o i_o say_v it_o be_v probable_a that_o some_o heretic_n in_o the_o church_n most_o likely_a the_o gnostic_n who_o much_o cry_v up_o those_o spurious_a write_n to_o promote_v their_o own_o corrupt_a opinion_n and_o interest_n take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o frame_v certain_a counterfeit_a book_n just_a as_o some_o other_o do_v under_o the_o name_n of_o jaâ—nes_n and_o jambres_n after_o st._n paul_n mention_n of_o they_o as_o write_v by_o enoch_n before_o the_o flood_n which_o book_n have_v sufficient_o betray_v themselves_o for_o those_o that_o be_v publish_v under_o his_o name_n be_v stuff_v as_o st._n austin_n say_v with_o such_o absurd_a and_o fabulous_a story_n of_o angel_n and_o such_o ridiculous_a relation_n of_o giant_n who_o father_n be_v angel_n and_o no_o man_n that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v just_o reject_v as_o palpable_o counterfeit_v and_o fictitious_a of_o the_o same_o mind_n be_v jerom_n chrysostom_n and_o epiphanius_n and_o when_o celsus_n allege_v some_o absurd_a story_n out_o of_o those_o writing_n in_o reproach_n to_o the_o christian_n origen_n in_o his_o five_o book_n answer_v he_o by_o show_v what_o a_o mean_a esteem_n the_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n than_o have_v of_o they_o for_o the_o second_o those_o pillar_n of_o the_o son_n of_o seth_n it_o be_v beyond_o all_o compass_n of_o credit_n that_o any_o such_o pillar_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o with_o a_o intention_n to_o outlast_v the_o deluge_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v so_o do_v or_o that_o any_o engraving_n upon_o they_o shall_v be_v visible_a some_o thousand_o of_o year_n after_o especial_o upon_o one_o of_o brick_n for_o josephus_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v two_o at_o first_o erect_v one_o of_o brick_n and_o another_o of_o stone_n and_o that_o of_o stone_n they_o make_v on_o purpose_n to_o last_v if_o the_o other_o shall_v decay_v how_o he_o come_v to_o such_o a_o exact_a account_n of_o their_o mind_n the_o reader_n may_v guess_v and_o yet_o he_o say_v it_o be_v that_o of_o brick_n that_o then_o remain_v upon_o which_o he_o do_v not_o absolute_o say_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n write_v in_o letter_n but_o that_o the_o son_n of_o seth_n engrave_v upon_o they_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v invent_v which_o may_v be_v by_o many_o other_o representation_n and_o other_o way_n then_o by_o letter_n for_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o a_o symbolical_a representation_n of_o man_n thought_n one_o to_o another_o be_v extreme_a early_o in_o the_o world_n though_o they_o want_v alphabetical_a letter_n nor_o do_v josephus_n say_v that_o he_o see_v it_o it_o himself_o or_o give_v any_o punctual_a account_n what_o it_o be_v that_o be_v engrave_v upon_o it_o or_o any_o certain_a place_n where_o the_o pillar_n be_v to_o be_v see_v but_o only_o in_o general_a that_o it_o be_v then_o in_o the_o country_n of_o syria_n where_o he_o leave_v man_n of_o leisure_n to_o inquire_v after_o it_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v so_o very_a many_o improbable_a and_o unlikely_a if_o not_o impossible_a circumstance_n do_v attend_v this_o vain_a story_n that_o it_o be_v plain_a josephus_n though_o in_o the_o general_a a_o historian_n of_o deserve_a credit_n take_v it_o upon_o bare_a report_n from_o other_o some_z late_a author_n think_v and_o perhaps_o not_o amiss_o from_o the_o fabulous_a relation_n of_o manetho_n who_o say_v he_o take_v his_o history_n from_o some_o pillar_n set_v up_o before_o the_o flood_n and_o be_v marvailous_o abuse_v in_o that_o countenance_n he_o seem_v to_o give_v to_o it_o nor_o ought_v it_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o we_o sin_v many_o of_o the_o best_a historian_n have_v take_v up_o thing_n upon_o trust_n and_o fall_v thereby_o into_o very_o great_a mistake_n suetonius_n and_o tacitus_n be_v both_o eminent_a historian_n among_o the_o roman_n yet_o both_o guilty_a of_o strange_a mistake_v tacitus_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o history_n that_o the_o jew_n worship_v a_o ass_n head_n with_o the_o high_a veneration_n then_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o untrue_o and_o upon_o less_o ground_n affirm_v and_o suetonius_n so_o mistake_v that_o he_o think_v christ_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n judaeos_fw-la impulsore_fw-la chresto_fw-la assidue_fw-la tumultuantes_fw-la civitate_fw-la expulit_fw-la that_o claudius_n expel_v the_o jew_n out_o of_o rome_n who_o be_v continual_o