last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v 120_o chap._n 22._o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 126_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o of_o the_o three_o other_o follow_v book_n page_n 137_o chap._n 2._o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n 146_o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o 153_o chap._n 4._o a_o continuation_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n 158_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n give_v he_o his_o law_n be_v evident_o true_a 164_o chap._n 6._o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v 169_o chap._n 7._o that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n can_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n be_v history_n in_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o oracle_n which_o he_o have_v record_v in_o his_o book_n 173_o chap._n 8._o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o constant_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o oracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n 177_o chap._n 9_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o relation_n that_o moses_n have_v the_o messiah_n in_o view_n when_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 180_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o same_o persuasion_n appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o moses_n until_o his_o death_n 185_o chap._n 11._o that_o balaam_n be_v prophesy_v which_o moses_n relate_v be_v a_o further_a argument_n of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n in_o he_o 188_o chap._n 12._o that_o one_o may_v see_v also_o in_o moses_n be_v law_n plain_a footstep_n of_o god_n design_n in_o distinguish_v these_o from_o who_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v born._n 194_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgate_a his_o law_n among_o the_o israelite_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n 200_o chap._n 14._o that_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v design_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n 206_o chap._n 15._o that_o circumcision_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o distinguish_v the_o israelite_n from_o other_o nation_n 212_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n engage_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o study_n of_o their_o genealogy_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v that_o of_o the_o messiah_n 219_o chap._n 17._o a_o solution_n of_o some_o difficulty_n in_o these_o genealogy_n 223_o chap._n 18._o that_o the_o manner_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n fix_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n 228_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o law_n tie_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o by_o several_a other_o mean_v establish_v the_o distinction_n betwixt_o tribe_n and_o family_n among_o they_o 234_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v coneern_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n do_v principal_o relate_v also_o to_o the_o messiah_n which_o hold_v also_o as_o to_o several_a other_o law_n 241_o chap._n 21._o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n by_o all_o these_o ceremony_n and_o particular_o by_o that_o veneration_n which_o he_o inspire_v the_o jew_n with_o for_o the_o tabernacle_n to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o their_o mind_n by_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n 249_o chap._n 22._o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n 256_o to_o the_o courteous_a reader_n the_o errata_n be_v so_o small_a that_o they_o will_v not_o disturb_v the_o sense_n any_o where_o and_o so_o few_o that_o we_o need_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o a_o table_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o hope_v he_o will_v take_v such_o inconsiderable_a pain_n upon_o himself_o and_o excuse_v the_o author_n reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v three_o thing_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o for_o true_a the_o promise_v it_o afford_v we_o and_o the_o worship_n it_o command_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o as_o true_a be_v that_o god_n create_v the_o world_n that_o he_o form_v the_o first_o man_n from_o who_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n have_v be_v propagate_v that_o a_o while_n after_o this_o man_n be_v create_v he_o violate_v the_o law_n god_n have_v give_v he_o and_o that_o whereas_o he_o deserve_v to_o have_v perish_v for_o this_o his_o disobedience_n god_n be_v please_v instead_o thereof_o to_o comfort_v he_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o saviour_n which_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o his_o wife_n that_o god_n have_v actual_o send_v this_o saviour_n into_o the_o world_n which_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o christ_n viz._n his_o birth_n life_n preach_v miracle_n death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n the_o promise_v it_o vouchsafe_v be_v the_o forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o body_n and_o a_o state_n absolute_o happy_a for_o ever_o in_o heaven_n and_o last_o the_o worship_n or_o divine_a service_n it_o prescribe_v consist_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o prayer_n for_o the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o his_o protection_n and_o in_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o what_o we_o owe_v he_o for_o all_o his_o benefit_n towards_o we_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n viz._n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o relate_v may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o other_o two_o viz._n the_o promise_n and_o command_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v persuade_v that_o god_n have_v create_v this_o world_n in_o which_o we_o live_v and_o make_v mankind_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o blood_n that_o after_o the_o fall_v he_o promise_v to_o save_v man_n and_o do_v actual_o redeem_v they_o in_o send_v jesus_n christ_n who_o suffer_v death_n and_o be_v raise_v the_o three_o day_n ascend_v into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o look_v upon_o these_o fact_n as_o true_a without_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n will_v accomplish_v the_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v to_o we_o and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o we_o can_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n without_o be_v sensible_a of_o a_o strong_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o we_o to_o perform_v all_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o man_n reflect_v upon_o his_o be_v god_n creature_n he_o find_v himself_o natural_o oblige_v to_o obey_v god_n universal_o according_a to_o his_o utmost_a ability_n but_o when_o he_o come_v further_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v not_o destroy_v the_o first_o man_n for_o his_o disobedience_n but_o be_v gracious_o please_v to_o promise_v he_o a_o saviour_n for_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o posterity_n and_o when_o moreover_o he_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n have_v real_o send_v this_o saviour_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n the_o gospel_n relate_v to_o we_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o that_o he_o must_v find_v himself_o under_o the_o high_a engagement_n imaginable_a of_o render_v to_o god_n a_o religious_a obedience_n and_o believe_v his_o promise_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o obligation_n whereby_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v god_n to_o pray_v to_o he_o and_o to_o offer_v he_o all_o manner_n of_o religious_a worship_n god_n by_o redeem_v he_o have_v obtain_v a_o new_a claim_n to_o and_o right_a over_o he_o and_o a_o more_o indispensable_a obligation_n be_v lay_v upon_o man_n to_o submit_v himself_o to_o god_n in_o all_o religious_a concern_v as_o be_v not_o only_o create_v but_o also_o redeem_v by_o he_o reason_n acknowledge_v that_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v once_o admit_v nothing_o can_v be_v more_o just_a and_o natural_a than_o those_o consequence_n which_o the_o christian_n thence_o infer_v all_o the_o difficulty_n
long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
to_o who_o he_o write_v have_v no_o need_n of_o have_v the_o follow_a word_n quote_v to_o they_o which_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o hallow_v it_o that_o be_v he_o consecrate_a the_o same_o to_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n forasmuch_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o public_o and_o universal_o know_v among_o they_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o thing_n general_o receive_v even_o before_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law._n and_o indeed_o the_o philo_n the_o jew_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o solemnize_n that_o day_n have_v suffer_v some_o interruption_n and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v give_v to_o moses_n yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v first_o of_o all_o 12._o euseb_n praep_v evang._n l._n 13._o c._n 12._o that_o aristobulus_n the_o peripatetic_a in_o a_o treatise_n dedicate_v by_o he_o to_o ptolemy_n surname_v philadelphus_n cite_v several_a passage_n of_o homer_n hesiod_n and_o linus_n heathen_a poet_n which_o mention_v the_o seven_o day_n as_o a_o festival_n and_o solemn_a day_n because_o all_o thing_n be_v finish_v in_o the_o same_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o if_o some_o of_o the_o father_n as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n write_v against_o the_o jew_n have_v deny_v that_o the_o patriarch_n observe_v the_o seven_o day_n they_o do_v so_o rather_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o rigour_n of_o that_o law_n which_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o that_o day_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n which_o be_v superad_v by_o god_n to_o the_o first_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n than_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n as_o it_o be_v a_o day_n appoint_v to_o make_v a_o solemn_a commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n in_o a_o word_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o difference_n which_o god_n make_v between_o the_o sabbath_n observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o that_o which_o he_o appoint_v to_o the_o jew_n do_v consist_v in_o two_o thing_n first_o in_o that_o god_n do_v impose_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n upon_o the_o jew_n to_o abstain_v from_o all_o manner_n of_o work_n even_o to_o the_o very_a dress_n of_o meat_n necessary_a for_o the_o support_n of_o life_n we_o find_v this_o distinction_n clear_o express_v in_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v concern_v the_o first_o and_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o unleavened_a bread_n for_o he_o absolute_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o these_o two_o day_n as_o much_o as_o on_o the_o sabbath_n even_o the_o prepare_n of_o necessary_a food_n which_o he_o permit_v the_o five_o other_o day_n forbid_v only_o servile_a laborious_a work_n second_o in_o that_o the_o work_n on_o that_o day_n by_o the_o law_n be_v make_v punishable_a with_o death_n which_o be_v not_o so_o before_o which_o innovation_n and_o new_a rigour_n of_o the_o law_n establish_v by_o god_n be_v authorize_v by_o the_o punish_n of_o he_o who_o have_v gather_v stick_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n whereas_o we_o find_v that_o before_o the_o law_n be_v give_v upon_o mount_n sinai_n god_n do_v not_o command_v those_o jew_n to_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n who_o go_v forth_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o gather_v manna_n according_a to_o their_o ancient_a custom_n of_o dress_v their_o meat_n on_o that_o day_n let_v i_o add_v this_o further_a that_o though_o the_o apostle_n have_v abolish_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n concern_v the_o sabbath_n introduce_v by_o moses_n yet_o they_o themselves_o observe_v it_o which_o practice_n of_o they_o in_o all_o probability_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o christian_n for_o almost_o four_o century_n to_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n solemnize_n both_o those_o day_n the_o one_o as_o a_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o other_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n