a_o consequent_a of_o they_o the_o many_o disappointment_n and_o cross_n he_o meet_v with_o the_o various_a judgement_n and_o plague_n which_o be_v inflict_v on_o he_o and_o his_o people_n by_o god_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n and_o judah_n under_o the_o reign_v of_o their_o several_a king_n the_o first_o contain_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o life_n of_o david_n and_o his_o death_n the_o glory_n and_o prosperity_n of_o that_o nation_n under_o solomon_n who_o succeed_v he_o his_o erect_n and_o consecrate_v of_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n his_o scandalous_a defection_n from_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o sudden_a decay_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n after_o his_o death_n when_o it_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n under_o rehoboam_n who_o reign_v over_o the_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n and_o under_o jeroboam_fw-la who_o be_v king_n over_o the_o other_o ten_o tribe_n that_o revolt_v from_o the_o house_n of_o david_n the_o rest_n of_o it_o be_v spend_v in_o relate_v the_o act_n of_o four_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o eight_o of_o israel_n the_o second_o book_n which_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n be_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o memorable_a act_n of_o sixteen_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o twelve_o of_o israel_n and_o the_o end_n of_o both_o kingdom_n by_o the_o carry_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n captive_a into_o assyria_n by_o salmanasser_n and_o the_o other_o two_o into_o babylon_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n the_o just_a reward_n of_o that_o people_n idolatry_n and_o impenitency_n after_o so_o many_o favour_n show_v to_o they_o this_o and_o the_o former_a book_n together_o comprehend_v the_o history_n of_o about_o four_o hundred_o year_n the_o chronicle_n or_o journals_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v the_o fill_v up_o of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o history_n which_o be_v omit_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n and_o though_o we_o know_v not_o which_o of_o these_o history_n viz._n of_o the_o king_n or_o the_o chronicle_n i_o speak_v as_o to_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o book_n not_o one_o particular_a passage_n as_o that_o in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o chronicle_n where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o cyrus_n which_o may_v be_v add_v afterward_o be_v write_v first_o for_o the_o book_n of_o king_n refer_v to_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n and_o this_o again_o send_v the_o reader_n to_o that_o yet_o this_o we_o see_v that_o this_o of_o the_o chronicle_n be_v more_o full_a and_o ample_a sometime_o than_o that_o of_o the_o king_n what_o be_v leave_v out_o or_o not_o so_o full_o set_v down_o in_o the_o one_o be_v supply_v in_o the_o other_o and_o thence_o these_o book_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n remain_n supplement_n addition_n by_o the_o greek_a interpreter_n the_o first_o book_n of_o chronicle_n relate_v the_o rise_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o adam_n which_o be_v the_o entire_a subject_n of_o the_o first_o nine_o chapter_n which_o consist_v whole_o of_o genealogy_n and_o then_o afterward_o most_o punctual_o and_o accurate_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o david_n the_o second_o book_n as_o faithful_o set_v down_o the_o progress_n and_o end_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n even_o to_o the_o year_n of_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n these_o book_n of_o chronicle_n together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o king_n and_o samuel_n make_v up_o the_o best_a and_o choice_a history_n in_o the_o world_n here_o we_o be_v abundant_o furnish_v with_o such_o useful_a notice_n truth_n and_o maxim_n as_o these_o all_o confirm_v by_o note_a and_o illustrious_a example_n and_o such_o instance_n as_o be_v certain_a and_o unquestionable_a crown_a head_n be_v encircle_v with_o care_n and_o seldom_o find_v rest_n and_o repose_v though_o their_o life_n be_v more_o splendid_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o less_o calamitous_a than_o those_o of_o the_o common_a people_n good_a king_n be_v rare_a and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n of_o those_o that_o be_v bad._n the_o best_a king_n have_v their_o fault_n and_o some_o of_o they_o of_o a_o very_a scandalous_a nature_n there_o be_v little_a piety_n in_o prince_n court_n and_o as_o little_a integrity_n and_o honesty_n the_o people_n be_v easy_o induce_v to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o their_o governor_n and_o religion_n and_o manner_n too_o often_o vary_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o superior_n good_a king_n be_v the_o great_a blessing_n and_o wicked_a one_o be_v the_o great_a curse_n to_o a_o nation_n prince_n mistake_v their_o measure_n when_o they_o either_o disobey_v god_n or_o oppress_v their_o people_n tyrannical_a prince_n procure_v their_o own_o ruin_n the_o sin_n and_o vice_n of_o ruler_n prove_v fatal_a to_o their_o subject_n public_a enormity_n be_v punish_v with_o public_a and_o national_a calamity_n king_n may_v be_v know_v by_o the_o minister_n they_o choose_v and_o make_v use_n of_o those_o counsel_n that_o be_v found_v in_o religion_n be_v most_o successful_a evil_a counselor_n contrive_v their_o own_o destruction_n war_n be_v the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o fight_v against_o god_n the_o success_n of_o arm_n depend_v upon_o the_o divine_a blessing_n the_o church_n be_v never_o more_o shock_a then_o under_o bad_a prince_n religion_n and_o reformation_n be_v never_o effectual_o promote_v unless_o the_o great_a one_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o they_o division_n and_o rent_n about_o religion_n have_v immediate_a influence_n on_o secular_a affair_n and_o when_o the_o church_n be_v divide_v the_o state_n be_v so_o too_o the_o revolution_n in_o both_o be_v by_o the_o particular_a disposal_n of_o the_o wise_a over-ruler_n of_o the_o world_n true_a religion_n and_o godliness_n be_v attend_v with_o earthly_a reward_n and_o blessing_n and_o the_o contrary_n bring_v down_o the_o great_a plague_n even_o in_o this_o world_n the_o worst_a time_n afford_v some_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o holy_a religious_a and_o zealous_a men._n whatever_o change_n and_o revolution_n happen_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o church_n of_o god_n remain_v secure_a though_o there_o be_v great_a and_o frequent_a defection_n yet_o there_o never_o be_v a_o total_a extinction_n of_o it_o in_o a_o word_n the_o church_n be_v impregnable_a this_o rock_n be_v immovable_a and_o many_o other_o proposition_n and_o maxim_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o be_v of_o great_a service_n in_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v to_o be_v deduce_v from_o these_o excellent_a history_n ezra_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a book_n of_o chronicle_n and_o comprise_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n that_o cyrus_n make_v the_o edict_n for_o their_o return_n until_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n longimanus_fw-la which_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n for_o the_o jew_n return_v from_o babylon_n be_v at_o two_o several_a time_n