examine_v their_o principle_n and_o confute_v they_o which_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o wise_a man_n have_v former_o acknowledge_v as_o they_o also_o own_o to_o this_o very_a day_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god._n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o philosopher_n do_v own_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n only_o in_o compliance_n with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n which_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o contradict_v and_o as_o for_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o christian_n and_o mahometan_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n we_o be_v only_o to_o prove_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o opposition_n to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la one_o may_v prove_v this_o against_o the_o jew_n without_o any_o trouble_n because_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o most_o of_o those_o principle_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n suppose_v so_o likewise_o it_o be_v easy_o establish_v against_o the_o mahometan_n who_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n but_o pretend_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o mahometanism_n as_o the_o law_n ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o the_o gospel_n preach_v by_o jesus_n christ_n my_o design_n be_v not_o to_o prosecute_v every_o one_o of_o these_o way_n in_o particular_a there_o be_v book_n enough_o in_o the_o world_n which_o solid_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o atheist_n as_o well_o those_o who_o be_v so_o through_o ignorance_n as_o those_o who_o profess_v themselves_o such_o from_o love_n to_o libertinism_n and_o to_o pass_v for_o man_n of_o a_o mighty_a reach_n there_o be_v also_o several_a famous_a author_n who_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o reason_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o overthrow_v all_o pagan_a religion_n whatsoever_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o follow_v a_o more_o compendious_a and_o sure_a method_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n consider_v by_o itself_o in_o short_a it_o be_v impossible_a consider_v the_o opposition_n there_o be_v between_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v the_o true_a but_o that_o all_o other_o must_v be_v false_a in_o those_o article_n wherein_o they_o essential_o differ_v from_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o can_v explain_v those_o argument_n which_o clear_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o convict_v all_o other_o religion_n of_o falsehood_n because_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o those_o proof_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o there_o be_v several_a way_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o end_n which_o i_o propose_v man_n that_o think_v much_o wish_v that_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v from_o reflection_n on_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o it_o which_o to_o they_o will_v be_v a_o convince_a and_o demonstrative_a proof_n other_o apply_v themselves_o to_o a_o speculative_a examination_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o show_v their_o conformity_n with_o the_o notion_n of_o reason_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o both_o these_o employ_v themselves_o usual_o in_o this_o sort_n of_o study_n and_o that_o truth_n find_v a_o considerable_a support_n from_o their_o meditation_n but_o how_o useful_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v i_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v another_o course_n as_o think_v it_o of_o more_o advantage_n solid_o to_o establish_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v which_o appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v more_o proper_a to_o persuade_v all_o sort_n of_o reader_n and_o better_o level_v to_o the_o ordinary_a capacity_n of_o those_o who_o new_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n be_v general_o own_a by_o heathen_n and_o by_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n i_o think_v it_o a_o thing_n altogether_o unnecessary_a to_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o several_a abstract_a question_n such_o as_o these_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n whether_o man_n be_v natural_o incline_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o the_o like_a when_o i_o shall_v have_v firm_o prove_v that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o that_o he_o prescribe_v a_o service_n to_o the_o first_o man_n who_o leave_v the_o rule_n of_o it_o to_o all_o their_o posterity_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v or_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o heathen_a world_n be_v derive_v i_o shall_v have_v prevent_v many_o very_a unprofitable_a dispute_n and_o which_o can_v only_o perplex_v the_o mind_n by_o their_o obscurity_n i_o have_v therefore_o confine_v myself_o to_o certain_a consideration_n which_o do_v so_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o by_o their_o union_n they_o firm_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o hope_v that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v needful_a for_o i_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o abolish_v the_o christian_n as_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n abrogate_a the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o understand_a reader_n shall_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o god_n never_o frame_v the_o model_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o the_o mahometan_n will_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n page_n 1_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n 5_o chap._n 3._o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n 8_o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a 16_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 23_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n 27_o chap._n 7._o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n 34_o chap._n 8._o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n 44_o chap._n 9_o that_o adam_n be_v confirm_v by_o his_o own_o experience_n in_o the_o persuasion_n he_o have_v entertain_v concern_v his_o creation_n 49_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o creation_n 52_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v actual_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 54_o chap._n 12._o that_o noah_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 61_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n 64_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n 67_o chap._n 15._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n 71_o chap._n 16._o that_o this_o very_a persuasion_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n until_o moses_n be_v time_n 81_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o persuasion_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n before_o moses_n can_v be_v suspect_v 86_o chap._n 18._o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v 89_o chap._n 19_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n 95_o chap._n 20._o a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n 106_o chap._n 21._o wherein_o the_o
of_o the_o tree_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o garden_n when_o he_o leave_v the_o rest_n to_o their_o free_a use_n not_o only_o for_o that_o he_o have_v give_v the_o rainbow_n as_o a_o new_a sign_n of_o his_o covenant_n with_o mankind_n nor_o only_o because_o they_o have_v practise_v those_o act_n of_o religion_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v by_o their_o parent_n and_o ancestor_n before_o the_o deluge_n but_o because_o the_o same_o may_v be_v infer_v from_o that_o action_n which_o draw_v upon_o cham_n his_o father_n curse_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o cham_n deride_v the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n and_o of_o his_o father_n take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o curse_v he_o so_o solemn_o and_o that_o in_o the_o person_n of_o canaan_n his_o first-born_a if_o it_o be_v only_o a_o piece_n of_o irreverence_n in_o the_o father_n what_o reason_n have_v noah_n to_o curse_v the_o son_n on_o that_o account_n or_o be_v it_o as_o some_o have_v suppose_v that_o canaan_n have_v give_v occasion_n first_o to_o his_o father_n irreverence_n by_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o disorder_n in_o which_o he_o have_v find_v his_o grandfather_n noah_n without_o doubt_n there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a in_o this_o history_n sure_o it_o be_v that_o the_o account_v give_v we_o of_o cham_fw-mi represent_v he_o as_o a_o profane_a person_n and_o deep_o tincture_v with_o the_o maxim_n of_o cain_n and_o his_o posterity_n and_o seem_v to_o hint_n to_o we_o that_o he_o suppose_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n either_o frustrate_v by_o the_o death_n of_o abel_n or_o altogether_o false_a he_o make_v his_o father_n nakedness_n the_o subject_n of_o his_o mockery_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v incapable_a of_o beget_v any_o more_o child_n and_o therefore_o incapable_a of_o contribute_v to_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o hope_n of_o which_o he_o account_v himself_o so_o happy_a that_o he_o have_v escape_v the_o deluge_n what_o mean_v it_o also_o that_o noah_n pronounce_v so_o terrible_a a_o curse_n against_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n by_o canaan_n who_o be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v a_o accomplishment_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n whole_o exterminate_v by_o joshuah_n when_o god_n put_v the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n by_o abraham_n in_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v very_o natural_a for_o we_o to_o conceive_v that_o noah_n consider_v his_o son_n cham_n deride_v of_o he_o not_o only_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o respect_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o as_o his_o father_n but_o also_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o horrid_a impiety_n which_o attack_v god_n himself_o as_o make_v that_o promise_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n a_o subject_n of_o raillery_n this_o reflection_n upon_o the_o action_n of_o cham_n and_o the_o curse_n of_o noah_n consequent_a to_o it_o do_v appear_v very_o natural_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o noah_n can_v not_o but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o name_n his_o father_n have_v give_v he_o and_o the_o special_a favour_n show_v to_o he_o in_o be_v alone_o preserve_v of_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o adam_n and_o consequent_o the_o only_a person_n in_o the_o world_n by_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v 1._o herod_n lib._n 1._o justin_n hist_o lib._n 1._o valeria_n max_n lib._n 1._o at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o reflection_n be_v as_o natural_a as_o it_o will_v have_v be_v just_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o fact_n of_o cruel_a astyages_n if_o when_o he_o have_v as_o he_o think_v sufficient_o clude_v his_o dream_n which_o presage_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o son_n of_o mandane_n his_o daughter_n he_o have_v find_v she_o indecent_o uncover_v and_o have_v take_v thence_o occasion_n deride_o to_o reflect_v with_o his_o other_o child_n upon_o a_o dream_n which_o seem_v to_o promise_v to_o the_o son_n of_o mandane_n the_o throne_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o threaten_v the_o ruin_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n worth_a our_o note_n that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n the_o samaritan_n have_v so_o fresh_a a_o memory_n of_o cham_n sin_n 14_o ezra_n iu._n 14_o which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v general_o preserve_v among_o other_o nation_n that_o in_o their_o letter_n to_o king_n artaxerxes_n against_o the_o jew_n who_o rebuilt_a jerusalem_n they_o declare_v they_o will_v not_o discover_v the_o king_n nakedness_n imply_v that_o they_o can_v not_o consent_v to_o the_o injury_n he_o may_v receive_v from_o the_o jew_n in_o suffering_n jerusalem_n to_o be_v rebuilt_a it_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o repeat_v those_o other_o argument_n which_o prove_v that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v and_o be_v actual_o as_o much_o convince_v of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n