book_n write_v in_o former_a age_n at_o any_o considerable_a distance_n be_v the_o book_n of_o those_o author_n who_o they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v 32._o and_o let_v none_o say_v that_o there_o be_v book_n which_o after_o they_o have_v pass_v for_o a_o time_n under_o the_o name_n of_o certain_a author_n have_v at_o last_o be_v find_v to_o be_v supposiâ—icious_a for_o without_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o that_o matter_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o this_o can_v happen_v to_o a_o book_n of_o the_o great_a importance_n to_o which_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o author_n name_n be_v essential_a and_o whereof_o in_o all_o age_n man_n have_v have_v so_o much_o cause_n and_o so_o great_a a_o interest_n to_o examine_v the_o origination_n and_o truth_n for_o as_o truth_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o all_o thing_n except_o falsehood_n agree_v with_o it_o all_o thing_n concur_v to_o establish_v it_o and_o there_o be_v neither_o care_n nor_o labour_n that_o can_v find_v out_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v able_a to_o overthrow_v it_o so_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v impossible_a but_o falsehood_n will_v at_o last_o be_v find_v out_o if_o we_o endeavour_v it_o because_o it_o can_v be_v but_o there_o will_v be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v contrary_a unto_o it_o and_o how_o great_a soever_o be_v the_o foresight_n and_o cunning_n of_o impostor_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a though_o the_o humane_a understanding_n be_v not_o so_o limit_v as_o it_o be_v to_o foresee_v all_o inconvenience_n or_o to_o suit_n and_o accommodate_v every_o thing_n to_o the_o prevent_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v foresee_v for_o in_o fine_a though_o there_o be_v for_o that_o purpose_n certain_a effect_n whereof_o man_n be_v master_n and_o have_v the_o disposal_n it_o be_v cettain_v that_o there_o be_v also_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v no_o power_n at_o all_o to_o dispose_v of_o to_o be_v able_a to_o prevent_v all_o thing_n that_o may_v discover_v their_o forgery_n they_o must_v be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o dispose_v of_o thing_n present_a and_o to_o come_v to_o change_v the_o order_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o command_v the_o nature_n the_o wit_n and_o will_n of_o man_n at_o their_o pleasure_n 33._o but_o beside_o this_o we_o have_v yet_o incomparable_o more_o and_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n than_o there_o be_v of_o any_o other_o book_n other_o book_n be_v in_o few_o people_n hand_n and_o there_o be_v not_o many_o who_o think_v themselves_o concern_v in_o they_o those_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o they_o do_v but_o seldom_o mind_v they_o or_o their_o interest_n in_o they_o and_o even_o that_o interest_n can_v be_v but_o comparative_o of_o small_a importance_n but_o the_o book_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v of_o a_o much_o different_a nature_n they_o have_v always_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o whole_a great_a nation_n they_o have_v be_v the_o object_n of_o their_o continual_a meditation_n and_o since_o they_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o that_o a_o religion_n which_o abhor_v lie_v and_o deceive_v how_o can_v they_o have_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o author_n name_n and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o addition_n of_o so_o many_o fable_n or_o can_v it_o be_v do_v without_o their_o knowledge_n yea_o and_o who_o dare_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o ever_o to_o attempt_v it_o 34._o let_v man_n take_v a_o full_a view_n of_o that_o prodigious_a series_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o then_o judge_v impartial_o whether_o these_o be_v thing_n that_o can_v be_v insert_v into_o a_o book_n and_o yet_o that_o book_n be_v make_v to_o pass_v for_o the_o original_a this_o be_v the_o most_o that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o some_o inconsiderable_a book_n which_o shall_v fall_v into_o the_o hand_n but_o of_o a_o few_o person_n and_o with_o some_o particular_a miracle_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v wrought_v before_o a_o few_o witness_n and_o moreover_o we_o see_v that_o such_o thing_n do_v not_o spread_v far_o nor_o last_v long_o they_o be_v scarce_o soon_o forge_v but_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v question_v in_o so_o much_o that_o in_o time_n they_o come_v to_o be_v regard_v by_o none_o but_o the_o simple_a people_n who_o believe_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o