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 in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n speak_v very_o plain_o of_o this_o send_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o a_o preliminary_n to_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n which_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n the_o prophet_n joel_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o such_o and_o make_v this_o wonder_n to_o precede_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o s._n peter_n observe_v in_o the_o second_o of_o the_o acts._n isaiah_n speak_v very_o particular_o of_o it_o as_o such_o in_o the_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n where_o he_o sufficient_o intimate_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n shall_v from_o thence_o forward_o so_o rest_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v find_v any_o long_a among_o the_o jew_n who_o city_n and_o temple_n shall_v be_v destroy_v at_o present_v my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o thing_n have_v be_v exact_o fulfil_v according_a to_o the_o design_n which_o god_n 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
that_o any_o messiah_n real_o descend_v from_o that_o very_a tribe_n can_v by_o establish_v his_o genealogy_n put_v his_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n beyond_o all_o contest_v now_o according_a to_o this_o notion_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v visible_a if_o we_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n that_o he_o do_v particular_o preserve_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o benjamin_n with_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n which_o be_v the_o only_a tribe_n that_o be_v to_o be_v preserve_v of_o necessity_n first_o because_o as_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o hebrew_n observe_v there_o be_v nothing_o ever_o say_v as_o to_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi._n second_o because_o god_n will_v by_o that_o mean_n confound_v the_o more_o effectual_o all_o the_o claim_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o in_o short_a if_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n be_v invest_v by_o god_n with_o the_o kingdom_n over_o nine_o tribe_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n so_o have_v the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n be_v raise_v up_o before_o to_o the_o sovereignty_n over_o all_o israel_n over_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o even_o that_o of_o ephraim_n itself_o if_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n be_v descend_v from_o a_o young_a brother_n to_o who_o jacob_n have_v give_v his_o blessing_n in_o prejudice_n of_o manasseh_n his_o elder_a brother_n which_o be_v considerable_a because_o god_n have_v almost_o constant_o prefer_v the_o young_a before_o the_o elder_a so_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n be_v descend_v from_o he_o that_o be_v both_o the_o young_a brother_n of_o joseph_n himself_o and_o the_o young_a of_o all_o jacob_n child_n notwithstanding_o which_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n do_v free_o yield_v to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o grant_v that_o the_o glory_n of_o give_v birth_n to_o the_o messiah_n be_v whole_o due_a to_o they_o be_v it_o as_o it_o will_v there_o be_v two_o reflection_n more_o which_o must_v be_v make_v concern_v these_o genealogy_n which_o appear_v very_o natural_a in_o this_o place_n the_o first_o be_v that_o both_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n luke_n do_v begin_v their_o gospel_n with_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o other_o be_v that_o some_o time_n after_o st._n paul_n condemn_v the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n which_o be_v still_o much_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o vain_a why_o therefore_o be_v there_o such_o a_o different_a conduct_n among_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o same_o master_n certain_o whoever_o shall_v consider_v with_o attention_n the_o ground_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o before_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o both_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n luke_n aught_o to_o have_v begin_v their_o book_n as_o they_o have_v do_v with_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o messiah_n for_o first_o of_o all_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o messiah_n from_o abraham_n by_o david_n shall_v be_v clear_o make_v out_o it_o be_v requisite_a therefore_o that_o they_o shall_v set_v down_o such_o a_o genealogy_n as_o be_v know_v by_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n now_o this_o they_o have_v do_v with_o very_o great_a care_n and_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o well_o know_v that_o even_o a_o blindman_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n of_o samaria_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o the_o king_n of_o ephraim_n