but_o what_o ever_o judgement_n may_v be_v pass_v on_o this_o last_o remark_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o genesis_n and_o exodus_fw-la first_o that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v observe_v before_o moses_n second_o that_o this_o observation_n be_v by_o the_o first_o patriarch_n propagate_v among_o the_o heathen_n also_o as_o well_o as_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n or_o as_o the_o practice_n of_o sacrifice_v with_o the_o other_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n the_o original_a whereof_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o shall_v make_v appear_v in_o our_o follow_a discourse_n after_o all_o this_o we_o must_v conclude_v against_o the_o atheist_n that_o either_o moses_n must_v imprudent_o have_v lay_v a_o snare_n for_o himself_o in_o forge_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o not_o only_o the_o jew_n but_o all_o the_o world_n be_v able_a to_o convince_v he_o since_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o but_o must_v needs_o be_v conscious_a whether_o they_o have_v observe_v the_o sabbath_n in_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o he_o relate_v it_o or_o no_o or_o else_o that_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o general_o know_v and_o the_o memorial_n of_o it_o solemnize_v every_o seven_o day_n by_o all_o those_o who_o precede_v he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o uncontested_a and_o immovable_a truth_n which_o i_o shall_v far_o evince_v by_o those_o observation_n which_o i_o shall_v raise_v from_o the_o dependence_n and_o connexion_n which_o the_o matter_n relate_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n have_v with_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v my_o business_n at_o present_a in_o perform_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o rational_a and_o coherent_a than_o the_o relation_n of_o moses_n in_o which_o the_o atheist_n imagine_v that_o they_o discover_v so_o great_a absurdity_n chap._n viii_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n though_o it_o may_v be_v think_v more_o natural_a in_o these_o our_o disquisition_n about_o the_o history_n of_o genesis_n to_o begin_v with_o those_o matter_n which_o happen_v near_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o from_o they_o to_o pass_v to_o those_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n yet_o i_o have_v choose_v rather_o to_o follow_v the_o thread_n of_o moses_n his_o discourse_n hope_v that_o this_o method_n will_v afford_v more_o light_n to_o these_o our_o reflection_n at_o least_o it_o will_v spare_v i_o the_o trouble_n of_o frequent_a repetition_n which_o in_o the_o other_o way_n i_o shall_v be_v necessary_o oblige_v to_o i_o begin_v then_o with_o this_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n both_o by_o reason_n and_o authority_n the_o creation_n of_o adam_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o he_o must_v first_o be_v convince_v of_o it_o himself_o before_o he_o can_v persuade_v his_o posterity_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o it_o be_v worth_a our_o enquiry_n to_o know_v what_o way_n he_o have_v to_o assure_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v indeed_o create_v in_o that_o manner_n as_o moses_n relate_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o tradition_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o adam_n who_o moses_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o deliverer_n of_o it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o must_v be_v assure_v that_o adam_n can_v not_o deceive_v himself_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a enough_o that_o he_o will_v not_o deceive_v his_o child_n when_o he_o take_v care_n to_o instruct_v they_o concern_v it_o as_o to_o his_o own_o existence_n he_o can_v not_o but_o be_v as_o strong_o persuade_v of_o it_o as_o we_o be_v of_o we_o all_o the_o difficulty_n lie_v in_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o come_v to_o exist_v now_o there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o adam_n may_v inform_v himself_o of_o this_o viz._n by_o reason_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o authority_n he_o can_v easy_o find_v out_o this_o secret_a by_o a_o rational_a reflection_n or_o he_o may_v also_o be_v persuade_v of_o it_o by_o god_n himself_o who_o have_v create_v he_o not_o to_o mention_v now_o any_o information_n which_o he_o may_v have_v from_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o creation_n it_o appear_v that_o adam_n who_o tradition_n moses_n have_v record_v suppose_n that_o he_o have_v learn_v of_o god_n himself_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o formation_n god_n speak_v to_o adam_n and_o sanctify_v the_o seven_o day_n that_o be_v oblige_v adam_n to_o keep_v the_o memorial_n of_o his_o creation_n he_o tie_v he_o by_o a_o law_n to_o commemorate_v his_o creation_n fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n and_o to_o render_v he_o continual_a thanks_o for_o the_o be_v he_o have_v receive_v but_o forasmuch_o as_o
of_o the_o tree_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o garden_n when_o he_o leave_v the_o rest_n to_o their_o free_a use_n not_o only_o for_o that_o he_o have_v give_v the_o rainbow_n as_o a_o new_a sign_n of_o his_o covenant_n with_o mankind_n nor_o only_o because_o they_o have_v practise_v those_o act_n of_o religion_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v by_o their_o parent_n and_o ancestor_n before_o the_o deluge_n but_o because_o the_o same_o may_v be_v infer_v from_o that_o action_n which_o draw_v upon_o cham_n his_o father_n curse_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o cham_n deride_v the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n and_o of_o his_o father_n take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o curse_v he_o so_o solemn_o and_o that_o in_o the_o person_n of_o canaan_n his_o first-born_a if_o it_o be_v only_o a_o piece_n of_o irreverence_n in_o the_o father_n what_o reason_n have_v noah_n to_o curse_v the_o son_n on_o that_o account_n or_o be_v it_o as_o some_o have_v suppose_v that_o canaan_n have_v give_v occasion_n first_o to_o his_o father_n irreverence_n by_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o disorder_n in_o which_o he_o have_v find_v his_o grandfather_n noah_n without_o doubt_n there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a in_o this_o history_n sure_o it_o be_v that_o the_o account_v give_v we_o of_o cham_fw-mi represent_v he_o as_o a_o profane_a person_n and_o deep_o tincture_v with_o the_o maxim_n of_o cain_n and_o his_o posterity_n and_o seem_v to_o hint_n to_o we_o that_o he_o suppose_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n either_o frustrate_v by_o the_o death_n of_o abel_n or_o altogether_o false_a he_o make_v his_o father_n nakedness_n the_o subject_n of_o his_o mockery_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v incapable_a of_o beget_v any_o more_o child_n and_o therefore_o incapable_a of_o contribute_v to_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o hope_n of_o which_o he_o account_v himself_o so_o happy_a that_o he_o have_v escape_v the_o deluge_n what_o mean_v it_o also_o that_o noah_n pronounce_v so_o terrible_a a_o curse_n against_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n by_o canaan_n who_o be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v a_o accomplishment_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n whole_o exterminate_v by_o joshuah_n when_o god_n put_v the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n by_o abraham_n in_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v very_o natural_a for_o we_o to_o conceive_v that_o noah_n consider_v his_o son_n cham_n deride_v of_o he_o not_o only_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o respect_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o as_o his_o father_n but_o also_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o horrid_a impiety_n which_o attack_v god_n himself_o as_o make_v that_o promise_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n a_o subject_n of_o raillery_n this_o reflection_n upon_o the_o action_n of_o cham_n and_o the_o curse_n of_o noah_n consequent_a to_o it_o do_v appear_v very_o natural_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o noah_n can_v not_o but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o name_n his_o father_n have_v give_v he_o and_o the_o special_a favour_n show_v to_o he_o in_o be_v alone_o preserve_v of_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o adam_n and_o consequent_o the_o only_a person_n in_o the_o world_n by_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v 1._o herod_n lib._n 1._o justin_n hist_o lib._n 1._o valeria_n max_n lib._n 1._o at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o reflection_n be_v as_o natural_a as_o it_o will_v have_v be_v just_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o fact_n of_o cruel_a astyages_n if_o when_o he_o have_v as_o he_o think_v sufficient_o clude_v his_o dream_n which_o presage_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o son_n of_o mandane_n his_o daughter_n he_o have_v find_v she_o indecent_o uncover_v and_o have_v take_v thence_o occasion_n deride_o to_o reflect_v with_o his_o other_o child_n upon_o a_o dream_n which_o seem_v to_o promise_v to_o the_o son_n of_o mandane_n the_o throne_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o threaten_v the_o ruin_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n worth_a our_o note_n that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n the_o samaritan_n have_v so_o fresh_a a_o memory_n of_o cham_n sin_n 14_o ezra_n iu._n 14_o which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v general_o preserve_v among_o other_o nation_n that_o in_o their_o letter_n to_o king_n artaxerxes_n against_o the_o jew_n who_o rebuilt_a jerusalem_n they_o declare_v they_o will_v not_o discover_v the_o king_n nakedness_n imply_v that_o they_o can_v not_o consent_v to_o the_o injury_n he_o may_v receive_v from_o the_o jew_n in_o suffering_n jerusalem_n to_o be_v rebuilt_a it_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o repeat_v those_o other_o argument_n which_o prove_v that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v and_o be_v actual_o as_o much_o convince_v of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n as_o their_o ancestor_n be_v for_o see_v that_o these_o argument_n be_v the_o very_a same_o which_o their_o father_n have_v to_o persuade_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n we_o have_v better_o proceed_v to_o the_o enquiry_n whether_o their_o posterity_n that_o follow_v they_o have_v the_o same_o persuasion_n they_o have_v which_o may_v easy_o be_v prove_v in_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o the_o follow_a age_n and_o upon_o those_o who_o descend_v from_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n if_o noah_n see_v methusalem_n who_o have_v see_v adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n before_o the_o deluge_n abraham_n see_v shem_n and_o his_o child_n who_o be_v unquestionable_a witness_n of_o what_o have_v pass_v before_o and_o since_o the_o flood_n noah_n die_v 350_o year_n after_o the_o deluge_n it_o appear_v that_o his_o death_n happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2006_o so_o that_o noah_n die_v only_o two_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o abraham_n he_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 2008._o abraham_n live_v 150_o year_n with_o shem_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2158_o and_o 88_o year_n with_o arphaxad_a the_o son_n of_o shem_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2096_o he_o live_v 118_o year_n with_o selah_n son_n of_o arphaxad_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2126_o and_o 179_o year_n with_o heber_n the_o son_n of_o selah_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2187._o isaac_n be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 2108_o may_v see_v shem_n selah_n and_o heber_n who_o for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n have_v converse_v with_o noah_n and_o his_o other_o child_n i_o say_v we_o may_v suppose_v he_o to_o have_v converse_v with_o those_o patriarch_n or_o at_o least_o with_o those_o who_o be_v their_o contemporary_n discourse_v of_o noah_n as_o a_o man_n but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o from_o his_o relation_n and_o his_o child_n be_v inform_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o adam_n his_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a seed_n the_o death_n of_o abel_n the_o