as_o their_o ancestor_n be_v for_o see_v that_o these_o argument_n be_v the_o very_a same_o which_o their_o father_n have_v to_o persuade_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n we_o have_v better_o proceed_v to_o the_o enquiry_n whether_o their_o posterity_n that_o follow_v they_o have_v the_o same_o persuasion_n they_o have_v which_o may_v easy_o be_v prove_v in_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o the_o follow_a age_n and_o upon_o those_o who_o descend_v from_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n if_o noah_n see_v methusalem_n who_o have_v see_v adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n before_o the_o deluge_n abraham_n see_v shem_n and_o his_o child_n who_o be_v unquestionable_a witness_n of_o what_o have_v pass_v before_o and_o since_o the_o flood_n noah_n die_v 350_o year_n after_o the_o deluge_n it_o appear_v that_o his_o death_n happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2006_o so_o that_o noah_n die_v only_o two_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o abraham_n he_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 2008._o abraham_n live_v 150_o year_n with_o shem_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2158_o and_o 88_o year_n with_o arphaxad_a the_o son_n of_o shem_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2096_o he_o live_v 118_o year_n with_o selah_n son_n of_o arphaxad_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2126_o and_o 179_o year_n with_o heber_n the_o son_n of_o selah_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 2187._o isaac_n be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 2108_o may_v see_v shem_n selah_n and_o heber_n who_o for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n have_v converse_v with_o noah_n and_o his_o other_o child_n i_o say_v we_o may_v suppose_v he_o to_o have_v converse_v with_o those_o patriarch_n or_o at_o least_o with_o those_o who_o be_v their_o contemporary_n discourse_v of_o noah_n as_o a_o man_n but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o from_o his_o relation_n and_o his_o child_n be_v inform_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o adam_n his_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a seed_n the_o death_n of_o abel_n the_o miracle_n of_o paradise_n the_o preach_a of_o noah_n the_o deluge_n etc._n etc._n and_o who_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n observe_v by_o their_o ancestor_n do_v meet_v together_o fifty_o two_o time_n every_o year_n to_o celebrate_v the_o memorial_n of_o these_o wonder_n and_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o their_o posterity_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n here_o which_o conduce_v much_o to_o the_o preservation_n of_o a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o these_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v 1060._o de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syra_n p._n 1060._o that_o the_o ark_n itself_o may_v be_v see_v by_o all_o the_o world_n as_o a_o certain_a monument_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o the_o save_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o son_n this_o monument_n continue_v very_o many_o age_n after_o abraham_n and_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o deluge_n among_o the_o pagan_n as_o lucian_n to_o name_v no_o more_o acquaint_v we_o the_o second_o be_v that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o any_o of_o abraham_n contemporary_n as_o for_o abraham_n to_o deduce_v his_o genealogy_n from_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o easy_a because_o the_o first_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n be_v follow_v by_o another_o partition_n among_o their_o posterity_n in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1758_o a_o division_n which_o give_v they_o a_o just_a title_n of_o possession_n to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n where_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o defence_n of_o which_o it_o seem_v probable_a that_o the_o war_n of_o chedorlaomer_n mention_v the_o xiii_o of_o genesis_n be_v undertake_v the_o family_n of_o cham_n have_v invade_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v part_n of_o the_o inheritance_n of_o shem_n as_o we_o shall_v
how_o his_o body_n have_v be_v form_v of_o the_o earth_n be_v i_o confess_v a_o thing_n difficult_a to_o be_v conceive_v but_o the_o production_n of_o a_o infant_n like_v to_o himself_o by_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n which_o he_o afterward_o be_v assure_v of_o by_o experience_n be_v sufficient_a to_o confirm_v his_o mind_n in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a revelation_n the_o way_n of_o generation_n be_v at_o least_o as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o difficult_a to_o comprehend_v as_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o creation_n we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o as_o it_o be_v adam_n duty_n that_o so_o he_o do_v real_o make_v those_o reflection_n i_o have_v attribute_v to_o he_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n give_v he_o a_o law_n proportion_v to_o the_o state_n in_o which_o he_o be_v create_v for_o this_o law_n suppose_v that_o adam_n own_a himself_o god_n subject_a that_o he_o consider_v god_n as_o his_o great_a benefactor_n that_o he_o hope_v for_o reward_n from_o he_o and_o fear_v to_o be_v punish_v by_o he_o and_o last_o if_o i_o shall_v grant_v that_o these_o reflection_n do_v not_o at_o first_o make_v so_o deep_a a_o impression_n in_o his_o heart_n yet_o at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o after_o his_o fall_n he_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n necessitate_v to_o meditate_v on_o these_o truth_n god_n appear_v to_o he_o in_o a_o visible_a manner_n god_n pass_v sentence_n upon_o he_o his_o wife_n and_o the_o serpent_n god_n condemn_v the_o serpent_n and_o afford_v his_o grace_n to_o man_n god_n make_v he_o a_o promise_v proportion_v to_o the_o evil_a into_o which_o he_o be_v fall_v the_o woman_n have_v deceive_v her_o husband_n which_o do_v natural_o tend_v to_o disunite_v they_o but_o god_n unite_n himself_o again_o with_o adam_n make_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o promise_n to_o depend_v upon_o adam_n reunion_n with_o his_o wife_n have_v assure_v he_o that_o the_o offspring_n of_o his_o wife_n shall_v be_v his_o redeemer_n god_n threaten_v the_o woman_n with_o extreme_a pain_n in_o child-bearing_a he_o drive_v they_o out_o of_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n and_o place_v a_o flame_n of_o fire_n to_o guard_v the_o entrance_n there_o all_o this_o without_o doubt_n will_v never_o suffer_v adam_n slight_o to_o pass_v over_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o his_o creation_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o be_v form_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n thing_n be_v thus_o state_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v whether_o we_o have_v suppose_v adam_n too_o subtle_a and_o contemplative_a by_o attribute_v the_o foresay_a reflection_n to_o he_o chap._n x._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o creation_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v arrive_v to_o year_n of_o understanding_n they_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o make_v reflection_n on_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o production_n according_a to_o the_o information_n receive_v of_o their_o parent_n they_o be_v able_a to_o compare_v the_o twofold_a original_a of_o man_n the_o one_o in_o which_o the_o body_n be_v immediate_o take_v from_o the_o earth_n the_o other_o in_o which_o it_o be_v produce_v by_o generation_n and_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v if_o either_o of_o they_o be_v improbable_a and_o in_o particular_a whether_o the_o formation_n of_o their_o parent_n with_o other_o matter_n consequent_a and_o depend_v on_o it_o can_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v and_o confirm_v for_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o they_o to_o judge_v that_o their_o parent_n of_o who_o tenderness_n and_o care_n they_o have_v so_o great_a experience_n can_v not_o have_v have_v the_o least_o design_n to_o deceive_v they_o in_o what_o they_o have_v deliver_v to_o they_o concern_v the_o creation_n they_o have_v also_o leisure_n enough_o during_o the_o long_a life_n they_o enjoy_v to_o examine_v the_o solidity_n of_o those_o reason_n which_o persuade_v their_o parent_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o creation_n for_o instance_n they_o can_v easy_o inform_v themselves_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o more_o man_n and_o woman_n than_o their_o father_n and_o mother_n that_o have_v be_v before_o they_o whether_o they_o be_v produce_v from_o the_o earth_n or_o by_o a_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o atom_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o other_o language_n beside_o that_o which_o they_o speak_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o ruin_n of_o building_n or_o other_o remain_v which_o signify_v that_o art_n have_v be_v former_o cultivate_v and_o in_o a_o word_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o reason_n to_o persuade_v they_o that_o the_o world_n have_v not_o its_o beginning_n at_o the_o time_n which_o their_o parent_n assign_v for_o it_o neither_o be_v they_o only_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o their_o sense_n be_v able_a to_o convince_v they_o of_o it_o as_o for_o instance_n by_o see_v the_o first_o tree_n the_o production_n of_o other_o from_o they_o and_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o their_o growth_n but_o beside_o all_o this_o they_o can_v experience_v most_o of_o these_o thing_n in_o their_o own_o person_n they_o can_v know_v whether_o god_n have_v assign_v to_o man_n the_o fruit_n of_o tree_n and_o grain_n for_o their_o food_n as_o moses_n have_v record_v only_o by_o examine_v their_o own_o mouth_n which_o be_v form_v to_o chew_v fruit_n and_o not_o to_o tear_v the_o raw_a flesh_n of_o animal_n which_o require_v sharp_a and_o strong_a set_v of_o tooth_n than_o those_o they_o find_v themselves_o provide_v with_o the_o eat_n of_o flesh_n not_o be_v introduce_v till_o after_o the_o deluge_n thus_o after_o the_o act_n of_o generation_n they_o see_v their_o child_n bear_v as_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o they_o that_o they_o themselves_o have_v be_v form_v they_o have_v also_o before_o their_o eye_n sensible_a sign_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n relate_v to_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o continual_a miracle_n of_o a_o flame_n of_o fire_n which_o keep_v they_o from_o enter_v into_o paradise_n be_v a_o certain_a argument_n of_o the_o first_o sin_n of_o which_o they_o have_v not_o be_v eye-witness_n the_o pain_n of_o a_o woman_n in_o child-bearing_a do_v the_o more_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o divine_a sentence_n because_o it_o be_v not_o obvious_a for_o they_o to_o apprehend_v such_o consequence_n from_o a_o act_n which_o be_v please_v to_o their_o sensual_a appetite_n and_o last_o forasmuch_o as_o they_o keep_v a_o solemn_a day_n to_o celebrate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o world_n nativity_n on_o which_o seven_o day_n their_o parent_n repeat_v to_o they_o no_o less_o than_o two_o and_o fifty_o time_n a_o year_n the_o same_o thing_n inform_v they_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o formation_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v that_o they_o shall_v let_v these_o thing_n pass_v without_o make_v any_o reflection_n on_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o we_o can_v rational_o conceive_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v serious_a in_o any_o duty_n of_o religion_n without_o have_v first_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n which_o be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o all_o religious_a act_n whatsoever_o chap._n xi_o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v actual_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o the_o immediate_a posterity_n of_o adam_n can_v easy_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o manner_n how_o their_o parent_n have_v be_v produce_v from_o who_o they_o derive_v their_o being_n they_o can_v likewise_o be_v full_o satisfy_v about_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o promise_n god_n have_v make_v they_o that_o one_o of_o their_o posterity_n shall_v destroy_v the_o enemy_n of_o mankind_n my_o business_n therefore_o next_o be_v to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v actual_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n this_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o matter_n be_v the_o chief_a object_n of_o their_o meditation_n because_o of_o their_o extraordinary_a importance_n so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o act_v as_o person_n full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o the_o other_o be_v that_o as_o they_o have_v be_v instruct_v in_o these_o truth_n by_o their_o parent_n so_o they_o deliver_v the_o same_o to_o their_o posterity_n to_o who_o they_o transmit_v the_o belief_n of_o these_o matter_n as_o of_o thing_n altogether_o unquestionable_a i_o say_v then_o that_o they_o act_v as_o those_o who_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n which_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o life_n not_o only_a when_o they_o do_v
