and_o a_o playday_n for_o schoolboy_n from_o these_o and_o several_a other_o instance_n which_o we_o may_v find_v in_o 5._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o evang._n eusebius_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o more_o solemn_a service_n of_o religion_n among_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o cessation_n from_o work_n be_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o week_n now_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v assert_v that_o this_o custom_n be_v found_v on_o nature_n for_o no_o light_n of_o reason_n can_v dictate_v this_o division_n of_o day_n into_o just_a seven_o and_o no_o more_o therefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o general_a agreement_n of_o the_o world_n in_o this_o arithmetic_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v particular_o signalise_v by_o their_o observation_n of_o the_o seventh-day_n which_o be_v enjoin_v they_o by_o god_n himself_o as_o in_o exod._n 20._o 9_o six_o day_n shall_v thou_o labour_v and_o do_v all_o thy_o work_n but_o the_o seven_o day_n be_v the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n in_o it_o thou_o shall_v not_o do_v any_o work_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o other_o place_n the_o institution_n and_o observation_n of_o this_o particular_a day_n be_v mention_v or_o i_o may_v have_v trace_v the_o original_a of_o this_o yet_o high_o and_o find_v it_o date_v from_o the_o very_a creation_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o all_o thing_n when_o we_o read_v of_o god_n rest_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n gen._n 2._o 2._o and_o his_o blessing_n the_o seven_o day_n and_o sanctify_v it_o v_o 3._o from_o whence_o without_o doubt_n the_o custom_n among_o several_a gentile_n of_o observe_v some_o seven_o day_n in_o the_o week_n have_v its_o first_o rise_n again_o the_o gentile_n take_v their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d lustration_n and_o purification_n from_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o which_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n treat_v when_o 〈◊〉_d content_v of_o these_o write_n or_o the_o practice_n of_o 〈◊〉_d jewish_a people_n come_v to_o be_v know_v to_o the_o paâ—_n they_o present_o set_v themselves_o to_o imitate_v they_o 〈◊〉_d most_o of_o the_o wash_n and_o purifying_n use_v by_o 〈◊〉_d jew_n come_v to_o be_v part_n of_o their_o religion_n the_o jew_n priest_n wash_v their_o hand_n and_o foot_n before_o thâ—_n go_v about_o their_o sacred_a office_n before_o they_o saâ—â—ficed_v and_o touch_v holy_a thing_n and_o they_o have_v 〈◊〉_d the_o temple_n laver_n for_o that_o very_a purpose_n likewise_o they_o use_v aspersion_n towards_o other_o and_o weâ—_n enjoin_v to_o cleanse_v and_o purify_v they_o from_o thâ—_n defilement_n which_o they_o have_v contract_v in_o a_o woâ—_n every_o thing_n and_o person_n belong_v to_o the_o jew_n service_n and_o worship_n be_v hallow_a and_o clean_n 〈◊〉_d by_o certain_a way_n of_o purification_n prescribe_v by_o 〈◊〉_d law_n hence_o we_o read_v of_o frequent_a wash_n 〈◊〉_d sprinkling_n among_o the_o pagan_n 6._o idem_n ter_z socios_fw-la purâ_fw-la circumtulit_fw-la undâ_fw-la spargens_fw-la roar_n levi_fw-la &_o ramo_fw-la felicis_fw-la olivae_fw-la lustravitque_fw-la viros_fw-la and_o 1._o macrobius_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o gentile_a deâ—tionists_n when_o ever_o they_o address_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d their_o god_n whether_o celestial_a or_o infernal_a prepare_v themselves_o beforehand_o by_o use_v of_o watâ—â—_n more_o or_o less_o hence_o it_o become_v a_o maxim_n amoâ—_n they_o that_o 7._o all_o sacred_a thing_n must_v be_v sprinkle_v wiâ—â—_n pure_a water_n and_o they_o have_v vessel_n for_o this_o purpose_n which_o contain_v that_o consecrate_a element_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o good_a author_n as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o learned_a dr._n spencer_n that_o they_o for_o the_o most_o part_n sprinkle_v the_o worshipper_n as_o they_o go_v into_o their_o temple_n the_o truth_n be_v these_o rite_n of_o wash_v and_o purify_n which_o be_v use_v both_o by_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v so_o like_o one_o another_o that_o we_o can_v but_o conclude_v either_o the_o gentile_n take_v they_o from_o the_o jew_n or_o these_o from_o they_o the_o latter_a be_v in_o no_o wise_a probable_a because_o it_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o he_o institute_v among_o the_o jew_n to_o imagine_v that_o he_o will_v take_v example_n from_o the_o pagan_n and_o make_v their_o religion_n the_o standard_n of_o that_o which_o he_o give_v to_o his_o own_o people_n though_o it_o be_v true_a the_o jew_n often_o imitate_v the_o pagan_n in_o their_o custom_n and_o rite_n but_o neâ—er_v by_o the_o command_n and_o order_n of_o god_n but_o absolute_o against_o it_o therefore_o the_o former_a be_v most_o likely_a and_o reasonable_a viz._n that_o the_o pagan_n in_o way_n of_o imitation_n take_v their_o ceremony_n of_o wash_v and_o lustration_n from_o the_o jew_n the_o same_o argument_n may_v be_v use_v in_o all_o the_o particular_n which_o we_o shall_v mention_v afterward_o under_o this_o head_n by_o this_o we_o may_v prove_v that_o those_o ceremonious_a observance_n command_v the_o jew_n be_v not_o original_o from_o the_o gentile_n but_o first_o of_o all_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o true_a god_n but_o concern_v these_o purification_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o see_v what_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o justin_n martyr_n of_o old_a who_o produce_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n word_n wash_v you_o make_v you_o â—â—an_z chap._n 1._o ver_fw-la 16._o and_o comment_v upon_o â—hem_o add_v this_o 2._o when_o the_o devil_n hear_v of_o this_o wash_v speak_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n they_o cause_v this_o to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o namely_o whenever_o they_o go_v into_o their_o temple_n or_o approach_v near_o they_o or_o be_v about_o to_o be_v employ_v in_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o offering_n they_o sprinkle_v water_n 〈◊〉_d themselves_o this_o learned_a father_n be_v clear_o of_o the_o opinion_n that_o this_o rite_n of_o aspersion_n whicâ—_n the_o gentile_n use_v be_v steal_v from_o the_o jewiâ—â—_n church_n and_o not_o that_o this_o steal_v they_o from_o the_o heathen_n with_o who_o agree_v a_o late_a learned_a antiquary_n who_o speak_v of_o the_o particular_a mosaic_a lustration_n or_o purgation_n use_v by_o the_o jewiâ—â—_n priest_n viz._n of_o wash_v themselves_o before_o they_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n say_v thus_o 2d_o this_o kind_n of_o purgation_n be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o people_n of_o other_o nation_n who_o when_o they_o entry_n into_o their_o temple_n have_v their_o lustration_n and_o rite_n of_o wash_v in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o the_o gentile_a custom_n of_o offer_v firstâ—fruits_n and_o ten_o be_v borrow_a from_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o it_o be_v a_o general_a usage_n among_o the_o pagan_a worshipper_n to_o offer_v their_o first-fruit_n to_o some_o of_o their_o deity_n be_v ample_o testify_v by_o 〈◊〉_d censorinus_n and_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o pay_v tithe_n be_v as_o general_a and_o ancient_a may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o respective_a history_n which_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n this_o be_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o old_a roman_n religion_n who_o as_o plutarch_n write_v be_v wont_a to_o bestow_v a_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o fruit_n which_o the_o earth_n yield_v they_o and_o of_o other_o good_n and_o profit_n on_o their_o sacred_a feast_n sacrifice_n and_o temple_n in_o honour_n of_o the_o god_n but_o this_o be_v not_o every_o year_n or_o by_o any_o compulsive_a law_n but_o free_o and_o out_o of_o gratitude_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o camilâ—_n faithful_o pay_v to_o apollo_n the_o ten_o of_o his_o bootâ—_n and_o spoil_n take_v from_o the_o enemy_n and_o that_o luculluâ—_n grow_v rich_a because_o he_o religious_o practise_v that_o laudable_a custom_n of_o pay_v tithe_n to_o hercules_n that_o the_o greek_n also_o pay_v tithe_n appear_v from_o that_o dictate_v of_o the_o oracle_n to_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o from_o that_o delphic_a inscription_n 8_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o whence_o apollo_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o persian_n also_o this_o custom_n prevail_v for_o cyrus_n as_o herodotus_n say_v offer_v tithe_n to_o jupiter_n after_o a_o victory_n obtain_v and_o this_o may_v easy_o be_v prove_v of_o other_o nation_n it_o be_v grow_v into_o a_o universal_a and_o fix_a custom_n to_o offer_v the_o ten_o to_o some_o god_n or_o goddess_n post_fw-la rem_fw-la bene_fw-la gestam_fw-la as_o 8_o servius_n speak_v after_o any_o considerable_a success_n either_o at_o home_n or_o abroad_o insomuch_o that_o at_o last_o it_o come_v to_o be_v a_o indispensible_a part_n of_o the_o gentile_a religion_n and_o thence_o as_o suidas_n observe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o greek_n be_v as_o much_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d consecrare_fw-la now_o this_o sacred_a and_o religious_a rite_n of_o dedicate_a just_a a_o ten_o part_n to_o their_o god_n be_v no_o law_n of_o nature_n
i_o find_v it_o be_v yea_o flat_o deny_v by_o aben_n ezra_n and_o pererius_n and_o late_o by_o hobbs_n and_o spinosa_n a_o very_a little_a portion_n of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o he_o say_v monsieur_n simon_n who_o have_v a_o new_a notion_n of_o certain_a public_a scribe_n or_o register_n that_o pen_v this_o and_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o sort_n of_o abbreviate_a notary_n he_o borrow_v from_o the_o egyptian_n as_o he_o confess_v himself_o because_o there_o be_v such_o officer_n in_o the_o egyptian_a court_n who_o have_v a_o privilege_n to_o add_v to_o or_o take_v away_o from_o to_o amplify_v or_o abridge_v the_o public_a record_n he_o thence_o groundless_o infer_v there_o be_v such_o among_o the_o jew_n who_o make_v what_o alteration_n they_o please_v in_o the_o sacred_a write_n which_o paradox_n of_o his_o i_o have_v consider_v and_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o in_o a_o former_a treatise_n this_o i_o may_v true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v know_v who_o be_v the_o particular_a penman_n of_o this_o or_o any_o other_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n because_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o depend_v not_o on_o the_o writer_n of_o they_o but_o on_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o indict_v they_o they_o be_v the_o book_n of_o god_n that_o be_v their_o peculiar_a character_n and_o dignity_n and_o that_o alone_o make_v they_o authentic_a after_o they_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o our_o certain_a know_v who_o pen_v they_o yet_o this_o must_v be_v say_v that_o it_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v deny_v that_o the_o author_n of_o some_o of_o these_o sacred_a book_n be_v well_o know_v and_o particular_o there_o be_v very_a convince_a proof_n that_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n which_o i_o have_v be_v give_v a_o account_n of_o this_o may_v be_v evince_v from_o our_o saviour_n word_n luke_n 16._o 31._o &_o 24._o 27._o where_o by_o moses_n as_o be_v most_o evident_a he_o mean_v the_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o consequent_o thereby_o let_v we_o know_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o writer_n of_o they_o and_o more_o express_o the_o book_n of_o exodus_fw-la be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n by_o our_o same_o infallible_a master_n mark_v 12._o 26._o and_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o these_o book_n be_v read_v moses_n be_v read_v 2_o cor._n 3._o 19_o and_o both_o our_o saviour_n and_o this_o apostle_n distinguish_v between_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n luke_n 16._o 29._o act_n 26._o 22._o plain_o signify_v that_o as_o those_o book_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o prophet_n name_n be_v they_o so_o these_o that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v moses_n be_v write_v by_o he_o i_o think_v this_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o need_v not_o to_o be_v further_o insist_v on_o as_o to_o the_o objection_n of_o those_o man_n before_o name_v against_o this_o i_o forbear_v to_o produce_v they_o and_o to_o return_v particular_a answer_n to_o they_o because_o this_o be_v so_o late_o do_v by_o pentateuchi_fw-la mounseur_fw-fr clerk_n and_o because_o another_o religion_n learned_a frenchman_n have_v laudable_o perform_v this_o task_n especial_o he_o have_v with_o great_a vigour_n and_o as_o great_a success_n attack_v spinosa_n a_o jew_n as_o they_o tell_v we_o by_o birth_n but_o neither_o jew_n nor_o christian_a by_o profession_n but_o a_o derider_n of_o both_o we_o may_v also_o find_v his_o argument_n which_o be_v general_o borrow_a from_o aben_n ezra_n refute_v with_o great_a clearness_n by_o the_o bible_n learned_a professor_n of_o divinity_n at_o paris_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n betake_v himself_o to_o the_o positive_a part_n and_o render_v it_o unquestionable_a that_o moses_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o five_o book_n that_o go_v under_o his_o name_n wherefore_o the_o particular_a fancy_n of_o those_o few_o objector_n and_o those_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o sacred_a text_n be_v not_o to_o be_v heed_v by_o we_o as_o to_o that_o common_a scruple_n which_o be_v so_o much_o insist_v upon_o that_o in_o the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n there_o be_v mention_n of_o moses_n death_n and_o some_o thing_n that_o happen_v after_o it_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o moses_n write_v not_o those_o book_n or_o at_o least_o not_o the_o last_o of_o they_o i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n that_o moses_n be_v a_o prophet_n may_v foresee_v and_o have_v reveal_v to_o he_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o own_o death_n and_o so_o he_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v by_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n wherefore_o none_o can_v from_o thence_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o penman_n of_o all_o this_o book_n however_o we_o will_v not_o contend_v here_o for_o perhaps_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o book_n be_v affix_v by_o joshua_n or_o afterward_o by_o ezra_n who_o be_v a_o inspire_a person_n likewise_o and_o who_o revise_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o insert_v some_o thing_n into_o they_o by_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o indict_v the_o rest_n notwithstanding_o then_o the_o foresay_a objection_n which_o refer_v only_o to_o a_o few_o passage_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o book_n of_o deuteronomy_n wâ—_n have_v reason_n to_o assert_v that_o the_o whole_a five_o book_n except_v that_o little_a addition_n in_o the_o close_a be_v write_v by_o moses_n these_o be_v his_o authentic_a record_n consist_v chief_o of_o history_n which_o comprise_v in_o it_o the_o occurrence_n of_o about_o 2400_o year_n and_o law_n which_o be_v give_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o his_o own_o people_n and_o will_v be_v of_o use_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n here_o be_v the_o cabinet_n of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n under_o heaven_n here_o be_v the_o first_o and_o old_a monument_n of_o the_o world_n chap._n viii_o a_o short_a survey_n of_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n which_o be_v a_o supplement_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o judge_n samuel_n the_o king_n chronicle_n ezra_n which_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o chronicle_n nehemiah_n esther_n the_o author_n stile_n composure_n matter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n discuss_v a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o penman_n subject_n kind_n title_n poetic_a meter_n and_o rhythm_n of_o the_o psalm_n next_o unto_o this_o be_v that_o excellent_a history_n write_v by_o joshua_n the_o captain_n general_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o moses_n famous_a successor_n who_o very_a name_n without_o doubt_n be_v as_o terrible_a to_o the_o canaanite_n as_o those_o of_o hunniades_n and_o scanderbag_n be_v afterward_o to_o the_o turk_n here_o he_o admirable_o describe_v the_o holy_a war_n the_o martial_a achievement_n and_o stratagem_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n against_o those_o nation_n who_o land_n they_o be_v to_o possess_v and_o at_o length_n their_o victory_n over_o they_o here_o be_v very_o particular_o set_v down_o their_o conquest_n over_o those_o king_n and_o country_n this_o book_n be_v the_o fulfil_v of_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v make_v to_o they_o concern_v the_o enter_v into_o canaan_n and_o enjoy_v that_o land_n which_o be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n the_o everlasting_a rest_n which_o remain_v to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n heb._n 4._o 9_o here_o be_v the_o actual_a possession_n of_o that_o promise_a inheritance_n and_o the_o division_n of_o it_o among_o the_o several_a tribe_n by_o lot_n the_o short_a be_v in_o the_o whole_a book_n which_o i_o must_v not_o now_o give_v you_o by_o retail_n there_o be_v abundant_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n repeat_v instance_n of_o the_o infinite_a kindness_n of_o god_n to_o his_o servant_n remarkable_a example_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n on_o his_o enemy_n yea_o and_o visible_a proof_n of_o his_o severe_a deal_n with_o his_o own_o people_n when_o they_o refuse_v to_o obey_v his_o will_n and_o when_o they_o act_v contrary_a to_o it_o here_o be_v in_o the_o large_a account_n which_o be_v give_v of_o joshua_n and_o his_o action_n a_o exact_a character_n of_o a_o worthy_a prince_n a_o ruler_n a_o general_n who_o ought_v to_o signalise_v himself_o by_o his_o exemplary_a piety_n and_o zeal_n for_o religion_n by_o his_o constant_a sobriety_n justice_n and_o charity_n by_o his_o undaunted_a courage_n valour_n and_o prowess_n by_o his_o deep_a wisdom_n policy_n and_o conduct_n and_o his_o great_a and_o wonderful_a success_n which_o 6._o be_v so_o much_o require_v in_o a_o general_n crown_v all_o the_o whole_a contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o moses_n death_n till_o the_o death_n of_o their_o great_a commander_n joshua_n in_o all_o about_o eighteen_o year_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o the_o age_n death_n and_o burial_n of_o this_o latter_a be_v
demosthenes_n more_o especial_o who_o no_o less_o than_o three_o time_n in_o 1._o one_o oration_n use_v the_o word_n in_o this_o manner_n and_o in_o 1._o another_o place_n once_o or_o twice_o but_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o establish_v my_o notion_n already_o by_o what_o i_o have_v produce_v you_o see_v plain_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v not_o absolute_o a_o reference_n to_o a_o benefit_n or_o advantage_n but_o that_o it_o be_v of_o a_o large_a import_n and_o signify_v in_o general_a on_o the_o account_n or_o for_o the_o sake_n and_o more_o especial_o that_o it_o denote_v a_o impulsive_a cause_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o be_v use_v to_o express_v those_o thing_n or_o person_n that_o put_v man_n upon_o action_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a and_o i_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o disprove_v it_o i_o have_v defend_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d out_o of_o classical_a author_n that_o i_o may_v thereby_o obviate_v the_o scruple_n of_o some_o inquisitive_a person_n and_o give_v some_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o curious_a and_o make_v my_o exposition_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d more_o clear_a and_o demonstrative_a when_o it_o be_v see_v that_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o acception_n of_o that_o preposition_n not_o only_o in_o the_o new-testament_n but_o in_o profane_a author_n and_o in_o a_o word_n that_o i_o may_v render_v my_o whole_a undertake_n on_o that_o text_n the_o more_o acceptable_a to_o the_o learned_a part_n of_o mankind_n to_o this_o rank_n of_o person_n i_o devote_v all_o my_o endeavour_n of_o this_o kind_n but_o that_o which_o i_o now_o offer_v to_o the_o world_n be_v more_o especial_o design_v for_o the_o use_v of_o young_a student_n in_o sacred_a learning_n such_o as_o be_v beginner_n and_o candidate_n in_o theology_n though_o i_o be_o well_o satisfy_v that_o these_o critical_a researche_n will_v â—ot_n be_v useless_a to_o those_o of_o a_o high_a character_n a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o difficult_a chapter_n and_o verse_n in_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v explain_v in_o this_o book_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o same_o order_n that_o they_o be_v there_o mention_v ii_o chap._n of_o daniel_n concern_v the_o image_n who_o head_n be_v of_o gold_n etc._n etc._n page_n 9_o vii_o chap._n of_o daniel_n concern_v the_o four_o beast_n p._n 10_o viii_o chap._n of_o daniel_n concern_v the_o ram_n and_o he-goat_n p._n 13_o xi_o gen._n 4._o let_v we_o make_v we_o a_o name_n lest_o we_o scatter_v abroad_o etc._n etc._n p._n 127_o xxxvi_o gen._n 24._o this_o be_v that_o anah_n that_o find_v the_o mule_n in_o the_o wilderness_n etc._n etc._n p._n 147_o xv._n judg._n 15_o 16_o 17_o etc._n etc._n concern_v the_o jawbone_n of_o the_o ass_n wherewith_o samson_n slay_v a_o thousand_o men._n p._n 149_o xxxviii_o isai._n 8._o the_o sun_n return_v ten_o degree_n by_o which_o degree_n it_o be_v go_v down_o p._n 200_o xxxiii_o deut._n 17._o where_o joseph_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o ox_n or_o bullock_n and_o why_o p._n 214_o ii_o luke_n 1_o 2._o there_o go_v out_o a_o decree_n from_o caesar_n augustus_n that_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v tax_v p._n 352_o ii_o matth._n 2._o we_o have_v see_v his_o star_n in_o the_o east_n vers._n 7._o herod_n inquire_v of_o they_o diligent_o what_o time_n the_o star_n appear_v vers._n 9_o the_o star_n which_o they_o see_v in_o the_o east_n go_v before_o they_o etc._n etc._n vers._n 16._o herod_n slay_v all_o the_o child_n that_o be_v in_o bethlehem_n from_o two_o year_n old_a and_o under_o according_a to_o the_o time_n which_o he_o have_v diligent_o inquire_v of_o the_o wise_a men._n p._n 360_o xxiv_o matth._n the_o former_a