do_v public_o call_v jesus_n the_o son_n of_o david_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n st._n paul_n forbid_v the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n do_v not_o at_o all_o contradict_v the_o method_n of_o those_o two_o evangelist_n in_o short_a he_o pursue_v the_o very_a same_o notion_n he_o see_v that_o the_o convert_v jew_n apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n which_o be_v then_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o study_n of_o their_o nation_n it_o be_v still_o practise_v among_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o degree_n chazaka_fw-mi maimon_n praef._n ad_fw-la jad_n chazaka_fw-mi that_o since_o their_o dispersion_n they_o give_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o all_o the_o doctor_n and_o rabbi_n among_o they_o who_o have_v preserve_v the_o tradition_n and_o who_o be_v proselyte_n of_o justice_n what_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o god_n have_v engage_v every_o jew_n to_o study_v his_o own_o pedigree_n with_o care_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o only_o to_o have_v that_o of_o the_o messiah_n distinct_o know_v whenever_o he_o shall_v come_v but_o the_o use_n of_o these_o genealogy_n be_v once_o over_o by_o the_o messiah_n come_v into_o the_o world_n he_o observe_v with_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v no_o long_o necessary_a to_o keep_v up_o the_o vain_a study_n of_o all_o those_o genealogy_n so_o that_o we_o see_v he_o speak_v against_o the_o study_n of_o pedigree_n much_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n as_o in_o other_o place_n he_o inveigh_v against_o circumcision_n for_o since_o the_o chief_a use_n of_o genealogy_n as_o well_o as_o of_o circumcision_n be_v to_o distinguish_v abraham_n posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v the_o use_n of_o these_o two_o observation_n be_v natural_o to_o cease_v after_o he_o be_v once_o come_v it_o be_v no_o doubt_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o whereas_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n take_v great_a care_n upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o tribe_n from_o which_o they_o be_v descend_v as_o well_o as_o to_o set_v down_o the_o name_n of_o their_o father_n yet_o one_o see_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o all_o affect_v it_o and_o if_o st._n paul_n mention_n his_o be_v a_o benjamite_n it_o be_v for_o a_o particular_a reason_n for_o otherwise_o as_o he_o preach_v down_o the_o distinction_n betwixt_o jew_n and_o gentile_n so_o he_o declare_v himself_o with_o the_o same_o earnestness_n against_o the_o distinction_n which_o be_v observe_v among_o their_o tribe_n chap._n xviii_o that_o the_o manner_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n fix_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a mean_n which_o god_n make_v use_v of_o to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n be_v so_o to_o fix_v their_o affection_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o shall_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o country_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o by_o a_o particular_a concession_n from_o god_n which_o derogate_a from_o the_o canaanite_n right_a to_o who_o that_o country_n fall_v in_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v make_v among_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n or_o which_o reestablish_v the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n in_o their_o just_a right_n 84._o haeres_fw-la lxvi_o n._n 84._o to_o who_o if_o we_o may_v credit_v the_o ancient_a tradition_n relate_v by_o st._n epiphanius_n this_o country_n do_v real_o belong_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o division_n among_o the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n though_o afterward_o they_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o it_o by_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham._n moses_n seem_v to_o have_v express_v this_o truth_n when_o he_o say_v gen._n xii_o that_o when_o abraham_n come_v to_o canaan_n the_o canaanite_n be_v already_o in_o the_o land_n that_o be_v he_o have_v already_o invade_v it_o neither_o can_v we_o refer_v what_o he_o relate_v in_o the_o fourteen_o chapter_n concern_v the_o war_n which_o the_o king_n from_o the_o east_n come_v to_o make_v against_o the_o king_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrha_n to_o any_o thing_n else_o it_o be_v then_o for_o this_o reason_n that_o long_o before_o moses_n time_n god_n take_v abraham_n out_o of_o chaldea_n from_o among_o shem_n posterity_n to_o bring_v he_o into_o canaan_n among_o the_o hâ—vites_n the_o amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n all_o equal_o descend_v from_o ham_n who_o god_n have_v curse_v god_n can_v have_v place_v abraham_n any_o where_o else_o but_o he_o choose_v to_o bring_v he_o into_o a_o country_n which_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n have_v seize_v upon_o already_o rather_o than_o into_o a_o