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
call_v man_n to_o the_o study_n of_o sanctification_n this_o be_v admirable_o perform_v by_o jesus_n christ_n 1._o in_o correct_v those_o abuse_n which_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n have_v introduce_v into_o the_o law._n second_o in_o declare_v that_o the_o effect_v of_o sanctification_n be_v to_o be_v look_v for_o in_o the_o heart_n rather_o than_o in_o the_o eye_n or_o hand_n one_o may_v see_v afterward_o 1._o that_o he_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o prove_v that_o he_o make_v it_o this_o he_o testify_v upon_o several_a occasion_n in_o the_o answer_n which_o he_o make_v to_o those_o that_o speak_v to_o he_o and_o indeed_o in_o all_o his_o discourse_n which_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o heart_n of_o those_o to_o who_o he_o address_v they_o 2._o that_o he_o make_v use_v of_o parable_n which_o be_v moral_a lesson_n very_o easy_a indeed_o but_o withal_o fit_a for_o the_o subject_n than_o fable_n and_o more_o worthy_a of_o god_n parable_n also_o which_o be_v so_o ordinary_a and_o familiar_a among_o the_o jew_n that_o we_o find_v most_o of_o they_o at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o jew_n though_o they_o apply_v they_o to_o another_o use_n 3._o that_o he_o descend_v to_o particular_n without_o use_v any_o thing_n mean_a which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o do_v when_o they_o divide_v thing_n minutely_o 4._o that_o he_o forget_v no_o one_o precept_n of_o morality_n 5._o that_o he_o examine_v all_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o make_v they_o infinite_o recommendable_a by_o suggest_v such_o excellent_a motive_n after_o all_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v four_o thing_n in_o the_o preach_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o will_v full_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n 1._o that_o his_o doctrine_n appear_v to_o be_v whole_o divine_a he_o have_v never_o be_v bring_v up_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o any_o doctor_n but_o have_v his_o breed_n in_o a_o carpenter_n shop_n 2._o that_o no_o crime_n be_v ever_o object_v to_o he_o notwithstanding_o that_o he_o upbraid_v the_o pharisee_n with_o they_o but_o he_o support_v his_o doctrine_n by_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o conversation_n 3._o that_o he_o insensible_o dispose_v the_o people_n to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o character_n which_o god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o in_o the_o prophet_n 4._o he_o prepare_v his_o disciple_n and_o his_o auditor_n to_o expect_v that_o one_o day_n the_o gentile_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o church_n in_o short_a can_v any_o thing_n be_v so_o surprise_v as_o to_o see_v a_o man_n who_o have_v live_v thirty_o year_n as_o the_o son_n of_o a_o carpenter_n to_o declare_v himself_o all_o at_o once_o a_o doctor_n to_o preach_v public_o to_o censure_v the_o doctor_n of_o his_o nation_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n with_o more_o depth_n and_o authority_n than_o all_o that_o ever_o go_v before_o he_o who_o can_v without_o surprise_n conceive_v that_o a_o man_n of_o the_o low_a quality_n shall_v from_o a_o carpenter_n shop_n come_v and_o determine_v question_n about_o the_o law_n and_o tread_v under_o his_o foot_n the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o great_a rabbin_n every_o where_o only_o by_o a_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o so_o that_o none_o be_v able_a to_o contradict_v he_o certain_o when_o one_o see_v we_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o mount_n explain_v and_o defend_v the_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o law_n from_o the_o corruption_n into_o which_o it_o be_v fall_v he_o appear_v not_o only_o as_o great_a as_o moses_n on_o mount_n sinai_n but_o even_o as_o god_n himself_o when_o he_o publish_v his_o law_n to_o that_o his_o ancient_a people_n neither_o ought_v any_o one_o to_o have_v less_o admiration_n for_o that_o perfect_a innocence_n which_o shine_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n what_o crime_n have_v they_o to_o charge_v he_o with_o when_o they_o put_v he_o to_o death_n he_o who_o accuse_v his_o enemy_n of_o so_o many_o who_o of_o you_o say_v he_o accuse_v i_o of_o sin_n we_o find_v he_o only_o accuse_v of_o word_n ill_o understand_v which_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o misinterpret_v his_o say_n that_o if_o they_o destroy_v that_o temple_n he_o will_v rebuild_v it_o in_o three_o day_n be_v lay_v to_o his_o charge_n as_o a_o crime_n and_o yet_o these_o word_n can_v not_o have_v be_v heighten_v into_o crime_n if_o they_o have_v be_v speak_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n which_o they_o put_v upon_o they_o this_o be_v a_o essential_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o restorer_n of_o holiness_n according_a to_o the_o idea_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v of_o he_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n afterward_o that_o our_o saviour_n in_o his_o sermon_n do_v by_o little_a and_o little_o dispose_v the_o mind_n of_o his_o auditor_n and_o disciple_n to_o conceive_v and_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n the_o first_o act_n of_o his_o public_a ministry_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o his_o zeal_n for_o the_o holiness_n of_o a_o temple_n consecrate_v to_o his_o father_n he_o drive_v the_o buyer_n and_o seller_n out_o of_o the_o temple_n at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o action_n of_o his_o be_v a_o solemn_a profession_n that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god._n soon_o after_o at_o nazareth_n he_o apply_v to_o himself_o that_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o i_o etc._n etc._n he_o explain_v himself_o yet_o more_o distinct_o in_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o