st_z verse_n and_o isaiah_n do_v not_o prophesy_v only_o in_o that_o king_n reign_n but_o also_o write_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o king_n do_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 26._o v._n 22._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o uzziah_n first_o and_o last_o do_v isaiah_n the_o prophet_n the_o son_n of_o amos_n write_v which_o book_n it_o be_v pity_n we_o have_v not_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n the_o rabbin_n likewise_o declare_v that_o isaiah_n also_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n by_o who_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o though_o in_o that_o they_o seem_v fabulous_a yet_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o his_o prophecy_n be_v extant_a the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n which_o be_v historical_o relate_v be_v pick_v up_o and_o collect_v out_o of_o divers_a chronologer_n for_o they_o be_v not_o only_o 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chapter_n have_v be_v but_o a_o parenthesis_n return_v again_o to_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n for_o the_o conjunction_n then_o wherewith_o the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n begin_v relate_v to_o the_o 8,9_o and_o 10_o verse_n of_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n and_o the_o relation_n give_v in_o this_o 38_o the_o chap._n of_o ieremy_n last_o apprehension_n and_o be_v long_o keep_v in_o a_o dungeon_n be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o the_o 37_o the_o chap._n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v take_v out_o of_o divers_a historian_n and_o no_o other_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v for_o they_o the_o rest_n of_o ieremy_n prophecy_n contain_v in_o other_o chapter_n where_o he_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o person_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o book_n which_o baruch_n write_v from_o ieremy_n own_o mouth_n which_o book_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d._n verse_n of_o the_o 36_o the_o chap._n contain_v only_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o time_n of_o josiah_n unto_o the_o four_o year_n of_o jehoiachim_n from_o which_o year_n the_o book_n begin_v out_o of_o which_o book_n also_o all_o those_o thing_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 45_o the_o chap._n to_o the_o 49_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 51_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o ezekiel_n be_v likewise_o but_o a_o fragment_n be_v manife_a by_o the_o first_o verse_n thereof_o for_o who_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o conjunction_n now_o wherewith_o the_o book_n begin_v relate_v to_o somewhat_o that_o have_v be_v already_o say_v and_o join_v that_o to_o what_o he_o have_v further_a to_o say_v not_o only_o the_o conjunction_n but_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o what_o he_o speak_v imply_v and_o suppose_v other_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v before_o write_v for_o the_o writer_n himself_o say_v by_o way_n of_o parenthesis_n in_o the_o 3_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v often_o to_o ezekiel_n the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o buzi_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldean_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o ezekiel_n which_o hitherto_o he_o have_v copy_v out_o relate_v to_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o he_o before_o the_o present_a thirty_o year_n josephus_n in_o his_o 10_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n chap._n 9_o declare_v ezekiel_n prophesy_v that_o zedechiah_n will_v not_o see_v babylon_n which_o prophecy_n do_v not_o appear_v in_o the_o book_n we_o have_v of_o ezekiel_n but_o the_o 17_o the_o chap._n foretell_v the_o contrary_a that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v carry_v captive_a thither_o whether_o hoseah_n write_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o be_v in_o the_o book_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n i_o be_o not_o certain_a but_o i_o much_o wonder_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o more_o of_o he_o see_v by_o the_o person_n testimony_n who_o write_v the_o book_n call_v hosea_n that_o prophet_n prophesy_v no_o less_o than_o eighty_o four_o year_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n where_o the_o several_a king_n be_v name_v in_o who_o time_n he_o live_v in_o general_a we_o know_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o prophet_n do_v neither_o collect_v the_o prophecy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v prophet_n nor_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o name_n we_o have_v for_o we_o have_v not_o any_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n of_o which_o prophet_n mention_n be_v make_v though_o not_o by_o name_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 33._o v._n 10_o 18_o 19_o nor_o have_v we_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o twelve_o prophet_n we_o have_v none_o of_o ionah_n prophecy_n but_o those_o that_o concern_v the_o ninevite_n though_o he_o also_o prophesy_v to_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 25_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 14_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o of_o job_n himself_o there_o have_v be_v among_o writer_n much_o dispute_n some_o think_v moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o parable_n which_o be_v likewise_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o rabbin_n in_o their_o talmud_n and_o favour_v by_o maimonides_n in_o his_o book_n still_v more_n nebuchim_n other_o believe_v the_o history_n to_o be_v real_a and_o true_a and_o that_o job_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o jacob_n and_o marry_v his_o daughter_n dinah_n but_o aben_n ezra_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o book_n of_o job_n say_v it_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o some_o other_o language_n into_o the_o hebrew_n which_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v more_o clear_o prove_v for_o than_o we_o may_v conclude_v the_o gentile_n also_o have_v book_n which_o be_v sacred_a i_o leave_v the_o thing_n still_o doubtful_a and_o conjecture_v that_o job_n be_v some_o gentile_a of_o great_a constancy_n of_o mind_n who_o at_o first_o be_v very_o prosperous_a afterward_o very_o unfortunate_a and_o in_o the_o end_n very_o happy_a for_o in_o ezechiel_n chap._n 14_o v._n 14._o he_o be_v name_v with_o noah_n and_o daniel_n for_o a_o righteous_a man._n the_o various_a fortune_n and_o constant_a mind_n of_o job_n give_v many_o a_o occasion_n of_o dispute_v god_n providence_n and_o to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o compose_v a_o dialogue_n whereof_o the_o subject_a and_o style_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o man_n be_v rather_o at_o ease_n meditate_v in_o his_o study_n than_o sick_a on_o a_o dunghill_n and_o i_o may_v with_o aben_n ezra_n believe_v the_o book_n to_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o another_o language_n because_o it_o seem_v to_o affect_v the_o heathen_a poesy_n the_o father_n of_o the_o god_n be_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n bring_v in_o twice_o call_v a_o council_n and_o momus_n who_o be_v call_v satan_n answer_v god_n with_o great_a liberty_n but_o these_o be_v mere_a frivolous_a conjecture_n the_o book_n of_o daniel_n without_o doubt_n from_o the_o 8_o the_o chapter_n thereof_o contain_v the_o write_n of_o daniel_n but_o from_o whence_o the_o first_o seven_o chapter_n be_v copy_v i_o know_v not_o we_o may_v suspect_v that_o see_v all_o of_o they_o but_o the_o first_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n language_n they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o that_o nation_n be_v chronology_n of_o which_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v account_v sacred_a only_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o and_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o
author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v to_o be_v excuse_v that_o in_o the_o 21_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 11_o the_o chap._n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o explain_v the_o text_n in_o the_o 31_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 47_o the_o chap._n of_o genesis_n quite_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o point_a hebrew_n text_n as_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v be_v to_o learn_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o the_o punctist_n in_o my_o opinion_n the_o punctist_n be_v mistake_v that_o it_o may_v appear_v they_o be_v and_o that_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o two_o interpretation_n arise_v from_o the_o want_n of_o vowel_n i_o will_v give_v you_o both_o the_o punctist_n by_o their_o point_n render_v the_o text_n in_o genesis_n thus_o and_o israel_n bow_v himself_o upon_o or_o by_o change_v hgain_o into_o aleph_fw-la a_o letter_n of_o the_o same_o organ_n towards_o the_o bed_n head_n but_o the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n say_v israel_n bow_v himself_o lean_v upon_o the_o top_n of_o his_o staff_n by_o read_v mateh_n instead_o of_o the_o word_n mitah_n which_o difference_n come_v only_o from_o the_o vowel_n now_o see_v the_o forecited_a chapter_n of_o genesis_n speak_v only_o of_o iacob_n age_n and_o not_o of_o his_o sickness_n as_o do_v the_o follow_a chapter_n it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a the_o historian_n mean_v that_o jacob_n lean_v upon_o the_o top_n of_o his_o staff_n wherewith_o man_n of_o very_o great_a age_n use_v to_o support_v themselves_o and_o not_o that_o he_o do_v bow_v himself_o upon_o or_o towards_o his_o bed_n head_n because_o in_o so_o render_v the_o text_n there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o suppose_v any_o interchange_n of_o letter_n by_o this_o example_n i_o have_v not_o only_o reconcile_v that_o place_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n with_o the_o text_n in_o genesis_n but_o have_v also_o show_v how_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o our_o new_a point_n and_o accent_n so_o that_o he_o who_o will_v interpret_v scripture_n without_o prejudice_n must_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o doubt_v narrow_o examine_v they_o to_o return_v to_o our_o purpose_n every_o one_o may_v easy_o conjecture_v that_o from_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n must_v proceed_v so_o many_o ambiguity_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o method_n to_o resolve_v they_o all_o and_o there_o be_v little_a hope_n it_o can_v be_v do_v by_o the_o mutual_a compare_v of_o one_o say_v with_o another_o which_o we_o have_v declare_v to_o be_v a_o singular_a way_n of_o find_v out_o the_o true_a of_o many_o sense_n which_o every_o sentence_n according_a to_o the_o common_a use_n of_o the_o language_n will_v bear_v and_o admit_v see_v this_o compare_v of_o place_n can_v explain_v one_o another_o but_o by_o mere_a chance_n because_o no_o prophet_n write_v with_o express_a intention_n to_o explain_v the_o word_n of_o another_o prophet_n or_o his_o own_o and_o also_o because_o we_o can_v know_v one_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n meaning_n by_o another_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o thing_n that_o concern_v the_o use_n of_o life_n but_o not_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n speculative_a and_o when_o they_o relate_v miracle_n or_o history_n moreover_o i_o can_v give_v you_o many_o instance_n of_o speech_n in_o scripture_n that_o be_v inexplicable_a but_o at_o present_a i_o pass_v they_o by_o and_o proceed_v to_o observe_v what_o other_o difficulty_n yet_o remain_v in_o this_o method_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o what_o be_v further_o to_o be_v wish_v for_o in_o it_o another_o difficulty_n attend_v this_o method_n because_o we_o have_v not_o such_o a_o history_n of_o all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o know_v not_o the_o author_n or_o rather_o the_o penman_n of_o many_o of_o the_o book_n at_o least_o we_o doubt_v of_o they_o as_o i_o shall_v at_o large_a show_n in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n neither_o do_v we_o know_v upon_o what_o occasion_n or_o when_o those_o book_n of_o who_o penman_n we_o doubt_v be_v write_v we_o be_v ignorant_a into_o what_o hand_n all_o the_o book_n fall_v nor_o know_v we_o in_o who_o copy_n so_o many_o various_a readins_n be_v find_v and_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o some_o which_o have_v more_o various_a readins_n what_o advantage_n it_o be_v to_o