wisdom_n of_o the_o greek_n if_o thâ—_n christian_n religion_n have_v be_v a_o meeâ—_n design_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o makâ—_n themselves_o head_n of_o a_o new_a sect_n what_o have_v this_o be_v but_o to_o hauâ—_n set_v the_o cunning_a of_o twelve_o oâ—_n thirteen_o man_n of_o no_o interest_n or_o reputation_n against_o the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o the_o wholâ—_n world_n if_o they_o have_v any_o wisdom_n they_o will_v never_o have_v undeâ—_n take_v such_o a_o impossible_a desigâ—_n as_o this_o must_v appear_v to_o they_o â—_o first_o view_n and_o if_o they_o haâ—_n none_o how_o can_v they_o ever_o hopâ—_n to_o manage_v it_o if_o their_o aim_n werâ—_n only_o at_o reputation_n they_o may_v have_v think_v of_o thousand_o â—_o way_n more_o probable_a and_o morâ—_n advantageous_a than_o this_o if_o wâ—_n suppose_v man_n shall_v be_v willing_a to_o hazard_v their_o life_n for_o theâ—_n reputation_n we_o may_v suppose_v withal_o such_o man_n to_o have_v so_o much_o cunning_a as_o not_o to_o do_v it_o till_o they_o can_v help_v it_o but_o if_o they_o can_v have_v reputation_n and_o ease_n together_o they_o have_v rather_o have_v it_o i_o will_v therefore_o put_v the_o case_n concern_v the_o only_a person_n that_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o a_o learned_a education_n among_o the_o apostle_n viz._n st._n paul_n and_o who_o you_o seem_v to_o strike_v at_o more_o than_o the_o rest_n be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o when_o he_o be_v in_o favour_n with_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o be_v likely_a to_o advance_v himself_o by_o his_o opposition_n to_o christianity_n and_o have_v a_o fair_a prospect_n of_o ease_n and_o honour_n together_o he_o shall_v quit_v all_o this_o to_o join_v with_o such_o a_o inconsiderable_a and_o hate_a company_n as_o the_o christian_n be_v only_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o head_n of_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o man_n and_o to_o purchase_v it_o at_o so_o dear_a a_o rate_n as_o thâ—_n loss_n of_o his_o friend_n and_o interest_n and_o run_v on_o continual_a trouble_n and_o persecution_n to_o the_o hazard_n of_o his_o life_n it_o be_v possiblâ—_n for_o man_n that_o be_v deceive_v anâ—_n mean_v honest_o to_o do_v this_o buâ—_n it_o be_v scarce_o supposable_a of_o a_o maâ—_n in_o his_o sense_n that_o shall_v knoâ—_n and_o believe_v all_o this_o to_o be_v a_o cheat_n and_o yet_o own_o and_o embrace_v it_o to_o sâ—_n great_a disadvantage_n to_o himself_o when_o he_o can_v not_o make_v himself_o so_o considerable_a by_o it_o as_o he_o may_v have_v be_v without_o it_o meâ—_n must_v love_v cheat_v the_o world_n at_o strange_a rate_n that_o will_v let_v go_v faiâ—_n hope_n of_o preferment_n and_o ease_n and_o lead_v a_o life_n of_o perpetual_a trouble_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o utmost_a hazard_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o delude_v other_o if_o the_o apostle_n know_v all_o they_o say_v to_o be_v false_a and_o make_v it_o so_o necessary_a for_o all_o man_n to_o believe_v what_o they_o say_v to_o be_v true_a they_o be_v some_o of_o the_o great_a deceiver_n which_o the_o world_n have_v ever_o know_v but_o man_n that_o take_v pleasure_n in_o deceive_v make_v use_n of_o many_o artifices_fw-la on_o purpose_n to_o catch_v the_o silly_a multitude_n they_o have_v all_o the_o art_n of_o insinuation_n and_o fawn_v speech_n fit_a to_o draw_v in_o the_o weak_a and_o such_o as_o love_v to_o be_v flatter_v but_o what_o be_v there_o tend_v this_o way_n in_o all_o the_o apostle_n write_n how_o sharp_o do_v they_o speak_v to_o the_o jewish_a sanhedrin_n upon_o the_o murder_n of_o christ_n with_o what_o plainness_n and_o simplicity_n do_v they_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o be_v christian_n they_o bare_o tell_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o say_v they_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o and_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o testimony_n of_o they_o they_o preach_v faith_n and_o repentance_n to_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v ever_o any_o thing_n far_o from_o the_o appearance_n of_o artifice_n than_o this_o be_v so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v deceiver_n they_o be_v some_o of_o the_o subtle_a that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n because_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o little_a ground_n for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o fraud_n and_o we_o can_v easy_o imagine_v person_n of_o their_o education_n capable_a of_o