miracle_n of_o paradise_n the_o preach_a of_o noah_n the_o deluge_n etc._n etc._n and_o who_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n observe_v by_o their_o ancestor_n do_v meet_v together_o fifty_o two_o time_n every_o year_n to_o celebrate_v the_o memorial_n of_o these_o wonder_n and_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o their_o posterity_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n here_o which_o conduce_v much_o to_o the_o preservation_n of_o a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o these_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v 1060._o de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syra_n p._n 1060._o that_o the_o ark_n itself_o may_v be_v see_v by_o all_o the_o world_n as_o a_o certain_a monument_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o the_o save_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o son_n this_o monument_n continue_v very_o many_o age_n after_o abraham_n and_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o deluge_n among_o the_o pagan_n as_o lucian_n to_o name_v no_o more_o acquaint_v we_o the_o second_o be_v that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o any_o of_o abraham_n contemporary_n as_o for_o abraham_n to_o deduce_v his_o genealogy_n from_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o easy_a because_o the_o first_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n be_v follow_v by_o another_o partition_n among_o their_o posterity_n in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1758_o a_o division_n which_o give_v they_o a_o just_a title_n of_o possession_n to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n where_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o defence_n of_o which_o it_o seem_v probable_a that_o the_o war_n of_o chedorlaomer_n mention_v the_o xiii_o of_o genesis_n be_v undertake_v the_o family_n of_o cham_n have_v invade_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v part_n of_o the_o inheritance_n of_o shem_n as_o we_o shall_v
all_o write_n with_o public_a allowance_n after_o every_o king_n decease_n may_v indeed_o be_v so_o about_o the_o latter_a time_n as_o it_o be_v practise_v in_o egypt_n but_o that_o it_o be_v as_o absolute_o false_a that_o the_o chinese_n have_v ever_o in_o former_a time_n such_o public_a historian_n and_o as_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v former_o any_o such_o although_o they_o be_v as_o confident_a to_o say_v they_o have_v in_o alexander_n time_n as_o the_o chinese_n be_v now_o but_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o clear_n of_o that_o matter_n we_o must_v now_o answer_v the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n chap._n xxi_o wherein_o the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v as_o i_o intend_v to_o clear_v all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v arise_v about_o this_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v peruse_v these_o observation_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o prevent_v and_o resolve_v the_o only_a plausible_a objection_n i_o know_v remain_v after_o all_o what_o i_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a perhaps_o some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o reply_v here_o that_o they_o indeed_o confess_v moses_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n and_o that_o if_o that_o book_n have_v real_o be_v supposititious_a it_o can_v never_o have_v go_v under_o his_o name_n nor_o be_v receive_v as_o he_o in_o after_o age_n but_o that_o yet_o all_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v sufficient_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n record_v in_o that_o book_n because_o moses_n may_v have_v force_v upon_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o belief_n of_o they_o by_o those_o law_n that_o he_o enact_v among_o they_o by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o dare_v to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v write_v in_o his_o book_n this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o that_o the_o most_o contentious_a atheist_n can_v think_v of_o to_o undermine_v the_o authority_n of_o moses_n history_n but_o this_o objection_n be_v easy_o answer_v for_o it_o consute_v itself_o for_o first_o it_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o great_a miracle_n by_o which_o god_n establish_v moses_n the_o head_n and_o captain_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o miracle_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o hard_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o several_a account_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n we_o find_v according_o among_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o many_o monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n when_o he_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o egypt_n as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o other_o four_o book_n of_o moses_n second_o they_o must_v at_o least_o suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o several_a passage_n in_o which_o he_o can_v not_o impose_v upon_o other_o nation_n which_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v his_o authority_n as_o for_o example_n all_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o build_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o great_a piece_n of_o architecture_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n the_o great_a building_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o part_n of_o which_o be_v yet_o extant_a for_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v three_o they_o must_v likewise_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v relate_v several_a other_o passage_n as_o exact_o as_o he_o do_v those_o as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n which_o be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n that_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n the_o original_a of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n of_o canaan_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n for_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o conceive_v that_o this_o lawgiver_n shall_v ever_o hope_v to_o persuade_v other_o nation_n to_o believe_v any_o false_a story_n about_o matter_n so_o well_o and_o so_o general_o know_v as_o those_o be_v among_o themselves_o four_o they_o must_v suppose_v further_a that_o he_o have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n who_o head_n and_o governor_n he_o be_v how_o great_a and_o absolute_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n may_v be_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o ever_o he_o will_v have_v derive_v the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n from_o any_o other_o than_o from_o their_o true_a ancestor_n this_o appear_v the_o more_o necessary_a in_o that_o we_o see_v by_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n and_o pedigree_n in_o genesis_n that_o he_o write_v that_o book_n especial_o from_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n on_o to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o only_o to_o show_v the_o right_n and_o just_a pretension_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n five_o they_o must_v yet_o further_o acknowledge_v whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o give_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o the_o pretension_n and_o division_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n now_o these_o pretension_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n than_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o his_o history_n they_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o oracle_n against_o all_o the_o pretension_n and_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n what_o violence_n soever_o they_o may_v pretend_v that_o moses_n may_v use_v to_o force_v a_o implicit_a belief_n of_o his_o history_n and_o blind_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n yet_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n can_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o will_v have_v fill_v the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n with_o lie_n or_o that_o if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v expect_v that_o his_o false_a account_n of_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v credit_v by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n or_o even_o by_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o without_o urge_v here_o several_a other_o absurdity_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n to_o be_v find_v betwixt_o the_o account_n of_o thing_n which_o moses_n recite_v as_o public_o know_v and_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v of_o his_o own_o head_n and_o private_a knowledge_n there_o be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v betwixt_o all_o those_o several_a account_n such_o a_o natural_a coherence_n and_o necessary_a concatenation_n that_o they_o can_v be_v divide_v from_o one_o another_o without_o destroy_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o his_o history_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o law_n by_o which_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o narration_n shall_v make_v the_o sincerity_n of_o it_o suspect_v i_o do_v not_o urge_v here_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evident_a absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n will_v ever_o have_v relate_v together_o all_o those_o transaction_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o the_o world_n before_o he_o neither_o do_v i_o mention_v here_o that_o suppose_v moses_n have_v be_v so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o attempt_v such_o a_o undertake_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n and_o that_o a_o very_a numerous_a one_o will_v have_v long_o persevere_v in_o a_o profession_n force_v upon_o they_o by_o mere_a violence_n and_o tyranny_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v neither_o so_o patient_a nor_o so_o easy_o persuade_v by_o moses_n nor_o yet_o so_o submissive_a to_o he_o as_o these_o objector_n do_v imagine_v that_o be_v plain_a and_o apparent_a enough_o from_o all_o their_o sedition_n and_o conspiracy_n against_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o what_o be_v plain_a enough_o of_o itself_o viz._n that_o moses_n have_v no_o successor_n any_o way_n concern_v to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v these_o pretend_a fiction_n and_o fable_n of_o his_o history_n joshua_n his_o immediate_a successor_n be_v of_o another_o tribe_n and_o so_o be_v all_o the_o succeed_a governor_n of_o israel_n until_o the_o maccabee_n come_v but_o what_o i_o think_v deserve_v best_a to_o be_v observe_v here_o be_v that_o after_o moses_n and_o joshua_n decease_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v under_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o canaanite_n and_o consequent_o free_v from_o the_o terror_n of_o that_o law_n of_o moses_n make_v by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n â—nd_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o his_o write_n there_o be_v but_o a_o
