to_o himself_o thereby_o the_o great_a master_n of_o decency_n have_v not_o think_v it_o always_o improper_a for_o man_n to_o commend_v themselves_o either_o because_o they_o suppose_v some_o occasion_n may_v require_v it_o or_o because_o it_o be_v a_o more_o usual_a thing_n in_o ancient_a time_n when_o man_n life_n and_o manner_n be_v more_o natural_a and_o sincere_a and_o they_o often_o speak_v as_o they_o think_v both_o of_o themselves_o and_o other_o yet_o we_o no_o where_n find_v man_n speak_v so_o free_o in_o disparagement_n of_o themselves_o as_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o show_v that_o moses_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o inspire_a writer_n little_o regard_v their_o own_o praise_n or_o dispraise_v but_o write_v what_o god_n be_v please_v to_o appoint_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a to_o they_o so_o god_n may_v be_v honour_v whether_o they_o lose_v or_o gain_v in_o their_o own_o reputation_n by_o it_o but_o what_o we_o read_v of_o moses_n num._n twelve_o 3._o that_o he_o be_v very_o meek_a above_o all_o the_o man_n which_o be_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o only_a commendable_a character_n that_o moses_n give_v of_o himself_o may_v be_v translate_v that_o he_o be_v the_o most_o afflict_a man_n according_a to_o the_o marginal_a read_n and_o if_o he_o mention_n his_o own_o meekness_n he_o mention_n also_o his_o great_a anger_n or_o heat_n of_o anger_n exod._n xi_o 8._o and_o his_o be_v very_o wroth_a num._n xuj_o 15._o but_o if_o moses_n have_v not_o have_v more_o respect_n to_o truth_n than_o to_o his_o own_o reputation_n he_o will_v never_o have_v leave_v it_o upon_o record_n that_o he_o so_o often_o decline_v the_o message_n and_o employment_n which_o god_n appoint_v he_o to_o undertake_v exod._n iii._o 11_o 13._o &_o four_o 1_o 10_o 13_o 14._o and_o that_o god_n be_v angry_a with_o he_o upon_o other_o occasion_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n will_v not_o permit_v he_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o promise_a land_n he_o will_v certain_o have_v ascribe_v balaam_n prophecy_n and_o jethro_n advice_n to_o himself_o at_o least_o he_o will_v never_o have_v record_v that_o by_o jethro_n counsel_n he_o take_v up_o a_o new_a and_o better_a method_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n if_o he_o have_v be_v lead_v by_o ambition_n and_o vainglory_n he_o will_v have_v endeavour_v by_o these_o thing_n to_o adorn_v his_o own_o character_n and_o will_v never_o have_v lessen_v it_o by_o tell_v his_o own_o infirmity_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o to_o the_o diminution_n of_o himself_o he_o publish_v the_o excellency_n of_o other_o the_o wonder_n of_o the_o magician_n of_o egypt_n be_v not_o conceal_v by_o he_o and_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o own_o genealogy_n from_o levi_n he_o first_o set_v down_o the_o family_n of_o reuben_n and_o simeon_n the_o two_o elder_a brother_n lest_o he_o may_v seem_v to_o arrogate_v too_o much_o to_o himself_o and_o his_o own_o tribe_n some_o have_v observe_v that_o moses_n relate_v his_o own_o birth_n to_o have_v be_v by_o a_o marriage_n contrary_n to_o the_o law_n afterward_o by_o himself_o establish_v which_o indeed_o be_v doubtful_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o latitude_n of_o signification_n in_o the_o word_n sister_n in_o the_o hebrew_n language_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o be_v not_o careful_a to_o avoid_v the_o be_v think_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v from_o such_o a_o marriage_n as_o he_o will_v have_v be_v if_o his_o law_n have_v be_v of_o his_o own_o contrivance_n lest_o his_o own_o reputation_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n or_o perhaps_o both_o may_v have_v suffer_v by_o it_o exod._n vi_fw-la 14_o 20._o he_o set_v forth_o the_o ingratitude_n idolatry_n and_o perpetual_a revolt_v and_o murmur_n of_o his_o whole_a nation_n and_o relate_v the_o fail_n and_o fault_n of_o their_o ancestor_n the_o patriarch_n and_o particular_o of_o levi_n from_o who_o he_o be_v descend_v gen._n xxxiv_o 30._o &_o xlix_o 6._o he_o spare_v neither_o his_o people_n nor_o his_o ancestor_n nor_o himself_o in_o what_o he_o relate_v and_o these_o be_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o faithful_a historian_n and_o a_o sincere_a man_n that_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o as_o moses_n be_v not_o ambitious_a of_o praise_n so_o neither_o be_v he_o ambitious_a of_o power_n and_o dominion_n for_o beside_o that_o he_o enter_v upon_o such_o a_o undertake_n as_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v have_v attempt_v without_o a_o revelation_n it_o appear_v otherwise_o impossible_a to_o accomplish_v it_o his_o whole_a conduct_n show_v that_o he_o have_v no_o design_n of_o advance_v his_o own_o interest_n or_o dominion_n if_o he_o have_v be_v never_o so_o ambitious_a he_o need_v not_o have_v go_v into_o the_o wilderness_n to_o seek_v his_o preferment_n among_o a_o wander_a and_o stubborn_a people_n when_o he_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o to_o all_o the_o honour_n and_o the_o pleasure_n that_o egypt_n or_o pharaoh_n court_n can_v afford_v but_o he_o refuse_v to_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n choose_v rather_o to_o suffer_v affliction_n with_o the_o people_n of_o god_n than_o to_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n for_o a_o season_n esteem_v the_o reproach_n of_o christ_n great_a riches_n than_o the_o treasure_n of_o egypt_n heb._n xi_o 24_o 25._o he_o undertake_v to_o lead_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n for_o forty_o year_n through_o a_o barren_a wilderness_n where_o he_o can_v promise_v himself_o but_o a_o very_a uneasy_a and_o inglorious_a reign_n if_o that_o have_v be_v his_o design_n and_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n he_o can_v not_o hope_v to_o outlive_v that_o period_n of_o time_n and_o though_o he_o be_v preserve_v in_o his_o old_a age_n in_o the_o full_a strength_n and_o vigour_n of_o manhood_n yet_o upon_o their_o entrance_n into_o the_o promise_a land_n he_o meek_o resign_v himself_o to_o death_n in_o the_o very_a sight_n and_o border_n of_o canaan_n know_v beforehand_o that_o he_o must_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o possess_v the_o land_n which_o he_o have_v be_v so_o many_o year_n in_o so_o great_a danger_n lead_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o enjoy_v though_o he_o do_v not_o conceal_v how_o desirous_a he_o be_v to_o pass_v over_o jordan_n deut._n iii._o 23_o etc._n etc._n the_o history_n of_o his_o death_n be_v like_a that_o of_o his_o life_n relate_v with_o a_o peculiar_a kind_n of_o native_a simplicity_n he_o be_v not_o say_v to_o be_v take_v up_o into_o heaven_n as_o enoch_n and_o elijah_n be_v and_o as_o the_o roman_n feign_v of_o romulus_n but_o to_o die_v and_o his_o sepulchre_n be_v hide_v to_o prevent_v the_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a veneration_n which_o may_v have_v be_v pay_v to_o the_o remain_v of_o so_o great_a a_o person_n and_o though_o he_o have_v son_n yet_o they_o be_v but_o private_a man_n no_o otherwise_o know_v to_o we_o than_o as_o they_o be_v his_o son_n the_o government_n he_o confer_v upon_o joshua_n one_o of_o another_o tribe_n moses_n therefore_o be_v the_o further_a of_o any_o man_n from_o vainglorious_a or_o ambitious_a and_o aspire_a design_n and_o can_v propose_v no_o other_o advantage_n to_o himself_o but_o the_o fulfil_n the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o deliver_v his_o commandment_n to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o follow_v his_o direction_n in_o his_o conduct_n and_o government_n aaron_z be_v of_o a_o different_a temper_n from_o moses_n and_o be_v envious_a of_o he_o and_o both_o aaron_n and_o miriam_n murmur_v against_o he_o it_o be_v so_o notorious_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o contrivance_n between_o they_o to_o deceive_v the_o people_n that_o it_o be_v the_o immediate_a and_o visible_a power_n of_o god_n which_o keep_v aaron_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n in_o obedience_n to_o moses_n upon_o moses_n absence_n aaron_n comply_v with_o the_o people_n in_o make_v a_o golden_a calf_n and_o his_o two_o elder_a son_n offer_v strange_a fire_n before_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o have_v not_o command_v for_o which_o they_o be_v both_o destroy_v by_o fire_n miraculous_o issue_v out_o from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o aaron_n hold_v his_o peace_n know_v that_o this_o punishment_n be_v inflict_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o have_v nothing_o to_o reply_v to_o moses_n when_o he_o declare_v to_o he_o the_o justice_n of_o it_o and_o both_o aaron_n and_o his_o other_o two_o son_n be_v forbid_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o mourn_v for_o they_o leu._n x._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 6._o at_o last_o by_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n aaron_n go_v up_o into_o mount_n hor_n to_o die_v there_o not_o be_v permit_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n thus_o moses_n and_o aaron_n be_v sometime_o at_o disagreement_n aaron_n envy_v moses_n aaron_n lose_v two_o of_o his_o son_n by_o a_o
patience_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n that_o be_v to_o declare_v a_o ungrateful_a and_o despise_a truth_n among_o those_o who_o will_v think_v themselves_o so_o much_o concern_v to_o oppose_v and_o suppress_v it_o if_o they_o have_v wrought_v no_o miracle_n their_o courage_n and_o resolution_n may_v have_v pass_v for_o a_o groundless_a confidence_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o stand_v so_o resolute_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v their_o miracle_n themselves_o may_v have_v become_v suspect_v but_o act_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o be_v support_v in_o all_o their_o suffering_n by_o a_o supernatural_a constancy_n and_o greatness_n of_o mind_n and_o be_v so_o sudden_o change_v and_o raise_v above_o themselves_o in_o all_o they_o do_v or_o suffer_v and_o work_v the_o same_o change_n in_o other_o they_o give_v all_o the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o give_v and_o as_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n down_o upon_o their_o disciple_n so_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o patience_n under_o affliction_n communicate_v to_o they_o and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o god_n be_v please_v not_o to_o raise_v up_o any_o christian_a emperor_n till_o above_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n that_o he_o may_v show_v that_o the_o religion_n which_o come_v from_o heaven_n can_v need_v no_o human_a aid_n nor_o be_v suppress_v by_o any_o human_a force_n and_o that_o he_o may_v recommend_v the_o great_a virtue_n of_o meekness_n and_o patience_n to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o example_n man_n as_o eminent_a for_o these_o as_o for_o the_o miracle_n they_o wrought_v and_o may_v instruct_v mankind_n in_o a_o suffer_a religion_n for_o to_o assure_v the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o he_o will_v not_o grant_v it_o protection_n from_o christian_a emperor_n till_o most_o of_o the_o empire_n be_v become_v christian_a and_o christianity_n have_v diffuse_v itself_o into_o all_o the_o know_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o before_o the_o last_o persecution_n begin_v by_o dioclesian_n 1._o dioclesian_n euseb_n hist_o lib._n viij_o c._n 1._o the_o church_n flourish_v as_o much_o and_o have_v the_o favour_n of_o the_o court_n and_o of_o great_a man_n in_o as_o high_a a_o degree_n almost_o as_o under_o constantine_n himself_o till_o their_o prosperity_n cause_v their_o sin_n and_o these_o bring_v persecution_n but_o at_o last_o the_o persecute_v emperor_n be_v force_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n manifest_v in_o miraculous_a disease_n inflict_v on_o they_o to_o restore_v the_o christian_n to_o their_o former_a liberty_n in_o their_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n need_v no_o patronage_n of_o man_n for_o god_n will_v compel_v its_o worst_a enemy_n to_o become_v its_o protector_n when_o he_o see_v it_o fit_v and_o 16._o and_o sozom_n lib._n v._o c._n 16._o when_o julian_n make_v it_o his_o great_a aim_n and_o business_n to_o restore_v paganism_n again_o in_o the_o world_n he_o see_v to_o his_o grief_n how_o ineffectual_a all_o his_o endeavour_n prove_v he_o observe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n still_o retain_v a_o general_a esteem_n and_o approbation_n and_o that_o the_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n of_o his_o own_o priest_n themselves_o be_v most_o of_o they_o christian_n if_o any_o one_o then_o upon_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o all_o circumstance_n can_v withstand_v the_o conviction_n of_o so_o great_a evidence_n i_o will_v only_o ask_v he_o whether_o he_o believe_v any_o history_n or_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o he_o never_o see_v and_o desire_v he_o to_o show_v what_o degree_n of_o certainty_n he_o can_v discern_v in_o any_o of_o they_o which_o be_v be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v here_o and_o beside_o to_o consider_v that_o if_o in_o a_o vicious_a and_o subtle_a age_n a_o doctrine_n so_o contrary_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n by_o so_o weak_a and_o incompetent_a mean_n can_v obtain_v so_o universal_o among_o man_n of_o all_o temper_n and_o profession_n and_o interest_n in_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n against_o so_o violent_a opposition_n without_o the_o help_n of_o miracle_n this_o be_v as_o great_a a_o miracle_n as_o can_v be_v conceive_v either_o therefore_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v propagate_v by_o miracle_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o the_o miracle_n by_o which_o it_o be_v propagate_v prove_v it_o to_o be_v from_o god_n if_o it_o be_v not_o propagate_v by_o miracle_n the_o propagation_n itself_o be_v a_o miracle_n and_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v from_o he_o chap._n xvii_o of_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n it_o be_v just_o esteem_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o the_o credibility_n of_o any_o history_n if_o it_o be_v write_v by_o man_n of_o integrity_n man_n who_o have_v no_o suspicion_n upon_o they_o of_o dishonesty_n and_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o deceive_v and_o who_o relate_v nothing_o but_o of_o their_o own_o time_n and_o within_o their_o own_o knowledge_n though_o the_o author_n never_o suffer_v any_o loss_n nor_o run_v any_o hazard_n in_o assert_v what_o they_o deliver_v but_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n have_v this_o further_a advantage_n that_o many_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a thing_n in_o it_o be_v do_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o that_o which_o be_v a_o history_n to_o future_a age_n be_v rather_o a_o appeal_n to_o that_o age_n whether_o the_o thing_n relate_v be_v true_a or_o not_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n and_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n as_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v be_v attest_v by_o his_o apostle_n to_o the_o face_n of_o his_o very_a crucifier_n and_o they_o all_o remain_v upon_o the_o place_n where_o what_o they_o witness_v have_v be_v do_v for_o several_a year_n afterward_o declare_v and_o preach_v to_o all_o people_n the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o soon_o after_o his_o ascension_n when_o all_o the_o proceed_n against_o he_o be_v fresh_a in_o memory_n they_o commit_v the_o same_o to_o write_v in_o greek_a which_o be_v the_o most_o common_a language_n and_o general_o know_v at_o that_o time_n st._n matthew_n who_o first_o pen_v his_o gospel_n be_v say_v to_o have_v write_v it_o in_o hebrew_n or_o syriack_n though_o it_o be_v soon_o after_o translate_v into_o greek_n so_o that_o whover_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o greek_a tongue_n may_v read_v the_o gospel_n in_o their_o own_o language_n not_o long_o after_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v pen_v and_o they_o be_v all_o in_o a_o short_a time_n disperse_v into_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o translate_v into_o all_o language_n it_o be_v particular_o relate_v ebion_n relate_v eâ—iphan_n haerâ—â—_n ebion_n that_o st._n john_n gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v soon_o translate_v into_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n the_o evangelist_n give_v such_o a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o birth_n and_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o must_v suppose_v they_o record_v at_o rome_n for_o there_o the_o censual_a table_n be_v keep_v where_o by_o st._n luke_n account_n the_o name_n of_o our_o saviour_n must_v have_v be_v register_v and_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n be_v so_o remarkable_a as_o they_o relate_v they_o that_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n use_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a province_n the_o emperor_n must_v have_v a_o relation_n send_v he_o of_o they_o and_o as_o i_o have_v show_v both_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n appeal_v to_o the_o roman_a record_n for_o the_o truth_n both_o of_o the_o birth_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o massacre_n of_o the_o infant_n by_o herod_n be_v preserve_v to_o we_o by_o a_o say_n of_o augustus_n concern_v herod_n upon_o it_o 4._o it_o macrobius_n saturnal_a lib._n two_o c._n 4._o which_o be_v mention_v in_o macrobius_n a_o heathen_a author_n for_o augustus_n be_v tell_v that_o among_o other_o herod_n have_v cause_v his_o own_o child_n to_o be_v slay_v which_o whether_o true_a or_o no_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o emperor_n to_o make_v this_o observation_n that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v herod_n swine_n than_o his_o son_n tacitus_n mention_n our_o saviour_n suffering_n under_o pontius_n pilate_n and_o tertullian_n in_o his_o 21._o his_o tertul._n apol._n c._n 21._o apology_n tell_v the_o heathen_n that_o the_o miraculous_a eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v at_o christ_n death_n stand_v upon_o record_n in_o their_o own_o register_n whether_o it_o be_v for_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o course_n
