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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
christian_n believe_v jesus_n messiah_n 1,398 5 10.9446 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A23831 Reflexions upon the books of the Holy Scriptures to establish the truth of the Christian religion. Volume I in two volumes. Allix, Pierre, 1641-1717. 1688 (1688) Wing A1227; ESTC R29574 310,757 644

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institute_v during_o the_o captivity_n we_o must_v blind_v ourselves_o of_o purpose_n to_o conceive_v that_o any_o impostor_n can_v forge_v book_n which_o have_v so_o exact_a a_o relation_n and_o such_o certain_a characteristic_n to_o fix_v they_o to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o author_n live_v and_o to_o the_o circumstance_n wherein_o he_o write_v we_o must_v of_o necessity_n grant_v that_o before_o such_o a_o impostor_n can_v bring_v about_o such_o a_o design_n he_o must_v have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o whole_a profane_a history_n to_o fix_v so_o exact_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o of_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v be_v give_v in_o circumstance_n which_o be_v unintelligible_a without_o the_o help_n of_o profane_a history_n of_o different_a nation_n i_o come_v now_o to_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v contest_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o those_o fact_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o true_a to_o establish_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o those_o 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who_o apply_v these_o very_a passage_n to_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n thus_o we_o find_v that_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n 2_o matth._n iii_o 1_o mark_n i._o 2_o mark_v make_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o these_o two_o prophecy_n zachary_n also_o the_o father_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n apply_v that_o of_o isaiah_n to_o his_o son_n and_o his_o authority_n be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o he_o be_v a_o priest_n 2._o by_o a_o attentive_a consider_v the_o passage_n themselves_o 3._o by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n who_o by_o a_o general_o receive_v and_o undoubted_a tradition_n that_o elijah_n the_o tishbite_n the_o septuagint_n in_o their_o translation_n of_o that_o place_n of_o malachy_n tell_v we_o as_o much_o be_v to_o be_v the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o multitude_n and_o his_o disciple_n suppose_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n have_v the_o same_o persuasion_n viz._n that_o elias_n be_v to_o come_v before_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n from_o which_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o christian_n of_o old_a do_v and_o many_o at_o this_o day_n do_v believe_v that_o elias_n shall_v resume_v the_o function_n of_o his_o ministry_n before_o the_o last_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o judge_v the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a 2._o we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o character_n of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v that_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v much_o in_o their_o eye_n it_o be_v needful_a for_o it_o to_o be_v as_o notable_a and_o extraordinary_a as_o be_v that_o of_o the_o prophet_n elias_n who_o ministry_n be_v without_o dispute_v the_o most_o remarkable_a and_o illustrious_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n since_o moses_n which_o give_v the_o prophet_n malachy_n occasion_n to_o call_v he_o elias_n much_o upon_o a_o like_a account_n as_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n call_v the_o messiah_n 24._o ezek._n xxxiv_o 23_o 24._o david_n but_o above_o all_o thing_n we_o must_v careful_o observe_v the_o several_a mark_v the_o prophet_n give_v we_o of_o this_o forerunner_n the_o prophet_n isaiah_n give_v we_o these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o that_o his_o ministry_n be_v to_o be_v very_a signal_n and_o attend_v with_o general_a respect_n and_o veneration_n 2._o that_o he_o be_v to_o preach_v in_o the_o wilderness_n 3._o that_o he_o be_v to_o call_v sinner_n to_o repentance_n 4._o that_o he_o be_v to_o confound_v those_o who_o be_v most_o eminent_a in_o authority_n and_o to_o comfort_v the_o poor_a and_o humble_a 5._o that_o he_o be_v immediate_o to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n 6._o that_o his_o ministry_n be_v to_o usher_v in_o that_o grand_a revelation_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o flesh_n i._n e._n before_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n who_o be_v to_o be_v call_v by_o the_o messiah_n to_o his_o religion_n according_a to_o the_o express_a declaration_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o prophet_n malachy_n do_v most_o distinct_o represent_v to_o we_o 1._o that_o the_o mission_n of_o this_o forerunner_n be_v not_o far_o off_o behold_v say_v he_o i_o send_v my_o messenger_n he_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o thing_n at_o the_o door_n now_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o the_o jew_n themselves_o own_o it_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o malachy_n there_o be_v never_o a_o prophet_n till_o the_o appearance_n of_o john_n the_o baptist._n 2._o it_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o elias_n be_v to_o call_v sinner_n to_o repentance_n and_o to_o prepare_v the_o way_n before_o the_o face_n of_o the_o lord_n 3._o that_o he_o be_v immediate_o to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n this_o he_o express_v by_o say_v and_o the_o lord_n who_o you_o seek_v shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n even_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o speak_v here_o of_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v 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monarchy_n until_o that_o of_o the_o messiah_n 2._o the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v i_o confess_v he_o do_v not_o determine_v the_o time_n very_o precise_o mention_v only_o the_o monarchy_n during_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v manifest_v but_o to_o make_v amends_o for_o this_o when_o he_o come_v to_o explain_v the_o particular_n of_o this_o prophecy_n which_o before_o he_o have_v propose_v in_o general_a term_n he_o do_v not_o only_a point_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o appearance_n but_o the_o very_a year_n of_o his_o death_n and_o he_o do_v it_o with_o that_o exactness_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v mistake_v about_o it_o see_v what_o he_o say_v in_o the_o ix_o chapter_n of_o his_o revelation_n verse_n 24_o 25_o 26_o 27._o seventy_o week_n be_v determine_v upon_o thy_o people_n and_o upon_o thy_o holy_a city_n to_o finish_v the_o transgression_n and_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o sin_n and_o to_o make_v reconciliation_n for_o iniquity_n and_o to_o bring_v in_o everlasting_a righteousness_n and_o to_o seal_v up_o the_o vision_n and_o prophecy_n and_o to_o anoint_v the_o most_o holy._n verse_n 25._o know_v therefore_o and_o understand_v that_o from_o the_o go_v forth_o of_o the_o commandment_n to_o restore_v and_o build_v jerusalem_n unto_o the_o messiah_n the_o prince_n shall_v be_v seven_o week_n and_o threescore_o and_o two_o week_n the_o street_n shall_v be_v build_v again_o and_o the_o wall_n even_o in_o troublous_a time_n verse_n 26._o and_o after_o the_o threescore_o and_o two_o week_n shall_v messiah_n be_v cut_v off_o but_o not_o for_o himself_o and_o the_o people_n of_o the_o prince_n that_o shall_v come_v shall_v destroy_v the_o city_n and_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o the_o end_n thereof_o shall_v be_v with_o a_o flood_n and_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o war_n desolation_n be_v determine_v verse_n 27._o and_o he_o shall_v confirm_v the_o covenant_n with_o many_o for_o one_o week_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o week_n he_o shall_v cause_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o oblation_n to_o cease_v and_o for_o the_o overspreading_a of_o abomination_n he_o shall_v make_v it_o desolate_a even_o until_o the_o consummation_n and_o that_o determine_a shall_v be_v pour_v on_o the_o desolate_a for_o the_o understanding_n of_o this_o prophecy_n which_o be_v so_o exact_a and_o all_o the_o event_n it_o refer_v to_o so_o particularise_v it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v 1._o that_o by_o the_o week_n daniel_n here_o speak_v of_o seven_o year_n be_v design_v according_a to_o the_o style_n of_o the_o law_n levit._n xxv_o 8._o when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n so_o that_o seventy_o week_n make_v out_o 490_o year_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a among_o the_o jew_n jachiade_n abarbanel_n and_o manasseh_n
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o 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to_o make_v upon_o all_o those_o heresy_n in_o the_o second_o age_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o death_n from_o thence_o man_n take_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o collect_v with_o great_a care_n all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o these_o fact_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o contest_v do_v not_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o the_o several_a consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n continue_v still_o beyond_o dispute_n this_o we_o find_v in_o the_o dispute_v raise_v about_o the_o millennium_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v equal_o believe_v by_o both_o the_o dispute_a party_n but_o different_o understand_v according_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o those_o that_o consider_v of_o they_o some_o form_v gross_a and_o sensual_a conception_n concern_v they_o other_o have_v a_o 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the_o jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n and_o the_o division_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o hinder_v its_o corruption_n each_o party_n be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o hinder_v their_o adversary_n from_o attempt_v any_o thing_n to_o its_o prejudice_n in_o corrupt_v a_o book_n which_o they_o consider_v as_o common_a to_o they_o all_o i_o may_v observe_v many_o other_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o the_o truth_n from_o these_o human_a fail_n but_o i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o which_o have_v always_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o considerable_a and_o that_o be_v that_o these_o heretic_n distinct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n a_o impious_a person_n will_v have_v reason_n to_o accuse_v our_o oracle_n as_o false_a if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o heresy_n but_o truth_n triumph_v in_o see_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o the_o more_o they_o 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reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v truth_n not_o to_o be_v question_v and_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o this_o messiah_n continue_v vigorous_o all_o the_o time_n that_o precede_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n we_o have_v see_v afterward_o in_o the_o remark_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god_n to_o keep_v man_n in_o the_o expectation_n of_o this_o messiah_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v he_o whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n i_o have_v take_v notice_n in_o the_o three_o part_n of_o these_o reflection_n of_o the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n to_o explain_v particular_o all_o the_o character_n of_o this_o messiah_n the_o place_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o birth_n the_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o to_o foretell_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o gentile_n their_o call_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o last_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o be_v no_o long_o of_o any_o use_n after_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n my_o present_a business_n be_v now_o to_o show_v that_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v find_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o whole_a design_n wherein_o god_n have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n instruct_v the_o world_n so_o long_o