know_v all_o these_o thing_n i_o have_v brief_o declare_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n but_o i_o have_v there_o purposely_o omit_v some_o thing_n which_o come_v now_o to_o be_v consider_v if_o we_o read_v any_o book_n that_o contain_v thing_n incredible_a unintelligible_a or_o write_v in_o very_o obscure_a term_n and_o know_v not_o who_o be_v its_o author_n or_o at_o what_o time_n or_o upon_o what_o occasion_n it_o be_v write_v in_o vain_a do_v we_o labour_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n thereof_o for_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n be_v know_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v what_o the_o author_n do_v or_o can_v mean_v but_o when_o we_o be_v once_o satisfy_v in_o these_o thing_n our_o thought_n demine_a without_o prejudice_n and_o give_v to_o the_o author_n or_o to_o he_o in_o who_o favour_n the_o author_n write_v neither_o more_o or_o less_o than_o be_v his_o due_n nor_o do_v we_o think_v of_o any_o other_o thing_n than_o be_v or_o may_v be_v in_o the_o author_n mind_n and_o such_o as_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n require_v and_o this_o be_v apparent_a for_o it_o often_o happen_v when_o in_o divers_a book_n we_o read_v story_n one_o like_o another_o we_o pass_v different_a judgement_n on_o they_o according_a to_o the_o different_a opinion_n we_o have_v of_o the_o writer_n i_o remember_v i_o have_v read_v in_o a_o certain_a book_n of_o a_o man_n call_v orlando_n furioso_fw-it who_o rid_v upon_o a_o wing_a monster_n through_o the_o air_n into_o what_o country_n he_o please_v and_o slay_v a_o great_a number_n of_o man_n and_o giant_n with_o abundance_n of_o other_o fancy_n beyond_o all_o reason_n and_o sense_n a_o story_n like_o this_o i_o have_v read_v in_o ovid_n of_o perseus_n and_o another_o in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n and_o king_n of_o samson_n who_o single_a and_o unarmed_a slay_v thousand_o of_o man_n and_o of_o eliah_n who_o with_o a_o chariot_n and_o horse_n of_o fire_n mount_v up_o to_o heaven_n these_o story_n i_o say_v be_v like_o one_o another_o yet_o we_o make_v different_a judgement_n of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o the_o first_o author_n write_v nothing_o but_o fable_n the_o second_o matter_n political_a and_o the_o three_o sacred_a and_o this_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o the_o different_a opinion_n we_o have_v of_o the_o writer_n it_o be_v therefore_o evident_a that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o author_n who_o have_v write_v thing_n obscure_a and_o very_a difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o interpret_v their_o write_n and_o among_o several_a reading_n of_o obscure_a history_n that_o we_o may_v choose_v the_o true_a it_o be_v necessary_a to_o know_v in_o who_o copy_n those_o diverse_a reading_n be_v find_v and_o whether_o many_o other_o reading_n have_v not_o be_v meet_v with_o among_o man_n of_o great_a authority_n last_o we_o meet_v with_o another_o difficulty_n in_o expound_v some_o book_n of_o scripture_n by_o not_o have_v those_o book_n in_o the_o same_o language_n wherein_o they_o be_v first_o write_v for_o it_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n that_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o st._n matthew_n and_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v write_v in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n which_o copy_n be_v no_o where_o extant_a in_o what_o language_n the_o book_n of_o job_n be_v write_v be_v a_o doubt_n abenezra_n in_o his_o commentary_n affirm_v it_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o some_o other_o language_n into_o hebrew_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o its_o obscurity_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n i_o say_v nothing_o because_o they_o be_v of_o little_a or_o no_o authority_n these_o be_v all_o the_o difficulty_n in_o this_o method_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n by_o such_o a_o history_n as_o may_v be_v have_v of_o it_o of_o which_o i_o promise_v to_o give_v a_o account_n and_o i_o think_v they_o so_o great_a that_o i_o may_v bold_o say_v we_o can_v know_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o many_o place_n or_o at_o most_o we_o can_v without_o any_o certainty_n but_o guess_n at_o it_o however_o this_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o all_o those_o difficulty_n can_v only_o hinder_v we_o from_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n in_o thing_n imperceptible_a which_o we_o can_v only_o imagine_v but_o not_o in_o thing_n intelligible_a of_o which_o we_o may_v form_v clear_a conception_n for_o thing_n which_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v easy_o conceive_v can_v never_o be_v speak_v so_o
fit_v and_o proportion_v to_o man_n understanding_n and_o capacity_n as_o i_o have_v prove_v i_o to_o be_v the_o difficulty_n that_o be_v in_o it_o have_v proceed_v from_o man_n sloth_n and_o negligence_n not_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o method_n chap._n viii_o show_v that_o the_o pentateuk_n book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n samuel_n and_o the_o king_n be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v and_o then_o inquire_v whether_o the_o writer_n of_o all_o these_o book_n be_v diverse_a person_n or_o but_o one_o and_o who_o in_o the_o former_a chapter_n we_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o foundation_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o we_o have_v show_v they_o to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o true_a history_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o history_n though_o very_o necessary_a the_o ancient_n neglect_v to_o compose_v or_o at_o least_o if_o they_o write_v or_o leave_v any_o by_o tradition_n it_o perish_v by_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n and_o consequent_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o fundamental_o and_o principle_n of_o scripture-knowledge_n be_v lose_v which_o loss_n however_o have_v be_v more_o tolerable_a if_o man_n of_o succeed_a age_n have_v keep_v themselves_o within_o their_o true_a bound_n and_o have_v faithful_o deliver_v to_o their_o successor_n those_o few_o principle_n which_o they_o receive_v or_o find_v out_o and_o have_v not_o out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n forge_v new_a whereby_o the_o history_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o only_o imperfect_a but_o remain_v full_a of_o error_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o scripture_n knowledge_n be_v not_o only_o so_o few_o that_o a_o perfect_a history_n can_v be_v build_v on_o they_o but_o they_o be_v also_o very_o faulty_a and_o defective_a to_o rectify_v this_o and_o remove_v the_o common_a prejudices_fw-la in_o divinity_n be_v my_o purpose_n but_o i_o fear_v i_o go_v about_o it_o too_o late_a for_o thing_n be_v now_o almost_o come_v to_o that_o height_n man_n in_o this_o point_n will_v endure_v no_o correction_n but_o obstinate_o defend_v whatever_o they_o have_v embrace_v under_o the_o form_n of_o religion_n reason_n prevail_v with_o very_a few_o so_o universal_o have_v these_o prejudices_fw-la spread_v themselves_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n i_o will_v nevertheless_o endeavour_v and_o try_v what_o i_o can_v do_v because_o the_o business_n be_v not_o absolute_o desperate_a that_o i_o may_v in_o order_n show_v what_o these_o prejudices_fw-la be_v i_o will_v begin_v with_o those_o which_o concern_v the_o penman_n of_o those_o book_n that_o be_v account_v sacred_a and_o first_o concern_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n common_o call_v the_o pentateuk_n man_n have_v general_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n himself_o and_o the_o pharisee_n so_o stiff_o defend_v this_o opinion_n that_o they_o count_v he_o a_o heretic_n that_o think_v otherwise_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n aben_n ezra_n a_o person_n of_o a_o ingenuous_a disposition_n and_o no_o mean_a learning_n be_v the_o first_o i_o read_v of_o who_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o mistake_n dare_v not_o plain_o declare_v his_o thought_n but_o only_o hint_v his_o opinion_n in_o obscure_a word_n which_o i_o will_v not_o scruple_n to_o explain_v and_o give_v you_o their_o naked_a meaning_n aben_n ezra_n word_n in_o his_o comment_n upon_o deutronomy_n be_v these_o beyond_o jordan_n now_o thou_o may_v understand_v the_o mystery_n of_o twelve_o and_o moses_n also_o write_v the_o law_n and_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n in_o the_o mount_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v it_o be_v see_v behold_v his_o bedstead_n be_v a_o bedstead_n of_o iron_n then_o shall_v thou_o know_v the_o truth_n by_o these_o few_o word_n he_o show_v and_o plain_o declare_v that_o it_o be_v not_o moses_n but_o some_o other_o person_n that_o live_v long_o after_o he_o who_o write_v the_o pentateuk_n and_o that_o moses_n write_v some_o other_o book_n to_o make_v this_o appear_v his_o first_o observation_n be_v that_o the_o preface_n of_o deutronomy_n which_o begin_v thus_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n which_o he_o speak_v unto_o all_o israel_n beyond_o jordan_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n who_o never_o pass_v jordan_n his_o second_o observation_n be_v that_o the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v be_v fair_o copy_v out_o in_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o altar_n as_o appear_v deut._n chap._n 27._o v._n 5_o 8._o josh._n chap._n 8._o v._n 31_o 32._o which_o altar_n the_o rabbin_n declare_v be_v make_v only_o of_o twelve_o stone_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o book_n which_o moses_n write_v be_v a_o volume_n much_o less_o than_o the_o pentateuk_n and_o this_o i_o think_v aben_n ezra_n mean_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o twelve_o unless_o perhaps_o he_o understand_v those_o twelve_o curse_n which_o be_v in_o the_o forementioned_a 27_o the_o chapter_n of_o deutronomy_n which_o he_o may_v believe_v be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o beside_o the_o write_n of_o the_o law_n command_v the_o levite_n to_o repeat_v those_o curse_n that_o they_o may_v by_o oath_n bind_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v the_o write_a law_n or_o else_o perhaps_o he_o mean_v the_o last_o chapter_n of_o deutronomy_n that_o speak_v of_o moses_n death_n which_o chapter_n consist_v only_o of_o twelve_o verse_n but_o these_o and_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v only_o by_o guess_n need_v not_o a_o more_o curious_a examination_n the_o three_o observation_n be_v that_o it_o be_v say_v deut._n chap._n 31._o v._n 9_o moses_n write_v this_o law_n and_o deliver_v it_o etc._n etc._n which_o can_v not_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n but_o of_o some_o other_o person_n declare_v what_o moses_n do_v and_o what_o he_o write_v his_o four_o observation_n be_v that_o place_n gen._n chap._n 12._o v._n 6._o where_o it_o be_v say_v speak_v of_o abraham_n pass_v through_o canaan_n that_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n which_o word_n must_v be_v write_v after_o moses_n death_n when_o the_o canaanite_n be_v drive_v out_o and_o do_v not_o possess_v the_o land_n and_o this_o must_v likewise_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o aben_n ezra_n comment_v upon_o this_o place_n in_o these_o word_n and_o the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n it_o seem_v that_o canaan_n nephew_n to_o noah_n take_v that_o land_n from_o some_o other_o who_o possess_v it_o if_o not_o then_o there_o be_v a_o great_a mystery_n in_o the_o thing_n whosoever_o understand_v it_o let_v he_o be_v silent_a that_o be_v if_o canaan_n invade_v those_o country_n than_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n the_o cananite_n be_v then_o in_o the_o land_n must_v be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n past_o when_o the_o land_n be_v inhabit_v by_o another_o nation_n but_o if_o canaan_n be_v the_o first_o who_o live_v in_o that_o country_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n of_o gen._n he_o be_v then_o the_o word_n must_v imply_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o person_n who_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o canaanite_n be_v not_o in_o the_o land_n so_o that_o moses_n can_v not_o be_v the_o writer_n of_o it_o because_o in_o his_o time_n the_o canaanite_n be_v still_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o that_o country_n and_o this_o be_v that_o mystery_n he_o will_v not_o have_v make_v public_a his_o five_o observation_n be_v that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o 22_o the_o chap._n gen._n v._n 14_o where_o speak_a of_o mount_n moriah_n the_o text_n say_v it_o be_v say_v to_o this_o day_n in_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v it_o be_v see_v now_o it_o be_v not_o call_v the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n till_o after_o it_o be_v dedicate_v to_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o this_o choice_n of_o the_o mountain_n be_v not_o make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n who_o do_v not_o speak_v of_o any_o place_n choose_v by_o god_n but_o only_o foretell_v that_o god_n will_v in_o time_n to_o come_v choose_v a_o place_n which_o shall_v bear_v god_n name_n his_o six_o observation_n be_v what_o be_v say_v deut._n chap._n 3._o speak_v of_o og_n king_n of_o basan_n these_o word_n be_v interpose_v v_o 11_o the_o for_o only_a og_n king_n of_o basan_n remain_v of_o the_o remnant_n of_o the_o giant_n behold_v his_o bedstead_n be_v a_o bedstead_n of_o iron_n be_v it_o not_o in_o rabbah_n of_o the_o child_n of_o ammon_n nine_o cubit_n be_v the_o length_n thereof_o which_o parenthesis_n clear_o show_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n live_v long_o after_o moses_n for_o this_o manner_n of_o speak_v argue_v that_o the_o person_n relate_v what_o pass_v long_o ago_o and_o to_o obtain_v credit_n show_v some_o ancient_a relic_n without_o question_v this_o bedstead_n be_v first_o