part_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o parallel_a chapter_n of_o st._n luke_n viz._n the_o xxi_o p._n 394_o the_o author_n vindication_n of_o his_o interpretation_n of_o 1_o cor._n 15._o 29._o praef._n errata_fw-la page_n 18._o l._n 28._o for_o ahaz_n read_v hezekiah_n p._n 37._o l._n 15._o for_o end_n r._n err_v p._n 99_o l._n 8._o deal_n not_o p._n 151._o l._n 15._o deal_n not_o p._n 212._o l._n 30._o r._n with_o ham._n and_o l._n 26_o 27._o correct_v the_o hebrew_n word_n and_o do_v the_o same_o in_o other_o place_n p._n 227._o l._n 21._o r._n unutterable_a p._n 238._o l._n 11._o r._n on_o p._n 241._o l._n 9_o r._n deus_fw-la be_v p._n 248._o l._n 18._o r._n ex_fw-la aetheris_fw-la l._n ult_n for_o that_o r._n at_o other_o time_n p._n 250._o l._n 17._o r._n martinius_n p._n 255._o l._n 26._o r._n tornare_fw-la p._n 334._o marg._n quotation_n misplace_v p._n 349._o marg._n 3_o last_o line_n put_v apolog._n 2._o add_v senator_n after_o the_o quotation_n sed_fw-la cum_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o put_v b_o before_o adu._n gent._n p._n 363._o l._n 33._o r._n other_o pagan_n p._n 364._o l._n 26._o r._n silver_n lock_n p._n 376._o l._n 11._o deal_n cit_v the_o same_o testimony_n and._n p._n 411._o l._n 7_o &_o 10._o r._n cedrenus_n what_o other_o fault_n have_v escape_v the_o reader_n be_v desire_v to_o correct_v advertisement_n a_fw-la enquiry_n into_o several_a remarkable_a text_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new-testament_n which_o contain_v some_o difficulty_n in_o they_o with_o a_o probable_a resolution_n of_o they_o by_o john_n edward_n b._n d._n in_o two_o volume_n in_o octavo_n sell_v by_o i._o robinson_n i._o everingham_n and_o i._o wyatt_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o ludgate-street_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n chap._n i._n the_o internal_a testimony_n or_o argument_n to_o evince_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n 1._o the_o matter_n of_o they_o that_o be_v the_o sublime_a verity_n the_o holy_a rule_n the_o accomplish_v prophecy_n contain_v in_o they_o under_o which_o last_n topick_n several_a particular_a prediction_n chief_o in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v explain_v and_o show_v to_o be_v fulfil_v further_o it_o be_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o foretell_v of_o future_a contingence_n of_o that_o nature_n especial_o so_o long_o before_o they_o come_v to_o pass_v can_v be_v from_o god_n only_o 2._o the_o manner_n of_o these_o write_n which_o be_v peculiar_a as_o to_o their_o simplicity_n majesty_n and_o their_o be_v immediate_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o their_o harmony_n 4._o the_o particular_a illumination_n of_o the_o spirit_n i_o have_v choose_v a_o very_a noble_a and_o important_a subject_n to_o exercise_v my_o pen_n and_o to_o entertain_v both_o my_o own_o and_o the_o reader_n be_v thought_n and_o contemplation_n with_o for_o no_o book_n under_o heaven_n can_v possible_o be_v the_o rival_n of_o the_o holy_a bible_n none_o in_o the_o world_n can_v pretend_v to_o the_o transcendent_a worth_n and_o excellency_n of_o these_o sacred_a write_n here_o not_o only_o all_o natural_a or_o morâ—â—_n religion_n but_o that_o also_o which_o be_v supernatural_a be_v fulâ—ly_o and_o ample_o contain_v here_o be_v the_o decalogue_n write_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o transcribe_v out_o of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n beside_o that_o there_o be_v frequent_o intersperse_v in_o these_o write_n other_o choice_n rulâ—â—_n and_o precept_n of_o morality_n but_o supernatural_a religion_n be_v the_o chief_a this_o be_v the_o main_a subject_n of_o thâ—â—_n sacred_a volume_n and_o this_o you_o will_v find_v partly_o deâ—livered_v by_o the_o inspire_a prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o partly_o by_o christ_n jesus_n himself_o in_o perâ—son_n and_o by_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o these_o holy_a scripture_n i_o be_o tâ—_n treat_v which_o be_v the_o standard_n of_o truth_n the_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o holiness_n and_o the_o ground_n work_v of_o all_o divinity_n for_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n deliver'â—_n in_o sacred_a writ_n we_o must_v necessary_o be_v acquaint_v with_o this_o and_o know_v in_o the_o â—irst_n place_n that_o it_o iâ—_n true_a and_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v so_o if_o aâ—â—_n estate_n be_v give_v a_o person_n by_o will_n he_o must_v firâ—â—_n prove_v that_o instrument_n to_o be_v true_a and_o authenticâ—â—_n before_o he_o can_v challenge_v any_o right_n to_o what_o be_v demise_v he_o in_o it_o so_o it_o be_v here_o god_n bequeath_v we_o aâ—_n inheritance_n i._n e._n life_n and_o salvation_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o will_n and_o testament_n wherein_o this_o be_v plain_o express_v and_o whereby_o it_o be_v convey_v to_o we_o especial_o thâ—_n write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n deseruâ—_v that_o name_n and_o thence_o be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o greek_a word_n which_o in_o its_o original_a
frequent_a mention_n make_v in_o jewish_n and_o other_o author_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v in_o a_o old_a samaritan_n character_n whence_o it_o be_v infer_v by_o some_o that_o this_o be_v the_o primitive_a character_n wherein_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v and_o consequent_o that_o this_o which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v not_o the_o true_a genuine_a character_n but_o i_o answer_v this_o do_v not_o follow_v for_o this_o samaritan_n vulgar_a character_n be_v not_o the_o first_o and_o ancient_a though_o it_o be_v sometime_o in_o use_n but_o the_o sacred_a character_n now_o call_v the_o hebrew_n character_n be_v real_o such_o and_o be_v the_o true_a and_o most_o ancient_a letter_n wherein_o this_o holy_a book_n be_v write_v this_o be_v the_o authentic_a letter_n which_o god_n himself_o grave_v the_o law_n in_o and_o thence_o have_v the_o name_n of_o the_o sacred_a character_n but_o the_o other_o call_v the_o common_a and_o vulgar_a be_v not_o in_o that_o esteem_n it_o be_v a_o deviation_n from_o that_o primitive_a one_o and_o yet_o to_o speak_v free_o there_o be_v no_o great_a difference_n between_o these_o two_o character_n the_o latter_a be_v only_o some_o variation_n and_o degeneracy_n from_o the_o former_a which_o happen_v by_o length_n of_o time_n this_o be_v the_o real_a truth_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o it_o solve_v the_o controversy_n and_o end_v all_o the_o dispute_n on_o both_o side_n and_o the_o learned_a french_a critic_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o another_o opinion_n come_v over_o at_o last_o to_o this_o when_o bible_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o critic_n to_o dispute_v so_o fierce_o about_o the_o first_o hebrew_n character_n for_o if_o we_o attentive_o consider_v and_o compare_v together_o the_o samaritan_n and_o hebrew_n character_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o be_v not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v have_v one_o and_o the_o same_o origine_fw-la and_o he_o grant_v also_o that_o it_o be_v from_o the_o succession_n of_o so_o many_o age_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o produce_v some_o alteration_n that_o there_o have_v be_v this_o variation_n from_o their_o first_o figure_n but_o this_o be_v inconsiderable_a so_o that_o both_o character_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o same_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n then_o to_o think_v that_o ezra_n change_v the_o character_n but_o that_o he_o only_o amend_v the_o defect_n and_o slip_v which_o he_o find_v in_o the_o hebrew_n for_o by_o consult_v and_o compare_v the_o several_a copy_n he_o purge_v they_o from_o the_o error_n and_o mistake_v which_o be_v contract_v in_o the_o time_n of_o thâ—_n captivity_n and_o after_o he_o have_v cause_v the_o book_n 〈◊〉_d be_v fair_o write_v out_o he_o put_v they_o into_o that_o order_n in_o which_o now_o they_o be_v place_v and_o so_o he_o may_v bâ—_n say_v to_o be_v the_o composer_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n into_o that_o model_n we_o see_v it_o now_o in_o and_o from_o his_o revise_v the_o book_n and_o mend_v they_o by_o compare_v of_o copy_n be_v the_o first_o beginning_n of_o keri_n and_o chetib_n as_o most_o of_o the_o learneâ—_n jew_n assert_v for_o where_o the_o copy_n disagree_v oâ—_n where_o two_o readins_n be_v probable_a there_o werâ—_n make_v variae_fw-la lectiones_fw-la the_o one_o be_v put_v into_o thâ—_n margin_n and_o be_v call_v lectio_fw-la keri_n the_o other_o into_o thâ—_n text_n and_o be_v call_v scriptio_fw-la chetib_n i_o know_v some_o ascribe_v these_o not_o to_o ezra_n but_o to_o the_o doctor_n of_o tiberiasâ—_n but_o here_o as_o before_z i_o be_o willing_a to_o compromise_v the_o quarrel_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v ascribe_v theâ—_n to_o both_o they_o be_v begin_v by_o ezra_n and_o augment_v by_o the_o other_o afterward_o this_o be_v one_o waâ—_n to_o keep_v the_o bible_n entire_a and_o uncorrupted_a and_o bâ—_n the_o favour_n of_o divine_a providence_n it_o have_v be_v transmit_v so_o to_o we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n also_o the_o canon_n 〈◊〉_d scripture_n be_v digest_v into_o partition_n and_o division_n as_o now_o it_o be_v and_o there_o be_v then_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o masorah_n or_o masore_v which_o become_v afterward_o part_n of_o the_o jewish_a cabala_n which_o abouâ—_n the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 494_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v by_o some_o skilful_a grammarian_n and_o have_v beeâ—_n very_o useful_a for_o preserve_v the_o old_a testament_n there_o be_v three_o several_a species_n of_o this_o cabala_n 〈◊〉_d they_o tell_v we_o the_o first_o be_v gematria_n from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o mathematical_a consideration_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o mystical_a number_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o a_o account_n of_o the_o great_a and_o little_a letter_n in_o word_n the_o second_o be_v notariaca_n a_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n from_o certain_a note_n character_n line_n and_o point_n belong_v to_o the_o hebrew_n text._n more_o particular_o noteriekon_v or_o notaricon_n or_o notariaca_n for_o i_o find_v that_o it_o be_v thus_o different_o express_v d_o in_o writer_n be_v when_o one_o letter_n stand_v for_o a_o whole_a word_n this_o way_n of_o cabalize_a give_v the_o name_n to_o judas_n maccabaeus_n who_o write_v on_o his_o standard_n and_o ensign_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o abbreviature_n or_o first_o letter_n of_o those_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d exod._n 15._o 11._o and_o by_o put_v vowel_n to_o the_o consonant_n they_o read_v it_o maccabi_n the_o three_o be_v temurah_n mutatio_fw-la which_o be_v make_v by_o the_o transposition_n of_o the_o same_o letter_n whence_o another_o word_n arise_v which_o explain_v the_o word_n that_o be_v transpose_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v explain_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d terra_n which_o contain_v the_o same_o letter_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d noah_n be_v say_v to_o have_v find_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d grace_n or_o favour_n gen._n 6._o 8._o the_o letter_n be_v the_o same_o but_o transpose_v so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d exod._n 23._o 23._o be_v by_o metathesis_n expound_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dan._n 12._o 1._o i._n e._n the_o messiah_n say_v the_o jewish_a doctor_n but_o the_o first_o and_o second_o way_n of_o cabalize_a which_o obtain_v the_o name_n of_o masore_v be_v the_o most_o considerable_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n these_o critical_a observation_n on_o the_o bible_n make_v of_o old_a and_o deliver_v from_o one_o to_o another_o whence_o they_o have_v their_o traderâ—_n denomination_n treat_v of_o the_o mystery_n of_o letter_n why_o some_o word_n be_v in_o great_a other_o in_o lesser_a character_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o great_a vau_fw-fr levit._n 11._o 42._o so_o they_o observe_v there_o be_v a_o open_a man_n at_o the_o end_n of_o a_o word_n in_o neh._n 2._o 13._o and_o a_o close_a man_n in_o the_o middle_n in_o isa._n 9_o 7._o the_o masorite_n likewise_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o likeness_n and_o difference_n of_o word_n by_o similitude_n oâ—_n diversity_n of_o letter_n and_o point_n they_o have_v madâ—_n remark_n on_o irregular_a and_o extraordinary_a pointing_n they_o have_v observe_v the_o variety_n of_o accent_n and_o so_o criticize_v on_o all_o these_o in_o the_o several_a placeâ—_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o there_o can_v be_v 〈◊〉_d change_v make_v in_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n but_o it_o muâ—â—_n be_v present_o see_v in_o this_o masore_v on_o the_o hebreâ—_n text_n they_o have_v reckon_v which_o verse_n in_o thâ—_n psalm_n be_v the_o middle_a one_o and_o which_o letter_n be_v thâ—_n middle_a letter_n in_o that_o whole_a book_n viz._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o thâ—_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o psal._n 80._o 13._o yea_o they_o hauâ—_n count_v all_o the_o verse_n and_o word_n all_o the_o accentâ—â—_n letter_n and_o vowel_n that_o be_v in_o every_o single_a bookâ—_n from_o which_o critical_a enumeration_n those_o transcrâ—bers_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v call_v by_o the_o jew_n sopheriâ—_n i_o e._n numberer_n and_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o every_o volume_n they_o have_v set_v down_o the_o exact_a number_n of_o 〈◊〉_d these_o and_o at_o last_o they_o reckon_v how_o many_o there_o aâ—_n in_o the_o whole_a bible_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n fathâ—â—_n simon_n indeed_o say_v they_o mistake_v in_o their_o accompâ—â—_n but_o that_o be_v more_o than_o he_o prove_v and_o i_o do_v 〈◊〉_d think_v he_o ever_o take_v the_o pain_n as_o great_a a_o criticâ—â—_n on_o the_o bible_n as_o he_o be_v to_o cast_v they_o up_o there_o 〈◊〉_d good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o jewish_a critic_n 〈◊〉_d the_o old_a testament_n be_v more_o to_o be_v credit_v in_o 〈◊〉_d particular_a than_o the_o french_a one_o however_o froâ—_n what_o have_v
be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o jew_n weâ—â—_n very_o careful_a and_o studious_a very_o exact_a and_o curioâ—â—_n in_o scripture_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o happen_v that_o theâ—_n be_v a_o impossibility_n of_o make_v any_o alteration_n in_o 〈◊〉_d without_o be_v discover_v that_o be_v the_o only_a reâ—son_n of_o my_o allege_v here_o the_o masoretic_n note_n 〈◊〉_d i_o undertake_v not_o to_o defend_v the_o superstitious_a râ—â—marks_n and_o criticism_n of_o the_o masorite_n i_o applaud_v not_o their_o laborious_a nicety_n their_o childish_a transmutation_n and_o shufl_v of_o letter_n and_o syllable_n their_o trifle_a annotation_n on_o the_o figure_n and_o make_v of_o some_o hebrew_n letter_n but_o i_o only_o take_v notice_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o make_v these_o critical_a man_n to_o be_v very_o serviceable_a towards_o the_o preserve_a the_o bible_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o its_o purity_n the_o observation_n of_o these_o masoretic_n doctor_n who_o be_v person_n of_o great_a skill_n in_o the_o language_n and_o well_o acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o ancient_a copy_n and_o manuscript_n and_o who_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n ago_o exact_o number_v all_o the_o verse_n word_n letter_n and_o even_o the_o minute_a part_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n have_v be_v a_o great_a security_n and_o preservative_n to_o it_o they_o have_v keep_v it_o undeprave_v and_o uncorrupt_a and_o have_v make_v the_o read_n of_o it_o certain_a and_o unalterable_a this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o that_o excellent_a and_o noble_a personage_n the_o learned_a picus_n mirandula_n so_o high_o extol_v the_o hebrew_n cabala_n without_o doubt_n he_o see_v this_o usefulness_n and_o excellency_n in_o it_o nay_o before_o these_o doctor_n of_o tiberias_n draw_v up_o their_o masoretic_n note_n there_o be_v it_o be_v probable_a extant_a something_o of_o this_o nature_n they_o have_v before_o this_o time_n some_o account_n not_o only_o of_o all_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o bible_n but_o of_o all_o the_o apices_fw-la of_o they_o for_o to_o this_o our_o saviour_n allude_v in_o mat._n 5._o 18._o not_o one_o jot_n or_o one_o 〈◊〉_d tittle_n which_o latter_a be_v mean_v of_o those_o little_a horn_n prick_n and_o dot_n belong_v to_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n not_o only_o the_o small_a letter_n as_o jod_n but_o the_o cut_n of_o those_o letter_n be_v diligent_o observe_v by_o the_o masoretic_n jew_n and_o this_o their_o nice_a and_o almost_o fond_a criticism_n be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n entire_a and_o unchanged_a thus_o the_o masore_v as_o they_o express_v it_o be_v a_o hedge_n or_o fence_n to_o the_o law_n theâ—_n critical_a note_n and_o remark_n of_o the_o old_a jew_n hauâ—_n preserve_v the_o text_n of_o the_o bible_n from_o be_v corrupt_v and_o abuse_v so_o that_o we_o may_v from_o henâ—_n gather_v that_o we_o have_v in_o our_o hand_n the_o same_o heâ—brew_n text_n which_o be_v at_o first_o give_v by_o god_n to_o 〈◊〉_d people_n but_o some_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n 〈◊〉_d bâ—rnt_v at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o the_o temple_n be_v 〈◊〉_d that_o ezra_n after_o the_o captivity_n dictate_v and_o write_v 〈◊〉_d over_o again_o according_a to_o what_o we_o find_v recordâ—â—_n in_o 2_o esdras_n 14._o 21_o 23_o 24._o so_o there_o be_v some_o recovery_n of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o original_a book_n beinâ—_n lose_v it_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o that_o there_o be_v many_o â—aults_n and_o mistake_v in_o this_o which_o we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d present_a i_o answer_v either_o this_o passage_n in_o the_o aâ—pocryphal_a writer_n speak_v of_o some_o other_o book_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n or_o it_o be_v to_o bâ—_n reckon_v as_o fabulous_a and_o supposititious_a and_o so_o 〈◊〉_d creditâ—_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o it_o for_o in_o nehem._n 8._o 2_o 3._o there_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v bring_v before_o the_o congregation_n and_o its_o be_v read_v before_o 〈◊〉_d man_n and_o the_o woman_n but_o not_o a_o syllable_n of_o the_o maâ—tâ—r_n mention_v in_o esdras_n be_v hero_n to_o be_v find_v yes_o it_o be_v imply_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v still_o the_o same_o for_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o the_o chaldean_n destroy_v and_o burn_v and_o carry_v away_o at_o the_o take_n of_o jerusâ—â—em_n but_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o these_o holy_a book_n which_o most_o certain_o will_v have_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o they_o be_v of_o so_o inestimable_a a_o vaâ—â—â—_n morcover_v if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v the_o law_n be_v burn_v in_o the_o temple_n yet_o there_o be_v many_o copy_n of_o it_o among_o the_o jew_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v preserve_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n therefore_o to_o suspect_v that_o the_o hebrew_n original_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v corrupt_v but_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o well_o as_o some_o learned_a modern_n have_v assert_v that_o the_o hebrew_n be_v corrupt_v i_o answer_v first_o as_o to_o the_o father_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o justin_n martyr_n declare_v himself_o to_o be_v of_o this_o opinion_n in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n he_o confident_o assirm_v that_o the_o jew_n erase_v many_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o bible_n and_o he_o assign_v particular_a instance_n in_o the_o psalm_n isaiah_n and_o jeremiah_n and_o this_o they_o do_v say_v he_o because_o they_o hate_v christ_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o think_v some_o of_o those_o place_n favour_v the_o christian_a cause_n too_o much_o here_o by_o the_o by_o you_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o great_a mistake_n and_o oversight_n in_o bishop_n ward_n be_v 3_o essay_n where_o he_o peremptory_o assert_n that_o never_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n have_v in_o their_o great_a heat_n of_o zeal_n against_o the_o jew_n accuse_v they_o of_o such_o corruption_n i._n e._n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o first_o time_n that_o justin_n martyr_n have_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o historical_a truth_n this_o among_o other_o be_v questionless_a a_o gross_a mistake_n of_o that_o good_a man_n and_o his_o strong_a averseness_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o his_o belief_n of_o their_o willingness_n and_o readiness_n to_o deprave_v the_o scripture_n for_o their_o own_o end_n betray_v he_o to_o it_o as_o for_o other_o father_n as_o tertullian_n irenaecus_fw-la origen_n eusebius_n who_o it_o be_v true_a sometime_o complain_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o jew_n they_o speak_v of_o their_o adulterate_v the_o text_n rather_o as_o to_o the_o sense_n than_o as_o to_o the_o word_n they_o mean_v that_o the_o translation_n which_o the_o jew_n use_v be_v false_a for_o they_o general_o adhere_v to_o aquila_n and_o theodotion_n version_n and_o prefer_v it_o before_o that_o of_o the_o seventy_o whence_o their_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n be_v unsound_a and_o erroneous_a and_o thereby_o they_o sometime_o set_v up_o judaisme_n against_o christianity_n but_o this_o be_v do_v without_o corrupt_a thâ—_n hebrew_n copy_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v express_o assert_v and_o maintain_v by_o jerom_n and_o 11._o augustine_n two_o ancient_a father_n of_o a_o great_a fame_n for_o learning_n and_o piety_n as_o those_o before_o name_v these_o worthy_a person_n refute_v that_o suspicion_n and_o rumour_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v then_o rise_v namely_o that_o thâ—_n jew_n have_v adulterate_v the_o hebrew_n text._n these_o father_n not_o only_o declare_v that_o they_o do_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o they_o praise_v they_o for_o their_o faithfulness_n in_o preserve_v the_o bible_n pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a then_o as_o to_o some_o of_o the_o modern_n who_o have_v assert_v the_o hebrew_a copy_n to_o be_v faulty_a and_o deprave_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v what_o it_o be_v that_o prompt_v they_o to_o it_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v corrupt_v and_o so_o be_v that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n say_v the_o romanist_n but_o the_o old_a vulgar_a latin_a be_v uncorrupt_a and_o infallible_a so_o determine_v the_o tridentine_a council_n huntlaeus_n several_a of_o that_o communion_n have_v write_v against_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n and_o labour_v to_o prove_v they_o corrupt_v but_o diatribe_n morinus_n have_v show_v himself_o more_o zealous_a than_o all_o of_o they_o in_o this_o point_n and_o he_o frank_o confess_v this_o be_v his_o main_a design_n in_o it_o viz._n to_o baffle_v the_o protestant_n who_o make_v the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o manner_n if_o the_o original_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v lose_v and_o the_o transcript_n be_v defective_a and_o erroneous_a how_o can_v the_o bible_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n what_o will_v become_v then_o of_o the_o