the_o god_n of_o other_o nation_n do_v not_o worship_v they_o after_o their_o manner_n and_o yet_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o roman_n themselves_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o cybele_n flora_n bacchus_n etc._n etc._n be_v very_o scandalous_a and_o wicked_a and_o all_o their_o sport_n and_o spectacle_n which_o have_v nothing_o sure_o in_o they_o that_o can_v be_v proper_a for_o divine_a worship_n be_v invent_v and_o perform_v in_o honour_n of_o their_o god_n 8._o god_n quintil_n institut_fw-la lib._n iii._o c._n 8._o whence_o quinctilian_n say_v the_o theatre_n may_v be_v style_v a_o kind_n of_o temple_n 3._o but_o beside_o their_o bloody_a spectacle_n where_o man_n be_v expose_v to_o be_v kill_v by_o beast_n or_o by_o one_o another_o their_o altar_n themselves_o be_v not_o free_a from_o humane_a blood_n for_o the_o barbarous_a cruelty_n of_o the_o religion_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v such_o that_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o offer_v up_o innocent_a man_n and_o child_n in_o sacrifice_n to_o their_o deity_n some_o of_o the_o rabbin_n have_v be_v of_o opinion_n that_o jephtha_n sacrifice_v his_o daughter_n but_o other_o deny_v it_o 40._o it_o vicunque_fw-la autem_fw-la seres_fw-fr ea_fw-la habuerit_fw-la id_fw-la certum_fw-la puto_fw-la esse_fw-la non_fw-la reperiri_fw-la apud_fw-la magistros_fw-la qui_fw-la ex_fw-la jure_fw-la aliquo_fw-la immolandam_fw-la eam_fw-la esse_fw-la affirmaveâ—it_fw-la selden_n de_fw-la jure_fw-la nat._n &_o gent._n lib._n four_o c._n 2._o the_o daughter_n of_o israel_n go_v yearly_a to_o lament_v or_o to_o talk_v with_o 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o margin_n judg._n xi_o 40._o and_o all_o be_v agree_v that_o if_o he_o do_v sacrifice_v she_o he_o sin_v in_o do_v it_o and_o we_o know_v that_o abraham_n be_v hinder_v by_o a_o miracle_n and_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n when_o he_o be_v about_o to_o slay_v isaac_n but_o it_o be_v a_o custom_n among_o the_o 10._o the_o grot._fw-la ad_fw-la deutr._fw-la xviii_o 10._o phoenician_n and_o canaanites_n for_o their_o king_n in_o time_n of_o great_a calamity_n to_o sacrifice_v one_o of_o their_o son_n who_o they_o love_v best_a and_o it_o be_v common_a both_o with_o they_o and_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n to_o sacrifice_v their_o child_n the_o egyptian_n the_o athenian_n and_o lacedaemonian_n and_o general_o all_o the_o grecian_n the_o roman_n and_o carthaginian_n the_o german_n and_o gaul_n and_o britain_n and_o in_o brief_a all_o the_o heathen_a nation_n throughout_o the_o world_n offer_v up_o man_n upon_o their_o altar_n and_o this_o not_o on_o certain_a emergency_n and_o in_o imminent_a danger_n only_o but_o constant_o and_o in_o some_o place_n every_o day_n but_o upon_o extraordinary_a accident_n multitude_n be_v sacrifice_v at_o once_o to_o their_o bloody_a deity_n festo_fw-la deity_n diodo_fw-la sic._n apud_fw-la euseb_n de_fw-fr laudib_n constant_n c._n xiii_o lanctant_fw-la lib._n i_o c._n 21._o ex_fw-la piscennio_n festo_fw-la as_o diodorus_n siculus_n and_o other_o relate_v that_o in_o africa_n two_o hundred_o child_n of_o the_o principal_a nobility_n be_v sacrifice_v to_o saturn_n at_o one_o time_n and_o ult_v and_o euseb_n praepar_fw-la lib._n four_o c._n 16._o macrob._n saturn_n lib._n i_o c._n 7._o alex._n ab_fw-la alexand._n lib._n 6._o c._n ult_v aristomenes_n sacrifice_v three_o hundred_o man_n together_o to_o jupiter_n ithometes_n one_o of_o who_o be_v theopompus_n king_n of_o the_o lacedæmonians_n and_o the_o same_o custom_n be_v find_v practise_v among_o the_o idolatrous_a indian_n of_o offer_v whole_a hecatomb_n of_o humane_a sacrifice_n to_o their_o false_a go_n 21._o go_n jos_n accost_n hist_o lib._n 5._o c._n 19_o 21._o in_o peru_n when_o their_o new_a ingra_n be_v crown_v they_o sacrifice_v two_o hundred_o child_n from_o four_o to_o ten_o year_n of_o age_n and_o the_o son_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v sacrifice_v for_o the_o life_n of_o the_o father_n when_o he_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o death_n sometime_o the_o mexican_n have_v sacrifice_v above_o five_o thousand_o of_o their_o captive_n in_o a_o day_n and_o in_o divers_a place_n above_o twenty_o thousand_o as_o acosta_n write_v out_o of_o the_o information_n he_o have_v from_o the_o indian_n 57_o indian_n liv._o lib._n xxii_o c._n 57_o livy_n make_v mention_n of_o humane_a sacrifice_n at_o rome_n and_o initio_fw-la and_o plutarch_n in_o marcello_n initio_fw-la plutarch_n say_v they_o continue_v in_o his_o time_n and_o it_o be_v not_o till_o about_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n reign_n that_o a_o final_a stop_n be_v put_v to_o so_o strange_a and_o abominable_a a_o practice_n for_o though_o it_o abate_v very_o much_o under_o adrian_n yet_o it_o be_v use_v when_o minutius_n felix_n write_v and_o 21._o and_o lact._n lib._n 1._o c._n 21._o lanctantius_n mention_n it_o as_o not_o lay_v aside_o in_o his_o time_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o much_o against_o humane_a nature_n as_o well_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a mercy_n and_o goodness_n yet_o it_o make_v up_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n and_o be_v become_v so_o customary_a that_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o bring_v man_n off_o from_o it_o which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n demonstate_v both_o how_o false_a such_o religion_n be_v and_o that_o man_n have_v a_o most_o undoubted_a experience_n of_o invisible_a power_n or_o else_o in_o so_o many_o nation_n both_o the_o king_n and_o people_n will_v never_o have_v sacrifice_v their_o own_o child_n to_o their_o false_a god_n to_o avert_v the_o evil_n which_o they_o be_v threaten_v withal_o the_o person_n that_o introduce_v the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v either_o man_n of_o design_n who_o establish_v themselves_o in_o their_o power_n and_o authority_n by_o it_o as_o numa_n or_o man_n of_o fancy_n and_o fiction_n as_o the_o poet_n who_o plato_n will_v have_v banish_v out_o of_o his_o commonwealth_n and_o the_o god_n of_o the_o heathen_n who_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o reveal_v these_o mystery_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v always_o more_o wicked_a than_o their_o votary_n who_o great_a immorality_n consist_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o they_o the_o gross_a enormity_n not_o only_o of_o venus_n and_o bacchus_n but_o of_o saturn_n and_o jupiter_n be_v too_o well_o know_v to_o need_v any_o particular_a relation_n there_o be_v no_o body_n of_o law_n or_o rule_n of_o good_a life_n propose_v by_o their_o oracle_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o be_v in_o commendation_n of_o lascivions_n poet_n or_o they_o flatter_v tyrant_n or_o they_o appoint_v divine_a worship_n to_o be_v pay_v to_o such_o as_o win_v the_o mastery_n at_o the_o olympic_a game_n or_o to_o inanimate_a thing_n or_o they_o promote_v some_o other_o ill_o or_o vain_a and_o unprofitable_a design_n as_o oenomaus_n the_o philosopher_n observe_v and_o prove_v by_o particular_a instance_n recite_v out_o of_o he_o by_o 35._o by_o euseb_n praepar_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n 34_o 35._o eusebius_n the_o law_n of_o lycurg_n of_o plutarch_n in_o lycurg_n lycurgus_n be_v approve_v of_o and_o confirm_v by_o the_o delphic_a oracle_n and_o yet_o theft_n and_o a_o community_n of_o wife_n and_o the_o murder_n of_o infant_n be_v allow_v by_o these_o law_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o the_o heathen_a religion_n can_v not_o be_v from_o god_n since_o they_o teach_v the_o worship_n of_o idol_n and_o of_o devil_n and_o the_o mystery_n and_o rite_n of_o they_o be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n and_o purity_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o whoever_o do_v but_o look_v into_o the_o religion_n at_o this_o day_n among_o the_o idolatrous_a indian_n by_o their_o ridiculous_a and_o cruel_a penance_n and_o other_o superstition_n beside_o the_o sacrifice_a of_o man_n and_o sometime_o of_o themselves_o as_o the_o woman_n who_o offer_v themselves_o to_o be_v burn_v with_o the_o body_n of_o their_o dead_a husband_n and_o the_o like_a will_v soon_o be_v convince_v that_o they_o can_v be_v of_o god_n institution_n the_o chineses_n themselves_o who_o have_v so_o great_a a_o reputation_n for_o wisdom_n be_v like_o the_o rest_n both_o in_o their_o idolatry_n and_o in_o many_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o that_o none_o of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n can_v make_v any_o probable_a claim_n to_o divine_a revelation_n have_v none_o of_o the_o requisite_n to_o such_o a_o revelation_n but_o be_v but_o of_o a_o late_a original_a not_o far_o divulge_v support_v neither_o by_o prophecy_n nor_o miracle_n from_o god_n and_o contain_v doctrine_n that_o be_v idolatrous_a impure_a cruel_a and_o every_o way_n wicked_a and_o absurd_a chap._n v._o of_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_n but_o beside_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_a divers_a of_o the_o philosopherss_n pretend_v to_o something_o supernatural_a as_o pythagoras_n socrates_n and_o some_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v proper_a here_o to_o examinlikewise_o the_o justice_n of_o their_o pretension_n and_o
death_n of_o his_o father_n terah_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o year_n which_o terah_n live_v be_v set_v down_o gen._n xi_o 32._o and_o that_o the_o departure_n of_o abram_n out_o of_o haran_n which_o be_v relate_v gen._n twelve_o yet_o happen_v before_o his_o father_n death_n there_o will_v be_v no_o inconsistency_n but_o it_o will_v be_v evident_a if_o terah_n be_v but_o seventy_o year_n old_a when_o abram_n be_v beget_v and_o abram_n be_v but_o seventy_o five_o year_n old_a when_o he_o go_v out_o of_o haran_n that_o abram_n leave_v his_o father_n terah_n in_o haran_n where_o he_o live_v after_o abram_n departure_n from_o he_o to_o the_o age_n of_o two_o hundred_o and_o five_o year_n though_o during_o his_o father_n life_n he_o do_v upon_o occasion_n return_n to_o haran_n for_o the_o final_a removal_n of_o abram_n be_v not_o till_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o act_n seven_o 4._o and_o if_o this_o way_n of_o relate_v that_o in_o general_n first_o which_o be_v afterward_o set_v forth_o in_o the_o particular_n be_v attend_v to_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o will_v afford_v a_o solution_n of_o many_o difficulty_n as_o 25._o as_o aug._n qu._n sup._n genef_n c._n 25._o st_n austin_n have_v observe_v which_o otherwise_o be_v inexplicable_a other_o suppose_v abrant_n be_v the_o young_a of_o terah_n son_n though_o mention_v first_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o chronology_n only_o by_o this_o and_o other_o instance_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o elder_a brother_n be_v not_o always_o place_v first_o in_o scripture_n but_o sometime_o the_o young_a out_o of_o respect_n to_o he_o for_o his_o favour_n with_o god_n and_o his_o great_a dignity_n and_o worth_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n arise_v upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o son_n first_o name_v must_v therefore_o necessary_o be_v first_o bear_v proceed_v from_o a_o mistake_n 2._o sometime_o the_o principal_a number_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o odd_a or_o lesser_a number_n be_v omit_v which_o be_v add_v to_o the_o great_a or_o principal_a number_n in_o some_o other_o place_n cause_v a_o difference_n not_o to_o be_v reconcile_v but_o by_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v customary_a in_o the_o best_a author_n not_o always_o to_o mention_v the_o lesser_a number_n where_o the_o matter_n do_v not_o require_v it_o and_o we_o have_v evident_a proof_n of_o this_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o time_n of_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o of_o their_o dwell_n in_o egypt_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o year_n gen._n xv_o 13._o act_n seven_o 6._o which_o yet_o be_v in_o all_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n exod._n twelve_o 40._o galat._n iii._o 17._o the_o israelite_n who_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n be_v compute_v to_o be_v six_o hundred_o thousand_o and_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o num._n i._n 46._o two_o 32._o but_o moses_n speak_v of_o they_o num._n xi_o 21._o leaf_n out_o the_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o jerubbual_a or_o gideon_n be_v say_v to_o have_v have_v threescore_o and_o ten_o son_n by_o his_o wife_n beside_o abimelech_n who_o he_o have_v by_o a_o concubine_n judg._n viij_o 30_o 31._o and_o abimelech_n be_v often_o say_v to_o have_v slay_v these_o threescore_o and_o ten_o brethren_n though_o jotham_n the_o young_a of_o they_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n say_v to_o have_v escape_v judg._n ix_o 5_o 18_o 24_o 56._o the_o benjamite_n that_o be_v slay_v judg._n 20.35_o be_v say_v to_o be_v twenty_o and_o five_o thousand_o and_o a_o hundred_o man_n whereas_o vers_fw-la 46._o they_o be_v reckon_v only_o twenty_o and_o five_o thousand_o man_n 1_o cor._n xv_o 5._o we_o read_v that_o our_o saviour_n be_v see_v of_o cephas_n then_o of_o the_o twelve_o though_o st_n mathias_n be_v not_o choose_v into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o apostle_n till_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o st_n mark_n say_v precise_o that_o he_o appear_v unto_o the_o eleven_o as_o they_o sit_v at_o meat_n mark_v xuj_o 14._o thus_o in_o heathen_a author_n the_o trojan_a 1._o trojan_a si_fw-mi inquam_fw-la numerus_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la ad_fw-la amussim_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la dicimus_fw-la mille_fw-la nave_n iisse_fw-la ad_fw-la trojam_fw-la centumvirale_fw-la esse_fw-la judicium_fw-la romae_fw-la varro_n de_fw-fr re_fw-mi rust_n lib._n two_o c._n 1._o fleet_n be_v say_v to_o consist_v of_o a_o thousand_o ship_n whereas_o homer_n make_v they_o two_o hundred_o more_o as_o 10._o as_o thucyd._n lib._n i_o c._n 10._o thucydides_n reckon_v they_o or_o one_o hundred_o sixty_o six_o by_o his_o scholiast_n count_v but_o the_o historian_n do_v not_o care_n to_o be_v so_o punctual_a the_o judge_n style_v centumviri_n among_o the_o roman_n be_v at_o first_o five_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o and_o afterward_o 33._o afterward_o plin._n lib._n vi_fw-la epist_n 33._o almost_o twice_o that_o number_n yet_o still_o they_o retain_v the_o same_o name_n as_o the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n be_v common_o style_v the_o septuagint_n since_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o lesser_a number_n be_v sometime_o omit_v both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o author_n and_o the_o principal_a and_o great_a number_n whether_o more_a or_o less_o than_o the_o precise_a calculation_n be_v only_o set_v down_o and_o at_o other_o time_n the_o lesser_a number_n be_v specify_v it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o make_v abatement_n for_o this_o in_o adjust_v the_o account_n of_o chronology_n 3._o sometime_o a_o epocha_n may_v be_v mistake_v by_o chronologer_n as_o gen._n vi_fw-la 3._o and_o the_o lord_n say_v my_o spirit_n shall_v not_o always_o strive_v with_o man_n for_o that_o he_o also_o be_v flesh_n yet_o his_o day_n shall_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o from_o gen._n v._n 32._o compare_v with_o gen._n viij_o 13._o the_o flood_n must_v happen_v but_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o these_o word_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v speak_v though_o if_o we_o compute_v not_o from_o the_o time_n when_o this_o be_v threaten_v but_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o man_n apostasy_n which_o we_o may_v suppose_v then_o to_o have_v be_v already_o twenty_o year_n there_o will_v be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o it_o or_o else_o the_o threaten_v though_o place_v after_o it_o may_v be_v denounce_v twenty_o year_n before_o the_o five_o hundred_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n which_o fall_v under_o the_o observation_n abovementioned_a of_o st_n austin_n genes_n austin_n hieron_n qu._n in_o genes_n st_o jerom_n indeed_o say_v that_o the_o time_n allow_v mankind_n for_o repantance_n be_v shorten_v for_o their_o contumacy_n and_o the_o flood_n be_v bring_v upon_o the_o world_n twenty_o year_n soon_o than_o be_v design_v if_o their_o provocation_n have_v not_o hasten_v it_o 4._o variation_n in_o chronology_n may_v sometime_o proceed_v from_o the_o likeness_n of_o two_o word_n which_o occasion_v the_o writing_n the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o thus_o act_v xiii_o 20._o some_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o famous_a copy_n from_o whence_o most_o other_o now_o remain_v may_v have_v be_v transcribe_v may_v happen_v to_o be_v uncorrect_a in_o some_o of_o these_o less_o material_a part_n of_o scripture_n the_o numeral_a letter_n be_v easy_o mistake_v as_o we_o see_v our_o figure_n now_o be_v and_o when_o they_o number_v by_o letter_n mistake_n may_v the_o often_o happen_v because_o the_o transcriber_n may_v unaware_o write_v down_o a_o letter_n of_o the_o forego_n or_o follow_v word_n instead_o of_o the_o true_a numeral_a letter_n when_o there_o be_v any_o likeness_n between_o they_o and_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n be_v some_o of_o they_o so_o very_o much_o alike_o may_v be_v a_o ready_a occasion_n of_o mistake_n this_o change_n of_o numeral_a letter_n some_o think_v to_o have_v occasion_v the_o difficulty_n concern_v the_o age_n of_o ahazia_n son_n of_o jehoram_n king_n of_o judah_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v 2_o king_n viij_o 26.2_o chron._n xxii_o 2._o and_o that_o such_o mistake_n have_v be_v make_v in_o transcribe_v the_o septuagint_n be_v evident_a because_o the_o several_a copy_n of_o that_o version_n have_v different_a account_n of_o chronology_n and_o they_o also_o differ_v from_o the_o copy_n make_v use_v of_o by_o africanus_n and_o eusebius_n mistake_v of_o this_o kind_n be_v very_o 70._o very_o error_n fortasse_fw-la ex_fw-la notis_fw-la ortus_fw-la nusquam_fw-la non_fw-la isto_fw-la modo_fw-la in_o bonis_fw-la utriusque_fw-la linguae_fw-la scriptoribus_fw-la est_fw-la peccatum_fw-la casaub_n ad_fw-la theoph._n charact._n proem_n sed_fw-la non_fw-la dubito_fw-la lib_fw-la ariorum_fw-la potius_fw-la