they_o he_o say_v here_o we_o know_v not_o what_o to_o answer_v more_o than_o we_o do_v namely_o that_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o talmudist_n to_o contradict_v the_o masorite_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v not_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o conclude_v that_o of_o one_o place_n there_o be_v never_o more_o than_o two_o reading_n yet_o i_o easy_o grant_v yea_o i_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v find_v more_o than_o two_o readins_n of_o one_o place_n and_o that_o for_o two_o reason_n first_o because_o that_o from_o whence_o the_o variety_n of_o readins_n proceed_v can_v not_o occasion_n more_o than_o two_o for_o we_o have_v show_v that_o the_o difference_n of_o readins_n arise_v from_o the_o similitude_n which_o be_v between_o some_o letter_n and_o still_o the_o doubt_n be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o which_o of_o two_o letter_n be_v to_o be_v write_v whether_o bet_n or_o kaf_n jod_n or_o vaughan_n dalet_n or_o res._n of_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a use_n and_o therefore_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o the_o sense_n be_v tolerable_a with_o either_o beside_o it_o be_v doubtful_a sometime_o whether_o a_o syllable_n be_v long_o or_o short_a who_o quantity_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o those_o letter_n who_o pronunciation_n be_v scarce_o to_o be_v perceive_v and_o last_o all_o marginal_a note_n be_v not_o dubious_a readins_n for_o as_o we_o have_v already_o say_v many_o of_o they_o be_v put_v in_o for_o decency_n and_o modesty_n sake_n and_o sometime_o to_o explain_v obsolete_a and_o antiquate_a word_n the_o second_o reason_n why_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o more_o than_o two_o readins_n can_v be_v find_v of_o one_o place_n be_v because_o i_o believe_v the_o ancient_a scribe_n meet_v with_o very_a few_o original_n perhaps_o not_o above_o two_o or_o three_o in_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o scribe_n chap._n 6_o the_o there_o be_v mention_v make_v but_o of_o three_o which_o they_o pretend_v be_v find_v in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o boast_v that_o the_o note_n be_v put_v in_o by_o he_o however_o it_o be_v though_o they_o have_v three_o original_a copy_n we_o may_v with_o reason_n imagine_v that_o two_o of_o they_o may_v still_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o place_n together_o but_o every_o body_n may_v just_o wonder_v that_o only_o in_o three_o copy_n there_o shall_v be_v find_v three_o divers_a readins_n of_o one_o place_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o after_o esdras_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o great_a a_o scarcity_n of_o copy_n can_v be_v no_o great_a wonder_n to_o any_o man_n who_o will_v but_o read_v the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o maccabee_n or_o the_o seven_o chapter_n of_o the_o twelve_v book_n of_o iosephus_n antiquity_n yea_o it_o be_v a_o miracle_n that_o after_o so_o great_a and_o continual_a a_o persecution_n they_o shall_v be_v able_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o story_n to_o keep_v those_o few_o they_o have_v we_o see_v then_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o no_o where_o meet_v with_o more_o than_o two_o dubious_a readins_n so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n at_o all_o to_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v no_o where_o more_o than_o two_o therefore_o the_o bible_n in_o those_o note_a place_n be_v not_o write_v right_o purposely_o to_o signify_v some_o mystery_n the_o second_o objection_n which_o say_v some_o thing_n be_v so_o manifest_o false_a write_v that_o no_o body_n can_v deny_v it_o and_o therefore_o those_o error_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v correct_v rather_o in_o the_o text_n then_o note_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v of_o no_o great_a weight_n nor_o be_o i_o oblige_v to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n they_o do_v not_o do_v it_o perhaps_o it_o be_v because_o they_o be_v so_o honest_a as_o to_o leave_v the_o bible_n to_o posterity_n just_a as_o they_o find_v it_o in_o the_o few_o original_n they_o meet_v with_o and_o think_v fit_a to_o note_v the_o disagreement_n between_o the_o original_a copy_n rather_o as_o divers_a then_o dubious_a readins_n nor_o have_v i_o call_v they_o dubious_a upon_o any_o other_o account_n but_o because_o i_o can_v tell_v which_o of_o the_o two_o ought_v to_o be_v prefer_v last_o the_o scribe_n beside_o these_o dubious_a reading_n by_o leave_v a_o void_a space_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o paragraph_n have_v note_v many_o defective_a place_n the_o precise_a number_n of_o which_o space_n the_o masorite_n have_v observe_v to_o be_v twenty_o eight_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o believe_v there_o be_v likewise_o some_o mystery_n in_o that_o number_n the_o pharisee_n be_v very_o religious_a observer_n of_o this_o space_n there_o be_v a_o example_n of_o one_o of_o they_o gen._n chap._n 4._o v._n 8._o in_o the_o latin_a translation_n it_o be_v thus_o write_v &_o dixit_fw-la cain_n habeli_n fratti_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o contigit_fw-la dum_fw-la erant_fw-la in_o campo_n ut_fw-la cain_n so_o that_o where_o we_o expect_v to_o hear_v what_o it_o be_v cain_n say_v to_o his_o brother_n there_o be_v only_o a_o void_a space_n of_o which_o space_n the_o scribe_n have_v leave_v twenty_o eight_o in_o many_o of_o which_o nothing_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v want_v if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v such_o a_o void_a space_n leave_v chap._n x._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o like_a manner_n examine_v of_o the_o two_o book_n of_o chronicle_n there_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v say_v worth_n a_o man_n know_v nor_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v certain_a more_o than_o that_o they_o be_v write_v long_o after_o esdras_n and_o perhaps_o after_o judas_n maccabeus_n rebuilt_a the_o temple_n for_o in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chron._n the_o historian_n tell_v we_o what_o family_n in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n first_o inhabit_v jerusalem_n and_o in_o the_o 17_o the_o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o porter_n whereof_o two_o be_v likewise_o name_v in_o the_o 19_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 11_o the_o chapter_n of_o nehemiah_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a proof_n that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v after_o the_o city_n be_v rebuilt_a concern_v the_o writer_n the_o authority_n doctrine_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o book_n i_o can_v say_v nothing_o but_o i_o very_o much_o wonder_n they_o shall_v be_v esteem_v sacred_a and_o canonical_a by_o those_o man_n who_o think_v the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n tobit_n and_o other_o apocryphal_a it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o magnify_v their_o authority_n see_v they_o be_v general_o receive_v for_o canonical_a as_o they_o be_v i_o leave_v they_o the_o psalm_n be_v collect_v and_o divide_v into_o five_o book_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n for_o the_o 88_o the_o psalm_n be_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o philo_n judaeus_fw-la publish_v when_o king_n jehoiachim_n be_v keep_v a_o prisoner_n at_o babylon_n and_o the_o 89_o the_o psalm_n when_o he_o be_v set_v at_o liberty_n i_o believe_v philo_n will_v not_o have_v say_v it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v the_o receive_a opinion_n of_o his_o time_n or_o have_v he_o not_o hear_v it_o from_o very_o credible_a person_n i_o believe_v the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n be_v collect_v much_o about_o the_o same_o time_n or_o at_o least_o in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n josiah_n because_o it_o be_v say_v prov._n chap._n 25._o v._n 1._o these_o be_v the_o pooverb_n of_o solomon_n which_o the_o man_n of_o hezekiah_n king_n of_o judah_n copy_v out_o but_o i_o can_v here_o forbear_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o great_a boldness_n of_o the_o rabbin_n who_o will_v have_v exclude_v this_o book_n and_o that_o of_o ecclesiastes_n out_o of_o the_o sacred_a canon_n which_o have_v be_v certain_o do_v have_v they_o not_o meet_v with_o some_o place_n which_o commend_v moses_n law_n it_o be_v pity_n such_o thing_n so_o sacred_a and_o excellent_a shall_v lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o such_o man_n we_o thank_v they_o for_o communicate_v they_o to_o we_o but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a doubt_n whether_o they_o have_v be_v faithful_o deliver_v to_o posterity_n which_o i_o will_v not_o here_o strict_o examine_v but_o proceed_v to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v serious_o consider_v they_o i_o plain_o perceive_v that_o the_o prophecy_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o other_o book_n they_o be_v not_o set_v down_o in_o the_o order_n wherein_o they_o be_v deliver_v nor_o write_v by_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o neither_o be_v all_o record_v but_o such_o as_o here_o and_o there_o can_v be_v find_v out_o so_o that_o these_o book_n be_v but_o mere_a fragment_n of_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n begin_v to_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o vzziah_n king_n of_o judah_n as_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n of_o isaiah_n himself_o testify_v in_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n and_o 1_o
