the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n appear_v therein_o with_o so_o much_o lustre_n the_o former_a of_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o and_o the_o latter_a of_o the_o next_o chapter_n as_o the_o pull_n down_o of_o the_o scaffold_n which_o be_v only_o set_v up_o to_o build_v a_o palace_n be_v a_o infallible_a sign_n that_o the_o building_n be_v finish_v so_o one_o may_v say_v that_o the_o total_a deface_v of_o the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o the_o law_n that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o come_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a proof_n that_o he_o be_v already_o come_v it_o be_v worth_a our_o pain_n to_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o this_o overthrow_n that_o we_o may_v conclude_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o if_o the_o messiah_n be_v yet_o to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o know_v he_o according_a to_o the_o character_n which_o god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o before_o his_o appear_v in_o the_o first_o place_n therefore_o whereas_o god_n have_v confine_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n of_o who_o one_o part_n that_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o cham_n possess_v egypt_n and_o africa_n the_o posterity_n of_o japhet_n europe_n and_o the_o lesser_a asia_n and_o those_o of_o shem_n the_o rest_n of_o asia_n the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v drive_v from_o that_o country_n and_o far_o from_o be_v restore_v to_o it_o after_o seventy_o year_n as_o they_o be_v by_o cyrus_n they_o have_v be_v for_o ever_o banish_v thence_o by_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n who_o forbid_v they_o so_o much_o as_o to_o turn_v their_o eye_n towards_o judea_n which_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 135._o the_o heathen_a celsus_n insult_v over_o they_o in_o these_o remarkable_a word_n they_o have_v no_o more_o say_v he_o either_o land_n or_o house_n remain_v to_o they_o second_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o have_v any_o remainder_n of_o a_o temporal_a power_n 21._o disperse_v palabunâ—_n 〈◊〉_d coeli_fw-la 〈…〉_o svi_fw-la extâ—_fw-it 〈◊〉_d vagantâ—â—_fw-la per_fw-la orb_v fine_a homine_fw-la sine_fw-la deo_fw-la rege_fw-la quibus_fw-la nec_fw-la advenarum_fw-la jure_fw-la terram_fw-la patriam_fw-la saltem_fw-la vestigio_fw-la sâ—lutare_fw-la comeditur_fw-la apolog_fw-la cap._n 21._o that_o they_o be_v then_o whole_o deprive_v of_o it_o see_v what_o tertullian_n say_v of_o they_o in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n 204._o they_o wander_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n like_o despersed_a vagabond_n banish_v from_o their_o climate_n and_o country_n without_o man_n without_o god_n for_o their_o king_n and_o be_v not_o permit_v as_o stranger_n to_o set_v foot_n on_o their_o native_a soil_n we_o read_v a_o decree_n of_o honorus_n the_o emperor_n which_o deprive_v they_o of_o the_o right_n of_o nominate_v their_o patriarch_n or_o of_o pay_v they_o any_o tribute_n which_o show_v that_o their_o authority_n whas_fw-ge whole_o extinct_a three_o their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v in_o the_o seventieth_n year_n of_o our_o lord_n as_o that_o in_o egypt_n call_v onion_n be_v the_o year_n follow_v it_o can_v never_o be_v build_v again_o notwithstanding_o that_o julian_n the_o apostate_n out_o of_o his_o hatred_n to_o the_o christian_n favour_v that_o enterprise_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n 363._o there_o be_v a_o letter_n still_o extant_a which_o julian_n write_v to_o the_o jew_n to_o assure_v they_o of_o his_o protection_n and_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o that_o work_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o his_o death_n which_o dash_v that_o undertake_n as_o a_o very_a memorable_a opposition_n from_o heaven_n marcelinus_n a_o heathen_a give_v we_o this_o account_n of_o it_o inceptum_fw-la lib._n 23._o imperiique_fw-la svi_fw-la memoriam_fw-la magnitudine_fw-la operum_fw-la gestiens_fw-la propagare_fw-la ambitiosum_fw-la quondam_a apud_fw-la hierosolymam_fw-la templum_fw-la quod_fw-la post_fw-la multa_fw-la &_o interneciva_fw-la certamina_fw-la obsidente_fw-la vespasiano_n posteaque_fw-la tito_n aegre_fw-la est_fw-la expugnatum_fw-la instaurare_fw-la sumptibus_fw-la cogitabat_fw-la immodicis_fw-la negotiumque_fw-la maturandum_fw-la alypio_fw-la dederat_fw-la antiochensi_fw-la qui_fw-la olim_fw-la britannias_fw-it cur_n averat_o pro-praefectis_a cum_fw-la itaque_fw-la rei_fw-la idem_fw-la fortiter_fw-la instaret_fw-la alypius_n juvaretque_fw-la provinciae_fw-la rector_n metuendi_fw-la globi_fw-la flammarum_fw-la prope_fw-la fundamenta_fw-la crebris_fw-la assultibus_fw-la erumpentes_fw-la fecere_fw-la locum_fw-la exustis_fw-la aliquoties_fw-la operatibus_fw-la inaccessum_fw-la hocque_fw-la modo_fw-la elemento_fw-la destinatius_fw-la repellente_fw-la cessavit_fw-la inceptum_fw-la and_o be_v desirous_a to_o propagate_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o government_n by_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o work_n he_o with_o vast_a expense_n design_v to_o rebuild_v the_o splendid_a temple_n which_o be_v former_o at_o jerusalem_n which_o after_o many_o and_o bloody_a battle_n be_v besiege_v by_o vespasian_n and_o afterward_o by_o titus_n be_v at_o last_o take_v with_o difficulty_n he_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o hasten_v the_o business_n to_o alypius_n of_o antioch_n who_o have_v former_o be_v pro-praefect_a of_o britain_n as_o therefore_o this_o alypius_n be_v vigorous_o prosecute_a the_o work_n be_v assist_v by_o the_o lieutenant_n of_o the_o province_n terrible_a ball_n of_o fire_n frequent_o break_v forth_o near_o the_o foundation_n sometime_o burn_v the_o workman_n and_o make_v the_o place_n inaccessible_a thus_o the_o design_n be_v lay_v aside_o the_o element_n itself_o beat_v they_o back_o on_o purpose_n julian_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o their_o religion_n will_v perish_v and_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v restore_v without_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o four_o place_n the_o observation_n of_o some_o of_o their_o law_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v as_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a empire_n thus_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v to_o have_v many_o wife_n upon_o this_o overthrow_n many_o inconvenience_n follow_v which_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o represent_v at_o one_o view_n 1._o they_o no_o long_o know_v those_o person_n who_o at_o the_o first_o division_n of_o the_o land_n by_o joshua_n be_v owner_n of_o the_o different_a part_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n 2._o their_o family_n and_o tribe_n be_v confound_v their_o jubilee_n which_o can_v not_o be_v keep_v but_o