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their_o respective_a language_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o spurious_a write_n shall_v have_v be_v slip_v in_o among_o they_o the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n have_v have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n among_o they_o in_o greek_a these_o 1600._o year_n so_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o in_o that_o language_n 300._o year_n before_o be_v translate_v by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o ptolomy_n king_n of_o egypt_n whither_o a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v carry_v after_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a have_v conquer_v the_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v overthrow_v the_o empire_n of_o persia_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o subjection_n the_o three_o be_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n they_o that_o follow_v the_o party_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o form_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n have_v 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principal_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o say_v that_o the_o sole_a consideration_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n first_o then_o i_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o maintain_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o so_o many_o language_n cite_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o author_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o various_a dispute_n from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o soon_o after_o shall_v be_v supposititious_a as_o to_o aver_v that_o the_o book_n of_o justinian_n or_o mahomet_n alcoran_n have_v be_v false_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n under_o their_o name_n i_o speak_v now_o only_o of_o the_o book_n themselves_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n they_o contain_v second_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v forge_v since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n three_o it_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a to_o suppose_v they_o contrive_v since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o judah_n because_o we_o find_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o the_o samaritan_n who_o have_v preserve_v they_o ever_o since_o their_o revolt_n without_o any_o other_o change_n but_o what_o be_v incident_a to_o all_o manuscript_n that_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o samaritan_n have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o effect_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n it_o can_v in_o the_o least_o shake_v the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o those_o book_n for_o first_o the_o three_o other_o tribe_n have_v they_o and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o great_a care_n esteem_v they_o of_o divine_a authority_n second_o there_o be_v also_o reason_n of_o state_n which_o make_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n not_o to_o regard_v the_o division_n make_v by_o joshuah_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o priesthood_n which_o reason_n of_o state_n hereafter_o mention_v where_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o ten_o tribe_n will_v not_o allow_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v before_o their_o revolt_n as_o those_o of_o samuel_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n which_o they_o do_v to_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n most_o of_o the_o other_o we_o know_v be_v pen_v since_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n and_o so_o do_v more_o particular_o respect_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o some_o they_o after_o the_o
make_v appear_v elsewhere_o the_o three_o and_o last_o thing_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o impose_v a_o forgery_n upon_o those_o time_n because_o their_o life_n be_v yet_o of_o a_o great_a extent_n though_o inferior_a to_o those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o flood_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v this_o further_a consideration_n that_o as_o the_o jealousy_n which_o be_v between_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n and_o of_o cain_n be_v a_o great_a mean_n to_o preserve_v inviolable_o the_o important_a truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n a_o like_a jealousy_n now_o be_v rise_v among_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n cham_n be_v accurse_v of_o his_o own_o father_n in_o the_o person_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o same_o be_v propagate_v to_o their_o posterity_n it_o can_v not_o but_o effectual_o contribute_v to_o rescue_v these_o important_a truth_n from_o oblivion_n and_o particular_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n conceive_v in_o these_o word_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n in_o a_o word_n 1069._o judg._n viii_o 23._o &_o ix_o 8._o talm._n hier._n fol._n 11_o col_fw-fr 4_o &_o gloss_n in_o h._n l._n &_o avodazara_n c._n iii_o fol._n 43._o col_fw-fr 1._o de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syr._n p._n 1069._o we_o may_v not_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n take_v notice_n of_o what_o lucian_n relate_v concern_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o assyrian_n which_o do_v so_o lively_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o noah_n by_o his_o son_n cham_n when_o he_o scoff_v at_o the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n but_o also_o that_o the_o god_n of_o the_o sichemite_n be_v call_v baalberith_n who_o symbol_n be_v the_o figure_n of_o the_o privy_a part_n of_o a_o man_n which_o seem_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o their_o descent_n from_o the_o family_n of_o cham_n the_o sichemite_n be_v some_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v also_o very_o natural_a to_o conceive_v first_o of_o all_o that_o it_o be_v from_o those_o old_a pretension_n that_o the_o canaanite_n take_v occasion_n to_o profane_v the_o most_o â—oly_a thing_n with_o such_o shameful_a idea_n second_o that_o it_o be_v in_o detestation_n of_o these_o idea_n that_o god_n order_v the_o kill_n of_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n and_o three_o that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v command_v to_o destroy_v they_o utter_o four_o this_o be_v also_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o israelite_n be_v so_o often_o desirous_a of_o imitate_v their_o crime_n in_o the_o five_o place_n as_o we_o see_v that_o upon_o the_o like_a account_n the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n take_v chemosh_fw-mi for_o their_o god_n and_o that_o the_o woman_n of_o those_o nation_n be_v very_o zealous_a to_o propagate_v their_o religion_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n in_o jezabel_n the_o wife_n of_o ahab_n so_o god_n be_v also_o willing_a to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o horror_n and_o detestation_n for_o their_o religion_n or_o any_o alliance_n with_o they_o last_o as_o there_o do_v appear_v a_o very_a great_a conformity_n and_o resemblance_n between_o the_o first_o birth_n of_o the_o world_n from_o the_o first_o chaos_n and_o its_o be_v bear_v again_o after_o the_o deluge_n between_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n and_o noah_n the_o second_o and_o between_o the_o jealousy_n spring_v up_o in_o both_o their_o family_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o this_o conformity_n can_v not_o but_o very_o natural_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n have_v deliver_v to_o their_o posterity_n with_o all_o the_o care_n which_o be_v take_v to_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n chap._n xv._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n it_o be_v no_o less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o these_o truth_n be_v in_o process_n of_o time_n hand_v down_o to_o jacob_n and_o his_o posterity_n this_o i_o shall_v brief_o explain_v i_o need_v not_o take_v notice_n here_o that_o the_o religion_n practise_v by_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n suppose_v these_o matter_n as_o constant_o own_a and_o know_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o lot_n have_v follow_v terah_n and_o abraham_n when_o god_n call_v the_o latter_a out_o of_o chaldea_n may_v thence_o suppose_v that_o this_o heavenly_a call_n do_v separate_v and_o distinguish_v he_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n and_o give_v he_o a_o right_a as_o well_o as_o abraham_n to_o pretend_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o fulfil_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o to_o see_v it_o fulfil_v in_o his_o posterity_n this_o we_o may_v infer_v from_o the_o incest_n of_o lot_n daughter_n their_o crime_n which_o in_o another_o view_n appear_v very_o monstrous_a do_v clear_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v strong_o possess_v with_o this_o hope_n which_o their_o father_n have_v raise_v in_o they_o i_o know_v that_o some_o interpreter_n suppose_v xix_o lyra_n in_o genes_n xix_o that_o they_o be_v move_v to_o commit_v this_o incest_n from_o a_o pious_a intention_n of_o preserve_a mankind_n as_o imagine_v to_o themselves_o that_o as_o the_o deluge_n have_v drown_v all_o man_n beside_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n so_o the_o flame_n which_o destroy_v sodom_n have_v consume_v all_o mankind_n which_o they_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o believe_v because_o they_o may_v have_v hear_v from_o their_o father_n that_o the_o world_n one_o day_n be_v to_o perish_v by_o fire_n 23._o beres_n rab._n part_n 23._o but_o indeed_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o proceed_v from_o a_o very_a different_a motive_n the_o jewish_a doctor_n plain_o aver_v that_o this_o be_v do_v by_o they_o in_o hope_n of_o bring_v forth_o the_o promise_a redeemer_n and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o action_n of_o they_o in_o this_o view_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o grand_a object_n of_o the_o hope_n of_o all_o those_o that_o fear_v god_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o consider_v their_o father_n as_o one_o who_o god_n have_v peculiar_o choose_v from_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n to_o execute_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o see_v that_o their_o mother_n be_v change_v into_o a_o statue_n of_o salt_n they_o conceive_v themselves_o in_o some_o sort_n authorise_a to_o surprise_v their_o father_n in_o that_o manner_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o conceive_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o none_o of_o the_o canaanite_n upon_o who_o god_n have_v now_o begin_v to_o pour_v forth_o so_o hideous_a a_o vengeance_n as_o a_o beginning_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o curse_n against_o cham_n have_v any_o part_n in_o this_o chief_a of_o blessing_n can_v ever_o marry_v they_o after_o that_o god_n have_v so_o manifest_o separate_v and_o call_v forth_o their_o father_n from_o among_o they_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n suppose_v that_o god_n will_v dispense_v with_o the_o irregularity_n of_o this_o action_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o extremity_n there_o be_v three_o circumstance_n which_o great_o confirm_v this_o my_o remark_n upon_o the_o motive_n of_o their_o incest_n the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o those_o who_o have_v behave_v themselves_o very_o chaste_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o sodom_n and_o that_o beside_o we_o find_v they_o design_v no_o such_o thing_n till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o mother_n the_o other_o be_v that_o we_o see_v they_o contrive_v the_o thing_n together_o and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n which_o natural_o be_v apt_a to_o separate_v the_o great_a friend_n where_o the_o motive_n proceed_v from_o a_o spirit_n of_o uncleanness_n nor_o indeed_o do_v we_o find_v that_o they_o continue_v in_o this_o incest_n the_o three_o be_v that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v ashamed_a of_o a_o action_n in_o itself_o so_o criminal_a or_o conceal_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o from_o posterity_n that_o they_o give_v those_o name_n to_o the_o child_n bear_v of_o this_o their_o incest_n that_o may_v perpetuate_v and_o divulge_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o their_o action_n the_o one_o call_v her_o son_n moab_n as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v bear_v of_o my_o father_n and_o the_o other_o she_o benammi_n a_o name_n of_o a_o like_a signification_n with_o the_o former_a this_o observation_n be_v very_o necessary_a because_o these_o two_o son_n become_v the_o head_n of_o two_o great_a people_n the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n who_o kingdom_n last_v above_o 1300_o year_n and_o live_v on_o
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
by_o moses_n but_o least_o any_o body_n shall_v think_v it_o strange_a that_o i_o shall_v build_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o will_v restrain_v its_o authority_n of_o it_o within_o just_a and_o certain_a bound_n first_o although_o the_o jew_n bear_v witness_n in_o their_o sacred_a book_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v already_o fulfil_v yet_o they_o say_v some_o be_v not_o as_o for_o instance_n those_o which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v but_o their_o obstinate_a blindness_n be_v not_o a_o just_a prejudice_n against_o such_o a_o important_a truth_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o which_o we_o need_v only_o to_o compare_v moses_n word_n with_o the_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n thus_o for_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o need_v only_o compare_v moses_n prophecy_n of_o it_o with_o the_o description_n josephus_n their_o own_o historian_n have_v make_v of_o the_o same_o in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o siege_n and_o ruin_n of_o that_o city_n and_o of_o the_o dissipation_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o without_o the_o jew_n testimony_n in_o what_o regard_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n whereof_o the_o execution_n be_v defer_v for_o a_o very_a long_a time_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o convince_v any_o the_o most_o incredulous_a man_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o divinity_n if_o he_o please_v but_o to_o make_v this_o one_o reflection_n which_o be_v that_o when_o moses_n relate_v among_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n a_o particular_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n come_v and_o when_o he_o mention_n that_o of_o balaam_n concern_v the_o rise_n of_o that_o divine_a star_n he_o subjoin_v also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o bring_v it_o in_o as_o a_o certain_a sign_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world._n now_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o meaning_n of_o moses_n prediction_n about_o the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n which_o the_o prophet_n that_o come_v after_o he_o do_v better_o explain_v and_o illustrate_v we_o shall_v be_v apt_a from_o thence_o to_o conclude_v that_o he_o in_o effect_n foretell_v that_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n will_v follow_v quite_o another_o method_n than_o that_o which_o he_o have_v use_v before_o until_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n viz._n that_o whereas_o god_n may_v seem_v to_o restrain_v then_o the_o privilege_n of_o his_o covenant_n to_o one_o people_n alone_o which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o restrain_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o messiah_n birth_n to_o one_o sole_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o one_o sole_a tribe_n of_o that_o nation_n to_o one_o sole_a family_n of_o that_o tribe_n to_o one_o sole_a branch_n of_o that_o family_n and_o so_o to_o one_o sole_a person_n of_o that_o branch_n he_o will_v after_o the_o messiah_n come_v take_v a_o contrary_a method_n and_o call_v all_o man_n to_o salvation_n in_o he_o now_o that_o be_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n can_v be_v question_v and_o whatever_o the_o jew_n opinion_n be_v concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o that_o they_o have_v careful_o and_o faithful_o preserve_v the_o book_n wherein_o those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o see_v so_o exact_o fulfil_v be_v contain_v for_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suspect_v moses_n or_o any_o other_o jew_n of_o forge_v the_o prophecy_n which_o foretell_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n not_o moses_n see_v all_o his_o law_n do_v tend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o more_o at_o large_a to_o establish_v that_o restriction_n i_o be_v just_a now_o speak_v of_o which_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v not_o the_o jew_n see_v that_o none_o of_o they_o can_v still_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o the_o removal_n of_o that_o restriction_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o possess_v with_o such_o a_o spirit_n of_o envy_n and_o jealousy_n against_o all_o other_o nation_n that_o they_o perfect_o hate_v and_o abominate_a they_o but_o beside_o we_o can_v desire_v a_o better_a nor_o a_o more_o authentic_a accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v so_o opposite_a to_o the_o jewish_a principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la than_o that_o which_o we_o ourselves_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o same_o reflection_n belong_v to_o the_o other_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o total_a dissipation_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n as_o also_o to_o the_o dreadful_a accomplishment_n of_o they_o in_o our_o day_n the_o most_o resolve_a obstinacy_n can_v suggest_v but_o one_o objection_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o either_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o jew_n have_v falsify_v moses_n write_n and_o insert_v those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o now_o find_v there_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o those_o thing_n be_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o first_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o both_o christian_n and_o jew_n have_v be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n and_o pen_v in_o such_o a_o style_n as_o evidence_n their_o antiquity_n and_o as_o will_v be_v inimitable_a now_o second_o that_o these_o book_n have_v be_v all_o translate_v into_o greek_a almost_o 300_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n and_o about_o 350_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n neither_o the_o jew_n nor_o yet_o the_o christian_n be_v any_o long_a sole_a master_n of_o they_o when_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o also_o in_o their_o hand_n beside_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n from_o judaisme_n and_o heathenism_n do_v not_o only_o find_v these_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n long_o before_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o do_v also_o make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o evince_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n which_o we_o find_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n chap._n ix_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o relation_n that_o moses_n have_v the_o messiah_n in_o view_n when_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o former_a reflection_n upon_o genesis_n that_o those_o who_o live_v before_o moses_n time_n have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n that_o god_n will_v certain_o raise_v up_o a_o deliverer_n among_o they_o although_o they_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o appearance_n and_o i_o have_v beside_o i_o think_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o various_a idea_n which_o the_o ancient_n entertain_v of_o he_o upon_o the_o first_o promise_v make_v by_o god_n of_o his_o come_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o several_a criminal_a action_n commit_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o by_o those_o of_o other_o nation_n who_o have_v the_o same_o pretension_n with_o they_o i_o be_o now_o to_o prove_v that_o moses_n himself_o have_v the_o same_o knowledge_n and_o live_v in_o the_o same_o expectation_n with_o the_o ancient_n that_o precede_v he_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v show_v and_o that_o henceforth_o no_o body_n may_v wonder_v if_o i_o pretend_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n he_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n both_o in_o reference_n to_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o prophecy_n as_o also_o those_o other_o mention_v by_o prophet_n that_o live_v after_o he_o in_o that_o jewish_a commonwealth_n do_v all_o suppose_v a_o distinct_a relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o to_o make_v this_o evident_a i_o beg_v leave_n to_o offer_v to_o the_o reader_n be_v consideration_n some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o moses_n history_n in_o genesis_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a and_o wise_a historian_n that_o ever_o be_v there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a design_n nor_o a_o more_o difficult_a task_n than_o his_o be_v to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o 2400_o year_n he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o general_a and_o in_o particular_a of_o that_o of_o man_n of_o his_o sin_n of_o the_o promise_n god_n make_v he_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o original_a of_o all_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v in_o his_o time_n his_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v be_v also_o very_o extraordinary_a the_o majesty_n of_o his_o style_n be_v temper_v with_o a_o admirable_a plainness_n he_o describe_v all_o sort_n of_o passion_n to_o the_o life_n he_o be_v admirable_a in_o his_o character_n of_o the_o man_n he_o speak_v
be_v very_o short_a i_o will_v confine_v myself_o to_o some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o those_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v since_o moses_n but_o such_o as_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a and_o intelligent_a reader_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n page_n 1._o chap._n 2._o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n 8_o chap._n 3._o that_o there_o be_v a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o very_a great_a number_n accomplish_v in_o every_o age._n 15_o chap._n 4._o that_o how_o common_a soever_o oracle_n may_v have_v be_v among_o the_o pagan_n yet_o nothing_o among_o they_o can_v just_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n 24_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v 28_o chap._n 6._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 35_o chap._n 7._o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a 45_o chap._n 8._o general_a rule_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o for_o the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o messiah_n 51_o chap._n 9_o of_o those_o oracle_n concern_v the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 60_o chap._n 10._o of_o the_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n 71_o chap._n 11._o consideration_n upon_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o upon_o his_o glorious_a ascension_n into_o heaven_n foretell_v by_o david_n in_o the_o xxii_o and_o cx_o psalm_n 80_o chap._n 12._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 89_o chap._n 13._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 93_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n 101_o chap._n 15._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o private_a state_n 107_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o work_v great_a miracle_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n 111_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n 114_o chap._n 18._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 119_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o dreadful_a effect_n of_o their_o blindness_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n 125_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o die_v and_o a_o account_n of_o the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o his_o death_n 130_o chap._n 21._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v soon_o after_o to_o rise_v again_o 136_o chap._n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o send_v down_o from_o thence_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o prophecy_n language_n etc._n etc._n 140_o chap._n 23._o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god._n 144_o chap._n 24._o that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n 152_o chap._n 25._o of_o the_o time_n which_o succeed_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o prophecy_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n 157_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a page_n 175_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 183_o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v still_o subsist_v and_o follow_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a know_v of_o the_o messiah_n 189_o chap._n 4._o that_o all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a for_o discover_v of_o the_o messiah_n still_o continue_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o lord_n 197_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o time_n point_v out_o by_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o very_a time_n in_o which_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o the_o world._n 202_o chap._n 6._o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v precise_o such_o a_o forerunner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v describe_v to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n 207_o chap._n 7._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n then_o reduce_v to_o a_o mean_a condition_n as_o have_v be_v aforetold_v by_o the_o prophet_n 213_o chap._n 8._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v conceive_v by_o the_o virgin_n mary_n without_o any_o operation_n of_o man._n 222_o chap._n 9_o that_o jesus_n christ_n live_v and_o preach_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o messiah_n shall_v do_v 229_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n clear_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n 237_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n clear_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n 242_o chap._n 12._o that_o jesus_n christ_n die_v precise_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v die_v 250_o chap._n 13._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o prophet_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n 258_o chap._n 14._o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n 270_o chap._n 15._o that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v call_v the_o gentile_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 277_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o 284_o chap._n 17._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 292_o chap._n 18._o that_o one_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v 298_o chap._n 19_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n 304_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o entire_o destroy_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v 311_o chap._n 21._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 317_o reflection_n upon_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n the_o first_o general_a proof_n which_o i_o make_v use_n of_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n may_v be_v lawful_o draw_v from_o the_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o those_o author_n who_o have_v write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o state_n and_o church_n of_o israel_n we_o may_v observe_v several_a considerable_a epocha_n of_o this_o history_n which_o take_v in_o about_o one_o thousand_o and_o forty_o year_n
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
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 one_o ought_v to_o observe_v two_o very_a considerable_a thing_n in_o this_o prophecy_n the_o first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o come_v sudden_o the_o second_o that_o malachy_n express_o point_v to_o we_o that_o the_o appear_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v during_o the_o second_o temple_n the_o word_n of_o the_o prophecy_n distinct_o express_v it_o and_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o all_o who_o give_v any_o credit_n to_o these_o oracle_n do_v understand_v they_o so_o for_o first_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n look_v for_o the_o messiah_n during_o the_o second_o temple_n we_o find_v a_o passage_n express_v to_o the_o purpose_n in_o tacitus_n and_o it_o be_v on_o this_o ground_n that_o josephus_n give_v the_o title_n of_o messiah_n to_o vespasian_n 2._o they_o expect_v he_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n which_o be_v the_o three_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o their_o be_v delude_v by_o so_o many_o false_a messiah_n about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o a_o little_a after_o 3._o they_o never_o despair_v of_o his_o come_n take_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v to_o be_v conditional_a when_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v absolute_a until_o they_o begin_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o term_n set_v down_o by_o god_n himself_o be_v expire_v 4._o the_o reason_n of_o their_o curse_v those_o that_o compute_v the_o time_n set_v down_o so_o distinct_o and_o precise_o by_o daniel_n be_v because_o they_o find_v themselves_o disappoint_v in_o his_o calculation_n find_v that_o the_o time_n which_o daniel_n have_v point_v at_o for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n seem_v to_o be_v already_o expire_v 5._o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_a that_o they_o have_v try_v to_o evade_v it_o by_o maintain_v that_o the_o temple_n will_v be_v build_v a_o three_o time_n and_o that_o then_o the_o messiah_n shall_v appear_v but_o this_o evasion_n be_v unanswerable_o refute_v 1._o because_o daniel_n assign_v a_o certain_a term_n which_o be_v expire_v 1600_o year_n since_o 2._o because_o he_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o desolation_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v to_o be_v for_o ever_o as_o will_v appear_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n and_o three_o because_o haggai_n in_o effect_n call_v the_o temple_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v the_o second_o or_o three_o house_n by_o which_o expression_n he_o so_o distinct_o point_v out_o the_o second_o temple_n to_o we_o that_o it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v it_o mean_v of_o a_o three_o temple_n to_o be_v build_v 1700_o year_n after_o the_o ruin_n of_o that_o of_o which_o he_o prophesy_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n hitherto_o we_o have_v see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o isaac_n of_o that_o of_o isaac_n by_o jacob_n and_o of_o that_o of_o jacob_n by_o juda._n this_o have_v be_v sufficient_o make_v out_o already_o i_o have_v also_o show_v from_o the_o oracle_n in_o the_o i_o sam._n chap._n vii_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n and_o we_o find_v the_o same_o very_o particular_o and_o full_o set_v down_o in_o the_o lxxxix_o psalm_n the_o follow_a prophet_n have_v express_v themselves_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n isaiah_n xi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n have_v pursue_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n xxiii_o vers_fw-la 5_o 6._o and_o chap._n xxxiii_o vers_fw-la 15_o 16_o 17._o neither_o do_v the_o prophet_n only_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n by_o his_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n but_o also_o by_o determine_v that_o virgin_n to_o the_o house_n of_o david_n neither_o need_v i_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v that_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n the_o ground_n whereof_o god_n have_v lay_v down_o in_o his_o first_o promise_n viz._n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n where_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n only_o without_o name_v that_o of_o the_o man_n the_o word_n of_o seed_n or_o posterity_n very_o evident_o design_v a_o man_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o