the_o language_n word_n or_o style_v wherein_o they_o be_v express_v and_o that_o all_o book_n which_o declare_v and_o teach_v what_o be_v excellent_o good_a in_o what_o tongue_n or_o by_o what_o nation_n soever_o write_v be_v equal_o sacred_a let_v this_o at_o least_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o chapter_n which_o be_v write_v in_o chaldee_n be_v no_o less_o sacred_a than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o whole_a bible_n to_o this_o book_n of_o daniel_n the_o first_o book_n of_o ezra_n be_v so_o annex_v that_o it_o appear_v they_o be_v both_o write_v by_o one_o person_n who_o relate_v what_o successive_o pass_v among_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o first_o captivity_n and_o to_o this_o book_n of_o esdras_n without_o doubt_n be_v join_v the_o book_n of_o hester_n for_o the_o conjunction_n wherewith_o the_o book_n begin_v can_v relate_v to_o no_o other_o book_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v think_v the_o same_o book_n which_o mordecai_n write_v for_o he_o that_o write_v the_o book_n of_o hester_n say_v in_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n v._n 20._o that_o mordecai_n write_v letter_n and_o declare_v what_o be_v their_o content_n moreover_o the_o 31_o the_o of_o the_o same_o chapter_n tell_v we_o that_o queen_n hester_n confirm_v by_o a_o decree_n all_o thing_n concern_v the_o feast_n of_o purim_n or_o lot_n and_o in_o the_o 32_o the_o verse_n it_o be_v say_v it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n manner_n of_o speak_v in_o a_o book_n which_o every_o one_o at_o that_o time_n know_v which_o book_n with_o other_o aben_n ezra_n say_v be_v lose_v what_o else_o concern_v mordecai_n the_o historian_n in_o the_o 10_o the_o chap._n v._n 2._o say_v be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o media_n and_o persia_n and_o therefore_o without_o question_n this_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n who_o write_v the_o affair_n of_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n and_o so_o also_o be_v the_o book_n of_o nehemiah_n call_v the_o second_o book_n of_o ezra_n so_o that_o we_o conclude_v these_o four_o book_n namely_o daniel_n ezra_n hester_n and_o nehemiah_n to_o be_v write_v by_o one_o historian_n but_o who_o he_o be_v i_o can_v so_o much_o as_o guess_v but_o that_o we_o may_v know_v whoever_o he_o be_v from_o whence_o he_o have_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v and_o from_o whence_o he_o copy_v they_o out_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o governor_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o do_v their_o king_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o keep_v scribe_n or_o historiographer_n who_o write_v annal_n and_o record_v what_o past_a which_o annal_n or_o chronology_n be_v every_o where_o cite_v in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n but_o those_o of_o the_o prince_n and_o priest_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n be_v quote_v first_o in_o nehemiah_n chap._n 12._o v._n 23._o and_o also_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o macchabee_n chap._n 16._o v._n 24._o and_o no_o question_n this_o book_n of_o annal_n be_v that_o book_n mention_v in_o the_o 32_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 9_o the_o chap._n of_o hester_n in_o which_o the_o decree_n of_o queen_n hester_n and_o those_o thing_n that_o concern_v mordecai_n be_v write_v which_o book_n we_o agree_v with_o aben_n ezra_n be_v lose_v and_o out_o of_o this_o book_n of_o annal_n all_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o four_o book_n we_o have_v last_o mention_v be_v in_o all_o probability_n take_v and_o copy_v for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n quote_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o four_o nor_o do_v we_o know_v any_o other_o of_o public_a authority_n that_o these_o four_o book_n be_v not_o write_v either_o by_o ezra_n or_o nehemiah_n appear_v by_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 9_o the_o and_o 10_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 12_o the_o chap._n of_o nehem._n where_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o highpriest_n jesuah_n be_v derive_v down_o to_o jaduah_n the_o six_o highpriest_n who_o go_v to_o meet_v alexander_n the_o great_a when_o he_o have_v almost_o conquer_v the_o kingdom_n of_o persia_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n and_o 8_o the_o chap._n of_o iosephus_n antiquity_n or_o as_o philo_n judaeus_fw-la say_v in_o libro_fw-la temporum_fw-la the_o six_o and_o last_o highpriest_n under_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n which_o be_v likewise_o plain_o declare_v in_o the_o 22_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a 12_o the_o chap._n of_o nehem._n where_o the_o historian_n say_v the_o levite_n in_o the_o day_n of_o eliashib_n joiada_n johanan_n and_o jaduah_n be_v record_v priest_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o darius_n the_o persian_a that_o be_v in_o the_o annal_n of_o that_o government_n and_o sure_a no_o man_n will_v believe_v that_o hezra_n or_o nehemiah_n be_v so_o long_o live_v to_o survive_v fourteen_o persian_a king_n for_o cyrus_n the_o first_o king_n of_o persia_n be_v he_o that_o give_v the_o jew_n liberty_n to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n and_o from_o he_o to_o darius_n the_o fourteen_o and_o last_o king_n of_o the_o persian_n be_v reckon_v 230_o year_n therefore_o without_o all_o doubt_n these_o four_o book_n i_o have_v mention_v be_v write_v long_o after_o judas_n maccabeus_n restore_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o also_o because_o at_o that_o time_n be_v spurious_a counterfeit_n book_n of_o daniel_n hesdras_n and_o hester_n publish_v by_o some_o malicious_a person_n who_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o zadduce_n for_o the_o pharisee_n will_v never_o own_v they_o and_o though_o in_o the_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o 4_o the_o of_o esdras_n there_o be_v some_o fabulous_a story_n which_o we_o also_o find_v in_o the_o talmud_n yet_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v father_v on_o the_o pharisee_n for_o there_o be_v no_o man_n of_o sense_n but_o believe_v those_o tale_n be_v add_v by_o some_o trifle_a fellow_n perhaps_o to_o render_v the_o pharisaical_a tradition_n ridiculous_a or_o to_o make_v the_o people_n of_o that_o time_n believe_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n be_v fulfil_v thereby_o to_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o many_o and_o great_a calamity_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o despair_n but_o though_o these_o book_n be_v of_o no_o great_a antiquity_n yet_o many_o fault_n i_o suppose_v through_o haste_n in_o those_o who_o copy_v they_o out_o have_v creep_v into_o they_o for_o in_o these_o as_o in_o the_o rest_n be_v many_o marginal_a note_n of_o which_o we_o speak_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n and_o also_o some_o place_n for_o which_o no_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v but_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o marginal_a readins_n of_o these_o book_n be_v as_o the_o pharisee_n will_v have_v it_o as_o ancient_a as_o the_o writer_n themselves_o than_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o scribe_n if_o they_o be_v more_o than_o one_o put_v these_o note_n into_o the_o margin_n because_o they_o do_v not_o find_v the_o annal_n from_o whence_o they_o copy_v out_o the_o book_n perfect_o write_v and_o though_o some_o fault_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o obvious_a yet_o the_o scribe_n will_v not_o be_v so_o bold_a to_o alter_v or_o mend_v the_o write_n of_o their_o ancestor_n of_o this_o particular_a i_o have_v say_v enough_o and_o i_o now_o pass_v on_o to_o show_v those_o error_n whereof_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v in_o the_o margin_n i_o can_v tell_v how_o many_o i_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chap_n of_o ezra_n for_o in_o the_o 64_o the_o verse_n it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o whole_a congregation_n together_o of_o those_o that_o go_v up_o out_o of_o captivity_n to_o jerusalem_n be_v forty_o two_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o and_o threescore_o and_o yet_o if_o the_o particular_a number_n throughout_o the_o whole_a chapter_n be_v exact_o sum_v up_o and_o add_v together_o they_o make_v the_o total_a to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o twenty_o nine_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o error_n in_o the_o total_a or_o particular_a number_n now_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a the_o total_a number_n be_v not_o mistake_v but_o set_v down_o right_a because_o every_o one_o may_v keep_v that_o in_o memory_n though_o he_o can_v not_o remember_v the_o particular_a number_n have_v there_o be_v any_o error_n or_o mistake_n in_o the_o total_a every_o body_n will_v have_v know_v it_o and_o it_o may_v have_v be_v easy_o mend_v which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n of_o nehemiah_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o they_o that_o come_v up_o from_o the_o captivity_n be_v the_o very_a same_o mention_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o chap_n of_o ezra_n but_o the_o particular_a number_n very_o much_o differ_v for_o
neguniah_n the_o son_n of_o hiskiah_n the_o book_n of_o ezechiel_n have_v be_v abscond_v because_o there_o be_v expression_n in_o it_o repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o learned_a in_o the_o law_n hold_v a_o council_n to_o determine_v what_o book_n shall_v be_v receive_v for_o sacred_a and_o what_o shall_v be_v reject_v so_o that_o whoever_o will_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o must_v search_v into_o the_o council_n and_o know_v upon_o what_o ground_n and_o reason_n every_o book_n be_v receive_v i_o shall_v now_o examine_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o hear_v it_o have_v be_v already_o do_v by_o man_n learn_v in_o the_o science_n and_o skilful_a in_o tongue_n i_o be_o not_o grecian_a good_a enough_o to_o undertake_v it_o beside_o we_o want_v original_a copy_n of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v not_o engage_v myself_o in_o the_o business_n but_o only_o observe_v some_o thing_n which_o make_v to_o my_o main_a purpose_n and_o that_o shall_v be_v the_o work_n of_o my_o next_o chapter_n chap._n xi_o inquire_v whether_o the_o apostle_n write_v their_o epistle_n as_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n or_o only_o as_o teacher_n and_o show_v what_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n whoever_o read_v the_o new_a testament_n must_v be_v convince_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n but_o because_o the_o prophet_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n do_v but_o seldom_o and_o not_o always_o speak_v by_o revelation_n it_o may_v very_o well_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o the_o apostle_n like_o moses_n jeremy_n and_o other_o do_v by_o express_a command_n and_o revelation_n write_v their_o epislle_n as_o prophet_n or_o else_o only_o as_o private_a man_n and_o teacher_n especial_o because_o in_o the_o 1_o st_z epist._n to_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 14._o v._n 6._o paul_n in_o express_a term_n declare_v there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o speak_v the_o one_o by_o revelation_n the_o other_o by_o knowledge_n i_o say_v therefore_o it_o may_v be_v doubt_v whether_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o write_n do_v prophesy_v or_o instruct_v their_o style_n if_o we_o mark_v it_o be_v very_o far_o different_a from_o that_o use_v in_o prophecy_n it_o be_v always_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o declare_v that_o they_o speak_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n still_o begin_v with_o expression_n like_o these_o so_o faith_n the_o lord_n the_o lord_n of_o host_n say_v the_o word_n and_o decree_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o they_o do_v use_v not_o only_o in_o their_o public_a speech_n but_o also_o in_o their_o letter_n or_o write_n which_o contain_v revelation_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o letter_n write_v by_o elijah_n the_o prophet_n to_o king_n jehoram_n 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap_n 21._o five_o 12._o and_o there_o come_v a_o write_n to_o he_o from_o elijah_n the_o prophet_n say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n god_n but_o in_o the_o apostle_n write_n we_o meet_v with_o no_o such_o expression_n but_o the_o clean_a contrary_n 1_o st_z epist_n corinth_n chap._n 7._o v._n 40._o paul_n say_v he_o speak_v after_o his_o own_o judgement_n yea_o in_o many_o place_n we_o find_v expression_n which_o argue_v a_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a mind_n as_o in_o the_o epist._n to_o the_o rom._n chap._n 3._o v._n 28._o therefore_o we_o conclude_v and_o rom._n chap._n 8_o v._n 18._o for_o i_o reckon_v and_o many_o of_o the_o like_a kind_n beside_o these_o there_o be_v other_o manner_n of_o speak_v which_o do_v not_o at_o all_o savour_n of_o prophetical_a authority_n as_o in_o the_o 1_o st_z epist._n corinth_n chap._n 7._o v._n 6._o but_o i_o speak_v this_o by_o permission_n not_o of_o commandment_n and_o in_o the_o 25._o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chap._n i_o give_v my_o judgement_n as_o a_o man_n who_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v faithful_a and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o when_o paul_n in_o this_o chapter_n speak_v as_o if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o he_o have_v or_o have_v not_o a_o command_n from_o the_o lord_n for_o what_o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o command_n from_o god_n by_o revelation_n but_o only_o that_o he_o preach_v that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n the_o lord_n teach_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o mount._n moreover_o if_o we_o observe_v in_o what_o manner_n the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o their_o write_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o much_o different_a from_o the_o prophet_n way_n of_o instruct_v for_o the_o apostle_n be_v always_o find_v reason_v insomuch_o that_o they_o seem_v rather_o to_o dispute_v than_o prophecy_n prophecy_n contain_v nothing_o but_o positive_a opinion_n and_o