macrobius_n that_o act_n of_o his_o be_v somewhat_o akin_a to_o the_o edict_n of_o the_o roman_a senate_n 4._o i_o adjoin_v this_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o be_v general_o look_v upon_o by_o profane_a writer_n as_o very_o contemptible_a so_o that_o some_o of_o these_o scorn_v to_o record_v those_o thing_n which_o have_v any_o relation_n to_o they_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o christ_n miracle_n and_o other_o thing_n appertain_v to_o christianity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v they_o will_v not_o vouchsafe_v to_o record_v such_o mean_a sorry_a thing_n and_o which_o indeed_o some_o of_o they_o take_v for_o fable_n and_o mere_a falsity_n on_o this_o account_n likewise_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o the_o roman_a history_n shall_v at_o any_o time_n particularize_v the_o christian_a affair_n unless_o when_o war_n and_o tumult_n suppose_v by_o they_o to_o be_v cause_v by_o the_o christian_n invite_v those_o writer_n to_o it_o then_o the_o roman_a glory_n be_v concern_v to_o let_v the_o conquest_n be_v tell_v and_o to_o have_v a_o account_v give_v of_o the_o particular_n but_o other_o thing_n relate_v to_o christianity_n be_v deem_v low_a and_o mean_a and_o be_v pass_v over_o in_o filence_n as_o not_o of_o any_o concern_v and_o moment_n the_o pagan_a historian_n do_v purposely_o omit_v the_o act_n of_o the_o christian_n because_o they_o think_v they_o not_o worth_a the_o recite_v 5._o to_o speak_v more_o plain_o prejudice_n hatred_n and_o malice_n may_v be_v assign_v also_o as_o the_o cause_n why_o some_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o the_o evangelical_n history_n be_v not_o mention_v by_o pagan_a or_o jewish_a writer_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o valerius_n maximus_n who_o have_v make_v a_o collection_n of_o the_o memorable_a act_n and_o say_n of_o other_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o rome_n and_o dedicate_v they_o to_o tiberius_n yet_o have_v not_o a_o word_n of_o jewish_a act_n much_o less_o have_v insert_v any_o christian_a one_o his_o averseness_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n may_v solve_v this_o very_a well_o unless_o you_o will_v say_v that_o christianity_n be_v but_o just_a rise_v at_o that_o time_n when_o he_o write_v and_o the_o material_n of_o history_n concern_v it_o be_v not_o yet_o bring_v to_o he_o but_o this_o can_v be_v say_v of_o tacitus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o next_o age_n and_o who_o be_v a_o great_a hater_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o be_v very_o 15._o severe_a upon_o they_o in_o his_o write_n on_o which_o account_n he_o can_v be_v think_v to_o have_v relate_v thing_n impartial_o concern_v they_o suetonius_n be_v 16._o bitter_a against_o they_o and_o who_o then_o can_v look_v for_o any_o â—air_a account_n from_o he_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o lucian_n and_o pliny_n who_o though_o they_o deliver_v some_o truth_n and_o not_o inconsiderable_a one_o concern_v the_o christian_n yet_o their_o averseness_n to_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n which_o by_o the_o latter_a of_o they_o be_v call_v 10._o pervicacia_fw-la &_o inflexibilis_fw-la obstinatio_fw-la will_v not_o permit_v they_o to_o speak_v what_o they_o know_v of_o they_o plutarch_n of_o all_o that_o live_v and_o write_v about_o that_o time_n be_v the_o civil_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o no_o where_o jeer_n or_o slander_v it_o or_o make_v any_o reflection_n upon_o it_o which_o make_v theodâ—â—â—t_n think_v he_o be_v almost_o a_o christian_n and_o have_v a_o favour_n for_o their_o religion_n but_o the_o rest_n some_o of_o who_o i_o have_v name_v before_o hate_v the_o christian_n yea_o their_o very_a name_n be_v odious_a to_o they_o hence_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o christian_n or_o christianity_n they_o mingle_v calumny_n and_o lie_n with_o what_o they_o say_v christian_n with_o they_o pass_v for_o fond_a and_o superstitious_a people_n nay_o for_o flagitious_a and_o profligate_v nay_o sometime_o for_o diabolical_a impostor_n and_o wizard_n and_o the_o most_o execrable_a sort_n of_o person_n under_o heaven_n i_o may_v here_o mention_v zosimus_n a_o fierce_a pagan_a and_o therefore_o show_v it_o in_o his_o history_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_n be_v a_o great_a hater_n of_o these_o person_n he_o do_v upon_o all_o occasion_n speak_v ill_a of_o they_o and_o particular_o of_o constantine_n the_o great_a because_o he_o be_v the_o first_o emperor_n that_o throw_v off_o heatheanism_n and_o embrace_v christianity_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o murder_v his_o empress_n his_o son_n and_o other_o near_a relation_n and_o that_o he_o be_v smite_v with_o leprosy_n for_o these_o unnatural_a and_o horrid_a crime_n in_o brief_a he_o relate_v the_o particular_n of_o this_o great_a man_n life_n contrary_a to_o all_o ancient_a historian_n that_o have_v write_v concern_v he_o the_o ground_n of_o which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o this_o that_o he_o have_v entertain_v a_o particular_a grudge_n and_o prejudice_n against_o the_o emperor_n and_o bear_v a_o hatred_n to_o christianity_n itself_o so_o that_o whatever_o he_o write_v concern_v they_o â—avored_a of_o ill_a will_n and_o malice_n it_o be_v not_o then_o to_o be_v marvel_v at_o that_o such_o man_n misrepresent_v many_o passage_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n and_o faâ—siâ—ie_v all_o report_n concern_v they_o they_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n speak_v well_o of_o a_o people_n that_o they_o hate_v a_o religion_n that_o they_o so_o abhor_v can_v have_v no_o person_n good_a of_o it_o they_o think_v you_o must_v not_o expect_v they_o will_v relate_v truth_n which_o they_o have_v a_o dislike_n of_o this_o be_v one_o reason_n why_o pagan_n be_v defective_a in_o their_o historical_a narration_n why_o many_o thing_n speak_v of_o by_o the_o evangelist_n be_v not_o mention_v by_o they_o or_o be_v vile_o misrepresent_v this_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o so_o few_o of_o christ_n action_n and_o the_o affair_n of_o christian_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o why_o thosâ—_n that_o be_v be_v so_o miserable_o pervert_v prejudice_n and_o envy_n spleen_n and_o malice_n be_v the_o source_n of_o this_o miscarriage_n 6._o i_o add_v this_o that_o many_o piece_n of_o history_n be_v lose_v as_o have_v be_v acknowledge_v and_o complain_v of_o by_o the_o learned_a whence_o it_o be_v that_o many_o occurrence_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o pagan_n we_o have_v but_o a_o few_o of_o these_o leave_v we_o in_o comparison_n of_o their_o number_n at_o first_o and_o those_o that_o we_o have_v be_v but_o relic_n of_o those_o history_n before_o write_v particular_o the_o stupendous_a act_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o monument_n of_o the_o brave_a and_o noble_a thing_n do_v in_o that_o age_n wherein_o he_o be_v bear_v be_v now_o miss_v all_o dio_n history_n from_o the_o consulship_n of_o antistius_n and_o balbus_n unto_o the_o consulship_n of_o messala_n and_o cinna_n that_o be_v for_o the_o space_n of_o ten_o year_n five_o year_n before_o christ_n birth_n and_o five_o after_o it_o be_v quite_o lose_v and_o so_o be_v livy_n history_n of_o that_o time_n in_o vain_a therefore_o do_v any_o man_n think_v to_o find_v the_o remarkable_a passage_n refer_v to_o christ_n birth_n in_o these_o writer_n much_o more_o vain_a be_v it_o to_o look_v for_o these_o thing_n in_o those_o writer_n who_o history_n be_v altogether_o miss_v at_o this_o day_n thus_o to_o instance_n only_o in_o the_o universal_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o make_v the_o great_a noise_n with_o the_o objector_n that_o without_o doubt_n be_v set_v down_o by_o some_o roman_a historian_n but_o their_o write_n either_o by_o negligence_n or_o by_o fire_n or_o by_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n into_o italy_n or_o by_o age_n and_o length_n of_o time_n be_v lose_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o some_o do_v make_v mention_n of_o it_o otherwise_o whence_o have_v 〈◊〉_d suidas_n all_o that_o which_o he_o relate_v of_o the_o twenty_o person_n that_o be_v send_v to_o make_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d god_n perhaps_o will_v in_o his_o providence_n approve_v the_o loss_n of_o these_o that_o holy_a history_n may_v be_v partly_o embrace_v by_o faith_n and_o not_o owe_v its_o authority_n whole_o to_o human_a testimony_n but_o such_o as_o be_v remain_v i_o have_v produce_v and_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o sober_a any_o confiderate_a person_n last_o i_o remark_n this_o in_o the_o close_a of_o all_o that_o there_o be_v two_o of_o the_o most_o celebrate_a roman_a historian_n from_o who_o we_o can_v expect_v nothing_o that_o have_v relation_n to_o christ_n birth_n or_o any_o great_a occurrence_n that_o happen_v about_o that_o time_n for_o livy_n write_v but_o to_o augustus_n beginning_n which_o be_v before_o christ_n and_o for_o that_o
if_o these_o have_v be_v prophecy_n in_o a_o strict_a sense_n they_o will_v have_v be_v communicate_v by_o god_n to_o his_o peculiar_a people_n to_o who_o be_v commit_v his_o oracle_n rather_o than_o to_o common_a pagan_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o these_o be_v too_o choice_a secret_n to_o be_v râ—â—ealed_v to_o they_o wherefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old-testament_n which_o be_v spread_v abroad_o among_o the_o gentile_n the_o sibylls_n only_a recite_v those_o prophecy_n but_o by_o no_o mean_n be_v you_o to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v prophecy_n of_o their_o own_o it_o be_v true_a the_o pagan_n hear_v of_o these_o prediction_n and_o not_o know_v the_o rise_n of_o they_o attribute_v they_o to_o their_o prophetess_n the_o sibylls_n and_o so_o they_o pass_v for_o the_o sibylls_n oracle_n as_o if_o those_o woman_n make_v and_o indict_v they_o of_o their_o own_o head_n but_o they_o be_v the_o oracle_n of_o the_o holy_a prophet_n and_o not_o of_o any_o person_n among_o the_o pagan_n the_o sibylls_n be_v not_o the_o original_a author_n of_o they_o but_o they_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n this_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o sibylls_n write_n and_o by_o this_o we_o be_v rid_v of_o all_o the_o hard_a consequence_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o foregoing_a assertion_n we_o need_v not_o trouble_v ourselves_o to_o inquire_v whether_o they_o have_v these_o thing_n by_o divine_a aâ—â—lation_n or_o by_o the_o help_n of_o some_o evil_a daemon_n we_o need_v not_o dispute_v whether_o they_o can_v be_v endue_v with_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o yet_o be_v pagan_n in_o their_o persuasion_n and_o vicious_a in_o their_o life_n or_o whither_o if_o they_o be_v act_v by_o a_o diabolick_a spirit_n they_o can_v foretell_v thing_n of_o this_o sacred_a nature_n for_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o maintain_v either_o of_o these_o because_o we_o can_v solve_v the_o matter_n before_o we_o without_o suppose_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n viz._n by_o hold_v that_o these_o sibylls_n as_o many_o other_o before_o they_o take_v these_o thing_n from_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n in_o holy_a scripture_n and_o dress_v they_o up_o after_o their_o own_o fashion_n all_o thing_n agree_v very_o well_o with_o this_o opinion_n and_o we_o be_v press_v with_o no_o absurdity_n insomuch_o that_o i_o have_v wonder_v sometime_o that_o this_o have_v not_o be_v think_v of_o by_o the_o inquisitive_a this_o be_v yet_o a_o far_a evidence_n of_o what_o i_o so_o large_o pursue_v before_o that_o the_o gentile_n insert_v into_o their_o write_n several_a particularâ—_n of_o the_o old-testament_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o evangelical_n write_n which_o be_v the_o next_o thing_n i_o offer_v second_o then_o i_o will_v consider_v the_o sibylls_n oracle_n and_o verse_n as_o they_o be_v a_o signal_n attestation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o new-testament_n behold_v here_o the_o main_a thing_n relate_v to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n plain_o speak_v of_o by_o these_o pagan_n who_o witness_n in_o this_o case_n be_v very_o considerable_a they_o declare_v in_o these_o write_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o great_a change_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o a_o new_a governor_n or_o king_n shall_v arise_v and_o be_v very_o eminent_a cicâ—ro_n frequent_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o passage_n of_o the_o sibylls_n and_o the_o roman_a senate_n be_v mighty_o alarm_v with_o it_o and_o be_v afraid_a their_o commonwealth_n will_v be_v turn_v into_o a_o monarchy_n yea_o lentulus_n begin_v to_o take_v heart_n from_o this_o prophecy_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v tully_n and_o sallust_n and_o fancy_v he_o be_v the_o king_n the_o sibylls_n speak_v of_o and_o other_o afterward_o imagine_v that_o julius_n caesar_n or_o augustus_n or_o as_o some_o thought_n vespasian_n or_o titus_n be_v intend_v whereas_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v that_o the_o sibylls_n have_v only_o divulge_v in_o their_o verse_n the_o ancient_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v find_v by_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o begin_v to_o be_v know_v at_o that_o time_n to_o the_o world_n if_o we_o have_v no_o more_o to_o allege_v but_o this_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o sibylls_n write_n they_o tell_v we_o in_o their_o mystic_a verse_n that_o a_o little_a child_n shall_v throw_v down_o idolatry_n with_o his_o hand_n and_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o delphic_a daemon_n this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o blessed_a babe_n jesus_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o transcribe_v particular_a passage_n in_o these_o write_n as_o concern_v christ_n miracle_n 15._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v only_o a_o paraphrase_n on_o that_o prophecy_n concern_v our_o bless_a lord_n in_o isai._n 35._o 5_o 6._o and_o many_o other_o text_n in_o the_o same_o prophet_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o miraculous_a act_n which_o he_o be_v to_o exert_v here_o upon_o earth_n so_o what_o be_v say_v of_o his_o suffering_n 18._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v borrow_v from_o that_o prediction_n in_o isai._n 5â—_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o description_n of_o the_o messias_n suffering_n and_o that_o passage_n reâ—â—ting_v to_o the_o resurrection_n and_o his_o come_n to_o judgement_n 20._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v found_v on_o some_o peculiar_a text_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o messias_n last_o advent_n and_o glorious_a reign_n certain_o it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n that_o these_o person_n attest_v these_o thing_n the_o very_a same_o which_o be_v predict_v in_o the_o old-testament_n and_o which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n this_o may_v be_v serviceable_a to_o refute_v the_o objection_n and_o cavil_n of_o the_o most_o profess_a adversary_n of_o christianity_n according_o the_o ancient_a christian_n especial_o the_o father_n make_v use_v of_o these_o heathen_a write_n against_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o beat_v they_o with_o their_o own_o weapon_n peruse_v athenagoras_n and_o theophilus_n of_o antioch_n and_o you_o will_v â—ind_v these_o woman_n verse_n high_o commend_v by_o they_o peruse_v alibi_fw-la justin_n and_o 6._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o you_o will_v see_v that_o they_o frequent_o quote_v those_o write_n and_o rely_v on_o they_o in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o pagan_n for_o christianity_n so_o do_v tertullian_n so_o do_v origen_n argue_v out_o of_o these_o pagan_a book_n for_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v espouse_v in_o imitation_n of_o these_o learned_a father_n constantine_n the_o great_a in_o 18._o one_o of_o his_o oration_n speak_v very_o reverent_o of_o the_o sibylls_n prediction_n and_o vindicate_v they_o as_o no_o contemptible_a proof_n of_o christianity_n 18._o lactantius_n and_o arnobius_n allege_v they_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o st._n augustin_n quote_v the_o acrostic_n of_o sibylla_n erythraea_n and_o turn_v they_o into_o latin_n thus_o the_o father_n use_v to_o convince_v the_o gentile_n out_o of_o the_o sibylline_a oracle_n and_o the_o old_a christian_n constant_o read_v these_o write_n and_o appeal_v to_o they_o in_o their_o discourse_n with_o the_o heathen_n from_o which_o practice_n of_o they_o the_o gentile_n as_o 13._o origen_n testify_v style_v the_o christian_n sibyllist_n yea_o the_o ancient_a christian_n be_v so_o addict_v to_o the_o read_v these_o book_n of_o the_o sibylls_n that_o they_o be_v strict_o 5._o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n to_o do_v it_o for_o the_o future_a upon_o pain_n of_o death_n and_o gentil_n we_o be_v tell_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o emperor_n prohibit_v the_o read_n of_o these_o book_n namely_o because_o they_o thence_o fetch_v many_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o their_o cause_n these_o write_n of_o heathen_a woman_n be_v in_o those_o day_n reckon_v to_o be_v a_o notable_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n whence_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v no_o forgery_n for_o the_o ancient_a and_o learnede_a father_n as_o well_o as_o other_o christian_a brethren_n will_v not_o have_v quote_v they_o to_o confirm_v the_o christian_a religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v such_o but_o we_o see_v they_o do_v frequent_o allege_v they_o to_o that_o end_n and_o especial_o in_o their_o dispute_n with_o the_o gentile_n as_o they_o make_v use_v of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n for_o attest_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old-testament_n as_o have_v be_v show_v you_o so_o they_o cite_v these_o gentile_a
