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
make_v appear_v elsewhere_o the_o three_o and_o last_o thing_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o impose_v a_o forgery_n upon_o those_o time_n because_o their_o life_n be_v yet_o of_o a_o great_a extent_n though_o inferior_a to_o those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o flood_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v this_o further_a consideration_n that_o as_o the_o jealousy_n which_o be_v between_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n and_o of_o cain_n be_v a_o great_a mean_n to_o preserve_v inviolable_o the_o important_a truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n a_o like_a jealousy_n now_o be_v rise_v among_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n cham_n be_v accurse_v of_o his_o own_o father_n in_o the_o person_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o same_o be_v propagate_v to_o their_o posterity_n it_o can_v not_o but_o effectual_o contribute_v to_o rescue_v these_o important_a truth_n from_o oblivion_n and_o particular_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n conceive_v in_o these_o word_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n in_o a_o word_n 1069._o judg._n viii_o 23._o &_o ix_o 8._o talm._n hier._n fol._n 11_o col_fw-fr 4_o &_o gloss_n in_o h._n l._n &_o avodazara_n c._n iii_o fol._n 43._o col_fw-fr 1._o de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syr._n p._n 1069._o we_o may_v not_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n take_v notice_n of_o what_o lucian_n relate_v concern_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o assyrian_n which_o do_v so_o lively_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o noah_n by_o his_o son_n cham_n when_o he_o scoff_v at_o the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n but_o also_o that_o the_o god_n of_o the_o sichemite_n be_v call_v baalberith_n who_o symbol_n be_v the_o figure_n of_o the_o privy_a part_n of_o a_o man_n which_o seem_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o their_o descent_n from_o the_o family_n of_o cham_n the_o sichemite_n be_v some_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v also_o very_o natural_a to_o conceive_v first_o of_o all_o that_o it_o be_v from_o those_o old_a pretension_n that_o the_o canaanite_n take_v occasion_n to_o profane_v the_o most_o â—oly_a thing_n with_o such_o shameful_a idea_n second_o that_o it_o be_v in_o detestation_n of_o these_o idea_n that_o god_n order_v the_o kill_n of_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n and_o three_o that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v command_v to_o destroy_v they_o utter_o four_o this_o be_v also_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o israelite_n be_v so_o often_o desirous_a of_o imitate_v their_o crime_n in_o the_o five_o place_n as_o we_o see_v that_o upon_o the_o like_a account_n the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n take_v chemosh_fw-mi for_o their_o god_n and_o that_o the_o woman_n of_o those_o nation_n be_v very_o zealous_a to_o propagate_v their_o religion_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n in_o jezabel_n the_o wife_n of_o ahab_n so_o god_n be_v also_o willing_a to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o horror_n and_o detestation_n for_o their_o religion_n or_o any_o alliance_n with_o they_o last_o as_o there_o do_v appear_v a_o very_a great_a conformity_n and_o resemblance_n between_o the_o first_o birth_n of_o the_o world_n from_o the_o first_o chaos_n and_o its_o be_v bear_v again_o after_o the_o deluge_n between_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n and_o noah_n the_o second_o and_o between_o the_o jealousy_n spring_v up_o in_o both_o their_o family_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o this_o conformity_n can_v not_o but_o very_o natural_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n have_v deliver_v to_o their_o posterity_n with_o all_o the_o care_n which_o be_v take_v to_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n chap._n xv._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n it_o be_v no_o less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o these_o truth_n be_v in_o process_n of_o time_n hand_v down_o to_o jacob_n and_o his_o posterity_n this_o i_o shall_v brief_o explain_v i_o need_v not_o take_v notice_n here_o that_o the_o religion_n practise_v by_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n suppose_v these_o matter_n as_o constant_o own_a and_o know_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o lot_n have_v follow_v terah_n and_o abraham_n when_o god_n call_v the_o latter_a out_o of_o chaldea_n may_v thence_o suppose_v that_o this_o heavenly_a call_n do_v separate_v and_o distinguish_v he_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n and_o give_v he_o a_o right_a as_o well_o as_o abraham_n to_o pretend_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o fulfil_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o to_o see_v it_o fulfil_v in_o his_o posterity_n this_o we_o may_v infer_v from_o the_o incest_n of_o lot_n daughter_n their_o crime_n which_o in_o another_o view_n appear_v very_o monstrous_a do_v clear_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v strong_o possess_v with_o this_o hope_n which_o their_o father_n have_v raise_v in_o they_o i_o know_v that_o some_o interpreter_n suppose_v xix_o lyra_n in_o genes_n xix_o that_o they_o be_v move_v to_o commit_v this_o incest_n from_o a_o pious_a intention_n of_o preserve_a mankind_n as_o imagine_v to_o themselves_o that_o as_o the_o deluge_n have_v drown_v all_o man_n beside_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n so_o the_o flame_n which_o destroy_v sodom_n have_v consume_v all_o mankind_n which_o they_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o believe_v because_o they_o may_v have_v hear_v from_o their_o father_n that_o the_o world_n one_o day_n be_v to_o perish_v by_o fire_n 23._o beres_n rab._n part_n 23._o but_o indeed_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o proceed_v from_o a_o very_a different_a motive_n the_o jewish_a doctor_n plain_o aver_v that_o this_o be_v do_v by_o they_o in_o hope_n of_o bring_v forth_o the_o promise_a redeemer_n and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o action_n of_o they_o in_o this_o view_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o grand_a object_n of_o the_o hope_n of_o all_o those_o that_o fear_v god_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o consider_v their_o father_n as_o one_o who_o god_n have_v peculiar_o choose_v from_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n to_o execute_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o see_v that_o their_o mother_n be_v change_v into_o a_o statue_n of_o salt_n they_o conceive_v themselves_o in_o some_o sort_n authorise_a to_o surprise_v their_o father_n in_o that_o manner_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o conceive_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o none_o of_o the_o canaanite_n upon_o who_o god_n have_v now_o begin_v to_o pour_v forth_o so_o hideous_a a_o vengeance_n as_o a_o beginning_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o curse_n against_o cham_n have_v any_o part_n in_o this_o chief_a of_o blessing_n can_v ever_o marry_v they_o after_o that_o god_n have_v so_o manifest_o separate_v and_o call_v forth_o their_o father_n from_o among_o they_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n suppose_v that_o god_n will_v dispense_v with_o the_o irregularity_n of_o this_o action_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o extremity_n there_o be_v three_o circumstance_n which_o great_o confirm_v this_o my_o remark_n upon_o the_o motive_n of_o their_o incest_n the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o those_o who_o have_v behave_v themselves_o very_o chaste_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o sodom_n and_o that_o beside_o we_o find_v they_o design_v no_o such_o thing_n till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o mother_n the_o other_o be_v that_o we_o see_v they_o contrive_v the_o thing_n together_o and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n which_o natural_o be_v apt_a to_o separate_v the_o great_a friend_n where_o the_o motive_n proceed_v from_o a_o spirit_n of_o uncleanness_n nor_o indeed_o do_v we_o find_v that_o they_o continue_v in_o this_o incest_n the_o three_o be_v that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v ashamed_a of_o a_o action_n in_o itself_o so_o criminal_a or_o conceal_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o from_o posterity_n that_o they_o give_v those_o name_n to_o the_o child_n bear_v of_o this_o their_o incest_n that_o may_v perpetuate_v and_o divulge_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o their_o action_n the_o one_o call_v her_o son_n moab_n as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v bear_v of_o my_o father_n and_o the_o other_o she_o benammi_n a_o name_n of_o a_o like_a signification_n with_o the_o former_a this_o observation_n be_v very_o necessary_a because_o these_o two_o son_n become_v the_o head_n of_o two_o great_a people_n the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n who_o kingdom_n last_v above_o 1300_o year_n and_o live_v on_o
