a_o excellent_a discourse_n prove_v the_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n of_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n write_a original_o in_o french_a by_o mounseur_fw-fr du_fw-mi bois_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr cour_fw-fr and_o approve_v by_o six_o doctor_n of_o the_o sorbon_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o second_o part_n or_o a_o examination_n of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o pere_fw-fr simon_n have_v critical_a history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n wherein_o all_o his_o objection_n with_o the_o weighty_a of_o spinosa_n against_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o first_o five_o book_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v answer_v and_o some_o difficult_a place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v explain_v by_o w._n l._n london_n print_v for_o tho._n parkhurst_n at_o the_o bible_n and_o three_o crown_n in_o cheapside_n near_o mercer_n chapel_n 1682._o a_o preface_n open_v the_o true_a nature_n and_o reason_n of_o a_o saving-faith_n §_o 1._o there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o ever_o hear_v the_o gospel_n and_o have_v such_o a_o care_n of_o his_o everlasting_a state_n as_o beseem_v a_o reasonable_a creature_n but_o must_v needs_o perceive_v of_o how_o great_a weight_n it_o be_v to_o be_v well_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o supernatural_a revelation_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n much_o may_v be_v know_v by_o the_o well_o study_a book_n of_o nature_n but_o not_o enough_o to_o quiet_a the_o mind_n of_o man_n by_o assure_a hope_n of_o future_a happiness_n and_o the_o way_n thereto_o and_o therefore_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a and_o infidel_n world_n have_v their_o augur_n or_o prophet_n on_o who_o they_o depend_v as_o conscious_a of_o the_o necessity_n of_o more_o than_o common_a natural_a light_n beside_o that_o it_o require_v great_a help_n and_o long_a study_n to_o understand_v the_o book_n of_o nature_n than_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n can_v use_v whereas_o god_n by_o his_o word_n have_v make_v all_o necessary_a truth_n so_o plain_a that_o child_n in_o a_o short_a time_n may_v grow_v wise_a than_o the_o philosopher_n §_o 2._o no_o wonder_n then_o if_o it_o be_v the_o great_a work_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n the_o enemy_n of_o god_n and_o man_n to_o deprive_v the_o world_n of_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o sacred_a sacripture_n which_o he_o do_v first_o by_o keep_v most_o of_o the_o earth_n from_o know_v it_o for_o want_v of_o teacher_n most_o keep_v out_o by_o the_o persecution_n of_o tyrant_n and_o idolatrous_a priest_n second_o by_o keep_v those_o that_o hear_v it_o from_o believe_v it_o three_o by_o keep_v those_o that_o believe_v it_o from_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o it_o four_o by_o keep_v those_o that_o partly_o understand_v it_o from_o a_o serious_a consider_v what_o they_o understand_v five_o by_o keep_v man_n from_o a_o willing_a obedience_n to_o what_o they_o know_v and_o think_v of_o §_o 3._o among_o profess_a christian_n it_o be_v the_o want_n of_o a_o sound_a belief_n which_o be_v the_o great_a cause_n of_o all_o ungodliness_n and_o misery_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o it_o be_v a_o high_a and_o excellent_a work_n to_o live_v on_o the_o joyful_a belief_n and_o hope_n of_o a_o unseen_a everlasting_a life_n and_o in_o this_o dark_a state_n believe_v must_v conquer_v many_o difficulty_n which_o slothful_a man_n will_v rather_o yield_v to_o than_o due_o strive_v to_o overcome_v §_o 4._o first_o we_o have_v contract_v so_o inordinate_a a_o love_n to_o this_o kind_n of_o life_n in_o flesh_n that_o corrupt_a nature_n be_v loath_a to_o think_v of_o any_o other_o because_o it_o will_v not_o part_v with_o this_o and_o when_o man_n be_v convince_v only_o of_o a_o necessity_n of_o look_v forward_o beyond_o the_o grave_a this_o change_v not_o their_o love_n but_o still_o a_o unwilling_a backward_a heart_n receive_v the_o notice_n of_o the_o life_n to_o come_v but_o as_o unpleasant_a physic_n which_o nothing_o but_o mere_a necessity_n will_v get_v down_o and_o how_o ill_o a_o receiver_n a_o unwilling_a mind_n be_v experience_n tell_v all_o the_o world_n yea_o so_o backward_o and_o senseless_a be_v deprave_v nature_n that_o even_o this_o necessity_n be_v seldom_o serious_o consider_v till_o the_o sentence_n of_o death_n awaken_v the_o soul_n and_o be_v man_n then_o fit_a to_o begin_v so_o hard_a a_o study_n as_o must_v show_v