before_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a if_o we_o will_v but_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o read_v these_o book_n attentive_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o model_n which_o god_n himself_o make_v as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o describe_v it_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n yet_o more_o evident_a i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o do_v two_o or_o three_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a for_o my_o present_a design_n and_o first_o i_o be_o to_o observe_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o most_o perfect_a coherence_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v in_o these_o book_n a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n notwithstanding_o the_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o the_o jew_n who_o preserve_v the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o christian_n who_o preserve_v the_o new._n second_o i_o be_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o very_a time_n that_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v in_o the_o world._n this_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o they_o may_v not_o have_v wherewith_o to_o accuse_v those_o who_o 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history_n last_o i_o shall_v show_v clear_o that_o this_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v in_o give_v the_o law_n and_o in_o form_v the_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o so_o proper_a a_o manner_n to_o make_v the_o messiah_n certain_o know_v be_v not_o in_o be_v at_o this_o day_n but_o that_o it_o be_v so_o destroy_v by_o the_o total_a dispersion_n of_o that_o people_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o know_v the_o messiah_n if_o he_o shall_v now_o appear_v again_o in_o the_o world._n and_o that_o indeed_o the_o principal_a event_n which_o according_a to_o the_o oracle_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o part_n and_o do_v still_o come_v to_o pass_v every_o day_n i_o hope_v to_o evince_v these_o truth_n beyond_o all_o contest_v indeed_o the_o bare_a read_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n plain_o discover_v the_o coherence_n which_o they_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old._n it_o show_v clear_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v at_o that_o time_n very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o it_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o that_o model_n which_o god_n have_v make_v so_o necessary_a to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n stand_v at_o that_o time_n entire_a in_o particular_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o four_o evangelist_n by_o the_o relation_n of_o unquestionable_a matter_n of_o fact_n have_v prove_v that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o messiah_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v saint_n luke_n show_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o the_o heathen_n the_o epistle_n be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o this_o vocation_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o of_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v undertake_v they_o unanimous_o conspire_v to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o call_v the_o heathen_n to_o partake_v of_o salvation_n that_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o great_a part_n shall_v be_v just_o deprive_v thereof_o because_o they_o obstinate_o reject_v the_o messiah_n several_a question_n be_v examine_v which_o arise_v either_o from_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n or_o from_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n the_o succession_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n justify_v that_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n all_o people_n embrace_v the_o religion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o receive_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o patriarch_n and_o to_o the_o jew_n i_o shall_v resume_v all_o these_o article_n one_o by_o one_o in_o that_o natural_a order_n in_o which_o i_o have_v propose_v they_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n bètween_n the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a as_o it_o be_v not_o much_o the_o character_n of_o romance_n even_o then_o when_o they_o be_v most_o tie_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n to_o borrow_v either_o the_o style_n or_o idea_n of_o those_o author_n from_o who_o they_o take_v their-subject_a so_o i_o suppose_v that_o in_o this_o my_o undertake_n to_o show_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o old_a it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o make_v out_o that_o at_o the_o first_o read_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o apostolical_a write_n one_o find_v in_o they_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o idea_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n one_o may_v to_o this_o purpose_n observe_v in_o general_a that_o the_o gospel_n suppose_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o unquestionable_a truth_n the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n have_v the_o same_o coherence_n with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n which_o the_o write_n of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n have_v with_o those_o of_o the_o former_a and_o which_o the_o book_n of_o all_o the_o prophet_n together_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o with_o the_o prophecy_n law_n and_o history_n which_o be_v contain_v therein_o one_o may_v take_v notice_n afterward_o that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a in_o their_o most_o principal_a design_n i_o have_v show_v that_o their_o design_n be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o raise_v man_n to_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o paint_v he_o to_o the_o life_n who_o god_n
that_o prerogative_n to_o seth_n family_n and_o exclude_v cain_n from_o it_o then_o afterward_o of_o all_o seth_n family_n he_o restrain_v it_o to_o noah_n alone_o and_o his_o family_n then_o of_o noah_n family_n to_o shem_n alone_o then_o afterward_o of_o all_o shem_n posterity_n to_o abraham_n alone_o then_o of_o abraham_n son_n to_o isaac_n alone_o and_o of_o isaac_n to_o jacob_n alone_o who_o son_n judah_n be_v alone_o invest_v with_o that_o privilege_n and_o all_o his_o brethren_n exclude_v it_o be_v moreover_o observable_a that_o in_o those_o seven_o forementioned_a restriction_n which_o god_n make_v he_o seem_v to_o have_v affect_v to_o prefer_v the_o young_a to_o the_o elder_a as_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o his_o choice_n if_o not_o of_o noah_n and_o shem_n who_o be_v elder_a than_o the_o other_o son_n yet_o certain_o in_o that_o of_o seth_n who_o be_v young_a than_o cain_n of_o abraham_n who_o be_v the_o young_a of_o terah_n son_n of_o isaac_n who_o be_v young_a than_o ishmael_n of_o jacob_n who_o be_v young_a than_o esau_n and_o of_o judah_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o young_a of_o leah_n son_n so_o likewise_o if_o the_o reader_n will_v judge_v of_o god_n design_n by_o the_o event_n alone_o he_o may_v just_o conclude_v that_o god_n by_o this_o affect_a choice_n intend_v to_o raise_v continual_a jealousy_n betwixt_o the_o elder_a who_o pretend_v that_o the_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n do_v belong_v to_o they_o because_o of_o their_o birthright_n against_o their_o young_a brother_n who_o they_o see_v prefer_v by_o god_n immediate_a choice_n one_o may_v also_o further_o add_v that_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v strengthen_v these_o jealousy_n by_o introduce_v sometime_o a_o sort_n of_o conformity_n among_o the_o pretender_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o promise_n thus_o for_o instance_n as_o abraham_n have_v two_o child_n so_o lot_n have_v two_o as_o jacob_n have_v twelve_o son_n so_o esau_n also_o have_v twelve_o and_o sometime_o one_o may_v find_v that_o those_o particular_a person_n who_o be_v prefer_v be_v charge_v with_o very_o severe_a accusation_n now_o after_o all_o these_o general_a refiexion_n it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o consider_v what_o care_n god_n have_v upon_o all_o occasion_n particular_o take_v to_o distinguish_v and_o protect_v those_o who_o he_o have_v invest_v with_o the_o right_n of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n that_o their_o state_n and_o succession_n may_v never_o be_v uncertain_a it_o be_v this_o design_n no_o doubt_n which_o oblige_v god_n to_o make_v seth_n the_o depositary_a of_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n that_o he_o may_v thereby_o save_v noah_n from_o the_o flood_n and_o so_o procure_v to_o shem_n his_o father_n blessing_n it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n that_o he_o call_v abraham_n out_o of_o his_o own_o country_n and_o make_v he_o travel_v from_o place_n to_o place_n to_o make_v he_o thereby_o famous_a in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o invite_v man_n by_o that_o mean_n to_o inquire_v after_o his_o profession_n his_o hope_n and_o his_o religion_n again_o it_o be_v for_o this_o that_o he_o oblige_v this_o patriarch_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o circumcision_n which_o be_v a_o real_a distinction_n and_o a_o indelible_a character_n and_o that_o he_o likewise_o confine_v he_o to_o a_o certain_a place_n by_o fix_v he_o in_o some_o sort_n to_o the_o cave_n of_o machpela_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v of_o the_o child_n of_o hamor_n last_o it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o prohibit_v all_o alliance_n with_o they_o as_o also_o all_o imitation_n of_o the_o custom_n and_o religious_a ceremony_n practise_v among_o they_o now_o all_o this_o be_v suppose_v i_o say_v that_o whether_o we_o consider_v the_o end_n and_o principal_a design_n of_o moses_n law_n or_o whether_o we_o examine_v his_o several_a prophecy_n which_o do_v particular_o characterise_v the_o messiah_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o god_n do_v all_o along_o continue_v in_o his_o first_o design_n of_o distinction_n and_o consequent_o of_o keep_v up_o the_o jealousy_n of_o those_o that_o have_v any_o pretension_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o he_o have_v prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n to_o jesus_n christ_n time_n in_o who_o christian_n do_v maintain_v that_o the_o first_o promise_n be_v accomplish_v god_n have_v then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o both_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o those_o difference_n and_o distinction_n which_o be_v only_o intend_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n the_o better_a know_v and_o the_o more_o certain_o discern_v at_o his_o come_n and_o then_o to_o cease_v just_o as_o scaffold_n be_v take_v away_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o building_n be_v finish_v and_o have_v also_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n rectify_v the_o principle_n from_o which_o flow_v that_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n among_o those_o who_o have_v the_o same_o pretention_n we_o see_v that_o according_o god_n exclude_v all_o other_o nation_n from_o the_o right_n of_o accomplish_v this_o promise_n we_o see_v that_o even_o in_o the_o family_n of_o judah_n who_o be_v himself_o the_o young_a of_o the_o first_o set_v of_o leah_n child_n he_o restrain_v the_o execution_n of_o it_o to_o the_o young_a brother_n we_o see_v that_o he_o raise_v occasion_n of_o jealousy_n even_o among_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n in_o a_o word_n we_o see_v that_o of_o all_o those_o mean_n which_o can_v distinguish_v any_o one_o people_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n or_o one_o tribe_n from_o twelve_o one_o family_n from_o all_o other_o family_n of_o the_o same_o tribe_n and_o one_o particular_a person_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o family_n none_o be_v omit_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o make_a use_n of_o by_o god_n to_o follow_v this_o his_o first_o design_n this_o i_o intend_v firm_o to_o establish_v by_o examine_v the_o thing_n gradual_o from_o moses_n time_n by_o who_o ministry_n god_n enact_v and_o publish_v those_o law_n by_o the_o mean_n whereof_o he_o intend_v the_o messiah_n may_v certain_o be_v know_v to_o the_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n in_o who_o we_o believe_v that_o the_o promise_n be_v accomplish_v chap._n xiii_o that_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgate_a his_o