decree_n therefore_o god_n be_v always_o introduce_v not_o argue_v with_o reason_n but_o peremptory_o command_v by_o the_o power_n and_o sovereignty_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o essence_n prophetieal_v authority_n allow_v of_o no_o rational_a dispute_v for_o whoever_o will_v by_o reason_v confirm_v his_o opinion_n do_v in_o so_o do_v submit_v they_o to_o the_o arbitrary_a judgement_n of_o another_o as_o do_v paul_n reason_v in_o his_o 1_o sy_n epist_n to_o the_o corinth_n chap._n 10._o v._n 15._o i_o speak_v as_o to_o wise_a man_n judge_v you_o what_o i_o say_v and_o last_o because_o the_o prophet_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o by_o reason_n and_o natural_a knowledge_n as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n though_o some_o thing_n in_o the_o pentateuch_n seem_v to_o be_v conclude_v and_o confirm_v by_o inference_n and_o illation_n yet_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o they_o can_v be_v take_v for_o peremptory_a and_o decisive_a argument_n for_o example_n when_o moses_n say_v to_o the_o israelite_n deut._n chap._n 21._o v._n 27._o behold_v while_o i_o be_o yet_o alive_a with_o you_o this_o day_n you_o have_v be_v rebellious_a against_o the_o lord_n and_o how_o much_o more_o after_o my_o death_n we_o be_v not_o here_o to_o think_v that_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n use_v to_o convince_v the_o israelite_n by_o reason_n that_o they_o will_v certain_o after_o moses_n death_n depart_v from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n because_o the_o argument_n have_v be_v false_a as_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o scripture_n for_o the_o people_n persevere_v constant_o in_o it_o during_o the_o life_n of_o joshua_n and_o the_o elder_n and_o afterward_o also_o in_o the_o life_n time_n of_o samuel_n david_n and_o solomon_n these_o word_n therefore_o of_o moses_n be_v but_o a_o moral_a manner_n of_o speak_v which_o he_o rhetorical_o use_v the_o more_o strong_o to_o imagine_v and_o foretell_v that_o people_n future_a defection_n the_o reason_n why_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o moses_n to_o make_v his_o prediction_n true_a speak_v these_o word_n of_o himself_o and_o not_o by_o revelation_n as_o a_o prophet_n be_v because_o in_o the_o 21_o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n god_n reveal_v to_o moses_n in_o other_o word_n what_o the_o people_n will_v do_v so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o reason_v to_o make_v moses_n sure_a of_o this_o prediction_n and_o decree_n but_o it_o be_v only_o necessary_a to_o give_v he_o a_o lively_a representation_n thereof_o in_o his_o imagination_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n which_o can_v be_v do_v no_o better_a way_n than_o by_o imagine_v that_o the_o people_n present_a rebellious_a humour_n which_o he_o have_v so_o often_o try_v will_v be_v the_o very_a same_o for_o the_o future_a so_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v moses_n argument_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o petanteuch_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o repository_n of_o reason_n but_o to_o be_v take_v only_o for_o manner_n of_o speak_v whereby_o he_o do_v more_o lively_o imagine_v and_o more_o effectual_o express_v god_n decree_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o the_o prophet_n may_v reason_v and_o argue_v by_o revelation_n but_o that_o which_o i_o maintain_v be_v that_o the_o prophet_n by_o how_o much_o more_o rational_a the_o argument_n be_v which_o they_o use_v so_o much_o more_o natural_a do_v their_o knowledge_n appear_v which_o they_o have_v of_o thing_n reveal_v and_o that_o the_o prophet_n knowledge_n be_v supernatural_a chief_o appear_v in_o their_o speak_n dogmatical_o imperious_o and_o sententious_o so_o that_o moses_n the_o chief_a prophet_n never_o make_v use_n of_o any_o logical_a argument_n and_o i_o therefore_o conclude_v paul_n long_a deduction_n and_o reason_n which_o we_o find_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v never_o write_v by_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o speak_v and_o argue_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v
of_o stone_n but_o in_o the_o fleshly_a table_n of_o the_o heart_n let_v man_n cease_v to_o adore_v the_o letter_n and_o not_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v for_o it_o have_v sufficient_o explain_v the_o holiness_n and_o divinity_n of_o scripture_n let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o be_v proper_o mean_v by_o debar_v jehovah_n the_o word_n of_o god._n debar_v signify_v word_n speech_n decree_n thing_n now_o upon_o what_o ground_n any_o thing_n in_o the_o hebrew_n language_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v god_n or_o have_v relation_n to_o god_n i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n so_o that_o i_o need_v not_o repeat_v what_o i_o have_v there_o say_v or_o in_o the_o six_o chapter_n what_o i_o have_v say_v of_o miracle_n it_o be_v evident_a what_o the_o scripture_n mean_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o make_v the_o thing_n very_o clear_a i_o need_v only_o declare_v that_o when_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v predicate_v of_o any_o subject_n which_o be_v not_o god_n himself_o it_o proper_o signify_v that_o divine_a law_n of_o which_o we_o treat_v in_o the_o four_o chapter_n namely_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v universal_a and_o common_a to_o all_o mankind_n mention_v in_o isaiah_n chap._n 1._o v._n 10._o where_o the_o prophet_n declare_v that_o the_o right_a way_n of_o live_v consist_v in_o charity_n and_o in_o a_o sincere_a and_o pure_a heart_n which_o he_o call_v the_o law_n and_o word_n of_o god_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v also_o take_v metaphorical_o for_o the_o order_n or_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o fate_n because_o it_o follow_v and_o depend_v upon_o the_o eternal_a decree_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n particular_o for_o whatever_o the_o prophet_n foresee_v in_o this_o course_n of_o nature_n because_o the_o prophet_n understand_v future_a event_n not_o by_o natural_a cause_n but_o think_v they_o to_o be_v the_o will_n and_o decree_n of_o god._n moreover_o it_o be_v take_v for_o that_o which_o any_o prophet_n command_v or_o declare_v because_o he_o know_v it_o not_o by_o natural_a light_n but_o by_o the_o singular_a virtue_n and_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o more_o especial_o because_o the_o prophet_n as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o four_o chapter_n apprehend_v god_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o lawgiver_n for_o these_o three_o reason_n then_o the_o scripture_n be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o god_n namely_o because_o it_o teach_v we_o true_a religion_n whereof_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n be_v the_o author_n second_o because_o it_o make_v prophecy_n to_o be_v god_n decree_n and_o last_o because_o the_o author_n of_o those_o prophecy_n teach_v for_o the_o most_o part_n that_o which_o they_o do_v not_o know_v by_o natural_a reason_n but_o by_o a_o faculty_n and_o gift_n peculiar_a only_o to_o they_o and_o introduce_v god_n speak_v as_o it_o be_v in_o they_o now_o though_o the_o scripture_n contain_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v mere_o historical_a and_o may_v be_v unnderstood_v by_o natural_a knowledge_n yet_o the_o scripture_n be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o other_o particular_n i_o have_v last_o mention_v so_o that_o now_o we_o plain_o see_v why_o god_n be_v call_v the_o author_n of_o the_o bible_n namely_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o teach_v we_o what_o be_v true_a religion_n and_o not_o because_o it_o contain_v and_o have_v communicate_v to_o we_o such_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o book_n and_o hence_o we_o may_v also_o learn_v that_o the_o bible_n be_v divide_v into_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n because_o before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n the_o prophet_n preach_v religion_n as_o the_o law_n of_o their_o country_n and_o by_o force_n of_o the_o covenant_n make_v in_o moses_n time_n but_o after_o christ_n come_n because_o the_o apostle_n preach_v religion_n upon_o christ_n account_n as_o a_o law_n universal_a to_o all_o mankind_n not_o that_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n differ_v in_o doctrine_n or_o that_o the_o book_n of_o either_o testament_n be_v the_o deed_n and_o indenture_n of_o the_o write_a covenant_n nor_o last_o because_o natural_a religion_n which_o be_v universal_a be_v new_a unless_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o those_o that_o know_v it_o not_o according_a to_o that_o say_n of_o john_n the_o evangelist_n chap._n 1._o v._n 10._o he_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o world_n know_v he_o not_o if_o then_o we_o have_v not_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n contain_v yet_o we_o shall_v not_o want_v god_n word_n as_o it_o proper_o signify_v true_a religion_n for_o we_o do_v not_o think_v any_o part_n thereof_o be_v want_v though_o we_o lack_v many_o of_o those_o other_o excellent_a write_n namely_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v so_o religious_o keep_v in_o the_o temple_n as_o the_o original_a wherein_o the_o covenant_n be_v first_o write_v with_o many_o other_o book_n of_o the_o war_n and_o record_n of_o time_n from_o whence_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v transcribe_v and_o collect_v and_o this_o be_v make_v good_a by_o many_o reason_n first_o because_o the_o book_n of_o both_o testament_n be_v not_o write_v at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n for_o the_o use_n of_o all_o age_n but_o by_o chance_n for_o some_o particular_a people_n and_o that_o as_o the_o time_n and_o their_o particular_a disposition_n require_v which_o plain_o appear_v by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v call_v to_o warn_v and_o reprove_v the_o ungodly_a of_o their_o own_o time_n and_o also_o by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n second_o because_o understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v one_o thing_n but_o to_o understand_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o real_a truth_n of_o thing_n be_v another_o as_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o prophet_n which_o distinction_n likewise_o hold_v in_o history_n and_o miracle_n as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o six_o chapter_n but_o in_o understand_a place_n which_o treat_v of_o true_a religion_n and_o real_a virtue_n no_o such_o distinction_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v three_o because_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v choose_v out_o of_o many_o other_o and_o be_v approve_v and_o join_v together_o by_o a_o council_n of_o the_o pharisee_n as_o we_o have_v declare_v in_o the_o ten_o chapter_n and_o for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o canon_n by_o the_o decree_n of_o certain_a council_n when_o several_a other_o book_n by_o many_o account_v sacred_a be_v reject_v as_o spurious_a these_o council_n both_o of_o pharisee_n and_o christian_n be_v make_v up_o of_o man_n who_o be_v no_o prophet_n but_o only_o learn_v doctor_n yet_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v grant_v that_o in_o this_o choice_n they_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n their_o rule_n so_o that_o before_o they_o give_v their_o approbation_n to_o the_o book_n they_o ought_v to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god._n four_o because_o as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o write_v as_o prophet_n but_o only_o as_o teacher_n and_o choose_v that_o way_n of_o instruct_v which_o every_o one_o judge_v most_o easy_a for_o his_o disciple_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v as_o we_o have_v conclude_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o say_a chapter_n that_o their_o write_n contain_v many_o thing_n whereof_o in_o respect_n to_o religion_n we_o have_v no_o absolute_a need_n five_o and_o last_o because_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v four_o who_o we_o call_v evangelist_n but_o who_o believe_v it_o be_v god_n express_a will_n that_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v four_o time_n tell_v and_o deliver_v to_o man_n in_o write_v though_o thing_n may_v be_v contain_v in_o one_o which_o be_v not_o in_o another_o and_o that_o one_o help_n to_o understand_v another_o we_o must_v not_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o all_o thing_n which_o the_o four_o declare_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o that_o god_n make_v choice_n of_o they_o to_o write_v purposely_o that_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v the_o better_o understand_v for_o every_o one_o preach_v his_o own_o gospel_n in_o several_a place_n and_o every_o one_o write_v what_o he_o preach_v plain_o that_o he_o may_v the_o more_o faithful_o relate_v the_o history_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o not_o for_o any_o explanation_n to_o the_o rest_n if_o by_o mutual_o compare_v they_o together_o they_o be_v sometimes_o more_o easy_o and_o better_a understand_v that_o happen_v by_o chance_n and_o only_o in_o very_o few_o place_n of_o which_o though_o we_o be_v ignorant_a the_o history_n notwithstanding_o will_v be_v very_o perspicuous_a and_o
