in_o her_o cousin_n elisabeth_n three_o confirm_v she_o from_o the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o which_o nothing_o be_v impossible_a now_o whereas_o this_o unrestrained_a power_n of_o god_n be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o such_o example_n as_o the_o child_a of_o elisabeth_n and_o other_o barren_a woman_n in_o this_o birth_n of_o the_o virgin_n something_o more_o and_o of_o more_o extraordinarinesse_n be_v to_o be_v look_v after_o in_o it_o therefore_o two_o action_n be_v express_v to_o concur_v first_o the_o holy_a ghost_n his_o come_n upon_o the_o virgin_n second_o the_o power_n of_o the_o most_o high_a overshadow_v she_o and_o two_o fruit_n or_o consequent_n of_o these_o two_o action_n answerable_a to_o they_o first_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v come_v upon_o thou_o therefore_o that_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o thou_o shall_v be_v holy_a second_o the_o power_n of_o the_o most_o high_a shall_v overshadow_v thou_o therefore_o that_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o thou_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o come_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o she_o be_v first_o in_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n whereby_o she_o be_v both_o inform_v of_o the_o very_a instant_n when_o the_o conception_n be_v wrought_v and_o also_o more_o full_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o incarnation_n then_o before_o second_o he_o do_v prepare_v and_o sanctify_v so_o much_o of_o her_o flesh_n and_o blood_n or_o seed_n as_o to_o constitute_v the_o body_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o work_n be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o whole_a trinity_n but_o ascribe_v more_o singular_o to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n first_o because_o of_o the_o sanctify_a of_o that_o seed_n and_o clear_n it_o of_o original_a taint_n for_o sanctification_n be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n second_o for_o the_o avoid_n of_o that_o dangerous_a consequence_n which_o may_v have_v follow_v among_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n who_o may_v have_v opinionate_a if_o the_o conception_n of_o the_o messâ—as_n in_o the_o womb_n have_v be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o father_n that_o the_o son_n have_v have_v no_o other_o manner_n of_o generation_n of_o he_o the_o power_n of_o the_o most_o high_a his_o operate_a power_n supply_v the_o want_n of_o the_o vigour_n and_o embrace_n of_o the_o masculine_a parent_n for_o to_o that_o the_o word_n overshadow_v seem_v to_o have_v aliusion_n be_v a_o modest_a phrase_n whereby_o the_o hebrew_n express_v the_o embrace_n of_o the_o man_n in_o the_o act_n of_o generation_n as_o ruth_n 3._o 9_o spread_v the_o skirt_n of_o thy_o garment_n over_o thy_o handmaid_n therefore_o that_o holy_a thing_n this_o title_n and_o epithet_n first_o not_o only_o show_v the_o purity_n and_o immaculatenesse_n of_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n but_o also_o second_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o precede_a part_n by_o way_n of_o consequence_n as_o be_v touch_v before_o it_o show_v that_o none_o ever_o be_v bear_v thus_o immaculate_a but_o christ_n alone_o because_o none_o have_v ever_o such_o a_o way_n mean_v of_o conception_n but_o only_o he_o ver._n 36._o thy_n cousin_n elisabeth_n have_v conceive_v a_o son_n as_o he_o have_v inform_v the_o virgin_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o mâ—ssiâ—â—_n of_o herself_o so_o do_v he_o also_o of_o the_o birth_n of_o his_o forerunner_n of_o her_o cousin_n elisabeth_n for_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o bare_o to_o inform_v she_o only_o that_o her_o cousin_n have_v conceive_v a_o child_n but_o that_o he_o heighten_v her_o thought_n to_o think_v of_o he_o as_o christ_n forerunner_n may_v be_v suppose_v upon_o these_o observation_n first_o that_o he_o say_v a_o son_n and_o not_o a_o child_n second_o that_o such_o strange_o bear_v son_n be_v ever_o of_o some_o remarkable_a and_o renown_a eminency_n three_o that_o if_o he_o have_v purpose_v only_o to_o show_v she_o the_o possibility_n of_o her_o conceive_n by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o other_o woman_n he_o may_v have_v mention_v sarah_n hannah_n and_o other_o of_o those_o ancient_a one_o and_o it_o have_v be_v enough_o ver._n 39_o and_n mary_n arise_v etc._n etc._n and_o go_v with_o haste_n into_o the_o hill_n country_n into_o a_o city_n of_o juda._n this_o city_n be_v hebron_n for_o unto_o the_o son_n of_o aaron_n