woman_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o another_o prophecy_n and_o the_o same_o which_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n take_v notice_n of_o as_o a_o maxim_n general_o own_v by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o synagogue_n iii_o galat._n iii_o it_o be_v also_o evident_a that_o the_o word_n woman_n plain_o denote_v the_o sex_n of_o which_o this_o person_n be_v immediate_o to_o be_v bear_v it_o be_v obvious_a to_o judge_v that_o something_o miraculous_a be_v to_o attend_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n we_o see_v isaac_n bear_v of_o a_o barren_a mother_n past_o the_o age_n of_o child-bearing_a we_o find_v also_o something_o very_o singular_a at_o the_o birth_n of_o samson_n and_o samuel_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v something_o far_o great_a than_o the_o birth_n of_o these_o now_o mention_v how_o illustrious_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v and_o that_o therefore_o probable_o his_o birth_n be_v to_o be_v attend_v by_o a_o great_a miracle_n but_o because_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n whole_o new_a we_o ought_v to_o observe_v in_o what_o manner_n god_n do_v particular_o foretell_v it_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n express_v it_o thus_o chap._n vii_o vers_fw-la 10_o 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17._o moreover_o the_o lord_n speak_v again_o unto_o ahaz_n say_v ask_v thou_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n ask_v it_o either_o in_o the_o depth_n or_o in_o the_o height_n above_o but_o ahaz_n say_v i_o will_v not_o ask_v neither_o will_v i_o tempt_v the_o lord_n and_o he_o say_v hear_v you_o now_o o_o house_n of_o david_n be_v it_o a_o small_a thing_n for_o you_o to_o weary_a man_n but_o will_v you_o weary_v my_o god_n also_o therefore_o the_o lord_n himself_o shall_v give_v you_o a_o sign_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v and_o bear_v a_o son_n and_o shall_v call_v his_o name_n immanuel_n butter_n and_o honey_n shall_v he_o eat_v that_o he_o may_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a for_o before_o the_o child_n shall_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a the_o land_n that_o thou_o abhor_v shall_v be_v forsake_v of_o both_o her_o king_n the_o lord_n shall_v bring_v upon_o thou_o upon_o thy_o people_n and_o upon_o thy_o father_n house_n day_n that_o have_v not_o come_v from_o the_o day_n that_o ephraim_n depart_v from_o juda_n even_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o promise_v here_o be_v make_v to_o a_o wicked_a king_n but_o of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n to_o who_o the_o prophet_n particular_o address_v himself_o 2._o that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v give_v at_o a_o juncture_n of_o time_n very_o capable_a of_o awaken_n their_o attention_n to_o it_o at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v reduce_v to_o the_o great_a extremity_n and_o the_o house_n of_o david_n in_o particular_a in_o a_o very_a great_a consternation_n 3._o the_o prophecy_n be_v utter_v by_o a_o very_a illustrious_a prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o royal_a family_n 4._o it_o be_v seal_v and_o confirm_v with_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o a_o child_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v according_o 5._o it_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o a_o very_a extraordinary_a sign_n instead_o of_o that_o which_o the_o wicked_a king_n refuse_v to_o ask_v when_o isaiah_n offer_v it_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god._n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o modern_a jew_n deny_v that_o this_o character_n of_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o confute_v they_o for_o first_o will_v it_o not_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o go_v about_o to_o apply_v this_o oracle_n to_o their_o messiah_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o thing_n universal_o own_a by_o the_o jew_n that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a that_o this_o character_n so_o difficult_a to_o gain_v belief_n will_v rather_o perplex_v than_o strengthen_v their_o proof_n and_o yet_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o st._n matthew_n have_v do_v so_o chap._n i._o verse_n 23._o as_o likewise_o st._n luke_n chap._n i._o verse_n 31._o justin_n martyr_v observe_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o this_o
of_o one_o that_o be_v blind_a and_o another_o that_o be_v lame_a at_o alexandria_n he_o that_o will_v know_v the_o particular_n may_v consult_v tacitus_n his_o history_n and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o only_o agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n of_o isaiah_n refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o they_o also_o still_o propose_v the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n as_o a_o character_n which_o will_v render_v the_o messiah_n very_o illustrious_a and_o certain_o know_v chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n this_o truth_n i_o have_v already_o assert_v in_o the_o reflection_n i_o make_v on_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n deut._n xviii_o but_o one_o ought_v to_o explain_v this_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n more_o particular_o god_n have_v be_v please_v further_a to_o illustrate_v this_o oracle_n of_o moses_n first_o then_o we_o say_v that_o the_o word_n messiah_n imply_v anoint_v which_o be_v common_a to_o king_n prophet_n and_o priest_n and_o since_o david_n time_n we_o find_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o this_o title_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n be_v dignify_v with_o this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o that_o samuel_n communicate_v the_o same_o to_o saul_n and_o david_n when_o he_o anoint_v they_o to_o be_v king_n yea_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o elias_n the_o prophet_n shall_v anoint_v the_o messiah_n that_o be_v initiate_v he_o in_o his_o prophetical_a as_o well_o as_o his_o royal_a function_n second_o god_n more_o precise_o signify_v this_o isai_n xi_o verse_n 1_o 2_o &_o 3._o where_o he_o declare_v he_o will_v communicate_v all_o the_o necessary_a gift_n of_o the_o prophetical_a function_n to_o the_o messiah_n there_o shall_v come_v forth_o a_o rod_n out_o of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n and_o a_o branch_n shall_v grow_v out_o of_o his_o root_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v rest_v upon_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o may_v the_o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o judge_v after_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o eye_n neither_o reprove_v after_o the_o hear_n of_o his_o ear_n these_o word_n need_v no_o commentary_n for_o the_o jew_n refer_v they_o constant_o to_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o plain_o import_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o great_a prophet_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o character_n which_o be_v there_o give_v to_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v to_o rest_v on_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o same_o which_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v attribute_v to_o the_o prophet_n and_o may_v easy_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n especial_o of_o david_n and_o solomon_n and_o much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o passage_n isai_n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o have_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o truth_n he_o shall_v not_o fail_v nor_o be_v discourage_v till_o he_o have_v set_v judgement_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n thus_o say_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o that_o create_v the_o heaven_n and_o stretch_v they_o out_o he_o that_o spread_v forth_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o which_o come_v out_o of_o it_o he_o that_o give_v breath_n to_o the_o people_n upon_o it_o and_o spirit_n to_o they_o that_o walk_v therein_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thou_o 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 out_o of_o the_o prison_n house_n in_o which_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n particular_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o jew_n apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n 1._o that_o god_n propose_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o bestow_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o his_o love_n and_o the_o choice_n he_o have_v make_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o as_o rule_n for_o reform_v the_o country_n and_o propound_v god_n covenant_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o clear_o suppose_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o such_o great_a undertake_n 3._o that_o contrary_a to_o the_o thunder_a character_n which_o distinguish_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v as_o so_o many_o public_a censor_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o speak_v with_o all_o meekness_n and_o sweetness_n to_o the_o nation_n which_o shall_v receive_v his_o preach_v one_o see_v we_o that_o isaiah_n repeat_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o the_o lord_n have_v anoint_v i_o to_o preach_v good_a tiding_n unto_o the_o meek_a he_o have_v send_v i_o to_o bind-up_a the_o break_a heart_a to_o proclaim_v liberty_n to_o the_o captive_n and_o the_o open_n of_o the_o prison_n to_o they_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o proclaim_v the_o acceptable_a year_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o day_n of_o vengeance_n of_o our_o god_n to_o comfort_v all_o that_o mourn_v to_o appoint_v unto_o they_o that_o mourn_v in_o zion_n to_o give_v unto_o they_o beauty_n for_o ash_n the_o oil_n of_o joy_n for_o mourn_v the_o garment_n of_o praise_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o heaviness_n that_o they_o may_v be_v call_v tree_n of_o righteousness_n the_o plant_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o may_v be_v glorify_v and_o they_o shall_v build_v the_o old_a waste_v they_o shall_v raise_v up_o the_o former_a desolation_n and_o they_o shall_v repair_v the_o waste_a city_n the_o desolation_n of_o many_o generation_n and_o stranger_n shall_v stand_v and_o feed_v your_o flock_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o alien_n shall_v be_v your_o plowman_n and_o your_o vine_n dresser_n but_o you_o shall_v be_v name_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o lord_n man_n shall_v call_v you_o the_o minister_n of_o our_o god_n you_o shall_v eat_v the_o riches_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o their_o glory_n shall_v you_o boast_v yourselves_o for_o your_o shame_n you_o shall_v have_v double_a and_o for_o confusion_n they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o their_o portion_n therefore_o in_o their_o land_n they_o shall_v possess_v the_o double_a everlasting_a joy_n shall_v be_v upon_o they_o in_o short_a he_o represent_v in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a oracle_n the_o gentile_n as_o a_o people_n be_v in_o darkness_n and_o in_o the_o misery_n of_o a_o prison_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o infer_v first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n how_o vile_a and_o abject_a soever_o that_o character_n may_v appear_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o it_o be_v where_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n second_o that_o he_o be_v to_o discharge_v these_o function_n during_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v his_o chief_a employment_n here_o upon_o earth_n david_n have_v before_o signify_v psalm_n xxii_o verse_n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o declare_v the_o name_n of_o god_n unto_o his_o brethren_n viz._n the_o jew_n by_o exercise_v his_o prophetical_a function_n in_o judea_n but_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v something_o more_o when_o he_o seem_v to_o point_v out_o galilee_n as_o the_o place_n where_o this_o sacred_a doctor_n be_v chief_o to_o fix_v his_o abode_n this_o be_v in_o effect_n insinuate_v when_o god_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v to_o begin_v his_o ministerial_a function_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o naphtali_n and_o zebulon_n isai_n ix_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o and_o 3._o nevertheless_o the_o dimness_n shall_v not_o be_v such_o as_o be_v in_o her_o vexation_n when_o at_o the_o first_o he_o light_o afflict_v the_o land_n of_o zebulon_n and_o the_o land_n of_o naphtali_n and_o afterward_o do_v more_o grievous_o afflict_v she_o by_o the_o way_n of_o the_o sea_n beyond_o jordan_n in_o galilee_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o people_n that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n have_v see_v a_o great_a light_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o land_n
doubt_n whether_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v at_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n or_o no_o especial_o since_o the_o apostle_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o particular_a have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o prophet_n so_o plain_o do_v foretell_v this_o truth_n chap._n xxv_o of_o the_o time_n which_o succeed_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o prophecy_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n thus_o we_o have_v see_v a_o abridgement_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a oracle_n utter_v either_o by_o god_n himself_o or_o by_o prophet_n who_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o declare_v his_o design_n i_o may_v easy_o have_v allege_v a_o far_o great_a number_n but_o i_o choose_v rather_o to_o content_v myself_o with_o these_o to_o avoid_v the_o confusion_n which_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o citation_n be_v apt_a to_o occasion_n and_o i_o question_v not_o but_o these_o i_o have_v mention_v will_v suffice_v to_o give_v we_o a_o idea_n of_o god_n promise_n concern_v the_o messiah_n sufficient_o great_a and_o enable_v we_o to_o make_v a_o judgement_n whether_o that_o which_o the_o christian_n declare_v to_o have_v be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o be_v so_o indeed_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n for_o the_o further_o clear_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o the_o whole_a matter_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o deserve_v a_o serious_a attention_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n have_v by_o degree_n put_v a_o end_n to_o those_o division_n that_o be_v between_o some_o other_o nation_n and_o the_o jew_n found_v on_o their_o hope_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o time_n of_o its_o accomplishment_n draw_v near_o we_o hear_v little_a now_o of_o the_o enmity_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n against_o the_o jew_n god_n have_v place_v they_o in_o the_o desert_n of_o paran_n they_o have_v indeed_o continue_v there_o in_o a_o manner_n invincible_a but_o also_o without_o any_o great_a communication_n with_o their_o neighbour_n nation_n as_o for_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n they_o have_v their_o kingdom_n on_o the_o border_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n and_o continue_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n since_o which_o we_o find_v little_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o as_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n whole_o confound_v with_o other_o nation_n only_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o few_o memorial_n of_o the_o ammonite_n who_o pretension_n to_o that_o promise_n be_v the_o weak_a of_o the_o two_o as_o be_v the_o posterity_n of_o lot_n young_a daughter_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o observe_n that_o most_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o david_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o follow_a prophet_n which_o thunder_n forth_o such_o terrible_a denunciation_n against_o the_o pride_n of_o those_o people_n threaten_v they_o with_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n and_o final_a destruction_n seem_v to_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n and_o jealousy_n their_o state_n quarrel_n which_o happen_v afterward_o succeed_v to_o this_o