signal_n judgement_n from_o heaven_n and_o moses_n advance_v neither_o of_o he_o and_o both_o moses_n and_o aaron_n die_v by_o the_o particular_a appointment_n and_o command_n of_o god_n for_o their_o offence_n against_o he_o never_o enjoy_v nor_o for_o a_o long_a time_n before_o expect_v to_o enjoy_v the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o therefore_o as_o they_o can_v never_o have_v perform_v what_o they_o do_v but_o by_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n so_o they_o can_v have_v no_o motive_n or_o inducement_n to_o attempt_v it_o but_o his_o command_n and_o promise_v of_o assistance_n reveal_v to_o they_o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o pentateuch_n as_o the_o book_n entitle_v to_o moses_n be_v confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n so_o we_o have_v it_o confirm_v to_o we_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o heathen_a writer_n themselves_o that_o the_o book_n which_o go_v under_o his_o name_n be_v indeed_o of_o his_o writing_n beside_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n ever_o since_o moses_n time_n from_o the_o first_o writing_n of_o they_o which_o be_v infinite_o better_a proof_n of_o their_o be_v authentic_a and_o entitle_v to_o the_o true_a author_n than_o can_v be_v pretend_v for_o any_o book_n but_o the_o holy_a scripture_n divers_a text_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n imply_v that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n as_o well_o as_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n import_v as_o much_o and_o though_o some_o passage_n have_v be_v think_v to_o imply_v the_o contrary_a yet_o this_o be_v but_o a_o late_a opinion_n and_o have_v be_v sufficient_o confute_v by_o learned_a men._n it_o be_v observable_a whoever_o write_v these_o five_o book_n that_o there_o be_v no_o partiality_n show_v to_o any_o one_o whosoever_o noah_n be_v say_v to_o be_v overcome_v with_o wine_n and_o expose_v to_o the_o mockery_n of_o one_o of_o his_o son_n lot_n be_v describe_v not_o only_o to_o have_v be_v drunken_a but_o to_o have_v lie_v with_o his_o own_o daughter_n abraham_n himself_o deny_v his_o wife_n twice_o and_o isaac_n imitate_v he_o in_o it_o jacob_n get_v the_o blessing_n by_o fraud_n and_o subtilty_n from_o his_o brother_n esau_n joseph_n brethren_n sell_v he_o into_o egypt_n and_o he_o when_o he_o be_v there_o learn_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o life_n of_o pharaoh_n the_o fault_n of_o aaron_n and_o of_o moses_n himself_o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v be_v not_o conceal_v on_o the_o other_o side_n particular_a notice_n be_v take_v how_o melchizedeck_v bless_v abraham_n and_o receive_v tithe_n of_o he_o and_o without_o all_o contradiction_n the_o less_o be_v bless_v of_o the_o better_a heb._n seven_o 7._o the_o advice_n of_o jethro_n be_v record_v and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n himself_o be_v punctual_o set_v down_o it_o be_v no_o design_n of_o the_o sacred_a penman_n to_o write_v a_o panegyric_n upon_o any_o man_n but_o to_o represent_v the_o fail_n and_o infirmity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o excellency_n of_o each_o person_n and_o to_o show_v by_o what_o various_a method_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n bring_v to_o pass_v his_o gracious_a design_n how_o he_o turn_v evil_a into_o good_a and_o make_v use_v even_o of_o the_o infirmity_n and_o sin_n of_o man_n to_o accomplish_v his_o purpose_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n we_o have_v a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o most_o memorable_a and_o remarkable_a thing_n which_o have_v pass_v to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o custom_n of_o offer_v sacrifice_n as_o type_n of_o his_o death_n who_o first_o commit_v murder_n and_o who_o first_o bring_v in_o polygamy_n the_o inventon_n of_o divers_a art_n the_o flood_n the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n the_o original_a of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n with_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o whole_a all_o which_o be_v comprehend_v in_o a_o little_a compass_n but_o a_o large_a and_o more_o particular_a account_n be_v give_v of_o abraham_n and_o his_o family_n for_o here_o the_o scene_n begin_v to_o open_v to_o the_o main_a design_n of_o the_o work_n the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v as_o a_o introduction_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o contain_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o be_v premise_v and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n it_o be_v note_v that_o the_o canaanite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n gen._n twelve_o 6._o even_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o abraham_n erect_v a_o altar_n to_o the_o lord_n ver_fw-la 7._o this_o be_v a_o great_a encouragement_n to_o the_o israelite_n to_o excite_v they_o to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o their_o father_n abraham_n who_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n in_o a_o public_a and_o solemn_a manner_n in_o that_o land_n which_o they_o be_v now_o go_v to_o possess_v and_o among_o that_o people_n which_o they_o be_v now_o to_o drive_v out_o and_o which_o at_o that_o time_n when_o the_o land_n be_v promise_v they_o be_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o and_o god_n who_o have_v protect_v abraham_n in_o so_o signal_n a_o manner_n will_v no_o less_o assist_v they_o and_o if_o we_o consider_v those_o thing_n particular_o wherein_o moses_n himself_o be_v concen_v as_o a_o agent_n as_o well_o as_o a_o historian_n there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o any_o man_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o at_o least_o the_o principal_a point_n of_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n be_v true_a that_o be_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o governor_n or_o general_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n who_o conduct_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n that_o they_o travel_v for_o many_o year_n in_o the_o wilderness_n that_o they_o fight_v divers_a battle_n with_o the_o several_a nation_n who_o oppose_v their_o journey_v into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o that_o moses_n give_v they_o the_o law_n which_o we_o find_v there_o record_v these_o be_v the_o chief_a point_n of_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n the_o rest_n be_v but_o as_o circumstance_n to_o show_v the_o manner_n of_o do_v it_o and_o the_o power_n by_o which_o all_o this_o be_v do_v and_o that_o these_o main_a point_n be_v true_a it_o be_v never_o deny_v by_o those_o heathen_n themselves_o who_o most_o reproach_v and_o vilify_v the_o jewish_a nation_n they_o acknowledge_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o great_a general_n and_o lawgiver_n of_o the_o israelite_n they_o own_a that_o the_o israelite_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n they_o can_v deny_v nothing_o of_o the_o history_n itself_o but_o only_o give_v wrong_a account_n partly_o out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o out_o of_o malice_n and_o design_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o this_o be_v effect_v and_o the_o reason_n and_o occasion_n upon_o which_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v from_o the_o book_n of_o josephus_n against_o apion_n in_o which_o he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n of_o other_o nation_n have_v deliver_v concern_v the_o jew_n and_o from_o what_o the_o latter_a heathen_n strabo_n tacitus_n justin_n and_o other_o after_o the_o jew_n become_v so_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o nation_n have_v write_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a point_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v confess_v and_o the_o only_a dispute_n be_v concern_v the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v about_o and_o the_o mean_n whereby_o all_o be_v effect_v now_o we_o take_v the_o history_n of_o all_o other_o nation_n rather_o from_o themselves_o than_o from_o foreigner_n and_o stranger_n to_o their_o affair_n or_o profess_a enemy_n and_o it_o be_v extreme_a partiality_n to_o admit_v the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o the_o jewish_a affair_n from_o author_n who_o live_v so_o much_o too_o late_o to_o have_v any_o certain_a information_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v about_o and_o who_o upon_o every_o occasion_n show_v such_o disaffection_n to_o their_o name_n and_o nation_n and_o contradict_v each_o other_o and_o themselves_o too_o as_o josephus_n show_v it_o will_v i_o say_v be_v notorious_a partiality_n to_o follow_v such_o author_n rather_o than_o credit_v the_o jewish_a record_n attest_v and_o deliver_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o unanimous_a approbation_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n i_o shall_v prove_v that_o they_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o perform_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v feign_v or_o counterfeit_a at_o first_o nor_o the_o account_v give_v of_o they_o in_o the_o pentateuch_n falsify_v afterward_o and_o therefore_o
divine_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n that_o they_o whole_o depend_v and_o rely_v upon_o they_o and_o live_v in_o a_o uncomfortable_a exile_n upon_o the_o sole_a hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o see_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o prophecy_n fulfil_v and_o theirfore_o the_o posterity_n of_o those_o who_o have_v slay_v the_o prophet_n have_v the_o high_a veneration_n for_o the_o memory_n of_o these_o prophet_n who_o their_o forefather_n have_v kill_v they_o build_v and_o adorn_v their_o sepulcher_n and_o choose_v to_o die_v any_o death_n rather_o than_o renounce_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o book_n or_o part_n with_o they_o even_o when_o they_o have_v forsake_v their_o doctrine_n and_o change_v their_o religion_n for_o vain_a tradition_n and_o superstitious_a observance_n and_o when_o it_o be_v so_o reproachful_a to_o they_o to_o erect_v monument_n of_o perpetual_a acknowledgement_n that_o they_o be_v the_o the_o child_n of_o they_o which_o kill_v the_o prophet_n matth._n xxiii_o 31._o they_o refer_v themselves_o to_o these_o prophet_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o have_v neither_o prophecy_n nor_o miracle_n after_o the_o captivity_n chap._n xi_o of_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o each_o other_o and_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n prove_v the_o new_a and_o the_o new_a again_o prove_v the_o old_a as_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o effect_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n altogether_o incredible_a that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o so_o small_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o judaea_n be_v shall_v lay_v a_o design_n of_o impose_v upon_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n which_o can_v prove_v so_o successful_a for_o so_o many_o thousand_o year_n together_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v such_o master_n of_o deceit_n and_o the_o world_n so_o fond_a of_o receive_v revelation_n from_o they_o that_o at_o last_o though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o that_o people_n disclaim_v the_o book_n which_o some_o few_o and_o those_o the_o most_o unlearned_a among_o they_o will_v impose_v for_o inspire_a write_n yet_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n shall_v be_v more_o acknowledge_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n than_o those_o have_v ever_o be_v in_o which_o they_o all_o unanimous_o agree_v and_o the_o rest_n shall_v be_v receive_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o more_o than_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v upon_o their_o own_o account_n which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n if_o the_o jew_n even_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o ignorant_a of_o they_o can_v do_v this_o mere_o by_o their_o own_o wit_n and_o device_n they_o must_v have_v a_o genius_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o all_o mankind_n beside_o for_o what_o imaginable_a reason_n be_v there_o why_o the_o oracle_n of_o all_o the_o heathen_a nation_n shall_v never_o be_v much_o regard_v and_o now_o in_o a_o manner_n utter_o lose_v and_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v still_o be_v preserve_v in_o their_o full_a authority_n but_o the_o power_n and_o advantage_n of_o truth_n in_o these_o and_o the_o want_n of_o it_o in_o they_o and_o the_o evidence_n of_o this_o truth_n be_v most_o observable_a in_o the_o mutual_a dependence_n which_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v one_o upon_o another_o they_o be_v pen_v by_o man_n of_o different_a country_n different_a age_n different_a condition_n and_o calling_n and_o interest_n from_o the_o king_n to_o the_o poor_a fisherman_n and_o yet_o all_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o design_n they_o be_v not_o like_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n which_o must_v stand_v or_o fall_v by_o themselves_o but_o there_o be_v a_o admirable_a series_n and_o connexion_n between_o all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o they_o give_v a_o mutual_a support_n and_o attestation_n to_o each_o other_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o moses_n contain_v the_o first_o lineament_n and_o evident_a type_n and_o prophecy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o rest_n he_o foretell_v that_o a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n shall_v arise_v and_o that_o at_o last_o the_o great_a prophet_n shall_v be_v send_v who_o be_v christ_n and_o he_o foretell_v all_o that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o jew_n from_o his_o own_o time_n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o as_o moses_n have_v give_v we_o the_o general_a state_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o all_o generation_n so_o the_o several_a prophet_n who_o be_v send_v from_o time_n to_o time_n according_a to_o his_o prediction_n foretell_v particular_a event_n and_o more-especial_o they_o foretell_v and_o describe_v the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o all_o prophecy_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n which_o have_v be_v since_o the_o world_n bigan_v luk._n i._n 70._o for_o in_o christ_n be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o all_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o this_o dependence_n and_o coherence_n between_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o matter_n and_o design_n of_o they_o which_o be_v as_o great_a as_o the_o dependence_n of_o one_o part_n of_o any_o book_n write_v by_o the_o same_o author_n can_v be_v upon_o another_o gives_z great_a strength_n and_o confirmation_n to_o the_o whole_a since_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o it_o be_v all_o inspire_a by_o the_o same_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o if_o one_o part_n of_o scripture_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a all_o must_v be_v so_o for_o beside_o the_o particular_a evidence_n which_o may_v be_v bring_v for_o any_o part_n separately_z we_o must_v consider_v the_o connexion_n which_o it_o have_v with_o the_o rest_n and_o the_o evidence_n which_o be_v derive_v upon_o it_o by_o this_o connexion_n if_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v once_o prove_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n than_o the_o prophet_n who_o succeed_v moses_n must_v be_v divine_o inspire_v because_o he_o foretell_v the_o succession_n of_o such_o prophet_n and_o if_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v divine_a the_o pentateuch_n must_v be_v so_o because_o they_o all_o along_o acknowledge_v and_o appeal_v to_o it_o as_o contain_v god_n covenant_n with_o his_o people_n the_o jew_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o their_o own_o mission_n if_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v from_o god_n the_o gospel_n must_v be_v from_o he_o if_o that_o be_v foretell_v by_o they_o and_o if_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n prove_v their_o divine_a authority_n the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n must_v be_v likewise_o of_o the_o same_o authority_n because_o they_o acknowledge_v they_o for_o such_o and_o prove_v their_o own_o authority_n from_o they_o as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o miracle_n that_o they_o themselves_o wrought_v and_o if_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n either_o of_o moses_n or_o of_o the_o prophet_n or_o of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n take_v by_o themselves_o and_o apart_o from_o the_o rest_n be_v sufficient_a they_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o convince_a when_o they_o be_v consider_v together_o in_o their_o unite_a force_n and_o light_n i_o may_v further_o observe_v that_o miracle_n without_o prophecy_n or_o prophecy_n without_o miracle_n or_o that_o one_o evident_a miracle_n or_o one_o evident_a prophecy_n at_o least_o that_o either_o the_o miracle_n or_o prophecy_n of_o some_o one_o person_n in_o the_o several_a age_n in_o which_o so_o many_o prophet_n live_v will_v have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o therefore_o they_o must_v all_o be_v much_o rather_o so_o in_o conjunction_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v remember_v that_o whatever_o evidence_n have_v be_v bring_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n do_v reciprocal_o prove_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o and_o that_o therefore_o whatever_o be_v bring_v from_o either_o of_o they_o in_o proof_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o that_o the_o gospel_n in_o different_a respect_n do_v prove_v they_o and_o be_v prove_v by_o they_o both_o derive_v authority_n from_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o communicate_v its_o own_o authority_n to_o they_o for_o as_o the_o cause_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o its_o effect_n and_o the_o effect_n by_o its_o cause_n so_o both_o prediction_n prove_v the_o thing_n foretell_v and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o thing_n foretell_v verify_v the_o prediction_n and_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o consequence_n of_o prophecy_n concern_v they_o have_v double_o the_o divine_a seal_n and_o attestation_n now_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o scope_n and_o centre_n of_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n
upon_o any_o subject_a and_o then_o they_o trample_v with_o wonderful_a scorn_n and_o triumph_n upon_o that_o which_o they_o conceive_v be_v so_o miserable_o overcome_v but_o alas_o the_o victory_n be_v over_o themselves_o nothing_o be_v either_o the_o more_o or_o the_o less_o true_a for_o their_o believe_v or_o disbelieve_v it_o and_o religion_n be_v always_o the_o same_o how_o profane_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v speak_v of_o we_o have_v no_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o any_o man_n faith_n but_o if_o there_o be_v reason_n in_o what_o we_o say_v it_o may_v well_o be_v expect_v from_o reasonable_a man_n that_o they_o shall_v hearken_v to_o reason_n religion_n be_v reason_n and_o philosophy_n as_o the_o father_n often_o speak_v the_o best_a and_o true_a philosophy_n and_o i_o be_o persuade_v how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v have_v fail_v in_o the_o performance_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v with_o such_o clear_a and_o full_a evidence_n even_o to_o ordinary_a understanding_n as_o to_o make_v all_o pretence_n of_o argue_v against_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v impious_a the_o content_n chap._n i._o of_o humane_a reason_n the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v in_o the_o first_o book_n such_o point_n be_v clear_v in_o the_o second_o as_o be_v think_v most_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o before_o man_n venture_v upon_o objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v fit_a for_o they_o to_o consider_v the_o strength_n and_o compass_n of_o their_o own_o faculty_n and_o the_o manifold_a defect_n of_o humane_a reason_n p._n 1._o in_o some_o thing_n each_o side_n of_o a_o contradiction_n seem_v to_o be_v demonstrable_a p._n 4._o every_o man_n believe_v and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o several_a thing_n which_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o speculative_a notion_n of_o they_o will_v seem_v as_o incredible_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v p._n 12._o those_o who_o disbelieve_v and_o reject_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n must_v believe_v thing_n much_o more_o incredible_a p._n 24._o chap._n ii_o of_o inspiration_n all_o motion_n of_o material_a thing_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n and_o it_o be_v at_o least_o as_o conceivable_a by_o we_o that_o god_n do_v act_n upon_o the_o immaterial_a as_o that_o he_o act_v upon_o the_o material_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o may_v act_v more_o powerful_o upon_o the_o will_n and_o understanding_n of_o some_o man_n than_o of_o other_o p._n 28._o wherein_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v consist_v and_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v p._n 31._o such_o inference_n from_o thence_o as_o may_v afford_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n allege_v upon_o this_o subject_a p._n 41._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o exclude_v humane_a mean_n as_o information_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n etc._n etc._n p._n 42._o it_o do_v not_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o word_n and_o style_n ibid._n though_o something_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n indefinite_o and_o without_o any_o positive_a assertion_n or_o determination_n this_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o their_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n p._n 43._o in_o thing_n which_o may_v fall_v under_o humane_a prudence_n and_o observation_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v use_v only_o a_o directive_n power_n and_o influence_n p._n 46._o this_o infallible_a assistance_n be_v not_o permanent_a and_o habitual_a p._n 49._o it_o do_v not_o prevent_v personal_a fail_n p._n 50._o no_o passage_n or_o circumstance_n in_o the_o scripture_n erroneous_a p._n 51._o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o grammatical_a construction_n and_o propriety_n of_o speech_n p._n 53._o those_o which_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o defect_n in_o the_o scripture-style_n be_v usual_a in_o the_o most_o approve_a heathen_a author_n p._n ib._n metaphor_n and_o rhetorical_a scheme_n and_o figure_n p._n 57_o the_o style_n different_a of_o different_a nation_n p._n 58._o the_o title_n of_o king_n p._n 59_o what_o art_n be_v use_v by_o orator_n to_o raise_v the_o passion_n p._n 60._o that_o they_o sometime_o read_v their_o speech_n p._n 62._o the_o figurative_a expression_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o their_o type_n and_o parable_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n and_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v ibid._n several_a thing_n relate_v as_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v only_o parabolical_a description_n or_o representation_n p._n 64._o the_o prophetic_a scheme_n of_o speech_n usual_a with_o the_o eastern_a nation_n p._n 66._o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n p._n 68_o the_o antiquity_n and_o various_a way_n of_o poetry_n p._n 69._o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n p._n 71._o the_o decorum_n or_o suitableness_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n p._n 79._o the_o method_n p._n 86._o some_o book_n of_o scripture_n admirable_a for_o their_o style_n p._n 89._o why_o the_o style_n not_o alike_o excellent_a in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n p._n 93._o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n any_o controversy_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o rest_n p._n 96._o the_o uncontroverted_a book_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n p._n 97._o the_o dispute_n concern_v the_o apochrypha_n fall_v not_o here_o under_o consideration_n p._n 99_o no_o suppression_n or_o alteration_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o idolatrous_a king_n etc._n etc._n p._n 100_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o handwriting_a of_o moses_n find_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o josiah_n p._n 102._o no_o book_n but_o those_o which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n receive_v by_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o canon_n p._n 103._o what_o opinion_n the_o ten_o tribe_n have_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n p._n 105._o neither_o the_o samaritan_n nor_o the_o sadducee_n reject_v any_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n p._n 106._o of_o the_o book_n whereof_o mention_n be_v make_v in_o the_o o._n t._n p._n 106._o why_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n express_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n shall_v be_v express_v p._n 108._o a_o wonderful_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o o._n t._n for_o so_o many_o age_n p._n 109._o the_o new_a testament_n confirm_v the_o old_a p._n 111._o the_o caution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n ib._n the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o examine_v and_o distinguish_v the_o genuine_a and_o inspire_v write_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a or_o spurious_a p._n 113._o the_o gospel_n of_o st._n matt._n in_o hebrew_n how_o long_o preserve_v p._n 115._o the_o greek_a version_n of_o it_o p._n 116._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n finish_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n etc._n etc._n review_v by_o he_o p._n 117._o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o religion_n ib._n copy_n of_o great_a antiquity_n still_o extant_a p._n 118._o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o p._n 119._o the_o canon_n have_v be_v fix_v and_o confirm_v in_o council_n in_o tertullian_n time_n p._n 121._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n general_o receive_v by_o christian_n of_o all_o sect_n and_o party_n p._n 124._o chap._n v._o of_o the_o various_a readins_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n a_o extraordinary_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o such_o casualty_n as_o have_v befall_v other_o book_n p._n 126._o the_o defect_n in_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n and_o the_o late_a invention_n of_o the_o point_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n p._n 127._o the_o change_n of_o the_o old_a hebrew_n character_n into_o that_o now_o in_o use_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n p._n 130._o the_o keri_n and_o the_o ketib_n no_o prejudice_n to_o it_o ib._n the_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n and_o other_o version_n or_o between_o the_o version_n themselves_o no_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n p._n 132._o it_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o great_a critic_n both_o protestant_n and_o
