a_o new_a society_n which_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v not_o by_o the_o law_n give_v on_o mount_n sinai_n but_o by_o those_o which_o be_v to_o be_v publish_v from_o mount_n zion_n chap._n xxiii_o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n this_o article_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o important_a and_o most_o visible_a character_n of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o also_o the_o great_a effect_n of_o his_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a care_n to_o divulge_v the_o same_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o prophetical_a representation_n of_o it_o for_o not_o only_o have_v he_o declare_v that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n 15._o gen._n iii_o 15._o that_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o error_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o vice_n which_o arise_v from_o thence_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o sin_n which_o this_o unhappy_a spirit_n bring_v into_o the_o world._n it_o be_v not_o only_o foretell_v that_o god_n will_v persuade_v japhet_n to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o sem_fw-mi 27._o gen._n ix_o 27._o by_o unite_n the_o posterity_n of_o both_o those_o patriarch_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o religion_n not_o only_o have_v he_o signify_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v over_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n that_o be_v over_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o offspring_n of_o cham_n not_o except_v not_o only_o have_v he_o foretell_v that_o all_o nation_n kindred_n xxii_o gen._n xii_o &_o ch._n xviii_o &_o xxii_o and_o family_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n but_o god_n go_v much_o further_o afterward_o for_o as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o revelation_n increase_v so_o the_o same_o be_v declare_v more_o distinct_o for_o 1._o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n tell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n gen._n xlix_o verse_n 10._o the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n until_o shiloh_n come_v and_o unto_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v 2._o moses_n threaten_v the_o jew_n that_o if_o they_o despise_v the_o law_n of_o god_n stranger_n that_o be_v gentile_n shall_v be_v prefer_v before_o they_o deut._n xxviii_o verse_n 43._o the_o strange_a that_o be_v within_o thou_o shall_v get_v up_o above_o thou_o very_o high_a and_o thou_o shall_v come_v down_o very_o low_a the_o same_o prophet_n menace_v they_o from_o god_n that_o he_o will_v stir_v up_o their_o jealousy_n by_o call_v a_o foolish_a people_n to_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n deut._n xxxii_o verse_n 21._o they_o have_v move_v i_o to_o jealousy_n with_o that_o which_o be_v not_o god_n they_o have_v provoke_v i_o to_o anger_n with_o their_o vanity_n and_o i_o will_v move_v they_o to_o jealousy_n with_o those_o which_o be_v not_o a_o people_n i_o will_v provoke_v they_o to_o anger_n with_o a_o foolish_a nation_n nothing_o can_v be_v say_v more_o express_a and_o particular_a than_o these_o last_o word_n of_o that_o great_a law_n giver_n and_o founder_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n 3._o david_n set_v forth_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o that_o which_o be_v to_o reach_v over_o all_o the_o earth_n psalm_n ii_o verse_n 8._o ask_v of_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v give_v thou_o the_o heathen_a for_o thy_o inheritance_n and_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o thy_o possession_n and_o psalm_n xxii_o vers_fw-la 27_o 28_o 29_o 30._o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v remember_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v worship_v before_o thou_o for_o the_o kingdom_n be_v the_o lord_n and_o he_o be_v the_o governor_n among_o the_o nation_n all_o they_o that_o be_v fat_a upon_o the_o earth_n shall_v eat_v and_o worship_n all_o they_o that_o go_v down_o to_o the_o dust_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o a_o seed_n shall_v serve_v he_o it_o shall_v be_v account_v to_o the_o lord_n for_o a_o generation_n psalm_n lxxii_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o he_o shall_v have_v dominion_n from_o sea_n to_o sea_n and_o from_o the_o river_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o wilderness_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o and_o his_o enemy_n shall_v lick_v the_o dust_n the_o king_n of_o tarshish_n and_o of_o the_o isle_n shall_v bring_v present_n the_o king_n of_o sheba_n and_o seba_n shall_v offer_v gift_n yea_o all_o king_n shall_v fall_v down_o before_o he_o all_o nation_n shall_v serve_v he_o which_o prophecy_n be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a because_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n be_v there_o repeat_v in_o so_o many_o word_n viz._n that_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n psalm-cii_a verse_n 15._o so_o the_o heathen_a shall_v fear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n thy_o glory_n and_o psalm_n cx_o verse_n 2._o the_o lord_n shall_v send_v the_o rod_n of_o thy_o strength_n out_o of_o zion_n rule_n thou_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o thy_o enemy_n one_o ought_v to_o transcribe_v almost_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o passage_n which_o be_v to_o this_o purpose_n the_o prophet_n hosea_n declare_v in_o general_a term_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o impossible_a thing_n for_o those_o who_o have_v be_v god_n people_n to_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o or_o for_o those_o that_o be_v not_o his_o people_n to_o become_v his_o people_n chap._n i._o verse_n 10._o yet_o the_o number_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o sand_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o can_v be_v measure_v or_o number_v and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v not_o my_o people_n there_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god._n isaiah_n mention_n this_o so_o often_o and_o in_o such_o a_o emphatical_a manner_n that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n he_o drive_v at_o in_o all_o his_o write_n chap._n ii_o verse_n 2_o 3._o he_o speak_v thus_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o last_o day_n that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o and_o many_o people_n shall_v go_v and_o say_v come_v you_o and_o let_v we_o go_v up_o to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n and_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o of_o his_o way_n and_o we_o will_v walk_v in_o his_o path_n for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o chap._n xi_o verse_n 10._o in_o that_o day_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o root_n of_o jesse_n which_o shall_v stand_v for_o a_o ensign_n of_o the_o people_n to_o it_o shall_v the_o gentile_n seek_v and_o chap._n xviii_o verse_n 7._o he_o make_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o the_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o chap._n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o he_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o will_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n chap._n lv._o vers_fw-la 4_o 5._o behold_v i_o have_v give_v thou_o for_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o people_n a_o leader_n and_o a_o commander_n to_o the_o people_n behold_v thou_o shall_v call_v a_o nation_n that_o thou_o know_v not_o and_o nation_n that_o know_v not_o thou_o shall_v run_v unto_o thou_o because_o of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o for_o the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n for_o he_o have_v glorify_v thou_o but_o one_o see_v we_o these_o truth_n in_o their_o great_a lustre_n in_o the_o lx_o chap._n of_o his_o prophecy_n vers_fw-la 3_o 4_o 5._o the_o gentile_n shall_v come_v to_o thy_o light_n and_o king_n to_o the_o brightness_n of_o thy_o rise_n lift_v up_o thy_o eye_n round_o about_o and_o see_v all_o they_o gather_v themselves_o together_o they_o come_v to_o thou_o thy_o son_n shall_v
come_v from_o far_o and_o thy_o daughter_n shall_v be_v nurse_v at_o thy_o side_n then_o thou_o shall_v see_v and_o shine_v and_o thy_o heart_n shall_v fear_v and_o be_v enlarge_v because_o the_o abundance_n of_o the_o sea_n shall_v be_v convert_v unto_o thou_o the_o force_n of_o the_o gentile_n shall_v come_v unto_o thou_o and_o chap._n lxii_o vers_fw-la 2._o the_o gentile_n shall_v see_v thy_o righteousness_n and_o all_o king_n thy_o glory_n and_o thou_o shall_v be_v call_v by_o a_o new_a name_n which_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v name_v and_o vers_fw-la 11_o and_o 12._o behold_v the_o lord_n have_v proclaim_v unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n say_v you_o to_o the_o daughter_n of_o zion_n behold_v thy_o salvation_n come_v behold_v his_o reward_n be_v with_o he_o and_o his_o work_n be_v before_o he_o and_o they_o shall_v call_v they_o the_o holy_a people_n the_o redeem_v of_o the_o lord_n and_o thou_o shall_v be_v call_v seek_v out_o a_o city_n not_o forsake_v and_o chap._n lxv_o vers_fw-la 1._o i_o be_o seek_v of_o they_o that_o ask_v not_o for_o i_o i_o be_o find_v of_o they_o that_o seek_v i_o not_o i_o say_v behold_v i_o behold_v i_o unto_o a_o nation_n that_o be_v not_o call_v by_o my_o name_n and_o chap._n lxvi_o verse_n 18._o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o i_o will_v gather_v all_o nation_n and_o tongue_n and_o they_o shall_v come_v and_o see_v my_o glory_n amos_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o isaiah_n speak_v the_o same_o thing_n chap._n ix_o vers_fw-la 11_o 12._o in_o that_o day_n will_v i_o raise_v up_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o david_n which_o be_v fall_v and_o close_o up_o the_o breach_n thereof_o and_o i_o will_v raise_v up_o his_o ruin_n and_o i_o will_v build_v it_o as_o in_o the_o day_n of_o old_a that_o they_o may_v possess_v the_o remnant_n of_o edom_n and_o of_o all_o the_o heathen_a which_o be_v call_v by_o my_o name_n say_v the_o lord_n which_o do_v this_o the_o prophet_n micah_n also_o follow_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n step_n by_o step_n mich._n iu._n vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3._o but_o in_o the_o last_v day_n it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o people_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o and_o many_o nation_n shall_v come_v and_o say_v come_v and_o let_v we_o go_v up_o to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n and_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o of_o his_o way_n and_o we_o will_v walk_v in_o his_o path_n for_o the_o law_n shall_v go_v forth_o of_o zion_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o he_o shall_v judge_v among_o many_o people_n and_o rebuke_v strong_a nation_n afar_o off_o and_o they_o shall_v beat_v their_o sword_n into_o blow_n share_n and_o their_o spear_n into_o pruning-hook_n nation_n shall_v not_o lift_v up_o a_o sword_n against_o nation_n neither_o shall_v they_o learn_v war_n any_o more_o zephaniah_n be_v as_o clear_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n chap._n ii_o vers_fw-la 11._o they_o shall_v worship_v he_o every_o one_o from_o his_o place_n even_o all_o the_o isle_n of_o the_o heathen_a and_o chap._n iii_o vers_fw-la 9_o 10._o then_o will_v i_o turn_v to_o the_o people_n a_o pure_a language_n that_o they_o may_v all_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o serve_v he_o with_o one_o consent_n from_o beyond_o the_o river_n of_o ethiopia_n my_o suppliant_n the_o daughter_n of_o my_o disperse_a shall_v bring_v my_o offering_n jeremiah_n in_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n vers_fw-la 2._o confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n as_o likewise_o chap._n xvi_o vers_fw-la 19_o and_o more_o express_o chap._n xxxi_o verse_n 34._o and_o they_o shall_v teach_v no_o more_o every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n and_o every_o man_n his_o brother_n say_v know_v the_o lord_n for_o they_o shall_v all_o know_v i_o from_o the_o least_o of_o they_o unto_o the_o great_a of_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n after_o the_o return_n of_o the_o captivity_n we_o find_v that_o the_o prophet_n still_o pursue_v the_o same_o idea_n haggai_n ii_o vers_fw-la 7_o 8._o and_o i_o will_v shake_v all_o nation_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n shall_v come_v and_o i_o will_v fill_v this_o house_n with_o glory_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o silver_n be_v i_o and_o the_o gold_n be_v i_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n zechariah_n speak_v in_o like_a manner_n chap._n ii_o vers_fw-la 10_o 11._o sing_v and_o rejoice_v o_o daughter_n of_o zion_n for_o lo_o i_o come_v and_o i_o will_v dwell_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o many_o nation_n shall_v be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n in_o that_o day_n and_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n and_o i_o will_v dwell_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v know_v that_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o thou_o and_o chap._n viii_o vers_fw-la 20_o 21_o 22._o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n it_o shall_v yet_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o shall_v come_v people_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o many_o city_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o one_o city_n shall_v go_v to_o another_o say_v let_v we_o go_v speedy_o to_o pray_v before_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o seek_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n i_o will_v go_v also_o yea_o many_o people_n and_o strong_a nation_n shall_v come_v to_o seek_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o to_o pray_v before_o the_o lord_n and_o chap._n xi_o vers_fw-la 10._o he_o express_v the_o same_o thing_n more_o distinct_o and_o i_o will_v cut_v off_o the_o chariot_n from_o ephraim_n and_o the_o horse_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o battle_n bow_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o and_o he_o shall_v speak_v peace_n unto_o the_o heathen_a and_o his_o dominion_n shall_v be_v from_o sea_n to_o sea_n and_o from_o the_o river_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n malachi_n speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o the_o great_a clearness_n imaginable_a chap._n i._o vers_fw-la 10_o 11._o who_o be_v there_o among_o you_o that_o shut_v the_o door_n or_o kindle_v fire_n on_o my_o altar_n for_o nought_o i_o have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o you_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n neither_o will_v i_o accept_v a_o offering_n at_o your_o hand_n for_o from_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n even_o unto_o the_o go_n down_o of_o the_o same_o my_o name_n shall_v be_v great_a among_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o every_o place_n incense_n shall_v be_v offer_v unto_o my_o name_n and_o a_o pure_a offering_n for_o my_o name_n shall_v be_v great_a among_o the_o heathen_a say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n on_o all_o which_o passage_n one_o may_v make_v these_o observation_n 1._o that_o all_o this_o whole_a series_n of_o idea_n have_v as_o much_o connexion_n to_o one_o another_o as_o the_o word_n of_o those_o oracle_n have_v which_o we_o have_v now_o allege_v 2._o that_o these_o prophet_n have_v set_v it_o forth_o with_o all_o its_o possible_a character_n by_o the_o original_a of_o these_o people_n call_v they_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n by_o their_o country_n egypt_n assyria_n the_o east_n and_o west_n by_o their_o idolatry_n by_o their_o aversion_n to_o the_o jew_n their_o ignorance_n etc._n etc._n 3._o that_o these_o prophecy_n be_v general_o understand_v by_o the_o jew_n of_o old_a of_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o use_n the_o apostle_n make_v of_o they_o when_o they_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n 4._o that_o forasmuch_o as_o god_n have_v order_v proselyte_n to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o jewish_a communion_n he_o seem_v thereby_o to_o have_v hint_v to_o they_o that_o what_o he_o have_v enjoin_v they_o as_o to_o particular_n aught_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n to_o be_v practise_v in_o general_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o aught_o also_o to_o be_v universal_o desire_v 5._o that_o the_o modern_a jew_n themselves_o constant_o believe_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v lead_v the_o gentile_n to_o repentance_n so_o kimchi_n moses_n maimonides_n and_o many_o other_o author_n since_o the_o talmudist_n 6._o that_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v entertain_v that_o the_o messiah_n as_o a_o great_a conqueror_n be_v to_o subdue_v the_o nation_n proceed_v only_o from_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o oppression_n they_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v under_z which_o make_v they_o so_o earnest_o desire_v a_o temporal_a deliverance_n from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o gentile_n by_o mean_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o pompous_a expression_n of_o some_o of_o the_o prophet_n have_v strengthen_v this_o belief_n in_o they_o though_o
may_v seem_v to_o be_v worthy_a of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o so_o i_o shall_v only_o observe_v at_o present_a that_o this_o visit_n be_v make_v to_o elizabeth_n in_o a_o city_n of_o judah_n which_o be_v a_o demonstrative_a proof_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n and_o consequent_o of_o that_o of_o judah_n so_o that_o this_o be_v far_o from_o be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o it_o as_o some_o have_v do_v it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o priest_n have_v leave_v to_o take_v a_o wife_n of_o what_o tribe_n they_o please_v but_o who_o see_v we_o not_o at_o first_o sight_n that_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o a_o priest_n dwell_v in_o one_o of_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n to_o marry_v in_o that_o tribe_n among_o who_o he_o live_v beside_o that_o the_o priest_n have_v of_o a_o long_a time_n affect_v to_o make_v alliance_n with_o that_o tribe_n before_o any_o other_o the_o second_o thing_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v join_v to_o this_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o elizabeth_n express_v herself_o to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n consider_v she_o as_o bear_v the_o messiah_n in_o her_o womb_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n she_o call_v she_o the_o mother_n of_o my_o lord_n allude_v to_o psalm_n cx_o the_o three_o be_v that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o her_o song_n where_o she_o speak_v of_o herself_o as_o the_o person_n in_o who_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n be_v accomplish_v luke_n i._o vers_fw-la 54_o 55._o which_o promise_v concern_v the_o messiah_n she_o set_v forth_o herself_o as_o heiress_n to_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o choose_v before_o any_o her_o ancestor_n notwithstanding_o all_o their_o glory_n he_o have_v put_v down_o say_v she_o the_o mighty_a from_o their_o seat_n and_o have_v exalt_v they_o of_o low_a degree_n the_o four_o be_v that_o zachariah_n the_o priest_n who_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o bless_a virgin_n at_o who_o house_n she_o have_v be_v during_o the_o first_o three_o month_n of_o her_o be_v with_o child_n and_o who_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o her_o lineage_n always_o own_v she_o to_o be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o look_v upon_o the_o bless_a virgin_n as_o the_o mother_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o well_o as_o elizabeth_n his_o wife_n he_o seem_v to_o have_v consider_v the_o infant_n that_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o she_o as_o the_o redeemer_n promise_v to_o abraham_n and_o the_o bless_a virgin_n as_o the_o heiress_n of_o david_n and_o therefore_o say_v that_o god_n have_v raise_v up_o a_o horn_n of_o salvation_n for_o we_o in_o the_o house_n of_o his_o servant_n david_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o convince_a than_o this_o observation_n for_o first_o zachariah_n be_v a_o priest_n that_o be_v one_o of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v