by_o chance_n and_o without_o any_o certain_a principle_n chap._n xx._n a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o other_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n calculation_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n as_o we_o have_v it_o now_o it_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o china_n who_o uninterrupted_a series_n run_v up_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o emperor_n to_o fobius_fw-la who_o reign_v about_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o flood_n some_o learned_a man_n have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o that_o argument_n to_o discredit_v the_o mosaic_a chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o cry_v up_o the_o calculation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n which_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n in_o the_o history_n before_o the_o flood_n by_o 800_o year_n and_o above_o 700_o in_o the_o history_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o moses_n this_o objection_n appear_v very_o strong_a to_o those_o who_o read_v in_o the_o history_n of_o martinius_n that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o interruption_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o king_n of_o china_n from_o fobius_fw-la that_o the_o history_n of_o their_o action_n be_v so_o certain_a have_v always_o be_v write_v by_o a_o public_a authority_n that_o no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o entertain_v any_o doubt_n about_o it_o and_o the_o missionary_n in_o china_n have_v think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o reconcile_v the_o mosaic_a chronology_n with_o the_o chinese_n but_o in_o make_v use_n of_o the_o septuagint_n account_n and_o wherein_o they_o agree_v with_o all_o the_o asiatic_a christian_n and_o even_o those_o in_o europe_n who_o follow_v the_o septuagint_n in_o their_o reckon_n up_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o most_o part_n though_o st._n hierome_n translation_n which_o follow_v the_o hebrew_n text_n exact_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o west_n but_o after_o all_o there_o be_v little_a difficulty_n in_o answer_v this_o objection_n and_o we_o may_v hereupon_o easy_o satisfy_v those_o who_o do_v not_o dispute_v only_o for_o dispute_v sake_n but_o be_v ready_a to_o examine_v this_o question_n with_o that_o equity_n which_o be_v requisite_a in_o the_o examination_n of_o all_o question_n of_o that_o nature_n i_o confess_v ingenious_o that_o this_o history_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a in_o the_o world_n have_v many_o illustrious_a character_n of_o certainty_n especial_o if_o we_o give_v credit_n to_o all_o that_o martinius_n relate_v of_o it_o first_o it_o mark_v out_o exact_o the_o series_n and_o succession_n of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o china_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n and_o original_n of_o that_o nation_n second_o it_o record_v in_o what_o year_n of_o each_o cycle_n of_o threescore_o year_n every_o king_n begin_v his_o reign_n and_o do_v such_o or_o such_o a_o action_n three_o it_o relate_v some_o astronomical_a observation_n old_a than_o any_o that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a astronomer_n in_o other_o nation_n four_o it_o be_v write_v by_o a_o public_a authority_n and_o by_o such_o author_n as_o live_v in_o the_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o record_v be_v transact_v the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o empire_n take_v always_o care_v that_o the_o history_n of_o his_o predecessor_n shall_v be_v write_v nay_o to_o all_o this_o we_o must_v add_v that_o the_o chinese_n way_n of_o writing_n make_v no_o use_n of_o letter_n but_o of_o hieroglyphic_n may_v have_v prevent_v these_o alteration_n which_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v make_v in_o their_o history_n the_o whole_a life_n of_o a_o man_n be_v hardly_o sufficient_a to_o attain_v to_o the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o a_o tongue_n which_o have_v above_o threescore_o thousand_o figure_n which_o must_v be_v all_o learn_v before_o a_o man_n can_v be_v able_a only_o to_o read_v and_o write_v but_o beside_o that_o all_o this_o depend_v upon_o the_o sole_a authority_n of_o martinius_n no_o body_n else_o beside_o he_o have_v give_v we_o as_o yet_o any_o opportunity_n of_o examine_v those_o ancient_a monument_n of_o china_n we_o may_v find_v out_o of_o this_o very_a history_n some_o strong_a proof_n to_o confirm_v that_o of_o moses_n and_o so_o easy_o resolve_v the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v out_o of_o it_o against_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n first_o f._n martinius_n observe_v that_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o chinese_n be_v that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n and_o though_o there_o be_v some_o of_o they_o of_o epicurus_n opinion_n yet_o there_o be_v never_o any_o among_o they_o that_o be_v for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n but_o since_o the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o introduction_n of_o idolatry_n among_o they_o second_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o common_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n who_o they_o call_v xangti_n which_o be_v not_o the_o name_n but_o the_o epithet_n of_o god_n this_o word_n signify_v supreme_a governor_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n three_o he_o say_v that_o they_o acknowledge_v a_o first_o man_n bring_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o chaos_n in_o one_o night_n in_o the_o spring_n which_o opinion_n some_o among_o they_o have_v make_v intricate_a by_o the_o addition_n of_o their_o own_o fable_n four_o he_o show_v that_o sacrifice_n have_v be_v in_o use_n among_o they_o five_o that_o they_o believe_v a_o certainty_n of_o punishment_n and_o reward_n after_o this_o life_n for_o vice_n and_o virtue_n six_o that_o they_o believe_v the_o existence_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a angel_n seven_o that_o they_o assign_v to_o some_o of_o they_o the_o protection_n of_o city_n and_o province_n and_o pay_v they_o great_a veneration_n at_o the_o instalment_n of_o their_o magistrate_n eight_o that_o they_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v incorporeal_a being_n and_o that_o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_a that_o they_o have_v erect_v and_o consecrate_a statue_n to_o they_o and_o last_o that_o they_o have_v a_o very_a great_a knowledge_n of_o the_o flood_n which_o in_o their_o account_n happen_v about_o 3500_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n here_o be_v we_o see_v many_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o religion_n and_o which_o be_v know_v to_o they_o from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o judge_v in_o compare_v those_o truth_n with_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n that_o the_o ancient_a chinese_n do_v agree_v with_o all_o other_o nation_n in_o the_o believe_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o religion_n lay_v down_o by_o moses_n we_o may_v likewise_o observe_v that_o those_o antiquity_n of_o china_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v as_o like_o those_o record_v by_o moses_n as_o a_o tradition_n which_o can_v but_o have_v receive_v many_o alteration_n during_o such_o a_o long_a interval_n of_o time_n can_v be_v like_a to_o a_o exact_a narrative_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n draw_v up_o by_o a_o author_n who_o know_v very_o well_o what_o he_o write_v first_o it_o appear_v that_o what_o they_o say_v concern_v the_o thirteen_o successor_n of_o the_o first_o man_n name_v puoncuus_fw-la all_o descend_v from_o he_o be_v agreeable_a enough_o to_o the_o history_n of_o genesis_n which_o set_v down_o the_o successive_a patriarch_n from_o father_n to_o son._n all_o the_o difference_n be_v that_o the_o chinese_n by_o a_o foolish_a ambition_n of_o appropriate_v all_o to_o themselves_o maintain_v that_o those_o thirteen_o king_n be_v all_o in_o china_n second_o what_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o world_n be_v civilise_v under_o the_o second_o of_o those_o king_n call_v thienhoang_v after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o great_a dragon_n that_o have_v disturb_v heaven_n and_o earth_n agree_v very_o well_o with_o the_o history_n of_o seth_n who_o begin_v to_o form_n mankind_n to_o a_o right_a notion_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n when_o he_o separate_v they_o from_o cain_n family_n three_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o when_o the_o chinese_n have_v reckon_v up_o thirteen_o king_n lineal_o descend_v from_o the_o first_o man_n and_o his_o successor_n they_o have_v include_v in_o that_o number_n cain_n and_o abel_n who_o though_o they_o be_v both_o the_o son_n of_o the_o first_o man_n yet_o be_v not_o reckon_v up_o by_o moses_n because_o his_o scope_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o lineal_a descent_n of_o adam_n posterity_n by_o seth._n they_o believe_v that_o under_o ginhohang_fw-mi there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o golden_a age_n the_o earth_n be_v then_o fruitful_a to_o admiration_n and_o that_o under_o his_o successor_n man_n be_v extreme_o simple_a and_o altogether_o ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a art_n necessary_a to_o human_a life_n as_o of_o character_n and_o letter_n one_o sujus_fw-la to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o they_o
be_v either_o false_a or_o forge_a this_o eusebius_n have_v clear_o prove_v de_fw-la praepar_n evangelicâ_fw-la lib._n ix_o cap._n 5._o the_o proverb_n of_o the_o sibyll_n or_o delphic_a priestess_n favour_v of_o philip_n be_v common_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a for_o these_o heathen_a prince_n to_o bias_n their_o people_n with_o such_o prediction_n initiò_fw-la lib._n iu._n de_fw-fr praeparat_fw-la evangel_n lib._n iv_o initiò_fw-la but_o what_o eusebius_n say_v put_v the_o thing_n beyond_o all_o question_n for_o he_o express_o show_v that_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v put_v to_o the_o rack_n they_o confess_v the_o whole_a contrivance_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o they_o pronounce_v to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n v._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o we_o can_v find_v great_a number_n of_o oracle_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o prophet_n follow_v as_o it_o be_v moses_n model_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o they_o frequent_o concur_v in_o foretell_v the_o same_o fact_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o vi_o we_o ought_v to_o remember_v that_o these_o oracle_n be_v not_o keep_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o one_o single_a state_n or_o nation_n vii_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o public_o know_v have_v be_v only_o propose_v in_o private_a place_n before_o a_o very_a few_o and_o in_o short_a that_o they_o be_v not_o actual_o know_v to_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o neighbour_a people_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a prophet_n give_v their_o oracle_n in_o the_o most_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o when_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o those_o who_o have_v any_o commerce_n with_o that_o nation_n so_o that_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v questionless_a know_v to_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o cyrus_n who_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o design_v by_o god_n to_o restore_v their_o liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o judgement_n of_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n which_o be_v know_v to_o alexander_n without_o all_o question_n as_o one_o may_v collect_v from_o the_o favourable_a reception_n the_o jew_n find_v from_o he_o viii_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o these_o pretend_a oracle_n be_v give_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o prince_n who_o can_v satisfy_v the_o greediness_n of_o the_o priest_n whereas_o the_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n live_v in_o the_o most_o disinterested_n manner_n in_o the_o world_n and_o usual_o pronounce_v nothing_o but_o reproach_n and_o menace_n of_o cruel_a calamity_n to_o those_o prince_n who_o have_v the_o government_n in_o their_o hand_n their_o ministry_n consist_v in_o a_o courageous_a opposition_n to_o the_o corruption_n in_o their_o law_n and_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o censure_v their_o prince_n and_o governor_n with_o a_o singular_a intrepidity_n and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o most_o of_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o boldness_n and_o make_v trial_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torture_n ix_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v mention_v in_o heathen_a author_n be_v only_o of_o fact_n of_o small_a importance_n to_o those_o people_n among_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v pronounce_v so_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o think_v themselves_o much_o concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v so_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o which_o they_o be_v entrust_v that_o nothing_o to_o this_o very_a day_n can_v ever_o oblige_v they_o to_o discontinue_v the_o read_n of_o they_o whatever_o dispute_v they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v with_o the_o christian_n who_o make_v use_v of_o they_o to_o establish_v their_o pretension_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o synagogue_n when_o this_o be_v lay_v down_o it_o will_v seem_v as_o if_o i_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o wonderful_a variety_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n can_v be_v at_o all_o weaken_a by_o those_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o find_v so_o frequent_a mention_n