probable_a that_o a_o prince_n especial_o of_o his_o temper_n will_v have_v submit_v to_o such_o a_o confinement_n and_o meek_o resign_v his_o crown_n to_o his_o son_n if_o that_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o he_o have_v not_o full_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v transgress_v and_o violate_v by_o his_o temerity_n and_o presumption_n the_o three_o reflection_n be_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o law_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o a_o irreconcilable_a aversion_n against_o all_o those_o nation_n among_o who_o they_o be_v go_v to_o settle_v they_o be_v so_o frame_v as_o not_o only_o to_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o egypt_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v but_o also_o to_o those_o receive_v among_o the_o hivites_n amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n of_o who_o country_n they_o be_v go_v to_o possess_v themselves_o thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o leviticus_n law_n against_o all_o incestuous_a marriage_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v ordinary_a among_o the_o canaanite_n and_o egyptian_n who_o therein_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n who_o marry_v within_o those_o forbid_a degree_n there_o we_o find_v also_o the_o sacrifice_n to_o moloch_n forbid_v the_o practice_n whereof_o those_o nation_n in_o all_o likelihood_n defend_v by_o the_o example_n of_o abraham_n sacrifice_n now_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v think_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n will_v of_o a_o sudden_a receive_v such_o law_n as_o deprive_v they_o of_o a_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n they_o have_v always_o hitherto_o enjoy_v and_o condemn_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n those_o sacrifice_n that_o have_v the_o fair_a pretence_n of_o religion_n imaginable_a and_o to_o use_v many_o ceremony_n contrary_a to_o those_o receive_v among_o they_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v a_o strong_a and_o extraordinary_a motive_n for_o so_o do_v there_o be_v another_o thing_n beside_o that_o challenge_v our_o consideration_n viz._n the_o exact_a description_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o that_o sacred_a place_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o tabernacle_n with_o all_o its_o appurtenance_n utensil_n and_o ornament_n be_v finish_v for_o as_o this_o tabernacle_n be_v then_o the_o centre_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a religion_n as_o the_o temple_n be_v afterward_o by_o succeed_v to_o it_o so_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n that_o be_v perform_v there_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v contribute_v to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o shall_v see_v it_o consecrate_a and_o take_v to_o piece_n and_o set_v together_o again_o every_o day_n and_o shall_v read_v all_o the_o particular_n relate_v to_o its_o construction_n and_o not_o discern_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n and_o reality_n in_o all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o concern_v the_o religion_n which_o their_o governor_n fix_v in_o that_o place_n wherein_o he_o pretend_v many_o revelation_n be_v make_v chap._n vi_o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgation_n as_o moses_n relate_v it_o we_o may_v further_o collect_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o join_v these_o follow_a reflection_n to_o those_o already_o make_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n certain_o if_o moses_n have_v be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o a_o kingdom_n and_o have_v be_v succeed_v in_o it_o by_o his_o own_o child_n and_o posterity_n for_o many_o generation_n one_o after_o another_o we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o his_o successor_n consult_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o honour_n will_v have_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o persuade_v their_o subject_n that_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o their_o kingdom_n have_v some_o communication_n with_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v from_o he_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n and_o constitution_n which_o he_o give_v they_o concern_v civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o moses_n be_v so_o far_o from_o invest_v his_o own_o child_n with_o the_o supreme_a authority_n after_o himself_o that_o he_o translate_v it_o into_o another_o tribe_n and_o constitute_v joshuah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n as_o for_o his_o posterity_n he_o take_v little_a care_n of_o it_o but_o reduce_v it_o to_o a_o rank_a inferior_a to_o that_o of_o aaron_n family_n which_o he_o prefer_v to_o the_o most_o honourable_a function_n of_o the_o priesthood_n leave_v to_o his_o own_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o inconsiderable_a employment_n all_o which_o show_v evident_o that_o none_o of_o those_o who_o come_v after_o moses_n be_v move_v by_o any_o private_a interest_n of_o their_o own_o to_o defend_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n and_o write_n but_o only_o by_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n they_o have_v that_o they_o be_v all_o divine_a neither_o ought_v we_o to_o omit_v to_o consider_v here_o the_o manner_n how_o moses_n decide_v beforehand_o such_o question_n and_o determine_v such_o controversy_n as_o can_v not_o be_v raise_v but_o after_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v make_v by_o his_o successor_n only_o after_o his_o death_n and_o how_o those_o law_n be_v constant_o observe_v in_o all_o the_o succeed_a generation_n of_o that_o people_n and_o submit_v unto_o by_o the_o very_a judge_n and_o king_n themselves_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o for_o a_o conqueror_n such_o as_o joshua_n be_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o other_o fundamental_a law_n in_o that_o state_n he_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o than_o those_o which_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nothing_o be_v more_o usual_a than_o for_o statesman_n to_o affect_v the_o expose_v the_o conduct_n of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v alter_v and_o from_o democratical_a or_o aristocratical_a be_v change_v into_o monarchical_a as_o it_o happen_v among_o the_o israelite_n how_o then_o can_v moses_n law_n still_o keep_v up_o their_o authority_n in_o all_o change_n and_o revolution_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o succession_n of_o judge_n and_o king_n there_o be_v