of_o the_o messiah_n whereas_o hitherto_o god_n have_v only_o describe_v he_o under_o the_o figure_n of_o a_o bare_a man_n though_o the_o other_o be_v make_v sufficient_o intelligible_a when_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o tempter_n and_o the_o right_n of_o procure_v a_o blessing_n unto_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o he_o be_v personal_o to_o enjoy_v be_v attribute_v to_o he_o thing_n infinite_o beyond_o the_o power_n and_o condition_n of_o mankind_n to_o perform_v be_v attribute_v to_o he_o ii_o he_o observe_v that_o this_o person_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v such_o magnificent_a thing_n ought_v however_o to_o be_v descend_v from_o jacob_n which_o ratify_v jacob_n prophecy_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n iii_o though_o he_o hint_n very_o clear_o at_o the_o effect_n of_o those_o blessing_n and_o temporal_a victory_n which_o jacob_n posterity_n be_v to_o obtain_v over_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o insinuate_v plain_o enough_o 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be_v very_o considerable_a the_o people_n be_v terrify_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o they_o upon_o mount_n sinai_n desire_v that_o god_n will_v no_o long_o speak_v as_o he_o have_v do_v before_o but_o that_o moses_n shall_v give_v they_o a_o account_n of_o whatever_o god_n shall_v command_v hereupon_o god_n consent_v to_o their_o request_n and_o promise_v they_o by_o moses_n that_o he_o will_v raise_v they_o up_o a_o prophet_n like_o unto_o moses_n to_o who_o they_o ought_v to_o hearken_v upon_o pain_n of_o be_v cut_v off_o he_o that_o make_v the_o addition_n to_o the_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n wherein_o his_o death_n be_v describe_v take_v notice_n that_o there_o never_o rise_v up_o afterward_o a_o prophet_n in_o israel_n like_v to_o moses_n if_o it_o be_v ezra_n who_o make_v that_o addition_n than_o here_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o clear_a decision_n against_o the_o jew_n some_o of_o who_o assert_v that_o joshua_n or_o jeremiah_n be_v the_o prophet_n who_o moses_n 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explain_v the_o decree_n by_o which_o the_o messiah_n become_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n and_o clothe_v himself_o with_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n to_o offer_v unto_o god_n a_o more_o perfect_a obedience_n than_o that_o which_o have_v former_o be_v offer_v by_o burnt-offering_n and_o sacrifice_n he_o describe_v the_o measure_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o ministry_n which_o be_v to_o consist_v in_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o people_n in_o righteousness_n truth_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o god._n psalm_n xl._n 7._o 11._o sacrifice_n and_o offer_v thou_o do_v not_o desire_v my_o ear_n have_v thou_o open_v burnt-offering_a and_o sin_n offering_z have_v thou_o not_o require_v then_o say_v i_o lo_o i_o come_v in_o the_o volume_n of_o the_o book_n it_o be_v write_v of_o i_o i_o delight_v to_o do_v thy_o will_n
by_o chance_n and_o without_o any_o certain_a principle_n chap._n xx._n a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o other_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n calculation_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n as_o we_o have_v it_o now_o it_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o china_n who_o uninterrupted_a series_n run_v up_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o emperor_n to_o fobius_fw-la who_o reign_v about_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o flood_n some_o learned_a man_n have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o that_o argument_n to_o discredit_v the_o mosaic_a chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o cry_v up_o the_o calculation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n which_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n in_o the_o history_n before_o the_o flood_n by_o 800_o year_n and_o above_o 700_o in_o the_o history_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o moses_n this_o objection_n appear_v very_o strong_a to_o those_o who_o read_v in_o the_o history_n of_o martinius_n that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o interruption_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o king_n of_o china_n from_o fobius_fw-la that_o the_o history_n of_o their_o action_n be_v so_o certain_a have_v always_o be_v write_v by_o a_o public_a authority_n that_o no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o entertain_v any_o doubt_n about_o it_o and_o the_o missionary_n in_o china_n