place_n possess_v by_o the_o posterity_n of_o japhet_n on_o purpose_n that_o the_o jealousy_n may_v be_v the_o great_a betwixt_o abraham_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o country_n into_o which_o god_n have_v bring_v he_o nevertheless_o god_n do_v not_o give_v he_o at_o first_o a_o entire_a possession_n but_o only_o promise_v he_o that_o his_o posterity_n shall_v enjoy_v it_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n invest_v he_o beforehand_o with_o a_o right_a to_o it_o by_o the_o purchase_n of_o a_o field_n for_o a_o bury_v place_n wherein_o his_o wife_n himself_z and_o his_o child_n be_v bury_v by_o which_o mean_n he_o strong_o fix_v his_o own_o mind_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o his_o posterity_n in_o short_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o
they_o pass_v for_o holy_a man_n because_o they_o design_v to_o imitate_v what_o as_o they_o be_v tell_v have_v happen_v to_o noah_n by_o his_o son_n ham_n which_o introduce_v the_o custom_n among_o the_o assyrian_n of_o castrate_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v be_v priest_n three_o xxii_o deut._n xxii_o god_n command_v that_o any_o virgin_n which_o be_v betroth_v to_o a_o husband_n and_o be_v corrupt_v in_o her_o father_n house_n or_o that_o be_v ravish_v without_o call_v for_o help_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o death_n so_o that_o all_o the_o virgin_n be_v indispensable_o engage_v for_o fear_n of_o lose_v both_o life_n and_o honour_n together_o to_o preserve_v their_o virginity_n with_o all_o possible_a care_n but_o here_o be_v a_o four_o law_n concern_v this_o matter_n whereby_o god_n oblige_v the_o parent_n of_o all_o contract_a virgin_n to_o take_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a care_n of_o they_o when_o he_o command_v deut._n xxii_o 21._o that_o a_o virgin_n for_o who_o the_o token_n of_o virginity_n be_v not_o find_v shall_v be_v bring_v out_o to_o the_o door_n of_o her_o father_n house_n and_o there_o be_v stone_v to_o death_n by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o city_n for_o so_o her_o parent_n be_v by_o that_o mean_n make_v partaker_n of_o the_o punishment_n of_o her_o crime_n and_o their_o negligence_n be_v severe_o punish_v by_o such_o a_o shameful_a execution_n as_o dishonour_v their_o whole_a family_n five_o god_n submit_v woman_n to_o the_o examination_n of_o their_o husband_n to_o who_o they_o be_v marry_v nay_o one_o will_v think_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o raise_v the_o jealousy_n of_o husband_n when_o he_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o bring_v their_o wife_n to_o a_o public_a trial_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o with_o death_n when_o they_o do_v not_o preserve_v the_o token_n of_o their_o virginity_n it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n that_o he_o command_v that_o the_o parent_n or_o near_a relation_n of_o the_o young_a marry_a woman_n thus_o complain_v of_o xxii_o deut._n xxii_o shall_v produce_v upon_o all_o such_o occasion_n the_o token_n of_o the_o virginity_n of_o those_o daughter_n which_o they_o dispose_v in_o marriage_n which_o be_v usual_o do_v with_o many_o solemn_a circumstance_n and_o formality_n and_o here_o be_v three_o thing_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v attentive_o consider_v the_o first_o be_v the_o custom_n that_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n for_o parent_n never_o to_o let_v their_o virgin_n daughter_n go_v out_o of_o their_o house_n which_o custom_n make_v they_o be_v call_v conceal_v in_o opposition_n to_o those_o that_o go_v abroad_o that_o be_v that_o be_v prostitute_n the_o second_o be_v another_o custom_n which_o the_o just_a desire_n of_o preserve_v the_o virginity_n of_o their_o daughter_n against_o all_o accident_n have_v introduce_v among_o that_o people_n which_o be_v that_o all_o their_o virgin_n do_v wear_v a_o sort_n of_o fetter_n which_o be_v call_v in_o the_o talmud_n cevalim_fw-la which_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o famous_a moses_n the_o son_n of_o maimon_n in_o this_o manner_n cevalim_fw-la sunt_fw-la compedes_fw-la in_o forma_fw-la periscelidis_fw-la 4._o ad_fw-la massec_n sabbath_n c._n 6._o i_o 4._o inter_fw-la quos_fw-la interposuerunt_fw-la catenulas_fw-la illis_fw-la compedibus_fw-la ornabant_fw-la se_fw-la virgin_n ut_fw-la non_fw-la incederent_fw-la passu_fw-la magno_fw-la ne_fw-la contigeret_fw-la ipsis_fw-la damnum_fw-la in_o virginitate_fw-la sva_fw-la this_o description_n may_v be_v think_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o foolish_a fancy_n of_o the_o modern_a jew_n if_o we_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o proof_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o that_o custom_n in_o more_o ancient_a time_n in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n that_o chain_n be_v reckon_v up_o among_o other_o ornament_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o israel_n which_o god_n threaten_v to_o take_v away_o from_o