joshua_n give_v the_o city_n of_o aâ—ba_n which_o be_v hebron_n in_o the_o hill_n country_n of_o judah_n josh._n 21._o 11._o and_o zacharias_n be_v a_o son_n of_o aaron_n and_o dwell_v in_o the_o hill_n country_n of_o judâ—â—â—_n it_o be_v senseless_a to_o seek_v for_o his_o house_n in_o any_o other_o place_n than_o hebron_n this_o place_n have_v be_v excellent_o renown_v in_o ancient_a time_n here_o be_v the_o promise_n give_v of_o isaac_n here_o be_v the_o institution_n of_o circumcision_n here_o abraham_n have_v his_o first_o land_n and_o david_n his_o first_o crown_n and_o here_o lie_v inter_v the_o three_o couple_n abraham_n and_o sarah_n isaac_n and_o rebecca_n jacob_n and_o leah_n and_o as_o antiquity_n have_v hold_v adam_n and_o eve_n now_o there_o be_v many_o reason_n give_v by_o expositor_n of_o mary_n haste_v hither_o after_o the_o message_n of_o the_o angel_n as_o either_o to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v tell_v she_o about_o elisabeth_n or_o to_o congratulate_v and_o rejoice_v with_o she_o or_o to_o minister_v to_o she_o in_o her_o great_a bellyednesse_n or_o that_o the_o baptist_n in_o elisabeths_n womb_n may_v be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n in_o she_o etc._n etc._n but_o i_o can_v but_o conceive_v this_o to_o be_v the_o very_a reason_n indeed_o that_o she_o may_v there_o conceive_v the_o messiah_n where_o so_o many_o type_n figure_n and_o thing_n relate_v to_o he_o have_v gâ—â—e_v before_o namely_o in_o hebron_n for_o first_o this_o suit_v singular_o with_o the_o harmony_n and_o consent_n which_o god_n use_v in_o his_o work_n that_o the_o promise_n shall_v begin_v to_o take_v place_n by_o the_o conception_n of_o messiah_n even_o among_o those_o patriarch_n to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v first_o give_v second_o a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n seem_v to_o lie_v upon_o it_o that_o this_o shiloh_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n and_o the_o seed_n of_o david_n shall_v be_v conceive_v in_o a_o city_n of_o juda_n and_o of_o david_n as_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o another_o city_n that_o belong_v to_o they_o both_o three_o the_o evangelist_n so_o punctual_o describe_v this_o city_n seem_v rather_o to_o refer_v to_o christ_n then_o john_n who_o be_v of_o the_o priest_n may_v indifferent_o have_v be_v bear_v in_o any_o of_o the_o tribe_n whatsoever_o only_o the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v we_o to_o observe_v this_o which_o may_v not_o be_v pass_v that_o john_n that_o shall_v bring_v in_o baptism_n in_o stead_n of_o circumcision_n be_v bear_v in_o that_o very_a place_n where_o circumcision_n be_v first_o ordain_v in_o the_o city_n hebron_n it_o be_v general_o hold_v indeed_o that_o the_o virgin_n conceive_v in_o nazaret_n and_o in_o the_o very_a instant_n of_o the_o angel_n talk_v with_o she_o but_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o as_o much_o probability_n for_o this_o opinion_n as_o for_o that_o i_o refer_v to_o the_o equal_a and_o judicious_a reader_n ver._n 40._o and_n salute_v elisabeth_n this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v at_o some_o distance_n and_o a_o wall_n or_o floor_n between_o as_o consider_v serious_o on_o ver_fw-la 42._o 44._o ver._n 41._o the_o babe_n leap_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o word_n be_v use_v by_o the_o lxx._n for_o jacob_n and_o esau_n stir_v in_o the_o womb_n gen._n 25._o 22._o and_o the_o leap_v of_o the_o mountain_n at_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n elisabeth_n in_o ver_fw-la 44._o add_v the_o babe_n leap_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o that_o he_o know_v what_o he_o do_v when_o he_o leap_v any_o more_o than_o they_o but_o that_o either_o this_o be_v the_o first_o time_n or_o this_o time_n be_v extraordinary_a the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v outward_a gesticulation_n or_o exultation_n as_o well_o as_o inward_a joy_n yea_o though_o there_o be_v no_o inward_a joy_n at_o all_o as_o psal._n 65._o 13._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o little_a hill_n shall_v be_v gird_v with_o exultation_n and_o so_o be_v it_o to_o be_v understand_v here_o the_o babe_n in_o my_o womb_n leap_v with_o extraordinary_a gesticulation_n or_o exâ—ltation_n and_o 〈◊〉_d to_o signify_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o thing_n do_v and_o not_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o do_v ver._n 45._o and_n bless_a be_v she_o that_o believe_v elisabeth_n in_o this_o clause_n seem_v to_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o her_o own_o husband_n unbelief_n and_o the_o punishment_n that_o befall_v he_o for_o the_o same_o he_o a_o man_n a_o priest_n age_a learned_a eminent_a and_o the_o message_n to_o he_o of_o more_o appear_a
