considerable_o shorten_v at_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n so_o one_o may_v judge_v that_o this_o promise_v aught_o to_o be_v more_o frequent_o propose_v and_o more_o clear_o explain_v and_o we_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o in_o proportion_n to_o the_o delay_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o shortness_n of_o man_n life_n which_o discourage_v their_o hope_n of_o ever_o see_v a_o promise_v fulfil_v which_o their_o ancestor_n who_o life_n be_v much_o long_o can_v never_o attain_v to_o the_o more_o distinct_a knowledge_n which_o god_n give_v of_o this_o great_a object_n be_v in_o order_n to_o stir_v up_o strong_a desire_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o gentile_n to_o who_o god_n be_v afterward_o to_o renew_v the_o idea_n of_o it_o and_o consequent_o we_o find_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n and_o prophecy_n be_v require_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o entertain_v and_o strengthen_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o promise_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v so_o considerable_o defer_v and_o indeed_o this_o be_v exact_o the_o method_n which_o god_n follow_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v in_o a_o most_o illustrious_a manner_n be_v employ_v to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o increase_v they_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n until_o the_o time_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n itself_o and_o god_n have_v so_o exact_o set_v down_o by_o the_o prophet_n the_o several_a part_n of_o his_o design_n as_o there_o need_v not_o be_v afterward_o any_o difficulty_n in_o discern_v the_o prosecution_n of_o that_o design_n which_o he_o have_v form_v at_o first_o i_o intend_v in_o this_o three_o part_n of_o my_o reflection_n on_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o explain_v this_o method_n which_o god_n have_v follow_v in_o show_v how_o he_o have_v accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o he_o have_v make_v the_o depositary_n of_o his_o oracle_n and_o proportion_v they_o to_o their_o understanding_n and_o desire_n for_o the_o more_o happy_a execution_n of_o this_o design_n and_o a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o this_o conduct_n of_o god_n which_o seem_v somewhat_o obscure_v by_o intermix_v these_o prediction_n concern_v the_o messiah_n with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o event_n during_o that_o series_n of_o age_n whereof_o we_o have_v the_o history_n write_v by_o his_o own_o order_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v first_o of_o all_o to_o explain_v the_o reason_n why_o god_n be_v please_v to_o interweave_v the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o matter_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o a_o very_a different_a nature_n and_o then_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o rule_n which_o one_o ought_v to_o follow_v in_o apply_v the_o ancient_a prophecy_n to_o the_o messiah_n after_o these_o preliminary_a reflection_n i_o suppose_v that_o in_o order_n to_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o the_o series_n of_o god_n design_n and_o a_o more_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o this_o matter_n that_o i_o ought_v again_o to_o resume_v and_o to_o set_v before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o reader_n the_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n which_o god_n have_v give_v concern_v the_o messiah_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o moses_n together_o with_o that_o oracle_n which_o he_o utter_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o that_o illustrious_a legislator_n one_o will_v easy_o judge_v without_o my_o undertake_n to_o prove_v it_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o these_o oracle_n be_v familiar_a to_o the_o jew_n until_o david_n during_o the_o space_n of_o 400_o year_n after_o which_o god_n begin_v to_o discover_v the_o same_o more_o particular_o in_o choose_v david_n to_o be_v the_o person_n in_o who_o family_n that_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v accomplish_v because_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o his_o seed_n and_o so_o i_o shall_v immediate_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o david_n himself_o utter_v on_o this_o subject_a which_o deserve_v so_o much_o the_o more_o attention_n because_o god_n who_o at_o that_o time_n change_v the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v considerable_o augment_v the_o idea_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v concern_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n last_o i_o shall_v collect_v under_o certain_a head_n those_o oracle_n which_o be_v utter_v by_o the_o prophet_n concern_v the_o messiah_n some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o babylon_n and_o soon_o after_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o light_n concern_v this_o matter_n be_v at_o that_o time_n much_o increase_v and_o the_o oracle_n themselves_o be_v much_o more_o clear_a and_o distinct_a as_o give_v many_o more_o particular_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o brief_o to_o touch_v upon_o they_o in_o follow_v the_o principal_a character_n which_o they_o give_v concern_v the_o messiah_n after_o which_o i_o shall_v have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n until_o that_o wherein_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o this_o promise_n and_o these_o oracle_n be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o person_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n though_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o be_o to_o handle_v and_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v with_o the_o greatness_n briefness_n that_o be_v possible_a may_v seem_v to_o oblige_v i_o to_o omit_v the_o examine_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o intermix_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o many_o other_o transaction_n with_o these_o prophecy_n it_o oblige_v i_o in_o this_o three_o part_n to_o make_v also_o some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o indeed_o this_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n and_o the_o manner_n how_o god_n have_v constant_o follow_v that_o draught_n which_o he_o at_o first_o form_v to_o himself_o as_o also_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o different_a revolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n he_o have_v always_o continue_v those_o mean_n which_o he_o choose_v at_o first_o to_o facilitate_v the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o explain_v this_o series_n of_o the_o design_n of_o god_n to_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o prophecy_n more_o firm_a and_o unmoveable_a those_o law_n the_o observation_n of_o which_o serve_v to_o distinguish_v the_o family_n of_o judah_n and_o that_o of_o the_o messiah_n be_v so_o many_o boundary_n and_o limit_n within_o which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o confine_v himself_o that_o his_o conduct_n in_o this_o matter_n may_v be_v the_o more_o easy_o observable_a and_o know_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o have_v begin_v by_o the_o firm_a establishment_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n on_o which_o i_o make_v my_o reflection_n without_o which_o that_o work_n will_v have_v want_v all_o its_o strength_n so_o i_o intend_v also_o in_o this_o part_n to_o follow_v the_o same_o rule_n and_o according_o i_o shall_v at_o first_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o if_o one_o ought_v to_o prove_v that_o these_o prophecy_n be_v well_o know_v and_o very_o famous_a than_o it_o will_v be_v expect_v from_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v solid_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o those_o oracle_n be_v record_v before_o i_o can_v of_o right_o conclude_v that_o the_o fact_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o other_o author_n be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o prophecy_n this_o design_n will_v natural_o engage_v i_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o one_o of_o these_o book_n in_o order_n particular_o but_o as_o i_o have_v not_o only_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n already_o but_o that_o moreover_o i_o intend_v in_o my_o reflection_n on_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o beyond_o all_o contest_v and_o beside_o that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v so_o essential_o link_v with_o those_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o one_o without_o own_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o other_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v be_v dispense_v with_o as_o to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o particular_a and_o therefore_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o
he_o have_v serve_v his_o own_o generation_n by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n fall_v asleep_a and_o be_v gather_v to_o his_o father_n and_o see_v corruption_n but_o he_o who_o god_n raise_v again_o see_v no_o corruption_n in_o like_a manner_n we_o find_v st._n paul_n allude_v to_o that_o of_o hosea_n xiii_o vers_fw-la 14._o in_o i_o cor._n xv._o vers_fw-la 55._o o_o death_n where_o be_v thy_o sting_n o_o grave_a where_o be_v thy_o victory_n chap._n xxii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o send_v down_o from_o thence_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o prophecy_n language_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o may_v rational_o enough_o be_v expect_v 18._o deut._n xviii_o 18._o for_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o resemble_v moses_n who_o have_v not_o only_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n himself_o but_o also_o in_o a_o manner_n communicate_v the_o same_o to_o the_o head_n of_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o infer_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o receive_v much_o more_o eminent_a gift_n and_o to_o communicate_v they_o to_o far_o great_a number_n but_o beside_o this_o god_n have_v express_o promise_v it_o by_o david_n psalm_n cx_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2._o where_o he_o represent_v the_o messiah_n sit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god._n the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n sit_v thou_o at_o my_o right_a hand_n until_o i_o make_v thy_o enemy_n thy_o footstool_n the_o lord_n shall_v send_v the_o rod_n of_o thy_o strength_n out_o of_o zion_n rule_n thou_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o thy_o enemy_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o note_n that_o daniel_n represent_v to_o we_o the_o same_o notion_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n chap._n vii_o vers_fw-la 13_o 14._o i_o see_v in_o the_o night_n vision_n and_o behold_v one_o like_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v with_o the_o cloud_n of_o heaven_n and_o come_v to_o the_o ancient_n of_o day_n and_o they_o bring_v he_o near_o before_o he_o and_o there_o be_v give_v he_o dominion_n and_o glory_n and_o a_o kingdom_n that_o all_o people_n nation_n and_o language_n shall_v serve_v he_o his_o dominion_n be_v a_o everlasting_a dominion_n which_o shall_v not_o pass_v away_o and_o his_o kingdom_n that_o which_o shall_v not_o be_v destroy_v where_o do_v god_n dwell_v unless_o in_o heaven_n david_n express_v himself_o in_o term_n which_o import_v something_o too_o great_a to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o symbolical_a ark_n of_o the_o covenant_n psalm_n xxiv_o vers_fw-la 7_o 8_o 9_o lift_v up_o your_o head_n o_o you_o gate_n and_o be_v you_o lift_v up_o you_o everlasting_a door_n and_o the_o king_n of_o glory_n shall_v come_v in_o who_o be_v this_o king_n of_o glory_n the_o lord_n strong_a and_o mighty_a the_o lord_n mighty_a in_o battle_n etc._n etc._n he_o speak_v further_a of_o the_o glorious_a kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n psalm_n xlv_o vers_fw-la 5_o 6_o 7._o thy_o arrow_n be_v sharp_a in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o king_n enemy_n whereby_o the_o people_n fall_v under_o thou_o thy_o throne_n o_o god_n be_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o the_o sceptre_n of_o thy_o kingdom_n be_v a_o right_a sceptre_n thou_o love_v righteousness_n and_o hate_v wickedness_n therefore_o god_n thy_o god_n have_v anoint_v thou_o