which_o we_o most_o desire_v a_o particular_a account_n be_v there_o describe_v in_o a_o very_a short_a and_o concise_a manner_n the_o history_n of_o 1656_o year_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o eight_o chapter_n there_o be_v no_o action_n describe_v therein_o with_o more_o circumstance_n than_o only_o some_o few_o of_o the_o most_o important_a the_o remembrance_n whereof_o be_v still_o fresh_a among_o they_o the_o history_n of_o lamech_n polygamy_n and_o the_o murder_n of_o which_o he_o be_v guilty_a be_v there_o set_v down_o so_o compendious_o that_o it_o be_v very_o obscure_a second_o one_o see_v that_o he_o speak_v more_o copious_o of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v transact_v near_o his_o time_n he_o explain_v and_o mention_n all_o the_o particular_n and_o circumstance_n thereof_o he_o speak_v so_o short_o of_o melchisedeck_v that_o it_o be_v doubt_v to_o this_o day_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o the_o patriarch_n sem_fw-mi or_o some_o other_o faithful_a worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n 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any_o particular_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n though_o we_o see_v plain_o both_o by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fact_n themselves_o in_o which_o all_o nation_n be_v concern_v and_o by_o moses_n his_o description_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v sufficient_o instruct_v in_o they_o already_o three_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v set_v down_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o tradition_n be_v infallible_o preserve_v so_o careful_o to_o no_o purpose_n though_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n necessary_a for_o that_o effect_n four_o they_o must_v suppose_v that_o moses_n whilst_o he_o sojourn_v in_o the_o land_n of_o midian_a hear_v nothing_o either_o of_o their_o original_a and_o pedigree_n nor_o yet_o of_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n who_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n although_o all_o these_o nation_n value_v themselves_o upon_o their_o 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that_o these_o particular_a prediction_n be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o abraham_n family_n whereas_o their_o accomplishment_n which_o he_o careful_o describe_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v the_o most_o solid_a demonstration_n which_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o those_o revelation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o moses_n his_o other_o book_n chap._n xix_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 what_o i_o have_v already_o represent_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o moses_n write_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v by_o all_o the_o world._n and_o i_o know_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v object_v with_o any_o probability_n but_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n concern_v the_o egyptian_a and_o chaldean_a history_n and_o in_o the_o modern_a one_o concern_v that_o of_o china_n we_o must_v then_o examine_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o with_o attention_n that_o we_o may_v leave_v no_o difficulty_n in_o so_o important_a a_o subject_n all_o that_o the_o atheist_n can_v object_v against_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o epocha_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o he_o have_v fix_v it_o be_v what_o diodorus_n siculus_n relate_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a there_o be_v some_o egyptian_n that_o reckon_v up_o three_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o year_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o sun_n to_o alexander_n time_n and_o that_o those_o who_o reckon_v least_o yet_o reckon_v somewhat_o more_o than_o ten_o thousand_o year_n which_o account_n exceed_v the_o antiquity_n which_o moses_n ascribe_v to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n by_o many_o age_n where_o he_o represent_v the_o creation_n as_o a_o fact_n which_o happen_v some_o few_o year_n more_o than_o two_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o before_o he_o write_v that_o book_n how_o then_o do_v moses_n write_v of_o thing_n universal_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o world_n and_o they_o may_v here_o further_o aggravate_v what_o the_o same_o diodorus_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v not_o write_v like_o that_o of_o the_o greek_n among_o who_o those_o who_o come_v first_o write_v their_o own_o history_n every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o private_a humour_n which_o cause_v that_o great_a variety_n among_o their_o historian_n whereas_o among_o the_o egyptian_n none_o write_v but_o by_o public_a authority_n the_o priest_n alone_o have_v that_o particular_a employment_n reserve_v for_o they_o to_o write_v their_o history_n in_o their_o several_a generation_n this_o objection_n be_v easy_o confute_v in_o two_o word_n in_o short_a how_o can_v the_o egyptian_n have_v always_o have_v man_n to_o write_v their_o history_n by_o public_a authority_n in_o all_o their_o succeed_a generation_n see_v there_o be_v as_o diodorus_n observe_v such_o a_o strange_a and_o vast_a division_n among_o themselves_o if_o there_o be_v but_o two_o or_o three_o age_n difference_n more_o or_o less_o no_o body_n will_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o material_a exception_n against_o the_o history_n of_o such_o a_o long_a series_n of_o time_n but_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o those_o man_n who_o differ_v no_o less_o than_o thirteen_o thousand_o year_n in_o their_o account_n of_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o same_o interval_n of_o time_n have_v yet_o certain_a history_n upon_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v ground_v this_o show_v sufficient_o that_o as_o varro_n the_o great_a scholar_n the_o roman_n ever_o have_v have_v divide_v antiquity_n into_o fabulous_a and_o historical_a which_o he_o begin_v from_o the_o first_o olympiad_n leave_v all_o which_o go_v before_o to_o the_o fabulous_a part_n so_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n make_v the_o same_o distinction_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o egypt_n but_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v some_o thing_n more_o and_o to_o consider_v this_o egyptian_a history_n with_o a_o little_a more_o attention_n out_o of_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v draw_v good_a argument_n to_o confute_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o passage_n in_o it_o oppose_v to_o moses_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o chief_a transaction_n record_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o present_a take_v notice_n that_o although_o the_o egyptian_n about_o their_o latter_a time_n have_v maintain_v that_o the_o element_n be_v eternal_a yet_o they_o have_v sufficient_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n see_v they_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o thing_n before_o their_o thirty_o dynasty_n which_o in_o all_o do_v at_o the_o most_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o 36525_o year_n neither_o do_v i_o think_v necessary_a to_o mention_v here_o that_o they_o have_v sufficient_o