commit_v 2._o he_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v very_o well_o verse_v in_o the_o prophecy_n which_o fix_v the_o messiah_n to_o the_o family_n of_o david_n 3._o he_o consider_v his_o son_n as_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o he_o propose_v that_o the_o oracle_n of_o malachy_n shall_v be_v fulfil_v in_o that_o son_n who_o god_n have_v so_o miraculous_o bestow_v upon_o he_o 4._o he_o need_v only_o have_v examine_v the_o agreement_n of_o her_o marriage_n and_o he_o will_v then_o certain_o know_v whether_o the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v not_o of_o another_o tribe_n which_o will_v have_v cure_v he_o of_o any_o possible_a illusion_n in_o short_a s._n luke_n observe_v very_o exact_o that_o this_o journey_n of_o the_o virgin_n to_o her_o kinswoman_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n which_o prove_v the_o bless_a virgin_n to_o have_v be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v thing_n well_o know_v throughout_o all_o the_o hill-country_n of_o judea_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v pretend_v that_o this_o important_a fact_n be_v any_o way_n obscure_a but_o second_o this_o genealogy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v carry_v up_o to_o david_n and_o judah_n and_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n exact_o know_v especial_o since_o jesus_n christ_n always_o pass_v for_o the_o son_n of_o david_n blind_a man_n themselves_o call_v he_o so_o a_o three_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o bless_a virgin_n go_v to_o bethlehem_n to_o be_v there_o enroll_v according_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o augustus_n cesar_n there_o have_v be_v several_a numbring_n of_o the_o people_n the_o first_o be_v at_o the_o appointment_n of_o god_n himself_o the_o second_o be_v by_o a_o order_n from_o david_n and_o in_o both_o a_o exact_a distinction_n be_v make_v between_o the_o tribe_n themselves_o and_o the_o family_n of_o each_o tribe_n and_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v in_o this_o last_o register_n which_o be_v make_v by_o augustus_n decree_n in_o the_o 4000_o year_n of_o the_o world._n joseph_n and_o mary_n go_v up_o to_o bethlehem_n which_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o david_n family_n nothing_o appear_v here_o of_o design_n or_o affectation_n they_o make_v no_o stay_n at_o bethlehem_n and_o the_o occasion_n that_o bring_v they_o thither_o be_v absolute_o strange_a and_o unlooked_a for_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n of_o micah_n chap._n v._o verse_n 2._o but_o thou_o bethlehem_n ephratah_n etc._n etc._n this_o remark_n upon_o the_o decree_n of_o augustus_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n because_o thereby_o the_o virgin_n be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n appear_v to_o be_v the_o most_o indisputable_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n as_o have_v be_v own_v first_o by_o the_o whole_a family_n of_o judah_n for_o three_o month_n second_o by_o the_o genealogy_n which_o subsist_v entire_a as_o the_o talmudist_n themselves_o grant_v in_o the_o treatise_n de_fw-fr sponsal_n chap._n iu._n sect._n 5._o where_o they_o testify_v that_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o royal_a family_n be_v without_o difficulty_n 3._o by_o the_o public_a testimony_n of_o all_o their_o kindred_n who_o meet_v in_o a_o body_n before_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n the_o four_o remark_n be_v that_o when_o herod_n know_v of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n at_o bethlehem_n where_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v he_o will_v have_v envolve_v jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o massacre_n which_o sweep_v away_o the_o innocent_a child_n if_o the_o same_o providence_n which_o bring_v he_o to_o bethlehem_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n have_v not_o withdraw_v he_o from_o thence_o to_o preserve_v he_o from_o that_o tyrant_n who_o be_v afraid_a of_o be_v cast_v from_o his_o throne_n by_o one_o of_o david_n heir_n the_o five_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o only_o often_o allude_v to_o the_o place_n of_o his_o birth_n in_o call_v himself_o the_o bread_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n the_o word_n bethlehem_n signify_v the_o house_n of_o bread_n but_o he_o constant_o own_a himself_o for_o the_o son_n of_o david_n upon_o this_o it_o be_v that_o he_o ground_n the_o objection_n which_o he_o make_v to_o the_o jew_n how_o be_v it_o that_o david_n call_v the_o messiah_n his_o lord_n and_o indeed_o this_o fact_n be_v so_o constant_o own_v by_o all_o that_o even_o person_n who_o be_v possess_v with_o devil_n do_v not_o dispute_v it_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o evangelist_n the_o six_o be_v that_o though_o two_o of_o the_o evangelist_n set_v down_o the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n with_o some_o difference_n yet_o the_o jew_n never_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o question_n jesus_n christ_n descent_n from_o david_n his_o apostle_n always_o build_v on_o that_o foundation_n which_o may_v be_v see_v as_o a_o thing_n take_v for_o grant_v in_o s._n peter_n sermon_n act_v ii_o and_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n paul_n where_o we_o find_v our_o saviour_n always_o style_v the_o son_n of_o david_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n to_o these_o already_o mention_v we_o may_v add_v the_o three_o follow_a observation_n the_o first_o be_v that_o if_o the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o be_v distinct_o know_v the_o apostle_n will_v never_o have_v trouble_v themselves_o to_o have_v set_v it_o down_o much_o less_o will_v they_o have_v place_v it_o in_o the_o front_n of_o their_o book_n as_o know_v that_o the_o beginning_n of_o book_n be_v always_o more_o examine_v than_o the_o end_n and_o will_v certain_o be_v so_o by_o a_o people_n who_o always_o stick_v very_o close_o to_o their_o genealogy_n in_o short_a either_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o confuse_a as_o they_o be_v at_o present_a and_o so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v serve_v as_o character_n to_o discover_v the_o
therefore_o that_o occur_v in_o this_o matter_n consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propound_v to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o prove_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n his_o miracle_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o indeed_o these_o be_v the_o very_a matter_n of_o which_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n require_v a_o solid_a proof_n and_o it_o do_v the_o more_o concern_v we_o to_o satisfy_v their_o demand_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v oppose_v our_o assertion_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n be_v already_o accomplish_a though_o they_o agree_v upon_o the_o matter_n with_o we_o in_o all_o other_o article_n moreover_o the_o perform_v this_o task_n may_v very_o much_o contribute_v to_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bad_a christian_n who_o shall_v and_o continuance_n in_o vice_n and_o licentiousness_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o their_o be_v so_o weak_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o fundamental_o and_o that_o because_o they_o have_v never_o consider_v of_o they_o with_o sufficient_a attention_n chap._n ii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact._n forasmuch_o as_o in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o confine_v ourselves_o at_o present_a to_o those_o proof_n which_o make_v out_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propose_v omit_v all_o other_o argument_n which_o may_v evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o though_o possible_o no_o less_o convince_a it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o proof_n we_o be_v to_o produce_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o must_v be_v such_o as_o be_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v if_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o the_o event_n of_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o it_o may_v be_v just_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v produce_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v matter_n long_o since_o past_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o history_n which_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o relation_n of_o those_o who_o where_o eye-witness_n of_o the_o same_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o confirm_v our_o belief_n of_o thing_n at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o we_o i_o be_o behold_v to_o history_n only_o for_o the_o knowledge_n i_o have_v of_o a_o cyrus_n a_o alexander_n or_o a_o caesar_n and_o yet_o have_v read_v the_o account_n they_o give_v i_o of_o they_o i_o find_v they_o matter_n i_o can_v no_o way_n rational_o doubt_v of_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a be_v much_o inferior_a to_o that_o which_o we_o have_v of_o matter_n confirm_v to_o we_o by_o eye-witness_n nevertheless_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o event_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v be_v confirm_v but_o by_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o have_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o to_o account_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o man_n as_o cyrus_n and_o alexander_n for_o fable_n upon_o the_o pretence_n that_o none_o now_o alive_a do_v ever_o see_v they_o or_o because_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o trace_n leave_v of_o those_o empire_n of_o which_o they_o be_v the_o founder_n indeed_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v superad_v to_o it_o for_o though_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o historian_n who_o live_v many_o age_n ago_o yet_o withal_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o matter_n relate_v do_v not_o only_o carry_v the_o idea_n of_o probability_n and_o truth_n along_o with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o history_n of_o follow_a age_n which_o can_v be_v question_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o the_o thing_n