that_o it_o be_v jesus_n christ_n himself_o the_o angel_n repeat_v to_o the_o woman_n the_o command_n which_o jesus_n christ_n before_o his_o death_n have_v give_v to_o his_o disciple_n to_o go_v into_o galilee_n jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o mary_n magdelen_n repeat_v the_o same_o to_o she_o and_o give_v she_o a_o particular_a commission_n for_o s._n peter_n to_o comfort_v he_o in_o his_o affliction_n for_o have_v deny_v his_o master_n appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n as_o they_o go_v to_o emmaus_n he_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o prophecy_n which_o speak_v of_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o moreover_o when_o he_o break_v bread_n with_o they_o they_o hear_v the_o same_o prayer_n which_o he_o ordinary_o use_v at_o the_o blessing_n of_o it_o he_o appear_v to_o they_o the_o same_o day_n the_o five_o time_n and_o show_v they_o his_o foot_n and_o his_o hand_n he_o repeat_v the_o grant_n of_o the_o authority_n which_o the_o father_n have_v give_v he_o he_o breathe_v upon_o they_o say_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n a_o week_n after_o he_o let_v thomas_n touch_v he_o he_o appear_v afterward_o to_o seven_o of_o his_o apostle_n upon_o the_o lake_n of_o tiberias_n where_o he_o confirm_v s._n peter_n in_o his_o charge_n from_o which_o his_o deny_v of_o christ_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v exclude_v he_o after_o he_o have_v wrought_v a_o miracle_n in_o the_o draught_n of_o the_o fish_n which_o be_v like_o some_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v wrought_v before_o his_o death_n afterward_o he_o appear_v upon_o the_o same_o mountain_n in_o galilee_n where_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o have_v be_v transfigure_v before_o and_o be_v there_o see_v of_o five_o hundred_o of_o his_o disciple_n at_o once_o and_o last_o of_o all_o he_o appear_v to_o they_o at_o jerusalem_n after_o their_o return_n from_o galilee_n and_o from_o thence_o go_v with_o they_o to_o bethany_n where_o after_o he_o have_v tell_v they_o of_o the_o absolute_a power_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o he_o command_v they_o to_o go_v and_o baptise_v in_o his_o name_n he_o foretell_v the_o miracle_n which_o they_o shall_v work_v and_o the_o gift_n which_o they_o shall_v receive_v at_o jerusalem_n all_o these_o so_o very_o different_a circumstance_n be_v only_o design_v to_o assure_v their_o eye_n their_o hand_n their_o mind_n their_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o jesus_n who_o they_o have_v always_o follow_v it_o be_v worth_a our_o take_a notice_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o these_o circumstance_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o fact_n which_o absolute_o prevent_v all_o pretence_n of_o doubtfulness_n jesus_n christ_n appear_v ten_o several_a time_n after_o his_o death_n he_o appear_v five_o time_n on_o the_o very_a day_n of_o his_o resurrection_n he_o appear_v at_o several_a hour_n to_o different_a person_n in_o several_a place_n but_o always_o to_o person_n to_o who_o he_o be_v familiar_o know_v to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o at_o all_o credulous_a the_o first_o news_n they_o have_v of_o his_o resurrection_n seem_v only_o to_o raise_v their_o scruple_n if_o the_o testimony_n of_o their_o sense_n which_o see_v he_o and_o touch_v he_o have_v not_o remove_v all_o suspicion_n jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o they_o in_o place_n where_o he_o have_v wrought_v many_o miracle_n and_o where_o he_o have_v often_o before_o converse_v with_o they_o but_o one_o may_v make_v another_o more_o important_a reflection_n upon_o the_o time_n and_o the_o day_n wherein_o our_o saviour_n rise_v again_o of_o the_o ten_o several_a time_n in_o which_o he_o appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n he_o appear_v five_o time_n on_o the_o day_n of_o his_o resurrection_n he_o appear_v to_o they_o eight_o day_n after_o and_o after_o that_o the_o eight_o day_n which_o he_o signalise_v by_o his_o frequent_a appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n be_v consecrate_v to_o celebrate_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o event_n every_o week_n one_o find_v certain_a token_n hereof_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v know_v that_o all_o christian_n after_o they_o do_v inviolable_o observe_v this_o law._n now_o let_v any_o one_o consider_v whether_o it_o will_v have_v be_v possible_a to_o introduce_v this_o custom_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n have_v not_o be_v a_o fact_n confess_v of_o all_o hand_n can_v any_o one_o conceive_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o who_o celebrate_v the_o memory_n thereof_o by_o a_o sacrament_n can_v have_v be_v so_o stupid_a to_o establish_v a_o custom_n which_o will_v put_v people_n upon_o examine_v the_o fact_n and_o have_v convince_v they_o in_o a_o little_a time_n since_o none_o of_o those_o that_o follow_v they_o will_v have_v submit_v to_o this_o practice_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v convince_v by_o their_o eye_n and_o their_o other_o sense_n and_o by_o a_o thousand_o other_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o so_o capital_a a_o fact_n which_o be_v so_o much_o dispute_v by_o the_o jew_n of_o which_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o make_v a_o solemn_a commemoration_n two_o and_o fifty_o time_n every_o year_n as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v let_v we_o add_v to_o this_o remark_n which_o we_o have_v elsewhere_o urge_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o creation_n another_o reflection_n upon_o a_o fact_n which_o the_o evangelist_n tell_v we_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o though_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v accompany_v with_o very_o peculiar_a circumstance_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v usher_v in_o with_o a_o earthquake_n with_o apparition_n of_o angel_n to_o the_o soldier_n that_o guard_v the_o sepulchre_n of_o jesus_n and_o be_v fright_v thereby_o yet_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n contrive_v with_o the_o soldier_n a_o most_o impudent_a lie_v to_o outface_v it_o and_z according_o the_o soldier_n come_v before_o pilate_n tell_v he_o that_o the_o disciple_n have_v steal_v away_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n whilst_o they_o sleep_v and_o his_o disciple_n tell_v we_o that_o since_o this_o have_v be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n here_o of_o the_o palpable_a falsity_n of_o this_o deposition_n for_o if_o the_o soldier_n be_v asleep_a how_o can_v they_o depose_v concern_v a_o fact_n which_o be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o they_o be_v not_o asleep_o why_o do_v not_o they_o hinder_v the_o disciple_n from_o take_v the_o body_n of_o their_o master_n away_o how_o can_v they_o affirm_v that_o thief_n have_v take_v he_o away_o when_o the_o linen_n clothes_n wherein_o his_o body_n be_v shroud_v be_v leave_v in_o the_o grave_a and_o the_o napkin_n that_o be_v about_o his_o head_n be_v fold_v up_o in_o a_o place_n by_o itself_o do_v absolute_o evince_v that_o he_o be_v not_o take_v away_o by_o person_n that_o be_v in_o fear_n of_o a_o surprise_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o in_o short_a to_o suspect_v that_o his_o disciple_n who_o forsake_v jesus_n christ_n whilst_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a who_o flee_v from_o he_o at_o that_o time_n shall_v undertake_v such_o a_o hazardous_a attempt_n to_o have_v his_o body_n only_o neither_o will_v i_o insist_v upon_o a_o representation_n of_o the_o apostle_n sincerity_n which_o make_v they_o give_v we_o in_o their_o history_n a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o report_n which_o be_v spread_v against_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n before_o ever_o that_o the_o disciple_n have_v attest_v the_o same_o but_o i_o observe_v another_o very_a particular_a character_n in_o their_o relation_n which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o establish_v this_o fact_n of_o the_o resurrection_n without_o accuse_v thereby_o the_o whole_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o most_o shameful_a and_o cry_a imposture_n that_o ever_o be_v to_o write_v a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n against_o the_o head_n of_o that_o religion_n be_v to_o sacrifice_v themselves_o to_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o public_a and_o to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o inevitable_a ruin_n in_o short_a let_v we_o imagine_v whether_o after_o a_o charge_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v easy_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o publish_v their_o book_n and_o preach_v public_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o yet_o this_o be_v what_o they_o do_v with_o a_o surprise_v diligence_n when_o they_o insert_v this_o terrible_a accusation_n into_o their_o book_n and_o sermon_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o they_o be_v infinite_o convince_v of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o also_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o convince_v all_o gainsayer_n as_o we_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o one_o may_v add_v to_o this_o proof_n the_o conversion_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o the_o
long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
fact_n be_v join_v with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o weakness_n whereinto_o they_o all_o fall_v they_o relate_v their_o own_o flight_n and_o forsake_v their_o master_n with_o s._n peter_n deny_v of_o he_o whilst_o they_o set_v down_o the_o courage_n of_o those_o woman_n and_o that_o entire_a love_n which_o they_o show_v to_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o account_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v interweave_v with_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o which_o be_v utter_v by_o jesus_n christ_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v good_a his_o claim_n the_o three_o be_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v never_o on_o any_o occasion_n more_o open_o stand_v to_o his_o pretention_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n than_o when_o he_o apply_v to_o himself_o those_o oracle_n which_o by_o their_o public_a consent_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n which_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n more_o obstinate_o contest_v than_o ever_o the_o four_o be_v that_o there_o never_o be_v a_o more_o exact_a description_n of_o all_o circumstance_n which_o may_v assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n than_o that_o which_o the_o evangelist_n have_v give_v we_o of_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o which_o we_o find_v the_o place_n the_o time_n the_o person_n their_o discourse_n and_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n set_v down_o with_o extreme_a care_n the_o five_o be_v that_o as_o this_o fact_n with_o all_o its_o circumstance_n be_v the_o most_o exact_o describe_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o ever_o be_v so_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n concern_v which_o it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a to_o impose_v upon_o any_o one_o all_o be_v do_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n who_o be_v meet_v together_o at_o their_o most_o solemn_a festival_n all_o be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o sovereign_n heathen_a magistrate_n of_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o herod_n and_o of_o those_o who_o follow_v he_o to_o jerusalem_n the_o six_o be_v that_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o some_o miracle_n interweave_v with_o this_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_n concern_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o those_o miracle_n as_o public_a and_o as_o little_a subject_n to_o suspicion_n as_o the_o death_n itself_o of_o jesus_n christ_n if_o we_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o examine_v they_o they_o who_o come_v to_o take_v jesus_n fall_v down_o backward_o to_o the_o ground_n jesus_n christ_n restore_v the_o ear_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n servant_n which_o be_v cut_v off_o there_o be_v darkness_n over_o all_o the_o land_n from_o nine_o a_o clock_n in_o the_o morning_n till_o noon_n the_o vail_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v these_o be_v miraculous_a action_n and_o such_o as_o the_o jew_n may_v easy_o have_v refute_v wheresoever_o they_o have_v be_v propose_v if_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o have_v not_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n from_o all_o these_o remark_n it_o evident_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o dispute_v the_o application_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v of_o these_o oracle_n which_o be_v so_o particular_a to_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o true_a messiah_n we_o find_v every_o part_n of_o their_o relation_n exact_o answer_v to_o the_o prophecy_n how_o then_o can_v any_o one_o doubt_n of_o their_o be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o especial_o see_v it_o be_v evident_a by_o so_o many_o other_o proof_n that_o he_o be_v indeed_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v so_o many_o other_o way_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n chap._n xiii_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o prophet_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n have_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v crucify_v under_o pontius_n pilate_n for_o maintain_v that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n i_o be_o now_o to_o show_v that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n set_v down_o in_o my_o three_o part_n he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n as_o these_o two_o fact_n be_v the_o most_o important_a of_o all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n because_o if_o they_o be_v deny_v all_o the_o divine_a worship_n give_v to_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o receive_v he_o for_o their_o master_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v absolute_o unlawful_a so_o we_o ought_v solid_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v indisputable_o true_a of_o which_o we_o shall_v be_v full_o convince_v by_o make_v some_o observation_n upon_o the_o relation_n which_o the_o evangelist_n give_v we_o concern_v they_o and_o we_o shall_v easy_o find_v therein_o all_o the_o character_n of_o truth_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o observe_v that_o a_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a be_v a_o fact_n which_o can_v hardly_o be_v believe_v and_o that_o though_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o all_o of_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o impossible_a thing_n yet_o there_o be_v sadducee_n among_o they_o who_o doctrine_n be_v public_o teach_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o though_o the_o disciple_n have_v see_v jesus_n christ_n raise_v three_o person_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o among_o other_o lazarus_n a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n yet_o we_o find_v that_o they_o be_v not_o thereby_o more_o dispose_v to_o believe_v that_o christ_n be_v to_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a in_o short_a though_o the_o evangelist_n tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o have_v foretell_v that_o he_o be_v to_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o common_o know_v that_o the_o priest_n to_o elude_v the_o prophecy_n desire_v of_o pilate_n that_o a_o guard_n may_v be_v set_v on_o jesus_n his_o grave_n yet_o they_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o disciple_n none_o except_v be_v in_o such_o a_o consternation_n at_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o they_o have_v entire_o lose_v the_o hope_n of_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n some_o pious_a woman_n who_o have_v accompany_v he_o to_o the_o cross_n and_o be_v desirous_a to_o show_v some_o mark_n of_o their_o veneration_n after_o his_o death_n come_v indeed_o to_o his_o sepulchre_n but_o with_o spice_n to_o embalm_v his_o dead_a body_n so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o expect_v to_o find_v he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a though_o these_o holy_a woman_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o apparition_n of_o a_o angel_n by_o the_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o and_o by_o the_o repetition_n of_o his_o order_n that_o they_o shall_v go_v to_o galilee_n where_o they_o shall_v see_v he_o yet_o the_o relation_n which_o they_o give_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v account_v fabulous_a so_o that_o two_o only_o of_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v the_o curiosity_n to_o go_v to_o the_o grave_a and_o inform_v themselves_o here_o be_v a_o great_a unbelief_n among_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v cure_v this_o be_v a_o condition_n whole_o inconsistent_a if_o we_o suppose_v they_o impostor_n and_o that_o they_o intend_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world._n a_o second_o thing_n we_o may_v observe_v be_v that_o as_o the_o incredulity_n of_o our_o saviour_n own_o disciple_n be_v extraordinary_a so_o we_o can_v imagine_v any_o more_o efficacious_a mean_n than_o be_v employ_v to_o overcome_v this_o their_o doubtfulness_n if_o one_o join_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_n together_o one_o may_v find_v several_a degree_n of_o evidence_n in_o those_o proof_n which_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o first_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o their_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n angel_n at_o first_o declare_v his_o resurrection_n to_o some_o woman_n jesus_n christ_n afterward_o appear_v to_o mary_n magdalen_n all_o alone_a afterward_o he_o appear_v only_o to_o two_o of_o his_o disciple_n then_o to_o st._n peter_n afterward_o he_o appear_v to_o seven_o of_o they_o at_o once_o then_o to_o all_o his_o disciple_n except_o thomas_n and_o soon_o after_o to_o the_o eleven_o thomas_n be_v one_o of_o they_o after_o all_o this_o he_o appear_v to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o his_o follower_n till_o at_o last_o have_v be_v several_a time_n see_v of_o they_o all_o he_o appear_v to_o they_o all_o assemble_v together_o and_o be_v take_v up_o into_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o as_o they_o be_v inform_v of_o this_o truth_n one_o after_o another_o so_o they_o be_v more_o oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o fact_n more_o attentive_o when_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o they_o the_o second_o degree_n have_v relation_n to_o those_o mark_n and_o character_n by_o which_o they_o be_v assure_v
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
to_o who_o he_o write_v have_v no_o need_n of_o have_v the_o follow_a word_n quote_v to_o they_o which_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o hallow_v it_o that_o be_v he_o consecrate_a the_o same_o to_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n forasmuch_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o public_o and_o universal_o know_v among_o they_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o thing_n general_o receive_v even_o before_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law._n and_o indeed_o the_o philo_n the_o jew_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o solemnize_n that_o day_n have_v suffer_v some_o interruption_n and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v give_v to_o moses_n yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v first_o of_o all_o 12._o euseb_n praep_v evang._n l._n 13._o c._n 12._o that_o aristobulus_n the_o peripatetic_a in_o a_o treatise_n dedicate_v by_o he_o to_o ptolemy_n surname_v philadelphus_n cite_v several_a passage_n of_o homer_n hesiod_n and_o linus_n heathen_a poet_n which_o mention_v the_o seven_o day_n as_o a_o festival_n and_o solemn_a day_n because_o all_o thing_n be_v finish_v in_o the_o same_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o if_o some_o of_o the_o father_n as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n write_v against_o the_o jew_n have_v deny_v that_o the_o patriarch_n observe_v the_o seven_o day_n they_o do_v so_o rather_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o rigour_n of_o that_o law_n which_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o that_o day_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n which_o be_v superad_v by_o god_n to_o the_o first_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n than_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n as_o it_o be_v a_o day_n appoint_v to_o make_v a_o solemn_a commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n in_o a_o word_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o difference_n which_o god_n make_v between_o the_o sabbath_n observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o that_o which_o he_o appoint_v to_o the_o jew_n do_v consist_v in_o two_o thing_n first_o in_o that_o god_n do_v impose_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n upon_o the_o jew_n to_o abstain_v from_o all_o manner_n of_o work_n even_o to_o the_o very_a dress_n of_o meat_n necessary_a for_o the_o support_n of_o life_n we_o find_v this_o distinction_n clear_o express_v in_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v concern_v the_o first_o and_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o unleavened_a bread_n for_o he_o absolute_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o these_o two_o day_n as_o much_o as_o on_o the_o sabbath_n even_o the_o prepare_n of_o necessary_a food_n which_o he_o permit_v the_o five_o other_o day_n forbid_v only_o servile_a laborious_a work_n second_o in_o that_o the_o work_n on_o that_o day_n by_o the_o law_n be_v make_v punishable_a with_o death_n which_o be_v not_o so_o before_o which_o innovation_n and_o new_a rigour_n of_o the_o law_n establish_v by_o god_n be_v authorize_v by_o the_o punish_n of_o he_o who_o have_v gather_v stick_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n whereas_o we_o find_v that_o before_o the_o law_n be_v give_v upon_o mount_n sinai_n god_n do_v not_o command_v those_o jew_n to_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n who_o go_v forth_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o gather_v manna_n according_a to_o their_o ancient_a custom_n of_o dress_v their_o meat_n on_o that_o day_n let_v i_o add_v this_o further_a that_o though_o the_o apostle_n have_v abolish_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n concern_v the_o sabbath_n introduce_v by_o moses_n yet_o they_o themselves_o observe_v it_o