viz._n first_o in_o the_o day_n of_o cyrus_n the_o first_o perâ—â—an_n monarch_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o zerubbabel_n their_o captain_n and_o jeshua_n their_o high_a priest_n here_o be_v record_v the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o return_v cyrus_n proclamation_n for_o the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o lay_v of_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o the_o retard_v of_o the_o work_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o two_o of_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n at_o last_o the_o finish_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o darius_n reign_n the_o second_o return_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o artaxerxes_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o ezra_n a_o priest_n who_o have_v be_v a_o courtier_n in_o the_o persian_a court_n and_o be_v send_v into_o judea_n by_o artaxerxes_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o be_v above_o eighty_o year_n after_o the_o first_o return_n in_o cyrus_n time_n to_o expedite_v the_o building_n of_o jerusalem_n this_o pious_a reformer_n observe_v the_o people_n 〈◊〉_d with_o stranger_n and_o infidel_n and_o their_o join_a themselves_o to_o they_o in_o marriage_n proclaim_v a_o solemn_a fast_o and_o pray_v and_o mourn_v and_o lament_v their_o gross_a miscarriage_n and_o with_o great_a earnestness_n and_o zeal_n exhort_v they_o to_o reformation_n and_o amendment_n of_o their_o way_n that_o they_o may_v thereby_o avert_v god_n wrath_n and_o conciliate_v his_o favour_n and_o pardon_n this_o be_v that_o ezra_n who_o be_v the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n and_o who_o be_v also_o a_o restorer_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o collect_v and_o methodise_v they_o into_o certain_a order_n and_o review_v the_o copy_n and_o amend_v all_o errata_n that_o be_v contract_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n nehemiah_n who_o
in_o that_o country_n become_v as_o it_o be_v a_o chaldean_a and_o moreover_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v â—_o the_o chaldean_a language_n because_o he_o relate_v those_o â—â—ings_n here_o which_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o king_n of_o babyâ—â—â—_n and_o the_o affair_n of_o that_o place_n which_o can_v not_o 〈◊〉_d better_o express_v than_o in_o this_o tongue_n the_o twelve_o lesser_a prophet_n so_o call_v because_o â—heir_v write_n be_v of_o a_o smaller_n bulk_n be_v account_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o 18._o one_o book_n and_o according_o st._n stephen_n quote_v a_o passage_n out_o of_o amos_n say_v it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n amos_n 7._o 42._o the_o first_o of_o these_o holy_a seer_n be_v hosea_n who_o flourish_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o day_n of_o vzziah_n jotham_n ahaz_n and_o hezekiah_n king_n of_o judah_n and_o of_o jaroboam_n king_n of_o israel_n so_o that_o he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o isaiah_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o both_o prophecy_n he_o direct_v his_o prophecy_n whole_o against_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n which_o consist_v of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n but_o be_v by_o he_o peculiar_o style_v sometime_o joseph_n sometime_o ephraim_n at_o other_o time_n samaria_n bethel_n jacob_n and_o israel_n as_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n be_v call_v by_o he_o benjamin_n and_o sometime_o jerusalem_n his_o main_a design_n and_o business_n through_o the_o whole_a book_n be_v to_o set_v forth_o the_o gross_a idolatry_n and_o other_o flagitious_a practice_n of_o that_o degenerate_a people_n and_o to_o denounce_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n against_o they_o and_o particular_o to_o foretell_v their_o captivity_n in_o assyria_n and_o withal_o to_o excite_v they_o to_o a_o due_a apprehension_n of_o this_o severity_n of_o god_n towards_o they_o and_o thereby_o to_o beget_v a_o unfeigned_a remorse_n and_o penitence_n in_o they_o that_o they_o may_v obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o partake_v of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n and_o favour_n all_o which_o be_v do_v with_o a_o most_o ravish_a ardency_n affection_n and_o zeal_n as_o to_o the_o stilâ—_n indeed_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o as_o ezekiel_n be_v the_o obscure_a of_o the_o great_a prophet_n so_o hosea_n be_v of_o these_o minour_n one_o but_o this_o obscurity_n and_o difficulty_n be_v countervail_v by_o that_o rich_a treasure_n which_o be_v hide_v under_o they_o and_o which_o will_v prove_v a_o ample_a reward_n to_o those_o who_o search_v into_o it_o and_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o transcendent_a excellency_n both_o of_o the_o style_n and_o matter_n of_o this_o writer_n joel_n prophesy_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n though_o the_o particular_a time_n be_v not_o as_o in_o most_o of_o the_o other_o prophet_n mention_v but_o it_o be_v probable_a he_o prophesy_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o hosea_n who_o be_v set_v immediate_o before_o he_o so_o st._n jerom_n theodoret_n augustine_n and_o other_o father_n think_v he_o foretell_v the_o come_n up_o of_o a_o northern_a army_n viz._n from_o babylon_n which_o be_v north_n of_o judea_n though_o some_o interpret_v it_o of_o a_o army_n of_o locust_n and_o caterpillar_n and_o other_o such_o mischievous_a and_o devour_a infect_v mention_v ch_n 1._o v._n 4_o etc._n etc._n and_o consequent_o the_o prophet_n predict_v the_o horrid_a devastation_n dearth_n and_o famine_n in_o judea_n which_o shall_v be_v cause_v by_o they_o i_o be_o for_o join_v both_o these_o interpretation_n together_o for_o i_o see_v it_o be_v the_o usual_a way_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o scripture_n especial_o the_o prophetic_a one_o to_o express_v two_o different_a thing_n and_o occurrence_n by_o the_o same_o word_n here_o be_v then_o a_o double_a army_n speak_v of_o viz._n that_o of_o the_o chaldean_n which_o in_o a_o short_a time_n afterward_o invade_v judea_n and_o lay_v it_o waste_v and_o also_o that_o of_o noxious_a vermin_n which_o be_v to_o be_v send_v as_o a_o just_a penalty_n and_o infliction_n for_o their_o abuse_n of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o great_a plenty_n which_o they_o have_v enjoy_v whereupon_o he_o most_o warm_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o repentance_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n enjoin_v a_o fast_a and_o urge_v they_o to_o a_o strict_a observance_n of_o it_o from_o the_o hope_n of_o mâ—rcy_n and_o forgiveness_n and_o the_o removal_n of_o all_o those_o judgement_n which_o they_o labour_v under_o yea_o from_o the_o expectation_n or_o rather_o the_o assurance_n of_o a_o blessing_n upon_o the_o whole_a church_n this_o be_v brief_o but_o most_o admirable_o set_v forth_o by_o this_o man_n of_o god_n and_o as_o it_o refer_v to_o that_o direful_a judgement_n of_o famine_n and_o destroy_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n it_o may_v be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o seasonable_a form_n and_o rule_n of_o devotion_n and_o behaviour_n in_o the_o time_n of_o such_o a_o calamity_n amos_n who_o in_o his_o youth_n have_v be_v a_o herdsman_n in_o tekoa_n a_o little_a country-town_n a_o mile_n and_o a_o half_a off_o of_o jerusalem_n be_v now_o send_v to_o the_o cow_n of_o bashan_n the_o people_n of_o samaria_n