they_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v and_o to_o get_v faith_n when_o they_o must_v use_v it_o §_o 5._o second_o and_o i_o write_v it_o as_o necessitate_v and_o with_o lamentation_n it_o be_v not_o all_o man_n lot_n to_o have_v teacher_n that_o show_v they_o the_o right_a way_n even_o of_o sound_v their_o belief_n and_o discern_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o soul_n if_o i_o shall_v tell_v you_o how_o many_o parish_n that_o have_v weekly_a sermon_n in_o which_o faith_n and_o christianity_n and_o heaven_n be_v mention_v have_v teacher_n that_o can_v confute_v a_o infidel_n or_o sadducee_n or_o teach_v man_n clear_o how_o to_o be_v sure_a that_o their_o faith_n and_o hope_n be_v not_o mere_a error_n and_o that_o can_v tell_v which_o way_n well_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o profess_a religion_n some_o will_v be_v offend_v at_o it_o that_o be_v not_o offend_v at_o their_o own_o sad_a defect_n who_o be_v ignorant_a of_o so_o needful_a a_o part_n of_o the_o catechism_n which_o every_o christian_a shall_v be_v teach_v §_o 6._o sad_n numerous_a instance_n be_v too_o clear_a a_o clear_a a_o proof_n first_o it_o be_v become_v so_o great_a a_o controversy_n whether_o faith_n have_v any_o evidence_n or_o not_o and_o whether_o we_o can_v certain_o prove_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v true_a or_o rather_o must_v merit_v the_o more_o by_o believe_v it_o without_o proof_n that_o the_o papist_n be_v together_o by_o the_o ear_n about_o it_o and_o those_o protestant_n that_o handle_v it_o differ_v among_o themselves_o but_o the_o most_o keep_v their_o peace_n by_o not_o dare_v to_o decide_v it_o and_o how_o can_v those_o teacher_n show_v the_o people_n the_o ascertain_a evidence_n and_o proof_n who_o hold_v that_o there_o be_v none_o to_o be_v show_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o evident_a to_o sense_n not_o see_v not_o taste_v etc._n etc._n but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n have_v ascertain_v proof_n and_o nothing_o be_v provable_a but_o by_o intelligible_a evidence_n second_o the_o whole_a papal_a church_n almost_o hold_v that_o the_o method_n of_o believe_v the_o gospel_n be_v to_o believe_v it_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n proposal_n or_o affirmation_n as_o if_o man_n must_v believe_v that_o christ_n have_v a_o church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v thus_o authorize_v before_o they_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n and_o have_v authority_n himself_o or_o any_o law_n that_o give_v authority_n a_o multitude_n of_o impossibles_fw-fr be_v here_o suppose_v before_o man_n can_v be_v a_o true_a believer_n which_o i_o have_v full_o manifest_v elsewhere_o three_o some_o that_o see_v how_o unable_a the_o vulgar_a and_o unlearned_a be_v to_o manage_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o weight_n and_o difficulty_n and_o fear_v least_o a_o trial_n of_o their_o faith_n against_o hard_a objection_n shall_v but_o overturn_v it_o persuade_v the_o weak_a only_o to_o believe_v and_o not_o to_o doubt_v but_o not_o to_o ask_v why_o nor_o to_o search_v for_o reason_n for_o their_o faith_n lest_o dispute_v the_o case_n and_o hear_v objection_n which_o they_o can_v answer_v shall_v make_v they_o infidel_n or_o crack_v their_o brain_n four_o some_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o inward_a witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o themselves_o that_o can_v assure_v they_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n not_o tell_v they_o well_o what_o that_o testimony_n be_v nor_o how_o those_o that_o yet_o hear_v it_o not_o shall_v be_v convince_v of_o unbelief_n five_o some_o by_o overdo_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o scripture_n so_o shine_v propria_fw-la luce_fw-fr and_o contain_v its_o own_o evidence_n of_o divinity_n so_o clear_o that_o a_o man_n that_o do_v but_o read_v it_o though_o he_o find_v it_o by_o the_o highway_n and_o never_o before_o hear_v of_o it_o may_v there_o see_v sufficient_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v all_o of_o god_n six_o some_o by_o great_a over_n distinguish_v not_o the_o essential_o of_o religion_n from_o the_o integral_n or_o accident_n nor_o the_o word_n from_o the_o matter_n nor_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n from_o the_o subordinate_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o point_n of_o evidence_n and_o necessity_n and_o so_o will_v tempt_v man_n to_o think_v that_o if_o any_o sentence_n in_o our_o bibles_n translation_n or_o original_n be_v mistake_v we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o of_o