sacrifice_n this_o plain_o show_v they_o be_v no_o jew_n as_o to_o their_o religion_n although_o philo_n and_o josephus_n be_v willing_a to_o represent_v they_o as_o such_o in_o honour_n of_o their_o nation_n they_o be_v so_o much_o admire_v for_o the_o piety_n and_o integrity_n of_o their_o conversation_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o character_n be_v a_o plain_a description_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n as_o they_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n i._n e._n as_o have_v for_o a_o time_n all_o thing_n common_a as_o be_v exemplary_a for_o their_o brotherly_a love_n as_o person_n of_o singular_a moderation_n and_o self-denial_n as_o those_o who_o be_v bid_v not_o to_o swear_v at_o all_o as_o those_o who_o undergo_v the_o severe_a persecution_n with_o a_o undaunted_a courage_n and_o fortitude_n and_o resist_v even_o unto_o blood_n and_o love_v not_o their_o life_n unto_o the_o death_n now_o the_o jewish_a writer_n for_o politic_a end_n will_v not_o give_v 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prodigy_n may_v exalt_v that_o religion_n too_o much_o and_o the_o eclipse_n may_v make_v it_o shine_v the_o bright_a and_o be_v more_o admire_v and_o reverence_v by_o the_o world_n for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v probable_a the_o heathen_a writer_n neglect_v to_o record_v this_o so_o prodigious_a a_o accident_n it_o make_v for_o a_o new_a religion_n contrary_a to_o their_o own_o i_o will_v give_v you_o another_o notable_a instance_n which_o be_v this_o when_o m._n aurelius_n antoninus_n army_n be_v in_o great_a straits_n and_o want_v water_n they_o be_v sudden_o and_o unexpect_o supply_v with_o rain_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n their_o enemy_n against_o who_o they_o fight_v be_v overwhelmed_a with_o hail_n and_o thunder_n hist._n dion_z aurelio_n julius_n capitolinus_n marco_n claudian_n lampridius_n report_v this_o thing_n but_o say_v it_o be_v from_o the_o emperor_n be_v own_o prayer_n to_o jupiter_n and_o from_o the_o enchantment_n of_o the_o jewish_a magician_n but_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v that_o the_o christian_a soldier_n by_o their_o prayer_n procure_v this_o extraordinary_a and_o unexpected_a rain_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o their_o thirst_n and_o bring_v down_o thunder_n and_o storm_n upon_o their_o enemy_n the_o relate_n of_o this_o will_v have_v be_v too_o great_a a_o honour_n to_o the_o christian_n and_o to_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o master_n of_o it_o wherefore_o the_o pagan_a historian_n out_o of_o policy_n will_v not_o ascribe_v this_o wonder_n to_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o christian_n but_o to_o those_o of_o the_o emperor_n and_o tell_v we_o the_o very_a word_n he_o use_v but_o they_o have_v not_o whole_o conceal_v the_o truth_n for_o as_o you_o have_v hear_v they_o impute_v this_o wonderful_a accident_n partly_o to_o the_o enchantment_n of_o the_o jewish_a magician_n we_o know_v how_o common_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v with_o the_o pagan_a writer_n to_o mistake_v jew_n for_o christian_n and_o so_o the_o jewish_a magician_n here_o be_v 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to_o the_o senate_n and_o he_o tell_v they_o there_o that_o the_o emperor_n be_v own_o letter_n to_o they_o not_o long_o before_o send_v to_o they_o out_o of_o germany_n acknowledge_v the_o same_o viz_o that_o god_n wrought_v a_o miracle_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o be_v in_o his_o army_n and_o he_o owe_v the_o victory_n whole_o to_o their_o pious_a address_n to_o heaven_n this_o father_n will_v never_o have_v say_v this_o to_o the_o roman_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o possibility_n of_o confute_v it_o yea_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o thing_n certain_o know_v by_o they_o this_o story_n of_o the_o thunder_a legion_n you_o have_v also_o at_o large_a in_o câ—ronico_n eusebius_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o this_o name_n be_v give_v they_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n because_o by_o their_o ardent_a prayer_n they_o procure_v thunder_n to_o fright_v and_o disperse_v their_o enemy_n and_o rain_v to_o refresh_v themselves_o and_o if_o what_o some_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v be_v true_a viz._n that_o this_o be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o legion_n in_o augustuâ—'s_n time_n and_o be_v name_v so_o from_o the_o tunderbolt_n which_o it_o carry_v in_o the_o shield_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o â—ee_n any_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v this_o ancient_a author_n for_o why_o may_v not_o a_o name_n be_v give_v on_o different_a account_n why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v call_v the_o thunder_a legion_n for_o this_o reason_n which_o he_o mention_n as_o well_o as_o for_o that_o which_o other_o assign_v i_o do_v perceive_v that_o these_o be_v inconsistent_a eusebius_n go_v on_o and_o add_v that_o the_o emperor_n hereupon_o recall_v his_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o by_o a_o new_a decree_n appoint_v a_o severe_a punishment_n to_o be_v inflict_v on_o the_o accuser_n of_o they_o the_o gentile_a historian_n say_v nothing_o of_o this_o and_o will_v not_o let_v we_o know_v that_o that_o miraculous_a event_n be_v by_o mean_n of_o the_o christian_n a_o victory_n gain_v by_o the_o prayer_n of_o christian_n will_v sound_v ill_a this_o will_v have_v be_v too_o signal_n a_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o prevalency_n of_o christianity_n therefore_o it_o be_v suppress_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n you_o may_v reckon_v christ_n mriacle_n be_v omit_v in_o pagan_a historian_n if_o you_o suppose_v they_o come_v to_o their_o ear_n it_o be_v their_o cunning_n to_o write_v nothing_o of_o these_o for_o hereby_o they_o will_v at_o the_o same_o time_n commend_v christianity_n and_o disparage_v their_o own_o way_n beside_o some_o of_o they_o be_v afraid_a to_o own_o the_o miraculous_a act_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o follower_n for_o they_o see_v that_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v persecute_v and_o put_v to_o death_n so_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o relate_v the_o wonder_n they_o do_v lest_o they_o shall_v be_v suspect_v to_o favour_n christianity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n become_v liable_a to_o capital_a punishment_n or_o if_o they_o fear_v not_o this_o yet_o they_o be_v afraid_a to_o displease_v the_o great_a one_o as_o i_o say_v before_o if_o they_o know_v any_o thing_n will_v be_v ungrateful_a and_o unacceptable_a to_o their_o master_n they_o pass_v it_o by_o thus_o when_o it_o be_v give_v out_o by_o the_o sibylline_a oracle_n in_o the_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v that_o nature_n do_v then_o bring_v forth_o a_o king_n to_o the_o world_n the_o roman_a senate_n thereupon_o order_v that_o no_o child_n bear_v that_o year_n shall_v be_v bring_v up_o as_o appear_v in_o 49._o suetonius_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o give_v check_n to_o the_o roman_a historian_n and_o so_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v wonder_v as_o the_o sibyl_n learned_a vossius_fw-la observe_v that_o the_o kill_n of_o the_o child_n of_o bethlehem_n by_o herod_n command_n be_v not_o mention_v by_o any_o but_o the_o evangelist_n he_o may_v have_v say_v unless_o by_o
be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o jew_n weâ—â—_n very_o careful_a and_o studious_a very_o exact_a and_o curioâ—â—_n in_o scripture_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o happen_v that_o theâ—_n be_v a_o impossibility_n of_o make_v any_o alteration_n in_o 〈◊〉_d without_o be_v discover_v that_o be_v the_o only_a reâ—son_n of_o my_o allege_v here_o the_o masoretic_n note_n 〈◊〉_d i_o undertake_v not_o to_o defend_v the_o superstitious_a râ—â—marks_n and_o criticism_n of_o the_o masorite_n i_o applaud_v not_o their_o laborious_a nicety_n their_o childish_a transmutation_n and_o shufl_v of_o letter_n and_o syllable_n their_o trifle_a annotation_n on_o the_o figure_n and_o make_v of_o some_o hebrew_n letter_n but_o i_o only_o take_v notice_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o make_v these_o critical_a man_n to_o be_v very_o serviceable_a towards_o the_o preserve_a the_o bible_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o its_o purity_n the_o observation_n of_o these_o masoretic_n doctor_n who_o be_v person_n of_o great_a skill_n in_o the_o language_n and_o well_o acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o ancient_a copy_n and_o manuscript_n and_o who_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n ago_o exact_o number_v all_o the_o verse_n word_n letter_n and_o even_o the_o minute_a part_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n have_v be_v a_o great_a security_n and_o preservative_n to_o it_o they_o have_v keep_v it_o undeprave_v and_o uncorrupt_a and_o have_v make_v the_o read_n of_o it_o certain_a and_o unalterable_a this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o that_o excellent_a and_o noble_a personage_n the_o learned_a picus_n mirandula_n so_o high_o extol_v the_o hebrew_n cabala_n without_o doubt_n he_o see_v this_o usefulness_n and_o excellency_n in_o it_o nay_o before_o these_o doctor_n of_o tiberias_n draw_v up_o their_o masoretic_n note_n there_o be_v it_o be_v probable_a extant_a something_o of_o this_o nature_n they_o have_v before_o this_o time_n some_o account_n not_o only_o of_o all_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o bible_n but_o of_o all_o the_o apices_fw-la of_o they_o for_o to_o this_o our_o saviour_n allude_v in_o mat._n 5._o 18._o not_o one_o jot_n or_o one_o 〈◊〉_d tittle_n which_o latter_a be_v mean_v of_o those_o little_a horn_n prick_n and_o dot_n belong_v to_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n not_o only_o the_o small_a letter_n as_o jod_n but_o the_o cut_n of_o those_o letter_n be_v diligent_o observe_v by_o the_o masoretic_n jew_n and_o this_o their_o nice_a and_o almost_o fond_a criticism_n be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n entire_a and_o unchanged_a thus_o the_o masore_v as_o they_o express_v it_o be_v a_o hedge_n or_o fence_n to_o the_o law_n theâ—_n critical_a note_n and_o remark_n of_o the_o old_a jew_n hauâ—_n preserve_v the_o text_n of_o the_o bible_n from_o be_v corrupt_v and_o abuse_v so_o that_o we_o may_v from_o henâ—_n gather_v that_o we_o have_v in_o our_o hand_n the_o same_o heâ—brew_n text_n which_o be_v at_o first_o give_v by_o god_n to_o 〈◊〉_d people_n but_o some_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n 〈◊〉_d bâ—rnt_v at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o the_o temple_n be_v 〈◊〉_d that_o ezra_n after_o the_o captivity_n dictate_v and_o write_v 〈◊〉_d over_o again_o according_a to_o what_o we_o find_v recordâ—â—_n in_o 2_o esdras_n 14._o 21_o 23_o 24._o so_o there_o be_v some_o recovery_n of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o original_a book_n beinâ—_n lose_v it_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o that_o there_o be_v many_o â—aults_n and_o mistake_v in_o this_o which_o we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d present_a i_o answer_v either_o this_o passage_n in_o the_o aâ—pocryphal_a writer_n speak_v of_o some_o other_o book_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n or_o it_o be_v to_o bâ—_n reckon_v as_o fabulous_a and_o supposititious_a and_o so_o 〈◊〉_d creditâ—_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o it_o for_o in_o nehem._n 8._o 2_o 3._o there_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v bring_v before_o the_o congregation_n and_o its_o be_v read_v before_o 〈◊〉_d man_n and_o the_o woman_n but_o not_o a_o syllable_n of_o the_o maâ—tâ—r_n mention_v in_o esdras_n be_v hero_n to_o be_v find_v yes_o it_o be_v imply_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v still_o the_o same_o for_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o the_o chaldean_n destroy_v and_o burn_v and_o carry_v away_o at_o the_o take_n of_o jerusâ—â—em_n but_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o these_o holy_a book_n which_o most_o certain_o will_v have_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o they_o be_v of_o so_o inestimable_a a_o vaâ—â—â—_n morcover_v if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v the_o law_n be_v burn_v in_o the_o temple_n yet_o there_o be_v many_o copy_n of_o it_o among_o the_o jew_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v preserve_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n therefore_o to_o suspect_v that_o the_o hebrew_n original_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v corrupt_v but_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o well_o as_o some_o learned_a modern_n have_v assert_v that_o the_o hebrew_n be_v corrupt_v i_o answer_v first_o as_o to_o the_o father_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o justin_n martyr_n declare_v himself_o to_o be_v of_o this_o opinion_n in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n he_o confident_o assirm_v that_o the_o jew_n erase_v many_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o bible_n and_o he_o assign_v particular_a instance_n in_o the_o psalm_n isaiah_n and_o jeremiah_n and_o this_o they_o do_v say_v he_o because_o they_o hate_v christ_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o think_v some_o of_o those_o place_n favour_v the_o christian_a cause_n too_o much_o here_o by_o the_o by_o you_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o great_a mistake_n and_o oversight_n in_o bishop_n ward_n be_v 3_o essay_n where_o he_o peremptory_o assert_n that_o never_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n have_v in_o their_o great_a heat_n of_o zeal_n against_o the_o jew_n accuse_v they_o of_o such_o corruption_n i._n e._n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o first_o time_n that_o justin_n martyr_n have_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o historical_a truth_n this_o among_o other_o be_v questionless_a a_o gross_a mistake_n of_o that_o good_a man_n and_o his_o strong_a averseness_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o his_o belief_n of_o their_o willingness_n and_o readiness_n to_o deprave_v the_o scripture_n for_o their_o own_o end_n betray_v he_o to_o it_o as_o for_o other_o father_n as_o tertullian_n irenaecus_fw-la origen_n eusebius_n who_o it_o be_v true_a sometime_o complain_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o jew_n they_o speak_v of_o their_o adulterate_v the_o text_n rather_o as_o to_o the_o sense_n than_o as_o to_o the_o word_n they_o mean_v that_o the_o translation_n which_o the_o jew_n use_v be_v false_a for_o they_o general_o adhere_v to_o aquila_n and_o theodotion_n version_n and_o prefer_v it_o before_o that_o of_o the_o seventy_o whence_o their_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n be_v unsound_a and_o erroneous_a and_o thereby_o they_o sometime_o set_v up_o judaisme_n against_o christianity_n but_o this_o be_v do_v without_o corrupt_a thâ—_n hebrew_n copy_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v express_o assert_v and_o maintain_v by_o jerom_n and_o 11._o augustine_n two_o ancient_a father_n of_o a_o great_a fame_n for_o learning_n and_o piety_n as_o those_o before_o name_v these_o worthy_a person_n refute_v that_o suspicion_n and_o rumour_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v then_o rise_v namely_o that_o thâ—_n jew_n have_v adulterate_v the_o hebrew_n text._n these_o father_n not_o only_o declare_v that_o they_o do_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o they_o praise_v they_o for_o their_o faithfulness_n in_o preserve_v the_o bible_n pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a then_o as_o to_o some_o of_o the_o modern_n who_o have_v assert_v the_o hebrew_a copy_n to_o be_v faulty_a and_o deprave_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v what_o it_o be_v that_o prompt_v they_o to_o it_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v corrupt_v and_o so_o be_v that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n say_v the_o romanist_n but_o the_o old_a vulgar_a latin_a be_v uncorrupt_a and_o infallible_a so_o determine_v the_o tridentine_a council_n huntlaeus_n several_a of_o that_o communion_n have_v write_v against_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n and_o labour_v to_o prove_v they_o corrupt_v but_o diatribe_n morinus_n have_v show_v himself_o more_o zealous_a than_o all_o of_o they_o in_o this_o point_n and_o he_o frank_o confess_v this_o be_v his_o main_a design_n in_o it_o viz._n to_o baffle_v the_o protestant_n who_o make_v the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o manner_n if_o the_o original_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v lose_v and_o the_o transcript_n be_v defective_a and_o erroneous_a how_o can_v the_o bible_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n what_o will_v become_v then_o of_o the_o
〈◊〉_d that_o demoniacal_a serpenâ—_n you_o will_v find_v 6._o origen_n assert_v that_o this_o be_v take_v from_o moses_n relation_n concern_v the_o serpent_n iâ—_n paradise_n and_o not_o this_o from_o that_o as_o celsus_n moâ—â—_n egregious_o fail_v in_o antiquity_n and_o chronology_n maintain_v 10._o eusebius_n also_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n affirm_v that_o this_o ophioneus_n refer_v to_o the_o devil_n in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n and_o add_v to_o make_v it_o probable_a that_o pherecydes_n be_v conversant_a with_o the_o phoenician_n who_o worship_v their_o god_n under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n the_o devil_n affect_v to_o be_v adore_v in_o that_o shape_n which_o he_o first_o assume_v and_o not_o only_o in_o phoenjoya_n but_o in_o other_o country_n dragon_n or_o serpent_n or_o snake_n for_o these_o be_v promiscuous_o use_v for_o one_o another_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o secret_a mystery_n of_o the_o gentile_n these_o have_v so_o great_a a_o veneration_n for_o serpent_n or_o dragon_n that_o some_o of_o their_o temple_n have_v their_o denomination_n thence_o and_o be_v style_v draconian_a say_v 14._o strabo_n the_o babylonian_n worship_v a_o dragon_n as_o the_o apocryphal_a write_n relate_v the_o egyptian_n worship_v opbioneus_fw-la as_o uâ—â—_n eusebius_n testify_v and_o in_o their_o hieroglyphic_n they_o â—hewed_v that_o they_o be_v wonderful_a admirer_n of_o serpent_n for_o the_o head_n of_o their_o god_n be_v encircle_v with_o serpent_n and_o basilisk_n say_v horus_n the_o crown_n and_o dia_n 〈◊〉_d of_o their_o king_n be_v set_v with_o asp_n and_o suake_n serpent_n be_v the_o emblem_n of_o dominion_n and_o principality_n yea_o of_o immortality_n and_o divinity_n faith_n the_o same_o author_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o more_o to_o our_o purpose_n eusebius_n observe_v that_o the_o egyptian_n as_o well_o as_o the_o phoenician_n use_v to_o call_v serpent_n 7._o good_a daemon_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a relic_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v assume_v the_o form_n of_o some_o goodly_a serpent_n and_o appear_v like_o a_o good_a daemon_n or_o angel_n of_o light_n when_o he_o accost_v our_o mother_n eve_n and_o lay_v siege_n to_o her_o integrity_n and_o to_o pass_v from_o egypt_n to_o greece_n there_o be_v here_o also_o some_o remembrance_n of_o this_o notable_a thing_n for_o the_o image_n of_o serpent_n be_v set_v over_o the_o gate_n of_o temple_n and_o consecrated_a place_n and_o general_o they_o meite_n paint_a serpent_n or_o dragon_n in_o all_o holy_a place_n as_o the_o geâ—â—â—â—_n of_o those_o place_n for_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o place_n appear_v in_o the_o shape_n of_o a_o serpent_n among_o these_o grecian_n the_o devil_n be_v common_o worship_v in_o this_o primitive_a figure_n â—ore_o especial_o at_o delphos_n whence_o as_o a_o learned_a critic_n have_v remark_v apollo_n be_v call_v pythius_n and_o pytho_n from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o serpent_n i_o may_v add_v whâ—â—_n gent._n clement_n of_o alexandria_n report_n that_o the_o heatheâ—_n at_o their_o feast_n of_o bacchus_n be_v crown_v with_o seâ—â—pents_n and_o use_v to_o carry_v a_o serpent_n in_o procession_n and_o cry_n with_o a_o loud_a voice_n eva_n eva_n for_o heuâ—â—_n or_o hivia_n say_v he_o in_o the_o hebrew_n signify_v a_o strepent_n this_o latter_a be_v partly_o a_o mistake_n of_o he_o 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v in_o the_o chaldee_n that_o it_o signify_v so_o and_o be_v 〈◊〉_d word_n use_v by_o the_o chaldee_n translator_n in_o gen._n 〈◊〉_d and_o other_o place_n for_o a_o serpent_n and_o so_o we_o be_v thenâ—_n inform_v what_o a_o reverence_n be_v pay_v to_o serpeâ—â—_n by_o the_o ancient_n or_o what_o if_o i_o shall_v offer_v tâ—â—â—_n conjecture_n that_o eva_n or_o evia_n or_o hevia_n be_v plain_a remembrance_n of_o our_o mother_n eve_n or_o hâ—â—â—â—_n or_o according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n termination_n heâ—â—â—_n or_o havah_n which_o be_v the_o more_o probable_a becâ—â—â—â—_n the_o proclaim_n of_o this_o name_n be_v join_v with_o tâ—â—_n carry_v of_o a_o serpent_n which_o we_o know_v that_o unhâ—â—â—py_a woman_n be_v too_o well_o acquaint_v with_o aâ—â—_n perhaps_o the_o word_n evante_n which_o be_v use_v by_o 6._o vâ—â—gil_n to_o signify_v those_o mad_a frolic_v have_v its_o orâ—â—ginal_a hence_o thus_o there_o be_v a_o double_a memorial_n iâ—_n that_o pagan_a festival_n solemnity_n to_o wit_n of_o a_o râ—â—markable_a person_n and_o as_o remarkable_a a_o thing_n râ—â—corded_v in_o sacred_a story_n now_o i_o ask_v whence_o caâ—_n this_o memorial_n of_o serpent_n to_o be_v observe_v so_o geâ—â—â—rally_o among_o the_o pagan_n whence_o be_v it_o that_o tâ—â—_n old_a heathen_n be_v such_o adorer_n of_o these_o crâ—â—â—tures_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o the_o devil_n 〈◊〉_d worship_v by_o they_o under_o this_o form_n wheâ—â—_n do_v this_o custom_n prevail_v among_o the_o phoenician_n â—â—â—bylonians_n egyptian_n and_o grecian_n nay_o 17._o s._n â—â—â—gustin_a acquaint_v we_o that_o some_o heretic_n christiâ—â—_n make_v it_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n to_o worship_v a_o serpent_n and_o if_o we_o shall_v leave_v the_o ancient_n and_o come_v down_o to_o latter_a age_n i_o may_v here_o allege_v what_o mensaâ—_n lutherâ—aith_n â—aith_z he_o hear_v a_o merchant_n affirm_v