jew_n and_o other_o when_o the_o common-weal_n be_v of_o all_o the_o hebrew_n when_o of_o the_o jew_n what_o the_o sceptre_n be_v the_o plausible_a opinion_n of_o eusebius_n confute_v wherein_o consist_v and_o to_o who_o belong_v imperial_a majesty_n what_o we_o have_v now_o say_v of_o the_o sanctuary_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n to_o the_o confute_v of_o mâ—â—monides_n but_o we_o must_v produce_v other_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o which_o old_a jacob_n speak_v to_o juda_n on_o his_o death_n bed_n be_v not_o where_o seat_v but_o in_o palestin_n we_o will_v not_o go_v far_o but_o cite_v mâ—â—monides_n for_o a_o witness_n against_o himself_o how_o often_o do_v he_o tell_v we_o the_o holy_a people_n without_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o holy_a lâ—nd_n be_v loose_v from_o many_o of_o the_o mosaical_a law_n he_o have_v a_o notable_a sanhedrin_n notable_a in_o halacha_n sanhedrin_n d_o ssertation_n wherein_o he_o circumscribe_v with_o certain_a limit_n the_o power_n of_o the_o judge_n both_o of_o palestin_n and_o babylon_n certain_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mâ—ses_n law_n be_v conversant_a about_o criminal_a cause_n the_o judgement_n hereof_o say_v maimâ—â—_n can_v be_v no_o where_o exercise_v by_o the_o babylonian_a jew_n no_o not_o in_o palestin_n and_o the_o jew_n of_o palestin_n as_o by_o the_o law_n they_o give_v judgement_n to_o their_o own_o people_n in_o all_o cause_n within_o their_o own_o country_n so_o without_o it_o they_o give_v no_o sentence_n upon_o their_o countryman_n unless_o by_o the_o permission_n of_o the_o babylonian_a peer_n or_o other_o head_n of_o the_o exile_a jew_n whence_o we_o gather_v that_o the_o jew_n of_o palestiâ—â—_n judge_v of_o crime_n in_o their_o own_o country_n always_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o law_n sometime_o out_o of_o their_o country_n but_o by_o permission_n and_o leave_n of_o other_o the_o babylonian_n not_o where_o judge_v of_o they_o not_o in_o their_o own_o dominion_n not_o in_o palestin_n not_o by_o force_n of_o law_n nor_o by_o permission_n and_o be_v these_o the_o man_n think_v you_o to_o who_o be_v give_v the_o jewish_a sceptre_n after_o the_o affair_n of_o palestin_n be_v break_v and_o decay_v sure_o either_o the_o excellent_a writer_n know_v not_o what_o be_v the_o dignity_n of_o the_o sceptre_n or_o he_o think_v too_o well_o of_o some_o state_n of_o straw_n that_o do_v there_o boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o david_n house_n but_o we_o wonder_v not_o at_o this_o light_a mistake_n of_o maimonides_n when_o we_o consider_v by_o what_o strange_a interpretation_n other_o have_v labour_v for_o the_o sense_n of_o jacob_n divine_a speech_n i_o remember_v i_o have_v conference_n concern_v this_o with_o the_o honourable_a apollonius_n scottus_fw-la assessor_n of_o the_o supreme_a senate_n at_o what_o time_n in_o his_o house_n at_o the_o hague_n i_o sweet_o spend_v the_o vacation_n and_o with_o great_a ardour_n run_v over_o the_o luculent_a commentation_n of_o rabbi_n ben_n maimon_n wherewith_o i_o be_v so_o take_v that_o i_o cross_v almost_o all_o my_o former_a note_n concern_v the_o jewish_a state_n there_o do_v this_o senator_n such_o be_v his_o learning_n and_o the_o exceed_a vigour_n of_o his_o wit_n signify_v more_o than_o once_o that_o in_o his_o judgement_n no_o other_o text_n in_o the_o sacred_a book_n be_v more_o examine_v by_o learned_a man_n and_o less_o understand_v very_o i_o be_v glad_a to_o find_v of_o my_o opinion_n a_o man_n who_o authority_n and_o repute_n may_v encourage_v i_o to_o oppose_v the_o interpretation_n of_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o wherefore_o by_o his_o incitement_n i_o think_v i_o shall_v not_o do_v amiss_o if_o in_o so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o conjecture_n i_o shall_v also_o publish_v what_o my_o judgement_n be_v about_o a_o prophecy_n so_o illustrious_a the_o argument_n indeed_o be_v worthy_a wherein_o the_o wit_n of_o every_o man_n may_v exercise_v itself_o and_o show_v its_o strength_n although_o in_o this_o our_o treatise_n we_o handle_v the_o affair_n of_o hebrew_n and_o jew_n in_o common_a and_o without_o difference_n for_o the_o most_o part_n yet_o to_o secure_v the_o reader_n from_o mistake_n we_o will_v once_o for_o all_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o sacred_a commonwealth_n constitute_v by_o moses_n according_a to_o god_n appointment_n be_v always_o the_o same_o and_o found_v on_o the_o same_o law_n but_o not_o always_o of_o the_o same_o person_n a_o long_a time_n it_o be_v of_o the_o hebrew_n afterward_o by_o change_n of_o time_n it_o be_v