law_n among_o the_o israelite_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n i_o do_v not_o bare_o design_n here_o at_o first_o to_o observe_v the_o several_a resemblance_n which_o be_v observable_a betwixt_o the_o thing_n relate_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n and_o those_o which_o one_o find_v in_o the_o follow_a book_n neither_o will_v i_o mere_o establish_v here_o that_o as_o jacob_n go_v down_o into_o egypt_n with_o all_o his_o child_n and_o the_o protection_n that_o they_o all_o receive_v there_o from_o joseph_n do_v serve_v to_o fulfil_v the_o prediction_n which_o god_n make_v of_o that_o event_n by_o joseph_n dream_n so_o we_o may_v say_v in_o general_a that_o the_o send_n of_o moses_n his_o miracle_n and_o his_o whole_a ministry_n to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n when_o he_o entrust_v joshuah_n with_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o literal_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v former_o make_v to_o abraham_n to_o deliver_v the_o four_o generation_n of_o his_o posterity_n out_o of_o the_o captivity_n which_o it_o be_v to_o fall_v into_o and_o then_o to_o bring_v it_o into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n to_o possess_v it_o moses_n indeed_o represent_v that_o people_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o prophecy_n as_o groan_v under_o the_o hard_a pressure_n of_o a_o cruel_a captivity_n in_o egypt_n when_o joseph_n and_o his_o eminent_a service_n be_v both_o forget_v afterward_o he_o tell_v we_o how_o they_o be_v miraculous_o deliver_v out_o of_o that_o captivity_n and_o then_o last_o he_o inform_v we_o that_o after_o he_o have_v carry_v they_o through_o many_o difficulty_n in_o the_o wilderness_n he_o bring_v they_o at_o last_o to_o the_o very_a border_n of_o canaan_n and_o so_o leave_v they_o ready_a to_o conquer_v and_o possess_v it_o according_a to_o god_n promise_n and_o their_o pretension_n ground_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o have_v be_v so_o often_o repeat_v to_o they_o ever_o since_o abraham_n time_n joshua_n moses_n successor_n and_o in_o all_o likelihood_n the_o author_n of_o the_o description_n of_o his_o death_n be_v he_o that_o accomplish_v the_o other_o part_n of_o god_n promise_n to_o abraham_n by_o introduce_v the_o israelite_n into_o canaan_n and_o actual_o possess_v they_o of_o it_o so_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o precise_a in_o this_o whole_a matter_n but_o
because_o those_o of_o every_o tribe_n who_o continue_v still_o in_o the_o land_n may_v visible_o keep_v they_o up_o and_o we_o here_o of_o necessity_n ought_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o we_o may_v read_v in_o the_o xxxii_o chapter_n of_o jeremiah_n xxxii_o jerem._n xxxii_o concern_v the_o sale_n of_o a_o field_n which_o jeremiah_n buy_v and_o second_o what_o we_o read_v nehem._n the_o vth_o where_o he_o be_v trouble_v to_o see_v the_o alienation_n of_o their_o field_n which_o be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o misery_n and_o three_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o people_n be_v restore_v to_o their_o estate_n according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o their_o state._n another_o very_a effectual_a mean_n to_o fix_v that_o people_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o preserve_v their_o family_n there_o certain_o without_o confusion_n be_v the_o law_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n which_o god_n institute_v for_o this_o very_a purpose_n for_o in_o short_a when_o this_o rule_n be_v once_o lay_v down_o that_o upon_o the_o failure_n of_o a_o heir_n in_o any_o family_n that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n be_v the_o heir_n at_o law_n it_o appear_v plain_o that_o every_o one_o be_v oblige_v for_o his_o own_o interest_n to_o inquire_v with_o diligence_n into_o the_o genealogical_a life_n of_o his_o own_o tribe_n that_o he_o may_v instruct_v himself_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o several_a family_n of_o his_o kindred_n and_o of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o proximity_n of_o blood_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v relate_v because_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o these_o list_n and_o of_o those_o several_a degree_n of_o kindred_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o right_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n there_o be_v two_o other_o law_n which_o contribute_v also_o to_o this_o one_o whereof_z regulate_v all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v when_o there_o be_v none_o but_o daughter_n leave_v in_o a_o family_n a_o famous_a instance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o zelophehad_n set_v down_o twice_o by_o moses_n on_o purpose_n no_o doubt_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v particular_o in_o another_o place_n the_o other_o law_n regulate_v all_o that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n of_o any_o one_o that_o die_v childless_a be_v oblige_v to_o do_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o relict_n and_o of_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o decease_a if_o he_o intend_v to_o redeem_v it_o one_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n a_o illustrious_a example_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o law_n which_o may_v be_v find_v deuter._n xxv_o now_o after_o all_o this_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o there_o can_v be_v any_o strong_a tie_n than_o these_o to_o oblige_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o whither_o the_o division_n which_o god_n make_v of_o it_o betwixt_o their_o several_a tribe_n and_o family_n be_v not_o a_o infallible_a mean_n to_o distinguish_v they_o certain_o one_o from_o another_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v concern_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n do_v principal_o relate_v also_o to_o the_o messiah_n which_o hold_v also_o as_o to_o several_a other_o law_n hitherto_o i_o have_v show_v the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o afterward_o show_v what_o care_n he_o take_v to_o keep_v the_o distinction_n which_o he_o first_o set_v up_o among_o the_o tribe_n and_o i_o afterward_o explain_v those_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o oblige_v every_o family_n in_o each_o tribe_n to_o remain_v distinct_a and_o i_o afterward_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v a_o very_a proper_a mean_n to_o execute_v this_o design_n of_o god._n all_o which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o make_v it_o easy_a for_o every_o man_n to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v once_o know_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n as_o it_o be_v afterward_o foretell_v by_o several_a express_a oracle_n but_o as_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v something_o supernatural_a in_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n so_o we_o ought_v to_o see_v what_o care_n god_n take_v in_o his_o law_n that_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n even_o in_o this_o very_a article_n may_v not_o be_v a_o fact_n too_o difficult_a to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o first_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v join_v with_o isaiah_n prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v etc._n etc._n be_v vii_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n must_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o the_o christian_n profess_v to_o believe_v why_o shall_v god_n otherwise_o have_v take_v care_n to_o insinuate_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o a_o woman_n without_o mention_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n if_o he_o have_v not_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v without_o the_o operation_n of_o a_o man_n and_o why_o shall_v isaiah_n propose_v the_o conceive_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o a_o effect_v whole_o supernatural_a in_o short_a god_n do_v therefore_o by_o his_o law_n not_o only_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n that_o this_o thing_n may_v not_o be_v ambiguous_a when_o it_o shall_v be_v accomplish_v but_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v here_o he_o have_v by_o these_o law_n make_v it_o extreme_o illustrious_a first_o beside_o that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n inflict_v upon_o they_o that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n find_v guilty_a of_o sin_n against_o nature_n 17._o exod._n xxii_o deut._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xviii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxiii_o 17._o as_o also_o upon_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o have_v have_v any_o incestuous_a commerce_n with_o those_o that_o be_v near_o relate_v to_o they_o and_o to_o who_o either_o the_o nearness_n of_o blood_n or_o of_o affinity_n give_v they_o a_o more_o free_a and_o familiar_a access_n he_o moreover_o strait_o command_v that_o all_o prostitute_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n without_o any_o mercy_n second_o he_o be_v not_o only_o content_v to_o forbid_v fornication_n and_o adultery_n in_o general_n by_o condemn_v to_o death_n xxii_o exod._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxii_o those_o that_o express_o shall_v be_v convict_v of_o it_o and_o by_o award_v the_o same_o sentence_n against_o he_o that_o shall_v happen_v to_o corrupt_v a_o contract_a virgin_n and_o the_o virgin_n herself_o but_o he_o also_o hinder_v man_n by_o two_o way_n from_o fall_v into_o sin_n of_o impurity_n he_o permit_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n a_o divorce_n where_o the_o wife_n do_v not_o please_v her_o husband_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o allow_v of_o polygamy_n this_o toleration_n make_v that_o virgin_n on_o the_o one_o side_n not_o remain_v too_o long_o unmarried_a be_v not_o apt_a to_o be_v easy_o corrupt_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n man_n be_v not_o very_o forward_o to_o debauch_v those_o woman_n who_o they_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o marry_v or_o to_o keep_v when_o marry_v for_o he_o that_o be_v compel_v to_o marry_v a_o virgin_n who_o he_o have_v seduce_v xxii_o deut._n xxii_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o put_v she_o away_o for_o ever_o after_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v the_o design_n of_o those_o law_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o short_a 5._o massec_n avoth_o c._n 5._o the_o desire_n of_o issue_n make_v they_o marry_v very_o young_a most_o of_o the_o man_n be_v marry_v at_o eighteen_o year_n of_o age._n therefore_o all_o virgin_n think_v it_o a_o shame_n to_o be_v unmarried_a therefore_o god_n make_v they_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n in_o that_o manner_n when_o seven_o woman_n will_v marry_v one_o man_n without_o ask_v any_o thing_n for_o diet_n or_o clothes_n provide_v only_o that_o he_o will_v take_v away_o that_o reproach_n of_o live_v without_o have_v child_n it_o be_v this_o desire_n of_o posterity_n which_o make_v the_o woman_n look_v upon_o barrenness_n as_o a_o curse_n again_o this_o vehement_a desire_n of_o child_n make_v eunuch_n to_o be_v regard_v 1069._o lucian_n de_fw-fr eunuch_n p._n 537._o lucian_n de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syriâ_fw-la p._n 1069._o as_o man_n particular_o abhor_v of_o god_n not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o although_o afterward_o
