we_o read_v in_o the_o eight_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n about_o the_o deluge_n do_v refer_v to_o this_o custom_n where_o we_o find_v noah_n send_v forth_o the_o dove_n and_o the_o raven_n on_o the_o seven_o day_n which_o plain_o hint_n to_o we_o his_o observe_v of_o that_o day_n for_o it_o seem_v that_o noah_n have_v in_o a_o especial_a manner_n on_o that_o solemn_a day_n implore_v the_o assistance_n of_o god_n in_o the_o assembly_n of_o his_o family_n he_o expect_v a_o particular_a blessing_n from_o it_o and_o we_o can_v but_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o that_o which_o we_o read_v in_o the_o xxix_o of_o genesis_n concern_v the_o term_n of_o a_o week_n set_v apart_o to_o the_o nuptial_n of_o leah_n 27._o gen._n xxix_o 27._o where_o at_o the_o twenty_o seven_o verse_n laban_n thus_o express_v himself_o fulfil_v her_o week_n and_o we_o will_v give_v thou_o this_o also_o for_o the_o service_n which_o thou_o shall_v serve_v with_o i_o yet_o seven_o other_o year_n this_o week_n here_o do_v so_o plain_o signify_v a_o week_n of_o day_n that_o it_o can_v be_v more_o natural_o express_v and_o indeed_o all_o general_o understand_v by_o this_o week_n of_o the_o marriage_n feast_n of_o leah_n that_o term_n of_o time_n which_o in_o succeed_a age_n have_v be_v customary_a to_o allot_v to_o nuptial_a festival_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n where_o the_o wedding_n feast_n of_o vasthi_n last_v seven_o day_n this_o term_n of_o seven_o day_n have_v so_o long_o since_o be_v consecrate_a to_o nuptial_a rejoice_n the_o same_o we_o may_v also_o gather_v from_o the_o time_n which_o be_v ordinary_o allot_v to_o mourning_n for_o the_o dead_a to_o which_o we_o find_v the_o patriarch_n allot_v a_o term_n proportion_v to_o that_o of_o their_o rejoice_n for_o as_o we_o see_v that_o the_o egyptian_n mourn_v ten_o week_n for_o jacob_n because_o of_o his_o quality_n as_o be_v the_o father_n of_o joseph_n so_o we_o find_v that_o joseph_n and_o those_o that_o accompany_v he_o mourn_v seven_o day_n at_o his_o innterment_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o as_o we_o find_v that_o this_o custom_n be_v perpetual_o afterward_o observe_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v from_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la xxii_o 12._o so_o likewise_o we_o find_v the_o same_o observe_v by_o the_o asiatic_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o history_n of_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o nineteenth_o book_n l._n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la resur_n in_o obitu_fw-la sat._n p._n 321._o seven_o day_n be_v fulfil_v after_o that_o the_o lord_n have_v smite_v the_o river_n jalkut_n in_o h._n l._n and_o from_o they_o it_o pass_v to_o the_o christian_n as_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n three_o it_o appear_v from_o exod._n vii_o 25._o that_o god_n observe_v seven_o day_n after_o he_o have_v smite_v the_o river_n to_o change_v the_o water_n thereof_o into_o blood_n from_o whence_o the_o jew_n conclude_v that_o the_o three_o plague_n viz._n that_o of_o blood_n of_o frog_n and_o of_o louse_n abode_n on_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n six_o day_n and_o be_v withdraw_v on_o the_o seven_o which_o be_v the_o sabbath_n we_o may_v also_o gather_v if_o we_o calculate_v the_o time_n exact_o that_o the_o jew_n in_o egypt_n observe_v the_o sabbath_n we_o find_v from_o the_o history_n of_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n that_o the_o same_o happen_v on_o a_o thursday_n be_v the_o fifteen_o of_o the_o month_n nisan_fw-la and_o the_o day_n in_o which_o they_o sing_v those_o hymn_n of_o deliverance_n be_v the_o sabbath_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o set_v apart_o for_o this_o week_n it_o be_v also_o evident_a from_o exod._n xvi_o that_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v observe_v by_o the_o israelite_n before_o the_o law_n be_v give_v on_o mount_n sinai_n for_o we_o find_v god_n speak_v there_o concern_v the_o sabbath_n not_o as_o of_o a_o thing_n new_o institute_v but_o as_o of_o a_o ancient_a law_n which_o they_o be_v e_z not_o to_o transgress_v by_o gather_v the_o manna_n on_o that_o day_n for_o he_o order_v they_o to_o gather_v a_o double_a portion_n the_o six_o day_n and_o not_o to_o gather_v any_o on_o the_o seven_o we_o see_v that_o the_o israelite_n rest_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n be_v here_o suppose_v a_o know_v and_o customary_a thing_n prescribe_v to_o they_o by_o a_o law_n of_o old_a they_o who_o go_v forth_o to_o gather_v manna_n on_o the_o seven_o day_n be_v represent_v as_o transgressor_n of_o a_o know_a