eloquence_n as_o well_o as_o the_o power_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o vice_n of_o mankind_n be_v combine_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o less_o elegancy_n and_o accuracy_n of_o style_n be_v employ_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n than_o have_v be_v before_o use_v by_o moses_n and_o thâ—_n prophet_n who_o yet_o have_v nothing_o which_o seem_v so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a to_o deliver_v which_o be_v one_o great_a argument_n of_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o it_o can_v prevail_v so_o much_o against_o all_o the_o opposition_n in_o the_o world_n only_o by_o tell_v a_o plain_a truth_n and_o in_o the_o plain_a manner_n for_o where_o the_o thing_n be_v evident_a the_o few_o and_o plain_a word_n be_v best_a as_o in_o mathematical_a demonstration_n it_o be_v enough_o if_o man_n make_v themselves_o to_o be_v understand_v this_o likewise_o be_v all_o that_o the_o apostle_n aim_v at_o 24._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o lib._n iii._o c._n 24._o their_o cause_n and_o doctrine_n be_v so_o certain_a and_o demonstrable_a that_o any_o word_n which_o do_v but_o full_o and_o clear_o express_v their_o meaning_n be_v sufficient_a for_o their_o purpose_n their_o rhetoric_n lie_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o not_o in_o word_n there_o be_v no_o great_a art_n require_v to_o prove_v that_o to_o any_o man_n which_o he_o see_v with_o his_o eye_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v great_a under_o the_o gospel_n than_o under_o the_o law_n so_o there_o be_v less_o need_n of_o eloquence_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o in_o the_o old_a yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v as_o a_o 4._o a_o mer_n casaub_n of_o enthus_n c._n 4._o learned_a critic_n have_v declare_v that_o st_n paul_n in_o some_o kind_n and_o upon_o some_o subject_n be_v as_o eloquent_a as_o ever_o man_n be_v not_o inferior_a to_o demosthenes_n in_o who_o writing_n he_o believe_v that_o apostle_n have_v be_v much_o conversant_a or_o aeschines_n or_o any_o other_o ancient_o most_o admire_v 3._o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v write_v in_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o they_o and_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v permit_v they_o to_o use_v their_o own_o style_n so_o direct_v they_o still_o and_o overrule_a they_o in_o every_o word_n and_o sentence_n that_o it_o shall_v infallible_o express_v his_o own_o full_a sense_n and_o meaning_n and_o speak_v the_o truth_n which_o he_o inspire_v and_o therefore_o though_o there_o be_v divers_a style_n in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o isaiah_n for_o instance_n be_v of_o the_o blood_n royal_a and_o educate_v at_o court_n may_v write_v in_o a_o more_o refine_a and_o lofty_a style_n and_o amos_n who_o be_v bring_v up_o among_o the_o herdsman_n of_o tekoa_n may_v speak_v in_o a_o more_o humble_a strain_n and_o fetch_v his_o metaphor_n from_o low_a and_o mean_a thing_n and_o yet_o the_o sense_n and_o substance_n of_o both_o may_v be_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o as_o exact_o true_a and_o infallible_a as_o if_o every_o word_n and_o syllable_n be_v dictate_v by_o he_o but_o this_o have_v be_v already_o consider_v under_o its_o proper_a head_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whatever_o uncertainty_n there_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o the_o catalogue_n and_o number_n of_o book_n of_o divine_a revelation_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v make_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n itself_o or_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v universal_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v by_o all_o church_n for_o if_o this_o be_v a_o true_a way_n of_o argue_v than_o whatever_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o must_v be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o what_o we_o know_v and_o by_o consequence_n no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n since_o the_o wise_a man_n be_v ignorant_a of_o so_o many_o thing_n that_o he_o know_v very_o little_a in_o comparison_n of_o what_o he_o be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o author_n of_o great_a note_n and_o fame_n but_o that_o critic_n have_v have_v dispute_n concern_v the_o number_n of_o his_o genuine_a work_n and_o yet_o this_o have_v never_o be_v think_v any_o prejudice_n to_o such_o as_o be_v allow_v by_o all_o to_o be_v genuine_a will_v not_o that_o man_n make_v himself_o ridiculous_a who_o shall_v reject_v the_o philippic_n of_o tully_n or_o virgil_n aeneis_n as_o spurious_a because_o other_o book_n either_o doubtful_a or_o counterfeit_v have_v past_a under_o the_o name_n of_o these_o two_o author_n if_o some_o book_n have_v be_v dispute_v the_o rest_n certain_o be_v genuine_a beyond_o all_o dispute_n because_o they_o have_v never_o be_v call_v into_o question_n or_o doubt_v now_o if_o these_o book_n only_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n concern_v which_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o dispute_n they_o contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v and_o as_o to_o the_o rest_n concern_v which_o there_o have_v be_v any_o controversy_n though_o they_o be_v exceed_o useful_a to_o explain_v divers_a thing_n which_o we_o find_v in_o these_o and_o perhaps_o to_o teach_v we_o some_o thing_n not_o essential_a to_o our_o religion_n nor_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v elsewhere_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v receive_v because_o whatever_o doctrine_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a they_o be_v to_o be_v find_v full_o and_o plain_o deliver_v in_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o have_v ever_o be_v receive_v without_o contradiction_n or_o dispute_n many_o man_n be_v undoubted_o save_v before_o the_o write_n of_o these_o controvert_v book_n nay_o before_o the_o write_n of_o any_o book_n at_o all_o write_n be_v no_o further_o necessary_a than_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v write_v when_o the_o thing_n now_o write_v can_v be_v as_o well_o know_v without_o writing_n book_n be_v not_o necessary_a and_o though_o for_o after_o age_n it_o become_v necessary_a that_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n shall_v consign_v their_o doctrine_n to_o writing_n yet_o no_o more_o of_o their_o writing_n can_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v by_o we_o than_o what_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n it_o be_v the_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o afford_v we_o more_o than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o our_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a life_n as_o he_o have_v do_v for_o our_o natural_a and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n in_o any_o man_n to_o reject_v any_o mean_n of_o salvation_n or_o instruction_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o allow_v but_o still_o that_o man_n will_v sustain_v his_o natural_a life_n and_o health_n who_o shall_v think_v all_o that_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o support_n of_o it_o common_a or_o unclean_a and_o not_o fit_a to_o be_v use_v for_o food_n and_o if_o a_o man_n without_o any_o of_o his_o own_o fault_n or_o neglect_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n only_o of_o the_o uncontrrovert_v book_n he_o will_v find_v they_o abundant_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o end_n of_o revelation_n and_o to_o procure_v his_o salvation_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o one_o infallible_a authority_n be_v as_o great_a a_o security_n as_o never_o so_o many_o can_v be_v but_o the_o same_o doctrine_n be_v teach_v in_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n for_o it_o that_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o furnish_v we_o with_o so_o much_o more_o than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o to_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o sundry_a place_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n for_o our_o further_a instruction_n and_o confirmation_n in_o the_o faith_n though_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a and_o wicked_a to_o say_v that_o he_o who_o believe_v all_o the_o point_n of_o necessary_a faith_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o one_o book_n of_o scripture_n have_v no_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o salvation_n unless_o he_o likewise_o believe_v they_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n not_o that_o i_o suppose_v any_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n can_v now_o find_v any_o cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o any_o book_n in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n whether_o it_o be_v genuine_a or_o no_o but_o to_o suppose_v the_o most_o and_o the_o worst_a that_o can_v be_v suppose_v if_o those_o book_n which_o at_o any_o time_n have_v be_v call_v in_o
negligentia_fw-la presertim_fw-la tot_fw-la jam_fw-la seculis_fw-la intercedentibus_fw-la veritatem_fw-la fuisse_fw-la corruptam_fw-la quam_fw-la ut_fw-la propheta_fw-la erraverit_fw-la sicut_fw-la in_o hoc_fw-la ipso_fw-la nostro_fw-la opusculo_fw-la futurum_fw-la credimus_fw-la ut_fw-la describentium_fw-la incuria_fw-la quae_fw-la non_fw-la incuriose_fw-la a_o nobis_fw-la sunt_fw-la digesta_fw-la vitientur_fw-la sulpic._n sever_n hist_o sacr._n lib._n 1._o c._n 70._o common_a in_o all_o greek_a and_o latin_a author_n and_o to_o prevent_v this_o inconveniency_n mr_n greaves_n acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o emp_n erour_n vlug_n beg_v nephew_n to_o tamerlane_n the_o great_a pyramidogr_n great_a greaves_n pyramidogr_n in_o his_o astronomical_a table_n the_o most_o accurate_a of_o any_o in_o the_o east_n have_v express_v the_o number_n of_o the_o principal_a epocha_n first_o in_o word_n at_o length_n and_o again_o in_o figure_n and_o then_o a_o three_o time_n in_o particular_a table_n who_o example_n this_o excellent_a author_n allege_v for_o his_o own_o exactness_n in_o describe_v the_o dimension_n of_o the_o pyramid_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n suppose_v it_o very_o improbable_a if_o any_o one_o of_o these_o account_n shall_v happen_v to_o be_v alter_v that_o two_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o agree_v and_o that_o those_o two_o which_o agree_v shall_v not_o express_v the_o true_a number_n 5._o in_o some_o place_n the_o alteration_n which_o cause_n the_o difference_n in_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o septuagint_n from_o that_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v so_o uniform_a that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v make_v but_o by_o design_n of_o some_o transcriber_n or_o of_o the_o translator_n themselves_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o live_v of_o the_o five_o first_o patriarch_n and_o of_o enoch_n the_o sacr._n the_o vid._n ludovic_n capell_n chron._n sacr._n seven_o they_o add_v a_o hundred_o year_n before_o their_o have_a child_n and_o deduct_v the_o same_o number_n of_o year_n from_o the_o time_n they_o live_v after_o ward_n which_o be_v conjecture_v to_o have_v be_v do_v because_o they_o suppose_v that_o by_o year_n there_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v lunar_a year_n or_o month_n and_o so_o they_o alter_v the_o chronological_a account_n of_o their_o life_n for_o if_o those_o be_v the_o year_n mean_v by_o the_o hebrew_n account_n they_o must_v have_v be_v father_n of_o child_n at_o 5_o 6_o 7_o or_o 8_o year_n of_o age._n another_o conjecture_n be_v that_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o as_o man_n life_n be_v long_o then_o so_o the_o age_n at_o which_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o marriage_n must_v not_o be_v the_o same_o that_o it_o be_v now_o but_o must_v bear_v proportion_n to_o the_o length_n of_o their_o life_n and_o therefore_o they_o alter_v the_o chronology_n to_o make_v the_o patriarch_n father_n of_o child_n at_o such_o a_o age_n as_o may_v answer_v to_o the_o age_n at_o which_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o have_v child_n in_o these_o latter_a time_n the_o mention_n of_o cainan_n the_o son_n of_o arphaxad_n both_o in_o the_o version_n of_o the_o septuagint_n and_o in_o the_o gospel_n of_o st_n luke_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o in_o the_o hebrew_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a difficulty_n but_o bishop_n etc._n bishop_n prolegom_n ix_o s_o 64._o etc._n etc._n walton_n notwithstanding_o see_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o conclude_v however_o with_o such_o caution_n and_o candour_n as_o become_v so_o great_a a_o judgement_n that_o the_o septuagint_n follow_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o those_o time_n and_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a have_v since_o be_v considerable_o enforce_v by_o the_o learned_a 4._o learned_a castigat_fw-la ad_fw-la script_n georg._n horn._n c._n 4._o isaac_n vossius_fw-la there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o samaritan_n account_n be_v the_o same_o sacr._n same_o siquidem_fw-la &_o in_o hebraeis_n &_o samaritanorum_n libris_fw-la ita_fw-la scriptum_fw-la reperi_fw-la et_fw-la vixit_fw-la mathusala_n etc._n etc._n hieron_n quaest_n in_o gen._n vid._n &_o capell_n chron._n sacr._n in_o st_n jerom_n time_n and_o that_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o have_v happen_v since_o 6._o the_o son_n often_o reign_v with_o the_o father_n his_o reign_n be_v sometime_o put_v down_o as_o commence_v from_o his_o partnership_n with_o his_o father_n in_o the_o kingdom_n and_o in_o other_o place_n from_o his_o reign_v alone_o after_o his_o father_n decease_n thus_o the_o difficulty_n be_v explain_v concern_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o reign_v of_o jehoram_n king_n of_o israel_n son_n of_o ahab_n and_o jehoram_n king_n of_o judah_n son_n of_o jehosaphat_n 2_o king_n i._o 17._o iii._o 1._o for_o it_o be_v say_v express_o that_o jehosaphat_n be_v then_o king_n of_o judah_n jehoram_n the_o son_n jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n begin_v to_o reign_v 2_o king_n viij_o 16._o it_o be_v likewise_o manifest_a that_o jehoash_fw-mi the_o son_n of_o jehoahaz_n king_n of_o israel_n must_v reign_v with_o his_o father_n 3_o year_n 2_o king_n xiii_o 1_o 10._o this_o be_v also_o apply_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o other_o question_n by_o st_n vital_a st_n hieron_n ad_fw-la vital_a jerom._n the_o reign_n of_o azariah_n be_v compute_v from_o his_o take_v the_o government_n upon_o himself_o at_o sixteen_o year_n of_o age_n in_o the_o 27_o year_n of_o jeroboam_n king_n of_o israel_n for_o than_o he_o be_v say_v to_o begin_v to_o reign_v 2_o king_n xv_o i._o whereas_o his_o father_n amaziah_n live_v but_o to_o the_o 15_o year_n of_o jeroboam_n reign_n 2._o king_n fourteen_o 17._o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n there_o be_v a_o long_a interregnum_fw-la between_o jeraboam_n the_o second_o and_o zachariah_n 2_o king_n fourteen_o 23._o xv_o 8._o some_o assign_v a_o threefold_a computation_n of_o the_o year_n of_o nebuchadnezzar_n reign_n the_o first_o from_o his_o lay_v siege_n to_o jerusalem_n the_o second_o from_o his_o take_n it_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o captivity_n the_o three_o from_o his_o entire_a monarchy_n after_o the_o conquest_n of_o egypt_n other_o assign_v two_o begining_n of_o nebuchadnezzar_n reign_n the_o one_o from_o his_o come_n with_o his_o army_n into_o syria_n during_o the_o life_n of_o his_o father_n the_o other_o from_o his_o father_n death_n 7._o the_o term_n of_o time_n in_o computation_n be_v sometime_o take_v inclusive_o and_o at_o other_o time_n exclusive_o matt._n xvii_o 1._o we_o read_v after_o six_o day_n jesus_n take_v peter_n james_n and_o john_n his_o brother_n and_o bring_v they_o up_o into_o a_o high_a mountain_n apart_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n mark_v ix_o 2._o but_o this_o be_v say_v luke_n ix_o 28._o to_o come_v to_o pass_v about_o a_o eight_o day_n after_o which_o be_v very_o consistent_a with_o what_o the_o other_o evangelist_n write_v for_o st_n matthew_n and_o st_n mark_v speak_v exclusive_o reckon_v the_o six_o day_n between_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n which_o they_o there_o relate_v and_o his_o transfiguration_n but_o st_o luke_n include_v the_o day_n in_o which_o he_o have_v that_o discourse_n with_o his_o disciple_n and_o the_o day_n of_o his_o transfiguration_n and_o reckon_v they_o with_o the_o six_o intermediate_v day_n the_o rabbin_n ix_o rabbin_n lightf_n harm_n of_o the_o n._n t._n s._n ix_o also_o observe_v that_o the_o very_o first_o day_n of_o a_o year_n may_v stand_v in_o computation_n for_o that_o year_n and_o by_o this_o way_n of_o reckon_n mistake_v of_o year_n current_a for_o year_n complete_a or_o year_n complete_a for_o year_n current_n in_o the_o succession_n of_o so_o many_o king_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o affair_n for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n may_v amount_v to_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o year_n for_o this_o reason_n 20._o reason_n thucyd_n lib._n v._o c._n 20._o thucydides_n say_v he_o compute_v the_o year_n of_o the_o peloponnesian_a war_n not_o by_o the_o magistrate_n yearly_o choose_v during_o that_o time_n but_o by_o so_o many_o summer_n and_o winter_n these_o and_o several_a other_o way_n by_o which_o dispute_v in_o chronology_n may_v be_v occasion_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o we_o that_o they_o do_v not_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v original_o chronological_a mistake_v in_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o if_o they_o may_v so_o many_o way_n arise_v without_o any_o error_n in_o the_o original_a write_n if_o the_o same_o difficulty_n occur_v upon_o so_o very_o nice_a and_o intricate_a a_o subject_n in_o all_o book_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o can_v be_v by_o no_o mean_n necessary_a that_o book_n of_o divine_a authority_n shall_v be_v either_o at_o first_o so_o pen_v as_o to_o be_v liable_a to_o no_o wrong_a interpretation_n or_o be_v ever_o after_o preserve_v by_o miracle_n from_o all_o corruption_n it_o be_v great_a rashness_n to_o deny_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n chap._n
you_o not_o read_v that_o he_o which_o make_v they_o at_o the_o beginning_n make_v they_o male_a and_o female_a and_o say_v for_o this_o cause_n shall_v a_o man_n leave_v father_n and_o mother_n and_o shall_v cleave_v to_o his_o wife_n and_o they_o twain_o shall_v be_v one_o flesh_n matth._n nineteeen_o 4_o 5._o and_o st._n paul_n in_o like_a manner_n to_o show_v that_o the_o woman_n ought_v not_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n prove_v it_o by_o this_o argument_n for_o adam_n be_v first_o form_v then_o eve_n 1_o tim._n two_o 13._o and_o in_o another_o place_n and_o upon_o another_o occasion_n he_o observe_v that_o the_o man_n be_v not_o of_o the_o woman_n but_o the_o woman_n of_o the_o man._n 1_o cor._n xi_o 8._o and_o long_o before_o the_o prophet_n malachi_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o same_o topick_n malach._n two_o 15._o and_o hebr._n four_o 4._o it_o be_v note_v that_o god_n do_v rest_v the_o seven_o day_n from_o all_o his_o work_n from_o whence_o the_o apostle_n conclude_v that_o he_o that_o be_v enter_v into_o his_o rest_n he_o also_o have_v cease_v from_o his_o own_o work_n as_o god_n do_v from_o his_o verse_n 10._o now_o as_o these_o and_o whatever_o other_o argument_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n do_v evident_o suppose_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n so_o they_o explain_v to_o we_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v thus_o create_v for_o all_o these_o argument_n have_v be_v lose_v and_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o ground_n for_o they_o if_o the_o world_n have_v be_v otherwise_o create_v as_o certain_o therefore_o as_o this_o argue_n from_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o creation_n be_v good_a so_o certain_a it_o be_v both_o that_o the_o world_n be_v so_o create_v and_o that_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n for_o it_o but_o whatever_o some_o philisopher_n may_v think_v now_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o will_v have_v be_v more_o disagreeable_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o all_o age_n than_o that_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v make_v upon_o mechanical_a principle_n he_o speak_v and_o it_o be_v do_v he_o command_v and_o it_o stand_v fact_n psal_n xxxiii_o 9_o he_o command_v and_o they_o be_v create_v psal_n cxlviii_o 5._o this_o express_v not_o only_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n but_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n who_o have_v ever_o have_v this_o notion_n of_o god_n that_o to_o command_v and_o to_o do_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o objection_n till_o of_o late_a have_v run_v the_o other_o way_n that_o god_n do_v rather_o create_v the_o world_n in_o a_o instant_n than_o in_o six_o day_n it_o be_v little_o suspect_v former_o that_o divers_a year_n or_o many_o age_n be_v spend_v in_o the_o creation_n it_o be_v in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o longinus_n observe_v the_o sublime_a style_n of_o moses_n and_o if_o the_o relation_n of_o it_o be_v admirable_a the_o creation_n itself_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v there_o relate_v must_v be_v much_o more_o admirable_a for_o it_o be_v proper_a for_o it_o to_o be_v thus_o describe_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o it_o be_v proper_a for_o it_o in_o this_o manner_n to_o be_v do_v but_o what_o will_v longinus_n have_v say_v if_o the_o creation_n have_v be_v relate_v to_o have_v be_v perform_v not_o by_o any_o command_n which_o have_v its_o immediate_a effect_n but_o by_o the_o tedious_a process_n of_o mechanical_a cause_n what_o grandeur_n what_o evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o majesty_n be_v there_o in_o this_o more_o than_o in_o any_o chemical_a operation_n if_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n be_v true_a it_o be_v strange_a presumption_n to_o demand_v of_o almighty_a god_n a_o reason_n of_o all_o his_o action_n and_o not_o to_o believe_v he_o upon_o his_o word_n that_o he_o have_v do_v any_o thing_n but_o when_o and_o how_o some_o man_n conceit_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v do_v but_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v may_v at_o least_o serve_v to_o silence_v the_o cavil_n of_o such_o men._n 2._o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o perform_v according_a to_o mechanical_a law_n or_o principle_n the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n suppose_v that_o body_n act_n upon_o body_n or_o active_n upon_o passive_n in_o a_o certain_a course_n and_o according_a to_o such_o law_n as_o that_o be_v leave_v to_o themselves_o they_o necessary_o produce_v their_o effect_n without_o any_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n but_o this_o notion_n be_v ground_v whole_o upon_o mistake_n 1._o it_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o a_o certain_a quantity_n of_o motion_n infuse_v or_o impress_v upon_o matter_n which_o still_o continue_v pass_v from_o one_o body_n to_o another_o according_a to_o certain_a method_n or_o rule_n prescribe_v but_o this_o supposition_n that_o there_o be_v always_o the_o same_o quantity_n of_o motion_n in_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o precarious_a or_o rather_o notorious_o false_a and_o the_o best_a philosopher_n have_v be_v able_a to_o give_v no_o account_n how_o motion_n can_v be_v communicate_v without_o a_o immediate_a impulse_n or_o concourse_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n 2._o by_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n it_o be_v suppose_v as_o a_o thing_n certain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o plenum_fw-la which_o at_o least_o be_v very_o uncertain_a or_o rather_o it_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o mr._n newton_n that_o there_o be_v a_o vacuum_n not_o only_o intersperse_v but_o of_o a_o prodigious_a and_o almost_o incredible_a extent_n at_o the_o distance_n of_o the_o earth_n simidiameter_n from_o we_o and_o by_o his_o principle_n gravitation_n must_v proceed_v from_o a_o immediate_a and_o constant_a impression_n or_o impulse_n of_o god_n for_o it_o proceed_v from_o no_o action_n of_o one_o body_n upon_o another_o but_o be_v a_o quality_n belong_v to_o all_o matter_n alike_o and_o to_o every_o particle_n of_o matter_n however_o separate_v and_o distant_a from_o all_o other_o the_o projectile_a motion_n and_o that_o attractive_a force_n by_o which_o the_o planet_n be_v carry_v in_o their_o orbit_n can_v be_v communicate_v or_o perform_v according_a to_o any_o mechanical_a law_n whereby_o they_o be_v determine_v from_o a_o rectilinear_n to_o a_o orbicular_a motion_n for_o body_n can_v act_v upon_o body_n only_o by_o contract_n and_o therefore_o can_v communicate_v their_o motion_n or_o any_o way_n determine_v or_o affect_v the_o motion_n of_o each_o other_o in_o a_o vacuum_n so_o vast_a as_o it_o must_v be_v near_o the_o circumference_n of_o the_o several_a orbit_n so_o that_o the_o old_a occult_a quality_n and_o substantial_a term_n be_v not_o more_o repugnant_a to_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n than_o these_o principle_n be_v the_o be_v of_o a_o vacuum_n must_v suppose_v a_o immediate_a divine_a power_n necessary_a to_o keep_v the_o system_fw-la of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o order_n in_o which_o we_o see_v it_o continue_v for_o otherwise_o by_o this_o principle_n of_o gravitation_n be_v inherent_a in_o every_o part_n of_o matter_n all_o body_n will_v press_v towards_o the_o centre_n and_o in_o a_o vacuum_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o to_o hinder_v their_o tendency_n towards_o it_o till_o they_o come_v crowd_v the_o upon_o another_o so_o that_o all_o the_o order_n of_o thing_n will_v soon_o be_v reduce_v to_o one_o confuse_a heap_n or_o moss_n unless_o some_o immaterial_a power_n interpose_v to_o hinder_v it_o it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n be_v quite_o destroy_v by_o these_o principle_n for_o by_o these_o here_o be_v no_o connexion_n of_o cause_n and_o effect_n according_a to_o any_o law_n of_o mere_a matter_n and_o motion_n but_o all_o must_v be_v do_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n gravitation_n and_o the_o 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man_n be_v without_o doubt_n a_o necessary_a and_o most_o valuable_a part_n of_o learning_n but_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n more_o impertinent_a than_o a_o impertinent_a critic_n it_o be_v a_o great_a thing_n if_o it_o be_v well_o consider_v to_o set_v the_o bound_n and_o fix_v the_o territory_n of_o learning_n to_o adjudge_v to_o every_o author_n his_o own_o work_n and_o say_v that_o this_o book_n or_o perhaps_o some_o small_a part_n of_o a_o book_n shall_v be_v he_o and_o the_o other_o he_o shall_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v withal_o this_o be_v no_o trivial_a matter_n nor_o of_o small_a consequence_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o any_o one_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o for_o contradict_v the_o receive_a opinion_n and_o be_v more_o confident_a than_o other_o and_o the_o less_o occasion_n there_o be_v for_o these_o critic_n the_o more_o danger_n there_o be_v from_o they_o for_o if_o 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different_a party_n and_o opinion_n strive_v to_o run_v down_o their_o adversary_n those_o who_o be_v concern_v will_v do_v well_o i_o shall_v think_v to_o consider_v what_o mischief_n may_v ensue_v through_o the_o imprudent_a and_o unchristian_a management_n of_o dispute_n even_o in_o a_o right_a cause_n which_o have_v no_o need_n of_o such_o method_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v the_o less_o excusable_a who_o use_v they_o in_o defence_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n if_o we_o will_v convince_v or_o persuade_v man_n in_o any_o other_o thing_n we_o never_o be_v wont_a to_o think_v it_o a_o proper_a expedient_a to_o use_v they_o ill_o and_o give_v they_o hard_a word_n and_o be_v rough_a usage_n proper_a only_o for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o a_o religion_n of_o peace_n and_o meekness_n and_o charity_n i_o know_v what_o example_n may_v be_v produce_v to_o countenance_v this_o practice_n but_o those_o great_a author_n have_v excellency_n enough_o 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well_o as_o in_o the_o meekness_n and_o gentleness_n of_o christ_n we_o must_v do_v it_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v call_v in_o question_n and_o that_o by_o christian_n we_o live_v in_o a_o age_n in_o which_o man_n think_v they_o have_v do_v a_o great_a thing_n and_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o value_v themselves_o upon_o if_o they_o can_v but_o start_v a_o bold_a objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n though_o it_o have_v never_o so_o little_a sense_n in_o it_o we_o have_v sufficient_a warrant_n to_o treat_v these_o man_n as_o they_o deserve_v for_o the_o apostle_n be_v command_v according_a to_o a_o custom_n in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o shake_v off_o the_o dust_n off_o their_o foot_n against_o such_o as_o reject_v their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o least_o we_o can_v say_v to_o they_o be_v to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o if_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v we_o be_v sorry_a for_o it_o but_o can_v help_v it_o and_o that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o 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be_v employ_v against_o the_o common_a enemy_n who_o delight_n in_o our_o quarrel_n and_o sport_n themselves_o with_o the_o mutual_a wound_n we_o so_o free_o give_v one_o another_o 9_o we_o have_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n among_o we_o who_o from_o hence_o have_v take_v occasion_n to_o make_v it_o their_o whole_a business_n both_o by_o their_o discourse_n and_o write_n to_o laugh_v all_o religion_n and_o morality_n out_o of_o the_o world_n which_o have_v make_v our_o very_a wit_n to_o degenerate_v though_o this_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n for_o which_o these_o man_n seem_v to_o value_v themselves_o and_o our_o poem_n with_o all_o their_o soft_a number_n and_o flow_a style_n to_o be_v far_o from_o deserve_a commendation_n for_o this_o way_n of_o write_v be_v as_o much_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o poetry_n as_o against_o those_o of_o virtue_n and_o they_o can_v never_o answer_v it_o to_o their_o own_o art_n whatever_o they_o may_v do_v to_o their_o conscience_n but_o aught_o to_o be_v censure_v for_o be_v ill_a poet_n as_o well_o as_o ill_a men._n a_o fine_a say_v a_o soft_a or_o bold_a expression_n or_o a_o pretty_a character_n be_v this_o all_o we_o have_v in_o exchange_n for_o our_o reason_n and_o religion_n which_o these_o man_n have_v so_o laborious_o decry_v some_o of_o the_o best_a poet_n of_o our_o age_n have_v be_v so_o sensible_a of_o the_o dishonour_n hereby_o do_v to_o god_n the_o disservice_n to_o mankind_n and_o the_o disgrace_n to_o so_o noble_a a_o art_n that_o they_o have_v employ_v their_o genius_n a_o better_a way_n but_o the_o extravagant_a raillery_n against_o religion_n have_v be_v the_o more_o licentious_a and_o the_o more_o frequent_a not_o only_o because_o it_o have_v meet_v with_o applause_n from_o so_o many_o who_o be_v none_o of_o the_o wise_a part_n of_o mankind_n but_o