which_o practice_n of_o they_o in_o all_o probability_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o christian_n for_o almost_o four_o century_n to_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n solemnize_n both_o those_o day_n the_o one_o as_o a_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o other_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n but_o what_o ever_o judgement_n may_v be_v pass_v on_o this_o last_o remark_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o genesis_n and_o exodus_fw-la first_o that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v observe_v before_o moses_n second_o that_o this_o observation_n be_v by_o the_o first_o patriarch_n propagate_v among_o the_o heathen_n also_o as_o well_o as_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n or_o as_o the_o practice_n of_o sacrifice_v with_o the_o other_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n the_o original_a whereof_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o shall_v make_v appear_v in_o our_o follow_a discourse_n after_o all_o this_o we_o must_v conclude_v against_o the_o atheist_n that_o either_o moses_n must_v imprudent_o have_v lay_v a_o snare_n for_o himself_o in_o forge_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o not_o only_o the_o jew_n but_o all_o the_o world_n be_v able_a to_o convince_v he_o since_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o but_o must_v needs_o be_v conscious_a whether_o they_o have_v observe_v the_o sabbath_n in_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o he_o relate_v it_o or_o no_o or_o else_o that_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o general_o know_v and_o the_o memorial_n of_o it_o solemnize_v every_o seven_o day_n by_o all_o those_o who_o precede_v he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o uncontested_a and_o immovable_a truth_n which_o i_o shall_v far_o evince_v by_o those_o observation_n which_o i_o shall_v raise_v from_o the_o dependence_n and_o connexion_n which_o the_o matter_n relate_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n have_v with_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v my_o business_n at_o present_a in_o perform_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o rational_a and_o coherent_a than_o the_o relation_n of_o moses_n in_o which_o the_o atheist_n imagine_v that_o they_o discover_v so_o great_a absurdity_n chap._n viii_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n though_o it_o may_v be_v think_v more_o natural_a in_o these_o our_o disquisition_n about_o the_o history_n of_o genesis_n to_o begin_v with_o those_o matter_n which_o happen_v near_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o from_o they_o to_o pass_v to_o those_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n yet_o i_o have_v choose_v rather_o to_o follow_v the_o thread_n of_o moses_n his_o discourse_n hope_v that_o this_o method_n will_v afford_v more_o light_n to_o these_o our_o reflection_n at_o least_o it_o will_v spare_v i_o the_o trouble_n of_o frequent_a repetition_n which_o in_o the_o other_o way_n i_o shall_v be_v necessary_o oblige_v to_o i_o begin_v then_o with_o this_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n both_o by_o reason_n and_o authority_n the_o creation_n of_o adam_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o he_o must_v first_o be_v convince_v of_o it_o himself_o before_o he_o can_v persuade_v his_o posterity_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o it_o be_v worth_a our_o enquiry_n to_o know_v what_o way_n he_o have_v to_o assure_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v indeed_o create_v in_o that_o manner_n as_o moses_n relate_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o tradition_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o adam_n who_o moses_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o deliverer_n of_o it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o must_v be_v assure_v that_o adam_n can_v not_o deceive_v himself_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a enough_o that_o he_o will_v not_o deceive_v his_o child_n when_o he_o take_v care_n to_o instruct_v they_o concern_v it_o as_o to_o his_o own_o existence_n he_o can_v not_o but_o be_v as_o strong_o persuade_v of_o it_o as_o we_o be_v of_o we_o all_o the_o difficulty_n lie_v in_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o come_v to_o exist_v now_o there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o adam_n may_v inform_v himself_o of_o this_o viz._n by_o reason_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o authority_n he_o can_v easy_o find_v out_o this_o secret_a by_o a_o rational_a reflection_n or_o he_o may_v also_o be_v persuade_v of_o it_o by_o god_n himself_o who_o have_v create_v he_o not_o to_o mention_v now_o any_o information_n which_o he_o may_v have_v from_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o creation_n it_o appear_v that_o adam_n who_o tradition_n moses_n have_v record_v suppose_n that_o he_o have_v learn_v of_o god_n himself_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o formation_n god_n speak_v to_o adam_n and_o sanctify_v the_o seven_o day_n that_o be_v oblige_v adam_n to_o keep_v the_o memorial_n of_o his_o creation_n he_o tie_v he_o by_o a_o law_n to_o commemorate_v his_o creation_n fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n and_o to_o render_v he_o continual_a thanks_o for_o the_o be_v he_o have_v receive_v but_o forasmuch_o as_o
of_o the_o tree_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o garden_n when_o he_o leave_v the_o rest_n to_o their_o free_a use_n not_o only_o for_o that_o he_o have_v give_v the_o rainbow_n as_o a_o new_a sign_n of_o his_o covenant_n with_o mankind_n nor_o only_o because_o they_o have_v practise_v those_o act_n of_o religion_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v by_o their_o parent_n and_o ancestor_n before_o the_o deluge_n but_o because_o the_o same_o may_v be_v infer_v from_o that_o action_n which_o draw_v upon_o cham_n his_o father_n curse_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o cham_n deride_v the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n and_o of_o his_o father_n take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o curse_v he_o so_o solemn_o and_o that_o in_o the_o person_n of_o canaan_n his_o first-born_a if_o it_o be_v only_o a_o piece_n of_o irreverence_n in_o the_o father_n what_o reason_n have_v noah_n to_o curse_v the_o son_n on_o that_o account_n or_o be_v it_o as_o some_o have_v suppose_v that_o canaan_n have_v give_v occasion_n first_o to_o his_o father_n irreverence_n by_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o disorder_n in_o which_o he_o have_v find_v his_o grandfather_n noah_n without_o doubt_n there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a in_o this_o history_n sure_o it_o be_v that_o the_o account_v give_v we_o of_o cham_fw-mi represent_v he_o as_o a_o profane_a person_n and_o deep_o tincture_v with_o the_o maxim_n of_o cain_n and_o his_o posterity_n and_o seem_v to_o hint_n to_o we_o that_o he_o suppose_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n either_o frustrate_v by_o the_o death_n of_o abel_n or_o altogether_o false_a he_o make_v his_o father_n nakedness_n the_o subject_n of_o his_o mockery_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v incapable_a of_o beget_v any_o more_o child_n and_o therefore_o incapable_a of_o contribute_v to_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o hope_n of_o which_o he_o account_v himself_o so_o happy_a that_o he_o have_v escape_v the_o deluge_n what_o mean_v it_o also_o that_o noah_n pronounce_v so_o terrible_a a_o curse_n against_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n by_o canaan_n who_o be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v a_o accomplishment_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n whole_o exterminate_v by_o joshuah_n when_o god_n put_v the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n by_o abraham_n in_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v very_o natural_a for_o we_o to_o conceive_v that_o noah_n consider_v his_o son_n cham_n deride_v of_o he_o not_o only_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o respect_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o as_o his_o father_n but_o also_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o horrid_a impiety_n which_o attack_v god_n himself_o as_o make_v that_o promise_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n a_o subject_n of_o raillery_n this_o reflection_n upon_o the_o action_n of_o cham_n and_o the_o curse_n of_o noah_n consequent_a to_o it_o do_v appear_v very_o natural_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o noah_n can_v not_o but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o name_n his_o father_n have_v give_v he_o and_o the_o special_a favour_n show_v to_o he_o in_o be_v alone_o preserve_v of_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o adam_n and_o consequent_o the_o only_a person_n in_o the_o world_n by_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v 1._o herod_n lib._n 1._o justin_n hist_o lib._n 1._o valeria_n max_n lib._n 1._o at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o reflection_n be_v as_o natural_a as_o it_o will_v have_v be_v just_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o fact_n of_o cruel_a astyages_n if_o when_o he_o have_v as_o he_o think_v sufficient_o clude_v his_o dream_n which_o presage_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o son_n of_o mandane_n his_o daughter_n he_o have_v find_v she_o indecent_o uncover_v and_o have_v take_v thence_o occasion_n deride_o to_o reflect_v with_o his_o other_o child_n upon_o a_o dream_n which_o seem_v to_o promise_v to_o the_o son_n of_o mandane_n the_o throne_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o threaten_v the_o ruin_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n worth_a our_o note_n that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n the_o samaritan_n have_v so_o fresh_a a_o memory_n of_o cham_n sin_n 14_o ezra_n iu._n 14_o which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v general_o preserve_v among_o other_o nation_n that_o in_o their_o letter_n to_o king_n artaxerxes_n against_o the_o jew_n who_o rebuilt_a jerusalem_n they_o declare_v they_o will_v not_o discover_v the_o king_n nakedness_n imply_v that_o they_o can_v not_o consent_v to_o the_o injury_n he_o may_v receive_v from_o the_o jew_n in_o suffering_n jerusalem_n to_o be_v rebuilt_a it_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o repeat_v those_o other_o argument_n which_o prove_v that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v and_o be_v actual_o as_o much_o convince_v of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n as_o their_o ancestor_n be_v for_o see_v that_o these_o argument_n be_v the_o very_a same_o which_o their_o father_n have_v to_o persuade_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n we_o have_v better_o proceed_v to_o the_o enquiry_n whether_o their_o posterity_n that_o follow_v they_o have_v the_o same_o persuasion_n they_o have_v which_o may_v easy_o be_v prove_v in_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o the_o follow_a age_n and_o upon_o those_o who_o descend_v from_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n if_o noah_n see_v methusalem_n who_o have_v see_v adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n before_o the_o deluge_n abraham_n see_v shem_n and_o his_o child_n who_o be_v unquestionable_a witness_n of_o what_o have_v pass_v before_o and_o since_o the_o flood_n noah_n die_v 350_o year_n after_o the_o deluge_n it_o appear_v that_o his_o death_n happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2006_o so_o that_o noah_n die_v only_o two_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o abraham_n he_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 2008._o abraham_n live_v 150_o year_n with_o shem_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2158_o and_o 88_o year_n with_o arphaxad_a the_o son_n of_o shem_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2096_o he_o live_v 118_o year_n with_o selah_n son_n of_o arphaxad_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2126_o and_o 179_o year_n with_o heber_n the_o son_n of_o selah_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2187._o isaac_n be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 2108_o may_v see_v shem_n selah_n and_o heber_n who_o for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n have_v converse_v with_o noah_n and_o his_o other_o child_n i_o say_v we_o may_v suppose_v he_o to_o have_v converse_v with_o those_o patriarch_n or_o at_o least_o with_o those_o who_o be_v their_o contemporary_n discourse_v of_o noah_n as_o a_o man_n but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o from_o his_o relation_n and_o his_o child_n be_v inform_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o adam_n his_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a seed_n the_o death_n of_o abel_n the_o miracle_n of_o paradise_n the_o preach_a of_o noah_n the_o deluge_n etc._n etc._n and_o who_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n observe_v by_o their_o ancestor_n do_v meet_v together_o fifty_o two_o time_n every_o year_n to_o celebrate_v the_o memorial_n of_o these_o wonder_n and_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o their_o posterity_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n here_o which_o conduce_v much_o to_o the_o preservation_n of_o a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o these_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v 1060._o de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syra_n p._n 1060._o that_o the_o ark_n itself_o may_v be_v see_v by_o all_o the_o world_n as_o a_o certain_a monument_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o the_o save_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o son_n this_o monument_n continue_v very_o many_o age_n after_o abraham_n and_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o deluge_n among_o the_o pagan_n as_o lucian_n to_o name_v no_o more_o acquaint_v we_o the_o second_o be_v that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o any_o of_o abraham_n contemporary_n as_o for_o abraham_n to_o deduce_v his_o genealogy_n from_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o easy_a because_o the_o first_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n be_v follow_v by_o another_o partition_n among_o their_o posterity_n in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1758_o a_o division_n which_o give_v they_o a_o just_a title_n of_o possession_n to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n where_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o defence_n of_o which_o it_o seem_v probable_a that_o the_o war_n of_o chedorlaomer_n mention_v the_o xiii_o of_o genesis_n be_v undertake_v the_o family_n of_o cham_n have_v invade_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v part_n of_o the_o inheritance_n of_o shem_n as_o we_o shall_v
the_o border_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n and_o be_v jealous_a of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n as_o pretend_v that_o abraham_n can_v not_o be_v choose_v before_o lot_n their_o father_n who_o be_v the_o son_n of_o abraham_n elder_a brother_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o the_o first-born_a of_o terah_n and_o who_o be_v apt_a without_o doubt_n to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o if_o god_n have_v bring_v abraham_n out_o of_o chaldea_n and_o rescue_v he_o from_o ur_fw-la he_o have_v in_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n save_v lot_n alone_o from_o the_o conflagration_n of_o sodom_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o angel_n and_o that_o abraham_n and_o lot_n be_v equal_o descend_v from_o terah_n the_o right_a of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n do_v equal_o belong_v to_o they_o and_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o in_o all_o succeed_a time_n these_o thought_n do_v predominate_v with_o they_o as_o may_v easy_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o history_n of_o balaam_n we_o see_v therefore_o that_o the_o moabite_n who_o be_v descend_v from_o the_o elder_a daughter_n of_o lot_n look_v upon_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o israelite_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o their_o seed_n in_o exclusion_n to_o all_o other_o with_o great_a impatience_n and_o it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n that_o they_o send_v for_o baladm_n to_o decide_v by_o divine_a authority_n the_o difference_n between_o they_o concern_v the_o right_a of_o the_o promise_a blessing_n we_o may_v make_v very_o near_o the_o same_o reflection_n upon_o the_o call_n of_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n when_o she_o say_v to_o naomi_n her_o mother-in-law_n thy_o god_n shall_v be_v my_o god_n and_o thy_o people_n shall_v be_v my_o people_n which_o signify_v a_o renounce_n of_o the_o pretension_n of_o her_o own_o people_n and_o a_o acquiesce_n in_o the_o justice_n of_o those_o of_o the_o israelite_n and_o it_o be_v upon_o this_o occasion_n that_o ruth_n be_v more_o particular_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o show_v hereafter_o that_o which_o i_o have_v hint_v concern_v the_o intention_n and_o aim_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o lot_n have_v be_v observe_v before_o by_o the_o jewish_a rabbin_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o their_o commentary_n upon_o these_o word_n of_o genesis_n chap._n xix_o v._o 32._o come_v let_v we_o make_v our_o father_n drink_v wine_n etc._n etc._n upon_o which_o word_n r._n tanchumah_n follow_v the_o footstep_n of_o r._n samuel_n make_v this_o reflection_n that_o we_o may_v preserve_v seed_n of_o our_o father_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o we_o may_v preserve_v a_o son_n from_o our_o father_n but_o that_o we_o may_v renew_v the_o posterity_n of_o our_o father_n because_o say_v he_o they_o have_v regard_n to_o that_o seed_n which_o be_v to_o proceed_v from_o a_o strange_a place_n and_o what_o seed_n be_v that_o it_o be_v the_o king_n messiah_n after_o this_o observation_n upon_o this_o action_n of_o lot_n daughter_n it_o can_v no_o long_o rational_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o violent_a passion_n which_o sarah_n have_v for_o a_o son_n proceed_v from_o the_o very_a fame_n impression_n which_o make_v her_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o that_o sex_n to_o deliver_v her_o servant_n into_o her_o husband_n bosom_n especial_o if_o we_o join_v to_o this_o the_o particular_a promise_n god_n have_v make_v to_o abraham_n which_o she_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o sarah_n see_v herself_o destitute_a of_o child_n and_o her_o barrenness_n have_v continue_v so_o long_a a_o time_n she_o have_v no_o hope_n of_o ever_o be_v a_o mother_n what_o remain_v therefore_o for_o she_o but_o to_o think_v of_o adopt_v a_o son_n of_o her_o bondwoman_n and_o in_o consideration_n of_o this_o she_o persuade_v her_o husband_n who_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o any_o such_o thing_n by_o any_o thing_n that_o appear_v at_o least_o precedent_n to_o this_o desire_n of_o his_o wife_n to_o take_v she_o unto_o he_o he_o seek_v the_o seed_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o seed_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v as_o malachy_n express_v it_o mal._n ii_o 15._o at_o least_o it_o be_v certain_a l._n yarg_fw-mi jonath_n in_o h._n l._n &_o kimchi_n in_o h._n l._n that_o the_o jew_n have_v take_v these_o word_n of_o malachy_n in_o this_o sense_n for_o a_o very_a long_a time_n as_o they_o do_v still_o to_o this_o day_n we_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o this_o be_v a_o predominant_a impression_n throughout_o that_o whole_a family_n if_o to_o what_o we_o have_v already_o observe_v of_o lot_n daughter_n and_o of_o sarah_n we_o do_v but_o add_v the_o sorrow_n rebecca_n conceive_v because_o of_o her_o barrenness_n and_o the_o contention_n happen_v between_o the_o wife_n of_o jacob_n for_o their_o husband_n company_n without_o which_o supposal_n the_o relation_n of_o such_o a_o matter_n will_v be_v a_o thing_n of_o no_o importance_n certain_o as_o it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v that_o so_o wise_a a_o historian_n as_o moses_n be_v shall_v stoop_v to_o the_o recital_n of_o such_o mean_a and_o low_a particular_n not_o to_o speak_v worse_o of_o they_o without_o aim_v at_o something_o very_o high_a and_o considerable_a so_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o believe_v that_o in_o all_o these_o relation_n he_o point_v at_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v the_o great_a object_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o faithful_a which_o god_n in_o process_n of_o time_n do_v explain_v by_o little_a and_o little_o more_o distinct_o the_o jealousy_n also_o which_o arise_v between_o ishmael_n and_o isaac_n be_v no_o less_o considerable_a ishmael_n be_v the_o elder_a son_n of_o abraham_n and_o circumcise_a as_o well_o as_o isaac_n he_o be_v save_v from_o death_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o a_o angel_n and_o be_v the_o head_n of_o a_o great_a people_n who_o from_o that_o time_n to_o this_o very_a day_n have_v always_o be_v circumcise_a it_o may_v be_v also_o of_o great_a use_n to_o take_v notice_n here_o that_o ishmael_n can_v not_o but_o be_v instruct_v by_o abraham_n concern_v the_o promise_n god_n have_v make_v to_o he_o to_o which_o he_o pretend_v as_o be_v the_o elder_a and_o therefore_o mock_v at_o the_o great_a stir_n be_v make_v at_o the_o wean_n of_o isaac_n as_o think_v that_o he_o be_v the_o elder_a can_v not_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o natural_a right_n of_o his_o primogeniture_n at_o least_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o except_o it_o have_v be_v thus_o sarah_n anger_n approve_v by_o god_n himself_o will_v not_o have_v prove_v so_o violent_a as_o well_o against_o ishmael_n as_o hagar_n who_o flatter_v he_o in_o these_o pretension_n nor_o will_v abraham_n so_o far_o have_v comply_v with_o it_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o isaac_n on_o the_o other_o side_n be_v bear_v to_o fulfil_v a_o particular_a promise_n be_v circumcise_a and_o save_v from_o death_n by_o a_o angel_n and_o that_o beside_o all_o this_o ishmael_n and_o he_o have_v be_v equal_o educate_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o this_o conformity_n of_o event_n which_o have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o such_o last_a contest_v between_o they_o and_o their_o posterity_n must_v have_v engage_v they_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o into_o all_o other_o matter_n which_o do_v any_o way_n concern_v they_o we_o have_v a_o like_a instance_n if_o not_o strong_a for_o our_o purpose_n in_o esau_n and_o jacob_n who_o be_v both_o bear_v of_o the_o same_o mother_n but_o esau_n be_v the_o first-born_a we_o find_v the_o same_o jealousy_n arise_v between_o they_o as_o before_z between_o ishmael_n and_o isaac_n sarah_n seem_v somewhat_o cruel_a in_o cast_v out_o her_o adopt_a son_n ishmael_n and_o here_o we_o see_v that_o rebecca_n prefer_v jacob_n before_o esau_n her_o first-born_a and_o assist_v he_o in_o rob_v his_o elder_a brother_n of_o the_o blessing_n due_a to_o he_o of_o right_n but_o without_o question_n her_o design_n in_o all_o this_o be_v to_o entail_v this_o blessing_n on_o her_o family_n by_o make_v it_o fall_v on_o jacob_n as_o be_v afraid_a and_o that_o not_o without_o cause_n that_o esau_n by_o his_o sin_n and_o his_o marriage_n with_o the_o canaanite_n have_v make_v himself_o uncapable_a thereof_o now_o as_o this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o a_o great_a dispute_n between_o these_o two_o patriarch_n educate_v in_o the_o same_o belief_n and_o religion_n so_o it_o plain_o show_v we_o how_o strong_a a_o persuasion_n they_o have_v of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o beside_o it_o be_v further_a very_o remarkable_a first_o that_o moses_n represent_v esau_n as_o a_o profane_a person_n for_o which_o