law_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o moses_n how_o long_o refuse_v you_o to_o keep_v my_o commandment_n and_o my_o law_n moses_n also_o speak_v of_o the_o sabbath_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o next_o day_n as_o of_o a_o thing_n customary_a and_o receive_v among_o they_o to_o morrow_n say_v he_o at_o v._o 23._o be_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o sabbath_n of_o holiness_n unto_o the_o lord_n word_n which_o will_v have_v be_v unintelligible_a to_o the_o israelite_n and_o express_v a_o law_n altogether_o impracticable_a in_o case_n they_o have_v be_v destitute_a of_o any_o further_a knowledge_n concern_v it_o and_o have_v not_o be_v acquaint_v that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a day_n in_o which_o the_o great_a work_n of_o creation_n have_v be_v finish_v my_o four_o observation_n i_o take_v from_o the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o decalogue_n where_o first_o of_o all_o we_o find_v god_n speak_v in_o this_o manner_n remember_v the_o sabbath_n day_n which_o word_n clear_o import_v 8._o exod._n xx._n 8._o that_o the_o law_n he_o give_v be_v not_o a_o new_a law_n but_o indeed_o as_o old_a as_o the_o world_n and_o which_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o their_o forefather_n it_o seem_v probable_a also_o that_o god_n express_v himself_o in_o these_o term_n because_o the_o tyranny_n of_o pharaoh_n have_v force_v they_o to_o break_v this_o law_n by_o oblige_v they_o to_o deliver_v their_o tale_n of_o brick_n every_o day_n without_o except_v the_o sabbath_n which_o before_o he_o have_v allow_v they_o to_o keep_v this_o be_v explain_v very_o distinct_o in_o the_o five_o of_o exodus_fw-la and_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o moses_n demand_v straw_n of_o pharaoh_n for_o the_o israelite_n to_o go_v and_o sacrifice_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o demand_n 5._o exod._n v._n 5._o pharaoh_n express_v himself_o in_o term_n which_o show_v that_o former_o they_o have_v observe_v a_o rest_n on_o that_o day_n however_o it_o be_v yet_o thus_o much_o be_v apparent_a that_o god_n command_v they_o to_o make_v their_o bond_n servant_n to_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n because_o the_o egyptian_n by_o their_o example_n incline_v they_o not_o to_o be_v very_o careful_a in_o exempt_n they_o from_o all_o labour_n on_o that_o day_n moreover_o in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o in_o the_o last_o word_n of_o the_o four_o commandment_n god_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o thing_n former_o appoint_v and_o determine_v by_o he_o say_v for_o in_o six_o day_n the_o lord_n make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o rest_v the_o seven_o day_n wherefore_o the_o lord_n bless_v the_o sabbath_n day_n and_o hallow_v it_o which_o word_n have_v a_o manifest_a and_o undeniable_a reference_n to_o that_o which_o happen_v the_o seven_o day_n after_o the_o creation_n and_o to_o the_o law_n then_o give_v to_o man_n concern_v it_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n that_o the_o sense_n which_o we_o have_v put_v upon_o the_o three_o verse_n of_o the_o second_o of_o genesis_n be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v of_o it_o the_o apostle_n discourse_v from_o those_o word_n of_o david_n psal_n xcv_o to_o who_o i_o swear_v in_o my_o wrath_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o my_o rest_n do_v suppose_v a_o threefold_a rest_n the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o sabbath_n of_o which_o mention_n be_v make_v in_o the_o second_o of_o genesis_n where_o we_o have_v the_o first_o institution_n of_o it_o the_o second_o be_v the_o rest_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n promise_v to_o the_o jew_n upon_o their_o endure_v all_o those_o trial_n in_o the_o wilderness_n the_o three_o the_o rest_n in_o heaven_n of_o which_o the_o two_o forego_v be_v but_o the_o figure_n he_o argue_v therefore_o that_o these_o word_n of_o david_n can_v not_o be_v understand_v concern_v the_o sabbath_n day_n forasmuch_o as_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n man_n enter_v into_o that_o rest_n of_o the_o sabbath_n and_o he_o prove_v this_o by_o that_o passage_n in_o genesis_n of_o which_o he_o only_o cite_v the_o first_o word_n viz._n that_o god_n rest_v the_o seven_o day_n from_o all_o his_o work_n as_o suppose_v that_o the_o jew_n