in_o pagan_a writer_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o in_o explain_v two_o thing_n which_o will_v perfect_o clear_v this_o matter_n one_o be_v that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n can_v be_v no_o forgery_n the_o other_o be_v that_o in_o truth_n those_o oracle_n which_o we_o find_v insert_v in_o those_o book_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n chap._n v._n that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v i_o have_v observe_v former_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v insert_v be_v establish_v before_o we_o can_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o can_v clear_o show_v that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v and_o public_o know_v before_o the_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v accomplishment_n of_o those_o precede_a oracle_n it_o will_v be_v natural_a to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o authority_n of_o these_o oracle_n but_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a reader_n herein_o and_o to_o establish_v in_o general_a or_o several_o the_o existence_n of_o these_o prophetical_a write_n before_o the_o time_n in_o which_o those_o fact_n happen_v which_o we_o propose_v as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o two_o sort_n of_o reflection_n to_o establish_v my_o proposition_n the_o first_o consist_v in_o general_a consideration_n upon_o the_o book_n themselves_o the_o second_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v uncontested_a and_o whence_o the_o same_o truth_n very_o natural_o result_v i._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o whereas_o in_o genesis_n moses_n make_v use_v of_o no_o other_o epocha_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o any_o event_n but_o the_o year_n of_o the_o life_n of_o some_o famous_a patriarch_n as_o for_o instance_n he_o fix_v the_o flood_n to_o the_o 600_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n 38._o exod._n xix_o numb_a xxxiii_o 38._o in_fw-la exodus_fw-la and_o number_n he_o use_v the_o time_n of_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n for_o his_o epocha_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o follow_a author_n the_o year_n from_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v careful_o set_v down_o till_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n solomon_n reign_n which_o be_v 480_o year_n after_o their_o departure_n this_o be_v a_o character_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o all_o those_o who_o live_v after_o that_o epochâ—_n ii_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n begin_v a_o new_a epocha_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v from_o two_o chron._n viii_o 1._o though_o they_o begin_v after_o that_o time_n to_o reckon_v by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o prophet_n which_o be_v a_o character_n sufficient_o certain_a to_o distinguish_v those_o who_o live_v after_o solomon_n with_o the_o time_n when_o they_o live_v iii_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o afterward_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o persian_a empire_n oblige_v they_o to_o fix_v their_o event_n and_o to_o date_n their_o prophecy_n by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o government_n of_o those_o foreign_a king_n see_v daniel_n ezechiel_n zechariah_n and_o haggai_n so_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o maccabee_n refer_v to_o the_o year_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n now_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o perceive_v the_o force_n of_o this_o observation_n we_o must_v remember_v three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o author_n who_o live_v after_o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o jew_n into_o babylon_n make_v use_n of_o some_o chaldee_n term_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o forego_n prophet_n for_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o haggai_n 1._o ezech._n xl._n 1._o daniel_n x._o zach_n i._n hagg._n 1._o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n the_o same_o style_n with_o ezra_n nehemiah_n and_o daniel_n 2._o the_o author_n of_o these_o book_n give_v name_n to_o the_o month_n which_o they_o have_v not_o before_o the_o captivity_n the_o jew_n only_o call_v their_o month_n 1._o talm._n rosch_n hassanah_n c._n 1._o first_o and_z second_o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o they_o give_v name_n which_o be_v unheard_a of_o before_o 3._o the_o author_n of_o these_o prophecy_n take_v particular_a notice_n of_o any_o new_o institute_v fast_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n mention_v those_o fast_n of_o which_o we_o have_v nothing_o in_o the_o law_n but_o which_o be_v
decease_n as_o gods._n the_o three_o thing_n we_o be_v here_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o contain_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n genesis_n if_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o it_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v compare_v with_o the_o dynasty_n of_o the_o egyptian_a king_n i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o those_o egyptian_n who_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o flood_n do_v exact_o mark_v out_o the_o time_n of_o it_o as_o moses_n do_v but_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v be_v able_a to_o show_v out_o of_o their_o common_a opinion_n something_o very_o near_o equivalent_a they_o be_v all_o agree_v that_o menes_n be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n and_o live_v about_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o famous_a sesostris_n as_o herodotus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n do_v both_o relate_v it_o now_o who_o shall_v this_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v who_o some_o call_v sesonchosis_n unless_o he_o be_v the_o same_o with_o shishak_n who_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n 26._o 1_o king_n fourteen_o 26._o even_o the_o same_o famous_a conqueror_n who_o take_v jerusalem_n in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n reign_n if_o one_o calculate_v the_o time_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n he_o will_v find_v that_o this_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o ham_n of_o moses_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o there_o be_v very_o little_a difference_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o time_n betwixt_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o the_o egyptian_a account_n confirm_v moses_n narrative_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a writer_n who_o be_v very_o particular_a in_o state_v the_o time_n of_o every_o thing_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n take_v all_o in_o great_a can_v never_o arrive_v at_o that_o exactness_n this_o observation_n be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o moses_n chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n for_o that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n reckon_v up_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o sesostris_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n do_v reckon_v up_o but_o a_o little_a above_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n from_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n to_o sesostris_n there_o be_v yet_o less_o difficulty_n to_o answer_v the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n from_o the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n the_o same_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o say_v 31._o diodor._fw-la l._n 2._o sect._n 30_o 31._o that_o the_o egyptian_n propose_v so_o great_a a_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world_n tell_v we_o also_o that_o the_o chaldean_n believe_v it_o eternal_a and_o that_o they_o boast_v in_o alexander_n time_n that_o they_o have_v learn_v astronomy_n by_o tradition_n from_o their_o ancestor_n who_o have_v all_o successive_o make_v it_o their_o study_n for_o four_o hundred_o seventy_o two_o thousand_o year_n together_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o vain_a than_o these_o pretence_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o show_v here_o the_o folly_n of_o their_o opinion_n about_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n if_o aristotle_n seem_v to_o have_v authorise_a it_o yet_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o confute_v that_o opinion_n to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o democritus_n himself_o who_o pretend_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o chance_n yet_o dare_v not_o oppose_v the_o common_a and_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v new_a though_o he_o have_v the_o boldness_n to_o reject_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o action_n by_o which_o it_o be_v create_v neither_o do_v i_o intend_v to_o be_v prolix_a here_o in_o confute_v the_o supposition_n of_o the_o chaldean_n about_o their_o ancestor_n follow_v the_o study_n of_o astrology_n for_o 472000_o year_n successive_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o flood_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o those_o nation_n of_o who_o we_o have_v any_o antiquity_n though_o never_o so_o little_a considerable_a in_o pagan_a author_n but_o i_o shall_v make_v two_o observation_n whereof_o one_o show_v the_o folly_n of_o the_o chaldean_a hypothesis_n and_o the_o other_o do_v invincible_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n if_o it_o be_v compare_v with_o what_o we_o know_v for_o certain_a and_o in_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o the_o egyptian_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o a_o colony_n of_o their_o own_o diodorus_n siculus_n say_v that_o the_o egyptian_n maintain_v that_o they_o have_v send_v out_o several_a colony_n into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o belus_n the_o son_n of_o neptune_n and_o lybia_n have_v conduct_v one_o into_o babylon_n and_o that_o have_v fix_v it_o near_o euphrates_n he_o establish_v some_o priest_n among_o they_o according_a to_o the_o egyptian_a custom_n who_o be_v free_a from_o all_o public_a charge_n and_o office_n who_o the_o babylonian_n do_v call_v chaldean_n and_o who_o according_a to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n 261._o ap._n joseph_n antiq._n l._n 1._o c._n 5._o pausan_n messen_n p._n 261._o philosopher_n and_o astrologer_n do_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o star_n hestiaeus_n and_o pausanias_n say_v the_o same_o with_o diodorus_n now_o one_o needs_o only_o examine_v here_o what_o the_o egyptian_n do_v say_v about_o the_o invention_n of_o astrology_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o menes_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o ham_n or_o to_o mizraim_n who_o live_v after_o the_o flood_n thereby_o to_o discover_v the_o foolish_a vanity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o chaldean_n grow_v so_o vain_a by_o the_o growth_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o empire_n as_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v be_v no_o long_o behold_v to_o the_o egyptian_a astrologer_n who_o all_o other_o nation_n have_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o that_o science_n to_o the_o invent_v and_o perfect_v of_o which_o all_o man_n know_v that_o the_o egyptian_a climate_n where_o the_o sky_n be_v always_o free_a from_o cloud_n do_v very_o much_o contribute_v and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o both_o the_o chaldean_n and_o the_o egyptian_n begin_v their_o year_n with_o the_o same_o month_n according_a to_o censorinus_n observation_n c._n xxi_o de_fw-fr die_v nat._n i_o know_v very_o well_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n be_v mistake_v when_o they_o pretend_v that_o the_o chaldean_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n as_o a_o plantation_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o kind_n of_o illusion_n in_o this_o their_o opinion_n but_o yet_o the_o ground_n and_o origine_fw-la of_o it_o be_v uncontrollable_a because_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o cush_n ham_n elder_a son_n as_o moses_n tell_v gen._n x._o therefore_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o astrology_n yet_o this_o will_v be_v always_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v find_v out_o only_o since_o ham_n time_n who_o the_o egyptian_n do_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o last_o of_o their_o hero_n or_o as_o the_o first_o of_o their_o king_n the_o other_o observation_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v well_o mind_v here_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a chaldean_a antiquity_n one_o may_v prove_v by_o the_o astronomical_a demonstration_n of_o the_o chaldean_n which_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o that_o moses_n follow_v a_o calculation_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v aristotle_n the_o first_o grecian_a that_o ever_o teach_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n contrary_a to_o moses_n history_n be_v the_o man_n who_o furnish_v we_o with_o it_o he_o take_v care_n to_o send_v over_o into_o greece_n the_o astronomical_a observation_n of_o the_o chaldean_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v coelo_fw-la simplic_n in_o l._n 2._o de_fw-la coelo_fw-la that_o babylon_n be_v take_v by_o alexander_n about_o 1903_o year_n after_o its_o foundation_n now_o that_o calculation_n agree_v exact_o with_o that_o of_o moses_n xi_o gen._n xi_o who_o give_v we_o the_o description_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n and_o explain_v the_o original_a of_o the_o name_n of_o that_o city_n which_o be_v build_v some_o age_n after_o by_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n which_o then_o happen_v and_o true_o it_o will_v be_v very_o admirable_a that_o the_o heaven_n in_o their_o motion_n shall_v have_v enter_v into_o a_o confederacy_n with_o moses_n to_o justify_v a_o chronology_n invent_v by_o he_o in_o sport_n without_o keep_v to_o any_o rule_n but_o write_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