he_o see_v that_o he_o be_v condemn_v repent_v himself_o and_o bring_v again_o the_o thirty_o piece_n of_o silver_n to_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n say_v i_o have_v sin_v in_o that_o i_o have_v betray_v the_o innocent_a blood_n and_o they_o say_v what_o be_v that_o to_o we_o see_v thou_o to_o that_o and_o he_o cast_v down_o the_o piece_n of_o silver_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o go_v and_o hang_v himself_o matt._n xxvii_o 3_o 4._o how_o can_v the_o chief_a priest_n themselves_o have_v contrive_v a_o better_a way_n to_o vindicate_v our_o saviour_n innocence_n if_o they_o have_v never_o so_o much_o endeavour_v it_o than_o for_o one_o of_o his_o own_o disciple_n after_o he_o have_v betray_v he_o instead_o of_o witness_v against_o he_o which_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o suppose_v he_o will_v have_v do_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o as_o to_o come_v before_o they_o all_o and_o fling_v down_o the_o money_n in_o the_o temple_n which_o they_o have_v give_v he_o as_o the_o hire_n of_o his_o treachery_n and_o declare_v public_o that_o he_o have_v betray_v the_o innocent_a blood_n and_o then_o to_o give_v a_o further_a proof_n of_o all_o this_o out_o of_o mere_a anguish_n and_o horror_n of_o mind_n to_o go_v immediate_o from_o they_o and_o hang_v himself_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v do_v any_o thing_n whereby_o he_o can_v deserve_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n judas_n must_v needs_o have_v know_v it_o and_o when_o he_o have_v once_o betray_v he_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v he_o will_v forbear_v to_o discover_v any_o thing_n he_o know_v of_o he_o but_o when_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o accuse_v he_o that_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o see_v he_o condemn_v at_o the_o accusation_n of_o other_o false_a witness_n he_o can_v not_o bear_v the_o agony_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n but_o go_v and_o make_v away_o with_o himself_o this_o be_v as_o evident_a a_o proof_n of_o christ_n innocence_n as_o any_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n themselves_o can_v ever_o give_v and_o judas_n be_v so_o far_o a_o apostle_n still_o as_o to_o proclaim_v his_o master_n innocence_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sanedrim_n and_o then_o to_o seal_v that_o testimony_n with_o his_o blood_n it_o have_v be_v think_v by_o some_o that_o judas_n as_o wicked_a as_o he_o be_v have_v never_o any_o design_n to_o cause_v his_o master_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n or_o to_o be_v any_o way_n instrumental_a towards_o it_o but_o he_o suppose_v that_o christ_n will_v be_v secure_a enough_o against_o the_o chief_a priest_n in_o his_o own_o innocence_n and_o holiness_n or_o that_o they_o will_v not_o dare_v to_o hurt_v he_o for_o fear_n of_o the_o people_n which_o have_v be_v a_o restraint_n upon_o they_o in_o their_o former_a attempt_n or_o that_o he_o can_v easy_o make_v his_o escape_n from_o they_o as_o he_o have_v former_o do_v and_o therefore_o his_o covetousness_n tempt_v he_o to_o believe_v that_o though_o he_o shall_v betray_v his_o master_n yet_o he_o will_v come_v to_o no_o harm_n by_o it_o however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o judas_n himself_o clear_v our_o saviour_n snnocence_n by_o betray_v he_o more_o than_o any_o other_o man_n can_v have_v do_v who_o have_v not_o be_v his_o dlsciple_n and_o his_o make_v that_o confession_n and_o then_o his_o die_v upon_o that_o account_n and_o in_o that_o manner_n may_v afford_v we_o that_o evidence_n which_o we_o must_v have_v want_v to_o certify_v we_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o christ_n have_v not_o be_v betray_v or_o have_v be_v betray_v by_o any_o but_o one_o of_o his_o own_o disciple_n when_o he_o be_v condemn_v and_o crucified_a one_o of_o the_o thief_n who_o be_v crucify_v with_o he_o make_v a_o open_a profession_n of_o he_o when_o there_o can_v be_v no_o temptation_n of_o flattery_n nor_o leisure_n or_o patience_n for_o a_o man_n in_o that_o condition_n to_o speak_v in_o that_o manner_n but_o by_o the_o special_a providence_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o to_o give_v a_o early_a instance_n of_o the_o great_a efficacy_n of_o his_o cross_n and_o of_o the_o mercy_n which_o it_o reach_v forth_o to_o all_o repent_a sinner_n our_o saviour_n assure_v he_o that_o that_o very_a day_n he_o shall_v be_v with_o he_o in_o paradise_n a_o strange_a discourse_n upon_o the_o cross_n to_o speak_v of_o kingdom_n and_o promise_v paradise_n under_o so_o much_o infamy_n and_o torment_n that_o one_o shall_v have_v the_o faith_n to_o ask_v and_o the_o other_o the_o power_n to_o promise_v so_o great_a thing_n in_o that_o condition_n who_o can_v have_v have_v the_o courage_n to_o promise_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o cross_n but_o he_o who_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v it_o and_o as_o no_o ill_n can_v ever_o be_v prove_v against_o he_o but_o all_o circumstance_n concur_v to_o confirm_v his_o innocence_n as_o herod_n dismiss_v he_o and_o pilate_n often_o declare_v he_o to_o have_v commit_v nothing_o worthy_a of_o death_n so_o the_o devil_n themselves_o during_o his_o life_n here_o upon_o earth_n confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o after_o his_o death_n 6._o death_n porphyr_n apud_fw-la euscb_n demonstr_n evang._n lib._n 3._o c._n 6._o by_o their_o oracle_n acknowledge_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o holy_a person_n who_o soul_n be_v translate_v into_o heaven_n and_o this_o person_n thus_o innocent_a and_o holy_a both_o in_o his_o life_n and_o doctrine_n be_v prophesy_v of_o many_o age_n before_o his_o birth_n and_o all_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v exact_o and_o in_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n fulfil_v in_o he_o these_o prophecy_n concern_v either_o his_o birth_n or_o his_o life_n or_o his_o death_n or_o his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n 1._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v fulfil_v in_o our_o saviour_n for_o his_o birth_n be_v prophesy_v of_o in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o time_n and_o the_o place_n of_o it_o and_o the_o person_n of_o who_o he_o be_v bear_v 1._o as_o for_o the_o time_n by_o jacob_n prophecy_n gen._n xlix_o 10._o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o come_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n the_o sceptre_n be_v not_o to_o depart_v from_o judah_n that_o be_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v not_o to_o cease_v until_o shilo_n come_v which_o the_o ancient_a creed_n ancient_a see_v bp._n pearson_n on_o the_o creed_n jewish_a interpreter_n expound_v of_o the_o come_n of_o their_o messiah_n to_o 21._o to_o lightfoot'_v prospect_n of_o the_o temple_n c._n 21._o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v hold_v by_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n sit_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n though_o but_o part_n of_o the_o court_n in_o which_o they_o sit_v be_v of_o that_o tribe_n and_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n and_o the_o jew_n among_o all_o their_o objection_n never_o object_v against_o the_o time_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n but_o many_o of_o they_o have_v confess_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v at_o that_o time_n but_o say_v that_o because_o of_o their_o sin_n he_o have_v messiâ_fw-la have_v munster_n de_fw-fr messiâ_fw-la conceal_v himself_o ever_o since_o and_o the_o latter_a jew_n have_v by_o a_o great_a many_o story_n endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o kingdom_n still_o of_o their_o nation_n in_o some_o unknown_a part_n of_o the_o world_n though_o if_o this_o be_v true_a it_o can_v prove_v nothing_o to_o their_o purpose_n the_o prophecy_n be_v concern_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o promise_v land_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o soon_o after_o our_o saviour_n come_v jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o jew_n disperse_v and_o upon_o severe_a penalty_n forbid_v to_o come_v to_o their_o desolate_a and_o ruin_a city_n or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o look_v upon_o zion_n the_o city_n of_o their_o solemnity_n unless_o it_o be_v once_o every_o year_n to_o lament_v their_o calamity_n and_o they_o have_v ever_o since_o be_v a_o wander_a and_o despicable_a people_n and_o several_a time_n when_o they_o have_v at_o tempt_v to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n they_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o do_v it_o particular_o when_o they_o have_v the_o favour_n and_o encouragement_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n who_o out_o of_o malice_n to_o the_o christian_a name_n and_o doctrine_n be_v forward_o to_o promote_v the_o work_n they_o be_v hinder_v by_o a_o earthquake_n and_o a_o miraculous_a eruption_n of_o fire_n burst_v out_o from_o under_o the_o foundation_n which_o burn_v down_o what_o they_o have_v erect_v and_o destroy_v those_o that_o be_v employ_v in_o it_o and_o this_o we_o have_v attest_v not_o only_o from_o christian_a writer_n
for_o the_o oath_n which_o secure_v their_o life_n to_o they_o have_v forfeit_v that_o right_n which_o otherwise_o they_o may_v have_v have_v to_o their_o life_n by_o a_o peace_n fair_o obtain_v and_o they_o lose_v all_o other_o advantage_n of_o the_o league_n but_o only_o the_o secure_v their_o life_n but_o that_o the_o canaanite_n if_o they_o have_v submit_v and_o own_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n be_v not_o to_o have_v be_v destroy_v but_o to_o have_v be_v receive_v to_o mercy_n be_v evident_a from_o josh_n xi_o 19_o 20._o there_o be_v not_o a_o city_n that_o make_v peace_n with_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n save_o the_o hivites_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o gibeon_n all_o other_o they_o take_v in_o battle_n for_o it_o be_v of_o the_o lord_n to_o harden_v their_o heart_n that_o they_o shall_v come_v against_o israel_n in_o battle_n that_o he_o may_v destroy_v they_o utter_o and_o that_o they_o may_v have_v no_o favour_n but_o that_o he_o may_v destroy_v they_o as_o the_o lord_n command_v moses_n which_o necessary_o suppose_v that_o if_o god_n in_o his_o just_a judgement_n upon_o they_o for_o their_o heinous_a provocation_n have_v not_o harden_v their_o heart_n but_o they_o have_v submit_v themselves_o and_o seek_v peace_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v have_v favour_n show_v they_o it_o do_v therefore_o sufficient_o appear_v that_o the_o canaanite_n themselves_o after_o all_o their_o provocation_n against_o both_o the_o mercy_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n be_v not_o exclude_v from_o all_o the_o benefit_n of_o stranger_n and_o proselyte_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o all_o other_o nation_n be_v encourage_v and_o invite_v to_o become_v partaker_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o service_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v notorious_a and_o as_o evident_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o after_o the_o canaanite_n have_v fill_v up_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o iniquity_n god_n manifest_v his_o almighty_a power_n and_o justice_n upon_o they_o and_o he_o be_v please_v to_o do_v it_o by_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n rather_o than_o by_o pestilence_n or_o any_o other_o judgement_n both_o to_o raise_v the_o great_a abhorrence_n of_o idolatry_n in_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n and_o because_o those_o rude_a and_o warlike_a nation_n can_v observe_v the_o power_n of_o god_n no_o where_o so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o success_n of_o war_n they_o chief_o implore_v their_o own_o god_n for_o success_n in_o their_o war_n and_o when_o they_o be_v overcome_v by_o any_o people_n they_o conclude_v that_o the_o god_n of_o that_o nation_n be_v too_o hard_o for_o their_o own_o god_n 1_o king_n xx_o 23._o 2_o king_n viij_o 34._o whereas_o if_o they_o have_v be_v destroy_v by_o famine_n or_o pestilence_n they_o will_v have_v ascribe_v these_o judgement_n no_o more_o to_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n than_o to_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a go_n but_o god_n get_v he_o honour_n upon_o these_o nation_n as_o he_o do_v upon_o pharaoh_n and_o upon_o all_o his_o host_n when_o jethro_n say_v now_o i_o know_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v great_a than_o all_o god_n for_o in_o the_o thing_n wherein_o they_o deal_v proud_o he_o be_v above_o they_o exod._n xviii_o 11._o from_o whence_o he_o be_v so_o often_o style_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n 2._o the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v so_o order_n and_o dispose_v of_o the_o jew_n in_o all_o their_o affair_n as_o to_o afford_v other_o nation_n frequent_a opportunity_n of_o become_v instruct_v in_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o multitude_n of_o proselyte_n be_v make_v out_o of_o all_o nation_n moses_n dwell_v in_o midian_a and_o there_o marry_v a_o aethiopian_a woman_n exod._n two_o 15._o num._n twelve_o 1._o his_o wife_n father_n jethro_n the_o priest_n of_o midian_a and_o his_o family_n become_v convert_v and_o the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n magnify_v the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o all_o country_n where_o the_o report_n of_o a_o thing_n so_o wonderful_a and_o notorious_a come_v the_o miraculous_a victory_n which_o the_o israelite_n gain_v over_o the_o canaanite_n wherever_o they_o come_v strike_v a_o mighty_a terror_n into_o all_o those_o nation_n as_o we_o see_v by_o the_o fear_n of_o balak_n num._n xxii_o and_o from_o the_o speech_n of_o the_o gibeonite_n josh_n ix_o 9_o 10._o who_o be_v glad_a to_o make_v use_n of_o any_o pretence_n as_o a_o expedient_a to_o save_v themselves_o rahab_n with_o her_o family_n and_o kindred_n and_o the_o gibeonite_n be_v early_a accession_n to_o the_o israelite_n and_o rahab_n be_v marry_v to_o a_o man_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o babylonian_a gemara_n 5._o gemara_n lightfoot_n hebr._n and_o talmud_n exercitat_fw-la in_o mat._n i._n 5._o reckon_v up_o eight_o prophet_n who_o be_v likewise_o priest_n descend_v from_o she_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o be_v please_v to_o derive_v his_o genealogy_n from_o she_o the_o various_a success_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n their_o victory_n and_o their_o overthrow_v and_o the_o miraculous_a power_n of_o god_n visible_o appear_v either_o in_o their_o defeat_n and_o punishment_n or_o in_o their_o conquest_n or_o deliverance_n must_v need_v raise_v a_o mighty_a fame_n and_o admiration_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n in_o all_o those_o country_n for_o they_o proclaim_v a_o religious_a war_n upon_o these_o nation_n they_o destroy_v their_o image_n and_o grove_n and_o altar_n wherever_o they_o come_v and_o the_o people_n plain_o perceive_v that_o their_o god_n can_v not_o help_v they_o the_o take_v of_o jericho_n not_o by_o storm_n but_o only_o by_o the_o mere_a sound_n and_o alarm_n of_o war_n the_o lengthen_v of_o the_o day_n to_o favour_v their_o conquest_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o so_o many_o king_n by_o moses_n and_o joshua_n be_v undeniable_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o must_v awaken_v man_n to_o make_v enquiry_n into_o that_o religion_n which_o can_v inspire_v such_o courage_n and_o work_v such_o wonder_n and_o these_o nation_n among_o who_o the_o patriarch_n have_v sojourn_v and_o so_o many_o wonder_n and_o judgement_n have_v be_v wrought_v be_v disperse_v in_o colony_n over_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o bochart_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o a_o most_o learned_a and_o elaborate_a work_n some_o they_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v procopius_n erect_v a_o pillar_n in_o africa_n as_o a_o monument_n of_o joshua_n victory_n with_o a_o inscription_n declare_v that_o they_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n by_o he_o and_o s._n augustine_n say_v rom._n say_v aug._n exposit_n epist_n ad_fw-la rom._n that_o in_o his_o time_n the_o country_n people_n about_o hippo_n call_v themselves_o canaanites_n after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n the_o israelite_n be_v in_o subjection_n to_o the_o king_n of_o mesopotamia_n eight_o year_n to_o the_o king_n of_o moab_n eighteen_o year_n judg._n iii._o 8_o 14._o to_o jabin_n king_n of_o canaan_n chap._n four_o 1._o to_o the_o midianite_n seven_o year_n chap._n vi_fw-la 1._o to_o the_o philistine_n forty_o year_n chap._n xiii_o 1._o and_o still_o it_o be_v because_o they_o have_v do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o they_o be_v give_v up_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o upon_o their_o repentance_n a_o deliverance_n be_v wrought_v for_o they_o 1_o sam._n twelve_o 10._o and_o when_o they_o be_v so_o often_o and_o for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n subdue_v by_o their_o enemy_n round_o about_o they_o for_o their_o idolatry_n and_o other_o transgression_n and_o then_o again_o upon_o their_o repentance_n be_v rescue_v from_o their_o oppression_n by_o gideon_n and_o jeptha_n and_o samson_n all_o raise_v up_o for_o that_o purpose_n this_o must_v give_v great_a occasion_n and_o opportunity_n to_o all_o the_o border_a nation_n to_o know_v and_o consider_v that_o religion_n the_o observation_n or_o neglect_n whereof_o have_v such_o visible_a effect_n upon_o its_o professor_n for_o under_o their_o affliction_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o repentance_n the_o israelite_n declare_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o misery_n and_o make_v know_v the_o power_n of_o their_o own_o god_n and_o the_o vanity_n and_o sinfulness_n of_o idolatry_n and_o therefore_o their_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o long_a time_n under_o the_o oppression_n of_o their_o several_a enemy_n be_v a_o merciful_a providence_n to_o the_o nation_n who_o have_v they_o in_o subjection_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o punishment_n and_o amendment_n of_o the_o israelite_n themselves_o what_o good_a use_n be_v make_v of_o these_o method_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n do_v not_o appear_v to_o