have_v think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o reconcile_v the_o mosaic_a chronology_n with_o the_o chinese_n but_o in_o make_v use_n of_o the_o septuagint_n account_n and_o wherein_o they_o agree_v with_o all_o the_o asiatic_a christian_n and_o even_o those_o in_o europe_n who_o follow_v the_o septuagint_n in_o their_o reckon_n up_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o most_o part_n though_o st._n hierome_n translation_n which_o 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and_o do_v such_o or_o such_o a_o action_n three_o it_o relate_v some_o astronomical_a observation_n old_a than_o any_o that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a astronomer_n in_o other_o nation_n four_o it_o be_v write_v by_o a_o public_a authority_n and_o by_o such_o author_n as_o live_v in_o the_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o record_v be_v transact_v the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o empire_n take_v always_o care_v that_o the_o history_n of_o his_o predecessor_n shall_v be_v write_v nay_o to_o all_o this_o we_o must_v add_v that_o the_o chinese_n way_n of_o writing_n make_v no_o use_n of_o letter_n but_o of_o hieroglyphic_n may_v have_v prevent_v these_o alteration_n which_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v make_v in_o their_o history_n the_o whole_a life_n of_o a_o man_n be_v hardly_o sufficient_a to_o attain_v to_o the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o a_o tongue_n which_o have_v above_o threescore_o thousand_o figure_n which_o must_v be_v all_o learn_v 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common_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n who_o they_o call_v xangti_n which_o be_v not_o the_o name_n but_o the_o epithet_n of_o god_n this_o word_n signify_v supreme_a governor_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n three_o he_o say_v that_o they_o acknowledge_v a_o first_o man_n bring_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o chaos_n in_o one_o night_n in_o the_o spring_n which_o opinion_n some_o among_o they_o have_v make_v intricate_a by_o the_o addition_n of_o their_o own_o fable_n four_o he_o show_v that_o sacrifice_n have_v be_v in_o use_n among_o they_o five_o that_o they_o believe_v a_o certainty_n of_o punishment_n and_o reward_n after_o this_o life_n for_o vice_n and_o virtue_n six_o that_o they_o believe_v the_o existence_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a angel_n seven_o that_o they_o assign_v to_o some_o of_o they_o the_o protection_n of_o city_n and_o province_n and_o pay_v they_o great_a veneration_n at_o the_o instalment_n of_o their_o magistrate_n eight_o that_o they_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v 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exact_a narrative_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n draw_v up_o by_o a_o author_n who_o know_v very_o well_o what_o he_o write_v first_o it_o appear_v that_o what_o they_o say_v concern_v the_o thirteen_o successor_n of_o the_o first_o man_n name_v puoncuus_fw-la all_o descend_v from_o he_o be_v agreeable_a enough_o to_o the_o history_n of_o genesis_n which_o set_v down_o the_o successive_a patriarch_n from_o father_n to_o son._n all_o the_o difference_n be_v that_o the_o chinese_n by_o a_o foolish_a ambition_n of_o appropriate_v all_o to_o themselves_o maintain_v that_o those_o thirteen_o king_n be_v all_o in_o china_n second_o what_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o world_n be_v civilise_v under_o the_o second_o of_o those_o king_n call_v thienhoang_v after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o great_a dragon_n that_o have_v disturb_v heaven_n and_o earth_n agree_v very_o well_o with_o the_o history_n of_o seth_n who_o begin_v to_o form_n mankind_n to_o a_o right_a notion_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n when_o he_o separate_v they_o from_o cain_n family_n three_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o when_o the_o chinese_n have_v reckon_v up_o thirteen_o king_n lineal_o descend_v from_o the_o first_o man_n and_o his_o successor_n they_o have_v include_v in_o that_o number_n cain_n and_o abel_n who_o though_o they_o be_v both_o the_o son_n of_o the_o first_o man_n yet_o be_v not_o reckon_v up_o by_o moses_n because_o his_o scope_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o lineal_a descent_n of_o adam_n posterity_n by_o seth._n they_o believe_v that_o under_o ginhohang_fw-mi there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o golden_a age_n the_o earth_n be_v then_o fruitful_a to_o admiration_n and_o that_o under_o his_o successor_n man_n be_v extreme_o simple_a and_o altogether_o ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a art_n necessary_a to_o human_a life_n as_o of_o character_n and_o letter_n one_o sujus_fw-la to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o they_o