expression_n of_o this_o psalm_n the_o image_n of_o a_o death_n which_o be_v equal_o shameful_a and_o cruel_a the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o that_o person_n who_o be_v mention_v in_o this_o holy_a hymn_n i._o he_o oblige_v himself_o to_o praise_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o most_o numerous_a assembly_n ii_o he_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o this_o deliverance_n that_o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v remember_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o that_o all_o the_o kindred_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v worship_v before_o he_o iii_o at_o last_o he_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n shall_v spread_v itself_o over_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world._n one_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o history_n of_o david_n whe-this_a psalm_n be_v applicable_a to_o he_o therein_o we_o may_v see_v all_o the_o cross_n which_o he_o undergo_v particular_o represent_v during_o all_o the_o former_a year_n of_o his_o reign_n but_o there_o we_o have_v no_o account_n that_o david_n ever_o suffer_v any_o thing_n like_o that_o which_o be_v so_o exact_o describe_v in_o this_o psalm_n and_o this_o may_v be_v say_v further_o that_o when_o david_n take_v any_o occasion_n to_o paint_v out_o his_o suffering_n to_o we_o he_o have_v put_v in_o several_a stroke_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n and_o which_o show_v we_o in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n that_o he_o be_v to_o pass_v through_o much_o great_a trial_n than_o any_o of_o those_o from_o which_o david_n have_v be_v deliver_v the_o late_a jew_n who_o endeavour_n to_o verify_v this_o prophecy_n in_o esther_n or_o mordecai_n agree_v with_o we_o at_o the_o bottom_n that_o david_n carry_v his_o view_n further_o than_o bare_o his_o own_o suffering_n and_o those_o also_o who_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o poople_n of_o israel_n must_v acknowledge_v the_o same_o truth_n even_o against_o their_o will_n but_o the_o more_o ancient_a jew_n be_v more_o equitable_a in_o their_o application_n of_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n to_o the_o messiah_n they_o apply_v it_o to_o he_o in_o earnest_n even_o after_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n when_o the_o comparison_n of_o these_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o may_v be_v find_v so_o exact_o in_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n lead_v they_o to_o a_o opposition_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o certain_o there_o need_v very_o little_a equity_n to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n or_o rather_o this_o heap_n of_o oracle_n belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o confession_n and_o agreement_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n i._o they_o have_v not_o then_o resolve_v to_o make_v their_o advantage_n of_o the_o writer_n fault_n who_o write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d like_o a_o lion_n instead_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v pierce_v my_o foot_n as_o they_o have_v do_v since_o in_o short_a aquila_n who_o live_v 100_o year_n after_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o other_o jewish_a interpreter_n symmachus_n and_o theodotion_n translate_v that_o passage_n as_o we_o now_o read_v it_o ii_o the_o notion_n which_o the_o synagogue_n always_o have_v of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n oblige_v they_o to_o suppose_v two_o messiah_n one_o suffering_n and_o the_o other_o glorious_a rather_o than_o to_o contradict_v that_o truth_n open_o which_o be_v express_v by_o these_o oracle_n in_o soparticular_a a_o manner_n iii_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o be_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o to_o suppose_v that_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v quote_v the_o first_o word_n of_o this_o psalm_n upon_o the_o cross_n thereby_o to_o engage_v all_o mankind_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o this_o ancient_a oracle_n in_o all_o his_o suffering_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o this_o psalm_n even_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n the_o same_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v concern_v the_o apostle_n who_o have_v quote_v so_o many_o passage_n of_o this_o psalm_n to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n because_o one_o may_v find_v in_o his_o death_n and_o in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o such_o a_o literal_a and_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o ancient_a prophecy_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v object_v that_o after_o all_o this_o agreement_n of_o the_o synagogue_n can_v make_v no_o more_o than_o a_o strong_a prejudice_n this_o may_v be_v easy_o answer_v by_o consider_v that_o when_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v of_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o kingdom_n over_o the_o whole_a earth_n it_o be_v that_o circumstance_n which_o determine_v the_o synagogue_n in_o their_o application_n of_o this_o whole_a psalm_n to_o the_o messiah_n because_o as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o acknowledge_v this_o extent_n of_o empire_n be_v one_o of_o those_o character_n which_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v applicable_a to_o none_o but_o the_o messiah_n in_o short_a because_o it_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n i_o shall_v repeat_v it_o here_o again_o common_a sense_n lead_v those_o who_o consider_v these_o ancient_a oracle_n to_o compare_v they_o as_o natural_o they_o ought_v with_o those_o that_o go_v before_o and_o to_o determine_v the_o scope_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o late_a one_o by_o the_o relation_n which_o they_o have_v to_o the_o precedent_a one_o and_o there_o be_v only_o need_v of_o one_o considerable_a clause_n to_o make_v a_o certain_a determination_n after_o they_o have_v make_v such_o a_o comparison_n this_o the_o jew_n be_v certain_o convince_v of_o when_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o last_o word_n of_o david_n two_o sam._n xxiii_o 1-8_a be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o compare_v they_o with_o balaam_n oracle_n of_o the_o messiah_n numb_a xxiv_o we_o may_v therefore_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o david_n do_v not_o absolute_o speak_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n and_o that_o he_o carry_v his_o view_n as_o far_o as_o the_o messiah_n that_o he_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o character_n to_o his_o posterity_n whereby_o they_o may_v distinguish_v notwithstanding_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o suffering_n and_o even_o the_o better_a by_o his_o very_a suffering_n than_o which_o no_o clear_a mark_n can_v possible_o be_v give_v because_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o involuntary_a than_o endure_v of_o misery_n nor_o nothing_o which_o depend_v less_o upon_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o undergo_v they_o than_o the_o particular_a kind_n of_o punishment_n or_o than_o the_o circumstance_n which_o must_v accompany_v his_o death_n when_o it_o be_v once_o leave_v to_o the_o unjust_a power_n of_o violent_a enemy_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o cx_o psalm_n which_o in_o a_o very_a few_o word_n contain_v several_a very_o important_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v very_o distinct_o express_v if_o one_o consider_v it_o exact_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v