namely_o that_o in_o the_o indies_n he_o have_v â—een_n people_n worship_n a_o great_a snake_n with_o the_o high_a reverence_n and_o honour_n imaginable_a of_o all_o this_o there_o can_v be_v a_o better_a account_n give_v than_o that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o offer_v it_o be_v questionless_a a_o remembrance_n of_o what_o happen_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o satan_n who_o have_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o god_n a_o glorious_a angel_n and_o therefore_o pass_v for_o such_o a_o one_o still_o among_o the_o ignorant_a heathen_n appear_v in_o a_o serpentine_a figure_n to_o adam_n and_o eve_n in_o paradise_n and_o this_o remind_v i_o of_o another_o circumstance_n of_o man_n fall_n viz._n the_o place_n which_o be_v paradise_n or_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n which_o as_o i_o say_v before_o seem_v to_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o famous_a guerdon_n of_o the_o hesperides_n this_o i_o know_v have_v be_v a_o common_o receive_v notion_n this_o poetical_a passage_n have_v be_v usual_o apply_v to_o this_o purpose_n but_o â—et_v we_o not_o think_v it_o the_o less_o true_a because_o of_o the_o commonness_n of_o itâ—_n if_o any_o man_n serious_o weigh_v what_o be_v report_v of_o this_o garden_n he_o will_v think_v it_o not_o improbable_a that_o the_o fall_v of_o man_n be_v couch_v in_o this_o poetic_a fable_n for_o this_o garden_n yield_v golden_a fruit_n i._n e._n very_a choice_n and_o excellent_a fruit_n and_o such_o as_o be_v as_o tempt_v as_o gold_n be_v afterward_o which_o plain_o point_v to_o the_o forbid_v fruit_n in_o paradise_n which_o be_v so_o desirable_a and_o delightful_a so_o tempt_v and_o charm_v and_o this_o fruit_n these_o golden_a apple_n be_v keep_v and_o watch_v by_o a_o dragon_n or_o serpent_n which_o plain_o refer_v to_o the_o devil_n in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n who_o be_v always_o watch_v about_o the_o treâ—_n not_o to_o keep_v the_o man_n and_o woman_n from_o eat_v â—_o it_o but_o to_o solicit_v and_o tempt_v they_o by_o all_o mean_v 〈◊〉_d do_v it_o what_o they_o add_v of_o hercules_n stay_v 〈◊〉_d dragon_n be_v a_o addition_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n 〈◊〉_d must_v always_o be_v expect_v in_o their_o represent_v 〈◊〉_d these_o story_n as_o i_o have_v intimate_v before_o 〈◊〉_d the_o issue_n be_v that_o the_o golden_a fruit_n be_v steal_v aâ—â—â—_n that_o be_v in_o plain_a term_n our_o parent_n do_v eat_v of_o 〈◊〉_d forbid_v fruit._n this_o be_v a_o downright_a steaâ—â—_n or_o robbery_n for_o it_o be_v take_v away_o that_o whiâ—â—_n be_v not_o their_o own_o and_o which_o they_o be_v strictâ—â—_n command_v not_o to_o take_v away_o thus_o paradise_n 〈◊〉_d remove_v by_o the_o poet_n out_o of_o asia_n into_o africa_n 〈◊〉_d whatever_o place_v it_o be_v where_o the_o hesperide_n 〈◊〉_d their_o garden_n this_o fiction_n of_o they_o be_v maâ—â—_n out_o of_o genesis_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o garden_n 〈◊〉_d eden_n of_o the_o serpent_n and_o of_o the_o forbid_v frâ—â—â—_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o man_n be_v temptâ—â—_n and_o deceive_v whence_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d poet_n philosopher_n and_o sage_n among_o the_o heathâ—â—â—_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o very_a thing_n which_o moâ—â—â—_n the_o inspired_a writer_n give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o transgression_n of_o man_n and_o the_o origâ—â—_n of_o it_o the_o depravation_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o â—â—â—serable_a consequence_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o as_o the_o câ—â—sing_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o barrenness_n which_o eâ—sâ—â—â—_n upon_o it_o with_o the_o infirmity_n and_o disease_n that_o mâ—â—_n body_n be_v
it_o be_v easy_a to_o prove_v all_o which_o it_o be_v likely_a have_v its_o first_o rise_n from_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_n record_v there_o be_v it_o not_o reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o city_n of_o refuge_n among_o some_o pagan_a nation_n whither_o offender_n flee_v for_o protection_n have_v their_o origine_fw-la from_o those_o so_o express_o mention_v in_o numb_a 35._o 13_o 14_o 15._o hence_o we_o read_v that_o cadmus_n when_o he_o build_v thebes_n found_v a_o place_n for_o all_o sort_n of_o criminal_n to_o repair_v to_o and_o romulus_n at_o the_o build_n of_o rome_n erect_v a_o sanctuary_n for_o offender_n to_o fly_v to_o further_o i_o can_v observe_v that_o the_o new-moon_n be_v celebrate_v by_o the_o athenian_n and_o other_o grecian_n concern_v the_o first_o rom._n plutarch_n be_v very_o positive_a and_o as_o to_o the_o rest_n that_o hesych_n proverbial_a say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o use_n among_o they_o show_v that_o they_o solemn_o observe_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o month._n the_o roman_n likewise_o have_v the_o same_o custom_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o that_o of_o 1._o ovid_n vendicat_fw-la ausonias_fw-la junonis_fw-la cura_fw-la calendas_fw-la and_o these_o new-moon_n festival_n be_v refer_v to_o by_o horace_n more_o than_o once_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o 45._o turâ—â—bus_n all_o which_o be_v of_o hebrew_n extraction_n i_o can_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o latin_a jubilare_fw-la and_o jubilatio_fw-la which_o be_v find_v in_o varro_n and_o other_o old_a roman_n which_o signify_v great_a rejoice_v and_o shout_v for_o joy_n be_v from_o the_o old_a jewish_a law_n of_o 11._o jubilee_n a_o time_n of_o exceed_a gladness_n be_v the_o year_n when_o servant_n and_o debtor_n be_v restore_v to_o their_o liberty_n and_o possession_n which_o occasion_v great_a rejoice_v and_o i_o can_v propound_v more_o instance_n yet_o to_o prove_v that_o several_a custom_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v extract_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o that_o heathen_a worshipper_n shape_v new_a strange_a and_o profane_a rite_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n out_o of_o the_o passage_n they_o â—ead_a or_o hear_v of_o there_o and_o that_o most_o of_o the_o heathen_a usage_n be_v corrupt_a imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o will_v add_v to_o the_o several_a particular_n this_o one_o more_o which_o though_o i_o will_v not_o confident_o pronounce_v be_v borrow_v from_o the_o jew_n yet_o i_o propose_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n very_o probable_a it_o be_v this_o that_o the_o hieroglyphic_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v in_o imitation_n of_o that_o people_n for_o they_o be_v bring_v up_o under_o shadow_n type_n and_o symbol_n dark_a representation_n and_o mystical_a rite_n which_o may_v give_v occasion_n to_o the_o egyptian_n to_o teach_v religion_n and_o morality_n by_o hieroglyphic_n figure_n i_o be_o not_o positive_a here_o nor_o will_v i_o be_v any_o where_o else_o unless_o i_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o go_v on_o because_o i_o be_o not_o altogether_o certain_a that_o the_o hieroglyphic_n learning_n begin_v after_o moses_n but_o there_o be_v great_a probability_n that_o it_o do_v and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v derive_v from_o what_o they_o observe_v among_o the_o jew_n this_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o inquisitive_a 7._o kircher_n who_o without_o â—â—y_a hesitation_n aver_v that_o the_o symbolical_a and_o hieroglyphic_n learning_n be_v imbibe_v from_o the_o hebrew_n nay_o to_o go_v yet_o far_o now_o we_o be_v come_v thus_o far_o there_o be_v those_o who_o conjecture_v that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ancient_a gentile_a philosophy_n be_v collect_v from_o the_o holy_a book_n of_o scripture_n among_o the_o ancient_a persian_n the_o mosaic_a religion_n may_v be_v discover_v in_o many_o instance_n which_o may_v be_v give_v of_o their_o principle_n and_o a_o ingenious_a 4._o french_a author_n have_v late_o prove_v that_o their_o zoroastres_n be_v the_o same_o with_o moses_n and_o as_o for_o the_o pythagâ—rick_n and_o platonic_a philosophy_n which_o consist_v much_o in_o figure_n and_o number_n in_o dark_a and_o symbolical_a precept_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o it_o be_v make_v up_o out_o of_o the_o sacred_a hebrew_n write_n the_o platonist_n book_n concern_v god_n the_o genii_n the_o spirit_n and_o soul_n of_o man_n though_o stuff_v with_o many_o error_n and_o superstition_n discover_v a_o great_a resemblance_n and_o affinity_n with_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o bible_n deliver_v about_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n angel_n and_o humane_a soul_n eusebius_n particular_o insist_o on_o this_o and_o derive_v the_o platonic_a doctrine_n from_o the_o scripture_n hence_o both_o he_o and_o clement_n of_o alexandria_n take_v notice_n of_o what_o numenius_n the_o pythagorean_n philosopher_n say_v of_o plato_n namely_o that_o he_o be_v 1._o the_o greek_a moses_n and_o indeed_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a sage_n and_o philosopher_n be_v obscure_a and_o mystic_a in_o their_o style_n and_o way_n of_o deliver_v their_o notion_n as_o the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v observe_v to_o be_v very_o often_o hence_o it_o be_v say_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o i_o last_o quote_v that_o 1._o the_o way_n of_o philosophize_v among_o those_o pagan_n be_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o hebrew_n that_o be_v enigmatical_a but_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n as_o well_o as_o style_v the_o chief_a of_o the_o old_a greek_a poet_n and_o philosopher_n as_o orpheus_n homer_n hesiod_n thales_n anaxagoras_n parmenides_n empedocles_n democritus_n socrates_n beside_o pythagoras_n and_o plato_n before_o name_v agree_v with_o moses_n we_o may_v say_v of_o they_o all_o as_o a_o historian_n say_v of_o the_o first_o of_o they_o after_o he_o have_v set_v down_o several_a particular_n of_o sound_a philosophy_n in_o his_o poem_n compend_v they_o have_v pronounce_v many_o thing_n concern_v god_n and_o man_n which_o be_v consonant_a to_o that_o truth_n which_o we_o who_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o holy_a write_n profess_v this_o may_v give_v light_n to_o what_o a_o egyptian_a priest_n tell_v solon_n timâ—â—o_n yoâ—_n grecians_z say_v he_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o rise_n and_o antiquity_n of_o art_n there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o you_o that_o be_v old_a and_o there_o be_v no_o learning_n among_o you_o that_o be_v antient._n his_o meaning_n be_v that_o all_o their_o knowledge_n be_v borrow_v and_o that_o the_o sacred_a mosaic_a philosophy_n and_o theology_n be_v the_o old_a of_o all_o from_o this_o the_o heathen_n take_v they_o though_o sometime_o they_o express_v it_o in_o different_a term_n thus_o we_o have_v go_v through_o the_o mosaic_a record_n and_o in_o many_o instance_n show_v the_o derivation_n of_o gentile_a philosophy_n principles_n practice_n and_o usage_n from_o those_o sacred_a write_n and_o consequent_o we_o have_v evince_v the_o truth_n and_o antiquity_n of_o these_o record_n before_o i_o leave_v this_o head_n of_o my_o discourse_n i_o will_v here_o add_v the_o testimony_n of_o pagan_a and_o profane_a author_n concern_v this_o great_a lawgiver_n moses_n the_o first_o penman_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v still_o in_o prosecution_n of_o what_o i_o undertake_v to_o show_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o with_o they_o their_o author_n and_o penman_n be_v attest_v by_o profane_a writer_n it_o appear_v first_o from_o what_o these_o have_v say_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n and_o that_o he_o be_v what_o his_o write_n represent_v he_o to_o be_v this_o be_v he_o that_o be_v call_v by_o orpheus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d allude_v to_o his_o name_n mosheh_n exod._n 2._o 10._o which_o be_v give_v he_o because_o he_o be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o water_n he_o be_v celebrate_v by_o alexander_n polyhistor_n philochorus_n thallus_n appion_n cite_v by_o gent._n justin_n martyr_n by_o manethon_n and_o numenius_n allege_v by_o 4._o origen_n and_o 6._o eusebius_n by_o lysimachus_n and_o molon_n quote_v by_o i._n josephus_n by_o chalcidius_n sanchoniathon_n justin_n pliny_n in_o porphyrius_n moses_n be_v place_v by_o i._n dioâ—orus_n the_o sicilian_a in_o the_o front_n of_o his_o famous_a lawgiver_n only_o a_o little_a disguise_v under_o the_o name_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v there_o say_v to_o have_v receive_v his_o law_n from_o mercury_n and_o why_o from_o mercury_n perhaps_o because_o some_o chronologer_n acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o great_a mercurius_n style_v trismegistus_n the_o ancient_a philosopher_n among_o the_o egyptian_n be_v either_o contemporary_a with_o moses_n or_o be_v think_v to_o have_v live_v about_o his_o time_n but_o st._n augustine_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o note_a book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la that_o this_o 〈◊〉_d be_v nephew_n to_o another_o mâ—râ—urius_n who_o 〈◊〉_d be_v atlas_n the_o famous_a astrologer_n and_o he_o it_o be_v belike_o that_o flourish_v in_o moses_n time_n whâ—â—â—â—_n if_o i_o
may_v be_v suffer_v to_o give_v my_o conjecture_n 〈◊〉_d poet_n do_v very_o â—itly_o relate_v how_o atlas_n bear_v up_o 〈◊〉_d heavons_fw-fr when_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o mean_v 〈◊〉_d moses_n who_o give_v we_o the_o authentic_a record_n 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n creation_n and_o begin_v his_o history_n with_o the_o production_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o tâ—â—â—_n atlas_n that_o support_v the_o sphere_n nay_o he_o may_v be_v right_o say_v not_o only_o to_o bear_v up_o the_o heauâ—â—s_n 〈◊〉_d the_o earth_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o sink_v into_o their_o first_o chaos_n by_o transmit_v the_o account_n and_o memory_n of_o they_o to_o all_o posterity_n i_o question_v 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o moses_n be_v represent_v by_o heâ—â—mes_n trismegistus_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o very_a great_a i._n e._n a_o excellent_a man_n and_o such_o none_o caâ—_n deny_v moses_n to_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n interpreter_n be_v appliable_a to_o none_o better_o than_o to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o first_o sacred_a and_o inspire_a interpreter_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o write_v letter_n be_v invent_v by_o this_o hermes_n say_v egypâ—_n jamblichus_a from_o his_o maâ—â—â—â—_n phileb_n plato_n moses_n be_v the_o first_o writer_n may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n diâ—dorus_n also_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o that_o give_v the_o egyptian_n he_o shall_v have_v say_v jew_n but_o those_o mistake_v be_v common_a with_o he_o and_o other_o pagan_a author_n ibid._n write_v law_n and_o that_o â—e_n be_v ibid._n a_o man_n of_o a_o great_a soul_n and_o very_o powerful_a in_o his_o life_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v he_o be_v eclog._n one_o that_o excel_v in_o wisdom_n and_o valour_n 16._o strabo_n make_v honourable_a mention_n of_o this_o great_a â—â—rsonage_n yea_o speak_v not_o only_o of_o he_o but_o of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o with_o great_a respect_n he_o rank_n he_o among_o the_o best_a legislator_n and_o high_o praise_v his_o law_n and_o give_v they_o the_o preeminence_n before_o all_o other_o he_o recite_v some_o of_o his_o say_n and_o deed_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o leave_v egypt_n and_o come_v into_o syria_n because_o he_o dislike_v the_o egyptian_n for_o their_o make_n and_o worship_v of_o corporeal_a god_n of_o the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o brute_n and_o that_o moses_n profess_v that_o god_n can_v not_o be_v represent_v by_o any_o image_n or_o likeness_n whatsoever_o there_o be_v 5._o other_o gentile_n who_o speak_v of_o moses_n and_o his_o law_n and_o constitution_n and_o they_o will_v have_v be_v more_o favourable_a in_o their_o testimonial_n concern_v he_o if_o their_o heathen_a principle_n have_v not_o biased_a they_o to_o a_o more_o undue_a character_n which_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o philo_n in_o the_o life_n of_o moses_n though_o say_v he_o some_o pagan_a historian_n speak_v of_o he_o yet_o they_o say_v but_o little_a and_o that_o not_o true_o neither_o out_o of_o envy_n it_o be_v likely_a or_o because_o of_o the_o great_a disagreement_n between_o he_o and_o the_o law_n of_o other_o lawgiver_n they_o vouchsafe_v not_o to_o remember_v he_o but_o that_o testimony_n which_o we_o have_v be_v sufficient_a and_o we_o may_v thence_o be_v satisfy_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o most_o authentic_a historian_n and_o the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n and_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o what_o they_o say_v that_o his_o law_n be_v the_o first_o and_o give_v beginning_n to_o all_o otherâ—_n the_o famous_a lawgiver_n and_o politician_n among_o the_o grecian_n as_o lycurgus_n and_o solon_n have_v the_o main_a of_o their_o politic_n from_o moses_n law_n whence_o afterward_o the_o roman_n take_v some_o of_o they_o and_o as_o moses_n receive_v his_o law_n immediate_o from_o god_n so_o in_o imitation_n of_o he_o the_o great_a lawgiver_n say_v they_o have_v they_o from_o some_o deity_n as_o numa_n from_o aegeria_n minos_n from_o jupiter_n lycurgus_n from_o apollo_n zabeucus_fw-la from_o minerva_n etc._n etc._n still_o this_o establish_v our_o notion_n that_o the_o write_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v rise_v to_o many_o thing_n among_o the_o pagan_n which_o i_o will_v yet_o far_o pursue_v chap._n vi_o profane_a writer_n testify_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o particular_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n viz._n the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o the_o canaanite_n the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o jephthah_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n sampson_n loss_n of_o his_o hair_n the_o fox_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o against_o the_o philistine_n elias_n rapture_n to_o heaven_n some_o passage_n relate_v to_o king_n solomon_n king_n hiram_n etc._n etc._n the_o sun_n be_v go_v back_o in_o king_n hezekiah_n time_n nebuchadnezzar_n transformation_n into_o a_o beast_n his_o dream_n of_o a_o image_n with_o a_o golden_a head_n etc._n etc._n next_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o heathen_n have_v their_o deity_n from_o the_o old_a testament_n their_o saturn_n be_v adam_n their_o minerva_n be_v eve_n their_o jupiter_n cain_n their_o vulcan_n tubal-cain_n their_o bacchus_n as_o also_o their_o saturn_n and_o janus_n noah_n their_o apis_n joseph_n their_o mercury_n and_o bacchus_n moses_n their_o hercules_n joshua_n and_o samson_n their_o apollo_n jubal_n their_o ganymed_n elias_n etc._n etc._n â—venthly_a some_o other_o thing_n which_o the_o old_a testament_n acquaint_v we_o happen_v after_o 〈◊〉_d give_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n till_o the_o babylonian_a 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o profane_a writer_n we_o read_v in_o numb_a 13._o 33._o of_o the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o canaanites_n who_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o anak_n 〈◊〉_d in_o deut._n 9_o 2._o jos._n 11._o 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v call_v anakim_v be_v there_o not_o some_o prob_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d daridae_fw-la or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o there_o be_v more_o than_o câ—stor_n and_o pollux_n that_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n 3_o tully_n will_v inform_v you_o who_o by_o the_o greek_n wâ—â—_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o theodorâ—t_n several_a author_n acquaint_v 〈◊〉_d have_v their_o name_n from_o those_o great_a man_n who_o wâ—â—â—_n the_o offspring_n of_o anak_n these_o be_v drive_v josuaâ—_n out_o of_o palestine_n when_o he_o overcome_v 〈◊〉_d country_n it_o be_v likely_a go_v into_o greece_n and_o froâ—_n they_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o athens_n and_o sparta_n descend_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o name_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v give_v not_o only_o to_o the_o tyndaridae_n but_o all_o great_a mâ—â—_n and_o prince_n i_o will_v add_v that_o it_o be_v probable_a thâ—_n word_n give_v origination_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signiâ—â—â—_n great_a and_o principal_a man_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v from_o that_o miracle_n in_o jos._n 10._o 13._o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d stand_v still_o perhaps_o the_o poet_n fiction_n arise_v concern_v the_o night_n double_v or_o treble_v by_o jupitâ—â—_n for_o alcmena_n sake_n for_o as_o have_v be_v suggesâ—â—â—_n already_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n when_o they_o get_v a_o story_n by_o the_o end_n make_v what_o they_o please_v of_o it_o and_o turn_v it_o into_o quite_o another_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o rumour_n of_o that_o strange_a accident_n have_v come_v to_o their_o ear_n and_o they_o present_o turn_v it_o into_o a_o fable_n and_o who_o shall_v stop_v the_o course_n of_o the_o suâ—_n but_o jupiter_n the_o supreme_a god_n and_o after_o the_o raâ—â—_n that_o they_o represent_v their_o god_n that_o which_o be_v further_o add_v be_v apposite_a enough_o for_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v lewd_a and_o obscene_a and_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o all_o lustful_a practice_n now_o when_o the_o sun_n stand_v still_o in_o one_o hemisphere_n the_o other_o want_v his_o presence_n and_o light_n and_o â—o_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o double_a night_n for_o the_o sun_n be_v â—â—aying_v here_o so_o long_o but_o you_o shall_v have_v another_o fable_n short_o that_o will_v speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n porphyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o sanchoniathon_n have_v his_o historical_a narration_n and_o secret_n from_o one_o jerombaal_n priest_n of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o show_v that_o that_o historian_n have_v his_o matter_n from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n the_o hebrew_n fountain_n of_o truth_n though_o he_o oftentimes_o corrupt_v they_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o have_v partly_o learn_v the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a god_n from_o the_o hebrew_n or_o their_o write_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v jehovah_n the_o true_a god_n who_o the_o jew_n worship_v as_o i_o shall_v â—â—â—w_v more_o afterward_o beside_o from_o