so_o profound_a dissimulation_n and_o so_o artificial_a a_o cheat._n beside_o all_o this_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v how_o far_o such_o person_n do_v allow_v the_o liberty_n of_o dissimulation_n and_o artificial_a juggle_n especial_o in_o religion_n we_o see_v the_o papist_n can_v not_o practise_v these_o thing_n without_o be_v force_v to_o defend_v they_o by_o show_v how_o convenient_a it_o be_v for_o the_o people_n to_o be_v tell_v strange_a story_n of_o saint_n on_o purpose_n to_o nourish_v devotion_n in_o they_o to_o which_o end_n they_o say_v it_o signify_v not_o much_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o no_o and_o withal_o they_o assert_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o equivocation_n and_o mental_a reservation_n and_o do_v thing_n not_o otherwise_o justifiable_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o church_n and_o religion_n and_o i_o shall_v free_o confess_v to_o you_o if_o i_o find_v any_o countenance_n to_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o from_o the_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o will_v give_v i_o too_o just_a a_o ground_n for_o suspicion_n as_o to_o what_o they_o deliver_v for_o if_o they_o allow_v equivocation_n or_o mental_a reservation_n how_o can_v i_o possible_o know_v what_o they_o mean_v by_o any_o thing_n they_o say_v for_o that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v the_o proposition_n true_a lay_v without_o my_o reach_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o another_o and_o while_o they_o so_o firm_o attest_v that_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a they_o may_v understand_v it_o of_o a_o spiritual_a or_o mystical_a resurrection_n but_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o allow_v lie_v or_o cheat_v for_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n their_o credit_n will_v be_v go_v with_o i_o for_o how_o can_v i_o be_v any_o long_a sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o one_o word_n they_o say_v i_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v they_o infallible_a that_o i_o can_v not_o but_o suspect_v they_o to_o have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v i_o the_o first_o thing_n therefore_o we_o be_v to_o look_v at_o in_o person_n who_o require_v our_o belief_n be_v the_o strict_a veracity_n if_o they_o falter_v in_o this_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o suspicion_n of_o all_o but_o credulous_a fool_n but_o we_o no_o where_o find_v great_a plainness_n and_o sincerity_n require_v no_o where_o more_o strict_a and_o severe_a prohibition_n of_o dissimulation_n in_o religion_n nor_o more_o general_a precept_n about_o speak_a truth_n than_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o may_v not_o all_o this_o be_v do_v with_o the_o great_a artifice_n to_o prevent_v suspicion_n suspicion_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o he_o that_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o sea_n can_v set_v no_o bound_n to_o if_o man_n will_v give_v way_n to_o it_o without_o reason_n there_o can_v be_v no_o end_n of_o it_o for_o the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o prevent_v it_o will_v still_o afford_v new_a matter_n and_o occasion_n for_o it_o if_o man_n do_v use_v the_o utmost_a mean_n that_o be_v possible_a to_o assure_v other_o of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v they_o but_o still_o suspect_v the_o design_n to_o be_v so_o much_o deep_o lay_v there_o be_v no_o way_n leave_v possible_a to_o satisfy_v such_o man_n their_o suspicion_n be_v a_o disease_n incurable_a by_o rational_a mean_n and_o such_o person_n deserve_v to_o be_v give_v over_o as_o past_a all_o remedy_n if_o man_n act_n like_o prudent_a man_n they_o will_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n but_o if_o they_o entertain_v a_o jealousy_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o the_o most_o of_o those_o who_o give_v they_o the_o great_a assurance_n they_o have_v no_o intention_n to_o deceive_v they_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o go_v about_o to_o satisfy_v such_o person_n for_o that_o very_a undertake_n make_v they_o more_o suspicious_a if_o the_o apostle_n therefore_o give_v as_o much_o ground_n as_o ever_o any_o person_n do_v or_o can_v do_v that_o they_o have_v no_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o proceed_v with_o all_o the_o fairness_n and_o openness_n with_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o their_o sincerity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o fasten_v upon_o they_o the_o imputation_n of_o cunning_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o deceive_v other_o 2._o this_o will_v more_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o matter_n deliver_v by_o they_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o doctrine_n