in_o who_o name_n he_o speak_v and_o as_o have_v god_n power_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n to_o punish_v those_o that_o shall_v resist_v he_o 14._o the_o great_a effort_n and_o endeavour_n of_o humane_a wit_n to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n his_o book_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o such_o imagination_n as_o these_o and_o yet_o nothing_o less_o rational_a can_v be_v invent_v for_o if_o man_n will_v in_o this_o matter_n make_v use_v but_o of_o proof_n take_v from_o mere_a sense_n how_o difficult_a be_v it_o to_o reconcile_v the_o wisdom_n and_o virtue_n which_o clear_o appear_v in_o this_o moses_n with_o so_o black_a a_o imposture_n how_o difficult_a be_v it_o to_o comprehend_v that_o this_o man_n in_o a_o age_n so_o remote_a so_o dark_a and_o so_o rude_a and_o without_o any_o help_n from_o the_o invention_n of_o those_o that_o have_v go_v before_o can_v have_v be_v able_a to_o contrive_v of_o his_o own_o head_n not_o only_o a_o law_n from_o which_o all_o other_o law_n have_v be_v oblige_v to_o borrow_v something_o or_o other_o but_o moreover_o that_o he_o can_v have_v be_v able_a to_o have_v frame_v the_o idea_n or_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o that_o a_o idea_n so_o great_a and_o so_o worthy_a that_o except_v those_o who_o have_v tread_v in_o his_o step_n there_o be_v never_o any_o who_o have_v have_v a_o idea_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v infinite_o below_o it_o whereas_o all_o other_o humane_a invention_n grow_v up_o to_o perfection_n successive_o and_o by_o degree_n in_o fine_a how_o strange_a a_o thing_n will_v it_o be_v that_o this_o first_o bear_v of_o all_o impostor_n shall_v have_v hit_v so_o right_a in_o a_o matter_n so_o far_o elevate_v above_o the_o thought_n of_o man_n and_o shall_v have_v know_v so_o well_o what_o shall_v be_v due_a to_o a_o god_n and_o what_o a_o god_n shall_v be_v that_o real_o man_n be_v sensible_o convince_v that_o he_o must_v be_v such_o a_o god_n if_o he_o be_v at_o all_o and_o that_o honest_a heart_n shall_v be_v grievous_o trouble_v at_o it_o if_o such_o a_o god_n be_v not_o 15._o but_o to_o pass_v from_o this_o unto_o such_o thing_n as_o bear_v a_o great_a proportion_n unto_o all_o sort_n of_o capacity_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o all_o the_o miracle_n mention_v in_o those_o book_n shall_v be_v but_o so_o many_o fable_n invent_v by_o moses_n if_o this_o be_v possible_a then_o either_o he_o must_v have_v hope_v to_o make_v the_o jew_n believe_v he_o or_o at_o least_o he_o must_v have_v hope_v to_o persuade_v they_o to_o authorize_v they_o by_o their_o consent_n without_o believe_v they_o and_o to_o conspire_v with_o he_o to_o conceal_v the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o cheat_n from_o posterity_n for_o undoubted_o none_o will_v say_v that_o he_o invent_v they_o upon_o design_n to_o pass_v for_o a_o impostor_n without_o expect_v any_o advantage_n thereby_o and_o withal_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v either_o that_o the_o jew_n believe_v they_o to_o be_v true_a though_o they_o be_v false_a or_o that_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v false_a they_o all_o with_o one_o consent_n agree_v in_o a_o design_n to_o make_v they_o pass_v for_o true_a to_o their_o posterity_n 16._o but_o what_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o groundless_a and_o undefensible_a than_o all_o this_o can_v moses_n promise_v himself_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o persuade_v the_o jew_n to_o believe_v the_o turn_n of_o river_n into_o blood_n the_o thick_a palpable_a darkness_n which_o cover_v all_o egypt_n for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o day_n the_o israelite_n only_o be_v free_a from_o it_o the_o death_n of_o all_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o the_o egyptian_n in_o one_o night_n while_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n feel_v not_o the_o least_o hurt_n the_o division_n of_o the_o red-sea_n which_o open_v and_o on_o each_o side_n stand_v up_o in_o a_o heap_n like_o two_o wall_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o then_o fall_v down_o again_o and_o return_v to_o its_o ordinary_a course_n to_o swallow_v up_o and_o drown_v the_o army_n of_o the_o egyptian_n with_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o visible_o succeed_v one_o another_o before_o that_o people_n go_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n can_v he_o hope_v that_o none_o of_o the_o jew_n will_v doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o these_o thing_n if_o they_o be_v false_a nor_o have_v at_o least_o the_o curiosity_n to_o inquire_v