next_o intruder_n and_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o get_v clear_a and_o certain_a notion_n of_o the_o least_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o upon_o earth_n clear_a if_o this_o be_v not_o that_o such_o thing_n can_v not_o happen_v to_o such_o a_o book_n as_o we_o have_v describe_v this_o to_o be_v i_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o insert_v now_o into_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o history_n as_o long_o and_o as_o considerable_a as_o that_o of_o moses_n his_o miracle_n in_o egypt_n and_o the_o wilderness_n and_o how_o ridiculous_a soever_o this_o supposition_n appear_v to_o be_v i_o know_v not_o whither_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o more_o difficult_a to_o insert_v such_o fabulous_a story_n into_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n since_o the_o jew_n have_v at_o least_o as_o high_a a_o esteem_n for_o their_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o law_n as_o we_o have_v for_o we_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o who_o most_o near_o and_o natural_a interest_n it_o be_v not_o to_o know_v what_o they_o contain_v have_v it_o be_v only_o that_o they_o may_v learn_v how_o to_o save_v themselves_o from_o that_o death_n which_o they_o be_v to_o suffer_v without_o reprieve_n upon_o failure_n of_o the_o performance_n of_o some_o duty_n prescribe_v by_o their_o law_n 35._o but_o that_o which_o invincible_o prove_v the_o falsehood_n of_o this_o supposition_n be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n two_o history_n of_o moses_n the_o one_o write_v in_o the_o book_n that_o bear_v his_o name_n the_o other_o as_o it_o be_v engrave_v on_o the_o ceremony_n and_o law_n observe_v by_o the_o jew_n the_o practice_n whereof_o be_v a_o live_a witness_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o book_n which_o institute_v they_o and_o even_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o most_o wonderful_a thing_n which_o it_o contain_v for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o most_o astonish_a miracle_n be_v represent_v by_o the_o ceremony_n and_o by_o the_o other_o thing_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n the_o pot_n of_o manna_n keep_v in_o the_o ark_n be_v a_o stand_a monument_n of_o the_o miraculous_a food_n wherewith_o god_n feed_v that_o people_n in_o the_o wilderness_n aaron_n rod_n that_o bud_a be_v a_o monument_n of_o the_o way_n how_o god_n confirm_v unto_o he_o the_o office_n of_o high-priesthood_n and_o the_o table_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v a_o memorial_n of_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o exodus_fw-la concern_v the_o establishment_n of_o the_o law_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o paschal_n lamb_n the_o ceremony_n of_o unleavened-bread_n the_o assign_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levy_n unto_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o temple_n do_v represent_v the_o destroy_a angel_n pass_v over_o the_o house_n of_o the_o israelite_n the_o death_n of_o the_o first-born_a of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o deliverance_n of_o those_o of_o the_o israelete_n the_o brazen_a plate_n which_o be_v fasten_v to_o and_o cover_v the_o altar_n be_v a_o memorial_n of_o the_o death_n of_o those_o audacious_a levite_n who_o wilful_o contend_v with_o aaron_n race_n for_o the_o priesthood_n in_o fine_a the_o ark_n the_o tabernacle_n all_o the_o different_a ministry_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n all_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o purification_n all_o the_o law_n the_o assignation_n of_o the_o country_n beyond_o jordan_n to_o the_o two_o tribe_n of_o reuben_n and_o gad_n and_o to_o the_o half_a tribe_n of_o manasse_n the_o city_n of_o refuge_n for_o such_o as_o shall_v happen_v to_o slay_v a_o man_n unwitting_o all_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v which_o it_o will_v be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o deny_v as_o to_o pretend_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o jew_n in_o the_o world_n have_v a_o necessary_a respect_n unto_o and_o connexion_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o invincible_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v write_v since_o his_o time_n 36._o for_o otherwise_o either_o all_o that_o we_o have_v be_v now_o discourse_v of_o must_v also_o have_v be_v establish_v since_o moses_n and_o after_o the_o publish_v of_o the_o book_n ascribe_v unto_o he_o or_o else_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o moses_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o without_o any_o book_n some_o other_o
