ver_fw-la 3._o they_o take_v several_a passage_n out_o of_o scripture_n which_o be_v applicable_a as_o they_o think_v to_o that_o place_n and_o there_o insert_v they_o whence_o instead_o of_o seven_o verse_n in_o this_o psalm_n according_a to_o our_o last_o english_a translation_n which_o follow_v the_o hebrew_n there_o be_v eleven_o it_o it_o according_a to_o the_o old_a one_o use_v in_o our_o service_n which_o follow_v the_o septuagint_n thus_o in_o prov._n 6._o after_o what_o be_v say_v there_o v._n 6_o 7_o 8._o of_o the_o ant_n they_o make_v bold_a to_o add_v something_o concern_v the_o bee_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n so_o in_o isaiah_n and_o jeremiah_n and_o other_o book_n they_o take_v a_o great_a liberty_n there_o be_v several_a whole_a sentence_n add_v that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o hebrew_n and_o many_o be_v leave_v out_o that_o be_v in_o it_o to_o instance_n at_o present_a only_o in_o two_o of_o this_o latter_a sort_n those_o word_n in_o prov._n 22._o 6._o train_z up_o a_o child_n in_o the_o way_n he_o shall_v go_v and_o when_o â—e_n be_v old_a he_o will_v not_o depart_v from_o it_o be_v whole_o omit_v and_o the_o whole_a thirty_o chapter_n of_o the_o proverb_n and_o part_n of_o the_o one_o and_o thirty_o be_v leave_v out_o in_o this_o translation_n this_o be_v the_o great_a fault_n we_o have_v hitherto_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o greek_a interpreter_n but_o now_o come_v one_o which_o be_v much_o great_a and_o indeed_o unpardonable_a if_o it_o be_v true_a 9_o then_o it_o be_v think_v by_o some_o that_o in_o many_o place_n they_o have_v wilful_o corrupt_v and_o pervert_v the_o text._n it_o be_v think_v at_o least_o that_o they_o do_v not_o exact_o translate_v some_o place_n because_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o expose_v the_o bible_n to_o the_o gentile_n this_o be_v too_o rich_a and_o precious_a a_o treasure_n to_o be_v impart_v to_o they_o it_o will_v be_v a_o profane_v and_o pollute_v of_o it_o to_o lay_v it_o open_v to_o all_o men._n it_o be_v ver._n galatinus_n persuasion_n that_o in_o their_o turn_v the_o hebrew_n into_o greek_a they_o alter_v several_a thing_n because_o the_o ethnic_n be_v at_o that_o time_n unworthy_a of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o divine_a mystery_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n and_o this_o the_o talmud_n itself_o witness_v the_o pagan_a world_n be_v not_o able_a to_o bear_v several_a of_o those_o thing_n they_o will_v have_v seem_v absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a to_o they_o if_o they_o have_v be_v translate_v as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o original_a hence_o say_v he_o the_o seventy_n version_n be_v imperfect_a and_o seem_v to_o differ_v yea_o real_o do_v differ_v from_o the_o hebrew_n in_o many_o place_n and_o a_o lightfoot_n learned_a doctor_n of_o our_o own_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o translate_v the_o bible_n unwilling_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o impart_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o heathen_n therefore_o though_o be_v command_v by_o ptolemy_n they_o undertake_v this_o work_n yet_o go_v about_o it_o with_o unwilling_a mind_n they_o do_v it_o slight_o and_o perfunctory_o and_o it_o be_v likely_a false_o in_o some_o place_n and_o this_o be_v long_o ago_o the_o opinion_n of_o st._n iâ—rom_n who_o plain_o declare_v that_o pentateuch_n wherever_o any_o thing_n occur_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n concern_v the_o sacred_a trinity_n it_o be_v either_o misinterpret_v or_o whole_o conceal_v by_o these_o 70_o elder_n and_o this_o he_o say_v be_v do_v by_o they_o partly_o to_o please_v king_n ptolomee_o and_o partly_o because_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o divulge_v the_o mystery_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o the_o world_n thus_o as_o genes_n he_o observe_v 〈◊〉_d isa._n 9_o 6._o they_o leave_v out_o five_o or_o 〈◊〉_d name_n of_o christ_n and_o put_v in_o the_o place_n of_o they_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o great_a caunâ—el_n they_o will_v not_o let_v it_o be_v know_v that_o that_o child_n be_v god_n lest_o they_o shall_v be_v think_v 10_o worship_v another_o god_n and_o therefore_o they_o purposely_o and_o â—allciously_o conceal_v those_o glorious_a title_n attribute_v to_o christ_n and_o more_o especial_o that_o the_o mighty_a god_n but_o this_o author_n be_v more_o candid_a and_o mild_a in_o his_o censure_n of_o these_o 70_o elder_n when_o in_o other_o place_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o many_o of_o those_o copy_n and_o edition_n of_o the_o greek_a translation_n which_o be_v then_o abroad_o be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o transcriber_n and_o that_o it_o be_v his_o design_n in_o his_o latin_a version_n to_o correct_v they_o again_o he_o impute_v their_o mistake_v to_o their_o ignorance_n say_v pentaâ—euch_n they_o make_v this_o translation_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o so_o know_v not_o what_o they_o render_v in_o many_o place_n and_o therefore_o do_v it_o obscure_o and_o dubious_o wherefore_o he_o profess_v he_o condemn_v not_o the_o seventy_o but_o only_o prefer_v the_o apostle_n before_o they_o their_o write_n be_v near_o to_o the_o hebrew_n original_a and_o true_o i_o be_o not_o thorough_o convince_v that_o the_o interpreter_n themselves_o do_v wilful_o corrupt_v the_o translation_n that_o they_o design_o misinterpret_v the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o falsify_v in_o the_o forementioned_a place_n and_o several_a other_o for_o the_o messiah_n the_o christ_n be_v not_o come_v then_o and_o there_o be_v no_o controversy_n about_o he_o and_o therefore_o according_a to_o my_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v too_o early_a time_n of_o day_n to_o misrepresent_v or_o corrupt_v the_o bible_n where_o it_o speak_v of_o he_o i_o rather_o think_v this_o be_v do_v afterward_o namely_o after_o our_o saviour_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o have_v be_v reject_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o impostor_n then_o these_o place_n before_o mention_v and_o several_a other_o begin_v to_o be_v pervert_v then_o the_o circumcise_a doctor_n attempt_v to_o pare_v off_o some_o passage_n to_o make_v some_o alteration_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o lxx_o which_o they_o get_v into_o their_o hand_n then_o it_o be_v that_o they_o corrupt_v the_o chronology_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o they_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o you_o find_v such_o a_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n and_o those_o of_o the_o seventy_o about_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v that_o the_o jew_n make_v a_o alteration_n in_o the_o year_n mention_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n more_o especial_o those_o before_o the_o flood_n in_o that_o catalogue_n in_o gen._n 5._o according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n there_o be_v 1656_o year_n from_o the_o creation_n to_o the_o flood_n but_o according_a to_o the_o greek_a there_o be_v about_o 2250._o the_o young_a sacra_fw-la vossius_fw-la be_v a_o smart_a advocate_n for_o the_o septuagint_n and_o follow_v their_o computation_n tell_v we_o that_o 4000_o want_v â—ive_a or_o six_o year_n be_v expire_v before_o moses_n death_n and_o that_o from_o thence_o to_o our_o saviour_n come_v be_v above_o 2000_o year_n so_o that_o christ_n be_v incarnate_a at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o six_o millenary_a or_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o seven_o the_o sum_n be_v that_o according_a to_o vossius_fw-la and_o the_o lxx_n reckon_v the_o time_n of_o the_o world_n beginning_n anticipate_v the_o vulgar_a aera_fw-la at_o least_o 1400_o year_n this_o lengthen_v of_o the_o account_n in_o the_o greek_a bible_n we_o owe_v to_o the_o jew_n after_o the_o come_v of_o christ_n especial_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o then_o out_o of_o their_o hatred_n to_o christian_n change_v the_o chronology_n of_o the_o greek_a interpreter_n expunge_v the_o contract_a aera_fw-la and_o introduce_v a_o large_a one_o i_o e._n they_o add_v one_o thousand_o four_o hundred_o year_n to_o these_o book_n and_o their_o design_n in_o do_v this_o be_v to_o confute_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o messias_n come_v it_o will_v appear_v hence_o that_o the_o time_n be_v past_a according_a to_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o rabbi_n for_o this_o reason_n they_o make_v this_o alteration_n in_o the_o greek_a translation_n though_o they_o can_v not_o effect_v it_o in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n hence_o arise_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a computation_n but_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o sacred_a chronology_n deliver_v by_o moses_n be_v certain_a and_o the_o calculation_n true_a and_o authentic_a because_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v so_o which_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v in_o another_o place_n and_o consequent_o the_o greek_a version_n be_v to_o be_v correct_v by_o this_o but_o this_o error_n of_o the_o septuagint_n be_v not_o original_o they_o but_o be_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o latter_a jew_n i_o mean_v those_o soon_o after_o our_o
barbarous_o and_o malicious_o take_v away_o his_o life_n because_o he_o be_v a_o faithful_a and_o righteous_a person_n thus_o i_o interpret_v the_o word_n because_o i_o discern_v that_o the_o apostle_n allude_v to_o gen._n 4._o 10._o the_o voice_n of_o thy_o brother_n blood_n cry_v unto_o i_o from_o the_o ground_n wherefore_o when_o he_o say_v abel_n yet_o speak_v it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v his_o blood_n speak_v or_o cry_v it_o speak_v long_o ago_o and_o it_o yet_o speak_v like_o the_o soul_n under_o the_o altar_n rev._n 6._o 10._o how_o long_o o_o lord_n holy_a and_o true_a do_v thou_o not_o judge_n and_o avenge_v our_o blood_n now_o by_o this_o text_n i_o expound_v that_o other_o in_o heb._n 12._o 24._o the_o blood_n of_o sprinkle_v that_o speak_v better_a thing_n than_o abel_n for_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o greek_a the_o apostle_n have_v say_v before_o abel_n yet_o speak_v i._n e._n the_o voice_n of_o his_o blood_n speak_v or_o cry_v to_o heaven_n for_o vengeance_n he_o here_o with_o particular_a reference_n to_o that_o passage_n assure_v we_o that_o christ_n blood_n speak_v better_a thing_n than_o abel_n or_o than_o the_o blood_n of_o abel_n which_o be_v shed_v by_o his_o brother_n for_o whereas_o that_o speak_v and_o cry_v for_o punishment_n this_o plead_v for_o mercy_n and_o pardon_n christ_n oblation_n of_o himself_o on_o the_o cross_n by_o the_o effusion_n of_o his_o blood_n speak_v better_a thing_n do_v more_o atone_v and_o appease_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n than_o the_o blood_n of_o abel_n who_o be_v spiteful_o murder_v do_v incense_v and_o provoke_v it_o thus_o this_o be_v a_o good_a way_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n sometime_o by_o compare_v one_o text_n with_o another_o and_o observe_v their_o mutual_a relation_n many_o obscure_a and_o less_o intelligible_a passage_n be_v clear_v by_o this_o mean_n i_o will_v content_v myself_o with_o mention_v one_o place_n more_o viz._n mat._n 24._o 34._o this_o generation_n shall_v not_o pass_v till_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v fulfil_v which_o remarkable_a word_n of_o our_o saviour_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v mistake_v by_o those_o interpreter_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o and_o mere_o because_o they_o have_v not_o mind_v the_o reference_n of_o the_o word_n some_o have_v take_v this_o generation_n for_o the_o generation_n then_o in_o be_v in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o so_o they_o apprehend_v he_o to_o speak_v of_o something_o that_o be_v soon_o after_o to_o be_v accomplish_v not_o unlike_o some_o of_o st._n john_n vision_n which_o 1._o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o a_o short_a time_n and_o consequent_o that_o those_o sign_n of_o his_o come_v which_o he_o have_v foretell_v in_o that_o chapter_n be_v to_o be_v every_o day_n expect_v and_o if_o they_o be_v mean_v of_o his_o general_n and_o final_a come_v then_o that_o the_o overthrow_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v about_o the_o same_o time_n and_o that_o some_o of_o the_o sign_n mention_v by_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v proper_o and_o peculiar_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n soem_n to_o be_v clear_a from_o that_o one_o passage_n in_o ver_fw-la 20._o pray_o that_o your_o flight_n be_v not_o on_o the_o sabbath-day_n which_o intimate_v that_o the_o jewish_a people_n be_v particular_o concern_v who_o solemn_o observe_v that_o day_n by_o this_o generation_n than_o they_o understand_v the_o present_a generation_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n and_o to_o confirm_v this_o they_o observe_v that_o this_o generation_n be_v apply_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o jew_n of_o that_o age_n mark_v 8._o 12._o the_o mean_v then_o of_o this_o generation_n shall_v not_o pass_v etc._n etc._n according_o to_o this_o acception_n of_o the_o word_n be_v this_o that_o whilst_o the_o jew_n then_o live_v be_v upon_o the_o earth_n those_o thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v foretell_v in_o that_o chapter_n yea_o all_o those_o thing_n shall_v be_v fulfil_v this_o be_v a_o very_a good_a interpretation_n of_o the_o word_n if_o the_o thing_n itself_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o be_v that_o within_o so_o short_a a_o time_n all_o those_o prediction_n of_o christ_n be_v accomplish_v but_o the_o contrary_n be_v very_o evident_a for_o the_o chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o devastation_n of_o jerusalem_n wherefore_o all_o the_o thing_n that_o our_o lord_n speak_v of_o be_v not_o fulfil_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o that_o generation_n and_o consequent_o that_o period_n of_o time_n can_v not_o be_v mean_v when_o it_o be_v say_v this_o generation_n shall_v etc._n etc._n second_o therefore_o other_o who_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o invalidity_n of_o this_o interpretation_n understand_v this_o generation_n in_o a_o wide_a and_o large_a sense_n and_o think_v that_o by_o it_o be_v mean_v the_o evangelical_n dispensation_n the_o whole_a series_n of_o time_n from_o our_o saviour_n day_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o final_a upshot_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o