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
and_o clear_o appear_v from_o the_o history_n of_o scripture_n what_o kind_n of_o history_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o what_o be_v the_o principal_a thing_n it_o ought_v to_o contain_v come_v now_o to_o be_v declare_v first_o it_o ought_v to_o contain_v the_o nature_n and_o propriety_n of_o that_o language_n in_o which_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v original_o write_v and_o which_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n be_v wont_a to_o speak_v that_o so_o all_o the_o sense_n which_o every_o speech_n according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a use_n of_o speak_v will_v bear_v and_o admit_v may_v be_v find_v out_o and_o because_o the_o penman_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v jew_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n be_v above_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o understand_v not_o only_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n but_o also_o of_o the_o new_a for_o though_o some_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n 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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 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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
st_z verse_n and_o isaiah_n do_v not_o prophesy_v only_o in_o that_o king_n reign_n but_o also_o write_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o king_n do_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 26._o v._n 22._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o act_n of_o uzziah_n first_o and_o last_o do_v isaiah_n the_o prophet_n the_o son_n of_o amos_n write_v which_o book_n it_o be_v pity_n we_o have_v not_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n the_o rabbin_n likewise_o declare_v that_o isaiah_n also_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n by_o who_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o though_o in_o that_o they_o seem_v fabulous_a yet_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o his_o prophecy_n be_v extant_a the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremy_n which_o be_v historical_o relate_v be_v pick_v up_o and_o collect_v out_o of_o divers_a chronologer_n for_o they_o be_v not_o only_o confuse_o put_v together_o without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o time_n but_o the_o same_o history_n be_v also_o repeat_v in_o divers_a manner_n for_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n contain_v the_o prophecy_n wherein_o jeremy_n foretell_v king_n zedekiah_n who_o send_v to_o consult_v he_o that_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o for_o which_o prophesy_v he_o be_v apprehend_v then_o after_o a_o abrupt_a break_v off_o from_o this_o history_n the_o 22_o the_o chap._n set_v forth_o ieremy_n declamation_n and_o prophecy_n against_o king_n jehoiachim_n who_o reign_v before_o zedekiah_n declare_v iehoiachim_n captivity_n after_o this_o the_o 25_o the_o chap._n declare_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v before_o reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n jehoiachim_n and_o without_o observe_v any_o order_n of_o time_n go_v on_o to_o heap_v together_o many_o prophecy_n till_o at_o length_n the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n as_o if_o the_o fifteen_o intermediate_v chapter_n have_v be_v but_o a_o parenthesis_n return_v again_o to_o that_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n for_o the_o conjunction_n then_o wherewith_o the_o 38_o the_o chapter_n begin_v relate_v to_o the_o 8,9_o and_o 10_o verse_n of_o the_o 21_o the_o chap._n and_o the_o relation_n give_v in_o this_o 38_o the_o chap._n of_o ieremy_n last_o apprehension_n and_o be_v long_o keep_v in_o a_o dungeon_n be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o the_o 37_o the_o chap._n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v take_v out_o of_o divers_a historian_n and_o no_o other_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v for_o they_o the_o rest_n of_o ieremy_n prophecy_n contain_v in_o other_o chapter_n where_o he_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o person_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o book_n which_o baruch_n write_v from_o ieremy_n own_o mouth_n which_o book_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 2_o d._n verse_n of_o the_o 36_o the_o chap._n contain_v only_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o time_n of_o josiah_n unto_o the_o four_o year_n of_o jehoiachim_n from_o which_o year_n the_o book_n begin_v out_o of_o which_o book_n also_o all_o those_o thing_n seem_v to_o be_v copy_v which_o be_v relate_v from_o the_o 2_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 45_o the_o chap._n to_o the_o 49_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 51_o the_o chap._n that_o the_o book_n of_o ezekiel_n be_v likewise_o but_o a_o fragment_n be_v manife_a by_o the_o first_o verse_n thereof_o for_o who_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o conjunction_n now_o wherewith_o the_o book_n begin_v relate_v to_o somewhat_o that_o have_v be_v already_o say_v and_o join_v that_o to_o what_o he_o have_v further_a to_o say_v not_o only_o the_o conjunction_n but_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o what_o he_o speak_v imply_v and_o suppose_v