body_n must_v have_v write_v those_o book_n and_o accommodate_v they_o to_o the_o ceremony_n and_o law_n which_o be_v already_o in_o use_n add_v thereunto_o those_o miracle_n the_o more_o to_o engage_v the_o people_n unto_o the_o observance_n of_o that_o law_n but_o all_o this_o be_v so_o far_o void_a of_o all_o probability_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o till_o now_o that_o dare_v in_o earnest_n assert_v it_o 37._o how_o can_v it_o be_v say_v for_o example_n that_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v write_v and_o publish_v long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o it_o cause_v the_o establishment_n of_o the_o law_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n which_o it_o contain_v then_o it_o must_v be_v say_v also_o that_o the_o ark_n and_o tabernacle_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o that_o religion_n be_v not_o make_v till_o long_o after_o moses_n and_o till_o that_o book_n have_v be_v publish_v but_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n absolute_o impossible_a for_o all_o the_o jew_n firm_o believe_v that_o their_o ark_n and_o tabernacle_n be_v make_v by_o moses_n as_o that_o book_n relate_v and_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a why_o or_o on_o what_o account_n they_o can_v have_v take_v up_o such_o a_o opinion_n if_o they_o have_v make_v they_o both_o themselves_o after_o they_o have_v see_v and_o receive_v that_o book_n which_o be_v now_o suppose_v not_o to_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o moses_n it_o will_v be_v doubtless_o one_o of_o the_o pretty_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o most_o unparalleled_a either_o that_o this_o book_n have_v be_v compile_v all_o at_o once_o and_o beforehand_o with_o that_o prodigious_a number_n of_o ceremony_n and_o law_n as_o already_o in_o use_n they_o shall_v afterward_o have_v be_v institute_v and_o settle_v or_o that_o be_v compile_v by_o degree_n and_o according_a as_o all_o those_o thing_n be_v institute_v and_o establish_v it_o shall_v always_o have_v have_v as_o they_o say_v a_o retractive_a effect_n or_o influence_n and_o have_v wrought_v backward_o so_o as_o to_o cause_v each_o of_o those_o institution_n to_o be_v ascribe_v unto_o moses_n 38._o likewise_o how_o can_v this_o people_n who_o at_o their_o first_o embrace_v of_o this_o law_n must_v at_o least_o have_v know_v that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o it_o have_v be_v in_o use_n among_o they_o ever_o since_o moses_n his_o time_n and_o that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o continue_a succession_n of_o priest_n ever_o since_o aaron_n how_o i_o say_v can_v this_o people_n have_v be_v able_a to_o persuade_v themselves_o universal_o to_o believe_v that_o what_o be_v prescribe_v by_o that_o book_n have_v always_o be_v practise_v among_o they_o and_o that_o the_o priest_n who_o it_o ordain_v have_v receive_v their_o ministry_n from_o aaron_n by_o a_o uninterrupted_a succession_n and_o final_o how_o upon_o the_o same_o principle_n can_v all_o the_o other_o tribe_n and_o family_n have_v suffer_v the_o tribe_n of_o levy_n and_o race_n of_o aaron_n to_o appropriate_v unto_o themselves_o all_o the_o privilege_n belong_v to_o the_o priesthood_n and_o to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n 39_o there_o be_v no_o less_o absurdity_n in_o the_o other_o supposition_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o law_n have_v be_v give_v by_o moses_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n be_v preserve_v for_o a_o time_n among_o the_o jew_n by_o mean_n of_o tradition_n only_o and_o that_o afterward_o those_o who_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v add_v thereunto_o all_o those_o miracle_n for_o beside_o that_o even_o this_o will_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o miracle_n and_o a_o thing_n very_o hard_o to_o conceive_v that_o that_o people_n shall_v have_v receive_v a_o law_n so_o strict_a and_o severe_a as_o that_o be_v from_o a_o man_n who_o have_v do_v nothing_o extraordinary_a for_o prove_v that_o he_o have_v it_o from_o god_n how_o can_v it_o be_v that_o moses_n who_o doubtless_o have_v the_o use_n of_o writing_n shall_v have_v omit_v a_o thing_n so_o necessary_a and_o not_o have_v commit_v to_o write_v a_o law_n that_o contain_v so_o many_o observation_n so_o many_o ceremony_n and_o so_o many_o rule_n that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o have_v it_o always_o before_o one_o eye_n for_o fear_v of_o fail_v in_o some_o or_o other_o point_n of_o duty_n prescribe_v by_o it_o 40._o and_o indeed_o we_o learn_v also_o from_o the_o book_n itself_o that_o moses_n do_v not_o sail_v to_o commit_v it_o to_o writing_n