joshua_n concern_v the_o several_a blessing_n and_o curse_n which_o be_v to_o be_v pronounce_v upon_o the_o mount_v ebal_n and_o gerizim_n because_o the_o form_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v public_a and_o authentic_a the_o same_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o the_o first-fruit_n and_o upon_o the_o prayer_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o tithe_n of_o the_o three_o year_n as_o likewise_o upon_o many_o other_o law_n four_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o book_n be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n according_a to_o the_o injunction_n of_o that_o law_n which_o we_o find_v deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 10_o 11._o which_o be_v command_v to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o posterity_n as_o it_o be_v intimate_v in_o the_o thirteen_o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n whereupon_o it_o may_v not_o be_v preposterous_a to_o consider_v here_o god_n method_n to_o prevent_v all_o forgery_n and_o imposture_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v during_o the_o longaevity_n of_o human_a life_n a_o constant_a and_o universal_a custom_n among_o all_o the_o patriarch_n to_o moses_n time_n to_o put_v when_o they_o lie_v on_o their_o death_n bed_n their_o posterity_n in_o mind_n of_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n and_o of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o religion_n because_o as_o all_o admonition_n and_o exhortation_n make_v at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o sincere_a so_o they_o seldom_o fail_v of_o be_v favourable_o construe_v and_o better_o entertain_v than_o they_o will_v be_v at_o any_o other_o time_n we_o have_v as_o instance_n of_o this_o ancient_a custom_n the_o example_n of_o abraham_n of_o isaac_n of_o jacob_n of_o joseph_n etc._n etc._n who_o in_o that_o i_o make_v no_o doubt_n follow_v the_o custom_n of_o their_o pious_a ancestor_n who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n derive_v it_o from_o adam_n himself_o that_o custom_n we_o see_v be_v of_o a_o admirable_a use_n to_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o illustrious_a transaction_n what_o be_v then_o speak_v by_o those_o pious_a venerable_a man_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o public_a sermon_n because_o it_o be_v deliver_v before_o those_o numerous_a family_n which_o meet_v then_o altogether_o about_o the_o bed_n of_o their_o common_a head_n and_o father_n and_o that_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n as_o do_v extraordinary_o excite_v their_o attention_n to_o this_o custom_n succeed_v another_o which_o be_v that_o when_o the_o great_a captain_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v sensible_a of_o their_o approach_a death_n than_o they_o usual_o call_v the_o people_n together_o to_o give_v they_o such_o exhortation_n reproof_n and_o admonition_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o proper_a either_o for_o their_o encouragement_n or_o for_o their_o reformation_n nay_o and_o that_o even_o in_o some_o occasion_n many_o of_o they_o have_v affect_v to_o have_v their_o speech_n make_v public_a and_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n thus_o do_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n and_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o judge_n and_o samuel_n and_o solomon_n etc._n etc._n we_o know_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v former_o read_v every_o sabbath_n day_n as_o st._n james_n do_v attest_v it_o in_o act_n xv._o and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o express_a command_n about_o it_o in_o moses_n write_n yet_o we_o find_v there_o something_o equivalent_a to_o it_o in_o the_o strict_a charge_n give_v by_o he_o to_o all_o the_o people_n to_o be_v continual_o conversant_a in_o his_o book_n and_o to_o instruct_v their_o family_n at_o all_o time_n in_o the_o law_n and_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o they_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o the_o israelite_n be_v bind_v by_o that_o command_n of_o moses_n to_o read_v his_o book_n every_o day_n they_o be_v more_o particular_o oblige_v by_o the_o same_o command_n to_o read_v they_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v make_v a_o day_n of_o rest_n by_o god_n particular_o on_o purpose_n that_o all_o man_n may_v the_o better_o attend_v on_o that_o day_n to_o the_o read_n and_o meditate_v god_n law_n and_o the_o perform_v all_o other_o religious_a duty_n we_o know_v beside_o that_o those_o book_n be_v continual_o explain_v both_o by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v on_o purpose_n disperse_v through_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o attend_v and_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o moses_n in_o his_o write_n have_v exact_o keep_v a_o kind_n of_o journal_n which_o can_v easy_o receive_v any_o alteration_n if_o we_o read_v hereupon_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o several_a removal_n of_o their_o tent_n in_o the_o desert_n we_o shall_v be_v easy_o convince_v by_o the_o very_a form_n and_o stile_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o that_o they_o be_v former_o public_o receive_v and_o be_v exact_o transcribe_v out_o of_o the_o original_a and_o that_o if_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o suffer_v any_o alteration_n it_o be_v only_o as_o to_o some_o appendix_n or_o postscript_n insert_v by_o esrah_n or_o some_o other_o prophet_n by_o way_n of_o explication_n we_o see_v in_o those_o book_n a_o history_n write_v without_o disguise_n or_o partiality_n exact_a in_o relate_v all_o circumstance_n of_o place_n time_n and_o person_n even_o in_o the_o narration_n of_o thing_n of_o small_a importance_n for_o the_o main_a drift_n of_o the_o author_n there_o be_v beside_o some_o passage_n record_v in_o they_o which_o any_o author_n who_o live_v after_o moses_n time_n will_v certain_o have_v leave_v out_o if_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n yet_o at_o least_o to_o abolish_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o action_n dishonourable_a to_o some_o great_a family_n and_o whole_a tribe_n of_o israel_n again_o we_o read_v in_o they_o the_o song_n and_o other_o public_a monument_n which_o be_v make_v upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o they_o the_o better_a i_o have_v but_o three_o observation_n more_o to_o make_v here_o and_o then_o i_o have_v do_v with_o this_o chapter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o those_o book_n have_v be_v constant_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o author_n among_o that_o people_n who_o follow_v moses_n and_o that_o their_o quotation_n do_v exact_o agree_v with_o the_o text_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o which_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n as_o well_o of_o the_o sincerity_n as_o of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o that_o author_n they_o be_v as_o much_o esteem_v in_o israel_n as_o in_o juda_n both_o people_n do_v observe_v they_o as_o their_o law_n the_o prophet_n that_o arise_v from_o time_n to_o time_n do_v always_o and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n acknowledge_v and_o maintain_v their_o authority_n thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n quote_v out_o of_o they_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o curse_n and_o blessing_n to_o the_o prophecy_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n among_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o thirteen_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o among_o the_o people_n be_v nothing_o in_o general_n but_o a_o account_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v former_o by_o moses_n to_o raise_v up_o from_o among_o that_o people_n such_o man_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o affliction_n and_o captivity_n as_o will_v be_v the_o assertor_n of_o their_o liberty_n we_o see_v there_o in_o particular_a the_o execution_n of_o moses_n order_n concern_v caleb_n 3._o judge_n i._o 20._o judg._n vii_o 3._o judg._n xiii_o 3._o and_o of_o that_o law_n in_o deuteronomy_n which_o prescribe_v the_o manner_n of_o dismiss_v from_o the_o army_n those_o that_o be_v fearful_a and_o fainthearted_a and_o of_o that_o other_o concern_v the_o nazarite_n etc._n etc._n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o rule_n and_o law_n prescribe_v in_o those_o book_n continue_v in_o force_n in_o the_o time_n of_o ruth_n david_n great_a grandmother_n that_o appear_v plain_o by_o their_o observation_n of_o those_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o next_o kinsman_n to_o take_v to_o wife_n the_o widow_n of_o his_o decease_a relation_n and_o to_o redeem_v his_o inheritance_n as_o for_o david_n and_o solomon_n they_o be_v continual_o allude_v to_o something_o or_o other_o deliver_v in_o those_o book_n nehemiah_n quote_v they_o in_o chap._n xiii_o of_o his_o book_n and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3563_o and_o so_o do_v malachy_n in_o the_o iv_o and_o v._o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3580._o the_o second_o observation_n which_o be_v very_o material_a be_v that_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n have_v insert_v in_o they_o a_o express_a prohibition_n of_o add_v
probable_a that_o a_o prince_n especial_o of_o his_o temper_n will_v have_v submit_v to_o such_o a_o confinement_n and_o meek_o resign_v his_o crown_n to_o his_o son_n if_o that_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o he_o have_v not_o full_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v transgress_v and_o violate_v by_o his_o temerity_n and_o presumption_n the_o three_o reflection_n be_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o law_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o a_o irreconcilable_a aversion_n against_o all_o those_o nation_n among_o who_o they_o be_v go_v to_o settle_v they_o be_v so_o frame_v as_o not_o only_o to_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o egypt_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v but_o also_o to_o those_o receive_v among_o the_o hivites_n amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n of_o who_o country_n they_o be_v go_v to_o possess_v themselves_o thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o leviticus_n law_n against_o all_o incestuous_a marriage_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v ordinary_a among_o the_o canaanite_n and_o egyptian_n who_o therein_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n who_o marry_v within_o those_o forbid_a degree_n there_o we_o find_v also_o the_o sacrifice_n to_o moloch_n forbid_v the_o practice_n whereof_o those_o nation_n in_o all_o likelihood_n defend_v by_o the_o example_n of_o abraham_n sacrifice_n now_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v think_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n will_v of_o a_o sudden_a receive_v such_o law_n as_o deprive_v they_o of_o a_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n they_o have_v always_o hitherto_o enjoy_v and_o condemn_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n those_o sacrifice_n that_o have_v the_o fair_a pretence_n of_o religion_n imaginable_a and_o to_o use_v many_o ceremony_n contrary_a to_o those_o receive_v among_o they_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v a_o strong_a and_o extraordinary_a motive_n for_o so_o do_v there_o be_v another_o thing_n beside_o that_o challenge_v our_o consideration_n viz._n the_o exact_a description_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o that_o sacred_a place_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o tabernacle_n with_o all_o its_o appurtenance_n utensil_n and_o ornament_n be_v finish_v for_o as_o this_o tabernacle_n be_v then_o the_o centre_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a religion_n as_o the_o temple_n be_v afterward_o by_o succeed_v to_o it_o so_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n that_o be_v perform_v there_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v contribute_v to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o shall_v see_v it_o consecrate_a and_o take_v to_o piece_n and_o set_v together_o again_o every_o day_n and_o shall_v read_v all_o the_o particular_n relate_v to_o its_o construction_n and_o not_o discern_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n and_o reality_n in_o all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o concern_v the_o religion_n which_o their_o governor_n fix_v in_o that_o place_n wherein_o he_o pretend_v many_o revelation_n be_v make_v chap._n vi_o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgation_n as_o moses_n relate_v it_o we_o may_v further_o collect_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o join_v these_o follow_a reflection_n to_o those_o already_o make_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n certain_o if_o moses_n have_v be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o a_o kingdom_n and_o have_v be_v succeed_v in_o it_o by_o his_o own_o child_n and_o posterity_n for_o many_o generation_n one_o after_o another_o we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o his_o successor_n consult_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o honour_n will_v have_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o persuade_v their_o subject_n that_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o their_o kingdom_n have_v some_o communication_n with_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v from_o he_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n and_o constitution_n which_o he_o give_v they_o concern_v civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o moses_n be_v so_o far_o from_o invest_v his_o own_o child_n with_o the_o supreme_a authority_n after_o himself_o that_o he_o translate_v it_o into_o another_o tribe_n and_o constitute_v joshuah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n as_o for_o his_o posterity_n he_o take_v little_a care_n of_o it_o but_o reduce_v it_o to_o a_o rank_a inferior_a to_o that_o of_o aaron_n family_n which_o he_o prefer_v to_o the_o most_o honourable_a function_n of_o the_o priesthood_n leave_v to_o his_o own_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o inconsiderable_a employment_n all_o which_o show_v evident_o that_o none_o of_o those_o who_o come_v after_o moses_n be_v move_v by_o any_o private_a interest_n of_o their_o own_o to_o defend_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n and_o write_n but_o only_o by_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n they_o have_v that_o they_o be_v all_o divine_a neither_o ought_v we_o to_o omit_v to_o consider_v here_o the_o manner_n how_o moses_n decide_v beforehand_o such_o question_n and_o determine_v such_o controversy_n as_o can_v not_o be_v raise_v but_o after_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v make_v by_o his_o successor_n only_o after_o his_o death_n and_o how_o those_o law_n be_v constant_o observe_v in_o all_o the_o succeed_a generation_n of_o that_o people_n and_o submit_v unto_o by_o the_o very_a judge_n and_o king_n themselves_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o for_o a_o conqueror_n such_o as_o joshua_n be_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o other_o fundamental_a law_n in_o that_o state_n he_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o than_o those_o which_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nothing_o be_v more_o usual_a than_o for_o statesman_n to_o affect_v the_o expose_v the_o conduct_n of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v alter_v and_o from_o democratical_a or_o aristocratical_a be_v change_v into_o monarchical_a as_o it_o happen_v among_o the_o israelite_n how_o then_o can_v moses_n law_n still_o keep_v up_o their_o authority_n in_o all_o change_n and_o revolution_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o succession_n of_o judge_n and_o king_n there_o be_v never_o any_o of_o they_o attempt_v to_o suspend_v or_o annul_v moses_n law_n much_o less_o to_o enact_v and_o give_v any_o other_o contrary_a to_o they_o again_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o division_n and_o faction_n that_o nation_n fall_v into_o there_o be_v never_o any_o jew_n endeavour_v with_o any_o success_n to_o undeceive_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o own_o people_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n no_o doubt_v only_o because_o the_o generality_n of_o that_o nation_n never_o dispute_v the_o divine_a origin_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o in_o moses_n write_n be_v inlay_v one_o within_o another_o and_o represent_v as_o occasion_v by_o several_a transaction_n relate_v there_o have_v all_o be_v equal_o receive_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o have_v all_o be_v put_v together_o in_o a_o body_n by_o themselves_o before_o moses_n death_n as_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o xxxi_o of_o deuteronomy_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v public_a and_o in_o great_a esteem_n among_o that_o people_n to_o who_o god_n give_v they_o upon_o who_o he_o lay_v a_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o read_v they_o every_o day_n and_o to_o consult_v they_o upon_o every_o emergent_a business_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v know_v equal_o of_o all_o degree_n of_o man_n sex_n and_o age_n which_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o pay_v obedience_n to_o they_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v not_o only_o public_o keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n but_o also_o private_o read_v in_o every_o family_n we_o see_v that_o a_o whole_a tribe_n viz._n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o explain_v they_o and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n and_o exempt_v from_o the_o care_n and_o trouble_n that_o necessary_o attend_v husbandry_n by_o the_o plentiful_a provision_n of_o tithe_n and_o offering_n that_o be_v allot_v to_o they_o we_o see_v that_o god_n oblige_v all_o jew_n to_o read_v and_o meditate_v
because_o those_o of_o every_o tribe_n who_o continue_v still_o in_o the_o land_n may_v visible_o keep_v they_o up_o and_o we_o here_o of_o necessity_n ought_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o we_o may_v read_v in_o the_o xxxii_o chapter_n of_o jeremiah_n xxxii_o jerem._n xxxii_o concern_v the_o sale_n of_o a_o field_n which_o jeremiah_n buy_v and_o second_o what_o we_o read_v nehem._n the_o vth_o where_o he_o be_v trouble_v to_o see_v the_o alienation_n of_o their_o field_n which_o be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o misery_n and_o three_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o people_n be_v restore_v to_o their_o estate_n according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o their_o state._n another_o very_a effectual_a mean_n to_o fix_v that_o people_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o preserve_v their_o family_n there_o certain_o without_o confusion_n be_v the_o law_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n which_o god_n institute_v for_o this_o very_a purpose_n for_o in_o short_a when_o this_o rule_n be_v once_o lay_v down_o that_o upon_o the_o failure_n of_o a_o heir_n in_o any_o family_n that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n be_v the_o heir_n at_o law_n it_o appear_v plain_o that_o every_o one_o be_v oblige_v for_o his_o own_o interest_n to_o inquire_v with_o diligence_n into_o the_o genealogical_a life_n of_o his_o own_o tribe_n that_o he_o may_v instruct_v himself_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o several_a family_n of_o his_o kindred_n and_o of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o proximity_n of_o blood_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v relate_v because_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o these_o list_n and_o of_o those_o several_a degree_n of_o kindred_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o right_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n there_o be_v two_o other_o law_n which_o contribute_v also_o to_o this_o one_o whereof_z regulate_v all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v when_o there_o be_v none_o but_o daughter_n leave_v in_o a_o family_n a_o famous_a instance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o zelophehad_n set_v down_o twice_o by_o moses_n on_o purpose_n no_o doubt_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v particular_o in_o another_o place_n the_o other_o law_n regulate_v all_o that_o the_o next_o kinsman_n of_o any_o one_o that_o die_v childless_a be_v oblige_v to_o do_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o relict_n and_o of_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o decease_a if_o he_o intend_v to_o redeem_v it_o one_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o ruth_n a_o illustrious_a example_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o law_n which_o may_v be_v find_v deuter._n xxv_o now_o after_o all_o this_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o there_o can_v be_v any_o strong_a tie_n than_o these_o to_o oblige_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o whither_o the_o division_n which_o god_n make_v of_o it_o betwixt_o their_o several_a tribe_n and_o family_n be_v not_o a_o infallible_a mean_n to_o distinguish_v they_o certain_o one_o from_o another_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v concern_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n do_v principal_o relate_v also_o to_o the_o messiah_n which_o hold_v also_o as_o to_o several_a other_o law_n hitherto_o i_o have_v show_v the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o afterward_o show_v what_o care_n he_o take_v