compose_v after_o that_o nathan_n have_v acquaint_v david_n with_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o son_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v he_o such_o a_o son_n who_o shall_v build_v a_o house_n wherein_o god_n shall_v dwell_v for_o ever_o and_o who_o shall_v sit_v upon_o a_o throne_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v overturn_v whereas_o david_n have_v only_o form_v a_o design_n of_o building_n a_o temple_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v give_v he_o a_o view_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o this_o august_n king_n who_o shall_v be_v bear_v of_o his_o seed_n and_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o kingdom_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v destroy_v david_n advance_v this_o king_n not_o only_o above_o all_o man_n by_o call_v he_o his_o lord_n who_o be_v himself_o a_o king_n but_o also_o above_o the_o angel_n by_o make_v he_o sit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n this_o be_v personal_a he_o also_o describe_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o office_n by_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o priest_n of_o a_o high_a order_n than_o that_o of_o aaron_n from_o who_o melchisedech_n receive_v tithe_n in_o the_o person_n of_o abraham_n and_o in_o a_o word_n he_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o progress_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o victory_n let_v we_o examine_v all_o these_o character_n by_o themselves_o i._o he_o bring_v in_o god_n speak_v to_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v his_o lord_n sit_v thou_o at_o my_o right_a hand_n until_o i_o make_v thy_o enemy_n thy_o footstool_n this_o point_n out_o to_o we_o 1._o that_o the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v advance_v to_o glory_n 2._o that_o god_n intend_v to_o subdue_v his_o enemy_n by_o little_a and_o little_a whilst_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v in_o his_o glory_n as_o it_o be_v
who_o apply_v these_o very_a passage_n to_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n thus_o we_o find_v that_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n 2_o matth._n iii_o 1_o mark_n i._o 2_o mark_v make_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o these_o two_o prophecy_n zachary_n also_o the_o father_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n apply_v that_o of_o isaiah_n to_o his_o son_n and_o his_o authority_n be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o he_o be_v a_o priest_n 2._o by_o a_o attentive_a consider_v the_o passage_n themselves_o 3._o by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n who_o by_o a_o general_o receive_v and_o undoubted_a tradition_n that_o elijah_n the_o tishbite_n the_o septuagint_n in_o their_o translation_n of_o that_o place_n of_o malachy_n tell_v we_o as_o much_o be_v to_o be_v the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o multitude_n and_o his_o disciple_n suppose_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n have_v the_o same_o persuasion_n viz._n that_o elias_n be_v to_o come_v before_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n from_o which_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o christian_n of_o old_a do_v and_o many_o at_o this_o day_n do_v believe_v that_o elias_n shall_v resume_v the_o function_n of_o his_o ministry_n before_o the_o last_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o judge_v the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a 2._o we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o character_n of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v that_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v much_o in_o their_o eye_n it_o be_v needful_a for_o it_o to_o be_v as_o notable_a and_o extraordinary_a as_o be_v that_o of_o the_o prophet_n elias_n who_o ministry_n be_v without_o dispute_v the_o most_o remarkable_a and_o illustrious_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n since_o moses_n which_o give_v the_o prophet_n malachy_n occasion_n to_o call_v he_o elias_n much_o upon_o a_o like_a account_n as_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n call_v the_o messiah_n 24._o ezek._n xxxiv_o 23_o 24._o david_n but_o above_o all_o thing_n we_o must_v careful_o observe_v the_o several_a mark_v the_o prophet_n give_v we_o of_o this_o forerunner_n the_o prophet_n isaiah_n give_v we_o these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o that_o his_o ministry_n be_v to_o be_v very_a signal_n and_o attend_v with_o general_a respect_n and_o veneration_n 2._o that_o he_o be_v to_o preach_v in_o the_o wilderness_n 3._o that_o he_o be_v to_o call_v sinner_n to_o repentance_n 4._o that_o he_o be_v to_o confound_v those_o who_o be_v most_o eminent_a in_o authority_n and_o to_o comfort_v the_o poor_a and_o humble_a 5._o that_o he_o be_v immediate_o to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n 6._o that_o his_o ministry_n be_v to_o usher_v in_o that_o grand_a revelation_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o flesh_n i._n e._n before_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n who_o be_v to_o be_v call_v by_o the_o messiah_n to_o his_o religion_n according_a to_o the_o express_a declaration_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o prophet_n malachy_n do_v most_o distinct_o represent_v to_o we_o 1._o that_o the_o mission_n of_o this_o forerunner_n be_v not_o far_o off_o behold_v say_v he_o i_o send_v my_o messenger_n he_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o thing_n at_o the_o door_n now_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o the_o jew_n themselves_o own_o it_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o malachy_n there_o be_v never_o a_o prophet_n till_o the_o appearance_n of_o john_n the_o baptist._n 2._o it_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o elias_n be_v to_o call_v sinner_n to_o repentance_n and_o to_o prepare_v the_o way_n before_o the_o face_n of_o the_o lord_n 3._o that_o he_o be_v immediate_o to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n this_o he_o express_v by_o say_v 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 angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o speak_v here_o of_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v ii_o psalm_n ii_o not_o only_o the_o angel_n or_o messenger_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o also_o the_o lord_n the_o lord_n forasmuch_o as_o god_n have_v promise_v he_o as_o a_o king_n to_o the_o house_n of_o david_n and_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n because_o god_n by_o he_o be_v to_o make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o jeremy_n declare_v chap._n xxxi_o chap._n xiii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v before_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n the_o precede_a mark_n of_o the_o messiah_n lead_v we_o to_o this_o we_o be_v now_o to_o speak_v of_o and_o afford_v it_o considerable_a light._n i_o will_v not_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o have_v already_o set_v down_o concern_v that_o prophecy_n gen._n xlix_o verse_n 10._o concern_v the_o time_n when_o our_o saviour_n be_v to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v evident_a at_o first_o sight_n that_o that_o prophecy_n evidence_n three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o sceptre_n be_v to_o be_v in_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n before_o ever_o the_o shiloh_n be_v to_o come_v 2._o that_o the_o sceptre_n be_v to_o give_v way_n to_o a_o inferior_a dignity_n which_o the_o prophet_n set_v forth_o by_o the_o word_n lawgiver_n and_o which_o do_v take_v place_n till_o the_o time_n of_o zerubbabel_n and_o his_o successor_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n that_o this_o last_o dignity_n also_o be_v to_o come_v to_o a_o end_n which_o happen_v not_o till_o the_o advancement_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a to_o the_o throne_n of_o judea_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o confirm_v this_o truth_n by_o other_o