to_o establish_v their_o authority_n whereas_o the_o prediction_n of_o other_o want_v this_o character_n be_v neglect_v and_o at_o last_o absolute_o lose_v it_o appear_v plain_o that_o those_o which_o remain_n be_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a reputation_n among_o the_o jew_n beside_o i_o may_v add_v that_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o book_n to_o see_v that_o they_o not_o only_o foretell_v obscure_a thing_n or_o what_o particular_o concern_v their_o state_n but_o also_o thing_n of_o a_o more_o splendid_a nature_n the_o overthrow_n of_o kingdom_n of_o city_n the_o destruction_n of_o whole_a nation_n the_o destruction_n of_o their_o own_o city_n with_o its_o re-establishment_n matter_n which_o will_v render_v their_o book_n very_o illustrious_a and_o which_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o be_v read_v not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n the_o ammonite_n moabite_n assyrian_n persian_n egyptian_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o this_o therefore_o a_o very_a particular_a thing_n and_o that_o which_o make_v the_o prophet_n very_o illustrious_a that_o the_o great_a lustre_n of_o the_o prophet_n continue_v but_o for_o a_o certain_a time_n there_o have_v be_v none_o since_o the_o year_n 3553._o their_o glory_n appear_v in_o the_o history_n of_o eight_o age_n but_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v itself_o any_o far_o now_o why_o i_o pray_v shall_v there_o be_v no_o impostor_n after_o malachy_n as_o well_o as_o there_o be_v impostor_n before_o he_o one_o may_v imagine_v perhaps_o that_o the_o prophecy_n be_v immediate_o disperse_v some_o be_v utter_v in_o one_o place_n and_o some_o in_o another_o some_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o other_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n some_o in_o babylon_n other_o in_o egypt_n which_o may_v give_v opportunites_n for_o impostor_n but_o i._o this_o objection_n may_v be_v strong_o retort_v back_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o in_o the_o division_n which_o separate_v the_o israelite_n from_o the_o jew_n those_o of_o judah_n will_v charge_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_n publish_v in_o a_o kingdom_n so_o much_o a_o enemy_n to_o they_o without_o examination_n when_o every_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o thence_o aught_o to_o appear_v suspect_v ii_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o particular_a volume_n but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o hosea_n isaiah_n and_o jeremy_n and_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o rest_n be_v preserve_v in_o book_n which_o contain_v many_o other_o thing_n iii_o they_o be_v all_o exact_o join_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n each_o one_o in_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a concern_v to_o preserve_v and_o to_o gather_v they_o together_o but_o beside_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n in_o short_a the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n translate_v they_o into_o greek_a in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3727._o and_o so_o submit_v they_o to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o this_o also_o keep_v we_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o truth_n this_o translation_n be_v make_v but_o one_o hundred_o thirty_o and_o eight_o year_n after_o malachy_n the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n but_o what_o judgement_n soever_o may_v be_v make_v of_o these_o reflection_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v only_o to_o establish_v the_o reputation_n of_o these_o prophecy_n and_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v that_o so_o no_o room_n may_v be_v leave_v for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o forgery_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o consideration_n to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v already_o which_o ought_v to_o appear_v convince_a to_o every_o attentive_a man._n i._o one_o can_v suspect_v none_o but_o the_o jew_n as_o forger_n of_o these_o oracle_n now_o not_o to_o say_v any_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o suppose_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v have_v subscribe_v to_o such_o a_o imposture_n all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n be_v after_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n strong_o prepossess_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o great_a temporal_a king_n and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o belief_n to_o this_o very_a hour_n in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n wherever_o they_o be_v disperse_v this_o be_v once_o lay_v down_o i_o affirm_v it_o to_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v oracle_n which_o assert_v express_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o so_o very_o odious_a a_o manner_n for_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v the_o old_a doctor_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n all_o those_o oracle_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o christian_n and_o which_o they_o themselves_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v force_v to_o interpret_v of_o two_o messiah_n one_o expose_v to_o a_o world_n of_o misery_n and_o the_o other_o only_o glorious_a or_o at_o least_o i_o may_v say_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v consent_v to_o a_o forgery_n which_o thwart_v their_o common_a idea_n and_o pretension_n in_o so_o very_o sensible_a a_o manner_n ii_o the_o second_o consideration_n establish_v the_o same_o truth_n with_o no_o less_o firmness_n which_o be_v that_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n from_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o great_a aversation_n they_o look_v upon_o the_o blessing_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o communicate_v as_o advantage_n entire_o reserve_v for_o those_o of_o their_o own_o nation_n how_o then_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v so_o many_o oracle_n which_o shall_v thwart_v their_o prejudices_fw-la so_o sensible_o or_o how_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o a_o whole_a people_n will_v authorise_v with_o their_o approbation_n a_o imposture_n so_o contrary_a and_o so_o very_o opposite_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o it_o be_v no_o hard_a thing_n to_o imagine_v that_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v once_o persuade_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o prophet_n either_o by_o their_o miracle_n or_o by_o the_o ready_a accomplishment_n of_o every_o oracle_n which_o they_o have_v public_o pronounce_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o book_n with_o a_o profound_a submission_n and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o utmost_a care_n but_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o incomprehensible_a thing_n for_o a_o people_n to_o receive_v imposture_n contrary_a to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o imposture_n reiterated_a so_o often_o without_o any_o ground_n but_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o record_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o will_v produce_v but_o i_o suppose_v these_o reflection_n will_v suffice_v to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o allege_v particular_a proof_n which_o may_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o each_o book_n in_o particular_a which_o will_v carry_v i_o out_o to_o too_o great_a a_o length_n i_o shall_v now_o consider_v the_o oracle_n themselves_o and_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o light_n of_o this_o revelation_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o this_o progress_n may_v be_v the_o better_o observe_v i_o shall_v do_v three_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v former_o observe_v without_o which_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o wise_a reader_n will_v not_o receive_v satisfaction_n i._o i_o shall_v explain_v in_o a_o few_o word_n the_o reason_n why_o these_o oracle_n be_v interweave_v with_o several_a history_n or_o prophecy_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n ii_o i_o shall_v give_v such_o rule_n as_o will_v serve_v to_o justify_v the_o application_n which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v equal_o make_v of_o several_a oracle_n only_o to_o the_o messiah_n iii_o i_o shall_v set_v the_o oracle_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n which_o will_v manifest_v the_o advancement_n and_o progress_n of_o that_o light_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o revelation_n itself_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o god_n shall_v explain_v himself_o more_o clear_o in_o this_o matter_n in_o proportion_n as_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v near_o to_o their_o completion_n chap._n vii_o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a one_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v that_o surprise_v mixture_n which_o one_o see_v we_o of_o those_o oracle_n and_o of_o other_o subject_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v wide_o distant_a from_o any_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v none_o
event_n of_o a_o near_a date_n do_v not_o answer_v to_o the_o greatness_n or_o magnificence_n of_o the_o prediction_n several_a age_n have_v pass_v from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o it_o continue_v very_o fresh_a among_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n time_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o answer_n which_o they_o give_v to_o herod_n there_o be_v several_a other_o example_n may_v be_v give_v which_o show_v that_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n apply_v the_o very_a same_o oracle_n to_o the_o messiah_n which_o we_o do_v and_o without_o question_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o the_o apostle_n will_v first_o have_v prove_v that_o these_o oracle_n have_v relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n which_o they_o take_v for_o grant_v as_o a_o thing_n constant_o acknowledge_v whereas_o now_o they_o only_o endeavour_v in_o the_o gospel_n to_o justify_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n by_o show_v one_o by_o one_o that_o all_o the_o character_n which_o the_o jew_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o he_o beside_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o our_o saviour_n explication_n of_o the_o cx_o psalm_n that_o though_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o conceive_v the_o solution_n of_o that_o difficulty_n which_o natural_o appear_v in_o those_o word_n the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n sit_v thou_o at_o my_o right_a hand_n yet_o afterward_o they_o immediate_o apply_v that_o oracle_n to_o the_o messiah_n without_o seek_v after_o any_o other_o subject_n to_o which_o they_o may_v apply_v it_o as_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o do_v at_o this_o day_n but_o after_o these_o remark_n upon_o the_o mixture_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o a_o more_o foreign_a nature_n we_o ought_v to_o come_v to_o some_o general_a rule_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o apply_v the_o ancient_a oracle_n to_o the_o messiah_n chap._n viii_o general_a rule_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o for_o the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o messiah_n i._o as_o it_o appear_v very_o natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a revelation_n ought_v to_o be_v express_v in_o the_o most_o general_a term_n because_o they_o be_v further_a from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o accomplishment_n and_o so_o one_o ought_v to_o find_v in_o they_o a_o more_o imperfect_a delineation_n of_o the_o design_n of_o god_n yet_o it_o be_v visible_a however_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o contribute_v very_o much_o to_o the_o understanding_n of_o those_o late_a oracle_n because_o if_o these_o late_a one_o do_v real_o contain_v a_o more_o particular_a explication_n of_o his_o design_n in_o send_v the_o messiah_n into_o the_o world_n yet_o they_o ought_v always_o to_o follow_v those_o idea_n which_o god_n at_o first_o make_v use_v of_o to_o make_v his_o design_n know_v in_o the_o world._n ii_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o grant_v that_o when_o god_n have_v tell_v the_o jew_n by_o jacob_n and_o balaam_n that_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o sudden_o to_o happen_v if_o he_o intend_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n after_o a_o long_a revolution_n of_o year_n by_o those_o ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a law_n which_o he_o establish_v that_o he_o ought_v to_o breed_v they_o up_o in_o a_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n by_o lively_a idea_n and_o by_o oracle_n which_o shall_v particular_o explain_v the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o his_o appearance_n iii_o it_o be_v no_o less_o natural_a to_o acknowledge_v that_o when_o god_n promise_v some_o illustrious_a person_n or_o some_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n he_o do_v it_o only_o to_o entertain_v the_o people_n with_o a_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n that_o he_o may_v and_o ought_v to_o join_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o it_o as_o the_o principal_a object_n which_o the_o jew_n ought_v always_o to_o have_v in_o view_n until_o it_o shall_v actual_o happen_v in_o short_a there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o oracle_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o first_o be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o apply_v to_o any_o