to_o keep_v the_o distinction_n which_o he_o first_o set_v up_o among_o the_o tribe_n and_o i_o afterward_o explain_v those_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o oblige_v every_o family_n in_o each_o tribe_n to_o remain_v distinct_a and_o i_o afterward_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v a_o very_a proper_a mean_n to_o execute_v this_o design_n of_o god._n all_o which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o make_v it_o easy_a for_o every_o man_n to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v once_o know_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n as_o it_o be_v afterward_o foretell_v by_o several_a express_a oracle_n but_o as_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v something_o supernatural_a in_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n so_o we_o ought_v to_o see_v what_o care_n god_n take_v in_o his_o law_n that_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n even_o in_o this_o very_a article_n may_v not_o be_v a_o fact_n too_o difficult_a to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o first_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v join_v with_o isaiah_n prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v etc._n etc._n be_v vii_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n must_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o the_o christian_n profess_v to_o believe_v why_o shall_v god_n otherwise_o have_v take_v care_n to_o insinuate_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o a_o woman_n without_o mention_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n if_o he_o have_v not_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v without_o the_o operation_n of_o a_o man_n and_o why_o shall_v isaiah_n propose_v the_o conceive_v of_o a_o virgin_n as_o a_o effect_v whole_o supernatural_a in_o short_a god_n do_v therefore_o by_o his_o law_n not_o only_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n that_o this_o thing_n may_v not_o be_v ambiguous_a when_o it_o shall_v be_v accomplish_v but_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v here_o he_o have_v by_o these_o law_n make_v it_o extreme_o illustrious_a first_o beside_o that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n inflict_v upon_o they_o that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n find_v guilty_a of_o sin_n against_o nature_n 17._o exod._n xxii_o deut._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xviii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxiii_o 17._o as_o also_o upon_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o have_v have_v any_o incestuous_a commerce_n with_o those_o that_o be_v near_o relate_v to_o they_o and_o to_o who_o either_o the_o nearness_n of_o blood_n or_o of_o affinity_n give_v they_o a_o more_o free_a and_o familiar_a access_n he_o moreover_o strait_o command_v that_o all_o prostitute_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n without_o any_o mercy_n second_o he_o be_v not_o only_o content_v to_o forbid_v fornication_n and_o adultery_n in_o general_n by_o condemn_v to_o death_n xxii_o exod._n xxii_o levit._fw-la xx._n deut._n xxii_o those_o that_o express_o shall_v be_v convict_v of_o it_o and_o by_o award_v the_o same_o sentence_n against_o he_o that_o shall_v happen_v to_o corrupt_v a_o contract_a virgin_n and_o the_o virgin_n herself_o but_o he_o also_o hinder_v man_n by_o two_o way_n from_o fall_v into_o sin_n of_o impurity_n he_o permit_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n a_o divorce_n where_o the_o wife_n do_v not_o please_v her_o husband_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o allow_v of_o polygamy_n this_o toleration_n make_v that_o virgin_n on_o the_o one_o side_n not_o remain_v too_o long_o unmarried_a be_v not_o apt_a to_o be_v easy_o corrupt_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n man_n be_v not_o very_o forward_o to_o debauch_v those_o woman_n who_o they_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o marry_v or_o to_o keep_v when_o marry_v for_o he_o that_o be_v compel_v to_o marry_v a_o virgin_n who_o he_o have_v seduce_v xxii_o deut._n xxii_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o put_v she_o away_o for_o ever_o after_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v the_o design_n of_o those_o law_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o short_a 5._o massec_n avoth_o c._n 5._o the_o desire_n of_o issue_n make_v they_o marry_v very_o young_a most_o of_o the_o man_n be_v marry_v at_o eighteen_o year_n of_o age._n therefore_o all_o virgin_n think_v it_o a_o shame_n to_o be_v unmarried_a therefore_o god_n make_v they_o speak_v in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n in_o that_o manner_n when_o seven_o woman_n will_v marry_v one_o man_n without_o ask_v any_o thing_n for_o diet_n or_o clothes_n provide_v only_o that_o he_o will_v take_v away_o that_o reproach_n of_o live_v without_o have_v child_n it_o be_v this_o desire_n of_o posterity_n which_o make_v the_o woman_n look_v upon_o barrenness_n as_o a_o curse_n again_o this_o vehement_a desire_n of_o child_n make_v eunuch_n to_o be_v regard_v 1069._o lucian_n de_fw-fr eunuch_n p._n 537._o lucian_n de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syriâ_fw-la p._n 1069._o as_o man_n particular_o abhor_v of_o god_n not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o although_o afterward_o
manner_n of_o write_v the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n show_v that_o those_o oracle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n i_o have_v several_a thing_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n more_o sensible_a the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o i_o have_v prove_v by_o several_a character_n this_o history_n be_v exact_o write_v by_o several_a author_n now_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o their_o oracle_n be_v so_o exact_o frame_v into_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o take_v it_o out_o without_o confound_v the_o whole_a the_o book_n of_o samuel_n which_o be_v write_v by_o samuel_n by_o nathan_n and_o by_o gad_n as_o appear_v by_o i_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o contain_v the_o history_n from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2888_o to_o the_o year_n 2987._o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o year_n 2989._o to_o the_o year_n 3442._o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n recapitulate_v the_o history_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n 3468._o ezra_n write_v his_o history_n from_o the_o year_n 3468._o to_o the_o year_n 3538._o nehemiah_n continue_v it_o from_o 3550._o to_o 3563._o here_o be_v therefore_o on_o the_o one_o side_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o history_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o continue_a succession_n of_o prophecy_n david_n who_o begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o year_n 2950._o with_o several_a other_o prophet_n of_o that_o time_n write_v the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n which_o be_v full_a of_o oracle_n and_o which_o be_v sing_v by_o the_o people_n as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a service_n isaiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o 3246._o and_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 3306._o hosea_n micah_n and_o nahum_n be_v contemporary_a with_o he_o jeremiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3375._o and_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o zephaniah_n daniel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n in_o 3401._o and_o prophesy_v until_o 3470._o ezechiel_n prophesy_v at_o babylon_n in_o 3509._o haggai_n and_o zachariah_n prophesy_v in_o 3590._o soon_o after_o ezra_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nehemiah_n malachy_n seem_v to_o have_v live_v until_o the_o year_n 3589._o can_v we_o therefore_o in_o the_o least_o imagine_v that_o a_o history_n shall_v be_v so_o intermix_v with_o prophecy_n and_o oracle_n without_o conceive_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o both_o by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n but_o we_o may_v make_v a_o second_o reflection_n hereupon_o there_o be_v three_o general_a character_n which_o distinguish_v prophet_n very_o sensible_o from_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n i._o they_o be_v public_a censor_n let_v we_o but_o read_v the_o history_n of_o isaiah_n conduct_n who_o call_v all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n ruler_n of_o sodom_n or_o that_o of_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxxvi_o or_o of_o any_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n ii_o they_o be_v comforter_n of_o the_o people_n when_o they_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n by_o their_o preach_n there_o be_v as_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o as_o there_o be_v prophet_n iii_o they_o foretell_v remarkable_a occurrence_n happy_a or_o unfortunate_a long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o probability_n that_o they_o shall_v happen_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v these_o character_n without_o see_v that_o the_o state_n of_o affair_n be_v that_o which_o give_v a_o foundation_n for_o their_o sermon_n so_o that_o one_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v frame_v their_o history_n of_o new_a to_o give_v ground_n for_o a_o forgery_n this_o change_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o prophet_n follow_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n exact_o all_o that_o isaiah_n or_o jeremiah_n say_v will_v hold_v no_o long_o than_o whilst_o you_o suppose_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v as_o corrupt_v as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n represent_v it_o but_o if_o you_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v as_o the_o history_n do_v distinct_o explain_v it_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o forcible_a than_o their_o sermon_n for_o as_o they_o join_v oracle_n with_o promise_n in_o their_o thunder_a sermon_n so_o one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o can_v be_v part_v one_o may_v make_v another_o reflection_n upon_o this_o matter_n by_o show_v that_o these_o oracle_n and_o these_o book_n be_v so_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n that_o no_o forgery_n can_v be_v suppose_v the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v be_v a_o great_a proof_n for_o they_o appear_v upon_o very_o remarkable_a occasion_n one_o may_v rank_v the_o prophet_n into_o four_o order_n according_a to_o the_o several_a time_n in_o which_o they_o appear_v david_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o time_n those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n as_o jonah_n hosea_n joel_n amos_n obadiah_n isaiah_n micah_n nahum_n habakkuk_n zephaniah_n jeremiah_n those_o who_o prophesy_v during_o the_o captivity_n jeremiah_n ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n those_o who_o live_v after_o their_o return_n from_o babybylon_n haggai_n zechariah_n and_o malachy_n now_o we_o have_v a_o equal_a assurance_n of_o all_o these_o prophet_n that_o they_o be_v famous_a who_o can_v deny_v the_o oracle_n of_o david_n to_o have_v be_v famous_a when_o they_o be_v preserve_v among_o their_o public_a hymn_n one_o see_v we_o that_o micah_n prediction_n save_v jeremiah_n who_o they_o will_v have_v condemn_v for_o prophesy_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n under_o jehoiakim_n when_o micah_n have_v prophesy_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o hezekiah_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o this_o prediction_n of_o jeremiah_n here_o be_v a_o event_n which_o assure_v we_o without_o affectation_n that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v very_o well_o know_v be_v not_o therefore_o the_o other_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n very_o well_o know_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o other_o prophet_n live_v in_o very_o remarkable_a time_n isaiah_n under_o jotham_n ahaz_n and_o manasseh_n impious_a prince_n the_o last_o of_o which_o put_v he_o to_o a_o cruel_a death_n for_o the_o freedom_n of_o his_o censure_n and_o prediction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o every_o prophet_n a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v enlarge_v upon_o and_o which_o will_v further_o prove_v that_o their_o work_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v be_v very_o public_a and_o very_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n we_o must_v not_o here_o neglect_v what_o do_v more_o particular_o regard_v the_o person_n of_o the_o prophet_n i._o some_o of_o they_o be_v priest_n that_o be_v to_o say_v public_a minister_n of_o their_o religion_n jeremiah_n and_o ezechiel_n be_v of_o that_o number_n this_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o read_v of_o their_o work_n and_o in_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o their_o revelation_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n accommodate_v by_o god_n to_o those_o idea_n about_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v most_o employ_v ii_o some_o be_v very_o illustrious_a by_o their_o birth_n thus_o david_n for_o instance_n be_v king_n of_o israel_n isaiah_n be_v a_o prince_n of_o the_o blood_n and_o daniel_n be_v one_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o judah_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o find_v out_o by_o consider_v the_o majesty_n of_o their_o style_n and_o greatness_n of_o their_o expression_n iii_o some_o be_v very_o contemptible_a by_o their_o employment_n and_o by_o their_o birth_n so_o amos_n for_o instance_n and_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o father_n be_v bare_o name_v without_o join_v to_o it_o any_o honourable_a title_n if_o the_o jew_n observation_n have_v any_o strength_n now_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o though_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n make_v he_o who_o have_v it_o sufficient_o famous_a yet_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n often_o make_v the_o prophecy_n famous_a sometime_o indeed_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o person_n as_o in_o amos_n make_v the_o work_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v every_o body_n take_v occasion_n from_o the_o ancient_a profession_n or_o the_o prophet_n to_o consider_v the_o prophecy_n which_o he_o publish_v with_o more_o attention_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v with_o care_n that_o those_o prophet_n who_o write_n be_v preserve_v as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o do_v not_o write_v be_v continual_o strike_v at_o by_o false_a prophet_n who_o oppose_v they_o with_o great_a heat_n since_o than_o we_o have_v no_o prophecy_n preserve_v but_o of_o those_o who_o prediction_n be_v accomplish_v the_o event_n justify_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prediction_n with_o regard_n to_o particular_a fact_n near_o the_o time_n which_o they_o have_v foretell_v
to_o establish_v their_o authority_n whereas_o the_o prediction_n of_o other_o want_v this_o character_n be_v neglect_v and_o at_o last_o absolute_o lose_v it_o appear_v plain_o that_o those_o which_o remain_n be_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a reputation_n among_o the_o jew_n beside_o i_o may_v add_v that_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o book_n to_o see_v that_o they_o not_o only_o foretell_v obscure_a thing_n or_o what_o particular_o concern_v their_o state_n but_o also_o thing_n of_o a_o more_o splendid_a nature_n the_o overthrow_n of_o kingdom_n of_o city_n the_o destruction_n of_o whole_a nation_n the_o destruction_n of_o their_o own_o city_n with_o its_o re-establishment_n matter_n which_o will_v render_v their_o book_n very_o illustrious_a and_o which_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o be_v read_v not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n the_o ammonite_n moabite_n assyrian_n persian_n egyptian_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o this_o therefore_o a_o very_a particular_a thing_n and_o that_o which_o make_v the_o prophet_n very_o illustrious_a that_o the_o great_a lustre_n of_o the_o prophet_n continue_v but_o for_o a_o certain_a time_n there_o have_v be_v none_o since_o the_o year_n 3553._o their_o glory_n appear_v in_o the_o history_n of_o eight_o age_n but_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v itself_o any_o far_o now_o why_o i_o pray_v shall_v there_o be_v no_o impostor_n after_o malachy_n as_o well_o as_o there_o be_v impostor_n before_o he_o one_o may_v imagine_v perhaps_o that_o the_o prophecy_n be_v immediate_o disperse_v some_o be_v utter_v in_o one_o place_n and_o some_o in_o another_o some_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o other_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n some_o in_o babylon_n other_o in_o egypt_n which_o may_v give_v opportunites_n for_o impostor_n but_o i._o this_o objection_n may_v be_v strong_o retort_v back_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o in_o the_o division_n which_o separate_v the_o israelite_n from_o the_o jew_n those_o of_o judah_n will_v charge_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_n publish_v in_o a_o kingdom_n so_o much_o a_o enemy_n to_o they_o without_o examination_n when_o every_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o thence_o aught_o to_o appear_v suspect_v ii_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o particular_a volume_n but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o hosea_n isaiah_n and_o jeremy_n and_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o rest_n be_v preserve_v in_o book_n which_o contain_v many_o other_o thing_n iii_o they_o be_v all_o exact_o join_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n each_o one_o in_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a concern_v to_o preserve_v and_o to_o gather_v they_o together_o but_o beside_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n in_o short_a the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n translate_v they_o into_o greek_a in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3727._o and_o so_o submit_v they_o to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o this_o also_o keep_v we_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o truth_n this_o translation_n be_v make_v but_o one_o hundred_o thirty_o and_o eight_o year_n after_o malachy_n the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n but_o what_o judgement_n soever_o may_v be_v make_v of_o these_o reflection_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v only_o to_o establish_v the_o reputation_n of_o these_o prophecy_n and_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v that_o so_o no_o room_n may_v be_v leave_v for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o forgery_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o consideration_n to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v already_o which_o ought_v to_o appear_v convince_a to_o every_o attentive_a man._n i._o one_o can_v suspect_v none_o but_o the_o jew_n as_o forger_n of_o these_o oracle_n now_o not_o to_o say_v any_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o suppose_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v have_v subscribe_v to_o such_o a_o imposture_n all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n be_v after_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n strong_o prepossess_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o great_a temporal_a king_n and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o belief_n to_o this_o very_a hour_n in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n wherever_o they_o be_v disperse_v this_o be_v once_o lay_v down_o i_o affirm_v it_o to_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v oracle_n which_o assert_v express_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o so_o very_o odious_a a_o manner_n for_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v the_o old_a doctor_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n all_o those_o oracle_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o christian_n and_o which_o they_o themselves_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v force_v to_o interpret_v of_o two_o messiah_n one_o expose_v to_o a_o world_n of_o misery_n and_o the_o other_o only_o glorious_a or_o at_o least_o i_o may_v say_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v consent_v to_o a_o forgery_n which_o thwart_v their_o common_a idea_n and_o pretension_n in_o so_o very_o sensible_a a_o manner_n ii_o the_o second_o consideration_n establish_v the_o same_o truth_n with_o no_o less_o firmness_n which_o be_v that_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n from_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o great_a aversation_n they_o look_v upon_o the_o blessing_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o communicate_v as_o advantage_n entire_o reserve_v for_o those_o of_o their_o own_o nation_n how_o then_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v so_o many_o oracle_n which_o shall_v thwart_v their_o prejudices_fw-la so_o sensible_o or_o how_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o a_o whole_a people_n will_v authorise_v with_o their_o approbation_n a_o imposture_n so_o contrary_a and_o so_o very_o opposite_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o it_o be_v no_o hard_a thing_n to_o imagine_v that_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v once_o persuade_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o prophet_n either_o by_o their_o miracle_n or_o by_o the_o ready_a accomplishment_n of_o every_o oracle_n which_o they_o have_v public_o pronounce_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o book_n with_o a_o profound_a submission_n and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o utmost_a care_n but_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o incomprehensible_a thing_n for_o a_o people_n to_o receive_v imposture_n contrary_a to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o imposture_n reiterated_a so_o often_o without_o any_o ground_n but_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o record_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o will_v produce_v but_o i_o suppose_v these_o reflection_n will_v suffice_v to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o allege_v particular_a proof_n which_o may_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o each_o book_n in_o particular_a which_o will_v carry_v i_o out_o to_o too_o great_a a_o length_n i_o shall_v now_o consider_v the_o oracle_n themselves_o and_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o light_n of_o this_o revelation_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o this_o progress_n may_v be_v the_o better_o observe_v i_o shall_v do_v three_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v former_o observe_v without_o which_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o wise_a reader_n will_v not_o receive_v satisfaction_n i._o i_o shall_v explain_v in_o a_o few_o word_n the_o reason_n why_o these_o oracle_n be_v interweave_v with_o several_a history_n or_o prophecy_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n ii_o i_o shall_v give_v such_o rule_n as_o will_v serve_v to_o justify_v the_o application_n which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v equal_o make_v of_o several_a oracle_n only_o to_o the_o messiah_n iii_o i_o shall_v set_v the_o oracle_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n which_o will_v manifest_v the_o advancement_n and_o progress_n of_o that_o light_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o revelation_n itself_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o god_n shall_v explain_v himself_o more_o clear_o in_o this_o matter_n in_o proportion_n as_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v near_o to_o their_o completion_n chap._n vii_o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a one_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v that_o surprise_v mixture_n which_o one_o see_v we_o of_o those_o oracle_n and_o of_o other_o subject_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v wide_o distant_a from_o any_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v none_o