renown_a act_n of_o several_a of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o first_o worthy_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v a_o great_a establish_n of_o our_o faith_n that_o those_o pagan_n derive_v so_o many_o thing_n from_o scripture_n the_o gentile_a writer_n vouch_v a_o great_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n wherefore_o we_o must_v needs_o embrace_v it_o when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o such_o disinterest_v person_n 3._o we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o wonderful_a providence_n of_o god_n in_o this_o matter_n behold_v the_o scripture_n be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o never_o own_v its_o authority_n yea_o the_o very_a enemy_n of_o these_o holy_a write_n ratify_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o the_o heathen_a poet_n whilst_o they_o corrupt_v divine_a truth_n assert_v it_o their_o very_a lie_n and_o fiction_n bear_v witness_n to_o the_o sacred_a verity_n their_o fable_n confirm_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o bible_n this_o be_v the_o lord_n be_v do_v here_o the_o great_a and_o overrule_v wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v see_v here_o his_o almighty_a power_n in_o baâ—â—ing_v satan_n contrivance_n and_o design_n may_v be_v discern_v he_o as_o be_v say_v before_o intend_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o silence_v of_o the_o truth_n the_o exalt_v of_o himself_o and_o the_o advance_v of_o his_o kingdom_n but_o the_o alwise_a and_o powerful_a moderator_n of_o the_o world_n disappoint_v his_o design_n and_o make_v this_o thing_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o serviceable_a and_o beneficial_a to_o religion_n he_o make_v it_o become_v a_o argument_n of_o its_o antiquity_n reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n against_o the_o cavil_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n 4._o henceforth_o we_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o write_n of_o profane_a author_n we_o have_v this_o considerable_a advantage_n by_o read_v the_o work_v of_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n and_o by_o peruse_v their_o story_n and_o fable_n that_o we_o shall_v find_v some_o great_a thing_n couch_v in_o they_o than_o the_o bare_a narrative_n for_o these_o writer_n borrow_a many_o thing_n from_o the_o holy_a book_n their_o break_a story_n be_v oftentime_o a_o imperfect_a account_n of_o scripture_n relation_n sundry_a thing_n in_o their_o write_n be_v gather_v out_o of_o the_o divine_a volume_n but_o be_v strange_o wrest_v pervertrd_n and_o obscure_v by_o have_v new_a name_n and_o â—eigned_a circumstance_n affix_v to_o they_o almost_o all_o the_o gentile_a fable_n and_o theology_n flow_v from_o a_o deprave_a sense_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n the_o poet_n disguise_n true_a story_n with_o many_o fiction_n and_o some_o relic_n of_o divine_a truth_n be_v bury_v under_o their_o ingenuous_a fancy_n and_o fabulous_a narration_n ovid_n transcribe_v the_o greek_a theology_n from_o orpheus_n homer_n hesiod_n and_o other_o ancient_a poet_n and_o these_o have_v it_o from_o the_o bible_n the_o very_a poetic_a fiction_n refer_v unto_o real_a story_n and_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o divine_a source_n of_o truth_n 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be_v deny_v that_o palestine_n afford_v greece_n matter_n of_o fancy_n and_o invention_n the_o pagan_a poet_n be_v befriend_v by_o the_o jew_n athens_n be_v indebt_v to_o jerusalem_n parnassus_n be_v behold_v to_o sinai_n and_o helicon_n to_o jordan_n you_o see_v then_o the_o advantage_n we_o may_v reap_v by_o be_v acquaint_v with_o profane_a writer_n whilst_o we_o look_v further_o than_o the_o outward_a shape_n which_o they_o have_v give_v to_o many_o thing_n and_o search_v into_o that_o truth_n which_o lie_v hide_v under_o it_o even_o the_o sacred_a and_o undoubted_a history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n thus_o we_o may_v make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o far_o high_a and_o better_a end_n than_o they_o be_v intend_v this_o be_v the_o best_a improvement_n that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o they_o to_o see_v the_o true_a source_n of_o what_o be_v write_v by_o they_o to_o understand_v whence_o they_o borrow_v their_o matter_n and_o to_o confirm_v ourselves_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n by_o peruse_v these_o which_o be_v profane_a 5th_o and_o last_o then_o see_v the_o authority_n truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n i_o have_v be_v aim_v at_o i_o have_v prove_v this_o before_o by_o several_a argument_n and_o those_o perhaps_o on_o some_o account_v more_o force_v and_o convictive_a than_o this_o but_o i_o think_v good_a to_o add_v this_o to_o they_o as_o no_o contemptible_a way_n of_o prove_v the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v evidence_v from_o heathen_a writer_n not_o only_o historian_n but_o philosopher_n and_o poet_n a_o man_n may_v by_o compare_v these_o with_o the_o sacred_a volume_n find_v out_o the_o original_a of_o the_o pagan_a tradition_n and_o fiction_n and_o observe_v the_o lineament_n of_o true_a and_o unquestionable_a history_n among_o they_o hence_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n and_o thing_n in_o be_v as_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o the_o passage_n and_o transaction_n there_o mention_v be_v real_a and_o true_a this_o admirable_o serve_v to_o evince_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o write_n this_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n of_o holy_a writ_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n i._n e._n as_o infallible_a chap._n x._o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n confirm_v by_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a writer_n who_o speak_v of_o a_o king_n or_o lord_n that_o shall_v come_v out_o of_o the_o east_n and_o particular_o out_o of_o judaea_n a_o enumeration_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o learned_a concern_v the_o sibylls_n with_o the_o particular_a sentiment_n of_o the_o author_n viz._n that_o the_o content_n of_o their_o verse_n be_v harrow_v from_o the_o old-testament_n and_o that_o those_o woman_n be_v not_o prophetess_n but_o only_o relate_v what_o they_o find_v in_o the_o inspire_a write_n or_o hear_v of_o thence_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n of_o those_o who_o hold_v the_o sibylline_a write_n to_o be_v spurious_a next_o i_o be_o to_o show_v how_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new-testament_n be_v vouch_v and_o confirm_v by_o a_o external_n testimony_n i._n e._n how_o profess_a pagansâ—nd_n â—nd_z jew_n enemy_n to_o christianity_n have_v relate_v â—nd_o assert_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o be_v set_v down_o â—n_o those_o evangelical_n write_n first_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o that_o which_o be_v of_o a_o middle_a nature_n between_o what_o i_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o before_o and_o what_o â—_o be_o now_o to_o engage_v in_o which_o therefore_o may_v apt_o serve_v as_o a_o transition_n from_o one_o to_o the_o other_o i_o â—ean_v the_o belief_n and_o report_n record_v in_o pagan_a writer_n that_o a_o king_n or_o lord_n shall_v come_v from_o the_o â—ast_n and_o do_v great_a and_o mighty_a thing_n this_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o 〈◊〉_d belong_v to_o the_o former_a discourse_n but_o because_o it_o be_v mention_v by_o historian_n that_o be_v after_o christ_n time_n and_o the_o application_n be_v with_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v make_v to_o he_o i_o right_o bring_v it_o in_o here_o it_o be_v i_o say_v a_o constant_a report_n that_o prevail_v about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o afterward_o that_o some_o eminent_a person_n or_o person_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o those_o eastern_a nation_n and_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o world_n we_o find_v 5._o tacitus_n assert_v this_o and_o that_o great_a politician_n and_o statesman_n will_v needs_o have_v it_o fulfil_v in_o vespasian_n and_o titus_n because_o they_o be_v call_v out_o of_o judea_n unto_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n suetonius_n
of_o mesopotamia_n that_o he_o prophesy_v concern_v the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o concern_v the_o come_v of_o christ._n saul_n be_v a_o very_a bad_a man_n yet_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n caiphas_n one_o of_o christ_n judge_n be_v stir_v up_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o prophesy_v concern_v our_o saviour_n death_n and_o why_o may_v not_o god_n inspire_v heathen_a woman_n though_o they_o be_v wicked_a with_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o that_o they_o be_v such_o seem_v to_o appear_v from_o their_o verse_n wherein_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n very_o fond_a and_o superstitious_a and_o so_o indeed_o they_o may_v be_v quote_v by_o the_o roman_a catholic_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o cause_n this_o show_v that_o they_o be_v not_o possessor_n of_o true_a virtue_n and_o goodness_n but_o then_o i_o ask_v this_o can_v we_o think_v that_o the_o choice_a mystery_n of_o religion_n be_v reveal_v to_o they_o if_o they_o be_v wicked_a and_o profane_a will_v god_n vouchsafe_v so_o great_a and_o peculiar_a a_o privilege_n to_o the_o worst_a of_o person_n 3_o therefore_o some_o hold_n that_o these_o pagan_a prophetess_n speak_v not_o by_o a_o good_a but_o evil_a spirit_n the_o devil_n reveal_v these_o thing_n to_o they_o say_v cap._n st._n ambrose_n and_o help_v they_o to_o foretell_v these_o future_a event_n and_o some_o have_v turn_v those_o foresay_a instance_n this_o way_n tell_v we_o that_o baalam_n saul_n and_o caiphas_n prophesy_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o some_o evil_a daemon_n so_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n speak_v truth_n oftentimes_o though_o their_o answer_n come_v from_o the_o infernal_a spirit_n that_o these_o sibylls_n receive_v their_o skill_n from_o satan_n may_v be_v discern_v say_v some_o in_o the_o error_n and_o superstition_n which_o be_v in_o their_o book_n yea_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v countenance_v by_o they_o in_o some_o passage_n which_o occur_v in_o their_o prediction_n but_o then_o this_o may_v be_v say_v to_o baffle_v this_o opinion_n that_o the_o foretell_v of_o such_o future_a contingency_n be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o that_o evil_a spirit_n moreover_o it_o be_v unlikely_a that_o these_o gentile_n be_v they_o inform_v by_o a_o divine_a intelligencer_n but_o especial_o when_o they_o be_v act_v by_o a_o diabolick_a one_o shall_v have_v as_o clear_v nay_o a_o clear_a foresight_n and_o discovery_n of_o christ_n to_o come_v than_o the_o jew_n god_n own_o people_n and_o the_o holy_a man_n among_o they_o have_v 4_o it_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o siâ—yl_n the_o learned_a isaac_n vossius_fw-la that_o the_o sibylline_a verse_n so_o call_v be_v make_v and_o collect_v by_o the_o jew_n this_o he_o assert_v only_o concern_v those_o write_n of_o they_o which_o be_v extant_a before_o christ_n come_n for_o the_o jew_n be_v disperse_v over_o the_o world_n and_o know_v that_o daniel_n seventy_o week_n be_v expire_a be_v stir_v up_o by_o god_n to_o compose_v these_o verse_n thereby_o to_o signify_v to_o the_o gentile_n the_o approach_n of_o christ._n but_o of_o the_o other_o work_v of_o the_o sibylls_n viz._n those_o that_o be_v afterward_o quote_v by_o some_o of_o the_o father_n he_o have_v not_o the_o same_o opinion_n and_o esteem_n but_o think_v they_o be_v make_v and_o compile_v or_o in_o plain_a term_n forge_v by_o some_o christian_n particular_o the_o gnostic_n this_o be_v a_o very_a odd_a account_n of_o the_o sibylls_n and_o show_v that_o the_o learned_a author_n of_o it_o be_v in_o a_o great_a straight_o he_o be_v first_o willing_a to_o reject_v the_o christian_n from_o be_v the_o composer_n of_o those_o write_n which_o some_o have_v assert_v and_o yet_o it_o seem_v afterward_o he_o retract_v that_o sentiment_n and_o be_v not_o unwilling_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o christian_n themselves_o forge_v and_o counterfeit_v these_o sibylline_a oracle_n but_o if_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o author_n of_o some_o part_n of_o these_o write_n than_o i_o ask_v how_o come_v they_o to_o insert_v thing_n savour_v of_o heathen_a superstition_n and_o idolatry_n and_o if_o the_o christian_n be_v compiler_n of_o a_o other_o part_n of_o these_o verse_n how_o come_v they_o to_o insist_v in_o the_o step_n of_o the_o former_a and_o to_o add_v some_o thing_n as_o be_v say_v in_o favour_n of_o those_o pagan_a corruption_n but_o i_o dismiss_v this_o as_o a_o divide_a and_o distracted_a opinion_n beside_o that_o i_o can_v see_v why_o the_o jew_n may_v not_o as_o well_o have_v produce_v the_o bible_n to_o the_o gentile_n for_o it_o have_v be_v translate_v into_o greek_a a_o tongue_n intelligible_a to_o the_o pagan_a world_n a_o long_a time_n before_o our_o saviour_n come_v that_o have_v be_v more_o authentic_a than_o any_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o of_o their_o own_o compose_v in_o the_o five_o and_o last_o place_n i_o take_v leave_n to_o propound_v a_o other_o opinion_n which_o be_v this_o i_o hold_v that_o these_o ancient_a write_n or_o oracle_n be_v not_o make_v by_o jew_n but_o pagan_n and_o particular_o by_o those_o woman_n call_v sibylls_n who_o make_v they_o in_o no_o other_o sense_n than_o this_o that_o they_o take_v they_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old-testament_n and_o turn_v they_o into_o verse_n this_o be_v that_o which_o i_o assert_v as_o most_o consonant_a to_o reason_n and_o it_o be_v a_o far_a proof_n of_o what_o i_o have_v be_v so_o long_o insist_v upon_o viz._n that_o the_o pagan_n borrow_v from_o the_o bible_n i_o be_o not_o solicitous_a whether_o these_o woman_n be_v good_a or_o bad_a whether_o they_o be_v move_v by_o god_n or_o by_o a_o evil_a spirit_n there_o be_v some_o inconvenience_n in_o assert_v of_o either_o side_n but_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a way_n different_a from_o both_o viz._n that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o prophetic_a person_n as_o if_o they_o have_v a_o gift_n of_o foretell_v all_o those_o thing_n they_o speak_v of_o no_o they_o only_o extract_v what_o they_o write_v from_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n therein_o contain_v especial_o from_o that_o of_o isaiah_n and_o so_o indeed_o in_o some_o sense_n their_o write_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o inspire_a for_o whatever_o these_o pagan_n foretold_v be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o they_o take_v from_o the_o inspire_a prophet_n in_o holy_a writ_n they_o be_v instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n with_o those_o that_o i_o have_v so_o often_o produce_v in_o the_o forego_n discourse_n namely_o gentile_a poet_n that_o make_v use_v of_o several_a passage_n in_o the_o sacred_a volume_n and_o insert_v the_o main_a substance_n of_o they_o into_o their_o verse_n and_o as_o those_o heathen_a poet_n mingle_v profane_a notion_n and_o fable_n with_o the_o sacred_a doctrine_n and_o history_n which_o i_o show_v before_o so_o here_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o these_o pagan_a versifier_n mix_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v superstitious_a with_o their_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o the_o old-testament_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o there_o be_v female_a poet_n among_o the_o pagan_n as_o sappho_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o we_o need_v not_o scruple_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o sibylls_n writ_n in_o verse_n indeed_o the_o looseness_n and_o neglectfulness_n of_o the_o style_n show_v that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o some_o easy_a poet_n that_o they_o be_v pagan_a woman_n be_v clear_a from_o the_o frequent_a allegation_n of_o the_o father_n who_o represent_v they_o always_o as_o such_o and_o produce_v the_o write_n of_o these_o pagan_n as_o a_o proper_a confutation_n of_o the_o gentile_n who_o they_o dispute_v against_o and_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v such_o and_o no_o other_o as_o be_v apparent_a from_o what_o you_o shall_v hâ—ar_v afterward_o concern_v erythraea_n and_o the_o cumaean_a sibyl_n now_o concern_v these_o poetic_a pagan_a woman_n i_o assert_v that_o they_o be_v no_o prophetess_n no_o more_o than_o hesiod_n and_o ovid_n and_o other_o pagan_a writer_n beforementioned_a and_o that_o they_o like_o these_o take_v some_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o old-testament_n which_o also_o be_v much_o fame_v and_o talk_v of_o and_o digest_v they_o into_o number_n it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o in_o their_o verse_n there_o be_v very_o notable_a testimony_n concern_v our_o saviour_n there_o be_v mention_v many_o considerable_a circumstance_n of_o his_o birth_n life_n miracle_n passion_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n and_o his_o come_n to_o judgement_n but_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o these_o be_v speak_v by_o they_o from_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n than_o to_o believe_v that_o orpheus_n and_o homer_n be_v inspire_v when_o they_o refer_v to_o some_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n
