for_o for_o those_o we_o have_v of_o this_o kind_n some_o of_o they_o be_v too_o voluminous_a and_o the_o people_n have_v not_o ability_n to_o purchase_v or_o leisure_n to_o peruse_v they_o other_o be_v not_o perhaps_o so_o fit_v for_o common_a use_n but_o that_o which_o i_o insist_v main_o upon_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v fit_a something_o of_o this_o kind_n shall_v be_v contrive_v which_o may_v serve_v the_o reader_n be_v necessity_n to_o the_o great_a advantage_n that_o may_v be_v short_a and_o perspicuous_a cheap_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v purchase_v and_o after_o all_o such_o as_o bear_v the_o stamp_n of_o public_a allowance_n for_o the_o follow_a note_n i_o shall_v not_o need_v say_v much_o have_v acquaint_v the_o reader_n already_o with_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o some_o few_o thing_n i_o think_v fit_a to_o add_v first_o that_o i_o have_v all_o along_o make_v the_o hebrew_n text_n my_o rule_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v how_o i_o can_v do_v otherwise_o i_o be_o sure_a this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n which_o our_o translator_n be_v govern_v by_o second_o that_o i_o have_v never_o attempt_v to_o advance_v any_o private_a opinion_n nor_o in_o the_o least_o depart_v from_o my_o rule_n for_o any_o consideration_n whatsoever_o and_o though_o i_o have_v a_o great_a opinion_n both_o of_o the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n especial_o on_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o not_o mean_a one_o of_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a and_o have_v with_o some_o labour_n compare_v they_o yet_o i_o have_v always_o have_v my_o eye_n on_o the_o hebrew_n text_n as_o upon_o the_o rule_n which_o be_v to_o govern_v i_o nothing_o can_v tempt_v i_o to_o alter_v the_o hebrew_n text_n or_o to_o depart_v from_o it_o three_o i_o must_v own_v that_o as_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o text_n i_o have_v receive_v considerable_a assistance_n from_o the_o ancient_a interpreter_n and_o from_o the_o modern_a especial_o from_o the_o lxxii_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o targum_fw-la of_o onkelos_n which_o be_v general_o a_o version_n rather_o than_o a_o paraphrase_n nor_o have_v the_o syriac_a be_v forget_v and_o the_o samaritan_n have_v upon_o occasion_n be_v consider_v for_o the_o modern_a version_n i_o know_v none_o better_o than_o our_o own_o in_o english_a that_o of_o diodati_n in_o italian_a and_o the_o tigurin_n in_o latin_a which_o have_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o follow_a note_n four_o nor_o have_v i_o neglect_v josephus_n and_o philo_n the_o jew_n i_o have_v consider_v how_o they_o have_v render_v the_o word_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n as_o they_o have_v cite_v they_o on_o occasion_n and_o what_o other_o account_n they_o have_v give_v of_o many_o passage_n of_o these_o book_n nor_o have_v i_o over-looked_n the_o rabbinical_a commentator_n and_o i_o have_v receive_v great_a help_n from_o maimon_n especial_o who_o i_o have_v frequent_o consult_v and_o make_v use_v of_o upon_o this_o occasion_n i_o be_o full_o of_o opinion_n the_o write_n of_o that_o jew_n next_o to_o the_o sacred_a be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a blessing_n that_o the_o learned_a world_n have_v and_o that_o if_o young_a divine_n will_v read_v his_o work_n with_o due_a care_n they_o will_v arrive_v at_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o scripture-knowledge_n than_o by_o all_o the_o other_o method_n which_o be_v usual_o take_v i_o do_v not_o wonder_v that_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o speak_v of_o moses_n maimonides_n shall_v say_v that_o from_o moses_n to_o moses_n there_o never_o be_v a_o man_n like_o moses_n five_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v thing_n as_o plain_a as_o i_o can_v to_o the_o ordinary_a reader_n i_o have_v study_v to_o be_v short_a and_o not_o to_o disturb_v the_o reader_n with_o hard_a word_n or_o unnecessary_a quotation_n for_o those_o few_o quotation_n i_o have_v they_o be_v not_o take_v upon_o trust_n but_o i_o have_v constant_o see_v with_o my_o own_o eye_n whatever_o defect_n there_o may_v be_v find_v in_o this_o work_n this_o i_o can_v true_o say_v for_o myself_o that_o i_o have_v diligent_o pursue_v the_o truth_n and_o shall_v be_v very_o ready_a to_o listen_v to_o any_o man_n that_o shall_v show_v the_o my_o mistake_n and_o shall_v most_o ready_o retract_v they_o i_o have_v use_v what_o