expression_n of_o this_o psalm_n the_o image_n of_o a_o death_n which_o be_v equal_o shameful_a and_o cruel_a the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o that_o person_n who_o be_v mention_v in_o this_o holy_a hymn_n i._o he_o oblige_v himself_o to_o praise_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o most_o numerous_a assembly_n ii_o he_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o this_o deliverance_n that_o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v remember_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o that_o all_o the_o kindred_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v worship_v before_o he_o iii_o at_o last_o he_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n shall_v spread_v itself_o over_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world._n one_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o history_n of_o david_n whe-this_a psalm_n be_v applicable_a to_o he_o therein_o we_o may_v see_v all_o the_o cross_n which_o he_o undergo_v particular_o represent_v during_o all_o the_o former_a year_n of_o his_o reign_n but_o there_o we_o have_v no_o account_n that_o david_n ever_o suffer_v any_o thing_n like_o that_o which_o be_v so_o exact_o describe_v in_o this_o psalm_n and_o this_o may_v be_v say_v further_o that_o when_o david_n take_v any_o occasion_n to_o paint_v out_o his_o suffering_n to_o we_o he_o have_v put_v in_o several_a stroke_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n and_o which_o show_v we_o in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n that_o he_o be_v to_o pass_v through_o much_o great_a trial_n than_o any_o of_o those_o from_o which_o david_n have_v be_v deliver_v the_o late_a jew_n who_o endeavour_n to_o verify_v this_o prophecy_n in_o esther_n or_o mordecai_n agree_v with_o we_o at_o the_o bottom_n that_o david_n carry_v his_o view_n further_o than_o bare_o his_o own_o suffering_n and_o those_o also_o who_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o poople_n of_o israel_n must_v acknowledge_v the_o same_o truth_n even_o against_o their_o will_n but_o the_o more_o ancient_a jew_n be_v more_o equitable_a in_o their_o application_n of_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n to_o the_o messiah_n they_o apply_v it_o to_o he_o in_o earnest_n even_o after_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n when_o the_o comparison_n of_o these_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o may_v be_v find_v so_o exact_o in_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n lead_v they_o to_o a_o opposition_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o certain_o there_o need_v very_o little_a equity_n to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n or_o rather_o this_o heap_n of_o oracle_n belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o confession_n and_o agreement_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n i._o they_o have_v not_o then_o resolve_v to_o make_v their_o advantage_n of_o the_o writer_n fault_n who_o write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d like_o a_o lion_n instead_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v pierce_v my_o foot_n as_o they_o have_v do_v since_o in_o short_a aquila_n who_o live_v 100_o year_n after_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o other_o jewish_a interpreter_n symmachus_n and_o theodotion_n translate_v that_o passage_n as_o we_o now_o read_v it_o ii_o the_o notion_n which_o the_o synagogue_n always_o have_v of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n oblige_v they_o to_o suppose_v two_o messiah_n one_o suffering_n and_o the_o other_o glorious_a rather_o than_o to_o contradict_v that_o truth_n open_o which_o be_v express_v by_o these_o oracle_n in_o soparticular_a a_o manner_n iii_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o be_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o to_o suppose_v that_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v quote_v the_o first_o word_n of_o this_o psalm_n upon_o the_o cross_n thereby_o to_o engage_v all_o mankind_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o this_o ancient_a oracle_n in_o all_o his_o suffering_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o this_o psalm_n even_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n the_o same_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v concern_v the_o apostle_n who_o have_v quote_v so_o many_o passage_n of_o this_o psalm_n to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n because_o one_o may_v find_v in_o his_o death_n and_o in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o such_o a_o literal_a and_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o ancient_a prophecy_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v object_v that_o after_o all_o this_o agreement_n of_o the_o synagogue_n can_v make_v no_o more_o than_o a_o strong_a prejudice_n this_o may_v be_v easy_o answer_v by_o consider_v that_o when_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v of_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o kingdom_n over_o the_o whole_a earth_n it_o be_v that_o circumstance_n which_o determine_v the_o synagogue_n in_o their_o application_n of_o this_o whole_a psalm_n to_o the_o messiah_n because_o as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o acknowledge_v this_o extent_n of_o empire_n be_v one_o of_o those_o character_n which_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v applicable_a to_o none_o but_o the_o messiah_n in_o short_a because_o it_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n i_o shall_v repeat_v it_o here_o again_o common_a sense_n lead_v those_o who_o consider_v these_o ancient_a oracle_n to_o compare_v they_o as_o natural_o they_o ought_v with_o those_o that_o go_v before_o and_o to_o determine_v the_o scope_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o late_a one_o by_o the_o relation_n which_o they_o have_v to_o the_o precedent_a one_o and_o there_o be_v only_o need_v of_o one_o considerable_a clause_n to_o make_v a_o certain_a determination_n after_o they_o have_v make_v such_o a_o comparison_n this_o the_o jew_n be_v certain_o convince_v of_o when_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o last_o word_n of_o david_n two_o sam._n xxiii_o 1-8_a be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o compare_v they_o with_o balaam_n oracle_n of_o the_o messiah_n numb_a xxiv_o we_o may_v therefore_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o david_n do_v not_o absolute_o speak_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n and_o that_o he_o carry_v his_o view_n as_o far_o as_o the_o messiah_n that_o he_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o character_n to_o his_o posterity_n whereby_o they_o may_v distinguish_v notwithstanding_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o suffering_n and_o even_o the_o better_a by_o his_o very_a suffering_n than_o which_o no_o clear_a mark_n can_v possible_o be_v give_v because_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o involuntary_a than_o endure_v of_o misery_n nor_o nothing_o which_o depend_v less_o upon_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o undergo_v they_o than_o the_o particular_a kind_n of_o punishment_n or_o than_o the_o circumstance_n which_o must_v accompany_v his_o death_n when_o it_o be_v once_o leave_v to_o the_o unjust_a power_n of_o violent_a enemy_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o cx_o psalm_n which_o in_o a_o very_a few_o word_n contain_v several_a very_o important_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v very_o distinct_o express_v if_o one_o consider_v it_o exact_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v compose_v after_o that_o nathan_n have_v acquaint_v david_n with_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o son_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v he_o such_o a_o son_n who_o shall_v build_v a_o house_n wherein_o god_n shall_v dwell_v for_o ever_o and_o who_o shall_v sit_v upon_o a_o throne_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v overturn_v whereas_o david_n have_v only_o form_v a_o design_n of_o building_n a_o temple_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v give_v he_o a_o view_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o this_o august_n king_n who_o shall_v be_v bear_v of_o his_o seed_n and_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o kingdom_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v destroy_v david_n advance_v this_o king_n not_o only_o above_o all_o man_n by_o call_v he_o his_o lord_n who_o be_v himself_o a_o king_n but_o also_o above_o the_o angel_n by_o make_v he_o sit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n this_o be_v personal_a he_o also_o describe_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o office_n by_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o priest_n of_o a_o high_a order_n than_o that_o of_o aaron_n from_o who_o melchisedech_n receive_v tithe_n in_o the_o person_n of_o abraham_n and_o in_o a_o word_n he_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o progress_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o victory_n let_v we_o examine_v all_o these_o character_n by_o themselves_o i._o he_o bring_v in_o god_n speak_v to_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v his_o lord_n sit_v thou_o at_o my_o right_a hand_n until_o i_o make_v thy_o enemy_n thy_o footstool_n this_o point_n out_o to_o we_o 1._o that_o the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v advance_v to_o glory_n 2._o that_o god_n intend_v to_o subdue_v his_o enemy_n by_o little_a and_o little_a whilst_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v in_o his_o glory_n as_o it_o be_v
ben_n israel_n 2._o that_o the_o prophet_n write_v in_o chaldea_n follow_v the_o account_n of_o the_o chaldean_a year_n which_o consist_v of_o 360_o day_n as_o appear_v clear_o from_o other_o passage_n of_o this_o book_n where_o he_o resolve_v the_o year_n into_o day_n without_o regard_v the_o several_a day_n which_o in_o a_o just_a calculation_n be_v to_o be_v intercalate_v 3._o that_o the_o prophet_n express_v a_o certain_a epocha_n from_o whence_o the_o count_a of_o these_o week_n be_v to_o begin_v viz._n a_o order_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n which_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o that_o of_o cyrus_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n of_o none_o effect_n nor_o to_o the_o edict_n of_o darius_n son_n of_o hystaspes_n which_o have_v regard_v only_o to_o the_o re-establish_a of_o the_o temple_n nor_o to_o that_o of_o artaxerxes_n give_v to_o ezra_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o that_o prince_n because_o that_o contain_v only_o some_o particular_a privilege_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o temple_n but_o to_o the_o edict_n which_o artaxerxes_n grant_v to_o nehemiah_n in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o contain_v a_o particular_a grant_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n with_o its_o fortification_n 4._o for_o though_o there_o be_v but_o 483_o solar_a year_n from_o the_o 20_o of_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o first_o of_o cajus_n caligula_n yet_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o just_a number_n of_o 490_o year_n if_o we_o follow_v the_o chaldean_a way_n of_o calculation_n in_o which_o they_o reckon_v 360_o day_n to_o a_o year_n and_o indeed_o we_o find_v just_a 483_o such_o year_n from_o the_o 20_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o time_n wherein_o all_o judea_n be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o be_v then_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v he_o suffer_v death_n three_o year_n and_o a_o half_n after_o his_o baptism_n viz._n the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o tiberius_n before_o the_o seven_o week_n be_v end_v and_o the_o term_n point_v out_o by_o daniel_n be_v expire_v i_o know_v that_o some_o famous_a man_n begin_v the_o week_n of_o daniel_n from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la and_o make_v they_o to_o end_v with_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n 490_o account_v from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o the_o say_v darius_n and_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o oblige_v thereto_o by_o a_o argument_n they_o believe_v invincible_a because_o from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la to_o the_o thirty_o second_o of_o artaxerxes_n mnemon_n they_o find_v just_a forty_o nine_o year_n that_o be_v the_o seven_o week_n design_v by_o daniel_n for_o rebuilding_n of_o the_o ruin_n and_o fortify_v of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o nehemiah_n return_v to_o artaxerxes_n in_o the_o thirty_o second_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n have_v finish_v that_o work_n nehemiah_n xiii_o 6._o but_o this_o opinion_n can_v stand_v for_o these_o two_o reason_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v unanswerable_a the_o first_o be_v because_o they_o suppose_v that_o daniel_n end_v his_o seventy_o week_n at_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n whereas_o indeed_o he_o say_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seventieth_n week_n the_o second_o be_v that_o so_o without_o design_v it_o they_o rob_v jesus_n christ_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o have_v determine_v the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o if_o instead_o of_o a_o prophecy_n concern_v that_o event_n he_o have_v only_o give_v we_o a_o explication_n of_o that_o of_o daniel_n neither_o will_v i_o make_v any_o further_o stop_v here_o to_o observe_v that_o that_o which_o have_v give_v most_o trouble_n to_o interpreter_n have_v proceed_v from_o the_o want_n of_o make_v a_o exact_a distribution_n of_o the_o different_a part_n of_o that_o prophecy_n which_o very_o distinct_o deliver_v three_o thing_n 1._o the_o end_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o happen_v after_o seven_o week_n in_o the_o time_n of_o malachy_n 2._o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o last_o week_n of_o the_o 490_o year_n 3._o the_o peace_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o one_o week_n that_o be_v three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a before_o the_o destructiof_n jerusalem_n which_o be_v do_v not_o by_o the_o messiah_n as_o some_o have_v imagine_v but_o by_o the_o roman_n who_o make_v peace_n with_o the_o parthian_n xv._o annal._n lib._n xv._o as_o be_v record_v by_o tacitus_n a_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v easy_o judge_v that_o this_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n concern_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o oracle_n have_v be_v occasion_v by_o want_n of_o attention_n to_o what_o have_v be_v now_o mention_v now_o these_o observation_n be_v suppose_v as_o indeed_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a evidence_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n the_o time_n be_v set_v down_o so_o precise_o by_o daniel_n as_o leave_v no_o pretence_n to_o doubt_v of_o this_o truth_n and_o indeed_o though_o the_o jew_n seem_v present_o after_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o have_v adopt_v the_o opinion_n i_o mention_v before_o as_o be_v unwilling_a to_o receive_v the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o carry_v it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n viz._n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o their_o temple_n notwithstanding_o daniel_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o temple_n be_v not_o to_o be_v destroy_v till_o after_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o jew_n i_o say_v be_v convince_v by_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n have_v own_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n but_o that_o he_o have_v hide_v himself_o ever_o since_o the_o second_o oracle_n concern_v the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v that_o of_o haggai_n which_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v during_o the_o second_o temple_n which_o be_v begin_v to_o be_v build_v by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n finish_v under_o darius_n son_n of_o hystaspes_n and_o destroy_v by_o vespasian_n the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v as_o follow_v chap._n ii_o vers_fw-la 7_o 8_o 9_o and_o i_o will_v shake_v all_o nation_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n shall_v come_v and_o i_o will_v fill_v this_o house_n with_o glory_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o silver_n be_v i_o and_o the_o gold_n be_v i_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o glory_n of_o this_o latter_a house_n shall_v be_v great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o former_a say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n and_o in_o this_o place_n will_v i_o give_v peace_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o note_n 1._o that_o this_o oracle_n promise_v a_o very_a great_a change_n 2._o it_o describe_v the_o messiah_n as_o the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n suitable_a to_o the_o idea_n god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o to_o abraham_n 3._o that_o it_o fix_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o temple_n build_v by_o zorobabel_n 4._o it_o make_v the_o glory_n of_o that_o house_n to_o depend_v upon_o its_o be_v honour_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o this_o truth_n we_o need_v only_o consider_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n zachariah_n and_o malachy_n do_v represent_v to_o we_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o near_o at_o hand_n balaam_n have_v say_v almost_o ten_o age_n before_o i_o see_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o which_o intimate_v his_o come_n to_o be_v then_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n but_o zechariah_n speak_v thus_o concern_v it_o chap._n iii_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10._o hear_v now_o o_o joshuah_n the_o high_a priest_n thou_o and_o thy_o fellow_n that_o sit_v before_o thou_o for_o they_o be_v man_n wonder_v at_o behold_v i_o will_v bring_v forth_o my_o servant_n the_o branch_n for_o behold_v the_o stone_n that_o i_o have_v lay_v before_o joshua_n upon_o one_o stone_n shall_v be_v seven_o eye_n behold_v i_o will_v engrave_v the_o grave_v thereof_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n and_o i_o will_v remove_v the_o iniquity_n of_o that_o land_n in_o one_o day_n in_o that_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n shall_v you_o call_v every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n under_o the_o vine_n and_o under_o the_o figtree_n malachy_n express_v himself_o concern_v the_o approach_a come_v of_o the_o messiah_n thus_o chap._n iii_o verse_n 1._o behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o messenger_n and_o he_o