he_o may_v be_v trust_v or_o no_o and_o for_o this_o he_o can_v expect_v no_o better_a satisfaction_n than_o that_o his_o history_n have_v be_v in_o great_a reputation_n for_o its_o integrity_n among_o the_o most_o know_a person_n but_o how_o shall_v he_o be_v sure_a this_o be_v the_o history_n write_v by_o thucydides_n since_o there_o have_v be_v many_o counterfeit_a write_n obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o consent_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o all_o age_n since_o we_o may_v compare_v the_o testimony_n cite_v out_o of_o it_o with_o the_o history_n we_o have_v and_o the_o style_n with_o the_o character_n give_v of_o thucydides_n and_o the_o narration_n with_o other_o credible_a history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o if_o all_o these_o agree_v what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o thucydides_n all_o learned_a man_n do_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o have_v be_v multitude_n of_o fictitious_a write_n but_o do_v they_o therefore_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o genuine_a or_o whether_o we_o have_v not_o the_o true_a herodotus_n strabo_n or_o pausanias_n because_o there_o be_v a_o counterfeit_a berosus_n manetho_n and_o philo_n set_v forth_o by_o annius_n of_o viterbo_n do_v any_o suspect_n whether_o we_o have_v any_o of_o the_o genuine_a work_n of_o cicero_n because_o a_o italian_a counterfeit_v a_o book_n de_fw-fr consolation_n in_o his_o name_n or_o whether_o caesar_n commentary_n be_v his_o own_o because_o it_o be_v uncertain_a who_o write_v the_o alexandrian_a war_n that_o be_v join_v with_o they_o by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o we_o may_v not_o only_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o fidelity_n of_o person_n we_o converse_v with_o but_o of_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o ouâ—_n belief_n of_o what_o be_v do_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o thâ—_n testimony_n of_o writer_n notwithstanding_o the_o many_o supposititious_a write_n that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o all_o this_o only_o relate_v to_o mere_a matter_n of_o history_n wherein_o a_o man_n be_v not_o muâ—h_o concern_v whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a but_o the_o thing_n we_o be_v about_o be_v matter_n that_o man_n salvation_n or_o damnation_n be_v â—id_v to_o depend_v upon_o and_o therefore_o â—reater_a evidence_n shall_v be_v give_v of_o these_o to_o oblige_v man_n to_o believe_v they_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o â—â—y_a design_n herein_o be_v to_o prove_v â—hat_n notwithstanding_o the_o possibility_n of_o deception_n there_o may_v be_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o a_o prudent_a and_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n do_v at_o as_o great_a a_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o convey_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n report_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v and_o hereby_o those_o general_a prejudices_fw-la be_v show_v to_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o this_o discourse_n be_v that_o you_o will_v give_v a_o assent_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o you_o do_v to_o caesar_n or_o livy_n or_o tacitus_n or_o any_o other_o ancient_a historian_n 2._o as_o to_o the_o great_a obligation_n to_o assent_v â—_o say_v it_o depend_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n which_o iâ—_n give_v by_o the_o matter_n of_o facâ—_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o anâ—_n here_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o ask_v you_o 1._o whether_o it_o be_v any_o way_n repugnant_a to_o any_o conception_n you_o have_v of_o god_n for_o he_o to_o make_v use_n of_o fallible_a man_n to_o make_v know_v his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n 2._o whether_o those_o man_n though_o suppose_v to_o be_v in_o themselves_o fallible_a can_v either_o deceive_v or_o be_v deceive_v when_o god_n makeâ—_n know_v his_o mind_n to_o they_o 3._o whether_o on_o supposition_n that_o god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o such_o person_n for_o this_o end_n those_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o who_o do_v not_o live_v in_o the_o same_o age_n with_o they_o if_o not_o than_o god_n must_v either_o make_v no_o revelation_n at_o