they_o pass_v for_o holy_a man_n because_o they_o design_v to_o imitate_v what_o as_o they_o be_v tell_v have_v happen_v to_o noah_n by_o his_o son_n ham_n which_o introduce_v the_o custom_n among_o the_o assyrian_n of_o castrate_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v be_v priest_n three_o xxii_o deut._n xxii_o god_n command_v that_o any_o virgin_n which_o be_v betroth_v to_o a_o husband_n and_o be_v corrupt_v in_o her_o father_n house_n or_o that_o be_v ravish_v without_o call_v for_o help_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o death_n so_o that_o all_o the_o virgin_n be_v indispensable_o engage_v for_o fear_n of_o lose_v both_o life_n and_o honour_n together_o to_o preserve_v their_o virginity_n with_o all_o possible_a care_n but_o here_o be_v a_o four_o law_n concern_v this_o matter_n whereby_o god_n oblige_v the_o parent_n of_o all_o contract_a virgin_n to_o take_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a care_n of_o they_o when_o he_o command_v deut._n xxii_o 21._o that_o a_o virgin_n for_o who_o the_o token_n of_o virginity_n be_v not_o find_v shall_v be_v bring_v out_o to_o the_o door_n of_o her_o father_n house_n and_o there_o be_v stone_v to_o death_n by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o city_n for_o so_o her_o parent_n be_v by_o that_o mean_n make_v partaker_n of_o the_o punishment_n of_o her_o crime_n and_o their_o negligence_n be_v severe_o punish_v by_o such_o a_o shameful_a execution_n as_o dishonour_v their_o whole_a family_n five_o god_n submit_v woman_n to_o the_o examination_n of_o their_o husband_n to_o who_o they_o be_v marry_v nay_o one_o will_v think_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o raise_v the_o jealousy_n of_o husband_n when_o he_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o bring_v their_o wife_n to_o a_o public_a trial_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o with_o death_n when_o they_o do_v not_o preserve_v the_o token_n of_o their_o virginity_n it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n that_o he_o command_v that_o the_o parent_n or_o near_a relation_n of_o the_o young_a marry_a woman_n thus_o complain_v of_o xxii_o deut._n xxii_o shall_v produce_v upon_o all_o such_o occasion_n the_o token_n of_o the_o virginity_n of_o those_o daughter_n which_o they_o dispose_v in_o marriage_n which_o be_v usual_o do_v with_o many_o solemn_a circumstance_n and_o formality_n and_o here_o be_v three_o thing_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v attentive_o consider_v the_o first_o be_v the_o custom_n that_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n for_o parent_n never_o to_o let_v their_o virgin_n daughter_n go_v out_o of_o their_o house_n which_o custom_n make_v they_o be_v call_v conceal_v in_o opposition_n to_o those_o that_o go_v abroad_o that_o be_v that_o be_v prostitute_n the_o second_o be_v another_o custom_n which_o the_o just_a desire_n of_o preserve_v the_o virginity_n of_o their_o daughter_n against_o all_o accident_n have_v introduce_v among_o that_o people_n which_o be_v that_o all_o their_o virgin_n do_v wear_v a_o sort_n of_o fetter_n which_o be_v call_v in_o the_o talmud_n cevalim_fw-la which_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o famous_a moses_n the_o son_n of_o maimon_n in_o this_o manner_n cevalim_fw-la sunt_fw-la compedes_fw-la in_o forma_fw-la periscelidis_fw-la 4._o ad_fw-la massec_n sabbath_n c._n 6._o i_o 4._o inter_fw-la quos_fw-la interposuerunt_fw-la catenulas_fw-la illis_fw-la compedibus_fw-la ornabant_fw-la se_fw-la virgin_n ut_fw-la non_fw-la incederent_fw-la passu_fw-la magno_fw-la ne_fw-la contigeret_fw-la ipsis_fw-la damnum_fw-la in_o virginitate_fw-la sva_fw-la this_o description_n may_v be_v think_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o foolish_a fancy_n of_o the_o modern_a jew_n if_o we_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o proof_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o that_o custom_n in_o more_o ancient_a time_n in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n that_o chain_n be_v reckon_v up_o among_o other_o ornament_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o israel_n which_o god_n threaten_v to_o take_v away_o from_o they_o when_o he_o will_v force_v they_o to_o go_v captive_n into_o babylon_n the_o three_o be_v a_o ancient_a tradition_n mention_v in_o the_o pirke_n eliezer_n in_o the_o xvi_o chapter_n solent_n israelitae_n digito_fw-la educere_fw-la virginitatem_fw-la ne_fw-la incidant_fw-la