the_o word_n that_o we_o do_v tell_v thou_o in_o egypt_n say_v let_v we_o alone_o that_o we_o may_v serve_v the_o egyptian_n for_o it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o we_o to_o serve_v the_o egyptian_n than_o that_o we_o shall_v die_v in_o the_o wilderness_n exod._n fourteen_o 11_o 12._o but_o the_o israelite_n be_v purposely_o bring_v into_o this_o distress_n by_o god_n express_a will_n and_o command_n that_o he_o may_v get_v he_o honour_n upon_o pharaoh_n and_o upon_o all_o his_o do_v upon_o his_o chariot_n and_o upon_o his_o horseman_n ver_fw-la 17._o and_o â—he_v sea_n be_v divide_v at_o moses_n lift_v up_o his_o rod_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o it_o upon_o dry-ground_n and_o the_o water_n be_v a_o wall_n unto_o they_o on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o on_o the_o jest_n ver_fw-la 22._o and_o can_v they_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o they_o walk_v in_o the_o water_n or_o upon_o dry_a land_n whether_o they_o be_v the_o man_n that_o have_v escape_v or_o whether_o they_o have_v be_v all_o drown_v the_o word_n be_v express_v that_o the_o water_n be_v on_o both_o side_n of_o they_o in_o their_o passage_n and_o that_o they_o be_v separate_v to_o make_v way_n for_o they_o which_o can_v not_o fall_v out_o by_o any_o ebb_a of_o the_o sea_n for_o than_o they_o will_v have_v have_v water_n but_o on_o one_o side_n of_o they_o whereas_o now_o the_o water_n stand_v equal_o on_o both_o hand_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v suppose_v more_o absurd_a than_o it_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o neither_o the_o egyptian_n nor_o the_o israelite_n shall_v understand_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o red-sea_n but_o that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o tide_n shall_v be_v know_v only_o to_o moses_n at_o the_o give_n of_o the_o law_n the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n have_v warning_n give_v they_o three_o day_n before_o that_o they_o may_v sanctify_v and_o prepare_v themselves_o to_o make_v their_o appearance_n before_o the_o lord_n all_z the_o people_n see_v the_o thundering_n and_o lightning_n and_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o trumpet_n and_o behold_v the_o mountain_n smoke_v and_o the_o lord_n speak_v in_o the_o audience_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n the_o word_n of_o the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o they_o be_v strike_v with_o such_o a_o terror_n that_o they_o remove_v and_o stand_v afar_o off_o and_o desire_v moses_n that_o he_o will_v acquaint_v they_o with_o what_o god_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o give_v he_o in_o command_n concern_v they_o that_o they_o may_v no_o long_o hear_v god_n speak_v to_o they_o lest_o they_o shall_v die_v exod._n xx_o 18._o deut._n v._n 22._o the_o clond_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o the_o tabernacle_n by_o day_n and_o fire_n be_v on_o it_o by_o night_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n throughout_o all_o their_o journey_n exod._n xl_o 38._o whether_o it_o be_v two_o day_n or_o a_o month_n or_o a_o year_n that_o the_o cloud_n tarry_v upon_o the_o tabernacle_n remain_v thereon_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n abode_n in_o their_o tent_n and_o journey_v not_o but_o when_o it_o be_v take_v up_o they_o journey_v num._n ix_o 22._o from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o escape_n out_o of_o egypt_n the_o pillar_n of_o the_o cloud_n by_o day_n and_o the_o pillar_n of_o fire_n by_o might_n the_o manna_n with_o which_o they_o be_v yf_v during_o the_o whole_a time_n of_o their_o journey_v in_o the_o wilderness_n till_o the_o very_a day_n after_o they_o have_v eat_v of_o the_o corn_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canâ—â—n_n exod._n xuj_o 35._o jos_n v._o 12._o and_o their_o garment_n last_v for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n without_o any_o decay_n deut._n xxix_o 5._o these_o be_v constant_a and_o perpetual_a miracle_n for_o forty_o year_n together_o and_o it_o be_v the_o most_o impossible_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o suppose_v that_o a_o people_n consist_v of_o so_o many_o hundred_o thousand_o shall_v for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n be_v impose_v upon_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n their_o eve_n and_o taste_v and_o all_o their_o sense_n be_v witness_n that_o they_o be_v conduct_v and_o feed_v and_o clothe_v by_o miracle_n for_o forty_o year_n together_o indeed_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o lead_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n through_o a_o vast_a and_o barren_a wilderness_n by_o so_o long_a and_o tedious_a journey_n without_o the_o help_n of_o miracle_n if_o they_o have_v be_v under_o no_o other_o distress_n but_o want_n of_o food_n in_o so_o barren_a a_o place_n it_o have_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o number_n of_o man_n and_o much_o more_o for_o so_o vast_a a_o multitude_n to_o subsist_v for_o any_o time_n without_o a_o miracle_n but_o they_o be_v say_v with_o manna_n from_o heaven_n not_o with_o such_o as_o the_o manna_n be_v which_o be_v now_o any_o where_n to_o be_v find_v which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o honey-dew_n but_o with_o manna_n which_o be_v fit_a for_o nourishment_n not_o for_o physic_n and_o so_o hard_a as_o to_o be_v ground_n in_o mill_n and_o beat_v in_o mortar_n and_o bake_v in_o pan_n num._n xi_o 8._o and_o yet_o it_o be_v melt_v by_o the_o sun_n and_o breed_v worm_n and_o stink_v if_o it_o be_v keep_v but_o one_o night_n except_o it_o be_v on_o the_o night_n before_o the_o sabbath_n though_o again_o when_o it_o be_v to_o be_v preserve_v for_o a_o memorial_n to_o future_a generation_n nothing_o be_v more_o last_a and_o it_o fall_v on_o every_o day_n of_o the_o week_n but_o the_o sabbath_n the_o manna_n therefore_o which_o be_v now_o of_o what_o sort_n soever_o it_o be_v be_v of_o quite_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o this_o miraculous_a manna_n though_o it_o have_v its_o name_n from_o it_o as_o a_o learned_a physician_n 2._o physician_n jo_n chrys_n magnen_n de_fw-fr manna_n c._n 2._o have_v prove_v their_o water_n be_v as_o miraculous_a as_o their_o food_n and_o their_o clothing_n as_o either_o neither_o their_o raiment_n decay_v nor_o their_o bread_n and_o water_n fail_v till_o they_o arrive_v in_o the_o promise_v land_n the_o march_n of_o the_o greek_a army_n out_o of_o asia_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o xenophon_n after_o the_o death_n of_o cyrus_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o thing_n scarce_o to_o be_v equal_v in_o all_o humane_a story_n though_o that_o be_v but_o for_o one_o year_n and_o three_o month_n and_o the_o difficulty_n they_o meet_v with_o be_v nothing_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o that_o beset_v the_o israelite_n on_o every_o side_n in_o that_o great_a and_o terrible_a wilderness_n wherein_o be_v fiery_a serpent_n and_o scorpion_n and_o drought_n deut._n viij_o 15._o a_o land_n of_o desert_n and_o of_o pit_n of_o drought_n and_o of_o the_o shadow_n â—f_fw-fr death_n a_o land_n that_o no_o man_n pass_v through_o and_o where_o no_o man_n dwell_v jer._n two_o 6._o nothing_o but_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n can_v have_v sustain_v they_o and_o nothing_o but_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o can_v have_v keep_v they_o within_o any_o bound_n of_o duty_n and_o obedience_n we_o see_v how_o froward_a and_o rebellious_a they_o be_v upon_o all_o occasion_n notwithstanding_o the_o wonderful_a power_n and_o presence_n of_o god_n continual_o manifest_a among_o they_o they_o will_v have_v be_v content_a with_o the_o egyptian_a slavery_n and_o the_o egyptian_a god_n too_o rather_o than_o endure_v the_o hardship_n of_o the_o wilderness_n moses_n complain_v that_o they_o be_v almost_o ready_a to_o stone_n he_o exod._n xvii_o 4._o and_o out_o of_o despondency_n pray_v that_o god_n will_v kill_v he_o out_o of_o hand_n rather_o than_o lay_v so_o great_a a_o burden_n upon_o he_o num._n xi_o 15._o and_o whoever_o can_v believe_v that_o moses_n by_o his_o own_o skill_n and_o management_n can_v lead_v such_o a_o multitude_n through_o such_o a_o wilderness_n so_o many_o year_n journey_n can_v it_o seem_v believe_v any_o thing_n rather_o than_o the_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o incredible_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v but_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o incredible_a that_o he_o may_v do_v it_o by_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o assistance_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n tempt_v god_n ten_o time_n by_o their_o murmur_n and_o their_o distrust_n of_o his_o power_n and_o care_n over_o they_o num._n fourteen_o 22._o for_o which_o many_o of_o they_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n till_o at_o last_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o man_n that_o be_v twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_o have_v this_o judgement_n denounce_v against_o they_o that_o for_o their_o murmur_n but_o two_o of_o they_o by_o name_n caleb_n the_o son_n of_o jephunneh_n and_o joshua_n the_o son_n of_o nun_n shall_v be_v suffer_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o promise_a land_n and_o the_o rest_n shall_v all_o die_v in_o the_o wilderness_n but_o that_o after_o
forty_o year_n wander_v in_o the_o wilderness_n their_o child_n shall_v be_v bring_v in_o to_o possess_v it_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v say_v i_o will_v sure_o do_v it_o unto_o all_o this_o evil_a congregation_n that_o be_v gather_v together_o against_o i_o in_o this_o wilderness_n they_o shall_v be_v consume_v and_o there_o shall_v they_o die_v num._n fourteen_o 35._o and_o the_o man_n who_o be_v send_v out_o to_o search_v the_o land_n and_o bring_v the_o evil_a report_n upon_o it_o die_v forthwith_o by_o the_o plague_n before_o the_o lord_n ver_fw-la 37._o and_o these_o man_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israeâ—_n a_o man_n of_o every_o tribe_n be_v choose_v out_o every_o one_o a_o ruler_n among_o they_o chap._n xiii_o 2_o 3._o and_o but_o two_o of_o they_o agree_v in_o give_v the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o land_n so_o great_a a_o aversion_n they_o have_v to_o proceed_v any_o far_a in_o their_o way_n thither_o and_o all_o the_o congregation_n lift_v up_o their_o voice_n and_o cry_v and_o the_o people_n weep_v that_o night_n and_o all_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n murmur_v against_o moses_n and_o against_o aaron_n and_o the_o whole_a congregation_n say_v unto_o they_o will_v god_n that_o we_o have_v die_v in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n or_o will_v god_n we_o have_v die_v in_o this_o wilderness_n and_o wherefore_o have_v the_o lord_n bring_v we_o unto_o this_o land_n to_o fall_v by_o the_o sword_n that_o our_o wife_n and_o our_o child_n shall_v be_v a_o prey_n be_v be_v not_o better_o for_o we_o to_o return_v into_o egypt_n and_o they_o say_v one_o to_o another_o let_v we_o make_v a_o cantain_n and_o let_v we_o return_v into_o egypt_n and_o all_o the_o congregation_n be_v for_o ston_a joshua_n and_o caleb_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v hinder_v by_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n appear_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o congregation_n before_o all_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n num._n fourteen_o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 10._o now_o upon_o so_o general_a a_o defection_n to_o pronounce_v peremptory_o that_o but_o two_o by_o name_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o shall_v go_v in_o to_o inherit_v the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n shall_v die_v in_o that_o very_a wilderness_n which_o they_o complain_v so_o much_o of_o and_o that_o no_o less_o than_o forty_o year_n be_v to_o be_v spend_v in_o that_o wander_a condition_n which_o they_o be_v already_o so_o weary_a of_o this_o be_v such_o a_o method_n of_o quell_v so_o general_a a_o discontent_n and_o mutiny_n as_o never_o be_v hear_v of_o before_o nor_o since_o and_o which_o can_v proceed_v from_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o wisdom_n and_o authority_n which_o can_v check_v and_o control_v the_o most_o combine_a and_o inveterate_a perverseness_n of_o man_n and_o a_o power_n which_o strike_v the_o spreader_n of_o this_o false_a report_n with_o immediate_a death_n before_o their_o eye_n for_o a_o example_n of_o that_o vengeance_n which_o they_o must_v all_o expect_v will_v fall_v upon_o they_o soon_o or_o late_a within_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n so_o that_o hereby_o be_v take_v off_o all_o prospect_n of_o advantage_n and_o â—ll_a hope_n of_o any_o reward_n for_o what_o they_o now_o with_o so_o much_o regret_n and_o impatience_n undergo_v and_o from_o henceforth_o they_o be_v lead_v mere_o by_o conviction_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o presence_n among_o they_o and_o of_o the_o terror_n of_o those_o judgement_n which_o in_o all_o revolt_v seize_v upon_o the_o disobedient_a and_o now_o be_v restless_a and_o uneasy_a in_o their_o present_a condition_n and_o past_o all_o hope_n of_o remedy_v it_o like_o desperate_a man_n they_o be_v upon_o every_o little_a occasion_n throw_v into_o violent_a commotion_n but_o be_v as_o soon_o control_v and_o appease_v by_o visible_a judgement_n upon_o the_o chief_a author_n of_o they_o for_o when_o we_o read_v soon_o after_o that_o a_o rebellion_n be_v raise_v against_o moses_n by_o korah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n god_n give_v such_o evident_a token_n of_o that_o authority_n which_o he_o have_v invest_v he_o withal_o and_o so_o signal_o manifest_v that_o what_o he_o have_v do_v among_o they_o be_v by_o his_o power_n and_o commission_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o of_o they_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o it_o or_o to_o doubt_v of_o it_o though_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v they_o have_v never_o from_o the_o very_a first_o doubt_v of_o god_n power_n among_o they_o but_o be_v act_v now_o with_o a_o spirit_n of_o rage_n and_o despair_n like_o the_o man_n describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n fret_v themselves_o and_o curse_v their_o king_n and_o their_o god_n and_o look_v upward_o isai_n viij_o 21._o korah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o dathan_n and_o abiram_n and_o on_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o reuben_n be_v principal_a and_o lead_a man_n of_o these_o two_o tribe_n with_o two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o prince_n of_o the_o assembly_n famous_a in_o the_o congregation_n man_n of_o renown_n gather_v themselves_o together_o against_o moses_n and_o aaron_n charge_v they_o that_o they_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o they_o and_o to_o clear_v himself_o of_o this_o accusation_n moses_n implore_v god_n to_o vindicate_v his_o innocency_n before_o all_o the_o people_n and_o by_o agreement_n korah_n and_o aaron_n appear_v before_o the_o lord_n with_o censer_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o man_n beside_o with_o their_o censer_n likewise_o korah_n at_o the_o time_n appoint_v gather_v all_o the_o congregation_n against_o moses_n and_o aaron_n unto_o the_o door_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o congregation_n so_o that_o here_o be_v the_o most_o solemn_a appearance_n of_o the_o whâ—lâ—_n people_n who_o have_v entertain_v great_a jealousy_n against_o moses_n and_o aaron_n and_o be_v now_o meet_v together_o to_o see_v whether_o they_o can_v give_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o their_o authority_n which_o they_o challenge_v over_o they_o the_o time_n and_o place_n be_v appoint_v and_o they_o come_v incline_v and_o prepare_v to_o receive_v any_o far_a ill_a impression_n concern_v moses_n and_o aaron_n if_o they_o can_v not_o have_v make_v out_o their_o pretension_n in_o the_o most_o remarkable_a and_o astonish_a manner_n to_o the_o utter_a confusion_n of_o all_o their_o enemy_n first_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n appear_v unto_o all_o the_o congregation_n and_o than_o moses_n at_o god_n command_n charge_v the_o congregation_n to_o depart_v from_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o korah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n and_o declare_v hereby_o you_o shall_v know_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v send_v i_o to_o do_v all_o these_o work_n for_o i_o have_v not_o do_v they_o of_o my_o own_o mind_n if_o these_o man_n die_v the_o common_a death_n of_o all_o man_n or_o if_o they_o be_v visit_v after_o the_o visitation_n of_o all_o man_n then_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o send_v i_o but_o if_o the_o lord_n make_v a_o new_a thing_n and_o the_o earth_n open_v her_o mouth_n and_o swallow_v they_o up_o with_o all_o that_o appertain_v unto_o they_o and_o they_o go_v down_o quick_a into_o the_o pit_n than_o you_o shall_v understand_v that_o these_o man_n have_v provoke_v the_o lord_n and_o it_o caâ—e_v to_o pass_v as_o he_o have_v make_v a_o end_n of_o speak_v all_o these_o word_n that_o the_o ground_n cleave_v asunder_o that_o be_v under_o they_o and_o the_o earth_n open_v her_o mouth_n and_o swallow_v they_o up_o and_o their_o house_n and_o all_o the_o man_n that_o appertain_v unto_o korah_n and_o all_o their_o good_n they_o and_o all_o that_o appertain_v to_o they_o go_v down_o alive_a into_o the_o pit_n and_o the_o earth_n close_v upon_o they_o and_o they_o perish_v from_o among_o the_o congregation_n and_o all_o israel_n that_o be_v round_o about_o they_o sle_z at_o the_o â—ry_n of_o they_o for_o they_o say_v lest_o the_o earth_n swallow_v we_o up_o also_o and_o there_o come_v out_o a_o fire_n from_o the_o lord_n and_o consume_v the_o two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o man_n that_o offer_v incense_v num._n xuj_o thus_o moses_n vindicate_v himself_o and_o prove_v his_o divine_a mission_n and_o authority_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n must_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o they_o be_v very_o suspicious_a and_o jealous_a of_o he_o though_o they_o have_v have_v so_o much_o experience_n of_o his_o favour_n with_o god_n and_o of_o all_o his_o mighty_a work_n do_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o but_o when_o this_o dreadful_a vengeance_n fall_v upon_o his_o enemy_n before_o the_o whole_a congregation_n who_o be_v meet_v together_o on_o purpose_n to_o see_v whether_o god_n will_v declare_v himself_o for_o he_o when_o the_o earth_n divide_v it_o sâ—lf_o â—o_o swallow_v some_o of_o these_o man_n and_o
