by_o chance_n and_o without_o any_o certain_a principle_n chap._n xx._n 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 i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o other_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n calculation_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n as_o we_o have_v it_o now_o it_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o china_n who_o uninterrupted_a series_n run_v up_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o emperor_n to_o fobius_fw-la who_o reign_v about_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o flood_n some_o learned_a man_n have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o that_o argument_n to_o discredit_v the_o mosaic_a chronology_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o cry_v up_o the_o calculation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n which_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n in_o the_o history_n before_o the_o flood_n by_o 800_o year_n and_o 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follow_v the_o hebrew_n text_n exact_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o west_n but_o after_o all_o there_o be_v little_a difficulty_n in_o answer_v this_o objection_n and_o we_o may_v hereupon_o easy_o satisfy_v those_o who_o do_v not_o dispute_v only_o for_o dispute_v sake_n but_o be_v ready_a to_o examine_v this_o question_n with_o that_o equity_n which_o be_v requisite_a in_o the_o examination_n of_o all_o question_n of_o that_o nature_n i_o confess_v ingenious_o that_o this_o history_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a in_o the_o world_n have_v many_o illustrious_a character_n of_o certainty_n especial_o if_o we_o give_v credit_n to_o all_o that_o martinius_n relate_v of_o it_o first_o it_o mark_v out_o exact_o the_o series_n and_o succession_n of_o all_o the_o king_n of_o china_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n and_o original_n of_o that_o nation_n second_o it_o record_v in_o what_o year_n of_o each_o cycle_n of_o threescore_o year_n every_o king_n begin_v his_o reign_n and_o do_v such_o or_o such_o a_o action_n three_o it_o relate_v some_o astronomical_a observation_n old_a than_o any_o that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a astronomer_n in_o other_o nation_n four_o it_o be_v write_v by_o a_o public_a authority_n and_o by_o such_o author_n as_o live_v in_o the_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o record_v be_v transact_v the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o empire_n take_v always_o care_v that_o the_o history_n of_o his_o predecessor_n shall_v be_v write_v nay_o to_o all_o this_o we_o must_v add_v that_o the_o chinese_n way_n of_o writing_n make_v no_o use_n of_o letter_n but_o of_o hieroglyphic_n may_v have_v prevent_v these_o alteration_n which_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v make_v in_o their_o history_n the_o whole_a life_n of_o a_o man_n be_v hardly_o sufficient_a to_o attain_v to_o the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o a_o tongue_n which_o have_v above_o threescore_o thousand_o figure_n which_o must_v be_v all_o learn_v 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common_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n who_o they_o call_v xangti_n which_o be_v not_o the_o name_n but_o the_o epithet_n of_o god_n this_o word_n signify_v supreme_a governor_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n three_o he_o say_v that_o they_o acknowledge_v a_o first_o man_n bring_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o chaos_n in_o one_o night_n in_o the_o spring_n which_o opinion_n some_o among_o they_o have_v make_v intricate_a by_o the_o addition_n of_o their_o own_o fable_n four_o he_o show_v that_o sacrifice_n have_v be_v in_o use_n among_o they_o five_o that_o they_o believe_v a_o certainty_n of_o punishment_n and_o reward_n after_o this_o life_n for_o vice_n and_o virtue_n six_o that_o they_o believe_v the_o existence_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a angel_n seven_o that_o they_o assign_v to_o some_o of_o they_o the_o protection_n of_o city_n and_o province_n and_o pay_v they_o great_a veneration_n at_o the_o instalment_n of_o their_o magistrate_n eight_o that_o they_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v incorporeal_a being_n and_o that_o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_a that_o they_o have_v erect_v and_o consecrate_a statue_n to_o they_o and_o last_o that_o they_o have_v a_o very_a great_a knowledge_n of_o the_o flood_n which_o in_o their_o account_n happen_v about_o 3500_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n here_o be_v we_o see_v many_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o religion_n and_o which_o be_v know_v to_o they_o from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o judge_v in_o compare_v those_o truth_n with_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n that_o the_o ancient_a chinese_n do_v agree_v with_o all_o other_o nation_n in_o the_o believe_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o religion_n lay_v down_o by_o moses_n we_o may_v likewise_o observe_v that_o those_o antiquity_n of_o china_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v as_o like_o those_o record_v by_o moses_n as_o a_o tradition_n which_o can_v but_o have_v receive_v many_o alteration_n during_o such_o a_o long_a interval_n of_o time_n can_v be_v like_a to_o a_o exact_a narrative_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n draw_v up_o by_o a_o author_n who_o know_v very_o well_o what_o he_o write_v first_o it_o appear_v that_o what_o they_o say_v concern_v the_o thirteen_o successor_n of_o the_o first_o man_n name_v puoncuus_fw-la all_o descend_v from_o he_o be_v agreeable_a enough_o to_o the_o history_n of_o genesis_n which_o set_v down_o the_o successive_a patriarch_n from_o father_n to_o son._n all_o the_o difference_n be_v that_o the_o chinese_n by_o a_o foolish_a ambition_n of_o appropriate_v all_o to_o themselves_o maintain_v that_o those_o thirteen_o king_n be_v all_o in_o china_n second_o what_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o world_n be_v civilise_v under_o the_o second_o of_o those_o king_n call_v thienhoang_v after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o great_a dragon_n that_o have_v disturb_v heaven_n and_o earth_n agree_v very_o well_o with_o the_o history_n of_o seth_n who_o begin_v to_o form_n mankind_n to_o a_o right_a notion_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n when_o he_o separate_v they_o from_o cain_n family_n three_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o when_o the_o chinese_n have_v reckon_v up_o thirteen_o king_n lineal_o descend_v from_o the_o first_o man_n and_o his_o successor_n they_o have_v include_v in_o that_o number_n cain_n and_o abel_n who_o though_o they_o be_v both_o the_o son_n of_o the_o first_o man_n yet_o be_v not_o reckon_v up_o by_o moses_n because_o his_o scope_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o lineal_a descent_n of_o adam_n posterity_n by_o seth._n they_o believe_v that_o under_o ginhohang_fw-mi there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o golden_a age_n the_o earth_n be_v then_o fruitful_a to_o admiration_n and_o that_o under_o his_o successor_n man_n be_v extreme_o simple_a and_o altogether_o ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a art_n necessary_a to_o human_a life_n as_o of_o character_n and_o letter_n one_o sujus_fw-la to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o they_o
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
upon_o they_o continual_o especial_o every_o sabbath_n day_n nay_o and_o we_o see_v moreover_o that_o god_n every_o seven_o year_n will_v have_v they_o read_v public_o in_o a_o more_o solemn_a manner_n before_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o that_o people_n who_o during_o that_o year_n be_v oblige_v to_o rest_v from_o all_o their_o ordinary_a labour_n and_o employment_n and_o so_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v all_o that_o while_n but_o to_o read_v the_o law_n to_o examine_v it_o and_o to_o meditate_v upon_o it_o last_o it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v yet_o the_o more_o solemn_a and_o authentic_a because_o they_o oblige_v the_o jew_n to_o celebrate_v three_o such_o feast_n as_o be_v to_o be_v public_o keep_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o consequent_o apt_a to_o refresh_v their_o memory_n and_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n thrice_o a_o year_n not_o only_o of_o the_o surprise_v miracle_n that_o god_n have_v do_v for_o they_o but_o also_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o give_v and_o promulgate_v his_o law_n the_o miracle_n give_v rise_v to_o the_o law_n and_o those_o law_n be_v themselves_o a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o miracle_n because_o of_o the_o frequent_a commemoration_n of_o they_o which_o be_v therein_o enjoin_v now_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o let_v every_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o god_n give_v and_o promulgate_a by_o his_o mean_n that_o body_n of_o law_n which_o he_o have_v insert_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n can_v possible_o or_o at_o least_o reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o but_o i_o come_v now_o to_o con-the_a oracle_n record_v in_o moses_n write_n in_o order_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o they_o chap._n vii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n can_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n be_v history_n in_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o oracle_n which_o he_o have_v record_v in_o his_o book_n there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o oracle_n in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o other_o three_o follow_a book_n first_o there_o be_v some_o whereof_o the_o accomplishment_n do_v soon_o follow_v the_o prediction_n the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o the_o egyptian_a bondage_n be_v of_o that_o number_n moses_n do_v promise_n and_o foretell_v it_o nay_o and_o he_o execute_v it_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o people_n to_o who_o it_o be_v promise_v and_o foretell_v be_v themselves_o witness_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o prophecy_n and_o it_o be_v that_o accomplishment_n which_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o his_o commission_n so_o be_v the_o other_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o several_a division_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n moses_n foretell_v exact_o what_o lot_n every_o one_o shall_v have_v and_o give_v beside_o a_o description_n of_o the_o country_n that_o every_o tribe_n be_v to_o inhabit_v those_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o desert_n be_v witness_n both_o of_o the_o prediction_n and_o the_o execusion_n of_o it_o although_o it_o be_v by_o the_o cast_n of_o lot_n that_o all_o the_o tribe_n get_v their_o several_a partition_n but_o second_o there_o be_v some_o other_o oracle_n in_o moses_n book_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v the_o prediction_n till_o after_o a_o long_a interval_n of_o time_n such_o be_v the_o prophecy_n that_o foretell_v the_o future_a subjection_n of_o the_o israelite_n to_o the_o canaanite_n and_o the_o several_a deliverance_n out_o of_o that_o subjection_n which_o god_n be_v to_o effect_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o judge_n who_o he_o be_v to_o raise_v up_o for_o that_o purpose_n such_o again_o be_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o future_a change_n of_o their_o common_a