in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o which_o oblige_v they_o to_o study_v their_o genealogy_n have_v cease_v long_o since_o 3._o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v at_o this_o day_n utter_o unknown_a 4._o they_o have_v no_o more_o lawful_a priest_n to_o observe_v the_o primogeniture_n to_o examine_v the_o token_n of_o virginity_n though_o it_o appear_v that_o according_a to_o god_n design_n these_o law_n be_v give_v on_o purpose_n to_o ascertain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o be_v like_o enclosure_n about_o this_o important_a truth_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o which_o it_o may_v be_v the_o better_o examine_v certain_o if_o the_o jew_n be_v still_o in_o possession_n of_o judea_n if_o they_o have_v their_o king_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n if_o they_o have_v their_o priest_n if_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o their_o genealogy_n if_o they_o still_o enjoy_v all_o the_o other_o necessary_a mean_n for_o establish_v the_o certainty_n of_o their_o descent_n if_o their_o temple_n have_v still_o subsist_v in_o its_o former_a lustre_n and_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n appoint_v by_o the_o law_n be_v still_o offer_v there_o the_o jew_n may_v bold_o answer_v that_o the_o shiloh_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v that_o be_v they_o ought_v not_o to_o despair_v of_o see_v the_o messiah_n bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o david_n and_o enter_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n which_o determin_n 490_o year_n for_o the_o term_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v and_o be_v cut_v off_o by_o a_o violent_a death_n and_o punishment_n will_v seem_v to_o be_v elude_v but_o the_o term_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_n be_v past_a the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v overturn_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v 1600_o year_n since_o there_o be_v no_o more_o genealogy_n among_o the_o jew_n they_o do_v not_o know_v their_o tribe_n much_o less_o their_o family_n how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v be_v true_a in_o his_o oracle_n as_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v if_o they_o be_v never_o answer_v by_o the_o event_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v the_o argument_n we_o have_v allege_v to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n and_o especial_o those_o demonstration_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v give_v we_o without_o acknowledge_v these_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o examine_v whether_o he_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
upon_o they_o continual_o especial_o every_o sabbath_n day_n nay_o and_o we_o see_v moreover_o that_o god_n every_o seven_o year_n will_v have_v they_o read_v public_o in_o a_o more_o solemn_a manner_n before_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o that_o people_n who_o during_o that_o year_n be_v oblige_v to_o rest_v from_o all_o their_o ordinary_a labour_n and_o employment_n and_o so_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v all_o that_o while_n but_o to_o read_v the_o law_n to_o examine_v it_o and_o to_o meditate_v upon_o it_o last_o it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v yet_o the_o more_o solemn_a and_o authentic_a because_o they_o oblige_v the_o jew_n to_o celebrate_v three_o such_o feast_n as_o be_v to_o be_v public_o keep_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o consequent_o apt_a to_o refresh_v their_o memory_n and_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n thrice_o a_o year_n not_o only_o of_o the_o surprise_v miracle_n that_o god_n have_v do_v for_o they_o but_o also_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o give_v and_o promulgate_v his_o law_n the_o miracle_n give_v rise_v to_o the_o law_n and_o those_o law_n be_v themselves_o a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o miracle_n because_o of_o the_o frequent_a commemoration_n of_o they_o which_o be_v therein_o enjoin_v now_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o let_v every_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o god_n give_v and_o promulgate_a by_o his_o mean_n that_o body_n of_o law_n which_o he_o have_v insert_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n can_v possible_o or_o at_o least_o reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o but_o i_o come_v now_o to_o con-the_a oracle_n record_v in_o moses_n write_n in_o order_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o they_o chap._n vii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n can_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n be_v history_n in_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o oracle_n which_o he_o have_v record_v in_o his_o book_n there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o oracle_n in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o other_o three_o follow_a book_n first_o there_o be_v some_o whereof_o the_o accomplishment_n do_v soon_o follow_v the_o prediction_n the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o the_o egyptian_a bondage_n be_v of_o that_o number_n moses_n do_v promise_n and_o foretell_v it_o nay_o and_o he_o execute_v it_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o people_n to_o who_o it_o be_v promise_v and_o foretell_v be_v themselves_o witness_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n and_o it_o be_v that_o accomplishment_n which_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o his_o commission_n so_o be_v the_o other_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o several_a division_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n moses_n foretell_v exact_o what_o lot_n every_o one_o shall_v have_v and_o give_v beside_o a_o description_n of_o the_o country_n that_o every_o tribe_n be_v to_o inhabit_v those_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o desert_n be_v witness_n both_o of_o the_o prediction_n and_o the_o execusion_n of_o it_o although_o it_o be_v by_o the_o cast_n of_o lot_n that_o all_o the_o tribe_n get_v their_o several_a partition_n but_o second_o there_o be_v some_o other_o oracle_n in_o moses_n book_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v the_o prediction_n till_o after_o a_o long_a interval_n of_o time_n such_o be_v the_o prophecy_n that_o foretell_v the_o future_a subjection_n of_o the_o israelite_n to_o the_o canaanite_n and_o the_o several_a deliverance_n out_o of_o that_o subjection_n which_o god_n be_v to_o effect_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o judge_n who_o he_o be_v to_o raise_v up_o for_o that_o purpose_n such_o again_o be_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o future_a change_n of_o their_o common_a wealth_n into_o a_o kingly_a government_n three_o and_o last_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n foretell_v all_o the_o accident_n change_n