joshua_n concern_v the_o several_a blessing_n and_o curse_n which_o be_v to_o be_v pronounce_v upon_o the_o mount_v ebal_n and_o gerizim_n because_o the_o form_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v public_a and_o authentic_a the_o same_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o the_o first-fruit_n and_o upon_o the_o prayer_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o tithe_n of_o the_o three_o year_n as_o likewise_o upon_o many_o other_o law_n four_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o book_n be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n according_a to_o the_o injunction_n of_o that_o law_n which_o we_o find_v deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 10_o 11._o which_o be_v command_v to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o posterity_n as_o it_o be_v intimate_v in_o the_o thirteen_o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n whereupon_o it_o may_v not_o be_v preposterous_a to_o consider_v here_o god_n method_n to_o prevent_v all_o forgery_n and_o imposture_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v during_o the_o longaevity_n of_o human_a life_n a_o constant_a and_o universal_a custom_n among_o all_o the_o patriarch_n to_o moses_n time_n to_o put_v when_o they_o lie_v on_o their_o death_n bed_n their_o posterity_n in_o mind_n of_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n and_o of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o religion_n because_o as_o all_o admonition_n and_o exhortation_n make_v at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o sincere_a so_o they_o seldom_o fail_v of_o be_v favourable_o construe_v and_o better_o entertain_v than_o they_o will_v be_v at_o any_o other_o time_n we_o have_v as_o instance_n of_o this_o ancient_a custom_n the_o example_n of_o abraham_n of_o isaac_n of_o jacob_n of_o joseph_n etc._n etc._n who_o in_o that_o i_o make_v no_o doubt_n follow_v the_o custom_n of_o their_o pious_a ancestor_n who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n derive_v it_o from_o adam_n himself_o that_o custom_n we_o see_v be_v of_o a_o admirable_a use_n to_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o illustrious_a transaction_n what_o be_v then_o speak_v by_o those_o pious_a venerable_a man_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o public_a sermon_n because_o it_o be_v deliver_v before_o those_o numerous_a family_n which_o meet_v then_o altogether_o about_o the_o bed_n of_o their_o common_a head_n and_o father_n and_o that_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n as_o do_v extraordinary_o excite_v their_o attention_n to_o this_o custom_n succeed_v another_o which_o be_v that_o when_o the_o great_a captain_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v sensible_a of_o their_o approach_a death_n than_o they_o usual_o call_v the_o people_n together_o to_o give_v they_o such_o exhortation_n reproof_n and_o admonition_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o proper_a either_o for_o their_o encouragement_n or_o for_o their_o reformation_n nay_o and_o that_o even_o in_o some_o occasion_n many_o of_o they_o have_v affect_v to_o have_v their_o speech_n make_v public_a and_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n thus_o do_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n and_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o judge_n and_o samuel_n and_o solomon_n etc._n etc._n we_o know_v that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v former_o read_v every_o sabbath_n day_n as_o st._n james_n do_v attest_v it_o in_o act_n xv._o and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o express_a command_n about_o it_o in_o moses_n write_n yet_o we_o find_v there_o something_o equivalent_a to_o it_o in_o the_o strict_a charge_n give_v by_o he_o to_o all_o the_o people_n to_o be_v continual_o conversant_a in_o his_o book_n and_o to_o instruct_v their_o family_n at_o all_o time_n in_o the_o law_n and_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o they_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o the_o israelite_n be_v bind_v by_o that_o command_n of_o moses_n to_o read_v his_o book_n every_o day_n they_o be_v more_o particular_o oblige_v by_o the_o same_o command_n to_o read_v they_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v make_v a_o day_n of_o rest_n by_o god_n particular_o on_o purpose_n that_o all_o man_n may_v the_o better_o attend_v on_o that_o day_n to_o the_o read_n and_o meditate_v god_n law_n and_o the_o perform_v all_o other_o religious_a duty_n we_o know_v beside_o that_o those_o book_n be_v continual_o explain_v both_o by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v on_o purpose_n disperse_v through_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o attend_v and_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o moses_n in_o his_o write_n have_v exact_o keep_v a_o kind_n of_o journal_n which_o can_v easy_o receive_v any_o alteration_n if_o we_o read_v