of_o babylon_n and_o be_v carry_v to_o babylon_n ezekiel_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o see_v babylon_n jeremiah_n that_o he_o shall_v die_v in_o peace_n and_o be_v bury_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ancestor_n ezekiel_n that_o he_o shall_v die_v at_o babylon_n and_o if_o we_o compare_v all_o this_o with_o the_o history_n nothing_o ever_o be_v more_o punctual_o fulfil_v for_o zedekiah_n see_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n who_o command_v his_o eye_n to_o be_v put_v out_o before_o he_o be_v bring_v to_o babylon_n and_o he_o die_v there_o but_o die_v peaceable_o and_o be_v suffer_v to_o have_v the_o usual_a funeral_n solemnity_n 2_o king_n twenty-five_o 6_o 7._o and_o therefore_o both_o prophecy_n prove_v true_a in_o the_o event_n which_o seem_v before_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a and_o so_o critical_a a_o exactness_n in_o every_o minute_n circumstance_n in_o prophecy_n deliver_v by_o two_o person_n who_o be_v before_o think_v to_o contradict_v each_o other_o be_v such_o a_o conviction_n to_o the_o jew_n after_o they_o have_v see_v they_o so_o punctual_o fulfil_v in_o their_o captivity_n that_o they_o can_v no_o long_o doubt_n but_o that_o both_o be_v from_o god_n jeremiah_n foretell_v also_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o that_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v restore_v after_o a_o captivity_n of_o seventy_o year_n these_o nation_n shall_v serve_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n seventy_o year_n and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v when_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v that_o i_o will_v punish_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n and_o that_o nation_n say_v the_o lord_n for_o their_o iniquity_n and_o the_o land_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n jer._n twenty-five_o 11_o 12._o for_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n that_o after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v at_o babylon_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o perform_v my_o good_a word_n towards_o you_o in_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n jer._n xxix_o 10._o and_o this_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n the_o jew_n depend_v upon_o under_o the_o captivity_n dan._n ix_o 2._o zech._n i._n 12._o and_o it_o be_v exact_o fulfil_v to_o they_o the_o generation_n of_o nebuchadnezzar_n posterity_n that_o shall_v succeed_v he_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o monarchy_n be_v foretell_v jer._n xxvii_o 7._o the_o destruction_n of_o babylon_n with_o the_o manner_n of_o take_v the_o city_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v and_o describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n agree_v punctual_o with_o the_o account_n of_o it_o by_o 191._o by_o 〈◊〉_d â—odoâ—_n 〈◊〉_d c._n 191._o herodotus_n one_o post_n shall_v run_v to_o meet_v another_o and_o one_o messenger_n to_o meet_v another_o to_o show_v the_o king_n of_o babylon_n that_o his_o city_n be_v take_v at_o one_o end_n and_o that_o the_o passage_n be_v stop_v and_o the_o reed_n they_o have_v burn_v with_o sire_n and_o the_o man_n of_o war_n be_v affright_v and_o this_o be_v declare_v in_o a_o memorable_a and_o solemn_a manner_n by_o write_v it_o down_o and_o by_o cast_v the_o book_n into_o euphrates_n jer._n li._n 31_o 32_o 62_o 63._o the_o destruction_n of_o tyre_n and_o zidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n and_o the_o restoration_n of_o the_o egyptian_n after_o forty_o year_n ezek._n xxviii_o 19_o &_o xxix_o 12_o 13._o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o of_o the_o sanctuary_n by_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n with_o the_o death_n of_o antiochus_n and_o a_o description_n of_o his_o temper_n and_o of_o his_o very_a countenance_n be_v clear_o deliver_v by_o daniel_n four_o hundred_o and_o eight_o year_n 11._o year_n joseph_n antiquit._n l._n 11._o c._n 11._o before_o the_o accomplishment_n dan._n viij_o daniel_n likewise_o describe_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n the_o restoration_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o rebuilding_n of_o their_o city_n and_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o precise_a time_n of_o it_o and_o alexander_n the_o great_a be_v say_v 8._o say_v ibid._n l._n 11._o c._n 8._o to_o have_v be_v encourage_v by_o daniel_n prophecy_n in_o his_o expedition_n indeed_o his_o prophecy_n and_o the_o history_n of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n be_v so_o exact_o parallel_v that_o porphyry_n can_v find_v no_o other_o evasion_n but_o to_o say_v that_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v write_v after_o the_o event_n which_o as_o grotius_n observe_v be_v as_o absurd_a as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v maintain_v that_o the_o work_n of_o virgil_n be_v not_o write_v under_o augustus_n but_o after_o his_o time_n for_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v as_o public_a and_o as_o much_o disperse_v and_o as_o universal_o receive_v as_o ever_o any_o book_n can_v be_v last_o haggai_n and_o malachi_n prophesy_v that_o christ_n shall_v come_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n hag._n two_o 7_o 9_o mal._n iii._o 1._o and_o hosea_n foretell_v the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o those_o remarkable_a word_n they_o shall_v be_v night-wanderer_n among_o the_o nation_n hos_fw-la ix_o 17._o not_o to_o insist_v therefore_o upon_o other_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n which_o be_v concern_v thing_n of_o lesser_a moment_n or_o less_o remarkable_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n these_o may_v suffice_v which_o be_v of_o that_o public_a nature_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o deceit_n or_o mistake_n in_o they_o multitude_n of_o man_n who_o prejudice_n or_o malice_n have_v prepare_v to_o make_v the_o utmost_a discovery_n be_v witness_n to_o the_o miracle_n and_o both_o the_o prophecy_n themselves_o and_o the_o fulfil_v of_o they_o be_v notorious_a to_o other_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o they_o be_v deliver_v and_o in_o who_o hand_n they_o have_v ever_o since_o be_v be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath-day_n the_o jew_n have_v as_o good_a evidence_n for_o instance_n that_o elijah_n wrought_v his_o miracle_n as_o they_o can_v have_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o when_o the_o public_a transaction_n and_o council_n of_o prince_n the_o fate_n and_o revolution_n of_o empire_n with_o the_o prefix_v time_n and_o place_n and_o the_o very_a name_n of_o the_o person_n be_v so_o particular_o foretell_v two_o or_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v we_o may_v as_o well_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o history_n as_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o revelation_n for_o indeed_o they_o be_v the_o history_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v set_v down_o in_o the_o very_a circumstance_n in_o which_o they_o afterward_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v and_o yet_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v dispute_v whether_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o elijah_n or_o such_o a_o prince_n as_o josiah_n or_o cyrus_n he_o will_v but_o make_v himself_o ridiculous_a but_o if_o he_o deny_v that_o elijah_n wrought_v such_o miracle_n or_o that_o isaiah_n speak_v of_o cyrus_n and_o another_o prophet_n of_o josiah_n by_o inspiration_n perhaps_o he_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v make_v some_o great_a discovery_n and_o to_o know_v something_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o shall_v be_v likely_a to_o meet_v with_o applause_n instead_o of_o that_o contempt_n which_o such_o pretence_n deserve_v so_o strange_o partial_a be_v man_n for_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v but_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o man_n to_o bring_v better_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v such_o man_n as_o elijah_n and_o josiah_n and_o cyrus_n than_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o show_v that_o the_o latter_a be_v by_o name_n prophesy_v of_o long_a before_o their_o birth_n and_o that_o the_o first_o wrought_v all_o the_o miracle_n relate_v of_o he_o or_o to_o produce_v clear_a evidence_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o reign_n of_o cyrus_n than_o we_o have_v that_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n with_o their_o restoration_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v foretell_v by_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n do_v their_o miracle_n in_o the_o most_o public_a manner_n and_o their_o prophecy_n be_v deliver_v not_o in_o corner_n but_o open_o before_o all_o the_o people_n not_o in_o obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a word_n but_o in_o plain_a term_n with_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o person_n and_o time_n and_o place_n they_o be_v keep_v they_o be_v read_v and_o study_v by_o that_o very_a people_n who_o at_o first_o as_o little_o regard_v they_o as_o any_o man_n now_o among_o we_o can_v do_v but_o slay_v the_o prophet_n themselves_o and_o reject_v their_o prophecy_n with_o rage_n and_o indignation_n but_o be_v afterward_o by_o the_o event_n of_o thing_n so_o full_o convince_v which_o be_v likewise_o foretell_v ezek._n xxxiii_o 33._o of_o their_o
the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n he_o foretell_v the_o denial_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n and_o both_o be_v foretell_v to_o st._n peter_n himself_o and_o his_o denial_n but_o a_o very_a little_a while_n before_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v when_o st._n peter_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n impossible_a who_o alone_o can_v have_v it_o in_o his_o power_n to_o hinder_v it_o he_o prophesy_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v about_o forty_o year_n after_o his_o own_o death_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o that_o generation_n as_o he_o have_v foretell_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o city_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o ground_n plough_v up_o so_o that_o one_o stone_n be_v not_o leave_v upon_o another_o of_o all_o the_o magnificent_a building_n of_o the_o temple_n which_o the_o disciple_n so_o much_o admire_v when_o our_o saviour_n tell_v they_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o fate_n of_o that_o glorious_a pile_n matt._n xxii_o 2._o and_o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v upon_o another_o occasion_n when_o julian_n with_o a_o design_n 21._o design_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sozom._n lib._n 5._o c._n 21._o to_o defeat_v this_o prophecy_n endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o rebuilt_a both_o the_o work_n and_o the_o workman_n be_v miraculous_o destroy_v by_o a_o fire_n burst_v out_o of_o the_o ground_n the_o inhabitant_n fall_v by_o the_o edge_n of_o the_o sword_n and_o be_v lead_v away_o captive_a into_o all_o nation_n luke_n xxi_o 24._o the_o chief_a place_n of_o security_n be_v the_o mountainous_a part_n of_o judea_n which_o our_o saviour_n foresee_v when_o he_o advise_v his_o disciple_n to_o flee_v to_o the_o mountain_n matt._n xxiv_o 16._o and_o cestius_n gallus_n compass_v jerusalem_n with_o his_o army_n which_o be_v a_o warning_n to_o the_o christian_n to_o depart_v and_o then_o by_o raise_v the_o siege_n give_v they_o a_o opportunity_n to_o escape_v to_o pella_n in_o the_o mountain_n of_o perea_n exact_o according_a to_o luke_n xxi_o 20_o 21._o and_o what_o dion_n cassius_n relate_v in_o the_o reign_v of_o claudius_n nero_n vitellius_n and_o titus_n may_v serve_v as_o a_o comment_n upon_o our_o saviour_n prophecy_n for_o there_o be_v famine_n and_o pestilence_n fearful_a sight_n and_o great_a sign_n from_o heaven_n and_o great_a earthquake_n the_o sea_n and_o the_o wave_n roar_v xxi_o 11_o 25._o the_o sun_n be_v darken_v and_o the_o moon_n do_v not_o give_v her_o light_n matt._n xxiv_o 29._o man_n heart_n fail_v they_o for_o fear_n and_o for_o look_v after_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v come_v on_o the_o earth_n luke_n xxi_o 26._o and_o there_o be_v so_o terrible_a a_o eruption_n of_o vesuvius_n that_o the_o ash_n be_v carry_v by_o the_o wind_n into_o africa_n and_o into_o egypt_n and_o syria_n with_o so_o great_a smoke_n and_o darkness_n that_o it_o be_v think_v the_o world_n have_v be_v at_o a_o end_n our_o saviour_n miracle_n verify_v the_o prophecy_n which_o have_v be_v concern_v the_o messiah_n for_o the_o jew_n expect_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v manifest_v himself_o by_o miracle_n to_o the_o world_n as_o they_o conclude_v from_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n and_o therefore_o st._n john_n baptist_n do_v no_o miracle_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v mistake_v for_o the_o messiah_n of_o who_o miracle_n be_v a_o principal_a token_n to_o know_v he_o by_o his_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o extort_a a_o confession_n from_o the_o devil_n themselves_o of_o his_o divine_a power_n they_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o before_o who_o they_o be_v wrought_v to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o they_o and_o as_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v perform_v but_o by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n the_o miracle_n of_o the_o loaf_n and_o fish_n be_v twice_o do_v and_o the_o person_n who_o be_v witness_n to_o it_o be_v at_o one_o time_n five_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n matt._n fourteen_o 21._o and_o the_o other_o time_n four_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n matt._n xv_o 38._o a_o miracle_n wrought_v at_o two_o several_a time_n and_o obvious_a to_o all_o the_o sense_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n who_o be_v hungry_a find_v themselves_o fill_v and_o satisfy_v with_o this_o miraculous_a food_n in_o the_o barren_a wilderness_n where_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v supply_v by_o natural_a mean_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v mistake_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o public_a and_o undeniable_a that_o st._n peter_n appeal_v to_o the_o jew_n themselves_o declare_v that_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n be_v a_o man_n approve_v of_o god_n among_o they_o by_o miracle_n and_o wonder_n and_o sign_n which_o god_n do_v by_o he_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o they_o themselves_o also_o know_v act_v two_o 22._o the_o nobleman_n son_n be_v cure_v at_o a_o distance_n and_o the_o multitude_n be_v witness_n to_o the_o request_n he_o make_v to_o our_o saviour_n and_o to_o our_o saviour_n answer_n upon_o it_o and_o the_o nobleman_n family_n be_v witness_n that_o the_o cure_n be_v effect_v at_o that_o very_a time_n he_o cast_v devil_n out_o of_o one_o know_v to_o have_v be_v a_o long_a time_n possess_v and_o then_o suffer_v they_o to_o go_v into_o the_o swine_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v indeed_o evil_a spirit_n which_o have_v possess_v the_o man_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o sadducee_n who_o believe_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o spirit_n he_o cure_v the_o leprosy_n and_o send_v the_o cure_v to_o the_o priest_n as_o the_o law_n require_v that_o he_o by_o inspection_n may_v examine_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o perfect_a cure_n or_o no._n he_o give_v sight_n to_o one_o bear_v blind_a and_o this_o be_v upon_o examination_n attest_v to_o the_o pharisee_n themselves_o lazarus_n be_v raise_v to_o life_n again_o after_o he_o have_v be_v dead_a four_o day_n before_o so_o many_o witness_n that_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v not_o able_a to_o contradict_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o be_v mighty_o enrage_v against_o he_o for_o it_o and_o consult_v to_o put_v lazarus_n to_o death_n because_o many_o be_v induce_v to_o believe_v on_o christ_n by_o reason_n of_o so_o great_a and_o manifest_a a_o miracle_n some_o who_o have_v be_v cure_v and_o other_o who_o have_v be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a by_o our_o saviour_n be_v live_v for_o many_o year_n after_o catalogue_n after_o enseb_n hist_o lib._n four_o c._n 13._o hieron_n catalogue_n as_o quadratus_n testify_v of_o his_o own_o time_n in_o his_o apology_n to_o adrian_n the_o emperor_n the_o circumstance_n of_o these_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n show_v that_o they_o be_v real_o perform_v and_o they_o be_v wrought_v with_o this_o intent_n and_o design_n to_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o nature_n therefore_o and_o end_v of_o they_o show_v that_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o divine_a power_n can_v have_v effect_v they_o for_o god_n will_v never_o have_v suffer_v they_o to_o be_v wrought_v to_o vouch_v a_o imposture_n to_o the_o world_n under_o his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n evangelio_n authority_n guil._n ader_n me_fw-it dici_fw-la enarrationes_fw-la de_fw-la a_o grotis_fw-la &_o morbis_fw-la in_o evangelio_n a_o â—earned_a physician_n have_v write_v a_o treatise_n to_o show_v that_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n and_o axiom_n of_o the_o best_a physician_n all_o the_o disease_n which_o our_o saviour_n cure_v be_v incurable_a by_o natural_a mean_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o every_o man_n that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v so_o but_o i_o shall_v insist_v more_o particular_o upon_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n this_o be_v the_o most_o wonderful_a and_o a_o confirmation_n of_o all_o his_o other_o miracle_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a gospel_n to_o we_o chap._n fourteen_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o b._n saviour_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o b._n saviour_n be_v prophesy_v of_o by_o david_n psal_n xuj_o 8._o act._n two_o 27._o and_o it_o be_v prefigure_v by_o the_o type_n of_o isaac_n deliverance_n when_o he_o have_v be_v offer_v up_o by_o abraham_n who_o both_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o even_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o receive_v he_o also_o from_o thence_o in_o a_o figure_n heb._n xi_o 19_o and_o it_o be_v also_o prefigure_v by_o the_o type_n of_o ionas_n his_o be_v three_o day_n and_o three_o night_n in_o the_o whale_n belly_n matt._n twelve_o 40._o our_o saviour_n be_v three_o day_n and_o three_o night_n in_o the_o grave_a that_o be_v three_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o three_o natural_a day_n according_a