may_v be_v suffer_v to_o give_v my_o conjecture_n 〈◊〉_d poet_n do_v very_o â—itly_o relate_v how_o atlas_n bear_v up_o 〈◊〉_d heavons_fw-fr when_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o mean_v 〈◊〉_d moses_n who_o give_v we_o the_o authentic_a record_n 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n creation_n and_o begin_v his_o history_n with_o the_o production_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o tâ—â—â—_n atlas_n that_o support_v the_o sphere_n nay_o he_o may_v be_v right_o say_v not_o only_o to_o bear_v up_o the_o heauâ—â—s_n 〈◊〉_d the_o earth_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o sink_v into_o their_o first_o chaos_n by_o transmit_v the_o account_n and_o memory_n of_o they_o to_o all_o posterity_n i_o question_v 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o moses_n be_v represent_v by_o heâ—â—mes_n trismegistus_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o very_a great_a i._n e._n a_o excellent_a man_n and_o such_o none_o caâ—_n deny_v moses_n to_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n interpreter_n be_v appliable_a to_o none_o better_o than_o to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o first_o sacred_a and_o inspire_a interpreter_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o write_v letter_n be_v invent_v by_o this_o hermes_n say_v egypâ—_n jamblichus_a from_o his_o maâ—â—â—â—_n phileb_n plato_n moses_n be_v the_o first_o writer_n may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n diâ—dorus_n also_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o that_o give_v the_o egyptian_n he_o shall_v have_v say_v jew_n but_o those_o mistake_v be_v common_a with_o he_o and_o other_o pagan_a author_n ibid._n write_v law_n and_o that_o â—e_n be_v ibid._n a_o man_n of_o a_o great_a soul_n and_o very_o powerful_a in_o his_o life_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v he_o be_v eclog._n one_o that_o excel_v in_o wisdom_n and_o valour_n 16._o strabo_n make_v honourable_a mention_n of_o this_o great_a â—â—rsonage_n yea_o speak_v not_o only_o of_o he_o but_o of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o with_o great_a respect_n he_o rank_n he_o among_o the_o best_a legislator_n and_o high_o praise_v his_o law_n and_o give_v they_o the_o preeminence_n before_o all_o other_o he_o recite_v some_o of_o his_o say_n and_o deed_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o leave_v egypt_n and_o come_v into_o syria_n because_o he_o dislike_v the_o egyptian_n for_o their_o make_n and_o worship_v of_o corporeal_a god_n of_o the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o brute_n and_o that_o moses_n profess_v that_o god_n can_v not_o be_v represent_v by_o any_o image_n or_o likeness_n whatsoever_o there_o be_v 5._o other_o gentile_n who_o speak_v of_o moses_n and_o his_o law_n and_o constitution_n and_o they_o will_v have_v be_v more_o favourable_a in_o their_o testimonial_n concern_v he_o if_o their_o heathen_a principle_n have_v not_o biased_a they_o to_o a_o more_o undue_a character_n which_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o philo_n in_o the_o life_n of_o moses_n though_o say_v he_o some_o pagan_a historian_n speak_v of_o he_o yet_o they_o say_v but_o little_a and_o that_o not_o true_o neither_o out_o of_o envy_n it_o be_v likely_a or_o because_o of_o the_o great_a disagreement_n between_o he_o and_o the_o law_n of_o other_o lawgiver_n they_o vouchsafe_v not_o to_o remember_v he_o but_o that_o testimony_n which_o we_o have_v be_v sufficient_a and_o we_o may_v thence_o be_v satisfy_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o most_o authentic_a historian_n and_o the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n and_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o what_o they_o say_v that_o his_o law_n be_v the_o first_o and_o give_v beginning_n to_o all_o otherâ—_n the_o famous_a lawgiver_n and_o politician_n among_o the_o grecian_n as_o lycurgus_n and_o solon_n have_v the_o main_a of_o their_o politic_n from_o moses_n law_n whence_o afterward_o the_o roman_n take_v some_o of_o they_o and_o as_o moses_n receive_v his_o law_n immediate_o from_o god_n so_o in_o imitation_n of_o he_o the_o great_a lawgiver_n say_v they_o have_v they_o from_o some_o deity_n as_o numa_n from_o aegeria_n minos_n from_o jupiter_n lycurgus_n from_o apollo_n zabeucus_fw-la from_o minerva_n etc._n etc._n still_o this_o establish_v our_o notion_n that_o the_o write_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v rise_v to_o many_o thing_n among_o the_o pagan_n which_o i_o will_v yet_o far_o pursue_v chap._n vi_o profane_a writer_n testify_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o particular_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n viz._n the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o the_o canaanite_n the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o jephthah_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n sampson_n loss_n of_o his_o hair_n the_o fox_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o against_o the_o philistine_n elias_n rapture_n to_o heaven_n some_o passage_n relate_v to_o king_n solomon_n king_n hiram_n etc._n etc._n the_o sun_n be_v go_v back_o in_o king_n hezekiah_n time_n nebuchadnezzar_n transformation_n into_o a_o beast_n his_o dream_n of_o a_o image_n with_o a_o golden_a head_n etc._n etc._n next_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o heathen_n have_v their_o deity_n from_o the_o old_a testament_n their_o saturn_n be_v adam_n their_o minerva_n be_v eve_n their_o jupiter_n cain_n their_o vulcan_n tubal-cain_n their_o bacchus_n as_o also_o their_o saturn_n and_o janus_n noah_n their_o apis_n joseph_n their_o mercury_n and_o bacchus_n moses_n their_o hercules_n joshua_n and_o samson_n their_o apollo_n jubal_n their_o ganymed_n elias_n etc._n etc._n â—venthly_a some_o other_o thing_n which_o the_o old_a testament_n acquaint_v we_o happen_v after_o 〈◊〉_d give_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n till_o the_o babylonian_a 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o profane_a writer_n we_o read_v in_o numb_a 13._o 33._o of_o the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o canaanites_n who_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o anak_n 〈◊〉_d in_o deut._n 9_o 2._o jos._n 11._o 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v call_v anakim_v be_v there_o not_o some_o prob_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d daridae_fw-la or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o there_o be_v more_o than_o câ—stor_n and_o pollux_n that_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n 3_o tully_n will_v inform_v you_o who_o by_o the_o greek_n wâ—â—_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o theodorâ—t_n several_a author_n acquaint_v 〈◊〉_d have_v their_o name_n from_o those_o great_a man_n who_o wâ—â—â—_n the_o offspring_n of_o anak_n these_o be_v drive_v josuaâ—_n out_o of_o palestine_n when_o he_o overcome_v 〈◊〉_d country_n it_o be_v likely_a go_v into_o greece_n and_o froâ—_n they_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o athens_n and_o sparta_n descend_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o name_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v give_v not_o only_o to_o the_o tyndaridae_n but_o all_o great_a mâ—â—_n and_o prince_n i_o will_v add_v that_o it_o be_v probable_a thâ—_n word_n give_v origination_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signiâ—â—â—_n great_a and_o principal_a man_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v from_o that_o miracle_n in_o jos._n 10._o 13._o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d stand_v still_o perhaps_o the_o poet_n fiction_n arise_v concern_v the_o night_n double_v or_o treble_v by_o jupitâ—â—_n for_o alcmena_n sake_n for_o as_o have_v be_v suggesâ—â—â—_n already_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n when_o they_o get_v a_o story_n by_o the_o end_n make_v what_o they_o please_v of_o it_o and_o turn_v it_o into_o quite_o another_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o rumour_n of_o that_o strange_a accident_n have_v come_v to_o their_o ear_n and_o they_o present_o turn_v it_o into_o a_o fable_n and_o who_o shall_v stop_v the_o course_n of_o the_o suâ—_n but_o jupiter_n the_o supreme_a god_n and_o after_o the_o raâ—â—_n that_o they_o represent_v their_o god_n that_o which_o be_v further_o add_v be_v apposite_a enough_o for_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v lewd_a and_o obscene_a and_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o all_o lustful_a practice_n now_o when_o the_o sun_n stand_v still_o in_o one_o hemisphere_n the_o other_o want_v his_o presence_n and_o light_n and_o â—o_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o double_a night_n for_o the_o sun_n be_v â—â—aying_v here_o so_o long_o but_o you_o shall_v have_v another_o fable_n short_o that_o will_v speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n porphyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o sanchoniathon_n have_v his_o historical_a narration_n and_o secret_n from_o one_o jerombaal_n priest_n of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o show_v that_o that_o historian_n have_v his_o matter_n from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n the_o hebrew_n fountain_n of_o truth_n though_o he_o oftentimes_o corrupt_v they_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o have_v partly_o learn_v the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a god_n from_o the_o hebrew_n or_o their_o write_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v jehovah_n the_o true_a god_n who_o the_o jew_n worship_v as_o i_o shall_v â—â—â—w_v more_o afterward_o beside_o from_o
mention_v by_o 45._o three_o of_o the_o evangelist_n the_o 2._o jewish_a historian_n express_o testify_v and_o he_o be_v as_o good_a a_o witness_n as_o we_o can_v desire_v in_o this_o affair_n chap._n xii_o after_o particular_a testimony_n now_o more_o general_a one_o be_v produce_v as_o that_o of_o pontius_n pilate_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o tiberius_n the_o respect_n which_o this_o emperor_n and_o other_o bear_v to_o christ._n josephus_n famous_a testimony_n concern_v he_o as_o also_o concern_v other_o mention_v in_o the_o new-testament_n attestation_n of_o pagan_n concern_v st._n paul_n st._n peter_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o acts._n all_o christ_n prediction_n about_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n confirm_v by_o heathen_n and_o jew_n what_o pliny_n and_o trajan_n relate_v of_o the_o christian_n mahomet_n bear_v witness_n to_o christ._n thus_o you_o have_v particular_a testimony_n as_o to_o those_o three_o great_a thing_n our_o saviour_n birth_n life_n and_o death_n now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o have_v general_a testimony_n to_o produce_v there_o be_v some_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a witness_n that_o confirm_v all_o these_o yea_o and_o more_o than_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o testify_v namely_o christ_n resurrection_n as_o other_o governor_n and_o deputy_n of_o province_n use_v to_o send_v a_o account_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o senate_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o happen_v in_o their_o province_n so_o pontius_n pilate_n procurator_n of_o judea_n do_v the_o like_a and_o his_o relation_n be_v the_o more_o valuable_a because_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o person_n who_o condemn_v our_o saviour_n to_o death_n his_o letter_n or_o letter_n rather_o there_o be_v two_o of_o they_o to_o the_o emperor_n tiberius_n soon_o after_o christ_n death_n give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o life_n miracle_n crucifixion_n and_o rise_v to_o life_n again_o and_o as_o public_a act_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v transmit_v and_o reserve_v in_o the_o imperial_a archive_v so_o these_o be_v keep_v there_o whence_o the_o christian_a father_n have_v they_o hegesippus_n a_o ancient_a champion_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n make_v use_v of_o they_o against_o the_o pagan_n as_o we_o be_v inform_v from_o 2._o eusebius_n gentes_fw-la justin_n martyr_n tell_v the_o roman_a emperor_n that_o as_o for_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o act_n of_o or_o under_o pontius_n pilate_n and_o refer_v they_o to_o those_o as_o satisfactory_a and_o undeniable_a tertullian_n with_o great_a boldness_n allege_v the_o same_o record_n as_o a_o sufficient_a confirmation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o apology_n c._n 5._o &_o 21._o whereupon_o apost_n one_o of_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o age_n conclude_v that_o this_o ancient_a father_n find_v this_o among_o the_o act_n of_o the_o roman_a senate_n where_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v set_v down_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v say_v he_o that_o pontius_n pilate_n send_v this_o account_n to_o tiberius_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v the_o constant_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o governor_n and_o deputy_n of_o province_n to_o transmit_v the_o relation_n of_o every_o remarkable_a occurrence_n to_o the_o emperor_n by_o who_o they_o be_v place_v in_o those_o station_n for_o this_o purpose_n viz._n to_o inform_v they_o concern_v the_o affair_n of_o those_o particular_a place_n now_o the_o crucify_a of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o rise_n again_o be_v certain_o very_o considerable_a and_o remarkable_a passage_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o pilate_n as_o procurator_n of_o judea_n send_v the_o emperor_n a_o relation_n of_o they_o on_o which_o account_n this_o judicious_a writer_n assert_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o there_o be_v other_o argument_n which_o he_o use_v to_o enforce_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o which_o be_v worth_a the_o consult_v thus_o it_o plain_o appear_v from_o the_o forementioned_a father_n that_o there_o be_v such_o letter_n from_o pilate_n to_o tiberius_n and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n extant_a at_o that_o time_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v make_v their_o appeal_n to_o they_o in_o their_o apology_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v call_v upon_o the_o emperor_n to_o consult_v their_o own_o record_n which_o testify_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o action_n wherefore_o i_o look_v upon_o cent._n du_n pin_n judgement_n as_o flat_a here_o who_o say_v that_o though_o this_o relation_n can_v be_v absolute_o charge_v with_o falsehood_n yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v as_o doubtful_a ibid._n tertullian_n add_v and_o from_o he_o eusebius_n that_o tiberius_n will_v have_v put_v christ_n into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o god_n upon_o pilat_n write_v such_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o concern_v he_o he_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o senate_n desire_v they_o to_o rank_v he_o among_o those_o that_o be_v worship_v and_o deify_v but_o the_o senate_n refuse_v it_o because_o they_o themselves_o do_v not_o first_o order_n and_o approve_v of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o old_a roman_a law_n that_o no_o god_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o by_o the_o emperor_n unless_o first_o approve_v of_o by_o the_o senate_n for_o this_o reason_n only_o they_o reject_v christ_n from_o be_v admit_v among_o the_o go_n however_o the_o emperor_n still_o retain_v the_o same_o reverence_n and_o esteem_n of_o christ_n as_o a_o most_o divine_a person_n and_o in_o honour_n to_o he_o favour_v the_o christian_n and_o by_o tiberii_n edict_n order_v that_o none_o shall_v accuse_v and_o disturb_v they_o mere_o for_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n annex_v a_o severe_a penalty_n on_o such_o as_o dare_v to_o transgress_v this_o edict_n nay_o tertullian_n and_o other_o father_n assure_v we_o that_o he_o have_v so_o great_a a_o reverence_n for_o christ_n that_o he_o intend_v to_o erect_v a_o temple_n to_o he_o this_o be_v from_o that_o information_n which_o pilate_n send_v he_o concern_v our_o saviour_n i_o may_v mention_v the_o kindness_n which_o other_o emperor_n have_v for_o christ_n as_o no_o contemptible_a testimony_n to_o that_o purpose_n which_o i_o design_v this_o discourse_n for_o 51._o lampridius_n report_v that_o alexander_n severus_n worship_v our_o lord_n and_o have_v his_o picture_n in_o great_a veneration_n and_o that_o he_o have_v thought_n of_o erect_v a_o temple_n to_o he_o and_o take_v he_o into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o go_n which_o adrian_n likewise_o he_o say_v intend_v to_o have_v do_v but_o be_v hinder_v from_o it_o by_o be_v tell_v that_o all_o will_v turn_v christian_n and_o the_o temple_n consecrate_a to_o the_o other_o god_n will_v be_v forsake_v these_o be_v ample_a attestation_n of_o pagan_n concern_v christ_n and_o which_o be_v great_a they_o be_v their_o approbation_n of_o he_o next_o i_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o famous_a jew_n who_o i_o have_v so_o often_o make_v mention_n of_o who_o forty_o or_o fifty_o year_n after_o some_o of_o the_o evangelical_n write_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n affair_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o of_o many_o thing_n relate_v to_o he_o among_o other_o passage_n he_o have_v this_o memorable_a one_o 4._o at_o this_o time_n say_v he_o there_o be_v one_o jesus_n a_o wise_a man_n if_o i_o may_v call_v he_o a_o man_n for_o he_o do_v most_o wonderful_a work_n and_o be_v a_o teacher_n of_o thâ—se_a who_o receive_v the_o truth_n with_o delight_n he_o bring_v many_o to_o his_o persuasion_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n this_o be_v christ_n who_o though_o he_o be_v by_o the_o instigation_n of_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o our_o nation_n and_o by_o pilate_n '_o be_v doom_n hang_v on_o the_o cross_n yet_o those_o who_o love_v he_o at_o first_o do_v not_o cease_v to_o do_v so_o for_o he_o come_v to_o life_n again_o the_o three_o day_n and_o appear_v to_o they_o the_o divine_a prophet_n have_v foretold_v these_o and_o infinite_a other_o wonder_n of_o he_o and_o to_o this_o day_n remain_v that_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o have_v from_o he_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n both_o eusebius_n and_o st._n jerom_n allege_v this_o famous_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v christ_n as_o a_o undeniable_a confirmation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o writer_n place_n this_o jew_n among_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n because_o he_o speak_v of_o our_o saviour_n with_o this_o great_a respect_n a_o 44._o late_a writer_n have_v a_o great_a many_o idle_a foolish_a cavil_n against_o this_o so_o notable_a a_o memorial_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o bless_a lord_n he_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n write_v against_o the_o jew_n make_v no_o