shall_v prepare_v the_o way_n before_o i_o and_o the_o lord_n who_o you_o seek_v shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n even_o the_o messenger_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o behold_v he_o shall_v come_v say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v two_o very_a considerable_a thing_n in_o this_o prophecy_n the_o first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o come_v sudden_o the_o second_o that_o malachy_n express_o point_v to_o we_o that_o the_o appear_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v during_o the_o second_o temple_n the_o word_n of_o the_o prophecy_n distinct_o express_v it_o and_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o all_o who_o give_v any_o credit_n to_o these_o oracle_n do_v understand_v they_o so_o for_o first_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n look_v for_o the_o messiah_n during_o the_o second_o temple_n we_o find_v a_o passage_n express_v to_o the_o purpose_n in_o tacitus_n and_o it_o be_v on_o this_o ground_n that_o josephus_n give_v the_o title_n of_o messiah_n to_o vespasian_n 2._o they_o expect_v he_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n which_o be_v the_o three_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o their_o be_v delude_v by_o so_o many_o false_a messiah_n about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o a_o little_a after_o 3._o they_o never_o despair_v of_o his_o come_n take_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v to_o be_v conditional_a when_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v absolute_a until_o they_o begin_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o term_n set_v down_o by_o god_n himself_o be_v expire_v 4._o the_o reason_n of_o their_o curse_v those_o that_o compute_v the_o time_n set_v down_o so_o distinct_o and_o precise_o by_o daniel_n be_v because_o they_o find_v themselves_o disappoint_v in_o his_o calculation_n find_v that_o the_o time_n which_o daniel_n have_v point_v at_o for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n seem_v to_o be_v already_o expire_v 5._o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_a that_o they_o have_v try_v to_o evade_v it_o by_o maintain_v that_o the_o temple_n will_v be_v build_v a_o three_o time_n and_o that_o then_o the_o messiah_n shall_v appear_v but_o this_o evasion_n be_v unanswerable_o refute_v 1._o because_o daniel_n assign_v a_o certain_a term_n which_o be_v expire_v 1600_o year_n since_o 2._o because_o he_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o desolation_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v to_o be_v for_o ever_o as_o will_v appear_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n and_o three_o because_o haggai_n in_o effect_n call_v the_o temple_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v the_o second_o or_o three_o house_n by_o which_o expression_n he_o so_o distinct_o point_v out_o the_o second_o temple_n to_o we_o that_o it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v it_o mean_v of_o a_o three_o temple_n to_o be_v build_v 1700_o year_n after_o the_o ruin_n of_o that_o of_o which_o he_o prophesy_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n hitherto_o we_o have_v see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o isaac_n of_o that_o of_o isaac_n by_o jacob_n and_o of_o that_o of_o jacob_n by_o juda._n this_o have_v be_v sufficient_o make_v out_o already_o i_o have_v also_o show_v from_o the_o oracle_n in_o the_o i_o sam._n chap._n vii_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n and_o we_o find_v the_o same_o very_o particular_o and_o full_o set_v down_o in_o the_o lxxxix_o psalm_n the_o follow_a prophet_n have_v express_v themselves_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n isaiah_n xi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n have_v pursue_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n xxiii_o vers_fw-la 5_o 6._o and_o chap._n xxxiii_o vers_fw-la 15_o 16_o 17._o neither_o do_v the_o prophet_n only_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n by_o his_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n but_o also_o by_o determine_v that_o virgin_n to_o the_o house_n of_o david_n neither_o need_v i_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v that_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n the_o ground_n whereof_o god_n have_v lay_v down_o in_o his_o first_o promise_n viz._n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n where_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n only_o without_o name_v that_o of_o the_o man_n the_o word_n of_o seed_n or_o posterity_n very_o evident_o design_v a_o man_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o woman_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o another_o prophecy_n and_o the_o same_o which_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n take_v notice_n of_o as_o a_o maxim_n general_o own_v by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o synagogue_n iii_o galat._n iii_o it_o be_v also_o evident_a that_o the_o word_n woman_n plain_o denote_v the_o sex_n of_o which_o this_o person_n be_v immediate_o to_o be_v bear_v it_o be_v obvious_a to_o judge_v that_o something_o miraculous_a be_v to_o attend_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n we_o see_v isaac_n bear_v of_o a_o barren_a mother_n past_o the_o age_n of_o child-bearing_a we_o find_v also_o something_o very_o singular_a at_o the_o birth_n of_o samson_n and_o samuel_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v something_o far_o great_a than_o the_o birth_n of_o these_o now_o mention_v how_o illustrious_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v and_o that_o therefore_o probable_o his_o birth_n be_v to_o be_v attend_v by_o a_o great_a miracle_n but_o because_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n whole_o new_a we_o ought_v to_o observe_v in_o what_o manner_n god_n do_v particular_o foretell_v it_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n express_v it_o thus_o chap._n vii_o vers_fw-la 10_o 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17._o moreover_o the_o lord_n speak_v again_o unto_o ahaz_n say_v ask_v thou_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n ask_v it_o either_o in_o the_o depth_n or_o in_o the_o height_n above_o but_o ahaz_n say_v i_o will_v not_o ask_v neither_o will_v i_o tempt_v the_o lord_n and_o he_o say_v hear_v you_o now_o o_o house_n of_o david_n be_v it_o a_o small_a thing_n for_o you_o to_o weary_a man_n but_o will_v you_o weary_v my_o god_n also_o therefore_o the_o lord_n himself_o shall_v give_v you_o a_o sign_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v and_o bear_v a_o son_n and_o shall_v call_v his_o name_n immanuel_n butter_n and_o honey_n shall_v he_o eat_v that_o he_o may_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a for_o before_o the_o child_n shall_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a the_o land_n that_o thou_o abhor_v shall_v be_v forsake_v of_o both_o her_o king_n the_o lord_n shall_v bring_v upon_o thou_o upon_o thy_o people_n and_o upon_o thy_o father_n house_n day_n that_o have_v not_o come_v from_o the_o day_n that_o ephraim_n depart_v from_o juda_n even_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o promise_v here_o be_v make_v to_o a_o wicked_a king_n but_o of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n to_o who_o the_o prophet_n particular_o address_v himself_o 2._o that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v give_v at_o a_o juncture_n of_o time_n very_o capable_a of_o awaken_n their_o attention_n to_o it_o at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v reduce_v to_o the_o great_a extremity_n and_o the_o house_n of_o david_n in_o particular_a in_o a_o very_a great_a consternation_n 3._o the_o prophecy_n be_v utter_v by_o a_o very_a illustrious_a prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o royal_a family_n 4._o it_o be_v seal_v and_o confirm_v with_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o a_o child_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v according_o 5._o it_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o a_o very_a extraordinary_a sign_n instead_o of_o that_o which_o the_o wicked_a king_n refuse_v to_o ask_v when_o isaiah_n offer_v it_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god._n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o modern_a jew_n deny_v that_o this_o character_n of_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o confute_v they_o for_o first_o will_v it_o not_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o go_v about_o to_o apply_v this_o oracle_n to_o their_o messiah_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o thing_n universal_o own_a by_o the_o jew_n that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a that_o this_o character_n so_o difficult_a to_o gain_v belief_n will_v rather_o perplex_v than_o strengthen_v their_o proof_n and_o yet_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o st._n matthew_n have_v do_v so_o chap._n i._o verse_n 23._o as_o likewise_o st._n luke_n chap._n i._o verse_n 31._o justin_n martyr_v observe_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o this_o
of_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n upon_o they_o have_v the_o light_n shine_v thou_o have_v multiply_v the_o nation_n thou_o have_v increase_v the_o joy_n they_o joy_v before_o thou_o according_a to_o the_o joy_n in_o harvest_n and_o as_o man_n rejoice_v when_o they_o divide_v the_o spoil_n i_o shall_v afterward_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v by_o a_o incredible_a abundance_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o so_o this_o shall_v suffice_v at_o present_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o very_a great_a prophet_n chap._n xviii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o propound_v a_o new_a covenant_n from_o god_n with_o all_o man_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o be_v easy_o gather_v 1._o because_o all_o nation_n before_o they_o can_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n by_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n make_v to_o abraham_n be_v first_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o covenant_n 2._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o covenant_n itself_o of_o which_o moses_n be_v the_o mediator_n the_o end_n of_o which_o be_v to_o separate_v the_o jew_n from_o other_o nation_n some_o of_o which_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v receive_v among_o they_o till_o after_o several_a generation_n whereas_o they_o be_v to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o this_o blessing_n by_o the_o messiah_n 3._o because_o in_o effect_n all_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v only_o add_v to_o the_o moral_a as_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o god_n principal_a intention_n and_o only_o upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o jew_n worship_v the_o golden_a calf_n as_o st._n 3.19_o gal._n 3.19_o paul_n observe_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n beside_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n at_o divers_a time_n have_v give_v sufficient_a hint_n concern_v this_o 1._o he_o have_v propose_v a_o new_a priesthood_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o abolish_v the_o levitical_a priesthood_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a forasmuch_o as_o david_n who_o pronounce_v that_o oracle_n psalm_n cx_o be_v he_o who_o first_o form_v the_o design_n of_o build_v the_o temple_n to_o which_o all_o the_o levitical_a service_n be_v annex_v 2._o we_o find_v he_o reject_v in_o some_o sort_n the_o levitical_a ministry_n after_o he_o have_v despise_v it_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o spiritual_a worship_n psalm_n xl._n vers_fw-la 6._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-offering_a have_v thou_o not_o require_v and_o psalm_n l._n vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10._o i_o will_v not_o reprove_v thou_o for_o thy_o sacrifice_n or_o thy_o burnt-offering_n which_o have_v be_v continual_o before_o i_o i_o will_v take_v no_o bullock_n out_o of_o thy_o house_n nor_o he-goat_n out_o of_o thy_o fold_n for_o every_o beast_n of_o the_o forest_n be_v i_o and_o the_o cattle_n upon_o a_o thousand_o hill_n and_o psalm_n li._n verse_n 17._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o god_n be_v a_o break_a spirit_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o sacrifice_n which_o the_o law_n prescribe_v and_o to_o signify_v their_o imperfection_n the_o law_n have_v appoint_v none_o for_o the_o expiation_n of_o murder_n or_o adultery_n isaiah_n follow_v david_n chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o and_o 15._o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o multitude_n of_o your_o sacrifice_n unto_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n i_o be_o full_a of_o the_o burnt-offering_n of_o ram_n and_o the_o fat_a of_o feed_a beast_n and_o i_o delight_v not_o in_o the_o blood_n of_o bullock_n or_o of_o lamb_n or_o of_o he-goat_n when_o you_o come_v to_o appear_v before_o i_o who_o have_v require_v this_o at_o your_o hand_n to_o tread_v my_o court_n bring_v no_o more_o vain_a oblation_n incense_n be_v a_o abomination_n unto_o i_o the_o new_a moon_n and_o sabbath_n the_o call_n of_o assembly_n i_o can_v away_o with_o it_o be_v iniquity_n even_o the_o solemn_a meeting_n your_o new_a moon_n and_o your_o appoint_a feast_n my_o soul_n hate_v they_o be_v a_o trouble_n unto_o i_o i_o be_o weary_a to_o bear_v they_o and_o when_o you_o spread_v forth_o your_o hand_n i_o will_v hide_v my_o eye_n from_o you_o yea_o when_o you_o make_v many_o prayer_n i_o will_v not_o hear_v your_o hand_n be_v full_a of_o blood_n and_o jeremiah_n speak_v much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n chap._n vii_o v._o 21_o 22_o &_o 23._o but_o beside_o god_n direct_o promise_v this_o new_a covenant_n by_o isaiah_n chap._n xlii_o vers_fw-la 6_o 7._o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thy_o hand_n and_o will_v keep_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n for_o a_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o open_v the_o blind_a eye_n to_o bring_v out_o the_o prisoner_n from_o the_o prison_n and_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n from_o the_o prison_n house_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v that_o in_o this_o place_n where_o god_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o confess_v he_o express_o declare_v two_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n that_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v mediate_v a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o the_o people_n 2._o that_o the_o fruit_n of_o this_o covenant_n be_v to_o extend_v to_o the_o gentile_n which_o plain_o imply_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n forasmuch_o as_o from_o it_o several_a be_v exclude_v the_o same_o covenant_n be_v also_o mention_v chap._n xlix_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n in_o a_o acceptable_a time_n have_v i_o hear_v thou_o and_o in_o a_o day_n of_o salvation_n have_v i_o help_v thou_o and_o i_o will_v preserve_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n to_o establish_v the_o earth_n to_o cause_v to_o inherit_v the_o desolate_a heritage_n that_o thou_o may_v say_v to_o the_o prisoner_n go_v forth_o to_o they_o that_o be_v in_o darkness_n show_v yourselves_o they_o shall_v feed_v in_o the_o way_n and_o their_o pasture_n shall_v be_v in_o all_o high-place_n he_o pursue_v the_o same_o notion_n chap._n lv._o vers_fw-la 3_o 4._o incline_v your_o ear_n and_o come_v unto_o i_o hear_v and_o your_o soul_n shall_v live_v and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o you_o the_o sure_a mercy_n of_o david_n behold_v i_o have_v give_v he_o for_o a_o witness_n to_o the_o people_n a_o leader_n and_o commander_n to_o the_o people_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o particular_a and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o speak_v chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o for_o i_o the_o lord_n love_v judgement_n i_o hate_v robbery_n for_o burnt-offering_a and_o i_o will_v direct_v their_o work_n in_o truth_n and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o and_o their_o seed_n shall_v be_v know_v among_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o offspring_n among_o the_o people_n all_o that_o see_v they_o shall_v acknowledge_v they_o that_o they_o be_v the_o seed_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v bless_v it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o day_n that_o god_n in_o these_o oracle_n promise_v a_o irrevocable_a covenant_n because_o he_o call_v it_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o former_a he_o take_v notice_n also_o in_o the_o same_o book_n that_o the_o say_a covenant_n be_v to_o be_v propound_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o that_o then_o that_o blessing_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v know_v according_a to_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n which_o be_v promise_v universal_o to_o all_o nation_n this_o be_v that_o which_o god_n more_o particular_o explain_v afterward_o by_o the_o voice_n and_o pen_n of_o a_o prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o order_n of_o priest_n thereby_o to_o prevent_v all_o sort_n of_o exception_n jeremiah_n in_o effect_n speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n chap._n xxxi_o vers_fw-la 31_o 32_o 33_o 34_o 35_o and_o 36._o behold_v the_o day_n come_v say_v the_o lord_n that_o i_o will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o with_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n that_o i_o make_v with_o their_o father_n in_o the_o day_n that_o i_o take_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n which_o my_o covenant_n they_o break_v although_o i_o be_v a_o husband_n to_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n but_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o covenant_n that_o i_o will_v make_v with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n after_o those_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n i_o will_v put_v my_o law_n in_o their_o inward_a part_n and_o write_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n and_o i_o will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n and_o they_o shall_v
jew_n do_v agree_v as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o jerusalem_n talmud_n that_o criminal_a judgement_n be_v take_v away_o from_o they_o forty_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o gospel_n suppose_v the_o same_o thing_n the_o jew_n do_v not_o put_v jesus_n christ_n to_o death_n but_o they_o carry_v he_o to_o pilate_n and_o demand_v that_o he_o may_v be_v crucify_v when_o pilate_n say_v shall_v i_o crucify_v your_o king_n they_o answer_v we_o have_v no_o other_o king_n but_o cesar_n which_o confession_n be_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n who_o be_v assemble_v at_o the_o feast_n of_o passover_n in_o short_a one_o sees_z that_z according_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n past_o sentence_n upon_o he_o he_o be_v scourge_v before_o they_o lead_v he_o to_o be_v crucify_v which_o be_v a_o punishment_n among_o the_o roman_n his_o body_n be_v not_o take_v from_o the_o cross_n but_o by_o permission_n from_o pilate_n and_o the_o roman_a soldier_n be_v those_o dog_n that_o be_v profane_a heathen_n who_o enclose_v he_o and_o torment_v he_o according_a to_o the_o description_n which_o david_n have_v make_v psalm_n xxii_o the_o jew_n have_v here_o but_o one_o answer_n to_o make_v which_o god_n former_a deal_n with_o that_o people_n seem_v somewhat_o to_o countenance_n which_o be_v that_o as_o their_o seventy_o year_n captivity_n under_o the_o babylonian_a empire_n do_v not_o hinder_v the_o differ_v of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n of_o the_o sceptre_n not_o depart_v from_o judah_n for_o some_o century_n after_o the_o say_a captivity_n so_o neither_o be_v it_o necessary_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o succeed_v immediate_o upon_o the_o end_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o upon_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o liberty_n under_o pompey_n but_o here_o be_v a_o very_a great_a difference_n for_o first_o during_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n god_n still_o preserve_v among_o they_o some_o form_n of_o government_n the_o great_a lord_n of_o the_o country_n be_v chief_o carry_v away_o captive_n whilst_o the_o poor_a and_o most_o miserable_a be_v leave_v behind_o second_o the_o captivity_n last_v only_o 70_o year_n whereâ—â—_n this_o last_o dispersion_n have_v last_v above_o â—â—600_n three_o the_o first_o captivity_n do_v not_o at_o all_o abolish_v those_o necessary_a mark_n whereby_o the_o lawful_a lord_n of_o judea_n may_v be_v distinguish_v those_o that_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o other_o tribe_n be_v very_o well_o know_v though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o possession_n of_o the_o kingdom_n whereas_o now_o every_o thing_n be_v confound_v among_o they_o and_o if_o one_o look_n into_o christian_a record_n he_o may_v find_v that_o many_o of_o the_o kindred_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v put_v to_o death_n because_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o the_o throne_n of_o judea_n moreover_o during_o the_o captivity_n of_o babylon_n they_o have_v prophet_n among_o they_o who_o express_o foretell_v the_o end_n of_o it_o whereas_o nothing_o of_o that_o kind_n have_v yet_o be_v see_v since_o the_o last_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n since_o which_o time_n no_o prophet_n have_v appear_v among_o they_o that_o advantage_n be_v transfer_v to_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o which_o who_o next_o succeed_v our_o saviour_n do_v foretell_v the_o most_o remarkable_a event_n that_o be_v to_o follow_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n but_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v so_o nice_a as_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n here_o allege_v at_o least_o the_o jew_n will_v find_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n concern_v the_o week_n at_o the_o end_n of_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v and_o afterward_o to_o be_v out_o off_o in_o short_a if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v under_o the_o empire_n of_o augustus_n it_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o he_o enter_v upon_o his_o ministry_n in_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n and_o be_v crucify_v the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n that_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o four_o hundred_o eighty_o seven_o year_n from_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o artaxerne_n that_o be_v 〈…〉_o before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o last_o week_n point_v out_o by_o daniel_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o eight_o chapter_n of_o the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o book_n chap._n vi_o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v precise_o such_o a_o forerunner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v describe_v to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n one_o will_v easy_o judge_v that_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o contemptible_a state_n wherein_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v a_o forerunner_n according_o we_o find_v isaiah_n express_v himself_o in_o his_o manner_n the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3292_o almost_o 700_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n malachy_n have_v express_o foretell_v the_o same_o in_o his_o prophecy_n about_o 420_o year_n before_o his_o appearance_n if_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o son_n of_o a_o priest_n live_v without_o any_o worldly_a spendour_n and_o die_v a_o violent_a death_n though_o very_o glorious_a for_o he_o be_v a_o proper_a forerunner_n to_o that_o jesus_n who_o himself_o be_v to_o be_v crucify_a our_o business_n therefore_o be_v to_o inquire_v whether_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v to_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n do_v agree_v with_o john_n the_o baptist_n in_o who_o the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o this_o prophecy_n of_o malachy_n be_v fulfil_v this_o may_v be_v easy_o make_v out_o first_o john_n the_o baptist_n be_v miraculous_o conceive_v at_o a_o time_n when_o his_o parent_n can_v not_o promise_v themselves_o any_o such_o thing_n the_o angel_n gabriel_n who_o have_v declare_v to_o daniel_n the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n by_o point_v out_o to_o he_o the_o number_n of_o week_n be_v the_o messenger_n of_o the_o conception_n of_o this_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n several_a thing_n pass_v at_o his_o birth_n and_o at_o the_o time_n when_o they_o give_v he_o his_o name_n which_o be_v very_o strange_a and_o which_o can_v not_o but_o be_v general_o know_v as_o well_o because_o of_o the_o accident_n which_o happen_v to_o zacharias_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o of_o his_o quality_n be_v a_o priest_n second_o the_o extraordinary_a life_n which_o s._n john_n lead_v be_v a_o nazarite_n aught_o to_o be_v careful_o consider_v he_o live_v in_o a_o solitary_a place_n as_o the_o prophet_n elijah_n do_v before_o he_o three_o his_o preach_v also_o have_v the_o character_n of_o that_o ancient_a prophet_n be_v thunder_a as_o his_o be_v he_o neither_o spare_v great_a man_n nor_o those_o who_o have_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o great_a sanctity_n as_o the_o pharisee_n particular_o who_o pride_n and_o hypocrisy_n he_o touch_v to_o the_o quick_a four_o he_o set_v forth_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o at_o the_o door_n the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n say_v he_o be_v at_o hand_n allude_v to_o the_o seven_o of_o daniel_n where_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v represent_v as_o a_o kingdom_n which_o be_v to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n whereas_o the_o former_a empire_n have_v their_o rise_n from_o the_o earth_n in_o short_a nothing_o can_v be_v more_o illustrious_a than_o the_o ministry_n of_o this_o great_a man._n he_o baptise_a public_o for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o year_n such_o as_o come_v to_o he_o solemn_o engage_v they_o to_o repentance_n in_o hope_n of_o the_o sudden_a appearance_n pearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o ceremony_n which_o be_v a_o imitation_n of_o their_o custom_n of_o initiate_a proselyte_n in_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v plain_o a_o essay_n to_o establish_v a_o new_a religion_n or_o at_o least_o to_o reform_v those_o corruption_n which_o time_n have_v introduce_v into_o the_o jewish_a religion_n in_o a_o word_n we_o find_v he_o so_o general_o follow_v that_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n think_v fit_a to_o send_v deputy_n to_o he_o to_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v not_o the_o messiah_n they_o expect_v this_o great_a man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o abuse_v the_o great_a credit_n he_o have_v gain_v that_o he_o solemn_o protest_v that_o he_o be_v only_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v already_o come_v but_o be_v as_o yet_o conceal_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o his_o glory_n become_v so_o illustrious_a that_o it_o stir_v up_o jealousy_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o herod_n who_o cast_v he_o into_o prison_n and_o at_o last_o cause_v his_o head_n to_o be_v cut_v off_o in_o the_o castle_n of_o macherom_n to_o satisfy_v the_o lewd_a herodias_n who_o