other_o beside_o the_o messiah_n as_o for_o instance_n 10._o gen._n iii_o 15._o deut._n xviii_o 15._o deut._n xxxiv_o 10._o the_o place_n of_o his_o birth_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n the_o lord_n thy_o god_n will_v raise_v up_o unto_o thou_o a_o prophet_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o of_o thy_o brethren_n like_v unto_o i_o unto_o he_o you_o shall_v hearken_v whereupon_o he_o that_o add_v the_o relation_n of_o moses_n death_n take_v notice_n that_o after_o that_o there_o arise_v up_o no_o prophet_n in_o israel_n like_v unto_o moses_n the_o second_o be_v such_o as_o seem_v to_o agree_v in_o part_n to_o some_o body_n else_o beside_o the_o messiah_n though_o we_o may_v find_v there_o also_o such_o particular_a character_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o apply_v they_o perfect_o and_o in_o their_o utmost_a extent_n according_a to_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o their_o expression_n to_o any_o other_o subject_a beside_o the_o messiah_n and_o so_o balaam_n seem_v to_o have_v speak_v of_o david_n numb_a xxiii_o as_o julian_n the_o apostate_n maintain_v and_o of_o his_o victory_n over_o the_o moabite_n in_o the_o same_o place_n where_o he_o promise_v the_o messiah_n and_o where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o subdue_a the_o child_n of_o seth_n and_o so_o david_n in_o the_o second_o psalm_n speak_v of_o the_o opposition_n which_o he_o meet_v with_o in_o his_o advancement_n to_o the_o throne_n but_o in_o term_n too_o great_a and_o too_o emphatical_a to_o be_v apply_v to_o he_o alone_o those_o principle_n which_o i_o have_v now_o establish_v that_o god_n promise_v the_o messiah_n in_o general_a term_n but_o without_o any_o intention_n of_o send_v he_o into_o the_o world_n until_o several_a age_n have_v be_v pass_v give_v rise_v to_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o oracle_n on_o the_o one_o side_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o explain_v this_o promise_n distinct_o from_o time_n to_o time_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o join_v these_o idea_n with_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v great_a and_o considerable_a in_o those_o event_n and_o in_o those_o person_n to_o who_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n intend_v to_o add_v a_o lustre_n by_o its_o prediction_n the_o jew_n be_v agree_v at_o present_a as_o they_o be_v also_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n in_o the_o application_n of_o the_o most_o part_n of_o those_o oracle_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o the_o christian_n apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n and_o if_o they_o dispute_v some_o of_o they_o which_o they_o explain_v in_o a_o sense_n perfect_o force_v yet_o at_o least_o they_o can_v dispute_v these_o follow_a truth_n i._o that_o the_o most_o part_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o we_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v apply_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n by_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n as_o the_o cx_o psalm_n for_o instance_n which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o two_o psalm_n which_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o people_n against_o the_o messiah_n that_o place_n in_o micah_n which_o fix_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o bethlehem_n etc._n etc._n ii_o that_o as_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o make_v two_o messiah_n because_o of_o the_o apparent_a contradiction_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o those_o various_a event_n which_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n in_o those_o prediction_n some_o perfect_o glorious_a and_o other_o every_o way_n contemptible_a so_o there_o be_v no_o injustice_n do_v in_o explain_v those_o oracle_n which_o at_o first_o seem_v only_o to_o have_v relation_n to_o one_o single_a person_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o of_o some_o other_o person_n iii_o that_o since_o they_o themselves_o believe_v that_o their_o ancestor_n may_v lawful_o pass_v from_o one_o sense_n to_o another_o in_o their_o explication_n of_o those_o oracle_n so_o that_o they_o be_v permit_v to_o apply_v a_o oracle_n to_o some_o other_o subject_a which_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o agree_v exact_o enough_o to_o that_o subject_a which_o their_o ancestor_n have_v first_o in_o view_n as_o the_o particular_a subject_n concern_v which_o the_o oracle_n treat_v so_o it_o be_v not_o only_o just_a but_o necessary_a too_o to_o pass_v from_o one_o subject_a to_o another_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v actual_o do_v
iv_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o pay_v a_o much_o great_a deference_n to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n than_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v sour_v by_o their_o misery_n and_o dispute_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o they_o have_v lose_v that_o principle_n of_o equity_n which_o keep_v man_n from_o deny_v the_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o most_o universal_o acknowledge_v by_o a_o whole_a nation_n that_o be_v not_o prepossess_v with_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o obstinacy_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v beside_o that_o this_o seem_a confusion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n treat_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n arise_v from_o several_a cause_n i._o from_o the_o prophet_n often_o join_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o principal_a promise_n the_o send_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o promise_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n as_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o instance_n so_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o egypt_n and_o their_o departure_n from_o thence_o with_o their_o settle_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v they_o before_o be_v foretell_v as_o necessary_a mean_n in_o the_o order_n of_o providence_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n for_o so_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o their_o deliverance_n there_o from_o which_o be_v both_o foretell_v be_v foretell_v as_o step_n towards_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n and_o so_o likewise_o when_o they_o foretell_v the_o persecution_n by_o antiochus_n and_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n they_o also_o foretell_v the_o deliverance_n which_o god_n will_v grant_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o re-establishment_n until_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n ii_o this_o seem_a confusion_n arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o these_o book_n piece_n by_o piece_n which_o afterward_o be_v put_v into_o this_o order_n without_o have_v always_o a_o regard_n to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o without_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o occasion_n which_o engage_v the_o prophet_n to_o write_v and_o thus_o we_o see_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n join_v to_o several_a other_o transaction_n and_o to_o several_a other_o prediction_n who_o connexion_n be_v not_o always_o so_o very_o evident_a iii_o it_o arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophecy_n each_o by_o themselves_o so_o that_o all_o those_o of_o the_o same_o prophet_n be_v put_v together_o as_o they_o come_v out_o make_v only_o a_o new_a chapter_n in_o the_o work_n whereas_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v rather_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o matter_n than_o to_o the_o order_n in_o which_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o book_n as_o we_o have_v it_o at_o the_o present_a for_o the_o prophet_n often_o borrow_v their_o light_n from_o what_o they_o themselves_o have_v say_v some_o time_n before_o or_o from_o what_o some_o other_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v which_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v particular_o of_o those_o who_o live_v about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o beside_o those_o rule_n which_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o beside_o those_o observation_n of_o the_o join_v the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n i_o must_v add_v two_o rule_n more_o which_o may_v be_v useful_a in_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v express_v in_o figurative_a term_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o when_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o when_o they_o be_v intent_n upon_o the_o description_n of_o his_o kingdom_n they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o expression_n which_o seem_v to_o foretell_v a_o sort_n of_o overturning_a of_o nature_n which_o shall_v happen_v at_o that_o time_n but_o then_o these_o expression_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o figurative_a sense_n in_o the_o same_o spiritual_a sense_n in_o which_o the_o christian_n understand_v they_o as_o the_o famous_a maimonides_n allow_v in_o that_o passage_n of_o isaiah_n xii_o lib._n de_fw-fr regibus_fw-la cap._n xii_o where_o the_o wolf_n and_o the_o lamb_n be_v say_v to_o feed_v together_o second_o since_o the_o messiah_n be_v describe_v as_o one_o who_o shall_v unite_v in_o his_o own_o person_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n together_o we_o ought_v to_o understand_v those_o oracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o what_o be_v great_a in_o those_o prophetical_a description_n shall_v not_o contradict_v the_o more_o contemptible_a part_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o messiah_n as_o clothe_v with_o all_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n these_o idea_n which_o be_v often_o join_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o oracle_n aught_o to_o be_v exact_o apply_v to_o the_o different_a consideration_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v of_o the_o messiah_n or_o to_o those_o various_a state_n through_o which_o they_o themselves_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o pass_v a_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v easy_o judge_v that_o i_o may_v have_v add_v a_o three_o rule_n to_o the_o two_o former_a which_o be_v that_o when_o a_o person_n who_o have_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o prophet_n apply_v a_o old_a oracle_n to_o any_o subject_a one_o can_v reasonable_o dispute_v his_o application_n this_o the_o christian_n assure_v we_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o oracle_n but_o because_o this_o suppose_v a_o prophetic_a character_n in_o the_o apostle_n before_o it_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o solid_a proof_n i_o shall_v wave_v the_o proposal_n of_o it_o at_o present_a after_o these_o general_a remark_n i_o shall_v gather_v together_o those_o oracle_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n i_o may_v here_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o the_o matter_n by_o bring_v under_o each_o article_n those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o it_o which_o will_v give_v a_o great_a light_n to_o the_o subject_a as_o eusebius_n have_v right_o observe_v and_o as_o he_o have_v practise_v himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr demonstratione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la however_o i_o rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o time_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v utter_v which_o do_v not_o seem_v improper_a to_o explain_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o oracle_n in_o short_a this_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n i._o because_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o consider_v the_o series_n of_o god_n design_n and_o the_o connexion_n which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o those_o idea_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o express_v it_o ii_o because_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o light_n in_o the_o revelation_n proportionable_o as_o the_o time_n draw_v near_o so_o that_o it_o be_v of_o use_n to_o observe_v how_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n follow_v this_o natural_a order_n in_o make_v the_o late_a oracle_n clear_a than_o the_o former_a and_o in_o hint_v by_o little_a and_o little_a a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n by_o which_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v they_o iii_o because_o this_o serve_v to_o give_v we_o a_o very_a strong_a proof_n that_o god_n intend_v to_o furnish_v we_o from_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o with_o that_o which_o shall_v fix_v we_o in_o a_o belief_n of_o this_o capital_a truth_n in_o our_o religion_n in_o short_a when_o the_o truth_n of_o each_o of_o the_o book_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v once_o approve_a and_o their_o age_n set_v down_o it_o appear_v that_o several_a prophet_n do_v agree_v wonderful_o without_o any_o concert_n in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n at_o several_a time_n and_o in_o several_a place_n and_o circumstance_n which_o hinder_v man_n for_o the_o most_o part_n from_o agree_v in_o the_o most_o common_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o their_o reflection_n i_o have_v already_o consider_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n follow_v rule_n very_o conformable_a to_o the_o condition_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n we_o may_v see_v the_o same_o conduct_n in_o the_o follow_a time_n so_o since_o god_n have_v promise_v child_n to_o adam_n in_o abel_n stead_n one_o may_v see_v that_o he_o also_o promise_v david_n a_o son_n who_o shall_v set_v upon_o his_o throne_n he_o explain_v almost_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o come_v his_o humiliation_n his_o exaltation_n the_o opposition_n he_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o victory_n he_o shall_v obtain_v and_o his_o office_n prophetical_a priestly_a and_o royal._n one_o see_v