never_o any_o of_o they_o attempt_v to_o suspend_v or_o annul_v moses_n law_n much_o less_o to_o enact_v and_o give_v any_o other_o contrary_a to_o they_o again_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o division_n and_o faction_n that_o nation_n fall_v into_o there_o be_v never_o any_o jew_n endeavour_v with_o any_o success_n to_o undeceive_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o own_o people_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n no_o doubt_v only_o because_o the_o generality_n of_o that_o nation_n never_o dispute_v the_o divine_a origin_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o in_o moses_n write_n be_v inlay_v one_o within_o another_o and_o represent_v as_o occasion_v by_o several_a transaction_n relate_v there_o have_v all_o be_v equal_o receive_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o have_v all_o be_v put_v together_o in_o a_o body_n by_o themselves_o before_o moses_n death_n as_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o xxxi_o of_o deuteronomy_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v public_a and_o in_o great_a esteem_n among_o that_o people_n to_o who_o god_n give_v they_o upon_o who_o he_o lay_v a_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o read_v they_o every_o day_n and_o to_o consult_v they_o upon_o every_o emergent_a business_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v know_v equal_o of_o all_o degree_n of_o man_n sex_n and_o age_n which_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o pay_v obedience_n to_o they_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v not_o only_o public_o keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n but_o also_o private_o read_v in_o every_o family_n we_o see_v that_o a_o whole_a tribe_n viz._n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o explain_v they_o and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n and_o exempt_v from_o the_o care_n and_o trouble_n that_o necessary_o attend_v husbandry_n by_o the_o plentiful_a provision_n of_o tithe_n and_o offering_n that_o be_v allot_v to_o they_o we_o see_v that_o god_n oblige_v all_o jew_n to_o read_v and_o meditate_v
examine_v their_o principle_n and_o confute_v they_o which_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o wise_a man_n have_v former_o acknowledge_v as_o they_o also_o own_o to_o this_o very_a day_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god._n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o philosopher_n do_v own_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n only_o in_o compliance_n with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n which_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o contradict_v and_o as_o for_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o christian_n and_o mahometan_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n we_o be_v only_o to_o prove_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o opposition_n to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la one_o may_v prove_v this_o against_o the_o jew_n without_o any_o trouble_n because_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o most_o of_o those_o principle_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n suppose_v so_o likewise_o it_o be_v easy_o establish_v against_o the_o mahometan_n who_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n but_o pretend_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o mahometanism_n as_o the_o law_n ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o the_o gospel_n preach_v by_o jesus_n christ_n my_o design_n be_v not_o to_o prosecute_v every_o one_o of_o these_o way_n in_o particular_a there_o be_v book_n enough_o in_o the_o world_n which_o solid_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o atheist_n as_o well_o those_o who_o be_v so_o through_o ignorance_n as_o those_o who_o profess_v themselves_o such_o from_o love_n to_o libertinism_n and_o to_o pass_v for_o man_n of_o a_o mighty_a reach_n there_o be_v also_o several_a famous_a author_n who_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o reason_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o overthrow_v all_o pagan_a religion_n whatsoever_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o follow_v a_o more_o compendious_a and_o sure_a method_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n consider_v by_o itself_o in_o short_a it_o be_v impossible_a consider_v the_o opposition_n there_o be_v between_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v the_o true_a but_o that_o all_o other_o must_v be_v false_a in_o those_o article_n wherein_o they_o essential_o differ_v from_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o can_v explain_v those_o argument_n which_o clear_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o convict_v all_o other_o religion_n of_o falsehood_n because_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o those_o proof_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o there_o be_v several_a way_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o end_n which_o i_o propose_v man_n that_o think_v much_o wish_v that_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v from_o reflection_n on_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o it_o which_o to_o they_o will_v be_v a_o convince_a and_o demonstrative_a proof_n other_o apply_v themselves_o to_o a_o speculative_a examination_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o show_v their_o conformity_n with_o the_o notion_n of_o reason_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o both_o these_o employ_v themselves_o usual_o in_o this_o sort_n of_o study_n and_o that_o truth_n find_v a_o considerable_a support_n from_o their_o meditation_n but_o how_o useful_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v i_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v another_o course_n as_o think_v it_o of_o more_o advantage_n solid_o to_o establish_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v which_o appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v more_o proper_a to_o persuade_v all_o sort_n of_o reader_n and_o better_o level_v to_o the_o ordinary_a capacity_n of_o those_o who_o new_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n be_v general_o own_a by_o heathen_n and_o by_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n i_o think_v it_o a_o thing_n altogether_o unnecessary_a to_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o several_a abstract_a question_n such_o as_o these_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n whether_o man_n be_v natural_o incline_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o the_o like_a when_o i_o shall_v