those_o that_o live_v in_o his_o day_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v likely_a this_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o he_o set_v forth_o and_o expound_v and_o i_o likewise_o believe_v it_o the_o first_o of_o all_o those_o book_n he_o write_v because_o it_o contain_v the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n which_o the_o people_n extreme_o want_v and_o also_o because_o this_o book_n be_v with_o no_o antecedent_n connexion_n join_v to_o another_o but_o without_o any_o kind_n of_o reference_n begin_v thus_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n and_o after_o he_o finish_v this_o book_n and_o teach_v the_o people_n the_o law_n i_o believe_v he_o apply_v himself_o to_o compose_v the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o first_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n jerusalem_n insert_v this_o book_n of_o deutronomy_n in_o its_o proper_a place_n and_o perhaps_o to_o the_o first_o five_o book_n give_v the_o name_n of_o moses_n because_o his_o life_n be_v the_o principal_a subject_n of_o they_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o call_v the_o six_o book_n by_o the_o name_n of_o joshuah_n the_o seven_o judge_n the_o eight_o ruth_n the_o nine_o and_o perhaps_o the_o ten_o samuel_n the_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o king_n but_o whether_o esdras_n perfect_v they_o as_o he_o desire_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n inquire_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n chap._n ix_o whether_o esdras_n perfect_v the_o book_n which_o we_o suppose_v he_o write_v and_o whether_o the_o marginal_a note_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n be_v divers_a reading_n how_o much_o the_o inquiry_n make_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n concern_v the_o penman_n of_o the_o book_n therein_o mention_v may_v conduce_v to_o the_o perfect_a understanding_n of_o they_o will_v be_v easy_o guess_v by_o those_o place_n only_o which_o we_o have_v quote_v to_o make_v good_a our_o opinion_n in_o this_o point_n which_o place_n will_v otherwise_o have_v seem_v very_o obscure_a but_o beside_o the_o writer_n there_o be_v other_o thing_n observable_a in_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o common_a superstition_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o vulgar_a to_o discern_v the_o chief_a of_o they_o be_v that_o esdras_n who_o i_o will_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o foresay_a book_n till_o some_o body_n show_v i_o another_o more_o likely_a to_o pen_v they_o do_v not_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n perfect_v the_o relation_n which_o the_o book_n contain_v but_o do_v only_o collect_v the_o history_n out_o of_o several_a writer_n and_o sometime_o only_o copy_v they_o out_o leave_v they_o to_o posterity_n neither_o examine_v nor_o put_v into_o any_o order_n but_o what_o shall_v hinder_v he_o from_o complete_o finish_v his_o work_n unless_o it_o be_v untimely_a death_n i_o can_v conjecture_v we_o have_v indeed_o no_o ancient_n entire_a jewish_a history_n but_o out_o of_o a_o few_o fragment_n leave_v we_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o esdras_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v gather_v his_o story_n from_o several_a writer_n and_o leave_v they_o very_a confuse_a and_o imperfect_a the_o history_n of_o ezekiah_n as_o it_o be_v find_v write_v from_o the_o relation_n of_o isaiah_n the_o prophet_n in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 18._o v._n 17._o be_v record_v in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o story_n in_o the_o chronicle_n see_v book_n the_o 2_o d._n chap._n 32._o v._n 32._o we_o find_v relate_v almost_o in_o the_o same_o word_n very_o few_o except_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o forename_a chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o king_n from_o whence_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v conclude_v but_o that_o there_o be_v divers_a reading_n of_o isaiah_n relation_n unless_o some_o will_v also_o here_o dream_n of_o mystery_n moreover_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o this_o book_n of_o the_o king_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n and_o we_o find_v likewise_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o samuel_n in_o the_o 17_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chronicle_n but_o the_o word_n in_o divers_a place_n so_o much_o change_v that_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o know_v the_o two_o chapter_n be_v take_v out_o of_o two_o different_a copy_n of_o the_o history_n write_v by_o the_o prophet_n nathan_n last_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o king_n of_o edom_n which_o we_o have_v gen._n chap._n 36._o from_o v_o 31_o the_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o same_o word_n in_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n of_o the_o 1_o st_z book_n of_o chron._n begin_v at_o the_o 43_o the_o verse_n now_o though_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n take_v the_o thing_n which_o he_o relate_v out_o of_o other_o historian_n yet_o he_o have_v they_o not_o out_o of_o the_o twelve_o book_n which_o we_o believe_v be_v write_v by_o esdras_n and_o without_o doubt_n have_v we_o the_o original_a history_n it_o will_v so_o appear_v but_o because_o we_o have_v they_o not_o let_v we_o examine_v the_o history_n as_o they_o now_o be_v observe_v their_o order_n and_o connexion_n their_o various_a repetition_n and_o their_o disagreement_n in_o calculation_n of_o time_n that_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o other_o thing_n consider_v first_o the_o history_n of_o judah_n and_o thamar_n gen._n chap._n 38._o the_o historian_n begin_v his_o narration_n in_o these_o word_n and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o time_n that_o judah_n go_v down_o from_o his_o brethren_n which_o time_n must_v necessary_o have_v reference_n to_o some_o other_o time_n of_o which_o he_o have_v immediate_o speak_v before_o but_o to_o that_o time_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n of_o genesis_n it_o can_v have_v no_o relation_n for_o from_o the_o time_n that_o joseph_n be_v carry_v into_o egypt_n until_o jacob_n the_o patriarch_n go_v down_o thither_o with_o all_o his_o family_n there_o pass_v but_o twenty_o two_o year_n for_o joseph_n when_o he_o be_v sell_v by_o his_o brethren_n be_v but_o seventeen_o year_n old_a and_o when_o he_o be_v send_v for_o out_o of_o prison_n by_o pharaoh_n but_o thirty_o to_o which_o if_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o plenty_n and_o two_o of_o famine_n be_v add_v they_o make_v up_o in_o all_o no_o more_o than_o two_o and_o twenty_o in_o which_o space_n of_o time_n no_o man_n can_v conceive_v so_o many_o thing_n shall_v happen_v namely_o that_o judah_n shall_v successive_o have_v three_o son_n of_o which_o the_o elder_a shall_v at_o a_o fit_a age_n marry_v thamar_n and_o he_o die_v the_o second_o brother_n shall_v take_v she_o to_o wife_n who_o also_o die_v and_o that_o sometime_o after_o this_o happen_v judah_n himself_o shall_v ignorant_o lie_v with_o his_o own_o daughter_n in-law_n thamar_n and_o have_v two_o child_n by_o she_o at_o one_o birth_n whereof_o one_o likewise_o shall_v within_o the_o aforesaid_a time_n of_o two_o and_o twenty_o year_n become_v a_o father_n see_v then_o all_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o time_n speak_v of_o in_o genesis_n but_o must_v necessary_o relate_v to_o some_o other_o time_n speak_v of_o in_o some_o other_o book_n esdras_n must_v therefore_o only_a copy_n out_o this_o story_n and_o unexamined_a add_v it_o to_o other_o but_o not_o only_o this_o chapter_n but_o likewise_o the_o whole_a story_n of_o joseph_n and_o jacob_n must_v necessary_o be_v take_v out_o of_o several_a historian_n so_o little_a congruity_n be_v there_o in_o it_o for_o the_o 48_o the_o chap._n of_o gen._n tell_v we_o that_o when_o joseph_n bring_v his_o father_n jacob_n to_o pharaoh_n jacob_n be_v a_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n old_a from_o which_o deduct_v twenty_o two_o which_o he_o pass_v in_o mourn_v for_o the_o loss_n of_o joseph_n and_o seventeen_o which_o be_v ioseph_n age_n when_o he_o be_v sell_v with_o seven_o which_o he_o serve_v for_o rachel_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o he_o be_v fourscour_v and_o four_o year_n old_a when_o he_o marry_v leah_n and_o that_o on_o the_o other_o side_n dinah_n be_v scarce_o seven_o year_n old_a when_o she_o be_v ravish_a by_o sechem_n and_o simeon_n and_o levi_n not_o full_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n when_o they_o assault_v the_o city_n of_o sechem_n and_o put_v all_o the_o people_n of_o it_o to_o the_o sword._n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o particularise_v all_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n in_o the_o pentateuk_n if_o this_o only_o be_v consider_v that_o in_o the_o five_o book_n all_o the_o precept_n and_o historical_a relation_n be_v promiscuous_o set_v down_o without_o any_o order_n without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o time_n and_o that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o history_n be_v often_o and_o sometime_o diverse_o repeat_v it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v
confuse_o gather_v and_o lay_v together_o that_o they_o may_v afterward_o be_v examine_v and_o put_v into_o order_n and_o not_o only_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o five_o book_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o other_o seven_o be_v also_o collect_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n who_o do_v not_o plain_o see_v that_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n from_o the_o six_o verse_n a_o new_a historian_n bring_v in_o who_o have_v write_v the_o act_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o very_a word_n use_v for_o after_o our_o historian_n in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o joshua_n have_v speak_v of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n and_o promise_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n to_o declare_v what_o happen_v after_o ioshua_n death_n if_o he_o intend_v regular_o to_o prosecute_v his_o own_o history_n why_o do_v he_o again_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o chapter_n of_o judge_n tell_v we_o what_o joshua_n do_v and_o speak_v again_o of_o his_o death_n and_o burial_n as_o he_o have_v before_o the_o 17_o and_o 18_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n be_v in_o all_o probability_n take_v out_o of_o another_o historian_n who_o make_v the_o cause_n of_o david_n frequent_v saul_n court_n to_o be_v quite_o different_a from_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 16._o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n for_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o david_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o saul_n servant_n be_v call_v to_o court_n as_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o say_v 16_o the_o chap._n but_o that_o his_o father_n send_v he_o to_o visit_v his_o brethren_n in_o saul_n camp_n david_n by_o his_o victory_n over_o goliath_n become_v know_v to_o saul_n and_o afterward_o live_v in_o his_o court._n i_o suspect_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o 26_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n and_o that_o the_o history_n of_o that_o chapter_n and_o what_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o 24_o the_o chap._n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o but_o take_v out_o of_o several_a writer_n but_o of_o this_o enough_o i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o computation_n of_o time_n it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 6_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o king_n that_o solomon_n four_o hundred_o and_o fourscore_o year_n after_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o his_o own_o reign_n begin_v to_o build_v