oracle_n as_o we_o understand_v it_o have_v be_v entertain_v among_o the_o heathen_n who_o build_v their_o fable_n of_o perseus_n upon_o it_o who_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin._n 3._o it_o appear_v that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o i_o mention_v in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n chap._n xx._n and_o which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o state_n of_o virginity_n receive_v much_o light_n from_o this_o notion_n and_o be_v without_o it_o altogether_o useless_a 4._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o dispute_v this_o character_n till_o after_o they_o see_v that_o the_o christian_n apply_v it_o to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o thereupon_o have_v fall_v upon_o such_o childish_a fancy_n as_o may_v just_o cover_v they_o with_o confusion_n but_o we_o shall_v be_v yet_o further_o satisfy_v hereof_o if_o we_o add_v to_o all_o these_o just_a prejudices_fw-la only_o the_o follow_a reflection_n on_o the_o term_n the_o prophet_n make_v use_v of_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o lxx_o interpreter_n have_v in_o translate_n this_o prophecy_n make_v use_v of_o a_o word_n that_o signify_v a_o virgin_n and_o not_o a_o young_a woman_n as_o the_o jew_n have_v understand_v it_o since_o our_o saviour_n time_n the_o first_o who_o reject_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n be_v symmachus_n 9_o in_o dialog_n cum_fw-la tryphon_n tertull._n count_v jud._n cap._n 9_o who_o live_v in_o the_o second_o century_n as_o it_o be_v observe_v by_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n who_o for_o this_o reason_n accuse_v the_o jew_n of_o have_v falsify_v the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o hebrew_n word_n express_o signify_v such_o a_o one_o as_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o virgin_n be_v keep_v under_o lock_n and_o key_n from_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a nation_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o jew_n which_o continue_v among_o they_o till_o this_o day_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o word_n have_v be_v take_v by_o the_o african_n in_o the_o same_o signification_n as_o st._n jerome_n observe_v the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n do_v set_v forth_o this_o child-bearing_a as_o a_o prodigy_n and_o miracle_n altogether_o unheard_a of_o and_o as_o a_o particular_a character_n by_o which_o the_o house_n of_o david_n be_v to_o be_v strong_o confirm_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o settle_v a_o eternal_a kingdom_n upon_o it_o which_o can_v not_o be_v accomplish_v but_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o five_o be_v that_o though_o some_o jew_n have_v apply_v this_o prophecy_n to_o king_n hezekiah_n l._n raschi_n in_o h._n l._n which_o yet_o to_o other_o of_o they_o seem_v very_o ridiculous_a he_o be_v nine_o year_n of_o age_n when_o the_o prophecy_n be_v utter_v by_o isaiah_n and_o themselves_o never_o make_v use_n of_o this_o evasion_n except_o in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o so_o on_o this_o occasion_n have_v drop_v a_o confession_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confound_v they_o yet_o it_o have_v be_v a_o thing_n so_o general_o receive_v among_o they_o that_o this_o prophecy_n do_v respect_v the_o messiah_n that_o after_o they_o have_v apply_v it_o to_o hezekiah_n one_o of_o their_o most_o famous_a doctor_n conclude_v chelech_n gemar_fw-la in_o sanhed_n cap._n chelech_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o look_v for_o no_o messiah_n since_o the_o time_n of_o hezekiah_n that_o prophecy_n have_v have_v its_o accomplishment_n in_o he_o a_o opinion_n which_o those_o that_o succeed_v he_o have_v reject_v with_o the_o great_a abhorrence_n the_o six_o be_v that_o the_o title_n of_o immanuel_n give_v to_o this_o son_n who_o birth_n be_v here_o promise_v be_v represent_v to_o we_o chap._n viii_o as_o the_o name_n of_o he_o who_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o land_n which_o be_v a_o true_a representation_n of_o the_o heir_n promise_v to_o david_n to_o who_o david_n say_v o_o god_n thy_o god_n have_v anoint_v thou_o with_o the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n above_o thy_o fellow_n psal_n xlv_o 7_o 8._o the_o seven_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n have_v allege_v and_o cite_v two_o witness_n uriah_n the_o son_n of_o shemaiah_n a_o prophet_n who_o be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o jehoiakim_n and_o zechariah_n the_o son_n of_o jeberechiah_n the_o former_a of_o which_o live_v long_o after_o ahaz_n and_o the_o latter_a since_o the_o captivity_n under_o darius_n king_n of_o persia_n according_a to_o the_o account_n the_o jew_n themselves_o give_v of_o they_o he_o sufficient_o hint_n by_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o immanuel_n he_o speak_v of_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v many_o age_n after_o and_o not_o in_o that_o age_n wherein_o he_o prophecy_n chap._n xv._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o private_a state_n god_n have_v not_o only_o point_v out_o the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v with_o the_o miraculous_a manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o his_o birth_n but_o he_o have_v also_o name_v the_o family_n the_o place_n with_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o family_n in_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v as_o a_o triple_a character_n by_o which_o he_o may_v be_v know_v i_o say_v first_o that_o according_a to_o the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o follow_a oracle_n 1._o god_n express_o promise_v as_o much_o to_o david_n two_o sam._n chap._n vii_o a_o place_n i_o have_v quote_v before_o which_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o david_n believe_v this_o himself_n from_o psalm_n cxxxii_o vers_fw-la 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17_o and_o 18._o the_o lord_n have_v swear_v in_o truth_n unto_o david_n he_o will_v not_o turn_v from_o it_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o thy_o body_n will_v i_o set_v upon_o thy_o throne_n and_o after_o have_v say_v verse_n 12._o that_o if_o his_o child_n will_v keep_v his_o covenant_n that_o their_o child_n also_o shall_v sit_v upon_o his_o throne_n for_o evermore_o and_o this_o because_o verse_n 13_o &_o 14._o the_o lord_n have_v choose_v zion_n and_o desire_v it_o for_o his_o habitation_n etc._n etc._n and_o promise_a verse_n 15._o that_o he_o will_v abundant_o bless_v her_o provision_n and_o satisfy_v her_o poor_a with_o bread_n that_o he_o will_v verse_n 16._o clothe_v her_o priest_n with_o salvation_n and_o make_v her_o saint_n shout_n for_o joy_n he_o subjoin_v verse_n 17_o &_o 18._o there_o i_o will_v make_v the_o horn_n of_o david_n to_o bud_n i_o have_v ordain_v a_o lamp_n for_o i_o anoint_v his_o enemy_n i_o will_v clothe_v with_o shame_n but_o upon_o himself_o shall_v his_o crown_n flourish_v it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o by_o this_o horn_n of_o david_n be_v to_o be_v mean_v a_o king_n the_o messiah_n who_o he_o distinguish_v by_o that_o expression_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o david_n child_n and_o zachariah_n in_o his_o song_n of_o praise_n luke_n i._o verse_n 69._o apply_v it_o to_o our_o saviour_n put_v the_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o doubt_n 3._o hence_o it_o be_v the_o prophet_n take_v occasion_n to_o give_v to_o the_o messiah_n the_o name_n of_o david_n so_o ezek._n xxxiv_o vers_fw-la 23_o 24._o and_o i_o will_v set_v up_o one_o shepherd_n over_o they_o and_o he_o shall_v feed_v they_o even_o my_o servant_n david_n he_o shall_v feed_v they_o and_o he_o shall_v be_v their_o shepherd_n and_o i_o the_o lord_n will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o my_o servant_n david_n a_o prince_n among_o they_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o 4._o the_o jew_n be_v and_o have_v always_o be_v firm_a in_o this_o persuasion_n ground_v on_o the_o foresay_a and_o other_o like_a place_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o constant_o refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n i_o say_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o divine_a oracle_n express_o point_v out_o bethlehem_n for_o the_o birth-place_n of_o the_o messiah_n micah_n the_o v._o verse_n 2._o but_o thou_o bethlehem_n ephratah_n though_o thou_o be_v little_a among_o the_o thousand_o of_o judah_n yet_o out_o of_o thou_o shall_v he_o come_v forth_o unto_o i_o that_o be_v to_o be_v ruler_n in_o israel_n who_o go_n forth_o have_v be_v from_o of_o old_a from_o the_o day_n of_o eternity_n the_o jew_n acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o indeed_o the_o prophet_n distinguish_v by_o bethlehem_n add_v the_o word_n ephratah_n whence_o the_o family_n
doubt_n whether_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v at_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n or_o no_o especial_o since_o the_o apostle_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o particular_a have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o prophet_n so_o plain_o do_v foretell_v this_o truth_n chap._n xxv_o of_o the_o time_n which_o succeed_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o prophecy_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n thus_o we_o have_v see_v a_o abridgement_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a oracle_n utter_v either_o by_o god_n himself_o or_o by_o prophet_n who_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o declare_v his_o design_n i_o may_v easy_o have_v allege_v a_o far_o great_a number_n but_o i_o choose_v rather_o to_o content_v myself_o with_o these_o to_o avoid_v the_o confusion_n which_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o citation_n be_v apt_a to_o occasion_n and_o i_o question_v not_o but_o these_o i_o have_v mention_v will_v suffice_v to_o give_v we_o a_o idea_n of_o god_n promise_n concern_v the_o messiah_n sufficient_o great_a and_o enable_v we_o to_o make_v a_o judgement_n whether_o that_o which_o the_o christian_n declare_v to_o have_v be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o be_v so_o indeed_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n for_o the_o further_o clear_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o the_o whole_a matter_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o deserve_v a_o serious_a attention_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n have_v by_o degree_n put_v a_o end_n to_o those_o division_n that_o be_v between_o some_o other_o nation_n and_o the_o jew_n found_v on_o their_o hope_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o time_n of_o its_o accomplishment_n draw_v near_o we_o hear_v little_a now_o of_o the_o enmity_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n against_o the_o jew_n god_n have_v place_v they_o in_o the_o desert_n of_o paran_n they_o have_v indeed_o continue_v there_o in_o a_o manner_n invincible_a but_o also_o without_o any_o great_a communication_n with_o their_o neighbour_n nation_n as_o for_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n they_o have_v their_o