now_o agree_v to_o that_o parchment_n which_o be_v make_v of_o sheepskin_n dress_v be_v long_o before_o the_o emulation_n between_o ptolomee_n and_o eumenes_n who_o both_o at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v ambitious_a to_o procure_v a_o universal_a library_n but_o when_o this_o quarrel_n arise_v ptolomee_o forbid_v paper_n to_o be_v send_v out_o of_o egypt_n whereupon_o eumence_v cause_v parchment_n to_o be_v make_v in_o great_a abundance_n than_o before_o that_o so_o there_o may_v be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o paper_n again_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o this_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o parchment_n and_o see_v we_o have_v prove_v that_o parchment_n be_v long_o before_o it_o be_v credible_a that_o the_o bible_n be_v copy_v out_o at_o first_o into_o it_o that_o proverbial_a say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d show_v the_o great_a antiquity_n of_o this_o sort_n of_o writing-materials_a for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v membrana_fw-la and_o it_o be_v also_o a_o book_n make_v of_o the_o same_o which_o they_o of_o old_a use_v to_o write_v in_o i_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o ancient_a practice_n of_o the_o jew_n viz._n their_o wear_n of_o phylactery_n which_o be_v piece_n of_o scroll_n of_o parchment_n whereon_o they_o write_v some_o part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o bind_v it_o to_o their_o head_n and_o hand_n whence_o we_o may_v probable_o gather_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v first_o of_o all_o parchment-writing_n for_o the_o jew_n be_v strict_a observer_n as_o well_o as_o admirer_n of_o antiquity_n and_o therefore_o their_o writing_n some_o sentence_n of_o the_o law_n in_o parchment_n show_v that_o the_o bible_n itself_o from_o whence_o they_o be_v take_v have_v be_v usual_o and_o of_o old_a transcribe_v into_o those_o very_a material_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v but_o i_o will_v only_o add_v that_o the_o jew_n roll_v up_o their_o sacred_a write_n whence_o their_o book_n be_v call_v megilloth_n volumina_fw-la be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v not_o compose_v of_o egyptian_a paper_n which_o be_v thin_a and_o weak_a and_o consequent_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o this_o rolling_n but_o a_o long_a and_o broad_a skin_n or_o parchment_n will_v endure_v this_o without_o tear_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o this_o be_v make_v use_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o which_o beside_o the_o common_a report_n and_o notion_n among_o the_o jew_n cause_v the_o famous_a rabbi_n jonathan_n to_o say_v in_o his_o targum_fw-la on_o deut._n 31._o 24._o that_o moses_n write_v the_o law_n upon_o parchment_n which_o show_v that_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o learned_a jew_n that_o the_o bible_n be_v original_o write_v in_o parchment_n not_o on_o paper_n and_o the_o talmud_n often_o mention_n this_o parchment-writing_a as_o a_o know_a thing_n it_o be_v rational_a then_o to_o believe_v and_o assert_v that_o these_o holy_a record_n be_v write_v in_o parchment_n and_o though_o we_o be_v inform_v from_o sufficient_a author_n that_o other_o material_n of_o old_a be_v use_v as_o the_o egyptian_a papyrus_fw-la leave_n as_o also_o the_o inward_a bark_n or_o coat_n of_o tree_n etc._n etc._n when_o they_o write_v but_o few_o word_n yet_o parchment_n be_v the_o old_a and_o usual_a matter_n on_o which_o they_o write_v when_o they_o have_v occasion_n to_o compose_v a_o whole_a book_n which_o confute_v f._n simon_n be_v notion_n that_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o paper_n which_o upon_o serious_a reflection_n so_o search_v a_o person_n as_o he_o be_v can_v but_o discern_v to_o be_v a_o mistake_n and_o he_o know_v that_o charta_n writing-paper_n be_v not_o general_o use_v till_o alexander_n the_o great_a be_v time_n as_o 11._o pliny_n himself_o acknowledge_v who_o quote_v varro_n for_o this_o that_o the_o first_o use_n of_o paper_n make_v of_o the_o cortex_fw-la of_o the_o egyptian_a papyrus_fw-la be_v find_v out_o in_o egypt_n in_o that_o monarch_n reign_n and_o that_o before_o that_o time_n they_o write_v upon_o leave_n of_o tree_n on_o wax_n etc._n etc._n then_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o disprove_v this_o ingenious_a author_n conceit_n about_o the_o fasten_n or_o rather_o as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o the_o not_o fasten_v of_o these_o parchment_n together_o whence_o he_o fancy_v it_o be_v that_o the_o transposition_n and_o misplace_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n happen_v he_o tell_v we_o that_o heretofore_o they_o write_v upon_o sheet_n or_o leave_n roll_v together_o one_o over_o another_o round_o a_o piece_n of_o wood_n and_o these_o be_v not_o well_o join_v together_o there_o be_v sometime_o a_o misplace_n of_o what_o be_v write_v in_o they_o because_o their_o order_n be_v alter_v this_o may_v be_v partly_o true_a and_o i_o can_v deny_v that_o it_o so_o happen_v sometime_o that_o be_v when_o there_o be_v no_o care_n take_v to_o sow_v or_o other_o way_n to_o fasten_v the_o leave_n or_o sheet_n to_o the_o stick_n of_o wood_n about_o which_o they_o be_v roll_v or_o to_o one_o another_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o the_o present_a case_n for_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o they_o take_v all_o the_o care_n imaginable_a to_o secure_v the_o order_n of_o the_o sheet_n and_o they_o be_v not_o destitute_a of_o a_o particular_a way_n of_o do_v it_o so_o that_o their_o book_n be_v sufficient_o fasten_v but_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v as_o our_o book_n be_v now_o a_o day_n than_o his_o new_a discovery_n be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o trade_n of_o book-binding_a be_v not_o set_v up_o in_o moses_n or_o ezra_n day_n or_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o write_v sheet_n and_o scroll_n be_v loose_a and_o not_o well_o tack_v together_o he_o wilful_o speak_v against_o his_o own_o knowledge_n of_o this_o matter_n for_o he_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o jew_n write_v in_o roll_n or_o continue_a sheet_n or_o skin_n which_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o be_v separate_v as_o our_o write_n be_v now_o he_o be_v antiquary_n enough_o to_o confute_v himself_o from_o what_o he_o have_v read_v concern_v their_o manner_n of_o make_v their_o book_n or_o volume_n their_o fix_v the_o sheet_n of_o parchment_n at_o one_o end_n by_o sow_v or_o fasten_v the_o first_o sheet_n between_o two_o stick_n or_o piece_n of_o wood_n their_o join_v the_o several_a sheet_n together_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o forecited_a testimony_n of_o the_o jewish_a historian_n who_o say_v the_o parchment_n in_o which_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v be_v so_o close_o and_o firm_o join_v together_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o discern_v the_o seam_n or_o place_n where_o they_o be_v join_v their_o roll_v they_o up_o close_o and_o their_o keep_v they_o in_o safe_a repository_n for_o they_o have_v place_n on_o purpose_n for_o all_o valuable_a book_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a yea_o scarce_o possible_a that_o any_o of_o these_o scroll_n or_o sheet_n which_o be_v not_o little_a one_o as_o he_o suggest_v but_o of_o a_o considerable_a size_n shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o their_o place_n much_o less_o lose_v for_o he_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o assert_v that_o many_o of_o these_o scroll_n be_v embezzele_v and_o lose_v and_o thence_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v so_o maim_v and_o imperfect_a but_o we_o know_v the_o man_n and_o his_o design_n which_o be_v to_o depretiate_v and_o vilify_v the_o scripture_n thereby_o to_o advance_v the_o credit_n of_o tradition_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n to_o exalt_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o this_o be_v not_o so_o forward_o to_o exalt_v he_o this_o be_v it_o which_o make_v he_o give_v we_o this_o specimen_fw-la of_o his_o wit_n and_o invention_n of_o which_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v he_o have_v no_o small_a stock_n this_o make_v he_o attempt_v by_o these_o paper-proof_n to_o lessen_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n otherwise_o it_o be_v certain_a this_o parisian_a critic_n be_v a_o person_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o learning_n and_o it_o be_v his_o singular_a commendation_n that_o he_o be_v no_o furious_a bigot_n but_o be_v moderate_a and_o discreet_a in_o many_o thing_n and_o be_v one_o that_o dote_v not_o on_o the_o opinion_n and_o assertion_n of_o the_o catholic_n doctor_n but_o if_o you_o will_v know_v the_o true_a reason_n or_o occasion_n of_o that_o transposition_n which_o you_o sometime_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o holy_a write_n not_o only_o of_o the_o old_a but_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v chief_o this_o as_o i_o conceive_v the_o holy_a writer_n study_v not_o exactness_n they_o be_v more_o intent_n upon_o the_o thing_n and_o matter_n which_o they_o write_v than_o upon_o the_o due_a order_n and_o marshal_n of_o it_o they_o
grammar_n and_o no_o shadow_n of_o soloecise_v when_o this_o divine_a writer_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o of_o our_o own_o annotator_n have_v pick_v up_o this_o false_a notion_n concern_v the_o style_n of_o scripture_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v not_o reconcileable_a with_o grammatical_a syntax_n in_o some_o place_n two_o especial_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o eph._n 4._o 2._o col._n 3._o 16._o in_o the_o former_a he_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o greek_a whereas_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o nominative_a be_v put_v instead_o of_o the_o accusative_a but_o by_o this_o worthy_a annotator_n leave_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v yea_o and_o certain_o do_v refer_v to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o former_a verse_n and_o so_o it_o be_v but_o insert_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o then_o the_o grammar_n be_v salve_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o beseech_v you_o that_o you_o forbear_v one_o another_o and_o if_o you_o say_v it_o shall_v have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o former_a verse_n it_o be_v easy_o answer_v that_o the_o apostle_n may_v express_v himself_o in_o the_o way_n of_o a_o subjunctive_a as_o well_o as_o a_o infinitive_n see_v it_o can_v be_v do_v by_o either_o of_o they_o as_o this_o learned_a critic_n can_v but_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o latter_a place_n allege_v by_o this_o learned_a man_n he_o take_v notice_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v misplace_v instead_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o nominative_a for_o a_o dative_n case_n which_o be_v a_o great_a flaw_n in_o grammar_n but_o this_o be_v soon_o take_v off_o by_o refer_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o that_o verse_n as_o the_o doctor_n do_v but_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o verse_n just_a before_o for_o to_o these_o it_o have_v reference_n and_o not_o to_o that_o and_o so_o the_o grammatical_a concord_n be_v very_o â—ood_a and_o sound_a in_o several_a other_o place_n where_o there_o have_v be_v the_o like_a objection_n make_v you_o will_v find_v the_o sense_n render_v entire_a by_o the_o industrious_a pen_n of_o that_o learned_a knight_n sir_n norton_n knatchbull_n though_o to_o speak_v free_o and_o impartial_o he_o sometime_o represent_v the_o style_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n more_o perplex_v and_o disturb_v that_o i_o can_v believe_v it_o to_o be_v and_o though_o he_o fancy_n trajection_n in_o some_o place_n where_o there_o be_v none_o yet_o to_o the_o perpetual_a honour_n of_o this_o worthy_a gentleman_n it_o must_v be_v say_v that_o he_o have_v discover_v several_a trajection_n or_o transposition_n parenthesis_n transition_n ellipse_n and_o change_n of_o number_n and_o person_n with_o other_o enallage_n which_o be_v scarce_o take_v notice_n of_o before_o he_o have_v rectify_v some_o comma_n and_o stop_v he_o have_v set_v the_o word_n and_o period_n right_a he_o have_v clear_v the_o syntax_n and_o grammatical_a construction_n mend_v the_o sense_n in_o several_a place_n remove_v the_o difficulty_n show_v the_o propriety_n and_o emphasis_n of_o the_o word_n discover_v the_o coherence_n of_o the_o text_n in_o short_a he_o have_v clear_v the_o new_a testament_n of_o soloecism_n and_o particular_o the_o write_n of_o the_o great_a apostle_n st._n paul_n so_o that_o though_o tarsus_n the_o apostle_n birth-place_n be_v in_o the_o same_o province_n with_o and_o a_o neighbour_n to_o solae_fw-la the_o country_n of_o those_o that_o corrupt_v their_o language_n whence_o come_v soloecism_n yet_o it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o apostle_n style_n but_o suppose_v these_o text_n above_o name_v can_v not_o have_v be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o exact_a law_n of_o grammar_n yet_o one_o will_v think_v the_o transcriber_n may_v better_a have_v be_v blame_v than_o the_o writer_n themselves_o the_o greek_a copy_n shall_v have_v be_v find_v fault_n with_o rather_o than_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o mistake_n may_v have_v be_v impute_v to_o the_o amanuensis_n and_o not_o to_o the_o apostle_n i_o must_v profess_v to_o you_o plain_o that_o it_o be_v border_v upon_o blasphemy_n to_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n from_o who_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n dictate_v barbarism_n and_o soloecism_n in_o these_o sacred_a write_n which_o be_v immediate_o inspire_v by_o he_o again_o suppose_v or_o rather_o grant_v that_o some_o period_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o exact_o adjust_v to_o grammar-rule_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o justify_v the_o language_n of_o those_o man_n who_o charge_v this_o book_n with_o soloecism_n and_o barbarism_n for_o they_o will_v be_v unwilling_a to_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o in_o homer_n and_o virgil_n and_o such_o approve_a author_n or_o if_o they_o will_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o than_o they_o have_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o like_a in_o holy_a scripture_n and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o i_o maintain_v and_o which_o no_o know_a person_n can_v deny_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n which_o some_o call_v soloecism_n and_o undue_a syntax_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o most_o note_a and_o celebrate_a author_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o latin_n critic_n have_v take_v notice_n of_o several_a of_o these_o in_o homer_n and_o pindar_n especial_o among_o the_o greek_a poet_n and_o in_o herodotus_n and_o thucydides_n among_o the_o best_a historian_n that_o have_v write_v in_o that_o language_n and_o in_o demosthenes_n among_o the_o note_a orator_n these_o do_v not_o always_o observe_v grammatick_a law_n they_o lay_v they_o aside_o sometime_o and_o speak_v irregular_o as_o sacr._n one_o of_o the_o great_a critic_n of_o this_o last_o age_n have_v acknowledge_v profane_a writer_n have_v soloecistical_a phrase_n botch_n filling_n up_o repetition_n lucian_n long_o since_o observe_v that_o epithet_n be_v not_o always_o use_v by_o poet_n dialog_n because_o they_o be_v fit_a and_o convenient_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o purpose_n but_o to_o help_v out_o the_o matter_n to_o fill_v up_o the_o gaping_n to_o prop_v up_o the_o ruin_n of_o a_o verse_n and_o both_o plutarch_n and_o eustathius_n who_o be_v morâ—_n serious_a man_n than_o the_o other_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o this_o in_o good_a author_n sometime_o the_o poet_n be_v at_o a_o stand_n and_o his_o muse_n be_v restive_a thus_o virgil_n have_v break_v and_o half-verse_n which_o the_o critic_n excuse_v by_o say_v that_o he_o have_v not_o time_n to_o finish_v his_o book_n or_o that_o he_o do_v it_o on_o purpose_n to_o stop_v his_o reader_n in_o the_o career_n that_o they_o may_v stay_v and_o consider_v the_o thing_n he_o be_v speak_v of_o this_o account_n they_o give_v of_o his_o blank_n and_o chasm_n but_o homer_n suffer_v not_o his_o muse_n to_o make_v a_o halt_n but_o then_o which_o be_v as_o bad_a he_o fill_v up_o his_o verse_n with_o such_o expletive_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o beside_o these_o lesser_a particle_n he_o use_v entire_a word_n and_o phrase_n in_o many_o place_n only_o to_o supply_v his_o verse_n we_o have_v nothing_o of_o this_o sort_n in_o the_o sacred_a write_n nothing_o that_o be_v real_o superfluous_a but_o there_o be_v some_o word_n indeed_o that_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o redundant_fw-la and_o not_o absolute_o necessary_a especial_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v poetical_a in_o many_o place_n the_o lord_n rain_v brimstone_n and_o fire_n from_o the_o lord_n gen._n 19_o 24._o where_o the_o last_o word_n from_o the_o lord_n seem_v to_o be_v redundant_fw-la so_o it_o be_v in_o 2_o tim._n 1._o 18._o the_o lord_n grant_v unto_o he_o that_o be_v may_v find_v mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o that_o day_n thus_o in_o psal._n 90._o 10._o the_o day_n of_o our_o year_n be_v threescore_o year_n and_o ten_o we_o may_v look_v upon_o the_o first_o word_n as_o a_o expletive_a for_o the_o divine_a poet_n mean_v this_o only_a that_o the_o ordinary_a term_n of_o our_o life_n extend_v to_o seventy_o year_n so_o that_o the_o word_n days_n might_n have_v be_v leave_v out_o the_o same_o pleonasm_n you_o read_v in_o 2_o sam._n 19_o 34._o how_o many_o day_n be_v the_o year_n of_o my_o life_n for_o so_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o it_o be_v the_o hebrew_n way_n of_o speak_v and_o therefore_o can_v be_v blame_v yea_o to_o speak_v strict_o there_o be_v nothing_o redundant_fw-la in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n all_o those_o word_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v expletive_n be_v significant_a and_o
of_o it_o anah_n invention_n of_o mule_n writer_n borrow_v from_o one_o another_o the_o bible_n only_o be_v the_o book_n that_o be_v behold_v to_o no_o other_o here_o be_v the_o ancient_a learning_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o of_o all_o kind_n it_o be_v common_a with_o author_n to_o contradict_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o they_o be_v uncertain_a lubricous_a and_o fabulous_a but_o the_o divine_a writer_n alone_o be_v certain_a and_o infallible_a how_o strange_a and_o improbable_a soever_o some_o of_o the_o content_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v they_o just_o command_v our_o firm_a assent_n to_o they_o p._n 263_o chap._n vii_o a_o particular_a distribution_n of_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n genesis_n the_o first_o of_o they_o together_o with_o the_o four_o follow_v one_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n his_o ample_a character_n or_o panegyric_n be_v attempt_v wherein_o there_o be_v a_o full_a account_n of_o his_o birth_n education_n flight_n from_o court_n retire_a life_n his_o return_n to_o egypt_n his_o conduct_v of_o the_o israelite_n thence_o his_o immediate_a converse_n with_o god_n in_o the_o mount_n his_o deliver_v the_o law_n his_o divine_a eloquence_n his_o humility_n and_o meekness_n his_o suffering_n his_o miracle_n and_o his_o particular_a fitness_n to_o write_v these_o book_n a_o summary_n of_o the_o several_a head_n contain_v in_o genesis_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o brief_a but_o distinct_a view_n of_o the_o six_o day_n work_n wherein_o be_v explain_v the_o mosaic_a draught_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o bold_a hypothesis_n of_o a_o late_a writer_n design_v to_o confront_v the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v expose_v and_o refute_v the_o content_n of_o the_o book_n of_o exodus_fw-la to_o which_o be_v adjoin_v a_o short_a comment_n on_o the_o ten_o plague_n of_o egypt_n a_o rehearsal_n of_o the_o remarkable_a particular_n treat_v of_o in_o leviticus_n number_n deuteronomy_n that_o moses_n be_v the_o penman_n and_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n notwithstanding_o what_o some_o have_v late_o object_v against_o it_o p._n 305_o chap._n viii_o a_o short_a survey_n of_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n which_o be_v a_o supplement_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o judge_n samuel_n the_o king_n chronicle_n ezra_n which_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o chronicle_n nehemiah_n esther_n the_o author_n stile_n composure_n matter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n discuss_v a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o penman_n subject_n kind_n title_n poetic_a meter_n and_o rhythm_n of_o the_o psalm_n p._n 350_o chap._n ix_o the_o book_n of_o proverb_n why_o so_o call_v the_o transcendent_a excellency_n of_o these_o divine_a and_o inspire_a aphorism_n some_o instance_n of_o the_o different_a application_n of_o the_o similitude_n use_v by_o this_o author_n the_o book_n of_o ecclesiastes_n why_o so_o entitle_v the_o admirable_a subject_n of_o it_o succinct_o display_v the_o particular_a nature_n of_o the_o canticle_n or_o mystical_a song_n of_o solomon_n brief_o set_v forth_o it_o be_v evince_v from_o very_o cogent_a argument_n that_o solomon_n die_v in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o be_v save_v the_o book_n of_o the_o four_o great_a prophet_n isaiah_n jeremiah_n with_o his_o lamentation_n ezekiel_n daniel_n be_v describe_v so_o be_v those_o of_o the_o twelve_o lesser_a prophet_n hosea_n etc._n etc._n p._n 379_o chap._n x._o a_o account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n the_o peculiar_a time_n order_n stile_n design_n of_o their_o gospel_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n show_v to_o be_v a_o incomparable_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n particular_o delineate_v he_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o apostle_n style_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v the_o excellent_a matter_n and_o design_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n st._n peter_n st._n john_n st._n judas_n a_o historical_a series_n or_o order_n be_v not_o observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n p._n 415_o chap._n xi_o none_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v lose_v not_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n nor_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n nor_o the_o book_n of_o jasher_n nor_o the_o act_n of_o vzziah_n a_o account_n of_o the_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o seer_n the_o book_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n the_o book_n of_o gad_n the_o seer_n the_o book_n of_o iddo_n the_o book_n of_o shemaiah_n jehu_n etc._n etc._n what_o be_v to_o be_v think_v concern_v the_o book_n of_o solomon_n mention_v 1_o king_n 4._o 32_o 33._o objection_n draw_v from_o jam._n 4._o 5._o from_o luke_n 11._o 49._o from_o act_n 20._o 35._o from_o judas_n v._n 14._o from_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 9_o from_o col._n 4._o 16._o full_o satisfy_v other_o objection_n from_o 1_o cor._n 7._o 6_o 12_o 25._o 2_o cor._n 8._o 8._o &_o 11._o 17._o particular_o answer_v p._n 451_o chap._n xii_o a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o eastern_a translation_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n especial_o of_o the_o targum_n the_o several_a greek_a translation_n more_o especial_o that_o of_o the_o lxx_o jewish_a elder_n the_o impartial_a history_n of_o they_o and_o their_o version_n some_o immoderate_o extol_v it_o other_o as_o excessive_o inveigh_v against_o it_o the_o true_a ground_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o greek_a translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n assign_v viz._n one_o hebrew_n vowel_n be_v put_v for_o another_o one_o consonant_a for_o another_o sometime_o both_o vowel_n and_o consonant_n be_v mistake_v the_o difference_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o some_o hebrew_n word_n be_v another_o cause_n sometime_o the_o sense_n rather_o than_o the_o word_n itself_o be_v attend_v to_o some_o fault_n be_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o transcriber_n some_o because_o the_o lxx_o be_v paraphrast_n rather_o than_o translator_n they_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o insert_v word_n and_o passage_n of_o their_o own_o the_o greek_a version_n have_v be_v design_o corrupt_v in_o several_a place_n why_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o sermon_n and_o write_n make_v use_v of_o this_o version_n though_o it_o be_v faulty_a sometime_o the_o sacred_a writer_n keep_v close_o to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o seventy_n translation_n of_o the_o word_n at_o other_o time_n in_o their_o quotation_n they_o confine_v themselves_o to_o neither_o but_o use_v a_o latitude_n the_o greek_a version_n be_v to_o be_v read_v with_o candour_n and_o caution_n and_o must_v always_o give_v way_n to_o the_o hebrew_n original_a the_o chief_a latin_a translation_n of_o the_o bible_n especial_o the_o vulgar_a examine_v modern_a latin_a translation_n and_o last_o our_o own_o english_a one_o consider_v p._n 477_o chap._n xiii_o our_o english_a translation_n show_v to_o be_v faulty_a and_o defective_a in_o some_o place_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o more_o large_o and_o full_o this_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o abundant_a instance_n be_v produce_v of_o this_o defect_n and_o particular_a emendation_n be_v all_o along_o offer_v in_o order_n to_o the_o render_v our_o translation_n more_o exact_a and_o complete_a the_o date_n of_o the_o division_n of_o the_o bible_n into_o chapter_n and_o verse_n p._n 532_o chap._n fourteen_o the_o reader_n be_v invite_v to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o he_o value_v the_o repute_n of_o a_o scholar_n and_o a_o learned_a man._n that_o he_o may_v successful_o study_v this_o holy_a book_n he_o must_v be_v furnish_v with_o tongue_n art_n history_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o be_v very_o inquisitive_a and_o diligent_a in_o search_v into_o the_o mind_n and_o design_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n in_o examine_v the_o coherence_n of_o the_o word_n in_o compare_v place_n together_o in_o observe_v and_o discover_v the_o peculiar_a grace_n and_o elegancy_n and_o sometime_o the_o verbal_a allusion_n and_o cadence_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o which_o several_a instance_n be_v give_v he_o must_v also_o be_v moral_o qualify_v to_o read_v this_o book_n i._n e._n he_o ought_v to_o banish_v all_o prejudice_n he_o must_v be_v modest_a and_o humble_a he_o must_v endeavour_v to_o free_v himself_o from_o the_o love_n of_o all_o vice_n he_o must_v with_o great_a earnestness_n implore_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n p._n 532_o of_o the_o excellency_n &_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n chap._n i._n the_o different_a esteem_n and_o sentiment_n of_o person_n concern_v the_o author_n they_o make_v choice_n of_o to_o read_v no_o write_n can_v equal_v the_o bible_n it_o have_v be_v high_o value_v in_o all_o age_n by_o