have_v firm_o prove_v that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o that_o he_o prescribe_v a_o service_n to_o the_o first_o man_n who_o leave_v the_o rule_n of_o it_o to_o all_o their_o posterity_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v or_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o heathen_a world_n be_v derive_v i_o shall_v have_v prevent_v many_o very_a unprofitable_a dispute_n and_o which_o can_v only_o perplex_v the_o mind_n by_o their_o obscurity_n i_o have_v therefore_o confine_v myself_o to_o certain_a consideration_n which_o do_v so_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o by_o their_o union_n they_o firm_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o hope_v that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v needful_a for_o i_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o abolish_v the_o christian_n as_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n abrogate_a the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o understand_a reader_n shall_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o god_n never_o frame_v the_o model_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o the_o mahometan_n will_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n page_n 1_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n 5_o chap._n 3._o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n 8_o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a 16_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 23_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n 27_o chap._n 7._o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n 34_o chap._n 8._o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n 44_o chap._n 9_o that_o adam_n be_v confirm_v by_o his_o own_o experience_n in_o the_o persuasion_n he_o have_v entertain_v concern_v his_o creation_n 49_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o creation_n 52_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v actual_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 54_o chap._n 12._o that_o noah_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 61_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n 64_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n 67_o chap._n 15._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n 71_o chap._n 16._o that_o this_o very_a persuasion_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n until_o moses_n be_v time_n 81_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o persuasion_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n before_o moses_n can_v be_v suspect_v 86_o chap._n 18._o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v 89_o chap._n 19_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n 95_o chap._n 20._o a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n 106_o chap._n 21._o wherein_o the_o
make_v appear_v elsewhere_o the_o three_o and_o last_o thing_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o impose_v a_o forgery_n upon_o those_o time_n because_o their_o life_n be_v yet_o of_o a_o great_a extent_n though_o inferior_a to_o those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o flood_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v this_o further_a consideration_n that_o as_o the_o jealousy_n which_o be_v between_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n and_o of_o cain_n be_v a_o great_a mean_n to_o preserve_v inviolable_o the_o important_a truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n a_o like_a jealousy_n now_o be_v rise_v among_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n cham_n be_v accurse_v of_o his_o own_o father_n in_o the_o person_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o same_o be_v propagate_v to_o their_o posterity_n it_o can_v not_o but_o effectual_o contribute_v to_o rescue_v these_o important_a truth_n from_o oblivion_n and_o particular_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n conceive_v in_o these_o word_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n in_o a_o word_n 1069._o judg._n viii_o 23._o &_o ix_o 8._o talm._n hier._n fol._n 11_o col_fw-fr 4_o &_o gloss_n in_o h._n l._n &_o avodazara_n c._n iii_o fol._n 43._o col_fw-fr 1._o de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syr._n p._n 1069._o we_o may_v not_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n take_v notice_n of_o what_o lucian_n relate_v concern_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o assyrian_n which_o do_v so_o lively_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o noah_n by_o his_o son_n cham_n when_o he_o scoff_v at_o the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n but_o also_o that_o the_o god_n of_o the_o sichemite_n be_v call_v baalberith_n who_o symbol_n be_v the_o figure_n of_o the_o privy_a part_n of_o a_o man_n which_o seem_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o their_o descent_n from_o the_o family_n of_o cham_n the_o sichemite_n be_v some_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v also_o very_o natural_a to_o conceive_v first_o of_o all_o that_o it_o be_v from_o those_o old_a pretension_n that_o the_o canaanite_n take_v occasion_n to_o profane_v the_o most_o â—oly_a thing_n with_o such_o shameful_a idea_n second_o that_o it_o be_v in_o detestation_n of_o these_o idea_n that_o god_n order_v the_o kill_n of_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n and_o three_o that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v command_v to_o destroy_v they_o utter_o four_o this_o be_v also_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o israelite_n be_v so_o often_o desirous_a of_o imitate_v their_o crime_n in_o the_o five_o place_n as_o we_o see_v that_o upon_o the_o like_a account_n the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n take_v chemosh_fw-mi for_o their_o god_n and_o that_o the_o woman_n of_o those_o nation_n be_v very_o zealous_a to_o propagate_v their_o religion_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n in_o jezabel_n the_o wife_n of_o ahab_n so_o god_n be_v also_o willing_a to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o horror_n and_o detestation_n for_o their_o religion_n or_o any_o alliance_n with_o they_o last_o as_o there_o do_v appear_v a_o very_a great_a conformity_n and_o resemblance_n between_o the_o first_o birth_n of_o the_o world_n from_o the_o first_o chaos_n and_o its_o be_v bear_v again_o after_o the_o deluge_n between_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n and_o noah_n the_o second_o and_o between_o the_o jealousy_n spring_v up_o in_o both_o their_o family_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o this_o conformity_n can_v not_o but_o very_o