the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n to_o reduce_v they_o to_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n of_o life_n to_o which_o end_n he_o bold_o remonstrate_v against_o the_o cry_v sin_n which_o be_v visible_a among_o they_o but_o especial_o against_o idolatry_n oppression_n wantonness_n and_o incorrigibleness_n he_o spare_v not_o those_o of_o judah_n but_o frank_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o carnal_a security_n sensuality_n injustice_n confident_a boast_v and_o he_o scare_n both_o of_o they_o with_o frequent_a threaten_n and_o menace_n and_o be_v not_o afraid_a to_o tell_v they_o that_o their_o persist_v in_o their_o sin_n will_v end_v at_o last_o in_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n which_o he_o confirm_v and_o illustrate_v by_o the_o vision_n of_o a_o plumb-line_n and_o of_o a_o basket_n of_o summer-fruit_n it_o be_v further_a observable_a in_o this_o prophecy_n that_o as_o it_o begin_v with_o denuntiation_n of_o judgement_n and_o destruction_n against_o the_o syrian_n the_o philistine_n the_o tyrian_n and_o other_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n so_o it_o conclude_v with_o comfortable_a promise_n of_o restore_v the_o tabernacle_n of_o david_n and_o erect_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ._n he_o prophesy_v in_o the_o day_n of_o vzziah_n king_n of_o judah_n and_o jeroboam_fw-la the_o son_n of_o joash_n to_o distinguish_v he_o from_o the_o other_o of_o that_o name_n who_o be_v son_n of_o nebat_fw-la so_o that_o he_o flourish_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o hosea_n and_o joel._n but_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o time_n for_o it_o be_v add_v two_o year_n before_o the_o earthquake_n v._n 1._o that_o be_v towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o king_n vzziah_n reign_n obadiah_n prophecy_n be_v contain_v in_o one_o single_a chapter_n and_o be_v partly_o a_o divine_a invective_n against_o the_o merciless_a edomite_n who_o mock_v and_o deride_v the_o captive_a israelite_n as_o they_o pass_v to_o babylon_n and_o who_o with_o other_o enemy_n their_o confederate_n invade_v and_o wrong_v these_o poor_a stranger_n and_o make_v a_o great_a ravage_n and_o divide_v the_o spoil_n among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v partly_o a_o prediction_n of_o the_o deliverance_n and_o salvation_n of_o israel_n and_o of_o the_o victory_n and_o triumph_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n over_o all_o her_o enemy_n some_o think_v this_o obadiah_n be_v he_o that_o be_v king_n ahab_n steward_n who_o hide_v the_o prophet_n then_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o be_v before_o these_o other_o prophet_n but_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n for_o this_o we_o may_v rather_o adhere_v to_o st._n ierom_n opinion_n who_o go_v upon_o this_o rule_n that_o when_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophecy_n be_v not_o mention_v it_o be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o same_o time_n that_o the_o precede_a prophecy_n be_v write_v in_o ionah_n prophecy_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o ninevite_n as_o obadiah_n to_o the_o edomite_n and_o relate_v how_o that_o prophet_n be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o go_v to_o nineveh_n but_o disobedient_o travel_v another_o way_n be_v discover_v by_o a_o sudden_a tempest_n arise_v and_o be_v cast_v into_o the_o sea_n and_o swallow_v by_o a_o whale_n which_o after_o it_o have_v lodge_v he_o three_o night_n and_o three_o day_n in_o its_o belly_n disgorge_v he_o upon_o the_o dry_a land_n whereupon_o be_v make_v sensible_a of_o his_o past_a danger_n and_o of_o his_o miraculous_a deliverance_n from_o it_o he_o betake_v himself_o to_o that_o journey_n and_o embassy_n which_o be_v first_o appoint_v he_o and_o arrive_v at_o that_o great_a city_n the_o metropolis_n of_o all_o assyria_n he_o according_a to_o
or_o lesser_a consistory_n and_o whereas_o the_o former_a judicature_n of_o three_o be_v in_o every_o city_n this_o court_n be_v in_o every_o tribe_n in_o israel_n all_o the_o hebrew_n writer_n of_o any_o note_n who_o design_o treat_v of_o the_o jewish_a government_n speak_v of_o these_o two_o court_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v that_o they_o be_v in_o use_n among_o that_o people_n but_o it_o be_v also_o unquestionable_a that_o they_o be_v not_o make_v use_n of_o at_o first_o i._n e._n either_o in_o moses_n time_n or_o three_o or_o four_o age_n afterward_o otherwise_o we_o shall_v have_v have_v they_o particular_o mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v never_o observe_v though_o some_o pretend_v to_o do_v so_o it_o be_v therefore_o our_o present_a business_n to_o speak_v only_o of_o those_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o jewish_a polity_n which_o be_v express_o mention_v in_o scripture_n i_o will_v proceed_v to_o recount_v those_o particular_a model_n of_o judicature_n which_o be_v express_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o these_o sacred_a write_n and_o they_o be_v these_o first_o there_o be_v in_o every_o town_n a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o overseer_n of_o the_o people_n who_o upon_o occasion_n meet_v together_o to_o do_v they_o right_o for_o the_o tribe_n be_v divide_v into_o thousand_o hundred_o fifty_n ten_o i_o e._n into_o so_o many_o family_n and_o over_o each_o division_n there_o preside_v ruler_n of_o thousand_o ruler_n of_o hundred_o ruler_n of_o fifty_n and_o ruler_n of_o ten_o to_o judge_v the_o people_n at_o all_o season_n exod._n 18._o 21_o 25._o and_o the_o same_o be_v call_v captain_n over_o thousand_o hundred_o fifty_n ten_o numb_a 31._o 14._o deut._n 1._o 15._o 1_o sam._n 8._o 5._o and_o their_o business_n be_v to_o decide_v lesser_a cause_n in_o these_o their_o respective_a thousand_o hundred_o etc._n etc._n beside_o these_o minister_n of_o justice_n in_o every_o particular_a town_n there_o be_v other_o of_o a_o large_a jurisdiction_n who_o be_v call_v prince_n and_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n numb_a 13._o 2._o &_o 34._o 18._o chief_n of_o the_o tribe_n deut._n 1._o 15._o officer_n among_o the_o tribe_n in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o judge_n and_o officer_n throughout_o the_o tribe_n deut._n 16._o 18._o there_o be_v twelve_o of_o these_o every_o tribe_n have_v its_o distinct_a head_n and_o precedent_n over_o it_o and_o these_o determine_v in_o cause_n of_o a_o great_a and_o high_a nature_n than_o the_o other_o moreover_o there_o be_v a_o senate_n of_o seventy_o choose_v out_o of_o the_o two_o former_a rank_n of_o person_n and_o they_o be_v design_v at_o first_o to_o be_v coadjutor_n to_o moses_n numb_a 11._o 16._o you_o will_v find_v that_o these_o be_v mention_v together_o with_o the_o other_o two_o in_o jos._n 23._o 2._o &_o 24._o 1._o for_o by_o the_o elder_n in_o both_o these_o place_n be_v mean_v i_o conceive_v the_o seventy_o senior_n and_o by_o the_o head_n of_o israel_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o representative_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o tribe_n and_o by_o officer_n and_o judge_n the_o ordinary_a and_o inferior_a justice_n viz._n captain_n of_o thousand_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v the_o first_o of_o these_o namely_o the_o judicature_n of_o seventy_o man_n which_o be_v most_o considerable_a and_o therefore_o i_o will_v add_v a_o few_o word_n concern_v it_o because_o moses_n be_v precedent_n over_o it_o the_o jew_n call_v it_o