only_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o so_o the_o oracle_n of_o jacob_n which_o be_v of_o juda_n sceptre_n pertain_v only_o to_o those_o late_a time_n the_o ignorance_n whereof_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o this_o admirable_a prophecy_n have_v be_v hitherto_o misunderstand_v i_o will_v not_o mention_v here_o the_o miserable_a hallucination_n of_o origen_n austin_n epiphanius_n and_o other_o who_o think_v the_o jew_n be_v promise_v by_o those_o word_n of_o jacob_n a_o perpetual_a succession_n of_o king_n of_o the_o same_o tribe_n and_o the_o same_o lineage_n even_o to_o the_o time_n of_o messiah_n a_o opinion_n which_o lead_v the_o follower_n of_o it_o into_o insuperable_a difficulty_n for_o they_o know_v not_o what_o to_o say_v nor_o whither_o to_o turn_v themselves_o when_o they_o see_v from_o the_o death_n of_o sedechiah_n to_o the_o time_n of_o aristobulus_n the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v none_o and_o after_o that_o until_o herod_n tyranny_n it_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n only_o of_o the_o hasmonaei_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi._n these_o thing_n of_o late_a be_v discuss_v well_o and_o with_o good_a success_n in_o the_o exercitation_n against_o baronius_n by_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o age_n i_o saack_v casaubon_n who_o be_v please_v with_o the_o famous_a opinion_n of_o eusebius_n extant_a in_o the_o eight_o book_n of_o his_o evangelicall_n demonstration_n we_o pretermit_v all_o thing_n right_o say_v both_o by_o eusebius_n and_o by_o casaubon_n that_o we_o may_v not_o do_v what_o be_v do_v to_o our_o hand_n and_o we_o confess_v among_o all_o the_o interpretation_n hitherto_o divulge_v that_o of_o eusebius_n be_v far_o the_o best_a but_o because_o neither_o eusebius_n nor_o that_o great_a scholar_n that_o follow_v he_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v understand_v what_o that_o sceptre_n be_v of_o which_o the_o old_a prophet_n speak_v to_o his_o son_n a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n nor_o when_o it_o be_v give_v to_o the_o jew_n this_o be_v needful_a now_o to_o be_v clear_v but_o not_o without_o a_o preface_n for_o it_o be_v no_o pleasure_n to_o we_o to_o dissent_v neither_o from_o eusebius_n who_o we_o have_v ever_o esteem_v among_o the_o great_a writer_n nor_o from_o he_o who_o we_o have_v above_o name_v the_o prime_a man_n of_o our_o age_n the_o follower_n of_o eusebius_n to_o who_o we_o owe_v so_o much_o reverence_n that_o no_o man_n be_v so_o great_a with_o we_o as_o he._n for_o he_o it_o be_v by_o who_o conduct_n these_o our_o time_n have_v make_v admirable_a proficiency_n towards_o the_o perfection_n of_o all_o learning_n but_o we_o be_v constrain_v by_o our_o ingenuous_a love_n of_o truth_n to_o lay_v aside_o affection_n and_o impartial_o inquire_v what_o be_v right_a the_o first_o error_n of_o eùsebius_n be_v that_o the_o sceptre_n be_v give_v to_o juda_n even_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n because_o this_o tribe_n excel_v always_o among_o the_o rest_n with_o singular_a dignity_n and_o hold_v a_o more_o honourable_a place_n both_o in_o the_o camp_n and_o in_o the_o order_n of_o they_o that_o offer_v gift_n in_o the_o temple_n which_o argument_n move_v i_o no_o more_o thaâ—_n if_o one_o shall_v say_v the_o majesty_n of_o the_o sceptre_n at_o râ—â—â—_n or_o athens_n be_v not_o in_o the_o romaâ—â—â—â—_n athenian_a people_n but_o in_o one_o 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v more_o noble_a or_o flourish_a for_o true_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o most_o constant_a affirmation_n of_o ancient_a author_n that_o in_o rome_n and_o athens_n both_o be_v many_o and_o divers_a tribe_n some_o above_o the_o rest_n in_o dignity_n place_n and_o order_n what_o be_v it_o then_o very_o i_o suppose_v the_o sceptre_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o majesty_n of_o empire_n majesty_n i_o mean_v pertain_v to_o the_o commonwealth_n itself_o wherefore_o who_o be_v the_o commonwealth_n they_o also_o be_v the_o sceptre_n now_o the_o hebrew_n commonwealth_n from_o the_o age_n of_o moses_n until_o the_o reign_n of_o rehoboam_n be_v not_o of_o the_o jew_n but_o of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o sceptre_n all_o that_o space_n of_o time_n be_v of_o all_o the_o israelite_n but_o of_o this_o sceptre_n which_o a_o long_a time_n be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o tribe_n the_o divine_a patriarch_n speak_v not_o in_o that_o celebrious_a oracle_n he_o have_v respect_n unto_o