their_o first_o aversion_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o state_n and_o government_n of_o the_o edomite_n as_o well_o as_o their_o jealousy_n against_o israel_n continue_v till_o after_o cyrus_n who_o grant_v they_o the_o liberty_n of_o return_v to_o their_o own_o country_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v carry_v away_o captive_n with_o they_o by_o nabuchadnezzar_n but_o contrary_a to_o the_o hope_n they_o have_v of_o be_v reestablish_v to_o their_o former_a estate_n we_o find_v that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachy_n they_o continue_v in_o bondage_n to_o their_o neighbour_n yea_o to_o the_o jew_n themselves_o until_o herod_n the_o edomite_n possess_v himself_o of_o the_o throne_n of_o judea_n be_v probable_o flatter_v by_o those_o of_o his_o own_o nation_n and_o by_o some_o jew_n also_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o his_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n we_o must_v also_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o divine_a providence_n seem_v to_o have_v continue_v this_o people_n so_o long_o on_o purpose_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o be_v between_o they_o and_o the_o jew_n may_v preserve_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o promise_a messiah_n more_o fresh_a and_o lively_a and_o to_o engage_v man_n to_o a_o more_o attentive_a consideration_n of_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o same_o and_o that_o god_n by_o confound_v they_o afterward_o with_o other_o nation_n intend_v whole_o to_o take_v away_o their_o pretension_n the_o service_n which_o before_o they_o render_v to_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v no_o long_o needful_a after_o so_o clear_a and_o distinct_a a_o revelation_n this_o reflection_n will_v be_v own_v to_o be_v more_o than_o a_o conjecture_n if_o we_o consider_v god_n deal_v with_o the_o ten_o tribe_n god_n suffer_v they_o to_o be_v carry_v away_o captive_n by_o salmanassar_n leave_v only_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n levi_n and_o benjamin_n to_o be_v afterward_o the_o depositary_n of_o the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v keep_v some_o distance_n of_o time_n in_o his_o revelation_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n may_v be_v full_o and_o firm_o establish_v which_o as_o i_o have_v observe_v be_v do_v by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o prophecy_n respect_v some_o particular_a matter_n of_o fact_n near_o at_o hand_n so_o it_o please_v god_n for_o above_o four_o hundred_o year_n to_o leave_v the_o jew_n without_o the_o light_n of_o prophecy_n because_o that_o which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o till_o malachy_n time_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o know_v the_o messiah_n when_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o cessation_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v serve_v to_o increase_v their_o desire_n for_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o who_o day_n those_o gift_n which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a glory_n of_o their_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v restore_v in_o far_o great_a abundance_n than_o have_v ever_o be_v grant_v to_o they_o before_o a_o four_o reflection_n which_o be_v well_o worth_a our_o attentive_a consideration_n be_v that_o god_n so_o order_v it_o in_o his_o providence_n that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o greek_a about_o one_o hundred_o year_n after_o malachy_n that_o they_o may_v be_v communicate_v to_o all_o nation_n the_o greek_a tongue_n be_v at_o that_o time_n and_o indeed_o ever_o since_o the_o reign_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a a_o language_n the_o most_o know_a and_o general_o speak_v in_o the_o world_n he_o have_v with_o his_o power_n carry_v it_o into_o the_o south_n and_o east_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n hereby_o design_v these_o three_o thing_n first_o to_o establish_v and_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o divine_a oracle_n by_o deliver_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_a by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n at_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o king_n of_o egypt_n second_o to_o prevent_v cavil_v about_o the_o explication_n of_o those_o oracle_n thus_o for_o instance_n we_o see_v there_o be_v no_o place_n leave_v to_o dispute_v the_o translation_n of_o that_o prophecy_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v see_v the_o lxx_o interpreter_n who_o be_v jew_n have_v render_v it_o so_o themselves_o some_o age_n before_o any_o contest_v be_v start_v about_o it_o between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n the_o three_o be_v to_o prepare_v and_o dispose_v the_o heathen_a for_o receive_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o indeed_o we_o may_v easy_o comprehend_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o prophetical_a write_n shall_v be_v communicate_v to_o the_o heathen_a in_o order_n to_o their_o ready_a submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o they_o know_v by_o those_o character_n which_o have_v be_v give_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v not_o fit_v that_o the_o heathen_a shall_v whole_o depend_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o same_o divine_a oracle_n do_v express_o affirm_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v conclude_v these_o reflection_n with_o a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n since_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n first_o one_o find_v that_o this_o government_n subsist_v as_o distinct_a from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o ever_o it_o do_v before_o we_o see_v the_o honour_n wherewith_o alexander_n the_o great_a treat_v their_o high_a priest_n and_o that_o when_o he_o be_v appoint_v arbitrator_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o the_o samaritan_n he_o determine_v the_o matter_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n one_o see_v we_o
remarkable_a fact_n be_v declare_v by_o the_o angel_n gabriel_n who_o have_v before_o foretell_v to_o daniel_n the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o signify_v the_o exact_a time_n thereof_o the_o conception_n of_o isaac_n by_o a_o barren_a mother_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o samuel_n and_o john_n the_o baptist_n have_v be_v already_o declare_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o one_o miracle_n ought_v to_o serve_v as_o a_o preparation_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o great_a when_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n speak_v of_o the_o fact_n they_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n know_v throughout_o all_o jerusalem_n and_o which_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o their_o master_n beside_o we_o know_v the_o jealousy_n that_o be_v between_o the_o disciple_n of_o s._n john_n and_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n but_o we_o have_v a_o further_o account_v beside_o of_o the_o message_n of_o a_o angel_n to_o joseph_n after_o he_o have_v perceive_v that_o his_o betroth_a wife_n be_v with_o child_n for_o when_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o divorce_v she_o either_o by_o expose_v she_o to_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n deut._n xxii_o 23._o or_o else_o by_o exempt_n her_o from_o that_o extremity_n he_o be_v divert_v from_o his_o intention_n by_o this_o warn_n from_o heaven_n in_o all_o which_o we_o meet_v with_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v very_o probable_a for_o joseph_n express_v his_o hatred_n and_o dislike_n as_o conceive_v she_o to_o be_v debauch_v and_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o receive_v she_o but_o by_o a_o order_n from_o heaven_n moreover_o it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o we_o find_v all_o thing_n recite_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v necessary_a they_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v on_o supposition_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n for_o first_o we_o find_v this_o event_n appear_v incredible_a to_o the_o person_n herself_o who_o be_v design_v to_o effect_v it_o because_o she_o can_v not_o easy_o make_v the_o application_n at_o first_o 2._o it_o cause_v exceed_v joy_n to_o the_o person_n who_o see_v herself_o choose_v by_o god_n to_o fulfil_v so_o glorious_a a_o promise_n whereby_o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v to_o be_v restore_v to_o its_o ancient_a lustre_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o hymn_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n which_o if_o we_o compare_v with_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n we_o shall_v see_v that_o that_o family_n still_o retain_v all_o the_o piety_n of_o their_o ancestor_n with_o all_o those_o sign_n of_o acknowledgement_n which_o a_o event_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n do_v just_o require_v 3._o it_o appear_v that_o joseph_n acquiesce_v in_o this_o truth_n he_o who_o otherwise_o do_v not_o seem_v very_o credulous_a till_o he_o be_v instruct_v from_o heaven_n concern_v a_o matter_n so_o rare_a and_o difficult_a to_o be_v conceive_v he_o retire_v for_o some_o time_n into_o egypt_n and_o afford_v mary_n and_o her_o son_n all_o the_o service_n they_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v from_o he_o s._n helvidium_n contr._n helvidium_n i_o allege_v three_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o bless_a virgin_n to_o be_v betroth_v to_o joseph_n 1._o that_o the_o original_a of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o the_o pedigree_n of_o joseph_n to_o who_o she_o be_v relate_v 2._o that_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n she_o may_v not_o be_v stone_v as_o a_o adulteress_n 3._o that_o in_o her_o flight_n into_o egypt_n she_o may_v have_v the_o comfort_n of_o a_o guardian_n rather_o than_o of_o a_o husband_n neither_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v oppose_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o these_o matter_n but_o some_o very_a weak_a conjecture_n the_o first_o be_v that_o her_o be_v contract_v do_v something_o obscure_a the_o distinct_a notion_n of_o virginity_n and_o second_o that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n do_v always_o pass_v for_o the_o wife_n of_o joseph_n even_o according_a to_o the_o style_n of_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o and_o last_o that_o the_o relation_n which_o the_o evangelist_n give_v of_o this_o matter_n be_v not_o know_v till_o long_a after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o any_o reasonable_a reader_n in_o this_o thing_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n shall_v be_v betroth_v 1._o to_o secure_v her_o life_n which_o will_v have_v be_v in_o danger_n if_o she_o have_v be_v deliver_v whilst_o she_o be_v repute_v to_o be_v a_o virgin_n for_o she_o will_v have_v be_v accuse_v of_o whoredom_n and_o consequent_o have_v be_v put_v to_o death_n 2._o it_o be_v necessary_a she_o shall_v be_v betroth_v and_o pass_v for_o the_o lawful_a wife_n of_o joseph_n that_o her_o son_n may_v not_o be_v banish_v from_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n as_o a_o bastard_n in_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law._n as_o for_o the_o other_o objection_n i_o easy_o grant_v that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n always_o pass_v for_o the_o wife_n of_o joseph_n she_o herself_o say_v i_o and_o thy_o father_n seek_v thou_o but_o withal_o at_o that_o very_a time_n jesus_n christ_n unvail_v that_o mystery_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n maintain_v that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o who_o house_n he_o be_v at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v at_o a_o solemn_a feast_n of_o the_o jew_n where_o the_o whole_a nation_n be_v assemble_v and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o assembly_n of_o their_o doctor_n that_o he_o declare_v the_o temple_n to_o be_v the_o house_n of_o his_o father_n as_o he_o afterward_o constant_o call_v it_o we_o find_v he_o at_o another_o time_n declare_v the_o same_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o family_n at_o cana_n in_o galilee_n 4._o john_n ii_o 4._o woman_n what_o have_v i_o to_o do_v with_o thou_o say_v he_o to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n to_o put_v she_o in_o mind_n of_o some_o passage_n which_o can_v not_o but_o preserve_v in_o she_o a_o very_a particular_a respect_n for_o he_o he_o give_v yet_o a_o further_a degree_n of_o light_n into_o this_o matter_n when_o his_o mother_n seek_v to_o come_v at_o he_o he_o say_v who_o be_v my_o mother_n and_o who_o be_v my_o brethren_n that_o be_v kinsman_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o joseph_n be_v dead_a before_o our_o saviour_n enter_v upon_o his_o ministry_n however_o his_o make_n no_o mention_n of_o his_o repute_a father_n show_v how_o careful_a he_o be_v to_o avoid_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v obscure_v his_o miraculous_a birth_n last_o of_o all_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o this_o passage_n be_v not_o the_o only_a character_n which_o be_v to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n from_o all_o other_o but_o be_v to_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o his_o resurrection_n and_o those_o other_o proof_n of_o his_o divine_a nature_n it_o be_v at_o first_o not_o much_o insist_v on_o because_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n that_o it_o shall_v continue_v veil_v for_o some_o time_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o frequent_a apparition_n of_o angel_n and_o of_o god_n himself_o in_o a_o human_a form_n that_o so_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o humanity_n shall_v be_v establish_v by_o his_o life_n and_o death_n before_o the_o publication_n of_o his_o miraculous_a conception_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v up_o this_o truth_n and_o that_o the_o evangelist_n have_v put_v it_o in_o write_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n and_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o it_o be_v ever_o contest_v the_o evangelist_n describe_v the_o method_n which_o the_o jew_n take_v to_o make_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v doubt_v of_o and_o to_o slight_v his_o miracle_n and_o do_v we_o think_v they_o will_v not_o as_o well_o have_v give_v we_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o a_o thing_n of_o which_o till_o then_o never_o any_o instance_n have_v be_v know_v in_o the_o world_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n have_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v offend_v that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n after_o she_o be_v deliver_v of_o our_o saviour_n shall_v seat_v herself_o in_o the_o place_n appoint_v for_o virgin_n and_o that_o because_o zacharias_n the_o priest_n maintain_v she_o in_o so_o do_v he_o be_v thereupon_o kill_v by_o they_o between_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o altar_n with_o which_o our_o saviour_n upbraid_v the_o jew_n i_o know_v also_o that_o they_o affirm_v that_o she_o be_v force_v to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o her_o virginity_n by_o submit_v herself_o to_o a_o search_n of_o matron_n yet_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o she_o ever_o undergo_v any_o such_o examination_n of_o which_o the_o silence_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o s._n luke_n in_o particular_a full_o