relate_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o reason_n a_o matter_n of_o fact_n than_o be_v account_v certain_a when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o when_o record_v by_o a_o historian_n who_o live_v among_o those_o who_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o it_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o gainsay_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o if_o we_o find_v it_o pen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v relate_v by_o any_o otherwise_o than_o indeed_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o public_a derision_n and_o last_o of_o all_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o either_o because_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o every_o one_o to_o be_v inform_v of_o it_o or_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o public_a that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v hide_v from_o any_o or_o last_o because_o of_o its_o natural_a connexion_n with_o all_o those_o other_o event_n which_o necessary_o depend_v on_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a it_o be_v very_o unjust_a to_o demand_v either_o more_o proof_n or_o such_o as_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o be_v require_v to_o verisie_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact._n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o noah_n child_n be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o methusalem_n in_o case_n they_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v see_v he_o or_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o methusalem_n be_v of_o credit_n enough_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o adam_n if_o he_o aver_v that_o he_o see_v he_o and_o converse_v with_o he_o do_v we_o every_o day_n give_v credit_n to_o the_o account_n which_o old_a man_n give_v we_o of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o we_o find_v that_o what_o they_o relate_v have_v a_o exact_a reference_n and_o connexion_n with_o those_o thing_n we_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o proof_n which_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o our_o religion_n propose_v be_v infinite_o more_o strong_a and_o convince_a all_o the_o circumstance_n we_o can_v imagine_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n do_v concur_v to_o place_v the_o matter_n record_v in_o holy_a scripture_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o doubt_n or_o uncertainty_n we_o account_v the_o single_a testimony_n of_o a_o historian_n a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v once_o a_o very_a famous_a temple_n at_o delphos_n or_o ephesus_n notwithstanding_o that_o all_o the_o monument_n remain_v at_o this_o day_n to_o confirm_v his_o relation_n be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o defective_a whereas_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o entire_a nation_n yea_o many_o nation_n do_v attest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v and_o that_o all_o the_o action_n discourse_n and_o whole_a series_n of_o event_n thereto_o relate_v do_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o character_n which_o invincible_o signalise_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scrïpture_n chap._n iii_o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n forasmuch_o as_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n it_o will_v be_v proper_a in_o order_n to_o the_o execute_n of_o my_o design_n to_o begin_v with_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a book_n which_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a if_o one_o make_v the_o follow_a remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o he_o write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o deluge_n the_o rise_n and_o pedigree_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o particular_a the_o history_n of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n until_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o palestina_n 2552_o year_n after_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o follow_a book_n viz._n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n the_o four_o book_n of_o king_n of_o chronicle_n with_o the_o book_n of_o ezrah_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o say_a history_n from_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o jew_n into_o palestina_n until_o their_o
that_o any_o messiah_n real_o descend_v from_o that_o very_a tribe_n can_v by_o establish_v his_o genealogy_n put_v his_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n beyond_o all_o contest_v now_o according_a to_o this_o notion_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v visible_a if_o we_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n that_o he_o do_v particular_o preserve_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o benjamin_n with_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n which_o be_v the_o only_a tribe_n that_o be_v to_o be_v preserve_v of_o necessity_n first_o because_o as_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o hebrew_n observe_v there_o be_v nothing_o ever_o say_v as_o to_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi._n second_o because_o god_n will_v by_o that_o mean_n confound_v the_o more_o effectual_o all_o the_o claim_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o in_o short_a if_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n be_v invest_v by_o god_n with_o the_o kingdom_n over_o nine_o tribe_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n so_o have_v the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n be_v raise_v up_o before_o to_o the_o sovereignty_n over_o all_o israel_n over_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o even_o that_o of_o ephraim_n itself_o if_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n be_v descend_v from_o a_o young_a brother_n to_o who_o jacob_n have_v give_v his_o blessing_n in_o prejudice_n of_o manasseh_n his_o elder_a brother_n which_o be_v considerable_a because_o god_n have_v almost_o constant_o prefer_v the_o young_a before_o the_o elder_a so_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n be_v descend_v from_o he_o that_o be_v both_o the_o young_a brother_n of_o joseph_n himself_o and_o the_o young_a of_o all_o jacob_n child_n notwithstanding_o which_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n do_v free_o yield_v to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o grant_v that_o the_o glory_n of_o give_v birth_n to_o the_o messiah_n be_v whole_o due_a to_o they_o be_v it_o as_o it_o will_v there_o be_v two_o reflection_n more_o which_o must_v be_v make_v concern_v these_o genealogy_n which_o appear_v very_o natural_a in_o this_o place_n the_o first_o be_v that_o both_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n luke_n do_v begin_v their_o gospel_n with_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o other_o be_v that_o some_o time_n after_o st._n paul_n condemn_v the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n which_o be_v still_o much_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o vain_a why_o therefore_o be_v there_o such_o a_o different_a conduct_n among_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o same_o master_n certain_o whoever_o shall_v consider_v with_o attention_n the_o ground_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o before_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o both_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n luke_n aught_o to_o have_v begin_v their_o book_n as_o they_o have_v do_v with_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o messiah_n for_o first_o of_o all_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o messiah_n from_o abraham_n by_o david_n shall_v be_v clear_o make_v out_o it_o be_v requisite_a therefore_o that_o they_o shall_v set_v down_o such_o a_o genealogy_n as_o be_v know_v by_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n now_o this_o they_o have_v do_v with_o very_o great_a care_n and_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o well_o know_v that_o even_o a_o blindman_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n of_o samaria_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o the_o king_n of_o ephraim_n do_v public_o call_v jesus_n the_o son_n of_o david_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n st._n paul_n forbid_v the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n do_v not_o at_o all_o contradict_v the_o method_n of_o those_o two_o evangelist_n in_o short_a he_o pursue_v the_o very_a same_o notion_n he_o see_v that_o the_o convert_v jew_n apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o genealogy_n which_o be_v then_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o study_n of_o their_o nation_n it_o be_v still_o practise_v among_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o degree_n chazaka_fw-mi maimon_n praef._n ad_fw-la jad_n chazaka_fw-mi that_o since_o their_o dispersion_n they_o give_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o all_o the_o doctor_n and_o rabbi_n among_o they_o who_o have_v preserve_v the_o tradition_n and_o who_o be_v proselyte_n of_o justice_n what_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o god_n have_v engage_v every_o jew_n to_o study_v his_o own_o pedigree_n with_o care_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o only_o to_o have_v that_o of_o the_o messiah_n distinct_o know_v whenever_o he_o shall_v come_v but_o the_o use_n of_o these_o genealogy_n be_v once_o over_o by_o the_o messiah_n come_v into_o the_o world_n he_o observe_v with_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v no_o long_o necessary_a to_o keep_v up_o the_o vain_a study_n of_o all_o those_o genealogy_n so_o that_o we_o see_v he_o speak_v against_o the_o study_n of_o pedigree_n much_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n as_o in_o other_o place_n he_o inveigh_v against_o circumcision_n for_o since_o the_o chief_a use_n of_o genealogy_n as_o well_o as_o of_o circumcision_n be_v to_o distinguish_v abraham_n posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v the_o use_n of_o these_o two_o observation_n be_v natural_o to_o cease_v after_o he_o be_v once_o come_v it_o be_v no_o doubt_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o