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 increase_v the_o more_o she_o see_v we_o herself_o confirm_v and_o establish_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n induce_v god_n to_o permit_v so_o great_a a_o increase_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o the_o truth_n meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o persecution_n stand_v in_o the_o great_a need_n of_o sensible_a character_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v know_v i_o conclude_v this_o work_n with_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o consider_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n here_o propound_v with_o a_o serious_a attention_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o coherence_n and_o indissoluble_a connexion_n of_o they_o and_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o have_v propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o finis_fw-la
prefer_v before_o other_o use_v by_o he_o without_o any_o solid_a reason_n that_o therefore_o we_o must_v reject_v the_o deposition_n of_o so_o many_o witness_n who_o unanimous_o attest_v it_o since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v raise_v three_o person_n to_o life_n again_o which_o then_o live_v in_o judea_n since_o jerusalem_n have_v continue_v forty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n since_o sixty_o solemn_a feast_n be_v celebrate_v in_o that_o time_n where_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o occasion_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n and_o the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o the_o accusation_n charge_v upon_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v convert_v at_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o reduce_v all_o to_o this_o question_n of_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o this_o a_o invincible_a proof_n against_o all_o the_o accusation_n and_o suspicion_n of_o the_o synagogue_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o witness_n who_o maintain_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o attest_v his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o assert_v it_o with_o the_o same_o proof_n and_o the_o same_o zeal_n the_o reflection_n here_o set_v down_o may_v serve_v for_o that_o also_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o i_o be_o next_o to_o consider_v the_o send_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n both_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o ascension_n and_o that_o these_o very_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n enable_v the_o jew_n to_o write_v preach_v and_o publish_v throughout_o all_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n of_o that_o christianity_n which_o we_o now_o profess_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v 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have_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n which_o s._n luke_n give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o the_o acts._n he_o tell_v we_o therefore_o that_o fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n have_v continue_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o be_v assemble_v there_o they_o receive_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n to_o make_v they_o fit_a to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o nation_n and_o to_o explain_v the_o most_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o our_o saviour_n religion_n every_o thing_n be_v considerable_a in_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n 1._o that_o he_o relate_v this_o fact_n as_o happen_v fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o jewish_a passover_n when_o christ_n be_v crucify_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v witness_n of_o his_o death_n 2._o that_o he_o relate_v it_o as_o happen_v in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o jesus_n christ_n be_v condemn_v that_o the_o same_o multitude_n who_o after_o fifty_o day_n be_v again_o assemble_v there_o at_o this_o feast_n may_v be_v witness_n of_o this_o miraculous_a event_n in_o short_a it_o plain_o appear_v that_o this_o new_a law_n from_o mount_n zion_n be_v solemn_o promulge_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v assemble_v from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o old_a law_n be_v when_o all_o the_o people_n assist_v at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n 3._o that_o these_o gift_n be_v grant_v to_o all_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n gift_n which_o till_o that_o time_n have_v be_v whole_o unheard_a of_o and_o whereof_o some_o part_n only_o have_v be_v grant_v to_o some_o prophet_n and_o to_o some_o priest_n and_o of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v make_v partaker_n since_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n god_n have_v so_o order_v it_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v be_v the_o more_o inflame_v for_o the_o messiah_n come_v as_o also_o that_o upon_o his_o come_n he_o may_v the_o more_o easy_o be_v discern_v 4._o that_o this_o be_v a_o fact_n open_o know_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o different_o interpret_v by_o they_o some_o say_n they_o they_o be_v full_a of_o new_a wine_n 5._o that_o the_o apostle_n assert_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o s._n peter_n that_o this_o be_v a_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 6._o that_o they_o declare_v that_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o this_o miraculous_a donative_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o david_n and_o joel_n it_o be_v certain_o therefore_o very_o natural_a to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o event_n the_o first_o will_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o miraculous_a fact_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o s._n luke_n a_o wise_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o relate_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o