and_o revolution_n that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o jew_n as_o long_o as_o their_o state_n shall_v stand_v at_o least_o we_o see_v that_o his_o prediction_n be_v very_o plain_a concern_v their_o several_a captivity_n and_o removal_n and_o their_o return_n into_o the_o holy_a land_n as_o also_o the_o sieges_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o irrecoverable_a dispersion_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n which_o we_o see_v at_o present_a but_o whatever_o difference_n there_o may_v otherwise_o be_v betwixt_o all_o these_o prediction_n we_o may_v say_v that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v as_o pregnant_a proof_n of_o its_o certainty_n and_o truth_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o for_o first_o as_o to_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o prediction_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o moses_n relate_v himself_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o his_o account_n can_v in_o the_o least_o be_v suspect_v of_o imposture_n because_o he_o write_v it_o among_o a_o whole_a nation_n which_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o case_n see_v he_o suppose_v and_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v all_o along_o in_o his_o relation_n that_o those_o prediction_n be_v beforehand_o public_o and_o general_o know_v of_o all_o the_o people_n as_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophecy_n we_o have_v the_o relation_n of_o it_o in_o such_o other_o book_n as_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n death_n as_o in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n of_o judge_n and_o several_a other_o which_o relate_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o as_o of_o prophecy_n write_v many_o year_n and_o even_o some_o age_n before_o by_o moses_n beside_o to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o account_n which_o we_o find_v in_o those_o book_n concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v interweave_v with_o such_o history_n as_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o his_o prophecy_n as_o well_o as_o his_o write_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o the_o world_n and_o distinct_o know_v by_o every_o jew_n and_o what_o be_v further_a observable_a be_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v moses_n book_n in_o such_o a_o esteem_n because_o of_o these_o several_a illustrious_a prophecy_n that_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o that_o they_o have_v always_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o most_o excellent_a of_o all_o their_o prophet_n they_o assert_v at_o this_o very_a day_n that_o the_o other_o prophet_n have_v common_o no_o other_o knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n than_o that_o which_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o by_o dream_n and_o vision_n whereas_o moses_n have_v it_o by_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o god_n himself_o who_o use_v to_o speak_v to_o he_o face_n to_o face_n without_o any_o enthusiasm_n when_o he_o be_v perfect_o awake_a now_o how_o can_v ever_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v so_o strong_o prepossess_v of_o that_o high_a opinion_n both_o of_o moses_n and_o his_o prediction_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o they_o never_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o any_o of_o they_o that_o will_v certain_o be_v as_o strange_a a_o illusion_n as_o ever_o be_v for_o it_o be_v beside_o observable_a that_o those_o prophecy_n of_o he_o be_v not_o write_v by_o themselves_o and_o keep_v secret_a from_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n but_o that_o they_o be_v insert_v into_o the_o several_a speech_n which_o he_o make_v to_o all_o the_o people_n some_o time_n before_o his_o death_n and_o which_o be_v write_v and_o keep_v together_o in_o the_o same_o volume_n to_o be_v a_o stand_a monument_n both_o of_o his_o prophecy_n and_o of_o his_o ministry_n among_o the_o jew_n now_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o book_n that_o be_v all_o make_v up_o of_o prophecy_n and_o so_o keep_v secret_a and_o seldom_o read_v as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n be_v and_o a_o book_n wherein_o the_o prophecy_n it_o contain_v be_v interweave_v with_o a_o history_n wherein_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o matter_n as_o draw_v to_o it_o and_o fix_v the_o attention_n of_o every_o reader_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v mingle_v with_o a_o whole_a body_n of_o political_n and_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o intermix_v with_o the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o all_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o give_v the_o occasion_n to_o so_o many_o several_a revelation_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o his_o book_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v those_o reflection_n upon_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o jew_n entertain_v of_o moses_n prerogative_n and_o upon_o the_o manner_n that_o his_o prophecy_n so_o much_o reverence_v among_o they_o be_v exact_o accomplish_v and_o not_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o divine_a authority_n chap._n viii_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o constant_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o oracle_n relate_v
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
carry_v away_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n by_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o moses_n confirm_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o confirm_v beyond_o exception_n at_o least_o far_o beyond_o the_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n it_o remain_v only_o now_o to_o examine_v whether_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v not_o the_o same_o certainty_n when_o we_o look_v back_o from_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o about_o 580_o year_n i_o say_v then_o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v they_o forge_v during_o that_o period_n first_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o form_n we_o now_o see_v they_o but_o that_o the_o forgery_n must_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o the_o world._n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o all_o their_o family_n or_o synagogue_n and_o every_o seven_o year_n beside_o nothing_n be_v of_o more_o easy_a observation_n than_o whether_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o three_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o passover_n pentecost_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v obey_v the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n whether_o relate_v to_o particular_a person_n to_o tribe_n or_o their_o land_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o possess_v of_o they_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o