because_o it_o be_v the_o easy_a way_n of_o wit_n flow_v so_o natural_o from_o the_o very_a temper_n and_o inclination_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o any_o smart_a reflection_n may_v easy_o be_v take_v from_o another_o subject_n and_o apply_v here_o with_o advantage_n because_o it_o look_v more_o extravagant_a and_o dare_a and_o surprise_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o for_o the_o bold_a irreverent_a use_n of_o it_o what_o be_v there_o in_o religion_n if_o it_o be_v untrue_a that_o can_v seem_v ridiculous_a what_o in_o the_o awful_a majesty_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n that_o can_v provonke_v the_o laughter_n and_o mockery_n of_o any_o but_o fool_n and_o madman_n it_o be_v not_o obvious_a to_o conceive_v why_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o a_o man_n part_n to_o revile_v his_o god_n than_o his_o prince_n to_o speak_v blasphemy_n than_o it_o be_v to_o speak_v treason_n or_o why_o the_o wit_n shall_v atone_v for_o the_o crime_n more_o in_o the_o one_o case_n than_o in_o the_o other_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v a_o very_a moderate_a share_n of_o that_o will_v serve_v the_o turn_n in_o both_o case_n produce_v your_o cause_n say_v the_o lord_n bring_v forth_o your_o strong_a reason_n say_v the_o god_n of_o jacob._n 7._o and_o indeed_o from_o the_o wit_n and_o drollery_n of_o some_o other_o have_v take_v the_o confidence_n to_o proceed_v to_o argument_n but_o they_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v either_o strong_a or_o plausible_a for_o i_o never_o in_o my_o life_n observe_v so_o much_o disingenuity_n so_o vain_a a_o affectation_n of_o learning_n and_o so_o groundless_a a_o pretence_n to_o reason_n as_o in_o these_o men._n the_o extravagancy_n of_o cardan_n be_v know_v to_o all_o that_o ever_o hear_v of_o he_o the_o lust_n and_o pride_n and_o base_a flattery_n of_o vaninus_n be_v every_o where_o visible_a aut_fw-la deus_fw-la est_fw-la aut_fw-la vaninus_n be_v such_o a_o expression_n as_o no_o man_n beside_o ever_o use_v in_o a_o dialogue_n of_o himself_o and_o mr._n hobb_n love_n of_o singularity_n and_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n be_v evident_a from_o his_o own_o confession_n and_o my_o late_a lord_n clarendon_n who_o know_v he_o well_o have_v acquaint_v the_o world_n both_o with_o the_o temper_n and_o design_n of_o the_o man_n and_o with_o the_o error_n of_o his_o write_n but_o i_o shall_v come_v down_o low_o and_o examine_v a_o little_a the_o argument_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o will_v take_v it_o ill_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v that_o they_o have_v not_o retain_v and_o improve_v all_o the_o profound_a reason_n of_o their_o predecessor_n in_o irreligion_n which_o we_o may_v expect_v to_o find_v abridge_v in_o a_o book_n bear_v the_o title_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o reason_n a_o rhapsody_n of_o letter_n and_o some_o small_a tract_n of_o divers_a men._n but_o here_o i_o need_v not_o much_o concern_v myself_o with_o what_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o author_n of_o religio_fw-la medici_n and_o of_o the_o archaeologiae_fw-la philosophicae_fw-la because_o these_o author_n notwithstanding_o those_o objection_n profess_v a_o unfeinged_a belief_n of_o reveal_v religion_n in_o these_o very_a book_n though_o the_o transcriber_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o acquaint_v his_o reader_n with_o such_o profession_n for_o fear_v of_o bring_v a_o antidote_n with_o his_o poison_n but_o since_o those_o objection_n be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v that_o effect_n upon_o the_o author_n themselves_o all_o that_o they_o can_v serve_v for_o be_v to_o show_v that_o they_o can_v make_v a_o deist_n of_o none_o but_o a_o weak_a or_o a_o ill_a man._n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o preface_n of_o religio_fw-la medici_n to_o see_v how_o disingenuous_a it_o be_v to_o quote_v any_o thing_n from_o that_o book_n as_o the_o fix_a and_o mature_a thought_n of_o sir_n thomas_n brown_n but_o as_o if_o this_o have_v not_o be_v disingenuity_n enough_o we_o have_v he_o bring_v in_o say_v the_o quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o we_o find_v in_o his_o book_n 22._o book_n relig._n med._n par_fw-fr 1._o §._o 22._o how_o all_o the_o kind_n of_o creature_n say_v sir_n thomas_n not_o only_o in_o their_o own_o bulk_n but_o with_o a_o competency_n of_o food_n and_o sustenance_n may_v be_v preserve_v in_o one_o ark_n and_o within_o the_o extent_n of_o three_o hundred_o cubit_n to_o a_o reason_n that_o right_o examine_v it_o will_v appear_v very_o feasible_a thus_o it_o be_v both_o in_o the_o book_n itself_o and_o in_o the_o annotation_n upon_o it_o but_o our_o 5._o our_o oracle_n of_o reason_n p._n 5._o transcriber_n have_v make_v the_o author_n say_v quite_o contrary_a that_o this_o will_v not_o appear_v very_o feasible_a what_o be_v transcribe_v likewise_o from_o the_o same_o author_n book_n 9_o book_n ibid._n p._n 9_o of_o vulgar_a error_n be_v not_o fair_o cite_v and_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v that_o this_o learned_a author_n have_v a_o whole_a chapter_n in_o that_o very_a work_n concern_v 4._o concern_v vulg._n error_n l._n 5._o c._n 4._o the_o temptation_n of_o eve_n by_o the_o serpent_n where_o that_o be_v clear_v which_o be_v 1._o be_v ibid._n l._n 1._o c._n 1._o before_o bring_v only_o as_o a_o objection_n and_o transcribe_v by_o mr._n blount_n how_o the_o translator_n have_v deal_v with_o the_o author_n of_o archaeologiae_fw-la philosophicae_fw-la i_o have_v not_o his_o book_n by_o i_o to_o examine_v he_o be_v live_v to_o vindicate_v himself_o one_o thing_n i_o have_v observe_v that_o mr._n blount_n assure_v we_o that_o 3._o that_o oracle_n of_o reason_n p._n 3._o this_o learned_a author_n do_v as_o strenuous_o affirm_v as_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n about_o six_o thousand_o year_n since_o whereas_o the_o translation_n which_o this_o gentleman_n send_v mr._n gildon_n with_o his_o letter_n say_v 73._o say_v ibid._n p._n 73._o that_o to_o prescribe_v the_o divine_a creation_n so_o short_a a_o epocha_n as_o the_o limit_n of_o six_o thousand_o year_n it_o be_v wat_fw-mi he_o never_o dare_v now_o either_o mr._n blount_n or_o the_o translator_n be_v mistake_v in_o their_o author_n and_o i_o rather_o think_v the_o latter_a must_v mistake_v he_o for_o whenever_o the_o world_n have_v be_v create_v there_o must_v have_v be_v a_o time_n when_o it_o have_v exi_v but_o six_o thousand_o year_n and_o then_o the_o shortness_n of_o the_o epocha_n may_v have_v be_v object_v as_o well_o as_o now_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o prevent_v this_o objection_n unless_o the_o world_n can_v have_v be_v eternal_a which_o be_v likewise_o impossible_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o time_n which_o be_v successive_a necessary_o imply_v a_o beginning_n and_o as_o this_o author_n by_o his_o translator_n speak_v in_o that_o place_n we_o can_v form_v to_o ourselves_o any_o idea_n of_o a_o thing_n create_v from_o eternity_n but_o what_o be_v cite_v out_o of_o either_o of_o these_o author_n will_v fall_v under_o some_o of_o the_o head_n which_o be_v to_o be_v treat_v of_o in_o another_o book_n which_o i_o design_v upon_o this_o subject_a i_o shall_v therefore_o here_o only_o single_a out_o such_o particular_n as_o be_v the_o proper_a notion_n and_o conceit_n of_o our_o deist_n and_o of_o which_o i_o have_v no_o thought_n or_o occasion_n to_o speak_v elsewhere_o mr._n blount_n 160._o blount_n ibid._n p._n 160._o will_v have_v the_o prophecy_n of_o jacob_n concern_v the_o sceptre_n be_v not_o be_v to_o depart_v from_o judah_n till_o the_o come_v of_o shiloh_n to_o have_v be_v first_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o cabalist_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o not_o to_o have_v be_v expound_v of_o david_n line_n till_o the_o reign_n of_o herod_n at_o least_o not_o general_o for_o here_o he_o be_v not_o so_o positive_a as_o a_o man_n may_v have_v be_v in_o a_o thing_n pure_o of_o his_o own_o invention_n but_o do_v he_o bring_v any_o proof_n or_o probability_n for_o what_o he_o say_v no_o it_o be_v mere_a conjecture_n contrary_a to_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a exposition_n of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n but_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o cabbala_n and_o the_o pharisee_n hate_v herod_n and_o the_o herodian_o flatter_v he_o and_o josephus_n flatter_v vespasian_n and_o therefore_o from_o some_o circumstance_n superficial_o frame_v and_o put_v together_o he_o will_v needs_o gather_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v contradict_v by_o other_o without_o any_o consideration_n have_v to_o what_o so_o many_o have_v say_v to_o reconcile_v they_o in_o the_o same_o place_n he_o say_v that_o the_o jew_n reckon_v the_o book_n of_o daniel_n among_o their_o hagiographa_n or_o sacred_a but_o not_o canonical_a book_n father_n simon_n to_o who_o write_n i_o suppose_v this_o gentleman_n be_v no_o stranger_n may_v
undeceive_v he_o in_o this_o matter_n his_o word_n be_v these_o 238._o these_o castigat_fw-la ad_fw-la opusc_n isaaci_fw-la vossii_n p._n 238._o novi_fw-la quidem_fw-la judaeos_fw-la de_fw-la germana_n vocis_fw-la illius_fw-la cetuvim_fw-la significatione_n inter_fw-la se_fw-la non_fw-la convenire_fw-la et_fw-la omnes_fw-la sentiant_fw-la cetuvim_fw-la seu_fw-la hagiographos_n non_fw-la minus_fw-la divinos_fw-la esse_fw-la &_o canonicos_fw-la quam_fw-la reliquos_fw-la veteris_fw-la instrumenti_fw-la libros_fw-la and_o he_o plain_o prove_v his_o assertion_n the_o same_o gentleman_n 221._o gentleman_n oracle_n of_o reason_n pag._n 221._o tell_v we_o that_o josephus_n confess_v that_o he_o dare_v not_o presume_v to_o compare_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o infallible_a write_n of_o the_o egyptian_n chaldaean_n and_o phoenician_n for_o which_o he_o refer_v his_o reader_n to_o josephus_n contra_fw-la apion_n lib._n 1._o where_o he_o will_v find_v the_o quite_o contrary_a for_o josephus_n make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o confute_v the_o heathen_a historian_n and_o to_o vindicate_v the_o jewish_a antiquity_n against_o they_o and_o to_o show_v how_o they_o contradict_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o in_o what_o they_o relate_v of_o the_o jew_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n 25._o scripture_n anima_fw-la mundi_fw-la p._n 25._o and_o yet_o this_o notorious_a mistake_n be_v again_o repeat_v by_o our_o author_n which_o any_o one_o may_v confute_v that_o will_v look_v into_o josephus_n the_o design_n of_o his_o first_o book_n against_o apion_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o jewish_a antiquity_n against_o the_o greek_n from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o egyptian_n phoenician_n and_o chaldaean_n josephus_n say_v he_o wonder_n at_o those_o who_o think_v that_o the_o greek_n alone_o ought_v to_o be_v regard_v in_o matter_n of_o antiquity_n whereas_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o of_o ancient_a date_n their_o city_n their_o art_n their_o law_n be_v but_o of_o late_a original_a and_o their_o history_n latter_a than_o all_o these_o but_o the_o greek_n themselves_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v very_o ancient_a account_n of_o former_a time_n among_o the_o egyptian_n the_o chaldaean_n and_o the_o phoenician_n 〈◊〉_d phoenician_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o i_o omit_v say_v he_o for_o the_o present_a to_o put_v our_o own_o nation_n into_o the_o number_n with_o they_o this_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o say_v that_o he_o dare_v not_o presume_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o comparison_n for_o he_o do_v show_v soon_o after_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v take_v as_o much_o care_n in_o the_o writing_n and_o preserve_v their_o antiquity_n as_o these_o nation_n or_o any_o other_o can_v possible_o do_v but_o it_o have_v not_o be_v to_o his_o purpose_n to_o mention_v the_o jew_n in_o that_o place_n with_o the_o rest_n because_o he_o bring_v his_o argument_n from_o the_o confession_n of_o foreign_a historian_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o greek_n to_o be_v of_o much_o great_a authority_n in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n than_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o themselves_o 218._o themselves_o oracle_n of_o reason_n p._n 218._o a_o little_a before_o have_v translate_v something_o out_o of_o ocellus_n lucanus_n to_o prove_v the_o world_n eternal_a this_o gentleman_n thus_o subjoin_v now_o it_o be_v very_o much_o that_o this_o author_n ocellus_n lucanus_n who_o for_o his_o antiquity_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v almost_o contemporary_a with_o moses_n if_o not_o before_o he_o shall_v have_v so_o different_a a_o sentiment_n of_o the_o world_n beginning_n from_o that_o which_o moses_n have_v methinks_v if_o moses_n his_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o adam_n be_v the_o first_o man_n have_v be_v a_o general_a receive_v opinion_n at_o that_o time_n ocellus_n lucanus_n who_o be_v so_o ancient_a and_o so_o eminent_a a_o philosopher_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v altogether_o ignorant_a thereof_o but_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v if_o ocellus_n lucanus_n be_v not_o so_o ancient_a but_o of_o no_o antiquity_n in_o comparison_n of_o moses_n then_o methinks_v this_o author_n may_v have_v spare_v his_o pain_n and_o his_o inference_n and_o of_o what_o antiquity_n ocellus_n lucanus_n be_v be_v show_v by_o ludovicus_n nogarola_n who_o translate_v this_o piece_n of_o ocellus_n lucanus_n into_o latin_a and_o publish_v it_o with_o his_o own_o observation_n upon_o it_o for_o he_o make_v it_o appear_v from_o plato_n that_o the_o ancestor_n of_o this_o ocellus_n be_v banish_v from_o troy_n under_o laomedon_n come_v to_o myra_n a_o city_n in_o lycia_n but_o laomedon_n be_v the_o father_n of_o priamus_n in_o who_o time_n as_o every_o body_n know_v happen_v the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n and_o jair_n be_v then_o judge_n of_o israel_n about_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o they_o have_v be_v in_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_v land_n he_o far_o show_v from_o lucian_n that_o ocellus_n lucanus_n be_v a_o scholar_n of_o pythagoras_n who_o live_v sure_a long_o enough_o after_o moses_n to_o save_v our_o author_n criticism_n or_o to_o expose_v it_o indeed_o the_o best_a account_n we_o have_v in_o heathen_a antiquity_n agree_v exact_o with_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n aristotle_n 1._o aristotle_n grot._n de_fw-fr verit._n annot._fw-la ad_fw-la c._n 7._o l._n 1._o himself_o be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o doctrine_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n and_o he_o 10._o he_o aristot_n de_fw-fr coelo_fw-la l._n 1._o c._n 10._o confess_v that_o all_o the_o philosopher_n assert_v the_o creaation_n of_o it_o and_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o creation_n 3._o creation_n metaphys_n l._n 1._o c._n 3._o he_o say_v it_o be_v esteem_v a_o very_a ancient_a doctrine_n and_o thought_n by_o some_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a theologist_n that_o it_o be_v form_v out_o of_o water_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o 2._o that_o tull._n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n l._n 1._o de_fw-fr legib._n l._n 2._o thales_n the_o first_o greek_a philosopher_n who_o treat_v of_o these_o thing_n one_o of_o the_o seven_o wise_a man_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o wise_a of_o they_o in_o tully_n judgement_n teach_v that_o god_n form_v all_o thing_n out_o of_o water_n the_o same_o gentleman_n have_v observe_v 93._o observe_v oracl_n of_o reason_n p._n 93._o that_o the_o epicurean_a deist_n labour_v to_o have_v their_o vice_n impute_v rather_o to_o a_o superiority_n of_o their_o reason_n above_o that_o of_o other_o than_o to_o a_o servitude_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o their_o own_o passion_n which_o show_v vice_n be_v natural_o esteem_v a_o base_a and_o low_a thing_n it_o be_v but_o too_o plain_a that_o this_o be_v his_o own_o case_n as_o his_o unhappy_a death_n declare_v this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v how_o little_a this_o book_n deserve_v the_o vain_a title_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o reason_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o meet_v with_o any_o book_n which_o have_v less_o right_a to_o so_o high_a a_o pretence_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n but_o of_o one_o thing_n more_o and_o that_o be_v 187._o be_v ibid._n p._n 187._o mr._n gildon_n attempt_n to_o prove_v the_o materiality_n of_o the_o soul_n his_o argument_n be_v as_o unlikely_a to_o prove_v it_o as_o most_o i_o have_v see_v but_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o notion_n to_o be_v absurd_a in_o itself_o and_o impossible_a to_o be_v maintain_v the_o essence_n of_o all_o matter_n must_v be_v the_o same_o whether_o extension_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o be_v assign_v as_o the_o essence_n of_o it_o and_o though_o we_o may_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o essence_n of_o matter_n yet_o we_o know_v it_o can_v be_v essential_a to_o it_o to_o think_v for_o then_o all_o matter_n will_v necessary_o think_v but_o the_o difference_n in_o the_o several_a sort_n of_o matter_n can_v be_v only_o in_o accident_n that_o be_v in_o bulk_n rest_v motion_n situation_n and_o figure_n none_o of_o which_o can_v render_v matter_n capable_a of_o thought_n for_o if_o a_o different_a bulk_n of_o matter_n can_v produce_v think_v in_o it_o and_o the_o subtle_a matter_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o think_v and_o reason_n though_o the_o gross_a can_v then_o the_o part_n of_o a_o stone_n will_v think_v when_o it_o be_v ground_n to_o dust_n though_o when_o they_o be_v join_v and_o compact_v together_o they_o make_v up_o a_o body_n as_o unlikely_a to_o think_v as_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v imagine_v if_o rest_n can_v cause_v matter_n to_o think_v a_o stone_n will_v be_v the_o most_o think_v creature_n in_o the_o world_n if_o motion_n can_v cause_v it_o then_o that_o which_o move_v with_o most_o quickness_n will_v think_v most_o as_o fire_n and_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n but_o motion_n be_v only_o a_o successive_a change_n of_o place_n and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o matter_n shall_v think_v
principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o religion_n but_o when_o miracle_n be_v perform_v which_o both_o for_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o their_o performance_n have_v all_o the_o credibility_n that_o any_o miracle_n can_v have_v if_o it_o be_v real_o wrought_v by_o god_n immediate_a power_n to_o confirm_v a_o revelation_n if_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o prophecy_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v by_o the_o miracle_n if_o they_o be_v do_v public_o before_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o that_o often_o and_o by_o many_o man_n successive_o for_o divers_a age_n together_o and_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o design_n if_o neither_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o nor_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v attest_v by_o they_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o have_v any_o deceit_n or_o defect_n in_o they_o but_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o divine_a and_o most_o worthy_a of_o god_n in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v that_o we_o can_v have_v for_o the_o be_v of_o god_n himself_o for_o if_o these_o miracle_n and_o this_o religion_n be_v not_o from_o god_n we_o must_v suppose_v either_o that_o god_n can_v or_o that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o reveal_v himself_o by_o miracle_n to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o distinguish_v his_o own_o revelation_n from_o imposture_n both_o which_o supposition_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n contrary_a to_o god_n omnipotence_n because_o he_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o can_v exceed_v the_o power_n of_o all_o finite_a being_n and_o contrary_a to_o his_o honour_n and_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n because_o these_o require_v both_o that_o he_o shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o by_o miracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a which_o be_v his_o revelation_n but_o if_o he_o both_o can_v and_o will_v put_v such_o a_o distinction_n between_o false_a miracle_n and_o true_a as_o that_o man_n shall_v not_o except_o it_o be_v by_o their_o own_o fault_n be_v seduce_v by_o false_a miracle_n than_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n concern_v which_o nothing_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v either_o impious_a or_o false_a must_v be_v the_o true_a religion_n for_o we_o have_v see_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n and_o that_o this_o religion_n must_v be_v reveal_v by_o miracle_n and_o we_o have_v the_o goodness_n and_o truth_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n engage_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o false_a miracle_n without_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o that_o religion_n which_o both_o by_o its_o miracle_n and_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n appear_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o be_v so_o must_v certain_o be_v true_a because_o the_o goodness_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v that_o mankind_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o consequence_n shall_v not_o be_v deceive_v without_o their_o own_o fault_n or_o neglect_v by_o imposture_n vent_v under_o his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o ascribe_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n to_o belzebub_n be_v so_o heinous_a above_o all_o other_o crime_n this_o be_v to_o reject_v the_o utmost_a mean_n that_o can_v be_v use_v for_o man_n salvation_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o deny_v the_o attribute_n and_o very_a be_v of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v that_o though_o miracle_n be_v a_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a mean_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v consider_v alone_o but_o in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o proof_n and_o that_o they_o must_v necessary_o be_v true_a miracle_n or_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o establish_v the_o true_a religion_n when_o the_o religion_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o they_o be_v wrought_v can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v false_a either_o by_o any_o defect_n in_o the_o miracle_n or_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n but_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o truth_n because_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n and_o all_o other_o proof_n to_o concur_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o discover_v it_o to_o be_v so_o 3._o how_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v commit_v to_o write_v that_o they_o may_v be_v preserve_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n and_o deliver_v down_o to_o posterity_n and_o that_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a providence_n shall_v be_v concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n for_o whatever_o have_v be_v say_v by_o some_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o conveyance_n of_o doctrine_n beyond_o that_o of_o write_v be_v so_o notorious_o fanciful_a and_o strain_a that_o it_o deserve_v no_o serious_a answer_n for_o till_o man_n shall_v think_v it_o safe_a to_o make_v will_n and_o bequeath_v and_o purchase_v estate_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n rather_o than_o by_o instrument_n in_o write_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o deny_v that_o this_o be_v the_o best_a and_o secure_a way_n of_o conveyance_n that_o can_v be_v take_v so_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n declare_v and_o so_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o world_n find_v it_o to_o be_v in_o thing_n which_o man_n take_v all_o possible_a care_n about_o and_o it_o be_v too_o manifest_a and_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o man_n be_v more_o solicitous_a about_o thing_n temporal_a than_o about_o eternal_a which_o afford_v too_o evident_a a_o confutation_n of_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n upon_o this_o ground_n that_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o be_v thing_n upon_o which_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o mankind_n depend_v now_o go_v write_v it_o before_o they_o in_o a_o table_n and_o note_v it_o in_o a_o book_n that_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o isa_n thirty_o 8._o 4._o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o a_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n because_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v not_o at_o all_o reveal_v himself_o to_o mankind_n we_o can_v suppose_v that_o he_o will_v suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v long_o under_o a_o state_n of_o corruption_n and_o ignorance_n without_o take_v some_o care_n to_o remedy_v it_o by_o put_v man_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o know_v and_o practise_v the_o duty_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n 5._o another_o requisite_a of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v full_o promulge_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n for_o the_o general_a good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n that_o it_o may_v attain_v the_o end_n for_o which_o a_o revelation_n must_v be_v design_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n part_n ii_o from_z what_o have_v be_v already_o discourse_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v requisite_a in_o a_o divine_a revelation_n i._o antiquity_n ii_o promulgation_n iii_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n in_o proof_n of_o its_o authority_n iv_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o divine_a revelation_n must_v be_v righteous_a and_o holy_a consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o suitable_a to_o their_o condition_n to_o who_o it_o be_v make_v and_o every_o way_n such_o as_o may_v answer_v the_o design_n of_o a_o revelation_n chap._n i._n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n that_o god_n will_v not_o so_o whole_o neglect_v mankind_n as_o to_o take_v no_o care_n to_o discover_v and_o reveal_v his_o will_n and_o commandment_n to_o the_o world_n so_o when_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o order_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o he_o will_v defer_v it_o so_o long_o before_o he_o make_v know_v his_o will_n as_o till_o the_o date_n of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n among_o the_o heathen_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o some_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v much_o the_o ancient_a book_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v that_o the_o work_n in_o this_o kind_n or_o indeed_o in_o any_o other_o of_o any_o heathen_a author_n can_v be_v compare_v with_o
the_o pentateuch_n for_o antiquity_n and_o the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o book_n be_v one_o considerable_a circumstance_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v convince_v that_o they_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o if_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v long_o in_o a_o state_n of_o ignorance_n and_o wickedness_n without_o a_o revelation_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o to_o be_v lose_v and_o therefore_o a_o book_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o be_v so_o much_o the_o ancient_a in_o the_o world_n be_v constant_o receive_v as_o a_o divine_a revelation_n carry_v great_a evidence_n with_o it_o that_o it_o be_v authentic_a for_o the_o first_o revelation_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v be_v to_o be_v the_o criterion_n of_o all_o that_o follow_v and_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o ancient_a book_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n to_o pass_v all_o along_o under_o the_o notion_n and_o title_n of_o a_o revelation_n without_o cause_v some_o discovery_n to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o imposture_n if_o there_o be_v any_o in_o it_o much_o less_o will_v he_o preserve_v it_o by_o a_o particular_a and_o signal_n providence_n for_o so_o many_o age_n it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o have_v stand_v the_o test_n and_o receive_v the_o approbation_n of_o so_o many_o age_n and_o still_o retain_v their_o authority_n though_o so_o many_o ill_a man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v make_v it_o their_o endeavour_n to_o disprove_v they_o but_o it_o be_v still_o a_o further_a evidence_n in_o behalf_n of_o they_o that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o show_v so_o remarkable_a a_o providence_n in_o their_o preservation_n the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n be_v from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o he_o relate_v the_o intercourse_n which_o from_o the_o beginning_n pass_v between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o this_o may_v be_v deliver_v down_o either_o by_o write_v or_o by_o tradition_n till_o moses_n time_n for_o methuselah_n live_v with_o adam_n and_o shem_n with_o methuselah_n isaac_n with_o shem_n and_o amram_v the_o father_n of_o moses_n live_v with_o the_o patriarch_n the_o son_n of_o jacob_n the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o the_o manifestation_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v of_o himself_o to_o their_o forefather_n can_v not_o be_v unknown_a to_o that_o age_n such_o a_o posterity_n can_v not_o but_o be_v zealous_a to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o so_o great_a honour_n and_o blessing_n and_o their_o live_n in_o goshen_n separate_v from_o the_o egyptian_n do_v much_o contribute_v to_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o antiquity_n for_o there_o they_o live_v in_o expectation_n of_o a_o deliverance_n and_o of_o see_v the_o prophecy_n fulfil_v that_o be_v make_v to_o their_o forefather_n concern_v it_o the_o famous_a prediction_n make_v to_o abraham_n gen._n xv_o 13._o can_v not_o be_v forget_v in_o so_o few_o generation_n for_o the_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v as_o it_o be_v there_o foretell_v it_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o four_o generation_n reckon_v from_o isaac_n the_o first_o of_o the_o promise_a seed_n to_o moses_n exclusive_o exod._n vi_fw-la 16._o moses_n seem_v to_o refer_v to_o some_o thing_n that_o happen_v near_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n as_o well_o know_v in_o his_o own_o time_n as_o gen._n four_o 22._o where_o he_o say_v the_o sister_n of_o tubal_n cain_n be_v naamah_n for_o no_o probable_a account_n can_v be_v give_v why_o naamah_n shall_v be_v mention_v but_o because_o her_o name_n be_v then_o well_o know_v among_o the_o israelite_n for_o some_o reason_n which_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v we_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o but_o which_o serve_v to_o confirm_v to_o they_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o relation_n some_o have_v deliver_v that_o naamah_n by_o her_o beauty_n entice_v the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o the_o posterity_n of_o seth_n to_o commit_v idolatry_n gen._n vi_fw-la 2._o and_o so_o gen._n xi_o 29._o we_o read_v that_o haran_n be_v the_o father_n of_o ischa_n as_o well_o as_o of_o milcah_n and_o gen._n xxxvi_o 24._o this_o be_v that_o anah_n that_o find_v the_o mule_n or_o the_o hotbath_n or_o that_o fall_v upon_o the_o emims_n or_o giant_n mention_v deut._n two_o 10_o 11._o however_o the_o word_n be_v understand_v in_o the_o wilderness_n as_o he_o feed_v the_o ass_n of_o zibeon_n his_o father_n these_o and_o such_o like_a particular_n must_v have_v be_v preserve_v and_o common_o know_v among_o the_o israelite_n and_o be_v therefore_o insert_v to_o serve_v as_o epocha_n and_o note_n of_o remembrance_n for_o the_o better_a understanding_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n the_o story_n and_o manner_n of_o life_n of_o nimrod_n be_v convey_v in_o a_o proverb_n wherefore_o it_o be_v say_v even_o as_o nimrod_n the_o mighty_a hunter_n before_o the_o lord_n gen._n x._o 9_o and_o the_o remembrance_n of_o abraham_n offer_v up_o his_o son_n be_v retain_v both_o by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n and_o by_o a_o proverbial_a say_v and_o abraham_n call_v the_o name_n of_o that_o place_n jehovah-jireh_a as_o it_o be_v say_v to_o this_o day_n in_o the_o mount_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o shall_v be_v see_v gen._n xxii_o 14._o and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o there_o be_v other_o the_o like_a remembrance_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a transaction_n josephus_n have_v prove_v that_o author_n of_o all_o nation_n agree_v that_o in_o ancient_a time_n man_n live_v to_o the_o age_n of_o about_o a_o thousand_o year_n and_o some_o be_v know_v to_o have_v live_v to_o a_o very_a great_a age_n in_o latter_a time_n but_o however_o it_o have_v be_v more_o serviceable_a to_o moses_n purpose_n if_o he_o have_v have_v any_o other_o design_n but_o truth_n that_o man_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v so_o long_o live_v for_o when_o he_o have_v so_o much_o scope_n for_o his_o invention_n if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o invention_n of_o his_o own_o he_o will_v never_o have_v fix_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n at_o the_o distance_n of_o so_o few_o generation_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o he_o write_v but_o will_v rather_o have_v make_v the_o generation_n of_o man_n more_o and_o their_o life_n short_a that_o so_o he_o may_v the_o better_o have_v conceal_v his_o fiction_n in_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a relation_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v deliver_v through_o so_o many_o hand_n down_o to_o that_o age._n the_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o moses_n be_v more_o than_o it_o be_v from_o the_o conqust_n to_o the_o present_a age_n but_o half_o of_o this_o time_n noah_n himself_o be_v live_v and_o therefore_o allow_v for_o the_o great_a length_n of_o man_n life_n in_o those_o age_n than_o in_o we_o the_o time_n when_o moses_n write_v not_o be_v compute_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o the_o flood_n as_o we_o be_v at_o from_o the_o reformation_n but_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o make_v any_o man_n of_o tolerable_a sense_n among_o we_o believe_v that_o henry_n viii_o be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o england_n that_o he_o live_v above_o seven_o hundred_o year_n ago_o that_o there_o be_v a_o deluge_n since_o his_o time_n which_o sweep_v all_o the_o inhabitant_n away_o of_o this_o island_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o but_o some_o seven_o or_o eight_o person_n and_o that_o all_o who_o we_o now_o see_v be_v bear_v of_o they_o and_o yet_o this_o as_o ridiculous_a as_o it_o seem_v be_v not_o more_o absurd_a than_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o flood_n must_v have_v be_v to_o those_o of_o his_o own_o time_n if_o it_o be_v false_a for_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o think_v as_o josephus_n inform_v we_o that_o write_v be_v in_o use_n before_o the_o flood_n and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a as_o some_o have_v conjecture_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v for_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o deliver_v down_o to_o moses_n time_n in_o verse_n which_o be_v the_o most_o easy_a to_o be_v remember_v and_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o sort_n of_o write_v and_o be_v at_o first_o chief_o use_v for_o matter_n of_o history_n and_o consist_v of_o plain_a narration_n without_o much_o of_o art_n or_o ornament_n we_o read_v of_o instrumental_a music_n gen._n four_o 21._o before_o the_o flood_n and_o vocal_a music_n be_v so_o much_o more_o natural_a than_o instrumental_a it_o be_v likely_a that_o poetry_n be_v of_o as_o great_a antiquity_n both_o in_o their_o hymn_n and_o praise_n of_o god_n and_o as_o a_o help_n to_o their_o memory_n which_o be_v the_o two_o end_n to_o which_o moses_n