care_n i_o can_v to_o minister_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o other_o and_o do_v what_o lie_v in_o i_o to_o this_o purpose_n i_o be_o fond_a of_o no_o singular_a opinion_n have_v pursue_v no_o worldly_a advantage_n and_o whatever_o censure_n i_o may_v meet_v with_o from_o abroad_o i_o be_o not_o conscious_a to_o myself_o of_o any_o want_n of_o diligence_n or_o integrity_n if_o this_o will_v be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o other_o i_o shall_v be_v well_o satisfy_v and_o shall_v be_v much_o better_o please_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v any_o occasion_n to_o excite_v other_o to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n which_o be_v begin_v to_o better_a purpose_n and_o a_o far_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o well-disposed_a reader_n the_o content_n of_o the_o follow_a dissertation_n attempt_v to_o disparage_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o particular_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n of_o those_o who_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o moses_n do_v not_o write_v the_o pentateuch_n that_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a moment_n the_o design_n of_o the_o follow_a dissertation_n that_o moses_n do_v write_v the_o pentateuch_n be_v show_v and_o have_v be_v own_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o witness_n the_o objection_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o it_o with_o their_o answer_n the_o first_o objection_n from_o deut._n 1.1_o answer_v the_o second_o objection_n from_o gen._n 36.31_o with_o some_o reflection_n on_o a_o late_a writer_n of_o a_o commentary_n on_o genesis_n print_v at_o amsterdam_n a_o answer_n thereunto_o obj._n 3_o concern_v hebron_n and_o dan._n a_o answer_n to_o it_o obj._n 4._o from_o deut._n 2.12_o answer_v obj._n 5._o from_o gen._n 12.6_o with_o its_o answer_n obj._n 6._o from_o deut._n 3.11_o 14._o answer_v obj._n 7._o from_o exod._n 16.35_o with_o its_o answer_n obj._n 8._o from_o gen._n 22.14_o answer_v obj._n 9_o from_o numb_a 21.14_o answer_v obj._n 10._o from_o numb_a 12.6_o and_o deut._n 34.10_o answer_v obj._n 11._o from_o exod._n 6._o answer_v obj._n 12._o answer_v obj._n 13._o from_o gen._n 40.15_o answer_v obj._n 14._o from_o gen._n 35.21_o a_o answer_n to_o it_o obj._n 15._o from_o gen._n 20.7_o that_o the_o word_n prophet_n be_v as_o old_a as_o moses_n show_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o it_o obj._n 16._o from_o exod._n 16.36_o answer_v obj._n 17._o from_o gen._n 2.11_o 12._o and_o chap._n 10.8_o answer_v obj._n 18._o from_o the_o many_o repetition_n in_o these_o book_n the_o reader_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o general_n argument_n to_o deuteronomy_n where_o this_o objection_n be_v answer_v at_o large_a obj._n 19_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o this_o pentateuch_n be_v confuse_v and_o therefore_o not_o write_v by_o moses_n a_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n obj._n 20._o from_o the_o obscurity_n of_o these_o book_n a_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n obj._n 21._o from_o the_o difference_n of_o style_n in_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n a_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n obj._n 22._o from_o deut._n 34._o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o moses_n can_v not_o write_v that_o chapter_n a_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n the_o conclusion_n a_o dissertation_n concern_v the_o author_n or_o writer_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n it_o have_v be_v the_o business_n and_o study_n of_o some_o man_n of_o late_a year_n to_o disparage_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o all_o reveal_v religion_n what_o attempt_n have_v be_v make_v to_o that_o end_n be_v sufficient_o know_v the_o authority_n and_o inspiration_n of_o these_o sacred_a oracle_n have_v not_o only_o be_v call_v in_o question_n but_o profess_o oppose_a and_o those_o who_o have_v be_v so_o hardy_a and_o profane_a as_o to_o libel_v the_o scripture_n have_v not_o only_o escape_v without_o punishment_n or_o censure_n but_o they_o have_v be_v cry_v up_o and_o fame_v for_o their_o performance_n of_o this_o kind_a as_o great_a wit_n and_o man_n of_o wonderful_a sagacity_n their_o write_n have_v be_v industrious_o spread_v and_o those_o who_o set_v up_o for_o wit_n have_v open_o avow_v their_o disbelief_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n have_v not_o escape_v they_o have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o there_o have_v be_v those_o who_o have_v give_v out_o that_o the_o five_o book_n common_o believe_v to_o be_v his_o be_v never_o write_v by_o he_o and_o they_o pretend_v that_o they_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v write_v by_o he_o and_o there_o be_v three_o writer_n of_o late_a that_o in_o their_o work_n have_v bold_o assert_v this_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o his_o leviathan_n the_o author_n