his_o brother_n as_o think_v himself_o supplant_v by_o he_o of_o his_o right_n to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n and_o the_o polygamy_n of_o lamech_v as_o a_o effect_n of_o this_o persuasion_n if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o in_o all_o likelihood_n this_o belief_n be_v more_o strong_a at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n the_o idea_n of_o the_o promise_n be_v more_o fresh_a and_o lively_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o a_o thing_n at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o those_o time_n and_o that_o we_o find_v in_o the_o holy_a family_n in_o general_n manifold_a instance_n of_o this_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n and_o burn_a desire_n of_o a_o posterity_n we_o find_v also_o much_o about_o the_o same_o time_n another_o lamech_v the_o father_n of_o noah_n declare_v by_o the_o name_n he_o give_v his_o son_n the_o hope_n he_o have_v that_o he_o may_v probable_o be_v the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o comfort_v mankind_n concern_v all_o the_o misery_n sin_n have_v bring_v into_o the_o world._n 29._o gen._n v._o 29._o thus_o it_o appear_v clear_o that_o for_o above_o sixteen_o age_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o deluge_n we_o find_v in_o all_o the_o action_n of_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n a_o strong_a impression_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o till_o this_o time_n we_o find_v not_o the_o least_o instance_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o convince_v the_o relation_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o least_o absurdity_n we_o see_v man_n act_v from_o the_o persuasion_n of_o these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o must_v conclude_v therefore_o that_o they_o be_v distinct_o inform_v of_o they_o yea_o we_o see_v all_o man_n in_o general_a act_v according_a to_o this_o persuasion_n it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o and_o the_o weekly_a observance_n of_o the_o sabbath_n day_n continual_o represent_v those_o truth_n to_o the_o eye_n and_o mind_n of_o all_o take_v away_o all_o possibility_n of_o forgery_n in_o these_o matter_n let_v we_o now_o inquire_v whether_o after_o the_o deluge_n these_o idea_n be_v efface_v or_o whether_o they_o have_v not_o exert_v the_o same_o efficacy_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o noah_n and_o the_o action_n of_o all_o his_o posterity_n chap._n xii_o that_o noah_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n if_o we_o find_v that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n and_o their_o posterity_n can_v be_v exact_o inform_v of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o indeed_o they_o be_v so_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o noah_n can_v not_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o the_o same_o truth_n noah_n be_v six_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o the_o deluge_n come_v he_o have_v converse_v with_o lamech_v his_o father_n who_o have_v see_v adam_n and_o his_o child_n as_o be_v fifty_o six_o year_n of_o age_n when_o adam_n die_v he_o have_v converse_v with_o methusalem_n his_o grandfather_n who_o die_v that_o very_a year_n the_o flood_n come_v and_o who_o be_v three_o hundred_o and_o forty_o three_o year_n old_a when_o adam_n die_v have_v without_o doubt_n instruct_v noah_n during_o so_o vast_a a_o interval_n of_o time_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o himself_o have_v be_v instruct_v by_o adam_n for_o many_o age_n and_o as_o methusalem_n have_v live_v a_o long_a time_n with_o seth_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1042_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o noah_n who_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 1056_o have_v not_o only_o see_v lamech_v and_o methusalem_n but_o many_o also_o of_o their_o ancestor_n who_o discourse_n he_o hear_v examine_v their_o tradition_n and_o imitate_v their_o way_n of_o worship_n moreover_o noah_n see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o man_n in_o his_o time_n who_o do_v not_o deduce_v their_o genealogy_n from_o adam_n all_o his_o contemporary_n can_v convince_v he_o of_o it_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v as_o exact_v a_o knowledge_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o he_o can_v have_v of_o he_o now_o that_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n which_o they_o may_v be_v easy_o assure_v of_o appear_v on_o these_o two_o account_n the_o one_o be_v the_o long_a life_n which_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n enjoy_v and_o the_o other_o the_o short_a interval_n of_o time_n which_o be_v between_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o deluge_n the_o whole_a amount_v only_o to_o 1656_o year_n adam_n die_v in_o the_o year_n 930_o and_o the_o deluge_n happen_v in_o the_o 600_o year_n of_o noah_n life_n adam_n die_v 126_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o noah_n so_o as_o adam_n must_v have_v be_v see_v and_o know_v by_o methusalem_n lamech_v and_o thousand_o of_o other_o who_o be_v contemporarys_n with_o noah_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v a_o three_o remark_n and_o that_o be_v the_o jealousy_n and_o hatred_n which_o be_v between_o the_o two_o family_n of_o cain_n and_o seth_n cain_n posterity_n be_v altogether_o corrupt_v and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o seth_n also_o noah_n be_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o seth_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o call_v those_o matter_n in_o question_n which_o he_o see_v general_o own_a and_o receive_v of_o those_o to_o who_o their_o wickedness_n and_o crime_n suggest_v objection_n against_o they_o and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o i_o may_v not_o suppose_v that_o noah_n have_v before_o his_o eye_n paradise_n with_o the_o cherubim_n who_o guard_v the_o entrance_n thereof_o and_o make_v it_o inaccessible_a which_o if_o so_o be_v a_o authentic_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n in_o question_n that_o garden_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v judge_v be_v not_o destroy_v nor_o the_o guardian_n angel_n discharge_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v it_o as_o it_o will_v yet_o noah_n be_v a_o man_n fear_v god_n be_v honour_v with_o a_o extraordinary_a call_v to_o exhort_v man_n to_o repentance_n he_o be_v command_v to_o build_v a_o ark_n he_o see_v the_o deluge_n happen_v according_a to_o what_o god_n have_v foretell_v he_o see_v the_o beast_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n gather_v themselves_o together_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o ark_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o he_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o they_o come_v to_o adam_n he_o see_v the_o deluge_n cease_v according_a to_o the_o divine_a declaration_n he_o see_v fire_n from_o heaven_n consume_v the_o sacrifice_n he_o offer_v in_o acknowledgement_n to_o god_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o the_o word_n of_o moses_n seem_v to_o imply_v that_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o abel_n he_o see_v himself_o choose_v in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n to_o be_v the_o depositary_a of_o the_o promise_n which_o adam_n have_v leave_v to_o his_o posterity_n though_o he_o never_o have_v the_o satisfaction_n of_o see_v it_o fulfil_v himself_o god_n have_v reserve_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o for_o another_o time_n and_o to_o one_o of_o his_o posterity_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o all_o these_o particular_n can_v not_o but_o conduce_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o these_o first_o most_o important_a matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o that_o noah_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o certainty_n and_o truth_n of_o they_o let_v we_o now_o see_v whether_o noah_n offspring_n have_v the_o same_o persuasion_n concern_v these_o thing_n chap._n xiii_o that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v a_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o the_o deluge_n happen_v and_o consequent_o have_v converse_v a_o long_a space_n of_o time_n with_o methusalem_n and_o many_o other_o of_o their_o ancestor_n and_o relation_n of_o the_o old_a world_n and_o have_v frequent_v the_o religious_a assembly_n observe_v every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n whence_o they_o be_v descend_v and_o have_v be_v instruct_v there_o by_o those_o who_o have_v see_v adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o beyond_o all_o contest_v that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o creation_n and_o promise_v of_o the_o messiah_n now_o that_o they_o have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o those_o matter_n we_o may_v evident_o conclude_v not_o only_o because_o they_o have_v see_v god_n when_o he_o bless_v they_o and_o a_o second_o time_n say_v to_o they_o as_o after_o a_o new_a creation_n 1._o gen_n ix_o 1._o increase_n and_o multiply_v nor_o only_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o give_v they_o a_o positive_a law_n forbid_v they_o to_o eat_v the_o blood_n of_o live_a creature_n 5._o gen._n ix_o 5._o who_o flesh_n they_o be_v permit_v to_o feed_v on_o as_o he_o have_v forbid_v adam_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n
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
get_v himself_o reputation_n by_o exciting_a a_o curiosity_n in_o people_n for_o his_o book_n this_o will_v not_o have_v be_v become_v the_o gravity_n and_o wisdom_n of_o so_o great_a a_o legislator_n of_o who_o all_o succeed_a age_n have_v borrow_v their_o law_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o his_o end_n in_o the_o record_v of_o these_o matter_n be_v to_o inspire_v with_o a_o sense_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n those_o who_o be_v commit_v to_o his_o charge_n this_o be_v that_o which_o in_o general_a we_o may_v observe_v about_o these_o matter_n but_o more_o particular_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o moses_n his_o end_n in_o record_v the_o oracle_n by_o which_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o establish_v his_o posterity_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o represent_v to_o the_o jew_n the_o right_a they_o have_v to_o that_o land_n according_a to_o the_o design_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n but_o without_o make_v this_o particular_a reflection_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o law_n take_v its_o beginning_n at_o the_o twelve_o of_o exodus_fw-la where_o god_n prescribe_v to_o his_o people_n the_o manner_n of_o celebrate_v the_o passover_n at_o least_o this_o be_v the_o first_o law_n which_o god_n give_v they_o through_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o moses_n his_o end_n be_v to_o justify_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o his_o people_n the_o design_n he_o have_v to_o make_v they_o leave_v egypt_n as_o well_o as_o their_o pretension_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n whither_o he_o be_v to_o lead_v they_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o he_o to_o lay_v before_o they_o the_o ground_n of_o those_o pretension_n which_o he_o can_v not_o do_v without_o relate_v the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o history_n until_o the_o time_n of_o their_o bondage_n in_o egypt_n which_o we_o read_v in_o genesis_n the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o only_o concern_v the_o ancestor_n of_o that_o people_n after_o that_o moses_n have_v