to_o lose_v so_o many_o talent_n and_o to_o want_v their_o help_n in_o the_o war_n and_o to_o venture_v the_o ravage_v that_o such_o a_o army_n who_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o affront_v make_v in_o his_o country_n upon_o the_o prophet_n assure_v he_o that_o god_n will_v give_v he_o the_o victory_n if_o he_o will_v dismiss_v they_o but_o not_o otherwise_o and_o tell_v he_o the_o lord_n be_v able_a to_o give_v thou_o much_o more_o than_o this_o and_o the_o event_n prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n 2_o chron._n twenty-five_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n likewise_o at_o the_o word_n of_o oded_a the_o prophet_n send_v back_o two_o hundred_o thousand_o person_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n with_o great_a spoil_n which_o they_o have_v take_v 2_o chron._n xxviii_o so_o ready_a and_o so_o general_a a_o compliance_n in_o such_o case_n can_v arise_v from_o nothing_o but_o a_o certain_a belief_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o the_o prophet_n deliver_v but_o at_o other_o time_n they_o be_v despise_v and_o persecute_v and_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o prophecy_n be_v not_o only_o attest_v by_o miracle_n and_o justify_v by_o the_o event_n and_o confess_v by_o the_o deference_n and_o respect_n both_o of_o the_o king_n and_o people_n but_o it_o be_v assert_v by_o their_o suffering_n and_o seal_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o be_v at_o last_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o posterity_n of_o those_o who_o have_v slay_v they_o they_o be_v most_o forward_o and_o zealous_a to_o adorn_v the_o tomb_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o their_o forefather_n have_v kill_v and_o to_o die_v in_o vindication_n of_o those_o prophecy_n for_o which_o they_o have_v be_v slay_v there_o be_v a_o constant_a succession_n of_o prophet_n from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n till_o the_o return_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n some_o prophesy_v for_o many_o year_n jeremiah_n for_o above_o one_o and_o forty_o year_n ezekâ—el_n about_o twenty_o year_n the_o least_o time_n assign_v to_o hosea_n prophesy_v be_v forty_o three_o year_n amos_n prophesy_v about_o six_o and_o twenty_o year_n micah_n about_o fifty_o isaiah_n jonah_n and_o daniel_n a_o much_o long_a time_n so_o that_o they_o live_v to_o see_v divers_a of_o their_o own_o prophecy_n fulfil_v and_o to_o have_v suffer_v as_o false_a prophet_n if_o they_o have_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o though_o many_o prophecy_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fulfil_v till_o long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o deliver_v they_o yet_o they_o wrought_v miracle_n or_o they_o foretell_v some_o thing_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v soon_o after_o according_a to_o their_o prediction_n to_o give_v evidence_n to_o their_o authority_n and_o confirm_v their_o divine_a miâ—â—ion_n the_o prophet_n commit_v their_o prophecy_n to_o writing_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o posterity_n isa_n thirty_o 8._o per._n thirty_o 2._o &_o xxxvi_o 32._o hab._n two_o 1_o 2._o and_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n belong_v to_o the_o prophet_n 1_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o 2_o chron._n twelve_o 15._o &_o xiii_o 22._o &_o xx_o 34._o &_o xxvi_o 22._o &_o xxxii_o 32._o and_o both_o in_o their_o prophetical_a and_o historical_a book_n they_o deal_v with_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o sincerity_n they_o record_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o foretell_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n which_o be_v to_o befall_v it_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o they_o leave_v to_o posterity_n a_o relation_n of_o the_o miscarriage_n and_o crime_n of_o their_o best_a prince_n david_n solomon_n and_o other_o who_o be_v type_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o from_o who_o race_n they_o expect_v he_o and_o look_v upon_o the_o glory_n of_o their_o several_a reign_n to_o be_v presage_n of_o his_o be_v yet_o describe_v not_o only_o without_o flattery_n but_o without_o any_o reserve_n or_o extenuation_n they_o write_v as_o man_n who_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o any_o thing_n but_o truth_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o tell_v it_o the_o prophet_n be_v sometime_o command_v to_o seal_v and_o shut_v up_o their_o prophecy_n that_o the_o original_n may_v be_v preserve_v till_o the_o fulfil_n of_o they_o and_o then_o compare_v with_o the_o event_n isai_n viij_o 16._o jer._n xxxii_o 14._o dan._n viij_o 26._o &_o twelve_o 4._o for_o when_o the_o prophecy_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fulfil_v till_o many_o year_n and_o in_o some_o case_n not_o till_o several_a age_n afterward_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o the_o original_a write_n shall_v be_v keep_v with_o all_o care_n but_o when_o the_o time_n be_v so_o near_o at_o hand_n that_o the_o prophecy_n must_v be_v in_o every_o one_o memory_n or_o that_o the_o original_n can_v not_o be_v suspect_v or_o suppose_v to_o be_v lose_v there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o care_n require_v rev._n xxii_o 10._o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v customary_a 5_o customary_a 〈◊〉_d anâ—â—quit_n l._n 11._o c._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d l._n 6._o c._n 5_o for_o the_o propher_n to_o put_v their_o write_n into_o the_o tabernacle_n or_o lay_v they_o up_o before_o the_o lord_n 1_o sam._n x._o 25._o and_o there_o be_v a_o tradition_n 4._o tradition_n epiphan_n de_fw-fr ponderib_n &_o measâ—â—_n c._n 4._o that_o all_o the_o canonical_a book_n as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n be_v put_v into_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark._n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n be_v careful_o preserve_v during_o the_o captivity_n and_o be_v frequent_o refer_v to_o and_o cite_v by_o the_o latter_a prophet_n the_o pentateuch_n have_v be_v already_o speak_v of_o and_o this_o be_v as_o evident_a of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o prophecy_n of_o micah_n be_v quote_v jer._n xxvi_o 18._o a_o little_a before_o the_o captivity_n and_o under_o it_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n be_v cite_v dan._n ix_o 2._o and_o all_o the_o prophet_n v._o 6._o and_o so_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n be_v mention_v neh._n ix_o 26_o 30._o and_o zechariah_n not_o only_o cite_v the_o former_a prophet_n zech._n i_o 4._o but_o suppose_v their_o write_n well_o know_v to_o the_o people_n shall_v you_o not_o hear_v the_o word_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v cry_v by_o the_o former_a prophet_n when_o jerusalem_n be_v inhabit_v and_o in_o prosperity_n chap._n seven_o 7._o the_o prophet_n amos_n be_v likewise_o cite_v tob._n two_o 6._o and_o ionas_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_a chap._n fourteen_o 4_o 5_o 8._o there_o can_v then_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_n but_o that_o ezra_n nehemiah_n daniel_n zechariah_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n be_v very_o careful_a to_o keep_v the_o book_n of_o the_o former_a prophet_n for_o they_o frequent_o cite_v they_o and_o appeal_v to_o they_o and_o expect_a deliverance_n out_o of_o their_o captivity_n by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o and_o perhaps_o from_o the_o original_n themselves_o or_o however_o from_o copy_n take_v by_o ezra_n the_o scribe_n or_o by_o some_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n or_o at_o least_o acknowledge_v for_o genuine_a and_o approve_v of_o by_o they_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n and_o other_o inspire_a write_n be_v preserve_v and_o those_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n be_v add_v to_o they_o and_o all_o together_o make_v up_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n mention_v act._n seven_o 42._o which_o be_v read_v as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n every_o sabbath-day_n act._n xiii_o 27._o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n samuel_n and_o king_n have_v the_o title_n of_o the_o former_a prophet_n in_o the_o hebrew_n bibles_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o the_o book_n which_o they_o set_v out_o under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n isaiah_n jeremiah_n etc._n etc._n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n and_o judge_n have_v be_v already_o speak_v of_o the_o book_n of_o samuel_n be_v write_v by_o samuel_n nathan_n and_o gad_n 1_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o from_o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n to_o the_o 25_o chapter_n be_v write_v by_o samuel_n himself_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o and_o the_o whole_a second_o book_n by_o nathan_n and_o gad_n but_o samuel_n be_v a_o person_n so_o much_o concern_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o history_n and_o have_v write_v so_o much_o of_o it_o out_o of_o respect_n to_o he_o the_o whole_a two_o book_n go_v under_o his_o name_n though_o indeed_o the_o jew_n ancient_o reckon_v both_o the_o book_n of_o samuel_n as_o one_o book_n and_o aquila_n as_o theodorit_n have_v observe_v make_v no_o distinction_n between_o the_o first_o and_o second_o book_n of_o samuel_n follow_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o his_o time_n and_o in_o our_o hebrew_a bibles_n though_o they_o be_v distinguish_v yet_o they_o be_v
of_o babylon_n and_o be_v carry_v to_o babylon_n ezekiel_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o see_v babylon_n jeremiah_n that_o he_o shall_v die_v in_o peace_n and_o be_v bury_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ancestor_n ezekiel_n that_o he_o shall_v die_v at_o babylon_n and_o if_o we_o compare_v all_o this_o with_o the_o history_n nothing_o ever_o be_v more_o punctual_o fulfil_v for_o zedekiah_n see_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n who_o command_v his_o eye_n to_o be_v put_v out_o before_o he_o be_v bring_v to_o babylon_n and_o he_o die_v there_o but_o die_v peaceable_o and_o be_v suffer_v to_o have_v the_o usual_a funeral_n solemnity_n 2_o king_n twenty-five_o 6_o 7._o and_o therefore_o both_o prophecy_n prove_v true_a in_o the_o event_n which_o seem_v before_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a and_o so_o critical_a a_o exactness_n in_o every_o minute_n circumstance_n in_o prophecy_n deliver_v by_o two_o person_n who_o be_v before_o think_v to_o contradict_v each_o other_o be_v such_o a_o conviction_n to_o the_o jew_n after_o they_o have_v see_v they_o so_o punctual_o fulfil_v in_o their_o captivity_n that_o they_o can_v no_o long_o doubt_n but_o that_o both_o be_v from_o god_n jeremiah_n foretell_v also_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o that_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v restore_v after_o a_o captivity_n of_o seventy_o year_n these_o nation_n shall_v serve_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n seventy_o year_n and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v when_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v that_o i_o will_v punish_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n and_o that_o nation_n say_v the_o lord_n for_o their_o iniquity_n and_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n jer._n twenty-five_o 11_o 12._o for_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n that_o after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v at_o babylon_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o perform_v my_o good_a word_n towards_o you_o in_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n jer._n xxix_o 10._o and_o this_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n the_o jew_n depend_v upon_o under_o the_o captivity_n dan._n ix_o 2._o zech._n i._n 12._o and_o it_o be_v exact_o fulfil_v to_o they_o the_o generation_n of_o nebuchadnezzar_n posterity_n that_o shall_v succeed_v he_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o monarchy_n be_v foretell_v jer._n xxvii_o 7._o the_o destruction_n of_o babylon_n with_o the_o manner_n of_o take_v the_o city_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v and_o describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n agree_v punctual_o with_o the_o account_n of_o it_o by_o 191._o by_o 〈◊〉_d â—odoâ—_n 〈◊〉_d c._n 191._o herodotus_n one_o post_n shall_v run_v to_o meet_v another_o and_o one_o messenger_n to_o meet_v another_o to_o show_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n that_o his_o city_n be_v take_v at_o one_o end_n and_o that_o the_o passage_n be_v stop_v and_o the_o reed_n they_o have_v burn_v with_o sire_n and_o the_o man_n of_o war_n be_v affright_v and_o this_o be_v declare_v in_o a_o memorable_a and_o solemn_a manner_n by_o write_v it_o down_o and_o by_o cast_v the_o book_n into_o euphrates_n jer._n li._n 31_o 32_o 62_o 63._o the_o destruction_n of_o tyre_n and_o zidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n and_o the_o restoration_n of_o the_o egyptian_n after_o forty_o year_n ezek._n xxviii_o 19_o &_o xxix_o 12_o 13._o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o of_o the_o sanctuary_n by_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n with_o the_o death_n of_o antiochus_n and_o a_o description_n of_o his_o temper_n and_o of_o his_o very_a countenance_n be_v clear_o deliver_v by_o daniel_n four_o hundred_o and_o eight_o year_n 11._o year_n joseph_n antiquit._n l._n 11._o c._n 11._o before_o the_o accomplishment_n dan._n viij_o daniel_n likewise_o describe_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n the_o restoration_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o rebuilding_n of_o their_o city_n and_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o precise_a time_n of_o it_o and_o alexander_n the_o great_a be_v say_v 8._o say_v ibid._n l._n 11._o c._n 8._o to_o have_v be_v encourage_v by_o daniel_n prophecy_n in_o his_o expedition_n indeed_o his_o prophecy_n and_o the_o history_n of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n be_v so_o exact_o parallel_v that_o porphyry_n can_v find_v no_o other_o evasion_n but_o to_o say_v that_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v write_v after_o the_o event_n which_o as_o grotius_n observe_v be_v as_o absurd_a as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v maintain_v that_o the_o work_n of_o virgil_n be_v not_o write_v under_o augustus_n but_o after_o his_o time_n for_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v as_o public_a and_o as_o much_o disperse_v and_o as_o universal_o receive_v as_o ever_o any_o book_n can_v be_v last_o haggai_n and_o malachi_n prophesy_v that_o christ_n shall_v come_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n hag._n two_o 7_o 9_o mal._n iii._o 1._o and_o hosea_n foretell_v the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o those_o remarkable_a word_n they_o shall_v be_v night-wanderer_n among_o the_o nation_n hos_fw-la ix_o 17._o not_o to_o insist_v therefore_o upon_o other_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n which_o be_v concern_v thing_n of_o lesser_a moment_n or_o less_o remarkable_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n these_o may_v suffice_v which_o be_v of_o that_o public_a nature_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o deceit_n or_o mistake_n in_o they_o multitude_n of_o man_n who_o prejudice_n or_o malice_n have_v prepare_v to_o make_v the_o utmost_a discovery_n be_v witness_n to_o the_o miracle_n and_o both_o the_o prophecy_n themselves_o and_o the_o fulfil_v of_o they_o be_v notorious_a to_o other_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o they_o be_v deliver_v and_o in_o who_o hand_n they_o have_v ever_o since_o be_v be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath-day_n the_o jew_n have_v as_o good_a evidence_n for_o instance_n that_o elijah_n wrought_v his_o miracle_n as_o they_o can_v have_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o when_o the_o public_a transaction_n and_o council_n of_o prince_n the_o fate_n and_o revolution_n of_o empire_n with_o the_o prefix_v time_n and_o place_n and_o the_o very_a name_n of_o the_o person_n be_v so_o particular_o foretell_v two_o or_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v we_o may_v as_o well_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o history_n as_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o revelation_n for_o indeed_o they_o be_v the_o history_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v set_v down_o in_o the_o very_a circumstance_n in_o which_o they_o afterward_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v and_o yet_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v dispute_v whether_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o elijah_n or_o such_o a_o prince_n as_o josiah_n or_o cyrus_n he_o will_v but_o make_v himself_o ridiculous_a but_o if_o he_o deny_v that_o elijah_n wrought_v such_o miracle_n or_o that_o isaiah_n speak_v of_o cyrus_n and_o another_o prophet_n of_o josiah_n by_o inspiration_n perhaps_o he_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v make_v some_o great_a discovery_n and_o to_o know_v something_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o shall_v be_v likely_a to_o meet_v with_o applause_n instead_o of_o that_o contempt_n which_o such_o pretence_n deserve_v so_o strange_o partial_a be_v man_n for_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v but_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o man_n to_o bring_v better_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v such_o man_n as_o elijah_n and_o josiah_n and_o cyrus_n than_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o show_v that_o the_o latter_a be_v by_o name_n prophesy_v of_o long_a before_o their_o birth_n and_o that_o the_o first_o wrought_v all_o the_o miracle_n relate_v of_o he_o or_o to_o produce_v clear_a evidence_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o reign_n of_o cyrus_n than_o we_o have_v that_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n with_o their_o restoration_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v foretell_v by_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n do_v their_o miracle_n in_o the_o most_o public_a manner_n and_o their_o prophecy_n be_v deliver_v not_o in_o corner_n but_o open_o before_o all_o the_o people_n not_o in_o obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a word_n but_o in_o plain_a term_n with_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o person_n and_o time_n and_o place_n they_o be_v keep_v they_o be_v read_v and_o study_v by_o that_o very_a people_n who_o at_o first_o as_o little_o regard_v they_o as_o any_o man_n now_o among_o we_o can_v do_v but_o slay_v the_o prophet_n themselves_o and_o reject_v their_o prophecy_n with_o rage_n and_o indignation_n but_o be_v afterward_o by_o the_o event_n of_o thing_n so_o full_o convince_v which_o be_v likewise_o foretell_v ezek._n xxxiii_o 33._o of_o their_o
become_v so_o much_o admire_v and_o magnify_v by_o the_o people_n that_o they_o bring_v forth_o the_o sick_a into_o the_o street_n and_o lay_v they_o on_o bed_n and_o couch_n that_o at_o the_o least_o the_o shadow_n of_o peter_n pass_v by_o may_v overshadow_v some_o of_o they_o there_o come_v also_o a_o multitude_n out_o of_o the_o city_n round_o about_o unto_o jerusalem_n bring_v sick_a folk_n and_o they_o which_o be_v vex_v with_o unclean_a spirit_n and_o they_o be_v heal_v every_o one_o act_v v._o 15_o 16._o and_o in_o this_o manner_n the_o apostle_n continue_v several_a year_n in_o jerusalem_n do_v miracle_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o before_o all_o people_n and_o the_o same_o miraculous_a power_n manifest_v itself_o at_o ephesus_n where_o god_n wrought_v special_a miracle_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o paul_n so_o that_o from_o his_o body_n be_v bring_v unto_o the_o sick_a handkerchief_n or_o apron_n and_o the_o disease_n depart_v from_o they_o and_o the_o evil_a spirit_n go_v out_o of_o they_o act_v nineteeen_o 11_o 12._o so_o impossible_a be_v it_o for_o the_o apostle_n to_o deceive_v those_o before_o who_o their_o miracle_n be_v so_o frequent_o and_o public_o wrought_v and_o yet_o it_o must_v be_v much_o more_o impossible_a if_o any_o thing_n more_o impossible_a can_v be_v suppose_v to_o deceive_v those_o upon_o who_o their_o miracle_n have_v the_o effect_n of_o restore_v to_o they_o the_o use_n of_o their_o foot_n their_o sight_n and_o their_o health_n and_o even_o of_o raise_v they_o again_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o indeed_o none_o of_o the_o adversary_n of_o old_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ever_o deny_v but_o that_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n they_o only_o dispute_v the_o power_n by_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v they_o never_o question_v the_o reality_n of_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o these_o wondrous_a work_n be_v write_v soon_o after_o the_o thing_n relate_v have_v be_v do_v and_o these_o book_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o heathen_n and_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o christian_n and_o neither_o the_o jew_n nor_o the_o heathen_n can_v deny_v but_o that_o such_o work_n have_v be_v do_v they_o only_o cavil_v at_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n by_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v which_o how_o groundless_a and_o unreasonable_a soever_o it_o be_v yet_o be_v the_o only_a evasion_n they_o can_v have_v when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o christian_n if_o they_o have_v deny_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n who_o do_v the_o like_a miracle_n every_o day_n to_o confute_v they_o for_o ii_o the_o apostle_n not_o only_o wrought_v miracle_n themselves_o but_o convey_v to_o other_o a_o power_n of_o work_v they_o thus_o when_o st._n peter_n be_v send_v for_o to_o cornelius_n the_o holy_a ghost_n fall_v on_o all_o they_o which_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n and_o magnify_v god_n act._n x._o 44_o 46._o and_o so_o at_o ephesus_n the_o holy_a ghost_n come_v on_o those_o who_o st._n paul_n have_v lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o and_o they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n and_o prophesy_v act_v nineteeen_o 6._o and_o this_o miraculous_a power_n be_v in_o that_o evident_a manner_n receive_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o simon_n magus_n offer_v they_o money_n to_o purchase_v it_o act_n viij_o 18._o now_o as_o the_o apostle_n can_v neither_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o do_v nor_o deceive_v those_o before_o who_o they_o be_v perform_v and_o upon_o who_o they_o be_v wrought_v so_o certain_o they_o can_v never_o deceive_v such_o as_o they_o confer_v this_o gift_n upon_o when_o they_o not_o only_o do_v all_o sort_n of_o miracle_n and_o speak_v all_o language_n themselves_o but_o convey_v a_o power_n likewise_o upon_o other_o of_o speak_v and_o do_v as_o themselves_o do_v this_o be_v still_o a_o further_a evidence_n that_o all_o their_o pretence_n be_v real_a beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o deceit_n deceiver_n will_v never_o have_v do_v their_o miracle_n so_o open_o and_o so_o frequent_o at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o place_n they_o will_v never_o have_v pretend_v to_o a_o gift_n of_o tongue_n at_o a_o festival_n where_o man_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v meet_v together_o so_o that_o they_o can_v attempt_v to_o speak_v in_o no_o strange_a language_n but_o some_o present_n will_v have_v discover_v they_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o speak_v it_o but_o they_o will_v least_o of_o all_o have_v pretend_v to_o enable_v other_o in_o a_o instant_n to_o work_v the_o same_o wonder_n and_o speak_v the_o same_o tongue_n only_o by_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o they_o man_n that_o will_v attempt_v all_o this_o though_o they_o be_v unable_a to_o perform_v it_o must_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v capable_a of_o discourse_v and_o write_v as_o the_o apostle_n do_v that_o they_o must_v be_v void_a even_o of_o common_a sense_n and_o if_o they_o can_v succeed_v in_o their_o design_n and_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o they_o do_v act_n and_o speak_v in_o this_o manner_n when_o they_o do_v not_o they_o must_v have_v a_o power_n over_o the_o understanding_n and_o sense_n of_o all_o with_o who_o they_o converse_v which_o be_v as_o strange_a even_o as_o this_o miraculous_a power_n itself_o they_o must_v work_v miracle_n either_o upon_o the_o object_n of_o sense_n or_o upon_o the_o sense_n themselves_o for_o in_o this_o case_n they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v able_a so_o much_o as_o to_o deceive_v without_o a_o miracle_n and_o since_o god_n will_v never_o have_v empower_v they_o to_o work_v miracle_n to_o deceive_v we_o be_v certain_a that_o their_o miracle_n be_v all_o wrought_v for_o that_o intent_n and_o purpose_n which_o they_o make_v profession_n of_o and_o to_o confirm_v that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o teach_v and_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n which_o now_o descend_v from_o heaven_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v convey_v by_o they_o to_o other_o continue_v for_o some_o age_n in_o the_o church_n and_o approve_a itself_o to_o the_o worst_a enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n in_o such_o instance_n as_o must_v make_v they_o most_o concern_v to_o examine_v it_o 21._o it_o minut._n faelix_fw-la lactant._n lib._n two_o c._n 15._o etc._n etc._n 21._o several_a of_o the_o primitive_a writer_n witness_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o notorious_a than_o that_o the_o devil_n be_v wont_a to_o cry_v out_o for_o very_a anguish_n and_o torment_n when_o they_o be_v adjure_v by_o the_o true_a god_n 23._o god_n apolog_fw-la c._n 23._o and_o tertullian_n make_v public_a challenge_n to_o the_o heathen_n that_o if_o they_o will_v but_o admit_v they_o this_o trial_n the_o christian_n will_v undertake_v to_o make_v their_o most_o famous_a deity_n acknowledge_v the_o power_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o make_v their_o very_a god_n confess_v themselves_o to_o be_v wicked_a and_o seduce_a spirit_n or_o else_o they_o will_v be_v content_v to_o be_v slay_v upon_o the_o place_n and_o this_o he_o write_v under_o persecution_n and_o in_o apology_n dedicate_v and_o present_v to_o their_o persecutor_n themselves_o and_o indeed_o the_o oracle_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n soon_o begin_v to_o fail_v so_o as_o they_o have_v be_v never_o know_v to_o do_v before_o for_o their_o power_n begin_v to_o abate_v and_o decay_v upon_o the_o approach_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n into_o the_o world_n till_o by_o degree_n they_o quite_o cease_v which_o the_o heathen_n wonder_v at_o and_o be_v much_o perplex_v about_o it_o as_o we_o learn_v from_o what_o defecta_fw-la what_o cicer._n de_fw-fr divinat_fw-la plutarch_n de_fw-fr oracul_fw-la defecta_fw-la they_o have_v leave_v write_v upon_o that_o subject_n and_o though_o julian_n the_o apostate_n use_v all_o the_o way_n that_o he_o can_v think_v of_o to_o bring_v they_o into_o credit_n again_o he_o be_v never_o able_a to_o elect_v it_o but_o the_o most_o famous_a of_o they_o confess_v to_o he_o when_o he_o consult_v it_o that_o a_o miraculous_a and_o divine_a power_n reside_v in_o the_o remain_v of_o a_o christian_a martyr_n after_o his_o death_n will_v suffer_v no_o answer_n to_o be_v give_v and_o it_o be_v so_o remarkable_a that_o i_o must_v mention_v it_o once_o more_o that_o when_o the_o same_o apostate_n emperor_n in_o hatred_n and_o despite_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n become_v a_o great_a patron_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o encourage_v they_o to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n great_a ball_n of_o fire_n break_v forth_o under_o the_o foundation_n and_o destroy_v both_o the_o work_n itself_o and_o the_o person_n employ_v in_o it_o and_o this_o we_o have_v relate_v not_o only_o by_o several_a christian_a writer_n that_o live_v about_o that_o time_n but_o by_o a_o 1._o a_o ammian_a