kingdom_n on_o the_o border_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n and_o continue_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n since_o which_o we_o find_v little_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o as_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n whole_o confound_v with_o other_o nation_n only_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o few_o memorial_n of_o the_o ammonite_n who_o pretension_n to_o that_o promise_n be_v the_o weak_a of_o the_o two_o as_o be_v the_o posterity_n of_o lot_n young_a daughter_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o observe_n that_o most_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o david_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o follow_a prophet_n which_o thunder_n forth_o such_o terrible_a denunciation_n against_o the_o pride_n of_o those_o people_n threaten_v they_o with_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n and_o final_a destruction_n seem_v to_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n and_o jealousy_n their_o state_n quarrel_n which_o happen_v afterward_o succeed_v to_o this_o their_o first_o aversion_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o state_n and_o government_n of_o the_o edomite_n as_o well_o as_o their_o jealousy_n against_o israel_n continue_v till_o after_o cyrus_n who_o grant_v they_o the_o liberty_n of_o return_v to_o their_o own_o country_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v carry_v away_o captive_n with_o they_o by_o nabuchadnezzar_n but_o contrary_a to_o the_o hope_n they_o have_v of_o be_v reestablish_v to_o their_o former_a estate_n we_o find_v that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachy_n they_o continue_v in_o bondage_n to_o their_o neighbour_n yea_o to_o the_o jew_n themselves_o until_o herod_n the_o edomite_n possess_v himself_o of_o the_o throne_n of_o judea_n be_v probable_o flatter_v by_o those_o of_o his_o own_o nation_n and_o by_o some_o jew_n also_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o his_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n we_o must_v also_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o divine_a providence_n seem_v to_o have_v continue_v this_o people_n so_o long_o on_o purpose_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o be_v between_o they_o and_o the_o jew_n may_v preserve_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o promise_a messiah_n more_o fresh_a and_o lively_a and_o to_o engage_v man_n to_o a_o more_o attentive_a consideration_n of_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o same_o and_o that_o god_n by_o confound_v they_o afterward_o with_o other_o nation_n intend_v whole_o to_o take_v away_o their_o pretension_n the_o service_n which_o before_o they_o render_v to_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v no_o long_o needful_a after_o so_o clear_a and_o distinct_a a_o revelation_n this_o reflection_n will_v be_v own_v to_o be_v more_o than_o a_o conjecture_n if_o we_o consider_v god_n deal_v with_o the_o ten_o tribe_n god_n suffer_v they_o to_o be_v carry_v away_o captive_n by_o salmanassar_n leave_v only_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n levi_n and_o benjamin_n to_o be_v afterward_o the_o depositary_n of_o the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v keep_v some_o distance_n of_o time_n in_o his_o revelation_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n may_v be_v full_o and_o firm_o establish_v which_o as_o i_o have_v observe_v be_v do_v by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o prophecy_n respect_v some_o particular_a matter_n of_o fact_n near_o at_o hand_n so_o it_o please_v god_n for_o above_o four_o hundred_o year_n to_o leave_v the_o jew_n without_o the_o light_n of_o prophecy_n because_o that_o which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o till_o malachy_n time_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o know_v the_o messiah_n when_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o cessation_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v serve_v to_o increase_v their_o desire_n for_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o who_o day_n those_o gift_n which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a glory_n of_o their_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v restore_v in_o far_o great_a abundance_n than_o have_v ever_o be_v grant_v to_o they_o before_o a_o four_o reflection_n which_o be_v well_o worth_a our_o attentive_a consideration_n be_v that_o god_n so_o order_v it_o in_o his_o providence_n that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o greek_a about_o one_o hundred_o year_n after_o malachy_n that_o they_o may_v be_v communicate_v to_o all_o nation_n the_o greek_a tongue_n be_v at_o that_o time_n and_o indeed_o ever_o since_o the_o reign_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a a_o language_n the_o most_o know_a and_o general_o speak_v in_o the_o world_n he_o have_v with_o his_o power_n carry_v it_o into_o the_o south_n and_o east_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n hereby_o design_v these_o three_o thing_n first_o to_o establish_v and_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o divine_a oracle_n by_o deliver_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_a by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n at_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o king_n of_o egypt_n second_o to_o prevent_v cavil_v about_o the_o explication_n of_o those_o oracle_n thus_o for_o instance_n we_o see_v there_o be_v no_o place_n leave_v to_o dispute_v the_o translation_n of_o that_o prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v see_v the_o lxx_o interpreter_n who_o be_v jew_n have_v render_v it_o so_o themselves_o some_o age_n before_o any_o contest_v be_v start_v about_o it_o between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n the_o three_o be_v to_o prepare_v and_o dispose_v the_o heathen_a for_o receive_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o indeed_o we_o may_v easy_o comprehend_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o prophetical_a write_n shall_v be_v communicate_v to_o the_o heathen_a in_o order_n to_o their_o ready_a submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o they_o know_v by_o those_o character_n which_o have_v be_v give_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v not_o fit_v that_o the_o heathen_a shall_v whole_o depend_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o same_o divine_a oracle_n do_v express_o affirm_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v conclude_v these_o reflection_n with_o a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n since_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n first_o one_o find_v that_o this_o government_n subsist_v as_o distinct_a from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o ever_o it_o do_v before_o we_o see_v the_o honour_n wherewith_o alexander_n the_o great_a treat_v their_o high_a priest_n and_o that_o when_o he_o be_v appoint_v arbitrator_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o the_o samaritan_n he_o determine_v the_o matter_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n one_o see_v we_o
discourse_n at_o the_o same_o rate_n do_v not_o they_o express_v themselves_o with_o much_o grief_n and_o trouble_n before_o they_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o most_o sublime_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o we_o trust_v that_o it_o have_v be_v he_o which_o shall_v have_v redeem_v israel_n it_o be_v also_o very_o observable_a that_o john_n the_o baptist_n appear_v and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n at_o this_o time_n this_o his_o practice_n give_v the_o jew_n occasion_n to_o take_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n but_o what_o ground_n have_v they_o to_o think_v so_o sure_o from_o what_o they_o have_v read_v in_o ezechiel_n chap._n xxxvi_o verse_n 25._o and_o indeed_o when_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n depute_v some_o person_n to_o he_o they_o charge_v they_o to_o know_v of_o he_o whether_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o no_o and_o if_o not_o why_o he_o exercise_v a_o function_n which_o that_o prophecy_n seem_v to_o appropriate_v to_o the_o messiah_n himself_o in_o call_v he_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o same_o truth_n may_v also_o be_v collect_v from_o what_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n about_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n who_o say_v our_o saviour_n do_v people_n say_v i_o be_o and_o the_o apostle_n answer_v that_o some_o say_v he_o be_v john_n the_o baptist_n other_o jeremiah_n other_o elias_n and_o other_o again_o that_o prophet_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o messiah_n who_o be_v so_o call_v by_o way_n of_o excellence_n in_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n and_o we_o find_v that_o when_o jesus_n christ_n style_v himself_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o multitude_n easy_o conceive_v that_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o seven_o of_o daniel_n where_o the_o messiah_n be_v so_o call_v we_o perceive_v also_o from_o many_o other_o place_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o the_o multitude_n be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o those_o passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v common_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n the_o messiah_n when_o he_o appear_v say_v they_o will_v he_o do_v great_a sign_n than_o this_o man_n do_v other_o be_v offend_v because_o jesus_n christ_n be_v of_o nazareth_n argue_v from_o thence_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v the_o messiah_n other_o maintain_v that_o when_o the_o messiah_n shall_v come_v it_o will_v not_o be_v know_v whence_o he_o be_v and_o other_o again_o assert_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o continue_v for_o ever_o all_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o familiar_a among_o the_o jew_n this_o must_v have_v be_v so_o of_o necessity_n because_o the_o samaritan_n themselves_o be_v possess_v with_o the_o same_o idea_n though_o they_o have_v not_o so_o great_a a_o extent_n of_o light_a as_o the_o jew_n have_v they_o do_v not_o indeed_o altogether_o reject_v the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o rather_o study_v they_o with_o care_n their_o animosity_n against_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o jealousy_n upon_o account_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o place_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o other_o thing_n in_o question_n do_v manifest_o show_v that_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v know_v to_o they_o and_o that_o they_o be_v exact_o inform_v in_o that_o whole_a matter_n one_o ought_v also_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n call_v that_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n because_o the_o time_n set_v down_o by_o the_o prophet_n be_v almost_o expire_v and_o the_o sceptre_n be_v already_o depart_v from_o judah_n the_o week_n of_o daniel_n be_v end_v and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n and_o egypt_n be_v overturn_v so_o there_o be_v several_a good_a man_n who_o be_v fill_v with_o a_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n anna_n and_o simeon_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o those_o who_o by_o their_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v discover_v that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v near_o at_o hand_n much_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o daniel_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o to_o have_v learn_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n that_o the_o captivity_n be_v almost_o expire_v i_o shall_v add_v one_o argument_n more_o which_o seem_v beyond_o exception_n that_o many_o person_n be_v find_v about_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v either_o draw_v by_o other_o into_o a_o opinion_n of_o their_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o who_o of_o themselves_o desire_v to_o be_v account_v so_o thus_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o flatterer_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o messiah_n of_o this_o number_n be_v theudas_n and_o judas_n gaulonite_n with_o some_o other_o thus_o also_o soon_o after_o some_o apply_v the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n to_o vespasian_n the_o emperor_n because_o he_o have_v be_v choose_v in_o the_o east_n this_o be_v attest_v by_o josephus_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o promise_a