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scripture_n be_v turn_v into_o their_o language_n and_o every_o one_o be_v permit_v yea_o exhort_v to_o read_v it_o as_o be_v prove_v by_o many_o writer_n 47._o the_o learned_a dr._n stillingfleet_n particular_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n deny_v the_o common_a people_n the_o use_n of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n hurtful_a and_o pernicious_a the_o bible_n as_o some_o bad_a book_n be_v tolerate_v to_o be_v read_v with_o great_a caution_n and_o restriction_n in_o some_o country_n only_o and_o by_o some_o person_n it_o be_v like_o the_o sibyl_n prophecy_n of_o old_a among_o the_o roman_n not_o to_o be_v look_v into_o without_o the_o permission_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o senate_n none_o can_v read_v it_o without_o a_o licence_n from_o their_o superior_n so_o dangerous_a a_o thing_n be_v the_o bible_n from_o this_o practice_n the_o people_n general_o imbibe_n a_o strong_a prejudice_n against_o the_o scripture_n and_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v good_a for_o they_o because_o the_o pope_n and_o their_o pastor_n tell_v they_o they_o be_v not_o wherefore_o as_o he_o one_o who_o be_v once_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o â—ome_o have_v well_o observe_v as_o soon_o as_o ever_o any_o man_n embrace_v popery_n he_o present_o throw_v the_o bible_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n as_o altogether_o useless_a to_o say_v no_o worse_o which_o unreasonable_a and_o wicked_a behaviour_n of_o they_o be_v one_o great_a reason_n or_o motive_n as_o he_o profess_v of_o his_o return_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n again_o for_o what_o considerate_a man_n can_v think_v that_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n which_o teach_v its_o member_n to_o slight_a and_o reject_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o source_n of_o all_o divine_a truth_n and_o without_o which_o we_o can_v neither_o believe_v nor_o practice_v aright_o we_o can_v neither_o have_v comfort_n here_o nor_o arrive_v to_o happiness_n hereafter_o this_o indeed_o be_v not_o only_o to_o null_n â—â—e_v perfection_n 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the_o giant_n in_o those_o time_n the_o universal_a flood_n the_o build_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n i_o have_v propound_v some_o of_o the_o chief_a argument_n which_o may_v induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n i_o will_v now_o choose_v out_o another_o for_o the_o sake_n chief_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o curious_a which_o i_o purpose_v to_o enlarge_v upon_o yea_o to_o make_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o whole_a ensue_a discourse_n i_o consider_v then_o that_o we_o have_v in_o this_o matter_n not_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o friend_n but_o of_o enemy_n and_o stranger_n and_o it_o be_v a_o maxim_n in_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o vouch_v by_o all_o man_n of_o reason_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o enemy_n be_v most_o considerable_a the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n as_o i_o have_v show_v already_o give_v their_o testimony_n to_o the_o scripture_n but_o beside_o these_o witness_n 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import_n signify_v a_o dispose_n of_o something_o be_v most_o commoâ—â—ly_o apply_v to_o such_o a_o disposal_n as_o be_v either_o by_o covenâ—â—_n or_o testament_n hence_o it_o be_v sometime_o render_v 〈◊〉_d covenant_n and_o sometime_o a_o testament_n especial_o among_o the_o lawyer_n the_o latter_a sense_n prevail_v and_o according_o you_o will_v find_v that_o a_o last_o will_v and_o testament_n be_v express_v by_o this_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o imperial_a institution_n and_o other_o law-book_n translate_v into_o greek_a we_o may_v here_o join_v both_o sense_n together_o for_o what_o god_n have_v agree_v to_o by_o covenant_n with_o man_n that_o christ_n bequeath_v and_o give_v by_o testament_n now_o we_o must_v prove_v both_o these_o i._n e._n we_o must_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o covenant_n and_o testament_n be_v true_a before_o we_o can_v receive_v any_o advantage_n and_o benefit_n from_o they_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o evidence_v the_o 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all_o other_o virtue_n which_o the_o scripture_n describe_v to_o we_o far_o exceed_v the_o most_o advantageous_a representation_n the_o most_o exalt_a idea_n which_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n give_v of_o they_o these_o therefore_o be_v emphatical_o and_o eminent_o call_v by_o st._n paul_n the_o holy_a scripture_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 15._o because_o they_o breathe_v the_o most_o consummate_a goodness_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o antecedent_o to_o all_o write_n whatsoever_o because_o every_o thing_n in_o they_o advance_v holiness_n and_o that_o in_o thought_n word_n and_o action_n the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o they_o be_v to_o promote_v protrept_n sanctity_n of_o life_n to_o make_v we_o every_o way_n better_o and_o even_o to_o render_v we_o *_o like_o god_n himself_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v intend_v to_o set_v forth_o the_o divine_a perfection_n to_o display_v the_o heavenly_a purity_n and_o thereby_o to_o commend_v the_o excellency_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o with_o sincere_a and_o humble_a mind_n we_o peruse_v this_o book_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o bless_a result_n of_o it_o it_o will_v marvellous_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n especial_o of_o god_n unspotted_a holiness_n it_o will_v tincture_n our_o mind_n with_o religion_n it_o will_v pervade_v all_o our_o faculty_n with_o a_o spirit_n of_o godliness_n and_o it_o will_v thorough_o cleanse_v and_o sanctify_v both_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n which_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v from_o god_n but_o because_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o say_v more_o of_o this_o when_o i_o treat_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o will_v now_o dismiss_v it_o 3._o to_o the_o matter_n of_o scripture_n we_o must_v refer_v the_o prophecios_fw-la and_o prediction_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o it_o these_o i_o reckon_v another_o internal_a argument_n because_o they_o be_v draw_v from_o what_o be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o very_a scripture_n itself_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n be_v there_o of_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o find_v fulfil_v and_o according_o be_v testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o scripture_n here_o i_o will_v a_o little_a enlarge_v and_o first_o i_o will_v begâ—n_v with_o that_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o noah_n 27._o god_n shall_v enlarge_v japhet_n and_o he_o shall_v dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o shem_n and_o canaan_n shall_v be_v his_o servant_n where_o be_v foretell_v thing_n that_o happen_v above_o two_o thousand_o year_n afterward_o for_o the_o posterity_n of_o japheth_n viz._n the_o european_n especial_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n among_o other_o conquest_n gain_v the_o possession_n of_o judea_n and_o other_o eastern_a country_n which_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o shem._n again_o it_o be_v fulfil_v thus_o by_o christ_n come_v and_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o by_o his_o