natural_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n have_v deliver_v to_o their_o posterity_n with_o all_o the_o care_n which_o be_v take_v to_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n chap._n xv._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n it_o be_v no_o less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o these_o truth_n be_v in_o process_n of_o time_n hand_v down_o to_o jacob_n and_o his_o posterity_n this_o i_o shall_v brief_o explain_v i_o need_v not_o take_v notice_n here_o that_o the_o religion_n practise_v by_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n suppose_v these_o matter_n as_o constant_o own_a and_o know_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o lot_n have_v follow_v terah_n and_o abraham_n when_o god_n call_v the_o latter_a out_o of_o chaldea_n may_v thence_o suppose_v that_o this_o heavenly_a call_n do_v separate_v and_o distinguish_v he_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n and_o give_v he_o a_o right_a as_o well_o as_o abraham_n to_o pretend_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o fulfil_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o to_o see_v it_o fulfil_v in_o his_o posterity_n this_o we_o may_v infer_v from_o the_o incest_n of_o lot_n daughter_n their_o crime_n which_o in_o another_o view_n appear_v very_o monstrous_a do_v clear_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v strong_o possess_v with_o this_o hope_n which_o their_o father_n have_v raise_v in_o they_o i_o know_v that_o some_o interpreter_n suppose_v xix_o lyra_n in_o genes_n xix_o that_o they_o be_v move_v to_o commit_v this_o incest_n from_o a_o pious_a intention_n of_o preserve_a mankind_n as_o imagine_v to_o themselves_o that_o as_o the_o deluge_n have_v drown_v all_o man_n beside_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n so_o the_o flame_n which_o destroy_v sodom_n have_v consume_v all_o mankind_n which_o they_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o believe_v because_o they_o may_v have_v hear_v from_o their_o father_n that_o the_o world_n one_o day_n be_v to_o perish_v by_o fire_n 23._o beres_n rab._n part_n 23._o but_o indeed_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o proceed_v from_o a_o very_a different_a motive_n the_o jewish_a doctor_n plain_o aver_v that_o this_o be_v do_v by_o they_o in_o hope_n of_o bring_v forth_o the_o promise_a redeemer_n and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o action_n of_o they_o in_o this_o view_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o grand_a object_n of_o the_o hope_n of_o all_o those_o that_o fear_v god_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o consider_v their_o father_n as_o one_o who_o god_n have_v peculiar_o choose_v from_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n to_o execute_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o see_v that_o their_o mother_n be_v change_v into_o a_o statue_n of_o salt_n they_o conceive_v themselves_o in_o some_o sort_n authorise_a to_o surprise_v their_o father_n in_o that_o manner_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o conceive_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o none_o of_o the_o canaanite_n upon_o who_o god_n have_v now_o begin_v to_o pour_v forth_o so_o hideous_a a_o vengeance_n as_o a_o beginning_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o curse_n against_o cham_n have_v any_o part_n in_o this_o chief_a of_o blessing_n can_v ever_o marry_v they_o after_o that_o god_n have_v so_o manifest_o separate_v and_o call_v forth_o their_o father_n from_o among_o they_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n suppose_v that_o god_n will_v dispense_v with_o the_o irregularity_n of_o this_o action_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o extremity_n there_o be_v three_o circumstance_n which_o great_o confirm_v this_o my_o remark_n upon_o the_o motive_n of_o their_o incest_n the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o those_o who_o have_v behave_v themselves_o very_o chaste_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o sodom_n and_o that_o beside_o we_o find_v they_o design_v no_o such_o thing_n till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o mother_n the_o other_o be_v that_o we_o see_v they_o contrive_v the_o thing_n together_o and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n which_o natural_o be_v apt_a to_o separate_v the_o great_a friend_n where_o the_o motive_n proceed_v from_o a_o spirit_n of_o uncleanness_n nor_o indeed_o do_v we_o find_v that_o they_o continue_v in_o this_o incest_n the_o three_o be_v that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v ashamed_a of_o a_o action_n in_o itself_o so_o criminal_a or_o conceal_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o from_o posterity_n that_o they_o give_v those_o name_n to_o the_o child_n bear_v of_o this_o their_o incest_n that_o may_v perpetuate_v and_o divulge_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o their_o action_n the_o one_o call_v her_o son_n moab_n as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v bear_v of_o my_o father_n and_o the_o other_o she_o benammi_n a_o name_n of_o a_o like_a signification_n with_o the_o former_a this_o observation_n be_v very_o necessary_a because_o these_o two_o son_n become_v the_o head_n of_o two_o great_a people_n the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n who_o kingdom_n last_v above_o 1300_o year_n and_o live_v on_o
decease_n as_o gods._n the_o three_o thing_n we_o be_v here_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o contain_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n genesis_n if_o that_o which_o be_v record_v in_o it_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v compare_v with_o the_o dynasty_n of_o the_o egyptian_a king_n i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o those_o egyptian_n who_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o flood_n do_v exact_o mark_v out_o the_o time_n of_o it_o as_o moses_n do_v but_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v be_v able_a to_o show_v out_o of_o their_o common_a opinion_n something_o very_o near_o equivalent_a they_o be_v all_o agree_v that_o menes_n be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n and_o live_v about_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o famous_a sesostris_n as_o herodotus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n do_v both_o relate_v it_o now_o who_o shall_v this_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v who_o some_o call_v sesonchosis_n unless_o he_o be_v the_o same_o with_o shishak_n who_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n 26._o 1_o king_n fourteen_o 26._o