hereupon_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o several_a removal_n of_o their_o tent_n in_o the_o desert_n we_o shall_v be_v easy_o convince_v by_o the_o very_a form_n and_o stile_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o that_o they_o be_v former_o public_o receive_v and_o be_v exact_o transcribe_v out_o of_o the_o original_a and_o that_o if_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o suffer_v any_o alteration_n it_o be_v only_o as_o to_o some_o appendix_n or_o postscript_n insert_v by_o esrah_n or_o some_o other_o prophet_n by_o way_n of_o explication_n we_o see_v in_o those_o book_n a_o history_n write_v without_o disguise_n or_o partiality_n exact_a in_o relate_v all_o circumstance_n of_o place_n time_n and_o person_n even_o in_o the_o narration_n of_o thing_n of_o small_a importance_n for_o the_o main_a drift_n of_o the_o author_n there_o be_v beside_o some_o passage_n record_v in_o they_o which_o any_o author_n who_o live_v after_o moses_n time_n will_v certain_o have_v leave_v out_o if_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n yet_o at_o least_o to_o abolish_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o action_n dishonourable_a to_o some_o great_a family_n and_o whole_a tribe_n of_o israel_n again_o we_o read_v in_o they_o the_o song_n and_o other_o public_a monument_n which_o be_v make_v upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o they_o the_o better_a i_o have_v but_o three_o observation_n more_o to_o make_v here_o and_o then_o i_o have_v do_v with_o this_o chapter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o those_o book_n have_v be_v constant_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o author_n among_o that_o people_n who_o follow_v moses_n and_o that_o their_o quotation_n do_v exact_o agree_v with_o the_o text_n of_o those_o book_n as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o which_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n as_o well_o of_o the_o sincerity_n as_o of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o that_o author_n they_o be_v as_o much_o esteem_v in_o israel_n as_o in_o juda_n both_o people_n do_v observe_v they_o as_o their_o law_n the_o prophet_n that_o arise_v from_o time_n to_o time_n do_v always_o and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n acknowledge_v and_o maintain_v their_o authority_n thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n quote_v out_o of_o they_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o curse_n and_o blessing_n to_o the_o prophecy_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n among_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o thirteen_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o among_o the_o people_n be_v nothing_o in_o general_n but_o a_o account_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v former_o by_o moses_n to_o raise_v up_o from_o among_o that_o people_n such_o man_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o affliction_n and_o captivity_n as_o will_v be_v the_o assertor_n of_o their_o liberty_n we_o see_v there_o in_o particular_a the_o execution_n of_o moses_n order_n concern_v caleb_n 3._o judge_n i._o 20._o judg._n vii_o 3._o judg._n xiii_o 3._o and_o of_o that_o law_n in_o deuteronomy_n which_o prescribe_v the_o manner_n of_o dismiss_v from_o the_o army_n those_o that_o be_v fearful_a and_o fainthearted_a and_o of_o that_o other_o concern_v the_o nazarite_n etc._n etc._n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o rule_n and_o law_n prescribe_v in_o those_o book_n continue_v in_o force_n in_o the_o time_n of_o ruth_n david_n great_a grandmother_n that_o appear_v plain_o by_o their_o observation_n of_o those_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o next_o kinsman_n to_o take_v to_o wife_n the_o widow_n of_o his_o decease_a relation_n and_o to_o redeem_v his_o inheritance_n as_o for_o david_n and_o solomon_n they_o be_v continual_o allude_v to_o something_o or_o other_o deliver_v in_o those_o book_n nehemiah_n quote_v they_o in_o chap._n xiii_o of_o his_o book_n and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3563_o and_o so_o do_v malachy_n in_o the_o iv_o and_o v._o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3580._o the_o second_o observation_n which_o be_v very_o material_a be_v that_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n have_v insert_v in_o they_o a_o express_a prohibition_n of_o add_v