care_n which_o he_o afterward_o take_v to_o confirm_v this_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o be_v a_o declare_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o soon_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n he_o preach_v he_o up_o for_o the_o messiah_n how_o come_v this_o sudden_a change_n he_o assert_n that_o he_o have_v see_v in_o heaven_n this_o jesus_n who_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o receive_v from_o he_o the_o apostleship_n according_o we_o find_v he_o preach_v by_o these_o order_n without_o any_o communication_n have_v with_o the_o first_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o relate_v these_o matter_n in_o a_o manner_n so_o little_o affect_v to_o advance_v his_o ministry_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o galatian_n who_o prefer_v s._n peter_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n before_o he_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n leave_v to_o doubt_v of_o they_o one_o ought_v to_o make_v a_o like_a reflection_n upon_o the_o conversion_n of_o cornelius_n the_o centurion_n he_o be_v a_o proselyte_n that_o be_v a_o gentile_a by_o birth_n but_o a_o jew_n by_o profession_n and_o by_o the_o employment_n he_o be_v in_o he_o have_v occasion_n of_o be_v more_o particular_o inform_v of_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o soldier_n who_o probable_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o he_o for_o he_o be_v in_o the_o garrison_n at_o caesarea_n which_o be_v not_o far_o from_o jerusalem_n yet_o however_o this_o cornelius_n after_o he_o have_v a_o vision_n which_o command_v he_o to_o send_v to_o joppa_n a_o place_n make_v famous_a because_o jonah_n the_o prophet_n set_v sail_n from_o thence_o who_o be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n this_o cornelius_n i_o say_v embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n become_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o caesarea_n and_o die_v a_o martyr_n for_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o great_a affection_n which_o s._n luke_n have_v for_o s._n paul_n confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n s._n luke_n have_v never_o see_v our_o saviour_n he_o be_v bear_v at_o antioch_n where_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o exercise_v his_o profession_n of_o physic_n yet_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o follow_v s._n paul_n in_o all_o place_n and_o write_v the_o history_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o preach_a who_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v because_o he_o have_v see_v the_o dead_a who_o christ_n have_v raise_v to_o life_n and_o have_v see_v s._n paul_n who_o jesus_n christ_n have_v dignify_v with_o the_o apostleship_n raise_v other_o also_o from_o the_o dead_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o who_o be_v first_o convince_v by_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n must_v needs_o have_v have_v very_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o jew_n have_v sadducee_n among_o they_o who_o deny_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o resurrection_n in_o general_a the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n especial_o have_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o decry_v the_o conduct_n the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o in_o particular_a to_o make_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n suspect_v and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o because_o jesus_n christ_n have_v foretell_v it_o and_o his_o apostle_n maintain_v that_o it_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v according_o if_o in_o opposition_n to_o these_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la there_o have_v only_o be_v the_o deposition_n of_o two_o or_o three_o person_n to_o confirm_v this_o fact_n there_o will_v have_v be_v reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o but_o we_o find_v that_o this_o thing_n which_o of_o it_o self_n seem_v hard_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o be_v otherwise_o so_o much_o contest_v be_v 1._o prove_v by_o ten_o several_a apparition_n 2._o it_o be_v attest_v by_o above_o five_o hundred_o disciple_n 3._o it_o be_v public_o preach_v by_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n at_o jerusalem_n itself_o and_o throughout_o all_o judea_n where_o it_o be_v most_o of_o all_o dispute_v 4._o it_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o very_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o s._n paul_n and_o cornelius_n and_o by_o thousand_o of_o those_o who_o have_v demand_v his_o death_n be_v convert_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n 5._o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o and_o 6._o it_o be_v not_o not_o only_a authorise_a by_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o three_o person_n who_o christ_n have_v raise_v to_o life_n and_o who_o live_v one_o of_o they_o at_o bethany_n fifteen_o furlong_n from_o jerusalem_n where_o jesus_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n another_o at_o naim_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v further_o verify_v by_o several_a resurrection_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o who_o christ_n have_v vouchsafe_v that_o astonish_a power_n it_o be_v also_o a_o very_a considerable_a thing_n that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n continue_v near_o forty_o year_n after_o the_o time_n that_o the_o apostle_n undertake_v open_o to_o preach_v up_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o capital_a article_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o yet_o in_o all_o that_o time_n it_o be_v never_o oppose_v by_o any_o public_a write_v either_o of_o the_o jew_n or_o gentile_n if_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o unjust_a intrigue_n against_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o abuse_v the_o world_n in_o this_o matter_n with_o calumniate_a story_n neither_o have_v the_o apostle_n be_v want_v to_o accuse_v the_o principal_a man_n of_o their_o nation_n of_o imposture_n and_o they_o have_v despise_v the_o most_o cruel_a of_o their_o punishment_n to_o maintain_v the_o justice_n of_o their_o charge_n and_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o will_v undertake_v to_o justify_v the_o calumny_n of_o their_o council_n though_o they_o see_v christianity_n spread_v itself_o not_o only_o over_o all_o judea_n but_o in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world._n to_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o it_o be_v this_o conduct_n of_o they_o be_v a_o manifest_a betray_n of_o their_o cause_n or_o rather_o a_o open_a acknowledgement_n that_o what_o they_o have_v publish_v against_o the_o innocency_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n be_v without_o all_o ground_n i_o foresee_v only_o one_o probable_a difficulty_n which_o can_v be_v oppose_v to_o the_o solidity_n of_o these_o reflection_n a_o jew_n may_v demand_v why_o jesus_n christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n do_v not_o converse_v as_o open_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o before_o that_o so_o he_o may_v have_v be_v know_v by_o those_o who_o have_v crucify_v he_o which_o will_v have_v put_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n out_o of_o doubt_n but_o to_o speak_v truth_n this_o objection_n be_v not_o reasonable_a for_o 1._o jesus_n christ_n have_v threaten_v the_o unbelieve_a jew_n they_o shall_v see_v he_o no_o more_o and_o he_o ought_v to_o make_v good_a his_o threaten_n 2._o who_o see_v not_o that_o they_o will_v have_v look_v upon_o his_o appear_v among_o they_o as_o a_o fantastic_a apparition_n after_o they_o have_v see_v he_o work_v so_o many_o miracle_n and_o have_v attribute_v they_o to_o the_o devil_n 3._o i_o say_v that_o such_o a_o apparition_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o rich_a man_n 31._o luke_n xvi_o 29_o 31._o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n if_o they_o hear_v not_o they_o neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a 4._o jesus_n christ_n have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n converse_v in_o galilee_n at_o nazareth_n and_o capernaum_n it_o be_v to_o the_o galilean_n and_o his_o disciple_n that_o he_o be_v chief_o to_o show_v himself_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o they_o as_o be_v the_o person_n who_o be_v particular_o to_o bear_v witness_n of_o this_o truth_n after_o so_o strong_a a_o presumption_n as_o the_o governor_n of_o that_o people_n have_v of_o christ_n resurrection_n found_v upon_o the_o earthquake_n which_o accompany_v it_o and_o upon_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o soldier_n to_o who_o the_o angel_n have_v appear_v have_v not_o they_o all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v this_o truth_n which_o they_o hear_v several_a time_n attest_v by_o they_o in_o full_a council_n and_o see_v confirm_v by_o miraculous_a cure_n which_o they_o can_v not_o question_v in_o the_o least_o last_o be_v not_o this_o objection_n the_o most_o ridiculous_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n for_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o these_o consideration_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o justify_v our_o saviour_n conduct_n when_o he_o give_v these_o proof_n of_o his_o resurrection_n do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o he_o do_v not_o make_v choice_n of_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o persuade_v the_o jew_n which_o they_o
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 promise_v chap._n xv._o that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v call_v the_o gentile_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o have_v already_o see_v what_o be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o distinction_n which_o he_o make_v of_o the_o jew_n from_o other_o nation_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n may_v by_o that_o mean_n be_v the_o more_o certain_o know_v in_o who_o all_o mankind_n have_v a_o right_a as_o be_v promise_v to_o adam_n god_n renew_v the_o idea_n of_o this_o truth_n in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n when_o he_o assure_v abraham_n before_o he_o give_v he_o the_o law_n of_o circumcision_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o nation_n shall_v be_v bless_v jacob_n enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n on_o his_o deathbed_n plain_o take_v this_o truth_n for_o grant_v when_o he_o say_v that_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v shiloh_n be_v to_o be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n gen._n xlix_o why_o do_v he_o not_o say_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o because_o he_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v and_o the_o gentile_n call_v in_o their_o stead_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o psalm_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n until_o malachi_n inclusive_o a_o thousand_o declaration_n of_o this_o future_a call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o though_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o idea_n which_o the_o prophet_n make_v use_v of_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o figurative_a describe_v the_o messiah_n as_o a_o conqueror_n who_o be_v to_o subdue_v the_o whole_a world_n to_o his_o dominion_n by_o the_o force_n of_o arm_n yet_o we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o other_o interweave_v with_o they_o which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o which_o not_o be_v capable_a of_o any_o other_o sense_n sufficient_o determine_v the_o other_o so_o as_o not_o to_o perplex_v the_o reader_n with_o those_o seem_a obscurity_n but_o jesus_n christ_n very_o distinct_o declare_v this_o in_o divers_a place_n and_o above_o all_o in_o the_o xxiv_o of_o s._n matthew_n this_o gospel_n say_v he_o shall_v be_v preach_v throughout_o all_o the_o world._n now_o nothing_o can_v ever_o be_v more_o exact_o fulfil_v than_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n have_v be_v let_v the_o jew_n cavil_v as_o long_o as_o they_o please_v about_o our_o application_n of_o many_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o our_o saviour_n let_v they_o put_v a_o sense_n upon_o the_o scripture_n which_o treat_v of_o this_o subject_a contrary_a to_o what_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o jesus_n christ_n ever_o do_v and_o to_o the_o most_o of_o those_o with_o who_o the_o first_o christian_n as_o justin_n tertullian_n and_o other_o from_o time_n to_o time_n dispute_v yet_o at_o least_o they_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o thing_n have_v be_v exact_o fulfil_v it_o be_v clear_a than_o the_o day_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o exact_a all_o christian_n from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o another_o worship_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachi_n jesus_n christ_n subject_v they_o to_o the_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o mahometan_n themselves_o have_v learn_v of_o the_o christian_n to_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o god_n but_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o multitude_n of_o false_a god_n which_o the_o world_n worship_v be_v vanish_v from_o all_o place_n where_o christianity_n have_v be_v plant_v and_o very_o few_o be_v leave_v in_o comparison_n of_o those_o which_o be_v already_o destroy_v so_o that_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o thing_n as_o already_o go_v very_o far_o in_o truth_n while_o thing_n continue_v thus_o one_o may_v reasonable_o maintain_v against_o the_o
palsy_n to_o the_o dead_a upon_o this_o all_o be_v convert_v and_o the_o cross_n of_o jesus_n christ_n triumph_v there_o be_v three_o sort_n of_o people_n in_o the_o world_n wise_a man_n man_n of_o a_o middle_a sort_n and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o low_a capacity_n and_o several_a of_o these_o three_o order_n of_o man_n make_v profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o heathen_n chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o this_o reflection_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v more_o than_o once_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o proper_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n beyond_o all_o contest_v or_o that_o will_v confound_v atheist_n profane_a person_n and_o jew_n who_o endeavour_n to_o oppose_v it_o more_o effectual_o i_o say_v then_o that_o the_o chief_a article_n on_o which_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v be_v confirm_v by_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v by_o witness_n who_o evidence_n can_v be_v question_v without_o shake_v all_o the_o certainty_n which_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n and_o without_o reject_v all_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o can_v assure_v ourselves_o of_o the_o knowledge_n which_o we_o enjoy_v many_o particular_a event_n which_o be_v perfect_o divine_a happen_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o be_v know_v throughout_o all_o the_o hill_n country_n of_o judea_n they_o happen_v to_o a_o priest_n that_o be_v a_o public_a person_n and_o it_o be_v when_o he_o be_v employ_v in_o his_o public_a function_n in_o the_o temple_n they_o be_v second_v by_o miracle_n which_o be_v know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v follow_v by_o the_o public_a ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n a_o man_n who_o censure_v all_o judea_n who_o open_o declare_v himself_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o who_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o disciple_n who_o be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n who_o be_v spread_v throughout_o all_o judea_n and_o who_o continue_v after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n these_o be_v disciple_n of_o a_o man_n who_o beside_o all_o this_o do_v not_o keep_v up_o any_o correspondence_n with_o our_o saviour_n and_o who_o at_o last_o fall_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o herod_n for_o censure_v his_o incest_n and_o lust_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n under_o augustus_n a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o roman_a commissioner_n be_v witness_n and_o which_o the_o record_n of_o that_o empire_n preserve_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v in_o be_v that_o the_o angel_n testify_v their_o joy_n at_o his_o birth_n be_v a_o fact_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o shepherd_n of_o bethlehem_n long_o before_o jesus_n christ_n have_v any_o disciple_n that_o a_o new_a star_n conduct_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o east_n to_o bethlehem_n be_v a_o illustrious_a fact_n and_o of_o which_o herod_n and_o the_o priest_n and_o great_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v exact_o inform_v and_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v find_v it_o a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o impose_v this_o upon_o they_o if_o the_o thing_n have_v not_o be_v distinct_o know_v that_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o arrival_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n affright_v herod_n be_v a_o public_a thing_n confirm_v by_o the_o murder_n of_o the_o