re-establishment_n in_o the_o say_a country_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3600._o here_o we_o read_v the_o conquest_n of_o palestina_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o joshua_n how_o it_o be_v divide_v among_o the_o tribe_n after_o they_o have_v destroy_v drive_v out_o or_o subdue_v the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o how_o often_o they_o be_v bring_v into_o bondage_n by_o the_o border_a nation_n who_o rise_n and_o pretension_n moses_n set_v down_o here_o we_o have_v record_v the_o several_a name_n and_o action_n of_o the_o judge_n which_o god_n from_o time_n to_o time_n raise_v to_o the_o israelite_n to_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o first_o estate_n here_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o kingly_a government_n among_o they_o which_o happen_v about_o the_o year_n 2909_o as_o likewise_o of_o the_o division_n of_o this_o people_n into_o two_o kingdom_n which_o for_o three_o age_n together_o be_v most_o opposite_a in_o their_o interest_n and_o make_v great_a war_n against_o each_o other_o as_o well_o as_o against_o their_o neighbour_a state_n we_o find_v here_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o the_o most_o puissant_a of_o these_o two_o state_n viz._n that_o of_o israel_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3283_o and_o after_o that_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o of_o judah_n by_o nebuchadnezar_n king_n of_o the_o chaldean_n anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3283._o and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n restoration_n by_o cyrus_n king_n of_o persia_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n under_o his_o successor_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a be_v that_o in_o the_o remain_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v several_a historical_a relation_n relate_v to_o both_o kingdom_n with_o several_a prophecy_n relate_v to_o their_o decay_n and_o restoration_n as_o likewise_o many_o discourse_n of_o morality_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o all_o these_o relation_n and_o prophecy_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o with_o those_o circumstance_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a reference_n to_o what_o the_o other_o book_n recite_v to_o we_o and_o a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n and_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o find_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o prophecy_n relation_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o we_o find_v there_o concern_v their_o government_n or_o religion_n the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n contain_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n together_o with_o some_o dispute_n with_o the_o jew_n who_o refuse_v to_o own_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n promise_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o last_o prophecy_n declare_v what_o in_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v to_o happen_v both_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n until_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n these_o book_n take_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n write_n every_o where_n for_o grant_v as_o also_o of_o all_o the_o other_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n both_o historical_a prophetical_a and_o moral_a these_o four_o particular_n do_v in_o a_o manner_n give_v we_o a_o entire_a idea_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o we_o shall_v scarce_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o aught_o else_o to_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o write_n if_o we_o consider_v those_o undisputable_a matter_n of_o fact_n i_o be_o now_o to_o speak_v of_o and_o will_v but_o make_v some_o very_a natural_a reflection_n upon_o they_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n notwithstanding_o their_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a sect_n and_o party_n present_o after_o our_o saviour_n time_n have_v and_o do_v still_o in_o all_o place_n every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o their_o respective_a language_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o spurious_a write_n shall_v have_v be_v slip_v in_o among_o they_o the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n have_v have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n among_o they_o in_o greek_a these_o 1600._o year_n so_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o in_o that_o language_n 300._o year_n before_o be_v translate_v by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o ptolomy_n king_n of_o egypt_n whither_o a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v carry_v after_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a have_v conquer_v the_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v overthrow_v the_o empire_n of_o persia_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o subjection_n the_o three_o be_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n they_o that_o follow_v the_o party_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o form_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n have_v only_o have_v the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o their_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n against_o the_o house_n of_o david_n they_o have_v most_o religious_o preserve_v the_o say_v book_n from_o anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3030._o in_o which_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n happen_v even_o until_o this_o day_n the_o four_o and_o last_o be_v that_o as_o the_o jew_n every_o where_o at_o this_o day_n read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n each_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v also_o observe_v by_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o christian_n read_v they_o every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o continue_v to_o read_v they_o for_o a_o long_a series_n of_o age_n as_o esteem_v it_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o sabbath_n beside_o which_o they_o also_o solemn_o read_v they_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o obedience_n to_o a_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o say_v that_o the_o sole_a consideration_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n first_o then_o i_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o maintain_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o so_o many_o language_n cite_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o author_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o various_a dispute_n from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o soon_o after_o shall_v be_v supposititious_a as_o to_o aver_v that_o the_o book_n of_o justinian_n or_o mahomet_n alcoran_n have_v be_v false_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n under_o their_o name_n i_o speak_v now_o only_o of_o the_o book_n themselves_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n they_o contain_v second_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v forge_v since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n three_o it_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a to_o suppose_v they_o contrive_v since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o judah_n because_o we_o find_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o the_o samaritan_n who_o have_v preserve_v they_o ever_o since_o their_o revolt_n without_o any_o other_o change_n but_o what_o be_v incident_a to_o all_o manuscript_n that_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o samaritan_n have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o effect_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n it_o can_v in_o the_o least_o shake_v the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o those_o book_n for_o first_o the_o three_o other_o tribe_n have_v they_o and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o great_a care_n esteem_v they_o of_o divine_a authority_n second_o there_o be_v also_o reason_n of_o state_n which_o make_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n not_o to_o regard_v the_o division_n make_v by_o joshuah_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o priesthood_n which_o reason_n of_o state_n hereafter_o mention_v where_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o ten_o tribe_n will_v not_o allow_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v before_o their_o revolt_n as_o those_o of_o samuel_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n which_o they_o do_v to_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n most_o of_o the_o other_o we_o know_v be_v pen_v since_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n and_o so_o do_v more_o particular_o respect_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o some_o they_o after_o the_o
contrive_v a_o way_n of_o keep_v up_o the_o memory_n of_o thing_n by_o tie_v several_a sort_n of_o knot_n upon_o a_o cord._n all_o which_o sufficient_o evince_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o world_n be_v late_o create_v according_a to_o moses_n description_n be_v as_o much_o receive_v by_o the_o ancient_a people_n of_o china_n as_o by_o all_o other_o nation_n and_o here_o it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o the_o chineese_n themselves_o according_a to_o martinius_n account_n do_v suspect_v all_o the_o historical_a record_n of_o their_o empire_n before_o king_n fobius_fw-la look_v upon_o they_o as_o false_a and_o ridiculous_a and_o indeed_o the_o people_n of_o that_o country_n before_o fobius_fw-la live_v like_o brute_n beast_n without_o any_o settle_a government_n law_n or_o art_n this_o alone_o be_v enough_o to_o confute_v those_o among_o the_o chinese_n who_o maintain_v now_o adays_o that_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n before_o confucius_n who_o live_v about_o 500_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n be_v of_o no_o less_o than_o three_o million_o two_o hundred_o threescore_o and_o seven_o thousand_o year_n for_o hereby_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v foolish_o affect_v to_o surpass_v the_o chaldean_n in_o their_o vanity_n who_o believe_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n pretend_v in_o order_n both_o to_o prove_v their_o antiquity_n and_o to_o give_v credit_n to_o their_o astrological_a observation_n that_o astrology_n have_v be_v exercise_v among_o they_o for_o 472000_o year_n before_o alexander_n enter_v into_o asia_n after_o all_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o their_o calculation_n of_o 3000_o year_n from_o fobius_fw-la to_o jesus_n christ_n be_v only_o incompatible_a with_o moses_n chronology_n accord_n to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o not_o at_o all_o with_o that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n but_o moreover_o what_o can_v be_v more_o palpable_o fabulous_a than_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o fobius_fw-la who_o the_o chinese_n suppose_v to_o have_v begin_v his_o reign_n 2952_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n first_o he_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o heaven_n because_o they_o say_v he_o have_v a_o mother_n and_o no_o father_n and_o that_o his_o mother_n conceive_v he_o by_o the_o bank_n of_o a_o lake_n near_o the_o town_n of_o lanthieu_n where_o as_o she_o be_v walk_v she_o see_v the_o footstep_n of_o a_o man_n upon_o the_o sand_n and_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n surround_v on_o a_o sudden_a with_o a_o rainbow_n second_o the_o situation_n of_o that_o town_n which_o be_v in_o the_o west_n of_o china_n do_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o first_o inhabitant_n of_o china_n come_v thither_o from_o the_o western_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o consequent_o they_o be_v of_o shem_n posterity_n according_a to_o moses_n account_n in_o the_o ten_o of_o genesis_n three_o although_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o incongruity_n in_o their_o ascribe_v to_o he_o the_o study_n of_o astronomy_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o several_a institution_n necessary_a to_o human_a society_n as_o law_n etc._n etc._n yet_o what_o they_o add_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o several_a figure_n which_o he_o have_v see_v upon_o the_o back_n of_o a_o dragon_n sufficient_o show_v that_o either_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v but_o a_o fable_n or_o that_o he_o be_v a_o cheat_n and_o impose_v upon_o the_o simplicity_n of_o ignorant_a people_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o see_v it_o be_v suppose_v china_n be_v then_o all_o over_o infest_a and_o overgrow_v with_o barbarism_n that_o in_o his_o time_n it_o shall_v be_v record_v in_o writing_n 1._o that_o he_o invent_v instead_o of_o those_o knot_n before_o mention_v the_o hieroglyphic_n which_o be_v almost_o as_o obscure_v 2._o that_o man_n be_v then_o distinguish_v from_o woman_n by_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o garment_n 3._o that_o marriage_n be_v then_o fix_v and_o regulate_v which_o before_o be_v as_o promiscuous_a among_o man_n as_o among_o beast_n what_o they_o say_v of_o his_o be_v the_o author_n of_o a_o musical_a instrument_n of_o 36_o cord_n show_v evident_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o story_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o improbable_a than_o to_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v arrive_v to_o such_o perfection_n of_o improvement_n in_o music_n as_o that_o come_v to_o when_o that_o art_n have_v but_o very_o late_o be_v invent_v it_o be_v all_o that_o man_n can_v attain_v unto_o after_o they_o have_v long_o improve_v this_o art_n the_o beginning_n whereof_o without_o doubt_n as_o of_o all_o other_o art_n be_v very_o rough_a and_o imperfect_a sure_o the_o egyptian_n be_v more_o