thus_o we_o see_v and_o may_v observe_v rome_n come_v to_o its_o entire_a and_o absolute_a monarchy_n but_o at_o this_o time_n and_o the_o state_n and_o power_n that_o shall_v persecute_v christ_n in_o his_o member_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n beginning_n and_o bear_v as_o it_o be_v at_o the_o very_a same_o time_n when_o christ_n himself_o augustus_n as_o 1._o tacitus_n record_v of_o he_o do_v cause_v a_o account_n to_o be_v take_v of_o all_o the_o empire_n and_o himself_o have_v a_o book_n &_o record_n of_o it_o write_v out_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n open_v publieae_fw-la continebantur_fw-la quantum_fw-la civium_fw-la sociorumque_fw-la in_o armis_fw-la quot_fw-la class_n regna_fw-la provinciae_fw-la tributa_fw-la aut_fw-la vectigalia_fw-la &_o necessitate_v ac_fw-la largitiones_fw-la quae_fw-la cuncta_fw-la suae_fw-la manu_fw-la perscripserat_fw-la augustus_n which_o contain_v the_o public_a revenue_n the_o number_n of_o citizen_n or_o confederate_n in_o the_o army_n what_o ship_n kingdom_n province_n tribute_n or_o subsidy_n and_o relief_n money_n and_o beneficence_n dion_z also_o in_o the_o life_n of_o augustus_n and_o much_o also_o about_o this_o time_n mention_v a_o tax_n lay_v by_o he_o upon_o those_o that_o dwell_v in_o italy_n who_o estate_n be_v not_o less_o than_o five_o thousand_o sesterce_n and_o poor_a than_o these_o he_o tax_v not_o ver._n 2._o this_o tax_v be_v first_o make_v when_o cyrenius_n be_v governor_n of_o syria_n the_o tax_n be_v date_v by_o the_o time_n of_o cyrenius_n his_o govern_n of_o syria_n first_o because_o judea_n be_v annex_v to_o syria_n as_o a_o member_n of_o it_o and_o in_o name_v the_o one_o the_o other_o be_v include_v second_o hereby_o the_o loss_n and_o want_n of_o the_o sceptre_n and_o lawgiver_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n be_v the_o better_o see_v for_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o this_o be_v show_v to_o be_v in_o the_o three_o degree_n they_o subject_n to_o herod_n herod_n to_o cyrenius_n and_o cyrenius_n to_o augustus_n three_o from_o syria_n have_v israel_n have_v their_o great_a affliction_n that_o ever_o they_o have_v in_o their_o own_o land_n as_o by_o gog_n and_o magog_n ezek._n 38._o or_o the_o house_n of_o the_o north_n dan._n 11._o and_o luke_n derive_v the_o tax_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o syria_n call_v those_o thing_n to_o mind_n and_o say_v as_o it_o be_v the_o last_o verse_n of_o dan._n 11._o and_o the_o first_o of_o dan._n 12._o together_o the_o tax_v be_v say_v first_o to_o be_v make_v in_o his_o time_n as_o first_o deny_v that_o ever_o there_o be_v such_o a_o universal_a taxation_n in_o the_o empire_n before_o for_o the_o empire_n be_v never_o in_o that_o case_n of_o universal_a quietness_n to_o be_v tax_v before_o and_o second_o import_v the_o tax_n of_o that_o country_n that_o follow_v after_o augustus_n at_o this_o very_a time_n lay_v the_o platform_n subjection_n and_o submission_n of_o the_o empire_n for_o succeed_a posterity_n and_o here_o let_v it_o be_v say_v again_o in_o exact_a propriety_n begin_v the_o roman_a monarchy_n and_o be_v far_o from_o be_v any_o of_o the_o four_o mention_v dan._n 2._o or_o 7._o josephus_n 1._o mention_v cyrenius_n his_o come_n into_o syria_n after_o archelaus_n his_o death_n to_o do_v justice_n and_o to_o assess_v and_o tax_v every_o man_n good_n and_o he_o come_v into_o judea_n which_o be_v now_o annex_v to_o syria_n and_o do_v so_o there_o now_o archelaus_n reign_v after_o herod_n mat._n 2._o and_o reign_v till_o christ_n be_v about_o ten_o year_n old_a forten_v year_n he_o reign_v as_o say_v the_o same_o josephus_n 15._o and_o therefore_o either_o cyrenius_n come_v twice_o into_o syria_n to_o lay_v taxation_n as_o funccius_n conclude_v or_o else_o josephus_n fail_v here_o as_o he_o do_v not_o seldom_o elsewhere_o in_o chronology_n ver._n 3._o and_o all_o go_v to_o be_v tax_v this_o tax_v be_v first_o by_o kingdom_n and_o country_n then_o by_o city_n and_o town_n and_o then_o by_o poll_n first_o kingdom_n and_o province_n be_v divide_v one_o from_o another_o second_o city_n and_o town_n in_o every_o kingdom_n and_o province_n be_v also_o particularise_v and_o notice_n give_v that_o every_o one_o shall_v repair_v to_o the_o place_n to_o which_o by_o stock_n and_o descent_n they_o do_v belong_v three_o the_o people_n be_v thus_o convene_v in_o their_o several_a