jew_n that_o our_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n have_v take_v away_o all_o the_o glory_n which_o can_v be_v reserve_v for_o that_o messiah_n who_o they_o expect_v they_o must_v if_o they_o be_v jealous_a for_o the_o glory_n of_o he_o who_o they_o look_v for_o endeavour_v to_o make_v the_o world_n forsake_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o can_v have_v no_o place_n in_o that_o state_n wherein_o the_o world_n be_v at_o present_a but_o though_o this_o reflection_n upon_o the_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o oracle_n concern_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n may_v suffice_v yet_o i_o think_v myself_o bind_v to_o make_v some_o further_a observation_n upon_o this_o subject_a in_o short_a every_o thing_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n at_o present_a that_o the_o person_n first_o employ_v in_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n be_v s._n peter_n to_o who_o jesus_n christ_n have_v promise_v the_o honour_n of_o sound_v his_o church_n among_o the_o nation_n and_o who_o himself_o at_o first_o thought_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v unlawful_a and_o who_o after_o a_o vision_n give_v he_o for_o that_o very_a purpose_n observe_v the_o jewish_a custom_n and_o oblige_v the_o gentile_n to_o do_v the_o same_o neither_o do_v i_o observe_v that_o the_o first_o who_o be_v call_v be_v cornelius_n a_o roman_a officer_n who_o reside_v at_o caesarea_n where_o he_o become_v a_o proselyte_n behold_v here_o a_o man_n engage_v to_o examine_v that_o which_o he_o have_v a_o better_a opportunity_n to_o do_v than_o any_o one_o else_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o charge_n whether_o what_o the_o soldier_n have_v depose_v concern_v the_o disciple_n steal_v away_o the_o body_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v true_a or_o no._n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o 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the_o world_n if_o the_o cross_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v prove_v the_o scandal_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o look_v upon_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o fountain_n of_o blessing_n and_o the_o cross_n as_o a_o accurse_a punishment_n it_o be_v look_v upon_o no_o otherwise_o than_o as_o a_o heap_n of_o folly_n by_o the_o greek_n who_o boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o world_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o other_o gentile_n yet_o after_o all_o this_o one_o see_v we_o a_o prodigious_a success_n and_o a_o surprise_v extent_n of_o this_o call._n within_o a_o little_a time_n the_o world_n be_v fill_v with_o christian_n s._n paul_n write_v to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o asia_n greece_n and_o italy_n s._n peter_n to_o those_o of_o pontus_n s._n john_n to_o those_o who_o be_v among_o the_o parthian_n there_o be_v not_o want_v some_o in_o the_o very_a emperor_n court_n even_o that_o of_o nero_n who_o put_v s._n peter_n and_o s._n paul_n to_o death_n in_o the_o sixty_o seven_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n one_o can_v attend_v to_o a_o success_n of_o this_o nature_n without_o be_v extreme_o surprise_v let_v we_o conceive_v of_o a_o dozen_o or_o thereabouts_o of_o poor_a beggar_n a_o dozen_o of_o unlearned_a man_n come_v out_o of_o judea_n who_o shall_v accuse_v the_o whole_a world_n of_o folly_n and_o impiety_n every_o one_o oppose_v they_o especial_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v incense_v to_o see_v they_o go_v about_o to_o establish_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o the_o world_n as_o a_o doctrine_n which_o will_v explain_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o messiah_n of_o those_o promise_n wherewith_o the_o jew_n have_v fill_v all_o the_o east_n and_o which_o have_v render_v they_o at_o this_o time_n double_o ridiculous_a when_o instead_o of_o persecute_v the_o apostle_n they_o harken_v unto_o they_o or_o even_o when_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o chain_n and_o prison_n they_o be_v examine_v they_o declare_v that_o true_a godliness_n consist_v in_o know_v jesus_n christ_n even_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o be_v crucify_v in_o judea_n for_o who_o name_n be_v sake_n they_o have_v be_v public_o scourge_v by_o order_n of_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n thus_o we_o find_v s._n paul_n boast_v of_o his_o severe_a usage_n if_o person_n question_v they_o more_o particular_o about_o the_o action_n of_o this_o jesus_n they_o answer_v cold_o that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n that_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o our_o flesh_n in_o the_o womb_n of_o a_o virgin_n that_o when_o he_o be_v become_v man_n and_o yet_o a_o infant_n herod_n seek_v to_o kill_v he_o to_o avoid_v which_o he_o be_v carry_v into_o egypt_n that_o after_o have_v live_v thirty_o year_n obscure_o in_o a_o carpenter_n shop_n he_o be_v take_v by_o the_o jew_n scourge_v mock_v crown_v with_o thorn_n nail_v to_o the_o cross_n where_o they_o give_v he_o vinegar_n to_o drink_v that_o there_o he_o cry_v out_o my_o god_n my_o god_n why_o have_v thou_o forsake_v i_o that_o he_o die_v be_v bury_v and_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v before_o his_o death_n but_o what_o be_v it_o that_o this_o jesus_n teach_v to_o those_o that_o will_v follow_v he_o his_o apostle_n in_o his_o name_n require_v all_o man_n to_o renounce_v the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n to_o abhor_v polygamy_n and_o fornication_n and_o instead_o of_o revenge_v a_o affront_n to_o turn_v the_o other_o cheek_n to_o he_o that_o smite_v we_o and_o to_o leave_v our_o cloak_n also_o with_o he_o who_o take_v our_o coat_n from_o we_o to_o go_v two_o mile_n with_o he_o who_o constrain_v we_o to_o guide_v he_o one_o to_o love_v our_o enemy_n and_o to_o wish_v well_o and_o pray_v for_o those_o that_o despiteful_o use_v we_o and_o persecute_v we_o but_o what_o reward_n will_v he_o give_v to_o his_o servant_n the_o apostle_n answer_v that_o he_o promise_v nothing_o that_o be_v considerable_a in_o this_o life_n but_o a_o everlasting_a happiness_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v it_o be_v visible_a that_o nothing_o seem_v to_o be_v worse_o contrive_v to_o gain_v credit_n than_o this_o story_n the_o weakness_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v visible_a he_o be_v crucify_v what_o ground_n be_v here_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v his_o promise_n the_o service_n he_o prescribe_v be_v very_o rough_a the_o reward_n he_o propose_v be_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n and_o moreover_o it_o be_v such_o as_o appear_v very_o doubtful_a to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o furnish_v with_o strong_a impression_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o of_o a_o life_n to_o come_v but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o apostle_n solid_o demonstrate_v that_o he_o be_v god_n and_o not_o a_o mere_a man_n that_o he_o can_v raise_v the_o dead_a and_o that_o he_o can_v perform_v his_o promise_n though_o they_o do_v not_o say_v bring_v hither_o the_o blind_a the_o lame_a and_o the_o deaf_a and_o we_o will_v heal_v they_o in_o his_o name_n present_v your_o dead_a to_o we_o and_o we_o will_v raise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v bear_v of_o mary_n of_o that_o jesus_n who_o die_v and_o cry_v out_o on_o the_o cross_n my_o god_n my_o god_n why_o have_v thou_o forsake_v i_o for_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o miraculous_a power_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v be_v only_o exert_v upon_o certain_a occasion_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n make_v choice_n of_o yet_o they_o do_v that_o which_o be_v equivalent_a for_o when_o blind_a man_n be_v bring_v to_o they_o they_o say_v you_o blind_a in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n recover_v your_o sight_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n to_o the_o leper_n to_o possess_v person_n to_o the_o sick_a of_o the_o
the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n they_o relate_v they_o as_o fact_n for_o the_o most_o part_n own_v by_o the_o jew_n from_o which_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n extort_a other_o consequence_n they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o judgement_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v concern_v the_o miracle_n that_o he_o wrought_v on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n upon_o the_o disciple_n gather_v the_o ear_n of_o corn_n of_o the_o answer_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v to_o pilate_n we_o have_v no_o other_o king_n but_o cesar_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v a_o general_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a knowledge_n of_o the_o prophecy_n that_o respect_v the_o messiah_n and_o a_o great_a impossibility_n of_o apply_v those_o oracle_n to_o particular_a fact_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n have_v not_o be_v beyond_o contest_v now_o we_o find_v very_o few_o oracle_n of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o make_v a_o application_n to_o the_o life_n and_o action_n of_o our_o saviour_n we_o will_v suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v man_n of_o great_a ability_n and_o who_o have_v long_o study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o they_o may_v tear_v out_o such_o small_a passage_n as_o they_o fancy_v may_v be_v applicable_a to_o jesus_n christ_n however_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o their_o write_n that_o they_o have_v such_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o the_o prophecy_n whence_o it_o may_v follow_v that_o they_o judge_v they_o to_o be_v applicable_a to_o christ_n by_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v 2._o that_o they_o have_v this_o knowledge_n in_o common_a with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o at_o this_o day_n apply_v the_o same_o text_n to_o the_o messiah_n if_o they_o be_v not_o constrain_v by_o their_o clearness_n to_o wrest_v they_o some_o other_o way_n the_o three_o reflection_n be_v that_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o these_o fact_n they_o give_v we_o all_o the_o mark_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a sincerity_n they_o represent_v indeed_o whatsoever_o be_v for_o their_o master_n glory_n but_o they_o do_v as_o well_o relate_v those_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v shameful_a to_o his_o memory_n they_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o angel_n that_o assist_v at_o his_o birth_n and_o at_o his_o death_n but_o tell_v we_o withal_o that_o he_o be_v tempt_v of_o the_o devil_n and_o in_o all_o appearance_n forsake_v by_o god_n at_o his_o death_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o multitude_n be_v resolve_v to_o take_v he_o by_o force_n and_o make_v he_o their_o king_n as_o acknowledge_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o same_o multitude_n some_o time_n after_o demand_v he_o to_o be_v crucify_v the_o four_o be_v that_o they_o represent_v very_o natural_o all_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o synagogue_n against_o jesus_n they_o represent_v he_o as_o excommunicate_v and_o crucify_v by_o they_o they_o describe_v the_o report_n that_o be_v current_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o disciple_n have_v take_v away_o his_o body_n out_o of_o the_o sepulchre_n that_o the_o soldier_n have_v depose_v the_o same_o in_o the_o form_n of_o law_n before_o pilate_n from_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v faithful_a historian_n and_o not_o at_o all_o prepossess_v and_o that_o they_o use_v no_o invective_n against_o the_o author_n of_o these_o false_a report_n content_v themselves_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n by_o specify_v the_o place_n the_o time_n the_o witness_n and_o other_o circumstance_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n they_o relate_v these_o four_o reflection_n be_v once_o suppose_v i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n or_o to_o call_v their_o authority_n in_o question_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o which_o one_o needs_o only_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n which_o pass_v under_o their_o name_n the_o other_o be_v that_o their_o faithfulness_n be_v not_o to_o be_v suspect_v by_o we_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v that_o nothing_o will_v be_v certain_a in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o this_o be_v question_v the_o four_o evangelist_n have_v publish_v their_o write_n in_o populous_a city_n where_o they_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v every_o lord_n day_n in_o christian_a assembly_n as_o s._n justin_n martyr_n assure_v we_o in_o his_o apology_n which_o be_v write_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o second_o century_n the_o apostle_n write_v their_o epistle_n to_o numerous_a church_n to_o who_o their_o hand_n as_o well_o as_o the_o person_n by_o who_o they_o send_v they_o be_v well_o know_v can_v we_o instance_n in_o any_o write_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v be_v preserve_v with_o the_o like_a carefulness_n let_v the_o jew_n tell_v we_o what_o they_o please_v concern_v the_o care_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o ancestor_n to_o preserve_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o can_v allege_v nothing_o but_o we_o can_v allege_v the_o same_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o moses_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o a_o curse_n have_v forbid_v the_o add_v any_o thing_n thereto_o and_o do_v not_o we_o read_v the_o same_o threaten_n in_o the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o philosopher_n of_o each_o sect_n have_v nothing_o of_o this_o weight_n to_o allege_v as_o a_o argument_n that_o the_o book_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o their_o master_n be_v real_o they_o we_o find_v only_o a_o few_o man_n in_o every_o age_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n physician_n and_o lawyer_n but_o ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n there_o have_v be_v christian_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o peruse_v and_o preserve_v their_o write_n as_o consider_v that_o they_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o eternal_a life_n one_o may_v upon_o this_o occasion_n take_v notice_n of_o two_o thing_n which_o deserve_v some_o attention_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o design_n of_o some_o heretic_n as_o of_o martion_n for_o instance_n to_o corrupt_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o of_o his_o sect_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v in_o short_a we_o find_v all_o the_o world_n oppose_v themselves_o against_o this_o corruption_n and_o confute_v they_o by_o the_o agreement_n of_o all_o the_o other_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v exempt_a from_o this_o corruption_n the_o other_o be_v that_o if_o there_o be_v some_o book_n who_o authority_n be_v doubtful_a for_o some_o time_n by_o those_o who_o otherwise_o be_v account_v orthodox_n yet_o this_o can_v just_o prejudice_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o happen_v only_o to_o some_o few_o epistle_n which_o be_v write_v not_o to_o particular_a church_n but_o to_o whole_a nation_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o common_a sense_n that_o when_o write_n be_v send_v to_o whole_a body_n as_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n judas_n without_o communicate_v the_o copy_n to_o particular_a man_n that_o they_o may_v with_o more_o justice_n be_v suspect_v than_o those_o who_o hand_n be_v know_v by_o many_o and_o particular_o by_o those_o to_o who_o the_o epistle_n be_v send_v moreover_o the_o account_n which_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n give_v we_o of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o nature_n sufficient_o show_v that_o they_o be_v very_o careful_a in_o examine_v these_o thing_n and_o when_o at_o any_o time_n some_o particular_a man_n do_v not_o use_v care_n enough_o in_o examine_v these_o book_n as_o it_o once_o happen_v in_o the_o church_n of_o ross_n 12._o euseb_n lib._n vi_o cap._n 12._o where_o a_o book_n which_o be_v false_o attribute_v to_o s._n peter_n be_v preserve_v suppose_v it_o to_o have_v be_v he_o the_o other_o church_n not_o consent_v to_o it_o that_o abuse_n be_v soon_o remedy_v the_o write_n abolish_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o weak_a remembrance_n leave_v of_o they_o one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o remark_n be_v sufficient_a to_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n which_o bear_v their_o name_n and_o if_o this_o way_n of_o confirm_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v account_v good_a and_o solid_a when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o book_n of_o aristotle_n or_o hypocrates_n it_o must_v be_v infinite_o
suppose_v if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o they_o have_v not_o see_v he_o after_o his_o death_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v have_v any_o concern_n for_o his_o glory_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v condemn_v and_o anathematise_v he_o as_o a_o impostor_n who_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o false_a miracle_n and_o a_o affect_a holiness_n have_v abuse_v they_o whereas_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o they_o defend_v the_o glory_n of_o jesus_n christ_n with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o that_o with_o so_o constant_a a_o testimony_n to_o his_o resurrection_n that_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o reproach_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o punishment_n and_o most_o cruel_a death_n to_o confirm_v the_o belief_n of_o that_o fact._n they_o despise_v the_o anathema_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n they_o contemn_v their_o public_a obloquy_n they_o value_v not_o the_o hatred_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n they_o preach_v this_o crucify_a person_n in_o judea_n they_o preach_v he_o also_o in_o other_o country_n that_o he_o may_v be_v equal_o adore_v by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n they_o leave_v their_o employment_n to_o follow_v this_o jesus_n and_o after_o they_o have_v accompany_v he_o three_o year_n they_o depart_v from_o judea_n to_o go_v and_o confound_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o world_n and_o within_o rome_n itself_o to_o decry_v the_o god_n they_o worship_v oblige_v they_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o who_o the_o man_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v crucify_v for_o their_o god_n he_o who_o have_v be_v the_o detestation_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o who_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n have_v give_v up_o to_o their_o fury_n in_o make_v he_o undergo_v the_o punishment_n appoint_v for_o slave_n last_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n in_o this_o whole_a question_n that_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v so_o uniform_a so_o solemn_a so_o well_o confirm_v by_o all_o manner_n of_o mean_n and_o seal_v with_o their_o death_n be_v not_o contest_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o historian_n of_o that_o time_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a either_o for_o jew_n or_o gentile_n than_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o hand_n they_o be_v master_n of_o the_o public_a record_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o general_a concernment_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o a_o imposture_n of_o so_o terrible_a a_o consequence_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v entire_o false_a neither_o be_v it_o less_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o expose_v a_o sect_n of_o who_o pliny_n the_o young_a tell_v we_o that_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n join_v with_o they_o though_o they_o be_v persecute_v with_o incredible_a violence_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o find_v no_o body_n that_o have_v contradict_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o any_o author_n that_o have_v write_v against_o jesus_n christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n a_o long_a time_n after_o indeed_o there_o be_v a_o book_n see_v call_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n publish_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n