reasonable_a when_o they_o attribute_v the_o invention_n of_o the_o lyre_n with_o three_o string_n to_o mercury_n saturn_n secretary_n who_o be_v the_o same_o with_o noah_n the_o history_n of_o china_n take_v notice_n that_o the_o begin_n of_o husbandry_n and_o physic_n be_v under_o fobius_n successor_n it_o do_v not_o mention_v whether_o he_o be_v his_o son_n or_o no_o but_o it_o only_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o first_o war_n wherein_o he_o be_v rout_v by_o a_o petty_a king_n one_o of_o his_o subject_n who_o succeed_v he_o in_o the_o empire_n and_o what_o be_v most_o singular_a in_o that_o record_n be_v that_o therein_o be_v ascribe_v to_o that_o usurper_n 1._o the_o invention_n of_o the_o cycle_n of_o 60_o year_n which_o serve_v to_o fix_v their_o chronology_n 2._o the_o method_n of_o regulate_a weight_n and_o measure_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v by_o his_o mean_n and_o encouragement_n that_o some_o of_o his_o contemporary_a subject_n find_v out_o the_o sphere_n arithmetic_n law_n judicial_a astrology_n several_a musical_a instrument_n the_o art_n of_o die_v and_o of_o coin_v the_o joiner_n and_o carpenter_n trade_n so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v boat_n and_o bridges_n they_o pretend_v that_o he_o never_o die_v but_o that_o he_o be_v translate_v alive_a into_o that_o place_n which_o the_o chinese_n do_v assign_v for_o eternal_a happiness_n nat._n lib._n ii_o cap._n 7._o hist_o nat._n it_o be_v pliny_n observation_n that_o this_o way_n and_o custom_n of_o deify_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o art_n necessary_a to_o human_a life_n be_v very_o ancient_a but_o if_o it_o be_v a_o old_a custom_n it_o be_v also_o a_o pregnant_a sign_n of_o the_o ignorance_n that_o reign_v among_o those_o ancient_a people_n that_o use_v it_o therefore_o we_o may_v as_o just_o suspect_v the_o history_n of_o the_o chinese_n among_o who_o it_o be_v in_o use_n as_o the_o egyptian_a account_n which_o be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n in_o alexander_n time_n as_o we_o be_v inform_v by_o diodorus_n siculuâ—_n the_o posterity_n or_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o famous_a man_n have_v always_o affect_v in_o process_n of_o time_n by_o such_o mean_n to_o immortalize_v their_o name_n to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v raise_v up_o themselves_o and_o their_o family_n as_o well_o to_o power_n and_o authority_n as_o to_o honour_n and_o veneration_n above_o all_o other_o man_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v but_o however_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conjecture_v that_o those_o several_a passage_n record_v in_o that_o history_n have_v for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o a_o great_a conformity_n with_o the_o transaction_n relate_v in_o moses_n history_n which_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o the_o chaldean_n with_o who_o the_o chinese_n have_v communication_n and_o correspondence_n all_o those_o pretence_n and_o claim_n of_o they_o to_o the_o invention_n of_o these_o art_n be_v a_o honour_n which_o they_o have_v borrow_a from_o other_o to_o lend_v it_o to_o the_o founder_n of_o their_o empire_n just_a as_o the_o egyptian_n have_v appropriate_v to_o their_o first_o king_n some_o art_n which_o be_v find_v out_o by_o the_o patriarch_n before_o the_o flood_n or_o as_o the_o greek_n have_v make_v their_o first_o prince_n the_o first_o inventor_n of_o those_o very_a art_n the_o invention_n of_o which_o the_o egyptian_n ascribe_v to_o their_o first_o king_n and_o this_o reflection_n will_v appear_v the_o more_o probable_a and_o natural_a if_o we_o consider_v what_o they_o relate_v that_o under_o the_o four_o successor_n of_o fobius_fw-la there_o arise_v a_o impostor_n famous_a by_o his_o delusion_n who_o endeavour_v to_o alter_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o chinese_n and_o to_o bring_v in_o idolatry_n among_o they_o which_o bring_v great_a misfortune_n upon_o china_n for_o hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o chinese_n in_o their_o history_n have_v disguise_v and_o so_o appropriate_v to_o themselves_o some_o passage_n which_o relate_v to_o nimrod_n time_n since_o the_o original_a of_o idolatry_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o time_n of_o building_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n which_o be_v intend_v for_o a_o idol_n temple_n if_o we_o will_v believe_v what_o pass_v for_o a_o receive_a opinion_n among_o the_o jew_n chuenhious_a be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v the_o restorer_n
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
the_o history_n down_o to_o cyrus_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o persia_n who_o give_v the_o jew_n their_o liberty_n again_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o what_o pass_v under_o his_o successor_n to_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n for_o almost_o eighty_o two_o year_n it_o be_v in_o this_o interval_n that_o the_o deliverance_n happen_v which_o the_o jew_n receive_v under_o esther_n wife_n to_o one_o of_o the_o most_o powerful_a king_n of_o persia_n the_o memory_n of_o which_o the_o jew_n celebrate_v every_o year_n in_o all_o place_n the_o thirteen_o and_o fourteen_o day_n of_o the_o month_n adar_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o february_n by_o virtue_n of_o esther_n law._n after_o these_o general_a remark_n with_o which_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o at_o present_a i_o ought_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o take_v away_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n from_o those_o proof_n which_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o history_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v neglect_v by_o a_o people_n who_o in_o their_o religious_a and_o civil_a conduct_n be_v absolute_o regulate_v by_o those_o very_a law_n the_o second_o be_v that_o all_o the_o action_n relate_v in_o this_o history_n have_v pass_v altogether_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o people_n the_o extent_n of_o who_o country_n be_v not_o twenty_o league_n in_o breadth_n nor_o eighty_o in_o length_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o people_n have_v observe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n and_o of_o the_o first_o year_n or_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o law_n you_o have_v in_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o leviticus_n from_o their_o first_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o country_n forty_o seven_o year_n after_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n this_o observation_n have_v serve_v for_o a_o double_a cycle_n to_o fix_v the_o remembrance_n of_o those_o action_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o so_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o hezekiah_n esai_n xxxvii_o 30._o and_o two_o king_n xix_o 29._o may_v easy_o be_v understand_v that_o although_o sennacherib_n invasion_n will_v in_o all_o probability_n lie_v waste_v all_o judea_n yet_o they_o may_v eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o quietness_n the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o the_o next_o year_n they_o shall_v eat_v the_o fruit_n that_o will_v grow_v up_o of_o themselves_o without_o tillage_n and_o that_o on_o the_o sixteenth_o year_n they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o till_o the_o ground_n as_o former_o which_o show_v without_o any_o force_n upon_o the_o word_n that_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v the_o sabbathical_a year_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v forbid_v to_o cultivate_v the_o ground_n the_o four_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v in_o effect_n by_o the_o series_n of_o this_o whole_a story_n that_o thing_n be_v write_v so_o as_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n which_o be_v extant_a among_o the_o people_n this_o be_v manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v how_o often_o the_o sacred_a penman_n refer_v we_o to_o the_o history_n and_o annal_n of_o those_o king_n of_o who_o they_o speak_v and_o of_o who_o they_o only_o quote_v the_o principal_a story_n in_o short_a in_o pursue_v their_o design_n which_o be_v entire_o to_o bring_v a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o israelite_n under_o one_o view_n let_v we_o go_v on_o to_o other_o proof_n to_o establish_v this_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n as_o there_o be_v but_o few_o very_a ancient_a writer_n of_o profane_a history_n and_o as_o we_o have_v but_o small_a fragment_n of_o they_o disperse_v here_o and_o there_o preserve_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o care_n of_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n and_o of_o eusebius_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praeparatione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la so_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v surprise_v if_o but_o few_o of_o the_o more_o illustrious_a passage_n and_o event_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o pagan_a writer_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v otherwise_o engage_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n to_o keep_v close_o to_o that_o country_n where_o it_o be_v establish_v this_o make_v their_o neighbour_n have_v less_o knowledge_n of_o their_o history_n however_o there_o be_v enough_o leave_v to_o show_v with_o how_o great_a fidelity_n and_o exactness_n the_o sacred_a writer_n pen_v the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n in_o short_a we_o may_v find_v among_o the_o heathen_a historian_n and_o poet_n who_o be_v their_o first_o historian_n several_a relation_n which_o show_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v well_o enough_o know_v to_o they_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o they_o be_v relate_v in_o those_o historical_a book_n which_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n the_o memory_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o conquest_n be_v famous_a among_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v ancient_a monument_n extant_a which_o prove_v that_o the_o carthaginian_n be_v a_o colony_n of_o the_o tyrian_n who_o escape_v from_o joshua_n as_o also_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o leptis_n in_o africa_n come_v original_o from_o the_o zidonian_o who_o forsake_v their_o country_n jugurthino_n procop._n van_n dalicorum_fw-la lib._n ii_o c._n 10._o polybius_n frag._n cxiv_o sallust_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jugurthino_n because_o of_o the_o misery_n which_o afflict_v it_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o phoenician_n hercules_n arise_v from_o the_o history_n of_o joshua_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o giant_n and_o the_o famous_a typhon_n owe_v their_o original_a to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o og_n the_o king_n of_o bashan_n and_o of_o the_o anakim_v who_o be_v call_v giant_n the_o tempest_n of_o hail_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o eleven_o of_o joshua_n be_v transform_v by_o the_o poet_n into_o a_o tempest_n of_o stone_n with_o which_o as_o they_o say_v jupiter_n overwhelm_v the_o enemy_n of_o hercules_n in_o arim_n which_o be_v exact_o the_o country_n where_o joshua_n fight_v with_o the_o child_n of_o anak_n one_o find_v the_o memorial_n of_o the_o action_n of_o gideon_n preserve_v by_o sanchoniathon_n a_o tyrian_a writer_n who_o live_v soon_o after_o he_o and_o who_o antiquity_n be_v attest_v by_o porphyry_n one_o find_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o jephtha_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n after_o his_o victory_n over_o the_o ammonite_n the_o original_a of_o the_o sacrifice_a of_o iphigenia_n 3._o variae_fw-la historiae_fw-la lib._n v._o cap._n 3._o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o heathen_n as_o aelian_a judicious_o observe_v to_o attribute_v to_o their_o late_a hero_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o action_n of_o those_o who_o live_v long_o before_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o a_o feast_n which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o heathen_a roman_n in_o april_n the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a harvest_n iu._n ovid._n fastorum_fw-la lib._n iu._n in_o which_o they_o let_v loose_a fox_n with_o torch_n fasten_v to_o their_o tail_n which_o certain_o come_v from_o the_o story_n of_o samson_n and_o be_v bring_v into_o italy_n by_o the_o phoenician_n one_o find_v in_o the_o same_o history_n of_o samson_n and_o dalilah_n i._n ovid._n metam_fw-la lib._n viii_o fab._n i._n the_o original_a of_o the_o story_n of_o nisus_n and_o his_o daughter_n who_o cut_v off_o those_o fatal_a hair_n upon_o which_o the_o victory_n depend_v nicolaus_n damascenus_n have_v preserve_v the_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o david_n obtain_v over_o the_o syrian_n of_o zoba_n 6._o joseph_n antie_n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o upon_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o euphrates_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n there_o be_v monument_n extant_a which_o describe_v the_o part_n which_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n have_v in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n almost_o the_o same_o with_o the_o account_n which_o the_o sacred_a author_n give_v we_o of_o his_o part_n in_o the_o erection_n of_o that_o great_a work._n one_o find_v in_o herodotus_n a_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o sesostris_n king_n of_o egypt_n 6._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n one_o find_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n relate_v by_o nicholaus_fw-la damascenus_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o the_o king_n of_o