even_o the_o same_o famous_a conqueror_n who_o take_v jerusalem_n in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n reign_n if_o one_o calculate_v the_o time_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o the_o five_o year_n of_o rehoboam_n he_o will_v find_v that_o this_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o ham_n of_o moses_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o there_o be_v very_o little_a difference_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o time_n betwixt_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o the_o egyptian_a account_n confirm_v moses_n narrative_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a writer_n who_o be_v very_o particular_a in_o state_v the_o time_n of_o every_o thing_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n take_v all_o in_o great_a can_v never_o arrive_v at_o that_o exactness_n this_o observation_n be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o moses_n chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n for_o that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n reckon_v up_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o flood_n to_o sesostris_n whereas_o the_o egyptian_n do_v reckon_v up_o but_o a_o little_a above_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n from_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n to_o sesostris_n there_o be_v yet_o less_o difficulty_n to_o answer_v the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n from_o the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n the_o same_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o say_v 31._o diodor._fw-la l._n 2._o sect._n 30_o 31._o that_o the_o egyptian_n propose_v so_o great_a a_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world_n tell_v we_o also_o that_o the_o chaldean_n believe_v it_o eternal_a and_o that_o they_o boast_v in_o alexander_n time_n that_o they_o have_v learn_v astronomy_n by_o tradition_n from_o their_o ancestor_n who_o have_v all_o successive_o make_v it_o their_o study_n for_o four_o hundred_o seventy_o two_o thousand_o year_n together_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o vain_a than_o these_o pretence_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o show_v here_o the_o folly_n of_o their_o opinion_n about_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n if_o aristotle_n seem_v to_o have_v authorise_a it_o yet_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o confute_v that_o opinion_n to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o democritus_n himself_o who_o pretend_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o chance_n yet_o dare_v not_o oppose_v the_o common_a and_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v new_a though_o he_o have_v the_o boldness_n to_o reject_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o action_n by_o which_o it_o be_v create_v neither_o do_v i_o intend_v to_o be_v prolix_a here_o in_o confute_v the_o supposition_n of_o the_o chaldean_n about_o their_o ancestor_n follow_v the_o study_n of_o astrology_n for_o 472000_o year_n successive_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o flood_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o those_o nation_n of_o who_o we_o have_v any_o antiquity_n though_o never_o so_o little_a considerable_a in_o pagan_a author_n but_o i_o shall_v make_v two_o observation_n whereof_o one_o show_v the_o folly_n of_o the_o chaldean_a hypothesis_n and_o the_o other_o do_v invincible_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n if_o it_o be_v compare_v with_o what_o we_o know_v for_o certain_a and_o in_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o the_o egyptian_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o a_o colony_n of_o their_o own_o diodorus_n siculus_n say_v that_o the_o egyptian_n maintain_v that_o they_o have_v send_v out_o several_a colony_n into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o belus_n the_o son_n of_o neptune_n and_o lybia_n have_v conduct_v one_o into_o babylon_n and_o that_o have_v fix_v it_o near_o euphrates_n he_o establish_v some_o priest_n among_o they_o according_a to_o the_o egyptian_a custom_n who_o be_v free_a from_o all_o public_a charge_n and_o office_n who_o the_o babylonian_n do_v call_v chaldean_n and_o who_o according_a to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n 261._o ap._n joseph_n antiq._n l._n 1._o c._n 5._o pausan_n messen_n p._n 261._o philosopher_n and_o astrologer_n do_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o star_n hestiaeus_n and_o pausanias_n say_v the_o same_o with_o diodorus_n now_o one_o needs_o only_o examine_v here_o what_o the_o egyptian_n do_v say_v about_o the_o invention_n of_o astrology_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o menes_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o ham_n or_o to_o mizraim_n who_o live_v after_o the_o flood_n thereby_o to_o discover_v the_o foolish_a vanity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o chaldean_n grow_v so_o vain_a by_o the_o growth_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o empire_n as_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v be_v no_o long_o behold_v to_o the_o egyptian_a astrologer_n who_o all_o other_o nation_n have_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o that_o science_n to_o the_o invent_v and_o perfect_v of_o which_o all_o man_n know_v that_o the_o egyptian_a climate_n where_o the_o sky_n be_v always_o free_a from_o cloud_n do_v very_o much_o contribute_v and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o both_o the_o chaldean_n and_o the_o egyptian_n begin_v their_o year_n with_o the_o same_o month_n according_a to_o censorinus_n observation_n c._n xxi_o de_fw-fr die_v nat._n i_o know_v very_o well_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n be_v mistake_v when_o they_o pretend_v that_o the_o chaldean_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n as_o a_o plantation_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o kind_n of_o illusion_n in_o this_o their_o opinion_n but_o yet_o the_o ground_n and_o origine_fw-la of_o it_o be_v uncontrollable_a because_o the_o chaldean_n be_v descend_v from_o cush_n ham_n elder_a son_n as_o moses_n tell_v gen._n x._o therefore_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o chaldean_n be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o astrology_n yet_o this_o will_v be_v always_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v find_v out_o only_o since_o ham_n time_n who_o the_o egyptian_n do_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o last_o of_o their_o hero_n or_o as_o the_o first_o of_o their_o king_n the_o other_o