wealth_n into_o a_o kingly_a government_n three_o and_o last_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n foretell_v all_o the_o accident_n change_n and_o revolution_n that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o jew_n as_o long_o as_o their_o state_n shall_v stand_v at_o least_o we_o see_v that_o his_o prediction_n be_v very_o plain_a concern_v their_o several_a captivity_n and_o removal_n and_o their_o return_n into_o the_o holy_a land_n as_o also_o the_o sieges_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o irrecoverable_a dispersion_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n which_o we_o see_v at_o present_a but_o whatever_o difference_n there_o may_v otherwise_o be_v betwixt_o all_o these_o prediction_n we_o may_v say_v that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v as_o pregnant_a proof_n of_o its_o certainty_n and_o truth_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o for_o first_o as_o to_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o prediction_n the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o moses_n relate_v himself_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o his_o account_n can_v in_o the_o least_o be_v suspect_v of_o imposture_n because_o he_o write_v it_o among_o a_o whole_a nation_n which_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o case_n see_v he_o suppose_v and_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v all_o along_o in_o his_o relation_n that_o those_o prediction_n be_v beforehand_o public_o and_o general_o know_v of_o all_o the_o people_n as_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophecy_n we_o have_v the_o relation_n of_o it_o in_o such_o other_o book_n as_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n death_n as_o in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n of_o judge_n and_o several_a other_o which_o relate_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o as_o of_o prophecy_n write_v many_o year_n and_o even_o some_o age_n before_o by_o moses_n beside_o to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o account_n which_o we_o find_v in_o those_o book_n concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v interweave_v with_o such_o history_n as_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o his_o prophecy_n as_o well_o as_o his_o write_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o the_o world_n and_o distinct_o know_v by_o every_o jew_n and_o what_o be_v further_a observable_a be_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v moses_n book_n in_o such_o a_o esteem_n because_o of_o these_o several_a illustrious_a prophecy_n that_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o that_o they_o have_v always_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o most_o excellent_a of_o all_o their_o prophet_n they_o assert_v at_o this_o very_a day_n that_o the_o other_o prophet_n have_v common_o no_o other_o knowledge_n of_o future_a event_n than_o that_o which_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o by_o dream_n and_o vision_n whereas_o moses_n have_v it_o by_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o god_n himself_o who_o use_v to_o speak_v to_o he_o face_n to_o face_n without_o any_o enthusiasm_n when_o he_o be_v perfect_o awake_a now_o how_o can_v ever_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v so_o strong_o prepossess_v of_o that_o high_a opinion_n both_o of_o moses_n and_o his_o prediction_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o they_o never_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o any_o of_o they_o that_o will_v certain_o be_v as_o strange_a a_o illusion_n as_o ever_o be_v for_o it_o be_v beside_o observable_a that_o those_o prophecy_n of_o he_o be_v not_o write_v by_o themselves_o and_o keep_v secret_a from_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n but_o that_o they_o be_v insert_v into_o the_o several_a speech_n which_o he_o make_v to_o all_o the_o people_n some_o time_n before_o his_o death_n and_o which_o be_v write_v and_o keep_v together_o in_o the_o same_o volume_n to_o be_v a_o stand_a monument_n both_o of_o his_o prophecy_n and_o of_o his_o ministry_n among_o the_o jew_n now_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o book_n that_o be_v all_o make_v up_o of_o prophecy_n and_o so_o keep_v secret_a and_o seldom_o read_v as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n be_v and_o a_o book_n wherein_o the_o prophecy_n it_o contain_v be_v interweave_v with_o a_o history_n wherein_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o matter_n as_o draw_v to_o it_o and_o fix_v the_o attention_n of_o every_o reader_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v mingle_v with_o a_o whole_a body_n of_o political_n and_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o intermix_v with_o the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o all_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o give_v the_o occasion_n to_o so_o many_o several_a revelation_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o his_o book_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v those_o reflection_n upon_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o jew_n entertain_v of_o moses_n prerogative_n and_o upon_o the_o manner_n that_o his_o prophecy_n so_o much_o reverence_v among_o they_o be_v exact_o accomplish_v and_o not_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o divine_a authority_n chap._n viii_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o constant_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o oracle_n relate_v
of_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n upon_o they_o have_v the_o light_n shine_v thou_o have_v multiply_v the_o nation_n thou_o have_v increase_v the_o joy_n they_o joy_v before_o thou_o according_a to_o the_o joy_n in_o harvest_n and_o as_o man_n rejoice_v when_o they_o divide_v the_o spoil_n i_o shall_v afterward_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v by_o a_o incredible_a abundance_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o so_o this_o shall_v suffice_v at_o present_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o very_a great_a prophet_n chap._n xviii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o propound_v a_o new_a covenant_n from_o god_n with_o all_o man_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o be_v easy_o gather_v 1._o because_o all_o nation_n before_o they_o can_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n by_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n make_v to_o abraham_n be_v first_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o covenant_n 2._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o covenant_n itself_o of_o which_o moses_n be_v the_o mediator_n the_o end_n of_o which_o be_v to_o separate_v the_o jew_n from_o other_o nation_n some_o of_o which_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v receive_v among_o they_o till_o after_o several_a generation_n whereas_o they_o be_v to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o this_o blessing_n by_o the_o messiah_n 3._o because_o in_o effect_n all_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v only_o add_v to_o the_o moral_a as_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o god_n principal_a intention_n and_o only_o upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o jew_n worship_v the_o golden_a calf_n as_o st._n 3.19_o gal._n 3.19_o paul_n observe_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n beside_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n at_o divers_a time_n have_v give_v sufficient_a hint_n concern_v this_o 1._o he_o have_v propose_v a_o new_a priesthood_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o abolish_v the_o levitical_a priesthood_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a forasmuch_o as_o david_n who_o pronounce_v that_o oracle_n psalm_n cx_o be_v he_o who_o first_o form_v the_o design_n of_o build_v the_o temple_n to_o which_o all_o the_o levitical_a service_n be_v annex_v 2._o we_o find_v he_o reject_v in_o some_o sort_n the_o levitical_a ministry_n after_o he_o have_v despise_v it_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o spiritual_a worship_n psalm_n xl._n vers_fw-la 6._o sacrifice_n and_o offer_v thou_o do_v not_o desire_v my_o ear_n have_v thou_o open_v burnt-offering_a and_o sin-offering_a have_v thou_o not_o require_v and_o psalm_n l._n vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10._o i_o will_v not_o reprove_v thou_o for_o thy_o sacrifice_n or_o thy_o burnt-offering_n which_o have_v be_v continual_o before_o i_o i_o will_v take_v no_o bullock_n out_o of_o thy_o house_n nor_o he-goat_n out_o of_o thy_o fold_n for_o every_o beast_n of_o the_o forest_n be_v i_o and_o the_o cattle_n upon_o a_o thousand_o hill_n and_o psalm_n li._n verse_n 17._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o god_n be_v a_o break_a spirit_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o sacrifice_n which_o the_o law_n prescribe_v and_o to_o signify_v their_o imperfection_n the_o law_n have_v appoint_v none_o for_o the_o expiation_n of_o murder_n or_o adultery_n isaiah_n follow_v david_n chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o and_o 15._o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o multitude_n of_o your_o sacrifice_n unto_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n i_o be_o full_a of_o the_o burnt-offering_n of_o ram_n and_o the_o fat_a of_o feed_a beast_n and_o i_o delight_v not_o in_o the_o blood_n of_o bullock_n or_o of_o lamb_n or_o of_o he-goat_n when_o you_o come_v to_o appear_v before_o i_o who_o have_v require_v this_o at_o your_o hand_n to_o tread_v my_o court_n bring_v no_o more_o vain_a oblation_n incense_n be_v a_o abomination_n unto_o i_o the_o new_a moon_n and_o sabbath_n the_o call_n of_o assembly_n i_o can_v away_o with_o it_o be_v iniquity_n even_o the_o solemn_a meeting_n your_o new_a moon_n and_o your_o appoint_a feast_n my_o soul_n hate_v they_o be_v a_o trouble_n unto_o i_o i_o be_o weary_a to_o bear_v they_o and_o when_o you_o spread_v forth_o your_o hand_n i_o will_v hide_v my_o eye_n from_o you_o yea_o when_o you_o make_v many_o prayer_n i_o will_v not_o hear_v your_o hand_n be_v full_a of_o blood_n and_o jeremiah_n speak_v much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n chap._n vii_o v._o 21_o 22_o &_o 23._o but_o beside_o god_n direct_o promise_v this_o new_a covenant_n by_o isaiah_n chap._n xlii_o vers_fw-la 6_o 7._o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thy_o hand_n and_o will_v keep_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n for_o a_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o open_v the_o blind_a eye_n to_o bring_v out_o the_o prisoner_n from_o the_o prison_n and_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n from_o the_o prison_n house_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v that_o in_o this_o place_n where_o god_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o confess_v he_o express_o declare_v two_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n that_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v mediate_v a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o the_o people_n 2._o that_o the_o fruit_n of_o this_o covenant_n be_v to_o extend_v to_o the_o gentile_n which_o plain_o imply_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n forasmuch_o as_o from_o it_o several_a be_v exclude_v the_o same_o covenant_n be_v also_o mention_v chap._n xlix_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n in_o a_o acceptable_a time_n have_v i_o hear_v thou_o and_o in_o a_o day_n of_o salvation_n have_v i_o help_v thou_o and_o i_o will_v