make_v uproar_n be_v stir_v up_o thereunto_o by_o christ_n then_o which_o there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o absurd_a mistake_n nor_o a_o great_a falsehood_n well_o utter_v for_o the_o three_o the_o mention_n that_o moses_n make_v in_o the_o 21_o of_o number_n and_o the_o 14_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o a_o book_n then_o extant_a his_o word_n be_v wherefore_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n what_o he_o didin_fw-mi the_o red_a sea_n and_o in_o the_o brook_n of_o arnon_n first_o divers_a probable_a sense_n be_v give_v of_o the_o place_n that_o render_v it_o no_o objection_n in_o this_o case_n the_o geneva_n translation_n not_o much_o differ_v from_o some_o other_o render_v it_o thus_o wherefore_o it_o shall_v be_v speak_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o battle_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n if_o so_o then_o it_o be_v prophetical_a and_o may_v relate_v to_o joshuah_n who_o be_v say_v to_o sight_n the_o battle_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o relation_n in_o the_o book_n of_o joshuah_n or_o judge_n that_o be_v to_o be_v after_o junius_n read_v the_o word_n thus_o idcirco_fw-la dici_fw-la solet_fw-la in_o recensione_n bellorum_fw-la jehovae_fw-la etc._n etc._n wherefore_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v say_v in_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o understand_v it_o not_o of_o any_o particular_a book_n but_o that_o among_o the_o war_n that_o god_n dispose_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o israelite_n there_o be_v in_o those_o time_n a_o famous_a mention_n in_o the_o
mouth_n of_o most_o man_n concern_v those_o passage_n there_o express_v paulus_n fagius_n who_o seem_v to_o give_v the_o right_a account_n of_o it_o differ_v not_o much_o from_o this_o of_o junius_n only_o read_v it_o in_o the_o futuretense_n and_o suppose_v it_o to_o intend_v a_o future_a relation_n his_o word_n be_v ideo_fw-la dicetur_fw-la est_fw-la enim_fw-la verbum_fw-la hebraicum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d futuri_fw-la temporis_fw-la in_o commemoratione_n bellorum_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la bella_fw-la deicommemorabuntur_fw-la recensebuntur_fw-la a_o posteris_fw-la quae_fw-la bella_fw-la pro_fw-la israel_n in_o mari_fw-fr rubro_fw-la gesscrit_fw-fr &_o quae_fw-la ad_fw-la hos_fw-la torrentes_fw-la quasi_fw-la dicat_fw-la hi_o avo_fw-la locitanquam_fw-la memorabiles_fw-la ab_fw-la omni_fw-la posteritate_fw-la repetentur_fw-la in_o quibus_fw-la deus_fw-la pro_fw-la israel_n dimicavit_fw-la ubi_fw-la prodigia_fw-la coeleslia_n ostâ—nsa_fw-la sunt_fw-la that_o be_v in_o the_o relation_n that_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o famous_a mention_n among_o all_o posterity_n of_o what_o god_n do_v for_o israel_n in_o those_o two_o place_n wheresoever_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v speak_v of_o what_o god_n do_v in_o those_o two_o place_n shall_v have_v a_o eminent_a mention_n the_o hebrew_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sepher_n signify_v proper_o any_o rehearsal_n or_o enarration_n recensionem_fw-la aut_fw-la enarrationem_fw-la quamcunâ—_n recensionem_fw-la scriptam_fw-la but_o per_fw-la accidens_fw-la if_o we_o understand_v it_o not_o to_o relate_v to_o any_o book_n but_o only_o to_o a_o relation_n verbal_a as_o it_o seem_v most_o probable_o to_o do_v because_o moses_n speak_v only_o of_o a_o rehearsal_n in_o general_n but_o not_o direct_o of_o a_o write_a rehearsal_n it_o reach_v not_o this_o matter_n and_o if_o it_o do_v i_o see_v no_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o by_o that_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v not_o be_v mean_v either_o some_o succeed_a book_n part_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o else_o that_o very_a book_n of_o number_n itself_o but_o second_o which_o way_n soever_o this_o text_n be_v take_v it_o can_v never_o be_v reasonable_o urge_v to_o prove_v there_o be_v letter_n or_o book_n before_o moses_n because_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o book_n relate_v a_o story_n of_o thing_n do_v in_o moses_n his_o own_o time_n for_o those_o war_n call_v the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n commence_v but_o at_o the_o people_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n under_o his_o conduct_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v a_o write_a story_n of_o they_o before_o moses_n himself_o be_v extant_a to_o the_o last_o objection_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o