moses_n as_o it_o be_v say_v deut._n 31._o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12_o 13._o write_v this_o law_n and_o deliver_v it_o unto_o the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o levy_n and_o unto_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n and_o command_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v read_v before_o all_o israel_n in_o their_o hear_n at_o the_o end_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n and_o it_o be_v also_o say_v in_o i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o many_o place_n of_o that_o book_n that_o god_n command_v moses_n to_o write_v that_o which_o he_o reveal_v to_o he_o upon_o the_o mount_n if_o the_o jew_n than_o have_v receive_v that_o law_n from_o he_o only_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n how_o can_v they_o have_v ever_o receive_v a_o book_n which_o shall_v have_v contain_v a_o lie_n so_o gross_a &_o evident_a and_o which_o shall_v have_v carry_v in_o it_o a_o express_a order_n from_o god_n which_o their_o lawgiver_n have_v not_o obey_v 41._o that_o very_a order_n to_o read_v the_o law_n every_o seven_o year_n at_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n as_o have_v be_v give_v by_o moses_n do_v further_a clear_o show_v that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v change_v nor_o corrupt_v for_o it_o will_v have_v be_v impossible_a for_o such_o corruption_n not_o to_o have_v be_v discover_v or_o that_o be_v discover_v they_o shall_v have_v be_v suffer_v by_o a_o people_n devote_v to_o that_o law_n and_o who_o devout_a subjection_n to_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o their_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o write_v by_o moses_n beside_o that_o those_o miracle_n be_v most_o visible_a to_o the_o eye_n scatter_v throughout_o the_o book_n repeat_v in_o divers_a place_n of_o they_o and_o link_v with_o the_o principal_a transaction_n therein_o record_v there_o have_v be_v a_o necessity_n of_o make_v a_o new_a book_n to_o take_v they_o in_o and_o not_o mere_o to_o alter_v for_o that_o purpose_n a_o old_a book_n which_o have_v be_v already_o receive_v 42._o the_o infidel_n than_o must_v yet_o once_o more_o return_v to_o that_o pretend_v vainglorious_a humour_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o maintain_v that_o the_o jew_n can_v easy_o suffer_v this_o falsification_n and_o that_o they_o be_v even_o glad_a that_o all_o those_o miracle_n be_v add_v to_o their_o law_n and_o that_o their_o chronicle_n be_v fill_v with_o they_o 43._o this_o may_v have_v some_o probability_n if_o the_o question_n be_v only_o about_o a_o matter_n of_o civil_a or_o political_a concernment_n as_o for_o example_n the_o roman_n can_v have_v be_v content_a that_o one_o shall_v have_v tell_v they_o that_o they_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o aeneas_n and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o french_a will_v be_v well_o enough_o please_v that_o one_o shall_v derive_v their_o original_a from_o the_o trojan_n these_o be_v thing_n which_o please_v some_o man_n fancy_n and_o may_v pass_v without_o contradiction_n it_o be_v no_o body_n interest_n to_o oppose_v they_o and_o they_o do_v not_o interfere_v with_o other_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v establish_v and_o steadfast_o believe_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n and_o that_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o only_a considerable_a but_o as_o touch_v the_o jew_n a_o people_n so_o devote_v to_o their_o religion_n so_o faithful_a observer_n of_o the_o least_o tradition_n and_o to_o who_o lie_v be_v so_o severe_o forbid_v this_o supposition_n be_v altogether_o without_o any_o appearance_n of_o truth_n 44._o for_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o the_o infidel_n boldness_n to_o deny_v any_o thing_n that_o make_v against_o they_o dare_v adventure_n so_o far_o as_o to_o dispute_v all_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o the_o jew_n zeal_n for_o their_o religion_n since_o even_o yet_o to_o this_o day_n they_o have_v so_o great_a a_o veneration_n for_o that_o law_n that_o though_o they_o have_v be_v disperse_v above_o these_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n and_o see_v no_o accomplishment_n of_o what_o be_v promise_v to_o they_o notwithstanding_o they_o observe_v it_o still_o as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v with_o the_o same_o strictness_n as_o they_o do_v at_o first_o and_o wait_v continual_o for_o the_o fulfil_n of_o those_o promise_n how_o improbable_a be_v it_o then_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v suffer_v that_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o god_n own_o word_n to_o be_v mix_v and_o blend_v with_o