and_o twenty_o after_o the_o number_n of_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n and_o 4._o cyril_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v these_o express_a word_n read_v these_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n but_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o apocryphal_a one_o study_n and_o meditate_v only_o on_o these_o scripture_n which_o we_o confident_o read_v in_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n and_o first_o bishop_n be_v true_a guide_n and_o be_v more_o wise_a and_o religious_a than_o thou_o be_v and_o these_o be_v the_o man_n that_o deliver_v these_o scripture_n to_o we_o thou_o then_o be_v a_o son_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o go_v beyond_o her_o bound_n and_o order_n but_o acknowledge_v and_o study_v only_o the_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n of_o the_o old_a â—â—â—stament_n and_o other_o father_n of_o the_o churâ—â—_n as_o melito_n bishop_n of_o sardis_n athanasius_n amphiloâ—â—us_n epiphanius_n eusebius_n gregory_n nazianzen_n gâ—â—gory_n the_o great_a basil_n chrysostom_n testify_v that_o 〈◊〉_d book_n and_o no_o other_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o receive_v now_o be_v the_o canonical_a booâ—â—_n of_o old_a and_o receive_v so_o by_o the_o first_o christiâ—â—_n those_o eminent_a light_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n râ—t_n jerom_n hilary_n disow_v as_o uncanonical_a 〈◊〉_d book_n of_o apocrypha_fw-la the_o two_o latter_a especial_o 〈◊〉_d very_o positive_a eustock_n jerom_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o 〈◊〉_d canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v but_o 〈◊〉_d and_o twenty_o just_o the_o number_n of_o the_o hebrew_n alâ—phabet_n and_o no_o more_o and_o he_o enumerate_v the_o particular_a book_n which_o constitute_v the_o whole_a 〈◊〉_d say_v indeed_o that_o some_o make_v they_o four_o and_o twâ—â—ty_a but_o it_o be_v the_o same_o account_n for_o they_o reckâ—â—_n ruth_n and_o lamentation_n separately_z but_o as_o for_o 〈◊〉_d other_o he_o say_v they_o be_v not_o part_v of_o inspire_a scripture_n and_o the_o church_n do_v not_o receive_v theâ—_n among_o the_o canonical_a write_n so_o psalm_n hilary_n giu_v we_o the_o just_a catalogue_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o peremptory_o affirm_v that_o there_o 〈◊〉_d but_o two_o and_o twenty_o canonical_a book_n of_o it_o in_o all_o which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o thirty_o nine_o according_a to_o the_o reckon_n in_o our_o bibles_n to_o father_n wâ—_n may_v add_v synod_n and_o council_n as_o that_o antieâ—â—_n one_o of_o laodicea_n convened_a a._n d._n 364._o which_o draw_v up_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o make_v mention_v only_o of_o these_o which_o we_o now_o receive_v but_o leave_v out_o the_o apocryphal_a one_o this_o canon_n be_v receive_v afterward_o and_o confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n one_o of_o the_o first_o four_o general_n council_n and_o the_o six_o general_n council_n hold_v at_o constantinople_n a._n d._n 680._o express_o ratify_v the_o decree_n of_o that_o old_a laodicean_n council_n and_o particular_o this_o that_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v but_o two_o and_o twenty_o there_o be_v another_o reason_n also_o beside_o the_o universal_a suffrage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n why_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v eject_v out_o of_o the_o canon_n viz._n because_o some_o thing_n in_o they_o be_v false_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n as_o in_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la 46._o 20._o 2_o esdras_n 6._o 40._o and_o some_o thing_n be_v vicious_a as_o in_o 2_o maccab._n 14._o 42._o after_o all_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o answer_v what_o the_o romanist_n say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n they_o quote_v the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n which_o they_o tell_v we_o receive_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n into_o the_o canon_n and_o among_o the_o father_n st._n augustin_n they_o say_v own_v they_o beside_o that_o two_o pope_n viz._n innocent_a the_o first_o and_o gelasius_n take_v those_o book_n which_o we_o style_v apocryphal_a into_o the_o canon_n as_o for_o the_o council_n which_o they_o allege_v it_o be_v but_o a_o provincial_a one_o and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v set_v against_o those_o more_o authentic_a and_o general_a council_n which_o i_o produce_v nor_o must_v that_o one_o single_a father_n who_o they_o name_n stand_v out_o against_o that_o great_a number_n of_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n who_o i_o mention_v the_o pope_n bear_v a_o great_a name_n among_o our_o adversary_n but_o they_o be_v but_o two_o and_o must_v not_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o council_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o father_n who_o be_v on_o our_o side_n or_o if_o they_o lie_v such_o great_a stress_n on_o a_o pope_n i_o can_v name_v they_o one_o and_o he_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a they_o ever_o have_v viz._n pope_n gregory_n the_o great_a who_o 17._o declare_v that_o the_o book_n of_o maccabee_n a_o main_a piece_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a writing_n be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n wâ—_n may_v set_v this_o one_o pope_n for_o he_o be_v great_a enough_o against_o the_o other_o two_n beside_o their_o own_o 〈◊〉_d be_v against_o they_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v 〈◊〉_d receive_v as_o part_v of_o holy_a inspire_a scripture_n by_o iâ—â—dorus_n damascen_n nicephorus_n rabanus_n maurus_n hâ—go_n lyranus_fw-la cajetan_n and_o other_o who_o be_v of_o