preserve_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n to_o establish_v the_o earth_n to_o cause_v to_o inherit_v the_o desolate_a heritage_n that_o thou_o may_v say_v to_o the_o prisoner_n go_v forth_o to_o they_o that_o be_v in_o darkness_n show_v yourselves_o they_o shall_v feed_v in_o the_o way_n and_o their_o pasture_n shall_v be_v in_o all_o high-place_n he_o pursue_v the_o same_o notion_n chap._n lv._o vers_fw-la 3_o 4._o incline_v your_o ear_n and_o come_v unto_o i_o hear_v and_o your_o soul_n shall_v live_v and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o you_o the_o sure_a mercy_n of_o david_n behold_v i_o have_v give_v he_o for_o a_o witness_n to_o the_o people_n a_o leader_n and_o commander_n to_o the_o people_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o particular_a and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o speak_v chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o for_o i_o the_o lord_n love_v judgement_n i_o hate_v robbery_n for_o burnt-offering_a and_o i_o will_v direct_v their_o work_n in_o truth_n and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o and_o their_o seed_n shall_v be_v know_v among_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o offspring_n among_o the_o people_n all_o that_o see_v they_o shall_v acknowledge_v they_o that_o they_o be_v the_o seed_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v bless_v it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o day_n that_o god_n in_o these_o oracle_n promise_v a_o irrevocable_a covenant_n because_o he_o call_v it_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o former_a he_o take_v notice_n also_o in_o the_o same_o book_n that_o the_o say_a covenant_n be_v to_o be_v propound_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o that_o then_o that_o blessing_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v know_v according_a to_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n which_o be_v promise_v universal_o to_o all_o nation_n this_o be_v that_o which_o god_n more_o particular_o explain_v afterward_o by_o the_o voice_n and_o pen_n of_o a_o prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o order_n of_o priest_n thereby_o to_o prevent_v all_o sort_n of_o exception_n jeremiah_n in_o effect_n speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n chap._n xxxi_o vers_fw-la 31_o 32_o 33_o 34_o 35_o and_o 36._o behold_v the_o day_n come_v say_v the_o lord_n that_o i_o will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o with_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n that_o i_o make_v with_o their_o father_n in_o the_o day_n that_o i_o take_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n which_o my_o covenant_n they_o break_v although_o i_o be_v a_o husband_n to_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n but_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o covenant_n that_o i_o will_v make_v with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n after_o those_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n i_o will_v put_v my_o law_n in_o their_o inward_a part_n and_o write_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n and_o i_o will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n and_o they_o shall_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
prescribe_v to_o they_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o occasion_n and_o ground_n of_o they_o all_o be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o genesis_n to_o which_o all_o these_o law_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n take_v for_o grant_v that_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o his_o ancestor_n have_v always_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n and_o circumcision_n and_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n order_v the_o same_o to_o be_v constant_o read_v in_o every_o family_n to_o which_o the_o sabbath_n day_n be_v more_o peculiar_o appropriate_v and_o the_o whole_a to_o be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n as_o we_o know_v the_o jew_n practice_n be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o first_o of_o which_o injunction_n they_o practise_v still_o in_o all_o place_n and_o have_v leave_v off_o the_o other_o only_o because_o they_o can_v do_v it_o now_o they_o be_v out_o of_o their_o own_o land_n i_o say_v suppose_v all_o this_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o other_o than_o moses_n can_v have_v make_v this_o book_n to_o be_v receive_v the_o forgery_n at_o the_o beginning_n will_v have_v be_v palpable_a even_o to_o child_n themselves_o as_o for_o example_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o solomon_n have_v form_v a_o design_n of_o deceive_v the_o people_n in_o publish_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o a_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v so_o far_o impose_v on_o his_o people_n as_o to_o make_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o say_a book_n all_o at_o once_o as_o that_o which_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o their_o family_n every_o seven_o day_n and_o year_n and_o that_o for_o 600_o year_n before_o his_o time_n and_o therefore_o as_o a_o book_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o in_o all_o their_o family_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o by_o they_o before_o that_o time_n if_o a_o impostor_n can_v create_v a_o belief_n in_o other_o that_o he_o have_v some_o secret_a communication_n with_o the_o deity_n those_o who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v by_o he_o will_v easy_o submit_v themselves_o to_o his_o law_n but_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o whole_a people_n shall_v all_o at_o once_o forget_v whatsoever_o they_o have_v learn_v or_o hear_v of_o their_o parent_n and_o forefather_n and_o instead_o thereof_o admit_v of_o tale_n forge_v at_o pleasure_n some_o nation_n have_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a to_o derive_v themselves_o from_o a_o fabulous_a original_a but_o they_o never_o fall_v into_o such_o mistake_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v beside_o we_o know_v that_o these_o fabulous_a original_n never_o make_v so_o lively_a a_o impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o whole_a nation_n especial_o the_o learned_a among_o they_o as_o general_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o we_o rather_o find_v that_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o truth_n by_o show_v something_o else_o be_v hint_v thereby_o as_o we_o may_v see_v by_o the_o explication_n the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v give_v we_o of_o all_o their_o fable_n and_o utter_o reject_v those_o which_o they_o can_v not_o reconcile_v to_o good_a sense_n but_o in_o this_o case_n we_o find_v a_o whole_a nation_n to_o this_o very_a day_n maintain_v all_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o genesis_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o the_o creation_n as_o of_o matter_n who_o memorial_n they_o have_v constant_o celebrate_v every_o seven_o day_n since_o the_o time_n they_o first_o happen_v last_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o book_n be_v constant_o use_v to_o be_v read_v among_o the_o jew_n especial_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n and_o that_o under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n for_o instance_n since_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o since_o that_o of_o david_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v deny_v but_o this_o constant_a read_n be_v observe_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a book_n now_o if_o this_o law_n have_v always_o be_v in_o this_o book_n from_o the_o first_o appear_v of_o it_o which_o can_v be_v question_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o forge_v and_o foist_v in_o this_o book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n i_o say_v this_o book_n which_o beside_o all_o this_o contain_v such_o extraordinary_a matter_n and_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o their_o religion_n i_o will_v not_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n to_o make_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o man_n appear_v who_o imagine_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o four_o that_o follow_v it_o may_v have_v be_v forge_v by_o other_o under_o moses_n his_o name_n yet_o i_o think_v i_o ought_v before_o i_o proceed_v further_o to_o remove_v a_o seem_a difficulty_n which_o be_v often_o allege_v by_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n for_o say_v they_o it_o can_v be_v that_o these_o book_n be_v ever_o read_v with_o that_o care_n and_o constancy_n we_o speak_v of_o because_o a_o time_n can_v be_v point_v at_o wherein_o the_o say_a book_n be_v whole_o unknown_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o indeed_o the_o history_n plain_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v find_v again_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o josias_n from_o whence_o they_o infer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v then_o unknown_a it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v forge_v but_o indeed_o they_o may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o which_o willing_o we_o allow_v they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n wherein_o ungodliness_n do_v prevail_v and_o idolatry_n be_v public_o establish_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n itself_o yet_o can_v they_o not_o from_o this_o instance_n draw_v any_o other_o consequence_n which_o may_v support_v their_o pretension_n they_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v not_o only_o among_o the_o three_o tribe_n but_o also_o among_o the_o ten_o since_o the_o time_n of_o their_o revolt_n under_o rehoboam_n that_o they_o who_o be_v carry_v by_o salmanassar_n into_o the_o land_n of_o assyria_n have_v the_o say_v book_n among_o they_o as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o their_o own_o country_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n send_v some_o of_o the_o priest_n of_o samaria_n to_o instruct_v the_o colony_n which_o he_o have_v settle_v in_o their_o country_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o those_o priest_n go_v to_o borrow_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n from_o they_o of_o judah_n nor_o that_o the_o say_v law_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a in_o that_o country_n but_o only_o that_o they_o have_v former_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o serve_v strange_a god_n as_o they_o still_o do_v but_o that_o withal_o they_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o to_o this_o day_n be_v yet_o find_v among_o their_o posterity_n second_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o the_o wickedness_n and_o violence_n of_o manasseh_n cause_v a_o great_a change_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o his_o subject_n notwithstanding_o have_v still_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o the_o blood_n which_o he_o shed_v in_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o there_o be_v some_o godly_a man_n leave_v among_o they_o who_o continue_v true_a to_o their_o religion_n and_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o god._n beside_o if_o we_o consider_v his_o repentance_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o do_v in_o some_o degree_n re-establish_a the_o purity_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o have_v before_o profane_v a_o main_a part_n of_o which_o be_v the_o expound_v and_o read_v of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n according_a to_o those_o law_n before_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o place_n it_o be_v visible_a that_o the_o reason_n why_o hilkiah_n have_v find_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o they_o be_v cleanse_v and_o repair_v it_o send_v the_o same_o to_o josiah_n be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o such_o book_n leave_v in_o judah_n but_o because_o the_o say_a book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n himself_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v something_o very_o extraordinary_a in_o the_o find_n of_o it_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o they_o be_v endeavour_v a_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v this_o circumstance_n which_o do_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n excite_v the_o zeal_n of_o this_o good_a prince_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o suppose_v that_o josiah_n have_v never_o before_o see_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n how_o can_v he_o have_v apply_v himself_o to_o the_o reform_v of_o his_o