those_o song_n that_o be_v so_o much_o in_o fashion_n among_o those_o of_o his_o nation_n he_o may_v easy_o satisfy_v his_o curiosity_n by_o read_v moses_n history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v what_o sort_n of_o exhortation_n they_o be_v which_o the_o founder_n both_o of_o their_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n have_v former_o make_v to_o their_o forefather_n moses_n relate_v a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o in_o his_o book_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o receive_v instruction_n about_o the_o original_a and_o cause_n of_o those_o temporal_a blessing_n he_o enjoy_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o god_n have_v possess_v his_o nation_n of_o after_o the_o expulsion_n of_o those_o people_n that_o have_v be_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o for_o many_o age_n moses_n give_v as_o good_a account_n of_o all_o that_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o the_o several_a calamity_n that_o befall_v his_o nation_n on_o several_a occasion_n moses_n acquaint_v they_o both_o with_o the_o cause_n and_o remedy_n of_o all_o their_o affliction_n last_o if_o the_o jew_n desire_v to_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o future_a condition_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n in_o after_o age_n moses_n foretell_v it_o in_o so_o particular_a and_o clear_a a_o manner_n that_o they_o may_v look_v upon_o his_o prophecy_n not_o as_o certain_a prophecy_n only_o but_o as_o a_o plain_a history_n of_o future_a event_n begin_v and_o trace_v out_o before_o their_o accomplishment_n all_o this_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o considerable_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n with_o care_n that_o we_o may_v just_o observe_v three_o thing_n in_o his_o person_n which_o as_o they_o raise_v he_o above_o all_o common_a author_n so_o they_o can_v but_o strengthen_v the_o belief_n and_o increase_v the_o esteem_n and_o veneration_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v for_o his_o history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o whereas_o all_o man_n be_v careful_a to_o conceal_v their_o own_o infirmity_n and_o whatever_o be_v dishonourable_a to_o their_o famille_n moses_n on_o the_o contrary_n seem_v to_o have_v affect_v to_o record_v all_o the_o thing_n that_o can_v blemish_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o derogate_v to_o his_o own_o reputation_n he_o blemish_n jacob_n memory_n by_o his_o relate_n how_o he_o prefer_v joseph_n the_o son_n of_o his_o belove_a wife_n to_o reuben_n his_o elder_a who_o he_o unjust_o deprive_v of_o his_o birthright_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o other_o which_o injustice_n be_v express_o forbid_v by_o one_o of_o moses_n law_n thus_o he_o lay_v a_o eternal_a blot_n and_o reproach_n upon_o the_o memory_n of_o levi_n the_o head_n of_o his_o own_o family_n when_o he_o mention_n his_o cruelty_n and_o violence_n against_o the_o sichemite_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o his_o posterity_n among_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o he_o vilify_v his_o own_o birth_n by_o forbid_v any_o marriage_n betwixt_o a_o aunt_n and_o her_o nephew_n see_v he_o relate_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v bear_v of_o jocabed_a both_o aunt_n and_o wife_n to_o his_o father_n amram_n he_o describe_v his_o own_o incredulity_n with_o all_o the_o ingenuity_n imaginable_a when_o he_o represent_v the_o several_a miracle_n which_o god_n wrought_v by_o he_o he_o seem_v to_o speak_v of_o himself_o only_o to_o lay_v open_a his_o own_o fail_n and_o sin_n such_o a_o sincerity_n and_o impartiality_n we_o know_v confirm_v and_o increase_v mighty_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o author_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v that_o moses_n not_o regard_v the_o advantage_n and_o honour_n of_o his_o own_o family_n leave_v the_o government_n of_o israel_n to_o joshuah_n one_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n and_o so_o reduce_v his_o own_o child_n and_o their_o posterity_n to_o the_o low_a condition_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v of_o a_o inferior_a rank_n to_o that_o of_o priest_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o they_o ever_o after_o renew_v the_o pretension_n which_o they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v have_v to_o succeed_v moses_n now_o such_o neglect_n of_o his_o family_n show_v that_o moses_n principle_n be_v raise_v much_o above_o the_o ordinary_a pitch_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o law_n giver_n who_o be_v absolute_a and_o supreme_a over_o their_o people_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a here_o be_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o share_n in_o the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o all_o be_v subdue_v after_o his_o death_n nay_o it_o be_v that_o conquest_n that_o fix_v and_o settle_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n which_o be_v before_o unsettle_a and_o as_o it_o be_v ambulatory_a in_o the_o desert_n now_o how_o can_v such_o a_o singular_a design_n as_o moses_n describe_v in_o his_o law_n be_v put_v in_o execution_n by_o any_o other_o than_o by_o he_o that_o form_v it_o it_o be_v joshua_n that_o make_v this_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o possess_v the_o jew_n of_o it_o now_o to_o be_v sure_a if_o that_o people_n have_v not_o be_v then_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o moses_n law_n they_o will_v never_o have_v fail_v after_o so_o great_a a_o alteration_n to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o power_n and_o liberty_n in_o throw_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o his_o law_n nor_o yet_o will_v joshua_n and_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n ever_o have_v maintain_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o law_n if_o they_o have_v not_o look_v upon_o moses_n not_o only_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a man_n but_o also_o as_o one_o particular_o commissionated_a by_o god_n to_o make_v that_o body_n of_o law_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o his_o people_n we_o read_v in_o those_o book_n of_o moses_n die_a in_o the_o mountain_n of_o moab_n now_o that_o be_v suppose_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o if_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v that_o god_n himself_o give_v their_o law_n to_o moses_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n mention_v by_o he_o they_o will_v have_v continue_v to_o keep_v up_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o ill_a ground_a conceit_n if_o he_o have_v real_o by_o his_o tyrannical_a authority_n force_v the_o israelite_n into_o a_o compliance_n to_o his_o law_n during_o his_o life_n why_o do_v they_o not_o assoon_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a with_o the_o fear_n of_o his_o authority_n shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o his_o law_n and_o all_o respect_n for_o his_o memory_n one_o thing_n we_o may_v remark_n as_o very_o surprise_v in_o the_o relation_n of_o that_o legislator_n death_n which_o be_v that_o his_o body_n be_v not_o find_v after_o his_o death_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o that_o people_n which_o otherwise_o keep_v up_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o so_o much_o care_n the_o bone_n of_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n in_o order_n to_o bury_v and_o deposite_n they_o in_o the_o sepulcher_n of_o their_o ancestor_n for_o both_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n be_v inter_v in_o judaea_n do_v ever_o build_v a_o tomb_n to_o their_o lawgiver_n or_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o show_v his_o sepulchre_n josephus_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o moses_n write_v himself_o the_o account_n of_o his_o own_o death_n for_o fear_v the_o jew_n shall_v ever_o imagine_v and_o so_o give_v out_o that_o god_n have_v take_v he_o up_o into_o heaven_n i_o see_v i_o confess_v no_o solidity_n in_o that_o conjecture_n of_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o may_v give_v we_o occasion_n to_o make_v a_o reflection_n hereupon_o i_o think_v more_o natural_a and_o easy_a which_o be_v that_o god_n have_v a_o mind_n as_o joshua_n intimate_v it_o to_o confirm_v the_o many_o character_n of_o divinity_n that_o appear_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o take_v away_o from_o before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o jew_n his_o corpse_n which_o they_o will_v certain_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o prevent_v have_v keep_v with_o more_o care_n than_o those_o of_o all_o their_o patriarch_n and_o king_n the_o description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n death_n show_v evident_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o in_o great_a esteem_n during_o his_o life_n but_o that_o even_o his_o death_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o increase_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v man_n look_v upon_o he_o as_o one_o glorious_o raise_v up_o above_o the_o common_a condition_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o infirmity_n and_o misery_n incident_a to_o human_a nature_n but_o after_o these_o general_a reflection_n i_o must_v come_v to_o those_o that_o be_v more_o particular_a chap._n iii_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o whoever_o will_v examine_v with_o attention_n the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o
probable_a that_o a_o prince_n especial_o of_o his_o temper_n will_v have_v submit_v to_o such_o a_o confinement_n and_o meek_o resign_v his_o crown_n to_o his_o son_n if_o that_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o he_o have_v not_o full_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v transgress_v and_o violate_v by_o his_o temerity_n and_o presumption_n the_o three_o reflection_n be_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o law_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o a_o irreconcilable_a aversion_n against_o all_o those_o nation_n among_o who_o they_o be_v go_v to_o settle_v they_o be_v so_o frame_v as_o not_o only_o to_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o egypt_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v but_o also_o to_o those_o receive_v among_o the_o hivites_n amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n of_o who_o country_n they_o be_v go_v to_o possess_v themselves_o thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o leviticus_n law_n against_o all_o incestuous_a marriage_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v ordinary_a among_o the_o canaanite_n and_o egyptian_n who_o therein_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n who_o marry_v within_o those_o forbid_a degree_n there_o we_o find_v also_o the_o sacrifice_n to_o moloch_n forbid_v the_o practice_n whereof_o those_o nation_n in_o all_o likelihood_n defend_v by_o the_o example_n of_o abraham_n sacrifice_n now_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v think_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n will_v of_o a_o sudden_a receive_v such_o law_n as_o deprive_v they_o of_o a_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n they_o have_v always_o hitherto_o enjoy_v and_o condemn_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n those_o sacrifice_n that_o have_v the_o fair_a pretence_n of_o religion_n imaginable_a and_o to_o use_v many_o ceremony_n contrary_a to_o those_o receive_v among_o they_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v a_o strong_a and_o extraordinary_a motive_n for_o so_o do_v there_o be_v another_o thing_n beside_o that_o challenge_v our_o consideration_n viz._n the_o exact_a description_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o that_o sacred_a place_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o tabernacle_n with_o all_o its_o appurtenance_n utensil_n and_o ornament_n be_v finish_v for_o as_o this_o tabernacle_n be_v then_o the_o centre_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a religion_n as_o the_o temple_n be_v afterward_o by_o succeed_v to_o it_o so_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n that_o be_v perform_v there_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v contribute_v to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o shall_v see_v it_o consecrate_a and_o take_v to_o piece_n and_o set_v together_o again_o every_o day_n and_o shall_v read_v all_o the_o particular_n relate_v to_o its_o construction_n and_o not_o discern_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n and_o reality_n in_o all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o concern_v the_o religion_n which_o their_o governor_n fix_v in_o that_o place_n wherein_o he_o pretend_v many_o revelation_n be_v make_v chap._n vi_o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgation_n as_o moses_n relate_v it_o we_o may_v further_o collect_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o join_v these_o follow_a reflection_n to_o those_o already_o make_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n certain_o if_o moses_n have_v be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o a_o kingdom_n and_o have_v be_v succeed_v in_o it_o by_o his_o own_o child_n and_o posterity_n for_o many_o generation_n one_o after_o another_o we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o his_o successor_n consult_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o honour_n will_v have_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o persuade_v their_o subject_n that_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o their_o kingdom_n have_v some_o communication_n with_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v from_o he_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n and_o constitution_n which_o he_o give_v they_o concern_v civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o moses_n be_v so_o far_o from_o invest_v his_o own_o child_n with_o the_o supreme_a authority_n after_o himself_o that_o