the_o judicature_n of_o seventy_o one_o and_o other_o add_v aaron_n to_o that_o number_n say_v it_o consist_v of_o seventy_o two_o this_o famous_a council_n which_o be_v at_o first_o appoint_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o wilderness_n be_v afterward_o a_o settle_a council_n for_o govern_v the_o people_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o be_v call_v the_o sanedrim_n which_o be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d greek_a word_n original_o but_o creep_v into_o the_o hebrew_n as_o other_o greek_a word_n have_v do_v but_o to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o the_o lesser_a one_o it_o be_v call_v the_o gedolah_n great_a sanedrim_n the_o other_o court_v sit_v in_o every_o city_n and_o tribe_n but_o this_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n only_o and_o can_v sit_v no_o where_o else_o this_o great_a consistory_n judge_v of_o all_o matter_n whereas_o the_o other_o take_v cognizance_n only_o of_o lesser_a one_o this_o be_v not_o only_o a_o court_n of_o common_a plea_n or_o nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la where_o only_o civil_a cause_n be_v try_v but_o sometime_o it_o determine_v both_o they_o and_o criminal_a action_n it_o be_v also_o a_o chancery_n or_o court_n of_o equity_n but_o the_o more_o special_a and_o peculiar_a work_n of_o this_o court_n be_v to_o try_v the_o most_o weighty_a cause_n these_o most_o common_o be_v bring_v before_o these_o seventy_o senior_n matter_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n the_o most_o important_a affair_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o such_o as_o belong_v to_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o public_a be_v try_v here_o this_o great_a senate_n be_v choose_v out_o of_o all_o the_o tribe_n and_o consist_v of_o layman_n priest_n and_o levite_n the_o king_n or_o chief_a civil_a magistrate_n be_v the_o head_n of_o it_o as_o moses_n be_v at_o first_o this_o assembly_n of_o the_o seventy_o senator_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o chief_a and_o high_a court_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o supreme_a power_n be_v think_v to_o be_v seat_v here_o according_o all_o other_o court_v appeal_v to_o this_o but_o from_o this_o be_v no_o appeal_n but_o some_o be_v of_o another_o opinion_n and_o add_v a_o four_o court_n of_o justice_n viz._n the_o public_a council_n and_o congregation_n of_o all_o the_o people_n this_o some_o make_v to_o be_v the_o high_a court_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o levitc_n wife_n that_o be_v cut_v into_o twelve_o piece_n the_o captain_n of_o thousand_o etc._n etc._n the_o seventy_o senior_n and_o all_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o people_n meet_v together_o make_v this_o great_a assembly_n this_o mikel_n gemot_n this_o parliament_n this_o be_v that_o they_o say_v which_o be_v call_v 3._o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o 3._o the_o whole_a assembly_n of_o israel_n and_o 14._o the_o whole_a congregation_n and_o 7._o the_o great_a congregation_n or_o assembly_n these_o be_v the_o several_a court_n of_o judgement_n among_o the_o jew_n whilst_o moses_n live_v he_o judge_v and_o decide_v controversy_n alone_o when_o he_o think_v fit_a or_o when_o any_o of_o these_o council_n meet_v he_o be_v the_o prince_n and_o head_n of_o they_o so_o that_o the_o jewish_a government_n so_o far_o as_o it_o respect_v these_o court_n be_v partly_o regal_a and_o monarchical_a as_o under_o moses_n and_o it_o be_v partly_o aristocratical_a as_o under_o the_o captain_n of_o thousand_o and_o partly_o democratical_a or_o popular_a under_o the_o kahal_n of_o the_o people_n we_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o sacred_a record_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o these_o excellent_a discovery_n relate_v to_o government_n which_o the_o most_o civilise_v nation_n in_o the_o world_n have_v take_v for_o their_o authentic_a precedent_n have_v speak_v of_o their_o method_n of_o government_n and_o court_n of_o judicature_n which_o be_v so_o just_o admire_v and_o imitate_v by_o all_o wise_a governor_n i_o will_v next_o of_o all_o show_n from_o these_o ancient_a write_n how_o the_o jewish_a governor_n chastise_v and_o correct_v those_o that_o offend_v against_o their_o law_n their_o lesser_a punishment_n be_v such_o as_o these_o 1._o retaliation_n exod._n 21._o 24._o eye_n for_o eye_n tooth_n for_o tooth_n hand_n for_o hand_n foot_n for_o foot_n the_o plain_a mean_v of_o which_o be_v that_o whoever_o bereave_v another_o person_n of_o his_o eye_n tooth_n hand_n or_o foot_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o the_o loss_n of_o a_o eye_n a_o tooth_n etc._n etc._n and_o sometime_o this_o literal_a and_o rigorous_a sense_n of_o the_o law_n be_v put_v in_o practice_n but_o general_o it_o be_v not_o understand_v in_o the_o strict_a sense_n but_o he_o that_o put_v out_o another_o man_n eye_n be_v to_o give_v he_o satisfaction_n i._n e._n as_o much_o as_o a_o eye_n be_v think_v to_o be_v worth_a so_o the_o targum_fw-la of_o jonathan_n interpret_v deut._n 19_o 21._o which_o be_v a_o repetition_n of_o the_o foresay_a law_n of_o talion_n the_o offender_n be_v to_o make_v a_o sufficient_a recompense_n and_o thus_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o grecian_n and_o the_o lex_fw-la talionis_fw-la among_o the_o roman_n be_v understand_v viz._n not_o of_o a_o identical_a but_o a_o analogical_a compensation_n a_o equivalent_a be_v accept_v the_o value_n of_o a_o eye_n a_o tooth_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o eye_n or_o tooth_n itself_o 2._o restitution_n the_o diverse_a kind_n of_o which_o be_v particular_o set_v down_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o exod._n 22._o as_o
his_o commission_n bold_o lay_v open_a to_o the_o inhabitant_n their_o manifold_a sin_n and_o miscarriage_n and_o proclaim_v their_o sudden_a overthrow_n if_o they_o repent_v not_o upon_o which_o the_o whole_a city_n by_o prayer_n and_o fast_v and_o humble_v themselves_o and_o by_o turn_v from_o the_o evil_a of_o their_o way_n most_o happy_o avert_v the_o divine_a vengeance_n and_o prevent_v their_o ruin_n a_o most_o admirable_a instance_n of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n a_o rare_a example_n of_o universal_a repentance_n and_o that_o even_o in_o a_o pagan_a country_n happy_a have_v the_o ninevite_n be_v if_o they_o have_v not_o relapse_v afterward_o nor_o be_v ionab_n unseasonable_a repine_v at_o this_o dispensation_n of_o heaven_n omit_v here_o by_o he_o or_o by_o whoever_o it_o be_v that_o write_v this_o remarkable_a history_n wherein_o we_o see_v the_o integrity_n of_o the_o inspire_a writer_n which_o be_v such_o that_o they_o be_v not_o backward_o to_o communicate_v to_o the_o world_n their_o own_o great_a fail_n or_o those_o which_o the_o best_a man_n be_v incident_a to_o jonah_n prophesy_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o forego_n prophet_n as_o jerom_n conclude_v and_o he_o be_v back_v by_o other_o father_n as_o clemens_n of_o alexandria_n eusâ—bius_n augustine_n theophylact._n micah_n prophesy_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n before_o the_o captivity_n of_o babylon_n in_o the_o same_o king_n reign_v that_o the_o precede_a prophet_n do_v as_o appear_v from_o the_o first_o verse_n he_o impartial_o reprehend_v the_o great_a and_o rampant_a vice_n both_o of_o jerusalem_n and_o samaria_n and_o be_v terrible_a in_o his_o denuntiation_n of_o judgement_n against_o both_o kingdom_n but_o more_o particular_o