with_o the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n above_o thy_o fellow_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o david_n address_v himself_o there_o to_o the_o messiah_n because_o he_o style_v he_o a_o god_n anoint_v above_o his_o fellow_n and_o he_o pursue_v the_o same_o idea_n psalm_n lxviii_o vers_fw-la 18._o thou_o have_v ascend_v on_o high_a thou_o have_v lead_v captivity_n captive_a thou_o have_v receive_v gift_n for_o man_n yea_o for_o the_o rebellious_a also_o that_o the_o lord_n god_n may_v dwell_v among_o they_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o express_a than_o these_o word_n which_o lively_o represent_v to_o we_o the_o ascension_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o pour_v forth_o of_o prophetical_a gift_n to_o bring_v the_o heathen_n to_o the_o service_n of_o god._n isaiah_n speak_v the_o same_o chap._n xliv_o vers_fw-la 3._o for_o i_o will_v pour_v water_n upon_o he_o that_o be_v thirsty_a and_o flood_n upon_o the_o dry_a ground_n i_o will_v pour_v my_o spirit_n upon_o thy_o seed_n and_o my_o blessing_n upon_o thy_o offspring_n the_o water_n here_o speak_v of_o according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a stile_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n joel_n express_v himself_o very_o plain_o in_o this_o matter_n chap._n ii_o vers_fw-la 28_o 29_o 30_o 31_o 32._o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v afterward_o that_o i_o will_v pour_v out_o of_o my_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n and_o your_o son_n and_o your_o daughter_n shall_v prophesy_v your_o old_a man_n shall_v dream_v dream_n your_o young_a man_n shall_v see_v vision_n and_o also_o upon_o the_o servant_n and_o upon_o the_o handmaid_n in_o those_o day_n will_v i_o pour_v out_o my_o spirit_n and_o i_o will_v show_v wonder_n in_o the_o heaven_n and_o in_o the_o earth_n blood_n and_o fire_n and_o pillar_n of_o smoke_n the_o sun_n shall_v be_v turn_v into_o darkness_n and_o the_o moon_n into_o blood_n before_o the_o great_a and_o terrible_a day_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o whosoever_o shall_v call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v deliver_v for_o in_o mount_n zion_n and_o in_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v deliverance_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v say_v and_o in_o the_o remnant_n who_o the_o lord_n shall_v call_v nothing_o can_v be_v conceive_v more_o particular_a than_o this_o oracle_n concern_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o prophetical_a gift_n upon_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o messiah_n after_o his_o ascension_n for_o 1._o he_o clear_o hint_n at_o the_o several_a way_n of_o prophecy_n which_o shall_v be_v bestow_v upon_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o messiah_n 2._o that_o this_o great_a event_n be_v to_o be_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o st._n peter_n foretell_v as_o a_o thing_n at_o the_o door_n act_v ii_o vers_fw-la 30_o 31_o 32._o after_o he_o have_v show_v that_o the_o wonderful_a effusion_n of_o the_o spirit_n at_o pentecost_n be_v a_o literal_a accomplish_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o joel_n he_o add_v therefore_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o know_v that_o god_n have_v swear_v with_o a_o oath_n to_o he_o that_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o his_o loin_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n he_o will_v raise_v up_o christ_n to_o sit_v on_o his_o throne_n he_o see_v this_o before_o speak_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n that_o his_o soul_n be_v not_o leave_v in_o hell_n neither_o his_o flesh_n do_v see_v corruption_n this_o jesus_n have_v god_n raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o all_o be_v witness_n ezechiel_n go_v on_o with_o the_o same_o view_v with_o joel_n chap._n xxxvi_o vers_fw-la 26_o and_o 27._o a_o new_a heart_n also_o will_v i_o give_v you_o and_o a_o new_a spirit_n will_v i_o put_v within_o you_o and_o i_o will_v take_v away_o the_o stony_a heart_n out_o of_o your_o flesh_n and_o i_o will_v give_v you_o a_o heart_n of_o flesh_n and_o i_o will_v put_v my_o spirit_n within_o you_o and_o cause_v you_o to_o walk_v in_o my_o statute_n and_o you_o shall_v keep_v my_o judgement_n and_o do_v they_o and_o chap._n thirty-nine_o verse_n 29._o neither_o will_v i_o hide_v my_o face_n any_o more_o from_o they_o for_o i_o have_v pour_v out_o my_o spirit_n upon_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n say_v the_o lord_n god._n and_o zachariah_n agree_v with_o both_o the_o forego_n prophet_n chap._n xii_o verse_n 10._o and_o i_o will_v pour_v upon_o the_o house_n of_o david_n and_o upon_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o supplication_n and_o they_o shall_v look_v upon_o he_o who_o they_o have_v pierce_v and_o they_o shall_v mourn_v for_o he_o as_o one_o mourn_v for_o his_o only_a son_n and_o shall_v be_v in_o bitterness_n for_o he_o as_o one_o that_o be_v in_o bitterness_n for_o his_o first-born_a it_o be_v obvious_a to_o make_v these_o follow_a observation_n upon_o these_o oracle_n 1._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v raise_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o of_o his_o enemy_n 2._o that_o he_o be_v to_o ascend_v to_o heaven_n and_o to_o be_v instate_v there_o in_o glory_n in_o order_n to_o his_o be_v dignify_v and_o glorify_v above_o all_o nation_n 3._o that_o he_o be_v from_o thence_o to_o send_v down_o prophetical_a grace_n plentiful_o which_o make_v his_o entrance_n into_o heaven_n a_o kind_n of_o triumph_n 4._o that_o this_o great_a event_n be_v to_o precede_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o which_o the_o prophet_n joel_n in_o the_o forecited_n place_n seem_v to_o allude_v the_o messiah_n be_v to_o form_v
examine_v their_o principle_n and_o confute_v they_o which_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o wise_a man_n have_v former_o acknowledge_v as_o they_o also_o own_o to_o this_o very_a day_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god._n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o philosopher_n do_v own_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n only_o in_o compliance_n with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n which_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o contradict_v and_o as_o for_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o christian_n and_o mahometan_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n we_o be_v only_o to_o prove_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o opposition_n to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la one_o may_v prove_v this_o against_o the_o jew_n without_o any_o trouble_n because_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o most_o of_o those_o principle_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n suppose_v so_o likewise_o it_o be_v easy_o establish_v against_o the_o mahometan_n who_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n but_o pretend_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o mahometanism_n as_o the_o law_n ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o the_o gospel_n preach_v by_o jesus_n christ_n my_o design_n be_v not_o to_o prosecute_v every_o one_o of_o these_o way_n in_o particular_a there_o be_v book_n enough_o in_o the_o world_n which_o solid_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o atheist_n as_o well_o those_o who_o be_v so_o through_o ignorance_n as_o those_o who_o profess_v themselves_o such_o from_o love_n to_o libertinism_n and_o to_o pass_v for_o man_n of_o a_o mighty_a reach_n there_o be_v also_o several_a famous_a author_n who_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o reason_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o overthrow_v all_o pagan_a religion_n whatsoever_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o follow_v a_o more_o compendious_a and_o sure_a method_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n consider_v by_o itself_o in_o short_a it_o be_v impossible_a consider_v the_o opposition_n there_o be_v between_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v the_o true_a but_o that_o all_o other_o must_v be_v false_a in_o those_o article_n wherein_o they_o essential_o differ_v from_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o can_v explain_v those_o argument_n which_o clear_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o convict_v all_o other_o religion_n of_o falsehood_n because_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o those_o proof_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o there_o be_v several_a way_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o end_n which_o i_o propose_v man_n that_o think_v much_o wish_v that_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v from_o reflection_n on_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o it_o which_o to_o they_o will_v be_v a_o convince_a and_o demonstrative_a proof_n other_o apply_v themselves_o to_o a_o speculative_a examination_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o show_v their_o conformity_n with_o the_o notion_n of_o reason_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o both_o these_o employ_v themselves_o usual_o in_o this_o sort_n of_o study_n and_o that_o truth_n find_v a_o considerable_a support_n from_o their_o meditation_n but_o how_o useful_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v i_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v another_o course_n as_o think_v it_o of_o more_o advantage_n solid_o to_o establish_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v which_o appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v more_o proper_a to_o persuade_v all_o sort_n of_o reader_n and_o better_o level_v to_o the_o ordinary_a capacity_n of_o those_o who_o new_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n be_v general_o own_a by_o heathen_n and_o by_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n i_o think_v it_o a_o thing_n altogether_o unnecessary_a to_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o several_a abstract_a question_n such_o as_o these_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n whether_o man_n be_v natural_o incline_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o the_o like_a when_o i_o shall_v have_v firm_o prove_v that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o that_o he_o prescribe_v a_o service_n to_o the_o first_o man_n who_o leave_v the_o rule_n of_o it_o to_o all_o their_o posterity_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v or_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o heathen_a world_n be_v derive_v i_o shall_v have_v prevent_v many_o very_a unprofitable_a dispute_n and_o which_o can_v only_o perplex_v the_o mind_n by_o their_o obscurity_n i_o have_v therefore_o confine_v myself_o to_o certain_a consideration_n which_o do_v so_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o by_o their_o union_n they_o firm_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o hope_v that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v needful_a for_o i_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o abolish_v the_o christian_n as_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n abrogate_a the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o understand_a reader_n shall_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o god_n never_o frame_v the_o model_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o the_o mahometan_n will_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n page_n 1_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n 5_o chap._n 3._o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n 8_o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a 16_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 23_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n 27_o chap._n 7._o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n 34_o chap._n 8._o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n 44_o chap._n 9_o that_o adam_n be_v confirm_v by_o his_o own_o experience_n in_o the_o persuasion_n he_o have_v entertain_v concern_v his_o creation_n 49_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o creation_n 52_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v actual_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 54_o chap._n 12._o that_o noah_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 61_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n 64_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n 67_o chap._n 15._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n 71_o chap._n 16._o that_o this_o very_a persuasion_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n until_o moses_n be_v time_n 81_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o persuasion_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n before_o moses_n can_v be_v suspect_v 86_o chap._n 18._o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v 89_o chap._n 19_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n 95_o chap._n 20._o a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n 106_o chap._n 21._o wherein_o the_o