the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o from_o the_o history_n themselves_o we_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v it_o be_v a_o much_o long_a time_n till_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v year_n for_o first_o moses_n govern_v the_o people_n in_o the_o desert_n 40_o joshua_n who_o live_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o josephus_n and_o other_o govern_v not_o above_o 26_o kusan_n risgataim_v keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 08_o othonyel_n the_o son_n of_o kenaz_n judged_n 40_o eglon_n the_o king_n of_o moab_n keep_v the_o people_n in_o bondage_n 18_o ehud_n and_o samger_n judged_n 80_o jachin_n king_n of_o canaan_n keep_v the_o people_n under_o 20_o the_o people_n afterward_o have_v rest_n 40_o be_v again_o in_o subjection_n to_o midian_a 07_o be_v again_o at_o liberty_n under_o gideon_n 40_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o abimelech_n 03_o tola_n the_o son_n of_o puah_n judged_n 23_o jair_n judged_n 22_o the_o people_n be_v again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n and_o ammonite_n 18_o jephtah_n judged_n 06_o absan_n the_o bethlemite_n judged_n 07_o elon_n the_o zebulonite_n 10_o abdon_n the_o pirathonite_n 08_o the_o people_n again_o in_o bondage_n to_o the_o philistine_n 40_o samson_n judged_n 20_o ely_n judged_n 40_o the_o people_n in_o bondage_n again_o to_o the_o philistine_n till_o deliver_v by_o samuel_n 20_o david_n reign_v 40_o solomon_n before_o he_o begin_v to_o build_v reign_v 04_o all_o these_o year_n add_v together_o make_v up_o the_o number_n of_o 580._o to_o which_o number_n be_v to_o be_v add_v the_o year_n of_o that_o age_n wherein_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n flourish_v after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n until_o it_o be_v subdue_v by_o kusan_n risgataim_v which_o i_o believe_v be_v many_o for_o i_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o people_n who_o have_v see_v the_o wonder_n of_o joshua_n time_n shall_v present_o after_o his_o death_n perish_v altogether_o neither_o that_o they_o who_o succeed_v they_o shall_v at_o once_o bid_v farewell_n to_o all_o their_o law_n and_o from_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o virtue_n fall_v in_o a_o instant_n into_o the_o depth_n of_o wickedness_n and_o folly_n neither_o that_o kusan_n risgataim_v conquer_a they_o at_o a_o blow_n but_o see_v all_o these_o thing_n require_v almost_o a_o age_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o pass_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o 2_o d._n 7_o the_o 9_o the_o and_o 10_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n do_v comprise_v the_o history_n of_o many_o year_n which_o it_o have_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n we_o be_v moreover_o to_o add_v the_o year_n which_o samuel_n judged_n who_o number_n we_o find_v not_o in_o scripture_n and_o the_o year_n also_o of_o saul_n reign_n which_o be_v leave_v out_o in_o the_o former_a computation_n because_o by_o his_o history_n it_o be_v not_o evident_a how_o many_o he_o reign_v indeed_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o sam._n that_o saul_n reign_v two_o year_n but_o that_o text_n be_v maim_v and_o we_o may_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o conclude_v his_o reign_n be_v long_o that_o the_o text_n be_v defective_a no_o man_n who_o have_v but_o the_o least_o knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n can_v doubt_v for_o it_o begin_v thus_o in_o the_o latin_a translation_n annum_fw-la natus_fw-la erat_fw-la saul_n cum_fw-la regnavit_fw-la &_o duos_fw-la annos_fw-la regnavit_fw-la supra_fw-la israelem_fw-la which_o in_o our_o english_a bible_n be_v thus_o render_v saul_n reign_v one_o year_n and_o when_o he_o have_v reign_v two_o year_n etc._n etc._n but_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o number_n of_o year_n of_o saul_n age_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v be_v omit_v and_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v more_o than_o two_o year_n any_o man_n may_v gather_v from_o the_o history_n itself_o for_o in_o the_o 27_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o same_o book_n verse_n the_o 7_o the_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o time_n david_n dwell_v in_o the_o country_n of_o the_o philistine_n be_v a_o full_a year_n and_o four_o month_n so_o that_o by_o this_o calculation_n all_o thing_n else_o which_o pass_v in_o saul_n reign_v must_v happen_v in_o the_o space_n of_o eight_o month_n which_o no_o man_n can_v believe_v josephus_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 6_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n have_v thus_o correct_v the_o text._n saul_n while_n samuel_n live_v reign_v eighteen_o year_n and_o after_o samuel_n death_n two_o but_o the_o story_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n do_v in_o no_o wise_n agree_v with_o what_o go_v before_o for_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n v._n 13._o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o philistine_n be_v so_o subdue_v by_o the_o israelite_n that_o they_o come_v no_o more_o into_o the_o coast_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v against_o the_o philistine_n all_v the_o day_n of_o samuel_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o foresay_a 13_o the_o chapter_n it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o samuel_n life_n time_n the_o philistine_n invade_v the_o israelite_n and_o reduce_v they_o to_o so_o great_a misery_n and_o poverty_n that_o they_o want_v not_o only_a arm_n to_o defend_v themselves_o but_o also_o smith_n to_o make_v so_o much_o as_o a_o sword_n or_o a_o spear_n that_o man_n must_v take_v pain_n enough_o who_o make_v it_o his_o business_n so_o to_o reconcile_v all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o appear_v to_o be_v write_v and_o put_v in_o order_n by_o one_o historian_n but_o i_o return_v to_o what_o i_o propose_v the_o year_n of_o saul_n reign_v aught_o to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o forego_n computation_n now_o how_o many_o be_v the_o year_n of_o the_o israelite_n anarchy_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mention_n my_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o space_n of_o time_n be_v not_o certain_a wherein_o those_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 17_o the_o chapter_n of_o judge_n to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o book_n so_o that_o no_o exact_a calculation_n can_v be_v make_v from_o the_o history_n themselves_o neither_o do_v they_o agree_v in_o any_o but_o differ_v very_o much_o so_o that_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v they_o be_v
some_o be_v more_o and_o other_o less_o in_o nehemiah_n than_o they_o be_v in_o ezra_n and_o amount_v in_o all_o to_o thirty_o one_o thousand_o eighty_o nine_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o the_o error_n as_o well_o in_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n as_o of_o nehemiah_n be_v in_o the_o particular_a number_n commentator_n rack_v their_o wit_n and_o invention_n to_o reconcile_v these_o apparent_a contradiction_n and_o while_o they_o adore_v the_o very_a word_n and_o letter_n of_o scripture_n do_v nothing_o as_o we_o have_v already_o say_v but_o expose_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o contempt_n as_o if_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o speak_v or_o put_v that_o which_o be_v speak_v by_o they_o into_o any_o order_n yea_o they_o do_v nothing_o but_o make_v that_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v plain_a obscure_a for_o if_o every_o man_n shall_v take_v a_o liberty_n of_o explain_v scripture_n as_o they_o do_v we_o can_v not_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o any_o part_n thereof_o i_o be_o persuade_v those_o commentator_n themselves_o though_o they_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n excuse_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n will_v count_v any_o other_o man_n a_o ridiculous_a historian_n who_o shall_v write_v as_o they_o have_v do_v and_o if_o they_o think_v he_o a_o blasphemer_n who_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v in_o some_o place_n faulty_a what_o shall_v i_o say_v of_o those_o man_n who_o bely_v the_o scripture_n and_o so_o expose_v the_o holy_a penman_n thereof_o as_o if_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o speak_v and_o deny_v the_o plain_a and_o clear_a sense_n of_o scripture_n what_o in_o it_o can_v be_v plain_o than_o that_o esdras_n and_o his_o fellow_n priest_n in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o that_o book_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v his_o take_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o all_o that_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n see_v the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v set_v down_o who_o can_v not_o derive_v their_o pedigree_n as_o well_o as_o they_o that_o can_v and_o what_o be_v more_o clear_a than_o that_o nehemiah_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 7_o the_o chap._n and_o 5_o the_o verse_n of_o that_o book_n only_o copy_v out_o the_o register_n which_o esdras_n have_v make_v who_o ever_o make_v any_o other_o exposition_n thereof_o deny_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o the_o scripture_n itself_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a piety_n to_o pretend_v to_o rectify_v one_o place_n of_o scripture_n by_o another_o when_o plain_a place_n be_v darken_v by_o obscure_a and_o those_o that_o be_v right_a and_o true_a correct_v and_o corrupt_v by_o those_o that_o be_v false_a and_o erroneous_a but_o god_n forbid_v i_o shall_v call_v they_o blasphemer_n who_o have_v no_o malicious_a intention_n because_o there_o be_v no_o man_n free_a from_o error_n beside_o the_o error_n which_o be_v in_o the_o particular_a number_n both_o of_o esdras_n and_o nehemiah_n genealogy_n there_o be_v divers_a in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o family_n more_o in_o the_o very_a pedigree_n in_o the_o history_n and_o i_o fear_v likewise_o in_o the_o very_a prophecy_n themselves_o for_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n in_o the_o 22_o the_o chap._n against_o jehoiachim_n which_o say_v he_o shall_v be_v bury_v with_o the_o burial_n of_o a_o ass_n draw_v and_o cast_v forth_o beyond_o the_o gate_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v not_o at_o all_o agree_v with_o the_o history_n of_o he_o in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n no_o nor_o with_o what_o be_v relate_v of_o he_o in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o jeremy_n especial_o in_o the_o last_o verse_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v any_o reason_n why_o jeremy_n shall_v tell_v king_n zedechiah_n that_o he_o shall_v die_v in_o peace_n jerem._n chap._n 34._o v._n 5._o who_o be_v take_v captive_a and_o after_o he_o have_v see_v his_o child_n slay_v before_o his_o face_n have_v his_o own_o eye_n put_v out_o if_o prophecy_n may_v be_v interpret_v according_a to_o event_n the_o name_n of_o those_o two_o king_n seem_v to_o be_v mistake_v one_o for_o the_o other_o but_o that_o be_v too_o paridoxical_a to_o be_v maintain_v and_o i_o have_v rather_o leave_v the_o point_n under_o a_o impossibility_n of_o be_v determine_v see_v if_o there_o be_v any_o error_n in_o it_o it_o must_v be_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o historian_n and_o not_o in_o the_o original_a copy_n from_o whence_o he_o write_v of_o any_o other_o error_n i_o will_v take_v no_o particular_a notice_n see_v i_o can_v without_o trouble_v the_o reader_n because_o they_o have_v be_v already_o note_v by_o other_o rabbi_n solomon_n find_v the_o manifest_a contradiction_n which_o be_v in_o the_o erroneous_a genealogy_n do_v in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o 8_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o chronicle_n break_v out_o into_o these_o word_n esdras_n who_o he_o suppose_v to_o have_v write_v the_o chronicle_n call_v the_o son_n of_o benjamin_n by_o wrong_a name_n and_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n otherwise_o than_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o describe_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n otherwise_o than_o joshua_n do_v because_o he_o meet_v with_o different_a original_n and_o a_o little_a after_o say_v the_o genealogy_n of_o gibeon_n and_o other_o be_v twice_o and_o diverse_o repeat_v because_o esdras_n find_v different_a register_n of_o each_o genealogy_n and_o in_o copy_v they_o out_o follow_v those_o whereof_o the_o great_a number_n do_v agree_v but_o when_o the_o number_n of_o differ_v genealogy_n be_v equal_a he_o write_v after_o the_o original_a of_o both_o