he_o foretell_v the_o approach_a destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n yet_o he_o leave_v not_o the_o church_n without_o comfort_n for_o he_o express_o foretell_v the_o confusion_n of_o her_o enemy_n the_o messias_n bless_a arrival_n and_o with_o he_o the_o peace_n and_o prosperity_n the_o increase_n and_o advancement_n the_o glory_n and_o triumph_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o micah_n seem_v to_o be_v isaiah_n epitomise_v give_v we_o that_o in_o brief_a which_o the_o other_o more_o large_o and_o ample_o insist_v on_o and_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o these_o two_o prophet_n be_v alike_o in_o their_o style_n and_o manner_n of_o speak_v which_o be_v very_o sublime_a and_o tower_a nahum_n prophesy_v after_o the_o carry_v captive_a of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n a_o little_a before_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n his_o prophecy_n be_v right_o call_v a_o burden_n that_o word_n both_o in_o the_o great_a and_o lesser_a prophet_n import_v the_o denounce_v of_o some_o grievous_a and_o heavy_a judgement_n and_o such_o be_v this_o which_o he_o here_o threaten_v to_o nineuâ—h_n for_o it_o seem_v this_o people_n return_v to_o their_o former_a evil_a way_n after_o ionah_n preach_v and_o for_o this_o reason_n another_o prophet_n be_v send_v to_o foresignify_v their_o overthrow_n by_o the_o chaldean_n upon_o this_o their_o relapse_n into_o their_o former_a sin_n he_o use_v no_o kind_a invitation_n to_o repentance_n as_o the_o former_a messenger_n do_v but_o he_o absolute_o and_o peremptory_o proclaim_v their_o ruin_n and_o with_o a_o most_o passionate_a and_o melt_a eloquence_n such_o as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v parallel_v in_o the_o most_o celebrate_a master_n of_o oratory_n decipher_v the_o horrid_a nature_n of_o it_o habakkuk_n prophesy_v in_o king_n ahaz_n and_o hezekiah_n reign_n as_o theodoret_n epiphanius_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n probable_o determine_v and_o not_o after_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o two_o tribe_n as_o jerom_n think_v for_o this_o be_v not_o pass_v when_o this_o prophet_n write_v as_o be_v evident_a from_o chap._n 1._o v._n 6._o lo_o i_o raise_v up_o the_o chaldean_n who_o shall_v march_v through_o the_o breadth_n of_o the_o land_n etc._n etc._n he_o complain_v of_o the_o corrupt_a state_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o those_o time_n predict_v the_o invasion_n of_o the_o chaldean_n as_o the_o just_a recompense_n of_o their_o misdoing_n this_o be_v remarkable_a in_o this_o prophecy_n which_o we_o find_v not_o in_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n that_o it_o be_v compose_v in_o way_n of_o a_o dialogue_n first_o the_o prophet_n speak_v chap._n 1._o v._n 1_o to_o the_o four_o then_o god_n answer_v v_o 5_o to_o the_o 11_o the_o prophet_n reply_v v_o 12_o to_o the_o 17_o god_n answer_n be_v in_o chap._n 2_o to_z the_o end_n then_o follow_v the_o prophet_n prayer_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o suffer_v the_o best_a man_n to_o be_v miserable_o treat_v and_o that_o by_o the_o worst_a and_o vile_a be_v here_o vindicate_v and_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o happy_a revolution_n be_v assure_v the_o prophet_n also_o by_o propound_v the_o example_n of_o his_o own_o singular_a faith_n and_o patience_n in_o the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o extremity_n encourage_v the_o pious_a to_o wait_v on_o god_n to_o rejoice_v in_o he_o and_o to_o expect_v deliverance_n from_o their_o calamity_n and_o revenge_n on_o their_o enemy_n in_o due_a time_n the_o whole_a be_v design_v to_o be_v a_o support_n and_o solace_n to_o the_o faithful_a in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n zephaniah_n who_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o prophetic_a office_n in_o king_n iosâ—as's_n time_n as_o we_o read_v v_o 1._o a_o little_a after_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o before_o that_o of_o judah_n so_o that_o he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o jeremiah_n free_o and_o plain_o tell_v the_o jew_n what_o it_o be_v that_o incense_a god_n wrath_n against_o they_o viz._n their_o contempt_n of_o his_o service_n their_o apostasy_n their_o treachery_n their_o idolatry_n their_o violence_n and_o rapine_n and_o other_o egregious_a enormity_n which_o be_v observable_a in_o they_o and_o their_o prince_n such_o high_a provocation_n as_o these_o render_v their_o destruction_n terrible_a universal_a unavoidable_a and_o then_o as_o most_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v wont_n he_o mingle_v exhortation_n to_o repentance_n as_o the_o only_a proper_a concern_v in_o these_o circumstance_n he_o add_v very_o severe_a commination_n against_o their_o enemy_n and_o presage_v their_o downfall_n he_o likewise_o comfort_v the_o godly_a with_o promise_n of_o the_o certain_a restoration_n of_o the_o church_n of_o a_o release_n from_o all_o their_o former_a pressure_n and_o grievance_n of_o a_o cessation_n from_o all_o their_o fear_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n and_o blessing_n so_o that_o this_o short_a prophecy_n contain_v in_o it_o all_o the_o other_o and_o may_v just_o be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o abridgement_n of_o they_o haggai_n prophesy_v after_o the_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n king_n of_o persia_n sharp_o reprove_v the_o jew_n for_o their_o neglect_v the_o rebuilding_n the_o temple_n and_o vigorous_o exciting_a they_o to_o that_o work_n both_o by_o threaten_n and_o promise_n but_o chief_o by_o the_o latter_a assure_v they_o of_o the_o divine_a blessing_n and_o assistance_n in_o so_o religious_a and_o worthy_a a_o enterprise_n and_o foretell_v they_o of_o the_o messias_n come_v and_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o this_o second_o temple_n which_o shall_v far_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o first_o even_o in_o this_o respect_n that_o the_o messiah_n himself_o shall_v honour_v this_o temple_n with_o his_o presence_n zechariah_n enter_v on_o the_o prophetic_a office_n at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o haggai_n some_o time_n after_o the_o release_n from_o the_o captivity_n and_o he_o be_v send_v to_o the_o jew_n on_o the_o same_o message_n i._n e._n to_o check_v they_o for_o their_o backwardness_n in_o erect_v the_o temple_n and_o restore_v the_o divine_a worship_n but_o especial_o for_o the_o disorder_n of_o their_o life_n and_o manner_n which_o can_v not_o but_o derive_v a_o curse_n upon_o they_o therefore_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o seek_v the_o lord_n and_o to_o turn_v from_o their_o evil_a way_n and_o thereby_o to_o conciliate_v and_o obtain_v the_o favour_n of_o god_n by_o several_a notable_a vision_n and_o type_n he_o endeavour_v to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n and_o establish_v their_o assurance_n concern_v god_n presence_n with_o they_o and_o care_v of_o they_o yea_o and_o of_o his_o whole_a church_n to_o the_o world_n end_n and_o as_o a_o proof_n and_o demonstration_n of_o this_o he_o intersperse_v the_o most_o comfortable_a promise_n of_o the_o come_v the_o kingdom_n the_o temple_n the_o priesthood_n the_o victory_n the_o glory_n of_o christ_n the_o branch_n nor_o do_v he_o forget_v to_o assure_v they_o of_o the_o ruin_n of_o babylon_n which_o have_v be_v their_o implacable_a enemy_n and_o here_o likewise_o be_v foretell_v the_o great_a number_n of_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o successful_a spread_v and_o propagate_a of_o the_o gospel_n the_o