re-establishment_n in_o the_o say_a country_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3600._o here_o we_o read_v the_o conquest_n of_o palestina_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o joshua_n how_o it_o be_v divide_v among_o the_o tribe_n after_o they_o have_v destroy_v drive_v out_o or_o subdue_v the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o how_o often_o they_o be_v bring_v into_o bondage_n by_o the_o border_a nation_n who_o rise_n and_o pretension_n moses_n set_v down_o here_o we_o have_v record_v the_o several_a name_n and_o action_n of_o the_o judge_n which_o god_n from_o time_n to_o time_n raise_v to_o the_o israelite_n to_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o first_o estate_n here_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o kingly_a government_n among_o they_o which_o happen_v about_o the_o year_n 2909_o as_o likewise_o of_o the_o division_n of_o this_o people_n into_o two_o kingdom_n which_o for_o three_o age_n together_o be_v most_o opposite_a in_o their_o interest_n and_o make_v great_a war_n against_o each_o other_o as_o well_o as_o against_o their_o neighbour_a state_n we_o find_v here_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o the_o most_o puissant_a of_o these_o two_o state_n viz._n that_o of_o israel_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3283_o and_o after_o that_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o of_o judah_n by_o nebuchadnezar_n king_n of_o the_o chaldean_n anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3283._o and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n restoration_n by_o cyrus_n king_n of_o persia_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n under_o his_o successor_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a be_v that_o in_o the_o remain_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v several_a historical_a relation_n relate_v to_o both_o kingdom_n with_o several_a prophecy_n relate_v to_o their_o decay_n and_o restoration_n as_o likewise_o many_o discourse_n of_o morality_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o all_o these_o relation_n and_o prophecy_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o with_o those_o circumstance_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a reference_n to_o what_o the_o other_o book_n recite_v to_o we_o and_o a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n and_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o find_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o prophecy_n relation_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o we_o find_v there_o concern_v their_o government_n or_o religion_n the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n contain_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n together_o with_o some_o dispute_n with_o the_o jew_n who_o refuse_v to_o own_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n promise_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o last_o prophecy_n declare_v what_o in_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v to_o happen_v both_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n until_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n these_o book_n take_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n write_n every_o where_n for_o grant_v as_o also_o of_o all_o the_o other_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n both_o historical_a prophetical_a and_o moral_a these_o four_o particular_n do_v in_o a_o manner_n give_v we_o a_o entire_a idea_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o we_o shall_v scarce_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o aught_o else_o to_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o write_n if_o we_o consider_v those_o undisputable_a matter_n of_o fact_n i_o be_o now_o to_o speak_v of_o and_o will_v but_o make_v some_o very_a natural_a reflection_n upon_o they_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n notwithstanding_o their_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a sect_n and_o party_n present_o after_o our_o saviour_n time_n have_v and_o do_v still_o in_o all_o place_n every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o their_o respective_a language_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o spurious_a write_n shall_v have_v be_v slip_v in_o among_o they_o the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n have_v have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n among_o they_o in_o greek_a these_o 1600._o year_n so_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o in_o that_o language_n 300._o year_n before_o be_v translate_v by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o ptolomy_n king_n of_o egypt_n whither_o a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v carry_v after_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a have_v conquer_v the_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v overthrow_v the_o empire_n of_o persia_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o subjection_n the_o three_o be_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n they_o that_o follow_v the_o party_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o form_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n have_v only_o have_v the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o their_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n against_o the_o house_n of_o david_n they_o have_v most_o religious_o preserve_v the_o say_v book_n from_o anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3030._o in_o which_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n happen_v even_o until_o this_o day_n the_o four_o and_o last_o be_v that_o as_o the_o jew_n every_o where_o at_o this_o day_n read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n each_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v also_o observe_v by_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o christian_n read_v they_o every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o continue_v to_o read_v they_o for_o a_o long_a series_n of_o age_n as_o esteem_v it_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o sabbath_n beside_o which_o they_o also_o solemn_o read_v they_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o obedience_n to_o a_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o say_v that_o the_o sole_a consideration_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n first_o then_o i_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o maintain_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o so_o many_o language_n cite_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o author_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o various_a dispute_n from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o soon_o after_o shall_v be_v supposititious_a as_o to_o aver_v that_o the_o book_n of_o justinian_n or_o mahomet_n alcoran_n have_v be_v false_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n under_o their_o name_n i_o speak_v now_o only_o of_o the_o book_n themselves_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n they_o contain_v second_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v forge_v since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n three_o it_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a to_o suppose_v they_o contrive_v since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o judah_n because_o we_o find_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o the_o samaritan_n who_o have_v preserve_v they_o ever_o since_o their_o revolt_n without_o any_o other_o change_n but_o what_o be_v incident_a to_o all_o manuscript_n that_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o samaritan_n have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o effect_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n it_o can_v in_o the_o least_o shake_v the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o those_o book_n for_o first_o the_o three_o other_o tribe_n have_v they_o and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o great_a care_n esteem_v they_o of_o divine_a authority_n second_o there_o be_v also_o reason_n of_o state_n which_o make_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n not_o to_o regard_v the_o division_n make_v by_o joshuah_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o priesthood_n which_o reason_n of_o state_n hereafter_o mention_v where_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o ten_o tribe_n will_v not_o allow_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v before_o their_o revolt_n as_o those_o of_o samuel_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n which_o they_o do_v to_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n most_o of_o the_o other_o we_o know_v be_v pen_v since_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n and_o so_o do_v more_o particular_o respect_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o some_o they_o after_o the_o
any_o thing_n to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v it_o deuteronomy_n iu._n 2._o it_o be_v then_o impossible_a see_v that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v attempt_v the_o alteration_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o they_o nay_o we_o see_v not_o without_o wonder_n that_o after_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n be_v transport_v into_o assyria_n those_o that_o be_v send_v from_o assyria_n to_o inhabit_v their_o country_n do_v receive_v that_o law_n and_o that_o their_o posterity_n have_v keep_v it_o all_o along_o to_o this_o day_n as_o uncorrupted_a as_o the_o jew_n although_o they_o continue_v their_o mortal_a enemy_n and_o have_v be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n that_o can_v befall_v a_o nation_n during_o the_o long_a interval_n of_o 2400_o year_n the_o three_o observation_n which_o deserve_v a_o singular_a attention_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o many_o corruption_n which_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n fall_v into_o yet_o these_o book_n have_v still_o be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o same_o form_n that_o we_o have_v they_o now_o it_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o josiah_n relate_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n own_o writing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o king_n command_v all_o the_o people_n to_o keep_v the_o passover_n unto_o the_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n now_o we_o have_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n exod._n xii_o which_o show_v that_o josiah_n by_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n mean_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n such_o as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o adays_o and_o such_o as_o they_o be_v when_o moses_n deposit_v they_o into_o the_o sanctuary_n it_o be_v important_a to_o consider_v well_o all_o that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o forementioned_a chapter_n of_o two_o king_n for_o we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o this_o law_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o reform_v all_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v in_o their_o religion_n and_o countenance_v by_o the_o royal_a authority_n from_o solomon_n time_n to_o josiah_n this_o chapter_n relate_v and_o commend_v the_o proceed_n of_o josiah_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ill_a government_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o to_o the_o public_a monument_n of_o their_o superstition_n which_o he_o abolish_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n law_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o impose_v herein_o upon_o posterity_n for_o first_o the_o transaction_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o also_o to_o