carry_v away_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n by_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o moses_n confirm_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o confirm_v beyond_o exception_n at_o least_o far_o beyond_o the_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n it_o remain_v only_o now_o to_o examine_v whether_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v not_o the_o same_o certainty_n when_o we_o look_v back_o from_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o about_o 580_o year_n i_o say_v then_o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v they_o forge_v during_o that_o period_n first_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o form_n we_o now_o see_v they_o but_o that_o the_o forgery_n must_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o the_o world._n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o all_o their_o family_n or_o synagogue_n and_o every_o seven_o year_n beside_o nothing_n be_v of_o more_o easy_a observation_n than_o whether_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o three_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o passover_n pentecost_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v obey_v the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n whether_o relate_v to_o particular_a person_n to_o tribe_n or_o their_o land_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o possess_v of_o they_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o suppose_v a_o insensible_a change_n wrought_v either_o in_o in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o civil_a government_n or_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o unsufferable_a piece_n of_o boldness_n to_o charge_v the_o jew_n with_o forge_v these_o book_n of_o moses_n or_o adulterate_v of_o they_o in_o this_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o appear_v they_o have_v keep_v they_o without_o any_o alteration_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2700_o year_n as_o have_v be_v show_v already_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n and_o disperse_v into_o distant_a country_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o forge_v or_o adulterate_v any_o of_o the_o say_a book_n because_o it_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v discover_v it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o the_o same_o reason_n take_v place_n in_o this_o interval_n of_o 580_o year_n for_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n to_o rehoboam_n they_o be_v not_o only_o great_o divide_v among_o themselves_o but_o almost_o continual_o subject_a to_o neighbour_a state_n who_o subdue_v they_o by_o turn_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n moreover_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n first_o that_o these_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o rise_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o fiction_n which_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n second_o that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v evident_o confirm_v by_o the_o follow_a book_n of_o joshuah_n and_o judge_n which_o have_v a_o essential_a reference_n to_o the_o same_o and_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o public_a act_n of_o many_o nation_n attest_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o that_o the_o say_a book_n be_v so_o close_o link_v and_o relate_v to_o those_o public_a and_o know_v action_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o separate_v the_o law_n they_o contain_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n attest_v by_o pagan_a history_n or_o to_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o equal_o lay_v down_o that_o platform_n of_o their_o policy_n and_o worship_n my_o business_n at_o present_a only_o be_v to_o hint_n these_o general_a reflection_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o sequel_n will_v oblige_v i_o to_o make_v some_o more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o each_o book_n when_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o consider_v the_o several_a relation_n they_o contain_v i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n where_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o deluge_n with_o other_o matter_n until_o the_o death_n of_o joseph_n which_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2369_o year_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a forasmuch_o as_o among_o those_o matter_n which_o moses_n relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v depend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o i_o must_v make_v it_o my_o business_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v that_o god_n create_v a_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o due_a time_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n for_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n i_o shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_o