oracle_n which_o give_v a_o further_a light_n to_o this_o our_o explication_n we_o have_v several_a that_o be_v very_o remarkable_a upon_o this_o account_n the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o daniel_n chap._n ii_o verse_n 40_o 41_o 42_o to_o 46._o where_o he_o first_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o several_a monarchy_n until_o that_o of_o the_o messiah_n 2._o the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v i_o confess_v he_o do_v not_o determine_v the_o time_n very_o precise_o mention_v only_o the_o monarchy_n during_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v manifest_v but_o to_o make_v amends_o for_o this_o when_o he_o come_v to_o explain_v the_o particular_n of_o this_o prophecy_n which_o before_o he_o have_v propose_v in_o general_a term_n he_o do_v not_o only_a point_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o appearance_n but_o the_o very_a year_n of_o his_o death_n and_o he_o do_v it_o with_o that_o exactness_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v mistake_v about_o it_o see_v what_o he_o say_v in_o the_o ix_o chapter_n of_o his_o revelation_n verse_n 24_o 25_o 26_o 27._o seventy_o week_n be_v determine_v upon_o thy_o people_n and_o upon_o thy_o holy_a city_n to_o finish_v the_o transgression_n and_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o sin_n and_o to_o make_v reconciliation_n for_o iniquity_n and_o to_o bring_v in_o everlasting_a righteousness_n and_o to_o seal_v up_o the_o vision_n and_o prophecy_n and_o to_o anoint_v the_o most_o holy._n verse_n 25._o know_v therefore_o and_o understand_v that_o from_o the_o go_v forth_o of_o the_o commandment_n to_o restore_v and_o build_v jerusalem_n unto_o the_o messiah_n the_o prince_n shall_v be_v seven_o week_n and_o threescore_o and_o two_o week_n the_o street_n shall_v be_v build_v again_o and_o the_o wall_n even_o in_o troublous_a time_n verse_n 26._o and_o after_o the_o threescore_o and_o two_o week_n shall_v messiah_n be_v cut_v off_o but_o not_o for_o himself_o and_o the_o people_n of_o the_o prince_n that_o shall_v come_v shall_v destroy_v the_o city_n and_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o the_o end_n thereof_o shall_v be_v with_o a_o flood_n and_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o war_n desolation_n be_v determine_v verse_n 27._o and_o he_o shall_v confirm_v the_o covenant_n with_o many_o for_o one_o week_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o week_n he_o shall_v cause_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o oblation_n to_o cease_v and_o for_o the_o overspreading_a of_o abomination_n he_o shall_v make_v it_o desolate_a even_o until_o the_o consummation_n and_o that_o determine_a shall_v be_v pour_v on_o the_o desolate_a for_o the_o understanding_n of_o this_o prophecy_n which_o be_v so_o exact_a and_o all_o the_o event_n it_o refer_v to_o so_o particularise_v it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v 1._o that_o by_o the_o week_n daniel_n here_o speak_v of_o seven_o year_n be_v design_v according_a to_o the_o style_n of_o the_o law_n levit._n xxv_o 8._o when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n so_o that_o seventy_o week_n make_v out_o 490_o year_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a among_o the_o jew_n jachiade_n abarbanel_n and_o manasseh_n
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o maintain_v against_o the_o christian_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o about_o the_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o these_o character_n the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v come_v the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o prove_v it_o by_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o these_o character_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o proper_a character_n to_o know_v he_o by_o and_o so_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v be_v elude_v and_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n equal_o deceive_v in_o take_v that_o for_o a_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v not_o or_o else_o that_o both_o the_o messiah_n be_v certain_o come_v and_o and_o that_o he_o be_v no_o other_o than_o that_o jesus_n who_o we_o worship_v chap._n xxi_o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o double_a stumble_a block_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o religion_n say_v they_o propound_v doctrine_n that_o be_v inconceivable_a and_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n that_o of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n these_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o jew_n reject_v as_o absolute_o incompatible_a with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o answer_v this_o objection_n 1._o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o total_a forgetfulness_n of_o the_o solidity_n of_o those_o proof_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v allege_v jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o be_v a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o several_a witness_n it_o appear_v from_o tacitus_n that_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v death_n under_o tiberius_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v know_v that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o christian_n from_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 54._o it_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n in_o his_o life_n of_o nero_n that_o he_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o burn_a the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_n therefore_o make_v a_o considerable_a body_n in_o the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 64._o suetonius_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o pliny_n in_o trajan_n time_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o meeting_n 3._o dion_n cassius_n set_v down_o the_o accusation_n bring_v in_o against_o flavius_n and_o domitilla_n as_o against_o atheist_n which_o be_v the_o title_n julian_n the_o apostate_n give_v to_o constantine_n because_o the_o christian_n reject_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a gods._n 4._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 63_o and_o yet_o this_o book_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o s._n luke_n to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o it_o and_o s._n luke_n gospel_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v already_o publish_v 5._o it_o appear_v from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v then_o write_v and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o book_n of_o s._n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o s._n justin._n these_o fact_n which_o be_v certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n as_o eye_n witness_n maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n after_o this_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v dispute_v by_o what_o power_n he_o be_v raise_v whether_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o by_o his_o own_o but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v the_o fact_n by_o reason_v draw_v from_o preten_v absurdity_n which_o one_o may_v think_v to_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o these_o mystery_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o idea_n of_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o which_o not_o be_v distinct_o know_v by_o we_o may_v raise_v difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o i_o will_v discourse_v with_o one_o bear_v blind_a of_o the_o sun_n of_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o sun_n the_o production_n of_o light_n and_o afterward_o of_o heat_n he_o will_v find_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n not_o to_o imagine_v three_o sun_n it_o be_v know_v how_o the_o philosopher_n who_o agree_v about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v notwithstanding_o be_v oblige_v to_o attribute_v several_a faculty_n to_o it_o which_o the_o common_a people_n look_v upon_o as_o very_o different_a thing_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o