most_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n second_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o continue_v so_o lively_a and_o universal_a that_o almost_o 1500_o year_n after_o moses_n the_o name_n of_o those_o magician_n speak_v of_o exod._n vii_o 11._o be_v as_o yet_o know_v not_o only_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v it_o by_o a_o express_a passage_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o 1._o hist_o nat._n l._n 30._o c._n 1._o and_o mention_v their_o name_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 8._o but_o also_o among_o the_o heathen_n as_o both_o pliny_n and_o numenius_n do_v attest_v it_o i_o point_v only_o at_o those_o general_a proof_n at_o present_a because_o i_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o they_o and_o show_v their_o force_n in_o my_o observation_n upon_o genesis_n and_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o repeat_v and_o improve_v some_o of_o they_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n but_o now_o in_o order_n to_o follow_v my_o present_a design_n i_o must_v come_v to_o the_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o these_o book_n which_o will_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n the_o subject_a of_o some_o book_n be_v such_o as_o that_o alone_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o the_o attention_n of_o any_o reader_n though_o their_o author_n have_v no_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o beside_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o subject_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v famous_a and_o of_o great_a repute_n then_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o never_o fail_v to_o be_v read_v with_o serious_a attention_n and_o preserve_v with_o as_o great_a a_o care_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n have_v both_o these_o advantage_n so_o that_o they_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suspect_v of_o the_o least_o alteration_n or_o forgery_n the_o first_o character_n that_o we_o discover_v in_o these_o book_n at_o the_o first_o view_v of_o they_o be_v the_o great_a singularity_n and_o admirable_a diversity_n of_o their_o style_n and_o of_o the_o matter_n they_o treat_v of_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o other_o legislator_n do_v ever_o affect_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o historian_n no_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o absolute_a power_n to_o make_v law_n without_o give_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o sanction_n of_o they_o therefore_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v common_o nothing_o more_o dry_a and_o sapless_a than_o all_o their_o regulation_n about_o both_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o moses_n we_o see_v have_v follow_v a_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o satisfactory_a method_n all_o his_o regulation_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v he_o enact_v no_o law_n of_o any_o consequence_n but_o he_o intimate_v to_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o reason_n which_o challenge_v their_o obedience_n and_o make_v they_o by_o that_o mean_n reflect_v both_o upon_o the_o several_a mercy_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o great_a miracle_n they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o i_o confess_v indeed_o that_o the_o use_n and_o scope_n of_o some_o of_o his_o regulation_n be_v very_o abstruse_a especial_o now_o that_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a heathen_a custom_n which_o god_n design_v to_o abolish_v from_o among_o that_o people_n new_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n where_o during_o their_o captivity_n they_o have_v comply_v and_o accustom_a themselves_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o the_o rite_n and_o religion_n of_o their_o master_n the_o egyptian_n but_o yet_o how_o abstruse_a soever_o the_o design_n of_o some_o of_o those_o law_n may_v now_o appear_v to_o be_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o general_a scope_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o keep_v that_o people_n from_o idolatry_n in_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n as_o also_o to_o quicken_v their_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o promise_n of_o who_o come_v have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o renew_v several_a time_n to_o the_o head_n of_o their_o nation_n however_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o those_o law_n religion_n and_o policy_n so_o interweave_v together_o that_o the_o latter_a seem_v to_o subsist_v only_o by_o the_o support_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o former_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o human_a legislator_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o regard_v the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v about_o the_o tradition_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o old_a moses_n have_v preserve_v it_o with_o such_o care_n with_o so_o many_o mark_n of_o fidelity_n and_o so_o clear_a and_o plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o history_n beside_o he_o that_o can_v give_v any_o satisfactory_a information_n about_o the_o original_a of_o thing_n all_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o heathen_n which_o yet_o make_v up_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n they_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n that_o moses_n relate_v in_o his_o history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o see_v the_o beginning_n of_o that_o common_a wealth_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n moses_n give_v a_o accurate_a account_n of_o they_o if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o mankind_n or_o what_o be_v the_o true_a happiness_n of_o man_n and_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o partaker_n of_o that_o happiness_n moses_n teach_v all_o that_o with_o great_a evidence_n and_o exactness_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o occasion_n of_o
moses_n shall_v find_v in_o they_o several_a passage_n record_v which_o deserve_v a_o particular_a consideration_n as_o first_o of_o all_o the_o miraculous_a birth_n the_o extraordinary_a education_n the_o heroical_a courage_n and_o the_o divine_a call_n and_o commission_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o several_a miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o egypt_n to_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o it_o and_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o border_n of_o canaan_n then_o second_o all_o the_o moral_a ceremonial_a and_o political_a law_n which_o moses_n give_v to_o that_o people_n from_o god._n and_o last_o moses_n his_o prophecy_n concern_v their_o future_a condition_n their_o victory_n their_o captivity_n their_o transportation_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n all_o which_o passage_n have_v as_o evident_a and_o authentic_a proof_n of_o their_o certainty_n as_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o let_v we_o first_o begin_v with_o the_o narration_n of_o the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o exodus_fw-la wherein_o we_o see_v that_o after_o moses_n have_v represent_v the_o death_n of_o joseph_n and_o of_o all_o the_o generation_n that_o come_v down_o with_o jacob_n into_o egypt_n he_o write_v his_o own_o history_n and_o represent_v himself_o as_o another_o noah_n save_v out_o of_o the_o water_n to_o save_v and_o deliver_v that_o holy_a family_n the_o whole_a relation_n which_o he_o make_v of_o all_o those_o particular_n be_v very_o strange_a and_o extraordinary_a but_o yet_o his_o circumcision_n and_o the_o instruction_n of_o his_o mother_n to_o who_o he_o be_v give_v by_o the_o daughter_n of_o pharaoh_n to_o be_v nurse_v up_o and_o the_o conversation_n of_o that_o princess_n who_o have_v adopt_v he_o and_o make_v herself_o a_o proselyte_n as_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v rab._n jalk_v in_o h._n l._n ex_fw-la vaiikra_fw-mi rab._n from_o 1_o chron._n iu_o 18._o and_o his_o education_n in_o the_o court_n of_o egypt_n and_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o all_o the_o grandee_n of_o that_o court_n do_v concur_v together_o to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o that_o remarkable_a preservation_n of_o his_o person_n and_o persuade_v he_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o for_o how_o can_v either_o moses_n impose_v or_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o matter_n be_v not_o that_o barbarous_a cruelty_n of_o the_o egyptian_n by_o which_o they_o compel_v the_o jew_n about_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n birth_n to_o throw_v their_o child_n into_o the_o river_n nilus_n notorious_o know_v of_o all_o man_n be_v not_o the_o public_a building_n and_o strong_a city_n viz._n pythom_n and_o ramese_n so_o call_v from_o the_o name_n of_o king_n rameses_n miamum_n stand_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n and_o be_v it_o not_o public_o know_v by_o all_o the_o world_n that_o the_o poor_a israelite_n be_v the_o slave_n and_o drudge_n who_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o erect_v those_o building_n neither_o can_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o education_n be_v unknown_a to_o he_o nor_o yet_o to_o any_o of_o the_o hebrew_n for_o we_o do_v not_o join_v here_o to_o moses_n narration_n what_o josephus_n relate_v of_o his_o person_n of_o his_o feat_n in_o meroe_n and_o of_o his_o marry_v a_o aethiopian_a princess_n etc._n etc._n as_o moses_n miracle_n be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o jew_n so_o they_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v real_o receive_v his_o call_v and_o commission_n from_o god_n in_o the_o desert_n and_o that_o just_a in_o the_o manner_n as_o he_o describe_v it_o himself_o now_o no_o man_n can_v dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n if_o he_o but_o mind_v the_o follow_a consideration_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v out_o of_o egypt_n by_o moses_n their_o law_n which_o the_o present_a jew_n do_v still_o observe_v speak_v every_o where_n of_o that_o famous_a action_n of_o he_o there_o be_v never_o any_o man_n dispute_v the_o certainty_n of_o that_o achievement_n all_o ancient_a author_n make_v mention_n of_o it_o 1._o joseph_n contra_fw-la app._n l._n 1._o manethon_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o of_o many_o other_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o that_o exploit_n trogus_n pompeius_n justinus_n and_o tacitus_n do_v also_o speak_v of_o it_o only_a tacitus_n do_v groundless_o i_o suppose_v of_o his_o own_o head_n relate_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v expel_v out_o of_o egypt_n because_o of_o their_o leprosy_n i_o say_v groundless_o for_o it_o be_v know_v that_o on_o the_o contrary_a leprosy_n be_v a_o common_a distemper_n among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o that_o they_o infect_v the_o israelite_n with_o it_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n they_o shall_v be_v expel_v by_o the_o egyptian_n for_o a_o distemper_n that_o they_o get_v from_o they_o we_o know_v beside_o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o call_v the_o leprosy_n the_o distemper_n of_o egypt_n do_v banish_v the_o leper_n out_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o people_n and_o then_o the_o nature_n of_o david_n curse_n against_o joab_n because_o of_o his_o murder_a abner_n show_v sufficient_o that_o the_o leprosy_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o distemper_n most_o common_o send_v immediate_o from_o god._n nay_o trogus_n pompeius_n himself_o 36._o justin_n l._n 36._o observe_v that_o the_o magician_n cause_v moses_n with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o be_v expel_v because_o they_o themselves_o be_v strike_v with_o a_o kind_n of_o scab_n and_o itch_n and_o that_o they_o be_v afraid_a lest_o the_o contagion_n of_o it_o shall_v infect_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n of_o egypt_n 8._o euseb_n praep_v evang._n l._n 9_o c._n 8._o and_o here_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v the_o mention_v the_o testimony_n of_o numenius_n a_o pythagorean_n philosopher_n who_o relate_v that_o both_o janne_n and_o jambres_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o egyptian_n to_o oppose_v moses_n and_o hinder_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o