city_n their_o name_n be_v take_v and_o enrol_v and_o so_o the_o greek_a word_n here_o use_v do_v signify_v in_o the_o near_a propriety_n then_o do_v they_o make_v profession_n of_o subjection_n to_o the_o roman_a empire_n either_o by_o some_o set_a form_n of_o word_n or_o at_o least_o by_o payment_n of_o some_o certain_a sum_n of_o money_n which_o be_v lay_v upon_o every_o poll_n and_o now_o first_o be_v the_o jew_n enter_v under_o the_o yoke_n of_o that_o subjection_n which_o they_o never_o cast_v off_o again_o but_o it_o press_v they_o into_o a_o final_a desolation_n even_o to_o this_o day_n second_o they_o have_v voluntary_o bring_v this_o misery_n upon_o themselves_o in_o call_v in_o the_o roman_n in_o their_o civil_a war_n three_o no_o spark_n of_o their_o former_a freedom_n and_o authority_n be_v leave_v among_o they_o for_o their_o king_n and_o lawgiver_n be_v clean_o go_v four_o they_o be_v now_o to_o be_v enrol_v and_o register_v for_o vassal_n to_o all_o succeed_a generation_n five_o they_o must_v now_o leave_v their_o own_o occasion_n and_o many_o of_o they_o their_o own_o house_n to_o attend_v their_o own_o bondage_n and_o misery_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o word_n of_o our_o rabbin_n if_o thou_o see_v a_o generation_n that_o have_v many_o affliction_n then_o look_v for_o the_o redeemer_n from_o isa._n 59_o 17_o 18._o jer._n 30._o 6_o 7._o etc._n etc._n d._n kimch_o in_o isa._n 59_o ver._n 4._o and_o joseph_n also_o go_v up_o from_o galilee_n etc._n etc._n whether_o it_o be_v for_o the_o fear_n of_o herod_n that_o have_v a_o murderous_a spite_n at_o the_o stock_n of_o david_n or_o for_o the_o more_o commodiousness_n for_o his_o trade_n or_o for_o whatsoever_o else_o it_o be_v that_o josoph_n a_o bethlehemite_n become_v a_o resident_a in_o galilee_n sure_o it_o be_v the_o wondrous_a disposal_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o a_o decree_n from_o rome_n shall_v bring_v he_o now_o from_o galilee_n to_o bethlehem_n that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n be_v bear_v in_o that_o place_n may_v take_v effect_n ver._n 7._o she_o bring_v forth_o her_o firstborn_a this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v according_a to_o the_o propriety_n and_o phrase_n of_o the_o law_n agreeable_a to_o which_o it_o speak_v now_o the_o law_n speak_v of_o the_o firstborn_a regard_v not_o whether_o any_o be_v bear_v after_o or_o no_o but_o only_o that_o none_o be_v bear_v before_o as_o hur_z be_v call_v the_o first-born_a of_o ephrâ—â—â—_n 1_o chron._n 2._o 5._o and_o yet_o no_o mention_n of_o any_o child_n that_o she_o have_v after_o so_o christ_n be_v here_o call_v the_o firstborn_a not_o as_o though_o she_o have_v any_o child_n beside_o but_o to_o show_v that_o in_o he_o be_v fulfil_v what_o be_v typify_v by_o the_o firstborn_a under_o the_o law_n who_o be_v as_o king_n priest_n and_o prophet_n in_o the_o family_n and_o holy_a to_o the_o lord_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o that_o spâ—â—ch_n of_o matthew_n chap._n 1._o 25._o he_o know_v she_o not_o till_o she_o have_v bring_v fâ—rth_o her_o firstborn_a it_o imply_v not_o that_o 〈◊〉_d know_v she_o after_o for_o the_o word_n till_o enforce_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o see_v the_o geneva_n note_n upon_o the_o place_n but_o the_o evangelist_n intention_n be_v to_o clear_v the_o birth_n and_o generation_n of_o christ_n from_o any_o carnal_a mixture_n of_o joseph_n and_o mary_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v and_o here_o it_o be_v not_o unseasonable_a to_o look_v a_o little_a narrow_o into_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n namely_o the_o time_n of_o the_o year_n â—â—_o which_o he_o be_v bear_v as_o we_o have_v do_v into_o the_o year_n itself_o or_o the_o time_n of_o the_o world_n heretofore_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n as_o we_o observe_v then_o be_v 3928._o the_o year_n of_o augustus_n be_v neither_o so_o necessary_a to_o seek_v nor_o so_o ease_v to_o find_v partly_o because_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n among_o historian_n about_o the_o number_n of_o the_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o partly_o because_o there_o may_v be_v some_o about_o the_o year_n of_o tiberius_n in_o which_o christ_n be_v baptise_a from_o which_o we_o shall_v count_v backward_o for_o though_o it_o be_v say_v that_o john_n come_v baptise_v in_o his_o fifteen_o year_n luk._n 31._o yet_o may_v it_o be_v questionable_a whether_o he_o baptise_a christ_n in_o that_o year_n or_o no_o but_o not_o to_o swarve_v from_o the_o most_o common_a