war_n they_o have_v always_o good_a success_n when_o the_o king_n very_o often_o have_v their_o rashness_n requite_v with_o ill_a fortune_n sometime_o also_o the_o same_o judge_n be_v employ_v in_o civil_a affair_n and_o hear_v cause_n but_o those_o of_o the_o great_a moment_n for_o they_o seldom_o sit_v in_o the_o judgement_n seat_n only_o the_o command_n and_o the_o empire_n and_o the_o soveraingty_n pertain_v unto_o they_o the_o last_o of_o their_o number_n be_v samuel_n he_o who_o the_o king_n follow_v who_o not_o content_a with_o power_n and_o rule_v lift_v up_o themselves_o above_o the_o multitude_n in_o their_o robe_n and_o ornament_n and_o splendour_n of_o fortune_n moreover_o beside_o the_o sovereign_a ruler_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o people_n and_o those_o that_o be_v after_o call_v king_n there_o be_v other_o not_o a_o few_o who_o consult_v of_o the_o commonwealth_n give_v judgement_n and_o arbitrate_v business_n for_o there_o be_v certain_a synedrye_n or_o council_n wherein_o who_o be_v the_o senator_n and_o what_o where_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o cognizance_n we_o must_v now_o inquire_v in_o the_o first_o place_n present_v itself_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o sanhedrin_n into_o which_o be_v ascribe_v seventy_o adsessor_n that_o council_n constitute_v by_o moses_n continue_v under_o the_o judge_n and_o king_n and_o high_a priest_n until_o the_o last_o desolation_n of_o judaea_n and_o be_v hold_v in_o that_o city_n which_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o the_o head_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o because_o the_o first_o time_n and_o the_o next_o to_o they_o be_v most_o part_v obscure_a and_o the_o holy_a book_n have_v deliver_v to_o we_o nothing_o of_o principal_a consideration_n concern_v the_o city_n shiloh_n we_o will_v deliver_v what_o the_o jew_n have_v observe_v of_o that_o council_n in_o the_o princess_n of_o city_n jerusalem_n after_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v there_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v speak_v of_o the_o other_o council_n which_o be_v either_o at_o jerusalem_n or_o at_o particular_a city_n the_o seat_n of_o the_o great_a council_n be_v in_o the_o very_a sanctuary_n where_o the_o seventy_o senator_n judge_v both_o of_o divine_a and_o humane_a thing_n man_n not_o choose_v from_o among_o the_o plebeian_n but_o all_o most_o noble_a commend_v by_o their_o honourable_a parentage_n and_o the_o ancient_a ornament_n of_o their_o family_n the_o place_n be_v assign_v to_o they_o by_o moses_n who_o command_v they_o shall_v meet_v in_o the_o place_n which_o god_n shall_v choose_v to_o have_v his_o name_n adore_v there_o from_o these_o judge_n be_v no_o appeal_n whatsoever_o the_o other_o magistrate_n and_o judge_n in_o the_o town_n of_o palestin_n and_o in_o jerusalem_n itself_o be_v not_o able_a to_o decide_v belong_v unto_o their_o jurisdiction_n two_o of_o they_o excel_v the_o rest_n in_o honour_n and_o authority_n one_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o sanedrin_n by_o the_o talmudist_n entitle_v prince_n in_o every_o place_n the_o other_o next_o in_o degree_n but_o inferior_a to_o he_o who_o they_o call_v the_o father_n of_o judgement_n the_o rest_n be_v equal_a among_o themselves_o this_o senatorious_a dignity_n because_o it_o be_v most_o honourable_a be_v grant_v to_o none_o without_o a_o legitimate_a act_n namely_o imposition_n of_o hand_n so_o moses_n lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o josuah_n and_o the_o seventy_o elder_n which_o solemnity_n be_v perform_v present_o a_o divine_a spirit_n from_o above_o fall_v down_o upon_o they_o and_o fill_v their_o breast_n and_o these_o be_v thus_o initiate_v themselves_o admit_v other_o after_o the_o same_o way_n yet_o can_v not_o that_o rite_n be_v use_v without_o the_o holy_a land_n because_o all_o the_o virtue_n thereof_o be_v confine_v by_o the_o bound_n of_o palestin_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a which_o maimonides_n have_v deliver_v in_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o his_o halacha_n sanhedrin_n for_o whereas_o of_o old_a this_o act_n be_v celebrate_v at_o their_o pleasure_n by_o all_o those_o upon_o who_o hand_n have_v be_v once_o impose_v that_o right_a say_v he_o be_v straighten_v by_o the_o wise_a man_n and_o a_o constitution_n make_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v after_o that_o time_n use_v it_o but_o by_o grant_n from_o rabbi_n hillel_n that_o divine_a old_a man_n he_o be_v prince_n of_o the_o great_a council_n and_o have_v another_o vice_n precedent_n sameas_n a_o man_n truculent_a and_o ambitious_a who_o follower_n when_o a_o little_a after_o they_o have_v rise_v up_o