greâ—â—_n repute_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n we_o regard_v 〈◊〉_d what_o the_o pack_v council_n of_o trent_n have_v decree_v viz._n 4._o that_o beside_o the_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n 〈◊〉_d the_o hebrew_n canon_n those_o also_o of_o tobias_n juditâ—_n the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n ecclesiasticus_fw-la maccabeâ—â—â—_n baruch_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o canonical_a and_o thâ—_n they_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o canon_n oâ—_n the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o general_a suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a council_n father_n and_o writer_n who_o have_v reject_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n and_o receive_v but_o twenty_o two_o into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n belong_v to_o the_o old_a testament_n you_o see_v what_o ground_n we_o have_v no_o other_o than_o the_o universal_a church_n we_o reject_v some_o book_n as_o apocryphal_a because_o they_o be_v general_o reject_v by_o the_o ancient_a primitive_a church_n and_o we_o receive_v the_o rest_n as_o canonical_a because_o they_o be_v believe_v and_o own_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n see_v this_o admirable_o make_v good_a in_o bishop_n cousins_n history_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n yet_o aâ—ter_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v we_o count_v the_o apocrypha_n write_n worthy_a to_o be_v read_v and_o peruse_v the_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n amiss_o in_o they_o yet_o we_o give_v great_a deference_n and_o respect_n to_o they_o as_o contain_v many_o historical_a truth_n and_o furnish_v we_o witâ—_n matter_n of_o jewish_a antiquity_n as_o likewise_o because_o there_o be_v many_o doctrinal_a and_o moral_a truth_n in_o they_o especial_o in_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n and_o ecâ—lesiasticus_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o say_v we_o bear_v great_a respect_n to_o they_o and_o rank_v they_o next_o to_o the_o holy_a canon_n and_o prefer_v they_o before_o all_o profane_a author_n this_o be_v do_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o frequent_o allege_v they_o in_o their_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n which_o be_v one_o reason_n i_o question_v not_o why_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n come_v to_o be_v make_v canonical_a by_o some_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n namely_o because_o they_o be_v so_o often_o quote_v by_o the_o father_n and_o in_o some_o church_n read_v public_o but_o this_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o their_o be_v canonical_a but_o only_o let_v we_o know_v that_o these_o book_n be_v in_o their_o kind_a useful_a and_o profitable_a as_o indeed_o they_o be_v therefore_o st._n proverb_n jerom_n say_v the_o church_n receive_v not_o these_o book_n into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n though_o she_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v read_v and_o concern_v these_o write_n our_o church_n say_v well_o quote_v st._n jerom_n for_o it_o 6._o she_o do_v read_v they_o for_o example_n of_o life_n and_o instruction_n of_o manner_n but_o yet_o do_v not_o apply_v they_o to_o establish_v any_o doctrine_n which_o give_v we_o a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o these_o book_n namely_o that_o they_o contain_v excellent_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o be_v very_o serviceable_a to_o inform_v we_o of_o our_o duty_n as_o to_o several_a weighty_a thing_n but_o they_o be_v not_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o the_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v they_o be_v not_o the_o infallible_a standard_n of_o divine_a doctrine_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v apply_v and_o make_v use_n of_o to_o that_o purpose_n this_o and_o the_o other_o reason_n before_o mention_v may_v prevail_v with_o we_o to_o think_v that_o these_o write_n aught_o not_o to_o be_v
that_o the_o gentile_n relate_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o this_o do_v that_o the_o great_a truth_n and_o notable_a history_n notion_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o profane_a write_n but_o take_v from_o these_o sacred_a one_o the_o heathen_n borrow_v many_o of_o their_o rite_n and_o usage_n from_o tradition_n which_o be_v found_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o derive_v many_o thing_n in_o their_o religion_n and_o manner_n from_o these_o sacred_a fountain_n though_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o they_o have_v labour_v to_o pollute_v they_o but_o i_o will_v make_v it_o clear_a and_o manifest_a that_o they_o fetch_v they_o thence_o and_o i_o will_v abundant_o prove_v that_o most_o of_o the_o chief_a thing_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v attest_v both_o by_o the_o fable_n and_o the_o serious_a history_n of_o the_o pagan_n there_o have_v be_v some_o high-flier_n i_o know_v who_o have_v carry_v on_o this_o notion_n to_o a_o ridiculous_a extravagancy_n thus_o 216._o zimmeranus_fw-la speak_v of_o a_o odd_a christiano_n capuchin_n who_o have_v vent_v very_o wild_a thing_n in_o prosecute_a this_o argument_n viz._n that_o the_o gentile_a mystery_n be_v take_v from_o the_o true_a god_n and_o from_o the_o scripture_n inspire_v by_o he_o and_o one_o jacobâ—_n hugo_n in_o his_o historia_fw-la romana_fw-la be_v quote_v by_o the_o same_o person_n as_o very_o extravagant_a in_o this_o kind_n for_o he_o hold_v that_o the_o roman_a story_n be_v a_o narrative_a of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n pious_a aeneas_n be_v st._n peter_n and_o his_o sail_v from_o troy_n to_o latium_n be_v the_o story_n of_o st._n peter_n leave_v the_o chair_n at_o antioch_n and_o go_v to_o rome_n homer_n and_o virgil_n heroic_a poem_n be_v a_o account_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o shipwreck_n and_o misfortune_n which_o this_o latter_a meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n ilium_n or_o aelia_n be_v jerusalem_n that_o be_v the_o name_n which_o aelius_n adrianus_n give_v it_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o jewish_a war_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v contain_v in_o homer_n iliad_n and_o so_o be_v the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o whole_a gospel_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o romulus_n and_o remus_n signify_v the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o more_o extravagant_o yet_o he_o go_v on_o tell_v we_o that_o diana_n signify_v the_o holy_a trinity_n curtius_n on_o horseback_n swallow_v up_o in_o the_o lake_n be_v the_o virgin_n mary_n who_o