egyptian_n be_v a_o learned_a people_n probable_o the_o most_o learned_a the_o world_n than_o have_v the_o continue_a clearness_n of_o their_o sky_n and_o the_o constant_a overslow_v of_o nile_n natural_o tend_v to_o render_v they_o learned_a in_o those_o two_o noble_a science_n of_o astrology_n and_o geometry_n yet_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o believe_v they_o have_v any_o use_n of_o alphabetical_a letter_n before_o moses_n his_o time_n or_o any_o other_o way_n to_o express_v or_o communicate_v their_o learning_n but_o what_o be_v symbolical_a and_o hycroglyphycal_a nor_o be_v there_o the_o least_o record_n any_o where_o extant_a to_o evince_v the_o contrary_n aristotle_n say_v the_o ancient_a way_n of_o the_o egyptian_n write_v be_v per_fw-la hiâ—roglyphycas_n literas_fw-la saxis_fw-la incisas_fw-la and_o he_o add_v conceptus_fw-la aâ—imalium_fw-la scrâ—bunt_fw-la uti_fw-la occulata_fw-la side_n legimus_fw-la in_o lapidibus_fw-la per_fw-la figuras_fw-la idem_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la scientijs_fw-la artibusque_n sacientes_n quos_fw-la locabant_fw-la in_o templis_fw-la tanquam_fw-la paginas_fw-la perlegendas_fw-la talesque_fw-la illis_fw-la pro_fw-la libris_fw-la extant_a tacitus_n tell_v we_o primi_fw-la per_fw-la siguras_fw-la animaâ—ium_fw-la egypti_n sensus_fw-la mentis_fw-la efsingebant_fw-la &_o antiqâ—â—ssima_fw-la monumenta_fw-la memoriae_fw-la humanae_fw-la impressa_fw-la saxis_fw-la cernuntur_fw-la diodorus_n sicalus_fw-la long_v before_o in_o the_o four_o part_n of_o his_o history_n have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n of_o this_o symbolical_a way_n of_o write_v among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o ethiopian_n which_o be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n imitativa_n tropica_fw-la &_o enigmatica_fw-la nor_o do_v we_o hear_v a_o word_n of_o any_o other_o write_v among_o they_o till_o moses_n his_o time_n who_o in_o all_o probability_n first_o discover_v to_o they_o that_o way_n of_o transfer_v their_o mind_n one_o to_o another_o by_o alphabetical_a letter_n and_o this_o artapanus_n a_o most_o ancient_a historian_n tell_v we_o who_o speak_v of_o moses_n say_v ut_fw-la quasi_fw-la deas_fw-la ab_fw-la egyptijs_fw-la coleretur_fw-la &_o propter_fw-la literarum_n inventionem_fw-la mercurium_fw-la appellatum_fw-la that_o he_o be_v reverence_v by_o the_o egyptian_n as_o a_o god_n and_o for_o his_o first_o invent_v of_o letter_n call_v mercury_n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n be_v thus_o clear_v it_o be_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o be_v consider_v what_o testimony_n to_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v in_o truth_n result_v from_o thence_o and_o herein_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o one_o very_o remarkble_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o other_o first_o in_o the_o general_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o a_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v universal_a all_o man_n in_o all_o age_n seem_v to_o have_v rise_v up_o and_o pay_v respect_n to_o the_o hoary_a head_n of_o antiquity_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o what_o be_v most_o ancient_a have_v undergo_v the_o great_a trial_n every_o man_n be_v ready_a to_o venerate_v what_o have_v endure_v the_o test_n of_o many_o generation_n and_o last_v through_o most_o age_n because_o nothing_o correct_v mistake_n like_o experience_n not_o distinguish_v falsehood_n and_o truth_n like_o time_n time_n we_o say_v and_o true_o say_v be_v index_n as_o well_o as_o edax_fw-la rerum_fw-la second_o every_o man_n reason_n tell_v he_o all_o secundary_a truth_n must_v needs_o lie_v near_a to_o the_o eternal_a truth_n and_o so_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n error_n of_o every_o kind_n be_v of_o a_o late_a edition_n than_o truth_n a_o apostasy_n from_o it_o and_o a_o corruption_n of_o some_o prime_a principle_n though_o error_n and_o falsehood_n may_v be_v very_o ancient_a yet_o truth_n be_v still_o the_o elder_a brother_n and_o have_v this_o still_a to_o say_v to_o all_o its_o opposer_n non_fw-la fuit_fw-la sic_fw-la ab_fw-la initio_fw-la and_o therefore_o the_o far_a we_o wade_v into_o antiquity_n the_o near_a still_o we_o come_v to_o truth_n in_o religion_n most_o especial_o that_o maxim_n prevail_v antiquitate_fw-la nihil_fw-la verius_fw-la veritate_fw-la nihil_fw-la antiquus_fw-la in_o the_o present_a case_n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n carry_v in_o it_o a_o very_a signal_n proof_n of_o its_o divinity_n