first_o lay_v down_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o which_o be_v know_v to_o all_o nation_n let_v we_o now_o imagine_v to_o ourselves_o a_o man_n endeavour_v all_o of_o a_o sudden_a to_o introduce_v into_o the_o world_n the_o belief_n of_o thing_n so_o far_o distant_a from_o common_a apprehension_n as_o these_o two_o point_n must_v needs_o be_v viz._n that_o of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n in_o case_n we_o suppose_v they_o general_o unknown_a let_v we_o yet_o further_o conceive_v a_o man_n not_o only_o relate_v those_o thing_n but_o make_v they_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o new_a sort_n of_o law_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o be_v there_o any_o wit_n or_o judgement_n in_o such_o a_o undertake_n can_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o moses_n who_o write_n testify_v his_o great_a wisdom_n shall_v ever_o have_v entertain_v such_o unaccountable_a thought_n i_o dare_v aver_v that_o there_o be_v any_o never_a legislator_n so_o stupid_a and_o inconsiderate_a as_o to_o pretend_v to_o engage_v a_o whole_a people_n to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o yoke_n of_o obedience_n and_o to_o receive_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n respect_v their_o civil_a government_n and_o religion_n by_o declare_v to_o they_o two_o fiction_n of_o which_o they_o have_v never_o before_o have_v the_o least_o idea_n it_o be_v also_o very_o considerable_a that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o recite_v by_o moses_n as_o a_o preface_n to_o the_o decalogue_n as_o if_o then_o first_o they_o have_v be_v propose_v to_o moses_n or_o the_o people_n by_o god_n but_o moses_n set_v they_o down_o as_o truth_n know_v to_o they_o all_o and_z as_o principle_n universal_o admit_v and_o such_o as_o the_o mere_a mention_v of_o they_o can_v not_o but_o strong_o engage_v the_o jew_n to_o render_v a_o ready_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n in_o their_o presence_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o which_o their_o very_a sense_n be_v convince_v let_v we_o also_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o those_o thing_n the_o relation_n of_o which_o moses_n have_v join_v with_o these_o two_o general_a point_n to_o make_v a_o impression_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o account_n he_o give_v they_o of_o their_o ancestor_n near_a or_o far_o off_o who_o he_o represent_v as_o equal_o inform_v of_o these_o matter_n as_o have_v several_o deliver_v the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o to_o their_o child_n and_o have_v join_v to_o these_o first_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o saviour_n many_o other_o notion_n thereon_o depend_v and_o which_o tie_v their_o hope_n and_o expectation_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o now_o judge_v whether_o moses_n be_v not_o to_o be_v accuse_v of_o great_a folly_n and_o senselesness_n if_o he_o have_v proceed_v to_o make_v such_o a_o vast_a people_n all_o of_o the_o sudden_a to_o receive_v for_o truth_n public_o and_o general_o own_v what_o indeed_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o most_o ridiculous_a and_o ill_a cohere_a romance_n that_o ever_o be_v broach_v now_o since_o as_o it_o be_v visible_a take_v in_o the_o circumstance_n i_o have_v hint_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o a_o historian_n and_o lawgiver_n as_o moses_n be_v relate_v such_o importent_fw-la matter_n can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o atheist_n can_v have_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o his_o testimony_n with_o the_o least_o shadow_n or_o pretence_n of_o reason_n so_o that_o we_o may_v already_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o better_o attest_v than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o immovable_a foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n nevertheless_o for_o a_o more_o evident_a conviction_n we_o be_v willing_a before_o we_o draw_v this_o conclusion_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o weak_a and_o inconsiderable_a all_o those_o objection_n be_v which_o atheist_n can_v possible_o frame_v against_o what_o moses_n relate_v concern_v these_o matter_n what_o can_v they_o with_o reason_n object_n perhaps_o they_o will_v say_v that_o moses_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o genesis_n but_o that_o it_o be_v foist_v in_o under_o his_o name_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o his_o evidence_n be_v all_o without_o ground_n or_o they_o may_v object_v that_o if_o moses_n be_v indeed_o the_o author_n of_o genesis_n that_o he_o live_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o relate_v that_o it_o make_v void_a the_o authority_n of_o his_o write_n they_o may_v moreover_o allege_v that_o moses_n relate_v thing_n impossible_a and_o of_o which_o therefore_o those_o that_o mention_v they_o before_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v so_o long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v can_v not_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o and_o that_o they_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v great_o change_v and_o alter_v by_o a_o tradition_n of_o so_o many_o age_n they_o may_v also_o allege_v that_o according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n moses_n pen_v not_o these_o thing_n as_o a_o historian_n but_o as_o a_o prophet_n and_o that_o the_o apprehension_n of_o most_o concern_v his_o book_n be_v that_o he_o write_v of_o thing_n whereof_o the_o knowledge_n before_o his_o time_n be_v very_o obscure_a and_o confuse_v or_o rather_o be_v general_o unknown_a they_o may_v object_v against_o these_o relation_n of_o moses_n that_o which_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n such_o as_o the_o egyptian_n chaldean_n and_o chinese_n allege_v for_o their_o antiquity_n which_o far_o surpass_v the_o date_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o moses_n these_o be_v the_o principal_a way_n to_o assault_v the_o truth_n which_o moses_n relate_v either_o by_o maintain_v with_o the_o atheist_n on_o one_o hand_n that_o the_o thing_n which_o moses_n relate_v be_v indeed_o mention_v by_o other_o author_n but_o that_o they_o forge_v they_o themselves_o or_o that_o moses_n be_v a_o able_a and_o refine_a politician_n design_v by_o create_v a_o belief_n of_o these_o matter_n in_o the_o jew_n to_o make_v they_o more_o submissive_a and_o obedient_a to_o he_o in_o a_o word_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o suppose_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n to_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o he_o to_o dictate_v whatsoever_o he_o please_v to_o a_o people_n who_o be_v under_o a_o law_n that_o make_v it_o capital_a to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o his_o relation_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n this_o certain_o be_v the_o far_a to_o which_o the_o height_n of_o obstinacy_n can_v carry_v this_o matter_n and_o the_o very_a last_o refuge_n of_o the_o strong_a prejudice_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o confound_v the_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o article_n and_o
that_o which_o be_v good_a but_o when_o they_o be_v overtake_v with_o sin_n and_o this_o alone_a methinks_v be_v sufficient_a to_o evidence_n the_o deep_a impression_n the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v make_v on_o their_o heart_n sacrifice_n be_v act_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o this_o custom_n therefore_o of_o sacrifice_v which_o we_o find_v among_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v a_o evident_a mark_n of_o their_o piety_n and_o this_o their_o religious_a inclination_n be_v without_o doubt_n the_o effect_n of_o their_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n the_o sin_n of_o cain_n in_o kill_v his_o brother_n show_v the_o same_o persuasion_n the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n be_v applicable_a either_o to_o the_o first_o son_n of_o eve_n or_o to_o his_o posterity_n or_o else_o to_o some_o other_o who_o may_v be_v call_v her_o seed_n because_o bear_v from_o one_o of_o her_o posterity_n it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o pass_v from_o one_o meaning_n to_o another_o when_o we_o be_v in_o search_n for_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o such_o general_a proposition_n as_o these_o now_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o name_n which_o eve_n give_v to_o cain_n that_o she_o take_v the_o word_n of_o this_o oracle_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n that_o be_v she_o look_v upon_o cain_n to_o be_v the_o son_n that_o have_v be_v promise_v she_o as_o appear_v from_o she_o own_o word_n 1._o gen._n iu._n 1._o i_o have_v say_v she_o get_v a_o man_n from_o the_o lord_n and_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v that_o be_v in_o this_o opinion_n herself_o she_o be_v not_o want_v to_o cherish_v and_o flatter_v this_o hope_n in_o her_o son_n that_o he_o be_v to_o fulfil_v the_o first_o prophecy_n or_o divine_a oracle_n neither_o be_v it_o any_o whit_n stranger_n to_o suppose_v this_o than_o to_o imagine_v that_o mandane_n do_v instil_v into_o her_o son_n cyrus_n aspire_a thought_n for_o the_o empire_n of_o asia_n from_o the_o dream_n of_o his_o father_n astyages_n which_o she_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o divine_a foreboding_a when_o we_o read_v therefore_o that_o cain_n slay_v his_o brother_n see_v he_o prefer_v of_o god_n by_o a_o very_a distinguish_a mark_n in_o the_o act_n of_o their_o sacrifice_a through_o the_o jealousy_n and_o hatred_n he_o have_v conceive_v against_o he_o may_v we_o not_o very_o natural_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o as_o he_o have_v never_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n so_o he_o can_v not_o endure_v to_o see_v another_o come_v to_o dispute_v his_o pretension_n of_o be_v the_o fulfiller_n of_o that_o first_o oracle_n a_o like_a reflection_n we_o may_v make_v upon_o the_o name_n which_o eve_n give_v to_o seth_n and_o indeed_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o ancient_a commentary_n on_o genesis_n lead_v we_o to_o it_o she_o call_v his_o name_n seth_n alibi_fw-la rabboth_n fol._n 27._o col_fw-fr 2._o par_fw-fr 23._o &_o alibi_fw-la for_o god_n say_v she_o have_v appoint_v i_o another_o seed_n r._n tanchuma_n follow_v the_o notion_n of_o r._n samuel_n say_v that_o she_o have_v regard_n to_o that_o seed_n which_o be_v to_o proceed_v from_o another_o or_o a_o strange_a place_n and_o what_o seed_n be_v that_o say_v he_o it_o be_v the_o king_n the_o messiah_n i_o pretend_v not_o to_o maintain_v the_o solidity_n of_o the_o reflection_n they_o make_v upon_o the_o word_n another_o seed_n they_o seem_v rather_o to_o have_v please_v themselves_o in_o sport_v with_o a_o word_n which_o admit_v of_o both_o signification_n other_o and_o strange_a than_o to_o give_v we_o a_o exact_a and_o distinct_a notion_n of_o the_o importance_n of_o that_o word_n thus_o much_o at_o least_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o eve_n consider_v her_o son_n seth_n as_o he_o who_o god_n have_v give_v she_o instead_o of_o abel_n she_o can_v do_v no_o less_o than_o acquaint_v he_o with_o her_o hope_n and_o indeed_o this_o information_n be_v that_o which_o not_o only_o dispose_v seth_n and_o his_o posterity_n for_o piety_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o religion_n but_o do_v also_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n incline_v they_o to_o separate_v from_o the_o race_n of_o cain_n as_o from_o those_o who_o god_n have_v bereave_v of_o the_o right_n of_o fulfil_v the_o first_o oracle_n to_o which_o natural_o they_o may_v pretend_v it_o appear_v from_o the_o example_n of_o enoch_n that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n live_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o we_o know_v that_o the_o say_a worship_n suppose_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o promise_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o all_o the_o act_n of_o religion_n be_v employ_v either_o in_o commemorate_n these_o truth_n every_o seven_o day_n or_o in_o unfolding_a the_o wonder_n therein_o contain_v or_o in_o testify_v our_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n for_o the_o same_o we_o may_v add_v here_o that_o the_o instance_n of_o lamech_n polygamy_n do_v in_o some_o sort_n make_v out_o to_o we_o the_o force_n of_o this_o persuasion_n cain_n be_v reject_v by_o god_n and_o distinguish_v by_o a_o exemplary_a punishment_n for_o kill_v his_o brother_n