areopagite_n sergius_n paulus_n simon_n magus_n felix_n king_n agrippa_n tertullus_n gallio_n and_o other_o be_v name_n of_o too_o great_a note_n and_o fame_n to_o be_v use_v in_o a_o false_a story_n in_o which_o they_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v and_o all_o their_o proceed_n in_o the_o court_n of_o judicature_n be_v keep_v upon_o record_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v pretend_v without_o be_v discover_v by_o those_o who_o always_o have_v so_o many_o adversary_n the_o miraculous_a power_n bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v chief_o employ_v in_o cure_v disease_n and_o for_o the_o health_n and_o preservation_n of_o mankind_n but_o they_o have_v a_o power_n of_o inflict_a disease_n likewise_o and_o death_n itself_o upon_o just_a occasion_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n act._n v._o of_o elymas_n the_o sorcerer_n act_v xiii_o and_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a 1_o cor._n v._o and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v by_o private_a man_n and_o divulge_v to_o the_o world_n with_o the_o name_n of_o the_o person_n who_o inflict_v disease_n and_o death_n itself_o and_o of_o those_o on_o who_o they_o be_v inflict_v this_o be_v a_o evidence_n both_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o of_o the_o power_n by_o which_o it_o be_v do_v for_o no_o author_n can_v think_v to_o serve_v his_o friend_n or_o his_o cause_n by_o relate_v thing_n of_o this_o nature_n unless_o they_o have_v be_v evident_o do_v in_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n and_o by_o a_o divine_a commission_n and_o authority_n the_o conversion_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o memorable_a both_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o for_o the_o business_n he_o be_v go_v about_o and_o the_o person_n that_o employ_v he_o and_o for_o his_o know_a zeal_n at_o other_o time_n in_o persecute_v the_o church_n that_o st._n paul_n appeal_v to_o king_n agrippa_n as_o one_o who_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o a_o thing_n so_o notorious_a act_v xxvi_o 26._o and_o it_o be_v the_o great_a providence_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n that_o a_o man_n so_o well_o know_v and_o esteem_v by_o the_o pharisee_n and_o chief_a priest_n before_o his_o conversion_n shall_v be_v the_o great_a instrument_n both_o by_o his_o preach_a and_o write_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o both_o his_o epistle_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n have_v the_o same_o proof_n from_o the_o observation_n already_o mention_v concern_v the_o name_n and_o character_n of_o person_n and_o other_o circumstance_n and_o they_o be_v always_o read_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n and_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v read_v in_o they_o coloss_n four_o 16.1_o thess_n v._o 27._o and_o the_o writing_n both_o of_o he_o and_o of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v cite_v by_o author_n contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n by_o barnabas_n a_o apostle_n himself_o and_o by_o clemens_n romanus_n ignatius_n polycarp_n etc._n etc._n and_o they_o have_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o genuine_a work_n of_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v both_o by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n and_o particular_o by_o tryphon_n the_o jew_n in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o justin_n martyr_n and_o by_o julian_n x._o julian_n apud_fw-la cyril_n lib._n x._o the_o apostate_n it_o be_v enough_o in_o this_o place_n to_o observe_v that_o except_v some_o very_a few_o book_n of_o which_o a_o account_n shall_v elsewhere_o be_v give_v the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v receive_v as_o genuine_a from_o their_o first_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n during_o the_o life_n of_o their_o several_a author_n and_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o for_o such_o through_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o main_a they_o have_v be_v so_o unanimous_o receive_v and_o so_o full_o attest_v by_o christian_n that_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n themselves_o never_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v genuine_a nor_o ever_o pretend_v the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v false_a or_o doubtful_a 29._o euseb_n lib._n iii._o c._n 29._o many_o of_o the_o eye-witness_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n live_v to_o a_o great_a age_n st._n john_n himself_o above_o a_o hundred_o year_n and_o he_o preach_v the_o gospel_n above_o seventy_o year_n simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleopas_n live_v to_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n and_o polycarp_n the_o disciple_n of_o st._n john_n to_o fourscore_o and_o six_o of_o who_o 20._o who_o id._n lib._n v._o c._n 20._o iraenaeus_fw-la in_o his_o epistle_n to_o florinus_n a_o marcionite_n declare_v that_o he_o remember_v exact_o what_o he_o have_v hear_v polycarp_n discourse_n concern_v the_o account_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o st._n john_n and_o other_o who_o have_v converse_v with_o christ_n and_o that_o it_o differ_v in_o nothing_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o beside_o the_o inspire_a write_n the_o chief_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v testify_v in_o apology_n write_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n themselves_o 57_o themselves_o euseb_n hist_o lib._n four_o c._n 3._o vid._n irenae_n lib._n two_o c._n 56_o 57_o qudaratus_n bishop_n of_o athens_n in_o his_o apology_n to_o adrian_n declare_v that_o person_n who_o have_v be_v heal_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o other_o that_o have_v be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a by_o he_o be_v still_o live_v in_o his_o time_n aristides_n present_v a_o apology_n to_o the_o same_o emperor_n justin_n martyr_n write_v two_o apology_n the_o first_o dedicate_v to_o antoninus_n pius_n and_o his_o two_o son_n and_o the_o roman_a senate_n the_o latter_a to_o m._n antoninus_n and_o the_o senate_n 26._o senate_n euseb_n lib._n four_o c._n 26._o melito_n bishop_n of_o sardis_n and_o apollinaris_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n likewise_o write_v a_o vindication_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o m._n antoninus_n athenagoras_n offer_v his_o apology_n to_o m._n aurelius_n and_o commodus_n 17._o commodus_n euseb_n lib._n v._o c._n 17._o meltiades_n to_o commodus_n or_o to_o the_o deputy_n of_o the_o province_n 21._o province_n hier._n catai_n euseb_n lib._n v._o c._n 21._o apollonius_n a_o roman_a senator_n make_v a_o public_a defence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o senate_n of_o rome_n and_o tertullian_n present_v his_o apology_n to_o the_o senate_n or_o to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o province_n and_o the_o apologist_n do_v not_o dwell_v only_o upon_o general_n but_o descend_v to_o such_o particular_n as_o to_o appeal_v to_o the_o public_a record_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v concern_v the_o place_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n and_o his_o resurrection_n so_o that_o the_o principle_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v from_o the_o beginning_n assert_v in_o public_a write_n dedicate_v and_o present_v to_o the_o heathen_a themselves_o who_o be_v most_o concern_v and_o most_o capable_a of_o disprove_v it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a 10._o false_a euseb_n lib._n ix_o c._n 5._o &_o 10._o and_o though_o the_o act_n which_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o emperor_n maximin_n and_o pretend_v to_o be_v pilat_n be_v by_o his_o command_n send_v into_o all_o the_o province_n of_o his_o empire_n and_o publish_v in_o all_o place_n and_o order_v to_o be_v teach_v child_n and_o to_o be_v learn_v by_o heart_n by_o they_o yet_o all_o this_o malicious_a care_n and_o contrivance_n be_v ineffectual_a to_o the_o suppress_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o waâ—_n so_o well_o attest_v and_o so_o full_o publish_v among_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o extirpate_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o this_o emperor_n himself_o as_o i_o before_o show_v be_v by_o miraculous_a disease_n inflict_v on_o he_o force_v to_o retract_v by_o a_o public_a edict_n his_o practice_n against_o christianity_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o his_o sin_n and_o blasphemy_n against_o christ_n be_v the_o just_a cause_n of_o his_o punishment_n chap._n xviii_o of_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o scripture_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o considerate_a man_n to_o contain_v excellent_a rule_n and_o precept_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o it_o be_v to_o these_o we_o owe_v the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n we_o enjoy_v even_o in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v therefore_o the_o interest_n of_o every_o good_a and_o prudent_a man_n to_o wish_v the_o christian_a religion_n true_a though_o it_o be_v not_o so_o and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n to_o wish_v it_o false_a but_o our_o own_o sin_n and_o folly_n and_o this_o of_o itself_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o
error_n and_o both_o he_o and_o socrates_n practise_v the_o idolatry_n of_o their_o country_n they_o assert_v many_o excellent_a truth_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v as_o they_o profess_v from_o antiquity_n but_o whenever_o they_o argue_v any_o point_n they_o common_o fall_v into_o mistake_n which_o oftentimes_o be_v of_o very_o ill_a consequence_n so_o weak_a a_o thing_n be_v humane_a wisdom_n without_o the_o guidance_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o of_o this_o the_o philosopher_n be_v so_o sensible_a that_o divers_a of_o they_o will_v have_v it_o think_v that_o they_o have_v some_o supernatural_a assistance_n though_o they_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v no_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o it_o the_o pretence_n of_o other_o deserve_v no_o regard_n their_o imposture_n be_v too_o notorious_a to_o admit_v of_o any_o denial_n or_o excuse_n the_o genius_n of_o socrates_n may_v be_v suppose_v worthy_a of_o more_o consideration_n yet_o it_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o socrates_n declare_v that_o a_o certain_a genius_n have_v accompany_v he_o from_o his_o childhood_n which_o often_o forbid_v he_o to_o do_v what_o he_o have_v design_v but_o never_o put_v he_o upon_o do_v of_o any_o thing_n and_o by_o the_o information_n of_o this_o genius_n he_o often_o forewarn_v his_o friend_n of_o the_o ill_a success_n of_o what_o they_o be_v about_o to_o undertake_v but_o after_o the_o best_a search_n i_o have_v be_v able_a to_o make_v concern_v this_o genius_n of_o socrates_n i_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o intricate_a and_o perplex_a business_n it_o may_v suffice_v in_o this_o place_n to_o observe_v that_o 111._o that_o xenoph._n de_fw-fr exp_v cyri._fw-la lib._n 111._o xenophon_n acquaint_v we_o that_o when_o he_o advise_v with_o socrates_n whether_o he_o shall_v follow_v cyrus_n in_o his_o expedition_n socrates_n send_v he_o to_o the_o oracle_n of_o apollo_n who_o he_o say_v be_v to_o be_v consult_v in_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a affair_n which_o afford_v no_o very_a advantageous_a character_n either_o of_o socrates_n himself_o or_o of_o his_o genius_n â—_o genius_n ciâ—â—dâ—_n diutâ—_n lib._n â—_o tully_n inform_v we_o that_o antipater_n the_o stoic_a have_v make_v a_o collection_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o socrates_n geniu_n have_v discover_v to_o he_o but_o whatever_o they_o be_v it_o appear_v that_o tully_n have_v little_a regard_n to_o they_o and_o this_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o that_o all_o the_o philosophy_n of_o socrates_n end_v in_o nothing_o but_o uncertainty_n for_o when_o he_o have_v just_a before_o his_o death_n discourse_v of_o the_o state_n after_o this_o life_n the_o most_o that_o he_o can_v say_v to_o his_o friend_n in_o conclusion_n be_v phaed._n be_v plato_n phaed._n that_o they_o have_v a_o noble_a prize_n before_o they_o great_a hope_n and_o a_o glorious_a venture_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o possess_v and_o charm_v their_o mind_n with_o those_o thought_n the_o suggestion_n of_o his_o genius_n signify_v little_a to_o he_o if_o it_o leave_v he_o no_o better_o instruct_v as_o to_o a_o future_a state_n in_o the_o last_o moment_n of_o his_o life_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o socrates_n make_v great_a improvement_n in_o the_o moral_a and_o useful_a part_n of_o philosophy_n he_o be_v of_o a_o excellent_a understanding_n love_v and_o belove_v of_o honest_a man_n and_o have_v courage_n and_o resolution_n enough_o to_o bear_v the_o affront_v and_o withstand_v the_o malice_n of_o other_o he_o mind_v none_o but_o the_o practical_a doctrine_n of_o philosophy_n and_o though_o he_o never_o have_v travel_v in_o search_n after_o learning_n as_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n in_o those_o age_n for_o philosopher_n to_o do_v but_o scarce_o ever_o stir_v out_o of_o athens_n yet_o he_o know_v how_o to_o make_v the_o best_a use_n of_o the_o notion_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o he_o by_o those_o who_o have_v be_v in_o foreign_a country_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o if_o plato_n have_v not_o make_v socrates_n the_o author_n of_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v never_o sâ—â—d_v as_o not_o only_a platon_n only_a a._n gell_n lib._n 14_o c._n 3._o diog._n laert._n in_o platon_n xenophon_n but_o socrates_n himself_o declare_v but_o have_v â—iven_v we_o as_o plain_v a_o account_n of_o socrates_n philosophy_n as_o arrian_n have_v of_o that_o of_o epictetus_n we_o may_v have_v know_v more_o of_o he_o than_o we_o now_o be_v able_a to_o do_v but_o from_o what_o plato_n and_o xenophon_n have_v say_v of_o socrates_n we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o he_o do_v not_o reâ—â—ain_v from_o idolatrous_a worship_n nor_o reject_v the_o heathen_a oracle_n nor_o deliver_v his_o own_o doctrine_n without_o much_o uncertainty_n and_o diffidence_n plato_n carry_v his_o philosophy_n to_o far_o great_a height_n than_o socrates_n have_v do_v and_o the_o sublime_a part_n of_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v discover_v to_o the_o vulgar_a which_o be_v so_o difficult_a that_o he_o declare_v to_o 2._o to_o epist_n 2._o dionysius_n that_o man_n of_o great_a ability_n and_o as_o great_a application_n and_o industry_n after_o the_o study_n of_o thirty_o year_n at_o last_o with_o much_o ado_n understand_v they_o some_o thing_n be_v not_o to_o be_v write_v at_o all_o or_o so_o obscure_o as_o not_o to_o be_v intelligible_a if_o they_o shall_v fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n who_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o secret_a of_o they_o and_o he_o acknowledge_v that_o his_o best_a and_o only_o sure_a argument_n for_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o all_o philosophy_n can_v be_v but_o of_o little_a worth_n be_v from_o 7._o from_o epist._n 7._o ancient_a and_o sacred_a tradition_n the_o notion_n and_o tradition_n which_o plato_n have_v bring_v from_o other_o country_n with_o his_o delightful_a way_n of_o set_v they_o forth_o gain_v he_o great_a reputation_n some_o attempt_n be_v make_v by_o himself_o and_o those_o of_o his_o sect_n to_o bring_v his_o law_n into_o practice_n and_o to_o erect_v a_o commonwealth_n after_o the_o model_n of_o they_o his_o name_n and_o memory_n be_v have_v in_o great_a esteem_n his_o birthday_n be_v keep_v and_o the_o solemnity_n of_o it_o be_v renew_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o by_o some_o of_o his_o admirer_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o 1._o by_o comment_fw-fr in_o conviv_n plat_v de_fw-fr amere_fw-la c._n 1._o ficinus_fw-la one_o of_o that_o society_n but_o there_o be_v too_o much_o alloy_n find_v in_o his_o philosophy_n for_o any_o endeavour_n to_o gain_v it_o a_o constant_a and_o general_a reception_n his_o error_n in_o some_o case_n be_v so_o notorious_o gross_a and_o scandalous_a that_o edit_fw-la that_o vid._n plat_v de_fw-fr repub_fw-la lib._n v._o serran_n edit_fw-la serranus_n set_v over_o against_o they_o in_o the_o margin_n prima_fw-la insania_fw-la hominis_fw-la delirantis_fw-la and_o portentosa_fw-la insania_fw-la 2._o insania_fw-la orig._n coâ—r_n cell_n glib_a 2._o aristotle_n have_v study_v twenty_o year_n under_o plato_n but_o he_o so_o often_o confute_v and_o contradict_v his_o master_n that_o he_o have_v be_v charge_v with_o ingratitude_n for_o it_o and_o if_o socrates_n and_o plato_n do_v not_o firm_o believe_v the_o soul_n immortality_n aristotle_n believe_v the_o contrary_a as_o 3â—_n as_o vid._n jac._n billium_n in_o greg_n nariam_n orat_fw-la 3â—_n many_o have_v prove_v out_o of_o several_a place_n in_o his_o work_n leert_n work_n diog._n leert_n his_o will_n show_v that_o he_o be_v both_o in_o his_o practice_n and_o judgement_n for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o his_o country_n his_o book_n by_o a_o accident_n lie_v conceal_v till_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o rome_n upon_o the_o take_n of_o athens_n sylla_n athens_n strabo_n lib._n 13._o plut._n in_o sylla_n by_o sylla_n but_o they_o be_v know_v to_o few_o philosopher_n in_o topiâ—_n in_o lic_n topiâ—_n tully_n time_n and_o a_o learned_a author_n have_v give_v a_o account_n what_o their_o fate_n have_v be_v since_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o stoic_n be_v observe_v by_o josephus_n in_o the_o account_n of_o his_o own_o life_n to_o have_v be_v like_o that_o of_o the_o pharisee_n which_o 23._o which_o grot._fw-la ad_fw-la mat._n xxii_o 23._o grotius_n say_v be_v no_o wonder_n since_o in_o cyprus_n which_o be_v zeno_n native_a country_n there_o be_v always_o many_o jew_n but_o if_o the_o stoic_n be_v at_o first_o indebt_v to_o the_o jew_n they_o certain_o afterward_o borrow_a much_o more_o from_o the_o christian_n this_o sect_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o have_v man_n of_o great_a note_n in_o the_o primitive_a age_n of_o christianity_n who_o do_v not_o lose_v the_o opportunity_n offer_v they_o of_o improve_n it_o but_o the_o philosopher_n than_o begin_v to_o carry_v on_o a_o joint-interest_n and_o those_o who_o denominate_v themselves_o from_o any_o particular_a sect_n be_v no_o long_o strict_a in_o adhere_v nice_o to_o its_o principle_n for_o
parodox_n that_o they_o be_v still_o for_o maintain_v it_o i_o confess_v it_o agree_v admirable_o with_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o arcadian_n that_o their_o ancestor_n be_v before_o the_o moon_n and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v pretend_v that_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v true_a according_a to_o the_o cartesian_a hypothesis_n by_o attempt_v to_o prove_v that_o arcadia_n may_v be_v inhabit_v before_o the_o moon_n of_o a_o luminous_a become_v a_o opake_v body_n in_o so_o curious_a a_o age_n he_o must_v have_v ill_a luck_n if_o he_o shall_v want_v his_o applauder_n if_o some_o object_n that_o the_o original_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o handwriting_a of_o the_o several_a author_n be_v not_o still_o remain_v do_v this_o deserve_v to_o be_v answer_v till_o they_o can_v produce_v the_o original_a write_n of_o all_o other_o book_n or_o at_o least_o of_o all_o or_o any_o that_o be_v as_o ancient_n as_o even_o the_o last_o write_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n will_v they_o have_v a_o office_n erect_v to_o prove_v the_o title_n to_o all_o estate_n by_o original_a deed_n and_o upon_o what_o period_n of_o time_n will_v they_o fix_v for_o the_o date_n of_o they_o which_o will_v admit_v of_o any_o comparison_n with_o the_o date_n of_o the_o manuscript_n copies_n now_o extant_a of_o the_o scripture_n some_o have_v allege_v that_o the_o sea_n through_o which_o the_o israelite_n pass_v be_v not_o red_a but_o they_o may_v be_v please_v to_o know_v that_o religion_n be_v nothing_o concern_v in_o what_o have_v be_v write_v on_o both_o side_n upon_o this_o subject_n for_o it_o be_v not_o call_v the_o red_a sea_n in_o the_o hebrew_n but_o the_o sea_n of_o weed_n with_o which_o it_o abound_v it_o have_v the_o denomination_n of_o the_o red_a sea_n from_o the_o greek_n however_o it_o come_v by_o it_o for_o the_o critic_n be_v not_o agree_v about_o it_o and_o be_v best_a know_v by_o that_o name_n which_o be_v therefore_o make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o septuagint_n and_o in_o our_o own_o and_o other_o translation_n which_o herein_o follow_v st._n luke_n and_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n man_n must_v call_v thing_n by_o know_a name_n if_o they_o will_v be_v understand_v whatever_o give_v the_o first_o occasion_n to_o those_o name_n as_o to_o many_o objection_n let_v man_n but_o do_v moses_n the_o same_o right_n which_o they_o will_v do_v thucydides_n or_o tacitus_n and_o we_o need_v desire_v no_o more_o though_o they_o shall_v not_o allow_v for_o the_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n between_o they_o indeed_o they_o may_v live_v in_o the_o same_o age_n for_o all_o that_o many_o of_o these_o objector_n know_v and_o be_v next_o neighbour_n i_o have_v know_v divers_a objection_n make_v which_o the_o look_v only_o into_o the_o bible_n will_v answer_v and_o many_o proceed_v from_o the_o want_n of_o be_v conversant_a in_o it_o some_o have_v suppose_v that_o they_o have_v great_a matter_n of_o objection_n from_o christ_n curse_v the_o figtree_n and_o cause_v it_o to_o wither_v away_o but_o never_o so_o little_a reflection_n may_v serve_v any_o one_o to_o take_v notice_n how_o merciful_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v in_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o how_o suitable_a to_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o preach_v for_o he_o to_o show_v his_o power_n of_o punish_v upon_o a_o tree_n rather_o than_o upon_o a_o man_n it_o be_v then_o and_o be_v at_o any_o time_n as_o easy_a for_o he_o to_o punish_v his_o reviler_n as_o it_o be_v to_o curse_v this_o tree_n or_o as_o it_o can_v be_v for_o they_o to_o revile_v he_o though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o ready_a at_o it_o but_o to_o manifest_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o saviour_n not_o the_o destroyer_n of_o mankind_n he_o cure_a all_o manner_n of_o disease_n and_o raise_v the_o dead_a but_o never_o take_v away_o the_o life_n of_o any_o man_n nor_o inflict_v any_o disease_n he_o spare_v his_o worst_a enemy_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n and_o punish_v their_o hypocrisy_n in_o the_o emblem_n only_o of_o a_o figtree_n flourish_v in_o leave_n before_o the_o time_n and_o season_n of_o fig_n and_o thereby_o promise_v very_o much_o a_o early_a fruit_n but_o have_v none_o it_o make_v a_o show_n of_o fig_n out_o of_o season_n but_o have_v nothing_o to_o answer_v so_o fair_a a_o appearance_n other_o objection_n which_o may_v seem_v more_o considerable_a have_v be_v confute_v even_o to_o a_o demonstration_n cavil_n which_o have_v be_v raise_v concern_v the_o 2._o the_o tacquet_n geometr_v pract._n lib._n 3._o c._n 20._o â—robl_n 2._o quantity_n of_o matter_n which_o will_v be_v require_v to_o compose_v the_o body_n of_o all_o man_n at_o the_o resurrection_n and_o concern_v the_o 95._o the_o sir_n sam_n morland_n urim_n of_o conse_n p._n 95._o bottomless_a pit_n have_v be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v frivolous_a that_o the_o 5._o the_o buteo_n de_fw-fr â—rea_fw-la noe._n kircher_n de_fw-fr arc._n noâ—_n sir_n w._n raleigh_n hist_o lib._n 1._o c._n 7._o s._n 9_o bishop_n wilkin_n be_v real_a character_n part_v 2._o c._n 5._o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n be_v sufficient_a to_o contain_v noah_n and_o his_o family_n with_o the_o beast_n and_o food_n for_o they_o and_o that_o the_o 14._o the_o petau._n doctr._n temp._n lib._n 9_o c._n 14._o increase_v of_o mankind_n may_v extend_v to_o so_o great_a number_n in_o no_o long_a a_o compass_n of_o year_n than_o the_o scripture_n in_o any_o instance_n assign_v be_v thing_n which_o have_v be_v often_o prove_v beyond_o any_o possibility_n of_o a_o confutation_n and_o whatever_o force_n there_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v in_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o vulgar_a error_n and_o in_o that_o number_n sir_n thomas_n brown_n have_v place_v some_o of_o they_o for_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v long_o ago_o ashamed_a to_o make_v they_o and_o this_o one_o will_v think_v shall_v cause_v other_o to_o be_v more_o modest_a and_o cautious_a in_o their_o objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n when_o such_o as_o have_v the_o appearance_n of_o the_o great_a strength_n in_o they_o be_v once_o bring_v under_o strict_a examination_n prove_v to_o be_v evident_o false_a and_o if_o they_o find_v they_o have_v be_v mistake_v and_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v undeceive_v this_o will_v go_v so_o far_o towards_o their_o conviction_n that_o i_o can_v but_o hope_v that_o the_o consideration_n here_o propose_v may_v be_v of_o some_o weight_n with_o they_o thus_o far_o methinks_v at_o least_o i_o may_v hope_v to_o prevail_v upon_o those_o who_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o they_o will_v no_o long_o imagine_v it_o safe_a or_o prudent_a to_o speak_v light_o and_o profane_o of_o it_o religion_n be_v too_o serious_a a_o thing_n and_o of_o too_o great_a concernment_n to_o mankind_n to_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o scorn_n of_o every_o one_o that_o think_v he_o can_v make_v a_o jest_n and_o that_o which_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o their_o reason_n will_v be_v in_o little_a danger_n of_o their_o raillery_n but_o will_v rather_o receive_v a_o additional_a confirmation_n from_o it_o the_o best_a and_o most_o sacred_a thing_n be_v always_o most_o capable_a of_o dishonour_n and_o affront_v for_o to_o affront_v and_o abuse_v any_o person_n or_o thing_n be_v to_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v bad_a and_o it_o be_v the_o security_n of_o some_o thing_n and_o some_o man_n that_o they_o can_v be_v represent_v worse_a than_o they_o be_v it_o be_v in_o any_o one_o power_n to_o affront_v the_o great_a prince_n and_o a_o man_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a virtue_n may_v be_v be_v most_o easy_o abuse_v but_o no_o treason_n can_v be_v speak_v against_o a_o beggar_n and_o it_o be_v the_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v out_o how_o to_o disgrace_v he_o of_o who_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v worse_a than_o he_o deserve_v it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o testimony_n give_v to_o religion_n and_o a_o acknowledgement_n pay_v to_o virtue_n when_o man_n so_o industrious_o labour_v to_o villify_v it_o for_o how_o can_v that_o be_v disparage_v which_o be_v of_o no_o worth_a or_o excellency_n or_o why_o shall_v man_n endeavour_v to_o bring_v that_o into_o discredit_n which_o have_v not_o at_o present_a a_o confess_a reputation_n whether_o this_o be_v a_o deserve_a reputation_n or_o no_o they_o may_v question_v if_o they_o think_v fit_a but_o then_o let_v they_o make_v it_o a_o serious_a question_n and_o not_o to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o loud_a noise_n but_o here_o be_v the_o mischief_n they_o have_v no_o patience_n to_o attend_v to_o the_o force_n of_o a_o argument_n or_o to_o go_v on_o with_o a_o dispute_n but_o a_o cavil_v be_v soon_o start_v and_o objection_n be_v more_o easy_o raise_v than_o answer_v