that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a religion_n be_v like_a to_o be_v the_o true_a great_a antiquity_n in_o religion_n be_v a_o eminent_a mark_n of_o great_a truth_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o very_a forcable_a consideration_n first_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n since_o the_o beginning_n and_o a_o supernatural_a inter_fw-la course_n since_o man_n first_o defection_n that_o god_n revelation_n be_v as_o early_o as_o man_n necessity_n that_o there_o be_v no_o time_n wherein_o man_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o supernatural_a instruction_n and_o help_n but_o that_o god_n afford_v it_o to_o he_o if_o the_o supposal_n of_o revelation_n in_o the_o general_n be_v reasonable_a as_o i_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a it_o be_v the_o other_o will_v follow_v and_o we_o shall_v find_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n since_o there_o be_v first_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o such_o a_o constitution_n as_o supernatural_a religion_n in_o order_n to_o man_n happiness_n and_o recovery_n that_o bear_v a_o equal_a date_n with_o his_o first_o apostasy_n to_o think_v otherwise_o be_v to_o deny_v what_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n goodness_n very_o open_o affirm_v to_o we_o and_o this_o be_v so_o no_o religion_n can_v be_v true_a that_o be_v not_o clothe_v with_o great_a antiquity_n and_o that_o religion_n that_o be_v most_o ancient_a and_o can_v derive_v itself_o from_o the_o beginning_n must_v needs_o be_v most_o true_a the_o bible_n therefore_o give_v we_o historical_o a_o account_n of_o god_n first_o intercourse_n with_o man_n and_o of_o the_o constant_a continuation_n of_o it_o in_o all_o age_n and_o be_v itself_o the_o first_o account_n that_o ever_o be_v give_v of_o religion_n in_o such_o a_o write_a way_n upon_o all_o account_v the_o most_o ancient_a the_o world_n
according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o can_v conceive_v after_o seventy_o year_n they_o can_v so_o exact_o have_v do_v or_o will_v ever_o have_v attempt_v to_o have_v do_v it_o have_v not_o they_o have_v the_o law_n with_o they_o while_o esdras_n himself_o be_v yoten_n babylon_n and_o when_o esdras_n do_v come_v to_o jerusalem_n we_o find_v in_o the_o 8_o of_o nehemiah_n the_o people_n be_v so_o far_o from_o want_v the_o law_n or_o stay_v for_o any_o such_o restoration_n or_o re-penning_a of_o it_o by_o he_o as_o be_v pretend_v that_o they_o desire_v he_o only_o to_o read_v the_o law_n open_o to_o they_o which_o he_o immediate_o do_v as_o a_o thing_n they_o be_v then_o possess_v of_o and_o which_o be_v notorious_a among_o they_o five_o it_o be_v no_o way_n probable_a that_o esdras_n shall_v so_o repen_n the_o bible_n because_o we_o find_v his_o own_o writing_n full_a of_o caldee_n word_n as_o also_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n but_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v in_o pure_a hebrew_n and_o it_o be_v no_o way_n conceivable_a but_o that_o if_o he_o have_v re-penned_a the_o whole_a he_o will_v have_v write_v it_o in_o the_o same_o way_n he_o write_v his_o own_o book_n and_o according_a to_o the_o idiom_n that_o be_v then_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n either_o whole_o in_o caldee_n or_o else_o with_o some_o mixture_n of_o caldee_n and_o hebrew_n together_o the_o whole_a of_o this_o story_n do_v evident_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o romantic_a fable_n take_v out_o of_o a_o book_n souse_v with_o many_o vain_a and_o ridiculous_a folly_n and_o be_v contradict_v by_o another_o apecryphal_a book_n of_o much_o better_a credit_n 〈◊〉_d we_o will_v depend_v upon_o such_o evidence_n for_o in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n we_o be_v there_o tell_v that_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o ark_n in_o the_o side_n of_o which_o the_o law_n we_o know_v be_v place_v be_v secure_v by_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n and_o hide_v in_o a_o cave_n at_o mount_n nebo_n when_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o if_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v though_o the_o law_n be_v not_o particular_o mention_v yet_o be_v always_o keep_v in_o the_o ark_n â—â—s_o not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o jeremy_n preserve_v it_o with_o the_o ark_n and_o have_v a_o especial_a reference_n to_o the_o secure_n of_o it_o in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v this_o we_o affirm_v as_o a_o truth_n to_o which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v