and_o unclean_a beast_n which_o be_v observe_v to_o this_o hour_n among_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v clear_a and_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v in_o all_o those_o law_n a_o deep_a impression_n of_o those_o several_a great_a miracle_n which_o compel_v pharaoh_n to_o let_v the_o israelite_n go_v last_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a here_o that_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n wrought_v as_o by_o many_o miracle_n so_o especial_o by_o the_o death_n of_o all_o the_o first-born_a of_o egypt_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n continue_v among_o the_o egyptian_n till_o after_o jesus_n christ_n for_o till_o then_o they_o use_v to_o mark_v with_o red_a their_o sheep_n their_o tree_n their_o house_n and_o land_n the_o day_n before_o the_o passover_n as_o one_o may_v see_v in_o epiphanius_n which_o custom_n can_v proceed_v from_o no_o other_o cause_n than_o from_o the_o egyptian_n fear_v of_o the_o like_a plague_n and_o mortality_n that_o be_v once_o inflict_v upon_o their_o forefather_n and_o from_o their_o hope_n of_o prevent_v it_o by_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o talisman_n whereby_o they_o think_v moses_n have_v former_o save_v the_o israelite_n harmless_a from_o that_o great_a plague_n only_o by_o sprinkle_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o lamb_n of_o the_o passover_n on_o the_o upper_a door_n post_n of_o their_o house_n chap._n iu._n a_o continuation_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n these_o argument_n may_v be_v think_v sufficient_a for_o the_o evince_a the_o truth_n of_o these_o miracle_n which_o moses_n relate_v but_o yet_o something_o more_o may_v be_v add_v as_o those_o stupendous_a miracle_n by_o which_o the_o famous_a deliverance_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v effect_v can_v not_o be_v doubt_v of_o by_o those_o who_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o so_o they_o be_v afterward_o confirm_v by_o several_a other_o miracle_n which_o be_v as_o great_a and_o almost_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n continue_v for_o many_o year_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n god_n make_v a_o pillar_n of_o fire_n and_o of_o a_o cloud_n attend_v upon_o the_o israelite_n to_o guide_v they_o the_o one_o by_o day_n and_o the_o other_o by_o night_n he_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n to_o open_v a_o passage_n through_o it_o for_o his_o people_n ult_n l._n 9_o praep_n eu._n cap._n ult_n the_o memory_n whereof_o say_v eusebius_n be_v preserve_v to_o his_o time_n by_o those_o of_o memphis_n the_o israelite_n take_v the_o spoil_n of_o the_o egyptian_n drown_v in_o the_o red_a sea_n as_o they_o be_v pursue_v they_o they_o make_v a_o song_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o wonderful_a deliverance_n they_o be_v feed_v with_o manna_n a_o kind_n of_o heavenly_a and_o miraculous_a food_n they_o drink_v of_o that_o brook_n of_o water_n that_o be_v follow_v they_o wherever_o they_o go_v all_o those_o miracle_n with_o many_o other_o continue_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o without_o any_o interruption_n and_o do_v therefore_o firm_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o other_o miracle_n which_o moses_n relate_v because_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o wherein_o the_o people_n can_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o any_o trick_n or_o illusion_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n whereof_o every_o one_o can_v not_o satisfy_v himself_o by_o his_o own_o experience_n i_o do_v not_o speak_v now_o of_o several_a public_a monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n as_o for_o example_n the_o rod_n of_o aaron_n which_o blossom_a in_o a_o night_n the_o manna_n which_o be_v keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n the_o brazen_a serpent_n which_o have_v continue_v to_o hezekiah_n time_n be_v break_v down_o by_o he_o only_o because_o the_o people_n offer_v incense_n to_o it_o from_o all_o which_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n both_o many_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o miracle_n and_o a_o constant_a series_n of_o miracle_n which_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o moses_n do_v the_o better_a confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v as_o do_v by_o he_o on_o purpose_n to_o vindicate_v and_o defend_v the_o liberty_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n because_o i_o do_v just_a now_o intimate_v that_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o jewish_a deliverance_n do_v continue_v for_o many_o