to_o the_o custom_n of_o other_o nation_n well_o know_v and_o practise_v at_o that_o time_n thus_o the_o slave_n be_v wont_a to_o have_v their_o master_n name_n or_o mark_v upon_o their_o forehead_n and_o the_o soldier_n to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o their_o general_n upon_o their_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o like_a mark_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v receive_v by_o man_n in_o token_n that_o they_o have_v devote_v themselves_o to_o their_o god_n from_o whence_o we_o read_v of_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o beast_n receive_v by_o his_o worshipper_n in_o their_o right_a hand_n or_o in_o their_o forehead_n loc_fw-la forehead_n vid._n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la loc_fw-la rev._n 13.16_o and_o of_o his_o father_n name_v write_v in_o the_o forehead_n of_o those_o that_o stand_v in_o mount_n zion_n with_o the_o lamb_n rev._n 14.1_o st_o paul_n allude_v to_o the_o grecian_a game_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n who_o be_v much_o addict_v to_o those_o sport_n and_o have_v one_o sort_n of_o they_o the_o isthmian_a perform_v among_o they_o 1_o cor._n 9.24_o 25._o and_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o distinction_n among_o the_o roman_n between_o freeman_n and_o slave_n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v in_o condescension_n to_o they_o i_o speak_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n because_o of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o your_o flesh_n rom._n 6.19_o melchisedec_n be_v say_v to_o be_v without_o father_n without_o mother_n without_o descent_n heb._n 7.3_o because_o his_o pedigree_n be_v unknown_a which_o be_v a_o most_o significant_a way_n of_o expression_n to_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o careful_a and_o exact_a in_o their_o genealogy_n but_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v also_o use_v 8._o use_v patre_fw-la nullo_n matre_fw-la serva_fw-la liv._o lib._n 4._o c._n 3._o â—ullis_fw-la majoribus_fw-la ortos_fw-la horac_n serm._n lib._n 1._o sit_v 6._o dvos_fw-la romanos_fw-la reges_fw-la â—sse_fw-la quorum_fw-la alter_fw-la patrem_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la alter_fw-la matrem_fw-la nam_fw-la de_fw-la servij_fw-la matre_fw-la dubitatur_fw-la anci_fw-la pater_fw-la nullus_fw-la numae_fw-la nepos_fw-la dicitur_fw-la senec._n epist_n c._n 8._o by_o livy_n horace_n and_o seneca_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n there_o be_v much_o of_o nature_n but_o very_o much_o likewise_o of_o use_n and_o custom_n in_o the_o several_a scheme_n and_o form_n of_o rhetoric_n we_o meet_v with_o a_o sudden_a change_n of_o the_o person_n speak_v jer._n 16.19_o 20_o 21.17.13_o and_o with_o interlocatory_a discourse_n isa_n 63._o and_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a to_o we_o for_o want_v of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n who_o speak_v thus_o for_o instance_n jer._n 20.14_o the_o prophet_n seem_v transport_v abrupt_o from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o but_o if_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o wicked_a mention_v for_o 13._o under_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n from_o the_o 14_o ver_fw-la to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o sense_n will_v be_v more_o easy_a this_o abrupt_a change_n of_o the_o person_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o longinus_n as_o a_o excellency_n in_o homer_n hecataeus_n and_o demosthenes_n and_o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n 7._o scripture_n justin_n apol._n 2._o origen_n philocal_a c._n 7._o as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o origen_n observe_v many_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n may_v be_v give_v in_o the_o best_a heathen_a poet_n and_o the_o read_v the_o ancient_a poet_n be_v the_o best_a help_n for_o the_o understanding_n all_o other_o author_n of_o great_a antiquity_n for_o the_o ancient_a any_o author_n be_v the_o near_a his_o stile_n come_v to_o poetry_n the_o first_o design_n of_o write_v be_v to_o delight_n so_o as_o to_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o instruct_v which_o make_v verse_n much_o more_o ancient_a than_o prose_n and_o though_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n to_o speak_v in_o prose_n and_o not_o in_o verse_n yet_o it_o seem_v the_o humour_n oâ—_n greek_n will_v not_o bear_v though_o write_a philosophy_n in_o prose_n till_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n for_o then_o loc_fw-la then_o plin._n hist_o lib._n 5._o c._n 29.7_o c._n 56._o vid._n harduin_n ad_fw-la loc_fw-la pliny_n tell_v we_o pherecydes_n first_o write_v in_o prose_n which_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o philosophy_n for_o he_o ascribe_v the_o first_o writing_n of_o prose_n in_o history_n to_o cadmus_n milesius_n and_o the_o ancient_a writer_n now_o extant_a in_o prose_n herodotus_n thucydides_n and_o xenophon_n have_v many_o expression_n which_o be_v seldom_o or_o never_o meet_v withal_o beside_o but_o in_o the_o poet_n h._n stephens_n make_v a_o collection_n of_o the_o poetical_a word_n use_v by_o xenophon_n which_o be_v prefix_v to_o his_o work_n and_o the_o orator_n both_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n be_v as_o exact_v and_o curious_a in_o the_o foot_n and_o measure_n of_o their_o prose_n as_o the_o poet_n can_v be_v in_o verse_n great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v in_o verse_n and_o the_o different_a way_n of_o write_v in_o different_a age_n and_o nation_n appear_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o the_o several_a sort_n of_o poetry_n that_o way_n of_o write_v all_o verse_n in_o rhyme_n which_o in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v most_o in_o use_n and_o esteem_v will_v have_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n though_o the_o use_n of_o rhyme_n in_o verse_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v example_n in_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v perhaps_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o way_n of_o write_a verse_n acrostic_n though_o of_o no_o esteem_n and_o little_o use_v in_o many_o age_n and_o country_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n verse_n compose_v in_o the_o acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a way_n be_v find_v to_o be_v a_o help_n to_o the_o memory_n and_o this_o benefit_n and_o the_o ornament_n which_o it_o be_v then_o suppose_v to_o give_v to_o poem_n be_v the_o cause_n why_o it_o be_v sometime_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o sometime_o the_o inspiration_n be_v so_o strong_a upon_o the_o writer_n mind_n as_o to_o interrupt_v the_o art_n and_o method_n which_o he_o have_v propose_v to_o himself_o as_o ps_n 25._o and_o 145._o or_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v customary_a upon_o certain_a occasion_n to_o omit_v some_o letter_n in_o the_o alphabet_n in_o such_o composition_n for_o reason_n which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o but_o which_o may_v be_v very_o satisfactory_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o time_n and_o country_n 21._o country_n athenae_n lib._n 10._o c._n 21._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o example_n of_o this_o among_o the_o greek_n use_v by_o pindar_n and_o other_o ancient_a poet_n the_o old_a 11._o old_a casanb_n in_o athen._n lib._n 8._o c._n 11._o spartan_a doric_a and_o aeolic_a dialect_n change_v σ_n into_o p_o the_o rough_a sound_n of_o this_o letter_n be_v more_o agreeable_a it_o seem_v to_o those_o people_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v write_v acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a poem_n σ_n will_v have_v be_v omit_v rhophalick_a verse_n which_o begin_v with_o a_o monosyllable_n every_o word_n increase_a by_o one_o syllable_n more_o than_o the_o former_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o homer_n and_o the_o leonine_n or_o monkish_a verse_n with_o a_o double_a rhyme_n one_o in_o the_o middle_n and_o the_o other_o at_o the_o end_n be_v not_o without_o precedent_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o poem_n compose_v of_o divers_a sort_n of_o verse_n and_o frame_v into_o the_o shape_n of_o several_a thing_n by_o simmias_n rhodius_n some_o of_o which_o be_v ascribe_v to_o theocritus_n the_o repetition_n so_o frequent_a in_o homer_n be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o word_n for_o no_o author_n ever_o want_v they_o less_o than_o he_o but_o out_o of_o choice_n though_o latter_a poet_n have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o imitate_v he_o in_o this_o and_o martial_n turn_v it_o to_o ridicule_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o nothing_o be_v more_o various_a than_o the_o wit_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o whoever_o will_v write_v to_o any_o purpose_n must_v write_v in_o some_o such_o manner_n as_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o people_n to_o who_o he_o write_v will_v bear_v and_o as_o their_o custom_n require_v but_o before_o i_o leave_v this_o particular_a it_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o consider_v the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n there_o never_o be_v any_o book_n write_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o literal_a propriety_n of_o word_n because_o all_o language_n abound_v in_o metaphor_n which_o by_o constant_a use_n become_v perhaps_o better_o know_v to_o the_o native_n of_o a_o country_n than_o the_o original_a word_n themselves_o and_o in_o process_n
therefore_o be_v call_v prophet_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o in_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o man_n inspire_a writer_n may_v use_v such_o form_n of_o speech_n as_o will_v not_o be_v proper_a nor_o decent_a for_o other_o to_o use_v and_o this_o liberty_n be_v take_v by_o orator_n as_o well_o as_o poet_n when_o the_o occasion_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o as_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o panathen_a in_o panegr_n &_o panathen_a isocrates_n for_o the_o ancient_a orator_n too_o by_o longinus_n observation_n pretend_v to_o something_o more_o than_o humane_a and_o will_v be_v think_v to_o speak_v by_o some_o kind_n of_o impulse_n upon_o which_o account_n this_o liberty_n may_v be_v allow_v they_o but_o it_o may_v well_o be_v think_v needless_a for_o i_o to_o have_v use_v so_o many_o word_n on_o this_o subject_n when_o there_o be_v so_o little_a occasion_n for_o any_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o wherever_o there_o can_v be_v any_o pretence_n for_o it_o it_o have_v be_v consider_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n but_o i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v labour_n ill_o bestow_v to_o show_v here_o beside_o how_o have_v critic_n they_o be_v that_o can_v object_v at_o this_o rate_n i_o will_v say_v further_o that_o the_o passage_n tob._n 5.16_o concern_v the_o dog_n which_o follow_v tobias_n which_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o unwary_a and_o unskilful_a man_n to_o insult_v with_o so_o much_o scorn_n over_o a_o book_n that_o be_v very_o useful_a though_o not_o of_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v not_o only_o innocent_a but_o agreeable_a to_o the_o best_a pattern_n of_o antiquity_n seru._n antiquity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d odiss_n two_o nec_fw-la non_fw-la &_o geminy_n custodes_fw-la limine_fw-la ab_fw-la alto_fw-mi procedunt_fw-la gressumque_fw-la cane_n comitantur_fw-la herilem_fw-la aen._n 8._o hoc_fw-la &_o in_o homero_n lectum_fw-la est_fw-la &_o in_o historia_n romana_fw-la quae_fw-la ait_fw-la syphax_n inter_fw-la dvas_fw-la cane_n stans_fw-la scipionem_fw-la appellavit_fw-la seru._n homer_n and_o virgil_n who_o think_v it_o a_o very_a proper_a and_o natural_a ornament_n of_o their_o poem_n to_o describe_v dog_n follow_v their_o master_n homer_n speak_v of_o telemachus_n and_o virgil_n of_o evander_n and_o servius_n produce_v a_o example_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o roman_a history_n iv_o as_o to_o the_o method_n use_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v write_v according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v or_o that_o history_n shall_v be_v digest_v into_o diaries_n or_o annal_n since_o there_o may_v be_v reason_n whether_o know_v or_o unknown_a to_o we_o why_o they_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o place_v and_o thus_o the_o lyric_a â—â—â—ts_n 25._o â—â—â—ts_n vid._n hieron_n ad_fw-la hieremiae_n cap._n 21_o 25._o who_o pretend_v to_o enthusiasm_n and_o a_o imitation_n as_o it_o be_v of_o prophecy_n do_v not_o confine_v themselves_o to_o observe_v any_o order_n of_o time_n some_o thing_n last_o foretell_v may_v be_v first_o to_o be_v fulfil_v or_o some_o thing_n be_v more_o or_o less_o remarkable_a or_o concern_v the_o jew_n more_o or_o less_o than_o other_o but_o general_o in_o the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o scripture_n what_o concern_v the_o same_o subject_n be_v put_v together_o though_o foretold_v or_o fall_v out_o at_o different_a time_n that_o the_o clear_a and_o more_o distinct_a view_n may_v be_v have_v of_o it_o this_o as_o 30._o as_o hieren_fw-mi ad_fw-la ezech._n cap._n 29_o 30._o st_n jerom_n observe_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o diveâ—â—_n transposition_n in_o point_n of_o time_n in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n and_o ezekiel_n and_o 7._o and_o id._n ad_fw-la dan._n c._n 7._o he_o take_v notice_n that_o daniel_n have_v set_v down_o the_o prophecy_n which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o several_a reign_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n belshazzar_n darius_n or_o cyrus_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n afterward_o declare_v the_o revelation_n that_o be_v make_v to_o he_o that_o have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v make_v but_o be_v write_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o posterity_n but_o the_o several_a transposition_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o account_v for_o by_o commentator_n and_o it_o must_v be_v observe_v that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n mention_v no_o more_o of_o civil_a affair_n than_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o in_o many_o thing_n they_o refer_v to_o the_o history_n then_o extant_a for_o a_o full_a account_n of_o they_o their_o design_n be_v not_o to_o write_v a_o complete_a history_n of_o all_o event_n but_o they_o confine_v themselves_o to_o such_o as_o be_v most_o fit_a for_o they_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o keep_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o their_o proper_a business_n it_o be_v expedient_a that_o the_o same_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v repeat_v in_o divers_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o intersperse_v with_o other_o thing_n according_a to_o no_o certain_a art_n or_o method_n because_o this_o prevent_v their_o be_v corrupt_v or_o falsify_v as_o they_o may_v have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v be_v all_o reduce_v to_o several_a distinct_a head_n and_o place_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o art_n if_o one_o prophet_n repeat_v what_o another_o prophet_n have_v say_v this_o be_v to_o give_v it_o a_o new_a confirmation_n to_o revive_v the_o remembrance_n and_o show_v the_o certainty_n and_o importance_n of_o it_o it_o be_v ordinary_a in_o the_o best_a author_n not_o only_o to_o find_v the_o same_o thing_n repeat_v in_o divers_a place_n of_o their_o work_n but_o to_o meet_v with_o they_o repeat_v in_o the_o very_a same_o word_n thus_o isocrates_n xenophon_n and_o demosthenes_n transcribe_v in_o one_o part_n of_o their_o work_n what_o they_o have_v write_v in_o another_o but_o none_o i_o think_v so_o frequent_o as_o demosthenes_n though_o midiam_fw-la though_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ulp._n enarr_n oâ—at_n demosthen_n coâ—t_fw-la midiam_fw-la ulpian_n have_v observe_v that_o this_o be_v a_o usual_a thing_n with_o the_o ancient_a writer_n it_o be_v customary_a likewise_o with_o the_o philosopher_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o to_o allude_v to_o the_o verse_n of_o homer_n and_o to_o apply_v they_o with_o little_a variation_n upon_o all_o occasion_n as_o may_v be_v see_v frequent_o in_o diogenes_n laertius_n all_o the_o cavil_n therefore_o that_o be_v make_v against_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n proceed_v from_o ignorance_n of_o antiquity_n and_o from_o rashness_n in_o judge_v of_o ancient_a time_n and_o foreign_a country_n by_o our_o own_o whoever_o will_v either_o delight_n or_o profit_n must_v speak_v and_o act_v in_o some_o measure_n according_a to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o people_n with_o who_o he_o converse_v and_o if_o we_o will_v but_o read_v the_o scripture_n with_o the_o same_o candour_n and_o respect_n with_o which_o we_o read_v the_o write_n of_o human_a author_n and_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o person_n and_o the_o occasion_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v write_v there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v seem_v harsh_a or_o improper_a either_o in_o the_o word_n or_o action_n of_o the_o person_n inspire_v for_o it_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o those_o country_n to_o speak_v by_o their_o action_n almost_o as_o much_o as_o in_o word_n if_o we_o will_v but_o observe_v the_o circumstance_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v we_o shall_v find_v cause_n to_o admire_v the_o simplicity_n and_o plainness_n and_o modesty_n of_o the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o many_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o style_n be_v sublime_a and_o elegant_a beyond_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v find_v in_o other_o write_n and_o yet_o as_o natural_a as_o if_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v otherwise_o express_v and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a excellency_n of_o style_n that_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o natural_a and_o yet_o eloquent_a longinus_n give_v a_o high_a character_n of_o moses_n style_n in_o a_o book_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v to_o represent_v the_o most_o perfect_a idea_n of_o eloquence_n indeed_o such_o be_v the_o fitness_n both_o in_o verse_n and_o prose_n of_o the_o word_n and_o style_n of_o moses_n so_o admirable_o suit_v to_o the_o subject_n upon_o all_o occasion_n as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v to_o prescribe_v a_o pattern_n of_o true_a eloquence_n as_o well_o as_o to_o enact_v law_n h._n stephens_n have_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a resemblance_n in_o herodotus_n to_o the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n herodotus_n have_v homer_n in_o his_o view_n throughout_o his_o history_n and_o homer_n expression_n be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o many_o instance_n as_o particular_o when_o he_o so_o often_o mention_n the_o child_n of_o the_o trojan_n and_o the_o child_n of_o
question_n be_v not_o only_o dubious_a but_o certain_o spurious_a the_o remain_a book_n which_o be_v never_o doubt_v of_o be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o the_o necessary_a end_n and_o purpose_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n have_v be_v former_o matter_n of_o controversy_n i_o shall_v enter_v upon_o no_o discourse_n concern_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n the_o authority_n whereof_o have_v be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o effectual_o disprove_v by_o protestant_n that_o the_o most_o learned_a papist_n have_v now_o little_a to_o say_v for_o they_o but_o â—re_n force_v only_o to_o fly_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o beg_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n or_o to_o beg_v something_o as_o hard_a to_o be_v grant_v viz._n the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o i_o shall_v here_o engage_v in_o no_o controversy_n of_o that_o nature_n both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n be_v general_o speak_v agree_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o new_a be_v of_o divine_a authority_n and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v be_v true_a whether_o there_o be_v or_o be_v not_o other_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o of_o equal_a authority_n these_o book_n in_o the_o main_n have_v already_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v genuine_a and_o without_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n i_o shall_v now_o only_o propose_v such_o general_a consideration_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o obviate_v objection_n the_o agreement_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v a_o clear_a evidence_n for_o its_o authority_n and_o though_o there_o be_v many_o and_o great_a idolatry_n commit_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n yet_o by_o the_o good_a providence_n of_o god_n there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o total_a apostasy_n in_o the_o people_n nor_o so_o long_a a_o succession_n of_o idolatrous_a king_n as_o that_o the_o book_n either_o of_o the_o law_n or_o the_o prophet_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v suppress_v or_o alter_v for_o three_o year_n under_o rehoboam_n they_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n 2_o chron._n 11.17.12.1_o and_o though_o afterward_o he_o forsake_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o israel_n with_o he_o his_o reign_n be_v in_o all_o but_o seventeen_o year_n abijam_n be_v a_o wicked_a king_n but_o he_o reign_v no_o long_o than_o three_o year_n 1_o king_n xv_o 2._o asa_n the_o three_o from_o solomon_n and_o jehoshaphat_n his_o son_n be_v great_a reformer_n and_o asa_n reign_v one_o and_o forty_o year_n and_o jehoshaphat_n five_o and_o twenty_o year_n 2_o chron._n xuj_o 13._o xx_o 31._o the_o two_o next_o king_n in_o succession_n do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o their_o reign_n be_v short_a jehoram_n reign_v eight_o year_n and_o ahaziah_n but_o one_o 2_o chron._n xxi_o 20._o xxii_o 2._o during_o the_o interval_n of_o six_o year_n under_o the_o usurpation_n of_o athaliah_n the_o people_n can_v not_o be_v great_o corrupt_v for_o she_o be_v hateful_a to_o they_o as_o jehoram_n her_o husband_n have_v be_v before_o she_o and_o they_o ready_o join_v with_o jehoiada_n in_o slay_v she_o and_o in_o restore_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n 2_o chron._n xxii_o joash_n the_o son_n of_o ahaziah_n do_v that_o which_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n of_o jehoiada_n 2_o chron._n xxiv_o 2._o we_o be_v sure_a that_o he_o reign_v well_o three_o and_o twenty_o year_n 2_o king_n twelve_o 6._o and_o probable_o much_o long_o for_o jehoiada_n live_v to_o a_o very_a great_a age_n 2_o chron._n xxiv_o 15._o amaziah_n his_o son_n have_v the_o same_o character_n and_o with_o the_o same_o abatement_n that_o he_o do_v that_o which_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o not_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n 2_o chron._n twenty-five_o 2._o or_o yet_o not_o like_o david_n his_o father_n he_o do_v according_a to_o all_o thing_n as_o joash_n his_o father_n do_v 2_o king_n fourteen_o 3._o vzziah_n son_n to_o amaziah_n reign_v well_o and_o seek_v god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o zachariah_n 2_o chron._n xxvi_o 5._o and_o after_o he_o be_v seize_v with_o the_o leprosy_n for_o invade_v the_o priest_n office_n the_o administration_n of_o affair_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o son_n jotham_n vers_fw-la 21._o who_o imitate_v the_o good_a part_n of_o his_o father_n reign_n chap._n xxvii_o 2._o ahaz_n be_v wicked_a and_o a_o idolater_n but_o he_o reign_v only_o sixteen_o year_n chap._n xxviii_o 1._o and_o his_o son_n hezekiah_n wrought_v a_o great_a reformation_n who_o reign_v twenty_o nine_o year_n chap._n xxix_o 1._o manasses_n be_v much_o give_v to_o idolatry_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o reign_n but_o after_o his_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n he_o be_v very_o zealous_a against_o it_o chap._n xxxiii_o 15_o 16._o amon_n imitate_v the_o ill_a part_n of_o his_o father_n reign_n but_o his_o own_o continue_v no_o long_o than_o two_o year_n chap._n xxxiii_o 21._o the_o next_o be_v josiah_n in_o who_o time_n the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n which_o must_v be_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n own_o hand-writing_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o book_n of_o the_o law_n can_v be_v no_o such_o rare_a thing_n at_o that_o time_n in_o jerusalem_n as_o to_o be_v take_v so_o much_o notice_n of_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v that_o book_n which_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n and_o be_v to_o be_v transcribe_v by_o every_o king_n it_o seem_v that_o book_n of_o the_o law_n have_v be_v purposely_o hide_v to_o preserve_v it_o from_o the_o attempt_n of_o idolater_n who_o it_o be_v fear_v may_v have_v a_o design_n to_o destroy_v it_o for_o if_o it_o have_v only_o lie_v by_o neglect_a the_o find_n of_o it_o can_v have_v be_v no_o such_o surprise_v thing_n because_o the_o place_n in_o the_o temple_n be_v well_o know_v where_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v keep_v in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n and_o where_o they_o may_v have_v seek_v for_o it_o but_o it_o be_v probable_o at_o that_o time_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v utter_o lose_v and_o its_o be_v find_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v build_v for_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o and_o where_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v with_o the_o great_a care_n as_o a_o most_o inestimable_a treasure_n the_o veneration_n which_o josiah_n have_v for_o so_o sacred_a a_o write_n and_o the_o happy_a and_o unexpected_a recovery_n of_o it_o when_o it_o have_v be_v disregard_v and_o almost_o lose_v through_o the_o iniquity_n of_o his_o predecessor_n these_o consideration_n can_v not_o but_o exceed_o move_v a_o mind_n so_o tender_a and_o affectionate_o pious_a as_o that_o king_n when_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n under_o moses_n own_o hand_n send_v he_o as_o he_o believe_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o deliver_v to_o he_o as_o it_o be_v anew_o from_o heaven_n not_o long_o after_o his_o time_n be_v the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n till_o which_o there_o be_v always_o prophet_n frequent_a reformation_n and_o never_o any_o succession_n of_o idolatrous_a king_n which_o continue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n together_o very_o few_o king_n be_v idolatrous_a throughout_o their_o whole_a reign_n and_o those_o that_o be_v reign_v but_o a_o short_a time_n 9_o time_n book_n 1._o part_n 2._o c._n 6._o &_o 9_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o jew_n till_o their_o return_n and_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o those_o who_o be_v of_o another_o opinion_n that_o ezra_n who_o compose_v the_o canon_n do_v it_o by_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n or_o have_v the_o assistance_n of_o prophet_n in_o the_o do_v it_o 1._o it_o joseph_n câ—nt_fw-la apion_n lib._n 1._o josephus_n say_v that_o their_o book_n after_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n be_v not_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o those_o before_o his_o time_n for_o want_v of_o a_o certain_a succession_n of_o prophet_n and_o since_o the_o jew_n admit_v no_o writing_n as_o inspire_v into_o the_o canon_n after_o malachi_n prophecy_n this_o show_v their_o sincerity_n and_o exactness_n in_o examine_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o such_o write_n as_o they_o admit_v into_o their_o canon_n of_o scripture_n the_o pharisee_n make_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n of_o no_o effect_n by_o their_o tradition_n but_o never_o dare_v presume_v to_o impose_v they_o under_o the_o notion_n and_o