against_o the_o disciple_n of_o hillel_n stir_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o so_o much_o passion_n that_o willing_o the_o whole_a people_n be_v draw_v into_o their_o party_n at_o length_n this_o imposition_n of_o hand_n which_o have_v be_v use_v long_o cease_v and_o there_o be_v only_o pronounce_v a_o certain_a form_n of_o word_n according_a to_o ben_n maimon_n of_o this_o sense_n behold_v the_o hand_n be_v impose_v on_o thou_o and_o power_n give_v thou_o to_o judge_v in_o criminal_a cause_n also_o beside_o the_o talmudist_n have_v tell_v we_o of_o another_o form_n who_o word_n because_o the_o illustrious_a joseph_n scaliger_n trihaere_n scaliger_n in_o elenâ—ho_n trihaere_n have_v mistake_v we_o shall_v here_o restore_v unto_o their_o proper_a sense_n the_o talmudist_n after_o they_o have_v speak_v of_o juda_n the_o son_n of_o baba_n a_o stout_a defender_n of_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o his_o nation_n and_o who_o when_o the_o jurisdiction_n in_o criminal_o and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v almost_o lose_v support_v the_o sink_a cause_n add_v thus_o that_o solemn_a act_n be_v not_o only_o do_v by_o the_o hand_n impose_v as_o moses_n do_v to_o josuah_n but_o it_o be_v also_o do_v by_o a_o form_n of_o word_n only_o after_o this_o manner_n i_o impose_v my_o hand_n upon_o thou_o and_o be_v the_o hand_n on_o thou_o impose_v but_o the_o excellent_a scaliger_n collect_v from_o the_o place_n that_o juda_n have_v find_v out_o a_o form_n different_a from_o the_o most_o ancient_a which_o be_v there_o conceive_v when_o it_o be_v not_o so_o nor_o do_v the_o talmudist_n say_v so_o be_v deceive_v by_o a_o word_n which_o be_v render_v beside_o which_o in_o rabbinism_n signify_v only_o but_o this_o be_v a_o grammatical_a note_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v leave_v to_o other_o we_o be_v here_o to_o consider_v grave_a matter_n into_o the_o great_a council_n not_o only_o citizen_n of_o prime_a nobility_n as_o we_o have_v say_v but_o levit_n also_o and_o priest_n be_v choose_v and_o the_o high_a priest_n say_v maimonides_n be_v elect_v too_o if_o he_o be_v a_o consider_a man_n and_o fit_a for_o counsel_n otherwise_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o lay_v he_o aside_o for_o he_o come_v not_o to_o the_o senate_n by_o any_o right_n of_o his_o own_o but_o he_o be_v admit_v by_o suffrage_n all_o the_o adsessor_n be_v require_v to_o be_v entire_a and_o perfect_a in_o body_n whosoever_o have_v any_o main_a or_o deformity_n be_v exclude_v nor_o be_v stranger_n and_o foreiner_n receive_v into_o this_o order_n except_o the_o mother_n at_o least_o be_v a_o jew_n the_o senator_n of_o the_o sanhedrin_n have_v this_o charge_n to_o make_v their_o progress_n through_o all_o judea_n to_o take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o people_n to_o appoint_v they_o magistrate_n in_o every_o town_n and_o all_o the_o virtue_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o cabbala_n a_o mysterious_a doctrine_n deliver_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n even_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v with_o they_o their_o part_n also_o it_o be_v to_o make_v statute_n in_o sacred_a matter_n and_o to_o devise_v certain_a way_n to_o expound_v the_o law_n whereof_o maimonides_n have_v speak_v with_o great_a care_n moreover_o the_o cause_n of_o prophet_n who_o have_v high_o offend_v be_v not_o where_o try_v but_o in_o this_o great_a council_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v respect_n unto_o when_o he_o say_v in_o luke_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o a_o prophet_n shall_v perish_v out_o of_o jerusalem_n last_o which_o be_v a_o point_n of_o the_o great_a power_n they_o do_v also_o constitute_v a_o king_n and_o deliberat_fw-la of_o wage_n war_n and_o give_v battle_n to_o the_o enemy_n and_o enlarge_a the_o empire_n but_o because_o in_o these_o thing_n the_o common_a safety_n and_o public_a state_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v consultation_n be_v therein_o have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n with_o the_o people_n for_o meeting_n be_v call_v wherein_o alone_o they_o have_v some_o share_n in_o the_o government_n and_o true_o otherwise_o they_o ought_v not_o honour_n and_o magistracy_n be_v commit_v to_o single_a and_o select_a man_n plebeians_z have_v not_o strength_n and_o skill_n to_o bear_v they_o in_o their_o meeting_n as_o aristotle_n have_v discreet_o note_v and_o in_o conjuncture_n the_o multitude_n have_v some_o understanding_n and_o can_v advance_v the_o public_a