whereas_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n take_v great_a care_n upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o tribe_n from_o which_o they_o be_v descend_v as_o well_o as_o to_o set_v down_o the_o name_n of_o their_o father_n yet_o one_o see_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o all_o affect_v it_o and_o if_o st._n paul_n mention_n his_o be_v a_o benjamite_n it_o be_v for_o a_o particular_a reason_n for_o otherwise_o as_o he_o preach_v down_o the_o distinction_n betwixt_o jew_n and_o gentile_n so_o he_o declare_v himself_o with_o the_o same_o earnestness_n against_o the_o distinction_n which_o be_v observe_v among_o their_o tribe_n chap._n xviii_o that_o the_o manner_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n fix_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a mean_n which_o god_n make_v use_v of_o to_o distinguish_v his_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n be_v so_o to_o fix_v their_o affection_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o shall_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o country_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o by_o a_o particular_a concession_n from_o god_n which_o derogate_a from_o the_o canaanite_n right_a to_o who_o that_o country_n fall_v in_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v make_v among_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n or_o which_o reestablish_v the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n in_o their_o just_a right_n 84._o haeres_fw-la lxvi_o n._n 84._o to_o who_o if_o we_o may_v credit_v the_o ancient_a tradition_n relate_v by_o st._n epiphanius_n this_o country_n do_v real_o belong_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o division_n among_o the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n though_o afterward_o they_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o it_o by_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham._n moses_n seem_v to_o have_v express_v this_o truth_n when_o he_o say_v gen._n xii_o that_o when_o abraham_n come_v to_o canaan_n the_o canaanite_n be_v already_o in_o the_o land_n that_o be_v he_o have_v already_o invade_v it_o neither_o can_v we_o refer_v what_o he_o relate_v in_o the_o fourteen_o chapter_n concern_v the_o war_n which_o the_o king_n from_o the_o east_n come_v to_o make_v against_o the_o king_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrha_n to_o any_o thing_n else_o it_o be_v then_o for_o this_o reason_n that_o long_o before_o moses_n time_n god_n take_v abraham_n out_o of_o chaldea_n from_o among_o shem_n posterity_n to_o bring_v he_o into_o canaan_n among_o the_o hâ—vites_n the_o amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n all_o equal_o descend_v from_o ham_n who_o god_n have_v curse_v god_n can_v have_v place_v abraham_n any_o where_o else_o but_o he_o choose_v to_o bring_v he_o into_o a_o country_n which_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n have_v seize_v upon_o already_o rather_o than_o into_o a_o place_n possess_v by_o the_o posterity_n of_o japhet_n on_o purpose_n that_o the_o jealousy_n may_v be_v the_o great_a betwixt_o abraham_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o country_n into_o which_o god_n have_v bring_v he_o nevertheless_o god_n do_v not_o give_v he_o at_o first_o a_o entire_a possession_n but_o only_o promise_v he_o that_o his_o posterity_n shall_v enjoy_v it_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n invest_v he_o beforehand_o with_o a_o right_a to_o it_o by_o the_o purchase_n of_o a_o field_n for_o a_o bury_v place_n wherein_o his_o wife_n himself_z and_o his_o child_n be_v bury_v by_o which_o mean_n he_o strong_o fix_v his_o own_o mind_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o his_o posterity_n in_o short_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o
the_o first_o part_n take_v in_o all_o that_o happen_v after_o moses_n till_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n and_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n the_o three_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o the_o jewish_a captivity_n and_o after_o their_o re-establishment_n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o book_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o this_o people_n in_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o epocha_n which_o have_v not_o certain_a character_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o relation_n by_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n which_o it_o have_v either_o with_o those_o event_n which_o go_v before_o it_o or_o with_o those_o which_o follow_v it_o and_o this_o by_o a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a dependence_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o observation_n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n which_o contain_v the_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v the_o execution_n of_o moses_n design_n who_o bring_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o go_v and_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o a_o country_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o division_n of_o this_o land_n among_o the_o tribe_n be_v the_o title_n which_o each_o tribe_n have_v to_o its_o possession_n in_o it_o and_o this_o division_n subsist_v a_o great_a while_n very_o distinct_a and_o well_o know_v by_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o this_o people_n there_o happen_v no_o considerable_a change_n but_o only_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n carry_v the_o ten_o tribe_n into_o captivity_n after_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o three_o year_n of_o the_o world_n the_o country_n continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n under_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n without_o any_o change_n ensue_v upon_o their_o transportation_n into_o babylon_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o chapter_n of_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n this_o book_n have_v a_o very_a natural_a influence_n upon_o the_o follow_a book_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o alliance_n which_o the_o gibeonite_n get_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o surprise_n it_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o all_o that_o happen_v for_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o in_o david_n reign_n under_o who_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v already_o change_v into_o a_o monarchical_a government_n have_v in_o all_o appearance_n undergo_v a_o great_a alteration_n the_o book_n of_o judge_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o joshua_n the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o quarrel_n with_o the_o nation_n which_o they_o have_v subdue_v or_o with_o their_o neighbour_n as_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n descend_v from_o lot_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o this_o people_n that_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n there_o we_o may_v see_v for_o instance_n the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o defensive_a part_n because_o god_n forbid_v they_o to_o set_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n whereas_o these_o last_o pretend_v that_o israel_n have_v usurp_v some_o part_n of_o their_o country_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o remarkable_a markable_a as_o the_o action_n of_o these_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o those_o different_a captivity_n through_o which_o they_o pass_v for_o three_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o year_n together_o but_o we_o may_v find_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o of_o they_o preserve_v by_o those_o public_a hymn_n which_o be_v famous_a throughout_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o these_o illustrious_a monument_n of_o their_o judicial_a authority_n which_o be_v preserve_v among_o they_o and_o which_o keep_v up_o a_o remembrance_n of_o they_o among_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n for_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v observe_v with_o care_n that_o since_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o invent_v any_o thing_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o will_v not_o be_v well_o know_v by_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n as_o the_o tyrian_n who_o keep_v up_o their_o own_o government_n till_o alexander_n time_n who_o subdue_v they_o entire_o and_o the_o moabite_n who_o empire_n continue_v for_o fourteen_o age_n after_o lot_n time_n until_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a for_o any_o fabulous_a relation_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o obtain_v authority_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o thing_n considerable_a but_o the_o conversion_n of_o ruth_n a_o moabitess_n who_o rely_v upon_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o house_n of_o juda_n out_o of_o which_o she_o have_v marry_v her_o husband_n but_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n beside_o 1._o of_o the_o exact_a practice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o a_o relation_n who_o die_v without_o issue_n 2._o of_o their_o lively_a remembrance_n of_o the_o deed_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o juda_n incest_n with_o thamar_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o however_o as_o a_o fountain_n and_o a_o pattern_n of_o blessing_n 3._o of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n who_o this_o author_n represent_v as_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n from_o a_o moabitess_n which_o not_o make_v much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o eli_n and_o samuel_n judicature_n of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o a_o monarchy_n under_o saul_n of_o david_n anoint_v saul_n rejection_n and_o death_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o david_n his_o victory_n his_o design_n of_o build_v a_o temple_n a_o design_n which_o god_n leave_v to_o solomon_n to_o execute_v his_o war_n with_o the_o ammonite_n his_o crime_n with_o bathshebah_n his_o son_n absalom_n insurrection_n against_o he_o and_o his_o great_a success_n against_o his_o enemy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o