have_v study_v to_o impair_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o particular_o of_o moses_n write_n have_v expose_v this_o place_n as_o disagree_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o sacred_a story_n concern_v the_o first_o rise_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o world_n but_o this_o be_v a_o very_a shallow_a and_o vain_a attempt_n and_o ground_v chief_o on_o prejudice_n and_o illwill_a against_o the_o inspire_a volume_n of_o scripture_n i_o have_v make_v it_o clear_a that_o there_o be_v no_o absurdity_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o look_v like_o it_o in_o the_o word_n abovementioned_a and_o i_o defy_v that_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o give_v any_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o the_o particular_n which_o i_o have_v offer_v in_o defence_n of_o they_o again_o it_o be_v say_v that_o none_o save_o caleb_n and_o joshua_n shall_v come_v into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n numb_a 14._o 30._o and_o yet_o we_o read_v that_o eleazar_n and_o other_o enter_v into_o that_o land_n jos._n 14._o 1._o chap._n 22._o 13._o this_o be_v object_v by_o some_o as_o a_o passage_n in_o scripture_n derogatory_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o if_o we_o will_v read_v the_o holy_a book_n with_o the_o same_o candour_n and_o ingenuity_n wherewith_o we_o read_v other_o author_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v offend_v at_o this_o or_o the_o like_a passage_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o common_a in_o the_o most_o serious_a and_o considerate_a writer_n than_o to_o speak_v thing_n by_o way_n of_o restriction_n and_o limitation_n as_o those_o word_n be_v speak_v and_o yet_o to_o leave_v they_o to_o be_v understand_v with_o some_o latitude_n which_o shall_v afterward_o be_v express_v and_o explain_v when_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o matter_n so_o here_o we_o read_v that_o none_o but_o caleb_n and_o joshua_n enter_v into_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n this_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o chief_a leader_n that_o have_v that_o privilege_n and_o honour_n but_o then_o if_o we_o consult_v other_o place_n where_o this_o thing_n be_v more_o particular_o relate_v we_o shall_v find_v that_o a_o large_a meaning_n be_v not_o exclude_v we_o can_v think_v that_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n be_v deny_v entrance_n into_o that_o bless_a land_n because_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o history_n that_o they_o murmur_v not_o and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v threaten_v to_o the_o murmurer_n only_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o see_v the_o land_n which_o god_n swear_v unto_o their_o father_n numb_a 14._o 22_o 23._o therefore_o eleazar_n and_o phineas_n be_v priest_n be_v except_v again_o it_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o those_o that_o at_o that_o time_n be_v go_v to_o spy_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n for_o they_o be_v none_o of_o the_o murmurer_n and_o therefore_o that_o threaten_v before_o cite_v do_v not_o reach_v they_o and_o consequent_o those_o word_n be_v consistent_a with_o what_o we_o read_v in_o other_o place_n relate_v to_o this_o matter_n but_o that_o in_o 1_o sam._n 16._o 22_o 23._o be_v cry_v out_o against_o as_o a_o unanswerable_a repugnancy_n to_o chap._n 17._o 55._o for_o in_o the_o former_a we_o be_v tell_v that_o david_n come_v to_o court_n and_o stand_v before_o king_n saul_n i._n e._n wait_v continual_o upon_o he_o and_o play_v upon_o the_o hart_n before_o he_o and_o be_v great_o belove_v of_o he_o and_o become_v his_o aymour-bearer_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o read_v that_o saul_n do_v not_o know_v david_n but_o ask_v who_o he_o be_v who_o son_n be_v this_o youth_n these_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o repugnant_a to_o one_o another_o but_o there_o be_v real_o no_o such_o thing_n all_o be_v clear_a and_o obvious_a for_o in_o chap._n 17._o 15._o it_o be_v say_v david_n go_v and_o return_v from_o saul_n to_o feed_v his_o father_n sheep_n at_o bethlehem_n he_o stay_v not_o long_o at_o court_n either_o because_o he_o like_v not_o that_o manner_n of_o life_n or_o because_o saul_n be_v weary_a of_o he_o david_n then_o have_v be_v absent_a from_o saul_n a_o considerable_a time_n and_o follow_v a_o country-life_n and_o now_o appear_v perhaps_o in_o his_o shepherd_n weed_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o saul_n do_v not_o well_o know_v he_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o and_o clear_v the_o text_n of_o all_o contradiction_n though_o i_o know_v there_o be_v other_o solution_n use_v by_o the_o learned_a as_o that_o of_o our_o english_a rabbi_n saul_n say_v he_o ask_v who_o son_n david_n be_v not_o that_o he_o be_v ignorant_a who_o he_o be_v but_o he_o only_o inquire_v who_o that_o be_v that_o have_v such_o a_o son_n the_o question_n be_v not_o of_o david_n person_n but_o parentage_n so_o lightfoot_n other_o be_v more_o curious_a in_o their_o objection_n as_o thus_o whereas_o the_o diameter_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o circumference_n be_v as_o seven_o to_o two_o and_o twenty_o this_o be_v not_o observe_v in_o 2_o chron._n 4._o 2._o speak_v of_o the_o brazen_a laver_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o geometry_n of_o scripture_n be_v faulty_a in_o answer_n to_o these_o man_n who_o be_v such_o well-willer_n to_o the_o mathematics_n i_o say_v first_o that_o the_o proportion_n of_o a_o diameter_n to_o its_o circle_n be_v not_o exact_o as_o seven_o to_o two_o and_o twenty_o therefore_o these_o gentleman_n be_v not_o exact_v themselves_o second_o i_o say_v this_o that_o the_o scripture_n oftentimes_o speak_v after_o the_o vulgar_a manner_n as_o i_o have_v show_v elsewhere_o and_o it_o be_v likely_a it_o do_v so_o here_o and_o then_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v accuracy_n of_o word_n or_o thing_n the_o bible_n be_v not_o calculate_v for_o they_o only_o that_o can_v square_v a_o circle_n or_o that_o understand_v all_o the_o mystery_n of_o algebra_n three_o if_o this_o do_v not_o satisfy_v i_o answer_v that_o the_o circumference_n of_o the_o brazen_a sea_n be_v not_o exact_o round_a but_o it_o may_v be_v towards_o a_o oval_a figure_n which_o make_v some_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o diameter_n it_o be_v ten_o cubit_n from_o brim_n to_o brim_n and_o a_o line_n of_o thirty_o cubit_n do_v compass_v it_o round_o about_o say_v the_o text_n but_o if_o it_o have_v be_v quite_o orbicular_a the_o circumference_n must_v have_v be_v one_o and_o thirty_o cubit_n or_o perhaps_o in_o this_o place_n as_o in_o several_a other_o a_o round_a number_n be_v express_v and_o the_o remainder_n be_v so_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a be_v omit_v but_o further_o it_o be_v object_v that_o this_o molten_n sea_n or_o laver_n be_v say_v to_o contain_v 2000_o bath_n 1_o king_n 7._o 26._o but_o in_o 1_o chron._n 4._o 5._o we_o read_v that_o it_o receive_v and_o hold_v 3000_o bath_n therefore_o some_o infer_v that_o one_o of_o these_o place_n be_v faulty_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v correct_v i_o answer_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o it_o because_o both_o these_o be_v consistent_a the_o laver_n be_v of_o that_o vast_a dimension_n