prayer_n which_o have_v bring_v down_o many_o grievous_a plague_n upon_o egypt_n just_a about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jew_n banishment_n out_o of_o that_o country_n but_o second_o if_o the_o leprosy_n which_o the_o israelite_n bring_v from_o egypt_n be_v a_o indisputable_a proof_n of_o their_o sojourn_v there_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o the_o go_v out_o of_o that_o mix_a multitude_n of_o egyptian_n who_o so_o far_o espouse_v the_o israelite_n interest_n as_o to_o leave_v and_o forsake_v egypt_n their_o own_o country_n to_o accompany_v they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o cause_n or_o pretence_n than_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n whereof_o they_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n so_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o those_o egyptian_n that_o be_v thus_o incorporate_v into_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v in_o after_o age_n as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o former_o persuade_v their_o father_n to_o join_v with_o moses_n and_o so_o to_o share_v fortune_n with_o the_o hebrew_n three_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v any_o of_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o pretend_v be_v do_v former_o for_o the_o deliverance_n of_o their_o father_n without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o scorn_n of_o all_o the_o world_n if_o all_o those_o miracle_n and_o their_o deliverance_n have_v not_o be_v certain_o and_o general_o know_v to_o the_o egyptian_n and_o to_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n by_o who_o they_o be_v often_o subdue_v and_o bring_v into_o subjection_n after_o the_o decease_n of_o moses_n and_o joshuah_n to_o all_o these_o reflection_n we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o commemoration_n of_o the_o israelite_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n with_o all_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n be_v renew_v yearly_o not_o only_o by_o the_o solemnize_n the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o the_o israelite_n do_v constant_o keep_v to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o dispersion_n and_o which_o they_o do_v still_o keep_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o also_o by_o two_o other_o very_a sensible_a way_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v the_o separation_n which_o god_n make_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n in_o order_n to_o consecrate_v it_o to_o his_o service_n instead_o of_o the_o first-born_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n who_o he_o have_v spare_v and_o preserve_v in_o egypt_n with_o great_a solemnity_n in_o regard_n both_o of_o man_n and_o beast_n as_o we_o read_v numb_a iii_o so_o that_o every_o levite_n be_v as_o a_o live_a memorial_n of_o that_o great_a miracle_n wrought_v at_o the_o israelite_n go_v forth_o out_o of_o egypt_n and_o the_o second_o be_v the_o law_n concern_v the_o redemption_n of_o every_o first-born_a both_o of_o man_n 16._o numb_a xviii_o 16._o
and_o unclean_a beast_n which_o be_v observe_v to_o this_o hour_n among_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v clear_a and_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v in_o all_o those_o law_n a_o deep_a impression_n of_o those_o several_a great_a miracle_n which_o compel_v pharaoh_n to_o let_v the_o israelite_n go_v last_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a here_o that_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n wrought_v as_o by_o many_o miracle_n so_o especial_o by_o the_o death_n of_o all_o the_o first-born_a of_o egypt_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n continue_v among_o the_o egyptian_n till_o after_o jesus_n christ_n for_o till_o then_o they_o use_v to_o mark_v with_o red_a their_o sheep_n their_o tree_n their_o house_n and_o land_n the_o day_n before_o the_o passover_n as_o one_o may_v see_v in_o epiphanius_n which_o custom_n can_v proceed_v from_o no_o other_o cause_n than_o from_o the_o egyptian_n fear_v of_o the_o like_a plague_n and_o mortality_n that_o be_v once_o inflict_v upon_o their_o forefather_n and_o from_o their_o hope_n of_o prevent_v it_o by_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o talisman_n whereby_o they_o think_v moses_n have_v former_o save_v the_o israelite_n harmless_a from_o that_o great_a plague_n only_o by_o sprinkle_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o lamb_n of_o the_o passover_n on_o the_o upper_a door_n post_n of_o their_o house_n chap._n iu._n a_o continuation_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n these_o argument_n may_v be_v think_v sufficient_a for_o the_o evince_a the_o truth_n of_o these_o miracle_n which_o moses_n relate_v but_o yet_o something_o more_o may_v be_v add_v as_o those_o stupendous_a miracle_n by_o which_o the_o famous_a deliverance_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v effect_v can_v not_o be_v doubt_v of_o by_o those_o who_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o so_o they_o be_v afterward_o confirm_v by_o several_a other_o miracle_n which_o be_v as_o great_a and_o almost_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n continue_v for_o many_o year_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n god_n make_v a_o pillar_n of_o fire_n and_o of_o a_o cloud_n attend_v upon_o the_o israelite_n to_o guide_v they_o the_o one_o by_o day_n and_o the_o other_o by_o night_n he_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n to_o open_v a_o passage_n through_o it_o for_o his_o people_n ult_n l._n 9_o praep_n eu._n cap._n ult_n the_o memory_n whereof_o say_v eusebius_n be_v preserve_v to_o his_o time_n by_o those_o of_o memphis_n the_o israelite_n take_v the_o spoil_n of_o the_o egyptian_n drown_v in_o the_o red_a sea_n as_o they_o be_v pursue_v they_o they_o make_v a_o song_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o wonderful_a deliverance_n they_o be_v feed_v with_o manna_n a_o kind_n of_o heavenly_a and_o miraculous_a food_n they_o drink_v of_o that_o brook_n of_o water_n that_o be_v follow_v they_o wherever_o they_o go_v all_o those_o miracle_n with_o many_o other_o continue_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o without_o any_o interruption_n and_o do_v therefore_o firm_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o other_o miracle_n which_o moses_n relate_v because_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o wherein_o the_o people_n can_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o any_o trick_n or_o illusion_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n whereof_o every_o one_o can_v not_o satisfy_v himself_o by_o his_o own_o experience_n i_o do_v not_o speak_v now_o of_o several_a public_a monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n as_o for_o example_n the_o rod_n of_o aaron_n which_o blossom_a in_o a_o night_n the_o manna_n which_o be_v keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n the_o brazen_a serpent_n which_o have_v continue_v to_o hezekiah_n time_n be_v break_v down_o by_o he_o only_o because_o the_o people_n offer_v incense_n to_o it_o from_o all_o which_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n both_o many_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o miracle_n and_o a_o constant_a series_n of_o miracle_n which_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o moses_n do_v the_o better_a confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v as_o do_v by_o he_o on_o purpose_n to_o vindicate_v and_o defend_v the_o liberty_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n because_o i_o do_v just_a now_o intimate_v that_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o jewish_a deliverance_n do_v continue_v for_o many_o age_n after_o among_o the_o egyptian_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o add_v here_o some_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o neither_o such_o a_o transaction_n as_o that_o be_v nor_o yet_o any_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o importance_n can_v ever_o be_v forget_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o in_o outward_a appearance_n seem_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o what_o be_v relate_v concern_v the_o gibeonite_n come_v to_o joshuah_n camp_n their_o equipage_n show_v that_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o persuade_v the_o israelite_n that_o they_o come_v from_o a_o far_a country_n the_o treaty_n which_o they_o extort_a from_o joshuah_n by_o fraud_n be_v very_o singular_a and_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o remarkable_a than_o their_o subsistence_n among_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o nation_n which_o god_n have_v command_v to_o be_v destroy_v and_o their_o be_v destine_v by_o joshuah_n appointment_n to_o carry_v the_o wood_n and_o the_o water_n necessary_a for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v denominate_v nethinim_n and_o thereby_o for_o ever_o after_o distinguish_v from_o the_o israelite_n but_o after_o all_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o agreeable_a to_o god_n wisdom_n than_o the_o preservation_n of_o that_o people_n among_o the_o israelite_n their_o father_n be_v the_o witness_n of_o moses_n and_o joshuah_n miracle_n those_o miracle_n oblige_v they_o to_o seek_v the_o alliance_n of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o to_o cheat_v they_o into_o it_o by_o a_o fraudulent_a treaty_n because_o they_o despair_v of_o compass_v their_o design_n by_o any_o other_o mean_n therefore_o their_o subsist_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o servile_a office_n which_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o be_v of_o a_o extraordinary_a use_n to_o make_v that_o people_n preserve_v and_o cherish_v up_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o glorious_a action_n which_o every_o gibeonite_n have_v perpetual_o before_o his_o eye_n the_o same_o remark_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o continue_n of_o rahab_n family_n among_o the_o israelite_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jericho_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o believe_v that_o beside_o those_o first_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n many_o other_o have_v be_v do_v since_o for_o their_o sake_n both_o to_o possess_v they_o of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o keep_v or_o restore_v they_o to_o the_o possession_n of_o it_o nay_o of_o those_o latter_a miracle_n many_o be_v very_o like_a unto_o the_o former_a as_o for_o example_n the_o death_n of_o 185000_o man_n in_o the_o army_n of_o sennacherib_n the_o return_v of_o the_o shadow_n backward_o ten_o degree_n upon_o the_o sundial_n of_o ahaz_n the_o wonderful_a preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o esther_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o purim_n among_o they_o and_o several_a other_o miraculous_a transaction_n relate_v in_o the_o jewish_a author_n of_o which_o i_o will_v only_o name_v three_o which_o do_v preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o important_a miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n the_o first_o be_v the_o continual_a miracle_n of_o the_o urim_n and_o thummim_n of_o the_o highpriest_n which_o by_o its_o frequency_n do_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n relation_n concern_v the_o several_a apparition_n of_o god_n in_o order_n to_o lead_v his_o people_n and_o to_o give_v they_o law_n the_o second_o be_v the_o miracle_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n xxv_o levit._fw-la xxv_o during_o which_o though_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n do_v neither_o sow_n nor_o reap_v god_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n do_v supply_v they_o with_o plenty_n of_o provision_n by_o make_v every_o six_o year_n extraordinary_o plentiful_a now_o this_o miracle_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o memorial_n of_o that_o other_o great_a miracle_n whereby_o god_n do_v feed_v his_o people_n with_o manna_n for_o forty_o year_n together_o in_o the_o desert_n still_o double_v the_o proportion_n of_o manna_n every_o six_o day_n in_o effect_n as_o that_o law_n which_o command_v a_o sabbath_n of_o rest_n unto_o the_o land_n every_o seven_o year_n be_v constant_o observe_v which_o will_v never_o have_v be_v do_v long_o if_o that_o people_n have_v not_o always_o be_v full_o convince_v