manner_n of_o write_v the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n show_v that_o those_o oracle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n i_o have_v several_a thing_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n more_o sensible_a the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o i_o have_v prove_v by_o several_a character_n this_o history_n be_v exact_o write_v by_o several_a author_n now_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o their_o oracle_n be_v so_o exact_o frame_v into_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o take_v it_o out_o without_o confound_v the_o whole_a the_o book_n of_o samuel_n which_o be_v write_v by_o samuel_n by_o nathan_n and_o by_o gad_n as_o appear_v by_o i_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o contain_v the_o history_n from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2888_o to_o the_o year_n 2987._o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o year_n 2989._o to_o the_o year_n 3442._o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n recapitulate_v the_o history_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n 3468._o ezra_n write_v his_o history_n from_o the_o year_n 3468._o to_o the_o year_n 3538._o nehemiah_n continue_v it_o from_o 3550._o to_o 3563._o here_o be_v therefore_o on_o the_o one_o side_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o history_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o continue_a succession_n of_o prophecy_n david_n who_o begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o year_n 2950._o with_o several_a other_o prophet_n of_o that_o time_n write_v the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n which_o be_v full_a of_o oracle_n and_o which_o be_v sing_v by_o the_o people_n as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a service_n isaiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o 3246._o and_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 3306._o hosea_n micah_n and_o nahum_n be_v contemporary_a with_o he_o jeremiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3375._o and_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o zephaniah_n daniel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n in_o 3401._o and_o prophesy_v until_o 3470._o ezechiel_n prophesy_v at_o babylon_n in_o 3509._o haggai_n and_o zachariah_n prophesy_v in_o 3590._o soon_o after_o ezra_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nehemiah_n malachy_n seem_v to_o have_v live_v until_o the_o year_n 3589._o can_v we_o therefore_o in_o the_o least_o imagine_v that_o a_o history_n shall_v be_v so_o intermix_v with_o prophecy_n and_o oracle_n without_o conceive_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o both_o by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n but_o we_o may_v make_v a_o second_o reflection_n hereupon_o there_o be_v three_o general_a character_n which_o distinguish_v prophet_n very_o sensible_o from_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n i._o they_o be_v public_a censor_n let_v we_o but_o read_v the_o history_n of_o isaiah_n conduct_n who_o call_v all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n ruler_n of_o sodom_n or_o that_o of_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxxvi_o or_o of_o any_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n ii_o they_o be_v comforter_n of_o the_o people_n when_o they_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n by_o their_o preach_n there_o be_v as_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o as_o there_o be_v prophet_n iii_o they_o foretell_v remarkable_a occurrence_n happy_a or_o unfortunate_a long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o probability_n that_o they_o shall_v happen_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v these_o character_n without_o see_v that_o the_o state_n of_o affair_n be_v that_o which_o give_v a_o foundation_n for_o their_o sermon_n so_o that_o one_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v frame_v their_o history_n of_o new_a to_o give_v ground_n for_o a_o forgery_n this_o change_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o prophet_n follow_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n exact_o all_o that_o isaiah_n or_o jeremiah_n say_v will_v hold_v no_o long_o than_o whilst_o you_o suppose_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v as_o corrupt_v as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n represent_v it_o but_o if_o you_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v as_o the_o history_n do_v distinct_o explain_v it_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o forcible_a than_o their_o sermon_n for_o as_o they_o join_v oracle_n with_o promise_n in_o their_o thunder_a sermon_n so_o one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o can_v be_v part_v one_o may_v make_v another_o reflection_n upon_o this_o matter_n by_o show_v that_o these_o oracle_n and_o these_o book_n be_v so_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n that_o no_o forgery_n can_v be_v suppose_v the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v be_v a_o great_a proof_n for_o they_o appear_v upon_o very_o remarkable_a occasion_n one_o may_v rank_v the_o prophet_n into_o four_o order_n according_a to_o the_o several_a time_n in_o which_o they_o appear_v david_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o time_n those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n as_o jonah_n hosea_n joel_n amos_n obadiah_n isaiah_n micah_n nahum_n habakkuk_n zephaniah_n jeremiah_n those_o who_o prophesy_v during_o the_o captivity_n jeremiah_n ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n those_o who_o live_v after_o their_o return_n from_o babybylon_n haggai_n zechariah_n and_o malachy_n now_o we_o have_v a_o equal_a assurance_n of_o all_o these_o prophet_n that_o they_o be_v famous_a who_o can_v deny_v the_o oracle_n of_o david_n to_o have_v be_v famous_a when_o they_o be_v preserve_v among_o their_o public_a hymn_n one_o see_v we_o that_o micah_n prediction_n save_v jeremiah_n who_o they_o will_v have_v condemn_v for_o prophesy_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n under_o jehoiakim_n when_o micah_n have_v prophesy_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o hezekiah_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o this_o prediction_n of_o jeremiah_n here_o be_v a_o event_n which_o assure_v we_o without_o affectation_n that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v very_o well_o know_v be_v not_o therefore_o the_o other_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n very_o well_o know_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o other_o prophet_n live_v in_o very_o remarkable_a time_n isaiah_n under_o jotham_n ahaz_n and_o manasseh_n impious_a prince_n the_o last_o of_o which_o put_v he_o to_o a_o cruel_a death_n for_o the_o freedom_n of_o his_o censure_n and_o prediction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o every_o prophet_n a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v enlarge_v upon_o and_o which_o will_v further_o prove_v that_o their_o work_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v be_v very_o public_a and_o very_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n we_o must_v not_o here_o neglect_v what_o do_v more_o particular_o regard_v the_o person_n of_o the_o prophet_n i._o some_o of_o they_o be_v priest_n that_o be_v to_o say_v public_a minister_n of_o their_o religion_n jeremiah_n and_o ezechiel_n be_v of_o that_o number_n this_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o read_v of_o their_o work_n and_o in_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o their_o revelation_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n accommodate_v by_o god_n to_o those_o idea_n about_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v most_o employ_v ii_o some_o be_v very_o illustrious_a by_o their_o birth_n thus_o david_n for_o instance_n be_v king_n of_o israel_n isaiah_n be_v a_o prince_n of_o the_o blood_n and_o daniel_n be_v one_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o judah_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o find_v out_o by_o consider_v the_o majesty_n of_o their_o style_n and_o greatness_n of_o their_o expression_n iii_o some_o be_v very_o contemptible_a by_o their_o employment_n and_o by_o their_o birth_n so_o amos_n for_o instance_n and_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o father_n be_v bare_o name_v without_o join_v to_o it_o any_o honourable_a title_n if_o the_o jew_n observation_n have_v any_o strength_n now_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o though_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n make_v he_o who_o have_v it_o sufficient_o famous_a yet_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n often_o make_v the_o prophecy_n famous_a sometime_o indeed_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o person_n as_o in_o amos_n make_v the_o work_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v every_o body_n take_v occasion_n from_o the_o ancient_a profession_n or_o the_o prophet_n to_o consider_v the_o prophecy_n which_o he_o publish_v with_o more_o attention_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v with_o care_n that_o those_o prophet_n who_o write_n be_v preserve_v as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o do_v not_o write_v be_v continual_o strike_v at_o by_o false_a prophet_n who_o oppose_v they_o with_o great_a heat_n since_o than_o we_o have_v no_o prophecy_n preserve_v but_o of_o those_o who_o prediction_n be_v accomplish_v the_o event_n justify_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prediction_n with_o regard_n to_o particular_a fact_n near_o the_o time_n which_o they_o have_v foretell_v
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
foretell_v in_o the_o second_o psalm_n ii_o he_o observe_v that_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o begin_v at_o jerusalem_n or_o zion_n which_o be_v then_o to_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o his_o enemy_n iii_o he_o express_o point_v out_o the_o quick_a extent_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o character_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v submit_v to_o he_o without_o constraint_n or_o violence_n which_o be_v much_o practise_v under_o moses_n law._n iv_o he_o positive_o assert_n that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v establish_v a_o priest_n after_o the_o order_n of_o melchisedech_n which_o will_v overturn_v the_o whole_a levitical_a priesthood_n which_o then_o be_v to_o have_v a_o end_n yet_o the_o very_a same_o king_n who_o design_v the_o draught_n of_o the_o temple_n which_o solomon_n build_v some_o time_n after_o undermine_v the_o foundation_n of_o this_o material_a building_n and_o clear_o suppose_v that_o the_o levitical_a ministry_n which_o be_v fix_v to_o solomon_n temple_n shall_v last_v no_o long_o than_o until_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n v._o he_o particular_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v by_o the_o divine_a assistance_n destroy_v all_o that_o shall_v oppose_v his_o power_n and_o shall_v bring_v all_o thing_n under_o his_o dominion_n as_o a_o conqueror_n who_o shall_v overturn_v all_o thing_n with_o the_o utmost_a violence_n nothing_o can_v be_v great_a than_o these_o several_a oracle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o particular_a than_o his_o description_n of_o the_o glory_n to_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v advance_v after_o that_o prodigious_a humiliation_n which_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n but_o what_o can_v we_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o david_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o this_o psalm_n this_o i_o be_o further_a to_o consider_v one_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o constant_o apply_v these_o prophecy_n to_o the_o messiah_n before_o the_o come_v of_o jesus_n christ_n without_o good_a ground_n they_o can_v not_o apply_v they_o to_o any_o of_o david_n successor_n none_o of_o david_n successor_n be_v both_o king_n and_o priest_n uzziah_n be_v the_o only_a man_n who_o dare_v to_o usurp_v the_o priesthood_n and_o he_o be_v punish_v by_o god_n himself_o the_o maccabee_n be_v not_o of_o david_n tribe_n but_o be_v levite_n and_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o go_v up_o into_o heaven_n to_o set_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god._n beside_o their_o kingdom_n do_v not_o begin_v in_o zion_n and_o they_o never_o bring_v any_o other_o king_n under_o their_o authority_n they_o apply_v it_o therefore_o to_o the_o messiah_n pursuant_n to_o the_o maxim_n which_o they_o draw_v from_o a_o frequent_a meditation_n upon_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n that_o we_o ought_v only_o to_o look_v for_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o they_o can_v never_o sin_v to_o be_v fulfil_v any_o where_o else_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o know_v that_o the_o exactness_n and_o truth_n of_o those_o prediction_n can_v not_o be_v any_o way_n contest_v in_o short_a it_o plain_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v unanimous_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o messiah_n before_o jesus_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n from_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o confess_v it_o to_o our_o saviour_n when_o he_o press_v they_o with_o the_o cx_o psalm_n though_o they_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o manner_n how_o david_n shall_v call_v the_o messiah_n lord_n when_o they_o allow_v he_o to_o be_v his_o son_n matth._n xxii_o 48._o one_o see_v we_o nothing_o so_o frequent_o urge_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o this_o cx_o psalm_n they_o use_v it_o upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v the_o character_n of_o the_o true_a messiah_n such_o as_o david_n have_v give_v he_o in_o the_o cx_o psalm_n suppose_v still_o as_o a_o thing_n beyond_o dispute_n that_o david_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o this_o famous_a prophecy_n so_o that_o what_o evasion_n soever_o the_o jew_n may_v endeavour_v to_o make_v use_n of_o yet_o they_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o