concern_v they_o of_o the_o egyptian_n who_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v not_o combine_v in_o the_o plot_n with_o he_o 17._o moreover_o can_v he_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a easy_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o give_v credit_n unto_o what_o he_o write_v of_o the_o forty_o year_n which_o they_o spend_v in_o the_o wilderness_n which_o be_v no_o less_o than_o another_o series_n of_o miracle_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o make_v they_o believe_v though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v draw_v out_o of_o a_o rock_n water_n enough_o to_o quench_v the_o thirst_n of_o five_o or_o six_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n that_o before_o their_o eye_n the_o earth_n have_v swallow_v up_o quick_a corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n after_o he_o have_v advertise_v the_o people_n that_o they_o shall_v die_v of_o a_o strange_a and_o extraordinary_a kind_n of_o death_n that_o they_o themselves_o have_v live_v for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n only_o upon_o food_n send_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o last_o of_o all_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o make_v they_o believe_v that_o great_a and_o dreadful_a sight_n of_o mount_n sinai_n while_o it_o appear_v all_o in_o a_o flame_n with_o such_o a_o noise_n of_o lightning_n and_o thunder_n that_o the_o people_n who_o stand_v by_o and_o hear_v and_o see_v all_o that_o pass_v desire_v to_o treat_v and_o converse_v no_o more_o but_o by_o ambassador_n with_o that_o god_n who_o glorious_a presence_n they_o think_v they_o can_v not_o bear_v and_o live_v 18._o if_o moses_n have_v be_v so_o senseless_a and_o mad_a as_o to_o flatter_v himself_o with_o this_o hope_n how_o unable_a will_v he_o have_v be_v even_o for_o that_o very_a reason_n alone_o to_o succeed_v and_o bring_v to_o pass_v any_o great_a design_n and_o instead_o of_o carry_v matter_n so_o far_o and_o bring_v they_o to_o that_o issue_n as_o he_o do_v such_o a_o mad_a head_n will_v not_o have_v fail_v to_o imbroil_n and_o confound_v all_o its_o own_o project_n where_o be_v there_o a_o example_n in_o all_o history_n of_o any_o cheat_n of_o this_o nature_n these_o be_v not_o the_o way_n and_o method_n which_o deceiver_n take_v they_o do_v not_o lay_v open_a their_o lie_n to_o so_o great_a a_o light_n and_o they_o be_v too_o wary_a to_o choose_v judge_n so_o hard_o to_o be_v deceive_v as_o the_o eye_n and_o ear_n of_o six_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n and_o a_o whole_a nation_n of_o enemy_n they_o feign_v some_o obscure_a blind_a mitacle_n whereof_o there_o have_v be_v but_o few_o witness_n and_o cause_v the_o fame_n of_o it_o to_o be_v spread_v abroad_o by_o their_o partisan_n above_o all_o they_o avoid_v with_o great_a care_n the_o provoke_a of_o humane_a nature_n to_o rise_v up_o in_o contradictory_n opposition_n to_o they_o which_o they_o will_v sure_o do_v if_o they_o shall_v bold_o take_v folk_n to_o witness_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o wherein_o they_o shall_v have_v so_o great_a cause_n to_o fear_v to_o be_v belie_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o they_o shun_v so_o much_o as_o the_o giving_z occasion_n unto_o man_n mind_n to_o think_v often_o upon_o their_o falsehood_n and_o the_o induce_v they_o to_o make_v frequent_a reflection_n upon_o their_o lie_n they_o account_v themselves_o happy_a that_o they_o be_v once_o suffer_v to_o escape_v without_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o cheat_a trick_n and_o they_o can_v possible_o so_o far_o root_v out_o of_o their_o nature_n all_o sense_n of_o fear_n and_o shame_n as_o to_o dare_v set_v gross_a imposture_n continual_o before_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o whole_a nation_n take_v they_o to_o witness_v and_o exciting_a they_o by_o such_o a_o unsufferable_a boldness_n to_o inquire_v into_o and_o consider_v of_o they_o with_o the_o great_a care_n and_o wariness_n 19_o let_v moses_n be_v try_v by_o these_o rule_n to_o see_v whether_o he_o observe_v any_o of_o these_o precaution_n and_o take_v any_o of_o these_o measure_n which_o nature_n and_o interest_n will_v teach_v the_o most_o desperate_a yea_o and_o even_o the_o most_o foolish_a inconsiderate_a impostor_n he_o speak_v upon_o every_o occasion_n both_o of_o the_o plague_n of_o egypt_n and_o of_o the_o miracle_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o that_o with_o a_o confidence_n sufficient_a to_o provoke_v the_o