two_o book_n which_o have_v not_o a_o exact_a connexion_n with_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v one_o see_v we_o throughout_o a_o exact_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o see_v we_o throughout_o monument_n set_v up_o in_o several_a place_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o particular_a action_n one_o see_v we_o also_o in_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n with_o their_o neighbour_n a_o constant_a series_n of_o those_o old_a difference_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o jealousy_n of_o these_o nation_n against_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n which_o the_o jew_n reckon_v but_o as_o one_o book_n contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o solomon_n establishment_n in_o the_o place_n of_o david_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o empire_n which_o be_v carry_v by_o david_n to_o the_o bank_n of_o eüphrates_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o his_o marriage_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n daughter_n of_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o his_o own_o palace_n with_o the_o help_n of_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n visit_n to_o solomon_n of_o his_o alliance_n with_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o edomite_n the_o zidonian_o and_o the_o hittite_n think_v by_o these_o marriage_n to_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n between_o his_o people_n and_o these_o nation_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n all_o this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o solomon_n reign_n and_o as_o there_o never_o be_v so_o famous_a a_o reign_n in_o judea_n so_o never_o be_v there_o any_o of_o which_o there_o be_v leave_v so_o many_o monument_n as_o well_o there_o as_o in_o the_o neighbour_a country_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o in_o the_o same_o book_n the_o division_n of_o solomon_n empire_n into_o two_o government_n that_o of_o juda_n which_o continue_v from_o solomon_n death_n during_o the_o reign_n of_o eighteen_o successor_n for_o three_o hundred_o eighty_o six_o year_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nebuchaanezzar_n and_o that_o of_o israel_n form_v by_o jeroboam_n which_o last_v two_o hundred_o fifty_o four_o year_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o nineteen_o successor_n until_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n the_o history_n of_o the_o chronicle_n which_o be_v write_v about_o twenty_o six_o year_n after_o that_o of_o the_o king_n carry_v
it_o be_v a_o very_a considerable_a thing_n that_o in_o all_o the_o series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n there_o be_v not_o one_o generation_n among_o all_o the_o offspring_n of_o the_o people_n but_o what_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o several_a of_o these_o oracle_n a_o little_a attention_n and_o care_n in_o compare_v the_o chronology_n of_o the_o oracle_n with_o that_o of_o the_o event_n will_v sufficient_o justify_v what_o i_o say_v i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o observe_v their_o different_a order_n which_o will_v satisfy_v a_o judicious_a reader_n since_o my_o design_n do_v not_o engage_v i_o necessary_o to_o do_v a_o thing_n which_o will_v carry_v i_o too_o far_o and_o which_o may_v be_v do_v with_o little_a application_n we_o may_v consider_v four_o sort_n of_o oracle_n 1._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n nigh_o at_o hand_n 2._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n but_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n 3._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o fact_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n 4._o those_o which_o have_v respect_n to_o fact_n which_o belong_v to_o foreign_a nation_n either_o border_n upon_o palestina_n or_o further_o from_o it_o now_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o exact_o fulfil_v as_o these_o four_o sort_n of_o oracle_n you_o have_v for_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v nigh_o at_o hand_n and_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n the_o oracle_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o advancement_n of_o joshua_n and_o the_o conquest_n of_o palestine_n which_o happen_v soon_o after_o you_o have_v debora_n oracle_n of_o the_o victory_n promise_v to_o barak_n you_o have_v samuel_n oracle_n of_o the_o advancement_n and_o rejection_n of_o saul_n you_o have_v a_o oracle_n of_o the_o same_o samuel_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o david_n you_o have_v nathan_n oracle_n concern_v absalom_n revolt_n you_o have_v ahijah_n oracle_n concern_v the_o advancement_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o the_o division_n of_o solomon_n kingdom_n into_o ten_o tribe_n and_o into_o two_o tribe_n whereof_o the_o lesser_a part_n be_v to_o continue_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o solomon_n heir_n you_o have_v ahijah_n prediction_n of_o the_o death_n of_o jeroboam_n son._n you_o have_v a_o prediction_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o jehu_n in_o the_o place_n of_o jehoram_fw-la king_n of_o israel_n you_o have_v elijah_n prediction_n of_o the_o exemplary_a punishment_n of_o ahab_n and_o jezabel_n you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o jehoiakim_n death_n make_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxii_o 18_o 19_o and_o chap._n xxxvi_o 30._o which_o happen_v ten_o year_n after_o you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o jechoniah_n misery_n make_v by_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxii_o 3._o you_o have_v jeremiah_n prediction_n of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n ananiah_n but_o seven_o month_n before_o it_o happen_v you_o have_v a_o express_a designation_n of_o zorobabel_n to_o conclude_v the_o re-building_n of_o the_o temple_n make_v by_o zechariah_n chap._n iu._n 9_o and_o which_o be_v complete_v in_o four_o year_n it_o be_v therefore_o full_o evident_a that_o the_o prediction_n of_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v to_o happen_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n serve_v to_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o effect_n one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o proceed_v upon_o the_o authority_n which_o those_o prediction_n of_o near_a event_n give_v they_o to_o foretell_v other_o particular_a event_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n so_o you_o see_v that_o moses_n foretell_v after_o a_o sort_n after_o jacob_n the_o manner_n how_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o be_v divide_v though_o the_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o lot._n you_o see_v the_o same_o moses_n foretell_v the_o several_a captivity_n which_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n suffer_v after_o the_o conquest_n and_o the_o method_n of_o god_n raise_v up_o several_a judge_n to_o the_o number_n of_o fourteen_o to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o those_o calamity_n you_o see_v the_o same_o moses_n foretell_v that_o the_o temple_n shall_v be_v build_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o it_o be_v the_o least_o you_o have_v joshua_n prediction_n of_o the_o way_n how_o the_o re_fw-mi builder_n of_o jericho_n shall_v be_v exemplary_o punish_v which_o be_v accomplish_v in_o ahab_n time_n i_o king_n xvi_o 34_o about_o 570_o year_n after_o this_o prophetical_a imprecation_n of_o joshua_n you_o have_v the_o prediction_n of_o a_o prophet_n who_o be_v contemporary_a to_o jeroboam_n about_o the_o birth_n of_o josiah_n which_o be_v not_o till_o 350_o year_n after_o i_o king_n xiii_o and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o destroy_v the_o altar_n which_o jeroboam_n build_v one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o samaria_n within_o 65_o year_n by_o isaiah_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o jotham_n one_o see_v we_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n foretell_v by_o several_a of_o the_o prophet_n one_o see_v we_o the_o take_n of_o tyre_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n foretell_v by_o isaiah_n chap._n xxiii_o 15_o 17._o one_o see_v we_o the_o promise_n of_o its_o re-establishment_n seventy_o year_n after_o its_o destruction_n one_o see_v we_o the_o promise_n of_o cyrus_n birth_n make_v by_o isaiah_n chap._n xliv_o 45._o as_o of_o one_o that_o shall_v restore_v liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o give_v they_o opportunity_n of_o re-building_n their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n will_v treat_v the_o jew_n in_o his_o life_n time_n and_o how_o he_o shall_v be_v punish_v for_o his_o cruelty_n and_o sacrilege_n one_o see_v we_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o maccabee_n who_o shall_v oppose_v the_o tyranny_n of_o that_o prince_n and_o purify_v anew_o the_o divine_a worship_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o foretell_v of_o these_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n revive_v the_o memory_n of_o these_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o every_o age_n and_o make_v they_o read_v they_o with_o a_o singular_a attention_n one_o ought_v also_o to_o make_v the_o same_o reflection_n upon_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o particular_a event_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o its_o continuance_n until_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n after_o which_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v its_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n without_o remedy_n in_o short_a one_o may_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o revolution_n never_o so_o little_a considerable_a of_o which_o we_o do_v not_o find_v very_o many_o and_o very_o particular_a prediction_n foretell_v by_o several_a prophet_n upon_o very_o different_a occasion_n and_o particular_a circumstance_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n exact_a description_n of_o the_o pilgrimage_n of_o abraham_n posterity_n of_o their_o continuance_n in_o egypt_n of_o the_o oppression_n they_o be_v there_o to_o undergo_v of_o their_o prodigious_a increase_n of_o their_o rob_v the_o egyptian_n at_o their_o