menâ—_n and_o how_o they_o be_v qualify_v and_o affect_v before_o they_o come_v to_o christ_n he_o say_v they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d captive_v or_o lead_v away_o as_o a_o prey_n by_o the_o devil_n to_o all_o evil_a action_n and_o so_o theophylact_v the_o mouth_n of_o chrysastome_n they_o be_v say_v he_o adversary_n or_o enemy_n to_o god_n and_o devote_v to_o devil_n in_o a_o more_o special_a manner_n and_o to_o this_o sense_n do_v the_o gospel_n of_o matthew_n in_o hebrew_a render_v the_o word_n whosoever_o translate_v it_o but_o to_o spare_v more_o those_o father_n confess_v their_o opinion_n to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o these_o and_o those_o neither_o mean_a one_o nor_o a_o few_o which_o hold_n some_o of_o they_o that_o these_o magi_n have_v obtain_v their_o knowledge_n concern_v the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o sibylla_n erythraea_n and_o other_o from_o balaam_n to_o who_o they_o hold_v that_o they_o stand_v in_o relation_n not_o only_o of_o nation_n and_o kindred_n but_o also_o of_o the_o same_o profession_n and_o art_n of_o wizardy_a and_o magic_a ss_z from_o the_o east_n this_o do_v something_o confirm_v the_o forego_n opinion_n of_o their_o be_v magician_n if_o it_o need_v any_o more_o confirmation_n for_o that_o the_o east_n be_v infamous_a for_o sorcery_n augury_n and_o incantation_n be_v apparent_a by_o esa._n 2._o 6._o as_o it_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o lxx_o by_o r._n solomon_n david_n kimchi_n and_o even_o approve_v by_o the_o context_n itself_o but_o what_o country_n of_o the_o east_n this_o be_v whence_o these_o man_n come_v be_v as_o hard_a to_o determine_v as_o it_o be_v what_o manner_n of_o man_n they_o be_v divers_a have_v assert_v that_o they_o be_v of_o chaldea_n mind_v it_o seem_v rather_o the_o strict_a and_o worst_a sense_n of_o both_o the_o word_n chaldeus_n and_o magus_n which_o signify_v both_o one_o and_o the_o same_o ungodly_a profession_n than_o the_o letter_n of_o text_n and_o of_o other_o scripture_n for_o it_o plain_o tell_v that_o these_o come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n that_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o chaldean_n have_v fetch_v those_o destroyer_n from_o the_o north_n as_o jer._n 1._o other_o therefore_o do_v hold_v they_o for_o persian_n and_o that_o chief_o because_o the_o word_n magus_n be_v think_v to_o be_v original_o a_o persian_a word_n but_o first_o as_o be_v say_v before_o the_o scripture_n word_n be_v to_o be_v interpret_v according_a to_o the_o scripture_n idiom_n and_o so_o it_o confine_v they_o to_o persia_n no_o more_o than_o to_o any_o other_o country_n second_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v aver_v that_o the_o persian_a magi_n grow_v renown_v from_o a_o family_n of_o that_o name_n or_o from_o some_o ancestor_n that_o be_v call_v madge_n or_o mago_n rather_o than_o from_o any_o relation_n that_o the_o word_n have_v to_o the_o depth_n of_o learning_n or_o any_o notation_n for_o a_o great_a scholar_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a especial_o since_o in_o babylonia_n there_o be_v 3._o rab._n madge_n or_o the_o great_a madge_n and_o in_o carthage_n mago_n two_o nobleman_n or_o prince_n and_o yet_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v no_o great_a scholar_n neither_o of_o the_o very_a same_o name_n more_o probable_a therefore_o and_o plausible_a be_v their_o opinion_n tho_o it_o leave_v the_o reader_n in_o a_o bivium_fw-la of_o irresolution_n that_o hold_v these_o man_n either_o for_o arabian_n or_o mesopotamian_n about_o haran_n but_o their_o resolution_n the_o best_a of_o all_o that_o bring_v they_o from_o arabia_n and_o of_o this_o mind_n be_v justin_n martyr_n very_o confident_o in_o so_o much_o that_o he_o apply_v a_o prophecy_n thereto_o namely_o esa._n 8._o 4._o about_o the_o break_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o damascus_n for_o first_o arabia_n be_v full_a eastward_o from_o judea_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o be_v constant_o call_v man_n of_o the_o east_n as_o gen._n 25._o 6._o judg._n 6._o 3._o job_n 1._o 3._o second_o the_o gift_n or_o present_n that_o the_o wiseman_n offer_v christ_n be_v native_a commodity_n of_o the_o land_n of_o arabia_n as_o gold_n of_o sheba_n psal._n 72._o 15._o frankincense_n from_o seba_n or_o saba_n as_o in_o the_o verse_n sua_fw-la thura_fw-la sabaei_n and_o myrrh_n from_o thereabouts_o as_o appear_v in_o story_n and_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a to_o think_v that_o they_o will_v bring_v the_o choice_a commodity_n of_o their_o own_o