few_o in_o which_o the_o israelite_n can_v not_o be_v deceive_v that_o be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v we_o and_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v all_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o look_v upon_o moses_n as_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n who_o will_v reveal_v himself_o to_o man_n since_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n once_o violate_v suffice_v to_o teach_v we_o and_o make_v we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v something_o above_o nature_n and_o never_o man_n before_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v so_o visible_o to_o have_v be_v entrust_v with_o the_o power_n of_o that_o lord_n of_o nature_n as_o this_o man_n that_o we_o speak_v of_o 26._o it_o may_v be_v some_o will_v rather_o choose_v to_o say_v that_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o moses_n shall_v have_v deceive_v the_o jew_n but_o that_o it_o may_v very_o well_o be_v that_o they_o themselves_o have_v help_v on_o the_o cheat_n and_o that_o they_o may_v have_v look_v upon_o that_o heap_n of_o miracle_n as_o fabulous_a as_o they_o be_v as_o a_o thing_n that_o may_v make_v they_o to_o be_v admire_v by_o other_o nation_n but_o in_o truth_n there_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o desire_n of_o devise_v to_o one_o self_n some_o ground_n of_o doubt_v what_o ever_o it_o be_v that_o can_v produce_v such_o a_o fantastical_a supposition_n for_o of_o all_o the_o supposition_n that_o infidelity_n can_v suggest_v this_o certain_o be_v the_o most_o undefensible_a we_o shall_v show_v by_o and_o by_o that_o this_o people_n can_v not_o have_v contribute_v their_o help_n to_o this_o imposture_n by_o suppose_v that_o present_o or_o some_o time_n after_o moses_n his_o death_n and_o the_o law_n be_v already_o establish_v among_o they_o some_o new_a upstart_n devise_v such_o a_o strange_a way_n to_o make_v they_o considerable_a and_o famous_a in_o the_o world_n and_o by_o prove_v that_o their_o love_n to_o their_o nation_n will_v have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o induce_v they_o to_o consent_v to_o it_o as_o that_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o that_o alone_o will_v have_v be_v a_o invincible_a obstacle_n thereunto_o which_o be_v no_o less_o true_a with_o respect_n to_o moses_n than_o it_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o any_o other_o but_o there_o be_v yet_o infinite_o less_o probability_n that_o the_o first_o jew_n will_v consent_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n for_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o they_o will_v have_v plot_v with_o moses_n to_o bring_v themselves_o in_o subjection_n to_o a_o law_n which_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v the_o mere_a product_n of_o his_o invention_n and_o that_o for_o the_o same_o law_n of_o which_o they_o have_v such_o a_o opinion_n they_o will_v have_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v use_v so_o rigorous_o as_o that_o a_o mere_a omission_n in_o ceremony_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o death_n and_o that_o without_o murmur_a or_o repine_v at_o it_o what_o more_o can_v be_v do_v or_o suffer_v on_o the_o account_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o serious_o manage_v and_o believe_v and_o that_o be_v find_v to_o be_v establish_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n beside_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o rare_a sight_n indeed_o to_o see_v five_o or_o six_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n all_o agree_v to_o report_v a_o know_a falsehood_n and_o that_o none_o of_o they_o all_o nor_o of_o their_o posterity_n shall_v ever_o contradict_v it_o and_o give_v the_o rest_n the_o lie_n 27._o for_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o those_o miracle_n whereof_o every_o particular_a person_n of_o that_o numerous_a people_n all_o encamp_v together_o can_v not_o but_o have_v know_v the_o falsity_n if_o they_o have_v be_v false_a and_o which_o yet_o he_o be_v to_o authorize_v as_o have_v see_v it_o with_o his_o own_o eye_n or_o as_o have_v be_v do_v in_o his_o own_o or_o his_o father_n time_n what_o a_o work_n than_o have_v this_o be_v for_o moses_n to_o make_v sure_a of_o so_o many_o person_n and_o especial_o among_o a_o people_n so_o difficult_a to_o be_v govern_v and_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o among_o so_o many_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v either_o some_o conceit_a fellow_n or_o some_o sober_a understand_a man_n that_o set_v himself_o to_o oppose_v such_o a_o design_n whosoever_o shall_v have_v undertake_v