temple_n be_v see_v there_o in_o the_o marketplace_n at_o rome_n with_o this_o inscription_n d._n virgin_n templum_fw-la à _fw-la poenis_fw-la inferni_fw-la liberantis_fw-la and_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o of_o such_o stuff_n this_o hugo_n have_v which_o no_o man_n of_o consideration_n and_o sense_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v indeed_o such_o wild_a and_o far-fetched_a conceit_n may_v be_v just_o entertain_v with_o laughter_n and_o contempt_n nor_o do_v i_o look_v upon_o some_o thing_n which_o some_o other_o of_o more_o compose_a thought_n mention_v as_o any_o real_a testimony_n give_v to_o the_o scripture_n they_o strange_o fancy_v a_o affinity_n between_o scripture_n and_o paganism_n between_o what_o they_o read_v in_o the_o one_o and_o what_o they_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o other_o though_o there_o be_v no_o cognation_n at_o all_o thus_o the_o greek_a fable_n of_o minerva_n be_v the_o offspring_n of_o jove_n brain_n take_v its_o rise_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o eternal_a and_o ineffable_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n say_v a_o generib_o learned_a man_n and_o isis_n the_o egyptian_a goddess_n be_v say_v he_o ishah_n mulier_fw-la or_o virgo_fw-la i._n e._n the_o virgin_n mary_n from_o a_o tradition_n among_o they_o that_o a_o virgin_n shoulâ—_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o redeemer_n 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n and_o i_o can_v mention_v other_o whoâ—â—_n name_n be_v better_o know_v who_o have_v be_v too_o extravagant_a in_o this_o kind_n carry_v the_o notion_n on_o toâ—_n far_o and_o strong_o fancy_v every_o thing_n almoâ—â—_n which_o they_o meet_v with_o in_o pagan_a story_n to_o hauâ—_n some_o reference_n to_o and_o be_v take_v from_o the_o holâ—_n scripture_n but_o i_o shall_v very_o industrious_o avoâ—â—_n this_o vanity_n and_o folly_n and_o only_o represent_v to_o the_o curious_a and_o critical_a reader_n those_o passage_n in_o pagâ—â—_n writer_n which_o with_o great_a probability_n and_o reasoâ—_n we_o may_v conclude_v to_o have_v be_v take_v from_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o let_v you_o see_v the_o sacred_a history_n of_o the_o bible_n eveâ—_n through_o the_o fable_n and_o feign_a story_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o thereby_o confirm_v you_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o that_o sacred_a history_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v 1._o to_o begin_v first_o where_o all_o thing_n begin_v the_o creation_n this_o as_o it_o be_v particular_o describe_v iâ—_n the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n be_v plain_o to_o be_v find_v in_o pagan_a author_n who_o without_o doubt_n have_v it_o froâ—_n this_o first_o entrance_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o though_o a_o man_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n may_v know_v that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n yet_o this_o particular_a way_n of_o its_o beginning_n as_o it_o be_v there_o set_v down_o can_v not_o be_v attain_v to_o but_o by_o divine_a revelation_n wherefore_o it_o be_v rational_o to_o be_v assert_v that_o the_o pagaâ—â—_n take_v this_o notion_n from_o god_n reveal_v will_n in_o scripture_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o do_v hereby_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o holy_a book_n the_o genâ—râ—â—_n opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a gentile_n be_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v out_o of_o a_o precede_a chaos_n which_o they_o represent_v to_o be_v a_o rude_a disorder_a and_o indigested_a mass_n of_o matter_n reduce_v to_o no_o shape_n and_o form_n sanconiathon_n the_o phoenician_n historian_n so_o much_o praise_v by_o porphyrius_n the_o philosopher_n in_o 5._o eusebius_n make_v mention_n of_o this_o chaos_n as_o the_o source_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o his_o fragment_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o ancient_a poet_n orpheus_n hold_v that_o this_o chaos_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o theogon_n hesiod_n agree_v with_o he_o affirm_v that_o the_o chaos_n be_v that_o out_o of_o which_o all_o body_n be_v make_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n it_o be_v describe_v by_o 1._o ovid_n after_o this_o manner_n ante_fw-la mare_fw-la &_o terras_fw-la &_o quod_fw-la tegit_fw-la omne_fw-la coelum_fw-la vnus_fw-la erat_fw-la toto_fw-la naturae_fw-la vultus_fw-la in_o orbe_fw-la quem_fw-la dixere_fw-la chaos_n etc._n etc._n where_o in_o forty_o or_o â—ifty_a pair_n of_o good_a smooth_a verse_n he_o most_o excellent_o describe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n and_o make_v the_o very_a chaos_n beautiful_a this_o be_v the_o same_o with_o hyle_n the_o first_o original_a matter_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o poet_n demogorgon_n which_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o shapeless_a lump_n of_o the_o chaos_n and_o in_o the_o phoenician_n language_n we_o may_v find_v it_o in_o the_o very_a sound_n of_o the_o word_n thoth_v and_o bau_n which_o be_v but_o a_o small_a variation_n from_o tohu_n and_o bohu_n in_o the_o hebrew_n text_n the_o same_o with_o chaos_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o latin_n this_o be_v found_v on_o those_o word_n of_o moses_n gen._n 1._o 2._o the_o earth_n be_v without_o form_n and_o void_a and_o darkness_n be_v on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o deep_a this_o dark_a and_o formless_a heap_n of_o water_n and_o earth_n mingle_v together_o contain_v in_o it_o the_o fiâ—_n element_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v afterwards_o hence_o spring_v the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v now_o shape_a 〈◊〉_d model_v from_o this_o account_n which_o moses_n giu_v here_o of_o the_o creation_n the_o old_a pagan_a theologer_n i._o e._n the_o pocts_n make_v the_o ocean_n to_o be_v the_o origin_n of_o all_o generation_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o thâ—_n if_o you_o give_v the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o it_o that_o thâ—_n moist_a and_o fluid_a matter_n give_v beginning_n to_o all_o bodâ—_n that_o be_v orpheus_n own_a this_o hypothesis_n calliâ—â—_n the_o ocean_n the_o parent_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o one_o of_o 〈◊〉_d hymn_n and_o out_o of_o some_o other_o piece_n of_o 〈◊〉_d work_n the_o same_o may_v be_v prove_v homer_n 〈◊〉_d the_o like_a assert_v the_o ocean_n to_o be_v the_o antiente_a of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o again_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d iliad_n on_o which_o word_n the_o scholiast_n give_v this_o reason_n