country_n as_o jacob_n send_v to_o joseph_n then_o of_o another_o three_o to_o conceive_v these_o man_n for_o arabian_n do_v very_o well_o sort_n and_o harmonise_v with_o some_o considerable_a thing_n in_o scripture_n as_o 1._o the_o first_o proselyte_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v jethro_n a_o arabian_a and_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n and_o so_o if_o we_o hold_v these_o first_o proselyte_n to_o christ_n it_o suit_v very_o fit_o 2._o it_o agree_v also_o with_o that_o prophetic_a psalm_n mention_v before_o namely_o psal._n 71._o 3._o with_o the_o rule_n and_o dominion_n and_o homage_n that_o david_n and_o solomon_n type_n of_o christ_n have_v over_o and_o from_o that_o country_n for_o 4._o much_o of_o arabia_n be_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n as_o well_o as_o judea_n for_o the_o heedful_a eye_n that_o shall_v but_o serious_o look_v upon_o the_o nation_n that_o plant_v there_o at_o the_o first_o will_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a country_n be_v inhabit_v by_o the_o two_o son_n of_o ham_n cush_n and_o canaan_n and_o in_o after_o time_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n dispossess_v they_o and_o dwell_v in_o their_o stead_n not_o by_o any_o usurpation_n or_o injustice_n but_o upon_o the_o promise_n make_v to_o abraham_n of_o canaan_n land_n and_o upon_o just_a title_n by_o his_o victory_n over_o the_o four_o king_n which_o have_v but_o late_o subdue_v those_o land_n be_v subdue_v by_o he_o and_o with_o the_o conquest_n the_o right_a and_o challenge_v to_o that_o land_n fall_v to_o abraham_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o david_n and_o solomon_n dilate_v their_o dominion_n over_o these_o country_n even_o to_o euphrates_n and_o then_o be_v the_o promise_n to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacoâ—_n concern_v their_o child_n possess_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n fulfil_v to_o the_o utmost_a extent_n now_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a to_o bring_v these_o first_o fruit_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o do_v homage_n to_o the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o a_o country_n which_o do_v as_o much_o to_o david_n and_o solomon_n who_o be_v type_n of_o he_o then_o from_o a_o foreign_a nation_n and_o to_o conceive_v that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n rather_o than_o of_o another_o race_n vers._n 2._o say_v where_o be_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v king_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o we_o have_v see_v his_o star_n in_o the_o east_n etc._n etc._n the_o exposition_n of_o this_o verse_n will_v be_v make_v up_o by_o the_o resolution_n and_o answer_n of_o these_o three_o question_n 1._o what_o be_v this_o star_n that_o the_o wiseman_n see_v 2._o where_o it_o be_v that_o they_o see_v it_o and_o 3._o how_o upon_o the_o sight_n of_o it_o they_o can_v conclude_v that_o it_o do_v relate_v to_o a_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o omit_v the_o various_a guess_n and_o furnise_n that_o be_v make_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o first_o quaere_fw-la it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o this_o star_n which_o these_o magician_n see_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o glorious_a and_o miraculous_a light_n that_o shine_v about_o the_o bethlehem_n shepherd_n when_o the_o angel_n come_v upon_o they_o with_o the_o tiding_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o a_o saviour_n lu._n 2._o 9_o and_o that_o these_o wizzard_n be_v that_o night_n abroad_o belike_o at_o their_o study_n of_o astrology_n behold_v it_o at_o distance_n and_o to_o they_o it_o seem_v be_v so_o far_o off_o like_o a_o new_a and_o uncouth_a and_o a_o wondrous_a star_n and_o the_o word_n in_o the_o east_n do_v mean_v the_o place_n of_o the_o man_n and_o not_o of_o the_o star_n and_o be_v to_o receive_v this_o construction_n we_o be_v in_o the_o east_n have_v see_v his_o star_n not_o it_o in_o the_o east_n part_n of_o heaven_n but_o they_o be_v in_o the_o east_n part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o their_o behold_v it_o to_o be_v in_o the_o land_n of_o judea_n may_v the_o more_o ready_o bring_v they_o to_o think_v it_o betoken_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o thus_o be_v the_o three_o question_n resolve_v together_o if_o the_o groundwork_n whereupon_o all_o be_v build_v be_v but_o firm_a and_o solid_a viz_o that_o the_o light_n or_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n