all_o or_o he_o must_v make_v a_o new_a one_o every_o age_n if_o they_o be_v than_o the_o obligation_n lie_v as_o much_o on_o we_o now_o to_o believe_v as_o if_o we_o have_v live_v and_o converse_v with_o those_o inspire_a person_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v report_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o since_o it_o be_v universal_o agree_v among_o man_n that_o humane_a testimony_n be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o assent_n where_o there_o be_v no_o positive_a ground_n for_o suspicion_n because_o deceive_v and_o be_v deceive_v be_v not_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n therefore_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n be_v and_o whether_o any_o of_o they_o do_v reach_v the_o apostle_n testimony_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n report_v by_o they_o and_o the_o just_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n be_v these_o 1._o if_o the_o person_n be_v otherwise_o know_v to_o be_v man_n of_o artifice_n anâ—_n cunning_a full_a of_o trick_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o that_o make_v nâ—_n conscience_n of_o speak_a truth_n so_o a_o lie_n tend_v to_o their_o great_a advantage_n which_o be_v too_o mucâ—_n the_o papist_n case_n in_o their_o legend_n and_o story_n of_o miracle_n 2._o â—_o they_o temper_n and_o suit_v their_o storâ—_n and_o doctrine_n to_o the_o humour_n anâ—_n genius_n of_o the_o people_n they_o hopâ—_n to_o prevail_v upon_o as_o mahomet_n do_v in_o encourage_v war_n and_o lasciviousness_n 3._o if_o they_o lay_v the_o scene_n oâ—_n their_o story_n at_o a_o mighty_a distance_n from_o themselves_o at_o such_o a_o age_n wherein_o it_o be_v impossible_a either_o to_o prove_v or_o disprove_v which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o brahmin_n as_o to_o their_o brahmà _fw-la and_o their_o veda_n and_o be_v of_o the_o heathen_n as_o to_o their_o fabulous_a deity_n 4._o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o story_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o most_o authentic_a history_n of_o those_o time_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o imposture_n of_o annius_n have_v be_v discover_v 5._o if_o there_o be_v evident_a contradiction_n in_o the_o story_n itself_o or_o any_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o or_o unbecoming_a the_o majesty_n holiness_n sincerity_n and_o consistency_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n on_o which_o account_n we_o reject_v fanatic_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v then_o allow_v there_o be_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v therein_o but_o i_o shall_v undertake_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o defend_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o foundation_n for_o suspicion_n as_o to_o any_o one_o of_o these_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o person_n such_o whâ—_n go_v about_o to_o deceive_v other_o musâ—_n be_v man_n that_o be_v verse_v in_o business_n and_o know_v how_o to_o deal_v with_o man_n and_o that_o have_v some_o interest_n already_o that_o they_o have_v gain_v by_o other_o mean_n before_o they_o can_v carry_v on_o such_o a_o design_n as_o to_o abuse_v mankind_n by_o lie_n and_o imposture_n in_o religion_n therefore_o the_o atheist_n lay_v the_o deceive_a the_o world_n by_o religion_n to_o the_o charge_n of_o politician_n and_o lawgiver_n to_o man_n verse_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o fraud_n such_o as_o numa_n or_o lycurgus_n or_o xaca_n or_o mahomet_n such_o as_o understand_v the_o way_n of_o cajol_v the_o people_n or_o to_o subtle_a priest_n that_o know_v how_o to_o suit_v the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o the_o superstitious_a multitude_n whence_o come_v the_o multitude_n of_o fraud_n in_o the_o heathen_a temple_n and_o oracle_n but_o will_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n have_v pitch_v upon_o a_o few_o fisherman_n and_o illiterate_a person_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o intrigue_n as_o this_o man_n that_o be_v rude_a and_o unexperienced_a in_o the_o world_n and_o uncapable_a of_o deal_n in_o the_o way_n of_o artifice_n with_o one_o of_o the_o common_a citizen_n of_o jerusalem_n when_o be_v it_o ever_o hear_v that_o such_o man_n make_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v against_o the_o most_o violent_a persecution_n and_o when_o they_o prevail_v so_o much_o the_o common_a charge_n still_o against_o they_o be_v that_o they_o be_v a_o company_n of_o rude_a mean_a obscure_a illiterate_a simple_a man_n and_o yet_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o cunning_a and_o malice_n and_o learning_n and_o strength_n of_o their_o adversary_n they_o gain_v ground_n upon_o they_o and_o prevail_v over_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o jew_n anâ—_n