agree_v with_o this_o author_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o 4._o it_o be_v a_o ancient_a and_o constant_a opinion_n among_o the_o eastern_a people_n that_o some_o shall_v come_v out_o of_o judea_n about_o that_o time_n and_o have_v the_o universal_a sway_n and_o reign_v over_o the_o world_n 12._o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n relate_v the_o same_o and_o acquaint_v we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a rumour_n and_o vogue_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o one_o of_o their_o own_o country_n shall_v be_v a_o universal_a emperor_n which_o he_o as_o well_o as_o the_o forecited_n author_n apply_v to_o vespasian_n because_o he_o conquer_v the_o jew_n and_o with_o titus_n come_v from_o judea_n in_o triumph_n to_o rome_n other_o jew_n think_v this_o common_a fame_n be_v mean_v of_o herod_n assert_v he_o to_o be_v the_o person_n foretold_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o to_o be_v the_o expect_a messiah_n these_o be_v the_o herodian_o mention_v in_o mat._n 22._o 16._o thus_o though_o through_o ignorance_n they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o fix_v this_o rumour_n aright_o yet_o out_o of_o flattery_n they_o can_v apply_v it_o to_o their_o prince_n but_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o this_o fame_n of_o a_o universal_a monarch_n arise_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o frequent_o speak_v of_o a_o great_a king_n and_o ruler_n that_o shall_v come_v out_o of_o the_o east_n and_o particular_o out_o of_o judea_n out_o of_o thou_o bethlehem_n shall_v he_o come_v forth_o unto_o i_o that_o be_v to_o be_v the_o ruler_n in_o israel_n mic._n 5._o 2._o which_o be_v interpret_v of_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o jewish_a sanhedrim_n who_o herod_v gather_v together_o demand_v of_o they_o where_o christ_n shall_v be_v bear_v mat._n 2._o 4_o 5._o that_o prophecy_n of_o micah_n speak_v plain_o of_o a_o jew_n one_o that_o by_o birth_n â—as_v of_o judea_n yea_o of_o bethlehem_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o false_o apply_v to_o those_o roman_a emperor_n beforenamed_n who_o come_v not_o out_o of_o judea_n but_o â—ut_v of_o italy_n not_o from_o bethlehem_n but_o from_o rome_n and_o as_o for_o herod_n he_o be_v not_o a_o jew_n but_o a_o iduâ—ean_n he_o be_v not_o bear_v in_o bethlehem_n but_o in_o ascalon_n â—ut_v in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n this_o remarkable_a propheâ—y_n be_v exact_o accomplish_v he_o be_v a_o jew_n by_o â—â—rth_n and_o of_o the_o city_n of_o david_n and_o constitute_v â—y_a god_n a_o matchless_a king_n and_o governor_n over_o his_o people_n behold_v a_o king_n shall_v reign_v in_o righteousness_n 〈◊〉_d 32._o 1._o and_o in_o several_a other_o place_n of_o this_o prophecy_n christ_n be_v represent_v as_o a_o king_n and_o his_o come_v be_v express_v after_o that_o manner_n there_o be_v â—iven_v he_o dominion_n and_o glory_n and_o a_o kingdom_n that_o â—ll_a people_n nation_n and_o language_n shall_v serve_v he_o his_o dominion_n be_v a_o everlasting_a dominion_n which_o shall_v 〈◊〉_d pass_v away_o and_o his_o kingdom_n that_o which_o shall_v not_o 〈◊〉_d destroy_v dan_o 7._o 14._o which_o be_v express_o apply_v to_o christ_n by_o the_o angel_n from_o heaven_n luke_n 1._o 33._o and_o in_o many_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n this_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v to_o come_v to_o redeem_v and_o save_v mankind_n be_v set_v forth_o as_o a_o king_n or_o great_a lord_n and_o prince_n one_o that_o shall_v â—ear_v sway_n in_o the_o world_n and_o wield_v his_o sceptre_n over_o all_o nation_n hence_o this_o rumour_n be_v spread_v among_o the_o eastern_a people_n and_o especial_o about_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n birth_n that_o a_o great_a lord_n or_o king_n shall_v arise_v in_o those_o part_n and_o spread_v his_o dominion_n over_o the_o world_n hence_o those_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a writer_n beforeâ—_n mention_v speak_v of_o this_o great_a ruler_n and_o monarch_n who_o be_v no_o other_o than_o our_o lord_n christ_n the_o king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n of_o lord_n this_o they_o have_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o bible_n where_o it_o be_v so_o often_o foretold_v that_o a_o king_n shall_v arise_v and_o gain_v a_o universal_a empire_n over_o mankind_n to_o this_o we_o may_v refer_v that_o which_o 94._o suetonius_n report_v and_o he_o quote_v his_o author_n for_o it_o that_o a_o few_o month_n before_o augustus_n be_v bear_v there_o be_v this_o public_a prodigy_n viz._n a_o proclaim_v of_o this_o that_o parturire_fw-la nature_n be_v bring_v forth_o a_o king_n to_o the_o roman_a people_n whereupon_o the_o senate_n be_v alarm_v and_o fright_v make_v a_o strange_a decree_n that_o no_o one_o bear_v that_o year_n shall_v be_v educate_v this_o prodigy_n without_o doubt_n refer_v to_o christ_n who_o birth_n be_v in_o augustus_n reign_n this_o be_v the_o king_n that_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v to_o all_o the_o world_n which_o be_v then_o in_o a_o manner_n subject_a to_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v call_v the_o roman_a people_n so_o the_o sibylls_n oracle_n or_o prophecy_n be_v of_o a_o middle_a nature_n and_o consideration_n and_o therefore_o be_v just_o to_o be_v treat_v of_o in_o this_o place_n as_o they_o be_v borrow_a from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o belong_v indeed_o to_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n but_o as_o they_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o maiâ—_n thing_n in_o the_o new-testament_n they_o be_v reducible_a to_o this_o i_o will_v consider_v they_o first_o as_o they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old-testament_n this_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v strange_a at_o first_o because_o the_o opinion_n of_o writer_n have_v run_v a_o other_o way_n but_o after_o i_o have_v plain_o lay_v the_o matter_n before_o you_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o offer_v will_v easy_o gain_v your_o assent_n and_o then_o it_o will_v rather_o seem_v strange_a that_o it_o be_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o embrace_v before_o there_o have_v be_v these_o four_o opinion_n among_o the_o learned_a concern_v the_o sibyl_n oracle_n or_o verse_n 1._o some_o say_v they_o be_v counterfeit_v yea_o that_o some_o christian_n but_o heretic_n have_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n in_o this_o matter_n this_o i_o will_v account_v for_o afterward_o because_o it_o will_v more_o pertinent_o be_v handle_v under_o the_o second_o consideration_n viz._n as_o they_o be_v use_v as_o a_o