they_o when_o he_o will_v force_v they_o to_o go_v captive_n into_o babylon_n the_o three_o be_v a_o ancient_a tradition_n mention_v in_o the_o pirke_n eliezer_n in_o the_o xvi_o chapter_n solent_n israelitae_n digito_fw-la educere_fw-la virginitatem_fw-la ne_fw-la incidant_fw-la in_o dubitationem_fw-la vel_fw-la suspicionem_fw-la juxta_fw-la illud_fw-la sumat_n pater_fw-la &_o mater_fw-la pvellae_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o a_o word_n it_o seem_v that_o for_o fear_n lest_o these_o token_n of_o virginity_n shall_v be_v think_v to_o be_v obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a by_o their_o husband_n that_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o virginity_n of_o their_o young_a woman_n before_o marriage_n by_o a_o miracle_n the_o experience_n whereof_o be_v ordinary_a and_o common_a among_o so_o jealous_a a_o people_n 95._o numb_a v._o joseph_n l._n 3._o antiq._n p._n 95._o i_o mean_v the_o water_n of_o jealousy_n which_o all_o woman_n who_o carriage_n be_v suspect_v by_o their_o husband_n be_v oblige_v to_o drink_v by_o which_o god_n do_v either_o miraculous_o justify_v they_o or_o else_o he_o begin_v to_o inflict_v a_o punishment_n upon_o they_o which_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o dreadful_a and_o exemplary_a as_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o miracle_n last_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o tell_v we_o in_o that_o title_n of_o their_o talmud_n 9_o sota_n c._n 9_o which_o concern_v woman_n suspect_v of_o adultery_n however_o as_o god_n work_v no_o miracle_n without_o great_a reason_n so_o he_o here_o make_v a_o law_n the_o observance_n whereof_o be_v very_o rigorous_a which_o be_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o woman_n to_o be_v marry_v when_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o have_v their_o course_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v separate_v at_o that_o time_n as_o unclean_a the_o reason_n of_o this_o law_n be_v because_o it_o be_v then_o almost_o impossible_a but_o that_o the_o lewd_a woman_n may_v have_v impose_v upon_o their_o husband_n in_o the_o mark_v of_o their_o virginity_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v very_o uncertain_a not_o to_o say_v that_o as_o a_o politic_a lawgiver_n he_o may_v prescribe_v the_o observation_n of_o this_o law_n lest_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v have_v be_v overstock_v with_o weak_a and_o sickly_a people_n last_o one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o have_v fasten_v a_o blot_n upon_o leprous_a person_n 94._o isidor_n pelus_n l._n 5._o ep._n 117._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la l._n 3_o p._n 94._o because_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v conceive_v when_o their_o mother_n have_v their_o course_n and_o hereupon_o be_v that_o law_n of_o god_n found_v which_o debar_v leper_n for_o ever_o from_o the_o right_n of_o come_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o his_o people_n one_o ought_v to_o make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o those_o that_o be_v unlawful_o beget_v for_o they_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o right_n of_o enter_v into_o the_o congregation_n and_o how_o innocent_a soever_o they_o be_v as_o to_o the_o lewdness_n of_o those_o who_o give_v they_o their_o life_n yet_o they_o be_v thus_o with_o they_o make_v partaker_n of_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o sin_n if_o one_o consider_v all_o these_o several_a law_n attentive_o one_o shall_v find_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o several_a of_o they_o be_v of_o very_o little_a moment_n except_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n by_o they_o beyond_o all_o danger_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o shall_v find_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v very_o severe_a about_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o deserve_v so_o terrible_a a_o rigour_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o according_a to_o god_n design_n as_o he_o have_v afterward_o particular_o explain_v it_o they_o will_v appear_v i_o be_o confident_a to_o be_v all_o very_a worthy_a of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o such_o a_o lawgiver_n one_o need_v only_o reflect_v upon_o that_o method_n of_o god_n that_o i_o have_v now_o explain_v to_o see_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v better_o manage_v than_o this_o model_n according_a to_o the_o design_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v draw_v one_o may_v make_v the_o same_o observation_n and_o examine_v the_o same_o stroke_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o several_a other_o precaution_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o make_v the_o messiah_n be_v perfect_o distinguish_v according_a to_o the_o several_a character_n under_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v propose_v afterward_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n one_o see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n be_v to_o be_v a_o first-born_a and_o for_o that_o reason_n we_o find_v many_o law_n which_o distinguish_v in_o general_a the_o privilege_n of_o the_o first-born_a so_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o god_n afterward_o