departure_n of_o their_o method_n in_o conquer_a the_o land_n of_o canaan_n of_o the_o way_n how_o king_n shall_v arise_v from_o abraham_n which_o be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n and_o at_o last_o in_o the_o israelite_n one_o see_v we_o express_v prediction_n of_o the_o several_a judge_n who_o god_n shall_v raise_v up_o to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n one_o see_v we_o a_o express_a prediction_n of_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n to_o the_o kingdom_n one_o see_v we_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o future_a subjection_n of_o the_o edomite_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o of_o their_o conquer_a of_o the_o country_n which_o lie_v along_o the_o bank_n of_o euphrates_n which_o be_v fulfil_v in_o david_n time_n one_o see_v we_o a_o express_a division_n of_o that_o kingdom_n into_o two_o very_a unequal_a part_n one_o see_v we_o great_a number_n of_o prediction_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n 30._o two_o king_n x._o 30._o for_o instance_n you_o have_v a_o oracle_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jehu_n family_n in_o the_o four_o generation_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v express_o foretell_v and_o the_o term_n be_v very_o exact_o set_v down_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o its_o king_n be_v also_o express_o foretell_v the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o babylon_n and_o their_o re-establishment_n by_o cyrus_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v also_o very_o distinct_o foretell_v the_o desolation_n of_o judea_n under_o the_o empire_n of_o alexander_n successor_n be_v foretell_v very_o exact_o their_o re-establishment_n after_o these_o desolation_n and_o the_o way_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v defend_v by_o the_o maccabee_n
and_o his_o ass_n colt_n unto_o the_o choice_a vine_n he_o wash_v his_o garment_n in_o wine_n and_o his_o clothes_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o grape_n his_o eye_n shall_v be_v red_a with_o wine_n and_o his_o tooth_n white_a with_o milk._n gen._n xlix_o 8._o 12._o i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n have_v pretend_v that_o moses_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v for_o shiloh_n but_o this_o be_v so_o ridiculous_a a_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o probability_n to_o maintain_v it_o what_o sceptre_n have_v judah_n before_o moses_n come_v how_o be_v moses_n the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o object_n of_o their_o hope_n and_o indeed_o the_o body_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o messiah_n so_o onkelos_n the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v so_o the_o jerusalem_n targum_fw-la and_o jonathan_n so_o r._n solomon_n jarchi_n abenezra_n and_o kimchi_n be_v agree_v now_o these_o reflection_n may_v be_v natural_o draw_v from_o this_o oracle_n which_o jacob_n utter_v upon_o his_o deathbed_n i._o this_o oracle_n be_v find_v among_o a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o other_o tribe_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o which_o be_v accomplish_v as_o to_o every_o tribe_n ii_o this_o oracle_n contain_v several_a particular_a event_n which_o relate_v to_o private_a transaction_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n iii_o this_o oracle_n be_v as_o it_o be_v jacob_n will_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n at_o a_o time_n when_o he_o divide_v among_o his_o child_n their_o portion_n which_o they_o be_v to_o expect_v from_o he_o iv_o this_o be_v a_o preference_n of_o judah_n who_o be_v but_o the_o four_o to_o reuben_n who_o be_v the_o elder_a and_o who_o by_o consequence_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v the_o head_n of_o his_o family_n the_o sceptre_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o legislator_n be_v promise_v to_o judah_n which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o by_o the_o right_n of_o his_o birth_n jacob_n therefore_o prepare_v his_o child_n to_o look_v for_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n in_o judah_n as_o well_o for_o the_o king_n who_o be_v to_o be_v descend_v from_o he_o as_o for_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n who_o be_v to_o be_v bless_v in_o abraham_n seed_n but_o we_o must_v go_v yet_o further_o i_o shall_v therefore_o observe_v i._o that_o this_o prophecy_n particular_o regard_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o all_o the_o precede_a and_o follow_v oracle_n concern_v those_o tribe_n who_o head_n be_v then_o name_v by_o jacob._n ii_o that_o this_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o settle_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n by_o a_o distinct_a establishment_n from_o the_o other_o tribe_n in_o short_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n have_v some_o superiority_n thus_o god_n for_o instance_n command_v that_o tribe_n to_o march_v the_o first_o numb_a ii_o &_o x._o its_o head_n offer_v their_o present_n first_o numb_a vii_o 11_o 12_o 83._o in_o joshua_n time_n this_o tribe_n take_v its_o division_n without_o draw_v lot_n for_o it_o one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n order_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n to_o lead_v the_o people_n out_o to_o the_o conquest_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o country_n one_o see_v we_o the_o same_a prerogative_n in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n though_o they_o be_v often_o of_o other_o tribe_n from_o david_n time_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n the_o king_n be_v all_o of_o that_o tribe_n and_o zorobabel_n afterward_o head_v those_o who_o return_v out_o of_o chaldea_n the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n name_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n first_o herod_n be_v the_o first_o king_n who_o be_v whole_o a_o stranger_n iii_o that_o jacob_n suppose_v that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n shall_v be_v in_o possession_n of_o a_o form_n of_o government_n and_o of_o a_o community_n till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v all_o very_a proper_a and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o this_o tribe_n continue_v under_o its_o own_o governor_n after_o the_o other_o tribe_n have_v be_v transport_v two_o king_n xvii_o 18._o it_o almost_o swallow_v up_o benjamin_n and_o levi_n who_o settle_v in_o their_o country_n and_o indeed_o josephus_n assure_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o come_v back_o again_o into_o judea_n under_o ezra_n for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o stay_v beyond_o euphrates_n and_o we_o see_v that_o at_o last_o they_o give_v their_o name_n to_o the_o whole_a country_n iv_o that_o this_o oracle_n be_v fulfil_v by_o degree_n this_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o of_o the_o preeminency_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n before_o david_n time_n which_o be_v a_o step_n to_o the_o advancement_n of_o it_o to_o the_o throne_n and_o the_o lessen_v of_o their_o dignity_n which_o be_v to_o be_v entire_o take_v away_o when_o the_o messiah_n come_v have_v also_o the_o same_o gradation_n david_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o throne_n over_o all_o israel_n but_o his_o house_n lose_v the_o government_n over_o ten_o tribe_n in_o his_o grandson_n rehoboam_n time_n his_o successor_n be_v tributary_n to_o the_o neighbour_a prince_n whereas_o david_n carry_v his_o empire_n to_o the_o wall_n of_o babylon_n though_o afterward_o the_o babylonian_n subdue_v the_o jew_n and_o depose_v the_o king_n of_o judah_n at_o last_o they_o absolute_o lose_v all_o that_o authority_n which_o they_o have_v hitherto_o keep_v they_o recover_v a_o little_a in_o the_o person_n of_o zorobabel_n and_o though_o they_o be_v soon_o after_o invade_v by_o the_o seleucidae_n yet_o the_o maccabee_n preserve_v they_o a_o little_a till_o herod_n and_o the_o roman_n take_v away_o all_o those_o remnant_n which_o they_o have_v yet_o leave_v in_o carry_v these_o view_v of_o this_o oracle_n further_o we_o may_v yet_o further_o observe_v i._o that_o god_n intend_v to_o oblige_v the_o israelite_n to_o wait_v for_o the_o sceptre_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n it_o must_v be_v there_o before_o it_o can_v depart_v thence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o look_v yet_o much_o further_a than_o david_n those_o word_n it_o shall_v not_o depart_v denote_v a_o continuance_n of_o the_o sceptre_n in_o the_o house_n of_o david_n for_o some_o considerable_a time_n ii_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o comprehend_v a_o lessen_v of_o the_o dignity_n in_o the_o term_n lawgiver_n see_v judges_n v._n 14._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_v god_n seem_v to_o have_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o mark_n of_o the_o fall_n which_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o person_n of_o zorobabel_n who_o as_o to_o the_o time_n be_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o oracle_n iii_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n assign_v the_o epocha_n in_o gross_a for_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n viz._n the_o ruin_n of_o that_o authority_n and_o power_n which_o the_o jew_n proper_o so_o call_v from_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n shall_v enjoy_v after_o their_o re-establishment_n god_n can_v not_o explain_v himself_o more_o particular_o in_o state_v the_o precise_a time_n when_o this_o thing_n shall_v happen_v there_o be_v two_o other_o very_o considerable_a oracle_n one_o utter_v by_o balaam_n in_o the_o year_n 2553_o before_o the_o king_n of_o the_o moabite_n who_o have_v send_v for_o he_o to_o curse_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n that_o lie_v in_o the_o plain_n the_o other_o utter_v the_o same_o year_n by_o moses_n the_o famous_a legislator_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o first_o be_v insert_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o xxiv_o chapter_n of_o number_n the_o other_o be_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n the_o first_o be_v in_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v see_v he_o but_o not_o now_o i_o shall_v behold_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o there_o shall_v come_v a_o star_n out_o of_o jacob_n and_o a_o sceptre_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o israel_n and_o shall_v smite_v all_o the_o corner_n of_o moab_n and_o destroy_v all_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n and_o edom_n shall_v be_v a_o possession_n seir_n also_o shall_v be_v a_o possession_n for_o his_o enemy_n and_o israel_n shall_v do_v valiant_o out_o of_o jacob_n shall_v come_v he_o that_o shall_v have_v dominion_n and_o shall_v destroy_v he_o that_o remain_v of_o the_o city_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o balaam_n character_n the_o presence_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o moab_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n in_o which_o it_o be_v utter_v do_v advance_v its_o authority_n considerable_o but_o the_o turn_n of_o his_o expression_n be_v equal_o singular_a and_o remarkable_a i._o he_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o of_o a_o star_n hint_v out_o to_o we_o the_o celestial_a nature_n