this_o be_v a_o good_a exposition_n of_o the_o text_n and_o salve_n the_o sense_n very_o well_o only_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v the_o last_o age_n of_o the_o world_n this_o period_n of_o time_n be_v call_v by_o 18._o st._n john_n the_o last_o time_n by_o 7._o st._n peter_n the_o end_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o by_o 11._o st._n paul_n the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o it_o be_v any_o where_o style_v this_o generation_n therefore_o i_o do_v not_o see_v any_o good_a ground_n to_o apply_v it_o here_o in_o that_o manner_n as_o some_o expositor_n have_v do_v wherefore_o i_o will_v offer_v another_o interpretation_n which_o i_o hope_v will_v not_o be_v unacceptable_a to_o the_o learned_a though_o i_o confess_v i_o do_v not_o expect_v it_o shall_v be_v present_o receive_v because_o it_o be_v whole_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o but_o let_v impartial_a mind_n judge_v of_o it_o who_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o mere_a novelty_n of_o a_o exposition_n to_o hinder_v their_o embrace_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v as_o much_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o generation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o whole_a creation_n of_o the_o world_n this_o vast_a mundane_a fabric_n so_o st._n james_n use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ch_n 3._o 6._o make_v it_o the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o rom._n 8._o 19_o 22._o and_o even_o among_o profane_a author_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v sometime_o the_o like_a acception_n and_o be_v render_v seculum_fw-la the_o world_n this_o shall_v not_o pass_v i._n e._n be_v destroy_v till_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v fulfil_v as_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v say_v the_o world_n shall_v continue_v as_o it_o have_v hitherto_o do_v till_o all_o these_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v foretell_v but_o especial_o these_o concern_v my_o last_o come_v be_v accomplish_v but_o immediate_o after_o the_o fulfil_n of_o they_o this_o generation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n this_o frame_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v set_v on_o fire_n shall_v be_v consume_v and_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v this_o signification_n here_o i._n e._n that_o it_o import_v this_o system_fw-la of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n i_o gather_v from_o the_o reference_n of_o this_o verse_n to_o the_o immediate_o ensue_v one_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v pass_v away_o but_o my_o word_n shall_v not_o pass_v away_o where_o you_o see_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v explain_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o generation_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v pass_v away_o but_o my_o word_n my_o prediction_n concern_v future_a thing_n which_o you_o have_v just_a now_o hear_v from_o my_o mouth_n shall_v not_o pass_v away_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v this_o great_a structure_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v perish_v at_o last_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v be_v destroy_v by_o a_o general_a conflagration_n but_o new_a heaven_n and_o a_o new_a earth_n shall_v arise_v in_o their_o room_n which_o shall_v be_v a_o building_n not_o make_v with_o hand_n not_o of_o perish_v material_n but_o such_o as_o shall_v last_v eternal_o and_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v my_o word_n and_o promise_n such_o be_v all_o my_o prediction_n and_o particular_o this_o of_o the_o sign_n of_o my_o come_v it_o shall_v never_o be_v null_v and_o abolish_v the_o apply_v of_o the_o word_n shall_v pass_v to_o the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n immediate_o after_o show_v that_o christ_n mean_v by_o this_o generation_n the_o whole_a world_n express_v by_o heaven_n and_o earth_n you_o see_v then_o how_o sit_o it_o be_v say_v here_o
heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v pass_v away_o it_o refer_v to_o this_o generation_n pass_v away_o viz._n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o final_a close_o of_o all_o thing_n when_o there_o shall_v be_v new_a heaven_n and_o a_o new_a earth_n as_o 13._o st._n peter_n inform_v we_o our_o saviour_n here_o signify_v the_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n he_o speak_v of_o last_o ver_fw-la 24_o 25._o shall_v be_v accomplish_v when_o this_o generation_n this_o present_a creation_n of_o thing_n shall_v be_v dissolve_v then_o and_o not_o before_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v fulfil_v then_o shall_v be_v verify_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v say_v concern_v the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o world_n yea_o all_o the_o thing_n mention_v in_o this_o chapter_n for_o we_o must_v know_v that_o even_o the_o prediction_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v most_o signal_o fulfil_v in_o the_o final_a dissolution_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n because_o that_o be_v design_v to_o be_v a_o type_n and_o representation_n of_o this_o and_o as_o for_o the_o word_n this_o which_o be_v join_v with_o generation_n if_o any_o cavil_n at_o it_o i_o can_v prove_v out_o of_o before_o abundance_n of_o text_n that_o it_o be_v sometime_o of_o the_o same_o import_n with_o the_o and_o so_o you_o may_v read_v it_o the_o generation_n viz._n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n but_o here_o as_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v a_o emphatical_a word_n and_o refer_v to_o the_o thing_n speak_v of_o before_o viz._n the_o sun_n moon_n star_n earth_n and_o sea_n ver_fw-la 29._o of_o this_o chapter_n and_o luke_n 21._o 26._o which_o further_o confirm_v the_o acception_n of_o this_o word_n which_o i_o propound_v viz._n that_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o creation_n or_o perhaps_o our_o saviour_n do_v cast_v his_o eye_n about_o and_o intentive_o behold_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o then_o pronounce_v these_o word_n this_o generation_n this_o fabric_n of_o the_o world_n which_o i_o now_o behold_v and_o all_o the_o work_n in_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v dissolve_v till_o that_o very_a time_n when_o these_o my_o prediction_n shall_v be_v verify_v the_o fulfil_n of_o my_o word_n and_o the_o period_n of_o all_o thing_n shall_v happen_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o last_o i_o will_v not_o conceal_v my_o conjecture_n that_o these_o word_n of_o christ_n refer_v to_o what_o he_o have_v say_v in_o his_o excellent_a sermon_n on_o the_o mount_n and_o if_o so_o than_o this_o interpretation_n which_o i_o have_v offer_v will_v be_v thereby_o exceed_o confirm_v his_o word_n there_o be_v these_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o till_o heaven_n and_o earth_n pass_v one_o jot_n or_o one_o tittle_n shall_v in_o no_o wise_a pass_n from_o the_o law_n till_o all_o be_v fulfil_v mat._n 5._o 18._o and_o his_o word_n here_o run_v thus_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o this_o generation_n shall_v not_o pass_v till_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v fulfil_v heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v pass_v away_o but_o my_o word_n shall_v not_o pass_v away_o by_o compare_v which_o text_n it_o plain_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o air_n and_o aspect_n in_o they_o the_o same_o style_n and_o mode_n of_o expression_n be_v use_v so_o that_o we_o be_v hereby_o invite_v to_o expound_v one_o by_o the_o other_o first_o they_o begin_v with_o the_o same_o solemn_a preface_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o second_o the_o verb_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v in_o both_o place_n in_o the_o very_a same_o signification_n for_o as_o grotius_n observe_v on_o mat._n 5._o 18._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v as_o much_o as_o interire_fw-la perire_fw-la and_o so_o it_o be_v here_o it_o signify_v to_o be_v destroy_v to_o perish_v to_o be_v anulâ—d_v three_o that_o considerable_a passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d till_o all_o be_v fulfil_v be_v in_o both_o place_n and_o refer_v to_o the_o very_a â—ame_n thing_n viz._n the_o law_n or_o word_n or_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n what_o he_o have_v say_v or_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o he_o and_o four_o the_o work_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o fabric_n and_o system_v of_o the_o world_n be_v speak_v of_o in_o both_o place_n though_o under_o different_a expression_n for_o in_o the_o former_a they_o be_v style_v heaven_n and_o earth_n in_o the_o latter_a the_o generation_n but_o that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o import_n and_o express_v to_o we_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v clear_a from_o this_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v exact_o apply_v to_o both_o for_o though_o we_o make_v some_o little_a difference_n in_o our_o english_a translation_n render_v the_o greek_a word_n by_o pass_v in_o one_o verse_n and_o pass_v away_o in_o the_o other_o yet_o the_o verb_n itself_o be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o original_a and_o according_o shall_v if_o we_o will_v be_v accurate_a be_v render_v alike_o in_o both_o verse_n whence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o generation_n pass_v and_o the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n pass_v be_v synonymous_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o aim_v at_o and_o which_o put_v a_o key_n into_o our_o hand_n to_o open_v these_o word_n viz._n that_o this_o generation_n in_o ver_fw-la 34._o be_v the_o same_o with_o heaven_n and_o earth_n in_o ver_fw-la 35._o and_o that_o their_o pass_n be_v the_o very_a same_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o generation_n in_o some_o other_o place_n be_v apply_v to_o that_o present_a age_n and_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v so_o understand_v here_o the_o consequence_n must_v be_v deny_v and_o that_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n for_o beside_o what_o have_v be_v say_v already_o in_o several_a place_n we_o find_v that_o the_o same_o word_n and_o expression_n be_v not_o use_v and_o apply_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o be_v a_o stranger_n to_o the_o bible_n and_o particular_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o know_v not_o this_o and_o therefore_o from_o the_o identity_n of_o word_n we_o can_v necessary_o infer_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v intend_v but_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o expression_n and_o to_o apply_v they_o as_o we_o see_v occasion_n this_o we_o must_v do_v here_o and_o if_o we_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o context_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v we_o shall_v apply_v this_o generation_n after_o the_o aforesaid_a manner_n and_o indeed_o the_o connection_n of_o these_o two_o verse_n be_v that_o which_o lead_v i_o first_o to_o this_o interpretation_n for_o the_o mention_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n pass_v in_o this_o latter_a verse_n suggest_v to_o my_o thought_n that_o it_o have_v some_o cognation_n with_o the_o like_a expression_n in_o the_o forego_n verse_n which_o upon_o far_a examination_n i_o find_v to_o be_v so_o indeed_o christ_n proceed_v in_o ver_fw-la 35._o to_o speak_v of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n pass_v because_o he_o have_v in_o ver_fw-la 34._o be_v speak_v of_o the_o same_o thing_n which_o give_v we_o assurance_n of_o what_o i_o propound_v that_o this_o generation_n pass_v and_o heaven_n and_o earth_n pass_v be_v exegetical_a of_o each_o other_o this_o be_v the_o exposition_n which_o i_o give_v of_o this_o place_n and_o i_o submit_v it_o to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o considerate_a and_o judicious_a this_o i_o only_o say_v that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o fair_a construction_n and_o contain_v nothing_o inconsistent_a in_o it_o so_o i_o deem_v it_o to_o be_v the_o best_a solution_n whereby_o we_o can_v cleverly_o avoid_v the_o quarrel_n of_o expositor_n about_o the_o word_n especial_o about_o the_o mean_v of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o as_o several_a other_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v misunderstand_v because_o the_o due_a reference_n of_o the_o word_n be_v not_o attend_v to_o chap._n xiii_o chronological_a difficulty_n full_o reconcile_v as_o gen._n 15._o 13._o thy_o seed_n shall_v be_v a_o stranger_n in_o a_o land_n that_o be_v not_o they_o and_o shall_v serve_v they_o and_o they_o shall_v afflict_v they_o four_o hundred_o year_n nay_o thirty_o year_n be_v add_v to_o this_o reckon_n in_o exod._n 12._o 40._o whereas_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o that_o the_o israelite_n bondage_n in_o egypt_n do_v not_o last_v above_o two_o hundred_o and_o fifteen_o year_n it_o be_v say_v act_v 13._o 20._o after_o that_o he_o give_v they_o judge_n about_o the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n until_o samuel_n the_o prophet_n yet_o according_a to_o the_o usual_a computation_n there_o be_v but_o three_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o nine_o year_n from_o the_o first_o judge_n till_o samuel_n god_n give_v unto_o they_o saul_n by_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n act_n 13._o 21._o yet_o no_o man_n think_v that_o he_o