rome_n which_o nero_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n say_v the_o emperor_n inflict_v the_o most_o exquisite_a punishment_n on_o those_o â—_z 44._o who_o be_v detestable_a for_o their_o villainy_n be_v common_o call_v christian_n from_o the_o author_n of_o that_o name_n christ._n here_o this_o historian_n express_o set_v down_o the_o name_n that_o these_o person_n be_v know_v by_o and_o his_o name_n fâ—om_n who_o they_o take_v it_o this_o be_v christ_n though_o as_o we_o leaâ—n_v from_o 7._o lactantius_n this_o name_n be_v sometime_o a_o little_a alter_v for_o by_o change_v of_o a_o letter_n they_o pronounce_v it_o chre_v thus_o we_o read_v in_o 25._o suetonius_n that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o jew_n from_o rome_n because_o they_o be_v always_o raise_v tumult_n by_o the_o instigation_n of_o one_o chrestus_n the_o 54._o learned_a usher_n indeed_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o here_o be_v not_o mean_v christ_n our_o lord_n but_o some_o other_o who_o true_a and_o right_a name_n be_v chrestus_n 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be_v christian_n be_v find_v to_o be_v person_n of_o another_o persuasion_n for_o upon_o his_o solicitation_n they_o refuse_v not_o to_o curse_v christ._n this_o be_v the_o appellation_n he_o be_v know_v by_o to_o the_o gentile_a historian_n and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a title_n which_o the_o new-testament_n so_o often_o give_v he_o thus_o far_o then_o the_o pagan_n bear_v witness_n to_o the_o gospel_n but_o from_o the_o name_n i_o pass_v to_o the_o person_n and_o his_o action_n and_o most_o of_o the_o great_a and_o notable_a circumstance_n which_o accompany_v his_o birth_n life_n and_o death_n first_o we_o will_v speak_v of_o those_o four_o remarkable_a thing_n which_o attend_v his_o birth_n namely_o the_o particular_a time_n of_o it_o the_o general_n tax_n the_o wonderful_a star_n and_o the_o murder_v of_o the_o infant_n of_o bethlehem_n first_o those_o know_a adversary_n of_o christianity_n the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n testify_v that_o christ_n be_v to_o come_v at_o that_o very_a 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temple_n as_o soon_o as_o simeon_n behold_v he_o he_o forthwith_o acknowledge_v he_o and_o cry_v out_o my_o eye_n have_v see_v thy_o salvation_n this_o be_v that_o simeon_n to_o who_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n have_v reference_n when_o they_o say_v the_o disciple_n of_o hillel_n shall_v not_o fail_v till_o the_o messiah_n come_v for_o this_o simeon_n call_v the_o just_a be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o those_o disciple_n sanhedrim_n rabbi_n hakiba_n the_o wise_a of_o all_o the_o talmudical_a doctor_n interpret_v those_o word_n of_o haggai_n 7._o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n shall_v come_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o the_o learned_a jew_n that_o he_o be_v ardent_o desire_v and_o expect_v not_o only_o by_o that_o people_n but_o by_o all_o nation_n just_a at_o that_o time_n when_o our_o saviour_n come_v for_o this_o be_v the_o great_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v then_o look_v for_o by_o the_o gentile_n out_o of_o the_o east_n this_o be_v that_o universal_a monarch_n who_o be_v expect_v to_o rise_v out_o of_o jury_n of_o who_o i_o speak_v before_o this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o messiah_n the_o christ_n who_o all_o the_o world_n long_v for_o at_o that_o time_n by_o a_o general_a consent_n and_o that_o be_v the_o fullness_n of_o time_n speak_v of_o by_o the_o apostle_n that_o bless_a time_n when_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o woman_n so_o that_o the_o holy_a record_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o those_o of_o pagan_n agree_v in_o this_o another_o circumstance_n of_o christ_n birth_n which_o the_o new_a testament_n take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o tax_n that_o be_v make_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o emperor_n augustus_n and_o this_o also_o be_v record_v by_o the_o gentile_a writer_n which_o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evangelical_n history_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o those_o day_n say_v 1._o st._n luke_n that_o there_o go_v out_o a_o decree_n from_o caesar_n augustus_n that_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v 〈◊〉_d tax_v or_o enrol_v as_o the_o greek_a word_n proper_o denote_v this_o be_v no_o mony-tax_n but_o only_o a_o set_n down_o or_o enrol_v of_o every_o person_n according_a to_o his_o quality_n age_n and_o station_n in_o the_o place_n where_o he_o be_v it_o be_v a_o take_n in_o write_v the_o name_n of_o every_o individual_a man_n it_o be_v a_o number_v the_o people_n and_o register_n the_o true_a value_n of_o their_o estate_n income_n and_o revenue_n and_o way_n of_o get_v their_o livelihood_n a_o late_a christi_fw-la writer_n 〈◊〉_d of_o opinion_n that_o the_o design_n of_o this_o census_n be_v to_o know_v the_o number_n of_o soldier_n and_o what_o â—ighting_v man_n judaea_n afford_v whence_o it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o profane_a writer_n say_v not_o any_o
mention_v by_o 45._o three_o of_o the_o evangelist_n the_o 2._o jewish_a historian_n express_o testify_v and_o he_o be_v as_o good_a a_o witness_n as_o we_o can_v desire_v in_o this_o affair_n chap._n xii_o after_o particular_a testimony_n now_o more_o general_a one_o be_v produce_v as_o that_o of_o pontius_n pilate_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o tiberius_n the_o respect_n which_o this_o emperor_n and_o other_o bear_v to_o christ._n josephus_n famous_a testimony_n concern_v he_o as_o also_o concern_v other_o mention_v in_o the_o new-testament_n attestation_n of_o pagan_n concern_v st._n paul_n st._n peter_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o acts._n all_o christ_n prediction_n about_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n confirm_v by_o heathen_n and_o jew_n what_o pliny_n and_o trajan_n relate_v of_o the_o christian_n mahomet_n bear_v witness_n to_o christ._n thus_o you_o have_v particular_a testimony_n as_o to_o those_o three_o great_a thing_n our_o saviour_n birth_n life_n and_o death_n now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o have_v general_a testimony_n to_o produce_v there_o be_v some_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a witness_n that_o confirm_v all_o these_o yea_o and_o more_o than_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o testify_v namely_o christ_n resurrection_n as_o other_o governor_n and_o deputy_n of_o province_n use_v to_o send_v a_o account_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o senate_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o happen_v in_o their_o province_n so_o pontius_n pilate_n procurator_n of_o judea_n do_v the_o like_a and_o his_o relation_n be_v the_o more_o valuable_a because_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o person_n who_o condemn_v our_o saviour_n to_o death_n his_o letter_n or_o letter_n rather_o there_o be_v two_o of_o they_o to_o the_o emperor_n tiberius_n soon_o after_o christ_n death_n give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o life_n miracle_n crucifixion_n and_o rise_v to_o life_n again_o and_o as_o public_a act_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v transmit_v and_o reserve_v in_o the_o imperial_a archive_v so_o these_o be_v keep_v there_o whence_o the_o christian_a father_n have_v they_o hegesippus_n a_o ancient_a champion_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n make_v use_v of_o they_o against_o the_o pagan_n as_o we_o be_v inform_v from_o 2._o eusebius_n gentes_fw-la justin_n martyr_n tell_v the_o roman_a emperor_n that_o as_o for_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o act_n of_o or_o under_o pontius_n pilate_n and_o refer_v they_o to_o those_o as_o satisfactory_a and_o undeniable_a tertullian_n with_o great_a boldness_n allege_v the_o same_o record_n as_o a_o sufficient_a confirmation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o apology_n c._n 5._o &_o 21._o whereupon_o apost_n one_o of_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o age_n conclude_v that_o this_o ancient_a father_n find_v this_o among_o the_o act_n of_o the_o roman_a senate_n where_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v set_v down_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v say_v he_o that_o pontius_n pilate_n send_v this_o account_n to_o tiberius_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v the_o constant_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o governor_n and_o deputy_n of_o province_n to_o transmit_v the_o relation_n of_o every_o remarkable_a occurrence_n to_o the_o emperor_n by_o who_o they_o be_v place_v in_o those_o station_n for_o this_o purpose_n viz._n to_o inform_v they_o concern_v the_o affair_n of_o those_o particular_a place_n now_o the_o crucify_a of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o rise_n again_o be_v certain_o very_o considerable_a and_o remarkable_a passage_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o pilate_n as_o procurator_n of_o judea_n send_v the_o emperor_n a_o relation_n of_o they_o on_o which_o account_n this_o judicious_a writer_n assert_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o there_o be_v other_o argument_n which_o he_o use_v to_o enforce_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o which_o be_v worth_a the_o consult_v thus_o it_o plain_o appear_v from_o the_o forementioned_a father_n that_o there_o be_v such_o letter_n from_o pilate_n to_o tiberius_n and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n extant_a at_o that_o time_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v make_v their_o appeal_n to_o they_o in_o their_o apology_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v call_v upon_o the_o emperor_n to_o consult_v their_o own_o record_n which_o testify_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o action_n wherefore_o i_o look_v upon_o cent._n du_n pin_n judgement_n as_o flat_a here_o who_o say_v that_o though_o this_o relation_n can_v be_v absolute_o charge_v with_o falsehood_n yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v as_o doubtful_a ibid._n tertullian_n add_v and_o from_o he_o eusebius_n that_o tiberius_n will_v have_v put_v christ_n into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o god_n upon_o pilat_n write_v such_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o concern_v he_o he_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o senate_n desire_v they_o to_o rank_v he_o among_o those_o that_o be_v worship_v and_o deify_v but_o the_o senate_n refuse_v it_o because_o they_o themselves_o do_v not_o first_o order_n and_o approve_v of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o old_a roman_a law_n that_o no_o god_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o by_o the_o emperor_n unless_o first_o approve_v of_o by_o the_o senate_n for_o this_o reason_n only_o they_o reject_v christ_n from_o be_v admit_v among_o the_o go_n however_o the_o emperor_n still_o retain_v the_o same_o reverence_n and_o esteem_n of_o christ_n as_o a_o most_o divine_a person_n and_o in_o honour_n to_o he_o favour_v the_o christian_n and_o by_o tiberii_n edict_n order_v that_o none_o shall_v accuse_v and_o disturb_v they_o mere_o for_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n annex_v a_o severe_a penalty_n on_o such_o as_o dare_v to_o transgress_v this_o edict_n nay_o tertullian_n and_o other_o father_n assure_v we_o that_o he_o have_v so_o great_a a_o reverence_n for_o christ_n that_o he_o intend_v to_o erect_v a_o temple_n to_o he_o this_o be_v from_o that_o information_n which_o pilate_n send_v he_o concern_v our_o saviour_n i_o may_v mention_v the_o kindness_n which_o other_o emperor_n have_v for_o christ_n as_o no_o contemptible_a testimony_n to_o that_o purpose_n which_o i_o design_v this_o discourse_n for_o 51._o lampridius_n report_v that_o alexander_n severus_n worship_v our_o lord_n and_o have_v his_o picture_n in_o great_a veneration_n and_o that_o he_o have_v thought_n of_o erect_v a_o temple_n to_o he_o and_o take_v he_o into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o go_n which_o adrian_n likewise_o he_o say_v intend_v to_o have_v do_v but_o be_v hinder_v from_o it_o by_o be_v tell_v that_o all_o will_v turn_v christian_n and_o the_o temple_n consecrate_a to_o the_o other_o god_n will_v be_v forsake_v these_o be_v ample_a attestation_n of_o pagan_n concern_v christ_n and_o which_o be_v great_a they_o be_v their_o approbation_n of_o he_o next_o i_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o famous_a jew_n who_o i_o have_v so_o often_o make_v mention_n of_o who_o forty_o or_o fifty_o year_n after_o some_o of_o the_o evangelical_n write_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n affair_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o of_o many_o thing_n relate_v to_o he_o among_o other_o passage_n he_o have_v this_o memorable_a one_o 4._o at_o this_o time_n say_v he_o there_o be_v one_o jesus_n a_o wise_a man_n if_o i_o may_v call_v he_o a_o man_n for_o he_o do_v most_o wonderful_a work_n and_o be_v a_o teacher_n of_o thâ—se_a who_o receive_v the_o truth_n with_o delight_n he_o bring_v many_o to_o his_o persuasion_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n this_o be_v christ_n who_o though_o he_o be_v by_o the_o instigation_n of_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o our_o nation_n and_o by_o pilate_n '_o be_v doom_n hang_v on_o the_o cross_n yet_o those_o who_o love_v he_o at_o first_o do_v not_o cease_v to_o do_v so_o for_o he_o come_v to_o life_n again_o the_o three_o day_n and_o appear_v to_o they_o the_o divine_a prophet_n have_v foretold_v these_o and_o infinite_a other_o wonder_n of_o he_o and_o to_o this_o day_n remain_v that_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o have_v from_o he_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n both_o eusebius_n and_o st._n jerom_n allege_v this_o famous_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v christ_n as_o a_o undeniable_a confirmation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o writer_n place_n this_o jew_n among_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n because_o he_o speak_v of_o our_o saviour_n with_o this_o great_a respect_n a_o 44._o late_a writer_n have_v a_o great_a many_o idle_a foolish_a cavil_n against_o this_o so_o notable_a a_o memorial_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o bless_a lord_n he_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n write_v against_o the_o jew_n make_v no_o
this_o simon_n go_v under_o the_o fabulous_a name_n of_o icarus_n the_o famous_a flyer_n among_o the_o poet_n 12._o this_o person_n faith_n he_o at_o his_o very_a first_o attempt_n fall_v down_o near_o the_o emperor_n bedchamber_n and_o besprinkle_v he_o with_o his_o blood_n the_o representation_n of_o icarus_n in_o that_o play_n which_o nero_n expose_v to_o the_o people_n may_v be_v a_o mistake_n of_o the_o true_a story_n of_o simon_n magus_n who_o downfall_n happen_v at_o rome_n in_o that_o emperor_n reign_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n may_v well_o be_v remark_v in_o his_o life_n by_o this_o historian_n but_o this_o be_v propound_v in_o way_n of_o conjecture_n only_o thus_o i_o have_v brief_o show_v what_o some_o heathen_a witness_n testify_v concern_v st._n john_n our_o saviour_n forerunner_n and_o concern_v those_o chieif_a apostle_n st._n james_n paul_n and_o peter_n who_o be_v so_o often_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o new-testament_n which_o be_v a_o far_a confirmation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a viz._n that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o new-testament_n be_v vouch_v by_o those_o who_o be_v the_o great_a adversary_n of_o they_o i_o pass_v to_o another_o historical_a matter_n record_v in_o these_o sacred_a write_n viz._n the_o universal_a famine_n foretold_v by_o agabus_n act_v 11._o 28._o which_o if_o you_o will_v credit_v pagan_a historian_n happen_v in_o according_o the_o four_o year_n of_o claudius_n reign_n and_o be_v over_o all_o the_o world_n in_o the_o six_o year_n 60._o dion_z cassius_z who_o have_v compile_v his_o history_n out_o of_o the_o fasti_fw-la of_o rome_n through_o the_o several_a year_n speak_v of_o this_o famine_n under_o that_o emperor_n and_o mention_n his_o great_a care_n of_o the_o city_n that_o the_o inhabitant_n may_v not_o be_v starve_v so_o 18._o suetonius_n commend_v he_o for_o his_o diligence_n and_o providence_n in_o furnish_v the_o city_n with_o provision_n 3_o josephus_n also_o mention_n this_o grievous_a famine_n in_o claudius_n day_n with_o some_o particular_a circumstance_n and_o accident_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n luke_n concern_v the_o relief_n which_o be_v send_v at_o that_o time_n by_o the_o disciple_n at_o antioch_n to_o the_o brethren_n in_o judea_n that_o be_v a_o place_n where_o the_o famine_n exceed_o rage_v thus_o we_o find_v that_o of_o eusebius_n to_o be_v true_a who_o speak_v of_o this_o dreadful_a famine_n record_v in_o the_o act_n tell_v we_o that_o 8._o even_o those_o writer_n who_o be_v averse_a from_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v deliver_v the_o same_o in_o their_o history_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o undertake_v be_v to_o treat_v of_o christ_n prediction_n concern_v the_o overthrow_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v upon_o it_o and_o to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v express_o confirm_v by_o heathen_n and_o jew_n in_o the_o 24_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n and_o the_o 21_o of_o st._n luke_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n both_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o the_o whole_a nation_n yea_o with_o some_o remarkable_a consequence_n of_o it_o though_o i_o know_v these_o chapter_n have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v apply_v another_o way_n viz._n as_o a_o description_n of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v elsewhere_o there_o be_v a_o primary_n and_o secondary_a meaning_n of_o this_o chapter_n as_o well_o as_o of_o some_o other_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v i_o say_v first_o foretold_v that_o many_o shall_v come_v in_o christ_n name_n say_v i_o be_o christ_n and_o shall_v deceive_v many_o v_o 5._o and_o again_o v_o 11_o many_o false_a prophet_n shall_v rise_v and_o shall_v deceive_v many_o i._n e._n they_o shall_v pretend_v to_o be_v messiasses_n and_o deliverer_n of_o the_o people_n though_o indeed_o they_o be_v very_a impostor_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o 12._o josephus_n will_v inform_v you_o who_o relate_v that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a number_n of_o these_o pretender_n and_o mock-saviours_n that_o draw_v the_o people_n after_o they_o particular_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o certain_a egyptian_a in_o felix_n time_n and_o of_o theudas_n when_o vadus_fw-la be_v procurator_n and_o of_o judas_n the_o gaulanite_n which_o two_o last_n some_o think_v be_v not_o the_o theudas_n and_o judas_n speak_v of_o by_o gamaliel_n act_v 5._o 36_o 37._o but_o other_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o these_o be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o only_o that_o josephus_n mistake_v a_o gaulanite_n for_o a_o galilean_a and_o be_v also_o mistake_v in_o the_o time_n for_o he_o say_v judas_n be_v in_o the_o the_o reign_n of_o archelaus_n if_o so_o this_o impostor_n can_v be_v mean_v in_o this_o 24_o of_o st._n matthew_n but_o i_o will_v not_o stand_v now_o to_o dispute_v whether_o there_o be_v two_o judasses_n and_o two_o theudasses_n or_o whether_o st._n luke_n and_o iosephus_n judas_n and_o theudas_n be_v the_o same_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n that_o these_o and_o other_o seducer_n and_o disturber_n arise_v and_o stir_v up_o the_o people_n to_o sedition_n and_o draw_v many_o after_o they_o in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messias_n come_n and_o partly_o pretend_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v he._n so_o it_o be_v after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n there_o rise_v up_o jonathas_n barchochebas_n who_o be_v the_o most_o famous_a of_o those_o impostor_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o 31._o josephus_n and_o other_o as_o a_o great_a