to_o do_v so_o he_o must_v be_v very_o ignorant_a of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n who_o can_v see_v that_o such_o a_o one_o will_v quick_o have_v have_v as_o many_o follower_n as_o moses_n or_o at_o least_o that_o he_o will_v have_v be_v desirous_a to_o acquaint_v posterity_n with_o this_o imposture_n and_o that_o he_o will_v have_v easy_o accomplish_v his_o desire_n or_o purpose_n to_o do_v so_o 28._o beside_o what_o can_v be_v a_o more_o proper_a and_o likely_a mean_n to_o render_v the_o jew_n ridiculous_a among_o all_o nation_n so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v a_o fit_a mean_n to_o make_v they_o be_v admire_v and_o how_o blind_a must_v they_o have_v be_v not_o to_o have_v see_v this_o for_o instance_n what_o will_v the_o egyptian_n have_v say_v concern_v all_o those_o plague_n which_o moses_n say_v he_o bring_v upon_o they_o concern_v that_o death_n of_o all_o their_o first-born_a and_o that_o drown_v of_o pharaoh_n army_n in_o the_o sea_n and_o how_o come_v all_o those_o other_o nation_n who_o they_o brage_v to_o have_v conquer_v in_o so_o extraordinary_a a_o manner_n to_o be_v so_o enchant_v as_o to_o let_v so_o many_o fabulous_a story_n pass_v in_o the_o world_n without_o contradiction_n unless_o they_o be_v also_o in_o the_o plot_n against_o themselves_o and_o be_v as_o real_a enemy_n to_o and_o hater_n of_o their_o own_o fame_n and_o glory_n in_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v imagine_v and_o suppose_v that_o the_o israelite_n be_v ridiculous_o in_o love_n with_o they_o 29._o man_n may_v invent_v fable_n i_o confess_v yet_o they_o do_v not_o carry_v they_o to_o that_o excess_n when_o they_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o above_o all_o they_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o place_v the_o first_o rise_v of_o they_o in_o far_o distant_a time_n and_o to_o vail_v they_o with_o the_o obscurity_n and_o darkness_n of_o many_o remote_a age_n but_o as_o man_n never_o design_v to_o pass_v for_o knave_n or_o fool_n so_o they_o never_o invent_v such_o fabulous_a story_n as_o may_v be_v gainsay_v and_o prove_v false_a by_o live_a witness_n yea_o by_o whole_a and_o much_o concern_v nation_n as_o for_o instance_n it_o have_v be_v a_o pretty_a project_n in_o the_o moor_n when_o they_o be_v return_v into_o africa_n after_o they_o have_v be_v drive_v out_o of_o spain_n if_o they_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o they_o come_v out_o of_o it_o voluntary_o by_o miracle_n like_a to_o moses_n his_o miracle_n and_o that_o after_o the_o mediterranean_a sea_n have_v open_v itself_o to_o make_v way_n for_o their_o passage_n they_o see_v it_o close_o again_o to_o drown_v a_o army_n of_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o thousand_o of_o man_n that_o pursue_v they_o and_o yet_o the_o design_n we_o speak_v of_o have_v be_v no_o less_o extravagant_a in_o the_o jew_n for_o we_o must_v not_o represent_v unto_o ourselves_o those_o so_o remote_a time_n although_o gross_a or_o rude_a as_o so_o dark_a as_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v in_o those_o time_n man_n hear_v from_o one_o another_o they_o have_v the_o same_o interest_n and_o the_o same_o passion_n that_o we_o have_v they_o see_v what_o they_o see_v and_o feel_v what_o be_v to_o be_v feel_v as_o well_o as_o we_o do_v 30._o these_o two_o hypothesis_n then_o must_v be_v absolute_o abandon_v neither_o be_v moses_n a_o impostor_n that_o deceive_v the_o jew_n neither_o be_v the_o jew_n in_o confederacy_n with_o he_o to_o carry_v on_o the_o plot._n there_o remain_v nothing_o to_o be_v object_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n that_o bear_v his_o name_n or_o at_o least_o that_o it_o be_v but_o since_o his_o death_n that_o all_o those_o miracle_n which_o it_o contain_v have_v be_v add_v to_o it_o this_o be_v unbelief_n last_o refuge_n but_o reason_n will_v not_o suffer_v a_o man_n that_o have_v the_o least_o measure_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o take_v up_o with_o it_o 31._o although_o we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o certify_v we_o that_o these_o be_v real_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o we_o have_v they_o such_o as_o they_o be_v pen_v by_o he_o but_o this_o that_o they_o bear_v his_o name_n as_o they_o themselves_o witness_v that_o they_o have_v be_v always_o attribute_v unto_o he_o and_o that_o it_o come_v into_o no_o man_n mind_n until_o now_o to_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a this_o shall_v be_v enough_o and_o because_o of_o this_o we_o can_v not_o reasonable_o doubt_v of_o their_o be_v he_o since_o we_o have_v no_o other_o assurance_n that_o any_o