mention_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n chronicle_n jeremiah_n ezekiel_n daniel_n and_o last_o belshazzar_n dan._n 5._o 22._o in_o who_o this_o monarchy_n have_v its_o period_n and_o so_o these_o sacred_a write_n acquaint_v we_o not_o only_o with_o the_o rise_v but_o the_o progress_n duration_n and_o end_n of_o this_o empire_n hence_o we_o learn_v that_o it_o last_v from_o nimrod_n to_o the_o close_a of_o belshazzar_n reign_n i._n e._n from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1717._o to_o the_o year_n 3419._o which_o be_v in_o all_o 1702_o year_n a_o much_o long_a time_n than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o monarchy_n endure_v again_o in_o these_o write_n be_v record_v the_o original_a of_o the_o next_o viz._n the_o persian_a usual_o know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o second_o monarchy_n here_o we_o read_v that_o belshazzar_n the_o last_o chaldean_a monarch_n he_o that_o impious_o carouze_v in_o the_o holy_a vessel_n belong_v to_o the_o temple_n be_v slay_v by_o darius_n the_o mcde_v dan._n 5._o 30_o 31._o who_o join_v with_o cyrus_n the_o persian_a in_o the_o expedition_n against_o belshazzar_n and_o they_o both_o have_v right_o to_o the_o babylonian_a monarchy_n on_o that_o account_n and_o according_o joint_o rule_v so_o it_o be_v a_o medo-persian_a monarchy_n darius_n be_v speak_v of_o in_o the_o 6_o and_o 9th_o chapter_n of_o daniel_n but_o be_v age_a before_o he_o come_v to_o the_o throne_n he_o live_v but_o about_o two_o year_n after_o whereupon_o cyrus_n reign_v alone_o and_o be_v general_o repute_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n this_o famous_a cyrus_n surname_v the_o great_a be_v prophesy_v of_o long_a before_o he_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n isa._n 44._o 28._o &_o 45._o 1._o this_o be_v he_o that_o be_v the_o happy_a restorer_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o their_o own_o country_n and_o be_v a_o great_a favourer_n of_o the_o pious_a of_o that_o nation_n ezr._n 1_o and_o in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n and_o in_o the_o book_n of_o nehemiah_n be_v infallible_o relate_v what_o persian_a king_n hinder_v the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o promote_v it_o beside_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o daniel_n be_v a_o narrative_a of_o what_o be_v do_v under_o the_o king_n of_o persia._n next_o it_o may_v be_v add_v that_o alexander_n the_o great_a the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o grecian_a monarchy_n be_v speak_v of_o in_o these_o sacred_a write_n as_o in_o dan._n 2._o 32_o 39_o &_o 7._o 6._o &_o 8._o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8._o &_o 10._o 20._o &_o 11._o 3_o 4._o whence_o 8._o jaddus_n the_o high_a priest_n show_v the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n to_o that_o great_a monarch_n and_o particular_o turn_v to_o that_o place_n where_o his_o conquer_a of_o the_o persian_n and_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o empire_n to_o he_o be_v foretell_v here_o also_o the_o division_n of_o the_o empire_n among_o his_o captain_n be_v predict_v dan._n 2._o 33._o &_o 7._o 7_o 19_o &_o 8._o 22._o &_o 11._o 5_o 6_o etc._n etc._n last_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n mention_n the_o author_n and_o erecter_n of_o the_o roman_a which_o general_o pass_v for_o the_o four_o monarchy_n and_o some_o of_o his_o action_n and_o decree_n this_o be_v augustus_n for_o if_o we_o speak_v proper_o this_o empire_n begin_v not_o â—_o juliu_o câ—sar_n but_o in_o he_o when_o he_o vanquish_v â—_o anthony_n and_o cleopatra_n in_o the_o battle_n of_o actium_n anâ—_n all_o egypt_n become_v a_o roman_a province_n thus_o niâ—_n rod_n cyrus_n alexander_n augustus_n the_o founder_n â—_o those_o four_o renown_a monarchy_n and_o many_o of_o thâ—_n most_o eminent_a and_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o some_o of_o they_o be_v record_v in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n whereby_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n be_v confirm_v and_o some_o obscure_a place_n in_o pagan_a writer_n be_v enlighten_v and_o some_o mistake_v may_v be_v correct_v indeed_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v the_o gentile_a history_n aright_o in_o sundry_a matter_n relate_v to_o the_o first_o kingdom_n and_o government_n unless_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o bible_n chap._n iii_o in_o these_o sacred_a write_n we_o have_v the_o first_o and_o early_a account_n of_o all_o useful_a employment_n and_o calling_n viz._n garden_v husbandry_n feed_v of_o sheep_n prepare_v of_o food_n the_o ancient_a manner_n of_o thresh_v grind_v of_o corn_n and_o make_v bread_n be_v inquire_v into_o what_o be_v the_o primitive_a drink_n the_o posture_n which_o they_o use_v at_o eat_v and_o drink_v sit_v precede_v discubation_n the_o particular_a manner_n of_o place_v themselves_o on_o their_o bed_n eat_v in_o common_a not_o always_o use_v discalceation_n and_o wash_v the_o foot_n be_v the_o attendants_n of_o eat_v and_o feast_v so_o be_v anoint_v they_o have_v a_o master_n or_o governor_n of_o their_o feast_n who_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o mechanic_n arts._n the_o first_o example_n of_o architecture_n house_n be_v build_v flat_a at_o top_n and_o why_o in_o the_o five_o place_n here_o and_o only_o here_o be_v to_o be_v learn_v the_o original_a of_o all_o employment_n calling_n oecupation_n profession_n mystery_n trade_n and_o of_o all_o art_n and_o invention_n whatsoever_o first_o here_o be_v the_o early_a mention_n of_o garden_v husbandry_n plougb_v keep_v of_o sheep_n which_o be_v of_o ordinary_a use_n and_o for_o the_o necessary_a support_n of_o man_n life_n god_n place_v adam_n in_o paradise_n a_o garden_n of_o delight_n instruct_v he_o how_o to_o dress_v and_o keep_v it_o gen._n 2._o 15._o 〈◊〉_d to_o work_n and_o belabour_v the_o ground_n for_o so_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o lxx_o to_o dig_v and_o delve_v with_o great_a care_n and_o art_n to_o open_v the_o earth_n to_o let_v in_o the_o influence_n of_o heaven_n to_o prune_v the_o tree_n and_o cherish_v the_o plant_n to_o preserve_v the_o fruit_n from_o the_o beast_n and_o fowl_n which_o have_v admittance_n into_o that_o place_n as_o we_o read_v in_o gen._n 2._o 19_o 20._o and_o to_o keep_v all_o thing_n in_o good_a order_n as_o a_o skilful_a gardener_n and_o husbandman_n for_o both_o these_o make_v up_o the_o first_o employment_n and_o trade_n in_o the_o world_n and_o when_o man_n be_v eject_v out_o of_o paradise_n he_o be_v still_o set_v about_o the_o same_o work_n gen._n 3._o 23._o for_o the_o hebrew_n word_n that_o be_v use_v here_o be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o in_o ver_fw-la 15._o and_o be_v translate_v there_o to_o dress_v but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o gnamad_a which_o be_v the_o verb_n in_o both_o place_n be_v of_o a_o large_a import_n and_o signify_v all_o husbandly_a manage_n and_o improve_n of_o ground_n and_o true_o there_o be_v more_o need_n of_o exercise_v that_o art_n now_o than_o before_o the_o earth_n be_v not_o a_o little_a endamage_v by_o the_o curse_n which_o god_n denounce_v against_o it_o and_o execute_v upon_o it_o which_o be_v one_o reason_n why_o adam_n bring_v up_o his_o son_n cain_n to_o husbandry_n and_o tilling_n the_o ground_n gen._n 4._o 2._o for_o now_o it_o want_v manure_v and_o cultivate_v and_o as_o this_o his_o elder_a son_n be_v bring_v up_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n so_o his_o next_o be_v breed_v up_o to_o feed_v of_o sheep_n which_o be_v the_o second_o employment_n or_o call_v that_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o world_n afterward_o jabal_n advance_v high_a and_o become_v the_o first_o grazier_n for_o so_o i_o understand_v those_o word_n gen._n 4._o 20._o he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o such_o as_o have_v cattle_n i._n e._n that_o have_v other_o cattle_n beside_o sheep_n for_o these_o and_o the_o keep_n or_o feed_v of_o they_o have_v be_v mention_v before_o he_o live_v upon_o pasturage_n and_o for_o that_o purpose_n be_v the_o father_n of_o such_o as_o dwell_v in_o tent_n as_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o same_o place_n the_o mean_v of_o which_o be_v that_o whereas_o other_o general_o live_v in_o one_o fix_a place_n and_o habitation_n he_o and_o other_o of_o his_o call_v go_v from_o one_o place_n to_o another_o feed_n they_o travel_v as_o their_o cattle_n do_v and_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v requisite_a to_o have_v tent_n according_o that_o they_o may_v look_v after_o their_o flock_n and_o herd_n the_o better_a he_o invent_v these_o that_o they_o may_v lie_v out_o in_o the_o field_n all_o night_n under_o this_o shelter_n thus_o you_o see_v what_o be_v the_o primitive_a state_n of_o thing_n adain_n and_o his_o first-born_a son_n be_v husbandman_n and_o his_o second_o son_n a_o shepherd_n and_o other_o of_o his_o race_n be_v busy_v in_o feed_v of_o cattle_n such_o be_v the_o employment_n of_o those_o that_o be_v the_o first_o heir_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o for_o
not_o always_o observe_v here_o thing_n be_v not_o relate_v constant_o in_o a_o certain_a continue_a method_n and_o series_n nor_o be_v we_o to_o understand_v or_o take_v they_o as_o write_v so_o a_o great_a and_o prevail_a mistake_v it_o have_v be_v to_o think_v that_o the_o course_n and_o order_n of_o time_n be_v due_o and_o all_o along_o observe_v in_o these_o write_n whereas_o to_o a_o considerate_a person_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o the_o chapter_n be_v not_o write_v and_o dispose_v in_o any_o method_n this_o because_o it_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o and_o censure_v as_o a_o new_a notion_n i_o will_v make_v good_a thus_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v represent_v and_o describe_v three_o or_o four_o time_n in_o these_o vision_n and_o revelation_n as_o first_o at_o the_o open_n of_o the_o six_o seal_n ch_n 6._o v._n 12_o to_o the_o end_n where_o the_o description_n of_o the_o last_o day_n agree_v exact_o with_o other_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n especial_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n in_o mat._n 24._o and_o therefore_o to_o allegorise_v it_o where_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o disorder_n of_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n which_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o signify_v sometime_o temporal_a judgement_n as_o the_o destruction_n of_o babylon_n isa._n 13._o 10._o and_o of_o egypt_n ezek._n 32._o 7._o i_o answer_v that_o though_o it_o do_v so_o yet_o these_o remarkable_a judgement_n and_o devastation_n be_v figure_n and_o representation_n of_o the_o last_o and_o terrible_a one_o and_o be_v so_o design_v by_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o this_o may_v well_o be_v set_v forth_o to_o we_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o this_o manner_n nay_o the_o darken_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o the_o like_a expression_n be_v but_o metaphorical_a in_o those_o former_a instance_n but_o here_o be_v proper_a natural_a and_o real_a and_o therefore_o ought_v so_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o this_o place_n again_o st._n john_n have_v another_o revelation_n of_o this_o great_a day_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 11_o chapter_n from_o ver_fw-la 15_o to_o the_o close_a of_o the_o chapter_n but_o especial_o those_o plain_a word_n in_o ver_fw-la 18._o thy_o wrath_n be_v come_v and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o dead_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v judge_v place_v it_o beyond_o all_o doubt_n that_o the_o final_a judgement_n of_o the_o last_o day_n be_v here_o mean_v again_o the_o seven_o vial_n mention_v rev._n 16._o 17._o which_o contain_v the_o last_o plague_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o indignation_n and_o punishment_n of_o that_o day_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o prodigy_n which_o accompany_v it_o and_o particular_o from_o what_o be_v say_v ver_fw-la 20._o every_o island_n flee_v away_o and_o the_o mountain_n be_v not_o find_v which_o express_v the_o terrible_a dissolution_n of_o the_o world_n at_o that_o time_n beside_o that_o it_o be_v observable_a in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o precede_a vial_n which_o make_v way_n for_o this_o last_o that_o christ_n say_v i_o come_v as_o a_o thief_n v_o 15._o which_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v particular_o apply_v and_o make_v use_n of_o when_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v speak_v of_o mat._n 24._o 43._o 1_o thess._n 5._o 2_o 4_o 2_o pet._n 3._o 10._o and_o last_o in_o the_o 20_o chapter_n from_o the_o 11_o verse_n to_o the_o end_n there_o be_v another_o vision_n of_o this_o last_o and_o general_a appearance_n of_o the_o world_n as_o be_v universal_o acknowledge_v by_o interpreter_n and_o therefore_o we_o need_v not_o stand_v to_o clear_v it_o now_o from_o all_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v not_o observe_v in_o the_o vision_n of_o this_o book_n a_o historical_a order_n or_o course_n of_o time_n for_o if_o there_o be_v the_o general_n day_n of_o doom_n which_o be_v the_o last_o thing_n of_o all_o can_v not_o be_v represent_v here_o three_o or_o four_o time_n this_o must_v have_v come_v in_o the_o shut_n up_o of_o all_o when_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v pass_v whereas_o now_o we_o see_v it_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o beginning_n in_o the_o middle_a and_o in_o the_o end_n of_o these_o revelation_n which_o if_o it_o be_v well_o attend_v to_o be_v one_o admirable_a key_n to_o open_v the_o secret_n of_o this_o book_n for_o hence_o we_o understand_v that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v not_o what_o it_o have_v be_v think_v to_o be_v one_o entire_a historical_a narration_n of_o what_o shall_v be_v and_o that_o first_o one_o thing_n be_v foretell_v and_o then_o what_o follow_v that_o in_o time_n be_v next_o set_v down_o and_o so_o on_o in_o order_n no_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v thrice_o at_o least_o insert_v show_v that_o the_o vision_n of_o this_o book_n end_n and_o then_o begin_v again_o and_o then_o have_v a_o period_n and_o commence_v again_o and_o after_o that_o the_o same_o or_o the_o like_a scene_n be_v open_v and_o thing_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v repeat_v which_o be_v a_o most_o evident_a argument_n that_o this_o book_n consist_v of_o three_o or_o four_o grand_a prophecy_n or_o prophetic_a representation_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o christ_n church_n from_o the_o time_n when_o this_o be_v â—â—nned_v to_o the_o consummation_n of_o all_o thing_n here_o be_v represent_v by_o different_a type_n prophetic_a symbol_n and_o vision_n the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n which_o happen_v on_o the_o stage_n of_o the_o world_n and_o theâ—_n be_v these_o three_o the_o trouble_n and_o persecution_n which_o â—befal_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o most_o high_a the_o â—â—liverâ—â—de_n of_o they_o out_o of_o those_o trial_n and_o god_n 〈◊〉_d â—â—â—â—shing_v of_o their_o enemy_n these_o you_o will_v 〈◊〉_d set_v forth_o and_o illustrate_v by_o diverse_a scheme_n and_o apparition_n by_z different_z and_o reiterated_a representation_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o thing_n though_o the_o same_o be_v diverse_o represent_v i._n e._n in_o different_a vision_n over_o and_o over_o again_o and_o why_o they_o be_v express_v in_o different_a term_n and_o word_n the_o â—â—â—son_n i_o say_v why_o they_o be_v so_o often_o repeat_v be_v â—â—â—use_v they_o so_o