of_o david_n be_v from_o that_o bethlehem_n which_o belong_v to_o another_o tribe_n make_v it_o apparent_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v speak_v more_o distinct_o to_o determine_v the_o birth-place_n of_o the_o messiah_n beside_o we_o find_v that_o all_o the_o jewish_a rabbi_n and_o priest_n agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n when_o be_v consult_v by_o herod_n about_o this_o matter_n they_o declare_v this_o to_o be_v their_o sense_n ground_v upon_o the_o forementioned_a place_n of_o micah_n matthew_n ii_o vers_n 4_o 5_o 6._o in_o the_o three_o place_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o a_o abject_a contemptible_a and_o weak_a condition_n and_o very_o different_a from_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n indeed_o shall_v we_o only_o have_v our_o eye_n on_o two_o sam._n chap._n vii_o and_o psalm_n cxxxii_o it_o will_v be_v natural_a enough_o to_o think_v the_o contrary_a but_o micah_n oracle_n sufficient_o refute_v they_o for_o how_o great_a thing_n soever_o the_o prophet_n there_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n whether_o as_o to_o his_o divine_a nature_n by_o declare_v that_o his_o go_n forth_o be_v from_o the_o day_n of_o eternity_n or_o to_o the_o majesty_n and_o glory_n of_o his_o empire_n yet_o however_o he_o give_v we_o a_o different_a idea_n induce_v we_o to_o conceive_v of_o he_o as_o of_o one_o that_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o state_n of_o a_o private_a person_n for_o why_o else_o be_v his_o birth_n determine_v not_o to_o zion_n which_o be_v the_o place_n and_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o judah_n but_o to_o bethlehem_n a_o town_n where_o the_o family_n of_o david_n live_v whilst_o they_o be_v private_a person_n except_o for_o this_o cause_n to_o make_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o to_o be_v bear_v in_o that_o place_n where_o the_o family_n of_o david_n possess_v the_o empire_n but_o in_o a_o condition_n far_o distant_a from_o the_o glory_n of_o king_n and_o in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o house_n of_o david_n be_v contemptible_a and_o of_o very_o small_a esteem_n the_o same_o be_v hint_v to_o we_o by_o isaiah_n in_o his_o xi_o chapter_n v._o 1._o where_o he_o call_v the_o messiah_n a_o rod_n or_o shoot_v of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n now_o jesse_n be_v not_o king_n but_o a_o private_a person_n and_o on_o the_o same_o account_v it_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n describe_v he_o chap._n liii_o as_o have_v no_o form_n or_o comeliness_n the_o prophet_n zachary_n also_o chap._n ix_o verse_n 9_o represent_v he_o not_o as_o king_n sit_v on_o the_o throne_n in_o zion_n but_o as_o ride_v to_o jerusalem_n on_o a_o ass_n and_o he_o give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o lowly_a which_o signify_v as_o well_o a_o mean_a condition_n as_o the_o virtue_n of_o humility_n but_o in_o short_a this_o be_v very_o considerable_a 1._o that_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n think_v they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n so_o to_o do_v because_o they_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o david_n 2._o that_o those_o who_o deny_v he_o that_o title_n think_v themselves_o sufficient_o justify_v in_o so_o do_v by_o esteem_v he_o a_o nazarene_n as_o conclude_v he_o can_v not_o be_v the_o son_n of_o david_n if_o he_o be_v bear_v at_o nazareth_n as_o they_o suppose_v 3._o the_o evangelist_n precise_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n reduce_v to_o a_o very_a obscure_a condition_n and_o so_o make_v this_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a character_n which_o speak_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n chap._n xvi_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o work_v great_a miracle_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n here_o be_v another_o character_n which_o be_v very_o particular_a and_o whereby_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v viz._n that_o he_o be_v to_o work_v great_a miracle_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o of_o his_o doctrine_n this_o appear_v as_o i_o have_v already_o hint_v 1._o from_o the_o conformity_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o have_v with_o moses_n in_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o a_o new_a religious_a society_n and_o in_o propose_v a_o new_a doctrine_n to_o man_n upon_o which_o account_n there_o lay_v upon_o he_o the_o same_o obligation_n as_o upon_o moses_n to_o support_v his_o authority_n by_o miracle_n that_o even_o in_o this_o he_o may_v not_o be_v inferior_a to_o he_o 2._o one_o may_v gather_v this_o also_o from_o the_o title_n of_o prophet_n and_o great_a prophet_n which_o be_v applicable_a to_o the_o messiah_n it_o be_v difficult_a to_o conceive_v that_o god_n who_o vouchsafe_v the_o glory_n of_o do_v miracle_n to_o most_o of_o the_o prophet_n though_o they_o be_v bare_o send_v to_o foretell_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o he_o shall_v have_v deny_v the_o same_o glory_n and_o the_o same_o power_n to_o the_o messiah_n himself_o of_o who_o all_o the_o prophet_n be_v but_o the_o forerunner_n beside_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v from_o the_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a state_n wherein_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v that_o this_o glory_n of_o do_v miracle_n be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o give_v he_o authority_n and_o respect_n for_o since_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o a_o obscure_a condition_n and_o not_o in_o royal_a grandeur_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n be_v needful_a to_o make_v he_o know_v and_o counterbalance_v that_o low_a and_o opprobrious_a condition_n in_o which_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v in_o the_o world._n but_o this_o particular_o appear_v from_o a_o express_a oracle_n which_o god_n give_v upon_o this_o very_a subject_n in_o isaiah_n xxxv_o vers_fw-la 3_o 4_o 5_o and_o 6._o strengthen_v you_o the_o weak_a hand_n and_o confirm_v the_o feeble_a knee_n say_v to_o they_o of_o a_o fearful_a heart_n be_v strong_a fear_v not_o behold_v your_o god_n will_v come_v with_o vengeance_n even_o god_n with_o a_o recompense_n he_o will_v come_v and_o save_v you_o then_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o blind_a shall_v be_v open_v and_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o deaf_a shall_v be_v unstop_v then_o shall_v the_o lame_a man_n leap_v as_o a_o hart_n and_o the_o tongue_n of_o the_o dumb_a sing_v for_o in_o the_o wilderness_n shall_v water_n break_v out_o and_o stream_n in_o the_o desert_n which_o oracle_n very_o full_o express_v the_o power_n of_o miracle_n wherewith_o our_o saviour_n be_v to_o be_v dignify_v in_o cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n of_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v name_v some_o only_a to_o give_v we_o a_o specimen_fw-la of_o the_o rest_n and_o it_o seem_v as_o if_o the_o prophet_n have_v choose_v these_o four_o sort_n before_o all_o other_o because_o throughout_o the_o whole_a scripture_n we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o ever_o any_o prophet_n do_v the_o like_a that_o so_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v particular_a in_o his_o miracle_n too_o it_o be_v also_o worth_a our_o note_n in_o give_v a_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n first_o that_o even_o those_o who_o reject_v jesus_n christ_n yet_o do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n suppose_v that_o the_o messiah_n when_o he_o come_v be_v to_o work_v miracle_n therefore_o it_o be_v that_o we_o hear_v some_o of_o they_o say_v to_o christ_n what_o sign_n do_v thou_o and_o other_o maintain_v that_o moses_n have_v wrought_v great_a wonder_n than_o jesus_n christ_n in_o give_v they_o bread_n from_o heaven_n and_o feed_v they_o miraculous_o for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n whilst_o other_o affirm_v that_o none_o can_v work_v great_a wonder_n than_o he_o wrought_v when_o the_o messiah_n shall_v come_v will_v he_o do_v great_a wonder_n than_o this_o man_n second_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n allege_v this_o oracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o accomplishment_n thereof_o be_v most_o visible_o evident_a in_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v as_o appear_v from_o the_o answer_n he_o give_v to_o the_o messenger_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n three_o it_o be_v also_o observable_a that_o those_o who_o be_v willing_a to_o flatter_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o emperor_n vespasian_n who_o josephus_n endeavour_v to_o raise_v to_o a_o belief_n that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n because_o he_o have_v be_v proclaim_v in_o the_o east_n apply_v to_o that_o purpose_n the_o word_n of_o micah_n misapply_v chap._n v._o verse_n 2._o who_o go_n forth_o be_v from_o the_o east_n be_v not_o want_v to_o attribute_v to_o he_o the_o glory_n of_o do_v miracle_n and_o such_o as_o isaiah_n ascribe_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o attribute_v to_o he_o the_o cure_n