it_o shall_v be_v believe_v as_o a_o article_n of_o the_o faith_n or_o be_v think_v requisite_a or_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a and_o solid_a proof_n of_o a_o thing_n be_v not_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o it_o be_v not_o contain_v in_o scripture_n this_o than_o we_o assert_v that_o these_o write_n be_v plain_a and_o perfect_a as_o to_o all_o matter_n that_o be_v necessary_a and_o according_o be_v able_a to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o controversy_n which_o relate_v to_o salvation_n and_o if_o man_n will_v not_o end_v they_o with_o this_o rule_n they_o will_v never_o do_v it_o with_o any_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a perfection_n of_o scripture_n that_o in_o it_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n as_o to_o those_o thing_n that_o have_v a_o necessary_a tendency_n to_o our_o happiness_n and_o consequent_o be_v the_o only_a necessary_a thing_n to_o be_v know_v and_o do_v by_o we_o be_v plain_o reveal_v the_o new_a testament_n particular_o be_v the_o last_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_n and_o counsel_n and_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v add_v to_o it_o or_o take_v from_o it_o which_o make_v it_o a_o perfect_a standard_n of_o belief_n and_o a_o complete_a rule_n of_o our_o life_n in_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o short_a and_o defective_a nothing_o superfluous_a and_o redundant_fw-la here_o be_v all_o the_o principle_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o all_o the_o measure_n of_o holy_a live_n so_o that_o whilst_o we_o proceed_v according_a to_o this_o perfect_a canon_n we_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o believe_v and_o of_o the_o rectitude_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o what_o we_o act_n on_o this_o sole_a account_n the_o holy_a writ_n excel_v all_o write_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o 3._o we_o be_v to_o adjoin_v this_o that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o light_n to_o our_o understand_n and_o a_o rule_n of_o our_o life_n so_o it_o be_v the_o grand_a procurer_n of_o our_o comfort_n joy_n and_o tranquillity_n alas_o they_o be_v cold_a topic_n of_o consolation_n which_o the_o write_n of_o the_o best_a moralist_n afford_v we_o when_o our_o outward_a distress_n and_o misery_n much_o more_o when_o our_o inward_a and_o spiritual_a malady_n increase_v upon_o we_o epictetus_n and_o seneca_n with_o all_o their_o spangle_a saying_n be_v too_o mean_a physician_n to_o take_v we_o in_o hand_n the_o great_a cicero_n when_o in_o the_o close_a of_o his_o life_n he_o be_v reduce_v to_o marvellous_a difficulty_n declare_v that_o his_o learning_n and_o his_o book_n afford_v he_o not_o any_o considerable_a argument_n of_o comfort_n that_o the_o disease_n of_o his_o mind_n which_o he_o lay_v under_o be_v 10._o too_o great_a and_o too_o strong_a to_o be_v cure_v by_o those_o ordinary_a medicine_n which_o philosophy_n administer_v to_o he_o there_o must_v be_v some_o great_a traumatick_a some_o more_o powerful_a application_n to_o these_o wound_n to_o work_v a_o perfect_a cure_n and_o this_o divine_a book_n be_v able_a to_o furnish_v we_o with_o it_o this_o alone_a can_v remove_v our_o pain_n and_o languor_n and_o restore_v we_o to_o a_o entire_a health_n 50._o this_o faith_n the_o psalmist_n be_v my_o comfort_n in_o my_o affliction_n thy_o word_n have_v quicken_v i_o and_o again_o 92._o unless_o thy_o law_n have_v be_v my_o delight_n i_o shall_v then_o have_v perish_v in_o my_o affliction_n it_o be_v this_o which_o uphold_v and_o cheer_v he_o in_o his_o great_a strait_o and_o yield_v he_o light_a and_o joy_n when_o all_o thing_n about_o he_o look_v black_a and_o dismal_a if_o but_o a_o small_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v this_o bless_a effect_n how_o powerful_a and_o successful_a will_v all_o of_o it_o prove_v if_o we_o due_o consult_v it_o serious_o meditate_v upon_o it_o and_o give_v it_o admittance_n into_o our_o heart_n if_o the_o apostle_n can_v say_v 4._o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v write_v asore_a time_n in_o this_o book_n be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n that_o we_o through_o patience_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v have_v hope_n how_o much_o great_a hope_n must_v needs_o be_v administer_v to_o we_o in_o all_o condition_n of_o life_n but_o more_o especial_o in_o the_o day_n of_o trouble_n and_o calamity_n when_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n not_o only_o of_o the_o old_a but_o new_a testament_n to_o repair_v unto_o this_o latter_a especial_o will_v be_v a_o never-falling_a spring_n of_o contentment_n and_o joy_n to_o we_o in_o these_o book_n we_o have_v a_o true_a and_o perfect_a landscape_n and_o view_n of_o the_o world_n here_o be_v unmask_v and_o lay_v open_a the_o vanity_n of_o it_o here_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o many_o of_o the_o gay_a thing_n which_o it_o present_v we_o with_o and_o which_o fond_a mind_n so_o dote_v upon_o be_v but_o empty_a bubble_n deceitful_a phantom_n and_o apparition_n mere_a conceit_n and_o castle_n in_o the_o air._n here_o we_o be_v inform_v that_o a_o prosperous_a state_n be_v not_o real_o good_a that_o a_o overplus_n of_o riches_n and_o worldly_a abundance_n do_v frequent_o prove_v a_o clog_n to_o virtuous_a mind_n and_o that_o excess_n of_o pleasure_n be_v too_o fulsome_a and_o luscious_a and_o take_v away_o that_o pure_a relish_n of_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a delight_n yea_o that_o man_n general_o find_v a_o worse_a effect_n of_o they_o for_o when_o they_o be_v gorge_v and_o clog_v with_o they_o they_o revolt_v from_o god_n when_o they_o be_v wax_v fat_a they_o kick_v against_o heaven_n so_o their_o worldly_a plenty_n be_v turn_v into_o the_o worst_a of_o punishment_n and_o this_o plethory_n be_v their_o disease_n on_o the_o other_o side_n we_o be_v teach_v in_o these_o write_n that_o cross_n and_o affliction_n be_v not_o evil_a in_o themselves_o yea_o that_o they_o be_v good_a and_o medicinal_a and_o advance_v our_o spiritual_a health_n that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o our_o happiness_n that_o they_o be_v a_o part_n of_o it_o for_o otherwise_o the_o afflict_a will_v not_o be_v so_o often_o pronounce_v 12._o bless_v that_o god_n afflict_v a_o man_n be_v 17._o magnify_v of_o he_o and_o set_v his_o heart_n upon_o he_o it_o show_v that_o god_n be_v great_o concern_v for_o his_o good_a and_o that_o the_o almighty_a have_v more_o care_n of_o he_o than_o he_o have_v of_o himself_o here_o we_o be_v instruct_v that_o we_o have_v ground_n to_o suspect_v our_o condition_n if_o we_o be_v whole_o exempt_v from_o the_o distress_n of_o this_o life_n and_o that_o not_o to_o be_v chastise_v be_v a_o mark_n of_o bastardy_n here_o we_o learn_v the_o true_a use_n and_o end_n of_o all_o those_o adverse_a dispensation_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o viz._n that_o they_o be_v design_v to_o try_v we_o to_o make_v we_o know_v ourselves_o and_o to_o inform_v we_o how_o evil_a and_o bitter_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o offend_v the_o divine_a majesty_n to_o awaken_v we_o out_o of_o our_o sloth_n and_o security_n to_o hold_v we_o in_o action_n to_o keep_v we_o in_o breath_n and_o exercise_n as_o carthage_n be_v useful_a to_o rouse_v rome_n valour_n to_o abate_v our_o pride_n and_o haughtiness_n and_o make_v we_o humble_a and_o submissive_a creature_n to_o check_v our_o immoderate_a passion_n and_o pursuit_n after_o earthly_a thing_n to_o disentangle_v we_o from_o these_o snare_n to_o free_v we_o from_o these_o charm_n to_o keep_v we_o from_o be_v suck_v in_o and_o swallow_v up_o in_o the_o powerful_a circle_n and_o eddy_n of_o this_o world_n as_o who_o know_v not_o that_o it_o be_v true_a philosophy_n that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v up_o of_o vortices_fw-la to_o cause_v we_o to_o look_v after_o better_a thing_n when_o these_o be_v take_v from_o we_o to_o reclaim_v we_o from_o our_o evil_a course_n and_o to_o reduce_v we_o unto_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n to_o excite_v we_o to_o a_o renunciation_n of_o all_o trust_n and_o confidence_n in_o ourselves_o and_o the_o transitory_a enjoyment_n of_o this_o world_n and_o to_o depend_v upon_o god_n 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strengthen_v and_o support_v we_o under_o our_o heavy_a cross_n and_o make_v our_o life_n happy_a whatever_o befall_v we_o all_o which_o be_v undeniable_a argument_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n whence_o we_o be_v enable_v to_o believe_v aright_o to_o live_v well_o and_o to_o rejoice_v thus_o these_o holy_a write_n be_v indict_v that_o 17._o we_o may_v be_v perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n and_o thus_o scripture_n must_v needs_o be_v perfect_a because_o its_o design_n be_v to_o make_v we_o so_o but_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o several_a devout_a and_o practical_a writer_n have_v enlarge_v on_o this_o subject_a and_o therefore_o i_o will_v say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o because_o my_o present_a discourse_n be_v design_v to_o be_v chief_o critical_a let_v it_o suffice_v that_o i_o have_v brief_o assert_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o to_o the_o three_o forementioned_a particular_n and_o that_o i_o have_v show_v that_o this_o 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be_v serviceable_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o bible_n second_o that_o which_o by_o they_o be_v call_v the_o oral_a law_n or_o the_o law_n deliver_v from_o one_o to_o another_o as_o a_o exposition_n on_o the_o write_a law_n it_o may_v not_o be_v impertinent_a to_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o short_a account_n of_o this_o oral_a law_n which_o they_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o this_o be_v either_o before_o moses_n and_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o patriarch_n propagate_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n before_o the_o law_n be_v commit_v to_o write_v it_o consist_v of_o the_o seven_o precept_n of_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n of_o the_o apothegm_n sentence_n and_o paradox_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o first_o age_n or_o it_o be_v in_o and_o after_o moses_n time_n who_o be_v reckon_v the_o great_a author_n of_o the_o cabala_n because_o he_o deliver_v it_o viva_fw-la voce_fw-la to_o the_o jew_n say_v the_o rabbin_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o give_v they_o the_o decalogue_n and_o the_o other_o write_a law_n this_o torah_n gnal_n peh_fw-it as_o they_o style_v it_o this_o oral_a law_n be_v the_o exposition_n of_o those_o write_a law_n and_o be_v mean_v they_o say_v in_o deut._n 4._o 14._o the_o lord_n command_v i_o at_o that_o time_n to_o teach_v you_o statute_n and_o judgement_n and_o for_o this_o they_o allege_v deut._n 12._o 21._o which_o they_o tell_v we_o refer_v to_o some_o special_a command_n of_o god_n about_o kill_v and_o see_v we_o read_v no_o such_o special_a command_n about_o it_o in_o the_o write_a law_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o oral_a one_o that_o must_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o those_o word_n there_o as_o i_o have_v command_v thou_o that_o moses_n receive_v this_o law_n on_o mount_n sinai_n 34._o rabbi_n bechai_n prove_v by_o the_o same_o token_n that_o he_o know_v by_o this_o law_n how_o long_o time_n he_o be_v upon_o that_o mount_n for_o when_o god_n teach_v he_o the_o write_a law_n than_o he_o know_v it_o be_v day_n because_o he_o can_v not_o write_v in_o the_o dark_a but_o when_o god_n give_v he_o the_o oral_a law_n he_o know_v then_o that_o it_o be_v night_n a_o most_o profound_a answer_n to_o the_o difficulty_n how_o moses_n can_v tell_v that_o he_o be_v 40_o day_n and_o night_n on_o the_o mount_n well_o god_n they_o say_v deliver_v this_o law_n to_o moses_n moses_n deliver_v it_o to_o joshua_n joshua_n to_o the_o seventy_o elder_n they_o to_o ezra_n who_o some_o say_v commit_v it_o to_o writing_n for_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a cabalist_n next_o to_o moses_n but_o the_o book_n which_o he_o compose_v of_o this_o matter_n be_v lose_v and_o so_o it_o go_v on_o after_o the_o old_a way_n again_o viz._n by_o tradition_n and_o come_v to_o the_o prophet_n of_o who_o zechary_n and_o malachi_n be_v the_o last_o and_o from_o they_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n have_v it_o and_o at_o last_o it_o be_v make_v into_o a_o book_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v lose_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o that_o compile_v this_o volume_n or_o book_n be_v rabbi_n judah_n who_o for_o the_o singular_a holiness_n of_o his_o life_n be_v call_v hakkadosh_n the_o saint_n he_o flourish_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o emperor_n antoninus_n pius_n about_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n the_o title_n which_o he_o give_v to_o it_o be_v mishnah_n i._n e._n the_o repetition_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n or_o a_o large_a explication_n of_o it_o give_v immediate_o to_o moses_n by_o god_n and_o by_o tradition_n derive_v to_o the_o jew_n this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o iterate_a or_o second_a law_n be_v divide_v by_o he_o into_o six_o general_a sedarim_n i._n e._n so_o many_o head_n or_o subject_n of_o which_o it_o treat_v and_o every_o sedar_n be_v divide_v into_o book_n every_o book_n into_o chapter_n or_o pirka_n about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o this_o famous_a rabbi_n have_v reduce_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o one_o volume_n the_o learned_a doctor_n begin_v to_o comment_v upon_o it_o and_o first_o the_o jerusalem_n talmud_n call_v so_o because_o it_o be_v make_v for_o the_o jew_n that_o live_v in_o judea_n especial_o in_o jerusalem_n be_v finish_v by_o r._n jochanan_n about_o a._n d._n 240._o the_o comment_n which_o he_o and_o the_o other_o rabbi_n make_v on_o the_o mishnah_n be_v call_v the_o gemara_n the_o supplemental_a exposition_n of_o that_o volume_n of_o jewish_a tradition_n next_o the_o babylonick_a talmud_n be_v put_v forth_o by_o the_o learned_a jew_n at_o babylon_n who_o gather_v their_o tradition_n into_o a_o more_o complete_a and_o exact_a body_n as_o they_o think_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o their_o countryman_n in_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v compile_v by_o rabbi_n ascanio_n and_o his_o companion_n about_o a._n d._n 500_o and_o consist_v as_o the_o former_a talmud_n of_o the_o mishnaioth_n and_o the_o gemara_n the_o one_o be_v the_o text_n the_o other_o be_v the_o comment_n or_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o doctor_n on_o the_o book_n of_o the_o mishnah_n so_o then_o the_o oral_a law_n which_o the_o jew_n so_o much_o boast_v of_o and_o set_v so_o high_a a_o value_n upon_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o two_o talmud_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o mishnah_n and_o the_o gemara_n the_o mishnah_n be_v that_o which_o r._n judah_n compile_v the_o gemara_n be_v the_o work_n of_o r._n jochanan_n and_o ascanio_n and_o other_o rabbi_n and_o both_o be_v a_o complete_a body_n of_o the_o civil_a and_o canon_n law_n of_o the_o jew_n whoso_o name_v the_o talmud_n name_v all_o judaism_n say_v lightfoot_n these_o as_o he_o add_v be_v the_o jew_n council_n of_o trent_n they_o be_v the_o last_o and_o full_a determination_n which_o they_o have_v about_o all_o their_o religious_a opinion_n rite_n and_o usage_n thus_o i_o have_v exhibit_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a talmudick_n system_n wherein_o the_o oral_a law_n be_v comprise_v explain_v and_o descant_v upon_o and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o very_a excellent_a use_v make_v of_o this_o collection_n of_o jewish_a tradition_n it_o may_v be_v serviceable_a in_o sundry_a instance_n to_o expound_v the_o mosaic_a law_n to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o jewish_a antiquity_n to_o illustrate_v several_a place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n yea_o to_o interpret_v many_o passage_n in_o the_o new_a which_o have_v reference_n to_o the_o receive_a practice_n and_o usage_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v the_o person_n who_o i_o be_o now_o blame_v make_v very_o ill_a use_n of_o it_o because_o they_o immoderate_o extol_v these_o tradition_n call_v they_o torah_n shebegnal_n peh_n their_o infallible_a oracle_n and_o esteem_v the_o
authority_n of_o they_o equal_a with_o that_o of_o the_o bible_n for_o as_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n be_v dictate_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n so_o these_o law_n they_o hold_v be_v from_o god_n himself_o and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n with_o those_o scripture_n they_o make_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o inspire_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o book_n of_o mishnaioth_n or_o the_o talmud_n which_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o amassment_n only_o of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o the_o diverse_a decision_n of_o the_o school_n of_o hillel_n and_o shammai_n of_o the_o different_a determination_n of_o r._n akiba_n and_o r._n eliezer_n of_o r._n simeon_n and_o r._n joshua_n etc._n etc._n bandy_n against_o one_o another_o or_o rather_o if_o we_o speak_v plain_a they_o be_v a_o rhapsody_n of_o idle_a dream_n groundless_a fable_n curse_a error_n superstitious_a rite_n and_o practice_n yea_o if_o we_o shall_v instance_n in_o the_o babylonick_a talmud_n of_o horrid_a blasphemy_n against_o christ_n of_o obloquy_n against_o the_o mosaic_a law_n itself_o and_o of_o contradiction_n even_o to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n these_o be_v part_n of_o the_o book_n so_o high_o prize_v by_o the_o jewish_a master_n these_o go_v along_o with_o their_o oral_a law_n which_o be_v first_o give_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o consequent_o be_v of_o the_o same_o original_a with_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n but_o they_o go_v yet_o high_o for_o they_o do_v not_o only_o equalise_v these_o tradition_n with_o scripture_n but_o they_o prefer_v they_o before_o it_o they_o do_v not_o only_o say_v in_o a_o proverbial_a manner_n that_o traditae_fw-la they_o can_v stand_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o write_a law_n without_o the_o help_n of_o the_o unwritten_a one_o i_o e._n the_o oral_a law_n which_o they_o talk_v of_o and_o that_o locupletissima_fw-la the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n as_o they_o be_v find_v in_o the_o text_n be_v poor_a and_o want_v but_o as_o they_o be_v expound_v by_o the_o doctor_n have_v great_a riches_n and_o abundance_n in_o they_o and_o again_o that_o pilo_fw-la very_o great_a and_o weighty_a matter_n depend_v upon_o these_o little_a tradition_n which_o they_o contend_v for_o but_o they_o be_v so_o bold_a and_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o proceed_v further_o and_o give_v a_o far_o great_a deference_n to_o these_o tradition_n and_o doctrine_n of_o their_o wise_a man_n as_o they_o call_v they_o than_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o for_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o verbis_fw-la their_o doctor_n have_v do_v more_o good_a viz._n as_o to_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v of_o religion_n by_o their_o own_o say_n than_o by_o the_o word_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n itself_o and_o according_o their_o advice_n be_v legis_fw-la my_o son_n attend_v more_o to_o what_o the_o scribe_n say_v than_o to_o what_o be_v say_v by_o the_o law_n though_o i_o know_v this_o may_v admit_v of_o another_o sense_n viz._n that_o we_o ought_v to_o look_v more_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n than_o the_o bare_a letter_n of_o it_o but_o that_o in_o the_o talmud_n be_v plain_a and_o can_v have_v no_o other_o mean_v 11._o to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o to_o be_v studious_a in_o search_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o be_v good_a and_o not_o good_a i._n e._n it_o be_v not_o of_o any_o considerable_a advantage_n but_o to_o turn_v over_o the_o mishnah_n night_n and_o day_n be_v a_o virtue_n which_o will_v have_v a_o great_a reward_n hereafter_o and_o to_o learn_v the_o gemara_n be_v a_o incomparable_a virtue_n yea_o the_o jew_n blasphemous_o say_v that_o god_n himself_o study_v in_o the_o talmud_n every_o day_n here_o you_o see_v they_o prefer_v their_o deliver_v law_n before_o the_o write_a one_o they_o make_v the_o infallible_a scripture_n truckle_n to_o the_o fabulous_a tradition_n of_o the_o mishnah_n to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v a_o note_a say_v of_o the_o hebrew_n rabbi_n that_o the_o