rely_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o belief_n yet_o this_o have_v such_o very_a particular_a character_n as_o keep_v up_o its_o own_o authority_n first_o it_o suppose_v a_o small_a number_n of_o person_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n who_o put_v it_o in_o write_v second_o it_o suppose_v that_o those_o who_o have_v preserve_v this_o tradition_n live_v very_o long_o and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n for_o many_o century_n of_o year_n three_o it_o relate_v to_o such_o fact_n as_o every_o one_o be_v desirous_a to_o be_v right_o inform_v of_o and_o which_o he_o be_v particular_o concern_v to_o examine_v as_o relate_v to_o his_o own_o private_a interest_n because_o they_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o his_o action_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o conduct_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n four_o it_o suppose_v such_o real_a mark_n as_o serve_v to_o keep_v it_o up_o such_o as_o the_o pain_n of_o child-bearing_a the_o paradise_n before_o the_o flood_n the_o duration_n of_o the_o ark_n after_o the_o flood_n five_o it_o suppose_v a_o public_a service_n and_o worship_n who_o celebration_n be_v repeat_v fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n that_o the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v preserve_v by_o all_o posterity_n six_o it_o be_v preserve_v entire_a by_o pass_v from_o father_n to_o son_n and_o we_o know_v that_o father_n or_o mother_n do_v not_o natural_o engage_v in_o a_o design_n of_o deceive_v their_o child_n seven_o it_o suppose_v strange_a controversy_n betwixt_o brother_n the_o elder_a have_v almost_o all_o be_v exclude_v and_o the_o young_a as_o abel_n seth_n abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n juda_n choose_v to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o breed_v great_a jealousy_n and_o tend_v much_o to_o preserve_v those_o idea_n of_o the_o truth_n last_o it_o suppose_v great_a contest_v betwixt_o whole_a nation_n who_o all_o strive_v one_o with_o another_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o depositary_n of_o those_o verity_n as_o the_o moabite_n for_o instance_n the_o ammonite_n the_o ishmaelite_n the_o edomite_n and_o the_o jew_n each_o of_o they_o pretend_v to_o a_o preference_n before_o the_o other_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o so_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o credit_n and_o honour_n to_o themselves_o all_o these_o character_n contribute_v to_o the_o distinct_a preservation_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o truth_n chap._n xviii_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 this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o at_o first_o i_o take_v for_o grant_v and_o afterward_o prove_v it_o the_o reason_n whereof_o i_o explain_v particular_o as_o i_o go_v on_o but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v fix_v as_o solid_o as_o the_o matter_n will_v bear_v because_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o those_o who_o do_v not_o foresee_v the_o consequence_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n do_v contradict_v it_o before_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o and_o that_o too_o under_o pretence_n of_o exalt_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o atheist_n to_o look_v upon_o it_o not_o otherwise_o than_o as_o learned_a man_n do_v on_o the_o great_a part_n of_o legend_n the_o prophetical_a spirit_n act_n in_o two_o manner_n the_o first_o be_v by_o way_n of_o revelation_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n the_o prophet_n have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n john_n have_v foretell_v those_o event_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o revelation_n for_o those_o event_n be_v all_o hide_a under_o the_o shadow_n of_o futurity_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v foretell_v they_o unless_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v immediate_o reveal_v they_o to_o he_o the_o second_o be_v by_o way_n of_o direction_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n with_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v himself_o acquaint_v either_o because_o he_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o they_o himself_o or_o because_o he_o learn_v they_o from_o those_o who_o be_v so_o now_o this_o direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n consist_v in_o the_o guide_n the_o prophet_n so_o as_o that_o he_o may_v write_v of_o his_o subject_n just_a as_o it_o be_v either_o speak_v or_o do_v thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n draw_v up_o a_o abridgement_n of_o those_o sermon_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o of_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o thus_o st._n luke_n and_o st._n mark_n have_v write_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o those_o that_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o as_o st._n luke_n particular_o tell_v we_o now_o i_o affirm_v that_o when_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o have_v only_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophetical_a influence_n and_o not_o the_o first_o although_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o atheist_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o may_v consider_v he_o only_o as_o a_o historian_n who_o may_v have_v write_v his_o book_n without_o any_o other_o particular_a direction_n and_o may_v have_v preserve_v in_o it_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v now_o what_o side_n soever_o divine_v may_v take_v in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o atheist_n i_o may_v easy_o establish_v my_o assertion_n first_o because_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o suppose_v a_o entire_a revelation_n where_o tradition_n be_v distinct_a enough_o be_v sufficient_a to_o preserve_v a_o clear_a remembrance_n of_o all_o those_o fact_n now_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o tradition_n concern_v the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o little_a extent_n of_o it_o and_o the_o immediate_a succession_n of_o moses_n ancestor_n down_o to_o himself_o second_o if_o abraham_n and_o jacob_n travel_n through_o so_o many_o place_n be_v as_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o very_o useful_a to_o give_v they_o a_o further_a view_n of_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o all_o the_o several_a nation_n descend_v from_o noah_n and_o of_o their_o agreement_n in_o this_o tradition_n it_o be_v unjust_a to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n forty_o year_n sojourn_v in_o the_o country_n of_o midian_a and_o that_o too_o when_o he_o be_v forty_o year_n old_a and_o consequent_o have_v that_o ripeness_n of_o age_n and_o judgement_n as_o be_v fit_a for_o such_o observation_n do_v not_o serve_v to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o several_a passage_n he_o record_v of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o several_a division_n of_o his_o posterity_n three_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n a_o way_n of_o write_v very_o different_a from_o that_o which_o we_o see_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o in_o the_o follow_a book_n for_o whereas_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o in_o those_o latter_a book_n which_o he_o always_o do_v viuâ_fw-la voce_fw-la and_o the_o jew_n have_v wise_o observe_v that_o herein_o consist_v moses_n advantage_n above_o the_o other_o prophet_n to_o who_o god_n be_v use_v to_o speak_v only_o in_o dream_n and_o vision_n he_o use_v common_o those_o word_n and_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o i_o he_o mark_v out_o the_o place_n where_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o as_o well_o as_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o which_o he_o do_v not_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n four_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o several_a revelation_n as_o all_o prophecy_n be_v wherein_o the_o several_a return_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n be_v all_o exact_o set_v down_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a not_o only_o to_o ease_v the_o reader_n who_o may_v be_v tire_v if_o he_o be_v to_o carry_v a_o long_a series_n of_o prediction_n in_o his_o mind_n at_o once_o as_o if_o it_o be_v only_o one_o single_a vision_n or_o revelation_n but_o also_o to_o condescend_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n we_o can_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v fill_v with_o so_o many_o differ_a idea_n at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o a_o great_a confusion_n must_v necessary_o follow_v but_o suppose_v that_o these_o observation_n shall_v be_v think_v insufficient_a yet_o those_o that_o follow_v will_v seem_v capable_a of_o convince_a the_o mind_n of_o all_o there_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n certain_a character_n of_o its_o be_v write_v in_o that_o way_n which_o i_o speak_v of_o first_o one_o needs_o only_o just_a look_n into_o that_o book_n and_o he_o will_v see_v that_o the_o ancient_a fact_n which_o be_v those_o of_o