attestation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o new-testament_n indeed_o this_o opinion_n rude_o take_v away_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o question_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o last_o place_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o suppose_v the_o thing_n speak_v of_o to_o be_v real_a and_o not_o counterfeit_v 2_o then_o some_o have_v assert_v that_o the_o sibylls_n be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o consequent_o that_o their_o verse_n be_v sacred_a and_o divine_a justin_n martyr_n arâ—obius_n lactantius_n and_o some_o other_o ancient_a father_n cry_v they_o up_o as_o equal_a to_o the_o holy_a prophet_n as_o god_n say_v they_o speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n to_o the_o jew_n concern_v christ_n before_o he_o come_v so_o he_o foretell_v he_o to_o the_o gentile_n by_o the_o sibylls_n and_o the_o same_o prophetic_a spirit_n be_v in_o the_o latter_a that_o be_v in_o the_o former_a baronius_n bellarmine_n and_o the_o roman_a doctor_n general_o think_v the_o same_o of_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o use_v their_o testimony_n as_o very_o sacred_a and_o altogether_o irrefragable_a by_o the_o way_n i_o may_v observe_v that_o they_o be_v sometime_o quote_v by_o these_o and_o other_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o assert_v and_o countenance_v some_o of_o their_o popish_a doctrine_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v popery_n be_v a_o religion_n before_o there_o be_v any_o thought_n of_o it_o in_o the_o world_n and_o before_o it_o have_v a_o be_v but_o here_o author_n be_v divide_v again_o for_o some_o hold_v these_o gentile_a prophetess_n be_v good_a and_o holy_a person_n other_o that_o they_o be_v not_o the_o former_a opinion_n be_v ground_v on_o that_o tenent_n of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n that_o never_o any_o vicious_a and_o unhallowed_a person_n be_v honour_v with_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n and_o that_o those_o irradiation_n and_o extraordinary_a impression_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v make_v only_o upon_o man_n of_o holy_a life_n and_o innocent_a behaviour_n beside_o these_o prophetic_a woman_n speak_v of_o one_o only_o true_a god_n and_o they_o inveigh_v against_o the_o false_a god_n and_o their_o altar_n which_o be_v a_o sign_n they_o be_v good_a and_o religious_a people_n other_o have_v a_o contrary_a opinion_n of_o they_o and_o think_v they_o be_v irreligious_a and_o profane_a for_o that_o opinion_n of_o the_o hebrew_n doctor_n before_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o always_o true_a though_o it_o be_v general_o so_o we_o read_v of_o baalam_n the_o sorcerer_n
who_o thereby_o destroy_v the_o whole_a system_n of_o theology_n and_o of_o christianity_n itself_o for_o if_o there_o be_v none_o of_o those_o thing_n before_o mention_v if_o in_o a_o literal_a and_o historical_a sense_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o that_o first_o disobedience_n of_o adam_n if_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a concern_v the_o temptation_n and_o the_o apostasy_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n and_o the_o evil_n and_o misery_n that_o ensue_v upon_o it_o than_o it_o will_v follow_v thence_o that_o mankind_n have_v no_o need_n of_o a_o saviour_n and_o redeemer_n then_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v in_o vain_a then_o all_o christianity_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n then_o when_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n speak_v of_o 14._o eve_n be_v deceive_v and_o be_v in_o the_o transgression_n when_o they_o acquaint_v we_o that_o 3._o the_o serpent_n beguile_v eve_n through_o his_o subtlety_n and_o that_o 19_o by_o one_o man_n disobedience_n many_o be_v make_v sinner_n and_o that_o in_o 22._o adam_n all_o die_v all_o be_v mere_a romance_n and_o fiction_n there_o be_v nothing_o of_o these_o in_o reality_n and_o then_o likewise_o we_o have_v as_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o speak_v of_o our_o saviour_n and_o all_o his_o undertake_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o be_v they_o be_v but_o a_o cunning_o devise_v parable_n they_o may_v have_v some_o moral_a meaning_n as_o esop_n fable_n have_v but_o they_o contain_v nothing_o of_o real_a fact_n this_o be_v the_o natural_a result_n of_o allegorise_v the_o 3d_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n by_o deal_v thus_o with_o this_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n he_o have_v baffle_v all_o the_o rest_n he_o have_v wretched_o subvert_v the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o our_o religion_n he_o have_v spoil_v the_o whole_a fabric_n of_o christianity_n and_o he_o have_v make_v the_o scripture_n useless_a and_o insignificant_a so_o that_o by_o this_o one_o attempt_n of_o his_o he_o have_v shake_v not_o to_o say_v overturn_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n he_o have_v take_v part_n with_o the_o know_a despiser_n of_o all_o reveal_v theology_n he_o have_v encourage_v and_o patronise_v the_o wild_a conceit_n of_o sceptic_n he_o have_v strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o profane_a he_o have_v abundant_o gratify_v the_o whole_a tribe_n of_o atheist_n and_o deist_n he_o have_v win_v their_o heart_n for_o ever_o and_o indeed_o we_o can_v but_o observe_v what_o fort_n of_o man_n they_o be_v that_o applaud_v his_o undertake_n viz._n the_o wit_n of_o the_o town_n as_o they_o be_v call_v men_n dispose_v to_o very_o ill_a thought_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o scripture_n yea_o man_n general_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o immorality_n and_o debauchery_n these_o be_v the_o person_n that_o promote_v his_o notion_n and_o cry_v up_o his_o write_n this_o theorist_n be_v become_v much_o more_o please_v to_o they_o than_o mr._n hobbs_n this_o new_a archaeologist_n be_v far_o more_o take_v than_o the_o leviathan_n because_o he_o nip_v the_o bible_n more_o close_o and_o also_o because_o he_o be_v not_o as_o the_o other_o a_o layman_n but_o a_o profess_a divine_a and_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n this_o make_v his_o enterprise_n so_o acceptable_a to_o these_o man_n for_o now_o they_o have_v a_o clergyman_n to_o vouch_v they_o they_o have_v the_o warranty_n of_o a_o churchman_n i_o will_v not_o question_v or_o so_o much_o as_o suspect_v the_o prudence_n of_o our_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n but_o in_o my_o judgement_n if_o there_o be_v no_o public_a censure_n pass_v upon_o such_o a_o dare_a attempt_n as_o this_o by_o a_o member_n of_o our_o church_n atheist_n will_v have_v just_a ground_n to_o laugh_v at_o our_o discipline_n as_o