long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
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
doctrine_n with_o which_o christ_n upbraid_v the_o pharisee_n and_o saducee_n but_o this_o corruption_n respect_v rather_o their_o moral_n than_o the_o external_o of_o their_o religion_n as_o appear_v plain_o from_o hence_o that_o jesus_n christ_n upbraid_v the_o pharisee_n with_o their_o tithing_n mint_n and_o cummin_n that_o be_v with_o their_o observance_n of_o outward_a nicety_n whilst_o they_o neglect_v the_o very_a essential_o of_o piety_n they_o hold_v that_o heathen_n can_v not_o pass_v for_o their_o neighbour_n from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o god_n do_v not_o forbid_v they_o to_o bear_v false_a witness_n against_o a_o heathen_a hence_o also_o they_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o kill_v their_o enemy_n and_o this_o foment_v their_o hatred_n and_o animosity_n against_o all_o other_o nation_n it_o be_v on_o this_o account_n that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n marvel_v that_o he_o talk_v with_o a_o samaritan_n woman_n their_o decision_n concern_v adultery_n be_v no_o less_o corrupt_a which_o they_o declare_v to_o be_v no_o sin_n so_o long_o as_o it_o do_v not_o proceed_v to_o the_o outward_a act_n which_o opinion_n of_o they_o be_v more_o gross_a than_o that_o of_o many_o heathen_n who_o have_v a_o true_a idea_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o heart_n which_o god_n require_v of_o we_o as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o the_o body_n but_o yet_o this_o do_v not_o altogether_o destroy_v their_o religion_n though_o it_o obscure_v the_o excellency_n and_o sublimity_n thereof_o as_o for_o the_o saducee_n beside_o that_o their_o error_n be_v only_o speculative_a among_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o what_o the_o gospel_n say_v of_o their_o deny_v the_o existence_n of_o soul_n and_o spirit_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n must_v be_v understand_v with_o some_o qualification_n as_o the_o learned_a have_v solid_o prove_v and_o among_o other_o dr._n lightfoot_n on_o the_o gospel_n and_o without_o repeat_v those_o thing_n which_o seeur_v the_o preservation_n of_o their_o state_n and_o which_o also_o visible_o tend_v to_o the_o preserve_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o shall_v only_o observe_v that_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n with_o very_o little_a difference_n be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o practice_n and_o opinion_n as_o to_o their_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n see_v then_o that_o after_o so_o long_a a_o time_n of_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n we_o find_v no_o great_a change_n in_o their_o belief_n though_o their_o tradition_n be_v considerable_o increase_v the_o rule_n whereof_o they_o have_v infinite_o multiply_v and_o thereby_o increase_v this_o corruption_n how_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v whole_o lose_v or_o have_v no_o be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n let_v this_o therefore_o be_v establish_v as_o a_o certain_a truth_n that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n subsist_v entire_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o know_v whether_o the_o distinction_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o discover_v and_o make_v know_v the_o messiah_n be_v still_o find_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o religion_n this_o be_v that_o i_o be_o now_o go_v to_o make_v out_o chap._n iu._n that_o all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a for_o discover_v of_o the_o messiah_n still_o continue_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o lord_n i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o any_o man_n can_v deny_v that_o circumcision_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a mark_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v practise_v at_o that_o time_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v dare_v to_o dispute_v this_o truth_n we_o need_v only_o to_o represent_v to_o he_o that_o the_o main_a dispute_n between_o the_o first_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o jew_n be_v about_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o ceremony_n neither_o be_v the_o jew_n only_o obstinate_a in_o this_o belief_n but_o we_o find_v also_o that_o those_o who_o first_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n maintain_v that_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ought_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o yoke_n of_o circumcision_n before_o they_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o divine_a covenant_n