character_n of_o a_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o modern_a jew_n in_o like_a manner_n never_o dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o new_a book_n of_o revelation_n but_o have_v constant_o adhere_v to_o the_o old_a and_o what_o inducement_n can_v the_o jew_n have_v to_o receive_v these_o book_n into_o their_o canon_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v rather_o than_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o divine_a authority_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n more_o especial_o remarkable_a in_o some_o book_n why_o shall_v they_o receive_v certain_a book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o solomon_n esther_n daniel_n and_o ezra_n but_o not_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n other_o go_v under_o the_o same_o name_n but_o because_o of_o the_o difference_n in_o their_o authority_n why_o shall_v they_o receive_v the_o book_n of_o those_o who_o their_o forefather_n have_v slay_v and_o those_o very_a book_n for_o which_o they_o slay_v they_o but_o upon_o the_o clear_a evidence_n it_o be_v certain_a they_o can_v be_v possess_v with_o no_o prejudice_n in_o their_o favour_n but_o with_o very_a many_o against_o the_o book_n of_o such_o author_n to_o give_v another_o instance_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n contain_v the_o affair_n and_o transaction_n of_o a_o particular_a family_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n as_o one_o may_v imagine_v at_o first_o view_n and_o yet_o it_o have_v be_v preserve_v with_o as_o much_o â—are_n and_o as_o constant_o receive_v as_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v little_a reason_n upon_o human_a consideration_n why_o a_o relation_n concern_v that_o family_n shall_v be_v insert_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n rather_o than_o one_o concern_v any_o other_o but_o the_o lineage_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o it_o and_o that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v insert_v and_o therefore_o by_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o providence_n neither_o the_o emulation_n and_o envy_n of_o other_o family_n nor_o any_o other_o cause_n or_o accident_n hinder_v its_o reception_n and_o preservation_n among_o the_o other_o inspire_v book_n and_o in_o that_o history_n there_o be_v a_o account_v not_o very_o honourable_a for_o david_n family_n in_o derive_v his_o descent_n from_o phares_n of_o thamar_n and_o show_v that_o his_o great_a grandmother_n be_v a_o moabitess_n the_o moabite_n be_v a_o people_n who_o have_v a_o indelible_a mark_n of_o intamy_n sixth_o upon_o they_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n dentr_n xxiii_o 3._o ii_o as_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v ever_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n after_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o tribe_n judah_n so_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o writing_n of_o the_o prophet_n it_o must_v have_v be_v because_o all_o or_o most_o of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o two_o tribe_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n of_o israel_n own_v the_o temple_n of_o jerasalem_fw-la to_o be_v the_o true_a place_n of_o worship_n the_o israelite_n and_o samaritan_n must_v have_v great_a prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v the_o book_n of_o any_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o they_o do_v those_o of_o moses_n the_o book_n of_o samuel_n david_n and_o solomon_n have_v less_o regard_n pay_v to_o they_o upon_o reason_n of_o state_n by_o the_o tribe_n who_o follow_v the_o revolt_n of_o jeroboam_n yet_o when_o 1._o when_o antiqu._n orient_a eccl._n pist_o 1._o joseph_n scaliger_n send_v to_o the_o samaritan_n for_o the_o canticle_n of_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n in_o their_o language_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o of_o joshua_n they_o promise_v to_o send_v he_o they_o and_o it_o be_v prove_v sufficient_o by_o dr_n 25._o dr_n hebr._n &_o talmud_n exercit_fw-la on_o joh._n four_o 25._o lightfoot_n that_o neither_o the_o samaritan_n nor_o the_o sadducee_n reject_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n though_o they_o do_v not_o admit_v the_o rest_n into_o the_o same_o veneration_n and_o authority_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n nor_o read_v they_o in_o their_o synagogue_n this_o be_v also_o prove_v by_o f._n simon_n 12._o simon_n crit._n hist_o v._o t._n lib._n 1._o c._n 16._o &_o 29._o disquisit_a crit_fw-fr c._n 12._o both_o of_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o karaei_n and_o orient_a and_o epist_n 70._o inter_fw-la antiqu_n eccl._n orient_a morinus_n likewise_o prove_v it_o of_o the_o karaei_n who_o be_v general_o take_v for_o sadducee_n f._n simon_n maintain_v the_o contrary_a and_o that_o they_o have_v wrong_v do_v they_o in_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o sadducces_n however_o this_o be_v not_o material_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n since_o he_o show_v that_o both_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o karaei_n or_o caraite_n and_o all_o the_o jew_n beside_o receive_v the_o entire_a volume_n of_o the_o scripture_n without_o any_o contradiction_n lipmanno_n contradiction_n praefat._n de_fw-fr lipmanno_n hackspan_n likewise_o have_v show_v that_o the_o sadducee_n deny_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n iii_o concern_v the_o book_n whereof_o we_o we_o find_v mention_v make_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n either_o 1._o they_o be_v not_o different_a from_o those_o which_o be_v now_o in_o the_o canon_n but_o the_o same_o book_n under_o divers_a name_n or_o 2._o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o inspiration_n though_o write_v by_o prophet_n for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o prophet_n be_v inspire_v in_o every_o thing_n that_o they_o write_v any_o more_o than_o in_o all_o they_o speak_v and_o this_o show_v the_o care_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o compile_v their_o canon_n that_o they_o will_v not_o take_v into_o it_o all_o the_o write_n even_o of_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o but_o only_o such_o as_o they_o know_v to_o be_v write_v by_o they_o as_o prophet_n that_o be_v by_o inspiration_n the_o prophet_n themselves_o no_o doubt_n make_v a_o distinction_n as_o we_o find_v st_n paul_n do_v between_o what_o they_o have_v write_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o that_o in_o which_o they_o have_v not_o his_o immediate_a and_o extraordinary_a direction_n and_o infallible_a assistance_n or_o 3_o they_o may_v not_o be_v write_v by_o prophet_n for_o the_o office_n of_o recorder_n or_o remembrancer_n or_o writer_n of_o chronicle_n as_o it_o be_v explain_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v mention_v as_o â—n_v office_n of_o great_a honour_n and_o trust_v and_o be_v distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n 2_o sam._n viij_o â—6_n 2_o king_n xviii_o 18_o 2_o chron._n xxxiv_o 8._o isaiah_n xxxvi_o 3_o 22._o beside_o the_o hebrew_n call_v every_o small_a write_v a_o book_n thus_o deut._n xxiv_o 1._o â—hat_n which_o we_o render_v a_o bill_n of_o divorcement_n â—s_v in_o the_o original_a a_o book_n of_o divorcement_n the_o word_n be_v the_o same_o which_o josh_n x._o 13._o and_o 〈◊〉_d sam._n i._n 18._o be_v translate_v the_o book_n of_o jasher_n â—o_o matt._n nineteeen_o 7._o and_o mark_v x._o 4._o it_o be_v in_o the_o greek_a a_o book_n of_o divorcement_n the_o word_n be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o septuagint_n have_v use_v it_o indeed_o may_v signify_v a_o little_a book_n but_o it_o often_o signify_v a_o book_n without_o that_o distinction_n and_o so_o it_o be_v render_v 2_o tim._n four_o 13._o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n be_v a_o book_n in_o the_o hebrew_n and_o in_o the_o greek_a 2_o sam._n xi_o 14_o 15._o and_o lettet_n be_v style_v book_n by_o 4._o by_o herod_n lib._n 1._o c._n 124._o &_o lib._n 6._o c._n 4._o herodotus_n or_o 4._o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o some_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n be_v now_o lose_v it_o be_v no_o absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v write_n to_o be_v lose_v through_o the_o fault_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n which_o be_v dictate_v by_o his_o spirit_n several_a thing_n may_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v deliver_v by_o revelation_n to_o the_o person_n who_o they_o concern_v which_o be_v never_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o other_o which_o be_v write_v but_o which_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o end_n of_o revelation_n in_o general_n but_o rather_o concern_v particular_a time_n and_o place_n and_o the_o substance_n whereof_o as_o far_o as_o the_o world_n in_o general_n be_v concern_v be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o scripture_n may_v by_o the_o carelessness_n of_o man_n never_o come_v to_o the_o sight_n and_o knowledge_n of_o posterity_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o prophecy_n have_v always_o the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n express_v and_o common_o they_o be_v often_o repeat_v in_o the_o book_n themselves_o but_o in_o the_o historical_a book_n there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o it_o because_o in_o matter_n
of_o fact_n which_o be_v past_a a_o author_n may_v easy_o be_v disprove_v if_o he_o relate_v what_o be_v false_a of_o his_o own_o time_n or_o of_o time_n whereof_o there_o be_v memorial_n still_o extant_a but_o the_o credit_n of_o prophecy_n concern_v thing_n to_o come_v a_o long_a time_n after_o to_o pass_v must_v depend_v upon_o the_o mission_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n only_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o prophet_n shall_v be_v annex_v that_o their_o prediction_n may_v be_v depend_v upon_o when_o they_o be_v know_v to_o be_v deliver_v by_o man_n who_o by_o other_o prediction_n already_o fulfil_v have_v prove_v themselves_o to_o be_v true_a prophet_n iv_o the_o very_a preservation_n of_o book_n of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n through_o so_o many_o change_n and_o revolution_n against_o all_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n and_o ignorance_n against_o the_o violence_n of_o war_n and_o the_o malice_n of_o adversary_n and_o so_o many_o other_o accident_n which_o have_v destroy_v most_o other_o book_n of_o any_o considerable_a antiquity_n be_v a_o certain_a indication_n of_o a_o wonderful_a providence_n concern_v for_o they_o and_o of_o that_o evidence_n whereby_o they_o be_v at_o first_o attest_v the_o law_n of_o the_o wise_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o most_o flourish_a and_o powerful_a nation_n have_v be_v so_o little_o regard_v by_o the_o people_n to_o who_o they_o be_v give_v that_o they_o soon_o forsake_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o and_o ready_o deliver_v up_o themselves_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o other_o law_n upon_o any_o revolution_n and_o all_o the_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n which_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n assume_v to_o themselves_o can_v make_v they_o no_o long_o adhere_v to_o nor_o so_o much_o value_v as_o to_o outlive_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o particular_a kingdom_n and_o state_n for_o which_o they_o be_v contrive_v but_o most_o of_o they_o be_v change_v or_o lay_v aside_o before_o and_o the_o rest_n give_v up_o and_o abandon_v as_o out_o of_o date_n and_o of_o little_a use_n or_o esteem_v afterward_o and_o all_o of_o they_o be_v so_o little_a able_a to_o withstand_v the_o destruction_n of_o time_n that_o we_o know_v not_o much_o more_o of_o they_o than_o that_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a be_v in_o great_a measure_n take_v out_o of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n have_v continue_v entire_a and_o unchanged_a under_o all_o accident_n and_o revolution_n of_o affair_n bear_v this_o character_n as_o well_o as_o other_o of_o he_o who_o be_v immutable_a they_o have_v be_v still_o assert_v against_o all_o the_o malice_n and_o opposition_n of_o enemy_n by_o a_o captive_a and_o disperse_a people_n who_o by_o the_o signal_n providence_n of_o god_n though_o they_o reject_v their_o messiah_n yet_o still_o acknowledge_v those_o prophecy_n which_o foretell_v his_o come_n and_o after_o their_o dispersion_n for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n be_v so_o far_o from_o renounce_v they_o that_o they_o assert_v and_o maintain_v they_o and_o be_v zealous_a even_o to_o superstition_n for_o those_o book_n which_o command_v that_o worship_n and_o appoint_v those_o solemnity_n which_o they_o have_v so_o long_o be_v out_o of_o all_o possibility_n to_o observe_v as_o if_o those_o law_n which_o be_v once_o so_o uneasy_a to_o their_o forefather_n be_v now_o become_v natural_a to_o their_o posterity_n or_o rather_o because_o they_o be_v reveal_v by_o he_o who_o word_n shall_v never_o pass_v away_o till_o all_o be_v fulfil_v v._o the_o new_a testament_n give_v evidence_n and_o confirmation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a which_o be_v so_o often_o cite_v in_o it_o vi_o the_o christian_n be_v religious_o cautious_a and_o circumspect_a in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o script_n the_o hieron_n catalogue_n eccl._n script_n epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st_n peter_n be_v at_o first_o scruple_v only_o or_o chief_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o style_n the_o style_n of_o the_o former_a be_v think_v different_a from_o that_o of_o st_n paul_n and_o the_o style_n of_o the_o latter_a from_o that_o of_o st_n peter_n the_o epistle_n of_o st_n judas_n be_v likewise_o doubt_v of_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n of_o enoch_n be_v cite_v in_o it_o write_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o several_a of_o the_o apostle_n be_v reject_v and_o by_o general_a consent_n lay_v aside_o the_o genuine_a epistle_n of_o st_n barnabas_n who_o be_v style_v a_o apostle_n act_v xiii_o 2._o fourteen_o 14._o be_v never_o receive_v but_o as_o apocryphal_a and_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st_n clement_n of_o who_o st_n paul_n give_v as_o high_a a_o character_n phil._n four_o 3._o as_o he_o do_v of_o st_n luke_n or_o as_o st_n peter_n ever_o give_v of_o st_n mark_n be_v never_o admit_v among_o the_o canonical_a book_n though_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v read_v in_o church_n but_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o st_n mark_n and_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v by_o st_n luke_n have_v ever_o be_v receive_v for_o canonical_a for_o which_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o that_o st_n mark_n and_o st_n luke_n be_v know_v to_o have_v write_v by_o inspiration_n since_o upon_o all_o personal_a and_o humane_a account_n a_o epistle_n of_o st_n barnabas_n or_o st_n clement_n must_v have_v carry_v as_o much_o authority_n with_o it_o as_o any_o thing_n under_o the_o name_n of_o st_n mark_n or_o st_n luke_n ib._n luke_n unam_fw-la ad_fw-la aedisicationem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la pertinentem_fw-la epistolam_fw-la composuit_fw-la quae_fw-la inter_fw-la apochrypha_n scripture_n legitur_fw-la id._n ib._n st_o jerom_n say_v that_o st_n barnabas_n be_v the_o author_n of_o one_o epistle_n write_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v read_v among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n so_o that_o book_n be_v style_v apocryphal_a not_o because_o it_o be_v uncertain_a who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o but_o because_o it_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o they_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_z or_o no._n so_o careful_a be_v the_o primitive_a church_n to_o receive_v none_o into_o the_o canon_n but_o book_n certain_o inspire_v it_o be_v well_o observe_v 1._o observe_v crit_fw-fr hist_o of_o the_o n._n t._n part._n 1._o c._n 1._o by_o f._n simon_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o if_o we_o compare_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n with_o the_o liturgy_n that_o we_o have_v under_o the_o name_n of_o several_a apostle_n to_o who_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o eastern_a christian_n do_v attribute_v they_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_o the_o apostle_n for_o all_o the_o church_n have_v preserve_v they_o in_o their_o ancient_a purity_n whereas_o every_o particular_a nation_n have_v add_v to_o their_o liturgy_n and_o have_v take_v the_o liberty_n often_o to_o revise_v they_o the_o respect_n that_o have_v be_v always_o have_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n without_o in_o sert_v any_o considerable_a addition_n therein_o be_v a_o evident_a proof_n that_o all_o people_n have_v look_v upon_o they_o as_o divine_a book_n which_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o to_o alter_v on_o the_o contrary_a they_o have_v be_v persuade_v that_o the_o liturgy_n though_o they_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o of_o some_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v not_o original_o write_v by_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v attribute_v and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v leave_v free_a to_o the_o church_n to_o add_v to_o they_o or_o to_o diminish_v from_o they_o according_a as_o occasion_n require_v vii_o as_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v very_o jealous_a and_o cautious_a in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n so_o they_o have_v sufficient_a mean_n and_o opportunity_n to_o examine_v and_o distinguish_v the_o genuine_a and_o inspire_v write_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a or_o spurious_a the_o way_n of_o write_v and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v well_o know_v to_o those_o to_o who_o they_o write_v as_o st_n paul_n intimate_v of_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o manner_n of_o salutation_n for_o when_o he_o use_v a_o amanuensis_fw-la yet_o he_o write_v the_o salutation_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n as_o his_o token_n in_o every_o epistle_n 2_o thess_n iii._o 17._o they_o general_o write_v to_o whole_a church_n but_o particular_a man_n be_v frequent_o name_v in_o their_o epistle_n which_o be_v a_o great_a mean_n to_o ascertain_v the_o authority_n of_o they_o 36._o they_o ago_o jam_fw-la qui_fw-la voles_fw-fr curiofitatem_fw-la melius_fw-la exercere_fw-la in_o negotio_fw-la salutis_fw-la tuus_fw-la percurre_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la adhue_n cathedrae_fw-la
apostolorum_fw-la suis_fw-la locis_fw-la presidentur_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la authenticae_fw-la literae_fw-la eorum_fw-la recitantur_fw-la tertull_n de_fw-fr prescript_n c._n 36._o tertullian_n appeal_v to_o authentic_a book_n or_o the_o very_a hand-writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o for_o though_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o word_n authenticus_fw-la do_v not_o always_o denote_v the_o original_a write_n under_o the_o author_n own_o hand_n but_o sometime_o only_a the_o original_a language_n yet_o the_o word_n of_o tertullian_n be_v express_v that_o the_o original_a epistle_n be_v in_o his_o time_n still_o extant_a for_o which_o reason_n he_o refer_v the_o heretic_n to_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o they_o be_v read_v viz._n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n of_o phillippi_n thessalonica_n ephesus_n and_o rome_n but_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v read_v in_o greek_a without_o doubt_n in_o other_o church_n beside_o these_o and_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o apostolical_a church_n rather_o than_o to_o any_o other_o must_v be_v because_o the_o original_n under_o st_n paul_n own_o hand_n be_v there_o still_o to_o be_v see_v and_o he_o mention_n that_o the_o throne_n or_o seat_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v then_o also_o preserve_v as_o 19_o as_o euseb_n hist_o lib._n seven_o c_o 19_o eusebius_n say_v that_o of_o st_n james_n be_v preserve_v to_o his_o time_n justin_n 2._o justin_n apol._n 2._o martyr_n ascribe_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o apostle_n he_o transcribe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n at_o large_a out_o of_o they_o and_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v read_v in_o the_o christian_a assembly_n every_o sunday_n 2._o sunday_n irenae_n lib._n 3_o c._n 2._o st_o ireneus_fw-la a_o disciple_n of_o st_n polycarp_n who_o be_v make_v by_o bishop_n st_n john_n gives_z a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n and_o say_v there_o be_v four_o gospel_n and_o no_o more_o and_o that_o these_o be_v write_v by_o st_n matthew_n and_o st_n mark_n and_o st_n luke_n and_o st_n john_n 5._o john_n tertull._n adv_o martion_n lib._n four_o c._n 2_o 5._o tertullian_n undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o the_o four_o gospel_n against_o martion_n and_o these_o father_n frequent_o quote_v these_o and_o the_o other_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o do_v likewise_o clemens_n romanus_n and_o ignatius_n who_o live_v and_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o but_o in_o our_o dispute_n with_o infidel_n particular_a regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o our_o proof_n against_o they_o depend_v upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n both_o 8._o both_o grot._fw-la mat._n f._n sim._n crit._n hist_o on_o the_o n._n t._n c._n 7_o 8._o grotius_n and_o f._n simon_n have_v prove_v that_o the_o gospel_n write_v in_o hebrew_n by_o st_n matthew_n be_v preserve_v to_o the_o time_n of_o st_n jerom_n and_o epiphanius_n and_o that_o though_o the_o nazarene_o have_v make_v some_o addition_n to_o it_o yet_o they_o have_v make_v no_o alteration_n in_o the_o original_a text._n f._n simon_n moreover_o say_v that_o the_o gospel_n of_o st_n matthew_n have_v be_v translate_v undoubted_o out_o of_o hebrew_n into_o greek_a before_o the_o nazarene_o have_v insert_v their_o addition_n these_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o no_o greek_a copy_n the_o ebionite_n have_v corrupt_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n which_o they_o use_v and_o have_v leave_v out_o what_o they_o please_v but_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o nazarene_o epiphanius_n 9_o epiphanius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiphan_n haeres_fw-la 29._o num._n 9_o say_v be_v more_o entire_a only_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a whether_o they_o retain_v the_o genealogy_n of_o christ_n but_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a in_o f._n simon_n be_v judgement_n that_o they_o do_v retain_v it_o though_o the_o ebionite_n omit_v it_o so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v some_o addition_n make_v by_o the_o nazarene_o yet_o as_o far_o as_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o religion_n against_o infidel_n be_v concern_v the_o hebrew_n gospel_n in_o its_o original_a hebrew_n as_o it_o be_v write_v by_o st_n matthew_n remain_v exact_o perfect_a for_o divers_a age_n till_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarene_o cease_v and_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n grow_v out_o of_o use_n the_o greek_a translation_n only_o be_v preserve_v this_o translation_n of_o st_n matthew_n gospel_n be_v ascribe_v to_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n though_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a to_o who_o of_o they_o it_o belong_v 39_o belong_v euseb_n hist_o lib._n iii._o c._n 39_o papias_n speak_v of_o the_o time_n before_o there_o be_v any_o authentic_a version_n when_o he_o say_v that_o every_o one_o translate_v it_o as_o he_o can_v for_o his_o own_o use_n it_o appear_v from_o he_o however_o that_o there_o be_v greek_a version_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o st_n matthew_n make_v immediate_o upon_o its_o first_o publication_n and_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o st_n john_n revise_v and_o approve_v the_o present_a version_n which_o be_v by_o some_o attribute_v to_o he_o by_o whosoever_o it_o be_v make_v at_o first_o for_o this_o gospel_n in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n be_v most_o in_o use_n and_o thereby_o preserve_v when_o the_o original_a hebrew_n have_v be_v so_o long_o ago_o lose_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o st_n john_n shall_v have_v no_o regard_n to_o it_o in_o that_o review_n which_o he_o take_v of_o the_o other_o gospel_n that_o be_v write_v original_o in_o greek_a we_o read_v in_o ccliv_o in_o phot._n cod_n ccliv_o photius_n that_o he_o revise_v the_o gospel_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o he_o write_v in_o divers_a language_n the_o version_n as_o well_o as_o the_o original_n and_o therefore_o this_o of_o st_o matthew_n gospel_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v omit_v one_o of_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v that_o of_o discern_v of_o spirit_n whereby_o person_n endue_v with_o it_o be_v enable_v to_o distinguish_v true_a revelation_n from_o imposture_n 1_o cor._n twelve_o 10._o and_o st_n john_n write_v his_o gospel_n and_o his_o epistle_n to_o confute_v those_o heretic_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a forger_n of_o counterfeit_a book_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o most_o notorious_a corrupter_n of_o the_o true_a book_n and_o his_o life_n be_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n prolong_v that_o he_o may_v be_v able_a both_o to_o vindicate_v and_o perfect_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n we_o find_v that_o luc._n that_o high_a catal._n in_o st._n luc._n he_o discover_v a_o imposture_n which_o be_v frame_v concern_v st_n paul_n and_o joan._n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o lib._n three_o c._n 24._o quod_fw-la quum_fw-la legisset_fw-la matthaei_n marci_n &_o lucae_n volumina_fw-la probaverit_fw-la quidem_fw-la textum_fw-la historiae_fw-la &_o vera_fw-la eos_fw-la dixisse_fw-la firmaverit_fw-la hieron_n catal._n in_o st._n joan._n that_o he_o read_v and_o approve_v the_o gospel_n which_o have_v be_v write_v before_o his_o own_o and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o he_o have_v see_v all_o the_o other_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o finish_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n himself_o and_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n and_o assembly_n of_o christian_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o become_v so_o divulge_v and_o publish_v that_o they_o can_v be_v neither_o lose_v nor_o falsify_v vi_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v genuine_a by_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o st_n paul_n epistle_n which_o he_o frequent_o quote_v the_o gospel_n be_v allow_v by_o julian_n x._o julian_n cyrill_n alex._n contr_n jul._n lib._n x._o the_o apostate_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v dial_n bear_v just_a mart._n dial_n trypho_n own_v he_o have_v read_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v no_o question_n or_o scruple_n about_o the_o author_n celsus_n quote_v the_o scripture_n frequent_o and_o hierocles_n as_o 3._o as_o lactant._n institut_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n 2_o 3._o lactantius_n who_o have_v hear_v he_o discourse_n say_v be_v as_o conversant_a in_o they_o as_o if_o he_o have_v once_o be_v a_o christian_n yet_o neither_o of_o they_o move_v any_o dispute_n concern_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o in_o refer_v to_o they_o upon_o all_o occasion_n show_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o object_n on_o that_o head_n and_o when_o 2._o when_o orig._n cont_n cell_n lib._n 2._o celsus_n say_v that_o some_o of_o the_o christian_n make_v alteration_n in_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v a_o confession_n that_o some_o only_o do_v it_o and_o origen_n show_v that_o they_o be_v
for_o what_o book_n be_v there_o without_o they_o or_o what_o book_n of_o the_o same_o bigness_n and_o of_o any_o antiquity_n have_v so_o few_o various_a lection_n as_o the_o bible_n and_o what_o book_n can_v be_v transcribe_v or_o print_v but_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o have_v mistake_v make_v in_o it_o iu._n no_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n and_o other_o version_n or_o between_o the_o several_a version_n themselves_o be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v ever_o different_a in_o any_o thing_n material_a from_o what_o it_o be_v now_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n 8._o septuagint_n id._n prolegom_n ix_o s_o â—2_n &_o x._o s_o 8._o as_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v from_o st._n jerom_n and_o other_o be_v in_o many_o place_n rather_o a_o comment_n or_o paraphrase_n than_o a_o strict_a version_n and_o give_v the_o sense_n rather_o than_o the_o word_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n many_o time_n there_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o difference_n where_o there_o be_v none_o for_o want_v of_o a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o original_a as_o 46._o as_o pocock_n append._n ad_fw-la porâ—_n mos_fw-la c._n 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o pear_n praef._n ad_fw-la septuag_n edit_fw-la cantab_n be_v voss_n de_fw-fr lxx_o interpret_v walt_n proleg_n ix_o 46._o dr_n pocock_n have_v show_v in_o divers_a instance_n and_o bp_o pearson_n in_o other_o beside_o what_o have_v be_v write_v by_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la to_o this_o purpose_n and_o one_o very_o skilful_a in_o the_o oriental_a tongue_n have_v undertake_v to_o show_v the_o agreement_n between_o hebrew_a and_z and_o the_o septuagint_n throughout_o and_o have_v make_v a_o considerable_a progress_n in_o the_o work_n as_o bishop_n walton_n inform_v we_o other_o difference_n proceed_v from_o the_o mistake_v of_o transcriber_n as_o it_o must_v needs_o happen_v in_o book_n of_o which_o so_o many_o copy_n have_v be_v take_v in_o all_o age_n and_o from_o the_o rashness_n of_o critic_n in_o make_v unnecessary_a alteration_n or_o by_o insert_v into_o the_o text_n such_o note_n as_o be_v at_o first_o place_v only_o for_o explication_n in_o the_o margin_n in_o some_o thing_n of_o less_o consequence_n the_o translator_n may_v be_v mistake_v or_o they_o may_v follow_v a_o different_a copy_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v great_o confirm_v from_o the_o citation_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n the_o copy_n which_o they_o make_v use_v of_o have_v no_o such_o variation_n from_o those_o we_o now_o use_v as_o to_o be_v of_o any_o ill_a consequence_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o to_o the_o imputation_n that_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o jew_n by_o some_o of_o the_o father_n that_o they_o have_v corrupt_v the_o scripture_n in_o such_o place_n as_o according_a to_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o ancestor_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o they_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o version_n of_o aquila_n symmachus_n and_o theodosian_a who_o be_v all_o either_o profess_a jew_n or_o judaize_v heretic_n design_v their_o translation_n to_o countenance_v their_o own_o error_n especial_o aquila_n who_o undertake_v his_o version_n purposely_o to_o oppose_v that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n for_o it_o be_v now_o general_o agree_v that_o the_o jew_n never_o deserve_v the_o censure_n of_o have_v corrupt_v the_o hebrew_n text_n though_o they_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o and_o where_o there_o be_v various_a readins_n choose_v to_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v most_o favourable_a to_o their_o own_o pretence_n though_o it_o be_v in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o forefather_n as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n philo_z in_o a_o discourse_n cite_v 6._o cite_v euseb_n praepar_fw-la evang._n lib._n viij_o c._n 6._o by_o eusebius_n who_o thereby_o own_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o say_v that_o for_o the_o space_n of_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o word_n alter_v in_o the_o law_n but_o that_o the_o jew_n will_v choose_v to_o die_v never_o so_o many_o death_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v consent_v to_o any_o thing_n in_o prejudice_n of_o it_o and_o i._n and_o contra_fw-la apion_n lib._n i._n josephus_n declare_v of_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n that_o it_o have_v suffer_v no_o alteration_n from_o the_o begin_n down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n 38._o time_n antiqu._n eccl._n orient_a epist_n 38._o morinus_n himself_o whatever_o he_o have_v elsewhere_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a declare_v in_o a_o letter_n to_o dr_n comber_n dean_n of_o carlisle_n that_o he_o suppose_v no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o jewish_a copy_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o any_o copy_n of_o the_o samaritan_n which_o he_o in_o his_o write_n so_o high_o magnify_v it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o verse_n and_o word_n and_o letter_n and_o the_o observe_v which_o be_v the_o middle_a letter_n of_o every_o book_n can_v signify_v little_a to_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n entire_a because_o there_o may_v be_v the_o same_o number_n of_o verse_n and_o word_n and_o letter_n in_o different_a book_n and_o the_o same_o number_n of_o letter_n may_v make_v up_o different_a word_n and_o the_o same_o word_n diverse_o place_v and_o apply_v may_v express_v a_o very_a different_a sense_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o charm_n in_o a_o word_n that_o stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o book_n to_o keep_v all_o the_o rest_n in_o their_o proper_a place_n but_o this_o scrupulous_a and_o even_o superstitious_a diligence_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o little_a thing_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o their_o constant_a study_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o great_a value_n and_o reverence_n they_o have_v for_o it_o so_o that_o they_o will_v neither_o corrupt_v it_o themselves_o nor_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o other_o but_o be_v careful_a and_o zealous_a to_o preserve_v every_o ever_o letter_n and_o tittle_n and_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o from_o josephus_n they_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o it_o that_o he_o think_v he_o can_v not_o full_o enough_o express_v their_o skill_n and_o accuracy_n but_o by_o say_v that_o they_o know_v it_o better_o than_o their_o own_o name_n v._o it_o be_v evident_a and_o confess_v by_o the_o critic_n that_o neither_o by_o these_o nor_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n any_o such_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o several_a copy_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o to_o prejudice_v the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o religion_n or_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n all_o relate_v to_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v eager_o debate_v by_o contend_a party_n who_o yet_o agree_v in_o this_o whatever_o they_o differ_v in_o beside_o that_o the_o various_a lection_n do_v not_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o render_v they_o ineffectual_a to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n inasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o various_a lection_n take_v together_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n nor_o to_o any_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n 2._o salvation_n non_fw-la minus_fw-la ex_fw-la ijs_fw-la quae_fw-la supra_fw-la disputata_fw-la sunt_fw-la planum_fw-la est_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la statim_fw-la libri_fw-la primi_fw-la initio_fw-la monuimus_fw-la &_o saepius_fw-la toto_fw-la opere_fw-la inculcavimus_fw-la plerasque_fw-la omnes_fw-la quae_fw-la observari_fw-la &_o deprehendi_fw-la in_o sacris_fw-la libris_fw-la possunt_fw-la varias_fw-la lectiones_fw-la levissimi_fw-la esse_fw-la ac_fw-la pene_fw-la nullius_fw-la momenti_fw-la ut_fw-la parum_fw-la admodum_fw-la intersit_fw-la aut_fw-la vero_fw-la perinde_v omnino_fw-la sit_fw-la utram_fw-la sequaris_fw-la sive_fw-la hanc_fw-la sive_fw-la illam_fw-la ludovic_n cappel_n crit._n sacr._n lib._n 6._o c._n 2._o ludovicus_n cappellus_n who_o have_v study_v this_o subject_n as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n and_o be_v as_o well_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o it_o after_o the_o strict_a examination_n he_o can_v make_v find_v that_o the_o thing_n relate_v either_o to_o faith_n or_o practice_n be_v plain_o contain_v in_o all_o copy_n whatever_o difference_n there_o be_v in_o lesser_a thing_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o chronology_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o alteration_n or_o the_o omission_n or_o addition_n of_o a_o letter_n or_o in_o the_o name_n of_o man_n or_o of_o city_n or_o country_n but_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o disperse_v throughout_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o can_v receive_v no_o damage_n nor_o alteration_n unless_o the_o whole_a scripture_n shall_v have_v be_v change_v wherefore_o not_o only_o the_o most_o learned_a protestant_n but_o 2._o but_o