ringleader_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o adrian_n time_n he_o confident_o profess_v himself_o the_o messiah_n apply_v baalam_n prophecy_n to_o himself_o num._n 24._o 17._o a_o star_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o jacob_n his_o name_n barchochab_n which_o signify_v the_o son_n of_o a_o star_n be_v not_o a_o little_a serviceable_a to_o this_o imposture_n he_o prevail_v on_o a_o great_a number_n of_o people_n to_o adhere_v to_o he_o by_o his_o invite_a promise_n and_o persuade_v they_o he_o be_v to_o be_v their_o deliverer_n yea_o he_o bring_v over_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o learned_a jew_n to_o he_o not_o only_o in_o judea_n but_o in_o greece_n and_o egypt_n but_o he_o and_o his_o party_n be_v vanquish_v by_o the_o emperor_n the_o jew_n no_o long_o call_v he_o barchochab_n but_o change_v his_o name_n into_o barchozab_n the_o son_n of_o a_o lie_n a_o false_a prophet_n a_o lie_a impostor_n divers_a other_o in_o those_o day_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o name_n of_o messiah_n and_o say_v they_o be_v to_o restore_v the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o to_o that_o end_n lead_v people_n after_o they_o into_o the_o desert_n for_o in_o such_o place_n the_o pretend_a prophet_n and_o leader_n draw_v up_o their_o force_n as_o the_o fit_a rendesvouz_n for_o they_o as_o josephus_n faith_n in_o several_a place_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n in_o this_o chapter_n vers_fw-la 26._o if_o they_o shall_v say_v unto_o you_o behold_v he_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n go_v not_o forth_o to_o they_o again_o war_n and_o rumour_n of_o war_n be_v foretold_v to_o be_v the_o forerunner_n and_o attendant_n of_o that_o fatal_a time_n which_o shall_v befall_v jerusalem_n v_o 6._o of_o this_o we_o have_v plentiful_a mention_n in_o the_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a history_n those_o be_v proper_o rumour_n of_o war_n when_o caius_n threaten_v the_o jew_n and_o offer_v to_o set_v up_o his_o image_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o which_o tacitus_n josephus_n and_o philo_n speak_v tell_v we_o in_o what_o consternation_n the_o jew_n both_o in_o alexandria_n and_o judea_n be_v at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v actual_a war_n when_o those_o slaughter_n be_v commit_v on_o the_o jew_n in_o caius_n time_n at_o alexandria_n and_o babylon_n of_o which_o 12._o josephus_n make_v mention_v likewise_o when_o 13._o upon_o the_o cruelty_n of_o cestius_n florus_n the_o precedent_n of_o judea_n there_o be_v a_o rebellion_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o roman_n in_o the_o twelve_o year_n of_o nero_n reign_n and_o a_o open_a war_n follow_v that_o rebellion_n which_o be_v the_o first_o occasion_n of_o their_o final_a overthrow_n by_o the_o roman_a army_n who_o come_v soon_o after_o and_o sit_v down_o before_o their_o city_n or_o by_o war_n and_o commotion_n for_o so_o st._n 9_o luke_n word_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v those_o civil_a war_n and_o intestine_a broil_n among_o the_o jew_n themselves_o of_o which_o we_o read_v in_o 2._o josephus_n and_o other_o jewish_a record_n of_o those_o time_n there_o we_o may_v be_v inform_v concern_v the_o tumult_n of_o the_o seditious_a and_o the_o zealot_n the_o former_a be_v those_o that_o endeavour_v to_o cast_v off_o the_o roman_a yoke_n and_o in_o order_n to_o
the_o uppermost_a part_n of_o the_o foundation_n which_o they_o can_v convenient_o come_v at_o and_o then_o tear_v up_o the_o ground_n with_o a_o plough_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o custom_n among_o the_o roman_n to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o plough_n when_o they_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o city_n so_o they_o dig_v up_o the_o ground_n in_o the_o like_a manner_n when_o they_o destroy_v it_o the_o jew_n themselves_o record_v this_o we_o find_v both_o in_o the_o talmudick_n chronicle_n and_o in_o r._n maâ—monides_n as_o dr._n matth._n lightfoot_n assure_v we_o that_o jerusalem_n be_v plough_v up_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o it_o at_o which_o time_n there_o be_v a_o literal_a accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n of_o micaâ—_n c._n 3._o v._n 12._o zion_n shall_v be_v plough_v as_o a_o field_n afterward_o in_o adrian_n reign_n the_o jew_n rebel_a under_o the_o conduct_n of_o barchocâ—ab_n as_o have_v be_v say_v the_o emperor_n cause_v all_o the_o remain_a footstep_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n to_o be_v deface_v and_o demolish_v and_o command_v the_o three_o tower_n which_o by_o titus_n order_n be_v leave_v stand_v to_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o then_o strew_v the_o city_n with_o salt_n nay_o the_o very_a name_n of_o the_o city_n be_v extinguish_v for_o adrian_n after_o this_o total_a desolation_n cause_v the_o city_n to_o be_v build_v anew_o but_o much_o more_o contract_v than_o before_o call_v it_o by_o his_o own_o name_n aelia_n and_o here_o he_o set_v up_o the_o heathen_a worship_n and_o in_o deâ—iance_n and_o abhorrence_n of_o judaism_n erect_v the_o image_n of_o a_o sow_n over_o one_o of_o the_o great_a gate_n of_o the_o city_n and_o after_o this_o when_o julian_n out_o of_o that_o hatred_n and_o malice_n which_o he_o bear_v to_o the_o christian_n and_o their_o religion_n set_v the_o jew_n on_o work_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n 3._o lo_o a_o terrible_a earthquake_n spoil_v all_o and_o those_o stone_n of_o the_o foundation_n which_o lie_v unmoved_a before_o be_v now_o throw_v out_o of_o their_o place_n then_o be_v those_o word_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n exact_o fulfil_v there_o shall_v not_o be_v leave_v here_o one_o stone_n upon_o another_o that_o shall_v not_o be_v throw_v down_o v_o 2._o last_o i_o will_v add_v this_o that_o this_o direful_a and_o tragical_a end_n of_o the_o holy_a city_n be_v usher_v in_o with_o several_a strange_a spectacle_n and_o sign_n according_a to_o our_o saviour_n prediction_n not_o only_o in_o this_o chapter_n v._n 29._o but_o in_o mark_n 13._o 24._o luke_n 21._o 25._o and_o even_o these_o be_v particular_o mention_v and_o describe_v by_o jewish_a and_o pagan_a author_n jerusalem_n be_v compass_v with_o army_n in_o the_o sky_n as_o well_o as_o with_o those_o below_o of_o these_o strange_a sight_n the_o chief_a roman_a historian_n speak_v say_v 5._o there_o be_v army_n see_v in_o the_o air_n encounter_v one_o another_o that_o their_o weapon_n be_v exceed_o bright_a and_o glister_a and_o that_o the_o temple_n seem_v to_o be_v all_o of_o a_o light_n by_o the_o continual_a flashing_n of_o the_o cloud_n and_o he_o proceed_v to_o enumerate_v other_o prodigious_a accident_n which_o be_v the_o presage_n of_o jerusalem_n destruction_n thus_o the_o twenty-fourth_a of_o st._n matthew_n and_o the_o other_o parallel_a chapter_n in_o st._n luke_n which_o treat_v of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o jerusalem_n destruction_n and_o the_o destruction_n itself_o may_v be_v particular_o make_v good_a out_o of_o mere_a heathen_a writer_n who_o know_v nothing_o of_o christ_n prediction_n concern_v it_o but_o not_o only_o of_o these_o but_o of_o all_o the_o other_o strange_a apparition_n voices_z and_o portentous_a event_n 12._o josephus_n give_v we_o a_o particular_a account_n in_o a_o entire_a chapter_n on_o this_o subject_a there_o you_o will_v find_v that_o the_o prognostic_n of_o jerusalem_n destruction_n the_o sign_n and_o token_n in_o heaven_n or_o earth_n which_o the_o evangelist_n speak_v of_o be_v faithful_o record_v by_o that_o jewish_a historian_n i_o have_v yet_o another_o evidence_n to_o exhibit_v and_o that_o be_v concern_v christ_n follower_n and_o servant_n in_o the_o age_n next_o after_o he_o whence_o it_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o relation_n give_v by_o a_o profess_a heathen_a what_o the_o christian_n be_v and_o by_o a_o fair_a and_o rational_a deduction_n we_o may_v gather_v what_o manner_n of_o person_n they_o be_v at_o the_o very_a first_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o evangelical_n history_n represent_v they_o aright_o 97._o pliny_n the_o young_a write_v to_o trajan_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o practice_n of_o these_o person_n for_o he_o be_v proconsul_n of_o bythinia_n in_o that_o emperor_n time_n and_o appoint_v by_o he_o to_o inspect_v the_o carriage_n of_o the_o christian_n he_o be_v careful_a to_o inform_v himself_o of_o that_o matter_n thereby_o to_o gratify_v his_o master_n who_o have_v employ_v he_o according_o he_o tell_v how_o strange_o that_o religion_n increase_v and_o gather_v strength_n every_o day_n in_o that_o province_n and_o that_o not_o only_o great_a city_n but_o town_n and_o village_n be_v fill_v with_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o and_o in_o proportion_n to_o this_o that_o the_o pagan_a worship_n daily_o decrease_v he_o testify_v how_o resolute_a and_o constant_a they_o be_v in_o their_o profession_n for_o he_o say_v he_o have_v some_o person_n before_o he_o under_o examination_n who_o be_v accuse_v of_o be_v follower_n of_o christ_n but_o he_o present_o find_v they_o to_o be_v no_o christian_n because_o they_o be_v so_o ready_a upon_o his_o suggestion_n to_o adore_v the_o emperor_n image_n and_o even_o to_o curse_v christ_n himself_o which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n to_o he_o he_o say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o christiani_n christian_n indeed_o for_o he_o have_v be_v imform_v he_o tell_v the_o emperor_n that_o person_n of_o that_o character_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v force_v to_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n but_o that_o they_o be_v immovable_a and_o unshaken_a in_o their_o religion_n last_o he_o give_v some_o account_n from_o their_o own_o mouth_n and_o confession_n of_o their_o way_n of_o religion_n and_o how_o devout_o they_o serve_v god_n and_o that_o they_o worship_v christ_n as_o such_o then_o there_o be_v also_o trajan_n rescript_n to_o pliny_n concern_v the_o christian_n wherein_o he_o express_v it_o to_o be_v his_o pleasure_n that_o these_o person_n shall_v no_o long_o be_v under_o the_o inquisition_n i._n e._n they_o shall_v not_o be_v seek_v for_o to_o be_v punish_v notwithstanding_o their_o steadfastness_n and_o pervicaciousness_n as_o pliny_n have_v represent_v it_o in_o their_o religion_n for_o he_o be_v satisfy_v of_o their_o good_a moral_a quality_n and_o that_o they_o be_v neither_o perjure_a person_n nor_o sacrilegious_a nor_o adulterer_n nor_o homicide_n nor_o malefactor_n of_o any_o 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alcoran_n on_o the_o ground_n take_v it_o up_o and_o kiss_v it_o and_o deposit_v it_o in_o some_o safe_a place_n affirm_v it_o to_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n to_o suffer_v that_o wherein_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o mahomet_n law_n be_v write_v to_o be_v tread_v under_o foot_n and_o shall_v not_o we_o christian_n high_o value_v and_o reverence_v the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n which_o enrich_v we_o with_o that_o sublime_a and_o supernatural_a learning_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n the_o conduct_n of_o our_o manner_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o our_o life_n chap._n ii_o the_o bible_n be_v furnish_v with_o all_o sort_n ofhumane_a as_o well_o as_o divine_a learning_n hebrew_n wherein_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v the_o primitive_a language_n of_o the_o world_n the_o true_a origine_fw-la of_o the_o world_n be_v plain_o record_v in_o no_o other_o write_n but_o these_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n be_v a_o real_a history_n and_o record_v matter_n of_o â—act_n it_o be_v large_o prove_v that_o the_o mosaic_a history_n give_v we_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o the_o several_a nation_n and_o people_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o of_o the_o place_n of_o their_o habitation_n also_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n and_o the_o increase_v of_o it_o and_o the_o different_a change_n it_o undergo_v be_v derive_v from_o these_o write_n the_o court_n of_o judicature_n and_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o punishment_n among_o the_o jew_n distinct_o treat_v of_o the_o government_n among_o the_o heathen_a nation_n the_o four_o celebrate_a monarchy_n or_o empire_n of_o the_o world_n i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o general_n head_n of_o my_o discourse_n viz._n the_o universal_a vsefulness_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o to_o thing_n that_o be_v temporal_a and_o secular_a not_o only_o all_o religious_a divine_a and_o save_v knowledge_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v hence_o but_o that_o likewise_o which_o be_v natural_a and_o humane_a and_o belong_v to_o the_o world_n and_o arts._n many_o believe_v the_o former_a but_o can_v be_v induce_v to_o credit_v the_o latter_a for_o they_o think_v the_o bible_n be_v write_v only_o for_o the_o save_n of_o man_n soul_n but_o that_o all_o other_o knowledge_n and_o discovery_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v whole_o from_o other_o writer_n i_o have_v sometime_o observe_v that_o person_n who_o have_v have_v a_o good_a desire_n to_o learning_n and_o be_v greedy_a devourer_n of_o all_o other_o author_n yet_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o fond_o imagine_v there_o be_v no_o improvement_n of_o man_n notion_n no_o enlarge_n of_o their_o understanding_n no_o ground_n of_o excellent_a literature_n from_o the_o sacred_a writ_n they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o 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five_o first_o book_n of_o it_o in_o vain_a do_v you_o look_v for_o these_o in_o the_o write_n of_o other_o man_n for_o though_o some_o of_o they_o relate_v very_o ancient_a occurrence_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o so_o old_a as_o these_o and_o as_o for_o those_o writer_n who_o pretend_v to_o some_o great_a antiquity_n and_o have_v be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o think_v that_o they_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n they_o have_v be_v explode_v by_o all_o person_n of_o sobriety_n and_o serious_a thought_n in_o pagan_a writer_n we_o have_v some_o wild_a guess_n at_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n and_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o art_n but_o he_o that_o be_v desirous_a to_o have_v certain_a and_o infallible_a information_n concern_v these_o must_v consult_v the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o these_o alone_a we_o learn_v what_o be_v the_o ancient_a usage_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o be_v the_o first_o rise_n and_o original_a of_o they_o wherefore_o i_o may_v safe_o pronounce_v that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v the_o just_a repute_n of_o a_o scholar_n unless_o he_o have_v read_v and_o study_v the_o bible_n for_o in_o this_o one_o book_n there_o be_v more_o humane_a learning_n than_o in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o therefore_o here_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o very_a scandalous_a mistake_n that_o the_o knowledge_n and_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v for_o divine_n only_o as_o if_o these_o be_v not_o to_o be_v skilled_a in_o any_o humane_a learning_n they_o that_o talk_v after_o this_o rate_n understand_v not_o what_o the_o study_n of_o divinity_n and_o true_a scholarship_n be_v for_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a divine_a that_o be_v not_o well_o verse_v in_o humane_a literature_n and_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a scholar_n that_o be_v not_o skilled_a in_o
of_o the_o pentateuch_n that_o excellent_a philosopher_n lawgiver_n historian_n that_o captain_n that_o prince_n that_o prophet_n that_o man_n of_o god_n who_o be_v the_o inspire_a writer_n of_o the_o five_o first_o book_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o first_o of_o which_o as_o i_o say_v before_o be_v genesis_n which_o begin_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o i_o call_v it_o a_o history_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o fond_a conceit_n of_o those_o man_n who_o read_v the_o beginning_n of_o this_o book_n with_o cabalistick_a spectacle_n only_o and_o think_v there_o be_v nothing_o but_o allegory_n and_o mystery_n in_o the_o whole_a text._n but_o the_o contrary_n be_v very_o evident_a to_o unprejudiced_a mind_n and_o to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o so_o i_o have_v propound_v argument_n in_o another_o place_n viz._n when_o i_o treat_v of_o the_o literal_a and_o mystical_a sense_n of_o scripture_n to_o take_v off_o their_o prejudce_n and_o mistake_v this_o i_o do_v because_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v firm_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o what_o we_o meet_v with_o here_o in_o our_o entrance_n into_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v indispensable_o requisite_a that_o we_o believe_v moses_n to_o have_v deliver_v these_o thing_n as_o a_o historian_n and_o that_o he_o speak_v real_a matter_n of_o fact_n when_o he_o give_v we_o a_o narrative_a of_o the_o beginning_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o original_a of_o man_n his_o innocency_n and_o happiness_n and_o after_o that_o his_o fall_n which_o be_v the_o source_n of_o all_o sin_n of_o the_o devil_n tyranny_n of_o death_n of_o hell_n and_o of_o all_o evil_n whatsoever_o the_o knowledge_n and_o belief_n of_o this_o be_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o that_o perhaps_o be_v the_o mean_v of_o mensal_n luther_n say_v that_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n comprehend_v the_o whole_a scripture_n wherefore_o this_o be_v with_o great_a wisdom_n premise_v in_o the_o entrance_n of_o this_o sacred_a volume_n to_o which_o afterward_o be_v adjoin_v the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o rise_v of_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o invention_n of_o art_n the_o general_n defection_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o world_n the_o universal_a delâ—ge_n which_o drown_v all_o mankind_n but_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n the_o restoration_n of_o the_o world_n the_o certain_a distinction_n of_o time_n before_o the_o flood_n and_o partly_o after_o it_o the_o confusion_n of_o â—_z and_o thereupon_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o plantation_n of_o family_n the_o original_a of_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n as_o the_o assyrian_a monarchy_n begin_v in_o nimrod_n or_o belus_n and_o the_o egyptian_a dynasty_n the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o patriarch_n not_o only_o before_o but_o after_o the_o general_n deluge_n as_o of_o noab_n the_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n of_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a of_o isaac_n the_o seed_n in_o which_o all_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v bless_v of_o jacob_n the_o father_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o joseph_n who_o memorable_a action_n be_v here_o full_o record_v and_o with_o which_o this_o first_o book_n of_o mosesâ—nds_n â—nds_z unless_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n may_v be_v say_v to_o reach_v as_o far_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o of_o that_o promise_v contain_v in_o it_o concern_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n that_o be_v to_o break_v the_o serpent_n head_n viz._n christ_n the_o redeemer_n make_v of_o a_o woman_n and_o send_v to_o subdue_v the_o devil_n and_o to_o destroy_v sin_n and_o death_n but_o because_o this_o first_o book_n begin_v with_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v therefore_o by_o the_o rabbin_n call_v the_o book_n of_o the_o creation_n i_o will_v here_o annex_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o several_a distinct_a step_n of_o this_o great_a work_n as_o they_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o by_o this_o inspire_a writer_n and_o divine_a philosopher_n who_o acquaint_v we_o that_o there_o be_v six_o day_n spend_v in_o erect_v this_o glorious_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n and_o this_o will_v be_v a_o far_a proof_n of_o