observation_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v well_o mind_v here_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a chaldean_a antiquity_n one_o may_v prove_v by_o the_o astronomical_a demonstration_n of_o the_o chaldean_n which_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o that_o moses_n follow_v a_o calculation_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v aristotle_n the_o first_o grecian_a that_o ever_o teach_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n contrary_a to_o moses_n history_n be_v the_o man_n who_o furnish_v we_o with_o it_o he_o take_v care_n to_o send_v over_o into_o greece_n the_o astronomical_a observation_n of_o the_o chaldean_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v coelo_fw-la simplic_n in_o l._n 2._o de_fw-la coelo_fw-la that_o babylon_n be_v take_v by_o alexander_n about_o 1903_o year_n after_o its_o foundation_n now_o that_o calculation_n agree_v exact_o with_o that_o of_o moses_n xi_o gen._n xi_o who_o give_v we_o the_o description_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n and_o explain_v the_o original_a of_o the_o name_n of_o that_o city_n which_o be_v build_v some_o age_n after_o by_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n which_o then_o happen_v and_o true_o it_o will_v be_v very_o admirable_a that_o the_o heaven_n in_o their_o motion_n shall_v have_v enter_v into_o a_o confederacy_n with_o moses_n to_o justify_v a_o chronology_n invent_v by_o he_o in_o sport_n without_o keep_v to_o any_o rule_n but_o write_v
considerable_o shorten_v at_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n so_o one_o may_v judge_v that_o this_o promise_v aught_o to_o be_v more_o frequent_o propose_v and_o more_o clear_o explain_v and_o we_o ought_v to_o suppose_v that_o in_o proportion_n to_o the_o delay_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o shortness_n of_o man_n life_n which_o discourage_v their_o hope_n of_o ever_o see_v a_o promise_v fulfil_v which_o their_o ancestor_n who_o life_n be_v much_o long_o can_v never_o attain_v to_o the_o more_o distinct_a knowledge_n which_o god_n give_v of_o this_o great_a object_n be_v in_o order_n to_o stir_v up_o strong_a desire_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o gentile_n to_o who_o god_n be_v afterward_o to_o renew_v the_o idea_n of_o it_o and_o consequent_o we_o find_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n and_o prophecy_n be_v require_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o entertain_v and_o strengthen_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o promise_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v so_o considerable_o defer_v and_o indeed_o this_o be_v exact_o the_o method_n which_o god_n follow_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v in_o a_o most_o illustrious_a manner_n be_v employ_v to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o increase_v they_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n until_o the_o time_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n itself_o and_o god_n have_v so_o exact_o set_v down_o by_o the_o prophet_n the_o several_a part_n of_o his_o design_n as_o there_o need_v not_o be_v afterward_o any_o difficulty_n in_o discern_v the_o prosecution_n of_o that_o design_n which_o he_o have_v form_v at_o first_o i_o intend_v in_o this_o three_o part_n of_o my_o reflection_n on_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o explain_v this_o method_n which_o god_n have_v follow_v in_o show_v how_o he_o have_v accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o he_o have_v make_v the_o depositary_n of_o his_o oracle_n and_o proportion_v they_o to_o their_o understanding_n and_o desire_n for_o the_o more_o happy_a execution_n of_o this_o design_n and_o a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o this_o conduct_n of_o god_n which_o seem_v somewhat_o obscure_v by_o intermix_v these_o prediction_n concern_v the_o messiah_n with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o event_n during_o that_o series_n of_o age_n whereof_o we_o have_v the_o history_n write_v by_o his_o own_o order_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v first_o of_o all_o to_o explain_v the_o reason_n why_o god_n be_v please_v to_o interweave_v the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o matter_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o a_o very_a different_a nature_n and_o then_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o rule_n which_o one_o ought_v to_o follow_v in_o apply_v the_o ancient_a prophecy_n to_o the_o messiah_n after_o these_o preliminary_a reflection_n i_o suppose_v that_o in_o order_n to_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o the_o series_n of_o god_n design_n and_o a_o more_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o this_o matter_n that_o i_o ought_v again_o to_o resume_v and_o to_o set_v before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o reader_n the_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n which_o god_n have_v give_v concern_v the_o messiah_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o moses_n together_o with_o that_o oracle_n which_o he_o utter_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o that_o illustrious_a legislator_n one_o will_v easy_o judge_v without_o my_o undertake_n to_o prove_v it_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o these_o oracle_n be_v familiar_a to_o the_o jew_n until_o david_n during_o the_o space_n of_o 400_o year_n after_o which_o god_n begin_v to_o discover_v the_o same_o more_o particular_o in_o choose_v david_n to_o be_v the_o person_n in_o who_o family_n that_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v accomplish_v because_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o his_o seed_n and_o so_o i_o shall_v immediate_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o david_n himself_o utter_v on_o this_o subject_a which_o deserve_v so_o much_o the_o more_o attention_n because_o god_n who_o at_o that_o time_n change_v the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v considerable_o augment_v the_o idea_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v concern_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n last_o i_o shall_v collect_v under_o certain_a head_n those_o oracle_n which_o be_v utter_v by_o the_o prophet_n concern_v the_o messiah_n some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o babylon_n and_o soon_o after_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o light_n concern_v this_o matter_n be_v at_o that_o time_n much_o increase_v and_o the_o oracle_n themselves_o be_v much_o more_o clear_a and_o distinct_a as_o give_v many_o more_o