of_o the_o book_n call_v the_o praeadamitae_fw-la and_o spinosa_n in_o his_o tractatus_fw-la theologico-politicus_a this_o matter_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o that_o wherein_o our_o common_a religion_n be_v great_o concern_v it_o strike_v at_o the_o very_a root_n of_o it_o and_o call_v its_o antiquity_n in_o question_n and_o leave_v the_o pious_a reader_n at_o a_o great_a loss_n for_o whereas_o we_o all_o own_o that_o god_n speak_v by_o moses_n yet_o still_o if_o these_o man_n be_v in_o the_o right_a we_o shall_v be_v perfect_o at_o a_o loss_n for_o the_o author_n of_o these_o book_n and_o not_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v a_o servant_n of_o god_n or_o not_o beside_o when_o the_o author_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n appeal_v to_o his_o write_n we_o shall_v however_o be_v very_o uncertain_a where_o to_o find_v these_o write_n if_o he_o be_v not_o allow_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o so_o will_v the_o christian_a religion_n suffer_v at_o the_o same_o time_n my_o design_n in_o what_o follow_v be_v to_o defend_v moses_n against_o all_o the_o attempt_n that_o the_o author_n abovenamed_a have_v make_v against_o his_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n this_o be_v as_o much_o as_o my_o present_a argument_n do_v oblige_v i_o to_o i_o be_o not_o oblige_v operose_o to_o prove_v moses_n to_o be_v the_o author_n or_o writer_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n he_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o that_o title_n it_o have_v be_v allow_v from_o the_o high_a antiquity_n own_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n jew_n and_o christian_n by_o infidel_n and_o pagan_n by_o man_n of_o all_o sect_n and_o party_n by_o man_n that_o in_o other_o thing_n have_v differ_v great_o from_o one_o another_o but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o have_v neglect_v any_o thing_n of_o moment_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v before_o i_o proceed_v any_o far_a show_v what_o good_a reason_n we_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n and_o then_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o force_n of_o those_o objection_n which_o have_v be_v produce_v against_o it_o for_o the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o design_n i_o need_v not_o say_v much_o both_o because_o it_o have_v be_v make_v out_o by_o other_o beyond_o all_o exception_n and_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v attend_v with_o as_o great_a evidence_n as_o can_v be_v reasonable_o expect_v by_o any_o that_o be_v unprejudiced_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o moses_n write_v the_o law_n and_o as_o will_v appear_v far_o afterward_o that_o by_o the_o law_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v mean_v the_o pentateuch_n exod._n 24.4_o and_o deliver_v it_o to_o the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o levi_n deut._n 31.9_o he_o be_v command_v to_o write_v and_o he_o do_v it_o exod._n 17.14_o with_o josh_n 1.8_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v go_v over_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o show_v the_o many_o passage_n cite_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n of_o the_o book_n thereof_o out_o of_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n i_o will_v to_o put_v this_o matter_n out_o of_o doubt_n with_o all_o christian_n pass_v on_o to_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o these_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v quote_v frequent_o and_o they_o be_v cite_v as_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o will_v not_o show_v how_o often_o they_o be_v quote_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o will_v be_v more_o than_o be_v needful_a it_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v cite_v several_o as_o the_o law_n and_o as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n a_o historical_a passage_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v cite_v by_o st._n paul_n