have_v convince_v his_o reader_n thereof_o also_o nothing_o more_o be_v require_v for_o their_o conviction_n but_o the_o presence_n of_o one_o of_o those_o first_o christian_n and_o to_o make_v a_o trial_n of_o this_o supernatural_a virtue_n bestow_v on_o they_o for_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a occasion_n 2._o we_o must_v observe_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n which_o he_o lay_v down_o to_o make_v his_o book_n of_o the_o act_n to_o appear_v just_a and_o reasonable_a and_o to_o justify_v the_o apostle_n conduct_v in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o whole_o exclude_v from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o also_o contrary_a to_o the_o seem_a maxim_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o act_v only_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o circumcision_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o pretension_n of_o many_o christian_n who_o after_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n take_v it_o very_o ill_o that_o s._n peter_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n 3._o s._n luke_n suppose_v that_o this_o fact_n come_v to_o pass_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o be_v follow_v by_o consequence_n as_o illustrious_a as_o they_o be_v incredible_a twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n undertake_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o their_o master_n who_o fifty_o day_n before_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o prosecution_n of_o the_o whole_a synagogue_n and_o by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v not_o only_a live_n not_o only_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n but_o that_o he_o also_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n of_o cure_v all_o disease_n and_o even_o of_o raise_v the_o dead_a 4._o they_o go_v yet_o further_o they_o bold_o maintain_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v they_o a_o privilege_n of_o communicate_v the_o same_o power_n to_o all_o those_o who_o will_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o this_o without_o any_o other_o mystery_n but_o the_o bare_a lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v they_o by_o baptism_n into_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n nothing_o can_v have_v be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o contrary_a unless_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o assertion_n by_o the_o miraculous_a consequence_n of_o that_o first_o miracle_n the_o fact_n be_v public_o acknowledge_v simon_n magus_n be_v convince_v thereof_o and_o
he_o who_o have_v make_v himself_o so_o famous_a by_o his_o sorcery_n become_v a_o disciple_n s._n luke_n in_o a_o history_n of_o the_o action_n of_o thirty_o year_n relate_v the_o continual_a miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o particular_o by_o s._n paul_n who_o he_o constant_o follow_v it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o if_o one_o consider_v the_o history_n itself_o and_o the_o person_n who_o make_v it_o that_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v a_o true_a and_o faithful_a relation_n however_o there_o be_v other_o testimony_n which_o invincible_o establish_v the_o same_o truth_n 1._o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o effect_n establish_v in_o most_o of_o the_o province_n and_o great_a city_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n s._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o christian_n of_o thessalonica_n corinth_n and_o ephesus_n to_o the_o galatian_n colossian_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v christian_n every_o where_o that_o be_v disciple_n of_o these_o twelve_o fisherman_n who_o understand_v nothing_o but_o their_o native_a syriack_n language_n how_o then_o be_v all_o these_o nation_n convert_v without_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n at_o the_o pentecost_n 2._o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o they_o of_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n as_o of_o a_o common_a thing_n s._n paul_n employ_v some_o part_n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n to_o regulate_v those_o disorder_n which_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o abuse_n of_o those_o gift_n s._n james_n speak_v of_o the_o power_n that_o the_o priest_n have_v to_o cure_v the_o sick_a and_o s._n paul_n wish_v for_o a_o opportunity_n of_o go_v to_o rome_n to_o communicate_v those_o gift_n to_o the_o roman_n 3._o they_o take_v occasion_n to_o raise_v the_o dignity_n of_o the_o gospel_n above_o that_o of_o the_o law_n in_o call_v it_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n notwithstanding_o the_o table_n of_o the_o law_n have_v be_v give_v to_o moses_n in_o so_o very_o illustrious_a a_o manner_n it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n here_o to_o consider_v three_o thing_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o first_o be_v that_o this_o mission_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v alone_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v mankind_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n god_n give_v to_o adam_n a_o power_n of_o speak_v one_o language_n and_o afterward_o he_o divide_v the_o same_o to_o make_v a_o confusion_n among_o the_o builder_n of_o babel_n and_o jesus_n christ_n do_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o confirm_v the_o glory_n and_o belief_n of_o his_o divinity_n god_n vouchsafe_v the_o power_n of_o miracle_n to_o some_o jesus_n christ_n communicate_v it_o to_o a_o far_o great_a number_n miracle_n not_o have_v be_v so_o general_o wrought_v because_o no_o people_n ever_o have_v that_o power_n in_o all_o the_o forego_n age_n the_o father_n wrought_v so_o few_o miracle_n that_o he_o may_v leave_v to_o the_o son_n this_o mean_n of_o make_v himself_o know_v the_o son_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o pour_v forth_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o a_o great_a abundance_n