abel_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v any_o long_o interpret_v that_o promise_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n by_o apply_v it_o to_o adam_n first_o son_n or_o his_o posterity_n this_o be_v so_o plain_a as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o it_o be_v therefore_o natural_a to_o seek_v for_o another_o meaning_n of_o that_o promise_n and_o to_o place_v the_o fulfil_n of_o it_o in_o a_o posterity_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n or_o more_o numerous_a and_o indeed_o so_o it_o happen_v for_o the_o exemplary_a punishment_n which_o god_n inflict_v on_o cain_n during_o the_o seven_o first_o generation_n according_a to_o those_o word_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v punish_v sevenfold_a make_v his_o posterity_n apprehend_v that_o god_n for_o the_o sin_n he_o have_v commit_v have_v just_o debar_v he_o of_o the_o right_n he_o may_v otherwise_o have_v have_v of_o fulfil_v the_o promise_n but_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o conceive_v also_o that_o this_o right_n which_o belong_v more_o proper_o to_o the_o elder_a or_o first-born_a than_o to_o the_o young_a brother_n be_v now_o to_o return_v to_o his_o posterity_n after_o the_o seven_o generation_n and_o in_o this_o view_n it_o seem_v that_o lamech_v affect_v polygamy_n as_o if_o by_o multiply_v his_o posterity_n he_o have_v hope_v to_o see_v that_o promise_v fulfil_v by_o some_o one_o or_o other_o of_o they_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o he_o imitate_v the_o crime_n of_o cain_n and_o therefore_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v leven_v also_o with_o his_o false_a maxim_n but_o how_o great_o soever_o he_o be_v corrupt_v yet_o forasmuch_o as_o he_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o his_o father_n and_o in_o converse_n with_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n who_o many_o age_n before_o have_v form_v public_a assembly_n for_o religious_a exercise_n we_o can_v well_o imagine_v but_o that_o he_o must_v have_v have_v the_o same_o pretension_n it_o appear_v therefore_o that_o the_o polygamy_n of_o lamech_v may_v just_o be_v esteem_v a_o effect_n of_o his_o misapprehension_n concern_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o first_o promise_n those_o mean_n which_o he_o conceive_v most_o likely_a he_o make_v choice_n of_o to_o give_v he_o a_o share_n in_o the_o fulfil_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o point_v at_o a_o son_n to_o be_v born._n so_o that_o the_o irregularity_n he_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o marry_v two_o wife_n at_o the_o same_o time_n may_v pass_v for_o a_o proof_n of_o his_o be_v persuade_v not_o only_o of_o the_o promise_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n but_o also_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n it_o seem_v that_o according_a to_o these_o principle_n we_o may_v give_v a_o very_a plausible_a account_n as_o well_o of_o those_o violence_n which_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o old_a world_n and_o of_o their_o strong_a inclination_n to_o sensuality_n as_o of_o those_o alliance_n between_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n and_o that_o of_o cain_n which_o do_v not_o happen_v till_o seven_o generation_n after_o cain_n that_o be_v to_o say_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o family_n of_o cain_n pretend_v to_o be_v restore_v again_o to_o his_o ancient_a right_n from_o which_o he_o have_v be_v suspend_v during_o seven_o generation_n the_o family_n of_o seth_n by_o these_o alliance_n with_o the_o family_n of_o cain_n seem_v desirous_a to_o secure_v their_o hope_n and_o pretension_n it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v strange_a that_o i_o look_v upon_o the_o jealousy_n of_o cain_n towards_o
not_o only_o this_o reason_n may_v be_v allege_v that_o he_o sell_v his_o birthright_n for_o a_o mess_n of_o pottage_n to_o which_o birthright_n the_o priesthood_n be_v always_o annex_v but_o we_o must_v further_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o be_v educate_v by_o his_o father_n in_o the_o hope_n of_o this_o blessing_n he_o seem_v to_o laugh_v at_o it_o in_o all_o his_o action_n for_o first_o he_o marry_v the_o daughter_n of_o heth_n by_o which_o he_o sufficient_o intimate_v that_o he_o neither_o mind_v the_o blessing_n nor_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n for_o canaan_n and_o his_o posterity_n have_v in_o a_o very_a solemn_a manner_n be_v curse_v by_o noah_n with_o a_o particular_a regard_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o i_o hint_v before_o in_o the_o second_o place_n he_o marry_v a_o daughter_n of_o ishmael_n as_o if_o he_o intend_v to_o renew_v the_o pretension_n of_o ishmael_n against_o isaac_n his_o father_n in_o the_o three_o place_n we_o see_v that_o when_o he_o repent_v of_o this_o profane_a humour_n he_o be_v pierce_v with_o extreme_a sorrow_n for_o the_o crime_n he_o have_v commit_v because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v pardon_n for_o it_o this_o jealousy_n and_o difference_n between_o esau_n and_o jacob_n be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o esau_n be_v the_o head_n of_o a_o great_a nation_n viz._n the_o edomite_n a_o people_n circumcise_a as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n jealous_a of_o the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n and_o live_v upon_o the_o border_n of_o judea_n as_o well_o as_o the_o moabite_n ammonite_n and_o ishmaelite_n but_o yet_o put_v by_o their_o hope_n by_o that_o oracle_n the_o great_a people_n shall_v serve_v the_o lesser_a be_v it_o needful_a to_o afford_v a_o great_a light_n to_o these_o reflection_n i_o may_v here_o add_v a_o very_a natural_a one_o from_o the_o oath_n which_o abraham_n make_v his_o servant_n eliezer_n take_v when_o he_o send_v he_o to_o padan_n aram_n to_o procure_v a_o wife_n for_o isaac_n we_o may_v easy_o judge_v that_o he_o be_v not_o willing_a he_o shall_v marry_v a_o canaanite_n as_o lot_n have_v do_v and_o that_o for_o fear_n of_o forfeit_v his_o hope_n and_o weaken_v the_o just_a pretension_n of_o isaac_n to_o the_o right_n of_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n from_o whence_o the_o canaanite_n be_v exclude_v by_o the_o prophecy_n deliver_v by_o noah_n but_o that_o which_o make_v abraham_n to_o oblige_v his_o servant_n to_o swear_v put_v his_o hand_n under_o his_o thigh_n that_o be_v jerom._n st._n jerom._n touch_v that_o part_n which_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o circumcision_n and_o which_o bear_v the_o mark_n of_o the_o covenant_n deserve_v a_o further_a consideration_n we_o find_v first_o of_o all_o that_o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n observe_v the_o same_o custom_n when_o he_o make_v his_o son_n joseph_n to_o take_v a_o oath_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o bury_v he_o in_o egypt_n second_o we_o find_v that_o this_o custom_n of_o behold_v that_o member_n which_o receive_v circumcision_n as_o a_o part_n consecrate_a to_o religion_n do_v by_o little_a and_o little_o take_v place_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o baal_n peor_n so_o famous_a among_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n a_o very_a surprise_a and_o strange_a worship_n indeed_o and_o yet_o celebrate_v with_o festival_n and_o hymn_n and_o be_v the_o rise_n of_o that_o worship_n which_o the_o heathen_n afterward_o give_v to_o priapus_n what_o i_o have_v here_o observe_v have_v be_v in_o part_n acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n where_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o worship_n of_o baal_n peor_n and_o the_o reason_n which_o make_v god_n prescribe_v to_o the_o priest_n the_o use_n of_o linen_n drawer_n that_o their_o nakedness_n may_v not_o appear_v during_o the_o function_n of_o their_o ministry_n after_o all_o that_o i_o have_v now_o say_v concern_v those_o jealousy_n which_o moses_n relate_v with_o so_o much_o care_n it_o seem_v that_o the_o solidity_n of_o these_o observation_n can_v be_v dispute_v especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v these_o jealousy_n and_o these_o pretension_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o give_v rise_v to_o the_o custom_n of_o calling_n god_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n for_o though_o he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o adam_n the_o god_n of_o enoch_n and_o the_o god_n of_o noah_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o these_o patriarch_n be_v also_o depositary_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n yet_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o god_n be_v call_v so_o because_o of_o the_o particular_a promise_n which_o have_v be_v make_v first_o to_o abraham_n second_o to_o isaac_n and_o last_o to_o jacob_n and_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o pretension_n of_o some_o people_n near_o neighbour_n to_o the_o israelite_n and_o jealous_a of_o their_o hope_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o not_o of_o lot_n as_o the_o ammonite_n and_o moabite_n lot_n posterity_n pretend_v the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o not_o of_o ishmael_n as_o the_o ishmaelite_n pretend_v the_o god_n of_o jacob_n and_o not_o of_o esau_n as_o the_o edomite_n who_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o esau_n pretend_v chap._n xvi_o that_o this_o very_a persuasion_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n until_o moses_n be_v time_n it_o be_v yet_o easy_o to_o show_v that_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n do_v continue_v from_o jacob_n to_o joseph_n and_o so_o on_o to_o moses_n the_o follow_a argument_n will_v clear_o demonstrate_v it_o first_o of_o all_o xxviii_o genes_n xxviii_o we_o see_v that_o jacob_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o blessing_n and_o so_o depositary_a of_o the_o promise_n obey_v isaac_n command_n who_o forbid_v he_o to_o take_v a_o wife_n but_o out_o of_o his_o own_o family_n and_o that_o according_o he_o go_v to_o padan-aram_n to_o seek_v and_o get_v a_o wife_n among_o those_o of_o his_o kindred_n as_o abraham_n have_v former_o send_v for_o one_o of_o the_o same_o country_n for_o his_o son_n isaac_n we_o see_v in_o the_o second_o place_n xxix_o genes_n xxix_o this_o patriarch_n imitate_v lamech_v in_o some_o respect_n by_o his_o fall_n into_o polygamy_n for_o who_o can_v doubt_v but_o he_o who_o be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o of_o have_v surprise_v as_o he_o think_v the_o blessing_n design_v for_o his_o elder_a brother_n do_v act_n in_o this_o occasion_n by_o the_o same_o principle_n which_o lamech_v have_v former_o act_v by_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o barren_a rachel_n follow_v sarah_n example_n and_o adopt_v the_o son_n of_o that_o maid_n servant_n who_o she_o give_v to_o jacob_n wherein_o leah_n follow_v she_o and_o give_v one_o of_o her_o maid_n to_o her_o husband_n all_o this_o be_v evident_o ground_v upon_o the_o same_o principle_n which_o afterward_o breed_v those_o dissension_n betwixt_o jacob_n wife_n about_o the_o get_n child_n by_o he_o for_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o believe_v that_o jacob_n do_v not_o conceal_v from_o his_o wife_n his_o advantage_n and_o hope_n it_o appear_v that_o jacob_n child_n which_o be_v bear_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o laban_n house_n in_o chaldea_n where_o they_o have_v see_v abraham_n native_a country_n and_o those_o of_o their_o own_o kindred_n from_o among_o who_o god_n have_v command_v abraham_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o go_v into_o canaan_n do_v entertain_v very_o lively_a notion_n of_o those_o important_a truth_n especial_o after_o they_o be_v strengthen_v and_o confirm_v by_o the_o care_n and_o instruction_n of_o old_a isaac_n to_o who_o they_o be_v bring_v by_o jacob_n and_o after_o they_o begin_v to_o practice_n in_o canaan_n the_o worship_n and_o religion_n of_o their_o own_o family_n and_o to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o doctrine_n they_o have_v learn_v in_o chaldea_n those_o several_a voyage_n which_o god_n oblige_v the_o patriarch_n to_o undertake_v as_o that_o of_o abraham_n out_o of_o ur_fw-la of_o chaldea_n that_o of_o jacob_n out_o of_o canaan_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v the_o same_o judgement_n of_o moses_n forty_o year_n sojourn_v among_o the_o midianite_n do_v evident_o oblige_v they_o to_o examine_v more_o careful_o what_o be_v the_o tradition_n receive_v in_o the_o several_a country_n into_o which_o they_o travel_v and_o so_o to_o imprint_v the_o more_o deep_o into_o their_o mind_n the_o belief_n of_o those_o important_a truth_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o sole_a object_n of_o the_o meditation_n of_o the_o faithful_a one_o see_v in_o short_a the_o effect_n of_o these_o impression_n 1._o by_o that_o custom_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v begin_v in_o jacob_n time_n and_o which_o aftrrwards_o get_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o law_n i_o mean_v the_o custom_n