infant_n of_o bethlehem_n and_o report_v to_o augustus_n together_o with_o the_o death_n of_o antipater_n whereof_o macrobius_n a_o heathen_a who_o be_v qualify_v for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o a_o story_n have_v preserve_v the_o memory_n neither_o can_v this_o fact_n be_v call_v in_o question_n because_o josephus_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o since_o so_o famous_a a_o heathen_a atte_v it_o augustus_n say_v he_o have_v hear_v that_o among_o the_o infant_n which_o herod_n the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v cause_v to_o be_v kill_v in_o syria_n under_o two_o year_n of_o age_n he_o have_v kill_v his_o own_o son_n say_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v herod_n be_v hog_n than_o his_o son._n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o egypt_n and_o that_o he_o return_v from_o thence_o be_v a_o fact_n with_o which_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n reproach_v our_o saviour_n as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v there_o the_o secret_a of_o work_a miracle_n that_o he_o confound_v the_o doctor_n at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v inform_v because_o it_o happen_v at_o one_o of_o those_o three_o solemn_a feast_n which_o bring_v up_o the_o whole_a nation_n to_o jerusalem_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v by_o s._n john_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v a_o most_o glorious_a testimony_n from_o he_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o those_o jew_n who_o the_o ministry_n of_o s._n john_n have_v draw_v to_o the_o river_n jordan_n be_v witness_n that_o jesus_n christ_n choose_v for_o his_o apostle_n man_n without_o learning_n and_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n that_o he_o live_v with_o they_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a preach_v his_o doctrine_n correct_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n work_v miracle_n and_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n and_o all_o the_o roman_n that_o be_v in_o judea_n be_v full_o inform_v of_o they_o yea_o they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o the_o world._n the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o who_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o celebrate_v ten_o solemn_a feast_n according_a to_o the_o law_n during_o the_o time_n in_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v act_v and_o from_o thence_o carry_v the_o report_n of_o they_o into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n where_o they_o be_v disperse_v it_o be_v evident_a also_o that_o jesus_n christ_n labour_v to_o persuade_v man_n that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a fact_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o most_o important_a point_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o touch_v they_o the_o near_a a_o fact_n which_o happen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o all_o be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o consultation_n of_o herod_n when_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v oppress_v by_o the_o roman_n do_v most_o earnest_o sigh_v for_o his_o appearance_n a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o public_a oracle_n and_o know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n yea_o to_o the_o heathen_a themselves_o for_o near_o three_o hundred_o year_n that_o jesus_n christ_n notwithstanding_o all_o his_o miracle_n be_v crucify_v at_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o by_o the_o order_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n because_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n that_o be_v at_o a_o solemnity_n where_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v assemble_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o no_o heathen_n ever_o go_v about_o to_o deny_v they_o reproach_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o who_o be_v so_o little_a ashamed_a of_o it_o that_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o same_o jesus_n they_o celebrate_v the_o memorial_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n that_o there_o be_v thick_a darkness_n over_o all_o the_o land_n at_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o three_o hour_n till_o the_o six_o that_o be_v from_o nine_o of_o the_o clock_n till_o twelve_o according_a to_o our_o way_n of_o compute_v the_o time_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v easy_o have_v convince_v the_o apostle_n of_o this_o imposture_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v as_o confess_v a_o truth_n as_o the_o darkness_n in_o egypt_n before_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o israelite_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v the_o three_o day_n be_v a_o fact_n attest_v by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o witness_n the_o memorial_n whereof_o they_o celebrate_v every_o eight_o day_n as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v by_o a_o constant_a law_n because_o they_o consider_v this_o resurrection_n as_o the_o seal_n of_o those_o truth_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v teach_v they_o it_o be_v a_o fact_n the_o truth_n whereof_o they_o have_v maintain_v before_o magistrate_n before_o the_o people_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world._n it_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v public_o preach_v up_o notwithstanding_o all_o prohibition_n which_o have_v be_v make_v in_o short_a it_o be_v a_o
fact_n which_o they_o have_v assert_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torment_n and_o even_o until_o death_n that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v down_o upon_o his_o apostle_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o witness_n fifty_o day_n after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n when_o jesus_n christ_n be_v crucify_v it_o be_v as_o remarkable_a a_o fact_n as_o ever_o happen_v twelve_o fisherman_n of_o galilee_n maintain_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o the_o whole_a nation_n have_v demand_v to_o be_v crucify_v but_o fifty_o day_n before_o and_o who_o do_v actual_o suffer_v upon_o a_o infamous_a cross_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n after_o he_o have_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o they_o and_o have_v appear_v several_a time_n to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o that_o he_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o of_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n that_o they_o speak_v divers_a language_n be_v a_o fact_n most_o notorious_a the_o truth_n whereof_o appear_v from_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v find_v to_o be_v fill_v with_o their_o disciple_n but_o a_o few_o year_n after_o this_o fact_n be_v do_v that_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o heal_v all_o disease_n as_o well_o as_o their_o master_n be_v a_o fact_n the_o truth_n whereof_o be_v establish_v upon_o indisputable_a testimony_n insomuch_o as_o their_o successor_n receive_v the_o same_o gift_n by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o their_o hand_n two_o hundred_o year_n after_o tertullian_n mention_n this_o gift_n as_o be_v at_o that_o time_n well_o know_v among_o christian_n that_o the_o apostle_n after_o they_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o jew_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n who_o also_o receive_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o there_o be_v so_o many_o proof_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n that_o the_o convert_a jew_n strong_o oppose_v themselves_o against_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n pretend_v as_o the_o jew_n now_o do_v that_o the_o messiah_n with_o his_o gift_n and_o grace_n be_v confine_v to_o their_o nation_n be_v a_o fact_n so_o well_o attest_v that_o it_o can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o first_o dispute_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o first_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o contest_v of_o s._n paul_n with_o those_o of_o his_o own_o nation_n that_o since_o that_o time_n the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n have_v maintain_v by_o their_o write_n and_o dispute_n and_o final_o by_o their_o martyrdom_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n that_o they_o have_v constant_o stand_v to_o this_o claim_n allege_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o gospel_n propose_v and_o maintain_v that_o the_o matter_n there_o relate_v be_v exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n that_o all_o this_o be_v unquestionable_a one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o sermon_n and_o speech_n set_v down_o by_o s._n luke_n and_o their_o epistle_n one_o needs_o only_o peruse_v the_o heathen_a history_n and_o the_o work_n of_o those_o that_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n who_o follow_v their_o footstep_n in_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o apostle_n discharge_v their_o follower_n from_o the_o ceremony_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v oblige_v they_o only_o to_o the_o essential_o of_o morality_n that_o they_o annul_v the_o law_n which_o permit_v divorce_n without_o sufficient_a cause_n and_o polygamy_n these_o be_v thing_n which_o none_n who_o have_v read_v their_o write_n or_o those_o of_o their_o first_o disciple_n can_v in_o the_o least_o question_n last_o that_o they_o foretell_v many_o thing_n as_o well_o as_o their_o master_n that_o they_o publish_v their_o prediction_n which_o they_o have_v extend_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o return_n of_o jesus_n from_o heaven_n to_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o that_o they_o have_v record_v the_o particular_n of_o many_o considerable_a event_n observe_v by_o the_o christian_n which_o have_v happen_v from_o time_n to_o time_n these_o be_v fact_n as_o well_o know_v and_o as_o incontestable_a as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v in_o the_o world_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n whole_a nation_n be_v witness_n of_o it_o differ_v sect_n interpreter_n who_o have_v several_a opinion_n concern_v these_o prophecy_n the_o contest_v of_o the_o jew_n the_o opposition_n of_o atheist_n the_o cavil_n of_o heretic_n the_o cruelty_n of_o tyrant_n all_o these_o concur_v to_o prove_v clear_o that_o the_o christian_n receive_v these_o prophecy_n from_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o since_o even_o these_o opposition_n be_v foretell_v as_o well_o as_o the_o persecution_n thus_o 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 fact_n than_o what_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n here_o mention_v the_o design_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n for_o instance_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o that_o in_o his_o birth_n his_o life_n his_o doctrine_n his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n we_o meet_v with_o all_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n how_o do_v the_o evangelist_n execute_v this_o their_o design_n in_o the_o most_o proper_a way_n imaginable_a to_o convince_v other_o and_o most_o proportionable_a to_o their_o design_n they_o simple_o relate_v the_o fact_n and_o fact_n so_o clear_a that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o we_o can_v doubt_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n they_o relate_v the_o most_o important_a of_o these_o fact_n as_o thing_n that_o happen_v in_o
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world_n that_o have_v be_v preserve_v with_o the_o like_a carefulness_n let_v the_o jew_n tell_v we_o what_o they_o please_v concern_v the_o care_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o ancestor_n to_o preserve_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o can_v allege_v nothing_o but_o we_o can_v allege_v the_o same_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o moses_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o a_o curse_n have_v forbid_v the_o add_v any_o thing_n thereto_o and_o do_v not_o we_o read_v the_o same_o threaten_n in_o the_o last_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o philosopher_n of_o each_o sect_n have_v nothing_o of_o this_o weight_n to_o allege_v as_o a_o argument_n that_o the_o book_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o their_o master_n be_v real_o they_o we_o find_v only_o a_o few_o man_n in_o every_o age_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n physician_n and_o lawyer_n but_o ever_o 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time_n by_o those_o who_o otherwise_o be_v account_v orthodox_n yet_o this_o can_v just_o prejudice_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o happen_v only_o to_o some_o few_o epistle_n which_o be_v write_v not_o to_o particular_a church_n but_o to_o whole_a nation_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o common_a sense_n that_o when_o write_n be_v send_v to_o whole_a body_n as_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n judas_n without_o communicate_v the_o copy_n to_o particular_a man_n that_o they_o may_v with_o more_o justice_n be_v suspect_v than_o those_o who_o hand_n be_v know_v by_o many_o and_o particular_o by_o those_o to_o who_o the_o epistle_n be_v send_v moreover_o the_o account_n which_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n give_v we_o of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o nature_n sufficient_o show_v that_o they_o be_v very_o careful_a in_o examine_v these_o thing_n and_o when_o at_o any_o time_n some_o particular_a man_n do_v not_o use_v 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strong_a when_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o short_a these_o book_n be_v write_v to_o be_v read_v by_o person_n of_o the_o mean_a capacity_n by_o woman_n by_o child_n as_o well_o as_o by_o doctor_n and_o they_o treat_v of_o matter_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v inform_v if_o some_o jew_n suffer_v martyrdom_n under_o antiochus_n to_o preserve_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v like_o example_n and_o as_o numerous_a of_o those_o who_o have_v do_v as_o much_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testameat_n last_o if_o the_o jew_n have_v look_v upon_o those_o as_o traitor_n and_o apostate_n who_o give_v up_o those_o book_n to_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o persecutor_n the_o christian_n have_v testify_v no_o less_o aversion_n for_o those_o who_o deliver_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o fury_n of_o heathen_n even_o to_o the_o subject_n of_o they_o to_o the_o utmost_a rigour_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n in_o the_o three_o century_n and_o before_o chap._n xviii_o that_o one_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v neither_o be_v it_o more_o difficult_a to_o establish_v this_o second_o truth_n that_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v be_v reasonable_o question_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o one_o needs_o only_o consider_v the_o character_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o character_n of_o their_o write_n of_o their_o sermon_n of_o their_o suffering_n and_o of_o their_o martyrdom_n and_o last_o of_o all_o the_o character_n of_o those_o among_o who_o they_o write_v these_o thing_n and_o preach_v they_o to_o their_o death_n as_o to_o their_o sermon_n the_o apostle_n be_v contemporary_n with_o jesus_n christ_n they_o speak_v of_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o distinguish_v they_o careful_o from_o those_o which_o they_o have_v learn_v another_o way_n they_o be_v honest_a man_n simple_a and_o without_o learning_n very_o fit_a to_o bear_v witness_n in_o matter_n of_o fact._n they_o be_v person_n that_o preach_v nothing_o but_o love_n and_o the_o study_n of_o truth_n they_o protest_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o suffering_n that_o they_o can_v not_o conceal_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v they_o be_v man_n without_o covetousness_n or_o ambition_n they_o forsake_v all_o that_o they_o possess_v in_o the_o world_n s._n matthew_n leave_v his_o house_n and_o good_n to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n their_o epistle_n speak_v nothing_o more_o than_o instance_n of_o christian_a poverty_n of_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o good_n and_o of_o mighty_a instance_n of_o