suppose_v a_o insensible_a change_n wrought_v either_o in_o in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o civil_a government_n or_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o unsufferable_a piece_n of_o boldness_n to_o charge_v the_o jew_n with_o forge_v these_o book_n of_o moses_n or_o adulterate_v of_o they_o in_o this_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o appear_v they_o have_v keep_v they_o without_o any_o alteration_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2700_o year_n as_o have_v be_v show_v already_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n and_o disperse_v into_o distant_a country_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o forge_v or_o adulterate_v any_o of_o the_o say_a book_n because_o it_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v discover_v it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o the_o same_o reason_n take_v place_n in_o this_o interval_n of_o 580_o year_n for_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n to_o rehoboam_n they_o be_v not_o only_o great_o divide_v among_o themselves_o but_o almost_o continual_o subject_a to_o neighbour_a state_n who_o subdue_v they_o by_o turn_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n moreover_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n first_o that_o these_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o rise_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o fiction_n which_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n second_o that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v evident_o confirm_v by_o the_o follow_a book_n of_o joshuah_n and_o judge_n which_o have_v a_o essential_a reference_n to_o the_o same_o and_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o public_a act_n of_o many_o nation_n attest_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o that_o the_o say_a book_n be_v so_o close_o link_v and_o relate_v to_o those_o public_a and_o know_v action_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o separate_v the_o law_n they_o contain_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n attest_v by_o pagan_a history_n or_o to_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o equal_o lay_v down_o that_o platform_n of_o their_o policy_n and_o worship_n my_o business_n at_o present_a only_o be_v to_o hint_n these_o general_a reflection_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o sequel_n will_v oblige_v i_o to_o make_v some_o more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o each_o book_n when_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o consider_v the_o several_a relation_n they_o contain_v i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n where_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o deluge_n with_o other_o matter_n until_o the_o death_n of_o joseph_n which_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2369_o year_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a forasmuch_o as_o among_o those_o matter_n which_o moses_n relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v depend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o i_o must_v make_v it_o my_o business_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v that_o god_n create_v a_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o due_a time_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n for_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n i_o shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_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 first_o part_n take_v in_o all_o that_o happen_v after_o moses_n till_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n and_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n the_o three_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o the_o jewish_a captivity_n and_o after_o their_o re-establishment_n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o book_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o this_o people_n in_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o epocha_n which_o have_v not_o certain_a character_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o relation_n by_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n which_o it_o have_v either_o with_o those_o event_n which_o go_v before_o it_o or_o with_o those_o which_o follow_v it_o and_o this_o by_o a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a dependence_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o observation_n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n which_o contain_v the_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v the_o execution_n of_o moses_n design_n who_o bring_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o go_v and_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o a_o country_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o division_n of_o this_o land_n among_o the_o tribe_n be_v the_o title_n which_o each_o tribe_n have_v to_o its_o possession_n in_o it_o and_o this_o division_n subsist_v a_o great_a while_n very_o distinct_a and_o well_o know_v by_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o this_o people_n there_o happen_v no_o considerable_a change_n but_o only_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n carry_v the_o ten_o tribe_n into_o captivity_n after_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o three_o year_n of_o the_o world_n the_o country_n continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n under_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n without_o any_o change_n ensue_v upon_o their_o transportation_n into_o babylon_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o chapter_n of_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n this_o book_n have_v a_o very_a natural_a influence_n upon_o the_o follow_a book_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o alliance_n which_o the_o gibeonite_n get_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o surprise_n it_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o all_o that_o happen_v for_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o in_o david_n reign_n under_o who_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v already_o change_v into_o a_o monarchical_a government_n have_v in_o all_o appearance_n undergo_v a_o great_a alteration_n the_o book_n of_o judge_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o joshua_n the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o quarrel_n with_o the_o nation_n which_o they_o have_v subdue_v or_o with_o their_o neighbour_n as_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n descend_v from_o lot_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o this_o people_n that_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n there_o we_o may_v see_v for_o instance_n the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o defensive_a part_n because_o god_n forbid_v they_o to_o set_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n