of_o take_v to_o wife_n once_o own_o brother_n widow_n to_o raise_v he_o up_o seed_n 2._o the_o sin_n of_o onan_n be_v represent_v so_o odious_a only_o because_o by_o it_o he_o act_v against_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o promise_n 3._o we_o see_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o action_n of_o thamar_n juda_n daughter-in-law_n for_o have_v be_v deceive_v by_o judah_n she_o in_o exchange_n surprise_v he_o into_o a_o incest_n the_o commission_n whereof_o according_a to_o the_o observation_n of_o a_o greek_a commentator_n she_o seek_v to_o perpetuate_v i._n theoph._n in_o mat._n c._n i._n only_o because_o she_o have_v a_o vehement_a desire_n to_o get_v child_n out_o of_o a_o family_n which_o she_o look_v upon_o as_o sole_o entrust_v with_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o be_v according_o to_o be_v bear_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v that_o observation_n because_o we_o ought_v always_o to_o remember_v that_o she_o be_v former_o a_o canaanite_n and_o that_o consequent_o she_o leave_v off_o and_o renounce_v the_o impiety_n and_o idolatry_n of_o her_o kindred_n when_o she_o embrace_v the_o religion_n and_o hope_n of_o jacob_n family_n therefore_o we_o see_v that_o particular_a mention_n be_v make_v of_o she_o in_o our_o saviour_n genealogy_n and_o of_o ruth_n who_o likewise_o give_v over_o all_o the_o pretension_n of_o her_o own_o people_n and_o so_o forsake_v her_o religion_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o well_o as_o of_o bathshebah_n who_o be_v wife_n to_o a_o hittite_n whereupon_o a_o ancient_a father_n have_v very_o well_o observe_v 3._o s._n hieronym_n in_o tradit_fw-la heb_fw-mi ad_fw-la 1_o reg._n 3._o according_a to_o the_o jewish_a opinion_n that_o shimei_n revile_n against_o david_n when_o he_o go_v out_o of_o jerusalem_n during_o absalom_n rebellion_n reflect_v upon_o his_o birth_n out_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o ruth_n the_o moabitess_n as_o the_o jew_n even_o to_o this_o very_a day_n do_v understand_v it_o we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o reflection_n upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o that_o implacable_a jealousy_n which_o joseph_n dream_n raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o his_o brethren_n 1._o we_o may_v reasonable_o conceive_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o rachel_n and_o the_o wife_n which_o jacob_n his_o father_n have_v first_o make_v love_n to_o he_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o with_o hope_n of_o the_o birthright_n as_o well_o as_o isaac_n who_o be_v but_o the_o second_o son_n of_o abraham_n but_o 2._o he_o may_v beside_o very_o well_o suppose_v that_o the_o crime_n of_o his_o brethren_n bear_v of_o leah_n who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n he_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o sole_a legitimate_a heir_n the_o other_o be_v bear_v of_o maid-servant_n do_v rank_v they_o with_o esau_n who_o god_n have_v reject_v that_o outrageous_a fury_n which_o joseph_n brethren_n show_v against_o he_o because_o they_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o prefer_v of_o god_n by_o those_o dream_n to_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v before_o he_o be_v so_o like_a that_o of_o cain_n of_o lot_n of_o ishmael_n and_o of_o esau_n that_o it_o have_v in_o all_o probability_n the_o same_o cause_n and_o original_a do_v we_o not_o see_v afterward_o another_o effect_n of_o the_o same_o jealousy_n in_o the_o affectation_n that_o jacob_n and_o his_o family_n show_v in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n when_o they_o refuse_v to_o live_v promiscuous_o with_o the_o egyptian_n which_o be_v the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n and_o beg_v of_o they_o a_o country_n where_o they_o may_v live_v by_o themselves_o as_o we_o see_v on_o the_o contrary_a the_o egyptian_n show_v a_o extreme_a aversion_n against_o jacob_n and_o his_o family_n which_o be_v of_o sem_n posterity_n certain_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o as_o this_o separation_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o antipathy_n of_o those_o nation_n so_o it_o may_v also_o be_v in_o some_o respect_n the_o consequence_n of_o jacob_n and_o his_o child_n pretension_n upon_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o execution_n and_o accomplishment_n whereof_o they_o stand_v up_o for_o as_o belong_v to_o themselves_o to_o all_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o egyptian_n against_o the_o israelite_n oblige_v they_o to_o make_v particular_a reflection_n upon_o the_o promise_n which_o jacob_n on_o his_o deathbed_n make_v to_o they_o from_o god_n that_o persecution_n be_v chief_o intend_v against_o the_o male_a child_n pharaoh_n command_v the_o extirpation_n of_o they_o because_o he_o be_v afraid_a of_o the_o jew_n grow_v too_o strong_a for_o he_o and_o of_o their_o join_n with_o his_o enemy_n and_o perhaps_o also_o because_o the_o jew_n entertain_v a_o certain_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v and_o so_o boast_v and_o glory_v of_o it_o upon_o all_o occasion_n the_o egyptian_n design_v to_o frustrate_v and_o cut_v off_o their_o hope_n thus_o by_o hinder_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n however_o there_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n to_o keep_v up_o the_o distinct_a remembrance_n of_o those_o important_a fact_n jacob_n die_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2315._o joseph_n die_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2428._o there_o be_v then_o but_o 58_o year_n between_o joseph_n death_n and_o moses_n birth_n moses_n may_v have_v see_v not_o only_o amram_v his_o own_o â—â—ther_n who_o have_v see_v levi_n but_o also_o kohath_fw-mi his_o grandfather_n who_o have_v see_v jacob._n and_o it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n 23._o gen._n l._n 23._o that_o moses_n seem_v to_o have_v observe_v that_o joseph_n see_v his_o own_o child_n child_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o three_o generation_n one_o can_v imagine_v any_o circumstance_n more_o conducible_a than_o these_o to_o the_o preserve_v the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o those_o important_a truth_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o persuasion_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n before_o moses_n can_v be_v suspect_v i_o have_v show_v i_o think_v evident_o enough_o that_o both_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n with_o all_o the_o other_o thing_n depend_v upon_o they_o may_v have_v be_v know_v certain_o by_o adam_n and_o his_o child_n and_o so_o afterward_o be_v hand_v down_o to_o all_o his_o posterity_n till_o moses_n time_n from_o adam_n to_o noah_n there_o be_v but_o one_o man_n viz._n methusalah_n who_o join_v hand_n with_o both_o from_o noah_n to_o abraham_n there_o be_v but_o one_o man_n viz._n sem_fw-mi who_o see_v they_o both_o for_o a_o considerable_a time_n from_o abraham_n to_o joseph_n there_o be_v but_o one_o man_n viz._n isaac_n joseph_n grandfather_n from_o joseph_n to_o moses_n there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d one_o man_n viz._n amram_n who_o may_v have_v see_v joseph_n long_o enough_o those_o character_n of_o time_n which_o moses_n have_v so_o careful_o observe_v do_v plain_o evidence_n that_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v distinct_o know_v for_o if_o we_o suppose_v a_o continue_a succession_n of_o adam_n offspring_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o impose_v upon_o man_n in_o that_o matter_n and_o that_o because_o every_o one_o of_o those_o who_o be_v contemporary_n with_o moses_n be_v able_a to_o run_v up_o his_o own_o pedigree_n as_o far_o as_o the_o flood_n nay_o even_o up_o to_o adam_n by_z as_o compendious_a a_o way_n as_o moses_n can_v do_v his_o own_o they_o will_v have_v treat_v those_o with_o the_o utmost_a degree_n of_o scorn_n who_o shall_v have_v attempt_v to_o forge_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o what_o be_v public_o and_o universal_o know_v and_o so_o it_o be_v equal_o impossible_a that_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n so_o important_a as_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v shall_v be_v unknown_a beside_o i_o think_v i_o have_v plain_o show_v that_o many_o action_n record_v by_o moses_n though_o very_o strange_a in_o themselves_o and_o which_o the_o atheist_n look_v upon_o as_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a have_v proceed_v from_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o from_o the_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n according_a as_o in_o a_o long_a series_n of_o age_n every_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n follow_v his_o own_o humour_n and_o prejudices_fw-la frame_v to_o himself_o a_o particular_a idea_n differ_v from_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v object_v that_o all_o this_o be_v only_o ground_v upon_o the_o uncertain_a authority_n of_o tradition_n for_o though_o i_o grant_v that_o tradition_n as_o to_o fact_n of_o another_o nature_n be_v dubious_a and_o uncertain_a and_o not_o to_o be_v too_o much_o
rely_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o belief_n yet_o this_o have_v such_o very_a particular_a character_n as_o keep_v up_o its_o own_o authority_n first_o it_o suppose_v a_o small_a number_n of_o person_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n who_o put_v it_o in_o write_v second_o it_o suppose_v that_o those_o who_o have_v preserve_v this_o tradition_n live_v very_o long_o and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n for_o many_o century_n of_o year_n three_o it_o relate_v to_o such_o fact_n as_o every_o one_o be_v desirous_a to_o be_v right_o inform_v of_o and_o which_o he_o be_v particular_o concern_v to_o examine_v as_o relate_v to_o his_o own_o private_a interest_n because_o they_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o his_o action_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o conduct_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n four_o it_o suppose_v such_o real_a mark_n as_o serve_v to_o keep_v it_o up_o such_o as_o the_o pain_n of_o child-bearing_a the_o paradise_n before_o the_o flood_n the_o duration_n of_o the_o ark_n after_o the_o flood_n five_o it_o suppose_v a_o public_a service_n and_o worship_n who_o celebration_n be_v repeat_v fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n that_o the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v preserve_v by_o all_o posterity_n six_o it_o be_v preserve_v entire_a by_o pass_v from_o father_n to_o son_n and_o we_o know_v that_o father_n or_o mother_n do_v not_o natural_o engage_v in_o a_o design_n of_o deceive_v their_o child_n seven_o it_o suppose_v strange_a controversy_n betwixt_o brother_n the_o elder_a have_v almost_o all_o be_v exclude_v and_o the_o young_a as_o abel_n seth_n abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n juda_n choose_v to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o breed_v great_a jealousy_n and_o tend_v much_o to_o preserve_v those_o idea_n of_o the_o truth_n last_o it_o suppose_v great_a contest_v betwixt_o whole_a nation_n who_o all_o strive_v one_o with_o another_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o depositary_n of_o those_o verity_n as_o the_o moabite_n for_o instance_n the_o ammonite_n the_o ishmaelite_n the_o edomite_n and_o the_o jew_n each_o of_o they_o pretend_v to_o a_o preference_n before_o the_o other_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o so_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o credit_n and_o honour_n to_o themselves_o all_o these_o character_n contribute_v to_o the_o distinct_a preservation_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o truth_n chap._n xviii_o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o at_o first_o i_o take_v for_o grant_v and_o afterward_o prove_v it_o the_o reason_n whereof_o i_o explain_v particular_o as_o i_o go_v on_o but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v fix_v as_o solid_o as_o the_o matter_n will_v bear_v because_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o