prejudice_n of_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o they_o come_v under_o the_o number_n of_o such_o accident_n as_o god_n can_v be_v oblige_v in_o his_o providence_n to_o prevent_v but_o the_o bible_n can_v not_o without_o the_o signal_n providence_n of_o god_n have_v be_v preserve_v for_o so_o many_o age_n under_z so_o many_o change_n and_o revolution_n which_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n for_o reason_n elsewhere_o observe_v see_v fit_a to_o permit_v much_o less_o can_v it_o have_v escape_v with_o so_o inconsiderable_a variation_n unless_o it_o have_v be_v secure_v by_o a_o particular_a providence_n from_o those_o corruption_n and_o alteration_n which_o be_v so_o frequent_a in_o humane_a write_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n chronology_n be_v the_o part_n of_o learning_n which_o be_v most_o nice_a and_o difficult_a to_o be_v exact_o adjust_v because_o it_o depend_v upon_o so_o many_o several_a circumstance_n and_o comprehend_v so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o affair_n in_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o how_o punctual_o soever_o the_o account_n of_o time_n be_v set_v down_o at_o first_o yet_o the_o least_o alteration_n in_o one_o word_n or_o letter_n may_v cause_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o copy_n and_o the_o difference_n of_o epoche_n in_o the_o computation_n of_o different_a country_n especial_o at_o great_a distance_n oâ—_n time_n as_o well_o as_o place_n be_v such_o that_o theâ—_n exact_a chronology_n may_v easy_o be_v mistake_v and_o may_v be_v further_o entangle_v and_o perplex_v by_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o rectify_v what_o they_o think_v amiss_o for_o that_o which_o be_v exact_a at_o firâ—â—_n be_v often_o make_v faulty_a by_o he_o who_o think_v it_o so_o before_o but_o i_o suppose_v that_o no_o material_a exception_n will_v lie_v against_o the_o scripture_n upon_o the_o acconâ—â—_n of_o any_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n if_o those_o twâ—_n thing_n be_v make_v out_o i._o that_o difference_n in_o chronology_n do_v not_o infer_v uncertainty_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n themselves_o ii_o that_o difference_n in_o chronology_n do_v not_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v any_o chronological_a mistake_v make_v by_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o that_o they_o have_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o mistake_v of_o transcriber_n or_o of_o expositor_n i._o difference_n in_o chronology_n do_v not_o infer_v uncertainty_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n themselves_o because_o the_o point_n of_o time_n be_v but_o one_o circumstance_n and_o that_o easy_o mistake_v by_o a_o thousand_o accident_n and_o there_o may_v be_v many_o other_o circumstance_n so_o particular_a and_o so_o well_o attest_v as_o to_o give_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n relate_v notwithstanding_o any_o uncertainty_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n for_o which_o reason_n solon_n reason_n plut._n i_o solon_n plutarch_n do_v not_o reject_v the_o relation_n of_o a_o discourse_n that_o past_a between_o solon_n and_o croesus_n though_o he_o can_v not_o answer_v the_o objection_n bring_v from_o chronology_n to_o prove_v it_o feign_v because_o he_o find_v it_o deliver_v by_o good_a author_n and_o see_v nothing_o improbable_a in_o it_o but_o every_o thing_n very_o likely_a and_o suitable_a to_o solon_n temper_n and_o he_o think_v it_o unreasonable_a to_o reject_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o have_v no_o other_o objection_n against_o it_o but_o some_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n when_o say_v he_o innumerable_a person_n have_v endeavour_v to_o rectify_v the_o chronological_a canon_n but_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o this_o day_n to_o reconcile_v the_o differ_a opinion_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o chronology_n be_v a_o general_a complaint_n make_v by_o the_o best_a historian_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o objection_n have_v any_o weight_n it_o must_v invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o history_n a_o very_a learned_a and_o accurate_a author_n have_v show_v the_o uncertainty_n in_o chronology_n usher_n chronology_n mr_n milner_n be_v defence_n of_o a._n bishop_n usher_n during_o the_o first_o monarchy_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o kingdom_n viz._n the_o kingdom_n of_o assyria_n itself_o and_o the_o kingdom_n contemporary_a with_o it_o and_o of_o person_n and_o occurrence_n but_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o kingdom_n nor_o any_o such_o person_n and_o occurrence_n it_o be_v uncertain_a when_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n be_v first_o build_v for_o catalin_n for_o sallust_n bell._n catalin_n sallust_n and_o other_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n that_o it_o be_v found_v by_o romulus_n have_v ascribe_v the_o foundation_n of_o it_o to_o the_o trojan_n and_o romulo_n and_o plutarch_n in_o romulo_n those_o who_o make_v romulus_n the_o founder_n yet_o be_v at_o a_o strange_a disagreement_n concern_v the_o parent_n of_o romulus_n and_o the_o time_n of_o his_o birth_n some_o have_v call_v his_o mother_n name_n ilia_n some_o rhea_n some_o silvia_n other_o as_o livy_n rhea_n silvia_n yet_o still_o there_o be_v a_o further_a difference_n about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o city_n which_o have_v occasion_v great_a dispute_n among_o chronologer_n what_o then_o must_v follow_v from_o hence_o why_o if_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o time_n when_o any_o fact_n be_v do_v imply_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o fact_n itself_o we_o must_v fair_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o rome_n be_v ever_o build_v at_o all_o or_o at_o least_o we_o must_v with_o iii._o with_o temporar_n chron._n demonst_a lib._n iii._o temporarius_n believe_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o man_n as_o romulus_n the_o copy_n of_o diogenes_n laertius_n place_n the_o time_n of_o epicurus_n death_n 9_o year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v as_o laert_n as_o menag_fw-mi observe_v in_o diog._n laert_n menagius_n have_v observe_v but_o the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n have_v too_o great_a a_o value_n for_o epicurus_n to_o give_v he_o up_o for_o that_o reason_n and_o to_o conclude_v that_o there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o man_n but_o it_o be_v yet_o more_o strange_a that_o the_o time_n of_o so_o late_a and_o so_o remarkable_a a_o thing_n as_o the_o take_n of_o constantinople_n by_o the_o turk_n shall_v be_v place_v by_o some_o a_o year_n soon_o than_o by_o other_o this_o be_v a_o action_n know_v and_o discourse_v of_o throughout_o all_o europe_n and_o be_v a_o pregnant_a instance_n how_o little_a reason_n there_o be_v to_o dispute_v the_o certainty_n of_o a_o thing_n from_o any_o uncertainty_n of_o time_n if_o other_o circumstance_n concur_v to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o chronologer_n be_v not_o a_o little_a ashamed_a say_v mr_n gregory_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v we_o 3._o jo._n greg._n de_fw-fr aeris_fw-la &_o epochis_n c._n 3._o concern_v so_o late_o and_o famous_a a_o calamity_n as_o the_o siege_n of_o constantinople_n by_o mahume_v the_o second_o ii_o the_o difference_n in_o chronology_n do_v not_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v any_o chronological_a mistake_v make_v by_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o they_o arise_v from_o the_o mistake_v of_o transcriber_n or_o expositor_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o reflect_v a_o little_a upon_o some_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o cause_n mistake_v in_o the_o computation_n of_o chronology_n and_o it_o will_v soon_o appear_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o no_o book_n can_v be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n which_o be_v not_o sit_v to_o secure_a man_n from_o the_o error_n which_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o they_o to_o commit_v in_o thing_n of_o that_o intricacy_n i._o many_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n be_v occasion_v by_o not_o observe_v that_o that_o which_o have_v be_v say_v before_o in_o the_o general_n be_v afterward_o resume_v and_o deliver_v in_o the_o particular_n contain_v under_o it_o for_o the_o total_a sum_n of_o any_o term_n of_o year_n be_v set_v down_o first_o before_o the_o particular_n have_v be_v insist_v upon_o and_o explain_v have_v lead_v some_o into_o mistake_n by_o suppose_v that_o the_o particular_n afterward_o mention_v be_v not_o to_o be_v comprehend_v in_o it_o but_o to_o be_v reckon_v apart_o as_o if_o they_o have_v happen_v afterward_o in_o order_n of_o time_n because_o they_o be_v last_o relate_v in_o the_o course_n of_o the_o history_n thus_o gen._n xi_o 26._o it_o be_v say_v that_o terah_n live_v seventy_o year_n and_o beget_v abram_n and_z vers_n 32._o that_o the_o day_n of_o terah_n be_v two_o hundred_o and_o five_o year_n and_o terah_n die_v in_o haran_n but_o gen._n twelve_o 4._o it_o be_v write_v that_o abram_n be_v seventy_o and_o five_o year_n old_a when_o he_o depart_v out_o of_o haran_n which_o be_v inconsistent_a if_o we_o suppose_v that_o abram_n live_v in_o haran_n till_o the_o
if_o therefore_o christ_n have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n how_o many_o more_o pretence_n will_v those_o man_n have_v feign_v to_o themselves_o for_o their_o infidelity_n who_o be_v now_o so_o prone_a to_o unbelief_n and_o so_o unwilling_a to_o be_v christian_n man_n be_v tempt_v to_o suspect_v that_o there_o be_v something_o of_o obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n in_o all_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o if_o christ_n have_v be_v bear_v a_o thousand_o or_o two_o thousand_o year_n soon_o those_o who_o now_o think_v he_o come_v too_o late_o will_v then_o have_v cavil_v that_o he_o come_v too_o soon_o and_o that_o it_o be_v too_o long_o ago_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o have_v happen_v in_o a_o dark_a and_o fabulous_a age._n and_o therefore_o it_o seem_v that_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o very_a season_n and_o centre_n of_o time_n that_o as_o the_o former_a age_n be_v not_o so_o remote_a as_o not_o to_o be_v capable_a of_o all_o the_o benefit_n of_o his_o death_n and_o passion_n to_o be_v in_o due_a time_n accomplish_v so_o the_o last_o age_n of_o the_o world_n may_v have_v no_o pretence_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o any_o account_n of_o the_o long_a distance_n of_o time_n since_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n this_o may_v be_v the_o case_n for_o aught_o any_o man_n can_v tell_v or_o many_o other_o reason_n there_o may_v be_v much_o better_a and_o more_o important_a than_o this_o to_o defer_v the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n to_o raise_v objection_n about_o it_o many_o reason_n there_o may_v be_v for_o it_o which_o we_o be_v uncapable_a of_o know_v and_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n and_o that_o this_o time_n be_v the_o most_o proper_a and_o expedient_a and_o therefore_o be_v the_o time_n appoint_v and_o determine_v by_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n 4._o god_n have_v by_o the_o various_a method_n of_o his_o providence_n give_v such_o signal_n opportunity_n to_o the_o gentile_n to_o become_v acquaint_v with_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o do_v might_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o christ_n at_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n all_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n from_o the_o beginning_n have_v be_v as_o so_o many_o several_a preparation_n to_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n god_n choose_v abraham_n to_o be_v the_o father_n of_o a_o peculiar_a people_n and_o when_o that_o people_n have_v be_v by_o the_o constant_a manifestation_n of_o a_o miraculous_a providence_n preserve_v and_o by_o their_o law_n and_o ceremony_n distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o people_n they_o be_v drive_v into_o captivity_n as_o well_o in_o mercy_n to_o other_o nation_n as_o by_o god_n just_a judgement_n upon_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n that_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o gentile_n may_v be_v instruct_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v christ_n may_v become_v divulge_v and_o all_o nation_n may_v be_v in_o a_o readiness_n to_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v he_o who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o people_n first_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v by_o shalmaneser_n carry_v away_o captive_a and_o then_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o cyrus_n be_v by_o name_n appoint_v to_o restore_v they_o alexander_n conquest_n make_v yet_o way_n for_o a_o far_a reception_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n and_o beside_o the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n by_o which_o the_o wise_a man_n be_v direct_v to_o find_v out_o christ_n by_o the_o guidance_n of_o a_o star_n those_o of_o isaiah_n and_o jeremiah_n and_o daniel_n must_v be_v well_o know_v in_o the_o east_n the_o bible_n have_v be_v about_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n at_o the_o command_n of_o a_o heathen_a prince_n translate_v into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n which_o be_v by_o the_o victory_n of_o alexander_n become_v the_o most_o know_a language_n in_o the_o world_n and_o we_o read_v of_o no_o revolution_n of_o empire_n no_o blessing_n no_o affliction_n which_o befall_v the_o jew_n but_o it_o contribute_v in_o a_o remarkable_a manner_n to_o raise_v a_o expectation_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o prepare_v for_o his_o come_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o birth_n there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n a_o universal_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o receive_a opinion_n in_o that_o age_n all_o over_o the_o east_n that_o a_o great_a prince_n shall_v arise_v out_o of_o judea_n this_o appear_v both_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o from_o v._n from_o sueton._n in_o vespas_fw-la c._n 4._o tacit._n hist_o lib._n v._n heathen_a writer_n the_o wise_a man_n come_v to_o inquire_v after_o he_o and_o herod_n jealousy_n proceed_v to_o the_o utmost_a rage_n and_o cruelty_n and_o can_v not_o have_v fail_v of_o success_n if_o it_o have_v be_v against_o any_o but_o the_o true_a messiah_n who_o god_n do_v by_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n deliver_v out_o of_o his_o hand_n all_o the_o world_n stand_v in_o expectation_n of_o some_o extraordinary_a person_n and_o it_o be_v no_o unwellcome_a piece_n of_o flattery_n to_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n not_o long_o after_o to_o have_v it_o report_v that_o he_o be_v the_o prince_n speak_v of_o and_o expect_v in_o the_o east_n but_o it_o be_v esteem_v his_o glory_n and_o his_o happiness_n to_o be_v think_v the_o king_n that_o be_v to_o arise_v among_o a_o despise_a and_o hate_a people_n the_o expectation_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o great_a that_o he_o can_v not_o lie_v conceal_v in_o that_o obscure_a and_o mean_a condition_n but_o be_v adore_v in_o a_o manger_n and_o receive_v more_o than_o royal_a honour_n from_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n it_o be_v the_o fullness_n of_o time_n or_o the_o most_o convenient_a and_o proper_a time_n for_o christ_n to_o appear_v because_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v wonderful_o dispose_v and_o prepare_v the_o world_n for_o the_o expectation_n of_o he_o 5._o the_o particular_a temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v make_v it_o the_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a age_n for_o he_o to_o be_v bear_v in_o for_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n peculiar_a to_o that_o age_n which_o very_o much_o conduce_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o religion_n that_o age_n be_v so_o remarkable_a and_o the_o history_n of_o it_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o by_o so_o many_o eminent_a writer_n that_o it_o be_v more_o study_v and_o general_o better_a know_v than_o any_o age_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o consequence_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o such_o a_o age_n that_o it_o may_v be_v full_o inquire_v into_o in_o any_o age_n afterward_o and_o that_o no_o distance_n of_o time_n may_v cause_v such_o doubt_n concern_v it_o as_o shall_v ever_o render_v it_o the_o less_o certain_a to_o any_o who_o be_v willing_a to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o imposture_n this_o sure_o have_v be_v the_o most_o unlikely_a time_n of_o any_o for_o it_o to_o succeed_v no_o prince_n can_v be_v more_o jealous_a than_o herod_n who_o be_v so_o enrage_v at_o the_o report_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n that_o he_o too_o plain_o show_v how_o much_o he_o credit_v it_o and_o no_o age_n perhaps_o since_o the_o creation_n can_v be_v more_o unlikely_a to_o have_v a_o cheat_n put_v upon_o it_o than_o this_o in_o which_o peace_n and_o learning_n and_o all_o polite_a art_n flourish_v which_o refine_v man_n understanding_n and_o make_v they_o the_o most_o unfit_a and_o difficult_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o policy_n be_v in_o its_o high_a perfection_n in_o the_o court_n of_o augustus_n and_o tiberius_n which_o have_v be_v esteem_v the_o great_a pattern_n of_o it_o ever_o since_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v in_o great_a power_n and_o authority_n at_o jerusalem_n who_o be_v a_o subtle_a generation_n of_o man_n and_o the_o worst_a enemy_n any_o one_o can_v have_v to_o deal_v withal_o vice_n which_o be_v likely_a to_o give_v the_o great_a hindrance_n to_o a_o holy_a religion_n be_v the_o fashion_n of_o the_o time_n and_o that_o empire_n be_v never_o so_o abandon_v to_o wickedness_n as_o at_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o man_n be_v then_o most_o able_a to_o discover_v any_o imposture_n so_o they_o must_v have_v be_v most_o