whereas_o these_o last_o pretend_v that_o israel_n have_v usurp_v some_o part_n of_o their_o country_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o remarkable_a markable_a as_o the_o action_n of_o these_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o those_o different_a captivity_n through_o which_o they_o pass_v for_o three_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o year_n together_o but_o we_o may_v find_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o of_o they_o preserve_v by_o those_o public_a hymn_n which_o be_v famous_a throughout_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o these_o illustrious_a monument_n of_o their_o judicial_a authority_n which_o be_v preserve_v among_o they_o and_o which_o keep_v up_o a_o remembrance_n of_o they_o among_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n for_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v observe_v with_o care_n that_o since_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o invent_v any_o thing_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o will_v not_o be_v well_o know_v by_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n as_o the_o tyrian_n who_o keep_v up_o their_o own_o government_n till_o alexander_n time_n who_o subdue_v they_o entire_o and_o the_o moabite_n who_o empire_n continue_v for_o fourteen_o age_n after_o lot_n time_n until_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a for_o any_o fabulous_a relation_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o obtain_v authority_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o thing_n considerable_a but_o the_o conversion_n of_o ruth_n a_o moabitess_n who_o rely_v upon_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o house_n of_o juda_n out_o of_o which_o she_o have_v marry_v her_o husband_n but_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n beside_o 1._o of_o the_o exact_a practice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o a_o relation_n who_o die_v without_o issue_n 2._o of_o their_o lively_a remembrance_n of_o the_o deed_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o juda_n incest_n with_o thamar_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o however_o as_o a_o fountain_n and_o a_o pattern_n of_o blessing_n 3._o of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n who_o this_o author_n represent_v as_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n from_o a_o moabitess_n which_o not_o make_v much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o eli_n and_o samuel_n judicature_n of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o a_o monarchy_n under_o saul_n of_o david_n anoint_v saul_n rejection_n and_o death_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o david_n his_o victory_n his_o design_n of_o build_v a_o temple_n a_o design_n which_o god_n leave_v to_o solomon_n to_o execute_v his_o war_n with_o the_o ammonite_n his_o crime_n with_o bathshebah_n his_o son_n absalom_n insurrection_n against_o he_o and_o his_o great_a success_n against_o his_o enemy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o two_o book_n which_o have_v not_o a_o exact_a connexion_n with_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v one_o see_v we_o throughout_o a_o exact_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o see_v we_o throughout_o monument_n set_v up_o in_o several_a place_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o particular_a action_n one_o see_v we_o also_o in_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n with_o their_o neighbour_n a_o constant_a series_n of_o those_o old_a difference_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o jealousy_n of_o these_o nation_n against_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n which_o the_o jew_n reckon_v but_o as_o one_o book_n contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o solomon_n establishment_n in_o the_o place_n of_o david_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o empire_n which_o be_v carry_v by_o david_n to_o the_o bank_n of_o eüphrates_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o his_o marriage_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n daughter_n of_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o his_o own_o palace_n with_o the_o help_n of_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n visit_n to_o solomon_n of_o his_o alliance_n with_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o edomite_n the_o zidonian_o and_o the_o hittite_n think_v by_o these_o marriage_n to_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n between_o his_o people_n and_o these_o nation_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n all_o this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o solomon_n reign_n and_o as_o there_o never_o be_v so_o famous_a a_o reign_n in_o judea_n so_o never_o be_v there_o any_o of_o which_o there_o be_v leave_v so_o many_o monument_n as_o well_o there_o as_o in_o the_o neighbour_a country_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o in_o the_o same_o book_n the_o division_n of_o solomon_n empire_n into_o two_o government_n that_o of_o juda_n which_o continue_v from_o solomon_n death_n during_o the_o reign_n of_o eighteen_o successor_n for_o three_o hundred_o eighty_o six_o year_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nebuchaanezzar_n and_o that_o of_o israel_n form_v by_o jeroboam_n which_o last_v two_o hundred_o fifty_o four_o year_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o nineteen_o successor_n until_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n the_o history_n of_o the_o chronicle_n which_o be_v write_v about_o twenty_o six_o year_n after_o that_o of_o the_o king_n carry_v
it_o be_v a_o very_a considerable_a thing_n that_o in_o all_o the_o series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n there_o be_v not_o one_o generation_n among_o all_o the_o offspring_n of_o the_o people_n but_o what_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o several_a of_o these_o oracle_n a_o little_a attention_n and_o care_n in_o compare_v the_o chronology_n of_o the_o oracle_n with_o that_o of_o the_o event_n will_v sufficient_o justify_v what_o i_o say_v i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o observe_v their_o different_a order_n which_o will_v satisfy_v a_o judicious_a reader_n since_o my_o design_n do_v not_o engage_v i_o necessary_o to_o do_v a_o thing_n which_o will_v carry_v i_o too_o far_o and_o which_o may_v be_v do_v with_o little_a application_n we_o may_v consider_v four_o sort_n of_o oracle_n 1._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n nigh_o at_o hand_n 2._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n but_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n 3._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o fact_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n 4._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o fact_n which_o belong_v to_o foreign_a nation_n either_o