text_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v like_a water_n the_o mishnah_n like_o wine_n and_o the_o six_o book_n of_o the_o talmud_n be_v like_o the_o sweet_a honeyed_a wine_n thus_o to_o magnify_v the_o tradition_n of_o their_o father_n they_o vilify_v the_o scripture_n they_o be_v not_o content_a with_o the_o rite_n and_o injunction_n write_v in_o the_o law_n which_o in_o way_n of_o contempt_n they_o call_v 〈…〉_z the_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n but_o they_o admire_v those_o most_o which_o be_v take_v from_o their_o wise_a man_n which_o they_o call_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o rabbin_n and_o which_o be_v summary_o contain_v in_o the_o talmud_n these_o they_o hold_v to_o be_v of_o great_a value_n than_o the_o other_o the_o person_n that_o be_v skilled_a in_o these_o be_v slile_v by_o they_o tannaim_n profound_a master_n and_o doctor_n but_o they_o that_o study_v the_o scripture_n only_o be_v but_o karaim_n poor_a reader_n and_o man_n of_o the_o letter_n all_o this_o show_v how_o these_o man_n depretiate_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n and_o exalt_v above_o it_o their_o oral_a law_n which_o be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n and_o forgery_n as_o to_o the_o pretence_n of_o its_o be_v give_v to_o moses_n by_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o own_v by_o the_o karaint_n among_o they_o who_o stick_v close_o to_o the_o text_n nor_o by_o some_o of_o their_o perushim_n their_o sober_a sort_n of_o expositor_n who_o think_v those_o tradition_n be_v derogatory_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n second_o papist_n as_o well_n as_o jeâ—s_n disparage_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o deny_v its_o perfection_n nor_o by_o the_o way_n be_v this_o the_o only_a thing_n wherein_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o jew_n a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v no_o other_o than_o jewish_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n these_o modern_a talmudist_n will_v not_o own_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n they_o have_v their_o cabala_n the_o doctrine_n receive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n they_o be_v for_o their_o oral_a law_n deliver_v from_o one_o to_o another_o they_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o scripture_n so_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o speak_v with_o their_o tradition_n they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n with_o the_o jew_n that_o jud._n there_o must_v be_v a_o fence_n make_v about_o the_o law_n that_o it_o must_v be_v hedge_v in_o with_o tradition_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o a_o perfect_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n say_v they_o but_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v partly_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o partly_o in_o unwritten_a tradition_n a_o very_a absurd_a and_o wild_a doctrine_n because_o they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o by_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n whatever_o be_v or_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v reveal_v in_o these_o write_n and_o no_o new_a doctrine_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v deliver_v since_o to_o the_o church_n or_o any_o particular_a person_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o absurdity_n of_o this_o tenent_n they_o hold_v it_o fast_o and_o make_v it_o a_o great_a article_n of_o their_o belief_n for_o they_o be_v teach_v by_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n as_o they_o repute_v it_o that_o unwritten_a tradition_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v 4._o with_o the_o same_o pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n those_o be_v the_o word_n wherewith_o the_o infallible_a write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v to_o be_v entertain_v and_o consequent_o they_o be_v to_o be_v make_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n equal_a with_o the_o scripture_n but_o they_o rest_v not_o here_o they_o not_o only_o equal_a humane_a and_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n with_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n but_o follow_v the_o step_v of_o the_o old_a talmudist_n they_o proceed_v yet_o further_o prefer_v tradition_n before_o scripture_n thus_o a_o renown_a divine_a in_o their_o church_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o 8._o tradition_n be_v exceed_o necessary_a for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n yea_o that_o they_o be_v more_o requisite_a than_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a with_o he_o concur_v several_a other_o of_o their_o writer_n who_o we_o find_v extol_v tradition_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n speak_v very_o mean_o and_o slight_o of_o the_o holy_a writ_n hence_o they_o blasphemous_o call_v it_o a_o nose_n of_o wax_n and_o a_o leaden_a rule_n and_o many_o such_o vilify_a term_n be_v use_v by_o pighius_fw-la and_o melchior_n canus_n and_o etc._n other_o great_a doctor_n of_o that_o church_n we_o deny_v not_o the_o usefulness_n nay_o even_o the_o necessity_n nay_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o tradition_n viz._n that_o tradition_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v entrust_v in_o the_o
have_v be_v not_o to_o be_v subject_v to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o outward_a testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o be_v above_o they_o thus_o these_o bold_a man_n out_o of_o a_o pretence_n of_o inspiration_n vilify_v the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n thus_o absurd_o and_o irreligious_o these_o delude_a person_n out_o of_o a_o enthusiastic_a heat_n prefer_v their_o own_o private_a spirit_n before_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n speak_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o man_n hold_v themselves_o to_o be_v perfect_a but_o the_o scripture_n must_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v so_o it_o be_v weak_a and_o imperfect_a and_o aught_o to_o give_v way_n to_o the_o inward_a impression_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o according_a to_o they_o be_v that_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n whereunto_o they_o think_v they_o do_v well_o to_o give_v heed_n as_o unto_o a_o light_n shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n but_o we_o see_v that_o they_o be_v thereby_o lead_v into_o gross_a error_n and_o darkness_n and_o as_o to_o this_o particular_a persuasion_n concern_v the_o meanness_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o therein_o as_o in_o several_a other_o thing_n symbolize_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n whence_o they_o have_v their_o original_a they_o confound_v natural_a light_n or_o reason_n with_o revelation_n they_o hold_v that_o pagan_n be_v in_o as_o good_a a_o condition_n as_o christian_n they_o make_v their_o private_a dictate_v as_o authentic_a as_o the_o bible_n yea_o they_o must_v needs_o hold_v that_o there_o be_v no_o infallible_a rule_n of_o truth_n or_o practice_n but_o their_o own_o notion_n and_o sentiment_n which_o some_o of_o their_o writer_n call_v canonical_a i_o may_v observe_v to_o you_o that_o beside_o jew_n papist_n and_o enthusiast_n there_o be_v other_o that_o deny_v the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o atheist_n and_o mere_a politician_n who_o endeavour_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o all_o religion_n be_v a_o cheat_n and_o that_o this_o book_n be_v so_o too_o likewise_o the_o generality_n of_o heretic_n seducer_n and_o impostor_n who_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n debase_v that_o which_o they_o design_v to_o pervert_v but_o the_o bare_a mention_v of_o these_o person_n be_v sufficient_a to_o beget_v a_o dislike_n of_o they_o with_o all_o that_o be_v wise_a and_o sober_a and_o who_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o scripture_n perfection_n from_o those_o topic_n which_o i_o have_v propound_v it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o most_o book_n as_o martial_n say_v of_o his_o mulâ—a_fw-la there_o be_v some_o good_a and_o some_o bad_a thing_n in_o they_o and_o some_o of_o a_o middle_a nature_n but_o in_o this_o divine_a book_n there_o be_v no_o such_o allay_v all_o be_v pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a entire_a and_o unmixed_a there_o be_v no_o defect_n no_o mistake_v in_o this_o infallible_a volume_n give_v we_o from_o heaven_n shall_v the_o turk_n then_o when_o they_o find_v a_o leaf_n or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o alcoran_n on_o the_o ground_n take_v it_o up_o and_o kiss_v it_o and_o deposit_v it_o in_o some_o safe_a place_n affirm_v it_o to_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n to_o suffer_v that_o wherein_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o mahomet_n law_n be_v write_v to_o be_v tread_v under_o foot_n and_o shall_v not_o we_o christian_n high_o value_v and_o reverence_v the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n which_o enrich_v we_o with_o that_o sublime_a and_o supernatural_a learning_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n the_o conduct_n of_o our_o manner_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o our_o life_n chap._n ii_o the_o bible_n be_v furnish_v with_o all_o sort_n ofhumane_a as_o well_o as_o divine_a learning_n hebrew_n wherein_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v the_o primitive_a language_n of_o the_o world_n the_o true_a origine_fw-la of_o the_o world_n be_v plain_o record_v in_o no_o other_o write_n but_o these_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n be_v a_o real_a history_n and_o record_v matter_n of_o â—act_n it_o be_v large_o prove_v that_o the_o mosaic_a history_n give_v we_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o the_o several_a nation_n and_o people_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o of_o the_o place_n of_o their_o habitation_n also_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n and_o the_o increase_v of_o it_o and_o the_o different_a change_n it_o undergo_v be_v derive_v from_o these_o write_n the_o court_n of_o judicature_n and_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o punishment_n among_o the_o jew_n distinct_o treat_v of_o the_o government_n among_o the_o heathen_a nation_n the_o four_o celebrate_a monarchy_n or_o empire_n of_o the_o world_n i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o general_n head_n of_o my_o discourse_n viz._n the_o universal_a vsefulness_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o to_o thing_n that_o be_v temporal_a and_o secular_a not_o only_o all_o religious_a divine_a and_o save_v knowledge_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v hence_o but_o that_o likewise_o which_o be_v natural_a and_o humane_a and_o belong_v to_o the_o world_n and_o arts._n many_o believe_v the_o former_a but_o can_v be_v induce_v to_o credit_v the_o latter_a for_o they_o think_v the_o bible_n be_v write_v only_o for_o the_o save_n of_o man_n soul_n but_o that_o all_o other_o knowledge_n and_o discovery_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v whole_o from_o other_o writer_n i_o have_v sometime_o observe_v that_o person_n who_o have_v have_v a_o good_a desire_n to_o learning_n and_o be_v greedy_a devourer_n of_o all_o other_o author_n yet_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o fond_o imagine_v there_o be_v no_o improvement_n of_o man_n notion_n no_o enlarge_n of_o their_o understanding_n no_o ground_n of_o excellent_a literature_n from_o the_o sacred_a writ_n they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o bible_n may_v serve_v well_o enough_o for_o the_o use_v of_o those_o that_o study_v divinity_n or_o make_v sermon_n but_o that_o the_o write_n of_o profane_a author_n must_v be_v whole_o consult_v for_o other_o thing_n but_o this_o be_v a_o gross_a surmise_n and_o possess_v the_o unthinking_a head_n of_o those_o only_a that_o consider_v not_o the_o matchless_a antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o that_o on_o a_o worse_a account_n refuse_v to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o these_o write_n and_o care_v not_o for_o that_o book_n which_o speak_v so_o much_o of_o god_n and_o religion_n and_o check_v the_o disorder_n of_o man_n life_n all_o honest_a industrious_a and_o impartial_a enquirer_n into_o learning_n know_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o great_a monument_n of_o antiquity_n that_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o particular_o that_o the_o first_o and_o early_o invention_n of_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v know_v only_o from_o the_o old_a testament_n especial_o the_o five_o first_o book_n of_o it_o in_o vain_a do_v you_o look_v for_o these_o in_o the_o write_n of_o other_o man_n for_o though_o some_o of_o they_o relate_v very_o ancient_a occurrence_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o so_o old_a as_o these_o and_o as_o for_o those_o writer_n who_o pretend_v to_o some_o great_a antiquity_n and_o have_v be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o think_v that_o they_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n they_o have_v be_v explode_v by_o all_o person_n of_o sobriety_n and_o serious_a thought_n in_o pagan_a writer_n we_o have_v some_o wild_a guess_n at_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n and_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o art_n but_o he_o that_o be_v desirous_a to_o have_v certain_a and_o infallible_a information_n concern_v these_o must_v consult_v the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o these_o alone_a we_o learn_v what_o be_v the_o ancient_a usage_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o be_v the_o first_o rise_n and_o original_a of_o they_o wherefore_o i_o may_v safe_o pronounce_v that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v the_o just_a repute_n of_o a_o scholar_n unless_o he_o have_v read_v and_o study_v the_o bible_n for_o in_o this_o one_o book_n there_o be_v more_o humane_a learning_n than_o in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o therefore_o here_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o very_a scandalous_a mistake_n that_o the_o knowledge_n and_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v for_o divine_n only_o as_o if_o these_o be_v not_o to_o be_v skilled_a in_o any_o humane_a learning_n they_o that_o talk_v after_o this_o rate_n understand_v not_o what_o the_o study_n of_o divinity_n and_o true_a scholarship_n be_v for_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a divine_a that_o be_v not_o well_o verse_v in_o humane_a literature_n and_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a scholar_n that_o be_v not_o skilled_a in_o
divine_a architect_n deut._n 22._o 8._o thou_o shall_v make_v a_o battlement_n foâ—_n thy_o roof_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d muruâ—_n per_fw-la circuitum_fw-la as_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a render_v it_o be_v adâ—ded_v that_o thou_o bring_v not_o blood_n upon_o thy_o house_n if_o any_o man_n fall_v from_o thence_o the_o flat_a roof_n of_o their_o house_n be_v rail_v in_o that_o none_o may_v slip_v off_o of_o they_o and_o hazard_v their_o life_n and_o here_o by_o the_o by_o i_o may_v add_v that_o this_o be_v the_o very_a structure_n of_o the_o temple_n it_o be_v flat_a at_o top_n and_o according_o be_v encompass_v round_o with_o a_o peribolus_n a_o â—ett_n of_o rail_n or_o battlement_n and_o this_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n mat._n 4._o 5._o i_o e._n some_o part_n side_n or_o wing_n as_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d import_v of_o the_o battlement_n wherewith_o the_o temple_n be_v surround_v at_o top_n lest_o any_o â—hould_v fall_v down_o thence_o and_o to_o confirm_v this_o interpretation_n i_o will_v produce_v that_o passage_n of_o hegeâ—ippus_n quote_v by_o 23._o eusebius_n who_o relate_v that_o some_o of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o other_o of_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n come_v and_o request_v james_n the_o just_a the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o preach_v at_o the_o passover_n when_o the_o people_n come_v from_o all_o part_n to_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o he_o may_v be_v both_o see_v and_o hear_v of_o all_o they_o desire_v he_o to_o stand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d on_o the_o battlement_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o he_o further_o tell_v that_o he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v a_o place_n then_o that_o they_o may_v safe_o stand_v upon_o otherwise_o st._n james_n will_v not_o have_v consent_v to_o their_o request_n dr._n hammâ—nd_n think_v this_o be_v the_o top_n of_o the_o battlement_n and_o add_v that_o it_o be_v broad_a enough_o to_o stand_v upon_o but_o suppose_v it_o be_v yet_o it_o be_v unsafe_a to_o trust_v their_o foot_n there_o lest_o they_o shall_v slip_v therefore_o i_o rather_o think_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o st._n matthew_n must_v not_o be_v take_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o forementioned_a story_n in_o the_o one_o it_o signify_v the_o top_n of_o the_o rail_n or_o battlement_n a_o dangerous_a place_n to_o stand_v upon_o and_o for_o that_o reason_n the_o devil_n set_v our_o saviour_n there_o but_o in_o the_o other_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o place_n within_o the_o battlement_n for_o the_o whole_a space_n encompass_v with_o these_o have_v that_o denomination_n however_o we_o be_v hence_o inform_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o a_o pinnacle_n or_o spire_n for_o the_o jewish_a temple_n have_v no_o such_o thing_n though_o some_o of_o our_o church_n have_v but_o the_o exterior_a circuit_n which_o compass_v the_o top_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o be_v make_v to_o be_v a_o ornament_n to_o it_o as_o well_o as_o to_o prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o fall_v down_o this_o be_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o it_o among_o grammarian_n as_o 5._o dr._n hammond_n have_v right_o note_v and_o not_o only_o the_o temple_n but_o every_o house_n have_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o battlement_n about_o it_o this_o be_v the_o short_a account_n which_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o insert_v here_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o as_o the_o latin_n call_v they_o solaria_fw-la because_o they_o lie_v open_a to_o the_o sun_n and_o air_n the_o flat_a roof_n with_o which_o the_o house_n heretofore_o especial_o in_o the_o asiatic_a region_n be_v build_v and_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v not_o so_o early_a a_o account_n in_o any_o writer_n whatsoever_o of_o the_o structure_n of_o the_o ancient_a house_n as_o this_o of_o the_o sacred_a penman_n be_v chap._n iu._n the_o first_o original_n of_o letter_n and_o write_v be_v record_v here_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o material_n they_o write_v upon_o of_o old_a the_o instrument_n with_o which_o they_o form_v their_o letter_n or_o character_n the_o ancient_a as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o excellent_a history_n be_v in_o the_o bible_n so_o be_v the_o ancient_a and_o most_o admire_a poetry_n the_o first_o invention_n and_o practice_n of_o music_n and_o on_o what_o occasion_n it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o the_o rise_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n and_o who_o be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o due_a study_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n the_o first_o instance_n of_o anatomy_n medic_n chirurgery_n embalm_v and_o the_o apothecary_n employment_n be_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n here_o be_v the_o first_o example_n of_o ship_n and_o navigation_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o place_n whither_o solomon_n navy_n go_v every_o three_o year_n a_o conjecture_n concern_v ophir_n astronomy_n and_o judiciary_n astrology_n mention_v in_o scripture_n of_o war_n and_o skill_n in_o arms._n the_o nature_n of_o those_o military_a weapon_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o scripture_n particular_o and_o distinct_o inquire_v into_o the_o antiquity_n of_o martial_a ensign_n and_o standard_n the_o vast_a number_n which_o the_o army_n of_o old_a consist_v of_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o silent_a concern_v sportive_a diversion_n and_o exercise_n some_o of_o which_o but_o especial_o dance_v be_v consider_v from_o mechanical_a i_o proceed_v to_o ingenious_a art_n and_o science_n or_o such_o as_o be_v approach_v to_o they_o and_o i_o be_o to_o show_v that_o the_o sacred_a history_n relate_v the_o first_o rise_n and_o original_a of_o these_o and_o what_o liberal_a art_n shall_v i_o begin_v with_o but_o grammar_n what_o shall_v this_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n commence_v with_o but_o letter_n and_o write_v many_o have_v be_v very_o inquisitive_a about_o the_o first_o author_n of_o these_o and_o true_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o enquiry_n it_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n the_o 9_o rabbin_n hold_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d write_v and_o consequent_o letter_n be_v create_v among_o other_o thing_n at_o the_o close_a of_o the_o six_o day_n be_v work_v of_o the_o creation_n but_o few_o that_o be_v sober_a will_v give_v credit_n to_o this_o they_o be_v find_v out_o before_o the_o flood_n by_o seth_n â—aith_o the_o jewish_a antiquary_n for_o according_a to_o 3._o he_o there_o be_v two_o pillar_n one_o of_o stone_n another_o of_o brick_n erect_v by_o that_o godly_a patriarch_n on_o which_o he_o cause_v his_o astrological_a notion_n to_o be_v write_v afterward_o for_o we_o may_v suppose_v this_o invention_n lose_v by_o the_o flood_n though_o the_o pillar_n and_o character_n on_o they_o remain_v abraham_n retrieve_v the_o art_n of_o write_v yea_o in_o manner_n invent_v it_o anew_o say_v philo._n but_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n at_o all_o of_o what_o he_o or_o josephus_n say_v concern_v this_o matter_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v just_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o but_o suppose_v that_o seth_n begin_v this_o art_n and_o that_o abraham_n improve_v it_o we_o be_v certain_a of_o this_o that_o moses_n come_v and_o perfect_v it_o have_v that_o moâ—t_o complete_a copy_n before_o he_o to_o instruct_v and_o direct_v he_o the_o table_n write_v with_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n exod._n 31._o 18._o we_o read_v of_o no_o write_n in_o scripture_n till_o this_o writing_n or_o engrave_v the_o law_n on_o the_o two_o table_n which_o be_v call_v in_o another_o place_n the_o write_n of_o god_n deut._n 32._o 16._o there_o be_v no_o mention_n i_o say_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n before_o wherefore_o it_o be_v likely_a god_n be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n or_o write_v and_o that_o moses_n learn_v it_o of_o he_o and_o communicate_v it_o to_o the_o jew_n from_o who_o other_o eastern_a people_n receive_v it_o and_o so_o letter_n be_v impart_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n eupolemus_n and_o artapanus_n two_o very_a ancient_a historian_n quote_v by_o 1._o clement_n of_o alexandria_n be_v of_o this_o opinion_n and_o assert_v that_o letter_n have_v their_o original_n from_o moses_n this_o be_v favour_v by_o clement_n himself_o by_o 9_o eusebius_n by_o julian_n cyril_n of_o alexandria_n and_o 18._o st._n augustin_n incline_v to_o it_o and_o this_o be_v confirm_v from_o that_o general_a report_n of_o the_o pagan_n that_o from_o the_o phoenician_n all_o letter_n be_v derive_v particular_o concern_v the_o greek_n herodotus_n and_o plutarch_n testify_v that_o they_o record_v the_o letter_n of_o their_o alphabet_n from_o the_o phoenician_n and_o that_o therefore_o they_o be_v call_v 3_o the_o phoenician_n letter_n yea_o the_o word_n
〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d absolute_o and_o by_o itself_o be_v according_a to_o hesychius_n as_o much_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o lydian_n and_o jonians_n 3._o lucan_n make_v the_o phoenician_n the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n phoenices_fw-la primi_fw-la famae_fw-la si_fw-la creditur_fw-la ausi_fw-la mansuram_fw-la rudibus_fw-la vocem_fw-la signare_fw-la figuris_fw-la now_o when_o these_o be_v say_v to_o have_v first_o find_v out_o letter_n and_o when_o these_o letter_n be_v signal_o style_v phoenician_n it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o have_v call_v they_o hebrew_a letter_n so_o name_v from_o that_o famous_a hebrew_n moses_n and_o the_o people_n of_o that_o denomination_n for_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o learned_a that_o phoenician_n and_o hebrew_n be_v â—â—e_v same_o in_o several_a author_n the_o old_a distinction_n be_v this_o pâ—riâ—g_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v those_o of_o syria_n that_o inhabit_v the_o continent_n have_v the_o name_n of_o syrian_n but_o those_o that_o border_v 〈◊〉_d the_o maritime_a coast_n be_v call_v phoenician_n wâ—â—_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o canaanite_n when_o wâ—_n find_v pliny_n profess_v 56._o literas_fw-la semper_fw-la arbitror_fw-la assyriâ—â—_n fuisse_fw-la we_o can_v but_o know_v that_o by_o assyrian_a the_o country_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o even_o the_o jewish_a nuntion_n be_v point_v at_o when_o therefore_o he_o say_v he_o be_v of_o opinion_n and_o always_o be_v that_o letteâ—â—_n be_v first_o of_o all_o assyrian_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o coâ—â—firms_v what_o i_o be_o now_o suggest_v and_o when_o thâ—_n gentile_a historian_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o invention_n 〈◊〉_d letter_n be_v from_o cadmus_n it_o be_v to_o our_o present_a purpose_n to_o observe_v who_o this_o cadmus_n be_v he_o 〈◊〉_d say_v to_o be_v a_o tyrian_a or_o phoenician_n whence_o hâ—_n have_v the_o title_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o syrophoeniâ—cian_a traffiker_n give_v he_o in_o lucian_n council_n of_o thâ—_n go_n this_o be_v he_o that_o bring_v the_o use_n of_o letter_n to_o the_o greek_n which_o show_v that_o the_o origininal_n of_o they_o be_v from_o canaan_n from_o the_o hebrew_n who_o be_v style_v phoenician_n beside_o that_o the_o greek_a alphabet_n be_v take_v from_o the_o hebrew_n not_o only_o the_o name_n but_o the_o order_n and_o figure_n of_o most_o of_o the_o letter_n do_v plain_o show_v and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v by_o plato_n diodorus_n siculus_n tully_n and_o other_o that_o mercurius_n and_o thoth_n who_o be_v the_o same_o person_n be_v the_o inventor_n of_o letter_n and_o erudition_n moses_n be_v mean_v for_o he_o be_v the_o true_a mercurius_n as_o i_o have_v have_v occasion_n to_o prove_v by_o very_a convince_a argument_n in_o another_o place_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o muse_n who_o be_v the_o celebrate_a author_n of_o learning_n and_o all_o ingenious_a art_n for_o cratylo_n plato_n who_o be_v the_o great_a searcher_n into_o antiquity_n of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n acknowledge_v that_o this_o word_n be_v borrow_v from_o the_o barbarian_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v who_o be_v the_o barbarian_n with_o the_o greek_n viz._n the_o hebrew_n which_o make_v i_o think_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o corruption_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o what_o be_v say_v of_o the_o muse_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o he_o and_o consequent_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n and_o of_o learning_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o same_o divine_a philosopher_n in_o another_o place_n express_o testify_v that_o 〈◊〉_d the_o greek_n receive_v their_o name_n and_o letter_n from_o the_o barbarian_n who_o be_v elder_a than_o they_o last_o i_o will_v mention_v that_o notable_a passage_n in_o osir._n plutarch_n who_o speak_v of_o the_o egyptian_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o think_v that_o hermes_n be_v the_o inventor_n of_o grammar_n where_o by_o grammar_n be_v mean_v all_o good_a letter_n and_o by_o hermes_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v moses_n who_o as_o have_v be_v say_v already_o be_v universal_o own_a to_o be_v the_o ancient_n hermes_n to_o this_o excellent_a man_n it_o please_v god_n to_o reveal_v the_o art_n of_o write_v set_v he_o a_o illustrious_a copy_n upon_o the_o two_o table_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n so_o that_o next_o unto_o god_n himself_o he_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n or_o write_a character_n he_o who_o when_o a_o infant_n be_v wrap_v up_o in_o the_o egyptian_a papyrus_fw-la as_o you_o shall_v hear_v afterward_o be_v most_o congruous_o the_o principal_a author_n of_o write_v on_o it_o and_o adorn_v that_o and_o other_o material_n with_o letter_n the_o first_o penman_n and_o writer_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o this_o discovery_n viz._n to_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o write_v these_o sacred_a record_n acquaint_v we_o also_o what_o be_v the_o first_o way_n of_o write_v or_o make_v letter_n they_o let_v we_o know_v what_o material_n they_o of_o old_a write_v upon_o and_o what_o instrument_n they_o write_v with_o here_o we_o learn_v that_o the_o first_o way_n of_o write_v be_v sculpture_n or_o carve_n i._n e._n they_o cut_v their_o letter_n in_o stoâ—â—_n or_o wood_n or_o some_o other_o hard_a and_o solid_a matter_n we_o read_v that_o moses_n or_o rather_o god_n himself_o 〈◊〉_d grave_v his_o law_n on_o stone_n exod._n 34._o 1._o deut._n 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o people_n be_v command_v afterward_o to_o write_v these_o very_a law_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n deut._n 27._o 3_o 8._o this_o be_v the_o first_o and_o antientâ—â—_n way_n of_o write_v that_o we_o read_v of_o stone_n be_v their_o book_n of_o old_a on_o these_o they_o engrave_v the_o character_n which_o they_o have_v learn_v the_o egyptiâ—â—â—_n do_v thus_o say_v 2._o jamblichus_n before_o their_o inventâ—â—â—_n of_o paper_n the_o babylonian_n write_v their_o law_n 〈◊〉_d stony_a sort_n of_o substance_n say_v â—6_n pliny_n of_o such_o 〈◊〉_d of_o write_v speaks_z â—raniâ_fw-la herodotus_n and_o all_o the_o 〈◊〉_d marble_n monument_n which_o rome_n afford_v and_o arâ—â—â—_n this_o day_n to_o be_v see_v witness_v the_o antiquity_n of_o 〈◊〉_d engrave_v on_o wood_n and_o tree_n it_o be_v usual_a to_o carve_v their_o letter_n of_o old_a thus_o they_o write_v the_o name_n of_o the_o tribe_n on_o twelve_o rod_n numb_a 17._o â—_o and_o ezekiel_n be_v bid_v to_o write_v upon_o stick_n smaâ—â—_n piece_n of_o wood_n ezek._n 37._o 16._o write_v on_o a_o table_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o lxx_o super_fw-la buâ—â—â—_n according_a to_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a isa._n 30._o 8._o may_v refer_v to_o this_o i_o suppose_v this_o write_n in_o wood_n be_v not_o unusual_a among_o some_o of_o the_o gentile_n so_o shepherd_n and_o lover_n use_v to_o cut_v their_o name_n on_o the_o bark_n of_o tree_n of_o old_a this_o be_v call_v i0_n teeneris_fw-la incidere_fw-la amores_fw-la arboribus_fw-la some_o of_o the_o old_a roman_a law_n be_v write_v in_o 3._o table_n of_o oak_n and_o from_o sufficient_a testimony_n in_o author_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o they_o cut_v letter_n in_o wooden_a table_n i._n e._n thin_a slice_n of_o wood_n which_o be_v call_v codices_fw-la but_o afterward_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n to_o cover_v these_o table_n with_o wax_n and_o so_o to_o cut_v their_o character_n on_o it_o of_o which_o sort_n it_o be_v probable_a be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o writing-table_n that_o zacharias_n call_v for_o luke_n 1._o 63._o these_o waxen_a board_n be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o trojan_a war_n as_o appear_v from_o homer_n il._n 6._o and_o that_o they_o be_v frequent_a among_o the_o roman_n and_o other_o be_v attest_v by_o 27._o pliny_n 3._o quintilian_n curcul_n plautus_n martial_n and_o most_o of_o the_o latin_a writer_n of_o engrave_v letter_n in_o gold_n there_o be_v a_o early_a instance_n in_o exod._n 39_o 30._o where_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o holiness_n to_o the_o lord_n be_v write_v on_o a_o golden_a plate_n and_o wear_v on_o the_o high_a priest_n head_n so_o 44._o dio_n relate_v that_o they_o ancient_o make_v letter_n in_o gold_n and_o write_v in_o silver_n the_o draw_v of_o legible_a character_n on_o lead_n i._n e._n thin_a leave_n of_o that_o metal_n be_v record_v in_o job_n 19_o 24._o of_o which_o there_o be_v afterward_o example_n in_o pagan_a writer_n as_o in_o â—â—otic_a pausanias_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o hesiod_n poem_n be_v thus_o write_v and_o public_a record_n and_o decree_n say_v 11._o the_o other_o pliny_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v transcribe_v into_o these_o sheet_n of_o lead_n because_o they_o be_v account_v last_a and_o durable_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o twelve_o table_n of_o the_o
olâ—_n roman_a law_n that_o be_v fix_v up_o in_o public_a be_v write_v on_o plate_n of_o brass_n as_o a_o great_a number_n of_o good_a latin_a author_n testify_v and_o â—ome_v to_o preserve_v what_o they_o write_v imprint_v character_n on_o slice_n of_o ivory_n thence_o call_v libri_fw-la elephantini_n in_o tacitus_n and_o flavius_n vopiscus_n thus_o sculpture_n be_v one_o ancient_a way_n of_o write_v among_o man_n of_o whiâ—â—_n the_o first_o instance_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o aâ—oliab_n who_o wâ—â—_n the_o chief_a master_n of_o 23._o engrave_v and_o that_o by_o the_o particular_a inspiration_n of_o heaven_n be_v the_o fiâ—â—â—_n improver_n of_o this_o sort_n of_o letter_n this_o be_v 〈◊〉_d primitive_a write_v of_o mankind_n the_o first_o lettâ—â—â—_n be_v cut_v and_o engrave_v which_o indeed_o may_v be_v fouâ—â—_n in_o the_o very_a word_n for_o to_o grave_n be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v thence_o derive_v without_o doubt_n as_o hither_o to_o we_o have_v see_v by_o help_n of_o the_o sacrâ—â—_n record_v that_o sculpture_n or_o eâ—â—râ—tion_n be_v the_o anâ—â—_n ent_a sort_n of_o character_n so_o these_o likewise_o inâ—oâ—_n we_o that_o paint_n be_v the_o next_o i._o e._n that_o lettâ—â—â—_n be_v general_o draw_v and_o portray_v in_o some_o blaâ—â—_n or_o â—able_a kind_n of_o colour_v and_o to_o this_o end_n iâ—â—stead_o of_o those_o hard_a material_n which_o be_v madâ—_n use_v of_o in_o write_v before_o there_o be_v other_o afterwards_o find_v out_o of_o a_o more_o tractable_a nature_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mention_v those_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d seldom_o and_o little_o use_v as_o leauâ—s_n of_o tree_n espeâ—â—â—ally_o 11._o palm_n which_o be_v the_o way_n â—f_o the_o â—_o siâ—â—â—_n transmit_v some_o of_o their_o verse_n and_o that_o of_o old_a they_o write_v sometime_o on_o leave_v not_o only_o of_o tree_n but_o flower_n be_v more_o than_o once_o witness_v by_o virgil_n and_o ovid._n still_o to_o this_o day_n we_o seem_v to_o retain_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o ancient_a way_n of_o write_v when_o we_o say_v a_o leaf_n of_o paper_n and_o book_n in_o folio_n nor_o be_v the_o thin_a coat_n or_o rind_n which_o be_v between_o the_o bark_n and_o body_n of_o tree_n and_o be_v use_v in_o write_v of_o old_a as_o 30._o several_a relate_v and_o from_o whence_o come_v the_o name_n of_o liber_n at_o first_o mention_v by_o the_o holy_a writer_n because_o their_o use_n continue_v but_o a_o little_a time_n and_o they_o be_v of_o little_a service_n much_o less_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n say_v of_o write_v in_o linen_n which_o yet_o 1._o livy_n 11._o pliny_n antonino_n vopiscus_n and_o other_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o this_o be_v use_v among_o the_o indian_n and_o such_o remote_a people_n as_o the_o sacred_a history_n have_v no_o occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o but_o those_o material_n for_o write_v which_o be_v of_o constant_a use_n and_o that_o among_o most_o nation_n as_o papyr_n and_o parchment_n be_v either_o express_o mention_v or_o tacit_o refer_v to_o the_o former_a be_v make_v of_o broad_a rush_n and_o flag_n which_o grow_v in_o great_a abundance_n in_o egypt_n of_o which_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n foretell_v the_o confusion_n of_o that_o country_n speak_v ch_n 19_o v._n 6_o 7._o the_o reed_n and_o flag_n shall_v wither_v the_o paper-reed_n by_o the_o brook_n shall_v wither_v be_v drive_v away_o and_o be_v no_o more_o the_o gnaroth_n the_o material_n for_o write_v which_o be_v so_o celebrate_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a commodity_n of_o egypt_n and_o which_o bring_v in_o so_o great_a revenue_n to_o that_o nation_n these_o even_o these_o shall_v decay_v the_o traffic_n of_o they_o shall_v cease_v yea_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o moses_n be_v lay_v in_o a_o ark_n of_o bulrush_n exod._n 2._o 3._o a_o loc_n great_a critic_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o papyrus_fw-la be_v mean_v here_o and_o for_o this_o he_o quote_v 4._o lucan_n conseritur_fw-la bibulâ_fw-la memphitis_n cymba_fw-la papyro_fw-la and_o before_o he_o st._n jerom_n the_o most_o critical_a of_o all_o the_o father_n think_v the_o egyptian_a rush_n of_o which_o the_o first_o paper_n be_v make_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o this_o place_n and_o therefore_o gome_n which_o be_v the_o word_n here_o use_v be_v render_v by_o he_o papyrus_n and_o he_o it_o be_v likely_a have_v this_o from_o 5._o josepâ—us_n who_o acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o ark_n in_o which_o moses_n be_v secure_v be_v make_v of_o this_o great_a flag_n grow_v on_o the_o bank_n of_o nile_n of_o which_o they_o make_v leave_n to_o write_v on_o and_o whence_o our_o paper_n at_o this_o day_n have_v its_o name_n it_o be_v divide_v into_o thin_a flake_n which_o be_v press_v and_o dry_v in_o the_o sun_n and_o so_o be_v make_v serviceable_a to_o write_v upon_o in_o some_o tolerable_a manner_n of_o this_o 11._o pliny_n and_o several_a other_o writer_n speak_v and_o thence_o nile_n be_v call_v papyriferus_fw-la by_o 15._o ovid._n parchment_n which_o be_v make_v of_o sheep_n skin_n or_o the_o thin_a skin_n of_o other_o animal_n dress_v be_v another_o thing_n they_o write_v upon_o the_o best_a of_o this_o sort_n be_v make_v at_o pergamus_n and_o thence_o have_v its_o name_n pergamena_n but_o it_o be_v invent_v before_o attalus_n king_n of_o peragamus_fw-la his_o time_n though_o the_o contrary_n have_v be_v believe_v by_o some_o man_n and_o be_v in_o use_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o the_o egyptian_a papyrus_fw-la be_v only_o this_o be_v use_v for_o common_a purpose_n and_o the_o other_o for_o more_o choice_n write_v and_o such_o as_o they_o design_v shall_v last_v a_o long_a time_n therefore_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v transcribe_v into_o this_o moses_n write_v the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n gnal_n sepher_n upon_o a_o book_n deut._n 31._o 24._o i_o e._n on_o parchment_n say_v jonathan_n the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v on_o the_o place_n for_o so_o he_o and_o other_o learned_a jew_n understand_v the_o text._n this_o be_v mean_v by_o megillah_n a_o roll_n ezra_n 6._o 2._o and_o megillah_n sepher_v a_o roll_n of_o a_o book_n jer._n 36._o 2._o and_o gillaion_n a_o roll_n isa._n 8._o 1._o and_o a_o scroll_n roll_v together_o isa._n 34._o 4._o for_o it_o be_v parchment_n which_o be_v of_o some_o consistency_n not_o thin_a and_o weak_a paper_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v thus_o roll_v up_o to_o this_o terpsichore_n herodotus_n refer_v when_o he_o say_v that_o writing_n on_o skin_n be_v use_v by_o the_o barbarian_n mean_v the_o eastern_a people_n especial_o the_o jew_n and_o 2._o josepâ—us_n avouch_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o sheet_n of_o parchment_n exact_o join_v and_o fasten_v together_o of_o which_o testimony_n of_o his_o i_o have_v speak_v in_o another_o place_n it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o interpreter_n that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v mean_v write_v parchment_n 2_o tim._n 4._o 13._o but_o i_o have_v heretofore_o propose_v another_o sense_n of_o that_o word_n and_o therefore_o i_o make_v no_o use_n of_o this_o place_n here_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o scroll_n roll_v together_o rev._n 6._o 14._o refer_v to_o this_o and_o though_o i_o will_v not_o aver_v that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o our_o translator_n render_v paper_n 2_o joh._n v_o 12._o be_v to_o be_v understand_v parchment_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o whole_o improbable_a for_o this_o be_v the_o usual_a word_n to_o signify_v any_o thing_n that_o they_o write_v upon_o whether_o egyptian_a reed_n or_o leave_v of_o lead_n or_o gold_n or_o stone_n or_o wood_n or_o any_o of_o the_o other_o write_v material_n before_o specify_v the_o matter_n whatever_o it_o be_v be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o charta_n from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o from_o the_o hebrew_n charath_n seulpsit_fw-la exaravit_fw-la for_o this_o be_v a_o general_a term_n and_o signify_v any_o thing_n that_o have_v character_n engrave_v or_o write_v upon_o it_o but_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o only_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o material_n on_o which_o they_o write_v of_o old_a but_o of_o the_o instrument_n with_o which_o they_o form_v their_o letter_n on_o they_o i_o mean_v here_o such_o as_o be_v of_o common_a use_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o it_o shall_v say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o rubrica_fw-la mention_v by_o 5._o persius_n and_o other_o which_o serve_v sometime_o instead_o of_o pen_n and_o ink._n with_o this_o they_o write_v oâ—_n rather_o mark_v their_o title_n of_o book_n whence_o that_o of_o 14._o juvenal_n