under_o the_o character_n of_o the_o law_n gal._n 4.21_o and_o the_o write_a law_n that_o be_v v._o 30._o and_o rom._n 4.3_o st._n stephen_n be_v charge_v to_o have_v speak_v blasphemous_a word_n against_o moses_n and_o against_o the_o law_n act._n 6.11_o 13._o he_o be_v charge_v to_o have_v affirm_v that_o jesus_n shall_v change_v the_o custom_n which_o moses_n deliver_v v._o 14._o upon_o this_o he_o make_v his_o defence_n and_o own_v his_o belief_n of_o the_o matter_n relate_v even_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n chap._n 7.3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15._o which_o have_v not_o be_v to_o his_o purpose_n have_v not_o that_o book_n be_v part_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o be_v accuse_v to_o have_v speak_v against_o as_o well_o as_o against_o moses_n again_o we_o have_v find_v he_o of_o who_o moses_n in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n do_v write_v joh._n 1.45_o this_o law_n here_o can_v be_v exclusive_a of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o contain_v the_o first_o and_o also_o the_o clear_a prophecy_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o not_o christian_a can_v make_v any_o doubt_n that_o consult_v gen._n 3.15_o and_o chap._n 49.10_o these_o prophecy_n be_v allow_v by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n the_o book_n of_o exodus_fw-la be_v by_o our_o saviour_n express_o call_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n mark_v 12.26_o as_o it_o be_v call_v the_o scripture_n by_o st._n paul_n rom._n 9.17_o and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o st._n luke_n chap._n 2.23_o leviticus_n be_v cite_v also_o by_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n matt._n 8.4_o and_o what_o that_o book_n describe_v st._n paul_n reckon_v as_o describe_v by_o moses_n rom._n 10.5_o and_o moses_n be_v say_v to_o command_v what_o be_v command_v in_o that_o book_n joh._n 8._o â—_o for_o the_o book_n of_o number_n though_o i_o find_v it_o not_o particular_o quote_v as_o other_o book_n under_o this_o character_n yet_o have_v we_o no_o cause_n to_o exclude_v it_o from_o what_o that_o place_n refer_v to_o mention_v above_o viz._n joh._n 1.45_o tâ—â—_n which_o we_o may_v add_v what_o our_o saviour_n say_v have_v you_o believe_v moses_n you_o will_v have_v believe_v i_o for_o he_o write_v of_o i_o joh._n 5.46_o for_o so_o indeed_o he_o do_v in_o the_o book_n of_o number_n chap._n 24.17_o and_o far_a still_o our_o saviour_n refer_v to_o a_o passage_n relate_v in_o this_o book_n of_o number_n as_o a_o type_n of_o himself_o as_o moses_n lift_v up_o the_o serpent_n in_o the_o wilderness_n even_o so_o must_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v lift_v up_o joh._n 3.14_o deuteronomy_n be_v quote_v as_o part_v of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n matt._n 19.7_o 8._o and_o what_o we_o find_v say_v there_o be_v impute_v to_o moses_n as_o say_v by_o he_o which_o can_v be_v if_o he_o be_v not_o the_o writer_n of_o it_o act._n 3.22.7.37_o this_o book_n be_v express_o call_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n 1_o cor._n 9.9_o and_o what_o be_v therein_o contain_v be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v say_v by_o moses_n matt._n 22.24_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n be_v include_v by_o the_o word_n law_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o in_o that_o of_o the_o other_o and_o late_a jewish_a writer_n our_o saviour_n say_v that_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o psalm_n concern_v i_o luk._n 24.44_o whence_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o under_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o whole_a pentateuch_n be_v comprise_v for_o jesus_n give_v we_o the_o whole_a scripture_n as_o the_o jew_n divide_v it_o to_o this_o day_n for_o they_o divide_v it_o into_o three_o part_n the_o law_n which_o take_v in_o these_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o prophet_n which_o the_o jew_n divide_v into_o the_o former_a and_o latter_a and_o the_o kethuvim_n or_o hagiographical_a book_n and_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n be_v the_o principal_a of_o they_o be_v put_v by_o our_o saviour_n here_o for_o all_o that_o fall_v under_o that_o general_n head_n this_o law_n come_v by_o moses_n joh._n 1.14_o he_o write_v it_o and_o when_o the_o law_n be_v read_v moses_n be_v say_v to_o be_v read_v act._n 13.15_o and_o chap._n 15.21_o 2_o cor._n 3.15_o if_o i_o shall_v add_v to_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o moses_n have_v be_v own_v to_o be_v the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n by_o all_o mankind_n by_o all_o sort_n of_o author_n and_o by_o a_o universal_a tradition_n i_o think_v nothing_o can_v be_v want_v to_o confirm_v we_o in_o this_o belief_n and_o yet_o be_v this_o not_o deny_v by_o our_o adversary_n in_o this_o question_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o consider_v what_o can_v be_v say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o proof_n have_v need_n be_v very_o clear_a before_o moses_n can_v be_v dispossess_v of_o so_o just_a a_o claim_n and_o title_n which_o he_o have_v enjoy_v