miracle_n do_v sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v by_o those_o who_o wrought_v miracle_n as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n 2._o if_o there_o have_v be_v the_o least_o ground_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v in_o those_o age_n when_o so_o many_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n for_o we_o see_v several_a of_o the_o book_n be_v a_o long_a time_n examine_v and_o at_o last_o when_o no_o sufficient_a reason_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o they_o they_o be_v receive_v by_o those_o church_n which_o at_o first_o scruple_v the_o receive_v they_o and_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o think_v the_o doubt_n of_o the_o first_o age_n any_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n that_o by_o the_o objection_n of_o some_o against_o some_o of_o they_o i_o be_o thereby_o assure_v that_o they_o do_v not_o present_o receive_v any_o book_n because_o it_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o apostolical_a write_n as_o i_o be_o the_o more_o confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n because_o some_o of_o the_o disciple_n be_v at_o first_o very_o doubtful_a about_o it_o 6._o you_o may_v yet_o ask_v what_o do_v all_o this_o signify_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v at_o a_o long_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o and_o in_o a_o more_o ignorant_a age_n of_o of_o the_o world_n answ._n there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n than_o by_o the_o new_a for_o if_o the_o new_a be_v true_a the_o old_a must_v be_v so_o which_o be_v confirm_v so_o plain_o and_o evident_o by_o it_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n appeal_n to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n on_o all_o occasion_n so_o that_o the_o same_o miracle_n which_o prove_v their_o testimony_n true_a do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n since_o it_o be_v so_o express_o say_v in_o the_o new_a that_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n do_v speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o after_o all_o this_o you_o urge_v that_o you_o have_v discover_v such_o thing_n in_o these_o write_n as_o can_v not_o come_v from_o god_n as_o 1._o contradiction_n in_o they_o 2._o something_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n 3._o promise_v make_v that_o be_v never_o fulfil_v 4._o thing_n so_o obscure_a as_o no_o one_o can_v tell_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o under_o these_o four_o head_n i_o shall_v examine_v the_o particular_a allegation_n you_o bring_v against_o the_o scripture_n 1._o under_o the_o head_n of_o contradiction_n you_o insist_v on_o the_o prophecy_n gen._n 15._o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16._o make_v to_o abraham_n concern_v his_o posterity_n compare_v with_o the_o accomplishment_n mention_v exod._n 12._o 40._o 41._o and_o the_o force_n of_o your_o argument_n lie_v in_o this_o that_o the_o prophecy_n in_o genesis_n do_v imply_v that_o the_o servitude_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n be_v to_o be_v 40_o year_n or_o 430_o say_v exod._n but_o both_o these_o be_v repugnant_a to_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o make_v their_o abode_n in_o egypt_n not_o to_o exceed_v 215_o year_n or_o at_o the_o high_a by_o the_o number_n of_o generation_n can_v not_o exceed_v 350_o year_n stretch_v they_o to_o the_o utmost_a advantage_n to_o this_o which_o you_o lay_v so_o much_o weight_n upon_o i_o answer_v distinct_o 1._o by_o your_o own_o confession_n suppose_v the_o 430_o year_n to_o begin_v from_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n the_o accomplishment_n mention_v exod._n 12._o 40._o do_v fall_v out_o exact_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n for_o you_o have_v prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o from_o the_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n to_o jacob_n be_v in_o egypt_n be_v 215_o year_n to_o which_o you_o add_v that_o coath_a be_v suppose_v 5_o year_n old_a at_o the_o go_n into_o egypt_n and_o that_o at_o 70_o year_n he_o beget_v amram_n and_o that_o amram_n at_o at_o 70_o beget_v moses_n to_o which_o moses_n his_o 80_o year_n be_v add_v make_v up_o the_o other_o 215_o year_n whereby_o we_o have_v the_o full_a 430_o year_n by_o your_o own_o computation_n now_o sir_n