little_a more_o than_o forty_o year_n interval_n betwixt_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n by_o joshua_n and_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o israelite_n under_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fit_a time_n then_o to_o cast_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o to_o publish_v the_o pretend_a lie_n and_o imposture_n of_o his_o history_n be_v not_o the_o comparison_n which_o the_o israelite_n can_v easy_o make_v betwixt_o the_o mosaic_a write_n and_o the_o tradition_n general_o receive_v in_o the_o country_n of_o their_o captivity_n a_o natural_a and_o ready_a mean_n to_o undeceive_v they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o see_v that_o they_o obstinate_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o several_a transaction_n record_v by_o moses_n and_o stand_v firm_o to_o all_o their_o pretension_n nay_o we_o see_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o remedy_n of_o repentance_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v they_o to_o use_v in_o those_o sad_a misfortune_n which_o he_o foretell_v shall_v befall_v they_o and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o promise_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o god_n will_v miraculous_o deliver_v they_o which_o indeed_o be_v do_v according_o even_o fourteen_o time_n within_o less_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n can_v there_o then_o be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n that_o if_o moses_n make_v it_o death_n by_o one_o of_o his_o sanction_n for_o any_o of_o the_o israelite_n to_o contest_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o his_o write_n or_o of_o his_o oracle_n and_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o to_o force_v the_o belief_n of_o they_o without_o examination_n but_o rather_o only_o to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n of_o that_o people_n and_o their_o mingle_n and_o confound_v themselves_o with_o the_o heathen_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o hinder_v on_o purpose_n because_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v according_a to_o his_o promise_n out_o of_o that_o nation_n which_o to_o effect_v he_o think_v fit_a in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o employ_v the_o rigour_n of_o some_o capital_a law_n to_o keep_v that_o people_n unmixed_a and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v chap._n xxii_o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n these_o several_a observation_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v all_o i_o think_v very_o natural_a and_o easy_a and_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v solid_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_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 which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o conclusion_n that_o i_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o premise_n be_v that_o first_o i_o assert_v that_o moses_n that_o famous_a hebrew_n who_o be_v design_v to_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n be_v the_o true_a and_o sole_a author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n second_o i_o maintain_v that_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v he_o can_v not_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o write_v record_v those_o important_a transaction_n he_o relate_v otherwise_o than_o they_o real_o come_v to_o pass_v three_o i_o maintain_v that_o though_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o have_v make_v the_o description_n of_o it_o according_a to_o such_o a_o authentic_a tradition_n as_o can_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v of_o because_o it_o be_v then_o the_o universal_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o of_o the_o edomite_n who_o be_v all_o of_o sem_n posterity_n and_o among_o who_o he_o have_v be_v travel_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o but_o also_o of_o the_o egyptian_n of_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o a_o word_n of_o all_o man_n then_o live_v in_o the_o world._n four_o i_o maintain_v that_o he_o never_o be_v find_v fault_n with_o nor_o contradict_v till_o true_a reason_n and_o sense_n if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o be_v lose_v and_o banish_v from_o among_o mankind_n till_o the_o egyptian_n for_o example_n they_o who_o use_v before_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o greek_n as_o mere_a child_n and_o idiot_n be_v fall_v into_o so_o great_a a_o stupidity_n and_o deprivation_n of_o sense_n as_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v that_o man_n be_v first_o bear_v in_o egypt_n because_o forsooth_o frog_n do_v natural_o as_o they_o think_v breed_v out_o of_o their_o muddy_a fen_n and_o marsh_n five_o i_o maintain_v that_o for_o many_o age_n after_o moses_n no_o body_n do_v ever_o public_o declare_v for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o for_o its_o fortuitous_a production_n these_o opinion_n be_v mere_a absurdity_n and_o chimaera_n bring_v forth_o into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o chaldean_n and_o greek_n only_o about_o alexander_n time_n or_o perhaps_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o i._n e._n about_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n decease_n six_o i_o maintain_v that_o see_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a time_n to_o be_v find_v wherein_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n be_v interrupt_v and_o discontinue_v for_o any_o considerable_a time_n among_o the_o jew_n see_v it_o continue_v still_o to_o this_o very_a hour_n among_o they_o every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o they_o be_v disperse_v and_o see_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v impose_v upon_o they_o without_o their_o perceive_v and_o declare_v present_o the_o novelty_n and_o supposition_n of_o that_o account_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v see_v all_o this_o be_v certain_a i_o do_v positive_o maintain_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v better_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v by_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n because_o in_o it_o moses_n have_v follow_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o the_o age_n that_o precede_v he_o and_o only_o record_v in_o write_v what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o a_o time_n when_o every_o man_n be_v able_a to_o run_v his_o own_o pedigree_n up_o to_o adam_n last_o i_o maintain_v that_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o without_o reject_v at_o the_o same_o time_n all_o those_o proof_n from_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v to_o strengthen_v my_o assertion_n so_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a as_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n confirm_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n believe_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n of_o the_o world_n who_o do_v not_o only_o believe_v it_o but_o also_o have_v always_o have_v according_a to_o god_n command_n the_o memory_n of_o it_o celebrate_v among_o they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n in_o all_o their_o generation_n fifty_o two_o time_n in_o a_o year_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world._n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n preface_n when_o i_o begin_v at_o first_o these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o design_v only_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man_n and_o so_o to_o show_v by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o neither_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n after_o his_o sin_n can_v reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o i_o design_v after_o that_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n by_o such_o another_o undeniable_a argument_n viz._n by_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o and_o institute_v a_o solemn_a day_n in_o every_o week_n to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o among_o man_n from_o their_o time_n down_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o as_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n every_o week_n can_v easy_o run_v back_o to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v by_o the_o weekly_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n prove_v christ_n resurrection_n which_o occasion_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o
long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
iv_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o pay_v a_o much_o great_a deference_n to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n than_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v sour_v by_o their_o misery_n and_o dispute_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o they_o have_v lose_v that_o principle_n of_o equity_n which_o keep_v man_n from_o deny_v the_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o most_o universal_o acknowledge_v by_o a_o whole_a nation_n that_o be_v not_o prepossess_v with_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o obstinacy_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v beside_o that_o this_o seem_a confusion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n treat_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n arise_v from_o several_a cause_n i._o from_o the_o prophet_n often_o join_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o principal_a promise_n the_o send_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o promise_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n as_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o instance_n so_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o egypt_n and_o their_o departure_n from_o thence_o with_o their_o settle_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v they_o before_o be_v foretell_v as_o necessary_a mean_n in_o the_o order_n of_o providence_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o great_a design_n of_o god._n for_o so_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o their_o deliverance_n there_o from_o which_o be_v both_o foretell_v be_v foretell_v as_o step_n towards_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n and_o so_o likewise_o when_o they_o foretell_v the_o persecution_n by_o antiochus_n and_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n they_o also_o foretell_v the_o deliverance_n which_o god_n will_v grant_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o re-establishment_n until_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n ii_o this_o seem_a confusion_n arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o these_o book_n piece_n by_o piece_n which_o afterward_o be_v put_v into_o this_o order_n without_o have_v always_o a_o regard_n to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o without_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o occasion_n which_o engage_v the_o prophet_n to_o write_v and_o thus_o we_o see_v the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n join_v to_o several_a other_o transaction_n and_o to_o several_a other_o prediction_n who_o connexion_n be_v not_o always_o so_o very_o evident_a iii_o it_o arise_v from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophecy_n each_o by_o themselves_o so_o that_o all_o those_o of_o the_o same_o prophet_n be_v put_v together_o as_o they_o come_v out_o make_v only_o a_o new_a chapter_n in_o the_o work_n whereas_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v rather_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o matter_n than_o to_o the_o order_n in_o which_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o book_n as_o we_o have_v it_o at_o the_o present_a for_o the_o prophet_n often_o borrow_v their_o light_n from_o what_o they_o themselves_o have_v say_v some_o time_n before_o or_o from_o what_o some_o other_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v which_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v particular_o of_o those_o who_o live_v about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o beside_o those_o rule_n which_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o beside_o those_o observation_n of_o the_o join_v the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n with_o other_o subject_n i_o must_v add_v two_o rule_n more_o which_o may_v be_v useful_a in_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v express_v in_o figurative_a term_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o when_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o when_o they_o be_v intent_n upon_o the_o description_n of_o his_o kingdom_n they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o expression_n which_o seem_v to_o foretell_v a_o sort_n of_o overturning_a of_o nature_n which_o shall_v happen_v at_o that_o time_n but_o then_o these_o expression_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o figurative_a sense_n in_o the_o same_o spiritual_a sense_n in_o which_o the_o