he_o translate_v it_o into_o another_o tribe_n and_o constitute_v joshuah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n as_o for_o his_o posterity_n he_o take_v little_a care_n of_o it_o but_o reduce_v it_o to_o a_o rank_a inferior_a to_o that_o of_o aaron_n family_n which_o he_o prefer_v to_o the_o most_o honourable_a function_n of_o the_o priesthood_n leave_v to_o his_o own_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o inconsiderable_a employment_n all_o which_o show_v evident_o that_o none_o of_o those_o who_o come_v after_o moses_n be_v move_v by_o any_o private_a interest_n of_o their_o own_o to_o defend_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n and_o write_n but_o only_o by_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n they_o have_v that_o they_o be_v all_o divine_a neither_o ought_v we_o to_o omit_v to_o consider_v here_o the_o manner_n how_o moses_n decide_v beforehand_o such_o question_n and_o determine_v such_o controversy_n as_o can_v not_o be_v raise_v but_o after_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v make_v by_o his_o successor_n only_o after_o his_o death_n and_o how_o those_o law_n be_v constant_o observe_v in_o all_o the_o succeed_a generation_n of_o that_o people_n and_o submit_v unto_o by_o the_o very_a judge_n and_o king_n themselves_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o for_o a_o conqueror_n such_o as_o joshua_n be_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o other_o fundamental_a law_n in_o that_o state_n he_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o than_o those_o which_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nothing_o be_v more_o usual_a than_o for_o statesman_n to_o affect_v the_o expose_v the_o conduct_n of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v alter_v and_o from_o democratical_a or_o aristocratical_a be_v change_v into_o monarchical_a as_o it_o happen_v among_o the_o israelite_n how_o then_o can_v moses_n law_n still_o keep_v up_o their_o authority_n in_o all_o change_n and_o revolution_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o succession_n of_o judge_n and_o king_n there_o be_v never_o any_o of_o they_o attempt_v to_o suspend_v or_o annul_v moses_n law_n much_o less_o to_o enact_v and_o give_v any_o other_o contrary_a to_o they_o again_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o division_n and_o faction_n that_o nation_n fall_v into_o there_o be_v never_o any_o jew_n endeavour_v with_o any_o success_n to_o undeceive_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o own_o people_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n no_o doubt_v only_o because_o the_o generality_n of_o that_o nation_n never_o dispute_v the_o divine_a origin_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o in_o moses_n write_n be_v inlay_v one_o within_o another_o and_o represent_v as_o occasion_v by_o several_a transaction_n relate_v there_o have_v all_o be_v equal_o receive_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o have_v all_o be_v put_v together_o in_o a_o body_n by_o themselves_o before_o moses_n death_n as_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o xxxi_o of_o deuteronomy_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v public_a and_o in_o great_a esteem_n among_o that_o people_n to_o who_o god_n give_v they_o upon_o who_o he_o lay_v a_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o read_v they_o every_o day_n and_o to_o consult_v they_o upon_o every_o emergent_a business_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v know_v equal_o of_o all_o degree_n of_o man_n sex_n and_o age_n which_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o pay_v obedience_n to_o they_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v not_o only_o public_o keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n but_o also_o private_o read_v in_o every_o family_n we_o see_v that_o a_o whole_a tribe_n viz._n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o explain_v they_o and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n and_o exempt_v from_o the_o care_n and_o trouble_n that_o necessary_o attend_v husbandry_n by_o the_o plentiful_a provision_n of_o tithe_n and_o offering_n that_o be_v allot_v to_o they_o we_o see_v that_o god_n oblige_v all_o jew_n to_o read_v and_o meditate_v
to_o have_v design_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n we_o have_v see_v in_o general_a that_o god_n by_o give_v his_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n intend_v to_o discriminate_a they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o particular_a from_o those_o nation_n which_o have_v show_v themselves_o to_o be_v jealous_a of_o that_o distinction_n i_o mean_v from_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o ismaelite_n and_o the_o edomite_n as_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o show_v i_o have_v likewise_o observe_v that_o god_n by_o his_o conduct_n and_o his_o oracle_n do_v also_o excite_v a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o promise_n i_o come_v now_o to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v follow_v the_o same_o design_n in_o his_o law_n and_o that_o he_o have_v make_v use_n of_o that_o jealousy_n as_o of_o another_o mean_n to_o make_v that_o people_n which_o he_o have_v separate_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n keep_v up_o always_o among_o themselves_o a_o lively_a notion_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n perhaps_o the_o reader_n may_v think_v that_o these_o reflection_n may_v interrupt_v the_o series_n of_o the_o observation_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v upon_o moses_n law_n but_o beside_o that_o i_o shall_v resume_v they_o present_o so_o one_o may_v easy_o discern_v that_o these_o two_o remark_n concern_v the_o spirit_n of_o distinction_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n keep_v up_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o this_o people_n aught_o to_o be_v well_o consider_v by_o those_o that_o desire_v to_o know_v the_o genius_n of_o god_n law_n and_o the_o original_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n relate_v by_o moses_n and_o by_o the_o other_o sacred_a author_n who_o act_v in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o design_n which_o appear_v in_o those_o law_n which_o moses_n give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n i_o begin_v with_o two_o general_a reflection_n which_o i_o think_v be_v very_o useful_a in_o the_o explication_n of_o god_n conduct_n upon_o this_o occasion_n two_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v have_v conduce_v to_o keep_v up_o that_o jealousy_n whereof_o moses_n have_v give_v so_o many_o instance_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o first_o be_v the_o preference_n which_o god_n have_v common_o give_v to_o the_o young_a brother_n before_o the_o elder_n the_o second_o be_v the_o choice_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o such_o particular_a person_n as_o appear_v absolute_o unworthy_a of_o god_n choice_n so_o that_o here_o one_o see_v we_o a_o continual_a series_n in_o the_o jewish_a history_n write_v by_o moses_n and_o by_o the_o prophet_n who_o make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o that_o model_n which_o moses_n have_v give_v they_o first_o of_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n be_v prefer_v before_o all_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o particular_o before_o the_o tribe_n of_o reuben_n which_o afterward_o occasion_v the_o insurrection_n of_o some_o reubenites_n in_o their_o sedition_n against_o moses_n wherein_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n perish_v just_o as_o god_n prefer_v abel_n offend_v cain_n and_o as_o joseph_n brethren_n conspire_v together_o to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n because_o of_o his_o dream_n which_o foretell_v his_o greatness_n and_o their_o fall_n second_o one_o see_v we_o that_o phares_n judah_n young_a son_n be_v prefer_v not_o only_o before_o all_o the_o other_o child_n of_o judah_n but_o even_o before_o zerah_n the_o elder_a of_o the_o twin_n which_o judah_n have_v by_o thamar_n just_a as_o jacob_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brother_n esau_n though_o they_o be_v twin_n and_o esau_n bear_v the_o first_o of_o the_o two_o one_o see_v we_o afterward_o that_o god_n have_v choose_v jesse_n of_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o phares_n david_n the_o young_a of_o all_o his_o son_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brethren_n when_o god_n be_v please_v to_o translate_v the_o kingdom_n to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o to_o the_o family_n of_o jesse_n just_o as_o we_o see_v before_o that_o in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o first_o king_n who_o the_o israelite_n desire_v to_o be_v set_v over_o they_o that_o he_o be_v choose_v by_o lot_n by_o a_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o providence_n out_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o the_o young_a of_o all_o jacob_n child_n thus_o one_o see_v we_o that_o solomon_n the_o young_a of_o david_n child_n be_v prefer_v before_o his_o brother_n and_o that_o the_o same_o solomon_n build_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n though_o he_o himself_o be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n we_o shall_v afterward_o see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v descend_v from_o david_n by_o nathan_n son_n to_o one_o of_o david_n young_a child_n and_o by_o resah_n zorobabel_n young_a son_n from_o who_o the_o bless_a virgin_n draw_v her_o original_a the_o second_o remark_n be_v about_o the_o care_n god_n have_v take_v by_o his_o choice_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n to_o furnish_v those_o with_o pretence_n and_o objection_n who_o may_v be_v interest_v to_o oppose_v the_o restriction_n which_o god_n have_v make_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o equal_n for_o as_o they_o serve_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o jealousy_n among_o all_o the_o pretender_n to_o the_o promise_n so_o they_o also_o serve_v to_o preserve_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v they_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o it_o in_o short_a as_o we_o see_v that_o the_o ismaelite_n may_v upbraid_v sarah_n both_o with_o her_o frequent_a rape_n and_o with_o her_o cruelty_n to_o agar_n and_o ishmael_n as_o the_o edomite_n may_v upbraid_v jacob_n posterity_n with_o rebecca_n supplant_n their_o father_n esau_n and_o cheat_v he_o of_o his_o blessing_n so_o likewise_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o god_n not_o only_o choose_v thamar_n to_o have_v the_o messiah_n descend_v from_o she_o but_o also_o will_v have_v her_o incest_n with_o her_o father_n in-law_n record_v what_o may_v all_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n say_v be_v there_o then_o no_o honest_a woman_n in_o israel_n that_o the_o messiah_n ancestor_n must_v descend_v from_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o incestuous_a commerce_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o that_o god_n shall_v choose_v the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n have_v not_o all_o the_o other_o child_n of_o judah_n a_o fair_a pretention_n to_o this_o privilege_n than_o phares_n can_v have_v and_o may_v not_o their_o posterity_n revive_v against_o the_o posterity_n of_o phares_n that_o severe_a law_n against_o bastard_n child_n which_o we_o read_v of_o deut._n xxiii_o god_n choose_v in_o the_o like_a manner_n ruth_n the_o moabitess_n and_o have_v her_o history_n write_v and_o his_o choice_n record_v as_o if_o he_o have_v intend_v to_o prepare_v a_o excuse_n for_o those_o of_o the_o israelite_n who_o afterward_o will_v refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o david_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o may_v they_o say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o moabitess_n see_v it_o be_v by_o his_o order_n that_o moses_n cause_v all_o those_o israelite_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n who_o after_o the_o pronunciation_n of_o balaam_n prophecy_n hold_v any_o commerce_n with_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n be_v there_o any_o likelihood_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v possible_a especial_o see_v there_o be_v a_o law_n which_o god_n will_v have_v to_o be_v insert_v in_o deuteronomy_n which_o exclude_v the_o moabite_n from_o the_o possibility_n of_o ever_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o people_n of_o god._n but_o at_o least_o be_v not_o this_o choice_n of_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n a_o fair_a cause_n of_o jealousy_n to_o all_o the_o other_o family_n of_o judah_n god_n cause_v the_o adultery_n of_o bathsheba_n the_o mother_n of_o solomon_n to_o be_v careful_o record_v as_o it_o be_v on_o purpose_n to_o excuse_v the_o rebellion_n of_o those_o who_o afterward_o side_v with_o jeroboam_n against_o rehoboam_n and_o his_o authority_n be_v it_o probable_a might_n these_o rebel_n say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v choose_v that_o bloody_a cruel_a man_n david_n that_o adulterer_n that_o he_o and_o bathshebah_n shall_v beget_v the_o messiah_n together_o have_v jesse_n no_o other_o child_n beside_o david_n and_o if_o david_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v the_o man_n why_o shall_v solomon_n bear_v of_o bathshebah_n be_v prefer_v before_o all_o his_o brother_n there_o be_v three_o thing_n considerable_a in_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o joshuah_n the_o conduct_n of_o the_o israelite_n after_o he_o have_v former_o raise_v joseph_n so_o much_o above_o his_o brethren_n by_o his_o advancement_n in_o egypt_n and_o give_v to_o his_o tribe_n two_o portion_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n