it_o be_v not_o all_o this_o only_a that_o render_v both_o the_o person_n and_o ministry_n of_o moses_n so_o glorious_a there_o be_v several_a other_o thing_n in_o exodus_fw-la and_o his_o other_o follow_v book_n which_o do_v much_o better_o deserve_v our_o consideration_n those_o book_n contain_v as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v a_o exact_a history_n of_o all_o that_o god_n do_v in_o order_n to_o give_v a_o certain_a form_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n a_o fix_a place_n and_o a_o particular_a service_n that_o be_v in_o order_n to_o follow_v his_o great_a design_n of_o have_v the_o messiah_n know_v without_o mistake_n whenever_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o this_o be_v my_o chief_a aim_n in_o the_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n first_o we_o may_v say_v in_o general_a that_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o sabbath_n and_o the_o use_n of_o circumcision_n do_v distinguish_v the_o jew_n but_o yet_o i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o law_n common_a to_o all_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o circumcision_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n be_v common_a both_o to_o the_o ismaelite_n and_o edomite_n and_o this_o will_v oblige_v we_o to_o make_v some_o particular_a observation_n upon_o that_o matter_n and_o we_o must_v consider_v how_o god_n take_v care_n to_o distinguish_v that_o people_n by_o give_v they_o his_o law._n it_o be_v in_o general_a evident_a that_o the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o give_v the_o moral_a law_n to_o that_o whole_a people_n do_v eminent_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n who_o he_o permit_v to_o walk_v in_o their_o own_o way_n as_o st._n paul_n express_v it_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o show_v they_o that_o he_o resolve_v to_o fix_v they_o to_o himself_o and_o to_o hinder_v they_o from_o follow_v both_o the_o idolatry_n of_o other_o nation_n and_o those_o inundation_n of_o vice_n which_o ruin_n all_o society_n and_o without_o doubt_n the_o surprise_v pomp_n which_o accompany_v the_o promulgation_n of_o god_n law_n and_o which_o be_v record_v by_o his_o order_n before_o those_o that_o have_v be_v the_o eye-witness_n of_o it_o do_v much_o contribute_v to_o persuade_v they_o that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a regard_n and_o kindness_n for_o their_o nation_n and_o that_o he_o honour_v they_o with_o his_o particular_a guidance_n we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o observation_n upon_o god_n give_v they_o a_o political_a law_n and_o upon_o the_o care_n that_o he_o be_v also_o please_v to_o take_v of_o regulate_v their_o civil_a government_n and_o prevent_v the_o difficulty_n which_o be_v common_o occasion_v by_o such_o accident_n as_o can_v be_v foresee_v by_o any_o human_a legislator_n which_o cause_n great_a revolution_n and_o change_n in_o all_o government_n all_o which_o show_v sufficient_o that_o his_o design_n be_v to_o raise_v they_o up_o to_o and_o to_o maintain_v they_o in_o as_o great_a prosperity_n and_o welfare_n as_o possible_o can_v be_v procure_v to_o a_o nation_n by_o perfect_a law_n and_o a_o well_o constitute_v government_n even_o the_o many_o ceremony_n which_o god_n give_v they_o be_v a_o further_a demonstration_n of_o god_n design_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o nation_n it_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v god_n intention_n at_o first_o to_o lay_v upon_o they_o such_o number_n of_o ceremony_n for_o it_o be_v only_o after_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o golden_a calf_n that_o god_n lay_v upon_o they_o that_o heavy_a and_o troublesome_a yoke_n on_o purpose_n to_o employ_v all_o their_o time_n and_o so_o keep_v they_o from_o fall_v into_o idolatry_n again_o but_o however_o tanchuma_n 3._o jalkut_n in_o pent._n fol._n 228._o col._n 3._o a_o famous_a jewish_a author_n observe_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v in_o the_o world_n but_o what_o god_n take_v care_n to_o give_v the_o israelite_n some_o law_n about_o as_o for_o instance_n if_o any_o jew_n go_v out_o to_o blow_n he_o be_v forbid_v to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o ox_n and_o a_o ass_n if_o to_o sow_n he_o be_v forbid_v to_o sow_v his_o field_n with_o several_a kind_n of_o seed_n if_o to_o reap_v he_o be_v forbid_v to_o reap_v the_o whole_a crop_n if_o any_o one_o go_v about_o to_o bake_n bread_n he_o be_v command_v to_o take_v of_o out_o his_o dough_n so_o much_o as_o to_o make_v a_o cake_n thereof_o to_o consecrate_v it_o if_o any_o one_o do_v sacrifice_v any_o animal_n he_o be_v charge_v to_o give_v away_o to_o the_o priest_n the_o right_a shoulder_n of_o it_o with_o both_o the_o cheek_n and_o inward_o when_o any_o one_o find_v out_o a_o nest_n of_o bird_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o let_v the_o old_a one_o fly_v away_o if_o any_o one_o go_v a_o hunt_v he_o be_v to_o shed_v the_o blood_n of_o his_o game_n and_o then_o to_o cover_v it_o with_o dust_n when_o any_o one_o have_v plant_v any_o fruit-tree_n he_o be_v to_o count_v the_o first_o thereof_o as_o uncircumcised_a for_o the_o three_o first_o year_n when_o any_o one_o find_v a_o sepulchre_n even_o there_o certain_a caution_n be_v prescribe_v if_o any_o one_o shave_v himself_o he_o be_v forbid_v to_o mar_n the_o corner_n of_o his_o beard_n when_o any_o one_o build_v a_o house_n he_o be_v to_o take_v care_n there_o shall_v be_v rail_n and_o mezouzoth_v make_v to_o prevent_v all_o danger_n they_o be_v oblige_v to_o put_v particular_a thread_n in_o their_o garment_n and_o there_o be_v many_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v apparent_o command_v to_o distinguish_v the_o jew_n by_o oblige_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o and_o such_o other_o law_n as_o take_v up_o all_o their_o time_n but_o if_o we_o may_v say_v in_o general_a that_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v to_o employ_v the_o jew_n we_o may_v yet_o more_o just_o say_v that_o it_o be_v in_o particular_a intend_v by_o god_n to_o inspire_v into_o his_o people_n a_o horror_n against_o all_o idolatrous_a practice_n and_o a_o aversion_n against_o all_o commerce_n with_o idolater_n and_o this_o may_v be_v further_o discern_v if_o we_o examine_v those_o law_n in_o particular_a one_o see_v we_o this_o perfect_o by_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n pronounce_v some_o meat_n unclean_a and_o his_o forbid_v to_o eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o some_o animal_n for_o we_o may_v find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o animal_n be_v worship_v among_o the_o heathen_n thus_o the_o more_o learned_a among_o the_o jew_n prove_v that_o the_o goat_n and_o the_o ram_n be_v of_o that_o number_n but_o so_o no_o doubt_n be_v all_o the_o animal_n which_o be_v usual_o offer_v in_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n as_o particular_o the_o bull_n now_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o alienates_v two_o nation_n from_o one_o another_o more_o than_o when_o one_o of_o they_o eat_v or_o sacrifice_n that_o which_o the_o other_o make_v the_o object_n of_o its_o religion_n one_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a author_n that_o ever_o the_o jew_n have_v have_v diligent_o observe_v that_o god_n give_v many_o ceremonial_a law_n direct_o contrary_a to_o those_o rite_n which_o the_o zabij_n use_v in_o their_o superstition_n 2._o spencer_n de_fw-fr leg._n mos_fw-la lib._n 2._o and_o a_o learned_a english_a doctor_n have_v late_o prove_v it_o very_o large_o as_o to_o the_o ceremony_n which_o god_n command_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o paschal-lamb_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o build_n of_o the_o altar_n and_o of_o their_o go_v up_o to_o it_o in_o the_o prohibition_n of_o seethe_v a_o kid_n in_o his_o mother_n milk_n and_o of_o offer_v honey_n in_o their_o sacrifice_n in_o the_o prohibition_n of_o their_o force_v their_o child_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o fire_n to_o moloch_n in_o the_o law_n which_o prohibit_v their_o eat_a blood_n and_o round_v the_o corner_n of_o their_o head_n and_o make_v any_o mark_n in_o their_o flesh_n and_o in_o i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o many_o other_o law_n of_o that_o nature_n the_o design_n of_o who_o institution_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a now_o since_o the_o rite_n of_o all_o those_o ancient_a idolater_n be_v utter_o abolish_v and_o but_o imperfect_o record_v in_o some_o ancient_a author_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o we_o need_v only_o make_v a_o very_a little_a reflection_n upon_o god_n conduct_n in_o give_v all_o his_o law_n to_o the_o israelite_n thereby_o to_o judge_v that_o the_o main_a scope_n of_o those_o law_n be_v to_o put_v a_o bar_n betwixt_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o all_o other_o idolatrous_a nation_n which_o shall_v be_v a_o visible_a and_o a_o constant_a distinction_n till_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v bear_v who_o be_v to_o make_v all_o those_o mark_n of_o discrimination_n to_o cease_v entire_o chap._n fourteen_o that_o god_n seem_v
iv_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o pay_v a_o much_o great_a deference_n to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n than_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v sour_v by_o their_o misery_n and_o dispute_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o they_o have_v lose_v that_o principle_n of_o equity_n which_o keep_v man_n from_o deny_v the_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o most_o universal_o acknowledge_v by_o a_o whole_a nation_n that_o be_v not_o prepossess_v with_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o obstinacy_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v beside_o that_o this_o seem_a confusion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n treat_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n arise_v from_o several_a cause_n i._o from_o the_o prophet_n often_o join_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o principal_a promise_n the_o send_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o promise_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n as_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o instance_n so_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o egypt_n and_o their_o departure_n from_o thence_o with_o their_o settle_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v they_o before_o be_v foretell_v as_o necessary_a mean_n in_o the_o order_n of_o providence_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n for_o so_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o their_o deliverance_n there_o from_o which_o be_v both_o foretell_v be_v foretell_v as_o step_n towards_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n and_o so_o likewise_o when_o they_o foretell_v the_o persecution_n by_o antiochus_n and_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n they_o also_o foretell_v the_o deliverance_n which_o god_n will_v grant_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o re-establishment_n until_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n ii_o this_o seem_a confusion_n arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o these_o book_n piece_n by_o piece_n which_o afterward_o be_v put_v into_o this_o order_n without_o have_v always_o a_o regard_n to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o without_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o occasion_n which_o engage_v the_o prophet_n to_o write_v and_o thus_o we_o see_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n join_v to_o several_a other_o transaction_n and_o to_o several_a other_o prediction_n who_o connexion_n be_v not_o always_o so_o very_o evident_a iii_o it_o arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophecy_n each_o by_o themselves_o so_o that_o all_o those_o of_o the_o same_o prophet_n be_v put_v together_o as_o they_o come_v out_o make_v only_o a_o new_a chapter_n in_o the_o work_n whereas_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v rather_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o matter_n than_o to_o the_o order_n in_o which_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o book_n as_o we_o have_v it_o at_o the_o present_a for_o the_o prophet_n often_o borrow_v their_o light_n from_o what_o they_o themselves_o have_v say_v some_o time_n before_o or_o from_o