so_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o rabbi_n solomon_n own_o confession_n these_o book_n be_v copy_v from_o uncertain_a and_o imperfect_a original_n the_o commentator_n themselves_o many_o time_n do_v nothing_o more_o than_o show_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o error_n and_o i_o believe_v that_o no_o person_n of_o any_o sound_a judgement_n can_v think_v that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n do_v write_v purposely_o to_o contradict_v themselves_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v say_v i_o go_v about_o to_o overthrow_v the_o scripture_n and_o give_v occasion_n to_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v every_o where_o faulty_a but_o i_o have_v prove_v the_o contrary_a for_o i_o hereby_o vindicate_v the_o scripture_n and_o provide_v against_o the_o adulterate_n and_o corrupt_v thereof_o in_o those_o place_n which_o be_v clear_a and_o true_a it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o some_o place_n be_v faulty_a therefore_o all_o must_v be_v so_o because_o every_o book_n be_v in_o some_o place_n false_a it_o be_v no_o good_a ground_n to_o conclude_v it_o be_v no_o where_o true_a especial_o when_o the_o style_n of_o it_o be_v perspicuous_a and_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o author_n perfect_o know_v so_o much_o for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n now_o by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v we_o may_v easy_o conclude_v that_o before_o the_o time_n of_o judas_n macchâ—bâ—us_n no_o book_n be_v esteem_v canonical_a but_o those_o which_o we_o now_o have_v from_o the_o pharisee_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n who_o likewise_o institute_v set_v form_n of_o prayer_n these_o book_n be_v select_v from_o many_o other_o and_o only_o by_o their_o decree_n receive_v into_o the_o canon_n he_o therefore_o that_o will_v demonstrate_v the_o authority_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v bind_v to_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o every_o particular_a book_n the_o prove_v any_o one_o to_o be_v divine_a be_v not_o enough_o to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o all_o unless_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o council_n of_o the_o pharisee_n can_v not_o err_v which_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v good_a the_o reason_n which_o incline_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o none_o but_o the_o pharisee_n choose_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o make_v they_o sacred_a by_o canon_n be_v because_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o daniel_n declare_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a which_o the_o zadduce_n utter_o deny_v moreover_o in_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o sabbath_n chap._n 2._o fol._n 30._o parag_n the_o 2_o d_o rabbi_n jehuda_n say_v the_o learned_a in_o the_o law_n endeavour_v to_o suppress_v the_o book_n of_o ecclesiastes_n because_o many_o expression_n in_o it_o be_v contrary_a which_o observe_v to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v not_o suppress_v be_v because_o it_o begin_v and_o end_v according_a to_o the_o law_n a_o little_a after_o he_o say_v they_o will_v also_o have_v conceal_v the_o book_n of_o proverb_n and_o last_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o same_o treatise_n fol._n 13_o the_o these_o be_v his_o word_n true_o i_o name_v the_o man_n for_o kindness_n sake_n have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o
collect_v from_o divers_a writer_n and_o be_v never_o examine_v or_o put_v into_o any_o order_n there_o be_v no_o less_o disagreement_n in_o computation_n of_o time_n between_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n for_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 1_o sy_n v._n 17._o it_o be_v say_v jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o ahab_n king_n of_o israel_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n but_o in_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n see_v the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o king_n chap._n 8._o v._n 16._o it_o be_v say_v that_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o jehosaphat_n king_n of_o judah_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o jehoram_n the_o son_n of_o ahab_n king_n of_o israel_n he_o that_o will_v compare_v the_o history_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n with_o those_o in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n shall_v find_v many_o of_o the_o like_a difference_n which_o i_o will_v not_o here_o particular_o mention_v nor_o trouble_v you_o with_o the_o shift_n some_o author_n have_v use_v to_o reconcile_v they_o the_o rabbin_n perfect_o dote_v and_o some_o commentator_n that_o i_o have_v read_v impose_v upon_o we_o their_o own_o dream_n and_o invention_n plain_o corrupt_v the_o very_a language_n itself_o for_o example_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n c._n 22._o v._n 2._o it_o be_v say_v ahaziah_n waâ—_n forty_o and_o two_o year_n old_a when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v some_o will_v have_v these_o year_n to_o commence_v not_o from_o ahaziah_n nativity_n but_o from_o the_o reign_n of_o omri_n if_o they_o can_v prove_v this_o to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n i_o may_v in_o plain_a term_n say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o speak_v sense_n commentator_n be_v full_a of_o the_o like_a conceit_n wherein_o be_v there_o any_o truth_n a_o man_n may_v pofitive_o aver_v that_o the_o ancient_a hebrew_n do_v not_o understand_v their_o own_o language_n but_o be_v ignorant_a of_o all_o order_n in_o history_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o rule_n or_o any_o reason_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o expound_v scripture_n but_o every_o man_n may_v fancy_n and_o forge_n what_o he_o please_v if_o any_o think_v i_o speak_v too_o general_o and_o without_o ground_n i_o entreat_v that_o man_n to_o show_v i_o any_o such_o certain_a order_n in_o these_o history_n as_o chronologer_n may_v without_o any_o gross_a mistake_n follow_v and_o that_o while_o he_o be_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v and_o reconcile_v the_o history_n he_o will_v so_o strict_o observe_v the_o pharse_n and_o manner_n of_o speak_v the_o dispose_n and_o contexture_n of_o the_o narration_n that_o another_o according_a to_o his_o explication_n may_v in_o write_v imitate_v they_o which_o if_o he_o can_v do_v i_o will_v throw_v away_o my_o pen_n and_o take_v he_o for_o a_o oracle_n i_o have_v be_v endeavour_v but_o can_v never_o do_v any_o thing_n like_o it_o i_o have_v write_v nothing_o which_o i_o do_v not_o often_o and_o long_o meditate_v and_o though_o from_o my_o childhood_n i_o have_v be_v season_v with_o the_o common_a and_o general_a opinion_n concern_v scripture_n yet_o i_o can_v not_o possible_o avoid_v confess_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v mention_v but_o i_o will_v no_o long_o detain_v the_o reader_n concern_v this_o particular_a nor_o will_v i_o further_o provoke_v he_o to_o undertake_v that_o which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o feasible_a i_o only_o make_v the_o proposal_n the_o better_a to_o explain_v my_o own_o meaning_n and_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o consider_v those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o fate_n or_o fortune_n of_o the_o book_n for_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o careful_o keep_v by_o posterity_n as_o that_o no_o fault_n have_v creep_v into_o they_o the_o ancient_a scribe_n have_v take_v notice_n of_o many_o dubious_a reading_n and_o many_o maim_a text_n and_o yet_o not_o of_o all_o but_o whether_o the_o fault_n which_o have_v creep_v into_o those_o book_n be_v of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o to_o give_v the_o reader_n much_o trouble_n i_o will_v not_o dispute_v i_o believe_v they_o be_v not_o considerable_a to_o those_o that_o read_v the_o scripture_n with_o any_o freedom_n of_o judgement_n and_o i_o can_v positive_o affirm_v that_o i_o never_o observe_v any_o error_n or_o variety_n of_o readins_n concern_v mere_a precept_n or_o instruction_n which_o can_v render_v they_o doubtful_a or_o obscure_a but_o many_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o any_o fault_n at_o all_o in_o any_o thing_n throughout_o the_o whole_a scripture_n but_o peremptory_o maintain_v that_o god_n by_o a_o singular_a and_o special_a providence_n have_v keep_v the_o bible_n free_a from_o all_o corruption_n or_o adulteration_n and_o that_o the_o various_a readins_n of_o it_o comprehend_v profound_a mystery_n and_o will_v have_v great_a secret_n lie_v hide_v even_o in_o asterism_n space_n point_n and_o accent_n but_o whether_o this_o opinion_n proceed_v from_o folly_n and_o the_o dotage_n of_o devotion_n or_o from_o their_o arrogance_n and_o malice_n allow_v none_o but_o themselves_o to_o know_v god_n secret_n i_o can_v tell_v of_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o never_o read_v any_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o such_o man_n that_o seem_v mysterious_a but_o rather_o savor_v of_o schoool-boy_n conceit_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o some_o trifle_a cabalist_n who_o freak_n and_o folly_n a_o man_n can_v choose_v but_o admire_v that_o fault_n have_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n no_o ingenuous_a person_n can_v deny_v who_o read_v that_o text_n i_o have_v already_o mention_v concern_v saul_n in_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n v._n 1_o sy_n of_o the_o 1_o sy_n book_n of_o samuel_n and_o also_o that_o in_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 6_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o david_n arise_v and_o go_v with_o all_o the_o people_n that_o be_v with_o he_o from_o judah_n to_o bring_v from_o thence_o the_o ark_n of_o god._n who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n to_o which_o they_o go_v to_o fetch_v the_o ark_n be_v lest_o our_o viz._n kiriathjearim_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n deny_v but_o that_o the_o text_n in_o the_o 37_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam_n be_v defective_a but_o absalon_n flee_v and_o go_v to_o talmai_n the_o son_n of_o ammihud_o and_o mourn_v for_o his_o son_n every_o day_n it_o shall_v have_v be_v and_o david_n mourn_v for_o his_o son_n every_o day_n and_o therefore_o in_o our_o english_a translation_n the_o word_n david_n be_v put_v in_o but_o be_v not_o in_o the_o latin._n there_o be_v other_o such_o fault_n which_o do_v not_o at_o present_a occur_v to_o my_o memory_n that_o the_o marginal_a note_n find_v every_o where_o in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n be_v dubious_a reading_n no_o man_n will_v doubt_v who_o consider_v that_o many_o of_o they_o proceed_v from_o the_o great_a likeness_n which_o some_o of_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n have_v one_o to_o another_o namely_o from_o the_o similitude_n which_o be_v between_o the_o letter_n kaf_n and_o bet_n the_o letter_n jod_n and_o van_n the_o letter_n dalet_n and_o res_fw-la for_o example_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o sam._n chap._n 5._o v._n 24._o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o latin_a translation_n in_o co_fw-la tempore_fw-la quo_fw-la audies_fw-la the_o margin_n have_v it_o cum_fw-la audies_fw-la and_o judge_n chap._n 21._o v._n 22._o the_o latin_a text_n be_v &_o quando_fw-la earum_fw-la patres_fw-la vel_fw-la fratres_fw-la in_o multitudine_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la saepe_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la venerint_fw-la into_o the_o margin_n be_v put_v ad_fw-la litigandum_fw-la many_o different_a reading_n likewise_o come_v from_o the_o use_n of_o those_o letter_n who_o sound_n or_o pronunciation_n be_v in_o read_v scarce_o perceive_v and_o one_o be_v sometime_o take_v for_o another_o for_o example_n levit._fw-la chap._n 25._o v._n 29._o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o text_n that_o if_o a_o house_n be_v sell_v which_o be_v in_o a_o city_n that_o have_v a_o wall_n the_o margin_n say_v that_o have_v not_o a_o wall._n but_o though_o these_o thing_n be_v evident_a yet_o we_o will_v make_v answer_n to_o some_o argument_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o endeavour_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o marginal_a note_n be_v by_o those_o that_o copy_v out_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n purposely_o place_v there_o to_o signify_v some_o great_a mystery_n they_o ground_n their_o first_o argument_n which_o i_o think_v very_o slight_a upon_o the_o common_a use_n of_o read_v the_o scripture_n