in_o short_a the_o law_n which_o oblige_v the_o jew_n to_o assist_v at_o the_o celebration_n of_o those_o feast_n require_v the_o appearance_n of_o all_o the_o male_n of_o twenty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o upward_o so_o very_o rigorous_o that_o there_o be_v no_o dispensation_n for_o all_o without_o exception_n be_v then_o oblige_v to_o appear_v so_o that_o even_o during_o the_o dispersion_n of_o their_o nation_n the_o jew_n who_o live_v out_o of_o judea_n assist_v always_o at_o the_o celebration_n of_o those_o three_o feast_n with_o great_a care_n this_o be_v a_o visible_a way_n of_o keep_v the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n distinct_a by_o give_v each_o of_o they_o a_o separate_a portion_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o by_o fix_v they_o inseparable_o to_o it_o as_o the_o whole_a nation_n be_v in_o like_a manner_n distinguish_v by_o its_o be_v place_v in_o a_o country_n entire_o by_o itself_o we_o see_v according_o that_o god_n have_v observe_v that_o method_n by_o give_v a_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n to_o be_v make_v into_o as_o many_o portion_n as_o there_o be_v tribe_n only_o except_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n because_o the_o levite_n as_o be_v the_o public_a minister_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v disperse_v among_o the_o other_o tribe_n that_o they_o may_v more_o convenient_o attend_v to_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o people_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v evident_a in_o that_o division_n which_o be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o oracle_n which_o jacob_n and_o moses_n utter_v a_o little_a before_o their_o death_n but_o i_o shall_v observe_v first_o that_o as_o the_o design_n of_o god_n be_v to_o divide_v that_o people_n into_o tribe_n that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n from_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v may_v be_v the_o better_o distinguish_v and_o know_v so_o he_o will_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n allot_v the_o cave_n of_o machpelah_n the_o sepulchre_n of_o the_o patriarch_n to_o the_o share_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o also_o ephratah_n the_o place_n where_o rachel_n be_v bury_v which_o be_v afterward_o call_v bethlehem_n the_o town_n where_o david_n have_v his_o birth_n and_o which_o be_v foretell_v tell_v by_o the_o prophet_n micha_n under_o the_o name_n of_o ephratah_n as_o the_o place_n where_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v bear_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n we_o must_v beside_o take_v notice_n of_o two_o particular_a regulation_n by_o which_o god_n fix_v his_o people_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o preserve_v a_o distinct_a idea_n of_o this_o first_o division_n of_o that_o country_n the_o first_o be_v the_o law_n of_o jubilee_n the_o second_o be_v the_o law_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n in_o short_a by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o jubilee_n which_o return_v every_o fifty_o year_n and_o by_o which_o every_o one_o that_o can_v justify_v his_o pedigree_n be_v reinstate_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o his_o ancestor_n god_n oblige_v that_o people_n to_o keep_v up_o a_o distinct-knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o division_n make_v under_o joshua_n etc._n joshua_n fourteen_o etc._n etc._n and_o which_o be_v describe_v in_o that_o book_n which_o contain_v his_o history_n much_o more_o effectual_o than_o if_o he_o have_v make_v a_o law_n for_o that_o very_a purpose_n so_o that_o though_o the_o field_n of_o ephratah_n have_v be_v never_o so_o often_o alienate_v yet_o it_o always_o return_v to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o so_o afterward_o into_o david_n family_n because_o it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o lot_n of_o his_o ancestor_n this_o law_n of_o jubilee_n preserve_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o several_a tribe_n and_o family_n and_o it_o also_o keep_v up_o a_o distinct_a idea_n of_o their_o genealogy_n which_o must_v be_v preserve_v entire_a of_o necessity_n that_o they_o may_v maintain_v their_o right_n to_o the_o inheritance_n of_o their_o ancestor_n it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o object_n against_o this_o observation_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v certain_o which_o tribe_n and_o much_o less_o which_o family_n every_o estate_n do_v belong_v to_o because_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o first_o proselyte_n who_o go_v out_o with_o the_o israelite_n share_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n together_o with_o they_o for_o one_o see_v we_o on_o the_o contrary_a first_o that_o god_n will_v not_o allow_v any_o of_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n to_o become_v proselyte_n before_o the_o ten_o generation_n and_o second_o that_o he_o debar_v the_o edomite_n from_o be_v admit_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o judaisme_n before_o the_o three_o generation_n which_o exclude_v they_o for_o ever_o from_o any_o possession_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o three_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v the_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o egyptian_a proselyte_n and_o a_o native_a jew_n the_o quality_n of_o a_o proselyte_n give_v permission_n to_o a_o egyptian_a to_o live_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o to_o profess_v their_o religion_n but_o it_o give_v he_o no_o right_a to_o possess_v any_o of_o their_o land._n and_o then_o beside_o that_o 4_o massa_n biccour_n c._n 1._o s._n 4_o those_o egyptian_a proselyte_n have_v a_o particular_a way_n of_o pray_v by_o themselves_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o jew_n still_o testify_v they_o can_v not_o possess_v any_o estate_n in_o land_n among_o they_o this_o be_v so_o true_a xxvii_o numb_a xxvii_o that_o it_o be_v once_o round_o necessary_a to_o make_v a_o particular_a regulation_n for_o the_o daughter_n of_o zelophehad_n that_o they_o may_v have_v their_o division_n which_o be_v grant_v only_o under_o certain_a condition_n because_o the_o land_n be_v not_o to_o be_v divide_v but_o among_o the_o male_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o this_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o by_o this_o law_n of_o the_o jubilee_n god_n fix_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n by_o give_v the_o child_n a_o power_n to_o look_v upon_o themselves_o not_o only_o as_o the_o presumptive_a heir_n of_o their_o parent_n but_o to_o consider_v their_o parent_n only_o as_o usu-fructuary's_a since_o all_o their_o possession_n in_o land_n be_v so_o entail_v that_o the_o child_n or_o right_a heir_n of_o any_o man_n can_v not_o miss_v of_o the_o reversion_n because_o whatever_o alienation_n be_v make_v it_o can_v last_v but_o for_o a_o time_n to_o the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o restore_v all_o the_o alienate_v possession_n absolute_o and_o entire_o to_o the_o right_a heir_n now_o that_o this_o law_n be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o fundamental_a law_n among_o the_o jew_n xxi_o leviticus_n xxv_o 23._o 1_o king_n xxi_o appear_v clear_o from_o the_o word_n in_o leviticus_n and_o from_o the_o history_n of_o naboth_n which_o holy_a man_n rather_o choose_v to_o die_v than_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o injust_a desire_n of_o ahab_n who_o will_v have_v force_v naboth_n to_o sell_v his_o estate_n absolute_o notwithstanding_o god_n express_a prohibition_n the_o exemplary_a vengeance_n which_o god_n take_v upon_o naboth_n murder_n and_o the_o relation_n of_o it_o record_v in_o scripture_n be_v a_o further_a confirmation_n of_o this_o same_o truth_n if_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n dare_v not_o at_o first_o infringe_v that_o law_n if_o it_o be_v not_o violate_v by_o any_o other_o than_o jesabel_n who_o be_v a_o foreign_a princess_n if_o the_o transgression_n of_o that_o law_n be_v punish_v in_o such_o a_o exemplary_a manner_n who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o be_v particular_o observe_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o a_o fundamental_a law_n by_o which_o god_n tie_v up_o his_o people_n inseparable_o to_o this_o very_a country_n one_o need_v only_o make_v some_o few_o reflection_n upon_o those_o word_n which_o god_n make_v use_v of_o ezek._n xlvi_o to_o agree_v to_o what_o i_o say_v if_o those_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v make_v already_o upon_o naboth_n murder_n be_v also_o add_v to_o they_o one_o may_v observe_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a that_o though_o god_n have_v several_a time_n subject_v the_o jew_n to_o a_o foreign_a power_n yet_o he_o never_o suffer_v the_o whole_a nation_n to_o be_v all_o carry_v away_o out_o of_o canaan_n at_o one_o time_n nor_o yet_o to_o continue_v in_o captivity_n for_o the_o time_n of_o two_o whole_a jubilee_n they_o be_v but_o seventy_o year_n in_o babylon_n which_o be_v the_o further_a place_n that_o they_o be_v ever_o carry_v into_o from_o whence_o we_o may_v natural_o conclude_v that_o their_o genealogy_n can_v not_o be_v confound_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n because_o many_o that_o be_v at_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n have_v see_v the_o first_o nor_o can_v the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o several_a division_n of_o their_o estate_n be_v obliterated_a