round_a and_o as_o the_o time_n be_v turn_v so_o be_v man_n manner_n very_o the_o same_o day_n that_o deprive_v they_o of_o the_o fair_a light_n of_o liberty_n and_o strike_v the_o sceptre_n out_o of_o their_o hand_n do_v also_o so_o abate_v the_o edge_n of_o their_o ingenuous_a spirit_n that_o they_o have_v no_o more_o vigour_n now_o nor_o keeness_n in_o they_o servitude_n dwarf_n the_o mind_n and_o enchain_v the_o spirit_n and_o choke_v all_o the_o seed_n of_o generosity_n what_o high_a thought_n can_v they_o possible_o have_v who_o for_o so_o many_o year_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v be_v weary_v out_o with_o so_o great_a scorn_n and_o contumely_n who_o child_n in_o contempt_n have_v pull_v by_o the_o sleeve_n and_o man_n by_o the_o beard_n last_o upon_o who_o the_o fury_n of_o all_o the_o caesar_n spend_v itself_o tiberius_n distribute_v their_o young_a man_n send_v they_o as_o it_o be_v for_o soldier_n into_o the_o province_n of_o unwholesome_a air_n the_o air_n of_o sardinea_n be_v very_o pestilent_a thither_o be_v four_o thousand_o command_v away_o to_o meet_v a_o untimely_a death_n titus_n cast_v almost_o as_o many_o to_o the_o beast_n when_o he_o set_v forth_o show_v at_o berytum_n and_o caesarea_n trajan_n himself_o the_o mild_a of_o all_o the_o prince_n decree_v they_o shall_v not_o read_v the_o law_n so_o do_v other_o emperor_n after_o he_o at_o several_a time_n this_o be_v the_o great_a of_o affliction_n and_o by_o rabbi_n zacuth_n be_v number_v among_o the_o persecution_n they_o decree_v say_v he_o a_o persecution_n that_o the_o jew_n shall_v not_o read_v the_o law_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v do_v by_o pagan_n let_v we_o who_o be_v join_v to_o they_o with_o a_o close_a bond_n show_v they_o more_o favour_n have_v this_o communion_n with_o they_o to_o hear_v the_o command_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n true_o s._n paul_n desire_v to_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o they_o so_o fervent_a be_v his_o charity_n to_o the_o nation_n and_o it_o be_v his_o say_n 11.16_o rom._n 11.16_o if_o the_o first_o fruit_n be_v holy_a the_o lump_n be_v also_o holy_a and_o if_o the_o root_n be_v holy_a so_o be_v the_o branch_n i_o will_v not_o now_o ambitious_o celebrate_v their_o praise_n for_o we_o abhor_v from_o nothing_o more_o than_o such_o vanity_n yet_o as_o to_o these_o late_a time_n the_o truth_n be_v if_o we_o cast_v up_o the_o account_n right_o out_o religion_n be_v much_o indebt_v to_o that_o people_n for_o who_o be_v they_o but_o the_o jew_n that_o have_v preserve_v for_o we_o the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n safe_a and_o sound_a how_o many_o errata_n have_v steal_v into_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v the_o custody_n thereof_o be_v commit_v only_o to_o such_o as_o lactantius_n austin_n gregory_n chrysostom_n most_o holy_a man_n indeed_o but_o unskilful_a of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n among_o all_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n that_o govern_v the_o ancient_a church_n origen_n and_o to_o speak_v the_o most_o jerom_n be_v the_o only_a hebrician_n the_o rest_n have_v not_o learn_v so_o much_o as_o the_o very_a letter_n wherefore_o if_o the_o carelessness_n of_o transcriber_n have_v make_v default_n they_o be_v not_o the_o man_n that_o can_v make_v amends_o but_o this_o be_v all_o the_o jew_n only_o study_v and_o their_o sole_a care_n to_o vindicate_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o other_o holy_a writing_n from_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n this_o be_v their_o proper_a praise_n wherein_o no_o other_o nation_n claim_v any_o share_n there_o be_v a_o eminent_a place_n in_o rabbi_n abraham_n juchasin_n abraham_n in_o libre_fw-fr juchasin_n of_o salmantica_n whence_o we_o learn_v that_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v amend_v according_a to_o a_o certain_a book_n of_o venerable_a antiquity_n write_v long_o before_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o rabbi_n hillel_n highpriest_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o come_v from_o babylon_n into_o syria_n sixty_o year_n before_o the_o nativity_n of_o our_o lord_n god_n jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o leon_n say_v he_o they_o find_v the_o bible_n write_v by_o rabbi_n hillel_n and_o by_o it_o correct_v all_o their_o copy_n part_n of_o it_o i_o see_v which_o be_v sell_v in_o afric_n and_o be_v write_v 900._o year_n before_o my_o time_n kimhi_n in_o his_o grammar_n say_v the_o pentateuch_n be_v at_o the_o city_n of_o toledo_n at_o that_o time_n therefore_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o only_a corrector_n to_o keep_v the_o context_n of_o the_o bible_n