witness_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n god_n himself_o bear_v witness_n to_o it_o and_o the_o jew_n may_v have_v say_v in_o this_o as_o they_o do_v in_o a_o very_a different_a case_n what_o need_v we_o any_o further_a witness_n for_o we_o ourselves_o have_v hear_v of_o their_o own_o mouth_n in_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o tongue_n or_o see_v it_o with_o our_o own_o eye_n in_o the_o many_o wonderful_a work_n which_o be_v continual_o wrought_v in_o the_o most_o public_a manner_n in_o testimony_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n our_o bless_a saviour_n therefore_o give_v as_o full_a proof_n of_o his_o resurrection_n as_o if_o he_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o temple_n or_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o this_o have_v not_o be_v more_o effectual_a to_o the_o conversion_n of_o most_o of_o they_o nor_o more_o sufficient_a to_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n than_o his_o appearance_n to_o his_o disciple_n be_v and_o if_o the_o jew_n have_v unanimous_o believe_v it_o can_v not_o have_v contribute_v more_o to_o convince_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n than_o their_o unbelief_n have_v do_v he_o send_v his_o apostle_n with_o a_o miraculous_a power_n as_o convince_a as_o his_o own_o appearance_n can_v have_v be_v and_o all_o thing_n consider_v the_o jew_n afford_v we_o as_o full_a evidence_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o oppose_v it_o as_o they_o can_v have_v do_v by_o their_o compliance_n with_o it_o and_o since_o we_o have_v sufficient_a testimony_n to_o resolve_v our_o faith_n into_o the_o divine_a veracity_n the_o certainty_n be_v the_o same_o whether_o the_o witness_n be_v more_o or_o few_o because_o it_o depend_v upon_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n which_o be_v always_o the_o same_o whatever_o the_o mean_n be_v by_o which_o our_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o it_o chap._n xxvii_o of_o the_o forty_o day_n in_o which_o christ_n remain_v upon_o earth_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ascension_n our_o bless_a saviour_n have_v certify_v his_o disciple_n of_o his_o resurrection_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o give_v they_o many_o infallible_a proof_n of_o it_o or_o else_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v infallible_o prove_v and_o that_o which_o be_v chief_o to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o he_o be_v see_v by_o they_o not_o once_o but_o often_o not_o for_o a_o short_a time_n or_o at_o a_o hasty_a interview_n but_o for_o forty_o day_n together_o and_o then_o he_o perform_v the_o common_a action_n of_o humane_a life_n he_o do_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o they_o and_o discourse_v with_o they_o of_o the_o thing_n relate_v to_o his_o kingdom_n to_o who_o also_o he_o show_v himself_o alive_a after_o his_o passion_n by_o many_o infallible_a proof_n be_v see_v of_o they_o forty_o day_n and_o speak_v of_o the_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n act_n i_o 3._o that_o which_o i_o here_o design_n be_v to_o make_v some_o observation_n upon_o the_o conversation_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v with_o his_o disciple_n during_o the_o forty_o day_n between_o his_o resurrection_n and_o his_o ascension_n and_o upon_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o leave_v they_o when_o he_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n 2._o the_o scripture_n acquaint_v we_o that_o our_o saviour_n be_v see_v of_o his_o disciple_n forty_o day_n or_o that_o he_o vouchsafe_v they_o his_o presence_n the_o great_a part_n of_o that_o time_n which_o he_o remain_v upon_o earth_n after_o his_o resurrection_n but_o in_o what_o manner_n all_o that_o time_n be_v spend_v with_o they_o we_o be_v not_o where_o tell_v which_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o we_o consider_v how_o much_o of_o his_o former_a life_n be_v conceal_v from_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v write_v for_o our_o instruction_n and_o in_o the_o plain_a and_o sincere_a manner_n in_o the_o world_n to_o inform_v we_o of_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o salvation_n we_o have_v nothing_o take_v notice_n of_o for_o ostentation_n nor_o for_o ornament_n but_o many_o thing_n omit_v in_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v think_v needful_a in_o humane_a author_n to_o make_v up_o a_o complete_a history_n we_o have_v no_o more_o mention_v of_o his_o parentage_n than_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o he_o be_v descend_v from_o david_n and_o bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v of_o he_o when_o he_o be_v bear_v we_o read_v that_o the_o shepherd_n and_o the_o wiseman_n come_v to_o worship_v he_o that_o he_o be_v circumcise_a that_o he_o be_v bring_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v present_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o that_o he_o be_v carry_v into_o egypt_n to_o avoid_v herod_n cruelty_n and_o hereby_o know_v prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v afterward_o he_o be_v bring_v to_o nazareth_n upon_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n and_o from_o that_o time_n we_o read_v no_o more_o of_o he_o till_o the_o twelve_o year_n of_o his_o age_n when_o he_o dispute_v with_o the_o doctor_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o then_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o he_o go_v down_o to_o nazareth_n and_o be_v subject_a to_o his_o mother_n and_o to_o joseph_n and_o in_o general_a term_n that_o he_o increase_v in_o wisdom_n and_o stature_n and_o in_o favour_n with_o god_n and_o man_n as_o it_o be_v before_o say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o grow_v and_o wax_v strong_a in_o spirit_n fill_v with_o wisdom_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v upon_o he_o luke_n two_o 40_o 52._o the_o next_o time_n we_o read_v any_o thing_n of_o he_o be_v when_o he_o be_v about_o thirty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o come_v to_o john_n to_o be_v baptise_a thus_o not_o only_o during_o his_o infancy_n and_o childhood_n there_o be_v little_o relate_v of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n but_o his_o ripe_a year_n be_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n in_o all_o which_o time_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o there_o be_v no_o speech_n or_o action_n of_o so_o divine_a a_o person_n but_o what_o well_o deserve_v the_o observation_n of_o all_o that_o know_v he_o and_o be_v more_o worthy_a of_o mention_n in_o history_n than_o all_o the_o renown_a adventure_n and_o exploit_n or_o than_o the_o wise_a or_o witty_a say_n which_o adorn_v the_o life_n of_o the_o great_a among_o the_o son_n of_o men._n but_o modesty_n humility_n and_o a_o contempt_n of_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n be_v some_o of_o the_o great_a and_o useful_a doctrine_n in_o which_o he_o come_v to_o instruct_v mankind_n and_o he_o can_v not_o do_v this_o more_o effectual_o than_o by_o his_o own_o example_n in_o lead_v a_o mean_a and_o obscure_a life_n little_o know_v or_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o world_n till_o two_o or_o three_o year_n before_o he_o be_v to_o leave_v it_o by_o a_o cruel_a and_o infamous_a death_n he_o do_v not_o choose_v to_o spend_v his_o time_n in_o place_n of_o public_a resort_v and_o converse_v and_o when_o he_o dispute_v in_o the_o temple_n yet_o nothing_o of_o the_o particular_n be_v mention_v this_o obscure_a and_o unknown_a person_n be_v to_o rebuke_v and_o control_v the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o popular_a scribe_n and_o pharisee_n and_o after_o he_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n very_o much_o of_o his_o life_n be_v spend_v in_o privacy_n and_o retirement_n not_o many_o of_o his_o discourse_n be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o action_n be_v omit_v for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v all_o write_v and_o describe_v in_o their_o several_a circumstance_n many_o volume_n must_v have_v be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o narrative_a of_o they_o insomuch_o that_o st._n john_n suppose_v that_o even_o the_o world_n itself_o can_v not_o have_v contain_v the_o book_n that_o shall_v have_v be_v write_v joh._n xxi_o 25._o that_o be_v as_o we_o may_v express_v it_o in_o our_o language_n he_o do_v a_o world_n of_o thing_n more_o than_o these_o which_o be_v relate_v of_o he_o and_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n st._n james_n say_v that_o the_o tongue_n be_v a_o world_n of_o iniquity_n jam._n iii._o 6._o the_o meaning_n of_o st._n john_n be_v that_o hardly_o any_o word_n can_v express_v how_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v do_v by_o our_o saviour_n beside_o those_o which_o he_o have_v set_v down_o christ_n may_v have_v employ_v some_o accurate_a historian_n to_o compose_v the_o annal_n of_o his_o whole_a life_n with_o the_o great_a exactness_n imaginable_a but_o he_o be_v please_v to_o be_v represent_v to_o the_o world_n very_o imperfest_o by_o such_o as_o know_v nothing_o of_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o write_a history_n any_o far_a than_o to_o be_v able_a to_o tell_v the_o strict_a and_o necessary_a truth_n the_o
of_o they_o must_v cease_v and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v bestow_v cease_v these_o miraculous_a gift_n must_v of_o consequence_n cease_v with_o it_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v likewise_o under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o we_o read_v of_o no_o miraculous_a power_n bestow_v upon_o any_o man_n before_o moses_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v deliver_v down_o with_o undeniable_a certainty_n and_o the_o miraculous_a judgement_n of_o god_n in_o drown_v the_o old_a world_n in_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n be_v sufficient_a to_o keep_v up_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n but_o when_o a_o new_a institution_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v introduce_v by_o moses_n miraculous_a gift_n be_v necessary_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o it_o and_o to_o oppose_v those_o false_a and_o lie_a wonder_n which_o be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o magician_n in_o egypt_n and_o other_o place_n in_o the_o former_a age_n prediction_n be_v very_o frequent_a and_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o patriarch_n who_o be_v man_n of_o unquestionable_a credit_n and_o authority_n and_o can_v have_v no_o need_n of_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prophecy_n which_o be_v so_o usual_a in_o those_o time_n and_o when_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v so_o long_o divers_a prophecy_n of_o the_o same_o person_n have_v be_v verify_v by_o the_o event_n but_o moses_n have_v a_o new_a law_n to_o deliver_v and_o both_o he_o and_o the_o prophet_n have_v a_o a_o stubborn_a people_n to_o deal_v with_o to_o who_o the_o message_n they_o be_v charge_v withal_o be_v common_o very_o unwelcome_a so_o that_o till_o this_o institution_n be_v full_o settle_v miracle_n become_v necessary_a but_o when_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v sufficient_o authorize_v and_o establish_v by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n and_o when_o by_o the_o captivity_n and_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o divine_a mission_n of_o their_o prophet_n become_v know_v among_o so_o many_o other_o nation_n when_o the_o jew_n be_v reduce_v from_o idolatry_n which_o they_o never_o practise_v after_o their_o return_n from_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n and_o when_o they_o have_v make_v numerous_a conversion_n among_o the_o heathen_n than_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v no_o long_o continue_v as_o they_o have_v be_v before_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n insomuch_o that_o it_o become_v a_o 18._o a_o lightf_n glean_v out_o of_o exod._n §._o vi_fw-it harm_n of_o the_o evang_n luke_n i_o 18._o joh._n two_o 18._o maxim_n among_o they_o that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o return_v from_o babylon_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n depart_v from_o israel_n and_o ascend_v and_o for_o above_o four_o hundred_o year_n together_o the_o gift_n both_o of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n have_v be_v withhold_v from_o they_o before_o the_o manifestation_n of_o christ_n for_o though_o there_o be_v gross_a error_n and_o dangerous_a corruption_n among_o the_o pharisee_n and_o sadducee_n and_o other_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o since_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o revelation_n from_o whence_o these_o error_n may_v have_v be_v confute_v have_v be_v so_o thorough_o confirm_v all_o their_o corruption_n and_o error_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o the_o continuance_n of_o miraculous_a gift_n and_o the_o pharisee_n and_o other_o sect_n who_o be_v most_o fond_a and_o zealous_a of_o their_o several_a tenet_n and_o tradition_n yet_o never_o dare_v pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n or_o prophecy_n but_o endeavour_v to_o support_v themselves_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n what_o they_o sometime_o speak_v of_o lxxiii_o of_o id_fw-la fall_v of_o jerus_n §._o ix_o harm_n of_o the_o n._n t._n §._o lxxiii_o the_o bath_n col_fw-fr or_o voice_n from_o heaven_n deserve_v but_o little_a credit_n and_o amount_v but_o to_o a_o confession_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v fail_v under_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o express_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o have_v do_v 41._o do_v more_o nevock_n part._n 2._o c._n 36_o 41._o maimonides_n declare_v that_o the_o bath_n col_fw-fr do_v not_o denominate_v man_n prophet_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o reckon_v by_o he_o among_o the_o degree_n of_o prophecy_n i_o have_v already_o prove_v at_o large_a 1._o book_n 1._o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n afford_v as_o much_o certainty_n to_o our_o faith_n as_o if_o we_o ourselves_o have_v see_v they_o wrought_v and_o our_o saviour_n plain_o say_v notwithstanding_o his_o work_n which_o bear_v witness_n of_o he_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o his_o own_o word_n shall_v be_v rather_o believe_v than_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n for_o have_v you_o believe_v moses_n you_o will_v have_v believe_v i_o for_o he_o write_v of_o i_o but_o if_o you_o believe_v not_o his_o write_n how_o shall_v you_o believe_v my_o word_n joh._n v._o 46_o 47._o and_o when_o once_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o miracle_n as_o the_o law_n have_v be_v and_o render_v as_o certain_a to_o all_o succeed_a age_n as_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n can_v have_v make_v it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o such_o a_o power_n shall_v be_v any_o long_o bestow_v miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o revelation_n make_v to_o mankind_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n not_o to_o decide_v any_o controversy_n arise_v among_o those_o by_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v receive_v for_o to_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o all_o dispute_n ought_v to_o be_v determine_v and_o therefore_o the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n be_v sometime_o manifest_v among_o v._o among_o ad_fw-la orthodox_n inter_fw-la justin_n martyr_n oper._n respon_n v._o heretic_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o infidel_n which_o be_v the_o true_a end_n and_o design_n of_o miracle_n and_o not_o to_o be_v any_o note_n of_o distinction_n between_o the_o orthodox_n and_o heretic_n the_o learned_a etc._n learned_a in_o irenae_n dissert_n 11._o §._o 28._o etc._n etc._n mr._n dodwell_n by_o a_o historical_a account_n of_o miracle_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o age_n next_o succeed_v have_v show_v that_o they_o be_v always_o adapt_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o or_o less_o frequent_a as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n require_v till_o they_o at_o last_o whole_o cease_v when_o there_o be_v no_o long_o any_o need_n of_o they_o for_o the_o only_a end_n and_o use_v of_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v the_o confirmation_n and_o establishment_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o when_o this_o be_v once_o full_o confirm_v and_o establish_v they_o can_v be_v no_o long_o needful_a but_o it_o seem_v rather_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v afterward_o cease_v than_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v continue_v i_o mean_v as_o to_o any_o constant_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n reside_v in_o the_o church_n for_o though_o there_o may_v possible_o be_v some_o extraordinary_a case_n in_o which_o it_o may_v please_v god_n to_o manifest_v a_o miraculous_a power_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n shall_v be_v continue_v to_o the_o church_n but_o rather_o that_o those_o gift_n shall_v cease_v when_o religion_n have_v be_v confirm_v by_o a_o perpetual_a course_n of_o miracle_n for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n together_o because_o i._o miracle_n when_o they_o become_v common_a will_v lose_v the_o design_n and_o end_n and_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o miracle_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a work_n of_o god_n not_o that_o they_o be_v more_o difficult_a than_o the_o ordinary_a work_n of_o nature_n all_o thing_n be_v alike_o easy_a to_o god_n and_o miracle_n be_v as_o easy_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o constant_a course_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v the_o only_a difference_n be_v that_o miracle_n be_v his_o wonderful_a work_n they_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o raise_v our_o wonder_n and_o admiration_n and_o to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o a_o divine_a presence_n for_o we_o wonder_v at_o strange_a and_o unusual_a thing_n and_o suppose_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a reason_n for_o they_o but_o if_o miracle_n have_v continue_v in_o all_o age_n this_o effect_n of_o miracle_n will_v have_v cease_v and_o they_o will_v no_o long_o have_v be_v miracle_n but_o a_o kind_n of_o different_a course_n of_o nature_n for_o according_a to_o the_o best_a and_o most_o accurate_a philosophy_n nothing_o in_o the_o settle_a course_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v perform_v without_o a_o