in_o dubitationem_fw-la vel_fw-la suspicionem_fw-la juxta_fw-la illud_fw-la sumat_n pater_fw-la &_o mater_fw-la pvellae_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o a_o word_n it_o seem_v that_o for_o fear_n lest_o these_o token_n of_o virginity_n shall_v be_v think_v to_o be_v obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a by_o their_o husband_n that_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o virginity_n of_o their_o young_a woman_n before_o marriage_n by_o a_o miracle_n the_o experience_n whereof_o be_v ordinary_a and_o common_a among_o so_o jealous_a a_o people_n 95._o numb_a v._o joseph_n l._n 3._o antiq._n p._n 95._o i_o mean_v the_o water_n of_o jealousy_n which_o all_o woman_n who_o carriage_n be_v suspect_v by_o their_o husband_n be_v oblige_v to_o drink_v by_o which_o god_n do_v either_o miraculous_o justify_v they_o or_o else_o he_o begin_v to_o inflict_v a_o punishment_n upon_o they_o which_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o dreadful_a and_o exemplary_a as_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o miracle_n last_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o tell_v we_o in_o that_o title_n of_o their_o talmud_n 9_o sota_n c._n 9_o which_o concern_v woman_n suspect_v of_o adultery_n however_o as_o god_n work_v no_o miracle_n without_o great_a reason_n so_o he_o here_o make_v a_o law_n the_o observance_n whereof_o be_v very_o rigorous_a which_o be_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o woman_n to_o be_v marry_v when_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o have_v their_o course_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v separate_v at_o that_o time_n as_o unclean_a the_o reason_n of_o this_o law_n be_v because_o it_o be_v then_o almost_o impossible_a but_o that_o the_o lewd_a woman_n may_v have_v impose_v upon_o their_o husband_n in_o the_o mark_v of_o their_o virginity_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v very_o uncertain_a not_o to_o say_v that_o as_o a_o politic_a lawgiver_n he_o may_v prescribe_v the_o observation_n of_o this_o law_n lest_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v have_v be_v overstock_v with_o weak_a and_o sickly_a people_n last_o one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o have_v fasten_v a_o blot_n upon_o leprous_a person_n 94._o isidor_n pelus_n l._n 5._o ep._n 117._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la l._n 3_o p._n 94._o because_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v conceive_v when_o their_o mother_n have_v their_o course_n and_o hereupon_o be_v that_o law_n of_o god_n found_v which_o debar_v leper_n for_o ever_o from_o the_o right_n of_o come_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o his_o people_n one_o ought_v to_o make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o those_o that_o be_v unlawful_o beget_v for_o they_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o right_n of_o enter_v into_o the_o congregation_n and_o how_o innocent_a soever_o they_o be_v as_o to_o the_o lewdness_n of_o those_o who_o give_v they_o their_o life_n yet_o they_o be_v thus_o with_o they_o make_v partaker_n of_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o sin_n if_o one_o consider_v all_o these_o several_a law_n attentive_o one_o shall_v find_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o several_a of_o they_o be_v of_o very_o little_a moment_n except_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n by_o they_o beyond_o all_o danger_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o shall_v find_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v very_o severe_a about_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o deserve_v so_o terrible_a a_o rigour_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o according_a to_o god_n design_n as_o he_o have_v afterward_o particular_o explain_v it_o they_o will_v appear_v i_o be_o confident_a to_o be_v all_o very_a worthy_a of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o such_o a_o lawgiver_n one_o need_v only_o reflect_v upon_o that_o method_n of_o god_n that_o i_o have_v now_o explain_v to_o see_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v better_o manage_v than_o this_o model_n according_a to_o the_o design_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v draw_v one_o may_v make_v the_o same_o observation_n and_o examine_v the_o same_o stroke_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o several_a other_o precaution_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o make_v the_o messiah_n be_v perfect_o distinguish_v according_a to_o the_o several_a character_n under_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v propose_v afterward_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n one_o see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n be_v to_o be_v a_o first-born_a and_o for_o that_o reason_n we_o find_v many_o law_n which_o distinguish_v in_o general_a the_o privilege_n of_o the_o first-born_a so_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o god_n afterward_o