their_o most_o famous_a doctor_n since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v upon_o several_a occasion_n follow_v the_o old_a notion_n of_o the_o synagogue_n in_o this_o matter_n one_o find_v in_o their_o write_n great_a number_n of_o testimony_n which_o confirm_v this_o truth_n i_o shall_v not_o mention_v they_o at_o present_a because_o they_o be_v well_o enough_o know_v and_o because_o i_o will_v make_v haste_n to_o come_v to_o that_o new_a degree_n of_o revelation_n which_o god_n give_v to_o those_o prophet_n who_o give_v new_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n for_o some_o age_n after_o david_n time_n they_o be_v in_o too_o great_a a_o number_n to_o be_v speak_v of_o one_o by_o one_o and_o i_o be_o force_v to_o range_v they_o under_o certain_a head_n though_o i_o intend_v at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o make_v more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o some_o of_o those_o which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a truth_n and_o so_o by_o that_o mean_n furnish_v we_o with_o the_o most_o sensible_a character_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v more_o certain_o the_o person_n who_o god_n propose_v to_o his_o people_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o saviour_n of_o israel_n and_o who_o he_o have_v before_o call_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n chap._n xii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o have_v a_o forerunner_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v his_o character_n we_o shall_v make_v it_o manifest_a in_o the_o sequel_n of_o the_o discourse_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v in_o a_o very_a despicable_a state_n and_o consequent_o that_o his_o appearance_n will_v be_v very_o distasteful_a to_o those_o who_o expect_v he_o in_o the_o splendour_n of_o a_o great_a king_n and_o conqueror_n to_o oppose_v this_o preconceive_a opinion_n of_o they_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n think_v fit_a to_o appoint_v one_o to_o be_v his_o forerunner_n who_o shall_v call_v the_o jew_n to_o repentance_n and_o a_o reformation_n of_o their_o life_n and_o form_n in_o they_o a_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o of_o a_o person_n who_o be_v to_o prescribe_v to_o they_o law_n of_o the_o great_a purity_n and_o holiness_n and_o indeed_o in_o examine_v the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o find_v that_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v usher_v in_o by_o a_o person_n thus_o distinguish_v the_o follow_a prophecy_n be_v very_o express_v to_o this_o purpose_n the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o find_v in_o the_o xl_o of_o isaiah_n verse_n 3._o where_o the_o prophet_n speak_v thus_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n 3._o isai_n xl._n 3._o the_o voice_n of_o he_o that_o cry_v in_o the_o wilderness_n prepare_v you_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v straight_o in_o the_o desert_n a_o high_a way_n for_o our_o god._n abenezra_n abenezra_n the_o jew_n acknowledge_v that_o this_o chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o comfort_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o procure_v for_o his_o people_n and_o that_o the_o voice_n mention_v here_o refer_v to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o declare_v and_o proclaim_v his_o come_v we_o meet_v with_o a_o second_o prophecy_n in_o malachy_n who_o prophesy_v after_o the_o rebuilding_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o who_o have_v shut_v up_o the_o vision_n precise_o point_n at_o the_o time_n wherein_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v viz._n during_o the_o second_o temple_n chap._n iii_o verse_n 1_o 2_o 3_o &_o 4._o behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o messenger_n and_o he_o shall_v prepare_v the_o way_n before_o i_o and_o the_o lord_n who_o you_o seek_v shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n even_o the_o messenger_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o behold_v he_o shall_v come_v say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n but_o who_o may_v abide_v the_o day_n of_o his_o come_n and_o who_o shall_v stand_v when_o he_o appear_v for_o he_o be_v like_o a_o refiner_n fire_n and_o like_o fuller_n soap_n and_o he_o shall_v sit_v as_o a_o refiner_n and_o purifier_n of_o silver_n and_o he_o shall_v purify_v the_o son_n of_o levi_n and_o purge_v they_o as_o gold_n and_o silver_n that_o they_o may_v offer_v unto_o the_o lord_n a_o offer_v in_o righteousness_n the_o jew_n own_o that_o these_o word_n also_o of_o malachy_n saad_n r._n saad_n speak_v of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o forego_n passage_n 1._o that_o they_o have_v a_o manifest_a relation_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v shall_v the_o jew_n deny_v this_o as_o indeed_o they_o unanimous_o acknowledge_v it_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o convince_v they_o 1._o by_o urge_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o evangelist_n
oracle_n as_o we_o understand_v it_o have_v be_v entertain_v among_o the_o heathen_n who_o build_v their_o fable_n of_o perseus_n upon_o it_o who_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin._n 3._o it_o appear_v that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o i_o mention_v in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n chap._n xx._n and_o which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o state_n of_o virginity_n receive_v much_o light_n from_o this_o notion_n and_o be_v without_o it_o altogether_o useless_a 4._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o dispute_v this_o character_n till_o after_o they_o see_v that_o the_o christian_n apply_v it_o to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o thereupon_o have_v fall_v upon_o such_o childish_a fancy_n as_o may_v just_o cover_v they_o with_o confusion_n but_o we_o shall_v be_v yet_o further_o satisfy_v hereof_o if_o we_o add_v to_o all_o these_o just_a prejudices_fw-la only_o the_o follow_a reflection_n on_o the_o term_n the_o prophet_n make_v use_v of_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o lxx_o interpreter_n have_v in_o translate_n this_o prophecy_n make_v use_v of_o a_o word_n that_o signify_v a_o virgin_n and_o not_o a_o young_a woman_n as_o the_o jew_n have_v understand_v it_o since_o our_o saviour_n time_n the_o first_o who_o reject_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n be_v symmachus_n 9_o in_o dialog_n cum_fw-la tryphon_n tertull._n count_v jud._n cap._n 9_o who_o live_v in_o the_o second_o century_n as_o it_o be_v observe_v by_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n who_o for_o this_o reason_n accuse_v the_o jew_n of_o have_v falsify_v the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o hebrew_n word_n express_o signify_v such_o a_o one_o as_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o virgin_n be_v keep_v under_o lock_n and_o key_n from_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a nation_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o jew_n which_o continue_v among_o they_o till_o this_o day_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o word_n have_v be_v take_v by_o the_o african_n in_o the_o same_o signification_n as_o st._n jerome_n observe_v the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n do_v set_v forth_o this_o child-bearing_a as_o a_o prodigy_n and_o miracle_n altogether_o unheard_a of_o and_o as_o a_o particular_a character_n by_o which_o the_o house_n of_o david_n be_v to_o be_v strong_o confirm_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o settle_v a_o eternal_a kingdom_n upon_o it_o which_o can_v not_o be_v accomplish_v but_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o five_o be_v that_o though_o some_o jew_n have_v apply_v this_o prophecy_n to_o king_n hezekiah_n l._n raschi_n in_o h._n l._n which_o yet_o to_o other_o of_o they_o seem_v very_o ridiculous_a he_o be_v nine_o year_n of_o age_n when_o the_o prophecy_n be_v utter_v by_o isaiah_n and_o themselves_o never_o make_v use_n of_o this_o evasion_n except_o in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o so_o on_o this_o occasion_n have_v drop_v a_o confession_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confound_v they_o yet_o it_o have_v be_v a_o thing_n so_o general_o receive_v among_o they_o that_o this_o prophecy_n do_v respect_v the_o messiah_n that_o after_o they_o have_v apply_v it_o to_o hezekiah_n one_o of_o their_o most_o famous_a doctor_n conclude_v chelech_n gemar_fw-la in_o sanhed_n cap._n chelech_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o look_v for_o no_o messiah_n since_o the_o time_n of_o hezekiah_n that_o prophecy_n have_v have_v its_o accomplishment_n in_o he_o a_o opinion_n which_o those_o that_o succeed_v he_o have_v reject_v with_o the_o great_a abhorrence_n the_o six_o be_v that_o the_o title_n of_o immanuel_n give_v to_o this_o son_n who_o birth_n be_v here_o promise_v be_v represent_v to_o we_o chap._n viii_o as_o the_o name_n of_o he_o who_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o land_n which_o be_v a_o true_a representation_n of_o the_o heir_n promise_v to_o david_n to_o who_o david_n say_v o_o god_n thy_o god_n have_v anoint_v thou_o with_o the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n above_o thy_o fellow_n psal_n xlv_o 7_o 8._o the_o seven_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n have_v allege_v and_o cite_v two_o witness_n uriah_n the_o son_n of_o shemaiah_n a_o prophet_n who_o be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o jehoiakim_n and_o zechariah_n the_o son_n of_o jeberechiah_n the_o former_a of_o which_o live_v long_o after_o ahaz_n and_o the_o latter_a since_o the_o captivity_n under_o darius_n king_n of_o persia_n according_a to_o the_o account_n the_o jew_n themselves_o give_v of_o they_o he_o sufficient_o hint_n by_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o immanuel_n he_o speak_v of_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v many_o age_n after_o and_o not_o in_o that_o age_n wherein_o he_o prophecy_n chap._n xv._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o private_a state_n god_n have_v not_o only_o point_v out_o the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v with_o the_o miraculous_a manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o his_o birth_n but_o he_o have_v also_o name_v the_o family_n the_o place_n with_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o family_n in_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v as_o a_o triple_a character_n by_o which_o he_o may_v be_v know_v i_o say_v first_o that_o according_a to_o the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o follow_a oracle_n 1._o god_n express_o promise_v as_o much_o to_o david_n two_o sam._n chap._n vii_o a_o place_n i_o have_v quote_v before_o which_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o david_n believe_v this_o himself_n from_o psalm_n cxxxii_o vers_fw-la 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17_o and_o 18._o the_o lord_n have_v swear_v in_o truth_n unto_o david_n he_o will_v not_o turn_v from_o it_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o thy_o body_n will_v i_o set_v upon_o thy_o throne_n and_o after_o have_v say_v verse_n 12._o that_o if_o his_o child_n will_v keep_v his_o covenant_n that_o their_o child_n also_o shall_v sit_v upon_o his_o throne_n for_o evermore_o and_o this_o because_o verse_n 13_o &_o 14._o the_o lord_n have_v choose_v zion_n and_o desire_v it_o for_o his_o habitation_n etc._n etc._n and_o promise_a verse_n 15._o that_o he_o will_v abundant_o bless_v her_o provision_n and_o satisfy_v her_o poor_a with_o bread_n that_o he_o will_v verse_n 16._o clothe_v her_o priest_n with_o salvation_n and_o make_v her_o saint_n shout_n for_o joy_n he_o subjoin_v verse_n 17_o &_o 18._o there_o i_o will_v make_v the_o horn_n of_o david_n to_o bud_n i_o have_v ordain_v a_o lamp_n for_o i_o anoint_v his_o enemy_n i_o will_v clothe_v with_o shame_n but_o upon_o himself_o shall_v his_o crown_n flourish_v it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o by_o this_o horn_n of_o david_n be_v to_o be_v mean_v a_o king_n the_o messiah_n who_o he_o distinguish_v by_o that_o expression_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o david_n child_n and_o zachariah_n in_o his_o song_n of_o praise_n luke_n i._o verse_n 69._o apply_v it_o to_o our_o saviour_n put_v the_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o doubt_n 3._o hence_o it_o be_v the_o prophet_n take_v occasion_n to_o give_v to_o the_o messiah_n the_o name_n of_o david_n so_o ezek._n xxxiv_o vers_fw-la 23_o 24._o and_o i_o will_v set_v up_o one_o shepherd_n over_o they_o and_o he_o shall_v feed_v they_o even_o my_o servant_n david_n he_o shall_v feed_v they_o and_o he_o shall_v be_v their_o shepherd_n and_o i_o the_o lord_n will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o my_o servant_n david_n a_o prince_n among_o they_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o 4._o the_o jew_n be_v and_o have_v always_o be_v firm_a in_o this_o persuasion_n ground_v on_o the_o foresay_a and_o other_o like_a place_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o constant_o refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n i_o say_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o divine_a oracle_n express_o point_v out_o bethlehem_n for_o the_o birth-place_n of_o the_o messiah_n micah_n the_o v._o verse_n 2._o but_o thou_o bethlehem_n ephratah_n though_o thou_o be_v little_a among_o the_o thousand_o of_o judah_n yet_o out_o of_o thou_o shall_v he_o come_v forth_o unto_o i_o that_o be_v to_o be_v ruler_n in_o israel_n who_o go_n forth_o have_v be_v from_o of_o old_a from_o the_o day_n of_o eternity_n the_o jew_n acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o indeed_o the_o prophet_n distinguish_v by_o bethlehem_n add_v the_o word_n ephratah_n whence_o the_o family_n