christian_n prove_v very_o solid_o that_o these_o mystery_n have_v be_v clear_o propose_v by_o the_o apostle_n who_o receive_v their_o light_n from_o heaven_n as_o to_o these_o truth_n and_o so_o may_v necessary_o be_v believe_v upon_o their_o word_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v former_o believe_v moreover_o they_o assert_v that_o these_o doctrine_n be_v first_o express_v though_o not_o so_o clear_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o christian_n i_o add_v to_o these_o remark_n that_o most_o of_o those_o fact_n who_o truth_n be_v so_o invincible_o establish_v suppose_v these_o doctrine_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o religion_n do_v so_o necessary_o require_v they_o that_o we_o rob_v it_o of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o its_o glory_n in_o question_v or_o contest_v any_o of_o they_o these_o reflection_n may_v suffice_v in_o general_a to_o resolve_v this_o difficulty_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o for_o a_o more_o particular_a satisfaction_n we_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o those_o book_n which_o purposely_o treat_v of_o these_o mystery_n desire_v he_o to_o observe_v careful_o that_o common_o the_o most_o difficult_a objection_n of_o heretic_n against_o these_o matter_n do_v rather_o oppose_v the_o term_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o or_o the_o notion_n which_o man_n follow_v in_o speak_v of_o these_o truth_n than_o the_o proposition_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n at_o least_o one_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v constrain_v to_o resolve_v several_a parallel_n 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to_o make_v upon_o all_o those_o heresy_n in_o the_o second_o age_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o death_n from_o thence_o man_n take_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o collect_v with_o great_a care_n all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o these_o fact_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o contest_v do_v not_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o the_o several_a consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n continue_v still_o beyond_o dispute_n this_o we_o find_v in_o the_o dispute_v raise_v about_o the_o millennium_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v equal_o believe_v by_o both_o the_o dispute_a party_n but_o different_o understand_v according_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o those_o that_o consider_v of_o they_o some_o form_v gross_a and_o sensual_a conception_n concern_v they_o other_o have_v a_o more_o spiritual_a relish_n which_o they_o have_v acquire_v by_o study_v the_o prophecy_n and_o their_o true_a sense_n 3._o we_o find_v that_o this_o division_n which_o have_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o solid_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o some_o fool_n have_v endeavour_v to_o decry_v some_o of_o they_o or_o to_o falsify_v some_o particular_a place_n we_o see_v that_o both_o party_n unite_v to_o repel_v that_o violence_n by_o produce_v their_o copy_n and_o beat_v back_o the_o impostor_n with_o their_o unite_a strength_n one_o see_v we_o that_o tertullian_n though_o a_o montanist_n write_v prescription_n against_o heretic_n and_o epiphanius_n take_v notice_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o some_o that_o be_v orthodox_n of_o their_o crime_n in_o blot_v out_o of_o their_o copy_n that_o christ_n have_v weep_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o karaite_n and_o thalmudist_n the_o jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n and_o the_o division_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o hinder_v its_o corruption_n each_o party_n be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o hinder_v their_o adversary_n from_o attempt_v any_o thing_n to_o its_o prejudice_n in_o corrupt_v a_o book_n which_o they_o consider_v as_o common_a to_o they_o all_o i_o may_v observe_v many_o other_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o the_o truth_n from_o these_o human_a fail_n but_o i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o which_o have_v always_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o considerable_a and_o that_o be_v that_o these_o heretic_n distinct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n a_o impious_a person_n will_v have_v reason_n to_o accuse_v our_o oracle_n as_o false_a if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o heresy_n but_o truth_n triumph_v in_o see_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v the_o more_o she_o see_v we_o herself_o confirm_v and_o establish_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n induce_v god_n to_o permit_v so_o great_a a_o increase_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o the_o truth_n meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o persecution_n stand_v in_o the_o great_a need_n of_o sensible_a character_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v know_v i_o conclude_v this_o work_n with_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o consider_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n here_o propound_v with_o a_o serious_a attention_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o coherence_n and_o indissoluble_a connexion_n of_o they_o and_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o have_v propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o finis_fw-la
institute_v during_o the_o captivity_n we_o must_v blind_v ourselves_o of_o purpose_n to_o conceive_v that_o any_o impostor_n can_v forge_v book_n which_o have_v so_o exact_a a_o relation_n and_o such_o certain_a characteristic_n to_o fix_v they_o to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o author_n live_v and_o to_o the_o circumstance_n wherein_o he_o write_v we_o must_v of_o necessity_n grant_v that_o before_o such_o a_o impostor_n can_v bring_v about_o such_o a_o design_n he_o must_v have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o the_o whole_a profane_a history_n to_o fix_v so_o exact_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o of_o those_o oracle_n which_o have_v be_v give_v in_o circumstance_n which_o be_v unintelligible_a without_o the_o help_n of_o profane_a history_n of_o different_a nation_n i_o come_v now_o to_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v contest_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o those_o fact_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o true_a to_o establish_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n whereof_o we_o teach_v i._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n preserve_v these_o oracle_n to_o this_o day_n with_o great_a fidelity_n ii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n who_o preserve_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n since_o they_o have_v be_v separate_v from_o they_o that_o be_v for_o almost_o seventeen_o age_n iii_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o these_o prophecy_n have_v be_v exact_o read_v by_o the_o jew_n because_o of_o those_o oracle_n upon_o which_o they_o believe_v to_o this_o day_n that_o the_o whole_a happiness_n of_o their_o nation_n be_v found_v iv_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v read_v these_o book_n exact_o to_o refute_v the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v pretend_v from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o their_o appear_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n mark_v out_o by_o these_o oracle_n in_o short_a whereas_o the_o christian_n pretend_v to_o prove_v by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o this_o day_n to_o wrest_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o oracle_n and_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o literal_o accomplish_v and_o which_o by_o consequence_n can_v be_v apply_v to_o jesus_n christ_n v._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o most_o of_o the_o controversy_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o christian_n only_o regard_v the_o