history_n both_o domestieâ—_n and_o foreign_a all_o that_o be_v conversant_a in_o this_o way_n of_o study_n complain_v and_o that_o just_o of_o the_o erroneous_a misrepresentation_n of_o passage_n of_o all_o sort_n among_o historian_n and_o of_o our_o darkness_n and_o ignorance_n by_o reason_n of_o these_o but_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v fear_v or_o so_o much_o as_o suspect_v in_o the_o sacred_a history_n because_o god_n himself_o speak_v there_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v the_o surâ—â—_n ground_n for_o our_o faith_n that_o we_o can_v desire_v there_o be_v no_o authority_n so_o firm_a as_o that_o which_o be_v divine_a there_o be_v no_o testimony_n so_o strong_a and_o valid_a as_o that_o which_o be_v from_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o such_o be_v that_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o it_o most_o just_o challenge_v yea_o command_v our_o faith_n and_o assent_n this_o be_v the_o singular_a pre-eminence_n and_o advantage_n which_o this_o book_n have_v above_o all_o other_o that_o the_o penman_n of_o it_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o unerring_a spirit_n of_o god_n this_o alone_a be_v sufficient_a to_o determine_v and_o six_o we_o it_o be_v the_o most_o stable_a as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o proper_a basis_n of_o our_o belief_n even_o where_o thing_n that_o be_v very_o improbable_a be_v propound_v to_o we_o to_o be_v assent_v to_o beside_o as_o to_o the_o seem_a improbability_n of_o some_o thing_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n this_o ought_v not_o to_o hinder_v we_o from_o give_v credit_n to_o they_o many_o person_n be_v wont_a to_o look_v upon_o these_o passage_n and_o story_n as_o strange_a and_o almost_o incredible_a which_o they_o observe_v be_v not_o suitable_a to_o the_o manner_n custom_n art_n and_o conversation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v at_o present_a and_o thence_o they_o be_v incline_v to_o think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n heretofore_o but_o these_o man_n do_v not_o well_o consider_v nor_o distinguish_v between_o those_o time_n and_o these_o which_o be_v exceed_o different_a and_o moreover_o if_o they_o suspend_v their_o belief_n of_o some_o thing_n which_o they_o read_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n because_o they_o see_v other_o thing_n now_o thing_n of_o a_o different_a nature_n they_o may_v as_o well_o disbelieve_v all_o the_o other_o history_n of_o the_o ancient_n that_o be_v extant_a which_o yet_o we_o see_v they_o be_v very_o backward_o to_o do_v and_o they_o have_v good_a reason_n on_o their_o side_n because_o the_o world_n be_v not_o now_o as_o it_o be_v then_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o those_o time_n shall_v be_v full_o conformable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o what_o occur_v in_o these_o latter_a day_n for_o this_o reason_n a_o very_a 11._o solid_a and_o judicious_a writer_n have_v defend_v the_o ancient_a history_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o latin_n whereof_o whatever_n be_v strange_a be_v in_o herodotus_n and_o pliny_n show_v that_o though_o some_o fabulous_a narration_n and_o many_o gross_a mistake_v and_o error_n be_v intermingle_v the_o strangeness_n of_o some_o passage_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o they_o proceed_v from_o the_o diversity_n of_o time_n the_o posture_n of_o the_o world_n have_v much_o change_v since_o those_o thing_n happen_v let_v we_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o reason_v in_o the_o present_a case_n and_o when_o we_o find_v several_a strange_a unusual_a and_o surprise_v matter_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n impute_v this_o to_o the_o antientness_n of_o they_o and_o the_o great_a discrepancy_n between_o those_o day_n and_o these_o we_o now_o live_v in_o if_o we_o do_v so_o there_o will_v be_v no_o impediment_n to_o our_o steady_a belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o nay_o if_o we_o weigh_v thing_n well_o we_o shall_v see_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o expect_v that_o the_o guise_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o they_o be_v 4_o or_o 5000_o year_n ago_o for_o there_o must_v needs_o be_v new_a thing_n when_o the_o number_n of_o person_n be_v so_o vast_o increase_v when_o the_o difference_n of_o clime_n produce_v such_o diversity_n of_o disposition_n when_o casualty_n necessity_n industry_n wit_n etc._n etc._n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o so_o many_o new_a occurrence_n let_v this_o be_v remember_v and_o serious_o think_v of_o and_o it_o will_v dispel_v our_o vain_a scruple_n and_o disbelief_n or_o if_o there_o be_v any_o remain_v the_o former_a consideration_n will_v thorough_o extirpate_v they_o i._n e._n if_o we_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o undoubted_a certainty_n and_o infallibility_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v its_o peculiar_a prerogative_n and_o excellency_n chap._n vii_o a_o particular_a distribution_n of_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n genesis_n the_o first_o of_o they_o together_o with_o the_o four_o follow_v one_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n his_o ample_a character_n or_o panegyric_n be_v attompt_v wherein_o there_o be_v a_o full_a account_n of_o his_o birth_n education_n flight_n from_o court_n retire_a life_n his_o return_n to_o egypt_n his_o conduct_v of_o the_o israelite_n thence_o his_o immediate_a converse_n with_o god_n in_o the_o mount_n his_o deliver_v the_o law_n his_o divine_a eloquence_n his_o humility_n and_o meekness_n his_o suffering_n his_o miracle_n and_o his_o particular_a fitness_n to_o write_v these_o book_n a_o summary_n of_o the_o several_a head_n contain_v in_o genesis_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o brief_a but_o distinct_a view_n of_o the_o six_o day_n work_n wherein_o be_v explain_v the_o mosaic_a draught_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o bold_a hypothesis_n of_o a_o late_a writer_n design_v to_o confront_v the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v expose_v and_o refute_v the_o content_n of_o the_o book_n of_o exodus_fw-la to_o which_o be_v adjoin_v a_o short_a comment_n on_o the_o ten_o plague_n of_o egypt_n a_o rehearsal_n of_o the_o remarkable_a particular_n treat_v of_o in_o leviticus_n number_n deuteronomy_n that_o moses_n be_v the_o penman_n and_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n notwithstanding_o what_o some_o have_v late_o object_v against_o it_o to_o demonstrate_v yet_o further_o the_o excellency_n of_o these_o holy_a write_n i_o will_v enter_v upon_o the_o three_o way_n of_o proof_n which_o i_o propose_v that_o be_v i_o will_v give_v you_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o several_a book_n contain_v in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o i_o will_v show_v all_o along_o the_o particular_a usefulness_n and_o excellency_n of_o they_o i_o begin_v first_o with_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v divide_v by_o the_o jew_n into_o three_o general_a part_n first_o torah_n the_o law_n which_o contain_v the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n then_o nebiim_v the_o prophet_n which_o 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nothing_o to_o be_v right_a prophecy_n but_o what_o be_v convey_v in_o dream_n or_o vision_n but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o rabbinical_a conceit_n and_o hereby_o they_o strike_v david_n and_o some_o other_o out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o they_o yet_o the_o partition_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o it_o may_v be_v right_o understand_v be_v not_o altogether_o to_o be_v reject_v nay_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v allow_v of_o by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o luke_n 24._o 44._o where_o he_o tell_v his_o apostle_n that_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v concern_v he_o in_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n viz._n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o psalm_n under_o these_o last_o comprise_v all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o hagiographa_n or_o you_o may_v divide_v the_o book_n as_o they_o stand_v in_o their_o order_n in_o the_o
wonderful_a efficacy_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o those_o day_n the_o rejection_n of_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o their_o city_n temple_n and_o whole_a nation_n by_o the_o roman_n for_o their_o reject_v and_o crucify_a the_o messiah_n and_o other_o particular_a thing_n belong_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o none_o of_o the_o lesser_a prophet_n speak_v of_o but_o this_o malachi_n be_v the_o last_o of_o these_o prophet_n yea_o of_o all_o the_o prophet_n of_o that_o dispensation_n after_o he_o cease_v vision_n and_o prophecy_n in_o israel_n until_o christ_n appear_v when_o zachary_n simeon_n mary_n elizabeth_n anna_n be_v illuminate_v with_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n he_o prophesy_v about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n time_n reprove_v the_o jew_n for_o their_o ungrateful_a and_o wicked_a live_n after_o their_o return_n from_o babylon_n particular_o he_o charge_v they_o with_o rebellion_n sacrilege_n adultery_n profaneness_n 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injunction_n and_o with_o a_o promise_n of_o the_o come_v of_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v to_o be_v usher_v in_o by_o elijah_n the_o prophet_n i._n e._n by_o john_n the_o baptist_n who_o come_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n of_o elias_n luke_n 1._o 17._o and_o so_o this_o close_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n refer_v to_o the_o new_a to_o which_o i_o now_o hasten_v chap._n x._o a_o account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n the_o peculiar_a time_n order_n stile_n design_n of_o their_o gospel_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n show_v to_o be_v a_o incomparable_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n particular_o delineate_v he_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o apostle_n style_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v the_o excellent_a matter_n and_o design_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n st._n peter_n st._n john_n st._n judas_n a_o historical_a series_n or_o order_n be_v not_o observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n next_o follow_v the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o evangelical_n novel_n the_o new_a law_n of_o christianity_n the_o true_a authentic_o which_o present_v we_o with_o the_o actual_a discovery_n of_o the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o the_o bless_a author_n of_o it_o these_o be_v write_v in_o greek_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o joseph_n the_o jew_n choose_v to_o write_v his_o book_n not_o in_o his_o own_o language_n but_o in_o this_o because_o as_o he_o say_v himself_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o jewish_a war_n he_o will_v have_v they_o read_v and_o understand_v by_o greek_n and_o roman_n and_o all_o person_n so_o aelian_a be_v a_o roman_a yet_o write_v his_o book_n of_o animal_n and_o various_a history_n etc._n etc._n in_o greek_a because_o this_o be_v the_o universal_a language_n at_o that_o time_n these_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v either_o history_n or_o epistle_n the_o history_n be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o former_a the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o extant_a while_o christ_n be_v on_o earth_n for_o till_o his_o be_v take_v up_o to_o heaven_n which_o be_v the_o consummation_n of_o all_o he_o have_v before_o do_v and_o suffer_v they_o can_v not_o make_v the_o evangelical_n history_n perfect_a but_o afterward_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n resolve_v according_a to_o their_o master_n 8._o order_n to_o go_v and_o preach_v in_o foreign_a region_n and_o to_o disperse_v the_o christian_a religion_n over_o all_o the_o world_n put_v forth_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o write_v before_o they_o go_v about_o this_o great_a work_n st._n matthew_n be_v the_o first_o inspire_a person_n that_o commit_v the_o evangelical_n transaction_n to_o write_v which_o he_o do_v about_o eight_o year_n after_o christ_n passion_n a._n d._n 42._o he_o alone_o of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n say_v st._n evang._n jerom_n 〈…〉_z eusebius_n st._n 1._o augustine_n matlh_n chrysostom_n and_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n write_v his_o gospel_n first_o in_o hebrew_a which_o partly_o appear_v from_o this_o that_o some_o of_o the_o hebrew_n word_n be_v explain_v by_o the_o person_n who_o translate_v it_o into_o greek_a who_o it_o be_v probable_a be_v st._n matthew_n himself_o as_o the_o ancient_n general_o agree_v and_o so_o the_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a copy_n be_v both_o of_o they_o the_o original_n then_o st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n write_v their_o gospel_n the_o one_o about_o ten_o though_o other_o say_v twenty_o the_o other_o about_o twenty_o some_o say_v thirty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n death_n and_o there_o be_v some_o that_o invert_v the_o order_n and_o give_v the_o priority_n to_o st._n luke_n but_o all_o agree_v that_o st._n john_n be_v the_o last_o of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o write_v towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n but_o as_o for_o the_o punctual_a time_n when_o the_o evangelist_n put_v forth_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v doubtful_a and_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o certain_a ground_n whereoâ—_n we_o may_v â—ix_v a_o satisfactory_a resolution_n of_o the_o doubtâ—punc_fw-la this_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o they_o write_v 〈◊〉_d st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n have_v what_o they_o write_v from_o the_o relation_n of_o other_o particular_o st._n mark_n who_o be_v st._n peter_n companion_n compose_v his_o gospel_n by_o his_o order_n and_o direction_n and_o with_o his_o especial_a approbation_n say_v eusebius_n again_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o though_o every_o evangelist_n relate_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n yet_o no_o one_o of_o they_o relate_v the_o whole_a truth_n concern_v christ_n life_n and_o action_n though_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v contain_v in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o writer_n yet_o some_o particular_n be_v find_v in_o one_o that_o do_v not_o occur_v in_o another_o which_o make_v it_o necessary_a to_o consult_v they_o all_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o together_o as_o for_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n mark_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o they_o do_v not_o always_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o the_o true_a series_n of_o the_o matter_n especial_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v not_o curious_a in_o this_o particular_a but_o as_o for_o thâ—_n other_o two_o evangelist_n they_o be_v very_o punctual_a and_o inviolable_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o thing_n as_o they_o happen_v except_v only_o that_o parenthesis_n for_o such_o it_o be_v in_o luke_n 3._o 19_o 20._o concern_v herod_n of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n st._n luke_n be_v the_o full_a and_o give_v the_o compleat_a mosâ—_n circumstantial_a and_o orderly_a relation_n of_o thing_n which_o he_o himself_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o gospel_n in_o those_o word_n to_o theophilus_n it_o seâ—med_v good_a to_o i_o have_v have_v perfect_a understanding_n of_o all_o thing_n from_o the_o very_a first_o to_o write_v unto_o thou_o in_o order_n and_o yet_o though_o his_o gospel_n be_v ample_a and_o more_o methodical_a in_o the_o narrative_a or_o history_n than_o the_o rest_n yet_o he_o be_v but_o brief_a in_o relate_v thing_n that_o our_o saviour_n do_v till_o the_o last_o year_n of_o his_o preach_v st._n matthew_n have_v be_v full_a in_o they_o and_o in_o some_o other_o thing_n he_o have_v need_n of_o a_o supply_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o more_o especial_o from_o st._n john_n who_o gospel_n from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o 14_o chapter_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 17_o contain_v those_o excellent_a discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n before_o his_o passion_n which_o be_v whole_o
omit_v by_o the_o other_o evangelist_n beside_o that_o this_o evangelist_n in_o the_o entrance_n into_o his_o gospel_n be_v more_o sublime_a and_o soar_v than_o the_o rest_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v represent_v by_o a_o eagle_n assert_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n against_o the_o bold_a heretic_n of_o that_o time_n who_o open_o confront_v that_o doctrine_n and_o in_o other_o place_n of_o his_o write_n he_o have_v a_o peculiar_a strain_n and_o excellency_n which_o mensal_n luther_n express_v thus_o after_o his_o plain_a way_n every_o word_n in_o john_n weigh_v two_o tun_n concern_v the_o evangelist_n i_o may_v note_v this_o that_o though_o they_o do_v not_o all_o of_o they_o set_v down_o the_o very_a individual_a word_n that_o christ_n or_o other_o speak_v for_o we_o see_v that_o sometime_o one_o represent_v they_o in_o term_n different_a from_o the_o rest_n yet_o those_o that_o do_v not_o so_o deliver_v always_o the_o sense_n of_o what_o be_v say_v and_o even_o that_o be_v dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o be_v sufficient_a and_o concern_v st._n john_n particular_o i_o remark_n this_o that_o see_v he_o be_v the_o last_o of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n i._n e._n he_o write_v his_o gospel_n last_o it_o be_v rational_a upon_o that_o account_n to_o interpret_v the_o other_o evangelist_n by_o he_o namely_o where_o any_o doubt_n or_o controversy_n arise_v for_o he_o have_v peruse_v the_o other_o evangelist_n and_o observe_v what_o exception_n unbelieving_a man_n have_v make_v against_o any_o passage_n in_o their_o write_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o he_o express_v himself_o with_o great_a plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n where_o those_o matter_n be_v concern_v this_o the_o intelligent_a and_o observant_a reader_n will_v find_v to_o be_v true_a if_o he_o consult_v the_o respective_a place_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o give_v a_o particular_a and_o distinct_a survey_n of_o every_o one_o of_o the_o evangelist_n write_n this_o only_o can_v be_v say_v here_o in_o pursuance_n of_o our_o grand_a undertake_n that_o these_o book_n be_v the_o choice_a history_n that_o ever_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v because_o they_o contain_v the_o birth_n the_o life_n the_o action_n the_o doctrine_n the_o miracle_n the_o suffering_n the_o death_n the_o resurrection_n the_o ascension_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n our_o most_o compassionate_a saviour_n and_o redeemer_n all_o of_o which_o be_v the_o most_o stupendous_a and_o amaze_a as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o necessary_a matter_n to_o be_v know_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n if_o this_o brief_a and_o summary_n account_v of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o recommend_v they_o to_o our_o study_n and_o meditation_n and_o to_o beget_v in_o we_o the_o utmost_a esteem_n of_o they_o nothing_o more_o large_o say_v will_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o to_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n belong_v the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o account_n give_v of_o what_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v concern_v in_o viz._n their_o choose_n mathias_n into_o iudas_n room_n their_o meet_v together_o on_o the_o day_n of_o pentâ—cost_n at_o which_o time_n they_o be_v all_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o christ_n promise_n visible_o descend_v upon_o they_o their_o determination_n in_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o jerusalem_n with_o their_o letter_n which_o they_o send_v to_o the_o church_n abroad_o and_o several_a other_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v joint_o interest_v this_o book_n contain_v also_o the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o sound_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o its_o happy_a progress_n and_o success_n especial_o among_o the_o gentile_n of_o the_o opposition_n and_o persecution_n it_o encounter_v with_o of_o the_o undaunted_a courage_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o the_o course_n of_o their_o ministry_n of_o their_o disputation_n conference_n apology_n prayer_n sermon_n worship_n discipline_n church-government_n miracle_n here_o we_o be_v inform_v what_o be_v the_o usage_n of_o the_o first_o apostolical_a age_n in_o a_o word_n here_o we_o may_v find_v the_o primitive_a church_n and_o religion_n all_o which_o be_v plain_a evidence_n of_o the_o singular_a usefulness_n worth_a and_o excellency_n of_o this_o book_n but_o it_o be_v chief_o confine_v to_o the_o act_n and_o achievement_n of_o those_o most_o eminent_a apostles_n st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n and_o especial_o and_o most_o large_o here_o be_v relate_v the_o conversion_n travel_n preach_v and_o suffering_n of_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o for_o st._n â—uke_n be_v st._n paul_n companion_n all_o along_o and_o well_o acquaint_v with_o whatever_o he_o do_v and_o whatsoever_o happen_v to_o he_o give_v we_o the_o full_a narrative_n of_o this_o apostle_n the_o whole_a book_n be_v a_o history_n of_o about_o forty_o year_n namely_o from_o christ_n ascension_n to_o the_o second_o year_n of_o st._n paul_n imprisonment_n at_o rome_n the_o new_a testament_n consist_v likewise_o of_o several_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v pious_a discourse_n occasional_o write_v more_o full_o to_o explain_v and_o apply_v the_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v to_o confute_v some_o grow_a error_n to_o compose_v difference_n and_o schism_n to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n to_o stir_v up_o the_o christian_n to_o holiness_n and_o to_o encourage_v they_o against_o persecution_n for_o the_o apostle_n have_v convert_v several_a nation_n to_o the_o faith_n when_o they_o can_v not_o visit_v they_o in_o person_n write_v to_o they_o and_o so_o supply_v their_o presence_n by_o these_o epistle_n to_o begin_v with_o st._n paul_n epistle_n they_o be_v write_v either_o to_o whole_a church_n viz._n of_o believe_a gentile_n i._n e._n the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v such_o though_o some_o of_o jewish_a race_n may_v be_v mix_v among_o they_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n corinthian_n galatian_n ephesian_n philippian_n colossian_n thessalonian_n or_o of_o believe_v jew_n whole_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n or_o they_o be_v write_v to_o particular_a person_n as_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n titus_n philemon_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v make_v up_o of_o several_a profound_a discourse_n on_o such_o subject_n as_o these_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o jew_n their_o rejection_n notwithstanding_o those_o prerogative_n the_o wonderful_a dispensation_n of_o god_n towards_o the_o gentile_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o law_n justification_n by_o faith_n alone_o election_n and_o free_a grace_n the_o conflict_n between_o the_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n christian_a liberty_n scandal_n the_o use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o chief_a thing_n which_o he_o design_n in_o this_o epistle_n be_v to_o show_v that_o neither_o the_o gentile_n by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n nor_o the_o jew_n by_o that_o of_o moses_n can_v attain_v to_o righteousness_n and_o justification_n and_o consequent_o salvation_n but_o that_o these_o be_v to_o be_v obtain_v only_o by_o faith_n in_o christ_n jesus_n for_o who_o merit_n alone_o we_o be_v account_v righteous_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o then_o to_o show_v that_o this_o faith_n be_v not_o separate_v from_o good_a work_n he_o add_v exhortation_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n obedience_n of_o life_n and_o a_o religious_a conversation_n so_o that_o this_o epistle_n be_v both_o doctrinal_a and_o practical_a it_o direct_v we_o in_o our_o notion_n and_o in_o our_o manner_n it_o decide_v some_o of_o the_o great_a controversy_n and_o withal_o it_o inform_v we_o about_o the_o most_o indispensable_a office_n of_o christianity_n the_o next_o epistle_n be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o peloponneâ—us_n which_o be_v now_o call_v the_o morea_n and_o cenchrea_n which_o you_o read_v of_o rom._n 16._o 1._o act_n 19_o 18._o be_v the_o station_n of_o ship_n for_o this_o maritime_a city_n but_o be_v a_o distinct_a town_n from_o it_o to_o the_o convert_v inhabitant_n of_o this_o great_a metropolis_n fame_v for_o its_o wealth_n and_o therefore_o surname_v the_o rich_a as_o thucydides_n say_v â—ea_n 1._o to_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o achaia_n the_o apostle_n here_o write_v his_o first_o epistle_n to_o they_o be_v against_o the_o unsound_a persuasion_n and_o vicious_a practice_n which_o he_o observe_v among_o they_o at_o that_o time_n his_o design_n be_v to_o reform_v they_o as_o to_o their_o schism_n and_o dissension_n their_o idolatrous_a communion_n their_o unseemly_a habit_n their_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n in_o their_o assembly_n their_o profane_v the_o lord_n supper_n their_o toleration_n of_o incest_n and_o the_o like_a scandalous_a behaviour_n beside_o there_o be_v other_o considerable_a matter_n which_o he_o treat_v of_o as_o marriage_n divorce_n virginity_n eat_v of_o meat_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n christian_a liberty_n go_v to_o law_n before_o heathen_n