than_o the_o father_n thereby_o to_o supply_v the_o shame_n of_o his_o humiliation_n this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o the_o spirit_n be_v not_o yet_o give_v because_o jesus_n christ_n be_v not_o yet_o glorify_v the_o second_o be_v that_o from_o this_o miracle_n one_o ought_v to_o infer_v these_o two_o conclusion_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n be_v full_o pacify_v by_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n constant_o represent_v the_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o sacrifice_n offer_v by_o he_o the_o other_o be_v that_o from_o that_o time_n forward_a mankind_n be_v conscerate_v to_o god_n as_o his_o temple_n jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o prayer_n before_o his_o death_n express_v himself_o much_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o solomon_n do_v at_o his_o dedication_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n and_o fire_n from_o heaven_n fall_v down_o on_o his_o sacrifice_n jesus_n christ_n consecrate_v his_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o live_a stone_n of_o his_o temple_n and_o cause_v the_o heavenly_a flame_n to_o fall_v down_o upon_o they_o as_o have_v former_o be_v grant_v at_o solomon_n dedication_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n the_o three_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n themselves_o can_v conceive_v a_o more_o glorious_a or_o magnificent_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n concern_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n than_o what_o we_o find_v relate_v by_o s._n luke_n whereof_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v see_v the_o visible_a effect_n in_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o whence_o one_o may_v rational_o conclude_v that_o jesus_n christ_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v for_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v promise_v chap._n xv._o that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v call_v the_o gentile_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o have_v already_o see_v what_o be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o distinction_n which_o he_o make_v of_o the_o jew_n from_o other_o nation_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n may_v by_o that_o mean_n be_v the_o more_o certain_o know_v in_o who_o all_o mankind_n have_v a_o right_a as_o be_v promise_v to_o adam_n god_n renew_v the_o idea_n of_o this_o truth_n in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n when_o he_o assure_v abraham_n before_o he_o give_v he_o the_o law_n of_o circumcision_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o nation_n shall_v be_v bless_v jacob_n enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n on_o his_o deathbed_n plain_o take_v this_o truth_n for_o grant_v when_o he_o say_v that_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v shiloh_n be_v to_o be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n gen._n xlix_o why_o do_v he_o not_o say_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o because_o he_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v and_o the_o gentile_n call_v in_o their_o stead_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o psalm_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n until_o malachi_n inclusive_o a_o thousand_o declaration_n of_o this_o future_a call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o though_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o idea_n which_o the_o prophet_n make_v use_v of_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o figurative_a describe_v the_o messiah_n as_o a_o conqueror_n who_o be_v to_o subdue_v the_o whole_a world_n to_o his_o dominion_n by_o the_o force_n of_o arm_n yet_o we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o other_o interweave_v with_o they_o which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o which_o not_o be_v capable_a of_o any_o other_o sense_n sufficient_o determine_v the_o other_o so_o as_o not_o to_o perplex_v the_o reader_n with_o those_o seem_a obscurity_n but_o jesus_n christ_n very_o distinct_o declare_v this_o in_o divers_a place_n and_o above_o all_o in_o the_o xxiv_o of_o s._n matthew_n this_o gospel_n say_v he_o shall_v be_v preach_v throughout_o all_o the_o world._n now_o nothing_o can_v ever_o be_v more_o exact_o fulfil_v than_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n have_v be_v let_v the_o jew_n cavil_v as_o long_o as_o they_o please_v about_o our_o application_n of_o many_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o our_o saviour_n let_v they_o put_v a_o sense_n upon_o the_o scripture_n which_o treat_v of_o this_o subject_a contrary_a to_o what_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o jesus_n christ_n ever_o do_v and_o to_o the_o most_o of_o those_o with_o who_o the_o first_o christian_n as_o justin_n tertullian_n and_o other_o from_o time_n to_o time_n dispute_v yet_o at_o least_o they_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o thing_n have_v be_v exact_o fulfil_v it_o be_v clear_a than_o the_o day_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o exact_a all_o christian_n from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o another_o worship_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachi_n jesus_n christ_n subject_v they_o to_o the_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o mahometan_n themselves_o have_v learn_v of_o the_o christian_n to_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o god_n but_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o multitude_n of_o false_a god_n which_o the_o world_n worship_v be_v vanish_v from_o all_o place_n where_o christianity_n have_v be_v plant_v and_o very_o few_o be_v leave_v in_o comparison_n of_o those_o which_o be_v already_o destroy_v so_o that_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o thing_n as_o already_o go_v very_o far_o in_o truth_n while_o thing_n continue_v thus_o one_o may_v reasonable_o maintain_v against_o the_o