application_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o prophetical_a author_n the_o christian_n explain_v they_o in_o a_o mystical_a sense_n the_o jew_n maintain_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v explain_v literal_o vi_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o about_o 300_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o prophetical_a book_n be_v translate_v and_o put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o egyptian_n have_v be_v carry_v to_o and_o translate_v at_o alexandria_n by_o a_o public_a order_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o a_o king_n of_o egypt_n the_o history_n of_o that_o version_n which_o put_v those_o sacred_a book_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o jew_n who_o dwell_v in_o egypt_n be_v the_o most_o famous_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o make_v those_o book_n perfect_o know_v here_o we_o have_v now_o these_o book_n in_o hebrew_n and_o in_o greek_a that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o primitive_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o alexander_n found_v it_o be_v know_v that_o from_o that_o time_n the_o christian_n take_v care_n to_o make_v great_a number_n of_o translation_n into_o all_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n after_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o they_o preserve_v those_o ancient_a book_n as_o the_o first_o element_n of_o their_o religion_n now_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o acknowledge_v those_o truth_n to_o consider_v that_o those_o oracle_n be_v true_a which_o foretell_v thing_n which_o happen_v almost_o four_o age_n after_o their_o prediction_n thus_o for_o instance_n the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o syrian_a and_o egyptian_a monarchy_n be_v all_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n haggai_n zachariah_n and_o malachi_n now_o there_o be_v not_o more_o difficulty_n to_o conceive_v that_o such_o author_n as_o isaiah_n amos_n joel_n shall_v have_v foretell_v the_o same_o thing_n eight_o or_o nine_o hundred_o year_n before_o than_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v foretell_v by_o those_o who_o live_v but_o little_a above_o four_o age_n before_o they_o actual_o come_v to_o pass_v there_o be_v therefore_o no_o difficulty_n in_o conceive_v that_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v propose_v as_o we_o see_v they_o and_o in_o those_o time_n to_o which_o we_o find_v they_o fix_v but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o into_o this_o matter_n and_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o i_o confess_v that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o suspicion_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v not_o relate_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o public_a volume_n as_o for_o instance_n those_o of_o elijah_n elisha_n and_o uriah_n the_o son_n of_o shemaiah_n who_o seem_v never_o to_o have_v publish_v any_o thing_n but_o here_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v 1._o that_o usual_o the_o author_n who_o publish_v the_o oracle_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o those_o who_o tell_v we_o of_o their_o accomplishment_n 2._o that_o the_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o now_o speak_v be_v upon_o subject_n perfect_o know_v and_o upon_o very_o illustrious_a exigency_n what_o more_o illustrious_a than_o the_o destruction_n of_o ahab_n family_n foretell_v by_o elijah_n what_o more_o extraordinary_a than_o the_o manner_n of_o jezebel_n death_n foretell_v by_o the_o same_o prophet_n in_o short_a we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n i._o that_o these_o oracle_n be_v write_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o complete_a volume_n we_o have_v sixteen_o prophet_n sufficient_o distinguish_v by_o their_o proper_a volume_n ii_o each_o of_o these_o author_n have_v a_o very_a different_a character_n from_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o some_o as_o daniel_n for_o instance_n write_v in_o a_o peculiar_a language_n one_o part_n of_o his_o book_n be_v in_o chaldee_n iii_o every_o one_o have_v some_o relation_n to_o the_o rest_n so_o those_o who_o live_v together_o often_o treat_v of_o the_o same_o thing_n so_o isaiah_n for_o instance_n joel_n amos_n hosea_n but_o they_o have_v separate_a idea_n and_o particular_a oracle_n and_o a_o turn_n which_o perfect_o distinguish_v they_o one_o from_o another_o iv_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o work_n to_o find_v that_o they_o write_v in_o different_a place_n amos_n be_v of_o juda_n and_o go_v to_o prohecy_v in_o israel_n that_o appear_v plain_o ezechiel_n and_o daniel_n prophesy_v in_o chaldea_n that_o be_v see_v by_o read_v their_o work_n v._o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o those_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_a for_o the_o prophet_n be_v continual_o reproach_v the_o king_n and_o people_n with_o the_o crime_n which_o they_o commit_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n propose_v by_o moses_n vi_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a dependence_n between_o the_o write_n of_o the_o former_a and_o of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n 2._o dan._n ix_o 2._o so_o jeremiah_n be_v quote_v by_o daniel_n as_o foretell_v the_o time_n when_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v to_o have_v a_o end_n this_o he_o propose_v not_o as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v it_o by_o a_o revelation_n but_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v find_v out_o by_o a_o attentive_a examination_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n vii_o there_o be_v a_o exact_a connexion_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o time_n which_o be_v often_o interweave_v with_o the_o prophecy_n one_o see_v we_o it_o in_o the_o book_n of_o isaiah_n jeremiah_n and_o daniel_n the_o other_o historical_a book_n not_o be_v altogether_o so_o particular_a as_o these_o prophetical_a book_n be_v viii_o in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o these_o book_n be_v interweave_v with_o oracle_n concern_v ancient_a event_n and_o people_n which_o have_v now_o no_o existence_n so_o thaâ—_n that_o hinder_v we_o from_o suspect_v any_o forgery_n i_o shall_v not_o repeat_v here_o the_o common_a argument_n which_o establish_v the_o credit_n of_o these_o book_n i_o bring_v in_o most_o of_o they_o when_o i_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n here_o to_o establish_v the_o same_o truth_n chap._n vi_o that_o the_o
manner_n of_o write_v the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n show_v that_o those_o oracle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n i_o have_v several_a thing_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n more_o sensible_a the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o i_o have_v prove_v by_o several_a character_n this_o history_n be_v exact_o write_v by_o several_a author_n now_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o their_o oracle_n be_v so_o exact_o frame_v into_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o take_v it_o out_o without_o confound_v the_o whole_a the_o book_n of_o samuel_n which_o be_v write_v by_o samuel_n by_o nathan_n and_o by_o gad_n as_o appear_v by_o i_o chron._n xxix_o 29._o contain_v the_o history_n from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2888_o to_o the_o year_n 2987._o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n from_o the_o year_n 2989._o to_o the_o year_n 3442._o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n recapitulate_v the_o history_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n 3468._o ezra_n write_v his_o history_n from_o the_o year_n 3468._o to_o the_o year_n 3538._o nehemiah_n continue_v it_o from_o 3550._o to_o 3563._o here_o be_v therefore_o on_o the_o one_o side_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o history_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o continue_a succession_n of_o prophecy_n david_n who_o begin_v to_o reign_v in_o the_o year_n 