what_o some_o other_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v which_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v particular_o of_o those_o who_o live_v about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o beside_o those_o rule_n which_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o beside_o those_o observation_n of_o the_o join_v the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n i_o must_v add_v two_o rule_n more_o which_o may_v be_v useful_a in_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v express_v in_o figurative_a term_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o when_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o when_o they_o be_v intent_n upon_o the_o description_n of_o his_o kingdom_n they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o expression_n which_o seem_v to_o foretell_v a_o sort_n of_o overturning_a of_o nature_n which_o shall_v happen_v at_o that_o time_n but_o then_o these_o expression_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o figurative_a sense_n in_o the_o same_o spiritual_a sense_n in_o which_o the_o christian_n understand_v they_o as_o the_o famous_a maimonides_n allow_v in_o that_o passage_n of_o isaiah_n xii_o lib._n de_fw-fr regibus_fw-la cap._n xii_o where_o the_o wolf_n and_o the_o lamb_n be_v say_v to_o feed_v together_o second_o since_o the_o messiah_n be_v describe_v as_o one_o who_o shall_v unite_v in_o his_o own_o person_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n together_o we_o ought_v to_o understand_v those_o oracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o what_o be_v great_a in_o those_o prophetical_a description_n shall_v not_o contradict_v the_o more_o contemptible_a part_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o messiah_n as_o clothe_v with_o all_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n these_o idea_n which_o be_v often_o join_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o oracle_n aught_o to_o be_v exact_o apply_v to_o the_o different_a consideration_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v of_o the_o messiah_n or_o to_o those_o various_a state_n through_o which_o they_o themselves_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o pass_v a_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v easy_o judge_v that_o i_o may_v have_v add_v a_o three_o rule_n to_o the_o two_o former_a which_o be_v that_o when_o a_o person_n who_o have_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o prophet_n apply_v a_o old_a oracle_n to_o any_o subject_a one_o can_v reasonable_o dispute_v his_o application_n this_o the_o christian_n assure_v we_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o oracle_n but_o because_o this_o suppose_v a_o prophetic_a character_n in_o the_o apostle_n before_o it_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o solid_a proof_n i_o shall_v wave_v the_o proposal_n of_o it_o at_o present_a after_o these_o general_a remark_n i_o shall_v gather_v together_o those_o oracle_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n i_o may_v here_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o the_o matter_n by_o bring_v under_o each_o article_n those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o it_o which_o will_v give_v a_o great_a light_n to_o the_o subject_a as_o eusebius_n have_v right_o observe_v and_o as_o he_o have_v practise_v himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr demonstratione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la however_o i_o rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o time_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v utter_v which_o do_v not_o seem_v improper_a to_o explain_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o oracle_n in_o short_a this_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n i._o because_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o consider_v the_o series_n of_o god_n design_n and_o the_o connexion_n which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o those_o idea_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o express_v it_o ii_o because_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o light_n in_o the_o revelation_n proportionable_o as_o the_o time_n draw_v near_o so_o that_o it_o be_v of_o use_n to_o observe_v how_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n follow_v this_o natural_a order_n in_o make_v the_o late_a oracle_n clear_a than_o the_o former_a and_o in_o hint_v by_o little_a and_o little_a a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n by_o which_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v they_o iii_o because_o this_o serve_v to_o give_v we_o a_o very_a strong_a proof_n that_o god_n intend_v to_o furnish_v we_o from_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o with_o that_o which_o shall_v fix_v we_o in_o a_o belief_n of_o this_o capital_a truth_n in_o our_o religion_n in_o short_a when_o the_o truth_n of_o each_o of_o the_o book_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v once_o approve_a and_o their_o age_n set_v down_o it_o appear_v that_o several_a prophet_n do_v agree_v wonderful_o without_o any_o concert_n in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n at_o several_a time_n and_o in_o several_a place_n and_o circumstance_n which_o hinder_v man_n for_o the_o most_o part_n from_o agree_v in_o the_o most_o common_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o their_o reflection_n i_o have_v already_o consider_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n follow_v rule_n very_o conformable_a to_o the_o condition_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n we_o may_v see_v the_o same_o conduct_n in_o the_o follow_a time_n so_o since_o god_n have_v promise_v child_n to_o adam_n in_o abel_n stead_n one_o may_v see_v that_o he_o also_o promise_v david_n a_o son_n who_o shall_v set_v upon_o his_o throne_n he_o explain_v almost_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o come_v his_o humiliation_n his_o exaltation_n the_o opposition_n he_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o victory_n he_o shall_v obtain_v and_o his_o office_n prophetical_a priestly_a and_o royal._n one_o see_v
ben_n israel_n 2._o that_o the_o prophet_n write_v in_o chaldea_n follow_v the_o account_n of_o the_o chaldean_a year_n which_o consist_v of_o 360_o day_n as_o appear_v clear_o from_o other_o passage_n of_o this_o book_n where_o he_o resolve_v the_o year_n into_o day_n without_o regard_v the_o several_a day_n which_o in_o a_o just_a calculation_n be_v to_o be_v intercalate_v 3._o that_o the_o prophet_n express_v a_o certain_a epocha_n from_o whence_o the_o count_a of_o these_o week_n be_v to_o begin_v viz._n a_o order_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n which_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o that_o of_o cyrus_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n of_o none_o effect_n nor_o to_o the_o edict_n of_o darius_n son_n of_o hystaspes_n which_o have_v regard_v only_o to_o the_o re-establish_a of_o the_o temple_n nor_o to_o that_o of_o artaxerxes_n give_v to_o ezra_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o that_o prince_n because_o that_o contain_v only_o some_o particular_a privilege_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o temple_n but_o to_o the_o edict_n which_o artaxerxes_n grant_v to_o nehemiah_n in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o contain_v a_o particular_a grant_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n with_o its_o fortification_n 4._o for_o though_o there_o be_v but_o 483_o solar_a year_n from_o the_o 20_o of_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o first_o of_o cajus_n caligula_n yet_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o just_a number_n of_o 490_o year_n if_o we_o follow_v the_o chaldean_a way_n of_o calculation_n in_o which_o they_o reckon_v 360_o day_n to_o a_o year_n and_o indeed_o we_o find_v just_a 483_o such_o year_n from_o the_o 20_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o time_n wherein_o all_o judea_n be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o be_v then_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v he_o suffer_v death_n three_o year_n and_o a_o half_n after_o his_o baptism_n viz._n the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o tiberius_n before_o the_o seven_o week_n be_v end_v and_o the_o term_n point_v out_o by_o daniel_n be_v expire_v i_o know_v that_o some_o famous_a man_n begin_v the_o week_n of_o daniel_n from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la and_o make_v they_o to_o end_v with_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n 490_o account_v from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o the_o say_v darius_n and_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o oblige_v thereto_o by_o a_o argument_n they_o believe_v invincible_a because_o from_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la to_o the_o thirty_o second_o of_o artaxerxes_n mnemon_n they_o find_v just_a forty_o nine_o year_n that_o be_v the_o seven_o week_n design_v by_o daniel_n for_o rebuilding_n of_o the_o ruin_n and_o fortify_v of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o nehemiah_n return_v to_o artaxerxes_n in_o the_o thirty_o second_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n have_v finish_v that_o work_n nehemiah_n xiii_o 6._o but_o this_o opinion_n can_v stand_v for_o these_o two_o reason_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v unanswerable_a the_o first_o be_v because_o they_o suppose_v that_o daniel_n end_v his_o seventy_o week_n at_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n whereas_o indeed_o he_o say_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seventieth_n week_n the_o second_o be_v that_o so_o without_o design_v it_o they_o rob_v jesus_n christ_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o have_v determine_v the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o if_o instead_o of_o a_o prophecy_n concern_v that_o event_n he_o have_v only_o give_v we_o a_o explication_n of_o that_o of_o daniel_n neither_o will_v i_o make_v any_o further_o stop_v here_o to_o observe_v that_o that_o which_o have_v give_v most_o trouble_n to_o interpreter_n have_v proceed_v from_o the_o want_n of_o make_v a_o exact_a distribution_n of_o the_o different_a part_n of_o that_o prophecy_n which_o very_o distinct_o deliver_v three_o thing_n 1._o the_o end_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o happen_v after_o seven_o week_n in_o the_o time_n of_o malachy_n 2._o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o last_o week_n of_o the_o 490_o year_n 3._o the_o peace_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o one_o week_n that_o be_v three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a before_o the_o destructiof_n jerusalem_n which_o be_v do_v not_o by_o the_o messiah_n as_o some_o have_v imagine_v but_o by_o the_o roman_n who_o make_v peace_n with_o the_o parthian_n xv._o annal._n lib._n xv._o as_o be_v record_v by_o tacitus_n a_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v easy_o judge_v that_o this_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n concern_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o oracle_n have_v be_v occasion_v by_o want_n of_o attention_n to_o what_o have_v be_v now_o mention_v now_o these_o observation_n be_v suppose_v as_o indeed_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a evidence_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n the_o time_n be_v set_v down_o so_o precise_o by_o daniel_n as_o leave_v no_o pretence_n to_o doubt_v of_o this_o truth_n and_o indeed_o though_o the_o jew_n seem_v present_o after_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o have_v adopt_v the_o opinion_n i_o mention_v before_o as_o be_v unwilling_a to_o receive_v the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o carry_v it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n viz._n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o their_o temple_n notwithstanding_o daniel_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o temple_n be_v not_o to_o be_v destroy_v till_o after_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o jew_n i_o say_v be_v convince_v by_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n have_v own_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n but_o that_o he_o have_v hide_v himself_o ever_o since_o the_o second_o oracle_n concern_v the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v that_o of_o haggai_n