pure_a indeed_o it_o have_v be_v easy_a for_o they_o to_o alter_v and_o corrupt_v those_o place_n which_o seem_v to_o condemn_v their_o folly_n when_o the_o christian_n understand_v scarce_o three_o word_n of_o hebrew_n but_o piety_n withstand_v and_o religion_n will_v not_o permit_v they_o to_o change_v what_o be_v sacred_a nevertheless_o some_o have_v charge_v they_o with_o unfaithfulness_n in_o describe_v much_o of_o the_o text_n but_o these_o man_n have_v already_o have_v sufficient_a answer_n from_o learned_a esaiae_n learned_a 8._o explan_n esaiae_n origen_n as_o for_o i_o when_o i_o consider_v the_o unwearyed_a diligence_n and_o infinite_a pain_n of_o the_o masorite_n i_o do_v even_o stand_v amaze_v for_o have_v revise_v accurate_o and_o compare_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o hebrew_n bible_n they_o sign_v they_o with_o certain_a note_n this_o be_v do_v after_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n about_o the_o year_n 436._o it_o be_v observe_v by_o they_o not_o only_a how_o many_o verse_n and_o word_n but_o also_o how_o many_o letter_n every_o book_n contain_v wherefore_o that_o afterward_o when_o extreme_a barbatism_n oppress_v the_o world_n no_o tittle_n of_o that_o most_o excellent_a book_n be_v lose_v be_v a_o benefit_n we_o owe_v to_o they_o not_o without_o cause_n have_v the_o rabbin_n say_v the_o masora_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o wall_n and_o the_o hedge_n of_o the_o law_n in_o rabbi_n zacuth_n above_o cite_v be_v judaical_a trifle_n whereby_o forsooth_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o accent_n and_o the_o point_n be_v extant_a in_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n which_o i_o therefore_o mention_n that_o it_o may_v be_v add_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o vain_a argument_n allege_v by_o some_o who_o in_o our_o time_n deny_v they_o to_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o the_o masorite_n and_o in_o the_o same_o rabbi_n book_n by_o the_o same_o proof_n be_v the_o targum_fw-la of_o onkelos_n refer_v to_o ezra_n age_n which_o although_o it_o be_v false_a and_o easy_o discover_v how_o little_a worth_n the_o other_o be_v yet_o will_v find_v some_o to_o defend_v it_o the_o rather_o that_o the_o other_o may_v not_o fall_v many_o be_v so_o obstinate_o give_v they_o care_v not_o what_o they_o say_v if_o it_o may_v but_o serve_v to_o maintain_v the_o opinion_n they_o have_v once_o embrace_v that_o the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o uncertain_a and_o subject_a to_o any_o more_o variation_n we_o thankful_o acknowledge_v the_o care_n and_o pain_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o live_v in_o the_o late_a time_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n for_o when_o they_o be_v fall_v from_o their_o great_a and_o wealthy_a state_n they_o make_v it_o their_o business_n amid_o their_o extreme_a calamity_n to_o save_v out_o of_o the_o common_a shipwreck_n this_o one_o chest_n of_o inestimable_a value_n and_o this_o be_v that_o we_o love_v they_o for_o the_o rest_n deserve_v our_o compassion_n for_o they_o read_v the_o tittle_n and_o letter_n and_o book_n but_o they_o read_v they_o only_o not_o regard_v nor_o seek_v the_o true_a and_o sacred_a sense_n so_o that_o the_o say_n of_o their_o own_o well_o agree_v unto_o themselves_o they_o make_v that_o which_o be_v fundamental_a a_o lesser_a matter_n and_o the_o lesser_a matter_n fundamental_a and_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o they_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o their_o childishness_n and_o folly_n for_o whereas_o all_o their_o infelicity_n consist_v in_o their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n they_o complain_v of_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o country_n and_o of_o the_o kingdom_n take_v from_o they_o and_o of_o the_o like_a thing_n who_o possession_n make_v no_o man_n happy_a and_o who_o loss_n make_v no_o man_n miserable_a seneca_n tell_v we_o of_o his_o wife_n fool_n harpaste_n that_o have_v on_o the_o sudden_a lose_v her_o sight_n she_o know_v not_o she_o be_v blind_a and_o often_o request_v her_o keeper_n to_o bring_v she_o to_o another_o house_n for_o her_o own_o be_v dark_a the_o jew_n be_v in_o the_o same_o case_n they_o carry_v about_o in_o their_o own_o breast_n the_o cause_n of_o all_o their_o misery_n and_o suppose_v by_o some_o divine_a favour_n they_o shall_v recover_v canaan_n they_o will_v change_v their_o climate_n not_o