book_n write_v in_o former_a age_n at_o any_o considerable_a distance_n be_v the_o book_n of_o those_o author_n who_o they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v 32._o and_o let_v none_o say_v that_o there_o be_v book_n which_o after_o they_o have_v pass_v for_o a_o time_n under_o the_o name_n of_o certain_a author_n have_v at_o last_o be_v find_v to_o be_v supposiâ—icious_a for_o without_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o that_o matter_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o this_o can_v happen_v to_o a_o book_n of_o the_o great_a importance_n to_o which_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o author_n name_n be_v essential_a and_o whereof_o in_o all_o age_n man_n have_v have_v so_o much_o cause_n and_o so_o great_a a_o interest_n to_o examine_v the_o origination_n and_o truth_n for_o as_o truth_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o all_o thing_n except_o falsehood_n agree_v with_o it_o all_o thing_n concur_v to_o establish_v it_o and_o there_o be_v neither_o care_n nor_o labour_n that_o can_v find_v out_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v able_a to_o overthrow_v it_o so_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v impossible_a but_o falsehood_n will_v at_o last_o be_v find_v out_o if_o we_o endeavour_v it_o because_o it_o can_v be_v but_o there_o will_v be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v contrary_a unto_o it_o and_o how_o great_a soever_o be_v the_o foresight_n and_o cunning_n of_o impostor_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a though_o the_o humane_a understanding_n be_v not_o so_o limit_v as_o it_o be_v to_o foresee_v all_o inconvenience_n or_o to_o suit_n and_o accommodate_v every_o thing_n to_o the_o prevent_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v foresee_v for_o in_o fine_a though_o there_o be_v for_o that_o purpose_n certain_a effect_n whereof_o man_n be_v master_n and_o have_v the_o disposal_n it_o be_v cettain_v that_o there_o be_v also_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v no_o power_n at_o all_o to_o dispose_v of_o to_o be_v able_a to_o prevent_v all_o thing_n that_o may_v discover_v their_o forgery_n they_o must_v be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o dispose_v of_o thing_n present_a and_o to_o come_v to_o change_v the_o order_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o command_v the_o nature_n the_o wit_n and_o will_n of_o man_n at_o their_o pleasure_n 33._o but_o beside_o this_o we_o have_v yet_o incomparable_o more_o and_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n than_o there_o be_v of_o any_o other_o book_n other_o book_n be_v in_o few_o people_n hand_n and_o there_o be_v not_o many_o who_o think_v themselves_o concern_v in_o they_o those_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o they_o do_v but_o seldom_o mind_v they_o or_o their_o interest_n in_o they_o and_o even_o that_o interest_n can_v be_v but_o comparative_o of_o small_a importance_n but_o the_o book_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v of_o a_o much_o different_a nature_n they_o have_v always_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o whole_a great_a nation_n they_o have_v be_v the_o object_n of_o their_o continual_a meditation_n and_o since_o they_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o that_o a_o religion_n which_o abhor_v lie_v and_o deceive_v how_o can_v they_o have_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o author_n name_n and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o addition_n of_o so_o many_o fable_n or_o can_v it_o be_v do_v without_o their_o knowledge_n yea_o and_o who_o dare_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o ever_o to_o attempt_v it_o 34._o let_v man_n take_v a_o full_a view_n of_o that_o prodigious_a series_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o then_o judge_v impartial_o whether_o these_o be_v thing_n that_o can_v be_v insert_v into_o a_o book_n and_o yet_o that_o book_n be_v make_v to_o pass_v for_o the_o original_a this_o be_v the_o most_o that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o some_o inconsiderable_a book_n which_o shall_v fall_v into_o the_o hand_n but_o of_o a_o few_o person_n and_o with_o some_o particular_a miracle_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v wrought_v before_o a_o few_o witness_n and_o moreover_o we_o see_v that_o such_o thing_n do_v not_o spread_v far_o nor_o last_v long_o they_o be_v scarce_o soon_o forge_v but_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v question_v in_o so_o much_o that_o in_o time_n they_o come_v to_o be_v regard_v by_o none_o but_o the_o simple_a people_n who_o believe_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o next_o intruder_n