which_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v during_o the_o second_o temple_n which_o be_v begin_v to_o be_v build_v by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n finish_v under_o darius_n son_n of_o hystaspes_n and_o destroy_v by_o vespasian_n the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v as_o follow_v chap._n ii_o vers_fw-la 7_o 8_o 9_o and_o i_o will_v shake_v all_o nation_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n shall_v come_v and_o i_o will_v fill_v this_o house_n with_o glory_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o silver_n be_v i_o and_o the_o gold_n be_v i_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o glory_n of_o this_o latter_a house_n shall_v be_v great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o former_a say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n and_o in_o this_o place_n will_v i_o give_v peace_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o note_n 1._o that_o this_o oracle_n promise_v a_o very_a great_a change_n 2._o it_o describe_v the_o messiah_n as_o the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n suitable_a to_o the_o idea_n god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o to_o abraham_n 3._o that_o it_o fix_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o temple_n build_v by_o zorobabel_n 4._o it_o make_v the_o glory_n of_o that_o house_n to_o depend_v upon_o its_o be_v honour_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o this_o truth_n we_o need_v only_o consider_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n zachariah_n and_o malachy_n do_v represent_v to_o we_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o near_o at_o hand_n balaam_n have_v say_v almost_o ten_o age_n before_o i_o see_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o which_o intimate_v his_o come_n to_o be_v then_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n but_o zechariah_n speak_v thus_o concern_v it_o chap._n iii_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10._o hear_v now_o o_o joshuah_n the_o high_a priest_n thou_o and_o thy_o fellow_n that_o sit_v before_o thou_o for_o they_o be_v man_n wonder_v at_o behold_v i_o will_v bring_v forth_o my_o servant_n the_o branch_n for_o behold_v the_o stone_n that_o i_o have_v lay_v before_o joshua_n upon_o one_o stone_n shall_v be_v seven_o eye_n behold_v i_o will_v engrave_v the_o grave_v thereof_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n and_o i_o will_v remove_v the_o iniquity_n of_o that_o land_n in_o one_o day_n in_o that_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n shall_v you_o call_v every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n under_o the_o vine_n and_o under_o the_o figtree_n malachy_n express_v himself_o concern_v the_o approach_a come_v of_o the_o messiah_n thus_o chap._n iii_o verse_n 1._o behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o messenger_n and_o he_o
fact_n be_v join_v with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o weakness_n whereinto_o they_o all_o fall_v they_o relate_v their_o own_o flight_n and_o forsake_v their_o master_n with_o s._n peter_n deny_v of_o he_o whilst_o they_o set_v down_o the_o courage_n of_o those_o woman_n and_o that_o entire_a love_n which_o they_o show_v to_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o account_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v interweave_v with_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o which_o be_v utter_v by_o jesus_n christ_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v good_a his_o claim_n the_o three_o be_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v never_o on_o any_o occasion_n more_o open_o stand_v to_o his_o pretention_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n than_o when_o he_o apply_v to_o himself_o those_o oracle_n which_o by_o their_o public_a consent_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n which_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n more_o obstinate_o contest_v than_o ever_o the_o four_o be_v that_o there_o never_o be_v a_o more_o exact_a description_n of_o all_o circumstance_n which_o may_v assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n than_o that_o which_o the_o evangelist_n have_v give_v we_o of_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o which_o we_o find_v the_o place_n the_o time_n the_o person_n their_o discourse_n and_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n set_v down_o with_o extreme_a care_n the_o five_o be_v that_o as_o this_o fact_n with_o all_o its_o circumstance_n be_v the_o most_o exact_o describe_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o ever_o be_v so_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n concern_v which_o it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a to_o impose_v upon_o any_o one_o all_o be_v do_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n who_o be_v meet_v together_o at_o their_o most_o solemn_a festival_n all_o be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o sovereign_n heathen_a magistrate_n of_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o herod_n and_o of_o those_o who_o follow_v he_o to_o jerusalem_n the_o six_o be_v that_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o some_o miracle_n interweave_v with_o this_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_n concern_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o those_o miracle_n as_o public_a and_o as_o little_a subject_n to_o suspicion_n as_o the_o death_n itself_o of_o jesus_n christ_n if_o we_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o examine_v they_o they_o who_o come_v to_o take_v jesus_n fall_v down_o backward_o to_o the_o ground_n jesus_n christ_n restore_v the_o ear_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n servant_n which_o be_v cut_v off_o there_o be_v darkness_n over_o all_o the_o land_n from_o nine_o a_o clock_n in_o the_o morning_n till_o noon_n the_o vail_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v these_o be_v miraculous_a action_n and_o such_o as_o the_o jew_n may_v easy_o have_v refute_v wheresoever_o they_o have_v be_v propose_v if_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o have_v not_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n from_o all_o these_o remark_n it_o evident_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o dispute_v the_o application_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v of_o these_o oracle_n which_o be_v so_o particular_a to_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o true_a messiah_n we_o find_v every_o part_n of_o their_o relation_n exact_o answer_v to_o the_o prophecy_n how_o then_o can_v any_o one_o doubt_n of_o their_o be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o especial_o see_v it_o be_v evident_a by_o so_o many_o other_o proof_n that_o he_o be_v indeed_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v so_o many_o other_o way_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n chap._n xiii_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o prophet_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n have_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v crucify_v under_o pontius_n pilate_n for_o maintain_v that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n i_o be_o now_o to_o show_v that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n set_v down_o in_o my_o three_o part_n he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n as_o these_o two_o fact_n be_v the_o most_o important_a of_o all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n because_o if_o they_o be_v deny_v all_o the_o divine_a worship_n give_v to_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o receive_v he_o for_o their_o master_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v absolute_o unlawful_a so_o we_o ought_v solid_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v indisputable_o true_a of_o which_o we_o shall_v be_v full_o convince_v by_o make_v some_o observation_n upon_o the_o relation_n which_o the_o evangelist_n give_v we_o concern_v they_o and_o we_o shall_v easy_o find_v therein_o all_o the_o character_n of_o truth_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o observe_v that_o a_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a be_v a_o fact_n which_o can_v hardly_o be_v believe_v and_o that_o though_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o all_o of_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o impossible_a thing_n yet_o there_o be_v sadducee_n among_o they_o who_o doctrine_n be_v public_o teach_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o though_o the_o disciple_n have_v see_v jesus_n christ_n raise_v three_o person_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o among_o other_o lazarus_n a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n yet_o we_o find_v that_o they_o be_v not_o thereby_o more_o dispose_v to_o believe_v that_o christ_n be_v to_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a in_o short_a though_o the_o evangelist_n tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o have_v foretell_v that_o he_o be_v to_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o common_o know_v that_o the_o priest_n to_o elude_v the_o prophecy_n desire_v of_o pilate_n that_o a_o guard_n may_v be_v set_v on_o jesus_n his_o grave_n yet_o they_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o disciple_n none_o except_v be_v in_o such_o a_o consternation_n at_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o they_o have_v entire_o lose_v the_o hope_n of_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n some_o pious_a woman_n who_o have_v accompany_v he_o to_o the_o cross_n and_o be_v desirous_a to_o show_v some_o mark_n of_o their_o veneration_n after_o his_o death_n come_v indeed_o to_o his_o sepulchre_n but_o with_o spice_n to_o embalm_v his_o dead_a body_n so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o expect_v to_o find_v he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a though_o these_o holy_a woman_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o apparition_n of_o a_o angel_n by_o the_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o and_o by_o the_o repetition_n of_o his_o order_n that_o they_o shall_v go_v to_o galilee_n where_o they_o shall_v see_v he_o yet_o the_o relation_n which_o they_o give_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v account_v fabulous_a so_o that_o two_o only_o of_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v the_o curiosity_n to_o go_v to_o the_o grave_a and_o inform_v themselves_o here_o be_v a_o great_a unbelief_n among_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v cure_v this_o be_v a_o condition_n whole_o inconsistent_a if_o we_o suppose_v they_o impostor_n and_o that_o they_o intend_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world._n a_o second_o thing_n we_o may_v observe_v be_v that_o as_o the_o incredulity_n of_o our_o saviour_n own_o disciple_n be_v extraordinary_a so_o we_o can_v imagine_v any_o more_o efficacious_a mean_n than_o be_v employ_v to_o overcome_v this_o their_o doubtfulness_n if_o one_o join_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_n together_o one_o may_v find_v several_a degree_n of_o evidence_n in_o those_o proof_n which_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o first_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o their_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n angel_n at_o first_o declare_v his_o resurrection_n to_o some_o woman_n jesus_n christ_n afterward_o appear_v to_o mary_n magdalen_n all_o alone_a afterward_o he_o appear_v only_o to_o two_o of_o his_o disciple_n then_o to_o st._n peter_n afterward_o he_o appear_v to_o seven_o of_o they_o at_o once_o then_o to_o all_o his_o disciple_n except_o thomas_n and_o soon_o after_o to_o the_o eleven_o thomas_n be_v one_o of_o they_o after_o all_o this_o he_o appear_v to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o his_o follower_n till_o at_o last_o have_v be_v several_a time_n see_v of_o they_o all_o he_o appear_v to_o they_o all_o assemble_v together_o and_o be_v take_v up_o into_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o as_o they_o be_v inform_v of_o this_o truth_n one_o after_o another_o so_o they_o be_v more_o oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o fact_n more_o attentive_o when_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o they_o the_o second_o degree_n have_v relation_n to_o those_o mark_n and_o character_n by_o which_o they_o be_v assure_v