and_o enjoy_v the_o privilege_n of_o god_n people_n who_o circumcision_n distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world._n one_o see_v we_o that_o thou_o god_n scatter_v the_o ten_o tribe_n yet_o some_o of_o they_o still_o remain_v in_o palestine_n and_o be_v distinct_o know_v as_o such_o this_o appear_v from_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o a_o widow_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o asher_n and_o s._n paul_n boast_v of_o his_o be_v a_o benjamite_n they_o upbraid_v herod_n notwithstanding_o he_o be_v their_o king_n with_o his_o be_v a_o edomite_n and_o not_o original_o a_o jew_n one_o see_v we_o that_o about_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n there_o remain_v still_o a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o canaanite_n it_o be_v know_v that_o galilee_n be_v less_o esteem_v than_o judea_n because_o many_o of_o the_o gentile_n be_v settle_v there_o by_o which_o mean_v the_o jew_n of_o that_o province_n be_v oblige_v to_o some_o commerce_n with_o they_o from_o which_o those_o who_o live_v more_o distinct_a think_v that_o they_o have_v a_o right_a to_o undervalue_v those_o that_o be_v settle_v in_o galilee_n one_o may_v also_o bold_o assert_v that_o all_o place_n be_v still_o distinct_o know_v to_o what_o tribe_n they_o do_v belong_v thus_o it_o be_v observe_v that_o capernaum_n be_v in_o the_o border_n of_o naphthali_n and_o zebulun_n that_o bethlehem_n be_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n which_o be_v relate_v as_o a_o thing_n public_o know_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o priest_n still_o possess_v the_o city_n which_o joshua_n have_v assign_v to_o they_o zacharias_n the_o father_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n dwell_v at_o hebron_n 11._o josh_n xxi_o 10_o 11._o a_o city_n belong_v to_o the_o priest_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda._n one_o see_v we_o that_o even_o the_o samaritan_n woman_n have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o some_o famous_a place_n in_o the_o holy_a land_n as_o jacob_n well_o and_o the_o possession_n which_o he_o give_v to_o his_o son_n joseph_n and_o that_o those_o of_o her_o religion_n take_v a_o prejudice_n against_o the_o jew_n because_o jacob_n have_v build_v a_o altar_n at_o sichem_n one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o keep_v up_o the_o practice_n of_o redeem_v their_o first-born_a which_o at_o this_o day_n be_v still_o observe_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o also_o the_o practice_n of_o polygamy_n which_o be_v so_o common_a among_o they_o that_o s._n paul_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o forbid_v the_o same_o to_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o he_o may_v abolish_v it_o by_o little_a and_o little_a among_o those_o that_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n one_o see_v we_o from_o the_o nineteenth_o of_o s._n matthew_n that_o divorce_n be_v public_o practise_v among_o they_o as_o they_o be_v to_o this_o day_n if_o one_o make_v any_o reflection_n upon_o the_o objection_n the_o sadducee_n make_v to_o our_o saviour_n concern_v the_o woman_n that_o successive_o have_v seven_o brother_n for_o her_o husband_n we_o shall_v perceive_v that_o the_o desire_n of_o posterity_n be_v predominant_a among_o they_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o this_o custom_n which_o begin_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o patriarch_n judah_n we_o have_v elsewhere_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o extreme_a carefulness_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o preserve_v the_o mark_n of_o their_o daughter_n virginity_n which_o have_v constant_o continue_v down_o since_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n the_o gospel_n which_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v deprive_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n do_v notwithstanding_o sufficient_o signify_v to_o we_o not_o only_o the_o extreme_a horror_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v conceive_v against_o adultery_n thus_o we_o find_v jesus_n christ_n upbraid_v the_o pharisee_n that_o adulterer_n that_o be_v the_o great_a of_o sinner_n enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n before_o they_o but_o also_o that_o the_o law_n against_o adulterer_n and_o adulteress_n be_v severe_o execute_v in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o by_o a_o judgement_n of_o zeal_n as_o they_o call_v it_o they_o bring_v a_o woman_n to_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v take_v in_o adultery_n before_o they_o go_v about_o to_o stone_n she_o for_o one_o ought_v to_o know_v that_o the_o law_n only_o subject_v young_a woman_n who_o be_v defile_v after_o a_o contract_n to_o that_o sort_n of_o punishment_n because_o after_o they_o be_v once_o contract_v they_o be_v repute_v the_o wife_n of_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v betroth_v and_o such_o a_o one_o be_v she_o of_o who_o we_o read_v