what_o i_o say_v before_o viz._n that_o in_o scripture_n be_v the_o true_a philosophy_n when_o moses_n say_v in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n ver._n 1._o he_o do_v in_o these_o word_n give_v we_o a_o summary_n account_v of_o all_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o say_v afterward_o in_o this_o chapter_n for_o heaven_n and_o earth_n comprehend_v the_o whole_a creation_n this_o first_o verse_n than_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o general_n draught_n of_o the_o production_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o the_o particular_n of_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n where_o the_o several_a day_n work_n be_v distinct_o set_v down_o the_o product_n of_o the_o first_o day_n be_v twofold_a viz._n the_o terraqueous_a mass_n call_v 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shall_v speak_v next_o be_v the_o primordial_a matter_n of_o the_o ethereal_a celestial_a and_o shine_v body_n so_o this_o gross_a and_o lumpish_a heap_n be_v that_o of_o which_o all_o dark_a and_o heavy_a body_n be_v compound_v this_o unshape_a mass_n without_o form_n and_o void_a be_v here_o by_o a_o general_a name_n call_v the_o earth_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o a_o strict_a sense_n such_o for_o the_o earth_n as_o a_o distinct_a body_n from_o all_o other_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o three_o day_n in_o this_o place_n therefore_o by_o earth_n be_v mean_v earth_n and_o water_n blend_v together_o which_o make_v one_o great_a bog_n or_o universal_a quagmire_n this_o be_v the_o plain_a and_o true_a conception_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o primitive_a state_n of_o the_o world_n and_o hence_o without_o doubt_n be_v derive_v the_o opinion_n of_o thales_n and_o some_o other_o ancient_a philosopher_n that_o water_n or_o slime_n or_o mud_n for_o they_o express_v it_o various_o be_v the_o source_n of_o all_o being_n whatsoever_o and_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o this_o terraqueous_a matter_n be_v the_o first_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o those_o material_a being_n beforementioned_a according_o sir_n w._n raleigh_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o history_n of_o the_o world_n determine_v that_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o water_n as_o mix_v in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v by_o moses_n understand_v in_o the_o word_n earth_n hitherto_o according_a to_o the_o mosaic_a history_n nature_n be_v in_o her_o night-clothes_n the_o world_n be_v overspread_v with_o darkness_n which_o be_v especial_o say_v to_o be_v on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o deep_a by_o which_o be_v mean_v either_o the_o whole_a disorder_v mass_n which_o be_v a_o abyss_n or_o else_o as_o be_v most_o probable_a the_o watery_a part_n of_o it_o for_o though_o this_o and_o the_o earthy_a part_n be_v mix_v together_o yet_o these_o latter_a being_n light_a be_v general_o uppermost_a and_o float_v above_o all_o and_o appear_v on_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o earth_n therefore_o that_o learned_a knight_n before_o mention_v observe_v that_o the_o earth_n be_v not_o only_o mix_v but_o cover_v with_o the_o water_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o moses_n proceed_v to_o tell_v we_o mave_v or_o hover_v over_o this_o dark_a abyss_n this_o mix_v chaos_n especial_o the_o water_n as_o it_o be_v particular_o say_v because_o these_o be_v uppermost_a and_o hereby_o the_o rude_a matter_n be_v prepare_v to_o receive_v its_o several_a form_n and_o then_o the_o world_n begin_v to_o throw_v off_o its_o dark_a and_o sable_a mantle_n and_o to_o appear_v in_o a_o bright_a dress_n for_o the_o other_o product_n of_o this_o first_o day_n and_o which_o indeed_o make_v it_o day_n be_v light_a i._n e._n some_o lucid_a body_n or_o body_n which_o yet_o cast_v but_o a_o glimmer_a splendour_n a_o
i_o find_v it_o be_v yea_o flat_o deny_v by_o aben_n ezra_n and_o pererius_n and_o late_o by_o hobbs_n and_o spinosa_n a_o very_a little_a portion_n of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o he_o say_v monsieur_n simon_n who_o have_v a_o new_a notion_n of_o certain_a public_a scribe_n or_o register_n that_o pen_v this_o and_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o sort_n of_o abbreviate_a notary_n he_o borrow_v from_o the_o egyptian_n as_o he_o confess_v himself_o because_o there_o be_v such_o officer_n in_o the_o egyptian_a court_n who_o have_v a_o privilege_n to_o add_v to_o or_o take_v away_o from_o to_o amplify_v or_o abridge_v the_o public_a record_n he_o thence_o groundless_o infer_v there_o be_v such_o among_o the_o jew_n who_o make_v what_o alteration_n they_o please_v in_o the_o sacred_a write_n which_o paradox_n of_o his_o i_o have_v consider_v and_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o in_o a_o former_a treatise_n this_o i_o may_v true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v know_v who_o be_v the_o particular_a penman_n of_o this_o or_o any_o other_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n because_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o depend_v not_o on_o the_o writer_n of_o they_o but_o on_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o indict_v they_o they_o be_v the_o book_n of_o god_n that_o be_v their_o peculiar_a character_n and_o dignity_n and_o that_o alone_o make_v they_o authentic_a after_o they_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o our_o certain_a know_v who_o pen_v they_o yet_o this_o must_v be_v say_v that_o it_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v deny_v that_o the_o author_n of_o some_o of_o these_o sacred_a book_n be_v well_o know_v and_o particular_o there_o be_v very_a convince_a proof_n that_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n which_o i_o have_v be_v give_v a_o account_n of_o this_o may_v be_v evince_v from_o our_o saviour_n word_n luke_n 16._o 31._o &_o 24._o 27._o where_o by_o moses_n as_o be_v most_o evident_a he_o mean_v the_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o consequent_o thereby_o let_v we_o know_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o writer_n of_o they_o and_o more_o express_o the_o book_n of_o exodus_fw-la be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n by_o our_o same_o infallible_a master_n mark_v 12._o 26._o and_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o these_o book_n be_v read_v moses_n be_v read_v 2_o cor._n 3._o 19_o and_o both_o our_o saviour_n and_o this_o apostle_n distinguish_v between_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n luke_n 16._o 29._o act_n 26._o 22._o plain_o signify_v that_o as_o those_o book_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o prophet_n name_n be_v they_o so_o these_o that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v moses_n be_v write_v by_o he_o i_o think_v this_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o need_v not_o to_o be_v further_o insist_v on_o as_o to_o the_o objection_n of_o those_o man_n before_o name_v against_o this_o i_o forbear_v to_o produce_v they_o and_o to_o return_v particular_a answer_n to_o they_o because_o this_o be_v so_o late_o do_v by_o pentateuchi_fw-la mounseur_fw-fr clerk_n and_o because_o another_o religion_n learned_a frenchman_n have_v laudable_o perform_v this_o task_n especial_o he_o have_v with_o great_a vigour_n and_o as_o great_a success_n attack_v spinosa_n a_o jew_n as_o they_o tell_v we_o by_o birth_n but_o neither_o jew_n nor_o christian_a by_o profession_n but_o a_o derider_n of_o both_o we_o may_v also_o find_v his_o argument_n which_o be_v general_o borrow_a from_o aben_n ezra_n refute_v with_o great_a clearness_n by_o the_o bible_n learned_a professor_n of_o divinity_n at_o paris_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n betake_v himself_o to_o the_o positive_a part_n and_o render_v it_o unquestionable_a that_o moses_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o five_o book_n that_o go_v under_o his_o name_n wherefore_o the_o particular_a fancy_n of_o those_o few_o objector_n and_o those_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o sacred_a text_n be_v not_o to_o be_v heed_v by_o we_o as_o to_o that_o common_a scruple_n which_o be_v so_o much_o insist_v upon_o that_o in_o the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n there_o be_v mention_n of_o moses_n death_n and_o some_o thing_n that_o happen_v after_o it_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o moses_n write_v not_o those_o book_n or_o at_o least_o not_o the_o last_o of_o they_o i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n that_o moses_n be_v a_o prophet_n may_v foresee_v and_o have_v reveal_v to_o he_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o own_o death_n and_o so_o he_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v by_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n wherefore_o none_o can_v from_o thence_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o penman_n of_o all_o this_o book_n however_o we_o will_v not_o contend_v here_o for_o perhaps_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o book_n be_v affix_v by_o joshua_n or_o afterward_o by_o ezra_n who_o be_v a_o inspire_a person_n likewise_o and_o who_o revise_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o insert_v some_o thing_n into_o they_o by_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o indict_v the_o rest_n notwithstanding_o then_o the_o foresay_a objection_n which_o refer_v only_o to_o a_o few_o passage_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o book_n of_o deuteronomy_n wâ—_n have_v reason_n to_o assert_v that_o the_o whole_a five_o book_n except_v that_o little_a addition_n in_o the_o close_a be_v write_v by_o moses_n these_o be_v his_o authentic_a record_n consist_v chief_o of_o history_n which_o comprise_v in_o it_o the_o occurrence_n of_o about_o 2400_o year_n and_o law_n which_o be_v give_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o his_o own_o people_n and_o will_v be_v of_o use_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n here_o be_v the_o cabinet_n of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n under_o heaven_n here_o be_v the_o first_o and_o old_a monument_n of_o the_o world_n chap._n viii_o a_o short_a survey_n of_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n which_o be_v a_o supplement_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o judge_n samuel_n the_o king_n chronicle_n ezra_n which_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o chronicle_n nehemiah_n esther_n the_o author_n stile_n composure_n matter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o job_n discuss_v a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o penman_n subject_n kind_n title_n poetic_a meter_n and_o rhythm_n of_o the_o psalm_n next_o unto_o this_o be_v that_o excellent_a history_n write_v by_o joshua_n the_o captain_n general_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o moses_n famous_a successor_n who_o very_a name_n without_o doubt_n be_v as_o terrible_a to_o the_o canaanite_n as_o those_o of_o hunniades_n and_o scanderbag_n be_v afterward_o to_o the_o turk_n here_o he_o admirable_o describe_v the_o holy_a war_n the_o martial_a achievement_n and_o stratagem_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n against_o those_o nation_n who_o land_n they_o be_v to_o possess_v and_o at_o length_n their_o victory_n over_o they_o here_o be_v very_o particular_o set_v down_o their_o conquest_n over_o those_o king_n and_o country_n this_o book_n be_v the_o fulfil_v of_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v make_v to_o they_o concern_v the_o enter_v into_o canaan_n and_o enjoy_v that_o land_n which_o be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n the_o everlasting_a rest_n which_o remain_v to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n heb._n 4._o 9_o here_o be_v the_o actual_a possession_n of_o that_o promise_a inheritance_n and_o the_o division_n of_o it_o among_o the_o several_a tribe_n by_o lot_n the_o short_a be_v in_o the_o whole_a book_n which_o i_o must_v not_o now_o give_v you_o by_o retail_n there_o be_v abundant_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n repeat_v instance_n of_o the_o infinite_a kindness_n of_o god_n to_o his_o servant_n remarkable_a example_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n on_o his_o enemy_n yea_o and_o visible_a proof_n of_o his_o severe_a deal_n with_o his_o own_o people_n when_o they_o refuse_v to_o obey_v his_o will_n and_o when_o they_o act_v contrary_a to_o it_o here_o be_v in_o the_o large_a account_n which_o be_v give_v of_o joshua_n and_o his_o action_n a_o exact_a character_n of_o a_o worthy_a prince_n a_o ruler_n a_o general_n who_o ought_v to_o signalise_v himself_o by_o his_o exemplary_a piety_n and_o zeal_n for_o religion_n by_o his_o constant_a sobriety_n justice_n and_o charity_n by_o his_o undaunted_a courage_n valour_n and_o prowess_n by_o his_o deep_a wisdom_n policy_n and_o conduct_n and_o his_o great_a and_o wonderful_a success_n which_o 6._o be_v so_o much_o require_v in_o a_o general_n crown_v all_o the_o whole_a contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o moses_n death_n till_o the_o death_n of_o their_o great_a commander_n joshua_n in_o all_o about_o eighteen_o year_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o the_o age_n death_n and_o burial_n of_o this_o latter_a be_v
a_o consequent_a of_o they_o the_o many_o disappointment_n and_o cross_n he_o meet_v with_o the_o various_a judgement_n and_o plague_n which_o be_v inflict_v on_o he_o and_o his_o people_n by_o god_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n and_o judah_n under_o the_o reign_v of_o their_o several_a king_n the_o first_o contain_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o life_n of_o david_n and_o his_o death_n the_o glory_n and_o prosperity_n of_o that_o nation_n under_o solomon_n who_o succeed_v he_o his_o erect_n and_o consecrate_v of_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n his_o scandalous_a defection_n from_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o sudden_a decay_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n after_o his_o death_n when_o it_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n under_o rehoboam_n who_o reign_v over_o the_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n and_o under_o jeroboam_fw-la who_o be_v king_n over_o the_o other_o ten_o tribe_n that_o revolt_v from_o the_o house_n of_o david_n the_o rest_n of_o it_o be_v spend_v in_o relate_v the_o act_n of_o four_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o eight_o of_o israel_n the_o second_o book_n which_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n be_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o memorable_a act_n of_o sixteen_o king_n of_o judah_n and_o twelve_o of_o israel_n and_o the_o end_n of_o both_o kingdom_n by_o the_o carry_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n captive_a into_o assyria_n by_o salmanasser_n and_o the_o other_o two_o into_o babylon_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n the_o just_a reward_n of_o that_o people_n idolatry_n and_o impenitency_n after_o so_o many_o favour_n show_v to_o they_o this_o and_o the_o former_a book_n together_o comprehend_v the_o history_n of_o about_o four_o hundred_o year_n the_o chronicle_n or_o journals_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v the_o fill_v up_o of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o history_n which_o be_v omit_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n and_o though_o we_o know_v not_o 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of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o adam_n which_o be_v the_o entire_a subject_n of_o the_o first_o nine_o chapter_n which_o consist_v whole_o of_o genealogy_n and_o then_o afterward_o most_o punctual_o and_o accurate_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o david_n the_o second_o book_n as_o faithful_o set_v down_o the_o progress_n and_o end_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n even_o to_o the_o year_n of_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n these_o book_n of_o chronicle_n together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o king_n and_o samuel_n make_v up_o the_o best_a and_o choice_a history_n in_o the_o world_n here_o we_o be_v abundant_o furnish_v with_o such_o useful_a notice_n truth_n and_o maxim_n as_o these_o all_o confirm_v by_o note_a and_o illustrious_a example_n and_o such_o instance_n as_o be_v certain_a and_o unquestionable_a crown_a head_n be_v encircle_v with_o care_n and_o seldom_o find_v rest_n and_o repose_v though_o their_o life_n be_v more_o splendid_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o less_o calamitous_a than_o those_o of_o the_o common_a people_n good_a king_n be_v rare_a and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n of_o those_o that_o be_v bad._n the_o best_a king_n have_v their_o fault_n and_o some_o of_o they_o of_o a_o very_a scandalous_a nature_n there_o be_v little_a piety_n in_o prince_n court_n and_o as_o little_a integrity_n and_o honesty_n the_o people_n be_v easy_o induce_v to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o their_o governor_n and_o religion_n and_o manner_n too_o often_o vary_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o superior_n good_a king_n be_v the_o great_a blessing_n and_o wicked_a one_o be_v the_o great_a curse_n to_o a_o nation_n prince_n mistake_v their_o measure_n when_o they_o either_o disobey_v god_n or_o oppress_v their_o people_n tyrannical_a prince_n procure_v their_o own_o ruin_n the_o sin_n and_o vice_n of_o ruler_n prove_v fatal_a to_o their_o subject_n public_a enormity_n be_v punish_v with_o public_a and_o national_a calamity_n king_n may_v be_v know_v by_o the_o minister_n they_o choose_v and_o make_v use_n of_o those_o counsel_n that_o be_v found_v in_o religion_n be_v most_o successful_a evil_a counselor_n contrive_v their_o own_o destruction_n war_n be_v the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o fight_v against_o god_n the_o success_n of_o arm_n depend_v upon_o the_o divine_a blessing_n the_o church_n be_v never_o more_o shock_a then_o under_o bad_a prince_n religion_n and_o reformation_n be_v never_o effectual_o promote_v unless_o the_o great_a one_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o they_o division_n and_o rent_n about_o religion_n have_v immediate_a influence_n on_o secular_a affair_n and_o when_o the_o church_n be_v divide_v the_o state_n be_v so_o too_o the_o revolution_n in_o both_o be_v by_o the_o particular_a disposal_n of_o the_o wise_a over-ruler_n of_o the_o world_n true_a religion_n and_o godliness_n be_v attend_v with_o earthly_a reward_n and_o blessing_n and_o the_o contrary_n bring_v down_o the_o great_a plague_n even_o in_o this_o world_n the_o worst_a time_n afford_v some_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o holy_a religious_a and_o zealous_a men._n whatever_o change_n and_o revolution_n happen_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o church_n of_o god_n remain_v secure_a though_o there_o be_v great_a and_o frequent_a defection_n yet_o there_o never_o be_v a_o total_a extinction_n of_o it_o in_o a_o word_n the_o church_n be_v impregnable_a this_o rock_n be_v immovable_a and_o many_o other_o proposition_n and_o maxim_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o be_v of_o great_a service_n in_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v to_o be_v deduce_v from_o these_o excellent_a history_n ezra_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a book_n of_o chronicle_n and_o comprise_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n that_o cyrus_n make_v the_o edict_n for_o their_o return_n until_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n longimanus_fw-la which_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n for_o the_o jew_n return_v from_o babylon_n be_v at_o two_o several_a time_n viz._n first_o in_o the_o day_n of_o cyrus_n the_o first_o perâ—â—an_n monarch_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o zerubbabel_n their_o captain_n and_o jeshua_n their_o high_a priest_n here_o be_v record_v the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o return_v cyrus_n proclamation_n for_o the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o lay_v of_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o the_o retard_v of_o the_o work_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o two_o of_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n at_o last_o the_o finish_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o darius_n reign_n the_o second_o return_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o artaxerxes_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o ezra_n a_o priest_n who_o have_v be_v a_o courtier_n in_o the_o persian_a court_n and_o be_v send_v into_o judea_n by_o artaxerxes_n in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o be_v above_o eighty_o year_n after_o the_o first_o return_n in_o cyrus_n time_n to_o expedite_v the_o building_n of_o jerusalem_n this_o pious_a reformer_n observe_v the_o people_n 〈◊〉_d with_o stranger_n and_o infidel_n and_o their_o join_a themselves_o to_o they_o in_o marriage_n proclaim_v a_o solemn_a fast_o and_o pray_v and_o mourn_v and_o lament_v their_o gross_a miscarriage_n and_o with_o great_a earnestness_n and_o zeal_n exhort_v they_o to_o reformation_n and_o amendment_n of_o their_o way_n that_o they_o may_v thereby_o avert_v god_n wrath_n and_o conciliate_v his_o favour_n and_o pardon_n this_o be_v that_o ezra_n who_o be_v the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n and_o who_o be_v also_o a_o restorer_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o collect_v and_o methodise_v they_o into_o certain_a order_n and_o review_v the_o copy_n and_o amend_v all_o errata_n that_o be_v contract_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n nehemiah_n who_o