their_o charity_n these_o witness_n be_v sufficient_o numerous_a they_o preach_v and_o write_v in_o several_a place_n and_o yet_o they_o agree_v admirable_o in_o their_o relation_n of_o the_o same_o fact_n it_o appear_v they_o have_v such_o 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a_o design_n to_o deceive_v the_o world_n they_o tell_v you_o plain_o of_o the_o meanness_n of_o their_o condition_n and_o original_n they_o sincere_o discover_v their_o own_o weakness_n their_o ambition_n their_o vanity_n their_o dispute_n their_o heat_n their_o murmur_n s._n matthew_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v a_o publican_n that_o be_v a_o servant_n of_o the_o roman_a power_n who_o the_o jew_n look_v upon_o as_o a_o excommunicate_v person_n and_o as_o a_o enemy_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n he_o relate_v the_o ridiculous_a pretention_n of_o the_o son_n of_o zebedee_n found_v on_o the_o carnal_a notion_n of_o their_o mother_n concern_v the_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o set_v down_o s._n peter_n deny_v of_o his_o master_n they_o do_v not_o dissemble_v their_o common_a ignorance_n which_o make_v they_o expect_v a_o temporal_a king_n in_o jesus_n christ_n they_o frank_o publish_v their_o own_o incredulity_n when_o mary_n magdalen_n bring_v they_o the_o news_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o they_o describe_v the_o obstinate_a resistance_n of_o s._n thomas_n about_o this_o matter_n against_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o all_o his_o companion_n they_o do_v not_o content_v themselves_o with_o say_v in_o general_a that_o some_o illustrious_a fact_n have_v happen_v but_o they_o punctual_o set_v down_o all_o the_o circumstance_n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v their_o design_n be_v to_o have_v their_o writing_n examine_v and_o that_o after_o a_o exact_a search_n man_n may_v acquiesce_v in_o the_o conclusion_n which_o they_o draw_v from_o thence_o for_o instance_n they_o do_v not_o tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n raise_v a_o great_a many_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o only_o tell_v we_o of_o three_o describe_v the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o resurrection_n the_o time_n the_o place_n the_o age_n the_o person_n the_o assistant_n and_o all_o these_o with_o other_o particular_n which_o impostor_n care_v not_o to_o enter_v upon_o lest_o they_o shall_v contradict_v themselves_o or_o be_v easy_o confute_v i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o which_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v write_v be_v such_o as_o will_v not_o permit_v we_o to_o accuse_v they_o of_o have_v have_v a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n they_o be_v fact_n and_o not_o discourse_n which_o be_v leave_v upon_o record_n and_o fact_n relate_v to_o the_o most_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o world_n than_o which_o none_o be_v ever_o more_o thorough_o examine_v they_o be_v fact_n which_o be_v link_v so_o close_o and_o which_o have_v so_o strict_a a_o dependence_n one_o upon_o the_o other_o and_o so_o interweave_v with_o the_o most_o public_a transaction_n either_o in_o civil_a or_o religious_a affair_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o form_v the_o design_n of_o such_o a_o imposture_n in_o short_a it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o these_o fact_n be_v public_o know_v to_o the_o king_n of_o judea_n to_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n to_o the_o principal_a minister_n of_o state_n and_o of_o their_o religion_n and_o to_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n assemble_v ten_o several_a time_n at_o their_o solemn_a feast_n to_o the_o several_a sect_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n the_o pharisee_n sadducee_n and_o essen_v who_o be_v attack_v censure_v and_o confute_v in_o these_o book_n one_o ought_v to_o consider_v after_o all_o that_o the_o apostle_n at_o first_o preach_v and_o write_v in_o judea_n where_o be_v the_o witness_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o relate_v the_o impotent_a the_o blind_a the_o deaf_a which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v restore_v the_o dead_a who_o he_o raise_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o he_o censure_v the_o sadducee_n who_o he_o confute_v the_o auditor_n who_o have_v hear_v he_o preach_v the_o town_n wherein_o he_o have_v converse_v most_o familiar_o the_o same_o people_n that_o follow_v he_o the_o same_o enemy_n that_o conspire_v his_o death_n the_o same_o judge_n and_o the_o same_o authority_n which_o condemn_v he_o to_o death_n s._n luke_n in_o the_o relation_n he_o give_v we_o of_o the_o speech_n and_o apology_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v before_o king_n before_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o synagogue_n bring_v they_o in_o speak_v of_o the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o of_o matter_n public_o know_v and_o attest_v by_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o witness_n thus_o s._n peter_n speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o ten_o of_o the_o act_n and_o the_o other_o sacred_a writer_n speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n in_o their_o epistle_n here_o be_v a_o new_a character_n which_o we_o ought_v careful_o to_o observe_v we_o find_v no_o temporal_a interest_n which_o oblige_v the_o disciple_n to_o adhere_v to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o we_o find_v yet_o less_o reason_n to_o
suppose_v if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o they_o have_v not_o see_v he_o after_o his_o death_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v have_v any_o concern_n for_o his_o glory_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v condemn_v and_o anathematise_v he_o as_o a_o impostor_n who_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o false_a miracle_n and_o a_o affect_a holiness_n have_v abuse_v they_o whereas_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o they_o defend_v the_o glory_n of_o jesus_n christ_n with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o that_o with_o so_o constant_a a_o testimony_n to_o his_o resurrection_n that_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o reproach_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o punishment_n and_o most_o cruel_a death_n to_o confirm_v the_o belief_n of_o that_o fact._n they_o despise_v the_o anathema_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n they_o contemn_v their_o public_a obloquy_n they_o value_v not_o the_o hatred_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n they_o preach_v this_o crucify_a person_n in_o judea_n they_o preach_v he_o also_o in_o other_o country_n that_o he_o may_v be_v equal_o adore_v by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n they_o leave_v their_o employment_n to_o follow_v this_o jesus_n and_o after_o they_o have_v accompany_v he_o three_o year_n they_o depart_v from_o judea_n to_o go_v and_o confound_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o world_n and_o within_o rome_n itself_o to_o decry_v the_o god_n they_o worship_v oblige_v they_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o who_o the_o man_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v crucify_v for_o their_o god_n he_o who_o have_v be_v the_o detestation_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o who_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n have_v give_v up_o to_o their_o fury_n in_o make_v he_o undergo_v the_o punishment_n appoint_v for_o slave_n last_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n in_o this_o whole_a question_n that_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v so_o uniform_a so_o solemn_a so_o well_o confirm_v by_o all_o manner_n of_o mean_n and_o seal_v with_o their_o death_n be_v not_o contest_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o historian_n of_o that_o time_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a either_o for_o jew_n or_o gentile_n than_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o hand_n they_o be_v master_n of_o the_o public_a record_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o general_a concernment_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o a_o imposture_n of_o so_o terrible_a a_o consequence_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v entire_o false_a neither_o be_v it_o less_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o expose_v a_o sect_n of_o who_o pliny_n the_o young_a tell_v we_o that_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n join_v with_o they_o though_o they_o be_v persecute_v with_o incredible_a violence_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o find_v no_o body_n that_o have_v contradict_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o any_o author_n that_o have_v write_v against_o jesus_n christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n a_o long_a time_n after_o indeed_o there_o be_v a_o book_n see_v call_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n publish_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n which_o endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o those_o act_n be_v contradict_v by_o all_o the_o heathen_a historian_n yet_o remain_v that_o be_v contemporay_v with_o the_o apostle_n final_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v immediate_o convince_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o belief_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v pass_v from_o judea_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o prediction_n which_o god_n give_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o our_o saviour_n chap._n xix_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n what_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o establish_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o for_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o reader_n concern_v so_o weighty_a a_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v superadd_a some_o few_o more_o reflection_n first_o of_o all_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v vast_o different_a from_o those_o which_o may_v be_v suspect_v as_o forgery_n when_o the_o four_o evangelist_n have_v relate_v the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n they_o next_o set_v down_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n with_o the_o action_n of_o his_o life_n until_o his_o death_n which_o do_v not_o comprehend_v above_o four_o or_o five_o year_n s._n luke_n write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o s._n paul_n and_o take_v in_o only_a the_o space_n of_o about_o thirty_o year_n now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o they_o who_o confine_v themselves_o to_o so_o narrow_a limit_n in_o respect_n of_o time_n place_n and_o person_n have_v any_o design_n to_o impose_v the_o remainder_n of_o these_o book_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o write_n one_o epistolary_n and_o the_o other_o prophetical_a for_o the_o prophetical_a part_n time_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o apocalypse_v as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o which_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o epistle_n beside_o some_o moral_a instruction_n they_o be_v almost_o all_o employ_v in_o decide_v some_o question_n which_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n have_v raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n we_o know_v that_o of_o all_o write_n epistle_n be_v the_o most_o certain_a monument_n and_o those_o which_o man_n endeavour_v to_o forge_v least_o after_o all_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v with_o great_a care_n set_v down_o the_o time_n in_o which_o every_o event_n happen_v as_o well_o according_a to_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o point_v out_o to_o we_o their_o solemn_a feast_n as_o that_o of_o the_o gentile_n by_o set_v down_o the_o year_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o the_o character_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n a_o second_o character_n which_o hinder_v we_o from_o accuse_v these_o book_n as_o forgery_n be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o these_o book_n be_v of_o a_o very_a particular_a nature_n they_o contain_v several_a considerable_a oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o same_o generation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o croesus_n a_o continue_a series_n of_o miracle_n of_o which_o all_o judea_n be_v witness_v they_o contain_v a_o great_a number_n of_o sermon_n preach_v upon_o several_a illustrious_a occasion_n in_o the_o synagogue_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o before_o thousand_o of_o people_n in_o the_o wilderness_n let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v these_o write_n to_o be_v receive_v if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v late_o forge_v this_o three_o reflection_n be_v also_o considerable_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o epistle_n themselves_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v numerous_a church_n at_o rome_n corinth_n thessalonica_n philippi_n ephesus_n antioch_n and_o in_o several_a other_o famous_a place_n it_o be_v also_o know_v that_o there_o be_v jewish_a synagogue_n in_o the_o same_o place_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n what_o possibility_n be_v there_o of_o suspect_v the_o least_o imposture_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o we_o consider_v how_o they_o be_v draw_v up_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o only_o preach_v in_o the_o synagogue_n the_o same_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v put_v in_o writing_n but_o they_o also_o engage_v the_o jew_n to_o examine_v they_o because_o they_o affirm_v they_o with_o a_o constancy_n which_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o as_o incredible_a obstinacy_n first_o of_o all_o that_o these_o be_v thing_n beyond_o dispute_n and_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v of_o second_o that_o they_o have_v be_v long_o since_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n three_o that_o they_o be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o other_o prophecy_n which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n four_o that_o see_v they_o can_v not_o question_v the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o ought_v to_o renounce_v judaisme_n to_o receive_v baptism_n and_o