syria_n obtain_v over_o the_o king_n of_o samaria_n one_o find_v that_o the_o story_n of_o phaeton_n be_v sole_o found_v upon_o the_o translation_n of_o elijah_n in_o a_o chariot_n of_o fire_n ii_o two_o king_n ii_o all_o that_o i_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o happen_v before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o olympiad_n from_o whence_o the_o learned_a varro_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o first_o knowledge_n of_o history_n begin_v among_o the_o greek_n whence_o also_o it_o be_v that_o they_o call_v all_o the_o precedent_a time_n fabulous_a the_o greek_n have_v before_o nothing_o but_o fable_n into_o which_o they_o have_v turn_v whatever_o ancient_a history_n they_o be_v acquaint_v with_o since_o that_o time_n we_o do_v not_o find_v few_o mark_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a history_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o pagan_a writer_n the_o reign_n of_o tiglah-pilese_a who_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o young_a ninus_n as_o also_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o syrian_a monarchy_n by_o his_o mean_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v to_o we_o in_o the_o sacred_a historian_n nicholas_n damascenus_n in_o josephus_n antiq._n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o one_o see_v we_o among_o the_o heathen_n euseb_n castor_n in_o euseb_n the_o succession_n of_o shalmaneser_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o scripture_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o sennacherib_n conquer_a the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o town_n of_o palestina_n ult_n menander_n apud_fw-la joseph_n lib._n ix_o cap._n ult_n of_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n describe_v in_o heathen_a writer_n particular_o as_o we_o have_v it_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o manner_n of_o sennacherib_n succession_n to_o shalmaneser_n of_o his_o desolate_v the_o country_n of_o palestine_n while_o he_o carry_v on_o his_o victory_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n herodot_n lib._n ii_o &_o berosus_n in_o josephus_n lib._n x._o c._n 1._o exact_o as_o the_o sacred_a historian_n relate_v it_o the_o memory_n of_o tirbakah_n king_n of_o aethiopia_n xv._o strabo_n lib._n i._n &_o xv._o as_o of_o a_o great_a conqueror_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o heathen_n for_o it_o be_v his_o come_n in_o short_a which_o oblige_v sennacherib_n to_o arise_v from_o before_o libna_fw-la whence_o he_o intend_v to_o go_v and_o besiege_v jerusalem_n one_o find_v among_o the_o heathen_n the_o remembrance_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o all_o sennacherib_n army_n for_o his_o blasphemy_n against_o god_n which_o the_o egyptian_n disguise_v to_o appropriate_a to_o themselves_o herodot_n lib._n ii_o cap._n 141._o one_o find_v the_o ruin_n of_o ashdod_n by_o king_n psammetichus_n describe_v by_o heathen_a author_n 10._o herodot_n lib._n i._o cap._n 104._o lib._n ii_o cap._n 1._o lib._n vii_o cap._n 10._o as_o we_o have_v it_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n herod_n lib._n ii_o one_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o way_n by_o which_o the_o mede_n lose_v the_o empire_n of_o asia_n under_o cyaxares_n after_o his_o conquest_n over_o the_o assyrian_n in_o the_o heathen_a writer_n much_o the_o same_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o nahum_n h._n 5._o the_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o ninive_n by_o nabopollasar_n syncellum_n alexand._n polyhistor_n ap_fw-mi syncellum_n and_o by_o astyages_n be_v much_o the_o same_o in_o heathen_a author_n with_o the_o description_n of_o it_o in_o nahum_n esaiah_n and_o ezekiel_n the_o manner_n of_o josia_n undertake_v a_o war_n against_o pharaoh-necho_n king_n of_o egypt_n when_o he_o be_v overthrow_v in_o the_o plain_n of_o megiddo_n ii_o herodot_n lib._n ii_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n agree_v with_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o victory_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n over_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o jew_n 30._o two_o king_n xxiii_o 29_o 30._o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o consecrate_a