the_o sing_a woman_n speak_v of_o josiah_n in_o their_o lamentation_n to_o this_o day_n and_o make_v 〈◊〉_d ordinance_n in_o israel_n and_o behold_v they_o be_v write_v iâ—_n the_o lamentation_n even_o those_o which_o this_o prophet_n compose_v which_o be_v also_o confirm_v by_o the_o 6_o jewish_a historian_n who_o vouch_v this_o poem_n to_o be_v a_o funeral_n elegy_n on_o that_o pious_a king_n to_o which_o st._n jerom_n add_v that_o this_o prophet_n lament_v the_o loss_n of_o josias_n as_o the_o begin_n of_o those_o galamity_n which_o afterward_o ensue_v and_o according_o he_o proceed_v to_o bewail_v the_o miserable_a state_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o particular_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v not_o then_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o be_v prophetical_o foretell_v it_o be_v not_o unusual_a with_o the_o prophet_n to_o speak_v of_o thing_n to_o come_v as_o if_o they_o be_v already_o past_a unless_o we_o shall_v say_v as_o some_o have_v that_o part_n of_o this_o mournful_a song_n be_v indict_v after_o the_o take_n and_o sack_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o carry_v the_o people_n captive_a and_o be_v a_o passionate_a bewail_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o horrid_a consequence_n of_o it_o in_o which_o also_o the_o holy_a man_n humble_o confess_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n and_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a justice_n in_o all_o that_o beâ—el_v they_o to_o which_o he_o adjoin_v a_o serious_a exhortation_n to_o repentance_n and_o comfort_v they_o with_o hope_n of_o a_o restoration_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v a_o exact_a pattern_n of_o devotion_n in_o time_n of_o great_a and_o national_a calamity_n and_o public_a suffering_n and_o instruct_v we_o how_o to_o demean_v ourselves_o in_o such_o deplorable_a circumstance_n ezekiel_n be_v carry_v captive_a into_o babylon_n with_o those_o that_o go_v thither_o in_o the_o second_o captivity_n which_o be_v in_o the_o 8_o year_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n reign_n about_o ten_o year_n before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o last_o captivity_n he_o prophesy_v here_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o jeremiah_n do_v in_o judaea_n and_o afterward_o in_o egypt_n many_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n he_o foretell_v more_o especial_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o fatal_a issue_n of_o those_o that_o revolt_a from_o babylon_n to_o egypt_n and_o at_o last_o the_o happy_a return_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o own_o land_n he_o distinct_o foretell_v the_o plague_n which_o shall_v certain_o be_v inflict_v on_o other_o nation_n who_o be_v profess_v enemy_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o edomite_n moabite_n ammonite_n egyptian_n tyrian_n and_o last_o the_o assyrian_n and_o babylonian_n in_o figurative_a and_o mystical_a expression_n he_o predict_v the_o messiah_n and_o the_o flourish_a estate_n of_o his_o kingdom_n i._n e._n the_o christian_a church_n because_o the_o prophet_n begin_v with_o vision_n and_o type_n and_o end_n with_o the_o measure_v of_o the_o mystical_a temple_n therefore_o by_o reason_n of_o these_o abstrusity_n and_o mystery_n the_o beginning_n and_o end_n of_o this_o book_n be_v forbid_v ezek._n to_o be_v read_v by_o the_o jew_n before_o they_o come_v to_o thirty_o year_n of_o age._n but_o the_o great_a â—art_n of_o this_o prophecy_n be_v plain_a and_o easy_o intelligible_a it_o have_v reference_n chief_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o that_o degenerate_a age_n wherein_o the_o prophet_n observe_v and_o severe_o animadvert_v upon_o the_o general_n corruption_n which_o have_v invade_v they_o in_o those_o day_n and_o which_o merit_v the_o severe_a judgement_n that_o heaven_n can_v send_v down_o upon_o they_o he_o exâ—ibits_v a_o particular_a catalogue_n of_o the_o notorious_a enormity_n which_o their_o king_n their_o priest_n their_o prophet_n their_o people_n be_v infamous_a for_o he_o labour_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o sense_n of_o these_o scandalous_a practice_n and_o to_o make_v they_o hearty_o relent_v for_o they_o final_o like_o a_o trne_n watchman_n as_o he_o be_v style_v he_o â—â—â—â—hfully_o warn_v they_o of_o their_o imminent_a danger_n and_o admonish_v they_o to_o prevent_v it_o if_o possible_a by_o abandon_v their_o evil_a way_n this_o be_v the_o inspire_a man_n that_o pen_v this_o book_n and_o this_o be_v the_o â—ook_n which_o contain_v so_o many_o worthy_a and_o excellent_a â—â—ings_n in_o it_o another_o of_o the_o four_o great_a prophet_n be_v daniel_n who_o be_v of_o the_o progeny_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n 〈◊〉_d be_v contemporary_a with_o ezekiol_n and_o be_v a_o capâ—â—â—e_n in_o babylon_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o be_v there_o he_o prophesy_v and_o there_o he_o write_v and_o â—his_v book_n be_v the_o result_n of_o both_o the_o six_o first_o chapâ—â—â—s_n of_o which_o be_v a_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babyâ—â—â—_n and_o of_o what_o beâ—el_v some_o of_o the_o captive_a jew_n under_o they_o here_o we_o have_v nebuchadnezzar_n remarkable_a dream_n interpret_v we_o have_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o singular_a courage_n of_o the_o three_o hebrew_n yoâ—â—â—_n man_n that_o refuse_v to_o fall_v down_o to_o his_o image_n with_o the_o miraculous_a deliverance_n of_o they_o out_o of_o the_o flame_n here_o be_v unfold_v belshazzar_n fatal_a dooâ—_n contain_v in_o the_o mystical_a handwriting_n on_o the_o wall_n with_o his_o death_n that_o soon_o follow_v upon_o it_o and_o the_o succession_n of_o darius_n to_o the_o throne_n and_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o monarchy_n to_o the_o mede_n it_o be_v under_o this_o prince_n that_o our_o noble_a prophet_n be_v advance_v to_o his_o great_a height_n of_o honour_n 〈◊〉_d whereas_o he_o have_v be_v a_o great_a courtier_n and_o favosrrite_n in_o nebuchadnezzar_n time_n and_o in_o the_o close_a of_o belshazzar_n reign_n be_v make_v the_o three_o ruler_n in_o the_o kingdom_n now_o he_o be_v make_v the_o first_o be_v set_v 〈◊〉_d all_o the_o precedent_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o realm_n this_o make_v he_o envy_v and_o hate_v but_o he_o be_v hate_v and_o persecute_v much_o more_o for_o his_o religion_n by_o the_o great_a man_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o even_o by_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o king_n be_v own_o sign_v commit_v to_o the_o den_n of_o lion_n there_o to_o be_v devour_v of_o they_o but_o the_o hand_n of_o omnipotence_n immediate_o interpose_v and_o he_o come_v out_o thence_o safe_a and_o his_o adversary_n and_o accuser_n be_v send_v thither_o in_o his_o room_n who_o fare_v not_o after_o the_o same_o rate_n that_o he_o do_v after_o this_o he_o live_v in_o great_a esteem_n honour_n and_o prosperity_n not_o only_o in_o this_o king_n reign_n but_o under_o cyrus_n 〈◊〉_d monarch_n of_o the_o persian_a race_n but_o as_o our_o author_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o book_n relate_v thing_n pasâ—_n as_o a_o historian_n so_o in_o the_o six_o last_o chapter_n he_o be_v alâ—_n together_o prophetical_a foretell_v what_o shall_v befall_v thâ—_n church_n in_o general_n and_o particular_o the_o jew_n yeâ—â—_n his_o vision_n and_o prophecy_n reach_v to_o future_a event_n wherein_o even_o those_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n arâ—_n concern_v what_o can_v be_v more_o valuable_a than_o hâ—â—_n dream_n or_o vision_n of_o the_o four_o secular_a monarchy_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o five_o which_o be_v to_o be_v spiritual_a viz._n that_o of_o the_o messiah_n what_o be_v more_o famous_a and_o celebrate_v than_o his_o discovery_n by_o the_o angel_n gabriel_n information_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n viz._n of_o year_n i._n e._n 490_o year_n upon_o the_o expire_a of_o which_o the_o messias_n kingdom_n be_v to_o be_v set_v up_o what_o plain_a and_o signal_n prophecy_n do_v this_o book_n afford_v concern_v that_o renown_a conqueror_n alexander_n the_o great_a and_o his_o subdue_a the_o persian_a empire_n as_o also_o concern_v the_o fierce_a war_n among_o his_o great_a captain_n and_o commander_n who_o succeed_v he_o particular_o how_o clear_o and_o plain_o be_v the_o action_n of_o antiochus_n the_o great_a and_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n his_o son_n describe_v by_o our_o prophet_n long_o before_o these_o person_n be_v in_o be_v and_o many_o other_o notable_a occurrence_n relate_v to_o the_o most_o public_a and_o fame_a transaction_n on_o the_o stage_n of_o the_o world_n be_v prophetical_o foresignified_n and_o reveal_v by_o this_o divine_a seer_n insomuch_o that_o we_o may_v just_o style_v this_o book_n the_o apocalypse_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o which_o that_o other_o of_o the_o new_a so_o often_o refer_v and_o even_o borrow_v many_o thing_n of_o great_a moment_n last_o we_o may_v particular_o note_v concern_v this_o book_n that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldean_a tongue_n viz._n from_o the_o four_o verse_n of_o the_o second_o chapter_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seven_o the_o reason_n of_o â—hich_v may_v be_v this_o because_o daniel_n be_v now_o by_o his_o â—â—ng_n abide_v
wonderful_a efficacy_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o those_o day_n the_o rejection_n of_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o their_o city_n temple_n and_o whole_a nation_n by_o the_o roman_n for_o their_o reject_v and_o crucify_a the_o messiah_n and_o other_o particular_a thing_n belong_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o none_o of_o the_o lesser_a prophet_n speak_v of_o but_o this_o malachi_n be_v the_o last_o of_o these_o prophet_n yea_o of_o all_o the_o prophet_n of_o that_o dispensation_n after_o he_o cease_v vision_n and_o prophecy_n in_o israel_n until_o christ_n appear_v when_o zachary_n simeon_n mary_n elizabeth_n anna_n be_v illuminate_v with_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n he_o prophesy_v about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n time_n reprove_v the_o jew_n for_o their_o ungrateful_a and_o wicked_a live_n after_o their_o return_n from_o babylon_n particular_o he_o charge_v they_o with_o rebellion_n sacrilege_n adultery_n profaneness_n infidelity_n but_o especial_o he_o reprehend_v the_o priest_n for_o be_v careless_a and_o scandalous_a in_o their_o ministry_n which_o one_o thing_n be_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o other_o to_o be_v vicious_a at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o forget_v not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o encourage_v the_o pious_a remnant_n in_o that_o corrupt_a age_n who_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o think_v upon_o his_o name_n who_o godly_a converse_n and_o associate_a with_o one_o another_o in_o that_o debauch_a time_n he_o assure_v they_o be_v register_v in_o a_o book_n of_o remembrance_n by_o god_n himself_o this_o prophet_n who_o have_v point_v before_o at_o the_o messiah_n to_o be_v exhibit_v for_o he_o express_o â—aith_n he_o shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n now_o shut_v up_o his_o prophecy_n and_o indeed_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n with_o a_o exhortation_n to_o remember_v the_o law_n i._n e._n to_o live_v according_a to_o its_o holy_a rule_n and_o injunction_n and_o with_o a_o promise_n of_o the_o come_v of_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v to_o be_v usher_v in_o by_o elijah_n the_o prophet_n i._n e._n by_o john_n the_o baptist_n who_o come_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n of_o elias_n luke_n 1._o 17._o and_o so_o this_o close_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n refer_v to_o the_o new_a to_o which_o i_o now_o hasten_v chap._n x._o a_o account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n the_o peculiar_a time_n order_n stile_n design_n of_o their_o gospel_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n show_v to_o be_v a_o incomparable_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n particular_o delineate_v he_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o apostle_n style_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v the_o excellent_a matter_n and_o design_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n st._n peter_n st._n john_n st._n judas_n a_o historical_a series_n or_o order_n be_v not_o observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n next_o follow_v the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o evangelical_n novel_n the_o new_a law_n of_o christianity_n the_o true_a authentic_o which_o present_v we_o with_o the_o actual_a discovery_n of_o the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o the_o bless_a author_n of_o it_o these_o be_v write_v in_o greek_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o joseph_n the_o jew_n choose_v to_o write_v his_o book_n not_o in_o his_o own_o language_n but_o in_o this_o because_o as_o he_o say_v himself_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o jewish_a war_n he_o will_v have_v they_o read_v and_o understand_v by_o greek_n and_o roman_n and_o all_o person_n so_o aelian_a be_v a_o roman_a yet_o write_v his_o book_n of_o animal_n and_o various_a history_n etc._n etc._n in_o greek_a because_o this_o be_v the_o universal_a language_n at_o that_o time_n these_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v either_o history_n or_o epistle_n the_o history_n be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o former_a the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o extant_a while_o christ_n be_v on_o earth_n for_o till_o his_o be_v take_v up_o to_o heaven_n which_o be_v the_o consummation_n of_o all_o he_o have_v before_o do_v and_o suffer_v they_o can_v not_o make_v the_o evangelical_n history_n perfect_a but_o afterward_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n resolve_v according_a to_o their_o master_n 8._o order_n to_o go_v and_o preach_v in_o foreign_a region_n and_o to_o disperse_v the_o christian_a religion_n over_o all_o the_o world_n put_v forth_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o write_v before_o they_o go_v about_o this_o great_a work_n st._n matthew_n be_v the_o first_o inspire_a person_n that_o commit_v the_o evangelical_n transaction_n to_o write_v which_o he_o do_v about_o eight_o year_n after_o christ_n passion_n a._n d._n 42._o he_o alone_o of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n say_v st._n evang._n jerom_n 〈…〉_z eusebius_n st._n 1._o augustine_n matlh_n chrysostom_n and_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n write_v his_o gospel_n first_o in_o hebrew_a which_o partly_o appear_v from_o this_o that_o some_o of_o the_o hebrew_n word_n be_v explain_v by_o the_o person_n who_o translate_v it_o into_o greek_a who_o it_o be_v probable_a be_v st._n matthew_n himself_o as_o the_o ancient_n general_o agree_v and_o so_o the_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a copy_n be_v both_o of_o they_o the_o original_n then_o st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n write_v their_o gospel_n the_o one_o about_o ten_o though_o other_o say_v twenty_o the_o other_o about_o twenty_o some_o say_v thirty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n death_n and_o there_o be_v some_o that_o invert_v the_o order_n and_o give_v the_o priority_n to_o st._n luke_n but_o all_o agree_v that_o st._n john_n be_v the_o last_o of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o write_v towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n but_o as_o for_o the_o punctual_a time_n when_o the_o evangelist_n put_v forth_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v doubtful_a and_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o certain_a ground_n whereoâ—_n we_o may_v â—ix_v a_o satisfactory_a resolution_n of_o the_o doubtâ—punc_fw-la this_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o they_o write_v 〈◊〉_d st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n have_v what_o they_o write_v from_o the_o relation_n of_o other_o particular_o st._n mark_n who_o be_v st._n peter_n companion_n compose_v his_o gospel_n by_o his_o order_n and_o direction_n and_o with_o his_o especial_a approbation_n say_v eusebius_n again_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o though_o every_o evangelist_n relate_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n yet_o no_o one_o of_o they_o relate_v the_o whole_a truth_n concern_v christ_n life_n and_o action_n though_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v contain_v in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o writer_n yet_o some_o particular_n be_v find_v in_o one_o that_o do_v not_o occur_v in_o another_o which_o make_v it_o necessary_a to_o consult_v they_o all_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o together_o as_o for_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n mark_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o they_o do_v not_o always_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o the_o true_a series_n of_o the_o matter_n especial_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v not_o curious_a in_o this_o particular_a but_o as_o for_o thâ—_n other_o two_o evangelist_n they_o be_v very_o punctual_a and_o inviolable_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o thing_n as_o they_o happen_v except_v only_o that_o parenthesis_n for_o such_o it_o be_v in_o luke_n 3._o 19_o 20._o concern_v herod_n of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n st._n luke_n be_v the_o full_a and_o give_v the_o compleat_a mosâ—_n circumstantial_a and_o orderly_a relation_n of_o thing_n which_o he_o himself_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o gospel_n in_o those_o word_n to_o theophilus_n it_o seâ—med_v good_a to_o i_o have_v have_v perfect_a understanding_n of_o all_o thing_n from_o the_o very_a first_o to_o write_v unto_o thou_o in_o order_n and_o yet_o though_o his_o gospel_n be_v ample_a and_o more_o methodical_a in_o the_o narrative_a or_o history_n than_o the_o rest_n yet_o he_o be_v but_o brief_a in_o relate_v thing_n that_o our_o saviour_n do_v till_o the_o last_o year_n of_o his_o preach_v st._n matthew_n have_v be_v full_a in_o they_o and_o in_o some_o other_o thing_n he_o have_v need_n of_o a_o supply_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o more_o especial_o from_o st._n john_n who_o gospel_n from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o 14_o chapter_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 17_o contain_v those_o excellent_a discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n before_o his_o passion_n which_o be_v whole_o