that_o it_o can_v hold_v 3000_o bath_n of_o water_n but_o it_o general_o and_o usual_o contain_v but_o 2000_o in_o a_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o amsterdam_n there_o be_v one_o of_o these_o laver_n and_o thence_o we_o may_v solve_v the_o seem_a difficulty_n they_o fill_v it_o up_o to_o the_o neck_n but_o not_o high_o but_o if_o they_o will_v fill_v it_o high_o it_o will_v contain_v much_o more_o the_o neck_n be_v large_a and_o of_o another_o figure_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v a_o three_o part_n more_o another_o place_n which_o they_o allege_v can_v they_o will_v tell_v you_o be_v answer_v any_o of_o these_o way_n for_o it_o plain_o contradict_v another_o place_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v say_v of_o asa_n 2_o chron._n 14._o 5._o he_o take_v away_o the_o high_a place_n but_o in_o 1_o king_n 15._o 14._o it_o be_v express_o record_v that_o the_o high_a place_n be_v not_o remove_v by_o he_o i_o answer_v first_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o high_a place_n namely_o some_o where_o they_o worship_v idol_n and_o false_a god_n other_o 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but_o not_o condemn_v the_o text_n as_o corrupt_v and_o falsify_v nay_o as_o if_o it_o have_v have_v mistake_v and_o error_n in_o it_o at_o the_o first_o this_o latter_a be_v mr._n hobbs_n way_n but_o we_o may_v plain_o see_v that_o he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o expose_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o represent_v it_o as_o a_o book_n fraught_v with_o many_o inconsistency_n and_o falsity_n if_o he_o have_v deal_v thus_o with_o virgil_n or_o some_o other_o writer_n of_o that_o strain_n if_o he_o have_v impeach_v that_o poet_n be_v chronology_n in_o make_v aeneas_n and_o dido_n contemporary_a it_o have_v be_v tolerable_a yea_o laudable_a for_o some_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o dido_n be_v not_o in_o be_v till_o above_o a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n after_o aeneas_n death_n it_o be_v high_a poetical_a fiction_n to_o make_v that_o queen_n fall_v in_o love_n with_o the_o fugitive_a trojan_a so_o long_o a_o time_n after_o he_o be_v dead_a but_o in_o the_o sacred_a write_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o look_v like_o such_o defect_n in_o synchronism_n both_o time_n and_o place_n be_v true_o assign_v though_o sometime_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n before_o mention_v we_o can_v present_o discover_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o it_o be_v last_o i_o conclude_v all_o with_o those_o genealogical_a difficulty_n in_o mat._n 1._o and_o luke_n 3_o i_o begin_v with_o our_o saviour_n genealogy_n as_o it_o be_v draw_v up_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n here_o some_o heretic_n christian_n of_o old_a as_o the_o ebionite_n and_o manichee_n here_o some_o of_o the_o notable_a pagan_n as_o celsus_n julian_n and_o porphyrius_n find_v matter_n of_o cavil_v and_o some_o of_o late_o have_v think_v that_o here_o be_v such_o knot_n as_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v dissolve_v as_o first_o the_o genealogy_n run_v thus_o in_o ver_fw-la 9_o ozias_n beget_v joatham_n whereas_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o 1_o chron._n 3._o 11_o 12._o that_o joash_n amaziah_n and_o azariah_n be_v between_o ozias_n and_o joatham_n the_o answer_n be_v that_o this_o genealogist_n reckon_v sometime_o per_fw-la saltum_fw-la when_o he_o say_v such_o a_o person_n beget_v another_o it_o be_v not_o always_o mean_v of_o father_n and_o son_n proper_o but_o he_o be_v say_v to_o beget_v another_o from_o who_o that_o person_n or_o other_o proceed_v at_o a_o distance_n a_o immediate_a generation_n such_o as_o the_o father_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o his_o son_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o this_o place_n nor_o indeed_o in_o some_o other_o in_o this_o genealogy_n where_o you_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o sundry_a person_n be_v whole_o omit_v it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o that_o the_o design_n of_o st._n matthew_n be_v not_o to_o be_v strict_a and_o accurate_a in_o this_o pedigree_n and_o to_o give_v we_o a_o complete_a enumeration_n of_o person_n but_o only_o to_o present_v we_o with_o a_o general_n and_o loose_a draught_n of_o christ_n descent_n and_o this_o shall_v teach_v we_o not_o to_o be_v overcurious_a in_o scan_v the_o part_n of_o this_o genealogy_n for_o if_o the_o evangelist_n be_v not_o critical_a and_o exact_a in_o compose_v it_o why_o shall_v we_o show_v ourselves_o so_o in_o examine_v it_o again_o it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o genealogy_n be_v say_v to_o be_v divide_v into_o three_o fourteen_n and_o yet_o in_o one_o of_o they_o there_o be_v only_o thirteen_o person_n to_o be_v find_v this_o be_v solve_v by_o some_o manuscript_n which_o insert_v jachim_n into_o ver_fw-la 11._o thus_o josias_n beget_v jachim_n and_o jachim_n beget_v jechoniah_n and_o other_o interpose_v abner_n in_o ver_fw-la 13._o as_o thus_o eliakim_n beget_v abner_n and_o abner_n beget_v azor._n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o fly_v to_o other_o copy_n in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o plain_a resolution_n of_o the_o difficulty_n be_v this_o that_o in_o ver_fw-la 11_o 12._o under_o one_o name_n viz._n jechonias_n two_o person_n viz._n the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n be_v understand_v for_o that_o jechonias_n mention_v in_o ver_fw-la 11._o have_v two_o name_n and_o be_v call_v jehoiakim_n as_o you_o read_v in_o 1_o chron._n 3._o 15_o 16._o who_o be_v the_o father_n of_o that_o jechonias_n mention_v in_o ver_fw-la 12._o the_o first_o jechonias_n be_v the_o son_n of_o josias_n the_o second_o be_v the_o father_n of_o salathiel_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o former_a jechonias_n now_o if_o the_o former_a jechonias_n the_o father_n of_o the_o latter_a be_v number_v in_o the_o second_o tesseradecad_n and_o if_o the_o latter_a jechonias_n the_o father_n of_o salathiel_n be_v insert_v into_o the_o three_o tesseradecad_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n if_o the_o father_n be_v mean_v in_o ver_fw-la 11._o and_o the_o son_n in_o ver_fw-la 12._o the_o difficulty_n vanish_v for_o here_o be_v thrice_o fourteen_o generation_n according_a to_o this_o way_n which_o i_o have_v propound_v and_o the_o way_n be_v obvious_a and_o easy_a and_o can_v seem_v strange_a to_o any_o person_n who_o observe_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o lineage_n in_o this_o genealogy_n which_o be_v not_o set_v down_o with_o accuracy_n but_o something_o be_v leave_v to_o be_v supply_v by_o we_o in_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o it_o and_o particular_o in_o this_o which_o i_o last_o mention_v but_o it_o be_v further_o object_v how_o can_v jechonias_n beget_v salathiel_n v._n 12._o when_o it_o be_v say_v concern_v he_o write_v you_o this_o man_n childless_a jer._n 22._o 30_o if_o jechonias_n be_v childless_a salathiel_n can_v not_o be_v his_o son_n but_o i_o answer_v 1_o st_z childless_a may_v import_v no_o other_o than_o this_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v bare_a solitary_a desolate_a distress_a as_o the_o greek_a render_v it_o and_o as_o the_o next_o word_n may_v be_v think_v to_o explain_v it_o a_o man_n that_o shall_v not_o prosper_v in_o his_o day_n or_o two_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o iechonias_n