assent_v that_o at_o the_o return_n of_o the_o people_n out_o of_o babylon_n the_o care_n of_o esdras_n about_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o great_a synagogue_n that_o be_v then_o according_a to_o moses_n his_o first_o institution_n assemble_v in_o which_o be_v present_a haggai_n zacharie_n malachy_n nehemias_n and_o zerubbabel_n be_v very_o eminent_a and_o great_a and_o to_o this_o day_n we_o derive_v singular_a advantage_n from_o it_o for_o first_o with_o great_a diligence_n they_o make_v a_o exact_a separation_n between_o such_o write_n as_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o be_v to_o be_v a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o whether_o write_v by_o true_a prophet_n or_o false_a for_o even_o true_a prophet_n and_o such_o as_o be_v most_o eminent_a might_n and_o without_o doubt_n many_o of_o they_o do_v write_v diverse_a thing_n without_o any_o immediate_a assistance_n or_o direction_n from_o god_n and_o consequent_o which_o be_v nor_o of_o divine_a authority_n they_o collect_v all_o the_o sacred_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n together_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n lie_v disperse_v in_o private_a hand_n no_o public_a use_n be_v make_v of_o they_o incorporate_v the_o whole_a into_o one_o entire_a volumn_n a_o admirable_a work_n in_o the_o order_n we_o now_o have_v it_o which_o before_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v for_o several_a psalm_n several_a of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o some_o other_o book_n be_v write_v after_o the_o come_n of_o the_o people_n into_o babylon_n and_o it_o do_v no_o where_n appear_v that_o those_o part_n write_v before_o be_v conjoin_v in_o one_o entire_a volumn_n more_o of_o they_o then_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o original_a copy_n whereof_o moses_n himself_o deliver_v in_o a_o public_a assembly_n to_o the_o levite_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o peculiar_a archive_n god_n have_v by_o his_o special_a command_n appoint_v for_o it_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o unite_v they_o rank_v under_o three_o class_n and_o divide_v into_o three_o part_n which_o division_n be_v continue_v among_o the_o jew_n till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o in_o the_o 24_o of_o st._n luke_n refer_v to_o it_o when_o he_o say_v all_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o psalm_n second_o their_o care_n in_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v eminent_o great_a and_o most_o high_o be_v it_o to_o be_v applaud_v in_o add_v point_n to_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o tongue_n and_o facilitate_v the_o read_n and_o learn_v of_o it_o divide_v the_o sacred_a write_n into_o verse_n with_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n most_o probable_o first_o begin_v by_o they_o of_o which_o the_o jewish_a writer_n give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n the_o whole_a of_o their_o endeavour_n this_o way_n and_o of_o those_o among_o the_o jew_n that_o succeed_v they_o therein_o be_v call_v the_o massora_n which_o god_n wonderful_o bless_v to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o deliver_v the_o old_a testament_n safe_o and_o entire_o over_o to_o we_o what_o a_o useful_a and_o most_o laborious_a enterprise_n this_o massora_n be_v we_o may_v know_v by_o the_o description_n buxtorffe_n give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o his_o most_o excellent_a commentarius_fw-la massorethicus_n massora_n say_v he_o est_fw-la doctrina_fw-la critica_fw-la a_o priscis_fw-la hebraeorum_n sapientibus_fw-la circa_fw-la textum_fw-la hebraeum_n sacrae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la ingeniosâ—_n inuenta_fw-la quâ—_n versas_fw-la voces_fw-la &_o literae_fw-la ejus_fw-la nâ—meratae_fw-la omnisque_fw-la ipsarum_fw-la variet_fw-la as_o notata_fw-la &_o suis_fw-la locis_fw-la cum_fw-la singulorum_fw-la versuum_fw-la recitatione_n indicata_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la sic_fw-la constans_fw-la &_o genuina_fw-la ejus_fw-la lectio_fw-la conservetur_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la mutatione_n aut_fw-la corruptio_fw-la e_fw-la aeternum_fw-la preservetur_fw-la &_o valide_fw-la premuniatur_fw-la the_o massora_n be_v a_o critical_a learning_n about_o the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n ingenios_o invent_v by_o the_o ancient_a wise_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o which_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o 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matter_n in_o