that_o alexander_n preserve_v they_o in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o right_n and_o liberty_n as_o they_o enjoy_v they_o under_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n and_o in_o particular_a exempt_v they_o from_o pay_v any_o tribute_n every_o seven_o year_n because_o than_o they_o do_v not_o sow_v their_o ground_n and_o consequent_o can_v not_o reap_v and_o if_o we_o find_v that_o ptolemy_n take_v jerusalem_n on_o a_o sabbath_n day_n the_o jew_n make_v conscience_n of_o defend_v themselves_o because_o the_o law_n require_v their_o cease_n from_o all_o work_n from_o whence_o agatharcides_n a_o heathen_a author_n take_v occasion_n to_o blame_v their_o law_n if_o we_o find_v he_o carry_v a_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n with_o he_o into_o egypt_n yet_o withal_o we_o find_v he_o treat_v they_o with_o as_o much_o kindness_n as_o the_o macedonian_n themselves_z appoint_v distinct_a place_n in_o egypt_n and_o lybia_n for_o their_o habitation_n if_o we_o find_v that_o powerful_a prince_n such_o as_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n and_o some_o other_o of_o his_o successor_n break_v the_o power_n of_o the_o jew_n profane_v their_o temple_n and_o force_v great_a number_n of_o they_o to_o abjure_v their_o religion_n yet_o we_o see_v they_o also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n give_v the_o high_a instance_n of_o a_o immovable_a constancy_n and_o courage_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o law_n and_o in_o endure_v the_o most_o exquisite_a torture_n we_o see_v other_o of_o they_o encourage_v with_o the_o love_n of_o their_o country_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n put_v themselves_o into_o a_o posture_n of_o defence_n purify_n the_o temple_n and_o celebrate_v a_o festival_n which_o be_v observe_v even_o at_o this_o day_n and_o last_o obtain_v favourable_a treaty_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o in_o the_o twelve_o book_n of_o josephus_n his_o antiquity_n yea_o we_o find_v their_o name_n and_o glory_n at_o that_o time_n spread_v as_o far_o as_o lacedaemon_n with_o which_o commonwealth_n they_o make_v a_o alliance_n during_o the_o high-priesthood_n of_o onias_n one_o see_v we_o they_o after_o this_o so_o considerable_a under_o the_o successor_n of_o antiochus_n their_o persecutor_n that_o even_o those_o king_n sue_v for_o their_o alliance_n with_o great_a present_n one_o see_v we_o that_o ptolemy_n philometor_n grant_v to_o onias_n the_o son_n leave_v to_o build_v a_o temple_n in_o egypt_n for_o the_o convenience_n of_o those_o jew_n who_o ptolemy_n the_o son_n of_o lagus_n have_v carry_v thither_o as_o well_o as_o for_o those_o who_o leave_v their_o country_n for_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n for_o judea_n be_v situate_a between_o syria_n and_o egypt_n be_v ordinary_o the_o theatre_n of_o war_n between_o those_o two_o state_n it_o be_v here_o worth_a our_o note_n that_o the_o jew_n undertake_v the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o egypt_n as_o think_v themselves_o authorise_a by_o that_o prophecy_n isai_n xix_o 24._o it_o be_v a_o thing_n otherwise_o forbid_v by_o the_o law._n one_o see_v in_o the_o same_o prince_n reign_n a_o great_a contest_v between_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o jew_n about_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o mount_n garizim_n decide_v by_o he_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n on_o which_o occasion_n the_o jew_n show_v that_o prince_n their_o law_n and_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o series_n of_o their_o history_n to_o confute_v the_o samaritan_n pretension_n one_o see_v we_o after_o this_o when_o the_o jew_n have_v confer_v the_o sovereignty_n and_o high-priesthood_n on_o simon_n that_o their_o state_n become_v so_o powerful_a that_o under_o hyrcanus_n his_o successor_n they_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o attack_v their_o enemy_n in_o syria_n and_o compel_v the_o edomite_n to_o admit_v circumcision_n aristobulus_n his_o son_n be_v crown_v his_o brother_n succeed_v he_o in_o the_o royal_a dignity_n and_o leave_v the_o state_n in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n notwithstanding_o the_o civil_a and_o foreign_a war_n he_o be_v engage_v in_o we_o find_v afterward_o that_o the_o intestine_a division_n among_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o jewish_a prince_n do_v by_o degree_n open_v a_o gap_n for_o foreign_a power_n to_o enter_v and_o prevail_v over_o they_o pompey_n side_v with_o hyrcanus_n take_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v the_o jew_n tributary_n to_o the_o roman_n but_o without_o change_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o religion_n julius_n caesar_n a_o while_n after_o bestow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judaea_n upon_o herod_n the_o edomite_n augustus_n after_o he_o use_v the_o jew_n with_o the_o same_o equity_n as_o pompey_n before_o he_o have_v do_v as_o appear_v from_o one_o of_o his_o declaration_n publish_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o egypt_n and_o asia_n record_v by_o josephus_n this_o herod_n and_o augustus_n be_v the_o same_o under_o who_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o that_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v distinct_a from_o other_o nation_n and_o sufficient_o know_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophet_n malachy_n until_o herod_n we_o may_v also_o true_o assert_v that_o whatever_o inclination_n the_o jew_n of_o old_a have_v for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o we_o do_v find_v they_o give_v that_o way_n during_o this_o interval_n between_o the_o last_o of_o their_o prophet_n and_o herod_n as_o if_o the_o charge_n and_o command_v of_o that_o prophet_n malachy_n have_v always_o sound_v in_o their_o ear_n mal._n iu._n verse_n 4._o remember_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n my_o servant_n etc._n etc._n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o maccabee_n in_o great_a number_n suffer_v martyrdom_n rather_o than_o abjure_v their_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o observe_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n with_o all_o carefulness_n of_o which_o augustus_n himself_o be_v witness_v one_o see_v we_o that_o under_o stranger_n and_o heathen_a king_n they_o exempt_v themselves_o from_o answer_v any_o suit_n at_o law_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n from_o pay_v tribute_n the_o seven_o year_n and_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o their_o temple_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o opposition_n last_o one_o find_v they_o during_o herod_n government_n support_v by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n in_o refuse_v to_o set_v up_o the_o emperor_n trophy_n for_o fear_v lest_o some_o image_n may_v be_v hide_v under_o they_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o crime_n against_o their_o law._n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o since_o malachy_n some_o heresy_n spring_v up_o among_o the_o jew_n their_o commerce_n with_o the_o greek_n who_o apply_v themselves_o to_o philosophical_a speculation_n have_v contribute_v to_o make_v they_o much_o more_o disputacious_a than_o they_o be_v before_o the_o authority_n likewise_o of_o their_o king_n who_o be_v high-priest_n also_o may_v have_v have_v a_o great_a stroke_n in_o blemish_v the_o purity_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o yet_o the_o dispute_n which_o we_o find_v among_o they_o as_o that_o of_o the_o fatality_n of_o event_n do_v not_o at_o all_o touch_n the_o substance_n of_o their_o religion_n they_o no_o soon_o find_v the_o spirit_n of_o epicurism_n to_o creep_v in_o among_o they_o but_o they_o frame_v such_o addition_n to_o their_o public_a liturgy_n as_o they_o think_v most_o proper_a to_o eradicate_v or_o at_o least_o condemn_v that_o corruption_n i_o confess_v also_o that_o the_o pharisee_n and_o doctor_n of_o their_o law_n have_v great_o alter_v their_o morality_n in_o make_v their_o own_o explication_n by_o the_o great_a authority_n which_o they_o have_v among_o the_o people_n to_o pass_v for_o authentic_a but_o yet_o this_o change_n and_o corruption_n in_o their_o moral_n as_o to_o practice_n do_v not_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o abolish_v the_o law_n themselves_o which_o be_v only_o wrest_v from_o their_o true_a meaning_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a corruption_n but_o not_o such_o a_o one_o as_o can_v make_v it_o to_o be_v no_o more_o the_o same_o religion_n so_o that_o we_o may_v bold_o assert_v which_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o important_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o the_o state_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v sufficient_o entire_a till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o appear_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o world_n for_o their_o preserve_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a viz._n as_o well_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n together_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o principle_n according_a to_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v in_o their_o prediction_n concern_v he_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o preface_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o
messiah_n by_o in_o which_o case_n the_o apostle_n will_v have_v content_v themselves_o to_o have_v hint_v that_o jesus_n christ_n always_o pass_v for_o the_o son_n of_o david_n as_o they_o have_v do_v in_o several_a place_n of_o their_o write_n without_o give_v we_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o pedigree_n or_o else_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n distinct_o know_v in_o which_o case_n it_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o have_v confute_v they_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o difference_n which_o be_v find_v between_o the_o genealogy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n set_v down_o by_o s._n matthew_n and_o that_o by_o s._n luke_n be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v we_o a_o occasion_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o apostle_n faithfulness_n in_o this_o matter_n that_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o new_a proof_n of_o their_o exactness_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n for_o it_o can_v scarce_o be_v imagine_v but_o that_o in_o so_o long_a a_o series_n of_o age_n there_o must_v have_v be_v some_o of_o the_o ancestor_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o who_o that_o law_n take_v place_n which_o oblige_v the_o young_a brother_n to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o his_o elder_a brother_n decease_v without_o issue_n and_o so_o to_o raise_v up_o seed_n to_o he_o which_o give_v occasion_n to_o a_o genealogy_n not_o natural_a but_o legal_a the_o child_n bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o decease_a elder_a brother_n and_o possess_v his_o estate_n now_o the_o evangeliste_n have_v set_v down_o both_o these_o genealogy_n exact_o which_o be_v a_o invincible_a argument_n of_o their_o care_n and_o fidelity_n the_o three_o be_v that_o it_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o necessary_a to_o make_v this_o remark_n in_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o messiah_n because_o as_o we_o have_v observe_v elsewhere_o it_o be_v with_o relation_n of_o the_o desire_n of_o give_v birth_n to_o the_o messiah_n or_o of_o have_v child_n which_o may_v live_v under_o his_o empire_n that_o god_n at_o first_o permit_v this_o kind_n of_o incest_n with_o the_o widow_n of_o a_o decease_a brother_n which_o otherwise_o be_v so_o severe_o prohibit_v by_o the_o law._n as_o to_o the_o low_a estate_n to_o which_o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v then_o reduce_v it_o be_v visible_a that_o david_n and_o solomon_n reign_v with_o great_a glory_n but_o rehoboam_n succeed_v they_o ten_o tribe_n fall_v from_o he_o to_o jeroboam_n in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3029._o and_o the_o posterity_n of_o rehoboam_n be_v afterward_o dethrone_v by_o nabuchadnezzar_n who_o carry_v zedechiah_n the_o king_n into_o captivity_n in_o the_o year_n 3416._o after_o their_o return_n from_o captivity_n they_o be_v entire_o thrust_v from_o the_o throne_n the_o priest_n at_o first_o govern_v that_o nation_n the_o maccabee_n who_o be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o levi_n reign_v in_o judea_n from_o the_o return_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o babylon_n until_o herod_n the_o edomite_n who_o be_v make_v master_n of_o judea_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o roman_n 2._o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v at_o that_o time_n remove_v from_o their_o ancient_a seat_n and_o be_v now_o fix_v at_o nazareth_n where_o providence_n seem_v to_o have_v remove_v they_o from_o bethlehem_n to_o take_v away_o that_o object_n of_o herod_n jealousy_n which_o will_v have_v offend_v he_o as_o we_o see_v it_o do_v when_o the_o wise_a man_n acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n which_o oblige_v he_o to_o make_v a_o diligent_a enquiry_n after_o the_o place_n where_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v that_o messiah_n who_o he_o conceive_v to_o be_v a_o prince_n who_o will_v rob_v he_o of_o the_o sovereignty_n to_o which_o he_o be_v raise_v in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v betroth_v to_o a_o carpenter_n justin_n martyr_n tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n make_v plough_n see_v what_o the_o heir_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n be_v reduce_v to_o four_o when_o she_o come_v to_o bethlehem_n she_o lodge_v in_o a_o inn_n her_o kindred_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o afford_v she_o better_a accommodation_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v very_o careful_a in_o execute_v this_o design_n there_o be_v some_o decay_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o the_o bless_a virgin_n express_v in_o her_o song_n she_o be_v descend_v from_o the_o young_a brother_n