they_o pass_v for_o holy_a man_n because_o they_o design_v to_o imitate_v what_o as_o they_o be_v tell_v have_v happen_v to_o noah_n by_o his_o son_n ham_n which_o introduce_v the_o custom_n among_o the_o assyrian_n of_o castrate_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v be_v priest_n three_o xxii_o deut._n xxii_o god_n command_v that_o any_o virgin_n which_o be_v betroth_v to_o a_o husband_n and_o be_v corrupt_v in_o her_o father_n house_n or_o that_o be_v ravish_v without_o call_v for_o help_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o death_n so_o that_o all_o the_o virgin_n be_v indispensable_o engage_v for_o fear_n of_o lose_v both_o life_n and_o honour_n together_o to_o preserve_v their_o virginity_n with_o all_o possible_a care_n but_o here_o be_v a_o four_o law_n concern_v this_o matter_n whereby_o god_n oblige_v the_o parent_n of_o all_o contract_a virgin_n to_o take_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a care_n of_o they_o when_o he_o command_v deut._n xxii_o 21._o that_o a_o virgin_n for_o who_o the_o token_n of_o virginity_n be_v not_o find_v shall_v be_v bring_v out_o to_o the_o door_n of_o her_o father_n house_n and_o there_o be_v stone_v to_o death_n by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o city_n for_o so_o her_o parent_n be_v by_o that_o mean_n make_v partaker_n of_o the_o punishment_n of_o her_o crime_n and_o their_o negligence_n be_v severe_o punish_v by_o such_o a_o shameful_a execution_n as_o dishonour_v their_o whole_a family_n five_o god_n submit_v woman_n to_o the_o examination_n of_o their_o husband_n to_o who_o they_o be_v marry_v nay_o one_o will_v think_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o raise_v the_o jealousy_n of_o husband_n when_o he_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o bring_v their_o wife_n to_o a_o public_a trial_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o with_o death_n when_o they_o do_v not_o preserve_v the_o token_n of_o their_o virginity_n it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n that_o he_o command_v that_o the_o parent_n or_o near_a relation_n of_o the_o young_a marry_a woman_n thus_o complain_v of_o xxii_o deut._n xxii_o shall_v produce_v upon_o all_o such_o occasion_n the_o token_n of_o the_o virginity_n of_o those_o daughter_n which_o they_o dispose_v in_o marriage_n which_o be_v usual_o do_v with_o many_o solemn_a circumstance_n and_o formality_n and_o here_o be_v three_o thing_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v attentive_o consider_v the_o first_o be_v the_o custom_n that_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n for_o parent_n never_o to_o let_v their_o virgin_n daughter_n go_v out_o of_o their_o house_n which_o custom_n make_v they_o be_v call_v conceal_v in_o opposition_n to_o those_o that_o go_v abroad_o that_o be_v that_o be_v prostitute_n the_o second_o be_v another_o custom_n which_o the_o just_a desire_n of_o preserve_v the_o virginity_n of_o their_o daughter_n against_o all_o accident_n have_v introduce_v among_o that_o people_n which_o be_v that_o all_o their_o virgin_n do_v wear_v a_o sort_n of_o fetter_n which_o be_v call_v in_o the_o talmud_n cevalim_fw-la which_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o famous_a moses_n the_o son_n of_o maimon_n in_o this_o manner_n cevalim_fw-la sunt_fw-la compedes_fw-la in_o forma_fw-la periscelidis_fw-la 4._o ad_fw-la massec_n sabbath_n c._n 6._o i_o 4._o inter_fw-la quos_fw-la interposuerunt_fw-la catenulas_fw-la illis_fw-la compedibus_fw-la ornabant_fw-la se_fw-la virgin_n ut_fw-la non_fw-la incederent_fw-la passu_fw-la magno_fw-la ne_fw-la contigeret_fw-la ipsis_fw-la damnum_fw-la in_o virginitate_fw-la sva_fw-la this_o description_n may_v be_v think_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o foolish_a fancy_n of_o the_o modern_a jew_n if_o we_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o proof_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o that_o custom_n in_o more_o ancient_a time_n in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o three_o of_o isaiah_n that_o chain_n be_v reckon_v up_o among_o other_o ornament_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o israel_n which_o god_n threaten_v to_o take_v away_o from_o they_o when_o he_o will_v force_v they_o to_o go_v captive_n into_o babylon_n the_o three_o be_v a_o ancient_a tradition_n mention_v in_o the_o pirke_n eliezer_n in_o the_o xvi_o chapter_n solent_n israelitae_n digito_fw-la educere_fw-la virginitatem_fw-la ne_fw-la incidant_fw-la in_o dubitationem_fw-la vel_fw-la suspicionem_fw-la juxta_fw-la illud_fw-la sumat_n pater_fw-la &_o mater_fw-la pvellae_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o a_o word_n it_o seem_v that_o for_o fear_n lest_o these_o token_n of_o virginity_n shall_v be_v think_v to_o be_v obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a by_o their_o husband_n that_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o virginity_n of_o their_o young_a woman_n before_o marriage_n by_o a_o miracle_n the_o experience_n whereof_o be_v ordinary_a and_o common_a among_o so_o jealous_a a_o people_n 95._o numb_a v._o joseph_n l._n 3._o antiq._n p._n 95._o i_o mean_v the_o water_n of_o jealousy_n which_o all_o woman_n who_o carriage_n be_v suspect_v by_o their_o husband_n be_v oblige_v to_o drink_v by_o which_o god_n do_v either_o miraculous_o justify_v they_o or_o else_o he_o begin_v to_o inflict_v a_o punishment_n upon_o they_o which_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o dreadful_a and_o exemplary_a as_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o miracle_n last_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o tell_v we_o in_o that_o title_n of_o their_o talmud_n 9_o sota_n c._n 9_o which_o concern_v woman_n suspect_v of_o adultery_n however_o as_o god_n work_v no_o miracle_n without_o great_a reason_n so_o he_o here_o make_v a_o law_n the_o observance_n whereof_o be_v very_o rigorous_a which_o be_v that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o woman_n to_o be_v marry_v when_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o have_v their_o course_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v separate_v at_o that_o time_n as_o unclean_a the_o reason_n of_o this_o law_n be_v because_o it_o be_v then_o almost_o impossible_a but_o that_o the_o lewd_a woman_n may_v have_v impose_v upon_o their_o husband_n in_o the_o mark_v of_o their_o virginity_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v very_o uncertain_a not_o to_o say_v that_o as_o a_o politic_a lawgiver_n he_o may_v prescribe_v the_o observation_n of_o this_o law_n lest_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v have_v be_v overstock_v with_o weak_a and_o sickly_a people_n last_o one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o have_v fasten_v a_o blot_n upon_o leprous_a person_n 94._o isidor_n pelus_n l._n 5._o ep._n 117._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la l._n 3_o p._n 94._o because_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v conceive_v when_o their_o mother_n have_v their_o course_n and_o hereupon_o be_v that_o law_n of_o god_n found_v which_o debar_v leper_n for_o ever_o from_o the_o right_n of_o come_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o his_o people_n one_o ought_v to_o make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o those_o that_o be_v unlawful_o beget_v for_o they_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o right_n of_o enter_v into_o the_o congregation_n and_o how_o innocent_a soever_o they_o be_v as_o to_o the_o lewdness_n of_o those_o who_o give_v they_o their_o life_n yet_o they_o be_v thus_o with_o they_o make_v partaker_n of_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o sin_n if_o one_o consider_v all_o these_o several_a law_n attentive_o one_o shall_v find_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o several_a of_o they_o be_v of_o very_o little_a moment_n except_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n by_o they_o beyond_o all_o danger_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o shall_v find_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v very_o severe_a about_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o deserve_v so_o terrible_a a_o rigour_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o according_a to_o god_n design_n as_o he_o have_v afterward_o particular_o explain_v it_o they_o will_v appear_v i_o be_o confident_a to_o be_v all_o very_a worthy_a of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o such_o a_o lawgiver_n one_o need_v only_o reflect_v upon_o that_o method_n of_o god_n that_o i_o have_v now_o explain_v to_o see_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v better_o manage_v than_o this_o model_n according_a to_o the_o design_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v draw_v one_o may_v make_v the_o same_o observation_n and_o examine_v the_o same_o stroke_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o several_a other_o precaution_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o make_v the_o messiah_n be_v perfect_o distinguish_v according_a to_o the_o several_a character_n under_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v propose_v afterward_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n one_o see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n be_v to_o be_v a_o first-born_a and_o for_o that_o reason_n we_o find_v many_o law_n which_o distinguish_v in_o general_a the_o privilege_n of_o the_o first-born_a so_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o god_n afterward_o
the_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o twelve_o prince_n or_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n do_v contribute_v towards_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o build_n of_o it_o if_o the_o child_n of_o zebedee_n be_v call_v boanerges_n it_o be_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o second_o of_o haggai_n yet_o once_o and_o i_o will_v shake_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n that_o the_o heathen_n be_v describe_v as_o a_o people_n afar_o off_o and_o what_o be_v speak_v concern_v the_o wall_n of_o partition_n have_v a_o visible_a respect_n to_o the_o gentile_n be_v prohibit_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o holy_a place_n of_o the_o temple_n if_o i_o will_v instance_n in_o all_o the_o mystical_a relation_n of_o the_o one_o volume_n to_o the_o other_o i_o may_v say_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o singular_a conformity_n between_o they_o even_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v most_o opposite_a moses_n the_o first_o and_o great_a minister_n of_o the_o law_n have_v a_o stammer_a speech_n zachary_n the_o father_n of_o s._n john_n the_o baptist_n be_v strike_v dumb_a when_o he_o be_v to_o pronounce_v the_o solemn_a blessing_n to_o the_o people_n where_o as_o jesus_n christ_n on_o the_o contrary_n have_v this_o character_n give_v of_o he_o that_o never_o man_n speak_v like_o he_o god_n say_v at_o the_o beginning_n increase_v and_o multiply_v he_o repeat_v the_o same_o to_o noah_n in_o order_n to_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o replenish_n the_o earth_n jesus_n christ_n say_v go_v and_o teach_v all_o nation_n and_o the_o word_n be_v constant_o represent_v to_o we_o as_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o regeneration_n and_o paptism_n as_o the_o laver_n or_o wash_n whereby_o we_o acquire_v a_o new_a birth_n we_o see_v noah_n receive_v the_o dove_n into_o the_o ark_n with_o a_o olive_n branch_n as_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o heaven_n and_o jesus_n christ_n receive_v a_o like_a token_n fire_n fall_v down_o from_o heaven_n on_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o abel_n noah_n moses_n david_n solomon_n and_o elijah_n as_o a_o token_n that_o god_n accept_v their_o offering_n and_o god_n send_v the_o same_o mark_n of_o his_o favour_n on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n to_o declare_v that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v most_o acceptable_a to_o he_o god_n have_v forbid_v the_o high_a priest_n to_o rend_v his_o clothes_n on_o any_o occasion_n whatsoever_o that_o rend_v of_o garment_n involve_v a_o mystery_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o history_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v that_o the_o high_a priest_n rend_v his_o clothes_n at_o the_o condemnation_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o thereby_o violate_v for_o ever_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o priesthood_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o find_v the_o garment_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n be_v leave_v whole_a and_o entire_a to_o signify_v to_o we_o the_o eternity_n of_o his_o priesthood_n we_o see_v that_o the_o ear_n of_o malchus_n the_o high_a priest_n servant_n be_v cut_v off_o by_o s._n peter_n and_o that_o jesus_n christ_n restore_v it_o again_o to_o show_v that_o the_o synagogue_n have_v lose_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o jesus_n christ_n alone_o be_v able_a to_o restore_v it_o we_o see_v the_o holy_a place_n in_o the_o temple_n open_v at_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o rend_n of_o the_o veil_n which_o signify_v that_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v then_o to_o lose_v its_o force_n and_o authority_n but_o the_o observation_n already_o make_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v out_o what_o i_o intend_v without_o have_v recourse_n to_o these_o mystery_n and_o i_o believe_v no_o man_n can_v make_v such_o reflection_n without_o be_v persuade_v that_o so_o great_a a_o conformity_n of_o idea_n must_v necessary_o imply_v a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n now_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v that_o this_o unity_n of_o design_n shall_v be_v so_o constant_o observe_v by_o different_a author_n who_o live_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n place_n and_o interest_n without_o be_v convince_v of_o a_o perpetual_a divine_a guidance_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o may_v be_v find_v some_o decision_n which_o seem_v whole_o opposite_a to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a for_o instance_n we_o find_v there_o a_o total_a abrogation_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o all_o those_o observation_n have_v no_o other_o use_n but_o to_o distinguish_v the_o jew_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v to_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v