these_o latter_a age_n in_o whole_a stream_n of_o blood_n that_o run_v from_o its_o primitive_a martyr_n god_n please_v to_o introduce_v the_o gospel_n at_o first_o without_o any_o thing_n humane_a to_o befriend_v it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v for_o ever_o ascertain_v of_o its_o author_n who_o but_o god_n himself_o by_o a_o power_n from_o above_o can_v we_o reasonable_o imagine_v can_v have_v enable_v a_o few_o mean_a ignorant_a and_o contemptible_a man_n so_o to_o confront_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o in_o the_o evening_n of_o it_o when_o other_o religion_n have_v so_o long_o last_v and_o be_v so_o fast_o root_v to_o erect_v a_o religion_n destructive_a to_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o break_v through_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n the_o philosophy_n and_o learning_n of_o all_o the_o know_a part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o law_n and_o force_n of_o the_o roman-empire_n in_o its_o great_a splendour_n and_o strength_n can_v form_v 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truth_n be_v visible_o concenter_v in_o it_o here_o be_v indeed_o a_o perfect_a rendesvouz_n of_o all_o such_o truth_n as_o be_v any_o where_o scatter_v and_o the_o world_n imperfect_o have_v have_v and_o all_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o need_n to_o have_v all_o such_o natural_a truth_n both_o of_o a_o moral_a and_o divine_a nature_n as_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o world_n do_v acknowledge_v and_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o all_o such_o supernatural_a truth_n as_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n natural_o pursue_v and_o be_v inquisitive_a after_o whatever_o be_v write_v in_o man_n heart_n or_o upon_o the_o work_n that_o god_n have_v make_v be_v here_o after_o a_o excellent_a manner_n transscribe_v justify_v and_o improve_v and_o many_o defect_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n supernatural_o supply_v by_o a_o most_o suitable_a revelation_n so_o that_o if_o â—_z judge_v of_o this_o book_n either_o by_o what_o we_o certain_o do_v know_v or_o by_o what_o we_o need_v and_o desire_v to_o know_v and_o 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it_o divers_a contradiction_n several_a strange_a and_o incredible_a story_n and_o other_o thing_n great_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o answer_v the_o first_o question_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v previous_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v advantage_n peculiar_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o who_o first_o receive_v the_o bible_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o live_v in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v that_o we_o have_v not_o and_o we_o have_v likewise_o some_o advantage_n and_o those_o very_a considerable_a to_o our_o belief_n which_o they_o have_v not_o they_o converse_v with_o the_o penman_n themselves_o the_o name_n of_o many_o of_o who_o be_v to_o we_o whole_o unknown_a the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o record_v they_o foresee_v the_o scripture_n will_v descend_v to_o we_o upon_o other_o sufficient_a evidence_n they_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o their_o personal_a integrity_n and_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o 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this_o question_n there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o way_n to_o ascertain_v man_n in_o their_o reception_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n when_o it_o first_o become_v public_a first_o by_o some_o outward_a visible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n employ_v in_o that_o service_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v send_v and_o commissionated_a from_o god_n or_o second_o from_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o write_n themselves_o and_o herein_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o those_o time_n and_o season_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v and_o the_o then_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o order_n of_o write_v it_o will_v much_o inform_v we_o moses_n who_o lay_v the_o first_o and_o great_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a fabric_n in_o the_o five_o book_n that_o he_o write_v he_o have_v a_o justification_n personal_n beyond_o all_o question_n his_o commission_n and_o authority_n to_o do_v what_o he_o do_v be_v sufficient_o 