pontius_n pilate_n herod_n antipas_n philip_n and_o lysanias_n in_o this_o strictness_n have_v the_o syrian_a translator_n take_v the_o word_n render_v it_o thus_o herod_n be_v the_o four_o ruler_n in_o galice_n and_o philip_n the_o four_o ruler_n in_o iâ—urea_n and_o the_o arabic_a thus_o herod_n be_v head_n over_o a_o four_o part_n even_o galilee_n and_o so_o in_o the_o rest_n but_o if_o thâ—_n opinion_n be_v narrow_o examine_v these_o absurdity_n will_v be_v find_v in_o it_o first_o it_o make_v a_o tetrarchie_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o exact_o the_o four_o part_n of_o a_o kingdom_n whereas_o pliny_n lib._n 5._o cap._n 18._o speak_v of_o tetrarchy_n that_o be_v like_o kingdom_n and_o compact_v into_o kingdom_n and_o he_o name_v trachonitis_n for_o one_o his_o word_n be_v these_o intercurrunt_fw-la cinguntque_fw-la have_v urbes_fw-la tetrarchiae_fw-la regnorum_fw-la instar_fw-la singulae_fw-la &_o in_o regna_fw-la contribuuntur_fw-la trachonitis_n paneas_n in_o quâ_fw-la caesarea_n cum_fw-la supradicto_fw-la fonte_fw-la abila_n and_o in_o chap._n 23._o he_o say_v caelosyria_n have_v seventeen_o tetrarchy_n tetrarchias_n in_o regna_fw-la descriptas_fw-la barbaris_fw-la nominibus_fw-la decem_fw-la &_o septem_fw-la second_o it_o divide_v herod_n kingdom_n into_o four_o part_n whereas_o it_o be_v part_v only_o into_o three_o to_o his_o three_o son_n joseph_n ant._n lib._n 17._o three_o it_o make_v lysanias_n to_o be_v herod_n son_n which_o he_o be_v not_o at_o all_o a_o tetrarchie_n therefore_o seem_v rather_o to_o be_v one_o that_o be_v in_o the_o four_o rank_n or_o degree_n of_o excellency_n and_o government_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n the_o emperor_n that_o be_v lord_n of_o all_o the_o empire_n be_v the_o first_o the_o proconsul_n that_o govern_v a_o province_n the_o second_o a_o king_n the_o three_o and_o a_o tetrarch_n the_o four_o so_o mishuch_n and_o shalish_n in_o the_o hebrew_n signify_v a_o man_n second_o or_o three_o to_o the_o king_n ss_z and_o his_o brother_n philip_n be_v tetrarch_n etc._n etc._n herod_n make_v antipas_n who_o he_o have_v intend_v for_o king_n but_o change_v his_o mind_n he_o change_v his_o last_o will_n tetrarch_n of_o galilee_n and_o peraea_n and_o the_o kingdom_n he_o bestow_v on_o archelaus_n and_o gaulonitis_n and_o trachonitus_n and_o batanaea_n and_o paneas_n he_o bestow_v on_o philip_n who_o be_v his_o own_o son_n and_o own_o brother_n to_o archelaus_n to_o be_v a_o tetrarchie_n josep_n ant._n l._n 17._o c._n 10._o ss_z of_o iturea_n this_o country_n seem_v to_o have_v take_v its_o denomination_n from_o jetur_fw-la one_o of_o the_o son_n of_o ishmael_n gen._n 25._o 15._o and_o it_o lay_v 16_o edge_v upon_o arabia_n but_o 23._o reckon_v to_o syria_n and_o upon_o that_o reference_n mention_v by_o the_o evangelist_n here_o for_o he_o speak_v of_o these_o country_n and_o tetrarchy_n becase_n syria_n and_o judea_n be_v but_o one_o province_n and_o under_o one_o proconsul_n and_o therefore_o as_o he_o name_v the_o government_n of_o canaan_n in_o the_o two_o country_n of_o judea_n and_o galilee_n so_o do_v he_o also_o the_o government_n of_o syria_n under_o three_o iturea_n trachonitis_n and_o abilene_n and_o this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o what_o he_o have_v do_v in_o chap._n 2._o 1._o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n for_o as_o he_o there_o date_v the_o tax_n that_o then_o be_v by_o the_o time_n of_o a_o governor_n of_o syria_n so_o do_v he_o now_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o time_n of_o the_o ruler_n there_o as_o well_o as_o in_o judea_n and_o this_o be_v also_o most_o suitable_a to_o the_o roman_a record_n where_o see_v that_o syria_n and_o judea_n be_v join_v together_o into_o into_o one_o province_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o their_o governor_n be_v name_v together_o as_o member_n of_o one_o body_n ss_z and_o the_o region_n of_o trachonitis_n the_o name_n of_o this_o country_n 18._o as_o it_o seem_v by_o strabo_n be_v take_v from_o two_o mountain_n or_o rock_n call_v trachones_n and_o they_o very_o probable_o so_o call_v from_o the_o hebrew_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v wearisomeness_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o irksome_a and_o tedious_a difficulty_n of_o pass_v over_o they_o as_o strabo_n instant_o after_o they_o speakeh_o of_o other_o mountain_n towards_o arabia_n and_o iturea_n which_o he_o title_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hill_n hard_a to_o travel_v over_o josephus_n suppose_v we_o the_o elder_a son_n of_o aram_n to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o