but_o say_v p._n simon_n the_o history_n of_o the_o sell_v of_o joseph_n begin_v but_o at_o the_o 37th_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n and_o yet_o joseph_n be_v sell_v twelve_o year_n before_o the_o death_n of_o isaac_n ergo_fw-la the_o death_n of_o isaac_n shall_v be_v relate_v after_o the_o sell_v of_o joseph_n but_o it_o be_v relate_v before_o and_o so_o be_v out_o of_o its_o place_n i_o answer_v by_o deny_v the_o consequence_n it_o follow_v indeed_o that_o therefore_o the_o death_n of_o isaac_n be_v real_o after_o the_o sell_v of_o joseph_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o this_o in_o gen._n 35._o 28_o 29._o but_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o follow_v that_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o death_n of_o isaac_n must_v be_v place_v in_o the_o history_n after_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o sell_v of_o joseph_n for_o god_n be_v free_a to_o place_v it_o where_o he_o please_v and_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o place_v it_o before_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o sell_v of_o joseph_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 35th_o chapter_n and_o there_o be_v this_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o the_o sacred_a historian_n be_v there_o to_o finish_v the_o history_n of_o the_o life_n of_o isaac_n and_o to_o speak_v no_o more_o of_o it_o afterward_o and_o have_v no_o more_o to_o say_v of_o he_o but_o that_o isaac_n be_v one_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o year_n old_a died_n and_o be_v bury_v by_o his_o son_n esau_n and_o jacob_n the_o sacred_a historian_n wise_o judge_v it_o better_a to_o place_v it_o where_o it_o be_v than_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o history_n of_o joseph_n five_o he_o object_n gen._n 38._o 1._o and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o time_n that_o judah_n go_v down_o from_o his_o brethren_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v no_o body_n say_v p._n simon_n in_o read_v these_o word_n but_o will_v at_o first_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v join_v with_o those_o that_o go_v before_o they_o and_o that_o the_o time_n be_v relate_v in_o which_o this_o action_n pass_v nevertheless_o it_o be_v not_o so_o and_o the_o most_o learned_a interpreter_n of_o the_o scripture_n agree_v that_o it_o happen_v at_o another_o time_n i_o answer_v here_o be_v indeed_o something_o that_o look_v like_o a_o argument_n and_o at_o first_o sight_n there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o great_a difficulty_n in_o it_o not_o so_o much_o because_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v out_o of_o its_o proper_a place_n for_o that_o be_v easy_o answer_v as_o before_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v in_o the_o place_n assign_v unto_o it_o by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v in_o its_o own_o place_n but_o because_o the_o thing_n here_o relate_v be_v say_v to_o have_v come_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o time_n which_o at_o first_o sight_n seem_v plain_o to_o refer_v unto_o the_o sell_v of_o joseph_n but_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o judah_n be_v but_o new_o marry_v to_o the_o daughter_n of_o shuah_n when_o joseph_n be_v sell_v into_o egypt_n for_o between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o sale_n of_o joseph_n and_o the_o time_n of_o judah_n go_v into_o egypt_n with_o his_o father_n jacob_n be_v but_o twenty_o two_o or_o twenty_o three_o year_n as_o evident_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o joseph_n be_v sell_v at_o the_o age_n of_o seventeen_o year_n and_o all_o his_o father_n house_n go_v down_o to_o he_o into_o egypt_n when_o he_o be_v forty_o or_o thirty_o nine_o year_n old_a but_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o twenty_o two_o or_o twenty_o three_o year_n judah_n shall_v be_v marry_v unto_o the_o daughter_n of_o shuah_n and_o beget_v on_o she_o three_o son_n er_o onan_n and_o shelah_n and_o that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o er_fw-mi and_o onan_n and_o after_o the_o young_a of_o they_o shelah_n be_v marriageable_a judah_n shall_v commit_v incest_n with_o his_o daughter_n in_o law_n tamar_n the_o widow_n of_o er_o and_o on_o she_o beget_v pharez_n and_o zerah_n and_o than_o pharez_n shall_v be_v marry_v and_o beget_v two_o son_n hezron_n and_o hamul_n gen._n 38._o throughout_o and_o gen._n 46._o 12._o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n that_o all_o this_o can_v be_v do_v within_o the_o space_n of_o twenty_o three_o year_n therefore_o i_o conclude_v that_o the_o word_n at_o that_o time_n in_o verse_n 1_o of_o chap._n 38_o of_o genesis_n can_v refer_v unto_o