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open_o from_o heaven_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n decide_v the_o matter_n to_o assure_v they_o and_o all_o generation_n to_o come_v that_o moses_n be_v no_o impostor_n but_o act_v by_o a_o divine_a commission_n in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o first_o time_n that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n in_o a_o write_a way_n and_o publish_v those_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o standard_n to_o all_o that_o succeed_v and_o the_o great_a cornerstone_n of_o all_o that_o revelation_n that_o he_o will_v at_o any_o time_n after_o make_v to_o mankind_n it_o be_v but_o necessary_a it_o shall_v be_v fix_v and_o establish_v upon_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a ground_n so_o that_o such_o who_o live_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n can_v have_v no_o good_a reason_n at_o all_o to_o doubt_v in_o the_o least_o of_o his_o sincerity_n for_o all_o be_v do_v that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o put_v that_o matter_n out_o of_o question_n and_o god_n visible_o 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may_v serve_v in_o some_o measure_n to_o manifest_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o pretension_n to_o a_o infalible_a belief_n without_o a_o divine_a and_o infalible_a assistance_n of_o reveal_v and_o supernatural_a truth_n and_o the_o mistake_v of_o such_o who_o suppose_v we_o can_v never_o be_v settle_v in_o any_o point_n of_o religion_n without_o it_o and_o may_v sufficient_o justify_v a_o endeavour_n to_o make_v a_o rational_a proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n without_o a_o pretence_n to_o any_o such_o divine_a and_o infalible_a judgement_n about_o they_o if_o so_o much_o be_v urge_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o general_n and_o in_o answer_n to_o particular_a doubt_n relate_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n as_o will_v amount_v to_o a_o rational_a assurance_n and_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v all_o we_o can_v have_v without_o inspiration_n and_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o expect_v in_o this_o case_n all_o we_o pretend_v to_o from_o attempt_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v 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superesse_fw-la paganis_fw-la videtâ—r_fw-la nisi_fw-la aut_fw-la ut_fw-la ingeâ—ua_fw-la confessio_fw-la ab_fw-la this_fw-mi exprimcretur_fw-la aut_fw-la silentium_fw-la pertinacâ—ae_fw-la sinem_fw-la faceret_fw-la and_o he_o add_v quod_fw-la certe_fw-la faeliciter_fw-la câ—ssit_fw-la ut_fw-la &_o hac_fw-la in_o parte_fw-la porphrius_n manus_fw-la daret_fw-la it_o be_v not_o make_v out_o from_o any_o nice_a dispute_n between_o chronologer_n come_v not_o within_o any_o near_a compass_n of_o time_n but_o from_o a_o general_a concurrence_n of_o all_o history_n and_o be_v so_o far_o beyond_o the_o â—each_n of_o all_o contradiction_n that_o the_o worst_a enemy_n to_o our_o religion_n have_v agree_v it_o and_o give_v in_o their_o testimony_n to_o it_o of_o this_o eusebius_n in_o the_o ten_o book_n of_o his_o praep._n evan._n chap._n 3._o take_v special_a notice_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o porphrie_n one_o of_o the_o most_o rage_a malicious_a enemy_n that_o ever_o the_o christian_n meet_v 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themselves_o be_v very_o long_o preserve_v as_o most_o precious_a jewel_n in_o the_o church_n tertullian_n say_v some_o of_o they_o be_v extant_a in_o his_o time_n and_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o author_n of_o credit_n that_o s_o john_n gospel_n write_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n be_v preserve_v by_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n till_o the_o time_n of_o honorius_n the_o emperor_n now_o let_v any_o reasonable_a man_n judge_v what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o copy_n be_v likely_a to_o be_v take_v before_o the_o original_n perish_v and_o how_o high_o improbable_a if_o not_o moral_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o public_a and_o general_a abuse_n upon_o the_o world_n by_o a_o false_a transcription_n of_o such_o write_n while_o the_o original_n themselves_o last_v it_o can_v not_o be_v do_v nor_o can_v we_o conceive_v the_o christian_a church_n so_o intolerable_a sottish_a and_o so_o universal_o negligent_a as_o to_o take_v up_o with_o false_a transcript_n while_o the_o original_n 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