which_o endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o those_o act_n be_v contradict_v by_o all_o the_o heathen_a historian_n yet_o remain_v that_o be_v contemporay_v with_o the_o apostle_n final_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v immediate_o convince_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o belief_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v pass_v from_o judea_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o prediction_n which_o god_n give_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o our_o saviour_n chap._n xix_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n what_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o establish_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o for_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o reader_n concern_v so_o weighty_a a_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v superadd_a some_o few_o more_o reflection_n first_o of_o all_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v vast_o different_a from_o those_o which_o may_v be_v suspect_v as_o forgery_n when_o the_o four_o evangelist_n have_v relate_v the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n they_o next_o set_v down_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n with_o the_o action_n of_o his_o life_n until_o his_o death_n which_o do_v not_o comprehend_v above_o four_o or_o five_o year_n s._n luke_n write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o s._n paul_n and_o take_v in_o only_a the_o space_n of_o about_o thirty_o year_n now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o they_o who_o confine_v themselves_o to_o so_o narrow_a limit_n in_o respect_n of_o time_n place_n and_o person_n have_v any_o design_n to_o impose_v the_o remainder_n of_o these_o book_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o write_n one_o epistolary_n and_o the_o other_o prophetical_a for_o the_o prophetical_a part_n time_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o apocalypse_v as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o which_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o epistle_n beside_o some_o moral_a instruction_n they_o be_v almost_o all_o employ_v in_o decide_v some_o question_n which_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n have_v raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n we_o know_v that_o of_o all_o write_n epistle_n be_v the_o most_o certain_a monument_n and_o those_o which_o man_n endeavour_v to_o forge_v least_o after_o all_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v with_o great_a care_n set_v down_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o event_n happen_v as_o well_o according_a to_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o point_v out_o to_o we_o their_o solemn_a feast_n as_o that_o of_o the_o gentile_n by_o set_v down_o the_o year_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o the_o character_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n a_o second_o character_n which_o hinder_v we_o from_o accuse_v these_o book_n as_o forgery_n be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o these_o book_n be_v of_o a_o very_a particular_a nature_n they_o contain_v several_a considerable_a oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o same_o generation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o croesus_n a_o continue_a series_n of_o miracle_n of_o which_o all_o judea_n be_v witness_v they_o contain_v a_o great_a number_n of_o sermon_n preach_v upon_o several_a illustrious_a occasion_n in_o the_o synagogue_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o before_o thousand_o of_o people_n in_o the_o wilderness_n let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v these_o write_n to_o be_v receive_v if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v late_o forge_v this_o three_o reflection_n be_v also_o considerable_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o epistle_n themselves_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v numerous_a church_n at_o rome_n corinth_n thessalonica_n philippi_n ephesus_n antioch_n and_o in_o several_a other_o famous_a place_n it_o be_v also_o know_v that_o there_o be_v jewish_a synagogue_n in_o the_o same_o place_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n what_o possibility_n be_v there_o of_o suspect_v the_o least_o imposture_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o we_o consider_v how_o they_o be_v draw_v up_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o only_o preach_v in_o the_o synagogue_n the_o same_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v put_v in_o writing_n but_o they_o also_o engage_v the_o jew_n to_o examine_v they_o because_o they_o affirm_v they_o with_o a_o constancy_n which_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o as_o incredible_a obstinacy_n first_o of_o all_o that_o these_o be_v thing_n beyond_o dispute_n and_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v of_o second_o that_o they_o have_v be_v long_o since_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n three_o that_o they_o be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o other_o prophecy_n which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n four_o that_o see_v they_o can_v not_o question_v the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o ought_v to_o renounce_v judaisme_n to_o receive_v baptism_n and_o
all_o write_n with_o public_a allowance_n after_o every_o king_n decease_n may_v indeed_o be_v so_o about_o the_o latter_a time_n as_o it_o be_v practise_v in_o egypt_n but_o that_o it_o be_v as_o absolute_o false_a that_o the_o chinese_n have_v ever_o in_o former_a time_n such_o public_a historian_n and_o as_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v former_o any_o such_o although_o they_o be_v as_o confident_a to_o say_v they_o have_v in_o alexander_n time_n as_o the_o chinese_n be_v now_o but_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o clear_n of_o that_o matter_n we_o must_v now_o answer_v the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n chap._n xxi_o wherein_o the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v as_o i_o intend_v to_o clear_v all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v arise_v about_o this_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v peruse_v these_o observation_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o prevent_v and_o resolve_v the_o only_a plausible_a objection_n i_o know_v remain_v after_o all_o what_o i_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a perhaps_o some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o reply_v here_o that_o they_o indeed_o confess_v moses_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n and_o that_o if_o that_o book_n have_v real_o be_v supposititious_a it_o can_v never_o have_v go_v under_o his_o name_n nor_o be_v receive_v as_o he_o in_o after_o age_n but_o that_o yet_o all_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v sufficient_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n record_v in_o that_o book_n because_o moses_n may_v have_v force_v upon_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o belief_n of_o they_o by_o those_o law_n that_o he_o enact_v among_o they_o by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o dare_v to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v write_v in_o his_o book_n this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o that_o the_o most_o contentious_a atheist_n can_v think_v of_o to_o undermine_v the_o authority_n of_o moses_n history_n but_o this_o objection_n be_v easy_o answer_v for_o it_o consute_v itself_o for_o first_o it_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o great_a miracle_n by_o which_o god_n establish_v moses_n the_o head_n and_o captain_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o miracle_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o hard_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o several_a account_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n we_o find_v according_o among_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o many_o monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n when_o he_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o egypt_n as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o other_o four_o book_n of_o moses_n second_o they_o must_v at_o least_o suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o several_a passage_n in_o which_o he_o can_v not_o impose_v upon_o other_o nation_n which_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v his_o authority_n as_o for_o example_n all_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o build_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o great_a piece_n of_o architecture_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n the_o great_a building_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o part_n of_o which_o be_v yet_o extant_a for_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v three_o they_o must_v likewise_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v relate_v several_a other_o passage_n as_o exact_o as_o he_o do_v those_o as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n which_o be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n that_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n the_o original_a of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n of_o canaan_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n for_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o conceive_v that_o this_o lawgiver_n shall_v ever_o hope_v to_o persuade_v other_o nation_n to_o believe_v any_o false_a story_n about_o matter_n so_o well_o and_o so_o general_o know_v as_o those_o be_v among_o themselves_o four_o they_o must_v suppose_v further_a that_o he_o have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n who_o head_n and_o governor_n he_o be_v how_o great_a and_o absolute_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n may_v be_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o ever_o he_o will_v have_v derive_v the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n from_o any_o other_o than_o from_o their_o true_a ancestor_n this_o appear_v the_o more_o necessary_a in_o that_o we_o see_v by_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n and_o pedigree_n in_o genesis_n that_o he_o write_v that_o book_n especial_o from_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n on_o to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o only_o to_o show_v the_o right_n and_o just_a pretension_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n five_o they_o must_v yet_o further_o acknowledge_v whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o give_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o the_o pretension_n and_o division_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n now_o these_o pretension_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n than_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o his_o history_n they_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o oracle_n against_o all_o the_o pretension_n and_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n what_o violence_n soever_o they_o may_v pretend_v that_o moses_n may_v use_v to_o force_v a_o implicit_a belief_n of_o his_o history_n and_o blind_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n yet_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n can_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o will_v have_v fill_v the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n with_o lie_n or_o that_o if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v expect_v that_o his_o false_a account_n of_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v credit_v by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n or_o even_o by_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o without_o urge_v here_o several_a other_o absurdity_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n to_o be_v find_v betwixt_o the_o account_n of_o thing_n which_o moses_n recite_v as_o public_o know_v and_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v of_o his_o own_o head_n and_o private_a knowledge_n there_o be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v betwixt_o all_o those_o several_a account_n such_o a_o natural_a coherence_n and_o necessary_a concatenation_n that_o they_o can_v be_v divide_v from_o one_o another_o without_o destroy_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o his_o history_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o law_n by_o which_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o narration_n shall_v make_v the_o sincerity_n of_o it_o suspect_v i_o do_v not_o urge_v here_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evident_a absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n will_v ever_o have_v relate_v together_o all_o those_o transaction_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o the_o world_n before_o he_o neither_o do_v i_o mention_v here_o that_o suppose_v moses_n have_v be_v so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o attempt_v such_o a_o undertake_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n and_o that_o a_o very_a numerous_a one_o will_v have_v long_o persevere_v in_o a_o profession_n force_v upon_o they_o by_o mere_a violence_n and_o tyranny_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v neither_o so_o patient_a nor_o so_o easy_o persuade_v by_o moses_n nor_o yet_o so_o submissive_a to_o he_o as_o these_o objector_n do_v imagine_v that_o be_v plain_a and_o apparent_a enough_o from_o all_o their_o sedition_n and_o conspiracy_n against_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o what_o be_v plain_a enough_o of_o itself_o viz._n that_o moses_n have_v no_o successor_n any_o way_n concern_v to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v these_o pretend_a fiction_n and_o fable_n of_o his_o history_n joshua_n his_o immediate_a successor_n be_v of_o another_o tribe_n and_o so_o be_v all_o the_o succeed_a governor_n of_o israel_n until_o the_o maccabee_n come_v but_o what_o i_o think_v deserve_v best_a to_o be_v observe_v here_o be_v that_o after_o moses_n and_o joshua_n decease_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v under_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o canaanite_n and_o consequent_o free_v from_o the_o terror_n of_o that_o law_n of_o moses_n make_v by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n â—nd_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o his_o write_n there_o be_v but_o a_o
little_a more_o than_o forty_o year_n interval_n betwixt_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n by_o joshua_n and_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o israelite_n under_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fit_a time_n then_o to_o cast_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o to_o publish_v the_o pretend_a lie_n and_o imposture_n of_o his_o history_n be_v not_o the_o comparison_n which_o the_o israelite_n can_v easy_o make_v betwixt_o the_o mosaic_a write_n and_o the_o tradition_n general_o receive_v in_o the_o country_n of_o their_o captivity_n a_o natural_a and_o ready_a mean_n to_o undeceive_v they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o see_v that_o they_o obstinate_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o several_a transaction_n record_v by_o moses_n and_o stand_v firm_o to_o all_o their_o pretension_n nay_o we_o see_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o remedy_n of_o repentance_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v they_o to_o use_v in_o those_o sad_a misfortune_n which_o he_o foretell_v shall_v befall_v they_o and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o promise_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o god_n will_v miraculous_o deliver_v they_o which_o indeed_o be_v do_v according_o even_o fourteen_o time_n within_o less_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n can_v there_o then_o be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n that_o if_o moses_n make_v it_o death_n by_o one_o of_o his_o sanction_n for_o any_o of_o the_o israelite_n to_o contest_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o his_o write_n or_o of_o his_o oracle_n and_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o to_o force_v the_o belief_n of_o they_o without_o examination_n but_o rather_o only_o to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n of_o that_o people_n and_o their_o mingle_n and_o confound_v themselves_o with_o the_o heathen_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o hinder_v on_o purpose_n because_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v according_a to_o his_o promise_n out_o of_o that_o nation_n which_o to_o effect_v he_o think_v fit_a in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o employ_v the_o rigour_n of_o some_o capital_a law_n to_o keep_v that_o people_n unmixed_a and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v chap._n xxii_o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n these_o several_a observation_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v all_o i_o think_v very_o natural_a and_o easy_a and_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v solid_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o conclusion_n that_o i_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o premise_n be_v that_o first_o i_o assert_v that_o moses_n that_o famous_a hebrew_n who_o be_v design_v to_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n be_v the_o true_a and_o sole_a author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n second_o i_o maintain_v that_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v he_o can_v not_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o write_v record_v those_o important_a transaction_n he_o relate_v otherwise_o than_o they_o real_o come_v to_o pass_v three_o i_o maintain_v that_o though_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o have_v make_v the_o description_n of_o it_o according_a to_o such_o a_o authentic_a tradition_n as_o can_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v of_o because_o it_o be_v then_o the_o universal_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o of_o the_o edomite_n who_o be_v all_o of_o sem_n posterity_n and_o among_o who_o he_o have_v be_v travel_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o but_o also_o of_o the_o egyptian_n of_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o a_o word_n of_o all_o man_n then_o live_v in_o the_o world._n four_o i_o maintain_v that_o he_o never_o be_v find_v fault_n with_o nor_o contradict_v till_o true_a reason_n and_o sense_n if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o be_v lose_v and_o banish_v from_o among_o mankind_n till_o the_o egyptian_n for_o example_n they_o who_o use_v before_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o greek_n as_o mere_a child_n and_o idiot_n be_v fall_v into_o so_o great_a a_o stupidity_n and_o deprivation_n of_o sense_n as_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v that_o man_n be_v first_o bear_v in_o egypt_n because_o forsooth_o frog_n do_v natural_o as_o they_o think_v breed_v out_o of_o their_o muddy_a fen_n and_o marsh_n five_o i_o maintain_v that_o for_o many_o age_n after_o moses_n no_o body_n do_v ever_o public_o declare_v for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o for_o its_o fortuitous_a production_n these_o opinion_n be_v mere_a absurdity_n and_o chimaera_n bring_v forth_o into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o chaldean_n and_o greek_n only_o about_o alexander_n time_n or_o perhaps_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o i._n e._n about_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n decease_n six_o i_o maintain_v that_o see_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a time_n to_o be_v find_v wherein_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n be_v interrupt_v and_o discontinue_v for_o any_o considerable_a time_n among_o the_o jew_n see_v it_o continue_v still_o to_o this_o very_a hour_n among_o they_o every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o they_o be_v disperse_v and_o see_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v impose_v upon_o they_o without_o their_o perceive_v and_o declare_v present_o the_o novelty_n and_o supposition_n of_o that_o account_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v see_v all_o this_o be_v certain_a i_o do_v positive_o maintain_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v better_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v by_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n because_o in_o it_o moses_n have_v follow_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o the_o age_n that_o precede_v he_o and_o only_o record_v in_o write_v what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o a_o time_n when_o every_o man_n be_v able_a to_o run_v his_o own_o pedigree_n up_o to_o adam_n last_o i_o maintain_v that_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o without_o reject_v at_o the_o same_o time_n all_o those_o proof_n from_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v to_o strengthen_v my_o assertion_n so_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a as_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n confirm_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n believe_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n of_o the_o world_n who_o do_v not_o only_o believe_v it_o but_o also_o have_v always_o have_v according_a to_o god_n command_n the_o memory_n of_o it_o celebrate_v among_o they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n in_o all_o their_o generation_n fifty_o two_o time_n in_o a_o year_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world._n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n preface_n when_o i_o begin_v at_o first_o these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o design_v only_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man_n and_o so_o to_o show_v by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o neither_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n after_o his_o sin_n can_v reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o i_o design_v after_o that_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n by_o such_o another_o undeniable_a argument_n viz._n by_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o and_o institute_v a_o solemn_a day_n in_o every_o week_n to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o among_o man_n from_o their_o time_n down_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o as_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n every_o week_n can_v easy_o run_v back_o to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v by_o the_o weekly_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n prove_v christ_n resurrection_n which_o occasion_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o