inhabiter_n of_o this_o country_n antiq._n lib._n 1._o cap._n 7._o but_o whether_o it_o be_v that_o son_n of_o he_o or_o no_o it_o be_v not_o so_o material_a to_o inquire_v as_o it_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v repute_v a_o country_n belong_v to_o aram_n or_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o syria_n very_o thievish_a in_o the_o time_n of_o herod_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n live_v upon_o the_o robbery_n of_o the_o damascens_n that_o lie_v near_o unto_o they_o joseph_n antiq._n lib._n 15._o cap._n 13._o ss_z lysanias_n he_o be_v not_o a_o son_n of_o herod_n as_o be_v suppose_v by_o some_o nor_o a_o immediate_a son_n of_o ptolemy_n mennaeus_n neither_o as_o be_v hold_v by_o other_o for_o though_o josephus_n antiq._n lib._n 14._o cap._n 23._o and_o de_fw-mi bel._n lib._n cap._n 11._o tell_v that_o lysanias_n succeed_v his_o father_n ptolemy_n mennaeus_n yet_o it_o cannot_v be_v the_o same_o man_n possible_o that_o st._n luke_n here_o speak_v of_o for_o that_o lysanias_n be_v slay_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o cleopatra_n a_o good_a space_n of_o time_n before_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v jos._n antiq._n lib._n 15._o cap._n 4._o but_o the_o lysanias_n here_o mention_v may_v be_v the_o great_a grandchild_n of_o of_o mennaeus_n or_o some_o one_o of_o that_o house_n that_o bear_v the_o same_o name_n with_o menaeus_fw-la his_o immediate_a son_n and_o successor_n ss_z abilene_n this_o country_n be_v so_o name_v from_o the_o city_n abila_n which_o ptolemy_n lib._n 5._o cap._n 15._o have_v reckon_v for_o a_o city_n of_o caelosyria_n or_o as_o some_o copy_n have_v it_o of_o decapolis_n and_o with_o this_o title_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d abila_n surname_v from_o lysanias_n see_v also_o pliny_n lib._n 5._o cap._n 18_o this_o word_n sound_v so_o near_o to_o the_o word_n havilah_n gen._n 2._o 11._o and_o 10._o 7._o that_o it_o may_v very_o well_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v descend_v from_o it_o and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n from_o that_o son_n of_o chush_fw-mi that_o plant_v with_o his_o brethren_n mention_v with_o he_o in_o arabia_n and_o thereabouts_o vers._n 2._o annas_n and_o caiaphas_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o priest_n proper_o so_o call_v at_o one_o time_n and_o that_o caiaphas_n be_v he_o at_o this_o time_n it_o be_v most_o clear_a both_o out_o of_o josephus_n and_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n now_o annas_n be_v say_v to_o be_v high_a priest_n with_o he_o because_o he_o be_v the_o nasi_n or_o head_n of_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o so_o represent_v moses_n as_o caiaphas_n do_v aaron_n and_o he_o be_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o priest_n as_o well_o as_o caiaphos_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o his_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o great_a council_n be_v in_o that_o when_o our_o saviour_n be_v apprehend_v he_o be_v first_o lead_v to_o annas_n joh._n 18._o 13._o and_o by_o he_o bind_v and_o send_v to_o caiaphas_n ver._n 24._o and_o that_o annas_n be_v first_o place_v in_o the_o council_n act._n 4._o 6._o we_o shall_v have_v more_o punctual_a occasion_n hereafter_o to_o look_v after_o this_o man_n and_o then_o will_v we_o see_v what_o we_o can_v find_v speak_v of_o he_o by_o josephus_n ss_z the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o john_n such_o be_v the_o commission_n of_o the_o prophet_n as_o jer._n 1._o 2._o ezek._n 6._o 1._o etc._n etc._n and_o this_o proclaim_v john_n a_o prophet_n as_o well_o as_o they_o and_o here_o have_v he_o his_o warrant_n for_o his_o ministry_n and_o this_o be_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o sacrament_n baptism_n now_o whether_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o come_v to_o john_n and_o to_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o his_o personal_a &_o substantial_a word_n as_o joh._n 1._o 1._o or_o of_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n suggest_v to_o they_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o whether_o john_n have_v this_o word_n impart_v to_o he_o by_o vision_n or_o dream_n or_o rapture_n or_o what_o other_o way_n it_o be_v not_o so_o material_a to_o inquire_v as_o it_o be_v difficult_a to_o resolve_v only_o this_o be_v not_o impertinent_a to_o observe_v that_o whereas_o the_o race_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v send_v to_o teach_v and_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n by_o