we_o can_v know_v nothing_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o we_o know_v the_o proposition_n which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v though_o we_o can_v make_v good_a the_o proof_n of_o it_o in_o the_o way_n of_o natural_a reason_v but_o only_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o revealer_n which_o be_v of_o itself_o sufficient_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v instead_o of_o all_o other_o reason_n to_o we_o 2._o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v fit_v and_o accommodate_v to_o former_a age_n and_o be_v more_o proper_a and_o useful_a for_o they_o than_o if_o they_o have_v be_v write_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o be_v less_o obscure_a and_o difficult_a we_o may_v well_o imagine_v that_o many_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v have_v be_v more_o peculiar_o adapt_v to_o their_o use_n and_o advantage_n for_o who_o they_o be_v immediate_o design_v and_o the_o learning_n and_o wisdom_n of_o ancient_a time_n consist_v in_o parable_n and_o proverb_n and_o obscure_a form_n of_o speech_n in_o prophecy_n in_o subtle_a and_o dark_a parable_n and_o in_o the_o secret_n of_o grave_a sentence_n eccl._n thirty-nine_o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o it_o be_v foretell_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o particular_a that_o he_o shall_v speak_v in_o parable_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a excellency_n i_o will_v open_v my_o mouth_n in_o a_o parable_n i_o will_v utter_v dark_a say_n of_o old_a ps_n lxxviii_o 2._o matt._n xiii_o 35._o this_o be_v in_o ancient_a time_n the_o language_n of_o court_n and_o the_o proper_a way_n of_o address_n to_o king_n nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o woman_n of_o tekoa_n come_v to_o david_n with_o a_o parable_n 2_o sam._n twelve_o 1._o fourteen_o 4._o and_o jehoash_n king_n of_o israel_n send_v a_o message_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n to_o amaziah_n king_n of_o judah_n 2_o king_n fourteen_o 9_o and_o cyrus_n 141._o cyrus_n â—eâ—odot_n lib._n i_o c._n 141._o answer_v the_o petition_n of_o two_o nation_n at_o once_o to_o he_o in_o a_o short_a parable_n to_o understand_v a_o proverb_n and_o the_o interpretation_n the_o word_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o their_o dark_a say_n be_v the_o best_a description_n that_o solomon_n himself_o can_v give_v of_o wisdom_n prov._n i_o 6._o and_o â—_o and_o joseph_n antiqu._n lib._n viij_o c._n 2._o â—_o solomon_n and_o hiram_n be_v relate_v by_o josephus_n to_o have_v propound_v problem_n and_o riddle_n or_o parable_n to_o each_o other_o upon_o condition_n of_o a_o forfeiture_n to_o be_v pay_v by_o he_o who_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o riddle_n send_v he_o this_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o now_o as_o a_o strange_a correspondence_n between_o king_n but_o than_o it_o be_v otherwise_o think_v of_o many_o of_o their_o epâ—â—â—â—s_n be_v preserve_v as_o he_o tell_v we_o to_o his_o time_n at_o tyre_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n who_o testimony_n he_o produce_v think_v it_o deserve_v their_o particular_a observation_n this_o custom_n of_o propound_v riddle_n be_v as_o old_a as_o sampson_n time_n judg._n fourteen_o 12._o and_o example_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o herodotus_n etc._n herodotus_n vid._n athenae_n lib._n x._o c_o 15._o etc._n etc._n and_o other_o author_n whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a that_o homer_n die_v of_o grief_n because_o he_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o riddle_n of_o the_o fisher_n it_o show_v that_o riddle_n be_v in_o great_a request_n among_o the_o ancient_a greek_n for_o otherwise_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o ground_n either_o for_o the_o truth_n or_o fiction_n of_o such_o a_o story_n plutarch_n relate_v it_o as_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o homer_n death_n and_o when_o homer_n when_o herod_n &_o plut._n in_o vit._n homer_n herodotus_n deny_v this_o he_o own_v the_o report_n and_o by_o the_o verse_n which_o he_o say_v homer_n speak_v upon_o this_o occasion_n it_o appear_v what_o opinion_n homer_n have_v of_o this_o sort_n of_o wit._n hesiod_n be_v by_o xi_o by_o quintil._n institut_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n xi_o quintilian_n think_v the_o author_n of_o the_o fable_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o aesop_n however_o this_o make_v it_o probable_a that_o he_o do_v write_v fable_n and_o perhaps_o there_o be_v few_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o note_n in_o those_o time_n who_o do_v not_o mythology_n be_v in_o the_o high_a esteem_n among_o the_o ancient_n and_o indeed_o all_o the_o ancient_a learning_n be_v of_o this_o kind_n the_o egyptian_n who_o be_v in_o great_a reputation_n for_o learning_n deliver_v their_o notion_n in_o hieroglyphic_n as_o if_o they_o have_v resolve_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o the_o philosopher_n of_o old_a pythagoras_n heraclitus_n etc._n etc._n great_o affect_v obscurity_n socrates_n himself_o and_o plato_n and_o aristotle_n purposely_o conceal_v their_o meaning_n in_o many_o case_n from_o vulgar_a capacity_n and_o thucydides_n take_v the_o same_o course_n in_o â—is_n history_n and_o be_v obscure_a out_o of_o design_n as_o marcellinus_n have_v observe_v in_o his_o life_n the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o most_o part_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o most_o plain_a and_o the_o most_o easy_o intelligible_a of_o any_o write_n of_o ancient_a time_n and_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v more_o obvious_a but_o they_o must_v have_v be_v contemptible_a and_o useless_a to_o those_o for_o who_o they_o be_v immediate_o design_v the_o precept_n and_o exhortation_n be_v always_o plain_a and_o obvious_a and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o other_o thing_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o exception_n to_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n that_o it_o be_v necessary_a according_a to_o the_o learning_n and_o custom_n of_o ancient_a time_n the_o parable_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v explain_v to_o we_o and_o there_o can_v now_o be_v no_o pretence_n of_o obscurity_n in_o they_o and_o in_o his_o discourse_n with_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o they_o be_v not_o explain_v he_o allude_v to_o those_o proverb_n and_o custom_n which_o be_v best_a know_v and_o most_o in_o use_n among_o they_o to_o who_o upon_o any_o occasion_n he_o speak_v that_o thereby_o all_o who_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v and_o be_v not_o by_o their_o sin_n hinder_v from_o attend_v to_o what_o they_o hear_v may_v be_v the_o more_o affect_v with_o they_o and_o the_o better_o incline_v to_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o his_o instruction_n when_o they_o hear_v he_o make_v use_n of_o such_o allusion_n as_o they_o know_v according_a to_o the_o way_n of_o teach_v among_o they_o have_v some_o excellent_a hide_a meaning_n which_o they_o will_v be_v very_o desirous_a to_o become_v acquaint_v withal_o 3._o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v obscure_a to_o we_o be_v not_o obscure_a in_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v 1._o because_o the_o obscurity_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v rather_o in_o the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o speech_n than_o in_o the_o notion_n themselves_o so_o that_o that_o may_v be_v clear_a at_o first_o which_o be_v obscure_a to_o we_o who_o be_v but_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o phrase_n and_o idiom_n of_o the_o language_n and_o the_o eloquence_n of_o those_o time_n and_o country_n for_o the_o fashion_n of_o speech_n vary_v as_o much_o as_o those_o of_o the_o garb_n and_o habit_n and_o the_o eloquence_n and_o way_n of_o expression_n be_v as_o different_a as_o the_o dialect_v and_o language_n of_o divers_a age_n and_o nation_n 2._o the_o name_n of_o animal_n of_o flower_n and_o plant_n and_o mineral_n be_v very_o liable_a to_o be_v mistake_v and_o especial_o whatever_o be_v peculiar_a to_o any_o country_n must_v needs_o be_v difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o foreigner_n who_o have_v no_o such_o thing_n among_o they_o and_o perhaps_o want_v word_n to_o express_v their_o nature_n and_o can_v scarce_o have_v a_o true_a and_o exact_a notion_n of_o they_o the_o precise_a value_n of_o coin_n and_o proportion_n of_o weight_n and_o measure_n use_v so_o long_o ago_o and_o in_o country_n so_o far_o from_o we_o can_v hardly_o now_o be_v know_v and_o must_v necessary_o admit_v of_o great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n there_o be_v much_o uncertainty_n about_o these_o in_o all_o ancient_a history_n but_o the_o great_a antiquity_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n above_o other_o may_v make_v we_o reasonable_o expect_v to_o find_v many_o more_o such_o difficulty_n in_o it_o and_o the_o different_a name_n of_o the_o same_o person_n and_o of_o the_o same_o place_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v another_o occasion_n of_o obscurity_n the_o name_n coin_n weight_n and_o measure_n and_o habit_n of_o ancient_a time_n afford_v the_o great_a work_n for_o critic_n which_o be_v so_o well_o know_v when_o the_o author_n who_o mention_v they_o write_v that_o it_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o they_o to_o explain_v they_o these_o be_v difficulty_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o they_o can_v not_o
that_o hear_v prayer_n unto_o thou_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v ps_n lxv_o 2._o and_o all_o flesh_n shall_v know_v that_o i_o the_o lord_n be_o thy_o saviour_n and_o thy_o redeemer_n the_o mighty_a one_o of_o jacob_n isa_n xlix_o 26._o all_o flesh_n shall_v come_v to_o worship_n before_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n isa_n lxvi_o 23._o and_o all_o flesh_n shall_v see_v the_o salvation_n of_o god_n luke_n iii._o 6._o i_o will_v pour_v out_o of_o my_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n act_v two_o 17._o joel_n two_o 28._o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v no_o flesh_n be_v justify_v galat._n two_o 16._o and_o we_o say_v in_o our_o own_o language_n any_o body_n think_v or_o any_o body_n understand_v though_o we_o all_o know_v it_o be_v the_o soul_n and_o not_o the_o body_n which_o think_v and_o understand_v it_o be_v very_o usual_a in_o other_o book_n and_o very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n and_o to_o the_o common_a speech_n and_o sense_n of_o man_n for_o those_o action_n of_o a_o person_n to_o be_v attribute_v to_o one_o of_o the_o unite_a nature_n which_o can_v be_v perform_v only_o in_o the_o other_o and_o the_o union_n between_o the_o godhead_n and_o the_o manhood_n be_v like_o that_o which_o be_v between_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o body_n the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v suffer_v and_o the_o son_n of_o man_n to_o have_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n not_o that_o the_o godhead_n suffer_v or_o that_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o heaven_n before_o his_o incarnation_n but_o according_a to_o the_o usual_a stile_n of_o scripture_n the_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n entitle_v the_o person_n consist_v of_o they_o both_o under_o the_o denomination_n of_o either_o nature_n to_o that_o which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o other_o though_o as_o the_o humane_a nature_n do_v not_o partake_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a so_o neither_o do_v the_o divine_a nature_n partake_v of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o humane_a but_o both_o nature_n be_v personal_o unite_v the_o person_n be_v sometime_o denote_v by_o one_o and_o sometime_o by_o the_o other_o nature_n all_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n proceed_v upon_o the_o like_a mistake_n with_o they_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n to_o be_v every_o where_o and_o in_o all_o place_n to_o behold_v and_o be_v present_a at_o the_o worst_a of_o action_n as_o if_o the_o sun_n brightness_n will_v not_o be_v the_o more_o resplendent_a and_o glorious_a if_o it_o can_v penetrate_v into_o the_o obscure_a corner_n and_o recess_n of_o the_o earth_n or_o as_o if_o his_o ray_n can_v be_v sully_v and_o defile_v by_o the_o foulness_n of_o any_o object_n which_o they_o shine_v upon_o and_o if_o it_o be_v no_o diminution_n to_o god_n infinite_a glory_n and_o majesty_n to_o be_v omnipresent_v it_o can_v be_v none_o to_o be_v more_o near_o and_o even_o personal_o unite_v to_o some_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n to_o be_v so_o unite_v to_o the_o humane_a nature_n to_o manifest_v his_o love_n and_o favour_n and_o extend_v his_o goodness_n to_o mankind_n as_o god_n be_v every_o where_o present_a so_o he_o be_v in_o a_o more_o especial_a manner_n present_a in_o some_o place_n than_o in_o other_o by_o the_o act_n of_o his_o power_n or_o of_o his_o grace_n and_o favour_n and_o he_o have_v vouchsafe_v a_o more_o especial_a presence_n to_o some_o person_n than_o to_o other_o and_o thus_o he_o be_v present_a with_o his_o prophet_n who_o be_v send_v to_o prepare_v for_o and_o foretell_v christ_n come_v but_o he_o be_v personal_o unite_v to_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n and_o this_o be_v the_o high_a honour_n and_o advancement_n to_o our_o nature_n for_o god_n thus_o to_o assume_v it_o but_o it_o can_v be_v no_o diminution_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n because_o god_n continue_v as_o he_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n without_o any_o alteration_n only_o by_o his_o personal_a presence_n and_o union_n with_o our_o humane_a nature_n he_o cause_v all_o the_o performance_n and_o suffering_n of_o it_o to_o be_v meritorious_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n the_o son_n of_o god_n do_v not_o so_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n as_o to_o be_v no_o long_o there_o but_o to_o forsake_v his_o father_n kingdom_n he_o still_o continue_v in_o heaven_n in_o the_o same_o bliss_n and_o glory_n that_o he_o enjoy_v with_o his_o father_n from_o all_o eternity_n though_o he_o so_o manifest_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o come_v and_o abide_v in_o it_o by_o assume_v our_o humane_a nature_n our_o saviour_n tell_v nicodemus_n joh._n iii._o 13._o no_o man_n have_v ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n even_o the_o son_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n he_o who_o fill_v heaven_n and_o earth_n with_o his_o presence_n be_v still_o in_o heaven_n as_o much_o as_o ever_o with_o respect_n to_o his_o godhead_n though_o he_o make_v a_o more_o peculiar_a residence_n than_o he_o have_v before_o do_v on_o earth_n by_o dwell_v in_o our_o nature_n here_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o be_v at_o all_o time_n every_o where_o present_a be_v yet_o in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n present_a where_o ever_o he_o be_v please_v to_o manifest_v himself_o by_o peculiar_a act_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o power_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o do_v in_o a_o most_o stupendous_a manner_n in_o that_o flesh_n which_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n and_o it_o can_v be_v think_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n to_o actuate_v the_o humane_a nature_n and_o to_o be_v join_v in_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o vital_a union_n with_o it_o suppose_v god_n only_o to_o act_v upon_o it_o and_o not_o to_o be_v act_v upon_o by_o it_o nor_o to_o suffer_v the_o misery_n and_o feel_v the_o pain_n which_o the_o humane_a nature_n endure_v which_o will_v be_v blasphemy_n to_o assert_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o christ_n but_o to_o be_v in_o heaven_n still_o in_o his_o full_a power_n and_o majesty_n but_o some_o man_n will_v say_v how_o be_v this_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n in_o christ_n make_v or_o wherein_o do_v it_o consist_v to_o who_o we_o may_v reply_v as_o our_o saviour_n sometime_o do_v to_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n by_o ask_v another_o question_n and_o inquire_v how_o the_o body_n and_o soul_n in_o man_n be_v unite_v or_o how_o god_n be_v present_a in_o all_o place_n and_o how_o in_o he_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v and_o if_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v how_o these_o thing_n be_v though_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o they_o than_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o tell_v how_o the_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o the_o humane_a nature_n in_o christ_n be_v make_v or_o in_o what_o it_o consist_v we_o must_v acknowledge_v it_o a_o mystery_n which_o it_o be_v above_o any_o man_n capacity_n to_o explain_v but_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o union_n we_o learn_v from_o the_o scripture_n and_o thither_o we_o appeal_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o the_o put_v such_o question_n argue_v either_o a_o great_a mind_n to_o cavil_v or_o great_a inconsideration_n and_o shortness_n of_o thought_n for_o what_o man_n be_v there_o pretend_v to_o reason_n and_o argument_n of_o so_o little_a observation_n as_o not_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o of_o all_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o daily_o see_v and_o perceive_v to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n the_o nature_n and_o manner_n of_o existence_n of_o very_a few_o or_o rather_o of_o none_o of_o they_o be_v full_o understand_v by_o we_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o great_a reason_n may_v be_v give_v for_o this_o dispensation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n incarnate_a and_o that_o no_o material_a objection_n can_v be_v frame_v against_o it_o second_o no_o other_o way_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v apprehend_v can_v have_v be_v so_o proper_a and_o expedient_a as_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o procure_v the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o none_o can_v so_o well_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n the_o proof_n of_o this_o must_v depend_v upon_o the_o reason_n for_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o they_o be_v all_o comprehend_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n the_o abolish_n or_o take_v away_o of_o sin_n and_o you_o know_v that_o he_o be_v manifest_v to_o take_v away_o our_o sin_n and_o in_o he_o be_v no_o sin_n 1_o joh._n three_o 5._o we_o be_v
cause_v the_o christian_n in_o their_o apology_n to_o press_v earnest_o for_o a_o fair_a and_o impartial_a hear_v of_o their_o cause_n beseech_v their_o enemy_n that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o injurious_a to_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o themselves_o as_o to_o despise_v and_o condemn_v what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v they_o be_v desirous_a to_o undergo_v any_o trial_n if_o they_o may_v but_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v hear_v 6._o yet_o many_o who_o do_v not_o actual_o become_v christian_n have_v more_o favourable_a and_o just_a thought_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n severo_fw-la religion_n ael_n lamprid._n in_o alex._n severo_fw-la alexander_n severus_n have_v the_o effigy_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o chapel_n and_o have_v design_v to_o erect_v a_o temple_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o he_o and_o to_o insert_v his_o name_n among_o the_o heathen_a go_n as_o it_o be_v report_v that_o adrian_n likewise_o with_o the_o same_o intention_n have_v command_v temple_n to_o be_v build_v without_o image_n in_o all_o city_n but_o be_v dissuade_v by_o some_o who_o consult_v the_o oracle_n about_o it_o which_o give_v out_o that_o all_o man_n will_v then_o become_v christian_n and_o the_o other_o temple_n will_v soon_o be_v forsake_v this_o which_o be_v relate_v concern_v adrian_n have_v be_v by_o some_o suppose_a to_o be_v a_o mistake_n because_o the_o father_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o ael_n lampridius_n or_o rather_o spartianus_n who_o mention_n it_o be_v a_o heathen_a may_v perhaps_o have_v it_o from_o the_o gentile_n for_o it_o be_v only_o in_o adrian_n intention_n to_o set_v up_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n which_o may_v be_v unknown_a by_o the_o christian_n of_o his_o time_n the_o design_n be_v lay_v aside_o upon_o consult_v the_o oracle_n it_o be_v certain_o report_v in_o the_o historian_n time_n as_o he_o declare_v and_o yet_o this_o objection_n lie_v as_o well_o against_o the_o report_n as_o against_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o a_o report_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v be_v mention_v by_o no_o christian_a writer_n though_o there_o have_v be_v no_o truth_n in_o it_o 11_o it_o euseb_n hist_o lib_n vii_o c._n 11_o aemilianus_n the_o perfect_a of_o egypt_n ask_v dionysius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n when_o he_o be_v bring_v before_o he_o why_o if_o he_o who_o the_o christian_n worship_v be_v god_n they_o can_v not_o worship_v he_o with_o the_o other_o god_n many_o admire_v the_o doctrine_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n who_o can_v not_o free_v themselves_o from_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o their_o education_n they_o will_v have_v be_v willing_a to_o have_v it_o take_v in_o among_o other_o but_o can_v not_o bring_v themselves_o to_o relinquish_v all_o their_o old_a religion_n for_o it_o the_o calumny_n raise_v against_o the_o christian_n have_v cause_v the_o popular_a odium_n and_o rage_n against_o they_o but_o they_o be_v vindicated_n by_o 13._o by_o plin._n lib._n x._o epist_n 97._o just_a mar._n apol._n 2._o eus_n hist_o lib._n iu._n c._n 8_o 9_o 13._o pliny_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o trajan_n by_o serenius_fw-la granianuâ—_n proconsul_n of_o asia_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o adrian_n by_z adrian_z himself_z in_o his_o rescript_n by_o antoninus_n pius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o common_a council_n or_o the_o community_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o asia_n though_o some_o ascribe_v this_o epistle_n to_o m._n antoninus_n not_o to_o mention_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o senate_n of_o rome_n dial._n rome_n just_a martyr_n dial._n trypho_n the_o jew_n likewise_o free_v they_o from_o the_o crime_n common_o lay_v against_o they_o and_o own_v the_o excellency_n of_o their_o precept_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o those_o crime_n which_o have_v be_v wont_a to_o be_v object_v against_o the_o christian_n by_o their_o former_a adversary_n be_v not_o mention_v by_o julian_n in_o discourse_n write_v to_o oppose_v they_o who_o 305._o who_o epist_n 49._o &_o fragm_n epist_n p._n 305._o elsewhere_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o so_o much_o to_o their_o commendation_n as_o show_v the_o mighty_a force_n of_o truth_n which_o can_v extort_v it_o from_o he_o but_o the_o fear_n and_o shame_n of_o man_n hinder_v divers_a from_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n who_o have_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o thing_n than_o to_o approve_v of_o their_o own_o 11._o own_o aug._n civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n vi_o c._n 11._o seneca_n expose_v the_o heathen_a worship_n and_o express_v himself_o with_o bitterness_n against_o the_o the_o jew_n but_o be_v able_a to_o find_v nothing_o to_o blame_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n nor_o dare_v to_o commend_v it_o for_o fear_n of_o give_v offence_n to_o the_o heathen_n he_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o at_o all_o these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n though_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o difficult_a to_o be_v account_v for_o than_o the_o notion_n and_o action_n of_o man_n it_o be_v as_o hard_a to_o give_v a_o account_n how_o lycurg_n how_o senec._n de_fw-fr ira._n lib._n i._o c._n 25._o plut._n in_o lycurg_n seneca_n and_o plutarch_n shall_v allow_v of_o the_o murder_v or_o starve_v of_o poor_a infant_n as_o they_o certain_o do_v as_o why_o they_o be_v not_o christian_n no_o phaenomena_n in_o nature_n can_v be_v more_o variable_a and_o uncertain_a in_o their_o cause_n than_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o man_n which_o differ_v according_a to_o their_o temper_n and_o capacity_n and_o circumstance_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o we_o can_v find_v out_o any_o probable_a solution_n and_o have_v several_a to_o offer_v which_o may_v take_v place_n according_a to_o several_a case_n but_o the_o write_n of_o such_o as_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n be_v very_o slight_a and_o frivolous_a contain_v a_o confession_n for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o which_o our_o faith_n be_v establish_v and_o raise_v only_o some_o weak_a cavil_n which_o never_o come_v up_o to_o the_o main_a cause_n or_o undertake_v to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o miracle_n upon_o which_o our_o religion_n be_v establish_v and_o then_o let_v any_o man_n judge_v what_o reason_n they_o can_v have_v for_o their_o infidelity_n and_o indeed_o the_o prevail_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n under_o all_o manner_n of_o disadvantage_n as_o to_o humane_a mean_n show_v that_o the_o adversary_n of_o it_o have_v little_a to_o say_v against_o it_o for_o they_o must_v be_v but_o poor_a argument_n which_o can_v not_o dissuade_v man_n from_o become_a christian_n when_o they_o must_v incur_v all_o the_o danger_n and_o suffering_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v so_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o heathen_a writer_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v frequent_o cite_v by_o st._n jerom_n and_o st._n austin_n and_o other_o author_n of_o their_o time_n as_o common_o know_v and_o probable_o they_o be_v extant_a long_o after_o so_o that_o their_o argument_n be_v baffle_v and_o destroy_v long_o before_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o they_o have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n enough_o to_o do_v all_o the_o mischief_n that_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o their_o write_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o far_o lose_v but_o that_o we_o still_o know_v their_o principal_a argument_n which_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v not_o conceal_v but_o have_v give_v they_o their_o full_a force_n and_o common_o in_o their_o own_o word_n origen_n be_v so_o careful_a to_o omit_v nothing_o considerable_a which_o celsus_n have_v allege_v that_o he_o be_v often_o force_v to_o make_v apology_n for_o mention_v the_o same_o thing_n over_o again_o rather_o than_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o let_v any_o thing_n pass_v which_o be_v material_a that_o his_o adversary_n have_v say_v without_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o 43._o it_o ambr._n lib._n 2._o epist_n 11._o aug._n epist_n 43._o and_o some_o piece_n be_v preserve_v entire_a as_o the_o petition_n of_o symmachus_n among_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n ambrose_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o maximus_n madaurensis_fw-la among_o those_o of_o st._n austin_n the_o argument_n of_o julian_n be_v set_v down_o at_o large_a by_o st._n cyril_n and_o we_o learn_v from_o praefat_fw-la from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vid._n spanhem_n in_o julian_n oper_n praefat_fw-la st._n chrisostom_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v neglect_v and_o despise_v by_o the_o gentile_n themselves_o and_o be_v scarce_o to_o be_v find_v but_o among_o the_o christian_n before_o the_o edict_n of_o theodosius_n junior_n to_o prohibit_v they_o there_o