border_n upon_o palestina_n or_o further_o from_o it_o now_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o exact_o fulfil_v as_o these_o four_o sort_n of_o oracle_n you_o have_v for_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v nigh_o at_o hand_n and_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n the_o oracle_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o advancement_n of_o joshua_n and_o the_o conquest_n of_o palestine_n which_o happen_v soon_o after_o you_o have_v debora_n oracle_n of_o the_o victory_n promise_v to_o barak_n you_o have_v samuel_n oracle_n of_o the_o advancement_n and_o rejection_n of_o saul_n you_o have_v a_o oracle_n of_o the_o same_o samuel_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o david_n you_o have_v nathan_n oracle_n concern_v absalom_n revolt_n you_o have_v ahijah_n oracle_n concern_v the_o advancement_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o the_o division_n of_o solomon_n kingdom_n into_o ten_o tribe_n and_o into_o two_o tribe_n whereof_o the_o lesser_a part_n be_v to_o continue_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o solomon_n heir_n you_o have_v ahijah_n prediction_n of_o the_o death_n of_o jeroboam_n son._n you_o have_v a_o prediction_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o jehu_n in_o the_o place_n of_o jehoram_fw-la king_n of_o israel_n you_o have_v elijah_n prediction_n of_o the_o exemplary_a punishment_n of_o ahab_n and_o jezabel_n you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o jehoiakim_n death_n make_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxii_o 18_o 19_o and_o chap._n xxxvi_o 30._o which_o happen_v ten_o year_n after_o you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o jechoniah_n misery_n make_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxii_o 3._o you_o have_v jeremiah_n prediction_n of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n ananiah_n but_o seven_o month_n before_o it_o happen_v you_o have_v a_o express_a designation_n of_o zorobabel_n to_o conclude_v the_o re-building_n of_o the_o temple_n make_v by_o zechariah_n chap._n iu._n 9_o and_o which_o be_v complete_v in_o four_o year_n it_o be_v therefore_o full_o evident_a that_o the_o prediction_n of_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v to_o happen_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n serve_v to_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o effect_n one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o proceed_v upon_o the_o authority_n which_o those_o prediction_n of_o near_a event_n give_v they_o to_o foretell_v other_o particular_a event_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n so_o you_o see_v that_o moses_n foretell_v after_o a_o sort_n after_o jacob_n the_o manner_n how_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o be_v divide_v though_o the_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o lot._n you_o see_v the_o same_o moses_n foretell_v the_o several_a captivity_n which_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n suffer_v after_o the_o conquest_n and_o the_o method_n of_o god_n raise_v up_o several_a judge_n to_o the_o number_n of_o fourteen_o to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o those_o calamity_n you_o see_v the_o same_o moses_n foretell_v that_o the_o temple_n shall_v be_v build_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o it_o be_v the_o least_o you_o have_v joshua_n prediction_n of_o the_o way_n how_o the_o re_fw-mi builder_n of_o jericho_n shall_v be_v exemplary_o punish_v which_o be_v accomplish_v in_o ahab_n time_n i_o king_n xvi_o 34_o about_o 570_o year_n after_o this_o prophetical_a imprecation_n of_o joshua_n you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o a_o prophet_n who_o be_v contemporary_a to_o jeroboam_n about_o the_o birth_n of_o josiah_n which_o be_v not_o till_o 350_o year_n after_o i_o king_n xiii_o and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o destroy_v the_o altar_n which_o jeroboam_n build_v one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o samaria_n within_o 65_o year_n by_o isaiah_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o jotham_n one_o see_v we_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n foretell_v by_o several_a of_o the_o prophet_n one_o see_v we_o the_o take_n of_o tyre_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n foretell_v by_o isaiah_n chap._n xxiii_o 15_o 17._o one_o see_v we_o the_o promise_n of_o its_o re-establishment_n seventy_o year_n after_o its_o destruction_n one_o see_v we_o the_o promise_n of_o cyrus_n birth_n make_v by_o isaiah_n chap._n xliv_o 45._o as_o of_o one_o that_o shall_v restore_v liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o give_v they_o opportunity_n of_o re-building_n their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n will_v treat_v the_o jew_n in_o his_o life_n time_n and_o how_o he_o shall_v be_v punish_v for_o his_o cruelty_n and_o sacrilege_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o maccabee_n who_o shall_v oppose_v the_o tyranny_n of_o that_o prince_n and_o purify_v anew_o the_o divine_a worship_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o foretell_v of_o these_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n revive_v the_o memory_n of_o these_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o every_o age_n and_o make_v they_o read_v they_o with_o a_o singular_a attention_n one_o ought_v also_o to_o make_v the_o same_o reflection_n upon_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o particular_a event_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o its_o continuance_n until_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n after_o which_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v its_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n without_o remedy_n in_o short_a one_o may_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o revolution_n never_o so_o little_a considerable_a of_o which_o we_o do_v not_o find_v very_o many_o and_o very_o particular_a prediction_n foretell_v by_o several_a prophet_n upon_o very_o different_a occasion_n and_o particular_a circumstance_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n exact_a description_n of_o the_o pilgrimage_n of_o abraham_n posterity_n of_o their_o continuance_n in_o egypt_n of_o the_o oppression_n they_o be_v there_o to_o undergo_v of_o their_o prodigious_a increase_n of_o their_o rob_v the_o egyptian_n at_o their_o departure_n of_o their_o method_n in_o conquer_a the_o land_n of_o canaan_n of_o the_o way_n how_o king_n shall_v arise_v from_o abraham_n which_o be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n and_o at_o last_o in_o the_o israelite_n one_o see_v we_o express_v prediction_n of_o the_o several_a judge_n who_o god_n shall_v raise_v up_o to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n one_o see_v we_o a_o express_a prediction_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n to_o the_o kingdom_n