consider_v that_o be_v please_v with_o the_o conceit_n certain_o after_o that_o those_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n be_v once_o carry_v away_o by_o salmanassar_n the_o assyrian_a and_o disperse_v through_o colchos_n parthia_n india_n and_o ethiopia_n they_o never_o come_v back_o again_o into_o their_o native_a soil_n nor_o be_v again_o conjoin_v with_o the_o jew_n but_o even_o to_o this_o day_n if_o there_o be_v any_o relic_n of_o they_o under_o the_o command_n of_o barbarous_a nation_n they_o suffer_v the_o grievous_a punishment_n of_o their_o apostasy_n wherefore_o to_o be_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n or_o to_o have_v the_o honour_n a_o name_n from_o the_o jew_n be_v impossble_a for_o they_o who_o have_v no_o familiarity_n nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o jew_n but_o be_v seat_v in_o another_o world_n far_o off_o and_o behold_v a_o different_a heaven_n different_a star_n it_o will_v be_v worth_a our_o pain_n and_o much_o to_o the_o present_a dispatch_n to_o examine_v a_o memorable_a place_n that_o be_v in_o flavius_n josephus_n antiquit._n josephus_n l._n 11._o c._n 5._o antiquit._n a_o author_n of_o exquisite_a and_o unusual_a diligence_n flavius_n have_v speak_v first_o concern_v they_o who_o from_o every_o quarter_n out_o of_o the_o neighbour_a place_n come_v to_o babylon_n that_o they_o may_v return_v with_o ezra_n to_o jerusalem_n they_o all_o be_v jew_n and_o their_o associate_n of_o levi_n and_o benjamin_n and_o then_o concern_v the_o hebrew_n of_o other_o tribe_n he_o add_v but_o all_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n remain_v in_o their_o euphrates_n their_o where_o they_o be_v carry_v by_o salmanassar_n beyond_o euphrates_n seat_n wherefore_o both_o in_o asia_n and_o in_o europe_n two_o tribe_n only_o fall_v under_o the_o dominion_n of_o the_o roman_n the_o other_o ten_o do_v still_o continue_v on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o euphrates_n be_v infinite_a in_o number_n and_o unknown_a very_o they_o be_v under_o a_o hard_a fate_n who_o salmanassar_n lead_v into_o captivity_n than_o who_o afterward_o nebuchodonozor_n carry_v away_o for_o the_o israelite_n be_v for_o ever_o restrain_v and_o keep_v back_o by_o the_o river_n euphrates_n which_o they_o have_v once_o pass_v over_o but_o the_o jew_n pass_v the_o same_o and_o repassed_a and_o come_v again_o at_o last_o into_o palestin_n and_o when_o palestin_n itself_o become_v either_o too_o narrow_a for_o they_o or_o less_o grateful_a they_o enlarge_v and_o spread_v their_o habitation_n through_o europe_n and_o asia_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o josephus_n say_v only_o two_o tribe_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v bring_v into_o subjection_n by_o the_o roman_n for_o at_o that_o time_n the_o people_n of_o rome_n although_o they_o have_v almost_o subdue_v the_o world_n and_o the_o sun_n do_v both_o rise_n and_o set_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o their_o empire_n be_v lord_n of_o the_o east_n and_o west_n they_o have_v not_o yet_o extend_v their_o bound_n beyond_o euphrates_n therefore_o that_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n shut_v up_o in_o eternal_a prison_n by_o that_o river_n be_v not_o then_o under_o the_o roman_a power_n be_v true_o say_v by_o the_o most_o accurate_a writer_n chap._n xi_o their_o conjecture_n that_o say_v the_o sceptre_n of_o juda_n be_v first_o give_v to_o david_n the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o sceptre_n not_o fulfil_v till_o after_o time_n when_o the_o sceptre_n be_v take_v away_o i_o have_v ingenuous_o and_o free_o speak_v my_o opinion_n when_o the_o sceptre_n whereof_o jacob_n prophecy_n be_v extant_a be_v give_v to_o the_o jew_n also_o what_o be_v the_o member_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n which_o have_v its_o rise_n and_o beginning_n from_o the_o secession_n of_o the_o common_a people_n these_o thing_n eusebius_n do_v not_o understand_v yet_o he_o alone_o among_o so_o many_o interpreter_n have_v right_o and_o almost_o divine_o judge_v of_o that_o oracle_n the_o comment_n of_o other_o man_n i_o will_v not_o relate_v but_o what_o eusebius_n affirm_v to_o have_v be_v do_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o hebrew_n commonwealth_n very_o many_o conjecture_n come_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o time_n when_o the_o royal_a power_n be_v devolve_v upon_o david_n descend_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n as_o the_o sacred_a history_n do_v witness_v these_o man_n have_v already_o receive_v such_o a_o solid_a and_o happy_a confutation_n from_o eusebius_n that_o no_o place_n be_v leave_v here_o for_o the_o industry_n of_o any_o other_o for_o he_o show_v that_o david_n posterity_n possess_v the_o kingdom_n only_o for_o a_o small_a time_n until_o the_o