messiah_n as_o of_o a_o great_a king_n be_v very_o common_a in_o the_o east_n and_o not_o unknown_a in_o the_o west_n we_o know_v that_o under_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n barchochab_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o terrible_a sedition_n by_o make_v the_o jew_n believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o we_o can_v be_v ignorant_a how_o many_o such_o like_a impostor_n have_v be_v since_o who_o have_v abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o jew_n etc._n rycaut_n turk_n hist_o vol._n 2._o p._n 174._o etc._n etc._n even_o until_o sabatai_n sevi_n who_o delude_v they_o about_o one_o and_o twenty_o year_n since_o last_o we_o can_v but_o think_v that_o this_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v always_o fresh_a among_o the_o jew_n because_o we_o find_v that_o from_o that_o time_n they_o have_v continual_o dispute_v with_o the_o christian_n about_o this_o matter_n because_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o two_o messiah_n one_o the_o son_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o other_o the_o son_n of_o joseph_n and_o because_o in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n whither_o they_o be_v scatter_v they_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o their_o commentary_n on_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o sermon_n in_o their_o public_a prayer_n and_o their_o common_a conversation_n sure_o if_o any_o time_n can_v be_v suppose_v wherein_o they_o may_v have_v lose_v their_o knowledge_n and_o distinct_a hope_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o must_v be_v since_o the_o time_n appoint_v for_o his_o come_n be_v expire_v when_o by_o the_o christian_n insult_v over_o their_o vain_a expectation_n they_o have_v be_v oblige_v find_v themselves_o disappoint_v by_o prophetical_a calculation_n to_o set_v up_o that_o rash_a maxim_n curse_v be_v he_o that_o compute_v the_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o notion_n be_v much_o more_o lively_a in_o they_o when_o their_o hope_n be_v well_o ground_v and_o when_o they_o may_v pretend_v to_o see_v they_o accomplish_v it_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o the_o model_n appoint_v by_o god_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v do_v still_o subsist_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o god_n at_o first_o have_v form_v it_o but_o that_o i_o may_v give_v a_o full_a light_n to_o this_o capital_a truth_n i_o shall_v tie_v myself_o to_o consider_v the_o several_a argument_n for_o it_o distinct_o and_o shall_v begin_v with_o those_o which_o show_v that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v subsist_v according_a to_o the_o divine_a model_n and_o then_o proceed_v to_o other_o which_o demonstrate_v that_o god_n have_v therein_o preserve_v all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a to_o his_o design_n chap._n iii_o that_o the_o common_a wealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v still_o subsist_v and_o follow_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a know_v of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v this_o proposition_n the_o one_o be_v the_o overturning_a of_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o other_o be_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o remove_v both_o these_o difficulty_n for_o the_o overturning_a of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o draw_v along_o with_o it_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o law_n on_o which_o it_o be_v found_v and_o afterward_o govern_v wherefore_o the_o case_n of_o this_o republic_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o athens_n or_o lacedaemon_n which_o at_o present_a subsist_v no_o where_n but_o in_o book_n because_o there_o be_v no_o people_n now_o that_o follow_v the_o law_n of_o the_o ancient_a legislator_n of_o sparta_n or_o athens_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o find_v the_o jew_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n keep_v these_o law_n with_o great_a carefulness_n study_v they_o with_o the_o great_a application_n and_o
jew_n do_v agree_v as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o jerusalem_n talmud_n that_o criminal_a judgement_n be_v take_v away_o from_o they_o forty_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o gospel_n suppose_v the_o same_o thing_n the_o jew_n do_v not_o put_v jesus_n christ_n to_o death_n but_o they_o carry_v he_o to_o pilate_n and_o demand_v that_o he_o may_v be_v crucify_v when_o pilate_n say_v shall_v i_o crucify_v your_o king_n they_o answer_v we_o have_v no_o other_o king_n but_o cesar_n which_o confession_n be_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n who_o be_v assemble_v at_o the_o feast_n of_o passover_n in_o short_a one_o sees_z that_z according_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n past_o sentence_n upon_o he_o he_o be_v scourge_v before_o they_o lead_v he_o to_o be_v crucify_v which_o be_v a_o punishment_n among_o the_o roman_n his_o body_n be_v not_o take_v from_o the_o cross_n but_o by_o permission_n from_o pilate_n and_o the_o roman_a soldier_n be_v those_o dog_n that_o be_v profane_a heathen_n who_o enclose_v he_o and_o torment_v he_o according_a to_o the_o description_n which_o david_n have_v make_v psalm_n xxii_o the_o jew_n have_v here_o but_o one_o answer_n to_o make_v which_o god_n former_a deal_n with_o that_o people_n seem_v somewhat_o to_o countenance_n which_o be_v that_o as_o their_o seventy_o year_n captivity_n under_o the_o babylonian_a empire_n do_v not_o hinder_v the_o differ_v of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n of_o the_o sceptre_n not_o depart_v from_o judah_n for_o some_o century_n after_o the_o say_a captivity_n so_o neither_o be_v it_o necessary_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o succeed_v immediate_o upon_o the_o end_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o upon_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o liberty_n under_o pompey_n but_o here_o be_v a_o very_a great_a difference_n for_o first_o during_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n god_n still_o preserve_v among_o they_o some_o form_n of_o government_n the_o great_a lord_n of_o the_o country_n be_v chief_o carry_v away_o captive_n whilst_o the_o poor_a and_o most_o miserable_a be_v leave_v behind_o second_o the_o captivity_n last_v only_o 70_o year_n where●●_n this_o last_o dispersion_n have_v last_v above_o ●●600_n three_o the_o first_o captivity_n do_v not_o at_o all_o abolish_v those_o necessary_a mark_n whereby_o the_o lawful_a lord_n of_o judea_n may_v be_v distinguish_v those_o that_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o other_o tribe_n be_v very_o well_o know_v though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o possession_n of_o the_o kingdom_n whereas_o now_o every_o thing_n be_v confound_v among_o they_o and_o if_o one_o look_n into_o christian_a record_n he_o may_v find_v that_o many_o of_o the_o kindred_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v put_v to_o death_n because_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o the_o throne_n of_o judea_n moreover_o during_o the_o captivity_n of_o babylon_n they_o have_v prophet_n among_o they_o who_o express_o foretell_v the_o end_n of_o it_o whereas_o nothing_o of_o that_o kind_n have_v yet_o be_v see_v since_o the_o last_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n since_o which_o time_n no_o prophet_n have_v appear_v among_o they_o that_o advantage_n be_v transfer_v to_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o which_o who_o next_o succeed_v our_o saviour_n do_v foretell_v the_o most_o remarkable_a event_n that_o be_v to_o follow_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n but_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v so_o nice_a as_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n here_o allege_v at_o least_o the_o jew_n will_v find_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n concern_v the_o week_n at_o the_o end_n of_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v and_o afterward_o to_o be_v out_o off_o in_o short_a if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v under_o the_o empire_n of_o augustus_n it_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o he_o enter_v upon_o his_o ministry_n in_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n and_o be_v crucify_v the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n that_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o four_o hundred_o eighty_o seven_o year_n from_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o artaxerne_n that_o be_v 〈…〉_o before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o last_o week_n point_v out_o by_o daniel_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o eight_o chapter_n of_o the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o book_n chap._n vi_o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v precise_o such_o a_o forerunner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v describe_v to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n one_o will_v easy_o judge_v that_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o contemptible_a state_n wherein_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v a_o forerunner_n according_o we_o find_v isaiah_n express_v himself_o in_o his_o manner_n the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3292_o almost_o 700_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n malachy_n have_v express_o foretell_v the_o same_o in_o his_o prophecy_n about_o 420_o year_n before_o his_o appearance_n if_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o son_n of_o a_o priest_n live_v without_o any_o worldly_a spendour_n and_o die_v a_o violent_a death_n though_o very_o glorious_a for_o he_o be_v a_o proper_a forerunner_n to_o that_o jesus_n who_o himself_o be_v to_o be_v crucify_a our_o business_n therefore_o be_v to_o inquire_v whether_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v to_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n do_v agree_v with_o john_n the_o baptist_n in_o who_o the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o this_o prophecy_n of_o malachy_n be_v fulfil_v this_o may_v be_v easy_o make_v out_o first_o john_n the_o baptist_n be_v miraculous_o conceive_v at_o a_o time_n when_o his_o parent_n can_v not_o promise_v themselves_o any_o such_o thing_n the_o angel_n gabriel_n who_o have_v declare_v to_o daniel_n the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n by_o point_v out_o to_o he_o the_o number_n of_o week_n be_v the_o messenger_n of_o the_o conception_n of_o this_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n several_a thing_n pass_v at_o his_o birth_n and_o at_o the_o time_n when_o they_o give_v he_o his_o name_n which_o be_v very_o strange_a and_o which_o can_v not_o but_o be_v general_o know_v as_o well_o because_o of_o the_o accident_n which_o happen_v to_o zacharias_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o of_o his_o quality_n be_v a_o priest_n second_o the_o extraordinary_a life_n which_o s._n john_n lead_v be_v a_o nazarite_n aught_o to_o be_v careful_o consider_v he_o live_v in_o a_o solitary_a place_n as_o the_o prophet_n elijah_n do_v before_o he_o three_o his_o preach_v also_o have_v the_o character_n of_o that_o ancient_a prophet_n be_v thunder_a as_o his_o be_v he_o neither_o spare_v great_a man_n nor_o those_o who_o have_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o great_a sanctity_n as_o the_o pharisee_n particular_o who_o pride_n and_o hypocrisy_n he_o touch_v to_o the_o quick_a four_o he_o set_v forth_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o at_o the_o door_n the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n say_v he_o be_v at_o hand_n allude_v to_o the_o seven_o of_o daniel_n where_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v represent_v as_o a_o kingdom_n which_o be_v to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n whereas_o the_o former_a empire_n have_v their_o rise_n from_o the_o earth_n in_o short_a nothing_o can_v be_v more_o illustrious_a than_o the_o ministry_n of_o this_o great_a man._n he_o baptise_a public_o for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o year_n such_o as_o come_v to_o he_o solemn_o engage_v they_o to_o repentance_n in_o hope_n of_o the_o sudden_a appearance_n pearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o ceremony_n which_o be_v a_o imitation_n of_o their_o custom_n of_o initiate_a proselyte_n in_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v plain_o a_o essay_n to_o establish_v a_o new_a religion_n or_o at_o least_o to_o 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