and_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o get_v clear_a and_o certain_a notion_n of_o the_o least_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o upon_o earth_n clear_a if_o this_o be_v not_o that_o such_o thing_n can_v not_o happen_v to_o such_o a_o book_n as_o we_o have_v describe_v this_o to_o be_v i_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o insert_v now_o into_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o history_n as_o long_o and_o as_o considerable_a as_o that_o of_o moses_n his_o miracle_n in_o egypt_n and_o the_o wilderness_n and_o how_o ridiculous_a soever_o this_o supposition_n appear_v to_o be_v i_o know_v not_o whither_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o more_o difficult_a to_o insert_v such_o fabulous_a story_n into_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n since_o the_o jew_n have_v at_o least_o as_o high_a a_o esteem_n for_o their_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o law_n as_o we_o have_v for_o we_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o who_o most_o near_o and_o natural_a interest_n it_o be_v not_o to_o know_v what_o they_o contain_v have_v it_o be_v only_o that_o they_o may_v learn_v how_o to_o save_v themselves_o from_o that_o death_n which_o they_o be_v to_o suffer_v without_o reprieve_n upon_o failure_n of_o the_o performance_n of_o some_o duty_n prescribe_v by_o their_o law_n 35._o but_o that_o which_o invincible_o prove_v the_o falsehood_n of_o this_o supposition_n be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n two_o history_n of_o moses_n the_o one_o write_v in_o the_o book_n that_o bear_v his_o name_n the_o other_o as_o it_o be_v engrave_v on_o the_o ceremony_n and_o law_n observe_v by_o the_o jew_n the_o practice_n whereof_o be_v a_o live_a witness_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o book_n which_o institute_v they_o and_o even_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o most_o wonderful_a thing_n which_o it_o contain_v for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o most_o astonish_a miracle_n be_v represent_v by_o the_o ceremony_n and_o by_o the_o other_o thing_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n the_o pot_n of_o manna_n keep_v in_o the_o ark_n be_v a_o stand_a monument_n of_o the_o miraculous_a food_n wherewith_o god_n feed_v that_o people_n in_o the_o wilderness_n aaron_n rod_n that_o bud_a be_v a_o monument_n of_o the_o way_n how_o god_n confirm_v unto_o he_o the_o office_n of_o high-priesthood_n and_o the_o table_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v a_o memorial_n of_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o exodus_fw-la concern_v the_o establishment_n of_o the_o law_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o paschal_n lamb_n the_o ceremony_n of_o unleavened-bread_n the_o assign_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levy_n unto_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o temple_n do_v represent_v the_o destroy_a angel_n pass_v over_o the_o house_n of_o the_o israelite_n the_o death_n of_o the_o first-born_a of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o deliverance_n of_o those_o of_o the_o israelete_n the_o brazen_a plate_n which_o be_v fasten_v to_o and_o cover_v the_o altar_n be_v a_o memorial_n of_o the_o death_n of_o those_o audacious_a levite_n who_o wilful_o contend_v with_o aaron_n race_n for_o the_o priesthood_n in_o fine_a the_o ark_n the_o tabernacle_n all_o the_o different_a ministry_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n all_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o purification_n all_o the_o law_n the_o assignation_n of_o the_o country_n beyond_o jordan_n to_o the_o two_o tribe_n of_o reuben_n and_o gad_n and_o to_o the_o half_a tribe_n of_o manasse_n the_o city_n of_o refuge_n for_o such_o as_o shall_v happen_v to_o slay_v a_o man_n unwitting_o all_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v which_o it_o will_v be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o deny_v as_o to_o pretend_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o jew_n in_o the_o world_n have_v a_o necessary_a respect_n unto_o and_o connexion_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o invincible_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v write_v since_o his_o time_n 36._o for_o otherwise_o either_o all_o that_o we_o have_v be_v now_o discourse_v of_o must_v also_o have_v be_v establish_v since_o moses_n and_o after_o the_o publish_v of_o the_o book_n ascribe_v unto_o he_o or_o else_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o moses_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o without_o any_o book_n some_o other_o