other_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v before_o write_v for_o the_o writer_n himself_o say_v by_o way_n of_o parenthesis_n in_o the_o 3_o d_o verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v often_o to_o ezekiel_n the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o buzi_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldean_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o ezekiel_n which_o hitherto_o he_o have_v copy_v out_o relate_v to_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v to_o he_o before_o the_o present_a thirty_o year_n josephus_n in_o his_o 10_o the_o book_n of_o antiquity_n chap._n 9_o declare_v ezekiel_n prophesy_v that_o zedechiah_n will_v not_o see_v babylon_n which_o prophecy_n do_v not_o appear_v in_o the_o book_n we_o have_v of_o ezekiel_n but_o the_o 17_o the_o chap._n foretell_v the_o contrary_a that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v carry_v captive_a thither_o whether_o hoseah_n write_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o be_v in_o the_o book_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n i_o be_o not_o certain_a but_o i_o much_o wonder_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o more_o of_o he_o see_v by_o the_o person_n testimony_n who_o write_v the_o book_n call_v hosea_n that_o prophet_n prophesy_v no_o less_o than_o eighty_o four_o year_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 1_o sy_n verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z chap._n where_o the_o several_a king_n be_v name_v in_o who_o time_n he_o live_v in_o general_a we_o know_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o prophet_n do_v neither_o collect_v the_o prophecy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v prophet_n nor_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o name_n we_o have_v for_o we_o have_v not_o any_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o those_o prophet_n who_o prophesy_v in_o the_o time_n of_o manasseh_n of_o which_o prophet_n mention_n be_v make_v though_o not_o by_o name_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o book_n of_o chron._n chap._n 33._o v._n 10_o 18_o 19_o nor_o have_v we_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o twelve_o prophet_n we_o have_v none_o of_o ionah_n prophecy_n but_o those_o that_o concern_v the_o ninevite_n though_o he_o also_o prophesy_v to_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 25_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o 14_o the_o chap._n of_o the_o 2_o d._n book_n of_o king_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o of_o job_n himself_o there_o have_v be_v among_o writer_n much_o dispute_n some_o think_v moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o job_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o parable_n which_o be_v likewise_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o rabbin_n in_o their_o talmud_n and_o favour_v by_o maimonides_n in_o his_o book_n still_v more_n nebuchim_n other_o believe_v the_o history_n to_o be_v real_a and_o true_a and_o that_o job_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o jacob_n and_o marry_v his_o daughter_n dinah_n but_o aben_n ezra_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o book_n of_o job_n say_v it_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o some_o other_o language_n into_o the_o hebrew_n which_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v more_o clear_o prove_v for_o than_o we_o may_v conclude_v the_o gentile_n also_o have_v book_n which_o be_v sacred_a i_o leave_v the_o thing_n still_o doubtful_a and_o conjecture_v that_o job_n be_v some_o gentile_a of_o great_a constancy_n of_o mind_n who_o at_o first_o be_v very_o prosperous_a afterward_o very_o unfortunate_a and_o in_o the_o end_n very_o happy_a for_o in_o ezechiel_n chap._n 14_o v._n 14._o he_o be_v name_v with_o noah_n and_o daniel_n for_o a_o righteous_a man._n the_o various_a fortune_n and_o constant_a mind_n of_o job_n give_v many_o a_o occasion_n of_o dispute_v god_n providence_n and_o to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o compose_v a_o dialogue_n whereof_o the_o subject_a and_o style_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o man_n be_v rather_o at_o ease_n meditate_v in_o his_o study_n than_o sick_a on_o a_o dunghill_n and_o i_o may_v with_o aben_n ezra_n believe_v the_o book_n to_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o another_o language_n because_o it_o seem_v to_o affect_v the_o heathen_a poesy_n the_o father_n of_o the_o god_n be_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n bring_v in_o twice_o call_v a_o council_n and_o momus_n who_o be_v call_v satan_n answer_v god_n with_o great_a liberty_n but_o these_o be_v mere_a frivolous_a conjecture_n the_o book_n of_o daniel_n without_o doubt_n from_o the_o 8_o the_o chapter_n thereof_o contain_v the_o write_n of_o daniel_n but_o from_o whence_o the_o first_o seven_o chapter_n be_v copy_v i_o know_v not_o we_o may_v suspect_v that_o see_v all_o of_o they_o but_o the_o first_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n language_n they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o that_o nation_n be_v chronology_n of_o which_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v account_v sacred_a only_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o and_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o
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