those_o who_o do_v not_o foresee_v the_o consequence_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n do_v contradict_v it_o before_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o and_o that_o too_o under_o pretence_n of_o exalt_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o atheist_n to_o look_v upon_o it_o not_o otherwise_o than_o as_o learned_a man_n do_v on_o the_o great_a part_n of_o legend_n the_o prophetical_a spirit_n act_n in_o two_o manner_n the_o first_o be_v by_o way_n of_o revelation_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n the_o prophet_n have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n john_n have_v foretell_v those_o event_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o revelation_n for_o those_o event_n be_v all_o hide_a under_o the_o shadow_n of_o futurity_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v foretell_v they_o unless_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v immediate_o reveal_v they_o to_o he_o the_o second_o be_v by_o way_n of_o direction_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o thing_n with_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v himself_o acquaint_v either_o because_o he_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o they_o himself_o or_o because_o he_o learn_v they_o from_o those_o who_o be_v so_o now_o this_o direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n consist_v in_o the_o guide_n the_o prophet_n so_o as_o that_o he_o may_v write_v of_o his_o subject_n just_a as_o it_o be_v either_o speak_v or_o do_v thus_o the_o evangelist_n st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n draw_v up_o a_o abridgement_n of_o those_o sermon_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o of_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o thus_o st._n luke_n and_o st._n mark_n have_v write_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o those_o that_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o as_o st._n luke_n particular_o tell_v we_o now_o i_o affirm_v that_o when_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o have_v only_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o prophetical_a influence_n and_o not_o the_o first_o although_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o atheist_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o may_v consider_v he_o only_o as_o a_o historian_n who_o may_v have_v write_v his_o book_n without_o any_o other_o particular_a direction_n and_o may_v have_v preserve_v in_o it_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o be_v then_o general_o know_v now_o what_o side_n soever_o divine_v may_v take_v in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o atheist_n i_o may_v easy_o establish_v my_o assertion_n first_o because_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o suppose_v a_o entire_a revelation_n where_o tradition_n be_v distinct_a enough_o be_v sufficient_a to_o preserve_v a_o clear_a remembrance_n of_o all_o those_o fact_n now_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o tradition_n concern_v the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o little_a extent_n of_o it_o and_o the_o immediate_a succession_n of_o moses_n ancestor_n down_o to_o himself_o second_o if_o abraham_n and_o jacob_n travel_n through_o so_o many_o place_n be_v as_o i_o have_v observe_v already_o very_o useful_a to_o give_v they_o a_o further_a view_n of_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o all_o the_o several_a nation_n descend_v from_o noah_n and_o of_o their_o agreement_n in_o this_o tradition_n it_o be_v unjust_a to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n forty_o year_n sojourn_v in_o the_o country_n of_o midian_a and_o that_o too_o when_o he_o be_v forty_o year_n old_a and_o consequent_o have_v that_o ripeness_n of_o age_n and_o judgement_n as_o be_v fit_a for_o such_o observation_n do_v not_o serve_v to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o several_a passage_n he_o record_v of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o several_a division_n of_o his_o posterity_n three_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n a_o way_n of_o write_v very_o different_a from_o that_o which_o we_o see_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o in_o the_o follow_a book_n for_o whereas_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o in_o those_o latter_a book_n which_o he_o always_o do_v viuâ_fw-la voce_fw-la and_o the_o jew_n have_v wise_o observe_v that_o herein_o consist_v moses_n advantage_n above_o the_o other_o prophet_n to_o who_o god_n be_v use_v to_o speak_v only_o in_o dream_n and_o vision_n he_o use_v common_o those_o word_n and_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o i_o he_o mark_v out_o the_o place_n where_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o as_o well_o as_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o he_o which_o he_o do_v not_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n four_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o several_a revelation_n as_o all_o prophecy_n be_v wherein_o the_o several_a return_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n be_v all_o exact_o set_v down_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a not_o only_o to_o ease_v the_o reader_n who_o may_v be_v tire_v if_o he_o be_v to_o carry_v a_o long_a series_n of_o prediction_n in_o his_o mind_n at_o once_o as_o if_o it_o be_v only_o one_o single_a vision_n or_o revelation_n but_o also_o to_o condescend_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n we_o can_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v fill_v with_o so_o many_o differ_a idea_n at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o a_o great_a confusion_n must_v necessary_o follow_v but_o suppose_v that_o these_o observation_n shall_v be_v think_v insufficient_a yet_o those_o that_o follow_v will_v seem_v capable_a of_o convince_a the_o mind_n of_o all_o there_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n certain_a character_n of_o its_o be_v write_v in_o that_o way_n which_o i_o speak_v of_o first_o one_o needs_o only_o just_a look_n into_o that_o book_n and_o he_o will_v see_v that_o the_o ancient_a fact_n which_o be_v those_o of_o
teach_v no_o more_o every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n say_v know_v the_o lord_n for_o they_o shall_v all_o know_v i_o from_o the_o least_o of_o they_o unto_o the_o great_a of_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n for_o i_o will_v forgive_v their_o iniquity_n and_o i_o will_v remember_v their_o sin_n no_o more_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n which_o give_v the_o sun_n for_o a_o light_n by_o day_n and_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o star_n for_o a_o light_n by_o night_n which_o divide_v the_o sea_n when_o the_o wave_n thereof_o roar_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n be_v his_o name_n if_o those_o ordinance_n depart_v from_o before_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n than_o the_o seed_n of_o israel_n also_o shall_v cease_v from_o be_v a_o nation_n before_o i_o for_o ever_o nothing_o can_v be_v desire_v more_o particular_a than_o this_o oracle_n 1._o it_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o his_o people_n which_o suppose_v a_o abolish_n of_o the_o former_a 2._o that_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v like_o the_o forego_n 3._o that_o the_o old_a covenant_n have_v be_v make_v vain_a and_o have_v be_v break_v by_o those_o with_o who_o it_o be_v make_v 4._o that_o this_o covenant_n be_v to_o be_v make_v after_o those_o day_n that_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n 5._o that_o this_o new_a covenant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v engrave_v in_o table_n of_o stone_n but_o in_o their_o heart_n 6._o that_o in_o the_o same_o covenant_n full_a remission_n of_o sin_n be_v promise_v the_o same_o thing_n be_v also_o express_v chap._n xxxii_o vers_fw-la 40._o and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o that_o i_o will_v not_o turn_v away_o from_o they_o to_o do_v they_o good_a but_o i_o will_v put_v my_o fear_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o they_o shall_v not_o depart_v from_o i_o and_o chap._n l._n vers_fw-la 5._o they_o shall_v ask_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n with_o their_o face_n thitherward_o say_v come_v and_o let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v forget_v to_o this_o purpose_n also_o ezechiel_n who_o himself_o be_v a_o priest_n speak_v of_o a_o religious_a worship_n extend_v to_o all_o nation_n and_o of_o a_o new_a covenant_n which_o god_n be_v to_o make_v with_o they_o chap._n xvi_o vers_fw-la 60_o 61_o 62._o nevertheless_o i_o will_v remember_v my_o covenant_n with_o thou_o in_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o youth_n and_o i_o will_v establish_v unto_o thou_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n then_o thou_o shall_v remember_v thy_o way_n and_o be_v ashamed_a when_o thou_o shall_v receive_v thy_o sister_n thy_o elder_n and_o thy_o young_a and_o i_o will_v give_v they_o unto_o thou_o for_o daughter_n but_o not_o by_o thy_o covenant_n and_o i_o will_v establish_v my_o covenant_n with_o thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n here_o be_v first_o a_o covenant_n differ_v from_o the_o former_a 2._o a_o covenant_n wherein_o other_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v include_v clear_o intimate_v by_o the_o elder_n and_o young_a sister_n of_o the_o synagogue_n 3._o a_o covenant_n whereby_o the_o gentile_n be_v to_o enjoy_v the_o same_o privilege_n with_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v incorporate_v with_o they_o malachy_n follow_v the_o step_n of_o these_o prophet_n when_o he_o call_v the_o messiah_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n chap._n iii_o vers_fw-la 1._o behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o messenger_n and_o he_o shall_v prepare_v the_o way_n before_o i_o and_o the_o lord_n who_o you_o seek_v shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n even_o the_o messenger_n angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o behold_v he_o shall_v come_v say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o jew_n apply_v these_o word_n to_o elias_n who_o ministry_n as_o they_o pretend_v be_v to_o consist_v in_o lead_v the_o jew_n to_o repentance_n but_o if_o we_o read_v the_o text_n with_o attention_n we_o shall_v find_v two_o messenger_n mention_v the_o first_o who_o prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o other_o be_v the_o messiah_n himself_o who_o be_v call_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o be_v send_v of_o god_n to_o make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o man_n chap._n xix_o that_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o dreadful_a effect_n of_o their_o blindness_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n this_o be_v a_o very_a peculiar_a mark_n which_o will_v guide_v we_o sure_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n we_o find_v the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n very_o ready_a to_o follow_v every_o one_o that_o usurp_v that_o august_n title_n and_o to_o take_v he_o for_o the_o only_a true_a messiah_n that_o be_v promise_v they_o which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o be_v infallible_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v neither_o will_v this_o much_o surprise_v we_o if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o this_o people_n on_o divers_a occasion_n have_v give_v very_o strange_a instance_n of_o a_o prodigious_a blindness_n we_o see_v they_o reject_v moses_n notwithstanding_o god_n have_v authorise_a his_o call_n by_o great_a and_o avow_a miracle_n yea_o we_o find_v they_o reject_v david_n also_o who_o god_n have_v so_o signal_o appoint_v to_o be_v their_o king_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o who_o we_o hear_v these_o prophecy_n 2._o that_o god_n upbraid_v they_o with_o this_o blindness_n by_o his_o prophet_n as_o a_o sin_n to_o which_o they_o be_v peculiar_o incline_v as_o appear_v from_o psalm_n lxix_o vers_fw-la 23_o 24_o 25_o 26_o 27_o and_o 28._o let_v their_o eye_n be_v darken_v that_o they_o see_v not_o and_o make_v their_o loin_n continual_o to_o shake_v pour_v out_o thy_o indignation_n upon_o they_o and_o let_v thy_o wrathful_a anger_n take_v hold_v of_o they_o let_v their_o habitation_n be_v desolate_a and_o let_v none_o dwell_v in_o their_o tent_n for_o they_o persecute_v he_o who_o thou_o have_v smite_v and_o they_o talk_v to_o the_o grief_n of_o those_o who_o thou_o have_v wound_v