often_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o wise_a disposal_n of_o proviâ—â—noâ—_n these_o prophecy_n have_v be_v and_o they_o â—â—all_v be_v yet_o fulfil_v for_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o cruelty_n of_o its_o enemy_n and_o persecutor_n and_o the_o wonderful_a deliverance_n from_o they_o and_o avenge_a their_o cause_n upon_o their_o head_n be_v the_o same_o in_o different_a age_n until_o the_o time_n when_o babyâ—â—â—_n shall_v fall_v and_o never_o rise_v again_o to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o a_o most_o eminent_a and_o learned_a bishop_n of_o our_o own_o â—_o one_o may_v easy_o see_v say_v he_o that_o rome_n be_v here_o intend_a and_o not_o pagan_a but_o christian_a rome_n which_o be_v degenerate_v into_o a_o idolatrous_a and_o tyrannical_a state_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n that_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v doom_v in_o due_a time_n to_o destruction_n you_o see_v then_o how_o useful_a this_o book_n be_v you_o may_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o beginning_n of_o it_o bless_a be_v he_o that_o read_v and_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o this_o propheoy_n ch_n 1._o v._n 3._o thâ—_n we_o can_v so_o clear_o descny_v the_o particular_a and_o 〈◊〉_d dividual_a thing_n time_n and_o personâ—_n contain_v in_o tâ—â—_n though_o this_o last_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v in_o this_o respect_n the_o obscure_a of_o they_o all_o though_o in_o some_o place_n there_o be_v apocalyps_n as_o many_o mystery_n as_o word_n yet_o thus_o far_o it_o be_v proper_o revelation_n that_o herein_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o particular_a method_n of_o god_n providence_n towards_o it_o in_o all_o time_n be_v plain_o reveal_v and_o discover_v to_o we_o plain_o i_o say_v because_o they_o be_v so_o often_o repeat_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o mistake_v they_o as_o pharaâ—â—'s_n dream_n be_v double_v to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n represent_v gen._n 41._o 32._o so_o these_o prophecy_n and_o vision_n be_v double_v and_o tribble_v yea_o more_o than_o so_o to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o reality_n of_o these_o event_n to_o confirm_v we_o in_o this_o persuasion_n that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n here_o on_o earth_n be_v often_o trouble_v and_o persecute_v yet_o she_o have_v her_o time_n of_o restoration_n and_o revive_v and_o there_o be_v a_o time_n of_o vengeance_n and_o recompense_n to_o her_o enemy_n even_o in_o this_o world_n but_o more_o especial_o at_o the_o
coast_n thereof_o from_o two_o year_n old_a and_o under_o according_a to_o the_o time_n which_o he_o have_v diligent_o inquire_v of_o the_o wise_a man_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o time_n the_o star_n have_v appear_v of_o which_o he_o be_v particular_o inform_v by_o the_o wise_a men._n hâ—nce_n a_o lightfoot_n learned_a man_n infer_v that_o these_o eastern_a sage_n come_v not_o to_o visit_v christ_n till_o two_o year_n after_o he_o be_v bear_v but_o this_o do_v not_o follow_v thence_o for_o the_o star_n may_v appear_v a_o year_n or_o two_o before_o christ_n be_v bear_v and_o give_v those_o sage_n a_o intimation_n of_o some_o strange_a thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o after_o it_o have_v appear_v a_o good_a while_n and_o they_o be_v thorough_o confirm_v in_o their_o persuasion_n that_o some_o great_a thing_n be_v to_o happen_v as_o signify_v by_o this_o new_a and_o unexpected_a luminary_n in_o the_o heaven_n they_o set_v forward_o towards_o judea_n which_o they_o know_v be_v the_o scene_n of_o the_o great_a wonder_n in_o the_o world_n and_o they_o be_v a_o long_a time_n on_o their_o journey_n from_o those_o remote_a part_n which_o they_o leave_v perhaps_o sometime_o make_v a_o halt_n or_o sometime_o go_v back_o according_o as_o their_o apprehension_n and_o surmise_n be_v concern_v this_o new_a phoenamenon_n in_o the_o heaven_n two_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o may_v be_v spend_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o appear_v of_o this_o heavenly_a light_n till_o their_o arrival_n at_o jerusalem_n from_o this_o we_o gather_v that_o it_o be_v of_o great_a continuance_n such_o as_o be_v never_o know_v to_o be_v the_o duration_n of_o comet_n some_o think_v this_o new_a star_n appear_v only_o to_o the_o magi_n because_o say_v they_o otherwise_o herod_n will_v not_o have_v so_o diligent_o inquire_v of_o they_o concern_v its_o appear_v for_o he_o may_v have_v learn_v that_o of_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o to_o understand_v this_o aright_o let_v we_o observe_v the_o word_n 7._o herod_n when_o he_o have_v privy_o call_v the_o wise_a man_n inquire_v of_o they_o diligent_o what_o time_n the_o star_n appear_v i._n e._n either_o first_o what_o be_v the_o time_n of_o its_o usual_a rise_n for_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v always_o night_n and_o day_n or_o second_o perhaps_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o other_o jew_n do_v not_o observe_v it_o it_o be_v no_o great_a and_o large_a one_o but_o these_o magi_n who_o be_v skilled_a in_o the_o star_n and_o take_v notice_n when_o a_o new_a one_o show_v itself_o know_v the_o time_n of_o its_o rise_n therefore_o herod_n inquire_v of_o they_o or_o three_o he_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o time_n when_o the_o star_n begin_v first_o to_o appear_v and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n be_v evident_a from_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o sixteen_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n viz._n that_o herod_n slay_v the_o child_n from_o two_o year_n old_a and_o under_o according_a to_o the_o time_n which_o he_o have_v inquire_v where_o you_o see_v these_o two_o be_v join_v together_o and_o answer_v to_o one_o another_o the_o age_n of_o the_o child_n and_o the_o time_n since_o the_o appear_a of_o the_o star_n herod_n have_v be_v tell_v by_o the_o wise_a man_n that_o this_o have_v appear_v about_o two_o year_n therefore_o he_o order_v all_o child_n bear_v within_o that_o time_n to_o be_v slay_v hence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o star_n first_o show_v itself_o which_o be_v in_o those_o region_n where_o the_o wise_a man_n inhabit_v be_v the_o thing_n which_o herod_n make_v enquiry_n about_o and_o in_o which_o he_o can_v not_o be_v satisfy_v by_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o this_o that_o the_o star_n be_v not_o see_v by_o they_o at_o all_o nor_o by_o herod_n himself_o because_o his_o enquiry_n be_v not_o about_o the_o present_a appear_v of_o it_o but_o only_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o its_o first_o appearance_n beside_o if_o it_o be_v see_v of_o none_o but_o the_o magi_n than_o it_o can_v not_o be_v expect_v it_o shall_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o write_n of_o â—â—her_a pagan_n but_o we_o find_v that_o it_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o which_o be_v the_o chief_a thing_n i_o be_o concern_v in_o at_o present_a the_o sibylls_n in_o their_o verse_n prophetical_o speak_v of_o it_o or_o rather_o as_o i_o have_v show_v before_o borrow_v it_o from_o the_o old-testament_n wherein_o be_v 17._o baalam_n prophecy_n concern_v the_o star_n which_o though_o it_o be_v chief_o mean_v of_o christ_n himself_o yet_o it_o may_v not_o exclude_v this_o unusual_a star_n which_o usher_v he_o into_o the_o world_n but_o virgil_n who_o transcribe_v the_o sibylls_n verse_n apply_v it_o in_o court-flattery_n to_o the_o emperor_n augustus_n 4._o ecce_fw-la dionoei_fw-la processit_fw-la caesaris_fw-la astrum_fw-la after_o its_o appearance_n it_o be_v mention_v by_o chalcidius_n a_o platonist_n in_o his_o comment_n on_o plato_n timaeus_n where_o speak_v of_o the_o wondrous_a presage_n of_o star_n mention_v in_o writer_n he_o say_v stell_n there_o be_v another_o more_o holy_a and_o venerable_a history_n which_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o appear_v of_o a_o certain_a star_n which_o do_v not_o denounce_v disease_n and_o death_n but_o the_o descent_n of_o a_o god_n to_o converse_v with_o mankind_n which_o when_o the_o chaldean_a sage_n see_v they_o take_v it_o to_o be_v the_o forerunner_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o they_o forthwith_o seek_v he_o out_o and_o worship_v he_o this_o star_n be_v mention_v by_o 25._o pliny_n under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o comet_n so_o all_o extraordinary_a star_n be_v call_v which_o appear_v in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o augustus_n reign_n and_o he_o add_v that_o that_o one_o comet_n be_v adore_v and_o reverence_v all_o the_o world_n over_o but_o hear_v what_o he_o say_v far_a in_o the_o same_o place_n speak_v of_o the_o several_a species_n of_o 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though_o he_o trifle_v about_o solve_v the_o manner_n of_o its_o appear_v this_o testimony_n of_o our_o adversary_n be_v sufficient_a again_o herod_n murder_v the_o babe_n of_o bethlehem_n be_v mention_v by_o profane_a writer_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o holy_a evangelist_n mat._n 2._o 16_o dion_z in_o the_o life_n of_o octavian_n caesar_n have_v leave_v a_o brief_a memorial_n of_o it_o but_o you_o will_v find_v it_o recount_v more_o particular_o by_o macrobius_n who_o not_o only_o tell_v we_o of_o herod_n kill_v the_o child_n of_o bethlehem_n but_o of_o slay_v his_o own_o son_n it_o seem_v this_o bloody_a man_n have_v put_v to_o death_n two_o of_o his_o son_n alexander_n and_o aristobulus_n before_o and_o now_o his_o son_n antipater_n also_o be_v dispatch_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o slaughter_n of_o the_o infant_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n and_o jealousy_n to_o secure_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o judea_n to_o his_o other_o son_n who_o be_v bear_v after_o he_o be_v 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this_o simon_n go_v under_o the_o fabulous_a name_n of_o icarus_n the_o famous_a flyer_n among_o the_o poet_n 12._o this_o person_n faith_n he_o at_o his_o very_a first_o attempt_n fall_v down_o near_o the_o emperor_n bedchamber_n and_o besprinkle_v he_o with_o his_o blood_n the_o representation_n of_o icarus_n in_o that_o play_n which_o nero_n expose_v to_o the_o people_n may_v be_v a_o mistake_n of_o the_o true_a story_n of_o simon_n magus_n who_o downfall_n happen_v at_o rome_n in_o that_o emperor_n reign_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n may_v well_o be_v remark_v in_o his_o life_n by_o this_o historian_n but_o this_o be_v propound_v in_o way_n of_o conjecture_n only_o thus_o i_o have_v brief_o show_v what_o some_o heathen_a witness_n testify_v concern_v st._n john_n our_o saviour_n forerunner_n and_o concern_v those_o chieif_a apostle_n st._n james_n paul_n and_o peter_n who_o be_v so_o often_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o new-testament_n which_o be_v a_o far_a confirmation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a viz._n that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o new-testament_n be_v vouch_v by_o those_o who_o be_v the_o great_a adversary_n of_o they_o i_o pass_v to_o another_o historical_a matter_n record_v in_o these_o sacred_a write_n viz._n the_o universal_a famine_n foretold_v by_o agabus_n act_v 11._o 28._o which_o if_o you_o will_v credit_v pagan_a historian_n happen_v in_o according_o the_o four_o year_n of_o claudius_n reign_n and_o be_v over_o all_o the_o world_n in_o the_o six_o year_n 60._o dion_z cassius_z who_o have_v compile_v his_o history_n out_o of_o the_o fasti_fw-la of_o rome_n through_o the_o several_a year_n speak_v of_o this_o famine_n under_o that_o emperor_n and_o mention_n his_o great_a care_n of_o the_o city_n that_o the_o inhabitant_n may_v not_o be_v starve_v so_o 18._o suetonius_n commend_v he_o for_o his_o diligence_n and_o providence_n in_o furnish_v the_o city_n with_o provision_n 3_o josephus_n also_o mention_n this_o grievous_a famine_n in_o claudius_n day_n with_o some_o particular_a circumstance_n and_o accident_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n luke_n concern_v the_o relief_n which_o be_v send_v at_o that_o time_n by_o the_o disciple_n at_o antioch_n to_o the_o brethren_n in_o judea_n that_o be_v a_o place_n where_o the_o famine_n exceed_o rage_v thus_o we_o find_v that_o of_o eusebius_n to_o be_v true_a who_o speak_v of_o this_o dreadful_a famine_n record_v in_o the_o act_n tell_v we_o that_o 8._o even_o those_o writer_n who_o be_v averse_a from_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v deliver_v the_o same_o in_o their_o history_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o undertake_v be_v to_o treat_v of_o christ_n prediction_n concern_v the_o overthrow_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v upon_o it_o and_o to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v express_o confirm_v by_o heathen_n and_o jew_n in_o the_o 24_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n and_o the_o 21_o of_o st._n luke_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n both_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o the_o whole_a nation_n yea_o with_o some_o remarkable_a consequence_n of_o it_o though_o i_o know_v these_o chapter_n have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v apply_v another_o way_n viz._n as_o a_o description_n of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v elsewhere_o there_o be_v a_o primary_n and_o secondary_a meaning_n of_o this_o chapter_n as_o well_o as_o of_o some_o other_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v i_o say_v first_o foretold_v that_o many_o shall_v come_v in_o christ_n name_n say_v i_o be_o christ_n and_o shall_v deceive_v many_o v_o 5._o and_o again_o v_o 11_o many_o false_a prophet_n shall_v rise_v and_o shall_v deceive_v many_o i._n e._n they_o shall_v pretend_v to_o be_v messiasses_n and_o deliverer_n of_o the_o people_n though_o indeed_o they_o be_v very_a 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theudasses_n or_o whether_o st._n luke_n and_o iosephus_n judas_n and_o theudas_n be_v the_o same_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n that_o these_o and_o other_o seducer_n and_o disturber_n arise_v and_o stir_v up_o the_o people_n to_o sedition_n and_o draw_v many_o after_o they_o in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messias_n come_n and_o partly_o pretend_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v he._n so_o it_o be_v after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n there_o rise_v up_o jonathas_n barchochebas_n who_o be_v the_o most_o famous_a of_o those_o impostor_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o 31._o