such_o a_o fearful_a multitude_n of_o lie_n render_v themselves_o thereby_o unworthy_a of_o divine_a protection_n and_o liable_a to_o be_v convict_v of_o imposture_n by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n will_v not_o this_o have_v be_v a_o venture_v to_o lose_v all_o for_o to_o gain_v nothing_o 45._o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o convince_v all_o understanding_n and_o sober_a man_n but_o if_o some_o will_v yet_o insist_v upon_o the_o jew_n love_v for_o their_o nation_n and_o pretend_v that_o the_o desire_n of_o be_v admire_v may_v have_v induce_v they_o to_o permit_v and_o promote_v this_o imposture_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o quite_o contrary_a and_o whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o believe_v they_o can_v advance_v their_o own_o reputation_n by_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o that_o book_n which_o seem_v so_o shameful_a to_o the_o nation_n in_o general_a and_o though_o all_o have_v be_v for_o the_o public_a good_a let_v we_o see_v whether_o it_o be_v credible_a that_o particular_a person_n and_o whole_a family_n will_v have_v willing_o sacrifice_v themselves_o and_o their_o interest_n unto_o it_o especial_o consider_v that_o nothing_o do_v constrain_v they_o and_o that_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o invent_v it_o be_v in_o their_o choice_n to_o take_v what_o way_n they_o please_v and_o to_o secure_v the_o interest_n of_o all_o without_o provoke_v so_o many_o people_n to_o discover_v their_o fraud_n 46._o have_v they_o only_o mention_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v have_v contribute_v to_o their_o honour_n as_o those_o great_a miracle_n which_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o god_n most_o special_a protection_n it_o have_v be_v abundant_o sufficient_a for_o their_o design_n without_o invent_v some_o thing_n which_o it_o be_v so_o many_o people_n interest_n to_o oppose_v and_o other_o thing_n which_o do_v expose_v that_o nation_n to_o so_o great_a contempt_n 47._o for_o instance_n what_o be_v there_o more_o miserable_o base_a than_o the_o fear_n and_o murmur_n of_o this_o people_n occasion_v by_o the_o bitter_a water_n of_o marah_n by_o the_o want_n of_o food_n and_o by_o the_o thirst_n they_o suffer_v in_o rephidim_n they_o be_v hardly_o soon_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n but_o they_o forget_v all_o those_o great_a thing_n which_o they_o will_v make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o their_o god_n have_v there_o do_v for_o they_o they_o think_v they_o be_v forsake_v and_o betray_v and_o complain_v that_o they_o be_v treacherous_o bring_v out_o of_o a_o country_n where_o they_o live_v at_o ease_n though_o they_o be_v captive_n and_o slave_n in_o it_o to_o destroy_v they_o in_o the_o wilderness_n they_o question_v the_o power_n and_o protection_n of_o that_o god_n who_o have_v so_o eminent_o appear_v for_o they_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o rebel_n against_o that_o very_a man_n who_o they_o believe_v be_v choose_v by_o god_n to_o deliver_v they_o now_o be_v not_o this_o the_o shameful_a and_o great_a weakness_n imaginable_a be_v not_o this_o the_o high_a ingratitude_n both_o to_o their_o god_n and_o to_o moses_n their_o guide_n and_o captain_n what_o can_v their_o cruel_a enemy_n have_v invent_v more_o dishonourable_a to_o they_o and_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o to_o make_v themselves_o renown_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o to_o cause_n man_n to_o believe_v they_o be_v the_o belove_a people_n of_o god_n it_o shall_v ever_o have_v enter_v into_o their_o thought_n to_o paint_v out_o and_o represent_v themselves_o so_o light_a and_o unconstant_a so_o unfaithful_a and_o so_o absure_v that_o during_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n wherein_o they_o feed_v as_o themselves_o say_v upon_o meat_n send_v down_o from_o heaven_n there_o pass_v hardly_o a_o day_n on_o which_o they_o be_v not_o hear_v to_o cry_v like_o little_a child_n and_o to_o wish_v with_o tear_n they_o be_v yet_o slave_n in_o egypt_n that_o they_o may_v fill_v their_o belly_n with_o onion_n and_o leek_n 48._o the_o whole_a five_o book_n of_o moses_n must_v be_v almost_o copy_v out_o to_o recount_v all_o the_o unfaithfulness_n and_o all_o the_o fault_n of_o this_o people_n for_o therein_o be_v hardly_o any_o other_o thing_n to_o be_v see_v one_o will_v think_v they_o have_v be_v resolve_v to_o make_v their_o wickedness_n keep_v even_o pace_n with_o the_o grace_n and_o favour_n of_o their_o god_n almost_o upon_o all_o occasion_n they_o rebel_v against_o their_o leader_n and_o be_v