age_n after_o among_o the_o egyptian_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o add_v here_o some_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o neither_o such_o a_o transaction_n as_o that_o be_v nor_o yet_o any_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o importance_n can_v ever_o be_v forget_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o in_o outward_a appearance_n seem_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o what_o be_v relate_v concern_v the_o gibeonite_n come_v to_o joshuah_n camp_n their_o equipage_n show_v that_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o persuade_v the_o israelite_n that_o they_o come_v from_o a_o far_a country_n the_o treaty_n which_o they_o extort_a from_o joshuah_n by_o fraud_n be_v very_o singular_a and_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o remarkable_a than_o their_o subsistence_n among_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o nation_n which_o god_n have_v command_v to_o be_v destroy_v and_o their_o be_v destine_v by_o joshuah_n appointment_n to_o carry_v the_o wood_n and_o the_o water_n necessary_a for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v denominate_v nethinim_n and_o thereby_o for_o ever_o after_o distinguish_v from_o the_o israelite_n but_o after_o all_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o agreeable_a to_o god_n wisdom_n than_o the_o preservation_n of_o that_o people_n among_o the_o israelite_n their_o father_n be_v the_o witness_n of_o moses_n and_o joshuah_n miracle_n those_o miracle_n oblige_v they_o to_o seek_v the_o alliance_n of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o to_o cheat_v they_o into_o it_o by_o a_o fraudulent_a treaty_n because_o they_o despair_v of_o compass_v their_o design_n by_o any_o other_o mean_n therefore_o their_o subsist_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o servile_a office_n which_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o be_v of_o a_o extraordinary_a use_n to_o make_v that_o people_n preserve_v and_o cherish_v up_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o glorious_a action_n which_o every_o gibeonite_n have_v perpetual_o before_o his_o eye_n the_o same_o remark_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o continue_n of_o rahab_n family_n among_o the_o israelite_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jericho_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o believe_v that_o beside_o those_o first_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n many_o other_o have_v be_v do_v since_o for_o their_o sake_n both_o to_o possess_v they_o of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o keep_v or_o restore_v they_o to_o the_o possession_n of_o it_o nay_o of_o those_o latter_a miracle_n many_o be_v very_o like_a unto_o the_o former_a as_o for_o example_n the_o death_n of_o 185000_o man_n in_o the_o army_n of_o sennacherib_n the_o return_v of_o the_o shadow_n backward_o ten_o degree_n upon_o the_o sundial_n of_o ahaz_n the_o wonderful_a preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o esther_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o purim_n among_o they_o and_o several_a other_o miraculous_a transaction_n relate_v in_o the_o jewish_a author_n of_o which_o i_o will_v only_o name_v three_o which_o do_v preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o important_a miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n the_o first_o be_v the_o continual_a miracle_n of_o the_o urim_n and_o thummim_n of_o the_o highpriest_n which_o by_o its_o frequency_n do_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n relation_n concern_v the_o several_a apparition_n of_o god_n in_o order_n to_o lead_v his_o people_n and_o to_o give_v they_o law_n the_o second_o be_v the_o miracle_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n xxv_o levit._fw-la xxv_o during_o which_o though_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n do_v neither_o sow_n nor_o reap_v god_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n do_v supply_v they_o with_o plenty_n of_o provision_n by_o make_v every_o six_o year_n extraordinary_o plentiful_a now_o this_o miracle_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o memorial_n of_o that_o other_o great_a miracle_n whereby_o god_n do_v feed_v his_o people_n with_o manna_n for_o forty_o year_n together_o in_o the_o desert_n still_o double_v the_o proportion_n of_o manna_n every_o six_o day_n in_o effect_n as_o that_o law_n which_o command_v a_o sabbath_n of_o rest_n unto_o the_o land_n every_o seven_o year_n be_v constant_o observe_v which_o will_v never_o have_v be_v do_v long_o if_o that_o people_n have_v not_o always_o be_v full_o convince_v