babylonian_a captivity_n and_o the_o sundry_a scripture_n that_o speak_v of_o his_o eternal_a throne_n he_o have_v well_o and_o wise_o interpret_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n to_o add_v more_o of_o this_o after_o eusebius_n be_v to_o labour_v in_o vain_a for_o by_o his_o pain_n herein_o he_o have_v ease_v every_o one_o it_o remain_v only_o that_o we_o answer_v their_o doubt_n who_o wonder_v why_o the_o event_n come_v so_o far_o behind_o the_o prediction_n concern_v the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n for_o we_o have_v say_v it_o begin_v under_o rehoboam_n and_o not_o before_o but_o we_o give_v they_o to_o understand_v this_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophetic_a patriarch_n for_o the_o old_a father_n before_o his_o death_n breathe_v forth_o his_o last_o word_n to_o his_o child_n say_v he_o will_v tell_v they_o what_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o late_a day_n beside_o in_o prophecy_n the_o time_n be_v not_o curious_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o for_o most_o of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v interpret_v with_o very_o great_a latitude_n observe_v in_o this_o very_a prophecy_n when_o it_o be_v say_v the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o be_v take_v away_o until_o shiloh_n come_v you_o will_v think_v it_o be_v mean_v that_o present_o upon_o the_o appearance_n of_o messiah_n the_o sceptre_n shall_v be_v snatch_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o that_o nation_n which_o come_v not_o so_o to_o pass_v for_o the_o jew_n lose_v not_o that_o honour_n till_o the_o city_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o temple_n burn_v they_o cease_v to_o have_v any_o commonwealth_n and_o to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o law_n nevertheless_o the_o oracle_n be_v infallible_o true_a for_o although_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n have_v leave_v the_o earth_n long_o before_o yet_o for_o certain_a these_o thing_n happen_v in_o the_o same_o age_n which_o be_v presignify_v by_o the_o messiah_n himself_o where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n in_o these_o word_n very_o 24._o mat._n 24._o this_o generation_n shall_v not_o pass_v till_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v fulfil_v this_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o wise_a the_o rest_n that_o love_n to_o raise_v doubt_n and_o scruple_n every_o where_o we_o regard_v not_o for_o my_o part_n see_v man_n of_o great_a name_n fluctuate_a among_o uncertain_a error_n i_o apply_v myself_o to_o find_v out_o some_o firm_a ground_n to_o rest_v on_o which_o henceforth_o i_o may_v without_o danger_n constant_o maintain_v for_o otherwise_o this_o matter_n will_v have_v often_o hinder_v our_o proceed_n in_o this_o treatise_n chap._n xii_o of_o dictator_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o senate_n sanhedrin_n of_o the_o initiation_n of_o senator_n the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o the_o solemn_a word_n who_o be_v choose_v into_o that_o council_n and_o what_o be_v their_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o people_n assembly_n we_o have_v show_v that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o which_o we_o discourse_v be_v of_o all_o the_o hebrew_n for_o a_o long_a time_n and_o then_o only_o of_o the_o jew_n the_o state_v whereof_o concern_v we_o much_o now_o have_v past_o the_o trouble_n of_o that_o dispute_n let_v we_o declare_v who_o they_o be_v that_o rule_v over_o the_o holy_a nation_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v think_v of_o their_o judicature_n and_o of_o their_o senate_n the_o divine_a goodness_n grant_v not_o leave_v to_o moses_n to_o behold_v in_o palestin_n the_o beginning_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n who_o law_n he_o have_v publish_v in_o the_o wilderness_n that_o grace_n be_v vouchsafe_v to_o his_o successor_n josuah_n the_o captain_n general_n and_o sovereign_a of_o the_o people_n for_o both_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o in_o the_o war_n his_o word_n be_v a_o law_n his_o successor_n with_o equal_a power_n be_v they_o who_o for_o go_v in_o and_o out_o before_o the_o people_n and_o command_v they_o may_v well_o be_v call_v praetor_n and_o dictator_n but_o in_o the_o sacred_a annal_n be_v for_o the_o like_a reason_n name_v judge_n flavius_z have_v style_v they_o monarch_n a_o name_n that_o the_o greek_a writer_n give_v also_o to_o sylla_n cinna_n marius_n and_o other_o roman_a dictator_n these_o judge_n in_o great_a commotion_n be_v create_v by_o necessity_n and_o experience_n witness_v that_o in_o