vessel_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o of_o the_o jew_n to_o babylon_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n the_o manner_n of_o the_o yield_n up_o of_o tyre_n to_o nabuchadnezzar_n as_o they_o describe_v it_o apionem_fw-la annal._n phoenicic_n ap_fw-mi joseph_n lib._n i._o contra_fw-la apionem_fw-la agree_v with_o what_o ezekiel_n say_v chap._n xxviii_o 18_o 19_o one_o find_v in_o heathen_a author_n a_o account_n of_o the_o stately_a build_n of_o babylon_n by_o nebuehadnezzar_n abyden_n beros_n abyden_n which_o be_v describe_v exact_o in_o the_o scripture_n one_o find_v also_o in_o they_o 169._o herodot_n lib._n two_o cap._n 163_o &_o 169._o that_o the_o death_n of_o pharaoh-hoptha_a or_o vaphre_n as_o they_o call_v he_o happen_v according_a to_o jeremiah_n prediction_n chap._n xl._n 30._o one_o find_v also_o the_o take_n of_o babylon_n by_o cyrus_n 178._o herod_n lib._n i._o cap._n 178._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n chap._n li._n 46._o one_o find_v also_o that_o the_o death_n of_o belshazzar_n happen_v exact_o as_o daniel_n have_v describe_v it_o vii_o xenophon_n histor_n lib._n vii_o chap._n v._n one_o see_v we_o there_o a_o account_n of_o xerxes_n great_a undertake_n against_o greece_n 6._o herod_n lib._n vii_o cap_n 5_o 6._o as_o daniel_n have_v foretell_v it_o chap._n xi_o here_o then_o be_v a_o agreement_n which_o be_v perfect_a enough_o in_o several_a article_n to_o which_o we_o may_v add_v a_o great_a number_n if_o we_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o pagan_a historian_n but_o as_o we_o can_v find_v after_o the_o reign_n of_o artaxerxes_n longimanus_fw-la history_n among_o the_o jew_n of_o equal_a authority_n with_o those_o which_o be_v write_v by_o and_o after_o moses_n as_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n observe_v so_o we_o can_v compare_v the_o jewish_a and_o pagan_a history_n together_o afterward_o in_o that_o form_n we_o have_v do_v hitherto_o but_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v four_o thing_n which_o be_v very_o considerable_a upon_o this_o head._n i._o that_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n may_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a number_n of_o remark_n we_o have_v make_v already_o or_o else_o nothing_o will_v ever_o establish_v it_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o historian_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o all_o age_n babylonian_n assyrian_n tyrian_n egyptian_n and_o greek_n can_v agree_v so_o exact_o with_o the_o jew_n in_o those_o fact_n they_o relate_v if_o the_o jewish_a author_n have_v not_o exact_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o truth_n ii_o that_o as_o the_o prophecy_n of_o zechariah_n and_o daniel_n describe_v with_o a_o almost_o incredible_a exactness_n the_o considerable_a event_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o country_n near_a to_o judea_n and_o in_o judea_n itself_o in_o a_o time_n which_o be_v not_o expire_v until_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v give_v over_o write_v among_o the_o jew_n so_o there_o be_v need_n of_o almost_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o look_v over_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n to_o see_v what_o happen_v from_o day_n to_o day_n and_o here_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o porphyry_n think_v the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v forge_v after_o the_o time_n of_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n be_v because_o this_o book_n seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o history_n than_o a_o prediction_n which_o he_o justify_v in_o make_v a_o sort_n of_o commentary_n upon_o this_o prophecy_n by_o compare_v with_o it_o the_o pagan_a historian_n which_o be_v then_o extant_a iii_o that_o as_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n come_v under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o greek_n who_o be_v master_n of_o learning_n and_o of_o the_o art_n of_o write_v history_n so_o there_o be_v little_a need_n of_o any_o other_o witness_n beside_o the_o greek_a author_n as_o josephus_n demonstrate_v in_o effect_n by_o prove_v that_o the_o greek_n be_v well_o enough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n iv_o that_o we_o do_v real_o find_v after_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n a_o very_a great_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n compose_v by_o the_o care_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n with_o sufficient_a exactness_n though_o it_o be_v not_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o sacred_a writer_n chap._n iii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o very_a great_a number_n accomplish_v in_o every_o age._n as_o we_o may_v very_o reasonable_o say_v that_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v a_o very_a exact_a dependence_n upon_o the_o write_n of_o that_o famous_a legislator_n so_o we_o may_v also_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o considerable_a event_n which_o make_v up_o the_o body_n of_o this_o history_n which_o do_v not_o deserve_v a_o particular_a remark_n either_o as_o a_o fulfil_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n or_o of_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o after_o he_o to_o reform_v the_o error_n of_o that_o nation_n and_o