josephus_n and_o other_o as_o a_o great_a ringleader_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o adrian_n time_n he_o confident_o profess_v himself_o the_o messiah_n apply_v baalam_n prophecy_n to_o himself_o num._n 24._o 17._o a_o star_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o jacob_n his_o name_n barchochab_n which_o signify_v the_o son_n of_o a_o star_n be_v not_o a_o little_a serviceable_a to_o this_o imposture_n he_o prevail_v on_o a_o great_a number_n of_o people_n to_o adhere_v to_o he_o by_o his_o invite_a promise_n and_o persuade_v they_o he_o be_v to_o be_v their_o deliverer_n yea_o he_o bring_v over_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o learned_a jew_n to_o he_o not_o only_o in_o judea_n but_o in_o greece_n and_o egypt_n but_o he_o and_o his_o party_n be_v vanquish_v by_o the_o emperor_n the_o jew_n no_o long_o call_v he_o barchochab_n but_o change_v his_o name_n into_o barchozab_n the_o son_n of_o a_o lie_n a_o false_a prophet_n a_o lie_a impostor_n divers_a other_o in_o those_o day_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o name_n of_o messiah_n and_o say_v they_o be_v to_o restore_v the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o to_o that_o end_n lead_v people_n after_o they_o into_o the_o desert_n for_o in_o such_o place_n the_o pretend_a prophet_n and_o leader_n draw_v up_o their_o force_n as_o the_o fit_a rendesvouz_n for_o they_o as_o josephus_n faith_n in_o several_a place_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o our_o 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appear_v bare-faced_n and_o to_o salute_v the_o public_a beside_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o give_v the_o world_n some_o account_n of_o the_o spend_n of_o my_o time_n and_o to_o let_v it_o be_v see_v that_o i_o have_v not_o whole_o throw_v away_o my_o hour_n moreover_o i_o have_v a_o great_a and_o passionate_a desire_n to_o serve_v the_o church_n to_o vindicate_v our_o holy_a religion_n to_o advance_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o transcendent_a worth_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v the_o standard_n of_o all_o excellent_a notion_n and_o regular_a manner_n and_o to_o promote_v and_o set_v forward_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n i_o be_o sensible_a what_o multitude_n of_o writer_n there_o be_v already_o how_o many_o print_a discourse_n be_v publish_v that_o may_v well_o be_v spare_v to_o say_v no_o worse_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o tully_n office_n wâ—â—_n the_o first_o book_n thâ—t_o be_v print_v in_o europe_n which_o 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do_v not_o tell_v what_o be_v in_o the_o book_n but_o only_o set_v it_o to_o sale_n so_o that_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a pretence_n and_o show_n and_o stand_v as_o r._n b_n sham-name_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v of_o late_a in_o the_o title-page_n but_o none_o of_o these_o miscarriage_n have_v discourage_v i_o from_o appear_v in_o public_a and_o pursue_v those_o good_a end_n i_o before_o mention_v which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o legitimate_a the_o press_n and_o to_o licence_n the_o author_n undertake_n and_o if_o the_o question_n be_v why_o more_o book_n still_o the_o answer_n be_v make_v by_o another_o question_n why_o more_o man_n still_o as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n increase_v write_v will_v do_v so_o too_o for_o all_o man_n be_v not_o alike_o their_o notion_n and_o conception_n be_v not_o the_o same_o wherefore_o for_o these_o different_a reader_n there_o must_v be_v different_a book_n st._n augustin_n argue_v of_o old_a be_v useful_a and_o seasonable_a at_o this_o day_n 3._o it_o be_v of_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o world_n say_v that_o learned_a father_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v many_o book_n compose_v by_o many_o man_n in_o a_o different_a style_n though_o not_o a_o different_a faith_n about_o the_o same_o question_n and_o subject_n that_o so_o hereby_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o the_o truth_n inquire_v into_o may_v the_o better_o be_v convey_v to_o the_o reader_n to_o some_o of_o they_o in_o one_o manner_n to_o other_o in_o another_o for_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o person_n be_v not_o convince_v and_o wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o same_o argument_n wherefore_o there_o be_v liberty_n to_o use_v all_o kind_n of_o topic_n thus_o the_o excellent_a grotius_n acquaint_v we_o that_o he_o pick_v out_o the_o best_a and_o most_o convictive_a argument_n as_o he_o think_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o particular_o the_o christian_n and_o yet_o some_o of_o they_o as_o signature_n fire_v ordeal_o etc._n etc._n be_v neglect_v by_o other_o learned_a man_n for_o evidence_n work_v more_o or_o less_o according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o man_n genius_n and_o disposition_n hence_o the_o judicious_a doctor_n jackson_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n before_o his_o first_o volume_n confess_v that_o the_o ground_n anâ—_n motive_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o and_o which_o most_o of_o all_o prevait_v with_o he_o may_v have_v little_a or_o no_o operation_n upon_o other_o whereupon_o be_v found_v the_o vsefulness_n yea_o necessity_n of_o propound_v divers_a sort_n of_o argument_n that_o if_o sâ—me_v of_o they_o prove_v not_o forcible_a and_o persuasive_a other_o may_v so_o be_v it_o in_o illustrate_v and_o comment_v upon_o the_o holy_a text_n the_o diversity_n of_o interpretation_n be_v requisite_a and_o useful_a and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n can_v be_v penetrate_v into_o without_o these_o different_a way_n of_o enquiry_n the_o wise_a man_n be_v a_o physician_n of_o the_o law_n say_v the_o jewish_a doctor_n i._n e._n whereas_o the_o unlearned_a and_o unskilful_a corrupt_v the_o text_n and_o deprave_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o he_o come_v and_o heal_v it_o by_o restore_v it_o to_o its_o genuine_a and_o proper_a meaning_n but_o in_o effect_v this_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o he_o shall_v tie_v himself_o to_o the_o same_o method_n and_o art_n of_o cure_n which_o other_o have_v use_v before_o he_o some_o superstitious_o confine_v themselves_o to_o one_o man_n critical_a determination_n on_o the_o place_n as_o bishop_n montague_n say_v of_o mr._n selden_n they_o take_v a_o grammarian_n for_o a_o god_n they_o do_v so_o in_o the_o worst_a sense_n they_o deify_v criticism_n they_o idolize_v a_o expositor_n and_o fall_v down_o to_o his_o particular_a interpretation_n but_o we_o must_v be_v more_o catholic_n and_o generous_n if_o we_o be_v desirous_a to_o have_v right_a apprehension_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n and_o if_o we_o will_v be_v intimate_o acquaint_v with_o the_o divine_a truth_n contain_v in_o it_o this_o justify_v the_o variety_n of_o comment_n and_o critical_a researche_n into_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o this_o furnish_v i_o with_o a_o apology_n for_o thrust_v myself_o in_o among_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o age._n and_o be_v now_o of_o that_o number_n i_o have_v this_o 〈◊〉_d say_v far_o to_o the_o reader_n that_o though_o i_o be_o sensible_a of_o my_o own_o defect_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o miscarriage_n and_o mistake_v that_o may_v occur_v in_o this_o work_n it_o reach_v to_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o text_n and_o diversity_n of_o matter_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n i_o hope_v i_o shall_v find_v he_o as_o sensible_a of_o the_o arduousness_n of_o the_o undertake_n and_o the_o liableness_n of_o himself_o and_o other_o to_o fall_v short_a in_o so_o weighty_a and_o difficult_a a_o subject_n in_o fine_a in_o these_o and_o all_o other_o my_o endeavour_n which_o i_o shall_v expose_v to_o the_o public_a view_n i_o covet_v only_o the_o approbation_n of_o the_o candid_a and_o wise_a and_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o my_o business_n i_o will_v not_o say_v to_o merit_v but_o to_o purchase_v it_o errata_fw-la page_n 41._o line_n 31._o read_v there_o p._n 54._o l._n 4._o r._n purpose_v p._n 61._o l._n 4._o r._n air_n instead_o of_o fire_n p._n 67._o l._n 3._o after_o counsel_n insert_v so_o theocritus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 69._o l._n 2._o r._n a_o other_o p._n 94._o l._n 12._o after_o as_o in_o insert_v exod._n 20._o 18._o the_o people_n see_v the_o noise_n of_o the_o trumpet_n p._n 145._o l._n 15._o r._n bony_a p._n 155._o l._n 2._o r._n nephritick_n p._n 178._o l._n 15._o deal_n by_o p._n 269._o l._n 32._o r._n have_v no._n p._n 278._o l._n 11._o r._n to_o be_v p._n 280._o l._n 17._o after_o belly_n insert_v as_o it_o iâ—_n general_o think_v p._n 300._o l._n 1._o after_o ordinary_a insert_v or_o profane_v p._n 333._o l._n 8._o after_o more_o insert_v according_a to_o the_o different_a read_n of_o they_o p._n 385._o l._n 1._o r._n it_o as_o p._n 402._o l._n 11._o r._n this_o the_o hâ—brâ—w_n require_v correction_n which_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o learned_a a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v expound_v and_o resolve_v in_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n according_a to_o the_o author_n be_v particular_a judgement_n genesis_n chap._n 15._o ver_fw-la 7._o i_o be_o the_o lord_n that_o bring_v thou_o out_o of_o ur_fw-la of_o the_o chaldee_n page_n 371._o number_n ch._n 12._o v._n 1._o he_o have_v marry_v a_o ethiopian_a woman_n p._n 375._o ch._n 23._o v._n 21._o he_o have_v not_o behold_v iniquity_n in_o jacob_n neither_o have_v he_o see_v perverseness_n in_o israel_n p._n 96._o ch._n 25._o v._n 9_o those_o that_o die_v in_o the_o plague_n be_v twenty_o and_o
have_v any_o seminal_a cause_n or_o observable_a original_a out_o of_o which_o they_o be_v to_o grow_v the_o great_a the_o variety_n of_o their_o sense_n or_o construction_n be_v the_o more_o admirable_a proof_n do_v their_o accomplishment_n exhibit_v of_o that_o infinite_a wisdom_n which_o do_v dictate_v they_o â—nto_o the_o prophet_n and_o he_o instance_n in_o such_o prophecy_n as_o be_v fulfil_v in_o a_o double_a sense_n and_o at_o two_o different_a time_n as_o isa._n 9_o 23._o jer._n i._n 6_o 8._o and_o other_o which_o have_v a_o first_o and_o second_o accomplishment_n this_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n which_o i_o have_v be_v assert_v and_o which_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v make_v sufficient_o evident_a the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v not_o bare_a narrative_n and_o naked_a story_n of_o what_o be_v past_a but_o in_o the_o large_a and_o most_o comprehensive_a construction_n of_o they_o they_o refer_v even_o to_o the_o affair_n of_o future_a time_n so_o that_o 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treasure_n lie_v under_o the_o visible_a and_o outward_a letter_n many_o of_o the_o precept_n prohibition_n threaten_n and_o promise_n reach_v a_o great_a deal_n far_o than_o the_o word_n simple_o and_o absolute_o denote_v and_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a matter_n be_v couch_v in_o those_o text_n which_o primary_o speak_v of_o earthly_a and_o temporal_a one_o last_o when_o you_o read_v a_o prophetic_a passage_n in_o the_o bible_n the_o bare_a thing_n there_o literal_o express_v be_v not_o all_o that_o be_v intend_v but_o there_o be_v oftentimes_o much_o more_o imply_v as_o ezekiel_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o wheel_n within_o a_o wheel_n so_o it_o be_v as_o true_a there_o be_v a_o prophecy_n within_o a_o prophecy_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n one_o and_o the_o same_o prediction_n there_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v more_o than_o once_o in_o short_a the_o bible_n be_v not_o like_o other_o book_n in_o the_o history_n doctrine_n and_o prophecy_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v secret_a and_o hide_a meaning_n beside_o those_o which_o be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a and_o which_o lie_v uppermost_a in_o the_o bare_a letter_n this_o be_v the_o peculiar_a and_o transcendent_a excellency_n of_o the_o inspire_v write_n this_o one_o thing_n alone_o may_v invite_v we_o to_o study_v this_o sacred_a volume_n and_o with_o incessant_a labour_n penetrate_v into_o the_o inmost_a sense_n of_o it_o and_o acquaint_v ourselves_o not_o only_o with_o the_o literal_a mean_v which_o first_o come_v to_o our_o view_n but_o with_o that_o which_o be_v more_o remote_a and_o mysterious_a here_o than_o we_o must_v careful_o avoid_v these_o two_o extreme_n viz._n of_o lay_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n aside_o and_o of_o rest_v altogether_o in_o the_o letter_n first_o some_o despise_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o mind_n nothing_o in_o it_o but_o the_o mystery_n of_o this_o sort_n be_v the_o cabalistick_a jew_n who_o deprave_v the_o most_o substantial_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o interpret_n they_o in_o a_o mystical_a sense_n only_o some_o of_o the_o christian_a father_n be_v too_o guilty_a of_o this_o especial_o origen_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o allegorist_n st._n hilary_n in_o his_o commentary_n on_o st._n matthew_n and_o on_o the_o psalm_n explain_v several_a place_n in_o this_o mystical_a way_n whereby_o he_o fasten_v on_o they_o a_o sense_n very_o different_a from_o that_o which_o they_o natural_o have_v indeed_o his_o comment_n be_v general_o take_v from_o origen_n st._n ambrose_n in_o his_o exposition_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v general_o allegorical_a optatus_n bishop_n of_o milevi_n be_v too_o often_o faulty_a as_o to_o this_o in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o donatist_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o none_o of_o these_o father_n do_v utter_o exclude_v the_o literal_a and_o historical_a mean_v and_o as_o there_o have_v be_v cabalist_n and_o allegorist_n of_o old_a so_o some_o high-flown_a man_n of_o late_o have_v run_v all_o the_o bible_n into_o moral_n and_o mystical_a interpretation_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n have_v either_o disbelieved_a or_o slight_v the_o historical_a and_o literal_a sense_n i_o can_v whole_o condemn_v those_o who_o have_v endeavour_v to_o present_v we_o with_o mystery_n in_o all_o the_o several_a step_n of_o the_o creation_n in_o the_o whole_a six_o day_n work_n and_o in_o every_o particular_a instance_n of_o the_o mosaic_a philosophy_n for_o this_o without_o doubt_n be_v not_o whole_o external_a material_a and_o sensible_a and_o to_o be_v interpret_v only_o