second_o passover_n which_o he_o celebrate_v during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o ministry_n that_o they_o may_v understand_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o account_n which_o the_o evangelist_n give_v we_o and_o he_o explain_v himself_o yet_o more_o particular_o upon_o john_n the_o baptist_n message_n to_o he_o by_o which_o mean_v this_o truth_n become_v already_o so_o illustrious_a that_o the_o multitude_n will_v proclaim_v he_o king_n that_o be_v public_o own_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n and_o obey_v he_o as_o their_o rightful_a sovereign_n and_o last_o he_o explain_v himself_o in_o this_o matter_n by_o a_o question_n when_o he_o ask_v his_o disciple_n xvi_o matt._n xvi_o what_o censure_n be_v pass_v upon_o he_o in_o judea_n and_o what_o they_o themselves_o think_v of_o he_o in_o short_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o jesus_n prepare_v the_o mind_n of_o his_o disciple_n to_o look_v for_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n which_o also_o be_v the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n 10._o gen._n xlix_o 10._o jacob_n have_v prophesy_v of_o old_a to_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v but_o i_o shall_v pass_v by_o the_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v this_o matter_n what_o signify_v the_o history_n of_o the_o prodigal_n unless_o it_o be_v the_o call_v and_o the_o return_v of_o the_o gentile_n the_o elder_a son_n the_o jew_n be_v extreme_o trouble_v at_o it_o what_o mean_v that_o say_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o he_o have_v other_o sheep_n etc._n etc._n or_o his_o prediction_n that_o many_o shall_v come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o west_n and_o sit_v down_o with_o abraham_n when_o the_o child_n of_o the_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v cast_v forth_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o such_o like_a oracle_n and_o their_o exact_a accomplishment_n these_o be_v sufficient_a at_o present_a to_o justify_v the_o solidity_n of_o this_o last_o reflection_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o conclusion_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o if_o one_o examine_v the_o life_n and_o preach_v of_o our_o saviour_n he_o may_v find_v all_o those_o character_n by_o which_o the_o promise_a messiah_n may_v be_v know_v let_v we_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o his_o miracle_n chap._n x._o that_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n clear_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n as_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v very_o clear_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o by_o his_o miracle_n and_o as_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n chap._n xxxv_o set_v down_o the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n as_o one_o of_o those_o character_n by_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v know_v so_o it_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n to_o we_o to_o examine_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n with_o great_a attention_n whether_o they_o have_v the_o character_n of_o truth_n and_o whether_o they_o come_v up_o to_o the_o idea_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v we_o of_o those_o wonder_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o do_v the_o evangelist_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o wrought_v almost_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o they_o have_v describe_v more_o than_o thirty_o several_a sort_n of_o they_o he_o change_v water_n into_o wine_n at_o the_o wedding_n at_o cana_n he_o heal_v the_o sick_a son_n of_o a_o courtier_n he_o
prefer_v before_o other_o use_v by_o he_o without_o any_o solid_a reason_n that_o therefore_o we_o must_v reject_v the_o deposition_n of_o so_o many_o witness_n who_o unanimous_o attest_v it_o since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v raise_v three_o person_n to_o life_n again_o which_o then_o live_v in_o judea_n since_o jerusalem_n have_v continue_v forty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n since_o sixty_o solemn_a feast_n be_v celebrate_v in_o that_o time_n where_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o occasion_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n and_o the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o the_o accusation_n charge_v upon_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v convert_v at_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o reduce_v all_o to_o this_o question_n of_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o this_o a_o invincible_a proof_n against_o all_o the_o accusation_n and_o suspicion_n of_o the_o synagogue_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o witness_n who_o maintain_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o attest_v his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o assert_v it_o with_o the_o same_o proof_n and_o the_o same_o zeal_n the_o reflection_n here_o set_v down_o may_v serve_v for_o that_o also_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o i_o be_o next_o to_o consider_v the_o send_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n both_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o ascension_n and_o that_o these_o very_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n enable_v the_o jew_n to_o write_v preach_v and_o publish_v throughout_o all_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n of_o that_o christianity_n which_o we_o now_o profess_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n speak_v very_o plain_o of_o this_o send_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o a_o preliminary_n to_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n which_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n the_o prophet_n joel_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o