imprimatur_fw-la octob._n 24._o 1693._o jo._n cant._n a_o commentary_n on_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n with_o a_o dissertation_n concern_v the_o author_n or_o writer_n of_o the_o say_a book_n and_o a_o general_n argument_n to_o each_o of_o they_o by_o richard_n lord_z bishop_n of_o bath_n and_o wells_n in_o two_o volume_n london_n print_v by_o j._n heptinstall_n for_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdcxciv_o the_o preface_n it_o be_v fit_a i_o shall_v acquaint_v the_o reader_n in_o the_o first_o place_n with_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o follow_a note_n and_o i_o be_o the_o more_o incline_v so_o to_o do_v that_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o i_o have_v not_o be_v forward_o to_o make_v they_o public_a and_o ambitious_a of_o appear_v in_o print_n many_o year_n be_v now_o pass_v since_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o london_n meet_v together_o and_o agree_v to_o publish_v some_o short_a note_n upon_o the_o whole_a bible_n for_o the_o use_v of_o family_n and_o of_o all_o those_o well-disposed_a person_n that_o desire_v to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o their_o great_a advantage_n at_o that_o meeting_n they_o agree_v upon_o this_o worthy_a design_n and_o take_v their_o several_a share_n and_o assign_v some_o part_n to_o they_o who_o be_v absent_a i_o be_v not_o present_a at_o that_o meeting_n but_o i_o be_v soon_o inform_v that_o they_o have_v assign_v to_o i_o the_o pentateuch_n i_o be_v very_o sensible_a how_o great_a a_o task_n this_o will_v prove_v and_o be_v sufficient_o conscious_a of_o my_o own_o defect_n yet_o be_v i_o willing_a to_o undertake_v it_o because_o i_o do_v always_o hope_n that_o by_o yield_v to_o it_o i_o may_v encourage_v the_o labour_n of_o those_o who_o will_v exceed_v whatever_o i_o be_v able_a to_o do_v upon_o this_o consideration_n i_o do_v set_v about_o this_o work_n and_o do_v often_o declare_v and_o with_o great_a sincerity_n that_o this_o be_v the_o motive_n which_o do_v induce_v i_o the_o work_n be_v begin_v with_o common_a consent_n and_o we_o do_v frequent_o meet_v and_o what_o be_v do_v be_v communicate_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o those_o meet_v together_o and_o that_o be_v concern_v the_o method_n of_o proceed_v have_v be_v adjust_v and_o agree_v to_o a_o specimen_fw-la be_v print_v and_o a_o agreement_n be_v make_v when_o it_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o the_o press_n and_o i_o finish_v my_o part_n in_o order_n thereunto_o but_o so_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o soon_o after_o all_o this_o the_o cloud_n begin_v to_o gather_v apace_o and_o there_o be_v great_a ground_n to_o fear_v that_o the_o popish_a party_n be_v attempt_v to_o ruin_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o severe_a storm_n from_o that_o quarter_n light_v upon_o we_o we_o be_v alarm_v with_o their_o plot_n and_o conspiracy_n and_o sometime_o after_o see_v that_o party_n encourage_v by_o the_o high_a power_n those_o of_o that_o party_n 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and_o perhaps_o nothing_o can_v have_v contribute_v more_o towards_o the_o make_n man_n wise_a and_o better_o and_o nothing_o be_v more_o want_v among_o we_o than_o such_o a_o short_a explication_n of_o the_o holy_a writ_n and_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v nothing_o will_v have_v be_v more_o acceptable_a to_o those_o that_o be_v well_o dispose_v than_o such_o a_o work_n some_o other_o hand_n have_v do_v something_o this_o way_n since_o who_o endeavour_n have_v not_o want_v very_o considerable_a encouragement_n it_o will_v also_o have_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o the_o undertaker_n themselves_o as_o it_o will_v have_v engage_v they_o in_o those_o study_n which_o of_o all_o other_o be_v most_o entertain_v to_o all_o man_n that_o be_v true_o