particular_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o brief_o to_o touch_v upon_o they_o in_o follow_v the_o principal_a character_n which_o they_o give_v concern_v the_o messiah_n after_o which_o i_o shall_v have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n until_o that_o wherein_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o this_o promise_n and_o these_o oracle_n be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o person_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n though_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o be_o to_o handle_v and_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v with_o the_o greatness_n briefness_n that_o be_v possible_a may_v seem_v to_o oblige_v i_o to_o omit_v the_o examine_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o intermix_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o many_o other_o transaction_n with_o these_o prophecy_n it_o oblige_v i_o in_o this_o three_o part_n to_o make_v also_o some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o indeed_o this_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n and_o the_o manner_n how_o god_n have_v constant_o follow_v that_o draught_n which_o he_o at_o first_o form_v to_o himself_o as_o also_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o different_a revolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n he_o have_v always_o continue_v those_o mean_n which_o he_o choose_v at_o first_o to_o facilitate_v the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v it_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o explain_v this_o series_n of_o the_o design_n of_o god_n to_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o prophecy_n more_o firm_a and_o unmoveable_a those_o law_n the_o observation_n of_o which_o serve_v to_o distinguish_v the_o family_n of_o judah_n and_o that_o of_o the_o messiah_n be_v so_o many_o boundary_n and_o limit_n within_o which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o confine_v himself_o that_o his_o conduct_n in_o this_o matter_n may_v be_v the_o more_o easy_o observable_a and_o know_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o have_v begin_v by_o the_o firm_a establishment_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n on_o which_o i_o make_v my_o reflection_n without_o which_o that_o work_n will_v have_v want_v all_o its_o strength_n so_o i_o intend_v also_o in_o this_o part_n to_o follow_v the_o same_o rule_n and_o according_o i_o shall_v at_o first_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o if_o one_o ought_v to_o prove_v that_o these_o prophecy_n be_v well_o know_v and_o very_o famous_a than_o it_o will_v be_v expect_v from_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v solid_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o those_o oracle_n be_v record_v before_o i_o can_v of_o right_o conclude_v that_o the_o fact_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o other_o author_n be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o prophecy_n this_o design_n will_v natural_o engage_v i_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o one_o of_o these_o book_n in_o order_n particular_o but_o as_o i_o have_v not_o only_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n already_o but_o that_o moreover_o i_o intend_v in_o my_o reflection_n on_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o beyond_o all_o contest_v and_o beside_o that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v so_o essential_o link_v with_o those_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o one_o without_o own_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o other_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v be_v dispense_v with_o as_o to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o every_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o particular_a and_o therefore_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o
teach_v no_o more_o every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n say_v know_v the_o lord_n for_o they_o shall_v all_o know_v i_o from_o the_o least_o of_o they_o unto_o the_o great_a of_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n for_o i_o will_v forgive_v their_o iniquity_n and_o i_o will_v remember_v their_o sin_n no_o more_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n which_o give_v the_o sun_n for_o a_o light_n by_o day_n and_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o star_n for_o a_o light_n by_o night_n which_o divide_v the_o sea_n when_o the_o wave_n thereof_o roar_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n be_v his_o name_n if_o those_o ordinance_n depart_v from_o before_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n than_o the_o seed_n of_o israel_n also_o shall_v cease_v from_o be_v a_o nation_n before_o i_o for_o ever_o nothing_o can_v be_v desire_v more_o particular_a than_o this_o oracle_n 1._o it_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o his_o people_n which_o suppose_v a_o abolish_n of_o the_o former_a 2._o that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v like_o the_o forego_n 3._o that_o the_o old_a covenant_n have_v be_v make_v vain_a and_o have_v be_v break_v by_o those_o with_o who_o it_o be_v make_v 4._o that_o this_o covenant_n be_v to_o be_v make_v after_o those_o day_n that_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n 5._o that_o this_o new_a covenant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v engrave_v in_o table_n of_o stone_n but_o in_o their_o heart_n 6._o that_o in_o the_o same_o covenant_n full_a remission_n of_o sin_n be_v promise_v the_o same_o thing_n be_v also_o express_v chap._n xxxii_o vers_fw-la 40._o and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o that_o i_o will_v not_o turn_v away_o from_o they_o to_o do_v they_o good_a but_o i_o will_v put_v my_o fear_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o they_o shall_v not_o depart_v from_o i_o and_o chap._n l._n vers_fw-la 5._o they_o shall_v ask_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n with_o their_o face_n thitherward_o say_v come_v and_o let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v forget_v to_o this_o purpose_n also_o ezechiel_n who_o himself_o be_v a_o priest_n speak_v of_o a_o religious_a worship_n extend_v to_o all_o nation_n and_o of_o a_o new_a covenant_n which_o god_n be_v to_o make_v with_o they_o chap._n xvi_o vers_fw-la 60_o 61_o 62._o nevertheless_o i_o will_v remember_v my_o covenant_n with_o thou_o in_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o youth_n and_o i_o will_v establish_v unto_o thou_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n then_o thou_o shall_v remember_v