one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o future_a subjection_n of_o the_o edomite_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o of_o their_o conquer_a of_o the_o country_n which_o lie_v along_o the_o bank_n of_o euphrates_n which_o be_v fulfil_v in_o david_n time_n one_o see_v we_o a_o express_a division_n of_o that_o kingdom_n into_o two_o very_a unequal_a part_n one_o see_v we_o great_a number_n of_o prediction_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n 30._o two_o king_n x._o 30._o for_o instance_n you_o have_v a_o oracle_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jehu_n family_n in_o the_o four_o generation_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v express_o foretell_v and_o the_o term_n be_v very_o exact_o set_v down_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o its_o king_n be_v also_o express_o foretell_v the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o babylon_n and_o their_o re-establishment_n by_o cyrus_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v also_o very_o distinct_o foretell_v the_o desolation_n of_o judea_n under_o the_o empire_n of_o alexander_n successor_n be_v foretell_v very_o exact_o their_o re-establishment_n after_o these_o desolation_n and_o the_o way_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v defend_v by_o the_o maccabee_n
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
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 confine_v myself_o to_o some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o this_o matter_n i_o consider_v first_o the_o difficulty_n which_o be_v upon_o all_o account_n in_o this_o design_n of_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o prodigious_a success_n which_o this_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n meet_v with_o according_a to_o the_o prophet_n to_o make_v we_o understand_v this_o difficulty_n better_o we_o need_v only_o consider_v 1._o what_o be_v the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n even_o those_o who_o be_v become_v christian_n 2._o what_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o heathen_n enjoy_v each_o their_o several_a religion_n for_o a_o long_a time_n than_o any_o history_n can_v trace_v it_o they_o attribute_v the_o happiness_n of_o their_o state_n and_o family_n to_o their_o gods._n 3._o we_o must_v observe_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o preach_n by_o which_o the_o gentile_n be_v convert_v its_o subject_n be_v the_o strange_a thing_n in_o 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
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o maintain_v against_o the_o christian_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o about_o the_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o these_o character_n the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v come_v the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o prove_v it_o by_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o these_o character_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o proper_a character_n to_o know_v he_o by_o and_o so_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v be_v elude_v and_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n equal_o deceive_v in_o take_v that_o for_o a_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v not_o or_o else_o that_o both_o the_o messiah_n be_v certain_o come_v and_o and_o that_o he_o be_v no_o other_o than_o that_o jesus_n who_o we_o worship_v chap._n xxi_o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o double_a stumble_a block_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o religion_n say_v they_o propound_v doctrine_n that_o be_v inconceivable_a and_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n that_o of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n these_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o jew_n reject_v as_o absolute_o incompatible_a with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o answer_v this_o objection_n 1._o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o total_a forgetfulness_n of_o the_o solidity_n of_o those_o proof_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v allege_v jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o be_v a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o several_a witness_n it_o appear_v from_o tacitus_n that_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v death_n under_o tiberius_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v know_v that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o christian_n from_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 54._o it_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n in_o his_o life_n of_o nero_n that_o he_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o burn_a the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_n therefore_o make_v a_o considerable_a body_n in_o the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 64._o suetonius_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o pliny_n in_o trajan_n time_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o meeting_n 3._o dion_n cassius_n set_v down_o the_o accusation_n bring_v in_o against_o flavius_n and_o domitilla_n as_o against_o atheist_n which_o be_v the_o title_n julian_n the_o apostate_n give_v to_o constantine_n because_o the_o christian_n reject_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a gods._n 4._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 63_o and_o yet_o this_o book_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o s._n luke_n to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o it_o and_o s._n luke_n gospel_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v already_o publish_v 5._o it_o appear_v from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v then_o write_v and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o book_n of_o s._n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o s._n justin._n these_o fact_n which_o be_v certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n as_o eye_n witness_n maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n after_o this_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v dispute_v by_o what_o power_n he_o be_v raise_v whether_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o by_o his_o own_o but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v the_o fact_n by_o reason_v draw_v from_o preten_v absurdity_n which_o one_o may_v think_v to_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o these_o mystery_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o idea_n of_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o which_o not_o be_v distinct_o know_v by_o we_o may_v raise_v difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o i_o will_v discourse_v with_o one_o bear_v blind_a of_o the_o sun_n of_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o sun_n the_o production_n of_o light_n and_o afterward_o of_o heat_n he_o will_v