according_a to_o the_o most_o obvious_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n it_o be_v most_o true_a even_o here_o that_o moses_n have_v a_o veil_n over_o his_o face_n and_o there_o be_v certain_a mystery_n and_o allegory_n contain_v under_o the_o very_a history_n but_o though_o we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v mere_a son_n of_o the_o letter_n yet_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o the_o mosaic_a philosophy_n or_o hiâ—â—ory_n be_v make_v up_o of_o allusion_n and_o metaphor_n and_o be_v altogether_o mysterious_a this_o be_v to_o soar_v aloft_o with_o our_o modern_a chemist_n to_o dote_v after_o the_o rate_n of_o a_o rosy-crucian_a who_o brain_n be_v so_o enchant_v that_o they_o turn_v all_o into_o spectres_n dream_n and_o phantasim_n but_o especial_o that_o part_n of_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n must_v not_o be_v turn_v into_o mere_a mystery_n and_o allegory_n for_o it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o moses_n speak_v of_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o a_o 9_o late_a writer_n can_v be_v enough_o rebuke_v for_o his_o attempt_n of_o turn_v all_o the_o mosaic_a history_n concern_v adam_n and_o eve_n the_o serpent_n paradise_n eat_v the_o forbid_a fruit_n and_o all_o the_o passage_n relate_v to_o they_o into_o parable_n yea_o into_o ridicule_n for_o he_o make_v himself_o huge_o merry_a with_o the_o several_a particular_n record_v by_o moses_n yea_o his_o fancy_n be_v so_o low_a and_o grovel_a that_o he_o pick_v up_o any_o vulgar_a stuff_n to_o present_v the_o reader_n with_o upon_o those_o word_n they_o sew_v figleaf_n and_o make_v themselves_o apron_n he_o trifling_o cry_v out_o behold_v the_o first_o rise_v of_o the_o tailor_n trade_n and_o then_o that_o trite_a and_o popular_a cavil_v be_v fetch_v in_o to_o embellish_v his_o book_n where_o have_v adam_n and_o eve_n needle_n and_o thread_n and_o again_o this_o he_o say_v exceed_o trouble_v and_o puzzle_v his_o brain_n how_o the_o woman_n body_n can_v be_v make_v of_o one_o single_v rib._n such_o be_v the_o profound_a wit_n and_o philosophy_n of_o this_o allegorical_a gentleman_n who_o because_o the_o scripture_n sometime_o speak_v as_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o show_v afterward_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n and_o in_o compliance_n with_o their_o common_a though_o mistake_v apprehension_n he_o here_o stretch_v this_o too_o far_o and_o extravagant_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o the_o account_v give_v by_o moses_n not_o only_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la and_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n but_o of_o adam_n and_o the_o first_o transgression_n and_o the_o serpent_n and_o the_o curse_v of_o the_o earth_n and_o other_o matter_n relate_v to_o the_o fall_n be_v not_o true_a in_o itself_o but_o only_o speak_v popular_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o dull_a israelite_n late_o slavish_a brickmaker_n and_o â—â—elling_v strong_a of_o the_o garlic_n and_o onion_n of_o egypt_n to_o humour_v these_o ignorant_a blockhead_n that_o be_v new_o break_v loose_a from_o the_o egyptian_a taskmaster_n and_o have_v no_o sense_n nor_o reason_n in_o their_o thick_a scull_n moses_n talk_v after_o this_o rate_n but_o not_o a_o syllable_n of_o truth_n be_v in_o all_o that_o he_o say_v this_o be_v very_o strange_a language_n from_o a_o reverend_n divine_a
moses_n or_o of_o other_o who_o write_v those_o book_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o now_o read_v of_o the_o name_n of_o place_n which_o be_v not_o give_v at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o be_v mention_v but_o be_v only_o by_o way_n of_o anticipation_n insert_v into_o the_o history_n near_o of_o kin_n to_o this_o be_v hysterosis_n another_o usual_a figure_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v when_o the_o proper_a and_o genuine_a order_n of_o the_o word_n be_v not_o keep_v and_o this_o be_v observable_a either_o in_o some_o single_a word_n and_o verse_n or_o in_o some_o chapter_n of_o the_o former_a sort_n be_v gen._n 10._o 1._o where_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n be_v reckon_v in_o this_o order_n shem_fw-mi ham_n and_o japheth_n yet_o japheth_n be_v the_o elder_a brother_n it_o be_v true_a scaliger_n hold_v the_o very_a order_n of_o the_o generation_n which_o this_o verse_n set_v down_o and_o say_v shem_n be_v noah_n first-born_a and_o japheth_n his_o young_a but_o it_o be_v general_o agree_v on_o by_o the_o learned_a that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o right_a order_n for_o first_o the_o septuagint_n express_o say_v japheth_n be_v the_o elder_a brother_n of_o shem_n v_o 21._o again_o josephus_n in_o his_o 7._o jewish_a antiquity_n reckon_v they_o thus_o japheth_n the_o elder_a son_n i_o be_o the_o next_o and_o sheâ—_n the_o young_a of_o all_o moreover_o according_a to_o the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v who_o be_v of_o good_a repute_n this_o be_v the_o true_a order_n last_o you_o will_v find_v it_o observe_v in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o this_o chapter_n the_o generation_n begin_v first_o with_o japheth_n then_o pass_v to_o cham_n and_o end_n with_o shem._n all_o which_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o transposition_n in_o the_o first_o verse_n and_o that_o the_o true_a rank_v of_o they_o be_v not_o there_o keep_v we_o read_v in_o gen._n 11._o 26._o that_o terab_n beget_v abram_n nahor_n and_o haran_n but_o the_o name_n of_o abram_n first_o of_o the_o three_o brethren_n do_v not_o 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just_a and_o give_v the_o strict_a rule_n of_o deal_v honest_o and_o upright_o with_o our_o neighbour_n even_o morality_n which_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n and_o groundwork_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v most_o illustrious_a here_o christianity_n have_v the_o impress_n of_o reason_n civility_n and_o all_o acceptable_a quality_n it_o forbid_v nothing_o that_o be_v fit_v and_o decorous_a it_o countenance_n all_o that_o be_v manly_n and_o generous_a it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n in_o these_o sacred_a write_n the_o duty_n of_o christian_n be_v set_v down_o not_o only_o as_o they_o be_v single_a but_o as_o they_o stand_v in_o relation_n to_o other_o and_o as_o they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o community_n there_o be_v peculiar_a lesson_n for_o person_n in_o every_o condition_n for_o husband_n and_o wife_n for_o master_n and_o servant_n for_o parent_n and_o child_n for_o superior_n equal_n and_o inferior_n they_o be_v all_o provide_v here_o with_o instruction_n and_o direction_n proper_a to_o that_o state_n they_o be_v in_o they_o be_v very_o remarkable_a word_n which_o a_o â—_o reverend_n divine_a of_o our_o church_n utter_v will_v man_n apply_v their_o mind_n say_v he_o to_o study_v scripture_n and_o observe_v their_o own_o and_o other_o course_n of_o life_n experience_n will_v teach_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o estate_n on_o earth_n nor_o humane_a business_n in_o christendom_n this_o day_n on_o foot_n but_o have_v a_o rule_v cafe_z in_o scripture_n for_o their_o issue_n and_o success_n this_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n and_o be_v no_o mean_a demonstration_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o these_o holy_a write_n which_o i_o be_o speak_v of_o here_o be_v also_o the_o most_o notable_a instance_n of_o all_o those_o virtue_n and_o grace_n which_o adorn_v the_o life_n of_o man._n here_o be_v the_o example_n of_o abel_n sincere_a and_o acceptable_a devotion_n of_o enoch_n walk_v with_o god_n of_o noah_n 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i_o find_v it_o be_v yea_o flat_o deny_v by_o aben_n ezra_n and_o pererius_n and_o late_o by_o hobbs_n and_o spinosa_n a_o very_a little_a portion_n of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o he_o say_v monsieur_n simon_n who_o have_v a_o new_a notion_n of_o certain_a public_a scribe_n or_o register_n that_o pen_v this_o and_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o sort_n of_o abbreviate_a notary_n he_o borrow_v from_o the_o egyptian_n as_o he_o confess_v himself_o because_o there_o be_v such_o officer_n in_o the_o egyptian_a court_n who_o have_v a_o privilege_n to_o add_v to_o or_o take_v away_o from_o to_o amplify_v or_o abridge_v the_o public_a record_n he_o thence_o groundless_o infer_v there_o be_v such_o among_o the_o jew_n who_o make_v what_o alteration_n they_o please_v in_o the_o sacred_a write_n which_o paradox_n of_o his_o i_o have_v consider_v and_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o in_o a_o former_a treatise_n this_o i_o may_v true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o 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16._o 31._o &_o 24._o 27._o where_o by_o moses_n as_o be_v most_o evident_a he_o mean_v the_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o consequent_o thereby_o let_v we_o know_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o writer_n of_o they_o and_o more_o express_o the_o book_n of_o exodus_fw-la be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n by_o our_o same_o infallible_a master_n mark_v 12._o 26._o and_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o these_o book_n be_v read_v moses_n be_v read_v 2_o cor._n 3._o 19_o and_o both_o our_o saviour_n and_o this_o apostle_n distinguish_v between_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n luke_n 16._o 29._o act_n 26._o 22._o plain_o signify_v that_o as_o those_o book_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o prophet_n name_n be_v they_o so_o these_o that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v moses_n be_v write_v by_o he_o i_o think_v this_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o need_v not_o to_o be_v further_o insist_v on_o as_o to_o the_o objection_n of_o those_o man_n before_o name_v against_o this_o i_o forbear_v to_o produce_v they_o and_o to_o return_v particular_a answer_n to_o they_o because_o this_o be_v so_o late_o do_v by_o pentateuchi_fw-la mounseur_fw-fr clerk_n and_o because_o another_o religion_n learned_a frenchman_n have_v laudable_o perform_v this_o task_n especial_o he_o have_v with_o great_a vigour_n and_o as_o great_a success_n attack_v spinosa_n a_o jew_n as_o they_o tell_v we_o by_o birth_n but_o neither_o jew_n nor_o christian_a by_o profession_n but_o a_o derider_n of_o both_o we_o may_v also_o find_v his_o argument_n which_o be_v general_o borrow_a from_o aben_n ezra_n refute_v with_o great_a clearness_n by_o the_o bible_n learned_a professor_n of_o divinity_n at_o paris_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n betake_v himself_o to_o the_o positive_a part_n and_o render_v it_o unquestionable_a that_o moses_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o five_o book_n that_o go_v under_o his_o name_n wherefore_o the_o particular_a fancy_n of_o those_o few_o objector_n and_o those_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o sacred_a text_n be_v not_o to_o be_v heed_v by_o we_o as_o to_o that_o common_a scruple_n which_o be_v so_o much_o insist_v upon_o that_o in_o the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n there_o be_v mention_n of_o moses_n death_n and_o some_o thing_n that_o happen_v after_o it_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o moses_n write_v not_o those_o book_n or_o at_o least_o not_o the_o last_o of_o they_o i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n that_o moses_n be_v a_o prophet_n may_v foresee_v and_o have_v reveal_v to_o he_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o own_o death_n and_o so_o he_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v by_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n wherefore_o none_o can_v from_o thence_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o penman_n of_o all_o this_o book_n however_o we_o will_v not_o contend_v here_o for_o perhaps_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o book_n be_v affix_v by_o joshua_n or_o afterward_o by_o ezra_n who_o be_v a_o inspire_a person_n likewise_o and_o who_o revise_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o insert_v some_o thing_n into_o they_o by_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o indict_v the_o rest_n notwithstanding_o then_o the_o foresay_a objection_n which_o refer_v only_o to_o a_o few_o passage_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o book_n of_o deuteronomy_n wâ—_n have_v reason_n to_o assert_v that_o the_o whole_a five_o book_n except_v that_o little_a addition_n in_o the_o close_a be_v write_v by_o moses_n these_o be_v his_o authentic_a record_n consist_v chief_o of_o history_n which_o comprise_v in_o it_o the_o occurrence_n of_o about_o 2400_o year_n and_o law_n which_o be_v give_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o his_o own_o people_n and_o will_v be_v of_o use_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n here_o be_v the_o cabinet_n of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n under_o heaven_n here_o be_v the_o first_o and_o old_a monument_n of_o the_o world_n chap._n viii_o a_o short_a survey_n of_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n which_o be_v a_o supplement_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o judge_n samuel_n the_o king_n chronicle_n ezra_n which_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o chronicle_n nehemiah_n esther_n the_o author_n stile_n composure_n matter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n discuss_v a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o penman_n subject_n kind_n title_n poetic_a meter_n and_o rhythm_n of_o the_o psalm_n next_o unto_o this_o be_v that_o excellent_a history_n write_v by_o joshua_n the_o captain_n general_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o moses_n famous_a successor_n who_o very_a name_n without_o doubt_n be_v as_o terrible_a to_o the_o canaanite_n as_o those_o of_o hunniades_n and_o scanderbag_n be_v afterward_o to_o the_o turk_n here_o he_o admirable_o describe_v the_o holy_a war_n the_o martial_a achievement_n and_o stratagem_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n against_o those_o nation_n who_o land_n they_o be_v to_o possess_v and_o at_o length_n their_o victory_n over_o they_o here_o be_v very_o particular_o set_v down_o their_o conquest_n over_o those_o king_n and_o country_n this_o book_n be_v the_o fulfil_v of_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v make_v to_o they_o concern_v the_o enter_v into_o canaan_n and_o enjoy_v that_o land_n which_o be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n the_o everlasting_a rest_n which_o remain_v to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n heb._n 4._o 9_o here_o be_v the_o actual_a possession_n of_o that_o promise_a inheritance_n and_o the_o division_n of_o it_o among_o the_o several_a tribe_n by_o lot_n the_o short_a be_v in_o the_o whole_a book_n which_o i_o must_v not_o now_o give_v you_o by_o retail_n there_o be_v abundant_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n repeat_v instance_n of_o the_o infinite_a kindness_n of_o god_n to_o his_o servant_n remarkable_a example_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n on_o his_o enemy_n yea_o and_o visible_a proof_n of_o his_o severe_a deal_n with_o his_o own_o people_n when_o they_o refuse_v to_o obey_v his_o will_n and_o when_o they_o act_v contrary_a to_o it_o here_o be_v in_o the_o large_a account_n which_o be_v give_v of_o joshua_n and_o his_o action_n a_o exact_a character_n of_o a_o worthy_a prince_n a_o ruler_n a_o general_n who_o ought_v to_o signalise_v himself_o by_o his_o exemplary_a piety_n and_o zeal_n for_o religion_n by_o his_o constant_a sobriety_n justice_n and_o charity_n by_o his_o undaunted_a courage_n valour_n and_o prowess_n by_o his_o deep_a wisdom_n policy_n and_o conduct_n and_o his_o great_a and_o wonderful_a success_n which_o 6._o be_v so_o much_o require_v in_o a_o general_n crown_v all_o the_o whole_a contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o moses_n death_n till_o the_o death_n of_o their_o great_a commander_n joshua_n in_o all_o about_o eighteen_o year_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o the_o age_n death_n and_o burial_n of_o this_o latter_a be_v