christian_n understand_v they_o as_o the_o famous_a maimonides_n allow_v in_o that_o passage_n of_o isaiah_n xii_o lib._n de_fw-fr regibus_fw-la cap._n xii_o where_o the_o wolf_n and_o the_o lamb_n be_v say_v to_o feed_v together_o second_o since_o the_o messiah_n be_v describe_v as_o one_o who_o shall_v unite_v in_o his_o own_o person_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n together_o we_o ought_v to_o understand_v those_o oracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o what_o be_v great_a in_o those_o prophetical_a description_n shall_v not_o contradict_v the_o more_o contemptible_a part_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o messiah_n as_o clothe_v with_o all_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n these_o idea_n which_o be_v often_o join_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o oracle_n aught_o to_o be_v exact_o apply_v to_o the_o different_a consideration_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v of_o the_o messiah_n or_o to_o those_o various_a state_n through_o which_o they_o themselves_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o pass_v a_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v easy_o judge_v that_o i_o may_v have_v add_v a_o three_o rule_n to_o the_o two_o former_a which_o be_v that_o when_o a_o person_n who_o have_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o prophet_n apply_v a_o old_a oracle_n to_o any_o subject_a one_o can_v reasonable_o dispute_v his_o application_n this_o the_o christian_n assure_v we_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o oracle_n but_o because_o this_o suppose_v a_o prophetic_a character_n in_o the_o apostle_n before_o it_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o solid_a proof_n i_o shall_v wave_v the_o proposal_n of_o it_o at_o present_a after_o these_o general_a remark_n i_o shall_v gather_v together_o those_o oracle_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n i_o may_v here_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o the_o matter_n by_o bring_v under_o each_o article_n those_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o it_o which_o will_v give_v a_o great_a light_n to_o the_o subject_a as_o eusebius_n have_v right_o observe_v and_o as_o he_o have_v practise_v himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr demonstratione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la however_o i_o rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o time_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v utter_v which_o do_v not_o seem_v improper_a to_o explain_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o oracle_n in_o short_a this_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n i._o because_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o consider_v the_o series_n of_o god_n design_n and_o the_o connexion_n which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o those_o idea_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o express_v it_o ii_o because_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o light_n in_o the_o revelation_n proportionable_o as_o the_o time_n draw_v near_o so_o that_o it_o be_v of_o use_n to_o observe_v how_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n follow_v this_o natural_a order_n in_o make_v the_o late_a oracle_n clear_a than_o the_o former_a and_o in_o hint_v by_o little_a and_o little_a a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n by_o which_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v they_o iii_o because_o this_o serve_v to_o give_v we_o a_o very_a strong_a proof_n that_o god_n intend_v to_o furnish_v we_o from_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o with_o that_o which_o shall_v fix_v we_o in_o a_o belief_n of_o this_o capital_a truth_n in_o our_o religion_n in_o short_a when_o the_o truth_n of_o each_o of_o the_o book_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v once_o approve_a and_o their_o age_n set_v down_o it_o appear_v that_o several_a prophet_n do_v agree_v wonderful_o without_o any_o concert_n in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n at_o several_a time_n and_o in_o several_a place_n and_o circumstance_n which_o hinder_v man_n for_o the_o most_o part_n from_o agree_v in_o the_o most_o common_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o their_o reflection_n i_o have_v already_o consider_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n follow_v rule_n very_o conformable_a to_o the_o condition_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n we_o may_v see_v the_o same_o conduct_n in_o the_o follow_a time_n so_o since_o god_n have_v promise_v child_n to_o adam_n in_o abel_n stead_n one_o may_v see_v that_o he_o also_o promise_v david_n a_o son_n who_o shall_v set_v upon_o his_o throne_n he_o explain_v almost_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o come_v his_o humiliation_n his_o exaltation_n the_o opposition_n he_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o victory_n he_o shall_v obtain_v and_o his_o office_n prophetical_a priestly_a and_o royal._n one_o see_v
foretell_v in_o the_o second_o psalm_n ii_o he_o observe_v that_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o begin_v at_o jerusalem_n or_o zion_n which_o be_v then_o to_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o his_o enemy_n iii_o he_o express_o point_v out_o the_o quick_a extent_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o the_o character_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v submit_v to_o he_o without_o constraint_n or_o violence_n which_o be_v much_o practise_v under_o moses_n law._n iv_o he_o positive_o assert_n that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v establish_v a_o priest_n after_o the_o order_n of_o melchisedech_n which_o will_v overturn_v the_o whole_a levitical_a priesthood_n which_o then_o be_v to_o have_v a_o end_n yet_o the_o very_a same_o king_n who_o design_v the_o draught_n of_o the_o temple_n which_o solomon_n build_v some_o time_n after_o undermine_v the_o foundation_n of_o this_o material_a building_n and_o clear_o suppose_v that_o the_o levitical_a ministry_n which_o be_v fix_v to_o solomon_n temple_n shall_v last_v no_o long_o than_o until_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n v._o he_o particular_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v by_o the_o divine_a assistance_n destroy_v all_o that_o shall_v oppose_v his_o power_n and_o shall_v bring_v all_o thing_n under_o his_o dominion_n as_o a_o conqueror_n who_o shall_v overturn_v all_o thing_n with_o the_o utmost_a violence_n nothing_o can_v be_v great_a than_o these_o several_a oracle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o particular_a than_o his_o description_n of_o the_o glory_n to_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v advance_v after_o that_o prodigious_a humiliation_n which_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n but_o what_o can_v we_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o david_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o this_o psalm_n this_o i_o be_o further_a to_o consider_v one_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o constant_o apply_v these_o prophecy_n to_o the_o messiah_n before_o the_o come_v of_o jesus_n christ_n without_o good_a ground_n they_o can_v not_o apply_v they_o to_o any_o of_o david_n successor_n none_o of_o david_n successor_n be_v both_o king_n and_o priest_n uzziah_n be_v the_o only_a man_n who_o dare_v to_o usurp_v the_o priesthood_n and_o he_o be_v punish_v by_o god_n himself_o the_o maccabee_n be_v not_o of_o david_n tribe_n but_o be_v levite_n and_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o go_v up_o into_o heaven_n to_o set_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god._n beside_o their_o kingdom_n do_v not_o begin_v in_o zion_n and_o they_o never_o bring_v any_o other_o king_n under_o their_o authority_n they_o apply_v it_o therefore_o to_o the_o messiah_n pursuant_n to_o the_o maxim_n which_o they_o draw_v from_o a_o frequent_a meditation_n upon_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n that_o we_o ought_v only_o to_o look_v for_o a_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o they_o can_v never_o sin_v to_o be_v fulfil_v any_o where_o else_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o know_v that_o the_o exactness_n and_o truth_n of_o those_o prediction_n can_v not_o be_v any_o way_n contest_v in_o short_a it_o plain_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v unanimous_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o messiah_n before_o jesus_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n from_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o confess_v it_o to_o our_o saviour_n when_o he_o press_v they_o with_o the_o cx_o psalm_n though_o they_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o manner_n how_o david_n shall_v call_v the_o messiah_n lord_n when_o they_o allow_v he_o to_o be_v his_o son_n matth._n xxii_o 48._o one_o see_v we_o nothing_o so_o frequent_o urge_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o this_o cx_o psalm_n they_o use_v it_o upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v the_o character_n of_o the_o true_a messiah_n such_o as_o david_n have_v give_v he_o in_o the_o cx_o psalm_n suppose_v still_o as_o a_o thing_n beyond_o dispute_n that_o david_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o this_o famous_a prophecy_n so_o that_o what_o evasion_n soever_o the_o jew_n may_v endeavour_v to_o make_v use_n of_o yet_o they_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o their_o most_o famous_a doctor_n since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v upon_o several_a occasion_n follow_v the_o old_a notion_n of_o the_o synagogue_n in_o this_o matter_n one_o find_v in_o their_o write_n great_a number_n of_o testimony_n which_o confirm_v this_o truth_n i_o shall_v not_o mention_v they_o at_o present_a because_o they_o be_v well_o enough_o know_v and_o because_o i_o will_v make_v haste_n to_o come_v to_o that_o new_a degree_n of_o revelation_n which_o god_n give_v to_o those_o prophet_n who_o give_v new_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n for_o some_o age_n after_o david_n time_n they_o be_v in_o too_o great_a a_o number_n to_o be_v speak_v of_o one_o by_o one_o and_o i_o be_o force_v to_o range_v they_o under_o certain_a head_n though_o i_o intend_v at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o make_v more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o some_o of_o those_o which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a truth_n and_o so_o by_o that_o mean_n furnish_v we_o with_o the_o most_o sensible_a character_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v more_o certain_o the_o person_n who_o god_n propose_v to_o his_o people_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o saviour_n of_o israel_n and_o who_o he_o have_v before_o call_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n chap._n xii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o have_v a_o forerunner_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v his_o character_n we_o shall_v make_v it_o manifest_a in_o the_o sequel_n of_o the_o discourse_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v in_o a_o very_a despicable_a state_n and_o consequent_o that_o his_o appearance_n will_v be_v very_o distasteful_a to_o those_o who_o expect_v he_o in_o the_o splendour_n of_o a_o great_a king_n and_o conqueror_n to_o oppose_v this_o preconceive_a opinion_n of_o they_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n think_v fit_a to_o appoint_v one_o to_o be_v his_o forerunner_n who_o shall_v call_v the_o jew_n to_o repentance_n