prefer_v before_o other_o use_v by_o he_o without_o any_o solid_a reason_n that_o therefore_o we_o must_v reject_v the_o deposition_n of_o so_o many_o witness_n who_o unanimous_o attest_v it_o since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v raise_v three_o person_n to_o life_n again_o which_o then_o live_v in_o judea_n since_o jerusalem_n have_v continue_v forty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n since_o sixty_o solemn_a feast_n be_v celebrate_v in_o that_o time_n where_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o occasion_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n and_o the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o the_o accusation_n charge_v upon_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v convert_v at_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o reduce_v all_o to_o this_o question_n of_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o this_o a_o invincible_a proof_n against_o all_o the_o accusation_n and_o suspicion_n of_o the_o synagogue_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o witness_n who_o maintain_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o attest_v his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o assert_v it_o with_o the_o same_o proof_n and_o the_o same_o zeal_n the_o reflection_n here_o set_v down_o may_v serve_v for_o that_o also_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o i_o be_o next_o to_o consider_v the_o send_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n both_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o ascension_n and_o that_o these_o very_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n enable_v the_o jew_n to_o write_v preach_v and_o publish_v throughout_o all_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n of_o that_o christianity_n which_o we_o now_o profess_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n speak_v very_o plain_o of_o this_o send_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o a_o preliminary_n to_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n which_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n the_o prophet_n joel_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o such_o and_o make_v this_o wonder_n to_o precede_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o s._n peter_n observe_v in_o the_o second_o of_o the_o acts._n isaiah_n speak_v very_o particular_o of_o it_o as_o such_o in_o the_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n where_o he_o sufficient_o intimate_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n shall_v from_o thence_o forward_o so_o rest_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v find_v any_o long_a among_o the_o jew_n who_o city_n and_o temple_n shall_v be_v destroy_v at_o present_v my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o thing_n have_v be_v exact_o fulfil_v according_a to_o the_o design_n which_o god_n have_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n which_o s._n luke_n give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o the_o acts._n he_o tell_v we_o therefore_o that_o fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n have_v continue_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o be_v assemble_v there_o they_o receive_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n to_o make_v they_o fit_a to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o nation_n and_o to_o explain_v the_o most_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o our_o saviour_n religion_n every_o thing_n be_v considerable_a in_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n 1._o that_o he_o relate_v this_o fact_n as_o happen_v fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o jewish_a passover_n when_o christ_n be_v crucify_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v witness_n of_o his_o death_n 2._o that_o he_o relate_v it_o as_o happen_v in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o jesus_n christ_n be_v condemn_v that_o the_o same_o multitude_n