a_o consequent_a of_o they_o the_o many_o disappointment_n and_o cross_n he_o meet_v with_o the_o various_a judgement_n and_o plague_n which_o be_v inflict_v on_o he_o and_o his_o people_n by_o god_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n and_o judah_n under_o the_o reign_v of_o their_o several_a king_n the_o first_o contain_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o life_n of_o david_n and_o his_o death_n the_o glory_n and_o prosperity_n of_o that_o nation_n under_o solomon_n who_o succeed_v he_o his_o erect_n and_o consecrate_v of_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n his_o scandalous_a defection_n from_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o sudden_a decay_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n after_o his_o death_n when_o it_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n under_o rehoboam_n who_o reign_v over_o the_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n and_o under_o jeroboam_fw-la who_o be_v king_n over_o the_o other_o ten_o tribe_n that_o revolt_v from_o the_o house_n of_o david_n the_o rest_n of_o it_o be_v spend_v in_o relate_v the_o act_n of_o four_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o eight_o of_o israel_n the_o second_o book_n which_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n be_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o memorable_a act_n of_o sixteen_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o twelve_o of_o israel_n and_o the_o end_n of_o both_o kingdom_n by_o the_o carry_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n captive_a into_o assyria_n by_o salmanasser_n and_o the_o other_o two_o into_o babylon_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n the_o just_a reward_n of_o that_o people_n idolatry_n and_o impenitency_n after_o so_o many_o favour_n show_v to_o they_o this_o and_o the_o former_a book_n together_o comprehend_v the_o history_n of_o about_o four_o hundred_o year_n the_o chronicle_n or_o journals_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v the_o fill_v up_o of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o history_n which_o be_v omit_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n and_o though_o we_o know_v not_o which_o of_o these_o history_n viz._n of_o the_o king_n or_o the_o chronicle_n i_o speak_v as_o to_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o book_n not_o one_o particular_a passage_n as_o that_o in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o cyrus_n which_o may_v be_v add_v afterward_o be_v write_v first_o for_o the_o book_n of_o king_n refer_v to_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n and_o this_o again_o send_v the_o reader_n to_o that_o yet_o this_o we_o see_v that_o this_o of_o the_o chronicle_n be_v more_o full_a and_o ample_a sometime_o than_o that_o of_o the_o king_n what_o be_v leave_v out_o or_o not_o so_o full_o set_v down_o in_o the_o one_o be_v supply_v in_o the_o other_o and_o thence_o these_o book_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n remain_n supplement_n addition_n by_o the_o greek_a interpreter_n the_o first_o book_n of_o chronicle_n relate_v the_o rise_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o adam_n which_o be_v the_o entire_a subject_n of_o the_o first_o nine_o chapter_n which_o consist_v whole_o of_o genealogy_n and_o then_o afterward_o most_o punctual_o and_o accurate_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o david_n the_o second_o book_n as_o faithful_o set_v down_o the_o progress_n and_o end_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n even_o to_o the_o year_n of_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n these_o book_n of_o chronicle_n together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o king_n and_o samuel_n make_v up_o the_o best_a and_o choice_a history_n in_o the_o world_n here_o we_o be_v abundant_o furnish_v with_o such_o useful_a notice_n truth_n and_o maxim_n as_o these_o all_o confirm_v by_o note_a and_o illustrious_a example_n and_o such_o instance_n as_o be_v certain_a and_o unquestionable_a crown_a head_n be_v encircle_v with_o care_n and_o seldom_o find_v rest_n and_o repose_v though_o their_o life_n be_v more_o splendid_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o less_o calamitous_a than_o those_o of_o the_o common_a people_n good_a king_n be_v rare_a and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n of_o those_o that_o be_v bad._n the_o best_a king_n have_v their_o fault_n and_o some_o of_o they_o of_o a_o very_a scandalous_a nature_n there_o be_v little_a piety_n in_o prince_n court_n and_o as_o little_a integrity_n and_o honesty_n the_o people_n be_v easy_o induce_v to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o their_o governor_n and_o religion_n and_o manner_n too_o often_o vary_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o superior_n good_a king_n be_v the_o great_a blessing_n and_o wicked_a one_o be_v the_o great_a curse_n to_o a_o nation_n prince_n mistake_v their_o measure_n when_o they_o either_o disobey_v god_n or_o oppress_v their_o people_n tyrannical_a prince_n procure_v their_o own_o ruin_n the_o sin_n and_o vice_n of_o ruler_n prove_v fatal_a to_o their_o subject_n public_a enormity_n be_v punish_v with_o public_a and_o national_a calamity_n king_n may_v be_v know_v by_o the_o minister_n they_o choose_v and_o make_v use_n of_o those_o counsel_n that_o be_v found_v in_o religion_n be_v most_o successful_a evil_a counselor_n contrive_v their_o own_o destruction_n war_n be_v the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o fight_v against_o god_n the_o success_n of_o arm_n depend_v upon_o the_o divine_a blessing_n the_o church_n be_v never_o more_o shock_a then_o under_o bad_a prince_n religion_n and_o reformation_n be_v never_o effectual_o promote_v unless_o the_o great_a one_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o they_o division_n and_o rent_n about_o religion_n have_v immediate_a influence_n on_o secular_a affair_n and_o when_o the_o church_n be_v divide_v the_o state_n be_v so_o too_o the_o revolution_n in_o both_o be_v by_o the_o particular_a disposal_n of_o the_o wise_a over-ruler_n of_o the_o world_n true_a religion_n and_o godliness_n be_v attend_v with_o earthly_a reward_n and_o blessing_n and_o the_o contrary_n bring_v down_o the_o great_a plague_n even_o in_o this_o world_n the_o worst_a time_n afford_v some_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o holy_a religious_a and_o zealous_a men._n whatever_o change_n and_o revolution_n happen_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o church_n of_o god_n remain_v secure_a though_o there_o be_v great_a and_o frequent_a defection_n yet_o there_o never_o be_v a_o total_a extinction_n of_o it_o in_o a_o word_n the_o church_n be_v impregnable_a this_o rock_n be_v immovable_a and_o many_o other_o proposition_n and_o maxim_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o be_v of_o great_a service_n in_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v to_o be_v deduce_v from_o these_o excellent_a history_n ezra_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a book_n of_o chronicle_n and_o comprise_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n that_o cyrus_n make_v the_o edict_n for_o their_o return_n until_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n longimanus_fw-la which_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n for_o the_o jew_n return_v from_o babylon_n be_v at_o two_o several_a time_n viz._n first_o in_o the_o day_n of_o cyrus_n the_o first_o perâ—â—an_n monarch_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o zerubbabel_n their_o captain_n and_o jeshua_n their_o high_a priest_n here_o be_v record_v the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o return_v cyrus_n proclamation_n for_o the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o lay_v of_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o the_o retard_v of_o the_o work_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o two_o of_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n at_o last_o the_o finish_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o darius_n reign_n the_o second_o return_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o artaxerxes_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o ezra_n a_o priest_n who_o have_v be_v a_o courtier_n in_o the_o persian_a court_n and_o be_v send_v into_o judea_n by_o artaxerxes_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o be_v above_o eighty_o year_n after_o the_o first_o return_n in_o cyrus_n time_n to_o expedite_v the_o building_n of_o jerusalem_n this_o pious_a reformer_n observe_v the_o people_n 〈◊〉_d with_o stranger_n and_o infidel_n and_o their_o join_a themselves_o to_o they_o in_o marriage_n proclaim_v a_o solemn_a fast_o and_o pray_v and_o mourn_v and_o lament_v their_o gross_a miscarriage_n and_o with_o great_a earnestness_n and_o zeal_n exhort_v they_o to_o reformation_n and_o amendment_n of_o their_o way_n that_o they_o may_v thereby_o avert_v god_n wrath_n and_o conciliate_v his_o favour_n and_o pardon_n this_o be_v that_o ezra_n who_o be_v the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n and_o who_o be_v also_o a_o restorer_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o collect_v and_o methodise_v they_o into_o certain_a order_n and_o review_v the_o copy_n and_o amend_v all_o errata_n that_o be_v contract_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n nehemiah_n who_o
as_o the_o original_a if_o we_o will_v be_v exact_a in_o render_v it_o express_v it_o and_o if_o we_o interpret_v this_o proverb_n in_o this_o sense_n it_o exact_o comport_v with_o the_o next_o verse_n they_o lay_v wait_v for_o their_o own_o blood_n they_o lurk_v privy_o for_o their_o own_o life_n those_o that_o thus_o design_n mischief_n against_o innocent_a person_n bring_v ruin_n upon_o themselves_o and_o be_v frequent_o take_v in_o that_o net_n which_o they_o spread_v for_o other_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o most_o genuine_a exposition_n of_o the_o word_n but_o every_o one_o be_v leave_v to_o his_o liberty_n to_o choose_v any_o other_o interpretation_n which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o context_n and_o oppose_v no_o other_o text_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o of_o all_o these_o sense_n be_v at_o first_o design_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n we_o can_v certain_o tell_v it_o may_v be_v in_o such_o place_n as_o these_o of_o which_o there_o be_v a_o considerable_a number_n in_o this_o book_n there_o be_v a_o latitude_n and_o questionless_a it_o be_v best_o it_o â—â—ould_v be_v so_o that_o we_o may_v with_o the_o great_a freedom_n search_v into_o and_o descant_v upon_o these_o sacred_a write_n that_o we_o may_v understand_v the_o full_a extent_n of_o these_o excellent_a moral_a observation_n and_o remarkable_a say_n of_o this_o wise_a king_n which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v short_a and_o concise_a and_o therehy_a sometime_o become_v somewhat_o difficult_a but_o if_o 〈◊〉_d imâ—eratoria_n brevital_n as_o tacitus_n call_v it_o be_v commendable_a no_o wise_a man_n sure_o will_v dislike_v it_o in_o solomon_n especial_o when_o such_o divine_a and_o admirable_a truth_n be_v couch_v in_o it_o his_o next_o book_n be_v entitle_v ecclesiaste_n for_o the_o lxx_o by_o who_o the_o worâ—â—_n kabal_n be_v general_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v according_o render_v kobele_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v probable_a he_o pen_v it_o when_o 〈◊〉_d be_v old_a and_o have_v pass_v the_o several_a stage_n of_o vanity_n it_o be_v a_o open_a disow_v of_o his_o former_a folly_n and_o extravagancy_n it_o be_v the_o royal_a preacher_n recantation-sermon_n wherein_o he_o tender_v himself_o a_o public_a penitentiary_n which_o be_v the_o mean_v as_o testâ—minâ—_n one_o think_v of_o that_o title_n of_o this_o book_n in_o the_o hebrew_n kohelâ—th_n or_o the_o gather_v soul_n because_o iâ—_n this_o book_n he_o recollect_n himself_o and_o gather_v and_o râ—duceth_v other_o that_o wander_v after_o vanity_n to_o this_o end_n he_o make_v a_o clear_a and_o ample_a discovery_n of_o the_o vanity_n of_o all_o thing_n under_o the_o sun_n i._n e._n in_o this_o life_n or_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n a_o phrase_n peculiar_a to_o solomon_n and_o in_o this_o book_n only_o where_o it_o be_v often_o use_v here_o the_o wise_a man_n convince_v we_o from_o his_o own_o experience_n that_o none_o of_o the_o acquist_n of_o this_o world_n be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o immortal_a spirit_n of_o man_n that_o the_o great_a wit_n and_o learning_n the_o most_o exquisite_a pleasure_n and_o sensual_a enjoyment_n the_o vast_a confluence_n of_o wealth_n and_o riches_n and_o the_o high_a seat_n of_o honour_n even_o the_o royal_a throne_n itself_o be_v insufficient_a to_o make_v a_o man_n happy_a and_o consequent_o that_o our_o happiness_n must_v be_v â—ought_v for_o some_o where_o else_o here_o we_o be_v teach_v that_o notwithstanding_o this_o world_n be_v changeable_n and_o ambient_a to_o vanity_n though_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o all_o thing_n come_v alike_o to_o all_o