what_o go_v immediate_o before_o to_o wit_n the_o sale_n of_o joseph_n into_o egypt_n some_o answer_n first_o that_o the_o word_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o time_n do_v not_o refer_v unto_o what_o go_v immediate_o before_o they_o but_o that_o they_o mediate_o refer_v unto_o the_o time_n when_o jacob_n come_v first_o into_o canaan_n after_o he_o have_v leave_v laban_n his_o father_n in_o law_n in_o mesopotamia_n they_o do_v not_o know_v certain_o where_o to_o fix_v the_o time_n refer_v unto_o but_o suppose_v it_o to_o have_v be_v about_o the_o time_n of_o jacob_n dwell_v at_o succoth_n or_o at_o shalem_n gen._n 33._o 17_o 18._o second_o other_o answer_v that_o the_o word_n at_o that_o time_n or_o according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n baeth_n hahi_n in_o that_o time_n do_v not_o at_o all_o refer_v unto_o any_o thing_n that_o go_v before_o either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o but_o that_o they_o be_v a_o manner_n of_o speech_n common_a to_o jewish_a and_o other_o writer_n such_o as_o diebus_fw-la illis_fw-la which_o signify_v a_o large_a compass_n of_o time_n within_o which_o a_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v without_o determine_v the_o year_n as_o if_o the_o meaning_n be_v no_o more_o but_o that_o in_o such_o a_o age_n such_o a_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v but_o three_o that_o which_o satisfy_v i_o most_o and_o in_o which_o i_o acquiesce_v be_v this_o that_o this_o difficulty_n be_v only_o in_o translation_n but_o not_o at_o all_o in_o the_o original_a and_o therefore_o i_o humble_o offer_v it_o unto_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o godly_a and_o learned_a whether_o it_o be_v not_o expedient_a in_o this_o place_n to_o take_v some_o of_o the_o other_o signification_n of_o the_o hebrew_n particle_n vaughan_n according_a to_o the_o prudent_a advice_n of_o that_o excellent_a person_n the_o honourable_a mr._n boyle_n in_o his_o consideration_n touch_v the_o stile_n of_o the_o scripture_n pag._n 64_o 65._o and_o thus_o to_o translate_v the_o passage_n under_o consideration_n vaihi_fw-la baeth_n hahi_fw-la vaijer_v jehudah_n etc._n etc._n vaijar_a shame_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o time_n when_o judah_n go_v down_o from_o his_o brethren_n and_o turn_v in_o etc._n etc._n that_o judah_n see_v there_o a_o daughter_n etc._n etc._n here_o i_o render_v the_o vaughan_n in_o vaijerd_n when_o and_o i_o do_v it_o first_o because_o the_o particle_n vaughan_n admit_v of_o this_o signification_n and_o according_o be_v sometime_o render_v in_o our_o own_o translation_n as_o for_o instance_n exod._n 18._o 1._o vaijishma_n jithro_n etc._n etc._n when_o jethro_n hear_v etc._n etc._n second_o because_o the_o subject_a matter_n do_v require_v this_o signification_n of_o vaughan_n in_o vaijered_a for_o the_o better_a clear_n up_o of_o the_o sense_n three_o because_o our_o own_o translatour_n recede_v from_o the_o primary_n signification_n of_o vaughan_n in_o vaijered_a and_o render_v it_o that_o why_o then_o may_v not_o we_o recede_v from_o the_o primary_n signification_n which_o be_v and_o and_o render_v it_o when_o since_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o to_o render_v it_o when_o will_v suit_v better_o with_o the_o subject_a matter_n or_o thing_n speak_v of_o then_o to_o render_v it_o that_o for_o if_o we_o render_v the_o vaughan_n in_o vajered_a when_o and_o the_o vaughan_n in_o vajar_n verse_n 2._o that_o with_o this_o little_a variation_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o one_o hebrew_a syllable_n the_o insuperable_a difficulty_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v in_o this_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v evanished_a and_o come_v to_o nothing_o for_o the_o word_n at_o that_o time_n clear_o refer_v unto_o judah_n his_o go_v down_o from_o his_o brethren_n and_o turn_v in_o to_o the_o adullamite_n hira_n then_o and_o at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v that_o he_o see_v the_o daughter_n of_o shuah_n and_o take_v she_o to_o wife_n but_o in_o what_o year_n this_o come_v to_o pass_v be_v not_o reveal_v and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o concern_v to_o know_v it_o p._n simon_n may_v have_v make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o his_o critical_a faculty_n in_o thus_o clear_v up_o the_o difficulty_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v in_o this_o place_n of_o scripture_n than_o in_o cavil_v at_o and_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n itself_o as_o he_o frequent_o do_v but_o that_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v none_o of_o his_o design_n but_o rather_o to_o lessen_v the_o