spiritual_a the_o study_v of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o best_a employment_n for_o the_o minister_n in_o holy_a thing_n and_o for_o the_o people_n also_o and_o they_o that_o apply_v themselves_o diligent_o this_o way_n will_v be_v best_o able_a to_o defend_v the_o holy_a write_n against_o gainsayer_n and_o to_o deal_v with_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n and_o i_o have_v draw_v up_o my_o note_n upon_o this_o occasion_n do_v now_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o make_v they_o public_a god_n have_v now_o disperse_v those_o cloud_n that_o then_o hang_v over_o our_o head_n and_o i_o do_v it_o from_o the_o same_o motive_n that_o first_o induce_v i_o to_o undertake_v it_o viz._n that_o i_o may_v draw_v on_o other_o to_o do_v much_o better_o in_o the_o follow_a book_n i_o be_o very_o willing_a to_o hope_v that_o in_o due_a time_n the_o rest_n will_v follow_v in_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o volume_n that_o these_o appear_v in_o i_o can_v hardly_o think_v that_o a_o work_n so_o well_o devise_v will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n and_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n in_o my_o power_n to_o revive_v what_o be_v so_o well_o contrive_v at_o first_o i_o can_v but_o say_v something_o in_o this_o place_n beside_o what_o i_o intimate_v before_o of_o the_o great_a usefulness_n and_o necessity_n of_o some_o short_a and_o easy_a note_n upon_o the_o bible_n for_o the_o use_v of_o family_n perhaps_o it_o be_v that_o which_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v most_o want_v and_o most_o deserve_v the_o utmost_a care_n of_o the_o governor_n and_o instructor_n of_o the_o church_n we_o be_v agree_v that_o the_o people_n ought_v to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o they_o be_v therefore_o translate_v into_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n they_o do_v read_v they_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o want_v now_o but_o such_o a_o help_n as_o may_v enable_v they_o to_o understand_v they_o and_o gain_v the_o great_a benefit_n by_o they_o they_o must_v be_v often_o at_o a_o stand_n and_o may_v answer_v as_o the_o eunuch_n answer_v philip_n when_o he_o say_v understand_v thou_o what_o thou_o read_v and_o he_o say_v how_o can_v i_o except_o some_o man_n shall_v guide_v i_o act._n 8.30_o 31._o there_o be_v in_o the_o holy_a book_n some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o other_o thing_n there_o be_v that_o be_v very_o liable_a to_o be_v misunderstand_v and_o sometime_o a_o mistake_n be_v of_o a_o dangerous_a sometime_o of_o a_o fatal_a consequence_n there_o be_v some_o man_n that_o set_v up_o for_o wit_n that_o cavil_v at_o these_o holy_a book_n and_o pretend_v to_o have_v discover_v flaw_n or_o inconsistency_n in_o they_o these_o little_a wit_n run_v away_o with_o this_o conceit_n that_o they_o have_v just_a exception_n against_o these_o book_n they_o scatter_v their_o poison_n and_o prevail_v upon_o the_o profane_a and_o the_o ignorant_a all_o this_o mischief_n and_o very_o much_o more_o may_v have_v be_v prevent_v by_o lay_v thing_n in_o their_o true_a light_n and_o inform_v the_o diligent_a reader_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n with_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o place_n by_o this_o mean_n we_o must_v stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o foolish_a man_n and_o prevent_v the_o fall_n of_o the_o weak_a there_o have_v be_v of_o late_a year_n great_a attempt_n to_o disparage_v and_o lessen_v the_o esteem_n of_o the_o holy_a writ_n and_o moses_n himself_o have_v not_o be_v spare_v on_o this_o occasion_n i_o be_o of_o opinion_n after_o all_o that_o these_o attempt_n have_v not_o do_v any_o harm_n to_o wise_a and_o stable_a soul_n these_o man_n think_v as_o honourable_o of_o these_o write_n as_o they_o do_v before_o but_o yet_o a_o great_a number_n of_o our_o people_n have_v be_v seduce_v and_o the_o unstable_a and_o unlearned_a have_v wrest_v the_o â—oly_a scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n the_o scripture_n need_v not_o fear_v the_o most_o subtle_a enemy_n they_o may_v be_v defend_v against_o the_o sophistry_n of_o those_o that_o will_v render_v they_o