of_o depose_a prince_n and_o reduce_v to_o private_a state_n she_o speak_v of_o nothing_o but_o of_o lowness_n and_o meanness_n not_o only_o in_o a_o way_n of_o humility_n but_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o throne_n of_o jesse_n but_o that_o this_o may_v appear_v more_o evident_o and_o confirm_v by_o the_o law_n as_o it_o be_v her_o duty_n to_o present_v her_o son_n in_o the_o temple_n after_o the_o seven_o day_n with_o a_o offer_n so_o she_o do_v not_o offer_v what_o be_v prescribe_v to_o the_o rich_a and_o wealthy_a but_o a_o offer_v which_o be_v appropriate_v by_o god_n in_o the_o law_n to_o poor_a people_n as_o appear_v leu._n xii_o one_o see_v we_o by_o the_o marriage_n feast_n at_o cana_n in_o galilee_n that_o the_o kindred_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v not_o very_o rich_a their_o want_v of_o wine_n on_o such_o a_o occasion_n be_v no_o great_a mark_n of_o plenty_n one_o see_v we_o also_o that_o jesus_n christ_n frequent_o represent_v himself_o as_o not_o have_v where_o to_o rest_v his_o head_n on_o the_o cross_n he_o recommend_v his_o mother_n to_o one_o of_o his_o disciple_n and_o be_v himself_o maintain_v by_o those_o who_o follow_v he_o chap._n viii_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v conceive_v by_o the_o virgin_n mary_n without_o any_o operation_n of_o man._n as_o this_o article_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o important_a of_o our_o religion_n so_o it_o be_v well_o worth_a our_o attentive_a consideration_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n here_o that_o according_a to_o the_o observation_n of_o justin_n martyr_n 5._o dial._n cum_fw-la tryph_n p._n 297._o isai_n 5._o that_o the_o fable_n of_o perseus_n take_v its_o rise_n from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n however_o that_o prophecy_n be_v very_o express_v according_a to_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o lxx_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v accomplish_v it_o will_v not_o be_v enough_o here_o to_o say_v that_o ordinary_o extreme_a poverty_n be_v a_o sufficient_a bar_n against_o the_o suspicion_n of_o adultery_n and_o therefore_o we_o desire_v the_o reader_n only_o to_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o observation_n set_v down_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o these_o reflection_n on_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n for_o 1._o polygamy_n and_o divorce_n be_v very_o frequent_a in_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o appear_v from_o several_a passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n where_o god_n be_v please_v to_o give_v we_o example_n thereof_o 2._o god_n be_v willing_a to_o give_v we_o instance_n of_o his_o severity_n against_o adulteress_n among_o which_o those_o be_v reckon_v who_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v defile_v after_o they_o be_v betroth_v we_o have_v a_o example_n hereof_o in_o the_o eight_o chapter_n of_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o s._n john_n which_o i_o have_v illustrate_v in_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o this_o four_o part._n 3._o it_o appear_v that_o the_o same_o law_n which_o engage_v parent_n to_o preserve_v the_o virginity_n of_o their_o daughter_n do_v continue_v and_o be_v still_o observe_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o those_o other_o law_n which_o constitute_v the_o body_n of_o their_o religion_n when_o jesus_n christ_n upbraid_v the_o jew_n for_o have_v change_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o law_n yet_o he_o never_o reproach_n they_o upon_o this_o account_n 4._o the_o relation_n set_v down_o in_o the_o eight_o chapter_n of_o s._n john_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o water_n of_o jealousy_n still_o retain_v their_o virtue_n that_o which_o jesus_n christ_n write_v on_o the_o ground_n be_v probable_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o curse_n which_o the_o law_n denounce_v against_o the_o woman_n that_o shall_v violate_v her_o honour_n i_o have_v make_v it_o very_o evident_a in_o the_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o my_o second_o part_n what_o be_v the_o use_n of_o those_o law_n concern_v the_o mark_n of_o virginity_n to_o prevent_v any_o doubt_n that_o may_v arise_v concern_v the_o same_o it_o remain_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o several_a passage_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o to_o see_v what_o proof_n we_o can_v find_v there_o to_o confirm_v this_o point_n that_o mary_n be_v indeed_o a_o virgin_n when_o she_o conceive_v jesus_n christ_n and_o how_o we_o may_v answer_v the_o objection_n which_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n make_v against_o this_o truth_n the_o evangelist_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o
palsy_n to_o the_o dead_a upon_o this_o all_o be_v convert_v and_o the_o cross_n of_o jesus_n christ_n triumph_v there_o be_v three_o sort_n of_o people_n in_o the_o world_n wise_a man_n man_n of_o a_o middle_a sort_n and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o low_a capacity_n and_o several_a of_o these_o three_o order_n of_o man_n make_v profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o heathen_n chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o this_o reflection_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v more_o than_o once_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o proper_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n beyond_o all_o contest_v or_o that_o will_v confound_v atheist_n profane_a person_n and_o jew_n who_o endeavour_n to_o oppose_v it_o more_o effectual_o i_o say_v then_o that_o the_o chief_a article_n on_o which_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v be_v confirm_v by_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v by_o witness_n who_o evidence_n can_v be_v question_v without_o shake_v all_o the_o certainty_n which_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n and_o without_o reject_v all_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o can_v assure_v ourselves_o of_o the_o knowledge_n which_o we_o enjoy_v many_o particular_a event_n which_o be_v perfect_o divine_a happen_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o be_v know_v throughout_o all_o the_o hill_n country_n of_o judea_n they_o happen_v to_o a_o priest_n that_o be_v a_o public_a person_n and_o it_o be_v when_o he_o be_v employ_v in_o his_o public_a function_n in_o the_o temple_n they_o be_v second_v by_o miracle_n which_o be_v know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v follow_v by_o the_o public_a ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n a_o man_n who_o censure_v all_o judea_n who_o open_o declare_v himself_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o who_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o disciple_n who_o be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n who_o be_v spread_v throughout_o all_o judea_n and_o who_o continue_v after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n these_o be_v disciple_n of_o a_o man_n who_o beside_o all_o this_o do_v not_o keep_v up_o any_o correspondence_n with_o our_o saviour_n and_o who_o at_o last_o fall_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o herod_n for_o censure_v his_o incest_n and_o lust_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n under_o augustus_n a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o roman_a commissioner_n be_v witness_n and_o which_o the_o record_n of_o that_o empire_n preserve_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v in_o be_v that_o the_o angel_n testify_v their_o joy_n at_o his_o birth_n be_v a_o fact_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o shepherd_n of_o bethlehem_n long_o before_o jesus_n christ_n have_v any_o disciple_n that_o a_o new_a star_n conduct_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o east_n to_o bethlehem_n be_v a_o illustrious_a fact_n and_o of_o which_o herod_n and_o the_o priest_n and_o great_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v exact_o inform_v and_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v find_v it_o a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o impose_v this_o upon_o they_o if_o the_o thing_n have_v not_o be_v distinct_o know_v that_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o arrival_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n affright_v herod_n be_v a_o public_a thing_n confirm_v by_o the_o murder_n of_o the_o infant_n of_o bethlehem_n and_o report_v to_o augustus_n together_o with_o the_o death_n of_o antipater_n whereof_o macrobius_n a_o heathen_a who_o be_v qualify_v for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o a_o story_n have_v preserve_v the_o memory_n neither_o can_v this_o fact_n be_v call_v in_o question_n because_o josephus_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o since_o so_o famous_a a_o heathen_a atte_v it_o augustus_n say_v he_o have_v hear_v that_o among_o the_o infant_n which_o herod_n the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v cause_v to_o be_v kill_v in_o syria_n under_o two_o year_n of_o age_n he_o have_v kill_v his_o own_o son_n say_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v herod_n be_v hog_n than_o his_o son._n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o egypt_n and_o that_o he_o return_v from_o thence_o be_v a_o fact_n with_o which_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n reproach_v our_o saviour_n as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v there_o the_o secret_a of_o work_a miracle_n that_o he_o confound_v the_o doctor_n at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v inform_v because_o it_o happen_v at_o one_o of_o those_o three_o solemn_a feast_n which_o bring_v up_o the_o whole_a nation_n to_o jerusalem_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v by_o s._n john_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v a_o most_o glorious_a testimony_n from_o he_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o those_o jew_n who_o the_o ministry_n of_o s._n john_n have_v draw_v to_o the_o river_n jordan_n be_v witness_n that_o jesus_n christ_n choose_v for_o his_o apostle_n man_n without_o learning_n and_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n that_o he_o live_v with_o they_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a preach_v his_o doctrine_n correct_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n work_v miracle_n and_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n and_o all_o the_o roman_n that_o be_v in_o judea_n be_v full_o inform_v of_o they_o yea_o they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o the_o world._n the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o who_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o celebrate_v ten_o solemn_a feast_n according_a to_o the_o law_n during_o the_o time_n in_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v act_v and_o from_o thence_o carry_v the_o report_n of_o they_o into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n where_o they_o be_v disperse_v it_o be_v evident_a also_o that_o jesus_n christ_n labour_v to_o persuade_v man_n that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a fact_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o most_o important_a point_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o touch_v they_o the_o near_a a_o fact_n which_o happen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o all_o be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o consultation_n of_o herod_n when_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v oppress_v by_o the_o roman_n do_v most_o earnest_o sigh_v for_o his_o appearance_n a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o public_a oracle_n and_o know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n yea_o to_o the_o heathen_a themselves_o for_o near_o three_o hundred_o year_n that_o jesus_n christ_n notwithstanding_o all_o his_o miracle_n be_v crucify_v at_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o by_o the_o order_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n because_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n that_o be_v at_o a_o solemnity_n where_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v assemble_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o no_o heathen_n ever_o go_v about_o to_o deny_v they_o reproach_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o who_o be_v so_o little_a ashamed_a of_o it_o that_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o same_o jesus_n they_o celebrate_v the_o memorial_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n that_o there_o be_v thick_a darkness_n over_o all_o the_o land_n at_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o three_o hour_n till_o the_o six_o that_o be_v from_o nine_o of_o the_o clock_n till_o twelve_o according_a to_o our_o way_n of_o compute_v the_o time_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v easy_o have_v convince_v the_o apostle_n of_o this_o imposture_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v as_o confess_v a_o truth_n as_o the_o darkness_n in_o egypt_n before_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o israelite_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v the_o three_o day_n be_v a_o fact_n attest_v by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o witness_n the_o memorial_n whereof_o they_o celebrate_v every_o eight_o day_n as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v by_o a_o constant_a law_n because_o they_o consider_v this_o resurrection_n as_o the_o seal_n of_o those_o truth_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v teach_v they_o it_o be_v a_o fact_n the_o truth_n whereof_o they_o have_v maintain_v before_o magistrate_n before_o the_o people_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world._n it_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v public_o preach_v up_o notwithstanding_o all_o prohibition_n which_o have_v be_v make_v in_o short_a it_o be_v a_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