well_o as_o they_o do_v at_o our_o doctrine_n to_o excuse_v himself_o he_o say_v this_o way_n of_o speak_v be_v use_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o confess_v to_o be_v metaphorical_a and_o symbolical_a and_o why_o not_o then_o in_o genesis_n i_o answer_v because_o though_o there_o be_v some_o expression_n of_o that_o nature_n as_o the_o trumpet_n sound_v and_o the_o book_n open_v at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n which_o be_v but_o metaphorical_a it_o be_v likely_a yet_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v it_o and_o in_o other_o place_n it_o be_v intimate_v and_o sometime_o plain_o declare_v that_o the_o passage_n be_v metaphorical_a and_o myâ—â—ical_a as_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o our_o saviour_n but_o it_o be_v quite_o another_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o viz._n not_o a_o expression_n or_o two_o but_o a_o whole_a entire_a history_n deliver_v in_o plain_a word_n and_o with_o all_o its_o circumstance_n as_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o any_o other_o sense_n yea_o many_o of_o the_o particular_n be_v mention_v in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o direct_v matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o when_o he_o attempt_v to_o solve_v his_o undertake_n by_o allege_v some_o passage_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n he_o can_v but_o see_v that_o it_o be_v very_o foreign_a to_o his_o business_n again_o in_o a_o short_a appendix_n to_o his_o book_n where_o he_o seem_v to_o retract_v in_o a_o manner_n what_o he_o â—ad_v say_v have_v be_v inform_v he_o â—aith_v that_o it_o be_v displease_v to_o pious_a and_o wife_n man_n he_o excuse_v himself_o by_o allege_v the_o father_n who_o it_o be_v true_a present_v we_o with_o several_a allegorical_a interpretation_n and_o descant_n on_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n and_o particular_o on_o the_o 3d_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n but_o this_o be_v â—othing_v to_o his_o purpose_n because_o those_o ancient_a writer_n do_v not_o deny_v the_o literal_a sense_n which_o he_o do_v he_o be_v not_o content_a to_o allegorise_v that_o chapter_n but_o he_o whole_o reject_v the_o literal_a mean_v and_o confident_o aver_v that_o moses_n all_o along_o tell_v a_o story_n that_o â—ath_v nothing_o of_o truth_n in_o it_o and_o be_v not_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n so_o i_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o old_a jewish_a â—_z moralize_v mâ—ses's_n history_n but_o they_o do_v not_o slight_a much_o less_o supersede_n and_o lay_v aside_o the_o historical_a sense_n and_o moreover_o he_o have_v neither_o the_o father_n nor_o the_o rabbi_n as_o a_o example_n of_o ridioul_v the_o mosaic_a history_n which_o yet_o he_o do_v throughout_o his_o whole_a discourse_n on_o that_o chapter_n show_v his_o little_a talon_n of_o jest_a and_o droâ—ling_v so_o that_o in_o brief_a it_o may_v become_v hudibras_n better_a than_o a_o doctor_n of_o divinity_n i_o appeal_v to_o any_o that_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o he_o do_v not_o perfect_o tread_v in_o the_o step_v of_o the_o old_a adversary_n and_o blasphemer_n of_o christianity_n julian_n celsus_n etc._n etc._n the_o former_a of_o these_o speak_n of_o and_o deride_v what_o be_v say_v in_o genesis_n concern_v adam_n and_o paradise_n and_o eat_v the_o forbid_a fruit_n etc._n etc._n positive_o declare_v that_o 3._o these_o be_v altogether_o fabulous_a and_o again_o afterward_o 〈◊〉_d what_o difference_n be_v there_o say_v he_o between_o these_o and_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o greek_n what_o dr._n burnet_n say_v amount_n to_o the_o same_o for_o when_o he_o express_o say_v moses_n deliver_v nothing_o of_o the_o physical_a truth_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n but_o wise_o dissemble_v to_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o people_n and_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o moses_n say_v these_o thing_n only_o to_o conciliate_v force_n and_o authority_n to_o his_o law_n which_o be_v his_o own_o word_n he_o do_v as_o good_a as_o say_v that_o what_o he_o deliver_v be_v a_o fable_n he_o may_v in_o 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strengthen_v and_o support_v we_o under_o our_o heavy_a cross_n and_o make_v our_o life_n happy_a whatever_o befall_v we_o all_o which_o be_v undeniable_a argument_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n whence_o we_o be_v enable_v to_o believe_v aright_o to_o live_v well_o and_o to_o rejoice_v thus_o these_o holy_a write_n be_v indict_v that_o 17._o we_o may_v be_v perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n and_o thus_o scripture_n must_v needs_o be_v perfect_a because_o its_o design_n be_v to_o make_v we_o so_o but_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o several_a devout_a and_o practical_a writer_n have_v enlarge_v on_o this_o subject_a and_o therefore_o i_o will_v say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o because_o my_o present_a discourse_n be_v design_v to_o be_v chief_o critical_a let_v it_o suffice_v that_o i_o have_v brief_o assert_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o to_o the_o three_o forementioned_a particular_n and_o that_o i_o have_v show_v that_o this_o perfection_n be_v not_o communicable_a to_o any_o other_o write_n under_o heaven_n such_o be_v the_o peculiar_a excellency_n of_o the_o bible_n wherefore_o it_o behove_v we_o to_o take_v notice_n and_o beware_v of_o those_o man_n who_o oppose_v or_o rather_o deny_v this_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n first_o the_o circumcise_a doctor_n show_v themselves_o great_a oppugner_n of_o it_o whilst_o they_o excessive_o magnify_v their_o tradition_n and_o even_o prefer_v they_o before_o the_o sacred_a text._n we_o must_v know_v then_o that_o the_o jew_n talk_v much_o of_o their_o est_fw-la cabala_n or_o as_o that_o word_n signify_v the_o receive_a doctrine_n among_o they_o which_o be_v propagate_v by_o oral_a tradition_n and_o continual_a succession_n this_o their_o cabala_n be_v twofold_a first_o that_o which_o deal_v in_o mysterious_a criticism_n and_o curiosity_n about_o word_n and_o letter_n to_o which_o belong_v the_o masore_v which_o as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o another_o discourse_n be_v serviceable_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o bible_n second_o that_o which_o by_o they_o be_v call_v the_o oral_a law_n or_o the_o law_n deliver_v from_o one_o to_o another_o as_o a_o exposition_n on_o the_o write_a law_n it_o may_v not_o be_v impertinent_a to_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o short_a account_n of_o this_o oral_a law_n which_o