2950._o with_o several_a other_o prophet_n of_o that_o time_n write_v the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n which_o be_v full_a of_o oracle_n and_o which_o be_v sing_v by_o the_o people_n as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a service_n isaiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o 3246._o and_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 3306._o hosea_n micah_n and_o nahum_n be_v contemporary_a with_o he_o jeremiah_n begin_v his_o prophecy_n in_o the_o year_n 3375._o and_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o zephaniah_n daniel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n in_o 3401._o and_o prophesy_v until_o 3470._o ezechiel_n prophesy_v at_o babylon_n in_o 3509._o haggai_n and_o zachariah_n prophesy_v in_o 3590._o soon_o after_o ezra_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nehemiah_n malachy_n seem_v to_o have_v live_v until_o the_o year_n 3589._o can_v we_o therefore_o in_o the_o least_o imagine_v that_o a_o history_n shall_v be_v so_o intermix_v with_o prophecy_n and_o oracle_n without_o conceive_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o both_o by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n but_o we_o may_v make_v a_o second_o reflection_n hereupon_o there_o be_v three_o general_a character_n which_o distinguish_v prophet_n very_o sensible_o from_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n i._o they_o be_v public_a censor_n let_v we_o but_o read_v the_o history_n of_o isaiah_n conduct_n who_o call_v all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n ruler_n of_o sodom_n or_o that_o of_o jeremiah_n chap._n xxxvi_o or_o of_o any_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n ii_o they_o be_v comforter_n of_o the_o people_n when_o they_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n by_o their_o preach_n there_o be_v as_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o as_o there_o be_v prophet_n iii_o they_o foretell_v remarkable_a occurrence_n happy_a or_o unfortunate_a long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o probability_n that_o they_o shall_v happen_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v these_o character_n without_o see_v that_o the_o state_n of_o affair_n be_v that_o which_o give_v a_o foundation_n for_o their_o sermon_n so_o that_o one_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v frame_v their_o history_n of_o new_a to_o give_v ground_n for_o a_o forgery_n this_o change_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o prophet_n follow_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n exact_o all_o that_o isaiah_n or_o jeremiah_n say_v will_v hold_v no_o long_o than_o whilst_o you_o suppose_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v as_o corrupt_v as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n represent_v it_o but_o if_o you_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v as_o the_o history_n do_v distinct_o explain_v it_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o forcible_a than_o their_o sermon_n for_o as_o they_o join_v oracle_n with_o promise_n in_o their_o thunder_a sermon_n so_o one_o see_v we_o that_o they_o can_v be_v part_v one_o may_v make_v another_o reflection_n upon_o this_o matter_n by_o show_v that_o these_o oracle_n and_o these_o book_n be_v so_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n that_o no_o forgery_n can_v be_v suppose_v the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v be_v a_o great_a proof_n for_o they_o appear_v upon_o very_o remarkable_a occasion_n one_o may_v rank_v the_o prophet_n into_o four_o order_n according_a to_o the_o several_a time_n in_o which_o they_o appear_v david_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o time_n those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n as_o jonah_n hosea_n joel_n amos_n obadiah_n isaiah_n micah_n nahum_n habakkuk_n zephaniah_n jeremiah_n those_o who_o prophesy_v during_o the_o captivity_n jeremiah_n ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n those_o who_o live_v after_o their_o return_n from_o babybylon_n haggai_n zechariah_n and_o malachy_n now_o we_o have_v a_o equal_a assurance_n of_o all_o these_o prophet_n that_o they_o be_v famous_a who_o can_v deny_v the_o oracle_n of_o david_n to_o have_v be_v famous_a when_o they_o be_v preserve_v among_o their_o public_a hymn_n one_o see_v we_o that_o micah_n prediction_n save_v jeremiah_n who_o they_o will_v have_v condemn_v for_o prophesy_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n under_o jehoiakim_n when_o micah_n have_v prophesy_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o hezekiah_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o this_o prediction_n of_o jeremiah_n here_o be_v a_o event_n which_o assure_v we_o without_o affectation_n that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v very_o well_o know_v be_v not_o therefore_o the_o other_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n very_o well_o know_v by_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o other_o prophet_n live_v in_o very_o remarkable_a time_n isaiah_n under_o jotham_n ahaz_n and_o manasseh_n impious_a prince_n the_o last_o of_o which_o put_v he_o to_o a_o cruel_a death_n for_o the_o freedom_n of_o his_o censure_n and_o prediction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o every_o prophet_n a_o great_a number_n of_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v enlarge_v upon_o and_o which_o will_v further_o prove_v that_o their_o work_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v be_v very_o public_a and_o very_o famous_a among_o the_o jew_n we_o must_v not_o here_o neglect_v what_o do_v more_o particular_o regard_v the_o person_n of_o the_o prophet_n i._o some_o of_o they_o be_v priest_n that_o be_v to_o say_v public_a minister_n of_o their_o religion_n jeremiah_n and_o ezechiel_n be_v of_o that_o number_n this_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o read_v of_o their_o work_n and_o in_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o their_o revelation_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n accommodate_v by_o god_n to_o those_o idea_n about_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v most_o employ_v ii_o some_o be_v very_o illustrious_a by_o their_o birth_n thus_o david_n for_o instance_n be_v king_n of_o israel_n isaiah_n be_v a_o prince_n of_o the_o blood_n and_o daniel_n be_v one_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o judah_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o find_v out_o by_o consider_v the_o majesty_n of_o their_o style_n and_o greatness_n of_o their_o expression_n iii_o some_o be_v very_o contemptible_a by_o their_o employment_n and_o by_o their_o birth_n so_o amos_n for_o instance_n and_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o father_n be_v bare_o name_v without_o join_v to_o it_o any_o honourable_a title_n if_o the_o jew_n observation_n have_v any_o strength_n now_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o though_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n make_v he_o who_o have_v it_o sufficient_o famous_a yet_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n often_o make_v the_o prophecy_n famous_a sometime_o indeed_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o person_n as_o in_o amos_n make_v the_o work_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v every_o body_n take_v occasion_n from_o the_o ancient_a profession_n or_o the_o prophet_n to_o consider_v the_o prophecy_n which_o he_o publish_v with_o more_o attention_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v with_o care_n that_o those_o prophet_n who_o write_n be_v preserve_v as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o do_v not_o write_v be_v continual_o strike_v at_o by_o false_a prophet_n who_o oppose_v they_o with_o great_a heat_n since_o than_o we_o have_v no_o prophecy_n preserve_v but_o of_o those_o who_o prediction_n be_v accomplish_v the_o event_n justify_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prediction_n with_o regard_n to_o particular_a fact_n near_o the_o time_n which_o they_o have_v foretell_v