thy_o way_n and_o be_v ashamed_a when_o thou_o shall_v receive_v thy_o sister_n thy_o elder_n and_o thy_o young_a and_o i_o will_v give_v they_o unto_o thou_o for_o daughter_n but_o not_o by_o thy_o covenant_n and_o i_o will_v establish_v my_o covenant_n with_o thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n here_o be_v first_o a_o covenant_n differ_v from_o the_o former_a 2._o a_o covenant_n wherein_o other_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v include_v clear_o intimate_v by_o the_o elder_n and_o young_a sister_n of_o the_o synagogue_n 3._o a_o covenant_n whereby_o the_o gentile_n be_v to_o enjoy_v the_o same_o privilege_n with_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v incorporate_v with_o they_o malachy_n follow_v the_o step_n of_o these_o prophet_n when_o he_o call_v the_o messiah_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n chap._n iii_o vers_fw-la 1._o behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o messenger_n and_o he_o shall_v prepare_v the_o way_n before_o i_o and_o the_o lord_n who_o you_o seek_v shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n even_o the_o messenger_n angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o behold_v he_o shall_v come_v say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o jew_n apply_v these_o word_n to_o elias_n who_o ministry_n as_o they_o pretend_v be_v to_o consist_v in_o lead_v the_o jew_n to_o repentance_n but_o if_o we_o read_v the_o text_n with_o attention_n we_o shall_v find_v two_o messenger_n mention_v the_o first_o who_o prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o other_o be_v the_o messiah_n himself_o who_o be_v call_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o be_v send_v of_o god_n to_o make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o man_n chap._n xix_o that_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o dreadful_a effect_n of_o their_o blindness_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n this_o be_v a_o very_a peculiar_a mark_n which_o will_v guide_v we_o sure_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n we_o find_v the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n very_o ready_a to_o follow_v every_o one_o that_o usurp_v that_o august_n title_n and_o to_o take_v he_o for_o the_o only_a true_a messiah_n that_o be_v promise_v they_o which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o be_v infallible_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v neither_o will_v this_o much_o surprise_v we_o if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o this_o people_n on_o divers_a occasion_n have_v give_v very_o strange_a instance_n of_o a_o prodigious_a blindness_n we_o see_v they_o reject_v moses_n notwithstanding_o god_n have_v authorise_a his_o call_n by_o great_a and_o avow_a miracle_n yea_o we_o find_v they_o reject_v david_n also_o who_o god_n have_v so_o signal_o appoint_v to_o be_v their_o king_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o who_o we_o hear_v these_o prophecy_n 2._o that_o god_n upbraid_v they_o with_o this_o blindness_n by_o his_o prophet_n as_o a_o sin_n to_o which_o they_o be_v peculiar_o incline_v as_o appear_v from_o psalm_n lxix_o vers_fw-la 23_o 24_o 25_o 26_o 27_o and_o 28._o let_v their_o eye_n be_v darken_v that_o they_o see_v not_o and_o make_v their_o loin_n continual_o to_o shake_v pour_v out_o thy_o indignation_n upon_o they_o and_o let_v thy_o wrathful_a anger_n take_v hold_v of_o they_o let_v their_o habitation_n be_v desolate_a and_o let_v none_o dwell_v in_o their_o tent_n for_o they_o persecute_v he_o who_o thou_o have_v smite_v and_o they_o talk_v to_o the_o grief_n of_o those_o who_o thou_o have_v wound_v add_v iniquity_n to_o their_o iniquity_n and_o let_v they_o not_o come_v into_o thy_o righteousness_n let_v they_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o live_n and_o not_o be_v write_v with_o the_o righteous_a one_o see_v we_o the_o same_a thing_n in_o isaiah_n chap._n vi_o vers_fw-la 9_o 10_o 11_o and_o 12._o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n foretell_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o most_o evident_a and_o convince_a proof_n imaginable_a go_v say_v the_o lord_n to_o the_o prophet_n and_o tell_v this_o people_n hear_v you_o indeed_o but_o understand_v not_o and_o see_v you_o indeed_o but_o perceive_v not_o make_v the_o heart_n of_o this_o people_n fat_a and_o their_o ear_n heavy_a and_o shut_v their_o eye_n lest_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n and_o hear_v with_o their_o ear_n and_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o convert_v and_o be_v heal_v then_o say_v i_o lord_n how_o long_o and_o he_o answer_v until_o the_o city_n be_v waste_v without_o inhabitant_n and_o the_o house_n without_o man_n and_o the_o land_n be_v utter_o desolate_a and_o the_o lord_n have_v remove_v man_n far_o away_o and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a forsake_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o land._n nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o particular_a than_o this_o oracle_n concern_v the_o jew_n resist_v the_o prophet_n which_o god_n express_v in_o term_n very_o usual_a among_o the_o prophet_n as_o if_o isaiah_n who_o be_v only_o the_o foreteller_n of_o their_o be_v harden_v shall_v himself_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o the_o prophet_n hoseah_n describe_v the_o very_a same_o complaint_n of_o god_n against_o the_o jew_n for_o their_o blindness_n and_o ignorance_n for_o which_o he_o denounce_v their_o destruction_n hos_fw-la iv_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o and_o 6._o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n you_o child_n of_o israel_n for_o the_o lord_n have_v a_o controversy_n with_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n because_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n nor_o mercy_n nor_o knowledge_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land._n by_o swear_v and_o lie_v and_o kill_v and_o steal_v and_o commit_v adultery_n they_o break_v out_o and_o blood_n touch_v blood_n therefore_o shall_v the_o land_n mourn_v and_o every_o one_o that_o dwell_v therein_o shall_v languish_v with_o the_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n and_o with_o the_o fowl_n of_o heaven_n yea_o the_o fish_n of_o the_o sea_n also_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o yet_o let_v no_o man_n strive_v or_o reprove_v another_o for_o thy_o people_n be_v as_o they_o that_o strive_v with_o the_o priest_n therefore_o shall_v thou_o fall_v in_o the_o day_n and_o the_o prophet_n also_o shall_v fall_v with_o thou_o in_o the_o night_n and_o i_o will_v destroy_v thy_o mother_n