add_v iniquity_n to_o their_o iniquity_n and_o let_v they_o not_o come_v into_o thy_o righteousness_n let_v they_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o live_n and_o not_o be_v write_v with_o the_o righteous_a one_o see_v we_o the_o same_a thing_n in_o isaiah_n chap._n vi_o vers_fw-la 9_o 10_o 11_o and_o 12._o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n foretell_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o most_o evident_a and_o convince_a proof_n imaginable_a go_v say_v the_o lord_n to_o the_o prophet_n and_o tell_v this_o people_n hear_v you_o indeed_o but_o understand_v not_o and_o see_v you_o indeed_o but_o perceive_v not_o make_v the_o heart_n of_o this_o people_n fat_a and_o their_o ear_n heavy_a and_o shut_v their_o eye_n lest_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n and_o hear_v with_o their_o ear_n and_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o convert_v and_o be_v heal_v then_o say_v i_o lord_n how_o long_o and_o he_o answer_v until_o the_o city_n be_v waste_v without_o inhabitant_n and_o the_o house_n without_o man_n and_o the_o land_n be_v utter_o desolate_a and_o the_o lord_n have_v remove_v man_n far_o away_o and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a forsake_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o land._n nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o particular_a than_o this_o oracle_n concern_v the_o jew_n resist_v the_o prophet_n which_o god_n express_v in_o term_n very_o usual_a among_o the_o prophet_n as_o if_o isaiah_n who_o be_v only_o the_o foreteller_n of_o their_o be_v harden_v shall_v himself_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o the_o prophet_n hoseah_n describe_v the_o very_a same_o complaint_n of_o god_n against_o the_o jew_n for_o their_o blindness_n and_o ignorance_n for_o which_o he_o denounce_v their_o destruction_n hos_fw-la iv_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o and_o 6._o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n you_o child_n of_o israel_n for_o the_o lord_n have_v a_o controversy_n with_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n because_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n nor_o mercy_n nor_o knowledge_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land._n by_o swear_v and_o lie_v and_o kill_v and_o steal_v and_o commit_v adultery_n they_o break_v out_o and_o blood_n touch_v blood_n therefore_o shall_v the_o land_n mourn_v and_o every_o one_o that_o dwell_v therein_o shall_v languish_v with_o the_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n and_o with_o the_o fowl_n of_o heaven_n yea_o the_o fish_n of_o the_o sea_n also_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o yet_o let_v no_o man_n strive_v or_o reprove_v another_o for_o thy_o people_n be_v as_o they_o that_o strive_v with_o the_o priest_n therefore_o shall_v thou_o fall_v in_o the_o day_n and_o the_o prophet_n also_o shall_v fall_v with_o thou_o in_o the_o night_n and_o i_o will_v destroy_v thy_o mother_n
call_v man_n to_o the_o study_n of_o sanctification_n this_o be_v admirable_o perform_v by_o jesus_n christ_n 1._o in_o correct_v those_o abuse_n which_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n have_v introduce_v into_o the_o law._n second_o in_o declare_v that_o the_o effect_v of_o sanctification_n be_v to_o be_v look_v for_o in_o the_o heart_n rather_o than_o in_o the_o eye_n or_o hand_n one_o may_v see_v afterward_o 1._o that_o he_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o prove_v that_o he_o make_v it_o this_o he_o testify_v upon_o several_a occasion_n in_o the_o answer_n which_o he_o make_v to_o those_o that_o speak_v to_o he_o and_o indeed_o in_o all_o his_o discourse_n which_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o heart_n of_o those_o to_o who_o he_o address_v they_o 2._o that_o he_o make_v use_v of_o parable_n which_o be_v moral_a lesson_n very_o easy_a indeed_o but_o withal_o fit_a for_o the_o subject_n than_o fable_n and_o more_o worthy_a of_o god_n parable_n also_o which_o be_v so_o ordinary_a and_o familiar_a among_o the_o jew_n that_o we_o find_v most_o of_o they_o at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o jew_n though_o they_o apply_v they_o to_o another_o use_n 3._o that_o he_o descend_v to_o particular_n without_o use_v any_o thing_n mean_a which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o do_v when_o they_o divide_v thing_n minutely_o 4._o that_o he_o forget_v no_o one_o precept_n of_o morality_n 5._o that_o he_o examine_v all_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o make_v they_o infinite_o recommendable_a by_o suggest_v such_o excellent_a motive_n after_o all_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v four_o thing_n in_o the_o preach_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o will_v full_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n 1._o that_o his_o doctrine_n appear_v to_o be_v whole_o divine_a he_o have_v never_o be_v bring_v up_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o any_o doctor_n but_o have_v his_o breed_n in_o a_o carpenter_n shop_n 2._o that_o no_o crime_n be_v ever_o object_v to_o he_o notwithstanding_o that_o he_o upbraid_v the_o pharisee_n with_o they_o but_o he_o support_v his_o doctrine_n by_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o conversation_n 3._o that_o he_o insensible_o dispose_v the_o people_n to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o character_n which_o god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o in_o the_o prophet_n 4._o he_o prepare_v his_o disciple_n and_o his_o auditor_n to_o expect_v that_o one_o day_n the_o gentile_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o church_n in_o short_a can_v any_o thing_n be_v so_o surprise_v as_o to_o see_v a_o man_n who_o have_v live_v thirty_o year_n as_o the_o son_n of_o a_o carpenter_n to_o declare_v himself_o all_o at_o once_o a_o doctor_n to_o preach_v public_o to_o censure_v the_o doctor_n of_o his_o nation_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n with_o more_o depth_n and_o authority_n than_o all_o that_o ever_o go_v before_o he_o who_o can_v without_o surprise_n conceive_v that_o a_o man_n of_o the_o low_a quality_n shall_v from_o a_o carpenter_n shop_n come_v and_o determine_v question_n about_o the_o law_n and_o tread_v under_o his_o foot_n the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o great_a rabbin_n every_o where_o only_o by_o a_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o so_o that_o none_o be_v able_a to_o contradict_v he_o certain_o when_o one_o see_v we_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o mount_n explain_v and_o defend_v the_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o law_n from_o the_o corruption_n into_o which_o it_o be_v fall_v he_o appear_v not_o only_o as_o great_a as_o moses_n on_o mount_n sinai_n but_o even_o as_o god_n himself_o when_o he_o publish_v his_o law_n to_o that_o his_o ancient_a people_n neither_o ought_v any_o one_o to_o have_v less_o admiration_n for_o that_o perfect_a innocence_n which_o shine_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n what_o crime_n have_v they_o to_o charge_v he_o with_o when_o they_o put_v he_o to_o death_n he_o who_o accuse_v his_o enemy_n of_o so_o many_o who_o of_o you_o say_v he_o accuse_v i_o of_o sin_n we_o find_v he_o only_o accuse_v of_o word_n ill_o understand_v which_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o misinterpret_v his_o say_n that_o if_o they_o destroy_v that_o temple_n he_o will_v rebuild_v it_o in_o three_o day_n be_v lay_v to_o his_o charge_n as_o a_o crime_n and_o yet_o these_o word_n can_v not_o have_v be_v heighten_v into_o crime_n if_o they_o have_v be_v speak_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n which_o they_o put_v upon_o they_o this_o be_v a_o essential_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o restorer_n of_o holiness_n according_a to_o the_o idea_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v of_o he_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n afterward_o that_o our_o saviour_n in_o his_o sermon_n do_v by_o little_a and_o little_o dispose_v the_o mind_n of_o his_o auditor_n and_o disciple_n to_o conceive_v and_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n the_o first_o act_n of_o his_o public_a ministry_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o his_o zeal_n for_o the_o holiness_n of_o a_o temple_n consecrate_v to_o his_o father_n he_o drive_v the_o buyer_n and_o seller_n out_o of_o the_o temple_n at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o action_n of_o his_o be_v a_o solemn_a profession_n that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god._n soon_o after_o at_o nazareth_n he_o apply_v to_o himself_o that_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o i_o etc._n etc._n he_o explain_v himself_o yet_o more_o distinct_o in_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o second_o passover_n which_o he_o celebrate_v during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o ministry_n that_o they_o may_v understand_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o account_n which_o the_o evangelist_n give_v we_o and_o he_o explain_v himself_o yet_o more_o particular_o upon_o john_n the_o baptist_n message_n to_o he_o by_o which_o mean_v this_o truth_n become_v already_o so_o illustrious_a that_o the_o multitude_n will_v proclaim_v he_o king_n that_o be_v public_o own_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n and_o obey_v he_o as_o their_o rightful_a sovereign_n and_o last_o he_o explain_v himself_o in_o this_o matter_n by_o a_o question_n when_o he_o ask_v his_o disciple_n xvi_o matt._n xvi_o what_o censure_n be_v pass_v upon_o he_o in_o judea_n and_o what_o they_o themselves_o think_v of_o he_o in_o short_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o jesus_n prepare_v the_o mind_n of_o his_o disciple_n to_o look_v for_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n which_o also_o be_v the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n 10._o gen._n xlix_o 10._o jacob_n have_v prophesy_v of_o old_a to_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v but_o i_o shall_v pass_v by_o the_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v this_o matter_n what_o signify_v the_o history_n of_o the_o prodigal_n unless_o it_o be_v the_o call_v and_o the_o return_v of_o the_o gentile_n the_o elder_a son_n the_o jew_n be_v extreme_o trouble_v at_o it_o what_o mean_v that_o say_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o he_o have_v other_o sheep_n etc._n etc._n or_o his_o prediction_n that_o many_o shall_v come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o west_n and_o sit_v down_o with_o abraham_n when_o the_o child_n of_o the_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v cast_v forth_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o such_o like_a oracle_n and_o their_o exact_a accomplishment_n these_o be_v sufficient_a at_o present_a to_o justify_v the_o solidity_n of_o this_o last_o reflection_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o conclusion_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o if_o one_o examine_v the_o life_n and_o preach_v of_o our_o saviour_n he_o may_v find_v all_o those_o character_n by_o which_o the_o promise_a messiah_n may_v be_v know_v let_v we_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o his_o miracle_n chap._n x._o that_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n clear_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n as_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v very_o clear_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o by_o his_o miracle_n and_o as_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n chap._n xxxv_o set_v down_o the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n as_o one_o of_o those_o character_n by_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v know_v so_o it_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n to_o we_o to_o examine_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n with_o great_a attention_n whether_o they_o have_v the_o character_n of_o truth_n and_o whether_o they_o come_v up_o to_o the_o idea_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v we_o of_o those_o wonder_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o do_v the_o evangelist_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o wrought_v almost_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o they_o have_v describe_v more_o than_o thirty_o several_a sort_n of_o they_o he_o change_v water_n into_o wine_n at_o the_o wedding_n at_o cana_n he_o heal_v the_o sick_a son_n of_o a_o courtier_n he_o