scarce_o deliver_v from_o one_o judgement_n when_o they_o bring_v upon_o themselves_o another_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v this_o ungovernable_a people_n from_o fall_v continual_o into_o the_o same_o crime_n not_o the_o example_n of_o the_o three_o thousand_o man_n who_o the_o son_n of_o levy_n slay_v by_o the_o commond_v of_o moses_n to_o punish_v they_o for_o their_o idolatry_n nor_o the_o fire_n and_o plague_n from_o the_o lord_n which_o in_o two_o day_n time_n destroy_v near_o fifteen_o thousand_o man_n for_o their_o sedition_n nor_o the_o dreadful_a judgement_n of_o the_o fiery-serpent_n nor_o the_o tremendous_a punishment_n inflict_v upon_o they_o for_o their_o mix_n with_o the_o daughter_n of_o the_o midianite_n on_o which_o account_n moses_n cause_v to_o hang_v up_o all_o the_o head_n of_o they_o against_o the_o sun_n and_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o of_o the_o people_n die_v by_o the_o plague_n 49._o but_o to_o say_v all_o in_o one_o word_n what_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o strange_a and_o more_o disgraceful_a to_o their_o memory_n than_o that_o general_a apostasy_n which_o happen_v when_o moses_n be_v upon_o mount_n sinai_n and_o when_o those_o mad_a people_n force_v aaron_n to_o make_v they_o a_o golden-calf_n and_o to_o offer_v sacrifice_n unto_o it_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v unto_o their_o god_n let_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o this_o action_n be_v well_o weigh_v and_o it_o will_v undoubted_o appear_v that_o a_o people_n which_o have_v declare_v themselves_o capable_a of_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o crime_n have_v by_o so_o do_v convict_a themselves_o of_o all_o vice_n at_o once_o and_o chief_o of_o sottishness_n and_o extravagancy_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v bring_v out_o of_o a_o enemy_n country_n by_o the_o great_a and_o most_o unconceivable_a wonder_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v insomuch_o that_o there_o be_v hardly_o a_o moment_n of_o time_n mention_v in_o all_o their_o history_n in_o which_o the_o almighty_a arm_n of_o their_o god_n do_v not_o visible_o appear_v this_o their_o god_n pardon_n they_o all_o their_o murmur_n and_o all_o their_o unfaithfulness_n and_o instead_o of_o punish_v their_o distrust_n he_o provide_v for_o they_o meat_n and_o drink_n in_o place_n where_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o before_o and_o satisfy_v even_o the_o low_a and_o gross_a of_o their_o desire_n 50._o nevertheless_o in_o the_o time_n when_o they_o know_v that_o their_o deliverer_n and_o guide_n be_v on_o the_o mount_n with_o that_o same_o god_n to_o receive_v his_o order_n about_o the_o government_n of_o they_o a_o panic_n and_o a_o ridiculous_a fear_n seize_v upon_o they_o they_o can_v patient_o bear_v moses_n his_o so_o long_a absence_n and_o without_o know_v well_o wherefore_o they_o demand_v of_o aaron_n a_o visible_a god_n to_o go_v before_o they_o they_o force_v he_o to_o make_v a_o golden-calf_n which_o they_o set_v up_o upon_o a_o altar_n they_o call_v it_o the_o god_n which_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n and_o give_v to_o this_o pretty_a deity_n make_v of_o earring_n the_o same_o honour_n and_o the_o same_o thanksgiving_n which_o they_o owe_v and_o have_v before_o so_o often_o give_v unto_o the_o true_a god_n creator_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n who_o have_v choose_v they_o out_o of_o all_o mankind_n for_o his_o special_a favourite_n 51._o true_o they_o must_v have_v lose_v the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n who_o can_v think_v that_o this_o people_n have_v suffer_v this_o narrative_a of_o the_o golden-calf_n to_o be_v add_v to_o their_o history_n and_o that_o they_o have_v do_v it_o to_o make_v themselves_o to_o be_v admire_v and_o esteem_v by_o other_o nation_n can_v they_o imagine_v that_o their_o glory_n and_o renown_n be_v imperfect_a without_o this_o to_o make_v up_o the_o defect_n of_o it_o and_o be_v it_o not_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o disgrace_n which_o can_v never_o be_v rub_v off_o and_o for_o which_o their_o posterity_n will_v blame_v they_o for_o ever_o and_o be_v it_o not_o rather_o one_o of_o the_o great_a miracle_n in_o the_o world_n that_o this_o action_n of_o they_o can_v ever_o come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n have_v not_o do_v their_o utmost_a utter_o to_o abolish_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o so_o far_o must_v we_o suppose_v the_o jew_n to_o have_v be_v from_o invent_v it_o against_o themselves_o or_o from_o suffer_v to_o be_v add_v unto_o so_o