despicable_a and_o ridiculous_a the_o defence_n which_o the_o reader_n will_v find_v in_o the_o follow_a paper_n of_o moses_n as_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n against_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o profess_a and_o most_o fame_a writer_n of_o this_o last_o age_n will_v convince_v any_o indifferent_a reader_n that_o these_o man_n have_v no_o wit_n to_o spare_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n for_o a_o profane_a man_n to_o scoff_n at_o the_o scripture_n and_o for_o a_o wit_n to_o entertain_v his_o reader_n or_o his_o hearer_n with_o his_o drollery_n on_o this_o occasion_n but_o still_o here_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v find_v that_o will_v endanger_v the_o wise_a and_o the_o stable_n however_o we_o be_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o take_v care_n of_o our_o brethren_n and_o of_o such_o of_o they_o especial_o as_o be_v commit_v to_o our_o care_n and_o charge_n and_o it_o be_v high_a time_n now_o to_o defend_v our_o common_a religion_n against_o the_o profess_a enemy_n of_o what_o be_v reveal_v it_o be_v high_a time_n to_o encourage_v the_o bible-learning_n i_o mean_v all_o those_o study_n that_o will_v enable_v man_n better_a to_o understand_v and_o defend_v the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o have_v long_o enough_o use_v our_o pen_n against_o one_o another_o and_o full_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o in_o the_o late_a time_n attempt_v we_o it_o well_o become_v we_o now_o to_o turn_v our_o thought_n and_o study_n another_o way_n as_o our_o church_n have_v deal_v very_o sincere_o in_o allow_v the_o people_n the_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o vulgar_a tongue_n so_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v of_o great_a use_n than_o the_o commend_v to_o they_o some_o easy_a and_o plain_a and_o well-considered_n explication_n thereof_o when_o the_o law_n be_v read_v to_o the_o people_n after_o their_o return_n from_o babylon_n in_o the_o day_n of_o ezra_n the_o name_n of_o those_o man_n be_v mention_v who_o cause_v the_o people_n to_o understand_v the_o law_n it_o follow_v so_o they_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n distinct_o and_o give_v the_o sense_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o understand_v the_o read_n nehem._n 8.7_o 8._o the_o jew_n when_o they_o be_v return_v from_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n and_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n forget_v their_o own_o language_n need_v such_o a_o explication_n and_o hence_o it_o have_v be_v think_v it_o be_v that_o the_o targum_n or_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n spring_v a_o exact_a and_o diligent_a study_v of_o the_o scripture_n and_o lead_v the_o people_n into_o a_o good_a understanding_n of_o they_o will_v prevent_v many_o mischief_n which_o we_o have_v labour_v under_o it_o will_v enable_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o question_n agitate_a among_o christian_n much_o better_o it_o will_v divert_v we_o from_o that_o contentious_a theology_n that_o be_v fruitless_a and_o very_o perplex_v it_o will_v tend_v immediate_o to_o furnish_v we_o with_o useful_a knowledge_n and_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o defend_v our_o religion_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n it_o will_v prevent_v many_o of_o our_o dispute_n put_v a_o end_n to_o much_o of_o our_o schism_n and_o unnecessary_a separation_n and_o very_o much_o conduce_v to_o the_o introduce_v a_o better_a spirit_n among_o we_o but_o i_o will_v not_o be_v mistake_v i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o be_v fit_a that_o every_o man_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o write_v commentary_n on_o the_o bible_n what_o i_o plead_v for_o be_v this_o that_o something_o of_o this_o shall_v be_v appoint_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o after_o the_o maturest_n consideration_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o be_v not_o the_o scripture_n have_v do_v hurt_v to_o the_o world_n whatever_o our_o adversary_n affirm_v it_o be_v the_o misunderstanding_n and_o misapply_v they_o that_o have_v do_v it_o and_o hence_o indeed_o many_o mischief_n have_v a-risen_a which_o may_v by_o this_o care_n be_v in_o great_a measure_n prevent_v for_o the_o future_a it_o be_v true_a our_o people_n have_v the_o scripture_n translate_v and_o this_o translation_n be_v a_o very_a good_a one_o they_o have_v also_o a_o marginal_a read_n very_o often_o to_o help_v they_o to_o understand_v they_o and_o sometime_o they_o have_v also_o bibles_n with_o useful_a reference_n for_o their_o far_a assistance_n i_o ready_o own_o that_o these_o be_v great_a blessing_n but_o still_o the_o diligent_a reader_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n