so_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o conceive_v that_o all_o those_o ceremony_n be_v of_o course_n to_o be_v abolish_v after_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o if_o we_o consider_v thing_n in_o this_o view_n we_o shall_v find_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o between_o moses_n who_o establish_v these_o ceremony_n and_o the_o apostle_n who_o abolish_v they_o but_o before_o we_o come_v to_o confirm_v these_o ground_n we_o must_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o follow_a chapter_n chap._n ii_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o i_o here_o to_o show_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v lively_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o appear_v from_o the_o fable_n which_o the_o rabbi_n tell_v origen_n concern_v zedechiah_n and_o ahiab_n who_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n burn_v for_o persuade_v the_o jewish_a woman_n that_o they_o be_v the_o person_n that_o be_v to_o conceive_v the_o messiah_n but_o i_o intend_v to_o make_v use_n of_o proof_n of_o a_o different_a nature_n now_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n we_o need_v only_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n concern_v he_o be_v the_o first_o the_o most_o important_a and_o repeat_v with_o the_o great_a assiduity_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o consequent_o it_o employ_v they_o the_o most_o god_n have_v for_o this_o reason_n oblige_v they_o to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n to_o sing_v the_o psalm_n of_o david_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n where_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o thousand_o time_n repeat_v we_o may_v add_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o light_n to_o this_o observation_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n engage_v they_o to_o give_v more_o diligent_a heed_n to_o what_o the_o prophet_n have_v declare_v and_o by_o weigh_v several_a matter_n of_o fact_n set_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n to_o show_v the_o universal_a effect_n of_o the_o lively_a impression_n of_o this_o notion_n of_o the_o messiah_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n without_o doubt_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n be_v equal_o oppress_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o that_o of_o herod_n can_v not_o but_o put_v they_o upon_o a_o careful_a examine_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v so_o often_o vouchsafe_v they_o concern_v the_o messiah_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o god_n have_v often_o represent_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n which_o be_v to_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o power_n of_o their_o enemy_n this_o appear_v very_o evident_a in_o the_o gospel_n on_o several_a occasion_n we_o find_v that_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o herod_n be_v trouble_v at_o the_o news_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n as_o that_o which_o will_v probable_o cause_v great_a trouble_n and_o desolation_n before_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n can_v subdue_v the_o roman_n as_o well_o as_o herod_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o multitude_n will_v have_v take_v christ_n and_o proclaim_v he_o their_o king_n and_o submit_v themselves_o to_o he_o as_o the_o true_a messiah_n one_o see_v we_o that_o christ_n own_o disciple_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o death_n talk_v agreeable_o to_o these_o popular_a idea_n what_o else_o can_v we_o make_v of_o that_o passage_n of_o the_o mother_n of_o james_n and_o john_n when_o she_o beg_v for_o they_o the_o chief_a place_n in_o his_o kingdom_n when_o the_o apostle_n dispute_v which_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a be_v it_o not_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o go_v to_o emaus_n
prefer_v before_o other_o use_v by_o he_o without_o any_o solid_a reason_n that_o therefore_o we_o must_v reject_v the_o deposition_n of_o so_o many_o witness_n who_o unanimous_o attest_v it_o since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v raise_v three_o person_n to_o life_n again_o which_o then_o live_v in_o judea_n since_o jerusalem_n have_v continue_v forty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n since_o sixty_o solemn_a feast_n be_v celebrate_v in_o that_o time_n where_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o occasion_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n and_o the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o the_o accusation_n charge_v upon_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v convert_v at_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o reduce_v all_o to_o this_o question_n of_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o this_o a_o invincible_a proof_n against_o all_o the_o accusation_n and_o suspicion_n of_o the_o synagogue_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o witness_n who_o maintain_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o attest_v his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o assert_v it_o with_o the_o same_o proof_n and_o the_o same_o zeal_n the_o reflection_n here_o set_v down_o may_v serve_v for_o that_o also_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o i_o be_o next_o to_o consider_v the_o send_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n both_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o ascension_n and_o that_o these_o very_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n enable_v the_o jew_n to_o write_v preach_v and_o publish_v throughout_o all_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n of_o that_o christianity_n which_o we_o now_o profess_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n speak_v very_o plain_o of_o this_o send_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o a_o preliminary_n to_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n which_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n the_o prophet_n joel_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o such_o and_o make_v this_o wonder_n to_o precede_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o s._n peter_n observe_v in_o the_o second_o of_o the_o acts._n isaiah_n speak_v very_o particular_o of_o it_o as_o such_o in_o the_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n where_o he_o sufficient_o intimate_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n shall_v from_o thence_o forward_o so_o rest_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v find_v any_o long_a among_o the_o jew_n who_o city_n and_o temple_n shall_v be_v destroy_v at_o present_v my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o thing_n have_v be_v exact_o fulfil_v according_a to_o the_o design_n which_o god_n have_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n which_o s._n luke_n give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o the_o acts._n he_o tell_v we_o therefore_o that_o fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n have_v continue_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o be_v assemble_v there_o they_o receive_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n to_o make_v they_o fit_a to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o nation_n and_o to_o explain_v the_o most_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o our_o saviour_n religion_n every_o thing_n be_v considerable_a in_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n 1._o that_o he_o relate_v this_o fact_n as_o happen_v fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o jewish_a passover_n when_o christ_n be_v crucify_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v witness_n of_o his_o death_n 2._o that_o he_o relate_v it_o as_o happen_v in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o jesus_n christ_n be_v condemn_v that_o the_o same_o multitude_n who_o after_o fifty_o day_n be_v again_o assemble_v there_o at_o this_o feast_n may_v be_v witness_n of_o this_o miraculous_a event_n in_o short_a it_o plain_o appear_v that_o this_o new_a law_n from_o mount_n zion_n be_v solemn_o promulge_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v assemble_v from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o old_a law_n be_v when_o all_o the_o people_n assist_v at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n 3._o that_o these_o gift_n be_v grant_v to_o all_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n gift_n which_o till_o that_o time_n have_v be_v whole_o unheard_a of_o and_o whereof_o some_o part_n only_o have_v be_v grant_v to_o some_o prophet_n and_o to_o some_o priest_n and_o of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v make_v partaker_n since_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n god_n have_v so_o order_v it_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v be_v the_o more_o inflame_v for_o the_o messiah_n come_v as_o also_o that_o upon_o his_o come_n he_o may_v the_o more_o easy_o be_v discern_v 4._o that_o this_o be_v a_o fact_n open_o know_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o different_o interpret_v by_o they_o some_o say_n they_o they_o be_v full_a of_o new_a wine_n 5._o that_o the_o apostle_n assert_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o s._n peter_n that_o this_o be_v a_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 6._o that_o they_o declare_v that_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o this_o miraculous_a donative_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o david_n and_o joel_n it_o be_v certain_o therefore_o very_o natural_a to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o event_n the_o first_o will_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o miraculous_a fact_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o s._n luke_n a_o wise_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o relate_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o have_v convince_v his_o reader_n thereof_o also_o nothing_o more_o be_v require_v for_o their_o conviction_n but_o the_o presence_n of_o one_o of_o those_o first_o christian_n and_o to_o make_v a_o trial_n of_o this_o supernatural_a virtue_n bestow_v on_o they_o for_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a occasion_n 2._o we_o must_v observe_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n which_o he_o lay_v down_o to_o make_v his_o book_n of_o the_o act_n to_o appear_v just_a and_o reasonable_a and_o to_o justify_v the_o apostle_n conduct_v in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o whole_o exclude_v from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o also_o contrary_a to_o the_o seem_a maxim_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o act_v only_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o circumcision_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o pretension_n of_o many_o christian_n who_o after_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n take_v it_o very_o ill_o that_o s._n peter_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n 3._o s._n luke_n suppose_v that_o this_o fact_n come_v to_o pass_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o be_v follow_v by_o consequence_n as_o illustrious_a as_o they_o be_v incredible_a twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n undertake_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o their_o master_n who_o fifty_o day_n before_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o prosecution_n of_o the_o whole_a synagogue_n and_o by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v not_o only_a live_n not_o only_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n but_o that_o he_o also_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n of_o cure_v all_o disease_n and_o even_o of_o raise_v the_o dead_a 4._o they_o go_v yet_o further_o they_o bold_o maintain_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v they_o a_o privilege_n of_o communicate_v the_o same_o power_n to_o all_o those_o who_o will_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o this_o without_o any_o other_o mystery_n but_o the_o bare_a lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v they_o by_o baptism_n into_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n nothing_o can_v have_v be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o contrary_a unless_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o assertion_n by_o the_o miraculous_a consequence_n of_o that_o first_o miracle_n the_o fact_n be_v public_o acknowledge_v simon_n magus_n be_v convince_v thereof_o and_o