such_o and_o make_v this_o wonder_n to_o precede_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o s._n peter_n observe_v in_o the_o second_o of_o the_o acts._n isaiah_n speak_v very_o particular_o of_o it_o as_o such_o in_o the_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n where_o he_o sufficient_o intimate_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n shall_v from_o thence_o forward_o so_o rest_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v find_v any_o long_a among_o the_o jew_n who_o city_n and_o temple_n shall_v be_v destroy_v at_o present_v my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o thing_n have_v be_v exact_o fulfil_v according_a to_o the_o design_n which_o god_n have_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n which_o s._n luke_n give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o the_o acts._n he_o tell_v we_o therefore_o that_o fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n have_v continue_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o be_v assemble_v there_o they_o receive_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n to_o make_v they_o fit_a to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o nation_n and_o to_o explain_v the_o most_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o our_o saviour_n religion_n every_o thing_n be_v considerable_a in_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n 1._o that_o he_o relate_v this_o fact_n as_o happen_v fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o jewish_a passover_n when_o christ_n be_v crucify_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v witness_n of_o his_o death_n 2._o that_o he_o relate_v it_o as_o happen_v in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o jesus_n christ_n be_v condemn_v that_o the_o same_o multitude_n who_o after_o fifty_o day_n be_v again_o assemble_v there_o at_o this_o feast_n may_v be_v witness_n of_o this_o miraculous_a event_n in_o short_a it_o plain_o appear_v that_o this_o new_a law_n from_o mount_n zion_n be_v solemn_o promulge_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v assemble_v from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o old_a law_n be_v when_o all_o the_o people_n assist_v at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n 3._o that_o these_o gift_n be_v grant_v to_o all_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n gift_n which_o till_o that_o time_n have_v be_v whole_o unheard_a of_o and_o whereof_o some_o part_n only_o have_v be_v grant_v to_o some_o prophet_n and_o to_o some_o priest_n and_o of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v make_v partaker_n since_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n god_n have_v so_o order_v it_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v be_v the_o more_o inflame_v for_o the_o messiah_n come_v as_o also_o that_o upon_o his_o come_n he_o may_v the_o more_o easy_o be_v discern_v 4._o that_o this_o be_v a_o fact_n open_o know_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o different_o interpret_v by_o they_o some_o say_n they_o they_o be_v full_a of_o new_a wine_n 5._o that_o the_o apostle_n assert_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o s._n peter_n that_o this_o be_v a_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 6._o that_o they_o declare_v that_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o this_o miraculous_a donative_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o david_n and_o joel_n it_o be_v certain_o therefore_o very_o natural_a to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o event_n the_o first_o will_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o miraculous_a fact_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o s._n luke_n a_o wise_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o relate_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o have_v convince_v his_o reader_n thereof_o also_o nothing_o more_o be_v require_v for_o their_o conviction_n but_o the_o presence_n of_o one_o of_o those_o first_o christian_n and_o to_o make_v a_o trial_n of_o this_o supernatural_a virtue_n bestow_v on_o they_o for_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a occasion_n 2._o we_o must_v observe_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n which_o he_o lay_v down_o to_o make_v his_o book_n of_o the_o act_n to_o appear_v just_a and_o reasonable_a and_o to_o justify_v the_o apostle_n conduct_v in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o whole_o exclude_v from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o also_o contrary_a to_o the_o seem_a maxim_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o act_v only_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o circumcision_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o pretension_n of_o many_o christian_n who_o after_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n take_v it_o very_o ill_o that_o s._n peter_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n 3._o s._n luke_n suppose_v that_o this_o fact_n come_v to_o pass_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o be_v follow_v by_o consequence_n as_o illustrious_a as_o they_o be_v incredible_a twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n undertake_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o their_o master_n who_o fifty_o day_n before_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o prosecution_n of_o the_o whole_a synagogue_n and_o by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v not_o only_a live_n not_o only_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n but_o that_o he_o also_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n of_o cure_v all_o disease_n and_o even_o of_o raise_v the_o dead_a 4._o they_o go_v yet_o further_o they_o bold_o maintain_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v they_o a_o privilege_n of_o communicate_v the_o same_o power_n to_o all_o those_o who_o will_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o this_o without_o any_o other_o mystery_n but_o the_o bare_a lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v they_o by_o baptism_n into_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n nothing_o can_v have_v be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o contrary_a unless_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o assertion_n by_o the_o miraculous_a consequence_n of_o that_o first_o miracle_n the_o fact_n be_v public_o acknowledge_v simon_n magus_n be_v convince_v thereof_o and_o