shall_v be_v far_o encourage_v for_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o we_o use_v it_o be_v very_o excellent_a i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v it_o be_v inferior_a to_o none_o either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a the_o memory_n of_o those_o person_n who_o labour_v in_o it_o aught_o to_o be_v precious_a yet_o after_o all_o there_o may_v be_v some_o thing_n in_o it_o that_o require_v far_a consideration_n and_o admit_v it_o to_o be_v the_o best_a version_n in_o the_o world_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o the_o pious_a reader_n shall_v have_v some_o far_a assistance_n towards_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o these_o holy_a book_n for_o though_o a_o good_a man_n that_o be_v diligent_a will_v find_v enough_o here_o to_o carry_v he_o to_o heaven_n if_o he_o be_v careful_a to_o practice_v what_o he_o read_v and_o may_v easy_o understand_v yet_o still_o there_o will_v often_o occur_v to_o he_o several_a thing_n here_o that_o will_v require_v some_o explication_n to_o make_v it_o more_o easy_a and_o useful_a to_o a_o well-disposed_a reader_n perhaps_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n unpossible_a to_o give_v a_o strict_a version_n out_o of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n into_o the_o english_a that_o will_v not_o require_v now_o and_o then_o some_o explication_n to_o fix_v and_o determine_v the_o sense_n which_o without_o it_o will_v be_v somewhat_o obscure_a and_o doubtful_a the_o genius_n and_o peculiarity_n of_o one_o language_n and_o the_o other_o be_v very_o different_a and_o a_o strict_a version_n be_v indeed_o but_o what_o be_v high_o fit_a but_o then_o the_o keep_n close_o to_o this_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o leave_v some_o thing_n more_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a as_o for_o instance_n it_o be_v say_v that_o because_o the_o midwife_n fear_v god_n he_o make_v they_o house_n exod._n 1.21_o the_o english_a reader_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o by_o they_o be_v mean_v the_o midwife_n whereas_o that_o word_n refer_v to_o the_o israelite_n not_o to_o the_o midwife_n for_o it_o be_v the_o masculine_a gender_n in_o the_o hebrew_n but_o the_o english_a do_v not_o distinguish_v the_o gender_n of_o pronoun_n as_o the_o hebrew_n and_o other_o language_n do_v nor_o be_v the_o version_n to_o be_v blame_v for_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o language_n be_v such_o as_o will_v not_o allow_v any_o thing_n better_o he_o shall_v dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o shem_n gen._n 9.27_o to_o who_o he_o refer_v the_o english_a reader_n can_v learn_v a_o note_n on_o the_o placâ—_n will_v direct_v he_o beside_o a_o short_a notâ—â—â—ny_n time_n prevent_v a_o mistake_n and_o prevent_v a_o cavil_v and_o set_v that_o in_o clear_a light_n which_o will_v otherwise_o have_v be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o whereas_o there_o be_v those_o who_o take_v offence_n at_o some_o phrase_n or_o expression_n a_o short_a note_n may_v hinder_v and_o prevent_v all_o this_o it_o be_v true_a we_o have_v a_o marginal_a read_n that_o be_v often_o very_o useful_a to_o we_o but_o still_o the_o ordinary_a reader_n will_v sometime_o be_v at_o a_o stand_v which_o of_o the_o readins_n rather_o to_o adhere_v unto_o and_o therefore_o he_o will_v in_o this_o matter_n want_v far_a assistance_n so_o that_o here_o be_v still_o need_v of_o some_o note_v to_o direct_v the_o reader_n i_o grant_v that_o the_o reference_n to_o parallel_v place_n and_o to_o such_o other_o place_n as_o will_v give_v light_n to_o the_o text_n be_v of_o great_a use_n but_o many_o time_n they_o be_v not_o so_o to_o the_o english_a reader_n because_o he_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o purpose_n of_o the_o reference_n and_o the_o end_n to_o which_o it_o serve_v whereas_o a_o short_a note_n will_v open_v the_o matter_n to_o he_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o we_o have_v already_o several_a commentary_n on_o the_o bible_n in_o the_o english_a tongue_n and_o there_o be_v therefore_o nothing_o want_v of_o this_o kind_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v several_a such_o write_n yet_o be_v this_o no_o objection_n against_o what_o i_o be_o plead_v for_o for_o i_o think_v it_o be_v fit_a there_o shall_v be_v one_o that_o shall_v be_v approve_v and_o recommend_v to_o the_o people_n by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o which_o they_o will_v be_v answerable_a