child_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o and_o not_o one_o of_o they_o succeed_v he_o in_o the_o throne_n as_o be_v say_v likewife_n in_o the_o follow_a word_n no_o man_n of_o his_o seed_n shall_v prosper_v sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n of_o david_n and_o rule_v any_o more_o in_o judah_n this_o be_v here_o to_o be_v childless_a and_o so_o though_o jechoniah_n have_v a_o son_n viz._n salathiel_n yet_o this_o son_n be_v not_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o kingdom_n then_o as_o to_o the_o genealogy_n of_o christ_n from_o joseph_n upward_o which_o we_o have_v in_o luke_n 3._o it_o be_v object_v that_o cainan_n be_v insert_v between_o arphaxad_n and_o sala_n ver_fw-la 36._o but_o be_v not_o so_o in_o gen._n 11._o 12._o where_o these_o generation_n be_v first_o record_v i_o answer_v cainan_n be_v omit_v by_o moses_n for_o brevity_n sake_n and_o arphaxad_n be_v say_v to_o beget_v salah_n that_o be_v not_o immediate_o but_o cainan_n intervening_a but_o what_o be_v leave_v out_o in_o the_o hebrew_n text_n the_o septuagint_n supply_v 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jovin_n st._n jerom_n dau._n ambrose_n 52._o hilary_n 2._o cyril_n let_v we_o then_o forget_v his_o fault_n when_o we_o study_v his_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v no_o errata_n he_o be_v a_o interpreter_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n unto_o we_o and_o when_o he_o utter_v these_o thing_n be_v a_o friend_n and_o favourite_n of_o god_n but_o suppose_v we_o know_v certain_o which_o we_o do_v not_o and_o can_v but_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o the_o contrary_a that_o he_o be_v at_o last_o cast_v off_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o this_o do_v necessary_o invalidate_v his_o write_n god_n might_n if_o he_o please_v make_v use_n of_o a_o bad_a man_n to_o pen_v some_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o call_v judas_n to_o the_o apostleship_n and_o to_o be_v a_o eminent_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n therefore_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o solomon_n be_v a_o apostate_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o direct_a argument_n against_o the_o validity_n 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by_o the_o hand_n of_o cyrus_n king_n of_o persia_n and_o this_o he_o express_o mention_v a_o hundred_o year_n before_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o his_o prediction_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v the_o most_o remarkable_a of_o all_o he_o in_o plain_a term_n foretell_v not_o only_o the_o come_v of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n but_o all_o the_o great_a and_o memorable_a passage_n which_o belong_v to_o he_o he_o speak_v as_o clear_o and_o distinct_o of_o these_o as_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v bless_v the_o world_n with_o his_o presence_n at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o he_o write_v his_o prophecy_n he_o seem_v to_o speak_v say_v st._n isai._n jerom_n rather_o of_o thing_n past_a than_o to_o come_v and_o he_o may_v be_v call_v a_o evangelist_n rather_o than_o â—_o prophet_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n without_o doubt_n of_o the_o so_o frequent_a citation_n which_o be_v make_v of_o this_o book_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o christ_n himself_o his_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n have_v quote_v about_o threescore_o place_n out_o of_o it_o iâ—_n read_v of_o this_o book_n than_o we_o read_v the_o gospel_n itself_o we_o antedate_v the_o new_a testament_n by_o the_o write_n of_o this_o evangelical_n prophet_n i_o have_v intimate_v before_o that_o he_o be_v the_o most_o eloquent_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n he_o be_v the_o hebrew_n demosthenes_n as_o 1._o grotius_n right_o style_v he_o the_o purity_n of_o hebraism_n be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o he_o as_o in_o the_o other_o that_o of_o atticism_n he_o use_v many_o scheme_n and_o figure_n but_o none_o be_v more_o remarkable_a than_o that_o for_o which_o that_o athenian_a orator_n be_v so_o applaud_v say_v quintilian_n his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o excellent_a art_n of_o add_v gravity_n force_n and_o vehemence_n to_o what_o he_o say_v he_o continual_o exaggerate_v and_o amplify_v the_o matter_n which_o he_o undertake_v he_o have_v above_o other_o prophet_n a_o advantage_n of_o 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the_o captivity_n of_o israel_n and_o before_o that_o of_o judah_n from_o chap._n 1._o to_o ch_z 44._o and_o part_n of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o latter_a captivity_n this_o prophet_n be_v not_o carry_v captive_a with_o the_o other_o jew_n but_o remain_v in_o judea_n and_o afterward_o carry_v into_o egypt_n from_o chap._n 44_o to_o the_o end_n in_o the_o whole_a be_v comprise_v many_o thing_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o moment_n for_o here_o wefind_v this_o divine_a prophet_n lay_v open_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n with_o a_o unparalleled_a freedom_n and_o boldness_n and_o remind_v they_o of_o the_o severe_a judgement_n which_o have_v befall_v the_o ten_o tribe_n for_o the_o very_a same_o offence_n and_o miscarriage_n here_o this_o weep_v prophet_n this_o jewish_a heraclitus_n most_o passionate_o lament_v the_o miserable_a condition_n which_o they_o be_v plunge_v themselves_o into_o and_o withal_o direct_v they_o how_o to_o prevent_v it_o namely_o by_o a_o speedy_a reform_v of_o their_o life_n but_o at_o last_o he_o more_o peremptory_o proclaim_v god_n wrath_n and_o vengeance_n against_o they_o foresee_v and_o foretell_v the_o grievous_a calamity_n which_o be_v approach_v particular_o the_o seventy_o year_n captivity_n in_o chaldaea_n which_o begin_v as_o some_o think_v with_o the_o carry_v away_o of_o those_o of_o judah_n he_o also_o dissuade_v they_o from_o break_v faith_n with_o the_o chaldean_n after_o they_o be_v conquer_v by_o they_o and_o sheweth_z how_o unsuccessful_a thâ—y_n shall_v be_v in_o their_o revolt_n from_o they_o to_o the_o egyptian_n but_o even_o then_o he_o foretell_v their_o happy_a return_n and_o deliverance_n and_o likewise_o the_o just_a recompense_n which_o babylon_n moab_n the_o philistine_n and_o other_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v meet_v with_o in_o due_a time_n here_o be_v also_o several_a intimation_n concern_v christ_n the_o bless_a messiah_n and_o redeemer_n and_o concern_v his_o kingdom_n and_o government_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n here_o be_v many_o remarkable_a vision_n and_o type_n wherein_o be_v represent_v thing_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n and_o last_o here_o be_v sundry_a historical_a passage_n of_o considerable_a moment_n which_o relate_v to_o those_o time_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a book_n be_v of_o inestimable_a worth_n and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v any_o where_o but_o in_o the_o sacred_a volume_n his_o lamentation_n which_o be_v in_o hebrew_a verse_n and_o be_v so_o contrive_v that_o in_o the_o four_o first_o chapter_n every_o verse_n except_v one_o begin_v with_o a_o hebrew_n letter_n in_o the_o alphabetick_a order_n be_v write_v on_o the_o death_n of_o that_o religious_a prince_n josiah_n which_o appear_v from_o what_o be_v record_v in_o a_o chron._n 35._o 25._o jeremiah_n lament_v for_o josiah_n and_o all_o the_o sing_a man_n and_o