i_o pray_v consider_v what_o reason_n you_o have_v to_o charge_v the_o scripture_n with_o contradiction_n in_o a_o matter_n yourself_o acknowledge_v so_o exact_o accomplish_v in_o this_o way_n of_o computation_n 2._o but_o you_o say_v the_o word_n will_v not_o bear_v this_o because_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o 400_o year_n to_o expire_v in_o their_o servitude_n in_o egypt_n answ._n for_o this_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n both_o in_o genesis_n and_o exodus_fw-la there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o egypt_n mention_v in_o genesis_n but_o only_o in_o general_n it_o be_v say_v thy_o seed_n shall_v be_v a_o stranger_n in_o the_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 400_o year_n and_o it_o will_v conduce_v very_o much_o to_o the_o right_a understanding_n this_o prophecy_n to_o consider_v the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o tell_v abraham_n how_o long_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o servitude_n to_o the_o egyptian_n but_o how_o long_o it_o will_v be_v before_o his_o seed_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n and_o it_o seem_v abraham_n by_o the_o question_n gen._n 15._o 7._o 8._o do_v expect_v to_o have_v the_o inheritance_n of_o this_o land_n in_o his_o own_o time_n to_o this_o therefore_o god_n answer_v by_o tell_v he_o he_o mean_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o it_o be_v intend_v for_o his_o seed_n and_o that_o not_o sudden_o neither_o for_o they_o be_v to_o tarry_v till_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o amorites_n shall_v be_v full_a which_o will_v not_o be_v till_o the_o four_o generation_n and_o then_o his_o seed_n shall_v after_o 400_o year_n come_v to_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o be_v to_o sojourn_v in_o a_o land_n that_o be_v not_o they_o and_o to_o meet_v with_o many_o hardship_n and_o difficulty_n this_o be_v plain_o the_o scope_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o by_o attend_v to_o it_o the_o great_a objection_n present_o appear_v without_o force_n for_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n notwithstanding_o the_o promise_n be_v by_o the_o patriarch_n themselves_o look_v on_o as_o a_o land_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n so_o abraham_n say_v gen._n 23._o 4._o i_o be_o a_o stranger_n and_o a_o sojourner_n with_o you_o and_o which_o be_v more_o remarkable_a in_o the_o blessing_n of_o jacob_n by_o isaac_n to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v it_o be_v say_v and_o give_v thou_o the_o blessing_n of_o abraham_n to_o thou_o and_o to_o thy_o seed_n that_o thou_o may_v inherit_v the_o land_n wherein_o thou_o be_v a_o stranger_n which_o god_n give_v unto_o abraham_n gen._n 28._o 4._o where_o the_o very_a same_o word_n be_v use_v concern_v jacob_n that_o be_v express_v in_o the_o prophecy_n gen._n 15._o 13._o so_o that_o the_o patriarch_n look_v on_o themselves_o as_o stranger_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n so_o long_o after_o the_o promise_n make_v and_o after_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n and_o therefore_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v call_v terra_fw-la peregrinationum_fw-la the_o land_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n gen._n 36._o 7._o 37._o 1._o and_o when_o god_n be_v call_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n together_o out_o of_o egypt_n yet_o then_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v call_v by_o the_o very_a same_o title_n the_o land_n of_o their_o pilgrimage_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n exod._n 6._o 4._o and_o ps._n 105._o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12_o 13._o where_o we_o have_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n concern_v the_o inheritance_n of_o that_o land_n it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v few_o and_o stranger_n in_o it_o when_o they_o go_v from_o one_o nation_n to_o another_o from_o one_o kingdom_n to_o another_o people_n which_o do_v full_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n in_o genesis_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v to_o the_o servitude_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n but_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o their_o state_n of_o pilgrimage_n for_o 400_o year_n wherein_o they_o be_v to_o suffer_v great_a hardship_n before_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o the_o inheritance_n of_o canaan_n this_o be_v no_o force_a or_o unnatural_a exposition_n of_o the_o word_n as_o you_o seem_v to_o suggest_v