who_o after_o fifty_o day_n be_v again_o assemble_v there_o at_o this_o feast_n may_v be_v witness_n of_o this_o miraculous_a event_n in_o short_a it_o plain_o appear_v that_o this_o new_a law_n from_o mount_n zion_n be_v solemn_o promulge_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v assemble_v from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o old_a law_n be_v when_o all_o the_o people_n assist_v at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n 3._o that_o these_o gift_n be_v grant_v to_o all_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n gift_n which_o till_o that_o time_n have_v be_v whole_o unheard_a of_o and_o whereof_o some_o part_n only_o have_v be_v grant_v to_o some_o prophet_n and_o to_o some_o priest_n and_o of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v make_v partaker_n since_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n god_n have_v so_o order_v it_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v be_v the_o more_o inflame_v for_o the_o messiah_n come_v as_o also_o that_o upon_o his_o come_n he_o may_v the_o more_o easy_o be_v discern_v 4._o that_o this_o be_v a_o fact_n open_o know_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o different_o interpret_v by_o they_o some_o say_n they_o they_o be_v full_a of_o new_a wine_n 5._o that_o the_o apostle_n assert_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o s._n peter_n that_o this_o be_v a_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 6._o that_o they_o declare_v that_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o this_o miraculous_a donative_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o david_n and_o joel_n it_o be_v certain_o therefore_o very_o natural_a to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o event_n the_o first_o will_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o miraculous_a fact_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o s._n luke_n a_o wise_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o relate_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o have_v convince_v his_o reader_n thereof_o also_o nothing_o more_o be_v require_v for_o their_o conviction_n but_o the_o presence_n of_o one_o of_o those_o first_o christian_n and_o to_o make_v a_o trial_n of_o this_o supernatural_a virtue_n bestow_v on_o they_o for_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a occasion_n 2._o we_o must_v observe_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n which_o he_o lay_v down_o to_o make_v his_o book_n of_o the_o act_n to_o appear_v just_a and_o reasonable_a and_o to_o justify_v the_o apostle_n conduct_v in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o whole_o exclude_v from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o also_o contrary_a to_o the_o seem_a maxim_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o act_v only_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o circumcision_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o pretension_n of_o many_o christian_n who_o after_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n take_v it_o very_o ill_o that_o s._n peter_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n 3._o s._n luke_n suppose_v that_o this_o fact_n come_v to_o pass_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o be_v follow_v by_o consequence_n as_o illustrious_a as_o they_o be_v incredible_a twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n undertake_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o their_o master_n who_o fifty_o day_n before_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o prosecution_n of_o the_o whole_a synagogue_n and_o by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v not_o only_a live_n not_o only_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n but_o that_o he_o also_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n of_o cure_v all_o disease_n and_o even_o of_o raise_v the_o dead_a 4._o they_o go_v yet_o further_o they_o bold_o maintain_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v they_o a_o privilege_n of_o communicate_v the_o same_o power_n to_o all_o those_o who_o will_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o this_o without_o any_o other_o mystery_n but_o the_o bare_a lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v they_o by_o baptism_n into_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n nothing_o can_v have_v be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o contrary_a unless_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o assertion_n by_o the_o miraculous_a consequence_n of_o that_o first_o miracle_n the_o fact_n be_v public_o acknowledge_v simon_n magus_n be_v convince_v thereof_o and_o