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o maintain_v against_o the_o christian_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o about_o the_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o these_o character_n the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v come_v the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o prove_v it_o by_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o these_o character_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o proper_a character_n to_o know_v he_o by_o and_o so_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v be_v elude_v and_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n equal_o deceive_v in_o take_v that_o for_o a_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v not_o or_o else_o that_o both_o the_o messiah_n be_v certain_o come_v and_o and_o that_o he_o be_v no_o other_o than_o that_o jesus_n who_o we_o worship_v chap._n xxi_o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o double_a stumble_a block_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o religion_n say_v they_o propound_v doctrine_n that_o be_v inconceivable_a and_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n that_o of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n these_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o jew_n reject_v as_o absolute_o incompatible_a with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o answer_v this_o objection_n 1._o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o total_a forgetfulness_n of_o the_o solidity_n of_o those_o proof_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v allege_v jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o be_v a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o several_a witness_n it_o appear_v from_o tacitus_n that_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v death_n under_o tiberius_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v know_v that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o christian_n from_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 54._o it_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n in_o his_o life_n of_o nero_n that_o he_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o burn_a the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_n therefore_o make_v a_o considerable_a body_n in_o the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 64._o suetonius_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o pliny_n in_o trajan_n time_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o meeting_n 3._o dion_n cassius_n set_v down_o the_o accusation_n bring_v in_o against_o flavius_n and_o domitilla_n as_o against_o atheist_n which_o be_v the_o title_n julian_n the_o apostate_n give_v to_o constantine_n because_o the_o christian_n reject_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a gods._n 4._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 63_o and_o yet_o this_o book_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o s._n luke_n to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o it_o and_o s._n luke_n gospel_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v already_o publish_v 5._o it_o appear_v from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v then_o write_v and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o book_n of_o s._n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o s._n justin._n these_o fact_n which_o be_v certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n as_o eye_n witness_n maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n after_o this_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v dispute_v by_o what_o power_n he_o be_v raise_v whether_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o by_o his_o own_o but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v the_o fact_n by_o reason_v draw_v from_o preten_v absurdity_n which_o one_o may_v think_v to_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o these_o mystery_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o idea_n of_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o which_o not_o be_v distinct_o know_v by_o we_o may_v raise_v difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o i_o will_v discourse_v with_o one_o bear_v blind_a of_o the_o sun_n of_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o sun_n the_o production_n of_o light_n and_o afterward_o of_o heat_n he_o will_v find_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n not_o to_o imagine_v three_o sun_n it_o be_v know_v how_o the_o philosopher_n who_o agree_v about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v notwithstanding_o be_v oblige_v to_o attribute_v several_a faculty_n to_o it_o which_o the_o common_a people_n look_v upon_o as_o very_o different_a thing_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o christian_n prove_v very_o solid_o that_o these_o mystery_n have_v be_v clear_o propose_v by_o the_o apostle_n who_o receive_v their_o light_n from_o heaven_n as_o to_o these_o truth_n and_o so_o may_v necessary_o be_v believe_v upon_o their_o word_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v former_o believe_v moreover_o they_o assert_v that_o these_o doctrine_n be_v first_o express_v though_o not_o so_o clear_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o christian_n i_o add_v to_o these_o remark_n that_o most_o of_o those_o fact_n who_o truth_n be_v so_o