the_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o twelve_o prince_n or_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n do_v contribute_v towards_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o build_n of_o it_o if_o the_o child_n of_o zebedee_n be_v call_v boanerges_n it_o be_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o second_o of_o haggai_n yet_o once_o and_o i_o will_v shake_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n that_o the_o heathen_n be_v describe_v as_o a_o people_n afar_o off_o and_o what_o be_v speak_v concern_v the_o wall_n of_o partition_n have_v a_o visible_a respect_n to_o the_o gentile_n be_v prohibit_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o holy_a place_n of_o the_o temple_n if_o i_o will_v instance_n in_o all_o the_o mystical_a relation_n of_o the_o one_o volume_n to_o the_o other_o i_o may_v say_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o singular_a conformity_n between_o they_o even_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v most_o opposite_a moses_n the_o first_o and_o great_a minister_n of_o the_o law_n have_v a_o stammer_a speech_n zachary_n the_o father_n of_o s._n john_n the_o baptist_n be_v strike_v dumb_a when_o he_o be_v to_o pronounce_v the_o solemn_a blessing_n to_o the_o people_n where_o as_o jesus_n christ_n on_o the_o contrary_n have_v this_o character_n give_v of_o he_o that_o never_o man_n speak_v like_o he_o god_n say_v at_o the_o beginning_n increase_v and_o multiply_v he_o repeat_v the_o same_o to_o noah_n in_o order_n to_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o replenish_n the_o earth_n jesus_n christ_n say_v go_v and_o teach_v all_o nation_n and_o the_o word_n be_v constant_o represent_v to_o we_o as_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o regeneration_n and_o paptism_n as_o the_o laver_n or_o wash_n whereby_o we_o acquire_v a_o new_a birth_n we_o see_v noah_n receive_v the_o dove_n into_o the_o ark_n with_o a_o olive_n branch_n as_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o heaven_n and_o jesus_n christ_n receive_v a_o like_a token_n fire_n fall_v down_o from_o heaven_n on_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o abel_n noah_n moses_n david_n solomon_n and_o elijah_n as_o a_o token_n that_o god_n accept_v their_o offering_n and_o god_n send_v the_o same_o mark_n of_o his_o favour_n on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n to_o declare_v that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v most_o acceptable_a to_o he_o god_n have_v forbid_v the_o high_a priest_n to_o rend_v his_o clothes_n on_o any_o occasion_n whatsoever_o that_o rend_v of_o garment_n involve_v a_o mystery_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o history_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v that_o the_o high_a priest_n rend_v his_o clothes_n at_o the_o condemnation_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o thereby_o violate_v for_o ever_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o priesthood_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o find_v the_o garment_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n be_v leave_v whole_a and_o entire_a to_o signify_v to_o we_o the_o eternity_n of_o his_o priesthood_n we_o see_v that_o the_o ear_n of_o malchus_n the_o high_a priest_n servant_n be_v cut_v off_o by_o s._n peter_n and_o that_o jesus_n christ_n restore_v it_o again_o to_o show_v that_o the_o synagogue_n have_v lose_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o jesus_n christ_n alone_o be_v able_a to_o restore_v it_o we_o see_v the_o holy_a place_n in_o the_o temple_n open_v at_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o rend_n of_o the_o veil_n which_o signify_v that_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v then_o to_o lose_v its_o force_n and_o authority_n but_o the_o observation_n already_o make_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v out_o what_o i_o intend_v without_o have_v recourse_n to_o these_o mystery_n and_o i_o believe_v no_o man_n can_v make_v such_o reflection_n without_o be_v persuade_v that_o so_o great_a a_o conformity_n of_o idea_n must_v necessary_o imply_v a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n now_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v that_o this_o unity_n of_o design_n shall_v be_v so_o constant_o observe_v by_o different_a author_n who_o live_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n place_n and_o interest_n without_o be_v convince_v of_o a_o perpetual_a divine_a guidance_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o may_v be_v find_v some_o decision_n which_o seem_v whole_o opposite_a to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a for_o instance_n we_o find_v there_o a_o total_a abrogation_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o all_o those_o observation_n have_v no_o other_o use_n but_o to_o distinguish_v the_o jew_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v to_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v so_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o conceive_v that_o all_o those_o ceremony_n be_v of_o course_n to_o be_v abolish_v after_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o if_o we_o consider_v thing_n in_o this_o view_n we_o shall_v find_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o between_o moses_n who_o establish_v these_o ceremony_n and_o the_o apostle_n who_o abolish_v they_o but_o before_o we_o come_v to_o confirm_v these_o ground_n we_o must_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o follow_a chapter_n chap._n ii_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o i_o here_o to_o show_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v lively_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o appear_v from_o the_o fable_n which_o the_o rabbi_n tell_v origen_n concern_v zedechiah_n and_o ahiab_n who_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n burn_v for_o persuade_v the_o jewish_a woman_n that_o they_o be_v the_o person_n that_o be_v to_o conceive_v the_o messiah_n but_o i_o intend_v to_o make_v use_n of_o proof_n of_o a_o different_a nature_n now_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n we_o need_v only_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n concern_v he_o be_v the_o first_o the_o most_o important_a and_o repeat_v with_o the_o great_a assiduity_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o consequent_o it_o employ_v they_o the_o most_o god_n have_v for_o this_o reason_n oblige_v they_o to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n to_o sing_v the_o psalm_n of_o david_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n where_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o thousand_o time_n repeat_v we_o may_v add_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o light_n to_o this_o observation_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n engage_v they_o to_o give_v more_o diligent_a heed_n to_o what_o the_o prophet_n have_v declare_v and_o by_o weigh_v several_a matter_n of_o fact_n set_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n to_o show_v the_o universal_a effect_n of_o the_o lively_a impression_n of_o this_o notion_n of_o the_o messiah_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n without_o doubt_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n be_v equal_o oppress_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o that_o of_o herod_n can_v not_o but_o put_v they_o upon_o a_o careful_a examine_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v so_o often_o vouchsafe_v they_o concern_v the_o messiah_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o god_n have_v often_o represent_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n which_o be_v to_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o power_n of_o their_o enemy_n this_o appear_v very_o evident_a in_o the_o gospel_n on_o several_a occasion_n we_o find_v that_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o herod_n be_v trouble_v at_o the_o news_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n as_o that_o which_o will_v probable_o cause_v great_a trouble_n and_o desolation_n before_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n can_v subdue_v the_o roman_n as_o well_o as_o herod_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o multitude_n will_v have_v take_v christ_n and_o proclaim_v he_o their_o king_n and_o submit_v themselves_o to_o he_o as_o the_o true_a messiah_n one_o see_v we_o that_o christ_n own_o disciple_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o death_n talk_v agreeable_o to_o these_o popular_a idea_n what_o else_o can_v we_o make_v of_o that_o passage_n of_o the_o mother_n of_o james_n and_o john_n when_o she_o beg_v for_o they_o the_o chief_a place_n in_o his_o kingdom_n when_o the_o apostle_n dispute_v which_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a be_v it_o not_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o go_v to_o emaus_n
discourse_n at_o the_o same_o rate_n do_v not_o they_o express_v themselves_o with_o much_o grief_n and_o trouble_n before_o they_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o most_o sublime_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o we_o trust_v that_o it_o have_v be_v he_o which_o shall_v have_v redeem_v israel_n it_o be_v also_o very_o observable_a that_o john_n the_o baptist_n appear_v and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n at_o this_o time_n this_o his_o practice_n give_v the_o jew_n occasion_n to_o take_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n but_o what_o ground_n have_v they_o to_o think_v so_o sure_o from_o what_o they_o have_v read_v in_o ezechiel_n chap._n xxxvi_o verse_n 25._o and_o indeed_o when_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n depute_v some_o person_n to_o he_o they_o charge_v they_o to_o know_v of_o he_o whether_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o no_o and_o if_o not_o why_o he_o exercise_v a_o function_n which_o that_o prophecy_n seem_v to_o appropriate_v to_o the_o messiah_n himself_o in_o call_v he_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o same_o truth_n may_v also_o be_v collect_v from_o what_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n about_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n who_o say_v our_o saviour_n do_v people_n say_v i_o be_o and_o the_o apostle_n answer_v that_o some_o say_v he_o be_v john_n the_o baptist_n other_o jeremiah_n other_o elias_n and_o other_o again_o that_o prophet_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o messiah_n who_o be_v so_o call_v by_o way_n of_o excellence_n in_o the_o xviii_o of_o deuteronomy_n and_o we_o find_v that_o when_o jesus_n christ_n style_v himself_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o multitude_n easy_o conceive_v that_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o seven_o of_o daniel_n where_o the_o messiah_n be_v so_o call_v we_o perceive_v also_o from_o many_o other_o place_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o the_o multitude_n be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o those_o passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v common_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n the_o messiah_n when_o he_o appear_v say_v they_o will_v he_o do_v great_a sign_n than_o this_o man_n do_v other_o be_v offend_v because_o jesus_n christ_n be_v of_o nazareth_n argue_v from_o thence_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v the_o messiah_n other_o maintain_v that_o when_o the_o messiah_n shall_v come_v it_o will_v not_o be_v know_v whence_o he_o be_v and_o other_o again_o assert_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o continue_v for_o ever_o all_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o familiar_a among_o the_o jew_n this_o must_v have_v be_v so_o of_o necessity_n because_o the_o samaritan_n themselves_o be_v possess_v with_o the_o same_o idea_n though_o they_o have_v not_o so_o great_a a_o extent_n of_o light_a as_o the_o jew_n have_v they_o do_v not_o indeed_o altogether_o reject_v the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o rather_o study_v they_o with_o care_n their_o animosity_n against_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o jealousy_n upon_o account_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o place_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o other_o thing_n in_o question_n do_v manifest_o show_v that_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v know_v to_o they_o and_o that_o they_o be_v exact_o inform_v in_o that_o whole_a matter_n one_o ought_v also_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n call_v that_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n because_o the_o time_n set_v down_o by_o the_o prophet_n be_v almost_o expire_v and_o the_o sceptre_n be_v already_o depart_v from_o judah_n the_o week_n of_o daniel_n be_v end_v and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n and_o egypt_n be_v overturn_v so_o there_o be_v several_a good_a man_n who_o be_v fill_v with_o a_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n anna_n and_o simeon_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o those_o who_o by_o their_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v discover_v that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v near_o at_o hand_n much_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o daniel_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o to_o have_v learn_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n that_o the_o captivity_n be_v almost_o expire_v i_o shall_v add_v one_o argument_n more_o which_o seem_v beyond_o exception_n that_o many_o person_n be_v find_v about_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v either_o draw_v by_o other_o into_o a_o opinion_n of_o their_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o who_o of_o themselves_o desire_v to_o be_v account_v so_o thus_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o flatterer_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o messiah_n of_o this_o number_n be_v theudas_n and_o judas_n gaulonite_n with_o some_o other_o thus_o also_o soon_o after_o some_o apply_v the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n to_o vespasian_n the_o emperor_n because_o he_o have_v be_v choose_v in_o the_o east_n this_o be_v attest_v by_o josephus_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o promise_a messiah_n as_o of_o a_o great_a king_n be_v very_o common_a in_o the_o east_n and_o not_o unknown_a in_o the_o west_n we_o know_v that_o under_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n barchochab_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o terrible_a sedition_n by_o make_v the_o jew_n believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o we_o can_v be_v ignorant_a how_o many_o such_o like_a impostor_n have_v be_v since_o who_o have_v abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o jew_n etc._n rycaut_n turk_n hist_o vol._n 2._o p._n 174._o etc._n etc._n even_o until_o sabatai_n sevi_n who_o delude_v they_o about_o one_o and_o twenty_o year_n since_o last_o we_o can_v but_o think_v that_o this_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v always_o fresh_a among_o the_o jew_n because_o we_o find_v that_o from_o that_o time_n they_o have_v continual_o dispute_v with_o the_o christian_n about_o this_o matter_n because_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o two_o messiah_n one_o the_o son_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o other_o the_o son_n of_o joseph_n and_o because_o in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n whither_o they_o be_v scatter_v they_o speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o their_o commentary_n on_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o sermon_n in_o their_o public_a prayer_n and_o their_o common_a conversation_n sure_o if_o any_o time_n can_v be_v suppose_v wherein_o they_o may_v have_v lose_v their_o knowledge_n and_o distinct_a hope_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o must_v be_v since_o the_o time_n appoint_v for_o his_o come_n be_v expire_v when_o by_o the_o christian_n insult_v over_o their_o vain_a expectation_n they_o have_v be_v oblige_v find_v themselves_o disappoint_v by_o prophetical_a calculation_n to_o set_v up_o that_o rash_a maxim_n curse_v be_v he_o that_o compute_v the_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o notion_n be_v much_o more_o lively_a in_o they_o when_o their_o hope_n be_v well_o ground_v and_o when_o they_o may_v pretend_v to_o see_v they_o accomplish_v it_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o the_o model_n appoint_v by_o god_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v do_v still_o subsist_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o god_n at_o first_o have_v form_v it_o but_o that_o i_o may_v give_v a_o full_a light_n to_o this_o capital_a truth_n i_o shall_v tie_v myself_o to_o consider_v the_o several_a argument_n for_o it_o distinct_o and_o shall_v begin_v with_o those_o which_o show_v that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v subsist_v according_a to_o the_o divine_a model_n and_o then_o proceed_v to_o other_o which_o demonstrate_v that_o god_n have_v therein_o preserve_v all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a to_o his_o design_n chap._n iii_o that_o the_o common_a wealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v still_o subsist_v and_o follow_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a know_v of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v this_o proposition_n the_o one_o be_v the_o overturning_a of_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o other_o be_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o remove_v both_o these_o difficulty_n for_o the_o overturning_a of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o draw_v along_o with_o it_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o law_n on_o which_o it_o be_v found_v and_o afterward_o govern_v wherefore_o the_o case_n of_o this_o republic_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o athens_n or_o lacedaemon_n which_o at_o present_a subsist_v no_o where_n but_o in_o book_n because_o there_o be_v no_o people_n now_o that_o follow_v the_o law_n of_o the_o ancient_a legislator_n of_o sparta_n or_o athens_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o find_v the_o jew_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n keep_v these_o law_n with_o great_a carefulness_n study_v they_o with_o the_o great_a application_n and_o