in_o it_o yet_o the_o steady_a and_o uner_a providence_n of_o god_n rule_v all_o affair_n and_o event_n here_o below_o and_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o god_n will_v bring_v every_o work_n into_o judgement_n with_o every_o secret_a thing_n whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o whether_o it_o be_v evil_a here_o be_v particular_a direction_n give_v we_o how_o we_o be_v to_o discharge_v our_o duty_n first_o with_o reference_n to_o ourselves_o viz._n that_o we_o ought_v very_o strict_o to_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o sobriety_n and_o temperance_n and_o to_o live_v iâ—_n a_o thankful_a use_n of_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n and_o to_o be_v content_a with_o our_o portion_n and_o allotment_n in_o this_o life_n and_o to_o banish_v all_o covetous_a desire_n and_o project_n as_o we_o must_v go_v to_o the_o house_n of_o mourn_v i._n e._n be_v very_o retire_v and_o solemn_a very_o â—â—â—lous_a and_o compose_v and_o banish_v all_o superfluous_a mirth_n and_o gaiety_n so_o we_o must_v eat_v our_o bread_n with_o joy_n i._n e._n live_v in_o a_o comfortable_a fruition_n of_o these_o earthly_a blessing_n and_o delight_n in_o these_o enjoyment_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v lawful_a and_o innocent_a our_o duty_n to_o other_o be_v here_o also_o brief_o prescribe_v we_o viz._n that_o we_o ought_v to_o pay_v a_o profound_a respect_n to_o good_a king_n and_o to_o keep_v their_o commandment_n yea_o that_o our_o very_a thought_n towards_o they_o ought_v to_o he_o reverent_a then_o as_o to_o those_o who_o be_v of_o a_o equal_a level_n with_o we_o or_o inferior_a to_o we_o that_o we_o show_v ourselves_o just_a and_o righteous_a to_o they_o in_o all_o our_o converse_n and_o deal_n and_o that_o when_o we_o see_v any_o of_o they_o reduce_v to_o poverty_n and_o strait_o that_o we_o extend_v our_o charity_n to_o they_o that_o we_o cast_v our_o bread_n upon_o these_o water_n that_o we_o relieve_v their_o want_n and_o necessity_n last_o we_o be_v instruct_v in_o our_o duty_n to_o god_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o approach_v he_o with_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n to_o keep_v our_o foot_n when_o we_o go_v to_o his_o house_n to_o pay_v our_o vow_n to_o he_o to_o remember_v he_o our_o creator_n and_o preserver_n to_o fear_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o this_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o man_n his_o whole_a duty_n and_o his_o whole_a concern_v the_o canticle_n or_o solomon_n song_n be_v another_o piece_n of_o hebrew_n poetry_n which_o he_o write_v when_o he_o be_v young_a and_o in_o a_o amorous_a vein_n and_o yet_o breathe_v most_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a amour_n if_o you_o take_v it_o according_a to_o the_o letter_n only_o it_o be_v king_n solomon_n epithalamium_n or_o wedding-song_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o 45th_o psalm_n which_o be_v a_o song_n on_o his_o nuptial_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v daughter_n but_o in_o a_o spiritual_a sense_n it_o set_v forth_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n and_o the_o duty_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v there_o call_v the_o king_n daughter_n such_o be_v this_o dramatic_a poem_n wherein_o be_v bring_v in_o the_o bridegroom_n and_o bride_n and_o the_o friend_n of_o both_o alternate_o speak_v but_o we_o must_v not_o be_v so_o gross_a in_o our_o apprehension_n as_o to_o conceive_v this_o to_o be_v bare_o a_o marriage-song_n as_o castellio_n groundless_o fanci_v and_o therefore_o deem_v it_o to_o be_v scripture_n not_o of_o the_o same_o stamp_n with_o the_o rest_n beside_o the_o literal_a import_n of_o the_o word_n in_o this_o lovesong_n there_o be_v a_o mystical_a sense_n couch_v in_o they_o carnal_a love_n be_v here_o make_v to_o administer_v to_o religion_n the_o flesh_n be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o mystery_n in_o this_o love-poem_n the_o jew_n be_v not_o permit_v to_o read_v it_o till_o they_o be_v of_o maturity_n of_o year_n if_o we_o take_v this_o mystical_a wedding_n song_n in_o the_o high_a mean_v of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o allegorical_a description_n of_o the_o spiritual_a marriage_n and_o communion_n between_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n it_o iâ—_n a_o representation_n of_o the_o mystical_a nuptial_n of_o thâ—_n lord_n christ_n jesus_n and_o believer_n their_o mutuâ—â—_n affection_n and_o love_n be_v decipher_v by_o the_o soâ—_n passion_n and_o amour_n of_o solomon_n and_o his_o royal_a spouse_n this_o though_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v not_o in_o it_o make_v it_o a_o most_o divine_a poem_n and_o high_o worthy_a of_o our_o most_o serious_a perusal_n and_o study_n for_o here_o we_o see_v the_o gospel_n anticipate_v and_o the_o most_o glorious_a subject_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n betimes_o insert_v into_o the_o old_a object_n but_o be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a disparagement_n to_o this_o and_o the_o other_o beforementioned_a book_n of_o solomon_n that_o â—e_n be_v a_o reprobate_n and_o final_o reject_v by_o god_n be_v we_o not_o discourage_v from_o receive_v these_o write_n as_o canonical_a scripture_n when_o we_o know_v that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v a_o damn_a person_n for_o what_o can_v he_o be_v else_o who_o towards_o his_o latter_a end_n revolt_v from_o the_o true_a religion_n
act_n and_o work_v of_o holiness_n wherefore_o he_o offer_v several_a plain_a mark_n and_o token_n whereby_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v whether_o they_o be_v real_a christian_n true_o religious_a and_o the_o child_n of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o he_o propound_v be_v this_o that_o if_o they_o love_v god_n and_o their_o brethren_n and_o demonstrate_v this_o love_n by_o the_o proper_a and_o genuine_a fruit_n of_o it_o than_o they_o may_v conclude_v they_o be_v christian_n indeed_o otherwise_o they_o be_v mere_a stranger_n to_o christianty_n and_o to_o all_o religion_n they_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n in_o they_o this_o the_o belove_a disciple_n and_o divine_a amourist_n inculâ—ates_v with_o that_o spirit_n warmth_n and_o earnestness_n which_o so_o weighty_a a_o subject_n deserve_v his_o second_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o the_o elect_a lady_n and_o her_o child_n that_o be_v say_v st._n agerach_n jerom_n to_o some_o eminent_a select_a church_n in_o asia_n and_o to_o all_o the_o christian_n belong_v to_o it_o for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o athenian_n and_o curia_n with_o the_o roman_n be_v of_o the_o same_o import_n with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o assembly_n perhaps_o ephesus_n be_v mean_v say_v a_o loc_n learned_a man_n which_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o asia_n and_o so_o may_v more_o signal_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_n that_o a_o person_n not_o a_o church_n 〈◊〉_d mean_v here_o and_o that_o st._n john_n the_o evangelist_n not_o another_o presbyter_n of_o that_o name_n as_o st._n eccles._n jerom_n think_v write_v to_o a_o virtuous_a lady_n who_o be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d servant_n of_o christ_n a_o very_a godly_a and_o religion_n woman_n or_o it_o may_v be_v her_o proper_a name_n be_v loc_n elect_a as_o a_o learned_a critic_n have_v conjecture_v which_o may_v seem_v the_o more_o probable_a because_o the_o word_n have_v no_o article_n prefix_v to_o it_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o our_o saviour_n himself_o as_o the_o evangelical_n write_n inform_v we_o to_o make_v his_o application_n to_o those_o of_o this_o sex_n to_o cherish_v and_o commend_v their_o virtue_n it_o be_v particular_o record_v that_o 4._o of_o the_o chief_a woman_n afterward_o call_v 12._o honourable_a woman_n not_o a_o few_o be_v st._n paul_n proselyte_n and_o to_o descend_v low_a we_o read_v that_o st._n jerom_n take_v great_a pain_n in_o instruct_v the_o roman_a lady_n and_o in_o commend_v and_o encourage_v their_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n yea_o many_o of_o his_o write_n be_v direct_v and_o dedicate_v to_o noble_a woman_n widow_n and_o virgin_n as_o paula_n eustochium_fw-la salvina_n celantia_n and_o several_a other_o that_o be_v roman_a lady_n and_o of_o noble_a extraction_n such_o be_v our_o elect_n here_o who_o be_v the_o only_a person_n of_o that_o sex_n to_o who_o a_o inspire_a epistle_n be_v write_v she_o be_v commend_v for_o her_o virtuous_a bring_v up_o her_o child_n she_o be_v exhort_v to_o abide_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o perservere_a in_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v all_o delusion_n of_o false_a teacher_n but_o chief_o the_o apostle_n beseech_v this_o noble_a matron_n to_o practice_v the_o great_a and_o indispensable_a commandment_n of_o christian_a love_n and_o charity_n his_o three_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o gaius_n a_o convert_v jew_n or_o gentile_a as_o other_o think_v because_o he_o have_v a_o roman_a name_n a_o man_n of_o a_o fair_a estate_n and_o who_o have_v be_v very_o bountiful_a and_o hospitable_a to_o the_o saint_n the_o design_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v to_o own_o and_o commend_v his_o hospitality_n especial_o his_o seasonable_a beneficence_n and_o charity_n to_o stranger_n to_o those_o that_o be_v exile_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n and_o to_o stir_v he_o up_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o same_o charity_n and_o liberality_n to_o the_o distress_a brethren_n demetrius_n be_v propound_v as_o a_o eminent_a example_n of_o this_o for_o which_o and_o all_o other_o virtue_n he_o have_v the_o good_a report_n of_o all_o man_n yea_o and_o of_o the_o truth_n itself_o that_o be_v as_o he_o be_v speak_v well_o of_o by_o every_o one_o so_o he_o real_o deserve_v it_o on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o complain_v of_o the_o uncharitable_a insolent_a and_o ambitious_a diotrephes_n a_o prate_a opposer_n not_o only_o of_o he_o and_o his_o doctrine_n but_o of_o all_o the_o true_a servant_n of_o jesus_n the_o general_a epistle_n of_o jude_n or_o judas_n as_o we_o render_v it_o in_o john_n 14._o 22._o it_o be_v the_o same_o name_n with_o that_o of_o the_o traitor_n for_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n for_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n to_o have_v the_o same_o name_n as_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n eliab_n jehu_n hananiah_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o new_a testament_n simon_n john_n ananias_n be_v instance_n of_o this_o this_o epistle_n i_o say_v of_o this_o good_a apostle_n with_o a_o bad_a man_n name_n be_v write_v to_o all_o christian_a church_n or_o at_o least_o to_o all_o the_o jewish_a christian_n disperse_v the_o same_o to_o who_o st._n james_n and_o st._n peter_n write_v wherein_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n against_o those_o dream_v heretic_n and_o seducer_n that_o be_v at_o that_o time_n creep_v into_o the_o church_n who_o erroneous_a tenant_n and_o ungodly_a practice_n he_o here_o particular_o decipher_v and_o from_o the_o example_n of_o god_n vengeance_n on_o other_o great_a offender_n infer_v the_o certainty_n of_o these_o man_n ruin_n in_o short_a this_o epistle_n have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o a_o true_a apostolic_a spirit_n and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o argument_n with_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o epitome_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o need_v not_o be_v very_o particular_a in_o rehearse_v the_o content_n the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n the_o divine_a which_o epithet_n be_v signal_o give_v to_o he_o here_o because_o of_o the_o divinity_n and_o sublimity_n of_o his_o rapture_n because_o he_o of_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v the_o great_a communication_n of_o divine_a mystery_n it_o may_v be_v refer_v either_o to_o the_o historical_a book_n or_o to_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o former_a because_o it_o be_v a_o prophetic_a history_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o latter_a because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o epistle_n after_o the_o three_o first_o verse_n by_o way_n of_o preface_n viz._n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n at_o first_o plant_v by_o and_o now_o under_o the_o government_n of_o st._n john_n and_o as_o it_o begin_v so_o it_o end_v after_o the_o usual_a way_n of_o conclude_a epistle_n the_o grace_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n â—brist_n be_v with_o you_o all_o amm._n concern_v the_o precise_a time_n when_o st._n john_n receive_v and_o when_o he_o write_v this_o revelation_n there_o be_v some_o dispute_n but_o the_o most_o probable_a if_o not_o the_o most_o general_o receive_v opinion_n be_v that_o he_o be_v â—â—nished_v into_o patmos_n a_o isle_n in_o the_o archipelago_n situate_v about_o forty_o mile_n from_o the_o continent_n of_o asia_n by_o domitian_n under_o who_o be_v the_o second_o persecution_n this_o revelation_n be_v deliver_v to_o he_o about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o emperor_n reign_n but_o at_o several_a time_n and_o that_o he_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o vision_n themselves_o i_o will_v not_o here_o particular_o inâ—ist_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o only_o in_o general_n it_o be_v common_o say_v and_o believe_v that_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seal_n set_v forth_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o heathen_a persecution_n from_o nero_n to_o the_o end_n of_o dioclesian_n persecution_n the_o vision_n of_o the_o trumpet_n which_o follow_v that_o show_v the_o calamity_n of_o the_o church_n by_o heresy_n schism_n and_o persecution_n afterward_o in_o the_o time_n succeed_v the_o pagan_a roman_a emperor_n viz._n under_o papacy_n and_o then_o the_o vial_n tell_v what_o vengeance_n befall_v the_o papal_a antichrist_n and_o all_o the_o church_n enemy_n so_o that_o the_o seal_n trumpet_n and_o vial_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o three_o grand_a period_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v great_a probability_n of_o this_o but_o i_o must_v add_v and_o i_o will_v offer_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n as_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o order_n to_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o this_o book_n that_o the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o history_n be_v