find_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n not_o to_o imagine_v three_o sun_n it_o be_v know_v how_o the_o philosopher_n who_o agree_v about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v notwithstanding_o be_v oblige_v to_o attribute_v several_a faculty_n to_o it_o which_o the_o common_a people_n look_v upon_o as_o very_o different_a thing_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o christian_n prove_v very_o solid_o that_o these_o mystery_n have_v be_v clear_o propose_v by_o the_o apostle_n who_o receive_v their_o light_n from_o heaven_n as_o to_o these_o truth_n and_o so_o may_v necessary_o be_v believe_v upon_o their_o word_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v former_o believe_v moreover_o they_o assert_v that_o these_o doctrine_n be_v first_o express_v though_o not_o so_o clear_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o christian_n i_o add_v to_o these_o remark_n that_o most_o of_o those_o fact_n who_o truth_n be_v so_o invincible_o establish_v suppose_v these_o doctrine_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o religion_n do_v so_o necessary_o require_v they_o that_o we_o rob_v it_o of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o its_o glory_n in_o question_v or_o contest_v any_o of_o they_o these_o reflection_n may_v suffice_v in_o general_a to_o resolve_v this_o difficulty_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o for_o a_o more_o particular_a satisfaction_n we_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o those_o book_n which_o purposely_o treat_v of_o these_o mystery_n desire_v he_o to_o observe_v careful_o that_o common_o the_o most_o difficult_a objection_n of_o heretic_n against_o these_o matter_n do_v rather_o oppose_v the_o term_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o or_o the_o notion_n which_o man_n follow_v in_o speak_v of_o these_o truth_n than_o the_o proposition_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n at_o least_o one_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v constrain_v to_o resolve_v several_a parallel_n objection_n to_o which_o one_o can_v scarce_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n without_o borrow_v some_o distinction_n and_o notion_n from_o the_o christian_n neither_o can_v the_o second_o objection_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v we_o any_o more_o disturbance_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o have_v be_v division_n among_o christian_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n what_o can_v we_o conclude_v thence_o can_v we_o reasonable_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o christianity_n be_v doubtful_a concern_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o support_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a upon_o a_o attentive_a observation_n one_o may_v find_v 1._o that_o heresy_n have_v only_o serve_v to_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n more_o incontestable_a by_o oblige_v those_o that_o have_v consider_v of_o they_o to_o examine_v their_o certainty_n with_o more_o care_n and_o application_n this_o be_v the_o judgement_n one_o ought_v to_o make_v upon_o all_o those_o heresy_n in_o the_o second_o age_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o death_n from_o thence_o man_n take_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o collect_v with_o great_a care_n all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o these_o fact_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o contest_v do_v not_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o the_o several_a consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n continue_v still_o beyond_o dispute_n this_o we_o find_v in_o the_o dispute_v raise_v about_o the_o millennium_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v equal_o believe_v by_o both_o the_o dispute_a party_n but_o different_o understand_v according_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o those_o that_o consider_v of_o they_o some_o form_v gross_a and_o sensual_a conception_n concern_v they_o other_o have_v a_o more_o spiritual_a relish_n which_o they_o have_v acquire_v by_o study_v the_o prophecy_n and_o their_o true_a sense_n 3._o we_o find_v that_o this_o division_n which_o have_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o solid_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o some_o fool_n have_v endeavour_v to_o decry_v some_o of_o they_o or_o to_o falsify_v some_o particular_a place_n we_o see_v that_o both_o party_n unite_v to_o repel_v that_o violence_n by_o produce_v their_o copy_n and_o beat_v back_o the_o impostor_n with_o their_o unite_a strength_n one_o see_v we_o that_o tertullian_n though_o a_o montanist_n write_v prescription_n against_o heretic_n and_o epiphanius_n take_v notice_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o some_o that_o be_v orthodox_n of_o their_o crime_n in_o blot_v out_o of_o their_o copy_n that_o christ_n have_v weep_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o karaite_n and_o thalmudist_n the_o jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n and_o the_o division_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o hinder_v its_o corruption_n each_o party_n be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o hinder_v their_o adversary_n from_o attempt_v any_o thing_n to_o its_o prejudice_n in_o corrupt_v a_o book_n which_o they_o consider_v as_o common_a to_o they_o all_o i_o may_v observe_v many_o other_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o the_o truth_n from_o these_o human_a fail_n but_o i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o which_o have_v always_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o considerable_a and_o that_o be_v that_o these_o heretic_n distinct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n a_o impious_a person_n will_v have_v reason_n to_o accuse_v our_o oracle_n as_o false_a if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o heresy_n but_o truth_n triumph_v in_o see_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v the_o more_o she_o see_v we_o herself_o confirm_v and_o establish_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n induce_v god_n to_o permit_v so_o great_a a_o increase_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o the_o truth_n meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o persecution_n stand_v in_o the_o great_a need_n of_o sensible_a character_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v know_v i_o conclude_v this_o work_n with_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o consider_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n here_o propound_v with_o a_o serious_a attention_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o coherence_n and_o indissoluble_a connexion_n of_o they_o and_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o have_v propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o finis_fw-la
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