opinion_n of_o their_o own_o beside_o the_o general_n prejudices_fw-la which_o they_o lie_v under_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o man_n of_o any_o learning_n and_o education_n study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o be_v common_o addict_v to_o one_o sect_n or_o other_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o vanity_n and_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n be_v the_o chief_a aim_n of_o many_o of_o the_o philosopher_n as_o tertullian_n and_o other_o of_o the_o father_n object_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v very_o unlikely_a to_o become_v proselyte_n to_o a_o religion_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o in_o the_o world_n with_o such_o disdain_n and_o contempt_n philosophy_n in_o general_n if_o we_o believe_v 1._o believe_v instit_fw-la lib._n i._o c._n 1._o quintilian_n be_v in_o his_o time_n by_o most_o use_v as_o a_o artifice_n and_o disguise_n to_o conceal_v the_o worst_a of_o vice_n under_o a_o morose_n look_v and_o a_o habit_n different_a from_o that_o of_o other_o men._n and_o from_o such_o philosopher_n as_o these_o we_o must_v expect_v that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v read_v with_o no_o manner_n of_o candour_n or_o good_a and_o serious_a intention_n ii_o intention_n contra_fw-la celf._n lib._n ii_o origen_n give_v instance_n of_o the_o wilful_a abuse_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o some_o of_o his_o time_n who_o cavil_v at_o half_a sentence_n without_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o coherence_n which_o they_o have_v of_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o complain_v that_o i._n that_o ib._n lib._n i._n celsus_n seem_v never_o to_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n though_o he_o pretend_v to_o a_o very_a exact_a knowledge_n both_o of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a religion_n but_o understand_v little_a of_o either_o baroc_n either_o philip._n sidet_fw-la apud_fw-la dodw._n append._n ad_fw-la dissert_n in_o irenae_n e._n cod._n ms._n baroc_n athenagoras_n who_o before_o he_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n with_o more_o care_n and_o sincerity_n though_o with_o the_o same_o design_n become_v convert_v and_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o oppose_v 16._o oppose_v euseb_n contr_n hier._n &_o lactant._n institut_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n 2_o 3._o de_fw-fr mortib_n persecut_n c._n 16._o hierocles_n likewise_o have_v read_v the_o new_a testament_n with_o a_o design_n to_o write_v against_o it_o but_o he_o who_o can_v believe_v the_o miracle_n of_o apollonius_n tyaneus_n and_o prefer_v that_o notorious_a impostor_n to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o maximus_n aegiensis_n damis_n the_o philosopher_n and_o philostratus_n to_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n show_v so_o strange_a a_o partiality_n as_o may_v be_v expect_v only_o in_o he_o who_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n by_o his_o persecution_n more_o than_o by_o his_o argument_n for_o hierocles_n be_v the_o chief_a promoter_n of_o the_o persecution_n under_o diocletian_a 2._o the_o gentile_n look_v upon_o the_o poor_a persecute_a condition_n of_o the_o christian_n as_o a_o argument_n against_o their_o religion_n and_o be_v not_o only_o prejudice_v against_o a_o new_a religion_n which_o must_v expose_v they_o to_o suffering_n by_o that_o fondness_n which_o man_n natural_o have_v for_o their_o own_o ease_n and_o safety_n but_o 29._o but_o aug._n civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n i._n c._n 29._o when_o they_o see_v the_o christian_n in_o distress_n they_o will_v upbraid_v they_o as_o the_o psalmist_n enemy_n reproach_v he_o say_v where_o be_v now_o thy_o god_n they_o consider_v their_o own_o religion_n as_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n and_o of_o their_o ancestor_n which_o be_v what_o tully_n say_v for_o it_o when_o he_o ruin_v all_o the_o ground_n and_o pretence_n in_o behalf_n of_o it_o they_o allege_v that_o this_o have_v be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o forefather_n and_o that_o the_o roman_a empire_n have_v arrive_v to_o so_o much_o power_n and_o greatness_n under_o its_o influence_n this_o be_v so_o much_o insist_v upon_o as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o zosimus_n symmachus_n and_o other_o that_o orosius_n set_v himself_o to_o answer_v it_o in_o a_o particular_a work_n and_o st._n austin_n who_o put_v he_o upon_o write_v it_o think_v himself_o concern_v in_o his_o own_o work_n to_o oppose_v so_o unreasonable_a but_o fatal_a a_o prejudice_n 3._o the_o consequence_n of_o these_o prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o christian_a religion_n both_o in_o favour_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n and_o in_o fondness_n for_o their_o old_a opinion_n and_o out_o of_o a_o abhorrence_n of_o affliction_n and_o a_o disregard_n of_o those_o who_o be_v so_o much_o expose_v to_o they_o as_o have_v but_o small_a pretence_n to_o any_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a care_n the_o consequence_n i_o say_v of_o these_o error_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v that_o the_o gentile_n despise_v the_o christian_a religion_n before_o they_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o for_o many_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o observation_n be_v so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o it_o that_o they_o do_v not_o distinguish_v christian_n from_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v by_o 25._o by_o sueton_n in_o claudio_n c._n 25._o suetonius_n they_o know_v not_o so_o much_o the_o true_a pronunciation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n or_o christian_a but_o be_v wont_a to_o write_v 7_o write_v no_o nee_n nominis_fw-la certa_fw-la est_fw-la notitia_fw-la penes_fw-la vos_fw-la tertul._n apol._n c._n 3._o sueton_n ib._n lactant._n lib._n iu._n c._n 7_o chrestus_n and_o chrestianus_fw-la this_o the_o apologist_n much_o insist_v upon_o that_o they_o condemn_v and_o persecute_v what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v the_o christian_n desire_v no_o more_o than_o a_o fair_a hear_v and_o if_o they_o may_v but_o be_v suffer_v to_o make_v their_o religion_n full_o know_v to_o their_o adversary_n they_o beg_v no_o further_a favour_n 4._o it_o be_v believe_v 54._o believe_v aug._n de_fw-fr civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n xviii_o c._n 53_o 54._o that_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n have_v deliver_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v continue_v no_o long_o than_o three_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o five_o year_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o julian_n the_o apostate_n die_v a._n d._n ccclxv_o according_a to_o some_o chronologer_n though_o other_o place_v his_o death_n two_o year_n before_o it_o seem_v the_o devil_n have_v some_o great_a expectation_n from_o his_o reign_n but_o at_o or_o near_o that_o very_a time_n in_o which_o he_o have_v foretell_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v have_v a_o end_n if_o the_o computation_n be_v to_o be_v make_v from_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n he_o see_v a_o end_n of_o all_o his_o hope_n in_o the_o death_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o be_v so_o zealous_a in_o his_o service_n and_o have_v give_v out_o severe_a threaten_n against_o the_o christian_n of_o what_o they_o be_v to_o expect_v if_o he_o have_v return_v victorious_a from_o that_o expedition_n in_o which_o he_o perish_v and_o this_o prediction_n have_v respect_v probable_o to_o his_o reign_n though_o the_o greek_a verse_n in_o which_o it_o be_v deliver_v may_v be_v alter_v afterward_o or_o so_o contrive_v at_o first_o as_o to_o extend_v it_o to_o a_o long_a time_n leave_v it_o uncertain_a from_o whence_o the_o calculation_n be_v to_o begin_v however_o this_o oracle_n keep_v many_o of_o the_o gentile_n from_o be_v christian_n till_o they_o see_v the_o time_n past_a which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o as_o st._n austin_n assure_v we_o 5._o the_o heresy_n and_o schism_n which_o soon_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n give_v great_a scandal_n and_o offence_n to_o such_o as_o judge_v of_o these_o thing_n at_o a_o distance_n and_o in_o the_o gross_a without_o examine_v into_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o the_o dialog_n the_o just_a martyr_n dialog_n jew_n not_o only_o blaspheme_v christ_n in_o the_o synagogue_n but_o make_v choice_n of_o man_n on_o purpose_n who_o they_o send_v from_o jerusalem_n into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o vilify_v he_o and_o his_o religion_n 2._o religion_n id._n apol._n 2._o and_o because_o christian_n speak_v of_o christ_n kingdom_n this_o be_v understand_v to_o their_o prejudice_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v for_o set_v up_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n by_o rebellion_n and_o the_o evil_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o divers_a heretic_n confirm_v man_n in_o any_o ill_a opinion_n which_o they_o have_v conceive_v of_o christian_n in_o general_n the_o absurd_a doctrine_n and_o heresy_n of_o the_o gnostic_n and_o other_o heretic_n be_v by_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o their_o censure_n and_o invective_n apply_v to_o all_o christian_n without_o distinction_n and_o be_v take_v upon_o trust_n by_o most_o men._n 8._o men._n orig._n cont_n celf._n lib._n 6_o 7_o 8._o celsus_n make_v objection_n from_o the_o erroneous_a and_o wicked_a notion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ophitae_n the_o valentinian_o the_o marcionite_n and_o other_o this_o
persuasion_n do_v not_o determine_v right_o and_o wrong_n true_a and_o false_a the_o remain_a difficulty_n be_v how_o to_o distinguish_v they_o and_o that_o must_v be_v by_o the_o proper_a evidence_n and_o the_o intrinsic_a goodness_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o our_o evidence_n in_o behalf_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n and_o if_o our_o religion_n have_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o what_o we_o assert_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o other_o religion_n have_v not_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o that_o authority_n to_o which_o they_o lay_v claim_v this_o must_v determine_v the_o point_n though_o a_o mahometan_a or_o pagan_n shall_v be_v as_o zealous_a for_o his_o religion_n as_o a_o christian_a can_v be_v it_o be_v common_o and_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o suffer_a but_o the_o cause_n which_o make_v the_o martyr_n and_o if_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n have_v never_o so_o much_o confidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o this_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o ground_n and_o proof_n upon_o which_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n depend_v other_o religion_n may_v have_v their_o zealot_n who_o offer_v themselves_o to_o die_v for_o they_o but_o the_o christian_a religion_n proper_o have_v the_o only_a martyr_n for_o martyr_n be_v witness_n and_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v attest_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n no_o other_o religion_n be_v ever_o propagate_v by_o witness_n who_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o be_v every_o way_n conversant_a in_o what_o they_o witness_v concern_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n no_o religion_n beside_o be_v ever_o preach_v by_o man_n who_o after_o a_o unalterable_a constancy_n under_o all_o kind_n of_o suffering_n at_o last_o die_v for_o assert_v it_o when_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o therefore_o certain_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a or_o else_o they_o will_v never_o have_v suffer_v and_o die_v in_o that_o manner_n for_o it_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v ever_o atto_v from_o its_o first_o propagation_n for_o several_a hundred_o of_o year_n together_o by_o man_n who_o have_v either_o see_v the_o first_o preacher_n themselves_o or_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o other_o who_o have_v see_v they_o or_o have_v wrought_v miracle_n and_o see_v other_o work_v they_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v contain_v in_o book_n which_o be_v write_v at_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o it_o and_o disperse_v into_o all_o country_n in_o all_o language_n among_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o especial_o among_o those_o who_o be_v most_o concern_v and_o most_o able_a and_o desirous_a to_o disprove_v it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a no_o religion_n beside_o have_v by_o so_o weak_a and_o unlikely_a mean_n prevail_v over_o all_o the_o power_n and_o policy_n of_o the_o world_n none_o be_v in_o its_o doctrine_n so_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o so_o worthy_a of_o god_n for_o its_o author_n and_o none_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o with_o so_o clear_a a_o continue_a and_o uninterrupted_a testimony_n through_o all_o age_n and_o convey_v by_o a_o succession_n of_o testimony_n to_o this_o present_a age_n and_o therefore_o no_o other_o religion_n can_v have_v martyr_n who_o can_v die_v in_o confirmation_n of_o such_o a_o testimony_n as_o this_o or_o who_o can_v be_v martyr_n and_o witness_n to_o it_o by_o assure_v the_o world_n at_o their_o death_n that_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o religion_n thus_o testify_v and_o confirm_v for_o which_o they_o die_v it_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a assert_v a_o thing_n bold_o and_o then_o die_v for_o it_o which_o make_v a_o martyr_n but_o the_o qualification_n necessary_a in_o a_o witness_n be_v necessary_a in_o he_o that_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v all_o opportunity_n needful_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o no_o temptation_n to_o speak_v the_o contrary_n which_o qualification_n be_v evident_a in_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o martyr_n who_o testimony_n be_v that_o upon_o which_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v found_v and_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o latter_a age_n be_v additional_a testimony_n which_o without_o the_o former_a will_v be_v insignificant_a but_o suppose_v they_o be_v all_o the_o testimony_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o be_v as_o much_o beyond_o the_o suffering_n in_o behalf_n of_o any_o other_o religion_n as_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v beyond_o the_o evidence_n for_o all_o other_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o zeal_n though_o it_o proceed_v even_o to_o death_n and_o martyrdom_n upon_o which_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n but_o the_o reason_n which_o christian_n have_v for_o their_o zeal_n divers_a nation_n have_v be_v as_o earnest_a assertor_n of_o their_o fabulous_a antiquity_n as_o other_o can_v be_v of_o they_o which_o be_v know_v to_o be_v true_a but_o be_v these_o ever_o the_o less_o or_o those_o ever_o the_o more_o true_a upon_o that_o account_n we_o insist_v upon_o it_o that_o we_o have_v book_n to_o show_v and_o clear_a evidence_n to_o produce_v for_o what_o we_o maintain_v and_o these_o have_v be_v examine_v by_o many_o man_n in_o every_o age_n and_o compare_v with_o what_o be_v to_o be_v allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o contrary_a religion_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n and_o prudence_n have_v choose_v to_o die_v rather_o than_o to_o renounce_v this_o religion_n for_o any_o other_o after_o the_o nice_a and_o most_o impartial_a examination_n they_o can_v make_v whereas_o the_o zealot_n and_o martyr_n for_o the_o religion_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o christianity_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v man_n that_o understand_v nothing_o of_o antiquity_n but_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o history_n of_o their_o several_a religion_n and_o take_v all_o upon_o uncertain_a report_n and_o absurd_a tradition_n without_o any_o proof_n or_o possibility_n of_o it_o and_o even_o against_o manifest_a reason_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o undoubted_a history_n so_o plain_o be_v it_o that_o the_o zeal_n and_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o die_v for_o they_o can_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o enthusiasm_n and_o vain_a notion_n and_o conceit_n of_o some_o zealot_n can_v be_v no_o more_o a_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o human_a reason_n that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o fool_n and_o madman_n in_o the_o world_n chap._n xxxii_o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o have_v prove_v a_o a_o great_a snare_n and_o scandal_n to_o weak_a mind_n nor_o which_o give_v the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n great_a advantage_n as_o they_o think_v against_o it_o than_o the_o dissension_n among_o christian_n and_o the_o different_a sect_n and_o party_n into_o which_o they_o be_v divide_v this_o make_v some_o willing_a to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n on_o any_o side_n when_o they_o see_v equal_a zeal_n and_o equal_a confidence_n in_o man_n of_o all_o persuasion_n that_o contend_v for_o their_o several_a opinion_n but_o st._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o corinthian_n that_o there_o must_v be_v not_o only_a division_n but_o heresy_n also_o and_o not_o only_o that_o they_o must_v be_v but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o without_o their_o use_n and_o expediency_n in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o real_a prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o religion_n that_o they_o do_v indeed_o conduce_v to_o manifest_v the_o excellency_n of_o it_o and_o the_o sincerity_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v it_o for_o there_o must_v be_v also_o heresy_n among_o you_o that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a among_o you_o 1_o cor._n xi_o 19_o from_o whence_o i_o shall_v show_v i._o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v among_o christian_n unless_o god_n shall_v miraculous_o and_o irresistible_o interpose_v to_o prevent_v they_o ii_o that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a nor_o expedient_a that_o god_n shall_v thus_o interpose_v iii_o that_o these_o difference_n how_o great_a and_o how_o many_o soever_o they_o be_v even_o the_o worst_a of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o religion_n i._o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v among_o