and_o a_o reformation_n of_o their_o life_n and_o form_n in_o they_o a_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o of_o a_o person_n who_o be_v to_o prescribe_v to_o they_o law_n of_o the_o great_a purity_n and_o holiness_n and_o indeed_o in_o examine_v the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o find_v that_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v usher_v in_o by_o a_o person_n thus_o distinguish_v the_o follow_a prophecy_n be_v very_o express_v to_o this_o purpose_n the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o find_v in_o the_o xl_o of_o isaiah_n verse_n 3._o where_o the_o prophet_n speak_v thus_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n 3._o isai_n xl._n 3._o the_o voice_n of_o he_o that_o cry_v in_o the_o wilderness_n prepare_v you_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v straight_o in_o the_o desert_n a_o high_a way_n for_o our_o god._n abenezra_n abenezra_n the_o jew_n acknowledge_v that_o this_o chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o comfort_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o procure_v for_o his_o people_n and_o that_o the_o voice_n mention_v here_o refer_v to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o declare_v and_o proclaim_v his_o come_v we_o meet_v with_o a_o second_o prophecy_n in_o malachy_n who_o prophesy_v after_o the_o rebuilding_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o who_o have_v shut_v up_o the_o vision_n precise_o point_n at_o the_o time_n wherein_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v viz._n during_o the_o second_o temple_n chap._n iii_o verse_n 1_o 2_o 3_o &_o 4._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 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 but_o who_o may_v abide_v the_o day_n of_o his_o come_n and_o who_o shall_v stand_v when_o he_o appear_v for_o he_o be_v like_o a_o refiner_n fire_n and_o like_o fuller_n soap_n and_o he_o shall_v sit_v as_o a_o refiner_n and_o purifier_n of_o silver_n and_o he_o shall_v purify_v the_o son_n of_o levi_n and_o purge_v they_o as_o gold_n and_o silver_n that_o they_o may_v offer_v unto_o the_o lord_n a_o offer_v in_o righteousness_n the_o jew_n own_o that_o these_o word_n also_o of_o malachy_n saad_n r._n saad_n speak_v of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v in_o the_o forego_n passage_n 1._o that_o they_o have_v a_o manifest_a relation_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v shall_v the_o jew_n deny_v this_o as_o indeed_o they_o unanimous_o acknowledge_v it_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o convince_v they_o 1._o by_o urge_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o evangelist_n
he_o who_o have_v make_v himself_o so_o famous_a by_o his_o sorcery_n become_v a_o disciple_n s._n luke_n in_o a_o history_n of_o the_o action_n of_o thirty_o year_n relate_v the_o continual_a miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o particular_o by_o s._n paul_n who_o he_o constant_o follow_v it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o if_o one_o consider_v the_o history_n itself_o and_o the_o person_n who_o make_v it_o that_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v a_o true_a and_o faithful_a relation_n however_o there_o be_v other_o testimony_n which_o invincible_o establish_v the_o same_o truth_n 1._o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o effect_n establish_v in_o most_o of_o the_o province_n and_o great_a city_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n s._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o christian_n of_o thessalonica_n corinth_n and_o ephesus_n to_o the_o galatian_n colossian_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v christian_n every_o where_o that_o be_v disciple_n of_o these_o twelve_o fisherman_n who_o understand_v nothing_o but_o their_o native_a syriack_n language_n how_o then_o be_v all_o these_o nation_n convert_v without_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n at_o the_o pentecost_n 2._o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o they_o of_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n as_o of_o a_o common_a thing_n s._n paul_n employ_v some_o part_n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n to_o regulate_v those_o disorder_n which_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o abuse_n of_o those_o gift_n s._n james_n speak_v of_o the_o power_n that_o the_o priest_n have_v to_o cure_v the_o sick_a and_o s._n paul_n wish_v for_o a_o opportunity_n of_o go_v to_o rome_n to_o communicate_v those_o gift_n to_o the_o roman_n 3._o they_o take_v occasion_n to_o raise_v the_o dignity_n of_o the_o gospel_n above_o that_o of_o the_o law_n in_o call_v it_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n notwithstanding_o the_o table_n of_o the_o law_n have_v be_v give_v to_o moses_n in_o so_o very_o illustrious_a a_o manner_n it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n here_o to_o consider_v three_o thing_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o first_o be_v that_o this_o mission_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v alone_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v mankind_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n god_n give_v to_o adam_n a_o power_n of_o speak_v one_o language_n and_o afterward_o he_o divide_v the_o same_o to_o make_v a_o confusion_n among_o the_o builder_n of_o babel_n and_o jesus_n christ_n do_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o confirm_v the_o glory_n and_o belief_n of_o his_o divinity_n god_n vouchsafe_v the_o power_n of_o miracle_n to_o some_o jesus_n christ_n communicate_v it_o to_o a_o far_o great_a number_n miracle_n not_o have_v be_v so_o general_o wrought_v because_o no_o people_n ever_o have_v that_o power_n in_o all_o the_o forego_n age_n the_o father_n wrought_v so_o few_o miracle_n that_o he_o may_v leave_v to_o the_o son_n this_o mean_n of_o make_v himself_o know_v the_o son_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o pour_v forth_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o a_o great_a abundance_n than_o the_o father_n thereby_o to_o supply_v the_o shame_n of_o his_o humiliation_n this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o the_o spirit_n be_v not_o yet_o give_v because_o jesus_n christ_n be_v not_o yet_o glorify_v the_o second_o be_v that_o from_o this_o miracle_n one_o ought_v to_o infer_v these_o two_o conclusion_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n be_v full_o pacify_v by_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n constant_o represent_v the_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o sacrifice_n offer_v by_o he_o the_o other_o be_v that_o from_o that_o time_n forward_a mankind_n be_v conscerate_v to_o god_n as_o his_o temple_n jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o prayer_n before_o his_o death_n express_v himself_o much_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o solomon_n do_v at_o his_o dedication_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n and_o fire_n from_o heaven_n fall_v down_o on_o his_o sacrifice_n jesus_n christ_n consecrate_v his_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o live_a stone_n of_o his_o temple_n and_o cause_v the_o heavenly_a flame_n to_o fall_v down_o upon_o they_o as_o have_v former_o be_v grant_v at_o solomon_n dedication_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n the_o three_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n themselves_o can_v conceive_v a_o more_o glorious_a or_o magnificent_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n concern_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n than_o what_o we_o find_v relate_v by_o s._n luke_n whereof_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v see_v the_o visible_a effect_n in_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o whence_o one_o may_v rational_o conclude_v that_o jesus_n christ_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v for_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v 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i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o view_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o important_a article_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o i_o think_v that_o they_o be_v so_o solid_o ground_v upon_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o i_o can_v assert_v with_o reason_n that_o no_o fact_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v produce_v so_o well_o establish_v as_o these_o be_v which_o be_v the_o fundamental_o of_o our_o religion_n what_o fact_n be_v there_o which_o be_v attest_v by_o whole_a nation_n as_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v what_o fact_n be_v there_o about_o which_o man_n be_v so_o careful_a to_o inform_v themselves_o as_o when_o a_o man_n pretend_v to_o the_o title_n of_o the_o messiah_n what_o thing_n can_v we_o suppose_v that_o require_v a_o strong_a conviction_n because_o of_o the_o difficulty_n it_o involve_v than_o that_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o crucifixion_n that_o be_v who_o have_v see_v he_o punish_v by_o the_o magistrate_n the_o horror_n of_o all_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o all_o appearance_n forsake_v of_o heaven_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n as_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a instance_n of_o fanatical_a folly_n than_o to_o attribute_v to_o twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n who_o master_n be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n by_o public_a order_n and_o by_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n i_o say_v to_o attribute_v to_o they_o the_o design_n of_o persuade_v that_o people_n and_o the_o gentile_n also_o that_o this_o man_n be_v raise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a that_o he_o rule_v in_o heaven_n that_o he_o have_v bestow_v upon_o they_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n if_o this_o jesus_n have_v be_v never_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a nor_o have_v bestow_v such_o gift_n upon_o they_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n not_o be_v capable_a of_o so_o great_a folly_n so_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o conclude_v that_o since_o they_o have_v attest_v this_o fact_n and_o confirm_v it_o by_o all_o the_o proof_n which_o may_v convince_v those_o who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o prejudice_v yet_o be_v astonish_v at_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o so_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a than_o fact_n so_o confirm_v as_o we_o pretend_v that_o these_o actual_o be_v chap._n xvii_o that_o it_o can_v be_v question_v whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n before_o we_o allege_v those_o argument_n which_o will_v invincible_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o make_v these_o three_o or_o four_o reflection_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a to_o our_o present_a design_n the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o can_v scarce_o conceive_v a_o more_o simple_a and_o strong_a way_n of_o prove_v a_o 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the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n they_o relate_v they_o as_o fact_n for_o the_o most_o part_n own_v by_o the_o jew_n from_o which_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n extort_a other_o consequence_n they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o judgement_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v concern_v the_o miracle_n that_o he_o wrought_v on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n