invincible_o establish_v suppose_v these_o doctrine_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o religion_n do_v so_o necessary_o require_v they_o that_o we_o rob_v it_o of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o its_o glory_n in_o question_v or_o contest_v any_o of_o they_o these_o reflection_n may_v suffice_v in_o general_a to_o resolve_v this_o difficulty_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o for_o a_o more_o particular_a satisfaction_n we_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o those_o book_n which_o purposely_o treat_v of_o these_o mystery_n desire_v he_o to_o observe_v careful_o that_o common_o the_o most_o difficult_a objection_n of_o heretic_n against_o these_o matter_n do_v rather_o oppose_v the_o term_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o or_o the_o notion_n which_o man_n follow_v in_o speak_v of_o these_o truth_n than_o the_o proposition_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n at_o least_o one_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v constrain_v to_o resolve_v several_a parallel_n objection_n to_o which_o one_o can_v scarce_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n without_o borrow_v some_o distinction_n and_o notion_n from_o the_o christian_n neither_o can_v the_o second_o objection_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v we_o any_o more_o disturbance_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o have_v be_v division_n among_o christian_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n what_o can_v we_o conclude_v thence_o can_v we_o reasonable_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o christianity_n be_v doubtful_a concern_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o support_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a upon_o a_o attentive_a observation_n one_o may_v find_v 1._o that_o heresy_n have_v only_o serve_v to_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n more_o incontestable_a by_o oblige_v those_o that_o have_v consider_v of_o they_o to_o examine_v their_o certainty_n with_o more_o care_n and_o application_n this_o be_v the_o judgement_n one_o ought_v to_o make_v upon_o all_o those_o heresy_n in_o the_o second_o age_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o death_n from_o thence_o man_n take_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o collect_v with_o great_a care_n all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o these_o fact_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o contest_v do_v not_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o the_o several_a consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n continue_v still_o beyond_o dispute_n this_o we_o find_v in_o the_o dispute_v raise_v about_o the_o millennium_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v equal_o believe_v by_o both_o the_o dispute_a party_n but_o different_o understand_v according_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o those_o that_o consider_v of_o they_o some_o form_v gross_a and_o sensual_a conception_n concern_v they_o other_o have_v a_o more_o spiritual_a relish_n which_o they_o have_v acquire_v by_o study_v the_o prophecy_n and_o their_o true_a sense_n 3._o we_o find_v that_o this_o division_n which_o have_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o solid_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o some_o fool_n have_v endeavour_v to_o decry_v some_o of_o they_o or_o to_o falsify_v some_o particular_a place_n we_o see_v that_o both_o party_n unite_v to_o repel_v that_o violence_n by_o produce_v their_o copy_n and_o beat_v back_o the_o impostor_n with_o their_o unite_a strength_n one_o see_v we_o that_o tertullian_n though_o a_o montanist_n write_v prescription_n against_o heretic_n and_o epiphanius_n take_v notice_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o some_o that_o be_v orthodox_n of_o their_o crime_n in_o blot_v out_o of_o their_o copy_n that_o christ_n have_v weep_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o karaite_n and_o thalmudist_n the_o jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n and_o the_o division_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o hinder_v its_o corruption_n each_o party_n be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o hinder_v their_o adversary_n from_o attempt_v any_o thing_n to_o its_o prejudice_n in_o corrupt_v a_o book_n which_o they_o consider_v as_o common_a to_o they_o all_o i_o may_v observe_v many_o other_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o the_o truth_n from_o these_o human_a fail_n but_o i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o which_o have_v always_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o considerable_a and_o that_o be_v that_o these_o heretic_n distinct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n a_o impious_a person_n will_v have_v reason_n to_o accuse_v our_o oracle_n as_o false_a if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o heresy_n but_o truth_n triumph_v in_o see_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v the_o more_o she_o see_v we_o herself_o confirm_v and_o establish_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n induce_v god_n to_o permit_v so_o great_a a_o increase_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o the_o truth_n meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o persecution_n stand_v in_o the_o great_a need_n of_o sensible_a character_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v know_v i_o conclude_v this_o work_n with_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o consider_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n here_o propound_v with_o a_o serious_a attention_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o coherence_n and_o indissoluble_a connexion_n of_o they_o and_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o have_v propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o finis_fw-la