they_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o this_o be_v either_o before_o moses_n and_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o patriarch_n propagate_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n before_o the_o law_n be_v commit_v to_o write_v it_o consist_v of_o the_o seven_o precept_n of_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n of_o the_o apothegm_n sentence_n and_o paradox_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o first_o age_n or_o it_o be_v in_o and_o after_o moses_n time_n who_o be_v reckon_v the_o great_a author_n of_o the_o cabala_n because_o he_o deliver_v it_o viva_fw-la voce_fw-la to_o the_o jew_n say_v the_o rabbin_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o give_v they_o the_o decalogue_n and_o the_o other_o write_a law_n this_o torah_n gnal_n peh_fw-it as_o they_o style_v it_o this_o oral_a law_n be_v the_o exposition_n of_o those_o write_a law_n and_o be_v mean_v they_o say_v in_o deut._n 4._o 14._o the_o lord_n command_v i_o at_o that_o time_n to_o teach_v you_o statute_n and_o judgement_n and_o for_o this_o they_o allege_v deut._n 12._o 21._o which_o they_o tell_v we_o refer_v to_o some_o special_a command_n of_o god_n about_o kill_v and_o see_v we_o read_v no_o such_o special_a command_n about_o it_o in_o the_o write_a law_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o oral_a one_o that_o must_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o those_o word_n there_o as_o i_o have_v command_v thou_o that_o moses_n receive_v this_o law_n on_o mount_n sinai_n 34._o rabbi_n bechai_n prove_v by_o the_o same_o token_n that_o he_o know_v by_o this_o law_n how_o long_o time_n he_o be_v upon_o that_o mount_n for_o when_o god_n teach_v he_o the_o write_a law_n than_o he_o know_v it_o be_v day_n because_o he_o can_v not_o write_v in_o the_o dark_a but_o when_o god_n give_v he_o the_o oral_a law_n he_o know_v then_o that_o it_o be_v night_n a_o most_o profound_a answer_n to_o the_o difficulty_n how_o moses_n can_v tell_v that_o he_o be_v 40_o day_n and_o night_n on_o the_o mount_n well_o god_n they_o say_v deliver_v this_o law_n to_o moses_n moses_n deliver_v it_o to_o joshua_n joshua_n to_o the_o seventy_o elder_n they_o to_o ezra_n who_o some_o say_v commit_v it_o to_o writing_n for_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a cabalist_n next_o to_o moses_n but_o the_o book_n which_o he_o compose_v of_o this_o matter_n be_v lose_v and_o so_o it_o go_v on_o after_o the_o old_a way_n again_o viz._n by_o tradition_n and_o come_v to_o the_o prophet_n of_o who_o zechary_n and_o malachi_n be_v the_o last_o and_o from_o they_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n have_v it_o and_o at_o last_o it_o be_v make_v into_o a_o book_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v lose_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o that_o compile_v this_o volume_n or_o book_n be_v rabbi_n judah_n who_o for_o the_o singular_a holiness_n of_o his_o life_n be_v call_v hakkadosh_n the_o saint_n he_o flourish_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o emperor_n antoninus_n pius_n about_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n the_o title_n which_o he_o give_v to_o it_o be_v mishnah_n i._n e._n the_o repetition_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n or_o a_o large_a explication_n of_o it_o give_v immediate_o to_o moses_n by_o god_n and_o by_o tradition_n derive_v to_o the_o jew_n this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o iterate_a or_o second_a law_n be_v divide_v by_o he_o into_o six_o general_a sedarim_n i._n e._n so_o many_o head_n or_o subject_n of_o which_o it_o treat_v and_o every_o sedar_n be_v divide_v into_o book_n every_o book_n into_o chapter_n or_o pirka_n about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o this_o famous_a rabbi_n have_v reduce_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o one_o volume_n the_o learned_a doctor_n begin_v to_o comment_v upon_o it_o and_o first_o the_o jerusalem_n talmud_n call_v so_o because_o it_o be_v make_v for_o the_o jew_n that_o live_v in_o judea_n especial_o in_o jerusalem_n be_v finish_v by_o r._n jochanan_n about_o a._n d._n 240._o the_o comment_n which_o he_o and_o the_o other_o rabbi_n make_v on_o the_o mishnah_n be_v call_v the_o gemara_n the_o supplemental_a exposition_n of_o that_o volume_n of_o jewish_a tradition_n next_o the_o babylonick_a talmud_n be_v put_v forth_o by_o the_o learned_a jew_n at_o babylon_n who_o gather_v their_o tradition_n into_o a_o more_o complete_a and_o exact_a body_n as_o they_o think_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o their_o countryman_n in_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v compile_v by_o rabbi_n ascanio_n and_o his_o companion_n about_o a._n d._n 500_o and_o consist_v as_o the_o former_a talmud_n of_o the_o mishnaioth_n and_o the_o gemara_n the_o one_o be_v the_o text_n the_o other_o be_v the_o comment_n or_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o doctor_n on_o the_o book_n of_o the_o mishnah_n so_o then_o the_o oral_a law_n which_o the_o jew_n so_o much_o boast_v of_o and_o set_v so_o high_a a_o value_n upon_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o two_o talmud_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o mishnah_n and_o the_o gemara_n the_o mishnah_n be_v that_o which_o r._n judah_n compile_v the_o gemara_n be_v the_o work_n of_o r._n jochanan_n and_o ascanio_n and_o other_o rabbi_n and_o both_o be_v a_o complete_a body_n of_o the_o civil_a and_o canon_n law_n of_o the_o jew_n whoso_o name_v the_o talmud_n name_v all_o judaism_n say_v lightfoot_n these_o as_o he_o add_v be_v the_o jew_n council_n of_o trent_n they_o be_v the_o last_o and_o full_a determination_n which_o they_o have_v about_o all_o their_o religious_a opinion_n rite_n and_o usage_n thus_o i_o have_v exhibit_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a talmudick_n system_n wherein_o the_o oral_a law_n be_v comprise_v explain_v and_o descant_v upon_o and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o very_a excellent_a use_v make_v of_o this_o collection_n of_o jewish_a tradition_n it_o may_v be_v serviceable_a in_o sundry_a instance_n to_o expound_v the_o mosaic_a law_n to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o jewish_a antiquity_n to_o illustrate_v several_a place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n yea_o to_o interpret_v many_o passage_n in_o the_o new_a which_o have_v reference_n to_o the_o receive_a practice_n and_o usage_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v the_o person_n who_o i_o be_o now_o blame_v make_v very_o ill_a use_n of_o it_o because_o they_o immoderate_o extol_v these_o tradition_n call_v they_o torah_n shebegnal_n peh_n their_o infallible_a oracle_n and_o esteem_v the_o