upon_o the_o disciple_n gather_v the_o ear_n of_o corn_n of_o the_o answer_n which_o the_o jew_n make_v to_o pilate_n we_o have_v no_o other_o king_n but_o cesar_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v a_o general_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a knowledge_n of_o the_o prophecy_n that_o respect_v the_o messiah_n and_o a_o great_a impossibility_n of_o apply_v those_o oracle_n to_o particular_a fact_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n have_v not_o be_v beyond_o contest_v now_o we_o find_v very_o few_o oracle_n of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o make_v a_o application_n to_o the_o life_n and_o action_n of_o our_o saviour_n we_o will_v suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v man_n of_o great_a ability_n and_o who_o have_v long_o study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o they_o may_v tear_v out_o such_o small_a passage_n as_o they_o fancy_v may_v be_v applicable_a to_o jesus_n christ_n however_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o their_o write_n that_o they_o have_v such_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o the_o prophecy_n whence_o it_o may_v follow_v that_o they_o judge_v they_o to_o be_v applicable_a to_o christ_n by_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v 2._o that_o they_o have_v this_o knowledge_n in_o common_a with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o at_o this_o day_n apply_v the_o same_o text_n to_o the_o messiah_n if_o they_o be_v not_o constrain_v by_o their_o clearness_n to_o wrest_v 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since_o the_o apostle_n there_o have_v be_v christian_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o peruse_v and_o preserve_v their_o write_n as_o consider_v that_o they_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o eternal_a life_n one_o may_v upon_o this_o occasion_n take_v notice_n of_o two_o thing_n which_o deserve_v some_o attention_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o design_n of_o some_o heretic_n as_o of_o martion_n for_o instance_n to_o corrupt_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o of_o his_o sect_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v in_o short_a we_o find_v all_o the_o world_n oppose_v themselves_o against_o this_o corruption_n and_o confute_v they_o by_o the_o agreement_n of_o all_o the_o other_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v exempt_a from_o this_o corruption_n the_o other_o be_v that_o if_o there_o be_v some_o book_n who_o authority_n be_v doubtful_a for_o some_o 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care_n enough_o in_o examine_v these_o book_n as_o it_o once_o happen_v in_o the_o church_n of_o ross_n 12._o euseb_n lib._n vi_o cap._n 12._o where_o a_o book_n which_o be_v false_o attribute_v to_o s._n peter_n be_v preserve_v suppose_v it_o to_o have_v be_v he_o the_o other_o church_n not_o consent_v to_o it_o that_o abuse_n be_v soon_o remedy_v the_o write_n abolish_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o weak_a remembrance_n leave_v of_o they_o one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o remark_n be_v sufficient_a to_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n which_o bear_v their_o name_n and_o if_o this_o way_n of_o confirm_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v account_v good_a and_o solid_a when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o book_n of_o aristotle_n or_o hypocrates_n it_o must_v be_v infinite_o
all_o write_n with_o public_a allowance_n after_o every_o king_n decease_n may_v indeed_o be_v so_o about_o the_o latter_a time_n as_o it_o be_v practise_v in_o egypt_n but_o that_o it_o be_v as_o absolute_o false_a that_o the_o chinese_n have_v ever_o in_o former_a time_n such_o public_a historian_n and_o as_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v former_o any_o such_o although_o they_o be_v as_o confident_a to_o say_v they_o have_v in_o alexander_n time_n as_o the_o chinese_n be_v now_o but_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o clear_n of_o that_o matter_n we_o must_v now_o answer_v the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n chap._n xxi_o wherein_o the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v as_o i_o intend_v to_o clear_v all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v arise_v about_o this_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v peruse_v these_o observation_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o prevent_v and_o resolve_v the_o only_a plausible_a objection_n i_o know_v remain_v after_o all_o what_o i_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a perhaps_o some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o reply_v here_o that_o they_o indeed_o confess_v moses_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n and_o that_o if_o that_o book_n have_v real_o be_v supposititious_a it_o can_v never_o have_v go_v under_o his_o name_n nor_o be_v receive_v as_o he_o in_o after_o age_n but_o that_o yet_o all_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v sufficient_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n record_v in_o that_o book_n because_o moses_n may_v have_v force_v upon_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o belief_n of_o they_o by_o those_o law_n that_o he_o enact_v among_o they_o by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o dare_v to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v write_v in_o his_o book_n this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o that_o the_o most_o contentious_a atheist_n can_v think_v 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acknowledge_v his_o authority_n as_o for_o example_n all_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o build_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o great_a piece_n of_o architecture_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n the_o great_a building_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o part_n of_o which_o be_v yet_o extant_a for_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v three_o they_o must_v likewise_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v relate_v several_a other_o passage_n as_o exact_o as_o he_o do_v those_o as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n which_o be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n that_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n the_o original_a of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n of_o canaan_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n for_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o conceive_v that_o this_o lawgiver_n shall_v ever_o hope_v to_o persuade_v other_o nation_n to_o believe_v any_o false_a story_n about_o matter_n so_o well_o and_o so_o general_o know_v as_o those_o be_v among_o themselves_o four_o they_o must_v suppose_v further_a that_o he_o have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n who_o head_n and_o governor_n he_o be_v how_o great_a and_o absolute_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n may_v be_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o ever_o he_o will_v have_v derive_v the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n from_o any_o other_o than_o from_o their_o true_a ancestor_n this_o appear_v the_o more_o necessary_a in_o that_o we_o see_v by_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n and_o pedigree_n in_o genesis_n that_o he_o write_v that_o book_n especial_o from_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n on_o to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o only_o to_o show_v the_o right_n and_o just_a pretension_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n five_o they_o must_v yet_o further_o acknowledge_v whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o give_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o the_o pretension_n and_o division_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n now_o these_o pretension_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n than_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o his_o history_n they_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o oracle_n against_o all_o the_o pretension_n and_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n what_o violence_n soever_o they_o may_v pretend_v that_o moses_n may_v use_v to_o force_v a_o implicit_a belief_n of_o his_o history_n and_o blind_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n yet_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n can_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o will_v have_v fill_v the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n with_o lie_n or_o that_o if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v expect_v that_o his_o false_a account_n of_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v credit_v by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n or_o even_o by_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o without_o urge_v here_o several_a other_o absurdity_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n to_o be_v find_v betwixt_o the_o account_n of_o thing_n which_o moses_n recite_v as_o public_o know_v and_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v of_o his_o own_o head_n and_o private_a knowledge_n there_o be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v betwixt_o all_o those_o several_a account_n such_o a_o natural_a coherence_n and_o necessary_a concatenation_n that_o they_o can_v be_v divide_v from_o one_o another_o without_o destroy_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o his_o history_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o law_n by_o which_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o narration_n shall_v make_v the_o sincerity_n of_o it_o suspect_v i_o do_v not_o urge_v here_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evident_a absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n will_v ever_o have_v relate_v together_o all_o those_o transaction_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o the_o world_n before_o he_o neither_o do_v i_o mention_v here_o that_o suppose_v moses_n have_v be_v so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o attempt_v such_o a_o undertake_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n and_o that_o a_o very_a numerous_a one_o will_v have_v long_o persevere_v in_o a_o profession_n force_v upon_o they_o by_o mere_a violence_n and_o tyranny_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v neither_o so_o patient_a nor_o so_o easy_o persuade_v by_o moses_n nor_o yet_o so_o submissive_a to_o he_o as_o these_o objector_n do_v imagine_v that_o be_v plain_a and_o apparent_a enough_o from_o all_o their_o sedition_n and_o conspiracy_n against_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o what_o be_v plain_a enough_o of_o itself_o viz._n that_o moses_n have_v no_o successor_n any_o way_n concern_v to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v these_o pretend_a fiction_n and_o fable_n of_o his_o history_n joshua_n his_o immediate_a successor_n be_v of_o another_o tribe_n and_o so_o be_v all_o the_o succeed_a governor_n of_o israel_n until_o the_o maccabee_n come_v but_o what_o i_o think_v deserve_v best_a to_o be_v observe_v here_o be_v that_o after_o moses_n and_o joshua_n decease_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v under_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o canaanite_n and_o consequent_o free_v from_o the_o terror_n of_o that_o law_n of_o moses_n make_v by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n â—nd_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o his_o write_n there_o be_v but_o a_o